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Three Playoff Headlines No Yankees Fan Wants To Read

Posted by on 29 September 2009, 4:02 am

The playoffs are about to start for the baseball world. Teams are claiming spots on the October schedule and others are looking towards next season.

The Yankees swept the Red Sox on Sunday to win the AL East. The first team to clinch a playoff berth but immediately followed the Cardinals winning the NL Central, the Dodgers clinched a spot and just minutes ago I caught the Angels winning the AL West.

It made me start to think of what the possibilities, which are endless, that could play out this October. The ideas quickly turned to waves of anxiety that started to absorb my thoughts.

Here are the three that no Yankee fan hopes never to have to read….

1. Watching the Angels win was not thrilling, as it was a complete accident as I was innocently tuning to ESPN hoping for Sports Center.

I was not paying attention as I was on the web surfing when I heard the screaming fans and looked up. It was Ian Kinsler at bat and the bottom ticker read 1 Out For Angels To Win The AL West. The score being 11-0 it was not a promising situation for the Rangers.

Subsequently, Kinsler grounded a ball to third and Figgins threw to first for the easy out. Then the celebration began. Watching it felt wrong but it also made me realize that the Yankees do not have to see the Angels first round.

The Angels are like being on the other end of having to face Ray Lewis in the NFL. Lewis is the scariest defender and the Angels are that team.

I hope that the headline will not read ANGELS SWEEP THE RED SOX! MESSAGE SENT TO YANKEES: BRING IT ON.

2. The second headline is purely out of spite for our old skipper Joe Torre.

TORRE UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS: DODGERS WIN WORLD SERIES.

Look, it was hard enough to be at Torre’s last game but that turned to betrayal fast after the release The Yankee Years.

Call it bitterness and that would be completely correct. The Dodgers are not as much of a threat because the only place the Yankees can meet Torre’s team would be in the World Series. Do no think the Dodgers will beat the Cardinals or the Phillies (if they make it).

I just hope that the Dodgers do not even win a game. As for their manager, Mr. Torre is not in it for the team or the game of baseball. Gaining the trust of players as people, only to take personal club house on-goings and exploit them for his own benefit is being nothing more than a traitor.
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Sorry Mr. Torre but you do not hold a candle to the character of our new skipper, Joe Girardi.

3. THE CURSE IS STILL REVERSED

It is safe to say this is common knowledge to anyone that no Yankee fan could stomach this.

After the embarrassment of being 8-0 to Boston earlier this season to only come back to finish 8-8 is only the icing on the cake.

This rivalry has built so many heart-breaking instances and revenges for decades that the list is endless.

The only thing that Red Sox and Yankee fans firmly agree is on is that neither wants the other team to win.

I love the history and the intense competition the games bring. It is much better to win in the end, especially for the loyalty of each teams fan base.

Some have described the feeling of losing to Boston along the lines like being dumped by a guy you really like, out of nowhere.

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Three Teams, Three Wins, One City

Posted by on 27 September 2009, 11:55 pm

A Giant won, a Jet soared and a Yankee guaranteed that New York is the best place to call home.

Three sports team, hailing from New York had simultaneous starts this afternoon (Yanks not on time due to rain delay).

The Yankees, Giants and Jets each had something to prove today.

1. The Yankees was clinching the American League East Division for the playoffs which gives them home field advantage and an extra day off at their disposal.

The biggest upside for the Bombers not having to fly back to Anaheim to play the Angels in the first round. The Angels are that that scary.

Realizing why the Yanks looked like a beaten club, even when they beat the Angels are because the Angels play small ball, long ball and run the bases fiercely. Easily, the Angels have the most comparable batting line-up to the Yankees so pitchers have to be virtually perfect. The Angels are relentless in winning and their formula works.

No one is taking anything away from having to face the Tigers or the Twins to start, as both talented ball clubs. Being at home is comfortable, familiar and starting with having an entire city cheering you on beats flying across the country to face a team residing in Anaheim.

2. The Giants are still looking like the solid champs of two years back. Big Blue won their third game in a row, a great way to start the season and one with so many unanswered questions.

The question of wide receiver has been a continuous tryout to see who would be Eli’s new Plaxico. This looming question is far from an answer. Actually, it might never really get a solid answer.

The Giants do not need an answer but this third win in a row means the team does not want one either. The rotating group wide receivers are being lead by a solid Eli Manning at quarterback. Maybe that is the answer at least part one.

Part two, three and four being the defense, O-line and running game all being top of their game gives the wiggle room for Coach Coughlin to have season long tryouts.

3. The Jets who have been the football version of the Mets. Predicted going into the season to be good to leave fans with one disappointing loss after another. That has been the theme of the Jets, one letdown after another. Always with one glimmer of what could have been at least once a season. This entailed beating some team, that even shocked the Jets themselves, leaving a worn out fan base to see that maybe next year will be better.

Welcome to that next year Jet fans.

Those Jets of the past can stay in the past. That is now a fact after defeating Tennessee Titans to go 3-0 to start the season. It might seem like a dream but it’s not and after today you can relax because last weekends win was not just luck.

It was a mini Super Bowl for Jets fans as their division mates, the mighty Patriots came to the Meadowlands and lost last week. As a Giant fan I have to say I was impressed and happy for the Jets to look finally competitive.

Rex Ryan is just the leader this team needed. Being in your first year as coach to have the players already playing for you (the coach) speaks volumes of the man Coach Ryan is. What he did against the Pats, leaving a voicemail for every season ticket holder asking the fans to cheer, obviously did more then just elevates noise. It made the players believe which in turn inspires and that are what champions are made off. The other New York team is a perfect example of that.

The day anyone thought that the notion or consideration of a possible Subway Series Super Bowl would be anything more then just a really funny joke can nows make it a reality. If the two New York teams keep winning which means playing this well, all season long, it could happen.

It is early, it is the Jets but even more reason to have the faith in the now.

Lastly, it was an awesome day overall for the City of New York.

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Yankees Made The Red Sox Bleed Pinstripes Last Night

Posted by on 26 September 2009, 8:17 pm

The #4-train last night was packed full with Yankees and Red Sox fans heading to the Bronx. Expecting what looked to be the first game of a tough series for both the Red Sox and the Yankees. A forecast of what was to come on the road to the World Series.

Joba was the scheduled starter so as I got off the train at the stadium. I was rationalizing that this kid has faired very well against the Red Sox and Joba thrives off pressure.

Batting was going to play a huge part if the Yanks wanted to win. Joba has pitched so poorly lately that the likelihood of the bullpen having to go multiple innings was a realistic possibility.


Well, the game went on to be as positive for a team as the Yankees could have dreamt of the night before.

Reality set in for Joba after his last three innings, seven run disaster in Seattle. “Unacceptable” was the word that stuck from Manager Joe Girardi and pitching coach Dave Eiland to get this kid to wake-up. The Joba Rules were a now outdated and maybe the newfound freedom was the trick.

To sum it up:

• Joba pitched a solid six innings last night. Joba retired the first 11 Red Sox he faced. He was working quickly and his confidence was evident just by watching him.
• Yankees robbed a season high seven stolen bases. Most stolen by the team in 13 years.
• The bats all contributed in scoring nine runs with Jon Lester on the mound.
• Jeter started the game with a first pitch single and immediately stole second.

The Yankees looked like by far the more dominant ball-club. The Reds Sox looked like a team struggling to keep it. Big Pappi had his 27th homer which was about the only ray of hope displayed.

With the Red Sox being hot in pursuit to get into the playoffs, I thought that the battle would have been a war. The team fell apart fast but actually, Boston never really had their act together in the first place.

Nothing is set in stone for what the future holds but I can say that being a Yankee fan right now feels pretty darn good.

With the reality of perfection crushed the last two weeks by the staggering inconsistent play of the Bombers, fright definitely set in.

Taking the series in Anaheim was a battle in itself but maybe just the boost of confidence the team needed to not let the Angels egos get the best of them.

For a fan, I will believe because to win the World Series the part of the fans plays such a role that I think we all seem to forget sometimes.

Being at the game last night the only thing that bests describes the outcome is that the Boston Red Sox bleed pinstripes last night.

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The Pre-ALCS Starts Tonight

Posted by on 25 September 2009, 8:59 pm

When the season started the Red Sox looked like the team to beat. Boston took the first eight games against the Yankees and at the All-Star break were in first by three.

Since the All-Star break the Yankees have given all of baseball a message, that this team wants to win. Boston has fallen back the last two months having injuries in all the wrong places.

It was becoming just a little long to be a slump, the idea that the Yankees might have cast a spell started to sink in.The last two weeks Boston has started to look like themselves again. I would be stunned if they did make the playoffs but that’s what that are playing for this weekend.

The Boston Red Sox came into New York today still not officially in the post season. Even with the Yankees guarantee for October, this is a series that is more like a preview of what’s to come.

In words or instructions by our Captain, Jeter has said no celebrating because the team wants the division and that is not looked down. That would give the Yanks the top spot and could play most likely Detroit in the Bronx. The other option is Angels in Anaheim. No one wants that to happen and the reasons are evident.

Sending Boston to California fist round would be ideal but who would the Yanks rather face if they win the first round.?

I will be able to answer that after this series. Both teams are playing well and it is the fairest of their match-ups thus far.

Pitching will decide these games. Boston is on fire from the mound and the only real issue is Joba. On the schedule it is his night but it has been said that CC Sabathia might start which is five days because of the off day yesterday. AJ pitched lights out on Wednesday and with the extra day makes CC an option it would be idiotic to use Joba.

Home field would give the Yankees the assurance that this could happen in the playoffs because Joba is not showing any sign short of getting worse.

This could be the same teams fighting in two weeks in the ALCS. Finally, the old school match-up that baseball fans have missed dearly.

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CONGRADS: Yanks Clinch A Playoff Berth

Posted by on 23 September 2009, 5:06 am


Congratulations to a great season and a well deserved spot in October!!

This team has what it takes and if you believe, like your fans believe, #27 will follow!!

Thanks for making it so easy to be your fan!!! It is an honor!!

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This Giants Fan Thinks Rex Ryan Is A Genius

Posted by on 23 September 2009, 4:32 am
Sunday has become a favorite day of the week during the NFL season. This Sunday was no different but my Giants were the featured night game so I had the afternoon watch my Yankees.

Then I remembered that those Jets had talked so much trash all week about the New England Patriots. My first reaction was to feel badly for all my friends who are Jets fans.

Being a Jets fan in the last decade in NYC looked like a painful task. My encouraging words to think positively and then when you do win a Super-Bowl it makes it all worth it.

Hopeless faces would have a moment in which this came true. J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets…to only snap back to reality. Only had to look around and see the Giants jerseys everywhere to know who ruled the city.

When Rex Ryan started the intentional feud against Bill Belichick and his Pats, it took me by surprise. The Patriots and the Jets both AFC East teams could not have been more different. The Patriots are champions and the Jets lose.

Is this new coach a complete idiot? Is he trying to get his team killed or just wants to set a new NFL record for losing by the most points EVER in a game?

The comment turned into a full out attack by the Jets players. Declaring the fact of how the Patriots were doomed on Sunday. I just was so happy that my Giants were not the Jets.

As kickoff was just minutes away my phone rang and it was one of my Jets friends who was heading out to the Meadowlands for the game. He was so shocked as he got a voice-mail that morning from Rex Ryan asking for the fans to be louder than ever today for their Jets.

Now, with the Jets last few seasons it could not have been an easy task to ask of Jets fans. Just listening to the spark in my Jets pal’s voice had me realize, maybe this was just pure genius of Coach Ryan.

Why?

What did they have to lose as losing is nothing new to the Jets or their devoted fans.

The stadium was so loud at points the game had to stop three times. The fans stepped up to the plate but this time so did the Jets.

For a Jets fan, it must have been a feeling that had been long, long forgotten. Winning that game, talking that trash and realizing that the fans were still there it might have been a change for future years for the franchise.

My response to people asking me my opinion on the whole situation is that it was necessary and took courage to do. Either way the game could have ended up, the up side to the win was critical.

MY NOTE TO RYAN:

Dear Mr. Ryan,

I wanted to say welcome, to New York.

I am not a Jets fan (Giants) but your actions this past week were inspiring. I was genuinely happy for the Jets to finally win.

Being a Giants fan my loyalty is with Eli and company but nothing wrong with enjoying another team’s glories.

It speaks volumes as a new coach to have a team in which the players really play for you. That can takes years to build and some coaches cannot ever get the players motivated.

Like Coach Coughlin, tough love done fairly earns respect.

Now when you play my Giants this season it will actually be a football game.

All the best,

Kate

All the negative emails I never responded to, there is my answer.

The Jets finally have someone who believed in them before they won the first game in years that actually made a statement on Sunday. It was their Coach Rex Ryan.

The Giants had no one believe in them in the Super Bowl against the same team and then Coach Coughlin changed that.

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For The Yankees, Timing Is Everything

Posted by on 22 September 2009, 8:16 pm

All teams slump during the baseball season at some point. Since the all-star break, the Yankees had been slump free losing games of course but winning series.

The last two weeks the Yankees have struggled.

The gap among first and second place in the AL East is getting scary smaller. The need is to win just one game to secure a post-season appearance.
The Yankees are on the brink of a team being in trouble, with main problems being:

• The pitching rotation is looking unreliable, except for CC Sabathia.
• Pettitte shoulder is sore again but he is a veteran with a ton of post-season experience and he knows what needs to do in October.
• AJ Burnett is so erratic. Burnett either is on fire or is useless. Never can anyone seem to predict which AJ is on the mound each game.
• The biggest issue is Joba Chamberlain who looks like he is trying to pitch his way out of the post season. Sergio Mitre is NOT the answer and even if Chad Gaudin has a good start, tonight it is a risk.
• The Yankee Line-up is good enough to step in when the pitchers are struggling.

Tonight’s game against the dreaded Yankee killing Angels will give us some answers. Even with a secure spot for October, winning is essential for the Yanks success.

The last thing the Yankees want to do is have to go back to Anaheim in October. Avoiding this becoming reality is essential because the Angels and the Yanks do not play the same kind of baseball.

If the Yanks can win the East, it means playing Detroit Tigers in the first round. Home field advantage along with the extra rest day only adds to the possibility of major success to win it all.

Red Sox are surely making the Yankees sweat. Other than a loss against Kansas City, Boston is playing better ball and look like a post-season ready team ready.

The bullpen and the hitting line-up are terrific but the starting pitching is causing doubts. The Yanks know that a slump is lingering and have to put a stop to it immediately.

The last two weeks, Yankee fans everywhere have learned that this team is good.

Unfortunately, before we thought the team was great.

The next week the Yanks come home to face three against the Red Sox. This will shed the light that will pave the reality of the situation and then it will become a fact.

The fact that going into the post-season cold just does not work never has and never will.

 

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