The New York Yankees: The best team money could buy.
But the backbone of the Yankees’ 27th championship team is not the three free agents New York committed $423.5 million to during the offseason. The Fantastic Four — and their fistful of rings — have been the backbone of this team for over a decade and once again produced on the biggest stage.
Their fearless leader, Derek Jeter, batted .344 with 14 runs this postseason.
The man behind the plate, Jorge Posada, is still a power bat in the lineup and had three RBI in Game 4 of the World Series.
The winningest playoff pitcher ever, Andy Pettitte, recorded two more wins in the World Series, further bloating his record 18 postseason victories.
The best closer of all time, Mariano Rivera, allowed just one earned run in 16 innings this postseason and was asked to get five outs in the clincher on Wednesday night. No problem.
So is this title the final farewell to the Fantastic Four?
If so, who will carry the torch as the next group of true Yankees?
These five-time champions were brought up through the farm system, not purchased by the highest bidder.
In the case of Jeter, Posada and Rivera, they have prospered while only wearing one uniform.
Can you see Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain celebrating another Yankees’ championship 10 years from now?
This title may not only be the end of the Fantastic Four, but the end of the true, farm-grown Yankee.
