2009 World Series Champions New York Yankees
2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui
In New York City, money can buy you just about anything. Mayor Bloomberg proved that on Tuesday and the Steinbrenner family proved it on Wednesday night. With a payroll of over 200 million dollars per year, the New York Yankees are the best team money can buy. For the first time in nearly a decade, all that money finally paid off.
It wasn't necessary the big name money men who brought home the trophy to the Bronx. A-Rod, Mark Texeira and young first year pitching ace A.J. Burnett helped get them there, no doubt, but it was the four amigo leftovers from the 2000 championship team in Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and last night's game 6 winner veteran Andy Pettite who put the Yanks over the top.
Another aging, soon to be free agent veteran Hideki Matsui drove in 6 runs in last night's game and took home the MVP trophy. These 5 guys prove that age is just a number and a big heart and experience counts the most. I said in my prediction that home field advantage and Mo Rivera would be the key, and although I'm heart broken for the Phillies, the two key advantages proved to be true.
Rivera ended all four games the Yankees won and coming back to the Bronx proved to be the right recipe for a Yankees 27th World Series Championship. I don't agree with baseball's lack of a salary cap but with the rules being what they are there's nothing to stop the Steinbrenner clan from going out and spending a quarter billion dollars for the best team.
A- Rod and Texeira had mediocre series at best but timely hitting by Posada, another great veteran Johnny Damon and journeyman cast off Nick Swisher picked up their collective slack. The difference between this team and other big money Yankee teams was the fact that free agent pickups C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and gold glove slugging first baseman Mark Texeira got them in position to win the series. Sabathia is possibly the most consistent pitcher in baseball and a very humble man on top.
So to all of us Phillies fans, there's always next year but just remember there are other free agents out there and the Steinbrenner checkbook is once again locked and loaded.
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Comments
Damon is a player. He no longer has the physical tools he used to have, but he's a great hitter and the consummate baseball intellectual. It was the Vets who did all the damage in that series. A-Rod and Texeira were no shows for the most part. A-Rod drove in some runs and got hit a lot, so I'll cut him some slack.
- A .615 batting average (8 for 13). 3 homers & 8 RBI’s
- Tied for most RBI’s in a single WS Game (Bobby Richardson – 1960 Yankees)
- Most RBI’s in a World Series clinching game
- Tied for fewest At-Bats (13) by a WS MVP (Rick Dempsey – 1983 Orioles)
- 1st Japanese born player to win a post season MVP award
Given his age (35) and declining health (knees), Matsui’s best years may be behind him. Consequently, the Yankees may opt not to re-sign him. Although his future is uncertain, his is a truly memorable moment, being voted the best player on the best team in the big game.
Every major league team pays its players. Every major league team signs free agents.
Why is it only bad when the Yankees do it? Because they do it more than others? Some see that as trying harder to win.
Why don't we complain about some teams practicing more than others - isn't that unfair?
This apropos of nothing, but did you know the guy who plays Steinbrenner in "Seinfeld" is Larry David?
R
Pretty much Leeds. And because they perpetuated it, every other team is paying the price. It's not that I feel sorry for MLB team owners, I don't, I just think the old fashioned farm system is really suffering.
Yes! I did know that JB and I knew it before Curb Your Enthusiasm as I read Jerry Seinfeld or one of the cast members mention it. Now, in re-runs you can tell by the voice it's him. Have you ever noticed how much Jerry and Larry say things very similarly? Those two are a match made in heaven comically.
Ehhhhhhh, it's only the World Series...