Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why were the 1927 New York Yankees called Murderer’s Row?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The 1927 New York Yankees were nicknamed "Murderers' Row" because of their exceptionally powerful, hard-hitting lineup.12

This moniker was earned in the mid-1920s due to the collective offensive dominance of key players, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Bob Meusel, and Earle Combs. The 1927 team, in particular, is often cited by baseball experts as one of the greatest teams in history, highlighted by Ruth’s record-setting 60 home runs and Gehrig’s 175 runs batted in.21