Worldly Recap

Jason Michael Barker

Well, it's over. I suppose I should be glad the series didn't end Wednesday night, because that would have left me with little to write about tonight. Silver lining and all that.

Is it a big surprise that the Yankees won, again? No, not really. It's something of a surprise that they won four games to one, however, since this was by far the weakest team they've taken to the World Series during this recent run of four in five years. Of course, one might argue that the Mets were their weakest opponent during that time as well.

Still, just how one-sided was this series? Other than the final outcome, it was actually quite close. The Yankees only outscored the Mets by three runs (19-16) and no single game was decided by more than two runs, with three of the five being one-run affairs.

Other than the "Yankees mystique" and "they know how to win in October" arguments, I can't help but think the 2000 Yankees might have been beaten by the 1996 Braves, the 1997 Marlins, the 1998 Padres, or the 1999 Braves. For that matter I'm still shocked that they made it past the Athletics and Mariners, but hey, that's why they play the games.

I could wax poetic about the World Series for at least another ten pages (kidding), but instead, here's a quick look at the series that was:

Best Pitching Performance: Roger Clemens

Clemens is going to be remembered for throwing a bat, and for the fact that he didn't start at Shea, but his Game Two performance came close to matching his stellar ALCS start. In eight innings against the Mets, the Rocket allowed just two hits, walked none, and struck out nine. Further, he needed only 112 pitches, only one of which hit an opposing batter (Edgardo Alfonzo).

Series MVP: Derek Jeter

Nice to agree with the mainstream media for once, isn't it? Jeter hit .409 in the series with a pair of homers, and his homer in the sixth inning Thursday night pulled the Yankees to a 2-2 tie. With Bernie Williams, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch and Jorge Posada taking the series off, Jeter carried his club's offense along with unlikely contributors Tino Martinez and Paul O'Neill.

Best Game: Game One

The opening game of the World Series was a classic 12-inning affair and it set the tone for the rest of the series, which featured four more great games. The only game it's a stretch to call "great" is Game Two, and even it featured a furious and entertaining comeback by the Mets in the top of the ninth.

Biggest Non-Issue: Clemens vs. Piazza

Take away the thrown bat -- OK, so maybe that's not so easy to forget -- and what are you left with? Not very much, honestly. Things might have gotten worse if the series went six games and Clemens pitched a second time, but after Game Two Piazza simply batted when it was his turn and Clemens sat on the bench. I don't think we'll be seeing the pair on Jerry Springer anytime soon, though.

Biggest Bust: Timo Perez

It isn't hard to derail your own hype machine when you hit a paltry .125 and are reduced to a defensive sub by the time the fifth game of the World Series rolls around. Once the Yankees figured out that he wasn't patient at the plate and couldn't hit off-speed pitching, the speedy Perez was a non-factor.

New Fan Favorite: Benny Agbayani

Everyone's favorite pudgy Hawaiian outfielder won Game Three with an eighth-inning double, and endeared himself to baseball fans everywhere with his contagious grin. What's more, he actually hit well during the regular season (.289/.391/.480) and is probably in line for a full-time job in the Mets' outfield next year.

Key Stat: Walks

The Mets were second in the National League in walks this year with 675, just over four per game, but managed just 11 during the series. The Yankees drew an incredible 25 walks during the series, and in the end the Mets simply couldn't overcome all those extra baserunners.

An Even Better Stat: Pitchers and catchers report for spring training in just three and a half months.

What Jason Michael Barker didn't tell you is that now the Series is over, the serious work can begin, i.e. getting all those free agents signed. Why not ask him where A-Rod's going to end up at jmb@strikethree.com.