COUNTING DOWN: The Best Yankee At Each Uniform Number (#59)

By Paul Semendinger

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In the long history of the Yankees, only ten players have worn number 59.

Here is the list, from most recent backwards, from Baseball-Reference.com:

1. 
   

Luke Voit (2020-2021)

1. 
   

Juan Rivera (2002-2003)

1. 
   

Donzell McDonald (2001)

1. 
   

D’Angelo Jimenez (1999)

1. 
   

Ryan Bradley (1998)

1. 
   

Hensley Meulens (1992)

1. 
   

Steve Adkins (1990)

1. 
   

Roberto Kelly (1987)

1. 
   

Ted Wilborn (1980)

1. 
   

Damaso Garcia (1979)

For many of these uniform numbers, I have had to dig deep into each player’s performances and histories in order to determine who was the best at that number.

The exercise for #59, was a lot easier.

One first quick glance shows that only two players wore this number for more than one season. Those, of course, are the two most recent players: Juan Rivera and Luke Voit.

Juan Rivera played in 85 games in this uniform number. His numbers were pretty good: .266/8/32.

Luke Voit, due to injury, has only played in 68 games in this uniform number, but in that time he has put up the following numbers: .261/23/55. He, of course, also has a league home run title (2020) to his credit. Once he returns from the Injured List, Voit should quickly surpass Rivera in games played in this number, but he has already passed him in performance.

The greatest Yankee to wear #59 is the current Yankee wearing it – Luke Voit.

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Most of the background research for this project came from Baseball-Reference.com.

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