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EVENTS
Sportsman of the Year
Heisman Trophy
Swimsuit 2001
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1999 Record: 98-64 (1st place, AL East) |
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1999 Payroll: $92.0 million (1st) |
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1999 Team Statistics (AL rank)
| Batting Avg. | .282 (3th) | | Opp. Average | .255 (2nd) |
| Runs Scored | 900 (3rd) | ERA | 4.13 (2nd) |
| Home Runs | 193 (8th) | Fielding Pct. | .982 (7th) |
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| 1999 Recap: The Yankees won 16 fewer games than in 1998 and still steamrolled the competition. New York went 11-1 in the postseason, recording a second consecutive World Series sweep. The Bombers traded for Roger Clemens just before spring training, but it was Orlando Hernandez (17-9, 4.12 ERA) and Mariano Rivera (45 saves, 1.83 ERA) that led a strong Yankee pitching staff. Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams powered the offense with MVP-type seasons. |
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| 1999 Highlight: Sweeping the Atlanta Braves to win their 25th World Series -- their third in four years. |
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| Lowlight: Cancer hit the Yankees hard early in the season. Manager Joe Torre missed the first month of the season while recovering from prostate cancer treatment. Darryl Strawberry was also going through treatments when he was suspended following his arrest on drug charges. |
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| Manager: Joe Torre (400-248 with Yankees; 1,294-1,251 in 18 seasons) |
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| Coaches: Chris Chambliss (batting), Mel Stottlemyre (pitching), Lee Mazzilli (first base), Willie Randolph (third base), Tony Cloninger (bullpen), Don Zimmer (bench) |
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| Camp Site: Legends Field, Tampa, Fla. |
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| Reporting Dates: Pitchers and catchers Feb. 18; full squad on Feb. 23 |
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| Additions: OF Roberto Kelly, IF Rafael Bournigal, OF Tim Raines |
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| Subtractions: DH Chili Davis, OF Chad Curtis, P Hideki Irabu, RHP Dan Naulty, C Joe Girardi, IF Luis Sojo |
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| Spring Cleaning: Once again the left field job in the Bronx is up for grabs. World Series hero Chad Curtis is gone, so Ricky Ledee and Shane Spencer will compete for playing time. With Darryl Strawberry suspended for the season, the DH job is up in the air. Jim Leyritz appears to have the inside track on the position. Another player in the DH/left field mix is Tim Raines, who is hoping to comeback from lupus to play in his fourth decade. Hideki Irabu was shipped to Montreal, so the fifth starter's job is rookie Ed Yarnall's to lose.
| Team of the Century |
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Most World Series championships
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| Franchise |
Titles |
| New York Yankees |
25* |
| St. Louis Cardinals |
9 |
| Philadelphia/Oakland A's |
9 |
| Brooklyn/L.A. Dodgers |
6 |
*consecutive titles: 1936-39, 1927-28,
1961-62, 1975-76, 1977-78, 1998-99
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But don't count out Ramiro Mendoza, who has paid his dues in long relief and deserves another audition. Aging aces Roger Clemens (14-10, 4.60 ERA) and David Cone (2-5 following his perfect game) are coming off up-and-down seasons. Paul O'Neill continues to be plagued by injuries, and he failed to hit .300 for the first time in pinstripes. All three will be 37 on Opening Day. Infield depth is another concern with D'Angelo Jimenez lost for the season after injuring his neck in a car accident. The Yanks signed Rafael Bournigal to fill the void, as they want to keep top prospect Alfonso Soriano in the minors for another year. If Chuck Knoblauch's defense continues to deteriorate (26 errors last year), the role of the utility infielder could be especially important.
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| Key Acquisition: Roberto Kelly, a former fixture in the Yankee outfield before being traded to the Reds for Paul O'Neill in 1992, returns to the Bronx as backup outfielder. Kelly has bounced around the league, having played for the Reds, Braves, Expos, Dodgers, Twins, Mariners and Rangers since leaving New York. However, he has hit well just about everywhere he's been (.308 since 1996). Kelly should provide a decent bat off the bench, something that Chad Curtis didn't do until the World Series. |
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| The Future is Now: Jorge Posada will be the primary catcher this year with Joe Girardi now with the Cubs. After a solid first full season in 1998 (.268-17-63 in 358 ABs), Posada struggled in 1999 (.210 before the All-Star break). Posada will start, but the popular and occasionally potent Jim Leyritz will provide insurance as will ex-Cardinal Tom Pagnozzi, a favorite of Torre during his stint in St. Louis. |
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| Opportunity Knocks: First baseman Nick Johnson has been tearing up the minors, hitting .345-14-87 with Class AA Norwich. This after hitting a combined .291-33-133 in '97 and '98 in Class A-ball. The Yankees expect him to be the slugger of the future, but for now he'll be the slugger of the present in Class AAA Columbus. Tino Martinez, only 32, still stands in Johnson's way. Martinez has been a solid performer during his Yankee tenure, although the numbers have slipped off a bit since his first days with the team. If Johnson continues to tear up minor league pitching, there's a chance he could see time with the big club or even take over the starting job. |
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| Prospects to Watch: LHP Ed Yarnall, 1B Nick Johnson, SS Alfonso Soriano, 3B Drew Henson, OF Jackson Melian, OF Wily Mo Pena, RHP Ryan Bradley |
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