History of New York Yankees in Timeline
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the Bronx, New York City, competing in MLB as part of the American League East Division. Founded in 1903 as the New York Highlanders after the purchase of the defunct Baltimore Orioles franchise rights, the team was officially renamed the Yankees in 1913. They share New York City with the New York Mets of the National League.
1900: Western League Renamed American League
In 1900, Ban Johnson, the president of the Western League, renamed it the American League (AL).
1901: AL Declared Major League Status
In 1901, Ban Johnson declared major league status for the American League (AL) after failing to reach an agreement with the National League.
1901: Orioles Placed in Baltimore
In 1901, an American League team was placed in Baltimore, Maryland, and named the Orioles.
1902: McGraw Jumps to Giants
During the 1902 season, John McGraw jumped to become the new manager of the New York Giants, taking many players with him from the Orioles.
1903: Inaugural Highlanders Uniform
During the inaugural Highlanders season in 1903, the uniform featured a large "N" and a "Y" on each breast.
1903: Franchise Overall Record Started
From 1903, the New York Yankees started with an overall win-loss record.
1903: Team Founded as New York Highlanders
In 1903, Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchased the franchise rights to the defunct Baltimore Orioles and established the New York Highlanders, marking the official founding of the team.
1903: AL Team Approved for New York
In 1903, at a conference, 15 of the 16 major league owners voted to put an American League team in New York, leading to the franchise being awarded to Frank J. Farrell and William S. Devery.
1903: Inaugural Yankees-Red Sox Game
In 1903, the inaugural game between the Yankees (then known as the Highlanders) and the Red Sox (then named the Americans) took place at Hilltop Park.
1904: Jack Chesbro Sets Wins Record
In 1904, Jack Chesbro, a pitcher for the New York Highlanders, set the single-season wins record at 41.
1904: Jim Price Coined Yankees Nickname
In 1904, New York Press Sports Editor Jim Price coined the unofficial nickname Yankees (or "Yanks") for the club.
1904: Highlanders Lost Deciding Game
In 1904, the New York Highlanders lost the deciding game on a wild pitch to the Boston Americans.
1904: Red Sox Win AL Pennant
In 1904, the Red Sox won the American League pennant after meeting the Yankees in the last regular-season series of the season.
1906: Highlanders Finished Second in AL
In 1906, the New York Highlanders finished second in the American League (AL).
1909: Interlocking NY
In 1909, the "N" and "Y" were combined and added to both the left breast and caps.
1910: Highlanders Finished Second in AL
In 1910, the New York Highlanders finished second in the American League (AL).
1911: Highlanders Shared Hilltop Park with the Giants
In 1911, the Polo Grounds III burned down and the New York Highlanders shared Hilltop Park with the Giants during a two-month renovation period.
1912: Yankees Finish Last in AL
In 1912, for the first time since that year, the Yankees finished in last place in the AL.
1913: Highlanders Officially Renamed Yankees
In 1913, the New York Highlanders were officially renamed the New York Yankees, solidifying the team's identity.
1913: Team Officially Known as New York Yankees
In 1913, the team became officially known as the New York Yankees.
1915: Ruppert and Huston Purchased the Team
At the start of 1915, Farrell and Devery sold the New York Yankees to Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Captain Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston.
1917: Yankees Have Consecutive Losing Seasons
In 1917, the Yankees began a streak of consecutive losing seasons that would repeat in 1918.
1918: Miller Huggins Hired
In 1918, Miller Huggins was hired by Ruppert, causing a rift between the owners.
1918: Yankees Have Consecutive Losing Seasons
In 1918, for the second year, the Yankees had losing seasons.
1918: Reference to Red Sox Last World Series Win
In 1990, Yankee fans used 1918 as a reference to the last time the Red Sox won the World Series, taunting them with chants and signs.
1920: Babe Ruth Traded to the Yankees
In 1920, Babe Ruth was traded to the Yankees, marking a major event in the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry and the beginning of the "Curse of the Bambino".
1920: First 1 Million-Fan Season
In 1920, the Yankees had their first 1 million-fan season, with more than 1.2 million fans attending games at the Polo Grounds.
1921: Reference to Giants Winning Consecutive Pennants
By winning the pennant for a fourth straight year, the 1998–2001 Yankees joined the 1921–24 New York Giants as the only teams to win at least four straight pennants.
1921: Yankees Played in First World Series
In 1921, the year after acquiring Babe Ruth, the New York Yankees played in their first World Series against the Giants.
1921: Gehrig Beats Ruth's RBI mark
In 1927, first baseman Lou Gehrig had his first big season, batting .373 with 47 home runs and 175 runs batted in (RBI), beating Ruth's single-season RBI mark which he had set in 1921.
1922: Yankees Lost World Series
After the 1922 season, the New York Yankees were told to move out of the Polo Grounds. In 1922, the Yankees returned to the World Series again and were dealt a second defeat at the hands of the Giants.
1922: Highlanders Shared the Polo Grounds with the Giants
From 1913 to 1922, the New York Highlanders shared the Polo Grounds with the Giants after their lease with Hilltop Park expired.
1922: Yanks Nickname
In 1922, sportswriter Fred Lieb mentioned he would call the club "the Yanks" in his articles, stating the nickname "will fit into heads better".
1923: Yankees Played at the Original Yankee Stadium
From 1923, the New York Yankees played their home games at the original Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
1923: Yankee Stadium Opens
In 1923, the New York Yankees moved to their new home, Yankee Stadium, where Babe Ruth hit a home run in the first game. At the end of the season, the Yankees faced the Giants in the World Series and won their first championship.
1923: Ruppert Buys Huston Out
In 1923, the hiring of Miller Huggins led to Ruppert buying Huston out.
1927: Ruth Sets Home Run Record
In 1927, Babe Ruth set a single-season home run record of 60 home runs for the New York Yankees.
1927: "Murderers' Row" Season
In the 1927 season, the New York Yankees featured a lineup that became known as "Murderers' Row". That season, the Yankees became the first team in baseball to occupy first place every day of the season, winning 110 games. The team also swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.
1927: Reference to Previous Yankees World Series Win Streak
The 2000 Yankees' loss in Game 3 snapped their streak of consecutive games won in World Series contests at 14, surpassing the club's previous record of 12 (in 1927, 1928, and 1932).
July 5, 1928: Bronx Bombers Nickname
On July 5, 1928, writer Frank Wallace first used the nickname "Bronx Bombers" in an article in the New York Daily News to refer to the Yankees.
1928: Yankees Won World Series
In 1928, the New York Yankees won the World Series again.
1928: Reference to Previous Yankees World Series Win Streak
The 2000 Yankees' loss in Game 3 snapped their streak of consecutive games won in World Series contests at 14, surpassing the club's previous record of 12 (in 1927, 1928, and 1932).
1931: Joe McCarthy Hired as Manager
In 1931, Joe McCarthy was hired as manager of the New York Yankees, bringing the team back to the top of the American League.
1932: Yankees Swept Cubs in World Series
In 1932, the New York Yankees swept the Chicago Cubs in the World Series, extending their streak of consecutive World Series game wins to 12. This series was made famous by Babe Ruth's "Called Shot".
1932: Current Cap Look
In 1932, the current cap look, a navy blue hat with the white interlocking "NY" letters, was adopted.
1932: Reference to Previous Yankees World Series Win Streak
The 2000 Yankees' loss in Game 3 snapped their streak of consecutive games won in World Series contests at 14, surpassing the club's previous record of 12 (in 1927, 1928, and 1932).
1934: Ruth Leaves Yankees
After Babe Ruth left the New York Yankees following the 1934 season, Lou Gehrig finally had a chance to take center stage.
1935: "Bronx Bombers" Popularity
By 1935, the name "Bronx Bombers" had caught on among sportswriters around the country.
1936: Reference to Yankees Teams Winning Consecutive World Series
After the 2000 season the Yankees joined the Yankees teams of 1936–39 as the only teams to win at least three consecutive World Series.
1936: Reference to Yankees Winning Consecutive Pennants
By winning the pennant for a fourth straight year, the 1998–2001 Yankees joined the Yankees teams of 1936–39 as the only teams to win at least four straight pennants.
1936: Won World Series
From 1936, the New York Yankees won an unprecedented four straight World Series titles.
July 4, 1939: "Lou Gehrig Day"
On July 4, 1939, the New York Yankees declared "Lou Gehrig Day", retiring his number 4, which was the first retired number in baseball. Gehrig made a famous speech in which he declared himself to be "the luckiest man on the face of the earth."
1939: Ruppert's Death
In 1939, after Jacob Ruppert's death, his heirs assumed control of the New York Yankees.
1939: Mentions
The 1939 New York Yankees team was one of the best in history.
June 2, 1941: Lou Gehrig Passed Away
Lou Gehrig died on June 2, 1941, due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which was later known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease" in his memory.
1941: Joe DiMaggio Hit in 56 Consecutive Games
In 1941, Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees hit in 56 consecutive games, setting the major league record.
1941: Yankees Beat Dodgers in World Series
In 1941, the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series.
1942: "The Pride of the Yankees" Released
In 1942, the acclaimed movie The Pride of the Yankees about Lou Gehrig was released.
1943: Yankees Won World Series
In 1943, despite losing many players to the mandatory draft, the New York Yankees managed to win the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
1945: Webb, Topping, and MacPhail Purchased Team
In 1945, Del Webb, Dan Topping, and Larry MacPhail purchased the New York Yankees from the Ruppert estate.
1946: McCarthy Leaves the Yankees
In 1946, after several slumping seasons, manager Joe McCarthy departed from the New York Yankees organization.
1947: MacPhail Bought Out
Following the 1947 World Series, Larry MacPhail, the New York Yankees team president, treasurer, and general manager, was bought out.
1948: Harris Replaced by Stengel
Despite a strong season, in 1948, Bucky Harris was relieved of his managerial duties and replaced by Casey Stengel, despite only finishing three games behind the Cleveland Indians.
1948: Berra Inherited Dickey's Number
In 1948, Yogi Berra inherited Bill Dickey's number 8 after Dickey ended his playing career and became a coach.
1949: Reference to Yankees Teams Winning Consecutive World Series
After the 2000 season the Yankees joined the Yankees teams of 1949-53 as the only teams to win at least three consecutive World Series.
1949: Reference to Yankees Winning Consecutive Pennants
By winning the pennant for a fourth straight year, the 1998–2001 Yankees joined the Yankees teams of 1949–53 as the only teams to win at least four straight pennants.
1949: Yankees win World Series
In 1949, the Yankees won a World Series, one of ten pennants and seven world championships led by Casey Stengel from 1949 to 1960.
1949: Yankees Surprise Red Sox
In 1949, the Yankees, considered underdogs, surprisingly overtook a strong Red Sox team in the last two days of the season, marking the beginning of the modern Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.
1950: Yankees Win World Series Championship
In 1950, the Yankees secured a World Series championship, marking a successful year for the team.
1950: Yankees Win World Series against Phillies
In 1950, the Yankees won the World Series in four straight games against the Philadelphia Phillies.
1951: DiMaggio Retires; Mantle Arrives
In 1951, Joe DiMaggio, the "Yankee Clipper", retired after a career marked by numerous injuries, while Mickey Mantle arrived as one of several rookies to fill the gap.
1951: Yankees Win World Series Championship
In 1951, the Yankees secured a World Series championship, continuing their dominant run.
1952: Yankees Win World Series Championship
In 1952, the Yankees secured another World Series championship, adding to their legacy.
1953: Yankees Win World Series Championship
In 1953, the Yankees achieved another World Series championship, further cementing their dominance.
1953: Yankees win World Series
In 1953, the Yankees won their fifth consecutive World Series, which was one of ten pennants and seven world championships led by Casey Stengel from 1949 to 1960.
1953: Fifth Consecutive World Series Win
In 1953, the Yankees, led by Casey Stengel, completed their fifth consecutive World Series victory, an MLB record.
1954: "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant"
In 1954, despite winning 103 games, the Yankees lost the pennant to the Cleveland Indians, who set an AL record with 111 wins; this year was referred to as "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant".
1954: Athletics Move to Kansas City
In 1954, the Philadelphia Athletics moved to Kansas City, which had been home to the Yankees' top farm team, the Kansas City Blues, for almost 20 years.
1955: Reference to Yankees Winning Consecutive Pennants
By winning the pennant for a fourth straight year, the 1998–2001 Yankees joined the Yankees teams of 1955–58 as the only teams to win at least four straight pennants.
1955: Yankees Win American League Pennant
In 1955, in addition to the World Series, the Yankees won the American League Pennant.
1955: Dodgers Beat Yankees in World Series
In 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers finally defeated the Yankees in the World Series, after five previous losses to them.
1956: Yankees Win World Series Championship
In 1956, the Yankees secured a World Series championship, continuing their success.
1956: Don Larsen's Perfect Game
In Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, Yankees pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history.
1957: Yankees One of Two Teams in NY
In 1957, New York City was left with the Yankees as the only baseball team after the Giants and Dodgers moved.
1957: Yankees Lost World Series to the Milwaukee Braves
In 1957, the Yankees lost the World Series to the Milwaukee Braves, with Lew Burdette winning three games and earning MVP.
1958: Dodgers Relocate to Los Angeles
In 1958, The Dodgers relocated to Los Angeles, continuing their rivalry with the Yankees with five World Series matchups since the move.
1958: Yankees Win World Series Against Braves
In 1958, the Yankees avenged their loss, winning the World Series against the Braves after being down 3–1.
1960: Reference to Yankees Winning Consecutive Pennants
By winning the pennant for a fourth straight year, the 1998–2001 Yankees joined the Yankees teams of 1960–64 as the only teams to win at least four straight pennants.
1960: Casey Stengel's Tenure Ends
In 1960, Casey Stengel's tenure ended, having managed the Yankees to ten pennants and seven world championships between 1949 and 1960.
1960: Finley Purchases Athletics; Maris's Success
In 1960, Charles O. Finley purchased the Athletics and ended the trades with the Yankees; in that year, Roger Maris led the league in several categories and won a Gold Glove, earning him the American League MVP award.
1961: Talent Pipeline Drying Up
As early as the 1961, the Yankees' talent pipeline from the minor league affiliates began to dry up.
1961: Yankees Win World Series
In 1961, the Yankees won the World Series after finishing the season with a 109-53 record and defeating the Cincinnati Reds.
1961: Maris Breaks Home Run Record
On October 1, 1961, Roger Maris hit his 61st home run, surpassing Babe Ruth's single-season record; later, MLB Commissioner Ford Frick decreed that Maris's record would be separate from Ruth's due to the difference in season length.
1961: Mentions
The 1961 New York Yankees team was one of the best in history.
1962: New York Mets Established
In 1962, the New York Mets were established as an expansion team after the Dodgers and Giants moved to California.
1962: Yankees Win World Series; Mets Arrive
In 1962, the Yankees defeated the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series; in the same year, the New York Mets were added as an expansion team to the National League, restoring New York as a city with more than one team.
1963: Yankees Swept by Dodgers in World Series
In 1963, the Yankees were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, scoring only four runs in the series.
1964: CBS Buys 80% of Yankees
In 1964, broadcasting company CBS purchased 80% of the Yankees from Topping and Webb for $11.2 million.
1965: Yankees Post Losing Record
In 1965, the Yankees posted a record of 77–85, marking their first losing record in 40 years.
1966: E. Michael Burke Assumes Role of Team President
In 1966, E. Michael Burke became the team president of the Yankees, stepping down in 1973 after the sale.
1966: Yankees Finish Last in AL
In 1966, the Yankees finished in last place in the AL for the first time since 1912.
1967: "Here Come the Yankees" Written
In 1967, "Here Come the Yankees" was written by Bob Bundin and Lou Stallman and became the official fight song for the Yankees.
1967: Reds Instituted Personal Appearance Policy
In 1967, the Cincinnati Reds instituted a personal appearance policy that lasted until 1999.
1967: Yankees Finish Near Bottom of AL
In 1967, the Yankees finished only ahead of the Kansas City Athletics in the American League.
1970: Yankees Finish High in AL
In 1970, The Yankees finished higher than fourth during the ownership of CBS.
1972: Reference to Athletics Teams Winning Consecutive World Series
After the 2000 season the Yankees joined the Oakland Athletics teams of 1972-74 as the only teams to win at least three consecutive World Series.
1972: Martin Manages Detroit Against Oakland
In 1972, Billy Martin managed the Detroit Tigers when Jackson's Oakland Athletics defeated them in the playoffs, creating bad blood between the two.
1972: Number 8 Retired for Dickey and Berra
In 1972, the number 8 was retired for two players, Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra, on the same day.
1972: City Buys Yankee Stadium; Yankees to Play at Shea Stadium
In mid-1972, Mayor John Lindsay intervened, and the city of New York bought Yankee Stadium and began an extensive two-year renovation period; as the city also owned Shea Stadium, the Mets were forced to allow the Yankees to play two seasons there.
January 3, 1973: Steinbrenner Buys Yankees
On January 3, 1973, CBS announced the sale of the Yankees to a group led by George Steinbrenner for $10 million.
1973: Steinbrenner Instituted Personal Appearance Policy
In 1973, George Steinbrenner instituted a personal appearance policy for Yankees players requiring them to be clean-shaven with well-groomed hair to instill order and discipline.
1973: Steinbrenner Purchases the Team
In 1973, George Steinbrenner purchased the New York Yankees from CBS, beginning his long and impactful tenure as the team's owner.
1973: Steinbrenner buys team from CBS
In 1973, George Steinbrenner purchased the Yankees from CBS and became involved in daily team operations.
1974: Yankees Sign Catfish Hunter
After the 1974 season, Steinbrenner signed star pitcher Catfish Hunter away from Oakland, marking the beginning of the modern era of free agency for the Yankees.
1974: Yankees Shared Shea Stadium
In 1974, the New York Yankees shared Shea Stadium with the Mets, Jets, and Giants.
1975: Yankees Shared Shea Stadium
In 1975, the New York Yankees shared Shea Stadium with the Mets, Jets, and Giants.
1975: Billy Martin Hired as Manager
Midway through the 1975 season, the Yankees hired former second baseman Billy Martin as manager.
1976: Yankees Add Reggie Jackson
After the 1976 campaign, Steinbrenner added star Oakland outfielder Reggie Jackson, who had spent the year with the Baltimore Orioles, to his roster.
1976: Yankees Played at the Original Yankee Stadium
From 1976, the New York Yankees played their home games at the original Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
1976: Yankees' Last World Series Appearance Until 1976
In 1976, the Yankees made it to the World Series, their first appearance since 1964.
1976: Yankees Reach World Series
In 1976, with Billy Martin as manager, the Yankees reached the World Series, where they were swept by the Cincinnati Reds.
1977: Controversy and Success in 1977
During spring training in 1977, Reggie Jackson alienated his teammates with controversial remarks about Thurman Munson; despite the turmoil, Jackson had an excellent World Series that year.
1977: Yankees Win Championship After a Long Drought
In 1977, the Yankees broke a long drought and won the World Series for the first time since 1962.
1978: Yankees Win Tie-Breaker Playoff
In 1978, the Yankees and Red Sox finished tied for first, leading to a high-profile tie-breaker playoff game that the Yankees won for the AL East division title.
1978: Martin Resigns; Lemon Takes Over
In late July 1978, Billy Martin suspended Reggie Jackson and was then forced to resign after a statement against Jackson and Steinbrenner; he was replaced by Bob Lemon.
August 2, 1979: Thurman Munson dies in plane crash
On August 2, 1979, Yankees catcher Thurman Munson tragically died in a plane crash. The team attended his funeral, and Bobby Murcer drove in all five runs in an emotional walk-off victory using Munson's bat. Munson's locker has been kept as a memorial.
1979: Yankees win 22nd World Series
In 1979, the Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series to win their 22nd championship. Changes occurred during the season, including trades and managerial changes, with Billy Martin replacing Bob Lemon.
1980: Billy Martin fired, Dick Howser hired
In 1980, Billy Martin was fired and replaced by Dick Howser as manager. Reggie Jackson had his best year and finished second in MVP voting. The Yankees won 103 games but lost to the Royals in the ALCS.
1980: "New York, New York" Introduced
In 1980, George Steinbrenner started playing the song "New York, New York" during Yankees games.
June 1981: Yankees Lead AL East Before Strike
In June 1981, under manager Gene Michael, the Yankees led the AL East before a players' strike interrupted the season.
1981: Yankees lose World Series to Dodgers
After signing Dave Winfield, the Yankees shifted their strategy to focus on speed and defense instead of home runs in 1981. They lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
1982: Yankees trade Dave Collins to Blue Jays
In 1982, the Yankees traded Dave Collins to the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal involving future All-Stars Fred McGriff and Mike Morgan.
July 4, 1983: Dave Righetti pitches no-hitter
On July 4, 1983, Dave Righetti pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees, marking a significant milestone during the 1980s.
1984: Mattingly and Winfield compete for AL average lead
In 1984, Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield competed for the best batting average in the American League, showcasing the Yankees' strong offense.
1985: Guidry Posts 22-6 Record
In 1985, Guidry posted a 22-6 record, marking a high point in his career before arm problems began to affect his performance.
1985: Yankees finish second in AL East
In 1985, the Yankees finished second in the AL East to the Toronto Blue Jays.
1986: Yankees finish second in AL East
In 1986, the Yankees finished second in the AL East to the Boston Red Sox.
1987: Yankees Finish Fourth in AL East
In 1987, despite leading the AL East mid-season, the Yankees fell to fourth place.
1988: Ron Guidry retires
After his performance declined due to arm problems, Ron Guidry retired after the 1988 season.
1988: Yankees Finish Fifth in AL East
In 1988, despite leading the AL East mid-season, the Yankees fell to fifth place.
1989: Henderson and Pagliarulo Depart
By the middle of 1989, Henderson and Mike Pagliarulo had left the Yankees, and Winfield missed the entire season due to back problems.
1990: Yankee fans taunt Red Sox with "1918!" chants
During the 1990 season, Yankee fans started chanting "1918!" to taunt the Red Sox, referencing the last time they won the World Series, and displayed signs and T-shirts with the same message. These fans became known as the Bleacher Creatures.
1990: Yankees have worst record in AL
In 1990, the Yankees had the worst record in the American League and finished in last place.
1990: "Curse of the Bambino" Coined
In 1990, writer Dan Shaughnessy coined the term "Curse of the Bambino" in his book of the same name, referring to the Red Sox's long championship drought after trading Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.
1992: Yankees continue losing record trend
From 1989 to 1992, the Yankees had a losing record, spending money on free agents and draft picks who did not meet expectations. The 1992 season continued this trend.
1993: Yankees Briefly Trailed Canadiens in Titles
In 1993, the New York Yankees briefly trailed the Montreal Canadiens for most titles in major North American sports leagues.
1994: Yankees' Season Cut Short by Strike
In 1994, the Yankees had the best record in the AL, but the season was cut short due to a players' strike. News media constantly compared this team to the last Yankees team whose season was cut short by a strike.
November 1995: Joe Torre announced as Yankees manager
In November 1995, Joe Torre was announced as the new manager of the Yankees, despite initial skepticism about his hiring.
1995: Yankees qualify for playoffs as Wild Card
In the strike-shortened 1995 season, the Yankees qualified for the playoffs as a wild card team and faced the Seattle Mariners in a memorable ALDS.
1996: Mattingly sits out the 1996 season
Due to back problems, Don Mattingly sat out the 1996 season.
1996: Start of Joe Torre's Tenure
In 1996, Joe Torre started managing the Yankees, a position he held until 2007, winning six pennants and four World Series championships.
1996: Yankees win World Series
In 1996, aided by young players like Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera, the Yankees won their first AL East title in 15 years and defeated the Atlanta Braves in the World Series after overcoming a 0-2 series deficit.
1996: Orioles Break Home Run Record
In 1996, the Baltimore Orioles surpassed the Yankees' 1961 record of 240 home runs with 257 home runs.
April 15, 1997: Jackie Robinson Day
On April 15, 1997, the number 42 was retired throughout Major League Baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson, marking the 50th anniversary of his breaking the color barrier.
1997: Mattingly retires after 1997 season
After struggling with back problems for years, Don Mattingly retired following the 1997 season.
1997: Yankees lose ALDS, Brian Cashman becomes GM
In 1997, the Yankees lost the ALDS to the Cleveland Indians. General manager Bob Watson stepped down and was replaced by Brian Cashman.
1997: Subway Series Term Applied to Interleague Play
Since 1997, the term "Subway Series" has been applied to interleague play during the regular season between the Yankees and the New York Mets.
May 17, 1998: David Wells pitches perfect game
On May 17, 1998, David Wells pitched a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins.
1998: Reference to Yankees Winning Consecutive Pennants
By winning the pennant for a fourth straight year, the 1998–2001 Yankees joined the 1921–24 New York Giants as the only teams to win at least four straight pennants.
1998: McGwire Breaks Home Run Record
In 1998, Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris's single-season home run record by hitting 70 home runs.
1998: Death of Robert Merrill
In 1998, Robert Merrill, the national anthem singer in the old Yankees Stadium for Opening Day and other special events, passed away.
1998: Mentions
The 1998 New York Yankees team was one of the best in history.
July 18, 1999: David Cone pitches perfect game
On July 18, 1999, David Cone pitched a perfect game against the Montreal Expos.
1999: Yankees Regained Lead in Titles
By 1999, the New York Yankees regained the lead in titles among major North American sports leagues.
1999: Reds End Personal Appearance Policy
In 1999, the Cincinnati Reds ended their personal appearance policy.
1999: Yankees Win AL Championship Series
In 1999, the Yankees won the American League Championship Series against the Red Sox.
2000: Yankees Defeat Mets in World Series
In 2000, the Yankees defeated the Mets in five games to win the World Series, marking the most recent Subway Series.
2000: Yankees win Subway World Series
In 2000, the Yankees faced the Mets in the first New York City Subway World Series in 44 years, winning the series in 5 games. Their Game 3 loss ended a 14-game World Series winning streak.
September 11, 2001: Yankee Stadium hosts "Prayer for America" memorial
In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Yankee Stadium hosted a memorial service titled "Prayer for America" for the September 11 victims.
2001: "God Bless America" Played During Seventh-Inning Stretch
Since September 11, 2001, "God Bless America" has been played during the seventh-inning stretch at Yankees games.
2001: League Leaders in Road Attendance
Starting in 2001, the Yankees were the league leaders in "road attendance".
2002: Soriano Hits 30 Home Runs and Steals 30 Bases
In 2002, Alfonso Soriano became the first second baseman ever to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season. The Yankees finished with the best record in the AL but lost to the Angels in the ALDS.
2002: Launch of YES Network
The Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network was launched in 2002 and serves as the primary home of the New York Yankees.
2003: Yankees win ALCS, Clemens reaches milestones
In 2003, Roger Clemens achieved his 300th win and 4000th strikeout. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox in a dramatic ALCS but lost the World Series to the Florida Marlins.
2003: Yankees Win AL Championship Series
In 2003, the Yankees won the American League Championship Series against the Red Sox.
2004: Filip Bondy Research
In 2004, New York Daily News columnist Filip "Flip" Bondy spent the season sitting in the Bleacher Creatures' section to research his book about the group.
2004: Red Sox Win AL Championship Series
In 2004, the Red Sox won the American League Championship Series against the Yankees.
2004: Red Sox Break the Curse
In 2004, the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years, breaking the "Curse of the Bambino" that had haunted them since Babe Ruth was traded to the Yankees in 1920.
2004: Alex Rodriguez Trade
In 2004, the Yankees traded Alfonso Soriano to the Texas Rangers for Alex Rodriguez, who then played third base to accommodate Derek Jeter.
2004: Red Sox Historic Comeback in ALCS
In the 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox made MLB history by coming back from a 3-0 deficit against the Yankees to win the series.
2005: Alex Rodriguez wins AL MVP
In 2005, Alex Rodriguez won the American League MVP award, marking the first time a Yankee had won the award since Don Mattingly in 1985.
2005: Publication of Bleeding Pinstripes
In 2005, Filip "Flip" Bondy's book about the Bleacher Creatures, "Bleeding Pinstripes: A Season with the Bleacher Creatures of Yankee Stadium", was published.
2005: Steinbrenner retires from day-to-day operations
In 2005, George Steinbrenner retired from day-to-day team operations, handing control over to his son-in-law Steve Swindal.
2005: Record-Setting Attendance
In 2005, the Yankees set an American League record with 4,090,696 fans, becoming only the third franchise in sports history to draw over four million in regular-season attendance in their own ballpark.
2005: Highest Paid Players in MLB
In 2005, the Yankees' average player salary was $2.6 million, and the team had the five highest paid players in MLB.
2006: Yankees Sweep Red Sox in 5-Game Series
In 2006, the Yankees swept a 5-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, in a series dubbed the "Second Boston Massacre," where they outscored the Red Sox 49-26.
2006: League Leaders in Road Attendance
Through 2006, the Yankees were the league leaders in "road attendance".
October 2007: George Steinbrenner hands control to his sons
In October 2007, citing declining health, George Steinbrenner formally handed control of the Yankees to his sons Hal and Hank.
2007: End of Joe Torre's Tenure
In 2007, Joe Torre's tenure managing the Yankees ended, having winning six pennants and four World Series championships since 1996.
2007: End of AL East Title Streak and Playoff Loss
In 2007, the Yankees' streak of nine straight AL East division titles ended. The team still made the playoffs as a wild card but lost in the first round to the Cleveland Indians. Also in 2007, Joe Torre declined a contract offer and left as manager.
September 21, 2008: Final Game at Yankee Stadium
On September 21, 2008, the Yankees played their final regular-season game at Yankee Stadium, defeating the Baltimore Orioles. Derek Jeter addressed the crowd after the game. The team missed the playoffs, marking their first absence in 14 seasons.
2008: Last Season at Original Yankee Stadium
2008 marked the last season the New York Yankees played at the original Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
2008: Highest Payroll in American Sports
At the start of the 2008 season, the Yankees' payroll was around $200 million, the highest of any American sports team.
2008: Joint Venture with Dallas Cowboys
In 2008, the Yankees announced a joint venture with the Dallas Cowboys to partner in running food and beverage and other catering services to both teams' stadiums.
2008: Most Fans Per Game
The 2008 season saw the most fans per game in Yankees history, with an average of 53,000 per game.
June 1, 2009: Error-Free Record
On June 1, 2009, the Yankees set a major league record by playing error-free baseball for 18 consecutive games, beginning on May 14. The Yankees eventually won their 27th World Series title in 2009.
2009: New Yankee Stadium Opens
In 2009, the New York Yankees moved into the new Yankee Stadium, constructed adjacent to the original stadium.
October 17, 2010: Death of Freddy "Sez" Schuman
On October 17, 2010, Freddy Schuman, popularly known as "Freddy Sez," passed away at the age of 85. He was a well-known Yankees superfan.
2010: Death of Yankee Icons
During the 2010 All-Star break, public address announcer Bob Sheppard and principal owner George Steinbrenner both passed away. Shortly after, former player and manager Ralph Houk also died.
2010: Death of George Steinbrenner
In 2010, George Steinbrenner died, leaving his son Hal as the main managing partner of the Yankees.
2010: First Postseason No-Hitter Since 1956
In 2010, after Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, another postseason no-hitter occurred.
August 25, 2011: Yankees Hit Three Grand Slams in One Game
On August 25, 2011, in a 22-9 victory against the Oakland Athletics, the Yankees became the first team in Major League history to hit three grand slams in a single game, achieved by Robinson Canó, Russell Martin, and Curtis Granderson.
2012: ALDS Game 3: Raul Ibanez's Historic Performance
In 2012, during ALDS Game 3, Raúl Ibañez set multiple records, including being the oldest player to hit two home runs in a game and the first substitute position player to hit two home runs in a postseason game. The Yankees defeated the Orioles in five games, but lost the ALCS to the Detroit Tigers.
April 12, 2013: Yankees Execute Rare Triple Play
On April 12, 2013, the Yankees executed a rare triple play, scored as 4-6-5-6-5-3-4, the first of its kind in baseball history. The Yankees were eliminated from playoff contention on September 25, 2013.
2013: Yankees Ranked Fourth Most Valuable
In 2013, Forbes magazine ranked the New York Yankees as the fourth most valuable sports team in the world, valued at $2.3 billion.
September 25, 2014: Derek Jeter's Final Home Game
On September 25, 2014, Derek Jeter hit a walk-off single in his final home game to defeat the Baltimore Orioles. Dellin Betances finished 3rd in voting for AL Rookie of the Year.
August 12, 2016: Alex Rodriguez's Final Game
On August 12, 2016, Alex Rodriguez played his final game for the Yankees, subsequently accepting a front office position. Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge debuted on August 13, hitting back-to-back home runs.
2016: Yankees valued at $3.7 Billion
In 2016, Forbes valued the New York Yankees at $3.7 billion.
2016: "No Runs-D.M.C."
In 2016, the Yankees struggled, finishing 4th in the AL East, but the trio of Betances, Chapman, and Miller formed a dominant bullpen known as "No Runs–D.M.C.". Veterans Rodriguez and Teixeira had disappointing seasons. At the trade deadline, the Yankees became sellers.
May 14, 2017: Derek Jeter's Number Retired
On May 14, 2017, the Yankees retired number 2 in honor of Derek Jeter.
2017: Yankees Hire Aaron Boone and Acquire Giancarlo Stanton
During the 2017-18 offseason, the Yankees hired Aaron Boone as manager. They also acquired Giancarlo Stanton, the reigning National League MVP, whose contract was the largest in North American sports at the time.
2017: Aaron Judge's Record-Breaking Rookie Season
In 2017, Aaron Judge broke the major league record for most home runs by a rookie with 52, won the Home Run Derby, won Rookie of the Year, and finished second in AL MVP voting.
2017: Yankees Ranked Second Most Valuable
In 2017, Forbes magazine ranked the Yankees as the second most valuable sports team at $3.7 billion, up 9% from 2016.
2017: Creation of "the Judge's Chambers"
In 2017, the Yankees created "the Judge's Chambers", a special cheer section within Section 104 for fans of outfielder Aaron Judge.
2018: Yankees valued at $4.6 Billion
In 2018, Forbes valued the New York Yankees at $4.6 billion.
2018: Red Sox Win AL Division Series
In 2018, the Red Sox won the American League Division Series against the Yankees.
June 25, 2019: Home Run Record
On June 25, 2019, the Yankees set a new major league record for homering in 28 consecutive games, surpassing the record set by the 2002 Texas Rangers. This streak reached 31 games with 57 home runs. In 2024, the Yankees had an all-time regular season winning percentage of .569.
August 31, 2019: Most Home Runs in a Month Record
On August 31, 2019, the Yankees concluded August holding a new record with 74 home runs hit in the month, the most by a single MLB team in one month, highlighted by DJ LeMahieu's walk-off home run.
December 18, 2019: Yankees Sign Gerrit Cole
On December 18, 2019, the Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a nine-year, $324 million contract, marking a significant acquisition.
2019: Yankees Ranked Most Valuable MLB Team
In 2019, Forbes magazine again ranked the Yankees as the most valuable MLB team at $4.6 billion, up 15% from 2018.
2019: Yankees Play in First MLB London Series
In 2019, the Yankees played the Red Sox in the first-ever MLB London Series, marking the first MLB games played in Europe. They swept the series but lost to the Houston Astros in the ALCS. This marked the first decade since the 1910s in which there was no World Series champion in New York.
2019: Kate Smith Version of "God Bless America" Stopped
In 2019, the Yankees stopped playing Kate Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" due to allegations of racism in some of her songs.
May 19, 2021: Corey Kluber Throws No-Hitter
On May 19, 2021, Corey Kluber threw a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers, marking the Yankees' 12th no-hitter and the first since 1999. In 2021, the Yankees also tied a record with three triple plays.
2021: Equivalent of Ruppert and Huston Purchase
In 1915, Ruppert and Huston paid $350,000 (equivalent to $9,375,000 in 2021) for the New York Yankees.
2021: Stadium Building Cost
In 1923, the Yankees moved to Yankee Stadium, which cost $2.5 million (equivalent to $40,000,000 in 2021).
2021: Red Sox Win AL Wild Card Game
In 2021, the Red Sox won the American League Wild Card Game against the Yankees.
2021: Robert Merrill Version of "God Bless America" Introduced
In 2021, the organ version of "God Bless America" was replaced by a recording of the Robert Merrill cover of the song.
December 21, 2022: Aaron Judge Named Yankees Captain
On December 21, 2022, Aaron Judge was named the 16th captain in Yankees history, following a contract re-signing. He became the first captain since Derek Jeter's retirement in 2014.
2022: Commentators on YES Network
As of 2022, Michael Kay is the play-by-play announcer with David Cone, John Flaherty, and Paul O'Neill working as commentators on the YES Network.
2022: Judge Breaks American League Home Run Record
In 2022, Aaron Judge broke Roger Maris's American League single-season home run record by hitting 62 home runs.
2022: Aaron Judge Breaks Home Run Record and Wins MVP
In 2022, the Yankees had their 30th straight winning season, and Aaron Judge hit his 62nd home run, breaking the American League single-season record set in 1961. Judge was named AL MVP, the first Yankee since Alex Rodriguez in 2007.
2022: Yankees Ranked Second Most Valuable
In 2022, the Yankees were again ranked as the second most valuable team behind the Cowboys, valued at $6 billion.
June 28, 2023: Domingo Germán Throws Perfect Game
On June 28, 2023, Domingo Germán threw the 24th perfect game in MLB history and the fourth in Yankees history.
December 6, 2023: Yankees Trade for Juan Soto
On December 6, 2023, the Yankees made a blockbuster trade for young superstar Juan Soto, enhancing their roster for the upcoming season.
2023: Yankees Caps Viral in Brazil
According to a 2023 New York Times report, Yankees caps (mostly counterfeit) are "viral" in Brazil, where customers often do not know that the logo represents a baseball team.
2023: Value of Team Sale Equivalent
In 1945 construction and real estate magnate Del Webb along with partners Dan Topping and Larry MacPhail purchased the team from the Ruppert estate for $2.8 million (equivalent to roughly $47.8 million in 2023)
2023: Yankees Value Rises to $7.1 Billion
In 2023, the Yankees value rose 17% from 2022 to $7.1 billion, remaining the second most valuable sports team.
2024: Team Value Estimated at $7.55 Billion
In 2024, Forbes estimated the New York Yankees' value at approximately $7.55 billion, making them one of the highest-valued sports franchises in the world.
2024: Yankees win AL East, lose World Series
In 2024, The Yankees won the AL East and reached the World Series. Giancarlo Stanton was named ALCS MVP. The Yankees lost to the Dodgers in the World Series in five games. After the season, Aaron Judge was named AL MVP for the second time in his career.
2024: Value of 1973 Purchase Adjusted for Inflation
In 2024, the $10 million Steinbrenner paid for the Yankees in 1973 is equivalent to $70.8 million.
2024: Yankees Value Rises to $7.55 Billion
In 2024, the Yankees value rose to $7.55 billion, but the team fell to fourth overall in the ranking.
2024: Franchise Overall Record Updated
Through the 2024 season, the New York Yankees have an overall win-loss record of 10,778–8,148–88.
February 21, 2025: Roster Update
Roster, coaches, and NRIs updated on February 21, 2025.
