Alex, that's incredible that you were there - what an experience for you and Steve both!

I watched the game via Tivo this morning and still can't believe they came back. I'm saving that one for a long time.

Yeah, and I've got to say Steve was a real pleasure to watch a game with. First, because he's been to many games over the years and is a first-rate storyteller but also because he's just mad enthusiastic. He cheers loudly, claps his hands, gets the chants going. Just a load of fun to be around.

Alex - dude, the pleasure was mine (going to the game with you). And, based on the results, you've now made the "Lucky Charm" list - so, we'll do some more games in the future - - and I'm looking forward to it.

I'm working now on 4 hours sleep - and, know what? I don't care. Some night, huh?

That is incredible Alex!

The closest I came to a game like that was Game 2 of the 2000 ALCS. El Duque pitched a gem, but looked to be on the losing side of the ballgame at 1-0 starting the eighth inning. The key at bat was David Justice's 11 or 12 pitch at bat that ended in a double off the Mariners' Arthur Rhodes. I was in the bleachers with my buddies and the crowd went berserk. After that the Yanks rallied for 7 runs and capped it off with a Jeter home run into the bleachers a few sections away.

Yesterday must have been even more amazing!

http://tinyurl.com/pl3un

Wow. I get home with the score 10-4 Texas. Ugh, I think. A night for channel flipping, but maybe the Yankees can chip away, a run here, maybe two there. Sure enough. I thought the Yanks were sunk though, when Mo gave up the run, and then when Jeter & Alex didn't get hits (nice shot by Alex though) I figured that Jorge's luck was gone. Dang what a night. I couldn't get to sleep either, and that was just watching it on tv.

Chien-Ming, you gotta go nine tonight.

OUCH! Please, stop rubbing it in, Alex. I'm hanging my head in shame this morning. I was there too, only I didn't stick around long enough to watch the comeback!

My wife bailed on me cause she had to work late. I don't usually like going to the games by myself, but I figured I'd hit the Stadium for an hour or two (depending on how the game was going) on my way home from work.

Of course Chacon got lit up and we were down big after two innings. Thinking it would be nice to get home early for a change anyway, I hopped the train.

It was 10-5 when I got home and 10 minutes later it was 10-8...I knew I blew it!

I make my wife sit with me through the rain and cold late into the night hoping for a Yanks rally all the time and the ONE time I bolt, they make a historic comeback! Go figure.

Great first person account, and you nailed the atmosphere when A-Rod comes up in a big spot. I imagine he feels that tension - honestly he must - thousands of people holding their breath at once?

The ineffability of those experiences makes being at the stadium so great. This giant union of body, mind, and soul - and you just helped me to relive those moments as if I was sitting at your side.

Great work and great memory - enjoy that one with your grandkids! Hopefully the buzz hasn't worn off yet.

6 Never, ever, leave a baseball game before the final out. Just don't.

I had one eye on the game all night as I did other things about the house, but once they got within a couple runs I was locked in in front of the TV. As Becky figured out what was going on she asked me why we could be at this game (our last trip to the Stadium was Sunday's snoozer--Beck literally fell asleep in the alarmingly empty bleachers). I reminded her that we've been to our share of great comebacks, but then I saw after the game ended that last night was the first time in major league history that a team came back from nine runs down and won on a walk-off homer. Wow. That's a lot of history for that to have never happened before.

Nice to see Jorge be the hero, too. Alex and I were talking recently about Joel Sherman comparing the Yankees to the Beatles in his recent interview for this site. I told Alex that ever since Pettitte left, I've thought of the remaining homegrown players of the Championship era (Jeter, Bernie, Mo and Posada) as the Fab Four and that, in my mind, Jorge was Ringo. He's goofy lookin' and underappreciated as a result, controls the rhythm of the game, and does his job sitting down. Of course when the Beatles did their films, Ringo was always the star because, lacking the looks and natural genius of the others, he was the band member whom the audience could most identify with.

Nobody talks about it, but Jorge has pulled even with Thurman Musnon and Elston Howard on the list of all-time great Yankee catchers (a mighty impressive list). One wonders if he had a stronger chin or broader shoulders if he'd get the respect those two men did during their playing days.

Yeah, the buzz hasn't worn off. I'll crash in a few hours, but there are plenty of chirping Yankee fans around the office this morning. I've been to the Stadium three times in the past week and realize how much I'm going to miss the place. I understand now why some people are really upset about the new park. And I empathize. But I stand by my feeling that it is the fans, the New York crowds, that really help create the electricity. And no matter how synthetic the new joint is, no matter how crass and commerical and vulgar, the fans will make it a specail place.

Re: A Rod. You hear how some players can turn all that noise off and just focus, where it is said that a guy like Rodriguez hears everything. Not to say he can't bear down, but he's sweating.

Emy, you've got nothing to be ashamed of. These things happen. You are no less of a fan for leaving early. Least that's how I figure it. You'll be at another great game later in your life and just be that much more grateful. Stay in the moment and don't have any regrets, dude.

I LOVE the Ringo call.

What a game!!! The two sites I go to in the morning are Banter and WasWatching. Cliff, Alex and Steve do a great job. Alex and Steve (aka NetShrine), it's great to read the stuff you both wrote about THAT game.

During the 2001 post-season run, I went to game 5 of the ALCS (when the "overrated chants" started against the Mariners). Then my brother managed to score tickets for games 4 and 5 of the 2001 Serious. The three greatest games I've been to in my life. I have the pictures of the games here in my cube and it was truly a humbling experience. Whenever work pisses me off, I look at those pictures and grin because I think of the good times.

We can talk about not winning the world series since 2000, but let's not lose sight of the fact that last night was the reason we watch these games. Those memories are what makes watching these games great. We forget how much we enjoy every battle and only think about the ultimate goal, but even though they don't achieve that ultimate goal we still have the battles and experiences to at least give us some comfort. Don't get me wrong, winning it all is what it's all about…..but last night was special. I love when a team doesn't quit and they didn't quit last night. They battled and overcame some serious adversity. The unity of the team was what made me so proud too. That should be the Yankees team motto this year, "Great Teams Overcome Adversity".

Great post, Alex. After the 14-3 BoSox game I had written about why I stay at the Stadium through the blowouts. It's because I believe that some day I'll witness the greatest comeback of all time. Turns out that some day was only a week away. OK, maybe I'm exaggerating with "greatest of all time" but last night sure was sweet.

mikeplugh, I was at that game too, and Jeter's homer landed a few rows in front of me. I went solo, but easily made a lot of friends during that rally.

I was also at a Mets game in July of 2000 against the Braves, in which the Mets came back from a 7 or 8-run deficit. The comeback, capped by a laser beam homer by Piazza, was utterly thrilling - and I'm not a Mets fan. I can only imagine how much fun it would be if it were my team.

Jorge looked like he had a strong enough chin and broad enough shoulders after being barrel rolled by Teixeira last night. A man has to have a lot of sand in him to see that train coming, block the plate and hold the ball. Then to get off his backside and have the game he had was the stuff of legends. I guess he may be at the Eley – Munson plateau. He probably has to far to go to get to the Yogi – Bill Dickey level, although his career OPS is surprisingly close to Dickey's and better than Yogi's. But there is so much more than that to it.

Oh boy was that fun. Never leave a game early is right.

Excuse me, it was June 30, 2000, and the Mets overcame a 7-run deficit in the 8th by scoring 10! Retrosheet rules.

Man, I thought I had a good evening packed with tons of excitement. But Mike, from In George We Trust, had a much better fun filled night. He needs support from his fellow Yankee companeros and companeras (accent on the 'n'), as John Sterling would say.

http://tinyurl.com/nehvh

I remember leaving a Yanks game early. It was a double-dip (Opening Day was rained out) makeup and the Yanks were struggling. Luckily we had some free beers in the parking lot (we were in college) so we decided to bail early. From the outside of Oakland Coliseum we heard the roars, not thinking that there were more Yanks fans than A's, as Darryl Strawberry hit a pinch-hit granny. That was enough shame for me to bear. I learned my lesson the hard way.

Nice personal story Alex. Funny thing for me was, I just started reading "The Birth of a Dynasty" yesterday. I was reading about some of the great games that showed the Yankees' heart in 1996. And go figure...look what happens.

I'll take that as a good omen. :-)

I was actually lucky enough to go to Game 1 of the Serious in 1998. I was in college at the time, and actually flew down the day of (doing my homework in the airport) to go. The things I'll never forget:

1. Just the plain noise level at the Stadium that night. I've been to other Serious games and for some reason that one was always the loudest (louder even than Game 3 in 2001).

2. The 2-2 pitch to Tino, man was that right down the middle.

3. The subsequent grand slam by said Tino where the Stadium literally shook from all the excitement.

I'm fortunately in Italy for work right now so I had to miss last nights game. Great to hear everyone's descriptions though, sounds like a truly memorable one!

If anyone wants to call in sick tomorrow, I have a pair of tickets I can't use. It is a 1:05 start vs Texas. Drop me an e-mail at jkay at panix dot com. Mention Bronx Banter and they are free for the asking. I can e-mail the tickets to you.

8 So logically Derek Jeter would be McCartney ("the cute one"), and perhaps Bernie would be Lennon? Only perhaps of the eyeglasses...

Not sure Rivera/Harrison is a fair comparison, though.

Only 'because' of the eyeglasses. Man, I gotta proofread more often.

21 Jeter is indeed Paul (the golden boy, handsome and incredibly talented, but reviled by many because of both attributes). I think Bernie is George (quiet, plays guitar, also a bit overshadowed by the two no-doubter Hall of Famers in the group), and Mo is Lennon (unwavering confidence, otherworldy talent, respected universally in a way Jeter/Paul isn't).

20 Very cool of you. Only wish I was in NY. Gotta love this Yankee community.

Great diary Alex.

OT: David Mariniss is doing a live online chat at WashingtonPost.com to discuss his book 'Clemente' at 1:00 PM. You can submit questions in advance or participate live.

http://tinyurl.com/ghw5x

8 ...and have your ass in the seat for the first pitch.

I am waiting to bring my daughter to her first Yankees game because I can't break the two golden rules of baseball spectating in order for her to get a nap in!

26 Amen.

Those are the best games to be at. I'm a little jealous that you got to go.

I was lucky enough to be at the July 1st game in which Jeter went head first into the stands. I was sitting in the Upper Deck in Left so I didn't actually Jeter dive in, and everyone in my section was looking around for anyone to tell us what had happened. I was there with my dad, who has been a Yanks fan since he moved from DC to NYC in the late 70s and my wife who is a Red Sox fan.

What an experience that was. I'm glad you had a good time and thanks for the first-person account. It really adds a lot to the recap experience.

On a positive note, it's nice to know that the Yanks can score 14 w/o Matsui, Sheff, or Giambi in the line-up.

JDB

21 & 23 George was way undervalued. If you get a chance, check out Concert for George -- which was done on the one year anniversary of his death. What great songs.

Great night for Jorge, to know that that block was coming straight down at him, concentrate on getting the ball, making the tag, and holding onto the ball while birds and stars are dancing all around his head. Just amazing. Let's hope that was a defining game for this season.

23 Beatles were over & done before my time, but your comparison makes better sense. That's why you guys have the blog, and I just read em'. :-)

Hip Hop Hip Hip Hop Hip Hip Hop Jorge!
There's many happy Yankee fans up on the Banter Today!

I'm a sox fan but tend to watch both (yanks & sox) game on most nights. I switched to Yanks game after Schilling did his Randy Johnson impersonation...great great game and have to respect the poise the Yanks showed - basically the same old heros!!! Nice win

I was at bar in San Francisco, and the bartender was a Giants fan. He cheered when Jorge hit the homer because in his words, "You have to respect that!" I was proud of Jorgie and the boys at that moment.

i was at the jul 1/jeter stands/sheffield plays 3rd game with our very own cliff corcoran. we sat in the upper deck right behind homeplate, and it was ab fab.

but my fave game ever was during the first ever yanks/mets interleague at the stadium. we were literally in the top row of the stadium and it was a MAD house. the back and forth chanting was incessant and tempers were running hot until we were presented with the one thing we all agreed sucks: the red sox. two guys (obviously on a dare) walked into our section with big goofy grins on and dressed in head-to-toe sox gear. as if the booing wasn't loud enough, people even went so far as to throw their $6 (at the time) beers at the guys. you'd have never known Cone still had a no-hitter intact. that one was awesome all around; i even spent the game sitting in between my ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, a mets fan who also happened to be a good friend of mine. talk about drama...

A couple of years ago, Steve Goldman wrote that, while Yogi is clearly #1 among Yankee catchers, Dickey, Howard, Munson and Posada each have a case to make for #2.

I read once that Posada, because of a bad minor-league collision, was gun-shy regarding blocking the plate. It appears that he has finally shaken off this phobia.

Re: Classic Games
I sold my ticket to Game #5 of the 1976 ALCS (Chris Chambliss walk-off). Our grandparents bought us the 3-game block and said that we could only keep one. Although my gut told me that the series would go 5, we decided to play it safe and went to Game #3 (also a comeback win).

Two classics that I did attend:

#1: Yankees-Red Sox in June '78. Guidry started, just a week or two after his 18-strikeout performance, and the place was electric on every two-strike count. A few lead changes, a couple of plays at the plate, even a fan running onto the field to hug Reggie Jackson. Roy White hit walk-off 2-run homer in 14th.

#2: Yankees-Tigers at Comerica, June '03: Roger Clemens' second attempt for #300. Yankees jump out to big lead. Defense (3 errors) lets Tigers back into game in 5th. Local fans finally wake up (until that point, you would have thought that crowd was 90% Yankee fans). Clemens leaves after 6 with lead. Osuna blows it. After Hammond and Rivera pitch 2 innings each, David Wells walks in from bullpen and trades goose-eggs with Steve Sparks inning after inning. Soriano leads off 17th with monstrous homer into the ivy in dead center. Posada adds a homer of his own for insurance. In bottom of 17th, Juan Acevedo comes on with one out and one on, and almost blows it. With one run in, runner on 2nd and two out, batter hits line drive to center -- right at Bernie.

You know, I don't want to kill the mood or anything, but someone's got to say it:

Terrible throw by Jeter on the play at the plate. Melky gets slammed for misplaying that ball, but the fact is, if the throw was even a one-hopper, Jorge never has to go down for it. The throw made him extremely vulnerable and we dodged a bullet.

Sorry to be that guy ruining all the fun...

36
#2 YiM, I was at that game too. My ticket was at will call, because I didn't want to have just a printout of it. Got to the park 45 minutes before gametime, didn't get inside until the second inning. I left after the tenth inning, and made it back to my apartment in Toledo in time for the last inning.
It's amazing how many Yankee fans there are at those Tiger games.

And should Bernie give up the left side of the plate and only hit righthanded from now on?

37 A terrible throw would be up the first base line causing Posada to try a sweep tag, or a throw into the runner's back, or even a throw over Posada's head. Any one of those and the run scores. The relay from Jeter was not perfect, but it wasn't terrible. Posada just had to field the ball and hold on. He was going to get nailed on that play no matter what, given where he setup to receive the throw.

BP

39 I disagree entirely. If you watch the replay, the second bounce makes Jorge drop to his knees to corrale it - a terrible position to be in if you're the catcher. A stronger throw and he's completely upright. Even one up the line, and Jorge easily has time for the swipe tag.

Jeter's barely up the line and he throws a two-hopper? Shoot, Cabrera was in natural left and threw it on the fly to Jorge the other day.

Just dodged a real bullet there. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jorge with the night off so he plays tomorrow.

37 Rob, I think we all watched the throw and saw two hops. One thing is, no catcher wants that throw to come in high, you get too spread out and you are extremely vulnerable. If you can take the throw with your elbows down you have a much better chance to take the contact and role with it. That being said the throw beat Teixeira to the plate by a good margin. Jorge had time to get even more set than he was. Teixeira's Pete Rose/Ray Fosse collision tactic looked like a shocker of sorts to Jorge who may have expected him to try a deke move. If he got down too tight that may have happened. Sometimes you just have to take one when you don the tools of ….

It was Bang Bang all way around., Melky had a minor mishandle which may have induced the attempt to score. He made a quick recovery and threw a seed to Jetes. Jeter made a clean transfer and his ball to Jorge was easy to catch and was low not exposing Jorge to a set of broken ribs. Jorge showed some massive STONES by hanging in, comming back and taking over.

Let Kitty get cat pee on this tonight (I heard he started it last night) This still feels too good to monkey with.

Wow, Alex, thanks for the post. Everybody has their most memorable games for different reasons.

If I may indulge, off the top of my head ...

1) Wells PG on beanie baby day. I trudged to the ballpark for the second game in one weekend. Glad I did.

2) Mike Stanley (?) makes last out vs. Boston. But time was called. Stanley gets hit, Yankees rally, Mattingly wins game with single.

3) Jerry Mumphrey walk-off HR on his birthday.

4) Nokes hits two hrs, thereby instantly becomine a personal favorite.

5) Lowest attendance of the year, rookie Griffey gets two hrs and 3 ribbies. Yankees lose 3-2. Everybody in bleachers pleads with Junior to come play for us.

6) Too many to mention.

Maybe I should peruse retrosheet to see if I remember correctly. No matter. Baseball can deliver anytime and really doesn't have to be a playoff game or against Boston.

Rob admit that you are just a malcontent already. There is no way Texiera is out on that play if Posada doesn't get run over one way or the other.

>

ME TOO!!!
...and I just finished reading that book myself and I loved it! Really took me back - and opened my eyes to a lot of interesting things about the anatomy (no...not THAT anatomy...SHEESH!) of the team - just some fascinating things that I never realized went on off the field as well as on. The book made me giggle at times, wax nostalgic other times...just a great read. I'm now working on "Bleeding Pinstripes" about the Bleacher Creatures. Good stuff there too!

...oh yeah, and last nights game RAAAAWKED!!!! :-)

Sorry, I still disagree - I used to catch and I'd much rather take that shot standing up 41 than on my knees. And there was puh-lenty of time (at least three steps