The New York Yankees have all the ingredients other organizations strive for in developing a successful franchise.
The New York Yankees have been a platform for consistency throughout their existence. Topping off this year with a solid 84-78 record, the Yankees claimed their 24th straight winning season. This secures the title for the longest current streak in baseball.
There is no doubt that the Yankees franchise is impressive as a whole. Some of the biggest names in baseball history have donned pinstripes, making the Yankees a team that others love to hate. However, that hatred can all be traced back to a basic human emotion: jealousy.
Here’s why the rest of Major League Baseball has every right to be jealous of the New York Yankees, whether they admit it or not:
Their Winning Ways
Sure, we can jump right to the amount of World Series rings the Yankees have. However, it’s more impressive to look at just how they’ve stayed so successful over so many years.
And how has that happened? Well, the Bronx has a way of bringing out the best in players. Whether they were obvious All-Stars, as in the case of Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle, or simply players that could come through in the clutch, like Bucky Dent or Aaron Boone, the Yankees gave them a stage to excel on.
There’s no specific reason why the Yankees are as successful as they are, but it is a tradition that has been upheld since the franchise’s inception in 1903. 27 World Championships, 40 AL pennants, and 52 playoff appearances are impressive. What’s more impressive? The next closest team has only 28 playoff appearances (St. Louis Cardinals).
Think fans are annoying when they brag about “the past?” Sporting a past like the Yankees, it’s hard not to be proud.
Family-owned And Operated
Love him or hate him, but George Steinbrenner is one of the most iconic owners in baseball history. Yes, he had money but he was also one of the most emotionally-invested owners in the game.
Since he took over in 1972, the Yankees have been run by the Steinbrenner family up until today. The thing about Mr. Steinbrenner was that he took a team on a playoff drought and brought them back to relevance once again.
Since then, the Yankees have made the playoffs 23 times and were champions of baseball in seven of those seasons.
The Steinbrenner family may use their money to make the team better, but they know how to make and maintain a solid team for several years down the line. And since they took over, the Steinbrenner’s have stayed involved every step of the way.
As notorious as Steinbrenner was as an owner, he started a dynasty that has reliability maintained communication between players, coaches and the front office, which every team should strive for.
Their Farm System
Before I pronounce “Gary Sanchez” and drop the mic, it’s important to note that the farm system in New York existed before Sanchez, Aaron Judge, and Clint Frazier made their appearances.
In fact, look at the early 90s farm system that spawned names like Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada. Yeah, that type of home-grown talent doesn’t just happen. The organization also has a habit of creating top performers out of mediocre players, which is a sentiment to the dedication of the coaches and ownership.
A lackluster farm system over the past few years has been rejuvenated, as the Yankees jumped from 18th to a top-five ranking in one season, according to Baseball America editor John Manuel.
Best part? The Yankees are in a position that every team wants to be in. They hold the cards to make their perfect team. They can trade players, they can develop players, and they can build a young core again.
Let’s face it; every team in the majors should be shuddering at the thought of the players this farm system will develop.
Still want to use the excuse of the Yankees are “buying teams” to win? Well, take a look at the farm system and try again.
Brian Cashman:
Often flying under the radar, Cashman is a big reason why the Yankees defined success in the late 90s and especially today. While Cashman was given the financial resources to make big things happen, he still is one of the most underrated general managers in baseball.
Using his resources to sign big-name free agents, he helped fill in those extra pieces that got the Yankees four World Series rings in his tenure. Cashman executed trades recently for the likes of Chase Headley and Curtis Granderson, while also bringing Roger Clemens, Chuck Knoblauch and Randy Johnson to the Bronx in the past.
The most impressive aspect of Cashman’s job is his ability to select talented prospects. Cashman had a hand in the selection of current successful Yankees Tyler Clippard, Brett Gardner and Dellin Betances, while also recently drafting Judge and flamethrower James Kaprielian.
Sure, the Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2009, but Cashman’s recent moves are building them for a future much like the dynasty in the 90s.
Yankee Stadium
While the original stadium was demolished after the 2008 season, the new stadium still represents the most important thing in baseball; tradition. The sport of baseball is all about tradition and the Yankees don’t stray far from it.
Their new stadium was constructed with tradition in mind and stayed true to its original counterpart. The Stadium is a fixture, known as the biggest stage in baseball. The idea of playing in Yankee Stadium is a bucket list item for several people, especially current players.
It certainly isn’t the most pristine field in baseball, but the atmosphere, the field, and the environment make it a place that can evoke jealousy in any organization. It’s rich in tradition and full of history…and that is something any franchise would kill for.
Traditions
After every Yankees victory, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blares through the stadium. The team uniforms do not have names on the back. Monument Park is still a historic fixture for fans and players alike. Old Timer’s Day. The Roll Call.
Traditions are truly alive and well in the Yankees franchise.
Traditions exist in every organization, but when it comes to the New York Yankees, traditions are the most important thing of all. The fans and players continue these traditions because it pays respect to all that came before.
With such a deep history, the Yankees are a franchise that has had several moments of greatness and a few negatives along the way. And if you’re not jealous of the domination of the most successful franchise in baseball, then you don’t know baseball.