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Phillie busters Utley and Co. crash Yank party By Pete Caldera | Nov. 3, 2009 With the Yankees one victory away from clinching a world championship at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies followed the blueprint they used to win the World Series opener at Yankee Stadium. Give the ball to Cliff Lee, and let Chase Utley swing from his heels. Utley hit two more home runs in Monday’s Game 5, matching two World Series’ records, and Lee lasted into the eighth inning of the Phillies’ 8-6 victory — sending the Series back to the Bronx for Game 6. Leading the Series, 3-2, the Yankees remained 27 outs away from their 27th world title, with Andy Pettitte expected to start on short rest — possibly against Pedro Martinez — on Wednesday night. But Pettitte hasn’t pitched on three days’ rest all year, and if the Phils force a Game 7, CC Sabathia would be starting his second straight game on short rest. Going on three days’ rest for the first time all year, Burnett never made it through the third inning, charged with six runs – starting with Utley’s three-run homer in the first. In the seventh, Utley hit a solo shot off Phil Coke, giving him five homers for the Series and matching Reggie Jackson’s 1977 record total in a six-game World Series — with Mr. October in the ballpark. Utleys’ first three homers had come against Sabathia, the first two in the Phils’ 6-1 Game 1 victory at the Stadium — the same night Lee tossed a complete game without allowing an earned run. Utley matched Willie Aikens’ Series record of two games with two homers.
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Aikens did it for Kansas City against Philadelphia in 1980. The Phillies still prevailed for their first world championship. But in the first Series matchup of Arkansas-born starters, Lee easily bested Burnett, who was coming off a 3-1 victory in Thursday’s Game 2 — his first postseason victory. Burnett walked Utley and Ryan How-
ard to start the third, and was finished after yielding RBI singles to Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez. With homers by Utley and Ibanez off Coke in the seventh, Lee owned an 8-2 lead, but couldn’t make it through the eighth. The Yankees scored three times, with two runs coming on Alex Rodriguez’s two-run double. That gave A-Rod three
above: Phillie pitcher Cliff Lee gets a hit and is on first in the third inning. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA
opposite left: AJ Burnett in the first inning. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA opposite right: Jose Molina and AJ Burnett in the first inning after Burnett gave up three runs. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA
RBI for the game and 18 for the postseason – establishing a Yankees’ record. Lee was charged with five runs on seven hits. In the ninth, Ryan Madson finished off the Yanks. He was called on to get the save after Brad Lidge’s shocking ninth-inning loss in Game 4. Following a double by Jorge Posada and a pinch-hit single by Hideki Matsui, Derek Jeter — batting as the tying run — grounded into a double play that brought in a run to make it 8-6. But the Yanks weren’t dead yet. With 46,178 fans standing and whipping around white rally towels, Johnny Damon’s singled, but Mark Teixeira — who had doubled in his previous at-bat — struck out to end the game. Teixeira is now 2-for-19 in the Series. Asked if he gave any consideration to starting Chad Gaudin in Game 5 with Burnett ready on full rest for a possible Game 6, Girardi said he “talked about it a little bit” with his staff. But it wasn’t a very lengthy discussion. With the Blue Jays last year, Burnett posted a 3-0 record and a 1.86 ERA on three days’ rest. Plus, “Chad hasn’t thrown much in the last month, and that’s a difficult spot to put him in,” Girardi said before Game 5. “A.J. feels good, and we feel good about A.J. going out there. “So we feel that this is the right move.” But things went wrong right from the start. Jimmy Rollins led off with a line-drive single uncomfortably close to the head of Burnett, who then struck Shane Victorino in the hand as he squared to bunt. Girardi unsuccessfully argued that
Victorino had offered at the pitch, making it a strike. Almost as quickly as the manager retreated to the dugout, Utley was into his home run trot. With his three-run shot, Utley matched Lenny Dykstra’s 1993 club record for most homers (four) in a World Series, and the Phillies had a 3-1 lead. The Yanks’ first run was delivered shortly after Hall-of-Fame Phillies pitchers Robin Roberts and Jim Bunning each delivered a ceremonial first pitch. As he did in Sunday night’s ninth inning to untie a thrilling Game 4, A-Rod doubled home Damon, who had singled. This time, there was no mad dash required for Damon to get into scoring position. The next time the Yankees scored, it was Howard’s fault. With the Phils up, 6-1, in the fifth, pinch-hitter Eric Hinske walked, moved to third on Jeter’s one-out single and scored on Damon’s broken-bat grounder to Howard. The Phillies’ first baseman stepped on the bag, but hesitated and lost his chance to double up either baserunner. ■
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right: The Philly Phanatic celebrates. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA top far right: Chase Utley at a press
conference after hitting two home runs. Nick Swisher at bat in the first inning. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA bottom far right: Johnny Damon
slides home for the Yankees first run in the first inning. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA opposite top left: Derek Jeter breaks his bat when hitting the ball. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA opposite bottom left: Chase Ut-
ley rounds the bases after hitting a HR. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA opposite top right: Derek Jeter
runs to second on a broken bat play hit by Johnny Damon in the fifth inning. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA opposite bottom right: Johnny Damon slides in to home scoring the first run in the first inning. Catcher is Carlos Ruiz. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA
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Fitting end to perfect season for Bombers By Bob Klapisch | Nov. 5, 2009 The night ended with a jungle of arms and legs at the mound, raised fists and the kind of shouting that men use as substitutes for tears. This was exactly how the Yankees envisioned the end of their magical season – in bedlam, with looks that needed no translation: The universe is ours. The World Series became a billboard of the Yankees’ excellence, as their 7-3 victory in Game Six will be cherished for so many reasons: Andy Pettitte outpitching Pedro Martinez, Hideki Matsui, the Series’ Most Valuable Player, driving in six runs, and Mariano Rivera finishing it all off with a five-out save. Just how badly could the Yankees taste their first championship since 2000? Half a dozen of them poured out of the dugout even before Mark Teixeira had caught Robinson Cano’s throw retiring Shane Victorino. Instantly, Queen blasted “We are the Champions” from the Stadium PA system while the riot on the field kept growing. Soon, it was Sinatra crooning “New York, New York” for the last time in 2009, everyone singing along, woozy from the baseball-high. There was beautiful, rich irony in the air: Pettitte getting a chance to pitch a championship clincher, and Matsui, probably playing his final game in pinstripes, saying goodbye with a performance that bordered on Reggie-like greatness. He crushed a two-run HR off Pedro in the second inning, and that was all the Yankees had to know. The Phillies had spoken bravely about a miracle come-
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back, but in their hearts they knew the Series was over the night Johnny Damon stole Game 4 from them with two stolen bases in the ninth inning. The Phillies put up a better fight than the Twins or Angels, but in the end they, too, had no answer for the Yankees’ nuclear lineup. Only Cliff Lee had the guts to stare the Bombers in the eye; everyone else was dealing from a weaker hand – even Pedro. He must’ve known how thin his margin of error was in that second inning, walking Alex Rodriguez on four pitches before going to battle with Matsui. Pedro wasn’t just cautious, he was flat-out intimidated, knowing one mistake would cost him. Every pitch of the at-bat was down and away, until the one that Pedro left over the plate. Matsui destroyed it, sending it screeching over the wall in right-center, on the way to a Series that will forever be remembered. The Japanese slugger finished with a .615 average and eight RBIs. Matsui will leave exactly as he arrived in 2003 – humble and polite, an All-American kid who just happened to hail from the Far East. “He’s as quiet a superstar as I’ve ever seen anywhere,” Bernie Williams once said. “He’s representing the whole Japanese culture here, it’s a lot of weight on his shoulders, and yet he doesn’t get rattled.” Not even when accepting the MVP trophy from Bud Selig Wednesday night. A podium had been erected at second base after the game,
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Hideki Matsui knocked in six runs in Game 6 to tie a World Series record for RBI in a game. He was later named the series’ Most Valuable Player.
27th World Series champions hip Wednesday, after dethr MICHAEL KARAS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER oning the Phillies in six game s. Bob Klapisch: Ian O’Connor: The night never Coming Friday Alex Rodriguez, the seemed in doubt for man most responsithe Yankees, who had A special pullout souvenir ble for this champimore talent, experisection featuring storie s onship, is finally a ence and karma. and photos commemorating full-blooded Yankee. each game of the Yankees World Series victory.
Christie readies property tax fight
By JOHN REITMEYER
STATE HOUSE BUREAU
Chris Christie said he will lower New Jersey’s notoriously high erty taxes, not with a “silver propbut by following the delibe bullet,” rate approach voters approved — spending checks and morea mix of ELIZABETH LARA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER shared Governor-elect Chris Christ services. ie and Lt. Governor-elect Kim Guadagno “I’ve told everybody right during Newark visit. beginn from ing that this is not a silver- the bul-
©2009 NORTH JERSEY
let issue,” Christie said to Wednesday after a public reporters Newark, his first as govern event in or-ele “I refused during the campa ct. ign to come up with some type of slick, packaged proposal that people going to say, ‘Oh, wow, that’s were a mira-
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where the entire organization gathered to celebrate. No one had gone home – 50,000 fans shouted in unison as Matsui shook hands with the commissioner and told the crowd it was “awesome” to go out on a such a powerful note. Alex Rodriguez, enjoying his first world championship ever, told the horde, “we’re going to party” and Pettitte just smiled that big, toothy grin of his and said, “this is what I came back here for.” Pettitte had just won his 18th career post-season victory, cementing his
legacy as the Yankees’ greatest lefthander since Whitey Ford. Good old Andy, always a second-tier star among Yankee pitchers, always forced to live in the shadow of Roger Clemens or David Cone or, most recently, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. It was impossible to watch Pettitte on Wednesday night and not think of the way the Yankees treated him over the winter – negotiating their way down instead of up as he pondered $10 million offer.
Pettitte was a free agent, free to test the market - or, if his family had pushed hard enough, retire. But he wanted one more year in pinstripes, one more chance at a championship. One more season that would allow him to christen the new Stadium. The Yankees knew Pettitte’s loyalty was unbreakable, especially this late in his career. There were no other teams circling, no other offers to take his eye off the target. It was the Bombers or no one else.
So they lowered their offer to $5.5 million and told him, sorry, you’re out of time and we’re out of money. GM Brian Cashman told his lefthander that the organization appreciated his years of excellence, but with $180 million being shelled out to Mark Teixeira and another $161 million to Sabathia, there were only a handful of dollars left for Pettitte. Another pitcher would’ve either said thanks but no thanks, or else taken the money and spent the summer in a deep, angry funk. But not Pettitte, the most tolerant and forgiving man in the Yankees’ clubhouse. Never once did he express regret at the way the Yankees conducted business. Never once did he talk about going home. Once the contract was signed, skimpy as it was, Pettitte narrowed his focus to pitching, same as it ever was. That’s what allowed him to come full circle – standing in front of an army of loyalists in the Bronx, shouting so loud he could he heard from here to Philly. “This is a great, great night,” Pettitte said hoarsely, grinning so broadly his eyes had turned to slits. That expression was priceless: the universe is finally ours. ■
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above: New York Yankees Johnny Damon gets a high five after scoring on a Hideki Matsui 2-RBI single in the 3rd during game 6 of the 2009 World Series Game 6 Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. Photo by TYSON TRISH
previous left: New York Yankees
Derek Jeter tosses a ball during Tuesday’s workout at Yankee Stadium in preparation for Game 6 of the 2009 World Series. Photo by TYSON TRISH
gets a high five after scoring on a Hideki Matsui 2-RBI single in the 3rd during game 6 of the 2009 World Series Game 6 Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
previous right: New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi watches batting practice over the shoulder of his son Dante, 8, during Tuesday’s workout at Yankee Stadium in preparation for Game 6 of the 2009 World Series.
Photo by TYSON TRISH
Photo by TYSON TRISH
left: New York Yankees Derek Jeter
opposite: Pedro Martinez throws in the
first inning. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA
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Z-8 THE RECORD
Legends of the fall By Bob Klapisch | Nov. 6, 2009 In the end, the greatest team in baseball silenced all of its critics This was close to 3 a.m. on Thursday, long after Sinatra’s silky voice had drifted off into the night. The clubhouse floor was still soaked in champagne and outside, hundreds of stadium workers were still cleaning up the Bronx’s best party in a decade. With nothing else to do, New York City cops were posing for pictures on the mound. So begins the precious hangover. It’ll take an entire off-season to fully appreciate the breadth of the Yankees’ accomplishments, but for now, the fans are having too much fun counting the long line of vanquished opponents. There’s the Twins and the Angels, of course, especially the Phillies. Derek Jeter stood on the temporary podium at second base and reminded 50,000 fans how, “a lot of people were making predictions about this Series before it started.” The place roared its approval. Everyone knew Jeter was talking about Jimmy Rollins and the way he ran his mouth. Instead, Jeter chose to live by the time-honored credo that nothing fuels revenge more sweetly than living well. But the Yankees’ hierarchy understands this championship season, seamless as it appeared, comes with a surcharge. Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui might both be gone in 2010, and who knows where Joba Chamberlain’s trend line is headed? If there’s any single factor that distinguishes the ’09 Yankees from their predecessors, it’s that Chamberlain’s failure forced them into an almost unheard-of
three-man rotation throughout the postseason. No championship club had relied on just three starters since the 1991 Twins. Back then it was Jack Morris, Scott Erickson and Kevin Tapani. This time around, CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte were all forced to work on short rest. You could call it a resource failure and wonder how, after $204 million, the Yankees still couldn’t find a fourth starter they trusted. Or else it was just another way of mocking the industry. Even with three-quarters of a rotation, the Yankee still crushed everyone in their path. Either way, the ’09 team will be remembered as one of the better champions in club history, although they fall a notch below the ’98 club. This ’09 edition did, in fact, struggle - all the way back to Game 2 of the AL Division Series, when the Twins were on the verge of winning, 3-1. If Joe Nathan had been able to preserve a ninth-inning lead, the Twins would’ve gone home tied, 1-1, with two of the final three games in the Metrodome. But Nathan couldn’t hold down Alex Rodriguez, who tied the game with a two-run homer and sent it into extra innings. The Twins were never the same, just as the Angels were sunk in the ALCS after closer Brian Fuentes surrendered an 11th-inning homer to A-Rod in Game 2, leading the way to the Yankees’ 4-3 victory. Brad Lidge was no better in the World Series; he failed in Game 4, the one that Johnny Damon literally stole in the ninth inning. At the moment of truth, when it was Lidge’s
WORLD SERIES C HAMPIONS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009
YANKEES 8
PHILLIES 5
Take it to the Bank SATURDAY OCT. 31, 200 9: WORLD SERIES GAM E3
THE RECAP
Yankees 8, Phillies 5
YANKEES Jeter ss
AB R H BI BB SO Avg. 5 1 1 0 0 1 .385 Damon lf 4 1 1 2 1 0 .167 Teixeira 1b 3 1 0 0 2 2 .100 A.Rodriguez 3b 2 1 1 2 1 0 .100 Posada c 5 0 1 1 0 0 .300 Cano 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .091 Swisher rf 4 2 2 1 0 0 .286 Gardner cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Me.Cabrera cf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .100 Pettitte p 3 1 1 1 0 1 .333 Chamberlain p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --b-H.Matsui ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 .571 D.Marte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --P.Hughes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Ma.Rivera p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Totals 35 8 8 8 4 8 Philadelphia AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Rollins ss 4 0 1 1 1 0 .200 Victorino cf 3 0 0 1 0 0 .182 Utley 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .182 Howard 1b 4 0 0 0 0 3 .154 Werth rf 4 2 2 2 0 1 .400 Ibanez lf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .250 P.Feliz 3b 4 1 1 0 0 1 .091 C.Ruiz c 2 2 1 1 2 0 .333 Hamels p 1 0 1 0 0 0 1.000 Happ p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --a-Bruntlett ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Durbin p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Myers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Madson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --c-Stairs ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .200 Totals 32 5 6 5 3 9 YANKEES 000 231 110 — 8 8 1 Philadelphia 030 001 001 — 5 6 0 E—A.Rodriguez (1). LOB—YANKEES 6, Philadelphia 5. 2B—Dam on (1), Swisher (1), P.Feliz (1). HR—A.Rodriguez (1), off Hamels; Swisher (1), off Happ; H.Matsui (2), off off Pettitte 2; C.Ruiz (1), Myers; Werth 2 (2), off P.Hughes. RBIs—Damon 2 (2), A.Rodrig (2), Swisher (1), Pettitte uez 2 (2), Posada (1), H.Matsui (2), Rollins (1), Victorino (2), Werth 2 (2), C.Ruiz (1). SB—Damon (1), Rollins (2). S—Hamels. SF— Victorino. YANKEES IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Pettitte W, 1-0 6 5 4 4 3 7 104 6.00 Chamberlain H1 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 0.00 D.Marte 1 0 0 0 0 2 15 0.00 P.Hughes ¤ 1 1 1 0 0 8 81.00 Ma.Rivera ª 0 0 0 0 0 5 0.00 Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Hamels L, 0-1 4¤ 5 5 5 2 3 69 10.38 Happ 1ª 1 1 1 0 1 21 5.40 Durbin 1 1 1 1 1 2 29 9.00 Myers 1 1 1 1 0 2 18 9.00 Madson 1 0 0 0 1 0 22 0.00 Umpires—Home, Brian Gorman; First, Mike Everitt; Second, Dana DeMuth; Third, Joe West; Right, Jeff Nelson; Left, Gerry Davis. T—3:25. A—46,061 (43,647).
How the runs scored
Phillies second. Werth homered to left on a full count. Ibanez struck to right. C.Ruiz walked. out. P.Feliz doubled Hamels infield single. Rollins walked, P.Feliz scored. Victorino hit a sacrifice fly to left, C.Ruiz scored. 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left. Phils 3, YANKS 0. YANKEES fourth. Damon Teixeira walked. A.Rodrigflied out to right. right on a 0-1 count, Teixeirauez homered to scored. 2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left. Phillies 3, YANKS 2. YANKEES fifth. Swisher doubled to left. Me.Cabrera struck out. Pettitte singled to center, Swisher scored. Jeter Damon doubled to center,singled to center. Pettitte scored, Jeter scored..
A-Rod, Yanks deposit 3 ho mers
into Philly seats
By PETE CALDERA
STAFF WRITER
PHILADELPHIA – Andy Pettitte was on the ropes, with a soaring pitch count in the second inning and a fastclosing window to find a path toward a victory in Game 3. Phillies fans, famous for omous taunts, were celebr their veneran lefty’s shaky comm ating the vetand and a three-run Philadelphia lead. equally enjoying Alex RodrigThey were uez’s frustration, and the growin g chances that their defending champs could take command of another World Series at Citizens Bank Park. And then everything chang ed on Saturday night, a reversal of started with a reversed fortune that call. In a replay review, A-Rod ning double became a two-ru’s fourth inn homer, and the Yankees threerun keyed by Pettite’s RBI hit fifth inning – – pushed the Yankees to a stunning 8-5 win. “I can’t remember winni where I’ve struggled like ng a game Pettitte said after lasting I did tonight,” six improving to 3-0 this postse innings, and ason. After Mariano Rivera faced two batters, and broke two bats to bail out Phil Hughes in the ninth, the Yanke es owned a 2-1 Series lead - with CC Sabathia going on three days’ rest against Joe Blanton in tonight’s Game 4. “Phillies in six,” Jimmy Rollins said, revising his pre-Series predic Welcome back to Novem tion. And it couldn’t have beenber baseball. a more frightening Halloween night for Phillies starter Cole Hamels, last Series MVP, who compl year’s World eted a headshaking October turnar ound.
“I can’t remember winning a game where I’ve struggled like I did tonight.’’ ANDY PETTITTE
Coasting with a 3-0 lead, gave up A-Rod’s first World Hamels Series hit – ending the 0-for-8 with six that Rodriguez lugged into strikeouts Philly. But it got worse for Hame ls when Nick Swisher, 4-for-36 to postseason, doubled downthis point in the left field line to lead off the fifth. After Melky 3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left. YANKS 5, Phils 3. Cabre ra struck out (he was YANKEES sixth. Cano grounded out to second. ing), manager Joe Girard not sacrificSwisher homered to left i allowed Peton a 2-2 count. titte to hit. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. YANKEES 6, Phillies 3. On his first swing, Pettitt e caught a Phillies sixth. Werth homered hangin g curveball and laced it to left. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left . YANKS 6, Phillies ter field for a game-tying RBI into cen4. YANKEES seventh. Jeter single. flied out to right. Da“I’m not trying to hit a mon walked. Teixeira struck out. Damon stole home run, I’m second. A.Rodriguez trying to slap the ball aroun hit by a pitch. Posada d, and fortusingled to left, Damon scored. nately I got a ball up in the zone,” said 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left . YANKS 7, Phillies Pettitte, who knocked in 4. YANKEES eighth. Swisher the first run by flied out to left. a Yankees pitcher in the H.Matsui homered to left on a 1-1 count. since Jim Bouton agains World Series 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left . YANKS 8, Phillies t St. Louis in 4. Phillies ninth. P.Feliz 1964, Game 6. grounded out to third. C.Ruiz homered to center With the crowd still stunne on a 1-1 count. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 d, Derek left. YANKS 8, Phillies Jeter dunked a single to 5. center that was nearly caught by a chargi THE HERO torino – a play that couldng Shane Vic- Alex Rodriguez getting a high-five after Andy Pettitte Pettitte into a force play. have trapped his replay-reviewed home ASSOCIATED PRESS run in the fourth hit the Besides But Pettitte read the play TV camera in right field. correctly af- whom he grinding out ter hesitating, and that nailed with a fastset ball to the left shoulder six innings Damon’s go-ahead, two-ruup Johnny leadn double to It was A-Rod’s sixth homer ing off the second. and allowing right-center, with Jeter fast postseason, matching Bernie this four runs, But Teixeira’s one-out of Pettitte as they crosse on the heels d the plate. Williams’ club record from Pettitte conwalk was followed by an That was it for Hamels, opAnd it was the 17th postse 1996. tributed an five runs in 4¤ innings. charged with posite-field shot by A-Rod ason Sun. 11.01.09 Pettitte lasted homer by the Yanks, surpas RBI single, that appeared to strike six innings, giving up four high YANKEES 8, PHILLIES 5 their previous high of 16 sing the first by a proved to 3-0 this postse runs and im- off the right field wall neares ason. And the complished in ‘96, ‘01 and– acYankees the foul pole, near the 330 t hits kept coming. ‘03. pitcher in a World Series And foot it got the Yankees marker. Swisher’s first Series homer since , off J.A. into a game that seeme back Jim Bouton in 1964. Teixeira held up at third, Happ, made it 6-3 in the d to Aslipping quickly away from be Rod pulled into second Jorge Posada’s RBI singlesixth, and Pettitte rebounds from rocky start to give Yanks lead in Series base, Petoff THE GOAT Chad titte. and manager Joe Girard Durbin made it 7-4 in the i seventh. Making his 11th World out of the Yankees dugoushot And when Girardi used Cole Hamels start as a Yankee – secon Series protest right field umpir t to ter, Hideki Matsui crushe a pinch-hitOne year after d e most Jeff d an oppos ite- Nelson’s non-call. on the club’s all-time list, field home run off Brett being the Myers for an 8Whitey Ford’s 22 – Pettittafter The ball had ricocheted 4 lead in the eighth. World Series pitch count stood at 52 e’s hard back toward the field, Swisher’s first hit “really MVP, Hamels after the turned Phillies’ three-run secon and the things around for me,” was booed off d inhe said, after ad- verged umpires quickly conning. mitting to being heartb . It wasn’t long before the mound afroken After Jayson Werth led rardi benched him for Game when Gi- crew chief Gerry Davis ter allowing second with the first of off the emerged from the review Rodriguez was more frustra2. five runs in 4¤ his and ted about signaled “home homers off Pettitte, Swish two swinging at pitches out innings. run,” causing a er of watched Pedro Feliz’s doubl the Series began – a trend the zone since collective groan from 46,061 e he was able clang off the right f fans. to reverse. “
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Giants-Eagles, 1 p.m., Ch. 5 Knicks overcome big deficit, Stapleton: No. Highlands’ girls Jets-Dolphins, 1 p.m., Ch. 2 13 but fall to 76ers in OT. 10 top rival in soccer semi. 15
Yankees lead best-of-seven World Series, 2-1 Game 4: Tonight, 8:20, at Citizens Bank Park. TV: Ch. 5
Halfway home
By PETE CALDERA
STAFF WRITER
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PHILADELPHIA – Andy Pettitte was on the ropes, with a soaring pitch count in the second inning and a fastclosing window to find a path toward a victory in Game 3. Phillies’ fans, famous for their venomous taunts, were celebrating the veteran lefty’s shaky command and a three-run Philadelphia lead. They were equally enjoying Alex Rodriguez’s frustration, and the growing chances that their defending world champions could take command of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park. And then everything changed Saturday night, a reversal of fortune that started with a reversed call. In a replay review, A-Rod’s fourth-inning double became a two-run homer, and the Yankees’ three-run fifth inning – keyed by Pettitte’s RBI hit – pushed the Yankees to a stunning 8-5 win. The Yankees own a 2-1 Series lead, with CC Sabathia going on three days’ rest against Joe Blanton in tonight’s Game 4 — the second-ever World Series game to be played in November. And it couldn’t have been a more frightening Halloween night for Phillies starter Cole Hamels, last year’s World Series MVP, who completed a headshaking October turnaround. Coasting with a 3-0 lead, Hamels gave up A-Rod’s first World Series hit – ending the 0-for-8 with six strikeouts See YANKEES Page S-4
CHRIS PEDOTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Yankees’ Nick Swisher after hitting a sixth-inning homer in Game 3 on Saturday night. Swisher was 2-for-4 on the night.
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THE RECORD Z-3 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009
WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
27 Yankees Looking back at
1923
every championship team
1958
Defeated Braves, 4-3
Defeated Giants, 4-2
reel off Trailing three games to one, the Yankees win three wins in a row. Gil McDougald helps Turley Game 6 with a 10th-inning homer and Bob 7. Game in Burdette Lew outpitches
homer to After Casey Stengel hits an inside-the-park over help the Giants win Game 1, Babe Ruth takes The in the first Series played at Yankee Stadium. Bambino hits .368 (second to Aaron Ward’s .417) and has three home runs.
1961
1927
Defeated Reds, 4-1
Defeated Pirates, 4-0
Ford extends his record streak of consecutive 4. scoreless innings to 32 in a 7-0 win in Game of a The 3-2 victory in Game 3 is the product ninth-inning home run by Roger Maris.
Herb Pennock takes a perfect game into the eighth inning of Game 3, and eventually wins 8-1. Several Pirates errors, including Paul Waner’s misplay of a Lou Gehrig fly ball in Game 1, lead to the first Series sweep by an American League team.
1962
Defeated Giants, 4-3
1928
second The 1-0 victory in Game 7 is secured when McCovbaseman Bobby Richardson catches Willie third in ey’s hard liner with runners on second and the bottom of the ninth inning.
Defeated Cardinals, 4-0
1977
Yankees outscore Cardinals, 27-10, in clinching a their second straight sweep. Waite Hoyt pitchesthe 4 as three-hitter in the opener, and wins Game Yanks hit five solo homers, three by Ruth.
Defeated Dodgers, 4-2
1932
hits “Reggie … Reggie … Reggie!” Reggie Jackson 6 in Game three home runs on three straight pitches edge after Ron Guidry gives the Yanks a 3-1 Series with his four-hitter in Game 4.
Defeated Cubs, 4-0
1978
be known Although Gehrig hits .529, the Series will he supfor Ruth’s “called shot” in Game 3, when a home posedly points toward center field and hits run to that same spot off Charlie Root.
Defeated Dodgers, 4-2
1936
in The Yankees become the first team to win six games after losing the first two. Catfish Hunter wins Game 6 as Brian Doyle backs him with three hits in the 7-2 triumph.
Defeated Giants, 4-2
1996
DiMaggio, The first Series without Ruth, but with Joe 2 when is highlighted by an 18-4 victory in Game win Tony Lazzeri hits a grand slam. The Yankees series. Game 6, 13-5, and finish with 65 hits in the
Defeated Braves, 4-2
1937
Another rally from an 0-2 Series deficit begins the Joe Torre era. Jim Leyritz’s game-tying three-run homer in Game 4 turns around the Series.
Defeated Giants, 4-1
up The Yankees get rolling in Game 1 by roughing Carl Hubbell for seven runs in the sixth inning. the Gehrig is not feeling well throughout the Series, 1941. first signs of the illness that took his life in
1938
1943
Defeated Cardinals, 4-1
1951
Defeated Giants, 4-2
in the A slumping Hank Bauer hits a three-run triple Phil The Yankees prevail, even without DiMaggio, were sixth inning of Game 6 and then makes a sensawho Rizzuto, Red Ruffing and Buddy Hassett, the final out in the 4-3 delivers a tional game-saving catch for serving in the armed forces. Billy Johnson 3 vic- win. three-run triple in the eighth inning of a Game Series. tory, 6-2. Gehrig contributes four hits in his final World in After Bill Dickey goes 4-for-4 in a 3-1 victory 6-3, Game 1, the Yankees rally to beat Dizzy Dean, in Game 2.
Defeated Cubs, 4-0
1947
1939
Defeated Reds, 4-0
Defeated Dodgers, 4-3
in a 5Joe Page pitches five scoreless relief innings 2 win in Game 7, but Brooklyn fans will rememberin double that Cookie Lavagetto’s two-out, two-run in bid no-hit ninth-in- the ninth inning ruined Bill Bevens’ Closer than the sweep might infer. Dickey’s Game 4 as the Dodgers won, 3-2. ning single wins Game 1, 2-1, and the Yankees crashscore three 10th-inning runs as Charlie Keller runs two es into Reds catcher Ernie Lombardi and scored to win Game 4.
1949
1941
Defeated Dodgers, 4-1
Will always be remembered for Mickey Owen’s with 4-3, passed ball in Game 4. The Dodgers lead, on Tomtwo outs in the ninth and have a full count Owen my Henrich, who swings and misses. But to score on go Yanks the and ball the catch doesn’t four runs in the inning.
Defeated Dodgers, 4-1
1998
Defeated Padres, 4-0
1 comeTino Martinez hits a grand slam in a Game in back, and MVP Scott Brosius homers twice 125-50 Game 3. The championship completed a season for the Yankees.
1952
Defeated Dodgers, 4-3
Defeated Phillies, 4-0
Defeated Braves, 4-0
to 12 Yanks extended their Series winning steak bottom games. Chad Curtis’ second homer, in the and Clemens is Johnny Mize hits .400 with three home runs catch of of the 10th, wins Game 3 before Roger Billy Martin makes a game-saving shoe-top 4 clincher, 4-1. in Game 7 on top of his game in the Game Jackie Robinson’s bases-loaded pop-up at Ebbets Field.
1953
Defeated Dodgers, 4-2
a Martin comes up big again in Game 6, with that record-tying 12th hit, a ninth-inning single bats drives in Bauer with the winning run. Martin A Game 1 scoreless duel between Don Newcombe hits a .500 in the Series. and Allie Reynolds is broken up when Henrich inning. lead-off homer in the bottom of the ninth
1950
1999
1956
Defeated Dodgers, 4-3
the lasting Yogi Berra homers twice in Game 7, but jumping into the arms the Yan- image of this Series is Berra 5 perfect game, Philadelphia’s Whiz Kids are no match for score- of Don Larsen after Larsen’s Game kees. Whitey Ford, then a rookie, holds Philly Series history. World in one only the victory. 4 Game less until the ninth inning of a 5-2 Roberts DiMaggio’s 10th-inning homer off Robin wins Game 2.
2000
Defeated Mets, 4-1
play Jose Vizcaino and Luis Sojo, unlikely heroes, Game wins big parts in the Subway Series. Vizcaino 1 with a 12th-inning single, and Sojo’s multiple5 bounce single is the big hit in the 4-2 Game clincher.
2009
Defeated Phillies, 4-2
Yankees After Cliff Lee stymies them in Game 1, the by win four of the next five games, highlighted 7-3 Hideki Matsui's six-RBI performance in the increase to games two wins clincher. Andy Pettitte 18. to total victory his MLB-record
fastball against A-Rod’s bat speed, the Yankee slugger had an answer - a linedrive double into the left field corner that helped give the Bombers a 7-4 victory. Those comebacks were forged by more than just talent. It was from the Yankees’ limitless belief in their own superiority. As one major league executive said with envy: “The difference was how much the Yankees believed they could come back and beat you in their last at-bat. That kind of confidence is un-quantifiable.” The Yankees spent crazy money, of course. The haters will tell you the Bombers’ championship is soiled by the Steinbrenner family’s excess, which makes it hard for the average fan to buy into the “Win it for The Boss” mantra. But if the last decade has taught us anything, it’s that money is a guarantee of nothing: the Steinbrenners had spent more than $1 billion since 2000 without a championship to show for it. It’s how wisely that money is spent; that’s the difference between winning and ending up like the Mets. And that was the enduring irony of Game 6, that for all the cash heaped upon last year’s free agents - Sabathia, Burnett and Mark Teixeira - it was the home grown Yankees who brought home the title. Who else but Pettitte could’ve started this game? Who else but Mariano Rivera could’ve finished it? What better scene than Jeter hugging Jorge Posada one last time on the field as the postgame party raged on. It was a perfect full-circle journey for this core, the same four players who were there in 1996. They’re older and (clearly) wiser now, more appreciative than ever of the precious gift of a championship. Pettitte, especially, was the right person for this ending, confounding the Phillies just as he almost always has in the big moments. Remember only two days when
Charlie Manuel dismissed the 37-yearold lefty as just another aging talent? Pettitte took no offense at the slap - he never does, he wasn’t born with a scoresettling gene - but instead channeled his energy into working out of trouble. Even now, a full decade later, Pettitte’s gift of making rallies disappear remains intact. Rollins conceded that much late Wednesday night, saying, “[Pettitte] made one great pitch every atbat, it seemed like. When he needed that one pitch, he was able to make it. He got some double plays. That really shortened some innings. That’s what Andy does he keeps his team in the game. You walk away shaking your head. But obviously, he’s pretty good.” Pettitte walked off the mound to a thunderous standing ovation - a public thank-you for 12 years of greatness with the team. That was just one of a million memories that’ll remain with the Yankees and with their fans. It was a compelling season and an October that left no doubt about its verdict: this time, the best team won. ■
previous left: The Yankees cel-
ebrate their World Series Championship. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA previous right: The Yankees celebrate their World Series Championship. Alex Rodriguez being covered with champagne in the locker room. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA
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Celebration never gets old for Yankees Subtitle needed By Andrew Gross | Nov. 7, 2009 There were about three million sights and sounds to humble, amuse and thank the Yankees as they paraded through the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan on Friday before being honored at City Hall for their 27th World Series title. And, in typical New York City fashion, plenty of chutzpah as well. “I can’t believe people were trying to get autographs,” Johnny Damon said. “Because if you sign one, you’ve got to sign three million.” Crowd estimates put Friday’s throng at between two and three million. Whatever the exact number, it was overwhelming to the players. “You feel like you’re the president, waving,” Derek Jeter said. “That’s the unfortunate thing. You wish you could thank every single fan individually, but you can’t.” Perhaps the players’ favorite was a picture of World Series MVP Hideki Matsui holding a baby with Game 6 loser Pedro Martinez’s face on it. There also were signs imploring the Yankees to re-sign Matsui, an upcoming free agent who probably doesn’t fit into the team’s plans for 2010. And one that said, simply, “This one’s for Bobby,” a reference to the late Yankee player and broadcaster Bobby Murcer. “I didn’t think there’d be this many people,” David Robertson said. “I thought it would be big. I didn’t think it would be grand.” “When you win in New York, they do it right, man,” Nick Swisher said. “Becoming part of the tradition and
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seeing how it is, I still don’t have any words. I’m speechless.” And those were the new guys. Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera have now experienced five parades. But the last one came after the Yankees defeated the Mets in 2000, an eternity when it comes to the Yankees’ expectations. “I never take it for granted,” Rivera said. “When I have the chance, I thank
God for that. One day, you won’t be able to.” For Joe Girardi, this was his fourth championship parade with the Yankees, but his first as manager. “It just brings back fond memories,” said Girardi, a catcher on the Yankees’ title teams in 1996, 1998 and 1999. “The parade is extra special because everyone is celebrating with you and you hear the joy and you do hear some
above: Fans cheer along Broadway Friday morning as they await the Yankees victory Parade in NYC. Photo by Elizabeth Lara-Collado opposite: The Yankees make their way up Broadway to City Hall as the 2009 World
Series Champions are honored with a parade. CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira making their way up Broadway on their float. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA
of the fans talking about next year already – 96 days until pitchers and catchers,” said Girardi, who plans to be back at his office at Yankee Stadium on Monday to begin meeting with general manager Brian Cashman as they prepare for next season. “We were brought here to win a championship, no other reason, not to sell tickets,” said Mark Teixeira. signed in the off-season along with pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. “We accomplished this goal but, at the same time, we’re not going to say we just won one, we’re good.” This off-season, along with Matsui, one huge question is whether the Yankees will try to re-sign Damon. That was on the outfielder’s mind as he soaked in the crowd’s adulation. “I probably think about it more than a lot of other guys,” said Damon, who also won a World Series in 2004 with the Red Sox. “This team was good enough to win the whole thing and that’s a memory that I’m always going to take with me. You can’t take that away.” Alex Rodriguez said the Yankees’ loss to the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS was also on his mind as he rode on his float with rapper Jay-Z. But it made this season a whole lot sweeter for the beleaguered A-Rod. “For me, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the year ’09, which, as we know, didn’t start very good for me,” A-Rod said. “I really enjoyed this year. “I wish we could continue to play, just show up and play for no reason, no umpires, no scores, just go out and show up and have fun like a softball league,” A-Rod said.
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Despite all the dignitaries who came out to honor the Yankees – in addition to Jay-Z, former mayors Rudy Giuliani, Ed Koch and David Dinkins and Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Yogi Berra shared the stage – ailing team owner George Steinbrenner was noticeably absent. “I think about The Boss a lot,” Jackson said. “I wish he was here.” ■
left: Yankees Parade at City Hall Plaza.
New York Yankees #2 Derek Jeter holds up the World Series Championship trophy. Photo by Michael Karas far left: Yankees Parade at City
Hall Plaza. (left) New York Yankees #33 Nick Swisher accepts a key to the city from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Photo by Michael Karas opposite top: Yankees Parade at City
Hall Plaza. (left) New York Yankees #62 Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees #52 CC Sabathia, and Jay-Z during the ceremony. Jay-Z performed at the end of the ceremony. Photo by Michael Karas opposite bottom: The Yankees make
their way up Broadway to City Hall as the 2009 World Series Champions are honored with a parade. Yankee fans lined the parade route. Photo by CHRIS PEDOTA
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