Tino Martinez--
Tino Martinez, who inherited the Yanks' first base position when the beloved Don Mattingly retired, seemed to have big shoes to fill. No one can compare Tino to Donnie Baseball, but he's found his own place in the structure of the team and the hearts of the fans. Tino plays solidly throughout the regular season, although tagged in recent years as a sort of "anti-Reggie". Yet Tino was ready to provide some surprises in Game 1 of the World Series against the Padres, hitting a grand slam homer to give the Yankees a 9-5 lead, nearly doubling his Yankee career RBI total in the process. And Tino continued to be productive in the '98 Series, up until the moment he recieved the baseball in his glove at first for the very last out, giving the Yanks their 24th World Championship, his second in Pinstripes.

Chuck Knoblauch--
Yankee second baseman Chuck Knoblauch, after a productive seven years with the Minnesota Twins(including a stellar 1991 season which earned him the Rookie of the Year award), joined the Yankees for their amazing 1998 season, and looks to be staying in the Bronx for several years more. His excellent defensive playing at second base has been vital to the Yanks success, as well as his respectable offensive production. (While some might not look farther than his BA, Knoblauch led the team in both walks and stolen bases, and was one of only two players to have more walks than strike-outs--76 and 70.) Chuck is a friendly and personable character, and has certainly earned his Pinstripes this season.

Derek Jeter--
Derek Jeter, 1996's Rookie of the Year, shows no signs of slowing as he shines as the Yankees' shortstop. Jeter, who was near the top in BA this year, is a truly excellent defensive player, making the most difficult of plays look easy as he gracefully soars through the air. Young Jeter might be a little "spoiled" by his second Series win in his first three years, but you can hardly tell it when he speaks. He is a team player, quick to give credit to his teammates when it is due, and is liked and admired by teammates and fans alike.

Scott Brosius--
It's hard to find a better example of the magic the Pinstripes can do than Scott Brosius. The Yankees' third baseman was batting .203 last year, but after he was acquired by the Bombers for '98, he took to the team beautifully, thanking them with a .300 batting average and quantities of home runs and RBIs. Yet, as if that wasn't enough, Brosius was dominating in the postseason, and two back-to-back World Series home runs against the Padres helped the Yanks out of a dangerous position to sweep the Padres in four. The World Series MVP says that it was a dream come true; I can think of nothing better than to quote Joe Torre. "I guess the Good Lord was waiting for [Brosius] to put on the Pinstripes."

Homer Bush--
Homer Bush quietly made himself known as a Yankee this year, batting .380 in 71 at bats(the 3rd highest BA of any ballplayer with more than 10 at bats), and providing useful steals and baserunning skills as a pinch runner in various situations. If injury befalls any of our infielders next season, Bush may get another chance to shine, and who knows what he can do for the Yanks? In the meantime, he is quietly willing to do whatever is asked of him, and seems truly dedicated to helping his team in any way possible. Look out for Homer Bush in the future.

Paul O'Neill--
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Paul O'Neill has one of the best attitudes in baseball. Sure, people may say he's too emotional or too much of a perfectionist, but he's unfailingly dedicated, spirited, and committed to doing his best. And though some say he doesn't accept baseball as just a game, he certainly knows it's not supposed to be a business. And that's not even mentioning his practically errorless fielding, or his consistently excellent bat. Paulie is the very definition of a Yankee.

Bernie Williams--
Bernie Williams, AL batting champion for 1998, Gold Glove winner, and Yankee centerfielder, is one of the best players in the game. A sensitive and fairly withdrawn man who loves to play the guitar, Bernie has been with the Yankees since '91, and has never played on another Major League team. Now a free agent, his outstanding talent has led him to ask high salaries of any team which wishes to possess him, looking for an even richer contract than Mike Piazza's $91 mil. for 7 years. What will happen? We will see.

Shane Spencer--
Shane Spencer, the rookie who took September by storm, blazed through the Division Series against Texas, but quieted down in several games against Cleveland. It's hard to say what next year will hold for the 27 year old, but it is likely that Spencer will go unnoticed. After hitting 10 home runs in 67 at bats in the regular season (including 3 grand slams within 9 days) and 2 more in 2 games of the Division Series, it's unlikely Spencer's bat will be quiet in '99. Is he the man to bring the single season home run title back to the Bronx? Or will he simply get a chance to help fill out the Yankee batting order as he polishes his defensive skills? Only time will tell.

Ricky Ledee--
And when Shane Spencer falters, his old teammate from Triple-A Columbus is there to back him up. Ricky Ledee, playing 3 of the 4 World Series games in left field, batted .600 in the Series, putting him solidly in the record book with the all-time greats. Ledee delivered crucial RBIs in several games, and performed phenomenally, especially for a rookie. Ledee, who was only called onto the postseason roster when Darryl Strawberry was diagnosed with colon cancer, seems a likable young man, and like Spencer, has a bright future ahead of him.

David Wells--
David Wells, often called Boomer, seemed an unlikely match for the Yankees at first. He was a good pitcher, but never seemed to shine, and after a few weak starts early in the '98 season, manager Joe Torre needed to have a talk with him. Torre's magic worked, and Boomer's magic took over on May 17th, when he pitched the 13th perfect game in Major League history, and the only Yankee perfect game besides Don Larsen's WS gem in 1956. From then on, Wells pitched consistently and dependably, delivering 18 wins and only 4 losses. Boomer, who's never been a conformist, loves Metallica and other heavy metal, is a frequent guest on Howard Stern's radio show, and takes insults against his recently deceased mother very personally. Baltimore thought they were getting rid of a problem when they let the Yankees have Wells, said Steinbrenner once. "We'll take this kind of problem any day."

David Cone--
David Cone, or Coney, is probably my favorite baseball player of all time. He will be 36 in January, is signed with the Yankees through '99 (with a 2000 option), and is an outstanding player and member of the team. This year, Coney's league leading 20 wins were his highest since he won 20 in 1988, the longest stretch between 20 win seasons of any pitcher in major league history. As well as being a superb ballplayer, Cone is deeply involved in the ML Players' Trust Fund for Children. Coney is a deep and sensitive individual, and a team leader, as well as being extremely talented, hose presence on the Yankees is always felt and who adds a lot to his team. Hopefully, he will be with the Yankees for many years more.


Andy Pettitte--
Andy Pettitte was disappointed in his pitching this year. Well, for a guy like Pettitte, the 16 wins that only 23 (out of over 400) major leaguers achieved this year is an off season. Pettitte's phenomenal 1996 season made him a Cy Young runner-up (and he should have won, IMHO), and he followed it up with a sizzling 1997(including a 2.88 ERA). And 1998, whatever Pettitte himself may believe, was nothing shabby. It was only fitting that Pettitte should earn the 125th win of the historic 1998 season with seven and one third innings of beautiful shutout baseball, reminiscent of 1996's Game Five gem.