RIP Doc Halladay

Like so many of you, I was shocked and saddened Tuesday by the sudden death of former Major Leaguer Roy Halladay.  Flashbacks to Thurman Munson and Corey Lidle came to mind when I heard that Halladay was killed while flying his Icon A5 amphibious light aircraft. He was just 40-years old.

Halladay loved flying his plane but something went terribly wrong on Tuesday when he crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. It wasn't immediately clear if any passengers were on board but no other bodies were found.

Halladay was the fiercest of fierce competitors. After a slow start with the Toronto Blue Jays, Halladay began to dominate American League hitters. And, he did it by putting batters away quickly. It's the reason he was able to pitch deep into games on so many occasions (he led baseball in complete games seven times). As Sports Illustrated writer/MLB Network commentator Tom Verducci pointed out, when Halladay put a hitter in an 0-2 hole, he didn't waste a pitch. He aggressively went after the hitter.

He was the type of pitcher that made you say "oh crap" (out loud) when you realized he would be facing your team that night. In 2002, his career began to take off when he led the AL in innings pitched and wins.

The Colorado native had precise control and led the AL and NL a combined five times in strikeout-to-walk ratio. In his 16 years in the bigs, he surrendered less than one home run per nine innings pitched. He was that good.

When the Blue Jays decided it was time to rebuild, Halladay accepted a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2010 season. He merely went out, won 21 games that year, led the NL in complete games and shutouts, and took home his second career Cy Young Award.

The 2010 season was highlighted by a perfect game on May 10 against the Miami Marlins. Then, in his first career postseason appearance, he no-hit the Cincinnati Reds in the Division Series. In doing so, he joined the Yankees' Don Larsen as the only pitchers to throw a no-hitter in the postseason.

A year later, Halladay won 19 games and pitched 233.2 innings. But, then his prized right arm started to get cranky. He pitched for two more years in Philly but made just 13 starts in 2013. He then retired to spend time with his family, flying, and coaching youth baseball.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Brandy and their sons Ryan and Braden.

RIP Doc.

Yankees Introduce McCann to the Media

The Yankees introduced free agent acquisition Brian McCann to the media at 2:00 EST Thursday afternoon in what turned out to be a very quick press conference. After PR head Jason Zillo added McCann's name to the long line of Yankees' catching legends - Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Thurman Munson, Jorge Posada - Brian Cashman welcomed McCann's wife Ashley with fresh flowers and two pairs of "onesies" for their children, 16-month old son Colt and 2-month old daughter Colbie.

Manager Joe Girardi then presented McCann with his #34 pinstripes jersey and Yankees cap and turned the mic over to him. The former Atlanta Brave thanked the Steinbrenner family and expressed his excitement for the chance to play for the Yankees.

He then took questions from the floor, including one that dealt with McCann's reactions to Carlos Gomez and Jose Fernandez that nearly caused bench clearing brawls between the Braves and Brewers, and the Braves and Marlins.

A clean shaven McCann downplayed both incidents, complimented both players on their ability, and said his instincts took over with Gomez who was yelling the entire way around the bases after hitting a home run.

McCann looks forward to "pick the brains of the pitchers" to get an idea of how they approach the game and each at-bat. The catcher also said he spoke with former teammate Mark Teixeira to get an idea of what it would be like to play in New York City. He's just four months away from finding out.

Updated 3:45 PM - Here is the video of the press conference.
 

One Final Gift From Thurman

Birthdays can be good, bad, or a little of both. It often depends on your age, if the important people in your life remember, and sometimes it's about the gifts, particular if you're a kid.

For my 17th birthday I got a great gift courtesy of the New York Yankees. It was 1978 and the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers met in the Fall Classic for the second straight year. The Yankees had a year of comebacks; down 14 games to Boston in July, they charged to the end and finished in a tie with the Red Sox for first place in the AL East.

The Yankees won the one game playoff in Fenway Park and Bucky Dent earned a new "Bleepin'" nickname. After they dispatched the KC Royals with relative ease in the ALCS, the Yankees dropped the first two games of the World Series to the Dodgers. However, the Yankees captured the next three games and flew to Los Angeles to finish off the series.

They were many memorable moments from what turned out to be the final game of the series . The Yankees pounded LA starter Don Sutton, knocking him out of the game after he allowed five runs in five-plus innings.

Dodgers' rookie reliever Bob Welch had struck out Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, with two on and two out in the top of the 9th to preserve a 4-3 LA win in Game 2, but their meeting in Game 6 was quite different. Jackson hit a tape measure home run to right field that gave him a combined total of four home runs in the two Game 6's played in 1977-1978. (Reggie also homered in Game 1 of the '78 series.)

Catfish Hunter completed his 1978 renaissance with seven solid innings to win his 9th and final World Series game. A "money pitcher", Hunter had helped change the atmosphere of the Yankees clubhouse when he became the first big money free agent on New Year's Eve, 1974. People like to refer to Kansas City's James Shields as "Big Game James", but James "Catfish" Hunter truly lived up to the name.

Inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, Catfish's throwing arm started to suffer in his third year in New York from the toll of all those starts and innings thrown in his career. He made just 20 starts in '78, but went 9-2 down the stretch to help the Yankees catch Boston.

When you win back to back titles, which is even harder to do today with the multiple levels of playoffs, you think your team is going to keep winning. Yankees fans felt that way during that 1996-2001 stretch. (Yes, I am including the year they lost.) 

The Yankees had won three straight American League pennants from 1976-1978, so why would that change? But oh how it did indeed change. The winning would stop in a few short years, but worse, the Yankees would lose their beloved captain, Thurman Munson. When Goose Gossage got Ron Cey to pop up behind home plate with two outs in the 9th, who could predict that it was going to be the last time we would see Thurman Munson in post-season play.

The captain grabbed the foul pop and raced to embrace Gossage and the rest of his teammates. It was a joyful celebration for the ages. Too bad it would be Thurman's last, but oh what a great birthday gift it was.

Game 6 in its entirety:

 

Now Batting, Number 2, Derek Jeter...On Broadway

"Hey Mo, lets put on a show!"

The New York Yankees have been part of the Broadway scene before as the villainous, never lose team in "Damn Yankees". For those that don't know, it's the tale of Joe Hardy, a big fan of the Washington Senators that makes a deal with the devil. The show was a huge success and a movie version followed.

Now the Great White Way has a mix of old and modern day Yankees in the play, "Bronx Bombers". The play is written by Eric Simonson, who also brought (Vince) "Lombardi" and "Magic/Bird" (Magic Johnson/Larry Bird) to the stage.

Act I revolves the infamous 1977 contest between the Yankees and Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. Yes, it is the game that Billy Martin pulled Reggie Jackson out of right field in the middle of inning. It was a national embarrassment as Martin and Jackson and their enormous egos nearly came to blows. Joining them in the stage version are actors portraying Yogti Berra and Elston Howard, who kept the two combatants apart in the dugout, and team captain Thurman Munson

The second act builds off of the first with Yogi stressed about the possibility of becoming the Yankees manager. He dreams of having dinner with his wife and Yankees Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Howard, and Derek Jeter, despite the fact the Yankees shortstop was three at the time and not a twinkle in the eye of a Yankees scout.

The play wraps up with the last game played in old Yankee Stadium. It sounds odd to say the least, and New York Times reviewer Daniel M. Gold described it as a "mawkish and sappy effort", and "...the play is no more than a schmaltzy sketch of athletes sitting around congratulating themselves."¹

I think I'll stick to watch the real drama that occurs every day with the Bronx Bombers. 


1 - NY Times, Oct. 9, 2013

Jorge Rides Off Into The Sunset

Tuesday morning, Jorge Posada said goodbye to the New York Yankees organization. A "family" that he had been a part of for 17 years in the Major Leagues and 21 years since he was drafted in the 24th round of the 1990 amateur draft out of Colegio Alejandrino (Guaynabo, PR) High School.

After initially playing 2nd base, Posada was converted to catcher, a switch that may potentially land him in the Baseball Hall of Fame. That debate will be talked about over the next five years until Posada first appears on the Hall of Fame ballot and for years beyond. But what Posada meant to the Yankees wasn't just about his own personal statistics. It was his love for the game, his drive to win, and his leadership in the Yankees clubhouse that made him special to the fans and the organization.

All those sentiments were echoed at Yankee Stadium yesterday, when Posada, his wife Laura and children Jorge Jr. and Paulina met with members of the media to officially announce his retirement. Among those in attendance were former teammates and close friends Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, along with CC Sabathia, retired teammates (John Flaherty), former coaches (Willie Randolph), his last manager (Joe Girardi), and of course, members of the Steinbrenner family and Yankee Stadium front office and other employees. Posada thanked everyone in attendance, those who meant the most during his career, and most of all his family, calling wife Laura, "His rock".

He became very emotional, switching to his native Spanish, to talk about his parents, and was choked up discussing his relationship with Jeter, Rivera, and Andy Pettitte, all of whom grew up together in the Yankees' organization. He thanked the two Major League managers who watched over him in all but one season (1995 and Buck Showalter), Joe Girardi and Joe Torre, the latter to whom he referred to as a father figure. He reiterated that he only wanted to wear the Yankees pinstripes in his career and had told his agents not to bother pursuing any deals with other teams for the 2012 season.

He told reporters how he would quote Joe DiMaggio, "I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee" each time he entered Yankee Stadium. He recalled some of his finest moments- catching David Wells' perfect game- and talked openly and honestly about the many bad nights as well. Those spent in the minors when he was making the transition to catcher and those nights in the Majors when he felt like a failure beyond the plate. But Posada swung a steady bat throughout his career and his catching improved, in large part thanks to work with Gary Tuck, as the years went by. (I'll skip talking about his poor base running.)

There were, of course, tributes to Posada, including a video montage of Yankees fans thanking Posada for his career contributions and his time in pinstripes. Diane Munson, widow of the Yankees last great catcher Thurman Munson, spoke glowingly of Posada and his family. She told those in attendance that it was "Jorge who got me back to baseball." When Thurman had died, Mrs. Munson had lost her passion for baseball, but after meeting and getting to know Posada, that passion had returned. She felt privileged to have "Loved two catchers" in her life. When the two had first met, Posada told of his admiration for Munson and showed her the quote ("Batting fourth and being in the lineup is important, but I think the stuff I do behind the plate is more important.") that he kept taped to the wall of his locker.

The Posadas have also done tremendous work with their foundation for children afflicted with Craneosinostosis and their families. Jorge Jr. has gone trough several surgeries due to the condition and if not for the work of the Jorge Posada Foundation many families might still feel alone and uninformed in their fight against the congenital disorder. One such family is Lisa Niederer and her husband, and their son Brett, who was diagnosed with Craneosinostosis when he was 2 1/2. That's about a year later than the disease should be diagnosed, Lisa pointed out. Lisa, with Brett at her side, spoke glowingly of the Posada Foundation and how it helped turn their lives around upon learning of its existence during the 2002 All-Star game. In fact, Lisa now mentors other families in her work with the foundation.

Posada's Yankee career began in the Major Leagues in 1995, as a pinch-runner no less. Posada spent the next few years being groomed to take over for Joe Girardi. Five World Series rings would be captured over his career, the last coming in 2009 when he played for Girardi, and was reunited with Andy Pettitte, who along with Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, was on all five title teams.

But 2011 was a challenge, by far the toughest season of Posada's career. (Not counting when he had to balance playing with Jorge Jr.'s surgeries.) He was told prior to Spring Training that he would not be catching at all during the upcoming season. He was to be the team's full-time DH, a role he was not accustomed to, and it showed. He struggled at the plate, lost at-bats to others and was eventually benched. For the most part he handled it professionally, especially since he knew he wasn't hitting. But on May 14, all that changed.

Posada arrived at the ballpark to find out he was not in that day's lineup despite the fact a right-hander was on the mound and Posada was getting all of his at-bats from the left side of the plate. He was unhappy and approached Girardi at 6 p.m. to ask out of the lineup. Posada's wife, Laura, took to social media to tell everyone that her husband had a stiff back. Things were then inflammed when GM Brian Cashman told the media that Posada had asked out of the lineup and no physical issue was mentioned.

Girardi publicly backed his player, telling the media that sometimes a player needs a break during stressful times. Posada, meanwhile, went along with his wife's explanation and told reporteres that his back had acted up on him. Not too many believed him. His struggles continued throughout the season, but when the Yankees needed him most, Posada came through. There was the game against the Angels in September when he was forced to go behind the plate for the first time all season. Howie Kendrick immediately tried to steal second base and was thrown out by the proud Posada. He also had several big hits down the stretch as the Yankees held off Tampa Bay to win the AL East. Posada finished off his career by batting .429 and posting a 1.150 OPS in a first round loss to the Detroit Tigers in the post-season. Posada had trouble talking to reporters after the deciding game five, and had to choke back tears. He knew his time with the Yankees and in baseball was likely over.

A new, undecided chapter now begins in Posada's life. He'll spend summers with his children for the first time. Perhaps some time in the future he'll want to coach or manage, and it would not be surprising to see him back as a Spring Training instructor down in Tampa. For now, he walks away on his own terms and no player can ask for more than that. For the rest of us, one final "Hip Hip Jorge" and may the Hall of Fame debate continue.

FullCountPitch - O Captain! My Captain!

Long before there was Derek Jeter or Don Mattingly, there was Thurman Munson. The face of the New York Yankees, their captain, and their most popular player. He was gruff and rough, dependable and tough. He led by example and through his words. And 32 years ago today he was taken from his family and his fans.

On this day, August 2, every year I don’t have to think hard to remember that horrible day or how much Munson meant to the team, to the fans, to the city.

Munson could be short and snarky with the press, but he was revered by his teammates, and loved his family. He had it tough growing up with a father who didn’t get him and was jealous of his son’s accomplishments. He and his siblings didn’t always get along either. But he met his future wife Diane and became a part of her extended family.

He became a star, a great catcher to join the Yankees legacy of stand out backtstops- Dickey, Berra, Howard. He came up and joined his good friend Bobby Murcer, Roy White, and Mel Stottelmyre as one of the few stars on a team that had fallen from the greatest heights to the bottom of the American League.

Read the rest of this free article at FullCountPitch.com

Yankees Take Round 1

My Recap from Baseball Digest Online.

Yankees Shellac Smoltz, Finally Beat Bosox

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Bobby Murcer • Boston Red Sox • David Ortiz • joba chamberlain • John Smoltz • Johnny Damon • Jorge Posada • Kevin Youkilis • Mark Teixeira • melky cabrera • Thurman Munson • Yankees 8/6 recap • Yankees vs. Red Sox

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	2		6	8	1
NY Yankees	0	0	1	8	2	1	1	0	X		13	18	0

WP - Chamberlain (8-2) LP - Smoltz (2-5)

John Smoltz was one of the premier pitches of the 1990’s and was still going strong when the 21st century began, but a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery has taken its’ toll on the 42-yr old right-hander. He was a shell of his former self last night as the Yankees finally beat the Boston Red Sox, pounding Smoltz and company to the tune of a 13-6 win.

Joba Chamberlain was nearly as ineffective as his counterpart. He walked 7 batters and barely made it through 5 innings to pick up the win. Thankfully for him, the Yankees offense was on a no-holds barred mission. Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, and Jorge Posada paced an 18-hit attack with 3 hits apiece and the 6 thru 9 hitters combined for 10 RBI.

Home runs by Dustin Pedroia and Casey Kotchman had propelled the Red Sox to a 3-1 entering the 4th inning, but the Yankees jumped all over Smoltz and his replacement, Billy Traber, to take control of the game.

Posada led off the frame with a double and scored on Robinson Cano’s single back up the middle. Yankees fans held their breath after watching Posada get thrown out at the plate after trying to score from 2nd on Nick Swisher’s single two innings earlier. (Posada, inexplicably, did not slide on the play in which he would most likely have scored. Instead he gingerly put a hand up to the mask of catcher Victor Martinez, who easily tagged him out. 75 instant replays later, everyone was still scratching their heads. Thankfully for Posada’s ego there was no play at the plate in the 4th.)

Swisher followed Cano’s single with a walk and Melky Cabrera put the Yankees on top with a 3-run home run into the second deck in right (he must have gotten permission from Teixeira). Smoltz finally retired Derek Jeter for the inning’s first out, but after a walk to Damon and a double by Teixeira, manager Terry Francona ordered Smoltz to intentionally walk Alex Rodriguez, before he removed his starter.

Lefty Billy Traber, recalled earlier in the day, retired Hideki Matsui on a run producing force out, but Posada put an exclamation point on the inning with a 3-run blast that traveled well over 400 ft. to dead center field.

Handed a 9-3 lead, Chamberlain still struggled. He walked the bases loaded with one out in the 5th and allowed an RBI single to Mike Lowell. Shots of manager Joe Girardi on the dugout steps revealed the inner turmoil going on his mind, whether to take out Chamberlain or let him finish the 5th inning. Thankfully for Girardi, Chamberlain decided his own fate, getting back to back strike outs of Kotchman and Nick Green to retire the side.

Game Notes

The Yankees won despite pitching ugly and I mean ugly. Yankees pitchers issued 12 walks - Chamberlain (7), David Robertson (1), Phil Coke (1), Mark Melancon (1), Anthony Claggett (2)- the most in a victory in 42 years. With 10 strikeouts there was a lot of no-contact. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Chamberlain became the first Yankees pitcher in 23 years to beat the Red Sox despite issuing at least 7 walks. Doug Drabek accomplished the feat back then.

Jorge Posada honored Thurman Munson with a number 15 on his mask. Last night marked the 30th anniversary of the post-funeral game in which Bobby Murcer drove in all 5 runs in a 5-4 Yankees victory over Baltimore. YES announcer Ken Singleton, who worked last night’s game, was the O’s right fielder that night and Eddie Murray, the O’s then 1st baseman, was also in attendance for last night’s game and stopped in the booth.

During the game the Yankees announced the acquisition of right-hander Chad Gaudin from the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later or cash. Gaudin will initially pitch out of the bullpen, but could supplant Sergio Mitre in the rotation.

Muhammad Ali was on hand last night to present Hal Steinbrenner with the “Six Star Diamond Award” for Yankee Stadium and Legends Hospitality, LLC with the “Five Star Award” for the food services and hospitality excellence at the new Stadium. The Yankees played highlights of Ali’s boxing career on the video screen, including his matches at the old Yankee Stadium.

My All-I've Seen Play Team

These are just the Yankees players that I've actually seen play. Never saw Mickey in person and only had glimpses of him on TV in his last 2 seasons. I was only 6 or 7 then. So basically we are talking 1969 to today.

These are not players who had their best years in other uniforms.

Starters

C Thurman Munson

1B Don Mattingly

2B Willie Randolph

SS Derek Jeter

3B Alex Rodriguez

LF Dave Winfield

CF Bernie Williams

RF Bobby Murcer

DH Reggie Jackson

P Ron Guidry

Bench

OF Paul O'Neill
OF Lou Piniella
3B Graig Nettles
C Jorge Posada
1B Tino Martinez
UT Robinson Cano

P David Wells
P David Cone
P Andy Pettitte
P Jimmy Key
RP Mariano Rivera
RP Sparky Lyle
RP Goose Goosage
RP Dave Righetti
RP Mike Stanton

Manager - Joe Torre


Most of these were not decisions. As for the manager, I have to go with Torre's 4 titles over Billy Martin's 2. Roger Clemens best years weren't in Pinstripes and then there's the whole cheating thing.

Really all were no-brainers though I went with A-Rod after initially putting Nettles at 3B. And switched from Chris Chambliss to Tino Martinez off the bench. Also, Mike Stanton is the last man out of the pen because I couldn't think of anyone else.

Probably missing someone, but the brain is fried at nearly 5 P.M.

15 Days Until Catchers and Pitchers

The Daily Yankeeland - 12/9

Word from the Boston Globe is that the Red Sox are showing interest in Andy Pettitte. The Red Sox actually offered the most money when Pettitte left the Astros in 2003, but the lefty wanted to "come home again". Well now Andy is playing hardball. Let's just say this. This isn't David Cone or David Wells. If you sign with Boston, don't ever expect to be treated the same way in NY again.

The Sox are also showing some interest in Carl Pavano. Don't worry Carl, we could care less what you do.

According to Mark Feinsand of the News, the Yankees are a preparing an offer to free agent, oft-injured pitcher, Ben Sheets. It's expected to be in the range of 2 years and $30 million. (We asked Peter Abraham about this on his live video chat this morning). Brian Cashman also confirmed that no offer has been made as of yet to Mark Teixeira.

Both the Yankees and Mets are asking for more public bonds to help finance their new ballparks.

In case you manage to get tickets to a game next year, here's the company that will be helping with guest services.

Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees are looking at Nick Punto as a utility player for the coming season.

A nice article from ESPN Magazine on Thurman Munson's old locker.

The Daily Yankeeland - 12/9

Word from the Boston Globe is that the Red Sox are showing interest in Andy Pettitte. The Red Sox actually offered the most money when Pettitte left the Astros in 2003, but the lefty wanted to "come home again". Well now Andy is playing hardball. Let's just say this. This isn't David Cone or David Wells. If you sign with Boston, don't ever expect to be treated the same way in NY again.

The Sox are also showing some interest in Carl Pavano. Don't worry Carl, we could care less what you do.

According to Mark Feinsand of the News, the Yankees are a preparing an offer to free agent, oft-injured pitcher, Ben Sheets. It's expected to be in the range of 2 years and $30 million. (We asked Peter Abraham about this on his live video chat this morning). Brian Cashman also confirmed that no offer has been made as of yet to Mark Teixeira.

Both the Yankees and Mets are asking for more public bonds to help finance their new ballparks.

In case you manage to get tickets to a game next year, here's the company that will be helping with guest services.

Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees are looking at Nick Punto as a utility player for the coming season.

A nice article from ESPN Magazine on Thurman Munson's old locker.

Our Top 10 Stadium Moments

We'll say from 1968 - forward since that's when we started to become cognizant of what was going on. This was not easy and some of these are interchangeable.

10. June 17, 1978 - Ron Guidry strikes out 18 California Angels. The beginning of fans clapping when an opponent had 2 strikes.

9. ALCS Game 3 - Yankees ruin another Red Sox post-season. Aaron Boone becomes aligned with Bucky Dent.

8. September 24, 2001 - Yankee Stadium is the site of an inter-faith memorial for the tragic occurrences of 9/11.

7. July 4, 1983 - Dave Righetti throws a 4th of July no-hitter against the Red Sox. It's also George Steinbrenner's birthday. Game ends when Rags strikes out Wade Boggs for the third time.

6. August 6, 1979 - Bobby Murcer drives in 5 runs for his fallen brother Thurman Munson on the day of the Captain's funeral.

5. May 25, 1998 and July 18, 1999 - Perfect games by David Wells and David Cone.

4. 2001 Games 4 and 5 of the World Series - Unbelievable 9th inning comebacks on home runs by Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius.

3. 1996 World Series Game 6 - We finally had attained a World Series championship after 18 years.

2. 1977 World Series Game 6 - Reggie Jackson takes 3 swings and hits 3 home runs. The Yankees win their first World Series in 15 years.

1. 1976 ALCS Game 5 - Chris Chambliss finally gets us to the promised land with a dramatic home run.

Our Top 10 Stadium Moments

We'll say from 1968 - forward since that's when we started to become cognizant of what was going on. This was not easy and some of these are interchangeable.

10. June 17, 1978 - Ron Guidry strikes out 18 California Angels. The beginning of fans clapping when an opponent had 2 strikes.

9. ALCS Game 3 - Yankees ruin another Red Sox post-season. Aaron Boone becomes aligned with Bucky Dent.

8. September 24, 2001 - Yankee Stadium is the site of an inter-faith memorial for the tragic occurrences of 9/11.

7. July 4, 1983 - Dave Righetti throws a 4th of July no-hitter against the Red Sox. It's also George Steinbrenner's birthday. Game ends when Rags strikes out Wade Boggs for the third time.

6. August 6, 1979 - Bobby Murcer drives in 5 runs for his fallen brother Thurman Munson on the day of the Captain's funeral.

5. May 25, 1998 and July 18, 1999 - Perfect games by David Wells and David Cone.

4. 2001 Games 4 and 5 of the World Series - Unbelievable 9th inning comebacks on home runs by Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius.

3. 1996 World Series Game 6 - We finally had attained a World Series championship after 18 years.

2. 1977 World Series Game 6 - Reggie Jackson takes 3 swings and hits 3 home runs. The Yankees win their first World Series in 15 years.

1. 1976 ALCS Game 5 - Chris Chambliss finally gets us to the promised land with a dramatic home run.

The Plaques

The Plaques