When the words "new york yankees" are spoken from someone's mouth, the sudden urge to feel angry follows.
Why?
The New York Yankees have always been the big spenders that will buy anyone to help them win a World Series. For milllenials, that is your Alex Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeria, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Masahiro Tanaka in recent memory.
As of late, the New York Yankees are growing to be one of the fan favorites once again with their 38-24 record, and first place lead in the American League East Division. What makes this story great is that they are doing it with the least amount of fan dislike as possible.
The roster that makes up this team has got to be one of the more likeable players in recent memory, so that brings the question of is this the most unhateable Yankees team you can remember?
Aaron Judge becoming face of the Yankees
Who could honestly hate Judge right now?
He currently holds the lead for the most All-Star game ballots in what will be his first full major league season. Judge leads the majors with 22 home runs and is second with 49 runs batted in. He is a future superstar in the making at just 25 years old.
Judge broke into the league last September, and is one of the first superstars that is home grown in the farm system since potentially Derek Jeter.
Starlin Castro smile making others smile
Starlin Castro was part of the trade that sent Adam Warren to the Cubs last in the 2015 offseason. Warren was an essential trade chip that brought hard throwing closer, Aroldis Chapman, to the Cubs, and now ironically Warren, Chapman, and Castro share a Yankees uniform.
Castro was a fan favorite in Chicago.
His walkup song brought a loud roar of claps when he walked to the batter's box. Castro played hard every day, and typically brought a strong smile in the dugout.
The other loveable Yankees
Then, you have the others that are loveable.
CC Sabathia is one of the last remaining holdovers of the 2009 World Series champion team. Sabathia is also a walking Success Story.
In 2015, Sabathia admitted to being an alcoholic since 2012. Sabathia received the treatment he needed, and has been one of the most consistent starters this season with a 7-2 record.
The team's aging designated hitter in Matt Holliday was a Cardinal favorite in St. Louis for seven years. Who could forget in Holliday's last game as a Cardinal when he received a standing ovation by the fans.
First baseman, Chris Carter, has never been in a distraction, but was loved in Milwaukee last season for hitting 41 home runs. Closer,
Dellin Betances, made headlines this past offseason when he lost his arbitration hearing by being rewarded three million dollars instead of five, and Yankee president, Randy Levine, called him no elite closer right after the hearing was over.
Levine didn't even say his name correctly which poured support from the baseball community. Ironically, Betances is the team's closer right now as Chapman has an injury.
Then, doesn't catcher Gary Sanchez remind you of Jorge Posada a tad?
Long story short, the Yankees have six of their starting nine players in the field that are making less than 10-million dollars. To me, that is a different narrative than past Yankees teams, which makes them more easier to like.
