NEW YORK — The New York Yankees matched a milestone last reached by their iconic 1998 World Series champions. With Sunday’s extra-inning win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, the Yankees secured their seventh straight road series victory in one season.
It is the first time in 27 years the franchise has achieved such a run. The last to do so was the 1998 squad that dominated the league and stormed to a title.
That team finished the year 114-48 and went 11-2 in the postseason. Derek Jeter placed third in the AL MVP race, while Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill, and David Wells also received MVP votes. Wells and David Cone each placed in the top five for the Cy Young Award, underscoring the balance of that group.
The 2025 Yankees are not at that level, but they continue to build momentum. They sit at 88-68 and hold a three-game cushion atop the AL Wild Card race. They also trail the Toronto Blue Jays by only two games in the AL East with one week left in the regular season.
Historic comeback threatens Yankees legacy
While New York celebrates its own achievement, Cleveland is chasing history that could rewrite the record books. The Guardians have roared back from a 15½-game hole to catch the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. If they complete the climb, they would surpass one of baseball’s most famous comebacks — and a chapter of Yankees lore.
The current record belongs to the 1978 Yankees, who wiped out a 14-game deficit against the Boston Red Sox. That turnaround featured the legendary “Boston Massacre,” a four-game September sweep in which New York outscored Boston 42-9.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale detailed Cleveland’s climb. On July 9, they trailed the Tigers by 15½ games. By Aug. 26, the gap was 12½. On Sept. 10, it was down to 9½.
“If the Guardians win the division, it would be the greatest comeback in MLB history, eclipsing the Yankees’ 14-game deficit in 1978 to overcome the Boston Red Sox,” Nightengale wrote.
Yankees’ championship DNA emerges
This year’s Yankees have also shown flashes reminiscent of 1998. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton power the lineup, while Max Fried has reasserted himself as an ace after early season issues. Since Aug. 6, the club has gone 28-14, the best record in baseball over that stretch.
“Vibes are good in the Bronx, and upon further inspection, some underlying numbers are hinting that this might be a special, championship-worthy Yankees club,” according to Yankees analysis.
The echoes extend to late-game execution. The 1998 Yankees led 103 times after eight innings and won 102 of those games. That level of finishing ability became their trademark, something the current group strives to replicate.
Guardians chase history after rock bottom
Cleveland’s charge has been fueled by resilience. On July 6, they were one strike away from halting a nine-game losing skid against Detroit. Instead, they collapsed, giving up seven runs across the ninth and 10th innings in a 7-2 defeat.
“A kick in the pants,” manager Stephen Vogt called it. “Gut-wrenching. Heart-wrenching.”
Since that low point, the Guardians have transformed. They have gone 42-24 since July 7, the best record in baseball over that span. Their 17-5 surge in September has been even more dramatic. That run peaked Tuesday with a 5-2 comeback win over Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.
Yankees’ 1978 comeback remains legendary
For Yankees fans, the 1978 rally still stands as one of baseball’s greatest stories. That team not only erased a 14-game Red Sox lead but forced a one-game playoff at Fenway Park.
In that tiebreaker, Bucky Dent’s famous three-run homer over the Green Monster propelled New York to a 5-4 victory. Carl Yastrzemski made the final out, sealing the Red Sox collapse and the Yankees’ triumph. New York then defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series for their second straight championship.
Current Yankees chase division title
This year’s Yankees still aim to overtake Toronto in the AL East. They remain only one games back with five games left. The Blue Jays have already clinched a postseason berth but continue to fight for the division crown.
New York now begins a pivotal six-game homestand against two last-place opponents, Baltimore and Chicago. They also hold a three-game edge over Boston for the top Wild Card position.
Record books await rewriting
If Cleveland finishes the job, they would not only top the Yankees’ 1978 mark but also eclipse the 1914 “Miracle Braves,” who came back from 15 games down to win the National League pennant and then the World Series.
The Guardians have the edge in tiebreakers over Detroit, with two games still head-to-head before finishing against Texas. The Tigers, meanwhile, face the pressure of closing strong to avoid a collapse.
For New York, the parallels to 1998 provide optimism for another October run. For Cleveland, the chance to break a Yankees-held record underscores the enduring truth of the game: no lead is safe until the final out.
With October approaching, both the Yankees’ road surge and the Guardians’ climb keep history within reach.
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