The New York Yankees won their 27th World Series last night after beating the Phillies in Game 6 by a score of 7-3. Hideki Matsui decided to show the world that even one of the ugliest Japanese players to ever put on pinstripes can be a “true Yankee.” Matsui hit .615 for the series with three home runs and eight RBIs, including six last night. Oh, and he only played in three games because he was a DH.
“It’s awesome,” Matsui said through a translator. “Unbelievable. I’m surprised myself.”
“I guess it’s hard to make a comparison. When I was in Japan, that was the ultimate goal. Being here, winning the World Series, becoming world champions, that’s what you strive for here.” –Y! Sports.
Phillies slugger Chase Utley and his five series homers were making a case for the MVP award, but his 0-for-3 night certainly quashed his chance of being the second player ever to win the award while playing for the losing team.
So yeah, SportsCenter will be essentially unwatchable for non-Yankee fans over the next 24 hours. But if you’re not a Yankees fan, don’t fret. Because pitchers and catchers report in about six weeks. And no, “pitchers and catchers” was not meant as a gay euphemism, but if you are gay and that last sentence got you excited, then that’s my bad.
After Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee was held out from pitching on three days’ rest, he found himself behind the 8-ball in a game that his team had to win to continue the series. Lee answered the call, giving up only two runs over seven innings before loading the bases and getting yanked in the eighth as the Phillies won 8-6 and live to play another day as the World Series returns to Yankee Stadium.
Lee went 3-0 with a 0.54 ERA in his first four starts this postseason, which was the lowest ERA of any pitcher in a single postseason with 30 or more innings. He had allowed just two earned runs in 33 1/3 innings. He had allowed just 20 hits and three walks and had struck out 30. Opponents had hit just .171 against him. –MLB.com
Chase Utley also brought his whoopin’ stick, mashing his fourth and fifth homers of the series, which ties the record that Reggie Jackson set in 1977. Game 6 is Thursday, and the Phillies need to win two straight at Yankee Stadium to prevail. So if you had “Yankees in six,” good job.
A couple of people have sent me this YouTube clip without a site, although I’m pretty sure that I first saw it on The Fightins in the wake of the Phillies’ romp in the NLCS. And I enjoy a good dry hump on a street corner as much as the next guy, but at least give her a chance to enjoy it, too. She’s obviously working long hours and would probably enjoy hanging out with that guy. I bet they have a lot in common. YOU like Guns n’ Roses?! I like Guns n’ Roses!
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In a duel of former Cleveland Indians pitchers, it was the Philadelphia Phillies’ Cliff Lee who managed to go deep and pitch a 6-hit complete game against the New York Yankees. Lee’s 10 strikeouts–and two solo homers from Chase Utley–helped power the Phillies to a 6-1 win in Game 1 of the World Series.
“To be honest I really never have been nervous in the big leagues. This is what I wanted to do my whole life,” Lee said. “Game time is the time go out there and have fun and let your skills take over. It’s kind of weird. Boils down to confidence and trusting your teammates.” –Y! Sports.
So Phillies fans are only three games away from becoming the next Red Sox fans. That’s fine, because at least Phillies fans can do something entertaining beside join eating clubs and talk about how much they “deserve” a world championship. Pedro Martinez takes the mound for Philly tonight in Game 2. Look for him to throw a lot of offspeed pitches and the occasional senior citizen. GIF via The Fightins.
Since we are a “generalist” blog, we’re somewhat obligated to point out that the New York Yankees wrapped up their 40th American League pennant this year after beating the Los Angeles Anaheim California Pacific Time Zone Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS last night. Long story short: the Angels made a bunch of errors and the Yankees’ expensive players finally came up with some big hits.
The irony of it all–as pointed out by Dan Levy, among others–is that the projected Game 1 matchup will pit C.C. Sabathia against Cliff Lee, who are both former Indians basically dealt away by Indians GM Mark Shapiro for return significantly below market value. But cheer up, Indians fans. You just hired a manager that got fired by the Washington Nationals. Isn’t that great? Also.
The thing that impressed me about Philadelphia’s celebration of the Phillies’ second straight NL pennant was that it seemed so exuberant, as if they hadn’t even won the World Fuggin’ Series the year before. But then these gentlemen decide that they’re ready to go home and they decide to actually get ON the cab instead of IN it. But then those two hotties pull him out of the street, and I think, “Hey, maybe this guy’s onto something here.”
More badass Philly vids at The Fightins.
