Dan Topping
| Birthdate | 06/11/1912 |
| Death Date | 05/18/1974 |
| Debut Year | 1945 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Yankees |
| Position | Owner |
The New York Yankees won fifteen American League championships and ten World Series championships while Dan Topping owned the team.
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During Dan Topping's reign the Yankees won 10 World Series
During Dan Topping's reign the Yankees won 10 World Series
Dan Topping was co-owner of the Yankees during one of the most successful runs in the history of professional sports. Under his guidance from 1945-1964 New York appeared in 15 World Series and came away as champion 10 times.
In this letter, Topping writes to pitcher Eli Grba thanking him for his time as a Yankee, informing him that he’s been selected first overall in the expansion draft by the Angels, and wishing him the best of luck.
Grba went on to be the Angels Opening Day starter, throwing the first pitch in franchise history and gaining the team’s first ever Major League victory.
Topping telegram congratulating Walter O'Malley for winning the NL
Topping telegram congratulating Walter O'Malley for winning the NL
The Yankees beat the Dodgers in the World Series five times while Dan Topping owned them. The final time came in 1956. The Yankees finished 9 games in front of the Indians in the AL. In the NL, the Dodgers squeaked into the World Series.
With two days left on the 1956 regular-season baseball calendar, the Dodgers were a half game in back of the Milwaukee Braves. Brooklyn then swept the Pirates in a double header on September 29 while the Braves lost to the Cardinals to put the Dodgers a game up with one day to go.
Needing a win on the last day of the season to propel the team to the World Series, the team gave the ball to Don Newcombe to bring home the pennant.
Newk did what he did best in 1956 and the Dodgers were National League champs. Shown here is a telegram dated October 1, 1956 sent from Yankee owner Dan Topping to Dodger owner Walter O’Malley.
“Congratulations. See you Wednesday” the telegram says alluding to the World Series. The Dodgers would go on to win Game 1 and 2 before the Yankees came rolling back to win the Series 4-3.
Joe DiMaggio's 1956 season pass was issued by Dan Topping
Joe DiMaggio's 1956 season pass was issued by Dan Topping
Joe DiMaggio retired after the 1951 season after three straight World Series titles. In the collection is his season pass to all Yankee games for the 1956 season.
New York had dropped the previous World Series to the Dodgers but avenged the loss in a seven-game thriller against Brooklyn in 1956.
One can picture the dapper DiMaggio flashing the pass and making his way to see his former teammates. At the bottom left of the pass is the facsimile signature of Yankee owner Dan Topping.
Dan Topping Jr. invited dignitaries to the Yankee Old Timers' games
Dan Topping Jr. invited dignitaries to the Yankee Old Timers' games
Dan Topping owned the Yankees from 1945-1965, a time in which the team won 15 American League pennants and ten World Series championships.
In 1961 he hired his son Dan Jr. to work for the club in various positions including the grounds crew, and the ticket and publicity offices. The following season Topping Jr. became the GM of the minor league Fort Lauderdale Yankees, moving back to the big club in 1963 as the New York assistant GM.
When his father sold controlling interest in the team to CBS, Topping Jr. kept his job. Then in 1966 Ralph Houk moved from the GM office back to the dugout as manager, Topping Jr. became acting general manager.
It was in this capacity that Topping Jr. wrote this letter to National League President Warren Giles. Here Topping Jr. extends an invitation to the Yankees Old Timers’ Day in 1966. As National League President, Giles represented the Senior Circuit in many events throughout the season.
According to Topping Jr., this event was, “especially significant”. He writes, “Our guests this year will be the 1941 Yankees and Dodgers – opponents in the World Series 25 years ago. We are also commemorating Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak of 1941 and we plan a special memorial tribute to Lou Gehrig who passed away this same year.”
The next piece is Giles acceptance to the event.
Warren Giles accepted Topping Jr.'s invitation to 1966 Old Timers' Day
Warren Giles accepted Topping Jr.'s invitation to 1966 Old Timers' Day
In this letter, Hall of Fame executive Warren Giles accepts the invitation to the 1966 Yankee Old Timers’ Day. Giles apologizes for not responding earlier, explaining that he’s been busy with arrangements for induction day that would be held two days after the Yankee gala.
Giles writes, “I always enjoy these Yankee Old Timers’ Days. They are always done so well and I am sure I will get a big bang greeting some of the 1941 Yankees and Dodgers.”
It must’ve been a busy week for the NL chief, first at the Old Timers’ Day then at the induction of Ted Williams and Casey Stengel.
