New York Yankees’ journey in the 2011 MLB season – Part 1
The American League Eastern franchise New York Yankees started their 2011 season under the shadow of criticism and allegations, from their controversial transactions and sometimes from their internal matters. Throughout their season, the Yankees had to face
many obstacles, including injuries of Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Nova and many day-to-day injuries.
The club however started their season in a passionate manner under the captaincy of the veteran and short-stop, Derek Jeter. Joe Girardi this time was sure to snatch the World Series for New York, as the last time he had lost to the Texas Rangers in the
ALCS.
With wounds of the previous season, the Yankees set off their journey from the George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa with an electrifying contest of the spring training against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bartolo Colon was out of the Major League since 2009 but as baseball has no mercy rule, he employed his best pitching technique to be able to overcome Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre to be nominated as the regular season partner with CC Sabathia,
Phil Hughes and A. J. Burnett.
"I thought it was a good first step," Colon said through an interpreter. "I'm going to continue working hard and see what happens."
A jubilant Colon did not remain happy as he gave way two hits and one run over two innings to drop the Yankees to a 5-4 first loss of the 2011 season.
Phillies landed Cole Hamels to take on the Yankees Joba Chamberlain, who had to create a positive impression in the eyes of Joe Girardi to be considered for the regular season rotation. Hamels threw a one-hitter one-run two innings to advance the Phillies
to their first win in the season.
Losing the opening game against old rivalries was devastating for the Yankees but there were still many chances to come. The Yankees real bat was still asleep.
The club landed again to take on the Phillies on the Sunday, February 27 this time at the Bright House Networks Park in Clearwater, Florida. Nova tossed two crushing innings to set the foundation, which Curtis Granderson cemented with his first homer of
the season.
Nova was also competing with Freddy Garcia, Sergio Mitre and Bartolo Colon for one of the final two rotation spots. He impressed but not completely, as he was thinking to better his sliders and changeups.
"I'm just paying attention to what I'm doing," Nova said. "That's what I'm worrying about. I know there are good people, veteran people. I do not worry about it. I worry about myself."
After this game, Joe Girardi was hopeful to get the best pitcher to back his already established pitching depth. The batting was still a cause of trouble for Girardi, as it failed again.
Yankees travelled to Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland to square with Detroit Tigers, the club that eliminated them from the 2011 post-season, on Monday, February 28 but another defeat came their way.
While Sabathia was on the mound, the Yankees held the Tigers scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning. Sabathia tossed a two-hitter two innings, though not up to his level, but was crucial to provide the batting squad a lead generating chance.
Full packed batting line-up, which included Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano, failed and touched only two runs to drop the club to another loss at 6-2. The Yankees’ fans were little concerned about the performances but Girardi
was aware the player will take a little time to settle down to regular performances.
Continued in Part 2
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