The Number 27

By Dan Rodgers

No, this is not a typo. I might have taken the post title from The Number 23, but 27 happens to be a much more significant number. While I might be a Yankees fan, it has been 8 long years since myself and my fellow Yankee fans have witnessed a championship. While some of you might consider me selfish for thinking eight years is a long time (Sorry Cubbies-100+ years), I prefer to think of it as expecting greatness. As a Yankees fan I have come to expect the playoffs. However, last year was very important season to me. It was the first time since I was four years old (1994 strike season) that the Yankees were not in the playoffs. 1993 if you count that in '94 they were in first place when the strike happened. So, I have been around to witness some rather incredible consistency. The reason it was in some way important that the Yanks missed the playoffs, or I should say what I got from it because I wished they maded it: It taught me how much of a fan of the game I am. I watched every playoff game I could and every World Series game played. I love baseball and would go see any two teams play in any stadium because I love the game. It also taught me that you can't be a real fan until you respect the game when your team is no longer involved in it. However, I have still come to this conclusion that the post-season without the Yankees is like my birthday without me.

So, come on, ask me those questions you're dying to ask:

Q: I've heard that you are not from New York, why a Yankees fan? Fair weather fan?
A: Unfortunately that is correct. I am not from the Big Apple, but I was born in New Jersey? Ha, I grew up mostly in Northern Virginia. To my defense, my father's side of the family is from New York so like most children, the sports fanhood runs in the family. Even though my dad is a Mets fan, as a young child I was a Yankees fan. In a more thorough defense of myself, I am most definately not a fair weather fan. I love the Yankees and I have an unbelieveable passion for them as I always will. However, I also have that same intense passion for the New York Jets(NFL). The Jets are consistently below average, unfortunately, and I still love them and wouldn't trade them for anything. They have only 1 championshp (1-0 at least) and only 12 playoff appearances in over 40 years! Fortunately, I have been alive for half of their appearances, but they have only led to disappointment.

Q: Do you think the Yankees "bought" their championship?
A: To an extent, yes. Surely they went out last post-season and spent a quarter of a billion dollars on three players. While this may be absurd, every owner in Major League Baseball is a business man and wants to make money. George Steinbrenner wants to win and will do whatever it takes to put his team in position to do so. The Yankees may be on the path towards hurting the parody in baseball, however, it is the MLB's fault for not taking action to stop them. Until Major League Baseball does something to stop the Yankees from buying all these all-stars, I just can't see anything wrong with it. For one reason, other teams have the same opportunity. The reason players come to NY is to win a championship -- End of story.

These two questions are the ones that I find to be the most common that are asked to me. If there is anything else you would like my opinion on feel free to comment. Oh, and get ready for The Number 28. It's coming up faster than you think. Bet on it.

Rodgers That