What 1994-2009 Yankees Make It To Monument Park?

So after reading Rob Neyer's blog post from yesterday at whether Andy Pettitte was Hall of Fame worthy (and being disgusted at myself for not including him as a Category 3 in my January post of who would make the Hall of Fame from the AL East teams), my co-worker Paul and I got into a debate about which Yankees from the past 15 years would end up having their numbers retired in monument park. Here's my thoughts on the matter with a few Yankee pairings:

 

In Monument Park Now Even If They Pulled A Dave Chappelle And Left For Africa

Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera - 4 Championships and 6 AL Pennants. The Captain and The Closer (non-Kyra Sedgwick variety). Yankee hit king and the best postseason pitcher/best closer ever. Jetes and Mo will be in the Hall of Fame and in Monument Park.

 

Done With Their Careers But Will Probably Make It Out There

Paul O'Neill and Bernie Williams - If you look up Bernie Williams on Baseball-Reference.com, the most similar player is...Paul O'Neill. I never thought their stats would be so similar with an almost identical (eerily so) amounts of doubles, homers, RBIs, and stolen bases. Both won a batting title with the Yankees. And it was Roberto Kelly who was traded to make room for Bernie Williams...and he was traded for Paul O'Neill. Bernie I think is a definite (especially since he seems to have repaired his rift with the team). And O'Neill, because of Steinbrenner's bromance with him (dubbed him "The Warrior"), is probably in as well. Though the fact the Yankees have given out #21 since he retired is an ominous sign

 

Will Probably Be There Once Their Careers Are Over and Fairly Judged

Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada - I don't think Pettitte will make the Hall of Fame, although it will be close for a lefty pitcher who accomplished so much. And I'm not sure Posada will either, although it will be equally as close for a catcher who has accomplished so much. But let's say the two play a few more seasons, I think their stats will be good enough to put them right there. Pettitte has a .638 winning percentage with the Yankees (plus all his postseason success with 12 postseason wins) and Posada has Carlton Fisk-like stats through age 36. And I think both will be in Monument Park regardless of what happens with the Hall of Fame.

 

Let's See What Happens Division

Mike Mussina and Joe Torre and Alex Rodriguez. Three very tough calls. Moose may end up being a Hall of Famer. And if he is, I think he's in Monument Park someday, though I don't think he sniffs it if Pettitte doesn't get in. Joe Torre was a lock until he left the Yankees how he did. Now I think it may be very tough since he wrote that book. I think one day he makes up with the team and gets his day but that may a LONG time down the road. But there's no denying that #6 should be there as well. A-Rod will be here 9 more years. He could break the homerun record and RBI record as a Yankee and probably will have 3000 hits (he's amazingly less than 600 away). But his steroids revelation (which will keep Roger Clemens out) and inability to produce in the playoffs will make it tough. I think, in the end, if he gets the HR record and the Yankees win at least one World Series with him there, he gets his plaque.

 

What are your thoughts? What numbers do you think will be retired in Monument Park?