Just read Bill Simmons’ mailbag today and had to respond to something he pointed out regarding the Yankees. Red Socks fans are notorious for pointing out Yankee faults because in the end a Yankee loss is more important than a Red Socks win. Either way, here is what Simmons said:
The only relevant news about the Yankees is that, since 2000, the following things have happened:
1. They’re 25-31 in the past seven postseasons.
2. They lost seven different playoff games that could have finished off opponents.
3. They’ve had the highest payroll for every season — including 2007 — and yet, with their playoff lives on the line, they had to throw out Chien-Ming Wang on three days rest.
4. Not one, not two, but three different teams have ended Yankee seasons on Yankee soil.
I will respond in order I suppose:
1. The Yankees may be 25-31 in the past seven postseasons, but they are also the ONLY TEAM IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL to make the playoffs in each of those seven seasons (and in fact, have made the playoffs 13 years in a row).
2. Not even sure what this point is referring to. Is that seven games where the Yankees could have eliminated their opponents? Is that winning a game and then losing it? Not sure here, not worth looking into it any further.
3. Chien-Ming Wang has more wins over the past two seasons than any other pitcher in baseball.
4. Three teams have ended the Yankees season in New York since 2001…which is one fewer times than the Red Socks failing to make the playoffs in that same time frame.
LairdNYC 
October 16, 2007 at 3:08 pm
the coffee is quite bitter in the Bronx these days, eh? here are the responses i would offer in counterpoint to your Yankee blogger’s respective statements:
1. The Yankees pride themselves on winning championships, not simply making the playoffs. That’s why they have a payroll of $215 million, and why Steinbrenner is such a hot-head. Since 2000, they have spent over $1.3 billion between team salaries and revenue sharing and have yet to win a title in that timeframe. What does this mean? Goodbye Torre.
2. If this blogger did his research he would realize that the 7 games Simmons is referring to are as follows: Game 6 of the 2003 World Series (Josh Beckett pitched a complete game 2-0 shutout – in the Bronx – to win the WS for the Marlins), Games 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the 2004 ALCS versus the Red Sox (we know the story here), and finally, Games 6 and 7 of the 2001 WS in which the Yankees lost to Arizona after having a 3-2 series advantage.
3. Wang’s 2007 playoff line: 0-2 , 5.2 IP (over 2 games), 19.06 ERA…. October is when true stars are defined – not the regular season. You don’t even have to look outside the Yankee clubhouse for the best possible comparison: A-rod (Mr. April) versus Jeter (Mr. November)…..
4. I guess this guy’s last point is a simple search for a small victory. I would remind him that amid all of these wonderful points he should also remember that the 2004 Yankees are the only team in PROFESSIONAL SPORTS HISTORY to lose the last 4 games of a 7 game series after being up 3-0.
Enjoy the offseason…..
October 16, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I guess I’ll respond in order as well:
1. I agree, they are paid for winning championships, not making the playoffs. But I don’t think that means Torre is out.
2. Thanks.
3. Despite any payroll, they went with their best pitcher over the past two years. Why pitch someone lesser because they make more?
4. I will take my small victory.