TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees will play Frank Sinatra's version of the "Theme From New York, New York" only after home wins instead of all games in the Bronx, going back to the original custom set by owner George Steinbrenner in 1980.
The Yankees said players and staff were tired of hearing a celebratory song following defeats.
After Sunday's 4-0 spring training loss to Detroit at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees played Sinatra's 1966 recording of "That's Life," a 1963 song by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon. The change occurred two days after the team ended the ban on beards imposed by Steinbrenner in 1976.