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Great effort, Pedro, but Yanks'll always be your daddy when we got pitchers like AJ dealing like that.
HOPE THE ORGANIST DUG UP THE OLD "WHO'S YOUR DADDY?" SHEET MUSIC!
My look to Game 2 over here...
And by that, I mean it was really hard to cull this list down to only 9.
So there it is. My sister called me within 5 minutes to discourage this plan:
Laur: I don't know, don't you think that's kinda...mean?
Me: Mean? MEAN?!!
Laur: Ok maybe "mean" is the wrong word. Beneath us?
Me: No.
Laur: Alright, lemme think of an analogy....Ok, it'd be like if you were released from the hospital and while you're walking out the doors, you see a support group for people who are still suffering from their disability or illness. And you decide that instead of just continuing to leave hospital, you're going to go sit in on their meeting so they can just see how you're not sick and they are.
Me: No. NO. NO NO NO. That's not what it is! It's like if we all got sick together, and then they miraculously got better first and beat us outta of the hospital, and instead of leaving, they hung around in ICU and just laughed at us with our IVs and bedpans and shit, and then, THEN while they were doing that, we managed to recuperate, and when they finally left us alone and skipped out of the hospital, they all collectively slipped on ice and had to be readmitted.
Laur: Wow. Ok, well I still don't want to go.
Is it beneath us? Maybe. But I work like 5 blocks from that bar, and if the tables were turned, (if there was actually a Yankee writer-equivalent at ESPN), you think Sux fans would say, 'Nah, let sleeping dogs lie'? NO.
Besides, it's not like we're staying for long.
We got a World Series to watch.
But first, I'd like to recall a blog entry from April 29 in which I wrote the following:
The other morning/middle of the night when I woke up at some ungodly hour to do the CPM-ing for 2 hours, I end up going in and out of sleep to this J-Lo movie "Enough" which, crazily enough, centers on the story of a woman who overcomes her oppressed gender role to become strong and independent. She might have more of a stranglehold on that stock character than Ben Stiller does on his.
Anyways, so at the end of the movie, the *powerful* climax when she confronts her abusive husband and stands up for herself, he pushes her to the ground, and she recalls the words of her physical trainer: (at 2:36)You're down.
Lying there.
Seemingly beaten.
But hear me.
Hold on to my voice.
He's standing over you.
He thinks he's won,
And as sure as he's a coward,
he will try to kick you.
But because you know what he'll do...
...you're smiling inside.
Keep it up, boys. I'm smiling inside because I know no matter how much ribbing and snarks are made, the Yanks'll come out on top.
Similarly, there's April 27:
And I have a feeling, and not even a blind hope/forced optimism one, that in 6 months, I'm going to go back and read all the insidious chants of glee currently flying off the tongues of haters...and I'll laugh.
And here we are...
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW YORK YANKEES ON THEIR 40TH PENNANT!!THE ROAD TO 27 CONTINUES!
Another song for the occasion, to the tune of the above video.
Lyrics and game preview here.
LET'S GO YANKEES!!
Patience isn't one of my strong suits, so given the choice of sitting through monsoon and getting the game in today, or postponing Game 6 of the ALCS til lovely Sunday afternoon...well, I'd just like to finish off the Angels as soon as possible. Do your worst, nature.
UPDATE, 6:54PM: GAME CALLED, RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY NIGHT AT 8:20PM.
Well, uh, you got me this time, Nature. But I'll be back, I'll get you in the next round, Gadget!
Ok, well, a look at what's going down tomorrow night.
I'll be back tomorrow with more game insights before I head to the stadium, but for now, here's a little Andy Pettitte music to soften the cruel blow of a baseball-less evening:
I remember all my life
Rainin' down as cold as ice
Shadows of the ghosts,
An ace on a mound
Pitchin' in the night
The night goes into
Extras, just another game
Other Yank fans feel the same,
Lookin' in their eyes
I see a memory
We feel it coming
How happy you made me, oh Andy!
Well, you came and you pitched without walkin'
And you gave us the win, Oh Andy!
Well, you deal and you whiff without balking,
And I need you today. Oh, Andy!
I'm standing on the edge of clinch,
One more win, you're gold in a pinch,
Caught up in a world of pennant chasing,
The title in our grasp
And nothin' is rhyming, oh Andy!
Well, you pitched and you blanked all the batters,
When we gave you the nod, oh Andy!
And the postseason win record shattered,
And I need you today, oh Andy!
Last game's all done,
We face the Game 6,
Cheering the close out,
The World Series is calling, oh Andy!
Well, you pitched and you came through as always,
And we knew you'd do so, oh Andy,
Well you pitched without ceasing to amaze,
And I need you today, oh Andy!
Relive the hell on earth, aka my game recap/analysis here.
The more I think about it, the more I'm relieved the Yankees didn't beat the Angels on Monday. Because being up 3-0 would have undoubtedly cued a barrage of clips from The Unspeakable Year. And if they had won 3, then lost 1? Forget about it, the sports world would have had a veritable field day predicting "Here we go again!"
But that's not the case. The Yanks have Anaheim right where they want 'em: 27 outs away from the final hurdle in the Road to 27. A.J. Burnett (13-9, 4.04) gets the honor of trying to close out this series, while John Lackey (11-8, 3.83) gets the chore of trying to avoid headlining Anaheim's season swan song.
Burnett, who I assign a generous helping of credit to for lighting a fire under this team's ass, is too much of a pistol to not rise to the occasion here. In his last start, he let up 2 earned runs and 2 unearned, with his wild penchants discernibly surfacing before getting pulled. Lackey got worked in Game 1, giving up 9 runs and 4 runs over 5.2 IP.
The Yanks won't be able to rely on their sit-on technique that worked like clockwork again Scott Kazmir: Lackey's a 1st-pitch-strike kind of guy (my head is already hurting from T-Mac and Buck marveling at this for about 89 mentions.)
This also might be a good time for Mark Teixeira flex his offensive muscles and break out of his .133 postseason freeze. #13 can only compensate for his buddy's sleeping bat for so long... As for predictions, I think #34 delivers us to 4-3 final tonight, giving the Yanks their 40th pennant with a 4-1 series victory. All on the eve of #41's 31st birthday.
LET'S GO YANKEES. THE TITLE AWAITS!
Here we go. Game 5 of the ALCS against our Achilles heel, the one team that has historically owned us in the postseason.
The Yankees are up 3 games to 1 against the Anaheim Angels, and if 2004 had never happened, I'd be the proud owner of a restful mind and normal heart rate. Instead, I'm still on edge, and when I'm nervous, I do laundry, pace, and change song lyrics to make them topical.
(None of these practices, by the way, has ever been successful in reducing tension.)
Hurt Angels, hurt Angels,
Will you beat them?
My darling Yankees,
Who tee off on their pen,
I'm just a fan,
A fan who loves Yankees.
Hurt Angels, hurt Angels,
The team we abhor,
You've beat us forever, and ever more,
But not this year,
You'll be the ones out the door...
I root for you, and I knew,
The value of the Tex and CC trades,
I hoped and I pray that next month,
I'll see you riding in the World Series parade.
Oh oh oh oh oh OH!
Hurt Angels, hurt Angels,
Beat L.A.,
My darling Yankees,
Will take it all the way,
Angels are fools,
For thinking they'd top youuu.
I watch you play, and I say,
"They're something like the early dynasty,
The bats and the arms of this club,
Are out to prove their superiority.
Oh oh oh oh oh OH!
Hurt Angels, hurt Angels,
Win in five,
My darling Yankees,
You've almost arrived,
I'm just a fan,
A fan in love with Yankees.
THE HOPES AND DREAMS OF A UNIVERSE LIE ON YOUR FAT, TUBBO!!! DON'T LET US DOWN! Are you kidding me with this? In the words of the immortal Chunk:
Alright, that's all I can take. And I can't take no mo'. 
It's hard to throw a spitter WHEN THE SPIT NEVER TOUCHES THE F'N BALL.
I don't have enough hours in the day to point out all the things wrong with this accusation, but in briefest terms...if Mariano Rivera--the greatest closer of all time--was successful because of an illegal pitch, how did he get away with it for 15 years? And if he was, in fact, resorting to throwing a spitter in this particular situation, don't you think he'd try to be a little more f*^%ing discrete about it?
What's next? A-Rod's bat is corked? Gardner's bones are marrowless? I don't have time to field this drivel.
Don't pay any attention to them, Mo.
De minimis non curat praetor.
!!!!
I'm still not entirely sure I didn't dream this last night.
Sorry for the delay, the last 30 hours have been a little bananas. I actually DID write a preview, but was too rushed around to post it up on here, and hence only made it to the VV website.
This team is ridiculous. I can't even put into words how much I love them.
When I started my 2nd job out of college, I told my mom that I couldn’t believe people do this all the time; it just was so aggravating and awkward and stressful to start from scratch at a new gig. And she said, you get used to it, and it gets easier and easier til it’s practically nothing.
For the record, this principle does NOT apply to watching the playoffs.
In fact, I think it’s the total, complete, 100% inverse of this.
My thoughts on Game 1 over here…
My thoughts on the f'n rain issue..
I don't know if I can take the inevitable tumult that rain/rain delays will wreak on the ALCS.
Well, I mean, I guess I don't have a choice, really.
Like when I was going out to dinner with my parents a few years ago and we're looking for a place to eat and my dad says (gruffly): "Alright I'll we'll go there, but I'm not eating there if it's not open."
Well, I'm not watching the Yankee game on Friday if it's postponed!
I feel like one of those people on facebook who use their status updates as a way of keeping us all abreast of their smoking-quitting process: "Ashley is 1 WEEK WITHOUT CIGS! AH!"
My Dad doesn't like it when people say "I can't wait for..." because he responds, "Well, you can wait actually. You have to. Because you don't really have much of a choice."
Similarly, I don't like it when people say, "Ugh! I wish it was the weekend already!" because that's never going to happen, so if you're making wishes, why not wish to find a box full of $329 million?
Moving on...here's Day 3 and 9 Reasons Why the Angels should be scared shitless.
I'm not sure what the significance of this is, but I know it's good.
My outstanding friend in Florida snapped a picture of this little slice of awesome, while she was visiting her mother-in-law in the middle of nowhere.
I don't know who I'm more in love with right now: Krista, for not only taking this picture, but taking it with a film camera, and then snailmailing the actual photograph...or Victoria, whoever you are, for having the supreme entrepreneurial vision to brand your, um, somewhat off-the-beaten path Car Repair shop (is it in the middle of a park??) with the Yankee franchise.
Well, I suppose that would be the logical jump.
Right now, if someone asked me if I could have dinner with any one person, alive or dead, who would it be, I think my answer would be Victoria.
I just have a lot of questions I need answered
.
The stats about "historical W-L records" are meaning less and less every year...and have actually come full circle, favoring the disadvantaged team.
Irony!
...... . ... ...
. ... .. .
.... . ...
$%^@* ....???.. !!!
"THEY BUY THEIR TEAM! BINGO!
The Yankees buy their team! And, pshhhh duh, anyone would play well if they spent that much money. Payrollpayrollpayroll payroll buyspendmoney buy.
Payroll."
(Hell hath no fury like a Yankee-hater out of options.)
Karma's a cruel mistress.
So the first time I ever went to GNH (Greatness's New Home, aka Yankee Stadium), my buddy and I decided that sitting in the middle of center field playing Mario Kart on the gargantuan plasma in center field would probably be the official "If the World Was to End Tomorrow, the #1 Way We'd Want to Spend Our Last Day on Earth" experience.
I can't tell if this speaks more to our laziness, glaring immaturity, obsession with big, shiny technology, or our innate desire to actually experience what it's like to be on the stadium field. I think there's also a little bit of the intrigue in the cognitive dissonance of being IN a baseball stadium but for non-baseball reasons. Kind of like using a conference room at the office late at night when everyone's already gone home... to play poker, or something.
At any rate, I heard about this event at GNH and the paragraph under "Event Details" had me hooked.
Participants will run or walk the stadium’s concourses and ramps, climb stairs between levels, and finish with a lap around the warning track that encircles the playing field.
Seriously?? I had to reread the press release on it like 15 times to see if I was misunderstanding things, but oh no. It's real.
Ok, I admit the only running I do is to catch a bus (as if another one won't follow in less than 3 minutes, but whatever). HOWEVAH, the prospect of getting to play in Yankee Stadium and run around on the warning track? Or even better, the prospect of running within the concourses and ramps without the high traffic mess of toddlers clogging up the stadium channels??
(Ha, I wonder if kids see me the way I see them outside of the GNH. Like when I'm walking down a street and then I see 3 kids under the age of 10 come barrelling down full speed, screaming, with approximately zero intention of stopping or at least running AROUND me, leaving me with little options beyond stepping aside and then glaring menacingly at their parents oblivious to this chaos. Similarly, when I'm racing back to my seat at a baseball game after getting a hot dog, I wonder if kids are thinking the same exact thing about me.)
Anyways, my bum knee is better suited for the video games in center field, aka I'm still technically in ACL rehab if only in spirit, but I'm going to see if I can get some people together to go watch this from the bleachers.
But you are in any way one of those people I always see who do running and exercise and the gym etc, then how do you pass on this? (Well, unless you're a GNH-hater, in which case, you have much bigger issues to tend to.)
All the details are below...
DAMON RUNYON 5K RUN/WALK AT YANKEE STADIUM TO BENEFIT CANCER RESEARCH
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation today announced that it will host The Runyon 5K, a run/walk and kids fun run at Yankee Stadium to support cancer research on Sunday, November 15th 2009. Proceeds from the event, the first of its kind to be held inside the new stadium, will support brilliant young scientists carrying out innovative research for all types of cancer.
“This is a chance for New Yorkers and Yankees fans to follow in the footsteps of Yankees greats, for kids to run where their heroes run, and for every participant to make a real impact on cancer. From families to corporate teams, from fans to cancer survivors, all can enjoy this unique event at this incredible structure, which represents so much to so many,” said Lorraine W. Egan, executive director of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.
100% of all funds that a participant raises will directly support cancer research. The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has a long history with the Yankees: Joe DiMaggio was on its Board, and Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle were supporters. Damon Runyon himself was a New York writer who began his career as a baseball journalist and revolutionized how the game
was covered.
Event Details
The Runyon 5K is a unique run/walk charity event that uses the stadium as its course. The event will take place from 9:30am to 4:00pm inside Yankee Stadium in New York on November 15th, 2009.
Participants will run or walk the stadium’s concourses and ramps, climb stairs between levels, and finish with a lap around the warning track that encircles the playing field.
In addition, there will be a fun run for kids around the warning track. Local scientists funded by the Foundation will be on hand to answer questions about their cancer research and the work of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.More detail can be found at www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium
Participants
The event is open to both individuals and teams, with corporate teams encouraged to compete. The event organizers send a special invitation to cancer survivors and those running in memory of lost loved ones or in honor of those affected by cancer. Families and supporters are welcome. Non participants will have the opportunity to view the event from the bleachers in the stands. All participants are encouraged to raise funds for the event, and everyone will have access to their own fundraising page on The Runyon 5K website.
How to Register
Registration will begin online on September 15. For more information and to sign up for the event, visit www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium. The registration fee is $35 for students and children and $50 for adults. Entry is limited to the first 2,500 registrants.
Sponsors
In addition to the New York Yankees’ support, other event sponsors include 24 Hour Fitness, SIRIUS XM Radio, New York Post and WNBC4 New York.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION:
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation identifies the most brilliant and promising scientists and provides them with funding to pursue innovative cancer research. The foundation’s focus is on emerging leaders who have great potential to achieve breakthroughs in how we diagnose, treat and prevent cancer. The Foundation was created in 1946 in memory of Damon Runyon, a New York writer who began his career as a baseball journalist and revolutionized how the game was covered. Of the more than 3,200 scientists funded since, 11 are Nobel Laureates and many lead cancer centers nationwide. Today more than 260 scientists funded by Damon Runyon – including 14 current awardees – are working at labs and major research centers throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Game 2 Preview.
Let's skip into the Dome with a 2-0 lead, please.
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