My first trip to Yankee Stadium I was 3 years old. It was 1983. My dad and I spent many a summer day in the Bronx watching the Yankees lose. Then in 1995 the hope was fully back, in 1996 I was a junior in High School and we were back.  Not only was my favorite team back but the players I was rooting for were young likeable guys that head each others back.

After the 1996 season the Yankees added what I consider to be the best stretch run in NY Yankee history. From 1996 to 2001 the Yankees made the post-season all six years, won 5 Division titles, 5 Pennants and 4 World Series Championships with the Core 4. Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera carried the Yankees through these years. I even take exception to the fact that it was not the Core 5, Bernie Williams being the fifth. Those were my glory days.

In those days and the semi successful years to follow the Yankees had legendary battles with the Red Sox. There were fights, there were battles. What was always evident was that these guys had each others back.  The guy that comes to mind most often is Jorge Posada. "Georgie" would fight anyone that would mess with any of his teammates.

Derek was the Captain of the team but Jorge was the captain of backing up his guys.

Then last night I walked into Pippa's to pick up wings for my wife and I. I saw what I have been waiting for. El Gary, Gary Sanchez who already stole the hearts of Yankee fans everywhere the tail end of this summer by smashing home run after home run took on the Blue Jays. Benches cleared twice and Gary was in the middle ready to defend his team.

The Yanks have youth and a leader. They are back. Assuming we get pitching that is.

 

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