The Yankees stand as a beacon of success, commanding respect and admiration throughout the baseball world. Yet, even the mighty have faced moments of whimsy and absurdity.
I’ll be your guide today on a rollercoaster ride through some of the 10 weirdest games and moments in the team’s history. We’ll peel back the layers of this baseball powerhouse as we relive the downright peculiar moments that have etched themselves into the saga of the New York Yankees. As I dive into these quirky tales, it’s not just about reliving the moments but exploring how they shape our love for the game.
Note that the selections are personal choices. Though I have comb through dungeons and dozens of games, while also revisiting in my mind’s eye those that I remember from my viewing in the past. It seems like, with the Yankees, there’s often been something intriguing around the corner. So here are these quirky and unexpected moments that have defined one of sport’s most storied franchises.
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1) Reggie Candy Bars Rain on Yankee Stadium (April 13, 1978)
The year was 1978, and iconic season when the Yankees would win the World Series against the Dodgers. In a riveting game, Jackson stepped up to the plate, the crowd erupted in cheers, chanting “Reg-gie! Reg-gie!” This jubilation climaxed with fans showering the field with candy bars–the famed “Reggie Bar.” Thousands of these specially named treats descended from the stands in a moment of collective celebration, creating a surreal scene of candy raining down. Initially unsure of the intent behind this sweet spectacle, Reggie soon realized it was a heartfelt tribute from his adoring fans. This unexpected episode is one of the most bizarre, though it pales in comparison to our next entry in the list, which also involves the legendary Reggie Jackson…
2) Babe Ruth is Tossed as Pitcher From Game After First Batter, His Replacement Retires Rest of Batters for a No-Hitter (June 23, 1917)
This game is undoubtedly one of the weirdest moments in Yankee history. Ruth, pitching for the Boston Red Sox, got into an argument with the umpire after he faced his first batter, and was ejected. He was replaced by Ernie Shore. Shore went on to retire 26 batters, securing what was initially thought of as a perfect game. Under MLB rules, even though Shore had retired all of the batters he faced, it did not qualify for a perfect game as Ruth had walked the first batter. Shore’s flawless performance didn’t meet the criteria for a perfect game under MLB rules since Ruth had walked the first batter, so instead it’s remembered as a no-hitter.
3) Deion Sanders Hits an Inside-the-Park Home Run and Bo Jackson Blasts Three Home Runs in Same Game (July 17, 1990)
In this game, Bo Jackson hit three home runs, and Deion Sanders, the two-sport athlete baseball and football, had an incredible inside the park home run. Fans present at that game were treated to a true gem. You’ll have to watch that game to believe that such an event was possible. Sanders is an incredible athlete whom I enjoyed watching during his years as a baseball player, and though I’m much less familiar with the sport of football, I do appreciate it from time to time and am well aware of Sanders achievements and that game as well.
4) Wade Boggs Pitches (August 19, 1997)
Trailing 12-4 against the Angels, Wade Boggs made his pitching debut for the New York Yankees, seizing the opportunity to showcase his knuckleball. Despite some early struggles, he regained control and managed to secure two groundouts and a strikeout, leaving a lasting impression. Two years later, at the age of 41 and then with the Devil Rays, Boggs took the mound once more but couldn’t recreate the magic. But I think any Yankee or baseball find will find Boggs’ pitching effort interesting if not hilarious.
5) Andy Hawkins Pitches No-Hitter and Loses Game (July 1, 1990)
I remember watching this weird game on TV that July afternoon. Andy Hawkins was pitching a no-hitter. I had actually stumbled upon it accidentally when I turned on the TV and channel surf for a while. Soon after I happened upon the live telecast I saw the first run score. It was on a Yankee error that allowed the White Sox to score a run and put them ahead 1-0 going into the 9th, but Hawkins still had his no-hitter. And it is an amazing accomplishment, no doubt, it’s just a Twilight Zonish moment with a bit of comedy. In the dugout, after the White Sox score their run, Hawkins walks back to the dugout and is congratulated. Since the White Sox never batted in the 9th, as the Yankees were the visiting team, Hawkins did not get credit for an official no-hitter, but still a great feat, in a year that saw eight no-hitters [four just the previous month]. What’s interesting is that in this game the opposing pitcher Greg Hibbard took a perfect game into the sixth inning before giving up an infield single to Bob Geren. Some great names were involved in that eight inning when Hawkins lost the no-hitter. These included Sammy Sosa, Jim Leyritz, Lance Johnson, and Ozzie Guillén. Also, later that month, on the 12th, during their visit to New York, the White Sox held the Yankees hitless through seven innings in a game with Andy Hawkins as starting pitcher, but that game also did not count as it was shortened by rain. Major League Baseball changed the rules some years later, and a no-hitter is not official unless the pitcher also wins. This game the Yankees’ last ever visit to Comiskey Park.
6) Yankees and Cubs Play 18 Innings
The Cubs and Yankees have rarely met during their long and storied histories. But they have played a number of interesting games together. Baseball fans are familiar with Babe Ruth’s called shot at Wrigley Field in the 1932 World Series, though how much of it is legend and how much of it is not is up for debate. In 2009, the Cubs and Yankees faced off in an exhibition match, the first-ever game at Yankee Stadium 2. And in May 2017, the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs engaged in an epic 18-inning battle, lasting over 6 hours and 5 minutes. Aaron Hicks scored the game-winning run for the Yankees in the 18th inning, securing a 5-4 victory and completing a series sweep. The game included a daring catch by Kyle Schwarber and a comeback by the Cubs in the ninth inning, forcing extra innings. The pitchers’ duel between Luis Severino and Jonathan Lester lasted for seven innings, adding to the intensity of this historic, extra-inning showdown. The marathon featured record-setting moments, including a Major League-record 48 strikeouts. One of the most bizarre games ever in Yankees history.
7) Dwight Gooden Warms Up in the Bullpen in 2000 World Series
I don’t recall during which game of the World Series this was. I will have to find that particular game and revise this article. I stumbled upon the video on YouTube some weeks ago while searching for old Mets games. Dwight Gooden warms up in the bullpen, you can see sometime during the game. He actually never got to pitch in the 2000 World Series against his former team. But, like Tom Seaver and a Red Sox uniform when his team faced the Mets in the 1986 World Series, even though he did not participate, Gooden was in full uniform. Watching him in the bullpen just seemed so bizarre.
8) Yankees Turn Game-Ending Triple Play vs. A’s (June 20, 2021)
In one of the weirdest Yankee games ever, the New York Yankees clinched a series victory against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium, sealing the deal with a jaw-dropping walk-off triple play in the ninth inning. Aroldis Chapman was beset by nail trouble and the absence of key setup players, the Yankees nonetheless pulled off an unprecedented 5-4-3 triple play, marking baseball’s first walk-off triple play with a one-run lead since 1967. This was remarkably the Yankees’ third triple play of the season. The Yankees had achieved the feat only 3 days before in Toronto vs. the Blue Jays, and on May 17th at Yankee Stadium against the White Sox.
9) Don Mattingly Bats at Atlanta’s Fulton-County (April 28, 1995)
This was a Spring Training game, and when I first noticed the late April date, I was a bit confused but then recalled that that year started later due to the players strike. Moments after happening upon the game, I noticed Don Mattingly come up to that at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. As far as I know, this would be his only appearance ever at the old Atlanta Braves stadium. What makes this a bit bizarre is that Mattingly, as many will know, never got to play in the World Series, yet him coming up to bat seems as if he somehow magically transported himself to the year 1996. A moment I had to watch more than once to make sure that I wasn’t dreaming.
10) Reggie Jackson Runs Off the Field After Yankees Clinch World Series Title vs Dodgers (October 17, 1978)
Reggie Jackson‘s spirited dash off the field following the Yankees’ triumph in the 1978 World Series encapsulated his infectious enthusiasm and flair. It was also a bizarre moment. As the final out secured their championship victory, Jackson, known for his charismatic flair, didn’t simply join the on-field festivities. He began sprinting, elbowing his way through the crowd. A few fans fell down, but fortunately no one was seriously hurt. The crowd erupted in cheers as Jackson’s impromptu run became a symbol of the team’s success and added an extra layer of excitement to the already jubilant celebration. This spontaneous act by Jackson showcased his unique ability to infuse drama and theatrics into the sport, contributing to the enduring legacy of “Mr. October.”