Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween More Than A Treat For The Yankees

Today, as we all know, is Halloween. And although many people in New York and Philadelphia will be out trick or treating, most of them will be on their couches, or at the ballpark, watching Game 3 of the World Series between the Yankees and Phillies.

But before we talk about tonight, let's go back 8 years ago. October 31st, 2001. Just about 6 weeks after 9/11, and the Yankees were in the World Series against the Diamondbacks, trying to lift New York City and give their fans something to cheer about. And in Game 4 at the old Yankee Stadium with the Yanks down 2 games to 1, the Yankees were loosing 3-1 in the 9th inning. Byung-Hyun Kim was on the mound, and with a runner on 1st, Yankee great Tino Martinez launched a game-tying 2-run home run to right, to send Game 4 into extra innings.

And when the scoreboard clock in Yankee Stadium passed midnight, World Series play in November began, with the message on the scoreboard "Welcome to November Baseball". Derek Jeter hit an opposite field walk-off home run on a 3–2 pitch count from Kim. This walk-off home run gave the Yankees a 4–3 victory and tied the Series at two, making Jeter the first player to hit a November home run and earning him the tongue-in-cheek nickname of "Mr. November.", to end one of the most memorable games at the old Stadium ever.

Now although it doesn't look like tonight's game will top what happened back in 2001, it sure is great to look back on a memorable Halloween night for the Yankees.

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