Better Know a MLB Team: Part 2

Today we are going to talk about the team who is currently in second place in the AL east. Probably the most well known team in MLB history, the New York Yankees.

Let's start off with a little history, they have a lot of it. In 1903, Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchased the team from Baltimore for $18,000 and moved the team to Manhattan. They were called the "highlanders" because they played in one of the highest spots in Manhattan on Hilltop Field. They lost their first game 3-1 to Washington. They went on to win the next game, their first, against Washington 7-2. Harry Howell recorded the win. In 1912, they began wearing their famous pinstrips. Their name was changed to the Yankees in 1913. In 1925, Lou Gehrig began his 2,130 consecutive games played by pinch-hitting for Pee Wee Wanniger. On July 4th, 1939, Lou Gehrig became the first player to have his jersey retired (#4). On March 17th, 1997, David Wells became the first Yankee to throw a perfect game. On October 26th, 1999, the Yankees defeated the New York Mets in the "Subway Series" to win their 26th World Series. (Information from www.mlb.com)

Now, down to buisness and the present. This season the Yankees will be good, they always are. They will finish second in the AL east behind Boston. They will not win the wild card either. Yes, I said it, the Yankees will not make the playoffs. The Yankees are currently 16-17 but are 7-3 over their last 10 games. They are very good against the AL central and west but have struggled against the AL east, currently 3-11. They are 10-9 at home and 6-8 on the road. They play better during the day and struggle at night. They don't seem to play any better on grass or turf, they have won just about as many as they have lost on both surfaces. In 1 run games they are only 2-6 and 1-1 in extra innings. While the Yankees have a great offense, they struggle from the rubber. They need to find a good starting rotation and their middle relievers need to step it up. They have a great closer in Mariano Rivera, but has had a tough time so far. I believe he will turn it around and close a lot of games for the Yankees. Things will begin to pick up again for the Yankees in a couple months when they get back 5 pitchers who are currently on the DL. By that point, however, I believe it will be too late.