2005 New York Yankees

The final standing	Lost the ALDS to the Los Angeles Angels
Regular season record	95–67 (.586)
Post-season record	2-3
Divisional rank	1
ALDS record and opponent	Lost 2-3 vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
AL rank	2
ALCS record and opponent	Did not play
World Series record and opponent	Did not play
Manager	Joe Torre
Captain	Derek Jeter
Top batter	Home runs: Alex Rodriguez (48), Gary Sheffield (34), Jason Giambi (32), Hideki Matsui (23) BA: Alex Rodriguez (.321), Derek Jeter (.309), Hideki Matsui (.305), Robinson Cano (.297) Runs: Alex Rodriguez (124), Derek Jeter (122), Hideki Matsui (108) RBI: Alex Rodriguez (130), Gary Sheffield (123), Hideki Matsui (116)
Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA)	Randy Johnson: 17-8, 3.79 Mike Mussina: 13-8, 4.41 Chien-Ming Wang: 8-5, 4.02
Attendance record	4,090,696 (1st of 14)

2005 New York Yankees season: A brief summary

The 2005 New York Yankees marked the 103rd season for the franchise, and expectations were naturally high, given the star-studded roster that included icons like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, and the towering presence of Randy Johnson on the mound.

As the season kicked off, the 2005 New York Yankees found themselves facing an uphill battle. Despite their powerhouse lineup, they struggled to find consistency, languishing at .500 and trailing the Boston Red Sox by a seemingly insurmountable six-game margin in the American League East. The midpoint of the season brought a glimmer of hope as the team experienced a brief surge, rekindling the competitive flame and reentering the tight race for the division crown with their perennial rivals, the Red Sox. 

The 2005 New York Yankees ultimately clinched 95 victories. However, it wasn’t a smooth journey. The emotional investment of the fans was tested, witnessing both the victories and the agonizing defeats at Yankee Stadium, where over 4 million loyal supporters bore witness to a season that would ultimately be defined by its dramatic twists.

A pivotal moment arrived in July, a critical juncture in the season where the 2005 New York Yankees showcased their resilience and determination. Despite the odds, they clawed their way back into contention, setting the stage for a fierce battle with the Boston Red Sox. The intensity of the rivalry reached its zenith as the Yankees and Red Sox engaged in a neck-and-neck race for the division crown.

The climax of the regular season unfolded with a tense showdown against the Red Sox, a battle for supremacy that epitomized the fierce competition between the two storied franchises. In the end, the 2005 New York Yankees secured their place atop the division, not by a comfortable margin, but by a razor-thin thread—a season series victory of 10–9 against their rivals.

Manager Joe Torre summed up the nail-biting nature of the divisional race, stating, “We know how evenly matched we are. We’re sitting here as Division Champs because we were 10-9 against them; you can’t get much more balanced than that.”

The playoffs, however, proved to be a heartbreak for the passionate Yankees fanbase. In the ALDS, the 2005 New York Yankees faced off against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and, despite the fervent hopes of the fans, succumbed in a grueling five-game series. The dream of a World Series title remained elusive, adding a bitter note to an otherwise eventful season.

In retrospect, the 2005 season stands as a testament to the resilience of the Yankees and the emotional roller coaster that defines the life of a dedicated fan. It was a season of soaring highs and crushing lows, a narrative that unfolded on the hallowed grounds of Yankee Stadium and in the hearts of millions who bleed pinstripes.

2005 New York Yankees’ unforgettable comeback: The season’s best moment

The most memorable moment of the 2005 New York Yankees season came on a night that initially seemed destined for disappointment. The ace of the Yankees’ staff, Randy Johnson, endured his shortest and worst outing of the season, leaving the Yankees in a seemingly insurmountable 10-2 hole against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after just four innings.

As Johnson trudged to the clubhouse, the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium was one of disbelief and frustration. The outlook was bleak, but little did the fans know that they were about to witness a remarkable turnaround that would etch this game into the annals of the Yankees’ history.

The turning point began when the 2005 New York Yankees trimmed the Devil Rays’ lead to five runs in the third inning. Gary Sheffield, a key figure in the comeback, noted the positive sign as he saw his teammates eagerly running to the bat rack. Little did anyone anticipate the avalanche of runs that would follow.

In a stunning display of resilience, the 2005 New York Yankees erupted for an awe-inspiring 13-run eighth inning. The Bronx Bombers transformed a 10-2 deficit into a 20-11 victory, leaving both veterans and their experienced manager, Joe Torre, agog. The 40,241 roaring fans at Yankee Stadium witnessed a spectacle that defied expectations and defied explanation.

Gary Sheffield’s performance stood out as he launched a pair of three-run homers among his four hits, amassing an incredible seven runs batted in. However, he wasn’t alone in this offensive onslaught. Bernie Williams played a pivotal role, driving in five runs, while Derek Jeter showcased his prowess with five hits, including a home run, and scoring five runs himself. Hideki Matsui contributed four hits, including a home run, adding to the barrage of offensive firepower.

The eighth inning was a fireworks display, with four of the 2005 New York Yankees hitting home runs, including consecutive shots by Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, and Matsui. The unraveling of the Devil Rays’ pitching staff, particularly Travis Harper, who endured eight hits and nine runs in the inning, added to the surreal nature of the comeback.

Manager Joe Torre, reflecting on the unexpected outcome, expressed, “It was nuts, it really was. Obviously, the outcome was very unexpected and great.” The victory marked the 2005 New York Yankees’ seventh win in their last eight games and left an indelible mark on the season.

Randy Johnson’s three-inning struggle on the mound became a mere footnote in the face of the offensive explosion that followed. Johnson, though not pleased with his performance, acknowledged the mind-boggling nature of the comeback, stating, “As long as I’ve played, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that in one inning.”

The Yankees’ 23 hits that night were their most since 1999, and the 13-run eighth inning tied the mark for the second-largest comeback victory in franchise history. This unforgettable game, with its incredible twists and turns, showcased the heart and determination of the 2005 New York Yankees, leaving an enduring mark on the memories of the fans who witnessed the Bronx Bombers’ improbable triumph.

2005 New York Yankees season in videos

ALDS Result

Yankees 2-3 Angels

1	October 4	New York Yankees – 4, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – 2	Angel Stadium of Anaheim	2:59	45,142
2	October 5	New York Yankees – 3, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – 5	Angel Stadium of Anaheim	3:05	45,150
3	October 7	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – 11, New York Yankees – 7	Yankee Stadium	4:00	56,277
4	October 9†	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – 2, New York Yankees – 3	Yankee Stadium	3:13	56,226
5	October 10	New York Yankees – 3, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – 5	Angel Stadium of Anaheim	3:29	45,133

ALCS

(Didn’t play)

World Series

(Didn’t play)

2005 New York Yankees roster

Name	Age	B	T	Ht	Wt	DoB	Yrs	G	GS	WAR	Salary
Jason Anderson	26	L	R	6′ 0″	188	Jun 9, 1979	3	3	0	-0.1
Colter Bean	28	R	R	6′ 6″	255	Jan 16, 1977	1st	1	0	0
Mark Bellhorn	30	B	R	6′ 1″	195	Aug 23, 1974	8	9	3	0
Kevin Brown	40	R	R	6′ 4″	195	Mar 14, 1965	19	13	13	-0.4	$15,714,286
Melky Cabrera	20	B	L	5′ 10″	210	Aug 11, 1984	1st	6	6	-0.5
Robinson Cano	22	L	R	6′ 0″	228	Oct 22, 1982	1st	132	130	0.8
Shawn Chacon	27	R	R	6′ 3″	212	Dec 23, 1977	5	14	12	3.1
Bubba Crosby	28	L	L	5′ 11″	180	Aug 11, 1976	3	76	23	-0.4	$322,950
Jorge De Paula	26	R	R	6′ 1″	160	Nov 10, 1978	3	3	0	-0.1
Alan Embree	35	L	L	6′ 2″	185	Jan 23, 1970	12	24	0	-0.5
Felix Escalona	26	R	R	6′ 0″	185	Mar 12, 1979	4	10	3	0.4
John Flaherty	37	R	R	6′ 1″	195	Oct 21, 1967	14	47	39	-0.5	$800,000
Wayne Franklin	31	L	L	6′ 2″	195	Mar 9, 1974	6	13	0	-0.4
Jason Giambi	34	L	R	6′ 3″	240	Jan 8, 1971	11	139	135	4.6	$13,428,571
Tom Gordon	37	R	R	5′ 9″	160	Nov 18, 1967	17	79	0	3	$3,750,000
Alex Graman	27	L	L	6′ 4″	210	Nov 17, 1977	2	2	0	-0.1
Buddy Groom	39	L	L	6′ 2″	200	Jul 10, 1965	14	24	0	0.2
Sean Henn	24	R	L	6′ 3″	235	Apr 23, 1981	1st	3	3	-0.6
Derek Jeter HOF	31	R	R	6′ 3″	195	Jun 26, 1974	11	159	158	3.8	$19,600,000
Randy Johnson HOF	41	R	L	6′ 10″	225	Sep 10, 1963	18	34	34	5.7	$16,000,000
Russ Johnson	32	R	R	5′ 10″	185	Feb 22, 1973	7	22	2	-0.2
Steve Karsay	33	R	R	6′ 3″	210	Mar 24, 1972	10	6	0	-0.1	$6,000,000
Matt Lawton	33	L	R	5′ 10″	180	Nov 30, 1971	11	21	14	-0.4
Al Leiter	39	L	L	6′ 2″	200	Oct 23, 1965	19	16	10	0.2
Tino Martinez	37	L	R	6′ 2″	205	Dec 7, 1967	16	131	78	1.5	$2,750,000
Hideki Matsui	31	L	R	6′ 2″	210	Jun 12, 1974	3	162	161	4.5	$8,000,000
Darrell May	33	L	L	6′ 2″	190	Jun 13, 1972	7	2	1	-0.5
Ramiro Mendoza	33	R	R	6′ 2″	154	Jun 15, 1972	10	1	0	-0.1
Mike Mussina HOF	36	L	R	6′ 2″	185	Dec 8, 1968	15	30	30	3.4	$19,000,000
Wil Nieves	27	R	R	5′ 11″	190	Sep 25, 1977	2	3	0	-0.1
Carl Pavano	29	R	R	6′ 5″	265	Jan 8, 1976	8	17	17	0.3	$9,000,000
Andy Phillips	28	R	R	6′ 0″	205	Apr 6, 1977	2	27	8	-0.1	$317,200
Jorge Posada	34	B	R	6′ 2″	215	Aug 17, 1970	11	142	126	4.4	$11,000,000
Scott Proctor	28	R	R	6′ 1″	195	Jan 2, 1977	2	29	1	-0.2
Paul Quantrill	36	L	R	6′ 1″	175	Nov 3, 1968	14	22	0	-0.2	$3,000,000
Tim Redding	27	R	R	5′ 11″	230	Feb 12, 1978	5	1	1	-0.3
Kevin Reese	27	L	L	5′ 11″	195	Mar 11, 1978	1st	2	1	0
Mariano Rivera HOF	35	R	R	6′ 2″	195	Nov 29, 1969	11	71	0	4	$10,500,000
Alex Rodriguez	29	R	R	6′ 3″	230	Jul 27, 1975	12	162	162	9.4	$26,000,000
Felix Rodriguez	32	R	R	6′ 1″	170	Sep 9, 1972	10	34	0	0.3	$3,150,000
Rey Sanchez	37	R	R	5′ 10″	180	Oct 5, 1967	15	23	10	-0.4	$600,000
Gary Sheffield	36	R	R	5′ 11″	190	Nov 18, 1968	18	154	153	4.1	$13,000,000
Ruben Sierra	39	B	R	6′ 1″	175	Oct 6, 1965	19	61	36	-0.7	$1,500,000
Aaron Small	33	R	R	6′ 5″	200	Nov 23, 1971	8	15	9	2.7
Mike Stanton	38	L	L	6′ 1″	190	Jun 2, 1967	17	28	0	-0.1	$4,000,000
Tanyon Sturtze	34	R	R	6′ 5″	190	Oct 12, 1970	10	64	1	0.7	$850,000
Mike Vento	27	R	R	6′ 0″	195	May 25, 1978	1st	2	0	-0.1
Chien-Ming Wang	25	R	R	6′ 4″	225	Mar 31, 1980	1st	18	17	2.3
Bernie Williams	36	B	R	6′ 2″	180	Sep 13, 1968	15	141	121	-1.6	$12,357,143
Tony Womack	35	L	R	5′ 9″	160	Sep 25, 1969	12	108	80	-2.2	$2,000,000
Jaret Wright	29	R	R	6′ 2″	220	Dec 29, 1975	9	13	13	-0.5	$5,666,667

2005 New York Yankees additions, transactions, and trades

November

• November 2, 2004: Orlando Hernandez became a free agent.
• November 5, 2004: Jon Lieber became a free agent.
• November 17, 2004: Russ Johnson was signed as a free agent.
• November 18, 2004: Colin Porter joined as a free agent.
• November 19, 2004: Brad Voyles was signed as a free agent.

December

• December 3, 2004: Hector Noesí signed as an amateur free agent. Kenny Lofton traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, receiving Felix Rodriguez. Felix Heredia traded to the New York Mets, receiving Mike Stanton.
• December 6, 2004: John Flaherty signed as a free agent.
• December 18, 2004: Dane De La Rosa released.
• December 20, 2004: Carl Pavano and Tony Womack signed as free agents.
• December 28, 2004: Jaret Wright signed as a free agent.

January

• January 1, 2005: Tino Martinez signed as a free agent.
• January 11, 2005: Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro, Javier Vazquez, and cash traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson.
• January 13, 2005: Ruben Sierra signed as a free agent.
• January 21, 2005: Damian Rolls and Aaron Small signed as free agents.
• January 23, 2005: Rey Sanchez signed as a free agent.
• January 24, 2005: Marc Valdes signed as a free agent.
• January 29, 2005: Doug Glanville signed as a free agent.
• January 31, 2005: Joe DePastino signed as a free agent.

February

• February 9, 2005: Buddy Groom signed as a free agent.
• February 18, 2005: Ramiro Mendoza signed as a free agent. Ramiro Pena signed as an amateur free agent.
• February 21, 2005: Mike Vento signed as a free agent.

March

• March 29, 2005: Bret Prinz traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Wil Nieves.

April

• April 3, 2005: Peter Munro signed as a free agent.
• April 4, 2005: Wayne Franklin signed as a free agent.
• April 5, 2005: Marc Valdes released.
• April 6, 2005: Joe DePastino released.

May

• May 2, 2005: Marc Valdes signed as a free agent.
• May 3, 2005: Steve Karsay released.
• May 6, 2005: Dee Brown signed as a free agent.
• May 9, 2005: Kris Wilson signed as a free agent.
• May 24, 2005: Eric Crozier selected off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
• May 25, 2005: Calvin Maduro signed as a free agent. Dee Brown released.
• May 26, 2005: Grant Roberts signed as a free agent.

June

• June 3, 2005: Carlos Monasterios signed as an amateur free agent.
• June 7, 2005: Multiple players drafted in the amateur draft.

July

• July 1, 2005: Brian Boehringer signed as a free agent. Mike Stanton released.
• July 2, 2005: Abraham Almonte and Zoilo Almonte signed as amateur free agents. Paul Quantrill traded to the San Diego Padres for Darrell May, Tim Redding, and cash.
• July 7, 2005: Daniel Garcia signed as a free agent.
• July 14, 2005: Eric Crozier released.
• July 16, 2005: Al Leiter received from the Florida Marlins as part of a conditional deal.
• July 17, 2005: Michael Coleman purchased from Bridgeport (Atlantic).
• July 18, 2005: Marc Valdes released.
• July 22, 2005: Colin Porter released.
• July 23, 2005: Damian Rolls released.
• July 28, 2005: Eduardo Sierra (minors) and Ramon Ramirez traded to the Colorado Rockies for Shawn Chacon.
• July 29, 2005: Joe Thurston received from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a conditional deal. Hideo Nomo signed as a free agent. Alex Graman released.
• July 30, 2005: Alan Embree signed as a free agent. Brian Boehringer released.
• July 31, 2005: Buddy Groom sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a conditional deal.

August

• August 22, 2005: Grant Roberts released.
• August 23, 2005: Ruben Rivera signed as a free agent.
• August 27, 2005: Justin Berg traded to the Chicago Cubs for Matt Lawton.
• August 30, 2005: Mark Bellhorn signed as a free agent.

2005 New York Yankees player debuts

• Colter Bean – 04-26-2005 – 28 years old
• Melky Cabrera – 07-07-2005 – 20 years old
• Robinson Cano – 05-03-2005 – 22 years old
• Sean Henn – 05-04-2005 – 23 years old
• Kevin Reese – 06-26-2005 – 27 years old
• Mike Vento – 09-13-2005 – 27 years old
• Chien-Ming Wang – 04-30-2005 – 25 years old

2005 New York Yankees team stats (batting)

Pos	Name	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA
C	Jorge Posada	34	142	546	474	67	124	23	0	19	71	1	0	66	94	0.262
1B	Tino Martinez	37	131	348	303	43	73	9	0	17	49	2	0	38	54	0.241
2B	Robinson Cano	22	132	551	522	78	155	34	4	14	62	1	3	16	68	0.297
SS	Derek Jeter	31	159	752	654	122	202	25	5	19	70	14	5	77	117	0.309
3B	Alex Rodriguez	29	162	715	605	124	194	29	1	48	130	21	6	91	139	0.321
LF	Hideki Matsui	31	162	704	629	108	192	45	3	23	116	2	2	63	78	0.305
CF	Bernie Williams	36	141	546	485	53	121	19	1	12	64	1	2	53	75	0.249
RF	Gary Sheffield	36	154	675	584	104	170	27	0	34	123	10	2	78	76	0.291
DH	Jason Giambi	34	139	545	417	74	113	14	0	32	87	0	0	108	109	0.271
UT	Tony Womack	35	108	351	329	46	82	8	1	0	15	27	5	12	49	0.249
DH	Ruben Sierra	39	61	181	170	14	39	12	0	4	29	0	0	9	41	0.229
C	John Flaherty	37	47	138	127	10	21	5	0	2	11	0	0	6	26	0.165
OF	Bubba Crosby	28	76	103	98	15	27	0	1	1	6	4	1	4	14	0.276
OF	Matt Lawton	33	21	57	48	6	6	0	0	2	4	1	0	7	8	0.125
MI	Rey Sanchez	37	23	48	43	7	12	1	0	0	2	0	1	2	3	0.279
1B	Andy Phillips	28	27	41	40	7	6	4	0	1	4	0	0	1	13	0.15
IF	Mark Bellhorn	30	9	20	17	2	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	3	3	0.118
UT	Russ Johnson	32	22	20	18	5	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	0.222
CF	Melky Cabrera	20	6	19	19	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.211
IF	Felix Escalona	26	10	17	14	0	4	1	0	0	2	0	0	1	4	0.286
C	Wil Nieves	27	3	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
OF	Kevin Reese	27	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0
RF	Mike Vento	27	2	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	Team Totals	32.4	162	6406	5624	886	1552	259	16	229	847	84	27	637	989	0.276
	Rank in 14 AL teams				4	2	2	13	14	2		6	4	2	7	2

2005 New York Yankees team stats (pitching)

Pos	Name	Age	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER
SP	Randy Johnson	41	17	8	0.68	3.79	34	34	0	4	0	0	225.2	207	102	95
SP	Mike Mussina	36	13	8	0.619	4.41	30	30	0	2	2	0	179.2	199	93	88
SP	Chien-Ming Wang	25	8	5	0.615	4.02	18	17	0	0	0	0	116.1	113	58	52
SP	Carl Pavano	29	4	6	0.4	4.77	17	17	0	1	1	0	100	129	66	53
SP	Kevin Brown	40	4	7	0.364	6.5	13	13	0	0	0	0	73.1	107	57	53
SP	Jaret Wright	29	5	5	0.5	6.08	13	13	0	0	0	0	63.2	81	51	43
CL	Mariano Rivera	35	7	4	0.636	1.38	71	0	67	0	0	43	78.1	50	18	12
RP	Tom Gordon	37	5	4	0.556	2.57	79	0	17	0	0	2	80.2	59	25	23
RP	Tanyon Sturtze	34	5	3	0.625	4.73	64	1	12	0	0	1	78	76	43	41
RP	Scott Proctor	28	1	0	1	6.04	29	1	11	0	0	0	44.2	46	32	30
RP	Felix Rodriguez	32	0	0		5.01	34	0	10	0	0	0	32.1	33	18	18
	Shawn Chacon	27	7	3	0.7	2.85	14	12	0	0	0	0	79	66	26	25
	Aaron Small	33	10	0	1	3.2	15	9	1	1	1	0	76	71	27	27
	Al Leiter	39	4	5	0.444	5.49	16	10	2	0	0	0	62.1	66	42	38
	Paul Quantrill	36	1	0	1	6.75	22	0	6	0	0	0	32	48	24	24
	Buddy Groom	39	1	0	1	4.91	24	0	8	0	0	0	25.2	32	14	14
	Alan Embree	35	1	1	0.5	7.53	24	0	4	0	0	0	14.1	20	14	12
	Mike Stanton	38	1	2	0.333	7.07	28	0	6	0	0	0	14	17	11	11
	Wayne Franklin	31	0	1	0	6.39	13	0	2	0	0	0	12.2	11	12	9
	Sean Henn	24	0	3	0	11.12	3	3	0	0	0	0	11.1	18	16	14
	Darrell May	33	0	1	0	16.71	2	1	0	0	0	0	7	14	13	13
	Jorge De Paula	26	0	0		8.1	3	0	2	0	0	0	6.2	8	6	6
	Steve Karsay	33	0	0		6	6	0	2	0	0	0	6	10	5	4
	Jason Anderson	26	1	0	1	7.94	3	0	1	0	0	0	5.2	4	5	5
	Colter Bean	28	0	0		4.5	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	1	1	1
	Alex Graman	27	0	0		13.5	2	0	1	0	0	0	1.1	3	2	2
	Tim Redding	27	0	1	0	54	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	6	6
	Ramiro Mendoza	33	0	0		18	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	2	2	2
	Team Totals	34.1	95	67	0.586	4.52	162	162	154	8	4	46	1430.2	1495	789	718
	Rank in 14 AL teams		2	11		9				5	1	4	9	9	9	8

2005 New York Yankees record vs. opponents/ team splits

Opponent (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
Baltimore Orioles (18)	11	7	0.611
Boston Red Sox (19)	10	9	0.526
Chicago Cubs (3)	3	0	1.000
Chicago White Sox (6)	3	3	0.500
Cleveland Indians (7)	4	3	0.571
Detroit Tigers (6)	5	1	0.833
Kansas City Royals (6)	3	3	0.500
Los Angeles Angels (10)	4	6	0.400
Milwaukee Brewers (3)	1	2	0.333
Minnesota Twins (6)	3	3	0.500
New York Mets (6)	3	3	0.500
Oakland Athletics (9)	7	2	0.778
Pittsburgh Pirates (3)	3	0	1.000
Seattle Mariners (10)	7	3	0.700
St. Louis Cardinals (3)	1	2	0.333
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (19)	8	11	0.421
Texas Rangers (10)	7	3	0.700
Toronto Blue Jays (18)	12	6	0.667

2005 New York Yankees monthly record

Month (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
April (24)	10	14	0.417
May (27)	17	10	0.630
June (26)	12	14	0.462
July (26)	17	9	0.654
August (29)	19	10	0.655
September (28)	19	9	0.679
October (2)	1	1	0.500

2005 New York Yankees All-Stars

• Alex Rodriguez
• Mariano Rivera
• Gary Sheffield

2005 New York Yankees awards and honors

• AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez
• Gold Glove Award: Derek Jeter
• Silver Slugger Awards: Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez
• Relief Man Award: Mariano Rivera

Other achievements

• Gary Sheffield finished 8th in AL MVP Voting.
• Mariano Rivera finished 9th in AL MVP Voting.
• Derek Jeter finished 10th in AL MVP Voting.
• Mariano Rivera finished 2nd in AL Cy Young Voting.
• Robinson Cano finished 2nd in AL Rookie of the Year Voting.
• Joe Torre finished 3rd in AL Manager of the Year Voting.

The uncelebrated heroes of 2005 New York Yankees: Small and Chacon

The New York Yankees, synonymous with titles and triumphs, aren’t often cast in the role of underdogs. Yet, amid their storied success, there exists a unique charm when unsung heroes emerge from the shadows within the ranks of a team adorned with stars.

In the scorching summer of 2005, Yankees enthusiasts witnessed the enchanting tales of Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon, two unassuming players who, against all odds, left an indelible mark on a roster brimming with marquee names like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Jason Giambi.

Aaron Small, a minor-league journeyman with a less-than-stellar track record in the majors, became an unexpected protagonist. Summoned from Columbus to fill a void in an injury-plagued pitching staff, Small’s modest expectations were swiftly eclipsed by a fairytale run. Going 10-0 in 15 starts, he anchored the Yankees’ late-season push for the division title with a remarkable 3.20 ERA.

The magic of Small’s success lay not in overpowering stuff but in hitting his spots, mixing up his location, and embracing every drop of luck the Baseball Gods bestowed upon him. His inexplicable journey captivated fans, turning each of his outings into a celebration of the unpredictable beauty of the game.

Shawn Chacon, unlike Small, arrived in the Bronx with a more substantial major-league history, albeit one marked by inconsistency. Acquired from the Rockies, Chacon brought a mixed bag of statistics, with few anticipating a transformative impact. Yet, in the crucible of the playoff race, Chacon discovered something extraordinary. Posting a 7-3 record with an impressive 2.85 ERA, he defied expectations and etched his name into the narrative of the Yankees’ unexpected success.

Their heroic contributions, however, couldn’t rewrite the ending for the 2005 New York Yankees. In a heartbreaking ALDS Game Three, the Angels battered starter Randy Johnson, prompting Small’s entrance. For a fleeting moment, it seemed his charmed season would continue, but the magic faltered, and Small suffered the loss.

Chacon, called upon to start Game Four, delivered another exceptional performance, keeping the 2005 New York Yankees in the game until they secured a narrow 3-2 victory. Alas, the enchantment wore thin in Game Five, as the Angels sent the Yankees packing.

Small and Chacon’s 2005 exploits, while unable to extend into postseason glory, remain etched in the memories of Yankees fans. These unsung heroes, with their improbable successes, remind us that amid the grandeur of historic moments and colossal contracts, every major league career is a miraculous achievement. The lightning that struck twice in the form of Small and Chacon illuminated the 2005 New York Yankees, offering fans a privileged glimpse into the unpredictable, awe-inspiring beauty of baseball.

How do you rate the 2005 New York Yankees?