Taking on the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, the Bronx Bombers won the series in six games, clinching title number 27 with a 7-3 victory in front of a vociferous home crowd of 50,315.

     On the hill for the Yanks in game six was veteran southpaw Andy Pettitte, who gave up three runs through 5 2/3 innings garnering his 18th postseason win, which ranks him first all-time. Pettitte also leads the postseason rankings with 40 starts and 249 innings thrown.

    Taking the reins for the Phillies was long time Yankee rival Pedro Martinez who pitched four innings, giving up four runs courtesy of designated hitter Hideki Matsui’s two run home run in the second as well as a two run base hit to center field in the third. Martinez, who also took the loss in game two of the series, was once again greeted with the familiar chant of, "Who’s your daddy?" from an unsympathetic throng of New Yorkers.

     Matsui capped off his night going 3-4 with six RBIs tying the World Series record held by former Yankee Bobby Richardson. The Japanese slugger nicknamed "Godzilla" also earned the World Series Most Valuable player award, which is a first for both a Japanese-born player and full-time DH.

     In the mix of all the bedlam in the Bronx was Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who at long last exorcised his postseason demons batting .365 while hitting six home runs and tallying 18 RBIs since the American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins. More importantly for A-Rod is the fact that in his six seasons with the Yankees, he now has his first championship ring of his career.

     However, World Series rings are no strangers to the fingers of four Yankee veterans as shortstop and Captain Derek Jeter, catcher Jorge Posada, closer Mariano Rivera and starting pitcher Pettitte have won five World Series titles together since 1996.

     Jeter and Rivera had yet another clutch World Series as Jeter led the team with a .407 batting average as well as roping his 175th postseason hit; more than any other player in MLB history. Rivera also reminded fans of why he is a lock for the
Hall of Fame as the "Sandman" acquired two saves and posted a 0.00 ERA during the fall classic.

     For a season engulfed with history, from Jeter passing Hall of Fame Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig for first place on the all-time Yankees hit list to Rivera’s 500th save, as well as a franchise record 14 walk off wins, a 27th World Series title was a perfect way to christen ‘the house that Steinbrenner built.’

     When Yankee manager Joe Girardi took the helm in 2008, he chose number 27 for his jersey as a reminder to the team of what they should be striving for day in and day out. Mission accomplished Joe.