Inspired by Bryn Swartz' list of his favorite moments as a Philadelphia sports fan. Unfortunately I could not level it down to just a city or a state because New Jersey has no Baseball and my Dad for whatever reason grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan.
In the spirit of the new Baseball season, this list is going to be my favorite New York Yankees moments; the best American franchise in sports and the team that has spoiled me the most.
I was 11 years old when the Arizona Diamondbacks came back in the ninth inning of Game Seven to defeat the unhittable Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees. Even when Tony Womack hit in the tying run, I didn't even really consider the possibility that the Yankees just might lose.
I just watched the Yankees win four of the past five World Series and it had gotten to the point where it felt written that we would win it all again and again.
I probably needed what has happened since to snap me back into reality, to remind me how hard it is to win a World Series and how lucky I was to have witnessed such success for my Baseball team.
This is a tribute to the New York Yankees, who have given me so many amazing memories in my short life and hopefully a memory or two that could have found its place on this list.
To give you an idea of how hard this was, the following unfortunately were left off:
-Bernie Williams Walk-off home run in Game One of the 1999 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox
-Jeffrey Maier.
-Dwight Gooden's no-hitter.
-Mike Mussina's near perfect game in Fenway.
-David Wells' perfect game!
-The final game in Yankee Stadium.
-Paul O'Neil's game winning hit against John Rocker in Game One of the 1999 World Series.
-Derek Jeter's flip to home plate in Game Three of the 2001 ALDS.
-The Second Boston Massacre.
-Jose Vizcaino's walk-off hit in Game One of the Subway Series.
The 10 moments below (Plus two honorable mentions) never fail to put a big smile on my face and make me feel proud to be a Yankee fan.
Honorable Mention: Oct. 16, 2000: Justice is served!
The New York Yankees got off to a slow start in the 2000 regular season, desperate to add some power to the lineup and ended up acquiring David Justice from the Cleveland Indians for Ricky Ledee, Jake Westbrook and Zach Day.
Justice made his impact immediately, hitting 41 home runs on the season (20 as a Yankee).
But the reason why I will always have a soft spot for Justice was the missile he launched into the upper deck off of Arthur Rhodes to give the Yankees a 6-4 lead in the seventh inning of of Game Six of the ALCS, what would turn out to be the clinching game.
The Yankees scored three more runs after and wound up winning 9-7 to go to the World Series.
Justice was only hitting .190 in the series prior to the homer but I doubt any Yankee fans cared. He was forever a hero in New York, an ALCS MVP, and soon to be a World Series winner with the ballclub.
Honorable Mention: July 1 2004: Jeter dives head first into the stands.
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