The infield of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira is one of the vital cogs in the Yankees' great season so far, but their impact may be much deeper, in terms of baseball history. Some believe, with apologies to the immortal Tinker to Evers to Chance, or to Connie Mack and his "$100,000 Infield" of the 1910s, that the Yankees' "$78 Million Infield" - their combined salaries - could one day be the finest all-around group ever.
"I think arguably you could say they are the best," says Palmer. "When you consider their offense, there can't be a better infield. They are playing outstanding defense and when you couple that and the best offense, that's pretty special."
...the four players have impressive resumes, including 25 All-Star games and seven Gold Gloves among them, though Jeter and A-Rod have gotten most of those accolades. Jeter is a lock for the Hall of Fame and Rodriguez should get in, depending on how voters view his admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs.If Teixeira finishes his career at or near his current level of play, he'd warrant Cooperstown consideration, too. Cano has so much promise as a hitter that Palmer says, "I keep telling him, 'When are you going to win a batting title?' They really are a terrific infield.
Teixeira is Gold Glove caliber, Alex can play third base. Derek, with all that stuff about range, he worked real hard on better routes to the ball. We had (Miguel) Tejada (in Baltimore, where Palmer works as a broadcaster) and he didn't have a lot of range, so every time I see Derek I don't think there's any problem with range. And Cano is probably the most-improved (fielding) second baseman in the AL this year."
"There is something special here now," Yogi Berra says.Other great infields mentioned in the article include:
1981 Dodgers - Steve Garvey 1B, Davey Lopes 2B, Bill Russell SS, Ron Cey 3B
1976 Reds - Tony Perez 1B, Joe Morgan 2B, Dave Concepcion SS, Pete Rose 3B
1970 Orioles - Boog Powell 1B, Davey Johnson 2B, Mark Belanger SS, Brooks Robinson 3B
1950 Dodgers - Gil Hodges 1B, Jackie Robinson 2B, Pee Wee Reese SS, Billy Cox 3B
1927 Giants - Bill Terry 1B, Rogers Hornsby 2B, Travis Jackson SS, Freddie Lindstrom 3B
1913 A's - Stuffy McInnis 1B, Eddie Collins 2B, Jack Barry SS, Frank 'Home Run' Baker 3B
1906 Cubs - Frank Chance 1B, Johnny Evers 2B, Joe Tinker SS, Harry Steinfeldt 3B
Offensively, this year's Yankees are tough to beat. Even compared to these very impressive infields, especially the '13 A's and the '27 Giants, who had great offensive infields.
Defensively, I have no idea how these infields compare. Obviously each group was good, but I never saw any of those other infields play. And it even more difficult to compare an modern day offense with a deadball era infield because of gloves, fields, etc. All I know is this year's Yankees are much better than they've been recently, mainly due to Jeter's newly found range, and Mark Teixeira at first.
If they're not the best overall, I think they're pretty damn close to it.
Thoughts?
7 Comments:
I think they are.
Greg, do you think if the Yanks clinch a playoff berth today they'll pop the champange, or will they wait for the division to be clinched?
LoHud said they are waiting.
I said this in the thread from last nights game, I do not want to see them do anything but acknowledge it when asked. No celebration is warranted.
No, they'll wait until the division is wrapped up.
Anyway, about the infield, what do you guys think?
1961 Yankees! Moose, Bobby, Tony, and Clete - that was a great infield! All had a great year with the bat in 61, and their defense was second to none. Mantle and Maris in the outfield and Berra and Howard behind the plate, not a bad team.
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