MLB: 10 Yankees That Fans Should Never Forget

If there's one team that has history, it's the New York Yankees. For over 100 years, a myriad of players have passed through New York, many of which have ended up in the Hall of Fame. However, while fans give all of their attention to the Jeters, Mantles, and DiMaggios, many forget the effective players who put up great numbers, but stayed out of the spotlight. That being said, I'm giving you readers a list of the 10 most underrated Yankees of the past 20 years!

#10: Tommy John, Pitcher

Now, he never won a World Series with the Yankees (although he did lose one in 1981), but Tommy John was considered an effective member of a pitching staff that, at the time, was in need of a leader. In two separate stints with the team, (1979-1982, 1986-1989) John compiled a respectable record of 82-60 with a 3.74 ERA.

Though his second tour of duty in the Bronx was marred by a variety of injuries, fans can never forget his first two seasons in which he won 21 and 22 games. On top of that, he has a surgery named after him.  How many other players can say that???

Either way, with his high leg kick and dancing curveball, it's a shame that Tommy John isn't better remembered by Yankee fans, hence why he kicks off this list.

#9: Ken Griffey, Outfielder

While he may be best known for fathering a future Hall-of-Famer, as well as being a key member of the Cincinnati Reds during their dominant run in the 1970s, Ken Griffey spent four and a half seasons (1982-1986) with the Yankees.

He signed with the team as a free agent, the first of many contracts that George Steinbrenner would give aging veterans. In signing Griffey, Steinbrenner hoped that his team was getting a top outfielder who played good defense, hit well for average and could steal bases. While the defense and batting were respectable (.280 career average in a Yankee uniform), the speed Griffey exhibited in his prime in Cincy (150 steals in nine seasons) didn't follow him to New York, as he managed only 27 steals in pinstripes before being traded to the Atlanta Braves.

Griffey spent the remainder of his career with the Braves, another stint with the Reds, and Seattle Mariners, mostly has a backup outfielder before retiring in 1991. Still, with his eye-popping catches and overall charisma, his time in pinstripes cannot be forgotten.

#8: Roberto Kelly, Outfielder

This outfielder from Panama made his major league debut with the Yankees in 1987. He became a full-time player in 1989 and was a staple in the outfield before being traded to Cincinnati in the deal that made Paul O'Neill a Yankee.

Kelly's career stats during his first stint in pinstripes (1987-1992) showed his great potential. Over six seasons, he hit .273 and while he didn't have much power and didn't drive in many runs, he exhibited great speed and his 151 career steals during that stretch show it.

After he was traded, however, his numbers dwindled. In years with the Reds, Braves, Expos, Dodgers, Twins, Mariners and Rangers, plus one more with the Yankees in 2001 (in which he hit .120 in ten games before going on the disabled list), Kelly never again experienced the same success he had in his first tour of duty with the Yankees. Despite his decline following being traded, you have to admit: this kid was fun to watch.

#7: Mike Stanley, Catcher

Now let me start off by saying this: I LOVE MIKE STANLEY. He was the first catcher I remember watching (before Mike Piazza) that could consistently knock the ball out of the park.

He had two stints with the Yankees (1992-1995, 1997) and is best remembered for his breakout season in 1993, when he batted .305 with 26 home runs, while driving in 84. In the strike-shortened 1994 season, he was on his way to surpassing those numbers before finishing with a .300 average and 17 home runs. Still not convinced? Maybe this will help.

I remember watching a Yankee game with my parents in 1995; Yankees vs. Indians. That season, the Indians had the best record in the AL and experts picked them to win the World Series. In this particular game, despite the Yankees ultimately losing 10-9 (thanks, bullpen!), Stanley managed to hit three home runs: a grand slam, a solo shot, and a two run shot. That's right, folks. Mike Stanley had 7 RBIs against the best team in the American League. Combine that with the respectable stats he put up in NY before leaving the team for the Boston Red Sox in 1996 and you see why he makes the countdown.

#6: Steve Sax, Second Baseman

Now, I know he only played three seasons with the Yankees (1989-1991), but how can anyone not like Steve Sax (unless they're White Sox fans).

The man has guest-starred on "The Simpsons", has played drums with The Beach Boys and on top of that, was solid during his time in pinstripes.

As a Yankee, Sax hit .293 and showed off his speed on the basepaths with 117 steals. On top of that, he made two All-Star Games and hit a career high 10 home runs in 1991, his final year with the team. With his clutch stats and rockstar lifestyle, Sax makes #6 on this list.

#5: Jim Leyritz, Utilityman

He was never an everyday player during his Yankee years. He showed some power at the plate (17 home runs in 75 games in 1994). That being said, why does Jim Leyritz make this list?  Because from 1990-1996, plus part time stints in 1999 and 2000, he came to work everyday and did his job without asking why.

The man could simply do it all. He could catch, play the infield, and show more determination than any rookie in the game. Plus, let's be honest. His game-tying home run in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves pretty much won the series for the Yankees. Despite his recent legal troubles, I hope to see Leyritz at future Old Timers' games!

#4: Jimmy Key, Pitcher

During his Yankee days, Jimmy Key was the golden boy of the starting rotation. He was simply unbelievable. In his four seasons with the team (1993-1996), he posted a 48-23 record with a respectable 4.14 ERA (posting ERAs of 3.00 and 3.27 in '93 and '94). 

He missed most of 1995 with a shoulder injury and despite a respectable comeback season in 1996, he was never the same and finished his career with two average seasons for the Baltimore Orioles before retiring in 1998. Still, it's hard to overlook Key because during his tenure in pinstripes, he was unstoppable when he had his best stuff.

#3: Dave Righetti, Pitcher

To put it bluntly, Righetti made an immediate impact during his rookie season in 1981. In the strike-shortened season, he posted an 8-4 record with his ERA at a stunning 2.05!  Sure enough, he won the AL Rookie of the Year Award. He continued to impress in the rotation when two years later, at age 24, he threw a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox.

With so many starting pitchers on the roster, Righetti was moved to the bullpen full-time in 1984 and for the rest of his career in the Bronx, was considered a force to be reckoned with. In seven seasons as the Yankee closer, the man known as "Rags" had 223 career saves before leaving New York for the San Francisco Giants, where he was never as effective. Even after stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox, plus winning a World Series ring as the Giants' pitching coach in 2010, Righetti is still best known for his days in pinstripes.

#2: Nick Swisher, Outfielder

I know, I know. He's only been on the team for two seasons, he's only had one truly effective season, the list goes on and on as to why Swish shouldn't be on this list.

However, I'm still including him. Why? Because despite playing on a team headlined by Jeter, A-Rod, Tex and many other A-list names, Swisher has a HUGE fan base. Manager Joe Girardi asked GM Brian Cashman to trade for Swisher so there would be someone in the locker room to "jump around and blast the music," and Swish has done just that in providing a strong spark of energy to a team that spent over ten years with dreary Joe Torre in command.

With at least two more years left on his contract, look for Swish's numbers to continue improving and the Yankee locker room to remain alive!

#1: Bernie Williams, Outfielder

Honestly, what can I say about this man that hasn't already been said? If Yankee historians are looking for Mickey Mantle 2.0, it's Bernie Williams. His clutch hitting, great defense in the outfield and likable personality make him #1 on my list.

On top of that, he deserves a spot in Cooperstown. To any doubters, I beg you to look at his career stats.  His career batting average: .297. Career home runs: 287. Career RBI: 1,257. Those stats led to four All-Star games, four gold gloves, six trips to the World Series (winning four times), and one batting title in 1998.

And let's not forget his postseason stats. He's second all-time in postseason home runs (22), first in RBI (80), and second in hits (128). If those numbers aren't enough to get Bernie Williams into the Hall-of-Fame, then the voters need to reassess what truly makes a Hall-of-Famer. If fans of teams besides the Yankees took the time to look at Williams' career, perhaps his chances would improve.