Johnny Mize, First Base

This one's not so much about the slick-fielding Big Cat as a person — sure, he didn't get along with reporters, but neither did Ted Williams — as about how he represents the team philosophy: When the going gets tough, the Yankees go shopping. After having spent his first ten seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Giants, the Yankees bought Mize in 1949. The Yankees won the World Series in each of his five years (despite often platooning, he was Series MVP in 1952 and an All-Star in 1953), while the Giants earned interest on his $40,000 purchase price.