Imagine trying to pick the single best player from a quarter-century of New York sports history. It's a nearly impossible task, sparking heated debates and leaving legendary careers on the cutting room floor. But as we approach the end of 2025, the Daily News has bravely stepped up to the plate, selecting their Quarter-Century Team: the most impactful player for each of New York's major sports franchises since the year 2000. Get ready to agree, disagree, and passionately defend your own choices!
Yankees: Aaron Judge
Let's be honest, the Yankees selection was always going to be a bloodbath. We're talking about a roster overflowing with Hall of Famers, MVPs, and multiple World Series champions. How do you even begin to compare eras or playing styles? The names practically scream from the history books: Derek Jeter, the embodiment of Yankee class and consistency, racking up an astounding 2,658 hits between 2000 and 2014. And then there's Mariano Rivera, the Sandman himself, slamming the door shut on opponents with an incredible 523 saves from 2000 to 2013. These aren't just players; they're institutions. But here's where it gets controversial... the Daily News went with Aaron Judge.
Since his arrival in 2016, Judge hasn't just been good; he's been statistically dominant. He leads all of Major League Baseball in home runs (368), OPS (1.028), and Wins Above Replacement (WAR) with a staggering 61.6. In 2022, he etched his name in the record books by smashing 62 home runs, setting a new American League single-season record. And Judge reached the 350-homer milestone in just 1,088 games, faster than anyone in MLB history! That's right, not Babe Ruth, not Hank Aaron, nobody. Since 2000, there have been 20 instances of a player posting an OPS of 1.111 or higher. Aaron Judge accounts for three of those seasons. This consistency at an elite level is mind-boggling. Judge is one of only four players in MLB history to have at least four 50-homer seasons, and one of just 13 to win at least three MVP Awards. Over the last four seasons, he's arguably delivered the greatest peak performance for a right-handed hitter ever, batting .311 with 210 home runs and a 1.117 OPS across 573 games. His career OPS+ of 179, which adjusts for ballpark factors and league averages, ties him with Lou Gehrig for the fifth-best mark in MLB history!
Judge is still chasing that elusive World Series ring, something Jeter and Rivera accomplished twice in the 2000s and 2010s. But whether he wins one or not, his individual brilliance is undeniable. Judge is destined to join Jeter and Rivera in Cooperstown, solidifying his place among the Yankee legends. Is this the right call? It's a debate that's sure to rage on for years to come.
Mets: Jacob deGrom
Just how incredible was Jacob deGrom's nine-year tenure with the Mets from 2014 to 2022? The numbers tell a story of almost unbelievable dominance. His 2.52 ERA during that period was the second-best in baseball, trailing only future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw's 2.38. His 1.00 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning) ranked third-lowest, and his 10.91 strikeouts per nine innings was the fourth-best rate among pitchers with over 1,000 innings pitched. DeGrom reached another level between 2018 and 2019, posting an MLB-best 2.05 ERA – a half-run lower than any other MLB pitcher across 421 innings. He secured back-to-back National League Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019, despite a notorious lack of run support that limited him to just 21 total wins during those seasons. He also won NL Rookie of the Year in 2014 and earned four All-Star selections with the Mets. DeGrom's ERA and WHIP are the best in franchise history, even surpassing those of Tom Seaver, who pitched to a 2.57 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP with the Mets. DeGrom's peak was truly something special.
Giants: Michael Strahan
This was another nail-biter. Eli Manning, with his two Super Bowl MVP awards, definitely has a strong case. But the Daily News ultimately went with Michael Strahan. Strahan's pass-rushing prowess made him one of the best players of this millennium, regardless of team or position. From 2000 to 2007, Strahan recorded 89 of his 141.5 career sacks – an average of over 11 per season. He set the single-season sack record with 22.5 in 2001, back when the NFL schedule was still 16 games. Strahan also recorded 18.5 sacks in 2003 and led the NFL in tackles for loss three times after 2000. The charismatic defensive end was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 and earned four All-Pro and four Pro Bowl selections during this quarter-century. Strahan capped off his career with a Super Bowl XLII victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots, sacking Tom Brady in the process. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, and the Giants retired his No. 92 in 2021. Strahan's impact extended beyond the field; he was a leader and a personality who defined an era of Giants football.
Jets: Darrelle Revis
At first glance, Darrelle Revis' 25 interceptions in 108 games as a Jet might not seem overwhelmingly impressive. But they tell a story about the cornerback's dominance. Quarterbacks were so reluctant to throw in Revis' direction that his opportunities for interceptions were few and far between. Nicknamed "Revis Island" for his ability to shut down opposing teams' No. 1 receivers in one-on-one coverage, Revis was the premier lockdown cornerback of his era. In eight seasons with the Jets from 2007-12 and 2015-16, Revis was a first-team All-Pro selection three times and earned five Pro Bowl nods. He was the runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, leading the NFL with 31 passes defended. His 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2011 set a Jets record. In 2023, Revis became the first player who was primarily a Jet to earn first-ballot induction into the Hall of Fame. Revis didn't just intercept passes; he erased receivers from the game plan, a feat arguably more valuable than any stat.
Knicks: Jalen Brunson
This might raise some eyebrows, especially considering the relatively short amount of time he's played in New York. It's just Brunson's fourth season in a Knicks uniform, but the team captain has already done enough to warrant a spot on this list. Brunson's 26.5 points per game rank second in team history, while his 6.7 assists per game rank fourth. But more importantly, Brunson has transformed the long-suffering Knicks into a perennial contender – no small feat considering the Knicks made the playoffs just once in the nine seasons before he arrived. In each of Brunson's first three seasons in New York, the Knicks have won at least one playoff series. Last postseason, Brunson led the Knicks to their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. And this is the part most people miss... Brunson elevates his game in the playoffs. During the 2025 postseason, Brunson became the fourth player in NBA history to record 10 games of at least 30 points and at least five assists in a single playoff run – joining Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Brunson isn't just putting up numbers; he's changing the culture of the Knicks.
Nets: Jason Kidd
The Nets have spent more of this quarter-century in Brooklyn than they did in New Jersey, but the bulk of their glory days occurred in the Garden State. That's thanks in large part to Jason Kidd, who starred on the then-New Jersey Nets for seven seasons from 2001-08, leading them to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Kidd is the Nets' all-time leader in assists (4,620), assists per game (9.1), steals (950), and triple-doubles (61). He also averaged 14.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game with the franchise. The Nets retired Kidd's No. 5 in 2013. Kidd was more than just a point guard; he was a floor general, a defensive disruptor, and the engine that drove the Nets to their greatest successes.
Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist
Who else could it be but King Henrik? The goaltender, who spent his entire 15-season NHL career with the Rangers from 2005-20, recorded a franchise-record 459 wins – the sixth-most in league history. Lundqvist is the only goaltender ever 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. Originally the 200th overall pick by the Rangers in 2000, the Swedish-born Lundqvist was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Lundqvist wasn't just a great goalie; he was the face of the Rangers for a generation, a symbol of excellence and dedication.
Liberty: Breanna Stewart
The inaugural season of the Liberty – and the WNBA – was 1997, so nearly all of their history has occurred in this millennium. While franchise staples like Teresa Weatherspoon, Tina Charles, and even Sabrina Ionescu have played longer with the Liberty, no one has had a greater impact than Breanna Stewart. Stewart, 31, is the Liberty's all-time leader in points per game (20.8), player efficiency rating (26.5), and offensive rating (117.9). In 2023, Stewart averaged 23.0 points per game and became the first player in Liberty history to win WNBA MVP. In 2024, she helped lead the Liberty to their first-ever championship. And she's been remarkably consistent. In each of her three seasons in New York, Stewart has finished within the top 10 of WNBA MVP voting, earned an All-Star selection, and made an All-Defensive team. Stewart's arrival elevated the Liberty to championship contenders, and her impact on the franchise is undeniable.
So, there you have it – the Daily News' Quarter-Century Team for New York sports. Do you agree with their choices? Are there any glaring omissions? Who would you pick as the most impactful player for each team since 2000? Let us know in the comments below!
