Yankees capture their 27th World Series

NEW YORK–The most storied franchise in major-league baseball, the Yankees are on top of the baseball world once again. Following a drought of eight seasons, the Bronx Bombers last night captured their 27th World Series championship, beating the defending champion Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. The crowd of 50,315 was the largest of the new stadium's inaugural season.

"This is right where it belongs," Yankee captain Derek Jeter said holding on to the World Series trophy. "A lot of predictions were made (that we wouldn't win) but we went out and played the game right and got it done. We've got the greatest fans in the world and we're looking forward to this parade."

This is the Bombers' fifth championship since 1996, but the first since beating the Mets in the 2000 Subway Series. The hard-to-please ghosts of Monument Park uprooted and moved across the street, plunked down beyond the centre field fence at the new digs finally feel at home. The Yankee tradition continues, but now at premium prices.

"We're all like little kids," Jeter said. "We're out here. We get an opportunity to win a championship. This is what you play for. You appreciate it for everybody. That's the bottom line. We got contributions from everybody."

There were many newcomers that contributed to the championship. One of them was right fielder Nick Swisher, who had been to the post-season with Oakland but never had played in a World Series. He was celebrating with his dad Steve, a former major-league catcher and the rest of his family in the Yankee clubhouse.

"We've been talking about this for about a week now and what it would feel like," Swisher said. "To be able to have that opportunity...I've got everyone in my family here. I've got my girl here to share this with me. It's amazing. I don't know how I felt but what I do know is this is the most relaxed I've ever felt in my entire life."

Much has changed with the Yankees in the 13 years since '96, the year the Bronx Bombers returned to the spotlight with a Series win against the Braves.

An ailing George Steinbrenner has handed the operation over to his sons, Hank and Hal. Joe Girardi, the Yankees catcher in '96, has replaced Joe Torre as manager. Frank Sinatra's ode to New York as "a city that never sleeps" has been replaced by Jay-Z and his "lights will inspire you." There is no doubt that by securing a Fall Classic title in its inaugural season, the new place is starting a new tradition of its own.

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

The change of stadium may be as symbolic for Alex Rodriguez as for anyone. It has symbolized a personal change of fortune. The highest paid player in baseball, but a post-season bust prior to this season, had time for self-evaluation at spring training with revelations of steroid use and being disabled due to hip surgery that kept him out until May. Rodriguez credited it with turning his fortunes around. He had a stunning post-season run that ended with 18 RBIs, a Yankee record.

"I couldn't be more proud of these guys," A-Rod said. "These guys and the organization stood with me and now I'm standing with them and the trophy."

Not everything has changed with the Yankees over those 13 years. There are familiar sights and significant contributions from the four remaining Yankees from 1996: Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte, all of whom earned a fifth ring. Pettitte became the 10th pitcher in history to win the clinching game in two World Series. He also extended his own record with a sixth series clincher.

"This is what I came back for," Pettitte said. "I thank God that I stayed healthy and I feel very fortunate to be here. I've had a lot of wonderful players around me."

Pettitte also became the first to post clinching wins in three post-season series in a single year, since the playoffs expanded in '95. He beat the Twins in the ALDS, the Angels in the ALCS and the Phils last night. The 37-year-old lefthander previously closed out the '98 World Series with a Game 4 win over the Padres in San Diego.

The Yankee hitting hero of the night was DH Hideki Matsui. The Japanese slugger known at home as Godzilla breathed fire, destroying all Phillies pitchers in his path, with three hits, a double and a homer, driving in six runs. Matsui tied the all-time World Series record for RBIs in a game set by Yankee second baseman Bobby Richardson in Game 3 of the 1960 series vs. the Pirates.

"I was happy to be able to hit and contribute to the team's win," Matsui said through interpreter Roger Kahlon. "But more than that, just as a team winning the championship, that's such a great feeling. I guess you could say that this is the best moment of my life right now."

After Joba Chamberlain and Damaso Marte had combined for five outs following Pettitte to the mound in the sixth, Girardi took the ball from his lefthander and handed it to the most prolific post-season closer in history, Rivera for the final five outs.

"You can't describe it," Rivera said of his feelings when the final out was made. "There's a rush going through your body. I was thinking of retiring, but now I want to come back for another five years."

The Yankees opened the scoring in the second inning vs. Pedro Martinez on a two-run blast by Matsui halfway up the second deck in right field. It was Matsui's third homer of the World Series and his 10th all-time in the post-season.

In the bottom of the third, Shane Victorino botched a line drive by Jeter, surrounding it and playing it into a short-hop single. After walking Johnny Damon, Martinez drilled Mark Teixeira with the first pitch, loading the bases. Matsui laced a two-run single to centre, giving the Yankees a 4-1 lead. Pedro retired the next four hitters, but lasted just four innings with a fastball that never touched 90 m.p.h.

In the fifth, the Yankees broke the game open against the bullpen. Jeter doubled and was sacrificed to third. Teixeira singled him home followed by a walk to A-Rod. Matsui stepped to the plate and again delivered – a two-run double to right centre field.

The Phillies, trailing by six, finally got a contribution from Ryan Howard. After Chase Utley walked, Howard homered to left into the first row over a leaping Jerry Hairston, Jr. Girardi visited, then left him in. When Raul Ibanez slammed a two-out double into the corner, Pettitte was removed from the game, tipping his cap, leaving to a thunderous ovation as he ducked down into the dugout for what may be the final time.

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