Rubble in the Bronx: The 2009 Yankees.

 LRO Proudly Presents the first in a more than occasional series on the wealthiest, most dysfunctional family in professional sports….. thuuuuuuuuh New. York. Yankees.

(Thank You, John Sterling and I look forward to hearing more from you and Suzyn throughout the season.)

The Outsider’s beloved local nine were once the name synonymous with greatness in American sport. A club equal part loved and hated for its tradition and commitment to excellence. The dominant club in baseball for much of the 20th century, the Yankees reemerged after a 15 year spell in the wilderness to win the 1996 World Series. Three more titles and four more American League pennants would quickly follow.

After that dynasty fell in 2001, the team transformed itself by employing a unique revolving door free agency policy. In and out of the Bronx came such lovable characters as Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano, Randy Johnson and, of course, Roger Clemens. Each year this cuddly band of curmudgeons defied the odds and reached October only to fall in delightfully comic circumstances. The Florida Marlins. Greatest Collapse in the History Sports. Midge Attack. What Fun!!!

Now, led by the new face of the franchise, plucky third baseman Alex Rodriguez, the newest band of Yankee overachievers will try to build on last year’s surprising third place season. This year, A-Rod will be joined by some delightful new castaways. Plucked off the free agent scrap heap in the off season, CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira will be trying to make a brand new start of it in ol’ New York.

As if that weren’t enough, 2009 will also mark the Yankees first season in their new Yankee Stadium. It’s much more quaint, cozy and fan-friendly than the last one and comes without all that annoying, distracting history. It’s the House that Corporate Greed and Tax-Exempt Bonds Built and with it’s $2,500 box seats and $500,000 luxury boxes, it’s a perfect home for the scrappy bunch that will inhabit it.

So join the Outsider throughout the year for what should be a magical ride that will reawaken any sports fan’s soul to the humbler pleasures of our national pastime. We’ll start our journey as soon as….