American League Champions again! Let the campaign flow!!! Start spreading the news!!!
The Yankees ousted the Angels, taking the American League Championship Series in 6 games, with the clincher coming in the Bronx.
It was a glorious affair. Needled by the Angels for much of the last 8 years, the Yankees, for the first time, had the opportunity to put them in their place in a 7 game showdown for the right to go to the World Series. Having done baseball a favor by sweeping the Red Sox, the Angels had firmly established themselves at the top rival to the Yankees. And so the Yankees rose to the challenge and proved once and for all (for this year, at least) that the Yankees run this town, and L.A. too.
As expected, Pettitte was the key. Though the Angels threatened from time to time, old Andy Pettitte, the workhorse, the postseason menace, beat back the Angel attack when it mattered most.
At the plate, the Yankee ground down Joe Saunders and then clobbered him. Once again the analysis by the expert at MLB.com was right on point, but I can say that the Yankees took it to him, and, led by A-Rod's perfect night, took it to him until he finally broke down and they broke through, the most important hit being Damon's 2 run single with the bases loaded.
Throughout the game, as in games 1 and 2, the Angels looked nervous, shaken and uneasy at the sight of the Bronx and the glittering new cathedral of baseball with bunting all around, and maybe most of all, of the pinstripes, the bright white and dark striped uniforms, with that NY insignia shining under the lights, bringing the mystique and aura of invincibility that only the Yankees can conjure. The Angels just weren't ready. They knew their time had come.
I should mention Jeff Mathis, whose Lemke-like performance was memorable and inspiring. He was spectacular throughout the series, hitting .583 with 5 doubles. What made it so amazing was that he's a .200 lifetime hitter who absolutely took it to a great Yankee pitching staff. Had the Angels capitalized on his effort by driving him in or getting on base more often in front of him, he's be the series MVP and a true baseball hero.
Anyway, enough about Mathis and the Angels. The Yankees headed to the 8th up 3-1. They would pad that lead in the bottom of the 8th, putting the game away with 2 insurance runs with no hits because Scott Kazmir couldn't throw to first. A fitting end to this year's installment of the Yankee-Kazimr rivalry that always seems to have a fresh twist.
Mariano Rivera's final 6 outs were a formality. Though he gave up a run, Mariano put the Angels to sleep and vaulted the Bombers into the world series. Here we come, Philadelphia. You'd better be ready.
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