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October 1, 2007
By PA
SportsTicker
Three reasons
why the New
York Yankees were able to capture the American League wild card:
1. The
re-emergence of Alex
Rodriguez right from the start of the season. After going 1-for-14 in the
2006 postseason and being dropped to eighth in the lineup for Game Four of
the Division Series, many thought Rodriguez he might not be in New York this
season.
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But Rodriguez
was just about the only bright spot during the Yankees' 21-29 start.
However, since that time, the Yankees have gone 73-39 while Rodriguez has
gone on to have one of the best seasons in franchise history.
The likely
league MVP, Rodriguez clubbed 54 home runs - the highest total for a
righthanded batter in Yankees history. Only Babe Ruth and Roger Maris have
higher single-season totals in the franchise's storied history.
The 32-year-old
Rodriguez, who can opt out of the final three years of his contract this
offseason, also batted .314 while recording career highs in RBI (156) and
runs (143). He even made a contribution on the basepaths, swiping 24 bases.
"(Rodriguez)
is a machine," first baseman Doug
Mientkiewicz said. "Baseball's in his mind, 24-7. He keeps his
focus every day, day in and day out. That's what makes him so great. He may
be the best player in the history of the game."
2. More
consistency from their lefthanded hitters.
Bobby
Abreu was hitting .228 at the end of May and had just eight homers in
the first three months of the season. However, he has rebounded since July,
slugging 13 home runs and finishing the year with 100 RBI for the sixth
time in seven years.
Robinson
Cano was batting .249 on May 29 but by the time July ended, he was over
.300 and stayed there for most of the second half. He also established
career highs with home runs and RBI while playing steady defense.
"It's
important because you can't rely on one person," manager Joe Torre
said, referring to Rodriguez. "Not only is not fair for that one
person, but he's not going to be able to do it able every day. The key to
having a good ballclub is to be able to share the wealth."
3. Unusual
youth movement.
Melky
Cabrera has been the regular center fielder since June 1, and that is
about the time when the Yankees began their turnaround.
Shelley
Duncan hit six homers early in his tenure and also energized the team
with his enthusiasm. Phil
Hughes won a spot in the rotation at 21 years of age.
But perhaps the
biggest impact of anyone from the system was Joba
Chamberlain, a converted starter who boasts a high-90s fastball, a
devastating slider and terrific control.
Chamberlain,
who rose through three levels of the minor leagues, will serve as the
bridge to closer Mariano
Rivera. The rookie's numbers - 34 strikeouts to only six walks - in 23
2/3 innings are incredible.
"It's good
to see the young guys are getting an opportunity to play again," Derek
Jeter said. "When I came up, that was the first time in a while
they let young guys in the organization come up. They used to trade them
for free agents or big-name players, and we've gotten back now to letting
the young players come up."
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