The New York Yankees are baseball royalty. With 27 World Series titles, they’ve seen some of the greatest players in MLB history don the pinstripes.
But who stands out as the absolute best? Let’s rank the top 15 Yankees of all time—from legends to, well, even bigger legends.
15. Aaron Judge
Too soon? Maybe. But when you break the AL home run record (62 in 2022), win an MVP, and become the face of the modern Yankees, you earn a place in history. If he delivers a championship, his legend will only grow.
14. Don Mattingly
“Donnie Baseball” was the heart and soul of the Yankees throughout the ‘80s. Though injuries kept him from reaching even greater heights, his MVP season in 1985, nine Gold Gloves, and pure hitting ability make him a Yankee icon.
13. Thurman Munson
The captain before Jeter, Munson was a fierce competitor and a clutch hitter. A two-time World Series champion and the 1976 AL MVP, his tragic passing in 1979 only cemented his legend.
12. Bill Dickey
Dickey was a seven-time World Series champion and a pioneer at catcher. He was also Yogi Berra’s mentor, so in a way, he’s responsible for two Yankee legends.
11. Whitey Ford
The “Chairman of the Board” was the Yankees’ ace throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s, winning six World Series titles and finishing with a ridiculous .690 career winning percentage.
10. Reggie Jackson
“Mr. October” only spent five seasons in New York, but his impact was undeniable. Three home runs in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series? Yeah, that earns you a spot on this list.
9. Mariano Rivera
The greatest closer in baseball history. Period. Mo’s cutter was pure evil for hitters, and his postseason dominance (0.70 ERA in the playoffs!) makes him a Yankee immortal.
8. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod’s Yankees tenure had its ups and downs, but his 2009 postseason heroics and two MVPs in New York secure his place in franchise history.
7. Derek Jeter
The Captain. Five rings, 3,000 hits, and more clutch moments than we can count. The guy just knew how to win—and do it in style.
6. Yogi Berra
It ain’t over till it’s over, and with Yogi, it was never over. A 10-time World Series champion and a quote machine, he was as good at baseball as he was at making people laugh.
5. Joe DiMaggio
The Yankee Clipper’s 56-game hitting streak may never be broken. A three-time MVP and nine-time World Series champ, he made everything look effortless.
4. Mickey Mantle
A switch-hitting slugger with power, speed, and charisma. The Mick battled injuries but still managed 536 homers, three MVPs, and seven rings.
Read More: 10 MLB Players Who Had Hall of Fame Talent But Didn’t Get In
3. Lou Gehrig
The “Iron Horse” played 2,130 consecutive games before ALS tragically ended his career. His farewell speech at Yankee Stadium is one of baseball’s most emotional moments.
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2. Roger Maris
Maris’s 61 homers in 1961 broke Babe Ruth’s single-season record and stood for 37 years. A two-time MVP and part of back-to-back World Series winners, he’s a legend forever.
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1. Babe Ruth
The Sultan of Swat changed baseball forever. Without the Babe, there is no Yankees dynasty. 714 homers, seven World Series titles, and the face of the sport.
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