| 2005 Overview: | | | | the finish" battling rival Boston for first place finally |
| The New York Yankees simply weren't themselves | | | | clinching the AL Eastern division in the final weekend |
| for much of the 2005 season. The Bombers starting | | | | series against the Red Sox. |
| pitching proved spotty for much of the year while | | | | The Yankees postseason didn't prove quite as |
| their offense regularly scratched and clawed for runs | | | | exciting as they lost to the Angels in 5 games exiting |
| during the entire first half of the season. Newly | | | | quickly in the first round of the playoffs. |
| acquired starter Randy Johnson struggled to become | | | | Off Season Moves: |
| the power pitcher the Yankees had hoped for, while | | | | After a disappointing postseason, Steinbrenner and |
| the rest of the pitching staff battled with constant | | | | company quickly re-signed GM Brian Cashman and |
| injuries and poor starts. Somehow Manager Joe Torre | | | | began focusing on the tasks at hand. First in line was |
| was able to keep his team in the mix of things until | | | | extending leftfielder Hideki Matsui's contract for |
| after the All Star break. And as the Orioles and Blue | | | | another four years. Next, Yankee management |
| Jays began slumping in the second half of the | | | | added bullpen strength by signing free agents Kyle |
| season, the Yankees hit their stride. | | | | Farnsworth (1-1 2.19 16 saves) and Mike Myers (3-1 |
| Rookie 2nd baseman Robinson Cano (.297 14 62) | | | | 3.13) while trading for pitcher Ron Villone (5-5 4.08). |
| provided the Yankees with an impressive bat and | | | | Yankee fans were also given a special Christmas |
| steady defense while 3rd baseman Alex Rodriquez | | | | present on December 21st when Boston free agent |
| (.321 48 130) assembled a stellar MVP campaign | | | | outfielder Johnny Damon (.316 10 75) agreed to |
| hitting behind Shortstop and Captain Derek Jeter | | | | terms as the Yankees new centerfielder. Free agents |
| (.309 19 70). Outfielders Hideki Matsui (.305 23 116) | | | | Octavio Dotel and Miguel Cairo were also signed while |
| and Gary Sheffield (.291 34 123) also helped anchor | | | | fan favorite Bernie Williams (.249 12 64) agreed to |
| the Yankee offense while 1st basemen Jason Giambi | | | | return - at least for one more season - as the team's |
| (.271 32 87 108 walks) rebounded from his admission | | | | DH. |
| of steroid use and a dreadful 2004 campaign. Giambi | | | | 2006 Analysis: |
| turned in an impressive offensive second half and | | | | The Yankees addressed some key bullpen concerns |
| forced fan favorite Tino Martinez (.241 17 49) to the | | | | with additions of Farnsworth and Myers who will join |
| bench despite Tino's hot offensive production prior to | | | | Tanyon Sturtze (5-3 4.73), Aaron Small and |
| the all star break. | | | | Chien-Ming Wang as the bridge to Riveria. Dotel is |
| Closer Mariano Riveria (7-4 1.38) proved once again | | | | coming off surgery but his save numbers (36 in |
| why he is one of the most valuable closers in baseball | | | | 2004) have the Yankees hoping he is worth a |
| appearing in 71 games while saving 43. And Randy | | | | chance. Damon finally gives the Yankees the leadoff |
| Johnson (17-8 3.79 211K) finally settled in to provide | | | | hitter they have lacked for the past few seasons |
| some needed consistency in the rotation. The | | | | and will solve the defensive problems that eventually |
| Yankees also caught some much needed "lightening in | | | | forced the benching of centerfield Bernie Williams |
| a bottle" from newcomers Aaron Small (10-0 3.20) | | | | prior to the all star break. |
| and Chien-Ming Wang (8-5 4.02) while starting pitcher | | | | If both are healthy, Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina |
| Mike Mussina was able to string together a number | | | | should have an easier first half then last season but |
| of quality starts in order to improve his overall record | | | | the 4th and 5th starters for the Yankees may need |
| to 13-8. The July addition of Shawn Chacon (7-3 2.85) | | | | some help - so expect Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano |
| acquired from the Colorado Rookies for RHP Ramon | | | | to receive some competition. It will be interesting to |
| Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra also provided some much | | | | see just how Joe Torre fits Chacon, Wang and Small |
| needed help for the starting rotation. | | | | into the mix. |
| The Yanks ended their season in a classic "fight to | | | | |