The last time the Yankees had sole possession of first place was Oct. 1, 2006. A lot has happened since that time. * Cory Lidle died in a plane crash. * Yankees traded Gary Sheffield to the Tigers for pitching prospects. * Roger Clemens was still on the team. * Joe Torre was still the manager. * The Yankees received Jose Molina in a trade. * Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th home run. * Joba Chamberlain made his debut. * Phil Rizzuto passed away. * Ian Kennedy made his first major league start. * Yankees don’t trade for Johan Santana. * The Red Sox won the World Series for a second time. * Yankees don’t rehire Joe Torre. * Torre goes to the Dodgers to manage. * Joe Girardi is the new manager. * Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract in the middle of Game 4 of the 2007 World Series. * Roger Clemens accused of steroid use. * Yankees re-sign A-Rod to potential 300 million dollar contract. * Yankees get Xavier Nady for prospects from the Pirates. * Kyle Farnsworth is traded for Ivan Rodriguez. * Yankees play last game at old stadium. * Yankees don’t make playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons. * Mike Mussina won 20 games. * Joe Girardi is hired as manager. * CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira are signed to big free agent contracts. * George Steinbrenner passes control of the Yankees to his son Hal Steinbrenner. * Yankees move into new stadium. * Alex Rodriguez found to have taken steroids. * A-Rod admits to steroid use. * Roger Clemens still denying steroid use. * Joe Torre publishes the book The Yankee Years and pisses every one off. * A-Rod sidelined. * Yankees finish April 13-10 and realize they have a home run aided wind tunnel in their new stadium. * A-Rod comes back with a vengeance and CC starts pitching better. * Yankees beat the Indians 3-1 and are currently in first place by themselves since Oct. 1, 2006.
