Both the Bills and Yankees played true to form yesterday. As usual, the Bills were outgained like three-to-one, but this time they lost - no more breaks falling their way after the first half yesterday, when they parlayed three turnovers into a narrow lead. Of course, it didn't last, as Houston benched their fumbling RB and pretty much kept the ball on the ground to avoid interceptions - then ran right over the Bills. This should be the blueprint for beating my beloved Blue-and-Red the rest of the season. Our offense sucks, so you don't have to worry about us coming back after you take the lead...
As for the Yankees, they had yet another, well, it wasn't a comeback win, but it was pretty close. After having young reliever Joba Chamberlain give up the game-tying home run with two outs and two strikes on the Phillies' seventh-place hitter, the Yanks had every reason to pack it in, as the Philadelphia crowd was roaring and all the 'mo seemed against the New Yorkers (the Eagles had even beat the Giants across the street earlier in the day). Of course, the Phillies then brought in closer Brad Lidge to throw the top of the ninth, a match-up I have been waiting for. You see, Lidge had a terrible regular season, with an E.R.A. of over seven and blowing more than 10 saves. Last year, he was unhittable through the Series, so I guess the Phils felt they owed him some loyalty, and he'd been pretty good with postseason so far this year, going three-for-three in saves, but from what I recall, at least two of these saves were shaky, meaning he got men on base before escaping. This is usually a bad sign for a struggling closer.
Well, Lidge came out last night and dominated pinch-hitter Matsui and then Jeter. Then Damon battled him and finally broke him for a single to left. Lidge got two strikes on Damon early and then the catcher looked like he dropped a potential foul-tip third strike. That was all the Yankees needed. Lidge beaned Teixiera, A-Rod followed with a tie-breaking double and Posada cleared the bases. Game over. (Rivera pitched a perfect ninth-also true to form.)
So, I guess my point is that everyone played true to form yesterday and with the brisk weather and the colorful falling leaves, it was a stereotypically great autumn day. And stereotypes, because of their familiarity, can sometimes be comforting.
Cheers.
Ralph
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7 comments:
Despite your recent rhetoric about the Yankees being too old to win the World Series, it looks like big money will prevail after all (even if it is paid to supposed "geezers").
They just have too much talent. In fact, I would wager that a MLB all-star team could not beat the Yankees because they have cornered the market on talent. There are only a few players out there who I think might be able to challenge the Yanks...and they will likely end their careers in NY, just like so many others (Damon, Rodriguez, etc.)
So, *yawn,* the Yankees will hoist another championship and life will go on. I guess the people of NY deserve it because the Giants and the Jets have certainly fallen off the bus.
I deleted that last comment, which was mine, but mistakenly entered under my work I.D.
Here it is again:
The Yankees have not hoisted a championship banner since 2000 - a period of eight years, when seven different teams have won the World Series, so I don't really consider it to be a yawn - aside from the fact that the games run so late. I don't disagree that the Yankees have some talented players, but a lot of them are old and if they all hit the decline next year, it might be awhile before we hoist another one. Seriously, where would we be without the 40-year-old Mariano Rivera. I live in fear of his arm just flying off on his next pitch. He's now pitched in more than 1,000 games in his career and he's pretty much just as good as he was when he first burst onto the scene in 1996. And really, if Damon doesn't get that hit last night...I guess my point is that we're not bludgeoning people with talent, but we have talented guys playing good baseball, which I think is fun to watch. (Of course, some people thought watching Brett Favre carve the heart of out 60,000 Packer fans was fun too...)
His arm fly off? That would certainly boost the TV ratings.
Enjoy the rest of the series...
I actually cashed in early last night with the Yanks down 2-8, and they almost came back and pulled it out.
Never count out the Yanks...they are like Freddie Kruger. You just can't kill them.
Congratulations. Very happy for you in your moment of triumph.
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