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The wait is finally over.

After 5 days of waiting, the Philadelphia Phillies now know which team will they face. The New York Yankees just defeated the LA Angels in the American League Series of Game 6, 5-3 on board. It was a game that lasted for 3 hours and 40 minutes with 50,173 people in full anticipation.

The Phillies and Yankees have faced each other during the regular season, and the Phillies have won the series, 2-1, against the Yankees. Game 2 of that series was a walk-off win as Melky Cabrera hit a single, scoring Robinson Cano. Alex Rodriguez provided the tying run, a two-run homer to the right field.

Game 1 of the World Series will be started in the Yankee Stadium and starting pitchers will be CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. Both pitchers are considered aces in their ball clubs. But who will prevail?

Cliff Lee has a 14-13 record, 245 hits, 3 walks, 10 strikeouts, and a 3.22 ERA. CC Sabathia, on the other hand, has an amazing 19-8 record. He has allowed 197 hits and 67 walks while striking out 197. If Mo is capable of calming the Yankees organization, and fans alike, during the late innings, CC has a calming effect on me when he's starting for the Bombers.

Both NL and AL teams know how big the World Series will be. The Philadelphia Phillies will do everything to defend their title while the New York Yankees will be looking forward for a 27th World Series title.

There are a lot of World Series rookies from the Yankees, but the Old Guard remains intact. The last Old Guard appearance in the World Series, excluding Andy Pettitte who was in the Astros, was on 2004. This would be a nice reunion, especially that Pettitte is back to the Yankees. With new members in their club, the World Series will be more exciting.

The Phillies and Yankees are strong teams in their respective leagues, but only one team will claim the 2009 World Series title. I am a fan of both teams, but I am rooting for my top favourite team, the New York Yankees.

The National and American League Series are over.  But, "It ain't over till it's over." It must be a wonderful night for Yogi Berra who watched the game. I'd love to hear what he's got to say about Game 6.

This was supposed to be just a blog entry, but it seemed like it's worth a post in b/r. I did post it there, marking my fourth post as a contributor. The link is here: The Yankees share history with the Mets in their 2009 Subway Series

But I'll still post the whole article, or supposedly blog entry, here.

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The New York Yankees are rising like a phoenix. And they keep making legends.

The Bronx Bombers won the first Subway Series of the season with 2 out of 3 against the Metropolitans. It was in the Yankee Stadium. And it was an unforgettable one, especially the ninth inning drama of the first game when A-Rod popped up his team's last chance to stay in the game. Then it would be the final out.

But it's Baseball. Anything can happen. And something happened.

The popped up ball went to Luis Castillo's glove, and it went through. He dropped the ball and Derek Jeter scored with Mark Teixeira coming off the first base. Jeter tied the game but with Teixeira's attitude, the Pinstripers won the game.

The Yankee first baseman is known for being an athlete who never gives up. He reached the home plate wondering what just happened as their captain embraced and congratulated him. A-Rod even called Teixeira his MVP of the night.

It was an unforgettable night for everyone who watched the game, be it in the Yankee Stadium or in their homes, or even in pubs. The Yankees won that night with 9-8 against the Mets.

The game that followed may have been meant for the Mets. They won 5-2 against the Yankees. But that was all for them. The game that followed on Sunday night was won by the Yankees, 15-0.

The second Subway Series was held in Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. But the Yankees were not bothered at all if it's not their home stadium. They only have one goal: win. And they did. There may be no more Castillo clutch but the Yankees swept the Mets with 9-1, 5-0, 4-2, respectively.

The first game was an astounding 18 up, 18 down by CC Sabathia. He only allowed three hits and one home run by Gary Sheffield, all in the fifth inning. The relief pitcher Brett Tomko was also amazing with his 6 up, 6 down in the last two innings.

The Saturday night game was also an splendid one. Starting pitcher AJ Burnet accomplished a record of 10 strike outs, 3 walks, 1 hit but no run. Brian Bruney pitched in the eight inning and David Robertson on the ninth. Each relief pitcher had 3 up, 3 down.

The Sunday night game may have allowed the Mets for 2 runs, but the Yanks still won. But what made this game memorable is it's part in Baseball history, at least to the Yankees' history. Maybe for the New York Mets also.

Mariano Rivera had his 500th save during the Sunday night game, marking him as the second with most saves next only to Milwaukee's Trevor Hoffman who has 571 saves. Many Baseball players, team mates or not, consider Rivera as the best closer they've ever met.

The Sandman's career history didn't end there. It was also his third plate appearance and first walk slash first career RBI. The saving pitcher said, "The RBI is the best. It was my first RBI. It was my 500th save." His team mates probably thought the same. Everyone, especially Derek Jeter who is the captain of the Yankees, said nothing but praises for Mariano Rivera.

Mo was batting against Mets' Francisco Rodriguez, who was also the relieving pitcher when A-Rod had his pop up RBI to Luis Castillo. It's amusing how K-Rod's presence in the mound against the Yanks contributes to the Bronx Bombers' history. Perhaps it will also become part of the Metropolitans' history.

Mariano Rivera's force is recognized not only among his team mates. It extends to every batter who came to hit against him and to every one who knows him. He is not just a relief pitcher. His mere presence in the batter's box could even pull out every Yankee out of the bullpen and dugout, which rarely happens.

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Music: Metallica - Enter Sandman

I never thought that someday I'd be writing an article about sports. Never ever. But who knows of what lies ahead?

Two days ago, I joined Bleacher Report. It's a website where sports fans gather and post articles about whatever they have in mind on a particular game, athlete or sport event. I've been reading entries from this website and just yesterday, I posted my first article.

Writing is not easy, especially for serious writers. It is important that you're telling the truth. I only have two written articles, yet, because I'm just beginning to follow sports, especially Baseball. I don't know much so I have to be careful.

Today (tonight in New York) started the second series of the Yankees vs. Mets game. I'm so glad to have watched it live on ESPN, not just because I am a fan of the Yankees. The game was amazing, for the Yankees' part. It felt like the first time I saw them playing. Too bad it wasn't the same for the Mets. They committed three errors in one inning. But, Castillo was able to do well as the second baseman. He was able to redeem himself for what happened during the first subway series.

Related links:
*18 Up, 18 Down by the Big C at the Citi Field by Shinrai Aquino
*MLB's wrap up details by MLB.com
*Sabathia Dominant in Baseball Games and Video Games by The New York Times

Music: OLIVIA - Tears and Rainbow