#3: Who Wore the Number 3 for the Yankees?
The iconic number three has been worn by players throughout the New York Yankees’ long and storied history. From Babe Ruth to Alex Rodriguez, the number has been a symbol of greatness. Let’s take a look at who wore number three and the legacy that they left behind.
Babe Ruth
The most famous Yankee to don the number three was arguably the greatest of them all, Babe Ruth. Ruth wore the number from 1923-1934 and set numerous records during his tenure with the Yankees. In his 12 seasons with the team, he hit 659 home runs, drove in 1,959 runs, and posted a .349 batting average. Ruth also led the Yankees to four World Series championships, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.
Lou Gehrig
The man who followed in Babe Ruth’s footsteps was Lou Gehrig. Gehrig wore the number three from 1923 to 1939 and was one of the most beloved Yankees of all time. His career was tragically cut short by ALS, but he still managed to rack up an impressive list of accomplishments in his 17-year career. He hit 493 home runs, drove in 1,995 runs, and posted a .340 batting average. He was also a six-time World Series champion and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939.
Joe DiMaggio
The next man to wear the number three was Joe DiMaggio. DiMaggio wore the number from 1936 to 1951 and was one of the most popular Yankees of all time. During his 13-year career with the team, he hit 361 home runs, drove in 1,537 runs, and posted a .325 batting average. He was also a nine-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion.
Billy Martin
Billy Martin was the first player to don the number three after DiMaggio. Martin wore the number from 1951 to 1957 and was known for his fiery personality and managerial style. During his six-year tenure with the Yankees, he hit .257, drove in 231 runs, and posted a .357 on-base percentage. He was also a five-time All-Star and helped the Yankees to three World Series championships.
Mickey Mantle
The next Yankee to wear the number three was Mickey Mantle. Mantle wore the number from 1951 to 1968 and was one of the most beloved Yankees of all time. In his 18-year career with the team, he hit 536 home runs, drove in 1,509 runs, and posted a .298 batting average. He was also a 20-time All-Star and seven-time World Series champion.
Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles was the next player to wear the number three. Nettles wore the number from 1973 to 1983 and was known for his defensive prowess. In his 11-year tenure with the Yankees, he hit 250 home runs, drove in 858 runs, and posted a .248 batting average. He was also a six-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion.
Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly was the next player to wear the number three. Mattingly wore the number from 1983 to 1995 and was one of the most popular Yankees of all time. In his 14-year career with the team, he hit 222 home runs, drove in 1,099 runs, and posted a .307 batting average. He was also a six-time All-Star and won the AL MVP in 1985.
Alex Rodriguez
The most recent player to wear the number three was Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez wore the number from 2004 to 2016 and was one of the most polarizing Yankees of all time. In his 13-year career with the team, he hit 351 home runs, drove in 1,096 runs, and posted a .283 batting average. He was also a 14-time All-Star and helped the Yankees to a World Series Championship in 2009.
The Legacy of Number 3
The number three has been worn by some of the greatest players in Yankees history, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle, Graig Nettles, Don Mattingly, and Alex Rodriguez. These players have not only left an indelible mark on the Yankees’ history, but on baseball history as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While not all of them wore the number three, there are several other players who deserve recognition for their contributions to the Yankees. Some of the most notable include Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Derek Jeter, Roger Maris, and Mariano Rivera.
Conclusion
The number three has been worn by some of the greatest players in Yankees history. From Babe Ruth to Alex Rodriguez, each player has left behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. As the Yankees look to the future, they will continue to honor the legacy of the number three, and the players who wore it with pride.
Keywords: New York Yankees, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle, Graig Nettles, Don Mattingly, Alex Rodriguez, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Derek Jeter, Roger Maris, Mariano Rivera.