The Broken Ankle That Started It All

Many baseball people like to argue that the "Dynasty" era of Yankees baseball ended with Luis Gonzalez's bloop single off of Mariano Rivera that won the Diamondbacks the 2001 World Series. Others claim that it was Josh Beckett tagging Jorge Posada out in the middle of the first base line that won the Marlins the 2003 World Series.

Personally, I believe the Dynasty continued on long after that, but ended one year ago today - October 14th, 2012.

The day before, October 13th, had made most of the Yankee faithfuls believe the Dynasty was alive and well. The Yankees took the field for Game 1 of the ALCS, just a handful of wins away from a trip to the 2012 World Series. After suffering through an inept offense for much of the ALDS, they were given a second chance to back up their "Bronx Bombers" mantra. And wow, did they ever!

Down 4-0 in the 9th, facing Tigers' closer Jose Valverde, Ichiro Suzuki roped a two-run home run that curved just inside the right field foul pole, cutting the Detroit lead in half. With two outs, Mark Teixeira was able to work his way on with a walk, and up came Raul Ibanez. The 40-year old New York native had provided plenty of clutch moments for fans to enjoy all season, including game-tying and game-winning home runs in Game 3 of the ALDS just a few days prior.

And after swinging and missing for strike one...this happened:

As TBS announcer Ernie Johnson proclaimed, "He's done it again!", Raul HAD done it again. It was unbelievable, and with a win seemingly inevitable, his home run would go down with the likes of Reggie's three homers in '77, Bucky's go-ahead shot in '78, Leyrtiz's in '96, Brosius' in '01, and so on. If anyone said otherwise at the time, I probably would have called them insane.

If not already, ALCS Game 1 was becoming an instant classic as the game went into extra innings and each team failed to score. With Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, and Delmon Young due up in the top of the 12th, most people felt a momentum shift, if only slightly. 

Cabrera led off with a single, but David Phelps then got Fielder to ground out. Young then laced a fly-ball into right field, in which Nick Swisher swatted at and missed completely as it went to the wall. Cabrera scored the go-ahead run, and the Tigers were now up 5-4.

Then came the knockout blow. Not just for 2012, but for everything that had happened up until this moment:

It was known that it was sore, but Derek Jeter's ankle finally snapped. After suffering only a handful of minor injuries that resulted in little-to-no time lost throughout his career, at age 38, the Yankees shortstop had suffered as bad a "break" (no pun intended) as any infielder can have. He was helped off the field and wouldn't return for the remainder of the playoffs -- which in reality was only a few days, since Detroit made quick work of New York and swept them aside.

Since Game 1 concluded in the wee hours of October 14th, Game 2 began later that afternoon, in which I was in attendance for. At no fault of their own, Yankees fans were terribly demoralized, as the Captain was done for the year and hopes for a pennant were as bleak as they'll ever be in mid-October at Yankee Stadium. 

The stats say that 47,082 fans made their way to the Bronx, but you wouldn't believe it by all the empty seats there were. The crowd was deathly silent all throughout the game, as was the lineup, which was only able to muster up 4 hits against Anibal Sanchez and Detroit's bullpen, headlined by 2009 Yankee alumni Phil Coke. It was like being in some alternate universe, where you could hear a pin drop at Yankee Stadium and Derek Jeter was not playing shortstop for the Yankees in October.

It was so surreal, but it was a perfect preview of this season and beyond. The game featured an 11-strikeout game by Hiroki Kuroda, but Jayson Nix was at shortstop and the lineup was putrid. With Mariano Rivera on the bench nursing a torn ACL, there also was no chance Mo could jog in from the bullpen and close out a win, which will become the norm come 2014. 

While the streak of winning multiple championships ended in 2001, the Yankees continued to be at the top of the division almost every season, always putting themselves in a position to add more titles to their illustrious history. They even did, of course, win it all in 2009, with the Core Four leading the way. 

Now, Andy, Jorge and Mo are all gone, and Jeter is still trying to limp back onto the field and be an everyday player. Even if he can, next season very likely will be Derek's last, so there is no denying that their time as the core of the Yankees is over, though it did live on way longer than many people ever expected.

Still, October 14th, 2012, may be the date we look back on in a few years when the Yankees are either A) Suffering through a period of mediocrity, or B) Returning to glory without their familiar playoff heroes. The future ensures a lot of change, and maybe its for the better. But wow, it's a shame how abruptly the Dynasty ended, isn't it?

One year ago today, Andy Pettitte returned

Amazingly, today marks the one year anniversary of Andy Pettitte's return from retirement.

It had seemed that the old lefty had left the game for good following the 2010 season, as absolutely no murmurs of a potential comeback were spread during 2011. Andy was enjoying life at home in Texas, being there for his family like he hadn't been for almost his entire adult life.

Meanwhile, the Yankees were doing just fine without him. Piecing together a starting rotation featuring Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon, the team won 97 games and the A.L. East. Andy even threw out the first pitch to Jorge Posada prior to Game 2 of the ALDS, making a brief re-appearance in New York. It was a great, yet unfortunate moment, as fans knew he went out on the top of his game, and probably could have helped the Yanks that October.

The season ended and soon after it was reported Andy Pettitte would be back with the Yankees - as a spring instructor, that is. Any remaining fans holding out for a return of #46 probably finally gave up when the team bolstered its pitching staff by acquiring Michael Pineda and signing Hiroki Kuroda. If there wasn't even a rotation spot open, how could anyone expect him to put the pinstripes back on, or longer than the two weeks Andy was scheduled to be down in Tampa that is.

Spring training beckoned and indeed Pettitte was back in uniform. Throwing BP, helping out minor leaguers, and getting his chops busted by his former teammates, Andy was reportedly in incredible shape. Of course, a beer belly wouldn't form over one year, but still it looked as if he was keeping his body in baseball shape.

And that's when our sneeky general manager Brian Cashman got to work. Andy had indeed been working out, and wanted to pitch again. It was a shocking development that was kept under wraps for a few weeks, as the then 39-year old threw a few bullpen sessions testing how it felt to be back on a mound after so long.

The Yankees must have been pleased with what they saw, for on March 16th, 2012 it was announcedby YES Network's Jack Curry that they had signed back their homegrown ace to a minor league contract worth up to $2.5 million in incentives. To the public, it seemed completely out of the blue and many fans were shocked but elated to have Pettitte back.

Still, there was no guaruntee of him even getting back to the major leagues. He had to mak e a number of starts at various levels in the Yankees' farm system while the regular season was underway, to make sure that his "stuff" could still get out professional baseball players.

When the Yanks finally purchased his contract and called him up to officially return to Major League Baseball, it just so happened to be Mother's Day. Facing the Mariners, Pettitte quickly settled down and before you knew it he was pitching like he never left. Four earned runs in 6.1 innings was a start typical to Andy's career, but his performance following that was exceptional.

He would pitch to a 2.87 ERA in an injury-shortened season, posting an 8.2 K/9 ratio while striking out batters at an astronimcal rate. In the postseason he was dandy as he's always been, allowing just 5 runs total in two starts. He didn't add to his record 19 postseason wins, but he certainly deserved to.

And so here we are today. Andy Pettitte is back for 2013 as well and is pitching [aside from two subpar outings] as well if not better than many of the top flight starters in MLB. Each night he takes the mound it really is a treat to watch, because a little over a year ago we were certain to have seen the last of old #46. He's gotten a new appreciation and love for the game thanks to his year off, and hopefully the rest he got then can keep him healthy and productive for the Yanks throughout this season. As in each of his past 17 seasons, we'll need him.

Video : Biggest Yankees Home Runs In 2012

The Yankees hit a bunch of home runs in 2012, 245 of them to be exact which is a franchise record, and this video will show you every single one of them. We also will see the 7 that we hit in the playoffs this year as well as an added treat. Enjoy!!

Previewing The 2012 Yankees Lineup

Over at Yankees Fans Unite they did a great piece on their predictions for the 2012 Yankees lineup statistically. It is a great read so check it out.

The Yankees lineup has historically been one of the best in baseball year after year. Yes, many faces have come in gone since the beginning of recent Yankees dominance, but each season they continue to be at the top in most offensive categories.

This year’s Yankees lineup is not too different from the one Joe Girardi sent out in 2011, but it’s still powerful, potent, and talented, and should have no problem finding success this season. So without further ado, here’s my predictions for the 2012 Bronx Bombers. We’ll go in order:

#2 Derek Jeter, SS – .290 AVG, 10 HR, 60 RBI

Sixteen years since his Major League debut, Derek Jeter still finds himself at the top of the Yankees lineup, continuing to produce into his late 30’s. Despite a poor start to 2011 that saw him go down to a calf injury, Jeter returned in early July to become Mr. 3,000 and start a second-half surge, batting .327. Jeter is not being moved out of the leadoff spot anytime soon, and it seems he’s gotten back into the grove that made him the player he’s been all his career. Jeter should be able to hover around .300 and continue to be a solid shortstop for the Yankees in 2012.

#14 Curtis Granderson, CF – .270 AVG, 33 HR, 101 RBI

Last year, Granderson had an incredible year, hitting 41 home runs and leading the league in runs scored (136). He finally found the power stroke Yankee fans expected from him when he first arrived, and he’s still only 31 years old. Curtis should be able to put up similar numbers in 2012, and improve even more hitting against left-handers.

#24 Robinson Cano, 2B – .319 AVG, 34 HR, 125 RBI

This is the year of Robbie Cano. The production he’s put up the past two years, and still being only 29 years old to me makes him a strong candidate for AL MVP. Granted, Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder have now entered the picture, but Cano should have a huge year and should finally crack the 30 home runs plateau. If you thought he was great last year, watch out.

#13 Alex Rodriguez, 3B – .283 AVG, 27 HR, 96 RBI

A-Rod is a very interesting player to watch in 2012. Playing in just 99 games in 2011, Rodriguez had the worst season of his career, and his streak of hitting 30 home runs and 100 RBI the past 13 seasons was finally snapped, when A-Rod only got to 16 and 62 for those stats. The 36-year old followed Kobe Bryant to Germany to get a revolutionary blood-spinning treatment called Orthokine therapy, which apparently helps heal injuries and strengthen the body faster than average. Also, if you had averaged out A-Rod’s 2011 season to 162 games, he would have hit somewhere around 26 home runs and 101  RBI. Rodriguez can certainly still produce, and I’m anticipating him to have a bounce-back season for the Yanks in 2012.

#25 Mark Teixeira, 1B – .273 AVG, 40 HR, 115 RBI

The curious case of Mark Teixeira. Ever since joining the Yankees, Tex’s average has dipped from .292 in ’09, to .256 in ’10, and to .248 in 2011. A once perennial. 300 hitter, Teixeira’s strikeouts has increased, while his on-base and slugging percentage has dropped considerably, making some people question the $180 million deal he was given. Teixeira apparently devoted his offseason to working on hitting better from the left side, and said he will bunt if needed to beat the dreaded shift that’s also hurt him in recent years. If Teixeira’s plans work to fruition, expect a bounce back year average-wise from the slugger.

#33 Nick Swisher, RF – .277 AVG, 24 HR, 87 RBI

In a contract year for Nick Swisher, he’s looking to do some damage and prove he should be the Yankees right fielder of the future, as he says in a perfect world he’s in the pinstripes until he dies. Swisher, like seemingly every spring, has come in more fit that the previous season, but this time he’s apparently built up muscle instead of shedding fat. Will that translate to more production? Only time will tell. But I’m expecting another good season for Nick, who’s been a sure bet to putting up big offensive numbers in the lower half of the Yankees’ lineup. Oh, and he’s also been tabbed as the successor to A.J. Burnett has the pie guy, so look out for him when the Yankees walk off. Maybe he’ll pie himself!

#27 Raul Ibanez, DH – .262 AVG, 20 HR, 72 RBI

The ink still drying on his one-year, $1.1 million contract, Raul Ibanez will be the DH against right-handed pitchers. The soon to be 40 year old still has something left in the tank, and a move to Yankee Stadium as I previously said, will benefit him greatly. For $1.1 million, the Yankees got a bargain for the native New Yorker, and I expect a solid year for what it’s worth as the #7 hitter in the Yanks’ lineup.

#22 Andruw Jones, DH/LF – .251 AVG, 12 HR, 43 RBI

The former 19-year old Brave who smacked the Yanks around in the ’96 World Series is coming back on a one-year deal to be the team’s DH against left-handed pitchers. He underwent knee surgery in the offseason and came into camp, as a lot of guys, in better shape and ready to go. He will be a valuable piece to the bench and should be a solid DH against left-handed pitching, which he clearly still dominates.

#55 Russell Martin, C – .258 AVG, 15 HR, 68 RBI

One of my favorite players, Martin had a great year last season as the Yankees starting catcher. His great management of an average pitching staff mixed with timely hitting led to him getting his 2012 option picked up by the Yanks. He’s a terrific defensive catcher and besides the batting average, he can hit very well too. I figure him to have similar numbers to that of 2011, but it still should be a great year for Martin, who will be looking for a new contract next offseason, whether its from the Yankees or elsewhere.

#11 Brett Gardner, LF – .280 AVG, 6 HR, 54 RBI

Already entering his fourth full year, Gardner will once again be the starting left fielder and probably hit ninth for most of the time. Of course he has great speed, and has gotten key base hits in many games for the Yankees, regular and postseason alike. The problem with Gardy is that he is a very streaky hitter, something that he needs to work on. He’ll go on a tear for three weeks of hitting .300, and then will enter a month of hitting .200. It makes no sense, and with all his speed he should be getting more stolen bases as well. He is far from a great player, but should be able to jump-start the Yankees lineup again as the “second leadoff man”, as I like to say.

So there you have it. They’re no Murderer’s Row, but the 2012 lineup should be one feared by all, and one that has a great shot of powering the Yankees to the playoffs and beyond. Go Yanks!