How many times have the New York Yankees made the playoffs?

Answer 1

***The following info is as of October 26, 2010, and includes the most recent 2010 ALCS Yankees loss to the Texas Rangers. ***

Short answer: Since the Yankees were founded in 1901, they have made it to the postseason 49 times.

Long answer:

There have been 106 postseasons from 1903 through 2010. This already excludes the fact that there were no postseasons in 1904 or 1994. Otherwise, it would be 108.

The Yankees have made the postseason 49 times. Thus, they have made the postseason 46.2% of the time since 1903 (49 of 106).

The New York Yankees made the playoffs 20 times since Major League baseball began the playoff system in 1969. 16 Eastern division titles, and 4 wild card berths.

The other 29 of their postseason appearances were made in the classic era, prior to the Playoffs (1903 - 1968). These were straight-to-World Series appearances, because in those days, the team with the best regular-season record in the League won the Pennant and declared AL Champion. There were no playoffs, unless there was a tie. The Yankees never were in a tie-breaking playoff during this era.

They have won the AL Pennant 40 times (also meaning they appeared in the World Series 40 times). 29 of those AL Pennants were prior to the more modern playoff system that began in 1969. They've won 11 AL Pennants since the playoff system was implemented starting 1969.

Since the Wild Card era began in 1995, they have made the playoffs 15 of 16 times.

Overall series W-L records (not individual game records):

World Series Record: 27-13

ALCS Record (Since 1969 modern era): 11-3

ALDS Record (Since 1995 Wild Card era): 10-6 *

*includes a weird 1981 playoff prior to the ALCS. Look it up.