2009 World Series

With the 2009 World Series for the 105th time, the winner of the North American ( U.S. and Canada) Major League Baseball was determined from 28 October to 4 November 2009. The best- of-seven series will be played traditionally between the winner of the American League and the champion of the National League. As finalists, the Philadelphia Phillies were from the American League, the New York Yankees, from the National League against. After six games, the Yankees won 4-2 victories. This allowed the Yankees extend their record number of titles on the last 27 championships. For the World Series MVP Hideki Matsui was elected.

The finalists

For the New York Yankees was the 40th participation in the World Series in previously 26 titles, both of which represents by far the record (see list of winners ). However, the success-spoiled Yankees themselves had to overcome a prolonged dry spell: The last part in the World Series was six years back (2003 ), the last World Series title even nine years ( 2000). To get back on track, the Yankees paid while in 2009, slightly less than in the previous year in salaries, this year's 201.5 million U.S. $, however, were still league record. Alone for the entry of C. C. Sabathia, A. J. Burnett (both pitchers ) and Mark Teixeira more than 50 million U.S. $ were due on salaries annually.

The Philadelphia Phillies were the defending champions after winning the World Series in 2008. After many years of failure was in the previous year only the second title to be retracted ( previously Winner 1980) with a total of six entries, which corresponds to the number of titles in the National League. The Phillies could be regarded as an outsider so little, even if their payroll expenses significantly below those of the Yankees totaled U.S. $ 113 million. Particularly noteworthy is over 2008, the obligation of the pitcher Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians.

Overview of the Games

(PHI - NYY )

(PHI - NYY )

* Win: Joba Chamberlain ( NYY )

The road to the World Series

→ Main article: MLB 2009 season

The winners of the American League and the National League were determined between the 7th and 25th October 2009. For this purpose, first met the three division winners and the best second (so-called wild-card ) in two Division Series encounters in best-of -five successive mode ( ALDS or NLDS = American or National League Division Series). Then the winner of the Division Series encounters played in the best- of-seven procedures the respective League Champion ( ALCS and NLCS = American or National League Championship Series ). The Wild Card winners usually play against the best division winner, so the team with the most wins in the regular season games. As the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies, however, could not meet in the same division playing the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, both played against the second-best division winning their league.

ALDS, NLDS ( Division Series ): Best of Five; ALCS, NLCS (Championship Series): Best -of -Seven

The games in detail

Game 1, October 28,

The victory in Game 1 of the Phillies goes back largely to the excellent casting performance of their pitcher Cliff Lee, who handed in a complete game. Offensively, however, the Phillies built as in the first game of last year's Series on Chase Utley. His two home runs, each with empty bases in the third inning with a count of 3-2 and the sixth passage at 0-2 ensured the single runs up to and including the seventh innings.

C. C. Sabathia, pitcher for the New York Yankees, was after two quick outs in the first inning at full Bases in front of a residue, but was able to achieve against Raul Ibanez the last out. New York's offensive consisted only of a long double by Derek Jeter with two outs in the third inning; a captured just above the ground impact of Robinson Cano made ​​for a debated by the referees, but real double play with a day out for Hideki Matsui.

The embossed on both sides of the defensive game took first in the eighth inning to drive, as Sabathia cleared the mound for the bullpen. Phil Hughes took care of two base runners and left the game without their own Damaso Marte out for. Meanwhile, both outs for Utley and Ryan Howard led "only" for assignment to the first and third base by Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. Both then scorten However, after a single by Ibanez for a 4-0 lead for the Phillies. In the second half of the innings for the Yankees went on as before; Lee began doing almost provocatively casual a batted ball in the middle behind his back for the first out of the inning.

In the ninth inning, Lee received more run support after the fast first out by a double by Carlos Ruiz and three singles by Rollins, Victorino and Howard, the Ruíz and Rollins brought home. Victorinos attempt to score from first base in addition, was prevented by a throw to home plate. The flare of the offensive by the Yankees in the ninth inning was not only too late, but was also favored by a throwing error by Rollins to first base while attempting a double play, after Jeter scored the only run. Shortly after Lee finished befitting with his tenth strikeout against Jorge Posada the game.

WP: Cliff Lee ( 1-0) LP: C. C. Sabathia (0-1) HRs: PHI - Chase Utley 2 ( 2)

Game 2, October 29,

The first highlight of the game put the Phillies Raul Ibanez in the second inning: After his Ground Rule Double (one ball was from the from field jumped into the stands ), he scored the first run for the Phillies by a single by Matt Stairs. In the same inning, Hideki Matsui managed with a single first hit for the Yankees. Inter alia the spectacular catch of a flying ball by Ibanez made ​​but that the Yankees initially remained without its own run.

A. J. Burnett as a pitcher the Yankees made ​​himself and the fans of the Yankees in the third inning own life difficult when he first take a Walk by Jimmy Rollins brought about this and then reached second base with two outs. This was followed with Chase Utley of the time deliberate second walk of the inning. This bold move paid off: Although the player has performed with Ryan Howard with the most RBIs in the National League to the plate, Burnett made ​​with a strike out for the end of the innings.

Their offense ignited the Yankees start of the fourth inning: The second pitch of the inning hit Teixeira with a home run in the stands. This was previously clean record of Pedro Martinez, the pitcher the Phillies, the first spots. With the new Score 1:1 it went pretty uneventful in the second half of the sixth inning. With already two outs and 1-2 against itself Matsui succeeded the second home run for the Yankees and thus the lead for the home side. Nine outs they still needed to maintain this lead until the end of the game. For the first three and the end of the upper half of the seventh inning provided AJ Burnett in a quick 1-2 -3- inning, two strikeouts ( out of nine ). This should be his last throws, as the Yankees this passage brought in the second half by three hits in a row pinch runner Brett Gardner to Home Plate: 3:1 for the Yankees. This advantage could henceforth defend Mariano Rivera Closer.

However, before he could intervene, made ​​a double play the Phillies at the end of the seventh inning for discussion on the field and in the stands. In contrast to the controversial decisions the day before but it was this is a wrong decision at the beginning of the eighth inning could have revenge, as Rivera on the first and second base faced with only one out runners. With another bad decision by the referee now made ​​a double play for the Yankees, the end of the inning without Run for the Phillies.

Philadelphia fought to the end for the compensation: For two outs in the ninth inning Ibanez suggested as the best hitter the Phillies his second double this evening, but this was also the last of the six hits of the Phillies. As in Game 1 sat down with Burnett ( and as Closer Rivera ) by the time a little better defensive two almost equally strong teams.

WP: A. J. Burnett (1-0 ) LP: Pedro Martinez ( 0-1) SV: Mariano Rivera ( 1) HRs: NYY - Mark Teixeira ( 1), Hideki Matsui ( 1)

Game 3, October 31

Due to rain, the start of the third game was delayed by almost 80 minutes. The Phillies were able to perpetuate themselves on the scoreboard first after Jayson Werth scored a solo homer in the second inning; then allowed Andy Pettitte a Walk with players on all bases (2-0). A sacrifice fly brought the Phillies finally a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth inning Mark Teixeira reached by a walk to the first base, followed by a hit into the deep outfield by Alex Rodriguez, who was originally counted as double. The blow was checked by the referee, who then decided to Homerun then using a video proof ( " MLB Instant Replay" ) - the ball bounced off a camera from which was positioned over the demarcation of the field ( 3-2 ).

Nick Swisher opened the fifth inning with a double and scored a run for the compensation of 3:3. To this end, met the AL pitcher Andy Pettitte in his unfamiliar role as a batter with a single hit.

Derek Jeter then scored another single and both runners were able to score after Johnny Damon hit a double ( 3:5 ). It was followed by a Walk of Cole Hamels for Mark Texeira, the Phillies pitcher JA Happ was then exchanged. Happ escaped from the fifth inning without further runs, but in the sixth inning hit a solo homer for Nick Swisher the 3:6 guide the Yankees. Werth then also scored a solo homer for the Phillies, which brought the score to 4:6.

From the seventh inning pitched Chad Durbin for the Phillies. He gave Johnny Damon a walk, then stole second base Damon. Alex Rodriguez moved up to the first base after he was hit by a pitch. It was followed by a single by Jorge Posada, achieved another run for the Yankees by Matt Damon and the old distance restored ( 4:7 ).

Andy Pettitte was replaced in the seventh inning of Joba Chamberlain, who was off the next three Phillies batters without a hit. Then for the Phillies pitching Brett Myers, who could turn the first two Yankees batter. Hideki Matsui, who began as a pinch- hitter for Chamberlain, but then hit another solo home run ( 4:8 ).

The second half of the ninth inning for the Yankees started Phil Hughes, who allowed a solo homer for Carlos Ruíz (for 5:8 ) before he was replaced by Mariano Rivera. Rivera finished the game, he switched off by the remaining two Phillies batter with only 5 pitches. The game was the 17th overall Winning Game in the postseason for Pettitte, who thus his own record continues to expand.

WP: Andy Pettitte (1-0 ) LP: Cole Hamels (0-1) HRs: NYY - Alex Rodriguez (1 ), Nick Swisher ( 1), Hideki Matsui ( 2) PHI - Jayson Werth 2 (2 ), Carlos Ruiz ( 1)

Game 4, November 1,

Joe Blanton, starting pitcher for the Phillies, experienced a slow start: his first two batters ( Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon ) reached not only the bases but also the home plate. This led the Yankees after the first half inning 2-0. The Phillies hit in the same inning back with two doubles, so that Shane Victorino was reduced to 1:2. For the Yankees came as a starter C. C. Sabathia after only three days of rest to his second in this year's World Series.

After this blast at the beginning it was only in the fourth inning of a highlight, as the Phillies after previously stolen base reached equalizer from Ryan Howard. As the TV images, not touched home plate Howard though, the run counts, however. As a result, the Yankees were not large irritate, in turn, went 4-2 at the beginning of the fifth inning in, as in occupied first and second base again Jeter and Damon met again. In the second run, it came to an imprecise third throw of the game for Home Plate, which drew a run of the opponent by himself.

Again, the game took a little break; Blanton left after six innings without passing run the game for him came Chan Ho Park. Sabathias personal " nemesis " provided at two outs in the seventh inning for the end of his term: Chase Utley, who scored twice against Sabathia in the first game, made ​​his third home run in the World Series in 2009 increased the lead to only 4. : 3 for the Yankees. In the eighth inning, it was even better to come for the Phillies, as now Pedro Feliz hit another solo home run against Joba Chamberlain - 4:4.

In the ninth inning, there was indeed two quick outs of New York, but now the Yankees took ride on. Johnny Damon (with 3 hits in 5 at-bats ) stole two bases after a lapse in concentration of the far uncovered infield of the Phillies. Below Brad Lidge threw as a pitcher Mark Teixeira at which thereby came to first base, and a double by Alex Rodriguez was responsible for the 5-4 lead. Jorge Posada made ​​for two more insurance runs the Yankees. Which would not have been necessary but because the very back of the Yankees Mariano Rivera Closer safe secured the victory.

By the third win in a row, the Yankees need now only one win from their remaining games to win the World Series in 2009. Or put the other way around: The Philadelphia Phillies have to win every game, but in order to defend her title from the previous year.

WP: Joba Chamberlain ( 1-0) LP: Brad Lidge (0-1) SV: Mariano Rivera ( 2) HRs: PHI - Chase Utley ( 3), Pedro Feliz ( 1)

Game 5, November 2,

WP: Cliff Lee ( 2-0) LP: A. J. Burnett (1-1) SV: Ryan Madson ( 1) HRs: PHI - Chase Utley 2 ( 5), Raul Ibanez ( 1)

Game 6, November 4

Hideki Matsui earned in ultimately deciding game for the Yankees the award for MVP of the World Series with three hits, which led to six RBI. After five innings, it was therefore 7:1 for New York. While Ryan Howard could shorten with a 2- run home run to 3:7 at the beginning of the sixth inning, but the possible comeback was missed in the seventh inning. Chase Utley at the plate would have the game can once again make open at two base runners and two outs, but his Strike Out meant the end of hopes for a title defense the Phillies.

WP: Andy Pettitte (2-0 ) LP: Pedro Martinez (0-2) HRs: PHI - Ryan Howard ( 1) NYY - Hideki Matsui ( 3)

Record levels and worth remembering

The five home runs by Chase Utley in the first five games led to the discontinuation of the previous record of Reggie Jackson in the year 1977.

The TV ratings of the 2009 World Series were the highest since 2004.

In this World Series was used ( in Game 3 ) for the first time the video evidence if a home run is present.

Pettitte first personal Postseason - RBI in Game 3 was the first RBI of a pitcher for the Yankees in the postseason since 1964.