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Big League Stew - MLB

Big League Stew

Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:34 pm EDT

Empire strikes back: Yanks beat Red Sox, clinch East, home field

By David Brown

After ceding the AL East to the Rays and Red Sox the past two seasons, the Yankees made a brand-new start of it and now find themselves A-number one, top of the list and kings of the hill again.

Thanks to a 4-2 victory against Boston on Sunday, the Empire won its 100th game of the season and ensured itself of the best record in the American League and home-field advantage through the playoffs.

Hideki Matsui(notes) hit a go-ahead single in the sixth and Mark Teixeira(notes) (above, right) hit an insurance homer in the eighth to whip up a frenzy at new Yankee Stadium. Andy Pettitte(notes) won his 14th game and Mariano Rivera(notes) earned the save as the Red Sox stranded the potential tying run at second in the ninth.

What's different about these Yankees than other recent versions, Captain Derek Jeter(notes)?

"I'd say we've got a better team," Jeter told ESPN TV. "Everybody talks about the personality and the chemistry, but winning is the most important thing. The more you win, the more fun you're going to have.

"The big difference is pitching."

Another: New York's ability to beat the Red Sox. Boston took the first eight games, but the Bronx Bombers stormed back to even the season series 9-9.

More fun to come!

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88 Comments

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  1. jason s
    1. Posted by jason s Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:51 pm EDT

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    I smell number 27!
  2. jason s
    2. Posted by jason s Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:51 pm EDT

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    I smell number 27!
  3. Jay M
    3. Posted by Jay M Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:55 pm EDT

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    Being a non Sox fan in Boston right now is exciting.
  4. poop
    4. Posted by poop Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:56 pm EDT

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    sweet
  5. GINO
    5. Posted by GINO Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:13 pm EDT

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    yeah........Yankees ....... WORLD SERIES .......HOPEFULS.......I would love to see that . we have a lot work to do .....so lets get started shall we.......YANKEES......NewYork New YORK city so nice they had to name it twice
  6. BaseballFan
    6. Posted by BaseballFan Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:23 pm EDT

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    This isn't a good way for the Sox to finish the season. They look as though they're misfiring on all cylinders. They better straighten-up or they won't make it past the first round. The Yankees, on the other hand, look invincible.
  7. Vijay K
    7. Posted by Vijay K Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:28 pm EDT

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    GO YANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Good Luck in the playoffs
    Bring the world series title to the team, players and fans who deserve it!
  8. uhh, clem
    8. Posted by uhh, clem Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:31 pm EDT

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    meanwhile: los dodgers cant seal the deal
  9. Yankees fan
    9. Posted by Yankees fan Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:40 pm EDT

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    It is terrific to see the greatest franchise on top again now we need to finish this off with a superb post season for our 27th title. The Yankees have the personnel to do it and the best fans in the world cheering them on.
    Go Yanks go
  10. Stephen
    10. Posted by Stephen Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:44 pm EDT

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    Don't count your chickens
    arod and sabathia are a little weak in the playoffs
  11. Winston
    11. Posted by Winston Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    stfu stephen, u'll c when the game starts
  12. BrnxBmbr
    12. Posted by BrnxBmbr Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

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    Boston is a great team... the Yankees are better. Any time a team loses, the team that lost is automatically dubbed not good, not firing on all cylinders, ect .ect. Give credit where credit is due. Last time I checked, the Red Sox have the 3rd best record in MLB. The yankees are just that much better, right now, at the right time. Where are all the Sox fans that were talking trash when they won all those games at the beginning of the season? Where are all the analyists that were calling the yankees the 3rd best team in the division at the beginning of the season? Exactly. They are no where. The Yanks have a lot of work still left to do and as a baseball fan, I'de love to see the Sox/Yankees again in the ALCS. Best rivalry in sports.
  13. Romontay
    13. Posted by Romontay Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:04 pm EDT

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    Good job Yankees!..Lets keep it rolling thru Oct.
  14. Joseph L
    14. Posted by Joseph L Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

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    some people just don't get that the New York Yankee's are the best organization EVER PERIOD. every team has down years just happens that the Yanks don't go through that many cause you have an owner prepared to give them the best team that is assembled. So thanks to the Boss and his sons for giving us what they have.
  15. l
    15. Posted by l Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:51 pm EDT

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    Good luck Yankee"s Hope you go all the way
  16. Fredy
    16. Posted by Fredy Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:58 pm EDT

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    =-) Im very happy to see my fav. and best baseball team of all time win another division title, lets keep up the good work Yankees.... I gotta agree with BrnxBmbr, every team has its ups and downs, the sox are still a good team, Yankees were better this year, and would definitely love to see them face the Sox in the ALCS and have the Yankees sweep again will be sweet....Keep up the good work throughout October and bring the title where it belongs, With the New York Yankees............Go Yankees..............
  17. Brian
    17. Posted by Brian Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:35 pm EDT

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    AL East Champions, best record in the AL and best record in baseball. Just as it should be.
  18. Brian
    18. Posted by Brian Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    AL East Champions, best record in the AL and best record in baseball. Just as it should be.
  19. Nade
    19. Posted by Nade Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:40 pm EDT

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    I'm a die-hard Red Sox fan but let's call an ace and ace. I always said the Red Sox are an average team. They lack offense and consistency. I'm not a Yankees fan obviously, but the Yankees are a much better team. The pitching is good and they bring their bats every night. Red Sox may beat the Angels but look like they won't beat the Yank's. I'll re-iterate: Bssox NEED to desperately trade, Varitek, Kotch, Lowell, JD Drew, Bryd, Ramirez(pitcher), Wagner, and they need to get a short stop with a bat and heavily recruit some offense. Especially a first basemen or a third basemen. Pedroia and Youk need to get better. Ortiz has been getting hot and Ellsbury is good. I've always said that Boston lacks offense and won't beat the Yankee's but some red Sox fans are so damn ignorant they can't see how Boston's record is truly misleading. They leave too many runners on base, they lack consistency and their catcher sux. Varitek should've been out of there last year. Boston needs a transformation during the offseason. Congrats Yankee's, they've truly earned it.
  20. Nade
    20. Posted by Nade Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

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    I'm a die-hard Red Sox fan but let's call an ace and ace. I always said the Red Sox are an average team. They lack offense and consistency. I'm not a Yankees fan obviously, but the Yankees are a much better team. The pitching is good and they bring their bats every night. Red Sox may beat the Angels but look like they won't beat the Yank's. I'll re-iterate: Bssox NEED to desperately trade, Varitek, Kotch, Lowell, JD Drew, Bryd, Ramirez(pitcher), Wagner, and they need to get a short stop with a bat and heavily recruit some offense. Especially a first basemen or a third basemen. Pedroia and Youk need to get better. Ortiz has been getting hot and Ellsbury is good. I've always said that Boston lacks offense and won't beat the Yankee's but some red Sox fans are so damn ignorant they can't see how Boston's record is truly misleading. They leave too many runners on base, they lack consistency and their catcher sux. Varitek should've been out of there last year. Boston needs a transformation during the offseason. Congrats Yankee's, they've truly earned it.
  21. g e
    21. Posted by g e Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

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    The AL East champion Yankees led the wild card Red Sox in the ninth inning of game four with a 3-0 series lead. How did that one work out?
  22. Nade
    22. Posted by Nade Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:56 pm EDT

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    that worked out for the Red Sox but the Red sox were a much better balanced team back then. They actually had offense. Look at how Red Sox offense is...they had 2 hits I believe on Saturday night. that is dismal and pitiful. I'm a die-hard Red sox fan but let's be honest with ourselves. We're talking about a Red Sox team that split the series against the Royals, a last place team, they lost 9 of their last 10 games to the Yankees, they blew a 10 run lead against the Orioles earlier this season. They severely lack offense. U can't compare 2004 versus 2009. The 2004 team had Manny and Damon and were hitting much better. Look at JD Drew, Lowell, ....I can't even type this. Obviously you don't watch the red Sox games and understand the game. Red Sox are an average team. I love the Red Sox but they need a short, stop a new catcher and MORE offense.

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