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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Maris and Gehrig were the two men who truly exemplified what caliber of class and dignity it takes to be a Yankee, bar none. Whenever able, they were always gracious to their fans and never sparked controversy. Ruth and Mantle, in all their magnificence, had their all-too-human tendencies off the field, DiMag was aloof and became condescending as the years progressed, and Munson could be rather surly to outsiders. They all have their place in history, as well as things to love (or sometimes question) about their characters. Gehrig and Maris may not have been as fascinating from a personal standpoint, but this shared aspect seems to be what (for me, anyway) boosted them up into a class of their own. If some of you Yankee fans disagree with parts of this, keep in mind that the preceding opinions originate from the mind of a lifelong Red Sox fan!