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.
Evening gents!
I woke up Sunday thinking that game 2 was happening at some point that day. Now I see game 3 is Wednesday. Wtf?! Dumb.
So as to not interfere with the NFL, plus travel day off.
Good thing neither Florida team is playing.
[118] It's more ... there are at least 2 games per day for 5 straight days.
I know ... I was told there would be no maths as well ...
[118] Makes sense I suppose. I'd rather watch a double AA game than an NFL game, though.
[119] 2 games per day for 5 straight days is at least fun.
Let's Go Yankees!!!
So ...
Sat: 4
Sunday: 2
Monday: 2
Tuesday: 2
Wednesday: 4
That's what this staggering guarantees
Nicely done, Rodon!
JFC Judge!
The FUCK are you doing up there???????
Judge looks really off.
Ahhhhh ... that's the Yankees in a nutshell ... walk, walk, K, K, Stanton hits a dribbler that ANYONE else could have beaten out.
Who couldn’t have predicted that.
Jeez, we got bad balls and strikes umps.
Here come the Royals showing how to get a key hit.
exhale....
Ok, that’s better Aaron
What, RISP hit?
yay! nice one!
Shutdown inning!
Nope.
Bugger x3
It's really nice watching a team cash in with risp.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, walking the terrorists is not supposed to result in that.
Eat shit, darling.
Poop ... stick = poop on a stick
The Yankees have zero juice. Just terrible.
nice throw and catch
Rejoice! Caught stealing!
[143] yup, just flat.
Up early, I’m out
more of that please...
a chance!
RIP, Luis Tiant
let's go yankees! let's go!
I would appreciate a win tonight, fellas!
Aaaaargh
darn
argh
Damn, nice hit Judge, just right atom
ARRRGH ARRRRRGH
Bob Costas is as bad as John Sterling on deep fly balls.
ok good first for Schmidt
[158] I have noticed that THIS series ...
Meh
I feel like runs will be required this evening
gotta wake the offense up...
Sigh ... if you're going to steal?
Steal
Hmm, hit the line?
fair ball but its close
Boo!
Yeah, that clipped the foul side of the line, but it hit the line
If he'd only called that fair Cabrera scores to boot. Oh well.
nice dp!
Man, that double that should’ve been might’ve woken this team up.
Fucking #NARRATIVE ... sigh
[160] And again.
FRANK!!!
Yay, a run!
Did TBS hire children to work the cameras?
Stanton!
[176] no kidding. That was horrible camera work.
Well ... 1 is ... a beginning!
Schmidt off to a great start!
Feels like a pretty important inning here.
Darling telling us that Verdugo has been one of the Yankees’ better hitters. Okay, Ron.
Man.
Mutts win, on to NLCS.
I feel like Judge is getting close...
blah
Poop stick!
Crap
Sucks for Schmidt. He was really good.
[185] If the very large man who is very good at baseball would like to return to being very good at baseball ... I would appreciate it.
Also, I’ve got no problem with Soto’s decision there, and it caused me to realize something about him. Remember when we were told that Soto was an indifferent outfielder? I don’t remember thinking that at any point this year.
Patrick Mahomes out there looking like a little punk. Just cheer for your team.
No one makes me more nervous than Holmes
Clay Holmes may be just the thing Bobby Witt needs.
Well Holmes didn't blow it. Now we just need more runs!
how does that happen lol
Frank steals 2nd ... LOL
Sigh
we are good at LOB.
CHIZZ JAZZ WITH THE ARM CANNON!
[191] me neither. The runner was going to score no matter what. Soto needed a catch.
Soto walks ... yay!
Time for big man to be big.
Is this the time?
Sigh, nope
horrible call
Uh ... No, Peg
I'be been watching the game and eating dinner with some old friends. Same old same old Yankees offense. sigh.
FRANK SMASH!!!!
woo Stanton!
Doesn’t the broadcast graphic make it look as if there’s always a runner on 2d?
Is the typical Stanton hot streak long enough to cover the typical Judge slump?
The much maligned regular season Stanton likes the post season.
Blargh ... Verdugout up
Verdugo is so bad.
I’m going to get an ulcer, aren’t I?
An actual hit with a risp remains too tall a task.
That 3-1 pitch was ball 4.
Stanton just a triple shy of the cycle.
Thanks for the bullshit strike call Blue
Who needs key hits? They are overrated.
we've had some favorable ball-strike calls, but at least a half dozen really bad ones go against us.
yay! good win.
Too goddamn tense for me. They still look like shite! The offense at least. Cheers, y'all.
Phew.
Maybe get some umps who didn’t go to the Helen Keller school of umpiring?
(Sorry)
TO TOMORROW ... AND BEYOND!!!
Cole has got this.
Ugh, 8 pm start. I’ve got to drive the parents to PT in the morning.
Alright ... let's finish this tonight
Let’s go Yankees! We can do this!
Gleybar!
Atta boy, GLEYBER!
Nice!
Judge
Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh
Need good judge.
Good job Cole!
I did NOT have Frank ALDS hero on my 2024 Bingo Card
The jazz hate is hilarious.
I know he had a hit in game one but these dribblers to first are awful.
More good work from Cole!
I like it better when we work counts more.
Three solid innings from Cole! Keep it up!
His pitch count is absurdly low.
That is Wakas I mean
Yay Cole! That’s four down.
Evening all, not sure how long I’ll last.
Gleyber!
[245] hiya!
Rejoice!
Gleyber is da man tonight
Gleyber!!!
I guess pitch count didn’t matter if they are pulling him already
Damn.
Well, that was not what we needed from Soto. But the Royals already going to Erceg is a good sign - and the other ALDS goes to 5 is, too. Hi everyone!
[253] Hiya
Phew
[254] Hey rbj! Figured tonight was a good night to check in.
Ok! That’s five down!
FINALLY!
Yay good Judge!
That’ll do, Aaron. No plate him
[257] Indeed! Just had to relax a bit (and I sadly suspect being on the road actually helped him do so).
Do y'all think this Judge guy is a true Yankee?
(Kidding - let's go Yank-ees. And in enjoying the last round of Sterling)
FRANK SMASH!
A wild pitch is acceptable
This Stanton kid is pretty good.
Yay Stanton!
Woo!
Stanton!
Wouldn’t it be nice to see a home run from Jazz here?
[268] Yes, yes it would. Lucky, even, one might say. ;)
[269] hehe
With Stanton and Jazz on base, you really have to watch for the double steal.
Man. That would’ve been nice.
Darn I thought that was a hit
Really good swings up and down the lineup.
So, is the Trop ever going to hold a major league game again?
Oh crap, what’s this?
KC (and their fans) seem to be going out of their way to find things to take offense at. Kinda tiring.
Holmes? In a particularly important situation?
Damn it
Ok phew
Second chance, phew
Phew.
Nine outs.
Not a strike.
Gift strike there.
Second look at robot umps
And ... EXHALE
Wow phew
Seven. Strong.
Phewity phew phew!
My MLB app told me the seventh inning was over a couple seconds before that fly ball. It was really nice not to worry about a ball caught at the fence.
Six out game. Cole wasn’t lights out but he was all business.
[292] A game like this is why he got the big bucks. Man knows what to do and how to do it.
Missed chance for insurance runs.
Well at least he’s not the son of Doc Ellis.
Holmes just makes me nervous no matter what stats they throw at me.
What was that call?
3 outs to go...
That’s a ball?
Eight down!
Ok, Clay as a setup guy.
Homina homina homina time.
One…
One
One more!
Two…
Woo hoo! On to the ALCS!!
Three!
Two
Yay! ALCS Bound!
Aw jeez, Verizon Fios streaming is delayed.
Three,
Job done. The pitching has been great, which is a huge necessity for the LCS.
Judge waking up a bit.
Huzzah!
So it’s Cleveland. If the Mutts beat the Dodgers, Yankees get HFA.