NEW YORK -- Bob Sheppard's stilted speech echoed out of the Yankee Stadium public address system before the start of the seventh inning Saturday, and it wasn't to announce a pitching change or defensive replacement.

Sheppard instead thanked the crowd on behalf of the Yankees organization. After attracting a crowd of 53,911 for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, the Yankees' home attendance surpassed 4 million for the season.

They are the second American League team to draw 4 million fans -- the Blue Jays are the other -- and third in the Majors. Toronto and Colorado each surpassed the mark in 1993; the Blue Jays had done so in 1992 as well.

"It's an incredible achievement, particularly when I remember that when I bought the Yankees, we had trouble drawing one million to the Stadium," George Steinbrenner said. "We have the greatest fans in the world. I cheer our fans as they cheer us, day in and day out. And I thank everyone in our organization, on and off the field, for helping to reach this amazing milestone."

With one home game remaining this season, the Yankees lead the Majors in total home attendance, as well as per game average after selling out 41 of 80 home games thus far. The team's average of 50,444, entering Sunday, would place second in Major League history, behind only Colorado's 55,350 average in 1993. If the Yankees reach that total again Sunday, they would overtake Toronto (4,057,947) and post the second-highest single season mark.

This is the eighth straight year the Yankees have set a new season-high in attendance, and the seventh consecutive year they have welcomed at least 3 million fans through the Stadium gates.

"New York's a hot spot," Derek Jeter said. "It's always the hot restaurant, hot club, hot play, and Yankee Stadium's been a hot spot now for a few years."

The Yankees used words like "remarkable," "amazing," "awesome" and "unbelievable" when describing their reactions to this season's fan support. Aaron Small said it was unlike any environment he had previously experienced, saying that it took receiving a standing ovation to realize how loud 50,000 people could be.

Gary Sheffield cited that fan support as the reason he came to play in New York. He said he was swayed while sitting in the stands during a playoff game while his uncle, Dwight Gooden, pitched for the Yankees.

"It brings out emotions in you that you didn't think you'd have," Sheffield said. "You get a lot of reactions from players on the baseball field that you normally might not see. When you're in front of them, it just does something to you."

Jason Giambi praised Yankees fans for coming out in such large numbers multiple times a week, citing the difficulty for a baseball team to continually sell out. He pointed out that NFL teams fans have to commit to attending NFL games only once a week.

"These fans are so incredible," manager Joe Torre said. "They're very knowledgeable, and the Yankees fans are very passionate. They want to see what they want to see. They get angry; they show support, like they did for Jason earlier this year. They're here for [us], and we certainly appreciate it."