One of the most storied franchises in professional sports history has been the New York Yankees baseball team. For years the Yankees dominated the American League and would – as often as not – cap off a pennant-winning season with a victory in the World Series.

Loved by some baseball fans and despised by others, no one would argue that the Yankees were extremely good. They had high-quality players for decades. And with George Herman (Babe) Ruth setting major league records for home runs, spectators flocked to see them.

Ruth was, of course, just one of many outstanding athletes who played for t...