IT'S NOT A SURPRISE, IT'S YANKEE MAGIC

It’s funny.  Over the years there are guys that the Yankees collect that just provide this level of play that we hadn’t ever seen before, or, just when you thought a player’s baseball life was over, they turn it on when they button up the pinstripes. 

(In Photo: Shawn Chacon)
For some reason, Shawn Chacon and Aaron Small come to mind immediately. 2 guys who had less than mediocre careers, who suddenly come to New York and raise the bar and play, or in their case, pitch wonderfully, right when we needed it most. 

(In Photo: Lyle Overbay)
Enter 3 guys we thought were just filler when they were signed to the Yankees.  Lyle Overbay was a first baseman that was signed late, but the timing was right.  It just so happened that Mark Teixeira got hurt and with it, Juan Rivera was barely lighting it up as our first baseman fill in and that was obvious… he was an outfielder.  So we ditched the reunion with Rivera for a guy we needed… not to be an all-star, just to be a fill in.  Overbay’s fill in role has been wonderful.

Vernon Wells deal had been criticized because “who needs another broken down player.” Well, as my buddy said the other day…”Vernon Wells has a chip on his shoulder with the Los Angeles Angels’ name all over it.”  He’s right.  Since coming over to the Yankees, Wells has proved that he’s in fact NOT done and good for him. We signed Wells for next to nothing with the Angels picking up the most of his salary and he’s already done some pretty great things.

Travis Hafner’s only job on the Yankees is to hit home runs. Not field, not pitch, not even put on a glove… hit home runs… that’s it.  So far this season he has 6 home runs and a .286 average. He looks great at the plate, he looks comfortable and willing and able to stand in the box whenever we need him to. Why? Because he knows his role and wants to please.  Remember, this is a guy that gets hurt a lot and there is deep concern that we can’t mess with this guy’s health, so, we take him out of the humidor in the dugout every time he’s needed and when he comes to the plate, he knows he has 1 job… mash the ball… that’s it.

3 guys, 3 “broken down players”... rejuvenated and ready to execute. Why? They're New York Yankees… that’s the difference. You gotta love it.

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