NEW YORK – It’s been said that the wins do not hurt as much as the losses do.
Maybe that is the case.
For the last eight years, there has only been that feeling of a loser, not winning the ultimate prize and being forced to start all over again.
But when Shane Victorino’s ground ball found its way into Robinson Cano’s glove, who threw on to first and the ball landed in Mark Teixeira’s glove and the final out was recorded, no longer were the Yankees losers.
They were world champions again.
It had taken 3,294 days, eight seasons and all of the money spent, the New York Yankees finally returned to the pinnacle of the baseball world, finally winning those 11 playoff games that had eluded them.
For others, hearing that eight years is a long time derives looks on anger from fans of other teams who haven’t won in longer spans. The Mets haven’t won in 23 years. The baseball Giants haven’t won in 55 years. The Indians haven’t won in 61 years. Of course, the Chicago Cubs and their 101 years of futility dwarf them all.
However, this is not about those teams. This is about the Yankees and what they play for. Each season brings a mandate of “win or else”. Once you are playing by those rules, nothing else short of winning the championship is acceptable barring unforeseen circumstances.
The Yankees play at the equivalent of the high stakes poker table. Winning is the only objective and failure is not an option. If you lose, you don’t get to walk away from it saying that you gave it the old college try. Instead, the question becomes why did you not get it done?
The Mets, Giants, Indians and Cubs do not play at the same table. For them, simply making the playoffs and winning a few games is acceptable to significant portion of their fan base. Just making the World Series, even if it doesn’t result in eventual victory is regarded as an unmitigated success.
Not for the Yankees.
When you lose at the big table and lose repeatedly at those prices, the years begin to add up. Eight years without winning isn’t the same as another franchise. That eight is another teams 80.
They were given a pass in 2001 because of the incredible drama that they created in that World Series against Arizona. Those game-tying homeruns in Game 4 and Game 5 to put them within a victory of winning for the fourth straight year. Then, to have a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 with the greatest postseason pitcher of generation to close it, you couldn’t ask for anything more.
Losing in 2003 to the Marlins after coming back in Game 7 to defeat the Red Sox was crushing. They had a 2-1 series lead and got a two-run triple in the ninth inning of Game 4 to tie the game and you thought championship 27 was coming. Instead, an injury to David Wells and seeing Josh Beckett shutting down the Yankees in Game 6 ended hopes.
Then there was 2004.
First round losses followed in each of the next three years, and the old magic was being ripped away. No longer was there a belief that they would win. Instead, you expected something to go wrong. Since going up 3-0 on the Red Sox, the Yankees had won an inconceivable four of 17 playoff games.
This was why when the postseason started this year, there was plenty of trepidation. No longer did it matter that they were the best team in baseball during the regular season, winning 103 games. It didn’t matter that this was the best Yankees team we had seen since the 1998 club that won 125 games.
There was still a feeling of the “unknown”.
When they lost their first playoff game to the Angels in Game 3, the angst rose that they would blow that series despite having a 2-0 lead. In Game 5 when the Yankees came back from 4-0 down in the seventh inning to take the lead only to give it back and eventually lose, it brought memories back to 2004. You just didn’t think they would lose to a team they were clearly superior to.
In the World Series, when they lost Game 5 to the Phillies, the thoughts lingered that with the way manager Joe Girardi has aligned his pitching rotation and starting them all on three days rest. Thus allowing the potent Philadelphia bats to tee off on Andy Pettitte in Game 6 and force an “anything goes” Game 7 with a chance to steal the championship.
Many people believed in this team, but they weren’t true believers, still waiting for the rug to be pulled out.
What many failed to see was the strength and resolve that the team had. This team was an incredibly tough team that never allowed losses to linger.
One loss was never carried to the next day. Each game they would say that and no one wanted to believe them. Most of them were asked about the past and none of them cared about those days because players such as Nick Swisher, AJ Burnett, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia were not there.
They were looking to write their own story, paint their own picture.
Hideki Matsui’s homerun in the first, two-run single in the third and two-run double in the fifth began the countdown of outs. For years, all one would complain about is how the Yankees could never get the big hit in the playoffs over the last eight years to either win games or break them open.
It was happening.
It had been happening all postseason. From Alex Rodriguez’s home run barrage to tie and give the Yankees leads in games, to getting clutch outs from the pitching staff. They were making the right play at the right time to win these games.
The Yankees had been playing like this ever since Rodriguez returned to the lineup in May going 90-44. Perhaps most were not realizing it until now. This was a special team to remember for all of us. As the outs continued to dwindle, the 27th championship was all but inevitable.
Rivera stood on the mound with the ball in his hands needing to get three final outs. The Phillies had not hit him the entire postseason. Neither did anyone else and it wasn’t about to begin now. Where all other closers had failed (look it up, the ALL did), there was one man shining above the rest.
When that final out was recorded and the Yankee team stormed out of the dugout, you could see the reactions of numerous players.
Jorge Posada raising his arms to the sky.
Derek Jeter with this traditional pump fist before running toward to ensuing mob.
Alex Rodriguez, now finally a champion, screaming “Yes” to the sky.
Rivera, with a large smile on his face, greeting the rest of his teammates and joining in the largest team hug you will see.
All of them champions once more, or for some, champions for the first time. It was as if they were kids again. You didn’t think about the money spent or the high payroll. Those arguments are for another day.
As they gathered and eventual went to the outfield for a victory lap to celebrate with the fans that had come to see one, you forget about how long it had been since this had happened.
At that moment, all of the games, the travel, the staying up late, the long games, ticket prices, day-to-day drama, past failures and the long wait and everything else associated with being a part of the Yankees all came to a head.
It was all worth it.
It was something to appreciate more because it was then where you realize how difficult winning actually is.
The Yankees found out the hard way. Now, they back on top of the baseball’s Everest.
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