Major league dynasties have been born in the minor leagues of New Jersey. The dominant New York Yankee teams of the '30s, '40s, and '50s were made up of players who made their last minor league stop with the Newark Bears. The 1937 champion Bears were voted the greatest minor league team of all-time by Baseball America. Legendary Yankee catcher Yogi Berra played for the Bears in 1946, hitting .314 with 15 home runs.

New Jersey's minor league tradition continues today with six minor league teams throughout the state. The Trenton Thunder, New Jersey Cardinals, New Jersey Jackals, Atlantic City Surf, Somerset Patriots, and a new version of the Newark Bears keep professional baseball thriving in New Jersey.

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