The twenty-four greatest players in Yankees history

Wins above replacement, or WAR, is the most useful statistic for estimating a player’s value. This analytical metric was not accessible until rather recently. I’ll explain the differences in the WAR formula between pitchers and position players in simple terms. WAR calculates how many wins a player may have above a league average player by taking into account position, stadium, and every facet of the game, including batting, baserunning, and fielding. Let’s examine the best 24 players in New York Yankees history using WAR to assist us rate them.

Babe Ruth’s story has been extensively chronicled. Before the 1920 season, the Boston Red Sox sold the Great Bambino to the Yankees, an act that would haunt Boston for many decades. The Great Bambino is arguably the most famous baseball player of all time. Ruth spent 15 seasons raking in 659 home runs in the Bron x, falling just 22 RBI short of 2,000 in pinstripes. Though it’s a bit surreal to consider how different baseball history might have turned out if Red Sox owner Harry Frazee had consented to give Ruth the raise he wanted instead of trading him to his bitterest opponent, the Yankees are clearly happy that he did. At Yankee Stadium, Ruth’s third jersey is presently retired in Monument Park.

For the most of his time in the pinstripes, Lou Gehrig was Ruth’s teammate, and the two of them captured four World Series titles in New York. Gehrig, often known as the Iron Horse, spent the majority of two decades as a Bronx first baseman. In 17 seasons, he concluded with a lifetime batting average of.340, 493 home runs, and 1995 RBI. Unfortunately, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rare neuromuscular condition now known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” forced Gehrig to retire early at the age of 36. Tragically, two years later, the sickness claimed his life. As the authorities of the sport were aware, Gehrig was chosen to the Baseball Hall of Fame in a special election held in December of 1939.

Mickey Mantle, the center fielder for the Yankees for many years, has one of the most impressive career resumes of any baseball player. In addition to winning three AL MVP awards, Mantle was named to the all-star team TWENTY times, captured seven World Series rings, won a Gold Glove, and won the Triple Crown in 1956. He led the AL in runs scored five times and in home runs four different times. In 1974, he was honored into the Hall of Fame, and New York dutifully retired his number seven.

Although Mantle’s track record is impressive, it was not an easy task to succeed the man he succeeded in center field in New York. Joe DiMaggio was a 13-time all-star, three-time MVP, and a key player in the Yankees’ nine World Series wins. Despite missing three whole seasons due to military service, he concluded his career with 361 home runs and 1537 RBI. He was a two-time batting champion and twice led the league in RBI.