Lee Shines Brighter Than The NYC Skyline: Dismantles Yanks at Home

Game One of the 2009 World Series pitted two former Cy Young Award winning pitchers against one another Wednesday night. C.C. Sabathia, of the New York Yankees received the honor in 2008 as a Milwaukee Brewer, and Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies earned his in 2007 as a Cleveland Indian. With two of the biggest names in baseball squaring up in the first game of the World Series, the stage was set for a classic pitcher's duel.

The match-up of Sabathia and Lee was as advertised, exceeding expectations in fact.

Lee dazzled the Yankees with his spike curve and change-up, as he mesmerized the Bombers with his "cornocopia of nastiness" Wednesday night.

Perhaps one of the best late season trades in the history of the Phillies organization, Cliff Lee shined brighter than the New York City skyline. He was absoultely dominant, brilliant, and nearly flawless.

Alex Rodriguez, who has been a catalyst for the Yankee ball club, whiffed not once, not twice, but three times at the hands of Cliff Lee. Lee worked his magic on the "meat" of the Yankee lineup, making Texeira, Jeter, and A-Rod look silly.

Number 34 was awe-inspiring, as even the Yankee fans couldn't help but admire his soiree against their home town team.

Lee has been known to go deep into games, and this post season is no different. Cliff came in 2-0, with a stingy E.R.A of 0.74. He's averaging just about 7 innings per outing in October, and went the distance against the Yankees in Game One.

10 K's, no earned runs, and quite honestly looked like the best pitcher in baseball. To hold the Yankees to a goose egg in the World Series until the 9th inning is an accomplishment of it's own. To completely dismantle the big bats, effortlessly working his way efficiently into the 9th is another.

Lee gave up 6 hits, and the only run to score was on a Jimmy Rollins throwing error in the 9th inning.

Cliff Lee handled his business on the mound, while Chase Utley took care of his at the plate.

Chase Utley put the Phillies on the board with a solo shot off Sabathia in the 3rd inning, but one wasn't enough.

Chase went yard solo style again in the 8th inning, finishing 2 for 4, 2 HR's, 1 Sac Fly.

Raul Ibanez singled with the bags juiced to drive in two runs in the 8th, that put the Phills up 4-0.

Shane "The Flyin' Hawaiian" Victorino chipped in with an RBI single in the 9th, 5-zip Phillies.

Ryan Howard wouldn't go un-noticed, his RBI single in the 9th put Philadelphia up 6-0, and the fans at Yankee Stadium could not believe their eyes.

Sabathia looked sharp early for the Yankees, but could not get on the fast track like Philadelphia's Cliff Lee.

Sabathia gave up two dingers to Chase Utley, his pitch count was uncharacteristically high, 50 + in only 3 innings of work (100+ going into the 6th).

C.C. couldn't find his rhythm, and it was up to New York's struggling middle relievers to lend a hand.

That didn't happen.

Phil Hughes' lead off walk in the 8th put Rollins on, only to walk Victorino in the next at bat.

Marte, Robertson, and Bruney came in consecutively, but to no avail.

Robertson walked Jason Werth to load the bases, and Ibanez made him pay with his 2 RBI single.

The Yankees only had 4 base runners all night, and the Phillies handed them their first loss at home in the post season.

Lee K'd the side in the 4th inning, flashed a little leather on Cano in the 8th, and purely shredded the Yankees line up from top to bottom, and back again.

If Cliff Lee isn't on your list of elite pitchers in the MLB (he should be), he is now after Wednesday night's performance.

Cliff Lee must've had Public Enemy's "Shut 'em down" playing in his head as he spike curved his way to strike out after strike out. He was calm, cool, and collected for 9 innings.

Game Two will feature Pedro Martinez, who is no stranger to big games, against the Yankee ace A.J. Burnett.

The Phillies have jumped out early to claim a one game lead, but don't count the potent Yankee offense and starting pitching out just yet.

Jimmy Rollins predicted a 5 game series, with his Phillies coming out on top.

I beg to differ.

I think the series will go 7, and all though I'm not a Yankee fan (I loathe them in fact), I think they will pull it off.

This promises to be an exciting Fall Classic, and I can't wait for Game Two.

Fun Facts:

The last 6 World Series' have been won by the team that has won game one.

Jimmy Rollins appeared in several M.C. Hammer videos in the 1980's.

Joe Girardi is the 10th skipper to take the Yankees to a World Series.

The Yankees suffered their first home defeat of the post season Wednesday night.