Cody Ransom has no rings.

I read one comment by an 18-year-old who said the Yankees from "back in the days" [sic?] played better as a team. This person was six years old when Hayes caught the pop up.

It's so illogical and ignorant that it truly makes me worried for the future of our country.

Separate the idea that you don't like ARod from the conclusion that he's a bad baseball player.


If the Yankees are so bad with ARod, then why are they so good with ARod? The Yankees have made the playoffs four out of five seasons, their worst season was 89 wins, and they've averaged 95 wins.

No, they haven't won the World Series. Get over it, you spoiled fair-weather fans and go root for the Mets:

"All right, world, you have your chance now.

For the next six to nine weeks, you'll get to see what life is like without Alex Rodriguez. You'll view the mighty, regal Yankees, rid of their "albatross."

You'll look at Mr. Perfect, Derek Jeter, liberated from the cumbersome task of playing alongside one of the greatest players in baseball history.

Based on what people have been saying out there, I'm betting the Yankees go 35-1 while A-Rod rehabilitates from arthroscopic surgery.

Well, maybe 34-2. Because, you know, the Yankees are shooting themselves in the foot by not making Joba Chamberlain their setup man.

...

Somehow, the belief is now pervading that the Yankees will be better off without A-Rod: That he costs as much in anguish and headaches as he pays in home runs and walks.

I don't get it. It doesn't make sense on any level, and the only evidence used to back it up - that the Yankees haven't reached a World Series since they acquired A-Rod - could also be deployed to prove that A-Rod's a heck of a player, but he ain't no Clay Bellinger."

Teixeira has no rings. Sabathia has no rings. Matsui has no rings.

I think five players on the Yankees have rings (Jeter, Rivera, Posada, Pettitte, Damon). I might be missing someone. I might be missing someone obvious. But I don't feel like researching it.

Point being, all the people who want the Yankees to get rid of ringless ARod should realize their criteria would require gutting the entire team.


As for the notion that the Yankees are better off without selfish sluggers, I did a little bit of exciting research:

The Phillies won the World Series in 2008 despite the burden of Ryan Howard's 48 HRs.

The Cardinals won the Word Series in 2006 despite the burden of Albert Pujols's 49 HRs.

The White Sox won the World Series in 2005 despite the burden of Paul Konerko's 40 HRs.

The Red Sox improbably won the World Series in 2004 despite the overwhelming burden of two players with 40 HRs: Manny Ramirez had 43 HRs and David Ortiz had 41 HRs. Makes me wonder how Bill Mueller even got out of bed in the morning.


As for the Yankees, they managed to win the World Series sometimes with players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Roger Maris.