ESPN New York came up with a list of the 50 Greatest Yankees of All-Time. I think it was just a reason for them to run 50 photos for everyone to click on, but I found it very interesting as I went through it so I decided to share it with all of our readers.
I don’t know what to say about the list. It seems hard to me to compare some of these players as most played their entire careers in Pinstripes while others played as few as four or five. Because of this parts of the list seem arbitrary although I have no major complaints. I’m sure some of you will though, so take a look at the list and let us all know what you think.
- Babe Ruth
- Lou Gehrig
- Joe DiMaggio
- Mickey Mantle
- Mariano Rivera
- Yogi Berra
- Derek Jeter
- Whitey Ford
- Red Ruffing
- Bill Dickey
- Don Mattingly
- Thurman Munson
- Alex Rodriguez
- Lefty Gomez
- Reggie Jackson
- Andy Pettitte
- Ron Guidry
- Tony Lazzeri
- Bernie Williams
- Phil Rizzuto
- Jorge Posada
- Roger Maris
- Earle Combs
- Elston Howard
- Goose Gossage
- Allie Reynolds
- Herb Pennock
- Dave Winfield
- Graig Nettles
- Paul O’Neill
- Mel Stottlemyre
- Waite Hoyt
- Willie Randolph
- Spud Chandler
- Bobby Murcer
- Charlie Keller
- Tommy Henrich
- Joe Gordon
- Vic Raschi
- Rickey Henderson
- Eddie Lopat
- Jack Chesbro
- Hank Bauer
- Roy White
- David Cone
- Catfish Hunter
- Gil McDouglad
- Sparky Lyle
- Bob Meusel
- Mike Mussina
Mattingly ahead of Thurman Munson? Dave Winfield ahead of Greg Nettles?
Not a bad list…
I agree….what about Mariano ahead of Yogi? not in my book.
list is very good should have wells perhaps tying mussina so both at 50. but anyway the paul oneill vs dave winfield vs reggie argument is a raging one amounst many yankee fans at the bar. reggie the clutch big mouth hof slugger. winfield the great "hitter" and rbi guy for a decade who failed in his only yankee ws. and paul oniell who isnt considered a hofer because he wasnt a slugger but he was the best pure hitter of the 3 and was just as clutch as reggie. his skills abd patient approach & never give up an at bat style is what personified the yankee dynasty of the late 90s. the only real question is when does oneill & bernie & pettite get their numbers retired.
Wi agree on not a bad list but where's cc sabathia?
My dad was just happy that Munson was ahead of Alex Rodriguez.
I think Mantle should be #2 or maybe Joe. Gehrig should be #4. Jeter should be #5.
Mantle was #2 in a different survey…hard to say, Gehrig was a beast…
Mantle was every bit the beast that Gehrig was. Not only are his numbers pretty much right there with Gehrig's, but he played CF (much harder) and played in an era where colored people were allowed.
More importantly, he had many more championships and defined excellence, not only for the Yankees or baseball, but all of sports during the 1950s and early 60s for an entire generation of Americans. Gehrig was a distant second fiddle (as great as he was) to Ruth.
Mantle was my idol growing up but if you compare Mantle and Gehrig by the numbers, Gehrig is much better…just compare major numbers such as rbi totals, extra base hits, batting average…Gehrig is one of the most under-rated ballplayers of all time…he was too quiet and played in the shadows of Babe Ruth…Mantle was all about an era of New York Yankee baseball…as far as popularity goes, Mantle clearly outshines Gehrig even though Gehrig was part of many world championships…
His numbers cosmetically look great because every star from that era has great numbers. Runs were dime a dozen then. During Mantle's era, they were much harder to come by. Gehrigs OPS+ is 178 and Mantle is 172. That's pretty much in the same ballpark. Mantle has more career WAR than Gehrig, though he has a much higher hurdle because his defensive value gets compared with a replacement level CF and not a first basemen. Not to mention all the extra net stolen bases that Mantle has over Gehrig. So no, when you look further, Gehrig doesn't have "much better" numbers than Mantle.
one of the big differences between Gehrig and Mantle was that Gehrig was a great contact hitter…Gehrig just didn't strike out that much and was a great doubles hitter as well as a hr slugger…considerably better slugging percentage…Gehrig had 117 extra base hits in 1927…i have no idea how to compare generations and that's a good point you bring up…
Gehrig was a monster. Can't put Mantle over him…
gehrig 4 ??? no no no no …. love mickey but gehrig….. always ruth . gehrig not just yankees . but baseball.. after that enjoy the debate
Very interesting debate….just looked up expert Bill James opinion…Mantle,Lou,the Joe…
Lou or Mick #2? Toss up…Joe D #4
True greatness is getting it done when it's most important aka WORLD SERIES….Mantle holds so many WS RECORDS…HR, RBI, RUNS SCORED, TOTAL BASES,AND EXTRA BASE HITS.No doubt Joe D and Lou great but agree Mantle #2!
Mickey's Offensive WS RECORDS gives him edge on #2 all time yank
Mantle had way more power and speed than Joe D and played against better pitching.Mickey all time World Series leader in homers and RBI.The "Mick" should be #2.
I have to agree about Mantle….triple crown 1956 with 52 bombs and 2nd Vic Wertz had 32… Not a triple crown like Yaz when he tied for HR crown! What's more exciting than those tape measure homers before the players got on the "juice"?Who else almost hit it out of the Stadium?
The Mick #2 …..have to agree….Iron Horse awesome too but #3.At his best Mantle was spectatular!
The experts are now elevating Mickey with numerical analysis…OPS etc. many now point out Mickey even appears better than Willie—–agree Mantle #2 Yankee!
Mantle 2, Lou 3, Joe D 4, Yogi 5
Mick should be #2 after Bambino. OPS in his era unmatched as is all his all time WS records!
Mick,Joe,and Lou are close for number2 but I give edge to Mantle.The iron horse had the babe and Joe's teams were loaded but Mickey played against better competion.Mantle #2.Speed/power combo unmatched!
Mickey's World Series records of runs scored,RBI, and 18 homers might tip scale in his favor not to mention his catch in deep left center to save Don Larsen's perfect game.It is close but give the Mick # 2.
Mickey #2…Lou #3…..just read Schoenfields analysis ——agrees——– Mantle awesome
Joe D #4,Iron Horse #3, and #2 The Mick.Mantle played against deeper pitching staffs….more relievers and more night games.
Difficult to compare all time greats from different decades…20's to 60's but safe to say batting ave. got lower and lower presumably because pitching got deeper and deeper.Lou,Joe,and Mick all awesome but rate Mantle #2 due to his clutch walk-off homers and World Series records for runs scored,RBI, and homers!
Babe 1 all time Yankee #1 all time baseball.Mantle #2, Lou #3, Joe D #4, Yogi#5, Jeter #6 ,Whitey. #7.
Mantle career on base % .421 in the 1950-60's….better than "say hey kid"…rate Mantle #2, "Iron horse 3, Joe D 4.
Mickey #2…great teammate.More power,speed,better in WORLD SERIES against better deeper competion.
It seems that more and more fans/experts are rating Mick over Joe.Must be something to this.
Babe 1 all time Yankee #1 all time baseball.Mantle #2 , Lou #3, Joe #4, Mariano #5, Yogi #6, Jeter #7, Whitey#8,Reggie #9, Ruffing 10,
Babe 1 all time Yankee #1 all time baseball.Mantle #2, Iron Horse #3, Joe #4,Whitey#5,Yogi6,Jeter 7, Mariano 8, Red 9, Reggie 10, Donnie 11, Pettie 12
Babe 1,Mantle 2, Lou 3, Joe 4, Yogi 5, Derek 6, Ford 7, Mo 8, Dickey 9, Ruffing 10, Pettite 11, B Williams 12, Reggie 13, Mattingly 14, Tony Lazzeri 15
Babe 1,Mantle 2 , Iron 3 , Joe D 4, Yogi 5, Jeter 6, Whitey 7, Mo 8, Dickey 9, Red 10, Pettite 11, Reggie 12, B Williams 13, T Lazzeri 14, Guidry 15
Mickey.#2 ! Mantle's teams weren't as good as Joe Ds and yet Mick has better OPS.Teams scored more runs in Joe's day because pitching not as deep.The Mick holds all the most important WS records—HR,RBI,RUNS SCORED yet Joe's teams won more titles because his supporting cast was stronger.
Mantle 2 , Lou 3, Yogi 4, Joe 5, Whitey 6, Jeter 7, Mo 8, Dickey 9, Red 10
AS A 15 YEAR YANKEE GOOD TIMES AND BAD ROY WHITE SHOULD BE A HEAD OF HENDERSON, MURCER,WINFIELD POSADA BAUER AND PROBABLY THAT OVER RATED REGGIE
I'm with you, Murray – he was in the Bronx his whole career. He played with an old Mick, then Horace Clarke, all the way to scoring on Bucky Dent's home run off Torrez in 78. To be honest, I was surprised they included him on the list
matt why would they not include Roy on this this
the only reason i think would be as Whitey ford said in his book FEW AND CHOSEN
;roy is the most underated yankee and un appreciated yankee of all time all he did was do his job day in and day out AND DID IT WELL without causing any problems'
murcer was a better player for sure…. and a better yankee
Bernie Williams needs to be higher than 19th. I don't know why but he seems to never get as much credit as he deserves. I think a case could be made that he was the greatest Yankee of the late 90s championship teams. The only one I might put ahead of him from the current era is Rivera.
Oh and definitely David Wells over Mike Mussina.
Wells should be no where near this list after giving up in the 2003 world series in thr pivotal game in florida
Susan, i like your stuff but this guy has a point…Well's could have pitched that game…
He was past his prime at that point. I'm basing it on his 98 greatness.
Many in this list are retired HoFers and some are HoF shoo-ins on retirement. Some retired and some still playing are borderline HoFers. But who are not in HoF induction consideration, retired or active?
Is it possible to be in this list and not be at least borderline HoF material? Murcer?
what about Joe Pepitone…
THE 61 YANKS WITH THE M&M BOYS, MANTLE & MARIS, NOT TO OUT SHINE RUTH & GEHRIG, BOTH WERE GREAT CONTACT HITTERS, BOTH WERE GREAT OUT FIELDERS, BOTH PLAYED FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, NOT LIKE A BUNCH OF TODAY'S BITCHY MILLIONAIRES, SPOILED LITTLE BASTARDS.
61 YANKS MAY NOT HAVE WON 110 GAMES THAT SEASON, BUT THEY WERE A FORCE TO BE RECON WITH UNDER RALPH HOUK.
IF ONE WOULD LOOK AT MANTLE'S OVER ALL BATTING AVERAGE, IT WAS .299, HIS LAST 2 SEASONS HE PLAYED FIRST BASE, YANKS NEEDED HIS BAT IN THE LINE UP
Mantle a contact hitter? when he hit it it sure was "conatcted" though (I saw him play.)
It was great to see Paul O'neill on this list. A great all around player for the Yankees and Reds and his enthusiasm and heart that rubbed off on everyone can't be measured in stats.
Love lists like these. 1) Ruth 2) Mantle 3) Joe D. 4) Gehrig. 5) Yoig. It's not defaming anybody to switch positions in the top 4. It also needs to be pointed out that Mantle was the least well utilized player of the bunch. He was, even after the injuries, the fastest player in the majors for just about all of the 50's. Check out his stolen base pct and his GIDPs, both a tick above Mays for example who's usually thought of by fans today as faster. But nope, he wasn't. If Mantle played today he'd steal 30 bases every year, would have gone 30-30 ten times.
Why does some bozo always have to bring color into this? Look at Mattingly's individual stats, his gold gloves, his batting title, all-star appearances. Its all there on Wikipedia check it out. He was the one shining light in an otherwise dour decade for the Yankees. There are some debatable names on the list but Mr. Baseball for sure earned his place. For the record I personally would have put DJ at 5 and Mo, though I'm a huge fan, a few places lower, just below Whitey Ford.
HBO had a special on Mick….showing his speed (and power) but his speed seems to be forgotten.Costas interviewed Mays and Willie admitted,to his credit , the Mickey had move speed and power!
Baseball Referance has the "Mick" as AL BEST PLAYER 6 times and BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER 9 times!!! Since 1950 BR has Mantle's seasons in 56, 57, 61 RANKED #1, 2, & 4!
Have to rate him #2….only behind the BAMBINO.
Others on this list: sorry Rob, but Munson was a terrible catcher who couldn't throw, run, or hit for anything more than decent power. I'm no Posada fan, but Munson is lucky to be a back up if Posada's on the team. Mattingly? Way overrated, because he's white I think. A-Rod? Wouldn't have him on my team. Rather have Scott Brosius, and I'm serious about this. Anyone who thinks Nettles was more valuable than O'Neill, or Posada more than Maris has just given up the right to be taken seriously. And finally, 2 that really rankle: Rickey Henderson, another HOFer I wouldn't want on my team, and Mussina who never came up big, yes I'd take Wells over him. Most glaring omission: El Duque.
Well you have some interesting opinions, I'll give you that.
Munson was a strong defensive catcher, which is backed up by most advanced metrics. Even after his shoulder issues at the end of his career, he could still throw out runners at a much higher rate than Posada (who I live very much).
El Duque??? over Sabathia??
wells did cost us the 2003 world series due to partying the night before & missing his start in game 4. Mussina pitched a few big games for us. Remember the flip play. 1-0 shutout on the road with his team down 0-2 in a best of 5. Thats a big game. Oneill, bernie, and pettite should be higher. but i think this list is fair wells;/mussina could tie for 50. and as honorable part time player clutch mention….oscar gamble
Tom, Munson was a GREAT catcher. Ranks 11th all time in percentage of base stealers caught. Great range behind the plate and called a terrific game. One of just three catchers to hit 300 and drive in 100 runs three years in a row (75-77) and first in AL to do it for any position since the 50s. Wins over replacement player per game played is top ten among catchers. Remember he played in a pitchers era. There were years when no one in the AL scored 100 runs, when 32 homers led the league and so on. Munson was third in slugging percentage in 73.
mick was the best
Another thought….in '61 Manager moved Mickey from #3 in order because Maris wasn't hitting.Mick was a team player.Maris got better pitches in #3 hole because pitchers didn't want to walk Roger and have to pitch to Mantle! Can you imagine a player making that sacrifice today?
What is it with A-Rod and the number 13? I like A-Rod but he's not the 13th greatest Yankee of all time, should be around 40 to 50. He has only won one World Series. Bernie is much too low at 19, probably should be top 10. Look at the current Yankee team, there is no clutch hitter like Bernie, not even close.
people in the 50 s and 60s put mamtle ahead of joe dimaggio, because many have never seen him play, i never saw dimaggio dive for a ball, never saw diaggio out at a plate, and any think, like scoring form 2nd base or tagging up he only play 10 good yrs , 4 he was in the army, struck out 361 time in 10 yrs. that 36 times a yr. who does that any more, ever get a chance look up his record
Dimaggio is obviously an all-time great. Some of his (fantastic) strikeout numbers are a reflection of the game at the time he played. Players struck out less (didn't swing for the fences as much) and he was facing tired starting pitchers that were less likely to strike him out compared to 100 mph throwing relievers (and lefty/righty specialists) of today.
my 10 best yankee in a line up derek jetter s.s. 2nd base canno 3base greg nettles. 4 1st base lou gergric, c. yogi berra lf mickey mantle c.f. joe dimaggio r.f babre ruth pitcher whitty ford relief picher goose gossage lefty sparkie lye
the fact remains that…. really.. most all of these guys were so good that you could move them 2 or 3 slots either way…except for the top 10.. they are pretty much a lock in my opinion … i saw most everyone from maris and mantle on up play and all one has to do is read about what those players had to say about the old school guys. ….
I'd take the list one step further – select an all-time batting line-up from it, five starting pitchers in order of importance, and a relief corp comprising long relief, set-up, and closer. The 100% lock, in everyone's vote, would have to be Mariano at closer – even the Babe would get some arguments over where to play him in an era of DH hitting. Given his build and less than stellar work-ethic fitness-wise, my vote would be to slot him in at DH. Purists might argue for selecting him in the position he was known for during his hitting days.
move A Rod to # 51
all those yankees suck eneywway there shouldnt even be a list
frickin' Red Sox fan…..
Were you born an anus, or do you work at it?
bball4353 you suckkkk!!!!!!!!
The guy most be a real f a hole if u know baseball at all what a dip sh,,,,t
Having Rivera at #5 feels right at first look because he's acknowledged as the greatest at what he does, so he fits into the mold of Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle and DiMaggio, yet I still can't get past the fact he's a reliever, and that makes it difficult for him to deliver more value than position players like Jeter and Berra (who by most ratings is the second greatest catcher ever.) So I'd move Berra up to 5th, Jeter to 6th and Rivera to 7th. It's close between him and Whitey, who has to get credit for pitching far more innings, yet for now I'll leave Rivera a notch ahead of Ford.
I'm thinking King Kong Keller needs to be somewhere in the top 50, but can't say for sure where. 152 career OPS+. A HOF talent who was held back too long, his swing was messed with, and then he got injured, which prevented him from putting up HOF numbers, but even with that his impact was major.
Cano has earned his way onto this list and if he stays healthy, he'll be moving up a few notches each year.
I'd take the best of the Yankees and play a game against any other persons team an win almost everytime. Greg
The Yanks' third string could beat the first string of many other teams. For example, NO team can go five deep in catchers the quality of Dickey, Berra, Howard, Munson & Posada. (Listed chronologically, not in order of depth).
I saw 30 of the 50 play in my lifetime (from a little kid till now….) Jeez, I am getting old but WHAT a GREAT group of ball players, eh? by the way, to the knucklehead who said Munson couldn't hit, get your head out of your butt… he was one of the greatest clutch hitters in the 1970's… and that isn't just MY opinion. If you didn't see him (and you probably didn't) you don't know what you are talking about.
Very happy to see my old friend Tommy Henrich is on the list.
What a fine gentleman he was.
He truly loved both the Yankees and the game of Baseball.
Tommy was a big Paul O'Neill fan and thought Derek Jeter to be a fine representative of the franchise.
Now, if we could only get "Old Reliable" into the H.O.F.
Yogi has to move up a notch because he was a every day player. Turned out to be a great catcher thanks to Bill Dickey. Goose or Sparky maybe ahead of Mariano as they would pitch to more than 1 to 3 batters per outing. As good as Mariano has been I think they should be rated on same level or higher. I grew up in the 50's so I am partial to Yanks of that time but my dad (long deceased) went back to Ruth's time and he always said no one was better than Joe D. Come to think of it the great did Ted Williams said the same thing. Cano will end of on the list if he continues as he has but let's see his stats after 10 yrs. A-Rod–#1 on most overrated-Look at what he swings at way too often!!
How about Lou Pinella, clutch hitter and fielder, great catch in 77 w/s great stab in 78 playoff vs RedSox, Game winning hit in game 4 of 78 w/s
They got the top 10 right – in particular, numbers 1 and 2.
Myral Hoag, Babe Dahlgren/red Rolfe/Frank Crossetti/Tony LazzeriHorace clarke
Poosh 'em up, yes. The others… HUH? Rolfe was good, but the career wasn't long enough for top 50.
i feel like mike mussina should not be in the top 50 because he never won a world series with the yankees…. Also i feel that catfish hunter should be in the top ten….. BOBERX23
arod is probably the worst yankee to have ever walked the face of the earth
^ error
AROD is the best yankee to ever walk the face of the earth. Even though he did take steriods i feel in this time in the steriod era AROD did the right thing……………
donnie baseball should be in the top ten… he was the yankee capitan … i mean come on now i know he didnt win any world series with the yankkes but he will win one with the LA……… He is one of best yankees of all time!!! what do you thing??????????
Joe Gordon over Lazzeri and Rizzuto. and Combs.and Randolph+ Munson. I love Henrich but he played right field, Gordon 2 base
Moose Skowron deserves some recognition.He was a fixture of the mid 50's and early 60's teams
1BABE 2 MANTLE 3 LOU 4 JOE D 5 YOGI 6 JETER 7 WHITEY 8 MARIANO 9 DICKEY 10 ANDY P
Think top 6 are probably correct but the order,other than Babe is the debate.Agree Mick should rank ahead of Joe D.Combo of speed/power Mantle demonstrated may be unmatched in history of game.Mick holds WS records in HR,RBI and RUNS SCORED!
Whets boby Richardson
a pretty simple comparison of two players of the same era, for the yanks in 20's and 30's would tell you that pitcher herb pennock cleary deserves to be ranked better than earl combs…pennock was voted into the HOF with 77% of the vote in 1948…Combs was getting about 4% at that time and needed the veterans committee to put him in 22 years later…combs only strength was BA & though he had a fine lifetime mark, he never finished in the top 5 in any year as BA's were very high those years…pennock was in the top three for wins and era several times not to mention winning 5 world series games & losing none.
Hard to stick to 50, but I would put Matsui on the list. First, because he split his career between two teams–Yomiuri Giants and then the NYY. Second, because his numbers were very good. Third, because he more than anyone is why they won their last WS in 2009. He risked his entire baseball career on making it in NY and played very well for them.
are you kidding me Arod ahead or Reggie Jackson, never, even t though Reggie played a few years for the Yanks he deliver when it matters unlike AFraud