Naturally the assembled baseball media was more interested in getting a perspective of roster moves Cashman was looking at in a short off-season. It is barley three weeks since the Yankees won their 27^th world championship and there are some issues to address before spring training commences down in Tampa Florida in mid February.

“We haven’t game planned yet,” said Cashman dressed in casual attire, not typical for a Red Carpet type of affair. He recently completed organizational structural meetings with team brass and it may be too early as to making major decisions. What to do with the contracts of Johnny Damon, World Series MVP Hideki Matsui and pitcher Andy Pettitte?

And do the Yankees go after some of the high powered free agents that ate available, such as pitcher John Lackey, or trade for an outfielder, or acquire the highly sought Matt Holliday off the free agent market? “We’re going through everything that transpired in the meetings,” said Cashman. “Once I get some firm numbers, I can go ahead and start putting together some ideas,” he said.

Those ideas become interesting, because the Yankees seem to be solid at every position, with the exception of course in the outfield when it comes to the futures of Damon and Matsui. Then there is the obstacle of finding a viable fourth starter as Chien-Ming Wang  continues to rehab from right shoulder surgery.

“I had a couple of agents call me,” said the GM with a smile. There is reason to smile. Players on the market know coming to New York increases their chances of getting a ring, because the Yankees are willing to spend. But how much will it take after Cashman and company spent about a half billion in payroll, last off- season to get pitchers CC Sabathia, A.J, Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira?

Cashman alluded to making the right decisions when it came to the financial aspect of getting the top three, players that no doubt were a vital contribution to the Yankees success. “I am real pleased at the financial aspect of last winter,” he said. “It puts us in a much better position than before.”

So the Yankees will shed more salary without Matsui, leaving them the ability to re-sign Damon Their six years of futility to get back on top was done with their core of veterans, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and of course, Pettitte, who became the all-time post season pitcher with most wins after the game 6 clincher against the Phillies.

There was also the mix of players that came together, with some new and returning players that stayed healthy.  To that Cashman said, “Truthfully we won with older guys and stayed healthy.” In particular he mentioned the healthy year that came from Posada and Matsui..

“With the exception of Wang and Nady (Xavier) that’s why we are here today,” he said about the Yankees overall staying free of injuries and getting the contributions they needed.  Nady is one of the options the Yankees have for the outfield, if indeed they decide to tender him a new contract.

So getting younger and reducing payroll also can enable the Yankees to obtain another high caliber type of player off the free agent market. In particular Cashman will take a look at outfield prospect Austin Jackson, and maybe take someone out of the bullpen and make the conversion to starter.

“Do we promote Austin Jackson and way do we do at DH,” said Cashman who was anxious to see the 80 minute DVD that captures the Yankees run to another championship and their post season success.  “Do we get younger, that remains to be seen,” he concluded.

And as Cashman and Girardi posed in front of their new World Series trophy they know the task is ahead to defend the title and get number 28.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

It was an issue addressed by Martinez to the media after his Phillies lost game 2 of the Series and headed home. Martinez would smile at the fans as he left the mound, in particular made note of one fan, a father with his young daughter who took the competition of sports to a nasty level.

He was one of those many arrogant Yankee fans that made unkind gestures to Martinez, and in turn damage the integrity of other fans who appreciate the greatness and attributes of the great ones who play the game.

“I just told him,” commented Martinez, “’Your daughter is right beside you. It’s a little girl. It’s a shame you’re saying all these things.’  I had to stop and tell him because I’m a father myself and, God how can you be so dumb to do those kind of things in front of your child? What kind of example are you setting?”

Yeah fans have the right to boo all they want to the opposing player and team.  Their ticket purchase gives them that right, but before every game Major League Baseball makes the home team inform fans about using offensive language. Not when the Yankees play the Red Sox, or in this case with Martinez on the mound and the Yankees so desperate to get their 27^th world title

But this fan, and others, who disrespected Martinez saw the situation had more to do with a previous and ugly incident when Martinez was a member of the hated Boston Red Sox. Then, he pushed Don Zimmer, once a coach with the Yankees to the ground during an ugly brawl when the two teams battled for the American League pennant.

This was Martinez, pitching in another uniform, at another time.  But to the Yankee fan there is no reflection of greatness to another team, or another player, except for their history and one of their own.  So to them, Martinez was just an enemy on the mound last week and not remembered for being a three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star.

Martinez would strikeout eight Yankees in game 2 which matched his second most ever in a postseason game.  And he had an answer to all New York fans about his unpleasant, though impressive return to New York. Remember, he played also for the cross-town Mets and helped them to the 2006 postseason.

“I know I played for the Mets,” he said. “I know they really want to root for me. It’s just that I don’t play for the Yankees that’s all.  I’ve always been a good competitor, and they love that. They love the fact that I compete. I’m a New Yorker, as well. If I was on the Yankees, I’d probably be like a king over here.”

Yeah, Martinez said it.  He is not a New York Yankee and will never be, so Yankee fans will never consider him a king or a pitcher that has contributed so much to baseball over the years.  If indeed that was his last appearance on a pitching mound in New York it will be another memorable moment in the career of Pedro Martinez.

He said, “I did everything I could to beat those guys. You have to give them a lot of credit,” said Martinez about the Yankees. It was just a loss for Martinez, even if it was a World Series game that meant so much.

The unfortunate thing is Yankee fans look at another World Series win as more important than giving some accolades to a pitcher that has contributed so much to the game of baseball

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

“It’s just weird because a couple of years ago we were talking about maybe pitching in a World Series together,” commented Sabathia Tuesday at Yankee Stadium about his former Cleveland teammate Lee. Now, though the last two American League Cy Young Award winners are on opposing sides and can set the table for something special.

It is the first time that former teammates have matched up in the World Series for different clubs since game 1 of the 2005 Fall Classic when former Yankee teammates Roger Clemens (Houston) and Jose Contreras (Chicago) met at the series opener in Chicago.

Joe Girardi debuts as a World Series manager, the fourth such Yankee who has played and managed in the Series having been a player under previous manager Joe Torre in 1996 and 1998-99. Plenty of history then for the Yankees, and Girardi is well aware of the pressures involved with his team as favorites to get their elusive 27^th world title.

“I was pretty aware of the pressures, because I think as players you understood what the deal was every year here, because of the way that Mr. Steinbrenner and everyone put the club together,” commented Girardi after his team concluded their workout on a misty field Tuesday.

Of course there is pressure. George Steinbrenner has less authority now as the owner. Hank and Hal will welcome their father to the new billion dollar stadium in the Bronx Wednesday evening and have made it known, getting to and winning the World Series is a necessity when you sign on and manage the Yankees.   They have come this far, and the Steinbrenner family wants nothing but the brass ring and a championship for New York.

And for Phils manager Charlie Manuel, the pressure does not seem to be an issue. He has guided his team to a second consecutive Series appearance, the first manager since Torre took his Yankees to four straight from 1998-2201.  The Phillies, perhaps are attempting to become a dynasty like the Yankees, as no team has won back-to-back championships since the Yankees did that with three straight from 1998-2000.

“We have no pressure as the defending champions,” said Manuel when it was his turn to take the podium. “They have to take it from us,’ he said. “The games are won on the field,” commented Manuel when asked his opinion about the Yankees being the favorites.  His Phils have more experienced Series experience, 17 have been there before to the Yankees nine.

A classic Series perhaps because Manuel has opted to go with Pedro Martinez as his game two starter Thursday evening over  last year’s Series MVP Cole Hamels.  Martinez returns to New York, once again on the big stage and this time at the new Yankee Stadium.

“This may be my last big stage,” said Martinez who had a serious look in his eye at one of the many booths set up in the Great Hall at the Stadium where media met the players.  Afterwards, fans peeking in from the closed gates taunted the 16-year veteran. He was receptive and Pedro put on a show before testing his arm on the field

There were some questions in early May, before Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup. After that the Yankees proved they were destined to get back to the World Series. They were the best team in baseball from then on, and now four more wins await them this time, before they can be called the best against the defending champions.

If Rodriguez continues his torrid hitting, which may be stopped by the numerous lefthanders the Phillies throw, well the Yankees could be in trouble.  If Mark Teixiera, who showed some signs of getting out of a horrid postseason slump at the end of the ALCS, then the Phillies will have their problems.

“Think we can put ourselves on the map to be the better team,” said the Phillies Shane Victorino who ignored a New York tabloid front page that mocked him. Victorino also pays no attention towards comparing his team and the Yankees. Getting 26 championships like the Yankees also can’t be compared, but consecutive championships would be an accomplishment especially going through New York.

“We want to put ourselves in that category,” he commented about a possible dynasty. “You know to win back-to-back would be fun.  They have power and pitching and ultimately it comes down to one game at a time.”

Both teams combined hit 468 home runs this season, and for the first time in 83 years the World Series features two teams with the most home runs hit in the Majors. Yankee pitchers will face a lineup of Philly hitters that have six players in double digits when hitting the long ball and they both have hit 14 home runs this postseason.

So there are some comparisons, and then there is the rooting interest of New York baseball fans. Martinez had a stint with the cross-town Mets and still respects that other baseball team in town. “They will get stronger and better,” he said, “and I know there fans won’t be rooting for us.

Of course not, because in New York a Mets fan has a dilemma. It will be heard. They despise the cross-town Yankees because they always get to this point of a baseball season. And the dreadful Phillies have become a nemesis taking the last three National League east division titles under Manuel, so a Mets fan may root for the Yanks.

But in baseball circles it does not matter who a fan roots for. Fans want to see a good World Series, so does everyone associated with Major League Baseball, and the Fox Sports Network may have a ratings buster due to the interest and magnitude of this series.

So when the Phillies Jimmy Rollins made a bold prediction, his team in five games that set the tone more.  Others believe it will be Yankees in six or seven games and a lot rides on how Girardi sets his roster. He may carry two catchers instead one instead of the three he has used in the previous postseason games against Minnesota and the Angels.

And the Yankees will probably use a game four starter. “You look at where you’re at and make decisions as you go,” says Girardi about who to start after Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte.  “We have a plan of what we’re going to do and that plan can be adjusted depending on where you are in the Series.”

That relates also to the bullpen where the Series can ultimately be decided. Girardi still has plans to use Phil Hughes in a set up role, along with Joba Chamberlain. And one thing is certain, the Yankees have Mariano Rivera and the all-time best closer in postseason baseball just about assures a Yankees win.

The difference from Rivera and other postseason closers, you are seeing Cy Young and not Mel Rojas or Armando Benitez two former New York Mets who had no consistency when closing an important game. And don’t be surprised to see Girardi call his closer for a six out save like he did Sunday in the ALCS clincher against the Angels.

A classic in the making for all baseball fans the next week or so for sure.  In the end, home runs from both sides including Ryan Howard of the Phillies. “Just try and take advantages of some mistakes they may make,” he says about ways to overtake the Yankees.

.“Don’t know a thing about them, don’t know much about them,” said the captain Derek Jeter when asked about the Phillies in the new spacious Yankees clubhouse that got another dose of champagne Sunday evening. Jeter is a part of that core of four with Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte who now go to their seventh World Series.

Who is better, Jeter or the Phils Chase Utley? In a matter of hours, the Yankees will know more about the Phillies than they did in the three games they played against each other earlier this season. Then the Phils took two of three in the Bronx.  They were good games then, and expect the same now.

Yankees have home field advantage.  That helps also and in the end they get their 27^th world championship in the Bronx next week in six games.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

“It’s nice to get back and we are ready and need 11 more,” said Johnny Damon as the Yankees christened their new clubhouse with what they hope is the first of three more celebrations and a 27^th world championships.”   Last year the Yankees missed their first post season in 13 years under manager Joe Girardi who also wears number 27 on the back of his uniform.

In the middle of the champagne celebration was Nick Swisher, a key acquisition that General Manger Brian Cashman made during the off-season, “It’s nice to come here and do what we were capable of doing,” said Swisher who was mobbed by his teammates, including pitcher Mariano Rivera who got the last out and recorded his 44^th save in the Yankees 4-2 clincher over the Red Sox.

The Yankees, who took control over first place the Al East On July 21^st, have also secured home field advantage in the playoffs. They may also see Boston again in the American League Championship Series. If Detroit does not lose their slim division lead to Minnesota, New York would open the first round of the ALDS against the Tigers.

The Red Sox, on the verge of clinching the AL wild card will open their series against the impending Al west champion Angels, so the Yankees could see Boston again, or even the Angels who eliminated the Yankees in five games in the ALDS in 2005 and in four games in 2002.  There years ago it was Detroit eliminating the Yankees in four games in the ALDS

“Everything is clicking now,” said winning pitcher Andy Pettitte (14-7) who will probably get the ball and follow 19-game winner CC Sabathia as the third pitcher in the opening round playoff series. “When you miss out it makes you a little more hungry to get back there,” he said referring to the Yankees missing the playoffs last season.

As the Yankees celebrated, with what they hope is the first of three more, they realize there is much more work to be done.  The stigma of losing in the opening round of their last playoff appearance to Cleveland in 2007 remains, so they very well know that the playoffs are a different season.

“This is a fun group and exciting group,” commented Girardi who makes his first appearance as a playoff manager after being a part of the Yankees championship teams under former manager Joe Torre. “The way last year ended left a bad taste in our mouth and we worked to get here since spring training,” he said.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com