1. Derek Jeter
Because naturally, duh? Who wouldn't I want to top my list? I can go on and on about him. Since I could remember, Jeter has been my favorite player and I find it only fitting that retired at the end of this season as I mentioned before. He's dreamy... he's a great role model... he's legendary... ah, marry me.
2. Mike Trout
Trouty gives me a hope for the future of baseball. He's the equivalent of Cinderella's glass slipper to her foot in the terms of fulfilling Jeter's footsteps. Now, I'm not saying Trout is the new Jeter (after all, they do play two completely different positions) but he does have a lot of potential in the future and you could tell from his Rookie season. Plus, his Facebook/Instagram/Twitter is a great way to interact with him. :)
3. Nomar Garciaparra
Red Sox fans are you surprised? When I was younger, I idolized three shortstops: Jete, A-Rod, and Nomar. I always loved watching Nomar and he will always be my favorite stupid, smelly Sox despite of the heated rivalry. Plus, he gave soccer players like me, HOPE IN THE WORLD when he married super soccer star, Mia Hamm in 2003. Their twin daughters and their son better be incredible athletes as they are.
4. Nick Swisher
Swisher is one of those players you love watching no matter what team he's on, man. He may not have the stats like Babe Ruth or Hall of Fame worthy like Jete, but he is definitely a player that is enjoyable, bro. He plays with such great energy and is so enthusiastic that I want to give him a fist bump and the award for Most Likely to be an SNL Cast Member after Retirement -- the little goofball!
He is definitely a family favorite in my household.
5. Dustin Pedroia
I shouldn't even be allowed to put Pedroia on this list for two reasons. First being because he is a Red Sox and Yankees "aren't supposed to like Red Sox", obviously, and secondly because he is an Arizona State Sun Devil. As a current University of Arizona Wildcat, I hate no one other than "ASWho". But, hey, this is my list and I could do what I want. I respect Pedroia and think he is one of the best second basemen playing today. I stand with what Mariano Rivera had said earlier this year in preferring Pedroia over former Yank, Robinson Cano. Go ahead, tell it to the world, I don't care.
6. Paul O'Neill
I may have only been alive to see Paulie play for six years and hardly remember anything, but a big thanks to YouTube for helping me relive the moments such as him kicking the baseball (back when he was on the Cincinnati Reds) or him tumbling over the dog pile in the 1996 World Series.
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7. Joe DiMaggio
Joltin' Joe DiMaggio one of my many favorite Joes in Yankees history. His 56 game hitting streak is still alive, well, and his possession 73 years later. And even if they weren't married for long at all, number 5 and actress Marilyn Monroe are still one of my favorite couples (is that weird?).
8. Lou Gehrig
In 4th grade, I read a short story on "The Iron Horse" and since then, I have been intrigued by the Yankee captain. Did you know that Gehrig's number 4 was the first to be retired in not just baseball, but in every sport? Yep, the Yanks did it first, bow down to us. :) I reference to his iconic "Luckiest Man" speech at least once a day and hey, people, just because the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is not a "thing" anymore doesn't mean you should stop donating... http://www.alsa.org/donate/ You're welcome! ;)
9. Jose Altuve
I mentioned that I liked Dustin Pedroia at 2nd base, but I also really like this little guy. At 5'5", Altuve is the shortest active player playing the game. As the softball cheer goes, "he may be little, he may be tiny, but this little guy can whoop your hiney". In my humble opinion, I believe that Altuve should have been a finalist for MVP this year and even wrote about it here. And for all those reading who are at least 5'5" you can say you are taller than an MLB All-Star. ;)
10. Babe Ruth
No list is complete without "The Great Bambino". Red Sox fans (this means you, Jayke) I know how much you loathe me mentioning the Curse, but hey, at least it has been reversed (with the tragedy I like to call the 2004 ALCS). So, be happy, modern day Sox fans, that you have witnessed three rings in the past decade and that you are even on the Most World Series Championships list.
11. Johnny Damon
JOHNNY DAMON! Another Red Sox turned Yankee great that I adore with all of my heart. :) I have always loved Johnny Damon and before he was on the Yanks, ya know when I hated all the Sox (including him), I would print out his picture and write "Ape" across it. But hey, Johnny Damon's caveman days are long gone and his more hair styled, rocking drummer days are here. Rock on, Johnny Damon, rock on!
12. Mariano Rivera
Mo! Like Jeter, how could you not love Sandman? Greatest Reliever of all time? America's sweetheart (well, maybe not, but maybe Panama's haha)? Last person to wear number 42 in all of baseball and I don't think Rachel Robinson would want anyone other than Mo to wear it last. According to my mother, we are his bad luck charm, or at least she is. :)
13. Alex Rodriguez
Wow, I just noticed I noted A-Rod has 13th! Haha! Well, here we go, I had a long struggle to put him on this list or not... Cheater or no cheater, Alex has always been one of my favorite players. When the Yankees acquired him in late 2003, I had a panic attack (isn't that crazy? I was only 8). I thought the Yanks were going to give Jeter to the Rangers and had no idea what number he would be since he couldn't be normal number 3. But alas, the Yanks gave up Alfonso Soriano (happy retirement, Sori!) and Rodriguez had changed his number to 13. Problems solved, Yankee gods answered. #FORG1V3
14. Manny Machado
Hakuna Machado! Is there anything else I could say about this guy? Haha of course there is, Manny Machado is another one of those players (like Mike Trout) that gives me hope for the future of baseball. He covers a lot of ground and I totally feel him with his knee injuries. Owwie, momma!
15. JJ Hardy
Another Baltimore Oriole that I love watching. I wish the Orioles hadn't given an extension I want to steal him for myself! Three consecutive Gold Gloves at short is quite a feat and as we enter shortstop-less for next season, I ask the crucial question, "WHO WILL REPLACE DEREK?" I wonder if this Tucson native has ever had eegee's? A girl who is obsessed with eegee's ranch is dying to know.
16. Ian Kinsler
There was a time I liked a couple of Texas Rangers, ya know, back when they were on the Rangers. I tend to like a lot of second basemen, too. For some reason, I feel like Kinsler is a little underrated as a player... maybe because there are indeed lots of great second basemen out there. And, again, I wonder if this Tucson native has had eegee's, too.
17. Clayton Kershaw
Best pitcher to date, in my opinion, exclamation mark! He is outstanding and his no-hitter this year could have been a perfect game if it weren't for the error made by Hanley Ramirez. :( Yaarrgg! I could see him actually throwing a perfecto in the near future and I really hope he does.
18. Brett Gardner
If Brett actually stays with the Yanks his entire career, I can totally see him being the next Yankee Captain. He's a great guy and remember this season when he had three lead-off home runs in three games against the Rangers? Can you say, "Gardy goes Yardy"? He is a great player and deserves more attention, MLB, but that's just my opinion. :)
19. Jim Abbott
Jim Abbott deserves more attention, for sure. He threw a no-hitter with the Yanks in 1993 and care to mention? He has one hand! I read his autobiography last summer and this guy is truly an inspiration. Plus, for all the Boy Meets World fans like myself, he was on the season one episode, Class Pre-Union.
20. Nick Markakis
Yet, another Baltimore Oriole! I'm not going to lie to you, I like the O's, I really do. He may only have two Gold Gloves, but I do think he is an awesome right fielder as well as a leadoff hitter. Now that he is a free agent, I wish the Yanks didn't have so many outfitters because I think there are not interested. :( Still, wherever (my personal nickname for him) "Nick Nack" ends up, I will be a fan of him.
21. Buster Posey
2010 NL Rookie of the Year, 2012 MVP, now three time World Series champ, much more to come for this stud. Other than seeing him catch two no-nos, we can count on him catching a couple more in his future with the San Francisco Giants. I just hope that 1. He becomes an awesome manager in the future and 2. Stays a Giant forever
22. Albert Pujols
2001 NL Rookie of the Year, you are immortal. I have loved Albert Pujols ever since I could remember. Going from a white and red team the St. Louis Cardinals to a red and white team the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim can be tough, but the past three seasons have been nothing but smooth for Pujols. This past year he had gotten his 500th home run and was the first player ever to get his 499th and 500th within the same game.
23. Ichiro Suzuki
And now for the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and yet another immortal. ICHI! How could you not love Ichiro Suzuki? He is like a monkey when he plays; jumping up walls, doing somersaults, he is just so much fun to watch. For a 41 year old, I just really hope Ichi plays until he reaches 3000 hits in the MLB. Although, he does have 4000+ (I lost count after 4001) combining from his time in Japan. This guy is a Hall of Famer for sure, you can count on that.
24. Raul Ibanez
One of the nicest players in the game, Ibanez is not only one of my favorites, but a family favorite. He also resembles a lot like Voldemort and as a Harry Potter family, I think it's only fitting. :) He's clutch, he's awesome, and he's too cool Raul!
25. Giancarlo Stanton
Not going to lie to you, Stanton is my favorite player in the National League. He hits monster home runs, crushing people's hands in the Home Run Derby, and man, this guy has a future. Plus, he has had more 450+ feet home runs more than any team combined, so you just know that someday, he'll end up in the hall. :)
