The Mysterious Origins of the New York Yankees

With a history spanning over a century and a long list of celebrated legends, the iconic New York Yankees baseball team is a source of national pride for many Americans. But how did this beloved franchise get its start? What was the original name of the team?

The answer to that question is a bit mysterious. The team was established in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles, and moved to New York in 1903. At that point, the name changed to the Highlanders — or, as they were occasionally referred to, the New York Highlanders. The formal name of the team at the time was the New York American League Baseball Club, but most fans simply called them the Highlanders.

The Different Names of the New York Yankees

Despite their short lifespan, the Highlanders had a well-known mascot: a small Scottish Highlander character with a flat cap and long kilt. It was this mascot that gave the team their unique nickname, which was eventually simplified to just the “Yanks.”

However, in 1913 — the same year that the team officially moved to their current home at the old Yankee Stadium — they changed the name to the New York Yankees. It’s still uncertain exactly why this transition took place, but perhaps the new name signaled an attempt to further distance themselves from their former Baltimore home. After all, the Baltimore Orioles are still a famously significant defensive team — something that the New York team seemed eager to distance itself from during their early years.

The Legacy of the New York Yankees

In the nearly century and a half since the team’s original transition from the Highlanders to the Yankees, the team has only grown in popularity and success. They’ve become an international sensation, with die-hard fans across the planet. As the team proudly honors its long history, it’s impossible to deny the impact of the uncertain transition from the Highlanders to the Yankees. Had the name stayed the same, who knows how differently the team’s long-standing legacy would’ve developed?