If it wasn’t for their long history of sports success, the New York Yankees might have a branding image problem in the Big Apple. The New York Police Department reports that criminals have taken a liking to donning Yankees caps and jerseys when committing burglaries, muggings and other violations of law.

 

Police records since 2000 show that more than 100 people suspected of committing crimes in New York City wore Yankees apparel at the time of the crimes or during their arrest. By contrast, only about a dozen lawbreakers were wearing Mets gear.

 

Some experts blame gangsta rappers for the trend in using Yankee wear, while others say criminals are identifying with the team’s reputation for money, power and success. Still others contend that it is just a function of the successful marketing of Yankee merchandise. One quarter of nationwide sales of items licensed by Major League Baseball carry the Yankee logo.

 

The Yankee cap phenomenon is not limited to New York. Eddie Dodson, who robbed 64 banks in the Los Angeles area during an eight-month period in 1983-1984 (including six in one day), always wore a Yankees cap and was dubbed the “Yankee Bandit.”

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Crime Blotter Has a Regular: Yankees Caps (by Manny Fernandez, New York Times)