Designated hitter Hideki Matsui drove in an MLB record-tying six runs in the final decisive game, and took home Series MVP honors after going 8-for-13 (.615) with three homers and 8 RBI.
The 2009 World Championship is the Yankees' most recent title, and after a run to the American League Championship Series this past season, the Chase for 28 will resume on Opening Day 2018 with a new manager and a young team eager to add to the Bombers' all-time record total.
To commemorate the Yankees' 27 franchise championships, check out the following 27 facts on the team's memorable run through the 2009 postseason.
27 Facts on the 2009 Yankees Postseason
1) *En route to winning the '09 championship, the Yankees battled back from deficits in all three of their ALDS games against the Minnesota Twins, before ultimately sweeping them out of the postseason.
*2) *In that same ALDS, Yankees starters allowed just three earned runs and three extra-base hits to Twins hitters in the entire series, posting a 1.42 ERA over 19.0 innings.
*3) *The Yankees' offensive leader in the '09 ALDS was Alex Rodriguez, who clubbed two homers and drove in six runs while batting .455 (5-11) in the three games.
*4) New York faced the Los Angeles Angels in the ALCS round, where they would eventually capture their 40th American League pennant in franchise history.
5) *The Angels were the second-highest scoring team in the Majors in 2009, but were held to just 3.2 runs per game by Yankees pitchers in the ALCS.
*6) *After a stellar ALDS performance, A-Rod continued his blistering offensive production in the ALCS with nine hits in 21 at-bats (.429), six runs, three homers, six RBI and eight walks.
*7) *The 2009 ALCS MVP award was given to CC Sabathia, who allowed just two earned runs over 16 innings in his two starts that series, posting a 1.13 ERA and earning both decisions.
*8) *Prior to Game 2 in the World Series, New York natives Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed "Empire State of Mind" for the Yankee Stadium crowd.
*9) Legendary closer Mariano Rivera converted his MLB record 42nd postseason save in Game 4 of the 2009 World Series, marking the final October save in his illustrious career.
10) *Hideki Matsui was unanimously named World Series MVP after going 8-for-13 (.615) with three homers and eight RBI, marking the very first time in MLB history that a Japanese player received the honor.
*11) *Matsui tied the MLB record for most RBI in a single World Series game with six in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. The other players who have accomplished the feat are Albert Pujols, Bobby Richardson and most recently Addison Russell.
*12) *Andy Pettitte, MLB's all-time postseason wins leader, won his final career World Series game in the decisive sixth game seven years ago today.
*13) *Bronx native and R&B sensation Mary J. Blige performed the national anthem prior to Game 6 at Yankee Stadium.
*14) *The losing pitcher for the Phillies in Game 6 was former Red Sox great and Baseball Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez. He never pitched another game in his Major League career.
*15) Game 6 of the '09 Series also marked the final postseason matchup between Pedro Martinez and the Yankees.
16) The 2009 World Series matchup was a rematch of the 1950 Fall Classic. Back then, the Phillies were led by manager Eddie Sawyer, and the Yankees by Hall of Famer Casey Stengel. New York swept Philadelphia in four games.
17) Andy Pettitte's Game 6 victory made him the third-oldest pitcher to win a World Series clinching game in MLB history.
18) *Pettitte also became the first pitcher ever to start _and _win all three clinching games in each successive round of a single postseason.
*19) *The 2009 World Series was the first one in history to include regularly scheduled games in the month of November.
*20) Prior to the start of the 2009 season, the Yankees signed A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia in free agency.
21) *Matsui's World Series MVP also marked the first time a full-time designated hitter was given the award, a point made more impressive by the fact that he made just three starts (all at home) in the Series.
*22) Fan favoriteNick Swisher, who joined the Yankees via trade prior to the 2009 season, hit his first and only career World Series home run in Game 3 on Halloween night in Philadelphia.
23) *Yankees captain Derek Jeter won his final career championship in 2009, after slashing .407/.429/.519 with three doubles. It was the fifth time The Captain took home the World Series trophy in his 20-year playing career.
*24) In just his second year at the helm of the Yankees, Joe Girardi won his first championship as a manager and his fourth career World Series title (1996, 1998 & 1999 as a player).
*25) *Before entering the postseason, the Yankees finished with the most wins in the regular season after going 103-59. The next closest team, the Angels, had 97 wins, but bowed out in the ALCS against New York.
*26) *The final out of the 2009 Series was recorded by Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, who grounded out to second baseman Robinson Cano.
*27) *The Yankees' 27 World Series championships are the most for any ballclub in Major League history. The next closest team, the St. Louis Cardinals, have won 11.