World Series, Game One

So I'm still bitter and pissy about last night, and I don't really want to go into details about the game. Phillies played great, Yankees sucked. That's all that needs to be said.

While using my mom's laptop the next 3 weeks or so, I will be able to give out picture awards again. I went with a theme of fans new to the teams this week. Enjoy.

Yankees

CC Sabathia

He pitched really well, only made two bad pitches in the end.

Derek Jeter

At least someone could hit the ball yesterday.

Yankee's Offense

What the hell was that?

Phillies

Cliff Lee

Continuing his playoff dominance with ease.

Chase Utley

2 Bombs, playoff on base record....really just tore it up all yesterday.

Ryan Howard/Jayson Werth

More than just Utley tore it up in the middle of that order yesterday.

World Series Preview

So tonight it is finally here, the 2009 World Series. I cannot wait for it to start, largely because the rest of today until then is going to suck. But mostly because it's been 6 years since I've cared about the World Series (well less, because I did care in 07 and 04), and 8 years since I've enjoyed one. I think this is the best match up possible, and it should be a good one.

Once again I don't want to over-think this one nor make a prediction, so I'll just do a quick match up of all the positions

Catcher: Jorge Posada over Carlos Ruiz
First Base: Mark Teixeira is even with Ryan Howard
Second Base: Chase Utley over Robinson Cano
Third Base: Alex Rodriguez over Pedro Feliz
Short Stop: Derek Jeter over Jimmy Rollins
Left Field: Johnny Damon is even with Raul Ibanez
Center Field: Shane Victorino over Melky Cabrera
Right Field: Jayson Werth over Nick Swisher
Starting Pitching: Even
Bullpen: I honestly don't know, so let's just go with even
Closer: Mariano Rivera over Brad Lidge

Yankees also have Matsui who is a better hitter than who the Phillies can throw out as DH, but that only applies in the AL games.

Overall, this series is going to be a good one

2009 New York Yankees: American League Champs

The Yankee's won their 40th pennant last night, and did it in grand fashion. Pettitte pitched great. Rivera got 6 outs to close things out. The bats came up big, they capitalized on the Angel's errors. Really everything went right. The World Series is in my mind the best match up possible, and I cannot wait for it. I'll have a preview of that either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Some Quick awards of the series
The Hero: Alex Rodriguez. I know CC was the MVP (which I agree with 100%), but A-Rod continued his post season offensive explosion into the ALCS and really got people off his back
The Goat: Chone Figgins. C-Figgy didn't hit, he had problems in the field....really didn't do much of anything until he scored in the 8th.
Turning Point of the Series: A-Rod's homer off of Fuentes set the pace that the Yankees were not going to go down quietly, and that it takes 27 outs to win a game.

Quick Reggies from game 6 (still no laptop, so no images)

Yankees

Andy Pettitte: 4 Reggies
Amazing game, shows why he has more post season wins than anyone in history

Joe Girardi: 4 Reggies
Despite questionable moves in the previous games, he made the right moves here (although Rivera for 2 innings wasn't exactly necessary). He went to Joba at the right time, he played good small ball, and really stepped it up last night

Mariano Rivera: 3 Reggies
Hard to ask for 6 outs, but he did it only allowing the 2 base runners (one would score).

Angels:

Vlad Guerrero: 4 Reggies
He did his best, picked up Hunter's slack, and really did well yesterday

Joe Saunders: 1 Reggie
Not what they needed from him. Flat out didn't get the job done he was supposed to

Angel's Defense: No Reggies
Flat out the reason they didn't win the series.

ALCS Game 5 and Gaslight Anthem

So two big events last night, I guess I'll start with the Yankees so I can end on a happy note when talking about Gaslight.

I did not watch the game as I was at the concert in DC. I want to thank Romo, Vida, Andrew, Rob, my mom, and the 3 people around me at the show for all the updates. Even though the game did not go so well, it was nice to know at least.

Since I didn't watch it, I can only weigh in so much. Marte sucks and I hate him and it was a horrible signing, I've been saying this since they resigned him because he sucked last year. Hughes is better than that. Rivera is once again amazing. As for the offense, despite a big comeback it was horrible. Yes they scored 6 runs, but all in one inning. If they want to beat Saunders tomorrow they need to pile on the runs right away and give Pettitte the support. I'm not convinced this series is near over yet.

Now to recap the Gaslight show. It was at the 9:30 club in DC, which is a really nice venue. The first opening band, The Measure (or something like that) was a not too great pop-punk band from Jersey, they were whatever. Then The Loved Ones came on, and put on a great show. Murder By Death was a really cool cow-punk band from Indiana and was really good. Then....Gaslight Anthem.

They were much better than when I saw them last may, or at least their set list was better. In no order they played:

• Wherefore Arth Thou, Elvis?
• Say I won't (Recognize)-Last song of the night
• Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
• Wooderson
• We Came To Dance
• 1930-First Encore Song
  
• Navesink Banks
• Angry Johnny and the Radio
• Drive
• Great Expectations
• The 59' Sound
• Old White Lincoln
• High Lonesome-Opener
• Film Noir
• Miles Davis & the Cool
• Patient Ferris Wheel
• Casanova, Baby!
• Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
• Here's Looking at You, Kid
• Backseats-First ending song
• Trusty Chords-Hot Water Music cover

I loved this set list specifically for Drive, Trusty Chords, and Patient Ferris Wheel, all songs I had never heard live before. Hooray Gaslight!

ALCS Game 4

Real quick thoughts on last night's game from Vida's computer. It was a great game and nice to see a flat out one-sided win for the Yankees. All the others have been very close and a lot more nerve wrecking.

Great offense, solid D, and pitching couldn't have been better. The umps sucked, but that's baseball. Two things I will say about that is that I DON'T think replays should be in baseball because blown calls lead to arguments for years to come, and you love doing that and you know it. Secondly, I don't think Angels Stadium should be showing replays in slow motion. While the fans there do have to right to know if the call was blown, they umps should not be shown right after the play that they were wrong. That can alter their rulings which is worse than accidental blown calls.

Quick Reggies

Yankees

A-Rod: 4 Reggies
Another amazing performance

Melky: 4 Reggies
Huge hits considering how cold he was at the plate

Sabathia: 4 Reggies
Couldn't ask for a better outing, especially on 3 days rest

Umpires: 1/2 Reggies
Swisher did not leave early

Angels

Kazmir: 2 Reggies
Not why they traded for him

Angels Bullpen: 1 Reggie
Couldn't stop the bleeding

Torii Hunter: 1/2 Reggies
Where's the offense???

Umpires: No Reggies
Swisher was out, Cano and Posada were out.