Postseason 2009 It’s been a few years since a Wild Card team hasn’t upset the balance of powers in October. This year the underdogs did as they are favored to do - lose. We finally get to see the four best teams of the regular season duel it out in a couple of seven game series.

Major League baseball has to be thrilled. Two California teams and two Northeast teams set to battle it out for the championship. Ratings will be high, the skill level won’t be questioned and the fans across the country will not be let down. Both of these series will be hard fought battles. If the Yankee’s can come out of the AL then baseball can’t lose.
Yankees vs. Dodgers have so many juicy headlines. From Torre and Mattingly to LA vs. NY this has the be the series most fans are hoping to see. As a New Yorker it might not get better than facing off against the Phillies. I’d love to be in the stands for some of those games, leave the kids at home! Lost in all of this is just how good the Angels are. Aside from their weak bullpen they might be the best of the four.

As with any series, both of these will come down to pitching. Dodgers are lacking in the starting pitching department but have a fantastic bullpen. Angles and Phillies are the exact opposite with less than average bullpens but very good starting pitching. The Yankees are the one team that has both which give them the edge in their series.

This should be one of the better League Championship Series we’ve seen in quite awhile. Regardless of who wins I believe we will see an American League champion. My prediction is Yankees in 7 and Phillies in 6.

Posted on October 15,2009 by NY Sports Maniac


One of the Greats There is no denying his greatness. Some players not only have the total package but they make the most of it. His career consists of championships, all-stars, mvps, gold gloves and maybe most importantly he respects the team brand off the field.

Derek Jeter day after day handles himself the way you’d expect any man making close to $20 million a year. He always says the right thing to the media and you absolutely never hear his name in the tabloids.
Jeter will finish his career with undeniable hall of fame numbers. He has led the most recognizable organization to four championships and counting. It’s the only number that continues to mean anything to Jeter, the number of rings on his fingers. He’s a player that, no matter whom you root for or what team colors you bleed, you absolutely have to respect him.

He has recently broken the Yankees all time hits record by passing the great Lou Gehrig, something I believe the Yankees have blown up a little too much. Sure it’s impressive, but let’s hope there is more excitement about Jeter passing 3,000 hits rather than a team record.

Regardless, over the next 5 years Jeter will be passing a lot of people in a lot of different categories and we need to realize his greatness now so we can enjoy the rest of the ride.

Derek Jeter highlights:

- 10 time AL All-Star

- 3 time gold glove award winner

- 3 time AL silver slugger winner

- Jeter is one of six players to have 2,700 hits, 1,500 runs, 220 homers, 300 steals and 1,000 RBI

Posted on September 15,2009 by NY Sports Maniac


Two Players Who Give Back to the Game There are many words that come to the mind of a Yankee fan when confronted about the dreaded Boston Red Sox. None of which should be said in front of your grandparents. All of which I agree with.

However, as painful as this is, the Red Sox have something any Yankee fan; any sports fan, would drool over and anoint the king of their sports city. Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia are the definition of good hard-nosed, play to the last out, run out every ball type players.
Unfortunately, sacrificing pain and sweat for victory nowadays is not a common practice and needs to be praised instead of expected. They are complete players, neither of which you ever want to see at the plate when the game is on the line. You never see their names in the media unless it is baseball related, which is a big deal in the era of primadonna players.

The priorities of most athletes today sadly are backwards. Youkilis and Pedroia have both signed contracts nowhere near their worth and they should be applauded. Give me players with the personality of these two guys and you will not have to wait long for your next championship.

Fans of any team, even the Yankees, can appreciate players that have done all the right things and bleed the colors of your team. Hello Paul O’Neil. Hello Bernie Williams. Hello Kevin Youkilis. Hello Dustin Pedroia.

Youkilis highlights:

- Big league debut was in 2004 in which he left no doubt what type of player he is and was going to be for the Red Sox, finding himself on the DL for going all out trying to score a run and colliding with then White Sox catcher Sandy Alomar.

- Always a league leader in OBP, full-count AB’s and average pitches seen per AB he is a nightmare for all pitchers. In 2006 he was one sacrifice shy of the club record, showing once again his willingness to put the team first.

- In 2007, became the 1st qualifying 1st baseman in American League history to compile a 1.000 fielding percentage, handling 1,080 total chances without an error in 135 games. Became the second Red Sox first baseman to win a Gold Glove.

- Last year Youkilis put it all together becoming an All-Star, winning the Hank Aaron award and finishing third in the AL-MVP voting, behind the winner and teammate Dustin Pedroia.

Pedroia highlights:

- Big league debut in 2006 saw Pedroia in action for only 33 games, however in that small sample size we saw a big time player. His first MLB hit came in his second AB. His first HR and multi hit game came a week later and he ended the season on a 5-game hitting streak.

- Won the AL-Rookie of the Year award in 2007 in a landslide. Also won A.L.'s top rookie by The Sporting News and Players' Choice Awards, both by vote of the league's players.

- In his breakout year, 2008 was not only memorable but inspirational to the little guys. Was the first player to top the majors in hits and doubles in the same season since the Yankees' Don Mattingly in 1986. He became the first Red Sox to lead the majors in hits since Wade Boggs in 1985. Was Boston's first A.L. doubles leader since Nomar Garicaparra in 2002 and the first A.L. runs leader since Boggs in 1989.

Posted on August 28,2009 by NY Sports Maniac