SPORTS TALK:
Big money can’t replace chemistry
The New York Yankees accomplished several things a couple of weeks ago. Not only did they get knocked out of the playoffs in the first round for the second consecutive year, but they also showed everyone that big money cannot be the sole proprietor of a successful franchise.
Now some would argue that making it to the playoffs year after year would be enough to mark success for the Bronx Bombers, but their owner, the charismatic Mr. Steinbrenner, would be the first to admit that such results are unacceptable.
So why can’t the Yankees, who have a payroll of nearly $200 million, almost $80 million more than any other team, produce World Series rings every season?Superstars don’t make legendary teams. It is how players play together and work toward something greater than themselves that make a championship team.
On paper, the Yankees had no busniess losing any playoff series this year. With big money players like Rodriguez, Jeter and Bobby Abreu who they brought on late in the season, the Yankees buy their personel to make a run at a title every year.
Somewhere though, behind the big salaries and highly paid players the Yankees and their lack of solid team cohesion, led to a collapse.
The same was seen for our country’s men’s basketball team during the 2004 Olympics in Greece. Despite a squad stacked with All-Star talent, the team failed to live up to expectations, playing without the same teamwork that the competing teams had formed. years before the games.
In a day of stiff competition across every arena of sports, winning is about more than money. As George Steinbrenner watches the World Series from home again this year, perhaps he will look outside his wallet to lead his team to future rings.
Volume
44, Issue 5. Today is
Nick Kosmider