Perspectives: American League Champions!

By Paul Semendinger

October 21, 2024

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Wow. Amazing. Unbelievable. Fun. Exciting.

The Yankees have won the American League! They did it. They actually did it. I still cannot believe it. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time - we all have. And it's great.

When it comes to the Yankees, these last many years, I have definitely been pessimistic. They have broken my heart time and time and time again.

I know there are fans out there right now saying, "I knew they'd win. I knew it. I had faith in this team. I always believe in the Yankees." I am glad for them.

It wasn't a smooth ride to the World Series, but the Yankees are there. I just hope the Yankees win four more games this year. Is that too much to ask? Just a little old World Championship? Please.

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Sometimes, the best laid plans...

There is a wonderful performing arts center in Morristown, New Jersey. Weeks ago, I saw that the rock band Chicago was going to play there. I've always liked Chicago. They have a unique sound and some great songs. Along with our good friends, we got tickets. It should be a fun night. What I didn't realize when we got the tickets was that the concert coincides with Game Two of the World Series. I'm going to have to figure out a way to enjoy the concert and keep tabs on the Yankees. (For the record, not going to the concert is not an option, or even a consideration. We're going and we will have a great time. As much as I love the Yankees and this wild ride they're taking us on, there are also other great things in life: friends, family, music, and such. I can always DVR the game.)

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My father, a huge Red Sox fan, and I have always watched and enjoyed baseball differently. He loves the game. He loves all aspects of the game. If the Red Sox play a back-and-forth game and lose, he'll say after, "That was a great game." I never see it that way. I remember being a kid and walking out of Yankee Stadium after the Yankees lost a heartbreaker and my dad said, "Well, it was a great baseball game." I didn't understand that. The Yankees had lost. The way I see it, it's not a great game if the Yankees lose. I hope I don't have to have that concern until next year.

Yes, I hope the Yankees sweep the World Series. And, yes, I hope they win each game by a lopsided score. I don't want to watch great baseball games now. I've seen tens of thousands of great baseball games. What I haven't seen, in a long time, are the Yankees as World Champions. I want them to accomplish that goal in the most stress-free way possible. I don't need close games. I don't need a close series. I don't need any of that. I will be very content if the Yankees win each game 12-0. That's close enough for me. 12-0 is more than close enough. And I hope the Yankees score all 12 runs in the first inning of each game and the starting pitchers each throw no-hitters. Anything closer than all of that will be much too stressful.

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I said this before, but Aaron Boone is having an excellent post season. It does seem that he has (finally) grown into the job. One can say, "It took him long enough." And it did. I can note that he is managing better overall, and he is, but that does not, in any way, mean that he was the right man for the job when he was hired in 2017. It is quite possible, and likely, that there would be some more World Series pennants flying in the Bronx if a different, better, more experienced manager had been hired back then.

But, that's all in the past now. It took Casey Stengel a long time as a manger before he reached the World Series. Joe Torre too. And so many others. Boone has made it. He has managed a team that reached the World Series. I am very happy for him. I'll be even happier for him if he wins the World Series! If he does it once, maybe he can do it a few more times. I'd be happy to say that Aaron Boone is a Hall of Fame manager one day. I'd love to say that!

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Brian Cashman did it too. He built this team. It's not a great team, by any measure, but it is a championship team.

Again, this doesn't erase the failures from the last 15 years, but he did, finally, build a World Series team again. Good for him.

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I remember back in December the debates we had over the Juan Soto trade. I was thrilled with the trade at the time. There were some good discussions there. Many people told me I was so wrong. I think it is clear now that the trade worked out for the Yankees. Without Juan Soto, the 2024 Yankees would not be in the World Series. Would anyone want to take back that trade now?

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I still cannot believe how great Giancarlo Stanton has been in the post season. Gleyber Torres too. They have been fantastic. And it's been fun to watch.

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I am hoping for a winter filled with words like, "I am so happy the Yankees are World Champions."

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If the Yankees do win the 2024 World Series, I will take the time to savor and enjoy it. This doesn't happen enough. I will still want them to make the right moves to be great in 2025 and beyond. I want them to win, always. But, I will enjoy the moments. We've been waiting for the Yankees to be champions for far too long to let the moment escape us.

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Maybe the Yankees can do some base running drills this week. That sounds like a good idea. It would be great to see them not make any base runner blunders in the World Series.

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The Yankees are American League Champions.

Let's Go Yankees!!!