He will need some time to analyze this game. On the night when Leiter showed every bit of his big-game heart, he still leaves with the hollowest feeling in his stomach. Sojo just gets enough of his 142nd pitch, like the Yankees always seem to just get enough. Pit Bulls clamped on an ankle show more give in them than the New York Yankees. Let Joe Torre's team see a championship and you can be sure the fight will go deep into the night.
Most people have a rapid reflex response.
The Yankees have a trophy response. Leiter battled it for nine guts-out innings, even as the Mets offense stranded base runner after base runner. His brothers Mark and Kurt watched from the stands, understanding their little brothers pain like only other athletes can. This looked like Leiter's night, right up to his final pitch. But that is the agony of playing the Yankees, the team that just won't die.