Jorge Posada came to the ballpark and apologized to Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, and just about anyone who works for the Yankees last night. Give the Yankees credit as they know how to manage the corporate spin machine better than any other professional sports team. Count me as doubting the validity of Posada’s contrite demeanor. I am also skeptical about how positive a role Derek Jeter really played. Would he have believed Posada “did nothing wrong” if he weren’t a signature member of the Core Four? If Brian Cashman didn’t spout off during his contract negotiations would he have been so quick to take Posada’s side? I expected spin from Girardi, Cashman, and the players. This is typical behavior from corporate entities like the Yankees. What disappointed me most was the huge pass the fans gave Posada for his actions. Perhaps it will take more losing streaks for them to realize they are cheering nostalgia, not the answer to their current team’s problems.

When Jorge Posada sat out on Saturday night he not only thumbed his nose at the team, but basically told the fans I only play for you when it’s a situation favorable to me. He apologized, if you buy his act, but deserved either a negative response from the reported crowd of 46,945, or indifference. The Bleacher Creatures, some of the most passionate Yankees voices, even included Posada in their daily roll call, despite the aging DH’s absence from the lineup.

If the transition with these aging stars is going to be hard for Joe Girardi and the organization, it might be just as difficult for the fans. I hear tons of criticism of Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett, Nick Swisher and even Alex Rodriguez. It’s clear that four championships in five years give you a perpetual pass in the hearts of Yankees fans, but winning just one in 2009 still puts you on the hot seat. Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada may not have the same Teflon as a year ago, but they still get a huge pass from the fans. This despite the fact their performance to date is one of the bigger reasons why they are just three games over .500.

Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada use to be a great leadership tandem. Jeter the ultimate professional who played hard every day, produced when you needed it, and respected what being the face of the Yankees franchise meant. Posada was the “spit and vinegar” leader. He would get into players faces if they didn’t hustle, and called out the team when necessary. Think of Posada as the “Charles Oakley” of the Yankees.

Now all they care about is their legacy, and insuring things don’t get away from them too much. They are interested in leadership that keeps them at the center of the Yankees universe. In Jeter you have a ninth place hitter. Nothing more, nothing less. After 3,000 hits I would start to incorporate Eduardo Nunez into the lineup on a more consistent basis. It’s not a crazy to say Nunez is probably a better hitter now anyway. Posada deserves the pink slip more than the bench. Brian Cashman flexed his muscles by calling his behavior out on national television, but he could have gone a step further and sent him packing.

What the fans don’t realize is they cheered for nostalgia. They cheered for posters on the wall, not the current performance of their beloved core Yankees. You know what nostalgia gets you? Ask the Celtics when Bird, McHale, and Parish broke down. Seattle saw what nostalgia gets you when they brought back Ken Griffey Jr. last year. Keep praying and hoping the nineties return for these guys when the process in front of us dictates otherwise. Perhaps this will continue until Jeter gets his 3,000th hit. We can celebrate a great career, and then move on. Cheer Jorge Posada’s struggles to reach the Mendoza line all the way to the end of the season. Right now, all Yankees fans are celebrating are what Posada and Jeter were, not what they are. And reality doesn’t paint me a pretty picture on, or off the field.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Brian Cashman, Derek Jeter, Joe Girardi, Jorge Posada, New York Yankees