I wouldn’t be a Yankee fan were it not for the Kansas City Royals.
In the summer of 1977 when I was almost eight years old, my family drove from Detroit to New York City for a vacation in the Big Apple. We saw dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History, walked in Central Park, and went to the top of the Empire State Building. All the stuff. But the highlight of the trip came on the day when my parents let me choose what to do. I was a huge baseball fan, so I asked them to take me to a baseball game.
The Yankees were playing the Royals that day. Catfish Hunter got the start, and Chris Chambliss hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to give the Yankees a 5-3 lead that turned into a win when Sparky Lyle finished things up in the ninth. I hadn’t yet forged any bonds with the Tigers, so the die was cast that afternoon. I’d be a Yankee fan for life.
This matchup with the Royals in the ALDS is bringing up all kinds of memories, and not just my own. The game-winning home run that I witnessed wasn’t the first time Chambliss had broken Kansas City hearts. Just the year before he had led off the bottom of the ninth with the game tied in the decisive fifth game of the American League Championship Series and struck one of the most memorable home runs in Yankee history, sending the Bronx into bedlam — actual bedlam — and sending the Yankees to the World Series.
That playoff loss was the first of three straight the Royals suffered at the hands of the Yankees, one of which famously left Kansas City shortstop Freddie Patek crying in the dugout.
But revenge for the Royals would eventually come when they served me the first heartbreak of my Yankee life. After dropping the first two games of the 1980 ALCS, the Yankees took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh at Yankee Stadium. Tommy John got the first two outs, but after he yielded a double to Willie Wilson, John was lifted for Rich Gossage, hopefully for a seven-out save. But Gossage give up a single to U.L. Washington and then this happened.
As if that weren’t enough, then we had the Pine Tar Game three years later. All of this contributed to what was, for a time, the greatest rivalry in baseball. You don’t think so? Ask George Brett. Still don’t think so? Watch this absolutely insane clip from Game 5 of the 1977 ALCS.
This week’s matchup with the Royals might not include all this drama, but then again it might. Buckle up, everyone, and Let’s Go, Yankees!
Let's go YANKEES!
Let's go Yankees!
Let’s go!!!!!
phew
Yikes.
All I see here are two outs.
Yankees - Royals, playoffs. The good old days.
hard hit balls. hopefully Cole settles down.
I guess I’m late to this, what is baseball doing with this Strauss thing on the helmets?
That’s not a strike, blue
Whoo-hoo! LFG!
Good star.
Back to the dead silence before a pitch to Judge. Just like 2022.
I'll never understand it.
Well. It’s not what you want.
That will haunt the Yankees this game. News at 11:00.
2nd & 3rd, no outs, and no runs. I am not in the least bit surprised
WTF? Do the Royals know what's coming?
Pay Soto, Hal.
That’s a gift.
Dumb send.
Has there been a swing and miss for Cole? I don’t think so.
There’s one.
A warning track near homer, Judge saves a gapper, arocket straight to Judge, old guy rips a single to left, other guy rips a single to right. This is shaky.
LETS GO!
Sorry, everyone. Just realized that the two video links I meant to include in the post above didn’t show up.
Really need to see something from Cole here in the third.
Much better there for Cole.
Gleyber!
gleybar day!
GLEYBER DAY!
Gleyber!
Really hope Gleyber has a nice postseason and makes Cashman’s decision difficult this winter.
Alright. The 'ol shutdown inning upcoming.
Shutdown six innings, please.
[34] That 1st inning will be helpful. If Cole can find his groove they'll be in shape.
[35] in good shape
ugh. lost him
I sweat they know what's coming.
No command for Cole tonight.
Well, nope.
I don’t think they know what’s coming, but what’s coming is coming down the middle.
I am going to just keep my fat fingers and mouth quiet due to typos and general angst. I remain dubious of all these rockets off Cole.
clay holmes is not the answer especially with heart of the order coming up...
I concede. Shite command. Rats.
Really tired of looking at Bobby Witt. I get it, already. Just show me the game.
Gleyber is such a lead foot.
And now for my bases loaded no out trick!
I gladly accept that bases loaded walk.
Such a great at bat from Wells.
Free run!
Just wanted to stop in to say
I ACCEPT THAT BB RBI!
Time for some sweet Jazz.
Oh, and also: Is Ron Darling terrible? Or is it me?
We're gonna need good Stanton to show up at some point
Wow, that is some weak sauce. Jesus. I was sure we'd get at least a run!
Well, still a chance. (I mean, besides the BB RBI.)
I would’ve bet everything that Jazz would swing at the first pitch.
Failure #1. Check.
Failiure #2. Check.
[53] It's not just you. Bring in Keith Hernandez or Cone ffs.
[53] Nope, not just you.
Wild pitch! HBP!
I accept that walk as well.
This offense is unstoppable.
This is shitshow for both sides.
Bronx Base on Ballers.
Rusty Cole growing rustier.
Nary a key it. Just like always.
Clay Holmes? Let the games begin.
Oy, Volpe
You've got to be kidding me.
A key hit. How quaint.
garbage
So stupid. Would that really have been a great play from Volpe? Not really. That’s a play he has to make, and here we are.
But yes, that’s the key. Just one bases loaded hit and we aren’t worried about this.
Also this — even without all the missed opportunities, four runs in support of Cole? I’d have taken that in a heartbeat.
Volpe made the hardest play which was gloving the ball backhanded on the slide and they he blew the throw which should have been less of a play. ugh.
Soto is coming through. Pay pat that man!
Big hit, anyone?
Wells!!!
FINALLY!!!!!!
Sigh.
Herman Munster running to 1st.
Oh good, at least tied up. Terrorists tucked in for the night.
This umpire has not been good. I don’t think either team has benefited more than the other, but he’s missed a lot of pitches.
Holmes restores order, just like he always does.
“Might’ve been the first pitch that ____’s missed.” Ron Darling is such an idiot.
Terrible strike out.
What are they even doing?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player end his slide before getting to second.
Suck it Bob and Ron, not good enough evidence to overturn. Too much dirt flying
Sloppy game
I have to admit I feel pretty good for Verdugo.
All that Jazz!
Wait — are they pinch running for Verdugo, or did he just come to the dugout to get some love during the pitching change????
That's what I'm talkin' bout!
Wouldn’t it be great if they could hold them here and actually bat wirh a lead?
I like it.
So when the Yankees got out to that great start in April, would you have believed the first game of the playoffs would see Jazz Chisholm at third and Oswaldo Cabrera at first?
Well, here’s the true test for Weaver.
This is Luke’s time. Time to start a legacy.
Three more outs.
Some insurance would be nice
[82] (Not good umpiring) I noticed that too, and agree, it doesn't seem to favor either team.
Not a fucking strike!
[90] A season 83 OPS+ is pretty shitty for a COF. Worst in the league? He should be benched for The Martian!
And there's another one.
I feel like there should be a special Soto rule. On a called strike, the umpire should have to say, "I mean, unless you thought it wasn't in there."
Lame.
Fuck this umpire.
The pitches near the edge of the zone are really just random.
Some high ones called strikes, some outside corner called balls, just random.
I mean, Witt has a point. It's hard to know when to swing when the zone is fluctuating randomly.
Lol... Good call, ump.
One more.
Fricken Weaver. I love him. What a hero!
Game one!
yay yankees!
Yes! Hell yeah!
What a bullpen performance. Who would have expected it? Gerrit Cole start, we win 6-5, and the bullpen is almost flawless.