by James Vletstra
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The Greatest Yankees Moments of All-Time!
The New York Yankees are rich in history. They celebrate their great history every year with Old Timers Day and other celebrations. Of course, the Yankees are also constantly adding to their history. In looking back over their long and successful history, there are countless moments that would be considered great.
I have ranked my top 250 Yankees moments.
Not all of these were accomplished by the Yankees, but they were at least involved. I will be releasing (in groups of 25) what I feel are the Top 250 Moments in Yankees history.
I hope you enjoy reliving each of these memories as much as I did putting them together. Feel free to share yours in the comments.
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THE TOP 250 MOMENTS IN YANKEES HISTORY: Part 6, 125-101
125. October 2, 1936 DiMaggio Catch
Tony Lazzeri hit a grand slam to power the Yankees to a still-existing record with 18 runs scored. But this game is known for the best over the shoulder catch in World Series play. With two outs in the 9th, Joe DiMaggio made the catch roughly 490 feet from home plate. That’s 40 feet deeper than catch Willie Mays made 18 years later. If only there was video of it, it’d be a Top 10 catch of all-time.
124. September 19, 2011 Rivera Breaks Record
Hall of Fame reliever Mariano Rivera passes Trevor Hoffman for the most career saves. By the time he retires, he would extend his record to 652
123. October 10, 1956 Yankees Win 17th World Series
The Yankees defeated the Dodgers in 7 games. Don Larsen is named the WS MVP
122. June 25, 1934 Gehrig Hits His First Cycle
The Yankees defeated the Chicago White Sox 13-2 behind the offensive prowess of Lou Gehrig, who hit for the cycle
121. October 4, 2009 ARod Hits Two HRs in Same Inning
Alex Rodriguez hit two home runs in the same inning for the second time in his career. He had 7 RBI in that inning
120. September 28, 1951 Reynolds Throws Second No-Hitter
In the first game of a doubleheader against the Red Sox, Ace Allie Reynolds tossed a no hitter in a 8-0 victory
119. July 11, 1939 Stadium Hosts ASG
The American League defeated the National League 3-1 in the 7th All Star Game. This was the first one played at Yankees Stadium
118. October 6, 1936 Yankees Win 5th World Series
The Yankees beat the Giants 4-2 to win their 5th title.
117. October 5, 1947 DiMaggio Kicks Dirt
In a rare show of emotion, Joe DiMaggio kicked dirt in frustration after his drive towards the 415 sign is caught by Al Gionfriddo
116. August 17, 2022 Donaldson Ultimate Grand Slam
In Major League history, there’s been 32 Ultimate Grand Slams. That is when a team is down by 3 and hits a grand slam in the last inning to win by one. Josh Donaldson accomplished this against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 10th inning
115. July 1, 2004 The Dive
Derek Jeter risked his health to dive headfirst into the stands to catch a foul ball. He came out battered and bruised, but in the end, the Yankees walked off the win
114. April 8, 2003. Matsui Debut
Hideki Matsui was one of Japan’s most popular players. In his first game at home he showed why. Godzilla hit a grand slam in the home opener against the Minnesota Twins
113. October 6, 1947 Yankees Win 11th World Series
The Yankees once again defeated the Dodgers. This time in 7 games, to once again claim another World Series
112. July 9, 1937 DiMaggio Hits His First Cycle
Joe DiMaggio had 7 RBIs and 5 hits, including the cycle in this 16-2 blowout victory over the Senators
111. August 25, 2011 Yankees Belt 3 Grand Slams
In a 22-9 win over the A’s, history was made. Never before nor since has a baseball club hit three grand slams in the same game. Robinson Cano, Russell Martin, and Curtis Granderson all did it in this game
110. September 9, 2022 Jeter Night
The Yankees celebrated Derek Jeter’s selection to the Hall of Fame
109. August 2, 1947 Doby’s First Game at the Stadium
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League, but Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians was just as important of a trailblazer in the American League
108. July 15, 2008 Yankees Stadium Hosts ASG
The American League defeated the National League 4-3 in 15 innings in the All Star Game which was being played in the final season of the original Stadium. The new Stadium is now 15 years old and has not hosted one yet
107. October 7, 1952 Yankees Win 15th World Series
Billy Martin made a spectacular 7th inning play to preserve the lead as the Yankees once again defeated the Dodgers in 7 games to win their record tying fourth consecutive championship and 15th overall
106. July 26, 1928 Meusel Cycles Again
In the first game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, Bob Meusel hit for the cycle. The game was tied at 1-1 until the Yankees opened up and scored 11 runs in the top of the 12th inning
105. June 7, 2008 Damon Collects 6
Lead off batter Johnny Damon got 6 hits and the Yankees scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk it off 12-11
104. May 14, 1996. Doc Carried Off
Dwight Gooden threw a no-hitter against the same team that eliminated the Yankees 6 months earlier. His teammates carried him off the field
103. June 20, 2015 Two Plaques Dedicated
The Yankees announced it as dedicating a plaque to Willie Randolph at Old Timers Day. It turns out that instead of one new member in Monument Park, they decided to make it two. With many of his teammates already there, Mel Stottlemyre was surprised to be included in the ceremony. At the time, Stottlemyre was fighting cancer
102. July 23, 1957 Mantle Hits for the Cycle
During a 10-6 win over the White Sox, Mickey Mantle hit for the cycle
101. August 31, 1997 Mattingly Honored
Don Mattingly received a plaque in Monument Park as well as had his number 23 officially retired from further use
