It finally happened. Nine years after their last championship, The New York Yankees are kings of the baseball universe once again. The Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-4 in six games last night.
Andy Pettitte pitched like he always does in big game situations: Phenomenally. In fact, Pettitte won every clinching game in each of the three rounds of the playoffs this season. Even though he did not have his best stuff, Pettitte pitched 5 2/3 effective innings, giving up only 3 earned runs that came off of Ryan Howard's first home run of the season. Joba Chamberlain, Damaso Marte and of course Mariano Rivera finished the game up for Pettitte. Rivera needed to get 5 outs for the non-save situation.
World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui, had a monster game. Matsui had 6 rbi's after hitting a 2 run home run and a double to drive in the runs. Matsui may have played his last game as a yankee but it surely was one of his best ones. He was the first full-time DH to win the MVP award, after starting only three of the games, and pinch hitting in game 3.
The core four returned to their glory by winning the ring for their thumb's. Jeter, Rivera, Pettitte, and Posada all looked truly elated to be back holding the championship trophy. Posada said this title was for the boss, George Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner was absent from last night's victory, after attending the festivities of game one.
The Yankees had many veteran players who earned their first rings after numerous seasons in the big leagues. Players like Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Nick Swisher.
Finally, none of this would have been possible without second-year manager Joe Girardi. Girardi loosened up significantly this season with the club, and the media. He even cancelled practice one day during spring training to take the players to a pool tournament. Girardi trusted his players and coaches more this year and it was visible with his eased up style this season. Of course, he had the help of players like Swisher, Sabathia and Burnett to loosen up the atmosphere of the clubhouse.
Tomorrow the team will have one more time to celebrate the series win with the Victory Parade down the Canyon of Heros parade, in downtown New York City. Check back for pictures.
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