[Nick Soulis]

NEW YORK YANKEES


Overall (9695-7382 W-L, 1901 - 2011) - 27 World Championships, 40 Pennants, and 49 Playoff Appearances

Ball park: Yankee Stadium
Manager: Joe McCarthy

C	Yogi Berra	Bill Dickey
1B	Lou Gehrig	Don Mattingly
2B	Tony Lazzeri	Willie Randolph
3B	Graig Nettles	Red Rolfe
SS	Derek Jeter	Phil Rizzuto
OF	Babe Ruth	Bernie Williams
OF	Joe DiMaggio	Roger Maris
OF	Mickey Mantle	Tommy Henrich
DH	Dave Winfield
SP	Whitey Ford
SP	Lefty Gomez
SP	Ron Guidry
SP	Andy Pettitte	Red Ruffing
CL	Mariano Rivera
M	Joe McCarthy

Catchers - Only the elite make the final Yankee roster as one may imagine. The player with the most World Series rings will catch for this team as Yogi Berra can hit and field as good or better then anyone at the position. Bill Dickey was extraordinary in his own right and will give Berra a break when needed while providing a dependable bat. Not even Thurman Munson could make this starting rotation.

First Base - The Iron Horse and a true legend in every way, Lou Gehrig is the force at first base. No player has driven in runs with the pace and consistency that Gehrig can and his defense and demenour all make him perhaps the perfect Yankee. Behind him is Don Mattingly who likely wont get much of a chance to play here, but Donny will likely be very much in the mix for the designated hitter position.

Second Base - Get on base and field your position is all Tony Lazzeri needs to do and he should have no problem at it. Lazzeri is an excellent contact hitter who finds space and can beat out infield hits. He is the best small ball player on this team and an obvious winner. If needed Willie Randolph is also in the mix here; Randolph is a smart gritty player in his own right.

Short Stop - Another all around winner and captain no one had more hits then Derek Jeter. Jeter is all about the team and playing smart baseball all around, his team first attitude in everything will make this team even stronger. Derek has a great bat to the opposite field and will steal a bag when needed; he is slated to bat leadoff. The Scooter is the back up here and has a great glove, Phil Rizzuto is liked by everyone and is a good bench player on this team.

Third Base - Graig Nettles will very likely be the beneficiary of some great chances to hit as he sits in the lineup with the other giants. Nettles even more so is one of the best fielding second basemen ever and his glove will be vital. Nattles is a perfect fir for what this team needs. Red Rolfe is a strong corner man with a great bat who dips a bit defensively but can fill in for Nettles.

Outfielders - Ruth, Mantle, and Dimaggio; enough said. Everyone wants to see the Babe play and Ruth will be in his usual third spot where he will continue his persona as the best the game has ever seen. Joe Dimaggio is almost just as legendary and will be vital to this team in so many ways including his fielding. Joltin Joe is a perfect contact hitter and someone who is likely to exceed expectations with most of the attention on Ruth and Gehrig. Then of course there is the Mick, with is incredible power Mantle just makes this team even more star studded then it could be. When all is said and done the hitters in this Yankee outfield can fill shelves of books about their talents and influence. In the backup roles will be Roger Maris who is actually a teamate of Babe Ruth now after all the hype around the record. Bernie Williams is an excellent clubhouse man and player and Tommy Henrich will help out where he can.

Designated Hitter - Big Dave Winfield will get his chance to make amends for not wining the big one while playing for the Yanks as this team's primary DH. The Yanks of course will use a rotation here of a number of hitters but Winfield is expected to have an expanded role in the lineup. Mattingly will be a key man for this job as well.

Starting Pitching - The hitting is unreal but in order to win it all the Yanks will need good pitching. Whitey Ford is the man who will take the ball in the biggest games and can be dubbed the ace. Ron Guidry with his imaculate stuff is another hurler who the yanks expect to pile up the wins. Lefty Grove was the main arm to many of the great Yankee teams and will do his usual work for Joe McCarthy. The final spot will be looked at as Andy Pettitte the lefty and Red Ruffing battle it out for the final rotation slot. Pettitte has been the best of the latest Yankee generation and is likely to hold the role down.

Closer - Mariano Rivera will ease everyone's mind in the close games as he has closed more big games then anyone. Rivera is at his best it seems when the stakes are even higher and in those crucial postseason efforts its great to have him on your side. The rest of the pen may be shaky, but Rivera is the best there is.

Spring training battles
Dave Winfield vs Don Mattingly (DH)
Andy Pettitte vs Red Ruffing (Rotation)

Cooperstown Rating
Hitting - A+
Defense - A-
Starting pitching - B+
Bullpen - B+
Prediction: 109-53

Quick word with Joe McCarthy
"We cant win on reputation alone. In order to be champions we need to prove it for a full season and our first goal is to win our division."