2009 World Series - Yankees Vs. Phillies

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Yankees fans can taste the championship up on River Avenue near the stadium, and expect the sound of cheers to drown out all other sounds, the way it did last night.

"Clinch it tonight. There's no tomorrow. Get the ball to Mo and the game is over," said fan Al Odeosu.

"You could hear the stadium roaring for about a whole hour man, it was great," said fan Walter Ellison. Asked what he'll do if the Bombers win, his answer: "I'm gonna party like it's 1999."

That seems to be everybody's plan. The bars are preparing for an unusual Monday night rush. Legendary New York barkeeps like Paul Hurley said even the barstools are spoken-for Monday night.

"We got Carol Conner in this chair tonight. We got Dubbie MacLane in this table. Huge Ward at this table. Paul Hurley, myself, will be here. All the way down we got people's names. All the way down, every stool is taken," said Paul Hurley, owner of O'Casey's.

"Monday's normally the quietest day of the week and this is like having a Friday," said Jimmy Glynn, owner of Jake's. "We need them."

For some, Monday night's a road trip with a designated driver, of course.

"This Jeep is going to Philly today, in two hours, and tonight we're going to celebrate from Philly all the way back to right here at sports bars," one fan said. "We're not going to wait. We're going to bring it back tonight."

Yankee fans are giddy. It's a party in the planning, even if it's only a small one, like what Freddie Cortino is setting up, "In my basement, with a big screen TV, some chicken and pizza. That's it. That's how we're doing it."

Whatever happens, it's an experience the fans want to share.

Fan Henry Perez explained why he has to see Game 5 with others. "It's just a better atmosphere. Everybody's in a good mood. Everybody wants to see a good game."

Then there are those of us who are conflicted. Should the Yankees win it all in Philadelphia and celebrate on the Phillies' field, or come back to the Bronx to finish the job on Wednesday or Thursday?

"We should dedicate this to Jimmy Rollins as far as his sweep prediction goes," fan Mitch Lappin said.

In the heart of Yankeeland anxiety has turned into confidence. There is, in fact, a dangerous temptation to believe it's already in the bag.

When CBS 2 HD was in Times Square on Thursday the big fear was that the Yankees might go off to Philly and the series may never come back to the new stadium in the Bronx. That's still true, although the situation's a little different. The Yankees have the Phillies on their knees and could clinch this thing with one win. So, what are we really hoping for? Some of us are conflicted.

"I want them to lose in Philly, to win here in the new stadium," said Yolanda Campbell, who when pressed if she really wants the team to lose Monday, "Well, not really, but I want them to win in the new stadium. Lose tonight to win in the new stadium!"

"(The Phillies) can have tonight, but bring it back here to our new home," Roscoe Bratton added.

It is a common blasphemy -- an overconfidence that horrifies some of us even in the shadow of the new ballpark.

"God bless this place. I love it. It's beautiful. Win it today, forget about tomorrow. I want it now!" John Skehan said.

"I heard earlier 'we want you all to come home and win it.' Forget that! We're takin' it today! Yankees are number one!" added John Velar.

A six- or seven-game series would be fun, but each successive game has to be purchased with a Phillies victory and like Casey at the bat, planning too far ahead leads to disaster. Even the barkeep at Yankee Tavern knows that much.

"I want them to win tonight. After what we went through with the Red Sox here let's just put 'em down. Put 'em down right now," John Quirk said.

For complete World Series coverage, be sure to check out WCBSTV.com's World Series section.



 

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