I know there are a lot of folks out there who despise the New York Yankees and there are many folks who will say ‘boo-hoo’ anytime I talk about their history over my lifetime. I have been a Yankees fan since I was about 5 years old. In other words, 1965. In other words, unlike those who grew up with the Yankees of the classic 1930s through the early 1960s, I spent most of my life rooting for a losing team.
I didn’t see a Yankees World Series Championship until the back-to-back wins over the LA Dodgers in 1977-1978. After that, despite George Steinbrenner’s massive bankroll, the Yanks didn’t win another championship until 1996, which began their magical run through 2001, based mostly on homegrown talent (with the addition of many terrific trades and free agents).
They’ve not been to the Series in 15 years (they last won in 2009). And for the record, they don’t even have the highest MLB team salary. That distinction goes to the Mets. While there is certainly a correlation between money spent and championships won, money spent is no guarantee of success.
In 2024 salary rankings of the 30 Major League Baseball franchises, the five top-salaried teams that outspent their rivals were all contenders in this year’s MLB playoffs: Mets (#1), Yanks (#2), Astros (#3), Phillies (#4), and Dodgers (#5). But other teams ranked much lower in the salary department were also contenders, including the Padres (#15), Brewers (#21), Orioles (#22), and Tigers (#26).*
Of course, there was a time prior to free agency that great players weren’t capable of earning the salaries they now collect.
Either way, win or lose, I’m still a die-hard Yankees fan! Go Yanks!
* Stats on 2024 MLB Team salaries can be found here.
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