Yankee Banter

You play with fire, there’s a good chance you are going to get burned.

Joe Girardi, who panicked with his pitching rotation despite a 3-1 series lead, is roasting as we speak.

By throwing A.J. Burnett on three days rest last night, Girardi left the door open for the Phillies to get back in the series. Behind two more home runs from Chase Utley, the Phillies burst through that door with an 8-6 victory to pull within one game of the Yankees.

Burnett was throwing hard last night and I don’t think the short rest had anything to do with his stinkbomb, but now the Yankees are forced to throw Andy Pettitte on short rest tomorrow in Game 6.

Not exactly an enticing situation.

As I said yesterday, I would’ve pitched Chad Gaudin and hoped for the best and saved Burnett on full rest for Game 6 at Yankee Stadium, a place where he has pitched well all season.

Instead of having the pitching advantage, the Yankees are now forced to go with a fatigued Pettitte, while Pedro Martinez is rested and ready to go. Pettitte, who battled through six tough innings in Philadelphia in Game 3, will be lucky to give the Yankees a five-inning, three-run type of performance on short rest at his age. The Phillies have to like where they are sitting right now.

Girardi had this series in his hands, but as always, he tried to get too cute. The one saving grace of his over-managing and panic mentality is that his players are not a reflection of him. I have faith in them overcoming Girardi to win one of these two games to become World Series champions.

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The Yankees have done a great job handling Ryan Howard, who has a lot of difficulty with off-speed pitches. It worries me that he’s about to break out of his slump at some point. In five games in Yankee Stadium this season, he has yet to take advantage of the short right field porch. He’s due.

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I hope David Robertson’s performance last night was enough to convince Girardi to use him in late-game situations ahead of Phil Hughes and maybe even Joba. Can he do worse?

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Speaking of Hughes, it was good to see him throw well last night. Whether one scoreless inning is enough to get him over the hump will remain to be seen.  I think Hughes will be on a batter-by-batter watch in Game 6. One hit or walk, and he’s out.

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In the second inning of Game 3, Pettitte was on the brink of complete disaster with two runners on, Chase Utley up and the Phillies already sporting a 3-0 lead. Pettitte struck out Utley to get out of the inning and the Yankees eventually came back to win. If Utley, who has crushed five home runs in this series, hit one there, the Yankees would be in huge trouble right now.

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The Yankees lost Xavier Nady and Chien-Ming Wang to season-ending injuries and did not miss a beat this year, winning 103 games. However, having both of them healthy in the postseason sure would’ve helped. Wang could have pitched Game 4, CC last night, and Burnett and Pettitte would’ve been ready on full rest for Games 6 and 7. And Nady’s bat would’ve helped during Swisher’s extended slump. What could have been.

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Shockingly, the forecast doesn’t look terrible for tomorrow. I will be at the game and will have a post up Thursday. If the Yankees win, I’ll have it up in the afternoon with celebration photos. If not, check back in the morning with a review of Game 6 and a preview of Game 7.

Stay tuned.

It has been a long, strange and sometimes confusing journey, but Alex Rodriguez, after six seasons in New York, is finally on the brink of winning his first championship.

And he is the biggest reason why the Yankees are in this position.

After three consecutive terrible postseason series from 2005-2007, A-Rod dominated the Twins in the ALDS, hitting two late inning, game-tying home runs in Games 2 and 3 that led to a Yankee sweep. Most fans, though, were still not entirely satisfied with the $300 million dollar man.  There was still more to prove in October.

A-Rod immediately proved his first round performance was no fluke. He had another spectacular series in the ALCS against the Angels and probably should have won the MVP, but CC Sabathia also had a great series and A-Rod is not about to win any popularity votes with the sports writers.

Finally in his first World Series, A-Rod, like most of the Yankee lineup, struggled in the first two games, going 0-for-8 with six strikeouts. In Game 3, with the Yankees down 3-0 and reeling, A-Rod recorded the biggest hit of the series in my opinion, smacking a two-run homer to right to pull the Yankees within one. One inning later, the Yankees rode the momentum and took the lead on a Johnny Damon double and cruised from there, winning 8-5 to take a 2-1 series lead.

And that brings us to last night. Thanks to one of the greatest at-bats/stolen base sequences in Yankee World Series history by Damon and Mark Teixeira reaching base after getting hit by a Brad Lidge pitch, A-Rod found himself at the plate with the game tied at 4-4 with two outs in the ninth inning.

In other words, the biggest at-bat of his career.

Leaving no doubt that the Octobers of the past are just a distant memory, A-Rod crushed the go-ahead double down the left field, giving the Yankees a 5-4 advantage. Jorge Posada followed with a two-run single to up the lead to three and Mariano Rivera closed out the game with ease, needing only eight pitches to earn the save.

The Yankees now have a commanding 3-1 series lead and will have a chance to win their first championship in nine years tonight in Philadelphia.

For a long time, it’s a day A-Rod and Yankee fans have been waiting for. It may finally be here.

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Since I began watching baseball in 1990, I can not remember seeing a player steal two bases on one pitch. I’m sure most people watching on TV was under the impression that Damon thought the throw from Carlos Ruiz went into center field when he bolted towards third base. I know I was. It turned out to be a huge play as Lidge couldn’t be aggressive with his slider in fear that he may uncork a wild pitch that would allow the go-ahead run to score.

When Damon signed with the Yankees in 2006, a lot of people criticized the Yankees not for signing him, but for giving him a four-year contract. It turns out Damon saved his best for last in Year 4 and is a major reason why the Yankees are about to win the World Series. It’s a contract the Yankees would do over again in a heartbeat.

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I’m sure it’s not the way Joba Chamberlain envisioned earning his first World Series win, but considering the circumstances, he’ll take it. Joba was finally aggressive with his fastball last night, up until the Pedro Feliz at-bat that is. Whether it was Joba or Posada who called back-to-back sliders with a 1-2 count I’m not sure, but those were terrible decisions nonetheless. It set up one of the most predictable fastball-down-the-middle pitches you will ever see and Feliz was ready, crushing a game-tying home run into the left field stands.

Despite that awful pitching sequence, I would still turn to Joba in the eighth inning with a lead tonight instead of the struggling Phil Hughes.

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I am firmly against the decision to pitch A.J. Burnett on three days rest tonight. If the Yankees lose tonight, they will have to turn to Chad Gaudin or Andy Pettitte on short rest in Game 6, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in anyone.

I’d throw Gaudin out there tonight and hope for the best, save Burnett for Game 6 and pitch CC on three days rest in the seventh game if necessary.

After the usual top four in the lineup, the lineup tonight will probably look something like this: Robinson Cano fifth, Nick Swisher sixth, Jose Molina seventh, Brett Gardner eighth (Melky Cabrera may not play due to the hamstring injury he suffered last night) and Burnett ninth. Oh, and Cliff Lee is pitching tonight.

It’s up to Burnett to match zeroes with Lee tonight if the Yankees have any chance to win. If they can get into the Phillies bullpen, Posada and Hideki Matsui will be available to pinch-hit, which will be a plus.

While I don’t like the move, I have a feeling the Yankees, even with their ‘C’ lineup, will hit Lee better than they did in Game 1. 

If Burnett is up to the challenge and the Yankees win, a MVP award will be awaiting. And most importantly, a championship.

Back in 2004, I watched Game 3 of the Yankees-Red Sox series in the newsroom at The Register Citizen, my old employer. The Yankees crushed Boston that night, 19-7, and the game took a tidy four hours and 20 minutes to play. In the ninth inning around 12:00 a.m., I emailed a friend and asked him, jokingly, if he wanted to go to Fenway Park for Game 4. Within two minutes, he replied yes, thinking I was serious. A few minutes after reading his response it hit me for the first time that we should consider going. It made too much sense not to go.

The opportunity to see the Yankees clinch a playoff series on the road is not something that comes around everyday, plus tickets in Boston with the Red Sox down three games to none, I figured, shouldn’t be too hard to find. I was right.

Boston was a ghost town that Sunday afternoon and the usually lively crowd that hangs out around Fenway before games was nowhere to be found. We scored two $90.00 tickets in right field for face value and I was fired up that I may have a chance to see the Yankees end Boston’s season in Fenway.

As you know, everything blew up in the Yankees’ and my face.

Mariano Rivera blew a save in the ninth with the Yankees three outs away from going to the World Series and David Ortiz kept the Red Sox season alive with a game-winning home run in the 12th inning off Paul Quantrill that landed about 15 feet in front of us. Boston then won the next three games of the series to send the Yankees home.

That brings us to yesterday.

I found a reasonable deal for tickets to Game 3 of the World Series in Philadelphia and once again I found myself in a position to attend a Yankee road postseason game. So I got in the car and made a nice traffic-free ride to Citizens Bank Park that took only two hours and 45 minutes.

This was the third game I’ve ever attended in Citizens Bank Park, one of my favorites in baseball. The atmosphere outside the building, unlike any playoff games at Yankee Stadium, was very festive, and best of all, parking cost only $12.00 compared to the $1,650.00 it costs in the Bronx. (OK, it’s $30, but you get the point.)

Despite another terrible night of weather, the atmosphere in the stands was outstanding and early on, it looked like it would be a three-hour non-stop celebration for the Phillie fans. The Yankees, though, came back from a three-run deficit and prevailed, 8-5, to take a 2-1 series lead.

Here’s some thoughts on the night:

I’m sure it was very apparent on television, but in-person, it was easy to tell that Andy Pettitte had nothing. No movement on his pitches and no command. The fact that he lasted six innings and outlasted Cole Hamels, who was untouchable early, was shocking. It’s a testament to Pettitte’s determination and focus. He could have easily called it a night in the second inning, but he kept fighting, and I believe his strikeout of Chase Utley with two runners on and three runs already in was the biggest out of the game.

Hamels, on the other hand, is not exactly Mr. Popular in Philadelphia today. The tirades the fans were having on WIP (Philly’s WFAN) about Hamels after the game were quite entertaining.

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A-Rod’s two-run home run in the fourth was the biggest hit of the game. Even though the deficit was only 3-0, it felt like the Yankees were down 6-0 and A-Rod’s homer gave the team a chance to take a deep breath and regroup. And by the way, who was the genius in charge who decided to have a camera hanging over the fence in fair territory? And of course, it would be A-Rod who hits it. He always seems to find his way into some sort of controversy, even without trying.

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I believe Nick Swisher was one bad game away from finding himself a permanent seat on the bench for the rest of the series. With Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera automatic outs at this point, the Yankees desperately needed someone in the bottom of the order to contribute and Swisher finally came through, smacking a double and home run in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. Both of Swisher’s hits were from the right side of the plate and it’ll be interesting to see if he can carry it over hitting left-handed against Joe Blanton tonight.

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Unless there are extra innings or a blowout, I think we’ve seen the last of Phil Hughes for this postseason. Whether he’s tired or overwhelmed by the situations, you can’t trust him at this point.

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Jayson Werth is going to get a lot of money when his next contract rolls around. He scares me as much as any hitter in the Phillies lineup, something I would have never believed if you told me this two years ago.

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During batting practice, the Phillies played about six rap songs written about the team and the World Series. Hearing the line, “Joe Girardi, welcome to the party,” in a rap made the trip worth it to me.

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Pitching CC Sabathia on three days rest tonight, in my opinion, is the right move, just like it was in Game 4 of the ALCS. By winning last night, the Yankees put themselves in a position to pitch Chad Gaudin in Game 5 without having to worry about being eliminated. No matter what happens in the next two games I would hold off on pitching A.J. Burnett on three days rest in Game 5, because I don’t believe Pettitte, at this point of his career, can throw in short rest. There’s no need to panic thanks to last night’s win.

Thanks for checking in and I’ll have another post up tomorrow about Game 4. I’ll leave you with a couple of more pictures, including the first pitch cliche photo.

In a last-second development, I am off to Philadelphia tonight. Some time tomorrow (maybe after the Giants game?), I’ll have a Game 4 review up with pictures. Enjoy the game.

Using the words of the great Warner Wolf, “If you had the over in Games 1 and 2 of the World Series, you LOST!”

With baseball’s two best lineups going head-to-head, pitching has dominated the first two World Series games between the Yankees and Phillies. In Game 1, Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia engaged in a pitchers duel with Lee and the Phillies coming out on top. Last night, A.J. Burnett tossed his best game as a Yankee, besting an aging but crafty Pedro Martinez in a 3-1 New York triumph.

You may point out that Burnett recorded two one-hit outings this year and yes, I know that’s true. But in one of them he walked six Red Sox hitters and the other one-hitter was against the hapless Mets. Even Chien-Ming Wang beat the Mets this year.

This was his best start of the year, hands down.

Burnett, in his first backs-against-the-wall outing as a Yankee, dominated a Phillies lineup that had no clue on how to attack his curveball. Like Lee a night earlier, Burnett’s pitches had great movement and he was able to control his off-speed pitches in the strike zone, which has been a problem for him at times.

He allowed only a run-scoring single to Matt Stairs in the second (that could have been scored an error on A-Rod) and saved his best for last in the seventh, making Raul Ibanez and Stairs look foolish on called third strikes and retiring Pedro Feliz on a soft grounder to Derek Jeter.

Burnett finished with nine strikeouts, while walking only two and allowing just four hits. His performance was everything the Yankees hoped for and more when they shelled out the big bucks to him in the offseason.

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Certainly in my lifetime, no one has played the role of Yankee villain better than Pedro Martinez. Whenever he pitched against the Yankees with Boston, I made it a point to be in the ballpark for those games, because it was more than just a game on those nights, it was an event. The fact that he relishes that role has made it even more enjoyable for the fans. It’s going to be a long time before someone takes over the reigns from him.

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Despite big home runs from Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui, the Yankee offense still looks off. They better wake up because it’s going to be tough to match the Phillie hitters in Citizen’s Bank Park, a notorious hitter’s ballpark. Warm weather is in the forecast for this weekend and you can bet baseballs will be flying over the fence.

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If A-Rod (0-for-8, six strikeouts) is going to contribute at any point during this series, the games in Philly will be a good place to start. Citizen’s Bank Park was made for him as hitter and if the Yankees can get the Phillies’ middle relievers into the game, A-Rod can feast on them.

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Since he had not pitched since Sunday, Joe Girardi had the luxury of using Mariano Rivera for two innings in Game 2. However, with three games scheduled in three days starting on Saturday, someone in the parade of mediocrity out of the bullpen is going to have to contribute. Who? At this point, no one knows.

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Speaking of Girardi, I have no problem whatsoever with him playing Jerry Hairston Jr. ahead of Nick Swisher. The reasoning, though? That’s another story. Girardi said he went to Hairston because of his previous success against Pedro (.370 average). Girardi failed to mention that Hairston had not had an at-bat against Pedro since July of 2004. Yes, that was five years ago. Did Hairston even remember what pitches Pedro throws? I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. Not to mention Pedro is a completely different pitcher now than he was then. It somewhat disturbs me that a manager in the World Series is making moves based off of statistics from a half-decade earlier.

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I’m still trying to figure out the need for the Jay-Z concert before the game. I know Jeter comes up to his new song and all, but still, what was the point? To spike ratings? I’m sure that didn’t make a difference at all.

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All over TV and the Internet, people are screaming for more use of instant replay. I understand their frustration with the umpires, however, can you remember a time when they had this much trouble making the seemingly easy calls? Sure, with HD cameras you can better see the difference between an inch or two, but I think it’s coincidental that all of these bad calls have come in the last three weeks. Baseball games are long enough and can’t afford to have NFL-like delays when it comes to reviewing the video.

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Terrible job by Spike Lee in the sixth inning as he wimped out and didn’t attempt to catch the softest foul pop-up you will ever see hit, courtesy of A-Rod. You have to make that play.

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You can bet the crowds in Philadelphia will be a lot rowdier than the ones we’ve seen at Yankee Stadium in Games 1 and 2. I know more corporate-types and celebrities get their hands on the tickets in the World Series, but that’s no excuse for the stadium to sound like a church. Hopefully, if the series gets back to the Bronx, the stadium will be more alive.

That’s a wrap for today. Thanks for checking in and we’ll have more updates throughout the weekend.

The Yankees did not score in five games during the regular season. Obviously, the opposing pitchers threw great games, but at the same time, the regular season is six months long and there are stretches that teams go through the motions.

Last night, no one was going through the motions. Cliff Lee, unquestionably, was the best pitcher the Yankees have seen this season. If not for a terrible throw by Jimmy Rollins into the dugout in the ninth inning, Lee would have had a complete game shutout as the Philles struck first in the 2009 World Series with a 6-1 win.

I seriously doubt Lee lost any sleep last night because he didn’t end up with the shutout. His changeup and curveball had spectacular movement and the Yankee hitters were helpless. In all, Lee allowed no earned runs, struck out 10, walked none and allowed only six hits. For good measure, he also made a great behind-the-back snag of a Robinson Cano ground ball in the eighth.

Derek Jeter did reach on a double in the third with two outs, but that threat quickly came to an end when Lee induced an inning-ending grounder to third off the bat of Johnny Damon. Other than that, the Yankees barely made Lee sweat.

Today on talk radio and throughout the Internet, I’m sure there will be people in panic mode over the Yankee offense. I don’t think anyone should, though. Lee was just that good last night.

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One thing the Yankees should be worried about is the well-being of Phil Hughes, who had another bad outing, walking the only two hitters he faced in the eighth.

I think Joe Girardi should seriously consider using David Robertson in the eighth inning of a close game tonight. My guess is that he’ll use Joba in that role. Best case scenario for the Yankees tonight is a blowout win, which will enable Girardi to throw Hughes back out there to straighten himself out.

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You allow two runs to the Phillies in seven innings, you’ve done your job. Not too many pitchers have had that type of success against Philadelphia this season, but I’m sure CC Sabathia is not thrilled with himself after poorly locating two pitches to Chase Utley, who smacked two home runs into the right field stands.  CC wasn’t as sharp as he was in his first three postseason starts, however, this loss was not on him.

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It’s hard to criticize any Yankee hitter for last night because no team was hitting Lee. You have to be concerned, though, about Nick Swisher. I give him one more game to contribute offensively before making a switch to Jerry Hairston Jr. in Game 3 against the lefty Cole Hamels.

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I still believe this series is going seven games as I predicted yesterday, but if the Yankees don’t win tonight, they may not make it out of Philadelphia, especially with a panicking Joe Girardi in the dugout playing by National League rules.

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Pedro Martinez called himself yesterday “The most influential player who ever played at Yankee Stadium.” Having met Pedro before, he is one of the interesting players I’ve ever talked to and when he talks pitching, I feel I actually learn something from him. It’s refreshing not hearing the endless string of cliches (or Jeters as I like to call them) that most players spew.

I sure a lot of Yankee fans are upset with Pedro about his press conference yesterday, but you have to admit, it’s always a little more fun when he’s around. Fans, including Yankee fans, will miss him when he’s gone.

Tonight, in his possible final ever appearance in the Bronx, I expect the Yankees to wear down Pedro and finally get their shot at the weak Phillies bullpen.

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A.J. Burnett has had the luxury of following CC Sabathia wins in each of his postseason starts and for the first time in October tonight, he’s pitching a must-win game. I don’t have all the faith in the world in him, but I think he’ll pitch well enough and the Yankee bats will come alive tonight.

If that doesn’t happen, the Yankees are in serious trouble.

Check back tomorrow morning for a review of Game 2. Thanks for reading.

Hopefully, I’m not posting this one day early with yet another threat of rainout tonight, but better early than late, right?

Here’s my breakdown of the Yankees and Phillies at each position:

Catcher: Carlos Ruiz, as Yankee fans may remember, had a big series at Yankee Stadium in May, driving in the game-winning run in the 11th inning of the series-deciding third game. He’s a strong defender, but doesn’t compare to Jorge Posada offensively. I understand if Joe Girardi catches Jose Molina in A.J. Burnett’s starts at Yankee Stadium, but in Philadelphia, with National League rules, he can not afford to start Molina if Burnett is pitching. Hitting Molina eighth and the pitcher ninth basically gives away the inning when that part of the order comes up. The Yankees will need every run they can get against the Phillies’ offense. Edge: Yankees

First base: More often than not, both of these teams have the edge at first base against their opponent. Not in this series. Mark Teixeira hits for a better average (.292 in the regular season) and is a superior defender, but Ryan Howard’s power in one word is obscene (45 home runs, 141 RBI). Neither team would trade one for the other. Edge: Even

Second base: Another close matchup here. Robinson Cano, as we know, is an extremely talented hitter (.320, 25 home runs, 85 RBI in the regular season) who struggles with runners in scoring position. Defensively, he has shown a lot of improvement this season and under the radar, I thought he played a great game in the field in Game 6 of the ALCS. Chase Utley is as solid as they come and had another great season in 2009, slugging 31 home runs and driving in 93 runs. Slight edge: Phillies

Shortstop: Remember in the World Baseball Classic when there was an outcry that Jimmy Rollins should be starting over Derek Jeter? I don’t think any manager would take Rollins over Jeter right now. As for Rollins, regarding his Phillies in five prediction on The Jay Leno Show (Is that what it’s called?) the other night, I say good for him. Athletes, led by Jeter, are far too boring in interviews. Speak your mind, there’s nothing wrong with that. Edge: Yankees

Third base: The biggest edge for either team at any position. A-Rod, in short, is in another world than Pedro Feliz. That’s all you need to know there. Major edge: Yankees

Left field: Interesting matchup here as both players are different types of hitters and both fit their teams perfectly. Johnny Damon is the best No. 2 hitter in the game, and after a rough September and ALDS, he came to life in the ALCS, collecting nine hits with two home runs and five RBI. Raul Ibanez had a fantastic year for the Phillies, knocking out 34 home runs and driving in 93 despite missing 28 games due to injury. A major offseason upgrade over Pat Burrell. Edge: Even

Center field: This is the biggest edge the Phillies have at any position. Shane Victorino had a strong all-around season, hitting .292 with 102 runs scored, 181 hits, 39 doubles, 13 triples, 10 home runs, 62 RBI and 25 stolen bases. Melky Cabrera, on the other hand, did hit 13 home runs and drive in 68, but had 11 less doubles, 12 less triples, and 12 less stolen bases. In the all important on-base percentage category, Victorino comes out on top with a .358 mark compared to Melky’s .336. Plus, Victorino is a better fielder. Edge: Phillies

Right field: Did you ever see this coming from Jayson Werth? I didn’t. Hitting behind Ryan Howard certainly does help, but it takes more than protection to hit 36 home runs and drive in 99 runs, walk 91 times and score 98 runs. Just a terrific season for Werth, who has kept up the pace in the postseason with five home runs and 10 RBI. Nick Swisher is an all or nothing type of player, who has been a nothing in the postseason outside of a couple nice plays in the field. Edge: Phillies

Designated hitter: My guess is that the Phillies will use either Ben Francisco or Miguel Cairo (yes, the Miguel Cairo) against CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte and break out Matt Stairs when A.J. Burnett pitches. Hideki Matsui, even at this stage of his career, is a better hitter than all of them in his sleep. Major edge: Yankees

Bench: The bench always plays a big part in National League games and both teams are pretty weak when it comes to the reserves. In games 3-5, the Yankees will have Matsui coming off the bench, the best pinch-hitter either team will trot out. As I write this, the rosters have not been announced, but I’m assuming the Yankees will come to their senses and put Eric Hinske back on the roster and give Freddy Guzman the boot. That will help. Edge: Yankees

Starting pitching: You don’t get to the World Series without a strong ace and both teams will send their trophies to mound tonight in CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. I can not believe the Phillies are pitching Pedro Martinez in Game 2 instead of Cole Hamels. I know Hamels has struggled, but the Phillies are asking too much from Pedro to get out of Yankee Stadium alive. Hamels, a left-hander, can at least somewhat neutralize the short porch in right field. In my opinion, the Yankees must go with a three-man rotation. You might as well thrown in the white flag pitching Chad Gaudin in Game 4 at Philly. Sabathia, Burnett and Pettitte know what’s at stake and I’m not worried that short rest will bother them. Edge: Yankees

Bullpen: The Yankees have Mariano Rivera and the Phillies have Brad Lidge. Enough said there. I still like Phil Hughes over any of Philadelphia’s relievers, even though he’s struggled in October. Ryan Madsen is solid, but the fact that Chan Ho Park may play a big role in this series has to scare Phillies fans. Edge: Yankees

Managers: I’m not the biggest Charlie Manuel fan out there, but he does have a ring. You thought Joe Girardi was out of control with all his moves in the ALCS, wait until the Yankees have to play by National League rules in Philadephia. That could get ugly. Edge: Philles

Prediction: As I wrote before the ALCS, the Yankees and Phillies were destined to meet in the World Series since their intense Interleague series in May. With Mariano Rivera and home field advantage, I think the Yankees will slip by the Phillies to win the series. I predict a classic. Yankees in 7.

Check back tomorrow morning for a review of Game 1. If it’s played, of course.

It’s not everyday you get to attend a World Series game.

First, unless you are a high-rolling traveler, you need the local team to make the playoffs and somehow pull off victories in the Division Series and the League Championship Series just to have a chance. That is, if you have a local team. (People in the Northeast are definitely spoiled. Imagine living in Wyoming.)

Then, of course, you have to actually get tickets. With the Internet, it is certainly easier than it use to be.

Back in 1999, me and a couple of friends went to Yankee Stadium to sleep out in the Bronx the night before tickets went on sale. We got there at midnight and there were already thousands of people camped out on the sidewalks around the stadium.  (I told my parents we were leaving at 6 a.m., but I may have snuck out early. Sorry, Mom and Dad. Ten years later, here is your apology.)

Anyway, with tickets going on sale at 10 a.m., the Yankees randomly gave out wristbands to fans and those fans only were allowed to get in line. Of course, about 20 people before they would reach us, they stopped. We were officially shut out.

Obviously, “ticked” off, we stormed out of the Bronx in an uproar. Then my friend Chris Rowe, who four years later got us tickets for Game 6 of the 2003 ALCS instead of the Aaron Boone Game 7, brought up the idea of trying for tickets on the Internet.

Huh?

If you remember in 1999, making a purchase on the Internet was considered as risky as the swine flu. If you used your credit card online, people would steal your identity everyone said. It wasn’t considered safe.

So, we had to choose between identity theft (well Rowe did at least since we were using his credit card) and going to the World Series. Hmmm…tough one there. So off to the library we went.

We decided to go for Game 5 (the National League had home field advantage that year) in hopes of attending a clincher. Never using ticketmaster.com before, we didn’t know what to expect and after 20 minutes, no tickets came on the screen and hope was all but lost. Just before giving up, two tickets miraculously appeared on my screen: Section 41 of the bleachers, row FF for a grand total of $40.00 per ticket.

There was one minor detail that seemed off, though. It turns out I accidentally was searching for Game 4 the whole time and not Game 5. Oh well, at least we were going to the World Series.

As you know, the Yankees won the first two games in Atlanta and came back in thrilling fashion to win Game 3 on a Chad Curtis walk-off home run. The opportunity to witness a World Series clincher had presented itself.

For those who have never attended a World Series game, you are truly missing out. From the October chill in the air to the flashbulbs to the intensity of the crowd to knowing you are at a place where millions of people wish they could be, it really doesn’t get any better.

That night, the Yankees closed on the Braves on the strength of a dominant start from Roger Clemens. Jim Leyritz homered and Mariano Rivera (remember him?) closed out the series, earning the MVP award.

The celebration in the stands and in the streets was a sight to see. People were hugging strangers, people were screaming non-stop, every car was blowing its horn (not turning them over and burning them like they do in LA after championships), and for at least an hour or two after the game, fans were still rejoicing in the streets. You knew you were in the middle of a once in a lifetime moment.

I have been fortunate enough to attend two more World Series games since then.

The first was Game 5 of the 2001 World Series against Arizona when Scott Brosius hit the game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, which set off a celebration that led to fans rolling down the aisles. It was the loudest I’ve ever heard a crowd at a sporting event and probably the best baseball game I’ve ever been to.

In the 2003 World Series against Florida, a series the Yankees should have never lost, I attended Game 2 with my father. The Yankees won that night thanks to a home run from Hideki Matsui and a great start from Andy Pettitte.

My overall Yankee World Series record in person is 3-0. I have tickets for Game 6 next Wednesday and am hoping for some 10th anniversary magic from 1999 that night. Hopefully, I won’t be pushing my luck.

Check in tomorrow for a position-by-position breakdown and World Series preview. Thanks for reading.