Ain't she majestic? Baseball's most hallowed cathedral right in the best city in the world. Always did give me the goosebumps. Always. On game day, she was electric. This time it's to write a new chapter in pinstriped history.
Traffic jams. Big city lights. Fans. Baseball. Batter up, baby! Batter up!
My favorite New York Yankee, Paul O'Niell, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. We miss ya, Paulie!
The sign board on Broadway said it all: Pedro Martinez returns to the Bronx. That was very specific considering the longtime Yankee villain pitched not just for the hated Red Sox but the crosstown Mets. But I never hated Pedro even if he threw Yankee bench coach Don Zimmer to the Stadium turf in 2003. I always thought he was a great pitcher who reveled in the rivalry between New York and Boston. Nevertheless, Yankee fans serenaded him since 2003, "Who's your daddy?" Martinez got his revenge when he helped Boston win in 2004 and forever reverse the curse. And in this Game 2 between NY and Philadelphia, he sure brought his stuff. In fact, he showed Derek Jeter his entire repertoire in that lead-off KO. Maybe when he came off in the 8th inning I would have applauded. But I did feel bad the the fans continued to jeer him. Who knows, this is the last time we could see Pedro Martinez in Major League Baseball? 
Pitching is always the key to any post-season success. After Cliff Lee amazed the Yankee side in Game 1, it turned out to be a pitcher's duel between Pedro and AJ Burnett. The Yankee starter had his arm going for him and breathed life into New York's post-season life. Nice to see him come out of CC Sabathia's shadow and dominate on this big stage.
Mark Teixeira broke out of a post-season slump and belted a dinger to the stands to tie the game at 1-1. He's been perfect at first and not since Tino Martinez was there did we have that great D at the corner.
Boy, am I glad this guy has remained a Yankee. Hideki Matsui -- Godzilla -- knocked in an HR to the short right field porch that gave the lead to NY and if anything showed a chink in the armor of the defending champions Philly. Now if only A-Rod got in the act.
Truth to tell, I love it whenever they play Frank Sinatra's "New York New York" after a win. And it has been quite some time -- what since 2003? I've always enjoyed when the home team goes on to the field for the traditional high five exchange after win. Now it's on the road to Philadelphia.
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