… in which six teams (‘Gators, Amish, Nation, Las Vatas, Steal and Saint) all finish at 6-7.  In order for it to happen, Las Vatas needs to beat the ‘Gators, and Steal, Saint, the Amish and the Nation all need to win.  Here’s the tiebreakers:

Amish – holds tiebreakers over ‘Gators and Nation.  Loses tiebreakers to Las Vatas, Steal and Saint

‘Gators – holds tiebreakers over Nation and Steal.  Loses tiebreakers to Amish, Las Vatas and Saint.

Steal – holds tiebreakers over Amish and Nation.  Loses tiebreakers to ‘Gators, Las Vatas and Saint.

Nation – holds tiebreakers over Las Vatas and Saint.  Loses tiebreakers to Amish, ‘Gators and Steal.

Las Vatas – holds tiebreakers over Amish, ‘Gators, Steal and Saint.  Loses tiebreaker to Nation.

Saint – holds tiebreakers over Amish, ‘Gators and Steal.  Loses tiebreakers to Nation and Las Vatas.

So, six teams at 6-7 and three slots to fill.  I literally have no idea how to solve this one.  Okay, I have some ideas, but I don’t know how legit they are.

Personally, if I had to choose, I’d say Las Vatas and Steal are in given that they hold more tiebreakers than the other teams.  Which leaves four teams with one slot to fill.  Or three teams, since the Nation are out because they do not have a tiebreaker on any of the three remaining teams.  And since those three teams each have a tiebreaker over one another, we then revert to total points scored.  But, then again, this sort of contradicts the scenario I described in the prior post, which depended on total points scored over number of tiebreakers to determine the playoff participants.  But, in defense of the “number of tiebreakers” system, shouldn’t a legit case be made that Las Vatas is better than four of the five of her competitors since she does hold the tiebreakers, and shouldn’t she benefit from these wins?  Same for Saint, with three?

Seriously, I don’t have an answer and I certainly welcome the input.  Of course, I have no dog in this hunt, so that sort of helps with impartiality.

Honestly, this is a good exercise since what we learn here will be incorporated into next year’s rules changes.  The more f**ked up scenarios I see, the better we fix these issues.  Best case scenario, none of this is necessary, and the slots fill via standard tiebreakers, but in the event that something like this occurs, discussing it beforehand is the better way than scrambling when all is said and done.

Please, LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS – should it be number of tiebreakers then total points scored? Or should it be just total points scored? Or is there perhaps a way that I’m missing?

As I was crunching the numbers on tiebreakers I came across what I like to call the nightmare scenario.  Here’s how it would look:

Steal, the Amish, the Nation and Saint all finishing at 5-8.

The ‘Gators face Las Vatas this week.  For this scenario, the outcome of this one isn’t important because, if the four teams above all finish at 5-8, then the ‘Gators and Las Vatas qualify for the playoffs no matter what.  With that being said, that would mean the the Cows, Fwet, Tom, the ‘Gators and Las Vatas take up five slots, leaving only one playoff slot available for four teams with identical records.

Here’s how the tiebreakers look for these four:

Steal – holds tiebreakers over the Amish and the Nation.  Loses tiebreaker to Saint.

Saint – holds tiebreakers over Amish and Steal.  Loses tiebreaker to the Nation.

Amish – holds tiebreaker over the Nation.  Loses tiebreakers to Steal and Saint.

Nation – holds tiebreaker over Saint.  Loses tiebreakers to Amish and Steal.

So, how would you solve this one?  At first glance, I thought that since the Amish and the Nation only have one tiebreaker advantage that it should come down to Saint and Steal, who each hold two tiebreaker advantages, at which point Saint gets the nod because they hold the tiebreaker over Steal.  But then, is it fair to deny the Nation since they finished with the same record as Saint and they have a tiebreaker over them?  And then, that would obviously lead to the argument that the Amish and Steal have tiebreakers over the Nation that they should qualify.  And so it goes…

Honestly, the rules weren’t written to take this sort of “round robin” situation into account as it’s such an unlikely scenario to have happen.  Since there is a cancelling effect going down with these four teams, it makes sense to move onto the next tiebreaker – divisional records and divisional scoring, but that’s only applicable if the teams in question are in the same division.  So, the next tiebreaker is total points scored.  Here’s how that looks between the four teams after four weeks:

Steal – 1334 points

Saint – 1224 points

Amish – 1364 points

Nation – 1315 points

Assuming this scenario occurs this is likely going to be the ultimate decider.  As of now, the Amish lead by 30 points over Steal, so Steal will need to finish with a score 30 points better than what the Amish have in order to claim the last slot (if they somehow finish with the same total points, the Amish get the tiebreaker due to lower draft position – Steal drafted third and the Amish drafted eighth).  Saint looks like an almost total loss as they’re simply too far behind to make up that much ground.

Ultimately, it comes down to two scenarios – either total points scored OR a taking into account the number of tiebreakers a team has over others with the same record. I believe that a case can be made for both.  But as there is no provision for a “number of tiebreakers” scenario in the rules while there is one for total points scored, I believe going with total points scored is the way to go this year.  This issue is certainly something that can be addressed during the offseason, but as has been noted, it’s such a far-out scenario, that it’s the first time that it’s even been an issue in 12 years of doing this.

Still, I think it’s important to keep all of this in perspective – if any of these four teams wins while the other three lose, they’ll make the playoffs, so each team holds their own cards.

I welcome everyone’s input on this.  Like I said, a lot of things need to go down for this to come to fruition.  I’m hoping that I don’t see it, but it’s always good to have a plan just in case.

Cows (9-3) – already qualified for playoffs and first round bye.  Can clinch #1 seed with a win over the Amish OR losses by Tom AND Fwet.

Tom (8-4) – already qualified for playoffs.  Can clinch first round bye with win OR Fwet loss.  Can clinch #1 seed with win AND loss by Cows.

Fwet (8-4) – already qualified for playoffs.  Can clinch first round bye with win AND Tom loss.  Can clinch #1 seed with win AND losses by Tom and the Cows.

‘Gators (6-6) – control their own destiny and are in the playoffs with win over Las Vatas.  Will finish 6-7 with loss.  Hold tiebreakers over the Nation and Steal.  Lose tiebreakers to Amish and Saint (and Las Vatas if they lose this week).  So, win and they’re in, but if they lose they’ll need either the Amish OR Saint to lose in order to make the playoffs.

Las Vatas (5-7) – control their own destiny and are in the playoffs with a win over the ‘Gators. Hold tiebreakers over the Amish, Steal and Saint (and ‘Gators if they win).  Lose tiebreaker to Nation.  If they lose, they’ll finish 5-8 but can still make the playoffs with loses by the Amish AND Steal AND Saint.

Amish (5-7) – can finish 6-7 with win over Cows.  Hold tiebreakers over the ‘Gators and Nation.  Lose tiebreakers to Las Vatas, Steal and Saint.  So, in order to make the playoffs, they’ll need a win AND a loss by either Steal OR Saint.

Saint (5-7) – control their own destiny and are in the playoffs with a win over Scrotums.  Hold tiebreakers over the Amish, Steal and the ‘Gators.  Lose tiebreakers to the Nation and Las Vatas.  If they lose, they cannot qualify for the playoffs.

Steal (5-7) – can finish 6-7 with win over Tom.  Hold tiebreakers the Amish and the Nation.  Lose tiebreakers to ‘Gators, Las Vatas and Saint.  So, they need a win over Tom AND a loss by Saint OR Las Vatas.

Nation (5-7) - can finish 6-7 with win over Fwet.  Hold tiebreakers over Las Vatas and Saint.  Lose tiebreakers to Amish, ‘Gators and Steal.  Need a win over Fwet AND a loss by either the Amish OR Saint OR they need a win over Fwet AND a loss by two of these three teams – Amish,  Steal OR Las Vatas.

Scrotums (4-8) – officially out of playoff picture.

Well, I think that’s all of them.  My brain officially hurts now.

Delone Catholic head coach Steve Wiles addresses his team after his team lost to Lancaster Catholic, 42-6, in the District 3 Class AA title game at Hersheypark Stadium. Afterward, he spoke to local reporters about the ability of Crusader quarterback Kyle Smith

Bud Selig is planning on leaving the position of Commissioner of Major League Baseball in 2012. (Sign of the end of times?) He says he wants to pursue other interests. I’m wondering what this means for Major League Baseball. My first instinct is that his departure will be good for the MLB. It is impossible to be certain though. Whatever things he’s done or failed to do has led up to baseball being where it is right now. And where is that? Well it’s still a very profitable place to be and it’s still a very popular place to be. While these two facts don’t necessarily mean he was awesome, to me they at least mean he did a fine job.

Plus, we have to remember that he came at a very difficult time, with the steroid era and the strike of 1994. But maybe it can be argued that he made it a very difficult time. Surely steroids weren’t his fault but he could have pursued them aggressively when the whispers in the clubhouses began. Not when Canseco’s book, Juiced, dropped. Or maybe the blame lies with Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and all the others. (Don’t you love how we praise McGwire for helping resurrect baseball after the 1994 strike and then, out of the other side of our mouths we tear him apart for hurting baseball with his steroids use and the unethical way he rewrote the record books?)

I do firmly believe that Fay Vincent should have never been forced out of the commissioner’s office. He was a great leader and he truly put the best interests of the game first. Selig? I believe Selig put money and the owners ahead of the game. But it is what it is. And it’s not that bad.

So where will it go from here? I’ll be content if it maintains the status quo on most levels. I don’t want to see any large steps taken toward reaching parity. I don’t want to see increased revenue sharing or salary caps. I don’t want expansion, but I really don’t want contraction. I don’t want the length of the season altered in anyways except to make there less days off during the playoffs. I would love to see a commish dedicated to making sure that the public understands that baseball games are important even when a team from the Northeast or West coast isn’t involved. I would also like to see limited instant replay introduced in the postseason.

All that to say I’m leaning towards being excited. But baseball is thriving when companies all over America are failing. So maybe I shouldn’t be too excited to see Selig leave.

Alright, after much study and deliberation, here’s the breakdown of every teams’ playoff situation:

Cows (9-2) - already qualified for postseason and 1st round bye.  Can clinch #1 seed with a win against Fwet AND the Mafia OR a win against one of those teams AND a loss by Tom.

Tom (8-3) – clinched playoff berth.  Can claim Hickey Division title and 1st round bye with a win vs. either Saint or Steal.

Fwet (7-4) – clinched playoff berth.  Can claim Hickey Division title with a win in each of their last two games against the Cows AND the Nation and losses by Tom against Saint AND the Nation.

‘Gators (5-6) – control their own destiny and can clinch by winning their next two games against Steal AND Las Vatas.

Nation (5-6) – control their own destiny and can clinch by winning their next two games against the Mafia AND Fwet.

Steal (5-6) – control their own destiny and can clinch by winning their next two games against the ‘Gators AND Tom.

Las Vatas (4-7) – control their own destiny and can clinch by winning their final two games against the Scrotums AND the ‘Gators.

Scrotums (4-7) – needs to win last two games against Las Vatas AND Saint to finish 6-7.  They’ll also need the Nation to lose one of their last two games OR they need the ‘Gators OR Steal to lose both of their final two games.

Saint (4-7) – must win their final two games against Tom AND the Scrotums to finish 6-7.  They’ll also need either Steal OR the ‘Gators to lose one of their last two games AND they’ll need Las Vatas to lose one of their last two games.

Amish (4-7) – need to win their last two games against the Nation AND the Cows and finish the season 6-7.  In addition to that, you’ll need the Scrotums, Saint AND Las Vatas to lose one of their last two games in order to qualify OR they’ll need the ‘Gators to lose one of their last two games AND they’ll need two of the following three teams to lose one of their last two games: the Scrotums, Las Vatas and Saint.

Recently, I did a rundown of what it would take for the Scrotums to make the playoffs; needless to say, it’s a bit of a far-fetched scenario. Well, I was hangin’ with the Amish today and I was able to do a quick breakdown for them as well. Here’s where they stand:

The Cows and Fwet are already officially in. Assume that Tom makes it in as well. That leaves only three spaces open.
The Amish would need to win their last three games and finish the season 6-7.
In addition to that, two of the following four teams would need to lose at least two more games – the Nation, Steal, Las Vatas or the ‘Gators.

Needless to say, they’ll be needing an awful lot of help.

The playoff picture usually comes into pretty clear focus after this week, so I’ll stay on top of it all through the weekend.

With just three games left, here’s where all the teams stand as far as the playoffs:

Division winner: Cows
Division contenders: Fwet (already qualified for postseason), Tom
In good shape: ‘Gators, Nation
Hangin’ on: Las Vatas, Saint, Steal
Sittin’ home: Amish, Scrotums

Now, aside from the Cows and Fwet, no other team has officially locked up a playoff spot, so there’s certainly some room for some movement up and down. With that being said, it’s going to be awfully hard for the two bottom teams to do much. Let’s do a quick scenario: for the Scrotums to qualify, they’ll need to win out and finish 6-7. By the nature of their record, if they were to win out, they’d have playoff tiebreakers against the Nation, Saint and Las Vatas. Further, a loss by Saint and Las Vatas would mean that they could win no more than six games, the same as the Scrotums, so that would work in the Scrotums’ favor. Assume that Tom also qualifies, that leaves only three slots left to claim. They’d also need Who Dat to lose at least one more game in addition to their loss to the Scrotums. If Who Dat didn’t lose those two games, then they’d need the ‘Gators to lose their next three. Aren’t scenarios fun!

I have not posted for a while due to my busy schedule, but I have some time now.

This is more of a personal post on my part. As you probably all know, the New York Yankees won the World Series.

I have been a die-hard Yankees fan for years now. My dad and I have been going up to games in Cleveland since I was a little kid. We have shared this passion for a long time.

But one thing we have never gotten to see was a World Series Championship. I was only six years old when they beat the New York Mets back in 2000, too little to know what was going on. We have waited years for this moment, and it finally happened.

On Wednesday night, the Yanks won Game Six in New York, bringing home their 27th World Series Championship. Coming into the game, I was worried. With Joe Girardi going with Andy Pettitte on three days rest, there was no room for mistake. Yes, Pettitte has always been a reliable postseason pitcher. But I was still not confident. I was already clearing my Thursday night plans so I could watch Game Seven.

To my surprise, Pettitte was dominant. He was almost as dominant as Hideki Matsui’s bat. Matsui, in my opinion, racked up one of the most amazing postseason performances in the history of the game. He was well deserving of the World Series MVP.

When the Yankees entered the ninth inning with the lead, my dad and I changed our level of confidence. Mariano Rivera, easily the best postseason closer ever, was in the game. There was no way he would give up any runs. With a weak ground ball to 2nd baseman Robinson Cano, the Yankees were back on top of the world.

Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Derek Jeter jumped around as if it was 2000 again. Alex Rodriguez hopped up and down as if he had been in this position before. Joe Girardi embraced his bench coaches, knowing that the goal of getting New York’s 27th championship had just been completed. The Yankees celebrated on the field, while my dad and I celebrated ourselves.

“I hate you New York Yankees, but goddamnit do I respect you. Today we spell ‘redemption’…N-Y-Y.”

The author then kisses the forehead of the collective Yankees.

The inevitable happened.

The vaunted New York Yankees franchise mercifully finished the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series last night, taking home their 27th World Championship in the process.

Pretty much everyone knew this was the foregone conclusion. It was just a matter of time.

But it still feels weirder than expected. The core of the Yankees is so tenured that it’s like I’ve been transported back to the late 1990s.

It looked like it felt the same way for Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, too. After winning so many championships, the two looked about as excited as a weathered, cigarette ripping grandmother at a BINGO parlor after the last out.

All those feelings of New York Yankee hatred that I’d harbored for so many years, but gradually declined each year they failed to capture a championship, are slowly bubbling back to the surface. And its a volatile mixture: part anger, part annoyance, with two parts respect.

I’m weary of another dynasty. I don’t want to see the Yankees in the World Series for the next five years straight. I’ve been there, done that way too many times in my short life. I’m only 24 years old and I’ve seen the Yankees in the World Series seven times.

I’m grumpy that the team that spent $423.5 million on the contracts of A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia, and Mark Teixeira and were immediately rewarded a World Series Championship. C’mon, at least make ‘em squirm for a year or two…

The Yankees have the highest-paid first baseman, the highest-paid third baseman, the highest-paid shortstop, the highest-paid catcher, the highest-paid starting pitcher and the highest-paid reliever in the history of baseball. To break that World Series Championship drought all they needed to do was make somebody the highest paid something and voila!

I admire the team’s front office for the product they put on the field, but it’s too much when one team picks up the top three free agents that hit the market.

But it is so friggin’ remarkable that Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera are still with this team.

It’s just another testament to the team’s loyal front office that people so often overlook or refuse to acknowledge: the Steinbrenners and Brian Cashman will do anything, spend anything, to keep this core together. In a day and age where players change hands like Harlem hookers, I admire Yankee’s fans because they get to cheer for the same players, year-in and year-out.

And the contributions that those players have made to this franchise’s storied history are impossible to express. For over a decade, they’ve been the team.

So congratulations, Yankees. But please, don’t make this a habit.

I love getting what I want. The Yankees win the World Series in 6, at home in the Bronx, where the wild things are. The rest is history.

champions, old and new, of the 27th

So where’s my prize?

Someone made this video of the Yankees celebrating their 27th World Series Championship.

Yes!!

The 2009 MLB season marked the second and last time this decade that an MLB team won the World Series in the first year at their new stadium. The first was in 2006 by the St. Louis Cardinals in their then brand-new Busch Stadium. This time, the New York Yankees did the same thing in Game 6 that they did when their old Yankee Stadium opened in 1923: they won the World Series, but it was in a luxurious ballpark $1.5 billion and 3 years in the making.

In other words, the Yankees’ efforts paid off.

Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martínez squared off in this one. Pettitte gave up only one run in this, his third straight postseason title-clinching game retroactive to Game 3 of the ALDS vs. Minnesota. Hideki Matsui, the first full-time Designated Hitter ever to win a World Series title with any MLB team (and also the second DH to win the title after Paul Molitor did it in 1993 with the Toronto Blue Jays), scored 6 out of the Yankees’ 7 runs (Mark Teixeira produced an RBI 1B in the 3rd inning), and won the World Series MVP title…which he most definitely deserved. He tied the single-game World Series RBI record that Bobby Richardson set in 1960.

Derek Jeter had amassed 174 postseason hits…the most ever.

Powerhouse HIDEKI MATSUI Scoring 6 RBI in Game 6 of 2009 World Series

Even before the season began, lots of speculation abounded that the Yankees would not win the World Series even though they had a new ballpark. After the All-Star break, MLB Network’s staff had the nerve to go ahead and predict Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Boston Red Sox in the World Series! The nerve of them! And Jimmy Rollins predicted on The Tonight Show that the Phillies would win the World Series in the seven games well there was no Game 7!

This was the 5th time that Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera (who got the save after Shane Victorino grounded out to finish the decade), and Pettitte himself won the World Series (all with the Yankees). Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, A-Rod (who was crying), C.C. Sabathia, Matsui, Brett Gardner, Philip Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Robinson Canó among others, were among the first-time World Series Champions. Eric Hinske, A.J. Burnett, Dámaso Marte, Johnny Damon, and others won it for the second time. This was manager Joe Girardi’s first World Series title as a manager (he won three other titles as a Yankees player).

Incomparable NEW YORK YANKEES Winning 27th World Series Championship

Back in 1996, the Yankees trailed the World Series 2-0 vs. the Atlanta Braves, fresh at the time from their 1995 World Series victory over Cleveland. The Yankees went on to win that World Series in four more games, clinching at home. In 1998, they swept the San Diego Padres in four games. In 2000, they defeated their next door-rival Mets in 5 games. And with this championship, they not only brought the World Series back to New York just as the fans expected; they also finished this first decade of the millennium exactly as they began it: by winning the World Series. (They and the Boston Red Sox were the only two MLB teams this decade to win the World Series more than once, with two apiece.)

The Yankees only used Sabathia, Pettitte, and Burnett as their three Starting Pitchers for this World Series (the Minnesota Twins did the same thing in the 1991 World Series). Although much of the Starting Lineup didn’t produce offense in the same way that Matsui and a mere few others did during this World Series, let’s face it: the Yanks had a fantastic season. Despite starting off sour with the absence of A-Rod and Teixeira’s difficulty producing, the Yankees finished the season with the best record in MLB; they swept Minnesota in the ALDS; they eliminated Anaheim in six games in the ALCS; and now they belied assumptions of the Phillies being what people have called “the New Big Red Machine.” Don’t get me wrong; the Phillies had a tremendous season, too, but they were not the 21st century Cincinnati Reds (no offense to Phillies fans). And RyHo went from NLCS MVP to striking out a record 13 times in this World Series. I don’t even need to get into the countless blown calls by the stupid umpires.

Aside from the 2006 Cardinals and the 1923/2009 Yankees, the 1912 Boston Red Sox won the World Series over the New York (now San Francisco) Giants in their first year at their beloved Fenway Park.

YES Network had so much to say during the Postgame. On ESPN, John Kruk attributed the success to the Yankees’ $210 million payroll, but I’d like to tell him that it all paid off. “The payroll this,” “the payroll that.” Bobby Valentine said that the Yanks and I quote “played better than Philly.” Anyway, I’ve said enough. The Yankees are 2009 World Series Champs and are the indisputable best, end of story!

The DVD box set of this World Series will be released on December 15, 2009. All postseason games are available for download on iTunes as well.

World Champions in the BronXXVII

27th Heaven: Matsui’s Bat Drives Yankees to 27th World Series Crown

Start Spreading the Clues: Why Yanks Won

In a blog posted at 3 a.m., former New York Yankees pitcher David Wells bluntly described how he would handle Philadelphia’s Chase Utley, the new co-owner of the World Series’ homerun record: “[He] needs to kiss the Yankee Stadium dirt tonight.”

But Wells’ plan will be hard to implement.

After two hit-by-pitches in Game 3, Alex Rodriguez was plunked again in Game 4 by Philadelphia’s Joe Blanton. Rodriguez hadn’t shown signs of his ALCS dominance, yet umpires were incredibly quick to issue warnings to both benches.

To both teams, the message was clear: Stay away from the big bats or you’ll get tossed.

And there isn’t a bigger bat in Philadelphia’s lineup than Chase Utley. In the World Series thus far, Utley owns a .333 average to go along with five homeruns, eight RBI, and a .429 on-base percentage. It’s a postseason series for the record books and one that makes Utley a marked man.

It should be almost impossible to knock him down without a warning being issued. And if he gets plunked, an ejection should be the foregone conclusion.

I wouldn’t look for New York’s Andy Pettitte to be the one to send the message tonight.

At his advanced age, he’s a control pitcher; every umpire on the field knows this.

But Utley has led the league in hit-by-pitches three times; every umpire on the field also knows this.

A hit-by-pitch could go either way, for Pettitte or against Pettitte. That’s a chance I don’t think Joe Girardi is willing to take, especially with a shaky bullpen and a championship trophy hanging in the balance.

In seven regular season at bats versus Pettitte, Utley stroked just one hit, good for a sloppy .143 average. In Game 3, Utley posted an 0-fer against Pettitte and didn’t reach base. Thus far, Pettitte is the only pitcher to neutralize Philadelphia’s biggest threat.

I’m not looking for the Utley to even be in the Yankee’s game plan. I’m expecting him to get worked away most of the night with Pettitte pitching around him for the first six innings.

And while having ducks on the pond is never something you want to do, it’s more desirable than the possible ejection of MLB’s best postseason pitcher.

Make Ryan Howard show up. Make Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez press and swing at pitches they’d normally avoid.

Trust shortstop Derek Jeter and second baseman Robinson Cano to turn the double play (43 percent of Pettitte’s pitches become groundballs).

Believe in the offense. Even when it seemed like the Yankees were all-but dead in Game 5, they took the wind out of Philadelphia’s sails by scoring 5 runs in the final two innings.

Pettitte should not brush Utley back in the first inning or even think about plunking him until the game is out of Philadelphia’s control.

Leave the pigheadness to Pedro Martinez.

The Yankees have spent the past five seasons attempting to rid themselves of the moment that represents the nadir of the franchise: losing a 3-0 lead to the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 American League Championship Series. By losing Game 5 on Monday, this World Series is suddenly taking on a personality somewhat similar to that one.

—Howard Bryant, espn, senior writer, “Shades of 2004 ALCS?“

Following Game 5 of the series, many Yankee fans in the post-game interviews have expressed their total lack of concern at the prolonged quest to the 27th title. I’m glad I’m not the only one that feels this way, because first of all, everybody, as jahshuwah noted, “expected” (or perhaps even wanted) the Yankees to lose Game 5. And they did. So what does that tell you?   It was a laid-back 3 hours where Burnett and Molina played catch. Expectations fulfilled, and for me, a wish granted! So as I rooted for the Yankees to come home on Monday, I’ve been proclaimed a bad fan, or a weird fan. I was the target of some superstitious blame. But you know what? I’m not the one here still apprehended by what happened in the 2004 ALCS. It never even crossed my mind until my good friend, Mr. Howard Bryant of ESPN, had a job to save and wrote a baseball drama with some literary devices of flashback and foreshadowing.

Hey Mr. Bryant, and friends, I don’t mean to bust your chops but I felt that this article was written because you had nothing else to write about. Not much happened in Game 5; just that the Phillies came out with serious bats while the Yankees eased themselves with reckless-abandon bats—yet they were still able to usher in 6 runs to 8. Sure, Girardi is still getting beef with his managerial skills, but it really isn’t an issue to do what you want with a game that would either bring you the title, or bring you back home with still a series-lead. It’s a done deal. The Yankees have already locked up their title probably since the beginning of happy walk-off fests. The momentum is all theirs, so cut the dramatic and whining pretenses!

Wow, such confidence, you say. Why yes, you can definitely say that. I am very confident, because I’ve seen the season’s stats, their season’s record, their season’s momentum, and their season’s grace. The postseason is just going to be the summing up of their regular season. The fact that I know their 27th title would come this year has me rooting solely for a great, memorable match. So far, the Yankees have given me what I’ve wanted. They’ve decided to take their close-out game home, because the championed rivals of old is where the ultimate ending should be. And of course, the Bronx is where they want to celebrate.

celebrate at home

So go ahead and hold me to all I’ve said here. Scoff. Doubt. If the Yankees lose this series, quote me at your leisure. Laugh. I’ll tell you I’m the worst Yankees fan ever. But if the Yankees win it tonight (Game 6), be on your knees and buy me bubble tea.

The postseason hasn't been too kind to Cole Hamels this time around

It looks like A-Rod isn’t the only guy in the World Series dealing with some personal drama. There seems to be a trouble in Phillyland as well, with reports that a pair of ineffective hurlers, Cole Hamels and Brett Myers, may be in the midst of a little personality clash. Here’s hoping Myers doesn’t do Hamels like he did his wife and punch him in the face.

Hamels, last year’s World Series MVP, caused a stir after getting shelled in Game 3 and telling reporters he “can’t wait for it to end” and “can’t wait for a fresh start”. The lefty, who followed last season’s act with a 10-11 regular season mark, is 1-2 with a 7.58 ERA in four playoff starts and is scheduled to go in Game 7, should we get that far. Anyway, after last night’s 8-6 Philly win, the ever-classy Myers passed his teammate on the way out of the locker room and said something along the lines of “I thought you quit?”. There are conflicting reports regarding whether or not the exchange was serious (yes and no), but I wouldn’t put it past a man like Myers to stir up some shit after his team just got a win to pull itself back into the series.

Anyway, it’s pretty remarkable the Phillies are back this far considering Hamels, their ace in 2008, is a shade of his former self. That, on top of the Brad Lidge collapse. Even Myers, who had a nice postseason run in 2008, missed much of the season due to injury and has been relegated to bullpen work in the World Series after not being on the roster the first two rounds. Is it possible Cliff Lee is just the greatest pitcher to have ever lived?

Powerhouse CHASE UTLEY Watching His Home Run

As it happened in Game 1, Cliff Lee and Chase Utley combined to shock the Yankees in Philadelphia.

Actually, they weren’t the only ones. Cliff gave up a total of 5 runs, but Utley came through again in Game 5 of the World Series with two home runs. The first one was off of A.J. Burnett (who gave up 6 runs), and the second one was off of Yankees reliever Phil Coke. Utley broke the record of World Series home runs hit by Reggie Jackson. I tried rooting for Mark Teixeira to hit the game-tying home run in the Top 9th, but Ryan Madson stopped him from doing so.

Game 6 of this World Series will be held in Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. It’s been said that if Pedro Martínez helps Philly win Game 6, the deciding Game 7 will partly go into Lee’s hands. Otherwise, if the Yankees win Game 6, the quest for their 27th World Series title will be officially complete.

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Utley on a Power Trip: Phillies Chase Series Back to New York

Handsome A-ROD Making Game-Winning RBI Double in Game 4 of '09 World Series

The Yankees are one win away from winning their 27th World Series Championship.

Johnny Damon, who went 3 for 5 in Game 4 of the World Series in Philadelphia with 3 hits (the last of which resulted in a well-performed steal of 2B and 3B in the Top 9th); A-Rod, who made the game-winning RBI double off of Brad Lidge; and Jorge Posada, who also made a crucial hit, contributed to the Yankees’ 7-4 Game 4 victory. C.C. Sabathia again pitched on 3 days’ rest, and although he gave up two of Philadelphia’s 4 runs to Chase Utley (who hit a solo home run and an RBI double off of Sabathia), he made 6 strikeouts and didn’t get any decision. Nor did Joe Blanton, who made 7 strikeouts.

Joba Chamberlain gave up the game-tying solo home run to Pedro Feliz, but got the win after the aforementioned work of A-Rod, Johnny, and Posada. Mariano Rivera got the save. All this happened on a night in which Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols took home the Hank Aaron Award!

While Joe Buck and Tim McCarver continued to show off their jubilation every time the Phillies scored a run, they didn’t seem too happy about the Yanks winning this game (but the Yankee fans did, including me). Nor did the Phillie Phanatics who filled up Citizens Bank Park (no offense to Philly fans). Nor did John Kruk of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight: I didn’t tune in to ESPN but Yankee fans on the Internet posted comments about how the ESPN staff, except for former Mets manager Bobby Valentine and former Yankees/Padres Designated Hitter Dave Winfield, blamed Mo for the Phillies’ loss and Sabathia’s uniform distracting the Phillies themselves.

Game 5, which is scheduled for later tonight at 7:30pm ET, will feature A.J. Burnett vs. Cliff Lee. Both pitchers gave dazzling performances last time (Cliff in Game 1 and Burnett in Game 2), but at this point (and again no offense to Philly fans), I’m confident that Burnett will outduel Lee and give the Yanks their long overdue 27th World Series title. However, if the Phillies win, the Series will head back to the Bronx on November 4 for Game 6.

There’s been speculation about this World Series possibly going all 7 games – Jay-Z predicted the Yanks in seven; MLB.com predicted the [shudder] Phillies in seven; and I myself predicted the Yankees in seven. Well, no Game 7 for this one!

What is a 3-1 Series Lead, Alex?

Handsome NICK SWISHER Hitting Solo Home Run in 6th Inning of Game 3

OCTOBER 31/NOVEMBER 1, 2009 – Attention Fans: Welcome Back to November Baseball.

In a game that marked the second time MLB Baseball extended into November after Game 4 of the 2001 World Series being the first (but then MLB decided to start this World Series on October 28, anyway), Citizens Bank Park went from a towel-flinging, Halloween costume-bearing haunted house to a silent crowd as the New York Yankees overcame a 3-0 deficit to scare Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies silly in Game 3 of the World Series out in Philly. The Yankees had traveled to Philadelphia from Penn Station the day before as screaming fans tried to stop them.

Andy Pettitte gave up 3 runs in the 2nd inning starting with Jayson Werth’s solo home run. He then surrendered an RBI bases loaded walk to Jimmy Rollins and an RBI flyout to Shane Victorino. However, after the mysteriously handsome but not-very-substantial defending World Series MVP Hamels walked Teixeira, A-Rod made a hit that looked like a double, but after the umps used the Instant Replay video, they deemed it as a 2-run home run to give the Yanks 2 runs. It was a disgusting sight in the Phillie Phanatics’ eyes, but a great one in the Yankee fans’ eyes. Nick Swisher and Hideki Matsui hit homers in the 6th and 8th innings, respectively. Pettitte himself made the first RBI ever by a Yankees pitcher.

For those of you that don’t like the FOX announcers, I don’t like them, either. Especially after Werth hit his second home run of the night in the 6th inning (but after all it did go 415 feet); they went berserk over that but they don’t make a deal out of A-Rod, Swisher, or Matsui’s home runs. But anyway, the Yanks took a 2-1 World Series lead heading into November with this well-deserved win. Mariano Rivera sealed the victory after Phil Hughes let Carlos Ruiz hit a solo home run in the Bottom 9th.

The Yanks have elected to start C.C. Sabathia (again on three days’ rest) against Joe Blanton for Game 4.

The fans, I enjoy that, because at the bottom, I know I played for the Mets, I know they really want to root for me. It’s just that I don’t play for the Yankees, that’s all. I’ve always been a good competitor, and they love that. They love the fact that I compete. I’m a New Yorker, as well. If I was on the Yankees, I’d probably be like a king over here..

—Pedro Martinez, 29 Oct., Game 2 WS

“WHO’S–YOUR–DADDY! *thump thump..thumpthumpthump* WHO’S–YOUR–DADDY!” chanted the raucous Yankee crowd. It is clear where Pedro Martinez stands in the hearts of our Bronx fans. Even when it has been 5 years since he left the Red Sox, 5 years since he deliberately called the Yankees his “Daddy” and played an asset in the Red Sox-Yankees storied rivalry, it seems that this will never wear thin on the fans. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Pedro, and the announcement of his start for the Phillies in Game 2 only brought back fond memories of how much fun there were in turning his comment into a slogan.

pedro smiles at the heckling yankees crowd

Johnny Damon, also a former Red Sock, may have made a big off-season splash by joining the Yankees in 2005, but it doesn’t get much bigger than the unceasing passion of badgering a great pitcher like Pedro after 5 years. By the way, let’s not forget A-rod has been infamous of receiving home boos when he’s in a slump. For the last two games in this World Series, he has gone 0 for 8, and not a single lip has touched on his name. Evidently, that’s how popular Pedro is. He brings great fun and games into the Bronx that give no leeway for disappointment at the lifeless home offense. What’s A-rod got? Money? Narcissism? Madonna. Kate Hudson. An obsession for DJ? None of these dictate some genuine relationship with the fans.

Replay that moment when Pedro walked off the field towards the rallying cry of “Who’s your daddy!” Before he entered the dugout, he broke out a grin. Did it look villainous? Questionably not. I rather say he was enjoying the jeers. Everyone enjoyed it. You just got to admire that smile, as if it was the only thing he could use to deflect the hearty jeers. In fact, I’m just going to put it out and call it “endearing.” It’s been 5 years, and nothing’s changed. A relationship has been formed between him and our fans!

"Who's your daddy!" chanted the crowd

His postgame speech regarding the chants can only impress you more. Some Yankees fans might deny it, insisting that he’s too hated here. For the record, Yankees fans hate him truly because of the competition he brings. And because this is really about the competition, they love to hate him. They love to be his “Daddy.”  They love to recognize him as the villain.  They revel in it. And it is really thanks to Pedro for allowing them to do so. The Bronx has turned him into a character of melodrama. If he was on the Yankees, there’s no doubt in my heart, mind or soul that he would be loved like a king here.

OCTOBER 29, 2009 – In a Game 2 that left the FOX broadcasters wondering, the New York Yankees avenged the Philadelphia Phillies with the spirit of the “Empire State of Mind” (Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed that song prior to the game, and John Legend led off with his fabulous take on the National Anthem) and the improved battery of A.J. Burnett. “Empire State of Mind” was Derek Jeter’s at-bat song for much of the second half of the year 2009, and it had even more prominent presence throughout the Yanks’ playoff run.

A.J. faced off against Pedro Martínez, the pitcher who hurled Don Zimmer to the floor during Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS between the Yankees and Boston (remember that? Who wouldn’t?). The Yankee fan-patented chant of “Who’s Your Daddy” couldn’t have sounded any more resonant: While Pedro made 8 strikeouts, Burnett made 9 of them. Those were both great pitching performances, but Burnett got the win thanks to Mark Teixeira (who hit a solo home run in the 4th inning; Hideki Matsui (who homered in the 6th); and Jorge Posada (who RBI 1B’d in the 7th inning). Raul Ibáñez and Jayson Werth made some incredible catches, but the most impressive play was that of Robinson Canó and Jeter’s 8th inning double play to eliminate Chase Utley and Shane Victorino.

Ah, Mariano Rivera. You went through two innings to get the save.

Derek Jeter was awarded the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award, given every year to charitable MLB players in honor of the late Clemente (who was killed in an airplane crash in 1972 as he tried to help the victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua). Clemente’s widow, Vera, was named the Ambassador of MLB.

Behind Burnett, Yanks Even World Series

Jeter won the Roberto Clemente Award prior to Game 2 of the 2009 World Series.

By now you’ve probably heard everything you need to know about Game 1 of the World Series. In case you haven’t here’s a recap in four words.

Lee good Phillies win.

Two terrific lineups were held in check for seven innings, with the execption of Chase Utley’s two homeruns, until the Yankee bullpen yielded four runs. I think that’s the key to this series, whoever makes the fewest mistakes will win.

Tonight Game 2, Pedro vs. AJ. The Yankees need a good start from Burnett, who has been walking way too many this season. If the Yankees drop this one, they’re in trouble. Being down 2-0 and heading to Philadelphia for three games is not an ideal position to be in.

Lee dominated A-Rod and Tex, both of whom New York needs to get back on track. Rollins got on base twice for the Phillies, showing maybe he could be coming around for Philadelphia.

Powerhouse CLIFF LEE Throwing 122-Pitch Gem

Before Game 1 of the 2009 World Series kicked off, I told myself that C.C. Sabathia would have a good chance of getting it right just as he did when he won his ALCS MVP award a few days before. However, I observed Cliff Lee’s performance throughout the entire NLDS and NLCS and found him to be very dazzling as well. Therefore, I expected Game 1 of this World Series, which kicked off in Yankee Stadium on FOX, to be one of tense competition.

C.C. Sabathia gave up two home runs to Chase Utley, who hit his first in the 3rd inning and the second in the 6th inning. However, the Yanks’ bullpen had greater trouble holding Philly off to just two runs. Brian Bruney, David Robertson, and Philip Hughes all combined to hand Philadelphia four more runs. All the while, Mr. Lee performed in a way that led me to declaring him to being something of a 21st century version of Sandy Koufax: he struck out ten batters and gave up no earned runs (only Mark Teixeira scored an unearned run on an error in the Bottom 9th) in a Complete Game of 122 pitches. He was simply dazzling. I had to give him credit for it. However, what turned me off was that aside from the Yanks’ bullpen being trash, the Yanks’ offense was lacking again; A-Rod went 0-4 and Jimmy Rollins contributed to a well turned double play on Matsui and Robinson Canó.

Philadelphia currently leads the World Series 1-0. Pedro Martínez and A.J. Burnett will square off in Game 2 tomorrow. Game 2 is slated to feature Jay-Z and Alicia Keys in a performance of their hit duet, “Empire State of Mind,” which has been played at Yankee Stadium throughout the playoffs and especially during Jeter’s at-bats. The Yankees will need to step up to the plate and avenge Pedro and Philly tomorrow. However, for the past six years, the team that took Game 1 of the World Series ultimately won it, whether it was the Boston Red Sox (2004 and 2007), the Chicago White Sox (2005), the St. Louis Cardinals (2006), or the Phillies themselves (2008). If the Phillies do win this World Series, their recently attributed nickname of “the New Big Red Machine” will be confirmed, and Jimmy Rollins will be proven right again. Otherwise, if the Yankees win the World Series, they’ll finish this decade vs. Philadelphia exactly as they began it vs. the Mets: with a win.

“Ut-Lee Show Too Much for Yanks in Game 1″

While the umpires in both leagues give reason to shout “FAIL“ every time they get it wrong (Tim McClelland, anyone?), there is another cause: TBS. The coverage for this postseason was simply horrible. So, thank you Philadelphia for making quick work of the Dodgers during the NLCS, sparing fans more dull commentary from Chip Caray and Dick Stockton.

How has TBS failed? For starters, the play by play was boring and the language was repetitive. Even when the umpires made an obvious error, the lack of excitement from the booth left something to be desired. Not to mention the horrible calls, mainly made by Chip Caray. He started his poor play by play during the Twins/Tigers tie-breaker. Nick Punto hit a line drive into left field. Caray called it a “Line Drive. Base Hit.” And the ball sailed into the left fielder’s glove. He quickly added “Caught out there.”

It continued during game one of the Yankees/Twins ALDS when Delmon Young caught Nick Swisher’s fly ball. Caray’s take on the play? “A base — fly ball, I should say — out to center field. That ball was hooking and nearly fell in front of Delmon Young.” Was he even watching the game? Being the son of a legend does not make you a good analyst.

It wasn’t always Chip’s fault. Point fingers at Dick Stockton as well. At one point during the NLDS between the Cards and Dodgers, he referred to Ronnie Belliard as Ronald Belisario. While I understand that they play on the same team and their names are similar, at this level in broadcasting those mistakes are unforgivable. Dan Quayle could do better, even if he can’t spell.

And don’t even get me started on how many balls were “fisted” into play.

They need fresh blood in the booth. MLB needs to put their own people in the show.

The initial numbers were records for the station, the highest in the 33 years of its existence, but that does not mean it’s a success. When the Yankees make the playoffs, television numbers skyrocket. New York is a huge market. So is Los Angeles, and there were two teams from California still in the hunt. And when TBS is the only place that baseball fans can go for a game, the numbers will be fattened.

MLB needs to step forward and demand changes in the coverage. Cal Ripken and Dennis Eckersley are fine in the studio but how about trying them in the booth? They know baseball. Then again a ten year old knows more than Chip Caray, Carl Sager, and Dick Stockton combined. Or MLB can bring in their own team. At a minimum, they can demand that Sager dress like a respectable human being and not a wannabe pimp. Lavender suits, Sager? Really?

Unfortunately, TBS has a contract through 2013. It’s entirely up to MLB on how the 2010 post season goes. Let’s hope the public outcry at the horrible coverage is heard. And be glad that Fox had the ACLS Game 4 coverage. Joe Buck’s outrage over Tim McClelland’s blown call was appropriate. Chip Caray would probably have argued in favor of the ump.

Written by LS Murphy. Mrs. Murphy is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and is a consistent contributor to Cardinal’s Mix. She can also be followed on Twitter.

The Yankees and Phillies are set to play game 1 of the 2009 World Series tonight (weather permitting). The Yankees throw out Cy Young Award Candidate C.C. Sabathia while the Phillies counter with an ace of their own in Cliff Lee. Game 1 should be pitchers duel, but you never know. Here are my predictions in terms of who has the edge in starting pitching, bullpen, lineup, and manager, and ultimately who I think will win the World Series.

Starting Pitching

I’m going to look past the first two starters on both team’s depth chart because I believe that Hamels and Lee are evenly matched against C.C. and A.J. Instead I’m going to look at each team’s third starter. I know Pedro is pitching game 2, but Hamels is #2 in the Phillies rotation not Pedro. So it comes down to familiar names, Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez. Both are big game playoff pitchers, but I have to give the edge to the Yankees. Pettitte holds the record for most postseason wins with 16 and he has pitched extremely well, not only in the playoffs thus far, but for the entire season. Pedro’s limited starts looked like they have been beneficial so far, but Pettitte has a more complete body of work this season. Slight edge to the Yankees.

Bullpen

Yankees get the edge in terms of which team has the better bullpen. The combination of Chamberlain, Hughes, and Rivera is one of if not the best in the majors. Sprinkle in Phil Coke and David Robertson and you have a strong, deep, reliable bullpen. This is not to say that the Phillies do not have a good bullpen, but Madson and Lidge are not consistent enough to be relied upon late in games. Plus Brad Lidge did blow two saves against the Yankees already this season.

Lineup

I’m going to have to give a slight edge to the Yankees when it comes to who has a better lineup. Both teams are equal towards the top of their lineups as Victorino, Rollins, Utley, Howard, and Werth compare equally to Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, A-Rod, and Matsui. The Yankees edge comes with their depth towards the bottom half of their lineup. The combination of Posada, Cano, Swisher, and Cabrera are favorable over the Phillies’ Ibanez, Feliz, Ruiz, and whoever they put at DH, whether it be Stairs or Dobbs or Mayberry or Francisco. The Yankees have the best lineup in baseball, but by no means are the Phillies a distant second.

Manager

The edge when it comes to managers is definitely on the side of the Phillies’ Charlie Manuel. Manuel has a 20-11 career record in the postseason, a wealth of experience, and has a World Series ring which came last year. On the other hand Joe Giradi does not have a lot of playoff experience as this is his first postseason. Girardi also has a habit of micromanaging his pitching staff, especially the bullpen.

Prediction

Yankees in 7.

Throughout the postseason, I have picked individuals as the worst hitters remaining in the postseason.  Given that I have already discussed the Yankees and Phillies twice, I will only briefly recap them.  The Phillies worst hitter is Pedro Feliz, by far, and the Yankees worst is either Jose Molina, if he is starting that day, or Melky Cabrera, when Posada is catching.  In my first post on this topic, I cautioned that in a short series, anything can  happen.  So how have our worst hitters from the LCS fared this postseason?

Jeff Mathis, Catcher, Angels – Mathis went 8 for 15, with 5 doubles and a walk. He scored 2 runs and had 1 game winning RBI. He had an OPS of 1.313, truly astonishing.
Russell Martin, Catcher, Dodgers – Martin went 5 for 25, a batting average of .200. He scored 2 runs and drove in 3. He had an OPS of .595, even lower than his regular season.
Jose Molina, Catcher, Yankees – Molina went 1 for 4, his one hit a single, in 3 games played.
Melky Cabrera, Center Fielder, Yankees – Cabrera went 11 for 35, hitting .314 with 4 runs and 4 RBIs. He had an OPS of .870, considerably above his seasonal mark.
Pedro Feliz, Third Basemen, Phillies – Feliz went 5 for 31, hitting .161 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs. He had an OPS of .567.

So what do our final five worst hitters teach us? Anything can happen in a short enough stretch. Probability wins out, as 3 of the 5 (Martin, Molina, and Feliz) had putrid postseasons at the plate. However, Mathis and Cabrera have looked much better than their regular season numbers would suggest. For Yankees fans, don’t expect this kind of production in the World Series. On the other hand, Nick Swisher should not be as bad as he has been up to this point, as well.

Who do you think will be our upcoming fluke players? Conversely what legitimately good hitter is liable to look like he took hitting lessons from Jose Molina?