Giving Thanks To Yanks: Estimated Million Fans Shower World Series Champs With Love

November 6, 2009 3:46 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - An estimated one million fans lined Broadway Friday morning to fete the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees.

The Bronx Bombers wrapped up the title with a game six win over the Phillies.

The celebration was nine years in the making since the team's last title in 2000 over their city-rival Mets.

Yankee fans reveled in the team's record 27th championship, listening to speeches from soon to be third-term mayor Mike Bloomberg and watching a performance from rapper Jay-Z.

Radio and TV voices for the Yanks, Michael Kay and John Sterling, introduced fans to players at a ceremony where the newest champions received keys to the city.

About the only important Yankee luminary who did not attend was Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, who has been dealing with failing health in recent years.

He was not forgotten however, with remarks from former Yankee great Reggie Jackson and his son, Hal, who took over the day-to-day operations of the team last year.

"It's a magical day," said Hal Steinbrenner. "New York just has the best fans in the world."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi, second guessed throughout the season in just his second year at the helm, accepts the high expectations everyone has for the special franchise.

"The only thing greater than this celebration is doing it two years in a row," Girardi told the crowd. "So [Yankee owner George Steinbrenner] asked me to remind everyone, pitchers and catchers report in 96 days. Be ready to defend it."