The Yankees Are Becoming Baseball’s Laughingstock — Again

Things have gone from bad to worse in the Bronx, and embarrassing isn’t even a strong enough word to describe the Yankees right now. After becoming the butt of jokes following their World Series loss to the Dodgers, the Yankees are once again giving the rest of baseball plenty of reasons to laugh at them.

And now, things have gotten even worse for Yankee fans.

The Milwaukee Brewers just won the World Series playing the kind of baseball many longtime fans believe the game was meant to be played: unselfish, fundamentally sound and built around doing whatever it takes to win. Small ball, smart decisions and putting the team ahead of individual statistics. Sound familiar? Those were the same principles that helped define the Yankees’ dynasty teams.

But while the Brewers were celebrating their championship, manager Pat Murphy delivered a message that should make Yankees management uncomfortable.

While speaking with former Yankee Jake Bauers during the celebration, Murphy reportedly said, “You’re gonna make a lot of money ... Remember when you were on that horse sh Yankees team? Everyone playing for themselves. Just remember.”

Ouch.

That is a pretty brutal assessment, especially coming from a manager celebrating a championship. And whether Yankees fans like hearing it or not, it reflects a perception that has become increasingly difficult to ignore: This team looks too often like a collection of individual talents rather than a group willing to sacrifice for one another.

The Yankees have no shortage of star power or payroll dollars. What they seem to be missing is the identity that once made them feared throughout baseball. The old dynasty teams had superstars, too, but winning the game came first. Nobody was bigger than the pinstripes.

Now, with general manager Brian Cashman extended and manager Aaron Boone returning, fans have every reason to wonder whether anything will change. The familiar approach appears to be running it back and hoping for a different result.

Imagine what George Steinbrenner would have thought about Murphy’s comments. The Boss demanded accountability, hated losing and expected the Yankees to set the standard for the rest of baseball. He certainly wouldn't have been thrilled to hear another team's manager publicly describe his club that way.

The Yankees once made the rest of baseball chase them. Now, they’re giving their rivals punchlines.

For Yankee fans, the most frustrating part may be that the solution isn't necessarily another superstar or another massive contract. It's building a team that plays for something bigger than itself.

Sadly, it looks like more of the same in the Bronx. Run it back, Yankees. What could possibly go wrong?