October 12, 2005 -- With the Yankees season coming to a crashing end in Anaheim Monday night, it marked the fifth straight year that George Steinbrenner’s $208 million ballclub is going home for the winter without a championship. Here is a look at how the players, manager and general manager graded out in 2005:

A MARIANO RIVERA

After blowing back-to-back saves against Boston in April, was almost perfect. Serious contender for Cy Young Award.

A AARON SMALL

Without him, Yankees are Orioles in 2005. Despite being a perfect 10-0, moved into bullpen in playoffs.

A SHAWN CHACON

Will go down as one of Brian Cashman’s greatest acquisitions. Without him, Yanks wouldn’t have made playoffs. Could be an anchor of next season’s staff.

A- CHIEN-MING WANG

Rookie righty was a godsend when Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright and Kevin Brown broke down. Unflappable on the hill, might be a corner-stone of next Yankee championship.

B+ DEREK JETER

Finished near the top of the league in runs and average, but usual consistent clutch hitting took a nosedive. Made the last out with the tying run on base too many times. Defense was solid.

B+ ALEX RODRIGUEZ

MVP front-runner admitted he played like a dog for five days ... in October. Regular season numbers were superb (.321, 48, 130), but completely flopped in ALDS.

B+ TOM GORDON

Another strong year, but disappointing postseason, for Gordon, who can be a free agent. Yankees have a tough decision on whether to re-sign soon-to-be 38-year-old.

B ROBINSON CANO

Rookie combined flash and dash in the field and on the bases with occasional mental and physical lapses. His arrival meant the end of the short-lived Tony Womack era.

B JOE TORRE

Kept it together during toughest year as a skipper. But he fell two steps short of a place he’s reached four times, so it’s impossible to give him an A.

B- BRIAN CASHMAN

This is more of a front office grade. Some signings (Womack, Pavano) still perplex, but Cashman made the moves (recalling Wang and Cano, acquiring Chacon) that prevented the season from collapsing.

B- GARY SHEFFIELD

Average was down (.291), but run production (34 HRs, 123 RBIs) was not. Thigh injury late in season hurt running and mobility. Year Two came with more needless distractions than Year One. So what will 2006 bring?

B- HIDEKI MATSUI

Offensive numbers were impressive (.305, 23, 116) until the ALDS. Keeps regressing in the field. Any Yankee plan in which he’s the center fielder next year would be a mistake. Left eight runners on base in Game 5.

B- JASON GIAMBI

Won Comeback Player of the Year, which, ironically, was sponsored by a performance enhancer. Looked hopeless at the start of the season but finished with 32 HRs and 87 RBIs.

C JORGE POSADA

If pitching is a catcher’s primary responsibility, how does that reflect on Posada? He gets points for Shawn Chacon, Aaron Small and Chien-Ming Wang, but he was unable to work with Randy Johnson. Why? Offensive numbers are better than most catchers, but are slipping.

C TANYON STURTZE

Shoulder problem contributed to a higher ERA (4.73) than expected.

C AL LEITER

Was somewhat dependable in postseason after getting shellacked in regular season. If this was it, Leiter had a fine career.

C- RANDY JOHNSON

It would be too easy to give Unit a D for "disappointment." But he won 17 games, beat the Red Sox five times and was better in the second half. ALDS turned when he couldn’t get job done in Game 3.

C- MIKE MUSSINA

Days of an ERA under 4.00 seem to be over. Won only 13 games and elbow tendinitis late in the season is a bad omen for ’06. Spit the bit in Game 5.

C- TINO MARTINEZ

Do you remember Martinez was Player of the Month in May? Unfortunately, the other five months were mostly forgettable.

C- RUBEN SIERRA

Missed extensive time with hamstring injury. Made more of an impact last season.

D+ BERNIE WILLIAMS

There were games the team lost because Williams looked lost in center. The cold reality is Bernie, who anchored those championship teams, must either take his pink slip or agree to a sharply reduced Tino Martinez-like role.

F TONY WOMACK

What were the Yankees thinking?