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Written by: Lourdes Jatico As the Yankees toiled with the Angels and the Phillies took on the Dodgers in their respective league championships, I had the privilege of visiting a state-of-the-art baseball training facility here in Las Vegas. A Yank fan myself, the On Deck Baseball Academy had me at hello as I opened the doors and strolled down “Bronx Bombers Boulevard” and past home plate. The facility provides every amenity possible to help athletes improve their game including the impressive ProBatter PX2 pitching simulators, coincidentally numbering 3, the exact amount that the New York Yankees train with. As I watched players young and old, I got to thinking what it takes to foster, develop and maintain a baseball career.

I could only imagine a young A-Rod or Mark Teixeira swinging away in tunnels similar to those at On Deck, dreaming of an eventual World Series appearance. And, true to those aspirations, along with the likes of Nick Swisher, Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano, this year’s championship marks their first career World Series. Personal triumphs that I’m sure they’ll savor having made it through the countless number of games in their lives to take the field on a cold Fall day in New York.

For the first time in six years, the New York Yankees return to the World Series to take on the current Champs, the Philadelphia Phillies. The Bronx Bombers currently hold 26 series titles and will play Game 1 tonight in the inaugural year of the new Yankee stadium.

As the first pitch rolls off the mound and crosses home plate, I can only guess what’s going through the minds of both the first time championship and seasoned players. As this year’s series kicks off tonight in New York, the Philadelphia Phillies will vy to hold their World Championship title against the highest paid team in the league. Only time will tell who will bring home the bragging rights this year, and I’m apologizing for my bias in advance, but move over Phillies, it’s the AL’s year.

Let’s go Yankees!