There have been 112 different World Series played since the first one began in 1903. The Yankees have been in 40 of them (over a third) and captured championships in 27 (just under a quarter). That is a copious amount.
Some of the Yankees’ recent World Series memories are fresh enough that fans have near-instant recall of those highlights, but it’s a little trickier going further back. Tomes could be written (and have) about these years. To make it a little easier to parse though, I made a guide to the 40 Fall Classic appearances with short explanations of what to know about each series.
Now your friends can be even more impressed about your baseball knowledge! Or concerned. Either/or.
1921
Babe hurt. Giants win best-of-nine.
1922
John McGraw’s pitching advice outfoxes the Babe. Also: a tie!
1923
Ruth outslugs Stengel, Yanks get first championship.
1926
Ronald Reagan strikes out Tony Lazzeri (in the movies, anyway).
1927
“Murderers’ Row” the story, but it ends via wild pitch.
1928
Babe & Lou combine for seven homers in sweep. Well then.
1932
“The Called Shot,” three Gehrig blasts, and yet another sweep.
1936
Ruth’s successor George Selkirk says “Babe who?” by slugging .667.
1937
Lefty Gomez dominates, Yanks dismiss Giants for second straight year.
1938
Ruffing’s time to shine in second sweep of the Cubs.
1939
Reds catcher suffers groin shot on throw, “snoozes,” Yanks sweep.
1941
Dodgers devastated after game-winning strikeout turns to loss.
1942
Cardinals’ ninth inning homer sinks Yanks in DiMaggio’s only loss.
1943
Spud Chandler and wartime Bombers get revenge on Cardinals.
1947
No-hit bid turns to loss, Brooklyn falls anyway.
1949
Henrich’s walk-off dinger sets pace for Stengel’s first title.
1950
Philly’s “Whiz Kids” no match for DiMaggio, Coleman, and Yanks.
1951
“The Giants win the pennant,” but not the World Series.
1952
Billy Martin’s miracle catch helps Yanks win in seven.
1953
Five in a row thanks to Martin’s series-ending single.
1955
Okay fine, Brooklyn can win one.
1956
But only one. Larsen perfect.
1957
Lew Burdette surprises baseball, shuts down Bombers
1958
Revenge for ‘57 as Turley makes 3-1 series lead vanish.
1960
Bill Mazeroski breaks Yankees’ hearts in Pittsburgh.
1961
Whitey Ford: “It’s been a bad year for the Babe.”
1962
Richardson plays McCovey perfectly, crushes Charles Schulz.
1963
Koufax and Drysdale: Too good.
1964
Gibson and Cardinals wipe out Mantle era’s last gasp.
1976
Big Red Machine rolls on, sweeps Yanks aside.
1977
Reg-gie, Reg-gie, Reg-gie.
1978
Dent a World Series hero too, not just at Fenway.
1981
Down 0-2, Dodgers rebound, win at Yankee Stadium.
1996
Leyritz homer stuns the south, kick-starts dynasty.
1998
Player to be named later becomes World Series MVP.
1999
Braves bow out again, Yanks sweep second straight.
2000
Vizcaino and Sojo hit Subway Series game-winners because duh.
2001
Luis Gonzalez ruins beautiful narrative like an asshole.
2003
Jeff Weaver over Mariano Rivera? Really, Joe?
2009
Go go Godzilla!