A Remarkable Record

The Yankees have a reputation for being the best team money can buy.

But what happened yesterday is truly remarkable in a sports world dominated by free agency.  When Mariano Rivera came in the pitch the ninth inning against the Red Sox, it marked the first time in the history of the four major American sports (NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB) that three players have been together on the same team for sixteen consecutive seasons.

Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada have been together on the Yankees a long time.  They all came up together in the Yankees system, making the total number of years they have played together closer to twenty.  Had Andy Pettitte not listened to Roger Clemens and stayed in New York instead of spending three years in Houston, there would be four players setting this record.

I'd say they've earned their gold watches.  By the way, the Yankees have fifteen home grown players on their opening day roster.  That too is pretty remarkable.

Comments

[Mark VPol]

The only reason that the Yankees were able to keep Rivera, Jeter, and Posada together is because the organization was able to afford them! A team like the Padres could never do this because it doesn't have the finances to keep its good farm-grown players once they out-live their initial contracts and demand higher pay because they are good players that other teams are willing to pay for.

Sorry, Kim, but this post made me hate the Yankees even more!! :-)

[Kim Riddlebarger]

Mark:

Yes, the Yankees' business model is remarkable. Did you know that their payroll is about the major league average in terms of being a percentage of gross revenue? They spend more on players (as you point out) because their revenue stream is so deep. The Yes network, the deals with Asian players (i.e. Matsui and Wang and the TV revenues from Japan and Taiwan), the new stadium (with the luxury boxes and team owned concessions) generate a pile of money.

People may hate them, but they are good at what they do . . .

[dlzr]

Whoop Dee Doo!

Go Pirates