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The black armband worn by the New York Yankees is a tribute to a player who died during the season.
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The Yankees and the Black Armband
The New York Yankees are an iconic baseball team with a long and storied history. They’ve won 27 World Series titles, and 40 American League pennants. The team has been home to some of the greatest players to ever step on a baseball field. But there is one thing that sets the Yankees apart from other teams: their use of the black armband.
The Yankees and the Black Armband
The tradition of the black armband began in baseball shortly after the death of Baltimore Oriole’s star player, Robert Burns, in April of 1892. TheManager of the Orioles, Ned Hanlon, suggested that his team wear black armbands during their next game to honor their fallen teammate. The rival New York Giants observed the tribute and decided to do the same for their next game. The gesture quickly spread throughout the league and soon all Major League teams were wearing black armbands during games to mourn the loss of a player, coach, or other important figure in the game.
The Yankees have continued this tradition throughout their history, often times wearing black armbands to honor fallen members of their own organization as well as important figures in baseball history. Most recently, the team wore them during the 2020 season to honor Yankees legends Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford who passed away earlier that year.
The Yankees and the Black Armband
The Yankees are notorious for their more than 27 World Series Championships, but they also have a long-standing traditions and rivalries. One tradition that has caused much speculation is the black armband the team wears on their uniforms during Spring Training.
The black armband tradition started in 1976 when former manager Billy Martin had the team wear them in memory of former Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert who had passed away during the offseason. The team has continued to wear them every year since, usually during the first game or two of Spring Training.
There are many theories as to why the Yankees continue to wear the black armband to this day, even though it is no longer in memory of Ruppert. Some say it is in memory of former players who have passed away, such as Thurman Munson and Elston Howard. Others believe it is in memory of 9/11 victims, since many New Yorkers lost their lives that day.
Whatever the reason may be, the Yankees’ black armband tradition is one that has been around for over 40 years and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
The Black Armband and the Yankees
The black armband is a sign of respect and mourning. It is also a sign of remembrance. The black armband first became popular in the late 1800s as a way to show respect for those who had died. The armband became a symbol of mourning during the Civil War.
The Black Armband and the Yankees
On September 11, 2001, the New York Yankees were scheduled to play a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The game was postponed, as were all Major League Baseball games that day. In the wake of the terrorist attacks on America, the Yankees decided to wear black armbands on their sleeves for the remainder of the season to honor the victims.
The Black Armband and the Yankees
The black armband has been a part of the Yankees uniform since 2015. The armband is worn on the left sleeve to commemorate Yankees players, staff, and fans who have died.
The black armband is not worn on a regular basis, but rather on specific occasions such asOpening Day, Old-Timers’ Day, or when a player from the Yankees organization dies.
The black armband is also worn by members of the Yankees coaching staff.