Winter Classic

It's taken a little while for me to fully transition from Baseball to Hockey this year (with a little attention paid to a nice 5-0 Giants start on the grid iron that only infuriated met later in the year...not at the Plaxico shoots himself level but enough that my interest in the NFL has dropped to casual observer). Here we are though, January 1st and the Blades are fully in the foreground around my home. A new found tradition of watching a classic tilt between the Canadian and American Juniors put the closing touches on 2009 (as it did in 2008 now that I think about it). Between World Juniors, the Winter Classic and the naming of the Canadian and American teams the past couple days, the holiday season with its dusting of snow in the East has transitioned me away from watching the Hot Stove and full on into the Hockey Season. I'm even looking forward to watching the Leafs play tomorrow night on HNIC (hey, they've been coming on a little bit of late).

World Juniors - Last night continued a streak of unbelievable New Year's Eve clashes between new Hockey arch rivals, Canada and the United States. I've almost forgotten completely last year's epic come from behind win as the US jumped out to an early 3-0 lead only to have Canada come storming back behind a John Taveres hat trick (the final into the empty net) to cap a 7-4 win for the eventual tournament champs. One year later, these rivals were at it again in Saskatoon, essentially reducing last year's classic to a "yeah whatever" moment in Junior history. The American team used its incredible speed to pressure the Canadian blue line into mistake after mistake. As Tyler Johnson both scored and set up Short Handed goals to add to an eventual 4-2 lead. The second period ended with a short handed tally from Johnson, only to have the Canadian team, halfway through their Power Play surrender another goal as the penalized American re-took the ice in the third. Danny Kristo made the score 4-2 and shortly after put one off the post that would have buried the Red and White. Jake Allen played big, keeping the game in check before Jordan Eberle one-upped his earlier goal by cutting the lead to one on a beautiful deflection from the point. The Saskatchewan native was easily the best player for Canada yet again and would not be finished with a pair of critical goals added to his already impressive resume.

The game went back and forth with both Allen and Jack Campbell turning away shot after shot. Eberle easily could have gone from hero to goat as he was called on a high stick with about five minutes left in the game and Canada still trailing 4-3. Pietrangelo, had other ideas, as he stole the puck and roofed one on Campbell as Saskatoon literally shook with Canadian enthusiasm. Overtime would solve nothing so for a second time in recent Canada - US Junior history, this match up was headed to a shoot out. I still have vivid memories of Jack Johnson

lining up time and time again to take the American penalty shots (so I'm all to familiar with IIHF rules once the first three shooters line up. Canada would not leave it that late as Eberle, Kadri and Kozun all scored in the shoot out. Jake Allen would only require one stop to send Canada to the Semi-finals.

Winter Classic - New Year's Day has now been claimed by the NHL as the only real College Bowl game anymore has been moved out a few days for the National Championship. The Winter Classic is in its third season and does not look to be going anywhere anytime soon. Fenway Park was 2010's home to the Classic, pitting Philadelphia against the hometown Bruins. Both teams have underachieved to this point, but on a bright note have started to turn the corner (and I believe are both coming off shut out wins).

The Winter Classic has started to permeate with an American audience that still has not truly accepted Hockey as one of the major sports. I have watched all three (but was away in 2003 and missed the Heritage Classic in Edmonton) and each plays out in quite the same manner, close game (well maybe not in Wriggley), a lot of hype and media attention (as it should be) but the hockey is actually slow and sloppy. The ice, I'm sure has something to do with it, although this year's ice was commented on time and time again for its high quality. Winter Classic hockey brings a lot of positive attention to the sport, a lot of hype, and a lot of exposure. The games have definitely been interesting and I will watch whomever is slotted in next New Year's day as well, but the game just seems slow and extremely basic. This year's version brought a little more hitting, but it was essentially dump and chase and throw the puck on the net. The outdoor elements do not create an atmosphere conducive for creativity. Boston and Philly in a bang and crash game though brings back memories of Broadstreet Bullies vs Big Bad Bruins. Having number four, Bobby Orr and Bobby Clark as honorary captains cemented the nostalgia.

From Crosby's shoot out goal to Brent Seabrook depositing Daniel Cleary into the Hawks bench, the Classic has its highlight moments year in and year out. Daniel Carcillo and Shawn Thornton attempted to cement their names into Classic lore as they dropped the gloves for the first outdoor fight. But even that attempted throwback stache on Carcillo's face couldnt hold onto the highlight of the night as Marco Sturm stole a win from the Flyers by tipping in an Overtime shot from Patrice Bergeron. Considering my brother and I were deep into an argument brought on by my Pronger rant from yesterday, this goal could not have come at a better time (well that and the Flyers were clearly the dominant team in OT). We had literally just finished discussing Bergeron's addition in a heated debate (I'm sure brought on by some hard feelings around my Pronger viewpoints). Bergeron spun off Richards (did I mention my brother's a huge Flyer's fan) and put the puck perfectly in for a Sturm game winning tip in. Make the Canadian Olympic squad, set up the Classic winning goal, not a bad couple days. Now if only number 20 would have been on the ice for the Flyers...
To Top it off, Team USA was announced following the Winter Classic - Brian Burke had no problem selecting a goaltending team of Tim Thomas, Ryan Miller and Jonathan Quick, and is hoping to ride that strength deep into the Olympic Tournament. Youth was the overwhelming trait as the team's average age is just 26 years old. Patrick Kane, Erik and Jack Johnson and Phil Kessel highlight a young line up that Burke built to win. Perhaps he's looked a little too close to home on the blue line as Mike Komisarek, even from this Leaf fan's perspective, is a borderline selection.

Team USA - Goaltenders: Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres), Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings), Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins)

Defensemen: Erik Johnson (St Louis Blues), Jack Johnson (Los Angeles Kings), Mike Komisarek (Toronto Maple Leafs), Paul Martin (New Jersey Devils), Brooks Orpik (Pittsburgh Penguins), Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings), Ryan Suter (Nashville Predators)

Forwards: David Backes (St. Louis Blues), Dustin Brown (Los Angeles Kings), Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers), Chris Drury (New York Rangers), Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Ryan Kesler (Vancouver Canucks), Phil Kessel (Toronto Maple Leafs), Jamie Langenbrunner (New Jersey Devils), Ryan Malone (Tampa Bay Lightning), Zack Parise (New Jersey Devils), Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks), Bobby Ryan (Anaheim Ducks), Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche)

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Todd Price

Team Canada unveiled

Steve Yzerman has handed the Canadian squad off to the coaching selection as the hard work from a Front office stand point is all but behind him. Bloggers are working overtime arguing the reasons why Phaneuf, Mike Green and Bouwmeester were left off the list, while old guard/old school/just plain old, Chris Pronger not only will take the ice in Vancouver, but will be sporting a leadership role. Maybe its leadership and intangibles over youth, speed and skill with this one. Regardless, as a fan of Canadian Hockey, this squad looks solid top to bottom. I love the selection of Duncan Keith and his Hawks team mate (Brent Seabrook). Taking the time to layer in team chemistry into the selection process shows the thoroughness this committee went through. Fork lifting the Sharks first line power play unit of Thornton, Heatley and Marleau can only help Canada's quest for a gold medal (this unit has 59 goals so far this year and Thornton might possess the best vision in the NHL for distributing the puck to potential snipers). Mike Richards while posting sub standard performances to date can clog up the middle better than anyone in the league (just ask fellow teammate Sid Crosby). I like him one on one with Ovechkin in a possible Canada-Russian key match up. I like the blend of youth (especially Doughty - whether this kid sees considerable ice time or not, getting your Olympic cherry popped early has to help come 2014 - I truly believe Crosby could have used this seasoning in Italy). Doughty's no slouch on the ice either as I recall some vivid memories of him capturing the best defence honours in the 2008 World Juniors.

While Canadian hockey fans will continue to discuss the merits of this team compared against other fantasy roster, I have to believe Stevie Y did the due-diligence and we're putting a cohesive team on the ice in Vancouver. Time will tell, but with the exception of Pronger, I like this unit. And really, Fleury needs someone to keep him company in the press box, and with Iggy and Crosby wearing A's already, maybe Pronger's leadership will be best served watching from above. While I would trade places with Fleury in a heartbeat you do have feel for this kid. Winning a Stanley Cup and playing brilliantly the past couple years and he's still sitting in the third spot as Team Canada Goaltenders. Luongo and Marty are unquestionably the top two, regardless of how much you love the Pens.

As with anything related to Canadian Hockey - this comes down to the performance put out on the ice. It is a gold medal or nothing mentality for this country and the final report card does not come down until Oh Canada is played in GM Place.

Forwards

Patrice Bergeron, L'Ancienne-Lorette, Que. (Boston Bruins)

Sidney Crosby, Cole Harbour, N.S. (Pittsburgh Penguins) Alternate captain

Ryan Getzlaf, Regina, Sask. (Anaheim Ducks)

Dany Heatley, Calgary, Alta. (San Jose Sharks)

Jarome Iginla, St. Albert, Alta. (Calgary Flames) Alternate captain

Patrick Marleau, Aneroid Sask. (San Jose Sharks)

Brenden Morrow, Carlyle, Sask. (Dallas Stars)

Rick Nash, Brampton, Ont. (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Mike Richards, Kenora, Ont. (Philadelphia Flyers)

Corey Perry, Peterborough, Ont. (Anaheim Ducks)

Eric Staal, Thunder Bay, Ont. (Carolina Hurricanes)

Joe Thornton, St. Thomas, Ont. (San Jose Sharks)

Jonathan Toews, Winnipeg, Man. (Chicago Blackhawks)

Defence

Dan Boyle, Ottawa, Ont. (San Jose Sharks)

Drew Doughty, Ottawa, Ont. (LA Kings)

Duncan Keith, Penticton, B.C. (Chicago Blackhawks)

Scott Niedermayer, Cranbrook, B.C. (Anaheim Ducks) - Captain

Chris Pronger, Dryden, Ont. (Philadelphia Flyers) - Alternate captain

Brent Seabrook, Tsawwassen, B.C. (Chicago Blackhawks)

Shea Weber, Sicamous, B.C. (Nashville Predators)

Goalies

Roberto Luongo, Montreal, Que. (Vancouver Canucks)

Martin Brodeur, Montreal, Que. (New Jersey Devils)

Marc-Andre Fleury, Sorel, Que. (Pittsburgh Penguins)

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Todd Price

Arms race continues in the AL East

John Lackey had probably not even settled into the Boston area by the time he felt the true nature of this historic rivalry. The Sox landed a monster catch a couple weeks back, inking a bull dog pitcher to form arguably the best one-two-three punch in baseball. Heading into a weekend series and starring down the likes of Lester-Beckett-Lackey cannot make anyone comfortable, let alone Brian Cashman. Lackey brings 100 win resume, 3.81 career ERA, a game seven world series victory (how many starters can claim that), and regularly eats up 200 innings with quality starts. He's also just two years removed from a 19-9 record, 3.01 ERA and 180 K's. His strike ratio has fallen the past couple years, but his WHIP is solid, and adding him into the mix with Lester-Beckett gives the Sox an edge over every single team when comparing starters one through three.

The Bombers however, are not known for rolling over and playing dead. December 22nd, welcome back Javy Vazquez, your pinstripes have been kept to the side waiting for you. I remember immediately two things about Vaquez, monster first half in 2004 (I believe he was 10-5 heading into the all-star game) and a certain Johnny Damon Grand Slam in Game Seven. I believe he was also part of the Randy Johnson deal (and for those of you who do not know how I feel about Johnson, I NEVER liked him...even in pinstripes).

Vazquez was a monster in '09 for the Braves - 15-10, 2.87 ERA, 32 starts (which is actually slightly under his average year in the '00's), 219.1 IP, 238 K's, 1.03 WHIP. He also pitched incredibly well against the NL best, going 7-2 against the Phillies, Cubs, Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals. His one start against the Sox in inter-league yielded 7.2 IP, 1 earned run, 8 K's, 6 hits and 3 walks. For those keeping score, the Braves posted no run support and Javy took one of his ten losses that day in June.

Javy slots in as your fourth starter in a rotation that could be, one though five, the most complete in baseball. Sabathia is a legit ace and one of the top five pitchers in baseball, he's followed by AJ Burnett who is a true Jeckle and Hyde creation. If he has that breaking stuff in control, he's unbelievable...but that does not happen often enough. Pettitte's a grinder and owner of two of the most telling records of the past fifteen years. 18 Post Season victories and 6 series clinching wins. Lackey's got a game seven victory, Pettitte closed out every single series in this year's World Series run. His game three victory against the Phillies is a true testament to what you get with Andy. Even with less than perfect stuff he'll battle you all the way. Vazquez takes up residence in the four spot (where 32 starts and 200 IP looks almost unbelievable for a fourth starter) and you follow that up with either Joba or Hughes (the other playing 8th inning set-up bridge to Mo). Trading for Vazquez solidifies the rotation AND makes the bullpen just a little bit nastier. Joba or Hughes out of the pen is imposing, especially knowing Mo waits patiently at the other side. Hughes was a nightmare for opposing pitchers last season (post season aside) and we've all read enough Joba Starter or Reliever articles to understand the value he brings throwing bee-bees in the 8th inning. With Aceves and Marte added into this pen, the Yanks look solid heading into any late inning situation.

Exiting the Bronx is Melky Cabrera. I loved Melky at the bottom of the order, hitting walk off wins, adding youth and exuberance and a solid arm in Centerfield to the mix. Cabrera will be missed, albeit marginally as .270 averages with little to no power in the historic CF spot in the Bronx is easily replaceable. Cabrera's a solid switch hitting young player that should help the Braves, but there were no flashes of Mickey Mantle in this kids short Yankee career. Young pitching prospects, Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino head to the Braves, Boone Logan (a young left handed reliever with little MLB success) comes to the Yankees. Vizcaino is the only prospect I've heard of, and the price tag for Vazquez is still validated. I'll miss Melky but the potential for a return of Johnny Damon into the Outfield mix (or perhaps another upgrade over current uber-sub Brett Gardner) has to loom over the holidays.

One through five, this rotation combines power, experience, multiple right and left handers, big game credentials a little youth on the back end. I love/hate the Sox one through three and would not want to face them in a short divisional series (which as fate would have it, is impossible as the Yankees and Sox are divisional foes)...but as a five man unit, you cannot beat the Yankees.

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Todd Price

Yanks kick off winter meetings in GRAND fashion!

The Yankees kicked off the winter meetings with a bang this year, shipping out Ian Kennedy, Austin Jackson and Phil Coke for 28 year old Centrefielder, Curtis Granderson. Pending medicals, this three-team deal should be completed over the next day or so and an All-star will be patrolling Centre in the Bronx for the first time since Bernie left. The price tag has been hashed over in the media for the past couple days (pulling Dunn out of the deal makes this well worth it in my eyes).

Granderson struggled last year, hitting .249 but has posted a three year average of .275, 30 doubles, 15 triples, 25 home runs, 100 runs, 20 stolen bases. I’d take that line in the Bronx out of our one or two spot any day, especially considering the home/road splits of a guy in his prime (did I mention he’s 28) playing in Comerica Park, which is as close to the old time park dimensions as you can get (and when I write Old Time, I mean Yellowstone). Granderson struggled at home, hitting .230, .388 slugging, 10 home runs, but on the road he put up close to a .270 average (good but not where he’ll be in 2010), slugged .516 and popped 20 home runs in 322 at bats. Here’s figuring his road split resembles similar figures in 2010 and that short Stadium porch pulls in a better home resume than 2009’s road numbers.

Granderson also brings a couple key ingredients to the Yankees mix. He’s a solid defensive centerfielder, which allows Girardi to move Melky into left (more on Damon in a minute) giving the Bombers two above average defenders and one solid right fielder in Swisher. Granderson may not win a gold glove in 2010, but the defense just got a huge upgrade from this time last year. He also slots right into the number one or two spot in the Yankees line up.

Outgoing Yankees are top prospect Austin Jackson (22), lefty reliever Phil Coke and Ian “I’m not trading this guy for Johan Santana” Kennedy. Yes we are a couple years removed from Kennedy (and Hughes) being kept over Santana, but he’s the same guy. Yankees fans have grown tired of waiting for this control specialist to actually show case in the Big Leagues (and stay up, or even pitch well for a spell). I’ve read countless articles on five tool stud, Austin Jackson, but have yet to see that 5th tool (we’ll call it power) show up in the box score. 4 Home runs in the minors seems a little less powerful than I was hoping. I’m sure Jackson’s a solid Outfielder for the Tigers for years to come, but straight up, I’d take Granderson in a heart beat. Let’s also give credit where credit is due, the resurgence of Damsco Marte in this year’s post season made Phil Coke a little more expendable than he was in mid August as the only lefty in the Yankees pen. Kennedy will put up some good numbers in Arizona, but Phoenix aint the Bronx and those numbers do not translate into Yankee Stadium’s dimensions. I like this deal for Detroit and the Bombers. Arizona, well, we’ll leave that to the writers in Phoenix to dissect.

Parting thoughts on some immediate intangibles; Granderson is coming in at a reasonable $23-$24M over the next three years, with a club option for 2013 at $13M (quite a discount compared to Damon). Granderson also will love the spotlight and should not have any issues with the NYC media. He's personable, extroverted and carries a huge personality. All traits only add to his value. Speaking of Damon, this immediately puts negotiations with Satan himself (Boras, not Johnny who we all love) on Yankee terms. While I’d love to see Damon back in pinstripes in 2010, I have to take a couple points into consideration. No one saw him leaving Fenway following the season of Idiots and yet he did, and Boras has his sites set on 4 years, $12-14M per. Granderson puts all the cards in Cashman’s hands right now. Offer up a one (or two) year deal that includes a huge chunk of DH time at $8-10M. You have two shots at this one, Damon or Matsui would make a great DH for 2010. Granderson now gives you that option. Finally, BoSox, Marco Scuttaro just is not going to cut it. The desperate need for a Roy Halladay type deal just increased in the eyes of Sox fans. Last time I checked, Jason Bay was also waivering over a Fenway return. As usual, next year arrived a little early in the AL East.

Did I mention the Karma impacts of Granderson's number 28...we'll put uni negotiatons on Girardi's to do list for spring training.

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Todd Price

27 Time World Champions

I am re-posting an article that walks through all of the Yankees championships, just adding some photos.

Here's a look at every Yankees' World Series title since that first championship in 1923 against the rival New York Giants:
2009: Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2 -- MVP: Hideki Matsui
The Yankees won their first World Series title in nearly a decade in a thrilling Fall Classic against the Phillies. Matsui was the unlikely star, as he had three homers and eight RBIs in the Series. He also drove in six runs in the clinching Game 6 to tie the World Series single-game record set by the Yankees' Bobby Richardson in 1960.

2000: Yankees 4, New York Mets 1 -- MVP: Derek Jeter
The Yankees were victorious over the Mets in the first Subway Series in New York since 1956, with Jeter hitting .409 with two home runs. The Yankees' four victories were by a total of just five runs, but it made them the first to win three consecutive titles since the A's did it from 1972-74.

1999: Yankees 4, Atlanta Braves 0 -- MVP: Mariano Rivera
The Yankees swept the Braves with the deciding game belonging to Roger Clemens, who sought a trade to New York the previous winter in hopes of adding a championship to his 14-year career. The five-time Cy Young Award winner shut out Atlanta into the eighth inning in a 4-1 victory. The Yankees' 25th World Series championship marked the first back-to-back sweeps since the Bronx Bombers of 1938-39.

1998: Yankees 4, San Diego Padres 0 -- MVP: Scott Brosius
The Yankees entered the World Series as overwhelming favorites, having set an American League record by winning 114 regular-season games, and easily dispatched the Padres in a sweep. Brosius hit .471 with two home runs and six RBIs. The Yankees completed their sweep with a 3-0 victory in Game 4, thanks to a number of infield singles and missed opportunities for the Padres, who stranded eight baserunners.

1996: Yankees 4, Atlanta Braves 2 -- MVP: John Wetteland
New York won its first World Series since 1978 and became the third team to lose the first two games at home and still go on to capture the crown. Wetteland set a Fall Classic record with four saves and Jim Leyritz provided one of the most heroic moments with a game-tying three-run homer off Mark Wohlers in the eighth inning of Game 4.

1978: Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2 -- MVP: Bucky Dent
The Yankees met the Dodgers in the first World Series rematch since the Yanks and Braves squared off in 1957 and '58. New York lost the first two games but rallied back as Game 6 saw the Yankees make it four straight games and back-to-back World Series titles. Dent had a Series-high 10 hits.

1977: Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2 -- MVP: Reggie Jackson
The franchise ended a 15-year title drought and Jackson lived up to his name of "Mr. October" as he joined Babe Ruth as the only Major Leaguers to hit three home runs in one World Series game. In Game 6 at Yankee Stadium, he drilled a two-run homer off Burt Hooton in the fourth, and just one inning later, Jackson again blasted a two-run shot, this one off Elias Sosa. And he finished off his power display with a monumental solo clout off Charlie Hough in the eighth.

1962: Yankees 4, San Francisco Giants 3 -- MVP: Ralph Terry
The Yankees won their 20th title in 25 appearances over a 40-year span behind Terry, who won Games 2 and 7. His best game came in the clincher, when he threw a shutout in a 1-0 victory at Candlestick Park.

1961: Yankees 4, Cincinnati Reds 1 -- MVP: Whitey Ford
The story of 1961 was, of course, the duel between Yankees teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris for the American League home run title, which ended with Maris hitting a record 61. But that wasn't the only impressive feat for the Yankees as they won the World Series behind first-year manager Ralph Houk. Ford was the winning pitcher in Games 1 and 4.

1958: Yankees 4, Milwaukee Braves 3 -- MVP: Bob Turley
This was a rematch of the '57 Fall Classic, and the Yankees were looking for revenge and got it in a thrilling seven-game series. New York became just the second team to win a World Series despite facing a 3-1 deficit. Turley, who couldn't even make it out of the first inning in Game 2, won Games 5 and 7.

1956: Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3 -- MVP: Don Larsen
Larsen made history when he became the first and still only pitcher to throw a World Series perfect game when he did it in Game 4, earning the World Series MVP Award in only the second year it was given. The Series went all the way to Game 7, but there wasn't much drama, as it was won easily by the Yankees in a 9-0 rout of Brooklyn's beloved "dem Bums."

1953: Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 2
The Yankees won an unprecedented fifth straight World Series behind Billy Martin, who had a Series-high .500 average with 12 hits, two triples, two home runs and eight RBIs.
He also had the game-winning hit in Game 6 in the bottom of the ninth inning when he drove Hank Bauer home with an RBI single off Clem Labine to give the Yankees a 4-3 win in the clincher.

1952: Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3
New York defeated Brooklyn for the fourth time in Series play behind left fielder Gene Woodling, who led all regulars with a .348 batting average. The Yankees won Game 7, 4-2, with Bob Kuzava pitching the last two innings for his second Series-clinching save in 12 months.

1951: Yankees 4, New York Giants 2
The Yankees spoiled a World Series appearance for the Giants, who made the Fall Classic only after Bobby Thomson's legendary "Shot Heard 'Round the World" against the Dodgers in the three-game National League tiebreaker series. The clinching Game 6 marked Joe DiMaggio's final Major League game, while in Game 2, Mickey Mantle, playing in his first World Series, tripped over a drainage outlet in Yankee Stadium, sustaining a knee injury that would haunt him throughout his career.

1950: Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 0
New York recorded its sixth World Series sweep in 24 years. In Game 4, Ford, a 21-year-old rookie, made a name for himself when he shut out the Phillies for eight innings in a 5-2 win. Philadelphia, though, scored a pair of unearned runs and got the tying run to the plate with two outs in the ninth. But Allie Reynolds struck out pinch-hitter Stan Lopata to finish the sweep.

1949: Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 1
Casey Stengel, in his first season as the Yankees' manager, won his first of seven World Series titles with New York. In the clinching Game 5, the Bombers battered the first three Dodgers pitchers to take a 9-2 lead after six frames. As usual, Brooklyn battled back and, as usual, it wasn't enough. Reliever Joe Page struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth, and the Yankees were champs once again, winning the game, 9-6.

1947: Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3
With everyone finally back from World War II, the Yankees and Dodgers resumed a rivalry that had begun in 1941. Again, this one ended with another World Series title for the Yankees. Game 4 was a memorable one, as Bill Bevens was one out away from a no-hitter, leading 2-1, when Cookie Lavagetto, pinch-hitting for Eddie Stanky, collected Brooklyn's first hit of the game, a double off the right-field wall that scored two runs, thus ending not only Bevens' no-hit bid, but also the game.

1943: Yankees 4, St. Louis Cardinals 1
Despite World War II, which depleted every Major League Baseball roster, the Yankees and Cardinals both repeated as league champs, but this time, New York emerged victorious. The Yanks clinched the Series in Game 5, as Spud Chandler improved upon his Game 1 performance with a 10-hit shutout, with New York winning, 2-0, on Bill Dickey's two-run homer in the sixth.

1941: Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 1
Back in the World Series after their unexpected absence in 1940, the Yankees were led by DiMaggio, who hit in 56 straight games during the regular season and faced the Dodgers, who made the postseason for the first time since 1920. Game 4 is the one that people still remember as the Dodgers' Hugh Casey struck out Tommy Henrich to seemingly end the game but the ball got by catcher Mickey Owen, and Henrich scampered to first base. That opened the floodgates, as Charlie Keller and Joe Gordon eventually rapped two-run doubles, propelling the Yankees to an improbable 7-4 victory.

1939: Yankees 4, Cincinnati Reds 0
The Yankees captured their fourth straight World Series title with ease, winning 106 games and sweeping the Reds despite the loss of Lou Gehrig, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Charlie Keller helped pick up the slack as he led all regulars with a .438 batting average in the World Series.

1938: Yankees 4, Chicago Cubs 0
Joe McCarthy became the first manager to win three consecutive World Series titles. Dickey and Joe Gordon led the Yankees as they both had a .400 average against Cubs pitching.

1937: Yankees 4, New York Giants 1
The Yankees and Giants met for a rematch of the 1936 World Series, and again the Bronx Bombers won after being paced by future Hall of Famers Gehrig and DiMaggio. Gehrig hit his 10th and last World Series home run, while DiMaggio hit his first as the Yankees became the first team to win six World Series titles.

1936: Yankees 4, New York Giants 2
The Yankees started a new era as they played their first World Series without Babe Ruth and their first with DiMaggio. Even without Ruth, the Yankees' offen,se was too much for the Giants, as evident in Game 2 when the Yankees rapped 17 hits, including Tony Lazzeri's grand slam, which was only the second in Series history.

1932: Yankees 4, Chicago Cubs 0
Ruth made this Series a famous one when, as legend has it, he called his shot in the fifth inning of Game 3, pointing to the center-field bleachers and hitting Charlie Root's next pitch into those same bleachers for a home run. It went down as one of the most memorable home runs in baseball history, but Gehrig had quite the World Series as well by hitting .529 in the four games, with nine hits, three of which were home runs.

1928: Yankees 4, St. Louis Cardinals 0
It was another World Series and another sweep for Murderers' Row, with Ruth stealing the show by batting .625, including three home runs in the clinching Game 4. Gehrig also was a star in the Series, as he hit .545 with four homers. In the finale, the Yankees became the first team to hit five home runs in a single World Series game.

1927: Yankees 4, Pittsburgh Pirates 0
The 1927 Yankees remain one of baseball's greatest teams ever, and it certainly showed with a sweep over the Pirates, who had won the World Series just two years earlier. It also marked the first time that an AL team swept an NL team in the Fall Classic. Ruth hit the only two home runs in the Series and shortstop Mark Koenig had nine hits in 18 at-bats.

1923: Yankees 4, New York Giants 2
For the third straight year, the Yankees and Giants matched up, but this time, the Yanks would play their home games in brand-new Yankee Stadium and this time they would finally win their first World Series title. For most of Game 6, it looked as if the Giants would push the Yankees to a seventh game, but in the top of the eighth, the Yanks scored five times, thanks to three walks and Bob Meusel's two-run single, and they held on for a 6-4 triumph.

Todd Price

After further Review

Game three did not start out as I had envisioned. Cole Hamels came out tossing darts and Pettitte looked from the get go to be struggling with control. Second Inning, 50 some pitches in, we'd seen a Jayson Werth home run, a walk to Jimmy "I've got too much to say" Rollins and the Yanks were in a three run hole. My twitter and facebook page were taking in some hits and my only thought was, well at least it's early. Last night I wrote this about Pettitte, "Pettitte though in my eyes gets the greatest of all compliments, he is a gamer, the bigger the stage, the better he pitches. He saves his best showing for when it counts the most and he maximizes his skills to do whatever it takes to get it done." This morning I'm reading tonnes of references to Pettitte surviving, getting it done, grinding it out. Cole Hamels, well...he's not Andy Pettitte now is he.

Top of the fourth, three run lead, and while Hamels does not walk the lead off guy, he grants a free pass to Teixeira, putting one on with Alex Rodriguez strolling to the plate. The media have been all over A-rod the past two days, an 0-8 with 6K's start to the World Series will do that. This year, this year's different though. A-rod has shrugged it off and after being plunked in the second, he's digging in, second at bat of the game, three runs down and his body language is dripping with the same emotion it has been all post season - Confidence. Phillie pitching has been pound Alex inside all series, Hamels, left one up and out over the plate. Memories of Bird and Jordan doing those McDonald's commercials in the early 90's where they are calling their bank shots came flooding back as A-rod pounded one off the right field camera. It was, "drive to right, off the camera's lens, back onto the field, home run." The umpiring crew took all of 20 seconds to conclude what the rest of New York already knew, 3-2 game.

Now, back to Pettitte, who grinded out the end of the second without further damage and posted a one-two-three third. It is 3-2 with Swisher (who spent the night regaining Yankee fans, and Girardi's confidence. Apparantly he put on a clinic in batting practice) standing on second base. Hamels comes in with yet another hanging curve and Pettitte bloops (I'm sure he'd say lashes) a single into left centre. Swisher slides in under the tag and that 3-0 lead has evaporated. Jeter even commented to the Umpire that they'd never hear the end of Andy's bragging. Couple batters later, its 5-3 Yankees, Hamels is done and Pettitte's in line for a 17th post season win.

Pettitte eventually handed it off to Joba and Marte who turned in a perfect seventh and eighth (with some monster strike outs) as the Yankees continued to add to their lead. Phil Hughes pitched quite possibly to his last batter of the season. His playoff struggles have been well documented and are the antithesis of what he did for the Yankees this season. Hughes was a big reason why the Yankees pen was amoung the best in ball from May onward. While it is tough to watch this young right hander struggle yet again, having Joba and Marte turn in a couple perfect innings has to have Girardi feeling better. Mo came in for five pitches in the ninth and should still be strong tonight.

Game three was about perseverance, it was about not giving in and it was about grinding out, one inning at a time to let your offence bring the game back to you. Andy Pettitte is the ultimate gamer, big stage, big game, big win. Game three was also about big flies as Rodriguez, Swisher and Matsui went deep for the Yanks, Ruiz and a pair of monster shots from Werth for the Phillies. After all is said and done though, Pettitte survived and Hamels did not.

Game four looms.

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Todd Price

Game Three Preview

Luckily for a little rain delay so I can get a quick blog posting in. Pettitte vs. Cole Hamels in game three at Citizen Bank Park in Philadelphia is potentially delayed (albeit slightly). The couple big stories I've been following up to game time is the lack of success from Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez and some commentary on the Phillies starting staff.

A-rod and Howard have struck out a combined 12 times in the first two games in NYC (with the World Series record being 12). While references of A-rod gone past have been brought out in the media, I personally think both will be fine by the end of this series. A-rod's still relaxed, swinging the bat well and was just victimized by a couple Cy Young award winning pitchers. Pedro was crafty and Lee was nasty in games one and two. Expect a completely different outing over games three and four as Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton take the hill. Howard is a streaky hitting power bat who strikes out about 200 times a year. Considering Reggie Jackson lost his single season strike out record to the massive first baseman, I have to believe he'll connect soon as well. Here's hoping its in March. Pitching has been the story of the Fall classic to this point, and while I expect more runs in game three, there are still pitching stories abound. Cole Hamels was last year's World Series MVP. This year, well he's been far from that as he's showcased significant inconsistencies all season and posted a rather mortalesque 10-11 record with a 4.32 ERA. Throughout the post season Hamels has looked anything like an ace starter. Phillies analyst continue to push the location theory although I'm not buying it. Sure Hamels is just missing his spots, but that's a symptom, not the cause. Hamels is hurt and he's tired. He's a relative young 25 having started his MLB career in 2006. Last year he went deep into the fall, eventually hauling in a World Series title and MVP. He is suffering from the same thing that Tampa's starters publicly went through. He worked considerably more innings last year than ever before, he came into the pre-season with an elbow injury and he's both wore out and still not healthy. Tonight you will see his last appearance of the season and in my opinion, it will not be pretty.

Pettitte on the other hand has only won twice, posted a 2.37 ERA over three starts where he went 6.1 innings each. Oh, and he claimed a couple records on his way of pitching the Yankees back into the World Series. Andy Pettitte has been here before, in '96, '98, '99, '00, '01, '03, '05 and now in 2009. Pettitte has clinched more post season series than any pitcher in history (5) and won more post season games than anyone in history (16). He's been working his cutter and re-affirming his playoff reputation. Pettitte has not, nor will he ever, win a Cy Young and while he's had 20 win seasons, he usually posts a high 3's to low 4's ERA. Pettitte though in my eyes gets the greatest of all compliments, he is a gamer, the bigger the stage, the better he pitches. He saves his best showing for when it counts the most and he maximizes his skills to do whatever it takes to get it done. Look for the infamous pick off move, the nasty cutter, some broken bats and key double plays and a Yankees Win in game three.

Regardless of the outcome tonight, we are heading tomorrow into Game Four and the Yankees will start their horse CC Sabathia in game four, setting up a game seven potential third start. The Phillies have taken a different approach and will hold Cliff Lee to game five, limiting him to two starts in the series and putting the ball in the hands of an inconsistent Cole Hamels, an 88 MPH fastball throwing, 37 year old Pedro and Joe Blanton, who is, well, Joe Blanton. I've written before this summer (I believe with the Jays in town) of getting your ace in the games you need to win. On Paper (and I know this game is NEVER played on Paper), but on paper, you have to like Pettitte tonight, Sabathia in Game four putting Lee in a potential 3-1 hole with games six and seven (if he wins game five) in the Bronx. We'll see how this all works out, but sitting here tonight, waiting for Game Three to start, I'm not only second guessing Manuel's rotation, I'm full on calling it out as a potential Series shifting move. Time will tell.

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I'm Todd Price