With the World Series in the books and the Yankees' victory parade a few short hours away, we felt it fitting to unload the best of the best video from last night's victory celebration.

As you know, our cameras were rolling after the final out, as intrepid anchor Lolita Lopez and the rest of the PIX sports crew interviewed a bunch of the Bombers (check it out two posts down).

What you didn't see, though, were the rest of the festivities from inside the locker room, on the victory podium and on the Yankee Stadium field.

What follows is a short compilation of the best moments from the Yankees' World Series party last night....Game 6's "Greatest Hits," if you will.

Some moments are candid, some were meant for all to see, and others just an excuse to show champagne being poured on everyone.

Check it out:

Congratulations to the Yankees on their 27th World Championship. It is very well deserved. They were the best team in baseball once Alex Rodriguez returned to the club in May.

The Mets? It has to be a tough day for the club and more so for their fans.Their season pretty much was done June 12th, when Luis Castillo dropped a pop up that cost the Mets a game at Yankee Stadium. Still, if you're a fan of this blog, you know that I officially "ended" the Mets season on July 17th. The only sound you hear at Citi Field is the wind howling past the Shake Shack. I got several looks, curious to hilarious, wearing a Mets cap today.

As the Yankees celebrate their title, I hope that Fred and Jeff Wilpon wake up and see that it is days like today, with fans rejoicing and media outlets going gaga over the Yankees (rightfully) that should spur them to make the right moves to bring a World Championship back to Flushing. Right now, the Mets are as relevant in the Big Apple as air conditioning at the North Pole.

It took nine years since the last one, but the Yankees are finally World Series Champions again, besting the Phillies 4-games-to-2.

Seems like it was a different hero every night for the Yanks, and tonight was no exception with Hideki Matsui’s record-tying six RBI night.

But of course title #27 was a group effort and WE HAD THE LOCKER ROOM COVERED, talking to nearly everyone and anyone wearing pinstripes.

We’ve got all the video below, so click to hear from:

Jeter, Mariano, A-Rod, Pettitte, Nick Swisher, AJ, Hughes, Joba and Brett Gardner.

Way to go Yanks! Enjoy!

I love this World Series! I love baseball! I love the nervous energy the WS has created across the city and beyond. I mean the Yankees are just a game away from their 27-th world title. But I am struck by how the Yankees dominated all talk radio today even the non-sports ones. (well except NPR, thanks Brian Lehrer!) I understand the Yankees/Phillies are big news but when there are big elections across the Tri State area, I am concerned. It seems from what I heard, that folks knew more about why Andy Pettitte was pitching in Game 6 (from his little rest to his previous game stats) than information (real information) about Mayor Bloomberg's education record.

I went to vote at my local polling station and saw the names before and after mine were blank, which means those folks haven't voted yet (I hope). There were some biggies in my area: D.A., Mayor, County Executive,and City Council. From NY to NJ, there are many positions up for grabs that have a huge impact on many of our lives. So why do people in general not care so much? Polls are down all over but mention the Yanks and it's electricity. Elections aren't as exciting as the World Series. I think anyone can agree with that. I just hope we, as a group, know that whether the Yankees win or lose, our lives will go on. What they do in the 2009 World Series won't affect whether my child's school has an arts program, whether my taxes go up...but who we put in office WILL.

Will tonight be the night? I still say, "no", the Yanks WONT beat Cliff Lee this series, but they are on track to win #27 in the Bronx. Nice and tidy in front of their home fans.

By the way, I still say Charlie Manuel threw away this series by NOT pitching Lee in Game 4. Huge mistake. Manuel couldn't let this series get to 3-1, and Lee was the only way to stop that from happening (plus he'd have him for a potential appearance in Game 7...probably not going to happen now).

Great game tonight that featured what some are calling the biggest hit of Alex Rodriguez's career. I guess you could argue his two-out double off Brad Lidge was his biggest hit ever.

But my favorite play of the game came a couple minutes earlier when Johnny Damon stole second base, then, realizing nobody was covering third swiped that bag, too.

Ted Ginn returns a kickoff for a TD

The Jets are crashing... After starting the season at 3-0, they have lost 4 of their last 5 games. Sunday, they lost to the Miami Dolphins. The Fish have swept the season series against the Jets, dealing them losses in games that have come down to the last play. The Jets allowed two 100 yard kickoff returns to Ted Ginn and the offense and defense could not make enough plays to offset Ginn's heroics. We were at the Meadowlands to get the Jets reaction after the game. We start with a very annoyed Bart Scott who takes a sarcastic jab at the Dolphins.

Bart Scott
 

Rex Ryan
 

Mark Sanchez
 

The World Series heads to Philly tied at a game a piece after the Yanks' 3-1 win in game two (as was guaranteed in this space....one post below).

Kudos to AJ Burnett for picking up his first career post season win, all the while putting the Yankees on his back until the baseballs finally remembered they're supposed to carry out of the new stadium.

If you've been keeping up with our thought process here on the blog, game two was a must win for the Yanks.....as is every game NOT started by Cliff Lee.

Check game two off the list. Next up, Cole Hamels in a hostile Citizen's Bank Park.

As for tonight's game, we were in the locker room(s) and talked to some of the big shots from the game.

Also, as a BONUS for our loyal Huddle readers, we actually trudged our lazy butts over to the visitor's locker room and stuck a mic in Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins' faces.

So take a listen to what they have to say along with: Jeter, A-Rod, Mariano, Jose Molina and Jerry Hairston Jr.

Enjoy!

The Yanks got an up-close and personal look at why the Phillies made it to the World Series -- namely dominating pitching from Cliff Lee and offense from the power hitting infielder de-jour (Chase Utley tonight, Ryan Howard or Jimmy Rollins any other game).

While I'm 99% sure the Yanks will win Thursday night and send this thing to Philly tied at a game a piece, I think the Yanks have to be concerned about possibly facing Lee two more times.

I'm not sure what Charlie Manuel's plans are for the rest of the series as far as starting pitching is concerned, but this i know:

The Yankees WILL NOT beat Cliff Lee this series.

Catch my drift here?

Oh Pedro...38 years old (his birthday was Sunday) and your right back at it like it was just yesterday. Being back at Yankee Stadium will not be something new to you, but who cares, you are PEDRO! I keep arguing with Bobby (producer) who hates that Pedro is Phillies' Game 2 starter. I say, BRAVO Charlie Manuel. If Pedro is anything like he was in his start against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS ( 7 I, 2 H, 0 ER), then there is a shot, the masterful, calm and focused pitcher can keep the Yankees bats at bay and get the Phillies a win in the Bronx.

I respect Pedro's grit and guts as a TRUE athlete. He just produces. Come on, I know many of you thought "there's no way another team will pick him up unless they are desperate", when the Mets didn't resign him. Sure enough, he ended up (UGH) with the Phillies. Then there were some smirks, I'm sure, when he sat out the first half with injury. Presto...like magic, he is back and better than ever. Unreal! I hope that THAT rubs off on all those younger players. In reading an old blog from Matt E., many of these younger athletes lack the "stuff" that Pedro and CC and Johan possess naturally. Can't wait for Game 2...AJ, watch out...Pedro is hated but uses it for good...you, fall apart. I'm melting....

Here are some numbers on Pedro in the Bronx for you staticians:

0-1, 5.40 ERA in 2 postseason starts at old Yankee stadium

8-4, 2.95 ERA in 16 regular sesaon starts at YS.

As a lifelong Mets fan, I perhaps have never felt as much stress as I do now. After one of the worst seasons in team history given the expectations, I now see the NOT SO Amazin's Big Apple rivals and their National League nemesis meeting in the 105th World Series. Let's hope that the Wilpons are watching to learn how to rightly see how it's done.

I'll say here and now that I wish all these New York "Chamber of Commerce" fans like Mike Bloomberg who root for the Yanks just because it's a Fall Classic in New York would go away and hide. That's almost as cheesy as newscasters who wear team hats on the set. Back in 2000, after watching video of the Mets beat the Cardinals to win the National League Pennant and earn the right to face the Yankees, one newsie said, "I'll put on a Mets cap when they reach the World Series!" Please.

Below is my look at and reasoning for the YANKEES winning in 6 games.

The Yankees advanced to the World Series for the first time since 2003 with tonight’s Game six win over the Angels in the Bronx.

We were there for the post game celebration….and seeing how it’s 2:30 A.M. and my hair has officially clumped into a solid helmet due to champagne saturation….we’ve dumped the best interviews from the night right here in the blog so I can go home and grab a shower.

We talked to everyone including Jeter, Mo, CC, AJ, Swisher, Tex, Hughes, Joba and Johnny Damon.

Also, as a very special bonus EXCLUSIVE to the Huddle blog…..a
one-on-one with Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson.

Among the highlights: We asked Reggie if this team has what it takes
to be a champion, if the players today seek out his advice, and if the
Yankee teams of the 70’s celebrated wins the same way they do
today….(hint: it wasn’t called the ‘swinging 70’s’ for nothing).

Click below to hear all the interviews:

With game six of the ALCS postponed tonight and the pundits having 24 more hours to fill with no game to talk about, the inevitable question has arisen:

Who will benefit more from tonight’s cancellation?

As far as the game play on the field, I argue that neither team has an edge playing in the soggy weather. I don’t buy the whole “team from So. California unable to play in wet conditions” thing.

Most players on EITHER roster are from the west coast, southeast or Latin America…cold is cold to these guys regardless of where you play your 82 home games.

Strategically, though, the extra day off allows the Angels to throw ace John Lackey in a potential game seven on Monday.

Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada

When I blogged about game 3, I said the Yankees really needed to grab that game. It was right there but Joe Girardi's overmanaging took a win out of their hands. I said the Angels would be a pain in the neck and that came out to be true. So here we are looking at a Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees are still in the driver's seat but you have to wonder if 2004 is starting to creep back into their conscious. They say no, but if they lose 6... Yankee Stadium will be a very tense place for Game 7. We sampled some Yankee opinions... Listen in...

Andy Pettitte
 

Nick Swisher and Derek Jeter
 

I boldly predicted before tonight’s game 5 (to nobody in particular) that the Yankees would lose, thus bringing the series back to the Bronx.

When I made that prediction, I was thinking something like a 3-hitter from John Lackey. But while the Angels ace didn’t go the distance against the Yanks, he was still very good and left the game before the Yankees scored any runs.

What did the Bombers in tonight was their inability to put the Angels away after taking a 6-4 lead in the 7th. LA answered that Yankee barrage with three runs of their own in the home half of the inning.

Plenty of blame to go around for that one; should Joe Girardi have let AJ Burnett come out to start the 7th?, was Damaso Marte the best choice as his replacement?, why isn’t Phil Hughes dominating like he did in the regular season?

Anyway, enough second-guessing….on to my next bold prediction:

The Yankees will close out the series Saturday with a win in game six.

Before I get too far into this, I still believe the Yanks will win this series.

But after their performance tonight, there’s reason to worry: this team, specifically the bullpen, lacks the killer instinct typical of championship teams.

After that awe-inspiring rally in the top of 7th, the Yankees needed to come out blazing in the bottom of the inning and get that “shut down” frame.

Unfortunately for the Yanks they did anything BUT shut down the Angels. L.A. bounced back with three runs to take the lead en route to a come-from-behind win.

So where does the blame lie? Some might say with Joe Girardi. You could second-guess his move to keep AJ Burnett in to start the 7th inning. You could also argue that Damaso Marte has no reason pitching in this series (I would argue that).

But for me the main issue is the lack of a killer instinct in the bullpen….namely the young guys, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain.

How might that be? I’m glad you asked.

Well, two weeks ago you’ll remember the Giants killed the Raiders, 44-7.

It was after that game Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said that playing against the Raiders was like playing a scrimmage.

Now while probably true, it’s not a particularly nice thing to say about your NFL brethren.

So what does this have to do with the Jets? I’m getting to that….jeez, be a little patient, would ya?

I am an old school type person. I believe in pitchers going until they can't anymore ala CC and Seaver and Johan. I don't like "the rules". I hate the tap tap, fix the batting gloves (though I am okay with the celebration, I'm emotional, what can I say?) I DO believe in umpires too so know that when I say, give me instant replay!

When I write a story, I use spell check. If not on my computer, I have a friend edit my writing. For many important things in life, we have someone looking over our shoulders to make sure we are doing whatever it may be as well as possible. So why not instant replay to check the "biggies" as I call them in baseball, especially in the playoffs?! The botched calls in last night's Yankees/Angels game were just embarrassing, NOT because they happened but because like always the umpires brush it off. They have become the "untouchables".

Tim McClelland admitted his error in the Cano/Posada play and basically wrote off the Swisher tag. (Look, that one was a wash from a bumble beforehand). Still it's like we just have to accept it when there is something that may (for the most part) eliminate those types of situations. So, let's make instant replay for more than just home runs, fan interference and whether the ball leaves the playing field. If there is a play in question in other sports, they go to the videotape. (Ode to Warner) Why not baseball? In basketball, football, even tennis with its challenges, no one disrespects the officials by asking for a second look. They understand that we are human and make mistakes occasionally. That's cool. I would be fine with yesterday and other mistakes on the baseball front if it wasn't for the attitude of "get over it, we are the umps". Let technology help and know that it is still the ump who I go to first.

Angels celebrate their Game 3 win

Hey Joe... I know you want to prove you're Smarter than a 5th Grader... (Shameless Plug for a show seen on PIX11)... But you're overdoing it... What?? Overmanaging!! Joe Girardi's use of the bullpen has been in question earlier in these playoffs but the Yankees won every other game so the questions could be dismissed as nitpicks. But in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Angels Girardi managed the Yankees into a loss... Let's cut right to the chase. Phil Hughes worked a scoreless 9th in a 4-4 game. Move to the 10th. The Yankees didn't score in the top of the inning so Hughes came out to start the bottom of the inning. He promptly allowed a leadoff double to Jeff Mathis. And that was Hughes' last pitch. In came Mariano Rivera. I can't argue that move. Now, Rivera didn't make it easy... throwing the ball to left field on a bunt play. Thankfully Johnny Damon was there to back up the play or else the Yankees would have lost the game right there. Rivera did wiggle his way out of the inning.

If you were brave enough to see yesterday's Bills-Jets game from start to finish, God bless you. That may have been one of the worst football games ever. During the overtime, I actually thought it would end in a tie. Really. Neither team seemed like it really cared WHO won.

Yes, rookie Mark Sanchez had a bad day. 5 picks is bad in 4 games for a QB. But he's not the only first year Jet who needs to get his act together. Coach Rex Ryan has some work to do, too.

After blazing out to a 3-0 record and igniting talk of a New York/New York Super Bowl, the Jets were thoroughly humbled tonight against the last-place Bills, losing 16-13 in overtime.

This was one for the ages…in that it was about as ugly a game as you could imagine.

Despite five interceptions from rookie Mark Sanchez, the Jets had a chance to win it in overtime, if not for a botched hold by punter Steve Weatherford on a potential game-winning field goal.

The Jets also managed to waste the greatest rushing game in franchise history, turned in by Thomas Jones. TJ put up 210 yards and it STILL wasn’t enough to push the Jets past the lowly Bills and their BACKUP quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

When the Jets lost to the Saints to fall to 3-1, fans excused that loss by saying it was in hostile New Orleans and the Saints were undefeated.

When the Jets lost to the Dolphins to fall to 3-2, fans justified that one by saying it too was on the road and the gimmicky Wildcat worked to perfection for Miami.

Now that the Jets lost to the Bills to fall to 3-3, I’m not sure how Jet fans will explain this one.

This was inexcusable. An embarrassment.

We were in the losing locker room after the game and got reaction to what Gang Green better hope is rock bottom during this season.

Take a listen: