26. Graig Nettles

When Graig Nettles was acquired from the Cleveland Indians in November 1972, the New York Yankees knew they were landing a sound third baseman. However, they got a defensive maestro whose glove work at third base stabilized the left side of the field, supporting the late-1970s pinstriped revival. With dry wit, an intense demeanor, and a knack for reading a baseball off the bat, Nettles grew into a key clubhouse leader.

Nettles transformed games with his fielding, yet he was also a powerful left-handed hitter perfectly suited for Yankee Stadium's short porch. He started his New York career with seven straight seasons of over 20 home runs, culminating in 1976 when he led the league with 32 home runs and secured the American League title. In 1977, he had an even more impressive season, hitting a career-high 37 home runs and driving in 107 runs. His consistent excellence during this notable period earned him wide national acclaim, including a fifth-place finish in the 1977 American League MVP voting and sixth place the following year.

However, highlighting his offensive punch only tells part of the story. Nettles was essentially a defensive black hole whose value increased dramatically under postseason pressure. He won two straight Gold Glove Awards in 1977 and 1978, but his greatest achievement was displayed in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Yankees trailing two games to none and under intense pressure, Nettles delivered a stunning defensive performance at third base. He executed four incredible diving stops along the line, preventing the Dodgers from securing extra-base hits, and decisively shifted the momentum of the series, helping New York secure back-to-back championships.

His fierce drive and leadership earned respect, leading to his 1982 designation as the 14th franchise captain. He held this role with pride in his final two seasons before an offseason trade to San Diego in 1984 sparked a youth movement.

Nettles left the Yankees after 11 seasons, with 1,396 hits, 230 doubles, 250 home runs, and 834 RBIs.  The Yankees would later honor him with a plaque in Monument Park in 2014.