NEW YORK -- Call it one for the aged, not one for the ages.

From late 30-somethings Hideki Matsui to Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees rode the backs of their older veterans to bring the World Series title back to the Bronx for the 27th time.

While few would classify the Yankees' conquest of the Philadelphia Phillies in six games a classic Fall Classic, it underscored the value of experience, and the Yankees were bursting with it.

There was the 35-year-old Matsui, who garnered Most Valuable Player honors after turning in one of the most spectacular single-game performances in Series history, a six-RBI night to lead the Yankees to a Game 6 win.

``I guess you could say this is the best moment of my life right now,'' Matsui said after his record-equaling RBI performance.

Matsui, a designated hitter, didn't start the middle three games of the Series in Philadelphia. But he did enough in the three games he did start, going 8 for 13 with three home runs and eight RBI.

There was the 39-year-old Rivera, recording the final out of the Series and confirming his place as one of the greatest closers of his generation. Rivera finished all four Series wins for the Yankees.

``I've been blessed because I have been able to play for 15 years, and we have done almost everything together,'' Rivera said of a core group of Yankees that also includes Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter.

Those four players won their fifth rings -- ``one for the thumb,'' as some called it.

There was Jeter, the team's 35-year-old shortstop and captain.

Outside of Matsui and the Phillies Chase Utley, whose five home runs weren't enough to help Philadelphia get by New York, there was no better hitter in the Series than Jeter, who went 11 for 27 (.407) and scored five runs.

There was Pettitte, who at age 37 delivered two Series wins to add to his postseason-record total.

Pettitte was working on three days' rest Wednesday when he faced the Phils in the clincher, and he stood up to the challenge.

There was Johnny Damon, a 35-year-old veteran outfielder who was fitted for his first Series ring when he was a member of the 2004 Boston Red Sox.

Damon hit .364 (8 for 22) in the Series, scored six runs and drove in four.

``I've been fortunate I've been able to get two [rings],'' said Damon, who left Game 6 with a calf injury. ``You don't know how many opportunities you're going to get in this game.''

And, of course, there was Alex Rodriguez. The 34-year-old third baseman had spent 16 seasons in the majors without winning a Series title. Until now.

Rodriguez hit only .250 in the Series, but he made the most of his five hits. He hit a home run and doubled three times, driving in six runs and scoring five.

But his body of work in this postseason exonerated him from previous playoff failures. He went 19 for 52 (.365) with six home runs and a club playoff record 18 RBI.

Rodriguez started the season embroiled in a steroids scandal and needed hip surgery. But he finished it on the highest note possible.

``Look, a lot of people were running the other way and my teammates and coaches and organization stood by me, and now we're together as world champs, and I couldn't be prouder and happier,'' Rodriguez told reporters in the aftermath.

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