Tagged: Dynasty

11/5 MLB Tonight – World Series Wrap-up

vasgersian.jpgJust as the ’96 Championship launched a Yankee Dynasty, it’s a good time to speculate if yesterday’s win will start a new Dynasty run.

We won’t know for a few years, but looking at the Club there are good arguments for each side.

With a new core of talent including Teixeira, C.C., Burnett, and the Captain Jeter, you can argue that this crop is going to stay on top.  Unlike the group brought in after the 2000 Championship, this group got the job done with no delay.

You can also argue that this Club just clicked at the right time, laving a lot of issues to work out this offseason.

With all the things they have going for them, they also have a lot of problems on the horizon.

Will they resign key free agents heading towards the twilight of their careers?  Johnny Damon and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui brought the World Series home, but can you maintain a dynasty with your heart instead of your head?
There is a 37-year old Andy Pettitte and a senior Jorge Posada, who still has to play the most demanding position on the field.
Rivera is a year older, and then there is the question of Joba’s role next season.

It’s safe to say that the Yankees have the money to bring in the high priced talent, but with an 8-year drought because of chasing the wrong players, will they have what it takes to bring in the right type of guy.  

This year they got it right.

Being at the new ballpark, the atmosphere in the postseason was different from past years.

The feeling at the ballpark is just not the same.  I can’t say if it’s all the empty seats, or that it’s quieter; it doesn’t have a pulse like the old Stadium.  

Al Leiter made a good point, and said, “It hasn’t found its identity yet.” With one season down, and a championship won, we’ll see if there is a new identity in the Bronx.  Just as it’s unfair to compare teams of different vintage, it is unfair to compare Stadiums form different eras.  

A day after the season it’s a little ridiculous to start making predictions, but here’s what I think.  I didn’t have a voice on the show tonight, so I’m going to let it out here.

Look for the Giants to have a big 2010, get some offense and make the playoffs.   I always like to pick a Cinderella team, but I’m not going to make the same mistake by picking the Reds.  I’d love to be able to say with conviction…The Padres will turn it around in 2010. – Matt Vasgersian

10/27 MLB Tonight – World Series Preview

vasgersian.jpgHow difficult is it to get into the World Series, win, and then repeat?  Looking back to the Yankees Dynasty of the late 90’s, there was some luck conspiring in their favor to accomplish that feat.

In Game 1 of the ’98 World Series, the Padres had a 3-run lead and what seemed to be an inning ending strike 3 call on Tino Martinez in the 7th.  If the call went the Padres way, the outcome of the series could have been quite different.  The Padres were the kind of team people seemed to rally behind because of their play, and because of a few of my favorite players, Tony Gwynn, Kevin Brown and Trevor Hoffman.  That call would have been a big step to securing their confidence, and securing a win.  

But that 2-2 pitch from Mark Langston was called low, and the next pitch was a grand slam into the seats, which changed the series and the course of baseball history.  
This was the first hint of that Yankee karma which dominated the baseball world.  Looking back we can focus on that moment as a launch pad for the Yankees Dynasty of the late ’90’s.

The Phillies seem to have nothing conspiring in their favor over the last few seasons.  It’s hard to look at one moment that changed the luck of the Phillies success because the team has just been awesome.  The sustaining drive pushing the Phillies success has been a result of players’ heroics.  If you look at their run to the World Series, it makes sense.  They took care of the NL East, beat up on the Rockies, beat up on the Dodgers, and now will face the best of the AL.  There is no doubt that the Phillies are the best team in the National League.

The ’09 Yankees made it out of a tough AL, but there were some key moments that brought them to the World Series.  First there was the blown call in Game 2 of the NLDS.  Joe Mauer’s 11th inning drive into the LF corner was called foul, but clearly fair.  This swung the game and the series because instead of scoring a go-ahead run, Teixeira’s sinking liner into the LF seats ended up sinking the Twins.

Then there was A-Rod’s game tying HR off Brian Fuentes in Game 2 of the ALCS.  He got a fat 2-strike pitch and it just sneaked over the RF fence.

Robinson Cano was either in or out of position, depending on how you look at it, but took care of a grounder up the middle to an Angels rally in Game 6.

These breaks helped launch the Yankee Dynasty in the late 90’s, showing how powerful that Yankee Karma can be carrying an already good team.

In saying all this, Cliff Lee has been the best pitcher this postseason.  Sorry A-Rod, but Ryan Howard has been the scariest hitter this post-season.  The Phillies have a dynamic lineup, and wildcard going in Game 2 (I can’t wait for Pedro in the Bronx).  With all the karma being tossed around, the Phillies will win the World Series, a repeat, and the start of a new dynasty. -Matt Vasgersian