The Yankees opened a new century by picking up where they left off, winning another Division Series on their way to a World Series threepeat. Oakland, meanwhile, was back in the postseason for the first time since the old Bash Brother days of 1992 -- and making its first appearance in a best-of-five ALDS (excluding the 1981 strike exception) since the postseason format was expanded in 1995. However, this also marked the first of four consecutive ALDS appearances in which Oakland lost in five games.

The A's had home-field advantage and took the opener at Network Associates Coliseum. It was one of two losses Roger Clemens (8.18 ERA) would suffer in the series, although he had helped the Yankees to the world championship a year earlier.

After the teams split the first four games, New York opened Game 5 with a six-run first -- and had to hold on tight to survive. Starter Andy Pettitte was chased in the fourth, but the Yankees' bullpen came through. Mariano Rivera clinched Game 5 when Eric Chavez popped foul to first, and with that third save in the ALDS, the closer passed Dennis Eckersley for most saves in postseason history.

Path to the ALDS: New York (87-74) won the AL East by 2 1/2 games; Oakland (91-70) won the AL West by ½ game

Managers: Joe Torre, NYY; Art Howe, OAK