Yankees Honor Willie Randolph, Surprise Mel Stottlemyre During 69th Annual Old Timer’s Day

Former New York Yankee player and coach Mel Stottlemyre poses with his plaque that will be placed in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium prior to a game against the Detroit Tigers on June 20, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees had their 69^th annual Old Timers’ day on Saturday night in the Bronx prior to the Yankees faced off against the Detroit Tigers.

The Yankees and their fans welcomed back former stars including Ron Guidry, David Cone, Hall of Famers Wade Boggs, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Joe Torre and Reggie Jackson, as well as many more. The Yankees also welcomed back more current players such as Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neil, Johnny Damon and obviously Yankee manager Joe Girardi. All in all the Yankees had over 50 ex players or their widows attend the ceremony.

This year’s ceremony was a little different than usual as the Yankees organization presented former second baseman and Coach Willie Randolph with a plaque in the famous Monument Park. Randolph spent 13 seasons in pinstripes playing from 1976-88 and ranks third on the organization’s all-time list in stolen bases (251). The five-time American League All-Star played in 37 postseason games with the Yankees from 1976-81, winning two World Series with the team. He also spent 11 seasons coaching for the organization, serving as the club’s third base coach from 1994-2003 and bench coach in 2004, earning four additional World Series rings (1996, ‘98-2000).

“The emotions are just running wild right now,” Randolph said before the crowd chanted his name.” I just want to soak it in one more time — bear with me.”

Willie Randolph was not the only Yankee to be honored as the Yankees surprised former pitcher and pitching Coach Mel Stottlemyre with a Monument Park plaque as well. Stottlemyre, who pitched in the Bronx from 1964 to ’74, compiled an outstanding 2.97 earned run average and made five All-Star appearances. He later served as pitching coach from 1996 to 2005, wining four World Series. Stottlemyre in his eyes as he addressed the crowd after revealing the plaque.

“Putting on the pinstripes, to me, meant everything to me,” Stottlemyre said. “Every time I put this uniform on, even though we weren’t, I felt unbeatable. There is no one happier to be on this great field than myself.”

A notable absence however, was 10 time champion and three time American League Most Valuable Player Yogi Berra, who couldn’t make it.

After the ceremony conclude the former Yankees broke up into two teams and played a two inning game. A game that featured former third baseman and 1996 World Series champion Charlie Hayes at third, Bucky Dent at shortstop and Bernie Williams back in front of the 408 sign patrolling center.

The game was great entertainment for fans and players alike, as everyone loves to see the old superstars take the field once again. The game also had a lot of fans talking about the greatest Yankee players of all-time from each position. After talking to several fans, here is a list based on what Yankee fans at Old Timers’ Day and myself think:

All-Yankees First Team-

Pitcher- Whitey Ford- Known as the “Chairman of the Board,” Whitey Ford was absolutely outstanding with the Yankees. Ford was 236-and-106 with a 2.75 earned run average. Ford was a Cy Young winner in 1961 and was a 10-time all-star. Ford won six championships in his 16-year Hall of Fame career with the Yankees and still holds the record for most strikeouts in World Series history. In 22 World Series games, Ford pitched to a 2.71 ERA, along with 94 strikeouts, and is arguably the greatest World Series pitcher of all-time. Ford finished his career with 1,956 strikes, 156 complete games and is an easy pick for the best Yankees pitcher ever.

Catcher- Yogi Berra- Berra hit a career .285 with 358 home runs and 1,430 runs batted in. Yogi was a three time AL MVP and a 10 time World Series champion in his 18 year MLB career. Yogi is thought by many to be the best catcher in baseball history.

1^st Base- Lou Gehrig- Gehrig is no doubt the best first baseman to ever play for the Yanks. Lou hit .340, with 493 Home Runs, and 1,995 RBI. Gehrig was the nickname “The Iron Horse” played in an incredible 2,130 consecutive games between 1925-1939. He was a two-time MVP and won the Triple Crown in 1934, leading the American League in batting average (.363), home runs (49), and RBIs (165). Lou had eight consecutive seasons of 120-plus RBIs, finished his career by scoring 1,888 runs, and hit 23 career grand slams and finished his career with the most extra base hits by a first baseman with 1,190. Lou really was “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

2^nd Base- Tony Lazzeri- Lazzeri was a member of New York’s 1927 “Murders Row” along with Gehrig and Ruth. Lazzeri, who played with the Yankees through 1937, averaged 79 runs, 14 home runs, 96 RBIs and 12 stolen bases, including seven seasons with over 100 RBI and five seasons batting .300 or higher. During this period, the Yankees won six American League pennants. The career Lazzeri had just puts him just ahead of Willie Randolph for the number one spot.

Shortstop- Derek Jeter- Jeter is easily the best shortstop the Yankees have ever had. The Captain finished his career with a .310 career batting average. He is the all-time Yankees leader in RBIs (1,311), hits (3,465), doubles (544), games played (2,747), stolen bases (358), times on base (4,716), plate appearances (12,602) and at bats (11,195). Jeter also has won five titles, all in Pinstripes. Jeter also had a career .321 batting average in World Series play, and won both the All-Star game MVP and World Series MVP in 2000. Jeter always had a flare for the dramatic, and let’s be honest here, who doesn’t like Derek Jeter? The famous No. 2 will always rank No. 1.

3^rd Base- Greg Nettles- Many could argue that Alex Rodriguez is No. 1, but with a tainted background the top third baseman goes to Greg Nettles. As a part of four pennant-winning Yankee teams, Nettles enjoyed his best season in 1977 when he won the Gold Glove Award and had career-highs in home runs (37) and runs batted in (107) in leading the Yankees to the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nettles hit 202 doubles, and 250 home runs with New York. Nettles won two titles and served as a Captain for the Yanks as well.

Centerfield- Mickey Mantle- Mickey Mantle was the greatest switch hitter of all-time. “The Mick” hit 536 home runs, and drove in 1,509 runs with the Yankees. Mantle spent his entire 18-year Hall of Fame career with the Yankees. He won the AL Triple Crown in 1956, was an AL Gold Glove winner in 1962, and was selected to the AL All-Star team an unbelievable 16-times. Mantle played on 12 pennant winning teams, and won seven World Series championships. Mantle is a legend and one of the best to ever wear Pinstripes.

Right field- Babe Ruth- This is a no brainer. Babe Ruth is the most popular man to ever play the sport of baseball. Ruth hit a career .342 with 714 homers, and 2,217 runs batted in. The Great Bambino won four titles, and when he retired, he led the league in every offensive category. The Babe was the first player to ever hit 60 homers in one season, and in 1923 he finished the season with a .393 batting average, a Yankee record. Ruth is one of the most prolific hitters in baseball history and like people say, “He did it on hot dogs and beer.”

Left field- Dave Winfield- Many may think that Winfield does not belong, but boy does he ever. Winfield hit 465 homers in his career and drove in 1,833 runs. Dave was a 12-time all-star and seven time Gold Glove winner. Winfield also won the Silver Slugger award six times. He finished his career with 3,110 hits. Winfield was a super star in left, and well deserving of this selection.

Relief Pitcher- Mariano Rivera- Mariano is an absolute lock. The future Hall of Famer has the best postseason numbers of all time, is a five-time World Series champion has, the lowest ERA and most saves in postseason and American League history. He has the most saves in MLB history with 652, and finished his career with 1,173 strikeouts in his 19 year career. Mariano is the greatest reliever of all-time.

The Old Timers’ Day celebration brings out the best in everyone, young or old, who doesn’t love to see Hall of Famers, record setters and famous Yankees from the past suit up again and paly the game they have always loved.