By Michael P. Ventura
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
Yankee fever built in Manhattan Wednesday as the city anticipated Wednesday night's World Series game against the Philadelhia Phillies — and a hopeful 27th championship.
Hours before the first pitch tonight at 7:57, the festivities begin in Times Square with a pep rally at 12:30 p.m. The city is encouraging fans to wear Yankee gear to work and school today to show their support for their heroes in pinstripes.
Yankee ace CC Sabathia is on the mound tonight, taking on fellow Cy Young winner, the Phillies' Cliff Lee.
"That's what you come here for, to pitch and play in these big games," Sabathia told the Daily News.
"I think the No. 1 starter is a guy that goes out there and gives his team a chance to win every time out. He has the respect in the clubhouse that guys feel pretty good when you go out there. That's all I try to do."
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the defending world champs are confident they'll beat the Bronx Bombers. And that inspired some cheesesteak trash talk.
“Of course we are going to win. If we are nice, we will let it go to six,” Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said on Jay Leno's show Monday. “But I am thinking five, close it out at home.”
Oh, really?
“That’s not what is going to happen,” Yankee closer Mariano Rivera told the New York Post.
New York's tabloids did their part to whip up pinstripe frenzy. The Post had World Series coverage on front and back pages, including a story about a Phillies fan who allegedly offered sex for tickets. The News lead with how wonderful it will be when the Yanks win. Both papers' back pages dealt with Rollins, urging the team to "Shut Him Up!"
The city seemed to forget that Philadelphia was once called the sixth borough.
Tonight's game is the hottest ticket in town. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden have tickets, as do other boldface names. Of course, Alex Rodriguez's new main squeeze, actress Kate Hudson will be there. Fans were also hoping to catch a glimpse of Yankee Captain Derek Jeter's girlfriend, actress Minka Kelly.
For those who still want to head to the new Yankee Stadium the average ticket was going for $700 on ticket resale site StubHub.com, the News reported.That's cheap, considering that Phillies fans will have to cough up $1,000 to snag tix from StubHub for games at Citizens Bank Park.
Whoever ends up winning the World Series, New York City will still come out on top, the News reported.
The Series could generate $40 million to $100 million in revenue for local businesses, the paper said.
"For us, it means an extra $100,000 in revenues," Pete Anastos, manager of Mickey Mantle's restaurant on Central Park South, told the News.
On the eve of the Series opener, the Yanks knew they had their work cut out for them with the Phillies.
“They’re a tough lineup to deal with,” Sabathia told the New York Times. “Just, basically, an American League lineup. It’s just going to be a fun series.”
