1996 New York Yankees season

The 1996 New York Yankees season was the 94th season for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. The 1996 New York Yankees were managed by Joe Torre, and played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

The team finished first in the American League Eastern Division with a record of 92–70, 4 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles and won their first division title since 1981 (the 1994 team had the best record in the American League, but the strike took it away). The team defeated the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series, three games to one. The Yankees went on to defeat the Orioles in the American League Championship Series four games to one.

In the 1996 World Series the Yankees beat the defending National League and World Series champion Atlanta Braves four games to two, winning four consecutive games to overcome a two-games-to-none deficit. All told, the Yankees finished the post-season with an 8–0 road win–loss record, while going just 3–4 at home.

The Yankees earned their 23rd World Series title and their first since 1978. It was the last season for Hall of Fame TV announcer Phil Rizzuto, who left the team's broadcast crew that year.

Offseason

 * December 4, 1995: Jalal Leach was drafted by the Montreal Expos from the New York Yankees in the 1995 minor league draft.
 * December 7, 1995: Russ Davis and Sterling Hitchcock were traded by the Yankees to the Seattle Mariners for Tino Martinez, Jeff Nelson and Jim Mecir.
 * December 11, 1995: Mariano Duncan was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
 * December 21, 1995: David Cone was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
 * December 28, 1995: The Yankees traded a player to be named later to the Chicago White Sox for Tim Raines. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Blaise Kozeniewski to the White Sox on February 6, 1996.
 * February 20, 1996: Dwight Gooden was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
 * February 24, 1996: Tim McIntosh was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
 * March 31, 1996: Rafael Quirico was released by the Yankees.

Notable transactions

 * June 4, 1996: 1996 Major League Baseball draft
 * Nick Johnson was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round. Player signed June 14, 1996.
 * Scott Seabol was drafted by the Yankees in the 88th round. Player signed June 25, 1996.
 * June 12, 1996: Rich Monteleone was traded by the Yankees to the California Angels for Mike Aldrete.
 * June 12, 1996: Wally Whitehurst was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Montreal Expos.
 * July 4, 1996: Darryl Strawberry was purchased by the Yankees from the St. Paul Saints.
 * July 31, 1996: Rubén Sierra and Matt Drews (minors) were traded by the Yankees to the Detroit Tigers for Cecil Fielder.
 * July 31, 1996: Dave Weathers was traded by the Florida Marlins to the New York Yankees for Mark Hutton.
 * August 22, 1996: Luis Sojo was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Seattle Mariners.
 * August 23, 1996: Bob Wickman and Gerald Williams were traded by the Yankees to the Milwaukee Brewers for Pat Listach, Graeme Lloyd and a player to be named later. The Brewers completed the trade by sending Ricky Bones to the Yankees on August 29.
 * August 30, 1996: The Yankees traded a player to be named later to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Charlie Hayes. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Chris Corn to the Pirates on August 31.
 * September 6, 1996: Robert Eenhoorn was selected off waivers from the Yankees by the California Angels.
 * September 12, 1996: Wally Whitehurst was released by the Yankees.

Game log

 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss Bold = Yankees team member
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss Bold = Yankees team member

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Game 1, October 1
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

Game 2, October 2
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

Game 3, October 4
The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Game 4, October 5
The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Jeffrey Maier
On October 9, 1996, the Yankees trailed the Orioles 4–3 in the bottom of the eighth inning when shortstop Derek Jeter hit a deep fly ball to right field. Right fielder Tony Tarasco moved near the fence and appeared "to draw a bead on the ball" when then-12 year old fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the fence separating the stands and the field of play 9 feet below and deflected the ball into the stands. While baseball fans are permitted to catch (and keep) balls hit into the stands, if "a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball" spectator interference is to be called.

Game 1
October 20, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York

Game 2
October 21, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York

Game 3
October 22, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 4
October 23, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 5
October 24, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 6
October 26, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York

Awards and honors

 * 1996 New York Yankees – 1997 Outstanding Team ESPY Award
 * Cecil Fielder, Babe Ruth Award
 * Derek Jeter, SS, American League Rookie of the Year
 * Bernie Williams, ALCS Most Valuable Player
 * John Wetteland, World Series Most Valuable Player

All-Stars
All-Star Game
 * Wade Boggs, third base, starter
 * Andy Pettitte, pitcher, reserve
 * John Wetteland, relief pitcher, reserve

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Columbus, GCL Yankees