Good Ending for Knoblauch

Chuck Knoblauch is still in a New York state of mind, though he might not be much longer.

The one-time all-star second baseman turned outfielder is expected to leave the New York Yankees after this season, ending a mixed experience for him.

It appears he will go out in style.

Knoblauch played a key role Thursday night in yet another stunning Yankee ending in Game 5 of the World Series, scoring the winning run in a 3-2, 12-inning victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks before 56,018 at Yankee Stadium.

A late-inning replacement, Knoblauch singled on Albie Lopez’s first pitch in the 12th and advanced to second on a textbook sacrifice bunt by Scott Brosius, whose two-out, two-run home run in the ninth forced extra innings.

On Alfonso Soriano’s single to right, Knoblauch raced from second with the winning run, beating a throw from Arizona right fielder Reggie Sanders that bounced away from catcher Rod Barajas.

The Yankees raced from the dugout to celebrate and their fans partied in the stands, seemingly replaying a scene from a night earlier. Knoblauch was not in the lead in Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning victory in Game 4, but he certainly was at center stage Thursday.

“Knobby was huge,” said designated hitter David Justice, who Knoblauch replaced in the seventh after Justice walked. “Knobby is our leadoff hitter, and it’s a good sign for him to get on leading off an inning.

“When that happens, you know something good can happen. You want to see all your teammates do well, but I was so happy for him.”

The Yankees have been especially supportive of Knoblauch. The four-time all-star lost his jobs as the everyday second baseman and leadoff batter because of his erratic throwing to first and drop in production.

He had his worst season after Manager Joe Torre moved him to left field, establishing career lows with a .250 batting average and .339 on-base percentage. Knoblauch had his moments in the American League championship series against the Seattle Mariners, but he has struggled in the Series.

Shane Spencer started in left field in Games 4 and 5, putting Knoblauch on the bench. But Knoblauch didn’t pout.

“You stay ready, for sure,” he said. “As the innings wear on, you go up to the clubhouse and run around and stretch.

“You just have to stay ready, and the guys that we have on the bench are always ready.”

Knoblauch is a free agent after the Series. The Yankees and Knoblauch had a “handshake” agreement for a two-year, $18-million extension that they are no longer expected to honor.

His teammates want the world to know how much Knoblauch has contributed to their amazing run.

“In the Seattle series, he was huge,” right fielder Paul O’Neill said. “He carried this team, and he obviously kept himself ready on the bench tonight. He’s a big part of this team.”