As the world tries it's best to get back to normal after it was turned on it's ear on September the eleventh - everyone is looking for a distraction from the attacks, the cleanup - and the uncertain future. And as October draws to a close - the world turns to the baseball playoffs for a distraction - and New York City turns to the Yankees.

Of all the years that winning the World Series carried a level of importance - I think this year's World Series is the one year that the Yankees need to win it the most. With a City torn apart by devastation and destruction - a World Series victory is just what we need to bring the level of morale back to livable levels.

As the playoffs began, the Yankees faced the Oakland A's, who had such a good team and such a desire to dethrone the kings of baseball - that they took the first two games from the Yankees at home - leaving the Bronx Bombers two games in the hole - and facing their first must win situation in recent memory - in Oakland's backyard.

As my friends and I sat down for the game - I realized that this was the first Yankee game I watched without the Yankee fan of Yankee fans. The one man that truly defined what a die hard fan should be. Doug cheered when the Yankees won, and applauded the Yankees when they lost - but never lost faith in the team that he loved. Even when it seemed that the Yankees were done for - Doug knew that they would bounce back - and they always did.

When the game began, I went upstairs to my bedroom and got a Yankee hat or shirt for everyone that watched the game with me - because I knew that Doug would have been in full Yankee regalia for this game. I also knew that Doug would have not missed this game for anything - which is why I did not miss the game either - because I wanted to watch it for Doug.

Not only did the Yankees win that third game of the series - they did exactly what Doug always said they would do - they won the next two games in a row as well - winning the series that they were two games behind in - and advancing one step closer to another World Series victory. And now, as they travel to Seattle to face the Mariners in the National League Championship - I will be there every step of the way, rooting on the Bronx Bombers all the way to the World Series - just like Doug would have.

Thanks Yanks - Doug would be proud.