So it's all over for this decade and century (arguments about when the millennium really ends notwithstanding) and once again, the Yankees have shown they've got what it takes to win it all. Since 1923, the Yankees have won 25 World Series, which means that they've won it roughly every third time out of the chute. Amazing.

Going into this series, I thought that the Braves would grit their teeth and capture the flag one more time this decade. But once again, I was wrong, and the Braves' Achilles heel, the bullpen, popped up to cripple them one more time.

Sure they've got great starting pitching, but it's relatively easy to see in retrospect that they lack enough of everything else. The bullpen this year was marginally better than most of the decade, with John Rocker proving to be a reliable closer. Not quite Mariano Rivera, but much better than Mark Wohlers in his heyday.

The rest of the bullpen, however, was the same old story. Are Terry Mulholland, Russ Springer and Mike Remlinger really what you want in a bullpen in the World Series? We all got the impression that even Bobby Cox didn't think so. Surely he would have killed for Jeff Nelson and Ramiro Mendoza?

That lack of a quality bullpen is what led Bobby Cox to keep his starters in longer than necessary, giving the Yankees the opportunity to come back in two games. Sure, it's a little easier to see in hindsight, but there's a noticeable difference between Cox and Torre in their reluctance in pulling a starter teetering on the edge. Torre obviously has no problem calling for the pen, while Cox looks like a whipped dog when he's calling for anyone but Rocker.

The Braves have also survived during the regular season with adequate-but-not-spectacular offense. Over in the NL, carrying an Ozzie Guillen or Walt Weiss at shortstop and a Bret Boone at second isn't going to hurt you too much, but when you stack them up against Jeter and Knoblauch, the difference in production from the middle infield can make or break the offense.

When your offense is built around a couple of guys who can really hit (Chipper and Jordan), it's relatively easy to pitch around them. How afraid do you think Clemens, et. al. are when they see the likes of Lockhart, Perez, Andruw Jones and Weiss coming up? Sure, the Braves miss Javy Lopez, but with Weiss out for much of the last two years, who outside Atlanta thought Ozzie Guillen was the answer? These and many other mysteries are what sunk the Braves. Yet, for some odd reason, I can still hear the media saying how the Braves starters just can't win "the big one."

While I find it hard to sympathize with the Braves or rejoice with the Yankees, I am glad that Roger Clemens finally got a World Series ring. He pitched tremendously well in game four and thoroughly deserved his reward. Maybe not for this year particularly, but as a career achievement.

And then there's Strikethree.com's favorite whipping boy, Paul O'Neill. Who would have thought I'd be so touched by Paul O'Neill? Just how awful can it be to have your father die on the day you play to sweep the World Series? It was very poignant watching O'Neill and Luis Sojo hug at the end of the game, both having lost their fathers within a week, and what should have been a joyous week at that. It was also touching to see the Yankee players surround O'Neill and keep the cameras away from O'Neill as he apparently sobbed his heart out in the middle of the infield. Who can argue with his decision to play, either? With his father's ongoing heart problems and his relatively sudden passing in the early hours of the morning, playing was surely the best therapy.

And then there's the whole Jim Gray deal this week. I'm suggesting that we keep Gray away from O'Neill. I can just imagine how Gray would handle that particular interview. "So, Paul, are you willing to admit you're ashamed to be playing baseball the day your dad died?"

And we can only imagine in our wildest dreams how Gray might be handling golf coverage in Houston this weekend. I'm just guessing the phrase "hole in one" might feature prominently in his questioning if he was covering this week's tournament.

It was also a little sad to see Joe Girardi mentally packing his bags, not expecting to be back next year. While that's the obvious and logical move, he's been there four years and won three World Series rings -- a testament to the fact that having Joe Girardi on your team doesn't automatically disqualify you from winning it all.

So it's all over. Back to new episodes of Just Shoot Me, which, come to think of it, might be Bobby Cox's mantra for the winter.

Dave Paisley is proud that the Yankee Stadium fans did not chant "Dave Paisley Sucks" when he walked across the field, as occurred with Jim Gray. Explain that Dave should consider a shorter name for easier chanting at drdjp@strikethree.com.

Web Strikethree.com