Bronx Bombers return to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2009

The drought is over. For the first time in 15 years, the New York Yankees will return to the Fall Classic.

The chase for 28 is in full swing for the Yankees, after winning their first American League (AL) Pennant since 2009. The Yankees finished the regular season at 94-68, first in the AL East, and entered the 2024 postseason as the No. 1 seed, setting expectations high.

The Bombers punched their ticket to the 2024 World Series on Saturday night, thanks to a 3-run home run with two outs in the top of the 10th, by none other than Juan Soto.

Watching game five go into extra innings, holding my breath until the very last out. An intense wave of emotion overcame me as I watched the swing by Soto that sent the Yankees to the WS.

“It’s a special moment for me…but this ain’t the trophy I want. I want the next one,” said Giancarlo Stanton after receiving the ALCS MVP award. The Yankees DH slashed .294/.385/1.179 with five HRs, 11 RBIs and one stolen base this postseason, propelling the team’s incredible run thus far.

Stanton struggled in the regular season due to injury, hitting .233 with 27 HR and just 72 RBIs, but came alive this postseason. Stanton was placed in good company after surpassing Babe Ruth, and his teammate Aaron Judge for the most home runs by a player in their first 36 career postseason games (16).

The Yankees are now on the road to a potential 28th World Series Championship in franchise history.

New York’s recent shortcomings

There have been countless postseason letdowns in recent Yankees history, with the most detrimental component being the Houston Astros.

The Yankees have faced the Astros in the ALCS three times within the past 15 years. From a devastating ending in 2019 with José Altuve hitting a walk-off home run to send Houston to the World Series, to getting swept by them in 2022, the Astros have been the constant force stopping the Yankees from a title run.

Fortunately for the Yankees, Houston was eliminated in this postseason’s AL Wild Card series after being swept by the Detroit Tigers at home. This ended the Astros run of seven straight trips to the ALCS.

The Yankees have also missed the playoffs several times within this span. A disappointing season struck the Bronx in 2023, where the Yankees finished fourth in the AL East with a record just above .500, at 82-80 and missed the postseason entirely.

In the 2023 offseason, the Yankees front office knew they had to turn this franchise around, resulting in a massive seven-player deal with the San Diego Padres to acquire Juan Soto who will be a free agent this offseason.

The Bronx Bombers were off to a hot start from the first series of the 2024 season with a four-game sweep of the Astros at Minute Maid Park, setting the tone for the remainder of the season.

The addition of Soto to this Yankees’ clubhouse has been nothing short of incredible. This season, the 25-year-old hit .288 with a .989 OPS, 41 HR and 109 RBIs.

If the Yankees pull through to win another ring, it would not only be Soto’s second World Series Championship, adding to his already impressive resume but would hopefully be a factor in his decision-making this offseason.

They have done everything right thus far, but this is just the beginning.

Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series

The Yankees and Dodgers will be meeting in the World Series for the 12th time, and the first since 1981.

Lining up the best baseball has to offer to face off does not happen often. The two No. 1 seeds with the best records in their respective leagues, and two of the highest payrolls in baseball.

Watching Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto go head-to-head with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman is going to be absolute cinema.

Not only is this series memorable for MLB and its players, but it is special to the fans, as well.

Two of the game’s top franchises and fanbases are in the Fall Classic. A battle of the coasts for the World Series title. The atmospheres in both the Bronx and Los Angeles are going to be electric as ever and I can’t wait to see it happen.

Gina Scarpa is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email gfs5427@psu.edu.