Holiday World

The New York Yankees have recorded many firsts in the sport of baseball, while working their way into the hearts of millions of fans. The whole thing started in 1903 when Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchased the defunct Baltimore franchise of the American League for $18,000, moved their team to Manhattan and gave them the name Highlanders. By 1913 the Highlanders had recorded their first win in franchise history, the pinstripe uniforms were created and the Highlanders were renamed the “Yankees”. (more…)

Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe Dimaggio Join the Yankees
Babe Ruth’s contract was purchased from the Boston Red Sox in 1920 and in 1921 the Yankees won their first American League pennant. Babe Ruth hit the first home run in Yankee Stadium before a crowd of 74,200 spectators in 1923 and by 1925 the Babe broke his own Major League record with his 60th home run. Lou Gehrig began his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played, pinch-hitting for Pee Wee Wanniger. (more…)

Mickey Mantle, Don Larsen, Roger Maris and Reggie Jackson
In 1953 Mickey Mantle hit the first recognized “tape-measure” home run. Don Larsen hurled the only perfect game in the history of the World Series in 1956 in a 2-0 win over Brooklyn in game 5 at Yankee Stadium. A Major League record was established in 1961 when Roger Maris hits his 61st home run. The longest game in Yankee history was ended by Jack Reed’s two-run, 22nd-inning home run in 1962. (more…)

Dave Whinfield, Don Mattingly, Jim Abbott, Roger Clemens and Derek Jeter
Dave Whinfield signed a then-record ten-year contract in 1980. 1996 saw the Championship Trophy returned to the Bronx after the Yankees defeated the Braves for their 23rd title. David Wells tossed the 14th regular-season perfect game in baseball history, being the first ever by a Yankee. The Yankees won their 26th World Championship in the year 2000. (more…)

Yankee Stadium
In 1921 the Yankees purchased 10 acres of property in the west Bronx directly across the Harlem River from the Polo Grounds. The stadium opened in 1923 and the first night game was played in 1946. The original seating capacity of 58,000 was increased up to 57,545 in 1980. From 1958 through 1961, this was the only place to go to watch Major League Baseball in New York City. The stadium was renovated in 1976 and the Yankees appeared in the World Series in each of the next three years, winning the fall classic twice. The New York Yankees have played in six World Series and won four of them since the stadium was renovated. (more…)

The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club has reined as one of New York’s shining moments since 1959 when William Shea, Esq., announced the formation of a third major league. The Continental League disbanded in 1960 and the Mets were four of the franchises which were accepted to the National and American leagues as expansion franchises. The shortening of the team’s name to Mets was gladly accepted by the press and the public. In the first expansion draft in the history of the National League, the Mets spent $1.8 million to draft 22 players.

New York Mets Official Logo
Sports cartoonist, Ray Gatto
Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, the Mets, a 100-1 underdog to reach the World Series, pull off one of the largest upsets of all time - beating the Orioles in the 1969 Fall Classic in 5 games.
Courtesy MLB.com (more…)

Tom Seaver “The Franchise” of the New York Mets
Tom Seaver became known as “The Franchise”. Seaver helped turn Casey Stengel’s lovable losing Mets of the 1960s into World Champions. In 12 seasons, Seaver compiled a record of 198-124 with a 2.57 ERA,
Todd Zeile’s first catch in 14 years. (more…)

First National League East Champions for the Met
In 1969, the Mets were first place for the first time in franchise history. They won the first National League East Championship in franchise history with a 6-0 victory over the Cardinals and played in their first World Series game. The Mets then won their first World Championship over the Orioles with Donn Clendenon, Al Weis and Jerry Koosman. Willie Mays joined the Mets in 1972 and in 1973 Tom Seaver and Tug McGraw combined on a seven-hitter and the Mets won their second National League Pennant.

The 1986 World Series
In 1986 the Mets won the National League East with a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. In one of the
Mets against Montreal in 2nd game for his first Major League hit - David Wright doubles in the fifth inning.
Courtesy MLB.com
greatest games in post-season history, the Mets went on to defeat the Houston Astros 7-6 in a 16 inning game to win the third National League Championship in franchise history. (more…)