Core Four

Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte all joined the New York Yankees organization in the early 1990s as amateurs. Rivera signed as an international free agent in February 1990.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soac/2006-10-09-rivera_x.htm|title=Yanks' Rivera continues to learn|first=Mel|last=Antonen|work=USA Today|date=October 9, 2006|access-date=August 20, 2006}} The Yankees selected Pettitte in the 22nd round and Posada in the 24th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft. Jeter was selected in the first round, with the sixth overall selection, of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/sports/baseball/12jeterteammates.html|title=Teammates Recall Jeter's Journey From Minor Leagues to Great Yankee|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Jack|last=Curry|date=September 12, 2009|access-date=July 24, 2011}}

Together, the Core Four progressed through the Yankees minor league system in the early 1990s. It was during their tenure with the Oneonta Yankees of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League in 1991 that Posada, initially an infielder, began catching for his future major league batterymate Pettitte.{{cite web|title=So Far, So Good|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1168943/2/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119153234/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1168943/2/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2013|date=May 3, 2010|access-date=December 1, 2011|first=Tom|last=Verducci|publisher=Sports Illustrated}} The latter threw a knuckleball at the time, which Posada struggled to catch (hitting him mostly on the knee), prompting Pettitte to abandon the pitch. Promoted to the Greensboro Hornets of the Class A South Atlantic League in 1992, Posada and Pettitte met Jeter, a highly regarded prospect, who had been assigned to the team. Posada and Pettitte initially questioned the hype surrounding Jeter, but soon recognized his talent and poise.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/sports/baseball/13jeter.html?_r=1|title=Even in Class A, Posada and Pettitte Sensed What Was to Come With Jeter|first=Jack|last=Curry|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 12, 2009|access-date=May 11, 2012}} Rivera injured his elbow in 1992 and had surgery in August to repair the damage. While Rivera was pitching for Greensboro in 1993 on a strict pitch count, Jeter kept track of the count from shortstop.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/a-front-row-seat-to-mariano-rivera-mlb-s-greatest-closer-ever-1.6109195|title=A front-row seat to Mariano Rivera, MLB's greatest closer ever|newspaper=Newsday|location=Long Island|first=Mark|last=Herrmann|date=September 20, 2013|access-date=September 21, 2013}}

The four first played together with the Class AAA Columbus Clippers of the International League in 1994.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/yankees/2009-10-06-yankees-quartet_N.htm|title=For Yanks quartet, winning a fifth title would add to a legacy|date=October 7, 2009|first=Mel|last=Antonen|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=December 5, 2011}} All four made their major league debuts in 1995.{{cite news|title=Can We Retire the Phrase 'Core Four' Now?|url=https://nymag.com/daily/sports/2011/02/can_we_retire_the_phrase_core.html|date=February 7, 2011|access-date=May 26, 2011|first=Joe|last=DeLessio|magazine=New York Magazine}} Both Jeter and Rivera reached the major leagues in May, but were demoted back to the minors in June and bounced around between the minors and major leagues throughout the year. Posada made his major league debut in September, and along with Pettitte and Rivera, was included on the Division Series roster.

Jeter, Posada, and Rivera played in the same MLB game for the first time on September 28, 1996. That season, Jeter, Pettitte and Rivera won their first championship together (Posada was left off that year's postseason roster).

{{main|Derek Jeter}}

Jeter became the Yankees all-time hits leader on September 11, 2009, with his 2,722nd hit, surpassing Lou Gehrig.{{cite web|title=Jeter passes Gehrig with 2,722nd hit|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090911&content_id=6909874&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|date=September 12, 2009|access-date=April 15, 2011|first=Anthony|last=DiComo|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} On July 9, 2011, against the Tampa Bay Rays, he collected his 3,000th hit,{{cite news|title=Hit No. 3,000: A Moment Finally Tailor-Made for Pinstripes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/sports/baseball/01hits.html|date=November 10, 2010|access-date=April 15, 2011|first=Ben|last=Shpigel|newspaper=The New York Times}} becoming the 28th player to reach the milestone. Derek Jeter was the first Yankee to accomplish the feat and collect all 3,000 hits with the team,{{cite web|title=With homer, Jeter joins 3,000-hit club|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110614&content_id=20463750&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|date=July 9, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2011|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|archive-date=July 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711153649/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110614&content_id=20463750&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Jeter to become first in pinstripes to 3,000 hits|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/06/12/sports/s152451D89.DTL|date=June 12, 2011|access-date=June 14, 2011|first=Howie|last=Rumberg|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle}} the first player to reach the milestone with a New York team,{{cite web|title=Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit by the numbers|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/19595/derek-jeters-3000-hit-by-the-numbers|date=July 9, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2011|first=Katie|last=Sharp|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN}} the fourth-youngest player to reach the mark,{{cite news|title=Jeter Reaches Fabled 3,000, and It's a Blast|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/sports/baseball/jeter-relentlessly-consistent-reaches-3000-hits-with-a-home-run.html?_r=1&ref=baseball|date=July 9, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2011|first=Tyler|last=Kepner|newspaper=The New York Times}} the second to do it by hitting a home run, the second to reach the mark in a five-hit game, and the first to attain the milestone playing shortstop exclusively.{{cite web|title=Club 3,000 members open their arms to Jeter|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110702&content_id=21308984&vkey=news_nyyb&c_id=nyy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713190507/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110702&content_id=21308984&vkey=news_nyyb&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2011|date=July 9, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2011|first=John|last=Schlegel|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Furthermore, Jeter broke Rickey Henderson's franchise record for stolen bases on May 28, 2011, when he stole his 327th base against the Mariners.{{cite web|title=Jeter passes Rickey as Yankees' steals leader|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110528&content_id=19697362¬ebook_id=19710538&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|date=May 28, 2011|access-date=May 28, 2011|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|archive-date=May 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530010308/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110528&content_id=19697362¬ebook_id=19710538&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead}} Jeter's third milestone in 2011 was breaking Mickey Mantle's record for most games played as a Yankee, accomplishing this on August 28, 2011 against the Orioles.{{cite web|title=Jeter adds games played to his Yanks records|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110828&content_id=23856358¬ebook_id=23857254&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|date=August 29, 2011|access-date=August 29, 2011|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|archive-date=October 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008032804/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110828&content_id=23856358¬ebook_id=23857254&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead}} In 2000, he became the only player to win both the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award and the All-Star Game MVP in the same season.{{cite web|title=Derek Jeter Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=116539|access-date=May 11, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} His #2 was retired on May 14, 2017.

File:Andy Pettitte closeup.jpg

{{main|Andy Pettitte}}

Pettitte holds the all-time record for postseason victories, with 19 wins in total.{{cite web|title=Pettitte's playoff marks may be untouchable|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110205&content_id=16574932&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|date=February 5, 2011|access-date=April 15, 2011|first=Aiden|last=Gonzalez|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Among Yankees pitchers, he ranks first in strikeouts (2,011){{cite web|title=New York Yankees Strikeout Stats|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?subScope=pos&teamPosCode=all&HS=true§ion2=null&timeFrame=3&sitSplit=&statType=2&statType=Overview&c_id=nyy&Submit=Submit&baseballScope=BLA&timeSubFrame2=0&venueID=&timeSubFrame=0&&sortByStat=SO|access-date=April 15, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and third in wins (213).{{cite web|title=New York Yankees Wins Stats|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?subScope=pos&teamPosCode=all&HS=true§ion2=null&timeFrame=3&sitSplit=&statType=2&statType=Overview&c_id=nyy&Submit=Submit&baseballScope=BLA&timeSubFrame2=0&venueID=&timeSubFrame=0&&sortByStat=W|access-date=April 15, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news|title=Retirement Further Erodes a Homegrown Core|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/04/sports/baseball/04core.html?ref=derekjeter|date=February 3, 2011|access-date=April 15, 2011|first=Ben|last=Shpigel|newspaper=The New York Times}} He was named the 2001 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player{{cite web|title=Pettitte returning to Yanks a possibility|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061205&content_id=1751436&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp|date=December 5, 2006|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Mark|last=Feinsand|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/pl/player_search.cgi?search=2001+alcs |title=2001 League Championship Series – New York Yankees over Seattle Mariners (4–1) |work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=September 29, 2013}} and won the Warren Spahn Award in 2003 as the best left-handed pitcher in baseball.{{cite news|first=Alyson |last=Footer |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |work=MLB.com |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040114&content_id=628093&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=null |title=Pettitte honored with Spahn award |date=January 14, 2004 |access-date=October 10, 2011}} His #46 was retired on 23 August 2015.

{{main|Jorge Posada}}

Posada is only the fifth major league catcher with at least 1,500 hits, 350 doubles, 275 home runs, and 1,000 runs batted in (RBIs) in a career,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7497146/new-york-yankees-jorge-posada-retires-17-seasons|title=Yankees' Jorge Posada retires|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN|first=Andrew|last=Marchand|date=January 24, 2012|access-date=January 24, 2012}} and the only major league catcher to ever record a .330 batting average or better with 40 doubles, 20 home runs, and 90 RBIs in a single season. He is only the second Yankees catcher to hit 30 home runs in a season, after Yogi Berra. Among Yankee catchers, Posada is first all-time in doubles (365),{{cite web|title=New York Yankees Doubles Stats for Catchers|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?subScope=pos&teamPosCode=2&HS=true§ion1=null&timeFrame=3&sitSplit=&statType=1&statType=Overview&c_id=nyy&Submit=Submit&baseballScope=BLA&timeSubFrame2=0&venueID=&timeSubFrame=0&&sortByStat=2B|access-date=May 20, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} walks (897),{{cite web|title=New York Yankees Base on Balls Stats for Catchers|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?subScope=pos&teamPosCode=2&HS=true§ion1=null&timeFrame=3&sitSplit=&statType=1&statType=Overview&c_id=nyy&Submit=Submit&baseballScope=BLA&timeSubFrame2=0&venueID=&timeSubFrame=0&&sortByStat=BB|access-date=May 20, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and intentional walks (74),{{cite web|title=New York Yankees Intentional Base on Balls Stats for Catchers|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?teamPosCode=2&subScope=pos&HS=true§ion1=1&timeFrame=3&sitSplit=&statType=1&c_id=nyy&baseballScope=BLA&statSet1=2&venueID=&timeSubFrame=0&&sortByStat=IBB|access-date=May 20, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and second in home runs (261){{cite web|title=New York Yankees Home Run Stats for Catchers|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?subScope=pos&teamPosCode=2&HS=true§ion1=null&timeFrame=3&sitSplit=&statType=1&statType=Overview&c_id=nyy&Submit=Submit&baseballScope=BLA&timeSubFrame2=0&venueID=&timeSubFrame=0&&sortByStat=HR|access-date=May 20, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and extra-base hits (636).{{cite web|title=New York Yankees Extra Base Hits Stats for Catchers|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?teamPosCode=2&subScope=pos&HS=true§ion1=1&timeFrame=3&sitSplit=&statType=1&c_id=nyy&baseballScope=BLA&statSet1=2&venueID=&timeSubFrame=0&&sortByStat=XBH|access-date=May 20, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Among all Yankees players, Posada ranks sixth all-time in grand slams (10).{{cite news|title=Jorge Posada hits grand slam in return as Phil Hughes, Yanks beat Rays|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/recap?gameId=310813110|date=August 13, 2011|access-date=August 14, 2011|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN}} On April 16, 2009, Posada hit the first home run at the new Yankee Stadium.{{cite news|title=Posada's Blasts First Homer at New Stadium|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/item_sv69BSbR49k0NRdpIMfD6N|date=April 17, 2009|access-date=June 2, 2011|first=Ben|last=Shpigel|newspaper=The New York Post}} His #20 was retired on August 22, 2015.

{{main|Mariano Rivera}}

Rivera played 19 seasons with the Yankees (1995–2013), serving as closer for 17 of them. He retired as MLB's career leader in saves (652) and games finished (952), having surpassed Trevor Hoffman in both categories in 2011.{{cite news|title=Rivera Gets His Record 602nd Save in Classic 1-2-3 Fashion|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/sports/baseball/yankees-mariano-rivera-gets-record-602nd-save-in-1-2-3-fashion.html?_r=1&ref=baseball|date=September 19, 2011|access-date=September 20, 2011|first=Benjamin|last=Hoffman|newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/GF_career.shtml|title=Career Leaders & Records for Games Finished|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=February 5, 2014}} Rivera's career earned run average (ERA) (2.21) and WHIP (1.00) are the lowest of any pitcher in the live-ball era.{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/09/bill-plaschke-mariano-rivera-is-great-but-lets-not-overdo-it.html|title=Mariano Rivera is great, but let's not overdo it|work=Los Angeles Times|author=Plaschke, Bill|author-link=Bill Plaschke|date=September 20, 2011|access-date=September 20, 2011}} In the postseason, he holds the MLB record for career saves (42) and ERA (0.71).{{cite news|title=Quietly, Rivera Nears an Underrated Record|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/sports/baseball/mariano-rivera-quietly-approaches-an-underrated-record.html?_r=1&ref=baseball|date=September 10, 2011|access-date=September 11, 2011|first=David|last=Waldstein|newspaper=The New York Times}} He also holds records for 15 consecutive seasons with 25 or more saves,{{cite web|title=Steady as anyone, Mo extends streak|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110724&content_id=22246266&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|date=July 24, 2011|access-date=July 25, 2011|first=Matt|last=Fortuna|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|archive-date=October 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008032047/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110724&content_id=22246266&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead}} nine consecutive seasons with 30 or more saves, and 15 seasons with 30 or more saves.{{cite web|title=Mo on cusp of extending record streak|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110719&content_id=22007072¬ebook_id=22012814&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|date=July 19, 2011|access-date=July 20, 2011|first=Alden|last=Gonzalez|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|archive-date=July 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722051337/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110719&content_id=22007072¬ebook_id=22012814&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Mo not happy, but shakes off latest rough outing|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110811&content_id=23092274&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|date=August 11, 2011|access-date=August 12, 2011|first=Michael|last=Martinez|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|archive-date=October 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008032339/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110811&content_id=23092274&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead}} From 1996 through his final season in 2013, he posted an ERA under 3.00 in all but one season (2007). Selected as an All-Star 13 times, he saved a record four All-Star Games, the last coming in 2009.{{cite web|title=Another save, another record for Mariano|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090714&content_id=5874244&vkey=allstar2009&fext=.jsp|date=July 15, 2009|access-date=May 11, 2011|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} On May 25, 2011, he became the 15th pitcher in major league history to make 1,000 appearances, and the first to do so with a single team.{{cite web|title=Mo makes history with 1,000th appearance|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110525&content_id=19566344&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528012756/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110525&content_id=19566344&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2011|date=May 25, 2011|access-date=May 25, 2011|first=Matt|last=Fortuna|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{cite news|title=Milestone for Yankees' Rivera Is Tempered by a Setback for Soriano|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/sports/baseball/andruw-jones-homers-twice-to-send-torontos-reyes-to-a-record.html?_r=2&ref=baseball&gwh=DF75D4A7B2D3D56D91CC3FD832CF6E5A|date=May 25, 2011|access-date=May 29, 2011|first=Ben|last=Shpigel|newspaper=The New York Times}} His appearances total ranks as the most in American League history.{{cite web|title=American League Games Pitched Stats|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?statType=2&subScope=teamCode&teamPosCode=all&c_id=nyy&Submit=Submit&baseballScope=AL&timeFrame=3&timeSubFrame2=0&sitSplit=&venueID=&timeSubFrame=0&&sortByStat=G|access-date=June 28, 2011|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On September 22, 2013, Rivera became the first active Yankee player to have his number retired by the organization; he was the last major league player to wear number 42 full-time, following its league-wide retirement in honor of Jackie Robinson.{{cite web|title=Yankees honor Mariano Rivera|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9708691/new-york-yankees-laud-mariano-rivera-50-minute-ceremony|date=September 23, 2013|access-date=February 6, 2014|first=Ian|last=Begley|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN}}

He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 22, 2019 with 100% of the vote, becoming the first player ever to be elected unanimously.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25826814/mariano-rivera-edgar-martinez-roy-halladay-mike-mussina-elected-baseball-hall-fame|title=Mariano Rivera, Edgar Martinez, Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina joining Hall of Fame |website=ESPN.com |date=January 22, 2019 |first=David|last=Schoenfield|access-date=January 22, 2019}}

File:Key Three.jpg.]]

The Core Four won four World Series Championships together in five years.{{cite web |last1=Weick |first1=Lucas |title=The Experience Of The Core Four Will Prove Invaluable In Playoffs For Yankees |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/454533-the-experiance-of-the-core-four-will-prove-invaluable-in-playoffs-for-yankees |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=5 September 2021}} They won seven American League pennants together from 1996 to 2009.

Pettitte and Rivera hold the all-time record for most win–save combinations with 72;{{cite web|title=Mo, Jeter proud of the way Pettitte completes career|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/mariano-rivera-derek-jeter-proud-of-the-way-andy-pettitte-closes-his-career?ymd=20130929&content_id=62111770&vkey=news_mlb|date=September 29, 2013|access-date=October 2, 2013|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Bob Welch and Dennis Eckersley previously held the record with 58.{{cite news|title=Mariano Rivera By the Numbers|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/mariano_rivera_by_the_numbers_DHY3z0f9AvlFRMwF0ZNQbM|date=September 19, 2011|access-date=December 3, 2011|newspaper=The New York Post}}

In 2010, Rivera, Jeter, and Posada became the first trio in any of the four North American major sports leagues to play together on the same team for 16 consecutive seasons.{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300406102|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731153456/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300406102|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2012|title=Scutaro's miscue leads to key run in Yankees' win over Red Sox|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN|date=April 6, 2010|access-date=April 8, 2010}} Posada and Jeter played their 1,660th game together on July 14, 2011. This broke the record for most regular-season games played together by two Yankee teammates, previously held by Lou Gehrig and Tony Lazzeri.{{cite web|title=Jeter, Posada set appearance record|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110714&content_id=21785778¬ebook_id=21803042&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717004757/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110714&content_id=21785778¬ebook_id=21803042&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2011|date=July 14, 2011|access-date=July 15, 2011|first=Alden|last=Gonzalez|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

With the rise of free agency and trades, many sportswriters believe that it is highly unlikely that another group of players of comparable size will spend their entire careers with a single team.{{cite web|title=Pettitte Leaves Behind a Core 3|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704709304576124541898486456|date=February 5, 2011|access-date=May 12, 2011|first=Daniel|last=Barbarisi|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}{{cite news|title=Without Lifers Like Jeter, Yankees Lose Their Aura|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/sports/baseball/10jeter.html?ref=sports|date=November 9, 2010|access-date=July 18, 2011|first=Richard|last=Sandomir|newspaper=The New York Times}} Buck Showalter, the Yankees manager during the Core Four's major league debuts in 1995, said, "[Y]ou won't see anything like this happen again. There are too many variables for that to ever happen again. And what you have to remember is the makeup of those guys. The common thread was their agenda. They didn't branch off. They didn't want to disappoint each other. They were guys who never wanted to let their teammates down."{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2013/09/09/showalter-youll-never-see-another-core-four/|title=Showalter: You'll never see another Core Four|work=New York Post|first=Joel|last=Sherman|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=September 21, 2013}}

File:Mariano Rivera shakes Jorge Posadas hand.jpg

Pettitte was the first player of the Core Four to retire, announcing his decision at a news conference at Yankee Stadium on February 4, 2011. He told the organization "not to count on his return" after the Yankees lost the 2010 American League Championship Series to the Texas Rangers, citing his desire to spend more time with his family.{{cite web|title=Pettitte, postseason wins leader, to retire|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110203&content_id=16562350&c_id=nyy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221222613/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110203&content_id=16562350&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2014|date=February 3, 2011|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} After spending the {{mlby|2011}} season away from baseball, he served as a guest instructor for the Yankees during 2012 spring training and insisted that he was not considering a comeback.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/instructor-pettitte-not-thinking-of-return-1.3562444|title=Instructor Pettitte not thinking of return|newspaper=Newsday|location=Long Island|first=Erik|last=Boland|date=February 27, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2013}} However, he reversed his decision on his final day as instructor and rejoined the organization on March 16, signing a $2.5 million minor league contract.{{cite web|title=Pettitte comes out of retirement, joins Yanks|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120316&content_id=27328302&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|date=March 16, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} He pitched in both the {{mlby|2012}} and {{mlby|2013}} seasons for the Yankees before announcing his second retirement on September 20, 2013. Although he was initially not going to reveal his decision, it was at Rivera's insistence that he eventually did.{{cite web|title=Pettitte will retire at the end of the season|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130920&content_id=61184476&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221222719/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130920&content_id=61184476&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2014|date=September 20, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} The Yankees held a ceremony for Pettitte five days later on September 25, with fellow Core Four members Jeter and Rivera presenting him with a framed base from his final Yankee Stadium start, signed by all his teammates.{{cite web|title=Yankees pay tribute to Pettitte on Wednesday|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130925&content_id=61720382¬ebook_id=61752826&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|date=September 25, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Josh|last=Vitale|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} He made his final appearance on September 28 against the Houston Astros, the only other team he had pitched for in his career. He pitched a complete game—his first since 2006—and by winning his last start, he finished the season with an 11–11 win–loss record. This preserved his records of never having a losing season throughout his 18-year career{{cite web|title=Pettitte crafts completely fitting closing act|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_09_28_nyamlb_houmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=nyy|date=September 29, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} and being the only pitcher in major league history to have 15 winning seasons (with a minimum of three starts each) without recording a losing season.{{cite web|title=Three Strikes: Pettitte's legacy edition|url=http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/stark_jayson/id/6101977/andy-pettitte-legacy-edition|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131001013811/http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/stark_jayson/id/6101977/andy-pettitte-legacy-edition|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 1, 2013|date=February 8, 2011|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Jayson|last=Stark|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN}}

The second member of the group to retire was Posada. He endured a tumultuous {{mlby|2011}} season that saw him lose the starting catcher job to Russell Martin, drop to 9th in the Yankee lineup after batting .165, bench himself, and then lose his spot in the lineup as the starting designated hitter altogether.{{cite web|title=Girardi showing his faith in Jeter, Posada|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110622&content_id=20877172&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|date=June 22, 2011|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Barry M.|last=Bloom|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{cite web|title=Light dimming on Posada's bright career|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110808&content_id=22920448&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|date=August 8, 2011|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Mike|last=Bauman|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Posada had several memorable performances at the end of the year. He drove in the go-ahead runs that clinched the American League East title for the Yankees{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204124204577148952213930934?mod=googlenews_wsj|title=Hip! Hip!: Ten Moments That Defined Posada's Career|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|first1=Brian|last1=Costa|first2=Jared|last2=Diamond|date=January 9, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2013}} and batted .429 in the 2011 American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers. After the Yankees lost the series in Game 5, he cut short a postgame interview when he teared up, coming to the realization that it could have been his final game as a Yankee.{{cite web|title=Jorge Posada finished with Yankees?|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7070043/2011-alds-jorge-posada-finished-new-york-yankees|date=November 1, 2011|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Andrew|last=Marchand|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN}} He announced his decision to retire on January 24, 2012.{{cite web|title=Emotional Posada retires after 17-year career|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120124&content_id=26447846&c_id=mlb|date=January 24, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2013|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

File:MarianoRivera42.jpg

Rivera had hinted during 2012 spring training that the 2012 season would be his last, and confirmed that his decision was "irrevocable."{{cite web|title=Rivera strongly implies this will be final season|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120220&content_id=26764090&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|date=February 20, 2012|access-date=January 31, 2014|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/sports/baseball/rivera-hints-this-is-his-last-yankees-season.html?_r=0|title=Rivera Hints This Is His Last Yankees Season|newspaper=The New York Times|first=David|last=Waldstein|date=February 20, 2012|access-date=January 31, 2014}} He intended to reveal his decision at the end of the year, preferring a low-key departure instead of having a farewell tour across MLB stadiums.{{cite web|title=Mariano Rivera hints at retirement|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7594867/know-say|date=February 22, 2012|access-date=January 30, 2014|first=Andrew|last=Marchand|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN}} However, he reversed his decision after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and part of his meniscus while shagging fly balls on May 3, 2012.{{cite web|title=Mariano tears ACL shagging fly balls|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120503&content_id=30328258&vkey=news|date=May 4, 2012|access-date=January 31, 2014|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} This prematurely ended his season, and though there were fears that this could potentially be a career-ending injury,{{cite news|title=Mariano Rivera injury puts future in question|url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/12316852-419/mariano-rivera-injury-puts-future-in-question.html|date=May 4, 2012|access-date=April 19, 2013|first=Dave|last=Skretta|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|agency=Associated Press}} he stated that he would return, declaring that he was "not going down like this."{{cite web|title=Mariano: 'I'm not going down like this'|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120504&content_id=30375790&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|date=May 4, 2012|access-date=January 31, 2014|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

After rehabilitating his injury through the offseason, Rivera announced on March 9 that he would retire at the end of the 2013 season.{{cite web|title=Mariano announces '13 will be his final season|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130308&content_id=42458440&c_id=mlb|date=March 9, 2013|access-date=February 6, 2014|first=Adam|last=Berry|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} His farewell tour saw him meet the fans and unsung employees of opposing teams during his final visit to their ballparks to listen to their stories and thank them for supporting baseball.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323741004578414814126864482|title=No, Really: Tell Me About You|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|first=Daniel|last=Barbarisi|date=April 10, 2013|access-date=February 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203224807/http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323741004578414814126864482|archive-date=February 3, 2015|url-status=dead}} Each opposing team reciprocated the gesture by holding an on-field ceremony and honoring him with a parting gift.{{cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2013/jul/24/sports/la-sp-sn-yankees-mariano-rivera-20130724|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105102808/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jul/24/sports/la-sp-sn-yankees-mariano-rivera-20130724|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 5, 2014|title=Mariano Rivera continues to give, and get, on his farewell tour|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|first=Kevin|last=Baxter|date=July 24, 2013|access-date=February 6, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/09/19/yankees-closer-mariano-rivera-has-picked-up-plenty-of-treasures-along-his-farewell-tour/|title=Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has picked up plenty of treasures along his farewell tour|newspaper=National Post|date=September 19, 2013|access-date=February 6, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131024013322/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/09/19/yankees-closer-mariano-rivera-has-picked-up-plenty-of-treasures-along-his-farewell-tour/|archive-date=October 24, 2013|url-status=dead}} On September 22, a day that was declared "Mariano Rivera Day" by the Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg, the Yankees held their own ceremony to honor Rivera, culminating in the retiring of his uniform number into Monument Park.{{cite web|title=Yanks retire Mo's No. 42 on special day in Bronx|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130922&content_id=61380690&c_id=mlb|date=September 22, 2013|access-date=February 6, 2014|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Many former teammates of his were in attendance, including Posada, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Rivera in a reversal of roles.{{cite web|title=Mariano Rivera's number retired by Yankees|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/mariano-rivera-s-number-retired-by-yankees-1.6118658|date=September 22, 2013|access-date=February 6, 2014|first=Mark|last=Herrmann|newspaper=Newsday|location=Long Island}}

Jeter was the last player of the Core Four to retire, having announced on February 12, 2014 that he would retire at the end of the 2014 season.{{cite web|title=Jeter announces 2014 season will be his last|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/nyy/yankees-captain-derek-jeter-announces-14-season-will-be-his-last?ymd=20140212&content_id=67697696&vkey=news_nyy|date=February 12, 2013|access-date=February 13, 2014|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

{{External media

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|image1=[https://vault.si.com/vault/2010/05/03/1006811 The Core Four on the Cover of Sports Illustrated 6 Months After The Yankees' 2009 World Series Victory]

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{{small|(nth)}} indicates rank within the top 10 among Yankee all-time leaders as of September 29, 2014

{{small|(nth)}} indicates rank within the top 10 among Yankee all-time leaders as of September 29, 2014

{{Portal|Baseball}}

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Category:New York Yankees

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