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

Yes the Yankees deserve the right to cherish and enjoy their nine year futility to get there again, the right to call them world champions of baseball, number 27 the most for any professional sports franchise. But in baseball, as we all know, it is getting harder to build a dynasty and win consecutive championships.

As they received their Keys to the City of New York on the steps of City Hall Friday, the owner Hal Steinbrenner and manager Joe Girardi made their commitment to the fans that they will be in the same place next year Easier to say than done, and they are well aware that the economics of baseball will keep them competitive, but for how long?

Matsui, the World Series MVP has been regulated to a designated hotter role playing with two wobbly knees that presents an issue.  Damon, who had a season for the ages in the Bronx gets a year older   The issue is will the Yankees be willing to give multi million dollar contracts to a team that looks to get younger and not older?

Matsui and Damon become the speculation as a short off-season begins. Spring training convenes down in Tampa Florida in about 94 days.  Sandwiched in between are Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and pitcher Andy Pettitte.  Now with five World Series rings they are the core of four so often discussed and associated with New York Yankees championship history.

Pettitte showed he is valuable as a postseason pitcher, now the all-time leader with 18 wins pitching the clinching games against the Twins in the ALDS, Angels in the ALCS and getting the win in the big one Wednesday over the defending champion Phillies. He becomes another project for Cashman and company. If not the Yankees, with all of their money will find and purchase another starter to work after CC Sabathia and A.J, Burnett.

There is no telling how much longer age will catch up to that core.  Jeter still shows range at shortstop and always has quality at bats as the catalyst leadoff man.  Posada overcame his injury plagued season of 2008, and there was already talk that he could be feeling the pain of a 162 game season and the long postseason.

Does Posada fit in the DH role, assuming Matsui is not re-signed? First base is not an option with Mark Teixiera, one of the half billion dollar acquisitions that Cashman purchased secured there for the long run. Rivera once again put a staple on being the best postseason pitcher of all-time.

Afterwards Rivera revealed he had painful ribs, probably because Girardi had to call on him twice for six-out saves.   “I can go another five years,” said Rivera in the victorious and wild celebration, in that Yankees clubhouse early Thursday morning. Truthfully, how much longer can Rivera be, this dominating at 40 years of age?

As for Pettitte, he deserves the chance to return, that is if Cashman and company make the offer. They took a risk after the disappointing end of 2008 and Pettitte delivered with his one-year deal that included incentives. If Pettitte decides that the fifth ring is enough and returns home to Houston, the Yankees go shopping and become the lead runners to acquire free agent John Lackey of the Angels.

In the equation, again is Joba Chamerlain.  He is much better coming out of the pen and if the Yankees play their cards right he could be groomed to be the successor for Rivera as the closer. And Phillip Hughes becomes the other option to start again, in the event Pettitte does not return, or becomes the set up man for Rivera as the Yankees begin their title defense and try and get number 28.

So the process begins now for Cashman and company in the Bronx. Matsui deserves that chance to be a part of possibly building another Yankees dynasty, as does Damon but for how much and how long?

The Yankees are World Champions again and anything less to them is a failure.  They have to look at getting younger but why break up the nucleus of this 2009 team that may have been as good as the championship 1998 team that won 114 games?

Even with the Yankees it comes down to baseball economics.

Latino pride a part of Yankees world title and celebration: There they were in the victorious New York Yankees clubhouse, in the early hours of Thursday morning, and now world champions for the first time.  A contingent of young Major League Baseball players of Latino decent, also celebrating their heritage with teammates down the Canyon of Heroes the next day.

“It was something special and a moment I will never forget,” said Ramiro Pena the 22-year old native of Monterrey Mexico. He got the call during the season off and on from Triple A and became a valuable contributor to this championship Yankees team. And though he was not a factor much in the Yankees six game World Series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Pena is one of the elite few.

Getting the ring and calling yourself a world champion only happens to very few. “Yeah” he said in the champagne soaked clubhouse moments after the Yankees clinched their sports best 27^th championship. “This is so special and for my people too it means so much.”

Extra special also for Pena because he celebrated with his mother and father in the clubhouse with the flag of Mexico draped around his body. He boarded the team buses in the Bronx early Friday morning after a long night of celebrating and then waved to the millions gathered along lower Broadway.

The Key to the City was also presented to Pena, along with all of his Yankees teammates on the steps of City Hall. “So awesome,” he said leaving the Yankees clubhouse Saturday morning for the last time. A desolate clubhouse now as players packed their bags earlier, or had their possessions shipped to their respective homes in what now becomes a very short off season.

Spring training will convene in Tampa Florida in a little less than 96 days. Pena is assured to be there and hopes to be a New York Yankee for the long haul. “I hope that can happen,” he said. “They are great teammates and helped me so much.”  He batted .287 with 17 runs, six doubles and 10 runs batted in and filled in at third, second and short in three separate stints this season.

The veterans, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, two of the “core of four” now with five World Series titles were used to the moment of a celebratory clubhouse and the victorious parade. Jose Molina, the catcher for pitcher A.J., Burnett had one ring with the Angels 2002 team   But it never gets old, especially after taking the championship back home after nine years of futility for the core..

So there were those many moments the past few days for Pena, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Alfredo Aceves, Damaso Marte, Sergio Mitre, Francisco Cervilli and Francisco Guzman to cherish the moments. They all represented a diversity of Latino pride from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.   All will now have stories to tell and are of the elite few who will proudly wear a ring that signifies the 27^th World Series championship of the New York Yankees.

Perhaps we don’t understand the significance, those moments they will continue to cherish in the months ahead as they head home to celebrate with other family and friends who could not be with them.   And if this is their only chance at championship fame, which is never a rarity when donning the pinstripes, well they represent the Latino population with plenty of pride and accomplishment.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

No two guys were more different than Torre and Girardi.  Torre was a player’s manager.  He was a media darling who always measured his words and always seemed to say the right things.  He had this aura about him that seemed to have a calming effect in the clubhouse.  He looked like your dad, or granddad or uncle Joe.

Girardi, on the other hand, looked like a recruiting poster for the United States Marine Corps.  Intense is a word that comes to mind when describing Girardi.  Girardi came into the Yankees clubhouse with just one year’s experience under his belt.  That year was spent managing the Florida Marlins in 2006.  Girardi did a fantastic job in the sunshine state; so much so that it earned him the National League Manager of the Year Award.

He was also the first manager to earn that award and then get fired in the same season. The incident that caused his dismissal came in August during a game when he and owner Jeffrey Loria got into an argument over Loria’s heckling home plate umpire Larry Vanover.  When Vanover complained to Girardi he and his bench coach Gary Tuck told Loria to stop.  Loria apparently didn’t like being told what to do and wanted to fire Girardi on the spot.  He said that Girardi swore at him, but people who know Girardi know he’s a devout Christian and doesn’t use profanity to get his point across.  Loria bided his time and got his pound of flesh at the end of the season when he sent Girardi packing.

Of course, Girardi was no stranger to the Yankees.  He spent four years in pinstripes (1996-1999), winning 3 rings along the way.  He was their everyday catcher, but gave way to another Yankee staple; Jorge Posada.  After his playing days ended Girardi was hired by the Steinbrenner owned YES Network as a commentator.  He spent the 2004 season as a broadcaster and as the host of YES’ “Kids on Deck.”

That lasted one year, at which time Girardi decided to pursue a coaching career.  He moved out of the broadcast booth and went into the Yankees dugout as Torre’s bench coach for the 2005 season.  He continued to host “Kids on Deck.”  When the season ended Girardi went south and became the Marlins manager.

At the end of the 2006 season Girardi was unemployed, but after losing out for the managing job with the Chicago Cubs and turning down a shot at the Washington Nationals Girardi went back to the YES Network where he was hired as an analyst.  He worked approximately 60 games in 2007.  In June of that year Girardi interviewed for the Baltimore Orioles manager’s position, but ultimately turned it down when offered.

As one door closed another door opened.  At the end of the 2007 Torre and the Yankees management had a parting of the ways.  Torre headed for Los Angeles and the Yankees went looking for a new manager.  They found him in the broadcast booth.

Girardi was apparently just the guy the Yankees were looking for.  He was a no nonsense type of personality.  Many of the Yankees coming into Spring Training for 2008 admitted they were not in the best of shape when they reported to camp in 2007.  They knew Girardi wouldn’t put up with any lack of preparation, because he would probably be in as good as or better shape than his entire squad.  They were right.

The first thing Girardi did was take the number 27 to signify he was going to lead the Yankees to their 27^th title.  However, 2008 wasn’t the year.  The Yankees plagued by injuries, clubhouse in-fighting and other issues missed the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.  They ended up in 3^rd place in the AL East behind the surprising Tampa Bay Rays (division winner) and Boston Red Sox (wild card).  It was a huge disappointment for an organization whose sole purpose is to win the World Series every year.  Anything less is considered a complete failure.

In the off season the Yankees made some drastic changes.  Gone were Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi, Carl Pavano and Bobby Abreu.  General Manager Brian Cashman went out and secured three premium replacements in CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira.  He also landed some role type guys, the most notable being Nick Swisher.  Swisher would proved to be invaluable during the course of the season.  They also resigned Chien-Ming Wang, Brian Bruney, Melky Cabrera and Xavier Nady.

Early in April Nady, who was slated to be the everyday right fielder reinjured his right elbow requiring a second “Tommy John” surgery on it.  That ended his 2009 season and Swisher was inserted into the everyday lineup.  Swisher responded by hitting 29 homers and driving in 82 runs.

Wang was another key element the Yankees were hoping to rely on to get them into the post season.  Wang was coming off a serious foot injury he suffered in a game against the Houston Astros in June of ’08.  Wang had previously won 19 games in ’06 and ’07 and had compiled an 8-2 record before the injury.

However, the Wang the Yankees saw wasn’t the one they saw before the foot injury.  A guy possessed with a power sinker that batters described like hitting an anchor suddenly was very hittable and he was giving up a lot of fly balls.  After amassing an 0-3 start and an ERA of 34.50 the Yankees removed Wang from the starting rotation and sent him down to Tampa to work on mechanics.  He returned in May and was inserted into the bullpen, and eventually the rotation, but the results weren’t any better.

After Wang recorded a 1-6 record the Yankees put him back on the disabled list and on July 30 he had season ending shoulder surgery and is expected to miss up to a year.

Two other pieces of the Yankees puzzle were Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera.  Both returned after having shoulder surgery.  Posada had the more severe injury requiring a season ending procedure to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.  Rivera had minor surgery to clean up his throwing shoulder.  Both responded very well.  Posada ended the season with 22 home runs and 81 RBI.  Rivera saved 44 games in 46 chances this season, which is the most he has saved since saving 53 games in 2004.

Alex Rodriguez continued to struggle both on and off the field.  In spring training he admitted to using performance enhancing drugs for 2001-2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers.  He was also linked to a notorious New York madam and Madonna, as he divorced from his wife Cynthia.  Then the biggest blow came when A-Rod had to have surgery performed on his right hip to remove a cyst and repair the labrum.  He was expected to sit out up to 10 weeks.

While A-Rod was gone Teixeira struggled at the plate in April and the Yankees looked to be performing a death spiral.  In their first 28 games the Yankees were 13-15.  Somehow, Girardi managed to hold things together and managed to hold onto his job.  For once nothing was coming out of the front office intimating that a managerial change was imminent.

On May 8 Rodriguez returned to the lineup and that was the day the Yankees took off.  The Yankees were a completely different team.  After going 0-8 against the Red Sox the Yankees went 9-1 against them in the final 10 games to split the season series 9-9.  They also held their own against the always tough Los Angeles Angels by winning three of the final four games against them and also splitting the season series 5 apiece.

The Yankees were the only team to win more than 100 games  as they ended the season with a 103-59 mark, eight games in front of the second place Red Sox.

Nonetheless, winning 100+ games meant nothing in the playoffs.  The last team to win that many games and then go on to win the World Series was the 1998 New York Yankees when they won 114 games.

After failing to even make the playoffs in ’08 Girardi knew he had his work cut out for him.

The Yankees didn’t disappoint.  In the divisional series the Bombers overtook the Minnesota Twins in each game to sweep them 3-0 to advance to the Championship Series.  They ended up facing the Angels.

As we all know, the Angels had met the Yankees in two previous divisional series and beat them both times.

It wasn’t an easy series even though the Yankees vanquished the Halos in six games.  In the two games the Yankees lost Girardi was scalded for questionable pitching and personnel moves.  As always playing or managing in New York puts a permanent bulls eye on your back.

This journey brought the Yankees back to the stage they had not set foot on since losing to the Florida Marlins in 2003 and had not won since 2000.  It wasn’t going to be any easier for them, because they were facing a team that had everything the Yankees had.  Pitching, hitting, defense and power.  The Philadelphia Phillies were the defending champions and they were trying to be the first National League team to repeat as World Series champions since the Cincinnati Reds did it in 1975-76.

The brightest spot for the Phillies in the World Series was lefty Cliff Lee.  Lee was as dominant a pitcher as you could find in Game 1, and the Yankees offense was completely shut down.  Sabathia was very good as well, but not as good as Lee.  Sabathia gave up two homeruns to Chase Utley and the Phillies eventually won the game 6-1.  The one run the Yankees scored was unearned, but it helped them avoid not scoring in a World Series Game 1 for the first time in franchise history.

Another piece of history not favoring New York was the fact that in the last six World Series the team losing Game 1 went on to lose the Series.

Fortunately, this edition of the Yankees was no ordinary team.  They came back and took Game 2 and then went into Philadelphia and won the first two games giving the Yankees a 3-1 series lead.   Girardi seemed to be pushing all the right buttons.

In Game 5 New York went up against Lee again.  Although not as dominant as in Game 1 Lee had more than enough to stifle the Yankees’ bats.  Philadelphia insured the Series went back to New York trailing the Yankees 3-2.

Last night Girardi went to his game hardened warrior.  Pettitte has pitched in more post season games than nearly all of the pitching staff combined.  Going on 3 days rest Pettitte gave the Yankees all he had, but with two outs in the 6^th inning Andy’s 37 year old body was tired.  Girardi went and got his veteran and turned the ball over to Joba Chamberlain, Damaso Marte and the incomparable Mariano Rivera who kept the Phillies off the scoreboard.

The last batter of the Series, Shane Victorino, grounded out to 2B Robinson Cano to end the game.  Once Teixeira secured the ball in his glove to record the last out the wild celebration began.  Number 27 was no longer a goal, it was a reality.

Lest anyone forgets this Series was dedicated by the team to its ailing owner George Steinbrenner.

”This is what the Steinbrenner family has strived for, year after year — to deliver to the city of New York,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said to reporters following the game. “To be able to deliver this to the Boss, the stadium that he created and the atmosphere around here, it’s very gratifying to all of us.”

For the core four, Jeter, Posada, Pettitte and Rivera, it was their fifth time in the winner’s circle, and it took nine years to get there.

“You realize how difficult it is to get here,” Jeter told the media. “I never lost sight of the fact that it’s very difficult to get to the World Series, let alone to win one. You realize and remember how hard it is.”

For all the guys who had never tasted World Series champagne it was a special night indeed.

World Series MVP Hideki Matsui put it this way.  ”My first and foremost goal when I joined the Yankees was to win the world championship,” Matsui said. “Certainly, it’s been a long road and a very difficult journey. I’m just happy that after all these years, we were able to win and reach the goal that I had come here for.”

To be sure the man who pulled all the strings was Girardi.  In two short years he took the Yankees from the outhouse to the penthouse.  Now he’ll have another type of target on his back.  Since Girardi has finally guided this team to a world title he will be expected to do it again.

In order to accomplish that, however, he’ll need to trade in his number 27 for a 28.  Where is Shelley Duncan anyway?

Andy Pettitte has taken the hill in the post season more than any other Yankee pitcher not named Mariano Rivera.  Whitey Ford has the major league record for most wins the World Series with 10, but Pettitte had the most victories in the post season with 16.  Last night he was going for his 17^th.

The Philadelphia Phillies countered with last year’s World Series MVP, Cole Hamels, and the Phillies were banking on the Hamels of 2008 showing up.  As Game 3 unfolded it appeared that the boys from the City of Brotherly Love were going to get their wish.

In the first 3 innings Hamels completely shut down the Yankees.  The only flaw in his game up that point was hitting Alex Rodriguez in the top of the second, but he quickly erased that situation by inducing catcher Jorge Posada to hit into a force at second, striking out Robinson Cano and getting Nick Swisher to fly out to right.

Pettitte also looked like he was ready for the evening.  After giving up a leadoff single to shortstop Jimmy Rollins in the first Pettitte retired the Phillies big bats by popping out Shane Victorino, then striking out Chase Utley and Ryan Howard to end the inning.

The game appeared to be shaping up to another pitching duel, but things got dicey for Pettitte and the Yankees in the second.  In a script tailor made for Halloween Pettitte served up a leadoff home run to Jason Werth before striking out Raul Ibanez.  Catcher Pedro Feliz followed with a double to right and Carlos Ruiz walked.  With runners at first and second Hamels laid down a bunt single to load the bases.  Rollins walked to force in a run and then Victorino hit a sacrifice fly to left scoring Ruiz.  Pettitte finally escaped further damage by striking out Utley for the second time to end the inning.

The teams traded zeros in the 3^rd inning, but it wasn’t looking great for the Bombers as Hamels hadn’t given up a hit and appeared to be cruising through New York’s lineup.

That all changed in the top of the 4^th.

Hamels started the inning like he had the entire game by getting Johnny Damon to fly out to right field.  He walked  Mark Teixeira and up to the plate strode Alex Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who had had stellar division and league championship series performances was hitless in the Fall Classic.  In eight official at bats A-Rod had recorded six strikeouts conjuring up memories of his preceding post season woes.

A-Rod put a charge into an 0-1 fastball and sent it down the right field line.  Initially, it looked like the ball hit the top of the wall and came back onto the field, causing Rodriguez to stop at second and Teixeira at third.  However, the strange way the ball bounced back onto the field caused Girardi to ask for a video review of the ball’s flight.  All six umpires retreated to a viewing room and in a very quick reversal ruled that A-Rod’s shot had hit a FOX camera located just behind the wall in the right field corner of the park.  It was now a 3-2 Phillies lead.

“I think it was a big hit,” Rodriguez said to reporters after the game. “I think it woke our offense up a little bit. It felt really good.”

Added Girardi about A-Rod’s breakout swing, “It was a big hit for us because it really got us going.  He has been so good for us in the playoffs. He’s a big reason we’re at this point.”

Pettitte pitched a scoreless 4^th and then the Yankees went back to work in the top of the 5^th inning.

Swisher finally got to the party by doubling to left to start the inning.  After Melky Cabrera stuck out  Pettitte helped his own cause by blooping a first pitch curveball into center as Swisher came around and beat the throw to home with a hard slide into Ruiz.

With the score tied Jeter singled to left, moving Pettitte to second.  Johnny Damon doubled to right center scoring Pettitte and Jeter.  Rapidly the game unraveled for Hamels and the Phillies.  After walking Teixeira manager Charlie Manuel took his staggered starter out of the game.

J.A. Happ quickly restored order by getting A-Rod to line out to center and Posada to pop out to second to shut down the Yankee threat.

Leading 5-3 Pettitte faced the heart of the Phillies lineup.  However, as he had done so many times in past post season games, Pettitte came up big getting Victorino to line out to center, followed by Utley grounding out to first and Howard popping out to short.

Both teams traded home runs in the 6^th as Swisher recorded his first knock in the World Series and Werth hit a monster shot over the left field wall for his second round tripper of the game.

In the seventh with two on and two out Posada got on the ledger by hitting a soft single to left scoring Damon as the Yankees took a 7-4 lead.

Pinch hitter Hideki Matsui, substituting for reliever Joba Chamberlain (who pitched a scoreless 7^th inning) finished up the Yankees scoring by hitting an opposite field home run off Brett Myers to make it an 8-4 ballgame.

With the Phillies down to their last 3 outs and the Yankees holding onto a 4-run lead Girardi elected to go with the erratic Phil Hughes to close out the game.  Unfortunately for Hughes, after Feliz grounded out, Hughes threw a 1-1 four seamer to Ruiz over the plate and Ruiz launched it over the left center field wall.  Girardi wasted little time finding his hook and pulling the beleaguered reliever out of the game.

For the third straight game closer Mariano Rivera was given the ball and asked to end the game.  Rivera did so on 5 pitches.  He induced pinch hitter Matt Stairs to ground out to second and Rollins to hit a soft pop up to Rodriguez at third.  Ballgame over.

Losing Game 1, and knowing the last 6 World Series runner ups lost Game 1 the Yankees knew they had a steep, but not impossible mountain to climb.

“We feel like we’ve got a real strong team,” Pettitte told reporters. “Obviously, losing that first game, we weren’t happy with that. We were upset about it, but we feel real good about what we’re doing and we felt good about coming in here.”

Pettitte critiqued his pitching performance as a rough one.  One that came after an 80-minute rain delay.

“It was a battle tonight — I wasn’t able to get ahead,” Pettitte said in the clubhouse. “I wasn’t able to get my breaking ball over. I was able to get some outs when I needed to get some, but it was a grind tonight for me.”

More from Pettitte on Pettitte:

“You’re out there and you’re by yourself,” Pettitte admitted to reporters. “There’s not a whole lot of anything that can help you except just trying to just keep battling and keep trying to get it there and keep trying to get it there, and hopefully, it’ll come around.”

Luckily for the Yankees Pettitte did come around, and so did the Yankees offense.   Although happy with the outcome the Yankees know the battle isn’t over.

“We feel good about being up, 2-1,” Pettitte mused afterward. “But we know there’s a lot of work left to do.”

New York hopes to put the Phillies on the brink of elimination today in Game 4 as their ace CC Sabathia takes the hill on three days’ rest.  The Phillies counter with RHP Joe Blanton.  Game time is 8:20 pm EST. As usual the broadcast will be carried by FOX and anchored by Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

Matsui’s solo shot off Philadelphia’s Pedro Martinez in the sixth inning of Game 2 broke a 1-1 stalemate and was the key blow in the Yankees’ 3-1 victory over the Phillies.

When healthy, Matsui has been one of the most consistent Yankees since arriving from Japan in 2003. But his troublesome knees have given rise to doubt that he will return to the Bronx in 2010. For one night, he puts those doubts to rest.

“Matsui has been huge for us all year,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

The former Tokyo Giants legend posted 28 homers and 90 RBIs in 142 games this season, and his second homer of the playoffs is proof he remains a vital part of the team’s offense.

On the mound, New York was even more impressive.

After A.J. Burnett allowed the Phillies their first – and only – run of the game on an RBI single by Matt Stairs in the second inning, the Yankee offense was quiet until Mark Teixeira homered to right-center leading off the fourth to tie the game at 1-1.

The Bombers got another run in the seventh, when Jerry Hairston led off the inning with a base hit. Brett Gardner pinch-ran, and reached third on a perfectly executed hit-and-run by Melky Cabrera, and scored on Jorge Posada’s pinch-hit single.

Burnett had a solid outing, striking out nine, including Ryan Howard three times, in his seven innings of work to earn his first-ever Series win. Thought by some to be the weak link in the Yankees’ rotation coming into the postseason, Burnett’s gutsy performance saved the bullpen any extra work after a terrible showing in the Game 1 defeat.

Instead, Mariano Rivera, like he did in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Angels, got the final six outs for the save.

“It’s just weird because a couple of years ago we were talking about maybe pitching in a World Series together,” commented Sabathia Tuesday at Yankee Stadium about his former Cleveland teammate Lee. Now, though the last two American League Cy Young Award winners are on opposing sides and can set the table for something special.

It is the first time that former teammates have matched up in the World Series for different clubs since game 1 of the 2005 Fall Classic when former Yankee teammates Roger Clemens (Houston) and Jose Contreras (Chicago) met at the series opener in Chicago.

Joe Girardi debuts as a World Series manager, the fourth such Yankee who has played and managed in the Series having been a player under previous manager Joe Torre in 1996 and 1998-99. Plenty of history then for the Yankees, and Girardi is well aware of the pressures involved with his team as favorites to get their elusive 27^th world title.

“I was pretty aware of the pressures, because I think as players you understood what the deal was every year here, because of the way that Mr. Steinbrenner and everyone put the club together,” commented Girardi after his team concluded their workout on a misty field Tuesday.

Of course there is pressure. George Steinbrenner has less authority now as the owner. Hank and Hal will welcome their father to the new billion dollar stadium in the Bronx Wednesday evening and have made it known, getting to and winning the World Series is a necessity when you sign on and manage the Yankees.   They have come this far, and the Steinbrenner family wants nothing but the brass ring and a championship for New York.

And for Phils manager Charlie Manuel, the pressure does not seem to be an issue. He has guided his team to a second consecutive Series appearance, the first manager since Torre took his Yankees to four straight from 1998-2201.  The Phillies, perhaps are attempting to become a dynasty like the Yankees, as no team has won back-to-back championships since the Yankees did that with three straight from 1998-2000.

“We have no pressure as the defending champions,” said Manuel when it was his turn to take the podium. “They have to take it from us,’ he said. “The games are won on the field,” commented Manuel when asked his opinion about the Yankees being the favorites.  His Phils have more experienced Series experience, 17 have been there before to the Yankees nine.

A classic Series perhaps because Manuel has opted to go with Pedro Martinez as his game two starter Thursday evening over  last year’s Series MVP Cole Hamels.  Martinez returns to New York, once again on the big stage and this time at the new Yankee Stadium.

“This may be my last big stage,” said Martinez who had a serious look in his eye at one of the many booths set up in the Great Hall at the Stadium where media met the players.  Afterwards, fans peeking in from the closed gates taunted the 16-year veteran. He was receptive and Pedro put on a show before testing his arm on the field

There were some questions in early May, before Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup. After that the Yankees proved they were destined to get back to the World Series. They were the best team in baseball from then on, and now four more wins await them this time, before they can be called the best against the defending champions.

If Rodriguez continues his torrid hitting, which may be stopped by the numerous lefthanders the Phillies throw, well the Yankees could be in trouble.  If Mark Teixiera, who showed some signs of getting out of a horrid postseason slump at the end of the ALCS, then the Phillies will have their problems.

“Think we can put ourselves on the map to be the better team,” said the Phillies Shane Victorino who ignored a New York tabloid front page that mocked him. Victorino also pays no attention towards comparing his team and the Yankees. Getting 26 championships like the Yankees also can’t be compared, but consecutive championships would be an accomplishment especially going through New York.

“We want to put ourselves in that category,” he commented about a possible dynasty. “You know to win back-to-back would be fun.  They have power and pitching and ultimately it comes down to one game at a time.”

Both teams combined hit 468 home runs this season, and for the first time in 83 years the World Series features two teams with the most home runs hit in the Majors. Yankee pitchers will face a lineup of Philly hitters that have six players in double digits when hitting the long ball and they both have hit 14 home runs this postseason.

So there are some comparisons, and then there is the rooting interest of New York baseball fans. Martinez had a stint with the cross-town Mets and still respects that other baseball team in town. “They will get stronger and better,” he said, “and I know there fans won’t be rooting for us.

Of course not, because in New York a Mets fan has a dilemma. It will be heard. They despise the cross-town Yankees because they always get to this point of a baseball season. And the dreadful Phillies have become a nemesis taking the last three National League east division titles under Manuel, so a Mets fan may root for the Yanks.

But in baseball circles it does not matter who a fan roots for. Fans want to see a good World Series, so does everyone associated with Major League Baseball, and the Fox Sports Network may have a ratings buster due to the interest and magnitude of this series.

So when the Phillies Jimmy Rollins made a bold prediction, his team in five games that set the tone more.  Others believe it will be Yankees in six or seven games and a lot rides on how Girardi sets his roster. He may carry two catchers instead one instead of the three he has used in the previous postseason games against Minnesota and the Angels.

And the Yankees will probably use a game four starter. “You look at where you’re at and make decisions as you go,” says Girardi about who to start after Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte.  “We have a plan of what we’re going to do and that plan can be adjusted depending on where you are in the Series.”

That relates also to the bullpen where the Series can ultimately be decided. Girardi still has plans to use Phil Hughes in a set up role, along with Joba Chamberlain. And one thing is certain, the Yankees have Mariano Rivera and the all-time best closer in postseason baseball just about assures a Yankees win.

The difference from Rivera and other postseason closers, you are seeing Cy Young and not Mel Rojas or Armando Benitez two former New York Mets who had no consistency when closing an important game. And don’t be surprised to see Girardi call his closer for a six out save like he did Sunday in the ALCS clincher against the Angels.

A classic in the making for all baseball fans the next week or so for sure.  In the end, home runs from both sides including Ryan Howard of the Phillies. “Just try and take advantages of some mistakes they may make,” he says about ways to overtake the Yankees.

.“Don’t know a thing about them, don’t know much about them,” said the captain Derek Jeter when asked about the Phillies in the new spacious Yankees clubhouse that got another dose of champagne Sunday evening. Jeter is a part of that core of four with Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte who now go to their seventh World Series.

Who is better, Jeter or the Phils Chase Utley? In a matter of hours, the Yankees will know more about the Phillies than they did in the three games they played against each other earlier this season. Then the Phils took two of three in the Bronx.  They were good games then, and expect the same now.

Yankees have home field advantage.  That helps also and in the end they get their 27^th world championship in the Bronx next week in six games.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

In order for that to happen the Yankees needed to set aside a Pesky Los Angeles Angels club that has been a thorn in New York’s side in what has seemed like forever.  The Angels took 2-of-3 in Anaheim to pull the series back to Big Apple and only trailing the Yankees 3-2.

As Angels center fielder Torii hunter said, “the pressure is all on them (Yankees).”  Pettitte took the ball and said ‘no problem.’

Pettitte faced off against Halos lefty Joe Saunders.  Saunders last appeared in Game 2 and pitched very well.  He threw 7.0 innings, surrendering 2 runs while striking out 5 and walking one.  The Angels bullpen, specifically Brian Fuentes and Ervin Santana, imploded and gave the Yankees a 4-3 win.

On the other hand, Pettitte started Game 3 and pitched well enough to keep his team in the game.  He was staked to a 3-0 lead before surrendering it and leaving the game tied after 6-1/3 innings of work.  The game went into extra innings and the Angels won it in the 11^th when new Yankee killer Jeff Mathis doubled in the winning run .

No one in the Yankees clubhouse wanted this series to reach a 7^th game.  It was an attitude of winning it now that permeated the team.  Girardi felt there was no better guy to give the ball to than Pettitte.  After all, “AP” had made 37 previous playoff starts and was tied with John Smoltz for career playoff wins at 15 apiece.

Pettitte was masterful in his approach toward the Angels lineup.  He reached back into his past and delivered a vintage Pettitte performance.  He bent , but never broke as he kept the ever dangerous Halos hitters in check.  Andy gave up 7 hits, but the Angels were only able to convert it into one earned run over 6-1/3 innings.  Pettitte surrendered a single to left fielder Juan Rivera before Girardi came and got his trusty lefty.

As Pettitte walked off the field toward the Yankees dugout the Stadium erupted into a din of cheers for the man who has given the pinstriped faithful so many wonderful memories.  Gratefully, Andy doffed his cap and waved it at the crowd before disappearing into the dugout.

Girardi called for embattled right-hander Joba Chamberlain.  It was a huge leap of faith Girardi was showing Chamberlain who entered the game with the Yankees holding on to a precarious 3-1 lead.  Chamberlain faced pinch hitter Maicer Izturis who grounded into a force play as 2B Robinson Cano got Rivera at  second, and then induced shortstop Erick Aybar (sans dreadlocks) to ground out to Mark Teixeira at first to end the inning.

As Chamberlain walked off the mound he thumped his chest as a sign of some personal redemption.

As the Yankees took the field for the top of the 8^th inning Girardi went to the one thing the Angels didn’t have, and that is the best closer in the history of the game.  Mariano Rivera entered the game to the strains of “Enter Sandman” and was asked to get 6 outs.

At age 40 Rivera is still doing things that other relief pitchers can only dream of doing.  At the end of the regular season Mo had recorded his 526^th career save, second only to Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman (591).  However, what separates Rivera from the rest is his performance in the post season where he has recorded 37 saves; more than twice the number of the second place closer, Philadelphia Phillies Brad Lidge.**

The never say die Angels opened the top of the 8^th with Chone Figgins blooping a weak single to left field.  Bobby Abreu grounded out to move Figgins to second, followed by Hunter who grounded to Cano for the second out.  Figgins was unable to advance.

It didn’t matter though as Vladimir Guerrero stepped in and shot a low 3-2 cutter into right field to score Figgins.  That would be the last Angel to cross home plate.  Kendry Morales grounded out to second to end the Halos threat.

In the bottom of the frame Angels manager Mike Scioscia brought in lefty Scott Kazmir after Ervin Santana walked Cano on four straight pitches.

Then in something right out of the Twilight Zone the Angels saw their playoff hopes dissipate as Nick Swisher sacrificed bunted Cano to second.  As Swisher was racing toward first, first baseman Morales picked up the bunted ball and fired to the bag being covered by 2B Howie Kendrick.  Kendrick dropped the ball and everyone was safe.

The speedy Brett Gardner replaced Swisher at first and then it was center fielder Melky Cabrera’s turn.  He laid down a bunt which was fielded by Kazmir.  Instead of firing the ball to first Kazmir lobbed it right over the head of Morales allowing Cano to score and it moved Gardner to third and Cabrera to second.

Derek Jeter grounded out to first as the runners stayed put and then Kazmir walked Johnny Damon to load the bases.  Teixeira hit a fly ball to center scoring Gardner  to make it 5-2.  Scioscia had seen enough and yanked Kazmir for Jered Weaver.

Weaver faced the dangerous Alex Rodriguez, but pitched around him; walking him on four pitches.  With the bases again loaded catcher Jorge Posada who had had a miserable game (hitting into two inning ending double plays) looked at strike three to end the inning.

Rivera took the mound for the Angels last stand.  The Angels went quietly into the night and into the winter as Kendrick grounded out to first, Rivera to fly out to right and as only Mo could do it struck out pinch hitter Gary Matthews, Jr. to end the game and the series.

The Yankees celebrated in the middle of their house before retiring to the clubhouse to enjoy the win and spray champagne on each other.  Honorary American League Vice President Jackie Autry presented the American League Championship trophy to Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and lefty CC Sabathia was named series MVP.

For Andy Pettitte it was a game of satisfaction and new heights.  In addition to winning his 16^th career playoff game, breaking the tie with Smoltz, Pettitte set a new major league record with his 5^th career series closeout victory.

Like old times it was Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera leading the way for the Yankees to the promised land.

Today is a new day and now the Yankees turn their sights toward the City of Brotherly Love and the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Phillies have a boatload of hitters themselves, in Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and company.  They also have the pitching with Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, et. al.

The 2009 World Series is set to begin in the Bronx on Wednesday evening with FOX Sports televising the series in its entirety.  It will be Sabathia vs. Lee for Game 1 in what should be a classic pitcher’s duel.  The times will be announced by MLB later today.

Congratulations to the Yankees and to the Phillies.  May the best team reign supreme.

4=27.

**Source:  baseball-reference.com

On Sunday night, the left-hander from Baton Rouge did the next best thing, and did his part to propel the 2009 New York Yankees into the World Series.

The Yankees haven’t been to the Fall Classic since 2003. That year marked Pettitte’s last season with the team that signed him as an amateur free agent in 1991. After being allowed to leave (or was pushed out, depending on who you talk to), to Houston for three seasons, he came back to the club in 2007. After going 14-14 a year ago, including a poor second half to the 2008 season, his returning this year was up in the air as well.

It was only after the Yankees had made their high-profile signings that they addressed bringing Pettitte back, which they eventually did. The team is fortunate they did so, because they are going back to the Fall Classic because Pettitte limited the Angels to just one run over 6 1-3 innings, striking out six and walking just one to earn his 16th postseason win, the most in baseball history.

There were 50,173 fans vociferously booing Joe Girardi when the skipper jogged to remove Pettitte in the top of the seventh, but it was quickly turned to a thundering standing ovation, as the tall southpaw tipped his cap to the largest crowd to see a Yankee game this season.

Mariano Rivera made things interesting in the eighth, when he allowed a two-out RBI single to Vlad Guerrero. It was the first earned run he had allowed at home in the postseason since Game 2 of the 2000 World Series.

But in the ninth, Rivera’s margin for error was expanded, as the Yankees scored two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, thanks to some sloppy defense by Los Angeles. He made short work of the Angels in the ninth, retiring the side in order to earn his 37th postseason save, also the best in MLB history.

The Yankee offense took advantage of the Angels in the fourth. After Derek Jeter worked out a walk to load the bases, left fielder Johnny Damon stepped up to the plate. It was Damon, as a member of the Red Sox and in all of his grizzled glory that quieted old Yankee Stadium in the second inning with a grand slam on Javier Vazquez’s first pitch in Game 7, 2004. He had failed in his first attempt with the bases loaded earlier in the night, but delivered in this at-bat, driving in two runs with a base hit up the middle.

Mark Teixeira hit a ball far enough in the hole that shortstop made Erick Aybar’s throw to second base a shade late to force Damon at second base. Then, Alex Rodriguez, whose first year in the Bronx was that miserable 2004 season, and who has been trying to make up for that and several other postseason failures since, drew a bases-loaded walk to make the score 3-1.

It was all the offense they needed.

***

There were three “Yankee Stadium” signature moments before the game, the first being a loud roar from the crowd when Tino Martinez was spotted in a luxury suite and shown on the immense HD screen in center field.

The second eruption came when Bernie Williams was announced as the thrower of the ceremonial first pitch.

The third was the thundering sound of “Welcome to The Jungle” played through the Stadium’s sound system, sending the Bronx into a frenzy.

Then Pettitte took over.

***

CC Sabathia was named the ALCS MVP, and will face Phillies’ left-hander Cliff Lee in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday. The two pitchers were teammates on the 2007 Cleveland Indians, a club that blew a 3-1 ALCS lead over the Red Sox.

More at BaseballDigest.com.

Perhaps the managers, Joe Girardi and Mike Scioscia could have had better judgment as to who belonged on the mound, in particular the questions about the way Girardi continues to use his bullpen, and as to how Scioscia let the Yankees briefly take control again in game 6 after lifting his starter John Lackey.

If Nick Swisher drives in a run or two Thursday night, with the bases loaded in the ninth, the Phillies would be preparing for a trip to the Bronx instead of the Angels continuing the drama.  We have had it all in the ALCS and if the weather cooperates, there certainly is more to come Saturday night in the Bronx.

And then there is the factor of these umpires, now under considerable scrutiny with their horrible decision making process.  Perhaps one or two calls go to the advantage of the Yankees and it is Phillies against the Yankees.  The controversy surrounding the umpires left no impact on the final outcome that has led us to this point.

What we are left with is opening more questions to expand the instant replay rule for post season baseball games. It certainly is worth consideration based on the events of the last few days. And give or take a few more minutes, more replay rulings wont delay the game any more than what it is now.

The guys who review and evaluate these umpires sit in a press box or behind home plate at various stadiums during the course of a 162 game season.  They, too watch the replays like we do at home.  Some evaluations are accurate, and others try not to be so critical because of friendships formed over the years.

But that is an issue that the silent commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig must review. A merit and evaluation system of umpires obviously can’t be acceptable to the managers, players, and those with a rooting interest. They all deserve better this time of year with so much on the line.

You watch this Yankees-Angels battle with fans of the Yankees. They also scrutinize every move that Girardi makes. More so after game 3 when Girardi removed David Robertson for Alfredo Aceves with two outs, which ultimately put the Angeles back in the series

They, the Yankee fans says Swisher is an abomination and should not be in the lineup  with one run batted through eight games this postseason, 3-for-29 with 10 strikeouts  Yet they forget. Girardi has faith in his player that drove in 82 runs and hit 29 homers during the season.

And tthe drama of how the Yankees have become so dependable on their ace, CC Sabathia and the revival of Alex Rodriguez and his postseason bat. They are two viable candidates for ALCS Most Valuable Player honors, if indeed these Yankees wrap this up the next few days.

Yes this has been an interesting and complex ALCS, as was expected. And sure there is every right to critique the managers and umpires from events of the past week.  But we don’t play the game like they do. We don’t make the calls on the field, and we certainly have no experience making hasty and crucial decisions from a dugout like Girardi and Scioscia.

Game 6 and possibly a game 7 on the horizon, and if there is a final and decisive game, how many Yankee fans will talk more about the 2004 Yankees 3-0 advantage that was lost to the Red Sox?

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Analyze what has occurred with two evenly matched teams. Obvious that there has been no edge for either side, exception of course goes to Alex Rodriguez who should no longer hear that he is not a catalyst for his team. And enough said about Derek Jeter who has the eyes and ears of eight other teammates on the field.  And if CC Sabathia pitched the Yankees one step closer this week, and if the Angels force a game 7 in the Bronx Sunday evening, this will definitely look like a classic American League pennant series

The conditions were the same for both sides when this all started last Friday evening at the new Yankee Stadium. Cold and wind causing some havoc, though Sabathia with his eight solid innings put the Los Angeles Angels bats on ice and the Angels made a season high three errors. The Yankees capitalized, as they always do, in taking game one 4-1.

Then there was that classic Yankees 13-inning win that went into the early hours of Sunday morning on a cold and damp field in the Bronx.   Extra inning drama and the efficient Angels defense once again giving the Yankees what they needed with more postseason miscues that can be attributed to the intensity of what is on the line.

A trip to the World Series is what they are playing for. “They have a very good team and feel they are the best out there and we feel the same about ourselves,” commented the Yankees Johnny Damon after the Angels walk off 10-inning win Monday. That epitomizes what the players feel, and overall what baseball fans have been seeing.

The managers, Joe Girardi of the Yankees and Mike Scioscia also seem to be caught with emotion the past dew days. “We know this is going to be an extremely tough series,” said Giriardi after game one. He said it again after Games 2 and 3.  And he wasn’t surprised about the base running mistakes. “They don’t make them often,” he said about the Angels.

“We haven’t seen our guys crack the door open for a team like we did tonight in a long time,” said Scioscia about that first inning Friday night that led to the Yankees early lead because of errors his team hardly made during the season.

“The Yankees are going to take advantage of that, and they did,” added Scioscia showing the emotion on his face from a grueling first game, knowing full well that this series could resemble a good 12-round heavyweight fight with the last man standing.

And the series and Yankees hopes of returning to another World Series may rest on the shoulders of Sabathia, one of the big three acquisitions, along with AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira, that that were brought here to get the Yankees back to the big dance.  This series was supposed to be about the Angels speed and ability to take the extra base, if they can get there.

The Yankees with their power, A-Rod providing it and Teixeira not, instead sparkling at first and saving some runs for a bullpen that has been utilized, with the exception of Chad Gaudin who seems to be the odd man out. And you can fault Girardi for lifting David Robertson Monday with two men out and bringing in Alfredo Aceves that got the Angels back in the series.

But this is playoff baseball and these are the two best teams giving us all a thrill in October. Baseball at this time of year is supposed to be played this way, Managers going with the percentages, the way Girardi does and Scioscia with the playoff managerial experience.

After their loss Friday night the Angels Torii Hunter said “Wake up in the morning and feel like we had amnesia.”  For the fans, who have stayed with every pitch there has been no need for forgetting what a thrill it has been to see what their Yankees and Angels have done for them.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com