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Don't Get In The Way Of The Yankees

Posted by on 2 November 2009, 5:22 am

Going into Philadelphia tied at one, to play three against the defending champs left the notion of uncertainty among the Yankees faithful.

Well, Yankees fans can sleep well tonight. The Bombers have taken the first two of three in Philly, securing a 3-1 lead.

One win away from being the champions feels pretty sturdy but it’s still not over, till that last out.

The Yankees are playing extremely solid baseball, taking advantage anytime given.
Anytime has a lot to do with not having the Phillies ace Cliff Lee on the mound. The rest of the Phillies pitching is unreliable, which was on full display for the Fanatic and company to witness.

In case you forgot or want to see what happened, read on for a fan’s outline of game three and four.

GAME 3 – Rain-storm went away and Yanks beat Phillies to close the day.

Saturday night’s game looked near to be a wash-out as the rain came down in Philadelphia. The downpours stopped about an hour after the real start, but the drizzling continued for the rest of the game.

The weather was not the only variable in Citizens Park, but Phillies own Cole Hamels, last year’s World Series MVP.

Hamels gave a burst of his MVP stuff for the first two innings. In-addition, Jayson Werth,

added with on of two homers to take an early lead.

Then Yankees responded with a two-run ruled homer by Arod, followed by a Swisher double and a thriller by Godzilla to give the Yanks a continuous advantage.

In the fifth, Johnny Damon whacked a true Damon style double, after our Southpaw hit a line drive single. Both adding RBI’s for the Yanks.

Pettitte looked like a conventional hitter at the plate, as well as got the job done on the mound. The first inning was an adjustment but Pettitte got back to himself after the second inning.

Record breaking #17 will go down in books for the most number of wins for any pitcher in the playoffs, in history, as Andy Pettitte’s to keep.

Cole Hamels walked off the field to the sound of sorrow from his fans. This has been Cole all season, so it is not that much of a surprise especially in Philadelphia. Hamels is not the same MVP pitcher that has been his only consistency.

Game finished up in typical Yankee tradition. The dominant Mariano closed out the win, with a result of 8-5 and Yankees to take 2-1 series lead.

The Phillies manager, Charlie Manuel made some poor choices that only cemented the Yankees win. Not pinch-hitting Ben Francisco in the sixth, with a runner on first and Pettitte over 100 pitches just made no reason.

The second issue, is why did Manuel not take Chad Durbin out of the game? No one even got up in the dugout to warm-up, when Durbin was struggling.

GAME 4 – Winners play to win, as Yankees prove that in Philly

Two things best to sum up game four of the World Series.

The first is a quote from former Yankee player and manager, Billy Martin.

“Another club can be beating you for six innings but for some reason the good ball clubs get tough and win them in the last three.”

The second is the standard for this quote, which was clearly, seen in the performance of Johnny Damon.

Damon is a formidable player this is common knowledge but it takes a talented player with passion and knowledge that becomes inspirational.

Pedro Feliz hit a home-run in the eighth to tie the score, and the Philly crowd went wild with the reality of a win.

That feeling turned to revolt pretty quickly with two outs in the top of the ninth.

Damon fought off wild-card closer Brad Lidge and finally hitting a single into left after nine pitches.

The once strong Lidge and company shifted over for Mark Teixeira lefty bat with no respect for Damon. Damon stole second, saw no one at third and took advantage of the Phillies mistake.

Smart baseball at its best as Damon still on top of his game in the ninth is what a champion is made off.

Lidge apparently shaken went onto hit Teixeira, give up an RBI double to Arod and finish a two-run single from Posada.

Lidge caught the virus from Hamels this season as he blew 11 saves, highest in the majors. Lidge seemed back to himself again at the beginning of the playoffs but in fact he should have been covering third-base.

The Yankees won 7-4 because in the World Series careless mistakes cannot be made. The Phillies regard to staying mentally in sync is hurting. Team leaders Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins struggling, a wild-card closer and a starter who just wants the season to be over.

Champions need to win and will do what it takes to get there. That is clearly what the Yankees came to do in the World Series thus far, and it shows.

In game five the Yankees have the burden of Cliff Lee who is an genius of a pitcher. Burnett will take the mound for the Yanks on three days rest and cannot have a rough inning, nor 15 crazy pitches in a row. AJ was impressive in game two but now facing Lee he has no other option.

Yankees can win the whole thing on Monday night, and if things continue on, there will not be a game six in New York. That I can guarantee you.

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The Yankees Dive Off A Cliff In Game One

Posted by on 29 October 2009, 4:28 am

Game one was all Cliff Lee.

The Cy Young hero has his best stuff against the Yankees heavy line-up throwing 10 strikeouts and allowing zero walks. It was a tough loss for the Bombers and Lee’s former teammate CC Sabathia.

Sabathia pitched well but not lights out. Without the bats helping out it was Lee’s game in the bag. After handing the ball to the Yankees bullpen, who successfully, once again cemented it into history for Yankees.

Derek Jeter got on base three times and each time leaving the captain hanging out to dry. Damon was successful once, but Tex and Arod, not as successful. Lee dominated by mixing up pitchers and speeds keeping the Yankees on their toes for nine complete innings.

This game was difficult to watch, and it sure sent a reality throughout Yankee Universe.

Game two features Pedro Martinez against AJ Burnett on the mound.

Pedro being Pedro, in his press 45 minute q &a yesterday, whined about how badly the fans and media in New York has treated him. Pedro should not be in the same sentence as Mariano Rivera but that’s what kept coming out of his mouth. Rivera and Pedro may experience the same religious beliefs, does mean they attend the same church.

Burnett needs to throw as well as he has but cannot have one struggling inning. AJ gets so much slack and criticisms, which are not, always fair. FIawed on occasions, Burnett never allows it to last long. AJ can be unhittable, this gets overlooked way too often.

Bottom line is Burnett needs to take his A-game and so do the Yankees hitters. Let’s go back to being the team that wins 103 games during the season.

The Yankees need to take game two in the Bronx, for the fans, for the team but also for the Boss.

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A Little Red Engine VS. Lucky #27

Posted by on 28 October 2009, 5:15 am

In just a few hours, the Yankees host Phillies in the first game of the 2009 World Series.

Here is the pre-series preview:

LITTLE RED ENGINE VS. LUCKY #27

The Phillies are the reining champs from 2008. For the franchise, winning back to back would be a first but the Phillies would be only the second National League team in the history to accomplish this feat.

The Cincinnati Reds of 75′-76′ earned the label”The Big Red Machine”. Phillies would finally give them some company in the NL record books.

Jimmy Rollins said it better as to the teams goal, “Hopefully, they’ll be calling us the Little Red Machine.”

The Yankees know number 27 proceeds number 26. 26, is currently, the number of titles the New York franchise has won. It is about time to get the Universe a Yankee once again.

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi choose #27 to don his pinstripes, so the goal is no secret. The team wants to give importance to this act for one man. Someone who has given everything and anything to this franchise.

There is no better reason then Mr. George Steinbrenner.

Truly, ‘The Boss’ is like no other. He has rules which are law, he involves himself in all set aspects; no ones job is ever considered safe; and a slogan of nothing other then winning, winning, winning.

Since 1973, critics call it a dictatorship, and in Yankee Universe you are damn right it is. Oddly, at the same time, no one can deny that the ailing owner has served this team from the heart.

The Yankees would not be the most optimal franchise in sports if it were not for Mr. Steinbrenner. The truth is The Boss’s Yankees win and demands respect which is constant.

Mr. Steinbrenner time is taking its toll but certainly not his glory, as The Boss is making the difficult journey from Tampa to the Bronx to support the players.

This would be a beautiful testimony from the team and a well deserved honor for The Boss.

THE CONCLUSION

The 2009 World Series has two teams, with more to win for then just merely being the elite athletically.

Both the Yankees and the Phillies truly respect the game, love the game and play the game.

The fans can all only thank them, for bringing the passion back to the game.

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Pitching Will Predict The Phillies Verdict

Posted by on 27 October 2009, 12:22 pm

The Phillies are a terrific team, no doubt about it. Consistently performing at this high level to have another opportunity to win the championship says enough.The defending champions have everyone watching, learning and hopefully incorporating some of that swagger.

When looking at the Phillies the players are the first a sense of teamwork and I thought this last season too. Their line-up is dangerous when it works but as it is loaded with lefties. Their pitching is Cliff Lee and without that pick-up at the trade deadline, the Phillies would not be playing in the World Series.

The question is the teams grey areas include the possibility of turning to black hole and somehow the team figures itself out.

Cole Hamels is nowhere near MVP caliber he was last season, as batters are hitting him now. Hamels is not a deep innings pitcher anymore. He did not give up hits in 2008 and he does now.

Pedro Martinez is not a reliable starter anymore. He has the history and he has pitched well thus far, but Pedro is a child when he starts to allow runs score on him.Remember that ‘Pedro being Pedro’ is very familiar in the Bronx and the record is not found at all. The Yankee fans will make sure he remembers, and if any of the old Red Sox left in him it could get ugly. Continue reading ‘Pitching Will Predict The Phillies Verdict’ »

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Dear Diary, My Mets……

Posted by on 26 October 2009, 6:36 pm

David Wright’s Diary Entry 10-26-09

Dear Diary,

It’s official my biggest nightmare has come true.

On Sunday night around 11:30pm the Yankees beat the Angels in the ALCS filling the once empty bracket to play for the championship.

Once again the Yankees are the best, New York’s favorite team, the best Captain in sports….blah, blah, blah.

The Yankees are going to the World Series for the one trillionth time. Winning their last WS in 2000 beating, guess who the Mets.
Drives me crazy that people are relieved because it has been a whole 5 years since the last time the team made the finals.

Mariano Rivera is getting better and how this is possible at 40 years old is mind-boggling.

Then there is my idol Derek Jeter, whose name alone is enough said.

Who is their opponent?

The Phillies, again. So no matter which team wins the Mets are going to feel feel more heat, again.

It’s just not fair that the Mets cannot catch a break. Our poor fans, if there are any still around.

Arod is loved more than the Mets as a team.

Instead of sulking, I am turning my frown upside down.

How, why, what?

I finally think the Mets have hit rock bottom. How much worse could it get?

  • The few fans the Mets have left are depressed or have switched their loyalties. I knew it was true when I caught my own mother secretly routing for the Yankees in the ALCS. Can’t really blame her as I am the Captain and not a Mets fan.
  • Predictions were positive by experts at the start of 2009 but once again ruined. It is the only thing that the Mets are the best at, collapsing.
  • Jose, the Mets short-stop who insults what Jeter does on a daily basis, is now blaming the Dodgers for misdiagnosing his injury that is more mental in my mind.
  • K-rod and Santana have lost their swagger since joining the Mets.
  • The Wilpons are Madoff victims, shocking. Money is not as unlimited and no one has the full details just yet.
  • Personally getting hit in the head turned my headache into a permanent throb.
  • Jerry Manuela needs to stop praying and understand that it’s time for the iron fist which he just doesn’t have in him. Bring in Valentine or someone who demands respect and doesn’t like to lose.
  • Omar Minaya‘s former mentor, Steve Phillips is just another embarrassment connected with the Mets.

Those are just some of the Mets issues.

What seemed to be over, the worst was still yet to come. The reality of having the World Series be between the Yankees vs. the Phillies actually put a smile on my face, which might be odd but it is almost exactly the motivation the Mets can use for next season.

I think the team should maybe watch a few of the games together and let it sink in.

If this does not make the difference and bring this team together…..I give up.

Bottomed out but not giving up,

David Wright
Proud Captain of the New York Mets

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TAKE ME TO YES!!!!!

Posted by on 26 October 2009, 4:32 am
NEW YORK YANKEES
ALCS CHAMPIONS 2009

The Yankees are heading to the World Series with the win against the Angels tonight. As a fan, I couldn’t be more excited and proud because this Yankee team deserves. 
It has been awe inspiring with the teams constant hard work and never giving up attitude. This is a team that fights to win. 
Mr. Steinbrenner must be very proud for this is one, if not the most, special group of players  to wear his pinstripes ever.
Let’s go win four more….. 
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WARNING: When Your Team Is In The Championships

Posted by on 21 October 2009, 3:05 pm

Whether it is the NFL, a sibling on a varsity high school team or even a beer pong tournament entered by a pal at your local watering-hole there is always a championship at the end.

At one time or another, most sports fans have a had a team make it to the championships. The team can be ranked #1 or the surprise sleeper of the season, but it all disappears because your team is in the finals.

That’s when you meet the obstacles and annoyances that come with real fan-ship.

Cheering on your team for the first time or the twentieth doesn’t say anything about your passion. Once you fall in love it’s all over, as this group is in your heart for good.

Streaks and slumps affect your mood swings; this cannot be avoided. When the team is good, and everyone says so, the pain of distress can be bitter.

At the same time, the winning team you see might not be the general consensus from friends to ESPN. Then the team wins and it is pure satisfaction for any fan.

Just imagine a championship and finally to feel fulfilled, as your fan-ship and dedication has paid off.

That is when trouble starts.

To help a fan get the righteous glory of watching your team win, listed below are three ‘types’ to avoid:

(1)THE MAD MAN is the fan-friend who’s team just can’t seem to get a break. Season after season disappointed by false hope only for it to all fall apart, again. A true mad-man will never miss a game even when it’s sheerly painful for all involved (example Mets). This ‘friend’ will spite you, right to your face. No debating will be involved, as the mad-man will low blow your team with angry remarks to excuse you team for being good.

It is best to allow the mad-man to rant and rave. All while you ignore or gesture politely in agreement. Then go back to the TV as your team is on. There in the the finals and thats all that matters. You gotta feel a little of the mad-man’s suffering because it sucks.

WARNING, never comfort the mad-man by forecasting how good a season it will be the year his team wins and to have faith. It will only make it worse because the mad-man cannot relate, so just let him be. The mad-man will watch your team’s championship with you because it is more self- torture. It is in your best interest the less painful you make it for him in relation to determining how mad he gets.

(2)THE DOUBTER is a buddy who supposedly has the same fan-ship loyalties as you. You and the Doubter watch most games together, have endless conversations recapping the latest game etc. This is when it gets tricky because the Doubter will seem to be agreeing with what you said.

Nodding away, listening intently only to find the one negative aspect of every situation. The Doubter looks like a fan, plays the part of a fan but her biased comments start to worry you. Well your instincts are in tact as this type will kill you buzz. Usually starts doubting slowly, leading to confusion, to eventually all out fighting.

This is someone that you trusted your team with so it will feel like the Doubter has cheated and in all senses they are. This fan-ship is likely an outlet for some childhood trauma, that the Doubter cannot even admit to themselves yet. The Doubter will miss at least half of the team’s biggest games and definitely be late to watch the championship.

WARNING, never waste your time convincing the Doubter of their fan-ship. It is a waste of breath as even if the team proves them wrong, the Doubter is already ten negatives ahead of you.

(3)THE MORON is a great friend but the fan-ship is so ridiculous that it is embarrassing, especially in public. The Moron will organize tables at fun sports bars for big games way in advance, and you will always go. Why? The Moron’s behavior is so retarded that you mentally forgot the last time because it is not really your problem. The Moron will be head to toe (including the head) in team merchandise. One article is just not going to cut it. The Moron will know other Morons at any location you watch together. There will be a lot of high-fives between two Morons. High-fives will occur over tables, over your head, anything separating this happening will be obsolete.  The high-five will happen. One plus is that there are never more than a few Morons’ per establishment as the Morons’ themselves will kill each other out of passion.

WARNING the moron’s attire, behavior and relationships with other morons can ruin the entire experience of watching your team. A great fan can lose concentration, want to leave to save face or never wear anything with a logo admitting your fan-ship. It can be traumatizing. PLEASE proceed with caution.

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