The New York Yankees Are Without Dispute The Most Successful Franchise In Baseball
The New York Yankees are without dispute the most successful franchise in
baseball history. They have captured 33 American League pennants and 22 World
Series Championships, which is far more than any other franchise in baseball.
Baseball’s greatest players have played proudly wearing the
pinstripes.
But those facts alone are not what the Yankees are about. The
Yankees are so much more than just a team that wins championships. It is the
players (past and present) and the stories about these players that make the
Yankees the team that they are. These stories are passed down from generation to
generation. Stories of Yankee legends such as Babe Ruth bolting his 60th home
run in 1927. Babe Ruth would go on to become the most influential player the
sport would ever know. Another unforgetable Yankee memorie is when Roger Maris
broke Ruth’s single season homerun record when he hit 61 homeruns in 1961. Every
year as the World Series approaches, fans always reminisce about the time Reggie
Jackson hit three homeruns on three consecutive pitches to win the World Series
in 1977. It is the dream of most American youths to have been able to see those
golden times first hand. Although many didn’t see the history of the Yankees,
they experienced history in the making as the 1998 Yankees won the World Series
while having the best record of any team in a single season. History and
baseball greatness is overwhelmingly displayed in the Yankee symbol. The Yankees
are so much more than just a baseball team, they are a symbol of teamwork, great
talent, and unity. It has been seen throughout the years and it is seen with the
team of 1998. They took the symbol into the 1990’s and have further burned the
Yankee symbol of greatness into the minds of all that watch them.
Yankee
Stadium is, to many, the centerpiece of baseball history. It is the heart and
soul of the Yankee tradition and it is a symbol of the greatness of baseball in
general. Being one of the oldest stadiums in the game, Yankee stadium is not
about modern amenities, it is about tradition. While other stadiums have changed
the playing field to artificial turf, Yankee Stadium still has a natural grass
playing field. The Stadium has changed little over the years. The white façade
above the bleachers in centerfield still glistens in the summer sunlight. The
fans still have the same ritual of rejecting caught balls from the bat of
opposing players by throwing the balls back out on the field. Players sign
autographs before the game just as their heroes did for them when they were
children. Yankee Stadium is a place where the fans can revel in the history of
America’s pastime. A place where records have been broken, legends have been
made, and moments have transcended time.
Visiting Yankee Stadium is a
must-experience for any baseball fan. As a fan passes through the metal
turnstile, the loud, deep voice of a vendor resonates in the fan’s ear as he
announces, "Programs! Scorecards! Get your programs here!" Looking around
reveals to each fan that Yankee Stadium is packed like Grand Central Station
during the holidays. Excited fans frantically rush by as though they are running
late for a train. Upon taking one’s very first step into the stadium, emotions
of awe, anticipation, and excitement drastically heighten, taking over one’s
body.
Over the years fans have adopted different pre-game rituals. The
sweet smells of roasted peanuts, buttered popcorn, and hotdogs lure some fans to
the food stand. The great variety of food and beverages leaves many unsure
exactly what to order. Hotdogs always seem to be the bestseller and fans never
hesitate to pile on the mustard, relish, ketchup, and sauerkraut. Fans attempt
to quench their thirst by consuming beers as if threats of prohibition loom in
the air. Others patiently stand in line at the restrooms, waiting for a chance
to relieve themselves of several pre-game beers. Some fans jump at the chance to
expand their wardrobe of Yankee paraphernalia. Everything from Yankee hats to
Yankee tablecloths hold large price tags, but are nevertheless sold by pushy
vendors. All fans do share one common ritual--making it to their seat before the
start of the National Anthem.
The first glimpse of the inside of the
stadium leaves you completely paralyzed by the pure beauty of it. It is like
facing death and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. At this moment the
fan realizes that television doesn’t do justice to the stadium. The first thing
that grasps your attention is the field with its freshly cut grass, which is a
perfect shade of green. You are enthralled by the way the darkness of the night
contrasted with the brightness of the lights makes the stadium glow. The
experience can only last a few moments because you must join in the hunt to find
your seat. As you walk towards your seat, great Yankee moments are displayed on
the big screen reminding fans of the events that have taken place at the
stadium.
As fans rise for the singing of the national anthem, a silence
blankets over the stadium. Attention is turned to the American flag blowing
gracefully in the cool wind. The national anthem’s words give chills down the
spines of fans and fill their hearts with pride, not only for their country, but
also for their team. The ritual is not even complete when the fans show their
appreciation with whistles, cheers, and claps. As soon as the national anthem
ends the thunderous chants begin. "Let’s Go, Yankees, clap, clap,
clap-clap-clap."
The PA announcer’s voice sounds like it is coming from
the heavens. It echoes across the stadium as he introduces the players. The
players jog onto the field and tip their hats in appreciation to the warm
welcoming by the fans. Fans greet the players just as the Pope is welcomed at
the Vatican. The player’s statistics flash up on the scoreboard to reveal
impressive game records and a fuzzy digital picture of the individual. The great
presence of the players only adds fuel to the fan’s energy. Pride is displayed
in the pinstripes of the player’s uniforms.
As the fans wait for the
opening pitch the anticipation level in the stadium is at its peak. This is a
chance for the fans to sit and observe the surroundings. Looking around, fans
notice large billboards with advertisements that appear randomly throughout the
stadium. The red and white Budweiser sign in dead-a-way centerfield can put
anyone in the mood for a "cold one". The walls in left and right field can make
a hitter salivate, while the fans can only dream about their chance of knocking
one over. Centerfield seems like no mans land, and one can only imagine what it
would be like out there in front of 50,000 people. Comments about the lineup and
predictions about the game are not unlikely to be heard inside the stadium. It
is as though everyone is an expert and thinks that he or she should be the
manager.
The first pitch is thrown and it just makes the outside corner
of the plate for a called strike. The fans show their appreciation towards the
umpire’s generosity by cheering. The game is under way and the fans can sit back
and enjoy what lies ahead. Some fans watch intensely, keeping careful record of
every detail on their scorecards, while others can’t help but to imagine having
their moment in the spotlight. Dreaming of going up against a big league pitcher
in front of thousands of fans, proudly wearing the white and navy pinstriped
uniform. A once in a lifetime opportunity; an unending dream that young boys
carry with them throughout life, even when they have young boys of their
own.
With a swift swing, the long, slender wooden bat makes contact with
the small round stitched ball, creating a cracking sound which sparks great
excitement among the crowd and causes everyone to rise to their feet. Everyone
carefully watches the ball sail through the air and waits to see where it’s
final destination will be. The ball clears the fence for a home run and the fans
go wild. It begins to rain beer for a few seconds; the ladies try to dodge the
downpour while the men welcome the alcoholic sprinkle. Heaven has shone down on
Yankee Stadium, the Yanks are up and the game is rejuvenated.
A Yankee
fan may not remember the many details of each game, but that fan will never
forget the intense emotions felt while standing amongst a large crowd before the
field. The game brought people together to share in America’s great pastime.
Young and old, rich and poor, groups of friends, fathers and sons all coming
together as allies in the battle against the opposing team. Priceless memories
that all of these people have shared will stay with them long after the game is
over. As Yankee fans walk to their car, they know that it won’t be too long
before they purchase tickets to the next game, and when they do return, they
will once again feel the excitement and be welcomed with open arms.