Ranking every World Series winners in history
By Staff
98-64, AL East Champions, Won World Series 4-0 Over Atlanta
The starting rotation was average at best with Roger Clemens (14-10, 4.60) and Andy Pettitte (14-11, 4.70) each posting career-high ERAs, but the 1999 New York Yankees had a strong offense and the greatest closer in Major League Baseball history – Mariano Rivera, who finished third in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award with a 1.83 ERA and 45 saves in 66 appearances in the regular season. Rivera earned two saves and a win in the 4-0 sweep of the Atlanta Braves in the World Series, including the clincher, and was named World Series MVP.
The World Championship was the 25th for the franchise, and the third in four seasons for the new Yankees’ dynasty. After winning the AL East with a 98-64 record, New York blew through the Texas Rangers 3-0 in the ALDS and the Boston Red Sox 4-1 in the League Championship Series.
Led by Derek Jeter’s career year, in which the 25-year old shortstop hit .349/.438/.552 with 24 home runs, 102 RBI and a big league-leading 219 hits, the Yankees scored 900 runs, which was the third most in the AL. Bernie Williams (.324/.435/.536, 25 HR, 115 RBI), Paul O’Neill (.285, .353/.459, 19 HR, 110 RBI) and Tino Martinez (28 HR, 105 RBI) also added plenty of offensive firepower.