Anyhow, it seems you either love the Yankees or you hate them. For me, the World Series seemed to have the most competition. The Twins played like crap and their defense let them down immensely. Same thing happened with the Angels, though they did make a comeback. I felt like the Phillies put up quite a fight and a better bullpen/closer might have helped put them over the top (Howard showing up to play might have helped also).
I keep reading the money aspect, which as a Yankee fan, I have to be realistic and agree with a lot of people. I am going to spend a few days when I have time analyzing some figures to see how much money really does play a factor. You would be an ignorant fan to say that money plays no effect. It just isn't the case; everything always comes down to money.
Regardless, if you are a baseball fan in general today is a somewhat sad day as the season is now officially over. Here is a poem i read that I thought you might like and describes me to a T.
When someone asks you your favorite sport
And you answer Baseball in a blink
There are certain qualities you must possess
And you're more attached than you think.
In the frozen grip of winter
I'm sure you'll agree with me
Not a day goes by without someone
Talking baseball to some degree.
The calendar flips on New Year's Day
The Super Bowl comes and it goes
Get the other sports out of the way
The green grass and the fever grows.
It's time to pack a bag and take a trip
To Arizona or the Sunshine State
Perhaps you can't go, but there's the radio
So you listen-you root-you wait.
They start the campaign, pomp and pageantry reign
You claim the pennant on Opening Day
From April till fall
You follow the bouncing white ball
Your team is set to go all the way.
They fall short of the series
You have a case of the "wearies"
And need as break from the game
But when Christmas bells jingle
You feel that old tingle
And you're ready for more of the same.
It will be hot dogs for dinner
Six months of heaven, a winner
Yes, Baseball has always been it.
You would amaze all your friends
If they knew to what ends
You'd go for a little old hit.
The best times you're had
Have been with your Mom and your Dad
And a bat and a ball and a glove.
From the first time you played
Till the last time you prayed
It's been a simple matter of love.
365 by Jack Buck
7 comments:
Great poem Christina. RIP Jack Buck.
Yes, I am sad too to see the baseball season over. I am elated to have witnessed the Yankees win the world series. I know they have the highest payroll in baseball but as we've seen, that doesn't always translate to a world series victory so it was nice to see them win it all.
Congrats, Chris. You're one of the few good Yankee$ fans. Enjoy the off-season.
Excellent poem.
I'm thrilled that the Yankees have won the World Series. I think we were fortunate that the Phillies had no pitching outside Lee. If Hamels and Lidge were the pitchers they were last year it might be a different series. It wasn't and we benefited.
As far as money goes I do think it makes a difference. A GM with a large budget can outspend many of their mistakes. 12 million a year mistake is not much when you have a 208 million payroll. If you have a 48million payroll than we are talking about 25% of your resources and still needing to fill the rest of the roster.
With that said, there are other owners that could afford to spend, but choose not to. They end up losing their home grown talent due to the fact that they do not want to pay a premium. They don't add the necessary reinforcements. They get cheap with the draft too. Cutting corners and being cheap keeps a lot of bad teams bad.
Big markets do have some advantages, but a well operated team that is committed to spending more than the bare minimum can be very effective also. Problem is not all the owner's are that devoted to the team. Maybe the manager, and player's are passionate, but the team still needs the ownership to put forth money.
I keep on harping about Kei Igawa, what other team could hide a 50 million dollar mistake like him? I think what has become obscene with the Yankees is how much they outspend everyone else. If it doesn't guarantee a championship IT guarantees competitiveness. Can you imagine of a 100 mill dollar payroll team could add CC, AJ and Teix? They would become far more competitive.
as for Philly, I think Philly will gun for Doc Halladay again. Amaro thinks he was clever by getting Lee, he was semi-clever if anything. Imagine if they get Halladay and have Lee and Halladay start 5 games during the playoff 7 game series? They would do better ,no? If amaro is smart, then they'll give anything up for Doc.......
Bruno,
I agree with your point on the Yankees spending. I don't blame them for spending but sometimes it's crazy. I hear some people suggesting that they get Holliday, Halladay, and Lackey this year. Crawford and Mauer the following year. To me that's just crazy. I mean it takes away the excitement of winning when it's absolutely nothing but all stars.
But you'll hear people talk about the "kids" that helped the Yankees. They'll bring up Melky, Gardner, Coke, Hughes, and Joba. Funny thing is Marte was the guy the Yankees won with in October. Not Coke. Damon was the OFer that got the big hits. The Kennedy, Joba, and Hughes project from a year ago quickly became CC, AJ, and Andy winning. So ok Joba and Hughes in the pen for the playoffs... then the Yankees won with their veteran Rivera. He was the lone reliever that they were able to trust.
Your other point is a good one. Phillies would be really smart to get Halladay. Halladay and Lee would basically be the new RJ and Schilling. They can still hope Hamels recovers, but it's nothing something they'd rely on. It would be a bonus if he did. A move like that could potentially put the Phillies over the top. As it stands now they are probably the NL favorite in 2010.
Thanks eye, going to be a long offseason..Enjoy yours also!
Bruno, you make a great point about Igawa. Must be nice to spend all that money and make him their mainstay in AAA Scranton. Not many teams would have that luxury. I would be shocked if that guy is ever called back up to New York either. Hes not even on their 40 man.
I hope the Phillies get Halladay. I would be sad to see him leave Toronto, but at this point I think it is just inevitable. I think with him and Lee, that makes for a huge strong 1-2 guy. They need to either get Lidge to figure his stuff out or find someone else to do the job.
Kyle and Xristina thanks for the props. I enjoy talking to intelligent fans BUT especially intelligent Yankee fans because unfortunately a lot of them defend the status quo blindly.
Speaking to Kyle's point about the so-called kids, please the assertion that the kids were a help was/is a joke and you are right to disagree. If Cashman doesn't sign CC, AJ or Teix there are no World Series rings . Cashman's great sin is that relative to even a team like the Red Sox, the Yanks don't have the same caliber of farm hands.
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