Oct. 23
I can hear all the experts already talking about Arizona's dynamic duo of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. I can hear the comments now, people calling them the best 1-2 tandem in baseball, too strong for the men in pinstripes from New York City.

Oh really?

The Yankees and Duke's basketball program share consistency, tradition and the ideal of doing things the right way.

I'm not taking anything away from Schilling and Johnson. Just look back at my Web site, about two months ago when the Yankees were struggling. At that time, I said the Yankees had some deficiencies -- but give me starters Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, plus Mariano Rivera coming out of the 'pen, Derek Jeter's natural ability and leadership and Joe Torre's savvy in the dugout.

Consider the teams the Yankees beat to get to the World Series. Oakland and Seattle combined for 218 wins during the regular season. But the Bronx Bombers got on a roll and won seven of their past eight games.

The fans were dancing in the streets of New York City after Monday night's ALCS clincher. It is beautiful to see, especially after what happened on Sept. 11. It's great to see a little diversion -- obviously it doesn't solve the city's problems, but it's something positive for New York and its baseball fans.

The city was able to unite behind the team in pinstripes. Mayor Rudolph Guilani was sitting next to the dugout with his son, cheering on the team. Torre showed so much class after the pennant was clinched, bringing the mayor onto the field to share the special moment with the team.

Mariners manager Lou Piniella and A's manager Art Howe can still be proud of the seasons their teams enjoyed.

These Yankees epitomize pride, professionalism and class. When you look in that dugout and see Jeter, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill, Scott Brosius and company -- you see winners, unselfish in their ways.

As one columnist recently pointed out to me, there are similarities between the Yankees and Duke's basketball program. They share consistency, tradition and the ideal of doing things the right way. They succeed with athletes who are willing to sacrifice.

Think about Mike Krzyzewski and Joe Torre; they do it with patience and poise. They each have the utmost respect from their people. Yankee Stadium and Cameron Indoor Stadium are very special places for fans.

Give Arizona a lot of credit. Jerry Colangelo has built a World Series participant in just four years, the quickest expansion team to make the jump to the Series. There are lots of veterans on the roster -- hungry guys like Mark Grace, Jay Bell and Matt Williams -- who all want that championship ring badly.

But when the last out is recorded, even with Schilling and Johnson pitching for the D-Backs, don't bet against the pinstripes. My prediction: In dramatic style, the Yankees pull it out in seven games.