Derek Jeter stopped hitting, so did Gary Sheffield. Tony Clark’s bat was dormant after taking over for an injured John Olerud. Mariano Rivera blew two saves, and Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez were problematically awaiting in Game 7.
The 2004 Yankees became the first and still only MLB team to blow a three-games-to-none playoff lead. Many co-conspirators allowed the Red Sox to rally in that ALCS. But Alex Rodriguez was the face of the collapse.
Such is the burden when orchestrating your way to New York and having at the time the majors’ largest contract.
Giancarlo Stanton endured this to a degree last October.