For most Yankees fans, the only "playoff record" that matters is reaching 11 wins, some way, some how. Still, shattering a few bits of Yankees history along the way could be kind of fun, considering how storied this franchise has always been.
While the Yankees pursue a collective championship, a few players also have solid chances to etch their names in the franchise's record books -- a book so old and dusty the forward was written by Tim Hill (kidding, he's 34 going on 55).
The Yankees' all-time postseason records aren't in peril; after all, the '90s core used to make it to October annually, and went to the World Series six times between 1996 and 2003. Bernie Williams' 22 postseason home runs in 121 career playoff games likely isn't going to be challenged this fall ... unless one particular Yankee pops off in a manner that would be shocking, but not jaw-dropping, if you know what we mean.
Yankees franchise records that could fall during 2024 World Series
Most Home Runs in a Single Yankees Postseason
Right now, this mark is held by Giancarlo Stanton, who socked six in the 2020 playoffs -- that was just the Wild Card round and a five-game ALDS! This October, he's got five already, so one more in the Fall Classic will tie the existing mark. If you want to get highly greedy, he's six bombs away from Bernie's career mark in ... 85 fewer games. That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. That is just so stupid.
It probably won't happen this fall, but if Playoff G sticks around a bit longer, he could easily be the all-time record holder for baseball's most storied franchise. King this man. Hall of Fame this man.
Most Hits in a Single Yankees Postseason
Currently, this record belongs to Tino Martinez, who ripped 20 hits during the Yankees' 2000 World Series run against the New York Mets. Someone would need to really pop off during the final series to reach the mark, but both Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto enter Friday's battle with 11 to their names. A seven-gamer and an extended heater could get the job done.
And, because I know you were wondering, Anthony Volpe's at nine. Feels like more.
Most Runs Scored in a Single Yankees Postseason
That would be Alex Rodriguez in 2009 (iconically), who scored 15 times in October. Torres, who has been on base near-constantly, has currently scored nine times through October's first two rounds. Imagine if he'd been knocked home all those times he got on base ahead of Aaron Judge in the ALDS and ALCS? He reached base to start five of the first six Yankees playoff games and only scored twice.
All in all, whether these franchise records fall or remain, it feels fantastic to be threatening them again. That said, as Big G goes, the Yankees have gone this postseason, and two home runs for the all-time single-season mark feels ... just right. But three feels better.
