Yet somehow, CC Sabathia's head remained relatively dry. He certainly was reveling in the moment, but at 6-7, maybe he was a more difficult target.

"I didn't think it was going to be this special," Sabathia said before a bottle of bubbly was poured down the back of his navy-blue hoodie.

There was no escaping the celebration, particularly for the new Yankees, who, unlike Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, hadn't tasted World Series triumph before.

"I've never been part of something like this. It's amazing," said A.J. Burnett, who along with Sabathia was signed as a free agent last offseason and joined veteran Andy Pettitte to make up New York's winning rotation in the World Series.

"They brought in the right knuckleheads to cause havoc in here," Burnett said. "This is a great group."

The new "knuckleheads" also included well-soaked outfielder Nick Swisher and first baseman Mark Teixeira, who hit .136 in the World Series. But Teixeira, who was magnificent with the glove, not only led the team with 39 homers and 122 RBI this season but also contributed a momentum-turning home run in Game 2.

After failing to get out of the third inning in Game 5, Burnett said the veteran Yankees helped him understand that even the great ones stumble.

"I had 24 guys in here tell me we'd have come into Philly in a big hole (if not for) what I did in Game 2," a 3-1 victory, he said. "So I'm glad I could help out and be part of something special."

Burnett, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract, went 13-9 this season. Sabathia, considered the premier free agent pitcher last winter, signed for seven years and $161 million. He tied for the American League high with 19 victories.

"CC was our ace — our horse," said general manager Brian Cashman, who as architect of the retooled Yankees also committed $180 million to Teixeira for eight years. "You saw how badly I felt we needed him, demonstrated by the contract.

"I'm glad for us because the championship has been delivered, but I'm also glad for him because I think he came to New York with a little hesitancy, not sure what it was going to be like. I think he's absolutely ecstatic about the bonding he's had with his teammates, with this city and with the community. He's moved his family here, and that's great. You want this to work out for all the people involved."

Enlarge By David J. Phillip, AP Holding the World Series trophy, Yankees starter CC Sabathia gets drenched with champagne in the locker room after Game 6 on Wednesday.