New York Yankees: Video Tour of the Championship Years

The 27 New York Yankees World Series Championships span over 87 years, hitting every decade but the 1980's.

I scoured YouTube for the best video representation for each of the Yankee Championship years and this is what developed - everything from Ken Burns to old Newsreels to television and radio broadcasts to fan video.

It is amazing actually how often some of the greatest moments in Yankee history happened to coincide with a year ending in a championship.  For example, DiMaggio's hitting streak in 1941, the opening of both Yankee Stadiums in 1923 and 2009, Ruth's 60th, and Maris 61st all occurred in championship years.  There's more too, you'll see.  It could be of course that there are just so many great Yankee moments and so many World Series titles that they happen to overlap.

Anyway, without much further adieu, here's a quick Yankee video tour that looks at each of the 27 title years: a total of 61 clips, totaling nearly three hours for your indulgence. Final results included and a fact or two, too.

It's a tour of American culture, as well. See and feel the evolution of the game, the player, the media, the fan, and American and Yankee history.

Enjoy.

Then, check out Bleacher Report's Yankees site for the latest in Yankees news.

World Series Championship No. 1: 1923 Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

The New York Yankees were born as the Baltimore Orioles in 1901.  The original intention was to found the franchise in New York, but the influential National League New York Giants blocked the maneuver.

Two years later, an agreement was reached to let the competing American League's team move to New York.  The Orioles moved into Hilltop Park on 165th street in Manhattan where they became known as the New York Highlanders in 1903.  They were first nicknamed the Yankees or Yanks in the press in 1904.

In 1913, they moved into the new Polo Grounds, sharing it with their NL rival, the New York Giants, and officially became the New York Yankees, dropping Highlanders, a reference to their old park, as no longer appropriate.

In December of 1919, the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees.  In the following three years - 1920 to 1922 - Ruth hit 54, 59, and 35 home runs...unheard of numbers in the history of baseball.  Fans flocked to see the Yankees as if they were going to a carnival.  Yankee box office receipts were so great they outdrew the Giants in their own park and were asked to move out after the '22 season.

In their first two World Series appearances, 1921 and 1922, the Yankees lost to the Giants.  In 1923, the Yankees moved into Old Yankee Stadium in the Bronx - literally (in the financial sense) "The House That Ruth Built."

The Yankees won their first World Series that year too...against the New York Giants.

World Series Championship No. 1: 1923 Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

In 1922, Babe Ruth batted .315, hit 35 home runs, and knocked in 99 RBI: an excellent year for any ball player that was nonetheless considered "off" for the Babe, and blamed on his carousing.

After losing two World Series in a row, Babe vowed to do better in 1923.  He started immediately and before the year was over, the Yankees would have their first World Series Championship.

Here, Babe Ruth hits his first homer in Old Yankee Stadium...on opening day, April 18, 1923.

World Series Championship No. 2: 1927 Yankees 4, Pittsburgh Pirates 0

In 1927, the Yankees won their second World Series, their first sweep, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

This clip shows 1927 spring training for the New York Giants, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the St. Louis Browns.  It also shows baseball stars from other teams before highlighting Babe Ruth and the 1927 World Series.

1927 was also the year Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs.

The 1927 Yankees' lineup, anchored by Babe Ruth; Lou Gehrig; Bob Meusel; and Tony Lazzeri, was known as "Murderers' Row."

World Series Championship No. 2: 1927 Yankees 4, Pittsburgh Pirates 0

Here is the Babe's 60th homer.

World Series Championship No. 3: 1928 Yankees 4, St. Louis Cardinals 0

The Yankees won again in 1928, their first back-to-back championship, both shutouts.

This video highlights the uber-popular Bambino and the items he pitched...just like today's players.

World Series Championship No. 4: 1932 Yankees 4, Chicago Cubs 0

In 1932, the Yankees swept the Chicago Cubs for their third Series sweep.

Lore has it that Babe Ruth famously called his home run in this World Series, in Wrigley Field.  The photo in the video is the actual shot of the Babe pointing.  There is still debate today as to where Babe Ruth was pointing and why.  The Babe went with it, though, pointing out shortly after the game that if it were in the papers, it must be true.

World Series Championship No. 5: 1936 Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

Highlights from Game 1 and some of Game 2 of the 1936 World Series.

Lou Gehrig was MVP of the season that year, batting .354 with 49 homers and 130 RBI.

If you look closely at the opening panning shot, you will notice a rookie, who one day would become one of the greatest Yankees and ballplayers ever.

World Series Championship No. 5: 1936 Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

And here is that rookie.

In 1936, Joe DiMaggio batted .323, with 44 doubles, 15 triples, 29 homers and 125 RBI.  In the World Series, he batted .346.  Whoa.

World Series Championship No. 5: 1936 Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

1936 Champions right fielder George Selkirk, shortstop Frankie Crosetti, pitcher Johnny Murphy, Joe DiMaggio, and Lou Gehrig...and their GM cars.

World Series Championship No. 6: 1937 Yankees 4, New York Giants 1

Babe Ruth, having retired following the 1935 season, attends the 1937 World Series as a spectator, along with other baseball celebrities.

World Series Championship No. 6: 1937 Yankees 4, New York Giants 1

Highlights from Game 1 of the 1937 World Series, with the Yankees' Vernon "Lefty" Gomez on the mound.  Here, the Yankees send 13 men to the plate and score seven.

World Series Championship No. 7: 1938 Yankees 4, Chicago Cubs 0

Contributing to the Cubs' curse, the Yankees sweep them for a second time.

Joe D. went for another 140 RBI in 1938, after knocking in 167 in 1937.  In his first three years in baseball, DiMaggio had 432 RBI.  Crazy.

World Series Championship No. 7: 1938 Yankees 4, Chicago Cubs 0

1938 was Lou Gehrig's last full season.

The Pride of the Yankees.

This tribute video is awesome.

World Series Championship No. 8: 1939 Yankees 4, Cincinnati Reds 0

Some of it's a little dark, but this is amazing color footage of the 1939 World Series, another sweep for the Yanks and their fourth World Series title in a row.

Joe DiMaggio won his first MVP that season, batting .381.

World Series Championship No. 8: 1939 Yankees 4, Cincinnati Reds 0

This one might choke you up a bit, but in baseball, and in life, you have to take the lows with the highs.

Lou Gehrig's streak ended in 1939.  He was replaced by Babe Dahlgren.

World Series Championship No. 9: 1941 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 1

In the first of their seven World Series meetings, the Yankees defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941.

Joe DiMaggio won his second MVP in 1941.  Here is a two-sided perspective on the Yankee Clipper.

It seems the video is not embedded, but if you click the link above a youtube window will open up and you won't lose your place.  Also, the video title says "The Final Chapter," but that is just the name of the clip.  Joe D. still had seven more years to play.

World Series Championship No. 9: 1941 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 1

Joltin' Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak occurred in 1941.

Here's the extended version of the tribute song that you will have difficulty getting out of your head.  Very catchy.  Some good photos from the streak, too.

World Series Championship No. 10: 1943 Yankees 4, St. Louis Cardinals 1

In the 1940's, many players went to war and left the diamond.  The Yankees lost Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, Red Ruffing, Phil Rizzuto and others to the war effort.

Even without those four key players, the Yankees won the World Series in 1943.

Here, Joe DiMaggio enlists.  No sound.

World Series Championship No.11: 1947 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

In 1947, the Yankees won their first seven-game World Series.

This video highlights Game 4 through Game 7.

Yes, that is Yogi Berra wearing #35, which he wore in his rookie year, 1947.

World Series Championship No. 11: 1947 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

The Yankees celebrated Babe Ruth Day in 1947.

Some final words from the Babe, he lying in state at Yankee Stadium, and the funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Babe Ruth.  The greatest baseball player in history.

World Series Championship No. 12: 1949 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 1

The Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers for the third time in the World Series in 1949 and Yogi Berra wins his second ring.

Here is a great tribute to Yogi, who played for the Yankees 19 years, and has the most rings, as a player, of any Yankee or baseball player ever: 10.

World Series Championship No. 13: 1950 Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 0

The Yankees win their first of six World Series in the 1950's...their best decade.

World Series Championship No. 14: 1951 Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

In 1951, rookie Mickey Mantle wins his first World Series.

There he is on the end.  What the future would hold.

1951 was also Joe DiMaggio's last season.

World Series Championship No. 14: 1951 Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

Yogi Berra was a New York fixture in the 1950's.

Enjoy some of his wisdom.  You will laugh, for sure.

World Series Championship No. 15: 1952 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

The Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers again.  The series swayed back and forth, each team winning every other game, until the Yanks took Games 6 and 7.

World Series Championship No. 15: 1952 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

The 1952 New York Yankees.

World Series Championship No. 15: 1952 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

1952 Game 7 highlights and celebration.

World Series Championship No. 16: 1953 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 2

In 1953, the Yankees win a record fifth World Series in a row, all under manager Casey Stengel (in his first five seasons as Yankee skipper).

Nice quick color video from 1953 Yankee Stadium.  I believe that is Mantle getting the hit.

World Series Championship No. 16: 1953 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 2

Mickey Mantle started well, but had not yet come into his own by 1953.

Here is an early interview before Mantle became one of the greatest Yankees of all time.

World Series Championship No. 17: 1956 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

In 1956, the Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series for the last, and sixth out of seven times.  For the fourth time between these two teams, the Series would go seven games.  The Dodgers only title came the year before in 1955 in seven games. Following the 1957 season, the Brooklyn Dodgers would move to Los Angeles.

1956 was also the year of Don Larsen's World Series perfect game, the only one thrown in World Series history.

World Series Championship No. 17: 1956 Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

Mickey Mantle won his first of three MVPs in 1956.

World Series Championship No. 18: 1958 Yankees 4, Milwaukee Braves 3

This video of the 1958 World Series is a little dark, but you can still see Casey Stengel, Mickey Mantle, Elston Howard (#32), Gil McDougald (#12), Yogi Berra, Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock (Braves #9), and Braves manager Fred Haney.

The Yankees lost to the Milwaukee Braves in seven games in 1957, and exacted their revenge a year later.

World Series Championship No. 18: 1958 Yankees 4, Milwaukee Braves 3

The story of Mickey Mantle, one more, since he was so great.

World Series Championship No. 19: 1961 Yankees 4, Cincinnati Reds 1

The slideshow needed a feminine stroke.

Sultry Marilyn Monroe accompanies hubby Joe DiMaggio to Opening Day at Old Yankee Stadium, April 11, 1961.

World Series Championship No. 19: 1961 Yankees 4, Cincinnati Reds 1

In 1961, the Yankees beat the Cincinnati Reds for the second time in the World Series.

Roger Maris hit 61 homers in 1961, breaking Babe Ruth's record set in 1937, another championship year.

World Series Championship No. 20: 1962 Yankees 4, San Francisco Giants 3

Spring training for the to-be-World-Champion 1962 Yankees, set to a clever song celebrating the Yankees from the late 1990's.

World Series Championship No. 20: 1962 Yankees 4, San Francisco Giants 3

Corny, Leave it to Beaver-esque Mantle and Maris movie promotion from 1962.

But it gives an interesting perspective of the times.

World Series Championship No. 21: 1977 Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

Post-game interviews of the 1977 World Champion New York Yankees.  They ended the franchise's longest Word Series drought at the time - 15 years - since their first World Series victory in 1923.

This video is a gem, with all the undertones of a rife-filled season beneath the surface.  But how winning makes everything right.  It's mayhem on the field. The following Yankees are interviewed (by Bill White), champagne flowing, in the clubhouse after the clinching win:

Billy Martin

Yogi Berra

Thurman Munson

Reggie Jackson

Mike Torrez

George Steinbrenner

World Series Championship No. 21: 1977 Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

Reggie Jackson's three home runs in clinching Game 6 of the '77 Series.

He hit all three on the first pitch, off three different pitchers.  In his last at bat in Game 5 he hit another homer...making it 4 home runs on four straight pitches against four different pitchers.  Amazing.

World Series Championship No. 22: 1978 Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

1978 was the year of Bucky Dent's improbable three-run home run in the one game playoff against archrival Boston Red Sox, with whom the Yankees finished the season tied.  Dent's homer took the lead 3-2, and the Yankees advanced to the playoffs.

Here is some pregame before that game with the Scooter.  Little did they know.

World Series Championship No. 22: 1978 Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

Bucky Dent's homer.

World Series Championship No. 22: 1978 Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

Munson catches the final out of the 1978 World Series.

World Series Championship No. 22: 1978 Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

Excellent tribute to 1978 Yankees, showing most of the players...I do believe I hear some Evil Empire music in there.

World Series Championship No. 23: 1996 Yankees 4, Atlanta Braves 2

In 1996, the Yankees ended their longest World Series drought - 18 years.

Here's Derek Jeter after the 1995 season - before he was Derek Jeter.  He was already saying all the right things.

World Series Championship No. 23: 1996 Yankees 4, Atlanta Braves 2

Jim Leyritz's homer that turned the 1996 World Series around.

World Series Championship No: 23: 1996 Yankees 4, Atlanta Braves 2

Final out of the 1996 World Series, caught by third baseman Charlie Hayes, and the ensuing celebration, a grand long-awaited one.

The beginning of the most recent Yankee dynasty, and in many ways, the sweetest win of them all.

This video can not be embedded, but click the link and you'll see it without losing your place.

World Series Championship No. 23: 1996 Yankees 4, Atlanta Braves 2

1996 Rookie of the Year Derek Jeter batted .360 in the playoffs.

World Series Championship No. 24: 1998 Yankees 4, San Diego Padres 0

Funny Biff Henderson from The Late Show with David Letterman at the 1998 World Series.  He talks to:

Bernie Williams

Jim Leyritz (on the Padres)

Homer Bush

David Wells

Paul O'Neill

Greg Vaughn

Joe Girardi

This video has been disabled from embedding, but click on the link to see it in a separate window.

World Series Championship No. 24: 1998 Yankees 4, San Diego Padres 0

In the bottom of the seventh in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series, the Yankees were down 5-2.  First Chuck Knoblauch hit a three-run homer to tie it.  Then, Tino Martinez belted a grand slam in the same inning to give the Yankees the lead.

Except for two brief innings in Game 3, the Yankees would not trail again.

World Series Championship No. 24: 1998 Yankees 4, San Diego Padres 0

The 1998 Yankee celebration, including World Series MVP Scott Brosius.

World Series Championship No. 25: 1999 Yankees 4, Braves 0

The Yankees defeat the Atlanta Braves in the World Series again, en route to their 25th championship and seventh World Series shutout.

Here's some in game action spectator view.  Stick with it.

World Series Championship No. 26: 2000 Yankees 4, New York Mets 1

In the first Subway Series since 1956, when the Giants and Dodgers were still New York teams, the Yankees continue their World Series domination, defeating their cross-town rivals for their third World Series in a row.  In those three Series, the Yankees went 12-1.

This video clip includes the Clemens-Piazza incident and the bench clearing that followed.

World Series Championship No. 26: 2000 Yankees 4, New York Mets 1

Quick rundown of the five games in the 2000 World Series, including the pitching matchups.

World Series Championship No. 26: 2000 Yankees 4, New York Mets 1

As with those other great Yankees in previous slides, here is Derek Jeter's tribute.

World Series Championship No. 27: 2009 Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2

Yankees win the 2009 World Series, fan view from the third base side.

World Series Championship No 27: 2009 Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2

The final game at Old Yankee Stadium in 2008.

Derek Jeter gives a pretty good speech, following in the line of great Yankee speeches.

For the next century, the following Yankees will be mentioned together:  Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter as the greatest Yankees who ever lived.

World Series Championship No. 27: 2009 Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2

As they did in 1923 with the opening of Old Yankee Stadium, the Yankees win the World Series in the first year of New Yankee Stadium.

Here is a tour of the new Yankees' digs.

World Series Championship No. 27: 2009 Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2

Yankees win the 2009 World Series, another spectator perspective.

World Series Championship No. 27: 2009 Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2

Initimate on the field video of the 2009 World Series celebration festivities.

World Series Championship No. 27: 2009 Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2

The 2009 ticker tape parade down the canyon of heroes.

Congratulations New York Yankees and Yankee fans on your 27 World Series titles.