WHAT WOULD STICK DO?

That is a question I think about a lot these days. We are watching the last tie to the Dynasty Years begin his final brilliant season in the sun. ‘Da Cap’n”, “Mr. November”, “Derek Jeetah, #2” will hang ‘em up at season’s end. Sure, we will all be sad to see him go, but we will talk about watching him play the way earlier generations spoke about watching The Mick or Joe D. Jeter will soon belong to the ages. He won’t be just our Captain any longer. It’s a bit sappy and sentimental, but it’s true.

The thing that troubles me even more than watching one of my favorites (a guy my age mind you) retire is the panic that it has cause. People are saying and writing truly desperate things about who can replace our beloved Captain.

 “Hey Cashman! Wise up and sign JD Drew’s little brother!” What?

“DEAR GOD! We have to find a way to trade for Reyes toot sweet!” No.

“Okay, I’ve got it. We put a package together with Nova and Murphy now and get Tulo! He wears #2 because Jeter is his idol.” Nope. He can stay in Denver. Thanks all the same.

Who will replace Derek Jeter? NOBODY will replace Derek Jeter. Nobody will replace Mariano or Andy or Jorge or Paulie or Bernie…it’s not an immediate fix, ladies and gentlemen. It took a while to build that kind of team. It was very special team. It was comprised of so called "iffy trades" (All Star Bobby Kelly for a fiery platoon outfielder named O’Neill).

It was Strategic signings that paid off like bringing in The Boomer, The Straw and Doc. It took saying goodbye to Donnie and paying Tino. And most importantly, it took Stick telling The Boss, “Hey, let the kids play.” And those kids became…well, you know who they became. Thank God for Stick Michael.

I completely understand that the Yankees play to win every year. I love that they never say, “We’re sitting this one out to retool.” I agree with paying a Brian McCann. That is a great deal. He is a leader, a great catcher and will serve as a model for Murphy or Sanchez until it’s their time behind the dish. McCann brings the type of heart that Jorgie and Thurman had. And I firmly believe he was playing the game “The Yankee Way” even back in Atlanta. Brian is part of the foundation on which they can build the next great dynasty…if they play their cards right and without panic.

I don’t love the money we gave him, but signing Jacoby makes us more athletic on the base path, gives us a dynamic and defensive duo in the outfield…and is a nice thumb in Larry Lucchino’s eye. Now he can flood the sports section of the Globe and Herald with his pathetic “I don’t sweat the Yankees” claims. Oh by the way, BREAKING: LARRY LUCCHINO DOES IN FACT SWEAT THE NEW YORK YANKEES. This clown sits alone in a room like Glenn Close in “Fatal Attraction” turning his lamp on and off while mumbling quietly to himself and listening to Madam Butterfly. That’s a picture huh? Yikes.

What I don’t agree with is the 1980’s mentality that we need to sign a name to replace a name. Especially when that name is Stephen Drew. Look, I am not saying Nunez should be given years to develop. He just isn’t that good…and most likely won’t be. But believe it or not there is a kid in high school right now. He has posters of Derek Jeter on his wall. He shows up early to practice and leaves late. And he WILL make it to the big leagues.

What’s his name? I don’t know, but I bet Stick Michael probably does.

The type of dynasty we as Yankee fans enjoyed in the late 1990s took patience (Not a virtue for New Yorkers, I know). It took passing on the likes of Drew and Reyes. We saw it happen and when the plan came together we got spoiled. It’s time to do it all over again. It’s time to make McCann-like signings, smart trades and allow that kid taking grounder by the light of his dad’s Chevy to become “The shortstop, number 33…”

That would be worth the wait…wouldn’t you agree?




--Mike O'Hara, MLB Fan Cave Host, Season 1
   Twitter: @mikeyoh21
"Paulie was always my favorite player."




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