Watching the parade. I still believe that although the WS MVP went to Matsui that the real MVP is Mo. Every closer pissed away a game this postseason—except for Mo. Papelbon, Street, Broxton, Lidge, Nathan, Fuentes, Franklin…the one solid rock was who else…Rivera, who had a 2009 postseason ERA of 0.56 and whose overall postseason record is now an incredible 8-1, 39 saves and an ERA of 0.74 in 133 1/3 IP.
Reflecting on a year that started in turmoil and disgrace. The steroid allegations and confirmation by Alex. The mea culpa press conference by Alex in which he promised his teammates the season of their lives…then delivered on it. The trials and failures of Wang. Both catchers, Posada and Molina, going on the DL at the same time so that A AA catcher hitting .190 had to be brought up to start. Although not a superstar, Cervelli, that AA catcher, handled himself well. The early season woes of Teixeira, who wound up the co-HR champ in the AL and the AL RBI champ. The emergence of a Cervelli, Robertson, Pena, Gardner and Hughes. Nady going down. Swisher stepping up. The bullpen failures. The takeoff of the team once Alex returned and Hughes, Aceves and Robertson replaced Edwar, Alby and Veras.
It never comes easy.
…and as I watch, who else to close the parade than Mo?
Nope, it never comes easy. Got to pay your dues if you want to sing the blues…or raise the trophy.
Sing it, Ringo. It Don’t Come Easy.…and it won’t come easy in 2010 for whoever wins it. The Yanks will have major decisions to make this offseason. The team is aging. Damon, Pettitte and Matsui are free agents, as is Jose Molina. Mo, Posada and Jeter, while returning, are all over 35. Alex turns 35 next year. For some, a last hurrah?
Heck, the Red Sox already made a move, trading for Hermida. The White Sox sent Fields and Getz to KC for Teahen. Now today, the Brewers sent J.J. Hardy to the Twins for Gomez.
Uneasy is the head that wears the crown.
But today, we celebrate.
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If you didn’t hear it, it looks like Girardi WILL switch to #28 next year…
and if you didn’t read it, check this out on Girardi’s Good Samaritan work after winning the title.
…and what is the “Freak,” Tim Lincecum thinking (or NOT thinking due to being caught speeding and with grass?)?
Oh yeah, the guy who denigrated Jeter last week by saying that he’d be a nice backup infielder on the Phils (I wonder how many drinks the idiot had) Jeter. 407, Rollins .217 in the WS.
1 response so far ↓
1 Jason // Nov 6, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Mike–there is Mariano, and there is everyone else. There is literally no comparison between him and any other closer, not even close.
Hats off to Teixeira, who had a tremendous season and whose defense was brilliant. He honestly reminds me of Jeter for the kind of plays and outright headiness he brings to that side of the infield. Always in the game, always a step ahead. Brilliant first baseman, every bit the equal of Mattingly, and that’s saying an awful lot.
A-Rod was a flat-out monster during the playoffs after a very good, if strenuous season. It just doesn’t happen without him tearing up teams in dramatic fashion.
The Big Guy is a total stud.
I can’t stand how people dismiss Jeter, his greatness and especially his bat. All the guy does is deliver when it counts. The guy batted .407 in the World Series and was overshadowed by others, and it appeared that he couldn’t have cared less. First ballot Hall of Famer when the times comes, hands down.
The bullpen really became a strength in the second half of the year, and kudos to Hughes for being a tremendous set-up man, playoff struggles notwithstanding. He will rectify things.
I am going to bask in this one for a looooong time.
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