The Yankees have not won the World Series of baseball since the year 2000, just about 7 years ago. Relative to other franchises in any sport, winning 3 world championships within the last decade would at least appease a team's fans. This does not apply to the New York Yankees. They are held to a higher standard with their all-star lineup accompanying a payroll that could support 3 teams. They are expected to deliver; imperfection is failure.

They were supposed to win again in 2001 vs. the Diamondbacks. How could Mariano give up a Game 7 victory with a lead in the 9th inning? They certainly should have won in 2003 but instead rendered the best record in the league meaningless after losing in the World Series to the Marlins. The last 2 years have ended miserably after getting knocked out in the first round, most recently swept by the Tigers last year.

I've heard it over and over again: pitching will determine this year's champion, like it is any different than years past. With an MVP type year, Alex Rodriguez has recently calmed the swirl of trade rumors that have followed him ever since he, uh, won the AL MVP in 2005. Talk about pressure. Maybe it's this pressure that's held A-Rod without an RBI in something like his last 57 postseason at bats. If you are the most feared hitter in the league you hit when it counts, and regardless of the season Rodriguez had, he's yet to do this.

But this is the year. Yankees fans say this every year, but this time they're right. This is the year the Yankees bats finally outmuscle the opposing pitching, with a little help from their own staff. Wang and Pettitte have been good. Clemens can go all out and maybe Mussina can hold on a bit longer. Joba Chamberlain adds some mystical excitement and no one can count Mariano out yet. But tell me: who's going to stop the Yankees from hitting?

Damon, JETER, Abreu, A-Rod, Posada, Matsui, Cano, Cabrera, Mientkiewicz. You can bring the animal that is Jason Giambi off the bench, maybe Andy Phillips. Shelley Duncan can hit the ball. The top of their lineup is made up of all-star hitters, Jorge Posada practically came out of nowhere to be one of the best hitters in the AL, and Robinson Cano is a budding superstar. They have a quality defense and I think they may be set at centerfielder for the next 15 years with Melky Cabrera.

The only thing left is execution; the quest will start within the hour. Alex Rodriguez will finally deliver, and the New York Yankees will rally around his bat. Their pitching will get by and they will ride their offense to the 2007 World Series Championship. At least, that's the way it should be.