Every year people scream at the Yankees and claim they are able to buy a championship. The fact is that this is just not true. Money does not always equal a World Series title. Sure it helps, but it is not the only thing that matters. Things like team chemistry go a long way into the post season.
If the Yankees lose to the Tigers then the final four teams in the race for the World Series title are among the bottom 12 in payroll according to one Fox sports article. According to this story, the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, and White Sox were the top four spenders. The Cardinals and the Tigers were the 13th and 14th on the list. This just proves that money isn’t everything in building a championship club. This may be a bit premature because the Yankees may come back and beat the Tigers, but I personally don’t see it happening.
So what goes into winning a championship? Good management, team chemistry, and a whole lot of luck. Every now and then the stars have to line up just right and a player needs to get injured and a new star emerges in his place. The Tigers have guys like Bonderman and Verlander who are eclipsing players like Mussina and Johnson. The Cardinals have Pujols and the Mets have Wright. Sometimes management needs to go with youth and experiment as well as take chances rather than sign on aging superstars. The Marlins let Ivan Rodriguez go and now he looks like he will be on the World Series Tigers. Just think how good the Marlins would have been with Ivan and all of those pitchers this year. Hopefully this year’s championship will bring us a fresh new team that will shine for years to come.
With that said, I love the way the Boss at least tries to bring titles to New York. At least he puts his money where his mouth is. Too many owners try to get by without spending money at all. They reap all the benefits of being an owner of a professional sports team while they gripe and complain about George because he spends his money. I say hooray for George and shame on those guys. At least reward your young players who earn you a post season birth. Keep those guys around and build a championship team that will fight each year with the Evil Empire that is the Yankees.
The fact that many of us baseball fans hate the Yanks for thier freespending ways is most likely do to the jealousy factor, as you know I am an avid Cardinals fan and I would love to see our team spend more money. The point you make is extremely valid as far as team chemistry and if you look at the 1990s championship temas for the Yanks the team has incredible chemestry with players like Paul O'Niel and Bernie Willians leading the charge rather than the A-rods and Sheffields of the baseball world.
Born, I think you are right. Paul Oneal, Bernie, and Jeter had chemistry. This group does not yet have it.
Rob, I don't wish you to leave this site. I wish you would apologize for crude behavior and continued posting bashing me. If the Yanks lose, which clearly the tide has turned against them, you are free to do whatever you wish. There are lots of sports stories to write about that do not involve the Yankees. I never suggested you leave, my suggestion to other bloggers was to ignore bad behavior. Seems some have taken it to heart. I know I am done posting comments on your site until I see an apology to Mean, and now me too.
Well, I think that kind of spending BETTER equal success. At least they should contend for the playoffs every year. But no, it doesn't necessarily equal a World Series trophy. I think recent history proves that anything can, will, and does happen in the post-season.
Think about this though...the Yankees were already the best team in the league, and then they added the best player in baseball (A-Rod). What gives? Well, in my opinion...they have obviously overpaid for some of their players, when that money could have been spent more wisely. Yes, their lineup is incredibly loaded. But it seems every year that their big pitching investments disappoint while cheaper unknowns step up for the team.
Not to be overly critical of the Yanks...every team makes bad investments. Look at my Pirates. They gave Jason Kendall franchise player money, and look how that worked out for them. I think the Yanks would be wise to spend some money on proven pitchers that still have several years left. Instead of looking for another big power bat, they should be thinking of how to acquire guys like Johan Santana and Roy Halladay.
socal - that's a great point you make about good management being one of the keys to a good team. Not having a lot of money to throw at free agents doesn't necessarily mean you aren't going to be good - look at the Twins and A's for proof of that. On the flip side, the Red Sox spend a lot of money, but not always in the right places or on the right players. They made some bad decisions the past two years, and paid for it with a third place division finish.
The Pirates, Royals and any other perennial also-rans could be good again someday, if they will only evaluate what they are doing and how they can improve. Plus, drafting good young players and keeping them healthy through the minors doesn't hurt either.
SoCal: Good post. This is true, but it shure helps/better management of the talent is big.
Shooter/Pirates may do better than ok next season, if they keep their up and coming young players. I don't think Littlefield's "expertise" has worked thus far. Look what the Tigers are doing and what the BoSox did.
There isn't enough money that can turn talented players into big-time players in big-time situations.
All Detroit has to do is silence the hitting which they did in Games 2 and 3. Them winning should not be a surprise, but I did think New York was walking to the ALCS prior to the start of this series. I didn't think Detroit would stand up to them, but they have.
If it were just money then the Yankees would win every year. The Pirates had some great talent and still have a good nucleus. The trouble is that teams like the Pirates then unload their talent after the all-star break to keep payroll down. The Pirates have a great closer in Gonzalez and Sanchez had a break out year. Bautista is also a good player. Now they picked up Nady who is a solid player.
Look at the Marlins with Uggla, Ramirez, and Cabrera, plus their pitchers of Nolasco and Olsen along with El Duque. They have a great core and are only going to improve if they don't sell of the team. Management brought in some great pieces to the Mets and they are right there this year.
As for the Pirates...well, in addition to their problems...they have had some bad luck with prospects. Remember Kris Benson? They waited, and waited, and waited on him to battle through injuries. Which they were willing to do, because at first...he looked like Cy Young material. Wasted time, wasted investment. Same thing with Oliver Perez. The list of prospects to display some potential...only to disappoint is huge for them.
I wish they had a lineup good enough to bat A-Rod 8th.
As I'm used to saying...there's always next year. I do actually enjoy some of the players you mentioned...they just need more. Especially pitching.
Socalsportsfan ......... I don't know whether or not you're greatly in to rap music as such or the videos that are produced ?
But the Yankees' organization remind me of 50 cents' video of his hit song 'Window Shopper', where the main character and his cohorts are buying up all and sunder to support his needless whims and boasts to his friends.
Well that's how many of us now view the Yankees. All of the bling, bling and little else to show for it. Is it any wonder that they were doomed to failure ?
Below the dotted line is the angst of the Yankee fans. Deep silence and nothing beyond the horizon.
rampant/tophatal
-----------------------------
Last edited by rampantfanatic on October 8th at 12:42 AM.
The Marlins let Ivan Rodriguez go and now he looks like he will be on the World Series Tigers. Just think how good the Marlins would have been with Ivan and all of those pitchers this year. Hopefully this year’s championship will bring us a fresh new team that will shine for years to come. 
