The Yankees started making their move into first place in the AL East several weeks ago. They have kept the Rays at bay through the All-Star break. Then, the team was hit by two huge losses in the span of days. Long time announcer Bob Sheppard and their long time GM George Steinbrenner both passed away. Now, the Yankees will be playing with their hearts.
Teams always do better when they have something to play for. When there is something or someone they are trying to win for. The Braves have it this year with Bobby Cox retiring and now the Yankees have it with their huge personal losses. Not that the Yankees wouldn’t have won their division anyway, they very well might have. But one thing is certain, a winning team with even more motivation is just about unstoppable.
The Yankees losses are the kind that affect everyone on the team. From the coaches to the players to the front office to the stadium workers to the fans. It’s all encompassing. And every single one of them will be saying, let’s win it all for Bob and George. Bring home the championship for them. An all heart motivation is tough for other teams to overcome. I look for the Yankees to play the rest of the season all heart.
© photo credit: Tomás Fano
