For all of us who sighed, “The Yankees just bought themselves a championship!” last winter after signing C.C. Sabathia, A.J Burnett and Mark Teixeira for more millions than the GNP of half the countries in the world, we can sure feel like prophets now that the Yankees convincingly put away the Philadelphia Phillies, the defending champions, to win the 2009 World Series. Hidecki Matsui, the Japanese power hitter, whose RBI’s clinched the win tonight but contributed to other wins as well, was named series MVP. This goes with three championships from his career in Japan.
Besides Matsui’s fireworks, the 2009 World Series will be remembered for Alex Rodriguez’s controversial “television camera” homerun, Johnny Damon steeling 2nd and dashing off to an unguarded third base, and the dominant pitching from Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera, two veterans of the great run of championships, four out five from 1996-2000. Naturally, Derek Jeter, the team’s captain, was right in the middle of much of the good stuff going on while Jorge Posada is another member of the team remaining from the championship run. Also noteworthy is this postseason provides Alex Rodriguez his first World Series Ring.
Clearly every measure shows the Yankees as the best team in baseball and they won the games they needed to that proved so en route to yet another title this time in their new home across the street from the hallowed grounds where Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Reggie, and even Derek Jeter racked up more championships that any other franchise could imagine.
After a rough start, once Alex Rodriguez joined the team in late May, the Yankees made short work of all competition leading to a tough fought battle against a very good Phillies’ team, but clearly the Yanks were a notch better.
Despite their triumph, it’s hard to imagine the Yankees will not be active in this winter’s wheeling and dealing looking for some upgrades in the outfield and bullpen. Surely, if there’s a first class starting pitcher available, he’ll go in the Yankee’s shopping cart too.
From Boston to Los Angeles to every baseball city in between, there must be a chilling sense of futility when they compare their resources to the mighty Yankees. While small market teams like Minnesota can make the post season from time to time, nobody can secure their fortunes like the Yankees. As tough as the Angels were in 2009, they will struggle to keep their best players on their roster while trying to upgrade in select places.
Once again, in Yankee fashion, history repeated itself. In 1923, the original Yankee stadium opened across the streets. The Yankees won the championship. In 2009, different address, same results, the Yankees win the championship in their new home.
Congratulations, New York. You paid for it. You got it.
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