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hi, i like pie i am a red sox fan and yankees are the worst team in the league! come on wikipedia its he truth! you guys will stink if you guys are lying when i say YANKEES SUCK!
{{Current MLB season}}
{{MLB infobox |
name = New York Yankees|
established = 1901 |
misc = '''Based in New York since {{by|1903}}''' |
logo = NewYorkYankees_PrimaryLogo.svg|
uniformlogo = NewYorkYankees_caplogo.svg|
|colors=Navy Blue, White
{{color box|#1c2841}} {{color box|white}} |
owner = ]|
gm = ] |
manager = ] |
WS = (26) |
WORLD CHAMPIONS = ]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]<br />]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]<br />]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]<br />]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]<br />]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]<br />]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]&nbsp;•&nbsp;]<br />]&nbsp;•&nbsp;] ||
LEAGUE = AL |
P = (39)&nbsp;<sup></sup> |
PENNANTS = 2003&nbsp;•&nbsp;2001&nbsp;•&nbsp;2000&nbsp;•&nbsp;1999<br />1998&nbsp;•&nbsp;1996&nbsp;•&nbsp;1981&nbsp;•&nbsp;1978<br />1977&nbsp;•&nbsp;1976&nbsp;•&nbsp;1964&nbsp;•&nbsp;1963<br />1962&nbsp;•&nbsp;1961&nbsp;•&nbsp;1960&nbsp;•&nbsp;1958<br />1957&nbsp;•&nbsp;1956&nbsp;•&nbsp;1955&nbsp;•&nbsp;1953<br />1952&nbsp;•&nbsp;1951&nbsp;•&nbsp;1950&nbsp;•&nbsp;1949<br />1947&nbsp;•&nbsp;1943&nbsp;•&nbsp;1942&nbsp;•&nbsp;1941<br />1939&nbsp;•&nbsp;1938&nbsp;•&nbsp;1937&nbsp;•&nbsp;1936<br />1932&nbsp;•&nbsp;1928&nbsp;•&nbsp;1927&nbsp;•&nbsp;1926<br />1923&nbsp;•&nbsp;1922&nbsp;•&nbsp;1921 |
misc1 = |
OTHER PENNANTS = |
DIV = East |
DV = (15)&nbsp;<sup></sup> |
Division Champs = 2006&nbsp;•&nbsp;2005&nbsp;•&nbsp;2004&nbsp;•&nbsp;2003<br />2002&nbsp;•&nbsp;2001&nbsp;•&nbsp;2000&nbsp;•&nbsp;1999<br />1998&nbsp;•&nbsp;1996&nbsp;•&nbsp;1981&nbsp;•&nbsp;1980<br />1978&nbsp;•&nbsp;1977&nbsp;•&nbsp;1976 |
misc5 = |
OTHER DIV CHAMPS = |
WC = (3) |
Wild Card = 2007&nbsp;•&nbsp;1997&nbsp;•&nbsp;1995 &nbsp;|
misc6 =
<small> - In {{by|1981}}, a ] in middle of the season forced the season to be split into two halves. New York had the best record in the East Division when play was stopped and was declared the first-half division winner. Per the year's playoff format, the Yankees beat the Brewers in the division series and defeated the A's in the ALCS.<ref name="pennant81">{{cite web
|url = http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/1981-baseball-season.htm
|title = 1981 Baseball Season
|publisher = ''Editors of Publications International, Ltd.''
|first =
|last =
|accessdate = 2008-07-22}}</ref><br>
- In {{by|1994}}, a ] wiped out the last eight weeks of the season and all post-season. New York was in first place in the East Division by six and a half games when play was stopped. No official titles were awarded in 1994.<ref name="strike94">{{cite web
|url = http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/1994-baseball-season.htm
|title = 1994 Baseball Season
|publisher = ''Editors of Publications International, Ltd.''
|first =
|last =
|accessdate = 2008-07-21}}</ref><br></small> |
current league = American League |
y1 = 1901 |
division = ] |
y2 = 1969 |
misc2 = |
nickname = New York Yankees |
y3 = 1913 |
pastnames =New York Highlanders ({{by|1903}}–{{by|1912}})
*Baltimore Orioles ({{by|1901}}–{{by|1902}})
<small>(Also referred to as "Americans" originally){{Fact|date=September 2008}}</small> |
ballpark = ] |
y4 = 2009 |
nicknames =The Bronx Bombers, The Yanks, The Pinstripers|
pastparks =] ({{by|1923}}–{{by|1973}}), ({{by|1976}}–{{by|2008}})
*] ({{by|1974}}–{{by|1975}})
*] ({{by|1913}}–{{by|1922}})
**a.k.a. Brush Stadium ({{by|1913}}–{{by|1919}})
*] ({{by|1903}}–{{by|1912}})
*] (Baltimore) ({{by|1901}}–{{by|1902}}) |
Uniform = ALE-Uniform-NYY.PNG|
retirednumbers =], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] |
Team = Yankees |
Team1 = Yankees|
Uniform logo = Al 2005 newyork 01.gif |
}}
{{redirect6|Yankees|defunct football teams of the same name|New York Yankees (football)|other uses of "Yankees" or "Yankee"|Yankee (disambiguation)}}
The '''New York Yankees''' are a ] based in the ] of ], in ], ] and are a member of the ] of ]'s ]. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in ], ] in {{by|1901}} as the Baltimore Orioles, and moved to New York City in {{by|1903}}, becoming known as the New York Highlanders before being officially renamed the "Yankees" in {{by|1913}}.<ref name="namechanges">{{cite web
|url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/history/timeline1.jsp
|title = Yankees Timeline 1903-1925
|publisher = ''New York Yankees''
|first =
|last =
|accessdate = 2008-07-21}}</ref> From {{by|1923}} to {{by|2008}}, the Yankees' home was ]. In 2009, they moved into ], also called "Yankee Stadium".<ref name="newstadiumopening">{{cite web
|url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/new_stadium.jsp
|title = New Yankee Stadium
|publisher = ''New York Yankees''
|first =
|last =
|accessdate = 2008-07-21}}</ref> The franchise leads ] in both revenue and titles, with 26 ] championships and 39 ]. They have more championships than any other franchise in North American professional sports history, passing the 24 ] championships by the ] in {{by|1999}}.<ref name="mostchampionships">{{cite web
|url = http://www.nuttyaboutsports.com/most-championships.shtml
|title = Teams Who Have Won the Most North American Sports Championships
|publisher = ''NuttyAboutSports.com'', WorldReach Marketing
|first =
|last =
|accessdate = 2008-07-21}}</ref><ref name="win25">{{cite web
|url = http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_ws_recaps.jsp?feature=1999
|title = World Series History: 1999
|publisher = ''MLB Advanced Media, L.P.''
|first =
|last =
|accessdate = 2008-07-21}}</ref><ref name="Revenue">{{cite web |title=Yankee Revenue To Immediately Double In New Stadium |url=http://deadspin.com/5032845/yankee-revenue-to-immediately-double-in-new-stadium |accessdate=17 February 2009 }}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of the New York Yankees}}
===(1901&ndash;1902) Origins: the Baltimore era===
At the end of {{by|1900}}, Western League president ] reorganized the league, adding teams in three Eastern cities, which formed the ]. Plans to put a team in New York City were blocked by the ]'s ], who had enough political power to keep the AL out. Instead, a team was put in ], ], a city which had been abandoned when the NL contracted from 12 to 8 teams in 1900.

Nicknamed the Orioles, the team began playing in {{by|1901}}, and were managed and owned in part by ]. During the {{by|1902}} season, McGraw feuded with Johnson, and secretly jumped to the Giants. In the middle of the season, the Giants, aided and abetted by McGraw, gained controlling interest of the Orioles and began raiding it for players, until the AL stepped in and took control of the team. In January {{by|1903}}, a "peace conference" was held between the two leagues to settle disputes and try to coexist. At the conference, Johnson requested that an AL team be put in New York, to play alongside the NL Giants.<ref name="Secyclo"> {{cite web
| url = http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/nyyanks/yankees.html
| title = New York Yankees (1903-Present)
| publisher = Sports E-cyclopedia
| accessdate = 2009-03-12
}}</ref> It was put to a vote, and 15 of the 16 Major League owners agreed on it, with the only opponent being John T. Bush of the Giants. As a result, the NL agreed to let the "junior circuit" establish a franchise in New York. The Orioles' new owners, ] and ], found a ballpark location not blocked by the Giants, and Baltimore's team moved to New York.

===(1903&ndash;1912) Move to New York: the Highlanders Era===
], home of the Highlanders]]
The team's new ballpark, ] (formally known as "American League Park"), was constructed in northern ] at one of the island's highest points between 165th and 168th Streets, just a few blocks away from the much larger ]. The team came to be known as the New York Highlanders for two reasons: it was a reference to the team's elevated location, and also to the noted British military unit ], which coincided with the team's president, Joseph Gordon. As was common with all members of the American League, the team was also referred to as the New York Americans. The club was also being called the New York Yankees (or "Yanks") in newspapers as early as 1904, because it was easier to type, and fit in headlines.<ref name="Secyclo" />

The most success the Highlanders achieved was finishing second in {{by|1904}}, {{by|1906}} and {{by|1910}}, 1904 being the closest they would come to winning the AL pennant. That year, they would lose the deciding game on the last day of the season to the ], who would later become the Boston Red Sox. This had much historical significance, as the Highlanders' role in the pennant race caused the Giants to announce that they would not play in the ] against the AL pennant winner. The World Series would not be skipped again for another 90 years, when a ] truncated the entire {{by|1994}} season. It would also be the last time Boston would beat New York in a pennant-deciding game for a full century ({{by|2004}}). 1904 was also the year that pitcher ] set the single-season wins record at 41, which still stands. (Under current playing practices, this is an unbreakable record).

===(1913&ndash;1922) New owners, a new home, and a new name: the Polo Grounds Era===
], home of the Yankees from 1913 to 1922]]
The ] burned down in {{by|1911}} and the Highlanders allowed the Giants to play in Hilltop Park during reconstruction. Relations between the two teams warmed, and the Highlanders would move into the newly rebuilt Polo Grounds in {{by|1913}}. Now playing on the Harlem River, a far cry from their high-altitude home, the name "Highlanders" no longer applied, and fell into disuse among the press. The media had already been calling the team the "Yankees" (a synonym for "Americans", the team being an American League franchise) more and more frequently, and in 1913 the team became known exclusively as the New York Yankees.

By the mid 1910s, owners Farrell and Devery had become estranged and were both in dire need of money. At the start of {{by|1915}}, they sold the team to Colonel ] and Captain ] for $1.25 million.<ref name="NYYTimeline"> {{cite web
| url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/history/timeline1.jsp
| title = Yankees Timeline (1903-1925)
| publisher = MLB Advanced Media, L.P
| accessdate = 2009-03-12
}}</ref> Ruppert inherited a brewery fortune, providing the Yankees with an owner who possessed deep pockets and a willingness to dig into them to produce a winning team. This would lead the team to more success and prestige than Ruppert could ever have envisioned.

===(1923&ndash;1935) Sluggers and the Stadium: the Ruth and Gehrig era===
]
In the years around 1920, the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the ] had a ]. Their actions, which antagonized Ban Johnson, garnered them the nickname the "Insurrectos".<ref name="StoutArticle">{{cite web
| url = http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/s/2002/0718/1407265.html
| title = When the Yankees nearly moved to Boston
| publisher = ''ESPN''
| author = Stout, Glenn
| accessdate = 2009-03-12
}}</ref> This détente paid off well for the Yankees as they enlarged their payroll. Most new players who would later contribute to the team's success came from the Red Sox, whose owner, ], was trading them players for large sums of money. Pitcher-turned-outfielder ] was the most talented of all the acquisitions from Boston, and the outcome of the trade would haunt the Red Sox for the next 86 years, a span in which the team did not win a single Championship. The Red Sox often found themselves eliminated from the playoff hunt as a result of the Yankees' success. This phenomenon eventually became known as the ] as the failure of the Red Sox and the success of the Yankees seemed almost supernatural, and seemed to stem from that one trade.

Ruth's multitude of home runs proved so popular that the Yankees began drawing more people than their landlords, the Giants.<ref name="StoutArticle" /> In {{by|1921}}, when the ] made their ] against the ], the Yankees were told to move out of the Polo Grounds after the {{by|1922}} season. Giants manager ] was said to have commented that the Yankees should "move to some out-of-the-way place, like Queens", but they instead broke ground for a new ballpark in the Bronx, right across the ] from the Polo Grounds. In 1922, the ] returned to the ] again, and were dealt a second defeat at the hands of the ]. Important newcomers in this period were manager ] and general manager ]. The hiring of Huggins by Ruppert would cause a break between the owners that eventually led to Ruppert buying Huston out in ].

<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: ] -->

In {{by|1923}}, the Yankees moved to their new home, ]. It was the first triple-deck venue in baseball and seated an astounding 58,000 people. In the first game at Yankee Stadium, Babe Ruth hit a home run, which was fitting as his home runs and drawing power paid for the stadium, giving it its nickname of "The House That Ruth Built".<ref name="Secyclo"/> At the end of the year, the ] faced the ] for the third straight year in the ], and finally triumphed for their first championship. Prior to that point, the Giants had been the city's icon and dominant team. From 1923 onward, the Yankees would assume that role, and the Giants would eventually transfer out of the city.

In the {{by|1927}} ], the ] featured a lineup that become known as "]", and some consider this team to be the best in the history of baseball (though similar claims have been made for other Yankee squads, notably those of {{by|1939}}, {{by|1961}} and {{by|1998}}).<ref name="1927best">{{cite web
|url = http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/history/2002/1927_murderers_row.htm
|title = 1927 "Murderers' Row" New York Yankees: No Team Has Ever Been Better
|publisher = ''National Baseball Hall of Fame''
|first = Leonard
|last = Koppett
|accessdate = 2007-06-04}}</ref> The Yankees won a then-AL record 110 games with only 44 losses, and swept the ] in the ]. Ruth's home run total of 60 in 1927 set a single-season home run record that would stand for 34 years. Meanwhile, first baseman ] had his first big season, batting .373 with 47 home runs and 175 RBIs, beating Ruth's single-season RBI mark (171 in 1921). In the next three years, the ] would take the AL pennant each season and win two world championships.

In {{by|1931}}, ] came in as manager, and brought the ] back to the top of the AL. They swept the ] in the ], and brought the team's streak of consecutive World Series game wins to 12. This series was made famous by Babe Ruth's "]" in game three of the series at ]. A fitting "swan song" to his illustrious postseason career, Ruth would leave the Yankees to join the NL's ] after {{by|1934}}, and would never see the postseason again.

===(1936&ndash;1951) Joltin' Joe: the DiMaggio era===
]
With Ruth retired, Gehrig finally had a chance to take center stage, but it was only one year before a new titan appeared: ]. The team would win an unprecedented four straight World Series titles from {{by|1936}} to {{by|1939}}. For most of 1939, however, they had to do it without Gehrig, who was forced to retire because of ]. The Yankees declared July 4, 1939 to be "Lou Gehrig Day", on which they retired his number 4 (the first retired number in baseball). Gehrig also made a famous speech in which he declared himself to be "the luckiest man on the face of the earth."<ref name="GehrigSpeech">{{cite web |url=http://www.lougehrig.com/about/speech.htm |title=Farewell Speech |accessdate=2009-03-23 |date=], ] |publisher=lougehrig.com}}</ref> He died two years later.

Often described as the last year of the "Golden Era" before World War II and other realities intervened, {{by|1941}} was a thrilling year as America watched two major events unfold: ] of the Red Sox hunting for the elusive .400 batting average and Joe DiMaggio getting hits in consecutive ballgames. By the end of his hitting streak, DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive games, the current major league record.

Two months and one day after the Yankees beat the ] in the ], the ] attacks occurred, and many of their best players, including DiMaggio himself, went off to serve in the military. The Yankees still managed to pull out a win against the ] in the ]. After a few slumping seasons, McCarthy was fired early in {{by|1946}}. A few interim managers later, ] took the job, righting the ship and taking the Yankees to a hard fought ] victory against the ].

Despite finishing only three games behind the first place ] in {{by|1948}}, Harris was released in favor of ], who had a reputation of being a clown and managing bad teams. His tenure as Yankee field manager, however, was marked with success. The "underdog" Yankees came from behind to catch and surprise the then-powerful ] on the last two days of the ], a face off that fueled the beginning of the modern ]. By this time, however, DiMaggio's career was winding down, and the "Yankee Clipper" retired after the {{by|1951}} season. This year also marked the arrival of the "Oklahoma Kid", ], who was one of several new stars that would fill the gap.

===(1951&ndash;1959) Stengel's squad in the 1950s: the Stengel era===
Bettering the clubs managed by Joe McCarthy, the Yankees won the world series five consecutive times from ({{by|1949}}&ndash;{{by|1953}}) under Stengel, which continues to be the major league record. Led by players like center fielder Mickey Mantle, pitcher ], and catcher ], Stengel's teams won ten pennants and seven World Series titles in his twelve seasons as the Yankees manager. Casey Stengel was also a master at publicity for the team and for himself, even landing a cover story in ''Time'' magazine in 1955.

In {{by|1954}}, the ] won over 100 games, but the ] took the pennant with an AL record 111 wins. In {{by|1955}}, the ] finally beat the ] in the ], after five previous Series losses to the them, but the Yankees came back strong the next year. On October 8, {{by|1956}}, in Game Five of the ] against the ], pitcher ] threw the only ] in World Series history, which also remains the only ] of any kind to be pitched in postseason play.<ref name="PerfectLarsen"> {{cite web
| url = http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Larsen_Don.html
| title = Larsen had one perfect day
| publisher = ''ESPN''
| author = Acocella, Nick
| accessdate = 2009-03-12
}}</ref>

The ] lost the ] to the ]. Following the Series, the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers left for ], leaving the Yankees as New York's only baseball team. In the ], the Yankees got their revenge against the Braves, and became the second team to win the Series after being down three games to one. For the decade, the Yankees won six World Series championships ('50, 51, '52, '53, '56, '58) and eight American League pennants (those six plus '55 and '57). Led by Mantle, Ford, Berra, ] (the Yankees' first African-American player), and the newly acquired ], the Yankees entered the 1960s seeking to replicate their success of the 1950s.

===(1960&ndash;1964) The M&M Boys: the Mantle and Maris Era===
], owner of the ], was a longtime business associate of then-Yankees co-owners ] and ]. Because of this "special relationship" with the Yankees, he traded them young players for cash and aging veterans. Invariably, these trades ended up being heavily tilted in the Yankees' favor, leading to accusations that the Athletics were little more than a Yankee farm team at the major league level. Ironically, Kansas City had been home to the Yankees' top farm team for almost 20 years before the Athletics moved there from Philadelphia in {{by|1954}}.

In {{by|1960}}, ] purchased the Athletics, and put a cease to the trades. However, before this, the Yankees strengthened their supply of future prospects, which included a young outfielder named ]. In 1960, Maris led the league in slugging percentage, RBIs, and extra base hits. He also finished second in home runs (one behind Mantle) and total bases, and won a ], which gathered him enough votes for the American League MVP award.

The year of {{by|1961}} would prove to be one of the most memorable in Yankee history. Throughout the summer, Mantle and Maris hit home runs at a fast pace, and became known as the "M&M Boys".<ref name="Secyclo"/> Ultimately, a severe hip infection forced Mantle to leave the lineup and drop out of the race. Maris continued though, and on October 1, the last day of the season, he hit home run number 61, surpassing Babe Ruth's single season home run record of 60. However, MLB Commissioner ] (who, as it was discovered later, had ] for Babe Ruth during his career) decreed that since Maris had played in a 162-game season and Ruth had only played in one with 154, two separate records would be kept. It would be 30 years before the dual record would be done away with, and Maris would hold the record alone until ] broke it in {{by|1998}}. Maris still holds the American League record.

The Yankees won the pennant with a 109&ndash;53 record and went on to defeat the ] in the ]. The team finished the year with a then record 240 home runs. In {{by|1962}}, the sports scene in New York changed when the National League expanded to include a new team, the ] in nearby ]. The ] lost a record 120 games while the ] would win the ], their tenth in the past sixteen years, defeating the ] in seven games.

The ] also reached the ], but were swept by the ]. After the season, Yogi Berra, who had just retired from playing, took over managerial duties. The aging ] returned the next year for ], but were beaten in seven games by the ]. It would be the Yankees last World Series appearance until {{by|1976}}.

===(1964–1972) New ownership and a steep decline: the CBS era===
After the {{by|1964}} season, ] purchased 80% of the Yankees from Topping and Webb for $11.2 million.<ref name="1951to1975">{{cite web
|url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/history/timeline3.jsp
|title = Yankees Timeline 1951-1975
|publisher = ''New York Yankees''
|accessdate = 2009-03-18}}</ref> With the new ownership, the team began to decline. In fact, the Yankees finished in the ] for the first time in 40 years in {{by|1965}}. This was worsened by the introduction of the ] that year, which meant that the Yankees could no longer sign any player they wanted. Webb sold his 10 percent stake to CBS before the year was over.

In {{by|1966}}, the ] finished last in the AL for the first time since {{by|1912}}. After they finished next-to-last in the {{by|1967}} season, the ] fortunes improved somewhat, but they would not become serious contenders again until {{by|1974}}. Various reasons have been given for the decline, but the single biggest one was the Yankees' inability to replace their aging superstars with new ones, as they had consistently done in the previous five decades. Topping and Webb had owned the Yankees for 20 years, missing the World Series only five times and going 10&ndash;5 in the ones they did get to. By contrast, the CBS-owned teams never went to the World Series.

During this period, the Yankees also lost two of their signature broadcasters. The legendary "Voice of the Yankees," ], was fired after the 1964 season, supposedly due to cost-cutting measures by long time broadcast sponsor ].<ref name="VoicesBook">{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Curt |authorlink=Curt Smith (author) |coauthors= |title=Voices of Summer |year=2005 |publisher=Carroll & Graf |location=New York City |isbn=0786714468}}</ref> Two years later, ] was let go. Some say this was because of his on-air mention of a paltry showing of 413 fans at a then 67,000-seat Yankee Stadium during a game against the ].<ref name="VoicesBook" /> Sports biographer ] also noted Barber's less-than-happy relationship with ] and ], two ex-major leaguers with whom he shared the booth.

===(1973–1981) Steinbrenner, Martin, Jackson, and Munson: the Bronx Zoo era===
A group of investors, led by ]-based shipbuilder ], purchased the club from CBS on January 3, 1973 for $8.7 million. <!-- Reference previously at http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/411291p-347875c.html --> Mike Burke stayed on as president until he quit in April. Within a year, Steinbrenner bought out most of his other partners and became the team's principal owner, although Burke continued to hold a minority share into the 1980s.

One of Steinbrenner's major goals was to repair the Stadium, which had greatly deteriorated by the late 1960s. CBS initially suggested renovations, but the team would have needed to play elsewhere, and the Mets refused to open their home, ], to the Yankees. A new stadium in ], across the ] in ], was also suggested. Finally, in mid-{{by|1972}}, Mayor ] stepped in. The city bought the Stadium and began an extensive two-year renovation period. Since the city also owned Shea, the Mets had to allow the Yankees to play two seasons there. The renovations modernized the look of the stadium and reconfigured some of the seating.

] was renovated into its current shape and structure shown here]]

After the {{by|1974}} ], Steinbrenner made a move that started the modern era of ], signing star pitcher ] away from Oakland. Midway through the {{by|1975}} ], Steinbrenner made another move, hiring former second baseman ] as manager. With Martin at the helm, the ] reached the ], but were swept by the ] and their famed "]."

After the 1976 campaign, Steinbrenner added star Oakland outfielder ] to his roster. During spring training of {{by|1977}}, Jackson alienated his teammates with controversial remarks about the Yankees captain, catcher ]. He also had bad blood with manager Billy Martin, who had managed the ] when Jackson's ] defeated them in the ]. Jackson, Martin, and Steinbrenner repeatedly feuded with each other throughout the life of Jackson's five-year contract. Martin would be hired and fired by Steinbrenner five times over the next 13 years. This conflict, combined with the extremely rowdy Yankees fans of the late 1970s and the bad conditions of the Bronx, led to the Yankee organization and stadium being referred to as the "Bronx Zoo."<ref name="BronxZoo">{{cite book |last=Lyle |first=Sparky |authorlink=Sparky Lyle |coauthors=Golenbock, Peter |title=The Bronx Zoo: The Astonishing Inside Story of the 1978 World Champion New York Yankees |year=2005 |publisher=Triumph Books |location=Illinois |isbn=1572437154}}</ref> Despite the turmoil, Jackson starred in the ], when he hit three home runs in the same game, and overall, four home runs on four consecutive pitches from four different pitchers. Jackson's great performance in the postseason earned him the ], and the nickname "Mr. October."<ref name="MrOctober">{{cite web
| url = http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/detail.jsp?playerId=116439
| title = The Hall of Famers - Reggie Jackson
| publisher = ''National Baseball Hall of Fame''
| accessdate = 2009-03-23
}}</ref>

Throughout the late 1970s, the race for the pennant was often a close competition between the Yankees and the Red Sox. In the 1950s and early 1960s, the Yankees had been dominant while the Red Sox were largely a non-factor. However, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Yankees were mired in second place and the Red Sox led the league. In the late 1970s the two teams were contending simultaneously and locked in a close fight.

On July 14, 1978, the ] were 14½ games behind the ]. The Yankees went on a long winning streak, and by the time they met Boston for a pivotal four-game series at ] in early September, they were only four games behind the Red Sox. The Yankees swept the Red Sox in what became known as the "Boston Massacre", winning the games 15&ndash;3, 13&ndash;2, 7&ndash;0, and 7&ndash;4. The third game was a shutout pitched by "Louisiana Lightning" ], who would lead the majors with nine shutouts, a 25–3 record, and a 1.74 ERA. Guidry also finished with 248 strikeouts, but ]'s 260 strikeouts with the ] deprived Guidry of the pitching ].

On the last day of the season, the two clubs finished in a tie for first place in the AL East, and a one-game playoff (the 163rd game of the regular season) was held at Fenway Park. With Guidry pitching against former Yankee ], the Red Sox took an early 2–0 lead. In the seventh inning, light-hitting Yankee shortstop ] drove a three-run home run over the "]" (Fenway Park's famed left field wall), putting the Yankees up 3–2. Reggie Jackson's solo home run in the following inning sealed the eventual 5–4 win that gave the Yankees their 100th win of the season and their third straight AL East title and Guidry earned his 25th win of the season.

]'s mask and mitt on display in Cooperstown. They previously hung in his unused locker as a memorial.]]

After beating the ] for the third consecutive year in the ], the Yankees faced the ] again in the ]. They lost the first two games in LA, but won all three games at Yankee Stadium and won Game 6 in Los Angeles, winning their 22nd World Championship.

Changes occurred during the {{by|1979}} season. Former Cy Young Award-winning closer ] was traded to the ] for several players, including ]. ] was acquired from the Dodgers and ] from the hated Red Sox to bolster the pitching staff. During the season, Bob Lemon was replaced by ].

The 1970s ended on a tragic note for the Yankees. On August 2, 1979, ] died after crashing his private plane while practicing "Touch and Go" landings. Four days later, the entire team flew out to ], ] for the funeral, despite having a game later that day against the ]. Martin adamantly stated that the funeral was more important, and that he did not care if they made it back in time. ], a close friend of Munson's, was chosen to give the eulogy at his funeral. In a nationally televised and emotional game, Murcer used Munson's bat (which he gave to his fallen friend's wife after the game), and drove in all five of the team's runs in a dramatic 5&ndash;4 walk-off victory. Before the game, Munson's locker sat empty except for his catching gear, a sad reminder for his teammates. His locker, labeled with his number 15, forever remained empty in the Yankee clubhouse as a permanent memorial. The number 15 has also been retired by the team.

The ] brought more changes to the Yankees. Billy Martin was fired once again and ] took his place. ] was traded to the ] for catcher ]. Thanks to Howser's no-nonsense attitude, Reggie Jackson hit .300 for the only time in his career with 41 homers, and finished 2nd in the MVP voting to Kansas City's ]. The ] won 103 games and the AL East by three games over the 100-win ], but were swept by the ] in the ].

After the season ended, the Yankees signed ] to a ten-year contract. The Yankees also fired Howser and replaced him with ]. Under Michael, the Yankees led the AL East before a ] hit in June of {{by|1981}}. In the second half of the season, the Yankees struggled under ], who replaced Michael. Thanks to the split-season playoff format, the Yankees faced the second-half winner ] in the special ]. After narrowly defeating Milwaukee in five games, they breezed through ] in a three-game 1981 American League Championship Series|ALCS]]. In the ], the Yankees got off to a hot start by winning the first two games against the ]. But the Dodgers fought back and stunned the Yankees by winning the next four games to clinch their first World Series title since 1965.

===(1982&ndash;1995) The Mattingly era===
Following the team's loss to the Dodgers in the 1981 World Series, the Yankees had their longest absence from the playoffs since 1921. The Yankees of the 1980s, led by All-Star first baseman ], had the most total wins of any major league team but failed to win a World Series (the first such team since the 1910s). They consistently had a powerful offense; Mattingly at various times was teammate to ], ], ], ], and ], but the starting pitching rarely matched the team's performance at the plate. After posting a 22&ndash;6 record in {{by|1985}}, arm problems caught up with Ron Guidry, and his performance declined in the next three years.

The team came close to winning the AL East in ] and ], finishing second to the ] and ] respectively, but fell to fourth place in ] and fifth in ], despite having mid-season leads in the AL East standings both years. Despite their lack of championships and playoff appearances the Yankees posted the highest winning percentage of all MLB teams during the 1980s.

By the end of the decade, the Yankees' offense was also on the decline. Henderson and Pagliarulo had departed by the middle of {{by|1989}}, while back problems hampered both Winfield (who missed the entire '89 season) and Mattingly (who missed almost the entire second half of {{by|1990}}). Winfield's tenure with the team ended when he was dealt to the Angels. From 1989 to 1992, the team had a losing record, spending significant money on free-agents and draft picks who did not live up to expectations. In ], the ] had the worst record in the American League, and their first last-place finish since 1966.

On July 1, 1990, pitcher ] became the first Yankee ever to lose despite throwing a no-hitter. Third baseman ] committed an error, followed by two walks and an error by the left fielder ] with the bases loaded, scoring all three runners and the batter. The 4&ndash;0 loss to the ] was the largest margin of any no-hitter loss in the 20th century. Ironically, the Yankees (and Hawkins) were no-hit for six innings in a rain-shortened game against the White Sox eleven days later.

The poor showings in the 1980s and 1990s would soon change. Steinbrenner hired Howard Spira to uncover damaging information on Winfield and was subsequently suspended from day-to-day team operations by Commissioner ] when the plot was revealed. This turn of events allowed management to implement a coherent acquisition/development program without owner interference. General Manager ], along with manager ], shifted the club's emphasis from high-priced acquisitions to developing talent through the ]. This new philosophy developed key players such as outfielder ], shortstop ], catcher ], and pitchers ] and ]. The first significant success came in ], when the Yankees had the best record in the AL, but the ] ended the season and Mattingly's best chance for a World Series title.

A year later, the team qualified for the playoffs in the new wild card slot in the strike shortened ], their last prior playoff appearance also occurred in a strike shortened year. In the memorable ] against the ], the Yankees won the first two games at home and dropped the next three in Seattle. Mattingly, suffering greatly from his back injury, retired after the 1995 season. He had the unfortunate distinction of beginning and ending his career on years bookended by Yankee World Series appearances (1981 and 1996).

===(1996&ndash;2007) The Joe Torre era===
After the 1995 season, Steinbrenner replaced Showalter with ]. Torre had a mediocre run as a manager in the National League,<ref name="JoeTorreNL">{{cite web
| url = http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/torrejo01.shtml
| title = Joe Torre Managerial Record
| publisher = ''BaseballReference.com''
| accessdate = 2009-03-23
| year = 2009
}}</ref> and the choice was initially derided ("Clueless Joe" ran the headline on the '']'').<ref name="CluelessJoe">{{cite web
| url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071018&content_id=2271841&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
| title = Torre's timeline with Yankees
| publisher = ''MLB.com''
| accessdate = 2009-03-23
| date = ]
| author = Hoch, Bryan}}</ref> However, his calm demeanor proved to be a good fit, and his tenure was the longest under George Steinbrenner's ownership.

In ] the Yankees won their first AL East title in 15 years. They defeated the ] in the ], and in the ] beat the ] in five games, which included a notable fan interference by young ] that was called as a home run for the Yankees. In the ] the team rebounded from an 0&ndash;2 series deficit and defeated the defending champion ], ending an 18-year championship drought. Shortstop ] was named Rookie of the Year. In ], the Yankees lost the ] to the ] in five games. GM ] stepped down and was replaced by assistant GM ].

The {{by|1998}} ] are widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest teams in baseball history, compiling a then-AL record 114 regular season wins against just 48 losses and then sweeping the ] in the ]. Their 125 combined regular and post season wins is a major league record. On May 17, 1998, David Wells pitched a ] against the ] at Yankee Stadium. On July 18, {{by|1999}}, which was "Yogi Berra Day" at the Stadium, ] pitched a perfect game against the ]. The ] was the Yankees' first meeting with the ] in a post-season series. The ] would go on to win the ] giving the 1998&ndash;1999 Yankees a 22&ndash;3 record (including four series sweeps) in six consecutive post-season series.

In {{by|2000}}, the ] faced the crosstown rival ] in the first ] ] since 1956. The Yankees won the series in 5 games, but a loss in Game 3 snapped their streak of World Series wins at 14, surpassing the club's previous record of 12 (in 1927, 1928, and 1932). The Yankees are the last major league team to repeat as World Series champions and after the 2000 season they joined the Yankee teams of 1936&ndash;1939 and 1949&ndash;1953, as well as the 1972&ndash;1974 Oakland Athletics as the only teams to win at least three consecutive World Series.

In aftermath of the ], the ] defeated the ] in the ], and the Seattle Mariners in the ]. By winning the pennant for a fourth straight year, the 1998&ndash;2001 Yankees joined the ], and the Yankee teams of '36&ndash;'39, '49&ndash;'53, '55&ndash;'58 and '60&ndash;'64 as the only teams to win at least four straight ]. The Yankees won eleven consecutive postseason series in this four-year period. In the ] against the ], the Yankees lost the series when closer Mariano Rivera uncharacteristically blew a save in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7, all seven games were won by the home team.

A vastly revamped ] team finished the ] with an AL best record of 103&ndash;58. The season was highlighted by ] becoming the first second baseman ever to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season. In the ] the Yankees lost to the ] in four games.

In {{by|2003}}, the ] again had the best league record (101&ndash;61), highlighted by ]' 300th win and 4000th strikeout. In the ], they defeated the ] in a dramatic seven game series, which featured a bench-clearing incident in Game 3 and a series-ending ] by ] in the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 7. In the ] the Yankees lost in 6 games to the ], losing a World Series at home for the first time since 1981.

In {{by|2004}}, the ] acquired ], who moved to third base from his usual shortstop position to accommodate Derek Jeter. In the ], the Yankees met the ] again, and became the first team in professional baseball history, and only the third team in North American pro sports history, to lose a best-of-seven series after taking a 3&ndash;0 series lead.

====2005====
{{main|2005 New York Yankees season}}
In {{by|2005}} Alex Rodriguez won the ] ] award, becoming the first Yankee to win the award since Don Mattingly in 1985. The Yankees again won the AL East by virtue of a tiebreaker but lost ] in five games to the ]. The ] was highlighted by a 5 game series sweep of the ] at Fenway Park (sometimes referred to as the "Second Boston Massacre"), outscoring the Red Sox 49–26.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Yankees finish off five-game sweep
| url = http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/08/21/yankees_finish_off_five_game_sweep/
| publisher = ''Boston.com''
| accessdate = 2009-03-05
}}.</ref>

====2006====
{{main|2006 New York Yankees season}}
Despite winning the AL East for the ninth consecutive year, the Yankees lost again in the ], this time to the ]. After the ALDS was over, tragedy struck when pitcher ] died when his ] into a highrise apartment building in Manhattan. Along with Thurman Munson, Lidle was the second active Yankee to be killed in a private plane crash.

====2007====
{{main|2007 New York Yankees season}}
On June 18, 2007 the Yankees broke new ground by signing the first two professional baseball players from the ] to the MLB,<ref name="chineseplayers">{{cite web
| url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070430&content_id=1938666&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
| title = Yankees sign two Chinese prospects
| publisher = ''MLB.com''
| first = Bryan
| last = Hoch
| date = ]
| accessdate = 2007-06-18
}}</ref> and also became the first team in MLB history to sign an advertising deal with a Chinese company.<ref name="chineseads">{{cite web
| url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=acZsDx0lJ5YA&refer=home
| title = Yankees Sign Sponsorship Agreement With China's Yili Group
| publisher = ''Bloomberg.com''
| first = Jacob
| last = Kamaras
| date = ]
| accessdate = 2007-06-25
}}</ref> The Yankees' streak of nine straight AL East division titles ended in {{by|2007}}, but they still reached the playoffs with the AL Wild Card. For the third year in a row, the team lost in the first round of the playoffs, as the ] defeated the Yankees in the ]. After the series, Joe Torre declined a reduced-length and compensation contract offer from the Yankees and returned to the National League as manager of the ].

===(2008&ndash;Present) New manager, new stadium: The Girardi era===
]
After Torre's departure the Yankees signed former catcher ] to a three-year contract to manage the club.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Yankees name Joe Girardi the 32nd manager in franchise history; Signed to a three-year contract through the 2010 season
| url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071030&content_id=2288396&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy
| publisher = ''New York Yankees''
| accessdate = 2009-03-05
}}</ref> Despite multiple midseason roster moves in 2008, the team was hampered by injuries and missed the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons. The following off-season, the Yankees retooled their roster with several star free agent acquisitions, including ], ], and ]. This strategy differed from the previous season's, where the team banked on young pitching prospects.

{{main|2008 New York Yankees season}}
The {{by|2008}} ] was the last season played at historic Yankee Stadium, after which the team will move to ], which is located adjacent to the current field. To celebrate the final year and history of Yankee Stadium, the ] was played there on July 15, 2008.<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2008 All-Star Game
| url = http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/index.jsp
| publisher = ''MLB.com''
| accessdate = 2008-07-23
}}</ref> The final regular season game at Yankee Stadium was played on September 21, 2008 against the ], the city from which both the Yankees and their great star ] originated.<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2008 Yankees Schedule
| url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=nyy&m=9&y=2008
| publisher = ''MLB.com''
| accessdate = 2008-07-23
}}</ref> Fielding ] as their captain, ] as the starting pitcher, and led by home runs from Johnny Damon and ], the Yankees won 7&ndash;3. Molina's home run, a two-run shot hit to left-center field with one out in the bottom of the 4th inning, turned out to be the final home run in Stadium history. The final run was scored by Yankee pinch-runner ] in the bottom of the 7th inning. ] pitched the top of the 9th inning, and the final batter was Baltimore's ], who hit a ground-ball out to Yankee first baseman ], closing out 86 years of baseball history at the stadium. After the game, Derek Jeter addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support over the years, and urging them to "take the memories of this field, add them to the new memories that will come at the new Yankee Stadium and continue to pass them on from generation to generation."<ref>{{cite web
| title = No additional final sendoff for Stadium
| url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081008&content_id=3603604&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
| publisher = ''MLB.com''
| accessdate = 2009-03-05
}}</ref> The Yankees players then circled the field and saluted the fans, to the sound of "]".

==Distinctions==
{{seealso|New York Yankees season records|New York Yankees award winners and league leaders}}
The Yankees have won a leading 26 World Series in 39 appearances (which, since the first World Series in 1903, currently amounts to an average appearance every 2.7 seasons and a championship every 4.0 seasons); the ] are second with ten World Series victories. The Yankees' number of World Series losses, 13, also leads in Major League Baseball, with the ] coming in at second place with 12. The ] are second in total World Series appearances with eighteen; eleven of those eighteen appearances have been against the Yankees, where the Dodgers have gone 3-8 against them.<ref name="Dodgers">{{cite web
| url = http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/alltime/worldseries
| title = Season-By-Season World Series Results
| publisher = '']''
| accessdate = 2007-05-11
}}</ref> Among North American major sports, the Yankees' success is only approached by the 24 ] championships of the ] of the ]. They have played in the World Series against every National League pennant winner except the ] and the ], a feat that no other team is even close to matching.<ref name="WSFeat">{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/wsmenu.shtml|title=World Series History|publisher=''Baseball Almanac''|accessdate=2007-06-04}}</ref>

Through 2008, the Yankees have an all-time regular season winning percentage of .567 (a 9472-7235 record), the best of any team in baseball.<ref name="BestRecord">{{cite web
| url = http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/
| title = Baseball Teams and Baseball Team Encyclopedias
| publisher = ''Baseball-Reference.com''
| accessdate = 2009-03-05
}}</ref>

==World Series titles==
{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="100%"
!bgcolor="#1c2841"| <font color=white>Year
!bgcolor="#1c2841"| <font color=white>Manager
!bgcolor="#1c2841"| <font color=white>Regular Season
!bgcolor="#1c2841"| <font color=white>World Series Opponent
!bgcolor="#1c2841"| <font color=white>WS Result<br>(NYY•OPP)
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 98-54, .645 || ] || 4-2
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 110-44, .714 || ] || 4-0
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 101-53, .656 || ] || 4-0
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 107-47, .695 || ] || 4-0
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 102-51, .667 || ] || 4-2
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 102-52, .662 || ] || 4-1
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 99-53, .651 || ] || 4-0
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 106-45, .702 || ] || 4-0
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 101-53, .656 || ] || 4-1
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 98-56, .636 || ] || 4-1
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 97-57, .630 || ] || 4-3
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 97-57, .630 || ] || 4-1
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 98-56, .636 || ] || 4-0
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 98-56, .636 || ] || 4-2
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 95-59, .617 || ] || 4-3
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 99-52, .656 || ] || 4-2
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 97-57, .630 || ] || 4-3
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 92-62, .597 || ] || 4-3
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 109-53, .673 || ] || 4-1
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 96-66, .593 || ] || 4-3
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 100-62, .617 || ] || 4-2
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 100-63, .613 || ] || 4-2
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 92-70, .568 || ] || 4-2
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 114-48, .704 || ] || 4-0
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 98-64, .605 || ] || 4-0
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 87-74, .540 || ] || 4-1
|- align="center"
| colspan=5 bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| <font color="#1c2841">'''Total World Series Titles — 26'''</font>
|}
|}

==Team nicknames==
The "Yankees" name is often shortened to "''the Yanks''." Their most prominently used ] is "''the Bronx Bombers''" or simply "''the Bombers''", a reference to their home and their prolific hitting. A less used nickname is "''the Pinstripes''", in reference to the iconic feature on their home uniforms. Critics often refer to the team and the organization as "''the Evil Empire''", a term applied to the Yankees by ] president ] in a 2002 interview with the ''New York Times''.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Lucchino fires shot at Yanks after losing out on pitcher
| url = http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1226/1482493.html
| publisher = ''ESPN.com''
| accessdate = 2009-03-05
}}</ref> The statement has been greeted with mixed sentiment and often considered hypoctrical as Lucchino's team is also among the highest payrolls in the MLB every year - though it is still about $75 million less than the Yankees' over the past two seasons. A term from the team's tumultuous late 70's, "''the Bronx Zoo''", is also sometimes used by detractors, as well as the "''Damn Yankees''," after the ]. These have both been embraced by fans.

==Logo, uniform, and dress code==
{{main|Logos and uniforms of the New York Yankees}}

==Popularity==
===Fan support===
With the recurring success of the franchise since the 1920s, the Yankees have been and continue to be one of the most popular sports teams in the world, with their fan base coming from much further than the ]. The Yankees typically bring an upsurge in attendance at all or most of their various road-trip venues, drawing crowds of their own fans, as well as home-town fans whose interest is heightened when the Yankees come to town.

]]]

The first one-million fan season was in 1920, when 1,289,422 fans attended Yankee games at the Polo Grounds. The first two-million fan season was in 1946, when 2,265,512 fans attended games at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees have beaten the league average for home attendance 83 out of the last 87 years (only during 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994 did they not accomplish this). In the past seven years, in the dawn of their new ], the Yankees have drawn over three million fans each year, with an American League record-setting 4,090,696 in 2005, becoming only the third franchise in sports history to draw over four million in regular season attendance in their own ballpark.<ref name="4million">{{cite web
| url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060702&content_id=1535941&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy
| title = Yankees reach four million in tickets sales for second consecutive season
| publisher = ''MLB.com''
| date = ]
| accessdate = 2007-05-12
}}</ref> The Yankees were also the league leaders in "road attendance" in each year from 2001 through 2006.<ref name="RoadAttendance">{{cite web
| url = http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/attendance?sort=away_pct&year=2006&seasonType=2
| title = MLB Attendance Report - 2006
| publisher = ''ESPN.com''
| accessdate = 2009-03-05
}}</ref>

One famous fan is ], popularly known as "Freddy Sez". For over 50 years he has come to Yankees' home games with a baseball cap, a Yankees' jersey (which on the back bears his own name) and a cake pan with a ] painted on it which is connected to a sign inscribed with words of encouragement for the home team. The sign changes every game (but always features the prefix "Freddy Sez") and Freddy carries a metal spoon with him encouraging fans to bang the pan for good luck as he walks through the crowd throughout the game.

To avoid unwanted publicity, Yankees members use ]es when registering for hotels. '']'' published a list of aliases used by Yankees members, and the contents were republished on '']''.<ref name="HotelNames">{{cite web
| url = http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/1005071yankees1.html
| title = Batting Third, Charlie Wattsizname
| date = October 5, 2007
| publisher = ''The Smoking Gun''
| accessdate = 2009-03-05
}}</ref>

]

===The Bleacher Creatures===
{{main|Bleacher Creatures}}
The "Bleacher Creatures" are a notorious group of season ticket holders who occupied Section 39 in the right field bleachers at the old Yankee Stadium, and will be occupying Section 203 in the new one. They are known for their strict allegiance to the Yankees, and are often merciless to opposing fans who sit in the section and cheer for the road team. They also enjoy taunting the opposing team's right fielder with a series of chanting and slandering. The "creatures" got their nickname from ] columnist Filip "Flip" Bondy, who spent the 2004 season sitting in the section for research on his book about the group, ''Bleeding Pinstripes: A Season with the Bleacher Creatures of Yankee Stadium'', published in 2005.<ref>Filip Bondy, ''Bleeding Pinstripes: A Season with the Bleacher Creatures of Yankee Stadium '', foreword by David Cone (NY: Sports Publishing, 2005)</ref>

===Celebrity fans===
The Yankees also have many celebrity fans. Former New York City mayor ] is commonly seen at games. Actor/Director ] attends games frequently; he directed the 2001 film '']'', which highlighted Roger Maris' chase of Babe Ruth's single-season home run record in 1961. Crystal also played in a spring training game for the Yankees prior to the 2008 season, where he lead off and struck out in his only at bat. Actor ] has flaunted his Yankee loyalty in several of his movies, most notably in '']'' in which several scenes were actually shot at Old Yankee Stadium and included acting roles for Roger Clemens and Derek Jeter. Other famous celebrity fans include actor ],<ref name="JackNicholson">{{cite web |author=Turner, Miki|url=http://static.espn.go.com/page2/s/questions/jacknicholson.html|title=10 burning questions for Jack Nicholson|work=ESPN|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> director ], basketball star ], musician ], actor ], actress ], actor/comedian ], comedian ], actor ], actress ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalhit.com/cr/sarahjessicaparker/|title=Sarah Jessica Parker|work=Digitalhit.com|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> rock singer ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://static.espn.go.com/page2/s/questions/meatloaf.html|title=Questions for Meat Loaf|work=ESPN|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> ] and ] Guitarist ], ] laureate ], ] quarterback ], ] captain ] (who wears number 23 to honor his childhood hero ]), ] head coach ], and Ranger great ]. ] forward ] also is a Yankees fan. Nick, Kevin, and Joe Jonas from the famous teen band ] also favor the Yankees greatly.

The Yankees' hat is often seen in public worn by rappers to show an identity with New York City. Artists spotted with this look include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Hat"> {{cite web|url=http://www.capitate.co.uk/Celebrity-Caps.htm|title=Celebrity Baseball Caps|work=Capitate|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> The popularity of the Yankees' hat has also grown to include color patterns not actually used by the Yankees. This is probably most notable in rock band ]'s video for the song "]", in which lead singer ] wore a red Yankees hat.

===Global expansion and business model===
The Yankees baseball club is formally owned by ] which also owns the team's regional YES sports network. While the club has claimed it is operating under annual losses in excess of $47 million this figure is attributed only to the ballclub's finances and not to finances attributed to YES or Yankees Global Enterprises.

The Yankees have become well known for a winning reputation on a global level. In 2007, they reached an agreement with the Chinese Baseball Association to allow coaches, scouts and trainers to work in China to promote baseball and judge talent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070130&content_id=1789369&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|title=New York Yankees and Chinese Baseball Association reach landmark agreement|work=MLB.com|accessdate=2008-12-28}}</ref> They are trying to do the same with the Yomiuri Giants and the Hanshin Tigers in Japan. The Yankees and Yomiuri Giants currently have a close relationship and share ideas and strategies. The Yomiuri Shinbun daily newspaper has an ad on the left-field wall at Yankee Stadium, and other Japanese ads appear on the scrolling backstop advertising board. The Yankees are hoping that close ties with countries such as China and Japan will give them personal, in depth judgments of baseball talent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20021116&content_id=178064&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|title=Yankees team with Yomiuri Giants|work=MLB.com|accessdate=2008-12-28}}</ref>

In 2008, the Yankees announced a joint venture with the ] that would form the basis for a partnership in running food and beverage, and other catering services to both teams' stadiums.

===Criticism===
With the long-term success of the franchise and a large Yankee fanbase, other teams' fans across the nation have come to hate the Yankees. The organization is sometimes referred to by detractors as "the ]" (echoing the title of ]'s book) or "the ]" (parodying ]'s characterization of the former Soviet Union), although both names have been defiantly embraced by some fans of the team. In time, some people have come to say that New York Yankee fans outside of New York are usually just winner-pickers who don't care about baseball.

Much of the animosity toward the team may derive from its high payroll (which was around $200 million at the start of the 2008 season, the highest of any American sports team),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/salaries/totalpayroll.aspx?year=2006|title=2006 Salary Database|work=]|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> and the free agent superstars the team attracts in the offseason. Famed Chicago Tribune columnist ] summed it up when he said, "Hating the Yankees is as American as pizza pie, unwed mothers, and cheating on your income tax."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/yankquot.shtml|title=New York Yankee Quotations|work=Baseball Almanac|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref>

Hatred of the Yankees is most apparent among ] fans of the ], but extends to other places. It has become a tradition at many road games for the home crowd to chant "Yankees Suck!"

==Fight and theme songs==
The official fight song for the Yankees is "]", written in 1967 by Bob Bundin and Lou Stallman. While it is not used as often, it is still heard frequently in instrumental form, most prominently in radio broadcasts. Another song strongly linked to the team is "]", which is played in the stadium after home games. The ] cover version is traditionally played after victories, and the ] original version after losses. When the Yankees take the field before the start of every game, ]'s "]" is played with the fans usually clapping along. When the Yankees score a run at home, the opening bell to 2 Unlimited's "]" is played.

]]]

A wide selection of songs are played regularly at the stadium, many of them live on the Stadium's Hammond organ. ] has been played during the 7th inning stretch since ]. The version typically played is an abbreviated version of ]'s rendition. However, during many important games (including most play-off games) and on noteworthy days, it is sung a Capella and live by ] and includes a longer introduction. During the 5th, the grounds-crew, while performing their duties, dances to "]" "]" once played during the 7th inning stretch, is now played in the 8th inning. On the DiamondVision screen, a man in farmer's garb is shown dancing in the stadium's control room, with the words "Cotton-Eyed Joey" at the bottom. The organist will sometimes play the "]", accompanied by clapping from the audience, to excite the crowd and encourage a rally.

Some players have their own songs which are played in celebration of their accomplishments, or to introduce them. These songs are meant to pump up the crowd. Examples include ], whose actions were often accompanied by the lines "Burn (Bern) baby burn (Bern)" from "]", and ], who gets a great ovation from the fans when he comes out from the bullpen to ]'s "]". When Joba Chamberlain comes out to pitch, Mötley Crüe's "Shout at the Devil" is played. Occasionally, ] will come out to ]'s "Godzilla", in reference to his nickname. Many times, when former Yankee left-handed pitcher ] was sent in as a relieving pitcher, the theme song from the movie ] was played, in reference to the ] who bears the same name.

During the 1993 season, "]" by ] was played after every win, before "New York, New York". ]'s, "]" was used many times during the '70s as well as during some more recent playoff games. When the Yankees are either tied or behind in the late innings (usually the 8th inning), "Going the Distance" from the ] soundtrack is played while a mix of the Rocky II training scene and Yankee highlights are shown on the DiamondVision screen.

==Radio and television==
{{main|New York Yankees broadcasters and media}}
The ] launched in 2002, and serves as the primary home of the New York Yankees during the baseball season, and the New Jersey Nets during the basketball season. ] is the play-by-play announcer and ], ], ], ], and ] work as commentators as part of a three-man booth. Bob Lorenz hosts the pre-game show and the post-game show, with ] as the analyst and ] and ] as the reporters. Some games are telecast on ]; those broadcasts are also produced by YES.

Radio broadcasts are on the ], the flagship station being ] 880 AM, with ] as the play-by-play announcer and ] providing the commentary.

The history of Yankee radio broadcasters is: ] (1939-'40), ] (1942), ] (1944-'57), ] (1958-'60), ] (1961-'66), ] (1967-'70), ] (1971-'77), WINS 1010 (1978-'80), WABC 770 (1981-2001), WCBS 880 (2002-present).

===Legendary past voices===
*] was the team's lead announcer from 1948 to 1964. Allen is still widely known as the "voice of the Yankees".
*] also called Yankees games for a few seasons.
*], ] and ] teamed together in the 1970s and 80s. Rizzuto spent nearly 40 years in the broadcast booth, and White later became president of the ].

==Retired numbers==
The Yankees have retired fifteen numbers, the most in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats10.shtml|title=Retired Uniform Numbers in the American League|work=Baseball Almanac|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-style:bold; font-size:120%; border:3px" cellpadding="3"
|-align="center" bgcolor="cecece"
|]<br><b>]<br>2B,M<br><font size=1>Retired 1986</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>RF<br><font size=1>Retired 1948</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>1B<br><font size=1>Retired 1939</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>CF<br><font size=1>Retired 1952</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>CF<br><font size=1>Retired 1969</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>C<br><font size=1>Retired 1972</font>
|-align="center" bgcolor="cecece"
|]<br><b>]<br>C, M<br><font size=1>Retired 1972</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>RF<br><font size=1>Retired 1984</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>SS<br><font size=1>Retired 1985</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>C<br><font size=1>Retired 1979</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>SP<br><font size=1>Retired 1974</font>
|]<br><b>]<br>1B<br><font size=1>Retired 1997</font>
|-align="center" bgcolor="cecece"
|]<br><b>]<br>C<br><font size=1>Retired 1984</font>
|]<br><b>] <br>M<br><font size=1>Retired 1970</font>
|]<br><b>] <br>RF<br><font size=1>Retired 1993</font>
|]<br><b>] <br>SP<br><font size=1>Retired 2003</font>
|]<br><b>] <br>-<br><font size=1>Honored 2007</font>
|]
|-align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey"
|}

The retired numbers are displayed behind ]'s left field fence and in front of the opposing team's bullpen, forming a little alley that connects ] to the left field stands. The 15 numbers are placed on the wall in chronological order, beginning with ]'s number 4. This was retired soon after Gehrig left baseball on July 4, 1939, the same day he gave his famous farewell speech. His was the first number retired in ] history. Beneath the numbers are plaques with the names of the players and a descriptive paragraph.

]

The number 42 was retired throughout Major League Baseball in honor of ] on April 15th, 1997, the 50th anniversary of his breaking the ]. The day was declared ], and would later be observed by all of baseball, with select players from every team wearing the number 42. ], the current closer for the Yankees still wears the number due to a ] and is the last remaining player to do so. While other teams placed the number 42 with the rest of their retired numbers, the Yankees didn't do so at first. Ten years later, on April 17th, 2007, the Yankees honored Robinson by mounting the logo of Jackie Robinson Day with corresponding plaque alongside the rest of the retired numbers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070418&content_id=1916505&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|title=Yankees retire Jackie Robinson's number|work=New York Yankees|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> This was done two days after Jackie Robinson Day due to the observation being held while the Yankees were away in Oakland. When the Yankees moved to the second Yankee Stadium, they replaced the Jackie Robinson Day logo with a number 42 that resembled the other retired numbers.

Although it has not been officially retired, the Yankees have not reissued number 51 since ] stopped playing and number 6 has also not been reissued since Joe Torre's departure.

In 1972, the number 8 was retired for two players on the same day, in honor of catcher ] and his protege, catcher ]. Berra inherited Dickey's number in 1948 after Dickey ended his playing career and became a coach. As the Yankees have never issued number 0, the only two single-digit numbers that have not been retired are number 2, currently worn by ], and number 6, last worn by former Manager ]. If both numbers are ultimately retired, the team would become the first in baseball history to have all of the numbers 1-10 retired.

==Team captains==
{{main|New York Yankees team captains}}

==Baseball Hall of Famers==
<center>{{HOFList
|Current Team Name = New York Yankees
| All Team Names = Yankees or Highlanders
| ColorA# = 1c2841
| ColorB# = FFFFFF
| ColorC# = C0C0C0
| ColorD# = 1c2841
| Team Name 1 = '''Baltimore Orioles'''
| List 1.1 =
| List 1.2 = ]
| List 1.3 = ]<br>]
| List 1.4 = ]
| List 1.5 =
| Team Name 2 = '''New York Highlanders'''
| List 2.1 =
| List 2.2 = ''']'''*
| List 2.3 = ]<br>]
| List 2.4 = ]
| List 2.5 =
| Team Name 3 = '''New York Yankees'''
| List 3.1 = ]<br>
''']'''<br>
]<br>
]<br>
''']'''<br>
]<br>
''']'''
| List 3.2 = ''']'''<br>
''']'''<br>
''']'''<br>
''']'''<br>
''']'''<br>
''']'''<br>
]<br>
| List 3.3 = ]<br>
]<br>
''']'''<br>
''']'''<br>
]**<br>
''']'''<br>
''']'''<br>
''']'''<br>
| List 3.4 = ''']'''<br>
]<br>
]<br>
''']'''<br>
]<br>
''']'''<br>
''']'''
| List 3.5 = ''']'''<br>
]<br>
]<br>
''']'''<br>
]<br>
]<br>
]
| Team Name 4 =
| List 4.1 =
| List 4.2 =
| List 4.3 =
| List 4.4 =
| List 4.5 =
| Footnote1 =* Has no insignia on his cap due to playing at a time when caps bore no insignia.
| Footnote2 =** Catfish Hunter could not decide between the Yankees and Athletics, and so opted to wear no insignia on his cap upon his induction.
| Footnote3 =
|}}</center>

==Current roster==
<center>{{New York Yankees roster}}</center>

==Minor league affiliations==
The Yankees are affiliated with the following minor league teams.<ref name="minorleagues">{{cite web
|url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/team_index.jsp?c_id=nyy
|title = Minor League Affiliates
|publisher = ''New York Yankees''
|first =
|last =
|accessdate = 2008-07-21}}</ref>
* '''AAA:''' ], ]
* '''AA:''' ], ]
* '''Advanced A:''' ], ]
* '''A:''' ], ]
* '''Short A:''' ], ]
* '''Rookie:''' ], ]

==See also==
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*'']''
*]
*]

==Notes and references==
===References===
{{reflist|2}}

===General references===
<div class="references-small">
*{{cite book | author=Johnson, Richard A., Stout, Glenn, and Johnson, Dick |
title=Yankees Century: 100 Years of New York Yankees Baseball| publisher=Houghton Mifflin Company |
year=2002 | isbn=0-618-08527-0}}
*
*
</div>

==External links==
{{Commonscat|New York Yankees}}
*{{MLBTeam|NewYork|Yankees|NYY}}
* - year-by-year franchise index
*
*
*
*

{{New York Yankees|width=100}}
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{{New York Yankees managers|width=100}}
{{New York Yankees general managers}}
{{New York Yankees team captains}}
{{New York Yankees Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{New York Yankees catchers}}
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{{New York Yankees shortstops}}
{{New York Yankees center fielders}}
{{New York Yankees right fielders}}
{{New York Yankees left fielders}}
{{New York Yankees designated hitters}}
{{New York Yankees closers}}
{{MLB}}
{{Grapefruit League}}
{{NewYorksports}}
{{New York Sports}}
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{{1923 New York Yankees}}
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Revision as of 22:20, 26 May 2009

hi, i like pie i am a red sox fan and yankees are the worst team in the league! come on wikipedia its he truth! you guys will stink if you guys are lying when i say YANKEES SUCK!