Let’s begin with this week’s Pop Quiz question, which came from Gary Mintz of South Huntington:
What framed Hall of Famer’s uniform is prominently displayed in Harold’s workplace during the 2004 film “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”?
So Chase Headley enjoyed a memorable first day and night as a Yankee, and that brings to mind the many in-season newcomers the Yankees have welcomed over the years. Some have soared, others not so much.
The Yankees almost always dominate the in-season trade market because: 1) They haven’t been out of contention this time of year since 1992; and 2) They’re usually willing to take on payroll.
Let’s look at the Yankees’ best and worst in-season acquisitions — in honor of Tuesday night’s 14-inning game, let’s do seven of each — since 1993. We’re counting only people imported from other organizations, not promotions from the minor leagues. This shall forever be known as “The Aaron Small Rule.”
Best
1. David Justice (2000)
The Yankees, badly in need of offense, danced with the Cubs regarding Sammy Sosa and actually completed a trade for Detroit’s Juan Gonzalez that the two-time American League Most Valuable Player blocked with his no-trade protection. But the guy who actually came aboard was Justice, from Cleveland, and he provided 20 homers in 275 at-bats and a stellar .305/.391/.585 slash line. Then he won MVP honors in the Yankees’ AL Championship Series victory over Seattle.
2. Shawn Chacon (2005)
There was little reason to think the 27-year-old Chacon, who had endured a roller-coaster existence with the turbulent Rockies, would swoop into The Bronx and save the day. That’s pretty much what he did, though, putting up a 2.85 ERA in 12 starts and two relief appearances as the Yankees rallied to win the AL East title.
3. David Cone (1995)
Their run of 13 straight postseason appearances, and 17 in 18 years, began thanks in large part to Cone’s arrival. The former Met immediately found comfort with the Yankees and won nine of his 13 starts. He also re-signed three times as a free agent and collected four World Series rings.
4. Bobby Abreu (2006)
With their corner outfielders Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield sidelined by major injuries, the Yankees took on Abreu’s large salary for a handful of non-prospects. Abreu, now with the Mets, came aboard and provided a .330/.419/.507 slash line in 58 games. He helped in 2007 and 2008, too.
5. Alfonso Soriano (2013)
His power display (17 homers in 219 at-bats) last year helped keep the Yankees relevant until nearly the end of their injury-riddled campaign. It also empowered team ownership, for better or worse, to never, ever give up on a season.
6. Kerry Wood (2010)
Plenty of veteran relief pitchers gave up closer jobs over the years and willingly set up for the great Mariano Rivera. Wood, the Indians closer, arrived from Cleveland ready to help Rivera and his former Cubs batterymate Joe Girardi. He did so quite well, tallying an 0.69 ERA in 24 games.
7. Aaron Boone (2003)
While he disappointed in the regular season after the Yankees picked him up from Cincinnati, he more than made his mark in October with one of the most famous home runs in Yankees history. As a bonus, his basketball injury the next year set in motion the Yankees’ acquisition of Alex Rodriguez, which was the best development in recent New York media history.
Worst
1. Esteban Loaiza (2004)
The Yankees surrendered on the Jose Contreras endeavor on July 31 by giving him to the White Sox for Loaiza, who proceeded to put up an 8.50 ERA. He almost redeemed himself with an excellent relief performance in ALCS Game 5, but he took the loss in his fourth inning of work on David Ortiz’s walk-off single.
2. Ivan Rodriguez (2008)
In his first game as a Yankee, Pudge caught Andy Pettitte, who got shellacked. That was it for the Pudge-Pettitte relationship, and Mike Mussina never signed on in the first place, sticking with Jose Molina. So Rodriguez immediately became a part-time player and slashed just .219/.257/.323. And the Yankees actually missed Kyle Farnsworth, whom they dealt to Detroit. If Pudge gets into the Hall of Fame, don’t bet on his plaque bearing a Yankees insignia.
3. Denny Neagle (2000)
The Yankees gave up a considerable package (Jackson Melian, Drew Henson, Brian Reith and Ed Yarnall) for the impending free agent Neagle, which indicated they wanted to keep him around for a longer term. Yet Neagle proved a poor fit in The Bronx, and his last Yankees moment was Game 4 of the World Series against the Mets, when Joe Torre lifted the lefty with two outs in the fifth inning and the team up by a run — depriving him of a chance for a victory.
4. Lance Berkman (2010)
The affable “Big Puma” didn’t deliver the offensive boost the Yankees hoped to get when they acquired him from Houston, as he went .255/.358/.349. Then he enjoyed a revival 2011 with the Cardinals, picking up his first World Series ring.
5. Raul Mondesi (2002)
This was a George Steinbrenner special, the Yankees owner picking up a combustible player — against the front office’s wishes — whom the Blue Jays were happy to give up for virtually nothing. Mondesi performed terribly in 2002, and while he picked up the pace some in 2003, he got himself thrown off the team (traded to Arizona) when he departed Fenway Park after getting lifted for a pinch-hitter.
6. Ruben Sierra (1995)
That pinch-hitter was Ruben Sierra, who was enjoying a far more tranquil second run with the Yankees. In his first run, when he came over from Oakland for Danny Tartabull, Sierra underperformed (.260/.322/.428) and complained. The Yankees unloaded him to Detroit in 1996 for Cecil Fielder, who played an integral role in helping the Yankees get their first World Series crown since 1978.
7. Jose Canseco (2000)
He became a Yankee only because the Devil Rays handed him over to their AL East rivals once the Yankees put in a waiver claim, a move the Yankees made more to block Canseco from going to Boston than to actually take him for themselves. Canseco’s arrival annoyed Torre, which in turn annoyed Steinbrenner, and the future bestselling author did little of note during his brief stay.
Your Pop Quiz answer is Reggie Jackson. If you have a tidbit that correlates baseball with popular culture, please send it to me at kdavidoff@nypost.com.