The 2009 Yankees take their ride through “The Canyon of Heroes”
The 2009 Yankees take their ride through “The Canyon of Heroes”
By Jose “Pepitone” Reyes
We are the Champions my friends! (Listen)
Queen “We Are The Champions”
I’ve paid my dues
Time after time
I’ve done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I’ve come through
We are the champions, my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting – till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
Cause we are the champions – of the world
I’ve taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it’s been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise -
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I aint gonna lose -
We are the champions – my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting – till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
Cause we are the champions – of the world
Extra Read All About it: All 27 Covers (New York Daily News)
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!
Jose “Pepitone” Reyes
What more do I need to add here? (Recap)
Crucial Game Six
Crucial Game Six
Jose “Pepitone Reyes
Here we are, it’s game 6, our Yankees are up 3-2 and we are back in Yankee Stadium. There will be a classic matchup on the mound as Pettitte will face Pedro. There will be quite a bit of tension on the field but much more in the stands. The Yankee fans are all revved up all psyched up, they can’t wait for the first pitch to be dealt. Game 5 was a great one, as they all have been and I don’t see any difference with this one tonight. The Phillies will be giving all they have and Pedro will pitch tough. Pettitte will be pitching with only 3 days rest but he will be fine. The Yankee must approach this game like it was the last and will need to be aggressive in the box. They must hit Pedro early and frequently, it will be as simple as this. The Phillies have their backs against the wall though, so they will come out swinging, they have to. So I expect a high scoring affair and the Yankees are more than ready, they are hitting the ball, they will be fine. We will win tonight! It will be over tonight and we will win our 27th World Championship!
Yanks outscore the Phils to make it 3-1
Damon steals second and third on one pitch.
The Yankees are one game away from winning their 27th World Championship. Last night’s game was a beauty as the Phillies battled back to tie the Yankees twice, first from an 2-0 early deficit and later from a 4-2 deficit but were never able to take the lead. This was not a typical Yankee victory because there were no homers hit, all the runs came on clutch hitting. The highlight of the game for me was Johnny Damon’s 9 pitch, 2 out at-bat struggle with Brad Lidge. He fouled the ball 5 times and managed to single to the opposite field. Next pitch he stoled 2nd and and 3rd on one pitch. The clutch hit of the game came two at-bats later and after Teixteira was hit by a pitch. Alex Rodriguez hit a double that bounced into the wall and Damon scored. To add insult to injury Posada came up right after and hit a single and added another run. (Watch the MLB Wrap of this 4th Game)
Yankees take a 2-1 lead over the Phillies
Arod's homer hits Fox Sports camera situated on right field
By Jose “Pepitone” Reyes
The Yankees have made it two in a roll last night as they out slugged the Phillies to take a 2-1 lead in the World Series. (Video Highlights) Everybody got into the act in this 8 – 5 game. Arod finally connected, Swisher got out of his hitless streak with a double and a Homer, Matsui hits a pinch Homer, Damon doubles two runs in. The offense has awoken and that’s bad news for the Phillies. The Phils did come out swinging and were able to hit Pettite hard and early until he settled down. The Yankees are playing on all cylinders now and it will be very hard for the Phillies to overcome, especially with Sabathia pitching tonight. If the Phils do not tie the series tonight, they will be in serious trouble, so they must come through. And now that the Phillies manager Manuel has decided to start Blanton over Cliff Lee because of the rest days issue, the Yanks chances to win game 4 are very favorable. But this gamble by Manuel could work in his favor if Blanton pitches a beauty and Sabathia gets hit. If the Yankees fail to win tonight and the Phillies tie the series at two, then, beleive it or not, their future will be very good with their ace on the mound for game 5 and at home. Burnett would have to pitch another near perfect game in order to compete and beat the Phillies. There’s still plenty of baseball to come and I have a feeling the Phils will not give in so easily. Ryan Howard, who is in an awful slump, is due to break out, let’s see. I know one thing though, it’s sure much more releiving to be ahead 2 to 1 then to be behind, that’s for sure. Let’s go Yanks!!
The Pivotal Game Two
The Pivotal Game Two
By Jose” Pepitone” Reyes
“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” – Thomas Paine (The Crisis)
This game, although it is the second game of the 2009 World Series, will be the pivoting one. The Yankees were shutdown last night by Cliff Lee as he pitched a gem. This win by the Phils was all they wanted before they go back to Philadelphia. They were only shooting for a split but now they can go up 2-0 and make it almost impossible for the Yanks to come back. So this game tonight is very important and A.J. Burnett must duplicate Lee’s performance and stop the strong and powerful Philly lineup. It’s not the end of all our chances but this would place the Phils in the driver’s seat. Burnett must pitch 8 great innings and his greatest game ever and he is capable.
So Pedro is back in the Bronx and as always pitching against the Yankees. Talking up a storm of controversy, well for the Media only of course but not for the Yankee Players and their fans. We are totally psyche out and ready to rumble! The Yankees will need 4 innings or less before they appropriately “BOMB” Pedro out of the game. The chant “Who’s your Daddy” will be heard throughout the whole stadium as the baseballs fly out! Pedro will be rattled tonight and the real shaky bullpen of the Phillies will be exposed. Pedro had tough luck in the old Yankee Stadium and will continue to, tonight, in the new one. The middle of the lineup needs to produce for my wish to come through and tonight and they will, just watch! Pedro has been been pitching very well lately but he will be bombarded tonight, this is a statement game tonight. The Phillies seem to think that they are more superior than the Yankees, well at least they think so. Maybe they need to feel this way so they could perform their best. Let them be, for this will only propel our Yankees to win. This will be the true test and will question how united and how effective this new found chemistry of players really is. So get ready for a typical Pedro game and don’t be surprised if words are exchanged and tempers are heated. I actually hope so, because this will unite us more. Speaking for the Yankee fans, we are ready!
My Thoughts: AL Champs, Bring on the Phillies and Yankee haters!
My Thoughts: AL Champs, Bring on the Phillies and Yankee haters!
By Jose “Pepitone” Reyes
So the Yankees have won their 40th Pennent, that’s remarkable, incredible! That’s fine and dandy but that’s not enough for Yankee fans. What’s more important is, the Yankees winning the World Series and they haven’t been there since 2003. And with the enormous payroll, they “have” to win it all. It’s all or nothing at all! Isn’t this the ultimate challenge? It’s amazing, just imagine, they had the best record in baseball and they are now the American League Champions but if they lose the World Series, they would be considered failures. The season would be wasted, that’s not right, that’s not fair! But with a payroll like this and an all-star lineup, they should go all the way. Is that the ultimate challenge, wouldn’t this be the ultimate test for any human. No room for mistakes?
Yet, the ones that are coming through again, are the veterans like Mariano, Pettitte, Jeter, Posada. If it weren’t for their steady example of class and leadership, these 2009 Yankees would not be here right now, heading for the World Series. Let’s not forget Matsui and Damon, clutch, clutch, clutch! If these players were playing in separate teams, they would have the same impact on their teams also. And why? Because they could handle any kind of pressure, for they have been challenged for the last 13 years, they have been expected to win it all, throughout their careers.
To all the Yankee haters, give it up! Yankee baseball is the ultimate challenge and you all should learn from this. You have no idea what it is to be a Yankee fan. We are more critical than you are, we demand more than you do, we will never take second best! Since 1923, the Yankees have been doing this, this is not a new thing, we are simply keeping a tradition alive. The tradition of winning World Championships and we have many of those! Isn’t this what sports is all about? Isn’t this the reason why we all compete? To win? But no! You want us to lose, you want us to FAIL, so you then will fail. Because that only brings on a bigger challenge to us, but then again, you will never be happy. Just accept it and learn. Learn to win, watch the games and learn what it takes to be successful!
Posada, Jeter, Mariano, Matsui and Damon are 35 years plus and they are still on top of their game. These are special baseball players, when they step on the field they play their hearts out and leave it all on the field when the game is done! Look at Cano, Cabrera, Joba, Hughes, Cervelli, Rebertson and Garner, they all came up through the Yankee system and they will be our future! Teixeira and Sabathia are 29 years old and are still young. And as for Alex Rodriguez, he is beginning to understand now, he can taste it now. Do you see how they are learning to win too? They know what the Yankee tradition is all about and so do the new Yankee fans.
Bring on the powerful Phillies, with there in-season acquisitions of Lee and Pedro. Bring on the defending World Champions, with their All Star lineup. It really doesn’t matter any how though, because if we win the World Series, then you will come up with the same excuses, like always.
Links to the Yankee-Phillies 2009 World Series:
Errors, Great Pitching and Timely Hitting = Two Yankee Wins
Alex Rodriguez Clutch Homerun in the Ninth to tie it 3-3
Errors, Great Pitching and Timely Hitting = Two Yankee Wins
By Jose “Pepitone” Reyes
Wow! After two days of miserable cold weather in the Bronx, the Yankees are now up, two games to none. It wasn’t pretty but the Yankees managed to make less mistakes than the Losanaheim Angels. This was more evident in the second game because the first game was all about the brilliant pitching performance by “The Beast.” CC Sabathia showed everyone, who still were not sure, that he’s the real deal. He pitched eight complete innings, gave up only Four hits and One earn run. (Recap Here) Enter the “Sandman” Mariano Rivera in the ninth and the rest is history, Yanks are up 1-0.
The second game was a different story. There was great pitching on both sides and the Yankee errors almost cost them game. If the newly revived Arod didn’t hit that homerun then we would be tied at one going to Los Anaheim. Arod seems to be much more relax in this series but it doesn’t hurt with the players around him. Still, he is coming through and deserves all the credit. As for the Yankees in general, the hitting has been very weak. Maybe it’s the cold and windy weather, we shall find out tomorrow. Here’s the preview.
Yankees are heading to the ALCS
Yankees are heading to the ALCS
By Brenden “Pat Kelly” Hall
The Yankees have beaten the Minnesota Twins 4-1 to advance to their first American League Championship Series since 2004. The Yankees brought their brooms and swept the Minnesota Twins right out of the playoffs. Despite the Yankees sweeping the Minnesota Twins they were monotonous at times. The monotonous play of the Yankees exposed two problems that will haunt them in their series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The two problems that the Yankees must deal with in their series with the Angels involve the defensive play of Jorge Posada and the inexperience of Joe Girardi handling a bullpen in the playoffs. The defensive play of Jorge Posada and the way Girardi uses the bullpen will decide the fate of the Yankees.
The defensive play of Jorge Posada will be vital if the Yankees want to advance to the World Series. Jorge Posada cannot have a repeat performance of his lackluster defense which he exhibit through the series with the Twins. He cannot afford any errors of judgment because the Angels will take advantage of it. This means being aware of the base runners and calling the appropriate pitch at the right time. The Yankees cannot give the Angels any extra opportunities on the base paths because the Angels are a team built on speed and they will use it. If Posada plays pretty good defense the Yankees will have a better shot of winning this series against the Angels.
Another problem that could derail the Yankees shot at a World Series Championship is the inexperience of Joe Girardi as a manager. His inexperience as a manager is evident by the way he handles the bullpen. His decisions of not letting the starting pitcher go deep into games are similar to how Joe Torre went to his bullpen so readily during the playoffs. In my opinion this strategy is ineffective because you overwork your bullpen which can cause problems if the game goes to extra innings. In addition this leads to mixing and matching pitchers which can backfire and cost the Yankees a game in the series. So if I was Joe Girardi I would let my starters go seven. Then I would either bring in Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain for the eighth inning. I would only use Rivera in two instances. The first instance is only using Rivera for the ninth inning. However if you need him in the eighth inning he should only be brought in with no one on base because of Mariano’s propensity of giving up bloop hits. A bloop hit with men on base will most likely score at least one run. That one run could be a difference in a tight game.
Despite all the problems the Yankees have had with the Angels in the past they will finally defeat the Angels in a tough six game series. I think the most dangerous time for the Yankees in the series will be the three games in Anaheim. I feel the Yankees will win the first two in New York. Then win one game in Anaheim. Then they will come back to NY and closeout this series for our 40th American League Pennant.
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Bring on those Thunder Sticks and that Rally Monkey too!
Bring on those Thunder Sticks and that Rally Monkey too!
By Jose “Pepitone” Reyes
So we are all set now, as our Yanks move on to the second round. Minnesota gave it all they had but the Yankee playoff heroes of the past came through and A-Rod seems to be getting “Clutchy” but there’s a long way to go yet. A tough round for the Yankees, in a way, because they have struggled in the past with those 5 game series’, in the first round. But, like I mentioned before, Pettitte, Jeter, Posada and Mo came through again, defensively and offensively (Great Highlights of Clinch Game). So we sweep the Twins and advance, as the Angels do the same and wipe the Red Sox right out. Both teams look very impressive, with great pitching performances and clutch hitting.
This is what it takes and of course, a little luck. I don’t care how good you are, you need to have luck on your side but then again, you also need to place yourself in the position, so you could catch the big break. It will take just that and a little more run production to beat our new archival, the Angels. As Alex “El Yuma” Rivero reflected in a previous article he wrote here, Yankee fans hate the Angels as much or even more than the Red Sox. I kinda agree with him and you probably will, when you see the first game on Friday, October 16.
So get ready for a great series against a very good team. And no matter how good the Yankee pitching has been, they must score plenty of runs. Don’t worry if you are not sure who you hate the most, Boston or Losanaheim, because you will find out right away when the series begins. And if you still are not sure by the end of the first two games in Yankee Stadium, you will find out immediately and in an annoying manner. Believe me, you will when they go back to, get this name, “The Angels Stadium of Anaheim.” Yes, wait to you see all those fans, with their “Politically Correct” thunder sticks. Oh yes and God forbid if the Yankees are ahead in the late innings because they will pull out those rally monkeys! How pathetic, I would be so ashamed to go to the game holding those sticks in one hand and that stupid monkey in the other. What’s wrong with clapping and routing out-loud, what, it’s too noisy? How can you watch a game with the “Fan” in front of you, distracting you from watching the game, what stupidity! Can you picture Yankee fans doing the same? LOL! No Way! More to come
