Bronx, N.Y., June 1, 2002 — “It was 100 years ago today…” Well, actually, 35 years ago today the Beatles released “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” but for us (Yankee fans), we’ve had “the boys to play” for a century now. Though during that time we’ve had some of the most recognizable stars in spectator sports history highlight our unprecedented success, we’ve never been averse to getting “a little help from [our] friends,” from the little guys at the end of the bench.
So on Joe D’s beloved Marilyn’s birthday, and 77 years from the day the Iron Horse replaced Wally Pipp at first, it is fitting that Enrique Wilson strolled on stage and blasted his way into the hearts of Yankee fans with his sixth-inning bomb.
The Red Sox are in the middle of a long quest (both this year, and in their history) as well, and they have had to call on some guys near the lower end of their bench too. Last night, a backup infielder gave them some offense and a potentially game-saving play on a ground shot; today the two guys with whom they entrusted the pitching in the sixth inning could hardly have painted an uglier tableau. An inning that started with a four-pitch walk off Darren Oliver mushroomed to a bases-loaded, two-out crisis after another walk and a controversial hit-by-pitch. Was Derek plunked on purpose? Broadcaster Tim McCarver: “No way!” What were you watching, Tim, when Derek only missed hitting deep into the black seats on Arrojo’s first pitch of the game by his aim, not his distance? Of course they chose to pitch to Enrique, and of course they weren’t about to walk Jeter with Nick the Stick occupying first base.
I don’t imagine El Guapo (Rich Garces) will ever admit to it (heck, I doubt he’d admit to any of the damage he caused today if he could get away with it) but, be that as it may, four batters later we had hit two more dingers in a four-homer day and we had a six-run lead. And with Andy Pettitte down in steamy Tampa, I would guess that few aside from Enrique, myself and a few other diehards in New York knew right away that this was Wilson’s second grand slam into Yankee Stadium’s right field (this from a guy with 13 homers in his whole career!). The first occurred September 21, 1998, off Andy, when the righty-hitting (that night) Cleveland Indian Wilson hit one inches from the foul pole. I don’t want to say that it didn’t go far, but had Jeffrey Maier been there and not paying attention, it would have hit him no higher than his knee. But four runs are four runs and the Tribe, who would finally succumb in a terrific six-game ALCS 23 days later, killed us that night. Perhaps it bodes well for the Red Sox that Enrique hit his first grand slam in a contest between AL leaders who would face one another in the ALCS four years ago. Today his homer was in a battle between AL powers that not only have nine head-to-head games left this season, but could have a playoff date down the road too.
I confess that I sat this one out at home, as we often do on Saturdays, but I caught part of the ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease tribute with James Gandolfini on the radio. It was fun to hear A3’s “Woke Up This Morning” (better known to most as The Sopranos theme) playing again in the Bronx. — the Scoreboard had played it exclusively for David Cone before every start. And I’m amazed that I was able to see another Row A Box 626 fan make a great catch on a foul ball on the third pitch to Offerman in the third. Today’s gloved hero from above wasn’t only older than the kid from last night; this one was holding a beer in his ungloved hand.
So tomorrow the weather promises to match today, as does the crowd, the hype and the excitement. You couldn’t keep me away from the Bronx with a force field when first pitch arrives around 1:07 pm. We stand one game back, and will tie or fall to two games when it’s over. Regardless of that outcome, and of whether Pedro really does not take the mound, we’re in for months more of this two-headed pennant pursuit, and it promises to be grand. But I have a word of advice for our field general, Mr. Torre. Should Alfonso feel OK tomorrow, play him. Mike Hargrove rewarded Enrique with a start following his last grand slam. On Wednesday night, September 22, 1998, Hideki Irabu hung an 0 for 4 on him, with three weak grounders to first and a popup to second.
BTW,TYW
YANKEE BASEBALL!!!