In the Bronx, NY, we have the Yankees; the best Major League Baseball team money can buy. The lineup is stunning; Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Bernie Williams, Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina….All first ballot Hall-of-Famers, all chilling in their mansions checking out the playoffs on their plasma screen TVs again this year, courtesy of the small-market Detroit Tigers.
In Queens, NY., we have the Mets, the scrappy, modestly paid (by Major League Baseball standards) team managed by Willie Randolph, a member of The Yankees during their championship years in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, advancing to the National League Championship Series by sweeping the Dodgers in the Divisional series.
How can a powerhouse Yankee team fall apart, while the modest Mets continue to fight another day? I think it starts from the top, with ownership. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner continues to throw money at a problem money can’t solve, lack of player chemistry, (i.e., TEAMWORK) while Mets ownership made wise decisions (the addition of Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran and Tommy Glavine) while upgrading the team.
(Hint to Steinbrenner: If you noticed, two of the three players the Mets acquired were top tier pitchers.)
I hate to say this because I totally love the guy, but I think it’s time to replace Yankee manager Joe Torre with the in-your-face management style of a Lou Pinnella. So what if he ruffles a few golden feathers. A little anger could help find the competitive spirit hiding under the cheap seats somewhere in Yankee stadium.
Horace W. Morris, Jr.