(New York) For the New York Yankees, the true opener is Game 1 of the World Series. The sparkling wine after confirming their playoff berth, then winning the sectional and championship series, was just a warm-up.
Posted at 8:10 a.m.
World Series rings are the only number that matters when you compete against the living, but also against the ghosts: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle.
“That’s why we’re here. This is why I get up every day. “That’s what I work hard for, not just on the field, but in the off-season: just to bring home a championship for the city and the team,” Aaron Judge said during training camp. , in February.
“It’s been a long time since we crossed the finish line,” he added. But I think several players that have been added into this locker room are going to push us in the right direction, which is to be the last team standing. »
The Yankees are back in the World Series for a 41e time, but the first since 2009, when they won their 27e title. The final begins Friday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
The core, with players in their thirties, covets a championship as much for recognition as for the achievement. Giancarlo Stanton is on his 15the major league season, Gerrit Cole in his 12the and Judge in his ninth.
Stanton was also restrained in his assessment of the moment.
“As far as I’m concerned, we didn’t do anything,” he said after Game 4 of the American championship series against the Cleveland Guardians.
PHOTO GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Giancarlo Stanton
Still, Stanton’s emotions were on display Saturday during celebrations when Gleyber Torres presented him with the American Championship trophy and said, “Take the baby.” Stanton then rocked the trophy back and forth – a reference akin to celebrating Josh Naylor’s home run off Cole in the 2022 sectional series against the Guardians.
The tradition of the winningest team in baseball history can be seen on the players’ faces as soon as they arrive at Yankee Stadium. Oversized photos of club legends line the tunnel leading to the team dressing room.
Players don’t need to be reminded that Berra won 10 titles, DiMaggio nine, Ruth and Mantle seven each, and Gehrig six. Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, with five rings each, mingled with current players in August when the 2009 champions were honored during Alumni Day.
“What makes the Yankees the Yankees is winning and winning a World Series,” said Anthony Volpe, a 23-year-old shortstop in his second season in the major leagues.
Manager Aaron Boone reminded players in February to be ready, regardless of their place in the team’s hierarchy.
“I talked to them the first day of camp,” Boone said Saturday. You’re sitting there right now thinking, “Oh, I probably won’t make the team this year.” I told them, “You could be in the box or on the mound during the biggest time of the year, so prepare yourself.” »
“There’s always going to be the X factor of the trade deadline, like acquiring Tim Hill and Jake Cousins, who became really important parts of our bullpen and were sort of castoffs from other organizations . So you never know how it will evolve. »
