New York Baseball

Having two baseball teams in the same town can be a lot of fun to watch. Here in New York we got two pretty good ones in the Mets and the Yankees. Both clubs with long history's, the Yankees more so than the Mets. Both teams have had great players pull on their uniforms and that's what we are going to try and piece together here.

There is a little criteria here. If we went all the way back in franchise history, it would be almost all Yankees players, so we trimming this down just a little bit. We are keeping this to guys who have played here over the last thirty years. I'm also keeping it to you have to have played in town for at least four years. We discussed this on the last episode of the show where we talked about starters. So now we gonna talked about starters and backups. So let's get into it right now.

Catcher

Starter: Mike Piazza Backup: Jorge Posada

I've said it before, Piazza wasn't the greatest defensive catcher of all time but boy could he hit and do so with power. Posada was a good hitter and a better defensive catcher. That's why I still wanted him behind the plate. But Piazza was the better player and deserves to start.

1st Base:

Starter: Tino Martinez Backup: Mark Texiara

Both of those guys could hit and were pretty good defensive 1st baseman. I mean you could add the likes of Carlos Delgado, who just missed out, or even John Olerud (who only played three years and wasn't at the cutoff to make it to this list). Both Tino and Tex were leaders and very solid at the plate and in the field.

2nd Base

Starter: Robinson Cano Backup: Edgardo Alfonso

As solid as Fonzy was, both in the field and at the plate, Cano was better. He could hit and do it with a little more power than Fonzy. Fielding was about even, slight edge to Cano. Plus Fonzy was a 3rd baseman by trade and was only really moved to second when Ventura came here.

Shortstop

Starter: Derek Jeter Backup: Jose Reyes

This one was a no brainer. There was no better shortstop to play in this town then Jeter. Ever. He was that good and then some. The only real question is who would you put behind him coming off the bench.That would be Jose Reyes. Arguement could be made on defense for Rey Ordonez, but he couldn't hit a lick. Reyes could hit field and throw and he had speed to burn. That's why Reyes backs up Jeter.

3rd Base

Starter: David Wright Backup: Robin Ventura

I know what some of you are going to say, what about A-Rod? Don't worry he's still on this team, I just put him somewhere else that's all. Wright is the best all around third baseman to play in this town during that time period, with Ventura right behind them. Robin may have had a bit more power and had a more health on his side, but Wright had the all around game that was equal or better than Venutra. Still both guys can pull it off.

Designated Hitter

Starter: Alex Rodriguez Backup: Mike Piazza

See I told you A-Rod was going to make this list. He could hit and do it quite well. He can also play 3rd if one of the other two can't. And you could also put Piazza here too when he isn't behind the plate. But A-Rod had a good swing and good power and there was no way I could leave a guy of his offensive talent off this team.

Left Fielder

Starter: Brett Gardner Backup: Yoenes Cespedes

Gardner has been the steadying force in the Yankees lineup in left field the last six years. Not as flashy as some of his other outfielders in the Bronx, but he's been able to get the job done with both the bat and the glove. As for who's playing behind him, outside of maybe Hediki Matsui, Yoenes Cespedes has been the biggest threat in left in terms of both defense and offense. Only reason Cespedes isn't starting is because of injuries and he hasn't been here long enough.

Center Field

Starter: Carlos Beltran Backup: Bernie Williams

For seven years in Queens and another three in the Bronx, Carlos Beltran played a fine center field. He had great range and could get to most fly balls hit in his direction./ Oh yeah and he could hit too. He was the best hitter in the Mets lineup for a stretch during his time in the blue and orange. He could do a little bit of everything and was good at it too. Backing him up was pretty easy to pick Bernie. He was the anchor in the outfield in the Bronx for 16 yeas and was one of their core players during their title years.

Right Field

Starter: Paul O'Neil Backup: Aaron Judge

Spending nine years holding down right in the Bronx, Paul O'Neil was able to keep up with putting up the numbers he had done in Cincinnati with the Reds. He was a solid fielder and he had a more than capable bat. Could not only hit but he could hit for power and be able to drive in runs. In a few years from now, if he can get and stay healthy and keep producing in the field and at the plate, there's a pretty good chance that Aaron Judge will be able to pass him as the right fielder.

Pitchers

Starting Rotation:

Jacob deGrom

Andy Petite

Mike Mussina

David Cone

Al Leiter

Bullpen

John Wetland

John Fracno

Dave Roberson

Jobba Chamberland

Pedro Felicano

Armando Benitez

Closer

Mariano Rivera