New York Yankees

For the first time in its 55-year history, the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award will go to a member of the New York Yankees. 

Few teams have dominated a World Series the way the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated in 1963.

The Dodgers won 99 games during the season, and faced the defending World Champion Yankees in the Series for the first time since they abandoned Brooklyn.

Outstanding Los Angeles Pitching

Sandy Koufax had the first of his four outstanding years, going 25-5 with a minuscule 1.88 ERA, a 159 ERA+, and an 0.875 WHIP.

While every one now is pondering why Roy Halladay is needed on the Yankees (he isn't), I want to focus on the first important deal that Brian Cashman will attempt to get done.

With Thanksgiving over and the Christmas season in full swing, baseball's free agency period and winter off-season shopping and trading will likely now pick up full steam.

The biggest name on the trading market is Blue Jays ace pitcher Roy Halladay.

Halladay's agent recently named four teams Halladay prefers: the Red Sox, Phillies, Dodgers, and Yankees.

Brian Cashman has already made calls to Toronto to state his interest in Halladay, who is looking to leave the only place he has known as home in his major league career.

Creating a championship team has never been more difficult than it is now in professional sport.

Annual play-off contenders in all sports are working hard to continue the trend and make important post-season revenue to pursue or re-sign important team components.

Dave Hall will examine the most successful builders of champions in each of the major sporting leagues in a four part series.

Recently I has the opportunity to visit the New York Yankees' 2009 World Series exhibit in their Hall of Fame. There were several great pieces of history at display in the exhibit. There was Matsui's bat, Rivera's hat, Damon's spikes, and many more items. But here are some items that may have missed the cut for the exhibit...

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"Now batting for the New York Yankees, number two, Derek Jeter, number two." These are the unforgettable words that stay in the minds of fans at Yankee Stadium. Those words have been spoken by nobody other than the Voice of God.

While some writers might think decent relievers are worthy of MVP votes, I tend to disagree. OK, to be fair, it was just one writer. Still, how anyone could think Jeremy Affeldt was the 10th most valuable player in the National League is something I find to be utterly ridiculous.