If swagger were king the New York Yankees would be next in line for the throne. If smiles were gold the Yankees would be worthy of the kings ransom. There is a definite feeling surrounding this Yankee team that only confidence, and hard fought battle experience can provide. I can sense it and if I can sense it just imagine how those who physically go through this daily season grind must feel. Look at the bench in the Yankee offensive part of an inning. I see a lot of talking, a lot of joking and a lot of smiling. No Alfred E. Newman " What me Worry?" going on here. Even Ron Guidry (Snidley Wiplash) seems to be uncontrollably unable to keep from wetting himself on occasion. Although Gator seems to find humor in a lot of dugout behavior.
This new found outward team confidence seemed to have leaped out to the general baseball public the day of the trading deadline. July 31st. I know that players always say that they do not read the local sports pages but we know better. The players love ESPN and Baseball Tonight and the all too famous Highlight Plays of the Day. With the media also jumping on the Yankee bandwagon it just puts a stamp on the players overall self confidence. How could it not. Thank God for the media, this time, as far as Yankee fans are concerned.
If there were doubts by the players (maybe not the Fab Four) before the trading deadline that management was standing pat on it's current roster, Brian Cashman made true believers that we play to win now.
The team had been doing their usual second half surge and momentum was building. The shot in the arm that Cashman administered to his team is a cure for any lingering ailment concerning Doubtfulitis.
The Red Sox are not done making moves and have this uncanny knack of pulling games out in their last at bats. That builds character but a dangerous way to play the game. The Ortiz and Manny factor is very formidable and one that scares every major league team that has to face that duo. Injuries are mounting for the Sox. The Yankees have managed their injuries as well as any team ever has. The Red Sox need to prove they can do it also. I personally would rather have gone through the war than approach the war. Advantage Yankees. Swagger and confidence. Advantage Yankees.
This has been a very intriguing year for the New York Yankees and we still have fifty-eight games to play. I like the swagger and smile approach.
