New York Yankees All-Time Lineup

Here is how I think the Bronx Bombers would look if I could put the best possible team on the field. In trying to squeeze all of the best players in, I am forced to start a few players in different positions, such as Mickey in left instead of in center, not sure if that is within the rules here, but that's how I am going to do it.

In correct batting order, they are as follows:

SS Derek Jeter (1996-Present)

Mr. November and the current captain is my leadoff batter, a role that Jeter is familiar with in his career. Jeter is going to go down as one of the best Yankees ever. While his offensive numbers aren't great, his presence in the clubhouse, his glove on the field, and most importantly, his repeated clutch hits have earned him the respect of Yankee fans everywhere.

His No. 2 will no doubt be placed in between Billy Martin and Babe Ruth someday.

2B Tony Lazerri (1926-1939)

Another Yankee Hall of Famer, Lazerri displayed great defense at second and a solid approach at the plate. He played many seasons with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, which caused him not to stand out quite as much, but he was a great player and an easy choice for me at second base.

LF Mickey Mantle (1951-1968)

With Jeter and Lazerri on base, time to drive them in. What better way to get it started than the "the Mick". Probably the greatest power hitter in the history of the game, when he hit a home run, he made sure it wasn't coming back into the park.

With the longest recorded home run at 562 feet, he also hit a ball of the facade in right field at Yankee Stadium, some say that one could of went over 600 feet.

An ultimate five-tool player, even with some nagging injuries, he still is one of the greatest to ever play the game. A one-of-a-kind player.

RF Babe Ruth (1914-1935)

.342, 714 home runs, 2,214 RBI.  With sick offensive numbers, he is the greatest hitter of all time, and he was a pretty decent pitcher, too. A left-hander for the Boston Red Sox, he was made famous when he was shipped to the Yankees for $150,000.

In his first three seasons with the Yankees, Ruth belted 173 home runs. A jaw dropping amount in such a short time, and this all after he began his career as a pitcher. As of today, the greatest player to ever play the game, period.

CF Joe DiMaggio (1936-1951)

The Yankee Clipper who thanked the good lord for making him a Yankee. The Yankee fans thanked the good lord as well. Joe is without a doubt the most memorable player to ever don the pinstripes. With his magical summer in 1941, a 56-game hitting streak still stands today as the one record that will never be broken. 

1B Lou Gehrig (1923-1939)

"The Iron Horse", who would have played even if he could barely stand, played in 2,130 consecutive games, a number thought to never even be approached, was broken later by Cal Ripken Jr.

Lou's career was cut short due to a mysterious illness that also took his life at the young age of 38. Some say that if he played a full career, he would of hit over 800 home runs.

Lou was taken from us too early, and it is a very heartbreaking story. But he still gave Yankee fans a lot of fond memories to remember him by.

3B Alex Rodriguez (2004-Present)

Entering his fifth year as a Yankee, Alex Rodriguez is earning his pinstripes. He is a three-time MVP, with two of those coming with the Yankees in 2005 and 2007. As of Aug. 6, 2008, the man dubbed "A-Rod" is just three home runs shy of hitting 200 long balls as a Yankee.

Rodriguez is on pace to break all major offensive records in hitting, but he needs to win a ring or two with the Yankees to prove himself as one of the boys.

DH Reggie Jackson (1977-1981)

A long career, but a short one with the Yankees. However, it was a memorable one. I almost went with Roger Maris here, but decided to go with a player that practically single-handedly carried the Yankees to victory when it counted.

Mr. October hit 12 postseason home runs for the Yankees, none bigger than the three home runs in Game Six of the '77 World Series against the Dodgers. All three came on the first pitch of each at-bat. I can't think of a better player to have on your team during the playoffs than him.

C Yogi Berra (1946-1963)

Oh boy, Yogi was a great player. A winner of 10 World Series, Yogi stands alone in the baseball world. Yogi finished in the top three in MVP voting seven years in a row and took home three MVPs. He is widely considered the best catcher baseball has ever seen. With the stats he holds, to me, he is the Michael Jordan of baseball.

SP-Whitey Ford (1950-1967)

"The Chairman of the Board" Whitey Ford is a six-time champion with the Yankees and is still the best postseason pitcher in the history of the game.

He has won 10 games during the World Series, more then any other player. He also took home the Cy Young award in 1961. We sure could use Whitey today.

RP-Mariano Rivera (1995-Present)

Enter Sandman. Mariano Rivera has been lights out for the Yankees in his career. With 34 postseason saves, he is the guy you want on the mound in late-inning situations in the biggest games. He has five World Series wins with the Yankees and is by far, the best closer the game as ever seen.

Stadium Announcer-Bob Sheppard (1951-Present)

On Oct. 12, Bob will turn 98 years of age. He has announced 13 World Series championships. When ill, Jim Hall subs in, however, Derek Jeter has a recording of Bob's voice played over the stadium, as if Bob himself was there to announce Jeter's at-bat.

It seems like Bob is going to do this forever; however, we know that isn't the case. He will be gone sooner then later, but he will announce games in our hearts forever.

Well there you have it.  That is my all-time New York Yankees lineup. I am sure it would stack up very well with any other all-time lineup any other team has to offer.

There are a lot of Yankees to choose from, and it's hard to leave some players off. I am fortunate to see a few of the players on this list play, but wish I could have seen some of the other greats such as Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle.