Top 250 Moments: Part 8, 75-51

by James Vletstra

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The Greatest Yankees Moments of All-Time!

The New York Yankees are rich in history. They celebrate their great history every year with Old Timers Day and other celebrations. Of course, the Yankees are also constantly adding to their history. In looking back over their long and successful history, there are countless moments that would be considered great.

I have ranked my top 250 Yankees moments.

Not all of these were accomplished by the Yankees, but they were at least involved. I will be releasing (in groups of 25) what I feel are the Top 250 Moments in Yankees history.

I hope you enjoy reliving each of these memories as much as I did putting them together. Feel free to share yours in the comments.

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THE TOP 250 MOMENTS IN YANKEES HISTORY: Part 8, 75-51

75. August 13, 2016 Rookies Go Back-to-Back

This came two weeks before Carlos Beltran, Andrew Miller, and Aroldis Chapman were traded. It was the night before was Alex Rodriguez last game. The Yankees were going with a youth movement. In the second inning against the Rays, Tyler Austin hit a home run in his first at bat. The very next batter was Aaron Judge, making his first at bat. He also homered, becoming the first pair of teammates to ever achieve this

74. October 9, 1961 Yankees Win 19th World Series

The Yanks beat the Reds in 5 games. This team was considered one of the most dominant in a generation. Whitey Ford was named WS MVP

73. August 25, 1996 Mickey Mantle Monument

Yankees icon Mickey Mantle passed away in 1995. He was a hero to millions of Baby Boomers growing up in the 50s and 60s. To celebrate his life, a monument was commemorated to him. It was the first Monument added in almost 50 years

72. July 9, 2011 Jeter 3000

Derek Jeter was already the Yankees all time hits leader. On this day, he went a perfect 5-5, including the game-winning hit in the 9th inning. His second hit of the day was career hit number 3000, a home run, making him the second player to reach the milestone in that manner. The first was former teammate Wade Boggs

71. September 21, 2008 Closing of Old Stadium

During a pre game ceremony, Derek Jeter addressed the fans and Babe Ruth’s daughter threw out the first pitch as the 85 year-old stadium closed its doors

70. September 30, 1956 Mantle Wins Triple Crown

Exactly 22 years after Gehrig won his Triple Crown, Mickey Mantle won his. He batted .353, hit 52 HRs, 130 RBIs and also led the league with 132 runs scored

69. October 5, 1949 Henrich Walks It Off

In Game 1 of the World Series, the Yankees were kept scoreless for the first 8 innings. Luckily for the Yankees Allie Reynolds threw a complete game 2 hit shutout. Old Reliable Tommy Henrich led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk off homer

68. October 8, 1927 Murderers Row Yankees Win Second World Series

The 1927 Yankees led the majors in almost every statistical category. Led by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, they won a record 110 games. Of course a team with this much firepower can only win one way… with a 3-0 series lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the game tied at 3 in the bottom of the 9th, Earle Combs scored the walk off winning run on a wild pitch

67. July 6, 1941. Gehrig Monument Dedicated

Just two years after his career was abruptly shut down because of ALS, Lou Gehrig passed away. The Yankees honored him with a Monument deep in left field

66. April 30, 2019 3000 for Sabathia

Yankees ace C C Sabathia struck out his 3,000th career batter against the Diamondbacks in Arizona

65. October 21, 1998 Yankees Win 24th title

The Yankees shutout the San Diego Padres to complete the sweep. It was their 125th overall victory. Scott Brosius was named WS MVP

64. October 14, 2000 Clemens Tosses Gem

In Game 4 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, Roger Clemens threw a complete game one-hitter. He also struck out 15 batters

63. April 25, 1999 Joe DiMaggio Day

Paul Simon played Mrs. Robinson in the Yankees Stadium outfield as the Yankees dedicated their 5th monument, this one to the Yankee Clipper

62. October 4, 1995 Stadium Never Louder

Don Mattingly played his entire career with the winningest team in sports history, yet somehow never reached the playoffs. That was until 1995. In Game 2, he hit his first career playoff homer and the fans applause shook the Stadium. In the bottom of the 15th, score tied at 5, Jim Leyritz hit a 2 run walk off homer that gave the Yankees a 2-0 series lead

61. August 4, 1985 Rizzuto Day

Phil Rizzuto is honored for his years in the Yankees organization. A plaque is presented, his number 10 is retired, and a “holy” cow is presented as a gift

60. October 8, 1960. Richardson Drives in 6

In a 10-0 Yankees win , Bobby Richardson drove in a World Series record 6 runs.

59. May 22, 1963 Mantle Hits façade

Mickey Mantle came to bat in the bottom of the 11th inning of a 7-7 tie with the Kansas City Athletics. He launched a deep home run that almost left the Stadium completely, as it hit the façade

58. October 3, 1947 Bevens Flirts With History

In Game 4 of the World Series, Bill Bevens threw 8 2/3 no hit innings against the Dodgers. Pinch Hitter Cookie Lavagetto’s base hit knocked in 2 to end the game

57. November 4, 2009 Matsui Matches Richardson

49 years after Richardson set the record, Hideki Matsui equaled it with 6 RBIs against the Phillies

56. July 21, 1984 Maris and Howard Honored

In a duel ceremony, the Yankees honored Elston Howard, posthumously, and Roger Maris. They both received plaques in Monument park. Additionally number 9 and 32 were retired, for Maris and Howard , respectively

55. September 25, 2014 Jeter Walks-Off Last Game

In classic story book ending style, Derek Jeter hit a walk off single in the bottom of the 9th, in his last career game at Yankees Stadium. The hit gave the Yankees a 6-5 win over the Orioles

54. April 27, 1947 Babe Ruth Day

Every stadium around MLB celebrated as Commissioner Happy Chandler declared it Babe Ruth Day

53. August 4, 2007 A-Rod 500

Alex Rodriguez became the youngest batter to hit 500 homers in a 16-8 victory over the Royals

52. May 30, 1932 Huggins Monument Dedicated

Miller Huggins was the Yankees Hall Of Fame manager for their first three championships. He passed away unexpectedly in 1929. They dedicated the very first monument to him, creating a tradition that has lasted over 90 years

51. May 14, 1967 Mantle Hits Number 500

With a solo home run against the Orioles, Mickey Mantle became the sixth player all time to hit 500 homers