Yankees Classics

"Yankees Classics" is a program on the YES Network which features classic New York Yankees games.

Each game is hosted by Yankees radio announcer John Sterling, who discusses the game's impact on Yankee history at the beginning and end of the telecast.

Network broadcast library

When it debuted in 2002 as one of the first shows to air on YES, "Yankee Classics" only consisted of regular season games from the team's local broadcasts from WPIX, MSG Network and WNYW. In 2003, YES acquired rights to rebroadcast playoff games that aired nationally on FOX.

Graphics and announcers used

The logos of the original broadcasters were originally covered by the YES Network logo, but were then replaced by a Yankees logo. The announcers used are a combination of the Yankees radio announcers, and the local and national broadcasters used during the telecast, with the audio feed constantly changing during the game from one announcing team to another, possibly to prevent advertisements or station promos to be heard, or to include Yankee broadcasters Sterling and Michael Kay giving calls of a Yankee's home run, and of Sterling's preferred closing: "Ballgame over! Yankees win! The-e-e-e Yankees win!" Regular season games since YES' launch in 2002 simply take the TV broadcast, with most out-of-date sponsor plugs removed.

Typically scheduled air dates

Games are frequently shown either on their anniversary or on a day when the present-day team is playing the same opponent. (For example, on October 2, or when the Yankees are scheduled to play the Boston Red Sox, the 1978 playoff game for the American League Eastern Division title, featuring the improbable home run by Bucky Dent, will be broadcast.) Other possibilities include a game in which a particular player figures prominently being aired on his birthday. (For example, on June 26, Derek Jeter's birthday, the network may broadcast Game 4 of the 2001 World Series, which Jeter won with an extra-inning home run.) Games featuring individual achievements such as Ron Guidry's 18 strikeout game, the no hit games, and perfect games are often shown to coincide with programs about Yankee pitchers.

As with other re-broadcasted games, some innings are skipped due to time restrictions.

Criticism

"Yankees Classics" has been criticized for showing recent games, including those from the current MLB season, when there are many games which haven't been seen in decades. For example, although the memorable 1978 playoff game against Boston has frequently aired, YES has not shown any games from the 1978 ALCS. Also there have thus far been no shows featuring any of the games from the 1977 ALCS, 1981 ALDS or 1981 ALCS. Curiously, outside of Dave Righetti's July 4, 1983, no hit game, there have been no broadcasts of any Yankees games from the 1980s. It is not clear why this is but some have speculated that complete tapes of the games no longer exist or are unsuitable for broadcast.

In 2007, YES and Major League Baseball acquired rights to a number of games that aired on ABC as part of MLB's current TV deal with ESPN, including Bobby Murcer's 5-RBI game on the day of Thurman Munson's funeral. Other games shown through this deal include Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS and Game 6 of the 1977 World Series.