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October 02, 2006
2006: Chock Full O'Fun Already
Regardless of how the Yankees do this October, this season was a fun year for New York.
Where do I start?
The MVP-type season from Jeter. The near-twenty-win season from "Worm Killer" Wang. All the great catches in CF by Johnny Damon. That great series at Fenway. The stellar all-around season from Posada. The game in May against Texas where the Yankees came back from being down 9-0. Melky robbing Manny back in June. Mussina yelling at Torre to stay in the dugout. A-Rod's walk-off homer against the Braves. Pulling off the Abreu deal. The emergence of Everyday Scottie Proctor. The batting brillance of Robinson Cano. Watching Matsui and Sheffield come back from injury.
And, there were so many milestones too:
Jeter & A-Rod get their 2,000th hit. Bernie passes Donnie for # 2 all-time in Yankees doubles list. Unit whiffs # 4,500 and Moose gets # 2,500. Sheffield gets RBI # 1,500. And, of course, Mo Rivera gets save # 400.
Did I miss anything?
Bottom line, this has been an exciting year in New York for Yankees fans - even with the A-Rod saga.
Anything that happens from here is just icing on the cake.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at October 2, 2006 12:30 PM
Comments
A-Rod's 2000th hit was also his 450th home run.
Posted by: Jen ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 2, 2006 01:47 PM
Good one.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at October 2, 2006 01:55 PM
You forgot Jeter's HBP record too. Minor, but painfully significant, accomplishment.
And yes, this was the most fun I had as a Yankee fan since 2001. 2002-2005 were a lot less fun but the Melky/Robbie/Wang trio, together with Damon's smile, got me through the rough times this summer. I just hope I get to toast these guys with a parade at the end of the month.
Posted by: MJ at October 2, 2006 02:43 PM
Great list. The emergence of Melky as a plus outfielder and a competent switch hitter also made my 2006 highlight list. The excellent organizational effort to get Robbie, Sheff and Matsui back from injuries and so damn productive, so damn quickly is a credit to the behind the scences guys in Tampa and NY. Bernie actually gave 'em more than I thought he could (but still not enough to keep him for another season). If the Yankees win it all, the Abreu & Lidle for, well, nobody trade might qualify Cash as GM of the year. I hope that "Everyday Scottie" doesn't become the "Fade-away Tanyon" of '07. We can worry about that after the WS ends with Mo on the mound and Jeter jumping into the air, fist raised overhead. On the downside, I was too high on the Farnsworth deal. I thought as a set up guy and potential successor to Mo he'd be more effective and more durable. A-Rod's Goldilocks season (reasonably hot or way too cold, but rarely right for very long) gave me the most sleepless nights. The way he developed (to paraphrase Frank Costanza) the "jimmy-glove" in the field and turning into Dave Kingman at the plate on fastball's down the pipe were the main negatives in an otherwise rewarding season. Time to Git R' Done.
Posted by: #15 at October 2, 2006 05:01 PM
Cashman sticking to his guns in not trading away the future of the farm system, the rebirth of the farm system and the graceful fade of Steinbrenner also count for me. Not trading Wang and/or Cano after last season - that was huge.
Posted by: Exit9 at October 2, 2006 05:12 PM