BRONX, N.Y. — On this date in 1996, the New York Yankees birthed a new dynasty. At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees defeated the Atlanta Braves, 3-2 in Game 6 to win the World Series.
The series started with the Bronx Bombers in a 2-0 series hole where they were outscored 16-1 at home. Yet, the Yankees won three straight games on the road and capped off the series with a win at home.
It marked the twenty-third title in franchise history and the first since 1978.
As he did for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992, Jimmy Key won the Game 6 clincher against the Braves. Key spun 5.1 frames of one-run ball.
The pinstripes took care of business in the third inning against Greg Maddux. Paul O’Neill set the table with a double to right. Mariano Duncan moved him over with a groundout to second. Joe Girardi, Maddux’s former batterymate with the Chicago Cubs, made the Stadium shake with an RBI-triple to center. Derek Jeter followed with an RBI-single to left. After Jeter stole second and Wade Boggs popped out to right, Bernie Williams capped off the scoring by plating Jeter with a single to center.
David Weathers, Graeme Lloyd, and Mariano Rivera kept the Braves off the board and handed the ball to eventual World Series MVP closer John Wetteland in the ninth inning. Wetteland made it interesting, allowing a run but eventually got Mark Lemke to pop out in foul territory to third baseman Charlie Hayes to win the World Series.
