A deep and intimidating lineup (Melky Cabrera was the only regular with an OPS+ below league average), a deep and intimidating payroll, but a pitching staff that was neither deep nor intimidating. Still, we had a heck of a lineup, and CC Sabathia is a legit ace. Remember back on May 12 when we were 15-17 and 6½ games out of first place? You were mocking us at the time, weren't you? You know you were. So, if you hate the Yankees, it's probably your fault they won. We took that mocking and spit it right back in your face.
The 2009 World Series was most definitely a Fall Classic. From #13 taking control of the ALDS & ALCS with monster numbers to Johnny Damon stealing 2nd... and 3rd in Game 4, this was one of the greatest postseasons in MLB history. A-Rod ended all questions and silenced the second-guessers when he performed like the $275 Million dollar athlete he is. His legend is complete, he can only add to his numbers now. Johnny Damon, though aging, showed glimpses of his younger days with clutch hitting and base running for the Yankees. And Matsui? What do you say about Godzilla? With only 13 at-bats in the WS, he batted .615. No, not a typo, he was batting .615. You know who the only other player in MLB history to have batted over .600? The Babe. Mark Teixeira also performed with some outstanding offense.
Most importantly, the core of the Bronx Bombers, the captains of the team, were playing like it was 1998 all over again. Derek Jeter, hands down the best SS in baseball and one of the greatest of all time, averaged over .400. Posada, the Yankee veteran catcher who was backing up his then-teammate/now-coach in 1996 was great hitting both ways. Andy Pettite, on 3 days rest, made it deep into the game, humiliating his Phillies counterpart Pedro Martinez who played like a piece of scrap metal. And when the bullpen opened in the 8th and chants of "ENTER SANDMAN" started, I got chills. There's no better feeling than to have the greatest closer of all time finishing up the game for you. With a full count and 2 outs, Mariano Rivera threw a fastball to Shane Victorino who hit a ground ball to the second baseman Cano who flipped it to Teixeira for the final out. This core of four Yankee stars, after the Game 6 win last night, have earned 5 rings together as teammates.
i've waited - impatiently - since the last WS win in the 2000 Subway Series against the crosstown rival Mets to see us crowned World Champions. There's a reason ex-Yankee player Joe Girardi chose the number 27 for his uniform, and in his second season as the Yankee skipper, he helped The Boss earn the Yanks' 27th World Championship.
Hey Pedro, The Pinstripes are your daddy... And you got SPANKED!
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