When the Yankees rallied to win last night’s game in Baltimore, they did more than just keep their wild card hopes alive. The victory, which gave the Bronx Bombers a 10-9 edge in the season series, also extended their supremacy over the Orioles to 16 consecutive years.
The Yankees 16-year span without losing a season series to the Orioles is one of four streaks of at least a decade that the Bronx Bombers currently enjoy over another franchise. Earlier this year, the Yankees extended their runs of success over the Royals, Twins and Mariners to 14, 12 and 11, respectively. On the flip side, the Yankees’ longest active season series losing streak is only two (compiled against the Phillies in 2009 and 2010), although the Rays will join that list this year unless the Yankees sweep them on the next home stand.
Yankees’ Current Season Series Streaks
Note: Positive streaks include .500 seasons. Includes only completed or clinched season series as of September 13, 2013.
Source: Baseball-reference.com
Although the Yankees’ 16-year run without losing a season series to Baltimore is the longest current streak between any two franchises, it doesn’t come close to the team’s best overall mark. For 27 seasons from 1934 to 1960, the Yankees avoided losing a season series to the Washington Senators, and then, when the Senators moved to Minnesota, the Bronx Bombers extended the run for four more years. However, that streak just scratches the all-time surface. The Yankees longest stretch without losing a season series was 40 years, a streak that spanned three cities and five decades until the Oakland Athletics finally got the best of the Bronx Bombers in 1971.
Yankees’ Longest Season Series Streaks vs. Each Franchise
Note: Non-losing seasons include .500 seasons. Includes only completed or clinched season series as of September 13, 2013. Number in parenthesis indicates year streak ended, unless bar is green, which indicates the streak is current.
Source: Baseball-reference.com
No team has dominated the Yankees to the degree they have presided over others, but the Orioles can boast of the longest stretch without losing a season series to the pinstripes. For nine seasons from 1964 to 1972, the Yankees had their hands full trying to figure out the Oriole Way, a span during which Baltimore triumphed over New York in 104 of 157 games played. Otherwise, only the Athletics’ and White Sox’ modest streaks of seven and six seasons require more than one hand to count.
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