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New York Yankees: Ten Unsung heroes from the 2000s

By Ryan Doyle

NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Chien-Ming Wang #40 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on April 29, 2007 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Chien-Ming Wang #40 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on April 29, 2007 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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Hideki Matsui (L) of the New York Yankees congratulates teammate Robin Ventura after Ventura hit a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins 08 April, 2003, at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx. AFP PHOTO/Don EMMERT (Photo by Don EMMERT / AFP) (Photo by DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images)
Hideki Matsui (L) of the New York Yankees congratulates teammate Robin Ventura after Ventura hit a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins 08 April, 2003, at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx. AFP PHOTO/Don EMMERT (Photo by Don EMMERT / AFP) (Photo by DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images) /

3B Robin Ventura (2002-2003)

Yes, Robin Ventura was an unsung hero during this decade. In one of the rare cases of a trade between the Yankees and the Mets, Ventura was shipped to New York for David Justice following the 2001 season.

Oh, how that would pay off for the Yankees and sting the Mets at the time.

Ventura would earn his second All-Star appearance at the age of 34, 10 years after his first trip to the festivities. He would mash 27 homers, 19 of which came in the first half of the season.

Ventura also got his revenge against the Mets with a 10th inning home run in Shea Stadium that year.

Ventura didn’t put up otherworldly stats or have an epic postseason moment. Instead, he brought additional pain to the Mets fanbase and gave the Yanks a legitimate option at third base after Scott Brosius retired.

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