With all of the breaking down of how Game 3 could have unfolded and how the Rangers would do and how the Yankees would do, we all seemed to forget one key factor of the game last night:
Cliff Lee was pitching for a paycheck.
Remember he is a free agent this off season and will be the most coveted name on the board.
And if you get the Yankees lusting after you, then you can basically ask for any amount of money that pops into your mind.
Cliff Lee is not a poor man. He's already made 23 million pigs as a pitcher. Even with agent fees, union dues, taxes and buying lots of Christmas gifts, he can make rent each month.
But being a free agent ace... wanted by ALL teams... and beating the Yankees 3 out of 3 post season games in the last 2 years (including a complete game in the World Series)...
Last night was the greatest audition since Susan Boyle!
If A. J. Burnett was worth $16 million in the open market, can you imagine what Cliff Lee will command?
All I know is that the contract he will sign will take care of his bills, his children's bills, his grandchildren's bills...
Chances are when Cliff Lee IV graduates from Princeton with his tuition 100% paid for, he can say "thanks Great Grand Dad for beating the Yankees that night in 2010."
And if THAT isn't motivation to win, I don't know what is!!!
