27
ByPettitte strong through 5.2 as Matsui wins MVP
On a 3-2 pitch to Shane Victorino, Joe Buck kept the theatrics to a minimum. “To the second baseman, Cano,” he said. “The Yankees are back on top. World Champions for the 27th time.”
At Blondie’s on the Upper West Side, where Chris Meloni had joined us a few innings into the game, we were less composed. As Victorino’s ground ball bounced toward Robinson Cano, we leaped, we high-fived and we hugged as Cano fielded and flipped to Mark Teixeira for the 27th out of the New York Yankees’ 27th World Championship.
For Yankee fans, it was, in Yankee years, a long time coming. The Yanks last won the World Series in 2000 when Bill Clinton was the president, when Michael Bloomberg was just some rich guy, when the St. Louis Rams were the Super Bowl Champions, when Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia were both in the minors, when Derek Jeter was 26 years old.
From the second inning on, this was the Yanks’ game. More specifically, it was Hideki Matsui’s. After a quick first inning from the Yanks and two strong innings from Andy Pettitte, A-Rod walked, and Matsui came to the plate. The soon-to-be free agent worked the count full against Pedro Martinez and then launched a shot into the right field seats for his third home run of the World Series. The Yanks had a 2-0 lead, and they wouldn’t look back.
A Carlos Ruiz triple with one out and a Jimmy Rollins sac fly would cut the Yanks’ lead to one, but the Yanks would go back at it. After a Derek Jeter single, a Johnny Damon walk and a Mark Teixeira hit-by-pitch would load the bases, Alex Rodriguez struck out looking on a pitch in the left-handed batter’s box. Then, Matsui would again be the hero. He drove a two-run single into center field, and the Yanks had their 4-1 lead.
Two innings later, with Chad Durbin in for Pedro Martinez, the Yanks struck again. Mark Teixeira singled home Derek Jeter, and against lefty J.A. Happ, Matsui drove in both Teixeira and A-Rod. It was 7-1 Yanks, and Hideki had six RBis.
In the sixth, Pettite ran into a spot of trouble. He walked Chase Utley — one of five base on balls for the evening — and Ryan Howard broke out of his World Series slump for one at bat to power the ball just over Jerry Hairston into the left field seats. The Phillies had cut the Yanks’ lead to 7-3, but that would be all the baseball gods wrote for the scoring.
Joba Chamberlain replaced Andy Pettitte with two outs in the 6th and got Pedro Feliz to ground out. Joba would give up two base runners in the 7th but got two outs. With two on and two out in the 7th, Damaso Marte got the ball and was flat-out masterful. He struck out Chase Utley on a check swing to end the inning. In the 8th, Marte struck out Ryan Howard for Howard’s World Series record setting K, and it became Mariano time.
Last night, Mariano needed to get five outs with a four-run lead. He had to nail down out 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, and although we waited for him to do so in 2001, eight years later, he did. Jayson Werth struck out for out 23, and although Raul Ibañez doubled, Pedro Feliz fouled out to Jorge for 24.
In the 9th, we stood up and cheered. Matt Stairs lined out to Derek for out 25. Carlos Ruiz, that pain in the neck all series, walked, and Jimmy Rollins — the same Jimmy Rollins who predicted a five-game Phillies win — flew out to Nick Swisher for number 26. Victorino grounded out, and the Yankees were World Series champions once again.
For the old guard, for Jorge and Derek and Andy and Mariano, this was ring number five. Pettitte completed his superfecta with a win in the AL East clincher, the ALDS clincher, the ALCS clincher and the World Series clincher. Mariano ended another title, and Derek got a hit in his final at-bat. Jorge called a great game, coaxing 5.2 innings out of Pettitte. The Yankees were on top once again.
The parade is tomorrow at 11 a.m., and for now, we’ll bask in that glow of World Series Championship Number 27. How sweet it is.
Well done all year, Ben. Congratulations.
Yup. Thanks to Ben, Joe, and Mike for all their hard work.
This WS was very special for myself. Living in the midwest, I never got to watch all the games. I would check the box score and I would watch all the playoff games but it’s different when you watch every game. You get a better understand of the team, the dynamics and how good a team they really are.
Great job by the core group of players. Also great job by the guys that they brought in. Each of them had their moments in this series.
All smiles.
I’ve been a Yankee fan in exile for more than 35 years. It’s truly worth it to sign up for the MLB.com video feed. I saw more Yankee games this year than in the last ten combined. It was great.
Once I got out of college I got the MLB package and since 04 I’ve watched every Yankee game. During 2000 I was following the games on gameday. But it’s so much better
Somehow I got up and made it in to work this morning. Lots of coffee.
Me too. I sincerely doubt I’m going to accomplish much though.
I’m here…but i’m surfing RAB and youtube, texting about YANKEES WIN!!!
brain fuzzy…smile large…
You guys did a heck of job covering the yanks all year. This is my favorite site for the Yankees and you are right, “How sweet it is”.
A fitting end to a great career in pinstripes for Matsui?
Nope. Bring him back.
+28
(too soon?)
Never too soon.
Screw it. I want #29 next season.
I wanna get you home, and
UNH! Double up, UNH! UNH!
/SirMixaLot’d
We need him. He gets resigned.
WeThey did it!!!!Woooo!!!
Awesome.
Hey Jimmy Rollins i’m really happy for you and ima let your finish, but RASHEED WALLACE is the best Postseason Predictor of ALL TIME! ALL TIME!
ietc
So is Keith Law.
i left this at the end of the last post, not sure if its been mentioned already or if there is a post upcoming…
are there any plans for RAB’ers to meet up on the parade route? at a bar in the city?
Mike’s working on it. He will let us know later.
cool, thanks.
im down.
The 27th is always the hardest.
BTW, is anyone selling the same versions of the newspapers they showed last night at the game? I went to 2 different newsstands this morning on my way to work and no one had anything on their covers about the win…
I like thank Ben, Mike, Joe and all you guys here for making this season so much fun for me. As one of the older guys here I must say that I learn so much from all you guys. This is truely the best forum to get the most information on the Yankees.
Once again thank you.
+1
agreed. I am new to the site and have enjoyed it immensely. Great info and humor and only occasional over the top vulgarity. A great Victorino for the Yanks!!!
+27
Here here.
It’s “hear, hear.”
Tsk, tsk, TSJC.
I have shamed myself. Damn studying for class bullshit… school is for suckers.
indeed
+1
What he said.
+28
this!
I concur. Thanks!!!
werd.
Does Girardi change his number?
YES! We need it for good luck for 2010.
I hope not. 27 was lucky. It worked. Don’t mess with success.
I want to give credit to Joe Girardi. At some point in recent memory, everyone here, supported by Keith Law, had decided Joba Chamberlain was done for the year. I had wrote that since he keeps sending him out there, I guess Girardi thinks he’s close.
He was close. The velocity came up, the location improved, and the slider got sharper.
Girardi has shown a real ability to get his relievers to give him their best performances. With Hughes, Aceves and Coke crapping the bed, Girardi just substituted Joba, Robertson and Marte–none of whom were high on anyone’s depth chart heading into the playoffs. For most managers, that just fails.
Girardi is the King Midas of the bullpen.
+27.
Girardi >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the haters
That’s true.
if you predicted Hughes to fall apart and Joba to step up, Coke to lose it, and Marte to be worth every penny AFTER the injuries and shaky regular season and STILL predicted Robertson to be a stopper instead of
the mexican gangster’sTHE VULTURE continuing his ways, wow, you’re more man than i’ll ever be and more woman than i’ll ever have.those beers were for you Joe–i’ll suffer today in your name!
+28
I’d rather be lucky than smart. Apparently, Girardi subscribes to that theory as well.
False. Girardi is both lucky and smart.
I wanted to see more of the clubhouse celebration. They barely showed anything (YES, ESPN, Fox). The announcers and commentators absolutely love to hear themselves talk. Any video of the celebrations available on the world wide web yet?
Awesome awesome awesome season.
I liked Fox’s post-game coverage, especially when they showed the reactions of almost every player (where was Cano?) as they realized that they had won.
Sterling’s new call “Robbie Cano-Where’dya go???”
I still don’t know how I got up this morning….Number 27 !!! I wish I could be in New York for the parade….enjoy guys…2010 can’t come soon enough !!!!!!!!!!!!
i’m cool with basking in the glow of 2009. for awhile. this is sweet like leche with honey.
rip melky
LET THE ROASTING BEGIN:
dalelama says:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:11 am
As a Yankee fan in living in Philly territory I have had the opportunity to watch both closely for the last three years so my prediction is not based on the outcome of one game but an objective analysis of both teams personnel over an extended period of time integrated with my thorough knowledge of baseball. And to put it simply, in a short series vs. 162 game schedule the Phillies are the better team. Now that doesn’t mean the Yanks won’t win or that I won’t be rooting hard for them, it just means one should place their money on the Phillies. That way will take some of the sting out of the final outcome.
11/5/09- 3 years of objective analysis wasted, my thorough knowledge of baseball ? Maybe not, one should place their money on the Phillies and it would of stung a lot more, in a short series vs. 162 game schedule the Phillies are the better team I GUESS NOT
mustang says:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:38 am
“And to put it simply, in a short series vs. 162 game schedule the Phillies are the better team. Now that doesn’t mean the Yanks ”
But if your saying that the Phillies are the better team in a short series that means that the Yanks won’t win. ?????
So basically if the Yankees win it’s out of pure luck or because the Phillies fail to live up to their full potential
Good Theory
We will speak again when RAB puts up the 2009 Yankees World Series Championship thread.
dalelama says:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Mustang, Exactly right, my heart says Yanks but my brain says Phillies…I will be the first to be happy if the brain is wrong but when it comes to baseball that is rare. I hope you are right. I will be right here.
11/5/09- Brain WRONG !! Well at least his heart in the right place.
V says:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Bull.
You think Ruiz is better than Posada based on 100 hot ABs.
I can’t call you an imbecile, so…
Bye.
dalelama says:
Talk to you when it is over and Posada has had his usual .239 series and Ruiz hits .350
11/5/09- In the 2009 World Series Ruiz .333 vs. Posada .263
I will still take the guy with 5 RINGS.
HERE ENDETH THE LESSON.
What a DB. Give him an earful for his useless baseball genious. No one is impressed with his bogus thorough knowledge of baseball.
“thorough knowledge of baseball’
That line got to me too that’s really put yourself out there even for here.
putting yourself..
The hating on Posada was uncalled for.
This is comment #27!
FUCK YES!
How many times have we heard the words ” Yankees Payroll” or a reference to it since last night?
Myself 20 times.
Yeah Stark & ESPN have the most douche passive-agressive cover story as their “congrats”
New York won a 27th World Series title behind four true Yankees
I forgot the rest of the team aren’t “true Yankees”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4624979
that’s BS, because they became True Yankees(c)(tm)(r) the minute they won the WS…
that’s BS, because they became True Yankees(c)(tm)(r) the minute they
won the WSbecame Yankees…50 times.
It was about as stress-free as a clinching game can be. The Ruiz triple should have been a double, and probably no run there. Andy was dealing. Just ran out of gas in the 6th.
I looked at Damaso Marte’s face as he finished his warmups and wondered “he’s been great so far…is he now out of his comfort zone? Can he get this guy?” I think he was better in the two batters he faced last night than in any of his postseason appearances so far. What a master.
I was very, very happy for ARod. He’s not my favorite individual in the world…he’s been a postseason bust for the Yankees in prior season, and he certainly seems to have a sizeable ego. But he is unfairly maligned just about everywhere except here. He’s one of the 5 greatest baseball players of all time, and has played spectacularly for the Yankees since coming to NY. You could just see how much he wanted it this year, and I think you have to give a 30-something year old guy credit for re-inventing himself in terms of humility this season. All year long he was an exemplary teammate and a beast of a ballplayer. The absolute joy on his face when they clinched was a sight to see.
I am most happy, though, for Hideki Matsui. I am old school and like ballplayers who avoid the fist pumps, the screaming, the drama. I like the guys who do the job and keep their head down. He’s done nothing but produce for the Yankees since arriving. He had to learn to handle a 2 seam fastball…he played CF for a while, and before the knees went was a reliable outfielder. While I know stats probably don’t bear this out, he was one of the Yankees I always wanted to see at the plate in big situations. Maybe it was all the hits he’s gotten against Pedro over the years. And to have him come all the way from Japan, learn a new culture, have to part with his porn collection, etc., and not get a WS would have been tough…I really wanted it for him. For him to be the hero of the clinching game makes it even more theatrical.
Congratulations to the entire Yankee family.
By the way – did anyone notice the rather portly woman standing in the back row during the trophy presentation? That was Jessica Steinbrenner (she probably has a married name now). I knew her in college…she went to Sweet Briar College in Amherst, VA, and I went to Washington and Lee. We met at a party one night and spent a couple of hours talking. I remember her as a very, very nice and intelligent girl and it was cool having a drink and a few laughs with the Boss’s daughter.
Too bad you didn’t marry her. You’d have great seats and could have been out there at 2nd base last night! It is said that he or she who marries for money earns it but the perks would have been awesome….
FUCK AND YES
IN ADDITION, PEDRO DESERVED EVERY ” WHO’S YOUR DADDY ”
ALSO A MESSAGE TO MIKE AND THAT MAD DOG, AND ROSENTHAL. KISS MY YANKEE FAN *%*@%**. SO THERE
if i go to the parade tomorrow, i basically lose my job. im really thinking this over…
AND TO JOE BUCK, WELL YOU FINALLY CLEANED OUT YOUR ACT. I FORGIVE YOU.
One hand in the air for the big city…
Street lights, big dreams, all lookin’ pretty…
Ain’t no place in the world that can compare…
Put your lighters in the AIR,
EVERYBODY SAY YEAAAAAAAAAAAH, YEAH!
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH, YEAH
I’M IN NEW YOOOOOOOOOORK!
CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF!
THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN’T DO!
NOW YOU’RE IN NEW YOOOOOOOOOOORK!
THESE STREETS WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BRAND NEW!
BIG LIGHTS WILL INSPIRE YOU!
LET’S HEAR IT FOR NEW YORK!
NEW YORK!
NEW YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORK!
(dun dun dun DUN!)
Did you see the end of the postgame?! They did a montage of the playoffs to that song as the soundtrack. It was by far the most amazing thing ever (I was in a great state of mind last night when I saw it).
I’m trying to find the whole postgame somewhere online. If someone has please post it on up or even better send a tip to RAB and I’m sure they’ll throw it up.
I did stay up for that, but I still don’t think the song is anything special…
Sorry, Jay-Z.
Great job, Yankees, and great job too, Ben, Joe, and Mike. The blog made the season even better.
Yankees baby! Still hasn’t hit me fully yet. Just awesome man.
Can’t say I wasn’t expecting this though
No smug intended.
It hasn’t hit me yet either.
ok yeah that was good but why didnt girardi put in hinske over hairston we needed that bat and we could have used the extra runs so mo didn’t have to pitch the eighth and the ninth thats just bad managing i hope we get a new manager when his contract runs out i hope mariano is ok for next year but i dont see how he could be 40 pitches is too many girardi wtf
also what is up with teixeira we should deal him that contract is looking like an albatross right now we need someone that can actually make contact with a ball also did you see cano in the box, ridic. so lazy
/sarcasm
//cant wait for the purging and the ridicule of last night’s BS
here’s a challenge for everyone, if interested.
post a link to your favorite picture from last night. heres mine:
http://cache.daylife.com/image.....g/610x.jpg
so far.
WINNERS!
How sweet it is. We had the team built to win and they did it! Just feels so awesome right now. Canyon tomorrow!
Dear Ryan Howard,
Thanks for the empty net goal.
Signed,
Philly Fan
–
Ha!
Go Yankees! I LOVE IT!
Love this image:
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/p.....339645.JPG
Does every Yankee get a ring? Even guys like Shelley, Dunn, Edwar? Were they in the clubhouse celebrating too?
Yes. Anybody who was on the active roster.
Oh ok. I saw Nady, so there’s some players who get to party on field and in the clubhouse, but won’t get a ring?
No. They ALL get rings. anybody who was on the roster no matter for how long or how little this year. Wang, Nady, Steve Jackson, Claggett, and Shelley. Etc.. Dunn too.
Angel Berroa is pumped.
Well maybe not Dunn because of the fall league, not quite sure how that works. I kept seeing a lot of players who I couldn’t recognize in the clubhouse. I thought I saw Melancon.
Awesome…just a great season with an amazing finish.
Btw, did anyone see Cone during last night’s postgame celebrations?…Or was he just not there? I know O’Neill was there and Leiter was on the MLB network…
I don’t think he was there. I didn’t see him.
Thanks RAB for the great coverage of the season.
I still think Swisher is a mediocre and streaky player but he’s proved that he can play everyday.
I was wrong about Andy Pettite earlier in the season and the three man rotation going into the playoffs but I’m glad that I was proven wrong.
Couple thoughts on Swish.
It’s true that he is not the best player on the team.
His eye (OBP + high pitchcounts) more than makes up for the overswinging and taking his eye off the ball. (And if Eiland can get him to keep his head steady and stop trying to hit HRs on every swing, he has a chance to be great)
Please bare in mind that A) we gave up Betemit to get him. Betemit. and B) who woulda played RF? either someone terrible, or we would have had to give up other talent.
congratulations to all! I was at the dugout across from the stadium and it was an amazing experience. The crowd there was FANTASTIC!
see you all at the parade!
Just watching some more postgame still…saw CC and his son on Sportscenter. I loved how CC’s kid yawned at their questions just liked dad. Chip off the ol block!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S4nSzE4N-o
FFWD to 4.59
odd coincidence–last time the Yankees won it all with a sitting Republican president?
1958
knew they’d get one during this presidency, just didn’t expect it to be this quick!
By sitting Republican, are you referring to Dave Eiland?
next year’s three man rotation:
CC
AJ
Hughes, Joba or Andy???
i wonder how tempered Molina, Matsui and Damon were, knowing they may be going out on top…(they can sign anywhere, but if its not here, i consider it ‘going out’…)
four starters–Andy and Joba
Hughes will be back in the pen by the playoffs due to innings limits
Hughes shouldn’t have much (if any) innings limit restrictions.
Yes, he should after only pitching about 110 innings this year. He should have a cap around 150/160 same as Joba did this year.
Since I’m in LA and can’t make it to the parade, I’ll have to settle for the Yankees World Series Highlights Marathon on MLB Network this Friday.
I’d bet that MLB.com streams the parade live. Or some of the NYC news outlets might via their websites.
If anyone hears about that happening I’d appreciate a tip. I had tix for games 6 and 7 in 2000 so that’s the only parade I’ve ever made it to since I was already in NY. Never get to see ‘em in LA. Hell, the game wasn’t even on the radio out here.
I might have missed it on the boards, but did anyone see this yet? – “When the clubhouse opened, Martinez’s locker was nearly empty. A copy of Wednesday’s New York Post — with an image of his head imposed atop a chubby baby’s body with the headline “Spank him, Yanks” — resting on the top shelf of his locker. A bouquet of orange roses, sunflowers and lilies with two balloons that read “Thank You” sat on the floor in front.”
I’m dying – that is hilarious!!!!!!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4624843
Love this blog. Great job all season guys. Whenever I was feeling up tight about the way things were going (for the Yankees), I would come read this blog…the way you guys put a positive, humorous spin on things always helped to calm me down. Can’t wait until next year!
I like this shot; ALex, Mo, tex, cervelli! in center. jeter pump, jopo trying not to break his nose, joba roar, damaso looking like Mo, ramiro
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/.....=291104110
2 things:
1) I know it was hyperbole, but I thought I had died when Mo said 5 more years. Unbelievable.
2) OMG OMG STFU already: http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....nkees.html
2) +27
“I believe I’ve got more ups than Cody Ransom”
/J-Roll’d
Nothing was as overblown as all the 3 days rest talk the past few days.
How about Howard Bryant’s
“It’s 2004 all over again” articles after each and every yankee loss?
Nothing was as overblown as all the 3 days rest talk the past few days.
That’s not an entirely accurate statement; take my word for it.
Sincerely,
Kate Hudson
Shhhh. Don’t even bring it up. The mainstream media is pretending they never mentioned it, because they can never, ever be wrong.
What about Brad Lidge’s save attempt?
Ok, this is a result of the use of a long camera lens, but this image is funny. Look at the expression on Jorge’s face, his leg, Marte’s hand and the look on Cano’s face.
http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/.....&h=477
Hmm… perhaps Laura Posada should be taking notes.
I feel great for the guys who were doubted: CC, A-Rod, AJ, Marte, Swisher, Joba, (Melky), etc
This is the best story I’ve seen- great stuff:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/bl.....mlb,200353
that is a great story and a great picture. i’m with everyone else, i feel damn good today.
Anyone have any suggestions for the parade, coming from north jersey what time do you think I should take the bus in?
wow man. wow. it just keeps hitting me in waves.
crappy job. . .the yankees won!
boring meeting . . the yankees won!
somebody farted on the subway real bad. . .the yankees won! in the next car too!!!
WOW man. WOW.
I shudder to think what would have happened had we not acquired Hinske, that guy knows how to win championships.
FACK!!!
i just realized my boss talked for 20 minutes, and i said “mhm…” about 20 times this morning…i have no fucking clue what he said cause i was reading this and last night’s recap the whole time…
Thanks for all of your great work here this year. It’s always a pleasure to waste some time at work and check out RAB. Here’s to the 2009 Yanks, and I’m already looking forward to the Hot Stove and #28.
Welcome to NY, Matt Holliday.