Yankees advance to World Series with blast from the past
So much of the Yankees ALCS Game 6 victory looked familiar. Former Yankee, Bernie Williams started it off when he threw out the first pitch before the game. Andy Pettitte once again pitched for the Yankees in a big playoff game. Mariano Rivera once again closed out a Yankees playoff win and got a congratulatory hug from catcher Jorge Posada. Derek Jeter raised his arm in the air like he does so often.
No team ever wants to be forced into a Game 7 situation when anything can happen. The Yankees certainly wanted to finish off the Angels in Game 6 and what better pitcher to do that then the veteran lefty, Andy Pettitte. Manager Joe Girardi could have sent ace CC Sabathia to the mound after Game 6 had been rained out Saturday night but he made the decision to stick with Pettitte in the hopes of having Sabathia available to start Game 1 of a potential World Series. The veteran lefty rewarded the teams decision by throwing 6 1/3 innings of one run ball while striking out six Angels batters. Joba Chamberlain came on in relief and finished the seventh inning. Then the Yankees handed the ball to Mariano Rivera for a six out save. Rivera would give up a run in the top of the 8th inning, but the Yankees responded with two insurance runs in the bottom half. With a 5-2 lead, the greatest closer in the history of baseball came back out for the ninth inning and closed out the game.
When Rivera struck out the final batter, the celebration began! Veteran battery mates, Rivera and Posada shared a long hug between the mound and home plate as the rest of the Yankees were jumping up and down or running toward a pile of teammates. The two stars would eventually join their teammates and coaches as the celebration continued. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Mark Teixeira were the first to reach each other. While Jeter has been here many times, he seemed to enjoy this one just as much as any AL Champioship he has won in the past. Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira are among many of the Yankees going to their first World Series.
The big four from past Yankees championships looked like little kids celebrating with their teammates. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. Their former teammate is now managing them in the World Series. This is the 40th time in team history the Yankees have won the American League pennant. Its been six years since the Yankees have won a pennant.
CC Sabathia was named ALCS MVP. Sabathia will be the starting pitching in Game 1 of the World Series Wednesday night in the Bronx. Sabathia and some of the other newcomers will certainly need to contribute, but if the Yankees are to win their 27th World Championship, you better believe the "old" guys will have significant contributions as well.
Call us greedy, but this never gets old for us Yankee fans!