Because for years, did we ever have any doubt?  But for McGwire, who said “It was foolish” his admission came, a little too late. It won’t help his hopeful enshrinement to the Baseball Hall of Fame, nor does it help his respectability as one of the top home run hitters of all-time.

You see McGwire also admitted, years later, that he used performance enhancing drugs during that media hyped season home run race with Sammy Sosa in 1998 that saw him hit a record 70 home runs.  And at that time there were always the questions about him and Sosa. Except baseball was happy then that home runs were bring hit out of the ballpark in a record pace as the game was recovering from a nasty labor war between the owners and players.

All that time the questions were being asked. The speculation was always about reconfigurations of outfield fences, or that the baseball was different and easier to hit out of the park.  Yet, guys like McGwire, Sosa, and others always denied that steroids and other body enhancement drugs were the reason.

They made us, the media, and you the fans look like fools. Because they fabricated their reasons for becoming such proficient home run hitters and all the time you looked at McGwire, you saw Sosa, and were amazed at how big the arms were, and how deep the home runs were being hit out of the park.

It made sense then, as much as it is now.  McGwire denied using performance enhancing drugs before a Congressional Committee and his 538 home runs are eighth on the career all-time list.  Barry Bonds is no angel here and will always be the center of attention with his denial of allegations that he did what McGwire did.

Baseball owners knew it was happening, and perhaps so did Commissioner Selig, Home runs put people back in the seats and players hitting the long bombs out of the park were getting their lucrative pay checks.

But getting back to the admission, Monday that is putting McGwire back on the national map.  He was appointed the hitting coach for La Russa’s Cardinals in November.  Back in baseball now and teaching hitters, hopefully the right way to hit a home run out of the ballpark.

McGwire had to finally come clean or the scrutiny would continue at every Major League ballpark in 2010.  Too bad it came years later, that admission. The home runs he hit are still questionable. They are surly under consideration when the name Mark McGwire comes up every year now for enshrinement to Cooperstown. He came up short again last week when the ballots were counted.

It would have helped him to come clean years ago when this all started, most of all telling the truth then would have diminished the bad image that baseball received and at times continues/   McGwire said he did not tell the truth then because he feared there would be legal jeopardy.

He may get those sympathizers that give a second chance, Many, in the baseball community believe the steroid home run race is still a disgrace and the punishment is always denying Mark McGwire enshrinement to the Hall of Fame. All of those home runs in the record book now with this admission deserve an asterisk.

BOXING IS DISGRACED WITH FALLOUT OF PACQUIAO-MAYWEATHER:  A mediator could not get the principles involved with welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr, on a compromise over blood testing procedures and now what was supposed to be the mega fight of all time if off.

Instead the boxing world prepares for a mediocre fight.  Pacquiao will defend against Joshua Clottey the native of Ghana now residing in the Bronx. That fight will be televised on HBO Pay-Per-View on March 13^th, the original Pacquiao-Mayweather date, from the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium and does not have the magnitude that was anticipated with Pacquiao and Mayweather,

So where did the two fighters go wrong, as well as the promoters, in this case Bob Arum of Top Rank who promotes Pacquiao and Richard Schaefer of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions that represented Mayweather?   According to Arum, Pacquiao made some concessions as to timing of three blood samples prior to and after the fight.

The blood testing issue was the obstacle that prevented this fight from officially being announced in New York City this week. Arum requested a mediator with hopes there would be some movement to getting the top two fighters in the world in the ring. A mediator who Arum used to negotiate a proper deal for Pacquiao when is fighter left the Golden Boy promotion.

Arum is livid, so are boxing fans   The sport has once again become a travesty because of a ridiculous blood testing procedure called by Mayweather that would have been conducted anyway by the sanctioning Nevada State Athletic Commission, Mayweather wanted to use the Olympic style blood testing procedures that are done three times, Prior to the pre fight press conference, 30 days before the fight, and after the fight

Either way, the Nevada Commission would have done similar testing, and if everyone is clean there are no concerns. The biggest paydays for Pacquiao and Mayweather go down the drain.  The questions persist. Is Mayweather backing away from Pacquiao, or is Pacquiao with his initial resiliency to taking blood hiding something? Pacquiao is a record seven- division title holder having defeated Miguel Cotto last year and is going for number eight against Clottey as a junior middleweight.

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

“We will rebuild and get it back,” said a solemn Aaron Davis, the former Golden Gloves champion from the Bronx who later went on to become a successful professional fighter and welterweight champion. Davis, about a year ago became a partner with owner Dex Pejcinovic a 40-year old business man who one time trained at the same gym.

Then, when Davis and Pejcinovic were at Morris Park, the gym was always busy. But it was never as immaculate, spacious, and busy as they made it over the last year. The Morris Park Boxing Gym became one of the busiest and most popular training spots in the Bronx and New York City for an aspiring pro fighter.

Now all the work and effort that Davis and Pejcinovic put in has been destroyed. Reportedly an electrical problem in the front of the gym caused the fire early Wednesday morning that gutted the entire gym.  Authorities are investigating, and like other fires of this sort there is talk about something more than an electrical fault that has left kids in the community and fighters looking for another gym.

The gym, once owned by prominent Morris Park attorney and now boxing promoter Joe Deguardia has been a cornerstone of the Van Nest community off White Plains Road since 1977.  The trials and tribulations of former pro Luis Resto, accused and later prosecuted for using tainted gloves in a bout came from there.

So was the cat that professional welterweight Frankie Figueroa used to chase in the basement of the gym when he lived there. The name “El Gato” became a mainstay with Figueroa from those days he lived and trained at the Morris Park Boxing Gym, The gym also was a second home for former light heavyweight champion Lou Del Valle.

“Just a bad time of year for this to happen,” said Davis the other day. “It’s sad to see.”  Over 70 fighters, pro and amateur belong to the gym, not counting the many youngsters that Davis and other trainers gave their time to daily.  “We took care of every kid who came in and wanted a chance,” said Davis who is temporality taking as many as he can to John’s Gym located in the Hub at 149^th Street and Third Avenue,

All of the equipment and belongings of the fighters were destroyed in the fire. Davis managed to salvage a few pairs of boxing gloves. The downstairs basement which was renovated with lockers and a weight room were not damaged and there were no injuries reported as the gym was vacant when the fire started around 7am

Said longtime trainer Victor Pena, a Bronx resident who has six fighters entered in the upcoming Golden Gloves Tournament, “It’s a loss for all of us, especially for the kids in the community who made this gym their second home.”

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

“This was a difficult decision, but we felt that we needed a new direction at this time,” said Fordham Director of Athletics Frank McLaughlin in a statement. He added, “It’s a priority of the University to have a successful program in the competitive Atlantic-10 Conference.”

Last season the Rams finished 3-25 overall, finishing 14^th in the conference with a 1-15 mark and failed to make the post season tournament for the first time.  That led to rumors and speculation that Whittenburg would be dismissed but he returned for a seventh season and recently signed a contract extension for another three years.

Whittenburg was hired in 2004 after leading Wagner College to their first NCAA Tournament the year before. He could not be reached for comment but sources said Whittenburg was disappointed and would release a statement soon.  Others on the Fordham campus, including alumni who are major supporters of the basketball program up at Rose Hill reportedly had been looking for Whittenburg to be dismissed.

He complied a 69-112 record with the Rams and is 136-162 overall as a head coach in eleven seasons.  Assistant coach Jared Grasso will take over as interim head coach the remainder of the season. He will guide the Rams for their next game Saturday evening up at Rose Hill when Fordham takes on Bowling Green State University.

As the Rams struggled last season there were reports that Whittenburg got into clashes with numerous players, including one of his leading scorers Chris Bethel. Regardless Fordham has difficulty when it comes to stability retaining a head coach. Whittenburg succeeded Bob Hill the highly touted NBA coach who signed a 10-year million dollar contract.

After Fordham defeated Sacred Heart up at Rose Hill two weeks ago, their first win this season. Whittenburg commented a bit about the dismal campaign last year. “We really did not have a leader and there was too much outside influences that disrupted the kids,” he said.  There were references to outside coaches who knew his players, even some family members that may have caused some dissension by being too influential.

Alumni assisted in bringing Hill to Rose Hill paying for some of his salary, and Hill after a mutual decision to leave is still being paid.  McLaughlin said an immediate search is on as to who would guide the Rams in the future and Grasso is under consideration.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Naturally the assembled baseball media was more interested in getting a perspective of roster moves Cashman was looking at in a short off-season. It is barley three weeks since the Yankees won their 27^th world championship and there are some issues to address before spring training commences down in Tampa Florida in mid February.

“We haven’t game planned yet,” said Cashman dressed in casual attire, not typical for a Red Carpet type of affair. He recently completed organizational structural meetings with team brass and it may be too early as to making major decisions. What to do with the contracts of Johnny Damon, World Series MVP Hideki Matsui and pitcher Andy Pettitte?

And do the Yankees go after some of the high powered free agents that ate available, such as pitcher John Lackey, or trade for an outfielder, or acquire the highly sought Matt Holliday off the free agent market? “We’re going through everything that transpired in the meetings,” said Cashman. “Once I get some firm numbers, I can go ahead and start putting together some ideas,” he said.

Those ideas become interesting, because the Yankees seem to be solid at every position, with the exception of course in the outfield when it comes to the futures of Damon and Matsui. Then there is the obstacle of finding a viable fourth starter as Chien-Ming Wang  continues to rehab from right shoulder surgery.

“I had a couple of agents call me,” said the GM with a smile. There is reason to smile. Players on the market know coming to New York increases their chances of getting a ring, because the Yankees are willing to spend. But how much will it take after Cashman and company spent about a half billion in payroll, last off- season to get pitchers CC Sabathia, A.J, Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira?

Cashman alluded to making the right decisions when it came to the financial aspect of getting the top three, players that no doubt were a vital contribution to the Yankees success. “I am real pleased at the financial aspect of last winter,” he said. “It puts us in a much better position than before.”

So the Yankees will shed more salary without Matsui, leaving them the ability to re-sign Damon Their six years of futility to get back on top was done with their core of veterans, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and of course, Pettitte, who became the all-time post season pitcher with most wins after the game 6 clincher against the Phillies.

There was also the mix of players that came together, with some new and returning players that stayed healthy.  To that Cashman said, “Truthfully we won with older guys and stayed healthy.” In particular he mentioned the healthy year that came from Posada and Matsui..

“With the exception of Wang and Nady (Xavier) that’s why we are here today,” he said about the Yankees overall staying free of injuries and getting the contributions they needed.  Nady is one of the options the Yankees have for the outfield, if indeed they decide to tender him a new contract.

So getting younger and reducing payroll also can enable the Yankees to obtain another high caliber type of player off the free agent market. In particular Cashman will take a look at outfield prospect Austin Jackson, and maybe take someone out of the bullpen and make the conversion to starter.

“Do we promote Austin Jackson and way do we do at DH,” said Cashman who was anxious to see the 80 minute DVD that captures the Yankees run to another championship and their post season success.  “Do we get younger, that remains to be seen,” he concluded.

And as Cashman and Girardi posed in front of their new World Series trophy they know the task is ahead to defend the title and get number 28.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

As soon as they finished trading jabs, Pacquiao the clear winner in the ring late Saturday night, Mayweather started to make some noise. “Pacquiao does not want to fight me or he would have said so himself,” said Mayweather. His people want ot get the fight done, so does Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach who called for the undefeated Mayweather immediately.

It has been explained to yours truly, from a source at Top Rank, the promoters of Paccquiao that the problem getting this fight together is dealing with Mayweather.  Bob Arum, promoter of Top Rank has a malicious attitude towards Mayweather his former fighter. So the negotiations that reportedly have started are going nowhere.

Mayweather wants more of the money form the purse to pay-per-view revenue. This has a potential to be the mega fight of this new boxing era, and could easily top the revenue of previous PPV fights that Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya have accomplished. It is a fight that will keep boxing in the picture because these are two fighters now that generate that type of interest.

Not since we have seen Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Rey Leonard, the prime fighters of the 1980’s have we seen a fighter like Pacquiao. The Philippine sensation made boxing history Saturday night becoming the first seven-time division champion in the sport and easily dominated Miguel Cotto.

Cotto is now a second thought. What once was talked about, a trilogy between Cotto and Pacquiao, now can become a three- time deal with Pacquiao and Mayweather. Cotto can continue to fight and work his way back into the picture. Possibly a return bout with WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley at Madison Square Garden in June, the place where Cotto reigns and always fights on the eve of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.

But the fight boxing fans and the sport needs is Pacquiao against Mayweather. Arum said the past few days that it will have to happen.  How much each fighter will get has to be determined and where it will take place is another factor before the fighters sign on the dotted line.

The original idea was to stage Cotto again against Pacquiao at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Perhaps Cotto or Pacquiao opposing Mayweather there, however, Arum now has a change of thought because of a tax structure in the state of New York that would hinder the earnings of the fighters, promoters and pay-per-view outfit, most likely HBO Pay-Per-View.

Las Vegas is the most probable option. Promoters get rooms on the house, and the Nevada tax structure is so much easier to work with.  Then there is the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium being discussed as a possible venue for the fight. Unless the New York politicians give in, and their greed and bickering won’t allow it, Pacquiao and Mayweather is not coming to Yankee Stadium.

So where do we stand? Boxing fans want an answer soon because the sport is in need of this mega fight. They are looking at a date in May to get this done.  Reports are Dallas is the lead contender to host the fight. And the Cowboys Stadium has the largest video board for a sports venue that will allow those with the cheaper tickets to attend and see the fight from the upper rafters.

Arum, even with all his past animosity with Mayweather, knows also that the sport needs to stage this fight and is willing to put differences aside.  And though Pacquiao has not commented about an impending meeting with Mayweather, he too knows the significance of this potential fight to be.

After a vacation with family, Pacquiao with a clear mind and rest should be more than ready to make a deal.  Mayweather also needs to meet him half way and also knows differences with Arum will be put aside to get this fight done. It is for the betterment of the sport to make sure that Pacquiao and Mayweather touch gloves soon.

If not, the boxing world puts itself in the same situation. Less interest and fights of minimal value that carry no weight, or do nothing to bring the sport back to respectability. Cotto and Pacquiao gave us some hope that sparked some mainstream media interest again for the sport. Now we need Mayweather and Pacquiao to continue the process.

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

Pacquiao out punched Cotto from the fourth round on, and like he has done with previous opponents he used speed and power to his advantage/. Pacquiao also becomes the first seven-time division champion and up next is a potential lucrative pay day with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“The strategy of the fight was to take time and not hurry,” said Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38KO’s). “We were very careful in the early rounds,” he said as Cotto tried all he could to use his devastating left hook that had little impact on Pacquiao.  “Im trying to test his power in the early rounds that’s why I wanted to get hit in the body and the head,” he said.

Pacquiao also used good strategy against Cotto that his trainer Freddie Roach preached in their intense training camp. “I was looking for a knockdown shot, he said. “That’s why I didn’t throw a lot of punches. That’s why in the last seconds, I threw the good right hook.   I kept pressuring him and was very careful of his counter.”

But the counter never seemed to work for Cotto. After the fourth round it was all Pacquiao who knocked down Cotto with a left hook in the third round, and he knocked Cotto down again late in the fourth round as Cotto advanced to him.

The first four rounds reminded many about the Hagler-Hearns wars of the 1980’s with Cotto and Pacquiao trading and taking some punches, but Pacquiao was able to do more and took command of the fight after that. It was all Pacquiao, who led on all of the judges scorecards as it appeared Cotto took the first round and he barely won the fifth with some good counter punching.

“We were trying our best to try and knock him out because that is what my trainer said,” commented Pacquiao. But Cotto with a swollen face and blood flowing form his nose, with cuts showed his pride and determination by refusing to quit. His trainer Joe Santiago thought about stopping the fight earlier but saw that his fighter had the ability to continue,

“I thought in the 11th round they were going to stop the fight.  I was surprised,” said Pacquiao about the fight not being stopped sooner. Pacquiao also said that he would not consider moving up in weight class again. “154 is too big for me,” he said.

On a possible fight with Mayweather, a name the sold old crowd at the MGM Arena started to chant, Pacquiao said “My job is to fight in the ring and that depends on my promoter Arum (Bob) to negotiate that fight.”It was a hard fight. Cotto is a tough opponent,” he said.,

A battered and defeated Cotto (34-2 27 Ko’s) will take some time and think about his options. His last fight back in June he barley defeated Joshua Clottey at Madison Square Garden in New York City. “You don’t have to tell me anything,” he said, “Its part of my job. I’m pretty proud of what I have done in the ring.”

He added, “ I did not protect myself from the punches   I fought everybody  Miguel Cotto came to fight all the big names and Manny is one of the best of all time.”   And about his trainer stopping the fight earlier, Cotto said, “I told Joe to stop the right when the round was over,,” he commented about the 11^th,” but I think better it was my decision.   I will continue fighting.”

Now fight fans await the negotiations. Roach wants Mayweather and Arum will have a rough time at the table because Mayweather is an adversary. “I said we were going to break him down and we did,” said Roach about Cotto.” Manny put pressure down and early in the fight he was assessing Miguel’s power.”

MORE TO COME     e-mail Rich Mancuso Ring786@aol.com

“In this fight, he is not the star of the show,” said Arum about Cotto at the final news conference for a fight that needs no hype. Cotto and Pacquiao proudly have nine world titles in seven weight divisions, Cotto (34-1, 27KO’s) of Caguas Puerto Rico with three titles to his credit. Pacquiao (49-3.2, 37 KO’s) from the Philippines is also considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the business.

“But he plays a role that has made this fight what it is,” says Arum about Cotto. “Miguel Cotto is the biggest obstacle in Manny’s path. He is a true welterweight with a heart as big as this room. When the bell rings there won’t be one icon and one great fighter. There will be two great fighters in the ring and they will be fighting for their country and their families.”

And also fighting for the sport of boxing because this has become one of the most anticipated and talked about fights in years.  Not since the great welterweight wars that involved Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Rey Leonard has boxing seen the magnitude of two great fighters like this.

There is no telling how far this fight will go, but the implications after the result will also create interest in what is perhaps the premiere division in the sport. Waiting in the wings for the winner is an inevitable clash with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. Reportedly a Pacquiao win could have him facing Mayweather at the new billion dollar Yankee Stadium in New York, or the comparable new football home of the Dallas Cowboys.

But Cotto can change the entire scope of where Mayweather fits in the picture. “I know the skills of Manny,” commented Cotto who had, what has been claimed to be the hardest and best training camp of his career in preparation for this mega fight, “We created a game plan for this fight and we are pretty sure this is going to be a great fight for boxing all over the world but especially for the Latin fans and the Puerto Ricans.”

Though Cotto never thrives on the future and Mayweather, looking in, is not a priority to him at least for the moment. Pacquiao has lived up to his distinction as being the top fighter in the game and in many ways, so has Cotto. The difference is Cotto fighting again at his natural weight and Pacquiao has moved up to another weight division which has never proved to be a problem.

To that Pacquiao said, “This fight is the most important of my boxing career .because if I win this fight I will go down in history. It’s a big honor for my country, for my family and myself. That’s why I work hard.” And it has more to do than the winner getting the new WBC Diamond Belt.  The winner is guaranteed more lucrative pay days and pay-per-per-view revenue that could surpass previous earnings of Mayweather and

Oscar De La Hoya.

And Pacquiao is claiming, “This is a once in a lifetime fight.”  Arum, who promotes both fighters, is in the driver’s seat either way.  When the fight was officially announced with a five city coast-to-coast tour in September, the kickoff at the new Yankee Stadium, there was mention of a trilogy between his two fighters, the next one at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Then Mayweather started to make some noise, of which Arum has had a previous and bad history with “Mayweather is just a showman and not a fighter,” said Arum when asked if Cotto or Pacquiao is in the plan to fight Mayweather. But the most likely and lucrative fight, even before Cotto and Pacquiao talk trilogy is Mayweather taking on the winner after the final result is in Saturday evening.

The pick here: Pacquiao in eight rounds by TKO. He may be too quick for Cotto and if he gets his opponent in the ropes it spells trouble for Cotto.

THROWING THE PUNCHES: The Nevada State Athletic Commission which is sanctioning the Cotto-Pacquiao fight recently approved the use of instant replay to be used in televised fights in their jurisdiction/ Though it is not known if the rule will be implemented for Cotto-Pacquiao.

Good for boxing when it comes to controversial scoring decisions based on the discretion of a referee when it comes to a knockdown or slippage.  Sometimes the knockdown as opposed to the slip can be vital in the final scoring of the judges as to a 10-8 or 10-9 round….

The career of Hector Camacho Jr, has been revived after his recent unanimous decision win over the veteran champion Yori Boy Campos. Camacho, son of former champion Hector of Spanish Harlem came in the ring at his heaviest weight, 174 and claims he can be a contender now in the welterweight division. His next target, Fernando Vargas, who has made noise about coming out of retirement after leaving the ring a few years ago with a bad back…

So Paul Williams gets his date in Atlantic City, December 5^th on HBO but it is not for the middleweight championship against Kelly Pavlik.  Instead Williams, a definite threat to Pavlik, draws Sergio Martinez the exciting puncher from Argentina. Pavlik pulled out of the fight last month when it was well known his bad left hand would not heel in time. So what happens?

Williams gets to keep his HBO date and Pavlik weeks later, when it was said he could not fight for another seven weeks, signs on to defend his middleweight title against the lesser known and easier opponent Miguel Espino in his hometown of Youngstown Ohio. Pavlik also makes out on the deal getting a more lucrative deal as the fight will be televised on HBO PPV.

A good under card bout on the Williams card in Atlantic City, now moved to a ballroom instead of the more known Boardwalk Hall. Welterweight Johsua Clottey of Ghana and now residing in the Bronx, who gave Cotto a scare in June at Madison Square Garden, takes on the tough Carlos Quintana…

John Ruiz the two-time heavyweight champion is a stubborn and persistent fighter who believes his time is still coming to make boxing history. The first heavyweight champion of Latino descent form the United States gets his chance when he takes on newly crowned WBA champion David Haye.  Haye made history becoming the second light heavyweight champ to take a part of the heavyweight title, the first being Evander Holyfield…

January 30^th out in Vegas another compelling welterweight bout. Andre Berto the WBC champ taking on veteran WBA title holder Shane Mosley, also on HBO and a fight that makes it more interesting for Cotto, Pacquiao and Mayweather. Do we smell possible unification of the title again, or maybe not because the promoters and sanctioning bodies don’t want it that way,,,

The 42-year old Bernard Hopkins, partner with Oscar De La Hoya Golden Boy Promotions wants to make his hometown Philadelphia proud when he steps in the ring to defend his light heavyweight title on December 4^th at the Liacourras Center when he opposes the unknown Enrique Omeles…   …

And the busy end of the year boxing calendar continues on December 13^th, the interesting and return 12-round bout that fans anticipated after their first bout. Paulie Malignaggi of Brooklyn New York, the junior welterweight meets Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz this time at a neutral venue, the UIC Pavillon in Chicago Illinois to be televised on HBO

Many felt that their first encounter on August 22, in Diaz’ hometown of Houston Texas was a hometown decision as Malignaggi threw more punches and got the best of Diaz. “I am not going to dwell on the past,” said Diaz this week when the fight was announced. “This time it is a different city and a new and different game plan.”

Said Malignaggi, the former junior welterweight champion who revived his career in that first bout, “I made enough of a stink after the first match to help get the rematch,” And indeed he did as his promoter,  Lou DiBella, one who is very vocal about bad decisions immediately petitioned Diaz and his management, Golden Boy Promotions, to put the gloves on again and do it at any other place but Houston Texas where Diaz still resides and is extremely popular.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The New York Yankees are World Champions again, and after Robinson Cano made the putout to Mark Teixeira at first that ended the Philadelphia Phillies one year reign as champions the celebration began. The Yankees after a 7-3 win over the Phillies, in their billion dollar ballpark gave their gift to the boss who made it happen.

“The Yankees won,” said team president Randy Levine on the field and moments later in a victorious clubhouse that was wilder than the 26^th Yankees championship in 2000, their last one when they beat the cross-town Mets. So Levine wasn’t kidding when he said, “The world is right again.”  Levine, instrumental in getting a new stadium for the Yankees was also proud that the Yankees won it for New York and people of the Bronx.

Because to the Yankees, it isn’t right unless they win a World Series and they did it by spending money again. Though one Yankee fan outside the press gate felt that that the spending habits of the Yankees is not the way to do it bringing in the players, a half billion dollars worth of talent this season in pitchers CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and a hitter and defensive first baseman like Teixeira.

Regardless of what that fan was saying, these Yankees set out to accomplish what they had to do when they assembled in spring training back in February.  Every word in that champagne celebration, in the early hours of Thursday morning, conveyed a message to the boss.

Thank you, the players said for putting us together. For bringing the brilliant arm of Sabathia to the Bronx and for signing pitcher Andy Pettitte again, 2-0 in this World Series, a record 18 postseason wins and now a world champion for the fifth time along with other members of the core, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera.

Pettitte would become the first pitcher in history to start and win all three clinching games in a single season postseason, the ALDS, ALCS and the World Series. Jeter would go 3-for-5, his second three-hit game of this World Series and Rivera pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in four appearances.

“It feels better than I remember it, man,” said Jeter about being world champs again after a nine year hiatus as to being called the best. The Yankees came close as they continued to struggle over that span while spending money, but it came together in May when Alex Rodriguez returned from hip surgery.

It came together with a healthier Hideki Matsui, though playing with two bad knees. Matsui, along with Rodriguez got their first world championship. They too thanked the boss, general manager Brian Cashman and of course the manager Joe Girardi.

“My teammates, coaches, and the organization stayed by me,”’ said Rodriguez who finally became a true Yankee, his first championship with a memorable postseason setting a franchise record with 18 runs batted in. “And now we stand here as world champions,” he said.

Matsui, designated hitter for a majority of the season was named the Series Most Valuable Player the first Japanese player to do so, also the first DH to get that accomplishment.  He made a statement as to the Yankees renewing his contract next season going 3-for 4 with a double, homer, and a World Series record tying six runs batted in and batted .615 with three homers and 8 runs batted in six games.

“No, I have no idea right now,” commented Matsui when asked about next year. “Certainly it’s been a long road and a long journey,” he said about reaching the pinnacle of being with a championship team after a successful career in Japan. “I’m just happy that after all these years we were able to win and reach the goal that I had come here for.”

So eight years to the day, November 4^th 2001, the first time the Series was played that late, the Yankees lost to Arizona in seven games, they are champions this time. And it was a total team effort.

It was also the leadership of Girardi, wearing number 27 to signify what he wanted to achieve. When he took on the managerial responsibilities in his first and disappointing season of last year, when the Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons.

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

And now Girardi becomes the first manager to play and manage with the same team to a World Championship since Billy Martin guided the Yankees in the 1977 world title. ”The joys is the same, but it is different type of joy,” he said.   As a player its what you dream about ever since you were a little boy, and for me it was listening to Curt Gowdy and do all the World Series games.”

And for Girardi there was more satisfaction with the efforts of players who contributed during the course of a long season. Pitcher Sergio Mitre who filled in nicely as a number four starter when Chein-Ming Wang was shut down for the season and infielder Ramiro Pena brought up form Triple A.

They, too were tasting the champagne and on Friday morning will be a part of their first victory parade down the ”Canyon of Heroes” on Broadway. Girardi said all along it was the contributions of every player as we saw in this World Series. Damaso Marte, who struggled with arm problems, had his best pitches out of the pen in the six games against the Phillies.

“It’s an honor to win a championship with those guys,” said Teixeira about Rivera, Jeter, Posada and Pettitte. “It’s my first championship and their fifth, they are Yankee legends.”  On top of the Baseball world again are the Yankees and now Girardi may be looking at wearing uniform number 28.

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

It was an issue addressed by Martinez to the media after his Phillies lost game 2 of the Series and headed home. Martinez would smile at the fans as he left the mound, in particular made note of one fan, a father with his young daughter who took the competition of sports to a nasty level.

He was one of those many arrogant Yankee fans that made unkind gestures to Martinez, and in turn damage the integrity of other fans who appreciate the greatness and attributes of the great ones who play the game.

“I just told him,” commented Martinez, “’Your daughter is right beside you. It’s a little girl. It’s a shame you’re saying all these things.’  I had to stop and tell him because I’m a father myself and, God how can you be so dumb to do those kind of things in front of your child? What kind of example are you setting?”

Yeah fans have the right to boo all they want to the opposing player and team.  Their ticket purchase gives them that right, but before every game Major League Baseball makes the home team inform fans about using offensive language. Not when the Yankees play the Red Sox, or in this case with Martinez on the mound and the Yankees so desperate to get their 27^th world title

But this fan, and others, who disrespected Martinez saw the situation had more to do with a previous and ugly incident when Martinez was a member of the hated Boston Red Sox. Then, he pushed Don Zimmer, once a coach with the Yankees to the ground during an ugly brawl when the two teams battled for the American League pennant.

This was Martinez, pitching in another uniform, at another time.  But to the Yankee fan there is no reflection of greatness to another team, or another player, except for their history and one of their own.  So to them, Martinez was just an enemy on the mound last week and not remembered for being a three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star.

Martinez would strikeout eight Yankees in game 2 which matched his second most ever in a postseason game.  And he had an answer to all New York fans about his unpleasant, though impressive return to New York. Remember, he played also for the cross-town Mets and helped them to the 2006 postseason.

“I know I played for the Mets,” he said. “I know they really want to root for me. It’s just that I don’t play for the Yankees that’s all.  I’ve always been a good competitor, and they love that. They love the fact that I compete. I’m a New Yorker, as well. If I was on the Yankees, I’d probably be like a king over here.”

Yeah, Martinez said it.  He is not a New York Yankee and will never be, so Yankee fans will never consider him a king or a pitcher that has contributed so much to baseball over the years.  If indeed that was his last appearance on a pitching mound in New York it will be another memorable moment in the career of Pedro Martinez.

He said, “I did everything I could to beat those guys. You have to give them a lot of credit,” said Martinez about the Yankees. It was just a loss for Martinez, even if it was a World Series game that meant so much.

The unfortunate thing is Yankee fans look at another World Series win as more important than giving some accolades to a pitcher that has contributed so much to the game of baseball

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The Yankees so far have the advantage. Two big home runs from Mark Teixeira and Hadeki Matsui, and a six-out save from Mariano Rivera were the difference in game two Thursday evening as the Yankees evened the Series at a game apiece with a 3-1 win.

Now it is on the Philadelphia for the next three games that resume Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies are almost unbeatable in postseason play the past three years at home with an impressive 13-3 record.

So the Yankees knew that they had to get out of New York with a split after losing the first game of the Series attributed to the spectacular complete game pitched by the Phillies Cliff Lee. “The one thing that we’ve been able to do is we’ve seemed to bounce back” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. “It was just business as usual for us today.”

One thing is also certain as the series shifts to Philadelphia. The Phillies will play their brand of baseball, National League style with no designated hitter and they hit the home run ball well at home. Don’t expect their power to be silent, or Ryan Howard to strike out four times like he did in game 2..

So the momentum, even with the Yankees big win in game 2 may still be with the Phils. “I guess I am going to have to be,” commented Phils manager Charlie Manuel when asked if he was content about going home with a split, “I always like to be 2-0 over 1-1. But it is what it is. I’ve got to accept it.”

When Teixiera hit a home run leading off the fourth to the right field bullpen off a Martinez changeup, he broke a slump that tied the score and ignited the Yankee Stadium crowd of 50,181.  Pedro Martinez until then was as spectacular as Lee was the night before. He struck out eight which matched his second most ever in a postseason game.

But A.J, Burnett was just as good striking out nine the most for a Yankee in a postseason game since Mike Mussina fanned nine on October 21, 2003 in the third game of the World Series against Florida. He recorded his first career postseason career victory. “I threw a lot of first strikes and that allowed me to open up and expand the zone after that,” said Burnett.

He also got some incentive after watching Lee do what he did the previous night. “You know, actually I sat and watched the interview when he (Lee) was on the field and he talked about confidence and he talked about belief in his stuff, and all I told myself last night and today was the same thing.”

And Matsui made some adjustments. Perhaps tuning up for some more home runs at Citizens Bank Park after he put the Yankees ahead with two outs in the sixth hitting a low curve ball off Martinez with a home run to right. “I was able to make a good adjustment and fortunately it led to a good result,” said Matsui through a translator.

Martinez heard the calls from the Yankee crowd. The “Who’s your daddy chant” that carried over from his days when he pitched for the Boston Red Sox at the old Yankee Stadium.. He showed he is still a competitor, and though not throwing at 95 his breaking ball was effective allowing three runs on six hits in six innings.

“I made a couple of mistakes,’ he said. “Teixeira’s home run to me seems he hit a good pitch. Matsui I was disappointed because first of all, maybe the pitch wasn’t the one I would probably would have chosen .if I was to think again.” He wasn’t making excuses and admitted that the past few days he was not feeling well and not as strong.

For Martinez the one-year deal plus incentives from the Phillies has been worth it. And if this was his last time on the mound in New York it was worth the effort. He also struck out Alex Rodriquez three times. Rodriquez is 0-8 in the first two games.

“To participate, compete against a real good team, a very solid team, be able to put my team in position to catch up or win the game and at the same time tell myself that I made the right decision by coming back and getting the opportunity putting myself in the position to get an opportunity to pitch in the World Series,” he said.

In the end it was Rivera getting his third save this postseason, 10^th World Series save and 38^th overall. Girardi for the second time this postseason brought him in for a second six out save. Was that a lack of confidence by Girardi not going to Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes with the heart of the Phils power coming up in the eight and ninth inning?

Girardi would only say that Rivera, who threw 40 pitches, was available with the off day Friday. But there were certainly some questions or desperation on the part of Girardi having his closer come in to get the last six outs. But to Derek Jeter there is only one Mariano Rivera.

“Everybody is not Mo, that’s the best way to put it,” he said.  No pressure for Rivera in that situation and now it is up to Andy Pettitte, who gets the start Saturday to try and keep those Philadelphia hitters from using their home park to their advantage on Saturday.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring 786@aol.com