Yankee Haters Rejoice

OK. So the New York Yankees crumpled for one night in Philly. All the better: The Bombers get a chance to close it out at the new Yankee Stadium with Dandy Andy Pettitte on the mound against an old familiar nemesis, Pedro Martinez. They couldn't ask for a better scenario for their 27th World Series title.

Gotta tip my cup to that Chase Utley guy. Unlike his larger, more powerful peers (Yes, that means you Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez), the Philadelphia Phillies' scrappy, little second baseman is putting on a clutch-hitting clinic, and he's doing it with pop. Two more homers Monday night gives him a record-tying five for the series, and as hot as he is, he certainly has a legitimate shot at becoming the sole record-holder.

For their part, the Yankees shouldn't get too comfortable. We all know what happened when they let down their collective guard in the 2004 ALCS. That's the proverbial monkey on their back if there ever was one (hmmm, can I come up with any more cliches?). Anyway, it's five years past, and I still can't believe it happened.

A Core of Four

Whether or not you're a fan of the New York Yankees, it's hard to not respect and admire those four veterans with four World Series rings each and a boat load of postseason baseball records -- Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera.

Yes, the records are slanted a bit by the wild-card era, but these guys have done some pretty amazing things over their careers, and they've done it without making a lot of off-field noise that other celebrity athletes in the Big Apple can't seem to stay away from.

For instance:

• Since his first full season in 1996, Jeter has never had fewer than 156 hits in a single season. That total came in 2003, the year he missed 43 games because of a groin injury.
• In 15 seasons (12 with the Yankees), Pettitte has never had a losing season. His worst season in terms of winning percentage came in 2008, when he was 14-14.
• As if being a switch-hitting catcher isn't impressive enough, Posada has homered in more ballparks (25) than any player in Yankees history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Also, Posada's community service efforts in both New York and his native Puerto Rico are exemplary.
• Rivera has so many accomplishments and great numbers, it's hard to find something that stands out above the others. How about this: About one walk for every four strikeouts over the course of his 15-year career (1,090 innings).

Most important, these guys showed up to play every day. They prepared, focused, hustled, gave no less than 100 percent, respected the opponent and won and lost with dignity. If you want your kids to see how to be ballplayers, make sure they watch these four Yankees.