The countdown has begun on the Evan and Tiki show, as the crew revealed the first four members of the top 20 New York sports draft picks of the last 50 years.
Three different teams were represented in the first four players that were voted by you, the fans, with one very familiar name coming in at 18th overall.
So, here are 20-17 on the list, with 16-13 coming your way Tuesday afternoon:
20: Phil Simms, 1st round, 1979
A top-10 draft pick out of Morehead State, Simms came to New York with high expectations, and he delivered to the tune of a Super Bowl title, 19 franchise records, and one of the most memorable performances in the Super Bowl spotlight. Taking on the Broncos in 1990, Simms completed 22 of 25 passes to win MVP and clinch the second Super Bowl title for Big Blue.
Simms’ jersey was retired by the Giants after his illustrious career, then got to start a new brilliant career of sitting next to Boomer on NFL Today.
19: Don Mattingly, 19th round, 1979
Was there a bigger draft steal in New York sports history given the production the Yankees got from Donnie Baseball in the 1980s and early 90s? Debatable, but what isn’t is what Mattingly meant to New York during one of the darkest stretches of Yankee baseball. He was among the best in baseball before back issues sapped his production and derailed his Hall of Fame case. But nobody will ever forget his introduction to October baseball when the Yanks finally made it in 1995.
18: Tiki Barber, 2nd round, 1997
Running backs were viewed much differently in the late 1990s than they are today, making Tiki as an early second-round pick an absolute steal for the Giants. It doesn’t hurt that he spent his entire career in New York, finished his NFL tenure with three straight Pro Bowl selections, and was a 1,000-yard rusher in six of his last seven campaigns.
Tiki is still the Giants’ all-time rushing leader, though we’re not sure what he’s up to nowadays.
17: David Wright, 1st round, 2001
Like Mattingly, Wright could have had a very strong case for Cooperstown had injuries and back troubles not gotten in the way. Still, seven All-Star appearances, a .296 career batting average, and one very memorable World Series home run makes this draft pick a clear winner.
Wright is certainly considered to be one of the greatest position players in franchise history, and carried a leadership role that the Mets seem to be searching to replace ever since.