Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada Old-Timers' Day cameos reveal Yankees' missing element

Old-Timers' Day presented by FreshDirect! With no game! Now that's the stuff New York Yankees fans are dying for on a Saturday afternoon at the stadium, right? But for as disappointing as the return of the annual event was from afar, the cameos from everyone's favorite former players might've been the kick in the pants the 2024 team needs.

Though the Yankees just captured a series over the Cleveland Guardians, they suffered their worst loss of the season on Tuesday and managed just three runs Friday night against the Colorado Rockies, who have the worst starters' ERA in MLB. All in all, concerns remain.

Had their postseason showings dating back to 2018 been a tad more gritty or inspiring, maybe fans wouldn't be as worried. But ever since 2020, these same warning signs have existed before October arrived and have been the main culprits holding the team back from a World Series appearance.

You know the ones we're talking about. The poor showings with runners in scoring position. The lack of situational hitting. The ever-increasing strikeouts. The disappearing rhythm. The pitching meltdowns in big spots. The questionable managerial decisions. A superior roster in terms of talent devoid of an edge.

That last part might be the worst, too, but thankfully Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada, both of whom captured five championships with the organization, were present on Saturday to remind everybody in attendance (and at home) that an aggressive mental approach coupled with welcoming (and coming to terms) with sometimes insurmountable expectations are what's necessary to be the last team standing.

Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada Old-Timers' Day cameos reveal Yankees' missing element

Jeter took the field to a rousing ovation at Yankee Stadium, and when it was his turn to field questions from Suzyn Waldman and Joe Girardi, as expected, his answers did not disappoint. Jeter knows how to work the crowd, and he did it perfectly when perhaps the Yankees needed it most.

Though Yankees fans have a reptuation of being entitled because of the franchise's rich history, accentuated most recently by Jeter and Co.'s dynastic run, most realize championships have gotten harder to come by in the modern game as parity has reached an all-time high.

Truthfully, what New York fans really want, is a relentless approach combined with a semblance of a "f--k you" attitude. Fans have been particularly frustrated with the 2018-2024 Yankees because those characteristics seemed to have eluded them. Yankees fans know more than anybody that all the talent in the world can't win you a World Series by itself.

Posada took it a step further than Jeter. He actually said the 2024 team needs more attitude, though was complimentary when he expressed confidence in their capability of harnessing it. Though Posada might not come off as an intense former player, he was a driving force behind the Yankees' grit during the dynasty years.

So if he thinks the Yankees can get the job done, it definitely makes us feel better. But we're still in "believe it when we see it" mode. Here's to hoping Posada's assertion and Jeter's demeanor can help light a fire under these Yankees for the next two months, because they need more intangible help beyond the contributions from Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.