| | By the time they had absorbed their fourth straight World Series loss, the
Braves had finally accepted the reality that was so obvious to the rest of the
major league family: the Yankees weren't just the American League champions,
they were a monolith.
They didn't beat you, they broke your heart.
They didn't just win, but they did it in every way imaginable -- with
better pitching, better clutch hitting and sometimes, even better luck.
|  | | Add another one: Workers paint the latest title season on the Yankee Stadium wall. |
"Wow, that's a very, very good team over there. They really impressed
me," Bobby Cox said after the Yankees had won their third World Series in
four years. The 4-1 victory in Game 4 was like so many others for the Bombers in
October -- a machine-like effort that, incredibly, made the National League's
best team look ordinary.
After all, how
many clubs could absorb an 11-strikeout performance from John Smoltz and
still not have to worry about the outcome?
Indeed, how many teams could've been down 1-0 to Greg Maddux with six
outs to go in Game 1, and still live to talk about it? How teams could fall behind 5-1 to Tom Glavine and rally to win the game?
Those are only a few
of the reasons the Yankees will be remembered as one of the greatest teams in
major league history. Their-back-to-back Series sweeps in 1998 and 1999 make
it so obvious that, for now, no other franchise is even close.
"These Yankees teams in the last few years belong in a special place," Reggie Jackson said. "I'm not going to start comparing them to my teams (in
the late '70s), but it's obvious this bunch of guys know how to win.
They're real champions."
They were good enough to even satisfy George Steinbrenner, who stood in
the middle of the postgame celebration and said he'd never been so proud of
a collection of Yankees. Unlike the '70s and '80s editions, the '99 Yankees --
whose roots trace back to the 1996 champs -- were models of
professionalism, as mature and respectful as rookies, yet as self-confident
as the Air Jordan Bulls.
Actually, it's not an unreasonable comparison, putting these
Yankees alongside of the early and mid-'90s NBA champs. The only difference
is, the Bombers aren't racing against the deadline of their best player's
retirement. The Bulls knew their reign would end as soon Jordan ended his NBA
career, but the Yankees have a limitless reservoir of young talent.
That's exactly why the American League should take no comfort in the law
of averages -- which would dictate the Bombers' eventual decline. The Yankees'
impact players, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, are still under 30, and still
two years away from free agency.
Their established stars are still far, far away from retirement, too.
Orlando Hernandez is 34, Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez only 31, and
Andy Pettitte is a mere 27. There are obvious age concerns regarding David
Cone, 36, and Roger Clemens, 37, but both players still figure prominently in
the team's immediate future.
By pitching so brilliantly in Game 4 -- limiting the Braves to just one
run in 7.2 innings -- the Rocket advanced his case for a contract extension
this winter. And Cone, who's eligible for free agency, is said to have won
over Steinbrenner with his seven-inning one-hitter in Game 3. The Boss is now
leaning towards offering the right-hander another one-year deal to remain in
the Bronx, perhaps sensing the Mets would welcome Cone with open arms, if not
an open checkbook.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Yankees will pick up the
option on Paul O'Neill's contract. Even if they do, the right fielder, who'll
be 37 next spring training, has made it clear the 2000 will be last season. Chili
Davis wants to start a life outside of baseball, and Darryl Strawberry,
although fit and trim and dangerous in the batter's box at 37, is another
question mark.
But, overall, it appears Steinbrenner wasn't boasting when he said,
"We're not through winning. We're not about to rest on our laurels. We've set
a standard here, and we're going to live up to it."
Opposing teams' executives are envious of the overflow of talent waiting
in the Yankee farm system, pointing to ready-for-prime-time players like
shortstop Alfonso Soriano -- who could eventually turn Jeter into a third
baseman. And Nick Johnson, who will likely make Martinez expendable at first base when Martinez's contract expires after 2000.
And sooner or later, the Yankees will have to hunt for a new manager.
Torre, 59, has accomplished virtually everything on his to-do list since
joining the Bombers in 1996. Torre will spend the winter regaining his
strength, which friends say will be a key factor in determining how many more
years Torre wants to keep working.
He is, after all, only seven months removed from surgery to remove a
cancerous prostate. But, for now, Torre is too busy enjoying the tidal wave of
good karma that's washed over the Bronx.
"I would try to tell you what it's been like for me here, but I can't,"
the manager said. "All I can say is, I'm the manager of an incredible team.
It's one for the history books."
Bob Klapisch of the Bergen (N.J.) Record covers baseball for ESPN.com.
| |
ALSO SEE
ESPN.com's World Series coverage
Wojnarowski: From one to 25
Dynasties: Baseball's repeat champions
AUDIO/VIDEO
 ESPN's Dave Campbell and Harold Reynolds break down the World Series.
RealVideo: | 28.8
 Roger Clemens says the Yankees played wonderful defense.
wav: 155 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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