I’ll see your bet and raise you something that matters.

As we patiently await the offers, counter-offers, re-offers and lack of offers to and from key “Yankees” players Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera, who are floating around in the purgatory of the baseball space-time continuum, and the probable retirement of Jorge Posada after the 2011 season, we are brought to a few basic points of life:

  1. Be thankful for what you have.

      
(Remember what Felix Unger said on that topic?)

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKlWGZHEO7Q&sns=em

 

  3. Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

  4. Appreciate those around you. They are the ones who will save your a-$-$ some day.

  5. You can’t fully appreciate what you have until it’s gone.

It pains me to see the Yankees organization snub it’s nose at its leader. Yes, Derek Jeter had a not so stellar season as opposed to previous years, but he did manage to earn a Golden Glove Award.  Yes, as we all do every day, he has aged since his rookie debut.

However, that should not be used as ammo against his past accomplishments – which far outweigh the bummer moments – and his future record breaking 3000 hits record to come. It would be a real downer to see him hit that almighty stat donned as anything other than a Yankee. There are plenty of players who would give their left arm to have a golden right arm as good as his and stats as “bad.” Both Brian Cashman and the new generation of H.H. Steinbrenner & Co. could learn a thing or two from this seemingly humble servant who has done everything to set an example for all athletes to follow.

Pitcher Andy Pettitte has yet to come to a decision as far as weathering out another year with the team in New York vs. returning to his home state of Texas. Plagued by a secret back injury in the post-season, Pettitte would seem to be the biggest gamble for the Yanks if he doesn’t fully heal from his 2010 traumas. Despite the rather unsavory odds, they have left the welcome mat out for him…at least until they slam the door shut when the pesos runs out.

Lastly, as far as the old hotstove is concerned, I find it odd that any pitcher should be offered more than NYY’s expert closer Mariano Rivera, let alone double the amount. Yes, he is older and toward the end of his career compared to a much younger starter Cliff Lee. Like watching Jeter’s ballet-like throws from short stop, witnessing Mo put the batters asleep is a thing of beauty.  Any opponent would find having The Sandman on their roster a dream come true. It’s really quite sad that the core Yanks who have held the team together all these years are offered less money for their experience than acquisitions. Not much of a reward for their dedication.

Then again, they are making millions of dollars a year. Kind of hard to feel sorry for them from that perspective. We should all be so lucky.

Afterall, how much money can you get before it really doesn’t matter anymore? Seriously, somebody please tell me at what point the money becomes insignificant, and no longer outweighs the truly important things in life such as family, friends, non-work goals and dreams, and morals?  The way I see it, most big ticket professional athletes could coast through life on $1M per year for the remainder of their existence on this planet (the one the rest of us call earth) and still have plenty left over for their heirs and favorite charities to get by on.

Which brings me to fellow pinstriped compatriot Jorge Posada who has stood guard over Yankees home plate as if it was his own island territory, blocking runners from ever stepping a toe on his little piece of real estate. Yes, he, too is aging. Aren’t we all?

Before you call the game on him, consider the fact that while busy fending off Yankees opponents, behind the scenes, Jorge and wife Laura were quietly involved in young son Jorge’s life-threatening battle with craniosynostosis, a rare disorder that most of us can’t even pronounce, let alone spell or hope to understand. 

Witness The Jorge Posada Foundation http://jorgeposadafoundation.org.  I’d say they deserve at least a few “Hip! Hip! Jorge!”s and some generous tee shirt sales to boot on behalf of their charity.

Rest assured, the Steinbrenner’s money will be well spent should they choose to contribute to Posada’s coffers one more time.

My final word on the subject is:

“COMPROMISE”

definition:  com•pro•mise  n.  1 a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions

If this is not done in a timely manner, it could lead to:

definition:  com•pro•mise  n.  2 a) exposure, as of ones reputation, to danger suspicion or disrepute  b) a weakening of one’s principles

Compromise seems to go against human nature.

Lack of it is the reason why spouses divorce,

why parents and children don’t get along,

Giving in to other’s wants is one of the most difficult things for any human being to do. It involves sacrificing something of oneself. To be successful in the process, it is important not loose sight of the goal at hand.

In the case of the Yankees Management vs. The Core Four, that means keeping the family together in a dignified light, regardless as to who is waiting backstage as an eager understudy. Good things come to those who wait. The next string of superstars will get their day when the time is right and they are called upon in a time of need.

It is important for each side to to avoid mud-slinging. It only results in a hungry psychologist’s dream of hurt feelings and offended parties, which ultimately leads to pride and ego getting in the way of what each side really wants:

EACH OTHER!

So, please boys, play nicely. Make it a “do over.” Start all over from home plate, run joyfully across the wide-open green field, over the pitcher’s mound, meet each other somewhere down the middle (shortstop would be ideal), and give each other a big group hug. You know you want to.

Then tell each other how happy you are to be together as one big family – The New York Yankees 27 times World Champions! No other team can claim that!

Then, you will live your dreams together as you are destined to.

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