The Yankee Meter

Today, Aug. 19, 2008, as the Yankees return from an off day, they sit 10 games out of the AL East penthouse. Technically it's not over, but forget the division for a minute. They're a more manageable 5 1/2 games behind the Red Sox - 4 behind the Twins - for the Wild Card. It's very easy to dismiss them, but for the last three seasons, they've somehow dug deep enough to make a relentless and successful push to the postseason. Even though I'm sticking to my word that the Yankees will fall short this time, it's not over yet.

The last time the Yankees were in this much trouble was 1995. On this date 13 years ago, they were 10 1/2 behind AL East-leading Boston and 11 from the Wild Card spot (Credit: www.baseballrace.com). That team finished 26-7 to sneak into the playoffs on the season's last day.

Back in '95, I was a college graduate watching from afar. That team, robbed of a division title by the baseball strike the year before, had the horses to make a run. There was Wade Boggs, who finished that season batting .324. Bernie Williams and Andy Pettitte were in the early stages of their careers. Williams batted .307. Pettitte (12-9) finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Paul O'Neill was 32, in his third season in New York, and his competitive fire was a prelude to him winning four World Series rings. Then there was David Cone. The "hired gun" went 9-2 after being acquired from the Blue Jays on July 28.

The last few seasons were less of a grind, but almost as stressful. A Yankees team a little older each season someone pulled it together to overcome periods of sub-.500 baseball to keep its postseason streak alive from 2005-07. But there's a tangible difference this season. Many of the core players are at a point when Father Time slowly erodes your skills and those nagging injuries bark a bit louder. Those seasons of treating every game down the stretch like it was do-or-die takes a toll. And just when the Yankees make a run and you're feeling good about their chances, their offense flames out and succumbs under the pressure of driving home runners in scoring position.

Furthermore, there's neither a David Cone, nor a Shawn Chacon, nor an Aaron Small, to step up and bail them out. The Brewers imported CC Sabathia, the Cubs Rich Harden, the Dodgers (apparently) Greg Maddux, the Red Sox Paul Byrd. The Yankees? Looks like Carl Pavano (yes, him) will be called upon to start on Saturday. The way this crazy season has unfolded, imagine Pavano playing that hired gun and going 6-0 down the stretch?

Fallacy! Don't attach that word to the Yankees' playoff hopes, but a lot will have to have to go right, like in 1995.

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Meanwhile, Mats Sundin wants to play for the Rangers or call it a career, depending on who you believe. If they can fit him within their salary cap, Sundin remains an impact player who would make a huge difference.