Was there any question?

Was there really any question who was going to win? The Phillies were an outstanding team and can hold there heads up high. It was going to be a tough task for them to win three in a row from the Yankees. All of the questions about Pettitte coming back on three days rest were answered. I said you can tell if he has it with in the first two innings.

Pettitte didn't have his best, but he had detemination and faith. I had the prevledge of seeing this first hand and no matter what age, he knew he was going to get this done. There was only four guys left from when they won last, Posada, Jeter, Rivera and Pettitte.

Everyone knows what it takes and there should be know question why they won. It was nice to see that the bullpens, no matter what the struggles they expierenced, did not factor in.

The Yankee hitters made sure of that and with Rivera at the end, it was all over. What a series for Matsui, taken out when in Phillie because of there is no DH, but was outstanding . To win a world series is like someone lifting 1000lbs off your chest. A true relief. It will take will into the winter before you realize what just happened, it's an amazing feeling.

Congratulations Yankees. Number 27, don't stop there.

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Game 6: What a Series?

November 2, 2009
Game 6: This has been a very exciting series. There have been lead changes , homeruns, good starting pitching and even a lot of late inning drama. I have been avoiding this topic, because I was a relief pitcher, but enough is enough.I don't like getting on players. I will describe what they are doing wrong, but I won't get on them. I know this is a very had game and unless you played, you have no idea what kind of pressure these guys are under, especially during the World Series.

With that being said, I have never seen two bullpens pitch the way they have, no not just in the World Series, but the entire playoffs. They have been horrible! It looks like they are afraid to make a mistake. Is it mental? Is the pressure to much for them to handle? How about all the above. What happened with pitching inside, to set up your next pitch, or realizing how the hitter reacts to your pitches. These guys just want to see how hard they can throw, they want to light up the radar guns.

In this league , it doesn't matter how hard you throw, you will get hurt. Look. Eveyone of these guys have great stuff and this should not happen. They leave way to many pitches out over the plate. Both managers have been questioned about how they are using there bullpens, but I say they have no choice. They need guys to get outs and if it takes, 3 or 4, or even five guys to get thru a inning, then so be it. The starting pitching has been outstanding and of course so has Rivera.

I think they need to look them selves in the mirror and ask, what do I need to do to help my team win a championship. It will, sad to say, come down to the bullpens. Which one will show up?

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We're Going Back to New York!

November 3, 2009
We're going back to New York! You could see the fire the Phillies had in there eyes in tonights game. It did help that AJ Burnett had nothing, pitching on three days rest.

Burnett looked nothing like the game two pitcher we saw in New York. He couldn't spot his fastball and a big zero for a curveball, he lasted only 2 plus innings. Then the Yankee bullpen, for the Phillies, it was like they were hitting off a tee. Utley tied Reggie Jackson for most homeruns in a world series with 5, and on the other hand, Howard tied a record of his own, striking out 12 times in a world series. Cliffee was not as strong either, but battled the Yankee hitters with mostly a fastball. In previous starts Lee had control of all four pitches, but tonight it looked like he could not get a feel for his change and breakingball.

It also helped Lee, that the Yankees were going with a weaker line up.

Gardner was in center, Molina was catching and the pitcher had to hit, it reminded me of a weak national league line up. It would have been tough for the Yankees to win game five with there line up, in my opinion. Game 6 , we will see Pedro and we think Pettite.

Pettitte would be going on three days rest, which may be a concern for Girardi, mainly because of the Yankees shakey bullpen. We may be looking at a game seven. As an ex Yankee, lets get it done in six.

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What a Sunday in Philadelphia!

November 2, 2009
I got the chance to attend the Eagles , Giants game at 1:00. When we got there we walked thru all the tail gate partiers. I took pictures with fans, sampled some food, had some drinks and even got yager poored down my leg, long story. I have to say, " football fans", there's nobody like them.

It wasn't much of a game though , as the Giants got rolled by the Eagles. From football , straight to baseball, now that was a game. Great starting pitching from both, Sabathia and Blanton.

A Rod gets hit for the third time. I wish he wouldn't have said something to the home plate umpire, because they had to warn both sides. It didn't give the Yankees a chance to plunk someone. When I played there were no warnings, each team did what they had to do, and the game went on. It is a different game now.

When you warn both sides, pitchers get afraid to come inside, because if they hit someone they could get thrown out. I think the umpires try to take to much control over the game. It was tied until the 5th.

Blanton did a great job of getting ground balls, but his defence let him down. Even though there were no errors in the inning by the Phills, I felt some plays should have been made in the infield that would have saved the 2 runs that were scored by the Yankees. It is very frustrating to a pitcher. As the game went a long, the Phillies chances of scoring became less, because they knew that Rivera would pitch the 9th and it would be over. Furtunatly for the Phillies ,the Yankees middle relief came in and Feliz got a 3-2 fastball from Chamberlain and tied the score. Chamberlain didn't need to throw his slider to Feliz, he was a head 1 and 2, he could have blown him away with a fastball, but threw sliders in the dirt to get the count back to even and Feliz made him pay. The Yankee bullpen is very young and inexperienced , they will learn from this and will get better because of it.

Then the crazy 9th, smart base running by Damon and the not so smart play by the Phills. It caused Brad Lidge to lose confidence in his slider, because of Damon on third. Lidge throw fastballs that resulted in 3 runs by the Yankees and A Rod's biggest hit of his career, a 2 run double. If you look throughtout the postseason, in the DS, the twins base running mistakes, in the ALCS, the Angels running and fielding mistakes and here in the world series, the fielding mistakes by the Phills.

The Yankees are too good and will expose a team and take advantage of them. I know it was all in fun when Jimmy Rollins predicted that they would win in 5, but it wasn't to the Yankees. The last person that I can remember to make such a prediction, was in 2000. Benny Agbayani for the Mets, said that they would beat the Yankees in 5, I think we all know what happened.

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Rain Delays? Not fun.

November 1, 2009
After a one hour and twenty minute rain delay, they finally got underway. Rain delays are never much fun, especially during a world series players either play cards or throw in a funny movie, such as "Old School". You never get tired of laughing at Wil Farell and it seems no matter how many times you watch it, you can pick out a new scene to laugh at.

Rain delays are worse for starters, used to there normal pregame rituals, having more time to think about the other team is not always a good thing. Maybe that is why Andy Pettitte got off to a slow start, giving up three runs in the second.this is where the mental make up of Pettitte and Hamels differ. Pettitte could have given in after giving up three in the second, but Pettitte was able to grind it out enough for his team to score five runs off Hamels, to take the lead. Hamels on theothee hand had a no hitter thru three. In the fourth things came apart, a close pitch to Teixeira that could have been strike three, but it wasn't, I think that seemed to bother him and if it didn't,A Rod's homerun off the right field camera, that by the way was the first replay in world series history, definitly did. Hamels gave up. He was so good using just his fastball and change up thru the first three, why do you need to change anything. As a pitcher you need to let the hitters change the way you approach them.

If they have not shown you that you should mix in another pitch, don't. Hamels started to throw his curveball, his third best pitch and of course it was hit around and he began to give up. He only lasted 4 and a third innings, giving up five runs. This was a big game for both sides, but I think more impotant for the Yamkees. Why, because they ended the Phillies home winning streak, a place where they play so well. Did you know the winner of game three has gone on to win the world series nine out of the last ten years. The year that it didn't happen, the '03 Yankees and yes I was a part of that Yankee team.

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Way To Go Blue!

October 31, 2009
Game three: first of all, I would like to congratulate the city of Philadelphia for being voted the city with the ugliest people. I have been back two different times in the last ten days, and agree totally. I grew up in Baltimore and never had the pleasure to visit Philadelphia, now I know why.

Ok, back to baseball. I know every game is a must win, but this game could be even more important to the Yankees. The Phillies are very confident in there home park, going 11 and 1 in the past two postseasons. The Yankees go with Pettitte, there is no one that I would want to start in a big game. I have had the privledge of seeing this first hand. After beating Sabathia in game one and if they beat Pettitte, the Phillies will know they can't be beat at home.

The biggest question mark for the Phillies, is game three starter, Cole Hamels. Hamels still looking to regain his form of last year. The first two games have been fun to watch and it will be interesting to see what Girardi will do in a national league park. Where will Matsui play and who will step up in that bullpen, so Rivera will not have to go two innings.

This will be a very exciting weekend in Philadelphia, the Giants and Eagles, Pearl Jam concert and the world seriers.

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Way To Go Blue!

October 30, 2009
Game 2, on a night were Jay Z and Alicia Keys perform their hit song, "Empire State of Mind". Keys is an amazing singer but for me I'd rather listen to Kenny Chesney.

The Yankees, their backs against the wall, not wanting to go to Philly down 2-0, start A.J. Burnett. With the added pressure of a game one loss, Burnett was outstanding. He got ahead with his breaking ball and threw his fastball on both sides of the plate. Also, Burnett was able to stay away from that one bad inning he's had in the first 3 starts. Tonight though, 7 innings, 1 run and 9 strikeouts! Girardi was hoping Burnett would go 7 so he could use Rivera for 2. I think as good as Burnett was tonight he could have pitched the 8th, letting Rivera pitch just 1 inning.

There is no way Rivera is going to be able to pitch 2 innings for 3 games in a row. Somebody in that bullpen is going to have to step it up. The Phillies went with Pedro tonight and expected him to handle the pressure of New York. I've never been a big fan of Pedro, especially when I was in the bullpen at the '03 ALCS and he threw Don Zimmer to the ground.

The Yankees fans finally got into it with the chant "Who's Your Daddy" when Martinez took to the mound. You have to give Pedro props, he loves this stage and with everyone thinking he was going to fall on his face, including myself. He was very good, 6 innings, 3 runs and 8 strikeouts .Martinez made a couple of mistakes, one to Teixeira and Matsui who hit homeruns. Pedro does not throw 95MPH anymore to be able to get away with leaving the ball up in the zone. It's easier for hitters to adjust to him if he leaves the ball up.

The offenses on both sides have not done much at all. Phillies slugger Ryan Howard has struck out 6 out of 9 at bats and Yankees Alex Rodriguez 6 out of 8 at bats. Is Alex back to the way he's performed in past post seasons? If I'm the Yankees I would be more concerned, having scored only 4 runs in the first two games. That's not going to get it done going on the road. The Phillies hit extremely well at home. That being said, series tied 1-1 Oh! Almost forgot we can't go a single game without a blown call. Way to go blue!

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Movie Stars and Crazed Fans

October 29, 2009
The weather held up for game one of the world series, a cool night filled with movie stars and crazed fans.

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden attened to honor our military. Sabathia took the mound and what was expected to be smooth start came out rocky. He was getting behind hitters, he couldn't establish his fastball and no feel for his breakingball, before he new it, 1 hit , 2 walks and the bases were loaded with two outs and behind Ibanez 3 and 1. Sabathia got him to ground out to end the first. Sabathia battled for 7 innings, getting behind hitters and then making a good pitch to get an out, execpt for one hitter, Chase Utley who deposited two poorly located fastballs in the right field bleachers. Phillies starter Cliff Lee continued his domination in the postseason , just ask Alex Rodriguez, 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts. Lee threw a complete game giving up one un earned run while striking out 10.

The Phillies seemed to be toying with th Yankees in the 5th with Matsui on first, Cano hit a weak pop fly to Rollins, Rollins attempeted to drop it , so he could get a double play, the second base umpire said it was a catch and when Rollins threw to first, Matsui was off the base a s Howard tagged him. Very confusing I know, even the umpires were confused, shocker, but to my surprise they got together a s got it right, double play.

All in all it was a rough night for the Yankees. For what Joe Girardi feared, his bullpen was shakey again , giving up 4 runs in the final two innings for a 6 to 1 Phillies win.

Game 2 a must win for the yankees and with Pedro Martinez on the mound, you can't let him beat you and go to Philly down 2 games to none.

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It's here! It's finally here!

October 28, 2009
The 105th World Series will start Wednesday, weather permitting. The Philadelphia Phillies who have not seen action in a week, which is not always a good thing, will try to repeat as World Champions. It could take a few innings or even a game to get back into a rhythm which could be costly facing the Yankees. The Yankees are thinking it's about time since their last appearance in '03, when they lost to the Marlins. Having the top payroll in the league, doesn't mean you are always guaranteed success.

The key to this series just like every series is pitching. Good pitching, beats good hitting any day. The Phillies have a deeper rotation lead by ace, Cliff Lee (2-0 with a .74 ERA in 3 postseason starts) and has been described as last year's Cole Hamels. Lee will pitch in Game 1, 4 and 7 if necessary. Pedro Martinez will pitch game 2 in New York, who loves pitching in front of the Yankees crowd . Cole Hamels will go in game 3 and hoping to return to MVP form. The Phillies bullpen has been more consistent thanks to Park, Durbin, Eyre, Madson. Closer, Brad Lidge, has been perfect so far this postseason. If any of the rotation gets in trouble, Happ and Blanton are there for long relief.

The Yankees are going into the series with the same formula, a 3 man rotation lead by ace C.C. Sabathia (3-0 with 1.19 ERA in 3 postseason starts and ALCS MVP). A.J. Burnett will pitch game 2 and Andy Pettitte, who set a postseason record with his 16th win, will pitch in game 3. The bullpen, which is young and inexperienced in postseason play, have been inconsistent thus far. Joe Girardi is expecting better results this time around. Lefties, Coke and Martes should play a big role because of the left handed power the Phillies bring. In my opinion, right-handed reliever, Robertson should be utilized more. He has not given up a run in this postseason. Chamberlain and Hughes need to improve their location in the strike zone. And I can't forget to mention, the BEST in the business, Mariano Rivera. His fearlessness enables him to pitch at a level like none we've seen before.

This is going to be a very exciting World Series. Look no further then Game 1 starters , ex-teammates and former Cy Young winners , Sabathia vs Lee to get the crowd going. It doesn't get any better than that. As far as a prediction, it's tough to say. In my opinion, pitching will dictate who comes out on top! But I will say the winner of Game 1 will win the World Series and will only go 6 games. I wish both sides the best of luck.