\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"_Here is Bryan Hoch’s ranking of the Top 5 designated hitters in Yankees history. Next week: Right-handed starters._","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"• **Yankees' All-Time Team:** [C](https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-best-all-time-catchers) | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**1)** Jason Giambi**, (2002-08)** \nGiambi signed an eight-year, $120 million contract with the Yankees prior to the 2002 season and slugged 209 homers with 604 RBIs over a turbulent run in pinstripes. Giambi won a Silver Slugger Award in his first season with the Yanks, batting .314 with 41 homers and 122 RBIs, and maintained his high on-base abilities throughout his tenure. The slugger’s two-homer performance off Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series helped to set up Aaron Boone’s pennant-winning homer.\n\nA benign tumor shortened Giambi’s 2004 campaign, but he bounced back over the next two years. Giambi twice led the AL in walks (’03, ’05) and paced the circuit with a .440 on-base percentage in ’05, compiling a 22.0 bWAR and 143 OPS+ with New York. Giambi registered the final hit at the original Yankee Stadium, an RBI single, and his 619 walks and 109 hit-by-pitches were the most of any American Leaguer from 2002-08. He has apologized for using performance-enhancing drugs during his career.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2003-10-16T20:00:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2013/09/25/mlbtv_bosnya_30925889_300K.mp4","type":"video","description":"10/16/03: Jason Giambi hits two solo home runs off of Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the ALCS","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:02:21","slug":"giambi-s-two-homers-c30925889","tags":[{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-147","title":"New York Yankees","team":{"__ref":"Team:147"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-147","title":"HBmig 147","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbcom-feature","title":"HBmig MLBCOM_FEATURE","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-147","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 147","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-away-team-id-111","title":"HBmig away_team_id: 111","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-combined-media-state-media-archive","title":"HBmig MEDIA_ARCHIVE","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-114739","title":"Jason Giambi","person":{"__ref":"Person:114739"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-mm-hightlight-reel","title":"HBmig Highlight Reel","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"classic","title":"classic","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/txlbcnaiwnphxevhvwqo"},"title":"Giambi's two homers","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/giambi-s-two-homers-c30925889"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**2)** Oscar Gamble**, (1976, ‘79-84)** Instantly recognizable by a distinctive Afro hairstyle that refused to be contained by his ballcap, Gamble served two tours with the Yankees, hitting 17 home runs in 1976 before being traded to the White Sox in the deal that brought Bucky Dent to New York. Gamble returned to the Yanks in a July 1979 trade with the Rangers, and the lefty-swinging slugger batted .259/.361/.496 with 87 homers, 276 RBIs and a 141 OPS+ over his complete Yankees tenure.\n\n“The Big O,” as Phil Rizzuto called him, utilized an unorthodox batting stance in which he stood in a deep crouch with his back nearly parallel to the ground. He played in three postseasons with the Yanks -- including the 1981 AL Division Series, when he homered twice to help power his club past the Brewers. Gamble retired with more walks (610) than strikeouts (546), and his quote about the Yankees’ unpredictability under George Steinbrenner -- “They don’t think it be like it is, but it do,” -- still makes the rounds.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**3)** Ron Blomberg**, (1969-76)** \nThe first overall selection of the 1967 MLB Draft, Blomberg’s arrival in New York carried great anticipation. A '73 Sports Illustrated cover touted Blomberg and teammate Bobby Murcer as the “Pride of the New Yankees,” intimating that they would comprise the next generation of pinstriped greatness. Though neither was destined for Monument Park, Blomberg compiled a robust .302/.370/.486 slash line with 47 homers and 202 RBIs (148 OPS+) during his time with the Yanks, tallying 9.5 bWAR.\n\nBlomberg collided with history on April 6, 1973, at Boston’s Fenway Park, as manager Ralph Houk selected him as the first Yankee to bat under the new DH rule. The Yankees sent eight men to the plate in the first inning against Red Sox starter Luis Tiant, including the No. 6 hitter Blomberg, who worked a bases-loaded walk in the first plate appearance by a designated hitter in MLB history. The bat Blomberg held for that plate appearance resides in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**4)** Darryl Strawberry**, (1995-99)** \nSteinbrenner could never resist headlines or a redemption story, and Strawberry’s saga provided the ultimate opportunity for the slugger to make good on the New York stage following a lengthy battle with substance abuse. Returning from suspension, Strawberry played on three World Series-winning Yankees rosters, recapturing some of the magic that he had shown in his younger days across town with the Mets.\n\nIn 231 games as a Yankee, Strawberry batted .255/.362/.502 with 41 home runs and 114 RBIs (121 OPS+). Strawberry hit three homers in the 1996 ALCS against the Orioles and enjoyed a productive postseason in ’99, helping to power the Bombers past the Rangers, Red Sox and Braves to cap his 17-year career with a championship ring. Strawberry’s battle with colon cancer served as a rallying cry for the ’98 squad.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"1999-10-17T23:50:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/10/05/2513796983/1538762999319/asset_450K.mp4","type":"video","description":"10/17/99: Darryl Strawberry homers off the top of the right field foul pole at Fenway Park to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead in Game 4","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:58","slug":"straw-homers-off-peksy-pole-c2513796983","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-away-team-id-147","title":"HBmig away_team_id: 147","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-147","title":"New York Yankees","team":{"__ref":"Team:147"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-147","title":"HBmig 147","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbcom-feature","title":"HBmig MLBCOM_FEATURE","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-111","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 111","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-combined-media-state-media-archive","title":"HBmig MEDIA_ARCHIVE","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-vtp-1990","title":"HBmig 1990s","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-122864","title":"Darryl Strawberry","person":{"__ref":"Person:122864"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"home-run","title":"home run","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"classic","title":"classic","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"postseason","title":"postseason","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/p2voofs5m57bahupm1tu"},"title":"Straw homers off Peksy Pole","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/straw-homers-off-peksy-pole-c2513796983"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**5)** Don Baylor**, (1983-85)** \nA 19-year veteran who was touted by Steinbrenner as the kind of “take-charge leader” he felt the Yankees had sorely lacked prior to his arrival, Baylor’s time in pinstripes was relatively short, but it was productive and bookended by Silver Slugger Awards.\n\nAn AL Most Valuable Player Award winner with the Angels in 1979 who later went on to manage nine big league seasons, Baylor is one of six men to win multiple Silver Sluggers as a DH -- listed alongside luminaries like David Ortiz (7), Edgar Martinez (4), Paul Molitor (4), Nelson Cruz (2) and Frank Thomas (2). With New York, Baylor compiled a .267/.345/.472 slash line, slugging 71 homers with 265 RBIs in 420 games (126 OPS+). He was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for Mike Easler prior to the ’86 campaign.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**Honorable mentions** \nCarlos Beltrán (2014-16) offered veteran presence and a powerful stroke from both sides of the plate during his two and a half seasons in pinstripes, batting .270/.327/.470 with 56 homers, 180 RBIs and a 116 OPS+. ... Ruben Sierra (1995-96, 2003-05) was a part-time contributor for three memorable Yankees seasons, and delivered a clutch home run in Game 2 of the 1995 ALDS against the Mariners, going back to back with Don Mattingly. ... Danny Tartabull (1992-95) had just led the Majors with a .593 slugging percentage when he signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract with the Yankees on Jan. 6, 1992 -- the most lucrative contract in team history at the time. Tartabull’s first year with the Yanks was solid, but he was largely unable to live up to the expectations of his celebrated arrival and requested a trade during the ’95 season. ... Hideki Matsui (2003-09) was included on our list of the Yankees' top left fielders, as only his final two seasons in pinstripes were as a regular designated hitter. However, Matsui enjoyed one of the all-time great World Series performances as a DH, driving in six runs in Game 6 of the 2009 Fall Classic to secure MVP honors.","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/yankees-all-time-best-designated-hitters","contentType":"news","subHeadline":null,"summary":"No one loves a good debate quite like baseball fans, and with that in mind, we asked each of our beat reporters to rank the Top 5 players by position in the history of their franchise, based on their career while playing for that club. These rankings are for fun","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2020","title":"Season 2020","type":"season"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-147","title":"New York Yankees","team":{"__ref":"Team:147"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"bryan-hoch-13006808","title":"Bryan Hoch","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"evergreen","title":"evergreen","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/iotkce1oatzpekiysqj4","title":"Yankees all-time best designated hitters"},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}],"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/mlb/global-nav\",\"paletteKey\":\"mlb-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"mlb-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","placement":"right","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Offseason Package","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV Partners","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Link Account","linkUrl":"live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Tickets","linkUrl":"/all-star/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1721167200;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB at Rickwood Field","linkUrl":"/events/rickwood/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1718924400;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training","linkUrl":"/tickets/spring-training","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1711511940;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sell on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/sell/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=15&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Group Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Special Ticket Offers","linkUrl":"/tickets/fan-value","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"VIP Ticket Packages","linkUrl":"/tickets/on-location-experiences","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Students","linkUrl":"/tickets/students","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Tourism","linkUrl":"/tourism","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB World Tour","linkUrl":"/international/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Terms & Conditions","linkUrl":"/tickets/terms-and-conditions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"shopping-cart","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Online Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Auction","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=9mislq-18JnZhOEp-FeGzvUB3G6zxwkeKqwX99MKAttEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Cards","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/gift-cards/x-462351+z-94899005-3509039474?_s=bm-mlbcom-Home","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB NYC Flagship Store","linkUrl":"/shop/nyc-retail-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en?portal=MLTS66FS&CMP=PSC-MLTS66FS","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Store","linkUrl":"https://photostore.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rule Changes","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/rule-changes-2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/probable-pitchers/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Report","linkUrl":"/injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"World Baseball Classic","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Draft","linkUrl":"/draft/2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Game","linkUrl":"/all-star/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Life","linkUrl":"/fans/mlb-life","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Pipeline","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/pipeline","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason History","linkUrl":"/postseason/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Great Stories","linkUrl":"/news/topic/longform","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Podcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/podcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Watch","linkUrl":"/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"Video","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Search","linkUrl":"/video","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast","linkUrl":"/video/topic/statcast","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Network","linkUrl":"/network","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]},{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"MLB.TV","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Postseason Package","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores","placement":"mobile","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/postseason","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2023 Postseason Recap","linkUrl":"/postseason/history/2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Regular Season","linkUrl":"/schedule/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Postseason","linkUrl":"/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02-20","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team by Team Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/team-by-team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"National Broadcasts","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/national-broadcast-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast Leaders","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_leaderboard","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Statcast","linkUrl":"/statcast","linkTarget":"","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Savant","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Prospect Stats","linkUrl":"/prospects/stats/top-prospects?type=all&minPA=1","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings/wild-card","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Youth","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Play Ball","linkUrl":"/play-ball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Youth Baseball & Softball","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":"group","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Players","linkUrl":"/players","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Prospect Rankings","linkUrl":"/prospects","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Charts","linkUrl":"/team/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Players Association","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbplayers.com","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Negro Leagues","linkUrl":"/history/negro-leagues","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB Play","linkUrl":"/play","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Beat the Streak","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=BeatTheStreak2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Immaculate Grid","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ImmaculateGrid2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Trivia","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=SporcleTrivia2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pickle","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Pickle2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"By the Numbers","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ByTheNumbers2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Diamond Decisions","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=DiamondDecisions2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bingo","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Bingo2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"expires:1720022400;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-mlb-2024","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;lang:es;label:Español","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"ES","linkUrl":"/es","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"日本語","linkUrl":"http://www.mlb.jp/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ja"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"한국어","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbkor.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ko"}]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#002D72","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#041E42","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#057AFF","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","urlLogo":null,"headerMastheadTagline":null,"headerPrimaryLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadSponsorImage":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"512px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"56px"}}},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","id":147,"division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Person:114739":{"__typename":"Person","id":114739},"Person:122864":{"__typename":"Person","id":122864},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Athletics","shortName":"Athletics","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":136,"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":141,"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":144,"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":111,"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston","teamName":"Red Sox"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":117,"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":118,"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":121,"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbcom08","linkInternalFilters":"mlb"}
window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Major League Baseball","lang":"en"}
window.appId = ''
/*-->*/
No one loves a good debate quite like baseball fans, and with that in mind, we asked each of our beat reporters to rank the Top 5 players by position in the history of their franchise, based on their career while playing for that club. These rankings are for fun and debate purposes only … if you don’t agree with the order, participate in the Twitter poll to vote for your favorite at this position.
We are continuing to go around the horn to build the all-time #Yankees team. This week: designated hitters. Who gets your vote?
1)Jason Giambi, (2002-08) Giambi signed an eight-year, $120 million contract with the Yankees prior to the 2002 season and slugged 209 homers with 604 RBIs over a turbulent run in pinstripes. Giambi won a Silver Slugger Award in his first season with the Yanks, batting .314 with 41 homers and 122 RBIs, and maintained his high on-base abilities throughout his tenure. The slugger’s two-homer performance off Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series helped to set up Aaron Boone’s pennant-winning homer.
A benign tumor shortened Giambi’s 2004 campaign, but he bounced back over the next two years. Giambi twice led the AL in walks (’03, ’05) and paced the circuit with a .440 on-base percentage in ’05, compiling a 22.0 bWAR and 143 OPS+ with New York. Giambi registered the final hit at the original Yankee Stadium, an RBI single, and his 619 walks and 109 hit-by-pitches were the most of any American Leaguer from 2002-08. He has apologized for using performance-enhancing drugs during his career.
2)Oscar Gamble, (1976, ‘79-84) Instantly recognizable by a distinctive Afro hairstyle that refused to be contained by his ballcap, Gamble served two tours with the Yankees, hitting 17 home runs in 1976 before being traded to the White Sox in the deal that brought Bucky Dent to New York. Gamble returned to the Yanks in a July 1979 trade with the Rangers, and the lefty-swinging slugger batted .259/.361/.496 with 87 homers, 276 RBIs and a 141 OPS+ over his complete Yankees tenure.
“The Big O,” as Phil Rizzuto called him, utilized an unorthodox batting stance in which he stood in a deep crouch with his back nearly parallel to the ground. He played in three postseasons with the Yanks -- including the 1981 AL Division Series, when he homered twice to help power his club past the Brewers. Gamble retired with more walks (610) than strikeouts (546), and his quote about the Yankees’ unpredictability under George Steinbrenner -- “They don’t think it be like it is, but it do,” -- still makes the rounds.
3)Ron Blomberg, (1969-76) The first overall selection of the 1967 MLB Draft, Blomberg’s arrival in New York carried great anticipation. A '73 Sports Illustrated cover touted Blomberg and teammate Bobby Murcer as the “Pride of the New Yankees,” intimating that they would comprise the next generation of pinstriped greatness. Though neither was destined for Monument Park, Blomberg compiled a robust .302/.370/.486 slash line with 47 homers and 202 RBIs (148 OPS+) during his time with the Yanks, tallying 9.5 bWAR.
Blomberg collided with history on April 6, 1973, at Boston’s Fenway Park, as manager Ralph Houk selected him as the first Yankee to bat under the new DH rule. The Yankees sent eight men to the plate in the first inning against Red Sox starter Luis Tiant, including the No. 6 hitter Blomberg, who worked a bases-loaded walk in the first plate appearance by a designated hitter in MLB history. The bat Blomberg held for that plate appearance resides in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
4)Darryl Strawberry, (1995-99) Steinbrenner could never resist headlines or a redemption story, and Strawberry’s saga provided the ultimate opportunity for the slugger to make good on the New York stage following a lengthy battle with substance abuse. Returning from suspension, Strawberry played on three World Series-winning Yankees rosters, recapturing some of the magic that he had shown in his younger days across town with the Mets.
In 231 games as a Yankee, Strawberry batted .255/.362/.502 with 41 home runs and 114 RBIs (121 OPS+). Strawberry hit three homers in the 1996 ALCS against the Orioles and enjoyed a productive postseason in ’99, helping to power the Bombers past the Rangers, Red Sox and Braves to cap his 17-year career with a championship ring. Strawberry’s battle with colon cancer served as a rallying cry for the ’98 squad.
5)Don Baylor, (1983-85) A 19-year veteran who was touted by Steinbrenner as the kind of “take-charge leader” he felt the Yankees had sorely lacked prior to his arrival, Baylor’s time in pinstripes was relatively short, but it was productive and bookended by Silver Slugger Awards.
An AL Most Valuable Player Award winner with the Angels in 1979 who later went on to manage nine big league seasons, Baylor is one of six men to win multiple Silver Sluggers as a DH -- listed alongside luminaries like David Ortiz (7), Edgar Martinez (4), Paul Molitor (4), Nelson Cruz (2) and Frank Thomas (2). With New York, Baylor compiled a .267/.345/.472 slash line, slugging 71 homers with 265 RBIs in 420 games (126 OPS+). He was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for Mike Easler prior to the ’86 campaign.
Honorable mentions Carlos Beltrán (2014-16) offered veteran presence and a powerful stroke from both sides of the plate during his two and a half seasons in pinstripes, batting .270/.327/.470 with 56 homers, 180 RBIs and a 116 OPS+. ... Ruben Sierra (1995-96, 2003-05) was a part-time contributor for three memorable Yankees seasons, and delivered a clutch home run in Game 2 of the 1995 ALDS against the Mariners, going back to back with Don Mattingly. ... Danny Tartabull (1992-95) had just led the Majors with a .593 slugging percentage when he signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract with the Yankees on Jan. 6, 1992 -- the most lucrative contract in team history at the time. Tartabull’s first year with the Yanks was solid, but he was largely unable to live up to the expectations of his celebrated arrival and requested a trade during the ’95 season. ... Hideki Matsui (2003-09) was included on our list of the Yankees' top left fielders, as only his final two seasons in pinstripes were as a regular designated hitter. However, Matsui enjoyed one of the all-time great World Series performances as a DH, driving in six runs in Game 6 of the 2009 Fall Classic to secure MVP honors.