A-Rod Clutch?

Did anyone notice that it was A-Rod's 8th inning homerun that sparked the Yankee's comeback against the Rangers propelling them to a lead in the wild card race last night? It is silly to write off someone of his talents. I know that Yankee fans take some sort of silly pride in having high expectations, but talk to Toronto Maple Leaf's fans about where high expectations get you. I don't think that it is somehow preordained that this team will keep winning titles under Steinbrenner's ownership. The core of those championship teams actually came up through the Yankee organization, or had spent a number of years together. But more recently the Boss has taken to buying up high priced talent and throwing it together. It has been successful but not championship caliber. They are now left with an aging pitching staff that really isn't very good, and a bunch of pieces that have never really gelled. The public can see it. Ever since Jeter's comment after their famous collapse in 2004, where he said that this wasn't the same Yankee team, the perception has been that the Yankees were lacking that edge that made them invincible during their 4 title run. I think that the fans feel that A-Rod is somehow to blame for the lack of team chemistry that was so evident in those earlier Yankee teams, but lately seems lacking. Back in the good old days the Yankees never seemed to fold under a big lead. They never gave games away as they have a few times this year. But quietly the Yankees have begun to put it together lately, and if A-Rod gets hot look out. Matsui and Sheffield come back soon, and if this team is able to really come together they could be very dangerous with that offensive line up. But I am still skeptical. There is no player on that teams that leads by more than example. Torre has been great at getting the most out of his teams, but in the past there were strong presences in their clubhouse that taught the Yankee way. With so many new faces the Yankees appear to have lost their edge, they no longer play with the ghost of Ruth on their shoulder, and that old sense of inevitable Yankee triumph is lost. They seem mortal now, and have ever since Mariano Rivera threw the ball away past second base in the 9th inning of game 7 of the 2001 world series. Will they ever get back their Yankee ways?