The Yankees and the World Series

George Steinbrenner has watched his beloved Yankees miss out on a World Series win for a little bit too long ( actually one year is a little too long for this owner ).  In a moment of unbridled enthusiasm Steinbrenner announced in the presence of the media that this 2006 Yankee team and this manger ( Joe Torre )  should be able to win the World Series this year.  Although Yankees and World Series are terms frequently linked together the recent drought has made folks pause just a bit to wonder when in fact the Yankees will step up and add another title to their overpowering pile of World Series Wins. To win the World Series in 2006 the Yankees will first  have to get by their  American League East perpetual rivals, the Boston Red Sox . But that of course is not the whole battle.  The long trail to the World Series title is likely to pass through such places other big league cities as Chicago,  St. Louis, and possibly  Los Angeles.  So while the Yankees are truly an historically gifted franchise, every season in baseball is brand new.  What do the Yankees have this year that will make contention for the World Series rings possible?