I just witnessed the New York Yankees win their 27th World Series, and first since 2000. It has been a very long time that the pinstripes have been top of the baseball world, but I can’t say I’m upset or angry with their recent success.
Before the playoffs started, I predicted the Phillies to beat the Yankees in the World Series, so in a way I was rooting for them, but I am happy to see the Yanks as Champs. I figured with Lee, Martinez and Hamels on the mound they’d be fine. Hamels was not his typical self this post-season after winning the World Series MVP last year and that did cost them. Ryan Howard, who had an amazing NLDS and NLCS was cold in the finals and set a record for most strikeouts . To my surprise, the Yankees 3-man rotation worked perfectly throughout the playoffs, and the bats were just that much stronger then those of the Phils.
Growing up a Toronto Blue Jays fan, you learn to hate the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. It’s the same as being a Maple Leaf fan and growing up with a natural hatred of the Montreal Canadiens. As a teenager, I remember dreading the late 90s when the Yanks won 4 of 5 Championships. It was all the talk about New York and their spending ways, people would claim they bought the title. I had this same thought process like many other naive Yankee haters. Seeing Yanks lose in Game 7 to the Diamondbacks was a good feeling and the same with one of the biggest chokes in professional sports when they lost a 3-0 series lead to the Boston Red Sox in 2004. It was the first time in baseball history, that a team lost such a lead. Throughout their recent losing years I have gained an appreciation for the Yankees.
I’ve gained respect for some of the players and the team. Derek Jeter is one of the best, if not the best pure hitter in the majors. His numbers and clutch hits speak for themselves. Rivera is a closer that every team wants, never folds under pressure and is reliable to get the job done. Four members of the team developed in the farm system together in the mid 90s and are still with the team. Posada, Jeter, Rivera, and Pettite are in their 15th season as Yankees and they’ve all won a 5th title. Not many athletes can accomplish such a feat, so my hat goes off to them.
People will say they bought this title, but what’s stopping them from doing so? MLB does not have a salary cap, there are no rules in spending millions of dollars on getting the top free agents. Last off-season the Yankees added three of the top free agents (Teixeira, Sabathia and A.J Burnett) for $423.5 million. They also have Alex Rodriguez, the game’s highest-paid player. Until a cap comes into effect people shouldn’t hate a team with the financial means to win championships. You could criticize them, but ask yourself the simple question: Wouldn’t you want your favourite team to spend this much money? Have this much talent?
Congratulations to the 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees!
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