The Yankees clinched the ALDS after Gerrit Cole shut down the Royals in game four on Thursday night, and as the team popped champagne and celebrate late into the night in Kansas City, Sal Licata’s reaction was nothing more than, “Meh.”
“I don’t understand the big deal,” Sal said. “This is what was supposed to happen...they now completed their second bye. You didn’t expect the Royals to beat them, did you?
“This is just a baby step here. Relax. You just beat the Royals! Come on.”
The top-seeded Yanks were considered a big favorite against Kansas City, a team that lost 106 games a season ago. After missing the playoffs themselves last season, the Yankees are now heading back to the ALCS for the fourth time in eight years, and Sal says that’s what was supposed to happen, so the fanbase shouldn’t be overjoyed at winning a playoff series.
“When the expectations are so high - and they’re that way because the Yankees franchise has been great - winning a division series for the Yankees is not a big deal,” Sal said.
“This year, with this Yankee team, they haven’t accomplished squat yet...beating the Royals? Eh, it should be a given.”