Count 'em down:

• 2000: Oakland A's, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets
• 2001: Oakland A's, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks
• 2002: Anaheim Angels
• 2003: Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins
• 2004: Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox
• 2005: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• 2006: Detroit Tigers
• 2007: Cleveland Indians
• 2008: n/a
• 2009: Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Philadelphia Phillies
• 2010: Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers
• 2011: Detroit Tigers
• 2012: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers
• 2013: n/a
• 2014: n/a
• 2015: Houston Astros
• 2016: n/a
• 2017: Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros

In terms of the post-season, then, you gotta tip your cap to the Detroit Tigers. They've faced the Yankees three times and eliminated them three times. That's the way to do it, kids.

Astros? Twice and twice.

Angels were the first real Yankee killers of the 20th century, knocking them out in '02 and '05. But then '09. Oh well.

Every other Yankee killer is a one-fer: Diamondbacks, Marlins, BoSox (1-1), Indians (1-1), Rangers.  

(The team you don't want the Yankees to face in the post? The Twins, obviously, who are a woeful 0-5. A's and M's also suck: 0-2.)

Extra points to the D-backs and the Red Sox, for making it so, so painful. Send 'em out, Carey: