New York Yankees championship series begins with 1928 and Babe Ruth
By Cory Claus
The Yankees have won more championships in years that end in eight than any other. Today starts the first of five Saturday articles looking at those great teams, starting in 1928. And a catch that the Babe was prouder of than the three home runs he hit in that same World Series finale, one that had manager Miller Huggins crying.
The New York Yankees are the biggest winners in sports.
And they have won more of their remarkable 27 World Titles in years that end in eight than any other: 1928, 1938, 1958, 1978 and 1998.
As this year ends in the same number, and the Yankees look like serious and scary World Series contenders once again, we thought it was a good time to look at the teams that made them the Bronx Bombers.
The 1928 Yankees turned out to be a great team to start this series with. One reason, of course, is that it features baseball’s irrepressible GOAT, Babe Ruth. With all due respect, there ain’t no party like a Babe Ruth party ’cause a Babe Ruth party don’t stop; you’ll see.
But there are also several noteworthy links to both the 1978 and current Yankees’ squads, as well.
And Here We Go
First, though, a quick question: Which is the greatest baseball team of all time? Not just Yankees, but all of baseball. While there is room for some debate, the answer most often given is the 1927 Yankees.
And why not, as its famed Murderer’s Row featured CF Earle Combs, RF Babe Ruth, 1B Lou Gehrig and LF Tony “poosh em up” Lazzeri. All four would go on to the Hall of Fame. And two are among the top ten offensive players of all time.
Facing them could not have been fun. For instance, Gil Troy at the Daily Beast related this quote from the Washington Senator’s 1B Joe Judge. This was after one particularly brutal series in July.
"“Those fellows not only beat you but they tear your heart out. I wish the season was over.”"
That sounds like something the Red Sox and Indians might be saying right about now. By the end, the stats spoke for themselves.
"Collectively, the 1927 Yankees batted .307, had a record setting slugging percentage of .489, enjoyed great pitching seasons from Waite Hoyt (22-7, 2.63 ERA) and Herb Pennock (19-8, 3.00 ERA), and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in 4 games in the World Series."
As you might imagine, that same group was back in 1928. But they achieved a greatness that even the ’27 team never could.