Happy Anniversary

Brian Cashman (right) is marking his 20th anniversary this month as Yankees General Manager. In February 1998, when his capable but overstressed predecessor Bob Watson stepped down, he was promoted from assistant GM at the young age of 30.
It's been a productive and historic run -- he and Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre each brought a high level of skills and a rare level of stabity to their jobs. Cashman has earned four World Series rings  (1998, '99, 2000 and 2009) at his position, while his fifth came as Waston's assistant in '96. From an office where the nameplate was often written in chalk, his name is now etched in gold.
While cynics say Cash's success came from the unlimited checkbook of the George Steinbrenner era, he may have done his best work the last couple of seasons. Through trades and an emphasis on the farm system, he quickly overhauled an aging, sluggish and unathletic roster into a likable, youthful squad that came within a game of the 2017 World Series.
In an era of analytics, luxury tax and players (apparently) without PED's, Brian Cashman has risen to the top of his field. And he now appears to not only be building another winning tradition, but "the back of his card" will likely earn him a place alongside the Yankees fabled GM Ed Barrow in Monument Park.
(In the photo, Brian Cashman chats with Yankee media relations director Jason Zillo before a 2017 exhibition game with the Braves.)

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