Turning the Yankee page for the next generation

I hate change. I also love sports. Loving sports and hating change are completely counter intuitive. I remember a CEO of a corporation I worked for in my 20's would say "the only thing in life that is certain, is change". No truer words when it comes to the current Yankees.

Over the 30 plus years I have rooted for the Yankees, I like everyone, have seen them come and go. I know trades, retirements and releases are inevitable. In the last 5 years, the Yankees ever changing roster has made me at times frustrated. Two release/retirement announcements, three trades resulting in a countless number of AAA call ups, all since August 1, has made my headspin and is giving the baseball gods a good laugh.

The Yankees, for better or worse, have turned and continue to, turn the page for next the generation. As a faithful fan, I will too.  And who knows, maybe creating the next great Yankee team (fingers crossed). 

As always, Go Yankees! 

Another Yankee chapter closes - Alex Rodriguez

The Yankees have become experts on farewells. It's not surprising given the talent that gave had over the last 20 years. At times the farewells have come during the season like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera; some have come after as Andy Pettitte, Joe Torre and Jorge Posada all experienced recently. Last night came another farewell. This time it was Alex Rodriguez. This time the Yankees failed.

Alex has had a tumultuous relationship with the Yankees, his teammates and the fans since his arrival in 2004. There were post season fails, embarrassing personal life headlines and of course accusations of PED use. But Alex was also one other thing, the guy who no matter how many times he tripped and fell, he always got back up and always came back swinging.

ARod was notorious for having horrible post season numbers (even being dropped in the batting order by Joe Torre). Season after season the Yankees made the playoffs and season after season Alex struck out, popped out and could never get that clutch hit. Then came 2009. Alex hit .455 and .429 in the series' against the Twins and the Angels respectively.  The man who was considered a jinx finally found his swing. Alex may have fallen in the post season in years past; but he found the ability to get up and help the Yankees win their 27th World Series.

After being suspended for alleged PED use and not being honest about what he did, Alex was forced to sit out the entire 2014 season. When he came back he was boo'd and villified. But Alex never quit, said the right things and worked hard to repair his relationships with fans, teammates and the organization. He smiled when they boo'd. He waived to fans if there was one fan cheering and celebrated his teammates successes. He is known for metoring young players and they appreciate his tutelage. 

This past week the Yankee decided to release Alex from the team and his final game in pinstripes was set for August 12th. For as great as the Yankees have been at farewells, this one for the most part was a fail. From Joe Girardi saying ARod could play every game that final week and then changing his mind, to his denial of Alex's request to play 3rd in his last game.  The Yankees half hearted pregame ceramony that was poured on peppered with thunder and dark clouds.  The Yankees bounced between kicking him out and celebrating his years as a Yankee. 

But like Alex, the Yankees found a way to get back up. After the pregame storm past, a rainbow formed just beyond the outfield. In the 9th inning, up 6-3, Joe Girardi put Alex in at 3rd base for one batter. ARod grabbed a glove and bounded to the position he spent 10 seasons playing. After Betances stuck out the hitter, Alex came off the field to 40,000 plus cheering and hugs from his teammates. As he sat in the dugout, the fans chanted "A-Rod" as if to say "thank you and all is forgiven". Two outs later, Alex high fived his teammates on the win, walked around the field, collected some infield dirt and waived one last time to the Yankee fans. He walked off with a smile that could light up the Bronx. He was, as he said, at peace.

Thank you Alex Rodriguez for 12 yesrs of home runs, amazing plays on the field and most of all showing us that it reallly isn't about the falling down; but the getting up.