New York won the World Series in 2009, but that memory fades a bit more with each postseason flameout.
Of course, baseball's recent ruling class isn't yet willing to surrender, even if an Eastern Division team hasn't made the World Series since 2009.
Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira to lead them to a World Series title in 2009, the Yanks are not a shoo-in to capture the 2010 championship.
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But Rodriguez has also won two MVP awards with New York, been selected to seven All-Star teams and practically carried the club to its most recent World Series title in 2009.
The Yankees plan to honor the 2009 World Series MVP during a pregame ceremony that day and will give the first 18, 000 fans Hideki Matsui bobbleheads.
He played for the Yankees from 2003-09, driving in six runs in the 2009 World Series finale, then spent one season each with the Los Angeles Angels, Oakland and Tampa Bay.
A-Rod did help the Yankees to a 2009 World Series championship with 30 homers, 100 RBI, and a .933 OPS. But it was an expensive title, with the payments stretched out for years.
Matsui played seven seasons for the Yankees, and was the MVP of the 2009 World Series, before finishing his career with a season each for the Los Angeles Angels, the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Jets will be competitive, and the Yankees did take a World Series from the Phillies in 2009.
The one who wears pinstripes can at least claim an October victory, having won the World Series with the Yankees in 2009.
Especially if he can help them get back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
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While Rodriguez rebounded from right hip surgery in March 2009 to help the Yankees to their first World Series title since 2000, Dr. Bryan Kelly said recovery from his operation on A-Rod's left hip this month will be more complex if for no other reason than it receives more stress because Rodriguez is a right-handed hitter.
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