how did the NY Yankees begin the 1999 season?

The New York Yankees began the 1999 season on a strong note, opening with a 21–15 record through their first 36 games and sitting one game ahead of the rival Boston Red Sox in the AL East by mid-May. However, their season started with an unprecedented drama: manager Joe Torre was diagnosed with prostate cancer during Spring Training and missed the first two months while undergoing treatment.

Key details about how the 1999 Yankees began:

Aspect| What Happened
---|---
Opening period| Started strong despite Torre's absence 2
Record when Torre left| 21–15, 1 game ahead of Boston 2
Interim manager| Bench coach Don Zimmer took over managerial duties 2
Torre's return| May 18, 1999, at Fenway Park vs. Red Sox 2
Momentum going in| Lost 5 of last 6 before Torre's return 2
Final record| 98–64, finished 4 games ahead of Red Sox 13

“I have goose bumps just thinking about it,” Torre recalled about the moment he returned at Fenway Park, calling it when “the Yankees' 1999 season truly began”.

Despite the rocky start due to Torre's health crisis, the team never fell out of first place after he returned and went on to dominate the playoffs, sweeping the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox before defeating the Atlanta Braves in the World Series for their 25th championship.

The 1999 season cemented the Yankees as a modern dynasty, capturing their third world title in four years.

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