A-Rod finally a champion after year of turmoil

NEW YORK: Alex Rodriguez grabbed the World Series trophy and wouldn't let go.

After Mark Teixeira gloved the final out to return the title to the New York Yankees for the first time in nine years, after the podium presentation before a delirious crowd of 50,315 christened the new ballpark with a title in its first year, A-Rod was the one to carry the trophy back to the clubhouse. He raised it high, showing it off to the fans, a triumph for the team and for himself.

"Look, a lot of people ran the other way. My teammates and coaches and organization stood right next to me. And now we stand together as world champs," he said a few minutes later in the clubhouse, under a shower of Moet et Chandon and Armand de Brignac. "It's been a special year. I know it started rocky for us."