New York Yankees

Chien-Ming Wang is a member of the World Champion New York Yankees, for now.

The 29-year-old right-handed starter is eligible for arbitration this winter and the Yankees have until the December 12 deadline to offer him a contract for next season, something that doesn’t appear likely.

The New York Yankees have a number of great homegrown players. They include shortstop Derek Jeter, pitchers Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera, and catcher Jorge Posada.

I'd even include World Series MVP Hideki Matsui, given that the Yankees is the only American team that he has played for. Consider him "drafted" from a "collegiate" level Japanese team.

On Sept. 27, 2009, I was fortunate enough to be in attendance when the New York Yankees wrapped up the American League East Division Title.

Perhaps what I will remember most about that day was a conversation I had with my dad on the way to the game.

I've mentioned Adam Warren a lot over the past few months. He really dominated in Staten Island with a 1.43 ERA, a K/9 of 7.9 and a BB/9 of 1.6. That combines for a ridiculous K/BB of 5.0 I ranked Warren the Yankees' 16th best prospect after his strong SI debut. Mike Axisa, over at River Ave. Blues, ranked him the 19th best prospect in the system, saying he is, "polished, pounds the zone, sits low-90’s and has touched 96 with SI … pleasant surprise."

It has been brought up countless times, By owners and fans alike, "The MLB needs a salary cap."  

Every year the argument is renewed, and with five of the eight teams that made the playoffs this year having payrolls over $100 million and of course with the much maligned New York Yankees money machine taking home the Commisioner's Trophy the cries of foul play seem as loud as ever.

As the 2002 postseason came to a close for the New York Yankees on a Nick Johnson pop-up to Anaheim Angel shortstop David Eckstein, one question was immediately raised as the players solemnly gathered their belongings together from the visitors dugout and continued down the hallway to the clubhouse.

After watching the continued success of the New York Yankees as the most financially driven team in MLB, it begs the question—are the New York Yankees as World Series Champions bad for baseball?

Ever since 2004, Alex Rodriguez had to listen to the criticism, hatred and talk of under-performing in the biggest games.

The, "You're a bum, A-Rod, you strike out in the biggest spots," or the "you're never going to be as good as Jeter is," o ther "we won't win a championship with you because you suck."

On and on. 2004. 2005. 2006. 2007. Failed Octobers with the Yankees.

In 2008, the Yankees didn't even make the playoffs, though A-Rod signed a new 10-year, $275 million dollar deal the winter before the season.

The last Yankee ticker-tape parade I went to was in 1996. I was 16 years old and cannot recall a single thing about that day. Not a moment.

I have clearer memories of stuff that happened when I was five than what occurred on that afternoon in October.

Go figure.

Instead of braving the elements for an event I'd ultimately forget about, I opted to watch this year's parade telecast on NY1.

It may be the second-most often heard phrase in professional sports, trailing only "Brett Favre is considering (un)retiring": "The Yankees win the World Series!" All together, the Yankees have won 27 out a possible 105 World Series titles, that percentage (25.71 percent) meaning that this team has accounted for one out of every four championships.