Top 10 New York Yankees Pitchers

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Somebody asked on Twitter tonight if CC Sabathia is a top-10 pitcher in Yankees history.

Hmm...well, let's find out.

1) Mariano Rivera. Seriously, is that one hard to argue?

2) Whitey Ford. He sort of wrote the Yankees' pitching record book, as well as the World Series record book.

3) Red Ruffing. A Hall of Famer. If WAR is your thing, he's fifth all-time in Bombers' history with 46.5. Won 231 games, which is second all-time. Also a World Series champion.

4) Lefty Gomez. Somewhat interchangeable with Ruffing.

5) Ron Guidry. Gator's biggest mistake is that he didn't become an impact pitcher until he was 26. Then he put together one of the finest seasons ever seen by a pitcher (1978: 25-3, 1.74 ERA, 16 complete games, 9 shutouts).

6) Mel Stottlemyre. If you don't include him in a top-10, it's simply because you're ignoring him. Those were mostly bad Yankees teams, but Mel was a bright spot.

7) Andy Pettitte. Yes, I've gotten down to 7th before including Andrew Eugene. Too many items to discuss with him. Yes, the steroids. Got it. But the cap pulled down over the eyes meant it was about to be a long night for someone.

8) CC Sabathia. So here he is. Not top 10-in wins, but seventh in games started and fourth in strikeouts. Certainly a big part of the 2009 championship. This might be too high, but as I sit here (and he pursues 3,000 career K's), I was truly curious if he's top-10. At first glance, he is.

9) Goose Gossage. I realize George Brett made his life (and mine) miserable. But man was Goose good. I realize Dave Righetti and Sparky Lyle could also lay claims to the next relief ace in Yankees' history. The difference is Goose is in the Hall of Fame. He also has a lower ERA as a Yankee than Mo.

10) Waite Hoyt. Look, the 1927 Yankees weren't just offense. Murderers Row also had arms. Hoyt is ninth in WAR, ninth in wins, eighth in innings pitched and games started. In 1927, "Schoolboy" went 22-7 with a 2.63 ERA. He had 23 complete games.

** I realize I could have added Mike Mussina, Vic Raschi, Allie Reynolds, Bob Shawkey, Herb Pennock, and a lot of others. I don't think the top seven are debatable. I'm still on the fence on CC and Hoyt, but probably not Goose.

Anyway, there's my list. Thanks to Twitter for giving me the idea.