MLB360: Yankees Clinch World Series Trip

NEW YORK - Alex Rodriguez was in the middle of every playoff rally for the New York Yankees. And once his first trip to the World Series was secured, he was at the center of the celebration, too.

Teammates dashed from the dugout and in from the outfield, swarming Rodriguez in a sea of pinstripes after the Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 in Game 6 of the AL championship series Sunday night behind the savvy pitching of that old October pro, Andy Pettitte.

"Pretty incredible, especially with all the stuff I've been through this year," Rodriguez said. "I just felt very happy and very blessed, and all I cared about this year was winning games."

A-Rod delivered another splendid postseason performance and the Yankees, baseball's biggest spenders, finally cashed in with their first pennant in six years.

Next up, New York hosts defending champion Philadelphia in the World Series opener Wednesday night. Cliff Lee is expected to face ALCS MVP CC Sabathia in an enticing matchup between former Cleveland teammates - and the past two AL Cy Young Award winners.

"I couldn't be more excited," Rodriguez said. "I feel like a 10-year-old kid."

Soon after Mariano Rivera got the final out, Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and the Yankees partied with bubbly and beer in their swanky, high-tech clubhouse.

Nearby, manager Joe Girardi thought about longtime owner George Steinbrenner.

"This is a great time, but we're not done yet," Girardi said. "We're trying to do this for pops, Mr. Steinbrenner."