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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Zeglinski

Don’t listen to Brian Cashman, who wants us to feel pity for the poor Yankees

I’m not one to talk about signs of the Apocalypse, but has anyone checked if Hell has frozen over yet? What about whether the earth’s waters have risen above the mountains? I mean, I know we can see those beautiful natural works of art from a distance, and they seem okay and still majestic, but are we sure the oceans haven’t eclipsed them?

I only ask these pressing questions because it looks like the Yankees are asking for sympathy. Yes, the New York Yankees, once famous for buying every good player seemingly every year in free agency en route to World Series after World Series and laughing about it, are having a rough go of it lately. And they want you to know it’s been hard.

Excuse me?

Brian Cashman, your table is ready. Let’s hear your grievances, buddy. Oh, you want to talk about the 2017 ALCS for some reason? Why not!

From The Athletic:

“The only thing that stopped us was something so illegal and horrific. So I get offended when we start hearing we haven’t been to the World Series since ’09.”

Those are some of Cashman’s thoughts on criticisms of an ongoing Yankees championship drought. The 2010s were only the second decade (behind the 80s) in the storied franchise’s existence where they didn’t win a title. And Cashman thinks his beloved “Bronx Bombers” were robbed by the cheating Astros … in a conference championship series.

Brian, please continue. I would say you have bigger problems to worry about, but I need to hear more before making a reasonable ruling that won’t upset Yankees, Lakers, and Duke Nation. It’s only fair.

More via The Athletic:

“Because I’m like, ‘Well, I think we actually did it the right way. The only thing that derailed us was a cheating circumstance that threw us off.'”

Okay. Look. I’m not about to downplay what the Astros did, which I don’t think I must elaborate upon. But does Cashman really want us to feel bad for the Yankees? The Yankees???

Sure, the Yankees have never necessarily broken the rules with their exorbitant spending that blows everyone out of the water. And yeah, nothing says it’s illegal for you to be self-righteous about having the largest coin purse, among other things. Both tenets are frowned upon by baseball fans (rightfully), but they’re not against the rules.

But if there were a team I would feel pity for in feeling the direct brunt of a cheating scandal; it would certainly not be a squad with 27 championships. Not the Yankees. Not the evil Empire of American professional sports. They might as well have John Williams’ classic deep organ following them around.

Not to mention that it’s worth noting Tipico Sportsbook has the Yankees at +1200 with the fifth-best odds to win the 2022 World Series. That’s pretty good! I think they’re okay!

Besides, Brian, can you expand upon what happened in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019?

Let me guess. Someone was cheating there, too, and that’s what prevented you from capturing glorious No. 28?

Let’s hear it. We’re all ears, good sir. What’s the next excuse?

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

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