The Yankees Are No Longer The Yankees

Opening day has finally come and gone giving us a small taste of what to expect this season from the New York Yankees. The stadium was loud, the seats were full, the atmosphere was alive; however, this wasn’t the image of the Yankees that baseball fans have come to know over the years. It is a tough adjustment but it is something that must be accepted, the Yankees are no longer the Yankees.

The roster no longer boasts the star power it had in the past, instead it is filled with stars of the past. It is filled with aged players who were once super stars and came to the Bronx for the money. Although it sounds bad, it was a mutual agreement. Stars came to New York to be overpaid and win while the organization collected money from ticket sales and merchandise. The image of the Yankees as a power house that was a World Series contender ever year is a faded memory. They have fell from grace and are at the point of mediocrity.

The pinstripe universe is having a hard time accepting this and still have the “win now” mentality. General Manager Brian Cashman realized this in the 2014 season when the onslaught of injuries all but ended their season. He pursued the youth movement in the offseason in which he moved age and expense for youth and upside. There is no longer a core-four, an MVP, a Cy Young, or even a Silver Slugger candidate in their lineup. Yankee fans will have to get in line and wait patiently like every other club’s fan base have, but the question is can they do this? Can they accept mediocrity? Can they accept waiting for the team to be rebuilt?

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The Yankee fans showed up to opening day despite the lack of star power and showed their support. They showed they are capable of cheering on the club despite the names in it; furthermore, they showed they are capable of forgiving and moving forward. The stadium erupted and gave Alex Rodriguez a tremendous ovation despite his past problems. So, the answer to those questions is yes. Yes, the fans will wait for the roster to be revamped and yes they will cheer for their club through thick and thin.

Although the Yankees may no longer be the “Evil Empire,” their fans will root for them anyway. The baseball universe may see the Yankees and their fans in one light but their image will have to change. The truth is, Yankee fans are some of the most passionate fans. Sit with the bleacher creatures for a game if you don’t believe me. The New York Yankees still wear the pinstripes and navy; however they are not the same team that every one has come to know.

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