New York Yankees: Comparing 2012 Team to Teams from Past Decade

With all the hustle bustle and hard daily grind that comes with being a New York Yankees fan, it can at times be tough to stop and appreciate just how consistent this team has been the past decade.

Per MLB.com stats, Yankees teams from 2002-2011 combined to boast a .650 regular season winning percent (975-524). The Yankees also won the AL East seven times, and earned a spot in the postseason every season minus 2008.

And after losing in dramatic fashion to the Florida Marlins in the 2003 World Series, Derek Jeter and Co. bounced back to win a 27th championship in 2009.

Offensively, the Yankees batted .275 as a team during this time, averaging 233 homers a season.  And while pitching has been an issue (4.23 ERA) the past decade, the Yankees earned a terrific fielding percentage (.984).

That said, how does the 2012 version of the Yankees stack up against other teams from the past decade?

If the below MLB.com statistics (through 93 games) are any indication—this club stacks up very well.

YR	W	L	HOME	AWAY	FINAL	DIV	AVG	HR	ERA	FPCT
'12	57	36	30-17	27-19	TBD	TBD	.265	149	3.72	.986
'11	56	37	30-19	26-18	97-65	1ST	.263	222	3.73	.983
'10	59	34	31-15	28-19	95-67	2ND	.267	201	4.06	.988
'09	56	37	31-16	25-21	103-59	1ST	.283	244	4.26	.985
'08	49	44	27-22	22-22	89-73	3RD	.271	180	4.28	.986
'07	49	44	29-18	20-26	94-68	2ND	.290	201	4.49	.985
'06	55	38	31-18	24-20	97-65	1ST	.285	210	4.52	.983
'05	51	42	29-19	22-23	95-67	1ST	.276	229	4.52	.984
'04	59	34	34-12	25-22	101-61	1ST	.268	242	4.69	.984
'03	57	36	25-19	32-17	101-61	1ST	.271	230	4.02	.981
'02	58	35	29-16	29-19	103-58	1ST	.275	223	3.87	.979

Looking at the above info, the 2012 Yankees look consistent to last season's team that finished 97-65, before losing to the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. This year's Yankees are also similar to the 2002 team that went on to win 103 games (but lost to the Anaheim Angels in the ADLS).

Of course, Yankees fans hope the '12 team follows in the brilliant footsteps of the '09 team that won the World Series. Looking at the numbers, the '12 team looks like it is on its way to potentially achieving this end.

This alone is very impressive—especially when one considers how many injuries the Yankees endured earlier this season.

Is this year's Yankees team similar to the '09 team, or does it remind you of another Yankees team from the past? Curious to hear your thoughts.

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