Bronx, N.Y., September 20, 2002 — Baseball is a team game, but it is played by a bunch of individual players. Twenty-five-man teams compete all year, and although individual awards are much celebrated and can earn players huge salaries, in the end it is the team that wins, or doesn’t. But that ultimate team goal — winning a championship — can’t be achieved unless individual team members perform to the utmost of their abilities.

Roger Clemens won his sixth Cy Young Award last year for the incredible achievement of going 20-1 (on the way to a final 20-3 season), but most would agree that it was an award earned by his team. And the Yankee team that is about to earn a postseason berth for the eighth consecutive year has largely been one that wins titles but not individual awards. It has been a new and heady experience to see so many Yankees at or near the top of Top Ten lists in so many categories all year. And although once again Friday night in Detroit the Yanks won a game dominated by star play, it was heartening to see that eight of nine spots in the lineup got hits.

The win Roger Clemens earned was only his 13th, but earn it he did. The U.S. Frigate Constitution (affectionately and proudly referred to over the years as “Old Ironsides”) was launched 205 years ago on September 20, and Friday night Roger struggled to a victory that brought that old ship — and its great nickname — to mind. He struggled mightily, walking more men than he struck out, and twice faced the Tigers with the bases loaded, once in a tie game, later with a one-run lead. His 18-9 first-pitch strike ratio was good, but a higher-than-usual 38 of the 92 pitches he threw were balls (though Roger clearly pinned some of the blame for that count on home plate ump Dana DeMuth).

But the numbers don’t mean that much this time, because it was in an inning that he did some of his worst work that Roger earned the victory. Largely through the work of his second-year second baseman, Roger held a 2-0 lead as the Tigers came to bat in the bottom of the sixth. Power-hitting lefty outfielder Robert Fick cut the margin for error in half on the first pitch, driving a homer deep to right. Then rookie first baseman Carlos Pena (who went to Detroit from Oakland in the same trade that brought us Jeff Weaver) lined a hard single to right on a full count. It was the second time Roger had allowed the first two batters in an inning to reach safely, and things quickly got worse.

The 1-0 pitch to catcher Michael Rivera was struck right back at Clemens, and it caromed hard off his lower shin and into short right field; Pena made the turn and pulled into third as the potential tying run. Joe, Mel and the gang went out to check. The ball was smacked. It had to hurt. I couldn’t help but flash back 172 days to April 1 when I had made the drive south to catch the Yanks’ road opener in Baltimore. David Segui’s comebacker with two out in the home fourth, it’s true, struck Roger’s pitching hand, but he talked Torre into leaving him in the game that day too. Roger proceeded to walk the next two guys — and the bases loaded — and five Orioles would score before he got the third out.

Old Ironsides was given her nickname because the British artillery could not pierce her hull. The shells failing to penetrate the warship’s sides seemed to bounce off “as if she were made of iron.” And Roger came back tonight as if he was made of iron too. Of course, he had to raise the ante by walking lefty power-hitting DH Munson on four pitches to load the bases, prompting another injury visit to the mound by Joe. Sensing, I guess, that the tension quotient had been raised sufficiently, Roger again convinced Joe he was OK and dispatched the next three guys on a strike out (called), an infield popup, and a swinging strike out. Yes, Roger garnered win no. 13 the old-fashioned way, he earned it.

But if Roger was the man of iron, the Man of Steel is undoubtedly Super Yank Alfonso Soriano. He led off the game with a base hit, and broke up a scoreless duel after doubling to lead off the fourth. Juan Rivera had a rare hitless game for this September, but he still scored points by successfully sacrificing Alfonso to third (he would walk later too, though he does not get much credit for hitting the ball young Tiger left fielder Monroe misplayed later to break up a close game). It was great to see Derek have a good night at the plate, with two hits (he almost beat out a third), but the key hit was the one that delivered Alfonso to break up the scoreless duel with the young and gifted Tiger lefty Andy Van Hekken. An inning later, Alfonso lined to center with the bases loaded to notch his 100th rbi and put us up by two. I know that he has only knocked in 97 as a leadoff man, but I think the other three (along with home run no. 40) are a foregone conclusion.

Soriano was dazzling in the field too, and although I suspect I’m in the minority, I think anyone who does not consider him the frontrunner for AL MVP is just not paying attention. I know that Tejada has done wonders for the A’s, as has Anderson for the Angels. And I agree that it can’t go to Arod when there are so many worthy candidates on contending teams. But just because Arod doesn’t qualify for MVP in my opinion despite his numbers, the great numbers Alfonso is putting up for a contender should not be ignored. Miguel, Garrett, and Alfonso have all been huge factors in their clubs’ success. But of the three, I think Alfonso has the most impressive overall numbers, and he should be rewarded for it, once he hits no. 40.

September 20 is a mixed and bittersweet day in Yankee history. Hoyt Wilhem, who passed away almost one month ago, beat the Yankees with a 1-0 no hitter on September 20, 1958 in one of his relatively rare starts. And back in 1911, this was the infamous day the Yanks committed 12 errors in a double header; let this team record stand forever. Roger Maris hit his 59th and came close to hitting another home run on September 20 in 1961. The Yanks clinched their 26th pennant that day, but Roger could have saved himself some trouble had his second shot carried a bit further (it would have been 60 homers, and in the 154th game). Seven years later to the day, The Mick would hit the 536th (and last) homer of his career. And lastly, it was September 20, 1980 that a plaque in Thurman Munson’s memory was dedicated at Yankee Stadium.

So now the Yanks have clinched a tie for the AL East. Our magic number is one, and if we win out (or lose no more often than the A’s) we will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. True, we stubbed our toe in the “Trop” in Tampa Bay, but Moose pitched well, and that’s more important. We still have a Man of Iron, a Man of Steel and a team packed with talent, and the greatest closer in postseason history appears to be rounding into shape. And Alfonso figures to be terrifying American League pitching for years to come.

Former Yankee shortstop and outfielder Tommy Tresh was born on September 20, 1938, and that’s not all. The same day in 357 B.C. ushered in the life of world conqueror Alexander the Great.

Do you think Soriano is interested in changing his first name?

BTW,TYW

YANKEE BASEBALL!!!