Since the inception of the home run derby in 1985, the New York Yankees have had their share of winners. Three in fact. Tino Martinez (1997), Jason Giambi (2002) and Robinson Cano (2011). As spectacular as those derby performances were, it also makes one wonder what the Bronx Bombers of yore would’ve produced?
This of course got me to thinking, if we’re selecting eight Yankees sluggers to participate in a home run derby, which players make the cut?
The obvious quartet of automatic bids has to go to Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio. Hence, leaving us with four spots. One could go with the three above winners and one more for good measure.
On the Yankees all-time home run list, the next four up following the aforementioned quartet are Yogi Berra, Alex Rodriguez, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada. There’s certainly a lot of pop in that mix.
If we’re going based on ballpark and because this is the Yankees, let’s say Yankee Stadium, maybe your next four up are Reggie Jackson, Roger Maris, Don Mattingly and Graig Nettles?
Perhaps you prefer some thump from the right side, with the likes of Dave Winfield and Gary Sheffield?
