Few and Chosen: Defining Yankee Greatness Across the Eras is a 2001 book by Whitey Ford with help from Phil Pepe. The book was written in New York and is 224 pages long. It lists, by position, the five greatest New York Yankees of all time. There is even a listing of top New York Yankee managers. This book will appeal to fans of the Bronx Bombers and should appeal to baseball fans, though it does not appeal more broadly than that. The position discussions will follow the book order. In this way, you will know everything in the book. Do you find it easier to read a book when you know everything about it?
Few and Chosen Era Yankees
Catchers
The top five catchers in Pinstripe history are Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey, Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, and Jorge Posada. It’s good Posada makes this list; he is usually ignored. Berra and Dickey both wore the number 8, retired by the Yankees for both players. Yogi Berra famously quipped Bill Dickey was “Learning [him] all of his experiences.” Howard broke the color barrier as he was the first black Yankees player.
First Basemen
The top five first basemen in Yankee history are Lou Gehrig, Don Mattingly, Moose Skowron, Chris Chambliss, and Tino Martinez. There is no question that Gehrig should be the first player on this list. Given that this book only goes through the 2000 season, the ranking is okay, but if the data were updated, Martinez would be higher on this list.
Second Basemen
The top six-second basemen in Yanks history are Tony Lazzari, Joe Gordon, Bobby Richardson, Willie Randolph, Jerry Coleman, and Gil McDougald. There must have been a lot of great second basemen in Yankee history because there are six names on this list. Robinson Cano, who played for the Yankees after this book was written, would also be on this list.
Shortstops
The top shortstops in Yankee history are Derek Jeter, Phil Rizzuto, Tony Kubek, Frank Crosetti, and Mark Koenig. Jeter got better after this book was written. He is number one by a wide margin. Phil Rizzuto was the American League Most Valuable Player in 1950.
Third Basemen
The top five third basemen in Pinstrip history are Greg Nettles, Red Rolfe, Clete Boyer, Wade Boggs, and Joe Dugan. Every baseball list should have a player named ‘Red’ on it, though he should be fourth on this list, not second. Where would Alex Rodriguez fall? He played for the Yankees after this book was written.
Left Fielders
The top six left fielders in Yankee history are Dave Winfield, Bob Musel, Charlie Keller, Roy White, Hank Bauer, and Gene Woodling. This is another list with six people on it. Owner George Steinbrenner grew to hate Dave Winfield. In my opinion, Gene Woodling could have been left off this list.
Center Fielders
The top five center fielders in Bronx Bombers history are Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bernie Williams, Earle Combs, and Mickey Rivers. There have been some great center fielders in Yankee history, and this is a top-heavy list. Now Aaron Judge plays center field and would be near the top.
Right Fielders
The top five right fielders in Yankee history are Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, Roger Maris, Paul O’Neill, and Gene Tommy Henrich. The best baseball player ever is on this list, as is the single-season home run leader, Roger Maris (he took the record from Babe Ruth). Reggie Jackson had the best World Series game ever in 1977.
Right-Handed Starters
The top five right-handed pitchers in Yankee history are Red Ruffing, Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, Mel Stottlemyre, and Waite Hoyt. It is more difficult to rank pitchers than position players. The Yankees have had a lot of good, not great right-handed starting pitchers.
Left-Handed Starters
The top six left-handed pitchers in Yankee history are Lefty Gomez, Ron Guidry, Herb Pennock, Eddie Lopat, Andy Pettitte, and Whitey Ford. The Yankees have had a lot of great left-handed starting pitchers, which is why six are on this list. Maybe Jim Abbott should be included because of what he accomplished. CC Sabathia just became a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Relief Pitchers
The top five relief pitchers in Yankee history are Mariano Rivera, Goose Gossage, Sparky Lyle, Dave Righetti, and Joe Page. Mariano Rivera was the greatest pitcher ever. He and Gossage are members of the Hall of Fame; Rivera was the only person ever to be elected to the Hall of Fame unanimously. The Yankees have had many great closers in their history.
Managers
The six five managers in Bronx Bomber history are Casey Stengel, Joe McCarthy, Joe Torre, Ralph Houck, Billy Martin, and Miller Huggins. Casey Stengel was endlessly entertaining. The Daily News dubbed Joe Torre “Clueless Joe” when he was hired. Miller Huggins should be higher on this list, but six is fine.
Conclusion
This book presents a good history of the Yankees until 2001. It should be used as reference material for Pinstripe fans, and baseball fans would also like this book. Unfortunately, this book will not appeal to non-baseball fans. The fact that there has been almost a quarter century of baseball at Yankee Stadium since this book was written suggests that these lists should be updated. Maybe by the announcers who seem to need content for their broadcasts.
