SP: Spud Chandler — 1943
Okay, these stats are admittedly inflated by the absence of the many players serving in the armed forces during WWII, but even still, Chandler was an All-Star and was absolutely dominant in 1943. Going 20-4, Chandler posted a 1.64 ERA, a 0.992 WHIP and a league leading 2.48 SO/BB ration in a season where he also garnered the MVP award.
SP: Allie Reynolds —1952
Part of the Yankees' "Big Three," Allie was outstanding in 1952, in the midst of a five-year championship run by Casey Stengel's Yankees. That season, Allie went 20-8 and led the AL in ERA with a 2.06 mark. His 1.191 WHIP and AL leading 160 strikeouts solidify the argument that Reynolds belongs on this squad.
SP: Whitey Ford —1958
Last but not least is Whitey Ford's stellar 1958 season. The greatest Yankee pitcher ever, Ford — an eight-time All-Star and Hall of Famer — actually won his only Cy Young awarded in 1961
but I'm going with his stellar 1958 season as his most worthy for the All-Time Yankee All-Stars.
In '58 Ford was nearly unhittable, posting a league best 2.01 ERA in 219.1 innings, giving up 174 hits while walking only 62 and striking out 145. That alone is enough to warrant selection but he also managed to lead the league in both WHIP (1.076) and ERA+ (176), leaving only his 14-7 record the explain how he lost out on the Cy Young award to teammate Bob Turley (21-7) that season (even though Turley led the league in walks with 128!).
Bullpen: Mariano Rivera — 2008
With Rivera, any of his 10 All-Star seasons would suffice to make this team. Oddly, the one season in his playing career when the Yankees did not make the playoff may have been his best. At 38 years old, Mariano hurled his way to 39 saves, a 1.40 ERA, a career best 0.665 WHIP, a 317 ERA+, and 77 SO to only six walks for an unreal 12.83 K/BB ratio. In 2009 Rivera is posting another season (with an All Star selection) that in its conclusion might make an argument for inclusion on this list, but for now I'm going with 2008.
Bullpen: Rich "Goose" Gossage — 1981
One of the best seasons by any reliever in the history of the game. A 0.77 ERA, 20 hits, 48 ks, and a 0.771 WHIP.
Article comments
1 - tink
While I'm not up on the older guys, the stats made your choices clear.
Great line-up. Dug that you included Mariano Rivera, he definitely rates up there.
Thank god for your no a-rod zone, although in our house we call him a-something else!!
Reading this took a bit of the sting away from not catching them while they were playing 10 miles from here this past weekend.
Thanks for a great piece on the best baseball team ever!!
2 - Tony
Thanks Tink. It was a lot of fun digging back through the history of the team.
3 - Aaron Whitehead
Nice piece. The one guy I'm surprised you didn't mention was Joe Gordon. He was great in his MVP year of '42, and he gets a clear edge over Soriano in defense.
A lot of tough choices here; I really like Graig Nettles, but was surprised to see that he wasn't an All-Star in '76.
I love that you mention Charlie Keller; he was on the fast track to Cooperstown before he turned 30. But Rickey Henderson was pretty darn good in '85. I think he should have won the MVP, and that was a good Yankee team in the midst of some poor ones.
4 - Tony
Gordon was very good in 42 but can't match Sorianos power or speed production. Also, the only thing he did lead the league in that year was strikeouts.
Henderson definately makes a case with his '85 season for sure.