More than three decades have elapsed since the New York Yankees last experienced a season with more losses than wins.
Following their 4-1 victory against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, the Yankees’ record improved to 82-65, securing their 33rd consecutive season with a record above .500. This achievement surpasses the Montreal Canadiens’ celebrated era, establishing the second-longest such streak across the four major North American professional sports leagues.
The lengthiest streak belongs to the Yankees themselves, with a 39-year span during which they captured 19 World Series championships, featuring iconic players like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle. During the Yankees’ current run, they have secured five titles, although notably none since 2009.
Here is a complete list of teams with at least two decades of consecutive winning seasons:
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New York Yankees, 39 seasons (1926-1964, MLB)
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New York Yankees, 33 seasons (1993 to present, MLB)
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Montreal Canadiens, 32 seasons (1952-1983, NHL)
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Boston Bruins, 29 seasons (1968-1996, NHL)
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Detroit Red Wings, 24 seasons (1992-2016, NHL)
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San Antonio Spurs, 22 seasons (1998-2019, NBA)
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Dallas Cowboys, 20 seasons (1966-1985, NFL)
The list remains consistent even when considering MLS, the CFL, and the WNBA as major North American leagues. The New York Red Bulls (nine seasons, 2010-2018), Edmonton Eskimos (14 seasons, 1984-1997), and Las Vegas Aces (seven seasons, 2019-present) hold the longest such streaks in those leagues, respectively.
The Baltimore Orioles boast the longest non-Yankees MLB streak with 18 seasons (1968-1985), while the Los Angeles Dodgers possess the second-longest active streak and are tied for the longest NL streak with their current 15-season run.
Beyond the historical significance, the Yankees’ Friday victory was eventful, featuring Aaron Judge hitting his 362nd career home run, surpassing DiMaggio on the team’s all-time list (only Ruth, Mantle, and Gehrig remain ahead of him). Furthermore, starting pitcher Luis Gil pitched six no-hit innings before being removed from the game after throwing 93 pitches.
In the seventh inning, reliever Fernando Cruz surrendered the combined no-hit bid by allowing a solo home run to Nate Eaton, accounting for Boston’s sole run of the contest.
