Between holding the most World Series titles in Major League Baseball (MLB) and their continued rivalry with the Boston Red Socks, the New York Yankees are one of the most well-known teams in professional baseball.
The Yankees set a couple of big clothing trends since their founding in 1904—the first being pinstripes on uniforms during the 1912 season. Then, in 1929, they were the first club to add numbers to their jerseys. Unlike other teams, however, the Yankees have never added player names to jersey backs, nor have they ever displayed their uniform supplier’s logo anywhere on player uniforms. Throughout the team’s history, navy blue, white, and gray have been consistent color schemes, with white uniforms at home games, gray uniforms at road games, and navy caps at all games.
Although the Yankees haven’t deviated from traditional clothing over the years, they did sport 1912 replica uniforms in 2012, and they’ve worn specialty caps celebrating patriotic holidays. They’ve also added patches and commemoratives to their uniforms, particularly black armbands and jersey numbers in support of or in memory of players who are battling illnesses or have died.
Quick Facts
- The only instances the Yankees have worn anything other than official uniforms were in 1996, to celebrate Negro League baseball, and in 2012, to commemorate the club’s 100-year anniversary of playing ball since Fenway Park
- The interlocking N and Y in the Yankees logo first appeared in 1909 and has been used by the team ever since. It was designed by artist-designer Louis C. Tiffany
- Lou Gehrig’s 1928 World Championship wristwatch sold for $340,000 on an SCP Auction in 2014
