(Boston, October 24, 1999) Orlando El Duque Hernandez continuing his postseason dominance, matched goose-eggs with Greg Maddux until a 4th inning Chipper Jones moonshot broke the deadlock. That was to be the Braves' only hit in El Duque's 7 innings.

After the Braves' threat for a 7th inning insurance run was squelched by yet another umpire gaffe, the Yankees pinch hit for Hernandez and rallied for 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 errors by defensive replacement 1B Brian Hunter. Deja vu all over again - sounds like the ALCS. Do the Yankees ever get a call against them in the postseason? Maybe we should ask Jeffrey Meier. Or maybe the umps are on Big Stein's payroll. I'm not bitter...

Anyhoo, the talk about Greg Maddux (10-10) being a lousy postseason pitcher got me wondering. As I remembered, he pitched excellent but with little postseason run support. This seems to be the case for his Cy Young colleagues Glavine and Smoltz as well. As luck would have it (and Maddux could use a little himself), the ESPN site had the numbers that bear this out. I don't understand why the 'Runs/9' stat is different than the 'ERA'. The 'Regular' numbers represent regular season stats in years that the Braves/Cubs made it to postseason. So excepting the won-lost, come October, he is the same great pitcher.

We've all seen the Braves enough to know their usually substantial attack goes into hibernation in October. And their great pitchers are constantly forced to make a run or two stand up. Last night was no exception. But with their #4 and #5 hitters disabled (Gallaraga and Javy Lopez) the attack is a bit suspect.

Maddux was conspicuously missing from the All Century Team, as were Tom Seaver and Joe Morgan. What's up with THAT?

Greg Maddux

               W-L    ERA   BB/9   Runs/9   
Regular      110-45  2.45   1.30    2.81
Postseason    10-10  2.52   1.96    3.28

This game's report has been influenced by the North East Brewery and Tremont IPA, superior Ales by any measure.

Game 2: Cone, Yanks Embarrass Braves 7-2

(Boston, October 26, 1999) After a nice ceremony for Baseball's All-Century Team was stained by in tabloid-style interview/interrogation of Pete Rose, a nice ballgame was stained by the stumbling/could-care-less Atlanta Braves. Does this club have a pulse? They look like a lamb that's waiting to be slaughtered. And in their own ballpark. And the Yankees are not a team that is shy with the axe.

Righty David Cone led Sunday's charge, mimicking El Duque's line, allowing 1 Brave hit in 7 innings. He walked 5, but again proved himself to be, well, a Hall of Famer. Skipper Bobby Cox, hoping to awaken the Atlanta attack, changed middle infielders, inserting Ozzie Guillen and Keith Lockhart for Walt Weiss and Bret Boone, and Greg Myers for NLCS MVP Eddie Perez. He chose poorly... After one game, it's too soon to panic. However, after that this second game, NOW THEY SHOULD PANIC!!! Their shoddy defensive effort was reminiscent of the Red Sox, a short week ago. (The Sox, however, had some heart!) These guys sure look different from the mid-season series against the Bombers. I was totally impressed at that point. And not just 'cause they beat the Yanks. They seemed to be a fundamentally sound team with an all-world defensive outfield, and their bullpen seemed to be almost as strong as their starters. And they won 100+ games again to boot... And battled the upstart Mets with gusto...

The Yankees have again proved they have a clubhouse full of gamers. In addition to the obvious Jeter, Bernie, Cone, and Hernandez, journeymen like Brosius, Strawberry, Knoblauch and Mendoza rise above.

Well, as we speak, in game #3 the Braves have 2 straight hits against Andy Pettitte and have scored a run. More than they did in 2 games against El Duque and Coney. 'Bout time! They seem to be going the other way tonight against Pettitte. Now they'll force Glavine to make it stand up! They've returned to the game #1 lineup... And maybe youse New Yawk fans should be writing these updates...

Not sure who voted for Baseball's All-Century Team - probably the fans because there are many sentimental choices, but it's always nice to see and hear about these historical figures, and something I think separates baseball from other sports. Guys like Ted Williams and Babe Ruth still command the ultimate respect in 1999. And Charlie Hustle Pete Rose got the biggest ovation of all. Some tabloid-style journalist (read 'asshole') interviewed him and and kind of tainted the whole presentation. I was a Pete Rose fan, as far as how he played the game on the field, but after much waffling, I now believe he does not belong in the Hall. As anyone familiar with baseball history knows, gambling was (and is) a real blackeye on the game's past. It was a most serious problem in the first half of this century. The cardinal sin is throwing a game. If you have any question, look at boxing. We do not know that Rose did not do this. And it is very possible that he did. We also know that he was one of the finest players of his generation, perhaps the reincarnation of Ty Cobb...

How can you have Bench and Rose and not include Joe Morgan, arguably the best player of that era? Nolan Ryan and Clemens were in, but where were Maddux and Seaver? And I heard they had to add Stan Musial and Honus Wagner. These are a few off the top of my head, but ultimately, it's only a contest. Great seeing Sandy Koufax amongst the elite - and as I read he's a loner and shuns publicity.... well, makes him even greater in my book!

This game's report has been brought to you by the Brooklyn Brewery's East India Pale Ale. And not bad at that...

WEASEL: And the beat goes on!

So..... there's a good chance that the Yanks will go back to the Bronx up 2 games to none. This is better than even die hard Yankee fans could have hoped for, and is almost scarey. How can they in this much? They look like the 98 version, so why did they not look like this during the regular season?

A couple of theories. None of them have anything to do with the umps, so JB give that up. There have been many bad calls in postseason play, and they are just part of the game. The Sox would not have won if they were different - it is consistency that is the key. And the pinstripers have been consistently good. So...

1. I believe that the Yankee pitchers are money pitchers. Some players are "clutch" players - they perform much better when the heat is on. Cone, Pettite, and Hernandez fit this bill, and there are No better pitchers that I would have going for me when the money is on the line.
2. The Yanks are a team that supports each other and performs like a team, hence being able to get the "more than the sume of the parts" effect.
3. The offensive attack is balanced and thus can get you many different ways. They can hit for average, power, run, be patient and walk, force pitchers and fielders to make mistakes, etc. They do not typically depend on any 1 or 2 batters, although Williams and Jeter bore a lot on their shoulders during the regular season. But as you can see, the others chip in when the money is on the line.
4. They have post sason experience, and do not get rattled easily. They are not only used to playing in OCT, but different from the Braves, they aare used to winning.
5. Well - the magic is back! The 98 team was incredible, and this team seems to have that same thing - perhaps the ump calls even fall into this category. Everything goes right!

I am not stupid enough to chalk up the series right now. Hell - I think this game may be in the 9th, and they could still lose. The Braves are a dynamite team, and should be the NL representative to the Series. They could come back and win 4 in a row after this. However, I don't think so.......they won't lay down. These are the 2 best teams in baseball, and I look forward to a great series, with the Yanks winning of course.

(Boston, October 27, 1999) Overcoming a 5-1 deficit, Chad Curtis hit a 10th inning walk-off homerun. The once mighty Braves are now within a game of, well they're just history. Glavine pitched well (until the 8th), and Atlanta got some runs upfront, but somehow you knew these Braves were toast. In this series, no matter how close the games seem to be, the Braves never seem to be battling to win. Just my feeling...

(Nyack, October 27, 1999) It was great to see the All-Century Team the other night. What an incredible collection of talent. What was best was seeing the way today's ballplayers reacted. The looks on their faces was priceless. They may be a bunch of zillionaires, but just like us, they are awed by such greatness. Baseball is so different from other sports. It seems you get to identify with the players better than in any other sport. It is truly your everyman's sport.

As far as the Series goes, it looks pretty bleak for the Braves. The Yanks are simply a post season juggernaut. It doesn't matter who you are, they will beat you. No team is more adept at taking advantage of every opportunity to win. Last nights game was just typical. The relievers stepped in and took control and allowed the Yanks to do what they do best. Beat you. Where the Yanks used little ball in the 1st game, last night they needed the long ball. So what do they do? Hit a few over the fence, of course.

Figuring that the Roman Candle may get torched again tonight, I still look for the Yanks in 5. El Duque will do his stuff again tomorrow. It's great to be a Yankee fan these days. They are such a great and classy team I have no idea how any of you guys root for anybody else. The Yanks are the team of the Year, the Century, the Decade and any other damn thing you can think of.

By the way, I can't stand Joe Morgan in the booth. If he had said the Braves are going the other way one more time last night I would have jumped through my screen and strangled him. Like McCarver, he gets going on one thing and then harps on it all night. SHUT UP JOE!! Let us watch the game.

(Boston, October 29, 1999) The All-Century Team, though not necessarily the best 100 players, was impressive. I, too, am in awe of seeing the idols of my childhood (Koufax, Spahn and Gibson) and the current icons (McGwire, Griffey and Clemens) paraded in front of us at Yankee Stadium. Football could not match this, and that is one thing that sets baseball apart. The other is the symmetry of the game.

As for Joe Morgan, I think you're over-reacting a bit. Joe Morgan was the best player of his generation, in my opinion, but a very average colorman. McCarver is the best there is. For those of us who are not Yankee fans, we can be educated by these astute baseball minds. What is obvious to some may be foreign to others. Then again, oftentimes I turn the sound off and crank up the Dixie Dregs. Guess it's who you can tolerate...

(Boston, October 28, 1999) And in the end, the runs you take are equal to the runs you make... Yeah, McCartney almost nailed it. And Klesko and Weiss didn't. Here's the lowdown: The final was 4-1 Yankees, with Clemens (4 hits, 1 run in 7 2/3 innings) coming up big for the second time this postseason after closing out Texas, and MVP Mariano Automatic Rivera coming up even bigger, nailing the last 4 outs this time as the Bombers collect their 25th Championship trophy. The offense was provided by Tino Martinez, credited with a 2-run single (on a potential doubleplay ball to Klesko) and a Posada RBI, all in the 3rd inning, and a King Leyritz 'tater in the 8th. It was the King's eighth home run in 58 postseason at-bats. The 3rd inning was an ugly one for the Braves, and as is their trademark, the Yanks took full advantage. John Smoltz again pitched a fine game, allowing the 3 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings. He struck out 11 and walked 3. The Braves starters (with the exception of Millwood once again did a bang-up job, but could have used the Montreal Expos bats.

For the record, this was World Series #95 the 36th appearance for the Yankees, and their 25th Championship.

Here are a couple of things worth discussing as we close out the 1999 season: the pitching of Rivera and Clemens, and the sadness that befell the Yankees this year.

Automatic...

                       IP    ERA   Saves
Eckersley 1989-1991   207   1.74    124
Hoffman   1997-1999   222   2.11    130
Rivera    1997-1999   202   1.87    124

As you know, 'saves' (like 'wins') can be a deceptive stat, but until I have the time (when hell freezes over) to search down the 'hits per inning' and 'walks per inning' for these folks, this will have to do.

Possessed Rebel: Act III

Now Rocket Roger Clemens, love him or hate him, pitched superbly in 2 of his 3 postseason starts. Many in Boston AND New York said he was only along for the ride. But now, like Pettitte a year ago, he has won the BIG ONE. Two big ones this year, as a matter of fact. No doubt 1999 was his worst season ever, and as happy about that as we were in Boston, he seems to have earned his ring. Like the Babe, Sparky Lyle and Wade Boggs before him...

Finally, much has been written about the three Yankees who have lost their fathers this year, and of the manager and two players who were diagnosed with cancer. There's nothing much I can say about this that hasn't been said, but I can relate on a personal level - 1999 has not been a kind year. Breathe deep...

(Nyack, October 28, 1999) I am on my way out of here for Guavaween and Vegas. Before I go I just have to say that the Yankees of today can and must be compared to the all time great Yankee teams. They have won around 235 games in the last 19 months. Have won 22 of their last 25 playoff games. They have swept their last 12 World Series games. If this isn't greatness than what is. Congratulations Yankees. By the way, I can't figure out why the NL has so much trouble with the Braves. The Yanks don't. Must be some pretty bad NL teams.

As much as I hate to admit it.....the Yankees kicked ass. My hat's off to the Bronx Bombers.

(Lunenburg, October 28, 1999) Well - they did it! The Yanks are an incredible team, that are really not comparable to other teams when the money's on the barrel. 11 out of 12 in this post season. 12 series games in a row. They ate through the best teams in the AL and the NL just like a chain saw cutting through pine.

So what do you say? Starting pitching is incomparable during big games. They have the best closer in baseball, during and after the regular season. They have a formidable offense, and a decent defense. Most of all, they all contribute like a team.

I've been following this game casually/religiously for almost 40 years, and in my memory, this was the worst series I've ever seen. The '99 Braves were beaten before a pitch was thrown. I suppose the other side of it was that the Yankees played to perfection. No question. As we suspected a coupla years ago, these Yanks are baseball's best balanced team, and between the lines, where the battle is ultimately won, they are incomparable. I grudgingly must agree with Mikey Stew - this team is comparable to the Yankee dynasties of the 1930's and 1950's. Perhaps the competition is not as worthy (read 'Rangers' and 'Braves') but the 1999 club has proven itself. Even Clemens and Knoblauch.

In my mind, tonight's World Series Wrapup has been swallowed, hook, line, and sinker, by Tremont Winter Ale (A superb dark ale with no spices or additives, a mandatory recomendation), and a Gold Glove black and tan, Ipswich Ale and Murphy's Irish Stout. Perhaps the Braves consumed too many before game-time...