2017 New York Yankees team...as "I See It"

Catcher-Gary Sanchez/Austin Romine
1st Base-Greg Bird
2nd Base-Castro
3rd Base-Headly/Wilkerman Garcia
SS-Didi
LF-Dustin Fowler/
CF-Ellsbury
RF-Judge
DH-Brian McCann
Utility-Refsnyder/Tyler Wade

Starting Pitchers;
1-Luis Severino, 2-Michael Pineda, 3-James Kaprielian, 4-Bryan Mitchell
5-Luis Cessa 6-Jordan Montgomery 7-Masahiro Tanaka (No Order)
Bull Pen;
Closers; Dellin Betances, Cale Coshow, Jacob Lindgren, Domingo "ACE" Acevedo, Nathan "Evo" Eovaldi!
BP---We have a Plethora of pitchers working to be in this position.

The Chairman of the Board

Edward Charles Ford

Born: October 21, 1928, New York, New York

Bats: Left

Throws: Left

Played For: 

New York Yankees (1950, 1953-1967)

Elected to the Hall of Fame by Baseball Writers: 1974

Whitey missed the 1951 and 1952 seasons because of the Koren war.
Edward Whitey Ford was the big-game pitcher on the great Yankees teams of the 1950s and early '60s, earning him the moniker "The Chairman of the Board". The wily southpaw's lifetime record of 236-106 gives him the best winning percentage (.690) of any 20th-century pitcher. He paced the American League in victories three times and in ERA and shutouts twice. The 1961 Cy Young Award winner still holds many World Series records, including 10 wins and 94 strikeouts, once pitching 33 consecutive scoreless innings in the Fall Classic.

Eventually, Ford went from the No. 4 pitcher on a great staff to the universally acclaimed No. 1 pitcher of the Yankees. He became known as the "Chairman of the Board" for his ability to remain calm and in command during high-pressure situations. He also knew how to throw the scuff and mud ball very well! Casey used him against the other teams best pitchers, in fact, Casey would hold him out a game or so to make it work out. He was also known as "Slick," a nickname given to him at one time (Billie Martin, Mickey Mantle) by manager Casey Stengel who called them Whiskey Slicks. Ford's guile was necessary because he did not have an overwhelming fastball, but being able to throw several other pitches very well gave him pinpoint control. Ford was an effective strikeout pitcher for his time, tying the then-AL record for six consecutive strikeouts in 1956, and again in 1958. Ford pitched 2 consecutive one-hit games in 1955 to tie a record held by several pitchers. And yes, he could be our #1 starting pitcher right now, in this day and age IF he were still young and healthy. His career came to a halt because of nerve disruption in his hands, he had to keep them warm and the other teams said it was not right for him to use a hand warmer to do so...rules are rules.

Ford in 1954.

Jeter Unanimous Choice HoF? Not so fast!

Where is it written that a player should receive unanimous votes just because he was the face of the Yankees and played SS for 20 years? 

He played SS very poorly (Gold Gloves are popularity awards) check his records he was not good.

So basically, some of you think an SS that broke many Yankee hitting records...here is why; he played 20 years hitting in the #2 spot and had Two times more AB & PA than any Yankee in history He should have those Yankee records! He was a singles hitter that played SS...poorly! 

Jeter is not in very many top ten MLB records except having over 3,000 hits, having many more At Bats and Plate Appearances and wasn't considered a good SS defensively. He wasn't the player other teams had to worry about beating them, so they pitched to him...he was a very good singles hitter but, not someone that was going to beat you very often.

All this can be looked up and digested, I understand every generation needs a guy to be the Yankee face and popular player...that is the nature of the game.

My question is; does that initial him to a Unanimous Vote? No way!

HoF Jeter-Yes/A-Rod?

The Idea of A-Rod missing out on the HoF is a laugh it should be called the "Hall of Shame" some of the players in the last 20+/- years that have gotten in is unconscionable and a disgrace to those that truly belong. Just because one is a nice guy has nothing to do with the game, production over one's career is what counts...I would add, be "Dominant" for many years is the big tipping point for me! Three or five years out of one's 15/18-year career are nice but what is great about that?

Take Jeter for example! As many know, I am not a fan of his!

The guy was very good as a Punch and Judy hitter had a bit of power (average of 16 HRs) but not really a "Dominant" player. He had 20 years as an adequate SS but got the job done with the glove... if he got to it, it was and out, and fans this is not to be said for many at SS! He became the face of the Yankees and as with Joe Torre was in the right place at the right time. He has set many Yankee records but other than having the most strikeouts, At Bats, hits, and many more Yankee records and those are nice. 

If my memory is still good, he was only in the Major League Baseball top 10 in 3 categories At Bats #7, Plate Appearances #10 and hits #6.

Jeter was the most likeable player in the league, and he had what I have always considered the 6th tool for any player, something he and A-rod shared "A Sixth Sence" of baseball. Believe it or not, that 6th tool is had by very few baseball players.

Does Jeter deserve to join the ranks of the HoF? Yes, a very good player, well-liked by all, a good example for other players and kids to replicate! Not as a first ballot unanimous pick, though...that is just silly...he is better than Mickey, Whitey, Mo?

The time has Arrived to Play Our Own

Anyone ever notice that our prospects are rated less than the way we (as fans) rate them?
We tend to overrate our own players (doesn't everyone) but this year we do have many players on the edge of big league time, for a change, they are not superstars by any means!
I have waited for this thing going on with the Yankees for years, it would never have happened without the great co-operation between Hal and Cashman both being on the same page. They have different reasons for this co-operation but it will work out in the end. Why do I say it will build a winning team in the near future? Very simple, I have about 70 years of personal history with the Yankees to draw from.
Back in the day, I remember the team built around our own players and a few trades made when NEEDED...not WANTED.
Example: A-Rod was wanted by "The King" but not a NEED. Key and Cone were NEEDED along with "The Mose".
We wouldn't have made the WS without A-Rod one time, so many will say because he carried the team to the playoffs almost by himself, which is true. My contention is, who is to say a less talented player with the help of some timely hitting couldn't have made the same thing happen.

Jacob Lindgren

Now, the cost of FA players has gotten out of control with long time contracts and huge money outlay. One can still get an FA (without a draft pick) at the right price and contract IF one will go for young rising players with talent and are not superstars.
Bottom Line; We now and in the future have a good Farm System...not the best but very good players coming thru for years to come. We now have the base players needed to build a team around and keep things going for years to come. With lower priced contracts, we can go out and get a player we may need without hurting the bottom line.

I LIKE IT! So will all of you when it comes togeather in a year or so!

Pros/Cons Unanimous Choice, HoF...Jeter!

I have been a TRUE Yankee fan for about 70 years.

Jeter has been hyped more than any player I have ever seen.
How can anyone in their right mind think a singles hitter that happen to play SS for theYankees, is a unanimous choice for HoF. He has one of the worse defensive ratings of any SS...#261 of 281! 

"Captin Clutch", fans call him, name me 5 clutch plays he has made in his 20 years of playing. Name me any season Jeter lead the team anywhere. He was named(voted) the top Yankee player 3 times in 20 years. Mickey was named Top  Player 10 times in 16 years...get the idea? The truly great players don't need all the hype he has gotten over the years. Players like Mo, Mickey, Yogi, and Whitey...you know, the real greats of the Yankee Teams.

I think that is enough of the negative, let's show the positive.

Jeter has one good MLB record...3400+ hits., which is almost impossible NOT to have, being #7 in At Bats and batting .310 in the #2 slot! When I say he was a singles hitter, check it out...#5 in history. Playing 20 years with a .310 BA is not an easy thing to do, also being the Face of the Yankees is also something I would never want around my neck.

I have said and say again, every generation of Yankee Fans needs a hero, mine was Mickey, along with Whitey, Yogi, Billy and LoPat. This generation has Jeter a guy that played a long time and set many NEW Yankee Records. Jeter is one of the 20 best Yankees but not in the top 10...one way players can't belong in the top 10.

Jeter will be in the HoF, rest assured BUT, No Way is he a Unanimous Choice