The Short, Unfortunate Era of CBS Owning the New York Yankees: A Tale of Pinstripes and Perplexity
Ah, the New York Yankees. A team synonymous with winning, dynasties, and enough World Series rings to make a hobbit jealous. But even the Bronx Bombers have a blemish or two on their storied history. Enter CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System, a company more at home with sitcoms than sluggers.
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| How Long Did Cbs Own The New York Yankees |
From Diamonds to Dial-Tones: CBS Buys the Yankees (1964)
In 1964, CBS decided to diversify its holdings and, in a move that still makes some Yankees fans wince, purchased 80% of the team for a cool $11.2 million (which, adjusted for inflation, is like buying a stadium seat made of solid gold today). Maybe they thought Mickey Mantle could moonlight as a news anchor, or Yogi Berra could dispense folksy wisdom during commercials. Who knows?
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
The Bronx Broadcast Blues: A Time of Woeful Losses (and Sitcom Reruns)
Let's just say things didn't go swimmingly for CBS. The Yankees, a team used to feasting on championships, suddenly looked like they were auditioning for a baseball blooper reel. Here are some of the lowlights:
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
- 1965: The Yankees suffer their first losing season in 40 years. Talk about a Bronx bummer.
- 1966: They finish dead last in their division for the first time since, well, forever ago (1912 to be exact).
- The entire CBS era (1965-1972): Not a single World Series appearance. Not even a whiff of the postseason. Just a whole lotta mediocrity.
The fans were restless, the players were puzzled, and the suits at CBS were probably wondering if they accidentally bought a team sport version of "The Beverly Hillbillies."
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
The Steinbrenner Sweep: A New Era Dawns (1973)
Thankfully, this period of pinstriped purgatory didn't last. In 1973, a group led by the legendary George Steinbrenner (cue the dramatic music) bought the Yankees from CBS for a reported $8.7 million. Steinbrenner, a man who craved winning like a vampire craves blood, immediately revamped the team.
Tip: Don’t skip the small notes — they often matter.
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The rest, as they say, is history. Under Steinbrenner's bombastic leadership, the Yankees returned to their winning ways, capturing World Series titles and becoming the powerhouse franchise we know today.
So, How Long Did the CBS Fumble Last?
The answer, dear reader, is a mere eight seasons. Eight long, confusing seasons where the only highlight might have been catching a glimpse of a CBS logo on a player's helmet (which, thankfully, never happened).
Fun Fact: This period is sometimes referred to as the "Dark Ages" or the "CBS Years" by Yankees fans. Let's just say it wasn't a time they like to reminisce about over hot dogs and Cracker Jack.
How-To FAQ for Confused Baseball Fans:
- How to avoid another CBS-like situation for your favorite team? Easy! Just convince a billionaire with a winning obsession to buy it. Simple, right?
- How to deal with the emotional trauma of witnessing your team struggle? Therapy might be a good start. Or maybe just binge-watching highlights from your team's glory years.
- How to tell if your team is owned by a media company? If they keep trying to broadcast games during batting practice, that's a red flag.
- How to get over a losing season? Focus on the future! Every team goes through rough patches. Just don't let it last eight years like the CBS Yankees, okay?
- How to appreciate the brilliance of George Steinbrenner? A lifetime commitment. But hey, at least he brought winning back to the Bronx.
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