I Love the Red Sox, I Hate the Yankees

Stadiums #22 & 23: New York '09

In updating this site I realise I never posted a pic from my visits to the two New York stadiums last season. My trip to Citifield was with dad and two of my nephews. The Nats were in town and the stadium had a festive vibe. This season we took Oren for his bachelor day. We sat in the Pepsi Porch which was a nice view and its own community unto itself. We checked out the New Mets HOF which debuted this season. My '09 Yankee trip was the aforementioned game vs the Phils. Garlic fries were not as good as SF, but i've probably said that already. Hope to get to Citi soon, but no rush on Yankee museum...i mean stadium.

Phillies vs. Yankees 2009

When I look at the 2009 World Series matchup of the Phillies and Yankees I can only feel sorry for Mets and Indians fans. Back in 2007, the Tribe and Metropolitans were on the verge of huge success only to run into hard times. If 2007 seems like too long ago let me remind you. The Mets suffered through their first of two epic September collapses and the Indians led the ALCS 3-1 to Boston. This past season was equally unkind to them and the 2009 World Series is just one more kick in the pants to both beleaguered franchises. Congrats to the Phils and Yanks you each get to trot out a Former Indian Cy Young Winner for Game 1 of the World Series. If a Phillies- Yankees World Series wasn’t enough to make a Mets fan blood boil there is the added factor of Pedro. Since Cole Hamels has pulled a disappearing act it looks likely that Pedro will pitch Game 2 at Yankee Stadium.
The Phils, winners of a Yankee-like 16 of their last 20 playoff games, defeated C.C. Sabathia in last years NLDS when he willed my Brew Crew to the playoffs. This year C.C. is not as gassed as he has been in prior seasons, so while the Yanks have loused up the Joba situation they've handled their Sabathia investment wisely. The winner of this matchup will join the Red Sox as two-time Champions in the 2000s. The Yanks try to join the Cards as a team who won the title in the first season of a new stadium.
Below I rank the Yanks and Phils in categories that I feel will be crucial to victory.
- Class Act, Quiet Leader (Ryan Howard vs Derek Jeter) I've been saying for days that whoever gets colder first (A-rod or Howard ) will cost his team a title. But it's Jeter who Howard is like in that he has been postseason clutch in more than one series and he doesn't give the press much ammo. Slight edge to Jeter in that he has four titles to one.
-Mascot (Phillie Phanatic vs Freddy Sez) Is this even a matchup? The Phanatic takes this one hands down over the Yanks one-eyed pot wielder. Edge Phillies.
-Top of the Order Spokesman (J-Roll vs Damon) Both always speak up with the quotes, but it's their bat talking that will take their teams further. Edge to Phils, I still say Rollins has a smoking hot series in him.
-Closer (Mariano vs Lidge) The all-time greatest closer vs The all-time roller coaster closer. Amazingly this is Lidge's third WS, his first was with the Astros. While he seems to have been effective of late the back of his baseball card pales in comparison to Mo. Edge Yanks.
-Infield hitting. Think about 7 of the 8 infielders in this series are allstars. A-rod has 3 MVP's, while Rollins and Howard each have one for the Phils. This season I take the Yanks left side of the infield over Philly, but I take the Phils right side over Cano & Tex. I'm talking offense & not taking into account Utley's poor throws vs LA. Even.
-Cleveland Aces. Cliff Lee vs CC Sabathia. It looks like CC will be going thrice. Lee will probably go 1 & 5. Which leaves a possible Hamels vs CC in potential game 7. CC will get two wins but not be as dominant as prior rounds. Edge Yankees.
I don't know who to pick but I will say this is the first time I ever saw the two World Series teams play each other during the season (thanks Cid, Gerry & Interleague!) I do know this it will go six games and not seven. Enjoy!

Phil In the Blank...

2009 World Series! Philadelphia Phillies vs. __________________. It's incredible to believe that the first team in pro history to 10,000 losses has won 16 of their last 20 playoff games and is returning to the World Series. The Phils will try to become the 4th NL team to repeat as World Series winner. They will play the Yanks or the Angels. I'm sure you know who I'm rooting for, but when Shira and I saw the Phils & Yanks play months ago I had a feeling they might meet in September. The Phils team is one of the toughest in my lifetime and I'm sure it'll be a fantastic matchup in the WS. Enjoy the games!

Sign of Things to Come?

Sorry Yankee fans I don't have access to a time machine. This is not a picture from the 2009 World Series. I took this a few months ago from our five inning excursion to new Yankee Stadium. A friend from work has season seats and she thought of Shira and I because of the Phils. We jumped at the offer and at that point it was the longest Shira had gone without Cyrus. We've since been to a wedding and a U2 concert. The Phils took their first step in the '09 playoffs with a win today vs. the Rox. The Yanks are playing the miracle Twins at this moment. I'll post more pics from the Phils-Yanks game we went to. Rollins homered on the first pitch of the game by the way.

Uncle Vinnie

if you are reading this now there is a good chance you did not know I had an Uncle Vinnie. one reason is since he moved away from the area about 10 years ago i havent seen uncle vinnie much. the other reason is that uncle vinnie was not really my uncle, he worked with my dad for years, was a family friend and honorary uncle

uncle vinnie was the only person who could walk into my dad's garden and help himself to tomatoes. no one else could get away with that. but most importantly uncle vinnie accompanied us on many trips to Yankee Stadium. we would pick him up in Yonkers and drive down the concourse through the beaches of "cape cod, NY" and arrive at the home of Uncle Vinnie's beloved Yanks. he was a perfect companion for my dad and bro as he would tell us stories and jokes and accompany rit on his many trips to the restroom. I can't remember too many particulars of the games but i remember my love for baseball (but not the Yanks) being born out of these trips to the stadium with my dad, rich and uncle vinnie. there would be other trips with my sister, mom and friends but going with Uncle Vinnie always bore a special signifigance. the last game we went to was a game between the Yanks & Mariners in which both teams had young up and coming shortstops(jeter & arod).

uncle vinnie and his wife aunt mercy would always think of us on their trips to the actual cape cod by bringing us back t-shirts. my mom and dad would occasionally visit him when he moved there and we'd hear from him on holidays. this morning i learned uncle vinnie passed away and a shard of my childhood flashed before my eyes. would i have loved baseball as much or visited all those stadiums without my initial trips to the bronx with dad, rich and uncle vinnie...probably not.

Stadium #1 part II

Not all trips to Yankee Stadium included pretzel baths. There are some other fond memories. My earliest was when my dad bought me a Red Sox hat in the 70s. On the way home from the game I thought it'd be cool if I put popcorn in the hat and held it out the highway. Well of course the popcorn blew out the hat, but I didn't forsee the hat blowing out of my hand. My dad, of course, bought me another Bosox hat. Also Red Sox related, at the behest of my mom we were calling for Lou Pinella's attention. He wouldn't come over, but we persisted. That is until Jim Rice came over to sign our program. Another time former Yankee coach Mike Ferraro threw us a ball during BP. In early teens we would visit the Bronx with Uncle Vinnie. His beer drinking put him on the same pissing schedule as my younger brother. Lastly when I was old enough to drink at the stadium I went with a group of friends. One of the guys brought his 17 year old brother. The 17 year was given a ball upon entrance for appearing to be 14 or younger. He was then served a beer for being over 21. Gotta love the stadium!!!

Stadium #1 part I

Despite the Yankee Doodle hat you can clearly see where my allegiance for this game were. In the upper deck against better judgement I have incited the crowds more than once. The first time was when Bo Jackson homered off the Yanks and I was showered with pretzels. The second time in 1993 I pretended I was from Canada and bought a Toronto helmet and banner. I paraded from upper deck behind the plate to my seats in left field. I was greeted with a chorus of boos which only subsided when it was replaced by the "off with his head" chants. The Jays were the defending champs at this point so it gave me some leverage. As time as worn on I don't cause a scene in the Bronx anymore. I do wear hats of the opponents but I'm more concerned for the safety of those around me than I used to be.