MINNEAPOLIS — There are five Yankees left from the “Great Flush Of 2004” against the Red Sox in the ALCS.
That was the last time the Yankees were on the verge of eliminating an opponent with a sweep. Tonight in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Twins at the Metrodome, the Yankees need a victory to sweep the best-of-five series.
Alex Rodriguez said what happened in 2004 “doesn’t matter.” Mariano Rivera explained he doesn’t think about it because, “If we couldn’t win one game out of four how many chances do we need.” Jorge Posada stated “last year was a lot tougher for us, not making the playoffs.”
Johnny Damon was the Red Sox center fielder and clubbed a grand slam in Game 7. However, since joining the Yankees in 2006 he has not heard much talk about the biggest meltdown in Yankees history.
“You never hear about it,” Damon said. “Everyone knows it’s not over until you pop champagne.”
Hideki Matsui can’t avoid it, but the collapse doesn’t consume him.
“I remember the bitter experience, but I don’t dwell on it too much,” Matsui said.
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GM Brian Cashman said Matsui’s future with the Yankees is not tied to any marketing deals designed to bring money into The Bronx on Matsui’s back.
“He doesn’t make money for us that way [marketing tool],” Cashman said. “He helps us make money when he helps us win games. We are a baseball business.”
People wrongly assume since the Yankees have Japanese companies advertising at Yankee Stadium that there is a revenue stream connected to Matsui. Ditto Matsui’s Yankee shirts. But if that signage vanishes, another company will take its place and the shirts are part of the MLB licensing program. That means all 30 teams share in the profit.
Matsui is a free agent at the end of the season with Andy Pettitte and Johnny Damon.
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Joe Girardi isn’t going to borrow trouble from tomorrow when it comes to announcing Jose Molina will catch A.J. Burnett the next time Burnett starts. If the ALDS goes five that would be Burnett on Wednesday night.
“We will revisit that every time that comes up,” said Girardi.
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Joe Mauer is playing hurt, but there is very little chance the Twins’ All-World catcher is going to sit tonight with his team facing elimination.