2009 World Series Game 6

Posted on November 5, 2009

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter leaps in the air to celebrate after the final out in the 9th inning as the Yankees defeat the Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 of the World Series to win it all at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

 

Ever since the post season started I told myself that I wanted to have the opportunity to photograph the New York Yankees winning the World Series wearing the pinstripes at the new Yankee Stadium. As I rehearsed the Yankees winning in my head I kept telling myself that depending on where I was shooting from in the clinching game I wanted to be on the captain- Derek Jeter. Jeter is the Yankees. Jeter is the face of the franchise. He is the Yankee I wanted to have my lens on when the final out was made in the 2009 season.

Fast forward to this evening and everything was going my way. The Yankees had faught through the first two rounds of the playoffs to reach the World Series. They had a 3 games to 1 lead in Philly the ohter night and lost Game 5, setting up the oppourtunity I had been hoping for: a Yankees celebration at home in the pinstripes. But first they had to play the game.

This game pitted Andy Pettitte against Pedro Martinez in a matchup of veterans. I really thought Pedro would pitch well on the big stage tonight. The only problem for Pedro was he could not get Hideki Matsui out, as the Yanks DH knocked in 6 runs, giving the Yankees an early lead that they would never relinquish. The drama was gone from this one pretty early, and Newark Star-Ledger photographer Bill Perlman and I kept talking about the pictures we wanted to make of Jeter celebrating after the final out from our overhead first base position.

The last few innings seem to crawl along, and even though I had not had anything to drink since 4pm, and taken my normal pre-game trip to the men’s room, it seemed that the big soda Perlman drank in the late innings was making me feel like I was gonna wet my pants. I needed the game to end so I could get my Jeter picture, hit the men’s room, and then head into the clubhouse to shoot the champagne celebration.

Thankfully for Perlman and I the 9th inning finally came and Jeter followed the script in our heads and leaped in the air as he ran towards us on the infield below. We both had the pictures we had hoped for! I then headed down stairs to drop off my long lens in the photo workroom and grab my short lens camera with a flash and rain cover to I could safely navigate my way through the celebration in the Yankees clubhouse after they finished the trophy ceremony on the field.

It is always a nightmare dealing with security trying to get into the clubhouse, even though I had the proper credential and clubhouse access badge. Once I got in there I got a few OK pictures, but not what I was hoping for. I enjoy shooting these crazy celebrations, but I often come out of there not very happy with my take. It is really tough dealing with the champagne fogging my lens and viewfinder. There are also so many people crammed into the clubhouse who do not belong there. There other thing is I always want the stars with the trophy, etc. and I always end up with the crappy guys instead.

After awhile all the stars disappear into the off limits areas in the clubhouse and the only people spraying champagne are not players, which should be against the law. After waiting around for Jeter to return from the post-game press conference I saw him come back very briefly to grab his girlfriend Minka Kelly. She was by herself and seemed very shy about being in such a crazy place. The captain whisked her away and I never saw them again. It was time for me to head back to the photo worksroom and slowly pack up my gear. I was soaking wet, covered with champagne, and I still smell like the bubbly as I sit in my hotel room and type this at 4:20am!

In a few short hours I will be on a plane heading home after another fun Series- my 10th in a row on assignment for Major League Baseball Photos. Everything I wanted to happen came true. The right team won wearing the right uniform in the right building with the right guy jumping in the air coming right at me. I could not be happier!