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Hitters, pitchers and coaches of the Birdland Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of Yankee-hating people everywhere march with you. In company with our minor league call-ups and brothers-in-arms in other cities, you will bring about the destruction of the New York money machine, the elimination of Yankee tyranny over the oppressed peoples of the American League East, and security for ourselves in Camden Yards.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your opponent is well trained, well equipped and playoff tested. He will savagely fake hit-by-pitches.
But this is the year 2012! Much has happened since the Yankee triumphs of the 1990s and 2000s. The teams of Major League Baseball have inflicted upon the Yankees great defeats, in fair contests, man-to-man. Our new defense has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to get hits on the ground. Our front office has given us an overwhelming superiority in runs and slugging percentage, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained baseball players. The tide has turned! The free men of Birdland are marching together toward Victory!
I have full confidence in your fielding, devotion to fundamentals and skill in recognizing the strike zone. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of the baseball gods upon this great and noble undertaking.