The chance for the Yanks to win anything as a team is dunzo, but at least a few of the players can enjoy some personal distinctions as consolation. There are plenty of awards to go around to celebrate individual successes, and while they are surely not as satisfying as a blingalicious World Series ring (or the cash that comes along with it... or the prestige, whatever) I suppose earning recognition for a year's worth of hard work and good playing feels better than a hot poker (or gnat) in the eye. MVP, Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, Roberto Clemente Award, DHL Delivery Man award (which I think is a pretty crappy award, really, because DHL sucks and always gets things to me like 3 days slower than FedEx; even USPS would be better) and the like won't be announced until after the World Series, but a couple accolades have already been doled out to much-deserving Yanks.

The Yanks' favorite newlywed and late-season savior Ian Kennedy was named Minor League Starter of the Year (even though he did not pitch the complete year in the minors) for his performance throughout the ranks of the Ye Olde Yankees Farme: a 12-3 record with a 1.91 ERA. We fans and the team itself are already huge I-Ken fans, of course, thanks to that aforementioned talent and the fabulous way he managed to bring that expertise up to the Yanks without buckling under the pressure or getting intimidated by sluggers nearly twice his age. A+ and gold star to him.

The second award that's already been given out is one for dear A-Rod, a dude that is sure to amass quite a few awards this year - MVP, Silver Slugger, Holder Of My Heart. This week he was named the AL recipient of the "Oscar Charleston Legacy Award", AKA "An Award the Yankees Chick Hadn't Heard Of Until Today", which is given to a player that was most valuable in helping his team to the post-season. Call him a post-season choker all you want - and I'm sure you will - but I cannot think of a single player that did more to propel his team to October. I've said it before and I'm going to say it again right now: without A-Rod's great year and 9th-inning theatrics the team wouldn't have even had a chance to unsuccessfully swat away a million gnats. Or whatever.

So congrats to I-Ken and A-Rod. Enjoy your little trophies or whatever the hell you get for those awards. It's just too bad its not a fancy championship title you could share with the rest of the team.