Back in August, I started a sequence right here at Pinstripe Alley, the place I used to be going to put together an All-Star Yankee team of players who were born in a given month. After forgetting about it for a short time through the stretch run and playoffs, I obtained again to the sequence in November, by making an All-Star team of Yankees November babies. With the calendar now turned to December, it’s time for this month’s submit, as we take a look at one of the best ever Yankees to have a festive birthday.
Here are my selections.
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Yankees All-December Team
Pitcher: Bob Shawkey
Right off the bat, we’re confronted with a reasonably troublesome alternative, as Mike Mussina would even be a really nice choice for this crew’s pitcher. In the tip, we’ll go along with Shawkey, who performed longer for the Yankees and helped them to World Series titles in 1923 and ‘27.
Catcher: Jim Leyritz
Based on pure stats, Gary Sánchez had the better Yankee career, despite how things ended. However, I’m taking Leyritz, primarily so I can submit this.
First Base: Tino Martinez
There are another strong choices, however nobody surpasses the Yankees’ first baseman from the ‘90s/‘00s dynasty years, especially since we can slot the other solid candidate in at DH.
Second Base: Gleyber Torres
Torres’ tenure with the Yankees had a little bit of an acrimonious finish with him and Brian Cashman having a bit of a public spat. However, the center infield might be the weakest a part of this crew, so he was a fairly apparent alternative for the crew’s second baseman, even when he didn’t fairly dwell as much as his prospect potential.
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Shortstop: Dale Berra
As I simply mentioned above, center infield is certainly this crew’s weak level, and shortstop the most important gap there. We’ll go along with Berra, who has a well-known final identify in Yankees historical past because the son of Yogi. However, Dale’s most famous moment as a Yankee wasn’t, uh, a fantastic one.
Third Base: Ben Chapman
Considering his actions in direction of Jackie Robinson whereas he was managing the Phillies in opposition to the Dodgers’ rookie, I don’t suppose Chapman is the individual I’d most wish to hang around with on this crew. As a participant although, he’s virtually definitely your best option to play third base on this crew.
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Outfield: Rickey Henderson
One extraordinarily apparent alternative for this crew was Henderson, who was born on Christmas of all days. The greatest moments of his all-time nice profession principally occurred elsewhere, however Henderson was superb within the Bronx. In 5 seasons — actually 4.5 contemplating that he was traded midseason through the last one, Rickey accrued 30.8 rWAR whereas stealing 326 bases and posting a 135 OPS+. He misplaced the 1985 AL MVP to teammate Don Mattingly, and — whereas blasphemous for a Yankee fan to say — Henderson had a really sturdy argument to being the extra deserving winner.
Outfield: Roy White
Most of White’s greatest years got here within the 1965-75 interval between Yankees’ World Series appearances so he doesn’t get as a lot love as different Yankee greats, however White has an argument to be one of the best Yankee and not using a quantity retired/Monument Park plaque. We definitely gave him a deservedly high rank again once we had been doing our Top 100 Yankees mission.
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Outfield: Elliott Maddox
Maddox’s strained relationship with Billy Martin possible led to Maddox departing the Yankees previous to the World Series wins of 1977 and ‘78, but Maddox was a very solid player with the team.
Designated Hitter: Chris Chambliss
You could really swap him and Martinez at first in whatever combination you’d like, however he needs to be within the lineup someplace for this second:
Let us know in case your Yankees December crew would have any variations!