Sports

STARS IN STRIPES ; YANKEES TAKE ANOTHER CANYON OF HEROES STROLL

The Bronx was up and so was the Battery yesterday as New Yorkers uncorked that Yankee spirit and flooded the Canyon of Heroes for the third time in four years to toast their World Series champs.

“There are some things money can’t buy and this day is like that – priceless,” beaming first baseman Tino Martinez said after he and his teammates accepted keys to the city from Mayor Giuliani.

Police, who have been known to overstate crowd counts, said 3.6 million people attended the ticker-tape bash. Despite the huge crowd, many of whom called in sick to work and school with Yankee fever, there were only six arrests.

The weather was fan-tastic, the confetti was knee-deep and the roars were deafening as the Team of the Century rolled up Broadway – a journey that has practically become a rite of fall.

“This never gets boring!” crowed Steve Sikonitz, 37, of Yonkers, one of the boisterous Bleacher Creatures who cheered on the Yanks as they vanquished the Atlanta Braves to clinch back-to-back championships.

The Yankees – trailed by Radio City Rockettes, the El Duque Dancers, flag twirlers, marching bands, and Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson in vintage cars – seconded that emotion.

With all the enthusiasm of Little Leaguers, they waved at the screeching teenyboppers and spunky seniors, snapped pictures of the 10-deep crowds, and stared in amazement at the tons of paper raining down from above.

A giddy George Steinbrenner waved a sweep-symbolizing broom from the top of a double-decker bus. From the sidelines, die-hards shook theirs back at the man they used to love to hate.

“This stuff never gets old,” Yankee manager Joe Torre said at the invitation-only City Hall pep rally. “This one seemed even better. I think you appreciate it more each time you do it.”

The faithful sported every imaginable variation of Yankee regalia. Their faces painted blue, they held aloft signs that declared “Jeter for Mayor!” and “I Thank the Lord Every Day for Making Me a Yankee Fan!”

In a year of spine-tingling highs and heart-breaking lows, it was a day of cheers – but also tears.

Stoic outfielder Paul O’Neill, whose father died before Game 4, managed to smile through his grief.

Slugger Darryl Strawberry wept as he thanked Torre for supporting him through his battles with cancer and addiction.

His head bowed, he struggled for a minute to regain his composure. Then, in a quavering voice, he said, “I’d just like to say to Joe, thank you for being there for me: And I love you guys.”

Fans said the ups and downs of the season only made yesterday’s finale more gratifying.

“This year was better than all the others,” said Andy Davino, 41, of Astoria.

“They struggled to overcome all their emotions, what with Paul O’Neill, Luis Sojo and Scott Brosius’ fathers dying. And Joe Torre getting cancer. And they struggled at the start of the year. But they worked all year long and won.

“It’s so sweet.”

The parade drew fans of every pinstripe – from the Bushwick Little Leaguers in their Yankee uniforms to 49-year-old Pat O’Gorman, who drove down from Dutchess County and braved the masses in a wheelchair.

Carl Constantino of Staten Island, who gave the workers at his painting and decorating business the day off with pay, had no qualms about keeping his 7-year-old son out of school.

“My kid’s having a family history lesson,” he said. “My grandfather took his son to the parade and he took me and now I’m taking my son.”

The lesson wasn’t lost on young Patrick, who piped up, “And I’ll take my son, too.”

The parade route led right to City Hall, where the Yanks were hailed by Hizzoner at a ceremony featuring Yankee Stadium organist Eddie Layton and country star Clint Black, who wrote a song to honor the champions.

Pitcher David Cone, a potential free agent, was serenaded with a chant of “One more year!” He responded: “How about two more years?”

Catcher Joe Girardi, whose contract is up, recounted how The Boss wooed him back last season by telling him three out of four championships was better than two out of three.

“Four outta five ain’t bad either, George,” he added to applause.

The Bombers may have had their eye on the future, but the fans were still living in the past.

“It’s been one helluva season and this is the way to end it,” Bronx resident Justin Vega, 23, enthused.

Even the Sanitation workers who had to clean up the Mother of all Messes were all smiles.

“We’re just like the Yankees,” said Michael Scire of Garage 3 on Staten Island. “We sweep, sweep, sweep.”