Yankee magic has emerged again
How does a 90-win team scare teams with better records in the playoffs? They call themselves the Yankees. And somehow, they're using their magic again to overcome the baseball behemoths known as the Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners.
By Brandon Engrebretson Sports Central Columnist
So how do the Yankees do it? It seems like every year, a new chink in the arm exists. Every year, they pull through and win the World Series. This year is no different.
First, they weren't the best team in the American League this year. They weren't even the second best team this year. Those titles belong to the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland A's.
New York's offense still produced this year. Just not the way or to the standards the Yankees are used to. They weren't as patient this year and relied on the home run more.
Their pitching is still what brought the team to the playoffs. With a 4.02 ERA, they were good enough for third in the league. Any staff with Mike Mussina, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettite has to be good. Especially when your closer is Mariano Rivera.
So when they get to the playoffs and draw the A's, how do they win? Especially after a digging a 2-0 hole and a possible sweep. Well, start with that tremendous starting pitching and finish with clutch hitting that seems to always be there. Add a little Derek Jeter to the mix, and you have a recipe for success when finishing with Mr. October Closer, Mariano Rivera.
Speaking of Jeter, the man is amazing. He's earned all the respect in the world with his two sparkling defensive plays. His Game 3 cutoff turned the series around. And his Game 5 dive into the stands for a foul ball was spectacular. This man risks his body to win. That's a true competitor.
So what's next for the Yankees? Well, they've already won Game One of the ALCS against the Mariners at time of publication. That's a good start. It looks like the World Series could be in the future. Although you can never count out a 116-win team, even if the only other one in history (1906 Chicago Cubs) didn't win the World Series either. If anybody out there's a betting man, a bet on the Yankees would be a sure bet. It could only take them five or six games to reach the World Series again.
But when you have that New York Yankee magic, anything can happen. And usually does.
So how do the Yankees do it? It seems like every year, a new chink in the arm exists. Every year, they pull through and win the World Series. This year is no different.
First, they weren't the best team in the American League this year. They weren't even the second best team this year. Those titles belong to the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland A's.
New York's offense still produced this year. Just not the way or to the standards the Yankees are used to. They weren't as patient this year and relied on the home run more.
Their pitching is still what brought the team to the playoffs. With a 4.02 ERA, they were good enough for third in the league. Any staff with Mike Mussina, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettite has to be good. Especially when your closer is Mariano Rivera.
So when they get to the playoffs and draw the A's, how do they win? Especially after a digging a 2-0 hole and a possible sweep. Well, start with that tremendous starting pitching and finish with clutch hitting that seems to always be there. Add a little Derek Jeter to the mix, and you have a recipe for success when finishing with Mr. October Closer, Mariano Rivera.
Speaking of Jeter, the man is amazing. He's earned all the respect in the world with his two sparkling defensive plays. His Game 3 cutoff turned the series around. And his Game 5 dive into the stands for a foul ball was spectacular. This man risks his body to win. That's a true competitor.
So what's next for the Yankees? Well, they've already won Game One of the ALCS against the Mariners at time of publication. That's a good start. It looks like the World Series could be in the future. Although you can never count out a 116-win team, even if the only other one in history (1906 Chicago Cubs) didn't win the World Series either. If anybody out there's a betting man, a bet on the Yankees would be a sure bet. It could only take them five or six games to reach the World Series again.
But when you have that New York Yankee magic, anything can happen. And usually does.
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