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

Call it a nice gesture, similar to when a quarter is put into a beggar’s cup. You feel better about yourself for being thoughtful but is that poor guy going to turn around and but a 20 ounce steak for dinner because of your donation?

After running out of excuses for the empty seats at the new Yankee Stadium – and pressure from Commissioner Bud Selig – the powers that be have lowered ticket prices, some up to 50 percent.

On April 28, the Yankees released an official statement that read “in light of the economy we will review the pricing of a small number of our premium locations at Yankee Stadium; specifically our Suite Seats.”  It goes on to boastfully tell us that “in excess of 3.4 million seats, including 37,000 full season equivalents as well as approximately 85 percent of all our premium locations have already been sold.”

Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ Managing General Partner (and lucky enough to be the level-headed son of George) was the one being quoted in the press release. The Boss’ offspring, who is less outspoken than his brother Hank but certainly not lacking in the ‘Yankee way,’ reluctantly slashed the exorbitant ‘First-Row Legends Suite’ prices from $2,500 for each seat per game to $1,250.

Before you begin to pop open the champagne in celebration, also note that this was only for the four sections on the outer half of the dugouts and photo boxes. In the 11 sections around home plate, you will still have to pay $2,500, but those who can splurge that much will also receive – free of charge – an equal number of first row tickets for the rest of the season.

There are other “bargains/concessions” listed, such as the $350 off of first row seats in the final three sections down each foul line. Down from their original price of a grand apiece, Bronx Bomber fans that are reluctant (or unable) to purchase the high-priced seats can take advantage of the front office’s gratitude.

Speaking of the front office, Hal Steinbrenner “encourages” fans to purchase full season ticket plans in a group of Field Level sections to take advantage of this steal: go out and buy a three pack of the rest of the games (that would have probably gone unsold) and receive the fourth on the arm.

If you were stupid enough to already have taken out a home equity loan to buy tickets in these sections, you will receive anywhere from two freebies (if you originally purchased two or three seats) up to four (if you bought eight).

If you’re mouth is watering at these new opportunities to take in a game in the Bronx, then my hat is off to you. You are a better (and richer) person than I am. Even if I slept in pinstriped pajamas every night I would not subject myself, family or friends to this and give in to what has become a playground for the kind of “fan” who has replaced his scorecard with a Blackberry checking stocks that keep falling. 

Photo by Bill Menzel

Two other teams played in the same venue and took credit for both states. The Knights of the WLAF and Hitmen of the XFL actually called themselves ‘New York/New Jersey’ during their short tenures in their respective leagues.

Even the one team that actually did play here in the New York is gone, maybe forever. The Dragons and the rest of the Arena Football League will sit out the 2009 season with the hope that by the time next year rolls around, the economic state of the league and its fans will be better.

All hope is lost, right? Maybe not, with the creation of the United Football League. The brand new outdoor league that is scheduled to kick off this October with four teams includes one in New York to be coached by former Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. The big question is where will they play? According to the league’s website, www.ufl-football.com, mentions a few possibilities, some more reasonable than the others. Just for window dressing, the page for the New York franchise states that both Citi Field and the new Yankee Stadium would be “ideal for a UFL team.” Fat chance that either place would ever see a football game, especially one from a league in its maiden season.

Figure on one of the next set of places spoken about to be the eventual location. Laurence Wein Stadium at Columbia University in Manhattan or James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra on Long Island both seat less than 20,000, a number attainable from an unknown entity than the 45,000 or 53,000 at the Mets and Yanks new surroundings.

Bringing football back to New York will probably be a good marketing tool, but of the team ends up in either of the other locations listed (Rutgers Stadium, Princeton Stadium or the future home of the MLS Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey) then they will have to come up with something different.

The other UFL teams will be in Las Vegas, Orlando and San Francisco and all have former NFL head coaches leading them. Jim Fassel (Giants), Jim Hasslet (Saints, Rams) and Dennis Green (Vikings, Cardinals), respectively, will give the league instant credibility and known names, at least on the sidelines.

Just who will don the uniforms of these four teams remains to be seen. There is no question that there will be a wide pool to choose from with the AFL and NFL Europe no longer an option, but quantity does not exactly mean quality. There has been some speculation that Michael Vick may be destined for the new league if no NFL teams want to touch him once he’s eligible to play again.

During a press conference, UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue said, “The first UFL game will take place on October 8 at AT&T Park, the home venue of the San Francisco Giants,” which has been the only stadium announced. He further said,” We will commence (that week) for a total of seven weeks which will conclude with our championship game in Las Vegas,” which will take place during Thanksgiving weekend. Huyghue also stated that the cable network VERSUS will broadcast weekly games.

Certain games will also be played in neutral markets such as Los Angeles and Hartford, in all likelihood potential expansion cities for next season.

Will they be successful, especially going head-to-head against the NFL? Most critics have said that any league would be better off playing in the spring, such as the new USFL plans to do in 2010.

But with a chance to finally land a team in New York, are we in any position to be picky?

It’s hard to fault Andy Pettitte for trying to shake the Yankee tree for as much money as he can. With the organization throwing money around as if it grew on the proverbial tree, the 36-year-old figures this may be his last shot at cashing in. The way his second half went last year, he may be overestimating his market value by a large margin.

The Yanks are offering him $10 million for one year and Pettitte wants the $16 million he earned the past two seasons in the Bronx. A 14-14 mark with an ERA of 4.54 will not help his cause, especially when you consider that he went 2-7 in his last 11 starts.

In case Pettitte forgot, he did state all summer long that he wanted to pitch in the new Yankee Stadium and that there aren’t many teams burning up his phone line with offers. This is a chance for him to go out gracefully the way he wants to and make a nice payday on top of it.

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Even if Pettitte returns, his place in the rotation would be number four at best. The offer that general manager Brian Cashman made to him in person at his Houston home will not be on the table forever. The Yankees are looking to ink another free agent hurler, such as A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe or Ben Sheets – all who are more effective than Pettitte.

Even if Burnett accepts the five-year, $80 million package from the Yankees, Pettitte may still have a spot on the team. But he has to keep in mind that he is not exactly the same pitcher he was when he joined the Astros as a free agent in 2003. He is older, suffered arm injuries and went through the Mitchell Report – HGH incident.

This will in all likelihood be Pettitte’s final season. It would be appropriate for him to finish up in a place that he is welcomed and feels comfortable in. Is $10 million such an insult? When the Bronx Bombers are giving a 300-pounder money that he wasn’t even asking for, it just may be.

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.