Classic New York Yankees

To be completely honest, it was nearly impossible to pick a Yankees team to template for the Classic Set. We knew we wanted it to be pre-strike, so we kicked out the 90s dynasty from the running (and made the 1998 Yankees in another post, check it out here if you haven't already!). In the end, it came down to the World Series champions in the 1970s with Reggie Jackson or the early 1960s squads that crushed the opposition in 1961 and 1962. Thanks to the epic HR chase for sixty one homers in 1961, the early 60s Bombers got the nod. I'm sure we'll eventually bring the 1970s Yankees to life, but enjoy this truly classic team that's part of our Classic Set.

It's been a while, so a reminder that the teams here are part of one set of classic teams. That's why the hitter's On-Base may be a little lower than normal and the pitchers aren't quite what you'd think -- they're all being compared to players from some of the greatest teams of all time for one comprehensive set. Also, next up will be the Classic Set Mets thanks to popular demand, so keep an eye out for that post soon!

That said, enjoy baseball's most classic team's offering, which obviously features several can't miss stars, like Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford.

Lineup: The Bronx Bombers have two of the best power threats of all-time in Mantle and Maris. Mantle puts up probably the most lethal card in the entire set, as he hit a HR just over once every 10 ABs in 1961 while leading the AL in OBP. Maris had a lower on-base % but a slightly better HR/AB ratio and is in the rarified power range reserved for guys who cross 60 HRs in less than 600 ABs. Those two slugging stars are supported by another MVP, Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. Yogi's card is based on his 1956 season, where he actually finished second in the MVP voting but had better batting numbers than his three actual MVP campaigns. Besides giving the lineup another power bat, Yogi gives a +10 catching advantage like a real stud. Other highlights include leadoff man Tom Tresh's balanced and useful LF/RF card and the power combo of Howard and Skowron in the 6-7 slots, which gives the lineup dangerous depth. Overall, this was a really fun team to make, especially since power was relatively rare in the pre-steroid days and Mantle/Maris really take advantage of the adjusted calculus!

Rotation: The classic Yankees certainly don't lack in the IP department, with all four starters getting a 7IP. They're led by the great Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, the last of the ten Tier 1 starting pitchers in the classic set. As such, he surrenders two doubles from his chart, but with a 90% chance of getting opposing hitters out every time he gets a chart (which should be often against the plethora of OB 8 to 4 hitters in the classic set), Ford will have plenty of dominate outings. He's got ace support from Jim Bouton, who brings a more standard frontline, Tier 2 card to bear. Al Downing was an absolute stud in 1963 and is only a Tier 3 because there's so many other amazing pitchers in the set that knocked him down. However, he barely surrenders any hits and has a large K range for this era of pitchers. The rotation is rounded out by the high control Ralph Terry, who's got a dangerous chart but should be able to manage more OB laden batting orders. The World Series hero is a stunningly good #4 starter and gives the Yankees one of the better rotations in the Classic Set.

Bullpen: Led by star closer Luis Arroyo, the Yankees bullpen is solid but largely unremarkable. Arroyo is a classic Control 6, on at 16 guy who can be useful for two innings if needed. Hal Reniff is a good set up man thanks to his no doubles chart, while Jim Coats provides a useful in a tough early inning jam 2 IP card. Marshall Bridges doesn't have a great card, but it's cool to see the young reliever who helped the Yankees continue their success by taking command of the closer role in 1962. He's got a big control too, which is better for a 1 IP guy in a lower tier than a low control for my taste (i.e. Control 5 who walks at 15 vs Control 2 who walks at 18). Finally, there's Pete Mikkelsen, who's awesome throwback glasses remind me of my grandpa and, like my grandpa, probably shouldn't be a card you use unless a blowout is afoot. Shame because Pete was a good closer as a rookie in 1964, helping the Yankees win yet another pennant in the 1960s.