Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' Won't Be Played Anymore After the Yankees Lose in the Bronx — and Fans Have Thoughts

Mar. 15, 2025

Frank Sinatra; Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.Photo:Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty; Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday via Getty

Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty; Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday via Getty

Fans won’t be spreading the news after a loss at Yankee Stadium this spring.

On Sunday, Feb. 23, the New York Yankees announced they would no longer playFrank Sinatra’s “(Theme From) New York, New York)” at the end of a game, should the team lose at Yankee Stadium.

Instead, they will be “rotating through a number of different songs” following any Yankees losses perThe Athletic.“None of them will be ‘New York New York,” the publication adds.

PEOPLE reached out to the Yankees for comment and did not receive an immediate response.

On Sunday following a loss to the Detroit Tigers during spring training in Tampa at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Sinatra’s “That’s Life” played after the final inning.

Joe DiMaggio and Frank Sinatra in New York City in 1949.NY Daily News Archive via Getty

NY Daily News Archive via Getty

The tradition dates back to 1980 when George M. Steinbrenner heard Sinatra’s song out at a nightclub. He obtained a cassette tape of “New York, New York” and played it on the speakers at Yankee Stadium, liked what he heard, and immediately reached out to Sinatra’s team.

“Sinatra wrote back and said that he would be very pleased to have the song played at the stadium,” John Fugazy, the Yankees’ marketing director at the time, toldThe New York Timesin 1980. “After one game, I noticed people were standing in the aisles at their seats listening or singing the song. And this was after the team lost.”

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Upon learning about the song changeup, fans shared their collective relief online. “Finally! Long overdue and good solution to keep Sinatra in rotation,“one said.

“I actually love this change. Always felt weird walking out of the stadium after a loss and hearing ‘New York, New York.’ ‘That’s Life’ is the perfect choice,“another chimed in. “Playing “My Way” after a loss would be objectively hilarious,“a third commented, referring to another Sinatra hit.

Someone pointed outthat hearing “New York, New York after losing the World Series was embarrassing,” referring to the2024 World Seriesagainst the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Bronx.

“And if I can make it there, I’m gonna make it anywhere/It’s up to you, New York, New York,” just didn’t hit the same after a loss, anyway.

Frank Sinatra in New York City in October 1992.Ebet Roberts/Redferns

Ebet Roberts/Redferns

This change for the Yankees organization comes days afterthe longstanding rule about facial hair- dating back to 1973 — had been amended.

General managing partner Hal Steinbrenner said in astatement shared onlinethat he spoke with “a large number of former and current Yankees – spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy.”

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“I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback,” Steinbrenner, 55, said, noting that the discussions have been part of “an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years.”

“Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy,” the statement concluded.

source: people.com