The Yanks looked like the A-team last night, pulling off an epic playoff win early this morning on the back of a clutch A-Rod home run.
“This was worth the wait, best game ever!” screamed Eric Derrico, 22, who braved the rain and frigid temps in the Bronx for over five hours to witness the 4-3 win.
“Amazing! An instant Yankee classic,” shouted Jennifer Aardsma, 24.
“I’m going to tell my grandkids I was at this game!”
The Yankees, who took a 2-0 lead over the Angels in the American League Championship Series, finally broke through in the bottom of the 13th inning on an error by the L.A. second baseman, allowing Jerry Hairston Jr. to sprint home.
The 50,000 or so Bombers faithful who stuck around past 1 a.m. erupted into a frenzy.
“Mystique and aura are back in The Bronx,” said Yankee fanatic, Selipe Andrews, 36.
He said this team isn’t like the squads that failed in the playoffs over the past few years.
“This is magic, these are the Yankees we know.”
Superstar third baseman Alex Rodriguez led the rally, blasting a home run to tie the game at 3 in the bottom of the 11th inning.
“I knew A-Rod would get it. This year, it’s special,” said Queens resident Patrick Pitkin, 37.
A-Rod’s dinger, which just squeaked over the right field fence, sent the soaking-wet fans to their feet, throwing their cups into the air and running around in circles with excitement.
“This is bliss, baby!,” said Maritza White.
Last Friday, in another classic, extra inning-game in the Divisional Series, A-Rod tied the game at 3 with a two-run blast in the bottom of the 9th.
“That’s why A-Rod gets all the ladies, he’s the man,” said Silvia Gonzales, 21, from The Bronx.
“They’re going to ride him all the way to the World Series.”
The slugger’s girlfriend, and apparent good luck charm, Kate Hudson, was cheering on her man in the stands last night.
“I don’t want to hear anyone talking bad about A-Rod anymore,” said Robert Mark outside the bar Latitude on Eighth Avenue in Midtown.
Brent Hill, 30, said he bought his ticket on a whim hours before the game yesterday on Stub-Hub and “this game will stick with me forever,” he said.
“And so will the cold.”
Additional reporting by
Sarah Makuta