The Yankees took quite a roller coaster ride in 2005, starting with 19 losses in their first 30 games before surging for an eighth consecutive American League East title.
Alex Rodriguez had a monster year and Mariano Rivera showed that closers can dominate at the age of 35, while Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang injected some youth into the veteran ballclub.

Here’s a month-by-month look at the year in baseball for the 2005 Yankees:

January
With the roster taking shape, the Yankees re-signed Tanyon Sturtze to strengthen the bullpen. But the biggest move came a week later, when Randy Johnson officially became a Yankee after weeks of speculation.

February
After a long winter of controversy, Jason Giambi broke his silence and turned his focus back to baseball. Once Spring Training began, the Yankees and Red Sox made news off the field, as several Boston players waged a one-sided war of words against Alex Rodriguez. As the newest Yankee adjusted to life in pinstripes, Randy Johnson sat down for a Q&A with MLB.com to discuss his move to New York.

March
Another high-profile newcomer took the field for the first time, as Carl Pavano made his spring debut. The Yankees and Red Sox met for the first time since the 2004 ALCS, as Giambi homered for the first time in the New York win. With the regular-season opener drawing closer, the Big Unit was tabbed to start on Opening Day against David Wells and the Red Sox.

April
With a sellout crowd on hand, Johnson beat the Red Sox on Opening Night. Tino Martinez had a happy homecoming, returning to the Yankees after three years away. Mariano Rivera got off to a tough start after two blown saves against the Sox, but he had some fun with the Fenway faithful when the Yanks visited Boston the next week. Pavano received a scare when he was drilled in the head by a line drive, though he would make his next start. The Yankees showed their offensive firepower with a 13-run inning against Tampa Bay, while A-Rod went deep three times and drove in 10 runs in a win against Bartolo Colon and the Angels.