The Greatest Yankees Team of All-Time

Probably the most exciting and rewarding thing about working in education is a day like today. You go to bed like a second grader, dreaming about the possibility of a snow day. Then at 5:34 AM, you get the call from an exhausted co-worker that school is closed, and then before shutting off my alarm clock, it's my duty to bring joy to another employee on the snow chain, informing him that we've got the day off. So as I'm snowed in and dreaming about the possibility of another potential snow day tomorrow, I decided that it's time to name the all-time Yankees team by position. Enjoy!

CATCHER: This one is really no contest. The greatest catcher in Yankees' history is Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra. Yogi has won ten World Series rings as a player, the most in history. As a catcher, he was named MVP three times, and clubbed 12 World Series homers along the way. You will probably never see a catcher aside from Johnny Bench and Joe Mauer have the kind of success that Yogi had over a long career. Bench won two rings, Mauer has none, unless he wants to sign with the Yankees next year...

FIRST BASE: First base may be the position that I feel most passionate about. Like catcher, this position is also no contest. The greatest first baseman who ever lived happen to wear the pinstripes for his entire career: Henry Louis Gehrig. "Larrupin' Lou" lived in Babe Ruth's shadow for most of his career, and quietly put together a simply amazing record. Lou picked up two MVP awards, and a triple crown in 1934. In 8 World Series, Gehrig clubbed 10 homers and hit a whopping .361. Lou Gehrig to me still is the number one symbol of Yankee pride and traidition. While other legendary Yankees were out carousing with women or battling personal issues, Lou was nothing but quiet, courageous, and a true team captain. As we know, he delievered baseball's Gettysburg Address in 1939, calling himself the "luckiest man on the face of the earth" despite being diagnosed with a fatal disease. No first baseman will ever likely top Gehrig's career.

SECOND BASE: The greatest second baseman in Yankees history goes to one of the lesser-known Hall of Famers, Anthony Michael Lazzeri. "Poosh 'em up Tony" was a member of five championship teams from 1926-1937 and hit 169 homers during his 12 year tenure in pinstripes. Not bad for a second baseman today, even better for a second baseman during that era, especially one who hit in lineups with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio. Many people may mention Willie Randolph, Joe Gordon, or even Bobby Richardson, but if you take a look at the record, Tony wins this honor.

SHORTSTOP: With respect to the lovable Phil Rizzuto, this one is not even close. Derek Sanderson Jeter is by far the greatest shortstop in Yankees history. He's won 5 rings during an era of extended postseasons, and already has the most base hits in franchise history. He's the only Yankee to win an All Star Game MVP, and he was named MVP of the Fall Classic after defeating the hated Mets back in 2000. Jeter, like Gehrig, is a symbol of Yankee pride, honor, and tradition. He and Lou Gehrig are by far the greatest captains in franchise history.

THIRD BASE: I literally had to sit and think about this one for a while. I could go in a few different directions here: Graig Nettles, maybe even Red Rolfe, Clete Boyer? Nope. It's Alex Rodriguez. This 2009 playoffs have offiically cemented him into this position. In six seasons with the Yankees, he has picked up two MVP awards, and finally, a World Series ring. He arguably carried the Yankees to the World Series this year, forever eliminating any non-clutch criticisms from members of the media and from yours truly. No Yankee third baseman has put up numbers anywhere the seasons he's had in New York. Steroids or not, A-Rod is the greatest third baseman the franchise has ever had.

LEFT FIELD: You could say I'm cheating here, but Babe Ruth is the greatest left fielder in Yankee history. And you know what, he played left field quiet a bit in Yankee stadium when the sun was out. The Babe was, I guess, a little too heavy for the heat, so Bob Meusel would take over right field. If you want to hear an argument for why the Babe is the greatest at any position in Yankee history, read my most recent blog post. Enough said.

CENTER FIELD: The outfield itself is pretty easy here. This honor goes to Joseph Paul DiMaggio, the most graceful Yankee in history. Despite missing a few seasons to serve his country overseas, "Joltin' Joe" was named an All Star during all 13 of his seasons, and picked up three MVP awards as well. He's been honored in songs, and called by Yogi Berra the greatest ball player he ever saw. Good enough for me.

RIGHT FIELD: I might be cheating here as well, since he played center field for a good portion of his career, but he played right field during his first season, 1951. Mickey Charles Mantle gets the honor here. Regardless of position, the three greatest outfielders are named here: Ruth, DiMaggio, and Mantle. The Mick played the most games in franchise history, and in 18 seaons, was selected to 16 All Star games. Like Joe D and Yogi, the Mick also won three MVP awards. Mickey and Lou Gehrig are the only Yanks to take home the Triple Crown. Despite his personal battles which took his life, Mickey was always referred to as a "Great Teammate," two words on his monument at Yankee Stadium.

DESIGNATED HITTER: Disagree with my answer all you want, but in my mind, the greatest DH in Yankees history is probably one of my favorites of all time, Hideki Matsui. The man was nothing but classy for seven seasons, and capped off his Yankees career with a World Series MVP in 2009. He averaged 20 homers a season, should have won the '03 Rookie of the Year, and most certainly would have taken home the '04 ALCS MVP if not for the massive collapse. I know who everyone will argue for: Reggie. Maybe I've been brainwashed by my father, or maybe I'm just being honest. Reggie played five seasons and really acted like a jerk. I will always consider Hideki Mastui a true Yankee.

STARTING PITCHER: I'm just going to name one starting pitcher here so the post does not get ridiculously long. There is absolutely no doubt that Edward Charles Ford is the greatest starting pitcher in Yankees history. If nothing else should impress you, Whitey set the record for most consecutive scoreless innings pitched in World Series play, breaking the Babe's record from his Red Sox days. 236 wins over 16 seasons, a career 2.75 ERA, 10 World Series victories, and a 2.71 World Series ERA. No one will ever argue this one.

RELIEF PITCHER: Do I even need to write this one? I guess I should. Mariano Rivera is not only the greatest relief pitcher in history, but I believe that Mo is the greatest pitcher in Yankees history. In 15 seasons with the Yankees, he absolutely defies logic, throwing one single pitch and completely dominating opponents. He's second all time with 526 saves to Trevor Hoffman, but Hoffman has been nothing but a choke artist in the post-season. Rivera? Not quite. 8-1 in post-season play, a 0.74 ERA, and 39 saves. A classy, charitable, and amazing human being. Mo is the perfect person to end any game with. And he'll end this blog entry as well.

Thanks for reading such a long post. Maybe it can get you through a boring snow day. It sure helped me.