As a kid, my wall was plastered with posters.
I had a poster of my favorite basketball player (Dominique Wilkins), I had a poster of a Lamborghini Countach, and I number of other things on my wall that were never intended to even be there (Starting Lineup figures still in their box).
While I'm sure you've seen lists of some of the silly sports posters kids like myself hung on their wall as kids (yeah... right, only as KIDS), I wanted to share five of the Yankees posters that I had at one time or another.
1. If you remember a time in Yankees history when they weren't mainstays in the postseason, then perhaps you remember Kevin Maas.
The year was 1990, and Maas was only 25 years old. After starting the season in AAA Columbus (they didn't move from there until 2006), the Yankees called up the young first baseman and he debuted on June 9th. In his fifth game Kevin hit his first of what would be 21 home runs.
Kevin's .535 slugging percentage in 1990 had Yankees fans slobbering all over themselves. Although Kevin did hit 23 bombs the following season, Maas only appeared in 179 more MLB games between 1992 and 1995.
2. Although he's most remembered as an Oakland A, Henderson did spend five seasons with the Yankees.
Along with a batting line of .288/.395/.455, the greatest base stealer of all time recorded 326 stolen bases for New York. Rickey made the All Star team in four out of those five seasons, along with getting MVP votes in two of them.
Henderson's speed may have been his calling card, but we shouldn't forget the fact that this Hall of Famer also averaged over 15 home runs a season for the Yanks.
3. Okay... my Willie Randolph poster wasn't signed. Although, now that I say that I realize I could have lied and said it was, and you couldn't prove me wrong.
Unless you know my mom's number, in which case I'd have to ask... "why are calling my mom!?!??
Anyway, Willie spent 13 of his 18 MLB seasons with the Yankees, and during that time he made the All Star team five times. He may not have been a big threat to hit a home run, but Randolph was well-known for his ability to get on base (.374 OBP in NY).
4. Dave Winfield may have been drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 1st round of the 1973 draft, but Dave's time with the Bronx Bombers stands out.
In his nine seasons with the Yankees, Winfield hit .290/.356/.495, while averaging just shy of 23 home runs a year. He appeared in eight All Star games as a Yankee, and garnered MVP votes in six of those nine seasons.
Mr. Winfield was not only drafted by the Padres, but he was also drafted by the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, Utah Stars of the ABA, and Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.
5. I'm sure I was one of millions of Yankees fans that had this poster. But I can't imagine many people owned that white pinstriped suit. The matching tie was a nice touch.
I don't think I have to list the accolades of one of the greatest Yankees of all time. If it wasn't for a bad back, then I have little doubt we'd be able to go to Cooperstown, NY and see his Hall of Fame plaque on the wall.
Don Mattingly is one of many players I bring up when people make huge deals out of high draft picks. Donnie Baseball, one of my favorite nicknames since it was given to Mattingly by Kirby Puckett, was drafted by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 1979 draft.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)