'Yankee Way' is about winning

by Ed Valentine on May 21, 2009 8:22 AM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

So, Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay and radio blabbermouth Mike Francesa apparently have themselves all in a lather about the team actually having fun.

It seems Kay, Francesa and possibly ex-Yankee stars David Cone and Paul O'Neill, aren't too happy with the whipped cream pie celebrations. Or with any of the ways the team is showing that it is actually enjoying itself.

You know, it's just not The Yankee Way.

Geesh, not this again. I hate this 'Yankee Way' crap.

What is the 'Yankee Way,' anyway?

Is it Mickey Mantle playing games hung over? Is it Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson swapping wives? Is it 'The Bronx Zoo?' Is it the legendary lush, Billy Martin? Is it Martin and Reggie Jackson brawling in the dugout? Is it Sparky Lyle sitting his naked butt on cakes in the clubhouse? Is it whatever soap opera Alex Rodriguez is involved in on any given day?

Need I go on with this stuff?

This corporate, business-like maintain your decorum and never show anyone you might actually be enjoying yourselves image of the 'Yankee Way' is a bunch of nonsense.

The 'Yankee Way' is winning. Winning World Series titles to be exact. They have collected 26 of 'em, and in case Kay, Francesa, Cone, O'Neill or anyone else who doesn't like their on-field enjoyment hasn't noticed, it's been a pretty long time since the last one.

If having some fun with each other -- and actually showing that they like each other -- helps the Yankees get a 27th championship I'm all for it. In fact, I'm all for it, anyway. Baseball is a kid's game that these guys get paid millions of dollars to play. Why shouldn't they have some fun doing it?

And, please, let's stop with this 'Yankee Way' nonsense.

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agree

the team having fun i think is actually helping them win games.

LET'S GO BUFFALO!!!!!!

by BenAllen on May 21, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

part of it is guys like swisher and carvelli…. no disrespect to Posada but he is BORING behind the plat

by yankslocktowin on May 21, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally i'm enjoying the new "Yankee way"

This isn’t a matter of life or death, it’s freakin baseball. Its grown men getting paid to play a kids game. Paul O’niel and David Cone need to relax. The Yanks are winning, and its been a long time since we saw a team with confidence . I think we all could use a whipped cream pie once and a while!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Yanks…………

"18-1, write that book! ! "

by SB42 Living-a-Dream on May 21, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

AGREE

Winning is what matters. The chemistry on Paul’s team was different than this team. If they want to throw pies and get funky haircuts – go for it. Just win baby.
One other thing – I like Joba’s attitude. If he wants to pump a fist, so what. Is he the only pitcher that celebrates? No! I hope he makes Huff hit the deck tonight.

by jimwarren on May 21, 2009 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

idk about funky haircuts

but pies are cool

by Brian5517209 on May 21, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Winning is the only thing that matters

Let the pies fly.

by NumberSeven on May 21, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

couldnt agree more

we’ve been in search of this sort of chemistry for a while now and ill tell you that i am REALLY excited to see them smiling and enjoying themselves

go bombers.

sweep the O’s

beat the champs.

by Keatgsr07 on May 21, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

And just in case anyone gets carried away with this fun thing

there’s always the kangaroo court to whip him back in line.

by django48 on May 21, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Francesca is an absolute ASS

he always gets upset about showing emotion. THe way he thinks the game “should” be played is players just play the game, don’t say a word, don’t cheer, then go home after the game, have a drink and that’s it…..

He’s an ass. THat’s all he cares about is if the players play with """class""". I agree they should have some class, but if your not going to have FUN PLAYING A GAME..THEN WHY THE HELL PLAY THE GAME!!

I loved to death seeing AJ Burnett whip cream pie alll these guys. The best to me was seeing him do it to A-Rod. People think the whole team doesn’t like A-Rod, but I think that proves that this team is much more together than anyone will give credit to.

by FreeBradshaw on May 21, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

These "critics"

need to get a grip. Tension relievers like the pie in the face, a fake WWE belt, are good. Winning is what matters. I’m certain the Yankee teams of the past managed to have some fun along the way. God knows Babe Ruth did and he turned out to be a pretty good deal for the Yankees.

"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel

by tnredneckyankeesfan on May 21, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

reason # 8 trillion to despise the NY sports media

I have more respect for Cone and O’Neill than Kay or Francesca, but they all need to go jump up their own asses. The players aren’t pallbearers or Guardians of Justice and the Yankee Way. They’re ballplayers. No less an authority than me was freaking out about how flat they looked a few weeks ago. If a whipped cream pie and a toy WWE belt takes the edge off the times when they’re losing and have people calling for their heads, have at it.

by long time listener on May 21, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

I don’t even feel the need to address Francesa. I love O’Neill and Cone as much as any yankee fans, but they need to realize that they are in the booth now, not in the clubhouse. Hopefully the players aren’t paying attention to this bs, and maybe it will even bring them closer together. People need to realize that outside of the Riveras. Jeters, Posadas and a few other veterans on this team, it is a bunch of twenty somethings out there playing a game, how do you expect them to act? As long as they win, I don’t care what they do with pies, haircuts, or wwe belts, even when they were losing I didn’t care about this stuff. The NY media will always come up with crap like this, but it doesn’t wont mean a thing, next walkoff win AJ will be right out there with a pie in hand.

by Orange315 on May 21, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

I don't really think...

…Cone or O’Neill have a problem with it. Cone is David Wells’ drinking buddy whenever they’re both in town for christ sake.

http://newyorksportsjerk.blogspot.com/2009/05/michael-kay-needs-to-get-laidbeaten-to.html

by New York Sports Jerk on May 21, 2009 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

Im sure Ill get flamed for this

but the Yankees are SUPPOSED TO WIN. Its expected. Thats their jobs and its what they are paid more than anyone else to do. It was the same thing with Joba fist pumping after every strike out, youre supposed to strike him out.

I dont celebrate every time I successfully complete a project at my company because thats my job and its whats expected of me. I dont need gimmicks to get me motivated because Im getting paid to preform. (granted I fit some blog reading in there but it has not impacted my preformance any more than being hung over did Mantle) No one at work cares what I do outside of work as long as I preform. Thats professionalism and this is professional sports, not little league.

When I was at SU, the football team was in a bad way. The new coaching staff brought in a laid back attitude that had players excited at first, but lead to a laxed attitude and the blue collar hard working mentality that had been a staple of a very consistent Syracuse football went away. Now they are trying to get it back after firing that coach.

These players know they are in NY. They are held to a higher standard by the fans and media. Its ok if its the Rays or Royals doing this when they win, but we are the yankees and are supposed to win. No celebration necessary.

Yes its ok to celebrate when we win in an exciting way, but lets not get our manager dismissing losses and celebrating small victories. Thats what Greg Robinson did at SU and look at how his teams did.

by ryanwk628 on May 21, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

there's a big difference

between excessive celebration and having fun.

nobody’s saying the Yankees’ should do end-zone celebrations and pull sharpies out of their socks after back-to-back-to-back home runs. but what’s wrong with the shaving cream stuff? almost every other team in baseball does it. what about the extensive handshakes between Cabrera and Cano? should we outlaw those too?

let’s face it, it’s been a chore to root for this team for the past couple of years. seeing this team play with a little life is a huge breath of fresh air.

for the first time since September of 2007, they’re playing loose. and i think it’s the first time since then that this team has been fun to watch.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on May 21, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

They sure have not been fun to watch for a long time. I don’t like the stupid choreographed handshakes and all that nonsense. But I do like watching them enjoy each other. And I like watching good baseball where guys move runners, get key hits and pitch well. That’s the best thing.

by Ed Valentine on May 21, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Preach the truth

Dude your absolutely right. Baseball is a kids game. Your supposed to have fun and hang with your friends like you did as kids. The only difference is that your getting paid millions for it. I enjoy the pies or whipped cream or what ever it is thrown in their faces and their fun and excitement. It seems to help the team so why stop? This is maybe what we need for the Yankees to get loose, release their pressure, and just play the game as they did in the past. Im still a young guy in highschool and if i were in the majors i would do the same as them. All i know is its working and this is helping the Yankees. So lets go Yankees and lets go for a sweep!

by NYY27 on May 21, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

They could all be wearing Bondage/S&M gear

in the clubhouse for all I care as long the team is winning.

by BigSlim on May 21, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately

That brings to mind a really unwanted image of Giambi and his Golden Thong. LOL!!

by Ed Valentine on May 21, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

eek

by NumberSeven on May 21, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Paulie

I’m kinda surprised at his reaction. Smashing the water cooler after a bad at bat is hardly what you would call dignified. If that’s how he expressed his motivation, I’m good with that. But there’s enough pressure playing for this team as it is. It’s just harmless fun. Lighten up, guys.

by django48 on May 21, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

well said

its actually fun to watch this team again, something I haven’t felt in a long time
and these party poopers are just creating controversy

by holycowboy on May 21, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

Its all good because they are winning

but next time NY gets swept, there will be cries of “there is no control of the club house” “this team is immature” and “they are not taking it seriously”

by ryanwk628 on May 21, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

A team that has fun together

This is the best thing to have happened to the Yanks. Get some fun guys in the club house to loosen the mood. 162 games is a long time to act like lawyers in pinstripes. Swisher is great, he is fun to watch and he makes it look like playing baseball is as fun as we all think it must be. AJ with the cream pies is awesome, it really lightens the mood and must be fun for A-Rod to get a pie in the face from a good natured teammate as opposed to an anvil in the face by the media. Mo as judge for the Kangaroo court? Awesome. Where I work we do all kinds of stupid things together like play RockBand for someones birthday, or have a Rib-Off BBQ competition outside our facility. It really helps a team to build a camaraderie. What we do is very team intensive and it pays to be able to like your teammates.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on May 21, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

which is feeding which?

Is the clubhouse loose because they’re winning, or are they winning because the clubhouse is loose? As stated above, just win, baby. Different group of guys from the buisness-like champs of the late 90’s. You have to find out what works for your particular group of guys, like the “idiot” RedSox Damon was a part of in ‘04. When you boil it down, the starters are doing a much better job the last 2 weeks, and the offense isn’t being thrown into a 4-5 run ditch every night. That’s the real difference.

by fredny on May 21, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

It all started

When Swish pitched that inning in that blow out loss. The whole clubhouse was laughing at him and it really broke the bad mood. Swish is the sparkplug. He may only hit .250, but his presence is worth an extra 50 batting points.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on May 21, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Never been a Kay fan

Why are we even paying attention to a dude that has never swung at anything but a fly in his kitchen? His comments just show that he has never been a part of any team. First thing you learn as a kid, playing any sport, is that you are supposed to have fun, give your best effort and get along with your team mates. True, they are Pros’ who get paid millions of dollars but I can’t imagine playing a whole season with a poker face. If they are winning and having fun… I wouldn’t mind AJ dressing up like Krusty the clown.

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on May 21, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions

Change isn't all bad

The Yankees are fun to watch and after the bad start to the season its great to see the team loosen up and look like they enjoy the game, which over the past few seasons is a breath of fresh air. Michael Kay is and never has been a ball player, and should keep to his play by play. I have been watching the Yankees since 1959, and I have to admit I really enjoy watching this group of guys, and I notice they act and look like a team. Forget what a few people in the booth say and keep having fun the winning will follow along.

by bondman89101 on May 21, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

I enjoy the emotion, so often

we forget that these guys are human, not some programmed automaton. They are enjoying themselves and the results speak for themselves. Baseball is at times referred to as a more individual sport, with the emphasis on individual stats, but teams win and lose collectively. Whatever fosters teamwork can never be construed as negative.

by FrankDiscussion on May 21, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

I've been watching Francesa

on YES recently on occasion and all his show seems like to me is a place for Mets fans to vent and seek some form of counseling.

Pride, Power, Pinstripes...Go Yankees!

by acman319 on May 21, 2009 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

the yankee way

it is best said that the yankee way is winning! any way you can is the best way! words out of another organzation just win baby! i like the way the team is jelling. i hope the bullpen gets better. the lineup is scary and there are still guys on the dl! wow. as for francesa ever since mad dog left his show is very slow and uneventful. he likes being the great i am! an now he can be for six hours a day. tough to listen to at times. have fun and win keep it going yanks!

by my favorite spliter on May 22, 2009 12:36 AM EDT reply actions

AGREE!!!

the yankees have lacked heart and fun the past few years and that has resulted in no rings. the yankes are having fun and winning now, and it seems like they want to win now kinda like the late 90’s.

by donnybaseball23 on May 22, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions