”I never knew how someone who was dying could say he was the luckiest man in the world. But now I understand.” –Mickey Mantle
That quote pretty much sums up the state of euphoria I was in when Robinson Cano lightly tossed that ground ball to Mark Teixeira for the last out of the New York Yankees’ 27th World Champion season. However, Yankees fan or not, it has to be said that this series, especially game 6, was nothing short of classic baseball at its best.
Certainly A Classic
This game transported me to a time and place of the past, some I remember, some I wasn’t even alive for. First, you have Pedro and Pettitte facing each other on the mound, amidst chants of “Who’s Your Daddy” from the crowd. It was just like being back in the 2004 ALCS (thank goodness this series turned out a lot better!).
Not only do you have Andy on the mound getting his record 18th postseason win, but catching his every pitch is Jorge Posada, and behind them, none other than Derek Jeter. And keep going further back and Mariano Rivera is coming out of the Yanks pen, with “Enter Sandman” blaring over the PA system, to close out the game. These four epitomize the men in pinstripes, as they are true Yankees down to their core. Congrats on “one for the thumb”, guys.
I cannot forget to mention another true Yankee controlling things from the dugout, Joe Girardi. Although this was his 4th ring and not 5th, he was there behind the plate to celebrate the legendary wins in ’96, ’98 and ’99. I could not be happier for Joe. Not only was he a fantastic player I remember well, but also his managerial skills have proven quite impressive. In his first year holding the clipboard, he was named Manager of the Year as the Florida Marlins skipper. Yet, the Marlins fired him after that season. Think they’re regretting that now? I like Tony Pena and how can you not love Donny baseball? But I agree (even before this World Series win) that Girardi was the right man to take over in Torre’s shoes. #27 is well deserving of #27.
Reminiscing back even further, although none of us were alive for it, consider the 1923 season. The Yanks opened the season in the newly built “House that Ruth Built” and finished that season with a ring. Well, this season they christened the “House that Jeter Built” and the captain is walking away at the end again on top of the world.
Godzilla Invades the Bronx
I’ve heard a lot of dislike for Hideki Matsui winning the World Series MVP, but I agree with the choice and I’ll tell you why. Some argue that Matsui didn’t play every game so how can he have impacted the team that much? Well, many of the same people argue that Mariano should have gotten MVP. Mo pitched 5 1/3 innings with two saves and three strikeouts in the six games. What Mariano contributed in this series was huge, but I don’t think it was quite MVP-worthy, comparatively.
No one can argue Matsui’s numbers. He batted .615 with 3 homeruns, not to mention a World Series record-tying six RBI in game 6. He joins Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth as the only player in World Series history to have a batting average of at least .500 and a minimum three homeruns. That is some good company to be in. “Godzilla” was also the first Japanese born MVP and the first full-time DH to get the award.
Sadly, Matsui’s contract with the Yankees is up at the conclusion of this season. Rumors have it that it is either going to be him or Johnny Damon, who’s contract is also up, remaining in pinstripes. If Matsui goes, some sources say he will be going to the Seattle Mariners to play with fellow Japanese player Ichiro Suzuki. Can’t we just keep them both??
Falling Phillies
Yes, the Yankees won, but this blog wouldn’t be complete without the mention of their opponent. Don’t forget that the Phils were two games away from accomplishing the near impossible – repeating as World Series champions. Chase Utley and Cliff Lee anchored the team. Utley matched Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson’s, record five homeruns in a World Series.
However, they obviously had their downsides. Starter Cole Hamels was basically the heart of the 2008 postseason team. This season, he was quoted as wishing it all were just over. No matter in what context this was uttered, it stirred a little controversy with the team. And then there’s Ryan Howard. His name is linked with tons of hitting accolades through his five years in the MLB, yet none of that was seen in this World Series. Conversely, he had a World Series record 13 strikeouts.
I have no better way to conclude than to quote a writer for The New York Times who once wrote:
”The essence of the Yankees is that they win. From in front or behind they win. And that’s why the history of the New York Yankees is virtually the history of baseball.”
Take a look at SI’s photo gallery of all 27 World Championships. It exemplifies the quote. It shows the Yankees repertoire of winning and shows exactly how this team screams of the ghosts of baseball at its best.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
WS post to come...
If you haven't noticed, I stopped my blogging about the MLB when the World Series started, because I am a born and bred, true-to-the-heart Yankees fan and didn't want to get even in the least biased in my writing. But now that they've won, I definitely can write about it! Whoo hoo!
I'm way too burnt out from that game, though, so stay tuned for my thoughts tomorrow. :)
I'm way too burnt out from that game, though, so stay tuned for my thoughts tomorrow. :)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
NFL Battle of the Unbeatens
Eight weeks into the NFL season, it’s just about half way over. At the beginning, there were a lot of teams stepping up as tough contenders, but now only two remain undefeated: the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. Who will go deepest into the season with their perfect record intact? Let’s crunch some numbers.
Wins:
Indianapolis’ road to 8-0 has been seemingly easy. They have only faced one team with a current record at .500 or greater. Overall, they have beaten their teams by an average of 15.6 points and have a point differential of +106.
New Orleans, on the other hand, has played four teams with records at or above .500. And their average win margin and point differential are both greater than the Colts at 17 points and +119, respectively.
Remaining
However, no matter what has happened in the first eight weeks, it all depends on how these two teams can finish out the last nine. The Colts begin this next leg facing four teams each with at least four wins. The Saints’ next four opponents have a combined record of 9-20. Overall, Indianapolis’ remaining foes sit at 36-31 while New Orleans’ are 23-41, including two games against the 0-7 Bucs.
Conclusion
I do not think either team will make it through the whole season unscathed. But, it will be close. I predict Manning’s men will fall week 14 against a tough Denver squad. The Saints will “Brees” through until a week later and be handed their first lost in week 15 against Dallas. New Orleans has just two teams with five wins left on their schedule, the Patriots and the Cowboys, and I think the Cowboys are the tougher of the two and therefore the team to end the Saint’s perfect run.
Agree? Disagree? Feedback, as always, is welcome.
Wins:
Indianapolis’ road to 8-0 has been seemingly easy. They have only faced one team with a current record at .500 or greater. Overall, they have beaten their teams by an average of 15.6 points and have a point differential of +106.
New Orleans, on the other hand, has played four teams with records at or above .500. And their average win margin and point differential are both greater than the Colts at 17 points and +119, respectively.
Remaining
However, no matter what has happened in the first eight weeks, it all depends on how these two teams can finish out the last nine. The Colts begin this next leg facing four teams each with at least four wins. The Saints’ next four opponents have a combined record of 9-20. Overall, Indianapolis’ remaining foes sit at 36-31 while New Orleans’ are 23-41, including two games against the 0-7 Bucs.
Conclusion
I do not think either team will make it through the whole season unscathed. But, it will be close. I predict Manning’s men will fall week 14 against a tough Denver squad. The Saints will “Brees” through until a week later and be handed their first lost in week 15 against Dallas. New Orleans has just two teams with five wins left on their schedule, the Patriots and the Cowboys, and I think the Cowboys are the tougher of the two and therefore the team to end the Saint’s perfect run.
Agree? Disagree? Feedback, as always, is welcome.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Freshman Phenoms
As the 10-week mark has come to college football season, teams are really showing whom they are. And it seems that the focus is always on the players we know and are used to – the upperclassmen. But this season there are a lot of true freshman out there that are coming up big for their teams and proving they can make the high school-to-college jump.
For top 10 teams, Alabama’s Trent Richardson sits in second place on the team in rushing with 377 yards on 74 carries, including a 52-yard touchdown run against Arkansas in week 4. Matthew Tucker is a big part of #6 TCU’s running game, as well. Tucker has racked up 65 carries, 324 yards and 3 touchdowns so far in his first season. Iowa loves to run the ball, and Brandon Wegher has been a big part of their offense. The Hawkeye freshman has 112 carries for 439 yards and has crossed the goal line 6 times.
Outside top 10 teams, this list cannot be complete without USC quarterback Matt Barkley. He has led the #12 Trojans with 1,727 yards and 9 touchdowns and a QB rating of 141.09. He threw for 283 and 380 yards in back-to-back weeks against a 24th-ranked California and a 25th-ranked Notre Dame team, respectively.
Two other true-freshmen running backs need mention, too. Temple’s Bernard Pierce is 3rd in the NCAA in rushing yards with 1,033 and Southern Miss’s Tracey Lampley is 3rd in punt return yards with 280 on 21 attempts.
And I can’t go without mentioning my own alma mater, Kent State, whose freshmen are keeping the Flashes within reach of a MAC East championship. Receiver Tyshon Goode has 40 catches for 553 yards with 5 touchdowns this season, with 11 of the receptions, 198 yards and 2 of the touchdowns coming in last week’s win. This performance earned him Honorable Mention Performance of the Week for his position by College Football Performance Awards.
Of course, Goode needs a quarterback to get him the ball, and fellow freshman Spencer Keith has proved himself worthy of the starting role at that position. Keith has thrown for 1,538 yards with 11 touchdowns and has become a leader on a team with a dismal outlook.
Even though I love to watch the great upperclassman like Tim Tebow and Golden Tate finish out their careers still excelling, it’s nice to see some new faces, too. How great it is to see young players make the transition into Division I college football so well. It’s going to be exciting to watch these newcomers try to break all the records I’ve seen set and to see how much they can accomplish in their years to come.
For top 10 teams, Alabama’s Trent Richardson sits in second place on the team in rushing with 377 yards on 74 carries, including a 52-yard touchdown run against Arkansas in week 4. Matthew Tucker is a big part of #6 TCU’s running game, as well. Tucker has racked up 65 carries, 324 yards and 3 touchdowns so far in his first season. Iowa loves to run the ball, and Brandon Wegher has been a big part of their offense. The Hawkeye freshman has 112 carries for 439 yards and has crossed the goal line 6 times.
Outside top 10 teams, this list cannot be complete without USC quarterback Matt Barkley. He has led the #12 Trojans with 1,727 yards and 9 touchdowns and a QB rating of 141.09. He threw for 283 and 380 yards in back-to-back weeks against a 24th-ranked California and a 25th-ranked Notre Dame team, respectively.
Two other true-freshmen running backs need mention, too. Temple’s Bernard Pierce is 3rd in the NCAA in rushing yards with 1,033 and Southern Miss’s Tracey Lampley is 3rd in punt return yards with 280 on 21 attempts.
And I can’t go without mentioning my own alma mater, Kent State, whose freshmen are keeping the Flashes within reach of a MAC East championship. Receiver Tyshon Goode has 40 catches for 553 yards with 5 touchdowns this season, with 11 of the receptions, 198 yards and 2 of the touchdowns coming in last week’s win. This performance earned him Honorable Mention Performance of the Week for his position by College Football Performance Awards.
Of course, Goode needs a quarterback to get him the ball, and fellow freshman Spencer Keith has proved himself worthy of the starting role at that position. Keith has thrown for 1,538 yards with 11 touchdowns and has become a leader on a team with a dismal outlook.
Even though I love to watch the great upperclassman like Tim Tebow and Golden Tate finish out their careers still excelling, it’s nice to see some new faces, too. How great it is to see young players make the transition into Division I college football so well. It’s going to be exciting to watch these newcomers try to break all the records I’ve seen set and to see how much they can accomplish in their years to come.
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