Matsui Gives Yanks Parting Gift
By Mike Silva ~ November 5th, 2009. Filed under: 2009 World Series.
In all likelihood Hideki Matsui played his final game in pinstripes last night. His first Yankee Stadium performance was in 2003 when he hit a grand slam in a victory over the Minnesota Twins. His potential finale was a three hit/6 RBI performance that will go down in Yankees lore. The 2009 MVP trophy puts a cap on a great Yankees career.
What comes to mind when a team wins the World Series is all the things that seem so meaningless right now. The worries about the bullpen, A-Rod’s clutch hitting, the Joba Rules, and lack of starting rotation depth are all meaningless. The losing streaks and grind out wins were so uncomfortable during the season, but now you wouldn’t trade it for anything because it’s what defines the season.
Modern Yankees fans get a bad reputation for their lack of depth, knowledge of the sport, and disrespectful arrogance. Those types of fans exist in every city and sport. I hope everyone realizes how special a title is because you never know when it will happen again. Back in 2000 you couldn’t fathom the Yankees not being in the Fall Classic. Nine years later many know better.
A-Rod is Finally a Yankee
You could tell from his postgame speech that A-Rod finally feels at home. He mentioned his team and organization standing by him during the steroid debacle. It’s safe to say that all the negative talk about A-Rod could be put to bed. Give the guy credit his career and reputation were at the precipice and he worked hard to repair both. Hopefully this is a lesson learned and we see a different A-Rod during the back half of his career.
The Ageless Wonder
This has been repeated many times, but the Yankees MVP the last 15 years is Mariano Rivera. Without him there is no dynasty, heck probably a lot less playoff appearances. Back in May some, including this site, questioned whether Rivera was starting to decline. His velocity was down and he had been tagged by Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria for long homers. How wrong we were because it appears that Rivera is as good as ever. I don’t know how the guys does it, but all of us should age as well as Mo.
Girardi Comes Through on His Promise
When Joe Girardi was hired he picked #27 because that was his goal: bring home the 27th title to the Bronx. Girardi struggled his first season and I would be lying if I said I didn’t think the guy was doomed to fail. Some will say it’s easy for a manager to take over a team that will spend at any cost. I don’t believe this was the case with Girardi. He came into an organization that had disappointed for five years and just ousted a popular manager. Joe Torre’s shadow now is gone and becomes part of the history books. Girardi can now start a new chapter of excellence. It’s not going to be easy, but the foundation has been set.
Where’s Hank?
I noticed that Hal Steinbrenner accepted the trophy from Bud Selig. Where was Hank Steinbrenner? He has been conspicuously missing for quite some time now.
Did Obama Help the Cause?
The last nine Yankee championships have come with a Democrat in office. Was the World Series won last November when Barack Obama was elected?
The Christening of Yankee Stadium
The Yankees celebrated the opening of the original Yankee Stadium by winning the 1923 World Series. Eighty Six years later the Stadium’s upscale offspring is treated to a championship.
The Parade is Friday
The Yankees will travel down the Canyon of Heroes on Friday
Pitchers & Catchers
Ironically there is only about 3 months till pitcher and catchers report!
