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)

First Base—Lou Gehrig (1923-39)

Second Base—Joe Gordon (1938-46)

Third Base—Graig Nettles (1973-83)

Shortstop—Derek Jeter (1995-Present)

Left Field—Bob Meusel (1920-29)

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

Right Field—Babe Ruth (1920-34)

Designated Hitter—Mickey Mantle (1951-68)

Starting Pitcher—Whitey Ford (1950-67)

Starting Pitcher—Lefty Gomez (1930-42)

Starting Pitcher—Red Ruffing (1930-46)

Starting Pitcher—Jack Chesbro (1903-09)

Starting Pitcher—Ron Guidry (1975-88)

Closer—Mariano Rivera (1995-Present)

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