Today, it’s my turn to pinch-hit at Pete Abe’s LYB. Click here to see my entry there. I’m also pasting the text below as a FYI. Please note that the comments section, here, is closed for this one – since I will be answering questions and comments on this one over at Pete’s house today. Feel free to comment on this piece there, if interested.

Nineteen seventy three was a significant season in Yankees history. It was the year that Big Stein took charge. It was the last year of the “old” Stadium. It’s when Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich traded families. It was the first year of the designated hitter – and Yankee Ron Blomberg was the first to do it. And, I went to my first game, ever, at Yankee Stadium.

That first trip was a contest between the Yankees and the Texas Rangers. Peterson started for the Yanks, threw one pitch, and re-aggravated an injury to his thigh covering first. Fred Beene came on in relief and threw a complete game. Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson, Felipe Alou and Stick Michael had hits in the bottom of the ninth to score two runs and give New York a 3-2 comeback victory.

From there, I grew up listening to Phil Rizzuto, Bill White, and Frank Messer covering great Yankees teams built by Gabe Paul and cared for by Cedric Tallis and Stick Michael. It was a good time to be a Yankees fan.

However, things changed during the 1980’s. Then, Yankees games were being covered by broadcasters such as Fran Healy, Spencer Ross, Ken Harrelson, and Jay Johnstone. This was the beginning of where it seemed like almost anyone was granted the privilege to work in the Yanks’ broadcast booth. (And, through these opened doors later waltzed the likes of Michael Kay, Paul Olden, Suzyn Waldman, David Justice, and Kimberly Jones.) During this period, Bill Bergesch, Murray Cook, Bob Quinn and Harding Peterson, at times, were in charge of manning the Yankees’ ship – and failing at the task. Sure, there was a brief period in the ‘80’s where Clyde King was in charge – and things went well. But, on the whole, the 1980’s were a downhill slide for the Yanks – and not a great time to be a Yankees fan.

It hit rock bottom from 1989 to 1992. This four-year period has a strong claim towards being the worse run in the Yankees’ timeline – in terms of the team’s relative and collective shortcomings. But, also, during this time, along came Howie Spira, Fay Vincent’s slap on Big Stein, and the installation of Stick Micheal as Yankees GM.

It wasn’t too long before happy times returned in Yankeeland. Between the Stick and Bob Watson (who succeeded Michael in 1996), a powerhouse entity was built in the Bronx – with a cadre of players that also later benefited Brian Cashman when he took over for Watson in 1998. And, for a kicker, during this time, Jim Kaat and Ken Singleton were added to the Yankees broadcast crew – providing quality coverage of the team.

Alas, after 2001, the force that Michael and Watson created was nearly tapped out and a new pocket in Yankees history began to form. The Randy Levine, Brian Cashman, and Jean Afterman-run Yankees, from 2002-07, sure look marvelous in terms of their win totals and revenue. But, if not for Boston collapses in the 2003 ALCS and the regular seasons of 2005 and 2006, this five-year period would not look as pretty for New York as it does on the average fan’s ledger.

During the 1980’s, the Yankees won the most regular season games in baseball – but, no rings. If our present decade ended today, you could say the same thing about Cashman’s 21st century Yankees. Could it be that we’re in another period where it’s not so great to be a Yankees fan – and people just don’t realize it yet? Or, will the Brothers Stein now taking over for Cashman change the direction of the team? Time will tell.