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March 24, 2006

What's In A Name?

Just checking now, I realized that "Mike" Mussina is probably the greatest "Mike" in Yankees history. See the list:

Mike Pagliarulo
Mike Stanley
Mike Gallego
Mike Easler
Mike McNally
Mike Gazella
Mike Garbark
Mike Hegan
Mike Milosevich
Mike Kekich
Mike Blowers
Mike Fischlin
Mike Humphreys
Mike Ferraro
Mike Heath
Mike Aldrete
Mike Stanton
Mike Chartak
Mike Fitzgerald
Mike Patterson
Mike O'Berry
Mike Powers
Mike McCormick
Mike Lowell
Mike Mussina
Mike Donovan
Mike Handiboe
Mike Figga
Mike Thurman
Mike Vento

And, we know that "Derek" Jeter is the greatest "Derek" in Yankees history. Ditto the guys flanking him - "Alex" Rodriguez and "Robinson" Cano. Also, in the "Jason" department, it's Giambi, Grimsley and Anderson - so, Giambi wins. And, "Jorge" Posada is the only "Jorge" in Yankees history.

Do we even need to discuss "Hideki"?

There's been a lot of "Johnny's" to wear the pinstripes:

Johnny Lindell
Johnny Blanchard
Johnny Murphy
Johnny Mize
Johnny Grabowski
Johnny Kucks
Johnny Sain
Johnny Callison
Johnny Sturm
Johnny Broaca
Johnny Allen
Johnny Hopp
Johnny Oates
Johnny James
Johnny Johnson
Johnny Mitchell
Johnny Lucadello
Johnny Cooney
Johnny Priest
Johnny Schmitz

So, Damon has a way to go.

I was suprised at how few "Gary's" there were:

Gary Sheffield
Gary Ward
Gary Roenicke
Gary Thomasson
Gary Waslewski
Gary Blaylock
Gary Jones

Sheffield is the best ever here. And, "Bernie" Williams only has "Bernie" Allen in his way. Also, "Mariano" Rivera only has "Mariano" Duncan.

What about "Randy" Johnson? You tell me:

Randy Velarde
Randy Gumpert
Randy Choate
Randy Johnson
Randy Keisler

I could go on for a while with this - but, I think the point is made. This Yankees group is the "best" ever in terms of their relative first names (as a whole). That's kind of interesting, at least to me.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 24, 2006 10:54 AM

Comments

Don't forget Bubba Crosby.

Posted by: Mike A. [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 24, 2006 01:43 PM

There is NO Mike in Yankee history greater than Pags.

Posted by: bfriley76 [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 24, 2006 02:09 PM

hey, steve, how'd you get those lists?

Posted by: Nick from Washington Heights [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 24, 2006 02:14 PM

how about George: would Big Stein be included and could one say that he's larger than George Herman?

Posted by: Athos333 [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 24, 2006 02:34 PM

Nick - I used the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia.

Big Stein is the one and only "George" - since G.H. used "Babe" - here's the competition -

George Selkirk
George Moriarty
George Pipgras
George McQuinn
George Mogridge
George McConnell
George Zeber
George Uhle
George Murray
George Scott
George Burns
George Halas
George Wilson
George Clark
George Whiteman
George Shears
George Washburn
George Batten

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 24, 2006 02:36 PM

How about the best "Graig" or the best "Aurelio". Thanks for this useless info.

Posted by: Josh [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 24, 2006 04:00 PM

FWIW, there's never been a Josh to play for the Yankees.

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 24, 2006 04:27 PM