CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY IN THE BRONX

March 2, 2008 - "Go anywhere in America and you won't see Red Sox hats and jackets, you'll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We're going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order." – Hank Steinbrenner

Dec 23, 2008 – Order restored

Nearly 10 months later, not only have the Yankees restored order they have solidified a team with players at key positions, most recently with 1B Mark Teixeira. The Yankees and GM Brian Cashman woke up Tuesday morning with a plan to steal the thunder from Red Sox Nation. But in reality, no matter how you slice it, they are the New York friggin Yankees! They sell themselves. Being in sales myself, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall, when Cashman made his sales pitch to Teixeira…. I am sure would have gone a little something like this…

(ring, ring)

Mark – “Hello?”

Cashman – “Hey Mark, its Brian Cashman, the GM of the Yankees!” How are you this morning?”

Mark – “I’m doing great, just finished eating breakfast and deciding on whether or not I want to play for the Nationals or your hated rivals, the Red Sox!”

Cashman – “Sounds like you have a big decision! Let’s see if I can help you come to a conclusion? Aaah, the Nationals, lets be serious Mark! I know you are from that area, but you’ll never win. So they’re out. The Red Sox – You’ll hit the ball all over Fenway Park, but let’s face it, you’ll hit wherever you go! They have a solid line up, the reigning AL MVP in Pedroia, Dice K, Josh Beckett, Papelbon, and Big Papi – if he’s healthy. They have achieved excellence, but don’t bleed it. They’ve had great players, but you can count them on one hand. They’ve celebrated great moments, but not 26 of them. They don’t have a new stadium being built, where new moments will be made, new memories will be shared and the great players of today will be remembered for tomorrow. Every player wants a story book ending, and you have the opportunity to wear those Yankee Pinstripes, and be apart of the new era of Yankee baseball…Oh, and how does 8 years $180 million sound?”

Though it seems the Yankees “buy” championships, by offering enormous contracts to premier players, they also possess a prestigious status other teams just don’t have, and more than likely will never have. They have fielded some of the greatest players, greatest moments in baseball history. I know money talks, but so does being the next generation of Yankee baseball in a new stadium, with new memories, that will last a lifetime. I have only been to two games at Yankee stadium in my life, and each time I felt privileged to be there.