Team Spotlight: New York Yankees

Here we are going to take a look at the New York Yankees. We'll examine the establishment of the team and organization, their golden age and post-golden age, and, finally, their dynasty to the present.

The Establishment of the New York Yankees

In 1901, in Baltimore Maryland, an organization was founded that would eventually become the New York Yankees. Owned and managed by John McGraw, The Orioles – as the team was known then – eventually moved to New York City (in 1903). They were put in Baltimore because the New York Giants were already in New York City.

Eventually, they were moved into New York City (as the New York Highlanders) and in 1913, the name was changed to the NY Yankees. After the name change, along with the New York Giants, they shared The Polo Grounds – their new stadium.

The Golden Age

This coverer the 1920s through the very early 60s. In the early 20s, from the Red Sox organization, a good number of fantastic players were added to the Yankees. Huge sums of money exchanged hands during deals such as these. Babe Ruth was possibly the biggest and best deal made. Unfortunately, for the next 86 years, it seemed that they were cursed.

Yankee Stadium became the new home of the Yankees in 1923. Their first year at the park, they won the World Series. More would follow. Big Yankee players back then consisted of Tony Lazzeri, Bob Meusel, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mark Koenig, Earle Combs, and more. Between the years 1923 and 1962, 20 World Series titles were won. Other big names of this era year were Whitey Ford, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle.

The Era Known As the Post-Golden Age

The years from 1962 through approximately 1978 are referred to (by some) as the Post-Golden Age. Sadly, 1962 marked the end of good times – at least for a while. In the American League East, finishing in the last place, were the Yankees in 1966. Some people blame the front office and new ownership for the decline. There were signing problems with the players they would like to have acquired. Lots of good names retired and the team was at a loss for talent and leadership.

The purchase of the team by George Steinbrenner in 1973 seemed to turn the tide, however. Shea Stadium became the new home of the Yankees while Yankee Stadium received much-needed renovation. Hired as a manager in 1975, Billy Martin reached but lost the World Series in 1976. But in 1977 and 1978, the Yankees had back to back World Series championships. Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson assisted in the endeavor.

To the Present

Steinbrenner hired a new Yankee manager in 1995 – Joe Torre. For a while, it was a repeat of the Golden Age as the team once again regained their classic greatness. Players like Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Derek Jeter were exactly the fresh young talent the Yankees needed. In the 1996 series, even though they were underdogs, they won the World Series.

In 1997, as a new general manager, Brian Cashman was introduced. In all of baseball history, many consider the 1998 Yankees the greatest team overall. That year, only 48 games were lost, and 114 won. Considered a dynasty, the Yankees won 1998, 1999, and 2000 World Series. The Yankees continued to make the playoffs nearly every year from this point forward. New stars in 2009 and a new manager in 2008 helped boost their winning World Series record.

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