Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

NOTE: This article was first published online at The Sports Column on Sunday, October 20, 2024. The Yankees were on a mission all season long: to make it to the World Series. That mission was accomplished on Saturday when the Yankees beat the Guardians 5-2 in ten innings to claim the American League pennant. The Yankees last won the World Series in 2009. They then had a 15-year drought but came close in 2017, losing the ALCS to the Houston Astros in seven games. This season, at one point in the middle of July, they were three games behind the Orioles and fighting to stay in contention. They then turned it around and finished in first place with a 94-68 win-loss record, three games ahead of the Orioles. Aaron Boone speaking to reporters  after Saturday's  series-clinching win: "I am proud of this group and this organization. It is very special to do it with these guys daily and see what they have. I'm looking forward to seeing who we play." Front-office commitment cont...

New York baseball is alive and well in October. The Yankees are on the cusp of another World Series appearance, and the Mets are looking to make a comeback against the pesky Dodgers. Tonight will be the deciding factor for the Yankees and tomorrow for the Mets. So all must pledge their allegiance.  Here's the schedule for today's game: Yankees vs. Guardians, 8:08 p.m. TBS Tomorrow's Game: Mets vs. Dodgers, 8:08 p.m. FS1 Sit back and enjoy October baseball. Until then, see you at the park! — Joe Boesch 

We just want to win. That's the bottom line. I think a lot of times people may become content with one championship or a little bit of success, but we don't really reflect on what we've done in the past. We focus on the present.  — Derek Jeter — Joe Boesch 

NOTE: This article was first published online at The Sports Column on Monday, October 7, 2024. TOPPS NOW® offers all those and more  With the MLB playoffs well underway, many are watching and hoping for the next great catch to be made, amazing pitching or towering home run. To capture the moment and have a forever keepsake, TOPPS NOW® offers all those and more with exclusive limited edition baseball cards that you can have for your favorite team or player. As stated on the Topps website, "TOPPS NOW® celebrates the pivotal moments in Sports and Entertainment as they happen! TOPPS NOW® trading cards are available for a limited time only at Topps.com and include free shipping. Print runs of every card are announced on Topps.com so you know exactly how rare your cards are. Enjoy the thrill of collecting your favorite heroes, teams, and moments every step of the way with TOPPS NOW®!" If you're looking for moments from the NLDS, here are some of the cards offered: *Game-used Ba...

October baseball is here and we are off to the Divisional Series. A few stunner teams this season. Here's the teams: ALDS Tigers vs. Guardians Royals vs. Yankees NLDS Mets vs. Phillies Padres vs. Dodgers As the saying goes, "the table is set now on to the main course." Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch

The teams are looking for a possible Subway Series reunion. Not long ago, the Mets were 12.5 games back with a 36-38 win-loss record, and their postseason chances seemed slim to none. But then the team went on a seven-game winning streak (thank Grimace for that, who threw out the ceremonial pitch on June 12), and the Mets never looked back. For the Yankees, the turning point came when they acquired Juan Soto last winter, creating a one-two punch between Soto and Aaron Judge. The Yankees started strong with a 42-19 win-loss and first-place record at the beginning of June, but by the middle of July, they were 55-37, sitting three games behind the first-place Orioles. In the end, the Mets finished 89-73, six games behind the Phillies in the NL East, good enough for a Wild Card berth. Meanwhile, the Yankees rebounded to win the AL East, ending the regular season at 94-68 for the AL's best record and third-best overall behind the Dodgers and Phillies. The teams had different expectation...