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October 28, 2009

On the Beat

World Series News

by John Perrotto

Six years have passed since the Yankees last played in the World Series, and nine years have gone by since they last won one. However, that does not mean that expectations have changed in the Bronx. When the Yankees host the Phillies tonight in Game One of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, they will do so with the expectation of winning their 27^th title.

That was never clearer than on Sunday night, when the Yankees beat the Angels in Game Six to win the American League Championship Series. While the Yankees celebrated in the home clubhouse, general manager Brian Cashman avoided the scene and went back to his office. "I'll wait to participate if we have an opportunity to win the whole thing," he told the New York Post.

The Yankees admittedly will not consider this season a success without a World Series trophy. Not after they spent $423.5 million on free agents Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett in the offseason upon failing to make the postseason last year for the first time since 1995. And they will certainly be unfulfilled if they don't get the title after winning a major league-best 103 games in the regular season.

The Yankees also feel a sense of urgency to win at least one more title for owner George Steinbrenner. They have won six World Series under his stewardship, but Steinbrenner gave up control of the team to his sons, Hal and Hank, prior to last season. The Boss is now 79, and primarily stays at his home in Florida; his visit to Yankee Stadium for Game One will be his first since the $1.5 billion ballpark opened on April 16. "It means a lot to Mr. Steinbrenner," Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. "He expects us to win."

So do his sons, even if they do not have nearly the high profile or bombast of their father. After all, they are writing the checks for what is again the highest payroll in the major leagues at $201 million. "We expect to win championships, and we have one more step to take before we can be truly satisfied with this season," Hal Steinbrenner said.

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14 comments have been left for this article.

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dsc250

(1147)

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Thanks for being the Yankees' PR flack with this article!

Oct 28, 2009 09:51 AM

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rating: -13

spacemen

(4876)

I wonder if the FBI agent would take a strong stance against someone like Lenny Dykstra being named coach. I'm no fan of steroids, but in the end they hurt the user---end of story. Dykstra's DUI adventures are several times more serious (IMO) in that they are quite dangerous to everyone else. In fact, wasn't Tony LaRussa himself discovered asleep at the wheel during a recent spring training??

The agent states that they had 'credible evidence' that McGwire used steroids, maybe, maybe not, but I have strong, strong evidence that agent Stejskal is suffering from a perspective deficiency.

Oct 28, 2009 09:52 AM

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rating: 11

Richard Bergstrom

(36532)

Thanks for echoing a similar sentiment of mine. Fans get all high and mighty about steroids and the integrity of the game, yet look the other way when people drink and drive.

Oct 28, 2009 13:01 PM

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rating: 2

hessshaun

(41493)

I will tell you what Stejskal's issue is. Money talks. When you have enough money to delay anything, it screws them all up. How long has Bonds case been going now? Guess how much tax payer money that is costing.

I can respect that McGwire isn't a media whore like Canseco and I am no fan of his in any capacity.

Oct 28, 2009 10:15 AM

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rating: 0

spacemen

(4876)

I wouldn't disagree with your point, it's just that what outrages some people baffles me. Steroid abuse might be illegal and dishonest, but it's such a minor crime in the grand scheme of things...ask the Angels.

Oct 28, 2009 10:45 AM

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rating: 5

cubfan131

(31594)

Stejskal loses all credibility with me the minute he quotes scripture.

Oct 28, 2009 10:43 AM

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rating: 5

brianpsmith

(832)

Justice Scalia quoted this same scripture in a Supreme Court decision in the 1980s -- a gentleman suddenly took off running when he saw police approach, so they chased him down and because he had fled they had probable cause to search him. I think that's right -- it's been a long time since law school.

Anyway, I agree with you Cubfan -- when someone starts quoting the old testament to support an argument, I'm out.

Oct 28, 2009 14:25 PM

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rating: 0

eighteen

(1432)

Stejkal's motivation is the same as all the other Feds involved in the steroid issue: Advance his career by destroying reputations.

Oct 28, 2009 11:25 AM

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rating: 1

Richard Bergstrom

(36532)

If there was enough evidence, why didn't the FBI prosecute? And if the investigation is still ongoing somehow, how can Stejkal speak up?

I also find it ironic that people lambast McGwire because he hasn't "come clean"? Do we go by the standards of Giambi's non-apology/apology, Manny's female fertility drug, or A-Rod's weak interview with Gammons?

Oct 28, 2009 13:00 PM

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rating: 5

AndrewP

(51468)

Don't care about the steriod issue anymore.

The thing the REALLY BOTHERS ME (sorry for yelling) is the long delay between games in October. I know the Networks control the world, but talk about killing momentum!

I realize it'll never change, but I wonder if it cools some of the enthusiasm of the casual follower. Put 3-4 days between series and they'll just move on to whatever dancing show is on and forget about it. I know the baseball people will follow it and find it, but does the general TV public do the same?

Oh well....here is to a great series!

Oct 28, 2009 13:51 PM

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rating: 9

Ray Whatley

(267)

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Unless McGwire confesses at a press conference before the season starts, he has no credibility with me or any true baseball fan. And shame on Bud Selig for "welcoming" McGwire back to baseball. Just like Selig to get everything "good for the game" backassward.

Oct 28, 2009 22:15 PM

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rating: -7

spacemen

(4876)

I, too, long for the days when Ernie Broglio had 30 cortisone shots the year before he was dealt for Lou Brock. In the good old days they only took piles of drugs to keep themselves on the field....oh, wait....

Oct 29, 2009 07:33 AM

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rating: 6

pmatthews

(5956)

I agree with most of the comments above: I get annoyed by all the sanctimonious hand-wringing over steroids even while greater evils like DUIs and domestic violence are treated as non-events.

PLUS: even if we stipulate that McGwire took steroids, for nearly all of his career MLB had no rule against using them. How can you be a "cheater" if you cannot point to a specific rule that he broke?

Oct 29, 2009 08:43 AM

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rating: 1

JasonC23

(97)

The only thing about the McGwire story that bugs me is Bud Selig's reaction, and that's not because of McGwire, but because Bud is being his usual hypocritical self. Imagine Barry Bonds being gone for a few more years and then being hired as the Giants' hitting coach. Can anyone imagine Bud welcoming him back to baseball?

Seriously, Bud, just STFU for once already.

Oct 29, 2009 10:28 AM

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rating: 0

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<< Previous Article

Ahead in the Count: Th... (10/28)

<< Previous Column

On the Beat: Weekend U... (10/25)

Next Column >>

On the Beat: World Ser... (11/01)

Next Article >>

Changing Speeds: Smolt... (10/28)

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