The seemingly ageless Hernandez, who was on the Montreal Expos’ disabled list for the entire 2003 season when New York lost to Florida in the World Series, returned to the Yankees last year and had an outstanding second half. However, he pitched only once in the 2004 playoffs because of a tired shoulder.

He rejected New York’s arbitration offer and signed with the White Sox in December. Then he really delivered in the postseason — as usual.

Coming out of the bullpen, El Duque escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam in Boston, helping Chicago secure a first-round sweep.

“As time goes, I think that is going to loom bigger and bigger — not only in playoff history, but in White Sox history,” Cooper said.

Pettitte is also a proven winner in the postseason, but the Yankees let him slip away two years ago.

When they failed to pursue him aggressively, the left-hander turned his attention home to Houston. Passing up more money from New York, he signed a $31.5 million, three-year contract with the Astros.

His 2004 season was cut short by elbow surgery, but he bounced back with one of the best years of his career in ’05. He teamed with Clemens and Roy Oswalt to pitch Houston to the first World Series appearance in its 44-season history.

Pettitte will start Game 2 on Sunday night.

“I never thought that I’d end up leaving New York. But the door is closed there and I came home,” he said. “This is kind of what you dream.”

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