Yankees - ugggggh
Few teams in the professional sports industry turn me off as much as the Leafs. Since I left Ontario initially in 1971, I have grown to despise the team sometimes known as Canada’s team. Few team equal that distaste, but one consistently gnaws at me near my top detestation list and that is the New York Yankees.So last night I found it odd to hear me cheering for the pinstripes as they neared and eventually won their 27th World Series Championship.
Why, after years of learning to hate the Bronx Bombers was I cheering. A-Rod is arch-enemy number one. I hate him more than most. He’s a cheater and no one seems to care. Jeter? Can’t stand him, but he’s got something to like. AJ, Cano, Pettite? Hate em all – cheaters, unfaithful, obnoxious all packaged into three! I don’t hate Hideki, I don’t hate Johnny Damon or Swisher or Sabathia, but give me five minutes with anyone named Steinbrenner and I will show you severe dislike!
It dawned on me in the eighth. Mariano Rivera is da’ man. He’s the major reason I was cheering them on. At age 40, Rivera has been “bringing it” for 14 major league years and closing Yankee games for 12 of them. In 12 years as a closer (that’s a LOT of years in that role) he’s basically mastered the role and at the age of 40 he’s shown no signs of slowing down. Sure he’s had good years and bad years, but in the end, his 526 saves, 44 of them this year alone. His 10 years as an all-star and his 7 times pitching in World Series’ along with an ERA under 1 have proven him to be the best.
In saying all this, I hope he retires now. At 40 and still full of gusto and able to get anyone out at anytime, this would be the best way to go out. Few if any ever go out on top, and I am hoping that this crafty Panamanian recognizes that he has a chance to do what so few have done before him. Retire as a champion.
posted by G.M. Shier @ Saturday, November 07, 2009
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