Can the Yanks Win During a Depression?

During the last one, we sure didn't.

Historically, the fates of the Yanks and America are intertwined.

We're losing to KC and not hitting a lick. And now come reports of food riots. Yes. Food riots.

A little history about the last good-bad era...

1921-1928: “ROARING TWENTIES”

U.S. Overview: Cultural renaissance. Rising quality of life. Prosperity.

Yankee Overview: Six pennants in 9 seasons. Rising batting averages. Prosperity.

Major Events:

August 1922: Yanks roll to pennant. U.S. Steel gives 20 percent wage increase.

October 1927: Yanks hailed as all-time greatest team. President Hoover says wages highest in history.

1929-1931: “GREAT DEPRESSION”

U.S. Overview: Eleven million lose jobs. Hunger. Riots.

Yankee Overview: Nine million people watch losers. No pennants.

Events:

October 1929: Yanks finish 18 games out. New York Stock Exchange collapses in “Crash of ’29.”

October 1930: Yanks finish third. Jobless ranks hit 4.8 million. World mourns.

October 1931: Yanks finish 13½ games out. Riots in London. Civil war in Kentucky.

This is serious stuff, people. Giambi had better start hitting.