Two bags stuffed with champagne-soaked Yankee uniforms were taken out of the Stadium early yesterday afternoon, sent to be cleaned and returned in time for tomorrow’s game in The Bronx against the Red Sox in the ALCS opener.
The Yankees hope it’s not the last time they need to do that kind of laundry this year, especially with their arch-rivals about to come visit.
Just ask Tanyon Sturtze.
The right-hander has been a Yankee for less than a year, but he has already been involved in some memorable moments – many of them coming last week in the team’s ALDS triumph over the Twins.
Even before that, Sturtze was in the middle of the brawl with the Red Sox at Fenway in July that left his face bloody and the Yanks vulnerable.
Still, he knows that the ALCS will be different.
“This is the first time for me,” Sturtze said of the impending playoff matchup as he arrived at Yankee Stadium yesterday shortly before noon. “So I’m excited. Now I get to see what everyone has been talking about.”
Last season’s series, which the Yankees won with an 11th-inning homer by Aaron Boone, has already gone down as one of the fiercest battles in the two teams’ rivalry.
And although the Stadium was quiet yesterday, with only a handful of players showing up as well as several fans who were trying to buy tickets only to find out that there were none on sale, it figures to be as wild for the ALCS as it was last season at this time.
“This is what you play for,” said Sturtze, who pitched well in Game 2 of the ALDS, surrendering a Torii Hunter homer in the 12th after 2 2/3 scoreless innings during the Yankees’ 7-6 win. He was considerably less effective in the next game in Minnesota, when he gave up two straight hits in the ninth, forcing Mariano Rivera’s entrance in the 8-4 victory. “I can’t imagine that it can get more intense than it’s already been this year, but I guess I’ll find out.”
He will soon enough. The Yankees will also find out soon whether Orlando Hernandez will be able to pitch in this series. He didn’t against the Twins, despite being on the active roster.
El Duque, who was also at the Stadium yesterday, along with Miguel Cairo, would only say that his arm – which has been fatigued and rendered him ineffective since late in the regular season – “felt better.”
