Rebuilding

2003
"The Evil Empire" Strikes Back
Downplaying comments from Boston president Larry Lucchino's, Steinbrenner hits them where it hurts. Read Bob Klapish's article. The Yankees sign Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui on 1/14/03, steal Cuban defector Jose Contreras on 1/21/03, and manipulated a three-way trade to send Bartolo Colon to the Expos. The 2002 payroll stands at $125.93M

2002
Exit, stage left
Eliminated in the first round by unlikely World Series champion Anaheim Angels, Steinbrenner vows to the media that the Yankees will return.

2001
Dethroned
The 26-time defending World Champion Yankees defeated the (best team in baseball in 2001) Seattle Mariners to advance to the Fall Classic against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It took us into the bottom of the 9th of Game 7 of the Fall Classic to determine the victor. Mariano Rivera, who had saved 23 straight postseason games, could do nothing but watch the ball fall in to end the Yankees' dynasty. Stunned doesnt even begin to describe it.

Division Series: NYY vs OAK 3-1
ALCS:               NYY vs SEA 4-1
World Series:    NYY vs ARI 3-4