Welcome to Starting 9 + DH! On this page we will provide some top ten lists that you can’t find anywhere else.
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Here’s a look at the top ten Yankee teams of the 2000′s:
10) 1998 Yankees- While technically not a team of the 2000′s, the ’08 Yanks didn’t make the playoffs so we’ll go with the 114 win World Champs of 98 to kick off the list.
9) 2000 Yankees- The Yanks first title of the 2000′s was also the owner of the fewest wins in a season for the Bombers this decade. With just 87 wins the Yanks backed into the playoffs only to win the Subway Series and bat throwing competition against the Mets.
#8 2007 Yankees- The team that cost Joe Torre his job! A measly 94 win team eliminated in four by the Tribe and a swarm of flying ants in the ALDS.
7) 2002 Yankees- This squad was no match for the Rally Monkey-ing Angels. The Angels took the Yankees in four(and eventual World Series), even though the Giambino batted .357 in the series.
6) 2006 Yankees- D is for Detroit and Destiny! The Tigers armed with Yankee and Met castoff Kenny Rogers get the greasy upper hand against the Yanks in four game victory. Future Yankee Curtis Granderson plays a pivotal role in sending Yanks to early vacation.
5) 2004 Yankees- Leading 3-0 over the cursed Red Sox this squad costs itself the #1 spot by becoming the first AND only team to ever lose the last four in a seven game series in baseball.
4) 2005 Yankees- 95 win team once again owned by the Angels. At least this series went five games.
3) 2003 Yankees- Aaron Boone dramatics could not be replicated against the Florida Marlins, who to this day have yet to lose a playoff series.
2) 2001 Yankees- This team lifted the city after 9/11 and is fondly remembered. However, they couldn’t finish off the D’backs in Arizona as Mariano’s bullpen failures proved costlier than Byun-Hyung Kim’s.
1) 2009 Yankees- The best team money could buy! Cashman finally gets it right giving the new Stadium a firm foundation for the years to come.
Mr. Met was one of the few affiliated with the Mets to go unscathed during the 2009 regular season. However, he pulled up lame during a holiday party. Mr. Met should be ready for Spring Training.
The New York Metropolitans began the decade with a World Series appearance and ended it with a sub-.500 fiasco on their hands. A look back at their ten “best” teams of the 2000′s.
10) 2009 Mets- The injury plagued Amazin’s finished with just 70 wins, but managed to steal occasional headlines from the Mets with the summer antics of Tony Bernazard. Spacious Citifield was a huge reason Daniel Murphy led the team with 12 HR’s.
9) 2004 Mets- While the Yankees were busy choking the Mets were well into their winter vacation due to their 71 win tally. This was the season the Art Howe-led Mets thought it’d be smarter to move a young Jose Reyes to second so Kaz Matsui could start at short. The Mike Piazza at first base experience is pretty tepid as well.
8 ) 2003 Mets- Jason Phillips played a pivotal role on this team and that about sums it up.
7) 2002 Mets- The Bobby V. era comes to a disastrous end as the Mets skid to last place in the NL East. Valentine proves that finishing behind the soon to be extinct Expos doesn’t help job security.
6) 2007 Mets- You know you’ve had a crappy decade when the team with one of the most historic collapses in baseball history isn’t even your worst.
The team that helped usher in the Phillies recent reign in the NLE couldn’t handle the Marlins on the final weekend.
5) 2008 Mets- Jerry Manuel proves whatever Willie can do he can do better. For second straight year Mets spanked by Marlins on final weekend to allow Phillies and Brewers into the playoffs. Good riddance Shea!
4) 2002 Mets- Al Leiter, Pedro Astacio, and Steve Trachsel combine for 36-35 record as starters which pretty much sums up this 82-80 effort. Mo Vaughn and Robbie Alomar make fans long for the days of the Shea Met Shuffle.
3) 2005 Mets- New Queens residents Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, and Willie Randolph might equal ratings, but they only deliver 83 wins. Then again no epic collapses or playoff failures make this team somewhat likable.
2) 2006 Mets- Endy Chavez’s unbelievable catch is ruined by Yadier Molina’s homerun as the unlikely Cardinals earn Albert Pujol’s a big, fat World Series trophy.
1) 2000 Mets- Mets avoid their nemesis, the Braves, to face their crosstown rivals, the Yankees. John Franco’s game three victory is the only Met’s World Series win of the decade. The Yanks finish off the Mets in five to take the first Subway Series since 1956.
