The last time I was this excited for the World Series was twenty years ago. The Athletics were playing the Giants and I wanted the Bash Brothers to win worse than anyone could understand, even though I thought that players like Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell would be tough outs. The Yankees were terrible especially after trading my favorite player, Rickey Henderson back to Oakland, and the stock market was crashing, so my mother was working crazy hours. I was lost in the World Series every night, and at home alone before the Internet and cell phones when I saw that sick look on Al Michaels' face when he felt that earthquake. Game three was played after a ten-day postponement, and eventually, the A's won in a prolonged sweep.
The great show of the World Series can be anticipated like Americans anticipate the return of American Idol, or the pageantry of an election. It's one of our country's most beautiful, majestic and authentic spectacles. It's one of the few things that have been visually amazing for one-hundred years, before and after television. this year though, is compelling-mostly because the World Series is rarely as compelling as it's billed. That 1989 series, "the earthquake series," was compelling even though it ended in a sweep. Since that series, not many World Series have been between two teams that were supposed to be there, and only the Yankees/Braves series in 1996 was a series between two very special teams.
And that is why the 2009 series is perfect.
Home runs, good pitchers, nice stadiums, good teams. Very good teams. The Yankees against the reigning World Series Champion. When is the last time that happened? 1996. Visually, it's a perfect series. Blue against red. Scrappy players. Passionate fans.
Here are some things to watch out for as you enjoy this most sexy World Series:
Watch out for the Phillies to punch the Yankees in the mouth
The Phillies play more of an American League style than any of the teams the Yankees have played in the playoffs, and they hit, hit home runs, and score runs in bunches. No one in their lineup should have a problem with C.C. Sabathia or A.J. Burnett. The Phillies will have trouble with the Yankees' bullpen so look for the Phillies to score, or try to score early in most games, and watch for the Phillies' Ryan Madson to be trouble on the Yankees batters he faces.
Don't take your eyes off Jimmy Rollins
The great show of the World Series can be anticipated like Americans anticipate the return of American Idol, or the pageantry of an election. It's one of our country's most beautiful, majestic and authentic spectacles. It's one of the few things that have been visually amazing for one-hundred years, before and after television. this year though, is compelling-mostly because the World Series is rarely as compelling as it's billed. That 1989 series, "the earthquake series," was compelling even though it ended in a sweep. Since that series, not many World Series have been between two teams that were supposed to be there, and only the Yankees/Braves series in 1996 was a series between two very special teams.
And that is why the 2009 series is perfect.
Home runs, good pitchers, nice stadiums, good teams. Very good teams. The Yankees against the reigning World Series Champion. When is the last time that happened? 1996. Visually, it's a perfect series. Blue against red. Scrappy players. Passionate fans.
Here are some things to watch out for as you enjoy this most sexy World Series:
Watch out for the Phillies to punch the Yankees in the mouth
The Phillies play more of an American League style than any of the teams the Yankees have played in the playoffs, and they hit, hit home runs, and score runs in bunches. No one in their lineup should have a problem with C.C. Sabathia or A.J. Burnett. The Phillies will have trouble with the Yankees' bullpen so look for the Phillies to score, or try to score early in most games, and watch for the Phillies' Ryan Madson to be trouble on the Yankees batters he faces.
Don't take your eyes off Jimmy Rollins
Players like Jimmy Rollins are wild cards in these types of series, because intangibles win World Series. Good teams need to be broken down, and when the Yankees are broken down it's by impact players like Chone Figgins, Jacoby Ellsbury and anyone who makes things happen. It's because taking extra bases and forcing them to play perfect baseball is the only way to have a chance against very good teams.
Watch for Robinson Cano to take over the games in Philadelphia
Watch for Robinson Cano to take over the games in Philadelphia
At Cano's spot in the lineup, he can do real damage late in games and deep into the Phillies bullpen. At least two possible left-handed Phillies starters in Philadelphia means late-inning pitching changes to right-handed pitchers to face the top of the lineup, and no changes for Cano. Meaning look for a lot of Cano against righties in a park where he can show his skills.
Watch the Phillies' pitch sequences to the Yankees' hitters
The Phillies worst flaw or Phlaw is the way their pitchers pitch batters. They're deep into the National League style of pitching and their pitch selection is so typical of stationary baseball-fastballs when behind, nibble when ahead. The problem with this style is that teams like the Yankees were constructed to seek out and typically blow up this style of pitch selection. If you look back to the way the Twins' bullpen pitched the Yankees it was quite the same way (think Joe Nathan), and think back to the way Brian Fuentes, for the most part a National League pitcher, pitched Alex Rodriguez in a key situation (he tried to nibble on the corner on an 0-2 count and Rodriguez hit an opposite-field home run). The Yankees will have no problems at all deep in counts, and that is where their success should come.
Watch the Phillies' pitch sequences to the Yankees' hitters
The Phillies worst flaw or Phlaw is the way their pitchers pitch batters. They're deep into the National League style of pitching and their pitch selection is so typical of stationary baseball-fastballs when behind, nibble when ahead. The problem with this style is that teams like the Yankees were constructed to seek out and typically blow up this style of pitch selection. If you look back to the way the Twins' bullpen pitched the Yankees it was quite the same way (think Joe Nathan), and think back to the way Brian Fuentes, for the most part a National League pitcher, pitched Alex Rodriguez in a key situation (he tried to nibble on the corner on an 0-2 count and Rodriguez hit an opposite-field home run). The Yankees will have no problems at all deep in counts, and that is where their success should come.
Watch out for Pedro in game two
Don't be confused, Charlie Manuel knew exactly what he was doing by pitching Pedro Martinez in game two in Yankee Stadium against a team full of players he's faced before. It was a good play, and even better play because Cole Hamels should look better than he has been at home in game three.
Watch out for surprises
Watch for Joe Girardi to out-manage Charlie Manuel. Watch out for pinch-hitters and runners. Watch out for Greg Dobbs and Matt Stairs. When two good teams get together, their great components usually cancel each other out, and the things you least expect make the difference.
Enjoy
On a side note, both LCS MVPs were black. First time ever. I hope it gets more black children playing the game.
Watch out for surprises
Watch for Joe Girardi to out-manage Charlie Manuel. Watch out for pinch-hitters and runners. Watch out for Greg Dobbs and Matt Stairs. When two good teams get together, their great components usually cancel each other out, and the things you least expect make the difference.
Enjoy
On a side note, both LCS MVPs were black. First time ever. I hope it gets more black children playing the game.
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