The Second Half: The Bronx Zoo Is Back

Derek Jeter. Curtis Granderson. Mark Teixeira. Kevin Youkilis. Alex Rodriguez.

These are the names of the Yankees core lineup who are currently injured or out for the season.

Lyle Overbay, Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner, and Chris Stewart.

These are names of the few whom remain in pinstripes.

The Yankees traveled to Tampa this March hoping for stronger offense, defense, and chemistry. The injuries piled up instantly within a few weeks, and overwhelming reactions spiraled out of control. Havoc knocked on Brian Cashman's door in early spring, a knock that the Yanks general manager was not anticipating.

Cashman did the best he could with the stars available on the market, and by late April, the fate of the 2013 Yankees seemed rather optimistic with cheap free agent signings who showed glimmers of hope. By the beginning of summer, the slump began, as the Yankees played abysmally. The lack of scoring runs haunted Joe Girardi's club, and a change was necessary to continue to campaign for a chance at another title run.

The Bombers ended the first half of the season on a higher note, but many questions still remain in the eyes of the fans and media. Will Yankee fans ever see Alex Rodriguez play third base again? Will Mariano Rivera still decide to retire after recording thirty saves before the All-Star break? What are the chances of Derek Jeter returning healthy off the DL?

Everyone has questions that need to be answered, and frankly, it's hard for anyone to find an accurate response.

All I can say is this: don't worry.

As an avid "bleed blue" Yankee fan who only started watching the game of baseball by the time a rookie named Jeter was called up to play shortstop in the mid-90s, I am man enough to say that I've been spoiled by greatness. The generations who witnessed Ruth, DiMaggio, Mantle, and Munson were all spoiled at one point in their lifetime with success and championships. In my lifetime, there has only been one season in which the Yankee missed out on the playoffs, which was the final season at the original Stadium in 2008.

I remember mixed emotions running through my brain, realizing that the season was abruptly over and the rich history on that field was at an end. Strangely enough, the season was not a heartbreak for me, as most of the Yankee fans already accepted the fate come that September.

What I'm trying to say is that you're allowed to be disappointed. You're allowed to be in withdrawal for a day or so and let out all the suffering your body withheld through the hardship of a season. The most important part is to understand is that there is always another day, another week, another season, and it's always fine to turn the page and look forward to the future.

Since 1996, we have witnessed five World Series championships, hall of fame worthy players, and the true passion of Yankee fans through the good times and bad. Where will the second half of the season take us? I don't know. What does the future hold in store? I don't know that one either. Stop worrying about the future and live in the now. We have a limited amount of days left with the players we grew up loving, as Jeter and Mo will soon be gone and management will have to start from scratch.

We must look at the history of the franchise and expect an optimistic future, because the Yankees will never quit on us, and we will never quit on them. Every year, nine guys dress up to play a game of baseball for 162 games, and win or lose, you can never lose the love for the team and the game. If a decade of rebuilding means championship contenders, I am willing to wait.

The Yanks are in a pickle to start the second half of the season, but the AL East remains fickle, and history only shows how any possible scenario can occur. Keep the faith, and don't give up before the last pitch is thrown.

Report From July 1, Never Posted

JUNE REPORT: 12-16 (43-39 Overall)

After two months of optimism and exceeding expectations, the Yankees abruptly dropped down from their second place lead in the division to hanging by a thread in third and fourth. In the month of June, the Yanks were ranked dead last in the league in batting average, on-base percentage,  slugging, and total runs. Not only do the Yanks have no run support, but they also have not scored double digits in a game since May 10th against Kansas City. Of course it's difficult for Robinson Cano to maintain a high batting average when no one bats in front or behind him, but the team needs to at least boost their OBP, take more pitches, and hopefully that will result in runs.  The Yanks had their only west coast trip of the season, and were swept in Oakland and lost two of three in Anaheim. By the end of the month, the Yanks had an opportunity to gain some ground in Baltimore, but were silenced by the big orange birds in all three games. The All-Star break is around the corner, and this Yankee squad needs help. Hope Week starts on July 8th; I think that's a great time to start a winning streak. Keep the faith; they need all the advice they can get. 

TOP PERFORMER:  Brett Gardner

Brett started off the season on a tear, considering that we never see the guy hit more than five homers a year. Gardner hit .330 in June, along with two homers and ten RBIs. The kid doesn't put the ball in the stands, but he hits for average, gets on base, and scores runs. Strangely enough, the stolen base count for Brett has been down this year. I don't think there should ever be a time where he shouldn't have a chance at snatching a base. I would rather attempt and fail than never attempt at all. Anyway, forget the negatives. He's dynamite in center field with his speed and takes control of the outfield with his leadership. I always look upon Brett the Hit-Man as trade bait, but at this point, he's essential at the lead-off spot in the lineup. Keep up the good work.

WORST PERFORMER: Joba Chamberlain

I know, I know, Joba's a reliever and doesn't get enough innings to prove himself. Honestly,  I'm basically through with this guy. June was not friendly to him, as he ended with a 9.35 ERA with 14 hits and 9 earned runs in only 8.2 IP. His velocity has been consistently high but his bag of tricks aren't fooling batters anymore. Injuries have unfortunately shaped his career, and I'm also very skeptical about his health. I know he was out all of last year with TJ Surgery, but Joba gained a ton of weight. David Wells and CC Sabathia are the only big guys who have excelled in double extra-large pinstripe uniforms, and the only option of not trading Joba is to designate him for assignment and call up fresh, new blood. (By the way, Joba wears one hat size too small; all of the blood is rushing to his head!)

EVERYBODY BOARD THE ZOIIIILOOO TRAIN!!!

The 2013 Yankees squad has offered many rookies appearances in the big show, including 3B David Adams, C Austin Romine, and SS Alberto Gonzalez. But out of all the rookies being displayed in the Bronx, one stands out as the top player: Zoilo Almonte. The 24-year old was called up during the LA Dodgers series on the 19th, and in his twelve games in June, he hit .303 with an OBP of .351. Now, this kid isn't a slugger, but his outfield glove looks top-notch. His speed and strong arm provides Joe Girardi with an option to replace slumping Vernon Wells in the field and at the plate. Zoilo only has a dozen games under his belt in the pros, but I have high hopes for this kid. After all, he's named after the 1965 American League MVP Zoilo Versalles of the Minnesota Twins. Almonte's name brings royalty, so expect big things from this rook. 

W2W4

We stand only two weeks away from the Mid-Summer Classic at Citi Field, and there is a lot of ground to cover with fourteen straight days of baseball. Luckily, the Yanks end the first half of the season with a four game set against the Twins in the Twin City, and a ten game home stand between the Orioles, Royals, and Twins. With the Yanks back at home, I anticipate a great end to the first half. Once the ASG is complete, the Yanks travel to Fenway to renew a rivalry between the Sox. If the Yanks can win two of three in Boston, that could lead to a greater level of motivation in the clubhouse. The Sox pitching staff is shaky and the lineup isn't as strong. So isn't it time that they're due a slump? Traveling to Texas for a four game series against the Rags will be challenging, but will show the true grit and passion of the Bombers. July ends in Los Angeles for a two game set between the overrated Dodgers. Those two games I want simply for bragging rights. This month does not strike me as challenging, and with a greater number of home games against weaker competition, I expect a division race by the trade deadline. Prediction: 17-9 (60-48 2nd AL East)