It Was A Very Good Year

by Gonzoball on Dec 3, 2007 9:16 AM EST

Despite another disappointing first round loss, the railroading of Joe Torre, A-Rod's despicable self-serving and ultimately embarrassing behavior, and despite the emergence of Hank Steinbrenner as the new loathsome face and VOICE of the franchise, I still feel this was an exciting and inspiring Yankee season.

Maybe I'm just a homer through and through. I choose to believe that it's the fan in me who remembers growing up in the 1980s, when everyone hated the Yankees for glories I had never experienced, and rejoiced in a decade and a half of overpriced futility.

Therefore, when the Yankees became the hottest team in baseball in the second half after starting the season 11-19, I was proud and satisfied.

They made the playoffs, and if not for the plague of locusts in Cleveland, might be champions today.

Great memories were made this year in the Bronx.

Poll

What's your favorite memory of this "disappointing" season?

Phil Hughes near-no hitter

4 votes

56,000 fans chanting "Joe Torre" in the final playoff game

7 votes

Jeter's HR over the Green Monster off of Curt Schilling

7 votes

Joba throwing at Kevin Youkilis

8 votes

A-Rod's bottom of the 9th grand slam vs. CLE

8 votes

34 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I voted for Joba

but I really would have picked Arod's homer off of ~~Anusface~~ Papelbon.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 3, 2007 9:27 AM EST reply actions

Joba bugs out...

while Torre sits on his thumbs? That was my key memory. Had Joe actually done something there, I believe the whole season might have ended differently. But alas, I digress.

Of those listed, I picked Hughes' no-hitter. We were sucking wind at the time, and we needed momentum and hope. Hughes' gem was a reminder that things help was on the way and things would get better.

My third fave was watching Igawa do his best Stevie Wonder impersonation on the hill with his "night-vision" glasses on. Actually, I shouldn't disrespect Stevie Wonder, for I believe he'd throw more strikes than Igawa, and keep the ball down.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Dec 3, 2007 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

I've got to admit

When Igawa trotted out of the pen and tossed 5 innings against the Sox in relief of Karstens (or was it Rasner?) remains one of my favorite "anything can happen in baseball" moments of all time.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 3, 2007 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

That was my fav

Hearing the ESPN crew say that Papelbon may be better than Mo now and then Arod smashes one like clockwork. Phenomenal. You can file that one under "C" for clutch for those who question his ability to perform in a big spot.

Nuke the whales. Save Phil Hughes!

by marcbouch9 on Dec 3, 2007 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

Except

he and the rest of the Yankees (except Cano), wet the bed against the Indians.

Hughes' no-no was something to watch :)

by randomize on Dec 4, 2007 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

Touche'

Indeed.

by Gonzoball on Dec 3, 2007 9:47 AM EST reply actions

my favorite moment...

...was the A-Rod home run off of Papelbon at Fenway. Incredible.

by malkmusisgod on Dec 3, 2007 10:46 AM EST reply actions

My favorite

My personal favorite was the Ha! incident for two reasons: 1) you will probably never see something like that again and 2) I still can't believe that worked on a major league player.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Dec 3, 2007 10:52 AM EST reply actions