New York Yankees

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Lore & Background

The team is owned by Yankee Global Enterprises, a limited liability company that is controlled by the family of the late George Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner purchased the team from CBS in 1973. As of 2025, Brian Cashman is the team's general manager, Aaron Boone is the team's field manager, and Aaron Judge is the team captain. The team's home games were played at the original Yankee Stadium in the Bronx from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. In 1974 and 1975, the Yankees shared Shea Stadium with the Mets, the New York Jets, and the New York Giants. In 2009, they moved into a new Yankee Stadium, built next to the old one, which was demolished. The team is perennially among the leaders in MLB attendance. The Yankees have won 21 American League East Division titles, 41 American League pennants, and 27 World Series championships, all of which are Major League Baseball records. The team has won more titles than any other franchise in the major North American sports leagues, although they trailed the NHL's Montreal Canadiens from 1993 to 1999. The Yankees have had 52 players and 11 managers inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and Reggie Jackson; more recent inductees include Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, who received the highest vote percentages of any Hall of Fame member. According to Forbes, the Yankees are the tenth-most valuable sports franchise in the world and the most valuable MLB franchise, with an estimated value of $8.2 billion in 2025. The team's rivalry with the Boston Red Sox is one of the best-known in North American sports. The team's logo is internationally known as a fashion item and an icon of New York City and the United States. From 1903 to the 2025 season, the Yankees' win–loss record is 10,872–8,216–88 (a .569 winning percentage).

In Their Own Story

In 1900, Ban Johnson, president of the minor Western League, changed its name to the American League and declared major league status in 1901. Plans to add an AL team in New York City were blocked by the NL's New York Giants, so a team was placed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1901 and named the Orioles. The Orioles were managed by John McGraw, who was also a part-owner. After many personal clashes with Johnson, during the 1902 season McGraw moved to become the new manager of the Giants, taking many players with him. The Orioles limped through the remainder of the season under league control, using a roster of players loaned from the rest of the AL clubs. The Orioles were disbanded at the end of the season. In early 1903, the two leagues decided to settle their disputes. At a conference, Johnson requested an AL team in New York. It was put to a vote, and 15 of the 16 major league owners agreed. The franchise was awarded to Frank J. Farrell and William S. Devery. It is not clear whether Farrell and Devery purchased the remains of the Orioles and moved them to New York, or if they received an expansion franchise. The Yankees do not count the Orioles years as part of their history.

Did You Know?

• The team was originally named the New York Highlanders when established in 1903.
• New York Press Sports Editor Jim Price coined the unofficial nickname Yankees as early as 1904 because it was easier to fit in headlines.
• Highlander pitcher Jack Chesbro set the single-season wins record at 41 in 1904.
• The Yankees' first World Series appearance was in 1921, the year after acquiring Babe Ruth.
• Yankee Stadium was nicknamed 'The House That Ruth Built' because Ruth doubled the team's attendance, helping pay for the new stadium.

Season Trajectory and Playoff Run

The 2025 campaign marked the franchise's 123rd year, beginning with high expectations as defending American League champions. The team dominated early, building a substantial seven-game lead in the AL East by late May. However, a significant slump during June and July allowed the Toronto Blue Jays to overtake them via a head-to-head tiebreaker, denying New York another division title. Despite this setback, the Yankees secured their eighth postseason berth in nine years on September 23 with a victory over the Chicago White Sox, finishing with a 94–68 record identical to the previous year. Entering the playoffs as the fourth seed with the best wild card record, they immediately faced their historic rival, the Boston Red Sox. New York swept the three-game Wild Card Series but ultimately fell in four games to the top-seeded Blue Jays in the Division Series, ending a consecutive run of deep playoff appearances.

Front Office Moves and Roster Construction

The Yankees executed an aggressive offseason strategy to bolster their roster for the 2025 season. Major acquisitions included signing left-handed ace Max Fried to a massive eight-year contract and trading for All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. The bullpen received significant reinforcement through trades for Devin Williams and Fernando Cruz, alongside re-signing key relievers like Jonathan Loáisiga. Throughout the regular season, General Manager Brian Cashman continued to be active, making numerous waiver claims such as Bryan De La Cruz and Rico Garcia while trading away veterans like Carlos Carrasco to acquire prospects or cash considerations. These transactions reflected a blend of high-dollar free agency and shrewd mid-season adjustments aimed at maintaining competitiveness across all roster positions.

Historical Policy Shifts and Broadcasting Changes

A pivotal moment in the franchise's cultural evolution occurred on February 21, when managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner announced an amendment to the team's strict facial grooming policy. This modernization was explicitly designed to prevent the loss of potential free agents who might otherwise reject the outdated restrictions. Simultaneously, the team's media landscape shifted as Dave Sims began his first full season on WFAN and the Yankees Radio Network. Sims took over play-by-play duties following the retirement of legendary broadcaster John Sterling, who had called games for the organization since 1989, marking a significant transition in how fans experience the team.