The next big move the Yankees need...Don Zimmer

by acman319 on Dec 26, 2008 12:57 PM EST

I have been a die-hard Yankee fan my whole life. I came home from the hospital after I was born in a Yankee outfit. Ever since I can remember, I would always watch Yankee baseball with my dad, and the best years were right when I first really got into baseball: 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. I was only 6 years old when I first watched the Yankees win it all and I always liked watching that "old guy" sitting on the bench and seeing Jeter rub his head for good luck.

Now, after an 8 year World Series victory drought and a 5 year World Series appearance drought, I have come to notice an astonishing trend. Don Zimmer joined the Yankees as their bench coach in 1996. What happened that year? They won their first World Series since 1978. Then in 1998, 1999, and 2000? World Series. All with Zim on the bench. 2003? They made it to the World Series with Zim there. (I think a bit of luck fell out when Pedro threw him down in Boston). Now Don Zimmer is with the Rays, and we all know where they went last season.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying those Yankee teams from 1996,1998,1999,2000,etc. didn't have good players. Those guys were amazing beyond a shadow of doubt. Jeter, Knoblach, Wiliams, Brosious, Wells, Clemens, Rivera, O'Neill, Strawberry, Posada, Girardi, El Duque, etc were/are awesome and some of the greatest players of the game. Personally, I would rank the 1998 Yankees up there with the 1927 team as one of the best all-time. I just think it couldn't hurt if the Yankees were to add a guy like Don Zimmer to bring some more luck to the excellence of the current Yankees along with the newcomers like CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeria. Pride, Power, Pinstripes. Go Yankees. Bring home number 27 in '09.

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Comments

???

so “luck” is your only criteria for evaluating competency in the bench coach position?

by the way, the man is 77. just a thought.

by tombradylikesdudes on Dec 26, 2008 1:24 PM EST reply actions

I’m not saying “luck” is the only criteria for evaluting competency in the bench coach position. Yes he is 77, but I just think he fits in well better with New York than Tampa Bay. My post was just something for some discussion. I’m not trying to create any animosity here. I think the Yankees are fully capable to win and be successful without having Zim on the bench, but I just remeber seeing Zim there all the time growing up and I think he really does bring something special to a club off the field for players. More like a psychological thing more so than luck. I realize Don Zimmer is probably living his baseball career year-by-year at his age, and that he will most likely retire from Tampa Bay, but I just thought my original post would be just a way for me to point out an interesting observation, most likely unrelated correlation between Don Zimmer and winning.

by acman319 on Dec 26, 2008 2:59 PM EST reply actions

We've already set our coaching staff for 2009

Even if Zim were interested (which he likely wouldn’t be since he essentially retired from regular baseball coaching when he left the Yanks to be a special advisor to the Rays, with minimal involvement in everyday baseball operations), we’d have to fire Tony Pena or one of the base coaches and move Pena back to 1st. I don’t see Girardi doing that, and I think Pena will be an excellent bench coach.

"If you lived in my grandfather's house...and you wanted to eat, you had to be a Yankees fan." --Joe Biden

by SenorSwanky on Dec 26, 2008 3:17 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, you’re probably right about that. I just guess my nostalgia is coming out…oh well. I like Pena too. He’s a great guy and knows the game very well.

Pride, Power, Pinstripes...Go Yankees!

by acman319 on Dec 26, 2008 3:25 PM EST reply actions