DEREK JETER
No surprise here. "The Captain" What I admire about Jeet is his ability and his will to do just about anything he sets his mind to. I once said if Jeter wanted to will himself to fly, he could. His friend Jorge Posada said once It would be Derek he would want next to him in a foxhole. I get why.
JORGE POSADA
If Jorge wants Derek in a foxhole - I want Jorge in mine. Jorge is what you call a "grinder". Being a catcher is the hardest job in baseball and he never gave anything less than his ALL in every game and every at bat. He also knows that baseball is a boys game played by men and loves the fun aspect of the game.
PAUL O'NEILL
"The Warrior" Intense does not begin to describe Paul. But intensity is what made Paul a winner. When the game was on the line, he was one of the players you want at the plate.
RON GUIDRY
When I think of "Gator", I think of the of a line from Springsteen's Glory Days: "He could throw that speedball by you make you look like a fool boy" Part of his legacy in baseball will be fans clapping for a pitcher with two strike and two outs - that started with Guidry's 18 strikeout game and now a part of baseball.
MARIANO RIVERA
Mo is one of those players every team dreams of. Not just for his pitching ability but for what he brings to a clubhouse. He encourages young players to play the game the right way. He also brings a calmness to a team and makes sure no player ever thinks they are bigger or more important than the team. He also happens to have the BEST smile in baseball!
DON MATTINGLY
Who didn't love "Donnie Baseball" in the 80's? Don was one of those players that just wanted to win - at any cost. He was a captain, like Jeter, that lead by example. He was never going to let the other team get the best of him. In his mind, you had to play your best to beat him.
ANDY PETTITTE
I am THRILLED Andy is back! I love watching Andy pitch with the stare to home plate and one of the best pick off moves in the game. Is there anything better than watching Andy getting pumped after getting a big strike out? There is also no one more humble than Andy - which you find less and less of in the game today.
CURTIS GRANDERSON
Forget the foxhole - if I am stranded on the side of the road, I am hoping Curtis is driving by. One of the best embassadors in baseball today. He brings his intelligence to the game on and off the field. Oh and his sweet swing and power to hit it out isn't bad either. Like Yankee Centerfielders before him, he plays the position hard and with everything he has to give.
Well, that is just some of my favorites. So many others I could name - Joe Torre, Bernie Williams, Thurman Munson, Robinson Cano and so on. Yankee players have brought so much joy to their fans and still do to this day.
To paraphrase Joe D:
I thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee fan!
