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2001 YANKEES PLAYOFFS
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| Yanks Lose 4-3 vs. Arizona in WORLD SERIES! |
The defending champions continued to shine during the postseason by winning their 38th American League Pennant in team history. After coming back from a two-game deficit in a best-of-five series and defeating a determined Oakland Athletic team in the Division Series, the New York Yankees stunned the regular season’s best team in the American League Championship Series. The Seattle Mariners, the American League West Division Champions who tied a major league record by winning 116 games in the regular season, proved to be no match for the Yankees as they lasted only five games and lost the series four games to one.
The Yankees faced the National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series and after being down two games to none climbed back to lead the series 3-2. Game 6 and 7 went to the Diamondbacks, and the Yankees were defeated.
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| SERIES STATS |
| YANKEES |
vs. |
D'BACKS |
| .160 |
BA |
.198 |
| 7 |
R |
17 |
| 20 |
H |
24 |
| 4 |
HR |
4 |
| 8 |
BB |
9 |
| 1 |
SB |
1 | |
| REGULAR SEASON STATS |
| YANKEES |
vs. |
D'BACKS |
| .267 |
BA |
.267 |
| 804 |
R |
818 |
| 1488 |
H |
1494 |
| 203 |
HR |
208 |
| 519 |
BB |
587 |
| 161 |
SB |
71 |
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| THE 2001 ALCS vs. SEATTLE MARINERS |
| Game |
Team |
Score |
Pitcher |
| Game 1 - AWAY |
Yankees |
1 |
L - Mussina |
| Sat. 10/27-7:30pm |
Diamondbacks |
9 |
W - Schilling |
| |
| Game 2 - AWAY |
Yankees |
0 |
L - Pettitte |
| Sun. 10/28-7:30pm |
Diamondbacks |
4 |
W - Johnson |
| |
| Game 3 - HOME |
Yankees |
2 |
W - Clemens |
| Tue. 10/30-8:00pm |
Diamondbacks |
1 |
L - Anderson |
| |
| Game 4 - HOME |
Yankees |
4 |
W - Rivera |
| Wed. 10/31-8:00pm |
Diamondbacks |
3 |
L - Kim |
| |
| Game 5 - HOME |
Yankees |
3 |
W - Rivera |
| Thu. 11/1-8:00pm |
Diamondbacks |
2 |
L - Kim |
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| Game 6 - AWAY |
Yankees |
2 |
L - Pettitte |
| Sat. 11/3-7:30pm |
Diamondbacks |
15 |
W - Johnson |
| |
| Game 7 - AWAY |
Yankees |
2 |
L - Rivera |
| Sun. 11/4-7:30pm |
Diamondbacks |
3 |
W - Johnson |
Game 1 - D-Backs Give Yanks the Schills
On Saturday, October 27th, the Yankees were expected to begin their march towards their fourth consecutive title. Apparently, the Arizona Diamondbacks march to a different tune, and his name is Curt Schilling. The D-Backs starter entered the game looking to throw his fourth consecutive complete game of the season against the three-time defending World Champions. After jumping out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on Bernie Williams' RBI double, the Yankees collapsed in the field by allowing five unearned runs-the most in a World Series game since 1973. The D-Backs were more than happy to take advantage of the Yankees' mistakes since New York had won 16 of its last 17 World Series games. Yankee starter Mike Mussina was not the same pitcher who had not lost a game since August 22nd. Mussina, who was 2-0 in the AL playoffs, was pulled from the game in the fourth inning after throwing only 62 pitches. When it was all over Arizona had defeated the Yankees by a score of 9-1. The Yankees will look to Andy Pettitte in Game Two, as he leads them against Arizona's second ace pitcher, Randy Johnson a.k.a. "The Big Unit." Schilling, who is 5-1 with a 1.65 ERA in eight career postseason starts, became the first pitcher since David Wells in 1998 to win four games in one postseason.
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Game 2 - Snake Bitten
Entering Sunday night's Game Two of the World Series, the Yankees were up against one of the best pitchers in baseball in Randy Johnson. After having faced Curt Schilling in Game One, the Yankees hoped they would have more success this time around-they didn't. "The Big Unit" pitched a complete game shutout while allowing only three hits and issuing 11 strikeouts. The last pitcher to have a complete game shutout in the World Series was Curt Schilling in 1993 when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies against the Toronto Blue Jays. Yankees' starter Andy Pettitte was almost as dominating as Johnson despite allowing a three-run homer in the seventh inning to Matt Williams. The home run made Williams the first player to hit World Series homers for three different teams, having done it for San Francisco and Cleveland as well. The final score of the game was 4-0 as the Yankees now find themselves down two games to none in the best-of-seven series. Both teams will now travel to the Bronx as the Yanks appear to have a much more favorable pitching matchup for Game Three. On Tuesday, October 30th, Roger Clemens (20-3) will face Brian Anderson (4-9), as Clemens makes his fifth career World Series start. He's 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in the Fall Classic, but hasn't pitched more than five innings in any of his three playoff starts this year.
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Game 3 - Roger & Company Climb Back
On Tuesday, October 30th, a crowd of 55, 820 was in attendance for Game Three of the World Series in which the Yankees trailed the Diamondbacks two games to none. President Bush was on hand to throw out the first pitch, and delivered a perfect strike. This play would be indicative of the rest of the night. Roger Clemens took the mound for the Yankees in his fifth World Series game, as he looked to improve his record in the Fall Classic to 3-0. Unlike Games 1 and 2, the Diamondbacks starter facing the Yanks was not a 20-game winner. In fact, Brian Anderson had a less-than stellar record this season (4-9). Anderson lasted only 5 and 1/3 innings after allowing a solo home run to Jorge Posada in the second and what ended up being the the game-winning hit to Scott Brosius in the sixth inning. Clemens looked sharp striking out nine batters over seven innings and allowing only one run on three hits. After the seventh inning, Joe Torre elected to go with Mariano Rivera, who had not pitched thus far in the series. Rivera did not disappoint his skipper, as he struck out four batters over two perfect innings. When it was all over, the Yankees came away with a 2-1 win. With the win, the Yankees now trail the D-backs by one game in the best-of-seven series (2-1). Game Four will take place in the Bronx on Wednesday, October 31st, as Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez will face Curt Schilling, Game One’s winning pitcher.
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Game 4 - November Magic
On Wednesday, October 31st, the New York Yankees found themselves facing adversity in all forms. Down two games to one in this best-of-seven series, the Yankees needed to even things up, and avoid falling behind 3-1. The evening's pitching matchup wasn't necessarily in their favor either, as Diamondbacks starter Curt Schilling took the mound on three days' rest. The Yankees responded with Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, a pitcher who has a 9-2 career record in the postseason. Despite the short rest, Schilling was as dominant as he was in Game One-allowing one run on three hits over seven innings. His only mistake was allowing a solo home run to Shane Spencer in the third inning. El Duque also pitched well by allowing only one run on four hits over 6 1/3 innings. Deadlocked at one run apiece, the Diamondbacks finally broke things open by scoring two runs in the seventh inning off of Mike Stanton. In the eighth inning, manager Bob Brenly elected to pull Schilling from the game to preserve him for a possible Game Seven appearance. At that point, Schilling had struck out nine batters and had ended the previous inning with a 97-mph fastball. However, Brenly brought in his closer, Byung-Hyun Kim, to finish the final two innings. After striking out the side in the eighth inning, Kim would have to face the top of the Yankee order in the ninth inning to give the D-Backs the win. As the inning began, a message was shown on the Yankee scoreboard, "Welcome to November Baseball." For the first time in Major League Baseball history, baseball would be played in November due to postponements following the Sept. 11th tragedy. In the past the Yankees had been magical in October, but now they claim the same for November. In the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and Paul O'Neill on first, Tino Martinez launched a first-pitch fastball into the right-center field seats to tie the game and breathe new life into the Yankee faithful. After finally getting out of the inning, the sold out crowd of 55,853 was treated to extra baseball. After Mariano Rivera shutdown the D-Back offense in the tenth inning, the Yankees looked to complete the improbable. With two outs in the bottom of the tenth and a full count on him, Derek Jeter watched his game-winning home run sneak over the right field wall in what is easily the biggest home run in his young, yet experienced career. The win ties the series up at two games apiece with Game Five scheduled for Thursday, November 1st in the Bronx. Mike "Moose" Mussina (19-12, 3.13 ERA) will take the ball for the Yankees, while Miguel Batista (12-9, 3.41 ERA) will start for Arizona. |
Game 5 - "Déjà vu All Over Again"
At 12:04 a.m. on Thursday, November 1, the Yankees completed a dramatic comeback victory in Game Four of the Fall Classic with a Derek Jeter walk off home run. Just over twenty hours later, Mike Mussina took the mound against the D-Backs' journeyman pitcher Miguel Batista in Game Five of the best of seven World Series. Mussina, who lasted only three-innings in Game One, threw well as he shut down the Arizona lineup and struck out 6 of the first 14 batters he faced. In the fifth, Steve Finley hit a leadoff home run to give the D-Backs a 1-0 lead and Rod Barajas, the back-up catcher, followed with a 2-out solo shot. Batista had no trouble with the Yankees anemic offense as he scattered five hits, and struck out six over 7 2/3 innings. Certain that the Yankees could not possibly comeback from a two-run deficit on successive evenings, the Yankee faithful serenaded Paul O'Neill with their affection. O'Neill was visibly moved by the crowd's recognition of his achievements on what was probably his final game in Yankee Stadium. As the chanting for O'Neill continued, Ramiro Mendoza finished off the D-Backs in the top of the ninth. Once again D-Backs manager Bob Brenly called on Byung-Hyun Kim to save the game after a stellar performance by his starter. Jorge Posada led off the bottom of the ninth inning with an opposite field double into the left field corner. Shane Spencer grounded out to third and Kim struck out Chuck Knoblauch. Scott Brosius, who had not hit a home run since September 21st, came to the plate as the potential tying run. In Game Four, Brosius struck out and flied out in two at-bats against Kim. Kim's first pitch was a ball. 56,018 fans were on their feet awaiting Kim's delivery. Brosius swung at a hanging slider and everyone in the Stadium knew instantly that history had repeated itself- Kim had given up a two-out game tying two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kim, nearly in tears, was removed from the game and relieved by Mike Morgan. Morgan retired Alphonso Soriano and the Yankees brought in closer Mariano Rivera to pitch the tenth inning. Rivera retired the D-Backs in the top of the tenth and Derek Jeter walked to the plate at 12:03 a.m. on Friday, November 2. Nearly twenty-four hours after his Game Four heroics, Jeter grounded out to shortstop. O'Neill and Williams were retired and the game moved into the eleventh-inning. Back to back singles by Danny Bautista and Erubiel Durzano were followed by a sacrifice bunt moving the runners to third and second base. Rivera intentionally walked Steve Finley to load the bases with one out. Reggie Sanders ripped a line shot up the middle that was caught by a diving Alphonso Soriano, saving two runs and possibly the game. Rivera retired Mark Grace for the final out of the inning. Chuck Knoblauch, 0-13 in the series, led off the bottom of the twelfth with a single to center field. Scott Brosius sacrificed him to second. Defensive hero, Soriano, came to the plate against reliever Albie Lopez and delivered the game winning base hit, as Knoblauch beat Reggie Sanders throw to the plate. The Yankees, now leading the series 3-2, will return to Arizona to face Randy Johnson (21-6, 2.49 ERA) on Saturday, November 3, 2001. Andy Pettitte (15-10, 3.99 ERA) will start for the Yanks. Game time is 7:30 p.m. |
Game 6 - Diamondbacks Rout Yankees
On Saturday, November 3rd, the Diamondbacks returned home facing elimination in Game Six of the World Series. With Randy Johnson on the hill facing Andy Pettitte, Arizona hoped that they would get enough run support to force a Game Seven. Run support turned out to be no problem as Arizona scored 15 runs, which came on 22 hits (a World Series record). The game ended up being the most lopsided loss the Yankees had experienced in 293 postseason games. Pettitte lasted only two innings, giving up six runs on seven hits. In the third inning, the D-Backs pounded out eight runs on nine hits, causing manager Joe Torre to replace Pettitte with reliever Jay Witasick. Witasick didn't fair much better as he was tagged for a series-record eight earned runs. After the third inning, every Arizona starter had gotten a hit, including Randy Johnson. When the game was all over, Arizona had defeated the New York Yankees by a score of 15-2. Among the many statistics worthy of note, Randy Johnson tallied his 412th strikeout in the top of the first inning. The strikeout moves Johnson past Sandy Koufax for the most strikeouts in a regular season and postseason combined. Koufax's record of 411 strikeouts stood for 36 years. Game Seven will take place on Sunday, November 4th at Bank One Ballpark where Roger Clemens will face Curt Schilling, who is pitching on three days' rest. |
Game 7 - Dynasty Ends at Three
On Sunday, November 4th, both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees faced the pressure of Game Seven, a feeling that the Yankees had never experienced in their four World Series in five years. While New Yorkers had grown accustomed to late-inning magic during this series, it was the Arizona faithful (49,589 in attendance) who experienced the magic this time. Both teams had their best pitchers on the mound to start the game in Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens. As the game progressed, it began to appear as a pitcher's duel. Roger Clemens pitched six and one-third innings, allowing one run on seven hits and fanning ten batters. Schilling, pitching his second game on three days' rest, went seven and one-third innings allowing two runs on six hits while striking out nine batters. Clemens' only run allowed came in the sixth inning when Danny Bautista hit a double to left-center field to score Steve Finley from first base. Down 1-0 in the seventh inning, the Yankees put a couple of hits together by Derek Jeter and Paul O'Neill that made way for a Tino Marinez RBI single to tie the game. With the game still tied in the eighth inning, rookie sensation Alfonso Soriano proved again that he could handle the big game pressure by launching a solo home run to break the tie. Later in the inning, manager Bob Brenly elected to bring in Game Five starter Miguel Batista to pitch to Jeter. After Jeter hit into a fielder's choice, Brenly decided to go with another of his starters. This time, he went with his Game Two and Six starter, Randy Johnson. After having won Game Six the night before, Johnson came into the eighth inning and retired Chuck Knoblauch to end the inning. With a lead entering the final innings, many know that the game's best closer, Mariano Rivera, is usually a sure thing to put the nail in the coffin. After striking out the side in the eighth, Rivera appeared poised to secure another World Championship. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Mark Grace led off the inning with a single to left field. The next hitter, catcher Damian Miller, laid down a bunt that Rivera fielded and threw into center field. With runners on first and second, Rivera fielded yet another Arizona bunt and threw out Dave Dellucci (pinch running for Grace) at third base. With one out, Tony Womack hit a broken-bat double down the right field line to score Midre Cummings, who was pinch running for Miller, to tie the game. After hitting Craig Counsell to load the bases, Rivera faced Arizona's best hitter in Luis Gonzalez. With the infield playing in on the grass, Gonzalez blooped a single over the head of Jeter giving the Arizona Diamondbacks the World Championship. They are the fastest expansion franchise to win a World Series (4 years), and are the first franchise from Arizona to win a professional sports championship. Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson were named Co-MVP's and the Yankees will now look to retool for next season. |
Last Updated On:
Wednesday, November 7, 2001 GO YANKS!! | |
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