Another Chapter in Yanks 'Bronx Tale'
Bombers beat Halos in 13th; Take 2-0 ALCS lead

Another classic game and another nail biter between the two best teams in major league baseball. This game will end up on “Yankee Classics” for two reasons. First, the Yankees won the game in the 13th inning on a throwing miscue by Maicer, and secondly, because it was a classic duel between two longtime rivals striving for baseball supremacy.

The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (I liked it better when it was just the Anaheim or California Angels) have been cross country rivals ever since 1961 when the Angels, under the ownership of the “Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry, was granted a spot in the American League. The Angels shared digs with the Los Angeles Dodgers, first at the Coliseum in LA, and then later at Dodger Stadium. This arrangement lasted until 1966 when the Angels opened up their own park in Anaheim and became the California Angels.

When you hear of a team having another team’s “number” you don’t have to look any further than the Angels and Yankees. The Halos are the only team who has a historical winning record against the Bronx Bombers. And, not just by a little either. These two teams have met 586 times in the regular season and the Angels are 52 game over .500 against New York.

Living out here on the west coast, but still rooting for the boys in pinstripes I have seen my share of disappointments over the years. More times than not I, like a lot of other displaced Yankee fans in and around Orange County, California, have seen the Angels make the Yankees look like a second rate team. Whether the Angels were in last place or first they’ve always played the Yanks like it is the 7th game of the World Series.

Earlier this season was no exception. In July (10-12) the Yankees traveled to Anaheim for a 3-game set with the Halos. It was their last series before the All-star break and they were coming in with a hot hand. The Yankees had just won 15 of their last 17 games, but that didn’t matter to the Angels. In Game 1 of the series the Yankees had a 5-0 lead, but blew it, and the Halos won 10-6. In Game 2 the Yankees rewarded me on my birthday by allowing the Angels to erase a 4-1 lead by giving up 7 runs in the 5th inning as the Halos won going away 14-8. Game 3 saw the Angels overcome a 1-0 Yankee lead by scoring four runs in the 4th inning and squeaking out a 5-4 win to sweep the Yankees going into the break.

Fortunately the Yankees didn’t stay down long and they ended up by going 48-25 in the 2nd half to win the AL East Division by 8 games over second place Boston and they garnered the best record in baseball by six games over the Angels. In fact, in September (21-23) the Yankees returned to Anaheim to take 2-of-3 from the Angels, splitting the season series 5-5. There was room for optimism. A glimmer of hope was on the horizon.

Both teams went into the divisional series with different expectations. The Angels were facing the Red Sox who, like the Angels are with the Yankees, had the Halos’ number. As many so-called experts saw the Red Sox winning the ALDS as those picking the Angels. In 2004, 2007 and 2008 the Red Sox ousted the Halos from the divisional series with a combined 9-1 record. You don’t even want to ask any longtime Angel fan about 1986. The Angels lone win came during the ’08 series. Although they lost the Angels won, because they finally had beaten their longtime playoff antagonists in a divisional game. Now, at least they knew they could beat those pesky (no pun intended) Red Sox in a playoff setting.

The proof of that pudding came in this year’s divisional series as the Angels swept the Red Sox out of the playoffs and did so convincingly. This set up this year’s confrontation with the Yankees.

On the other side of the coin, the Yankees were expected to beat the Minnesota Twins in their half of the ALDS quite handily. Most experts predicted an easy series with the Yankees sweeping the Twins. After all the Yankees won the regular season series 7-0, and the Twins have never played well at Yankee Stadium. Well, the Yankees did sweep, but it was anything but easy. In fact in all 3 games the Yankees had to come from behind to beat Minnesota to set up the first ALCS meeting between the Bombers and the Halos.

Depending on who you asked, the predictions about which team would win this series was as varied as could be. A lot of people point to the Angels historical success as well as post season dominance. The Angels rotation is better than the Yankees. The Angels defense is better or the bullpen. You would hear the same thing said about the Yankees. The only area the Yankees were given a clear advantage was in the role of closer. Mariano Rivera versus Brian Fuentes was a no-contest. Rivera wins hands down. Much of this predicting has been regional. Los Angeles/Orange County area papers said the Angels would win, but newspapers in the east picked the Yankees.

In Game 1 the Yankees behind CC Sabathia handled the Angels very easily, winning 4-1. The Halos helped by playing very sloppy and uncharacteristically poor defense. However, for anyone who knows the playoff history between these two teams, the Yankees also won Game 1 from the Angels in the 2002 and 2005 ALDS only to lose those series in the end.

Last night, it appeared that the Yankees were going to follow past playoff scripts. Game 2 was very important for both teams. If the Yankees won they go to Anaheim up in the series 2-0 forcing the Angels to have to beat New York in 4 of the next 5 games. Lose, and the series is tied 1-1 with the next three games played at Angel Stadium. That would mean that if the Angels sweep the Yankees in their park they send the Yankees down to another humiliating defeat without ever getting the opportunity to get back to New York.

The Yankees jumped to an early 2-0 lead behind a run scoring triple by Cano in the 2nd inning, followed by a solo home run in the 3rd by Derek Jeter. Yankee starter AJ Burnett was cruising through the Angels lineup in the first 4 innings, but, as has been the case in the past, Burnett got into trouble in the 5th inning.

Burnett surrendered a leadoff double to Izturis, a single to Erick Aybar scoring Izturis, then hit Chone Figgins with a pitch. After getting Bobby Abreu to fly out to left for the 2nd out Burnett walked Torii Hunter to load the bases. With the ever dangerous Vladimir Guerrero at the plate Burnett uncorked a wild pitch past catcher Jose Molina allowing Aybar to score from third, tying the game at 2 apiece. Fortunately, Guerrero cooperated by grounding out to short to end the inning.

Once again, it appeared that the Yankees were right where the Angels wanted them. Lose Game 1, give the Yankees a lead in Game 2 only to come back to yank the rug out from under New York’s feet and steal another playoff series.

However, something different happened. The Yankees refused to cooperate. For the next five innings the Angels and Yankees threw up zeroes. In the 11th inning Yankees RHRP Alfredo Aceves took the mound to face the Halos. All through the 2009 campaign Aceves has been the one guy manager Joe Girardi could point to in order to get the job done. If he needed an emergency starter or a pitcher who could come into the middle of the game to give the Yankees length Girardi called on Aceves.

Nonetheless, Aceves committed the pitcher’s cardinal sin by walking the leadoff batter. He gave Gary Matthews, Jr. a free pass and after moving to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt Matthews scored on a soft liner by Figgins to left field in front of Johnny Damon. Oh how many times had Yankee fans seen the Angels come back like this.

Aceves got out of the inning without any further trouble, but the damage had been done. The Yankees had dug themselves into another hole against the team whom they’ve suffered their greatest failures.

For Yankee fans this game took on the look of a bad car crash. It was ugly, but you had to watch.

In the bottom of the 11th inning Angel manager Mike Scioscia sent in his closer Brian Fuentes. Fuentes lead the American League in saves in ’09, but had blown 7 as well. The first man he faced was Alex Rodriguez. This Rodriguez was different from the Rodriguez the Angels have faced in the past. This guy has been hitting and driving in runs.

Fuentes quickly got ahead of A-Rod by throwing 2 four-seam fastballs by him. With the count 0-2 Fuentes made the mistake of going to the well once too often and tried to jam a third four-seamer by Rodriguez. A-Rod did what all good hitters are supposed to do. He promptly punched the ball over the right field wall to tie the game.

Said Fuentes to reporters after the game. "I was trying to elevate and didn't get it up enough," Fuentes talking about the pitch allowing A-Rod to drive the ball. "I felt like I threw the ball really well minus the one pitch. Unfortunately, it cost us the game. I take full responsibility for that."

The two teams traded zeroes in the 12th, and the Yankees kept the Halos off the board in the top of the 13th. This set up another improbable finish for a club who has been doing the improbable all season long.

Girardi started the bottom of the frame by sending up pinch hitter Jerry Hairston, Jr. to face the hard throwing Ervin Santana. Hairston responded by lining a single to center. Reserve center fielder Brett Gardner did his job by sacrifice bunting Hairston to 2nd base. Santana intentionally walked Cano in order to set up a potential inning ending double play. Outfielder Melky Cabrera tried to cooperate with the Angels by hitting a hard grounder to second baseman Izturis’ left. With Hairston moving to third and Cano to second Izturis made a beautiful grab, but instead of going to first to get Cabrera he decided to go to second. The ball sailed by Aybar allowing Hairston to score the winning run.

It was the second game in a row where a team, which prides itself on playing sound defensive, has made a poor decision costing them a game.

"It shouldn't have come down to that," Chone Figgins said when reporters asked him about Izturis wild throw. "We had too many opportunities that got away from us. That's why we lost."

Neither team did a great job in potential run scoring situations. The Halos stranded 16 runners and the Yankees 12.

However, when it counted most the Yankees came through.

Hairston put a personal spin on his contribution.

"I knew if I got a chance to do something, I wanted to do something positive," Hairston said after the game. "This game isn't easy. I just wanted to enjoy the moment. My grandfather never had the opportunity that I've had. That was definitely for him."

A-Rod who has now hit three, dramatic, late inning home runs told reporters, "I know I had a blast out there today. That was a great game. That's what I've been doing all year -- trying to keep things simple and not trying to think too much."

Perhaps Joe Girardi summarized the game best.

“We're fortunate to come out on top in this game, because it was a great game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "And there were some miscues. Fortunately we were on the right side of it."

The series now shifts to Anaheim where the next 3 games are scheduled. Game 3 is scheduled for Monday at 4:13 EST for the first pitch. It will be Andy Pettitte versus Jered Weaver. In order to return to the Bronx the Angels have to take 2 out of 3. On the other hand, the Yankees have the opportunity to do what no other team before them has done. Celebrate a playoff series win on the Angels home field.

This series is hardly over and both teams know it. That said the Yankees are now treading on heretofore unknown territory. They are half way to a series celebration over their most successful playoff opponents.

Just another chapter in the Yankees latest 'Bronx Tale.'

NOTE: Derek Jeter just keeps adding to his legacy. His home run in the 3rd inning was the 19th of his playoff career moving him past Reggie Jackson and Mickey Mantle (18) for third place behind Manny Ramirez (29) and Bernie Williams (22).

© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited

Yankees Big 3 finally earn their (pin)stripes
Sabathia, Burnett & Teixeira start paying dividends

Imagine the chagrin at the administrative offices of the New York Yankees located at E 161st Street at River Avenue after April 30 when the Yankees record in the American League East was 12-10 and they were sitting in third place, two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees were swept in Baltimore to start the season and later swept in Boston by their chief antagonists.

On top of that C.C. Sabathia, who signed for the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher, was 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA. On Opening Day in Baltimore the Orioles stung the big lefty for 6 runs on 8 hits. A.J. Burnett, the other high profiled, big contract, free agent signee, although sporting a 2-0 record, had 3 no-decision games and owned an alarming 5.40 ERA. In fact on April 25 against the Red Sox Burnett was burned for 8 earned runs in 5 innings of work, which jumped his season ERA from a respectable 3.20 to a bloated 5.47 overnight.

That brings us to first baseman Mark Teixeira whom the Yankees outbid both the Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels for his services. Teixeira owns a .289 lifetime batting average, has hit an average of 33.83 home runs and has knocked in an average of 120 runs per season prior to 2009. Although Teixeira is known as a very slow starter, when the season began it was expected that with a new contract and a new team Teixeira would bound out of the gates blazing. If spring training was any indication the Yankees had every right to believe Teixeira would be an offensive monster. He was batting .433 with an OBP of .485 and a SLG% of .800 (OPS of 1.285) coming out of camp.

Alas, that was not the case. Teixeira like Cinderella’s coach turned back into a pumpkin during the month of April and the first part of May. If not for the heroics of free agent OF/1B Nick Swisher, who took over the everyday duties in right field for an injured Xavier Nady, there wouldn’t have been much for the Yankees to write home about. Swisher responded to a lackluster offense by hitting .312 in April with 7 home runs and 19 RBI. Teixeira’s numbers fell like a meteor to earth. He was hitting a very pedestrian .200 and had only 3 home runs and 10 RBI to show for it.

May wasn’t looking much better for the Yankees either. After play ended on May 7 the Yankees had dropped to 4th place and owned a 13-15 record. Teixeira continued his freefall; dropping to a .197 average and was only up to 5 home runs and 15 RBI in 24 games. Sabathia’s ERA jumped up to 4.85 and he saw his record fall to 1-3 with 2 no-decisions. Burnett was the biggest puzzle of all. After two brilliant outings Burnett couldn’t find his rhythm. He continued to go at least 6 innings in his starts, but had nothing to show for it. It took nearly to the end of May before Burnett would see his next victory.

After last year’s 89-73 third place finish manager Joe Girardi’s tenure with the team was definitely in jeopardy. He beat out Yankee legend Don Mattingly for the managerial job in ’08 after Joe Torre left the team for Los Angeles. Girardi knew he had some big shoes to fill. Torre made the playoffs every year he was at the helm taking the team to 2 wild card appearances, 9 division championships, 6 AL championships and 4 World Series championships. Not even making the playoffs was not the way Girardi wanted to start his managerial career in New York.

To be fair not everything has bounced the right way for Girardi. He had a lot of injuries to deal with, most notably Jorge Posada who took two trips to the DL; the second one on July 20, 2008. Posada didn’t return for the remainder of the season. Chien-Ming Wang was another. Wang injured his right foot on June 15 in an interleague game against the Houston Astros and immediately went to the DL for the remainder of the season.

Two solid performers, Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano, had down years. Pitching, especially the bullpen, continued to be inconsistent in 2008. During spring training one of the biggest bombshells in the history of baseball took place when Alex Rodriguez was accused of taking performance enhancing drugs, which he later admitted to doing. Also, Torre, along with Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci, published a book called “The Yankee Years,” in which Torre chronicles a lot of behind-the-scenes dirt about what went on inside the four walls of Yankee Stadium.

Getting back to this season if you’ve been following the Yankees you know about other situations that have plagued the squad. In addition to Rodriguez’s admission of using banned substances he went on the disabled list when a cyst and a torn labrum was discovered in his right hip. He had corrective surgery to address the problem to hopefully get him into the lineup as soon as possible.

Wang had horrific 3 starts at the beginning of the season after coming back from his foot injury. He lasted just 6 total innings in those starts and his ERA was a stratospheric 34.50. He went back on the DL with a side injury, but recently returned and has seen action in the bullpen. Additionally, relievers Brian Bruney and Damaso Marte have landed on the DL. Posada returned to the DL on May 5 with a hamstring injury, and reserve catcher Jose Molina went down with a quad injury on May 8.

Those injuries necessitated the Yankees bringing in a whole bunch of minor leaguers to hold the fort down until the regulars could return. Third baseman/shortstop Ramiro Pena, RHP Phil Hughes, RHRP David Robinson, C Anthony Cervilli, C Kevin Cash among others have done a masterful job in keeping the season from getting away from the Yankees.

All those headaches were enough to send anyone, let alone a manager, screaming into the night. However, the entire negative vibe turned positive on Friday, May 8.

That was the day A-Rod returned to the lineup.

Whether or not A-Rod is the real reason the Yankees suddenly turned around is an argument to be discussed around the water coolers, but the fact remains the day their superstar third baseman returned was the day the Yankees turned their season around.

Since May 8 the Yankees have gone from 13-15 and in 4th place to 31-21 and 1st place in the AL East Division. That means they have gone 18-6 in that span. They currently own the best record in the American League and they lead the Red Sox by a game.

The biggest beneficiary of A-Rod’s homecoming has been Teixeira. Since May 8 Teixeira has raised his average from a season low .191 (May 12) to .279. He is hitting .374 with 11 home runs and 19 RBI during that stretch. He is tied for 2nd in home runs and 4th in RBI totals in the AL.

Sabathia and Burnett have improved as well.

Sabathia is now 5-3 and has lowered his ERA to 3.46. Sabathia is 4-0 over his past 5 outings and has averaged a 3.00 ERA. Burnett, too, has responded. He is 4-2 and his ERA has dropped to 4.69. He has won his past two games posting a 2.08 ERA.

The team as a whole is playing the game with more enthusiasm and more focus. In the AL the Yankees are 2nd in home runs (82), 1st in RBI (285) and 2rd in team hitting (.282). Pitching continues to be a concern, especially in the bullpen, but with the Yankees offense clicking on all cylinders the pitching has been good enough. No one is hurting them to the point where the Yankees have to go out and look for an arm.

A month ago the media and fans alike were bemoaning this club and now there is a glimmer of hope. The Yankees have brought back some of the swagger that everyone has seen from teams past. But, before anyone goes and shines up the World Series trophy, keep in mind the Yankees have a long road in front of them and they still haven’t beaten the Red Sox this season.

Until “B” happens and if they don’t continue to play at the level they’re playing at now today’s hope in this team won’t become tomorrow’s reality.

© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
Angels Adenhart’s death a tragic reminder about drinking and driving

He had just pitched the game of his life, and what Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart did afterward was do what any 22-year old kid would do. He wanted to celebrate his good fortune with friends.

Unfortunately, Adenhart died only hours after shutting down the Oakland Athletics; pitching six scoreless innings in the process. It was the best performance of his short career.

Adenhart was a passenger in a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse that was broadsided by a red van apparently blowing through a red light in Fullerton. The horrific crash not only killed the young pitcher, but also claimed the lives of the driver, another passenger, and sent a third passenger to the hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the van, Andrew Thomas Gallo, 23, split the scene, leaving the wake of destruction behind him. He was identified by a passenger in his van and Gallo was located and arrested one-half hour later.

According to authorities, Gallo failed a blood-alcohol test and reported his BA level was nearly 3 times the legal limit of .08 in California. It was also learned that Gallo was driving on suspended license for a previous driving under the influence conviction.

At a news conference Friday Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Gallo was being charged with three counts of second degree murder, felony drunk driving, and felony hit and run. If convicted, Gallo faces 55 years to life in prison.

This tragedy goes far beyond the accident scene. Now the Adenhart family is without a son, but it doesn’t end there. Along with Adenhart, the driver of the Mitsubishi, 20-year old Courtney Frances Stewart, a sophomore at Cal State Fullerton and 25-year old Henry Nigel Pearson are lost to their families too. The fourth victim, 24-year-old John Wilhite, was critically injured and remains in the hospital.

Gallo’s alleged acts didn’t just affect his victims’ families they also affected his own family as well. It has to be a gut wrenching feeling knowing that within the Gallo family one of their own is probably responsible for killing three innocent people and that he may spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The worst part of this situation is that it all could have been avoided.

Gallo was convicted in 2006 for drunk driving and his license was suspended. He knew it was suspended. He was advised of that in court and it was part of his sentence. A suspended license means NO DRIVING, unless an exception is made by the court to allow someone to drive to and from work or for some other stipulated hardship. Other than that, you walk, get a ride or take the bus. No exclusions. The second Gallo got into the van and put the key into the ignition he broke his probation and the law. The now fatal catastrophe was put into motion.

This accident also affects those outside the families that were also close to the victims. It’s like when you throw a stone in the middle of a still pond and you watch the ripple affect spread out from the point of the splash and get bigger and bigger as it moves away from the center point. Something like this has a profound impact on more than just the six people who were involved in the collision.

However, out of all the anguish and agony, something positive can come out of this situation. It can be a profound object lesson to others.

Take Joba Chamberlain for example. While in his home state of Nebraska in October of 2008 Chamberlain was pulled over by state troopers while driving his 2006 BMV. After smelling an alcoholic beverage and seeing an open container of Crown Royal on Chamberlain’s seat Chamberlain was busted for DUI. On April 1, after numerous postponements, Chamberlain pled guilty to driving while drunk in Lincoln, Nebraska.

A few days ago a police video of Chamberlain’s encounter with state troopers surfaced on thesmokinggun.com and it showed Chamberlain poking fun at New York drivers and Yogi Berra’s height, or lack thereof. Funny how alcohol will make you do and say some pretty stupid things. Now Chamberlain is answering questions and making apologies about those comments, and he put it this way.

"If I don't put myself in the situation to begin with, I don't have to answer any of these questions," Chamberlain told reporters. "You take it, you understand that's what it's about and there are going to be a lot of questions. I'm never going to run from them."

He also said something very reflective of his situation.

"Life is full of second chances; I got a second chance, and a lot of people don't in this situation," Chamberlain said. "I'm very, very thankful for that....I put myself in a bad situation, but came out unharmed. A lot of people don't get to say that. I'm fortunate enough that nothing happened to me. I can take this and help a lot of people, or maybe even just one person. That's gratifying for me."

I can imagine Andrew Gallo was saying or thinking pretty much the same thing when he was convicted in 2006. He was given a second chance and he blew it. Now it appears he’ll have the rest of his life behind prison walls to reflect on the decisions that changed the lives and fortunes of so many people.

Nevertheless, his situation can be a sobering reminder to those of us left behind. Drinking and driving don’t mix. If you drink, DON”T DRIVE. That’s a pretty simple rule. Sadly, there are a lot of people out there who don’t follow it.

It is naïve to think that this will be the last alcohol related incident involving metal and human flesh, but what if just one person who follows this heartbreaking story makes the decision not to get behind the wheel after reading about it? If that can happen, think of how many sons, daughters, husbands, wives, friends and teammates will make it home and walk through their front doors.

Nick Adenhart and his friends died senselessly, but not without purpose. We can hold these young people up and point them to others to show them they can end up like Mr. Gallo if they contemplate getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking.

If these awful deaths can do that, then there will be a lot less funerals to attend.

© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited