...how a resurrection really feels?"
The Yankees are back from the dead, despite a flawed roster, woeful managing and a hideous start, thanks to a youth movement similar to what we saw in 2005 under similar circumstances, and one of the greatest offensive stretches in the history of the game.
The Yankees showed they're a legitimate threat by sweeping a Cleveland team that, while struggling, remains a serious playoff contender. The Bombers now lie in wait, 4 games behind Boston, and tied for the Wild Card lead with a Seattle team that everyone keeps waiting on to fade.
Nothing is guaranteed. Nothing will be given easily. The Yankees' amazing second-half run has only put them back in the picture after a terrible, hole-digging first half. They'll need to keep playing great baseball against far more difficult competition. But a tree grows in the Bronx. Hope is alive today.
Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano and Hughes and Joba have washed the taste of the first half out our mouths with talent and enthusiasm. (And we all know that when A man becomes preeminent, he's expected to have enthusiasms.) Even the clueless hand of Joe Torre hasn't been able to slow the Yankees' run. Meanwhile, Eric Gagne isn't even looking as good as Kyle Farnsworth, let alone Joba. Money well spent, Theo. Oh wait, I forgot, Epstein's a boy genius who can never be criticized. Sorry, Gammons, I won't make that mistake again.
The Yankees are getting their swagger back. And that means Yankees fans are getting their swagger back. Bad times for everybody else. Maybe later in the week, I'll go through all the "Yankees Are Dead/Dynasty's Over" columns from May and June, and see who the biggest idiots were.
To be fair, I thought the Yankees were dead myself, and said so, repeatedly...but I wasn't gleeful about it. This still might not be a playoff team, but at least there'll be a race, and baseball will be worth watching in September.
So now it's Baltimore for three, a team that has given the Yankees fits this year. I'll be satisfied with 2 of 3. After sweeping Cleveland, you can't ask for more than that.
