The worst start through 30 games in 39 years. Tied for last place in the division. The second-worst team earned run average in the League. For many teams, numbers like that signify a bad start to a season, an unavoidable casualty of the cyclical nature of Major League Baseball. But for George Steinbrenner's New York Yankees, the same Yankees that won four out of five world championships from 1996-2000 and have participated in six out of the last nine World Series, those numbers are far more disturbing. While most teams have off years and lame starts, Steinbrenner's Yankees do not -- they win divisions and play in World Series with steadfast regularity. Unequivocally, the anemic Yankees are the biggest surprise of the 2005 baseball season.
For a team with a record $205.9 million payroll, nothing short of a World Series was expected this year. The unprecedented collapse in last year's playoffs to the hated Boston Red Sox, which went on to win the World Series, supposedly provided any necessary motivation the Yankees needed to regain their status atop the sport this year. They addressed all major deficiencies in the off-season and, in the opinion of everyone who knows anything about baseball, entered April with one of the most formidable assemblies of talent in recent memory.
Going into the season, every single position starter had made at least one all-star game. Their starting first baseman, Jason Giambi, and third baseman, Alex Rodriguez, have won Most Valuable Player awards, and outfielder Gary Sheffield nearly took the honor last year. Additionally, Jorge Posada provides unusual power from the catcher position, shortstop Derek Jeter is arguably the greatest leader in the history of American team sports and outfielder Hideki Matsui offers a complete offensive package, hitting for both average and power with consistency.
The Yankees also presented one of the most complete pitching staffs in baseball. To compensate for the lack of a true number one starter and enhance the top of the starting rotation, the Yankees signed Randy Johnson, one of the three most dominant pitchers of the era, and rising star Carl Pavano. Behind Johnson and Pavano, the dependable Mike Mussina and highly talented Kevin Brown anchored the rotation. Jaret Wright -- a second or third starter on most teams -- rounded out the rotation in the No. 5 slot.
The Yankees also addressed their off-season bullpen concerns by signing Mike Stanton and Buddy Groom, two serviceable relievers, to support the best trio of relievers in baseball -- Paul Quantrill, Tom Gordon and Mariano Rivera.
However, a little over one month into the season and all expectations remain unfulfilled. Giambi, recovering from numerous ailments and the backlash from his steroid controversy, is hitting a meager .208. Neither Posada nor centerfielder Bernie Williams have an on base plus slugging percentage above .700, a standard mark of quality hitting. Aside from Rodriguez, no one has more than four home runs, and, much to the Yankees' dismay, the hitting has been the team's strength.
Through the first month, the Yankees' pitching has been, in a word, horrible. Before going on the disabled list, Jaret Wright's ERA was over 9.00; Kevin Brown, earning in excess of $15 million a year, sports a 0-4 record with an 8.25 ERA; both Mussina and Pavano have ERAs over 4.00; and no starting pitcher has a winning record. Among their five starters, the Yankees are paying about $64.5 million for a record of 8-12 with an ERA around 6.00.
The poor start by the majority of Yankee players has translated to an 11-19 record through 30 games, placing them in a tie with the perpetually pathetic Tampa Bay Devil Rays at the bottom of the American League East -- in the exact opposite position of where the Yankees expected to find themselves.
A month into the season, all the hopes and expectations of March have quickly disappeared and transitioned to the fears and failures of April and May. The Yankees have many more months of baseball to remedy their problems, which they still could do. However, they must improve soon, lest they end the season not only as April's biggest surprise, but the season's, as well.
