Perspectives: World Series Time!

By Paul Semendinger

October 25, 2024

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First things first, I am very proud of the Yankees for reaching the World Series.  For much of the last fifteen years, they have been a huge disappointment. They have failed to fulfill their promise.  They played poorly in big spots.  They had some mediocre seasons.  They didn't bring in terrific franchise changing players.  They played an uninspired brand of baseball.  They were fundamentally weak.  On and on.  But all of that is in the past now.  This year they climbed the hurdle.  They have made it to the big series.  The Yankees are back. 

In a very real sense, the Yankees have now reset the narrative.  It is now time to move forward.  The Yankees now deserve to be judged on what happens from here, not what took place years ago. The Yankees are a World Series team. They did it.

This is very exciting. I hope the end result is a World Championship.

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It's great that the best team in the American League is playing the best team in the National League in the World Series. This is what is supposed to happen. I'm glad it did.

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Remember the narrative that the bye hurts teams. I never buy most of these narratives that so many put out as absolutel truths. The bye didn't stand in the way of the best teams reaching the World Series in 2024.

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Ohtani vs Judge is going to be a big story. Baseball over-hypes some stories which, to me, takes away from the fun. Ohtani vs Judge should be fun to watch. I just hope the TV coverage doesn't overdo it. If they let the games simply play out, it'll be a much better watching experience.

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The Yankees must, simply must, re-sign Juan Soto.  The Yankees would not be in the 2024 World Series without him.  The kid, simply, is a winner.  And, since he will only be 26-years-old next season, his best years should be coming. 

I have decided that if the Yankees do their part and bring back Soto, I'll do my part and buy a (small) Season Ticket package.  I used to own a small package, but gave it up when my sons went to college and Hal Steinbrenner started talking about controlling costs.  Once he started looking at where he was spending, I decided to as well. 

But, again, with the World Series appearance, and if they sign Juan Soto, I'm ready and willing to spend my cash on some Yankees tickets.

I believe the Yankees will, absolutely sign Soto, by the way.

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So many say, "Soto only cares about the money." That's another narrative that I don't buy. Like Mr. Steinbrenner doesn't care about the money. Or Mr. Cashman. Or Mr. Judge. Or most people (if not all) reading this site. People make that statement as if it's an absolute fact when they have no clue what Soto is thinking. They also say it as a way to insult some players. "How dare he ask for so much money," they say.

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It looked, for a long time, that the Yankees' window was closing, but with Juan Soto, the window seems open again.  The Yankees should have good young talent all over the place in 2025 to go with the superstars.  This could get very exciting very fast. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but a young core of Soto, Volpe, Wells, Dominguez, Gil, and maybe Rice, Durbin or Peraza, to go with the veterans... that could make for a very exciting team for a long time.

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To all those who say "Soto is all about the money. How much does he need?" Is that also true of D.J. LeMahieu? Didn't LeMahieu hold out for a long time until he got the number he wanted? He hasn't been great for a few years. Will he retire after the World Series and walk away from the money he's owed? I doubt it. (And he shouldn't.) The greedy narrative is only used on some players some of the time when for the vast majority of players, and people in every walk of life, they strive to earn the most they possibly can. The ownders, general managers, managers, coaches, and all do the exact same thing.

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The Yankees are not to blame for World Series ticket prices being so high.  This is simply a case of supply and demand.  I wish the prices were more affordable for fans, but they aren't.  It's not the Yankees, though, who have marked the tickets up over one thousand dollars.  That is the demand.  It is what it is.  

I'll watch from home.

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I recently signed a contract to have my next Yankees book published.  I'll keep all of the specifics a secret for now, but it should come out in 2025.  I am under a tough first deadline, but I'll get it done. 

My first book on The Battle of Gettysburg should also be released in 2025.  Big things are coming!

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In other news, I was recently elected the Vice President of the Elysian Fields Chapter of SABR.  We will have some big events taking place in New Jersey coming up as ways to get baseball fans together.  (This is the Elysian Fields, Northern New Jersey Chapter of SABR.)  I'll keep everyone here up-to-date when these events are announced.  I am hoping to meet many of you at the events - they are open to all, not just SABR members. 

Some people believe that SABR is made up only of stat heads and statistic gurus.  That isn't the case.  SABR is made up of people who love baseball.  Period.  Some SABR members love stats.  Others, not so much.  

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I have no idea what will happen in the World Series. None of us do. We'll soon be in the threads joking and complaining and having fun. (It'll be much more fun if the Yankees win.) In the end, I don't think anyone should take what is essentially a bunch of fans talking about a baseball game together too seriously. We'll agree. We'll disagree. We'll joke. We'll be serious. It's all in good fun - we all want the same thing - for the Yankees to win.

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Four to seven games is the smallest of sample sizes. Anything can happen.

I like the Yankees chances a lot more if Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon pitch gems in Los Angeles. Coming back to New York up 2-0 would be a dream. 2-0 guarantees nothing. The last two times these teams played in the World Series, the losing team went up 2-0. But, 2-0 would feel great. And mcuh better than any other alternative.

I like the Yankees chances a lot more if Aaron Judge has a big series.

Imagine if Judge and Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton are all mashing. Oh how fun that would be!

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The Yankees have a former star who grew up in Compton. He lived in Los Angeles and played for the Yankees. He played with Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson. He was Thurman Munson's longest serving teammate. He was a major contributor in the 1978 World Series.

The Yankees, absolutely should, have Roy White throw out the first pitch in one of the home games. He deserves that honor - absolutely.

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Let's Go Yankees!!!