As the most successful team in baseball history, it is understandable that the New York Yankees have had quite a few stars in their history. Which of those players comprise the franchise Mount Rushmore?
What can be said about the New York Yankees that has not been said already? They have easily been the most successful franchise in baseball history, winning 27 World Series titles, and reaching the Fall Classic 40 times. They have reached the postseason in 53 of their 115 seasons, a higher percentage than any other franchise. The Yankees, quite simply, are a franchise used to winning.
However, that was not always the case. Prior to the 1920 campaign, the Yankees were typically a second division team, with only two second place finishes. Then, that offseason, the fate of their franchise changed when they acquired Babe Ruth. They won over 90 games for the second time in franchise history, and in the following year, made their first World Series appearance.
That is not to say that everything has been wonderful for the Yankees since that fateful day in 1919. Indeed, New York has had some down years as well. The mid 1960s through the mid 1970s, when George Steinbrenner had truly put his fingerprints on the team after purchasing the franchise from CBS, were a difficult time.
Then came the chaos of the 1980s. Steinbrenner fired managers almost as often as he changed socks, turning the Yankees into the Bronx Zoo. Billy Martin was hired, and fired, as the Yankees manager five times. Steinbrenner publicly feuded with his players, and even paid a gambler to dig up dirt on Dave Winfield. Those actions led to a lifetime banishment from the game, although that was later reduced to a two year suspension.
These days, the future is bright in New York. Not only do they have two of the brightest young stars in the game with Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, but they have added Giancarlo Stanton. The Yankees offense will be fun to watch for years to come.
In the meantime, let us look back through the history of the franchise. Here is the New York Yankees Mount Rushmore.