A Eulogy for the 2008 New York Yankees

The New York Yankees' season has ended earlier than it has since the players' strike in 1994. They end the 2008 season with the most wins of any team not to make the playoffs. To secure that dubious honor, the Yankees had to win nine of their last 11 games, including a split doubleheader with the Red Sox on the final day of the season Sunday. 

The Yankees took the first game, giving Mike Mussina his 20th win of the season for the first time in his career. They lost the meaningless second game in extra innings on Jonathan Van Every's winning hit. The Yankees had been eliminated from playoff contention since early in the week.

In a season of frustration and just-misses, the Yankees finished in prideful fashion, padding their end-of-the-year stats. In a season when the Yankees' starting rotation was in a "rebuilding mode," the Bronx Bombers still managed to pull away with 89 wins. 

Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, expected to be the next generation of the Yankees' great pitching, succumbed early to bad weather, bad pitching, the unyielding pressure of playing in the pinstripes, and injuries. 

Wang went down with an injury and Pettite pitched admirably. Joba Chamberlain proved he can pitch out of the bullpen or out of the starting lineup, wherever the team feels he will best be utilized. And, of course, Mike Mussina exceeded everyone's expectations by winning 20 decisions for the first time in his career.

The Yankees hitters had a down year overall, but did manage to meet some important milestones, with Derek Jeter surpassing Lou Gehrig for the most hits in Yankee Stadium history. Alex Rodriguez moved up on the all-time home run list, passing the likes of Mickey Mantle in the process. A-Rod also finished up surpassing a .300 average, 35 home runs, 100 RBI, and 100 runs scored—all in a season to be considered by many to be a down year for the three-time MVP.

The Yankees said goodbye to Yankee Stadium this year in an unprecedented ceremony at the House that Ruth Built. The old Stadium was honored by Yankees greats, old and new. The current team completed a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles to keep their playoff hopes alive and leave a lasting memory in the hearts of their fans.

The 2008 Yankees may not have qualified for the postseason, but they finished with Yankee pride and left their fan base wanting more. The Yankees seemingly played their best when the games meant the least. But, as the franchise with 26 championships understands, you can't win them all, you can only win more than everyone else. 

Congratulations, Yankees, on another winning season.