MJ wrote:

Seems like this is more of a “who do I like better” list than anything scientific. …

Actually, if that were true, Munson would have ranked much higher on my list, no? After all, he was my first favorite Yankee.

Why Posada over Munson? Simple. Posada is a borderline Hall of Famer and Munson was not – due to his career ending when it did.

Why was Nettles not last? Well, you can make a case that Puff was among the five best ALL-AROUND third basemen in AMERICAN LEAGUE history. And, he played most of his career with the Yankees.

Joe D? He only played 12 full seasons in New York – granted, because of the war. But, that’s a fact. How do we know how he would have done in those 3 years that he missed? Maybe he would have ended his career due to injury in those season? Or, maybe he would have won 3 MVPs? No one knows – therefore I can’t assume anything there. Fair? Maybe not – but, those are the breaks. See: Blow, Kurtis.

Maris 19th and A-Rod 20th? Well, Maris played only 6 years in New York – and terrible in one and good in two others. Does 3 great seasons make you a top-ten Yankee?

A-Rod is a HOF’er. But, most of that came outside the Yankees uniform. Let him play another 5 years with the Yankees, and keep putting up the numbers, and then he’ll move up to my top ten.

My Top 20:

1.Babe Ruth
2.Lou Gehrig
3.Mickey Mantle
4.Yogi Berra
5.Joe DiMaggio
6.Derek Jeter
7.Mariano Rivera
8.Bernie Williams
9.Reggie Jackson
10.Bill Dickey
11.Alex Rodriguez
12.Jorge Posada
13.Thurman Munson
14.Whitey Ford
15.Roger Maris
16.Ron Guidry
17.Elston Howard
18.Don Mattingly
19.Phil Rizzuto
20.Graig Nettles

I do have a slight bias for the 1990s dynasty players and I’m putting more emphasis on Reggie’s post-season numbers for his rankings. On A-Rod, a few more years as a Yankee will move him up this list to around #6/7/8 with Jeter and Mariano. Lastly, I put more bias on every-day players than on starting pitchers, except for Mariano, but Mariano is the greatest of all modern-day closers, so I think that exception’s acceptable.

My top ten had all hall of famers or future hall of famers like Reggie.Yeah he only was here for 5 years but he had a bigger impact in the regular season and post season then Jeter or Williams.

Jeter is only on the top ten for PR purposes.He’s not better then Whitey Ford or Mariano Rivera.This list like all baseball lists are made up by under 30 year old people.

Jeter in the top 5 is really a shame.But glad A-Rod is in the bottom ten HGH and PED reasons.

The problem with ESPNs list is that its not even close to being the correct 20 guys. I mean where are Red Ruffing, Lefty Gomez, Earl Combs, Bob Muesal, Allie Reynolds, Charlie Keller? Id probably have all of those guys in my top 20. Here is my top 10:

1-Babe Ruthm
2-Mickey Mantle
3-Lou Gehrig
4-Joe DiMaggio
5-Yogi Berra
6-Whitey Ford
7-Derek Jeter
8-Mariano Rivera
9-Bill Dickey
10-Bernie Williams

Steve, I’m totally shocked that you would rank Posada above Munson considering how much of a Munson fan you are. Also, how can Maris (two-time MVP) be so low? How can Nettles not be 20th on this list?

Jeter over DiMaggio makes no sense to me. Many consider DiMaggio one of the most naturally-gifted baseball players of all time. I don’t think the same could be said of Jeter.

Seems like this is more of a “who do I like better” list than anything scientific. A-Rod last would seem to clinch it…

im also kind of surprised you ranked posada above munson…i’m not sure who that says more about, posada or munson. (since i have never seen Munson play, I don’t know)

Arod last….really?? Seems like a personal thing because there is no doubt he is a better player than at least half of these guys.

@ Steve Lombardi:
poor Joe D…wasn’t his fault WW2 took the prime of his baseball career away

Corey wrote:

jeter over the clipper?

It was close. Jeter got the nod for playing more games, getting more hits, and playing SS. But, again, that was a close call.