2021 New York Yankees

The final standing	Lost the Wild Card Game against Boston Red Sox
Regular season record	92–70 (.568)
Post-season record	0-1
Divisional rank	No. 2 in AL East
ALDS record and opponent	Did not play
AL rank	No. 3
ALCS record and opponent	Did not play
World Series record and opponent	Did not play
Manager	Aaron Boone
Captain	None
Top batter	Home run: Aaron Judge (39), Giancarlo Stanton (35), Gary Sanchez (23),  BA: Aaron Judge (.287), Giancarlo Stanton (.273), DJ LeMahieu (.268), Gio Urshela (0.267) Run:  Aaron Judge (89), DJ LeMahieu (84), Giancarlo Stanton (64),  RBI: Aaron Judge (98), Giancarlo Stanton (97), DJ LeMahieu (57)
Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA)	Gerrit Cole: 16-8, 3.23Jameston Tailon: 8-6, 4.30Jordan Montgomery: 6-7, 3.83
Attendance record	1,959,854 (3rd of 15)

The 2021 New York Yankees season: A brief summary

The 2021 New York Yankees season unfolded more like a slow-burning indie film than a blockbuster, lacking the dramatic crescendos and narrative twists that fans had hoped for. Anticipation gave way to a sense of anticlimax as the team grappled with a series of underwhelming performances, echoing the subdued tone of a less cinematic production. Despite sporadic flashes of brilliance, the overall arc of the 2021 New York Yankees season was characterized by a lack of the grand, defining moments that typically make a baseball season memorable. The slow erosion of expectations left fans with a sense of quiet disappointment, a far cry from the explosive narrative turns one might expect in a cinematic masterpiece.

The offense struggled to find its rhythm, paralleling the lackluster performance of Iron Man 3. Despite a brief surge in the summer, the bats remained mostly silent, underscoring the team’s inability to sustain momentum. On the pitching front, there were pleasant surprises for the 2021 New York Yankees, with Corey Kluber and ace Gerrit Cole delivering standout performances. Kluber’s no-hitter against the Texas Rangers and Cole’s masterful three-hit gem in Houston provided rare moments of brilliance.

The mid-season acquisitions of Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo brought balance to the lineup, and a thrilling 13-game winning streak injected a much-needed dose of excitement. The fans reveled in these highlights, but the specter of injuries loomed large, reminiscent of the toll taken on Iron Man’s armor. The fatigue of the bullpen and the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks, including the absence of third base coach Phil Nevin, added hurdles to the 2021 New York Yankees’ journey.

Derek Jeter‘s Hall of Fame induction brought a bittersweet moment, with the former captain choosing to focus on everything but himself. The 2021 New York Yankees season saw Gleyber Torres navigating a career rollercoaster, symbolizing the team’s collective struggle. Torres, once poised for stardom, faced a dip in performance and defensive challenges. However, a second-half adjustment saw him hitting .289, leaving fans hopeful for a resurgence in the upcoming season.

Despite the trials and tribulations, the 2021 New York Yankees clinched a Wild Card berth with a 92–70 record. The climax of the season, however, mirrored the disappointment of a plot twist gone wrong. A loss to the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Game marked the fifth consecutive playoff exit, leaving fans with a bitter taste in their mouths. The season’s narrative, much like a blockbuster with unresolved questions, left the 2021 New York Yankees with more uncertainties than answers as they headed into the offseason.

2021 New York Yankees’ most memorable game

In a season marked by inconsistencies and unforeseen challenges for the New York Yankees, one shining moment stood out as a beacon of brilliance, and it belonged to the resurgent Corey Kluber. The seasoned pitcher, once a powerhouse in the American League, had weathered a storm of injuries, threatening to overshadow what had promised to be a noteworthy career.

The anticipation surrounding Kluber’s Yankees debut in 2021 was palpable. Having thrown a mere 36.2 innings since 2019, he carried with him the weight of uncertainty. However, in just his ninth start with the Yankees, Kluber delivered a performance that would etch his name into the annals of Yankees history. Facing the Texas Rangers, the 2021 New York Yankees pitcher summoned the dominance of his prime, striking out nine batters across nine no-hit innings.

The game unfolded with a sense of poetic perfection, with Kluber just a third-inning walk away from achieving a perfect game. The tantalizing proximity to perfection only added to the drama of the moment. When the final out was secured, Kluber had not only thrown a no-hitter but also become the torchbearer of a tradition that harked back to David Cone‘s perfect game in 1999 – marking the 12th no-hitter in Yankees history.

Regrettably, the jubilation was short-lived for the 35-year-old pitcher, as a shoulder injury would soon relegate him to the injured list, disrupting what could have been a remarkable comeback season. Nonetheless, Kluber’s no-hitter became a timeless chapter in the 2021 New York Yankees’ narrative, a testament to the enduring magic of the game and a beacon of hope for fans who found solace in such unforgettable moments.

2021 New York Yankees season in videos

Wild Card result

Yankees 0−1 Red Sox

#	Date	Opponent	Stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	Attendance	Record
1	October 5	@ Red Sox	Fenway Park	2–6	Eovaldi (1−0)	Cole (0−1)	—	38,324	0–1

ALDS

(Didn’t play)

ALCS

(Didn’t play)

World Series

(Didn’t play)

2021 New York Yankees roster

Name	Age	B	T	Ht	Wt	DoB	Yrs	G	GS	WAR	Salary
Albert Abreu	25	R	R	6′ 2″	190	Sep 26, 1995	2	28	0	0.1
Greg Allen	28	B	R	6′ 0″	187	Mar 15, 1993	5	15	11	0.4
Trey Amburgey	26	R	R	6′ 2″	210	Oct 24, 1994	1st	2	2	-0.1
Miguel Andujar	26	R	R	6′ 0″	211	Mar 2, 1995	5	45	42	-0.3
Rob Brantly	31	L	R	6′ 0″	190	Jul 14, 1989	7	6	5	-0.2
Zack Britton	33	L	L	6′ 1″	200	Dec 22, 1987	11	22	0	-0.4	$13,000,000
Jay Bruce	34	L	L	6′ 3″	230	Apr 3, 1987	14	10	10	-0.3	$1,350,000
Luis Cessa	29	R	R	6′ 0″	222	Apr 25, 1992	6	29	0	0.7	$1,050,000
Aroldis Chapman	33	L	L	6′ 4″	235	Feb 28, 1988	12	61	0	1.5	$16,000,000
Gerrit Cole	30	R	R	6′ 4″	220	Sep 8, 1990	9	30	30	5.7	$36,000,000
Nestor Cortes	26	R	L	5′ 11″	210	Dec 10, 1994	4	23	14	2.8
Jonathan Davis	29	R	R	5′ 8″	190	May 12, 1992	4	12	5	-0.2
Estevan Florial	23	L	R	6′ 1″	195	Nov 25, 1997	2	11	7	0.3
Mike Ford	28	L	R	6′ 0″	225	Jul 4, 1992	3	22	18	-0.3
Clint Frazier	26	R	R	5′ 11″	212	Sep 6, 1994	5	66	56	-1.4	$2,100,000
Joey Gallo	27	L	R	6′ 5″	250	Nov 19, 1993	7	58	55	0.5
Deivi Garci­a	22	R	R	5′ 9″	163	May 19, 1999	2	2	2	-0.2
Brett Gardner	37	L	L	5′ 11″	195	Aug 24, 1983	14	140	113	1	$2,850,000
Domingo German	28	R	R	6′ 2″	181	Aug 4, 1992	4	22	18	1.3
Luis Gil	23	R	R	6′ 2″	185	Jun 3, 1998	1st	6	6	0.8
Chris Gittens	27	R	R	6′ 4″	250	Feb 4, 1994	1st	16	10	-0.2
Chad Green	30	L	R	6′ 3″	215	May 24, 1991	6	67	0	2.4	$2,150,000
Andrew Heaney	30	L	L	6′ 2″	200	Jun 5, 1991	8	12	5	-0.5
Aaron Hicks	31	B	R	6′ 1″	205	Oct 2, 1989	9	32	30	-0.3	$10,785,714
Kyle Higashioka	31	R	R	6′ 1″	202	Apr 20, 1990	5	67	58	0.4
Clay Holmes	28	R	R	6′ 5″	245	Mar 27, 1993	4	25	0	1.3
Aaron Judge	29	R	R	6′ 7″	282	Apr 26, 1992	6	148	144	6.1	$10,175,000
Michael King	26	R	R	6′ 3″	210	May 25, 1995	3	22	6	1
Corey Kluber	35	R	R	6′ 4″	210	Apr 10, 1986	11	16	16	1.4	$11,000,000
Brody Koerner	27	R	R	6′ 2″	220	Oct 17, 1993	1st	2	0	0
Brooks Kriske	27	R	R	6′ 3″	205	Feb 3, 1994	2	8	0	-0.8
Ryan LaMarre	32	R	L	6′ 1″	215	Nov 21, 1988	6	9	7	0
DJ LeMahieu	32	R	R	6′ 4″	220	Jul 13, 1988	11	150	147	1.5	$15,000,000
Jonathan Loaisiga	26	R	R	5′ 11″	165	Nov 2, 1994	4	57	0	3.3
Tim Locastro	28	R	R	6′ 1″	200	Jul 14, 1992	5	9	8	0
Lucas Luetge	34	L	L	6′ 4″	205	Mar 24, 1987	5	57	1	1.4
Jordan Montgomery	28	L	L	6′ 6″	228	Dec 27, 1992	5	30	30	3.3	$2,130,000
Nick Nelson	25	R	R	6′ 1″	205	Dec 5, 1995	2	11	2	-0.9
Darren O’Day	38	R	R	6′ 4″	220	Oct 22, 1982	14	12	0	0.3	$1,750,000
Rougned Odor	27	L	R	5′ 11″	200	Feb 3, 1994	8	102	89	0.3	$12,333,333
Hoy Park	25	L	R	6′ 0″	200	Apr 7, 1996	1st	1	0	0
Wandy Peralta	29	L	L	6′ 0″	227	Jul 27, 1991	6	46	1	0.9
Stephen Ridings	25	R	R	6′ 8″	220	Aug 14, 1995	1st	5	0	0.1
Anthony Rizzo	31	L	L	6′ 3″	240	Aug 8, 1989	11	49	46	0.5
Joely Rodriguez	29	L	L	6′ 1″	223	Nov 14, 1991	4	21	0	0.3
Sal Romano	27	L	R	6′ 5″	255	Oct 12, 1993	5	4	0	0
Gary Sanchez	28	R	R	6′ 2″	230	Dec 2, 1992	7	117	105	0.7	$6,350,000
Clarke Schmidt	25	R	R	6′ 1″	200	Feb 20, 1996	2	2	1	-0.3
Luis Severino	27	R	R	6′ 2″	218	Feb 20, 1994	6	4	0	0.3	$10,750,000
Giancarlo Stanton	31	R	R	6′ 6″	245	Nov 8, 1989	12	139	134	3.1	$29,000,000
Jameson Taillon	29	R	R	6′ 5″	230	Nov 18, 1991	5	29	29	2.3
Mike Tauchman	30	L	L	6′ 1″	220	Dec 3, 1990	5	11	4	-0.1
Gleyber Torres	24	R	R	6′ 1″	205	Dec 13, 1996	4	127	123	0.8	$4,000,000
Gio Urshela	29	R	R	6′ 0″	215	Oct 11, 1991	6	116	109	0.6	$4,650,000
Andrew Velazquez	26	B	R	5′ 9″	170	Jul 14, 1994	4	28	20	0
Luke Voit	30	R	R	6′ 2″	258	Feb 13, 1991	5	68	55	0.3	$4,700,000
Tyler Wade	26	L	R	6′ 1″	188	Nov 23, 1994	5	103	35	0.3
Justin Wilson	33	L	L	6′ 2″	205	Aug 18, 1987	10	21	0	-0.5	$2,850,000
Asher Wojciechowski	32	R	R	6′ 4″	235	Dec 21, 1988	5	1	1	0.1	$100,000

2021 New York Yankees additions, transactions, and trades

2020

• December 2: Luis Cessa re-signs with the Yankees on a one-year, $1 million contract.

2021

• January 6: The Yankees acquire outfielder Greg Allen from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for James Reeves.

• January 24: The Yankees trade for starting pitcher Jameson Taillon from the Pittsburgh Pirates, sending four prospects (Miguel Yajure, Roansy Contreras, Maikol Escotto, and Canaan Smith).

• January 27: The Yankees sign Cy Young right-handed starting pitcher Corey Kluber to a one-year, $11 million contract after acquiring him from the Texas Rangers.

• January 27: DJ LeMahieu re-signs with the Yankees for a six-year, $90 million contract in free agency.

• February 10: The Yankees sign sidearm right-handed pitcher Darren O’Day to a one-year, $1.75 million contract as a free agent, following his season with the Atlanta Braves.

• February 22: Brett Gardner re-signs with the Yankees on a one-year, $4 million contract in free agency.

• February 23: The Yankees acquire left-handed pitcher Justin Wilson from the New York Mets on a one-year, $4 million contract in free agency.

Regular Season – 2021

• April 6: The Yankees acquire second-baseman Rougned Odor from the Texas Rangers, along with cash considerations and minor-league outfielders Antonio Cabello and Josh Stowers, in a trade.

• April 27: The Yankees trade outfielder Mike Tauchman to the San Francisco Giants and acquire left-handed pitcher Wandy Peralta and infielder Connor Cannon.

• July 1: The Yankees acquire outfielder Tim Locastro from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league right-handed pitcher Keegan Curtis.

• July 26: The Yankees acquire right-handed relief pitcher Clay Holmes from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league infielders Diego Castillo and Hoy Jun Park.

• July 27: The Yankees trade relievers Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later.

• July 29: The Yankees acquire outfielder Joey Gallo and left-handed relief pitcher Joely Rodríguez from the Texas Rangers for minor leaguer prospects: second basemen Ezequiel Duran and Trevor Hauver, right-handed pitcher Glenn Otto, and infielder Josh Smith.

• July 29: The Yankees acquire first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs for minor leaguers right-handed pitcher Alexander Vizcaino and outfielder Kevin Alcantara, along with cash considerations ($5.5 million), covering the remaining balance of Rizzo’s $16.5 million salary for the season.

• July 30: The Yankees acquire starting left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney from the Los Angeles Angels, along with cash considerations for minor league right-handed pitchers Janson Junk and Elvis Peguero.

2021 New York Yankees player debuts

• Trey Amburgey: Debut on 07-16-2021 with the New York Yankees at the age of 26.
• Luis Gil: Debut on 08-03-2021 with the New York Yankees at the age of 23.
• Chris Gittens: Debut on 06-05-2021 with the New York Yankees at the age of 27.
• Brody Koerner: Debut on 08-03-2021 with the New York Yankees at the age of 27.
• Hoy Park: Debut on 07-16-2021 with the New York Yankees at the age of 25.
• Stephen Ridings: Debut on 08-03-2021 with the New York Yankees at the age of 25.

2021 New York Yankees team stats (batting)

Pos	Name	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA
C	Gary Sánchez	28	117	440	383	54	78	13	1	23	54	0	0	52	121	0.204
1B	Anthony Rizzo	31	49	200	173	32	43	7	0	8	21	2	0	16	28	0.249
2B	DJ LeMahieu	32	150	679	597	84	160	24	1	10	57	4	2	73	94	0.268
SS	Gleyber Torres	24	127	516	459	50	119	22	0	9	51	14	6	50	104	0.259
3B	Gio Urshela	29	116	442	420	42	112	18	2	14	49	1	0	20	109	0.267
LF	Joey Gallo	27	58	228	188	33	30	7	0	13	22	0	0	37	88	0.16
CF	Brett Gardner	37	140	461	387	47	86	16	4	10	39	4	0	60	100	0.222
RF	Aaron Judge	29	148	633	550	89	158	24	0	39	98	6	1	75	158	0.287
DH	Giancarlo Stanton	31	139	579	510	64	139	19	0	35	97	0	0	63	157	0.273
IF	Rougned Odor	27	102	361	322	42	65	12	0	15	39	0	1	27	100	0.202
1B	Luke Voit	30	68	241	213	26	51	7	1	11	35	0	0	21	74	0.239
OF	Clint Frazier	26	66	218	183	20	34	9	0	5	15	2	0	32	65	0.186
C	Kyle Higashioka	31	67	211	193	20	35	10	0	10	29	0	0	17	59	0.181
LF	Miguel Andujar	26	45	162	154	19	39	2	0	6	12	0	1	7	28	0.253
IF	Tyler Wade	26	103	145	127	31	34	5	1	0	5	17	6	16	37	0.268
CF	Aaron Hicks	31	32	126	108	13	21	3	0	4	14	0	0	14	30	0.194
1B	Mike Ford	28	22	72	60	6	8	0	0	3	5	0	0	11	23	0.133
SS	Andrew Velazquez	26	28	68	67	11	15	4	1	1	6	4	1	1	23	0.224
OF	Greg Allen	28	15	48	37	9	10	4	1	0	2	5	0	5	13	0.27
1B	Chris Gittens	27	16	44	36	1	4	0	0	1	5	0	0	7	13	0.111
1B	Jay Bruce	34	10	39	34	3	4	1	0	1	3	0	0	5	13	0.118
CF	Estevan Florial	23	11	25	20	3	6	2	0	1	2	1	0	5	6	0.3
OF	Ryan LaMarre	32	9	24	21	3	4	0	0	2	4	1	0	2	6	0.19
OF	Tim Locastro	28	9	23	21	4	4	2	0	1	2	0	0	1	7	0.19
UT	Rob Brantly	31	6	21	20	0	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0.15
OF	Jonathan Davis	29	12	18	17	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	0.059
OF	Mike Tauchman	30	11	16	14	1	3	1	0	0	0	2	0	1	6	0.214
RF	Trey Amburgey	26	2	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
RF	Hoy Park	25	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Team Totals	29.4	162	6060	5331	711	1266	213	12	222	666	63	18	621	1482	0.237
	Rank in 15 AL teams				15	10	13	15	14	3		10	4	1	12	13

2021 New York Yankees team stats (pitching)

Pos	Name	Age	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER
SP	Gerrit Cole	30	16	8	0.667	3.23	30	30	0	2	1	0	181.1	151	69	65
SP	Jordan Montgomery	28	6	7	0.462	3.83	30	30	0	0	0	0	157.1	150	73	67
SP	Jameson Taillon	29	8	6	0.571	4.3	29	29	0	0	0	0	144.1	130	73	69
SP	Domingo German	28	4	5	0.444	4.58	22	18	0	0	0	0	98.1	89	52	50
SP	Nestor Cortes	26	2	3	0.4	2.9	22	14	3	0	0	0	93	75	32	30
SP	Corey Kluber	35	5	3	0.625	3.83	16	16	0	1	1	0	80	74	37	34
CL	Aroldis Chapman	33	6	4	0.6	3.36	61	0	46	0	0	30	56.1	36	23	21
RP	Chad Green	30	10	7	0.588	3.12	67	0	15	0	0	6	83.2	57	32	29
RP	Lucas Luetge	34	4	2	0.667	2.74	57	1	13	0	0	1	72.1	67	30	22
RP	Jonathan Loaisiga	26	9	4	0.692	2.17	57	0	8	0	0	5	70.2	56	19	17
RP	Wandy Peralta	29	3	3	0.5	2.95	46	1	8	0	0	3	42.2	38	19	14
	Michael King	26	2	4	0.333	3.55	22	6	3	0	0	0	63.1	57	29	25
	Luis Cessa	29	3	1	0.75	2.82	29	0	13	0	0	0	38.1	31	17	12
	Albert Abreu	25	2	0	1	5.15	28	0	14	0	0	1	36.2	27	21	21
	Andrew Heaney	30	2	2	0.5	7.32	12	5	2	0	0	0	35.2	38	29	29
	Luis Gil	23	1	1	0.5	3.07	6	6	0	0	0	0	29.1	20	11	10
	Clay Holmes	28	5	2	0.714	1.61	25	0	5	0	0	0	28	18	8	5
	Joely Rodriguez	29	1	0	1	2.84	21	0	2	0	0	0	19	21	8	6
	Zack Britton	33	0	1	0	5.89	22	0	4	0	0	1	18.1	17	14	12
	Justin Wilson	33	1	1	0.5	7.5	21	0	7	0	0	0	18	18	17	15
	Nick Nelson	25	0	2	0	8.79	11	2	3	0	0	0	14.1	15	16	14
	Darren O’Day	38	0	0		3.38	12	0	1	0	0	0	10.2	9	4	4
	Deivi Garci­a	22	0	2	0	6.48	2	2	0	0	0	0	8.1	8	7	6
	Brooks Kriske	27	1	1	0.5	15.26	8	0	8	0	0	0	7.2	12	14	13
	Clarke Schmidt	25	0	0		5.68	2	1	1	0	0	0	6.1	11	8	4
	Luis Severino	27	1	0	1	0	4	0	1	0	0	0	6	2	0	0
	Stephen Ridings	25	0	0		1.8	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	4	2	1
	Asher Wojciechowski	32	0	0		4.5	1	1	0	0	0	0	4	3	2	2
	Sal Romano	27	0	1	0	5.4	4	0	0	0	0	0	3.1	7	2	2
	Brody Koerner	27	0	0		3	2	0	2	0	0	0	3	2	1	1
	Team Totals	29.1	92	70	0.568	3.74	162	162	159	3	2	47	1435.1	1243	669	596
	Rank in 15 AL teams		4	11		3				2	2	3	4	3	5	3

2021 New York Yankees record vs. opponents/ team splits

Opponent (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
Atlanta Braves (4)	3	1	0.750
Baltimore Orioles (19)	11	8	0.579
Boston Red Sox (19)	9	10	0.474
Chicago White Sox (6)	5	1	0.833
Cleveland Indians (7)	4	3	0.571
Detroit Tigers (6)	3	3	0.500
Houston Astros (6)	4	2	0.667
Kansas City Royals (6)	4	2	0.667
Los Angeles Angels (7)	3	4	0.429
Miami Marlins (3)	3	0	1.000
Minnesota Twins (7)	6	1	0.857
New York Mets (6)	2	4	0.333
Oakland Athletics (7)	4	3	0.571
Philadelphia Phillies (4)	2	2	0.500
Seattle Mariners (7)	5	2	0.714
Tampa Bay Rays (19)	8	11	0.421
Texas Rangers (7)	6	1	0.857
Toronto Blue Jays (19)	8	11	0.421
Washington Nationals (3)	2	1	0.667

2021 New York Yankees monthly record

Month (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
April (26)	12	14	0.462
May (28)	17	11	0.607
June (26)	12	14	0.462
July (23)	14	9	0.609
August (29)	21	8	0.724
September (27)	15	12	0.556
October (3)	1	2	0.333

2021 New York Yankees All-Stars

• Aaron Judge
• Gerrit Cole
• Aroldis Chapman

2021 New York Yankees awards and honors

• Corey Kluber: AL Player of the Week (April 26–May 2), AL Player of the Week (May 17–23), No-hitter on May 19th
• Gerrit Cole: AL Pitcher of the Month (April), One-hitter on July 10th
• Aaron Judge: AL Player of the Week (May 10–16), 9/11 game-tying home run
• Luke Voit: AL Player of the Week (August 16–22)
• Luis Gil: Impressive debut on August 3rd
• Giancarlo Stanton: Go-ahead grand slam on September 25th
• Triple Play: Yankees’ triple play on May 20th
• Walk-off Win: Yankees’ walk-off win on October 1st to clinch a playoff spot
• All-Star Selections: Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Aroldis Chapman in the 2021 All-Star Game

How do you rate the 2021 New York Yankees?