Well, you've waited and your day has come, Yankees fans. Opening Day is here. What's new? The Yankees are rebuilding (in 2 rotation spots) and the underdog (in some sports book, somewhere, I'm sure). Otherwise, the juggernaut, led by King Alex, seems poised to take off yet again. The pitching could surprise and lead to great things. Opening thoughts, first, though.
THE YANKEES ARE BETTER FOR THE DEAL THEY DIDN'T MAKE
Melky Cabrera is one of the biggest reasons the Yankees made it out of their funk and stormed into the playoffs. You can point to a number of factors: his small-ball approach at the plate, offering balance to the lineup; his assists, saving runs and prohibiting the advance of baserunners in general; but more than these, his intangibles are what make Melky special.
Melky had injected a youthful vigor to a team that appeared sluggish at times last year. Sometimes they looked old. Occasionally they looked dead in the water. But when a guy makes leaping catches, hustle plays and approaches the game like a sophisticated 15-year old -- an awkward one at that -- the whole team can't help but stand up and take notice. And change for the better. Let's face it: the Yankees are made up of "been there, done that" players, who can easily tune out in the face of a grueling, disappointing season. Men like Posada are the antidote to this feeling, but his quiet toughness can only go so far. You've got to see it in action. You've got to have guys like Giambi look up and say "Damn, he's making me look old." Guess what I saw on Opening Day: Giambi make a good baserunning play. He ducked Eckstein's tag, he hustled into second, he made an athletic slide. I can't help but see the influence of Melky (and perhaps Girardi) in that play.
Had they buried Melky -- like many requested -- after the Fenway debacle, they wouldn't be a good team right now. Had we traded him for Santana, and lost not only him but Phil Hughes? That deal would have set the Yankees back 3 years. What's the third evaded burial? I can't think of it right now, and Cashman won't tell me, but it exists, like it exists for every Yankee under 30 and unsigned for the next 5 years.
GAME ONE
Like a bat out of hell, Melky seemed to tell Yankee Universe that he is the man who plans to patrol center field for the next decade. He brought all the energy he's become famous for and turned the game around singlehandedly. Two great catches -- a few awkward tumbles afterward -- followed by a game-tying homer off Roy Hallady? Who does this guy think he is? Fortunately for the Yankees, his ego is very much in check. May his innocence, his youthful exuberance remain in center for the forseeable future. May his wonder, his self-discoveries lead him to become the player it looks like he could be: the worthy, home-grown heir to Bernie Williams a rock on which to build the new Yankee dynasty.
Keywords: Bernie Williams, Jason Giambi, Melky Cabrera, New York Yankees, Opening Day.
