From BlackBerry to TikTok: the world changed, but the Yankees are still waiting for their 28th ring

From the rise of BlackBerry phones to the global phenomenon of TikTok , from Lady Gaga on the dance floors to a new generation of stars, the world has changed in nearly 17 years , but the New York Yankees have still been waiting since 2009 for a World Series title that would allow them to claim their 28th crown.

On November 4, 2009 , the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in the sixth game of the World Series to close out the series 4-2 and lift the trophy for the twenty-seventh time .

Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Alex Rodríguez , all retired, were part of that team that took New York to the top of baseball.

By then, the music had the rhythm of " Poker Face ," by Lady Gaga, and "I Gotta Feeling ," by The Black Eyed Peas. Reggaeton was expanding its international reach led by Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and Wisin y Yandel , while Taylor Swift , at 19 years old, was beginning to establish a career that would make her one of the great figures in world music.

In technology, the iPhone 3GS was one of the year's new releases, and BlackBerry phones, with their physical keyboards and BBM messaging service, maintained their appeal.

Instagram did not yet exist and TikTok was still far from becoming a global phenomenon. Photos were shared on Facebook and games like FarmVille entertained millions of users.

Sports was also experiencing an era that now seems distant

Lionel Messi , at 22, had just won the Champions League with Barcelona, while Cristiano Ronaldo , 24, was beginning his spell at Real Madrid after his transfer from Manchester United.

Kobe Bryant , who died in a tragic helicopter crash in 2020, was celebrating his fourth NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James , then 24 years old, was already one of basketball’s biggest stars.

In athletics, 23-year-old Jamaican Usain Bolt set the world record in the 100 meters in Berlin with 9.58 seconds, a mark that still remains in the history books.

The generational contrast is even more striking

Stephen Curry was 21 years old and had just been selected by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA draft. Neymar , 17, was taking his first steps in professional soccer with Brazil's Santos.

Kylian Mbappé was barely 10 years old, Erling Haaland was a 9-year-old child, and Carlos Alcaraz , future star of world tennis, had just turned 6.

Time has led some idols into retirement, turned children into champions, and transformed the habits of millions of people.

But for Yankees fans, one image remains pending: to see their team celebrate a Major League World Series title again .

It won't be this time. The title drought will stretch one more year because of the Tampa Bay Rays , who swept "the Bronx Bombers" in three games in one of the American League Division Series.