The middle third of May had not been kind to the Yankees. After jumping out to a 1998-esque 20-10 record to start the season, the 1999 Bombers had dropped eight of their next 12 games, including a particularly cold stretch in which they lost five straight and seven of eight.
It looked like the Yankees understood the importance of this series and the need to get back on track right from first pitch. After Chuck Knoblauch lost a five-pitch AB off starter Jaime Navarro to lead off the game, shortstop Derek Jeter got the Bombers on the board with a solo shot down 0-2 in the count.
In 20 of David Cone's 31 starts in 1999, that would be more than enough runs needed for the Yankees to hand a lead to their bullpen to form a bridge to the greatest closer of all time. May 23rd, however, was not one of those days.
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