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Bring on the Yankees
Published: October 26, 2009
Bring on the Yankees!
As someone who hates the Yankees more than any franchise in professional sports, I found myself in a strange place during the final outs of the Yankees Game Six ALCS win over the Angels, Sunday Night.
For the first time that I can recall, I was rooting for the Yankees.
That’s right, rooting for the Evil Empire to make it to the World Series.
Because it will be that much sweeter when the Phillies bring home their second straight World Series title at the expense of the New Yorkers.
Philly vs. New York: It doesn’t get much better than that.
This is going to be a series filled with big moments and big home runs. Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez will be tested by the Yankees big bats and C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettitte experience the same against a deep Philadelphia lineup. The atmosphere at the home games will be out of control as the city has an energy to it that is undeniable. It took Philly 25 years to get a title and this city does not want to wait even a full year to have another.
Fans are pumped up. In fact, if you walked around the city right now you would be assured of hearing a certain anti-Yankees chant that is un-publishable.
Even Charlie Manuel admitted that playing the Yankees gives this World Series a little extra flavor.
“People want to talk about the money they give out,” Manuel said Monday. “But the Yankees have 26 banners flying over their stadium, and they got those for a reason, because they want to win. When you beat them, there’s a lot of satisfaction there.”
This is what late-October baseball is all about. Getting to the World Series is not enough for either of these teams. It is win it, or bust. It may not be fair, but at this point neither of these organizations will be happy with just playing in another World Series.
Just win, baby.
From the hitting to the pitching everything in this matchup points to it being a long — and fun — series.
Wednesday can not get here fast enough.
6 Comments on "Bring on the Yankees"
Brandon on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 8:57 pm
You hate the Yankees? Gee, what a surprise. Get in line. But, why? Because they win and often? Because they’re the most professional franchise in baseball? Because they are always respectful of their opponents? Or is it because their fans don’t need to reduce themselves to rally monkeys or waving ridiculous white rags in the air as if to say, “We surrender?” Nor do the NY fans walk around chanting anti-Phillies profanities. No need to. NY’ers know they have a good team and hold no fear as to who will win the Series.
Hate them all you like. But all that conveys to the general population is your deep, deep envy and fear of the most winningest team in baseball. I understand. There are many who feel the same as you. Want to know what I say? Get over it. The Yankees aren’t going anywhere. Ever.
Pitching match-ups? Really? If your beloved Phillies have such strong pitching, then why hasn’t Manuel announced his Game 2 starter? I’ll tell you why. Because the strength lies with one pitcher; Lee. After that? Pedro? Hamels? Please. Just look at the plethora of pitchers that Girardi can call upon. Phillies have some bats, yes, but so do the Yankees.
The Series always comes down to pitching. The Yankees have a strong bullpen as well. And, as if the mighty starters and the strong bullpen weren’t enough, the Yankees have Rivera. When The Sandman says, “Lights Out,” it’s Lights Out, baby. No more, no less. You know it and I know it. So does the rest of baseball. He’s the best closer there is. Ever. And the Yankees have him.
I do agree with you on one thing; Wednesday can’t get here soon enough.
Eric Schwartz on Tue, 27th Oct 2009 1:03 am
There is no deep envy here. The Phillies are World Series champions, thee fans base has no need to be envious of anyone.
Here are a few reasons I hate the Yankees: A-Rod, Giambi, Sheffield, Clemens, Pettitte. The list of cheaters that team has had is never-ending and they all have excuses. Then there the fans bas that believes 26 titles makes them high-and-mighty. I don’t care what happened when TV’s broadcasted in black and white. This is a “what have you done for me lately” world and the Yanks come up short in that department.
As for your pitching assessment, if any team relies on one pitcher it the Yanks. The Phillies lit up C.C. last year ad can do the same again. Burnett is completely hit-or-miss. Pettit doesn’t scare me at all.
And Game 2 you can expect to see Pedro. Check his ERA against the Yanks after he made the “Daddy” comment. He has owned them. Also, I will take the combo of Blanton/Hamels/Happ over anything the Yanks have after their top arms. They are sticking with a three-man staff because they have no other option.
As for Mo, well there is no denying he is the greatest of all time. If they get him the ball it’s over. He is that good.
It is going to be a fun series all the way around. I just think it will be the Phillies that will be doing the celebrating when all is said and done.
Doug on Tue, 27th Oct 2009 9:28 am
Brandon,
IF MLB ever gets with the program they will institute a salary cap. Then and only then will we really know who is the the best team in baseball. It is not secret the Yankees have always spent to get the best players and that is the only reason they are a winning team.
As for always they are always being respectful of their opponents. I heard on the radio someone in the Yankmees I mean Yankees was quoted as looking forward to their next World Series Ring. That to me show no respect to the Phillies. Still the current World Series Champs!
Doug on Tue, 27th Oct 2009 11:13 am
Here is a link to support what I was saying about the Yankees Payroll
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-26/baseballs-richest-players
Thanks for the email John.
Jersey Joe on Tue, 27th Oct 2009 3:26 pm
This will be a great series. If Lee can beat CC and the Fightens hitters can get to the Yankees starters early. They will make it competitive. Right now it is Lee and Pedro. Cole, Joe and JA have not done enough in the Playoffs so far to worry the Yankee bats and if it comes down to MO against Brad. Yankees favor. One other thing The Yankees pay for their talent. Also their Payroll taxes keep other teams operateing. Far to many people worry about the Yankee payroll. The owners have the money and the fans are crazy enough to pay those inflated ticket prices. In the end the Yankee expierence will win this thing.
Brandon on Tue, 27th Oct 2009 8:59 pm
Doug, Joe is correct. The rest of the teams benefit from the Yankees’ taxes. Plus, the Yankees can dole out cash for players when most teams can’t afford to. Thus allowing the team to turn around and offer some nice cash to some players or allow them to get young up and coming players from the farm teams.
Eric, no offense but you ar delusional if you think that the Yankees are the only team that had players juicing. You can’t be serious. They are the only team that was focused upon. Forget salary caps, MLB should institute a harsh and frequent and random drug testing policy for ALL players. Not just the big names, but ALL of them. Harsher penalties would take care of the risk taking as well. Suspension for the SEASON not just a few games. Loss of that year’s salary as well. If there is a 2nd offense, then they’re out of professional baseball. Manny Ramirez wouldn’t be trying to get pregnant if those rules were in place, believe me. If the players demand such high salaries then they should be matched against high standards.
Also Eric, your views on the Yankees pitching are without base. However, your opinion, however wrong it may be, is still your opinion.