The New York Yankees — they are the team you hate to love and the team you love to hate. One of the original eight American league teams, the Yankees are one of the oldest teams in baseball and their fans are nothing but loyal.
When the team was established in 1901, the founders wanted them to be in New York City; however the New York Giants (part of the National league) wouldn’t allow it. So they were forced to go to Baltimore where they played for a season as the Baltimore Orioles. In 1903 they became the New York Highlanders and, at last in 1913 became the Yankees.
Despite their rough start, it didn’t take the Yankees long to establish themselves as the team to beat. They won their first American League Pennant in 1921 and their first World Series in 1923. Since that time they have won 16 titles, 40 pennants, and 27 World Series; making them the most decorated team in baseball.
With such a phenomenal record and fan base, Yankee memorabilia are highly coveted items. Fans enjoy collecting jerseys, baseball caps, and even New York Yankees watches and other jewelry. To commemorate September 11, Yankee players wore special patriotic hats that quickly became a top selling item with fans.
Autographed items by the players are also big-ticket items for avid collectors. A signed ball by Alex Rodriquez or a signed bat by Derek Jeter could go for several hundred dollars. Another advantage to being an older team is that there are many retired Yankee players in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, such as Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantel and Lou Gehrig. Anything signed by these players could go for thousands of dollars.
The Yankees of today are every bit the celebrities and playboys the media makes them out to be; however, they are living and passing down the tradition of Yankee — American — baseball and it doesn’t get any better then that.