OPENING DAY WESTERN STYLE
Angels take on Yankees in home opener

By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
March 29, 2006


ANAHEIM, CA - As I sit here at the old computer, pounding the keyboard, listening to the rain splattering on the pavement outside my backdoor, I can only think of one thing - April 7, 2006 is just around the corner and baseball returns to Orange County, CA, where yours truly resides.

The New York Yankees come to town to open the Los Angeles Angels’ first home series, and the place is, of course, sold out. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to score tickets to all of the games, but I’m so far out at the edge of the stadium that I’d need long distance service to call the dugouts. However, as a wise man once said, “It doesn’t matter, since you’re there.” Indeed.

I was in the stands at Angel Stadium last October 10 to watch the Yankees lose Game Five to the Angels in the ALDS and I knew it was going to be a long, dreary winter. All I could think of was how were the Yankees going to improve over the off-season and how they would avenge yet another demoralizing ALDS loss to Anaheim.

The Yankees have made strides to improve the team by acquiring Johnny Damon, Octavio Dotel, and Kyle Farnsworth, just to name a few. However, there are still plenty of question marks. Jaret Wright has had back problems to go along with shoulder problems. Carl Pavano hasn’t pitched since a minor league rehab start last August, as he is trying to come back from his own shoulder and back problems. Dotel is recovering from Tommy John surgery and isn’t expected to join the team until June.

Even with a pitching staff full of what ifs the Yankees are being pegged to win their ninth straight Eastern Division title. With a lineup starting with Johnny Damon, and followed by Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams and Robbie Cano who would argue with Vegas? Nonetheless, it’s pitching and defense - specifically pitching - that wins championships. How far the Yankees go in the playoffs, if they get there, will depend on how well the pitching staff holds up. The Bombers could win the battles, but ultimately lose the war.

But, let’s look at first things first. The Yankees open the season on the road and have to face one of their toughest opponents. True, it’s early in the season, but for the Yankees it is an opportunity to make a statement to the team that has knocked them out of the playoffs two out the past four years. To beat the Angels in their home park in the first home series for the Halos would be a big boost to the Yankees’ collective psyche. Last year, the Yankees struggled early to gain victories. Beating the Angels could be a springboard to a huge April.

It’s been over five years since the Yankees last hoisted the World Series trophy as champions. Everyone from Boss George to the peanut vendor hawking nuts in the upper decks of Yankee Stadium is anxious for a victory parade down the Canyon of Heroes. Speaking of the Boss, it was he who predicted a World Series victory by the Bombers.

Basically speaking, this is Steinbrenner’s way of throwing down the gauntlet to his team. He lives for World Series trophies, and he knows his time for collecting them is getting shorter with each passing season. There will come a day when George Steinbrenner will pass the torch to his son-in-law Steve Swindal and bow out of the picture. For the Boss the future is now. He wants another championship. Anything less than fulfilling his prediction will be an enormous failure. He writes a lot of big checks and now he wants his team to cash them in.

A great way to start this season would be hanging a few ‘Ls’ on the Los Angeles Angels. I can smell the hot dogs and freshly cut grass now. Baseball is upon us and I’ll be in hog heaven for the next six, hopefully seven, months. Let the games begin and may the best team win. According to George Steinbrenner that should be the Yankees.

PLAY BALL!



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