I've grown up watching sports. My parents grew up in New York. More specifically, my mom grew up on Staten Island and my dad in Brooklyn. They were raised in homes that rooted for New York teams. They continued their love for the New York teams even after moving to New Jersey. My whole life I have been a New York sports fan through and through. I support my Giants, Rangers, Knicks, and of course, my Yankees. While I watch basketball, football, and hockey, I focus on the spring, summer, and fall seasons on baseball. The New York Yankees, in my opinion, have the best franchise in baseball history.
Not a Yankees fan? That's OK, once you read this article maybe you'll have more respect for such a great organization.
1. Host Annual "Old-Timers' Day"
This is a memorable day for not only the current Yankees team, but fans, and even retired players, coaches, and trainers. This day is devoted to a pre-game celebration honoring baseball-related accomplishments of former players who have retired from wearing their pinstripes. The "Old-Timers' Day" Tradition began at the end of the 1947 season, and has since been a franchise favorite. This past Sunday, June 17th, the organization celebrated its retirees for the 72nd year. Some of the most respected old timers in Yankees history from Sunday's ceremony included Dr. Bobby Brown, Whitey Ford, and Don Larsen.
The retirees were humbly introduced by commentators Michael Kay and John Sterling, and then jog to the field where they are accompanied by former teammates and legends who ultimately helped the Yankees to win their 27 championships. While the Yankees have kept the "Old-Timers" tradition within their franchise, other teams — such as their divisional rival the Boston Red Sox — have started this trend, though the magnitude of the Yankees' ceremony, in my opinion, is more recognizable.
2. Have the most championship wins
Like previously mentioned, the Yankees hold the record for most championship wins in any sport with 27 World Series wins since their founding in 1901. While the franchise as a whole has the most wins, they remain humble not only on social media, but in interviews and with their fans.
3. The Yankees organization also is respectful to our nation's armed forces
The Yankees often invite a member of the Armed Forces along with their families to attend a home game with a ceremony honoring their service. The ceremony takes place behind home plate during the seventh inning stretch, when "God Bless America" is played and is oftentimes sung along with by fans and players.
4. Participating in HOPE Week
In addition to supporting the nation's armed forces, the Yankees organization also participates in what's called HOPE week, which stands for Helping Others Persevere & Excel. This organization was introduced in 2009 and "is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture" (New York Yankees.MLB.com). This week consists of five days where each day the Yankees focus on one individual, family, or organization worthy of recognition.
Honorees share their inspirational stories with players, fans, and the media. On top of this memorable experience, these individuals and families get to experience the day of their dreams. HOPE Week's goal is to not only applaud individuals and families, but to raise awareness of issues affecting our nation. http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/community/hope_....
5. Focuses on appearance
Lastly, the Yankees franchise focuses on the appearance of their players. Former Owner and General Partner, the late George Steinbrenner, implemented the policy of enforcing how his players were to present themselves back in 1973. This policy was put in effect when Steinbrenner noticed several players' hair was covering their numbers. The official policy states "All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches (except for religious reasons), and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar. Long sideburns and 'mutton chops' are not specifically banned."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Yankees_appearance_policy
Steinbrenner wanted to adopt a corporate attitude, hence why he enforced this policy. This policy has continued through the Yankees franchise and is prominent within their team.
6. The Yankees Organization has always taken part in generous actions
Mr. Steinbrenner was also extremely active in spreading his wealth and generously donating to the families and children of fallen police officers, firefighters, retired players who needed assistance, or regular individuals, whose stories were brought to his attention. Many of these donations were done without any fanfare and behind the scenes. Recently, a story was published that the Yankees sent a flower arrangement to police headquarters all across the U.S. when one of their own was lost in the line of duty. One such story was to a police precinct in the heart of Red Sox territory in Massachusetts. To say their organization was surprised to receive such a generous gift from their biggest rival is an understatement, but they put rivalries aside, and greatly appreciated the gift.
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Hopefully, I have convinced you that the New York Yankees are more than just an American League Baseball team, they are a franchise of class, generosity, and humble beginnings. Go Yanks!
