How about some happiness, gang?
by Ed Valentine on Nov 2, 2009 10:22 AM EST
in New York Yankees Analysis
Email
PrintTake this as a poke at my fellow writers here at Pinstripe Alley if you like, but can we please show a little happiness around here this morning?
Our New York Yankees are up 3 games to 1 in the World Series and could clinch their 27th World Series. They won a hard-fought, dramatic game in Philadelphia last night with some incredible clutch play.
And what do I read this morning?
I read Travis kvetching about Joba's pitch selection. And Jorge's base-running (which, by the way, I had no problem with). And Jorge's catching (by the way, you try catching a ball with a 250-pound man about to run right through you).
I read silliness (sorry, jscape) about the fact that CC Sabathia does not have a World Series victory. I read more silliness suggesting the Yankees take their foot off Philly's throat and pushing A.J. Burnett back.
You know what, gang? No team is perfect. No game is perfect. But, last night had the perfect ending.
Where is the praise this morning for Johnny Damon? What a great at-bat he had against Brad Lidge in the ninth inning, fighting for a hit. Then the stolen base and his alert, mad dash to an uncovered third base that set up all the fireworks. Thank you, Johnny!
Where is the praise for Alex Rodriguez, who came through again with another in a long line of huge 2009 clutch post-season hits? Thank you, A-Rod!
Where is the praise for Sabathia? Maybe he didn't have his best stuff last night, but he earned his paycheck with a gutty performance in which he made critical pitches to get out of jams time and time again. He didn't get the win, but the Yankees don't win without what he did.
Where is the happiness? Where is the excitement? C'mon, gang. The clock is ticking toward No. 27, and we are closing in on being able to finally cast aside some of the bitter memories of the past few seasons.
One more win, and there will be a New York Yankee parade down the Canyon of Heroes. Lighten up and enjoy the moment.
43 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
What was Mike Ferraro thinking? How could he send Randolph home?
Billy Martin was right, sometimes Fred Stanley should bat ahead of Reggie.
Omar Moreno?
Ugh, this team just kills me with the poor decision making
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 2, 2009 10:28 AM EST reply actions
LOL!!
Hey, we could be at Big Blue View talking Giants this morning.
by Ed Valentine on Nov 2, 2009 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
BBV
I came over here to bask in the glowing praise of this team, since I needed a break from our pitiful Giants. Please give me glowing praise!
That's
part of the problem. Four reasons for negativity:
- Ghost of 2004 choke (there, I said it)
- C. Lee is pitching tonight
- Giants have averaged 38 PA over the past three games.
- We’re NYers. We like to complain.
Could be worse. We could be making excuses like Angel’s and Phillies fans. My favorite was the accusation that bad umpiring led to Game four’s 10-1 defeat.
+1000
THIS!
I’m clearing my schedule for tonight, and salute two gutty teams. The Phillies are the best team that we’ve faced in the postseason, which is as it should be. Ironically, last night it was their power (solo home runs) against our small ball (two runs scored on outs in the first, Damon’s magnificent twofer in the 9th). The Yankees play the game right, and it’s fun to watch.
+1
My answer to your question, Ed, would be “in the post-game wrapup”. In the comments there, and the end of the game overflow thread(s), is a lot of happiness.
But, to recap: I am on Cloud 9 today! It’s been 9 years since the Yankees’ last WS title, and while I know that is not a lot of time in the grand scheme of things, it has felt like forever. I can’t wait to stop hearing “How many titles has your team won this century?” from Masshole fans. I can’t wait to shove all the payroll bashing right down people’s throats. If that sounds mean, it’s due to all the crap I’ve taken as a lone Yankees fan in anti-Yankee territory this past ten years.
As far as the game goes, where does one start?
- CC was pitching on short rest, against a team with a strong history against him, on the road. What did he do? Only churn out the latest in his string of quality starts, 6.2 IP, 3 ER, major league gutty performance.
- When CC is struggling, as we was early last night, does anyone call for the hook? No. Not like they do with AJ, Andy, and everyone else. And why? Because we all know CC will get it together eventually, put this team on his back, and carry them to the late innings, no matter what.
- Johnny Damon, looking at the end of his contract, and perhaps the end of his Yankee career, down 1-2 to Lidge. He barely nicks a slider, and I swear to God I thought he’d struck out right there to end the inning. But he had not, he had survived, and he continued to battle. Until he finally got to Lidge, not just hitting a single but cracking Lidge’s fragile confidence.
- Johnny D again, with one of the most heads up and gutsy WS moves I’ve ever seen – a double steal that completely turned Brad Lidge upside down.
- And then Alex, plunked for the third time earlier in the game, seeming like he was struggling to find his swing. All he does is get the biggest hit of his entire, HoF-worthy career. And he does it with class, giving all the credit afterward to Johnny.
- And then the stadium starts to empty, because everyone knows who’s coming into the game. The GOAT – Mariano Rivera – and that’s all she wrote.
Who can be anything other than happy today?? I have a huge grin on my face as I type this, because I love this team. It’s been special all season, and all they have to do now is be special for one more game.
I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!
Yes
But I was referring to the actual posts being written.
by Ed Valentine on Nov 2, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
For me, happiness and constructive critiscism are not mutually exclusive.
Both can exist. This is why I love you guys. We thoroughly examine the ballgame. I’m not saying I agree with it all. But it’s all out hear.
thank you!
there can be both.
i dont want PA to become a blog where we praise everything the Yanks do, nor do i want it to become like Dodger Blues, who, despite being for and run by Dodger fans, kill everything they do.
Enough with the hyper-glee -- this is starting to look like Halos Heaven.
"It's only fun if you win, Skip." -- Me.
What're they talking about at HH these days?
Second guessing not trying to re-sign Tex? :)
by pkyankeefan on Nov 2, 2009 12:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Probably which fireworks display of 2009 was the most emotional.
"It's only fun if you win, Skip." -- Me.
by Paul O'Neill on Nov 2, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
the Korbel is on ice
in the refrigerator of my one-bedroom apartment.
what can i say? i live large.
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Nov 2, 2009 10:53 AM EST reply actions
Damon
There have been lots of great performers this series. But Damon’s 9th inning performance last night puts him in the running for series MVP in my book. That was precisely the kind of at-bat and heads up base running we expected when we signed him four or so years ago.
PC – Just saying
I'm excited, pumped, stoked, and all the other synonyms you can think of
This is freakin’ great! Thus far
My only issue is with how bad FOX Sports’ coverage sucks, but hey, I guess it will be all the more satisfying when those d-nags have to sit and watch the Yanks celebrate.
I told you we would beat Georgia!! Now, as for those 9 wins in '09......
I got bored and made a blog!! SCS
Sigh
I can’t believe it irritates me as much as it does. But bias on nearly every single play? I’d honestly think our doubles were weak fly outs if I was just listening to McBuck. I was amazed they couldn’t find a little more excitement about a TIE-BREAKING TWO-OUT DOUBLE IN THE FREAKING WORLD SERIES. Of course, had Chase Utley or Ryan Howard hit a bloop single, they’d be excited. And then ready to tell us about how he saved three girl scouts from drowning last month. With one hand.
by pkyankeefan on Nov 2, 2009 12:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I actually thought Joe showed a bit of excitement on ARod's double
But, I immediately realized that Tim McCarver must have just grabbed Joe’s package
by waw on Nov 2, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
I'm cheered out...
that’s all I can say.
That was about as good a win as an away game can get (2 outs in teh bottome of the 9th? Damon? A-Rod?).
That said Ed…we’re all probably giddy with anticipation…but it aint over yet. While I expect them to win today….I also know Cliff Lee is a hell of a pitcher and that’s the sort of guy you want on the hill if you want to extend a 3-1 series (as AJ Burnett is every bit the pitcher I want on teh hill to clinch a WS….)
We just kinda don’t wanna jinx anythig…
plus…I’m still cursing out the damn Giants.
DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The WS or the Giants season?
DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Nov 2, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
Neither is over!
The G-Men are in a bit of a funk right now, but I’m hopeful that they can get out of it. They’re still 5-3 and positioned to make the playoffs, but they don’t have any room for error. That new defensive coordinator needs to fix whatever is broken, or he’s going to be looking for a new job.
by waw on Nov 2, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
I know....
its just that game REALLY bothered me. I usually try to stay positive with the Giants cuz I still think they are good…yet I just hate losing to the Frickin Eagles.
I guess I’ll thank CERVELLI for having the Yanks vs. Phillies in the WS..so if any Eagles fan dares talk crap…..
DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great sports weekend for me!
Yanks win two in Philly to go up 3-1 and the Vols beat “the old ball Coach” 31-13. Now for the icing on the cake, win tonight and celebrate on the Phillies turf!
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Nov 2, 2009 12:07 PM EST reply actions
I hear you Ed
That is exactly what I thought. I came here looking for a party vibe (I know no one in real life who watches baseball, so this is where I come to celebrate) and left puzzled that everyone was so snappy. I’m not kidding, I went to SI and Yahoo! Sports and found more praise for our team.
It’s probably just everybody on edge from being so close. I’m hoping AJ seals up No. 27 tonight so we can REALLY celebrate :)
by pkyankeefan on Nov 2, 2009 12:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
That's really it
everyone is on edge. Expectations are so high that nothing else will do at this point. I won’t calm down until this is over and we have #27. Until then, I’m looking for grey linings in silver clouds.
Cheer v. learning from mistakes
We need both. Joba’s fastball needed to be away with a 1-run lead. Maybe Marte or Coke should have faced Utley with CC on 3 days’ rest. But Joe has done a great job and I hope to see him for years to come, Lord willing. No manager will ever be perfect any more than a player will ever be perfect. Don’t overlook Jeter’s battle with Lidge as a prelude to Johnny’s magnificant sequel, followed up by Tex, A-Rod and Jorge. Tonight I see several fresh relievers if necessary: Coke, Aceves, Gaudin, Robertson & Hughes. This gives Joe plenty of choices in a close game. I wonder about Melky’s leg; will Gardiner play CF? If so, that puts the bottom 3 as Molina, Gardiner and AJ (much less strong than usual). Would Hairston be a consideration in the OF? Every manager has difficult choices, and sometimes after all the thought in the world he has to pray and trust that God will give him the wisdom to make the right call.
I agree with coops
we all experienced a major traumatic experience 5 years ago and are satisfied to talk less smack than the Phillie Fans did pre-series even at this point. No reason to think you can’t be uber-positive about game 7 while noting the startling pitch selection by Joba (my opinion: he’s been just fine, one blast is too small a sample size) or more base-running mistakes by Posada (he killed us in the Angels series at times).
I’m more comfortable with all that talk than people already anointing Johnny with a Series MVP.
I'm Happy
I’m happy that the Yankees are one game away from winning their 27th ring. If not for them winning that game last night, I would have been in a very bad depression today. the Giants losing their third straight game in dramatic fashion has got me in the dumps. Hopefully, the Yanks will get the win and give me a boost. After that, we will still have to tend to the issues Big Blue are having. There are multiple areas of concern with them which I will not go into here on the Yanks page.
GO YANKEES!!!
GO NY GIANTS!!
MAYBE
MAYBE THEY ARE THINKING ABPOUT 2004?GET WITH IT YANKS FANS THIS PITCHING ROTATION IS 10 TIMES BETTER
BIG YANKEE FAN,FROM MASS. HAVE TO PUT UP WIYH ALL THESE HOLE SOX FANS
Ed Valentine, Good stuff by you! And you’re dead on about Travis G. He seems to do nothing but complain about NY players and what they did wrong. Someone needs to remind him that the Yankees won last night and most likely are going to win the World Series. Keep in mind, this is the same guy that wasted his time writing a negative article lambasting Jeter for a failed bunt attempt with 2 strikes the other day. This is the same Derek Jeter who in the last two days was honored with the Roberto Clemente Award and, the Hank Arron Award and, who is also batting .412 in the World Series but Travis would rather rather talk about his poor decision, admitted, to bunt. It seems nothing makes this guy happy. Again, good stuff Ed. For what it’s worth, I would have started Cliff Lee last night. They could have pulled him if he wasn’t “on” but it was a game Philly had to win and IMO, they didn’t put their best on the mound last night. We did.
I think...
we have all breathed a collective sigh of relief about not seeing utley in the 9th. That was the last drop of pessimism. Now we can really enjoy this.
We're Yankee fans
We like to complain….
I’ve been yelling at Girardi all through the playoffs, but he’s had a great series…Will it continue? I hope so…
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on Pinstripe Alley
Related FanShots on Pinstripe Alley
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Does Billy Beane’s contract extension signal an optimistic dawn for Oakland fans?
- Ask Alex: Will Alex Avila be an All-Star again?
- Create-a-Caption: Matt Cain’s great pair of golf pants
- Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries autographed ball being auctioned by Twins
- George Brett lawsuit claims his company falsely advertises ion necklaces’ health benefits
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
