The All-Time Yankees Team: Fan’s perspective

With 27 World Series titles and 40 American League Pennants, it could be argued that The New York Yankees are the most successful franchise in the history of sports.

Here's a look at the all-time team for baseball's "Bronx Bombers:"

First Base— Lou Gehrig (1923-1939)

There have been of plenty quality first basemen in Yankees history, but Gehrig is a no-brainer for the starting slot. With a lifetime batting average of .340, "The Iron Horse" had at least 100 or more RBI in 13 straight seasons.

Second Base— Tony Lazzeri (1926-1937)

Part of the Yankees all-time greatest team, Lazzeri batted .300 or greater in five different seasons and drove in 100 runs or more on seven occasions.

Third Baseman: Alex Rodriguez(notes) (2004-Present)

With 626 home runs so far, the 36-year-old "A-Rod," a 14-time All-Star, is on a pace to break plenty of Yankees and MLB records. Rodriguez has also won three American League MVP awards and two Gold Gloves.

Shortstop— Derek Jeter(notes) (1995-Present)

The 12-time All-Star and current team captain has a .312 lifetime batting average over 17 major league seasons. Over the years, Jeter has become the glue of an often eccentric and volatile team.

Outfield— Reggie Jackson (1977-1981)

An outstanding offensive asset who holds the distinction of being the only player to hit over 100 home runs for three different teams, "Mr. October's" real worth comes in the off-season. Jackson is, famously, one of the sport's best post-season, clutch performers.

Outfield— Mickey Mantle (1951-1968)

The 17-time All-Star and three-time MVP is regarded as one of the greatest all-around ball players in the history of the sport. Run, hit, field— Mantle could do it all.

Outfield— Joe DiMaggio (1936-1951)

"Joltin' Joe" was probably the most popular fighter of his time and finished 13 major league seasons with a .325 batting average, 361 home runs, and 2,214 hits. DiMaggio's stats would've been even greater if he had not taken three prime years off (1943-1945) to serve in World War II.

Designated Hitter— Babe Ruth (1920-1934)

Another no-brainer. The "Sultan of Swat" is still regarded by many as the greatest home run hitter of all-time with a better home run-per-at ball ratio than the two hitters ahead of him on the career home run list (Barry Bonds, Henry Aaron). Baseball's first mega-star finished his career with a .342 lifetime average and 714 home runs.

Catcher— Yogi Berra (1946-1963)

The colorful character with the head-scratching quotations was also an 18-time All-Star and a three-time American League MVP. Many still regard Berra as the greatest catcher to ever play the sport. With 13 World Series rings, few can doubt his status as a real winner in the game.

Starting Pitcher— Whitey Ford (1950-1967)

Over the course of 18 professional seasons, few pitchers were as dominant as Whitey Ford. The ten-time All-Star finished his career with a lifetime 2.75 ERA and a Win-Loss Record of 236-106.

Closer— Mariano Rivera(notes) (1995-Present)

Rivera has been utterly un-hittable for most of his 17 seasons in the sport. Just 14 saves from passing Trevor Hoffman(notes) on the all-time save list, the native of Panama has a staggeringly low 2.23 lifetime ERA and five World Series rings to compliment his many other awards.

Paul Magno is a lifetime baseball fan and a freelance writer whose work has appeared on Fox Sports, Digital Journal, The Boxing Tribune, and Associated Content.

Sources:

Baseball Reference, Major League Statistics and History, Baseball-Reference

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