VOA标准英语2009年-New York Yankees Win Major League Baseball

By Richard Green
Washington
05 November 2009

 
New York Yankees' Derek Jeter, left, and Mariano Rivera look at championship trophy¹ after winning Major League Baseball World Series, 4 Nov 2009
The New York Yankees defeated the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 7-3, Wednesday, to win the 2009 World Series, the championship round of North American Major League Baseball.

New York's Japanese-born designated hitter, Hideki Matsui, was the catalyst² in the Yankees' dominating victory. Matsui drove in six of the team's seven runs in the pivotal sixth game of the Series, including a massive home run off Phillies pitcher³ Pedro Martinez in the second inning that gave the Yankees their first two scores of the game.

Matsui also drove in two runs during his at-bats in the third and fifth innings. His exploits earned him the Most Valuable Player award for the 2009 Series, becoming the first Asian-born player, and first full-time⁴ designated hitter, to win the award. Speaking through a translator, Matsui said he was happy to take one for the team.

 
MVP Hideki Matsui acknowledges applause during ceremonies after winning Major League Baseball World Series against Philadelphia Phillies, 04 Nov 2009 
" . . .was happy to be able to hit and contribute to the team's win but more than that, just, us as a team, winning the championship - by far - that is such a great feeling," he said. "I guess you can say that this is the best moment of my life right now. If I were to look back, yes, this would be the best.''

The Yankees have won 27 World Series titles over their storied history, dating back to the 1920's, making them one of the most successful sports franchises⁵ in North America. New York won this year's prize in the first year of their new $1.3-billion stadium.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi says the team was honored to win another World Series title for the franchise's 79-year-old owner, George Steinbrenner.

"This is what the Steinbrenner family has strived for year after year after year and has tried to deliver to this city of New York and George Steinbrenner and his family are champions and to be able to deliver this to the Boss, the stadium that he created and the atmosphere that he created around here, um, is very gratifying for all of us," Girardi said.

The Philadelphia Phillies were seeking to become the first National League team to win consecutive⁶ World Series since the Cincinnati Reds did it in 1975 and 1976.

New York City's mayor has scheduled a parade through Manhattan Friday, to honor the Yankees.

1 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。

2 catalyst   

n.催化剂，造成变化的人或事

参考例句：

• A catalyst is a substance which speeds up a chemical reaction.催化剂是一种能加速化学反应的物质。
• The workers'demand for better conditions was a catalyst for social change.工人们要求改善工作条件促进了社会变革。

3 pitcher   

n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手

参考例句：

• He poured the milk out of the pitcher.他从大罐中倒出牛奶。
• Any pitcher is liable to crack during a tight game.任何投手在紧张的比赛中都可能会失常。

4 full-time   

adj.满工作日的或工作周的，全时间的

参考例句：

• A full-time job may be too much for her.全天工作她恐怕吃不消。
• I don't know how she copes with looking after her family and doing a full-time job.既要照顾家庭又要全天工作，我不知道她是如何对付的。

5 franchises   

n.（尤指选举议员的）选举权( franchise的名词复数 )；参政权；获特许权的商业机构（或服务）；（公司授予的）特许经销权v.给…以特许权，出售特许权( franchise的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• TV franchises will be auctioned to the highest bidder. 电视特许经营权将拍卖给出价最高的投标人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ford dealerships operated as independent franchises. 福特汽车公司的代销商都是独立的联营商。 来自辞典例句

6 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。