The New York Yankees can slug homers but with summer approaching, it’s time to imagine the greatest Home Run Derby ever.
The New York Yankees rarely have to face each other when it comes to the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend. But imagine if they did have to.And not just players from this current team, either. The Yankees have such a rich history of crushing home runs that it would be unfair to only look at the right now.
It’s fun to predict who will participate in 2017’s greatest All-Star festivity, so why not go back in time a little and make a list of the greatest Home Run Derby to ever exist.
Sure, it isn’t real. But if it was, you know fans would be lining up to get tickets to witness this historical event.
From oldest to youngest, here is the greatest imaginary Home Run Derby known to man. And the real question is, who would win?
10. Babe Ruth
Ruth was around far before the Home Run Derby was even a legitimate thought. And of course, he would be on our list, as he is the all-time leader in home runs for the New York Yankees.
The Bambino himself would be an opponent no other Yankees would want to face, as he slugged forty or more home runs in 11 of his 21 seasons.
Ruth would be a fierce competitor in the Yankees Home Run Derby but would he emerge as the champion?
9. Lou Gehrig
The Iron Horse earns a spot amongst these All-Stars. Gehrig, who crushed 493 career home runs as a Yankee, would put on quite a show during a Home Run Derby.
During his most successful year in 1934, the first baseman slugged 49 home runs and impressed with 165 runs batted in. Put that out in the Home Run Derby and you have some scary competition.
8. Joe DiMaggio
Here comes Joltin’ Joe, riding his way into the competition! We can’t forget the famous name of DiMaggio when it comes to some of the best home runs hitters in the game.
In fact, it’s a crime to not include DiMaggio. Even though he didn’t have the numbers that Ruth and Gehrig had when it came to quantity, he had the power to elevate his game and the get the job done.
7. Yogi Berra
“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” That is guaranteed to be Berra’s motto in a competition as fierce as this.
Berra was known for his sayings but also hit 358 home runs in a Yankee uniform. Not too shabby for a little guy. My prediction? He would surprise everyone just because he’s Yogi Berra.
6. Mickey Mantle
The Mick is in the game. You know, part one of the M&M Brothers? Yeah, that guy will be up for the challenge of the Home Run Derby.
54 home runs in 1961? Second-most home runs in a Yankee uniform? The Mick deserves his shot at overtaking these other Yankees in the Derby.
5. Roger Maris
Might as well throw the other half of the M&M Brothers into the mix. Maris was the one who broke the record, crushing 61 home runs in the 1961 season.
He kept that pace for a whole season. There’s not a doubt in my mind that he could hang with the best of the boys in pinstripes through history.
4. Don Mattingly
Mainly for the popularity factor, Donnie Baseball gets the nod to participate in the competition. Still a solid home run hitter on the Yankees, he didn’t have the monster shots that some of the others showed.
However, he’s Donnie Baseball. And darn right, we need his attitude, leadership and bat in this imaginary Home Run Derby.
3. Jason Giambi
Oh, Jason. You’ve won the Yankees many a game during your time in pinstripes. You even won a Home Run Derby yourself.
But could you handle the pressure of being up against some of the best bats in Yankees history? We’ll find out as this strong lefty finds his way to the lineup.
2. Robinson Cano
Cano went for the money and I can’t say that I blame him. But when he was with the Yankees, he raked.
Cano also won a Home Run Derby title while wearing pinstripes before he skipped town to join the Seattle Mariners. Even so, he hasn’t lost his stride. A strong home run hitter, Cano makes his way onto an elite list.
Nice work Robbie … except we still blame you for letting us go through a Stephen Drew phase.
1. Alex Rodriguez
Love him or hate him, A-Rod deserves to be on this list as one of the most complete hitters in the game. Regardless of his past and issues surrounding his arrival in New York, A-Rod was expected to hit home runs.
And he constantly delivered. The 14-time All-Star and three-time American League MVP ended up with 696 home runs in his career, many of them being absolute bombs.
A-Rod has the chops to hang with the big boys and he might even have the skills to win the whole darn thing.
With this list of heavy hitters, who do you have winning the greatest New York Yankees Home Run Derby? And why can’t this be a new addition to Old Timer’s Day?
