Young Guns

Is there anything better then when a player who has only been yours, develops and becomes a star?

These past two weeks with the Yankees has been some of the most fun non-playoff baseball I can remember. A large part of this is due to the young guns of the Yankees leading the way.
Hughes- Although he has not been lights out, he has shown he belongs and flashes of the pitcher he will one day be. His start in Cleveland on that Friday night was a real test for him and he passed.

Melky- the everyday centerfield for the Yanks has been a key cog in the resurgence. He had a recent 18 game hitting streak and he continues to throw guys out at a league leading clip.

Duncan- In the minor's the highest power rating you can receive is a 70... thats what he received. His power has translated to the major's as well. Hit a game tying 3 run shot in the bottom of the ninth yesterday and threw a guy out at the plate. Although he will probably be the odd man out in the DH logjam, he will be a key bench player.

Cano- Probably the best hitter in baseball over the past 25 games. Torre was stupid for sitting him against Bedard for Bettemit who can't hit anybody right handed. Cano always looks comfortable at the plate as he glides through with that left handed swing. Batting titles? 100 rbis? Who knows where Cano will go in the next couple years.

Joba- JOba! Joba! This kid is special. Hits 100mph, and comes back with a 89 mph slider that is essentially unhittable. Peter Gammons said he has the best stuff in baseball. Expect him to join the rotation next season but for now he is our bridge to the suddenly unstable Sandman.

The Fab 5 above have brought energy, forearm smashes, outfield assists, drama and more. The dog days of summer are flying by and this is cause of the 5 above. They each bring something vastly different to the table. What makes it extra special is that these guys came through the Yankees farm system. In '96 it was great to see a young Jeter, Bernie, Rivera, Posada, etc. The future of the Yankees was growing before our eyes. They were not necessarily stars yet or good enough to carry a team but they showed you that they were here to stay. These guys are the same, and they are our's. We did not shell out millions for them. They developed under the tutelage of minor league Yankee managers. They are maturing under Joe Torre, Don Mattingly and the rest of the gang.

Reminds me a bit of the only guy who can get the Garden going these days, David Lee. A draft pick of the Knicks. Fans treat his as one of our own and I think because he played for no one else this is part of the reason.

Chad Pennington. Even look at Reyes and Wright. These guys came up as unpolished raw prospects with the Mets, and now they are blossoming stars. They are the two fan favorites by far on the Mets. You look at a guy like Beltran who hears boos from time to time and sits out with minor injuries. He is not beloved, he is needed and liked, and cheered for... but he is not a "Met". Delgado, La Duca are not "Mets"

The most fun thing in sports is drafting a young guy, hearing all the hype... and then exceeding expectations. In New York right now we have plenty of guys like this and it makes watching sports that much more fun.

Beckham goal and an assist... and if you watched the sportscenter highlight closely you see Mr. Kyle "Mike wants to make babies with me" Martino sneaking into the highlight