Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Watching the New York Yankees win the World Series this year made me reflect on the past. My mind wandered to a decade ago and to a specific date, October 27, 1999. A date that represents my all-time greatest sports moment.
Now, I have been to plenty of playoff games in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. I have seen championship boxing matches and I've seen Tiger Woods play the Honda Classic. But nothing can compare to being in the stadium when your favorite team wins a championship. The atmosphere is simply electric.
The New York Yankees were up three games to none on the Atlanta Braves heading into game four at Yankee stadium. On the mound were, Roger Clemens vs. John Smoltz. A truly awesome pitching match up with two of the best starting pitchers (both Cy Young winners) in MLB history. The stage was set and everything was perfect in the Bronx.
The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the third and things were pretty quiet until both teams scored a run in the eighth making it 4-1.
Since you all know the outcome of the game, I will continue to the ninth inning and Mariano Rivera coming out to the "Enter Sandman" song blasting through the speakers. The 56,000 fans could taste the victory and the stadium erupted into a deafening wave of cheers and screams. Rivera forced a fly ball for the final out and the place went absolutely berserk. The Yankees swept the Braves by winning 4-1.
People were crying and hugging complete strangers. Flashbulbs popped off from every direction as fans tried to capture the moment forever. The players jumped all over the field celebrating the victory. My best friend and I stared in awe at the scene, tears rolling down our faces and so excited that we didn't know what to do. It was a complete sensory overload and I have never felt anything like that since. That includes being in Times Square for New Years Eve.
Mariano Rivera would win the MVP award and the Yankees added their 25th championship to the list.
Watching the 2009 Yankees celebrate on their home field brought me back to that place in my mind from a decade earlier. Reliving the experience as I watched the game on TV like many of you readers. For those wondering, it never gets old and I'm sure that winning the 27th championship felt just as good as the first.
People can say whatever they want about the Yankees. The true Yankee fans are used to it and have heard it all before. Real Yankee fans care more about the love for the team than they do about the hate for opponents. It doesn't matter what they say because nothing will change the fact that the New York Yankees are World Champions and the greatest team on the planet. Thank you God for making me a Yankee fan!
We're going to send you the most entertaining New York Yankees articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
38 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete