- 1903
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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 New York Highlanders, also known as the Yankees, is one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises. Founded in 1903 as an American League charter member, they have played baseball in New York City for over a century. During that time, they have won an astonishing 27 World Series titles and 40 American League pennants—the most championships by any team in professional sports history.
The Highlanders played their first season at Hilltop Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side before moving to Yankee Stadium (then called “the House That Ruth Built") when it opened its doors in 1923. Since then, the Bronx Bombers have become synonymous with success and excellence both on and off the field; from Babe Ruth to Joe DiMaggio to Derek Jeter—all legends who donned pinstripes during their careers—to modern stars like Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton today. The franchise has boasted some of baseball's greatest players throughout its rich history while remaining competitive year after year, mainly due to shrewd personnel decisions made by front-office executives such as George Steinbrenner or Brian Cashman.
For many loyal fans around America (and even across the world), being part of Yankee Nation is more than just supporting a team: it’s about embracing all that comes along with being part of one big family rooted deep within the tradition and steeped heavily into winning culture established long ago by great teams past present alike. No matter what happens each season come October, you can always count on your beloved Yankees making noise, whether good, bad, or indifferent–a testament that speaks volumes towards why this organization remains so unique compared to others throughout major league baseball today!
Highlanders Products
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 New York Highlanders, now known as the New York Yankees, have been one of Major League Baseball's most successful franchises since their inception in 1903. But did you know that the team was initially called the Highlanders? It wasn't until 1913 that they officially changed their name to the Yankees. So where did this unique nickname come from?
The answer lies in a combination of geography and history. The original home field for what would become known as “the Bronx Bombers” was Hilltop Park (now Coogan’s Bluff). This stadium sat atop a rise overlooking Harlem River and Washington Heights on Manhattan Island – two areas that were then referred to collectively as “Highland." As such, it seemed only natural for fans and sportswriters alike to refer to these new baseball players by this geographic designation: The New York Highlanders!
While some may find it strange today that an entire professional sports franchise could be named after its location rather than something more specific or inspirational, back then, it made perfect sense given how much importance people placed on local pride at every level of society - including sports teams. After all, why not celebrate your hometown with a nickname like "Highlander?"
Over time though, things began changing; first, with uniforms being replaced by pinstripes in 1915, followed shortly after that by management deciding they wanted something more powerful sounding than just "Highlander" when referring publicly to their ballclub. Hence, they settled upon Yankee instead – thus ushering out one era while beginning another rich chapter in MLB lore!
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
