Readers' Thread: Greatest By Decade, But...

SSTN Admin
Jun 7
1 min read

June 7, 2026

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For this week, let's have a little fun...

Create the greatest Yankees line-up by picking only one player per decade played.

You will need one player for each defensive position, including four starting pitchers and a bullpen closer.

Here is a quick example:

1903-1909: Jack Chesbro (P)

1910-1919: Bob Shawkey (P)

1920-1929: Babe Ruth (RF)

1930-1939: Lou Gehrig (1B)

1940-1949: Joe DiMaggio (CF)

1950-1959: Yogi Berra (C)

1960-1969: Mickey Mantle (LF)

1970-1979: Graig Nettles (3B)

1980-1989: Willie Randolph (2B)

1990-1999: Derek Jeter (SS)

2000-2009: Mariano Rivera (Closer)

2010-2019: C.C. Sabathia (P)

2020-2026: Gerrit Cole (P)

7 Comments

fantasyfb3313

Jun 07

I will give it a shot.

the first 4 seem automatic or very close

neither Ruth or Gehrig played a single day outside of the 20s and 30s and there is NO WAY you are not having both of them on this team. that eliminates Tony Lazzeri. I think there is a serious argument for Lazzeri as the starting SS. Jeter has him in longevity but Lazzeri has better career OBP, Slug, and OPS compared to Jeter

who else could you even consider for SS? clearly Rizzuto but I think it is clear he is not as good as Jeter or Lazzeri.

the Yankees have an absolute who is who of great OFers but they are a bit thin at…

Edited

fantasyfb3313

Jun 08

Replying to

for whatever reason, I thought Lazzeri played a LOT more SS for the Rugh and Gehrig Yankees. WRONG!

he played more 2b than any other position, but also played plenty of 3b. I think the most games he ever played at SS in any season was something in the 35-40 range

so the Yankees are truly VERY VERY thin at the SS position historically. Jeter is the best in a runaway. I am still comfortable for this exercise with Rizzuto. good OBP and good defense and he would fit just fine with the rest of this team, BUT without the decades restriction, it is Jeter in a landslide

despite Lazzeri being much more of a 2b, I still would have…

yankeerudy

Jun 07

So decades start with zero?

Robert Malchman

Jun 07

Replying to

The seventh decade of the 20th Century began January 1, 1961, just as the 20th Century began January 1, 1901. Because there is no "Year Zero," centuries and decades begin in years ending in 1.

That said, "the Sixties" are those years that have a 6 in the tens place. It is comprised of the last year of the sixth decade and the first nine years of the seventh. Similarly, we would all say, "I'm in my 60s," from the day of our 60th birthday, even though our 60th year begins on our 59th birthday.

But these are minor quibbles, basically six of one or half a dozen of the other.

Edited

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