What I Am Thankful For This Thanksgiving (Yankees Edition)
Thanksgiving is upon us
in 2015 and there are many things I am grateful for as this year comes near the
end. I thought I would share my list of what I am thankful for as a Yankee fan
and hopefully hear from others on what they are thankful for as a Yankees fan
as well.
A-Rod Having a Bounce Back Year
At this time last year,
we were all thankful that A-Rod was suspended and we didn’t have to deal with
him for a whole year. Heading into Spring Training, no one had any idea of what
A-Rod had left to offer, and there was good reason for that. The Yankees
designated hitter had spent all of 2014 not playing baseball and had spent a
majority of 2013 injured. Luckily for us, A-Rod ended up having a really good
year, hitting 33 home runs and helped anchor down the middle of the Yankees
lineup. It’s probably safe to say A-Rod won’t be having a year like this past
one next year, but I am thankful that A-Rod was able to come back and produce
for at least one season.
The
Young Guys Getting a Chance/Performing
The Yankees goal for a
while now has been to get this team younger and this year the Yankees had the
means to do it. The Yankees were able to get younger with trades (Didi
Gregorious, Nathan Eovaldi, Chasen Shreve) and also with calling up prospects
(Luis Severino, Greg Bird, Rob Refsnyder). All of those players mentioned were
key contributors to this team’s success. While all these young guys are helping
make this team a contender, expect more to help reinforce this Yankees team
next season with the anticipation of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, James
Kaprielian, and even Aaron Hicks who the Yankees traded for earlier this month.
The future is bright and I am thankful for that.
Andrew
Miller Taking Less Money to Come to New York
As we all know, Andrew
Miller was close to perfect as you can get in 2015. In 60 games, Miller pitched
to a 2.04 ERA and converted 36 of his 38 save opportunities, not blowing a save
until August 11th against the Indians. His 36 saves had him 3rd
in the American League and that was with him missing a month due to injury.
Miller’s efforts earned him the Mariano Rivera Award, which is given to the
best reliever in the American League. Not bad for someone in their first year
of their 4 year $36 million contract. In fact, Miller could’ve gotten more
money had he decided to sign with the Houston Astros last offseason, but
decided that New York was a better fit. While the Yankees are known to get the
best players because they offer the most money, I am thankful that this time
the Yankees got someone for not offering the most.
Tanaka’s
Elbow Staying in Tact
I think we can all
agree that all season we were anticipating Tanaka’s elbow giving out after
doctors decided that Tanaka was best off not getting Tommy John surgery the
previous year. Lucky for us the elbow was able to withstand a long 2015 season.
Now Tanaka did give us a scare or two (He was placed on the disabled list in
late April with a right wrist tendinitis
and right forearm strain), but Tanaka was able to survive the season without
having to get the feared Tommy John surgery. While Tanaka’s elbow could blow
out next season or later, I am thankful that it did not blow out this season.
Returning
to the Playoffs (Even though it was short lived)
After a two year hiatus
from October the Yankees were finally back in the playoffs as the 1st
Wild Card team. Unfortunately the dream of a 28th World Series
championship lasted only a few hours as Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros
silenced the Yankee bats and sent them home disgusted. Although the postseason
trip was short and unforgiving, it is a step in the right direction and I am
thankful for that as the Yankees pursue number 28.
Article by: Julian Bussells
Follow me on twitter @JuneYank6
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twitter @BronxBomberBlog
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