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:

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

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.

1. You have competent baseball people. This includes scouts, medical staffs and management. GM Omar Minaya: Overhaul what you must. When Jeff Wilpon says after the season ended that EVERYTHING would be evaluated, that, if true, was a step in the right direction. There were TOO many injuries, TOO much turmoil-and you don't need that when the Yanks are winning nearly every day.

When I had medical issues during the summer, the Yankees were a tremendous help. Their people evaluate situations and make timely decisions. I cannot express enough gratitude to the Yankees' PR staff for all their help. Meanwhile, Jose Reyes was injured in May. All season we heard, "He might be back, he might be back.: Then in October, another injury AND surgery. Carlos Beltran was another (often unhappy with his progress) mystery regarding his knee trouble.

2. Conmmit yourselves to winning CHAMPIONSHIPS, not just being a playoff competitive team. That's Jim Dolan talk over at the Garden-NOT Steinbrenner talk in the Bronx. Players want to play for the Yankees because they KNOW every effort is made to win the Fall Classic EVERY year. Mets fans heard more about union carpentry workers and the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field than long term success.

3, Spread out your money: You DON'T need a $250 million dollar payroll, but you DO need to get the "can't miss" guy every once in a while. Orlando Hudson, for example, was there for the taking in the off season. A few years back, A-Rod and Vladimir Guerrero. The Mets passed not only on obvious PR coups, but making the team better lfor the long term.

The Yankees get high priced players to excess. BUT they scout well, pump up prospects for potentilal trades (Randy Johnson comes to mind) and scout young guys all over the world. The Mets need to put young players around Reyes and David Wright, building a BALANCED team that can stay together for a long time-mixing in free agents AS NEEDED. The Yankees spend lots of money, but they STILL have 4 guys (Jeter, Posada, Pettitte and Rivera) who have been around for nearly all of the Yankees' latest run.

4. Hire people who will stick to fundamentals. YES, there were injuries. BUT: Why did it take so long for the club to see that Daniel Murphy had NO business being in the outfield. WHY are guys passing one another on the base paths? This team was decimated, no question. But common avoidable baseball mistakes could have been fixed, meaning 5-10 more wins. Obviously that isn't enough to be a playoff team. But it tells the fans that the team IS giving 100 percent effort and that management knows what it is doing. Fundamentals-and those that teach them MUST be stressed. Manager Jerry Manuel: THIS MEANS YOU!

Well Fred and Jeff-and Omar and Jerry- you have a lot of work to do, and plenty of holes to fill. Get to work.

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!

Mariano Rivera
 

Andy Pettitte
 

Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez
 

Nick Swisher
 

Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain
 

AJ Burnett and Brett Gardner
 

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

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.

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.

Also was a little bit disturbed by Joba's outing. With all the debate over starter/reliever, I think the only thing the Yankees have done is take away his intimidation and edge.

Remember when he broke in in 2007 and it seemed like batters literally feared him? That's so not the case anymore. When Joba comes in I feel anything but confident. I think that's where the Yankees have gone horribly wrong with him.

I hate to use the most over-used word of 2009, but I'll do it here....that guy has lost his "swagger." And you can blame the Yankees brass for that.

But he did manage to scavenge a World Series win. So he'll always have that story in his back pocket. Though 50 years down the road from now he'll probably be telling people he struck out the side on nine pitches.

So to recap, A-Rod awesome, Damon old school, I worry for Joba and the Yankees will lose tonight.

But that'll just make Wednesday's bash in the Bronx that much sweeter (in case you didn't follow me there, Yankees win it in 6).

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

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
 

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!

Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera
 

Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley
 

Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jose Molina
 

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

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?

If they lose ONE of games 2, 3, 5 or 6....then they will end up facing Lee in game 7 (if the Phillies choose to start him three times) and lose the World Series.

I've been been bold with my predictions in the past, and i'm doing so here:

If the Yanks are going to win the World Series, they MUST win every other game in the series not started by Cliff Lee.

That means the burden falls on AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte. We know Andy has the mettle to get it done in October, but what about AJ?

If the Phillies choose to throw Lee three times in the series, Burnett becomes the critical player for the Yankees.

He can't perform at the pace I've dubbed "the AJ ratio," that being one crappy per every three.

Seeing how AJ was OK in his last start in the ALCS (despite giving up four runs in the first inning), that means according to "the AJ ratio," he's due for a crappy outing sometime during this World Series.

Seeing how he's scheduled to pitch twice, that's something the Yankees can't afford.

It seems that this World Series will be decided by two players: Cliff Lee and AJ Burnett.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

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.

Second base:I go with Chase Utley here. Despite his error that gave the Dodgers Game 2 of the NLCS, he has better range than Cano (Robinson has a great arm) and he has that sense of grit and guts you like to see in an infielder. No slight on Cano. I think Utley is a bit more used to the big game spotlight.
EDGE: PHILLIES

Shortstop: WFAN has a frequent caller from Philly who truly feels Jimmy Rollins is better than Derek Jeter. Well, there's only 1 other postseason player in the last 15-20 years MORE clutch than Jeter, and that is Mariano Rivera. Rollins had a rough year, played better down the stretch, won Game 4 of the NLCS. But Jeter is Jeter.
EDGE: YANKEES

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez or Pedro Feliz: Even without steroids, A-Rod is better with one hand behind his back. Right now, the Yankees 3rd sacker is the best player in the postseason.
BIG EDGE: YANKEES

Outfield: This is the area where the Phillies have a clear advantage. Raul Ibanez has been a huge blessing for the Phillies. Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth are much better defensively than Melky Cabrera and Bick Swisher. Victorino has speed and some pop. Werth is a slugger. Ibanez isn't a young Barry Bonds in LF, but everyone, including me, is better defensively than Johnny Damon. Damon IS a clutch hitter, and he's not afraid in a big spot.
EDGE:PHILLIES

Starting Pitching: Sabathia has had a terrific postseason run. The Yanks may need 3 wins out of him to win the title. Pettitte relishes the big game-the later the series, the better. You DON'T know which Burnett you'll see. If the Yanks get the "good" A.J., that's a good sign. After Cliff Lee, Hamels, Blanton, Pedro & Happ (depending on who they start) aren't close to the Yanks, though Hamels, like Burnett COULD pitch well. Starting Martinez in Game 2 may prove a big mistake for the Phils. Some smart businessman already has "Who's Your Daddy?" posters ready for Yankee Stadium.
EDGE: YANKEES

Bullpen: As long as Mariano Rivera is breathing, the Yankees have the better bullpen. How Girardi manages the pen could be crucial. Yankee fans don't want to see Marte or Acevedo. Dave Robertson could and should have a big role. Park, Madson, Bastardo don't scare you. Brett Myers may be a late add to the roster, so who knows what you get. Lidge has pitched better in the postseason, but he doesn't scare you either.
EDGE: YANKEES

Catcher: Jorge Posada has been here before, still dangerous with the bat. Defensively though, he's a liability. Carlos Ruiz is a better hitter than you think, and terrific calling a game and defensively. Paul Bako spent years as Greg Maddux' personal catcher-that tells you that he's a capable backup, better than Burnett's personal catcher Molina.
SLIGHT EDGE:YANKEES (On the strength of Posada's numbers)

Bench: Matt Stairs had a rough season, but he is a seasoned hitter and pinch hitter. Matsui had a good year for the Yanks but will sit in the middle three games in Philly except to pinch it. Bruntlett and Francisco don't see a lot of time. Hairston and Gardner are capable offensively and defensively for the Yanks, but Guzman is wasted space on the roster. Cervelli is the Yanks' third catcher.
EDGE:YANKEES

Manager: Once again, on paper Joe Girardi is the inferior manager, but perhaps not as much compared to Charlie Manuel as with Gardenhire and Scioscia in the AL Playoffs. Girardi is Mr. Matchup, micromanaging that bullpen like the Fed over AIG. Manuel is beloved by his players. He goes by his gut and will get caught every so often-reference Pedro in Game 2 of the NLCS.
EDGE:PHILLIES

Prediction:The Phils' aren't getting a lot of love for a reigning world champion. The Yankees have all the pressure on them. They are expected to win. Their better overall pitching means they will, in six games.

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:

Derek Jeter
 

CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes
 

Mariano Rivera and AJ Burnett
 

Johnny Damon and Joba Chamberlain
 

Reggie Jackson
 

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

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.

Granted Lackey pitched well in game one, but the Yanks got to him in game five. You’ll remember he left (reluctantly) with the bases loaded…though I felt the Yankees had him on the ropes at that point anyway.

So, translation…don’t worry too much about the off day setting up Lackey for game seven. If it comes to that, he’ll be pitching on short rest AND opposing CC.

I like the Yankees chances.

Now of course all this speculation could be rendered moot if the Yankees just go ahead and win tomorrow night, as I boldly predicted just minutes after their game five loss Thursday.

I still stand by that prediction and foresee a champagne celebration in their very near futures.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

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
 

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.

It’ll be a battle of lefthanders, with the Angels trotting out Joe Saunders and the Yanks throwing Andy Pettitte.

While RIGHT NOW Saunders might be the tougher pitcher, I give the “experience” edge to Andy. Plus the home park factor will be huge. It’s been pretty obvious in this series that both of these teams feed off their home fans and excel in their own stadiums.

Plus this team has a different feel to it than the fragile Yankee teams from earlier this decade.

Back when the Yanks lost game four of the ALCS to the Red Sox in 2004, all Yankee fans had that uneasy feeling because the Sox were a confident bunch and the Yanks just seemed vulnerable.

Not this team. This team has that resilient quality that you look for in champions. At least I get feeling.

The win tonight might have the Angels feeling good, but it won’t be enough to sway significant momentum to their side. This Yankee team just has that certain quality. You get the sense that when the series comes back to the Bronx, they will rise to the occasion.

That’s my prediction, anyway.

Yankee fans better hope I’m right.

(**Don’t worry, I usually am).

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

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.

Hughes, invincible during the regular season, is downright bad this postseason. As for Joba, is it just me or does he have a Deer-In-The-Headlights look to him when the camera zooms in on him on the mound?

These guys (and you can probably group a few others from the bullpen in here, too) just don’t have that shut-down mindset you need when pitching out of the bullpen in the playoffs.

That was the hallmark of the championship Yankee teams of the late 90’s and 2000. Currently Mariano is the only holdover from that ‘pen, and he’s the only one still pitching with that mentality.

There’s no doubt it’s disconcerting and the Yankees have done a good job masking their bullpen’s problems with plenty of offense, but tonight the offense fell a little short and it exposed the ‘pen’s vulnerability.

It cost the Yankees tonight, and though it’s a problem that’s not going to correct itself anytime soon, I think the Yankees have enough offensive firepower to render this deficiency moot.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle