Thank You to the 2012 New York Yankees

Yes, I remember the 2012 New York Yankees did not win their 28th World Series Championship. I recall the miserable offensive slide during the postseason which eventually sealed their fate against the Detroit Tigers. But, there were many things to be thankful about as a Yankee fan in 2012.

Derek Jeter had an amazing 2012 season even though it did not result in a World Series Championship. (Image: Noah K. Murray/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports)

Thank you…

• Steinbrenner family for continuing to dump hundreds of millions of dollars into the franchise and giving the team a chance to win each and every season.
• Brian Cashman for unloading A.J. Burnett and not having to pay his entire salary.
• Joe Girardi for reminding me how cool it used to be to carry a Trapper Keeper.
• Yankees captain Derek Jeter for a remarkable season and wishing you a healthy return in 2013.
• Mariano Rivera for agreeing to comeback in 2013. None of us want to see the image of you being helped off the field as our last of you in pinstripes or road grays.
• Andy Pettitte for coming back, twice, and providing a boost to the rotation each time.
• Alex Rodriguez for providing stuff to write about outside your performance on the field. You’ve always been gracious about that.
• Robinson Cano for a great season, especially the magnificent display over the final nine games of the regular season.
• Mark Teixeira for refusing to try and change your swing. Why bother, right?
• Brett Gardner for working hard to come back in 2012, but several times suffering a setback. The Yanks need you healthy in 2013.
• Curtis Granderson for another 40-plus homer season.
• Nick Swisher for your splendid season and four years in the Bronx. You’ll be missed.
• Russell Martin for some nice walk off homers among the mess.
• Raul Ibanez for showing everyone that a 40-year-old baseball player can still produce magic moments.
• CC Sabathia for still providing 200 innings with two DL stints and being the anchor of the staff.
• Hiroki Kuroda for leading the way when Sabathia was down.
• Phil Hughes for destroying the narrative, hopefully once and for all.
• Ivan Nova for June.
• David Phelps for doing everything you were asked and doing it extremely well.
• Rafael Soriano for earning your keep this season and then opting out.
• David Robertson for high socks, and your often dominant production.
• Boone Logan for managing to keep your left arm attached to your shoulder.
• Cody Eppley for coming out of nowhere.
• Clay Rapada for being Eppley’s southpaw counterpart.
• Joba Chamberlain for working hard to get back on the field and ultimately showing you can be effective.
• Chris Stewart for being a capable backup.
• Ichiro Suzuki for blending in and channeling your earlier days in Seattle.
• Eric Chavez for filling in wonderfully for A-Rod.
• Dewayne Wise for that week when you carried the team.
• Jayson Nix for doing what good utility players do.
• Andruw Jones for that perpetual smile when staring at a pitcher.
• Derek Lowe for generating ground balls more often than not.
• Freddy Garcia for making some key starts mid-season and finding a way to get through four or five innings.
• Cory Wade for providing fans with souvenirs.

There you have it. The 2012 Yankees may not have won the World Series, but it wasn’t for lack of trying or personal achievements. As we turn the calendar to 2013, let’s hope that it brings the beginning of a championship season in the Bronx.

In keeping with the theme of thanks for 2012, I must extend my gratitude to FanSided for giving me the opportunity to run a site devoted to my favorite team. This is my last column with Yanks Go Yard as I turn the page in my career in sports writing and site management. I also want to thank the staff here at YGY for their hard work in 2012, which has helped grow the site many times over this year. Thanks to our readers and those of you who supply us with comments. Lastly, best of luck to my successor, Jimmy Kraft, who I hope I have shown enough over the last few months. Yanks Go Yard is in capable hands with Jimmy at the helm of a talented writing staff.

Goodbye and Let’s Go Yankees!