Yankees' foursome among those who enhanced their reputations

NEW YORK -- The unique Yankees foursome of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada probably didn't need to win one more World Series together to prove anything. But they did, anyway. And they did it 13 years after their first one together. No other foursome can say that.

In one word Rivera summed up how he felt to win another title with his three longtime teammates: "Wonderful.''

The reputations of that quartet were already secure, but they enhanced them by winning together in their mid-to-late 30s, just as they had done originally in their early-to-mid 20s.

Here are the men who enhanced their reps, furthered their cause and did themselves most proud in the 2009 postseason (followed by a few who missed their chance to do so).

1. Hideki Matsui. Never has a player done more damage in a World Series in such a limited role. Not only is he a half-game player, but he started only half the games, since there was no DH used in Philly. Nonetheless, he managed to stand out in what might be his last week as a Yankee, posting the third-highest average for a player with at least 10 at-bats in the World Series, and the second highest slugging percentage to Lou Gehrig. Yankees people seemed to view him as a square peg this spring, as they've started to believe that a fulltime DH doesn't make sense for such a veteran team. For that reason they still don't seem likely to bring him back. But now, in a place where sentiment has a place and there are dollars to spare, it can't be completely ruled out.

2. Alex Rodriguez. The October choker label is gone after a .365 postseason with 18 RBIs. "He's not the same man. He's a different guy, and we're all better for it,'' Yankees GM Brian Cashman said after Rodriguez won his first ring many years after it was expected. Maybe it took something bad to happen to him. Only eight months after he came clean about being dirty in Texas, his rep has never been better. "Sometimes out of the worst of times, people rise from it,'' Cashman said. Rodriguez carried the Yankees through the first two rounds, and after a rough first two World Series games that included six whiffs, he was awakened by a record string of hit-by-pitches and began tormenting the Phillies with big hits.

3. Johnny Damon. He showed his quick bat and otherworldly instincts in a wondrous World Series. His steal of second and third together in Game 4 is the single most memorable play of the best-contested World Series in at least the last seven years. Teammates marveled at it, and it turned the pivotal game in the Yankees' favor.

4. Derek Jeter. Can we all agree now that he isn't anything close to over-rated? His 11 hits fell one shy of the record for a six-game World Series. His lifetime World Series average is .321 after his .407 2009 Series. He is completely unfazed by the game's best pitching and continually comes through in the clutch (he singlehandedly spoiled the silly contention that there's no such thing as clutch). In 29 postseason series he has hit .300 18 times and .400 10 times. As Reggie Jackson said, "You just tip your cap to him and be thankful he's on your team.''

5. Cliff Lee. He turned in incredible performance after incredible performance this postseason. He was easily the best mid-year pickup and the man most responsible for getting the Phillies to their second straight World Series. The final tally of 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA shouldn't be diminished at all because he wasn't called upon to pitch on three days' rest, like the Yankees' pitching studs. The Philadelphia Inquirer suggested that the Phillies haven't decided whether they will try to lock up Lee beyond 2010, and word is that they don't have as much spending money as you'd think. But wherever he lands after 2010, he'll be making a lot of loot.

6. Mariano Rivera. For the 19th time in 29 postseason series, Rivera did not allow a run. His patented cutter is a mystery to practically everyone, but especially to National League batters who haven't seen it. He actually lowered his lifetime 0.77 postseason ERA to 0.74 by allowing one run in 16 innings. He might be the most valuable player of his generation.