Three-thousand

"My league too major...I'm hip-hop Derek Jeter..."


Ace Hood - Hustle Hard


Baseball is a numbers game deeply rooted in milestones. From Hank Aaron's 755 HR's...to DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, and Lou Gehrig's 2131 consecutive games played...the history of the sport is all mathematics.


Dreams


Derek Jeter entered today's game against the Rays standing on the verge of career hit number 3,000. In true Yankee fashion he etched his name in the history books on a solo home run in the 3rd-inning. The magic didn't stop there, as he led his team to a 5-4 victory, on a perfect 5 for 5 outing along with the winning RBI.


All his home runs have been memorable, mainly because he rarely hits any. Two stand out as I reflect: the first November HR in baseball history, and today's blast over the left-field wall.


What mattered most to Derek Jeter today was the win, as he expressed his feelings post game saying, "the most important thing is that we were able to win."


The Yankees are one of the top teams in baseball trailing the Red Sox and Phillies for the best record. The mission for any team is to win the World Series, and if the Captain has anything to do with it...he'd like nothing more than to add another ring to his legacy.


Ironically, the New Jersey born, and Michigan bred young Yankees fan, grew to be a man...that would one day play for his favorite team, and become one of the greatest athletes of all-time.






Words: @axgilbert


Photo: AXG

Century Club

Champions

"It's time to chase your dreams..."

Afrika Bambaata - Planet Rock

Today the New York Yankees did a complete 180-degree turn from last season...from their new beautiful ballpark to the additions of Teixeira, Sabathia, and Burnett, this year is completely different.

How Sweep it is

The MLB is as unpredictable as it gets in sports. The main reason is that once the postseason begins...anything can happen in a 5-game series. However from the beginning of spring training the Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies have been favorites to win their respective pennants...and while both teams accomplished victory on Sunday...it was the Bronx Bombers who made the biggest statement in winning the AL East crown over the rival Red Sox.

The Sox were facing a weekend series sweep coming into today's game, and they were prepared to escape defeat...leading most of the game 2-1, but it wouldn't be enough as the bats of Cabrera, Cano, Matsui, Jeter, and Texieira rose to the occasion for a 4-2 win, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

After missing the festivities in 2008, the Yankees ushered in a welcome change by taking care of business over Boston, winning their league best 100th game...as the hunt for October begins in less than a week. Now I don't make predictions...I just watch and report on the games...nevertheless, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few familiar pinstripes on the diamond in the upcoming World Series.

Photos: Associated Press Henny Ray Abrams, Kathy Willens

Full Circle

Triumph

"The ladies in the place like it just like that...I'm an around the way guy with the baseball cap..."

KRS-One - Return of The Boom Bap

Alex Rodriguez has been the lighting rod for the Yankees success and failure since he first buttoned up in pinstripes during the '04 season. He has accomplished numerous things in the Bronx...however there is one adjective that has eluded him during his Yankee years...clutch.

I Love NY

ARod hit career number 500 as a Yankee, as well as he won 2 American League MVP awards, but as everyone knows...the team is judged only on the championships they win, and it has been 8 years, and 10 months since they have captured the crown. What happened last night in the South Bronx could be considered a watershed moment for Rodriguez, as he finally got the albatross off his neck by hitting a 2-run home run in the 15th inning, to beat the rival Red Sox 2-0.

In a word, he was as CLUTCH as Derek Jeter's career. The game lasted 5 hours and 33 minutes, and with one swing it was over...it being the years of frustration as Alex has finally earned his pinstripes. Baseball is all about production and being able to deliver...and while it took the better part of 5 hours...the Yankees won...keeping the lead in the AL East, making ARod a hero...if only for one night.

Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Vote for Pedro

K

"It's what you all been waitin' for ain't it..."

Kanye West - Barry Bonds

In sports across the board, there are several athletes that are as respected as they are feared. In numerous cases they are known by their first name, which is the ultimate sign of respect. For example, Tiger, Venus, Kobe, and Pedro.

Dominant

The Philadelphia Phillies top brass were in the Dominican Republic today (and Tuesday) to watch right-handed hurler Pedro Martinez pitch in a simulated game. The reining champs are in the market to add a strong arm to the rotation...and even if they sign him...they are still in the hunt for Roy Halladay.

In a perfect world they acquire both players and they pitch well...at this point its a waiting game with high stakes. As a former 3-time Cy Young winner, and world champion with the Red Sox, Martinez has the mettle to make a come back...his fastball was clocked at 93-mph...so if he can keep that form, every 5th day, then I expect the Phillies to make another run for the pennant.

Photo: Sport Illustrated-John Nelson/REUTERS

Speed Limit

Speed

Power

"I used to run base like Juan Pierre...now I run the bass, high hat and the snare..."

Jay-Z - Deja Vu

Growing up where I did in Philadelphia...the only sports that mattered were basketball, football, and track. It wasn't until I moved to NYC that I was introduced to baseball. My cousin Donald lived in Queens, so naturally he was a Mets fan, so I decided to cheer for the Yankees.

History

The city that never sleeps is known for basketball, and its legendary point guards like Tiny Archibald, Kenny Anderson, Stephon Marbury, and Rafer Alson...however for those of you that don't know...it's more of a baseball town than anything else. It was once the home of three major teams and now it has two with the Yankees and Mets...nevertheless I learned everything I know about the game in the Empire State

In today's news Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Carl Crawford stole 6 bases against American League foe, the Boston Red Sox...tying an AL record, while breaking his previous club record of 4. He currently leads the major leagues with 17 stolen bases. The amazing feat helped to lead the Rays over the Sox 5-3, giving Tampa the weekend series 2-1.

I'm not only happy for him, but I understand that he accomplished something extremely rare, and in my eyes I'm proud that he is an African American baseball player, as the black ball players have been on the decline in recent years. 

At one point in this country the sport was a way for black Americans to earn a living, entertain one another, and share one another's pride and history...nowadays a lot of that is lost. And as we approach the dog days of June, July, and August...tune into to our national pastime...you just might enjoy it.

The Buffalo Syndrome

'Mo Betta Blues

“The Buffalo Soldiers, dredlock Rasta’s...”

Lauren Hill – Ready Or Not

The Philadelphia Eagles will enter their 5th NFC Championship game (6th in team history) within the last 8 years, and what’s more surprising than the Eagles opportunity at a Super Bowl berth...is the fact that they will face the Arizona Cardinals.

Bridesmaid, never the bride

The Eagles tied the Bengals (week 11), and lost to the Ravens (week 12), while the Cardinals lost 4 of their last 5 games of the regular season, as no one saw this day approaching, and that’s why the NFL is so great...especially this year. The two teams did meet in Philly, during a week 13, battle of the Birds, on Thanksgiving, with the Eagles prevailing 48-20. The Eagles are the favorite to advance this Sunday, but if they lose either the NFC Championship game or the Super Bowl, then they will qualify for an infamous title, that only the Buffalo Bills fans could understand. Misery loves company, so I wouldn’t be surprised if their fans welcomed Eagles revelers with open arms.

So how tortured are the fans that cheer in the frozen artic of Ralph Wilson Stadium...to put it simply, it’s like being a Red Sox fan circa October 1986. The Bills were a superb team in their days of AFL supremacy, winning back to back titles in ’64, and ’65...prior to the AFL/NFL merger. Since those glory days of yesteryear they returned to a quasi state of prominence beginning in 1990.

Buffalo won the AFC Championship in 1990, 1991, 1992, and again in 1993, however in these four straight trips to the big show, they came up empty each and every time...making their dominance over the AFC, more of a late night talk show hosts’ joke, than any point of strength.

The Atlanta Braves had their fair share of World Series let downs; however they earned their respect from the sports world, by winning it all in 1995 over the Cleveland Indians. The Eagles can equally erase the losses of their past, by winning a Super Bowl within this Andy Reid/Donovan McNabb era. Like the Bills, the Eagles have never won the BIG game, as they boast 2 NFC Championship Trophies, and 3 NFL Championships, ’48, ’49, and ’60. The first Super Bowl was played 7 years later on January 15, 1967, thus diminishing the luster of the Eagles’ 3 NFL Championships.

In life and in sport, things don’t always work out the way they should, but all the ‘Birds (Eagles) have to do, is win...it sounds easy, but it’s not.

Any loss within the next two games would prove to be quite the conundrum. The expectations in the City of Brotherly Love are high, after the Eagles did the impossible by not only making the playoffs, but they have beaten the defending champions, as well as the Minnesota Vikings. The Phillies sparked the retro feelings of 1980, and with victories in the next two games, the Eagles can bring to fruition, what was once a childhood dream.
These are interesting times, as a new President will take office next week, and Philadelphia could possibly emerge as TITLETOWN USA.

1 Game at a Time

Poise

Attrition

"Brothers front, they say the Tribe can't flow, but we've been know to do the impossible like Broadway Joe..."

Phife Dog - Scenario

Yesterday I was having a conversation with one of the Philadelphia Eagles. It was off the record so I'll keep his jersey number to myself. However after visiting with him and his family, I drove home thinking to myself that the Birds could be on the cusp of something special.

Winning is an attitude

Philadelphia could very well become a major sports city, much like Boston, as the great New England city of the north, has become the modern day Title Town...with the Celtics, Red Sox, and Patriots, as they have been the toast of the sports world winning championships in recent years. 

The now defunct Philadelphia Soul won the Arena Bowl in July, the Phillies captured hearts, minds, and the World Series in October, and now the Eagles have shocked the so-called "experts" by not only making the playoffs, but also through winning and moving on to the Divisional round.

It's one game at a time, and in football anything can happen...on any given Sunday.

Photos: Webster Riddick