Timing is everything — it’s true in baseball as in life. For all the retired numbers and all the October (and November) heroes in Yankees history, there is still a host of players whose brilliant performances in pinstripes fell victim to bad luck, bad rosters, and generally bad timing.
Even in the team’s most disappointing seasons, the team fielded special talents who were a joy to watch. In honor of these unlucky contributors, here are a few former Yankees who were the right men for the job, but who entered the club’s lore at precisely the wrong moment.