This Day in Yankees History: Yankees win first live-streamed MLB game

Welcome to the relaunched This Day in Yankees History. Even with the start of the 2020 season, the Pinstripe Alley team has decided to continue the revived program in its new format. These daily posts will highlight two or three key moments in Yankees history on a given date, as well as recognize players born on the day. Hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with us!

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This Day in Yankees History (August 26)

29 Years Ago

The Yankees give a $1.55 million contract to first overall pick Brien Taylor, at the time the highest contract ever given to an amateur baseball player. Originally offered a $300,000 contract, typical for the time, Taylor was advised by Scott Boras to hold out for a better contract. The Yankees ultimately gave in, much to the chagrin of suspended owner George Steinbrenner.

23 Years Ago

The Yankees knock in 22 runs off 18 hits off the Oakland Athletics, thanks in part to an eight-run fifth and six-run seventh. Joe Girardi and Rey Sanchez, the eighth and ninth batters in the order, have four hits apiece as Andy Pettitte gets the win after throwing seven innings of one-run ball.

One of the two Oakland pitchers to not give up a run in the game was future Yankee Aaron Small, famous among Yankee fans for his dominating stretch in 2005.

18 Years Ago

Approximately 30,000 fans go to MLB.com to see the first ever live-streamed Major League Baseball game, as the Yankees defeat the Rangers 10-3. With a solo home run in the fourth inning, Alfonso Soriano sets a team record for most home runs by a second baseman, breaking the previous mark of 30 set in 1940 by Joe Gordon. Additionally, Derek Jeter becomes only the third player to score 100 runs in his first seven seasons, joining Ted Williams and Earle Combs.

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We thank Baseball-Reference, Nationalpastime.com, and FanGraphs for providing background information for these posts.