Core Four
Encyclopedia
The Core Four is a term commonly used to refer to New York Yankees
players Derek Jeter
, Andy Pettitte
, Jorge Posada
, and Mariano Rivera
. All four players were drafted or originally signed by the Yankees and played together in the minor leagues. By the end of the 2000s, they were the only remaining Yankees from the late 1990s Yankees dynasty that won four World Series
championships in five years. All four players were also on the Yankees' active roster in 2009
, when the team won its fifth World Series championship in the past 14 years. Three members of the Core Four (Jeter, Rivera and Posada) played together for 17 consecutive years, longer than any other similar group in professional sports. Andy Pettitte had a break in his "service time" when he played in Houston
for three seasons, before returning to the Yankees in 2007
.
Pettitte announced his retirement on February 4, 2011, becoming the first member of the Core Four to retire. The remaining players are referred to as the Key Three.
and selected Posada in the 24th round. Jeter was selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft
.
Together, the Core Four progressed through the Yankees minor league system in the early 1990s. It was during their tenure at the Oneonta Yankees that Posada began catching for his future major league batterymate Pettitte. The latter threw a knuckleball
at the time, which Posada struggled to catch (hitting him mostly on the knee), prompting Pettitte to shelve the pitch. All four made their major league debuts in 1995. Both Jeter and Rivera were demoted back to the minors in June (after the latter gave up a home run to Edgar Martinez
). Later on during the same season, Jeter and Posada were placed in the same hotel in New Jersey and shared a car together in order to travel to and from Yankee Stadium. The following season saw Jeter, Pettitte and Rivera win their first championship together.
became the Yankees
all-time hits leader on September 11, 2009, with his 2,722nd hit, surpassing Lou Gehrig
. On July 9, 2011, against the Tampa Bay Rays
, he collected his 3,000th hit, becoming the 28th player to reach the milestone, the first Yankee to accomplish the feat and collect all 3,000 hits in pinstripes, the first player to reach the milestone with a New York team, the fourth youngest player to achieve 3000 hits, the second to do it by hitting a home run (after former teammate Wade Boggs
), the second to reach 3000 hits in a 5-hit game (after Craig Biggio
) and the first to attain the milestone playing shortstop
exclusively. Furthermore, Jeter broke Rickey Henderson
's franchise record for stolen base
s on May 28, 2011, when he stole his 327th base against the Mariners
. Jeter's third milestone in 2011 was breaking Mickey Mantle
's record for most games played
as a Yankee, accomplishing this on August 28, 2011 against the Orioles
. In 2000, he became the first and only player to have won both the World Series MVP and the All-Star Game MVP in the same season. He is also the only Yankee to be awarded the All-Star Game MVP.
holds the all-time record for postseason victories, with 19 wins in total. He also ranks second in strikeout
s (1,823) and third in wins
(203) for the Yankees
.
is the only Major League catcher to ever have hit .330 or better with 40 doubles, 20 home runs, and 90 RBIs in a single season. Posada is only the second Yankees catcher to hit 30 home runs in a season, after Yogi Berra
. Among Yankee catchers, Posada is first all-time in doubles
(365), walks
(897), intentional walks
(74) and second in home runs (261) and extra-base hits (636), both after Berra
. On April 16, 2009, Posada hit the first home run at the new Yankee Stadium
. On July 14, 2011, with a pinch-hit
appearance against the Blue Jays
, Posada played his 1,660th game with Jeter. This broke the record for most regular-season games played together by two Yankee teammates, previously held by Lou Gehrig
and Tony Lazzeri
. Posada is currently 6th in all-time grand slams
for the Yankees with 10.
became the all-time leader in regular season saves on September 19, 2011, when, facing the Minnesota Twins
, he earned his 602nd save. This broke Trevor Hoffman
's six year hold on the record. Rivera also holds the records of 15 consecutive seasons with 25 or more saves, 9 consecutive seasons with 30 or more saves, and 14 seasons with 30 or more saves (tied with Hoffman). Since 1996
, Rivera has held an ERA
under 3.00 in all but one season (2007). In the postseason, Rivera holds the all-time record for saves (42) and ERA (0.71). Throughout his 12 All-Star selections
, he has saved a record 4 games, his most recent one coming in the 2009 Midsummer Classic
. On May 25, 2011, Rivera became the 15th pitcher to make 1,000 appearances
, and the first to do so with a single team. On July 1, 2011, against the Mets
, Rivera finished his 857th game, breaking Hoffman's all-time record for games finished
. He also holds the record for most games pitched
in American League
history.
Stats updated through 2011
championships, the Core Four have also won 7 AL pennants and 11 AL East championships for the Yankees
. Furthermore, the four have led the team to 15 postseason
appearances in their 16 seasons with the Yankees (every season except for 2008
).
With the rise of free agency
and trades
, many sportswriters regard that it is highly unlikely that another group of players of comparable size will spend their entire careers with a single team.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
players Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
, Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
, Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
, and Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
. All four players were drafted or originally signed by the Yankees and played together in the minor leagues. By the end of the 2000s, they were the only remaining Yankees from the late 1990s Yankees dynasty that won four World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships in five years. All four players were also on the Yankees' active roster in 2009
2009 New York Yankees season
The 2009 New York Yankees season was the 107th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees opened their new Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2009, when they hosted an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs...
, when the team won its fifth World Series championship in the past 14 years. Three members of the Core Four (Jeter, Rivera and Posada) played together for 17 consecutive years, longer than any other similar group in professional sports. Andy Pettitte had a break in his "service time" when he played in Houston
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for three seasons, before returning to the Yankees in 2007
2007 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 2007 season was the Yankees' 105th in New York and their 107th overall dating back to their origins in Baltimore. The season started with the Yankees trying to win the AL East championship, a title they had won every season since after the 1997 season, but ultimately they came...
.
Pettitte announced his retirement on February 4, 2011, becoming the first member of the Core Four to retire. The remaining players are referred to as the Key Three.
Beginnings
Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte all joined the Yankees organization in the early 1990s as amateurs. Rivera signed as an international free agent in February 1990. The Yankees selected Pettitte in the 22nd round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft1990 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.-Background:The draft went a record 101 rounds, surpassing 1989's total of 88, and included a record 1,487 selections. The Astros led all clubs with 100 selections. Seattle was second with 75,...
and selected Posada in the 24th round. Jeter was selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft
1992 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1992 Major League Baseball draft.-Other notable players:*Raúl Ibáñez, 36th round, Seattle Mariners...
.
Together, the Core Four progressed through the Yankees minor league system in the early 1990s. It was during their tenure at the Oneonta Yankees that Posada began catching for his future major league batterymate Pettitte. The latter threw a knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
at the time, which Posada struggled to catch (hitting him mostly on the knee), prompting Pettitte to shelve the pitch. All four made their major league debuts in 1995. Both Jeter and Rivera were demoted back to the minors in June (after the latter gave up a home run to Edgar Martinez
Edgar Martinez
Edgar Martínez , nicknamed "Gar" and "Papi", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and designated hitter. He spent his entire 18-year Major League career with the Seattle Mariners. He is the cousin of Carmelo Martínez.-Seattle Mariners:On December 19, 1982, the Seattle Mariners signed...
). Later on during the same season, Jeter and Posada were placed in the same hotel in New Jersey and shared a car together in order to travel to and from Yankee Stadium. The following season saw Jeter, Pettitte and Rivera win their first championship together.
Milestones
Derek Jeter
Derek JeterDerek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
became the Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
all-time hits leader on September 11, 2009, with his 2,722nd hit, surpassing Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
. On July 9, 2011, against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
, he collected his 3,000th hit, becoming the 28th player to reach the milestone, the first Yankee to accomplish the feat and collect all 3,000 hits in pinstripes, the first player to reach the milestone with a New York team, the fourth youngest player to achieve 3000 hits, the second to do it by hitting a home run (after former teammate Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
), the second to reach 3000 hits in a 5-hit game (after Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio
Craig Alan Biggio is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, catcher, and outfielder. He played his entire 20-year baseball career with the Houston Astros . He ranks 21st all-time with 3,060 career hits, and is the ninth player in the 3000 hit club to get all his hits with the same team. He...
) and the first to attain the milestone playing shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
exclusively. Furthermore, Jeter broke Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
's franchise record for stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s on May 28, 2011, when he stole his 327th base against the Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. Jeter's third milestone in 2011 was breaking Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
's record for most games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
as a Yankee, accomplishing this on August 28, 2011 against the Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. In 2000, he became the first and only player to have won both the World Series MVP and the All-Star Game MVP in the same season. He is also the only Yankee to be awarded the All-Star Game MVP.
Andy Pettitte
Andy PettitteAndy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
holds the all-time record for postseason victories, with 19 wins in total. He also ranks second in strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (1,823) and third in wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
(203) for the Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
.
Jorge Posada
Jorge PosadaJorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
is the only Major League catcher to ever have hit .330 or better with 40 doubles, 20 home runs, and 90 RBIs in a single season. Posada is only the second Yankees catcher to hit 30 home runs in a season, after Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
. Among Yankee catchers, Posada is first all-time in doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
(365), walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
(897), intentional walks
Intentional base on balls
In baseball, an intentional base on balls, usually referred to as an intentional walk and denoted in baseball scorekeeping by IBB, is a walk issued to a batter by a pitcher with the intent of removing the batter's opportunity to swing at the pitched ball...
(74) and second in home runs (261) and extra-base hits (636), both after Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
. On April 16, 2009, Posada hit the first home run at the new Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
. On July 14, 2011, with a pinch-hit
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
appearance against the Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, Posada played his 1,660th game with Jeter. This broke the record for most regular-season games played together by two Yankee teammates, previously held by Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
and Tony Lazzeri
Tony Lazzeri
Anthony Michael "Tony" Lazzeri was an American Major League Baseball player during the 1920s and 1930s, predominantly with the New York Yankees. He was part of the famed "Murderers' Row" Yankee batting lineup of the late 1920s , along with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Bob Meusel...
. Posada is currently 6th in all-time grand slams
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
for the Yankees with 10.
Mariano Rivera
Mariano RiveraMariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
became the all-time leader in regular season saves on September 19, 2011, when, facing the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, he earned his 602nd save. This broke Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...
's six year hold on the record. Rivera also holds the records of 15 consecutive seasons with 25 or more saves, 9 consecutive seasons with 30 or more saves, and 14 seasons with 30 or more saves (tied with Hoffman). Since 1996
1996 New York Yankees season
The 1996 New York Yankees season was the 94th season for the Yankees. The 1996 New York Yankees were managed by Joe Torre, and played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx....
, Rivera has held an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
under 3.00 in all but one season (2007). In the postseason, Rivera holds the all-time record for saves (42) and ERA (0.71). Throughout his 12 All-Star selections
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, he has saved a record 4 games, his most recent one coming in the 2009 Midsummer Classic
2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 80th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 2009, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, the home of the...
. On May 25, 2011, Rivera became the 15th pitcher to make 1,000 appearances
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
, and the first to do so with a single team. On July 1, 2011, against the Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, Rivera finished his 857th game, breaking Hoffman's all-time record for games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
. He also holds the record for most games pitched
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
in American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
history.
Statistics
Table key
| Yankee team record | |
| † | American League record |
| * | Major League record |
| ‡ | Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame |
| * | Denotes player who is still active |
| G | Games played Games played Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,... or Games pitched Games pitched In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while... |
| AB | At bats At bat In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance... |
| R | Runs scored Run (baseball) In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured... |
| H | Hits Hit (baseball) In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice.... |
| HR | Home runs Home run In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process... |
| RBI | Runs batted in Run batted in Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI... |
| Avg. | Batting average |
| SB | Stolen bases Stolen base In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate... |
| IP | Innings pitched Innings pitched In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two... |
| W | Wins |
| L | Losses |
| SV | Saves |
| ERA | Earned run average Earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine... |
| SO | Strikeouts Strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters.... |
| BB | Walks Base on balls A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08... |
Stats updated through 2011
Batting
| Pos. | Player | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | Avg. | SB | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS | Derek Jeter Derek Jeter Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central... * |
2426 | 9868 | 1769 | 3088 | 240 | 1196 | .313 | 339 | |
| C / 1B | Jorge Posada Jorge Posada Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for... * |
1829 | 6092 | 900 | 1664 | 275 | 1065 | .273 | 20 |
Pitching
| Pos. | Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | SO | BB | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP | Andy Pettitte Andy Pettitte Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees... |
405 | 203 | 112 | 0 | 3.98 | 1823 | 820 | ||
| RP | Mariano Rivera Mariano Rivera Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer... * |
1042 | 75 | 57 | 603* | 2.21 | 1111 | 275 |
Legacy
In addition to winning 5 World SeriesWorld Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships, the Core Four have also won 7 AL pennants and 11 AL East championships for the Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Furthermore, the four have led the team to 15 postseason
Major League Baseball postseason
The Major League Baseball postseason is an elimination tournament held after the conclusion of Major League Baseball's regular season. It consists of one best-of-five series and two best-of-seven series...
appearances in their 16 seasons with the Yankees (every season except for 2008
2008 New York Yankees season
The 2008 New York Yankees season was the 106th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees hosted the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday July 15, 2008. It was the 83rd and last season at Yankee Stadium prior to the team's move to a new ballpark just north of the current...
).
With the rise of free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
and trades
Major League Baseball transactions
Major League Baseball transactions are changes made to the roster of a major league team during or after the season. They may include waiving, releasing, and trading players, as well as assigning players to minor league teams.-25-man and 40-man rosters:...
, many sportswriters regard that it is highly unlikely that another group of players of comparable size will spend their entire careers with a single team.