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While doing some research to find the best Yankee second basemen, I was surprised at how many great players have played second for the Yanks. I’ve been lucky to see some great during my life, but it seems throughout history the Yankees always had a good second baseman. Here are the players I think deserve to be in the conversation. You decide who you think is the best:

“Push-em-up” Tony was a hidden gem batting in the same lineup as Ruth and Gehrig. The only blemish on his Hall of Fame career is a strikeout against Grover Cleveland Alexander in the bottom of the seventh inning in Game 7 of the 1926 World Series against the Cardinals. After that the Yankees won 5 more Pennants and 5 World Series throughout his career as a Yankee. He had 100 RBIs in seven different seasons and batted .300 five different times. It is between Lazzeri and his successor, Joe Gordon, which the argument over who is the best second baseman revolves around. (Career numbers as a Yankee, .293 BA, 169 HR, 1154 RBI)

Joe Gordon took the second base job away from Lazzeri, due to his all around great play. Nicknamed “Flash Gordon,” because he would “flash the leather,” he was could also hurt you at the plate. He was a rarity in the 1940’s, being a second baseman that could hit. So much so that he stole the 1942 MVP award from Ted Williams even though he won the Triple Crown. After missing three seasons because of WWII Gordon struggled in his first season back and was traded to the Cleveland Indians for future ace Allie Reynolds. (Career numbers as a Yankee, .271 BA, 153 HR, 617 RBI)

This next second baseman holds a special place in my heart because he coached with Joe Torre during the late 90’s dynasty. Willie Randolph had a tremendous start to his career, winning the Pennant in 1976 and the World Series in 1977 and 1978. Unfortunately, he was rattled by injuries throughout the rest of his career, but he played a solid 13 years in New York and he will forever be loved as a true Yankee. (Career numbers as a Yankee, .275 BA, 1731 H, 549 SB)

Next up is the current second baseman for the Yankees, and rightfully so, even though he is still early in his career and his best years might be ahead of him. In his eighth year as a Yankee, and big leaguer, Robbie has the makings of a couple batting titles, and at least one MVP award. I am usually hesitant to talk about current players when discussing “all-time,” but Cano’s ability is remarkable and to leave him off the list would insult him. I am not sure if he is the next Captain, but it looks as if he is being groomed to be the next Yankee leader. (Career number through 7/18/12, .309 BA, 165 HR, 676 RBI)

After the Yankees dealt future manager Billy Martin in 1957, a spot was opened for Billy Martin played seven seasons in the Bronx, and won the Pennant every year. But in 1954 while Martin was in Korea, the Yankees failed to win it. Coincidence? Maybe, but it’s more likely he made the team better. He saved the team in the 1952 World Series, catching a pop-up everyone else had lost in the sun, in 1953 he set the since broken record of 12 hits in the World Series, and seemed to improve after the regular season ended. He was a full-time member of four Pennant winning teams (1952, ’53, ’55, ’56) and three World Series. He would later become the infamous manager of the “Bronx Zoo” teams.

Bobby Richardson to fill in. He did a superb job winning seven Pennants, and three World Series (1958, ’61, ’62). He holds the record for hits in a World Series, at 13, and had 12 RBI’s in another Series, but the Yankees lost both of them. His career was cut short at the young age of 31 due to injuries, but he still managed to play for 10 seasons. (Career number as a Yankee, .266 BA, 1432 H, 196 2B)

It would be unfair to talk about the best Yankee second basemen without including these guys, but I feel they only deserve honorable mention. Horace Clark (65-74), Aaron Ward (17-26), Jerry Coleman (49-57), and Chuck Knoblauch (98-01).

Like most positions on the Yankees, picking the one best player to ever play it is difficult. Although here I have to say it goes to Lazzeri. He has the best numbers and played with guys like Gehrig and Ruth on some dominant teams. He was eventually inducted into the Hall becoming the first Yankee second baseman to do so. Unfortunately it was 70 years after his death.