New York - World Series hero Luis Sojo made the roster for the New York Yankees in their first-round series against the Oakland Athletics.

Sojo, who had the game-winning hit in the World Series clincher against the Mets last year, was one of Yankees manager Joe Torre's final picks heading into the best-of-five series with the A's that begins Wednesday night.

``It's like being called up to the big leagues again,'' Sojo said. ``This is going to be my last year and I would have been disappointed if I wasn't on the roster. I think I can help this team win some games.''

Sojo has only one hit in the past two months, getting little playing time off the Yankees' bench. But he provides steady infield defense and a good postseason record.

Torre went with Sojo instead of rookie Nick Johnson.

``I feel more comfortable knowing I have the experienced guy, especially a guy who's done it here for six years,'' Torre said.

Sojo drove in nine runs during last year's postseason, tying Derek Jeter for second most on the Yankees and matching his total for the entire 2001 season.

``Joe told me he's not going to forget what I have done for him the last five years,'' Sojo said. ``I'm his lucky charm.''

Torre opted to go with 10 pitchers, leaving lefty specialist Randy Choate off the roster.

``You just deal with it and move on,'' Choate said. ``You can't do anything about it now.''

Mariano Rivera, Mike Stanton, Ramiro Mendoza, Mark Wohlers, Jay Witasick and Sterling Hitchcock will be New York's relievers.

The Yankees also went with utilityman Clay Bellinger over outfielder Gerald Williams, who struggled with a .170 average after being picked up in June.

The other backups for New York are catcher Todd Greene, outfielder Shane Spencer, and infielders Randy Velarde and Enrique Wilson.

A's manager Art Howe left off Gil Heredia, who won Game 1 against the Yankees last year before being knocked out in the first inning of the decisive fifth game.

Heredia didn't start after July 26 and was used only sparingly as a reliever.

``Gil has been a very big part of this club ever since I've been here,'' Howe said. ``It was the toughest roster move I had to make.''

Howe did go with 11 pitchers, taking Jason Isringhausen, Jim Mecir, Mike Magnante, Mark Guthrie, Erik Hiljus, Jeff Tam and Chad Bradford as his relievers.

Oakland's backup position players are outfielders Ron Gant and Eric Byrnes; infielders F.P. Santangelo and Olmedo Saenz; and catcher Greg Myers.