'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQF/8QAIBAAAgIBBAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAAFBhESISJRYf/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIS/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCqPblStIa9jTVF+SZ44lectFP6dkdyPIAXj97L8OZku1dmxyugg1QBSRwLB4xjKZgen//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Playing Frank Sinatra's "(Theme From) New York, New York" after every Yankees game as the fans exit the stadium, regardless of whether the team loses or wins, has been a tradition. On 23 February 2025, however, it was announced that the New York Yankees would only play the song after the home victories.
According to multiple reports, the team will be rotating through different songs (excluding New York, New York) in case of the team's defeat at Yankee Stadium, rather than sticking to just one song. On Sunday, February 23, after they lost to the Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field in a spring training exhibition, Sinatra’s That’s Life was played in the stadium.
According to BVM Sports, the Yankees started playing Sinatra's rendition of the song after their victories in 1980 and later started playing it after all Yankees games.
The report also suggests that the possible cause for this decision is dissatisfaction among staff and players on having to celebrate even their team's defeat with the song. Along with the change of the tune played after a game, the Yankees are also bringing in some other rule changes, for instance, they are also lifting the ban on beards.
History of Sinatra's 'Newyork, Newyork' theme song and New York Yankees
Though now it is a habit for fans who have seen the New York Yankees play at the Yankees Stadium to listen to Frank Sinatra's Theme From New York, New York, was it always the case? Let us take a look.
The song, often referred to as just New York, New York, was sung by Liza Minnelli and was played during the climax of Martin Scorsese's musical film New York, New York (1977). The version used by the Yankees was covered by Frank Sinatra in the year 1979.
According to multiple reports, Sinatra's popular New York, New York became the anthem for the Yankees because of George M. Steinbrenner, owner of the Yankees from 1973 to 2010, who reportedly heard about the song from a disc jockey at Le Club.
According to an MLB article, Steinbrenner "adored the bright refrains" of the song and especially the lines: “King of the hill, top of the heap, A number one.”
Trending
It is further reported that Steinbrenner was so taken to the music that he made a tape of the song with the help of the disc jockey and played it in an empty Yankee Stadium.
After loving how it sounded, Steinbrenner is said to have written a letter to Frank Sinatra's representatives for permission to play the song as the game concluded and fans left. He received a reply from Sinatra expressing his delight in having his song played at the stadium. That is reportedly how the longstanding tradition was born.
Your perspective matters!
Start the conversation
