I hate statistics. No matter how much they tell you, they leave out the intangibles. And there are stats I want to know they can't give me. Which guy beat out ten throws for ten hits this year? Which guy has that gun from the outfield that held the winning run on third? You never can really tell with statistics.
Okay, okay, I just buy baseball cards for the pictures. What does that have to do with anything? I don't know...In any case, I've kept as many statistics out of here as possible---read on.
Tino Martinez is a kind of quiet, unassuming guy. Before he steps up to the plate. A former seattle mariner who did plenty of damage against his current team in '95, he took over for Yankee Captain Don Mattingly, one of my personal favorites. Although he doesn't quite have Donnie's Glove, or an eighties Mattingly bat, he reached the century mark in RBIs this year, and was among the team leaders in home runs. Not to mention his grand slam in game 1 of this year's World Series, casting aside his title of "anti-reggie" and helping the Yankees put aside the Padres for what would be for good.
Chuch Knoblauch. What can I say? The number of second baseman the yankees have had over the past ten years is in the double digits, but no doubt Knobby ranks better than Mariano Duncan, or Luis Sojo, who have had the most amount as of late. Defensively, Chucky was a gem, save his throwing problems early on. And as a leadoff hitter, though, his average dropped fifty points (AGGH! STATISTICS!), he was good at getting on base for Jeter and O'Neill to drive him in. He, too, came up big this postseason with a three run shot to tie em up, right before Tino's. And let's just forget about what happened in Game 2 of the ALCS?
Now here is a ball player. Though I mourned the departed Wade Boggs (sob), he has earned his role as a member of the yankees beyond a doubt. Hitting quietly towards the end of the line up this year, he produced almost a hundred RBIs. His defense was sparkling, and he should have won the gold glove. As you already know, he was the World Series MVP, and he deserved it, sparking the rally that helped the Yankees come from behind in Game 3.
Derek Jeter. Shortstop. Need I say more? I consider myself one of the few female yankee fans who doesn't worship the guy but respects him as a regular player and likes him for the fact that he was rookie of the year, bypassed the sophmore slump, and makes the kinda plays at shortstop this year that I wont be able to make in hundred years. It's like ol' Yogi says, "I don't hit with my face".
I continue. Jeter has become one of the top three shortstops in baseball, his glove second only to Omar Visquel. As for his bat, though he still strikes out a bit much, he's earned the second highest batting average on the team.
PAUL ONEILL!!!!!!! I think I'm going to put a tribute up to him. This guy is without a doubt the most driven, passionate, and greatest player ever to step into a ballpark. Perhaps I exagerate, but at least I don't underrate. Paulie's sort of a good Ty Cobb, all that intensity without selfcenteredness or dirty play.
Paul bats third, in front of Bernie Williams. That proves he's got a strong bat and a good BA--- over .300 as well as 23 hrs (I don't mind qouting statistics about this guy). He's got a great, great, great glove in right (remember the world series, that spectacular play--I was there). In Cincinatti he had an errorless season, and here in NY he almost broke some record for consecutive games without an error.
In any case, I end this little essay on my hero, Paul O'Neill by sayin: PAULIE, YOU RULE!!!!!!!
When you think Bernie you think bambi. I don't say that to be mean (who knows, Bambi could have been hell with a baseball bat). But Bernie's just that kind of guy. Quiet, out of the spotlight. Just wants to be in back strummin' that ol' guitar, or perhaps with his family. But all that changes once he's on the field. Bambi is gone, and he turns into a clutch-hitting, sure-fielding, power-throwing guy. He's been a yankee forever, and no one wants him to go. His presence at the plate wouldn't be the only thing missed around the stadium if he leaves. In the clubhouse, despite his shy nature, he's been somewhat of a leader since the Captain left. In any case, their won't be a dry eye at this computer if Bernie decides to take his bat, his glove, his personality---himself, somewhere else.
Another of my favorite players, Chad Curtis DESERVES left field. That guy can catch! Not to mention he hustles, is a clutch hitter who can homer anyway, is one of the fastest players on the team, and he's got that same moody drive to win that's in Paul O'Neil. Daryl can DH. Curtis' got left.
Boomer!!! David Wells, the only pitcher on the yankees besides Don Larsen to pitch a perfect game, and then he almost did it again three months later. Not to mention he's got four shutouts and a ton of complete game, with only one bad start that I can remember. The best winning percentage in the AL.... need I go on?
When Cleveland fans heckled him --i know, i know, you've heard the story-- he kept his calm (well, he didn't go murder the guy, like I might have done), and responded in a truly professional way: You make fun of my ma, I'll kick your team's a**!! Anyway, back to what a great guy this is.
The yankees were said to have tamed Boomer. I think he just unleashed his energy somewhere much better...into his pitching.
This guy....Girardi is clutch. And classy. He's the best defensive catcher ever (so I exagerate) not to mention he is THE guy you want up with men on. And he's got no qualms about teaching his position to...
Jorge!!!!! (did you know his name translated to english is George Parade?) he is a hitter, and not too bad behind the plate, either. I like Girardi more, but Jorge's gonna make one heck of a catcher someday.
He's one of the best closers in baseball. He used to be a fire-balling middle reliever, a setup man for John Wetteland. He looks so thin and fragile it's hard to believe he can through in the high nineties. He's: Mariano Rivera!
The speedy second baseman, Homer Bush, hasn't been around here long enough to rate him, but I was there for his first homer of the season, and although it wasn't a monster, it helped them win the game.
El Duque!!!! One of my favorite yankee pitchers, this guy LOVES baseball. He escaped from Cuba on a raft with a couple of buddies, crossing the ocean from Cuba to the US. And of course there's the fact that he's got an awesome arm, the right combination of pitches and speed, so he baffles hitters. He's also immune to heat (practically) and is ALWAYS ready to pitch.
Darrrryyyyllll. Darrrrryyyyyyl. This is the yankees number one hitter (sorry tino). He's tied as the yanks number one hitter, and although he doesn't have the greatest glove in the world, his story is the story of the disgraced. And he's the MAN you want to pinch hit whent he bases are loaded. Get better, Daryl!
He is my favorite pitcher. He deserved the cy young in 96, and although this aint his greatest year, I'm sure he'll come through in the postseason (remember game five?). Besides, Andy loves pressure, and he's got the drive I love in Paul and Curtis.
David Cone! He's having a Cy Young year, and he still over shadowed, by a teammate, even! Yeah, well, he's piling up the strike outs, and give him the ball in the playoffs and it's shut-out city! Go Coney!
Shane Spencer. This hot-hitting Rookie excelled at the plate all year, and came up big in the postseason. He's been around the minors for a while (he's 27) and he's got FAST hands (baseball wise, y'know?). However, he's gotta start figuring out pitches besides fastballs, because that's what pitchers are going to start throwing him.
One of the most underrated players of the game, Ramiro really is an 'untouchable'. He's great at mixing up his pitches, and he's perfect for middle relief.
I talked to him! We had a deep, meaningful conversation! Actually, I screamed "hi, Graeme!" and he looked in my direction, but what the dif? He pitched masterfully in '96, especially against Klesko, and hopefully he's recovered from his little mistake in game 1.