New York : The World Series champion New York Yankees paraded through the streets of Manhattan on Friday, two days after their six-game series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Major League Baseball fans lined the streets for the ticker-tape parade to celebrate the Yankees winning an American professional sports record 27th World Series title.
“I tell you what, it’s been too long, hasn’t it?” Yankees infielder Derek Jeter said.
“It feels good to be back, thank you. On behalf of our entire team, we want to thank everyone that came out here today. I really forgot how great it feels.”
The title was the first for star third baseman Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixiera. Sabathia and Teixeira came to the Yankees as free agents in the offseason.
Winning titles is almost old hat for Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte, who each earned their fifth world championship ring. They also won with the Yanks in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. It was the first title as a manager for Joe Girardi, who won a catcher with 1996, 1998 and 1999 Yankee teams.
“The thing I love about this club is I think they took on the pulse of the city of New York,” Girardi said. “This was a club that never gave up and always had a heart. I think that’s because of the fans in New York.
“I got a call from ‘The Boss’ (owner George Steinbrenner) today; he told me the only thing greater than this celebration is doing it two years in a row. So he asked me to remind everyone that pitchers and catchers report in 96 days—be ready to defend (the title).” Steinbrenner could not be at the parade on Friday because of poor health, but his son Hal summed up his father’s feelings. “It’s great to be back. It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years,” Hal Steinbrenner said. “Without you fans, none of this would be possible. You’ve supported us all year long through the good times and bad times, and this one is for my dad and to you (the fans). “My family has always made a commitment to field a championship-calibre team, and that will never change. With a little bit of luck, hopefully we can stand here a year from now.”
* Slugger Manny Ramirez will exercise his $20mn option to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2010 season, the team announced on their website on Friday. Ramirez, who signed a deal last off season that guaranteed him $25mn for 2009 and a player option for 2010, had until Tuesday to notify the club. The 37-year-old batted .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs last season but was hit with a 50-game suspension by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a banned substance.
Ramirez failed to regain top form after his return from the early season suspension. “There was no doubt he had his struggles this past season,” Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti told the Los Angeles Times. -AFP |
