Yanks clinch 13th straight playoff berth

Celebrate! The Yankees popped the corks and sprayed some bubbly on Wednesday, clinching their 13th consecutive postseason appearance with a 12-4 victory over the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field. The blowout win finalized a memorable climb out of the depths of desperation. New York sat a season-low eight games under .500 on May 29 but morphed into the best team in the Major Leagues after that point, leading all clubs in wins and winning percentage to rally back into contention.

Yankees manager Joe Torre could not contain his emotion in addressing the players on his roster, who credited him for helping the team escape its early malaise. Probable American League Most Valuable Player Alex Rodriguez said that Torre was the reason the Yankees were dousing each other with expensive green bottles, and captain Derek Jeter wondered if 2007 will ultimately prove to be Torre's finest season at the helm. Continue