10. Russ Derry

Russ Derry spent two seasons in Yankee Pinstripes playing Outfield. He is known for little to none but is in a select group. He is one of four Yankees to hit a grand slam on Opening Day. (season opener) The others are Alfonso Soriano, Alex Rodriguez, and Bobby Murcer.

9. Jon Lieber

2004, the year of the historic collapse, there were only two reliable starting pitchers. Hall of Famer Mike Mussina and Jon Lieber. Lieber won fourteen games for the AL East Champs with a strong performance vs. the Twins in the ALDS at the Stadium in dire need of one as the Bombers were down 0-1 in the series. Pitched a dominant seven inning outing vs. Boston a week later but unfortunately his career in pinstripes ended on a sour note when Lieber was on the wrong side of history in game six, Curt Schilling’s Bloody Sock Game and later that evening Alex Rodriguez slapped the ball out of Bronson Arroyo’s glove to be called out on interference.

8. Red Ruffing

Red Ruffing had an elite Hall of Fame career but the reason he is so low on this list is because of his fifteen seasons in NY he wore #22 for only his last two in the mid 40’s. 2.89 ERA in just 11 starts in 1945 and 1.77 ERA in only 8 starts in 1945. But how could I leave him of this list!? He’s an old timer that deserves to be talked about much more! Six World Series titles six time All-Star and 273 career MLB wins.

7. Jack Aker

One of the lights at the dark end of the tunnel on the lean years during the late 60’s and early 70’s. Impressive relief pitcher the Yankees acquired via a trade with the Seattle Pilots in May 1969. In his four seasons (’69, ’70, ’71, and ’72) Akers ERA each year was 2.06, 2.59. 2.96, and 3.00.

6. Robinson Cano

Another brand name that would assume to be hire on this ladder, but Robbie only wore 22 his first two seasons to then give that number back to The Rocket in 2007. First All-Star appearance was 2006 where he hit 15 homers drove in 78 runs and batted .342.

5. Marius Russo

Lefthanded starting pitcher who pitched six seasons in NY. (Two were taken away when he served his country) 2.41 ERA his rookie season in 1939, 14 wins two consecutive years in 1940 and 1941, All-Star in 1941 with a 3.09 ERA summating 209.2 innings pitched, and a 3-time World Series champ. Two complete game wins in the Fall Classic. Surrendered 1 run vs. “Dem Bums” in game 3 in ‘41 and 0 earned runs vs. the Cards in game 4 in ‘43.

4. Bill Stafford

Six Yankee seasons; two World Series titles and four AL pennants. Earned 14 wins in both back-to-back title years with a 2.68 ERA throwing 195 innings with one of the greatest teams of all time in 1961 and 3.67 in ’62 tallying 213.1 innings pitched. Pitched a complete game in game 3 while yielding 2 earned runs vs. the Giants to outduel Billy Pierce in a 3-2 win in the 1962 WS then the following week McCovey lined out.

3. Jimmy Key

Eighteen wins in 1993 then seventeen in 1994 in his first two Yankees seasons earning All-Star nods in both campaigns. 3.00 ERA with 236.2 innings pitched in ’93 and his 17 wins and 25 starts led the league in the strike shortened season. 5 solid innings at Texas in the 1996 ALDS, 8 dominant innings at Baltimore in the ALCS while yielding 2 earned runs and rung up 5 Orioles then earned the win outdueling the great Greg Maddux in the clincher leading the Yankees to their first title in 18 years and a dynasty was born.

2. Roger Clemens

Best stuff in Boston and Toronto but had enough left in the tank here to win back-to-back World Series and a Cy Young. Six years in NY but five complete seasons where his strikeout tally from 1999 to 2003 was 163, 188, 213 (Cy Young year in 2001), 192, and 190 in 2003 when he won 17 games that year and racked up his 4,000th strikeout and 300th win vs. the Cardinals in June. Won 20 games as he earned Cy Young honors in 2001. Concluded the sweep vs. the Rangers in the 1999 Division Series firing 7 shutout innings and won his elusive World Series earning the win in the clincher at The Stadium vs. the Braves going 7.2 innings of one run ball, sending 4 Braves back to the dugout on strikes, popping champagne that evening followed by the ticker-tape parade. In the 2000 ALCS pitched one of the greatest postseason games ever witnessed. Recorded all 27 outs vs. the Mariners at Safeco Field, gave up only 1 hit and summated 15 strikeouts with a lineup that consisted of Alex Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez. Pitched 8 shutout innings vs. the Mets in the Subway Series with 9 K’s then won a second consecutive World Series.

1. Allie Reynolds

Superchief spent eight seasons (1948-1954) in a Yankee uniform while winning six World Series and making six All-Star teams. Won 20 games in the Yankees fourth consecutive championship season under Stengel (1952) while leading the AL in three categories: ERA; 2.06, strikeouts; 160, and shutouts; 6. He also pitched 24 complete games that year. Notched 17 wins in a season on 2 occasions, 16 twice, and 19 once. The victor of 5 complete games in the World Series making all 27 outs to continue to break the Dodgers hearts in 1947, 1949, and 1952. Found himself in Tom Seaver territory far before Tom Terrific burst upon the scene in Queens pitching a 10-inning shutout in 1950 at the Phillies surrendering only 1 run, and in 1951 finished the job that afternoon at the Polo Grounds while retiring 7 Giants on strikes. And of course, threw two no-hitters in one season in 1951, one of only 6 pitchers in Major League Baseball history to accomplish that feat.