Money Matsui

The Yankees and their fans don’t have to wait one more day for what they’ve already waited nine years. There will be no game seven in the 2009 World Series. The New York Yankees are the World Champions of baseball. The Bombers craftily captured their 27th title Wednesday night in the Bronx, taking the Fall Classic four games to two over the NL Phillies. Hideki Matsui was awarded series Most Valuable Player. The switch-hitting designated hitter dug into the batter’s box for his first at-bat of game six in the bottom of the second. He plastered a 3-2 offering from Philadelphia’s Pedro Martinez into the stands for a 2-0 Yankee lead. It was the Tokyo terror’s bat that buried the Phillies early, and the wood that took center stage in an historic night. Hideki knocked a two-run single of Martinez in the bottom of the third and added a double off reliever J.A. Happ in the fifth for a 7-1 Yankee advantage. Matsui tore it up and chased history as he drove in six runs for New York. The Japanese slugger matched Bobby Richardson’s 1960 World Series record for RBIs in one ridiculously devastating performance.
Veteran pinstriped lefty, Andy Pettitte, earned his 18th post-season win in the 7-3 clincher. Pettitte not only pitched on three days’ rest, but he rose to the occasion to anchor a strong pitching staff in every clinching game this post-season. Wednesday, Andy tossed 5 2/3, allowing three runs. Joba Chamberlain and Damaso Marte combined for 1-2-3 innings of scoreless relief, and Marino Rivera closed things out in typical magical Marino style. Number 42 fittingly used 42 pitches to finish of Philadelphia. Old Yankee foe, Martinez suffered the loss for Philadelphia. Save for Matsui, Pedro pitched fairly well through four fighting innings. He permitted four runs on three hits and struck out five batters. The pitching prevailed for New York in the end to make the difference. Marte was lights-out for the Bombers. His electrifying effectiveness blistered the big bats of Philadelphia. Marte fanned Chase Utley with a slingshot strike in the top of the seventh to escape a jam and trotted off the mound to salvage the four run Yankee lead. The lefty flamethrower struck out the only other hitter he faced, Ryan Howard, to lead off the eighth. The Phillies first baseman set a record with 13 World Series strikeouts. He did slug a homerun off the first pitch he saw from Pettitte in the top of the sixth to pull the Phillies within four runs. Otherwise, the conference series MVP was a non-factor, as was hotshot shortstop, Jimmy Rollins, in this Fall Classic.
A capacity crowd in the new Yankee Stadium stood on their feet as Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blared from the speakers in the eighth. The song signaled the future Hall-of-Fame closer to put the clamp on the former champs. Joe Girardi called on Rivera for a five out save, and Mo wasted no time in delivering. Yankee fans had to feel comfortable with their closer in this situation. The song merely meant the beginning of the end. Lights-out Rivera struck out Jayson Werth and induced Pedro Feliz into fouling out to end the frame. Matt Stairs lead off the top of the ninth for Philadelphia as the pinch-hitter. Stairs lined out to Derek Jeter at shortstop. Catcher Carlos Ruiz, a tough out for some reason against New York, drew a walk off Rivera. The championship was never in doubt, however. With a runner on base, Jimmy Rollins flied out to Nick Swisher. Shane Victorino worked Rivera to a full count before grounding out to Robinson Cano to end the game. It was ecstasy in the Bronx all over again as countless enthralled faithful fans partied into the early morning hours.
Matsui’s bat was the real story of game six. He delivered amazing numbers this post-season and was nothing short of spectacular last night. Matsui is a money player, and I really hope New York resigns him for another season. I also hope the Yankees considering resigning Johnny Damon. Damon limped off the field last night and was replaced in the lineup after scoring in the third inning. The outfielder has quietly become one of the more likable Yankees and was very much a part of the winning formula against Philadelphia. Pettitte’s performance was also one to remember. The beautiful and blissful celebration Wednesday wouldn’t have been possible without the southpaw. He continues to stamp his name in the record books with one clutch pitching performance after another. If anyone can be counted on, it’s Andy Pettitte. Jorge Posada, Jeter, Rivera and Pettitte are the fabric of the Yankees. They are the only four remaining heroes from the Joe Torre dynasty years. New Bomber reinforcements have emerged since 2001, but it was these core players who still shined brightest. In game six, New York hurlers did not falter, and the manager deserves a tip of the cap for keeping the team focused. Writers and announcers criticized Girardi’s managerial methods all season. This World Series victory justifies all those questionable moves from spring training until November. Chamberlain exhibited his flame-throwing abilities, and Marte was utterly brilliant. All around, the Yankees looked every bit the champions they were. They beat qualified opponents and racked up wins along the way in proving themselves the top ballclub of 2009. Jeter hit .407 in the World Series and Rodriguez upped the ante, landing a 27 for 80 post-season standing. The only number that really mattered was number 27. It was special to see Posada on the outside of the celebration taking place on the mound. It was as if the passionate Posada was taking it all in, and rightly so. It’s been nine years since the Yankees have tasted this moment. After compiling 103 regular season wins, and 15 playoff victories, the best team in baseball finally won it all.

Parting Points: Song of the day- “Enter Sandman” by Metallica