Eleven years ago, the Yankees were forced to fight their way to a championship. Today’s bunch are living even larger, having smoked the Twins and, so far, outperformed the Angels in brutal conditions in Games 1 and 2.
You could argue that the ’98 team was great precisely because of how they responded at the moment of truth — like Hemingway heroes. But what if no one is tough enough to give the 2009 Yankees a fight?
Mike Scioscia keeps pumping up his failing team, reminding reporters after the 13-inning loss in Game 2, “The momentum in this series can swing in a heartbeat.” Still, the street-smart Scioscia knows time is running out. His core players — Torii Hunter, Vlad Guerrero and Chone Figgins – all froze (or choked, your choice) in the NFL-like conditions.
Until they prove otherwise, the Angels are proving to be the billboard of California sensibility: seamlessly constructed, progressive, hip – and soft. What the Angels need is their own version of El Duque. Maybe it’s Jered Weaver, who opposes Andy Pettitte in Game 3 this afternoon. If the Angels fall behind, 3-0, in the Series, they’ll have no choice but to start John Lackey on three days rest, but so far, not a single player on Scioscia’s roster has stood up to the Yankee machine.
So far this October, the Yankees haven’t needed any such gut check. Alex Rodriguez is treating the postseason as if it’s nationally televised batting practice. The starting pitchers are on their own historic run: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte all have gone at least six innings this month, and until Game 2 on Saturday, none of them had allowed more than one earned run in their respective starts.The 5-0 start to these playoffs have sure been impressive, but I'm not ready to start comparing them to one of the greatest teams of all-time, at least not yet. If they win the ring and go 11-0 or 11-1 in the process then we can all start making these comparisons. But not now, there is still too much work to be done. That work begins tonight with Andy Pettitte on the mound as the Yanks look to take a 3-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
No Yankee team had matched that, not even the ’98 version. But you didn’t have to tell the Angels how effectively the Bombers had stifled their offense. Anaheim is batting .154 with 21 runners left on base in the Series, which is a recipe for doom.
Scioscia is clinging to the belief that his run-producers “can turn it around very quickly. They’ve hit for us all season. They’ll hit here.” But he sounds less hopeful than before Game 1. Scioscia arrived in the ALCS with the idea of puncturing the Yankees. Today, his goal is a little more desperate: avoid getting swept.
Also in the article is a great story about Orlando Hernandez and the '98 playoffs. Prior to his huge game 4 start he was eating breakfast with Klapisch, and was explaining how he felt no pressure about the game. He told the writer, “Pressure is trying to get out of Cuba on a raft. It is trying to feed your family when you have nothing. That is how a man is tested.” He also said, loud enough for everyone to hear including Joe Torre who was sitting across the room, “Today, I win.”
Later during the meal he realized it was taking a long time for the food to come out of the kitchen, so El Duque went back there and started serving meals.
What's really funny to me is that less than a week ago Klapisch was all over the Angels bandwagon.
