It's not that I'm not a Yankees fan. It's about being a baseball fan. Please let me explain. Some background if you will.
I've been a baseball fan for over 50 years. I've been fortunate enough to see some of the greatest play the game.
Living in the Youngstown Ohio area I could go see the Indians and the Pirates play ball frequently.
Consequently I had two favorite teams (Indians slightly ahead) of the Pirates. I'm a fan of the Tribe and the Pirates.
One on the National, one in the American.
When going to Forbes field I saw, Mays, Clemente, Richie Allen, Koufax, Drysdale and Aaron and Mathews to name a few.
When going to Municipal Stadium I saw the likes of Mantle, Carew, Yaz, Kaline, Cash, Palmer, Brooks and Frank Robinson etc.
Today in my humble opinion baseball is NOT what it used to be. I'll give you a few reasons.
There used to be only 8 in the American and 8 in the National. Only the best of the best played. Now....sheeesh. Dilution to say the least.
An example of what I mean. In the early 50s the Dodgers and Yanks hammered it out for the best team in baseball.
I could give you the llineups of both teams but google it if interested.
The Dodgers at the time had a minor league affiliate in Baton Rouge I believe, could've been New Orleans though.
On that minor league team was a ballplayer named George (shotgun) Shuba. Every year Shuba would hit approx 30 or more
homeruns, hit well over 300 and lead the League in RBIs. Yet.......he could not make the major league team! There wasn't room!
Who was he going to replace? Snyder? Furillo? Robinson or Amaros? Shuba didn't come up to the major league team until he was in
his mid 20s! The Dodgers just couldn't fit him on the roster because of the talent on the roster already.
Now.....they've lowered the mound (69) built bandboxes for stadiums, brought kids up that aren't ready or are ready because
how many now 30? 32 teams? Designated hitters? Arghhhhhhhhhh they've ruined my game.
Give me again 8 in the American, 8 in the National.......no steroids.....no designated hitter.....players that actually KNOW how to bunt
and SACRIFICE.
When I went to Forbes Field.....I would get chills up and down my spine. I knew baseball was played there since 1909. It however is no longer
there...replaced by a bandbox concrete bowl in 1970. I knew Honus Wagner played shortstop on that field. I knew the 27 Yanks played
the Pirates on that field for the World Series Championship. Big Poison and Little Poison...look it up. I knew those that took the field there
knew how to play the game as a team sport not for individual accolades and I'll be damned I'll set the record anyway that I can including
cheating.
So ya......The Yankees failed....The Yankees failed.....give A-Rod and Pettit more steroids......they lost.
Pass them out to the rest of the team. There are few....far to few REAL baseball players these days. What a pity.
Go to the Hall of fame if you want to see them. You won't find them on the field during this world series.
