Since I first discovered baseball, I have never met a person who was more of a die-hard Yankee fan then Doug. Whether the Yankees were in last place or first place - Doug was there cheering them on every step of the way - and no matter how many games ahead or behind they were - his loyalty never wavered.

I had the pleasure of sitting right next to Doug to watch the Yankees win three straight World Series Championships - the last one against the New York Mets in the first Subway Series in New York in forty-four years. I was also able to take Doug to a few Yankee-related events at City Hall - the most memorable one was on July 20, 1999 when Mayor Giuliani held a ceremony commemorating the day that David Cone pitched a perfect game against Montreal. I remember how excited Doug was that we were standing in the front row as the Mayor presented Cone with the key to the City. That day was a great one and I am happy that I shared it with Doug.

And now, as the Yankees are two games away from their forth straight and twenty-seventh all time World Series Championship - the seat next to me that Doug sat in the last three times the Yankees made it to the World Series is empty. I am so mad that Doug was robbed of his life and unable to watch his Yankees make it to the World Series again this year. I can honestly say that no matter how many millions of Yankee fans that will watch the Bronx Bombers take their twenty-seventh trophy this year - there is no doubt that the Yankees have unquestionably lost their biggest fan.

So while I have no choice but to watch the Yankees in the World Series without Doug - I am still reminded of him and his love for the game. And with the seesaw battle that this Series has turned into - I am also reminded of something that Doug always used to say about the Yankees - and how true his statement is in this year's Series.

Doug always used to say that the Yankees have the uncanny ability to be at the point where it looked like they were going to lose it all - and then look at Joe Torre and say, "Now?" - And come back and win. Doug's statement has proved right on many occasions - but has never been more evident then this year.

Down two games to nothing in the American League Divisional Series, the Yankees had to travel to Oakland to face the A's - who were only one game away from heading to the World Series and leaving the Bronx Bombers in the dust. But just like Doug said - the Yankees managed to come back from a two-game deficit by winning the next three games in a row - and heading into the World Series for the twenty-seventh time.

Doug's statement again proved to be true in the World Series so far. With the Diamondbacks starving to win their first Series Championship - they managed to take the first two games of the Series - leaving Yankee fans concerned that a four-peat was not in the cards. But just as Doug said - they came back Tuesday night and last night to tie the Series at two games apiece - and head back to Yankee Stadium tonight to play Game Five.

With two and possibly three games to go in this year's World Series - I know that Doug's spirit is with me as he would have been as I watched the Yankees make it this far - and will watch them win the Series - I just with that Doug was here to watch it with me. But if I know him - he's in the dugout.