That's the sort of championship drought any other franchise would love to endure. Of course, few franchises endure the criticism the Yankees face. Second-year manager Joe Girardi and Cashman drew scathing reviews after Girardi replace Joe Torre, who was allowed to walk.
Girardi, strict and abrasive, rubbed many players the wrong way in 2008. This spring, he called off a practice for a bonding exercise: a pool tournament. That unity lasted, Cashman said:
"To be able to maintain that in this city, with the scrutiny that we have, and the big egos that come with players that we are attracted to, it's a remarkable job by the manager . . . Thankfully, we were able to do something for the city and the boss."
Hank Steinbrenner agreed. The son of George and the man running the show with his father's health deteriorated, he lauded Girardi and reported that this title made his father "very emotional."
Well, 9 years is a long time.
The wailing you hear is coming from Wrigley Field.
Last night's reascension was not without a few pleasant moments.
Japan's most fearsome import to date, designated hitter Hideki Matsui, drove in six runs last night, tying the Series record set by the Yankees' Bobby Richardson in 1960. He finished at .615 with three home runs and eight RBI, and won the series MVP award. He is a free agent and, after landing in New York having won three titles in Japan, this was his first World Series title.
It could be a sweet sayonara if, as expected, it is Matsui's last game as a Yankee.
Pleasant lefty Andy Pettitte played a central role, too. He won Game 2 and, on 3 days' rest, came back and muddled through the dangerous Phillies lineup for 5 2/3 innings, seldom sharp: five walks, three runs, four hits.
He was sharp enough, long enough.
