Even if they weren't trying, why would Cashman say this?

[runningshoes]

PORT CHARLOTTE — The Rays put considerable effort and emotion into winning the 2010 American League East title, battling to the final day of the season then rallying in extra innings to beat out the Yankees by one game.

But Sunday, New York GM Brian Cashman said his team wasn't trying — and that the championship "really meant nothing more than a T-shirt and a hat."

Rays officials, who take great pride in the two division championships they consider the ultimate measure of success, were limited in their response.


http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/tampa-bay-rays-say-little-about-yankees-claim-that-they-conceded-2010-al/1216183

[RickD]

I love it when baseball players and officials say things that end up potentially motivating teams in the future.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

It was obvious to me back then that they tried to rest their players. No news to me here.

[Mudge]

He's right. The Yankees weren't trying to win the division in 2010.

What's wrong with telling the truth?

[astrosfanatic]

i guess this is the difference between the Yankees and the Rays. The Rays aim to win the division while the Yankees aim to win the World Series.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

i guess this is the difference between the Yankees and the Rays. The Rays aim to win the division while the Yankees aim to win the World Series.

Eventually the Rays were also trying to win the World Series. Every team that reaches the play offs does. If they don't and are satisfied with the reaching the play offs itself, they have a wrong attitude.

[Mudge]

I guess this is exactly the scenario that drove Selig to adopt the wild-card playoff rule, and I certainly understand his reasoning (as WilsonC has pointed out so many times here). There is now a real advantage to winning your division which I suppose is intended to offset the issue of the possibility of the team with the second-best record in a league to have one game to justify their season.