Here we go with my top ten players of the decade from the Yankees and Flyers. These list were tough for seperate reasons, for the Yankees, there were so many good players that I had to omit. For the Flyers, I had to include some players are more of potnetial than actual results, similar to my top ten Raptors. In any case, here are the list.
Top ten New York Yankees of the 2000's
10. Robinson Cano
9. Jason Giambi
8. Hideki Matsui
7. Bernie Williams
6. Andy Pettite
5. Alex Rodriguez
4. Mike Mussina
3. Jorge Posada
2. Mariano Rivera
1. Derek Jeter
This list was tough to compile and I had to omit some great players, but this is the final top ten. I'm not a big Cano fan and nearly put Alfonso Soriano in his spot, but logetivity gets him the spot. I don't condone Jason Giambi's action this decade and almost wanted to omit steroid accused players from this list, but let's face it, it was a big part of the game, like it or not, and those players were included. Matsui was another tough choice, I kind of wanted to put Damon in over him, but Matsui has been a Yankee for a longer time and I'm still smarting from his World Series heroics. Bernie Williams is a must on this list, he was one of the great center fielders for New York and though he tailed off in his later years, his good play could not be forgotten. Andy Pettite and Mike Mussina were the lone starting pitchers who I could consider great this decade and they both had incredible feats, though Mussina missed both World Series teams and Pettite left for the Astros for a period of time. Alex Rodriguez has been a great hitter for the Yanks and though he isn't my favorite player, I had to put him in the top 5. My top 3 are no brianers: Jorge Posada has been a close to Hall of Fame claiber catcher (not quite Hall of Fame). My last two players are surefire Hall of Famers: Rivera and Jeter. Derek ends up #1 based on is having to play 9 innings every day, where Mariano plays 80 innings a year. Still, neither of these players' accomplishments should be diminished.
Top ten Philadelphia Flyers of the 2000's
10. Chris Therien
9. Sami Kapanen
8. Joni Pitkanen
7. Mike Richards
6. Mark Recchi
5. Jeff Carter
4. John LeClair
3. Eric Desjardins
2. Keith Primeau
1. Simon Gagne
This list was a little tougher, as the Flyers have been more of team of role players than superstars. However, there is still plenty of big names on this list. People may be asking why Jeremy Roenick and others may miss this list but Chris Therien and Sami Kapanen made it. The answer: longetivity. Therien was a key rmemeber of the top defensive pairing (despite his turtle-like demeanor) for many years and Kapanen was a big role-player on the team for the better part of the decade. Joni Pitkanen was a top notch defensman before he was dealt to Edmonton in the Jason Smith trade. Mike Richards leaves me a lot to be desired, but he has had an awesome start to his career and has had a big impact on the team te second half of this decade, as has Jeff Carter. On the flip side, Mark Recchi and John LeClair were big pieces in Philly's playoff runs in the beginning of the decade. Eric Dejardins was hands down the top defenseman for the Flyers this decade and though he looked horrendous after the lockout, it was good to see him retire as a Flyers after over 10 years of service. Keith Primeau, unlike other players this decade, was a hard-nosed grind it otu player who wouldn't even give up after endless concussions ended his career. My #1 is questionable, but Simon Gagne is the only Flyer who spent the entire decade with the team and exhibits greta offesnive skills and speed wit hheart and determination.
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