Don't Cry Because it's Over, Smile Because it Happened!

Have you ever bought tickets to a show/game, and immediately snuck down to a better seat? That feeling of trickery, and pure wonder take over as you enjoy an experience that wasn't meant for you.  Then all of a sudden you get that tap on the back. You've been caught. Back to your original seat you go for the rest of the evening.

That's what it felt like Saturday night when my beloved baby bombers, New York Yankees were eliminated in Game 7 of the ALCS.  This team was not supposed to be here, but yet gave Yankees fans that feeling of hopefulness that it would work out.

This Yankees team, predicted to finish 4th in the division, not only made the playoffs, but were the top Wild Card team, and 3 games from winning the division(still won the head-head against Boston).

After a strong start to the season, which surprised many, things started to come apart at the seams.  Pineda's season ended, Bird was put on the DL multiple times, leaving a hole at first base, their ace Tanaka was showing signs of decline, and their strength(bullpen), was blowing leads at an alarming rate.

Did this Yankees team come back to reality?
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A trade with the White Sox, and later the Oakland A's, would change the course for this team.  The upper management was in it to win it.

They would post a 46-30 record in the 2nd half of the season, with strong finishes by Tanaka, Severino, Bird, and a new realigned bullpen lead by Greene, Robertson, and Chapman.

For the first time since 2015(I know so far away lol), the Yanks were back in the postseason. However, as jubilant as Yankees fans were when the game started,  the atmosphere in the stadium turned to concern as their top pitcher gave up 3 runs in only 1/3 of an inning.

The beauty of a young team, is that they don't know any better.  3-0 quickly turned to 3-3 with a clutch hr by Sir Clutch, Didi Gregorious. The Yankees would end up winning that game thanks to their bullpen and young offense.

The Yankees were in the ALDS for the first time in 5 years.  Again not much expectations.  After the game 2 debacle, in which they would go down 0-2 in the series, this team was written off.

Back to the Bronx they would go and the stadium was alive and kicking. The ghosts finally made their way, and Yankees magic was back. Games 3&4 would go the bombers way, setting up game 5 against Cleveland's ace.

Sir Clutch would come through with 2 home runs off their ace, bullpen locked it down, and the Yankees, the "rebuilding" baby bombers, were now 4 wins away from the World Series.... Yes the World Series.

After only scoring 2 runs in 2 games in Houston, the Yankees were in need of some home cooking. Clutch performances by CC, Tanaka, Frazier, Judge, and Sanchez would give the Yanks a 3-2 series lead after being down 0-2, including a huge win off Houston's ace, whom up to that point, was Yankees Kryptonite.

Back to that tap on the shoulder. The Yankees felt the tap in the form of clutch performances by Verlander, who in game 2 threw 123 pitches, yet still shut them down and Brian McCann, former Yankee(actually traded to Houston), who would come through with clutch hits off Sevy and CC.

Too many times this team had their backs against the wall. This team had nothing left in the tank. They gave all that they had, which was not good enough.... yet

This is a young team that benefited from a great learning experience.  Sanchez will improve his defense. Judge will hopefully get better calls next year, and improve on the curve. Bird will have an entire offseason to heal that ankle(part of which slowed him down). Didi has solidified himself as one of the best SS and makes people not even think of #2. Hicks had a breakout year and is only 28. Red Thunder will see time.  The best player(Gleyber Torres), as per scouts around baseball, is currently rehabbing his elbow and will be on the big league roster sometime next year.

As Joel Sherman said, this is the worst Yankees team we will see in the next 6 years.  This is a young team with a lot of money coming off the books this offseason(CC, Arod, possibly Tanaka), and in 2018(Headley, Gardner, Robertson). 2019 was the goal, but we couldn't wait! (sorry to the rest of MLB)

So Yankees fans, don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. This is was the most fun I had watching a Yankees team in a very long time.  We have a lot of great years and memories to look forward to. Use this time to look forward to the future, look back at the fun ride we had, and see you in 117 days when pitches and catchers report!