I am a Met fan - I am true to the Orange and Blue. Maybe there has been a classier player in NYC sports, than Jeter, but I sure can’t recall him.
Given the very long and rich history of sport ($1 to Willard), in the tri-state, it's difficult to pick out one. I'll try though. :)
I think the man who most exemplified class was Lou Gehrig. If there was any scandal or tawdriness associated with the "Iron Horse", I would be hughly stuned. Babe Ruth certainly had his well-documented failings but I can't recall anything bad associated with Gehrig. Being of German ancestry in that era, more than likely he was a Republican too!