HATS OFF TO THE DIAMONDBACKS
The 2001 World Series is over and done, put a fork in it, finished. History.
The Arizona Diamondbacks won in a thrilling seven game series. In grand style, they did it in the bottom of the ninth, right out of a storybook. Adding to the drama and to their pride, they did it by getting the tying and winning runs when facing the very best relief pitcher and closer in the game, The Yankeesí stopper, Mariano Rivera. Mr. Lights Out, but not this time.
This series was emotional, suspenseful, nail-biting, gripping and harrowing. The best series since 1991, when the Minnesota Twins (with regular feller, non-poster boy heroes such as Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek) beat the Atlanta Braves in seven games.
The events of September 11th added an everpresent overtone, with New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in attendance at games three through seven. He was on Fox TV (the one and only single good thing there is to report about Foxís coverage is that they included Rudy for some air time). The anthem before the game was telecast and treated more respectfully than anytime since WWII, and the Seventh Inning Stretch became an opportunity for the crowd and the host stadium to once again sound a patriotic theme.
At the National Pastime, there prevailed a sense of national pride.
For many, many reasons, this was a great series. No questionable or dirty plays, very few bad calls by the umpires, and both teams lacked Prima Donna players. Marquis names, yes, but obnoxious, self-involved scene-stealers, no.
Close games (except for that one total blow-out), incredible pitching on both sides, some tremendous fielding plays ñ all the ingredients for a memorable, great-highlight-tape after the fact World Series.
So hats off to The Diamondbacks, they are the Champs. They won at the expense of my beloved and extremely worthy and wonderful New York Yankees. This was truly a case of the two best teams, going for the prize. In recent years there have been credible arguments for the ALCS or ALDS being the more challenging series, the one with better baseball for the fan. This year, though, the match up was the best versus the best. The final series pitting the top teams from either league, and the Diamondbacks came out with the final victory.
For me, it really is a HATS OFF salute. Well, for a month, anyway. Read on, I will explain.
Susan and I have certain rituals, borderline superstition, having to do with how we take in the games. When we go to the Stadium (the house that Ruth built) we nearly always bring hero sandwiches from Mr. Kold Kuts. These heroes are made by the incredibly talented and witty group of counter guys (and a gal or two) who know our order goes with us to the great ball yard in the Bronx.
When we stay home to watch a game on the weekend, or a special game (like the ALDS, ALCS, or a World Series game) usually we order food in from Mama LoRussoís, the finest Pizza and Italian take-out food place in the area. John, Jr., the master Pie Man at the place, is an ardent Mets fan. He always kids with us good naturedly about the Yankees, and lets us know how much he hates Steinbrenner, and all the overpaid players (that includes a good many of his beloved Mets). ìThey buy those pennants!î he always reminds me, and I remind him that Bernie, Petitte, Jeter, Soriano, Mendoza, Rivera, Posada, and Spencer came through the Yankee farm system.
Since the end of the season John, Jr. has been predicting the demise of the Yankees. When Oakland was ahead 2-0, he predicted ìAís in 4.î Of course, every time we went there and picked up eats before the game, he predicted a loss, AND THEY WON EACH TIME!
ìDonít come in here wearing that Yankee hat!î is his oft-repeated cry to me.
Come this weekend, when theyíd come back from 0-2 to take a 3-2 lead in the series, he swore to me that it was as good as over, this was it. We made a friendly wager on the outcome.
Since I can nearly always be found wearing my Yankee Cap, he and I agreed to the following: if the Yanks WIN THE SERIES, heíd wear a Yankee cap (or some suitable Yankee garb, like a t-shirt) for a month. If the Yankee LOSE THE SERIES, I would not wear any Yankee clothing at all for a month. Not my Yankee socks, Yankee t-shirts, my Yankee gym shorts, my Yankee warm-up jacket, my Yankee sweatshirts, my Yankee wristband ñ none of it, at all.
Susan thought this was a one-sided deal, that the outcome was not of equal impact. She felt I should be forced to wear a Met cap (aargh!) if I lose the wager.
So, since the Yankees were not victorious, my hat is off. Ands not just to the Diamondbacks, but to John from Mama LaRussoís, and to the counter guys at Mr. Kold Kuts, nearly all of whom (except equally fanatical Yankee fan Steve who helped invent my unique ìDeanís Yankee Sandwichî concoction) are either Met fans, or fans of the Cincinnati Reds.
I may have to go get a Met cap, to properly eat crow. Before, of course, having a slice of LoRusso pizza with anchovies and mushrooms.
But to the Diamondbacks and all others I say this: WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR!