World Champions in the BronXXVII

Matsui ties mark with six RBIs; Pettitte gets 'W' in clincher

Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The final out nestled softly in Mark Teixeira's glove, and as his teammates rushed the field in ecstasy, the first baseman had to look down -- first to make sure the ball was still there, then to believe this: the Yankees have won the World Series.

It was the dream that the franchise had waited nine years to fulfill, and as the players clustered to celebrate the perfect ending to the inaugural season at Yankee Stadium, they can finally -- and forever -- claim that the 27th championship is theirs.

"You realize how difficult it is to get here," Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. "I never lost sight of the fact that it's very difficult to get to the World Series, let alone to win one. You realize and remember how hard it is."

With Mariano Rivera inducing Shane Victorino to hit an easy ground ball to second base for the 27th and final out, the Yankees' mission statement was complete on Wednesday, frozen in the history books with a 7-3 victory over the Phillies in Game 6 of the World Series.

"This is what the Steinbrenner family has strived for, year after year -- to deliver to the city of New York," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "To be able to deliver this to the Boss, the stadium that he created and the atmosphere around here, it's very gratifying to all of us."

In what may have been their final games in pinstripes, Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs and Andy Pettitte stepped up on three days' rest to green-light what promises to be a raucous celebration parade down the Canyon of Heroes on Friday starting at 11 a.m. ET.

"This is what you set out to do when you go to Spring Training," Pettitte said. "It's a great feeling to be able to accomplish with the rest of the team. This is what you play for."

With old foe Pedro Martinez standing in the way of the end to a nine-year title drought, Matsui starred on the biggest stage of his career, belting a two-run homer and drilling a two-run single off the Phillies right-hander to provide Pettitte, the old workhorse, with a cushy advantage.