Clearing the first hurdle: Getting through ALDS has rarely been easy during Yankees' run of success

The Yankees are appearing in their 15th postseason in 16 years, but getting out of the first round has not been a given during their run of success.

The Bombers are 9-6 in the ALDS, including three straight first-round exits before last year’s title run. Overall, the Yankees are 36-31 in first-round games since 1995. Their three ALDS sweeps (of Texas, in 1998 and ’99, and the Twins, last season) preceded World Series titles.

Here are their losses:

    Year    AL East finish (record)    ALDS result
    1995    2nd (79-65)                       Lost to Seattle, 3-2
    1997    2nd (96-66)                       Lost to Cleveland, 3-2
    2002    1st (103-58)                      Lost to Anaheim, 3-2
    2005    1st (95-67)                        Lost to L.A. Angels, 3-1
    2006    1st (97-65)                        Lost to Detroit, 3-1
    2007    2nd (94-68)                       Lost to Cleveland, 3-2