The New York Yankees Are Without Dispute The Most Successful Franchise

The New York Yankees are without dispute the most successful franchise in baseball history. They have captured 33 American League pennants and 22 World Series Championships, which is far more than any other franchise in baseball. Baseball's greatest players have played proudly wearing the pinstripes. But those facts alone are not what the Yankees are about. The Yankees are so much more than just a team that wins championships. It is the players (past and present) and the stories about these players that make the Yankees the team that they are. These stories are passed down from generation to generation. Stories of Yankee legends such as Babe Ruth bolting his 60th home run in 1927. Babe Ruth would go on to become the most influential player the sport would ever know. Another unforgetable Yankee memorie is when Roger Maris broke Ruth's single season homerun record when he hit 61 homeruns in 1961. Every year as the World Series approaches, fans always reminisce about the time Reggie Jackson hit three homeruns on three consecutive pitches to win the World Series in 1977. It is the dream of most American youths to have been able to see those golden times first hand. Although many didn't see the history of the Yankees, they experienced history in the making as the 1998 Yankees won the World Series while having the best record of any team in a single season. History and baseball greatness is overwhelmingly displayed in the Yankee symbol. The Yankees are so much more than just a baseball team, they are a symbol of teamwork, great talent, and unity. It has been seen throughout the years and it is seen with the team of 1998. They took the symbol into the 1990's and have further burned the Yankee symbol of greatness into the minds of all that watch them. Yankee Stadium is, to many, the centerpiece of baseball history. It is the heart and soul of the Yankee tradition and it is a symbol of the greatness of baseball in general. Being one of the oldest stadiums in the game, Yankee stadium is not about modern amenities, it is about tradition. While other stadiums have changed the playing field to artificial turf, Yankee Stadium still has a natural grass playing field. The Stadium has changed little over the years. The white fa?ade above the bleachers in centerfield still glistens in the summer sunlight. The fans still have the same ritual of rejecting caught balls from the bat of opposing players by throwing the balls back out on the field. Players sign autographs before the game just as their heroes did for them when they were children. Yankee Stadium is a place where the fans can revel in the history of America's pastime. A place where records have been broken, legends have been made, and moments have transcended time. Visiting Yankee Stadium is a must-experience for any baseball fan. As a fan passes through the metal turnstile, the loud, deep voice of a vendor resonates in the fan's ear as he announces, ?Programs! Scorecards! Get your programs here!" Looking around reveals to each fan that Yankee Stadium is packed like Grand Central Station during the holidays. Excited fans frantically rush by as though they are running late for a train. Upon taking one's very first step into the stadium, emotions of awe, anticipation, and excitement drastically heighten, taking over one's body. Over the years fans have adopted different pre-game rituals. The sweet smells of roasted peanuts, buttered popcorn, and hotdogs lure some fans to the food stand. The great variety of food and beverages leaves many unsure exactly what to order. Hotdogs always seem to be the bestseller and fans never hesitate to pile on the mustard, relish, ketchup, and sauerkraut. Fans attempt to quench their thirst by consuming beers as if threats of prohibition loom in the air. Others patiently stand in line at the restrooms, waiting for a chance to relieve themselves of several pre-game beers. Some fans jump at the chance to expand their wardrobe of Yankee paraphernalia. Everything from Yankee hats to Yankee tablecloths hold large price tags, but are nevertheless sold by pushy vendors. All fans do share one common