As Major League Baseball (MLB) teams fought hard all season to obtain a ticket to the postseason, the New York Yankees secured their place long with an American League title. With eight teams getting to play in the American League Division Series (ALDS), four teams advancing to the American League Championship Series (ALCS), and two making it to the 2024 World Series, the Yankees made it all the way to the end, exemplifying a historic season.
With record of 94-68 in the 2024 season, the Yankees used this year to prove their talent after going 82-80 in the 2023 season. Known as the Yankees’ “most miserable season in 30 years”, the 2023 season posed the Yankees with adversity by facing many injuries that contributed to their record, according to The New York Times. By July 9, 2023, the Yankees learned that their team would not enter the postseason for the first time since 2016, according to champsorchumps.us. Mr. Aaron Judge, Captain of the Yankees, discussed his view on the team’s 2023 season and what contributed to it.
“I think what it came down to was just getting hit with a couple of big injuries at the wrong time,” Mr. Judge said, according to The New York Times. “Not really [being] able to capitalize or have some depth at the time to cover those needs, it’s tough.”
The Yankees made many adjustments, including coaching changes and trades of players during the 2023 offseason. The Yankees knew their team was going to develop in the 2024 season. Mr. Brian Cashman, General Manager of the New York Yankees, emphasized the strength the Yankees holds and encouraged the fans to continue to believe in them.
“Don’t count us out, don’t give up on us,” Mr. Cashman said, according to The New York Times. “This is a championship-caliber operation.”
Coaches, managers, and players’ hopeful statements proved successful in the 2024 season, as the Yankees achieved a record of 94-68, and won the American League title. Winning an American League title was a step in the right direction for the Yankees, as they strived for their 28th World Series title. Mr. Aaron Boone, Manager of the New York Yankees, talked about the positive change he has seen this year within the team and how their team chemistry has flourished this season.
“I feel like we’re as complete as we’ve been at any time this year, or maybe even while I’ve been here,” Mr. Boone said. “We know we had to play well down the stretch to put ourselves in position to win a division, but still, it’s baseball.”
The team picked each other up and used the 2023 season as fuel to prove to the public that they had the grit and depth to be successful. Since September 1, the Yankees had the fifth best record in the MLB, and by the end of the season, the third best record, according to The New York Times.
The Yankees are one of the largest franchises in all of MLB and have won 27 World Series titles, which is the most in the MLB, according to nbcnewyork.com. The Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS, which led them to the ALCS, where they defeated the Cleveland Guardians in game five. With that, the Yankees advanced to the World Series for the first time since 2009, demonstrating a historic season, according to champsorchumps.us.
The Yankees started the World Series with two losses in Los Angeles, California, and one more in New York City, New York, as the Dodgers took a 3-0 lead, needing one win more to win it all. In game four, the Yankees had a historic win, beating the Dodgers 11-4, and giving them a chance to stay in the series, according to espn.com. However, that win for the Yankees was not enough and the Dodgers came back with a win in game five to defeat the Yankees in the 2024 World Series, robbing the team of their 28th title, according to champsorchumps.us. Mr. Boone shared his hope that they could have came back next season to secure the another title.
“You get that close, it’s heartbreaking.” Mr. Boone said. “The ending is cruel, it always is. I haven’t had that feeling of celebrating and going home.”
Featured Image by Bella Boone ’27
