The Yankees won their 27th World Series title, dethroning the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3, bringing their tradition across the street to new Yankee Stadium and adding a seventh crown for ailing 79-year-old owner George Steinbrenner, who was too ill to travel from his Tampa home..

"He was very teary-eyed, very emotional," said co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner, who spoke during the game to his father.

Perhaps no one was more emotional than Alex Rodriguez, who cried during the trophy presentation and greeted several teammates with emotional embraces.

"He's been through a lot," general manager Brian Cashman said. "The only thing missing was a World Series championship."

The Yankees, winning their first title since 2000, took care of business in retro style:

•They knocked out Pedro Martinez after four innings.

•They had a historic night by designated hitter Hideki Matsui, who tied a 49-year-old Series record with six RBI and won the MVP award.

•Starter Andy Pettitte, one of three Yankees still around from the 1996 World Series winners, got his record 18th postseason victory.

•And Mariano Rivera, who along with Derek Jeter was also on the '96 team, pitched the final 1⅔ innings.

Matsui tied Bobby Richardson's 1960 record by the fifth inning, and his eight RBI in the Series were the most by a Yankee since Jackson in 1978. Matsui hit a two-run homer in the second inning, a two-run single in the third and a two-run double in the fifth.

"It's awesome," Matsui told the Associated Press through a translator. "Unbelievable. I'm surprised myself. You could say that I guess this is the best moment of my life right now."

Pettitte, pitching on three days' rest in the postseason for the first time in six years, continued his playoff superiority. He is undefeated in his last eight postseason starts, the longest streak by an active pitcher. He gave up four hits and three runs in 5⅔ innings but walked five batters.

"I'm a benefit of a lot of great teams I've been on. I've had a lot of wonderful players surrounding me," said Pettitte.

Despite the success, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said nothing came easy.

"It was tough. It's been a long, long time," said Jeter, one of four players left from the last championship team in 2000.

"I think people thought it was easy because we won so often. But you realize how tough it is to win this thing."

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27 World Series titles in 86 seasons

A look at the New York Yankees' 27 World Series titles:

* No MVP awarded until 1955

Source: USA TODAY research; Contributing: The Associated Press

Enlarge By Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Mariano Rivera, left, and Alex Rodriguez celebrate their World Series victory over the Phillies.