On October 15, 1923, Babe Ruth’s New York Yankees finally earned the prize that had eluded him for their first two decades of existence. They won their first World Series title, a well-earned triumph over the New York Giants after the crosstown rivals had broken their hearts the previous two years. Each player was honored with an engraved pocket watch.
The organization has matched this feat 26 times since then, albeit while awarding the eventual-standard rings rather than watches. Even though it’s been over a decade since the Yankees’ last championship, no team has even begun to approach their record 27 titles.