The journey to the World Series and championship number 28 begins Friday evening in the Bronx. The Yankees will host Detroit in the best of five ALDS for the first two games Friday and Saturday evening.

In fact, the Yankees, even with a share of injuries to players, and with a suspect pitching staff went beyond expectations even if they had the highest payroll in baseball. Because they utilized veterans Freddie Garcia and Bartolo Colon, at the backend of a rotation, they got more than expected and with the ineffectiveness of A.J. Burnett, Garcia and Colon made a difference on the mound. Though Colon, in the second half, showed age and innings got to him and was not that effective.

Despite the outspoken objections from GM Brian Cashman about spending $43 million on the contract of bullpen set-up man Rafael Soriano, who sat out two months with a shoulder injury, the pen is one of the strong points that favor New York in October. In the end, Soriano in the pen makes the Yankees tough to beat in later innings that are close. Manager Joe Girardi can get seven innings from his starter, and it is a perfect set up getting to Mariano Rivera baseball’s all-time saves leader after he reached a milestone 602 save in mid September. And there is David Robertson the one-out specialist who leads all American League relievers in earned run average.

Robinson Cano had a MVP type season, the captain Derek Jeter achieved a milestone 3,000 career hit, showing no signs of an aging veteran, and Alex Rodriguez with knee, hip and thumb ailments is still a viable threat in the lineup. A potent lineup that once again led baseball in home runs, maybe attributed to the friendly confines of the new Yankee Stadium.

Regardless of how far they go, networks that televise the baseball post season, Fox and TBS, are thrilled that the Yankees are playing in October again and hope that they go deep and advance to another World Series. Because the Yankees are a vital cog to baseball network coverage when it comes to the ratings and revenue, and fans will watch because most of America has that anti Yankees approach. They like to see the second most expensive sports franchise go out the window early.

But an early exit for the Yankees may not happen. If their ace on the mound, CC Sabathia goes deep into the ballgame, the pen will take over. Rivera, who had some struggles, a 42-year old arm will do that from time-to-time, is considered the best post season reliever in baseball history. The rotation is set with the rookie Ivan Nova making more of an impression with every start. A.J. Burnett could come out of the pen and Phil Hughes, questionable for the first round, in September showed some side effects from a bad shoulder that sidelined him most of the season.

Yes, there are questions and a first round best of five with Detroit could be trouble for New York. There could be an eventual showdown with the Boston Red Sox, the adversaries and a team New York had constant struggles with again in 2011, that is, until the Red Sox had a late season collapse. But that showdown would be ideal for the networks because New York and Boston is the rival series in sports. A best of seven and who goes to the World Series will be a ratings bonanza.

But what defines the 2011 Yankees is their versatility and awareness once again that they came up short in 2010.  The veterans such as Jeter, Alex Rodriguez,  Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, as well as the manager Joe Girardi  know anything less than an appearance or winning of the World Series is a failure.

So the mission since leaving the field and losing to Texas in the ALCS last October was try and forget how close they got to defending championship number 27, and get number 28, back to the Bronx. Ownership, Cashman, Girardi and the Yankees believe they have the nucleus to do that, and saw a solid year from Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and possible MVP candidate Robinson Cano.

They may be older, this Yankees roster that begins the October part of their campaign, the second oldest in baseball. Though the wave of talented youngsters in the organization made some stops in the Bronx this season including rookie catcher Jesus Montero, considered one of their top prospects. And Eduardo Nunez, the 22-year old got a taste of the big club last season and is a versatile infield backup who filled in when Jeter and Rodriguez hit the disabled list.

Brett Gardner and Jeter, they get on base and what follows is a lot of runs scored again. In the end it comes down to that starting pitching. All in all, predicting the outcome of a short series in October is not easy. Good pitching will get you far in the post season.

But, will that pitching be enough for the Yankees to get championship number 28 and another parade down the Canyon of Heroes on Broadway? Time will tell as October baseball is here.

-email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

It was a day more suitable for football with the game time temperature at 42 degrees, a chilly wind, and threatening clouds with rain and snow in the forecast By the sixth inning, when the Yankees took the lead, after Curtis Granderson hit his third straight season opening home run, many of the 48,226 in the sold out crowd left for the exits.

Perhaps if the weather was more applicable for baseball, the fans would have stayed as the combination of Joba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera shut the Tigers down in the last three innings.  Sabathia could not put the Detroit batters away but his six innings were enough before Girardi went to the pen.

“There were no questions,” said Girardi about going to the pen for the final three innings. Chamberlain would get the win pitching the seventh, Soriano got the Tigers in the eighth and Rivera, in his 17^th year as a Yankee got a club record third save as a Yankee on opening day.

Sabathia did his part and overall it was a good opening day outing.  “I made some pitches in tough spots and overall tried to minimize the damage,” he said.  The pen took over after he gave up two earned runs in six innings. “He relishes his role,” said Girardi about his ace. “He understands his role as the number one guy.”

It is a luxury the Yankees have this season. They know that opposing managers may have to do things differently in close games after the sixth inning. Soriano, a closer who had an American League leading 43 saves with Tama Bay last season is in a set up role. And the Yankees still have another capable thrower out of the pen on the disabled list, Pedro Feliciano who will be used as a one out specialist late in games.

Granderson showed no signs of a strained oblique muscle pull that hindered him late in spring training. There was a time last week when Girardi thought his centerfielder would remain down in Tama Florida and start the season on the disabled list. However Granderson immediately showed in the first inning, and again in the ninth that he is in mid- season form.

He dived for a ball in the first inning and in the ninth, playing shallow, he reached out for a ball and got the second out for Rivera. Granderson, who started to show he could hit left handed pitching late last season gave the Yankees their go ahead run leading off the seventh with a home run to the second deck in right off losing pitcher Phil Coke.

Granderson did say he felt some discomfort in his first swings at bat. But a home run, and catches in the outfield that helped his team to victory will make some pain go away. “I didn’t feel a thing,” he said smiling about the home run swing.

On his ability to play shallow and make the plays Granderson said, “It showed in spring training, go as shallow as you can, back up and grab the ball.”  There were no signs that Granderson had problems with the strain and worked the count against Coke before hitting his first home run of the season.

Mark Teixeira on a 1-1 pitch hit a three-run homer down the right field line off starter Justin Verlander putting the Yankees ahead in the third inning 3-1. It was the first of what could be many more for Teixeira who is known for a slow start.

“I got something to drive in the air,’ he said.  I had a pretty good swing. It stayed fair enough and that’s what matters.”  But what mattered was the Yankees took their opening game of the season and the formula that Girardi hoped for worked.

Game two of the opening game series with Detroit continues Saturday. A.J. Burnett, 10-15 last season gets the start for the Yankees.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

When the Yankees take the field in the Bronx next Thursday afternoon for their season and home opener again the Detroit Tigers part of the “Core Four” will not be there, Andy Pettitte has retired which left a void in the pitching staff. Jorge Posada has been regulated to the fulltime DH, Derek Jeter is a year older and on the verge of his milestone 3,000^th career hit coming off a career low season in batting average and on base percentage.

And Mariano Rivera is still the closer with no signs of being an aging 41-year old pitcher. But the biggest acquisition of the off-season was Rafael Soriano the 32-year old right hander who had an American League leading 45 saves with Tampa Bay last season. In essence the Yanks have two closers and a perfect set up man out of the pen with Soriano.

In fact, the Yankees may have the best pen in baseball if they stay healthy. Soriano, in 64 games with Tampa posted a 1.79 ERA with 57 strikeouts. And that important pitching stat, WHIP (Walks, Hits, Innings Pitched) a 0.80 ERA stands out.

Despite the outspoken objections from GM Brian Cashman about spending $43 million on his contract, in the end Soriano in the pen makes the Yankees tough to beat in later innings that are close. Manager Joe Girardi can get seven innings from his starter and it is a perfect set up.

In addition the other key element to the pen was picking up Pedro Feliciano, the former cross-town NY Met. The lefty specialist led Major League pitchers out of the pen with most innings pitched the past two seasons with that important 1.37 WHI P ratio in eight seasons with the Mets.

But Feliciano, as well as pen mate Joba Chamberlain have been tending to minor arm problems this spring. Chamberlain may not come up north when the Yanks break camp but the pen is still solid with right hander David Robertson.

Sergio Mitre was dealt to Milwaukee. He figured to be in plans of a back end to a suspect starting pitching rotation. But that door now has been open to Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia, two veterans and non roster invitees that have stepped up this spring.

Cashman put his emphasis during the off-season and failed to get the prize, Cliff Lee who signed to pitch for Philadelphia. The Yankees don’t have the veteran Pettitte, have to hope A.J. Burnett rebounds from 10-15 and 5.26 ERA.  The velocity and control for Burnett have looked good working with new pitching coach Larry Rothschild, so there is every reason for optimism that Burnett will bounce back.

Phil Hughes is capable of winning 15 games, and it appears that the youngster Ivan Nova may have a role in the rotation in April when there is a need for five starters.  Then there is CC Sabathia, the ace, now in his third year of his contract in pinstripes. Sabathia, 21-7 last season shows no signs of losing his command and strength, is capable of throwing 200 innings and going deep into games.

But what defines the 2011 Yankees is their versatility and awareness once again that they came up short in 2010.  The veterans such as Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Posada, as well as the manager Girardi know anything less than an appearance or winning of the World Series is a failure.

So the mission since leaving the field and losing to Texas in the ALCS last October is try and forget how close they got to defending championship number 27, and get number 28 back to the Bronx. Ownership, Cashman, Girardi and the Yankees believe they have the nucleus to do that, and will also be looking at a solid year from Jeter, Alex Rodriquez, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and company though it appears Granderson will begin the season on the disabled list.

Posada may be in the last year of his career and the catching duties go to Russell Martin. The former Dodger has been hindered by injuries, and Yankee Stadium could get his home run ball back to form. Rodriguez is having a strong spring and in mid season form, putting smiles on the face of Girardi because A-Rod is having no distractions from a bad hip and off the field headlines.

The Yankees expect Robinson Cano, perhaps the best second baseman in the game to have another MVP type season coming off a career best 29 home runs and 109 RBI season, going along with his .319 average.  The question is whether Jeter or Brett Gardner will lead off and that may be an early season experiment for Girardi. Teixeira will get his usual 25 or more home runs, and the Yankees picked up veteran Andruw Jones   He can start and also provide production off the bench along with crafty outfielder Vernon Maxwell.

They may be older. This Yankees roster that begins the long campaign next week is the second oldest in baseball. Though the wave of talented youngsters in the organization could be making stops in the Bronx at some point this season including rookie catcher Jesus Montero, considered one of their top prospects. And Eduardo Nunez, the 22-year old got a taste of the big club last season and is a versatile infield backup.

The Yankees are a potent lineup and will hit the long ball. Even Nick Swisher, an occasional starter, DH and off the bench can hit for power, 29 home runs and 89 RBI last season. They always do at their ballpark in the Bronx which is made for their power. That combination of Rodriguez, Teixeira, and Cano is always a threat, capable of hitting 25 or more home runs.

Gardner and Jeter, they get on base and what follows could be a lot of runs scored again. Of course they have to stay healthy, and the Yankees starting rotation is a question. Cashman still has some spending power, and is the case every year, the ability to pick up another player or two can change the complexion of an impending push for another pennant run in the Bronx.

Boston is the team to beat in the AL east and on paper could take it all. Tampa Bay, though diminished by free agency, still is a threat, and Baltimore will be that much better. But the Yankees are still a team to be reckoned with, a 90 or 95 win season is not out of the question. And if injury free, they get enough runs, and Girardi goes to a reliable bullpen.

In the end it comes down to that starting pitching. All in all, Boston will take the division and the Yankees will have another playoff run. It will be tough and hard, but good enough to prevail taking the AL wild card.

-email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The organizational process of making sure the Yankees return to the World Series a year from now began Monday. General Manger Brian Cashman has more than one decision to make which will result in an interesting off season.  The first priority is signing manager Joe Girardi to another contract.

Girardi will become one of the easiest priorities for Cashman. A two-year deal, most likely, for a manager who has lived up to management expectations, even if he was scrutinized by media and fans in the six game ALCS series loss to Texas. There were some questions as to how Girardi set up the pitching rotation and how he used his bullpen in the series.

But time heels some wounds of the unacceptable finish. Girardi will return with a nice contract and get his troops together for another long campaign when the Yankees assemble again come February in Tampa Florida.

What has to be resolved is the contract status of Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, two of the core four of the Joe Torre managed four championship teams. Andy Pettitte, another of the core, once again was the Yankees best starter in the post season and is contemplating retirement. The 38-year-old Pettitte, according to Cashman will take his time and make a decision when the time is right.

Then there is Jorge Posada, signed until the end of next season. The soon to be 39-year old catcher, and another member of the core showed that age has caught up to him. His knees are hurting and the ability to throw out runners has become futile as Texas took more than one extra base. Will posada agree to become an everyday designated hitter or backup catcher?

Simply put, the Yankees, with the second oldest roster in baseball showed that age caught up to them. Cashman has another task of possibly trying to make his team younger and may have to do that by promoting some of the promising youngsters waiting in the organization.

“I think that our players can do it but maybe not at quite the same pace they did when they were 25-years old,” commented Girardi Monday at Yankee Stadium in his last season press briefing with the media. In essence, what Girardi stated has now become an imminent issue that Cashman and the Yankees organization needs to address.

The team needs to get younger, top catching prospect Jose Montero may be ready to succeed Posada. The Yankees can continue to build from within, or making a trade or two.  And with their financial flexibility, they always seem to get their man in the free agent market.

On the market, if they can outbid Texas is pitcher Cliff Lee. He, along with CC Sabathia would give the Yankees a devastating one-two punch in their pitching rotation. And perhaps a new pitching coach, now that Dave Eiland has been terminated, can attempt to put A.J. Burnett back to form.

So here are the issues Cashman and the Yankees need to address after going 29-30 after August 1^st despite scoring the most runs in baseball.

-         Mariano Rivera will turn 41-years old and there appears to be no successor if and when his throwing days are over. Though Rivera still showed he can close a game despite blowing four saves in September.

-         Kerry Wood will go somewhere else because the Yankees will probably decline his $11 million club option. He proved to be a valuable set up man out of the pen but still has a tendency of being wild and who knows about his elbow issues.

-         Joba Chamberlain is no longer an experiment and not an option before Rivera. He could be good trade material to obtain another outfielder or bench help.

-         Maybe move Curtis Granderson, that is, if the Yankees can obtain one or two of the other coveted free agents outfielders Carl Crawford of Tampa or Jason Werth of the Phillies.

-         How much to pay and how long of a new deal for Jeter who has shown that age has caught up to him. The Yankees captain is on a decline, though nobody will admit that claim. Jeter, 36 years of age hit a career low .270 and in the Texas series was not his usual post season threat at the plate. Playing him at the top of the lineup for the duration of his career also becomes a question

Texas was not intimidated, but they at one time also had similar questions, instead going with youth that got them to their first World Series and an occasional free agent. They showed they were the younger team and did everything that the Yankees used to do. Pitch, hit, and manufacture runs can once again get the Yankees there.

And as long as the Yankees are willing to spend, they will always be in the post season. But it is not acceptable unless they get to the World Series. Not acceptable or fulfilling unless they bring another championship trophy to the Bronx.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Log on to: www.keepitinthering.net

Rookie Ivan Molina made his third start for the team. He was pulled after 4.1 innings with the Yanks ahead by a score of 5-3, so he could not receive credit for the win. The Dominican native gave up three runs and five hits. He also walked two. Yankees skipper Joe Girardi explained his reason for lifting the rookie early, “I just thought he [Molina] was a little off today. He had some deep counts.”

The inhabitants of the bullpen, who have been outstanding for more than a month, were so again on Friday. The pen men, Boone Logan, David Robertson, Kerry Wood, and Mariano Rivera, hurled no hit ball for 4.1 innings. The members of the relief staff have held opponents batters to an average of .183 and compiled a minuscule ERA of 1.63 since July 26.

Sabathia, unlike many other pitchers, finds a hot and humid day to be agreeable, “I feel a lot better when it’s hot like that. I don’t have to work as hard to get my arm loose.”

As the ace of the staff, Sabathia is often matched against the ace of the opposing team. He has faced Roy Halladay and Sunday was the second time this year that he faced Johan Santana. This is not something that concerns Sabathia, “I’m not going out facing those guys; I’m facing thee lineups.”

Sabathia, the workhorse of the Yankees starting five, has been a boon to the bullpen. He has pitched at least seven innings and thrown at least 100 pitches in nine of his 15 starts. The starter shut out the Mets during a season-high eight innings, accomplished twice before. He scattered four hits and walked two batters. In only one inning, the seventh, did two batters reach base. Girardi said he considered sending Sabathia out in the ninth as the starter only threw 100 pitches, but “the rain [a 22 minute rain delay] made it easier to make a decision.”

Closer Mariano Rivera retired all three batters he faced in the final inning to keep the shut out intact.

The crucial at bat in the contest was that of Mark Teixeira in the third. After Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher each reached base via a single, Teixeira took a 1-1 pitch from Johan Santana deep into the left field stands for his fifth career grand slam home run.

After the previous day’s Yanks victory, Yankees manager Joe Girardi spoke about Teixeira’s game tying home run, “Maybe this is the start of a long streak.” Although his batting average, .226, has not greatly improved, the Yankees first baseman has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games and scored in 11 of his last 13.

Girardi does not believe Teixeira’s current batting average is reflective of his ability or importance to the club, “He’s such an impactful player. For us, it’s just a matter of time before he gets hot and carries the team.” Girardi also expressed admiration for Teixeira’s calm demeanor and his consistently positive attitude, “His personality is consistent every day. It’s hard to tell what he did. That’s what you like. He’s a very easy player to manage.”

Sabathia, Sunday’s starter, is also impressed by the day’s star batter, “Tex is a pro. I think he knew that at some point he would come out of this [slump].”

The victory of the Yankees coupled with Florida’s defeat of the Tampa Rays gave the Yankees the undisputed first place position in the American League East and the best won/loss record in the majors. Inter-league play will continue next week. The Yankees will be on the West Coast to play the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers before returning to the Bronx to face Seattle on June 29.

As Sunday’s game was nearing its conclusion, it appeared to most of the 46,628 fans in attendance that the Yankees would sweep another series from Minnesota. Spot starter Sergio Mitre held the Twins to one-run, a homer by Justin Morneau, in five innings on the mound. Yankee skipper Joe Girardi commented, “He did everything we asked him.” The start was only Mitre’s second with the Yankees this season. He has five relief appearances.

The Yanks put two runs on the board in the second. Randy Winn hit a two-run triple that scored Jorge Posada (single) and Marcus Thames (walk). Ramiro Pena, at shortstop, and Derek Jeter, at designated hitter, singled to open the bottom of the fifth. After Brett Gardner fanned, Mark Teixeira single to center to drive in Pena. Teixeira, After a horrendous season start in April when he only hit safely 11 times in 22 games, Teixeira has been red-hot in May. Tex is batting .339 (21 for 62) with 20 runs batted in during the 15 games played through Sunday.

New York entered the contest with a 12-2 home record and a 92-3 mark when leading after six innings. David Robertson pitched two scoreless innings after following Mitre to the mound. Yankees fans were gleeful with the thought of Joba Chamberlain in the eighth and closer Mariano Rivera in the ninth. Expectations are not always met and they were not met for Yankees rooters Chamberlain loaded the bases, two singles and a base on balls, and retired two batters before leaving the game. Rivera entered to attempt to get a relatively rare four out save.

After falling behind 3-0 on veteran slugger Jim Thome, the batter walked to score a run. Rivera expressed great disappointment in what he considered a personal failure, “I just didn’t do my job. To me, walking in a run, that’s unacceptable.” The bases loaded walk was the first issued by Rivera since May 6, 2005 when he issued a pass to Keith Gintel of Oakland. Left fielder Jason Kubel, batting at .224 before the game began, stunned everyone in the park by driving a ball into the right field stands for a grand slam homer. Of the home run, Rivera stated, “These things are going to happen.”

The shock by which most observers reacted to Rivera’s performance shows how outstanding a closer he has been. The homer was the first run Rivera has surrendered this season. The blown save was Rivera’s first since September 18, 2009. Another mark snapped was Rivera’s 51 converted save attempts at home held by Rivera and Eric Gagne.

The post-game remark of manager Girardi was apropos, “He [Rivera] showed he was human today.” Rivera’s performances, especially in clutch situations are on such a high level, that it is shocking when he is anything less than perfect.

Rivera was not perfect Sunday afternoon in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees tried to sweep a three-game series from the Minnesota Twins. Rivera surrendered a game deciding grand slam home run to the Twins’ Jason Kubel in the eighth inning after being called on by Manager Joe Girardi to get a four-out save.

But it was not the eighth career grand slam hit by Kubel that bothered Rivera. It was the walk to Jim Thome that loaded the bases when he came out of the pen.  It was a 1-0 pitch off a Rivera cutter that went to right field. That was the difference and snapped a nine-game winning streak against the Twins, 12 overall including the post season of last year.

“You can’t go in there and do that,” was the brief explanation Rivera gave about the walk to Thome that walked in a run. It was the first runs of the season allowed by Rivera which also snapped an 11.01 scoreless streak to start the season. He also failed to convert his first save opportunity since last September 19^th at Seattle.

“It’s a pretty good feeling,” said Kubel about his third home run of the season and sixth career grand slam. “It’s an even better feeling that we finally beat them.”

It also snapped a streak of 51 successfully converted saves opportunities at home. The rare blown save by Rivera always leads to speculation. Is something wrong with “Mo” who had been bothered last week with a sore left side?

“For me to walk in a run is unacceptable,” commented Rivera. With Sergio Mitre getting the start, and Javier Vasquez pushed back to start Friday evening, against the Mets at Citi Field Girardi was working with a short pen and needed to call upon Rivera for the save.

He fell behind the count to Kubel. “Yeah, Mo came in to a tough situation,” said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire who has been the victim of more than one Rivera, save during the Yankees streak against his team. “Thome was able to work out a walk and Kubel got hold of a cutter that hadn’t cut yet.”

Gardenhire added, “You probably have recorded that because it’s probably not something that you will often see. As far as I’m concerned, he is the best in the game.”

And to Girardi, the Yankees and their fans a blown save by Rivera is acceptable. “He’s human, he showed he’s human,” said Girardi about his reliable closer.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Yes the Yankees deserve the right to cherish and enjoy their nine year futility to get there again, the right to call them world champions of baseball, number 27 the most for any professional sports franchise. But in baseball, as we all know, it is getting harder to build a dynasty and win consecutive championships.

As they received their Keys to the City of New York on the steps of City Hall Friday, the owner Hal Steinbrenner and manager Joe Girardi made their commitment to the fans that they will be in the same place next year Easier to say than done, and they are well aware that the economics of baseball will keep them competitive, but for how long?

Matsui, the World Series MVP has been regulated to a designated hotter role playing with two wobbly knees that presents an issue.  Damon, who had a season for the ages in the Bronx gets a year older   The issue is will the Yankees be willing to give multi million dollar contracts to a team that looks to get younger and not older?

Matsui and Damon become the speculation as a short off-season begins. Spring training convenes down in Tampa Florida in about 94 days.  Sandwiched in between are Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and pitcher Andy Pettitte.  Now with five World Series rings they are the core of four so often discussed and associated with New York Yankees championship history.

Pettitte showed he is valuable as a postseason pitcher, now the all-time leader with 18 wins pitching the clinching games against the Twins in the ALDS, Angels in the ALCS and getting the win in the big one Wednesday over the defending champion Phillies. He becomes another project for Cashman and company. If not the Yankees, with all of their money will find and purchase another starter to work after CC Sabathia and A.J, Burnett.

There is no telling how much longer age will catch up to that core.  Jeter still shows range at shortstop and always has quality at bats as the catalyst leadoff man.  Posada overcame his injury plagued season of 2008, and there was already talk that he could be feeling the pain of a 162 game season and the long postseason.

Does Posada fit in the DH role, assuming Matsui is not re-signed? First base is not an option with Mark Teixiera, one of the half billion dollar acquisitions that Cashman purchased secured there for the long run. Rivera once again put a staple on being the best postseason pitcher of all-time.

Afterwards Rivera revealed he had painful ribs, probably because Girardi had to call on him twice for six-out saves.   “I can go another five years,” said Rivera in the victorious and wild celebration, in that Yankees clubhouse early Thursday morning. Truthfully, how much longer can Rivera be, this dominating at 40 years of age?

As for Pettitte, he deserves the chance to return, that is if Cashman and company make the offer. They took a risk after the disappointing end of 2008 and Pettitte delivered with his one-year deal that included incentives. If Pettitte decides that the fifth ring is enough and returns home to Houston, the Yankees go shopping and become the lead runners to acquire free agent John Lackey of the Angels.

In the equation, again is Joba Chamerlain.  He is much better coming out of the pen and if the Yankees play their cards right he could be groomed to be the successor for Rivera as the closer. And Phillip Hughes becomes the other option to start again, in the event Pettitte does not return, or becomes the set up man for Rivera as the Yankees begin their title defense and try and get number 28.

So the process begins now for Cashman and company in the Bronx. Matsui deserves that chance to be a part of possibly building another Yankees dynasty, as does Damon but for how much and how long?

The Yankees are World Champions again and anything less to them is a failure.  They have to look at getting younger but why break up the nucleus of this 2009 team that may have been as good as the championship 1998 team that won 114 games?

Even with the Yankees it comes down to baseball economics.

Latino pride a part of Yankees world title and celebration: There they were in the victorious New York Yankees clubhouse, in the early hours of Thursday morning, and now world champions for the first time.  A contingent of young Major League Baseball players of Latino decent, also celebrating their heritage with teammates down the Canyon of Heroes the next day.

“It was something special and a moment I will never forget,” said Ramiro Pena the 22-year old native of Monterrey Mexico. He got the call during the season off and on from Triple A and became a valuable contributor to this championship Yankees team. And though he was not a factor much in the Yankees six game World Series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Pena is one of the elite few.

Getting the ring and calling yourself a world champion only happens to very few. “Yeah” he said in the champagne soaked clubhouse moments after the Yankees clinched their sports best 27^th championship. “This is so special and for my people too it means so much.”

Extra special also for Pena because he celebrated with his mother and father in the clubhouse with the flag of Mexico draped around his body. He boarded the team buses in the Bronx early Friday morning after a long night of celebrating and then waved to the millions gathered along lower Broadway.

The Key to the City was also presented to Pena, along with all of his Yankees teammates on the steps of City Hall. “So awesome,” he said leaving the Yankees clubhouse Saturday morning for the last time. A desolate clubhouse now as players packed their bags earlier, or had their possessions shipped to their respective homes in what now becomes a very short off season.

Spring training will convene in Tampa Florida in a little less than 96 days. Pena is assured to be there and hopes to be a New York Yankee for the long haul. “I hope that can happen,” he said. “They are great teammates and helped me so much.”  He batted .287 with 17 runs, six doubles and 10 runs batted in and filled in at third, second and short in three separate stints this season.

The veterans, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, two of the “core of four” now with five World Series titles were used to the moment of a celebratory clubhouse and the victorious parade. Jose Molina, the catcher for pitcher A.J., Burnett had one ring with the Angels 2002 team   But it never gets old, especially after taking the championship back home after nine years of futility for the core..

So there were those many moments the past few days for Pena, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Alfredo Aceves, Damaso Marte, Sergio Mitre, Francisco Cervilli and Francisco Guzman to cherish the moments. They all represented a diversity of Latino pride from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.   All will now have stories to tell and are of the elite few who will proudly wear a ring that signifies the 27^th World Series championship of the New York Yankees.

Perhaps we don’t understand the significance, those moments they will continue to cherish in the months ahead as they head home to celebrate with other family and friends who could not be with them.   And if this is their only chance at championship fame, which is never a rarity when donning the pinstripes, well they represent the Latino population with plenty of pride and accomplishment.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The Yankees so far have the advantage. Two big home runs from Mark Teixeira and Hadeki Matsui, and a six-out save from Mariano Rivera were the difference in game two Thursday evening as the Yankees evened the Series at a game apiece with a 3-1 win.

Now it is on the Philadelphia for the next three games that resume Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies are almost unbeatable in postseason play the past three years at home with an impressive 13-3 record.

So the Yankees knew that they had to get out of New York with a split after losing the first game of the Series attributed to the spectacular complete game pitched by the Phillies Cliff Lee. “The one thing that we’ve been able to do is we’ve seemed to bounce back” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. “It was just business as usual for us today.”

One thing is also certain as the series shifts to Philadelphia. The Phillies will play their brand of baseball, National League style with no designated hitter and they hit the home run ball well at home. Don’t expect their power to be silent, or Ryan Howard to strike out four times like he did in game 2..

So the momentum, even with the Yankees big win in game 2 may still be with the Phils. “I guess I am going to have to be,” commented Phils manager Charlie Manuel when asked if he was content about going home with a split, “I always like to be 2-0 over 1-1. But it is what it is. I’ve got to accept it.”

When Teixiera hit a home run leading off the fourth to the right field bullpen off a Martinez changeup, he broke a slump that tied the score and ignited the Yankee Stadium crowd of 50,181.  Pedro Martinez until then was as spectacular as Lee was the night before. He struck out eight which matched his second most ever in a postseason game.

But A.J, Burnett was just as good striking out nine the most for a Yankee in a postseason game since Mike Mussina fanned nine on October 21, 2003 in the third game of the World Series against Florida. He recorded his first career postseason career victory. “I threw a lot of first strikes and that allowed me to open up and expand the zone after that,” said Burnett.

He also got some incentive after watching Lee do what he did the previous night. “You know, actually I sat and watched the interview when he (Lee) was on the field and he talked about confidence and he talked about belief in his stuff, and all I told myself last night and today was the same thing.”

And Matsui made some adjustments. Perhaps tuning up for some more home runs at Citizens Bank Park after he put the Yankees ahead with two outs in the sixth hitting a low curve ball off Martinez with a home run to right. “I was able to make a good adjustment and fortunately it led to a good result,” said Matsui through a translator.

Martinez heard the calls from the Yankee crowd. The “Who’s your daddy chant” that carried over from his days when he pitched for the Boston Red Sox at the old Yankee Stadium.. He showed he is still a competitor, and though not throwing at 95 his breaking ball was effective allowing three runs on six hits in six innings.

“I made a couple of mistakes,’ he said. “Teixeira’s home run to me seems he hit a good pitch. Matsui I was disappointed because first of all, maybe the pitch wasn’t the one I would probably would have chosen .if I was to think again.” He wasn’t making excuses and admitted that the past few days he was not feeling well and not as strong.

For Martinez the one-year deal plus incentives from the Phillies has been worth it. And if this was his last time on the mound in New York it was worth the effort. He also struck out Alex Rodriquez three times. Rodriquez is 0-8 in the first two games.

“To participate, compete against a real good team, a very solid team, be able to put my team in position to catch up or win the game and at the same time tell myself that I made the right decision by coming back and getting the opportunity putting myself in the position to get an opportunity to pitch in the World Series,” he said.

In the end it was Rivera getting his third save this postseason, 10^th World Series save and 38^th overall. Girardi for the second time this postseason brought him in for a second six out save. Was that a lack of confidence by Girardi not going to Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes with the heart of the Phils power coming up in the eight and ninth inning?

Girardi would only say that Rivera, who threw 40 pitches, was available with the off day Friday. But there were certainly some questions or desperation on the part of Girardi having his closer come in to get the last six outs. But to Derek Jeter there is only one Mariano Rivera.

“Everybody is not Mo, that’s the best way to put it,” he said.  No pressure for Rivera in that situation and now it is up to Andy Pettitte, who gets the start Saturday to try and keep those Philadelphia hitters from using their home park to their advantage on Saturday.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring 786@aol.com