2009 World Series

One helluva game for Philly!

Cliff Lee threw one of the most domineering games I've seen a long time! Sabathia threw a decent game himself; it's just that Utley Chased him.

I know the Phils are high on Martinez pitching tomorrow, but I just don't see him being effective against the Yankees anymore. We shall see.

i can see magic happening with pedro...

You think so?

lets see now...curt schilling with his bloody sock giving it all, and pitched a great game against the yankees in the ALCS in '04. people didn't think he could be as effective, but he got the win and pedro could do the something like that in game two.

Nah... his effective years are behind him. He should get quite a reception from the Yankee fans, though.

I think Pedro should get out the ketchup packets and squirt his ankles for good luck tomorrow.

I'm so happy the Phils took game one! I feel bad rooting against the good people here on the board who are Yankee fans, but I hope you all understand that if you are not a Yankee fan you hope they lose! That's the ultimate compliment in a way. I wish everyone in the world hated the Gigantes for being the best team in the world. But as it is, go Phillies!

I think this has the makings of one the most evenly matched World Series in a long time. I can see it going six or seven games.

Lee sure as hell pitched a great game. He was incredible. And then that top of the 9th!! The horror! Oy!

The opening pitch was very moving. And damn Michelle Obama for getting a kiss from Derek Jeter!!!

I realize now why the Yankees lost. Fans were encouraged to wear Yankees gear yesterday to show our support. I had a business meeting yesterday morning and felt funny wearing a baseball jersey, so I didn't wear any.

My apologies, Yankees. I will correct the error today.

Oh, and Pedro?? Who's you Daddy??

I think the pitching matchup for Game 2 is dreadful. Pedro is a shell of himself and Burnett is one of the most erratic starters. There is no in-between for Burnett - he is either very good or very bad. I think the Phils accomplished exactly what they needed to start the Series: no worse than a split in NY with Hamels and Lee to pitch back in the home park.

While Sabathia has had a better postseason this year than at any other point of his career, I was very happy to see him lose last night. On the other hand, I was pleased to see Lee succeed in the spotlight. What a dominating performance and some very sure hands when he fielded the ball.

OK, the popup to Lee (that he caught so glibly) was almost funny, but the bounceback to him that he fielded behind his back was hilarious. Of course it was all luck (that Lee had his glove there) but you couldn't have scripted that play.

I agree it was Lee's glove in the right place at the right time on the sharply hit ball. Like the old saying, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Actually, Lee was both yesterday.

Don't discount Pedro. He doesn't have the velocity he once did, but he has been very effective for the Phillies, going 5-1 and making Manny Ramirez look foolish while pitching 2-hit ball over 8 innings against the Dodgers. The Yankees have the potential of lighting it up against anyone (not named Lee), but Pedro gets ahead of hitters and hasn't forgotten how to pitch. There'll be some runs scored by both teams tonight.

There was one key reason why the pop out looked so casual. Pitchers normally don't catch pop ups, even when on the mound, but this ball wasn't hit high enough to allow an infielder to get there. Lee didn't want to move his feet and risk losing his balance on the slope of the mound, so he reached out casually for it.

He certainly outpitched the Yankee ace, who had problems with command and locating his pitches much of the night. Sabathia, I thought, was luckier than Lee because CC got away with several mistakes. He could just as easily given up 4-5 runs.

My favorite play had to be Rollins' decoy on Matsui. I'm glad the umpires got it right.

I know who the Yankees' Daddy is. I guess that would make Cliff Lee Pedro's Grandpa.

I think the 2nd base ump was all set to blow the call. He signaled "Out" towards second base (after Rollins touched the base). That indicated, to me, he thought the runner (Matsui) was forced out.

lol

Phillies in 5.

Double insurance. Wearing my "Bronx Bombers" T-Shirt (Godfather logo design) AND my Jeter jersey over it like a jacket. That's TWICE the luck for my boys tonight.

Apparently, my jersey and T-Shirt worked (has nothing to do with the skills of either team).

Really great game last night. Both Burnett and Pedro pitched very well. Looking forward to Saturday's game. I hear that the cast of "Glee" is singing the national anthem!

I fell asleep during the 7th inning (the Yanks were up 2-1). Didn't make it back up until after the game was finished. Doesn't look like I missed much.

Is it just me, or was last night's game boring?

Nah SC, you're not boring. I agree it was a snorefest last night. Looking forward to 3 games in Philly.

Go Yankees! 8 down, 3 to go!!

My wife wore her Jeter shirt too, but fell asleep early. Earlier (because it was trick or treat night here last night) she and someother ladies gathered at a friend's house while I passed the candy out. The kids, who were dressed as Phillies, got extra candy for me. If you're doubling up on the Jeter jerseys, SB, I'm going to double up on the pork Saturday night.

A very nice outing by Burnett, who was a bit better than Pedro. I loved Pedro's smile as he walked off the mound. The dream of every aspiring player is to play in the world series so you might as well enjoy it.

The Phillies just don't win Game 2s. It's good to bring the action back to Philly if for no other reason than America doesn't have to watch Rudy mugging it up behind the on deck circle. But, if you look behind homeplate in Philly, you can see an acquaintance of mine in the front row with gray hair and mustache, probably wearing a Phillies varsity jacket with tan sleeves.

The Philly and NY papers have been flinging insults at each other. This ditty was in the Philadelphia Inqirer yesterday:

New York fans, they thionk they're above it.
They're smug and they're rude, and they love it.
So how 'bout it if Philly
Knocks their Yanks silly
And, like Tug, we tell them to shove it!

(And I thought Keats had talent).

The funniest I've seen is the local news channel. The "Good Day NY" and the "Good Day Philadelphia" folks have been having a great time. The anchor from Philly (his name escapes me) used to be in NY, so the anchors here had great fun pretending that he was actually a big Yankee fan and showing his old office with tons of Yankee stuff on the walls, and boxes that he left behind with all sorts of Yankee gear in it.

Then, the Philly anchors made a Yankee display for their "friends" in NY. They had a black drape on the ground with pictures of the Yankees on it and tons of apples. They then ran it over with a steamroller so that the apples were all squashed all over the Yankee players. It was really funny.

There's a lot of material to go back and forth.

At the end of Phillie postseason games I tune into the Phillies' sports channels where they interview some of the rowdy fans from the local sports bars, and professional actors and writers couldn't be funnier.

And here I thought it was my 1998 WS Champions sweat shirt!


I'll have to DVR it since I'll be in Maryland and may otherwise miss it. Cool, thanks.

JG - it wasn't your Yankees thong??

I heard a Pedro Martinez interview. He said there was a man in the field level seats who was sitting with his daughter, drinking beer and shouting some very nasty things to the Phillies. Pedro apparently went up to him and told him that he was a disgrace for acting that way in front of his child. You have to love a guy who takes the time from pitching in a World Series game to do that.

who wants replay in baseball?

I'm a traditionalist, ESPECIALLY when it comes to baseball, but I think it's time for the replay rule to come to the game.

Final decision would still sit with the umpires and perhaps a team should be limited to the number of questioned calls they can make (say, two per game).

With the technology of today, unfortunately certain plays have to be reviewed: home runs, fair/foul, catches - definetly not balls and strikes or force plays. The controversies have become bigger than the game. That's not good.

I heard someone suggest on the radio today that it seems like umpires are making more bad calls than ever lately... but maybe that aren't really. Maybe the HD technology and more and more cameras to show multiple angles are making it easier for fans to see the play on TV. So it only seems like they are getting calls wrong more often when before the two or three camera angles wouldn't catch it and fans didn't have a chance to get riled up over it.

HD or not, if they're getting calls wrong, they're getting calls wrong. And it DOES seem more often lately than ever, and it shouldn't matter that WE didn't notice before. These "trained professionals", however, are also human. Not one of us could do that job any better in real-time without video review. But in playoff games and WS games and other games that really matter, they really seem to screw up A LOT -- and in those cases I wouldn't mind reviews. But then the 5-hour games would become 6-hour games.

The 4 best sports teams in the world.

BASEBALL

Go Yankees!

BASKETBALL

Go Warriors!

FOOTBALL

Go Niners!

HOCKEY

Go Sharks!

Niners?????

And what's Hockey? Who cares.

And most importantly... what's this BS have to do with the World Series, the topic you posted to?

Just postin' my fav sport teams, which one is the yanks who are kicking butt.

Woohoo! Series 2-1 Yanks

I can't believe at exactly 12:30AM -- in the 9th inning -- all of a sudden the game shuts off cuz the TV thought another show was on and my brother's parental controls were blocking it!!!

Another game that I ended up falling asleep from. I guess it makes a big difference when your favorite team isn't in the Series. D'uhhh.

From what I saw, it looks like the Yanks are unbeatable (sorry, klyd).

I was glad to see that the Replay was used (for ARod's home run) so successfully.

Go Yankees! 9 down, 2 to go!!

Yanks up 2 that's good with CC today.

Fox really has to do something about its announcing team of Joe Vuck and Tim Early-Stages of Alzheimers-McCarvery. Vuck doesn't shut up with innane opinions and McC gets everything wrong. For instance, 0-2 on Feliz. McC says, Pedro likes the ball inside, so look for this pitch to be away. Then you see Posada set up inside, the pitch is down and in, strike 3....oops Timmy, wrong again. Vuck mentions setting your clock back and Timmy says, yeah, you don't want to be late for the game. Duh, if you don't set your clock back, you'll be EARLY.

And another thing. If A-Rods homer hit the camera, why don't they have the video from that camera? That would have been a great shot. They didn't even mention the possibility. Maybe it was a Japanese TV crew, but they could have mentioned it.

They showed the replay from THAT camera as well. It was VERY hard to see the ball hit the lens (because of the focus ~ the ball wasn't in contact with the lens long enough for the camera to autofocus).

Lidge...

reminds me of gregg...fucking gregg

This is a weird feeling rooting for the Yankees for the first time in my life.

Ohhh, Lidge.

One shot they showed of him in the dugout gave me a surprising feeling of sadness for him. I used to be really bitter about his screw-ups, but now I just feel bad.

I don't feel bad

And JL, what's your beef with Philly??

Go Yankees! 10 down, 1 to go!!!

Well, our backs are against the wall, but I haven't given up hope. I'm hoping Lee on full rest can hold down the yankees, and Burnett on short rest can turn back into Mr. Hyde. I figure that with the yankees on short rest the rest of the series, the middle relief may be more of a factor. The way to look at it is you don't have to win three in a row - just win the next one.

It was a good game last night. Hats off to Damon for hanging in there to get the ninth inning hit.

A friend of mine went to the Eagle game across the parking lot, and hung out in a nearby sports bar with his brother, went to Citizen's Bank Park and picked up tickets from a scalper for $150 each. They stood at the end of the first level, between home and third, and no sooner did they get there that A-Rod was plunked. This, he called to tell me, started an argument between fans that led to a thrown bottle (plastic), which led to early ejections from the park for a couple of fans. My friend and his brother were first to pounce on the vacated seats.

Damon has been fantastic. He's made some great plays at very critical times. I know that ARod's having his first great postseason, and I'm not trying to put him down, but he's young and I think he has lots of postseason games ahead of him. I'd like to see Damon get the series MVP if the Yankees win. I don't think it will ever happen, but it would be nice.

Rooting for Philly would be like you rooting for the Red Sox. And most, but not all, Philly fans are assholes.

I can understand Lou's hatred of the Phillies. If you took your girlfriend out to dinner every week, and some guy would eat your dinner, take your girl and leave you holding the bill, you'd hate him too.

Let's not get carried away. The Phillies have only won 2 Championships in 100+ years. Not exactly the league's most successful franchise.

Would somebody wake up the Phillies!

It may help them tonight, oli, with Lee going, but I'm afraid your rallying cry is to little, too late.

hey! i take offence to that, and im not even a phillies fan

There's really not much to take offense to since it is the truth.

No offense taken. The 10,000 losses don't bother me. It could be a lot worse...like looking at the future as a Met fan.

I'm not worried about the future of the Mets. As long as they willing to open their wallets, they will never be bad. This year was a fluke, where every single star on the team was hurt for extended periods of time.

so if this year was a fluke then what happend last year, and the year before...and the year before that?

It's just like the Cubs, BAM. A hundred years of flukes.

Well, hope lives another day. I think the Yankees' chances to win is better with Pettitte in 6 than CC in 7. Andy is a big game pitcher, but it will be interesting to see if he can bring the same stuff deep into the game that he used to. He hasn't gone on three days' rest for a few years, and at 37 there is a possibility that the tank will run out sooner. Burnett had very poor command, and the short rest was certainly a factor.

Some thoughts so far:

Johnny Damon is the toughest out in the Yankee lineup. He is as much reactive as he is proactive. He works the count and is as good with 2 strikes as he is with none.

There's no secret about how to beat the Yanks. It's preventing situations that allow Rivera to enter the game. The turning point of the series is the 9th inning of Game 4 when Damon started the rally. Had he gotten out, the Phillies would have faced someone other than Rivera with a tie score in the bottom of the ninth.

Chase Utley is the best player on the field...for either team. He has a realistic possibility of retiring from the game some day as the greatest secondbaseman ever.

The series always invites overanalysis by the media. If you don't get a hit in a couple of games, it's a slump and there's a major problem. I have the same faith in Howard and Teixeira (who was unfairly maligned by the Daily News cover today) as I did before the series started.

Eric Hinske has now played in his third consecutive world series for three different teams (Red Sox '07, Rays '08, and Yankees '09). The onl other player to do this was Don Baylor (Red Sox '86, Twins '87 and A's '88).

Something to keep in mind when they talk about recent postseason records is that new records only bear relevance to baseball history from 1995-present since that is the period where two rounds of playoffs began. Also, keep in mind that there were never any playoffs for players until 1969, and if you want to get technical, league championship series were best of 5 until 1985 when Kansas City inmmediately benefited by falling down 3-2 in the LCS before winning the last two games.

If Victorino can't go because of the injured finger, it would have multiple consequences. The Phillies, who do not have a DH, can make do by inserting Francisco in left and DHing Ibanez. Without Victorino Francisco has to play center, Ibanez plays in left and they'd have to use either a lefty or insert a weak hitting righthanded batter.

With Cabrera's injured hamstring keeping him out of the rest of the series, it probably wasn't advisable to be jumping around all over the dugout with a few teammates before the game.

Klyd, I honestly don't think there is one thing there that I can disagree with.

hey klyd did you order the phillies back to back world series champions shirt from macy's yet?

Klyd,

You should replace Joe Vuck and Tim McCabre. You make much more $cent$.

I have some name changes for the Phillys (that's a female horse). Chase Ugly, Tryin' Howhard, Shane Beefarino (remember the Seinfeld episode), Jason Worthless and of course Hole Camel.

Yankees in 6 like you predicted....didn't you? BTW, I'll be in the Valley this weekend enjoying some Sabbatini's.

Freaking Buck last night, crying over Victorino's hand. Where was he when ARod got hit THREE times?

MaryCas, I'm probably missing something here, but why do you say "Joe Vuck"? I don't understand the 'V'.

McCarver is the guy I can't stand. I've never seen a guy mispronounce so many names and say some many dumb meaningless things. Joe Morgan is pretty bad too, but at least he has a likeable quality to him.

Joe Buck doesn't bother me. He isn't great, but I think he does his job as a mediocre national broadcaster. It's too bad Jon Miller is on radio instead of TV over Buck. He's one of the best.

Joe *uck is the worst. I wish I could just listen to NY AM radio, but it doesn't line up right.

There needs to be a Tivo for radio so you can pause it for 3 seconds and then hit play so it lines up with the TV broadcast.

Enjoy the Sabbatini's. I haven't hasd it in years, but I'm planning on some Revello's pizza the night before Thanksgiving. I didn't predict Yankees in 6. I took the Phillies in 5, but will gladly settle for 7.

Great minds must think alike. The name beeffareeno frequently pops into my head when I see Victorino. Two years agoI was with you on Jayson Wert-less, and was even stupid enough to think Geoff Jenkins should have been playing in front of him.

Does anyone else, by the way, think of a young Jonathan Winters when they see Joba Chamberlain?

McCarver did make a goof about speculating if the Yankees would bring in Chamberlain in the ninth of Game 4 after a pinch hitter had already hit for him?

So, what pork product are you preparing for this evening, Klyd???

I think there's a little bit of pork roast left in the fridge. But my wife has a chicken marinating with potatoes and carrots. She has beaten me to the punch. I'll have to sneak a little bit of bacon inside the chicken (God, that sounds dirty ), or else Pedro is dommed tonight.

Oh, Pedro's screwed for sure, and it will be ALL YOUR FAULT!!

How is your marriage holding up Kly?

Detente.

We're okay although we don't discuss the series too much with each other. We had a house full of friends Sunday night, both old and young, and they were all pretty much Yankee or Phillie fans (there was a Cub fan rooting for the Yanks and a Red Sox fan pulling for the Phils). That was the only game we watched together for the first several innings. Our basement has pictures, wall hangings and other decor of the Phillies and Yankees, as well as the Steelers and Notre Dame.

My wife often falls asleep before the games end. During tense moments late in the game she always changes the channel, so she prefers to watch by herself. My kids like both teams, but my oldest and youngest are pulling for NY and my middle boy, who's turning into a sports encyclopedia is not as rabid. In fact, he told me earlier this year that if he could start over as a fan, he'd like to be a Reds fan. Go figure.

the most remarkable thing about this World Series for me is how much gel hair Chase Utley is using. I don't know what's the deal with him.

other than that I've been either sleeping or out most of the series. there were many many games on friday and saturday nights this postseason and I can't count how many games I fell asleep during the 7th inning. I just hope I'm able to stay awake until the end of this one (game 6). LET'S GO PEDRO!

the gel gives him super powers

Congratulations Yankee fans! Even though I give you guys a tough time, you are friends of mine so I'm happy for you

Klydon, you mentioned Notre Dame stuff hanging in your basement, did you go there?

The Yankees are the 2009 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS and all is right in the world again! Kiss my @$$ Red Sox Nation!! Re-reverse the Curse!!!

To the Yankees fans.... congratulations.

It's about time the team with the biggest payroll in pro-ball won.

I remember when $100 million was ridiculous years ago, and the Red Sox exceeded that this year by almost $20m. Regardless of the Yankees almost $200m payroll, it's not just money -- it's also performance. Hot shot expensive players can and often do choke, and $250k rookies can win championships. So stop it.

Geoff - THIS is your argument???

Fuck you with the "stop it". The Yankees have outspent their opponents by MANY MANY millions.... and continue to do so. How they ever ran a stretch of almost ten years without winning the big title is beyond me (other than to suggest they that suck).

Your Yankees are plain and simple NOT a fun team to root for.

And why is it that that someone who does (root for them) ALWAYS throws up the 27 WS wins? That happened YEARS ago.... is that the reason you cheer for them? Because they won so many championships over the years?

Yes, that was my argument. And still is.

How much did you pay for Dice-K again? How'd that work out?

TALENT is worth more than MONEY! How's that hard to grasp??

And as for the "27" -- it's the most in any and every sport. It's something to be proud of. If the Sox had just won #27, I'm sure it'd be mentioned ad nauseum as well

Without the last passive-aggressive sentence, I'd've simply said thanks! But you started it...

You can sit there all night and make lists of one or two or three players that each team has that don't live up to their salary but we're talking team salaries, not individual exceptions.

And I do NOT want to see my Red Sox get caught up in this price-war (despite the fact that they have a large payroll).

Actually, if the Sox had won that many championships I don't think I'd be rooting for them. Two big Sox wins this decade has me already "getting tired of my team.

I'm guessing the Sox payroll will increase next year. And so will the Yanks', probably.

Don't confuse me with I12... I don't gloat or dismiss. If I have, show me and I'll apologize.

On the night of my team's winning for the first time in a decade, I can be proud of them and show it. And I'm accepting of the jealous reactions.

That's pretty incredibly sad. Why aren't you an Expos fan then?? If you don't even know WHY you root for your own team, how can you be so devoted??

Geoff, dunno exactly WHEN you became such a pain.... you know WHY I root for my own team. You SHOULD know why I root for my own team and you SHOULD know why I feel that baseball is no longer a game I love as I did. But, then again, maybe you don't. Maybe you don't spend any quality time here on your own boards anymore. Maybe you're too busy with other things in your life.

Personally, I don't give a shit for rivalries or anything else, and anyone who can't politely give or accept congratulations for the Yankees can go home and suck it. Poor fans can be found on all sides of the table.

Congrats to the team that I root for. It was nice to see that win. This was an excellent series, and I enjoyed watching every game. The Phillies were formidable opponents, and it certainly wasn't an easy victory!

lolz, SC *sad face* *sour grapes*

Trivia: Before this year, what was the most expensive team to ever win a World Series?

The 2007 Boston Red Sox.

Now that we've got the whining out of the way, I've got some shopping to do. Looking forward to adding a Jeter jersey to my collection, which will go nicely with my Gehrig cooperstown. And hats!

SB...rivalries are GREAT part of every sport...as long as it's all done with good spirit. Haven't seen any real hooligans round this forum tho. Well, except Gina of course

Anywayz..congratz to JG, SB and Irishman (hope I didnt forget anyone)

Enjoy it while you still can....cos next year the Cubs will eat you all for breakfast

2010 champs: Chi Cubs

That's a fact.





Yeah...painting bathrooms

You don't have to tell me about rivalries, Fame. My dad was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. When I gave my hand in marriage to a Yankee fan, and then actually became one, it was almost too much for him! Because he loved Mr. Babe so much, though, he decided to let it go.

Trivia: What is the most expensive team EVER to have not won a few World Series in those many years?

The New York Yankees ... you choose the many years. (some of those years were over 40% higher than Boston's payroll).

Now crawl back into your woodwork until the next election.

Now I wonder if Mr.Babe is named after you or after another babe (babe ruth)

Oh well. I have to say, your reaction is priceless. I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

*sad face* payroll. You mean even the legendary grit and determination couldn't stop the unflappable Red Sox from their *destiny* this year? Watching the stunned fans at Fenway when the Angels destroyed them was the best part of the ALDS for me, even more than sweeping the Twins.

Thanks for blowing it with Mark Teixiera. We really appreciate it!

It wasn't their destiny to win this year... remember, you're talking about the Red Sox... perennial losers (and, quite frankly, those teams I enjoyed watching more). Sure, I wanted to see them win, but don't want it or expect it every year.
If you were around (not that I missed you) you would have read that I believed the Sox would not get past the Angels in the LDS) this year.

But if you want to bring up "stunned fans", NOTHING will ever match 2004. (and I'm referring to the those last 4 games - and not the 4 games in the World Series).

Wait, what?

Remember when A-Rod wasn't clutch and people considered him a terrible baseball player? [/sarcasm]

Talking to you about ANYTHING, Fat Boy, reminds me that if I wanted to hear from an asshole, I would have farted.

OK, Don Sicilia, no need for any reprimand. I've had it with dealing with people like this.

The irony is that you really are the bizzarro of Irish. Glad you're enjoying a taste of your own medicine.

I'm glad your true colors show like Curt Schilling's bloody sock.

Congratulations to the Yankees, and to SB, Irish, MaryCas, Geoff...and DJ, who coincidentally reappeared after the victory. What can I say? Sometimes the good guys don't win.

I Pettitte did a good job on short rest. He must use one hell of a masking agent.

In a way I'm glad the season is over, and I'm sure I'll be looking forward to watching the Phillies next year as some of their young talent develops.

Some interesting points were made about the unequal advantages that baseball allows. I'd like to continue this discussion ion the thread, but I figure I'll give the Yankee fans a day or two to puff their chests.

By the way, Matsui came up with some big hits, but I'm disappointed that the MVP went to a DH, instead of a baseball player (you can tell how I feel about the DH). I mean how valuable are you if you can't beat out Swisher or Damon for a corner outfield spot. Jeter batted leadoff, hit over .400 and played a demanding position, and Damon had the hit in Game 4 that was a turning point in the series.

Honestly Kly, Utley should have been the MVP. No question about it, had he gotten some better pitching and had hitters ahead of him actually get on base (is this the place for a "Jimmy Rollins is overrated" debate?), it could be a whole different story.

As far as Matsui winning the MVP, it was his performance in Game 6 that really sealed it. Otherwise, it could just have easily been Burnett had he not blown up in Game 5; Jeter, had he gotten a clutch hit instead of a GIDP at the end of Game 5; etc. etc. etc.

Incidentally, is it acceptable that I hate the Philly fans but not the team? I really think the team, from top to bottom, is classy and was glad that the series showcased the two best teams. But the fans, from what I could discern from chants and catcalls, were ridiculous. Nothing like chanting "Yankees suck" even when they're beating the home team.

Note, of course, that this mantra doesn't apply to you.

It's hard to give the award to a player on a losing team, but what's funny is that Utley had a subpar postseason until the series. Baseball is a rollercoaster type of game.

I thought of pitchers too. Pettitte was the winner of two games, but wasn't dominant. Sabathia pitched better, but was 0-1 and Rivera got his saves, but didn't have the one run situation or a really close game save. Anyway, the MVP is just icing.

Usually, it's "F*** New York." But the chants centered on A-Rod and Pettitte for steroids. My friend, who was at a couple of games in Philly was wondering why "Group Sex Sucks!" until he realized Spike Lee was there and they were chanting "Girl 6 Sucks."

I was at a game this year where the first ball was thrown out by a war hero in Afghanistan and Iraq. He got a standing ovation, but when he bounced the ceremonial toss hewas booed lustily.

There's definitely a reason for having an MVP for each round of the playoffs. But honestly, I think the MVP should be the most valuable player, regardless of whether of not their team wins. Granted, some could make the argument that if a player was so valuable that inherently it should go hand in hand with winning, but there is no doubt that Utley was the most dangerous hitter in the World Series.

Matsui was the MVP of game 6, that's for sure, but for the whole series, not so much.

Cole Hamels seems to be catching a lot of heat for his comments about being anxious for the season to end. I didn't really see to much of a problem with it, but then the story broke about Myers and Hamels getting into a scuffle in the locker room. What's your take on the Hamels issue?

It would have been hilarious if the exchange between Myers and Hamels was true (e.g. "I thought you quit."). I would've loved to see if Hamels came back with something like "I thought you beat your wife."

Congratulations again Yankee fans! I was in the first one in the boards to say it was over. of course it was a desperate try to evoke a jinx but I didn't even bother to stay awake until the end of the game, just like the whole postseason. I know I'll be missing baseball in 2 weeks.

as for the MVP, the thing is that the award most often is not handed to the "most valuable player"; there is some kind of hidden formula to it, and when no one really stands out from the rest, a couple of big hits could do it. I can't think of anyone better than the Godzilla to get the hardware this year. he sealed game 2 with a HR and posted the record for RBI in a World Series game, in the clinching game 6! batted .615 with 8 RBI! Uley was the best player on the field, but how valuable was him if his team lost 4 out of 6 games?

if Jimmy Rollins was getting on base, Utley's hot bat could've done more damage, and now the Phillies have an interesting situation with Rollins: he had one of the greatest seasons ever in 2007, but was one of the worst regulars in the MLB in 2009. sub .300 OBP, that does it for me. that is the most telling single statistic in baseball, and Rollins was in the bottom 5 in the MLB among players who qualified for the batting title. the Phillies at least have to remove him from the leadoff spot and find someone else. Victorino is only a great #2 hitter.

BTW, speaking of statistics, did anyone else laugh hard at Joe Buck in Game 4 I believe when he brought up that "newfangled statistic some people are beginning to use called OPS?" Fox sports is bad enough, but Buck is horrible. Apparently something coming out of the late-80's is "newfangled."

The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.....the human drama of athletic competition...... Us older folks might remember those words in the opening of "Wide World of Sports". The show probably met its demise when ESPN began expanding its coverage and influence.

For some the "thrill of victory" was connected to the Yankees accomplishment. I'm a Yankee fan, but not fanatical. Professional sports has lost a lot of its "human drama of athletic competition". Its become BIG business and entertainment. Many say that the Yankees are the best team money can buy, but the Yankee organization also has the highest gross income. They play in a market where the fans have high incomes, high expectations and let's face it - the greatest city in the world.

Until baseball owners and union leadership institute salary caps you will always have a few teams buying up the better players.

I enjoy watching players like Jeter and Rivera, but I also admire good players on other teams; like Rollins, Utley and Howard.

Personally, I get more of a thrill watching the NY Marathon and see some skinny guy from Kenya cross the finish line, fall to his knees and kiss the ground. That seems more noble, thrilling and inspiring than A-rod pronouncing how wonderful his team is.....for $33 million a year.

I offer my congrats to Geoff, SB, and Mary Cas.

I tend to agree with SC's statements - the Yankees should win nearly every year with the way they can just buy players. MLB incorporates the worst revenue "sharing" in any sport, where 85% of the teams have no realistic shot heading into spring training.

And somebody ought to smack Bud Selig for a) allowing home field advantage to be decided by an exhibition game, b) letting the World Series drag into November, and c) for doing his best to invent new ways to ruin what was once the best professional sport.

The National League has just ruled that the Phillies can never participate in another World Series unless they agree to actually compete in it.

ill take the phillies over the dodgers/cardinals any day...if the cubs ever make it past the NLCS then i will root for the obvious.

You getting the championship hat & shirt? I am tomorrow! I can't wait! 9 years in the waiting baby

I agree. It was PRICELESS. ESPECIALLY seeing Papelbum stew in the dugout





1923 = The Curse of the Babe
2009 = The Curse of the Teix

how does that make since...the sox traded away ruth in 1919. Teix was a free agent who was stolen away from the team with the most money.

It doesn't make any sense, BAM. Irish and I are both Yankee fans, but he's the kind that makes people hate Yankee fans.

Thanks klydon, true class my friend. The Phillies are a VERY tough team and didn't make it easy on the Yankees to win this series. They have NOTHING to be ashamed of as I believe they'll be back in it again next year. Until then, good luck Phillies.

Because Boston was going to sign Teix but because of a few million dollars, he wound up going to the Yankees and look what happened. They won the World Series.

Because Boston was going to sign Teix but because of a few million dollars, he wound up going to the Yankees and look what happened. They won the World Series. [/quote]

well i dont think its right comparing it to the curse of the babe...

True, they may have the "best team money can buy," but let's not forget that the 4 key contributors to this World Series, were the 4 home grown "core" players: Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posdada.

Because Boston was going to sign Teix but because of a few million dollars, he wound up going to the Yankees and look what happened. They won the World Series. [/quote]

well i dont think its right comparing it to the curse of the babe... [/quote]

Only time will tell I suppose

So, since the World Series is over, here are some articles I read over the past month that I found interesting:

Bill Reynolds: It’s win it all or else for Yankees

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 29, 2009

By BILL REYNOLDS Journal Sports Writer

On the front page of Monday’s New York Daily News was a huge picture of a joyous Derek Jeter, blue cap turned backward, awash in champagne.

UNCORKED, the headline read. “Yanks sweep Boston to clinch AL East.”

There was a similar full-length picture on the back page, one of A-Rod being doused over his head by unidentified hands.

Am I missing something here?

Did the Yankees just win their 27the world championship?

Did A-Rod finally win a title?

Did Joe Girardi just exorcise the ghost of Joe Torre and save his job in the process?

Did general manager Brian Cashman get redeemed?

Did the Yankees finally slay the Red Sox, the franchise that used to their whipping boy, but now has won two world titles since the Yanks last won in 2000?

Am I missing something here?

For these weren’t the Texas Rangers celebrating a trip to the playoffs here, not the Kansas City Royals, or the Pirates, or the hapless Orioles, or any of the other franchises that probably have a better chance of going to the moon than they do of ever going to the playoffs in the foreseeable future.

These are the Yankees, with all their storied history and all their great tradition. These are the Yankees with all their money and all their clout, and their state-of-the-art new stadium, and they are celebrating about winning the American League East?

Am I missing something here?

For this is not big news that the Yankees have won the AL East and are in the playoffs. It was big news last year when they weren’t in the playoffs. When you have the largest payroll in the game, you are supposed to be in the postseason. When you went out in the off-season and got CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, you are supposed to be in the postseason. Anything else is failure.

This is the standard in New York, the price the Yankees pay for their payroll and the huge expectations that come with it.

So why all the champagne and all the celebration, which on the surface, anyway, seems like much ado about nothing?

Good question.

Part of it is no doubt tradition, a leftover remnant from the days that teams won the pennant and celebrated on the field, and dumped champagne all over themselves in the clubhouse afterward because they were going to the World Series, the game’s Holy Grail. That was as much baseball then as twi-night doubleheaders and cheap beer, back before the wild card changed everything, and took much of the importance away from winning the division, especially in the American League East, where it almost seems etched in stone that two teams are going to the postseason.

But now it all seems like the major league equivalent of a kids’ tournament, where everyone gets a trophy.

For what exactly were the Yankees celebrating Sunday?

Winning the A.L East?

Getting the home-field advantage in the postseason?

What?

So let’s not kid ourselves here.

If the Yankees flame out in the postseason, those two huge pictures in the Daily News yesterday are going to haunt them, postscripts to another disappointing season, another season that ends in finger pointing and blame. That’s just the way it is.

Girardi began the season at the end of the plank, courtesy of last year’s disaster and the fact he follows in Torre’s enormous wake. He has no margin of error, not in a city where the tabloids all but come delivered with fangs every morning, and in an organization that views every season that doesn’t end with a parade through the canyon of heroes as a failure. It’s no sure thing he’s back in pinstripes next year if the Yankees don’t win everything.

And what about Cashman, who has seen Theo Epstein essentially put two World Series banners in Fenway Park, while he has thrown the Steinbrenner money at too many aging pitchers who didn’t deliver? He, too, needs to deliver a 27th banner. He, too, can’t sleep too soundly until the Yankees win the whole thing, not just an A.L. East title.

Then there’s A-Rod, who can have all the gaudy stats he wants, and move through a bevy of Hollywood stars, and seemingly make enough money to buy Staten Island, but until he carries a team through the postseason his career will always come with an unwritten asterisk.

In a sense, he mirrors the Yankees, full of too many guys who are high-priced, high profile, no rings.

Matsui, Sabathia, Teixeira, Burnett, Cano, Cabrera, Damon in pinstripes.

All have to win if they ever are going to be accepted into the pantheon of true Yankees, the ones that have world champion on their resumé.

This is a team that has to win it all, fair or not, or else suffer the consequences. They have to win it all, or there will be endless finger-pointing to all the reasons why they didn’t, the blame pie cut into a lot of pieces.

That is the pressure that’s still on the Yankees, even with those pictures of the Yankees spraying champagne on each other as if they had just won their 27th banner. That is the pressure that’s still on the Yankees, regardless of the fact they just won the A.L. East and had champagne afterward, the same champagne that’s going to feel like oil in their throats if they don’t win in October.

And if they don’t win?

Those pictures in Monday’ New York Daily News are going to seem like accusers.

Source: Providence Journal

Start spreadin' the news...

Yeah, I'm also upgrading to a Jeter jersey. I'm always hesitant to get contemporary jerseys because I have a habit of picking players who end up leaving a team (hence why I have a Gehrig jersey) but in this case, I think I'm pretty safe.

Yeah, I suspect so. I know what you mean. I have a few of the players shirts (name and number on the back with NY on the front right chest) of Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi and Randy Johnson. It's cheaper than buying the jersey (the shirts are only $20).

Yeah, I have a Jeter one and am in the process of acquiring a Sabathia and Teixiera as well.

Incidentally, I must recommend sportsk.com, it's where I usually get all of my MLB apparel. I like that you can customize jerseys without getting into trouble for retired numbers, which MLB.com will not allow you to use.

Oh, and another good read:

Jimmy Rollins says Phillies are still "the better team."

Really, Jimmy?

Behind the Scoreboard: Goliath wins

By Sky Andrecheck, Hardballtimes.com

2009 was a victory for the New York Yankees, solidifying them as the team of the decade, not to mention the team of the millennium, and the team of all of baseball history. But one could also argue that the 2009 playoffs were a victory for Major League Baseball.

The Yankees, by all serious accounts, were baseball's best team regardless of the outcome of the playoffs. MLB may say that it craves parity, but what they really mean is parity in the regular season. The playoffs, by consistently producing upset after upset, have gained a reputation as a crap-shoot, in which luck rather than talent rules the day. With the team with the best regular-season record winning just two World Series in the last 18 years, fans can hardly be blamed for regarding the postseason as a roll of the dice, rather than a system of determining the game's best team. Additionally, the expanded playoffs have produced several champions and league champions which could not credibly be considered worthy of their title (I count four World Series champions, and an additional three World Series participants -- I'll leave it to you to pick out which teams I'm thinking of). The crisis has led to reactionary calls to punish wild-card teams by taking away their home field advantage or add a second wild-card team to make it tougher for an inferior team to win. (Ironically, implementing the latter would actually make it easier for an inferior team to win.)

In any case, it's not good for any sport when fans believe that luck, not skill, is the main determinant of who wins the championship. The regular season becomes a drag when fans believe that no matter how good their team is, it matters little when it comes to the playoffs. Just ask Atlanta Braves fans. In general, sports fans enjoy an upset, but when upsets become routine it disturbs the balance of sport.

Luckily for MLB, 2009 shocked the sport back into equilibrium. Teams that were supposed to win won. In six out of the seven series, the team with the better record won the series. Most of all, the consensus best team in baseball won it all. New York's victory, even if you personally detest the Yankees, is good for baseball and the fans because it restores some credibility to the playoffs. A loss by the Yankees, especially an early one, would have further diminished the value of both the regular season and the playoffs, by making fans lose faith in the way MLB determines its champion. If the best team loses year after year, why watch?

Part of the appeal of sport is the possibility of a David over Goliath victory. But in order to keep those moments fresh, Goliath has to win sometimes too. For MLB, Goliath's long losing streak had begun to erode the sport's credibility. 2009 went a long way toward restoring the balance of the game.

Source: Fan Nation

Not the American Dream, but Give Yankees Props

All the right moves pay off for Yanks
Free-agent windfall of CC, A.J., Tex set up Series victory

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

11/05/09 5:33 PM EST

NEW YORK -- Brian Cashman had no way to know this was all going to work out some 11 months ago, as he paced nervously around a suite at the posh Bellagio hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. His mind was spinning with possibilities as quickly as the roulette wheels downstairs.

There was a point, as Cashman later recounted, that he wondered if this would all blow up in his face. CC Sabathia seemed like he wanted to stay closer to his northern California roots. A.J. Burnett was hot and heavy with the Braves. Ownership wasn't convinced it needed to go get a big bat like Mark Teixeira's.

What if the Yankees had not doled out $423.5 million in checks? Would they have still been standing at the center of the new Yankee Stadium, piling in a pinstriped crush, without chasing down the top three free agents -- not to mention sweet-talking Andy Pettitte, who wound up winning all three clinching games in the postseason?

Money may not be able to buy you happiness, but it certainly put the Yankees in a better position to get there. Not only did Cashman's three big free agents all sign on the Steinbrenner dotted line, but they had wonderful seasons in helping the Yankees get to the promised land with their 27th World Series title.

"You throw a bunch of talent together, and some years the talent mixes together where it's combustible, where it creates chemistry and love and fight," Cashman said. "This team had all that. To beat the Phillies, you're going to need all that. It's been a tremendous year."

Having made it to the previous two postseasons with the Indians and Brewers, the third time was the charm for Sabathia, who went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA in 34 starts for the Yankees after signing a seven-year, $161 million contract.

There was trepidation in leaving the comforts of the Bay Area for Sabathia, as Cashman tried to woo the left-hander in Las Vegas before jetting off undetected for a house call.

The caveat that the Yankees agreed to was this -- if Sabathia didn't like New York, he could opt out after the third year of the contract and try free agency all over again.

But Sabathia put down roots in the clubhouse and is building his dream home in Alpine, N.J., a short ride over the George Washington Bridge from Yankee Stadium.

"To be able to do it in the first year of this house, it feels great," Sabathia said. "From the first day of Spring Training, everyone came in and got along."

As he cradled his son on his shoulders in the wet celebration after Game 6 on Wednesday, one thing appeared clear -- Sabathia wasn't planning on being anywhere but with the Yankees.

"It's hard to do, but I can't say I didn't expect us to be here in this situation with all of these great players and experience that we have," Sabathia said. "It just feels good to get it done. This is a great feeling. This is what you play the game for. This is what, as a 3-year-old kid, you dream about."

Burnett was the next chip that fell into line for the Yankees, and while talks did progress with Atlanta, the allure of sliding in as the No. 2 starter behind Sabathia gave Burnett a comfortable feeling -- a lot like he enjoyed in Toronto, when Roy Halladay shouldered the load and let Burnett slip by.

After 244 career starts without one in the postseason, Burnett finally got his taste with the Yankees, following a season that saw him go 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 33 starts after signing a five-year, $82.5 million deal.

He was also the clubhouse prankster, giving birth to the tradition of delivering whipped cream pies to the player responsible for walk-off victories -- in the Yankees' case, an event that happened 15 times during the regular season.

After the Yankees' Game 6 victory, Burnett followed through on a season-long promise to get Girardi with the ultimate pie.

"I got him when it counts," Burnett said. "Any time you think it couldn't get any better, this place gets better. This is the best place to play."

The Yankees had prioritized pitching, but Teixeira was the biggest wild card -- the item on the shopping list that no one had written in, but the impulse purchase near the checkout line.

Cashman's trade with the White Sox in November for Nick Swisher had given the Yankees a decent option at first base, and as they would find out with his season, there was a lot to like offensively about Swisher.

But Teixeira was a premier offensive player, an impact switch-hitter and a Gold Glove-caliber defender who could change the Yankees' lineup for years to come -- and he appeared on the verge of going to the Red Sox, where he would torment New York for years to come.

Though he said earlier in the day that the Yankees weren't interested, Hal Steinbrenner reversed course and authorized what would be an eight-year, $180 million commitment to Teixeira in December.

Christmas came early for the Yankees and for Teixeira, who hit .292 with an American League-leading 39 homers and 122 RBIs while contributing eye-popping defense before celebrating the first World Series title.

"This is why I came here," Teixeira said. "All the hard work, all the ups and downs, this is why I came. ... Every season, you put up good numbers, and if you're not a champion, you feel bad. This is the first year in my career I can go home after the season is over and be completely happy and completely satisfied."

As Cashman walked through the concrete tunnels of Yankee Stadium in the early morning hours on Thursday, his slim grin was one of fulfillment. He wore a backward New York Giants cap and cradled his young son, Teddy, already barefoot and asleep in his arms.

"Some years, it works out. Most years, it doesn't; but some years, it does," Cashman said. "Thankfully this is a year that we were able to do something for the city and the Boss. The whole year was a remarkable year."

The biggest gambles had paid off, and for that, Cashman would rest well -- for a night. The work will begin again all too soon.

Source: Yankees

Yanks are the best team money can buy, but Cashman deserves praise

In all honesty, this has probably been the best World Series since 2001. Two great teams, going at it back-and-forth.

What I want to know DJ is, where's all of our anti-Yankee fans? Paging fathersson, Don Andrew, and ronnierocketAGO. WHERE ARE YOU?

Congrats to all the BB Yankee fans. I am happy for ya. What I want to know is how come George wasn't there last night to bask in all the glory?

BTW I'm not anti-Yanks or anti-Phillies. I just didn't care who won.

I am here. I stil hate the Yankees. but I know they have to win a World Series every few years so we can point at them and say they are the reason why sports have turned into business and entertainment. they have to play their role of hateful millionaires, or baseball is not the same.

The Tex Curse doesn't make any sense, unless you're a Yankee fan and you talk about "a few million dollars" as if it was change. but the "Mike Mussina Curse" was a bad one. tbat guy was a Yankee from 2001-2008. he must have second thoughts about this championship.

I know I was busy.

I didn't think much of it, and thought even less when Ken Rosenthal and a female ESPN reporter, who were present, said it was all said as a joke, but stories take on a life of their own.

Hamels had a disappointing season by his standards. His comment about waiting for the season to end was prefaced by him saying he definitely wanted to take the mound in Game 6. He's only 25, so I think his best seasons are ahead of him.

Myers is a free agent, and by most accounts the Phillies are going to part ways. He's an odd duck with a tremendous curve ball at times. Someone will sign him to a multi-year contract.

Keep in mind that the Yankees didn't invent this "curse."

It was Red Sox owner John Henry, in a ridiculous post from July 11th.

It seems like it backfired on him and his Sox. Remember, Teixiera and Boras met with the Red Sox and were by and large reported to have a deal in place. Boras told them that he had other offers, and that the Red Sox's weren't "competitive enough." Turns out, he wasn't bluffing.

11 days later, Mark Teixiera was a Yankee, all because the Red Sox refused to cough up another $10,000,000 - chump change for either team.

I picked up on that too. For many years now mlb teams have been evaluating talent by this stat over BA.

That's the impression I got. Hamels sounded like he was just mentally drained from a long, relatively sub-par season, not that he "quit" on his team.

I'm with you. The home field determination is especially silly because there are two different sets of rules, based on NL and AL locations. The DH changes the dynamic as NL teams can not usually carry a prototypical DH on its roster. Look at the difference between the Yankee lineup in Games 5 and 6.

I was thinking earlier today that the Phillies have never played in a Game 7 in my life. Playoffs were best of 5 and the 5 world series I have seen them in went 6,5,6,5 and 6.

Oh, and sorry, Blibble, that I'm late answering your question.

I was always a Notre Dame fan and my brother was a Penn State fan. I went to a division III college without a football team, so I still rooted for ND. I was actually accepted into Notre Dame for law school, but decided on Boston College. I forget what the reason was.

Personally, I think that the team with the better record each round should get home field advantage. It can't be that complicated, can it?

I take back my congratulations. Comments like this are absurd to me. What do the Red Sox have to do with the Yankees winning the world series? Why celebrate in hatred? Are you the guy who goes to games and tells Pedro the color of his underwear?

It's gotta be purple silk, right?

BINGO!

You're kidding me, right?

This was one of the most BORING World Series I've ever witnessed! If I wasn't a fan of BOTH teams, I'd've been bored to DEATH!

A-Rod showing some life in the post-season was nice, and welcomed. But otherwise, booooooring! All the other big-hitters did NOTHING, on either side. Pitching was okay, but the fucking umps were PATHETIC. A fucking disgrace if you ask me. How can you call this a "great" World Series besides the fact that we finally won???

I can't believe I'm agreeing with FS (his agreement with SB) -- the former who only seems to come out of the woodwork to stir up shit now and then.

I12, you often do give real fans a bad image. Sorry, had to say it. And no comment on D-J who doesn't give a flying F about this forum except to talk and talk and talk b.s. half the time

JG, you know I love you, but I have to disagree: it was a good series. Not the best since 2001, but good series nontheless.

Phillies take the first lead; 2 more games after that, and the Yankees got the lead instead. Then the Phillies almost tied the series for a 2:2, but A-Rod came with the final blow, after Damon stole another base. I think those kind of moments like that 4th game ending make baseball such a fascinating game. I'm no Yankees or Phillies fan....but that's not how boring series look like. I agree that the series should have had a better ending, but overall it wasnt bad or boring.

Anywyaz...are you going to that Canyon of Heroes parade? take pictures will ya. I'm curious to see how it'll look like this time.

And one last request, from EVERYONE :

This should be a really nice thread to discuss the world series. I know that we all love different teams, and there's nothing wrong with teasing each other, but PLEASE let's stop it there. It doesnt matter if you're a Yankees, Red Sox, or if you think that Japanese baseball is ten times better than the MLB. Let us show respect for each other. We're all brothers and sisters here, dont forget that.

Mama Corleone says: "...you can never lose your family"

Let's prove her right.

THERE HE IS! Coming in his usual postseason rant about why the Yankees suck and claims he's a Yankees fan. Although this year he had to be awoken from the woodwork since they actually won!

And YOU still refuse to confront the comments that have been made. It seems that the only way you can celebrate a Yankees win is to disparage another team. That's just unsportsmanlike, and, quite frankly, rather childish.

Enough about that! My boys are parading down the Canyon of Heroes this morning!! It's a bit chilly here (actually, it's freezing!), but the sun is shining, so it will be a nice day for it. However, I'll watch from the comfort of my 72 degree home!

Even if I don't post, I often do read many threads.
You asked so I posted a response
I see that you haven't grown up yet, thanks for making my point.
I stand by my Bingo reply.

Geoff I haven't started anything. Just telling it like it is.
Just because we don't post to some of the dumbest threads in the history of these boards (IMO)doesn't mean that we are not reading and just keeping quiet. Your comment about me was uncalled for in my opinion, Just because we don't post everyday doesn't mean our opinions are wrong when we do post. Most likely we see something so wrong that we have to stand up and post. Unpopular as they may be at times in some peoples eyes. I hope you change your thoughts on things and have a better understanding.
Thanks and have a great day and enjoy the parade!

Wow, I almost forgot! Thanks. I went there in '96 and '98, and it is easier just to turn on the TV

Oh God, Susan Waldman. *shudder*

BTW, those out of the area can watch the parade live at http://www.myfoxny.com/

If baseball had pushed the series back any further, the Yankees could have combined their parade with the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. CC could have been Santa.

CC makes David Wells look anorexic.

Not only is CC a huge man, but his uniform always looks like he just rolled out of bed. My husband calls him Slob-athia.

this is something i don't understand...if you are playing as a first baseman (fielder) or pitcher (CC) do you have to fit, and not well fat?

Here's something that will make you LOL :

Step 1: go to google
Step 2: type in "woodwork"
Step 3: now look at the 3rd result that comes up...

I wonder if that address links to here

God I love google.

I wanted to go down to the Canyon of Heroes today but couldn't How is it Geoff, since you've been in the past?

No, I've read the comments about me, and at this point I really don't care. I've been waiting for this for 9 freaking years! Listening to peoples crap for the past 6 (since 2003) when the Marlins won, then when Boston did in 2004 and 2007. So, you can understand if I've got some pent-up frustration that's been dying to get out with another Yankees World Series. And now it's here and I'm enjoying it to its fullest for the next 365 days!

If you saw it on TV, you can only imagine that it's quite the experience in person and worth doing at least once in your life. In '96 I was working in the city and my boss let me go, which was really cool. In '98 I made the special 2-hour trek up. I'm not a huge fan of standing outside for 6 hours in the cold, so I haven't gone since. Maybe someday.

Irish, I'm going to make this one last attempt because I truly don't think you'll get it. Nobody wants to stop you from celebrating. Have a ball. I'm THRILLED with the Yankee win. But you DON'T need to celebrate by bashing another team or other players.

It's that simple.

When it comes to Yankees and New York, there's a lot to hate

Now that the Yankees are back on top, I can settle into a more natural state of dark hatred and enthusiastic loathing for them. All is right with the world.

As the years rolled on after their last World Series championship in 2000 and the Bronx Bombers wallowed (for them), that hatred had turned to ... what? Not pity exactly, but something like bemused dismissal. The Yankees were the filthy rich people who made impulse buys on hot-off-the-runway styles and ended up looking silly. There was no sport in it.

But now? After their six-game defeat of the Phillies? I can hate at will and with renewed vigor. Batter up!

I can hate Derek Jeter for playing to the cameras on the top step of the dugout as he cheered on his teammates.

I can hate the national media's turbo-fawning over the Yankees, especially the media outlets on the East Coast and extra especially ESPN, which has an acute sense of who butters its bread.

I can hate Rudy Giuliani for his prominent seat at Yankee Stadium and his even more prominent PD-NY-FD baseball cap. Yes, Rudy, we remember you used to be the mayor.

I can hate the way the franchise spent gobs more money than anybody else to build a team of stars and then talked about "team chemistry."

I could go on.

So I will.

I can hate the song "New York, New York," which is played after every Yankees' game. Start spreadin' the news: It's the anthem of a completely self-absorbed city.

I can hate that the Alex Rodriguez story line turned into how liberating it had been for him to come clean on his use of performance-enhancing drugs. Explain to me why we're convinced he's clean now?

I can hate how Andy Pettitte basically has been given a free pass for his PED usage.

I can hate how New York bought into Nick Swisher's phoniness.

That's a lot of hate, I know. But what can I say? The Yankees bring out the best in me.

This hatred is a good thing, a healthy thing. So thank you, Yankees. You're the bonfire on which some of us can throw our frustrations, whether it be the economy, job problems, marriage woes or those stickers on pears that seem to have no purpose other than to make people crazy.

You're here for us. You're the mental health counselors who are standing by.

We need villains. We need big, bad nasties to hate. We don't really want to get to know them. We would prefer not to find out they might even be human. We just want to hiss when they slither into our living rooms.

This is exactly what's wrong with the NFL. Revenue sharing and a salary cap ensures parity, which ensures there won't be an evil empire to detest. What team can you hate in pro football other than the regional rivals that crop up across the league? Besides Bill Belichick's hoodie and the fact that Tom Brady has everything, there's not a whole lot to hate about the Patriots.

We're left to be disgusted with Terrell Owens. There's not a whole lot of lasting fun in that.

On Friday, New York put on a ticker-tape parade for the conquering ballplayers that ambled through the Canyon of Heroes. Aptness required that the confetti be from shredded C-notes, but, alas, no. Even the conspicuously consuming Yankees have their limits. They might build a $1.5 billion stadium in a bad economy, but they're not that crazy.

Some of us laughed at Yankees fans' outrage during the barren years between World Series championships. I read a story Friday that described the "nine long years" fans had waited for title No. 27. Nine years? Dude, that's 10 minutes in Cub years.

Yankees fans don't think God is a Yankees fan. They think the Almighty is powerless in the face of the Steinbrenner family's greatness.

You know what George Steinbrenner is? He's the parent who does his kid's science project for him. There is nothing special about the Yankees other than the fact they have owners who will spend in wretched excess to buy a winner. That's not an art. That's a payoff.

There's no doubt baseball is better when the Yankees are winning. They are polarizing. They restart the discussion about the economic inequities in the sport. Everybody needs a bad guy in a cape and dastardly mustache to root against.

I will say this: It's hard to hate nice-guy Yankees manager Joe Girardi. And it's hard to hate Kate Hudson, A-Rod's girlfriend, no matter how excessively the cameras showed her.

Other than that, I'm whole again.

Source: Chicago Tribune

"Hate" involving a baseball game? A pretty strong word to use. As a National League fan, I wanted the Phillies to win. But "hate" the Yankees for winning? I think not. As SB points out, you celebrate accomplishments. That should be enough.

How apropos, considering CC's stuff is filthy.

This excellent article from hardballtimes.com entitled "Why the Phillies lost the World Series" (there's also one "Why the Yankees won the WS") motivated an excellent discussion that puts to rest any claim that Phillies fans are stupid. one of them made a great point about Jimmy Rollins that makes me understand Charlie Manuel's moves a bit more:

"Platoons and flexible/undefined roles work with some players, but rarely with the elite ones. Manuel knows that you get the most out of players like Rollins, year-in and year-out when they have an absolutely fixed role, and know they have the manager’s full support through all the inevitable slumps."

basically that's why the Phillies might stick with J-Roll at leadoff and why Manuel doesn't move Howard down in the order against lefties.

another guy points out that the Phillies hit far more extra base hits than the Yankees and that both pitching staffs played similar roles in the WS except for the Godfather Mariano Rivera, and that he (Rivera) and the fact that the Phillies' line drives, deep flies and hard hit grounders went direclty to someone's glove instead of dropping in between fielders are the main reasons why Philadelphia lost. I'm not sure that's right but it's very interesting.

those Phillie fans deinitely know about baseball!

New York Yankees 2009 World Series Championship gear!

Enjoy that for the next 365 days