On Monday Paul made the following statement, “With the World Series effectively over, we now resume our regularly scheduled posts.” I think what Paul was actually trying to say was “I’m going to my man cave to Google images of kittens to make me feel better.” I wonder about his dedication to the Phillies conceding so early. I still feel the burn of 2004 when a now AAA team from Boston made a comeback against the Yankees (who led the series 3-0) in the ALCS and went on to win the World Series.

In game 6 Pedro Calrissian took the mound for the Phils against Andy Petit (Pettitte, corrected by Paul) for the Yanks. From the start Lando didn’t have his best stuff. Regardless of how the game would end this made me happy.

I have to give Paul some credit, he was right. The World Series is over and the New York Yankees are the world champs. I’m pleased even though it has come at the expense of my friendship with Paul (and Jeff Miller). As a reader of IBD you can look forward to an end of these baseball-type posts. Paul can look forward to spring training. You will have to get used to my references to the New York Yankees becoming slightly longer as the 2009 World Champion New York Yankees. You have to admit it has a nice ring to it. For those that have attended or will attend our various presentations, all images that display the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies will be replaced with a more current image of the 2009 World Champion New York Yankees that illustrate the same point, perhaps even better.

So what can interpretive designers learn from the New York Yankees?

Vertical stripes always work.

If you are not getting what you want out of a team of designers, budget more for changes.

Joba is an awesome name (not really related to design but if you are looking for a baby name, it is a good one).

Working on short rest can bring out your best.

Start your day with Jay-Z (Empire Sate of Mind) and end your day with Metallica (Enter Sandman).  

If you build it, they will come.

Spitting and scratching are two appropriate Photoshop techniques.

For those of you that have hung in there and continued to read despite the baseball banter, we appreciate it. For those of you that we will see in Hartford make sure that you rub it in to Paul.