Number 27

OK number 27, my favorite number, and one now of my favorite Championship Yankee teams.  Flawed and seemingly less than the sum of its talented parts, they somehow grew into champions by beating the baseball bullies at their own games- speed, power, pitching, even...team defense. This chameleon-esque team showed that being versatile is an asset in baseball, maybe the unique quality of the team.
This team had some all time Yankees at the heights of their games:
Jorge Posada, will be remembered as an offensive force from the catcher position;
Derek Jeter one of the great all-around players, a winner in every aspect of the game;
Alex Rodriguez (ARod)- enormous talents in a flimsy shell that this year seemed to grow into his potential, he may never hit 70 homers but he can again and again lead an offense to elite status;
Hideki Matsui- a true thoroughbred, champion character, like Jeter one of the players who will not lose, you have to beat them to the final strike, final out, a winner;
Mariano Rivera- simply the best at the most difficult job in baseball;
Andy Pettitte- a home grown winner, gets the most out of his strengths, a lot like Whitey Ford in the Fifties;
Johnny Damon- an underrated great player, has the mental toughness and smarts so many athletes lack in baseball;
Mark Teixera, A.J. Burnett and CC Sabbathia all paid dividends on investments, each was excellent and will be part of the core for a few years to come.
Next...the youngsters 20010, title # 28, and the future.