Now that Ichiro Suzuki has been acquired by the Yankees, a fascinating opportunity has developed. There’s a possibility no team in baseball history will have more Hall of Fame players on its roster than the 2012 Yankees.
The Yankees could see nine players on this year’s squad be enshrined in Cooperstown — which would match the most by any team — coincidentally, with the 1931, 1932 and 1933 Yankees, who also had nine players make it.
Thus, the 2012 Yankees could be immortal — at least individually — because nearly 40 percent of the roster may wind up with gold plaques.
They would essentially merit their own wing in Cooperstown.
“It’s truly amazing,” manager Joe Girardi admitted when told of it yesterday.
Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro, Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Andruw Jones are all Hall candidates. The 1931-33 Yankees had nine Hall of Famers, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, Tony Lazzeri, Lefty Gomez, Red Ruffing, Herb Pennock, Joe Sewell and Earle Combs.
The Yankees probably have only three certain Hall of Famers — Jeter, Rivera and Ichiro. Rodriguez assuredly has the production but is tainted by PEDs. Pettitte has borderline production and is tainted by PEDs. Cano, Teixeira and Sabathia still need to accomplish more. And Jones’ trajectory is essentially over, but his candidacy is questionable.
Still, it’s possible all nine will eventually gain Cooperstown entrance, which would be a record-tying legacy for the 2012 team.