NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte hit the corners, Derek Jeter homered into the right-center field stands, Jorge Posada rambled into second base for a double. And for good measure, Mariano Rivera closed it out with a cutter.

Don't tell the Yankees' core four it's 2010.

The longtime All-Stars each picked up World Series ring No. 5, then led New York to a 7-5 win in its home opener yesterday over the Los Angeles Angels in front of a crowd of 49,293 that included owner George Steinbrenner.

"Everyone talks about how long we've been here but in our minds it seems like we are just still little kids," said Jeter, the AL Rookie of the Year in 1996. "We want to come out here and contribute and try and be consistent. That's what we tried to do throughout the years and that'll never change."

The Angels' Hideki Matsui might have gotten the loudest ovation of the stirring ceremony that celebrated the Yankees' 27th title, with fans welcoming back the World Series MVP. But the four stars who last won a title in 2000 wound up winners in the end.

"They all played big roles last year, as well," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Andy won the last game at the Stadium last year and won the first one this year — pretty fitting. Derek had some big hits, Jorgie. Mo closed it out. It is appropriate."

Rivera was needed to earn his third save after another ex-Yankee, Bobby Abreu, hit a grand slam in the ninth off Dave Robertson to make it 7-5.