The closer the Yankees get to their second Wild Card playoff appearance in three years and the further away the Yankees get from the Derek Jeter Era, it becomes easier to accept the fact that The Captain is not coming back. The fact that the Yankees havent won the AL East Division since two years before his retirement in 2014 stings a bit less when you look at how the Yankees have copied the formula that afforded them a dynasty in the late 90s and early 2000s and are riding a wave of success that has New York fans believing in the pinstripes again.
Shel Sez Hello on Twitter
Who will win the 2017 World series? #poll #baseball #OpeningDay #WorldSeries #Indians #Cubs #Yankees #RedSox
The infusion of young, homegrown talent and a mixture of veterans and vibrant dispositions has lifted a squad that lost 78 games in 2016 – something no Yankees team had done since 1992 – to its first 90-win season in six years.
Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and a cast of other specialists, superstars, former superstars and international celebrities have been perfectly blended by Yankees President Brian Cashman to field a product worthy of the Yankees legacy.
Scott Frankel on Twitter
@YankeeSource Brian Cashman should be a lock for Executive of the Year. His rebuild of the team AND farm system at the same time is amazing
The star power is definitely back and the atmosphere tonight will be electric when the Yankees face the Minnesota Twins at“The House That Jeter Built.” The Yankees lost to the Astros in a Wild-Card battle in 2015. One-game eliminations in baseball are always bittersweet, but the Yankees werent favored to win that game.
This time they are. And they own the Twins in the playoffs.
Baseball Reference on Twitter
The #Yankees have won their last 9 playoff games vs the #Twins. Minnesota is 2-12 in the postseason vs NY all-time https://t.co/PnA3mNOUYE
The Minnesota Twins are not as talented as the Yankees, but theyve been MLBs miracle baby this season, losing 103 games in 2016 and then rising to 85 wins and a Wild Card this season.
Katie S. on Twitter
Waking up to see the Twins went from being the worst team in baseball to in the playoffs a season later. https://t.co/GtTak7DUnS
Besides, anything can happen in one baseball game. No team is a favorite when it comes down to do-or-die basebrawling. Its 50-50. Since 1987, the Twins have made the playoff nine times. The franchise is very familiar with high stakes baseball. In fact, in 1991 they went from worst in the division to World Series champs.
So the Yankees have all of the pressure on them tonight because everybody from the fans to the sports broadcasters and various television markets want to see the “Evil Empire,” (as former Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino once called them) meet up with Cleveland in the American League Division Series. Nobody is checking for Minnesota like that, but it won’t keep Byron Buxton from showing out on the big stage.
Byron Buxton | “Speed Demon” | 2016 Highlights
All clips belong to MLB Advanced Media. The song is by Travis Scott. ——————————————————– Byron Buxton is an upcoming Twin legend. This kid is a triple threat that can run, hit and field. If he continues his great work, he should make it to the All-Star game soon!
Its been a minute since the Yankees played some meaningful October baseball at the stadium. It would be a shame if it all ended after one game. If the Twins were able to pull it off, the win would be their World Series. If the Yankees falter, the 162-game season and all of the historic accomplishments by individual players fades away quickly, because the only thing thats ever mattered in the BX is rings.
