Seven years ago today…

October 26, 2000. It’s been a while.

Just a little trip down memory lane for you. Sometimes it seems like yesterday that the Yankees were hoisting Joe Torre on top of the infield at Shea Stadium, victorious for the fourth time in five years and what – basically – the Yankees took as the most must-win World Series of the dynasty.

I can remember people saying at the time that if the Mets beat the Yankees in 2000, the first three World Series titles under Torre wouldn’t mean anything. That seems a little silly now, but hey, the Subway Series chatter has always had its weak arguments.

There was also once a pretty heated talk-radio debate about who was the better shortstop – Derek Jeter or Rey Ordonez. One’s headed to Cooperstown and the other said he didn’t want to play in New York because the fans were "too stupid."

Interesting to see Torre and Bernie Williams side-by-side in that photograph. In case you missed it, Torre is honoring Williams as his guest of honor at the annual Safe at Home dinner in November. Bruce Springsteen will also be in the house. Bet on some news coming out of that event.

Meanwhile, the Yankees’ managerial decision remains in a holding pattern, and will do so until the end of the World Series. Expect to see the team begin to move forward with their prospective free agents soon; the clock on the window of exclusivity is ticking. A new State of the Yankees with Seth Everett and yours truly is online today.