Where Were You The Night of September 28, 2011?

I remember watching Fox about 7 years ago, I know I'm possibly dating myself, and like many of their marketing ploys, they were trying out many slogans to get fans to watch their channel during the MLB playoffs. I can't for the life of me remember what many of these slogans were because one stood out in particular and that magical phrase was: You can't script October. These four words packed so much in it that I don't believe Fox had any idea what they had created.

The above slogan has been used to define great moments in baseball since its patent and it has provided us fans with more than enough heartache and excitement than we could possibly bear. On September 28, 2011, this well known four word slogan would define a moment that will be remembered and passed down from generation to generation. Don't believe me, ask any and every sports fan tomorrow morning and watch the excitement in their voice.

Before the season began, MLB decided to implement a one-game playoff rule for those teams seeking entry into the playoffs, those who wind up in the Wild Card slot. Now fans, if you were like me, you were scratching your head because from your recollection, you have never seen 163 games played. But, like every diehard baseball fan, we accepted this rule, bitched about it a lot, but accepted it. Let's fast forward towards September.

Every September, fans and teams create this cloud of anxiety because the postseason is right around the corner. New York Yankees fans didn't have to worry because we clinched the division before the month concluded so all we had to do was sit back and watch everyone kill each other. We watched for days and shared many different emotions but on 9/28/11, something was strange in the air. Our televisions switched back and forth between the multitude of games because we were hoping for that one game playoff. Instead, we got something better.

The Braves/Phillies, the Cardinals/Astros, and the Red Sox/Orioles were battling for contention and where do we even begin? I think we just go to the results. The Phillies ousted Atlanta, the Cardinals trumped the Astros, and the RED SOX LOST TO THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES!

Yes, I'm excited about the last game because I loathe the Boston Red Sox. The rivalry runs deep and they shall not get any sympathy from me. Oh, how can I forget, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Yankees which means they've earned a spot in the playoffs. I tip my hat off to them.

Ok readers, my head hurts from all of the excitement and my fingers are sore. I will end this post by saying congratulations to all of the teams who are in the playoffs and I shall catch you all Friday night when the Yankees play the Tigers in Game 1 of the ALDS!

Happy Postseason y'all!

XOXO,
Whitney

The AL East Sounds Freakin' Sweet!

Good evening readers. The next statement that I'm about write is one that manyYankees fans have come to know and shall never get tired of reading. Are your ready? Are your sure? I'm trusting you now so here it goes: THE NEW YORK YANKEES HAVE CLINCHED THE AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST!

That's right folks, our favorite team has done what many thought wouldn't happen this season and Yankees fans far and wide are celebrating in their own little way. You all have come to know that I am emotional when it comes to my team and yes the tears are flowing. I am more than proud to type and I'll keep this short so I can celebrate as well but before that, I want to give a little recap and some shout outs to the team that made this possible.

How we came to this joyous moment is due in part to an amazing Wednesday of baseball. In a doubleheader with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees won both the afternoon and the night games with a score of 4-2(day game) and the same score again for the night game 4-2. This couldn't have been achieved with out the big bats of power hitter Robinson Cano and the clutch Jorge Posada. While the entire team contributed to this effort, these are the two men who shall be getting all the praise tonight. Thank you guys!

Well readers, it's time for me to celebrate and party hard. It's been a glorious season and I'll be blogging/seeing you all for the ALDS!

XOXO,
Whitney

I Always Knew That Mariano Rivera's Favorite Number Was 602

Good evening readers. How are you feeling tonight? Did you have a rough day? Are you ready to go postal on your job and co-workers? If you've answered "yes" to any of the above questions then you are having another case of the Mondays. For those of you who are having a beyond extraordinary day, I can tell you why. It has nothing to do with the new love in your life, that promotion set in place, or that upcoming weekend trips with friends. No, your happiness stems from the fact that MARIANO RIVERA IS NOW THE ALL-TIME SAVES LEADER!

It seems like just yesterday, 1995 to be exact, that we began hearing the name Mariano Rivera. Like many people on the New York Yankees, Mariano was a young, lanky, hungry pitcher just trying to make a name for himself in this big city. In 1996, Mariano became the Yankees' setup man and in 1997 had the honor of being named the closer. It's not an easy gig closing out baseball games but there was something about Mariano in which we NY fans knew that we had just hit the jackpot. Things would never be the same.

With the Yankees and their impressive storybook dynasty throughout the 90s, Mariano Rivera was the key man in making sure that his team always acquired the win. Now, I know what you're thinking "there's no way in hell that anyone could be that great at his job for 17 years" and I say to you "sip on that haterade because baby it's true!"

How do I even continue to describe in detail the plethora of accolades and praise this man has amassed over the years? Is there even room in this post? This blogger has more than enough time and energy to go into detail but I want to reserve this portion of the post to let my emotions run deep and my fingers to type away.

As a fan of the Yankees since 1995, all I've come to know and selfishly expect is winning. My entire baseball fanhood has seen its fair share of heartache and joy but what keeps me coming back are the familiar faces and once known as the Core 4, it has now become the Core 3. These 3 men, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera or God Almighty may have kept my pockets low from the amount of money spent on tickets and memorabilia(it was so well worth it) but my spirits were always high. Thank you guys.

So, to Mariano Rivera: thank you for your humility, for your undying passion, unwavering grit, and for always keeping us, your fans, at the forefront in your life. Thank you for reminding us in a very subtle manner that the start of the game can be bumpy and you either strikeout or hit a home run, but it's how you choose to end whether it be a 1-2-3 shutout or a completely blown save. Thank you for gracing us fans with a piece of calm and tranquility. Thank you to your wife and children for never scorning us and cursing us because we share a place in your heart.

Before the rambling begins because of my joyous emotions, I'll end this piece by simply saying Congratulations on 602 saves Mariano. I look forward to seeing 700 Sandman ;)

XOXO,
Whitney

All Together Now: Hug...And Then Sucker Punch!

Before we begin the recap, let's give ourselves a round of applause because this is the first ever boxing post since this blog has been active. There's only one monumental event that could ever warrant a boxing post and that is due in part to Floyd Joy Mayweather, Jr.

You know the name, you know the flair, you know the world records, and you love the controversy which is what Pretty Boy Floyd/Money Mayweather always brings to to the ring whenever he's fighting an opponent. Tonight's match was against boxing's gritty, hard worker Victor Ortiz. We fans were treated to the hype surrounding to this match with HBO critically acclaimed 24/7 in which Mayweather bragged, boasted, used his millions as a telephone with friend 50 cent, fought with his father, repeatedly, and also opened up old wounds. Ortiz won fans over with his back story of abandonment by both parents and clips of him training with his not-so-much affluent team. The lines of fanaticism were drawn after 2 episodes and fans knew who they wanted to win.

The night was upon us and the festivities commenced. Mayweather looked strong in the beginning and Ortiz counteracted with a few punches of his own. After a few more punches, Mayweather seemed to be getting the upper hand on his opponent and in the blink of an eye, something happened. Omg...could it be...did I see this correctly...Victor Ortiz kept his head down and headbutted Mayweather. That's right! HEADBUTTED. My jaw was on the floor readers because to violate the first rule of boxing in a blatant manner is something that I cannot let slide. As Ortiz and Mayweather hugged, Floyd proceeded to throw more dirt on the situation by sucker punching Ortiz! WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?

Call this fight over because the sheer disrespect and foul play on both parts was just too much for us fans to handle. I am disgusted by both Floyd and Victor, although the fight was entertaining, because so many of us were left disappointed...especially those of us who paid for PPV.

We'll be talking about this fight for some days and all I can end this first ever boxing post with is: Man...I love sports!

XOXO,
Whitney

Mariano's 600th Save = Swag on Swag on Swag

As baseball season approaches its end, there will be countless montages and videos dedicated to all the water cooler moments that made our love for the game downright/borderline obsessive. Included in the reminiscent reels will be Derek Jeter's 3000th hit and Mariano Rivera's 600th career save. Yes folks, you read that last part correctly. Every Yankees fan's lord and savior Mariano Rivera garnered his 600th save against the Seattle Mariners with some clutch performance help from no other than Russell Martin and fans home and abroad have got to be feeling the same way I am....effing ecstatic!

Trevor Hoffman leads the league in career saves and the magic number for Mariano to become the all-time saves leader is 2. 2 has always been a favorable number for myself so there's no doubt that 602 won't become my new favorite number. I am more than certain as well that 602, painted in classic white and blue, shall be tattooed on the arms and legs of die hard Yankees fans....probably myself included!

Congratulations Mariano, you have come to represent strength, passion, and calm for us fans for the past 16 years. Thank you for your humility, and always stepping up and showing out for your fans. I can't wait to write an extensive piece on you and your lustrous career once you get to lucky number 602.

Also, congrats to the Yankees for picking up another victory winning the game 3-2.

XOXO,
Whitney

Welcome Home NFL! We've Missed You!

 I am so excited that the NFL season is back that I don't even know where to begin so let's roll the clip!


When it's difficult to write down how I'm feeling on a particular topic, I try to find alternatives. In finding these alternatives, the likely winner to help me sum up my emotions is a video. Well, like the title suggests, the NFL season is underway and we have fans are more than happy because we've been put through the ringer and our emotions for the sport has been put to the test. We all remember the infamous "NFL lockout" and how we truly believed our Sundays would cease to exist right? Well thank our lucky stars that the league, unions, and players could reach an adult agreement so that we can get back to ignoring our girlfriends/boyfriends.

I'll keep this short because I don't want to suck all of the energy out of the room but I will say congratulations to my New York Jets on their kickoff win against the Dallas Cowboys with a score of 27- 24. I look forward to great things from this team and I wish every team in the NFL the best of luck this season.

Alarmed that there's no recap? Well don't be because starting next Sunday, the usual play by play shall be documented and commented on.

Happy NFL season everyone!

XOXO,
Whitney

State Farm Gets My Likability Vote

With emotions running rampant today to commemorate the 10th anniversary of September 11th there's a fine line between expressing sincere emotions for those who have lost their lives and trying to seemingly profit off of this horrific attack. There has been much debate about this matter and while the banter continues, I have to take this time out to say thank you to State Farm for putting together an awesome & heartfelt tribute to this day. The best way to sum up the emotions I felt for State Farm's endeavors is by watching their commercial that has been airing all day.

May we honor those who have lost their lives and look forward to a brighter & prosperous future. 



XOXO,
Whitney