Page 10
SPORTS
Friday, Ocife
THE BATTALION
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141
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SWISS MAC
Yankees clinch World Seri
I
NEW YORK (AP) — Down to
their last out in the ninth inning of a
tied game, facing a pitcher who
seemed to be growing stronger the
longer he stayed in, the New York
Yankees weaved their World Series
winning magic out of the slimmest of
threads.
First came the biggest little walk
of the night by Jorge Posada, who
fouled off three pitches on a 2-2
count against A1 Leiter and virtually
willed his way to first base.
Then, up to the plate came Scott
Brosius, who had done nothing
against Leiter but who has one of the
highest batting averages in World Se
ries history. This time, Brosius
slapped a single to left field to keep
the Yankees’ flame burning and
pump up the voices of their scream
ing fans in the enemy’s den at Shea
Stadium.
Leiter, the most animated of pitch
ers, his face twitching between every
pitch, suddenly looked weary and be
wildered as if he sensedhisd
up. He had struck out tlieij
men in the inning, ninei
thrown 141 pitches, and 1
throw one more.
Luis Sojo drilled p
up the middle, and Posadarj
third and charged towardit
Center fielder Jay Paytotj
choice by to try to throw;'
and nail Sojo. The throw«|
but it hit Posada as hesj
home.
Wrecking Crew feared in ManhattJ
T hey do not call it the Wrecking
Crew for nothing. Texas A&M
and defense have a correlation
like nothing else in college football,
especially during R.C. Slocum's
12-year reign as head coach in Col
lege Station.
Even Bill Snyder knows it.
“When I was in the younger
stages of my coaching career, I can
always remember Texas A&M teams
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they al
ways talk about the Wrecking Crew and how
they’re known for playing very, very fine defense,”
said the Kansas State coach. “And I don't think in
R.C.’s tenure that that has changed at all. I think
that’s always been the case, ancTagain they are a
very, very fine defensive football team.”
That they are — here is a quick statistical break
down. Through seven games, the Aggies rank first in
the Big 12 and sixth in the country in scoring defense
(13.1 points allowed pier game), second in the confer
ence in turnover margin (+10) and rush defense (95.7
yards per game), and third in the league and 13th na
tionally in total defense (2S7.3 yards per game).
Not too shabby, considering K-State’s much-her
alded defense is below A&M in some of those cate
gories. On top of all that, throw in talented A&M
quarterback Mark Farris, and things really start to
get interesting.
Do the Wildcats have something to be concerned
about when the Aggies and Wildcats converge this
weekend? I’ll use one of tailback Josh Scobey’s fa
vorite press conference sayings to sum this one up
— “Most definitely.”
With K-State’s inconsistent offensive outputs
the past two weeks against Oklahoma and Texas
Tech, traveling to College Station looks to be a
daunting task.
Plus, the Aggies are coming off an impressive 30-
Wreckit
Crew held the nation’s 12th best offense toa
low 239 total yards.
A&M could also very well ride theemoti
high from its upset of K-State in the '98 Big|]|
Championship, which still lingers to a certain
in the minds of Wildcat faithful.
Will Jonathan Beasley and the ‘Catoften!
ready to stifle the Aggie “D,” led by linebacl
Brian Gamble and Jason Glenn? That w "
question Saturday, but do not expect KyleFi
welcome K-State by any means.
This 80.650 capacity stadium is simply
ing. A&M is ranked as the nation’s fourth-i
place to play in terms of home winning pen
in the 1990s (.925), behind Florida State. Ne
and Florida.
Pit that w ith an unruly crowd known as the
Twelfth Man filled with a bunch of swayiiigi
course, mugging, and you can certainly expet
distractions. In tact, expect the K-State-A&hl
to sell out and enter the Aggies' Top-10all-tin
crowds list this weekend.
Besides the festivities in the stands, there
ally much celebration on the field as welLAd
boasts a sparkling 63-6-1 record at Kyle Field
ing Slocum's tenure as head coach, postinger
undefeated seasons at home.
Yet, the fact that its 22-game winningstret
College Station was snapped this season simp
baffles me. To Colorado, of all teams?
Gary Barnett and the Buffaloes’ (1-6) only"
this year came over the Aggies, and it wasatAi
house. Do not expect me to explain that mystei
anybody.
Maybe Snyder can.
But I will not ask him. I would ratherleti
urday tell the story.
nc
7 victory over Iowa State, in which the Wrecking
Derek Boss is a sophomorepif
electronic journalism majorat Kansar
My Tourney
To Affgieland
Started A
World
Away.
In March 1993, my family and
and came to Texas. I had no job skills and worsey'
did not speak a single word of English
poor we were reduced to eating out-of-date fo'
tossed out by local grocery stores.
It's hard to believe now, but only five short|
later, I graduated from Texas A&M with a Meet#
Engineering degree. Can you imagine howproodf
family and I were? It gets better. Recently I wa!pi
moted'to Project Manager. This would haveK
impossible without the education I received bjfi
uating from Texas A&M University.
Every time I look at my Aggie
swell with pride, thinking about how far I havecof'
in such a short time. My Ring is a constant n
that you can accomplish anything if you be
BySteph
The Batti
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yourself. Texas A&M has not only made a signifitf|
difference in my life, it has also made it possibl
me to make a significant difference in other peopl(| :
lives as well. I am The Aggie Network.
rout,
The Association"
OF FORMER STUDENTS
M am The, Aggce, A/etu*x/J
Email us your Aggie Network
story at: Ringstory@afs.tamu.edu
and we just might use it in an
upcoming issue.
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www.aggienetwork.com