Dear Diary, it’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Derek Jeter’s iconic flip relay play. A quarter of a century as of Oct. 14. That moment in franchise history is juxtaposed with the embarrassing mess the team has become, getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays, with that third and final game being at Yankee Stadium. Where, by the way, Jeter said there were ghosts.
These columns, diary, are not the only recent criticisms of the franchise. In the past few days, Joe Giardi, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez have all criticized the team’s culture. Two of those four are in the Hall of Fame, and all four have won the World Series with the Yankees. What did they say?
Diary of a Yankees Fan #9
Oct. 14 marked the 25th anniversary of Derek Jeter’s flip play. This amazing play was a high point for the organization. That Captain is in the Hall of Fame and was a four-time World Champion with the Yankees. It is hard to believe, diary, that this play was a quarter of a century ago. How the mighty have fallen. We have been writing these columns, but we’re far from the only ones criticizing the organization. Some very noteworthy people have been. Who are they, and what did they say?
Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi is a former Yankees catcher and manager; he now broadcasts for the team. He makes a lot of sense on television broadcasts, and he won three World Series with the team as a player and one as manager. He said someone has to address the mistakes. People need to be held accountable for doing their job. Compare the bottom of the Tampa Bay lineup to the free-swinging bottom of the Yankees’ lineup. Diary, we need some accountability.
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He has the sixth most hits in baseball and captained the Yankees, who won 4 World Series. He was the chief executive officer CEO and part owner of the league’s Miami Marlins from September 2017 to February 2022. He made the point that they did not beat themselves when he played. They do now. Guts at the bottom of the lineup who are trying to hit six-run home runs.
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez was a third baseman with the Yankees. He won one World Series with the team. He is currently a television broadcaster. He said the team needs a philosophy change. Diary, he says the team doesn’t know who will play five of the nine positions. Just unthinkable.
CC Sabathia
CC Sabathia was recently inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is one of the best left-handed pitchers ever. He pitched for the Yankees and is now a media personality with a podcast. He said the team hasn’t met the standard. The reason is that nobody in the clubhouse has met that standard. He said this all changed when Brett Gardner left the team. No one in the clubhouse has won a championship. It is like a country club: they get paid a lot, live in the Capital of the world, and aren’t held accountable.
Conclusion
It is crazy to see the juxtaposition, diary, of the Jeter flip play with these four criticisms of the Yankees organization. Misery, it is said, loves company. These Diary articles are in good company. The Yankees have an organizational problem, and they have had one for a long time. However, this is the first time those close to the team. It is fair to wonder whether the team’s Managing General Partner, Hal Steinbrenner, will listen to these voices. Will this change as a result?
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