Retired Numbers Tradition
The most successful franchise in North American sports history.
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. They are one of two MLB clubs based in New York City, along with the New York Mets of the National League. The team was founded in 1903 when Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchased the franchise rights to the defunct Baltimore Orioles and used them to establish the New York Highlanders. The Highlanders were renamed the Yankees in 1913.
- First Retired Number
- Number 1 (Billy Martin)
- Most Recent Addition
- Number 8 (Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey)
- Total Honored Individuals
- 23
- Unique Honor
- Number 42 retired league-wide for Jackie Robinson
- Non-Player Honorees
- Includes managers, broadcasters, and executives
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The Yankees have won 27 World Series championships, 41 American League pennants, and 21 AL East Division titles, all MLB records. The team has 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, Reggie Jackson, Mariano Rivera, and Derek Jeter. Mariano Rivera received the highest vote percentage of any Hall of Fame member (100%). The team's rivalry with the Boston Red Sox is one of the best-known in North American sports.
In Their Own Story
The lights hummed low over the empty diamond, casting long shadows across the pristine grass. A young rookie stood at home plate, his glove resting on the dirt, staring upward. Above him, suspended in the dark expanse of the stadium roof, glowed a constellation of white numerals against the black background. He traced the line of sight from Number 4 to Number 5, then up to the iconic Number 7. The silence was heavy, not with emptiness, but with presence. In that quiet moment before the first pitch, he didn't just see numbers; he felt the weight of a thousand seasons, the roar of a million fans, and the unspoken demand to be worthy of the space beneath them.
Reader's Guide
The Yankees' 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, they 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. As of 2025, Brian Cashman is the general manager, Aaron Boone is the field manager, and Aaron Judge is the team captain. The team is owned by Yankee Global Enterprises, controlled by the family of the late George Steinbrenner, who purchased the team from CBS in 1973.
Did You Know?
- The Yankees were originally called the New York Highlanders when founded in 1903.
- The team's first retired number was Number 4 for Lou Gehrig in 1939.
- The Yankees have won more World Series titles (27) than any other franchise in major North American sports leagues.
- Mariano Rivera is the only player in MLB history to be elected unanimously to the Hall of Fame (100% of votes).
- The Yankees' win–loss record from 1903 to the 2025 season is 10,872–8,216–88 (.569 winning percentage).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does retiring a number signify for the Yankees?
It means that specific numeral is permanently removed from circulation and never issued to another player again. The banner hangs in the stadium rafters as a permanent tribute to the legend's impact on the franchise.
Who was the first player honored with a retired number?
Lou Gehrig holds this distinction, as his number four was raised to the roof in 1939 following his retirement due to illness. This established the precedent for honoring players whose contributions were inseparable from the uniform itself.
Do any banners represent more than one individual?
Yes, number eight serves as a shared honor for both catcher Bill Dickey and his successor Yogi Berra. Their banners are displayed together to recognize their unique legacy behind the plate in pinstripes.
How many retired numbers currently hang in Yankee Stadium?
The franchise has officially retired twenty-three distinct numerals to honor its greatest contributors over the decades. This constellation includes players, managers, and executives who defined the team's golden eras.
Why is number 42 treated differently than other retired numbers?
This numeral was retired across Major League Baseball to honor Jackie Robinson's breaking of the color barrier. While Yankees wear it on Jackie Robinson Day, no new player can permanently retire the number in their career.
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