(no subject)
Post World Series Thoughts!
The first thing that crosses my mind is that I genuinely want to congratulate the Philadelphia Phillies on being a great team and playing a great series. Everyone on that team (except for maybe Cole Hammels), played their heart and guts out. They really did. Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard (even if he didn't play his best, it wasn't for lack of trying), and Cliff Lee all played incredibly. That team has a great young nucleus and if they can get a real closer and some starting pitching beyond Cliff Lee... it would not shock me if they're back in the world series soon.
A-Rod... holy shit! I figured he'd have a better post season than he has in the past, but even I didn't expect him to put on a cape and become Superman for four weeks. And really, has anyone had more of a roller coaster year that A-Rod? Starts the year with Joe Torre's book talking all sorts of shit about him, has it come out that he used Steroids in Texas, and then has what was thought to be season ending hip surgery in March. He hits absolute rock bottom, and give the man credit, he actively changed his attitude and demeanor for the better. No more ego driven controversial quotes, no more crazy media attention grabbing... he just shut up and played. And I think he was always so SO concerned with his image, and once that house of cards fell apart... I think he felt free. And all season you saw him playing free and easy, and this post season he just owned everyone. And even though he didn't have many hits in the world series, all of his hits were big. The home run off the camera in game three, the go ahead double RBI in the ninth inning of game four, getting on ahead of Matsui last night... all critical hits.
And in the post steroid era... can all players just take a good look at how A-Rod and Giambi handled their steroid scandals. They are the only two players to admit what they did and apologize. And it doesn't erase the taint of steroid from their career, because that will always be there. But everyone seems to let them move on. It's that denial and stonewalling that continually pisses everyone off. Look, we all know that about half to two thirds of Baseball players were on steroids or HGH or something from around 94-2004. This isn't five years ago when there were like three players we knew for sure about. We all know... just be a man when you're caught. Don't hide behind the players union (David Ortiz), or hide behind some obvious personality disorders (Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds), or just hide from the light of day (Mark McGuire). Just be a man and admit it.
I love C.C. Sabathia. I just love that guy. Not only is he a 6'7" 290lb powerhouse... but I love the attitude that he brought to the club. He wanted to take the ball as much as he could this post season, he was willing to pitch on three days rest whenever it was needed, and he went out there every time and pitched his guts out. And that sets a tone. Before game three AJ Burnett walked into Joe Girardi's office and said "I'm pitching game five." Short rest or no, Burnett was demanding to pitch that game. Now, it ultimately didn't work out so well for Burnett... but I LOVE that he wanted the ball. I loved that Andy Pettitte wanted the ball. That's what you want in a pitching staff. And all of that started with C.C. Sabathia.
Joba Chamberlain jumping off the stage and fighting through the crowd to get to his dad in the motorized wheel chair is just a great moment. If you haven't seen the photo go find it... it's amazing.
Jesus Christ is Andy Pettitte a warrior. He really didn't have good stuff, but he found a way to scrape and grind through five and a third innings and leave his team in a position to win.
That's really all for now. I have a lot of thoughts on off season moves and who the Yankees should and shouldn't keep... but those are for later in the winter. Right now I need to get to rest up so I can go to the ticker tape parade tomorrow.
The first thing that crosses my mind is that I genuinely want to congratulate the Philadelphia Phillies on being a great team and playing a great series. Everyone on that team (except for maybe Cole Hammels), played their heart and guts out. They really did. Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard (even if he didn't play his best, it wasn't for lack of trying), and Cliff Lee all played incredibly. That team has a great young nucleus and if they can get a real closer and some starting pitching beyond Cliff Lee... it would not shock me if they're back in the world series soon.
A-Rod... holy shit! I figured he'd have a better post season than he has in the past, but even I didn't expect him to put on a cape and become Superman for four weeks. And really, has anyone had more of a roller coaster year that A-Rod? Starts the year with Joe Torre's book talking all sorts of shit about him, has it come out that he used Steroids in Texas, and then has what was thought to be season ending hip surgery in March. He hits absolute rock bottom, and give the man credit, he actively changed his attitude and demeanor for the better. No more ego driven controversial quotes, no more crazy media attention grabbing... he just shut up and played. And I think he was always so SO concerned with his image, and once that house of cards fell apart... I think he felt free. And all season you saw him playing free and easy, and this post season he just owned everyone. And even though he didn't have many hits in the world series, all of his hits were big. The home run off the camera in game three, the go ahead double RBI in the ninth inning of game four, getting on ahead of Matsui last night... all critical hits.
And in the post steroid era... can all players just take a good look at how A-Rod and Giambi handled their steroid scandals. They are the only two players to admit what they did and apologize. And it doesn't erase the taint of steroid from their career, because that will always be there. But everyone seems to let them move on. It's that denial and stonewalling that continually pisses everyone off. Look, we all know that about half to two thirds of Baseball players were on steroids or HGH or something from around 94-2004. This isn't five years ago when there were like three players we knew for sure about. We all know... just be a man when you're caught. Don't hide behind the players union (David Ortiz), or hide behind some obvious personality disorders (Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds), or just hide from the light of day (Mark McGuire). Just be a man and admit it.
I love C.C. Sabathia. I just love that guy. Not only is he a 6'7" 290lb powerhouse... but I love the attitude that he brought to the club. He wanted to take the ball as much as he could this post season, he was willing to pitch on three days rest whenever it was needed, and he went out there every time and pitched his guts out. And that sets a tone. Before game three AJ Burnett walked into Joe Girardi's office and said "I'm pitching game five." Short rest or no, Burnett was demanding to pitch that game. Now, it ultimately didn't work out so well for Burnett... but I LOVE that he wanted the ball. I loved that Andy Pettitte wanted the ball. That's what you want in a pitching staff. And all of that started with C.C. Sabathia.
Joba Chamberlain jumping off the stage and fighting through the crowd to get to his dad in the motorized wheel chair is just a great moment. If you haven't seen the photo go find it... it's amazing.
Jesus Christ is Andy Pettitte a warrior. He really didn't have good stuff, but he found a way to scrape and grind through five and a third innings and leave his team in a position to win.
That's really all for now. I have a lot of thoughts on off season moves and who the Yankees should and shouldn't keep... but those are for later in the winter. Right now I need to get to rest up so I can go to the ticker tape parade tomorrow.