New York Yankees facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New York Yankees
2025 New York Yankees season
Established in 1903
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
American League (1903–present) East Division (1969–present)
Current uniform
Retired numbers	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 15 16 20 21 23 32 37 42 42 44 46 49 51
Colors
Midnight navy blue, white
Name
New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903–1912)
Other nicknames
The Bronx Bombers The Yanks The Pinstripers The Evil Empire
Ballpark
Yankee Stadium (II) (2009–present) Shea Stadium (1974–1975) Yankee Stadium (I) (1923–1973, 1976–2008) Polo Grounds (IV) (1913–1922) Hilltop Park (1903–1912)
Major league titles
World Series titles (27)	1923 1927 1928 1932 1936 1937 1938 1939 1941 1943 1947 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1956 1958 1961 1962 1977 1978 1996 1998 1999 2000 2009
AL Pennants (41)	1921 1922 1923 1926 1927 1928 1932 1936 1937 1938 1939 1941 1942 1943 1947 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1955 1956 1957 1958 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1976 1977 1978 1981 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2009 2024
AL East Division titles (21)	1976 1977 1978 1980 1981 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2009 2011 2012 2019 2022 2024
Wild card berths (9)	1995 1997 2007 2010 2015 2017 2018 2020 2021
Front office
Principal owner(s)	Yankee Global Enterprises (Hal Steinbrenner, chairman)
President	Randy Levine
General manager	Brian Cashman
Manager	Aaron Boone

The New York Yankees are a famous American professional baseball team. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the American League (AL) East Division. The Yankees are one of two major league teams in New York City, the other being the New York Mets.

The team started in 1903 as the New York Highlanders. This happened when Frank Farrell and Bill Devery bought the rights to a team called the Baltimore Orioles. The Highlanders were officially renamed the Yankees in 1913.

Today, the team is owned by Yankee Global Enterprises, which is controlled by the family of the late George Steinbrenner. Brian Cashman is the general manager, Aaron Boone is the manager, and Aaron Judge is the team captain. The Yankees played at the original Yankee Stadium in the Bronx from 1923 to 1973 and again from 1976 to 2008. In 2009, they moved into a new stadium right next to the old one.

The Yankees are one of the most successful sports teams in the United States. They have won 21 American League East Division titles, 41 American League pennants, and a record 27 World Series championships. Many famous players and managers from the Yankees have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. These include legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter.

The Yankees are known for their huge fanbase and their strong rivalry with the Boston Red Sox. Their famous "NY" logo is recognized all over the world. From 1903 through the 2024 season, the Yankees have a winning record of 10,778–8,148–88.

Team History: How the Yankees Started

Early Days in Baltimore and New York

In 1901, a new baseball league called the American League (AL) was formed. They wanted a team in New York City, but the New York Giants of the National League (NL) blocked the idea. So, a team was placed in Baltimore, Maryland, and called the Orioles.

After some disagreements, the AL and NL decided to work together in 1903. The AL was finally allowed to have a team in New York. This team was bought by Frank J. Farrell and William S. Devery.

The Highlanders Play at Hilltop Park

The new team built their ballpark, Hilltop Park, in Upper Manhattan. They were named the New York Highlanders. Some say the name came from the park's high location, or from team president Joseph Gordon's Scottish background. Fans also started calling them the "Yankees" or "Yanks" because it was shorter for newspaper headlines.

The Highlanders played well, finishing second in the AL several times. In 1904, pitcher Jack Chesbro set a record with 41 wins in one season.

New Owners, New Home, New Name: The Polo Grounds Years

From 1913 to 1922, the Highlanders shared the Polo Grounds stadium with the New York Giants. During this time, the name "Highlanders" was used less often, and in 1913, the team officially became the New York Yankees.

In 1915, the team was sold to Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Captain Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston for $350,000. They wanted to make the team better.

The Era of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig

Around 1920, the Yankees made some important trades, especially with the Boston Red Sox. The biggest trade was getting Babe Ruth, a pitcher who became an amazing hitter. This trade is often called the start of the "Curse of the Bambino" for the Red Sox, as they didn't win a World Series for 86 years after Ruth left.

Ruth's powerful home runs made the Yankees incredibly popular. In 1921, the Yankees played in their first World Series against the Giants. They lost, and after the 1922 season, the Giants told the Yankees to find a new home.

The House That Ruth Built: Yankee Stadium

In 1923, the Yankees moved into their brand new stadium, Yankee Stadium, built in the Bronx. It cost $2.5 million and was nicknamed "The House That Ruth Built" because Babe Ruth's popularity helped pay for it. On opening day, Ruth hit a home run. That year, the Yankees won their first World Series championship against the Giants.

In 1927, the Yankees had a lineup known as "Murderers' Row" because of their powerful hitting. Many consider this team one of the best in baseball history. They won 110 games and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1927 World Series. Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs that season, a record that stood for many years. Lou Gehrig also had a fantastic season. The Yankees won the World Series again in 1928.

In 1932, the Yankees swept the Chicago Cubs in the 1932 World Series. This series is famous for Babe Ruth's "Called Shot," where he supposedly pointed to center field before hitting a home run. In 1935, Ruth left the Yankees.

The DiMaggio Years: A New Star Rises

After Ruth, Lou Gehrig became the main star. But soon, another legend arrived: Joe DiMaggio. The Yankees won an amazing four straight World Series titles from 1936 to 1939. In 1939, Gehrig retired due to a terrible illness, now known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." His number 4 was retired, the first time a number was retired in baseball. He gave a famous speech, saying he was "the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

In 1941, Joe DiMaggio set an incredible record by getting a hit in 56 straight games. This record is still unbroken and is considered one of the hardest to beat in baseball.

During World War II, many players, including DiMaggio, joined the military. Despite this, the Yankees still won the 1943 World Series. After the war, the team continued to be strong.

Stengel's Squad: Five Straight Championships

Under manager Casey Stengel, the Yankees won the World Series five times in a row from 1949 to 1953. This is still an MLB record! Key players during this time included Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Yogi Berra.

In 1956, pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history against the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Yankees won six World Series titles in the 1950s.

Mantle and Maris: The M&M Boys

In the early 1960s, the Yankees continued their success with stars like Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. In 1961, Mantle and Maris were known as the "M&M Boys" as they chased Babe Ruth's home run record. Maris eventually hit 61 home runs, breaking Ruth's record. This was an American League record until Aaron Judge broke it in 2022.

The Yankees won the 1961 World Series and the 1962 World Series. However, after 1962, the team's success started to slow down. They lost the World Series in 1963 and 1964, and wouldn't win another championship until 1977.

A New Era: Steinbrenner and the Bronx Zoo

In 1973, George Steinbrenner bought the Yankees. He wanted to make the team great again. He also pushed for a major renovation of Yankee Stadium. During this time, the team played at Shea Stadium for two years.

Steinbrenner was known for his strong personality and for changing managers often. He also started a strict rule that players had to be clean-shaven and have neat hair. This rule is still in place today.

The Bronx Zoo Years

In the mid-1970s, the Yankees signed star players like Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson. With manager Billy Martin, the Yankees reached the 1976 World Series, but lost.

In 1977, the Yankees won the 1977 World Series! Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in the final game, earning him the nickname "Mr. October." The team's exciting but sometimes chaotic atmosphere, along with the Bronx neighborhood, led to the nickname "Bronx Zoo" for the team.

In 1978, the Red Sox were far ahead of the Yankees. But the Yankees made an amazing comeback, winning a special tie-breaker game to win their division. They then went on to win the 1978 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tragedy and New Challenges

The 1970s ended sadly when catcher and team captain Thurman Munson died in a plane crash in 1979. His number 15 was immediately retired.

The Yankees continued to be strong, winning their division in 1980 and reaching the World Series in 1981. However, they lost to the Dodgers in 1981.

The Mattingly Years: A Tough Stretch

After 1981, the Yankees went through their longest period without reaching the playoffs since 1921. The team was led by star first baseman Don Mattingly. Even though they had a strong offense, they often lacked enough good pitchers to win a championship.

From 1989 to 1992, the Yankees had losing records. This was a tough time for the team. However, during this period, the team started to focus on developing young players from their own farm system. This new plan would soon pay off.

The Core Four: A New Dynasty Begins

In 1995, Joe Torre became the new Yankees manager. Many people doubted him at first. But his calm leadership proved to be perfect for the team.

The 1996 season saw the rise of young stars who would become known as the "Core Four": shortstop Derek Jeter, pitcher Andy Pettitte, and pitcher Mariano Rivera. These young players helped the Yankees win their first AL East title in 15 years. They went on to defeat the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 World Series, ending an 18-year championship drought. Jeter was named Rookie of the Year.

More Championships and Records

The 1998 Yankees are considered one of the greatest teams ever. They won 114 games, an AL record at the time. Pitcher David Wells even threw a perfect game that season. The Yankees then swept the San Diego Padres in the 1998 World Series. Their total of 125 wins (regular season and playoffs) is still an MLB record.

In 1999, David Cone threw another perfect game. The Yankees defeated their rivals, the Boston Red Sox, in the playoffs and then swept the Atlanta Braves to win the 1999 World Series.

In 2000, the Yankees faced the New York Mets in the first "Subway Series" World Series in 44 years. The Yankees won in 5 games, becoming the last MLB team to win three World Series in a row.

After 9/11 and the Red Sox Rivalry

After the September 11 attacks, the Yankees continued to play well. They reached the 2001 World Series but lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a very close Game 7. In that series, Derek Jeter earned the nickname "Mr. November" for hitting a walk-off home run in a game that ended after midnight on November 1st.

In 2004, the Yankees traded for star shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who moved to third base to play alongside Jeter. That year, the Yankees faced the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the series, but the Red Sox made an incredible comeback, winning four straight games to win the series. This was the first time in baseball history a team lost a best-of-seven series after being up 3-0.

After the 2007 season, manager Joe Torre left the team.

New Stadium, New Success, and Recent Years

In 2008, former Yankees catcher Joe Girardi became the new manager. The 2008 season was the last one played at the old Yankee Stadium. Derek Jeter gave a heartfelt speech to the fans after the final game.

In 2009, the Yankees opened their new stadium and had a fantastic season. They won their 27th World Series title by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies.

In 2011, the Yankees made history by hitting three grand slams in one game! In 2012, they reached the ALCS but lost to the Detroit Tigers.

The "Baby Bombers" Era

In 2016, the Yankees started bringing up many talented young players from their minor league system. These players, including Aaron Judge and Gary Sánchez, were nicknamed the "Baby Bombers."

In 2017, Aaron Judge had an amazing season, hitting 52 home runs, which was a new record for a rookie in the American League. He also won the Home Run Derby. Judge was named Rookie of the Year.

In 2018, the Yankees traded for superstar Giancarlo Stanton, adding even more power to their lineup. In 2019, the Yankees played the first-ever MLB games in London against the Red Sox. They reached the ALCS but lost to the Houston Astros.

In 2021, pitcher Corey Kluber threw a no-hitter for the Yankees. In 2022, Aaron Judge hit his 62nd home run, breaking Roger Maris's American League single-season record. Judge also won the AL MVP award.

In 2023, Domingo Germán threw the 24th perfect game in MLB history, and the fourth for the Yankees. Gerrit Cole won the AL Cy Young Award as the best pitcher.

In 2024, the Yankees traded for superstar Juan Soto. They won their 21st AL East title and reached the World Series, but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Aaron Judge had another amazing season, hitting over 50 home runs for the third time and winning his second AL MVP award.

Yankees Achievements and Records

The Yankees have won 27 World Series championships, which is the most in all of Major League Baseball and any major North American professional sports league. The St. Louis Cardinals are second with 11 World Series wins. The Yankees have also lost 14 World Series, tied for the most with the Dodgers. They have played the Dodgers in the World Series 12 times, winning 8 of those matchups.

As of 2024, the Yankees have the best all-time regular season winning percentage in MLB history, winning 56.9% of their games. In 2019, they set a major league record by hitting a home run in 31 straight games.

World Series Championships List

The Yankees have won a record 27 World Series championships. Their most recent win was in 2009, when they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies.

Season	Manager	Opponent	Series score	Record
1923	Miller Huggins	New York Giants	4–2	98–54
1927	Miller Huggins	Pittsburgh Pirates	4–0	110–44
1928	Miller Huggins	St. Louis Cardinals	4–0	101–53
1932	Joe McCarthy	Chicago Cubs	4–0	107–47
1936	Joe McCarthy	New York Giants	4–2	102–51
1937	Joe McCarthy	New York Giants	4–1	102–52
1938	Joe McCarthy	Chicago Cubs	4–0	99–53
1939	Joe McCarthy	Cincinnati Reds	4–0	106–45
1941	Joe McCarthy	Brooklyn Dodgers	4–1	101–53
1943	Joe McCarthy	St. Louis Cardinals	4–1	98–56
1947	Bucky Harris	Brooklyn Dodgers	4–3	97–57
1949	Casey Stengel	Brooklyn Dodgers	4–1	97–57
1950	Casey Stengel	Philadelphia Phillies	4–0	98–56
1951	Casey Stengel	New York Giants	4–2	98–56
1952	Casey Stengel	Brooklyn Dodgers	4–3	95–59
1953	Casey Stengel	Brooklyn Dodgers	4–2	99–51
1956	Casey Stengel	Brooklyn Dodgers	4–3	97–57
1958	Casey Stengel	Milwaukee Braves	4–3	92–62
1961	Ralph Houk	Cincinnati Reds	4–1	109–53
1962	Ralph Houk	San Francisco Giants	4–3	96–66
1977	Billy Martin	Los Angeles Dodgers	4–2	100–62
1978	Bob Lemon	Los Angeles Dodgers	4–2	100–63
1996	Joe Torre	Atlanta Braves	4–2	92–70
1998	Joe Torre	San Diego Padres	4–0	114–48
1999	Joe Torre	Atlanta Braves	4–0	98–64
2000	Joe Torre	New York Mets	4–1	87–74
2009	Joe Girardi	Philadelphia Phillies	4–2	103–59
Total World Series championships:				27

Team Nicknames and Meanings

The Yankees have many nicknames given by fans and media. "The Yanks" is a simple, short name. Their most famous nickname is "the Bronx Bombers" or "the Bombers." This name refers to their home in the Bronx and their powerful hitting. It was first used in 1928.

Another nickname is "the Pinstripes," because of the pinstripes on their home uniforms. "Murderers' Row" was a nickname for the powerful Yankees teams of the 1920s. Some people, especially fans of rival teams, call the Yankees "the Evil Empire." This name was first used by the Boston Red Sox president in 2002. Yankees fans sometimes use it as a badge of honor, and the stadium even plays music from Star Wars associated with villains.

Yankees Logos and Uniforms

The Yankees' logo and uniform have changed over time. In 1903, the uniform had a large "N" and "Y" on the chest. In 1909, the "N" and "Y" were combined into the famous interlocking "NY" design. This design was actually used before the Yankees, appearing on a New York City Police Department medal from 1877.

Black pinstripes were added to the uniforms in 1912. The current navy blue cap with the white interlocking "NY" was adopted in 1932. The home and away uniforms have stayed mostly the same since the 1920s and 1940s. The away uniform is grey with "NEW YORK" across the chest.

• 

  Cap insignia

• 

  Jersey logo

• 

  Print insignia

• 

  Team logo

The Yankees logo, especially on baseball caps, is popular worldwide, even in countries where baseball isn't a major sport. Many people wear the cap as a fashion item or a symbol of New York City.

Fan Support and Traditions

Dedicated Fanbase

The Yankees have been one of the most popular teams in the world since the 1920s. Their fans come from all over, not just New York. When the Yankees play in other cities, many fans come to watch them.

The Yankees usually have the highest attendance in MLB. In 2005, they set an American League record with over 4 million fans attending their home games. They also led the league in "road attendance" for many years.

Some Yankees fans become famous themselves. One well-known fan was Freddy Schuman, also known as "Freddy Sez." For over 50 years, he attended home games with a special sign and a pan, cheering on the team.

The Bleacher Creatures

The "Bleacher Creatures" are a group of very loyal Yankees fans. They sit in a special section of the right-field bleachers at Yankee Stadium. They are known for their chants and songs, especially the "roll call" at the start of each home game, where they call out the name of each Yankees player on the field.

The Judge's Chambers

In 2017, the Yankees created a special cheering section called "the Judge's Chambers" for fans of outfielder Aaron Judge. The 18 seats in this section are given to lucky fans and their families. These fans wear black robes with the Yankees logo and Judge's number 99. The section is designed to look like a courthouse, with mahogany wood.

Team Ownership and Value

The Yankees baseball team is owned by Yankee Global Enterprises, which is mostly owned by the Steinbrenner family. They also own a big part of the YES Network, the Yankees' main TV channel.

George Steinbrenner bought the team in 1973 and was very involved in its daily operations. After he retired in 2005, his son Hal Steinbrenner became the main managing partner. George Steinbrenner passed away in 2010.

The Yankees are consistently one of the most valuable sports teams in the world. In 2023, Forbes magazine valued the team at $7.1 billion, making them the second most valuable sports team globally.

Team Songs and Traditions

The official fight song for the Yankees is "Here Come the Yankees." Another song strongly linked to the team is "New York, New York." This song is played in the stadium after home games. The Frank Sinatra version is usually played after wins.

"God Bless America" has been played during the seventh-inning stretch since the September 11 attacks. Also, during the 5th inning, the grounds crew dances to "Y.M.C.A." while they work.

Radio and Television Broadcasts

The Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network started in 2002 and is the main TV home for the New York Yankees. Michael Kay is the play-by-play announcer, with former players like David Cone, John Flaherty, and Paul O'Neill as commentators.

Radio broadcasts are on the Yankees Radio Network, with WFAN 660 AM as the main station. Spanish-language broadcasts are on WADO 1280 AM.

Famous Past Announcers

• Mel Allen was known as "The voice of the Yankees" from 1948 to 1964.
• Red Barber called Yankees games for 13 seasons.
• Jerry Coleman played for the Yankees and later called their games.
• Phil Rizzuto was a Yankees player and then their longest-serving broadcaster for 40 years.
• Bobby Murcer also played for the Yankees and called games for over twenty years.
• John Sterling called Yankees games on radio from 1989 to 2024.

Team Personnel

Retired Numbers

The Yankees have retired 22 numbers for 24 different people, which is the most in Major League Baseball. These numbers are displayed in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.

Billy Martin 2B, M Retired August 10, 1986 Derek Jeter SS Retired May 14, 2017 Babe Ruth RF Retired June 13, 1948 Lou Gehrig 1B Retired July 4, 1939 Joe DiMaggio CF Retired April 18, 1952 Joe Torre M Retired August 23, 2014 Mickey Mantle CF, Coach Retired June 8, 1969 Bill Dickey C, M, Coach Retired July 22, 1972 Yogi Berra C, M, Coach Retired July 22, 1972 Roger Maris RF Retired July 21, 1984 Phil Rizzuto SS Retired August 4, 1985 Thurman Munson C Retired August 3, 1979 Whitey Ford SP, Coach Retired August 3, 1974 Jorge Posada C Retired August 22, 2015 Paul O'Neill RF Retired August 21, 2022 Don Mattingly 1B, Coach Retired August 31, 1997 Elston Howard C, Coach Retired July 21, 1984 Casey Stengel M Retired August 8, 1970 Mariano Rivera CP Retired September 22, 2013 Reggie Jackson RF Retired August 14, 1993 Andy Pettitte SP Retired August 23, 2015 Ron Guidry SP, Coach Retired August 23, 2003 Bernie Williams CF Retired May 24, 2015 Jackie Robinson All MLB Honored April 15, 1997

Lou Gehrig's number 4 was the first number retired in baseball history, on July 4, 1939. Number 42 was retired throughout all of Major League Baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson in 1997. Mariano Rivera was the last active player to wear number 42.

In 1972, number 8 was retired for two catchers: Bill Dickey and his student, Yogi Berra. The numbers 37 and 6 were retired for managers Casey Stengel and Joe Torre, who led the Yankees to many championships. On May 14, 2017, number 2 was retired for Derek Jeter. This means that 0 is the only single-digit number still available for future Yankees players.

Hall of Famers

Many Yankees players and managers have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Some of the most famous include:

• Babe Ruth
• Lou Gehrig
• Joe DiMaggio
• Mickey Mantle
• Yogi Berra
• Whitey Ford
• Mariano Rivera
• Derek Jeter

Rivalries: Who Do the Yankees Play Against?

The Yankees have several big rivalries. Their most famous one is with the Boston Red Sox. They also have historical rivalries with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, and a current rivalry with the New York Mets.

Boston Red Sox Rivalry

The Yankees–Red Sox rivalry is one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in sports. It started over 100 years ago. A big part of this rivalry is the "Curse of the Bambino," which began when Babe Ruth was traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1920. After that trade, the Red Sox didn't win a World Series for 86 years!

Games between these two teams are always exciting and often shown on national television. They have met in the playoffs five times. In 2004, the Red Sox made an amazing comeback against the Yankees, winning four straight games after being down 3-0 in the ALCS. This was the only time in MLB history a team has done that in a best-of-seven series.

Subway Series: Yankees vs. New York Teams

The "Subway Series" refers to games played between baseball teams in New York City. The name comes from the New York City Subway, which connects the different stadiums. Historically, it meant World Series games between the Yankees and the New York Giants or the Brooklyn Dodgers.

When the Dodgers and Giants moved to California, the New York Mets were formed in 1962. The Yankees have played in all Subway Series World Series games and have won 11 out of 14 of them. The most recent World Series between New York teams was in 2000, when the Yankees defeated the Mets. Since 1997, the term also refers to regular season games between the Yankees and Mets.

Minor League Teams

The New York Yankees have several minor league teams where young players develop their skills before joining the main team. These teams are:

Level	Team	League	Location	Ballpark	Affiliated
Triple-A	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders	International League	Moosic, Pennsylvania	PNC Field	2007
Double-A	Somerset Patriots	Eastern League	Bridgewater Township, New Jersey	TD Bank Ballpark	2021
High-A	Hudson Valley Renegades	South Atlantic League	Wappingers Falls, New York	Heritage Financial Park	2021
Single-A	Tampa Tarpons	Florida State League	Tampa, Florida	George M. Steinbrenner Field	1994
Rookie	FCL Yankees	Florida Complex League	Tampa, Florida	George M. Steinbrenner Field	1980
	DSL Yankees	Dominican Summer League	Boca Chica, Santo Domingo	New York Yankees Complex	1994

Images for kids

• 

  New York Yankees Primary Logo

• 

  New York Yankees cap logo

• 

  New York Yankees jersey logo

• 

  New York Yankees print insignia

• 

  New York Yankees uniform