Six games, five rings, four Yankees

Shared success 'priceless' for Jeter, Mo, Pettitte, Posada

Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The waves of applause were cascading from Yankee Stadium's three quivering decks, and Derek Jeter hoisted the championship trophy high over his head, his wide grin flush with satisfaction.

At his sides, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera looked on with knowing acknowledgement. They recognized that look from the captain -- they knew what he was feeling. And it had been far, far too long since they had seen it.

"This is right back where it belongs," Jeter said, the metal of a 27th World Series trophy glinting in the stadium lights.

Only four players remained of the group from the previous dynasty seasons, those who could now claim one ring for the thumb, owning five World Series titles in a Yankees uniform.

They are the group that knows each other so well, they can tell at times what each other is thinking during game action -- don't bother trying to steal signs, because as Posada revealed this week, the "Core Four" can sometimes communicate even with the most imperceptible glance or head nod.

"It's priceless. Priceless," Rivera said. "It's wonderful. To be able to play with those bunch of guys -- it's like working for a company with four people for your whole career. God bless those guys. Wonderful."

They know exactly what it will feel like on Friday as they roll down the Canyon of Heroes, a city within the palms of their hands, because they have felt it before.

"I can't be happier than I am right now with this special team that we have," Rivera said. "We worked hard for this one. It's a beautiful thing."

When this all began, it was the autumn of 1996 and Jeter was the rookie shortstop, Pettitte was a 21-game winner earning his stripes in the postseason, Posada had only played eight games and was left off the roster and Rivera was making management think it might not need to re-sign closer John Wetteland.