While not a big fan of "All Star" games, I enjoy any event that reminds me of the Yankees historical dominance. Last night's American League All Star win over the National League was a warm reminder of the general superiority of the American League and by extension, the awesome franchise that is the New York Yankees.The American League won its 13th All Star game in a row 4-3 last night with the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera, throwing the final pitch to seal the deal. Making the win extra sweet was the venue- the "new" Busch Stadium, home of the only National League franchise that may deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as the Yankees. Ah yes...the Yankees...
In case you have forgotten or happen to be sadly under informed, Wikipedia gives it straight- the New York Yankees of the American League have played in 39 of the 104 Series through 2008 and have won 26 World Series championships, the most of any Major League franchise and exactly one quarter of all World Series titles won to date. For the National League, the Dodgers have appeared in the Series the most at 18 times (9 each in Brooklyn and Los Angeles), but have won the Series only 6 times (once as Brooklyn, five times as Los Angeles). The St. Louis Cardinals have represented the National League 17 times and have won 10 championships, which is the second most of any Major League Team. The Chicago Cubs have the longest streak of not winning the World Series, with their last championship coming in 1908.
Think about it- the team with the second most championships (St. Louis) in Major League Baseball has barely over one third of the Yankees total winnings.
Wow.
8 comments:
This is always worth repeating:
To put it in even better perspective it would take the 10 Cardinals, 9 Athletics, and 7 Red Sox World Series Titles to equal the 26 New York Yankees Titles.
If you took the Dodgers 6, Reds 5, Pirates 5, Giants 5, Tigers 4 World Series titles they only equal 25.
If you took White Sox 3, Braves 3, Twins 3, Orioles 3, Marlins 2, Jays 2, Mets 2, Indians 2, Cubs 2, Angels 1, Diamondbacks 1, Royals 1, and Phillies 1 to equal the 26 New York Yankees World Series Titles. (OK I wrote this part last year before the Phillies won their second World Series title, which can only mean the Yankees #27th title will happen who knows maybe even this year!)
To sum it all up for you misguided Yankee Haters:
The Yankees have won a leading 26 World Series in 39 appearances (which, since the first World Series in 1903, currently amounts to an average appearance every 2.7 seasons and a championship every 4.0 seasons); the St. Louis Cardinals are second with ten World Series victories. The Yankees' number of World Series losses, 13, also leads in Major League Baseball, with the New York/San Francisco Giants coming in at second place with 12. The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers are second in total World Series appearances with eighteen; eleven of those eighteen appearances have been against the Yankees, where the Dodgers have gone 3-8 against them.[32] Among North American major sports, the Yankees' success is only approached by the 24 Stanley Cup championships of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. They have played in the World Series against every National League pennant winner except the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies, a feat that no other team is even close to matching.
Through 2008, the Yankees have an all-time regular season winning percentage of .567 (a 9472-7235 record), the best of any team in baseball.
Absolutely. The pinstripes are almost as revered and valuable as a certain local team around these parts of North Texas... Google "Forbes Top 10 Most Valuable Sports Franchises".
Now if we could just win a playoff game again before another 12 years pass....
Since I know nothing about baseball, the only comment I can make that is halfway intelligent, was our salesman from St Louis was at the Union Train Station yesterday in St Louis and recognized, and gave a warm welcome greeting to Ozzie Smith, Johnny Bench and Bob Gibson. That was kind of cool. Then I really upset my partner today! He was talking about Albert Pujol catching the Obama bomb last night and I said to Keith, “Who’s Albert Pujol?” He put his head on the desk and pounded me out a degusting, “I don’t believe you Woody! What world do you live in?” Like I said, I ain’t a sports fan.
Pastor, give us an update and some pic's on your 2009 tomato crop! Tony Sr. told me Sunday, "Woody, Tony's got some big tomatoes, but change the subject on my garden... If you get an A grade on tall vines, I win!"
Coming soon Woody.
I'd gladly give my crop to Dad. he deserves it WAY more.
You're so right, what a gentle Giant of a man! You know, I almost consider him my own father.
By the way a few sites out there comparing the first pitch performances between Barry O and W say what you want about former President George W. Bush but at least he can throw a strike.
http://sweetness-light.com/archive/fox-hides-fact-obama-throws-like-girl
17 appearances in the World Series for St. Louis, admittedly less than half the appearances by the Yankees, but not bad.
Oh, and let the record show that it should be 11 championships for the Cardinals, if not for AL umpire Don Denkinger who stole it for the Royals in '85.
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