The New York Yankees have driven themselves to success throughout the season. Currently on an eight game winning streak and leading the AL East with a 2 game lead up on the Tampa Bay Rays, makes them serious World Series contenders. Their currently 86-50 on the season, which is amazing, because two of the Yankees most important players in their line-up haven’t been impressive.

Yankees third baseman, Alex Rodriguez hasn’t been putting up the numbers that’s expected. Despite being on the disabled list do to a left calf strain, his batting average is .265 with 21 home runs and 97 RBIs. Shortstop, Derek Jeter age’s has caught up to him. His batting average is .266 with 59 RBIs.

With the amount of talent the Yankees have on their roster, they still manage to lead the AL East. Yankees second baseman, Robinson Cano, has been playing his best this season. He’s bringing in .318 batting average and 26 home runs with 91 RBIs. Cano is a possible MVP candidate. The Yankees starting pitching rotation has been holding up with CC Sabathia leading the way with 19 wins and a 3.05 ERA.

With all that being said, will this Yankee team win the World Series Championship. The Texas Rangers line-up has been on fire with left fielder Josh Hamilton sky high batting average of . 362, designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero’s 25 home runs and right fielder Nelson Cruz .316 batting average. That’s not all, the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays are talented enough to compete for the World Series.

The Yankees are still the favorite to make the World Series this season, but will they be able to exceed expectation? I’m still thinking will it happen.

After the 2010 season New York Yankees, short stop, Derek Jeter’s contract will be finished. Jeter has been a member of the Yankees roster since 1995 and has been labeled as New York’s favorite athlete. He’s been a 10 time American League All-Star, four time Golden Glove Award winner, and Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 2009.

Throughout Jeter’s career he managed to stay away from off the field problems and was able to keep his personal life separate. Fans love his leadership, athleticism and his will to win. Throughout my years of living in New York, not one person dislikes Jeter.

Unfortunately, Jeter is 36 years of age. He hasn’t been able to perform at the same level at the plate and on the mound. This season, Jeter has a .274 batting average, 9 home runs with 48 RBIs. In 2009, Jeter had .334 batting average, 30 stolen bases and 66 RBIs. In 2006, Jeter had a .343 batting average, 97 RBIs with 34 stolen bases. Despite this season, the only season Jeter had a batting average under .300 was his rookie season in 1995 and in 2002.

I don’t believe the Yankees should pay much for Jeter. He’s 36 years of age and he’s not getting better with his numbers. His season’s are numbered. They shouldn’t give a max deal to a 36 year old short stop that’s not getting better and is passed their prime.

I believe the Yankees should keep Jeter as a player, because he’s meant more to the Yankees than any other player on that roster. He’s their captain and his leadership means a lot to the Yankees, but his performance isn’t the same.

OK, I know what you’re thinking. Actually I have no idea. Even if I saw this title, I would be dumbfounded. I don’t think I’ve ever written or spoken the word “dumbfounded” before so I do know how you feel.

But I’ll be glad to explain to you what the title means. Next week on ESPN I will be holding a one our special called “The Explanation” to inform the readers of what I’m talking about.

Now that all that crap is out of the way, I will actually explain what I mean.

If you haven’t heard, former NY Giants WR / Special Teamer David Tyree has signed a 1-day contract with the team in order to retire from the Giants. Anyone who was not a (diehard) fan, probably never heard of David Tyree before his epic catch in Super Bowl XLII to help lead the Giants to an improbable Super Bowl victory over what was then an undefeated New England Patriots team.

That catch is argued by many as the greatest play ever in the Super Bowl (don’t forget Eli Manning did an amazing job avoiding a sack on the play as well).

But even as legendary as that play was, he knew when it was time to step away from the game. After an injury and lack of playing time, he knew he couldn’t contribute to a football team anymore.

See where I am going with this now?

Chan Ho Park is another player in the New York area who cannot contribute to a team. If you haven’t noticed, Chan Ho Park only is utilized in a mop up role, and he has a beautiful 5.60 ERA. And I know what you’re thinking. Why does Chan Ho Park still have a job? Only the Bermuda Triangle and the location of Amelia Earhart are bigger mysteries.

–Mark Elliot Wishnia–

Former New York Yankee owner, George Steinbrenner died at the age of 80 on Tuesday July 13th. Steinbrenner is arguably the most remarkable owner in Major League Baseball history, because of his personality and his ability to turn a failure into a success.

The Yankees did a great job honoring Steinbrenner before their game against the Tampa Bay Rays, which they received the victory, 5-4 with center fielder, Curtis Granderson getting the walk off run. Steinbrenner recently retired and he passed the torch to his two sons Hal and Hank Steinbrenner.

Major League Baseball lost a great owner in Steinbrenner, but I had a enough of everyone talking about this topic. Some of these networks (without mentioning names) were all over this guy like it was the president that passed away.

I understand how much Steinbrenner meant to the Yankees, but I don’t believe having a two hour show with nothing but Steinbrenner topics was good. That’s poor television and choosing more topics should have been the way to go.

Seattle Seahawks head coach, Pete Carroll made a guest appearance on a show to discuss topics about his book and the first five questions were about Steinbrenner, a person that never influence the game of football. There’s a lot to talk about with Carroll, such as, USC football controversy, first season as the head coach of the Seahawks, LenDale White getting released from the Seahawks, and the first question they have is about Steinbrenner.

Steinbrenner is a huge figure in sports, but lets give it a break.

I’m a young Yankee fan. I can’t share in all the stories everyone else has about George Steinbrenner. I really don’t have any memories prior to 1996 when the apparent “changed” Steinbrenner was running the team. But clearly I have missed a lot. ESPN and the MLB Network have not spoken about anything else all day except for George Steinbrenner. They have repeated the same tributes and interviews over and over and over from 9:45am through the rest of the day. It has been insane. I understand that George Steinbrenner’s legacy. He made the Yankees relevant again. He made winning a main priority in all sports for all owners. And the reason I know this? Well, other than the fact that I just hear these things and see these things over the years, I think if I never knew who George Steinbrenner was, I would be an expert on the man after today. I hate to be looked at as the real “jerk” in this whole situation but there have to be people out there who agree that today’s coverage has been a little bit of an overkill.

I have chosen to list a a top 10 of events that occur or that can occur that would never get as much coverage as this:

10. The death of the pope.

9. World Peace.

8. The second coming of Jesus.

7. The invention of the time machine.

6. Lebron James.

5. Brett Favre.

OK OK… 6 and 5 may be debatable. I am sticking to it!

4. A pitcher to throw a perfect game in all 35 starts he has in a season…. with all 27 outs being strikeouts every time on 3 pitches… and all the strikeouts looking.

3. A baseball player hitting a homerun in every at-bat of a season… in 600 at-bats.

2. Kim Jong Il choosing to apply for United States citizenship.

1. Osama Bin Laden converting to judaism and joining the Israeli army.

None of the above events, would get as much coverage as the passing of George Steinbrenner. Absolutely insane.

–Mark Elliot Wishnia–

It’s raining in New York today but the gray skies and wet streets are nothing compared to the dark storm of emptiness that every Yankees fan is undeniably feeling. This morning, word spread fast about the passing of the Bronx Bomber’s magnanimous owner – George Steinbrenner – and soon the baseball world was abuzz with memories, stories and affections befitting of The Boss.

To sum up the impact, meaning, or purpose anyone’s life in mere words is always a daunting task. Humans hurt each other, love each other, and make their marks in countless individual ways that fancy vocabulary has never been able to capture. This is ever more evident when one is trying to harness the essence of a force such as George Steinbrenner. Oh, certainly there will be tributes and homage enough to fill the seats of the Stadium for endless seasons to come but none will do justice.

I could attempt to retell the history we all know so well…the ups and downs and visionary success that Steinbrenner washed over New York City like a wave of passionate intent. I could try to convey what having an owner who was ruthless in the pursuit of victory has meant to my own fandom. I could even endeavor to paint a genuine picture of what it means to have Pinstripe Pride…but these things are not tangible, they cannot be measured…and neither can George Steinbrenner.

Surely, his life must serve as a lesson to us all. When controversy looms, when failure threatens, when they tell you ‘no’…remember that victory is an eternal quest. To be better is second only to being the best. And to be the best is to never, ever, ever stop growing or learning or trying.

Critics will talk about the money, tossing sour grapes but the fans will always remember his dedication. To be ruthlessly passionate and never apologize for it – this is George Steinbrenner’s legacy and there are certainly no words that can do justice to this spirit.

New York Yankees pitcher, Phil Hughes, has been pitching the best in the Yankees starting rotation. Having a 5-0 record, which is the best in the rotation and a 2.25 ERA on the season; Hughes has been lighting it up for the Yankees in the fifth spot.

Despite struggling against the Boston Red Sox, Hughes still managed not to loss the game and finished with a no decision. Hughes pitched four innings, and allowed five earned runs with three strike outs. The Yankees came away with the victory, 11-9, with outfielder, Marcus Thames hitting the walk off home run against Jonathan Papelbon in the botton of the ninth.

Many didn’t expect Phil Hughes to start off the season with this much success. Looking at the numbers of all the pitchers in the Yankees starting rotation, Hughes has been most successful.

Moving, fourth starter, Javier Vazquez to the bullpen with his 8.01 ERA. Maybe that opens up the opportunity for Hughes to move up in the rotation. There’s a benefit to keeping Hughes in the fifth spot, because not too many teams can say their fifth starter is undefeated and pitching the best in their rotation.

If Hughes keeps this performance level, he’ll be moving up in the rotation either this season or next.