1999 ALCS recap

This marked the first time that the Yankees and the Red Sox met in the postseason -- the one-game playoff in 1978 decided by Bucky Dent in Boston was technically Game 163. It would be the start of some epic meetings in Octobers to come, taking an intense rivalry to new heights. It also showcased two young star shortstops, Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Nomar Garciaparra of the Red Sox.

George Steinbrenner's defending World Series champions came from behind to win each of the first two games by a single run at Yankee Stadium. Bernie Williams' leadoff homer in the bottom of the 10th off closer Rod Beck gave New York a 4-3 victory in the opener. In Game 2, Garciaparra's two-run homer off starter Ramon Hernandez in the fifth gave Boston a 2-1 lead, but an RBI double by Chuck Knoblauch and RBI single by Paul O'Neill put the Yankees ahead in the bottom of the seventh, and Mariano Rivera continued to emerge as a bullpen lock by nailing down the save to give the Yankees a 2-0 series lead.

In Boston, Pedro Martinez, who won a career-high 23 games in his second Cy Young Award-winning season, started for the Red Sox against former Boston ace Roger Clemens. Martinez threw seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits and striking out 12. Meanwhile, Boston chased Clemens in the third inning en route to a 13-1 blowout.

Alas, it was the Yankees' era. They had a consistent, unflappable savviness inspired by their manager, Joe Torre. And they had Andy Pettitte, who was emerging as one of the most clutch starting pitchers in postseason history. In Game 4, Pettitte protected a 3-2 lead through 8 1/3 innings, and Rivera finished it off. The Bronx Bombers batted around in the top of the ninth and scored six times, winning 9-2 and taking a 3-1 series lead.

The ALCS MVP was the Cuban right-hander who provided the bookend starts: Orlando Hernandez. He had held the Red Sox to a pair of earned runs over eight innings in New York's Game 1 victory, and he was even better in the Game 5 clincher. Jason Varitek's leadoff homer in the eighth was the only damage off him, and then Torre went to situational relievers to work out of jams. Although Boston had outhit New York in the series, 54-42, the 6-1 victory sent New York back to the World Series, where it would win its third title in four years.

Path to the ALCS
ALDS: New York over Texas (3 games to 0); Boston over Cleveland (3 games to 2)

Managers: Joe Torre, NYY; Jimy Williams, BOS

MVP: Orlando Hernandez