The New York Yankees

Perhaps the most famous team of them all. We’re down to the “Capital of the World” New York City, and their darlings – the Yankees!

Why are the called the Yankees?

In 1903, the original Baltimore Orioles moved to New York, where they became the Highlanders. As was common at the time, the team, which played in the American League, was also known as the New York Americans. New York Press editor Jim Price coined the nickname Yanks, or Yankees, in 1904 because it was easier to fit in headlines.

Why am I excited to see their city? 

I’ll level with everyone here…. I’m not a massive New York City guy.

Sure it’s an awesome place, with heaps of things to do, but after a while for me, the city becomes somewhat repetitive and at the end of the day…. It’s just another big City.

Don’t get me wrong, Central Park, Broadway, Times Square, Empire State, Statue of Liberty are all INCREDIBLE! But whilst you’ve got all of this, you also have to deal with over crowding, intense heat (or cold) and trash… literally trash everywhere! I don’t get it. why is it always just on the streets??

Anyway, like I said, it is an incredible place, but I’m not convinced it deserves all the hype it gets.

Does that make me sound like an asshole? Probably….

What is a tradition at their ballpark?

Another team steeped in tradition, (well until they built the new Yankee Stadium), being at a Yankees game is an experience in itself. Every game feels like a BIG game because of the stars on the field, and the New Stadium has some of the finest details.

One cool tradition is after the 5^th inning of every game while the grounds crew is dragging the infield base paths (basically smoothing out the dirt between bases), the famous Village People song “YMCA” plays over the loud speaker.

One the song reaches its chorus, the grounds crew drop what they’re doing and well…. Just watch!

Who is a famous fan? 

Wow. I mean, it feels like everyone is a fan of the Yankees right? Can’t really go a day without seeing the famous NY logo on a cap on someone no matter where you are in the world.

With a list too long to type out this time of night, I’m going to go down the music route (for something different), and one of my favourite and perhaps best Hip Hop star of all time, the King of New York Jay-Z!

DO me a favour an cue some music!

 

A fun/weird fact about the Yankees?

With 27 World Series titles (yes 27), the Yankees are by far the most successful team in professional baseball history (St Louis is in second with 11……). Basically, the Yankees have won close to 25% of every World Series played, an incredible statistic in any sport.

As an FYI, fierce rivals Boston Red Sox have won 8 – bit of catching up to do, but recent results suggest the Red Sox have a greater chance in 2017 than the Yanks.