Dec. 13: Jason Giambi, the runner-up in the AL MVP balloting, signs a seven-year contract with the Yankees. Giambi's deal includes a club option for an eighth year. More > Oct. 25, 2003 Florida's Josh Beckett pitches the Marlins to a 2-0 win in Game 6 of the World Series, marking the first time since 1981 that New York has been eliminated from the postseason at Yankee Stadium.

Sept. 21: The Yankees defeat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 at Comerica Park to clinch their fifth straight AL East title. It is New York's sixth title in seven seasons under manager Joe Torre, their 41st overall.

Oct. 5: The Yankees drop a 9-6 decision to the eventual World Champion Anaheim Angels in Game 4 of the ALDS to lose the series, marking New York's earliest postseason exit since 1980.

June 13: Roger Clemens became the first pitcher since Nolan Ryan in 1990 to reach the 300 mark. The Rocket also joined another fraternity on that June 13th night at Yankee Stadium, striking out the 4,000th batter of his career. Only Ryan (5,714) and Steve Carlton (4,136) have more strikeouts than Clemens.

Oct. 16: Aaron Boone, who didn't start the game, led off the bottom of the 11th inning with a home run to left field off Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, delivering the Yankees' 39th American League pennant in Game 7 of the ALCS, propelling the Yanks to the World Series against the Marlins.

Oct. 25: Florida's Josh Beckett pitches the Marlins to a 2-0 win in Game 6 of the World Series, marking the first time since 1981 that New York has been eliminated from the postseason at Yankee Stadium.

July 1: Derek Jeter makes a spectacular catch against the Red Sox, diving into the stands. John Flaherty wins the game with an RBI single in the 13th inning, leading New York to a three-game sweep in one of the more memorable regular-season games in the Bronx in years.

Sept. 30: Bernie Williams launches a walk-off home run against the Twins at Yankee Stadium, clinching the Yankees' seventh consecutive American League East crown, as New York advanced to the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.

Oct. 20: After defeating the Twins in a four-game ALDS and taking a 3-0 lead over the Red Sox in the ALCS, the Yankees drop their fourth consecutive game, becoming the first team in baseball history to lose a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games.

April 3: Johnson and the Yankees defeat the defending World Series champion Red Sox in MLB's season opener.

May 2: New York shakes up its roster, calling up Robinson Cano to take over the starting second base job from Tony Womack, who moved to center field in place of Bernie Williams. Chien-Ming Wang is also inserted into the rotation around this time, as a youth movement helps the Yankees recover from their 11-19 start.

June 9: Alex Rodriguez bashes two home runs against the Brewers in Milwaukee, becoming the youngest player in Major League history to reach the 400-homer plateau.

August 30: A-Rod hits his 40th homer of the season, becoming the first Yankees right-handed hitter since Joe DiMaggio in 1937 to reach that mark. A-Rod went on to hit 48 homers and drive in 130 runs, earning his second career AL MVP award.

October 1: In the 161st game of the season, the Yankees defeat the Red Sox at Fenway Park to clinch their eighth consecutive AL East crown.

December 23: The Yankees make a move to bolster their own lineup while hurting the rival Red Sox, as they sign center fielder Johnny Damon to a four-year, $52 million contract -- the same contract they gave to Hideki Matsui just a month earlier.