<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
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	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
		<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com</link>
		<description>RUWT? News for New York Yankees</description>
		<language>en-us</language>
		<copyright>Copyright 2006-2007 areyouwatchingthis.com</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:46:57 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:46:57 GMT</pubDate>
		<generator>RUWT?</generator>

		
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				<title><![CDATA[Yankees decline $1.25 million option on Mitre]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- The New York Yankees have declined a $1.25 million
option on pitcher Sergio Mitre.

The right-hander was not on the Yankees' postseason roster.
Mitre now becomes eligible for salary arbitration.

The 28-year-old Mitre had elbow ligament replacement surgery in
July 2008 and agreed to a minor league contract with the Yankees
last offseason. He sat out the first 50 games while serving a
suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

Mitre joined the Yankees in late July and went 3-3 with a 6.79
ERA in nine starts and three relief appearances.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/134780-Yankees-decline-125-million-option-on-Mitre</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/134780-Yankees-decline-125-million-option-on-Mitre</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:30:45 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[George Steinbrenner spends time at his office]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[TAMPA, Fla.(AP) -- George Steinbrenner returned to his office at
the Yankees' spring training complex for the first time since
New York won the World Series last week.

The 79-year-old owner spent more than three hours with family
members and team officials looking back at the franchise's 27th
title and discussing plans for the upcoming season. Also
attending were son Hal Steinbrenner, who succeeded his father as
managing general partner; daughters Jennifer Steinbrenner
Swindal and Jessica Steinbrenner; and special assistant Tino
Martinez.

Steinbrenner uses a wheelchair because of bad knees and has made
few public appearances since turning over control of the team to
Hal last November. Steinbrenner attended the first two games of
the World Series but watched the Game 6 clincher from his home
in Tampa.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/133232-George-Steinbrenner-spends-time-at-his-office</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/133232-George-Steinbrenner-spends-time-at-his-office</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:55:45 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Damon wants to return, will explore other options]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float
with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the
New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of
Heroes on Friday.

The whole scene made him a little wistful.

"It's good he got to do it in his first year here," Damon said
as the energetic Swisher bounced around beside him after the
parade finished in the shadow of City Hall. "It took me my
fourth and possibly final year. I am so overjoyed because you
don't know how many times you get this opportunity."

Damon helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and played
one more season in Boston before bolting for a $52 million,
four-year contract with New York. That deal is up now and the
parade is over, leaving the outfielder's future as one of the
major questions facing the champs heading into the offseason.

"I think that's just the reality of our game," slugger Alex
Rodriguez said. "You hope obviously as many guys come back as
possible."

World Series MVP Hideki Matsui and left-hander Andy Pettitte,
who won the clinching game in each playoff series, also are
eligible for free agency. The fate of Matsui and Damon could be
linked if New York decides to add another big bat in the
offseason, and both have said they want to come back.

"At this point right now, I'd like to just take a little break
and just let my body rest," Matsui said through an interpreter,
after his creaky knees limited him to DH duties this year. "I
think at some point we'll pick up some of the offseason topics
that need to be worked out and go from there."

The 37-year-old Pettitte is deciding whether to retire or return
for a 16th major league season to try for a sixth World Series
ring.

Damon, who turned 36 Thursday, tied a career high with 24 homers
this season and hit .281 with nine RBIs in the playoffs. He also
had one of the postseason's most memorable plays, stealing
second and third on one pitch during New York's three-run rally
in the ninth inning of Game 4 against the Phillies.

"Obviously, I'm going to have a lot of options," Damon said,
"and I think what it comes down to is what kind of option the
Yankees want to give me or not give me. Why wouldn't I want to
come back? We have the best owners in baseball. We have the best
team. We have the most revenue and the biggest payroll, so who
wouldn't want to be part of the Yankee tradition? I would like
to continue mine and I feel like I can come back and do a great
job again."

Damon left New York's clinching Game 6 victory Wednesday night
with a strained right calf but he called it "probably a week
thing" after participating in the parade.

His injury wasn't the only one overshadowed by the World Series
win. After the Yankees wrapped up their 27th title, closer
Mariano Rivera said he tweaked his ribs in the ALCS against the
Angels, with his ailing side bothering him for the rest of the
playoffs.

"It don't matter now," Rivera said when asked Friday about how
much pain he was in on the mound. "It's over. Thank God it's
over. It was manageable."

Rivera tossed 5 1-3 scoreless innings over four appearances in
the Series, recording two saves. He had five saves in five
opportunities with a 0.56 ERA in the postseason, just adding to
his reputation as a big-game pitcher.

"He did what we needed him to do," reliever Joba Chamberlain
said.

A handful of players started cleaning out their lockers at
Yankee Stadium after the parade was finished. The name plates
had been removed and the carpet was clean after it was soaked
with champagne during the celebration after Game 6.

A.J. Burnett gave hugs to Chamberlain and Chien-Ming Wang. Eric
Hinske took his folding chair with the Yankee Stadium inaugural
season logo.

"It's definitely a day to celebrate and enjoy," captain Derek
Jeter said.

---=

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/132029-Damon-wants-to-return-will-explore-other-options</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/132029-Damon-wants-to-return-will-explore-other-options</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:33:23 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Damon wants to return, will explore other options]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float
with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the
New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of
Heroes on Friday.

The whole scene made him a little wistful.

"It's good he got to do it in his first year here," Damon said
as the energetic Swisher bounced around beside him after the
parade finished in the shadow of City Hall. "It took me my
fourth and possibly final year. I am so overjoyed because you
don't know how many times you get this opportunity."

Damon helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and played
one more season in Boston before bolting for a $52 million,
four-year contract with New York. That deal is up now and the
parade is over, leaving the outfielder's future as one of the
major questions facing the champs heading into the offseason.

"I think that's just the reality of our game," slugger Alex
Rodriguez said. "You hope obviously as many guys come back as
possible."

World Series MVP Hideki Matsui and left-hander Andy Pettitte,
who won the clinching game in each playoff series, also are
eligible for free agency. The fate of Matsui and Damon could be
linked if New York decides to add another big bat in the
offseason, and both have said they want to come back.

"At this point right now, I'd like to just take a little break
and just let my body rest," Matsui said through an interpreter,
after his creaky knees limited him to DH duties this year. "I
think at some point we'll pick up some of the offseason topics
that need to be worked out and go from there."

The 37-year-old Pettitte is deciding whether to retire or return
for a 16th major league season to try for a sixth World Series
ring.

Damon, who turned 36 Thursday, tied a career high with 24 homers
this season and hit .281 with nine RBIs in the playoffs. He also
had one of the postseason's most memorable plays, stealing
second and third on one pitch during New York's three-run rally
in the ninth inning of Game 4 against the Phillies.

"Obviously, I'm going to have a lot of options," Damon said,
"and I think what it comes down to is what kind of option the
Yankees want to give me or not give me. Why wouldn't I want to
come back? We have the best owners in baseball. We have the best
team. We have the most revenue and the biggest payroll, so who
wouldn't want to be part of the Yankee tradition? I would like
to continue mine and I feel like I can come back and do a great
job again."

Damon left New York's clinching Game 6 victory Wednesday night
with a strained right calf but he called it "probably a week
thing" after participating in the parade.

His injury wasn't the only one overshadowed by the World Series
win. After the Yankees wrapped up their 27th title, closer
Mariano Rivera said he tweaked his ribs in the ALCS against the
Angels, with his ailing side bothering him for the rest of the
playoffs.

"It don't matter now," Rivera said when asked Friday about how
much pain he was in on the mound. "It's over. Thank God it's
over. It was manageable."

Rivera tossed 5 1-3 scoreless innings over four appearances in
the Series, recording two saves. He had five saves in five
opportunities with a 0.56 ERA in the postseason, just adding to
his reputation as a big-game pitcher.

"He did what we needed him to do," reliever Joba Chamberlain
said.

A handful of players started cleaning out their lockers at
Yankee Stadium after the parade was finished. The name plates
had been removed and the carpet was clean after it was soaked
with champagne during the celebration after Game 6.

A.J. Burnett gave hugs to Chamberlain and Chien-Ming Wang. Eric
Hinske took his folding chair with the Yankee Stadium inaugural
season logo.

"It's definitely a day to celebrate and enjoy," captain Derek
Jeter said.

---=

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131886-Damon-wants-to-return-will-explore-other-options</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131886-Damon-wants-to-return-will-explore-other-options</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:37:12 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Yankees turn attention to No 28]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- The sign men were out bright and early at the
Yankees minor league complex, sticking vinyl strips with a
fresh, white "27" over the "26" that had been up on the board
for nine, long years to mark the team's total of World Series
titles.

Wind caused a few problems at the Himes complex in Tampa, Fla.,
but eventually the numbers were posted along with a new "2009"
in what had been an open blue space below "2000."

"It's a ton of joy," manager Joe Girardi said on WFAN radio
later in the day. "There's a sense of relief because you know
that you could rest your mind a little bit for a while."

Turmoil and turnover ceased in Yankeeland, at least for the
moment. A 7-3 victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday night had
brought the title back to the Bronx, etching the names of Alex
Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, CC Sabathia and others
into the team's long list of champions.

"Every World Series victory is special, but this one is
especially sweet coming in the first year in our new home,"
owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. "This group will
become legendary - similar to the 26 world championship teams
that preceded them."

Even though the clubhouse was still wet with champagne Thursday
and the triumphant parade through the Canyon of Heroes was a day
away, attention already was turning to the future.

Girardi said he was likely to switch from uniform No. 27 to No.
28 next year, signifying the next quest.

But which players will the Yankees add for their title defense?
Are the likes of John Lackey and Matt Holliday in the mix?

"Basically, you have got to get after it," general manager Brian
Cashman said Thursday. "It pretty much comes pretty quick. I'll
be in Chicago with the other GMs on Monday. Two trades already
have taken place."

Matsui, the World Series MVP, is eligible for free agency as is
Andy Pettitte, who beat the Phillies in Games 3 and 6. So is
Johnny Damon.

Matsui, limited to designated hitter because of bad knees, wants
to return. So does Damon, bothered by leg and back pain.

The 37-year-old Pettitte needs time to decide whether to retire
or return for a 16th major league season and try for a sixth
World Series ring.

"I have to talk with my family," he said.

There may not be room for Damon, who turned 36 Thursday, and the
35-year-old Matsui, especially if the Yankees land Holliday, the
top available free-agent slugger on the market. Damon and
Holliday both are represented by the same agent, Scott Boras.

"They could play Matt Holliday in right field, too," Boras said.
"He has a strong arm. They have needs for two outfielders."

Nick Swisher, who took over in right after Xavier Nady got hurt,
hit just .128 with two RBIs in the postseason after batting .249
with 29 homers and 82 RBIs during the regular season. But the
St. Louis Cardinals, who acquired Holliday from Oakland in July,
are expected to try to re-sign the 29-year-old.

"Certainly St. Louis has an interest in Matt," Boras said. "Matt
had a very enjoyable time there."

The Yankees figure to be after pitching, too, and Lackey figures
to be the top available free-agent starting pitcher. New York's
used just three starting pitchers throughout the postseason -
Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Pettitte - deciding not to take a
chance on starting Joba Chamberlain or Chad Gaudin. New York
became the first Series champion with just three postseason
starters since the 1991 Minnesota Twins.

Chien-Ming Wang had shoulder surgery on July 29 and can't be
counted on for the start of next season. Depending on offseason
events, Chamberlain and Phil Hughes could wind up in the
rotation or the bullpen. And left-hander Damaso Marte has given
Girardi new confidence after the Phillies went 0 for 8 with five
strikeouts in the Series.

Girardi was especially pleased with the breakout postseason of
Alex Rodriguez, who led the Yankees with a .365 average, six
homers, 18 RBIs, 15 runs and 12 walks.

"I'm sure Alex was tired of answering the questions about the
last few years in the postseason," Girardi said on the radio
show.

Rodriguez said he felt liberated after admitting to using
steroids from 2001-03, then missing the first month of the
season while recovering from hip surgery.

"I think there was a burden that was probably lifted off of him
when he came back from Colorado and had a chance to self
reflect," Girardi said. "He went through a tough year last year
- the marital problems and the divorce, and that's never easy,
and then the hip problem and then the steroid use. I think there
was a relief when he got through everything and got to the other
side."

More than anything, Thursday was a day for numbers. Five World
Series rings for Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano
Rivera. The first for A-Rod.

And for Girardi, questions about whether he will take No. 28.
First, he wants to consult the incumbent, who wasn't on the
postseason roster.

"I got to talk to Shelley Duncan to see if he allows me to wear
it," Girardi said. "I think I'm going to make a number change."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131641-Yankees-turn-attention-to-No-28</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131641-Yankees-turn-attention-to-No-28</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:08:19 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Jeter, Pettitte, Posada appear on 'Letterman']]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- Andy Pettitte says on the "Late Show with David
Letterman" that winning the World Series is especially
gratifying in New York, where missing out on a championship is
considered a failure.

Pettitte and Yankees teammates Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada
appeared on the show Thursday night, a day after capturing the
franchise's 27th title. World Series MVP Hideki Matsui later
joined them on stage, carrying the championship trophy.

Pettitte says he's close to retirement and that pitching one
more season "would probably be good," because he wants to spend
more time with his kids. Jeter jokes Pettitte has been saying
that for about six straight years.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131649-Jeter-Pettitte-Posada-appear-on-Letterman</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131649-Jeter-Pettitte-Posada-appear-on-Letterman</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:49:23 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Matsui bat, Damon spikes headed to Hall of Fame]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.(AP) -- Hideki Matsui's bat and Johnny Damon's
spikes are among the items from the Yankees' World Series title
going to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Nearly a dozen pieces were donated after New York won Wednesday
night and will be displayed as part of an exhibit on baseball's
postseason history.

They include the bat Matsui used to drive in a record-tying six
runs in Game 6 and the spikes Damon wore when he stole two bases
on one pitch in Game 4.

Other items include the cap worn by Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee
during his dominant postseason and the No. 46 jersey worn by
Andy Pettitte during Game 6 of the ALCS, when he set a record
with 16 postseason victories.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131565-Matsui-bat-Damon-spikes-headed-to-Hall-of-Fame</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131565-Matsui-bat-Damon-spikes-headed-to-Hall-of-Fame</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:42:53 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Ecstasy in the Bronx! Yankees win title No. 27]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- The New York Yankees bolted from the dugout even
before the last grounder was scooped up. After waiting nine
years for championship No. 27, no one would dare hold them back.

"It feels better than I remember it, man," captain Derek Jeter
said. "It's been a long time."

Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs, Andy
Pettitte won on short rest and New York beat the Philadelphia
Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 on Wednesday night, finally seizing that
elusive title - the most in all of sports.

Paint the town in pinstripes! Nearly a decade after their
dynasty ended on a blooper in the desert, the Yankees are
baseball's best again.

Matsui, the Series MVP, powered a quick rout of old foe Pedro
Martinez. And when Mariano Rivera got the final out, it was
ecstasy in the Bronx for George Steinbrenner's go-for-broke
bunch.

What a way for Alex Rodriguez and Co. to christen their $1.5
billion ballpark: One season, one World Series crown - the
team's first since winning three straight from 1998-2000.

"The Yankees won. The world is right again," team president
Randy Levine said.

The season certainly ended a lot better than it started - with a
steroids scandal involving A-Rod, followed by hip surgery that
kept him out until May.

"My teammates, coaches and the organization stood by me and now
we stand here as world champions," said Rodriguez, who admitted
using steroids from 2001-03 while with Texas. "We're going to
enjoy it, and we're going to party!"

For Chase Utley and the Phillies, it was a frustrating end to
another scintillating season. Philadelphia fell two wins short
of becoming the first NL team to repeat as World Series
champions since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds.

Utley tied Reggie Jackson's record with five home runs in a
Series. But Ryan Howard's sixth-inning shot came too late to
wipe away an untimely slump that included 13 strikeouts, also a
Series mark.

Meanwhile, Phillies pitchers rarely managed to slow Matsui and
the Yankees' machine.

"I told them that I loved the way they played. We're fighters
and never quit," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "We
want to keep what we got as far as attitude and chemistry."

For second-year manager Joe Girardi, a three-time Yankees
champion as a player, it was the fulfillment of a mission. When
he succeeded Joe Torre in October 2007, Girardi chose uniform
No. 27, putting his quest on his back for all to see. His tenure
didn't start out so well, with New York missing the playoffs in
its final season at old Yankee Stadium following 13 consecutive
appearances.

"To be able to deliver this to the Boss, the stadium that he
created and the atmosphere he has created around here is very
gratifying for all of us," Girardi said.

This championship came eight years to the day that the Yankees
lost Game 7 of the 2001 World Series in Arizona on Luis
Gonzalez's broken-bat single off Rivera.

Steinbrenner spent billions trying to win another Series. At
long last, his team did.

Fittingly, it was dedicated to the 79-year-old owner, who has
been in declining health and didn't make the trip from his home
in Tampa, Fla.

Still, his presence was felt.

"Boss, this is for you," the giant video screen in center field
flashed during postgame ceremonies while his son, Hal, the
team's managing general partner, accepted the championship
trophy.

For the Four Amigos, it was ring No. 5.

Jorge Posada, Jeter, Pettitte and Rivera came up together
through the minors and were cornerstones for those four titles
in five years starting in 1996.

Now, all on the other side of age 35, they have another success
to celebrate. And surely they remember the familiar parade
route, up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes.

"It's an honor for me to win a championship with those guys.
They are Yankee legends," Mark Teixeira said.

But, hey, Babe and Yogi, Mr. October and Joltin' Joe - you've
got company. Teixeira, CC Sabathia and a new generation of
Yankees have procured their place in pinstriped lore.

Moments after second baseman Robinson Cano fielded Shane
Victorino's grounder and threw to first for the final out, Joba
Chamberlain and Nick Swisher led a victory lap around the
warning track, carrying flags that read "2009 World Series
champions."

Players high-fived fans, then sprayed bubby behind the mound -
the same sort of celebration Philadelphia enjoyed last year
after beating Tampa Bay.

"We think we can be back here again and again. We have a great
squad," Phillies closer Brad Lidge said.

New York wasted its chance to wrap things up in Game 5 at
Philadelphia, then set its sights on clinching the World Series
at home for the first time since 1999.

While nine years between titles is hardly a drought for most
teams, it was almost an eternity in Yankeeland.

New York's eight seasons without a championship was the
third-longest stretch for the Yankees since their first one,
following gaps of 17 (1979-95) and 14 (1963-76).

Jackson's three homers in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
made the Yankees champs in '77. On this November night, Matsui
delivered a sublime performance at the plate that made Mr.
October proud.

"It's awesome," Matsui said through a translator. "Unbelievable.
I'm surprised myself."

Playing perhaps his final game with the Yankees, Matsui hit a
two-run homer off Martinez in the second inning and a two-run
single on an 0-2 pitch in the third.

A slumping Teixeira added an RBI single in the fifth off
reliever Chad Durbin, and Matsui cracked a two-run double off
the right-center fence against lefty J.A. Happ.

A designated hitter with balky knees, Matsui came off the bench
in all three games at Philadelphia. Still, he had a huge Series,
going 8 for 13 (.615) with three homers and eight RBIs. His
go-ahead shot off an effective Martinez in Game 2 helped the
Yankees tie it 1-all.

Bobby Richardson was the only other player with six RBIs in a
World Series game, doing it for the Yankees in Game 3 against
Pittsburgh in 1960. Richardson had a first-inning grand slam and
a two-run single in the fourth.

Matsui's big hits built a comfortable cushion for a feisty
Pettitte, who shouted at plate umpire Joe West while coming off
the field in the fourth. Still, Pettitte extended major league
records with his 18th postseason win and sixth to end a series.

The 37-year-old left-hander, pitching on three days' rest,
became the first pitcher to start and win the clincher in all
three postseason rounds. He beat Minnesota and the Los Angeles
Angels in the AL playoffs.

Pettitte lasted 5 2-3 innings, allowing three runs, four hits
and five walks. Chamberlain and Damaso Marte combined for 1 2-3
innings of scoreless relief before Rivera secured the final five
outs.

"You don't look at it as a failure," Howard said. "We had a
great season. We just got beat by the better team."

It had been nearly a half-century since players had won five
titles with one team. The last to do it? Of course a bunch of
Yankees: Yogi Berra (10 titles), Mickey Mantle (seven) and
Whitey Ford (six) in 1962, according to STATS LLC.

NOTES: Jeter batted .407 in the Series. ... It was the fourth
time Rivera got the final out of a World Series. ... Yankees LF
Johnny Damon left after three innings with a strained right
calf.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131390-Ecstasy-in-the-Bronx-Yankees-win-title-No-27</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131390-Ecstasy-in-the-Bronx-Yankees-win-title-No-27</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:53:21 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Damon leaves Game 6 with strained calf]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- Johnny Damon limped across home plate with the
Yankees fourth run of the night - in what may be his final act
with New York.

Damon strained his right calf in the third inning of the
Yankees' 7-3 World Series-clinching win over the Philadelphia
Phillies in Game 6 on Wednesday night and was taken out of the
game.

"I've got plenty of time for it to heal now," said Damon, who
turned 36 as the postgame celebration went into Thursday.

Damon was in the final year of a four-year contract with the
Yankees and the team will likely only want to bring back Damon
or Hideki Matsui, the Series MVP whose four-year deal is also
up.

Damon walked with one out in the third and scored from second
base on Matsui's two-run single. Damon appeared to be favoring
his leg as he ran down the third-base line and crossed the plate
standing up to give the Yankees a 4-1 lead over Philadelphia.

Jerry Hairston Jr. took Damon's place in left field for the
fourth inning.

Manager Joe Girardi told Fox during a fourth-inning interview
that Damon "felt his calf a little bit" on Matsui's foul ball
down the right-field line earlier in the at-bat, "and when he
scored it got worse."

Damon struck out in his first at-bat.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131387-Damon-leaves-Game-6-with-strained-calf</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131387-Damon-leaves-Game-6-with-strained-calf</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:28:25 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Pettitte helps Jeter, Rivera and Posada to title]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By HOWIE RUMBERG
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Jorge Posada tapped Andy Pettitte on the chest
when it was time to leave. Derek Jeter watched from the mound,
knowing exactly what it meant.

Along with Mariano Rivera, who was waiting in the bullpen, they
have been the heart of the New York Yankees for 14 seasons.

And now after the Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in
Game 6 on Wednesday night, the group finally has its fifth World
Series championship.

"I've been blessed because I have four guys, we played for 15
years together," Rivera said, "and we have accomplished
everything together."

The lone holdovers from the mid-1990s, when the Yankees began
their run of four titles in five years were all fittingly
involved in the win Wednesday. When Mark Teixeira caught the
final out, Pettitte raced from the dugout, Jeter threw his hands
in the air at shortstop and jumped, Rivera ran from the mound
toward first base and pumped his fist, Posada leaped from behind
the plate but stood back from the big scrum, taking it all in
for an extended moment.

They were back on top.

"The funny thing about those four guys is the team in the 1990s
couldn't have won without them, and the team now couldn't have
won without them," said Paul O'Neill, a star of the four
title-winning teams and a current Yankees broadcaster. "I don't
think you'll ever see that again, four constants like that."

No player had won five titles with one team since Yogi Berra (10
titles), Mickey Mantle (seven) and Whitey Ford (six) in 1962,
according to STATS LLC, did it as Yankees.

The core four have gone from upstart 20-somethings who brought a
championship back to New York after a nearly two-decade absence
to pushing 40. After the on-field celebration, Rivera and
Pettitte sought out their families and Posada ended an interview
and dropped his catching gear to hug his distressed young
daughter - she didn't get to say hello to her dad yet.

"It's such a blessing to be a part of this group. I told Mo and
Derek and Jorge and Andy that I feel very blessed, I feel so
lucky to be a part of their fifth championship and my first,"
said Teixeira, a free-agent signee last offseason. "It's an
honor to play with these guys."

Back in 1996 when Jeter was the Rookie of the Year, he told
Berra that he was going to top his 10 World Series rings. But
things didn't work out that way for baseball's last dynasty.

"Yogi didn't have the playoffs, though. He went straight to the
World Series," Jeter said.

It took nine years for the bunch to make it back to the top and
give Yankees owner George Steinbrenner the franchise's 27th
title.

Since their run of three straight championships ended against
Arizona in 2001, the Yankees spent $1.66 billion trying to win
that elusive crown but time and again, as the Yankees failed,
Jeter said the team is not the same as those that won in '96 and
1998-2000.

This group was also different, he said.

"We got contributions from a lot of different guys and for them
to come in here and perform the way they performed, that's the
reason why we're here," Jeter said.

Pettitte was 24 in 1996 when he beat Atlanta's John Smoltz 1-0
in Game 5, and he had an equally gritty start Wednesday on three
days' rest, going 5 2-3 innings and giving up four hits and
three runs. He secured the win in the clinching game in all
three series victories in the 2009 postseason as a 37-year-old,
who has talked about retirement after each of the past couple of
seasons.

After New York's last trip to the World Series in 2003, Pettitte
left for Houston. He returned in 2007 and admitted to using
human growth hormone when the Mitchell Report was released in
December.

"I'm a benefit of a lot of great teams I've been on. I've had a
lot of wonderful players surrounding me," said Pettitte, who
earned his playoff record 18th win. "This is what I came back
for."

The 35-year-old Jeter had three hits Wednesday and reached base
in all 15 games this postseason. The captain has always toed the
Yankees line of measuring years by championships and no matter
how well he played in the regular season he has not been
satisfied since Luis Gonzalez blooped a winning single over his
head to give the Diamondbacks the championship in Game 7.

This year he passed Lou Gehrig for the most hits with the
Yankees and was selected the winner of the Roberto Clemente
award, but he said it's the title he wants.

Jeter's best friend on the team, Posada, earned a ring in '96
but wasn't on the World Series roster. Manager Joe Girardi was
the starting catcher then. But the 38-year-old Posada has been
New York's No. 1 catcher since 1998. He's third on the Yankees
list for most games caught behind Bill Dickey and, yep, Berra.

With one out in the eighth, the bullpen gate opened and
Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blared as Rivera made one more run
to the mound. Rivera, who will turn 40 on Nov. 29, was John
Wetteland's setup man in '96, but has become the most dominant
closer in postseason history with 39 saves - five this season.
In the regular season, he and Pettitte have combined for the
most win-save combos in big league history with 63.

"It's only fitting I think that Andy started it, Mo finished
it," Jeter said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131427-Pettitte-helps-Jeter-Rivera-and-Posada-to-title</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131427-Pettitte-helps-Jeter-Rivera-and-Posada-to-title</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:55:46 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[NYC to host ticker-tape parade for Yankees]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- New York City will host a ticker-tape parade and
ceremony in honor of the World Series champion New York Yankees.

The parade, scheduled for Friday will begin on Broadway at
Battery Place at 11 a.m. and continue northbound up the Canyon
of Heroes to City Hall Plaza where Mayor Michael Bloomberg will
present the Bronx Bombers with the keys to the city.

Hideki Matsui's record-tying six RBIs helped the Yankees to the
7-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. New York won the series
4-2.

Yankees fans had waited nine years since the team's previous
World Series title, a Subway Series against their crosstown
rivals, the Mets, in 2000.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131435-NYC-to-host-ticker-tape-parade-for-Yankees</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131435-NYC-to-host-ticker-tape-parade-for-Yankees</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:06:15 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Phillies-Yankees Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

Philadelphia (93-69) at New York (103-59), 7:57 p.m. EDT

NEW YORK (AP) --  Andy Pettitte against Pedro Martinez, with the
Yankees one win from ecstasy.

Now that's a World Series matchup worth talking about.

Still stalking that elusive 27th championship, New York turns to
Pettitte once again in Game 6 on Wednesday night, hoping he can
pitch his team past Chase Utley and the Philadelphia Phillies on
only three days' rest.

"I think everybody knew it was going to be a great Series. I
think everybody knew it was going to be a tough Series. And it
looks like it's living up to that," Pettitte said Tuesday.

His familiar foe is pumped up, too. Martinez and Pettitte have
faced each other six times on the mound - but never with the
stakes so high.

"Two old goats out there doing the best they can and having fun
with it," Martinez said. "I don't have enough words to describe
how excited I am about being here. This is just a great gift to
me."

After wasting a chance to wrap things up in Game 5 at
Philadelphia, the Yankees set their sights on clinching at home.
They'd love to christen their $1.5 billion ballpark with a World
Series crown in its first season and give a seventh title to
79-year-old owner George Steinbrenner.

They've got two chances to do it. Game 7 would be Thursday night
in the Bronx, if necessary, with ace CC Sabathia pitching for
New York - also on short rest.

"People expect us to be great all the time. We just need to be
great tomorrow night," Johnny Damon said.

Coming off an 8-6 victory Monday night that trimmed their Series
deficit to 3-2, the defending champion Phillies took the train
to New York on Tuesday afternoon, a ride that takes a little
more than an hour. They chose not to work out at Yankee Stadium,
but their opponents did.

Martinez and Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel showed up at
the ballpark for news conferences. Manuel was uncertain whether
All-Star center fielder Shane Victorino would be able to play in
Game 6 after getting hit in the right hand with A.J. Burnett's
95 mph fastball Monday night.

If Victorino can't go, Ben Francisco would likely start in
center.

Riding Utley's homers, the Phillies are trying to become the
first team to rally from a 3-1 World Series deficit since the
1985 Kansas City Royals - and the first NL club to win
consecutive championships since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds.

To do it, Philadelphia might need Ryan Howard to break out of
his untimely slump. The big slugger is batting .158 (3 for 19)
with 12 strikeouts, tying the Series record set by Kansas City's
Willie Wilson in 1980.

Utley, however, is doing more than his share. His five home runs
matched the mark set by Yankees Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson in
1977.

"We have left a lot of pitches in the middle of the plate," New
York catcher Jorge Posada said. "We probably need to make him
feel a little bit more uncomfortable."

If the Yankees have a late lead, look for Mariano Rivera earlier
than usual.

Second-year manager Joe Girardi confirmed that he won't hesitate
to use his well-rested closer for multiple innings Wednesday.

"I'm not worried about my legacy," said Girardi, trying to guide
New York to its first title in nine years.

Pettitte and Martinez first squared off 11 years ago, but
they've never done so in the postseason. Both pitchers are 3-3
in six matchups, all games between the Yankees and Red Sox from
1998-2003. The visitor has won each time and Martinez has a 3.86
ERA to Pettitte's 5.88, according to STATS LLC.

With so much on the line this time, it's a delicious matchup of
gritty pros in their late 30s, long past their primes. The
forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-40s at game time,
with no rain.

"It's going to be a great game to watch," Yankees outfielder
Nick Swisher said. "It's a great place to close it out."

The 38-year-old Martinez pitched well in a Game 2 loss at Yankee
Stadium and now gets the ball on regular rest for the first time
since mid-September. He's had several long layoffs since.

"I've got no choice but to expect that it will help me. I feel
really good," he said.

The 37-year-old Pettitte, on the other hand, will have only
three days between starts for the first time since Sept. 30,
2006, with Houston. According to STATS, the savvy left-hander is
5-7 with a 4.18 ERA in 18 such outings during his career,
including the postseason.

"I really don't think there's that big of a difference,"
Pettitte insisted. "I think just mentally people make such a big
deal about it because it's just not done very often anymore."

Pettitte has worked on extra rest in his past eight starts
dating to Sept. 11, but he has a knack for closing this time of
year. He owns 17 postseason wins and five that ended series -
both big league records. Two of those clinchers came in the AL
playoffs this year.

Pettitte is 3-0 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts this postseason,
including a Game 3 win at Philadelphia. No wonder the Yankees
have plenty of confidence in him when it comes to big games.

"We've got a lot of guys who have been through this before,"
Sabathia said. "Hopefully, that experience will carry us
through."

Martinez, who sat out the first half of the season and signed
with the Phillies in mid-July, will be trying to push the Series
to a seventh game for the first time since 2002.

"I think he's ready. I think he's kind of peaking at the right
time," Manuel said. "Yeah, he's capable of throwing a real good
game."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131132-Phillies-Yankees-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131132-Phillies-Yankees-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:29:03 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Yanks head home with 2 chances left to win Series]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- The way Alex Rodriguez sees it, the New York
Yankees are in solid shape.

They won two of three in Philadelphia and still have a pair of
chances to wrap up the World Series back home in the Bronx.

Andy Pettitte is expected to pitch Wednesday night in Game 6 and
then CC Sabathia in Game 7, if needed.

"Obviously, you want to get greedy and win all three," Rodriguez
said, summing up the weekend at Citizens Bank Park. "But we did
what we had to do."

New York squandered its first opportunity to clinch championship
No. 27 when A.J. Burnett flopped in Game 5 on Monday night. He
gave up six runs in two-plus innings, and the defending champion
Phillies held on for an 8-6 victory that cut their Series
deficit to 3-2.

"You just feel like you let a bunch of guys down," Burnett said.
"It's the worst feeling in the world to have the chance to do
something special and fail like that."

The Yankees have pinned their hopes on their top three starting
pitchers, planning to throw them all on three days' rest late in
the Series if necessary.

First, it was Burnett in Game 5, then it likely will be the
37-year-old Pettitte in Game 6. Sabathia started Game 4 on short
rest and almost certainly would do the same in the finale.

Is it possible those guys are running out of gas?

"If Andy physically feels good, he's going to go on Wednesday,"
manager Joe Girardi said. "This is something that we talked
about all throughout. We check with our guys. If he feels good,
he's going."

New York's strategy is a departure from the norm in baseball
over the last two decades. According to STATS LLC, no team has
won the World Series using only three postseason starters since
the 1991 Minnesota Twins.

No matter who is on the mound next, though, the Yankees had
reason to be confident as they bused home after midnight
Tuesday.

New York has won 37 of its last 46 games at Yankee Stadium.
Pettitte has 17 postseason wins, five that closed out a series -
both major league records. Sabathia was the team's best pitcher
all year and is 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA in five starts this
postseason.

Rodriguez and Johnny Damon keep getting big hits, the Yankees
are tagging Philadelphia's shaky bullpen, and designated hitter
Hideki Matsui can return to the starting lineup in the American
League park.

"It should be beneficial to us," Damon said.

Plus, Phillies ace Cliff Lee isn't scheduled to start again
after earning his second win of the Series in Game 5.

"What's that old saying?" Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel
said. "Spahn and Sain, pray for rain? Got an off day tomorrow,
maybe it'll rain the next day. I can get him in on three days'
(rest) like you guys are talking about. No, I look at it
actually in a sense right now, the seventh game would be on his
day to throw in the bullpen, and I'll see what goes on from
there. ... I'll talk to him about what he thinks about if he can
pitch at all."

The Yankees face 38-year-old Pedro Martinez in Game 6, though he
pitched well in a Game 2 loss to Burnett, and probably a
struggling Cole Hamels in a potential Game 7.

Chasing their first title since 2000, the Yankees can clinch it
in their new ballpark. That'd be quite a way to christen the
$1.5 billion palace in its first season.

"It would be great," said catcher Jorge Posada, who will be back
in the starting lineup for Game 6. Light-hitting backup Jose
Molina caught Burnett on Monday night, as usual.

Still, the Yankees have their share of issues to worry about.

No. 3 batter Mark Teixeira is slumping in front of Rodriguez,
and Robinson Cano is struggling, too.

Regular center fielder Melky Cabrera is sidelined for the rest
of the Series with a strained hamstring, making Brett Gardner a
starter.

The middle relief has been unreliable throughout this
postseason, making Yankees fans wonder whether they could hold a
tight lead for closer Mariano Rivera.

And Chase Utley has five home runs in the Series for
Philadelphia, tying a record set by Yankees Hall of Famer Reggie
Jackson in 1977.

"It's pretty impressive what he's doing. That's hard to do in
batting practice sometimes and he's doing it in World Series
games," Damon said. "He's found a groove. It's our job and our
pitchers' jobs to find a way to get him out of that groove.
Hopefully, we have something better planned for him on
Wednesday."

And if not, then Thursday.

"We just have to remember that we are up in the Series. They
still have to beat us two times," Damon said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130941-Yanks-head-home-with-2-chances-left-to-win-Series</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130941-Yanks-head-home-with-2-chances-left-to-win-Series</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:23:35 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Utley, Lee help Phils stave off Series elimination]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- By the ninth inning, Phillies fans were
preparing for the worst.

The New York Yankees were at it again, chipping away at a
dwindling lead and threatening to take away the Phils' World
Series title right there at Citizens Bank Park.

Desperate to hang on, somehow Chase Utley and the Phillies did.
Derek Jeter grounded into a double play, Mark Teixeira struck
out, and Philadelphia staved off the Yankees and elimination
with an 8-6 win in Game 5 on Monday night.

Now comes the hard part: winning twice at Yankee Stadium.

Game 6 will be played Wednesday night, with New York's Andy
Pettitte going on short rest against Pedro Martinez, not exactly
a beloved figure in the Bronx.

Utley hit two home runs to raise his Series total to a
record-tying five, Cliff Lee won again and Philadelphia cut its
deficit to 3-2.

"We didn't have a choice. It was either go home and watch
football and college basketball or extend the season," Phillies
shortstop Jimmy Rollins said.

Ahead 8-2, the Phillies watched New York score three times in
the eighth inning and put its first two batters on in the ninth.
Jeter's grounder drove in a run, but the fans on their feet
couldn't exhale until Teixeira struck out as the tying run.

Whew!

Utley hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the first inning off
A.J. Burnett and added a solo shot in the seventh to join Reggie
Jackson as the only players to hit five home runs in a single
World Series.

"Obviously it's great company," Utley said. "It's pretty
surreal."

Philadelphia replicated its winning formula from the opener,
when Utley hit two solo homers and Lee pitched a six-hitter.
Raul Ibanez set off fireworks from the Liberty Bell one last
time, adding a second solo shot in the seventh off Phil Coke
that made it 8-2.

In a matchup of starters from Arkansas, Lee allowed five runs
and seven hits in seven-plus innings. He is 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA
in five postseason starts.

"I don't think my command was as good as it has been," Lee said.
"I had to battle a little bit."

Alex Rodriguez had put the Yankees ahead with an RBI double in
the first and hit a two-run double in the eighth off Lee. He
scored on Robinson Cano's sacrifice fly against Chan Ho Park to
cut the deficit to 8-5.

Jorge Posada clanked a double against the right-field wall
leading off the ninth against Ryan Madson, and Hideki Matsui
singled him to third.

Closer Brad Lidge was nowhere to be seen one night after his
ninth-inning meltdown.

"I kind of wanted to just give Lidge a break tonight if I
could," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Madson fell behind Jeter 2-1, then induced a 6-4-3 double play
as Posada scored. After Johnny Damon singled, Teixeira struck
out.

"We definitely have the momentum," said Madson, who got the
save. "I didn't care if they scored one or two, as long as they
didn't score three."

The Yankees, who have won the Series all eight previous times
they took a 3-1 lead, have two more tries to close out title No.
27.

"If we would have pitched today, we probably would have won,"
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "That's the bottom line."

Pitching on short rest didn't work well for Burnett, who had
been 4-0 previously in his career on three days' off and kept
the Phillies off balance in Game 2. He kept falling behind
batters and allowed six runs, four hits and four walks in
two-plus innings, his shortest start since his first outing in
2007.

It marked the first time in 14 postseason games this year that a
Yankees starter failed to pitch at least six innings.

"You just feel like you let a bunch of guys down," Burnett said.
"It's the worst feeling in the world to have the chance to do
something special and fail like that. But what doesn't kill you
makes you stronger."

Philadelphia ended baseball's record streak of five straight
Series that ended in sweeps or five games, ensuring at least one
more telecast in a matchup between big-market teams that has
revived baseball's ratings. The Phillies still face a tall task:
The Yankees lost three in a row just twice after the All-Star
break and dropped consecutive home games only once after
mid-June.

Just six of 43 teams facing 3-1 Series deficits have gone on to
win the title, including five in a row since Kansas City rallied
past St. Louis in 1985.

But Pettitte and CC Sabathia, the Yankees' Game 7 starter, will
be pitching on short rest - Pettitte for the first time this
year and Sabathia for the third time in the postseason.

If the Phillies come back to become the first NL team to win
consecutive Series titles since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds,
Girardi will be widely second-guessed for his pitching
decisions. No Series champion has gone the entire postseason
with just three starters since the 1991 Minnesota Twins - when
there were just two rounds of playoffs.

New York will be without center fielder Melky Cabrera for the
rest of the Series. Cabrera strained his left hamstring in Game
4 and was replaced on the roster by backup infielder Ramiro Pena
as Brett Gardner took over in center field.

Philadelphia received a scare when center fielder Shane
Victorino was hit with a pitch while squaring to bunt in the
first. X-rays were negative but the finger swelled and he left
after seven innings.

"Hitting was difficult. I couldn't get my grip," Victorino said.
"A.J. apologized when I got to first, so it wasn't retaliation,
I can tell you that. Everything's fine. I definitely feel
great."

While the Phillies have outhomered the Yankees 10-5 in the
Series, Ryan Howard is slumping. He went 0 for 2 with two walks
and two strikeouts and is hitting .158 (3 for 19) with 12
strikeouts, tying the Series record set by Kansas City's Willie
Wilson in 1980.

NOTES: Eric Hinske, who walked as a pinch-hitter for the Yankees
in the fifth, homered for the Rays in last year's Series. He
appeared for Boston in the 2007 Series and joined Don Baylor
(1986-88) as the only players to appear in three straight Series
with three different teams.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130921-Utley-Lee-help-Phils-stave-off-Series-elimination</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130921-Utley-Lee-help-Phils-stave-off-Series-elimination</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:28:09 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Cabrera replaced by Pena on Yankees roster]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- Injured center fielder Melky Cabrera was
replaced by backup infielder Ramiro Pena on the New York
Yankees' World Series roster Monday.

Cabrera left the Yankees' 7-4 win in Game 4 on Sunday night in
the middle of the sixth inning with a slightly strained left
hamstring. He took an awkward swing and appeared to hurt his leg
while running out a grounder.

Brett Gardner, who took over for Cabrera on Sunday night, got
his first postseason start in Game 5 on Monday night. He entered
2 for 5 with three runs and two caught stealings in the
postseason.

Gardner was shaken up in the fifth inning after crashing into
the fence in left-center while making a terrific catch of Jayson
Werth's leadoff drive.

The speedy Gardner sprinted to the 387-foot sign and his back
slammed into the wall, but he hung onto the ball. He rolled over
on the warning track and took a minute to catch his breath.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi and assistant athletic trainer Steve
Donohue came out to check on Gardner, but he stayed in the game.

One win from its 27th championship and first since 2000, New
York went into the game with a 3-1 lead in the Series.

Pena, picked over pinch-runner Freddy Guzman and No. 3 catcher
Francisco Cervelli, had not appeared in a game since the
regular-season finale on Oct. 4. He had been working out at the
team's complex in Tampa, Fla., to stay fresh in case the Yankees
needed him.

"I was ready for anything and to be honest I really don't feel
very nervous," Pena said. "If they need me to play, I'll be OK."

Once Major League Baseball approved the substitution, Pena said
he found out for sure he would be added to the roster when he
arrived at the ballpark Monday.

"You never know when you're going to get a call. Unfortunately,
Melky got injured and I have the chance to be part of the
roster," he said.

A smooth fielder, Pena hit .287 with a homer and 10 RBIs in 115
at-bats for the Yankees this season.

Cabrera, ineligible for the rest of the Series, batted .274 with
13 homers and 68 RBIs this season. He delivered some notable
clutch hits, too.

The switch-hitter batted .271 in the postseason with four RBIs.
He went 2 for 13 (.154) in the World Series.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130883-Cabrera-replaced-by-Pena-on-Yankees-roster</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130883-Cabrera-replaced-by-Pena-on-Yankees-roster</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:09:19 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Yankees 27 outs from 27th title]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- It was all starting to slip away from the
Yankees.

CC Sabathia and Joba Chamberlain let the Phillies tie the game
and Brad Lidge was on the mound in the top of the ninth, looking
like the closer who brought his team a World Series title a year
ago.

He dominated pinch-hitter Hideki Matsui and struck out Derek
Jeter.

Then up walked Johnny Damon. Ball one, three fouls, two more
balls and a full count. Another foul, then another. Lidge was
consistently clocked in the low 90s on the radar gun and Damon
was struggling to keep up.

"I kept sitting slider, and he kept throwing the fastball. They
really don't teach you to do it that way," Damon said after the
Yankees' 7-4 victory over the Phillies put them within a game of
title No. 27. "But I felt like his slider made me look silly on
a couple pitches, so I kept sitting slider and just reacted to
the fastball."

Some reaction.

Damon sliced the ninth pitch of the sequence into left field but
the really hard work was just beginning.

On the first pitch to the next hitter, Mark Teixeira, Damon took
off for second. On the throw down, Phillies third baseman Pedro
Feliz made a nice stop on a low throw from the catcher. Damon
popped up, realized that the Phillies infield had shifted to
cover the left side against Teixeira and saw third base
uncovered. He took off.

"I kind of had to see all that stuff develop," Damon said. "I'm
just glad that when I started running, I still had some of my
young legs behind me."

Teixeira's at-bat was cut short when he was hit with a pitch by
Lidge. Damon could have walked home after Alex Rodriguez
delivered the biggest hit of his life, a hard-hit double into
the left-field corner. The next batter, Jorge Posada, followed
with a two-run single to put the game out of reach.

Mariano Rivera closed it out with a 1-2-3 ninth.

"Somebody has got to be covering third base," Phillies manager
Charlie Manuel said afterward. "Usually it's the catcher tries
to get down there."

But it's clear the Phillies weren't prepared. They never talked
about how they would deal with Damon.

"We never got anybody to say, `OK, you've got to go in there;
you've got to go here,"' Feliz said.

But once Damon realized the Phillies weren't where they were
supposed to be, he displayed the guile gained during 15 major
league seasons.

He ran faster than his 35-year-old legs seemed capable of.

"That's instinct. You better be sure because you've got Tex and
A-Rod up behind, and you'd better be sure," Yankee manager Joe
Girardi said. "It was a great instinctual play by Johnny."

The Yankees had been trying to get back to this point ever since
a broken bat single by Arizona's Luis Gonzalez ended their run
of three straight World Series titles in 2001.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130724-Yankees-27-outs-from-27th-title</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130724-Yankees-27-outs-from-27th-title</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:33:04 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Yankees-Phillies Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By KATE HEDLIN
STATS Writer

New York (103-59) at Philadelphia (93-69), 7:57 p.m. EDT

One year after failing to make the playoffs, the New York
Yankees are on the verge of being crowned World Series
champions.

The Yankees look to win their record 27th title and first in
nine years Monday, while the defending champion Philadelphia
Phillies try to force a return to the Bronx as they turn to a
rested Cliff Lee for a must-win Game 5.

After 13 consecutive seasons of reaching the playoffs, New York
fell short in 2008, with a third-place finish in the AL East.
Determined to get back to the postseason, the Yankees spent
$423.5 million in the offseason, adding CC Sabathia, A.J.
Burnett and Mark Teixeira. The additions paid off as New York
won a league-best 103 games and its first division title since
2006.

Now, behind solid pitching and timely hitting, the Yankees are
one win away from their first World Series title since 2000,
following a 7-4 victory over the Phillies in Game 4 on Sunday.

Sabathia, pitching on short rest, left in the sixth inning with
a one-run lead. After Joba Chamberlain allowed a game-tying home
run to Pedro Feliz in the eighth, Alex Rodriguez put New York
back ahead in the ninth with an RBI double off Phillies closer
Brad Lidge. Jorge Posada followed with a two-run single to add
insurance.

Rodriguez, a popular target for Yankees fans' frustrations
because of his past postseason failures, was 0 for 8 with six
strikeouts in Games 1 and 2, but hit a big home run in Game 3
and has driven in 15 runs in the 2009 postseason, tying a
Yankees record shared by Bernie Williams and Scott Brosius.

"He's the reason why we're sitting here and we're in
Philadelphia right now," said Johnny Damon, who went 3 for 5 and
scored on Rodriguez's go-ahead hit after a advancing to third on
a double steal. "I felt like without him, who knows where our
road may have stopped at."

Rodriguez and the Yankees will look to close out the series
Monday night against the Phillies, who hope to rally and become
the first NL team to repeat as champions since Cincinnati in
1975-76. If Philadelphia succeeds Monday in extending the
series, it will return to the Bronx for Game 6 on Wednesday.

"We've been down this road before and we have to stay very
focused. Those guys are the world champs," Rodriguez said.

New York has good reason to feel confident. This is the ninth
time the Yankees have led the World Series 3-1, and on all eight
other occasions, they've gone on to win the title. Of the 42
teams overall to take a 3-1 lead, 36 went on to win the crown.

Philadelphia is trying to become the first club since the 1985
Kansas City Royals to overcome that deficit.

"I think we take a lot of pride on being resilient and the way
we bounce back," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "I've
seen us go through it before. We've blown 22 games from the
seventh inning on or something this year. That's got to tell you
something about the resilience of our team."

Lidge, who blew 11 saves and went 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA in the
regular season, hadn't allowed a run in five appearances this
postseason prior to Sunday.

"We've got to get back to New York and keep going," he said.
"Hopefully I get another chance to get out there and get a win
or a save for our team."

If the Phillies lose this series, they may look back on their
decision to keep Lee on regular rest as a mistake.

Manuel talked to Lee about pitching on short rest Sunday, but he
said the two decided to keep him on his regular schedule. Lee,
who has never pitched on shortened rest, said it was Manuel's
choice to go with Joe Blanton, who gave up four runs in six
innings.

"I just let him know I'd pitch whenever he wants me to pitch,"
Lee told the Phillies' official Web site. "I think I could do
it, but he makes the calls."

The left-hander is 3-0 with a 0.54 ERA in the postseason. He
defeated Sabathia in Game 1, giving up one unearned run and six
hits in a complete game victory. He struck out 10 in the
dominant performance, but Manuel was undeterred in his decision
even after the Phillies went down 2-1 in the series Saturday.

"You're asking Cliff Lee to do something that he has never done
before," he said. "But we're also asking him to do it in a very
big, important place, and that's in the World Series. I didn't
have to think very long at all about that."

The only Yankee batter to have any success against Lee last week
was Derek Jeter, who had three hits including a double. Jeter is
7 for 17 in the World Series.

After getting success from Sabathia on three days' rest, the
Yankees hope for the same from Burnett.

Burnett started Thursday's Game 2, allowing one run and four
hits in seven innings of a 3-1 win. It was his first decision in
the postseason, although New York has won three of his four
playoff starts while he's posted a 3.55 ERA.

The right-hander is 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four career starts on
short rest, though he hasn't tried it this season.

"To be honest, it's a little different, obviously, in October,"
he said. "But I feel good right now. Otherwise, I wouldn't take
the ball."

Burnett will try to keep Chase Utley in the park after the
Philadelphia second baseman homered for the third time in this
series Sunday.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130757-Yankees-Phillies-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130757-Yankees-Phillies-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:30:56 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rodriguez, Yankees beat Phils for 3-1 Series edge]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BEN WALKER
AP Baseball Writer

PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- Alex Rodriguez waited all game long for this
hit. Heck, he waited his whole life.

The New York Yankees have been waiting, too.

Rodriguez delivered a go-ahead, two-out double in the ninth
inning off Brad Lidge and the Yankees took advantage of Johnny
Damon's daring dash to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-4 on
Sunday night for a 3-1 lead in the World Series.

"There's no question - I've never had a bigger hit," Rodriguez
said.

Derek Jeter came through again and Mariano Rivera finished it
off as the Yankees moved within one win of that elusive 27th
championship and first since 2000.

Rodriguez applauded his own hit, for good reason. Seething since
the first inning after again being nailed by a pitch, the
highest-paid player in the majors struck back with his potent
black bat.

Overanxious at the start of his first World Series, Rodriguez
struck out six times in the first two games. He homered in Game
3, yet it was another kind of thwack that him going.

"The one time I got hit in yesterday's game, my first at-bat,
kind of woke me up a little bit and just reminded me, 'Hey, this
is the World Series, let's get it going a little bit,"' he said.

Now in his sixth season with the Yankees, he'll try to help them
close out the defending champions Monday night when A.J. Burnett
faces October ace Cliff Lee.

Of the 42 teams to take a 3-1 lead in the World Series, 36 went
on to win the crown. The last club to overcome such a deficit
was Kansas City in 1985.

Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz hit late home runs for the Phillies
that tied it at 4. Then it moved to the ninth and Phils brought
in Lidge - a postseason star last year, he had struggled all
season before regaining his touch this October.

But November was not so kind.

Lidge had been the only closer in the playoffs who hadn't
allowed a run until the Yankees tagged him. With two outs, Damon
capped a nine-pitch at-bat with a single. The Phillies
overshifted their infield to the right side for Mark Teixeira
and Damon took off.

Damon beat the one-hop throw to steal second, popped up from his
slide and noticed no one was covering third. That's because
Feliz had handled the throw, and Damon easily beat the third
baseman to the bag for a rare double-steal - fact is, who'd ever
seen it?

"I'm just glad that when I started running, I still had some of
my young legs behind me," Damon said.

Offered Feliz: "We never got anybody to say, 'OK, you've got to
go in there, you've got to go here."'

Rattled or whatever, Lidge hit Teixeira with a pitch. So up
stepped Rodriguez, 1 for 13 to that point and looking nothing
like the feared slugger he was earlier in these playoffs.

Putting all his prominent failures behind, Rodriguez lined a
solid double into the left-field corner for a 5-4 lead. The
three-time AL MVP connected so solidly, the sound echoed
throughout Citizens Bank Park. Maybe it wasn't such a surprise -
Rodriguez had homered and doubled in three prior at-bats against
Lidge.

"Facing Brad Lidge, he's a great competitor. He's had a lot of
success late here. Just trying to make contact there," Rodriguez
said.

Rodriguez stood at second with his 15th RBI, tying the Yankees
postseason record shared by Bernie Williams and Scott Brosius.
A-Rod's other hit this week came in Game 3 when his double was
changed to a home run after an instant replay review.

"He's the reason why we're sitting here and we're in
Philadelphia right now," Damon said. "I felt like without him,
who knows where our road may have stopped at."

The crowd was still silent when Jorge Posada followed with a
two-run single. Then it was Rivera's turn and he quickly got
three outs for his 11th World Series save. Joba Chamberlain, who
gave up Feliz's tying homer in the eighth, was the winner in his
second Series appearance.

Just like that, the Yankees were 27 outs from their record 27th
title and the Phillies were on the brink of getting eliminated.
Philadelphia faces a daunting task; New York lost three in a row
only twice after the All-Star break.

"I think we take a lot of pride on being resilient and the way
we bounce back," Phils manager Charlie Manuel said. "I've seen
us go through it before. We've blown 22 games from the seventh
inning on or something this year. That's got to tell you
something about the resilience of our team."

The first inning offered a replay, of sorts, when Rodriguez was
hit in the back by Blanton's first pitch. Rodriguez got drilled
twice in Game 3 and told plate umpire Mike Everitt "third time,
it's a little obvious" in a comment heard on Fox.

Rodriguez stood around the plate with hands on hips and stared
at the Yankees dugout, and Everitt moved onto the grass to
prevent any trouble from breaking out. Umpires met near the
mound, Everitt issued warnings to both teams and fans chanted
"you used steroids!" at A-Rod.

Rodriguez got more than even much later. The Yankees' late burst
hushed fans who had been festive from the start. Many of them
had walked across the street after watching the Philadelphia
Eagles rout the New York Giants 40-17.

"I think I made an adjustment after the first two games,"
Rodriguez said. "What I was doing was very simple, I was
expanding the strike zone, and that's something that I didn't do
against Minnesota or Anaheim. When I get good pitches to hit and
I put a good swing on it, good things usually happen."

Feliz rocked Chamberlain with a two-out, solo home run in the
eighth that tied it at 4.

Utley homered again off CC Sabathia, finishing the New York
starter in the seventh. It was Utley's third shot off Sabathia
in this Series and closed the Phillies to 4-3.

Down all evening, the Phillies kept scrapping. They eventually
drew even on the home runs, a common sight at a park where the
ball really flies.

Jeter put the Yankees ahead from the get-go, leading off the
game with a single and scoring in a two-run first.

Ryan Howard barreled home to tie at 2 in the fourth. The big
Phillies slugger braced for a collision with Posada and got a
piece of the New York catcher - replays, however, appeared to
show Howard never touched the plate, yet another missed call in
a shaky postseason for umpires.

Howard kept struggling, leaving him 3 for 17 with 10 strikeouts.
Rodriguez is only 2 for 14, but he could enjoy both hits because
they did so much damage.

"We've been down this road before and we have to stay very
focused. Those guys are the world champs," Rodriguez said.

NOTES: Rivera set a record for pitchers with his 23rd Series
appearance, passing Whitey Ford. ... Yankees CF Melky Cabrera
hurt his left hamstring running out a grounder to end the sixth.
Brett Gardner replaced him. ... Rodriguez and Max Carey
(Pittsburgh, 1925) are the only players hit by pitches three
times in a Series.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130713-Rodriguez-Yankees-beat-Phils-for-3-1-Series-edge</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130713-Rodriguez-Yankees-beat-Phils-for-3-1-Series-edge</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:35:15 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Yankees-Phillies Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

New York (103-59) at Philadelphia (93-69), 8:20 p.m. EDT

The New York Yankees wanted a dominant pitcher to lead them deep
into the postseason, so they made CC Sabathia the richest
pitcher in baseball history. Now, Sabathia can now move them
within a victory of their first World Series title in nine
years.

The workhorse will take the ball on three days' rest Sunday
night when the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies play Game 4 of
the World Series at Citizens Bank Park.

The Yankees turned an early 3-0 deficit into an 8-5 victory in
Saturday night's Game 3, claiming a 2-1 lead in the series. Alex
Rodriguez, Nick Swisher and Hideki Matsui all homered for New
York, with Rodriguez's two-run shot in the fourth inning the
result of the first video replay reversal in World Series
history.

After watching their 13-year streak of playoff appearances come
to an end last fall, the Yankees felt upgrading their rotation
was a priority if they were going to challenge for their first
World Series title since winning No. 26 in 2000. Landing
Sabathia via free agency - for $161 million over seven years -
has proven to be the right move.

The left-hander's first season in the Bronx was a rousing
success, as he went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA to garner consideration
for his second AL Cy Young Award and help the Yankees back to
the playoffs.

Sabathia - the 2007 Cy Young winner with Cleveland - hasn't
slowed in the postseason, posting a 3-1 record and 1.52 ERA and
winning AL championship series MVP honors. Now, he'll take the
mound on three days' rest, a situation in which he is quite
capable. Including postseason, Sabathia is 5-3 with a 3.16 ERA
in eight starts when throwing on short rest.

"I hate to throw bullpens," said Sabathia, who took the loss in
Game 1 opposite Phillies ace Cliff Lee while allowing two runs
on homers by Chase Utley in seven innings. "I don't have to
throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days' rest.

"It feels good for them to have confidence in you, especially in
these situations. It gives you confidence when your team has
confidence and the guys want you out there and everybody is
asking: 'Are you pitching today?' and 'Are you pitching
tomorrow?'"

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has elected to shorten the rotation
to Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte - Saturday's winning
pitcher. Burnett is expected to start Monday.

"There is no baseball after the World Series for four or five
months, so there will be plenty of time to rest," Girardi said.

Girardi also used Sabathia on short rest in Game 4 of the ALCS,
and the three-time All-Star allowed one run in eight innings of
a 10-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has opted not to ask Lee to
pitch on three days' rest for the first time in his career.
Instead, Lee is scheduled to start Monday's Game 5 in what could
be an elimination contest.

Joe Blanton gets the nod in Game 4 for a second consecutive
year. The right-hander combined with four relievers on a
five-hitter in a 10-2 win over Tampa Bay last October that gave
the Phillies a 3-1 World Series lead. He also hit the first
World Series home run by a pitcher since Oakland's Ken Holtzman
in 1974.

"It's a big game, but it's another game," Blanton said. "And I
think just the experience you draw from last year, just the fact
that you've been there before, you've been in that environment,
you've been in that atmosphere, you've kind of been in that big
game situation - and you can just kind of draw back and kind of
keep your emotions in check."

Blanton hasn't had any success against the Yankees, going 0-3
with an 8.18 ERA in four starts. All of those games came with
Oakland, where he spent four-plus seasons before joining
Philadelphia last year in a midseason trade.

Blanton has also struggled against Alex Rodriguez, who is 4 for
7 with two homers in their matchups.

The third baseman's homer Saturday was the first of his career
in the World Series, and snapped a personal 0-for-8 slump. It
was also his sixth homer of this postseason, tying a Yankees
record set by Bernie Williams in 1996.

"It was a big hit. I think it woke our offense up a little bit,"
said Rodriguez, who struck out three times in each of the
previous two games.

The Phillies are hoping their marquee slugger, Ryan Howard, can
break out of his slump in similar fashion.

The NLCS MVP is 2 for 13 with an RBI and nine strikeouts in the
Series, fanning three times Saturday.

"Go home and go to sleep. I'm a simple guy," Howard - 4 for 12
with six strikeouts against Sabathia including postseason - said
after the Game 3 loss. "We're not going to panic by any means
just because we're down in the Series."

It may not be time to panic yet, but history doesn't provide
Philadelphia cause for optimism. This is the fourth time the
Phillies have trailed 2-1 in a World Series. On all three
previous occasions, they went on to lose Game 4 - and the
series.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130550-Yankees-Phillies-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130550-Yankees-Phillies-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:02:16 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Reversed HR call helps A-Rod, Yankees beat Phils]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- Guess who showed up for Halloween dressed as
sluggers?

The New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez, whose double clanked
off a television camera in the right-field corner and was ruled
a home run in the first instant replay call in World Series
history.

It changed the game.

"I think it woke our offense up a little bit," Rodriguez said
after the Yankees rallied for a rain-delayed 8-5 victory over
the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night that gave them a 2-1
Series lead.

Rodriguez and the rest of those dangerous New York bats finally
broke loose to back another postseason win by Andy Pettitte.

Game 4 is Sunday night. Joe Blanton pitches against Yankees ace
CC Sabathia, who goes on three days' rest for the second time
this postseason.

After pitching dominated the first two games in the Bronx, the
Yankees and defending champion Phillies flexed their muscles,
combining for six home runs at cozy Citizens Bank Park. Jayson
Werth connected twice for Philadelphia.

Rain affected the Series schedule in Philly for the second
consecutive year, delaying the start by 1 hour, 20 minutes. Once
they hit the field in front of their boisterous fans, the
Phillies built a 3-0 lead - but it was squandered by a
struggling Cole Hamels, last year's World Series MVP.

A slumping Nick Swisher and pinch-hitter Hideki Matsui also went
deep for the Bronx Bombers, while Johnny Damon hit a
tiebreaking, two-run double.

"This was my first time coming to this ballpark. It just seems
like you're going to have a slugfest a lot," Swisher said. "It
was a great day for us."

Pettitte settled down after a shaky start and even helped
himself at the plate with a tying single. His six-inning outing
was enough to earn his 17th postseason win, extending his major
league record.

"He closed off our left-handed hitters," Philadelphia manager
Charlie Manuel said.

Especially slugger Ryan Howard. The NL championship series MVP
is 2 for 13 with nine strikeouts in the Series.

"Go home and go to sleep. I'm a simple guy," he said. "We're not
going to panic by any means just because we're down in the
Series."

Some fans were dressed in Phillies red, others in full costume
for the second-ever World Series game on Halloween. They whipped
around white rally towels, but the trick was on them - their
team got whipped when the Yankees rallied.

Carlos Ruiz homered for the Phillies in the ninth off Phil
Hughes. Mariano Rivera finished up at 12:42 a.m. in a non-save
situation.

"It was an absolute grind tonight, that's for sure," Pettitte
said. "I can't remember winning a game where I've struggled like
I did tonight. So it's very gratifying."

With the Yankees down three runs, Mark Teixeira walked in the
fourth and Rodriguez hit an opposite-field drive into the
right-field corner. He cruised into second base after the ball
ricocheted back onto the field.

Video replays, however, showed the ball struck the lens of a
television camera positioned just above the fence at the
330-foot sign. New York manager Joe Girardi came out to talk
with right-field umpire Jeff Nelson as Phillies pitching coach
Rich Dubee visited the mound.

While Rodriguez chatted with Howard at second base, umpires
huddled in the infield. Four of the six went under the stands
for a look at the replay and emerged about a minute later.

The signal: home run.

Baseball adopted instant replay for boundary calls during the
2008 season and Rodriguez homered the first time it was used
last year.

"It's only fitting, right?" he said.

Rodriguez's first hit in nine World Series at-bats was his sixth
homer this postseason, tying Bernie Williams' club record from
1996. It also was the 17th postseason homer this year for the
Yankees, setting a franchise mark.

The call seemed to give the Yankees a boost and help them break
out of their Series slump - the team that led the majors in runs
(915) and homers (244) during the regular season scored only
four times in the first two games at home.

"Tonight I was a lot more disciplined, and better results,"
Rodriguez said.

New York kept hitting in the fifth and chased Hamels. Benched in
Game 2 at home, Swisher opened with a double and slid home with
the tying run when Pettitte looped a one-out single to center on
a first-pitch breaking ball.

It was Pettitte's third hit in 18 career postseason at-bats,
second in World Series play.

Who needs a designated hitter?

The Fox broadcast caught Derek Jeter saying to plate umpire
Brian Gorman: "We're going to have to listen to Pettitte now.
He's been bragging about his hitting all year."

Jeter fisted a soft single and Damon cracked a two-run double to
right-center for a 5-3 lead. Hamels was lifted after another
walk to Teixeira and walked off the mound to a mix of boos and
cheers.

The lanky left-hander, who was 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in the
postseason last year, fell to 1-2 with a 7.58 ERA in four
outings this time around.

Swisher homered off rookie J.A. Happ in the sixth and took a
long look at his solo shot to left.

Werth answered leading off the bottom half with a mammoth drive
off the facing of the second deck in left. After connecting, he
slammed his bat to the ground and glared into the Philadelphia
dugout as if to urge on his teammates.

It was Werth's seventh home run this postseason, one shy of the
major league record held by Carlos Beltran (2004) and Barry
Bonds (2002).

Jorge Posada's RBI single in the seventh gave New York a
three-run cushion. Matsui added an opposite-field solo shot to
left in the eighth, his second homer in two games.

Matsui was on the bench because World Series rules don't permit
a DH in National League parks.

Pettitte fell behind 3-0 in the second. Werth reached down for a
breaking ball and hit a leadoff homer to left, setting off
fireworks and lighting up the Liberty Bell in right-center.

With the bases loaded, Jimmy Rollins walked to force in a run
and Shane Victorino added a sacrifice fly.

Pettitte avoided further damage by striking out Chase Utley,
then settled in and held Philadelphia in check. That gave the
Yankees a chance to come back.

The Phillie Phanatic was wearing a rain-slicker and fisherman's
hat when he high-fived Mike Schmidt as the Hall of Famer walked
to the mound to throw out the first pitch to Howard.

The grounds crew was still drying puddles on the warning track
as the Phillies took the field.

Last season, Game 5 of the World Series between the Phillies and
Tampa Bay was suspended for two days because of rain. Once it
resumed - in the sixth inning - the Phillies went on to a 4-3
victory that clinched the championship.

Last year's Game 3 started at 10:06 p.m. because of rain and
didn't end until 1:47 a.m. It was the latest start in Series
history.

NOTES: The Phillies dropped to 11-2 at home the past two
postseasons. ... Nine of the last 10 teams to win Game 3 when
the World Series was tied 1-all went on to take the title. The
exception was the 2003 Yankees, who lost the next three games to
Florida.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130497-Reversed-HR-call-helps-A-Rod-Yankees-beat-Phils</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/130497-Reversed-HR-call-helps-A-Rod-Yankees-beat-Phils</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:02:14 GMT</pubDate>
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