There Are No Words

Joe Sheehan wrote in today's prospectus, "how do you write about [the Yankees], beyond repeating the word, 'Wow,' a couple hundred times?"

The Yankees went to Arizona, and I predicted that they'd win in six games. The Diamondbacks won the first two games, and still, I predicted that the Yankees would win. The Yankees had one out left in the bottom of the ninth, two runs down, on the verge of going down 3-1, and I should have known: the Yankees would win.

Which is why, when Bob Brenly brought Byung-Hyun Kim in to pitch the ninth, I knew. When Jorge Posada led off with a double, I knew. When Scott Brosius came to bat with two outs and Game 5 on the line, I closed my eyes and hoped against hope, but deep down, I knew: the Yankees would win.

It's impossible to be impartial toward the Yankees. Impossible to be impartial toward any team, really, because I am a baseball fan. So I am disappointed that the Yankees appear to be on the track toward their fifth Championship in six years, their 579th Championship in their history.

But for a kid who watched, slack-jawed, as Joe Carter's Series-winning shot sailed out of the Skydome back when I was 11, I can't help but feel lucky to be watching an even more memorable World Series. Regardless of the outcome, this Fall Classic will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time.

November 02, 2001 - 09:32 AM