2. Bill Dickey
Bill Dickey or the other person to wear No. 8, was not only one of the greatest catchers in Yankees’ history but among the Top-10 in baseball history.
He helped his team win eight American League Pennants (1932, ’36, ’37, ’38, ’39, ’41, ’42 and ’43) and earned seven World Series rings in eight appearances (losing only in 1942).
I consider Dickey to be one of the unofficial captains until Munson became one. He not only led the Yankees to their 106-win season in ’39 but also helped them earn their tenth championship in 1943.
In that year, Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, and Phil Rizzuto were off fighting World War II. Dickey would soon join the service for the next two years.
In his 17 year career, the 11-time All-Star had a career batting average of .313 and 202 home runs.
