Yankees clinch seventh straight AL East title

AP Photos

by Ben WALKER<br>AP Baseball Writer
| October 1, 2004 9:00 PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Bernie Williams stood with bat in hand, savoring the scene: bottom of the ninth inning, tie score, fans chanting, teammates ready to celebrate.

And then he gave them — and himself — a super send-off.

Williams launched a two-run homer and the Yankees clinched their seventh straight AL East title, beating the playoff-bound Minnesota Twins 6-4 Thursday night for their 100th victory of the season.

”I've been through it so many times. I was picturing it in the on-deck circle, taking it all in, thinking it would be nice for me to end it,” Williams said.

”Playing Wiffle ball with my brother back in Puerto Rico, this is how you picture it,” he said.

Williams connected with one out, watching the ball sail toward left-center field and raising his right arm as he rounded first base. Captain Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez were the first players to greet him at home, and the entire team enjoyed a group hug near the plate.

”It was fitting. Bernie's been here the longest,” Jeter said in the champagne-filled clubhouse. ”He's been through a lot this year.”

Williams missed much of spring training following an appendectomy. He struggled at times during the season, and even was benched late in the year for a big game against Boston.

No chance of getting him out of the lineup now.

”This time of year seems to bring out the best in him,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

Williams' homer was the Yankees' major league-leading 241st of the season, breaking the franchise record set by Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and Co. in 1961.

Hideki Matsui and John Olerud also homered for New York, which won the division by overcoming an 8-11 start that included six losses in seven games against Boston.

”The things that happened early in the year when we were roughed up by the Red Sox I think galvanized this ballclub,” Torre said.

New York became just the fourth team to post three straight 100-win seasons, joining Atlanta (1997-99), Baltimore (1969-71) and the Philadelphia Athletics (1929-31).

”I am very proud of the team. They're real warriors,” Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. ”I am very happy with the outcome. Now, let's get ready for the playoffs.”

The Yankees swept the three-game series from the AL Central champs and very possibly will face the Twins in the first round starting Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. For New York to meet the AL West winner — Anaheim or Oakland — Minnesota would have to sweep Cleveland in its final three games and the weekend series between the Angels and Athletics would have to wind up 2-1 instead of a sweep.

”They're all good teams,” Torre said. ”I'm not sure I could pick out one I'd want to start with.”

Torre wanted to clinch the crown in New York's final home game, rather than wait to party in Toronto during the weekend. He got his wish in front of a crowd of 48,454 that boosted the Yankees' home season attendance to a team-record 3,775,292.

”That team over there was on a mission tonight,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. ”You could see it. Every time they needed a run, they hit a home run. They've been struggling all year, and they win 100 games — that's a joke. We win 90 games, and we think we're doing great.”

The Yankees won this one as they did so many others, featuring the recurring themes of home runs, strong bullpen work and comebacks. The victory, the 61st in which New York overcame a deficit, relegated Boston to second place, although the Red Sox again captured the wild-card spot.

Boston became the first team in major league history to finish in second place for seven straight years, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Tom Gordon (9-4) pitched one inning for the win in a game the Yankees trailed on three separate occasions. Aaron Fultz (3-3) took the loss, walking Matsui before giving up Williams' 21st home run.

Brad Radke tuned up for his playoff start by going five innings for the Twins. Expected to pitch Game 2 behind ace Johan Santana, Radke gave up two runs and six hits.

The Yankees wanted to see a good outing for Javier Vazquez, who began the night with a 7.06 ERA since the All-Star break. He did OK, allowing four runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Torii Hunter and Justin Morneau hit solo home runs for Minnesota.