Running for Your Life: Yankee Haters Dream Team

I was ten years old when the Yankees did the unthinkable – finished 26.5 games out of first place, with a 70-89 record. Ah, those were the days. Now, of course, the Yankees win. Pretty much every day and night. The season is winding down and they are in the playoffs, as per usual.

Time to dream a little. By offering up a Yankee Haters Dream Team. Let’s call them the lovable ones … Some unsung, some associated more with losing (think every other MLB club, with the exception of the Cardinals) than winning. Here’s my version of, yes, the Yankee Haters Dream Team.

Pitcher
Catfish Hunter
Color me nostalgic for the 1970s, and names like Catfish stedda letters

Catcher
Jake Gibbs
Because I’m a believer in strength of character down the middle … And Jake was a member of that losing 1966 Yankees squad that went 70-89. Losing builds character. Good times, times

First Baseman
Marv Thorneberry
Marv broke in with the Yanks in 1955, then proceeded to spur even the most humorless fan into uncontrollable laughter as the starting first baseman for the expansion 40-120 New York Mets, 60.5 games outta first place. Errors that year (1962): 17!

Second Baseman
Horace Clarke
How can you not find lovable someone by the name of Horace? Yes, 1966! Strength down the middle! (70-89!)

Third Baseman
Charlie Hayes
He WAS the unsung hero of the 1996 Yankees, the only iteration of pinstripes except for that unforgettable 1966 squad that actually didn’t/doesn't revolt me. Why? Because of Charlie Hayes, without whom the Yanks would not have won, yet all we heard (and still hear about) were/are Jeter, O’Neill, Williams, Strawberry …

Shortstop
Tony Kubek
Because he had a cool broadcast voice. And he seemed like a relatively nice guy.

Right Fielder
Jesse Barfield
Because he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. (One of the myriad reasons I identify as a Yankee Hater is that my folks at home in Canada cheer for the Blue Jays)

Left Fielder
Tim Raines
Because I am a die-hard Expos fan. (No, I don’t cheer for the Nationals  -- did true-blue Brooklyn Dodgers fans pick up and cheer for the LA team … I don’t think so)

Center Fielder
Roger Repoz
He didn’t patrol center field for long for the Yankees. But man, those were the days. (Yes, 1966 rules as the year of years for Yankee Haters … when they languished with that 70-89 record !


 Next: Running for Your Life: If the Greats Were With Us Thursday