A YANKEE SEE-SAW, BUT WE GOT THE WIN!

We win, we lose, we win. That's our Yankees.

The Yankees are down to their final seven regular-season games, and the finish line comes on Sunday, September 28. Six of those games will be in the Bronx—a closing homestand that screams “season finale” vibes against the White Sox (Sept. 23–25) and Orioles (Sept. 26–28).

As for tonight? Giancarlo Stanton went full Marvel superhero, belting career homer No. 450 in a 6-1 win over Baltimore. Only four legends—Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth, Alex Rodriguez, and Harmon Killebrew—ever had more homers through their first 1,719 games. Stanton also leads all active players in career blasts, which feels like a polite way of saying: “he’s still terrifying.”

The playoff picture? The Yankees’ magic number is down to five, and thanks to the Blue Jays losing to the Royals, Toronto’s division lead shrunk to two games. That crown is still up for grabs.

On the mound, Carlos Rodón looked the part of an ace, breezing into the seventh on 87 pitches and nudging his ERA down to 3.04. He’s heating up at exactly the right time. And yes, even Anthony Volpe chipped in tonight. Sure, he’s still hitting .207, but hey, baby steps.

With Stanton flexing, Rodón cruising, and a six-game Bronx sendoff on deck, the Yankees suddenly look like a team that could snatch the AL East title. 

Shocking, I know—but don’t blink.

WHY I STILL REMEMBER THAT DARN PINE TAR GAME

I don’t know why, but I was thinking about the Pine tar game, a game that for some reason, I remember it crystal clear.  I remember not only the game itself in July, but the continuation of the game in August.  It was a spectacle in that 9^th inning and I remember hating the Royals almost as much as I hated the Red Sox back then.

Let’s face it, George Brett was damn good and maybe it was because it was rumored that he and his brother Ken Brett hated the Yankees (Read HERE) and I was just forming a line in the sand or if the rivalry was just huge back then, I don’t exactly remember, I mean, it was 1983 and there wasn’t an Internet, but I got the information I could from the papers and that’s where the opinions started forming for me.

But it was that pine tar.  I remember clear as day Billy Martin coming out and examining the bat with the umps after Brett putting the Royals in the lead.  I remember the “out” call and I remember Brett’s emotions went from joy to anger, all caught on TV. I will never forget George Brett running out on the field like he was literally about to murder anyone in his way.  At the time, of course I sided with the Yankees, and thought “The pine tar was all over the bat…you can’t do that.”

It was clear though, I had no idea if there was a rule against it or not.  Just so you know, the rule was pine tar could only be used on the handle of the bat and no higher than 18”. Years later, watching Jorge Posada bat with pine tar all over the place on the bat handle, no batting gloves, I often used to think back to the pine tar game because that day rocked New York and I was curious so I looked it up to see if the rule had ever changed or not.

In 2002, they have the same rule. But that was Billy Martin at his best…stategizing and getting under the other team’s skin… I miss him for that. And, just for some background, after the Royals protested, American League President Lee Macphail overruled the umps and stated that the umps should have just discarded the bat, not take away the homer.  Anyway, the game resumed on August 18^th, the Royals won 5-4…the home run stood.

Years later I had an opportunity to meet George Brett, shake his hand, chat a bit and he signed a baseball card that one of my sons now has in his collection.  Meeting guys like Brett and even Harmon Killabrew or Tony Perez  years later is always fascinating to me. But thinking about that old Pine tar game, looking at old pictures or old video of it, well, I transform back to a child again...great memories all around, even though we lost that game, I'll never forget it.

 
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WHY IS LANCE BERKMAN DRAGGING BABE RUTH INTO IT?

I understand wanting to support your own teammate and without question, Albert Pujols deserves a lot of credit after Game 3 when the Cardinals won 16-7 against the Rangers and Pujols had 3 home runs and 6 RBIs, but is Albert Pujols really better than Babe Ruth because as Lance Berkman suggests, Babe Ruth was in an all-white league. Um… what? What the hell does that even mean? Read it HERE by the way. Here’s Berkman’s quote:

“He’s a better hitter than Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson and there’s no doubt about it. I’m dead serious. Babe Ruth, as great as he was, played in an all-white league. Now we have the best talent pool we’ve ever had and he’s doing it in that environment. He’s the greatest.”

Is Lance suggesting that because there are more ballplayers of all races now and Pujols is dominant that means he’s better? I’m not following and clearly I’m trying my best to think this through as I’m writing this…I know, I’m pathetic.

Albert Pujols is by far a great hitter, but Babe Ruth didn’t control leagues and population to determine black and white players. Plus, what’s to say the Babe wouldn’t be able to hack it in a talent pool of today? Babe Ruth is an American icon, not only did he hit, he pitched and was damn good at that as well. Now, I know we’re sticking with hitting here, but either Lance Berkman is one of the most sophisticated scholars in baseball or I’m just too dumb to understand what he’s trying to say. Personally, I find this statement to be ridiculous. Here’s why:

Full Career: Albert Pujols will probably go down in history as one of the top 10 or 20 hitters ever in baseball. He’s powerful and usually clutch, and in his career he’s batting .328. So, I got to thinking, and this could be fun. Because Pujols isn't retired and I'd love to break down a full career for each, I can't so let me take a 10 year span for both players. Basically, it would be their glory days if you will. I took Albert Pujols' first 10 years and posted it next to Babe Ruth’s first 10 years as a New York Yankee, starting in 1920 and will end at 1929. Pujols will go 2001 to 2010.

Prince Albert: 1900 H / 408 HR / 1230 RBI / .331 AVG / 2001-2010

The Babe: 1734 H / 467 HR / 1331 RBI / .355 AVG / 1920-1929

To me, I'd say it's pretty damn close to even with the exception of a better average for Babe, yet, because Albert plays more games, he has a lower average but more hits. Now, I know Lance Berkman didn't have Baseball Reference at his fingertips, but come on, why are you dragging the Babe into this?

Color Barrier: I am not understanding what race has to do with Pujols being better than Babe Ruth as a hitter. There were plenty of very talented white guys that pitched against the Babe, and same with Albert Pujols. Color has nothing to do with it, talent does. We’ve spent decades trying to get away from the color barrier, why are we throwing that out there again? One more time, Babe Ruth played when he played. Sadly, minorities could not participate, but thankfully Jackie Robinson came along.

Lance, I've always liked you, but you’re confused me on this one. Talented human beings have always played baseball, race is irrelevant. If you are suggesting that because of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, someone like Albert Pujols can play baseball and transform into one of the greatest players because of that, I follow you, and agree. But otherwise, I don’t. Babe Ruth was one of the greatest hitters ever, but so were Willie Mays, Harmon Killabrew, Frank Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr. and Ted Williams, not to mention dozens more that are black, white and latino. It’s a baseball thing Lance, not a race thing, plain and simple. You either have the talent or you don’t. Pujols does no doubt, but let’s leave it as that. That’s all.

WHY I'LL NEVER FORGET HARMON

I’m a baseball fan first and a Yankee fanatic, a very close second. When the Yankees aren’t on, I watch other teams play and when the pros aren’t on, I watch something from Mexico or college ball. When college isn’t on, I watch my sons play. I actually watch it all the time. It’s pathetic, but it’s the greatest sport ever. I tell you this because I read something that’s been eating at me all day. More on that in a moment.

Back in 1998, I was walking in New York City and an old man got out of a car, he shut car door and started walking my way. We caught eyes. I recognized him right away because I as a card collector, I’ve seen these guys faces through the years and could tell you what Frank Tanana’s 1978 Topps card looked like as well as picking out Fritz Peterson in a lineup. My point is, I remember faces, and I remembered this one…It was Harmon Killebrew. I approached him and he must have thought I was crazy because in the city, there are tons of people all over the place, but for some reason, I only remember seeing him. I introduced myself quietly and told him that I was always fascinated by his great power and love of the game. I know he said thank you but I don't remember much more. I do however remember shaking his hand. It was a tight shake, he was still pretty strong, you could feel it...crushing grip. I remember looking into his eyes and I remember they told me a lot about the man. He was grateful, maybe even thankful that someone noticed him because he smiled at me. Moments later he and I parted company and I turned and looked at this man walking down the street. I swear to God, he didn’t look old to me anymore and I stood there looking at him in my “Holy crap” moment and I realized that I met one of the greatest ballplayers that ever played the game. I still get chills talking about it because it was just a moment, but it was so damn cool.

Harmon Killebrew has been fighting cancer for over a year now and had decided to spend his finaal days in a hospice facility. In a statement, he said how he exhausted all options for cancer treatment and the cancer has progressed.

I took a moment today and thought about this. Mr. Killebrew hit 573 home runs in his career, he was more than tough, he was larger than life to so many. For this man, who fought cancer for so long and to make a public statement to basically say that he is dying is downright heroic in my mind. Usually a spokesperson would send out a press release and we will never hear about that person again. Not Harmon, no way. He’s using all his strength to tell the people that love him most that he’s doing his best, but hospice is where he needs to be, until he can't fight any longer.

People need to take a moment and read about Harmon Killebrew HERE. He’s a baseball hero, icon and to me, a fond memory.

Harmon Killebrew died today at the age of 74. While he wasn’t a New York Yankee, he is a major part of baseball history and will never be forgotten. If you have a memory of Mr. Killebrew, post it in the comments section. Rest in Peace Mr. Killebrew, Thank you for our moment.

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