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Since 2017 is a year that ends with a “7” (Mickey Mantle’s jersey number) I figured I’d do a timeline of the key household names the New York Yankees have rostered dating back to Babe Ruth and up to Derek Jeter. I’ve wanted to cover this in some way for a while because Derek Jeter recently retired and the Yankees have yet to find a successor to captain the legendary dynasty. Key players like Hal Chase and Willie Keeler held spots on the roster prior to Ruth’s tenure and their places are forever chiseled into baseball history. This timeline covers names commonly mentioned in routine conversations around the Yankees. Some of these fellas didn’t make the Hall of Fame and some had their lives cut short by disease or tragic accidents but each one holds a permanent place in baseball history.
The New York Yankees have had a dominant key player, a megastar on their roster since Babe Ruth came over from the Boston Red Sox in 1920. When one player retires, another is added. Sure, there are a few empty years here and there but for the most part, the Yankees have hosted some of the best players in all of baseball back-to-back since 1920. That said, here is the New York Yankees roster of guys that have helped make the dynasty what it is today.
Babe Ruth: 1914-1935.
The man needs no introduction. He began his professional career with the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher. After the infamous trade to the Yankees in 1920, he moved to hitting as his primary role and in doing so, helped shape the New York Yankees as a premiere club from 1920-1935. His accolades include: MVP in 1923, 2x All-Star, 714 career homers, .342 career average, and a severely entertaining player to watch.1
Lou Gehrig: 1923-1939.
Much like Ruth, Gehrig was a monster at the plate. His career average is .340, which is incredible by any historical standard.2 He and Ruth competed for home runs in 1927 and were somewhat close friends throughout their time with the Yankees. Gehrig’s life was cut short at age 37 by a muscle degenerative disease.
Joe DiMaggio: 1936-1951 (1943-1945 in military).
For his 13 active years, DiMaggio was an All-Star every single year. He’s a 3x MVP and averaged .325.3 He was once married to Marilyn Monroe.
Yogi Berra: 1946-1963
Berra has 10 World Series rings. He was 15x All-Star, 3x MVP, and likely one of the greatest catchers of all-time.4 He was considered by many on the Yankees as the big brother, the guy with advice for the younger fellas. He was an outstanding role model.
Whitey Ford: 1950-1967 (1951-1952 in military).
Over the course of his 16-year career, he threw a career ERA of 2.75, was an 8x All-Star, and received the Cy Young Award in 1961.5 He’s considered to be one of the team’s best pitchers during his era. Ford had a unique ability to remain calm in high-stress situations. Ford once pitched 33 2/3 scoreless innings in a World Series, with which he hold 8 rings.
Mickey Mantle: 1951-1968.
Mantle picked up right where Dimaggio left off, in centerfield. He’s also a 3x MVP and averaged .298 with 536 career dingers and 16x All-Star appearances.6 Knee problems and alcohol would become issues later in his career but a legend nonetheless.
Roger Maris: 1957-1968.
Much like the Ruth/Gehrig home run race of 1927, Mantle and Maris competed for home runs in 1961. It was a magical year and Maris won with a fitting 61 home runs. Maris is credited with a pair of MVP Awards in 1960 and 1961.7
Thurman Munson: 1969-1979.
Munson had huge potential. In his short career with the Yankees, he was Rookie of the Year in 1970, pulled in a .292 average, 7x All-Star appearances, 1 MVP, and 3 Gold Gloves.8 His life was cut short by a tragic plane crash in August of 1979.
Reggie Jackson: 1967-1987.
I’m adding Jackson between Munson and Mattingly because he played for the New York Yankees between 1977 and 1981. He was a great hitting leader during this brief 5-year stint and it was during this time, 1977 World Series time to be exact, that he was named “Mr. October” for his lucrative performance during the postseason. He was an All-Star every year during his time with the Yankees.9
Don Mattingly: 1982-1995.
Donnie Baseball dominated the 1980s and early 1990s as the popular Yankees hitter. He was MVP in 1985, had 6x All-Star appearances, 9x Gold Glove and 3x Silver Slugger awards, and averaged .307.10 He was a superstar for the team prior to serving as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mariano Rivera: 1995-2013.
Rivera is certainly one of the game’s greatest closers ever. Over his 19-year professional tenure, entire of which was spent with the New York Yankees, he had an unheard of career ERA of 2.21, 652 Saves, and was 13x All-Star.11
Derek Jeter: 1995-2014.
It’s fitting that Jeter began serving just as Mattingly began departing. Jeter was Rookie of the Year in 1996. In his long career, he knocked out 3465 hits, was 14x All-Star, 5x Gold Glove, 5x Silver Slugger and averaged .310.12 Those are amazing stats but so is playing for 20 years.
???: Now-.
I’ve always wondered who has the athletic ability to be next in line to continue the legacy carried through by these New York Yankees legends. It’s going to be hard to match and continue forward. With the passing of former New York Yankees Owner, George Steinbrenner and the Retiring of Derek Jeter, I’m wondering when we’ll see our next Yankees legend.
Some fellas believe Gary Sanchez may in fact have the talent required to be next in line as Yankees legend. We’ll see what happens. He hit .299 in 2016, which is a healthy start to what could be a promising career with the dynasty. Others believe Aaron Judge could be the one to carry the baton.
Who do you think might carry the baton? Please share a thought in the comments area.
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References:
- Babe Ruth. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Lou Gehrig. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Joe DiMaggio. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Yogi Berra. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Whitey Ford. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Mickey Mantle. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Roger Maris. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Thurman Munson. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Reggie Jackson. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Don Mattingly. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Mariano Rivera. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
- Derek Jeter. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎
A couple guys I’d include:
Yogi Berra. 18x all-star and 13 time world series champion. Thirteen!
Reggie Jackson fills the gap between ’79-’82 and received his nickname “Mr. October” while with the Yanks for being an absolute monster in the playoffs.
Hard to say who carries the baton from here, maybe Gary Sanchez…
Yogi’s a 15x all-star not 18….but also a 3x AL MVP
and 10 time world champ not 13….someone messed with the Wikipedia page I see. haha!
RE: Steve.
Sure, yea I totally understand the side on Berra and Jackson. I tried to list fellas that owned their time amongst all other Yankees. When you think about the Yankees of the 1950s, who comes to mind first, Mantle or Berra? In my many years, I’ve heard so many more conversations about Mantle and can’t really recall the last time I heard one where Berra was mentioned. Granted, I completely agree with you in every way that he was a legend but one could argue that Mantle, not Berra was the face of the franchise during their era.
As for Jackson, he played for the Yankees between 1977 and 1981 and was a nice addition during the passing of Munson and the Rising of Mattingly but would he qualify as the face of the franchise?
These are interesting thoughts to have and thanks for sharing your input. 🙂
Yea, no question it was Mantle. I thought the “face of the franchise” didn’t matter because you included Maris, who owned a much less decorated career than Berra and also only played 7 years on the Yankees (Berra, 19) all while Mantle was on the team.
I can respect that comment about Maris, absolutely. I added him in this list because his short career held significance for the Home Run race of 1961. I also added him in because the Home Run race of 1961 mimicked the Home Run race of 1927 with Ruth and Gehrig. I considered not including Gehrig in this list because, like Maris, he wasn’t considered the face of the franchise during his time; that title belongs to Ruth.