It’s good to be back.
After spending last October without a purpose—forced to look on as Philadelphia celebrated and the Tampa Bay Rays, of all teams, had their shot at glory—my team is back in the baseball playoffs, finally, and I’m enjoying the greatest experience a fan can have: the dominant playoff run.
Of course, “finally” may not be the most appropriate word. I must confess—my team is the Yankees.
Now, before fans of the Cubs and the Indians and every other long suffering franchise yell out in anger, I do realize my good fortune. A one year absence from the postseason doesn’t count as hardship, especially after experiencing thirteen consecutive playoff trips.
I won’t even waste your time trying to argue that it’s not easy being a Yankees fan. In fact, it is very, very easy, even if some of us don’t recognize that a first-round playoff exit does not constitute a fireable offense.
But I’ll take whatever grief I get rooting for the Evil Empire, because right now, I couldn’t be happier. The Yankees, after nearly a decade of playoff futility, have suddenly discovered how to play in October, sweeping the Twins 3-0 in the first round and taking a 3-1 lead over the Angels in such dominating fashion that a World Series berth seems inevitable. (Fellow Yankees fans: I sincerely apologize for jinxing this.)
After nine years and billions of dollars spent on the likes of Carl Pavano and Kei Igawa, all the pieces seem to have fallen into place. CC Sabathia (playoff ERA: 1.19) has somehow justified his $161 million contract, Mariano Rivera is pitching like it’s 1999, and Alex Rodriguez—that’s A-Rod, the October whipping boy in New York tabloids for the better part of five years—is hitting unbelievably well, with five home runs, eleven RBIs, and a .407 batting average through seven games.
And I’ve just been along for the ride, loving every minute of it.
Enough has been said about this year’s edition of the Bronx Bombers—the early season struggles, new stadium, come-from-behind victories, running away with the division—that most baseball fans have a fairly good idea of what I’ve experienced throughout the regular season. But only a lucky few have the privilege of knowing what these playoffs feel like.
There are few experiences as a fan that compare to your team going through the playoffs with your full confidence. Perhaps an epic, underdog triumph, like the—ugh—2004 Red Sox might trump it, but I think my October has been considerably less nerve-racking.
I’m not saying these Yankees are infallible (and truly, I am getting more and more worried about messing this up with every word I type). The bullpen bridge of Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes has been a little shaky, Mark Teixeira seems to be channeling 2006 A-Rod, and three extra inning games have been about three too many. But for some reason, I always feel that when the dust settles, A.J. Burnett will be running out with a shaving cream pie for his triumphant teammate.
Maybe part of the reason I’ve been so at peace this postseason is that, after last season, my expectations are lower. After sitting out last October, I can finally feel just happy to be here.
Perhaps that’s also the reason the Yankees are playing so well. Not that expectations are ever lowered in New York, but after heading home early last season, the players know fans won’t literally form an angry mob if they lose. The Yankees have shown a little humbling can do a world of good for a team—at least I hope so, with Georgetown basketball returning to the court in a few weeks.
Obviously I’d love it if I had this same feeling with the Hoyas come next March, but I’m satisfied for now with this Yankees team. It’s rare to follow a team you feel this good about, where everything is clicking and wins feel almost like destiny.
Then again, I’m seriously considering closing out this Word document out of fear of a jinx, so let’s not start planning the parade route yet. After all, if anyone knows about epic playoff collapses, it’s us Yankees fans.
