AT AROUND 4:30 yesterday afternoon, the corner of 11th and Pattison was the Philadelphia equivalent of Times Square.

Traffic was gridlocked, horns were honking and the police were pulling their figurative hair out. "Thank God the Eagles won," one cop observed, "or this place would be crowded and angry."

Thousands of people simply walked out of the Eagles' win over the Giants at Lincoln Financial Field and into the line outside McFadden's at Citizens Bank Park. Some stumbled.

They waited outside the tent where they sell the official World Series apparel, also known as the printing money shop.

"When do you ever get the chance to see the same cities playing on the same day across the street from each other?" asked Wayne Martin, of Princeton, N.J.

"This is once in a lifetime," said his son, Zach.

Be my guest

Phillies scout Gordon Lakey took care of a friend yesterday and wound up with a neat piece of memorabilia.

Lakey got to know the family of Karen Hughes, a close adviser to former President George W. Bush, through University of Texas connections. Hughes' husband, Terry, had never been to a World Series game until last night when he attended Game 4. Lakey's reward was a handwritten thank-you note from the former prez.

"I was astounded," Lakey exclaimed.

Wildcat offense

New York manager Joe Girardi jumped from his perch behind the cage during Yankees batting practice when he spotted Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ on the other side of the field.

Girardi hustled up a team photographer and had his picture taken with the surprised Phillies pitcher and fellow Northwestern University product. Now that's something you don't see everyday.

"For sure," Happ agreed.

Name 'em, results

Some of the suggestions for a nickname for this era of Phillies teams weren't bad. Here are a couple submitted by readers. Thanks to all who wrote.

* Monty's pythons

* Manuel's Maulers

* The Next Red Machine

* Manuel's Laborers

Road warriors

The Yankees came into last night with 132 World Series victories in their franchise history. Of those, 66 were at home and 66 were on the road. The only game in which they had a losing record was Game 7. They are 5-7. The Phillies have never played in a Game 7.

TV or not TV

Albert Pujols, of the Cardinals, and Derek Jeter, of the Yankees, were this year's winners of the Hank Aaron Award, given to the top offensive player in either league.

Not only does each player get a really swell trophy, both get a 65-inch television from Sharp, the award's sponsor. Those babies were pricing at about four grand on the company Web site. The two sluggers make about $35 million combined.

Turn that down

Shane Victorino was among a number of players complaining that the speakers in the leftfield auxiliary press box were way too loud Saturday.

Victorino was particularly peeved on Saturday night when he could hear an announcement regarding Hideki Matsui's pinch-hit home run off Brett Myers.

"I'm all the way in centerfield and I could hear that [stuff]," Victorino fumed. "I know Brett heard it, too."

Feeling blue

Section 142 in leftfield was loaded with Yankee fans, who certainly got the attention of the CBP security folks. Most of the group were employees of the Yankees, so the alcohol consumption - and subsequent stupidity - was kept to a minimum. Give 'em credit, though. They were vocal.

Not in my house

The Yankees tonight can become the sixth visiting team to clinch its championship in Philadelphia tonight. They would join the 1976 Canadiens, the 1980 and 2001 Lakers, the 1915 Red Sox and the 1983 Orioles. The last team to climb out of a 3-1 hole and win the World Series was the Kansas City Royals in 1985.

Sign of the times

Good hustle by the fellas outside the ballpark last night trying to score tickets. One guy wore a sign that said, "I'll have sex for tickets." His buddy was wearing "Me too."

Not bad.

Send e-mail to barkowe@phillynews.com