ADVERTISEMENT

The Yankees are facing a weird 'curse' — and it has to do with who's in the White House

The New York Yankees' Saturday loss to the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS guaranteed that a nearly 60-year-long streak would continue.

  • The Yankees have gone nearly 60 years without winning a World Series under a Republican president.
  • The 'curse' coincides with former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner getting in trouble for making illegal campaign contributions to President Richard Nixon.
  • The Yankees have won nine World Series under Democratic presidents during that same GOP losing streak.
ADVERTISEMENT

The New York Yankees' Saturday loss to the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series guaranteed that a nearly 60-year-long losing streak would continue.

The Yankees, the team that holds the most championships among the major US professional sports franchises, hasn't won a title under a Republican president since President Dwight Eisenhower was in office in 1958.

During that time, the Yankees won nine championships under Democratic administrations, going 9-2 in World Series they have participated in. The Bronx Bombers have made five World Series appearances during Republican administrations since their last title win in such circumstances, losing each time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eric Columbus, a former official in President Barack Obama's administration, brought the point up on Twitter on Monday. Columbus pointed to former Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner's 1974 guilty plea for providing illegal campaign contributions to former President Richard Nixon's reelection campaign in 1972 as the true starting point of this "curse."

"He avoided jail time, but was suspended from baseball for fifteen months," Columbus tweeted. "And a curse was born."

Since 1974, the Yankees have been 9-0 in the World Series while Democrats are in the White House, and 0-4 when Republicans control the executive branch.

Steinbrenner, whom President Donald Trump considered a "best friend," would later be pardoned by former President Ronald Reagan at the end of his second term, something that Columbus said exacerbated "the partisan ire of the baseball gods."

The Astros, who defeated the Yankees on Saturday, face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

ADVERTISEMENT