No Parade This Year, Yankees!

by Alan M. Fishman

They weren't the Arizona Diamondbacks of 2001 with Johnson and Schilling. They weren't the Cleveland Indians of 1997 with Albert Belle and Jim Thome. And they didn't have a former homerun king like the 2002 Angels had in Troy Glaus. But the 2003 Marlins, stacked with twenty year-olds, became the fourth team to beat the Yanks in the playoffs during the Joe Torre era.

Josh Beckett's five-hit shutout in Game 6 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium shocked the baseball world. The Marlins danced and celebrated on the sacred grounds of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle. Who were these guys? Miguel Cabrera? Juan Pierre? Brad Penny? Carl Pavano? Only Ivan Rodriguez was a star name. But the resilient and at times lucky Marlins captured their second championship in seven years. Joe Torre, Don Zimmer, and Mel Stottlemyre sat stunned in the dugout after the game. How could the all-star Yanks lose to these fish?

Two Words. Jeff Weaver. It was Alex Gonzalez's walk-off homer off Weaver in the 12th inning of Game 4 that handed Florida momentum. After the Yanks tied the game on a two-run, two-out triple by Rueben Sierra in the ninth, poised to take a 3-1 lead in the series, Florida stole the game. With Mariano Rivera, Chris Hammond, Felix Heredia, and Gabe White still lurking in the bullpen, Torre chose to pitch Weaver. He was booed often at the Stadium this year. His 7-9 record and 5.99 ERA shouldn't have earned him any post-season appearance. Weaver never should have seen the moon over Miami. Maybe White or Heredia would have surrendered a homer, but Weaver was alomost expected to.

But Torre finally blew it. He pitched the worst possible pitcher at the worst possible time. Although Weaver pitched a scoreless 11th, it was only a matter of time until the series was tied at two. On a 3-2 pitch to Gonzalez, Weaver threw a fat one that went 335 feet over the leftfield fence. Had the Yanks taken that 3-1 lead, Florida would have at least needed to winhe seventh game in the Bronx.

In Game 5, starter David Wells threw his back out after an inning. The Yanks had no chance. Jose Contreras and Chris Hammond couldn't keep the Marlins scoreless. Then in Game 6, Beckett pitched one of those games that made him a legend. A shutout in the World Series is amazing, but when you throw one in a clinching game against the Yanks at Yankee Stadium, it's magical.

So what now for the Yanks? First things first, resign Andy Pettitte. Steinbrenner should give the 21-8 Pettite any price to keep him. Since 1995 Pettite has been a reliable, fearless and determined Yank. Second, ship Weaver back to Detroit. If the Yankees need to pay the rest of his contract, then so be it. Weaver must go! Find a new home for this Kenny Rogers wannabe.

Next, the Yankees need to find another solid starter. With Clemens retiring, and Wells and Pettite free agents, only Mussina is a guaranteed return. Jose Contreras and Jon Lieber will likely be on the staff next season. but the Yanks can't trust them in big spots. Contreras was hit hard in the World Series and Lieber hasn't pitched in a big-league game since 2002. The Expos are looking to unload the 27 year-old righty, Javier Vazquez, and the yanks should deal from him.

Furthermore, the bullpen needs rearranging. Hammond, White, Nelson, and Osuna all should leave. White makes too much money and didn't do much as a Yankee. Felix Heredia is probably the better lefty. Hopefully, Steve Karsay will come back healthy, but still the Yanks should add a reliever or two. Twins righty Latroy Hawkins is a free agent. I don't trust him in a big game, but he's better than what New York has now.

With the offense, there is not much the Yanks can change. They can move Soriano to the outfield and find another second baseman. Aaron Boone should stay; he deserves a full season in the Bronx to prove himself. Keep the Nick Johnson/Jason Giambi first base/DH combo. Nick Johnson is too valuable to trade. If he must DH some games, then so be it. If they don't move Soriano to the outfield they should move Matsui to center and Bernie to left and sign Gary Sheffield for right field. If Sheffield signs elsewhere, then the young Juan Rivera would make a suitable rightfielder.

For most teams reaching Game Six of the World Series marks a successful season. But not for the Yankees. Winning is everything, or "essential" as Steinbrenner explains it. With a $180 million payroll, the Bronx Bombers are expected to win it all. Certainly, losing to the scrappy $50 million Marlins is not an option.

Yankee fans will still take with them the classic seven-game series versus Boston. They'll see aaron Boone's walk-pff homer a gazillion times on the YES Network "classic moments." But like in 2001 the classic moments will be drowned out by the sounds of the other team celebrating.