By
Chris Martin
Arizona Daily Wildcat
So what if the New York Yankees lost 15 of their last 18 games and David Cone, Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez are all becoming candidates for Social Security.
Big deal.
The Yanks are still the deepest, classiest and most talented team in the majors.
The Bronx Bombers have been the American League Champions all year - despite feeling pressure in September.
With a bunch of upstarts - the White Sox, Athletics, Mariners, Giants and Cardinals - all crashing this year's postseason party, many people are predicting the Yankees will fall from their lofty throne.
Sorry Red Sox fans, it won't happen this year. It takes experience and veterans to make it through a grueling October - clearly a New York advantage.
The White Sox might have had the best A.L. record, and San Francisco definitely had the class of the N.L., but both teams desperately lack the postseason experience to advance to the October Classic.
In 1995, New York fell to Seattle in the Divisional Series. Despite the loss, a young Yanks team gained the experience necessary to go on and win three out of the last four World Series crowns.
Maybe this year, the Cardinals and Giants will learn a similar lesson - but don't expect a deep run by any of the upstart teams.
The Yankees are led by All-World shortstop Derek Jeter. His stats aren't as gaudy as A-Rod's or Nomar's, but his presence in the clubhouse and on the field makes him the top SS in the game.
Think of the numbers he would put up if he batted in the three hole instead of the hitting second - case closed.
As long as Jeter runs the show in N.Y., the Yankees will always compete. He is the general in Steinbrenner's army, not bad for a 26-year-old from Kalamazoo, Mich.
The Jeter-advantage will prove to be huge over teams like St. Louis, San Francisco and the White Sox. The kid knows how to win, and it is infectious in the Yankee clubhouse.
The Giants, on the other hand, will disappear in the first round largely because Barry Bonds' bat will be printed on the backs of milk cartoons everywhere. I can see the label now - "if found please contact Dusty Baker immediately."
The Big Hurt will do big squat for the White Sox, and their pitching will wilt under the pressure of playing under the spotlight.
So what does all this add up to?
Well, much to NBC's displeasure, it means another Yankees vs. Braves World Series.
Don't complain - the two best teams should play each other for the world championship.
Pitching, defense and timely hitting are the keys to postseason success. All keys which can be found on the Braves' and Yankees' metaphorical key chains.
Greg Maddux dueling against Roger Clemens in Game Seven at "The House that Ruth Built" can anything be better?
Well, maybe only a game winning homer by Jeter in the bottom of the ninth off John Rocker to capture the series.
Enjoy the 7-train after that one, Rock-head.
