World Series Recap

On Wednesday night October 22, 2008 at 8:37 pm Fox Sports was finally done fumbling around with thirty minutes of pre-game, first pitch, national anthem and pageantry, and was finally ready for Major League Baseball’s 106th World Series.
Game one from Tampa / St Petersburg Florida featured the National League's Philadelphia Phillies versus the American League's Tampa Bay Rays.

At 8:38pm Eastern Standard Time, Tampa’s starting pitcher Scott Kazmir threw a 90 mph fastball at the knees to Philadelphia leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins. The pitch was a called strike and the World Series was officially under way.

After Rollins flew out to right field to start the game, the Phillies got down to business. The second batter, Jayson Werth walked and then second baseman Chase Utley launched a two run homer to right center. Three batters into the World Series and the Phillies led 2-0.

The 2-0 lead gave Philly starter Cole Hamels a lot to work with, as he held the Ray’s bats silent for the first three and two thirds innings. In the top of the fourth inning the Phillies added a critical insurance run when they went up 3-0 on a Carlos Ruiz RBI ground out.

The Rays began to chip away. First a Carl Crawford solo homer in the fourth inning, then an Akinori Iwamura double to the gap in the fifth inning scored shortstop Jason Bartlett. Cole Hamels had made only a handful of mistake pitches in the game, but now he and the Phillies were clinging to a 3-2 lead. To make matters worse the Phillies were stranding runners on base at an alarming rate. Eleven runners in all were left on base in game one.

But Cole Hamels continued to battle and did exactly what his team required of him. He pitched seven brilliant innings. On his 100 pitch of the game he caught a come backer to the mound to record his final out before turning things over to the very capable Phillies bullpen.

Ryan Madson worked a 1-2-3 8th inning. The ninth inning belonged to the perfect Brad Lidge. All season long Lidge had been flawless for the Phillies in save situations. The post season was no different. “Lights out Lidge” as Philly fans have begun calling him, answered the call in game one. With his devastating slider he successfully struck out two of the three batters he faced.

Phillies won game one 3-2. Phillies led World Series 1-0.


Game two’s first pitch came at 8:31 on Thursday October 23, 2008. It was a James Shields fastball low and inside for ball one. It was the only blemish on Shields record in game two. He worked five and two third innings of shout out ball.

When I saw that MLB umpire Kerwin Danley was working home plate for game 2 of the World Series I began to cringe. Danley has been one of baseball’s worst umpires in 2008. Kerwin had very recently blown several key calls in the American League Championships series in Boston. In the third inning with the Rays up with two outs, it appeared that Rocco Baldelli struck out on a check swing. Danley waved his hand as though to indicate that Baldelli had swung, and then immediately appealed to first base umpire Fieldin Culbreth. Culbreth awarded the batter first base to extend the inning. Two batters later B.J. Upton drove a single to right field. Baldelli scored and the Rays took a 3-0 lead.

Eleven more runners had been left on base in game two for Philadelphia. Now the offense, the umpires, and most important of all momentum were working against the Phils. Rays rookie sensation David Price pitched very well in relief of Shields and closed the door for Tampa.

Rays won game two 4-2. The World Series was Tied 1-1.

On Saturday October 25, 2008 rain poured down throughout the Philadelphia area. After a ninety-minute rain delay the World Series was ready to resume with a change of setting. Citizens Bank Park was hosting its first ever World Series.

The first pitch from 45-year-old Philly Jamie Moyer was a letter high strike right across home plate. Moyer worked a scoreless first.

After a lead off hit by Rollins and a walk to the second batter Werth, Ray’s starter Matt Garza unleashed a wild pitch. With two runners in scoring position Chase Utley grounded out to second, driving in the first run of game. The Phillies took the early lead 1-0.

Tampa came right back with a run of their own in the second inning. Carl Crawford doubled, stole second base, and then trotted home on a deep sacrifice fly by Gabe Gross. Thru one and one half innings the game was tied at 1-1.

The back and forth continued as catcher Carlos Ruiz launched a solo homerun in the second giving the Phillies the lead back 2-1.

From the bottom of the second to the bottom of the sixth, the game saw nothing but dominate pitching from both Matt Garza and Jamie Moyer. Then in the bottom of the sixth two old teammates paired up to do what they do best. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard belted back-to-back homeruns to right field giving the Phillies a 4-1 lead.

The Rays were not done. The chipped away as the game progressed and in the top of the eighth the came all the way back to tie it. Carl Crawford proved to be trouble yet again on the bases. An errant throw to third base got away from Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz. Crawford had successfully stolen third yet again, but when the ball got away from Feliz, Carl took home and the game was tied 4-4.

In the bottom of the ninth inning Ray’s reliever Grant Balfour hit lead off batter Eric Bruntlett. Bruntlett was awarded first base, and the next batter was center fielder Shane Victorino, who was showing bunt right away. Balfour’s pitch was wild and bounced of the backstop. The ricochet of the wild pitch came right back to catcher Dioner Navarro. He turned and threw to second. But the throw curved into right center field. Bruntlett ran to third and was 90 feet away from scoring the game-winning run.

Ray’s Manager Joe Maddon went to the mound with a very unorthodox plan of defense. The plan was to walk Victorino and the following batter, pinch hitter Greg Dobbs. So with the bases loaded Maddon took Ben Zobrist out of right field, and aligned his infield with five players. The strategy was to throw the runner out at home with anything hit on the infield. The drama and pressure was as intense as ever.

Catcher Carlos Ruiz came to the plate to face Grant Balfour. On the fifth pitch of the at bat, Ruiz squibbed a grounder down the third base line. Third baseman Evan Longoria charged the ball, fielded it, and attempted to lob the ball over the runner Bruntlett to get the out at home. The lob was over catcher Dioner Navarro’s head and Bruntlett slid in safely scoring the game-winning run.

Looking back, it was the end of the 2008 World Series. Although the series would still go two more games and three more nights, the Rays never mentally recovered. The home field advantage, starting pitching, and core of Champions on the Phillies were now in complete control.

Phillies won game three 5-4. Phillies led the World Series 2-1.

Game four was all Philadelphia.

The first pitch from Philly starter Joe Blanton was an 88 mph fastball inside for ball one.

In the bottom of the first, it was another blown call by the umpiring crew that led to the first run of the game. Jimmy Rollins was called safe at third base, loading them up for Pat Burrell. Pat drew a walk and the Phillies were up 1-0.

The bottom of the fourth was the break out inning for the Phillies. Up 2-1 Ryan Howard came to the plate and delivered a three run homerun to left field. The opposite field swing was a missing link for Howard this October. He had found the error in his ways, and the Phillies were up 5-1.

The Phillies would score five more runs before it was all said and done. Another home run by Howard, a two run shot, a Jayson Werth two run homer, and a solo home run by starting pitcher Joe Blanton.

The Phillies rocked the Rays 10-2. The Phillies led the World Series 3-1.

I blame THE OLD MAN for all of game five’s drama.

TOM decided he wanted to come down to my place in Voorhees to watch the Phillies win the World Series. He wanted to watch all the local coverage on my flat screen, and he wanted to take a possible trip into Philly to watch the locals celebrate.

We went out for dinner after I got home from work, and when leaving the Cherry Hill Red Lobster, we both noticed the steady down pour falling from above. TOM proceeded back to my place and passed out on the couch! So much for his trip to relish in the atmosphere!

The game began in the pouring rain, and Cole Hamels first pitch was a 90 mph fastball called strike. Hamels first inning was dominate. The same could not be said for Scott Kazmir. Scott who is notorious for always having a high pitch count threw almost 30 pitches in the first inning. He walked two and hit one. Shane Victorino came up with the bases loaded and lined a double to left scoring two. Phillies had the early lead 2-0.

In the top of the fourth inning Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria, who had been held hitless in the series, finally came through. Pena doubled to lead off the inning and Longoria drove him in with a single. The score was 2-1 Phillies.

Kazmir left the game in the fifth inning with 103 pitches as the rain began to intensify.

In the bottom of the 6th inning the game became unmanageable. The pouring rain made it difficult to watch the action on TV let alone play baseball in it. The infield was covered in water. The water soaking each player uniform. B.J.Upton reached first in the top of the inning on a Jimmy Rollins error. Under normal conditions Rollins fields the ball easily. Upton then stole second base, and Tony Pena drove him in to tie the game at 2-2.

After the top of the 6th, the decision to suspend the game became easy. If the score had remained 2-1 then technically the Phillies would have been crowned World Series Champions. But with no creditability or authority Bud Selig and his boys stepped in and insisted on suspending the game and continuing it as soon as weather permitted.

Game five was suspended in the bottom of the sixth.

With TOM back in New York, it was some 46 hours later when game five of the World Series resumed. Grant Balfour remained in the game for Tampa. His first pitch was a ball, and his fifth pitch was a double to right center by Geoff Jenkins. Rollins moved Jenkins over with a sacrifice bunt, and then a shallow fly ball to center fell in for a base hit for Jayson Werth. Phillies retook the lead right away 3-2.

In the top of the seventh Tampa Bay’s Rocco Baldelli knocked a solo homer to left, re-tying the game 3-3.

In the bottom of the eighth Pat Burrell led off with a double off the wall in straight away center. On any normal summer night the same hit would be a homerun. Victorino moved the pinch runner to third. Pedro Feliz came up, and his base hit up the middle was the last RBI of 2008. The Phillies took the lead 4-3 and Brad Lidge immediately got up in the bullpen.

For the first time since game one, Brad Lidge entered the game in a save situation. Chase Utley gather up the first out on a pop up to second base. After a Dioner Navarro base hit, and a Perez pinch running stolen base, Jayson Werth caught a Ben Zobrist line drive for the second out. Eric Hinski came up representing the last hope for the Tampa Bay Rays. On an 1-2 pitch Hinski weakly swung over the top of a slider from Brad Lidge.

Lidge fell to his knees. Catcher Carlos Ruiz ran out to hug him. Ryan Howard and members for the Phillies dugout ran the battery over. 46,000 Phillies fans went insane!
The call from Joe Buck was “The Phillies are World Champions”.

I could hear other apartments in my complex going crazy. Shortly after, I heard fireworks going off in the distance. An hour later Broad Street looked like Times Square on New Years Eve. The World Series was over. Almost entirely dominated by the Phillies. The World Series MVP award was given to Cole Hamels.

Philadelphia Phillies win game five 4-3. Phillies win World Series 4-1.

Philadelphia Chronicles

9:50am- The alarm clock buzzer began to sound, waking me from a short night of sleep and a very big day both personally and in Philadelphia sports.

Wikipedia defines the word dating as, any social activity performed as a pair with the aim of each assessing the other’s suitability as their partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of agreeing on a time and “date” when the pair can meet and engage in some social activity.

The definition although strong, doesn’t even begin to describe the anxiety involved.

The time was to be any time around 11:00am. The activity, the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFL’s week eight match up. I had been conversing with Jacqueline for a few weeks through an on-line dating site. After acquiring digits, I asked her if she would be interested in attending an Eagles game. I knew from her e-mails and her profile that she was a huge Philadelphia sports fan. And I also know the key to any sports fans heart is a live game. Since I have been living vicariously thru Philadelphia fans all October, I figured an Eagles game was the perfect social activity. The tickets cost me a small fortune but so would have a wasted weekend alone in Atlantic City. Attending a football game with a very attractive lady was a far better alternative, regardless of the money.

11:07am- I received a text message that Jacqueline was close, and I rushed down the stairs from my apartment to meet her in the lot. Shortly after she pulled up and I met her for the first time. My stomach in knots, my mind in a million different directions, I shook her hand and began walking with her to my truck. It was then that I noticed she was wearing a number 36 Eagles Jersey. I asked her who number 36 is.

My question almost blew the whole damn date!

A look of shock and disgust crossed her complexion and I would swear in court that she appeared to make a slight turn back to her car. In hindsight I can’t say I blame her. If someone took me to a Yankees game and asked me who number 2 was within the first 30 seconds of meeting them, I would probably be looking to bail too! I blame THE OLD MAN! TOM, that pain in my backside had me up until 3:00am on the phone the night before. He was talking my ear off about John McCain, and other idol nonsense! The sleep depravation had me in an obvious state of mental bewilderment!

Number 36 is of course Eagles Running Back Brian Westbrook. Lesson learned!

11:15am- Jacqueline decided to join me anyway, and I began our drive over the Delaware to South Philly.

11:47am- We parked three lots away from my usual spot. The atmosphere on Pattison Ave was insane! Part of the reason I wanted to attend the game was to see the city with both an Eagles game and a Phillies World Series game all in the same day. Eagles / Falcons and game four of the 2008 World Series with the Phillies up two games to one.

The tailgaters were out in full force. The sounds of Tom Petty and AC DC were blasting on stereos throughout the lots. The smells of beer and grilled hotdogs were in the air everywhere. The crowds gathered like herds of cattle throughout the lots.

12:11pm- We entered the turnstiles and walked the lower square before climbing the stairs to the main concourse. We made our expedition to section 210 row 4 seats 15 & 16. They turned out to be very good end zone seats, with a great aerial view.

12:49pm- The National Anthem was sung and we were moments away from kick off. The sea of Phillies red attire and Eagles green digs being worn by fans throughout the stands made Lincoln Financial look like Christmas.

1:01pm- The Falcons won the coin toss and elected to receive.

1:37pm- As the first quarter began to close, neither team was able to score and both sides looked pour on offense. Eagles defensive end Trent Cole knocked Falcons QB Matt Ryan to the turf late in the first. Although an exceptionally hard hit, the play resulted in a very questionable roughing the passer penalty against the Eagles. The NFL going above and beyond to protect thier QBs! The disgusted Eagles crowd began to boo. It was by far the loudest I have ever heard a crowd boo in all the events I have been to.

1:42pm-A drunken Eagles fan sitting behind me began to heckle me. He assumed that because I was not wearing any Eagles green that I must have been an Atlanta Falcons fan in disguise. (The logic of a drunkard!) Even a neutral football fan is not safe from the Eagles fanatics’ wrath at Lincoln Financial! Lesson learned!

2:03pm- Matt Ryan passed deep down the middle, complete to Roddy White. The play resulted in a 55-yard touch down at 9:05 in the second quarter. Atlanta scored the first points of the game and took the lead 7-0.

2:14pm- Donovan Mcnabb infiltrated the end zone from three yards out for the first Eagles T.D. of the game. The game was tied at 7-7.

2:22pm- The Eagles got the ball right back and just before half time David Akers converged on a 36-yard field goal.

At the half the Eagles lead 10-7.

3:43pm- The Eagles dominated the third quarter and after a 16-yard Brian Westbrook touchdown run, and another David Akers field goal, Philadelphia was up 20-7.

4:00pm- Matt Ryan and the Falcons tried to make things interesting, but in the end it was another Westbrook touch down that sealed the victory for the Eagles 27-14. Jacqueline was thrilled with both Westbrook’s performance and the overall Eagles victory.

4:17pm- We began our departure from the 200 level and walked the properties between Lincoln Financial and Citizens Bank Park. We were both exhausted and quickly made our way back to my truck. I enjoyed the game thoroughly. Although it wasn’t an ideal date to get to know someone, it was a perfect activity nonetheless. We parted company quickly once back at my place. And I fell asleep for a few minutes while watching the end of the Giants game.

11:39pm- The Philadelphia Phillies clobbered the Tampa Bay Rays in game four of the World Series. Two Ryan Howard homers, and five RBI’s for the big man helped Philly take a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. It was the competition of a perfect day in Philadelphia sports. One more win and the Phillies will be World Champions. It is now Tuesday as I finish writing this Blog article and I am still not recovered from all of the events from Sunday!

World Series Preview

It started just days after the 2007 National League Division Series.

The Philadelphia Phillies were knocked out of the post season in three speedy games last season. General Manager Pat Gillick went right to work. The biggest issue haunting the Phillies was the lack of pitching, both in the rotation and the bullpen. With pitching at a premium in Major League Baseball, and teams wasting money on lack luster stars, the Philadelphia organization knew their options were limited.

Pat got creative.

Instead of wasting money on Johan Santana or Tom Glavine or Carlos Silva, the Philly G.M. went in a most unconventional direction. He traded center field prospect Michael Bourn and bull pen pitcher Geoff Gery to Houston for Astros closer Brad Lidge. The move was two fold. First, it gave Philly a legitimate closer, and moved current closer Brett Myres back into the starting rotation where he had been most successful. The trade resulted in Philly gaining a closer and indirectly gaining a high quality starter too.

When April rolled around the pitching moved to the back burner while the offense exploded. Pat Burrell and Chase Utley carried the team early in the season, while Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins picked up the slack in August and September. All season long the Phillies epitomized timely hitting.

With contributions from all 25 players on the roster, key trades, (including the addition of starter Joe Blanton from Oakland) tremendous timing, and a city dieing for a winner, the Philadelphia Phillies put together a magical season. The Phillies surpassed the wildcard Milwaukee Brewers, defeated Joe Torre and Manny Ramirez in five games, and now find themselves in St Petersburg Florida for the 2008 World Series.

927 miles south of Philly it began over ten years ago.

When the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays joined the American League in 1998, they quickly became the laughing stock of the all of baseball. They had tried everything in the first nine years. Acquiring former greats like Wade Boggs and Fred McGriff in an attempt to build a winning team.

Old Veterans didn’t work.

They brought in Sweet Lou Piniella, one of baseball’s most famous and successful managers. After two losing seasons Lou skipped town, clueless on how to fix the organizations troubles.

Lou didn’t work.

The front office began blasting music on the public address system and began promoting the fan favorite “cowbell”, in an attempt to create “false noise” in an empty Tropicana Dome. Desperate to create buzz and attendance the Rays averaged 12,000 a game.

The buzz didn’t work.

Then this season, second year manager Joe Maddon came into spring training starting a slogan of “nine equals eight” among his players and staff. The slogan has lead most everyone to ask, “What the hell is nine equals eight”?

As the season went on we all learned that nine equals eight refers to nine players, playing hard for nine innings, resulting in the acquisition of one of the eight-playoff spots in the post season.

Joe Maddon’s coaching worked.

In the late hours of May 13th this year the laughing stock of the American League ceased to exist. That night the Rays moved into first place for the first time ever that late into any season. The Rays haven’t let up a day since. Ten years of scouting finally developed a core of tremendously gifted baseball players. Finishing the regular season in first place in the most competitive division in baseball, the Rays are champions of the American League.

Now today the World Series begins.

I am pulling for the Phillies, my official B-team behind the Yankees. However I think the Rays will win in six. It is sure to be one of the most exciting, well-played World Series in years. It’s a shame too, because all signs point to the lowest ratings since 2000.

Tail Gating

Tail Gating

It is as Joe Cahn (self proclaimed Commissioner of Tailgating) called it “America’s last neighborhood”. For millions of Americans every football season begins a new chapter to the time honored tradition of attending football games hours before the gates open and eating, drinking and socializing without end. For millions more in America tailgating serves as a business of stable economic growth. Thousands of companies set up tents and trailers and promotional events in the lots at professional games all over the country. I personally have worked well over a dozen tailgating events, and my current employer conducts 35 percent of its business thru outdoor marketing events associated with football tailgating. These marketing promotions filled with giveaways for fans and marketing for capitalists create work everywhere in the country.

But is it possible to have too much of a good thing?

That is what organizations like the New York Jets and Giants have begun to ask. For the first time this season Giants stadium (home to both the Jets and Giants) is limiting access to its parking lots. More specifically four hours before the game and four hours after is all fans are permitted to tail gate. There reason: alcohol consumption and potentially dangerous situations developing in the lots around the Meadowlands.

On September 14th I attended the Jets home game at the stadium against the Patriots. As a working vendor I was permitted access to the lot just outside gate D nine hours before kick off. But at 7:00am, when I entered the lot, fans were already lined up on the streets outside, waiting for lot attendants to allow them access. While talking to Jet fans I began to understand their perspective of disgust. As one fan told me “we only get 8 games a year as it is, and many of these folks here in the lots are like family”. The sprit, preparation, and creative influence all seem to be restricted by “The Man”. As if these fans haven’t suffered enough. With personal seat licenses, and the ticket boom from companies like Stub Hub, fans are already feeling the crunch.

However I also see the other perspective. It’s the perspective of ownership trying to avoid a NASCAR situation in the NFL. NASCAR tailgating is largely affective because of the nature of their events. Stock Car events are usually weekend long races with venues built on the outskirts of towns. Most Speedway parking lots are set up to accommodate fans in RV motor homes and tailgaters with a strong desire to linger. Where as Giants Stadium, for example, is just 9.42 miles from down town Manhattan.

However a big part of this new mandate is not for the safety of fans. It's not to promote responsible drinking, and its not proximity of stadiums to cities, really. It's because beer revenue is down inside the turnstiles and up out in the lots. Ownership revenue is the most important thing in professional sports.

Period.


But what can fans do?

Owners hold all the cards. So as much as I enjoy tail gating myself and count on it as part of my livelihood, it would seem as though the tradition has reached its peak. I expect more of the same to follow. More teams and more cities will begin to limit the access of parking lots for Tail Gaters and fans.
It seems as though even America’s last neighborhood has a timetable to extinction.

Letter To The Commissioner

Dear Commissioner Selig

My name is Ryan Dugan, and I have been a baseball fanatic my entire life. For the last 28 years the National Past Time has been webbed into my life in very extreme ways. I have been to 29 of the games 30 home ballparks. I have seen a half dozen games in the Grape Fruit League. I have sat in the front rows for post-season games. I have been to the World Series. Over the last three years I have become an independent amateur Journalist and Sports Blogger. As I type this on the evening of October 1, the 2008 Division Series has just begun. As this paragraph plays out on my laptop, the Cubs find themselves down 7-2 against the Dodgers in the 9th inning of game one of the NLDS.

Which brings me to the point of my letter.

I will refrain from commenting on my concerns for baseball’s economic escalation that is bound to lead to disaster. I will exclude my thoughts on elitism in the seats at the park. And I will avoid writing about troubles I see in the marketing of today’s game in the media.

Instead I write you regarding a much lighter topic, but one that seriously troubles me.

My letter is a plead to you and to Major League Baseball to Change the format of the division series from a best of five series to a best of seven series. My problem with the current format is this: teams work all summer long to make it to October baseball, and regardless of effort, numbers, or record, all teams find themselves in the position of being eliminated as early as 72 hours after the post season begins. It’s simply not fair to the players, and maybe more importantly it’s not fair to the fans.

As a life long Yankees fan, over the last three seasons (prior to this year) I have seen my team eliminated in less then a week. The preparation and dream seem to be gone before even starting. And it’s not just my Yankees either. Believe me I realize I am spoiled by my organizations successes. But take Philadelphia as an example. Last season, after waiting fourteen years to return to the playoffs the Phillies were eliminated in three lightning fast games. The Atlanta Braves too. (Prior to 2005) Year after year they work all summer just to return to their prior point of elimination and continue to get knocked out inside of five games. There is just too much at stake to decide these games in a best of five series.

As each breath of our respective lives passes, the great game’s history and tradition continues to build. The more it builds that harder it becomes to make changes. I could continue to site examples or scenarios that support my request, but I am certain you’re already well aware of them all. I believe this change would be for the good of the game. It would be a vast improvement for fans and players, and for the record books too.

Now I realize that this is baseball’s hot topic, and the odds of any Commissioner seriously listening to some scoob such as myself are hopeless. But as I continue to devote countless amounts of my time, money and resources to the great game, I feel as though I have to try.

Thank you for reading my request, and any consideration you might give it.

Regards,

Ryan J. Dugan

State Of The Yankees

Ok, my last Yankee Blog for a while I promise!

It’s just that a team that struggles to play .500 ball for most of 2008 and yet has a payroll close to 200 million is bound to leave thousands and thousands of Yankee fans asking why? 2008 will mark the first post season that doesn’t include the New York Yankees in thirteen years.

So as an avid Yankee fan and a sports blogger I recently conducted an open forum with my three favorite Yankee allies in the Bronx. My allies are as follows, my sister B.L. she is a huge Yankees fan and an eternal optimist. My uncle Gary also a huge Yankees fan and an eternal pessimist. And lastly my father, THE OLD MAN, enough said.

Here are the questions asked, in chronological order.


1) What just happened?

B.L.- Our wonderful boys in blue missed the playoffs, but they are still wonderful.

G.T.- The exact same thing that happened to the Detroit Tigers, a team with a veteran roster got real old real fast. Injuries, age, and declining performance were the result.

OLD MAN- The Pope came to the Bronx this year! But Robinson Cano underachieved, and too many pitching injuries resulted in a poor season.


2) Who is most to blame?

B.L.- I blame myself! I just haven’t been a big enough Yankee fan this year.

G.T.- Brain Cashman. The misuse of money on player contracts is disgraceful.

OLD MAN- Chin Ming Wang is to blame. By no fault of his own, his injury destroyed the seaon.


3) Does Brian Cashman come back next season?

B.L.- I wouldn’t be surprised to see him.

G.T.- I hope not, but a more qualified replacement must be found first.

OLD MAN- Yes Cashman will be back, but Yankee executive power will return to Tampa. And Hank will assume a more active roll.


4) Does Joe Girardi and his coaching staff come back?

B.L.- Joe will return, but there will be staff changes.

G.T.- Yes, Hank has already given Joe his blessing. But staff changes will take place, as someone will have to take the blame.

OLD MAN- Yes Joe will be back and yes he will make changes.


5) Would a Joe Torre Yankees team fall this badly this season?

B.L.- Not sure. Torre was a great Yankees manager but there were so many issues this season.

G.T.- Joe’s Yankee team would have been better, but still would have missed the post season.

OLD MAN- Torre’s team would have made the first round, but would have been eliminated yet again in the first round.


6) Free Agents… Who stays and who goes?

B.L.- Pettite and Mussina will be back, but not sure about the rest.

G.T.- Andy Pettite will retire. Jason Giambi is surely gone. Mike Mussina and Bobby Abreu will be back.

OLD MAN- Jason Giambi needs to go away!


7) If you were Hank Steinbrenner who is the one player that you would bring in?

B.L.- C.C. Sabathia

G.T.- Mark Teixeira

OLD MAN- C.C. Sabathia


8) If you were Hank Steinbrenner, who is the one player that you would get rid of?

B.L.- Undecided

G.T.- Alex Rodriguez

OLD MAN- Jason Giambi


Now in conclusion, since this is my blog I will get the final word.

What concerns me most about the New York Yankees past, present, and future is their offensive offense! Hitting with runners in scoring position, or runners on base in general is not something the Yankees have done with any sort of success this season. They are third in the American league in hitting into double plays, and rank second strikeouts (behind on the dreadful Seattle Mariners). I would love to put together a highlight tape of the all their double plays and strike outs, but I don't think there would be enough videotape. Their overall offensive numbers rank pretty high in the league, but numbers don't translate directly to wins, and that more then anything that is why the Yankees will be home this October.

As for the off-season changes, all we can do is speculate. As fans seeking answers these questions at least gives us some comfort. But this current Yankee organization has a lot of work to do before 2009 rolls around.

Yankee Stadium

On May 5th, 1922 a little piece of land just east of the Harlem River and north of Manhattan was selected by men of wealth and power to be brought out of darkness and into light. These creators had an idea to build a place where people could veraciously watch the performances of great men. In turn these watchers would develop their own unique performances. Experiences both impending and past would culminate in this spot. Friendships, bonds, and love all prospered.

Those who have shared in it need only to close their eyes and all the senses return in an instant. The feelings of hot summer sun, and anxious October chill. Smells of hotdogs and char grilled pretzels, cigarette smoke, and beer stained concrete. The taste of Peanuts, and Cracker Jacks. The smacking sounds of a glove in hand, and the snap of bat connecting with the ball. Or the voice of God over the P.A. system.

And of course the sights!

The bright blue seats! The white concrete façade! The dank and dim concourses. The steep narrow upper deck. The Ambulance parked outside the garage door out past monument park. The black bleachers in center.

And that short porch in right! Oh that short porch!

Reggie Reggie Reggie! The Giambino! The O’Neill targets! Phil’s call of the Roger Maris record breaker! Jeffery Maier! And the Babe in his own house!

The view of the courthouse above the scoreboard and façade.

The place I am referring can be found at East 161st street and River Avenue in Bronx New York. It is the most recognizable sports setting in American history.

It is of course Yankees Stadium.

The House That Ruth Built, as it has been commonly called, will close its doors forever this Sunday night. For me Yankees Stadium has been like a home, and a place I will never forget.

My first trip to Yankee Stadium came somewhere around 1986 with my father. I was too young to remember much then, and my father is too old to remember much now. What we do remember is that it was a Yankees / Red Sox double-header. I remember the Trail- Ways bus that took us to the Bronx, and I remember all the floodlights that lit up the evening sky. But I mostly remember the dark concourse ramps that my father and I jogged up and down to keep my six-year-old energy in check.

My next Yankee Stadium experience would come just a few years later. This time my mom and little brother would be joining us, along with my uncle Gary and my great aunt Marge. The six of us all in one car, with my sick brother stinking up the back seat. The Yankees were facing the Detroit Tigers in a Saturday afternoon game. My uncle had Saturday season tickets so this was a regular event for him. After entering the turnstiles our parties split. Marge and Gary proceeded to their seats in the main reserve (section 13 row E seats 1 & 2), while my immediate family and I proceeded to the upper deck down the third base line. The experience was down hill from there. The Tigers destroyed the Yankees on the field, while the majority of the fans were drunk and unruly off the field. It was there that I first learned what marijuana smells like, as the fans in our section were toking up. We left the game in the seventh inning knowing full well we might have to wait three innings back at the car for Marge and Gary. When we got to the car, we found that they were waiting for us. Their experience was no better then ours. My mother vowed to write George Stienbrener a letter, but never did.

By 1991 my aunt Marge was attending fewer games with my uncle Gary. Between adult influence, pre-puberty, and little league, my interests in Major League Baseball began to grow tremendously. My uncle Gary saw this and began asking my brother and I to accompany him to Saturday home games at Yankee Stadium.

The 1991 Mayors Trophy game between the Yankees and Mets was not only a practice game for both teams, but also a practice game for me as a fan. I knew that if I appeared to be bored, disinterested, too antsy, or made too many trips to the bathroom, then it would be the last game I would attend with my uncle. My brother’s audition did not go as well as mine, but nonetheless he and I would alternate Saturday games with my uncle for the next ten years.

Shortly after the 1991 season, my brother and I became spoiled rotten. My father began taking us to Tuesday night games along with my sister. Between my dad and my uncle, I was now seeing a ton of great games in the house that Ruth Built.

As I began to grow up, Yankee Stadium became my home away from home. A place that I knew vast comfort and entertainment in the city that never sleeps. I experienced great friendships and family moments over hundreds of games and thousands of innings. I went to games with girl friends, and after college visitations. I went on school nights and stayed up way past bedtime. I went to games on my own, and even took a British friend to his first ever American baseball game. (He tried to equate it to Cricket.) I went to playoff games and two World Series games, Game 2 of the 1996 World Series, and Game 1 of the 1998 World Series. I even took my dad to his first ever playoff game, last season against the Indians in the division series.

In recent years my sister has become a huge Yankee fan. She has attended a great many games with my father, uncle and I. Her newfound joy for the Yankees and constant optimism for the Yankees have made it wonderful attending games at the stadium with her.

Since 2004 plans to build a new Yankees Stadium have been looming. At first those of us with fond feelings for the current Stadium denied that the day would ever come. Then there was a groundbreaking ceremony. Then over the last two seasons strong visual evidence began growing every day. Now the New Yankee Stadium is almost complete just beyond the third base side of the current Stadium. As the 2008 season began, the theme of endings had also begun. Last opening day, last season series, and last All-Star game.
As the Yankees scheduled their lasts, so did I.

I had been planning it for some time. I wanted to send my home away from home off right, and give Yankee Stadium the honor it properly deserved. To do so I wanted those family members closest to me by blood and Yankee bond to be there to witness the end. And so I got tickets one last time for my father, my uncle Gary, my brother, my sister, and I and on Tuesday September 16th 2008 we attended our last Yankee game at the Stadium. It was an emotional game full of highs and lows. The five of us shared in all the usual laughs, but we also had a polite amount of pain and mourning. My father got a bit emotional when he revisited his old seat in right field. Gary was nostaligic when remembering games past from his old seats in section 13. My sister had her moments and my brother refused to accept the move, vowing never to go to the new stadium. My heart skipped a beat when I entered the park and flipped the turnstile one final time.
A very special moment occurred in the bottom of the first inning, when Derek Jeter collected his 1270th hit at Yankee Stadium to pass Lou Gerhig for the most hits all time at Yankee Stadium. It was a fitting end, and I was thrilled to be there to witness the Yankee Captain make history.

It was the only highlight from the game itself. The Yankees will miss the playoffs for the first time in 13 years this season. The game itself carried no playoff ramifications. The Yankees struggled to score runs and in the ninth inning they were down by four. The last batter of the game was Johnny Damon. Johnny hit a high lazy fly ball to the short stop Orlando Cabrera. As the ball landed in the shortstops glove my heart once again skipped. I lowered my head and finished writing up my scorecard. Not a word was spoken, and it felt like the entire stadium was silent as Frank Sinatra sang New York New York. None of us wanted to leave and we took our sweet sweet time moving from section 14 of the upper deck. We stopped for photos, shared our feelings and cracked some jokes. Finally we were forced out of Yankee Stadium and departed from the gates in left field.

The end had arrived.

Now all that remains is the final weekend series, and a Sunday night game on ESPN that will officially mark the end of an era in baseball and in history.

As I conclude this blog and write my final thoughts on Yankee Stadium, I will refrain from commenting on the change. I will not offer an opinon regarding power, or wealth, greed, or progress, or old versus new. I will simply say in conclusion that a very special place that has been very important to my life will soon be destroyed and gone forever. What will remain will be photographs, videotape and a mind bursting with memories. Like so many other things in life, we can’t stop the clock. We cant stop the change, all we can do is accept the things beyond our control remember the past with a sense of fondness, and look to the future with a sense of hope.

The bright blue seats! The white concrete façade! The dank and dim concourses.
The steep narrow upper deck.

And that short porch in right! Oh that short porch!