Unveiling New York's Quarter-Century Team: A Celebration of Excellence
The Daily News presents a unique honor, a team of the best players from New York's most iconic sports franchises over the past 25 years. But who made the cut? Let's dive into the stories of these exceptional athletes and the impact they've had on their respective teams.
Yankees: Aaron Judge
The Yankees had a tough choice, with a list of Hall of Famers and World Series champions. But Aaron Judge stands out. Since his MLB debut in 2016, Judge has dominated with 368 home runs, an OPS of 1.028, and a WAR of 61.6. In 2022, he set the American League record with 62 home runs, reaching 350 homers faster than anyone in MLB history. Judge's career OPS+ of 179 ties him with Lou Gehrig for the fifth-best mark in MLB history. Despite yet to win a World Series, Judge's impact is undeniable, and he's destined for Cooperstown.
Mets: Jacob deGrom
Jacob deGrom's nine-year run with the Mets was nothing short of dominant. His 2.52 ERA from 2014-22 was the second-best in baseball, and his 1.00 WHIP was the third-lowest. DeGrom's 2018-19 run was especially otherworldly, with an MLB-best 2.05 ERA over 421 innings. Despite limited run support, he won back-to-back Cy Young Awards. DeGrom's ERA and WHIP are the best in franchise history, solidifying his place as one of the game's all-time greats.
Giants: Michael Strahan
Eli Manning has a strong case, but Michael Strahan's pass-rushing dominance is unparalleled. Strahan recorded 89 of his 141.5 career sacks from 2000-07, an average of over 11 per season. He set the single-season sack record with 22.5 in 2001 and led the NFL in tackles for loss three times. Strahan's impact was capped with a Super Bowl XLII victory, where he sacked Tom Brady. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, and his No. 92 was retired by the Giants in 2021.
Jets: Darrelle Revis
Darrelle Revis' 25 interceptions in 108 games as a Jet speak volumes. His dominance earned him the nickname 'Revis Island.' In eight seasons with the Jets, he was a three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection. Revis led the NFL with 31 passes defended in 2009 and set a Jets record with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2011. In 2023, he became the first primarily Jet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Knicks: Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson's impact on the Knicks is undeniable. In just four seasons, he has ranked second in team history with 26.5 points per game and fourth with 6.7 assists per game. Brunson turned the Knicks into perennial contenders, leading them to at least one playoff series win in each of his first three seasons. Last postseason, he guided the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. Brunson's playoff prowess is remarkable, setting a record with 10 games of at least 30 points and five assists.
Nets: Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd's glory days with the Nets occurred in New Jersey, where he starred for seven seasons from 2001-08. He led them to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. Kidd is the Nets' all-time leader in assists, steals, and triple-doubles, averaging 14.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. The Nets retired his No. 5 in 2013, solidifying his legacy.
Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist
Who else but the King? Henrik Lundqvist's 15-season NHL career with the Rangers was legendary. He recorded a franchise-record 459 wins, the sixth-most in league history. Lundqvist is the only goaltender to record at least 11 30-win seasons through his 12th year. In 2012, he won the Vezina Trophy as the sport's top goaltender. Lundqvist's impact was so great that he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Liberty: Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart's impact on the Liberty is unparalleled. She is the franchise's all-time leader in points per game, player efficiency rating, and offensive rating. In 2023, Stewart averaged 23.0 points per game and became the first Liberty player to win WNBA MVP. In 2024, she led the Liberty to their first-ever championship. Stewart's consistency and impact have been remarkable, earning her a place among the game's all-time greats.
