Honorable Replay: Choosing A New York Yankees All-Military Team

Oct 13, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; A general view as an American flag is unfurled on the field before game one of the 2012 ALCS between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The list of New York Yankees players who have served our country through military service is plentiful. While we owe our gratitude to all of them, let’s create an all-military team of veterans who have played in the Yankees organization. As long as they played at some level, they are eligible for the team. Don’t see a player you feel deserves a place in the line-up?

You are absolutely right! We appreciate him just as much. But only one player is selected per position.

First Base: Steve Souchock. Souchock fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He batted .302 in his first Major League season.Second Base:

. Coleman fought in the Korean War. He flew 120 combat missions. He was a four-time World Series champion.Short Stop:

. Rizzuto served in the United States Navy during World War II. Rizzuto was selected as the 1950 American League Most Valuable Player.

Third Base: Billy Johnson. Johnson served in the United States Army in World War II. He played 964 games for the Yankees.

Outfield: Tommy Henrich. Henrich served in the United States Coast Guard in World War II. He was a five –time All-Star.

Outfield: Joe DiMaggio. DiMaggio served in The United States Army Air Forces. Joe´s 56 game hitting streak is a record that will never be broken.

Outfield: Bobby Murcer. Murcer served in The United States Army. He was a five-time All-Star and won the Gold Glove Award in 1972.

Manager: Ralph Houk. Houk was a United States Army Ranger in World War II. He earned the rank of Major, so he was known as “The Major” with the Yankees.

Alright, there they are. They all brought the same tenacity to the stadium that they brought to the battle. So tell me, who is not there that also deserves our gratitude? If only there were more positions on the baseball diamond.