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How The New York Media Is Preparing For Game 6 Of The ALCS

Rather than project an image of Defcon 1-level panic, the New York Post is taking a decidedly measured approach on the day of the Yankees’ elimination game 6 against the Texas Rangers. Yes, Derek Jeter dancing to disco music in a pinstripe Yankee suit would fall under the category of “decidedly measured” in the world of New York Post covers.

The jokey, cornily photoshopped Post cover says something about the grace period afforded to teams in the year following a championship win. If the Yankees were facing playoff elimination in, say, 2007, when the team was six years removed from a World Series title, this same Post cover would be alluding to front-office firings. But here we are, with dancing Jeter, even though the terrifying prospect of Cliff Lee in Game 7 is the best-case scenario.

In spite of dancing Jeter and the relaxed mood heading into Game 6, the specter of Lee in Game 7 is weighing on the Yankees (and their media contingent’s) minds, as evidenced by Nick Swisher’s mini-blowup from today:

Overhearing reporters engaging teammates in talk about Lee in the Yankees’ clubhouse following their workout, Swisher loudly exclaimed, “You guys are talking about Cliff Lee? Who cares?,” before storming off with another verbal blast: “I can’t wait to hit against his [behind].”

Reporters later tried to ask Swisher about his brief rant, but he would have none of it as soon as he heard the words “Cliff Lee.”

“I’m not talking about Cliff Lee,” Swisher said.

[New York Post Covers] NY Post