Entering their game against Tampa Bay on September 17th, the Yankees had only a dozen contests remaining in what had been a magical season. The Devil Rays, sitting 30 games under .500, had spanked New York 7-0 the night before to prolong a bit of a sluggish September and it’s not unreasonable to suspect the club had vengeance on its mind.
And the Yankees got their revenge. Hideki Irabu took the ball and held the D-Rays offense to a total of two hits. Meanwhile, Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams, key pieces in the nascent Yankee dynasty, delivered big hits, leading the Bronx Bombers to the win.