With all of the hullabaloo surrounding the New York Yankees winning their 27th World Series title, I figured I would weigh in.
It's a well-known fact to anyone that knows me that I am a huge New York Mets fan. So this year, with the World Series being played between the Yankees and the Mets' bitter enemy, the Philadelphia Phillies, there was no clear-cut team that I could root for.
Ultimately, I chose to support the Phillies, for two simple reasons.
One, they play in the same division as the Mets, and two, I love Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. His style of play is exactly how men played when baseball was baseball: hard-nosed, gritty, and unrelenting.
Anyway, back to the Yankees. Congratulations on winning an incredible 27th World Series title.
Wahoo! The Yankees won!
Okay, now the fun's over.
In reality, they had absolutely no excuse not to win it all. With a payroll ($201.4 million) that could rival NASA's budget, the Yankees were built for success.
However, in all fairness, that has been the case for many, many years, and the Bronx Bombers have repeatedly faltered in the playoffs and bombed their way in the offseason.
And yes, the Phillies have a few superstars (Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Utley) and pay them accordingly, but their roster is far from All-Star caliber at every position.
Now, on to matters that excite every Mets fan: bashing Alex Rodriguez.
Getting hit by a pitch a few times does not equal a player being "incredible" or, as ESPN's Skip Bayless called him, "A-Ruth."
Rodriguez hit .250 in the series, struck out eight times, and left 10 men on base. He merely played "okay."
I'm not discounting A-Rod's talent. He's one of the best players to play the game. However, much of the praise showered upon him is completely unwarranted.
But who was it that bailed the Yankees out when it mattered? No less than consistently good Hideki Matsui. For his part, Matsui was rewarded with the World Series MVP award, which he rightfully deserved.
So, now that the Yankees will be getting a hefty bonus for winning the World Series...here are a few things they should purchase:
1. A personal trainer for CC Sabathia
Pretty soon his waistline is going to be comparable to his contract. Get this man a Slim-Fast bar. Wait, that could be a new endorsement deal! You're welcome.
2. Rosetta Stone software for Matsui
Personally, I think that he probably speaks English fluently but chooses not to simply to remain awesome and mysterious.
On a serious note though, Matsui is now a free agent and should be rewarded for his World Series heroics. He should also be rewarded for being one of the most consistent offensive threats that the Yankees have had in many years.
In typical Yankees fashion, he'll probably get a three-year deal worth roughly $400 million.
3. More stylish eyewear for their first baseman
Anyone who saw Mark Teixeira wearing gigantic ski goggles in the locker room will understand this.
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