New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are not only the greatest franchise in the history of baseball, but all of sports.  Since 1923 when the Bronx Bombers moved into Yankee Stadium - the ultimate shrine to baseball - this extraordinary ball club has won 39 American League pennants and 26 World Series championships.

One of only four franchises in baseball annals to claim at least three consecutive World Championships, the Yankees have done it three times.  From 1949 through 1953, the Yankees rattled off an unprecedented five straight World Series championships, and beginning in 1955, the New Yorkers captured nine A.L. flags in a 10-year span.  Success continued throughout the century, with the Yankees earning four World Series crowns from 1996 through 2000.

Selecting the best teams among the many remarkable squads wearing pinstripes through the years is a difficult task, but those that come to mind immediately are the 1927, 1961 and 1998 clubs.  The 1927 team, featuring Babe Ruth's 60 home runs, Lou Gehrig's 175 RBIs and Waite Hoyt's 22 wins, is considered by most baseball experts as the greatest in history.  Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle combined for an amazing 115 home runs and Whitey Ford chalked up 25 wins for the magnificent 1961 team, while Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and David Cone drove the 1998 squad to a mind-boggling 114 regular-season victories.

Other superstars who have thrilled the faithful at the House That Ruth Built over the decades include pitcher Carl Mays, who posted 27 wins during the Yanks' first pennant year of 1921; center fielder Joe DiMaggio, whose brilliance led to the team's dominance in the 1940s; Yogi Berra, who claimed three A.L. Most Valuable Player awards in the 1950s; and Reggie Jackson, whose three home runs on three consecutive pitches in the decisive game of the 1977 World Series are legendary.  Even some Yankees managers are renown, including Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy, Casey Stengel and current skipper Joe Torre.

Through 2004, the New Yorkers have qualified for post-season play in 10 consecutive years.  And there seems to be no slowing down this incredible juggernaut.

The Highland Mint produces a vast array of products licensed by MLB for all 30 teams. Included are PhotoMints, Coins, Coin Cards, Etched Acrylics, Ornaments, Keychains, and framed tickets, coins and lineup cards. Selected PhotoMints include game-used items, including pieces of jerseys, bases and on-deck circles.