Today in The Journal News (plus Live Chat at Noon!)
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 28, 2009 
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Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada have been together for a long time and now the Yankees “core four” are going for ring No. 5. I looked at how important this group has been to the franchise – not just this year but overall – in a column for our comprehensive World Series preview section. Check out the cool illustration from Bill Becerra, too.
Joining that core has been a trio of newcomers, and Chad Jennings digs into how the Yankees went about adding Mark Texieira, A.J. Burnett and tonight’s starter, CC Sabathia, as well as what those additions have meant to the team (hint: a lot!).
No World Series special section would be complete without a piece on Alex Rodriguez, and Chad has an insightful look back at the emotional year that A-Rod had endured. Can his run continue in his first World Series? We’ll see.
Speaking of A-Rod, look out for falling buildings this World Series, as A-Rod and Ryan Howard and a slew of other power hitters take aim at the fences in two hitter’s parks. Josh Thomson looks at how this series could be historic in terms of power, and there’s a great chart that goes along with his story. Check it out.
Josh also delves into the managerial match-up in the series, one which features a rookie postseason manager (Joe Girardi) and the defending World Series champ manager (in Charlie Manuel).
George Steinbrenner will be in the house tonight, I wrote, and he’s been on everyone’s mind as the Yankees have crept closer to title No. 27. It’ll be great to see him make a rare in-person appearance at the Stadium.
The Boss will be watching the same pitching match-up he saw during his only other trip to the new Stadium: CC Sabathia vs. Cliff Lee (who was pitching for Cleveland back then). Chad has more on an opening collision of aces.
The Yankees and Phillies have met only one other time in the World Series, and that was in 1950 – when the Yankees won in a four-game sweep. Rick Carpiniello has a very interesting look back at that series.
Carp also has a story on the importance of the Yankees two lefty relievers. Damaso Marte and Phil Coke will get plenty of action this series as the Phillies have a ton of lefthanded hitters.
The notebook leads with all signs pointing to Chad Gaudin getting a start in the series, as the Yankees stretched him out with a simulated game yesterday. There’s also news about Jimmy Rollins sticking to a prediction (he says Phillies in five), potential roster changes for the Yankees and more.
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I also did some position-by-position match-ups for the World Series, though I can’t seem to find them on the web site (as you can see, there’s a ton of stuff). If I can figure that out, I’ll post it.
Lastly, a reminder: Join Chad and me at noon for a World Series edition of the LoHud Yankees blog Video Live Chat! We’re taking all your questions and answering in real-time, so stop by and check it out here.
Let’s go Yankees! Clap, Calp Clap-clap-clap
Peter Gammons is a bitter, angry red sox creep.
Last night on baseball tonight, he actually said Philly’s Carlos Ruiz is a better than Posada.
These are Ruiz stats for 2009: .255 8 HR 43 RBI
And none of the ESPN idiots called him out for the obvious propaganda.
(repost from previous thread)
Morning all! Off to a day-long CLE (no cheering necessary.) Imback I’m trust you to keep everyone on the up and up today. I know you’ll do it.
Here’s my new lucky picture for the last day at the old Stadium. I waited until today to put it up. Best day and night of my life (bittersweet though it was.) We were waiting to go to Monument Park – waiting 4 and 1/2 hours to go to Monument Park! But we had a blast.
Here’s the latest update to the chart. I’ll take predictions (or changes to predictions) up until first pitch – whenever that may be. Please put my name in the post so I don’t miss it. I’ll check all the threads when I get back in.
http://members.cox.net/lsdorgan/POSTSEASON.pdf
GO YANKEES!!!
“Peter Gammons is a bitter, angry red sox creep.”
Gammons lost whatever credibility he had long ago. Nobody even pays attention to what he says anymore.
Extra note; Jay Z will be performing at Game 2 not Game 1 for anyone who might care.
All that talking about which team or player is better goes out the window starting today. It comes down to which team plays the best over the next nine days.
Get it done, Yankees!
Trisha,
I see I am right behind you on the chart! Have a good day (as good as you can!)Talk to you later.
Doreen,
The bet between the Senators from NY and PA is cheesecakes and cheesestakes.
Correction
Cheesesteaks is the correct spelling
The cartoon is misleading, posada may have 4 rings, but he wasn’t really on the 96 team, having only 1 hit on the year.
I am so excited for tonight. I feel like a little kid!
Anybody watch Jeter on the Biggest Loser? I was disappointed his segment was pre-taped. That was the first time I had watched the show though, and I must say it’s not half bad.
Great night to start a World series In The Bronx !!! Rainy Cold Just the way we want it.
Welcome to the Jungle CHEESBALLS can you handle it?
Don’t think so.
LTL want a ticket?
This is it, folks, the season starts tonight.
I know there was (is?) about Matsui playing the outfield in Philly. I’d keep him on the bench. The Phils have a great lineup and you need your best fielders out there. Matsui would be great to come off the bench to pinch hit for a pitcher, and he hits well against lefties so he could pinch hit in any situation.
Go Yankees.
Good wishes to all my fellow Yankee fans.
My prediction is we will win in 6.
It is really a special year with lot of enjoyable moments.
We’re gonna win in 5.
Our pitching is too good.
The Yankees need to be on their game…work starters, bludgeon bullpen arms and pitch the way they have been in the post season.
I’m going out on a limb here and saying that the duo of Cano/Melky are going to come up big here, with a dash of Tex thrown in….
Gammons is a fool
Sam “The Professor” Borden… Lots of reading assignments.
Keep up the good work!
Wow, that’s a serious amount of WS coverage. How am I supposed to get any work done today with all that to read???
Paco – Word…I’ve been on the computer since I got in at 8:45
Paco – Word…I’ve been on the computer since I got in at 8:45
Phillie fans are awful. They are now getting t shirts printed up with a picture of Derek Jeter from the Biggest Loser Last night and are saying that its an omen. I am nervous.
Tons and tons of coverage…. very impressive.
There’s nothing dumber than matching up player vs player for a baseball series. One team can be better at all nine positions (Oakland ’88 comes to mind) but if their pitchers are great it doesn’t matter.
Did Gammons really say Ruiz is better than Posada? I think it’s time to up his meds.
Any year that ends at the World Series is a great year in my book. Four wins makes it historic!
The only way I see Gaudin starting is game five with the Yanks up 3-1. Otherwise AJ would take the ball on short rest which might be good for him. He’ll be too tired to think.
Hey what’s going on with Yogi? I haven’t heard a peep from him this postseason. Is he doing alright?
It annoys me that Posada always gets credit for being on the ’96 WS team.
Hey y’all. Wanted to know if anyone subscribed to MLB.com’s MLB.TV package offer ? Can you actually watch the whole game live on it ? The language used on the site is somewhat… ambiguous.
Suggestions on bars showing the games in Paris are also welcome.
Oh, and : let’s go Yankees !