Infield
Catcher
There is little discussion to be had in this area. Berra and Dickey are undoubtedly the two greatest catchers in Yankees history. If you were to combine their rings, two-thirds of the franchise’s total championships would be accounted for. The organization simply passed on the reins from one legendary catcher to the next, with Yogi somehow bettering his predecessor’s achievements, winning three AL MVP awards in the midst of 10 World Series runs.
First Base
Gehrig put up breathtaking numbers throughout his iconic career, which unfortunately came to an end due to a life-shortening disease. Crazily enough, he oftentimes drove in more runs than the man batting in front of him — Babe Ruth. His slash line for his career came out at .340/.447/.632, with seven seasons eclipsing the 150 RBI mark. Enough said.
His backup in this case, Mattingly, is as deserving a candidate as you will find. He never tasted glory in New York, retiring a year prior to the start of the late-90s dynasty. However, his years playing first base in the Bronx signified dominance. From 1984-1989, he was the best player in baseball — hands down.
Second Base
When Cano packed his bags for Seattle following the 2013 season, he left behind an unmatched second base legacy in New York. Already one of the better hitting — and power-hitting — second baseman of all-time, his impact with the Yankees was profound, smashing 204 homers and driving in 822 runs to go along with a .309 average over nine seasons with the organization. Playing a large role in the 2009 championship run only helped in fortifying his name.
Shortstop
Fans could never get enough of Bob Sheppard’s voice reverberating throughout Yankee Stadium whenever the Captain would step up to the plate. Why? They knew it only as a sign of promise. Derek Jeter earned every letter of the phrase “Captain Clutch,” serving as the face of the team for five world championships. Big hit after big hit, miraculous plays at shortstop, and revered consistency. No one in Yankee history has come close at the shortstop position. Oh, and he finished sixth on major league baseball’s all-time hits list (3,465).
Third Base
Love him or hate him, Alex Rodriguez is one of the 10 best men ever to play the game of baseball. Regardless of reputation and allegations, he is one of the greater talents to don pinstripes, and certainly the most worthy of the third base nod. A-Rod won two AL MVPs, jacked 351 homers, and drove in 1,096 runs over his 12-year tenure in New York. He also carried the 2009 team on his back, securing the franchise’s 27th title. For his career, he finished at 696 homers, placing fourth on the all-time list. Moreover, he recorded 2,086 RBIs, 3,115 hits, 2,021 runs, and 548 doubles. It may take a couple of decades for fans to truly appreciate the player that he was.
