Have Yankees become America’s team?

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

SEATTLE – There were no boos in Chicago, which was kind of like going to the beach and not seeing any sand.

“I think it was the first time since Little League I can remember people not booing us,” Derek Jeter said of the New York Yankees’ reception in their first game back after the Sept. 11 tragedies. “But it only lasted one night.”

Perhaps, but even in Boston the fans were sympathetic. They sung “New York, New York” during one stretch of a Red Sox-Yankees game in late September. These are the same Red Sox fans who are taught to despise the Yankees even before they learn their ABC’s.

The once-hated New York Yankees are suddenly becoming America’s team.

As far as feel-good stories go, what could be more perfect than the Yankees giving their hometown fans another championship?

Just don’t expect the Seattle Mariners to get caught up in the moment.

“They have been through a lot, and we understand that,” Mariners manager Lou Piniella said Tuesday. “But we’d like to curtail their enjoyment here over the next seven days.”

The recent tragedies in New York City are difficult to push aside, even on the baseball field. As Jeter and Andy Pettitte, today’s starting pitcher, spoke to the media on Tuesday, each wore the now-familiar NYFD baseball caps.

Even Mariners designated hitter Edgar Martinez admitted Tuesday: “If we were not playing the Yankees, I would probably want the Yankees to win.”

But when today’s game begins, it will not be difficult for the Mariners to muster up a little competitive fire. After all, these are the three-time defending champion Yankees.

“I don’t think the nation is rooting for us,” Jeter said. “I don’t think the people in Seattle are rooting for us. People are still going to love to hate the Yankees.”

As far as storylines go, the one facing the Mariners has its own appeal. Seattle already snapped the Yankees’ season record of 114 American League victories this year, and now the Mariners will have to go through the defending champions to get to the World Series.

“It’s special,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said of the upcoming best-of-seven series. “What they accomplished this year, we knew it was not easy when we won 114 (in 1998). They went out here and fell out of bed winning 116. They made it look a lot easier than it was.”

Throw in the fact that the Yankees beat Seattle in last year’s ALCS, and motivation will not be a problem for the Mariners. This is a game that Mariners fans have been targeting for a long time.

“I don’t know about waiting, but here we are,” Piniella said. “They beat us last year in six games. We get another crack at them. They are the world champions, so if we want to go to the World Series, we’re going to have to beat the world champions.

“I guess that’s the way it was meant to be, so we’re going to go out and give it our best shot. I’m going to go read Joe’s book again on how to manage, see if I can pick up a pointer or two here and we can turn the tables.”

Piniella – referring to Torre’s book, Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks and Success – has remained loose this postseason – despite the pressure that comes with 116 regular-season wins. His relaxed demeanor has helped create a confidence in the Mariners’ locker room.

“I think this team is ready for them,” second baseman Bret Boone said. “And the Yankees know we’re for real. But their record here in recent years speaks for itself. It’s going to be a tough series for us.”

The Yankees won’t admit to any possible motivation in beating the team that broke their record of AL wins. But they do admit this series has been a long time coming.

“I think a lot of people may be wanting to see this, especially since Seattle broke our record, and now we stand in the way of them trying to win a championship,” Jeter said. “They stand in the way of us trying to win another one.”

Undoubtedly, the fans at sold-out Safeco Field today will be rooting for the home team. Unlike past years, millions of television viewers across the country may have a soft spot in their hearts for the men in pinstripes.

“With what went on in the real world as opposed to the baseball world, I think the NY on our caps symbolizes more than just baseball,” Torre said.

Despite some unusually warm receptions, Jeter isn’t expecting a total turnaround.

“I think that the attitude or the impression that people have of New York has changed a little bit,” he said. “But I don’t think that the attitude toward the Yankees is going to change. You either love us or you hate us.”