Yankees fans on top of the world as Game 3 nears

10/19/09
new york
By Emily Ngo

Yankees fans on top of the world as Game 3 nears

Yankee outfielder Hideki Matsui breaks his bat in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. The teams meet again Monday. (Photo: AP)

The Yankees, undefeated in the playoffs, are at the top of their game.

Their fans, unnerved by last season’s disappointing end, are on top of the world.

“They will absolutely continue their streak. The players are clicking on all cylinders,” said Michael Govas, 23, of Bensonhurst, who donned a Bombers cap and jacket Sunday in a show of support.

Two wins away from the World Series, the Yankees are in California on Monday for Game 3 against the Los Angeles Angels.

But there will still be action at Yankee Stadium on Monday, where fans can watch the game, starting at 4:13 p.m., inside the main concourse or in the field-level seats. Entry is free and concessions will be open.

Manager Joe Girardi and his team topped the Angels in dramatic fashion on Sunday morning, feeding the fan frenzy with a 13-inning, 4-3 victory that gave the Bombers a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

This October is a far cry from last year, when the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

“It’s destiny! This is the best team that’s ever been assembled,” crowed Alex Yeres, 27, of Manhattan. “Their egos are checked at the door. For once, they look like they enjoy each other and are playing together.”

Tabloid fodder third baseman Alex Rodriguez seemed to agree after the Game 2 win, saying, “I had a blast out there.” A-Rod hit his third
game-tying homer of the playoffs in the seventh inning or later on Monday, setting a new MLB record.

“What A-Rod’s gone through, with all the scandal and gossip, it rocked his career,” said Elbert Calderon, 43, of East New York. “But I think it’s made him stronger and put a focus on his life, set his priorities straight.”

The team’s success as they try for their 27th World Series title has less to do with luck than fate, fans insisted yesterday.

“This team is one of the best I’ve ever seen. I was sitting in the outfield of the [1977] World Series game where Reggie Jackson hit three home runs, but this team has ‘destiny’ written all over it,” said lifelong fan Tim Fowler, 51.

The Yanks’ chemistry – helped by the resilience of their bullpen, particularly closer Mariano Rivera, and the light-hearted touch of pranksters like pie-in-the-face fanatic A.J. Burnett – will earn them the 2009 World Series ring, supporters predicted.

“Seems like there’s been a lot of magic so far this year here,” team captain Derek Jeter said last week. Fowler, of the Bronx, seconded, “There’s never been a team like this. There’s no other team in their league.”

Phoebe Kingsak contributed to this story.

emily.ngo@am-ny.com
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Yankees fans on top of the world as Game 3 nears

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