Writing the Pine

Nine years and few billion dollars later

Exactly 8 years after the heart-breaking loss to the Diamonbacks in the 2001 World Series, the Yankees are once again the World Series champions. After not fully appreciating the 4 title run in the late ’90s, this playoff run will long be remembered by me. And before I go into some thoughts on the Yankees victory, congrats to the Phillies who were resilient in defending their title down to the last at-bat.

Hideki Matsui

If this was Hideki Matsui’s swan song as a Yankee, my god, what a performance. He took home MVP honors after going 8-13 (.615) with 3 homeruns and 8 RBIs. He became the first DH to ever win the award. I can’t ever recall a non-pitcher that didn’t start every game to win the award. But Matsui made the Phillies pay for pitching around (and into) A-Rod.

But will he back for another season? My heart says he deserves it, but the cold, calculating GM in me sees this as a perfect ending for a perfect Yankee. He came over from Japan to bring his hitting and professionalism for a title, and in his last game, came through in a big way. If this was it, Thank you Matsui-san. You will always have a special spot in Yankees history, lore, and the hearts of Yankees fans everywhere.

Andy Pettitte

Once again you didn’t have your best stuff, but enough for a gritty 5.2 innings while only giving up 3 runs. You pitched on three days rest and closed out yet another playoff series as you had done previously in the ALDS and ALCS. The only other pitcher to achieve this feat? Derek Lowe with the Boston Red Sox in 2004. 11 months ago I had written off your Yankee career after a contract offer was retracted from the table. But I’m glad Brian Cashman decided to stop by Houston after luring C.C. to the Bronx. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Alex Rodriguez

It’s this odd dance of love/hate between New Yorkers and A-Rod. He’s a great player but he’s never been a winner. He does well with individual awards and the regular season, but never when it counted. Why Madonna? Why Kate Hudson? Why that blonde stripper in Toronto? Sunbathing? Magazine shoots? PEDs? Hip Surgery? Contract Negotiations? The “HA!” play? The “Slap” play? We were all over you for that.

But this season you graduated from the Andy Pettitte school of PED admission and just went about your work. You stayed out of the spotlight and anchored the team’s offense. You pushed Teixiera to a monster MVP-type season with your protection. You said all the right things and followed it up with a career and legacy changing postseason. Even when you weren’t producing, the Phillies pitched into you, providing baserunners for Godzilla hitting behind you. You had some huge hits when it counted. You won the World Series. No one can ever say you can’t win big or produce when it counts. Well done Alex.

Mariano Rivera

When every other postseason closer failed at least once in preserving a lead or a tie ballgame, you didn’t flinch. That’s not ice water in your veins. That’s anti-freeze. When all things are said and done, you should be enshrined in Cooperstown in your first try and if there’s any justice in the world, as a unanimous inductee. The Yankees would not have won this World Series without you and most likely, any of the other four rings in your possession. Your grace and professionalism earned the respect of your peers, your performance inspired awes even from the most cynical sportswriter, and you are revered by the Yankees Universe. Pitch until your right arm falls off. Please.

Derek Jeter

Oh Captain. Your first title with that “C” on your chest. That “C’ might as well stand for champion. I don’t know how someone bats a quiet .400 in the World Series but you somehow managed. You continued your consistency and excellence in the postseason even when many detractors said your counterpart on the other team was a better player. No one had ever won a World Series with a shortstop over 35 years old. Scratch that off your list.

Ozzie Guillen said it best when asked about Derek Jeter: “One is the MVP, the other is God…I’m going with God.”

I came into my own as a Yankees fan in 1992-3, so I’ve been able to watch the “Core-Four” and partiularly you, Derek Jeter grow up. You had another quiet MVP-type season that will rightfully go (this time) to a Minnesota Twin. While you probably won’t win individual awards except the Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente awards, you continue to win the ultimate team award, the World Series Title.

Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman

Brian Cashman's contribution

When Girardi signed up to be the Yankees manager, he took on the burden of wearing number 27, as in their 27th World Series. Cashman has taken a brunt of the criticism (and rightfully so) for some signings that didn’t go their way. It didn’t look good when the Yankees missed the playoffs in their final season at the old Yankee Stadium.

So last season, they evaluated their shortcomings and fixed what needed to be fixed. Joe became more open with the media, stressed communication with the players, and relaxed a bit more. (We’re calling this the Tom Coughlin special which led to a Super Bowl title.) Cashman signed two ace power pitchers for the postseason, Teixiera to anchor the defense and provide protection for the lineup, and other key additions that proved to be essential (Swisher, Hairston, Hinske, Marte). Some of his best decisions were the non-moves of note: Not trading Hughes, Chamberlain, Melky and others for Santana, Lee, or Halladay.

You got a sh*tload of criticism for your mistakes and missing the playoffs. You deserve tomorrow’s parade for when it all came together this season.

The Bullpen

You started off the season ugly. Being overworked because of shoddy starting pitching didn’t help. You had to recreate your identity and became air-tight by year’s end. Coke, Hughes, Aceves, Robertson and Mo. The bullpen was supposed to be our strength going into the postseason but it became clear that for whatever reason the formula that got us to the playoffs would not get us a title. Loyalty might be a euphemism for stubborn ignorance and Girardi isn’t ignorant.

He moved Edwar Ramirez, Damaso Marte and others out of the pen when it became clear it wasn’t working in the beginning of the season. Charlie Manuel stubbornly refused to take out Pedro Martinez and kept Brad Lidge their closer because he was loyal to a fault. That was the difference. Girardi didn’t stick to the script. He saw that Marte and Chamberlain and Robertson were the best bridge to Mo. He called an audible and now Girardi might have to change his jersey number to 28.

This one was for the Thumb. This one was for the Boss. This one was worth the wait.

News and Notes

• Ken Rosenthal asking Mark Teixeria: “How does it feel liek to be in a lineup that allows you to stuggle and still win a title?” Translation: You sucked and your team won. How does it feel?
• Tried to get into the stadium for Game 6. That did not happen.
• Should have seen Matsui’s game coming. He OWNS Pedro.
• Marte was huge in the postseason. Earned his entire contract to make up for a terrible regular season. Dominant. Shut down the Phillies and their lefty bats in the lineup.
• Watching the Yankees win was like watching your kid graduate Summa Cum Laude from Harvard. It’s been a long 9 year journey. Lots of heartbreak and bitter endings. And after watching and listening to over 170 games this year it’s nice that it ended with a championship.
• Now I can resume a normal schedule that doesn’t revolve around watching Fox from 8-12 PM. Now I can watch CBS, NBC, and ABC from 8-12 PM.
• It was really nice to see Chien-Ming Wang, Xavier Nady, and other members of the 2009 Yankees celebrating on the field. I don’t know. I just liked it.
• Going to the parade on Friday? YEAHHHH!

P.S. While I predicted the Yankees winning in 6 over the Phillies before Game 1, Pinesol predicted this all the way back on the eve of the playoffs. Well done. Good thing you’re coming to Vegas with me in 2 weeks.