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.