Teams Of The Decade

1357534 In the next couple of months, the sports world will be inundated with the “Team of the Decade” article. So, to beat them all to the punch, I’ll offer up my take. Here we go. BASEBALL: The Contenders: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees Actually, this one wasn’t as close as I imagined it to be. The Yankees won 2 World Series and so did the Red Sox. However, the Yankees appeared in 4 World Series and won the pennant 4 times. The Red Sox won the pennant and World Series twice. The Yankees won the AL East division title 8 times, while the Red Sox only won it once. Also, over the decade, the Yankees won 965 games to 653 losses while the Red Sox had a 920-699 record. No other team approached the Yankees and Red Sox, with the Cardinals and Angels coming closest. Winner: ...and still champion, the New York Yankees. While the Red Sox made a lot of noise and had a great decade, in nearly every facet, the Yankees were their superior. FOOTBALL: The Contenders: Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts Going from 2000 through 2008 and discounting this season, the Patriots would have the advantage due to most Super Bowl wins. However, they haven’t won it since the 2004-2005 season, and lost the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. Meanwhile, the Steelers have won their 2 Super Bowls recently and should they win this season would tie the Patriots in number of Super Bowl wins at 3. The Colts, on the other hand, as Don Banks of SI.com writes, entered this season one win behind the leading Patriots in number of wins with 101 this decade (and as of this writing, have the lead). However they’ve only won won Super Bowl and only appeared in one as well. Should the Colts win the Super Bowl this year, they would enter the team of the decade discussion with 2 Super Bowls as well as 8 straight playoff appearances, and best winning percentage. The Steelers and Patriots would not be able to make either of those claims. On the other hand, the Patriots would still have appeared in more Super Bowls overall. Winner: Even if the Steelers or Colts win the Super Bowl this year, the New England Patriots would still have played in 4 Super Bowl, winning 3. They have an astonishing 14-3 postseason record right now and can win a game in a variety of ways. Again, should the Colts or Steelers win it all this year, they would be in the discussion, but ultimately, the Patriots take the crown. NBA: The Contenders: San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers Frankly this one is kinda easy. Sure the San Antonio Spurs won 3 times, which normally, in any sport would get you team of the decade. Heck, the Sporting News voted them team of the decade earlier this year. However, when the Los Angeles Lakers are in the discussion, all bets are off. Going from 1999-2000 to now, the Lakers have won the title 4 times and have been in 6. Even if you start with the 2000-2001 season, the Lakers still have been in 5, winning 3. However, the Spurs have the decided advantage over the Lakers in games won, either starting with the 1999-2000 season (659-624) or with the 2000-2001 season (605-542) and never won less than 53 games in any season. Consistency, rather than sporadic greatness counts for something—ask Henry Aaron. The Winner: You just can’t argue with all the championship appearances. Sorry, Sporting News, but you have to give it to the team that consistently made it to the finals. In a close one, The Lakers. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Contenders: USC, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State At first look, it would seem easy: USC. However, a closer look reveals its not as easy as all that. Sure, USC, heading into this season, went 93-22 since 2000, including 88-15 under Pete Carroll. And yes, the Trojans have had 3 Heisman Trophy winners. That said, they’ve only won the big game only once, back in the 2004-2005 season (I’m not counting the split AP nonsense in 2003—just BCS championships). LSU and Florida, on the other hand have won it twice. Ohio State won once, and has been in three. And while Oklahoma, also, has only one once, they have been in 4, the most of any program. Counting overall wins; LSU has gone 90-27, and Florida has gone 87-29, including 44-9 under Urban Meyer. And that doesn’t include this season, where Florida is 9-0 and LSU matches USC at 7-2. Ohio State, since 2000 has gone 91-23. Oklahoma, however, tops them all, going 102-19 under Bob Stoops since 2000—only winning in the single digits only once. They have also had 2 Heisman winners. The Winner: Sorry, USC, going 93-22 is nice, but playing in the not-too-tough Pac -10 hasn’t properly prepared you for the big games. And same for you, Oklahoma. Sure playing Texas is tough and you’ve gone 6-4 against them, but Iowa State, Baylor, Texas A&M? Those games pad your record. Ohio State, being in 3 big games is nice, but getting blown out by two other teams on this list disqualifies you. Playing in the cut-throat SEC, however, is a different matter. Both LSU and Florida play in the toughest conference in CFB and have done well. But the final edge goes to Florida. They have a Heisman winner and the best shot to win it all this year. It was very, very close, but Florida wins it all. NCAA Basketball: The Contenders: North Carolina, Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Kansas Duke, the team of the 90s won more games than any other NCAA team this decade, with Kansas coming in second. They have 4 ACC regular season titles—one less than North Carolina, but have an astonishing 7 ACC tournament championships. North Carolina only has 2. Michigan State, which has the worst overall record of any of the contenders, does however—like Duke and Kansas—have 10 NCCA final berths. Duke, Kansas and Michigan State also measure up with the 3 most Sweet Sixteen Appearances—with 8 for Duke, 7 for Kansas and 6 for Michigan State. This is where it gets interesting though. Even though Florida only got into 3 Sweet Sixteens, it won 2 championships and played for a 3rd. Talk about making the most of your chances. North Carolina, also won the Dance twice this decade, showing up in 4 Final Fours. At the final assessment, however, what you do in the final games is what counts, so although Duke and Kansas had stellar records, they showed up in less Final Fours than North Carolina and Michigan State and as many as Florida, though Kansas won less than Florida. And while Michigan State appeared in 4 Final Fours, they won less than North Carolina and Florida. Confused yet? The Winner: In the end, North Carolina edges Florida by virtue of more ACC league titles—in a much tougher division than Florida—and more Sweet Sixteen and Final Four appearances—meaning they excelled more consistently than Florida. So, its Tar Heels as team of the decade. That’s the list: Yankees, Patriots, Lakers, Florida, North Carolina. Pls write in with your opinions on these choices. Coming soon, worst teams of the decade true

2009-11-12T18:24:31Z

98340 1 Teams Of The Decade

2009-11-13T16:48:23Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/CatalanoPaul/blog/posts/98340

2009-09-18T20:29:17Z

Born and raised in Brooklyn, I'm a sports junkie with an overabundance of opinions and a unused degree in writing. I decided to let vent with this blog and hope somebody out there would like to read what I write. Hope you enjoy, and if you do or don't let me know what you think. 1357534 Andaplayertobenamedlater

2009-09-18T20:29:58Z

7083795

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/CatalanoPaul/blog CatalanoPaul http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/CatalanoPaul 1223524 Since I have read numerous posts that state the Yankees > buy their > championships and always have a huge payroll advantage > versus any of the teams > they meet and defeat in the World Series and are therefore > not deserving of > being called champions. I decided to delve a little deeper > into what advantages > if any other teams like the Red Sox and the Phillies have > had in their recent > championship seasons. I also wanted to see if the financial > level of WS > competition for the Red Sox and the Phillies was on par > with the New York > Yankees level of financial competition. Please keep in mind > that 15 of the past > 21 World Series winners had a higher payroll then their > opponents... Did all of > these teams buy their World Series championships? > As always the numbers listed below are just the facts no > opinions. > Let's look at the Red Sox first:: > The 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox versus the > Colorado Rockies... > 07 > Boston Red Sox Payroll: $143,026,214 > 07 Colorado Rockies Payroll: > $54,424,000 > Percentage: 38.05% (The Rockies spent 38.05% of what the > Red Sox > spent in 2007) > Ratio: 2.628 (Red Sox spent $2.63 for every dollar the > Rockies > spent) > In the last 22 years (1988 to 2009 - No WS 1994) the > ratio listed above is > the highest by a large margin. Should the Red Sox be bashed > for the unfair > financial advantage they had over the Rockies? > The 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox versus the St. > Louis > Cardinals... > 04 Boston Red Sox Payroll: $127,298,500 > 04 Colorado Rockies > Payroll: $83,228,333 > Percentage: 65.38% (The Cardinals spent 65.38% of what > the Red Sox spent in 2004) > Ratio: 1.530 (Red Sox spent $1.53 for every dollar > the Cardinals spent) > Should the Red Sox have their championship taken away > because of the unfair > financial advantage they had over the Cardinals? > Okay Red Sox Fans lets combine the totals listed above > to see if you should > be bashing the Yankees or anybody else about fiscal > advantage in the World > Series: > Boston Red Sox 2 World Series Victories (04 & > 07)... > Boston Red Sox > Total Payroll: $270,324,714 > WS Opponents Payroll: $137,652,333 (04 Cardinals > + 07 Rockies) > Percentage: 50.92% (The Red Sox WS opponents spent 50.92% > of > what the Red Sox spent in 2004 & 2007 combined) > Ratio: 1.964 (Red Sox > spent $1.96 for every dollar their opponents spent in their > 2 World Series > victories) > So to be fair the Red Sox pretty much spent twice as > much as their 2 world > series opponents. Should we call this competitive balance? > > Since Phillies fans have been complaining so much about > the Yankees payroll > advantage... Let's look at the Phillies next: > The 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies versus the > Tampa Bay > Rays... > 08 Philadelphia Phillies Payroll: $98,269,880 > 08 Tampa Bay Rays > Payroll: $43,820,597 > Percentage: 44.59% (The Rays spent 44.59% of what the > Phillies spent in 2008) > Ratio: 2.243 (Phillies spent $2.24 for every dollar > the Rays spent) > In the last 22 years (1988 to 2009 - No WS 1994) the > ratio listed above is > the 2nd highest (Red Sox of 07) by a large margin. Should > the Rays fans be > complaining about the Phillies payroll that was over twice > as high as their > own? > Now last but not least let's look at the New York > Yankees 2009 WS > victory: > The 2009 World Champion New York Yankees versus the > Philadelphia > Phillies... > 09 New York Yankees Payroll: $201,449,189 > 09 Philadelphia > Phillies Payroll: $113,004,046 > Percentage: 56.10% (The Phillies spent 56.10% > of what the Yankees spent in 2008) > Ratio: 1.783 (Yankees spent $1.78 for > every dollar the Phillies spent) > This is the highest ratio in Yankees history... However, > it is still far less > than the ratios for the 2008 Phillies and the 2007 Red > Sox. > Let's look at the Yankees World Series Victories > during the Jeter Years (96 > to 09) 14 years... > 1996 Yankees: $52,189,370 versus Atlanta Braves: > $47,930,000 (Ratio: 1.089) Pretty much even. > 1998 Yankees: $63,159898 versus > San Diego Padres: $45,368,000 (Ratio: 1.392) > 1999 Yankees: $88,130,709 versus > Atlanta Braves: $75,065,000 (Ratio: 1.174) Again very close > to even. > 2000 > Yankees: $92,938,260 versus New York Mets: $79,759,762 > (Ratio: 1.165) Close to > even yet again. > 2009 Yankees: $201,449,189 versus Philadelphia Phillies: > $113,004,046 (Ratio: 1.783) Less than Sox & Phils last > 2 championships > Okay Yankees fans lets combine the totals listed above > to see how your ratios > and level of financial competition compare to the Red Sox > and the Phillies: > New York Yankees 5 World Series Victories (96, 98, 99, > 00 & 09)... > New > York Yankees Total Payroll: $497,867,426 > WS Opponents Payroll: $361,126,808 > (96, 98, 99, 00 & 09) > Percentage: 72.53% (The Yankees WS opponents spent > 72.53% of what the Yankees spent) > Ratio: 1.379 (Yankees spent $1.38 for every > dollar their opponents spent in their 5 most recent World > Series victories) > As you can see from the numbers above both the Red Sox > and the Phillies have > had a far greater financial advantage in their championship > years versus their > World Series opponents then the Yankees have had in their > recent World Series > victories. > true

2009-11-11T03:06:20Z

98250 2 YANKEE SPENDING VS. RED SOX and PHILLIES... FACTS... NOT OPINIONS

2009-11-11T15:40:57Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mercenary1177/blog/posts/98250

2009-04-15T21:46:08Z

1223524 Mercenary1177's Blog

2009-04-15T21:46:08Z

6949406

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mercenary1177/blog Mercenary1177 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mercenary1177 1335297 Another unconventional blog from yours truly. Over the past couple of weeks, I have come across a number of individuals that for a number of reasons (sufficient and insufficient); do not like a specific type of sports organization. These organizations would include the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Boston Red Sox, Manchester United, and New England Patriots among others. These are the organizations that win with currency and arrogance more often than not. I, too, have an issue with a couple of these organizations, but not for the same reasons as you think. When I was younger, I will admit that I hated theYankees and Lakers because they were good, and once Roman Abramovich purchased his play thing, I found a deep hatred for the blue side in London. But I have matured over the past couple of years. I still dislike the Lakers, not because of their financial prowess, but because I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that they play with the strings of the NBA’s brass. Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol, are you kidding me!?!?!? That’s for another time. My issues with these clubs have more to do with muscling themselves into the spotlight of the sport without consideration for other organizations in the leagues. The Cowboys have to build the greatest footballing spectacle in sports, and because of this, have received 3 prime time football games 9 weeks into the season. The Boston Red Sox couldn’t scout for a while and so to compete, had to spend dollar to dollar with the New York Yankees. The Los Angeles Lakers are always shown on TNT, Christmas and ESPN on Thursday nights. I don’t believe in salary caps, so I have to let these types of things go, but I’m not here to talk about that either. Today I am here to talk about Chelsea. This Sunday morning at 10:00a.m. CDT, Manchester United will travel down to the bridge to play Chelsea in what probably is the second biggest domestic match we will see this season. (I’m assuming that the Madrid-Barca clash will be the biggest, both in opinion and fact). Let me share a little story about my feelings for Chelsea that would surprise each and every one of you. Once upon a time, in a tournament long, long ago, Chelsea played Liverpool for the chance to go to the 2005 European Champions League Final. The first game resulted in a 0-0 tie. 4 minutes into the second game, one Luis Garcia scored a goal for Liverpool (maybe) that knocked Chelsea out of Champions League. Never had I been so happy. Stop. Liverpool winning? Me happy? This was how much I disliked Chelsea during that time. I did not deem it ethical for a rich man to come and pay all kinds of money for a club that he had no relationship with, only that he just wanted to see if he could bring success to any club in the world. I may have been jealous at the time, but I wanted nothing more than for this side to get what was coming to them. During those first years, they purchased Adrian Mutu, Claude Makelele, Arjen Robben, Glen Johnson, Damien Duff, Ricardo Carvalho, Didier Drogba, Mateja Kezman, Joe Cole and Petr Cech among others. If United had that kind of spending power, we could’ve gotten Trezeguet, Ronaldinho, Michael Ballack and Gianluca Zambrotta, because we were already a brand. But once Chelsea became a ‘brand’, my hatred for them diminished a bit. I have always respected winning organizations, as long as it’s done the right way. I still don’t believe in Chelsea’s process of going through managers once every season, but you can’t ignore the results. Any other club besides United, Barca, Madrid and maybe Milan would be satisfied with this decade. 2 domestic titles, 4 cup titles, plenty or runner-up finishes and a wet ground away from winning a Champions League title. I think Chelsea has gone about establishing themselves the right way. It’s funny what time will do to people. They have created a strong squad through many transfers, yes, but have built an identity while doing so. John Terry is a Chelsea player. Michael Essien is a Chelsea player. Didier Drogba is a Chelsea player. And so from afar, I grudgingly give my admiration. On Sunday, regardless of the result, there will be no more hatred from this view behind the computer screen. Only respect for a side that can challenge for titles, quality, global support, and community in ways they couldn’t have dreamed of just ten years ago. The same respect that I also give to the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Real Madrid. true

2009-11-07T05:50:02Z

98045 0 I Don't Hate Chelsea

2009-11-07T05:50:02Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/overmars_wu/blog/posts/98045

2009-09-07T04:22:00Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1335297 overmars_wu's Blog

2009-09-07T04:22:00Z

8179137

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/overmars_wu/blog overmars_wu http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/overmars_wu 137382 Pagar 1300$ por una butaca para ver ganar a los Yankees y ser coparticipe de un mundo perfecto, hace que el costo de esa entrada sea una ganga, o por el contrario es mucho con demasiado??? He ahi el Dilema! Yankees justos Campeones... Una vez mas queda claro que en la MLB la mayoría de las veces seran Campeones los que mas gastan... Claro, hay que saber gastar, sino pregunténle a los fanaticos que pagaron mas de mil $$$ por la butaca e invierten muy bien el dinero en su felicidad o pregunténle  a los Mets que derrochan miles de $$$ en aras de hacer mas rotundo el fracaso, respecto al ano anterior... Las nóminas más elevadas de la MLB estaban en postemporada. 5 de las 8 nominas mas elevadas de la MLB tenian chances de campeonar, equipos como Cubs, Mets y Tigers tambien gastaron pero son la antitesis de equipos como Twins y Marlins que hacen equipos competitivos sin participar en esa carrera mercantilista... Estas son las nominas el 2009: New York Yankees $201,449,189 New York Mets $149,373,987 Chicago Cubs $134,809,000 Boston Red Sox $121,745,999 Detroit Tigers $115,085,145 Los Angeles Angels $113,709,00 Philadelphia Phillies $113,004,046 Los Angeles Dodgers $104,414,592 La nómina de los Yankees casi dobla a la de los Filis, en el papel no lucia tan amplia la diferencia pero en el campo si se notó y bastante... Para muchos, establecer un límite salarial más estricto y con un techo real (no un límite umbral que solo sirva para elevar las arcas de la oficina del Comisionado), se hace urgente en pro de favorecer la competitividad de la Liga, como sucede en otros deportes... Eso, no garantizará titulos a equipos como los Royals pero al menos balancearía la competencia... <div class="conversation-item-body"> Pero vamos a estar claros, las Grandes Ligas sin los Yankees y sus excesos al puritano estilo de la vida estadounidense no seria lo mismo... Los Yankees son a la MLB lo que el ovoide es a la NFL... Todos los que cubren estos eventos caen sumidos ante el Yankee Stadium, es una especie de paraiso terrenal, donde segun la gente que ha ido, tiene un aura mistica que te hace olvidar todos tus problemas y sin remordimientos, porque tambien tiene la capacidad de inhibir la parte del cerebro que se encarga de administrar tus finánzas, asi que una vez adentro, no te queda de otra que seguir gastando para, en gesto de reprocicidad hacer feliz a los duenos de esa organizacion que gastan hasta lo impensable por hacer tus suenos realidad! Hacerte sentir ganador no tiene precio, ese debería ser el lema de los Yankees... Aunque la vida a diario intente demostrarte lo contrario, eres un Yankee y solo tienes que comprate una gorra blanca y negra que haga contraste con tu realidad... Anoche, miles de fanaticos del BEISBOL autentico durmieron embriagados de felicidad y hartos de triunfo... Lo malo es que esa sensacion es efímera y cuando comience la nueva temporada esos 27 anillos solo serviran de escudo simbolico para protegerse de cualquier fracaso circunstancial... Ganaron los Yankees, y todo el universo beisbolístico lo celebra, tal como lo hicieron a finales del siglo pasado, la mística sigue intacta y la durabilidad del beisbol también.... Gracias Yankees una vez mas! </div> true

2009-11-05T13:06:53Z

97920 0 Ganaron los Yankees, ganó el Beisbol!

2009-11-05T13:06:53Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/manuhel/blog/posts/97920

2008-04-26T14:40:44Z

137382 manuhel's Blog

2008-04-26T14:40:44Z

2010098

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/manuhel/blog manuhel http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/manuhel 1246308             “Strike-three called, Yankees win, theeeeeee YANKEES! WIN!”… and order has been restored.             This is the 40th World Series appearance for the Yankees. They're striving for their 27th championship – hence Coach Girardi’s jersey number 27. So even though they have been on the receiving end of experiencing 27 championships, they have also had to encounter t 13 devastating World Series defeats, more than any other team in baseball. That’s without mentioning arguably the biggest demoralizing upset in baseball history; when the Yankees had a 3-0 series lead in the 2004 ALCS and lost four straight games to the Boston Red Sox – that would then go on to take steroids and win the World Series that year. “I don’t care how many times you’ve been there,” says Yankees’ captain Derek Jeter, “It still feels good”                   It’s easy to hate the Yankees. They have the highest team salary - with just above 200 million. They have the highest paid player. They have the most championships. And most of the wives/girlfriends belong on the cover of SI’s Swimsuit issue. But the grass in Yankees stadium isn’t always greener.                Over the past 10 years or so, the Yankees have started each MLB season as arguably the favorite to win the World Series. And each season they fall short. And with each year, there seems to be more and more Yankee-haters. They cheer when the Yankees’ players get hurt. They turn their back on their beloved players that leave to put on the pin-stripes. Their new favorite team is “fill in the blank” VS the Yankees. What would it take for the baseball nation to show a little sympathy for the Yankees? A blockbuster trade that sent A-Rod, Jeter, and Teixeira to the Kansas City Royals for Alex Gordon? Or maybe Sabathia, Burnett, and Rivera to the Pirates for three prospects to be named later? How about if they sold the team to Rush Limbaugh and relocate to Alaska?                 The Yankees are very fortunate to have George Steinbrenner as an owner. An owner that wants to put the best possible team on the field and that winning is more important to him than saving his money. Thus builds a gorgeous new ball park for his fans. With this type of mentality, comes criticism from other teams’ baseball fans. Fans hate him because he loves to win. What baseball fan wouldn’t want a Steinbrenner type of owner running their team? You would be crazy not to. You also must think us Yankees’ fans can’t distinguish the difference from “hate” and “jealousy.”                 The Yankees have had the fill of misfortune. Have we forgotten about the 2003 World Series game six at Yankees stadium and Marlins pitcher Josh Becket had an outrageous performance with a five hit, complete game shutout? The Yankees, who were the favorite, had to stand by as the opposing team celebrated on their home turf.                 Did we forget about the 2001 World Series when this too took all seven games to decide a winner? The favored Yankees’ took a 2-1 lead into the ninth with perhaps the greatest closer to ever play: Mariano Rivera. They would eventually fall victim to a Luis Gonzalez bloop single that resembled a type of hit you would see at your five year olds tee-ball game that brought home the winning run. The Yankees’ became spectators to another team’s celebration The two power-houses from the American and National league go to battle this Wednesday night.                   The Yankees trot on the field as the favorite –again – to take on the Philadelphia Phillies. To the anti-Yankees nation, the Bronx-Bombers are in a lose-lose situation. If they win, they’ll gain more haters. And if they lose, that will fuel the New York and sports media to tear them apart. But that’s not why they take the field. They take the field for all the fans that continue to root for our beloved Yankees. The fans that know there blessed to watch a team made up of the top modern day gladiators. The fans that don’t care how many times their team has been there. Cause it still feels good! true

2009-10-27T02:30:14Z

97380 2 Don't HATE the Yanks

2009-10-29T02:35:54Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/puddpirt/blog/posts/97380

2009-06-06T19:44:18Z

Do I know Sports? 1246308 puddpirt's Blog

2009-06-16T19:44:53Z

1653331

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/puddpirt/blog puddpirt http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/puddpirt 740210 As a kid growing up through the 1990's winning was all I knew with the Yankees. It seemed every year they won another championship. It didn't have the same value to me; it became expected. Most fans would love to see their teams win one or two championships in a lifetime. That would be enough. But I was spoiled. I remember being shocked when they lost in the 2001 World Series to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Luis Gonzalez's bloop single over the drawn in infield beating the invincible Mariano Rivera and the mighty Yankees. The image of Gonzalez jumping in the air, arms high over his head as he knew the ball would drop, still leaves me disgusted. The shock value of that series made me see that winning didn't come easy. That 2001 team was also the last of the great Yankee dynasty that won four World Series crowns from 1996-2000. After that year, Paul O'Neil, Tino Martinez, and Scott Brosius all left the team. After that year the Yanks brought in Jason Giambi, and year after year another high priced free agent would sign. The simplicity of building a strong core of young, sound ball players turned into a desire to buy the best team money could buy. Yet somehow, they stayed in contention, but it wasn't the same. In 2002, the Yankees were ousted in the ALDS by the then upstart, and eventual champion, Anaheim Angels. This started what would become the most feared opponent to every Yankee fan. The Angels beat the Yankees with what the Yankees had built themselves on, gritty players like David Eckstein, Troy Glaus, Bengie Molina, and a great starting staff and bullpen with the likes of Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez. It seemed impossible to me at the time that the Yankees lost to such a team, and wouldn't be playing in the Fall Classic. Still, there was next year. The next year, they won what I consider to be the greatest playoff series I have ever seen, beating the Boston Red Sox in seven games to capture the ALCS, on Aaron Boone's walkoff homer. Still they were beaten in the World Series by the upstart Florida Marlins, led by outstanding pitching performances by, eventual World Series MVP, Josh Beckett. 2004 is a year that no Yankee fan likes to talk about, the year of the collapse. I simply refuse to talk about that more than I have to, so I will move on. In 2005, the Yankees lost to a more established Angels team in the ALDS, in 5 games. The lost the deciding fifth game after Angels starter Bartolo Colon was knocked out in the early innings but a young Ervin Santana came in and held the Yankees down, allowing his team to come back and win. In 2006 and 2007 the Yankees lost to the Tigers and Indians in the ALDS respectively. Finally in 2008, they missed the playoffs. In that span names have come, stayed, and gone. Names like Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Javier Vazquez, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano Jason Giambi, Tony Womack, Raul Mondesi, Bobby Abreu, Jose Contreras, Shawn Chacon, Karim Garcia, Kyle Farnsworth, and countless others wore the pinstripes. Yet somehow they never captured that ever elusive 27th world title. And I, like many Yankee fans, grew more frustrated every year, wanting, no, longing for the days when all they did was win. How I missed those days when I realized that they wouldn't make the playoffs in 2008. The offseason seemed like every other, they targeted the highest priced and best free agents. They brought in Mark Teixiera, C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Nick Swisher. These four along with key acquisitions like Jerry Hairston Jr. and Eric Hinske along with the emergence of Phil Hughes as a setup man, led the Yankees to a marvelous year. I watched this team all year and flashed back to those great teams of past. Only four links still remained: Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte. How fitting that in the clinching game of the ALCS, the winning pitcher, shortstop, catcher, and man who got the save, were all on the teams of old. So now, I look toward this World Series, not with that same expectance of winning I did in 2001. I am a fan again, rooting for my team and I've enjoyed the entire experience, the ride I've taken with this team. I hope that this is the beginning of another dynasty because I will be sure to cherish every winning moment that they put together. But first, let's finish this one off boys. Beat the Phillies and bring that trophy back where it belongs. true

2009-10-26T19:52:31Z

97351 0 World Series

2009-10-26T19:52:31Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/sportsfandan3210/blog/posts/97351

2008-08-07T21:50:56Z

740210 sportsfandan3210's Blog

2008-08-07T21:50:56Z

3266589

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/sportsfandan3210/blog sportsfandan3210 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/sportsfandan3210 1139202 Everything that takes place in the fall is slowly arriving.  The leaves are changing to the majestic colors of red, orange and yellow.  The wind chill is dropping all over the country.  The smell of popcorn, candy apples, funnel cakes and raging little kids are all about at local and state fairs.  The MLB World Series is a mere week or so away.  Isn’t it lovely? Oh yes, it is.  Fall is perhaps my favorite season.  It’s not that the leaves are a prodigious sight for the eyes.  It’s not that my birthday takes place within the mind-blowing months of autumn.  It’s not that I have so many sports to watch.  It’s not that I don’t mind getting on scary, hazardous rides at the fair.   It’s because of the unpredictability. For a person who usually doesn’t embrace changes with open arms, I spread my arms graciously to welcome fall into my life.  Thankfully, I did.  Because, in truth, change in normal.  It’s one of the only certainties we have in life besides death and taxes.  It is a slight surprise that while celebrating the coming of fall that I choose to celebrate the rise of the New York Yankees. After years of hating the New York Yankees, I have come to once again have admiration for the villain.  After all, it is the villain that gives the hero his purpose. Over-rated, over-spending, self-indulgent, sore losers are all words that have been placed on the Yankees.  Though all of those thoughts are true there is one word that so many non-Yankees fans will ever say: appreciated. The Yankees are truly appreciated.  They are the team that goes out and tries to compete every year.  Though those pinstripes could easily be replaced by orange jumpsuits on days when we feel ill-fated to Jeter and Company, the pinstripes are so fitting in the fall. Through a pivotal off-season, the Yankees have shown that talented money can bring about a classic October.  In the off-season, the Bronx Bombers went out to get 2 Hall of Fame pitchers and a gold-glover.  They acquired C.C. Sabathia from the Milwaukee Brewers with a 7 year, $161 million dollar contract.  They stole A.J. Burnett from the Atlanta Braves during trade talks for a 5 year, $82.5 million dollar contract.  They got a former Braves player and a gold-glover 1 st baseman in Mark Teixeira for an 8 year, $180 million dollar contract.  All of these moves were integral in their summer success and is leading to a memorable October. By the MLB All-Star break, the Yankees held a 51-37 record and were 3 games behind their rival, the Boston Red Sox.  They were in perfect position to strike the Sox.  They did that resuming play after the break.  Going an astounding 52-22 after the break, the Yanks secured their playoff berth after the uncanny absence the prior season. So far, their playoff run is looking pretty good, even in an 11 th inning walk-off hit that caused them to lose their 1 st playoff game.  The Yankees started the post season by sweeping the Minnesota Twins 7-1, 4-3 and 4-1.  Currently, they lead the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3-1. Unsure of what the future of October will hold, I wish the Yankees success because they have brought a refreshing feel to baseball in October.  And, after years of wishing any other team but the Yankees would reign supreme, I now understand that the victors are meant to be the victors because we can’t always root for the underdogs.  How many Cinderella stories can we have?  How many can we stand to watch and believe they were the better team?  I want to see the Yankees at the top.  I want a return to normalcy, where winners take the crown and the losers continue to once again chase the pinstripes. true

2009-10-21T19:47:57Z

97037 3 The 2009 Yankees: A Return to Normalcy

2009-10-27T10:33:43Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/bravesgirl85/blog/posts/97037

2008-12-18T00:23:05Z

1139202 bravesgirl85's Blog

2008-12-18T00:23:05Z

3755936

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/bravesgirl85/blog bravesgirl85 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/bravesgirl85 23612 19-8, that was the score of the game, and that game was the last time i was truly happy about baseball. That was October 16, 2004, Game 3 of the ALCS in Fenway Park. The Yankees won that game and took a commanding 3-0 lead over the hated rival Boston Red Sox. That game was almost exactly one year after the most exciting game and play in my lifetime (Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS). That was when Aaron Boone hit one of the biggest "Walk Off" homerun's in Championship series history to complete a 4-3 series win and advance to the World Series. Well on October 16, 2004 after the Yanks went up 3-0 i was thinking that the ending would be just as sweet, because the Yankees were about to sweep their rival right out of the ALCS! But that never happened. They had there shots though, like the two consecutive extra inning nail biters in Fenway, that both went in the Red Sox favor. Then they headed back to the Bronx for the last two games, the Yanks were sure to win one of the two right? Nope, they blew it, they suffered the biggest collapse in MLB Postseason history. And since that series ended (specifically game 3) I have not been truly happy as a baseball fan! Now sure, a few years back, an ALDS win would never have done it for me, never have made me happy. But after the Yankees did not make the playoffs last season, I realized I took October baseball for granted, and I realized how much I need it in my life. So when they clinched the division this past September, i must admit, I popped the champagne in happiness. But not the happiness I used to feel from 1996-October 16, 2004. Then came Game 1 vs the Twins last week. C.C Sabathia was on the mound and looking as dominate as ever, but other than Derek Jeter (of course) the rest of the team was struggling to get on base. At that point I happened to think back of the past few Postseasons (everyone since the 2004 collapse actually)and couldn't help but think another first round exit? But then something happened, something that in my heart I always wished would, but hadn't happened since the collapse. That something was Alex Rodriguez coming alive and playing with the "swagger" we all knew he had inside. He put the Yankees on his back and carried them to their first playoff series win since the series before the collapse.(Twins in 2004 ALDS). To try and explain to you how happy i felt when Mariano Rivera got the last out in Game 3, and how happy i still feel right now is impossible. It can't be put into words. The only way i can actually become happier would be an ALCS win over the Angels (Who the Yanks have struggled against in recent Postseason past) and of course World Series win #27. Then to express my happiness i will be able to attend my first "Ticker Tape Parade" down the "Canyon of Heroes". I can promise you that at that point, if it happens, i will be the HAPPIEST i can be about baseball again! true

2009-10-15T20:16:33Z

96664 0 Pure Baseball Happiness - It's been too long!

2009-10-15T20:16:33Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Dukeyanks1515/blog/posts/96664

2008-04-14T13:01:19Z

23612 Dukeyanks1515's Blog

2008-04-14T13:01:19Z

180159

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Dukeyanks1515/blog Dukeyanks1515 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Dukeyanks1515 83752 As a Boston sports fan, it's been nothing but disappointment over the last few days.  The Sox had their greatest weaknesses, namely hitting on the road and getting anyone out after the sixth inning, exposed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Azusa, and Cucamonga, and the Patriots fell short on the road to a Denver team that is proving remarkably adept at playing the role of sleeper---not since the '99 Rams has a team so completely come out of nowhere to shock the world by Columbus Day.  Meanwhile, the Yankees are looking like their late-nineties selves again and the Jets and Giants are laying the groundwork for New Yorkers to start talking Subway (Fresh Take) Bowl.  In other words, the balance of the universe has been restored. One of the themes of the Aughts (or whatever we're calling this decade) is how in a lot of ways (as Weird Al Yankovic put it) "black is white, up is down, and short is long".  Post-9/11, we've seen American prestige shot to hell, we've seen the laws of economics broken by and harshly enforced by the gods on the markets, we've seen ninety years of baseball history turned on its head by the Boston Red Sox.  The Patriots, a laughingstock for the first twenty-three or so years of my life, won three Super Bowls in four years and managed an 11-5 season and a near playoff appearance with a guy who is proving in Kansas City that Bill Belichick does for pro quarterbacks what Steve Spurrier used to do for college quarterbacks.  The overriding theme of the decade could easily have been the opening strains to the Full House theme song: "Whatever happened to predictability?" Well, predictability is back with a vengeance.  The Red Sox and Patriots are good-but-not-great teams just good enough to disappoint their fans at the end of the season.  The Yankees are a powerhouse.  The Pirates stink (OK, some things never change.)  The Celtics and Lakers are both good at the same time.  Wealth is generated by a combination of smart investing and responsible use of credit by people living within their means.  America is, if Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize is anything to go by, a credible member of the international community again.  It rains a lot in Boston in October.  And as much as it pains me as a Boston fan to say it, I can't help but feel that all of the above is a change for the better. The Teens are just a couple of short months from being upon us, and if a return to normalcy (to steal a line from Woodrow Wilson) means that the Red Sox can't win in October and the Patriots can't win a game in Denver, if it means JackO gloating on the BS Report, and if it means that sportswriting (mine and everyone else's) involves lamentations of New England Calvinist determinism and fatalism, then you know what?  I think I'll take that bargain.  Just don't expect me to put one of those "I Love NY" bumper stickers on the car, OK? true

2009-10-12T18:31:53Z

96462 0 New York Ascendant

2009-10-12T18:31:53Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/monsterdog5/blog/posts/96462

2008-04-22T10:41:16Z

Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport. Games, predictions, commentary, and all points in between. 83752 Monsterdog5: The Worldwide Leader in Snark.

2009-11-04T19:30:33Z

995947

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/monsterdog5/blog monsterdog5 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/monsterdog5 1235200 Hey, I’ll admit it, I’m one of those people who complain about how long the baseball season is…but there’s something about October baseball and the annual Fall Classic that is truly magical…and makes the journey all worthwhile. The Twinkies needed an extra game, but they finally disposed of the Tigers, capturing the American League Central division. The reward was a quick trip to the airport to head to New York for a game the next night. Online <a href="http://www.sportsbetting.com">Sportsbook</a> opened the series with the Twins as underdogs in series price betting at +300, while the series price for the Yanks is -400. After losing the opener 7-2, Minnesota is now 5-16 in their last 21 games against the Bronx Bombers and currently on an eight-game Yankee losing streak. The Twins have been equally atrocious in the Big Apple going 4-17 in their last 21 and are currently mired in a nine-game road slide vs. the Evil Empire. The other ALDS matchup sees the Boston Red Sox in Los Angeles to play the Angels. Playoff Baseball Odds: The BoSox are favored to take the series at -130 and the Angels are +110 underdogs. Game 1 for the Boston-L.A. Angels series will go Thursday with the Red Sox listed at -110 and the Angels are paying out at Even money. John Lackey will get the start for the Angels and in his last 17 outings against the BoSox, the LAA have struggled mightily going 3-14 SU. Boston is also 9-1 SU in 10 meetings with the Angels in the month of October. The defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies will truly begin defense of their title (regular season doesn’t count) in a National League Divisional Series against the Colorado Rockies. The Phillies are favored at -160 and the Rockies are +145 in Series Price betting. In the last 12 overall games between the two, the Over has cashed 8 times while the Under has 4 times. Philly took Game 1 by a score of 5-1, covering at -125. The final playoff series in the National League will see the -145 St. Louis Cardinals playing the +115 Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 2 of their series begins on Thursday and Clayton Kershaw gets the start for the Dodgers. Kershaw has struggled lately, as the Dodgers are 2-9 SU in his last 11 starts but the Under has been a solid play, cashing in 8 times during that same stretch. Adam Wainwright takes the mound for the Cards and in his last 10 road starts, St. Louis has been hot going 10-0 SU. Good luck betting the MLB playoffs. <a href="http://www.sportsbetting.com/join.html">Join today</a> to take 110% Signup Bonus and all our other great offers. true

2009-10-08T11:44:07Z

96177 0 Sportsbook – Baseball Playoff Betting - Online Betting

2009-10-08T11:44:07Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jockson4u/blog/posts/96177

2009-05-22T08:36:42Z

1235200 jockson4u's Blog

2009-05-22T08:36:42Z

7180331

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jockson4u/blog jockson4u http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jockson4u 529340 ALDS Los Angeles Angels 3 vs. Boston Red Sox 2 New York Yankees 3 vs. Minnesota Twins 0 NLDS Philadelphia Phillies 3 vs. Colorado Rockies 1 Los Angeles Dodgers 2 vs. St. Louis Cardinals 3 ALCS New York Yankees 3 vs. Los Angeles Angels 4 NLCS Philadelphia Phillies 2 vs. St. Louis Cardinals 4 World Series Los Angeles Angels 4 vs. St. Louis Cardinals 3 true

2009-10-07T21:26:34Z

96140 0 2009 MLB Postseason Predictions

2009-10-07T21:26:34Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012/blog/posts/96140

2008-07-20T08:19:19Z

529340 pnthrsfn1012's Blog

2008-07-20T08:19:19Z

3055826

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012/blog pnthrsfn1012 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012 5930 I don't mean this as any disrespect to the Minnesota Twins.  They had a great season and made a tremendous, historical comeback to win the AL Central and they do have a punchers chance to beat the Yankees, they really do, but I just don't think it's in the cards for them this year. That being said, I want the Red Sox in the ALCS. Being a Yankee fan, navy blue all the way through, I want the Red Sox.  I know it sets myself up for a very, VERY bitter defeat if they lose.  If they win?  An unbelieveably sweet victory.  I would risk the chance at losing to the Red Sox to have the chance at beating the Red Sox. In front of a national audience and all the media and being able to send them back to Boston crying.  I would sacrifice taking all the crap from the Red Sox fans that I know just for a chance at beating them. It's not that I think the Angels are the weaker opponent or that they can't beat the Red Sox either.  I just think they are intimidated by them at this point.  It's like Red Sox were against the Yankees every single year before 2004. I love how it makes me feel to watch a Yankees-Red Sox playoff game.  It makes my heart race and my palm sweat.  I dread the Yankees losing to them, but beating them is an unbelieveable high. I love the competition they provide.  I love the angst and anxiety, it all adds to the experience, and it is an experience to watch a Yankees-Red Sox playoff game. Now if the Yankees and Red Sox can please take care of business and win, I'd be a very happy man. true

2009-10-07T20:11:09Z

96139 1 I Want the Red Sox!

2009-10-07T20:11:21Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Godlike_82/blog/posts/96139

2008-04-18T18:31:49Z

5930 Godlike_82's Blog

2008-04-18T18:31:49Z

441233

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Godlike_82/blog Godlike_82 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Godlike_82 83752 When Andy Williams sang "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", he may have been talking about Christmas, but I say there is no more wonderful time of the year than October.  The baseball playoffs are upon us.  As a Red Sox fan, this usually means I have a dog in the fight and this year is no different.  Without further ado, the playoff preview (and someone tell Simmons to get JackO on the Subway Fresh Take Hotline!) American League Division Series NYY 3:1 MIN BOS 3:1 LAA These are straightforward.  The Yankees look like an unstoppable force coming out of the regular season, and one wonders if they might've won 114 games had A-Rod not missed so much of the early season and had Teixiera not taken two months to figure out that it's OK to hit the ball at Yankee Stadium.  The Twins will steal one at home but will be ultimately overwhelmed. Boston owns Anaheim the way the Yankees used to own Boston, but the difference here is that the Angels don't have a gang of idiots to change the karma...and in the first round if you go down 3-0 there's no coming back.  I don't think it'll come to that; Anaheim will win Game 2, then the Sox will finish the job at Fenway. National League Division Series Phil Rizzuto, when he was the Yankees play-by-play guy, would write "WW" (for Wasn't Watching) in his scorebook when he missed a play on the field.  I don't know squat about the NL other than the pitchers have to hit and Albert Pujols sure seems to hit lots of homers.  The Dodgers crashed down the stretch, the Rockies aren't on a 22-1 streak, the Phillies pitching staff is watching Matlock at the old folks' home.  So...umm...St. Louis.  Yeah.  Them.  As good a bet as any other, right?  We'll come back to this. American League Championship Series BOS 4:2 NYY October is different and the Red Sox are peaking at the right time, with Lester and Beckett looking like the twin aces they are, and with Matsuzaka looking very solid since coming back off the DL, I think there's enough firepower here to beat New York.  My one major hope is that Francona has enough sense in his head to have Manny Delcarmen kneecapped, put in cement shoes, and tossed in the Charles River because nothing makes me think "oh crap, we're going to lose" quite like taking a six-run lead into the seventh and seeing Delcarmen on the hill.  The Yankees have Phil Hughes; we have "get six innings out of the starter and hope like hell it rains."  Still, that starting pitching is awesome. World Series BOS 4:0 STL Worked in 2004; I figure it'll work now.  Quadruple-A isn't giving a real AL team (read: not Tampa Bay or Detroit) much of a challenge.  All home field from the All-Star game means is that the AL team gets to celebrate on the NL's field after Game 4. Am I a homer?  You bet your #### I am.  But that's how it goes, and I do feel real good about having Beckett and Lester on the mound in October. true

2009-10-07T16:27:10Z

96119 0 Great day for baseball. Let's play two.

2009-10-07T16:27:10Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/monsterdog5/blog/posts/96119

2008-04-22T10:41:16Z

Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport. Games, predictions, commentary, and all points in between. 83752 Monsterdog5: The Worldwide Leader in Snark.

2009-11-04T19:30:33Z

995947

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/monsterdog5/blog monsterdog5 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/monsterdog5 1200907 Starting in 1995 the New York Yankees have made the playoffs 14 out of 15 times.  With Yankee Stadium II having ended operations after 2008, I felt it fitting to reflect and list my top 12 playoff moments at The House George Renovated before they christen the new yard with post season baseball for the first time.  With apologies to Reggie Jackson and Chris Chambliss, I'm naming the moments I've seen in my lifetime.  Now comes part four with plenty of dramatics! # 3.) 2001 World Series Game 4, Arizona Diamondbacks @ New York Yankees: While game 5 is great on its own, the magnitude just isn't the same without game 4.  With the game tied 1-1 the D-Backs took the lead 3-1 in the top of the 8th.  Things were looking pretty dire for the Yankee offense, until Tino Martinez made his first hit of the series his best one.  After Paul O'Neill had singled to left, Martinez drilled the two-out offering from Kim who as mentioned would be victimized a night later in the same scenario by Scott Brosius, over the wall to tie the game at three a piece. The very next inning in the bottom of the 10th also with two outs Derek Jeter became forever known as Mr. November hitting one into the short porch in right off Kim for the 4-3 walkoff win. # 2.) 2003 ALCS Game 7, Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees: Given the scope, intensity, rivalry and nature of the game and its outcome, this may well have been the best baseball game I've ever watched and boy did it live up to the hype.  Everything was on the table, bragging rights, "The Curse of the Bambino," and more importantly the AL Pennant and a trip to the World Series.  In what was starting to look like Roger Clemens' last start ever, The Rocket got lit up for two homers by Jason Varitek and Kevin Millar that staked Boston out to a 4-0 lead in the 4th.  Of course in game seven as far as pitchers, all hands are on deck.  In that 4th inning with two on, Clemens exited and Mike Mussina came on for his first ever career relief appearance.  Mussina struck out Varitek and got Johnny Damon to ground into a 6-6-3 inning ending double play, keeping the Yankees in the game. The Yankees then chipped away off Pedro Martinez when Jason Giambi connected for two solo HR's in the 5th and 7th cutting the lead to 4-2.  When it finally looked as if the Yankees were back in it, the Red Sox came back with a solo shot of their own as David Wells surrendered a HR to David Ortiz making it 5-2 Boston going into the bottom of the 8th.  That's when the Yankees caught fire off Martinez.  With 1 out Derek Jeter doubled to center.  Bernie Williams followed suit with a single to center of his own, knocking in Jeter and reducing the lead to 5-3.  Hideki Matsui then roped a double to rightfield and Williams advanced to 3rd.  With runners in scoring position, Jorge Posada blooped a two-run game tying double to shallow left-centerfield making it 5-5.  Posada was pumped and the Stadium roared.  Mariano Rivera then added to his Hall of Fame playoff legacy with three epic shutout innings of relief, that would eventually earn him ALCS MVP honors. Then with the game still tied 5-5 in the bottom of the 11th, the improbable Aaron Boone, Willie Randolph's sleeper pick, hit a lead-off, walkoff pinch hit homer to win the Yankees 39th AL Pennant and a trip to the World Series.  The Yankees won the game 6-5 and the ALCS 4-3. # 1.) 1996 World Series Game 6, Atlanta Braves @ New York Yankees: Ok so I said the last game was the best I've ever seen, but the number one game to me has the most special meaning and significance.  It was the night the underdog Yankees completed their improbable run which included a slew of human interest stories and ultimately what was to be the birth of a dynasty.  Everyone had counted them out, every step of the way.  They'd just come off a crushing series loss the year before, Joe was supposedly clueless, Doc and Darryl were in the baseball waste bin, Coney was fighting for his life and of course there was no way they could win with that rookie kid Jeter starting at SS.  Even when they made it to the World Series, the doubters said no way could they beat the defending champion Braves, the "team of the 90's," and there was no way after losing their first two at home in ugly fashion that they could sweep the Braves on the road and come back home to win it, beating three Hall of Fame pitchers in Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux along the way.  But they did.  After sweeping out the Braves in Atlanta to go 8-0 on the road in the 1996 playoffs, the Yankees came home to try and clinch title number 23, their first in 18 years.  The first one I'd seen in my lifetime. Jimmy Key went against Greg Maddux in a rematch of game 2.  Key, one of the first early 90's Yankees to help create the winning culture in the Bronx was more than solid allowing just one run in 5/1/3 innings. The Yankees struck for 3 in the 3rd off Maddux and it would be all they'd need, as Paul O'Neill doubled to right, Mariano Duncan moved him to 3rd on a grounder, Joe Girardi then tripled to center off his former Chicago Cubs battery-mate, plating O'Neill for the 1-0 lead and the Stadium absolutely shook.  Derek Jeter then singled Girardi home for the 2-0 edge.  After stealing 2nd, Jeter scored on what turned out to be the game winning RBI, a line drive single to center by Bernie Williams, as the two emerging young cornerstones of this Yankee dynasty gave the Bombers a 3-0 lead.  The Yankee bullpen was sharp once again, including getting two scoreless innings out of Mariano Rivera late. Eventual World Series MVP closer John Wetteland in his typical fashion made things interesting in the bottom of the 9th.  The defending champs wouldn't go quietly as Marquis Grissom knocked in Ryan Klesko, cutting the lead to 3-2.  Then with the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run at first, Wetteland got Mark Lemke to pop into foul territory along the 3rd base side by the stands and Charlie Hayes gloved it for the final out of the game and series.  Wetteland's World Series record 4th save and the Yankees won their 23rd title, in what would become their next dynasty, eventual team of the decade, team of the century.  The question now stands, will the ghosts still emerge this October at The New Yankee Stadium? true

2009-10-06T09:32:56Z

96019 2 Yankee Playoff Memories: Reflecting On The Old Yard Part 4of 4

2009-10-06T14:32:52Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog/posts/96019

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

1200907 Mike Gwizdala's Blog

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

6440093

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog Mike Gwizdala http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala 1200907 Starting in 1995 the New York Yankees have made the playoffs 14 out of 15 times.  With Yankee Stadium II having ended operations after 2008, I felt it fitting to reflect and list my top 12 playoff moments at The House George Renovated before they christen the new yard with post season baseball for the first time.  With apologies to Reggie Jackson and Chris Chambliss, I'm naming the moments I've seen in my lifetime. # 12.) 2001 ALCS Game 4, Seattle Mariners @ New York Yankees: After getting blown out in game 3 of the series at home 14-3, the Yankees led the best of seven 2-1.  In game 4 the Yankees had been held scoreless for seven innings, while the Mariners got on the board with a run in the top half of the 8th on a Brett Boone solo HR making it 1-0 M's.  However in the bottom of the 8th with one out, Bernie Williams took Arthur Rhodes deep to knot it at 1-1. Then in the bottom of the 9th with one out and one on, Alfonso Soriano homered off of Kaz Sasaki to win the game 3-1, putting the Yanks up 3-1 in the series. With their 116 win season on the line, the M's were clearly pressing, prompting manager Lou Pinella to boldly state they would be going back to Seattle for game six.  # 11.) 2001 ALCS Game 5, Seattle Mariners @ New York Yankees: After this game the M's would be going back to Seattle, however there would be no game six.  New York which had suffered through the horrific attacks of 9/11/2001, seemingly let out all off their emotions and grief and the Yankees took it out big time on the Mariners.  The Yankees sent the Mariners packing 12-3 on the back of three homers by Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez.  The Yankees won their 4th AL Pennant in a row, the first and only AL team to do so in the modern playoff era.  It was the last HR for Paulie, but not for Tino... that's later down the list. # 10.) 1999 ALCS Game 1, Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees: The first playoff series ever for the two blood rivals.  Seemingly tamer than recent years but intense nonetheless.  The Red Sox led most of the way, 3-2 going into the 7th until the Yankees tied the score.  The two sides then took it to the bottom of the 10th without scoring, until Bernie Williams went boom, leading off the 10th with a walkoff solo shot to dead center for the 4-3 win.  Other than a blip on the radar in game 3 at Fenway Park, the Yankees rolled up the competition in 1999 going 11-1, but their walkoff magic wasn't done as you'll see in part two of the list.   true

2009-10-06T08:59:15Z

96015 1 Yankee Playoff Memories: Reflecting On The Old Yard Part 1 Of 4

2009-10-06T09:17:35Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog/posts/96015

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

1200907 Mike Gwizdala's Blog

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

6440093

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog Mike Gwizdala http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala 665113 So I felt compelled to address this farce of a playoff for what some still call "America's Game." First of all, this is one of the things I absolutely hate about MLB.  You have 162 games to play out a division winner and yet, here we are tied for the AL Central?  162 games after which one team, the Twins, are no better or worse than the other, the Tigers.  At least that's what MLB and Bud "I'm still trying to ruin the game" Selig would like for you to believe. Remember last season when the Twins forced a "play-in" game against the Chicago White Sox.  Remember how there was a coin toss to determine who got to host said play-in game.  I remember how stupid it was from the standpoint that a 1 game "playoff" is supposed to decide who the better team is again after that couldn't be determined by playing a complete 162 game schedule?  Am I alone in seeing this as merely what it is?  If after 162 games you are tied, don't try to sell me on the idea that 1 game for all the marbles has any real significance other than who is better on that 1 day. If you want to call it a playoff then set it up as one, which in my opinion, would need to be at least a 3 game series in order to even qualify as a "playoff." Last seasons coin toss B.S., that awarded the White Sox the opportunity to host a 1 game playoff against the Twins was addressed by a rule change that actually recognized head-to-head matchups to determine which team would host the "play-in" game as it should have last season when the Twins were better than the White Sox in that head-to-head format.  However, why not just use that head-to-head format to determine the division winner?  This year the Twins are 7-2 against the Tigers!  Twins + 7 wins > Tigers + 2 wins!  Now you are telling me that if the Tigers win the "1 game playoff" and improve their head-to-head record to 3-7 vs. the Twins that it clearly points to them being the better team?  More MLB B.S. The Twins are clearly getting jobbed again by Bud and MLB! It's beyond time for MLB to pull its collective head out of its butt and come up with a better playoff format, which for me is a 6 team playoff for both leagues.  MLB should have a playoff with the 3 division winners and 3 wild card teams again for each league.  The result, is more playoff games = more revenue = more teams make the playoffs = more cities host playoff games = fans get to see their teams make the playoffs more often = more opportunity for the dramatic playoff series upset = a better MLB product!  MLB is too busy living in the days of Ruth and Gehrig and that's why they can't hold a candle to the NFL! Imagine if the 6 team playoff format were used this season: National League 1. Los Angeles Dodgers 2. Philadelphia Phillies 3. St. Louis Cardinals 4. Colorado Rockies 5. San Francisco Giants 6. Florida Marlins American League 1. New York Yankees 2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3. Minnesota Twins/Detroit Tigers 4. Boston Red Sox 5. Texas Rangers 6. Minnesota Twins/Detroit Tigers You set it up similar to the NFL.  The #1 and #2 seeds get a first round bye and so the winner of #3 vs. #6 plays #1 and the winner of #4 vs. #5 would play #2. The real benefit with this format is how you open it up for more marketing of some really great marquee stars to play in the playoffs.  Tim Lincecum, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, not to mention all the stars on the Twins AND the Tigers that would be represented. IT'S TIME FOR MLB TO STOP ACTING LIKE THE BCS AND HAVE A "REAL PLAYOFF!" By the way, the 1 game playoff isn't even a playoff, it's actually a 163rd regular season game!? One last comment, Miguel Cabrera was arrested for domestic battery over the weekend and he's now getting ready for the playoffs. Clearly he should be suspended by MLB for his misconduct!  Hey Miguel, I guess in a season where you can't beat the Twins you'll just beat your wife! true

2009-10-05T17:36:46Z

95935 1 Minnesota Twins force "1 Game Playoff" versus the Detroit Tigers

2009-10-05T17:37:57Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/the8pink/blog/posts/95935

2008-08-03T08:27:17Z

665113 the8pink's Blog

2008-08-03T08:27:17Z

74499

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/the8pink/blog the8pink http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/the8pink 529340 AL MVP <ol> <li>Joe Mauer-Minnesota Twins</li> <li>Mark Teixiera-New York Yankees</li> <li>Ichiro Suzuki-Seattle Mariners</li> </ol> NL MVP <ol> <li>Albert Pujols-St. Louis Cardnials</li> <li>Ryan Howard-Philadelphia Phillies</li> <li>Troy Tulowitzki-Colorado Rockies</li> </ol> AL LVP (Least Valuable Player) <ol> <li>Alex Rios-Chicago White Sox (was Toronto Blue Jays)</li> <li>Delmon Young-Tampa Bay Rays</li> <li>Pat Burrell- Tampa Bay Rays</li> </ol> NL LVP <ol> <li>Milton Bradley-Chicago Cubs</li> <li>Brian Giles-San Diego Padres</li> <li>Bill Hall-Seattle Mariners (was Milwaukee Brewers)</li> </ol> AL Cy Young <ol> <li>Zach Greinke-Kansas City Royals</li> <li>Felix Hernandez-Seattle Mariners</li> <li>Roy Halladay-Toronto Blue Jays</li> </ol> NL Cy Young <ol> <li>Chirs Carpenter and Adam Wainwright-St. Louis Cardinals</li> <li>Tim Lincecum-San Francisco Giants</li> <li>Dan Haren-Arizona Diamondbacks</li> </ol> AL Cy Yuk <ol> <li>Daniel Cabrera-Arizona Diamondbacks (was Washington Nationals)</li> <li>Oliver Perez-New York Mets</li> <li>Brad Lidge-Philladelphia Phillies</li> </ol> NL Cy Yuk <ol> <li>Chien Ming-Wang-New York Yankees</li> <li>Fausto Carmona-Cleveland Indians</li> <li>Daisuke Matsuzaka-Boston Red Sox</li> </ol> AL Rookie of the Year (Batters) <ol> <li>Gordon Beckham-Chicago White Sox</li> <li>Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters-Baltimore Orioles</li> <li>Elvis Andrus-Texas Rangers</li> </ol> NL Rookie of the Year (Batters) <ol> <li>Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen-Pittsburgh Pirates</li> <li>Adam Coughlin-Florida Marlins</li> <li>Casey McGehee-Milwaukee Brewers</li> </ol> AL Rookie of the Year (Pitchers) <ol> <li>Rick Porcello-Detroit Tigers</li> <li>Jeff Niemann-Tampa Bay Rays</li> <li>The Baltimore Orioles Rotation(Jason Berken, David Hernandez, Brian Matusz, Brad Bergesen, Chris Tillman-A for effort)</li> </ol> NL Rookie of the Year (Pitchers) <ol> <li>J.A. Happ-Philladelphia Phillies</li> <li>Tommy Hanson-Atlanta Braves</li> <li>Kenshin Kawakami-Atlanta Braves</li> </ol> AL Mangaer of the Year <ol> <li>Mike Scioscia-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim</li> <li>Joe Girardi-New York Yankees</li> <li>Don Wakamatsu-Seattle Mariners</li> </ol> NL Manager of the Year <ol> <li>John Tracy-Colorado Rockies</li> <li>Charlie Manuel-Philadelphia Phillies</li> <li>Tony LaRussa-St. Louis Cardinals</li> </ol> true

2009-10-03T21:20:46Z

95835 0 My End of the 2009 MLB Season Awards

2009-10-03T21:20:46Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012/blog/posts/95835

2008-07-20T08:19:19Z

529340 pnthrsfn1012's Blog

2008-07-20T08:19:19Z

3055826

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012/blog pnthrsfn1012 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012 1173676 Wow, pretty awful day for my picks mostly thanks to the soccer matches. Liverpool got handled by Fiorentina and I lost my W6, then Verlander went 129 pitches strong. He had 8 strikeouts and 5 hits after 7 innings and 110 pitches but Tim Leyland determined he needed to go one more inning in which he gave up 3 hits and got zero strikeouts so I lost that pick. Then I picked up another win with Chad Billingsley one-hitting the woeful Padres through 5 innings. Well, hopefully soccer can put me out on a better foot today and so on to the picks! <hr /> 1) Australia vs. Costa Rica - Australia scores first 2) Beşiktaş @ CSKA Moscow - 2 goals or fewer 3) Czech Republic vs. Brazil - Goal scored in the 29th minute or earlier 4) Manchester United (v. VfL Wolfsburg) vs. Chelsea (@ APOEL Nicosia) - Manchester United have a larger margin of victory 5) Honduras vs. United Arab Emirates - United Arab Emirates win or draw 6) Minnesota Twins @ Detroit Tigers - Detroit 7) Will Joba Chamberlain Get The Win (Royals @ Yankees): Yes vs. No - Yes 8) Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox - Toronto 9) Hawaii Warriors @ Louisiana Tech Bulldogs - Louisiana Tech 10) Los Angeles Dodgers (@ Padres) vs. San Francisco Giants (@ Diamondbacks) - Dodgers have a larger margin of victory 11) Oakland @ Seattle vs. Texas @ Los Angeles - Texas @ Los Angeles have more runs scored in innings 4-6 true

2009-09-30T11:34:48Z

95601 0 September 30th Picks

2009-09-30T22:23:59Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog/posts/95601

2009-02-04T01:27:01Z

Every pick, every day. http://bleaklookatcash.blogspot.com for previews of selected matchups. Overall performance of the past two weeks is tracked there as well. And there's some additional goodies such as a Hulu portal and an mp3 player. 1173676 zombidwee's Blog

2009-06-29T12:46:10Z

5320940

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog zombidwee http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee 1200222 The New England Nation loves this time of year. Especially since the turn of the century. Most of us believed that when the Pats drafted Drew Bledsoe we might finally have a chance at a successful franchise. But, ironically it was a Jets defenseman who magically turned, not only the Pats franchise around, but suspiciously turned around all of the New England franchises. Bledsoe did bring us to a SuperBowl, unsuccessfully however. But, it was that haphazardly run out of bounds and the massive hit he took high to the shoulder that was the lowest point in a fans hope. And before you can reach the top you must hit rock bottom. It seemed that most of our teams had hit bottom. But, then Tom Brady came into play. He was the spark in all of Boston. It took a few games, but he was the little engine that could for all of us. Down 10 pts with less than 3-4 minutes to play..against, I believe San Diego, he took the pats to the endzone and surprised even the fans. The Pats didn't lose again.  The following opening day for the Boston Red Sox the Pats came out from behind the huge, American Flag covering the green monster. The Fans went bananas. Now the Sox didn't win the World Series that year, but we went to the pennant. Then we went again and again and again. Since that magical day of the Pats celebrating with the Sox fans the Red Sox have been almost unstoppable. Two world series titles. Then it was the Celts turn. Garnett what?  Then Allen what? With Pierce? TITLE.  Oh my god. Three Superbowls. One NBA Championship and two World Series in this century. Ok Bruins it's your turn. Maybe you need the champs of the other sports to open your first games at home. The Bruins have been ranked first for the playoffs twice, but swept out of them early.  I was at the Jets game when Bledsoe went down. It was the first game after 9/11.  It was very emotional beginning.  Before this man sang the National Anthem he told a entriging story of being Francis Scott Key sitting in a row boat watching the war happen in front of his face. Inspired by the flag still flying, waving throughout the whole battle he wrote the Banner. He had everyone in Foxboro stadium quiet, touched and inspired for not only their team, but for the nation. I think most of the stadium that day was crying with happiness and pride and sorrow all at the same time. We were egual. We were the same. We were one. We are a team. The Nation. This is the man who inspired the New England Nation. Not Tom Brady. Not Bledsoe. Not Garnett or Allen. Or Bruskie. But, the man who sang the National Anthem the first game back after 9/11 in Foxboro Stadium...Thanks man. You are the guy who helped New England Nation to enjoy this time of year. All of our successful teams are just about in full gear.  One practically cannot keep up with sleep keeping tabs on all of New England Nation.   true

2009-09-29T11:51:07Z

95529 1 New England Nation

2009-09-29T15:55:53Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/azorean%20milli/blog/posts/95529

2009-03-18T17:09:30Z

1200222 azorean milli's Blog

2009-03-18T17:09:30Z

6151526

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/azorean%20milli/blog azorean milli http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/azorean%20milli 22908 Wow, I have neglected my ESPN blog for too long. It's been almost a year since my last entry. Well, I have been busy. I moved from Phoenix back to Thailand. I started a new job teaching English. I've watched way too much soccer (but really, a few minutes of soccer is too much). At least I won't have to worry about a Cubbie melt down in the play-offs this year (looking for the "roll eyes" smiley). I promise I'll try to blog more about sports in the future, even if I am blogging for my own benefit. So, they played an NHL hockey game in Kansas City this past week. The New York Islanders played the Los Angeles Kings at the Sprint Center in downtown KC on Tuesday night. Only about 9500 fans showed up. Not suprising, you might say. Who in KC cares about the Islanders or the Kings? I agree. If it had been the Blues vs the Avalanche there probably would have been more people. Then again,maybe not. Afterall, Josh Greinke was shutting down the Boston Red Sox at "The K" just a few miles up I-70 at the same time that the Kings and Islanders took the ice. That probably hurt ticket sales, right? Maybe, but really, KC just isn't a hockey town anymore. They've got a beautiful new arena, The Sprint Center, right in the middle of the revitalized downtown Power & Light District, but no NBA or NHL team to call it home. And I don't think they'll have one in the near future. KC is a two pro team town. It's Chiefs and Royals, and then you've got your college sports fans (KU, MU, a few K-Staters). That's about all KC sports fans can handle on their plate. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. We used to have the Kings, the NBA Kings that is, before they packed and headed to Sacramento, and even when we had them we shared them part of the time with Omaha. You don't see that much anymore, but I remember the KC/Omaha Kings. Anyway, they went to the greener pasture of California because attendance was not the best. We even had an NHL team for a short time, the Scouts, but they didn't last either. Then there were the IHL Blades. They had some success for a few years in the 90's, but eventually they moved as well. I know the Islanders were checking out the lovely Sprint Center, think about how much nicer it is than their crappy old arena. Then they looked up in the upper deck and saw all those empty seats. They might use us as leverage to get a new arena, but they ain't moving in. Too bad as I'd love to see hockey back in KC, but I doubt it happens. true

2009-09-25T13:43:06Z

95236 0 Hockey In KC

2009-09-25T13:46:52Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/VicVegas6285/blog/posts/95236

2008-04-18T18:32:49Z

22908 VicVegas6285's Blog

2008-04-18T18:32:49Z

350665

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/VicVegas6285/blog VicVegas6285 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/VicVegas6285