Yankees personify New York

By Bruce Martinez

Sometimes even my legendary pride and hard headedness must take a hit. This of course rarely happens, but when it does I can admit it. I don't like, under any circumstances, in any reality or subreality, in person or on the internet to admit it, but I certainly, sure as shooting fish in a barrel can.

I, like everyone else was convinced the Oakland Athletics were going to cut through the New York Yankees like a warm knife through butter. It just had to be that way. The first two games fell into place. Then the Yankees reminded us what makes them a special team. When most teams would have folded like an old dollar bill, the Yankees toughened up like a convict at Attica. They played like the champions they are and in the process redefined what a champion should be.

They did this by playing for their city, not merely within its borders. They played clean, hard, mistake-free baseball. They supported each other and never doubted themselves. They made every play when it counted. They depended on those who had brought them here, specifically Orlando Hernandez, a player who may very well be the best postseason pitcher since Jack Morris. The way they played embodied the city they play for and such a synergy between team and town is extraordinaryly rare.

All of these are laudable qualities and they should be admired. I never thought I would support them but they got my support this season. They say things are starting to get back to normal for New York and the surest sign isn't the stock market growing, the leaves turning or Dave Letterman being hilarious. The surest sign is the Yankees being a few steps away from the World Series once again.

Email Bruce or call (408) 554-4852.