by John Roberts

Created on: July 19, 2010

It should come as no surprise that the most storied franchise in baseball the New York Yankees boasts some of the greatest home run hitters in history. The Yankees as we know them have been playing since 1913 (the franchise began in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles!) and talk about a heavy lumber outfit through the decades from Babe Ruth to Alex Rodriguez.

The 1927 Yankees were not called Murderer's Row for nothing. Ruth crushed his then record 60 home runs while driving in 164 and Lou Gehrig struck 47 and topped Ruth with 175 RBIs. And you thought the Boston Red Sox duo of Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz was impressive. The Yankees have enjoyed the services of so many good hitters that such illustrious names as Roger Maris, Bill Dickey, Tony Lazzeri, Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson are not in the Yankees top ten.

What a shock! The Bambino is the all-time Yankee home run leader. Babe Ruth wore the pinstripes for 15 seasons (1920-34) and bashed 659 of his 714 homers as a Yankee. He hit 59 in 1921 when hitting ten in a season was considered a big deal. The 1923 MVP and 12-time home run champion had three 50 plus seasons and 11 40 plus.

Mickey Mantle spent his entire 18-year career (1951-68) as a Yankee and hammered 536 homers. A four-time home run champion, Mantle's career high was 54 in the legendary home run derby with Roger Maris in 1961. His greatness earned 16 All-Star berths, three MVP awards and a Gold Glove.

The Iron Horse would have reached the 500 homer plateau and beyond if not felled by the disease named after him. Lou Gehrig played first base for 17 years (1923-39) and hit 493 homers with a career high 49 in 1934 and 1936. The two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star hit 40 plus homers five times and won the home run crown three years.

Joltin' Joe DiMaggio would have struck more home runs if not losing three prime career years to World War II. As it was DiMaggio hit 361 in 13 seasons (1936-51) with a high of 46 in 1937 and captured two home run titles. He was an All-Star every season he played and a earned MVP honors three times.

Catcher Yogi Berra is a beloved figure in Yankee history. All he did was hit 358 home runs including ten consecutive years of 20 plus during his 19 seasons (1946-65) all as a Yankee. The 15-time All-Star and winner of three MVP awards reached a career high 30 jacks twice.

On the top ten list, current players Jorge Posada is #7, A-Rod #8 and Derek Jeter #9.

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