New York Highlanders Team History
Move to New York, the Highlanders
The team’s new ballpark, Hilltop Park (formally known as “American League Park”), was constructed in northern Manhattan at one of the island’s highest points between 165th and 168th Streets, just a few blocks away from the much larger Polo Grounds. The team came to be known as the New York Highlanders for two reasons: it was a reference to the team’s elevated location and to the noted British military unit The Gordon Highlanders, which coincided with the team’s president, Joseph Gordon. As was common with all members of the American League, the team was called the New York Americans. New York Press Sports Editor Jim Price coined the unofficial nickname Yankees (or “Yanks”) for the club as early as 1904, because it was easier to fit in headlines.
Formally known as American League Park, it was nicknamed Hilltop Park because of its relatively high elevation. The team did not have an official nickname; it was often called the New York Americans in reference to the AL. Another common nickname for the club was the Highlanders.
Established
1901
City
Baltimore – New York
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1901 – 1999 / American League
Team History
1913 – Present / New York Yankees
1903 – 1912 / New York Highlanders
1901 – 1902 / Baltimore Orioles
Nickname
Highlanders – The team came to be known as the New York Highlanders for two reasons: it was a reference to the team’s elevated location and to the noted British military unit The Gordon Highlanders, which coincided with the team’s president, Joseph Gordon.
Championship
World Series 0
2009, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1978, 1977, 1962, 1961, 1958, 1956, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949, 1947, 1943, 1941, 1939, 1938, 1937, 1936, 1932, 1928, 1927, 1923
Stadium
2009 – Present / Yankee Stadium II
1976 – 2008 / Yankee Stadium I
1974 – 1975 / Shea Stadium
1923 – 1973 / Yankee Stadium I
1920 – 1922 / Polo Grounds IV
1913 – 1919 / Brush Stadium
1903 – 1912 / Hilltop Park
*Baltimore*
1901 – 1902 / Oriole Park
Owner
2004 – Present / Yankee Global Enterprises LLC
1999 – 2004 / YankeeNets
1973 – 2010 / George Steinbrenner
1964 – 1973 / Columbia Broadcasting System
1945 – 1964 / Del Webb, Dan Topping
1939 – 1945 / Heirs of Jacob Ruppert
1922 – 1939 / Jacob Ruppert
1915 – 1922 / Tillinghast L’Hommedieu Huston and Jacob Ruppert
1903 – 1915 / William Devery and Frank Farrell
1901 – 1902 / Unknown Owners
Retired Number
1 Billy Martin
2 Derek Jeter
3 Babe Ruth
4 Lou Gehrig
5 Joe DiMaggio
6 Joe Torre
7 Mickey Mantle
8 Bill Dickey
8 Yogi Berra
9 Roger Maris
10 Phil Rizzuto
15 Thurman Munson
16 Whitey Ford
20 Jorge Posada
23 Don Mattingly
32 Elston Howard
37 Casey Stengel
42 Jackie Robinson
42 Mariano Rivera
44 Reggie Jackson
46 Andy Pettitte
49 Ron Guidry
51 Bernie Williams
Mascot
1979 – 1981 / Dandy
*Blue is this team’s history