Fast forward to the fourth of November and all of the chatter early on that you can’t buy a championship has quieted. Yes, the Yankees do have many home grown components on the roster but without the addition of the big three free agents there would not have been a 27th World championship won.

After a rash of busts that have gone through Yankee Stadium since the last championship in 2000, the organization was meticulous in doing their home work. They needed to address the starting rotation and did so in astonishing fashion, inking lefthander CC Sabathia and righty A. J. Burnett. With Jason Giambi’s albatross of a contract finally expired, the Yankees had a hole at first base.

At the 11th hour, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman swooped in and signed Mark Teixiera right under Boston’s nose. This completed the trifecta of big name additions and immediately put the Yankees as favorites to win it all.

They not only dominated the regular season by finishing with the best overall record but easily dismissed the Twins and Angels in the playoffs. They then defeated the defending champions in six games. The Phillies were a formidable opponent but it was men versus boys. Even the biggest Yankee hater has to tip his or her hat to them following the 7-3 clincher at the new Yankee Stadium.

It is quite amazing when you sit back and ponder that not only have the Yankees captured 27 titles but also 40 American League pennants since they moved from Baltimore back in 1903. The next two teams on the list are the St. Louis Cardinals with 10 World Series championships and the Athletics franchise (Philadelphia, Kansas City and Oakland) is next with nine.

Even the staunches Yankee hater has to tip his or her hat to them. Come to think of it, a bigger story this year would have been if they didn’t win it all.

NEW YORK YANKEES WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPS

1923, 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009

Photo by Bill Menzel

Perhaps it was fitting that Andy Pettitte received the win in the final game ever at Yankee Stadium. Improving to 14-14, the veteran southpaw persevered to even his mark after going winless in his previous five starts. His last win came back on August 20 at Toronto.

It has been a trying season for Pettitte, who had to deal with all the performance-enhancing drug allegations against himself and good friend Roger Clemens. That seemed to be forgotten as he started out 9-5, but since going 4-0 in June, he has not faired as well.

Once the season concludes, both Pettitte and the Yankees need to make some very important decisions. First off, Pettitte has to decide if he wants to return for his 15th major league campaign. At 36, he is not very old, but has obviously passed his prime some time ago. He can still be a good starter in this league and would probably be invited back on a one-year deal with an option if he decides to come back.

Figure on the Yankees to be very active in both the trade and free agent markets, especially for starters. With the opening of the new Yankee Stadium, money will be no object (as if it ever was in the Bronx). Top of the line free agents like C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets will receive offers from the Yanks and they may land one of them.

The Yankees’ general manager situation is also up in the air. Incumbent Brian Cashman’s contract is up and he is no lock to return.

One is waiting for his day in court, the other for the next World Baseball Classic. Both have Hall of Fame Credentials and are young enough to still be playing. If chicks still dig the long ball, then this pair could still attract a harem full. But Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa haven’t received a sniff since they both became free agents following the 2007 season. And they shouldn’t expect anything to change in the near or far future.

Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record last summer and then was run out of San Francisco, while Sosa made a nice comeback in Texas, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 92 runs in 114 games. But the Dominican slugger was not asked to return and now has said that he intends on retiring after the next WBC, which is scheduled for March of 2009. How the 39 year-old intends on staying in game shape between now and then remains to be seen, but speculation will be running rampart on Sosa going back to his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

It is apparent that the owners do not want to touch either with a 10-foot pole, and although it may be called ‘collusion,’ it is also good business. Bonds attracted a media circus in every city he visited, and the distraction of the home run chase took away from his teammates. The venom from the fans on the road could not have been good for anyone, including Bonds. At 43, his skills have diminished, but he still was able to go .276/28/66 with all the hype in 126 games a year ago. Although he is not viewed as an outfielder at this stage, he could be a dangerous designated hitter for some American League club. The Tampa Bay Rays were said to be interested in Bonds during the spring, but now that they have had a successful first half, they seem to have made the right decision to not sign him.

The ugly specter of steroids looms large over America’s Pastime, and teams want to turn the page. By signing either Bonds or Sosa, the progression to move away from this era will take a step back.

Even if both of them could still hit one out on their worst day.