Yanks' aim: Win one for George  —  The Boss has lost something off a Hall of Fame fastball, but that doesn't mean the need to win has been sucked from his marrow.  —  “It's the old George, the focus is on nothing but winning,” a friend of Steinbrenner's told The Post yesterday.

Pedro gets Game 2 start for Phillies  —  Old foe will make seventh postseason appearance vs. Yanks  —  NEW YORK — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel dropped a few big hints the past few days that Pedro Martinez would pitch Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.  —  He made it official Tuesday morning.

Tom Verducci: How do you beat the Yankees?  Smoltz has a radical idea … 1. As the postseason began, Cardinals pitcher John Smoltz gave me a stunning piece of advice about how to stop the Yankees this October.  Remember, it was the powerful New York lineup that knocked Smoltz clear …

Epstein's stable has another winner  —  SAN DIEGO - Jed Hoyer, the new general manager of the San Diego Padres, said all the right things during his introductory news conference yesterday, but he fell short of saying what Red Sox fans wanted to hear - that he would trade superstar Adrian Gonzalez to Boston.

Their fans are second rate & so is their city  —  Gotham trembles; the Frillies are coming to town  —  Yankee fans have a message for the Phillies and their hometown: This ain't Rocky, and the underdog won't win!  —  “The Yankees are going to make Philly cream cheese out of them,” …

Figuring Yankee rotation  —  With the world still awaiting the puffs of smoke that will signal Joe Girardi's intentions regarding his starting pitchers in the World Series, Dan Rosenheck offers his well-reasoned (as usual) advice:  —  The critical question for Girardi is how to make the most use …

Fed who led 'roid probe questions Big Mac's return  —  The FBI agent who led a landmark steroid investigation said investigators obtained information that former home run king Mark McGwire - who is ending a self-imposed exile to return to the St. Louis Cardinals as the team's hitting coach …

An old Whiz Kid salutes this year's team  —  The other day, Cole Hamels walked past, with confusion and frustration walking with him.  —  “Hey, lefthander,” Robin Roberts cried out to him.  —  Hamels turned.  —  “Don't forget,” Roberts said, “how good you are.”  —  Class still tells.

Tigers join Chapman sweepstakes … The Tigers have joined the host of teams expressing interest in Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, a source tells SI.com.  The team has contacted Chapman's camp in attempts to schedule a meeting later this week or early next week, the source said.

The Art of the Ballpark Seat  —  Look at this.  [holds up a silver pocket watch] It's worthless.  Ten dollars from a vendor in the street.  But I take it, I bury it in the sand for a thousand years, it becomes priceless!  Rene Belloq in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”  —  History is a funny thing.

Ex-major leaguer in Taiwan game-fixing probe  —  TAIPEI, Taiwan — Authorities are investigating whether Taiwanese baseball players accepted bribes to fix games, a prosecutor said Tuesday, the latest blow to the integrity of the sport on the baseball-loving island.

Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers ponder coach's next move  —  Don Mattingly was on the short list of managerial candidates in Cleveland, and wasn't hired.  —  But he is speaking with the Los Angeles Dodgers about his future with that organization, and while it would be premature …

Vladimir Guerrero goes down swinging — and zinging  —  In what might have been his final game as an Angel, the normally keep-to-himself slugger has three hits and twice jaws at home plate umpire Dale Scott over disputed strike calls in 5-2 loss.  —  Angels designated hitter watches …