Thursday, March 28, 2019

Number 1 Songs On Yankee Milestone Days

This list starts in 1940, the year that Billboard magazine first printed a list of the top songs of the week.

April 14, 1941, Phil Rizzuto's major league debut; still, on May 15, 1941, Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak starts; and still, on June 2, 1941, Lou Gehrig dies: "Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)," by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, sung by Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell.

July 2, 1941, DiMaggio extends his streak to 45 games to set a new record: "Maria Elena," again by Jimmy Dorsey, again with Eberly singing.

September 4, 1941, Pennant clinched: "Green Eyes (Auqellos Ojos Verdes)," again by Jimmy Dorsey, again with Eberly and O'Connell.

October 5, 1941, "The Mickey Owen Game," and October 6, 1941, World Series clinched: "Piano Concerto in B Flat," by Freddy Martin and His Orchestra.

October 11, 1943, World Series clinched: "Sunday, Monday or Always," by Bing Crosby and the Ken Darby Singers.

January 25, 1945, the heirs of Jacob Ruppert sell the Yankees to Del Webb, Dan Topping and Larry MacPhail: "Don't Fence Me In," by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters, with Vic Schoen and His Orchestra.

May 28, 1946, 1st night game at Yankee Stadium: "The Gypsy," by The Ink Spots.

September 22, 1946, Yogi Berra's major league debut: "To Each His Own," by The Ink Spots.

October 6, 1947, World Series clinched, Webb and Topping buy MacPhail out: "Near You," by Francis Craig and His Orchestra.

August 16, 1948, Babe Ruth dies: "You Call Everybody Darlin'," by Al Trace and His Orchestra.

April 19, 1949, Casey Stengel's 1st game as manager: "Cruising Down the River," by Russ Morgan and His Orchestra.

October 5, 1949, Tommy Henrich hits the 1st "walkoff" home run in World Series, history, and still, on October 9, 1949, World Series clinched: "That Lucky Old Sun," by Frankie Laine.

July 1, 1950, Whitey Ford's major league debut: "The Third Man Theme," by Anton Karas.

October 7, 1950, World Series clinched: "Goodnight, Irene," by Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers.

April 17, 1951, Mickey Mantle's major league debut, also Bob Sheppard's 1st game as Yankee Stadium public address announcer: "If," by Perry Como.

July 12, 1951, Allie Reynolds pitches a no-hitter: "Too Young," by Nat King Cole.

September 28, 1951, Reynolds' 2nd no-hitter of the season, and still, on October 10, 1951, World Series clinched, also DiMaggio's last game: "Because of You," by Tony Bennett.

December 11, 1951, DiMaggio announces his retirement: "Cold, Cold Heart," by Tony Bennett, a cover of a Hank Williams hit.

October 7, 1952, World Series clinched: "You Belong to Me," by Jo Stafford. This would be brought back as a doo-wop classic by The Duprees in 1962.

October 5, 1953, World Series clinched: "You, You, You," by The Ames Brothers.

November 17, 1954, Yankees make the biggest trade in baseball history, 18 players changing hands; among those going to the Baltimore Orioles, Gene Woodling and Gus Triandos; among those coming to the Yankees, Bob Turley and Don Larsen: "I Need You Now," by Eddie Fisher.

April 14, 1955, Elston Howard's major league debut, making him the 1st black player for the Yankees: "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," by Bill Hayes.

July 11, 1955 (cover date), Yogi Berra becomes the 1st Yankee to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine: "Rock Around the Clock," by Bill Haley & His Comets.

May 5 and 30, 1956, on both occasions, Mantle hits the "facade" (actually a "frieze") atop the upper deck in right field at Yankee Stadium: "Heartbreak Hotel," by Elvis Presley.

September 30, 1956, Mickey Mantle clinches the Triple Crown; October 8, 1956, Larsen pitches a perfect game in the World Series, and still, on October 10, 1956, World Series clinched: "Don't Be Cruel," backed with "Hound Dog," by Elvis Presley.

May 16, 1957, "The Copacabana Incident": "All Shook Up," by Elvis Presley.

October 9, 1958, World Series clinched: "It's All In the Game," by Tommy Edwards.

December 11, 1959, Yankees trade Larsen, Hank Bauer, Norm Siebern and Marv Throneberry to the Kansas City Athletics for for Roger Maris, Joe DeMaestri and Kent Hadley: "Mack the Knife," by Bobby Darin. The Bronx native's cover of the song from The Threepenny Opera remains the biggest-selling single in New York City history.

October 10, 1960, Yankees lose World Series on Bill Mazeroski's home run, also Stengel's last game as Yankee manager: "Save the Last Dance for Me," by The Drifters. An appropriate title.

October 1, 1961, Roger Maris hits his 61st home run of the season, and still, on October 9, 1961, World Series clinched: "Take Good Care of My Baby," by Bobby Vee.

October 16, 1962, World Series clinched: "Sherry", by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

September 28, 1963, Yogi Berra's last major league game: "Blue Velvet," by Bobby Vinton.

August 13, 1964, Webb and Topping sell most of the Yankees to CBS: "A Hard Day's Night," by The Beatles. (Webb and Topping would sell their remaining shares 2 years later.)

October, 10, 1964, Mickey Mantle hits a walkoff home run in Game 3 of the World Series, breaking Babe Ruth's record for most World Series homers: "Oh, Pretty Woman," by Roy Orbison.

May 14, 1967, Mickey Mantle hits his 500th career home run: "The Happening," by The Supremes. The lyrics were way out of context, but the title was spot on.

May 21, 1967, Whitey Ford's last major league game: "Groovin'," by The Rascals.

September 28, 1968, Mickey Mantle's major league game: "Hey Jude," by The Beatles.

June 8, 1969, Mickey Mantle Day: "Get Back," by The Beatles with Billy Preston.

August 8, 1969, Thurman Munson's major league debut: "In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)," by Zager & Evans.

March 22, 1972, Yankees trade Danny Cater and Mario Guerrero to the Boston Red Sox for Sparky Lyle: "Heart of Gold," by Neil Young.

November 27, 1972, Yankees trade John Ellis, Jerry Kenney, Charlie Spikes and Rusty Torres to the Cleveland Indians for Graig Nettles and Jerry Moses: "I Can See Clearly Now," by Johnny Nash.

January 3, 1973, George Steinbrenner buys the Yankees from CBS: "You're So Vain," by Carly Simon.

April 6, 1973, George Steinbrenner's 1st game as team owner: "The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia," by Vicki Lawrence.

September 30, 1973, the last game at the pre-renovation Yankee Stadium: "We're an American Band," by Grand Funk Railroad.

December 7, 1973, Yankees trade Lindy McDaniel to the Kansas City Royals for Lou Piniella and Ken Wright: "Top of the World," by The Carpenters. The title turned out to be off, as far as the Yankees were concerned, by 4 years.

April 26, 1974, Yankees trade Fritz Peterson, Steve Kline, Fred Beene and Tom Buskey to the Cleveland Indians for Chris Chambliss, Dick Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw: "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)," by MFSB and The Three Degrees.

October 22, 1974, Yankees trade Bobby Murcer to the San Francisco Giants for Bobby Bonds: "Nothing From Nothing," by Billy Preston.

December 31, 1974, the signing of Jim "Catfish" Hunter: "Angie Baby," by Helen Reddy.

December 11, 1975, Yankees trade Bonds to the California Angels for Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa; and Doc Medich to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Willie Randolph, Dock Ellis and Ken Brett: "Fly, Robin, Fly," by The Silver Convention.

April 15, 1976, reopening of Yankee Stadium: "Disco Lady," by Johnnie Taylor.

September 24, 1976, the Yankees clinch the American League Eastern Division for the 1st time: "Play That Funky Music," by Wild Cherry.

October 14, 1976, Chris Chambliss hits a Pennant-winning home run: "A Fifth of Beethoven," by Walter Murray & The Big Apple Band.

November 29, 1976, the signing of Reggie Jackson: "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)," by Rod Stewart.

June 18, 1977, the dugout argument between Reggie and Billy Martin: "Dreams," by Fleetwood Mac.

October 18, 1977, World Series clinched, thanks to Reggie Jackson hitting 3 home runs: "You Light Up My Life," by Debby Boone. The title was the right sentiment, but the song sure didn't fit the occasion!

May 27, 1978, my 1st game at Yankee Stadium: "With a Little Luck," by Paul McCartney & Wings. The Yankees didn't have much luck that day. Maybe it's a good thing they didn't use any, because they needed a lot of it later in the season.

September 7-10, 1978, the Boston Massacre series: "Boogie Oogie Oogie," by A Taste of Honey.

October 2, 1978, AL East Playoff, a.k.a. The Bucky Dent Game, and still, on October 17, 1978, World Series clinched: "Kiss You All Over," by Exile.

June 26, 1979, Yankees trade Paul Semall to the Chicago Cubs to regain Murcer: "Hot Stuff," by Donna Summer.

August 2, 1979, Thurman Munson dies: "Bad Girls," by Donna Summer.

October 25, 1981, Yankees lose World Series, also Reggie's last game with them: "Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do)," by Christopher Cross. Maybe Reggie and George got caught between the Moon and New York City.

September 8, 1982, Don Mattingly's major league debut: "Abracadabra," by The Steve Miller Band.

June 20, 1983, Murcer is released by the Yankees and moved into the broadcast booth, so that Mattingly can be called back up; and still on July 4, 1983, Dave Righetti's no-hitter: "Flashdance... What a Feeling," by Irene Cara.

July 21, 1988, Yankees trade Jay Buhner, Rick Balabon and Troy Evers to the Seattle Mariners for Ken Phelps: "The Flame," by Cheap Trick.

July 1, 1990, Andy Hawkins' no-hitter: "Step by Step," by New Kids On The Block.

July 30, 1990, George Steinbrenner banned from baseball for life (later commuted to 2 years), allowing Gene Michael to begin the rebuilding process: "She Ain't Worth It," by Glenn Medeiros featuring Bobby Brown.

November 3, 1992, Yankees trade Roberto Kelly to the Cincinnati Reds for Paul O'Neill: "End of the Road," by Boyz II Men.

September 4, 1993, Jim Abbott's no-hitter: "Can't Help Falling In Love," UB40's cover of the Elvis Presley classic.

April 29, 1995, Andy Pettitte's major league debut; May 23, 1995, Mariano Rivera's major league debut; and, still, May 29, 1995, Derek Jeter's major league debut: "This Is How We Do It," by Montell Jordan.

August 13, 1995, Mickey Mantle dies: "Waterfalls," by TLC.

September 4, 1995, Jorge Posada's major league debut: "You Are Not Alone," by Michael Jackson.

October 4, 1995, Jim Leyritz' 15th inning walkoff home run wins Game 2 of the ALDS; and still, on October 8, 1995, Yankees lose series in Game 5, also Mattingly's last game: "Fantasy," by Mariah Carey.

December 7, 1995, Yankees trade Sterling Hitchcock and Russ Davis to the Seattle Mariners for Tino Martinez, Jeff Nelson and Jim Mecir: "One Sweet Day," by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.

April 2, 1996, Joe Torre's debut as Yankee manager, also Tino Martinez' Yankee debut: "Because You Loved Me," by Celine Dion.

May 14, 1996, Dwight Gooden's no-hitter: "Always Be My Baby," by Mariah Carey.

October 26, 1996, World Series clinched: "Macarena," by Los Del Rio.

June 16, 1997, 1st regular-season game between the Yankees and the Mets: "I'll Be Missing You," by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112, a ripoff of "Every Breath You Take," by The Police.

May 17, 1998, David Wells' perfect game: "Too Close," by Next.

October 21, 1998, World Series clinched: "One Week," by Barenaked Ladies.

March 8, 1999, Joe DiMaggio dies: "Angel of Mine," by Monica. Somehow, I don't think she was talking about the Yankee Clipper.

July 18, 1999, David Cone's perfect game: "Bills, Bills, Bills," by Destiny's Child.

October 27, 1999, World Series clinched: "Smooth," by Santana featuring Rob Thomas.

October 26, 2000, World Series clinched: "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)," by Christina Aguilera.

October 13, 2001, Derek Jeter's "Flip Play": "Fallin'," by Alicia Keys.

November 4, 2001, Yankees lose World Series, also the last game for Paul O'Neill: "Family Affair," by Mary J. Blige.

October 16, 2003, Aaron Boone hits a Pennant-winning home run: "Baby Boy," by Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul.

February 15, 2004, Yankees trade Alfonso Soriano to the Texas Rangers for Alex Rodriguez: "The Way You Move," by OutKast featuring Sleepy Brown.

October 20, 2004, Yankees eliminated from Playoffs, ending "The Curse of the Bambino": "Goodies," by Ciara featuring Petey Pablo.

August 4, 2007, Alex Rodriguez' 500th home run: "Hey There Deliliah," by Plain White T's.

September 5, 2007, Bob Sheppard's last game as public address announcer: "Big Girls Don't Cry," by Fergie. Of course, the Black Eyed Peas frontwoman hit Number 1 with a very different song from the Four Seasons' 1962 Number 1 hit of the same title.

October 8, 2007, Joe Torre's last game as Yankee manager: "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," by Soulja Boy Tell 'Em.

September 21, 2008, last game at old Yankee Stadium: "Whatever You Like," by T.I. Losing the old Stadium was not what I liked.

April 16, 2009, 1st game at new Yankee Stadium: "Boom Boom Pow," by The Black Eyed Peas.

November 4, 2009, World Series clinched, also Hideki Matsui's last game with the Yankees: "Fireflies," by Owl City.

July 13, 2010, George Steinbrenner dies: "California Gurls," by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg. The Beach Boys' very different song "California Girls" hit Number 3 in 1965.

August 4, 2010, Alex Rodriguez' 600th home run: "Love the Way You Lie," by Eminem featuring Rihanna.

July 9, 2011, Derek Jeter hits a home run for his 3,000th career hit: "Give Me Everything," by Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer.

September 26, 2013, Mariano Rivera's last game: "Roar," by Katy Perry.

September 28, 2014, Derek Jeter's last game: "All About That Bass," by Meghan Trainor.

June 19, 2015, Alex Rodriguez hits a home run for his 3,000th career hit: "See You Again," by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth.

July 25, 2016, Yankees trade Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for Gleyber Torres, Adam Warren, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford: "One Dance," by Drake feauring Wizkid and Kyla.

August 12, 2016, Alex Rodriguez' last game; and, the next day, August 13, 2016, Aaron Judge's major league debut: "Cheap Thrills," by Sia featuring Sean Paul.

March 29, 2018, Giancarlo Stanton's Yankee debut: "God's Plan," by Drake. Having Stanton on the Yankees may have been Brian Cashman's plan, but I don't think God had anything to do with it.

March 28, 2019, the start of a new season: "Sucker," by The Jonas Brothers. Nick marrying Indian-American actress Priyanka Chopra, and Joe being with Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner, seems to have helped their music careers. (Kevin's wife, Danielle DeDeleasa, was not famous in her own right when they got together.) (Update: Joe and Sophie divorced in 2024.)

UPDATE:

September 19, 2019, clinching an AL East title: "Truth Hurts," by Lizzo. The Yankees have won 1 World Series in 19 years, 1 Pennant in 16 years, and until this night, hadn't won even a Division title in 7 years. Those truths hurt.

October 17, 2019, Game 4 of the ALCS, CC Sabathia's last game; also, October 19, 2019, Game 6 of the ALCS, the Jose Altuve Game: "Highest In the Room," by Travis Scott.

October 4, 2022, Aaron Judge hits his 62nd home run of the season: "As It Was" by Harry Styles.

June 28, 2023, Domingo Germán's perfect game: "Last Night" by Morgan Wallen.

March 28, 2024, Juan Soto's Yankee Debut: "Like That," by Future, a.k.a. Nayvadius DeMun Cash, a.k.a. the man too horny to not cheat on Ciara and let her get away to Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson.

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