Another year goes by, and the Yankees choke in the playoffs. It hurts much less after the fifth time or so. Every year, Yankees fans find themselves hopeful to add a 28th win to the total of World Series rings. However, the evil empire somehow finds a way to disappoint. 

For background, I was born in Long Island, New York. Even though I didn’t live there long I still grew an attachment to the Yankees and their team. My favorite year had to be 2012 with star players such as Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, and many more. 

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to see this team secure a spot in the Fall Classic since 2009. I can’t say I followed the Yankees too close at the age of four-years-old either. 

Since 2015, I have watched the Yankees make the playoffs and then disappoint by getting knocked out by the Houston Astros. It hurt to watch the first few times, but at this point, I am numb to the pain. Even with an incredible regular season with Aaron Judge setting a home run record, the Bronx Bombers still find a way to show us that nothing has changed since 2015. 

I love the Yankees, and I have and always will love the Yankees, but claiming “this is our year” every single Opening Day is monotonous. Also, the mental health coach for the organization decided the best way to inspire his team to come back from an 0-3 deficit was to showcase the only time in history that has ever been accomplished – from nineteen years ago. 

The team to accomplish this feat was none other than AL East rival, the Boston Red Sox. Oh, and what was the opposition to this team: the 2003 New York Yankees. Spoiler alert, this motivation did not work. The Yankees would continue into game four to be swept the Houston once again. 

It is one thing for my favorite team to lose time and time again, but it’s another thing when Yankees manager Aaron Boone made excuses. He stated, “Who would have thought, I think the roof open kind of killed us.” 

Again, I love the Yankees, but I don’t love this. I don’t love the excuses. We lost because we didn’t compete. It is simple as that. We can be a good team, but excuses make us worse. My least favorite part of being a Yankees fan is the representation all fans get from one token Yankees fan. The Bronx raises some interesting people, and even the Yankees front office has its fair share of issues with staff. However, not all fans are like this. Unfortunately, it’s the reputation we earn as well. 

I am a Yankees fan, and I always will be. However, that doesn’t mean I am any less disappointed in our organization, our gameplay, and our reputation.