he Yankees began play in the American League in the 1903 season after owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchased the defunct franchise known as the Baltimore Orioles (not to be confused with the modern Baltimore Orioles) and moved the team to New York City naming the club as the New York Highlanders. The Highlanders were officially renamed as the "Yankees" in 1913 The Yankees have won the World Series 27 times more than any other MLB team.