New York Yankees Editorial: Andrew Miller Unfazed and Hungry forPost Season Berth

If New York City is a pressure cooker, then Andrew Miller is one tough turkey. The Big Apple is known as one of the toughest cities for professional players. Be it through its discerning fans, their outspoken media professionals or the overbearing pressure to produce results, NYC can belittle even the greatest of ball players. That being said, Andrew Miller has managed to succeed where so many others have failed.

While some players have had a difficult time during their first year with the New York Yankees (Brian McCann during 2014), Miller has managed to thrive under the pressure and the expectations that come with wearing the fabled Yankees pinstripes.

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Miller seemed to fit the Yankees M.O. from the get go. He understands that for the Yankees its post season or bust. “My expectation signing with the Yankees is the only thing that’s acceptable is playing in the postseason and expecting to win in the postseason,” Miller said. “That’s what I signed up for.”

Even though he was technically brought in to replace David Robertson during the off-season, he wasn’t initially given the role of the closer. Early on, New York Yankees coach Joe Girardi decided to platoon Miller with Dellin Betances, who had put up amazing numbers during the 2014 season where he pitched 90 innings while sporting an ERA of 1.40. However, Miller has one distinct advantage over Betances, a taste of the post season and an innate understanding that that’s where he needs to be.

“Everybody up here says that’s what you play for, but until you get in it you don’t realize how much fun it could be,” Miller said regarding the post season. “That atmosphere was the most fun I’ve ever had in baseball [2014]. The rest of my career, that’s what I’ll be fighting for.” That frame of mind is what makes Miller a unique talent.