One thing I have to say - Jeter took it like a man. He said they were disappointed, and they were outplayed. Credit to Jeter. Lots of athletes like to say we played poorly, more or less implying that the outcome strictly hinges on their performance, as though their opponent isn't good enough to affect the outcome. I can't understand this. Playing an unworthy opponent is like, um, racing a Mustang - LOL!!! It brings no credit. And if your opponent is worthy, you have to accept the chance, the good chance that you'll get beat. So what's the big deal?
A-Rod showed himself to be the whiner he is. Not only during the ALCS, but throughout the year, and his career for that matter. Do you see any difference between Jeter and A-Rod? I sure as hell do, and I sure as hell know who I'd pick for my team.
Another thing Jeter said, although he couldn't quite get his thoughts organized around it, was that the Yankees were not like the Yankee teams of old, that something was missing. Indeed. Sometimes the best teams are made up of dogs and cats. Like, um, the Sox this year. A team of fading all stars, while easily assembled if your checkbook is big enough, usually makes for diasppointment. It's just plain lazy to fall back on that sort of approach - you're just not putting the work in.
Another observation I enjoyed was Gammons saying George would just spend $280MM in 2005. So true. I'm sure George and Brian and all the rest of the Evil Empire are already in line at the free agent table, have been for months, waiting to sign Beltran, 3 big name starters, and anything else anybody thinks they need to squash the competition come next year. Hell, expect them to announce they signed Beltran 1 minute after the WS is over...