The two teams playing in the World Series right now certainly deserve it. Diamondbacks Manager Tony Lovullo quieted the naysayers including Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and his pledge to retire if the Phillies didn't beat the D'Backs to claim NL Champions and enter the Series. And he didn't back down when Russo said he wouldn't honor his promise. He made a statement and backed it.
"Nobody knows the magic that's sitting inside that clubhouse right now," manager Torey Lovullo said. "Nobody knows what we're capable of doing on a daily basis. Nobody knows how hard we're working to make today happen," reported ESPN prior to Game 1 of the Series. And on the Texas Rangers side of the field you have legendary manager Bruce Bochy, whose reputation precedes him. He wins. He is a leader, and he doesn't tolerate any crap, including keeping his flamboyant slugger Adolis García focused on one thing- winning.
If the Yankees want to compete in this modern baseball game, they need to do more than game the system with analytics and money. They need to back up their statements with strong leadership, build back their credibility and build a team that can actually come together and win. The New York Yankees need to make a statement this off season and it is not just about buying players who they think can work together.
"Arizona claims it has enough internal motivation to keep it going but an external doubt here or there won't hurt the cause. Only a heavy underdog can play that card, and the Diamondbacks haven't shied away from it. They've embraced it and used it to their advantage," reported ESPN. The last time the Yankees have had that kind of culture was back in the early 2010s. And that has plummeted madly over the last 13 years.
According to SI.com, "The Yankees have made it seem like the club actually will be making big changes this offseason and even has been linked to San Diego Padres star Juan Soto as a trade candidate. On top of Soto, New York already has been linked to multiple star players -- including two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani." This only works if we have leadership in place, the kind we are witnessing this postseason. All of the teams that played in postseason had strong leadership both inside and outside of the clubhouse. Are the Yankees seeing what I am seeing? Do they care? They can't just purchase players and plug them into an algorithm to see if there will be chemistry and production. They need wisdom, which they simply don't have in Aaron Boone or Brian Cashman for that matter.
So, when I say, "make a statement", I mean wake up and sniff what is going on around you. There is motivation, there is will, and there is tremendous leadership and guidance supporting these players competing in the Fall Classic. That is the statement. And if they don't back up their pledge to be better, it will be another 13 years before the Yankees look like the D'Backs and Rangers- the modern World Series competitors who deserve the right to be here.
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-- Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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