Today was supposed to be Opening Day and while NCAA Basketball Tournament may be canceled but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a fun bracket of our own! Creating and filling out a bracket is tough but so are New Yorkers. In this Bronx Pinstripes version of a New York Yankees field of 64, we wanted to do something fun, creative and interactive with you, the readers and fans. There were a lot of potential ways to craft this bracket and seedings for sure. Some of you will love it, others will hate it, so, in other words, just like the actual March Madness NCAA Tournament bracket.
Without further ado, here are the four regions:
Captains Camp — Not all of these guys were team captains but most Yankee captains were infielders. A region of infielders and catchers.
The Bronx Bombers — Most of these sluggers could hit ’em to the cheap seats. A region of outfielders
Pinstriped Pitchers — Pretty straightforward and I like the alliteration. A region of pitchers.
Brass Rings And A Pocket Watch — Owners, general managers, and managers. A region of guys who built a roster of champions.
CAPTAINS CAMP
1.) Lou Gehrig — Legendary Hall of Fame Yankees captain and first baseman. A six-time World Series champion, twice an MVP, seven-time All-Star, Triple Crown winner and batting champ. The Iron Horse had an ironman streak, belted 493 homers and his No. 4 is retired in Monument Park. A revered legacy program as a No. 1 seed.
2.) Derek Jeter — Legendary Hall of Fame Yankees captain and shortstop. A five-time World Series champion, 14-time All-Star, World Series MVP, Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game MVP, five-time silver slugger, and gold glove winner. Yankees hit king with 3,465. No. 2 is retired in Monument Park. Part of a “Fab Five” of homegrown Yankees, this Michigan Wolverines fan garners the No. 2 seed.
3.) Yogi Berra — Legendary Hall of Fame Yankees catcher. Lord of the rings, a 10-time World Series champion, 18-time All-Star, three-time MVP. Crushed 358 home runs. No. 8 is retired in Monument Park. A respected championship standard pedigree adds up to a No. 3 seed.
4.) Bill Dickey — Legendary Hall of Fame Yankees catcher. A seven-time World Series champion, 11-time All-Star. Dynamite defensive catcher and could swing the stick for average and pop. No. 8 is retired in Monument Park. A rock of consistency at the No. 4 seed.
5.) Alex Rodriguez — The Yankee third baseman was a one-time World Series champion, seven-time All-Star in the Bronx, twice and MVP and home run champ in pinstripes. A-Rod earned three silver sluggers with New York and bashed 351 home runs. A lot of No. 5 seeds have lofty resumes but are also prone to get bounced early.
6.) Willie Randolph — The Yankee second baseman and co-captain was a two-time World Series champion as a player, five-time All-Star and earned a silver slugger. Randolph could get on base with 1,005 walks and steal a base with 251 swipes. His defensive range was outstanding and he could turn two with the best of them. A solid, consistent, tough out at No. 6.
7.) Tony Lazzeri — The Hall of Fame Yankee second baseman was a five-time World Series champion and one an All-Star. Lazzeri hit 169 home runs from the position with New York and was part of the Murders’ Row squad. Hall of Fame nod edges him into No. 7 seed.
8.) Thurman Munson — The Yankee captain and catcher was twice a World Series champion, MVP, Rookie of the Year, a seven-time All-Star, and earned three gold glove awards. Munson was tough as nails behind the plate. No. 15 is retired in Monument Park. Wouldn’t want to play him in the second round as a No. 8 seed.
9.) Robinson Cano — The Yankee second baseman was a one-time World Series champion, five-time All-Star, five-time silver slugger recipient and twice a gold glove winner. Solid enough resume to snag a No. 9 seed but probably a one and done.
10.) Graig Nettles — The Yankee captain and third baseman was twice a World Series champion, a five-time All-Star and twice a gold glove winner in the Bronx. The 1981 ALCS MVP. His defense completely changed the complexion of the 1978 Fall Classic. Primed to pull off an upset at No. 10.
11.) Jorge Posada — The Yankee catcher was a five-time World Series champion, a five-time All-Star and silver slugger award winner. The fiery leader was a tough out and could smash from both sides of the plate, clubbing 275 homers. No. 20 is retired in Monument Park. A scrappy No. 11 seed.
12.) Don Mattingly — The Yankee captain and first baseman was an MVP, six-time All-Star, nine-time gold glove winner, three-time silver slugger winner, a batting champ. No. 23 retired in Monument Park. A classic program that never quite won it all but can hit that upset if you give him a chance at No. 12.
13.) Phil Rizzuto — Holy cow! The legendary Hall of Fame Yankees shortstop was a seven-time World Series champion, MVP and a five-time All-Star. He was the glue on many a title team and ranks as the best defender in this tournament bracket overall. No. 10 retired in Monument Park. Could he pull off an upset in a defensive struggle as No. 13 seed? Or will he leave early to beat the traffic?
14.) Elston Howard —The Yankee catcher was a four-time World Series champion, MVP, 12-time All-Star and twice a gold glove winner. Howard was the first African American player in team history. A battle of backstops, Ellie gets the nod as No. 14 seed.
15.) Joe Gordon — The Hall of Fame Yankee second baseman was a four-time World Series champion in pinstripes, an MVP and a six-time All-Star. A lot of pop from the middle infield snags the No. 15 seed.
16.) Gil McDougald — The Yankees infielder was a five-time World Series champion, six-time All-Star and a Rookie of the Year. He’s that small to mid-major conference team that always makes it in has the potential of a UMBC at the No. 16 seed.
THE BRONX BOMBERS
1.) Babe Ruth — Legendary Yankees Hall of Fame right fielder. Ruth was a four-time World Series champion with the Yankees, an MVP, batting champ, twice an All-Star and a 10-time home run king with the Bronx Bombers. Ruth swatted 659 homers with New York, most in club history. His No. 3 is retired in Monument Park. The short porch was built for him and he earns the No. 1 seed.
2.) Mickey Mantle — Legendary Yankees Hall of Fame centerfielder. Mantle was a seven-time World Series champion, three-time MVP, 20-time All-Star, Triple Crown, batting champ, gold glove winner. Mantle was a four-time home run king and the switch hitter blasted 536 bombs on his career. His No. 7 is retired in Monument Park. He had all of the tools and earns the No. 2 seed.
3.) Joe DiMaggio — Legendary Yankees Hall of Fame centerfielder. DiMaggio was a nine-time World Series champion, three-time MVP, 13-time All-Star, twice a batting champ, and home run champ. His No. 5 is retired in Monument Park. It’s a business trip for the No. 3 seed.
4.) Bernie Williams —The Yankee centerfielder was a four-time World Series champion, five-time All-Star, four-time gold glove winner, batting champ, silver slugger recipient and 1996 ALCS MVP. His No. 51 is retired in Monument Park. Raises his game in the postseason at the No. 4 seed.
5.) Roy White — The Yankee left fielder was a model of consistency in the Bronx. White was a two-time World Series champion, twice an All-Star. White could get on base, steal bases and scored 964 runs in pinstripes and he gains the No. 5 seed.
6.) Earle Combs — The Hall of Fame Yankees centerfielder was a three-time World Series champion. Combs was a hit machine with a career .325 average. He hit 154 triples and garners the No. 6 seed.
7.) Charlie Keller — The Yankee left fielder was a three-time World Series champion and a five-time All-Star. Keller was an on-base machine, twice leading the junior circuit in walks. He gets the No. 7 seed.
8.) Brett Gardner — The Yankee left fielder is a one-time World Series champion. The tough as nails gamer was once an All-Star and a gold glove winner. Gardner has 267 stolen bases and nabs the No. 8 seed.
9.) Tommy Henrich — The old reliable Yankee right fielder was a four-time World Series champion and a five-time All-Star. A solid all-around player and a tough out, he captures the No. 9 seed.
10.) Roger Maris — The Yankee right fielder was twice a World Series champion in the Bronx. Maris was twice an MVP, a three-time All-Star and a gold glove winner with New York. His 61 homers in 1961 is a record. His No. 9 is retired in Monument Park. A chic upset pick at No. 10.
11.) Reggie Jackson — The Hall of Fame Yankee right fielder was twice a World Series champion in the Bronx. Jackson was 1977 World Series MVP, a five-time All-Star, was a home run champ and earned a silver slugger with New York. His No. 44 is retired in Monument Park. A stylish upset pick at No. 11.
12.) Bobby Murcer — The Yankee outfielder was a solid performer and a four-time All-Star in the Bronx, also earning a gold glove. Murcer was also a fan favorite in the broadcast booth and nets the No. 12 seed.
13.) Hank Bauer — The Yankee right fielder was a seven-time World Series champion and three-time All-Star. Bauer was a tough player and winner and had a monster 1958 Fall Classic and he gains the No. 13 seed.
14.) Dave Winfield — The Hall of Fame Yankee right fielder was an eight-time All-Star, five-time gold glove winner, and a five-time silver slugger recipient in the Bronx. Winfield clubbed 205 home runs in pinstripes. All the tools and best smile in the game gets the No. 13 seed.
15.) Paul O’Neill — The Yankee right fielder was a four-time World Series champion, four-time All-Star and a batting champ in the Bronx. The No. 15 seed doesn’t always get a Gatorade bath but the fiery O’Neill could bust one open.
16.) Rickey Henderson — The Hall of Fame Yankee outfielder was a four-time All-Star and a silver slugger in the Bronx. Henderson led the junior circuit in steals four-times with the Yankees. Don’t let this No. 16 seed to get out to a quick early lead.
PINSTRIPED PITCHERS
1.) Whitey Ford — Legendary Yankees Hall of Fame pitcher. Ford was a six-time World Series champion, 1961 World Series MVP, a 10-time All-Star, Cy Young winner and two-time ERA champ. His No. 16 is retired in Monument Park. When you’re the “Chairman of the Board” and the top starter in club history, you take the No. 1 seed.
2.) Mariano Rivera — Legendary Yankees unanimous Hall of Fame closer. Rivera was a five-time World Series champion, 1999 World Series MVP, 2003 ALCS MVP, All-Star Game MVP, a 13-time All-Star and five-time Rolaids relief winner. Mo’s 652 saves are a record and he put the 1990’s dynasty over the top. His No. 42 is retired in Monument Park. Pure postseason domination with a 0.70 ERA notches the No. 2 seed.
3.) Andy Pettitte — The Yankee starter is a five-time World Series champion, 2001 ALCS MVP and three-time All-Star. Pettitte was a consummate, consistent winner in the regular and postseason alike. His No. 46 is retired in Monument Park. The swing game No. 3 starter nabs the No. 3 seed.
4.) Ron Guidry — The scintillating Yankee southpaw was twice a World Series champion, a Cy Young winner, four-time All-Star, five-time gold glove winner and twice an ERA champ. His No. 49 is retired in Monument Park. Also a Yankee c0-captain, Guidry was lightning fast on the mound and takes the No. 4 seed.
5.) Red Ruffing — The Hall of Fame Yankee starter was a six-time World Series champion and a six-time All-Star. Ruffing was a big-game pitcher, sporting a 2.63 ERA in the Fall Classic. Ruffing garners the No. 5 seed.
6.) Lefty Gomez — The Hall of Fame Yankee starter was a five-time World Series champion, seven-time All-Star, and two-time pitching Triple Crown winner. Gomez led the junior circuit in ERA twice and strikeouts thrice. He gains the No. 6 seed.
7.) Bob Shawkey — The Yankee pitcher was a World Series champion and an ERA champ. A workhorse with nearly 2,500 innings pitched in pinstripes, nabs the No. 7 seed.
8.) Mel Stottlemyre — The Yankee pitcher was a five-time All-Star and pitched to a 2.97 ERA during a rough era in Yankees history. Stottlemyre hurled more than 2,600 innings and twice led the junior circuit in shutouts. He was pitching coach on four title teams in the ’90s and gets the No. 8 seed.
9.) Waite Hoyt — The Hall of Fame Yankee pitcher was a three-time World Series champion and tossed 156 complete games in pinstripes to notch the No. 9 seed.
10.) Mike Mussina —The Hall of Fame Yankee pitcher earned three gold gloves in the Bronx and pitched to a 3.88 ERA in a tough AL East. Mussina grabs the No. 10 seed.
11.) Herb Pennock — The Hall of Fame Yankee was a three-time World Series champion. He tossed more than 2,200 innings in pinstripes. Led the junior circuit in WHIP twice and nabs the No. 11 seed.
12.) CC Sabathia — The likely future Hall of Fame Yankee southpaw was a one-time World Series champion. In pinstripes, Sabathia was a three-time All-Star and a workhorse with 1,700 K’s. You never count out the big man at the No. 12 seed.
13.) Jack Chesbro — The Hall of Fame Yankee pitcher tossed 168 complete games and 18 shutouts with the New York Highlanders and captures the No. 13 seed.
14.) Roger Clemens — The Yankee pitcher was a two-time World Series champion in pinstripes. Rocket won a Cy Young and was a two-time All-Star in the Bronx, collecting 1,014 K’s. A fun matchup here with him as a No. 14.
15.) Allie Reynolds — The Yankee pitcher was a six-time World Series champion and a six-time All-Star in the Bronx. The Super Chief earned an ERA title and strikeout title with New York. In 1951, Reynolds became the only Yankee to hurl two no-hitters in one season and he earns the No. 15 seed.
16.) David Cone — The Yankee pitcher was a four-time World Series champion in pinstripes. Cone was a two-time All-Star in the Bronx and pitched a perfect game in 1999. He was a bulldog and you’d have to tear his jersey off to get the No. 16 seed out of this tournament.
BRASS RINGS AND A POCKET WATCH
1.) Jacob Ruppert — The Hall of Fame Yankees owner, Col. Jacob Rupert owned the club from 1915 to 1939. Rupert oversaw the transformation of the franchise into a superpower, the building of Yankee Stadium, Murders’ Row, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, all the way up to Joe DiMaggio. The Yankees won nine pennants and six World Series titles with Ruppert at the helm. Basically the George Washington of the Yankees with the No. 1 seed.
2.) George M. Steinbrenner III — Steinbrenner restored glory to a faded franchise in 1973 and owned the club until his death in 2010. During his ownership, the Yankees won seven World Series titles and 10 pennants. There was plenty of craziness throughout his reign but the Yankees remain a model winning franchise under his family to this day. The Boss was larger a larger than life figure made for New York and he earns the No. 2 seed.
3.) Ed Barrow — The Hall of Fame Yankee General Manager is credited with turning Ruth into an outfielder while with Boston. Barrow served as GM from 1921 to 1944. During that stretch, the Yankees won 10 World Series titles and 14 pennants. Barrow built up one of the strongest farm systems in baseball and a plethora of talent in the Bronx and he nets the No. 3 seed.
4.) George Weiss — The Hall of Fame Yankee General Manager got his start as farm manager from 1932 to 1947. When he became GM, the Yankees won seven World Series titles and 10 pennants until Weiss exited after the 1960 campaign. Weiss earns the No. 4 seed.
5.) Joe McCarthy — The Hall of Fame Yankee manager guided the team to seven World Series titles, eight pennants and six 100-win seasons. Marse Joe was a three-time Manager of the Year and his 1,460 victories are most in franchise history. McCarthy’s manager was was likely the first dynasty in the sport, winning four consecutive titles from 1936-39. He gets the No. 5 seed.
6.) Casey Stengel — The Hall of Fame Yankee manager led the club to seven World Series titles, 10 pennants and one 100-win season. The ‘Ol Perfesser was a three-time Manager of the Year and his 1,149 victories are third-most in club history. Stengel guided the Yankees to an unprecedented five consecutive World Series titles from 1949-53. His No. 37 is retired in Monument Park. He earns the No. 6 seed.
7.) Joe Torre — The Hall of Fame Yankee manager shepherded the team to four World Series titles, six pennants and four 100-win seasons. A calming father figure influence in the Bronx Zoo, Torre’s teams qualified for the postseason in all of his 12 seasons in the Bronx. Torre’s Yankees squads from 1998-00 was a modern Wild Card era dynasty, winning three consecutive World Series titles. Plus, into 2001, those teams won four consecutive pennants and 11 consecutive postseason series’. His 1998 squad won a record 125 games between the regular and postseason. Torre was also a two-time Manager of the Year with the Bronx Bombers and his No. 6 is retired in Monument Park. Torre’s 1,173 victories are second-most in franchise history. He earns the No. 7 seed.
8.) Miller Huggins — The Hall of Fame Yankees manager guided his squads to three World Series titles, six pennants and two 100-win seasons. Huggins skippered the team to its first title and the Murders’ Row Yankees to back to back championships. Huggins’ 1,067 victories are fourth in franchise history and he garners the No. 8 seed.
9.) Ralph Houk — The Yankee manager skippered the club to two consecutive World Series titles, three consecutive pennants and two 100-win seasons. Houk’s 1961 squad is among the most revered in baseball history. His 944 victories are fifth in club history and he earns the No. 9 seed.
10.) Brian Cashman — The Yankee General Manager has overseen winning seasons every year from 1998 to the present. With Cashman at GM, the Yankees have won four World Series titles, five pennants, and 18 postseason appearances. Yes, I hear you, Gene “Stick” Michael laid the foundation and Bob Watson was the 1996 GM but Cashman has kept it going with titles and reshaping the team in the post-Jeter era. He gets the nod at No. 10.
11.) Billy Martin — The Yankee manager brought fire back to the club, leading them to one World Series title, two consecutive pennants and one 100-win season. Martin was a brilliant, scrappy and tortured figure but a fan favorite in the Bronx. Martin’s 556 wins rank seventh in franchise history. Martin’s No. 1 is retired in Monument Park and he takes the No. 11 seed.
12.) Joe Girardi — As the Yankee manager, Girardi led the club to one World Series title, one pennant and one 100-win season. The pinstripes had 10 consecutive winning seasons with Girardi at the helm, three division titles, and six playoff appearances. Girardi had some squads that overachieved and others which left one wanting more. His 910 wins are sixth in club history. Girardi gets the No. 12 seed.
13.) Gene Michael — “Stick” basically did it all with the Yankees organization. Michael was a player, manager, general manager, super scout and advisor with the team. Teaming with manager Buck Showalter, “Stick” helped resurrect the early ’90s Yankees with shrewd drafting, development, and deals. With Michael at GM, the Yankees had the best record in the AL in the 1994 strike season and returned to the postseason in 1995. Many of the players he acquired helped New York win titles from 1996-2009. Stick is the No. 13 seed.
14.) Bob Lemon — The Hall of Fame Yankee manager took over for Martin during the 1978 season and helped guide the club back from a 14.5 game deficit in the AL East. Lemon’s ’78 squad beat the Boston Red Sox in a one-game regular season playoff to win 100 games and the division. After disposing of the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS for a third consecutive pennant, the Yankees beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, coming back from an 0-2 deficit to repeat as World Series champions. Lemon also took over at the end of the strike-shortened 1981 season and helped the Yankees win the AL pennant. Lemon gets the No. 14 seed.
15.) Bucky Harris — The Hall of Fame Yankee manager guided the team to a World Series title in his first year at the helm in 1947. In two seasons in the Bronx, Harris won 191 games. New York sure is a, “what have you done for me lately?” town. Harris is the No. 15 seed.
16.) Don Zimmer — So many directions I could’ve gone with this selection. Berra won an AL pennant, Lou Piniella and Showalter were great at putting teams together, Aaron Boone has 203 wins in two seasons. Yet, the sage bench coach and baseball encyclopedia lifer Zim gets the nod. Zimmer was the yin to Torre’s yang, bringing some loose levity to the team and aggressive x’s and o’s strategy. The Yankees coaching staff was kept largely intact from 1996 to 2003 (a far cry from the Bronx Zoo days) and Zimmer was a huge part of that balance in helping with Torre, as Torre handled the personal side with players and massaged egos with management. Zimmer was the bench coach on four World Series winners and six pennant winners. Zimmer even helped manage the team in 1999 as Torre recovered from prostate cancer. At age 72, Zimmer charged at Pedro Martinez during a 2003 ALCS brawl! Zim earns the No. 16 seed.
