Yankees Fueled By "Underdog" Status

Spring training is underway, and the Yankees are getting revved up for the 2011 season, despite not knowing yet exactly who will be in the final two spots of their pitching staff. Derek Jeter gave his "State of the Captain" interview to reporters yesterday, and first baseman Mark Teixeira added that the team is extra motivated by all the naysayers: "I think we relish the underdog role."

He told the WSJ: "I love it. I love the fact that people say Boston’s the best team in the league right now. They had a great offseason, they have a great team. If someone picks us second or third in the division, I think we’re going to relish that role. No one’s going to feel sorry for the Yankees." As far as we remember, the last time anyone remotely considered the Yankees underdogs was in 1995, the last year of the Buck Showalter era. Maybe we just don't watch enough baseball, but the Yankees hardly seem like an underdog just yet.

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By Ben Yakas in News on February 20, 2011 6:55 PM

Comments [rss]

soxinthecity

I also love the fact that people say Boston’s the best team in the league right now.

vertigone

Nope. Just because they spend the most doesn't mean they're the best, obviously. But it does mean they're not an underdog.

They're one of the top teams in baseball every year and they have the luxury of signing star players to long term deals. As opposed to the Rays, who recently had to let Carl Crawford go, along with Carlos Pena, Rafael Soriano and Joaquin Benoit, because they didn't have the financial means to keep them. That is a position of advantage for the Yankees, not disadvantage.

Kansas City, Pittsburgh, those are underdogs.

vertigone

That is hilarious. They've got the highest payroll in baseball, they are in no way an underdog. I guess Teixeira the mouth-breather really is as dumb as he looks.