The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers renewed their historic rivalry in the 2024 World Series, which marked their 12th meeting in postseason history.
New York won the first five head-to-head World Series meetings before Brooklyn broke through in 1955. The Yankees went into last year’s matchup 8-3 all-time against the Dodgers in the World Series. However, the Dodgers had been victorious when the teams last met in 1981.
The Dodgers wound up defeating the Yankees in the World Series once again, doing so in five games. That amounted to clinching the franchise’s eighth championship on the road at Yankee Stadium.
Part of the Dodgers’ World Series celebration included players singing Frank Sinatra’s famous ballad, “(Theme From) New York, New York,” which according to Bob Klapisch of NJ.com was the final impetus behind Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner deciding the song would no longer be played after a loss:
And that, as one member of the Yankees’ organization told me, was the last straw. Sinatra’s version of “New York, New York” would be forever retired as a post-loss soundtrack.
Actually, finding a new tune had been in the works for some time. Club officials felt Sinatra’s uplifting rendition was out of place in a somber ballpark.
Even though the song represents resilience, a we’ll-get-‘em-tomorrow vow for the fans, Hal Steinbrenner was already leaning towards Sinatra’s “That’s Life.” He considered that a more appropriate send-off for the ticket buyers.
After the Yankees lost a Spring Training game, this week, they played Sinatra’s “That’s Life” on the speakers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Yankees are expected to go through a rotation of songs following losses.
Former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner originally arranged for Sinatra’s “New York, New York” song to be played after home wins in 1980. The track was originally written by John Lander and Fred Ebb for Martin Scorsese’s 1977 musical of the same name.
Steinbrenner is said to have heard Sinatra’s version played at Le Club, a former Manhattan restaurant and disco, which prompted him to reach out to the beloved singer to receive permission to feature it after Yankees wins.
It’s believed Sinatra’s first official performance of “New York, New York” came during a 1978 show at Radio City Music Hall. Sinatra then recorded it to be featured on his “Trilogy: Past Present Future” album that released in 1980.
The change is a second notable development for the Yankees, who recently ended their ban on beards that had been enacted by Steinbrenner in 1976.
Dodgers, Yankees trade barbs
A war of words since the conclusion of the World Series spilled into Spring Training, with Brent Honeywell the latest to become involved as he offered a retort to Nestor Cortes claiming the Yankees were the superior team and should’ve won the championship.
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