Ranking all 27 of the New York Yankees’ World Series championships

Anybody tired yet of New York Yankees fans yelling, “27 rings!”? Well, then, you’re probably not the target audience for the next 3,500 words. Enjoy your tea party!

(Eds. Note: Our good friend and colleague Gabrielle Starr would like you all to know it’s actually 26 rings and a pocket watch, given to the Bombers for their 1923 World Series win. But she’s a Red Sox fan, so that’s the last time you’ll be hearing from her!)

There’s no franchise with as much glory and bombast as the Yankees, who’ve won in every generation and are currently in the midst of one of their saddest downturns, going 12 whole years without a title. 12! Embarrassing for us!

With the offseason as frozen as Brian Cashman in a sleeping bag, there’s no better time to go down memory lane. Sure, every World Series win is great, but which are the best of the best?

Several things can make a title run “great.” Adversity faced en route to a ring? Quality of opponents? Memorable moments? Drought-breaking? The choice is yours.

Well, in this case, the choice is actually mine, but you get it. I tried to weigh all factors.

We’re reserving the No. 1 spot for Title No. 28, whenever it comes, because the recency bias is going to make it feel so, so good. Other than that, though, what follows is an exhausting ranking of New York’s famous 27 rings (fine, Gabrielle, 26).

Brag away! Invaluable information found here.

Ranking all the New York Yankees’ 27 World Series rings

27. 1938 World Series, Yankees def. Cubs 4-0

With all due respect to losing starters Bill Lee (twice, and no, not that one), a washed Dizzy Dean, and Clay Bryant (relieved by Jack Russell, because there ain’t no rule that says a dog can’t pitch mop-up work in the World Series), the 1938 Chicago Cubs were no match for these Yankees.

26. 1939 World Series, Yankees def. Reds 4-0

The Yankees walked off Paul Derringer in Game 1, as both starters went all nine innings and Red Ruffing got the 2-1 win. After that, though? 4-0, 7-3, 7-4. About as dull as a title gets, and clearly the two back-to-back seasons where the NL was least competitive. Paul Derringer?

25. 1950 World Series, Yankees def. Phillies 4-0

Not all sweeps are built equally, but they’re certainly duller than a seven-game barnburner. The Whiz Kids were among the weirdest opponents the Yankees have ever faced in the series, and their ace Robin Roberts was unable to start Game 1 after he was overused down the stretch in an effort to secure the NL Pennant in the first place. Roberts was great in Game 2, but 33-year-old relief ace Jim Konstanty made his first start of the entire season in Game 1. Kevin Cash just drooled reading this section. Yanks won 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 5-2. No offense, no back-and-forth, weird year.

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24. 1928 World Series, Yankees def. Cardinals 4-0

Bonus points for being the Murderers’ Row-era Yankees, points deducted for being extremely non-competitive. 4-1, 9-3, 7-3, 7-3, and the Yanks whomped future Hall of Famers Grover Cleveland Alexander and Jesse Haines in Games 2 and 3. Revenge was exacted for St. Louis’ 1926 Series win over New York, which ended with Babe Ruth being caught stealing. If that happened today, Yankees Twitter would’ve littered the West Side Highway with shattered LCD screens. They’d be like, “What is Babe Ruth doing on the field?!”

23. 1937 World Series, Yankees def. Giants 4-1

Sorry to keep harping on this era of Yankees baseball, but the Bombers (propelled by a young Joe D) were definitely beginning to get a little too good at this juncture. Their second of four straight titles opened with two 8-1 wins and a 5-1 win; up 3-0, they lost a gimme game. Borderline sweep, has an argument to be moved even further back. Lou Gehrig homered, Joe DiMaggio homered, Myril Hoag homered. The three guys that everyone knows!

22. 1999 World Series, Yankees def. Braves 4-0

Ooooh! It’s one you remember! But … why, exactly? The most forgotten title in the modern dynasty, the Yankees earned Team of the Century honors, and at the time, it felt like they were … battling the … Braves for the honor? Remember that framing? What was that? This sweep was tight at times, with the Yankees kicking John Rocker’s ass in Game 1 to secure a 4-1, come-from-behind victory, then evening up a 5-3 contest in Game 3, leading to a walk-off by (REDACTED) Curtis. Maybe his prominence bumps this one down a few spots, too.

21. 1943 World Series, Yankees def. Cardinals 4-1

Prior to 1942, the Yankees hadn’t lost a World Series since the Cardinals did it to ’em in ’26 … and then they did it again. In 1943, New York exacted their revenge without Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto and Red Ruffing, all of whom were serving their country. Two undermanned teams played five games, and manager Joe McCarthy earned the final title of his Hall of Fame career.

20. 1949 World Series, Yankees def. Dodgers 4-1

This is Casey Stengel’s first World Series title, and is marked by a Tommy Henrich walk-off homer in a 1-0 Game 1 victory over Don Newcombe, then by a strange Game 3 featuring a three-run, ninth-inning rally off Ralph Branca followed by a near-choke, as Roy Campanella and Luis Olmo both homered in the bottom half of the inning … though it ended 4-3, Bombers. Some flashy bonus points, but a 4-1 series win nonetheless.

19. 1941 World Series, Yankees def. Dodgers 4-1

Much tighter than it seems, this series turned on Yankees pitcher Marius Russo ripping a line drive off Brooklyn starter Freddie Fitzsimmons, knocking him out of Game 3. Up 2-1 in the series after a late rally, the Yanks seemed on the verge of trouble in Game 4, too, down 4-3 in the ninth with nobody on and two out … when Dodgers catcher Mickey Owen dropped a third strike, opening the floodgates and igniting a four-run rally. 80 years later, karma repaid the Yankees, though, by inventing Gary Sánchez.

18. 1927 World Series, Yankees def. Pirates 4-0

Sorry, 1927 Yankees. I can only move you so far up the list for being the 1927 Yankees. Probably overrated you a little bit as it is, anyway. The greatest lineup ever assembled faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates, led by brothers Paul Waner (Big Poison) and Lloyd Waner (Little Poison). The Yankees used the antidote, and it was super effective; they won 5-4, 6-2, 8-1, and capped it with a 4-3 walk-off. Babe Ruth hit the only homers of the series; he went yard twice.

17. 1932 World Series, Yankees def. Cubs 4-0

Bonus points for Babe Ruth reportedly calling his shot against Cubs starter Charlie Root in Game 3 at Wrigley, though some believe he was actually just using his bat to point out a drunk Wrigleyville partier puking outside the Cubby Bear. Yankees win 12-6, 5-2, 7-5, 13-6. Over the years, the Game 3 attendance has swelled to a reported 450,000 of your grandpas.

16. 1961 World Series, Yankees def. Reds 4-1

Again, historic Yankee teams get a little boost, and capping the Mantle/Maris home run race with a title earns this year a distinction, despite the overall snooziness of the five-gamer. New York shook off the Bill Mazeroski homer that ended their 1960 season by rattling off three wins in a row to clinch this series, coming back from 2-1 down in the eighth to win Game 3 3-2, then whomping Cincy 7-0 and 13-5 to clinch it. Maris homered once in the series and Mantle didn’t, FWIW.

15. 1998 World Series, Yankees def. Padres 4-0

We’re getting to the point where you want to be angry, but … can you really be that angry? We’re comparing Yankees World Series wins here! The 15th-best is still pretty great, and the coronation of modern baseball’s greatest team counts. The Yanks swept the Pads, Game 1 was extremely tight until Tino Martinez’s grand slam changed everything, Scott Brosius was your MVP after a dinger off Trevor Hoffman that flipped Game 3, and Mo closed it out with a signature leap. Not as easy as it should’ve been, but never a doubt. Also, bonus points for shaking off a 2-1 deficit to Cleveland the previous round — and the year after they knocked off the ’97 Yanks. Unspoken fortitude.

14. 2000 World Series, Yankees def. Mets 4-1

How is the Subway Series so low?! Because every series was a Subway Series in the golden era, and the Yankees won their fourth title in five years fairly handily. Timo Perez’s terrible hustle, Paul O’Neill’s walk against Armando Benitez, Jose Vizcaino’s improbable walk-off, Derek Jeter’s leadoff dinger to set the tone at Shea, George Steinbrenner bringing his own chairs across town because he hated the Mets, David Cone’s relief appearance, Mike Piazza’s final fly … OK, that’s a lot of moments for No. 14, actually. Peace out, Mets.

13. 1951 World Series, Yankees def. Giants 4-2

Fresh off the Shot Heard ‘Round the World, a young Willie Mays and the Giants gave America the Womp Heard ‘Round the World. Leo Durocher’s energetic ballclub hit Allie Reynolds around and took a 1-0 series lead on the road, then beat Vic Raschi at the Polo Grounds to make it a 2-1 advantage. From there, though, the Yanks did what they do, winning 6-2, 13-1 and 4-3, holding off a ninth-inning rally to secure the ring.

12. 1936 World Series, Yankees def. Giants 4-2

Breaking a moderate (at the time) four-year AL Pennant drought, Carl Hubbell gave the Yanks a rude awakening by dominating them in Game 1. Luckily, New York (AL) rattled off three straight wins to take command of the series before dropping Game 5 in the 10th inning to Hal Schumacher. With their backs somewhat against the wall, the Bombers won Game 6 13-5, propelled by the biggest exhale of all time: a seven-run ninth. Dropping the opener, winning three, losing, then winning a blowout … the 1936 series was basically 2009, but with no Polio vaccine.

11. 1978 World Series, Yankees def. Dodgers 4-2

This one was more about the journey than the goal; fans will always remember tracking down the Red Sox, erasing a 14-game deficit, and sending them packing with Bucky Dent’s home run. The second title in a back-to-back is always slightly less memorable, and the Yankees clinched it on the road at Dodger Stadium. Credit where credit’s due, though. The Dodgers absolutely thought they had this one in the bag heading to the Bronx up 2-0, only to lose three straight at Yankee Stadium and Game 6 back in Hollyweird. In Game 4, Reggie Jackson cued a Yankee victory by sticking his left hip into an incoming baseball, causing Tommy Lasorda to spew manicotti all over the first base umpire.

10. 1923 World Series, Yankees def. Giants 4-2

You never forget your first! The Yankees shook off the Highlanders Curse and earned themselves a shiny new pocket watch (he remembered!) by beating John McGraw’s Giants after falling to them the two previous seasons. In 1921, they lost an eight-game World Series 5-3, and in 1922, they fell 4-0 but also tied once? Normal stuff. This series began with future Yankee legend Casey Stengel beating the Bombers by breaking a 4-4 tie with an inside-the-park home run in Game 1. Old-timey baseball was just the best.

Counting 9-to-5, what a way to make a ranking!

9. 1953 World Series, Yankees def. Dodgers 4-2

The second Yankees-Dodgers series in a row, a repetitive matchup by this point, did not fail to deliver. This back-and-forth affair featured Billy Martin crushing an early three-run triple in the opener, the Yankees blowing a 2-0 series lead thanks to Dodgers ace Carl Erskine stealing the momentum in Game 3 followed by Whitey Ford getting crushed (a rarity) in Game 4, and the Bombers bats breaking out in an 11-7 Game 5 win to stop the bleeding. After Brooklyn roared back to tie Game 6 in the ninth 3-3, Billy Martin scampered home with the series-winning run in the bottom half.

8. 2009 World Series, Yankees def. Phillies 4-2

Nine-year droughts feel even longer in the modern age. While we’ve all got plenty of bells, whistles and Tamagotchis to distract us from baseball season — as opposed to those 1940s simpletons, who I assume stared into a bowl of cream of wheat until April — this current generation grew up in the dynastic ’90s, and anything short of a ring feels like a catastrophic failure. Embarrassingly enough … where would we all be, mentally, right now if not for Alex Rodriguez? And Hideki Matsui? And CC Sabathia? And the absence of Cliff Lee in Game 6? Not a very good place. Add in the twists, turns, Johnny Damon taking the empty third base, and the Pedro Martinez of it all, and you’ve got yourself an instant classic that’s only grown more meaningful in the 12 ringless years since.

Yeah, we’re Yankee fans, this would be an embarrassing paragraph for a Cleveland fan to write, get over it.

7. 1977 World Series, Yankees def. Dodgers 4-2

Speaking of breaking droughts, the 1977 Yankees won the franchise’s first title since 1962 in grand fashion, reigniting their historic rivalry with the Dodgers. In fact, the series was delayed nine days because the Yankees foolishly tried to take a Subway to Los Angeles. Paul Blair walked off the Dodgers in Game 1 in the 12th inning, but this series’ enduring moment came from Reggie Jackson, who homered three times off three different pitchers in the clinching Game 6. Thurman Munson may have been the straw that actually stirred the drink, but Jackson lived up to the name on the marquee in history’s clearest example of a Signature Yankee Moment. It’s why No. 44 is retired, plain and simple.

6. 1952 World Series, Yankees def. Dodgers 4-3

Down three games to two, with Brooklyn finally on the verge of earning that elusive title and inner-city bragging rights, the Yankees got off the mat yet again. Of course they did. Brooklyn’s 11-inning Game 5 victory (Carl Erskine went all 11!) stole none of the momentum, and Yogi Berra (7th) and Mickey Mantle (8th) late homers propelled New York to a Game 6 win. Billy Martin’s spectacular diving catch on a popup no one saw in the eighth inning of Game 7 halted a Dodgers rally, and the Yankees edged past Brooklyn again 3-2. Eddie Lopat, battling shoulder issues all year long, started and won that game, the rough equivalent of Gerrit Cole actually looking good on a bum hammy in the Wild Card Game at Fenway.

5. 1947 World Series, Yankees def. Dodgers 4-3

The Yankees sent the Dodgers to 0-4 in World Series play with this triumph in Jackie Robinson’s color barrier-breaking rookie year, which mattered quite a bit more than the on-field action. Game 7 was a 5-2 New York victory, but this series is especially memorable for Game 4, which featured unheralded Yankees starter Bill Bevens throwing 8.2 innings of no-hit baseball, one out away from the first-ever World Series no-no. Alas, Cookie Lavagetto lined the second pitch he saw for a double … which knocked in two runs, winning the game for the Dodgers (Carl Furillo had walked, the Yanks intentionally walked Pete Reiser). Bevens walked 10 in the game. There had been nobody on and two outs. What … an historic gut punch.

The Yankees being the Yankees, though, they somehow got off the mat and recovered, winning Game 5 2-1 and then the series in seven. They also overcame Al Gionfriddo’s famed racing catch in the corner on Joe DiMaggio, which came in Game 6! No wonder the old timers are so spoiled.