The 2009 World Series is over, and once again the New York Yankees have spent their way to a championship. Money does not guarantee wins and players must still win the game on the field. However, in modern baseball a team cannot truly compete without spending a great deal of money and the Bronx Bombers spent in excess of $200 milliion. The broad spectrum of baseball fans will complain because baseball has never been on a level playing field and the Yankees capitalize on the greed and power-hungry personality of George Steinbrenner. Yankee fans will respond by saying that eveyone else is just jealous. In many ways, they are right. Who wouldn't want to root for a team that has a chance to win every single year? In that regard, it doesn't seem to be that hard to root for the Yankees, since they always have an unfair advantage. Here are a few thoughts on the latest Yankee victory in the 2009 World Series.

Pitching, pitching, pitching

As with many years prior, the series came down to pitching. C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte led a dominant Yankee staff that was backed by Mariano Rivera, who is still extremely effective. Granted, the Phillies pitchers weren't exactly ineffective. Cliff Lee was dominant, and Philadelphia also got solid pitching from Cole Hamels and Pedro Martinez (except for game 6). However, this particular element came down to two heavyweight staffs where one heavyweight had more pounds, a longer reach, and greater stamina.

Capitalizing on opportunities

Another key to the series was opportunities. The Yankees have a number of players that have made a career out of clutch hitting and taking advantage of situations. Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon were very good, and even Alex Rodriguez conquered his extreme insecurity to hit the way that every Yankee fan hoped he would all along. Of course, in true front-runner fashion, the Yankee fans that have crucified A-Rod for years and have never allowed him to be considered a "true" Yankee quickly jumped on his bandwagon and proclaimed that they were with him all along.

The Bombers, indeed

The series also came down to lineups, which again favored the Yankees. While the Phillies have a great lineup, the Yankees had a better one, and it showed in the series. Chase Utley was amazing, and probably should have been awarded the MVP for the series. However, the Yankees were tough from top to bottom, and they showed that they really have no holes in their lineup. Even the members of their bench could be starters on many other teams in the league.

Buying success

When the series concluded, it was clear that Steinbrenner had finally overcome his bumbling acquisitions for the last nine years and purchased another championship. The Yankees won their 27th championship, but many of their titles are hollow because they are the bully that celebrates his victory over the ninety-pound weakling. Baseball needs a salary cap, but unfortunately too many owners are weak, and the players only care about getting paid. Now baseball fans just have to wait for 2010, and see which high-priced free agents are signed by the Yankees for another championship run.

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
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