For Yankees, John, Paul, and George Enough: Who Needs Ringo?

Al Bello/Getty Images

As I sift through the rubble that was the New York Yankees 27th World Series title, being a Phillies fan, I feel not shame, but respect for our conquerors.

A 7-3 victory in Game Six gave the Yankees a 4-2 victory Wednesday night in the Bronx.

As I have stated several times in this format, and to friends, I thought the series was over after Game Four, a 7-4 Yankees victory. The Yankees at that point, had a 3-1 series lead.

But in Game Five, for fans of both teams, the pendulum swung, as the Phillies lit up A.J. Burnett for six runs in two innings and with an 8-6 win, closed the series gap to 3-2.

Burnett left the game in the third inning without recording an out.

I jumped on the opportunity to write a pro-Phillies story that stated my team would take the next two games, largely due to the Yankees' use of a three-man rotation. Obviously, it didn't happen.

But Monday's Yankee loss was enough for New York fans to question Joe Girardi's decision to use a rotation of C.C. Sabathia, Burnett, and Andy Pettitte, pictured above exiting Wednesday's game in the sixth.

While writing the headline, I thought of other great, four-men groups.

None better than the Beatles. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison were the orginal members, along with drummer Pete Best. Best was dropped and Ringo Starr added.

Their song, P.S., I love you by the Beatles is running through my head ("As I write this letter (story) .."), but the song should be Blue Oyster Cult's Godzilla .

"Stupid DH rule," I texted my buddy after Hideki Matsui hit a two-run home run off Pedro Martinez.

Matsui, the Yankees designated hitter who went 3-4 with a home run and six RBI, accounted for most of the Yankees offense on Wednesday.

His .615 series average and monster Game Six, earned Matsui the Series' MVP award.

Pettitte won two games in the series, and the Phillies could not take advantage of his five walks in the deciding game. Sabathia pitched well, and although Burnett imploded in Game Five, he got the win in Game Two.

So, while Phillies fans gloated following Game Five, and Yankees fans shivered in fear, Tuesday's off day gave me pause, and some clearer thinking.

Going into Wednesday's game, I realized that from the Yankees' point of view, they absolutely needed to win Game Six, and not allow a Game 7.

I heard on the FAN, WFAN, 66-AM on Wednesday, that Mariano Rivera would pitch three innings if necessary.

It wasn't. Joba Chamberlain and Damaso Marte got the job done.

Too bad. Because in Game Five, one thing was true for Phillies fans:

Things go better with Coke.

Congrats, Yankees.

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