ANOTHER NIGHT IN THE FUNHOUSE

In 1977, the Yankees took a 3-games-to-1 lead over the Dodgers in L.A., lost Game Five decisively, and then came back to the Bronx to win the Series in Game Six in a game in which Reggie Jackson hit 3 homeruns to become “Mr. October.” 

This is what we as Yankees fans hope will happen tonite.  Actually, I’m hoping for a 1985 Game Seven-style Royals-Cardinals 11-0 type victory.  In other words, an easy night at the ball park, where the Yanks “score ten runs in the first inning and then slowly pull away.” 

Given the high-drama nature of this 2009 postseason, however, this may not be a realistic request.  Starting with the Twins-Tigers one-game playoff, there have been more two-out come-from-behind victories, more blown saves and near-blown saves, and more walk-off game winning homeruns than I can remember there being in a long time.  The World Series has followed suit, with both teams’ bullpens providing late-inning drama even in games that in hindsight were really won earlier in the game. 

The net result – for me and for Phillies and Yankees fans I’ve talked to, at least – is that this has been an emotionally exhausting World Series to watch.  My Phillies-loving co-workers and I were in complete agreement yesterday that we were glad to have last night off.  These 8 p.m. start times with games that go past midnight (I don’t think Game Three ended until after 1 a.m.) – combined with the blog writing and occasional drive home after the game, all while still having to get up early for work the next day – have made the experience somewhat physically exhausting as well.  And while I realize all this drama is “good for the Game” and all, dammit, enough is enough!  Indeed, in my heart of hearts, I can’t think of anything that would be better for Baseball than a nice easy Yankee victory in Game Six (can you???).  It would certainly be a nice change of pace.  Like a good changeup that gets a batter for strike three after a flurry of fastballs and sliders. 

Whatever happens, and however it happens, I do think tonite is our night.  Most Yankee fans I’ve talked to didn’t think it would happen in Game Five.  The Phillies have too much pride; they had their best pitcher going at home; and, indeed, they are really too good a team to go down in five games.  That having been said, this Yankee team has too much heart and determination to simply blow a 3-games-to-1 lead and collapse into a miserable pile of rubble.  And while it has been Sabathia’s year, it would be more fitting, in my view, for the clincher to be tonite with Andy on the mound.  At age 37, this could be his last World Series (as indeed it could be for Rivera, who is 39).  It would be very sweet for Andy to go 6 innings strong, and then hand it to Joba and Hughes, with Rivera (who, if the Yanks do win, gets my vote for Series MVP) coming on to close it out in the 9^th. 

It has been a postseason to remember.  It would just be really nice if we could start “remembering” it – champagne and all – starting around midnight tonite.

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