After their elimination by the Angels in Game 5 of the 2005 ALDS and with a 37-year-old Bernie Williams no longer a realistic full-time option for center field, the Yankees handed their roster a major boost (and their rivals a major blow), signing Johnny Damon to a four-year, $52 million contract on December 20th, 2005. He slotted right in as the everyday center fielder and leadoff hitter, compiling decent debut and sophomore seasons in pinstripes as the team’s table-setter.
Fast-forward to 2008 and the Yankees are in a serious transitional period. It is the final season at the old stadium, and four-time World Series-winning manager Joe Torre has been replaced by longtime backup catcher Joe Girardi.