The New York Yankees have had a luxurious history to say the least, sparking debate as to who would make a roster consisting of the franchise’s all-time greats.
27 world championships, 40 pennants, and 52 playoff appearances have highlighted the rich history of the greatest franchise in all of sports. When you think of all-time greats throughout baseball, numerous names once resided and excelled in the Bronx.
As a result, an overflow of great talent provides for some brilliant debate. Debate regarding the best of the best.
Numbering them and comparing them with a sense of objectivity is simply too hard to do. Stacking up players with different positions is utterly unfair.
With that said, why not combine them?
Just how deadly, lethal, and dynamic would a team consisting of the Yankee greats be? Position by position, there would not be a star. Instead, there would be a legend.
Well, to halt your train of wondrous and jumbled thoughts, Elite Sports NY has created that team for you.
From the “secondary options” to the cleanup hitter, this team would have a tough time losing a game. So, without further adieu, let’s take a peak at the New York Yankees’ roster if their greatest all-time forces were to team up.
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.
Outfield
Left Field
His 56-game hit streak was probably the most impressive baseball feat ever, but DiMaggio’s greatness goes beyond that. He made the all-star team every single year in the bigs, earned three AL MVP awards, and had one of the cleanest careers — front to back — that the game has ever seen. His .325/.398/.579 career slash says a lot about what he accomplished. If this team was assembled, Joltin’ Joe would be a shoe-in for the left field starting nod.
Center Field
Mickey Mantle was a once-in-a-century kind of talent. There is no need to explain why he would be the one between Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth. If you want a sample of his best output, though, take a look at 1956 — his age 24 season. The Mick smashed 52 homers, drove in 130 runs, and slashed .353/.464/.705, winning the triple crown and the AL MVP.
His backup, Bernie Williams, is one of the most overshadowed players in Yankees history. Hidden behind the “Core Four,” he was one of the most consistent and clutch individuals the organization has witnessed. If Mantle ever needed a breather, the opposition would feel the Bern.
Right Field
This is a right field depth chart you just don’t see. On one hand, you have the greatest player of all-time. On another hand, you have the man holding the clean single-season home run record. In the third slot, out of pure desperation, you have one of the most prolific power hitters in history and Mr. October — thanks to his three homers in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. Sure, Babe Ruth, his .342/.474/.690 slash, and his 714 career homers earn the everyday reps, but the depth cannot possibly become more stellar.
Starting Rotation
The first four are self-explanatory. Those are four of the most extraordinary starting pitchers in baseball history. The fifth, however, can and will be argued. Andy Pettitte earns the slot because of his clutch gene and will to win, always coming through in the most meaningful times. His 219 wins in pinstripes can also back it up.
Furthermore, his role out of the rotation would be significantly more substantial than his role out of the bullpen on a team of this magnitude.
While you have four so-called “aces” on this staff, Ford gets the official title as team ace. His career .690 winning-percentage and 2.75 ERA are more than enough to make the case, but his 162-game average of 230 innings proves his value as a workhorse.
Bullpen
On a team with the prestige of this one, it is perfectly fair to throw three starting pitchers in the bullpen, especially when you consider what they accomplished in their individual careers. Most times, you would not see Lopat, Stottlemyre, or Pennock enter a game, with either Ford, Gomez, Ruffing, Guidry, or Pettitte handing it off to the setup men. However, they are beautiful insurance policy.
Righetti gets a share of the seventh inning due to his dominance as New York’s closer from 1984-1990, with Lyle and his more stifling filth taking a more prominent role.
Once you make it to the eighth inning, you know your team is something special. Goose Gossage is perfecting setup duties, bridging the gap to the greatest closer of all-time.
Enter Sandman. Mariano Rivera, his 652 career saves, and 0.70 postseason ERA can then trot in from right-center field and do the rest, most likely breaking a few bats, inducing a couple of fits, and ultimately slamming the door without a hitch.
Lineup
- Derek Jeter – SS
- Alex Rodriguez – 3B
- Babe Ruth – RF
- Lou Gehrig – 1B
- Mickey Mantle – CF
- Joe DiMaggio – LF
- Roger Maris – DH
- Yogi Berra – C
- Robinson Cano – 2B
When a manager — probably Joe McCarthy — has Yogi Berra batting eighth and Robinson Cano rounding out the order, let’s just say they are living the dream. The 3-4-5 tandem of Ruth-Gehrig-Mantle would be a sight to see, with DiMaggio and Maris doing secondary cleanup work in the sixth and seventh spots. This is not to mention the top of the order, featuring Jeter and A-Rod doing the table-setting.
Want a pinch-hitter late in the game (not that you would need one)? How about Reggie Jackson, Bill Dickey, Don Mattingly, and Bernie Williams as viable options.
Yes, it would be difficult to envision a loss out of this group.