'Boss', 'Core Four' Among Nine Reasons Yanks Won 27th World Series

November 5, 2009 2:17 a.m. EST

Bronx, NY (AHN) - George Steinbrenner, a.k.a. "Boss" and the "Core Four" of Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada are among nine reasons the New York Yankees won their 27th World Series Wednesday night.

---Despite being lampooned by Larry David/'Seinfeld' and even willing to make fun of himself in a classic SNL skit, George Steinbrenner is a winner and expects nothing less than greatness from his teams. The "Boss" presence was missed at the stadium, but his stamp is all over these Yankees.

---It's been a long nine years since the "Core Four" enjoyed a title and all four played varying roles in World Series championship No. 27. The foursome bring experience, cool leadership and clutch play that  other teams can't match.

---Hideki Matsui: as classy and humble as anyone to ever wear the Pinstripes. The World Series MVP is even larger than the six RBI he produced in game six.

---Free-agent acquisitions CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira: The latter pair had ups-and-downs in the Classic, but the Yanks would not have even have even been there without their contributions.

---A-Rod: How sweet it must be for the game's most talented player to come through on its largest stage. Nothing left to criticize after .365 batting average, 18 RBI and 15 runs scored in postseason.

---History: Unlike the bumbling Mets, the Yanks have the burden/expectations of a remarkably successful past. There is something special about being a part of the team's tradition and players know it.

---Nick Swisher: Sparkplug kept the Yankees fun all season with the extra hop and skip he provided. His joy for the game rubbed off on his teammates, and made up for a batting slump he endured in the postseason.

---Red Sox: Showed the Yankees some of the extra desire and passion it would take to win again with their pair of World Series crowns. Also didn't show love to Johnny Damon, who signed with Yanks and became a key contributor in Bronx.

---Rudy Guiliani/Yankee fans: New York will always have a place in its heart for the former mayor, who kept the city together during 9/11 and has been a loyal Yankee fan through thick-and-thin.

Baseball isn't as important as other things in this country, but it is still comforting to see that some things, like the Yankees pursuit of excellence, never seems to change.