After a season of injuries, disappointments, and resilience, the Yankees were officially eliminated from the playoffs last night. Considering all of the turmoil and turnover in 2013 maybe its still a significant accomplishment that the Yankees made it to game 157 with playoff hopes. I am still not convinced that a wild card spot in the new format is a real playoff birth, but it’s what was available. As for the Yankees, there will be no October and no final playoff run for Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera.

The Yankees had their chances, in the last week and all season long, but fell short due to age, injuries, and lack of ability. Whether it was the middling starting pitching, the average offense, or the first rate bullpen that was incapable of perfection, the Yankees were unable follow through on their early mid-May success. With injuries to Curtis Granderson, A-Roid, Mark Teixeira, and Derek Jeter, the plan was to hold down the fort until these All-Stars could return. They did return, but only as mere shells of the former greatness.

Of course, a season without a healthy Derek Jeter just doesn’t feel like a Yankee season at all. I know we are not supposed to count out Derek Jeter, ever, but this season has been a wake up call for Yankee fans. The clock is ticking, and The Captain is only getting older. Here’s hoping for some magic still left in the tank for 2014.

As for Pettitte and Rivera, we as Yankee fans have been preparing for this. Over the past decade, we have watched as Yankee greats like Paul O’Neill, David Cone, Bernie Williams, Mike Mussina, and Jorge Posada have walked away. Not all of them, if any, got to leave on their own terms or with any remnants of a storybook ending. Why should Pettitte or Rivera be any different? They are both legends in the Bronx and we will remember them for their great games and the World Series rings, not the final playoff run they missed out on.

As for the next four games, I’d like to see Ivan Nova get his tenth win tonight, giving the Yankees four starters with double digit wins this season. I’d like to see Eduardo Nunez continue to impress with his bat and glove. And I’d like to see Robinson Cano, since it might be the last time we see him in pinstripes. I’d also like to see if the Yankees can win win three of their last four and fulfill my spring training prediction of 85 wins. Like the wild card chasing Yankees this season, I will take what I can get.

#FarewellMoandPettitte