Cliff Eastham's Yankees All-Franchise Team

Welcome to installment No. 3 of the All-Franchise teams. I am endeavoring to formulate the All Time Team in each franchise’s history. A few parameters need to be established prior to beginning.

First, no player will appear on more than one team. It is my sole decision which team I place a multi-team player on.

As an example, even though Reggie Jackson earned his moniker as “Mr. October” here with the Yankees, he played twice as long for Kansas City, and with the Oakland Athletics, twice as long as anywhere else. Therefore, he will be thrown into the mix with the A’s sluggers of all-time.

Another prerequisite: The player must have been on the franchise team for a minimum of five years. I know some don’t like that qualifier, but I feel it is only right to have had more than a welcome interview and a couple trips to the bank to justify the face of a franchise.

Tenure is not the only criteria I will use in placing a player with a franchise. His statistics could be higher in the other team’s structure, or he may have won more awards, etc.

This is also not just a “popularity” list or “my favorite Yankees” list. If it was, rest assured Pedro wouldn’t be on it. It is based on statistics, longevity and performance.

Here is the Yankees All-Franchise Team:

Catcher—Yogi Berra (1946-63)

C—Yogi Berra (1946-63)

Yogi Berra is a living legend. The man has 10 World Series rings, more than anyone else in the history of the game.

He did have some pretty good talent to beat out here: Bill Dickey and Thurman Munson just to name a couple.

A three-time MVP, he was named to 18 consecutive All-Star Teams.

It's astonishing to note that with all the consistency, both in hitting and power, he never led the league in any offensive category in his career.

Berra was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Here are his 18 year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.285 H=2,150 R=1,175 HR=358 RBI=1,430

His 162-game season averages for the Yankees:
HR=27 RBI=109 H=164 R=90

First Base—Lou Gehrig (1923-39)

1B—Lou Gehrig (1923-39)

Lou Gehrig earned the nickname “The Iron Horse” because he was nearly indestructible. He could not be kept out of the lineup. He played through aches and pains, sore fingers, and scratches and cuts. He didn’t sit on the shelf like the players of today; he rubbed dirt on it and moved on.

He was a two-time MVP and won one Triple Crown. It's ridiculous to see that he came in fifth in MVP voting in 1934 when he won it with an average of .363, along with 49 HR and 165 RBI. He also contributed 210 hits and scored 128 runs, and had an amazing OPS-plus of 208.

I find it truly preposterous and offensive that the award that year went to Mickey Cochrane of the Detroit Tigers who posted a .320 BA, with two HR and 76 RBI, 140 hits, and 74 runs scored.

Gehrig was named to the All-Star Team in all seven years of its existence during his career. He was also in seven World Series, losing only once to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1926.

Gehrig was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Here are his 17-year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.340 H=2,721 R=1,888 HR=493 RBI=1,995

His 162-game season averages for the Yankees:
HR=37 RBI=149 H=204 R=141

Second Base—Joe Gordon (1938-46)

2B—Joe Gordon (1938-46)

Joe Gordon won one MVP award and was an All-Star seven times while with the Bronx Bombers.

He hit 20-plus HR seven times, knocked in 100-plus runs four times, and scored 100-plus runs two times.

Gordon played in five World Series while in New York, only losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1942.

Gordon was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee and will be inducted in 2009.

Here are his 7-year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.271 H=1,000 R=596 HR=153 RBI=975

His 162-game season averages for the Yankees:
HR=25 RBI=100 H=162 R=97

Third Base—Graig Nettles (1973-83)

3B—Graig Nettles (1973-83)

Graig Nettles played half of his 22-year career in pinstripes.

He won one HR title, hit 20-plus HR eight times and drove in 100-plus runs once while with the Yankees.

Nettles was named to five All-Star Teams, won two Gold Glove Awards, and was the MVP in the 1981 ALCS. He was in four World Series with New York, with the Yankees winning two and losing two.

Here are his 11-year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.253 H=1,396 R=750 HR=250 RBI=834

His 162-game season averages for the Yankees:
HR=27 RBI=88 H=148 R=80

Shortstop—Derek Jeter (1995-Present)

SS—Derek Jeter (1995-2009)

Derek Jeter has played only 15 years, yet he is behind only Lou Gehrig on the Yankees all-time hit list. It's most probable that he will top Gehrig's mark near the end of 2009 or in 2010.

Jeter won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1996, led the league in runs scored in 1998, and led the league in hits in 1999. He has been named to 10 All-Star Teams, has won three Gold Glove Awards and three Silver Slugger Awards.

In 2000 he was the MVP of the All-Star game and the World Series. Jeter also was awarded the Babe Ruth Award that year, and in 2006 won the Hank Aaron Award.

Jeter has appeared in six World Series, where the Yankees won four and lost two.

Here are his 15-year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.316 H=2,642 R=1,523 HR=216 RBI=1,038

His 162-game season averages for the Yankees:
HR=17 RBI=81 H=207 R=119

Left Field—Bob Meusel (1920-29)

LF—Bob Meusel (1920-29)

You have to think awhile to come up with the best left fielder of all-time for the Yankees. There have been some good ones, but none that I would refer to as great.

The closest I could come up with was Bob Meusel, who labored on the same lineup card as the great Babe Ruth. During a five year span from 1921-25, Meusel averaged .312 with 22 HR, 131 RBI, 197 hits, and 97 runs scored.

He ended his career prior to the inaugural All-Star game, but was in six World Series, where the Yankees won three and lost three.

Here are his 10-year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.311 H=1,565 R=765 HR=146 RBI=1,006

His 162-game season averages for the Yankees:
HR=18 RBI=126 H=196 R=96

Center Field—Joe DiMaggio (1936-42; 1946-51)

CF—Joe DiMaggio (1936-42; 1946-51)

Joe DiMaggio will be forever linked with his 56-game hitting streak. It is by many, the greatest achievement in baseball history. I do not fall in that category; however, the moon and other planets would have to align perfectly for that to be repeated.

He, like so many others, had his career interrupted and shortened by the Big One, WWII.

DiMaggio won two batting titles, two HR titles, two RBI crowns, was the league leader in runs scored once, in triples once, in SLG twice, in OPS-plus once, and in total bases three times.

He was named to the All-Star team in all 13 years he played. He also played in 10 World Series, and won nine of them, leaving him one shy of Yogi Berra’s 10 WS rings.

DiMaggio was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955.

His 13-year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.325 H=2,214 R=1,390 HR=361 RBI=1,537

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
HR=34 RBI=143 H=207 R=130

Right Field—Babe Ruth (1920-34)

RF—Babe Ruth (1920-34)

If there is a name synonymous with baseball, it is Babe Ruth.

In many circles, including mine, he is the best baseball player who ever played. In an earlier article that I wrote, I had Babe’s 1927 season as the fourth best offensive season in baseball history. I had his 1921 season as the very best.

With all of the accolades you could pour over this man, he only won one Most Valuable Player award. As I just glance over his career I can see 11 years which were good enough to win a Triple Crown, though he never won one.

As a Yankee, Ruth won one batting title, 10 HR titles, five RBI crowns, and led the league in runs scored six times. He also was the league leader in walks 11 times, in OBP nine times, in SLG 11 times, in OPS-plus 11 times, and in total bases five times. His .690 career SLG is the highest in MLB history.

His career OPS-plus of 207 is also the highest in recorded history.

He batted .300-plus 13 times, hit 40-plus HR 11 times, 100-plus RBI 12 times, had 200-plus hits three times, and scored 100-plus runs 11 times.

He appeared in the only two All-Star games which were played during his career while a Yankee.

Ruth was in seven World Series with New York, where the Yanks were 4-3.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.

His 15-year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.349 H=2,518 R=1,959 HR=659 RBI=1,975

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
HR=51 RBI=154 H=196 R=153

Designated Hitter—Mickey Mantle (1951-68)

DH—Mickey Mantle (1951-68)

When you have to add Mickey Mantle as your designated hitter, you know you have a squad for the ages. What a player, what an athlete!

Mantle won three MVP awards, one Gold Glove, won the Triple Crown in 1956, and won the Hutch Award in 1965. He won one batting title, four HR titles, one RBI crown, and led the league in runs scored six times.

He also was the league leader in walks six times, in OBP three times, in SLG four times, in OPS-plus nine times, and in total bases three times.

Mantle was a .300 hitter 10 times, hit 30-plus HR nine times, knocked in 100-plus runs four times, and scored 100-plus runs nine times consecutively, and was walked 100-plus times in 10 seasons.

He was named to 20 All-Star teams (some years featured two games) and was in 12 World Series where the Yankees went 7-5.

Mantle was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

His 18-year statistics with the Yankees:
BA=.298 H=2,415 R=1,677 HR=536 RBI=1,509

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
HR=36 RBI=102 H=163 R=113

Starting Pitcher—Whitey Ford (1950-67)

SP—Whitey Ford (1950-67)

Whitey Ford is what I would call a “Money” pitcher. If the house is on the line, "Slick" is the one I would choose to take the ball.

He won one Cy Young award and has more wins (236) than any other pitcher in Yankee history.

He led the American League in wins three times, W-L percentage three times, won two ERA titles, in CG once, in shutouts twice, in IP twice in ERA-plus once, and in WHIP once.

Ford was a 10-time All-Star, was the ’55, ’61 and ’63 Sporting News Pitcher of the Year, won one Babe Ruth Award, and was the ’61 World Series MVP.

He was in 11 World Series where the Yankees won six and lost five.

Ford was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

His 16-year statistics with the Yankees:
W=236 L= 106 ERA=2.75 K=1,956 WHIP=1.215

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
W=17 L=8 K=142

Starting Pitcher—Lefty Gomez (1930-42)

SP—Lefty Gomez (1930-42)

Lefty Gomez is third on the all-time Yankees win list, behind Ford and Red Ruffing. He was a four-time 20 game winner, won two Triple Crowns, led the league in wins twice, he won two ERA titles, and led the league in strikeouts three times.

He also was the league leader in CG once, in shutouts three times, in IP once, ERA-plus once, and in WHIP once.

Gomez was on seven consecutive All-Star teams, and was in five World Series, in which the Yankees won all five.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972 by the Veteran’s Committee.

His 13-year statistics with the Yankees:
W=189 L= 101 ERA=3.34 K=1,468 WHIP=1.351

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
W=19 L=10 K=145

Starting Pitcher—Red Ruffing (1930-46)

SP—Red Ruffing (1930-46)

Red Ruffing was a 20-game winner four times in succession with the Yankees. He led the league in wins once, in CG once, in shutouts once, and in strikeouts once.

He was named to six All-Star teams. He also was in seven World Series with the Yankees in which they won all, but one.

Ruffing was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967.

His 15-year statistics with the Yankees:
W=231 L= 124 ERA=3.47 K=1,526 WHIP=1.282

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
W=19 L=11 K=127

Starting Pitcher—Jack Chesbro (1903-09)

SP—Jack Chesbro (1903-09)

Jack Chesbro was a 40-game winner once and a 20-game winner two other times with the Yankees. He led the league in wins once, in G twice, in CG once, and in IP once.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1946 by the Veteran’s Committee.

His seven-year statistics with the Yankees:
W=128 L= 93 ERA=2.58 K=913 WHIP=1.117

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
W=18 L=13 K=125

Starting Pitcher—Ron Guidry (1975-88)

SP—Ron Guidry (1975-88)

The fifth spot in the rotation was really tough for me. At first I had Mel Stottlemyre in it, but after consulting with my best friend Al Rinker, who happens to be a Yankee expert, I was set straight. We compared records, overall and 162-game season averages. It was still a little close, but Guidry won out.

Ron Guidry played his entire 14-year career with the Bronx Bombers. In 1978 he had one of the best seasons a pitcher has ever had, going 25-3 with an ERA of 1.74, nine shutouts, an ERA-plus of 208, and a WHIP of 0.946.

He was a three time 20-game winner, leading the league twice, he won two ERA titles, led the league in CG once, and in shutouts once. He also led the league in ERA-plus once, in WHIP twice and in H/9 once.

Guidry was on four All-Star teams, won one Cy Young award, one Sporting News Pitcher of the Year award, one Roberto Clemente award, and won five Gold Gloves.

He was in three World Series in which the Yankees were 2-1.

His 14-year statistics with the Yankees:
W=170 L= 91 ERA=3.29 K=1,778 WHIP=1.184

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
W=17 L=9 K=175

Closer—Mariano Rivera (1995-Present)

CL —Mariano Rivera (1995-2009)

Mariano Rivera has won four Rolaids Relief Awards, and was runner-up in Cy Young voting once. He also won one Babe Ruth Award, was the 1999 World Series MVP, and was the MVP of the 2003 ALCS.

He has led the American League in saves three times and was named to 10 All-Star teams.

Rivera was in six World Series in which the Yankees won four of them.

His 15-year statistics with the Yankees:
W=69 L= 51 ERA=2.29 K=977 WHIP=1.015

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
W=5 L=4 K=74

Setup—Goose Gossage (1978-83; 89)

SU—Goose Gossage (1978-83; 89)

Rich “Goose” Gossage played only seven of his 22-year career with the Yankees. While there he won one Rolaids Relief Award and led the league in saves twice.

He was named to five All-Star teams while a member of the Yankees. He also was in two World Series while in New York, with the Yankees winning one and losing once.

He was inducted into the Hall-of-Fame in 2008.

His 7-year statistics with the Yankees:
W=42 L= 28 ERA=2.14 K=512 WHIP=1.079

His 162-game season averages with the Yankees:
W=9 L=6 K=112

View the other All-Franchise teams that I have already completed:

Orioles

Yankees

Red Sox

Orioles

Reds

Rays

Braves