The New York Yankees are the most storied franchise in baseball history, with a roster of legends that other teams could only dream of. With 27 World Series titles and countless Hall of Famers, narrowing down the greatest Yankees ever is no easy task.
Here are the 10 greatest New York Yankees players of all time, ranked from great to absolutely great.
10. Don Mattingly
“Donnie Baseball” was the face of the Yankees during the 1980s and one of the best pure hitters of his generation. Though injuries and a lack of playoff success kept him from reaching even greater heights, he remains one of the most respected Yankees of all time.
9. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod’s Yankees tenure was filled with controversy, but there’s no denying his numbers. With two MVPs, over 350 home runs in pinstripes, and a clutch 2009 postseason that helped secure a World Series, he cemented his place among the franchise’s best.
8. Reggie Jackson
“Mr. October” made his Yankees career in one World Series game, blasting three home runs in Game 6 of the 1977 Fall Classic. Though his time in New York was brief, his postseason heroics and larger-than-life personality made him a Yankee legend.
7. Derek Jeter
The Captain was the face of the Yankees for 20 years, leading the team to five World Series titles with countless clutch moments. His 3,465 hits, leadership, and ability to shine on the biggest stage make him one of the most iconic Yankees ever.
6. Yogi Berra
Berra won a ridiculous 10 World Series rings, more than any other player in MLB history. Beyond his legendary “Yogi-isms,” he was an elite hitter and game-changing catcher who defined an era of Yankees dominance.
5. Mickey Mantle
The Mick was a three-time MVP, seven-time World Series champion, and arguably the most naturally gifted player in Yankees history. If injuries hadn’t slowed him down, he might have finished as baseball’s greatest player ever.
4. Joe DiMaggio
DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak is one of the most unbreakable records in baseball. The Yankee Clipper was a graceful outfielder, a nine-time World Series champion, and the definition of a superstar.
3. Mariano Rivera
The greatest closer of all time, Rivera’s cutter was an unsolvable puzzle for hitters. His unmatched postseason dominance and record 652 career saves make him one of the most feared pitchers in baseball history.
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2. Lou Gehrig
Gehrig was the original “Iron Horse,” playing 2,130 consecutive games and putting up staggering offensive numbers before ALS tragically ended his career. His emotional “Luckiest Man” speech remains one of the most iconic moments in sports history.
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1. Babe Ruth
No player changed baseball—or the Yankees—like The Babe. With 714 home runs, seven World Series titles, and a larger-than-life personality, Ruth made the Yankees the most dominant franchise in sports history.
