The Yankees celebrated accordingly from their locker room at Target Field in Minnesota after they swept the Twins with Monday's 5-1 win, but eight more victories are needed for the ultimate goal.
"I think a lot of guys, the older guys, are at a stage in their career where we want to win a ring," said Zack Britton. "(Adam) Ottavino, myself -- a lot of the younger players, too."
Hungry for more, the Yankees enjoyed the 16th straight playoff victory against the Twins, but they already await the winnner of the other ALDS series between the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay, who still have to face off Tuesday in Game 4 at 7:07 p.m. from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, after Monday's 10-3 Rays rout.
"We're always fighting," said Giancarlo Stanton. "It doesn't matter what team it is. I know we've been locked in this year for so long and we never skipped a beat."
The Yankees ultimately came up short last October when they failed to beat the Boston Red Sox in four games of the ALDS, watching their AL East rivals breeze through the ALCS and take the 2018 World Series.
Stanton said Monday that the Yankees keep the Red Sox result in mind, feeling that the roles should have been reversed.
With a blend of experience and youth, from seasoned veterans such as Stanton to rising stars like Gleyber Torres, the Yankees have a different feeling across the board as they continue the quest for their first World Series since 2009.
"It's special," said Cameron Maybin. "I think the nostalgia of being a Yankee ... that's what you want to be a part of and that's what makes it special."
Giancarlo Stanton: "We never skipped a beat" pic.twitter.com/oFkyunYMVK
- Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 8, 2019