- 1903
-
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 ...
History of the Highlanders
The team's new ballpark, Hilltop Park (formally known as "American League Park"), was constructed on one of Upper Manhattan's highest points—between 165th and 168th Streets. The team was named the New York Highlanders. Fans believed the name was chosen because of the team's elevated location in Upper Manhattan, or as a nod to team president Joseph Gordon's Scottish-Irish heritage (the Gordon Highlanders were a well-known Scottish military unit).
Initially, the team was commonly referred to as the New York Americans. The team was also referred to as the "Invaders" in the Evening Journal. 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.
The Highlanders finished second in the AL in 1904, 1906, and 1910. In 1904, they lost the deciding game to the Boston Americans, who later became the Boston Red Sox. That year, Highlander pitcher Jack Chesbro set the single-season wins record at 41. At this time there was no formal World Series agreement wherein the AL and NL winners would play each other.
The original Polo Grounds burned down in 1911 and the Highlanders shared Hilltop Park with the Giants during a two-month renovation period. Later, from 1913 to 1922, the Highlanders shared the Polo Grounds with the Giants. While playing at the Polo Grounds, the name "Highlanders" fell into disuse among the press. In 1913 the team became officially known as the New York Yankees.
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
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
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
*Blue is this team’s history