USA TODAY International Edition
‘ BIGGER THAN THE GAME’
Yankees’ CC Sabathia enters alcohol rehab on eve of team’s Wild- Card playoff game
Derek Jeter’s name and meaning are self- explanatory in the Bronx.
For instance, while recently discussing his successor — Didi Gregorius, the first new New York Yankees shortstop in two decades — manager Joe Girardi said, “We knew Didi was talented. We knew there were a lot of things in there that would eventually play out, but we worried about ( him) coming to New York, Derek Jeter, being the first time he’s ever been given a job every day.”
Of the manager’s three concerns about his young shortstop after an offseason trade, one was simply the utterance of his legendary predecessor’s name because all the pressure and attention therein implied were obvious to speaker and listener.
In Jeter’s 19 seasons as starting shortstop, the Yankees made the playoffs 16 times, appeared in seven World Series and won five of them. His 158 games, 200 hits and 111 runs are postseason records, and his 20 home runs rank third. No one has manned that position for that franchise in a postseason game since Tony Fernandez started all five American League Division Series games against the Seattle Mariners in 1995. Before that? Larry Milbourne in 1981.
“Time flies by,” Fernandez said in a telephone interview from the Dominican Republic. “( Jeter) was blessed with a long and fruitful career. Anybody that is now playing that position should be proud that he is substituting for one of the best players in baseball.”
Now, with the Yankees having earned a wild card, Gregorius’ name will appear alongside the “6” position on the lineup card Tuesday in front of what might not be a sold- out Yankee Stadium when they play the Houston Astros.
The retirement of Jeter — the last and most popular of the Core Four to hang up his cleats — combined with a two- year playoff absence have contributed to lagging interest around the Yankees. Attendance at Yankee Stadium was down 2,500 fans a game, the
sixth- largest decline in baseball. Ratings on the club’s regional sports network, YES, were down some 20% since last season and on track to be the lowest in a decade, according to a midseason report by Newsday. Tickets for the wild- card game remained available for general sale Monday afternoon, and on the secondary market nearly 5,000 tickets — some for as little as $ 55 — were available in nearly every section.
Though the Yankees were in first place or within two games of the AL East lead from April 18 through their series- opening loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sept. 11 — a remarkable five- month stretch of consistency — the Blue Jays’ acquisitions of David Price and Troy Tulowitzki helped propel them to a division title and pushed the Yankees into unfamiliar territory.
“What do we have, the thirdbest record in the American League? For some reason, we’re an underdog or thought as underachieving,” closer Andrew Miller said. “We’re a really good team. We have a chance to win it all.”
New York’s payroll is about $ 220 million, which leads the AL for the 17th season in a row; the Yankees haven’t had a losing record since 1992; they have the AL’s third- best record since the AllStar break; and their ace, Masahiro Tanaka, is lined up to pitch against the Astros.
Yet nationally, there is little buzz about their chances. Bovada saddled them and the Astros with the longest World Series odds among the 10 playoff teams.
“The Yankees have typically been the favorite, so it might be unfamiliar for the organization,” infielder Brendan Ryan said, “but I don’t think it makes one bit of difference to the guys in here.”
And New York could be a dangerous club. The best pitchers typically are consolidated on the playoff teams, on- base percentages decline and so too does scoring as it becomes harder to string together rallies on hits and walks. As a result, homers account for an increased percentage of runs, and that’s something the Yankees do historically well.
New York slugged 212 home runs this year, and a club- record 47 of them were three- run homers or grand slams — that was 18 more than any other lineup and third highest in baseball history.
In all, New York plated 48% of its runs via the long ball, which is the fifth- highest percentage in baseball history, according to Baseball Prospectus. The club’s power — buoyed by resurgent seasons from veterans Brian McCann, Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira — has waned the last two months but can be potent. Rookie first baseman Greg Bird, with 11 homers and a .529 slugging percentage, has been a more- than- suitable replacement for Teixeira, who has a broken leg, on a team beset by injuries all season.
Eight of 10 pitchers who started a game also have logged time on the disabled list, but the club was 66- 3 when leading after six innings because of the bullpen’s triumvirate of Justin Wilson, Del- lin Betances and Miller.
“Our bullpen is the best part of our team, so if we keep them healthy and give them fresh innings, I think you’ll see us do well,” starter CC Sabathia said.
The Yankees’ last trip to the World Series came in 2009, a season Gregorius started in rookie ball.
The only 20- something to be a Yankees everyday player all season, he has proved himself a capable replacement to Jeter.
“Someone’s going to have the chance to be the sequel, I guess,” Ryan said. “Didi’s had a hell of a year. I think he’s filled in as good as you can for a guy like Jeter.”
Although Gregorius struggled early, his average falling to .234 as late as July 22, he batted .303 in 69 games since. He has been steadier in the field, with a fielding percentage 13 points higher.
“Each month he seemed to get better and better to where he’s playing great,” Girardi said.
As for following Jeter — whom Gregorius grew up watching — he was perfectly diplomatic.
“For me, it’s just a great opportunity,” Gregorius said, otherwise deflecting attention to the “great group of guys” in the clubhouse.
All they are concerned about is winning Tuesday and beyond. And Miller said the club might as well embrace the underdog label.
“Yeah, sure, why not?” Miller said. “I think, keep the spotlight off, and for certain guys if that lights a fire under them, that’s great. Whatever it takes.”