When did this happen? When did the most famous team in baseball in one of the world's great cities have to sell itself? So much so that the New York Yankees had to bid against themselves to sign the biggest free agent pitcher on the market.
Brian Cashman, the team's general manager, played the role of a college football coach trying to recruit a high school senior when he flew to the home of CC Sabathia. He chatted with him and his wife about why they should be happy to move to New York and become part of the Yankees family. He had to throw more money into a monstrously great offer and give the pitcher the right to flee town after three years if he didn't like it.
Was it after Randy Johnson got to town, growled at paparazzi and then proceeded to struggle with injuries and bad pitching performances before he ran out of there? Or is it related to the treatment given to Alex Rodriguez, one of baseball's premier hitters when his every word just never seems to hit the right note with the daily papers in the city?
Whatever it is has put the Big Apple in the position of a small market city with a climate that isn't ideal for outdoor sports. In that situation you have to bring brochures produced by the Chamber of Commerce, talk about how a mansion is now affordable in a less expensive housing market and stress the family friendly nature of the environment. For those that don't know, New York City has beautiful suburbs within easy driving distance of Yankee Stadium. Most of the stars on the team who have families don't live in the city.
When the largest pot of money on the planet is sitting in front of you to take, and you have to be convinced to reach for it, that indicates a problem of large proportions. God knows the tabloid press in the city won't be changing anytime soon but in this Internet age, you don't have to live in New York to get your chain yanked on Deadspin or ESPN. Does anyone have an answer for me that sounds plausible?
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And the media and fans grind these guys back there in a way that isn't even thinkable here. I mean, we're all over Zito, but not in a way that would make walking down the street a miserable experience.
i grew up in westchester (that suburb you mention) and it is also getting unlivable. ny in general and nyc in particular has gotten too cute by half.
keep the pretty buildings and landmarks. i want to live a happy life with minimal hassle and rip off.
i moved to florida and found it. i dont blame this baseball player for not wanting to come here. there is more to life than money. you couldnt pay me ANY amount to return. i mourn for the friends i left behind there because they have no idea what a nightmare that place is until they are in a place that ...isnt.
thanks for the comment, i was sure i would be flamed for daring to criticize ny.
George as he was on the decline was more George than ever. When’s the last time you heard Angels or Braves management making headlines threatening employee dental plans to motivate troops and save a buck that is a teeny percentage of the bottom line? And now as we’re seeing the Steinbrennerettes don’t fall far from the tree -- it’s a little more motivation to evaluate quality of life.
Someone like A-Rod puts up numbers that are monstrous, and he still is the lightning rod when they don’t win (which they haven’t done for a few years).
The Yanks spend a TON but they’re not a lock to win anymore (CC and Burnett signing notwithstanding). It used to be that the difference between a good contract and the great one you would get from George were a couple million over a few years, but now the money is astronomical with any team that can afford you. Now consider paparazzi in NY with your every move scrutinized and tossed on the internet. Would you consider it an automatic when given the choice between “more money than you’ll ever need†and “way more money than you’ll ever need?â€
People want to win, but when it comes to the Yankees nowadays, a certain amount of the consideration other than winning, comfort level and greed is combat pay.
Paula Duffy
Paula Duffy