Bleacher Creature Feature

#57: "'Tween Series #2"

18 October 2003

The Yankees have had their share of improbable heroes over the years. Billy Martin was never more than an average second baseman, but he was brilliant when the calendar flipped to October. Brian Doyle, the Enrique Wilson of his day, stepped up in 1978 when Willie Randolph was felled by an injury to hit over .400 against the Royals and Dodgers. Marginal players like Jim Leyritz, Chad Curtis, Jose Vizcaino, and Luis Sojo all had big hits for the Yanks during the Joe Torre Era.

And now we can add Boone to the list. A guy who hasn't hit a lick since his acquisition, and wasn't even in the lineup, and he goes and makes history.

Damn.

This is such a weird game.

Last time, I remarked that Joe Buck and the other Fox announcers were quiet in the first inning of Game 7 of the ALCS. I have since learned that that was a conscious choice, according to interviews with Buck after the game. He felt that this was such a major event that cluttering the first inning with babble was counterproductive. He just let the game speak for itself. Good on him.

If the Red Sox had won Game 7, I take solace in the fact that I would at least be spared any more ads for Skin. I swear, I'm hearing Ron Silver say, "Her father is the district attorney!" in my nightmares....

David Wells is starting Game 1, on the theory that he's the one who's the least not ready. Honestly, I was half-expecting Jose Contreras to be announced as the starter but -- the seventh inning of Game 6 notwithstanding -- he's too needed in the bullpen right now.

As for the lineup, looks like Torre's sticking with the Game 7 lineup, which probably makes the most sense right present. The real question is who will play first base come Tuesday, Jason Giambi or Nick Johnson. I suspect that won't be answered until Monday, as it will depend entirely on how the two gentlemen in question perform tonight and tomorrow.

Aaron Boone?

In that wonderful game of what-if, you have to wonder what the Yanks' season -- and, more to the point, their postseason -- would've been like if Steve Karsay had been healthy....

On the one hand, it's easy to dismiss the Marlins and think of this Series as anticlimactic. After all, they're just a crummy wild card team.

On the other hand, the 2002 Anaheim Angels and the 2003 Boston Red Sox were crummy wild card teams, and we lost to the first and came within one bad Grady Little decision of losing to the second. For that matter, the Series opponent that gave the Yankees the hardest time in all their recent championships were the 2000 Mets -- another crummy wild card team. (Caveat: the 2000 Yankees were also by far the weakest of the Joe Torre teams.) And, let's face it, did anyone think the Marlins would get by the Giants and the Cubs?

On the third (Venusian) hand, one of the reasons why the Marlins are in the Series is because Jack McKeon managed rings around Felipe "Twelve Pitchers" Alou and Dusty "This Box I'm Thinking Inside is Warm and Comfy" Baker. He will likely not be able to do the same with Torre.

Didn't have great luck with attendance. Went to four games, in which the Yankees were 1-3. In terms of seats, though, the best was Game 1 of the ALCS, in which we sat right in the heart of Section 39. That was spectacular. We were in the midst of roll call, right at the bottom of the "God Bless America" flag, and got caught up in all the chants and epithets.

Best part, though, was Terri turning around at yelling, "Sit down, bitch!" at the Red Sox fan who had the temerity to get up and cheer when Trot Nixon hit a home run. Several of the Creatures looked upon her with respect at that. That's my girl...

Game 1 of the ALDS had us on the far side of Section 41, almost in center field. What we lost in proximity to the Creatures, however, we gained in easy accessibility to our seats, as we were right on the aisle, which makes a huge difference.

Game 2 of the ALDS was in Section 39, but farther back, and not too far from the aisle. Sadly, being behind the Creatures is no fun, as you can't hear them as well.

For Game 6 of the ALCS, we were in the deepest darkest corner of Section 37: row U (there is no Row V), seats 22-23 (there is no seat 24). We were closer to the 4 train than right field. However, thanks to the angle of the right-hand side of the right-field bleachers (no other row gets as high as 23 seats), there wasn't anyone actually in front of us, so we had a good view of the field over the ambulance bay that separates the bleachers from the losers in the box seats.

And, being in the last row, we could not only stand if we wanted without worrying about blocking anyone's view, but lean against the back wall under the Utz ad. Those of us with bad backs appreciate this after over a dozen games sitting on backless benches...

Well, my LDS predictions were only half accurate, as I picked Oakland and San Francisco to advance instead of the two wild-card teams.

The closest I came in my LCS predictions was the New York series going seven games.

I predicted New York beating Chicago in six. What the hell, I'll say Yanks over Marlins in six.

Aaron Boone.

Damn.

NEXT: World Series Games 1-2

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