This Week in Yankees History Megathread

This Week in Yankees History January 7th-13th


January 7th

1900-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher John “Nig” Grabowski (1927-1929) was born. (1900-1946)
On January 13,1927, Catcher John Grabowski was traded by the White Sox along with INF Ray Morehart to the Yankees for veteran Shortstop Aaron Ward. For the Yankees, John would hit .250 with 1 HR and 48 RBIs in 167 games. He had appeared in 1 game of the 1927 World Series against the Pirates with no hits. On November 21,1929, John was traded by the Yankees along with Reliever Wilcy Moore and OF Ben Paschal to AA St. Paul Saints (AA) for veteran MLB Catcher Bubbles Hargrave. In 1931, he would return to the MLB with the Tigers as a Reserve Catcher for his final active MLB season. From 1932-1933, John would play for the AA Montreal Royals (IL) before retiring from the game at the age of 33. On May 23,1946, John had died from injuries suffered from a fire at his house in Albany, NY.

1913-Future HOF Yankees, Giants, Cardinals 1B/PH Johnny Mize (1949-1953) is born in Demorest, GA. He was known as "The Big Cat." (1913-1993)
Slugger Johnny Mize will hit 359 MLB HRs for the Cardinals, Giants and the Yankees. In 1981, he will gain election to the Hall of Fame. On August 22,1949, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Giants for $40,000 Cash. With the Bronx Bombers, Johnny would be a Pinch-Hitter and Reserve 1B, leading the AL in Pinch-Hitting for 3 seasons, while finishing with a lifetime Pinch-Hitter BA of .283. As a Yankees player, Johnny will hit .264 with 44 HRs with 179 RBIs in 375 games. John had appeared in 5 World Series for the Yankees, while hitting .286 with 3 HRs and 18 RBIs in 18 games. His Yankees Manager Casey Stengel called Mize “the greatest pinch hitter I have ever seen and I have been around long enough to have seen everything and some things which was never seen.”

1915-The Tigers have waived Rookie 1B Wally Pipp to the Yankees. He was beaten out for the 1914 Tigers starting 1B job by teammate George “Tigoa” Burns. For the 1914 Tigers, Pipp had only hit .161 in 12 games, but he'll anchor 1B for the Yankees for a decade until Lou Gehrig's appearance, because of Pipp headache during the 1925 AL season. He would finish his Yankees player career with a .282 BA, while hitting 80 HRs with 827 RBIs in 1,488 games. On January 15,1926, Wally was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees for $7,500 Cash.

1920-Newly acquired Yankees OF/Pitcher Babe Ruth reacts to the trade in the Boston Evening Standard saying, "Frazee is not good enough to own any ball club, especially one in Boston."

1924-The Yankees would buy the Minor League player contract of AA Louisville Colonels Star OF Earle Combs, who had hit .380 with 14 HRs in 166 games in 1923. The Colonels Team Owner Bill Kneblekamp gets $50,000 in cash, veteran MLB OF Elmer Smith and another player, also he demands that the Yankees play an exhibition game in Louisville with a guarantee that Babe Ruth is in the Yankees starting lineup. This reportedly nets Kneblekamp an additional $5,000. Earle Combs will become the 1st of the great Yankee Center Fielders to play for the team.

1935-Former Yankees Reserve INF Richard “Ducky” Schofield Sr. (1966) was born. (1935-2022)
Richard Schofield is the Father of former MLB player Richard Schofield Jr. and the Grandfather of Jayson Werth of the Nationals. On May 11,1966, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Giants for $25,000 to fill in for injured Shortstop Ruben Amaro. He would hit just .155 in 25 games for the Bombers before being traded to the Dodgers on September 10,1966 for P Thad Tillotson and Cash. With the 1966 Dodgers, he would play 3B, while hitting .257. In 1953, he had originally come up to the MLB with the Cardinals as a “Bonus Baby”. Later, he would play for the 1960 Pirates, as a Reserve INF, filling in for Bucs starting Shortstop Richard Groat, when he was injured during the 10960 season. In 1963-1965, he was the Bucs starting Shortstop. The Pirates would trade him to the Giants in 1965, where he would become their starting shortstop.

1976-Former Yankees OF/INF/DH Alfonso Soriano (1999-2003, 2013-2014) was born.
On September 29,1998, INF Alfonso Soriano was purchased by the Yankees from the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (JCL). He was the AL All-Star 2B in 2002-2003. His best Yankees season was in 2002, hitting .300 with 39 HRs and 102 RBIs. On February 16, 2004, he was traded by the Yankees along with a Minor League Player to be Named Later to the Rangers for All-Star INF Alex Rodriguez and Cash. Also, Alfonso would play for the Nationals and Cubs. During the 2013 MLB season, Soriano was reacquired by the Yankees from the Cubs, appearing in 58 games, hitting .256 with 17 HRs and 50 RBIs. The team would release him during the 2014 AL season.

1978-Former Yankees Reserve 1B George “Tioga” Burns (1928-1929) had passed away. (1914-1978)
Veteran 1B George Burns had played in 13 games for the 1928-1929 Yankees before being sent to the Philadelphia A’s. With the Yankees, the 35-yearold George was a Reserve 1B for the starting 1B Lou Gehrig. In 1914, George had beaten out his Tigers Rookie teammate, Wally Pipp for the starting 1B job with the Tigers, leading to Pipp’s trade to the Yankees in 1915. On March 8,1918, the Yankees had purchased George from the Tigers, but then they would trade him to the Athletics for veteran OF Ping Bodie. Burns would later play for the Indians and the Red Sox before re-joining in the Yankees in 1928 as a Reserve Player. With the 1926 Indians, George had hit .358 with 4 HRs and 115 RBIs in 151 games; he was named the 1926 AL MVP.

1980-Former Yankees Minor League OF Jackson Melian was born.
Jackson Melian was signed as an International Free Agent on July 3,1996 at the age of 16 by the Yankees. He had received a $1.6 million signing bonus, which was a record at the time for an International Free Agent. He was named the Yankees #3 prospect by tools-focused Baseball America before he even played a professional baseball game. Jackson was named after Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, as his father Vincent was a longtime Yankee fan. He was compared to Ruben Rivera, then considered the top prospect in the Yankee system by Baseball America. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was traded to the Reds in the Danny Neagle trade. He was traded several times to the Cubs, he would return to the Yankees organization and then he was traded to the Braves. He has yet to play at the MLB level.

1983-Former Yankees 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion (2019) was born.
On June 15, 2019, veteran 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion was traded by the Mariners along with Cash to the Yankees for Minor League P Juan Then. He would hit only .249 with 13 HRs and 37 RBIs in 44 games. At the end of the 2019 AL season, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. Edwin would be signed by the White Sox for the 2020 AL season.

1992-The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Free Agent INF Mike Gallego. With the 1991 A’s, he had hit .247 with 12 HRs and 49 RBIs in 159 games. After being on the DL for most of the 1992 season, he would play in 261 games for the 1993-1994 Yankees, while hitting .262 with 19 HRs and 109 RBIs before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency in 1995.

1995-Former Yankees Minor League OF Kite Thomas had passed away. (1923-1995)
Before the start of the 1947 AL season, OF Kite Thomas was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by Yankees MLB Scout Lee MacPhail. He would break into Organized Baseball at age of 23 with the Class C Joplin Miners (WA). That winter, he had played guard (and refereed some) for Kansas City in the Professional Basketball League of America. He had played for the 1948 Quincy Gems (3-I League), where he led the league with 99 RBIs. Then he was with the 1949-1950 Class B Beaumont Roughnecks (TXL) and the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) in 1949 and 1951. On November 19,1951, he was selected by the Philadelphia A’s from the Yankees organization in the 1951 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Kite Thomas was 28 years old, when he broke into the MLB on April 19,1952 with the A’s. He would play for the team for the 1952-1953 AL seasons. On June 30,1953, Thomas was selected off waivers by the Senators from the A’s. Also, he played for the Nats in 1953, including his final MLB game on September 27th at age 30. On March 27,1954, Kite was traded by the Senators to the White Sox for Tom Wright. Thomas would returned to the Minor Leagues with the Memphis Chickashaws (SA) that season, ending his baseball-playing career at age 31. His best season in the MLB was in 1952, when he had 29 hits, 24 runs, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HRs,18 RBIs, while hitting .250 in 75 games. In 1950, his best season in the Minors, he had 156 hits, 109 runs, 42 doubles, 8 triples,16 HRs and 111 RBIs; while hitting .283 in 149 games. Overall, in the MLB, he had 52 hits, 35 runs, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HRs, 32 RBIs and No stolen bases, while hitting .233 in 137 games. In the Minor leagues, he had hit 89 HRs with 506 RBIs.

2006-The final 2005 MLB team’s payrolls are released, the Yankees finished last year with a record $207.2 million payroll, more than $90 million ahead of any other MLB team, according to final figures compiled by the MLB Commissioner's office.

2011-Former Yankees All-Star Closer Ryne Duren (1957-1961) had passed away at age 81. (1929-2011)
Before the start of the 1949 AL season, Ryne Duren was signed by the St. Louis Browns, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. On September 21,1956, Ryne was sent by the Orioles to Kansas City to complete an earlier deal made on September 17,1956. The Orioles would send a Player to be Named Later and OF Jim Pisoni to Kansas City for Players to be Named Later. Ryne Duren was frightening to bat against because he only intermittently had control of his prodigious fastball. Thick "Coke bottle" glasses, a reputation for heavy drinking, and he had a tendency to throw warm-up pitches against the backstop only heightened batters' unease. Yankees veteran OF Hank Bauer told the Yankees front office to “trade for him or ban him from the AL.”
On June 15,1957, Ryne Duren was traded by the A’s along with OF Jim Pisoni and 1B/OF Harry “Suitcase” Simpson to the Yankees for OF/INF Woodie Held, INF Billy Martin, OF Bob Martyn and P Ralph Terry. In 1958, he would lead the AL in saves with 20, while posting a 6-4 record for the Yankees. Ryne had appeared in 2 games in the 1958 World Series against the Braves, going 1-1 with 1 save with 14 Ks; while posting a 1.93 ERA. Ryne Duren was wild and fast, also he was an alcoholic. He would make the AL All-Star teams in 1958-1959. In 1959, despite a losing record of 3-6 with 14 saves, Ryne had posted an ERA of 1.88. Ryne Duren was a showman in those days, the Yankees bullpen was a part of the short-porch RF and only a low chain link fence served as the boundary.
When called upon by Yankees Manager Casey Stengel to relieve, he wouldn’t use the gate, but would rather hop that fence with one hand and begin a slow walk to the mound with his blue Yankees warm-up jacket covering his pitching arm; even in the hottest days, when he finally took the ball from Yankees Manager Casey Stengel and began his warm-ups, the 1st pitch was always 20 feet over the catcher’s head. The 2nd warm-up pitch was a bit lower (but not slower) until on his 5th warm-up Ryne would finally find the plate. By the start of the 1961 AL season, his best days as a Yankees Closer were over. Veteran MLB Reliever Luis Arroyo had replaced him in the bullpen as their new Closer. New Yankees Manager Ralph Houk did not like Ryne Duren from his previous drinking incidents in the late 1950s, when Houk was a Yankees MLB Coach. On May 8,1961, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Johnny James and Rookie OF Lee Thomas to the AL Expansion Team, the Angels for 2 AL veterans: Reliever Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv. The Angels would use him as a Starter. He would make the 1961 AL All-Star team (1st game) for the Angels. Ryne would pitch for the Angels, Phillies, Reds and the Senators before retiring from MLB in 1965. Following his MLB playing career, Ryne Duren spent many years involved in Alcoholics Anonymous and the Recovery Movement. He would later write a book on his fight with Alcoholism during his 10-year MLB playing career, titled “The Comeback.” This was one of the reasons that Ryne Duren had stayed away from Yankees Old Timers Day events until the 1970-1980s. In 1983, Ryne Duren was presented with the Yankees Family Award for his conquering Alcoholism and for his service as an Alcohol Abuse Educator. In 2003, Ryne Duren and Author Tom Sabellico wrote the book, "I Can See Clearly Now". Duren talks from the heart about life, baseball and alcohol. The foreword was written by former MLB Pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant.

2011-Former Yankees Minor League OF Jose Vidal had passed away. (1940-2011)
On May 19,1969, OF Jose Vidal was traded by the Seattle Pilots to the Yankees for Reserve INF/OF Richard Simpson. He did not play with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was sent to AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Jose had played for the AAA Chiefs in 1969-1970. Then Jose would leave the Yankees organization, signing with the Tigers organization; playing the 1971-1972 seasons with their AAA Toledo Mud Hens team. Jose will finish his pro ball career playing in the Mexican Baseball Leagues.

2012-The NYC Sports Media reports that Yankees Catcher/DH Jorge Posada is about to announce his retirement after a brilliant 17-season MLB playing career with the team during which he caught over 1,500 games and won 4 World Series titles. His final Bronx season was difficult, however, as he lost his Yankees starting Catching job to Russell Martin. Posada hit only .235 with 14 HRs and 44 RBIs in 115 games as the team's Designated Hitter. His MLB player retirement will become official on January 24th; when he calls a press conference at New Yankee Stadium.

2019-Former Yankees Minor League P Gil Downs had passed away. (1940-2019)
Gil had served in the Army prior to starting his pro baseball playing career. Downs had a successful Minor League Pitching career, while playing in 3 different MLB organizations from 1963 to 1967. He made it to AAA in part or all of 3 seasons, though he never ascended to the MLB. He would begin pro pitching career in the White Sox system, by going 13-3 with a 1.37 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) between the Lynchburg White Sox (3 G, 1.13 ERA) and Sarasota Sun Sox (24 G, 1.38 ERA) in 1963. With the Sun Sox, he had tossed 13 complete games and 6 shutouts; between both teams, he allowed just 140 hits and 48 walks in 191 innings for a 0.984 WHIP. He had 174 strikeouts. On June 20th, he tossed a 7-inning no-hitter against the Class A Ft. Lauderdale Yankees (FSL). The Yankees will select him in the $8,000 1st Year portion of the 1963 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. For the 1964 Greensboro Yankees, he went 9-5 with a 2.83 ERA in 23 games (21 starts), while completing 4 games with 1 shut out. In 127 innings, he had allowed 97 hits and 46 walks, while striking out 118 batters. He also went 4-1, with 0.87 ERA in 9 games (6 starts) with 4 complete games and 3 shutouts for the Yankees (Fla. ECIL) that year. Shifting to the bullpen for 1965, Downs went 7-2 with a 1.91 ERA in 42 games (3 starts) between 2 teams. Most of his work came with the Class AA Columbus Confederate Yankees (SL) (42 Games, 1.18 ERA), though he made 2 starts for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens (IL), going 0-1 with a 8.00 ERA in 9 innings. In 1966, his only full season at AAA, he went 10-8 with a 3.47 ERA in 34 games (11 starts) for Toledo Mud Hens (IL). In 109 innings, he had allowed only 82 hits, but he had surrendered 61 walks. On December 20,1966, he was traded along with Cash to the Indians for veteran MLB Shortstop Richard Howser. In 1967, he would spend 1 season in the Indians farm system, going 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings. Overall, Downs will post a 39-19 record with a 2.30 ERA in 134 games (61 starts) in 5 Minor League seasons.

January 8th

1913-The Yankees had signed former Cubs Manager Frank Chance to be their 1913 AL season Manager. Chance had previously won 2 World Series and 4 NL pennants as the Manager of the Cubs. He told the Yankees front office that he felt that Yankees 1B Hal Chase was suspected of cheating, which led to his trade to the White Sox. His Yankees managing record would be a 118-170 record (1913-1914). His 1913 team would finish in 7th in AL with a 59-74 record. He would improve the Yankees in 1914, to a 70-84 record with a 6th place in the AL. He would be replaced by former Tigers’ hurler “Wild Bill” Donovan. As an MLB player, Frank Chance was a 1B, who had a lifetime MLB .297 BA for the Cubs (1905-1912), he was part of the famous Cubs DP combo of “Evers-Tinker to Chance.” Frank Chance would play for the Yankees in 12 games, hitting just .208, these 12 games cost him his chance for a lifetime MLB .300 BA mark. He would be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

1941-The BWAA in The Sporting News poll names the 1940 MLB All-Star team: Hank Greenberg (LF), Yankees Joe DiMaggio (CF), Ted Williams (RF), Frank McCormick (1B), Yankees Joe Gordon (2B), Luke Appling (Shortstop), Stan Hack (3B) and Harry Danning (C) are the position players, meanwhile MLB starters Bob Feller, Bucky Walters and Paul Derringer are named the Pitchers.

1963-Former Yankees Minor League OF Shane Turner was born.
The Yankees in the 6th round of the 1985 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected OF Shane Turner. He had never appeared with the Yankees at MLB level. On June 10,1987, Shane was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve OF Keith Hughes to the Phillies for veteran OF/1B Mike Easler. He had played professionally for 11 years as an OF in the Minor Leagues, while seeing MLB service with the Phillies, Orioles and Mariners, finishing with a lifetime .236 BA over a 56-game span from 1988 to 1992. Since 1996, Shane has work with the Giants organization as a Minor League Roving Batting Coach and Minor League Manager.

1969-Former Yankees Pitcher Brian Boehringer (1995-1997) was born.
On December 14, 2000, P Brian Boehringer was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would post a 5-10 record with 4.97 ERA and 1 save in 78 games before being traded on July 4, 2001 to the Giants for Catcher Bobby Estalella and Minor League Player Joe Smith. In July of 2005, the Yankees had signed Brian as an MLB Free Agent, but he was released at the end of the month with no MLB appearances with the team. He had been pitching for the Yankees AAA team, the Columbus Clippers (IL).

1971-Former Yankees All-Star DH/1B Jason Giambi (2002-2008) was born.
Former AL MVP 1B Jason Giambi was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees in 2001. He originally came up to the MLB with the Oakland A’s. Jason’s best Yankees season was in 2002, when he would hit .314 with 34 HRs and 122 RBIs. Jason was named to the 2002-2004 AL All-Star teams. He would appear in 897 games for the 2002-2008 Yankees, while hitting .260 with 209 HRs and 604 RBIs.

1976-The Yankees had purchased Pitcher Jim York from the Astros. He would split the 1976 season between the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL) going 6-1 with a 5.34 ERA and with the Yankees going 1-0 in 3 games for the team.

1976-Former Yankees Pitcher Carl Pavano (2005-2007) was born.
MLB Free Agent P Carl Pavano was 9-8 with a 5.00 ERA in limited action (26 games) for the 2005-2007 Yankees due to various pitching arms injuries during his stay with the team. He was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He was signed by the Twins.

1981-Former Yankees Pitcher Jeff Francis (2014) was born.
On July 11, 2014, Reliever Jeff Francis was traded by the A’s along with Cash to the Yankees for Player to be Named Later. He had appeared in only 2 games for the team with a 1-0 record with a 5.40 ERA. On August 5, 2014, he was released by the Yankees. On October 31, 2014, Jeff was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Blue Jays. In December of 2015, Jeff had announced retirement from the MLB.

1984-Former Yankees Pitcher Kevin Whelan (2011) was born.
The Tigers had originally signed P Kevin Whelan in 2005. On November 10, 2006, Kevin was traded by the Tigers along with Pitchers Anthony Claggett and Humberto Sanchez to Yankees for veteran MLB All-Star OF/DH Gary Sheffield. He had appeared in 2 games with no record for the 2011 Yankees. On November 3, 2012, Kevin was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees.

1985-The Yankees had reacquired Reserve Catcher Juan Espino from the Indians. He would spend the 1985 season with their AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL).

1987-Former Yankees Pitcher Frank “Dutch” Hiller (1946,1948-1949) had passed away. (1920-1987)
Before the start of the 1943 AL season, 22-yearold Frank Hiller was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. "Dutch" as he was sometimes called, was out of Lafayette College in Pa, where he had starred on the mound with a 22-2 record. Frank would start out his pro career with his hometown AA Newark Bears (IL). He would win 39 games for the AA Bears from 1943-1945. After a short trial with the 1946 Yankees, when he went 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 3 games. "Dutch" was a 15-game winner with the 1947 AA Kansas City Blues (AA) before heading back to Yankee Stadium posting a 5-2 record with a 4.04 ERA in 22 games for the 1948 Yankees. He was back in the Bronx in 1949, going 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in 4 appearances. He would finish out the 1949 season with the AA Blues with an 11-8 record with a 5.79 ERA. Overall, Dutch will have a 5-6 record with 4.32 ERA and 1 save in 29 games for the Yankees. On February 10,1950, he was purchased by the Cubs from the Yankees. Frank would proceed to have his best MLB season going by 12-5 for the Cubs in 1950; but he fell to a 6-12 record for the 1951 Cubs. On January 3,1952, he was traded to the Reds for Willie Ramsdell. Hiller would spend the 1952 NL season with the Reds, posting a 5-8 record with a 4.63 ERA. At the end of the 1952 NL season, the Reds would deal him to the Giants for Gail Henley. Frank Hiller would pitch 19 innings for the 1953 Giants, while posting a 2-1 record with a 6.15 ERA; this would be the end of his 7-season MLB Pitching career. He would finish out with a 30-32 record with a 4.42 ERA. "Dutch" at age 33 would give it one more chance with the 1954 AAA San Francisco Seals (PCL); where he had an 11-8 record, but he had a very high 5.79 ERA. He decided it was time to seek other avenues. He would finish out his 8 seasons in the Minor Leagues with an 82-54 record and a 3.18 ERA.

1987-Former Yankees Minor League INF and MLB Scout Bobby De Jardin was born.
Infielder Bobby De Jardin played in the Minor Leagues from 1988 to 1995. He was selected by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 1988 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He had possessed limited power, hitting just 13 HRs in 3,003 plate appearances, or 1 HR every 231 appearance. Bobby could steal bases, with a high of 38 for the 1989 Class A Prince William Cannons (CL). He would reach AAA level for the 1st time in 1992, he would remained there for almost the rest of his pro baseball career, which concluded in Orioles system in 1995. He had batted .268 with 112 stolen bases in 726 games. He later would become a MLB Scout in the Anaheim Angels organization from 2000-2013, signing, among others: Hank Conger, Mike Kenney, Chris Pettit, Tyler Skaggs, Jake Woods and Jered Weaver. Then he would become a Scouting Supervisor for the Yankees.

1988-Faced with a Midnight deadline to re-sign with the Yankees, veteran starter Bill Gullickson agrees to a 2-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants (JBL) instead. Clippers Note: The Yankees front office really dropped the ball on Bill Gullickson; the team should have resigned him for their 1989 starting rotation.

1992-Former Yankees Reserve INF Breyvic Valera (2019) was born.
On May 12, 2019, Reserve INF Breyvic Valera was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Giants. He was with the 2019 Yankees, appearing in 12 games, while hitting just .219 with No HRs and 3 RBIs before being sent down to AAA Scranton (IL). On September 20, 2019, he was selected off waivers by the Blue Jays from the Yankees.

1992-The Yankees had traded P Darrin Chapin to the Phillies for a Player to be Named Later, which would later be 3B Charlie Hayes. Chapin had appeared in 3 games for the 1991 Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record. He had been a Reliever posting a 10-3 record in 55 games for the 1991 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL).

1998-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher Ken Waldichuk was born.
Ken Waldichuk was drafted by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 2019 MLB Amateur Player Draft out of St. Mary's College of California. He began his pro career that same year with the Class A Pulaski Yankees (APL) by going 0-2, with a 3.68 ERA in 10 games as a starter. After sitting out the 2020 season, when the minor league seasons was shut down by the Coronavirus pandemic; he would return to action in 2021 with the AA Hudson Valley Renegades, then after 7 games of scoreless ball totaling 30 2/3 innings. Ken would earn a promotion to the AA Somerset Patriots. There, he would post a 4-3 record with a 4.20 ERA in 16 games, along with 108 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings. After the season, he was named an organizational All-Star. At the start of 2022 season, he was back at AA Somerset posting a 4-0 record with a 1.26 ERA in 6 starts to earn a promotion to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. He would continue to pitch well there, by going 2-3 with a 3.59 ERA in 11 starts. Ken being named to play in the 2022 Futures Game with the American League team. In the game played at Dodger Stadium on July 16th, he would earned the save by recording the final out in the bottom of the 7th, getting Jackson Chourio to fly out to RF Denzel Clarke. Two weeks later, on August 3rd, he was traded by the Yankees to the Athletics along with INF Cooper Bowman, Pitchers Luis Medina and JP Sears in return for starting Pitcher Frankie Montas. He was assigned by the A’s to their AAA club, the Las Vegas Aviators (PCL), where he went 0-1, with a 4.38 ERA in 4 starts.
On September 1, 2022, Ken was called up to the MLB, when teams were allowed to add 2 players to their MLB roster and made his MLB pitching debut that same day as the starting pitcher against the Washington Nationals. He did well, allowing only 1 run in 4 2/3 innings before being replaced by Joel Payamps, but he was not involved in the final decision as Oakland would lose the game by the final score 7-5 in 10 innings.

2008-Former Yankees Closer Rich “Goose” Gossage is voted into the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA on his 9th try. Gossage had a 126 ERA+; he was a 9-time MLB All-Star, while saving over 300 MLB games. He is the 5th Reliever voted into the Hall, but the 3rd in the past 5 years. He now joins Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Bruce Sutter as MLB Relief Pitchers, who are enshrined in Cooperstown. As a Yankees Closer Rich Gossage (1978-1983,1989), he had posted a 42-28 record with a 2.14 ERA and 151 saves in 319 games.

2020-The Yankees had signed former MLB P Nick Tropeano to a Minor League contract with an invitation to their 2020 MLB Spring Training Camp. He has previously pitched in the MLB with the Astros and the Angels, while posting a 12-14 record with a 4.51 ERA in 42 games. He didn’t pitch for the team at the MLB level. On August 9, 2020, he was DFA by the Yankees. Nick would be claimed by the Pirates.

January 9th

1854-Former Yankees Team Co-Owner Bill Devery (1903-1914) was born. (1854-1919)
Frank Farrell and Bill Devery were the 1st team owners of the New York Highlanders, later to become the Yankees. On January 9,1903, they had purchased the AL Baltimore Orioles franchise for $18,000. They were allowed to purchase the team and move it to New York City because of their ties with the local NYC politics. All previous attempts to move a team to Manhattan had been blocked by the Giants Ownership and Manager John McGraw, who had political connections in NYC City Hall. Devery had been an openly corrupt N.Y. City Police Chief. He had been forced out of the Police Department shortly before purchasing the team. After the 1914 AL season, the duo will sell the team to 2 New York City Businessmen: Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Captain Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Houston for $460,000.

1876-Former Yankees Pitcher Barney Wolfe (1903-1904) was born. (1876-1953)
Barney Wolfe had appeared in 27 games for the Yankees, while posting a 6-12 record with 3.02 ERA. In his 1903 rookie season with the team, he would post a 6-9 record along with a 2.97 ERA in 20 starts for the club. On July 20,1904, Barney Wolfe (0-3 in 7 games) was traded by the Yankees along with Starter Tom Hughes (7-11 with a 3.70 ERA) to the Senators for veteran MLB Starter Al Orth (3-4).

1903-The defunct AL Baltimore Orioles franchise is purchased by 2 New York City Businessmen Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $18,000. Then the team is moved to Manhattan, where they will become known as the New York Highlanders, which marked the genesis of the Yankees. Despite attempts by John T. Brush and Andrew Freedman to use their political influence to prevent the American League from finding suitable grounds in New York, League President Ban Johnson, aided by baseball writer Joe Vila, who finds new backers. Also, Johnson also finds a ballpark site at 165th Street and Broadway by leasing the land for 10 years from the New York Institute for the Blind. They will build wooden grandstand seating 15,000 fans on the highest point of Manhattan. The team, logically, will be called the New York Highlanders. From 1903 to 1912, the team will play their AL season games at Hilltop Park, before moving the team to the Polo Grounds in 1913, when their lease on the ballpark grounds wasn’t renewed by the land owners.

1919-Former Yankees Minor League Catcher and MLB Scout Ed Dunn was born. (1919-1990)
In 1940, Ed Dunn was 7 for 31 as a Catcher for the Amsterdam Rugmakers (CAN-AML) in the Yankees Minor League organization. Later, he would become an MLB Scout for the 1959-1990 Senators/Twins organization; signing future MLB Players such as Dave Boswell, Randy Bush, Lenny Webster, Willie Banks among others.

1936-Former Yankees Pitcher Ralph Terry (1956-1957,1959-1964) was born. (1936-2022)
In 1953, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Ralph Terry as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would pitch in 10 games for the 1956-1957 Yankees, posting a 2-3 mark before being traded on June 15,1957 to Kansas City in the Billy Martin trade. In 2 seasons with the A’s, Ralph would post an 17-28 record. On May 26,1959, Ralph would return to the Yankees being traded by the A’s along with INF/OF Hector Lopez for veteran Pitchers Johnny Kucks, Tom Sturdivant and Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe. Ralph would become a Yankees regular starter in 1960, posting a 10-8 record with a 3.40 ERA in 35 games. He gave up the 9th inning HR to Maz in Game #7 of the 1960 World Series loss to the Pirates. In 1961, he would post a 16-3 record with a 3.15 ERA in 31 games. The 1962 AL season was Ralph Terry best MLB pitching season by going 23-12 with a 3.19 ERA in 43 starts. He was named to the 1962 AL All-Star team. He won the AL Babe Ruth Award and MLB World Series MVP Award. Ralph went 2-1 in the 1962 World Series against the Giants. In 1963, he had a 17-13 record with a 3.22 ERA in 40 games. In 1964, he was slowed down by pitching arm injuries, slipping to a 7-11 mark with a 4.54 ERA in 27 games. He was pulled out of the Yankees starting rotation and was working out of the Yankees bullpen. Ralph had appeared in 5 World Series for the Yankees, while posting a 2-4 record along with a 2.93 ERA along with 31 Ks. His overall Yankees Pitching career record was 78-59 with .569 WP, along with a 3.44 ERA in 210 games with 615 strikeouts, 56 complete games and 16 shutouts. After the 1964 World Series, he was sent along with P Bud Daley to complete the Pedro Ramos September 1964 trade with the Indians. After playing for the Tribe, Ralph was briefly with the A’s again before he would be finishing his MLB Pitching career with the 1966-1967 Mets. Ralph Terry had finished his MLB Pitching career with an overall 107-99 record with a 3.62 ERA in 338 games. He had struck out 1,000 MLB batters. After baseball, Terry became a Professional Golfer. Based on his status as a PGA of America Sectional Champion, he qualified for and played in 4 PGA Tour events in 1981 and 1982. In 1986, he started playing on the Senior PGA Tour. His best finish was a tie for 10th at the 1989 Showdown Classic.

1953-Former Yankees Reserve INF Ivan De Jesus (1986) was born.
On May 1,1986, veteran MLB INF Ivan De Jesus was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. He would only appear in 7 games with the Yankees before being released by the team on June 24,1986.

1959-Former Yankees Reserve OF Otis Nixon (1983) was born.
Otis Nixon was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round (3rd Pick) of the 1979 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). He would appear in only 13 games for the 1983 Yankees as a Reserve Outfielder, while batting just .143. On February 5,1984, Otis was traded by the Yankees along with a Player to be Named Later (P Guy Elston) and MLB Reliever George Frazier to the Indians for a Player to be Named Later (Rick Browne) and MLB INF Toby Harrah.

1964-Former Yankees Reserve OF Stan Javier (1984) was born.
After being obtained from the Cardinals along with INF prospect Bobby Meacham, Stan would hit .143 in 7 games in 1984 before being sent to Oakland in the Rickey Henderson trade. He was the son of former NL All-Star INF Juan Javier, who had played 2B for the 1960’s Cardinals.

1969-Former Yankees Pitcher Domingo Jean (1993) was born.
On January 10,1992, P Domingo Jean was traded by the White Sox along with Pitchers Melido Perez and Bob Wickman to the Yankees for AL All-Star INF Steve Sax. He would go 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA in 10 games for the Yankees before being traded on November 27,1993, along with Reserve INF Andy Stankiewicz to the Astros for veteran MLB Reliever Xavier Hernandez.

1973-Former Yankees INF Lynn “Broadway” Lary (1929-1934) had passed away. (1906-1973)
In 1928, INF Lynn Lary was purchased from the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). He had 3 good seasons with the Yankees, before slipping in 1932. He had appeared in 496 games for the team, while hitting .274 with 21 HRs and 237 RBIs. On May 15,1934, he would be traded to the Red Sox for INF Fred Muller and $20,000 Cash. He would later play for the Browns and Indians before retiring from MLB.

1990-Former Yankees AL MVP and All-Star Pitcher Spurgeon “Spud” Ferdinand Chandler (1937-1947) had passed away. (1907-1990)
Spud Chandler had pitched for the Yankees from 1937-1947, finishing with a pitching career record of 109-43 (.717). His best Yankees season was in 1943, when he went 20-1 with a (.833 WP) along with a 1.64 ERA. He was named to the 1943 AL All-Star team. Spud was the winner of the 1943 AL MVP and MLB MVP Awards. In April 1944, Chandler had entered the Army Air Corps. He was discharged from service in September 1945. He would appear in the 1941-1943 and 1947 World Series with the Yankees, while posting a 2-2 record with 1.62 ERA. At the age of 38 in 1946, he will record a 20-8 mark for the Yankees. After the 1947 World Series, he would retire as an MLB active player. After his active MLB Pitching career had ended, Spud Chandler would become a Kansas City A’s MLB Pitching Coach for the 1957-1958 AL seasons. Also, he was also a longtime MLB Scout for the Indians and Twins organizations.

1992-Former Yankees Reliever Joe Harvey (2019) was born.
Joe Harvey was drafted by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from Univ. of Pittsburgh. On November 20, 2018, the Yankees had added Joe Harvey to their 40-man MLB roster. The young Reliever has a 5-6 lifetime career record with 1.75 ERA with 25 saves in 102 games. He would split the 2018 baseball season between the AA Trenton Thunder (EL) and AAA Scranton (IL), while posting a 3-2 record with a 1.67 ERA and 11 saves in 43 games. In 2019, he had split playing between AAA Scranton and the Yankees. With the 2019 Yankees, he had appeared in 9 games, while posting a 1-0 record with a 4.50 ERA. On July 31, 2019, Joe was traded by the Yankees to the Rockies for Minor League P Alfredo Garcia.

1997-The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent OF/DH/1B Mark Whiten. As a Reserve Player for the 1997 Yankees, he would hit .265 with 5 HRs and 24 RBIs, while appearing in 67 games.

2007-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher Ben Callahan had passed away. (1957-2007)
The Yankees in the 31st round of the 1980 MLB Amateur Player Draft selected P Ben Callahan. He never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. On June 15,1983, Ben was traded by the Yankees along with 1B/DH Marshall Brant and Cash to Oakland for veteran Starter Matt Keough.

2020-The Yankees had signed former MLB veteran Catcher Chris Iannetta to a Minor League player contract with an invitation to their 2020 MLB Spring Training Camp. He had hit .222 with 6 HRs with the 2019 Rockies. Chris joins fellow veteran MLB Catcher Erik Katz in the completion to be a back-up Catcher to AL All-Star starting Catcher Gary Sanchez. He will retire from the MLB on August 8, 2020. At the time, he was playing at the 2020 Yankees Alternate Training Site at Scranton.

2020-Former Yankees Minor League Catcher Hal Smith had passed away. (1930-2020)
In 1949, the Yankees had signed Catcher Hal Smith as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was blocked at starting catcher’s spot the presence by Yogi Berra and other Yankees Catching Minor League prospects. Hal would play in the Yankees Minor League system from 1949 to 1953, reaching the Class AA Birmingham Barons (SA). After the 1954 AL season, Hal was involved in a huge player trade made, whereby 17 players changed teams between the Yankees and the Orioles. He came up with to the MLB for 1st time in 1955 with the Orioles in their 2nd season in Baltimore. Smith immediately became a regular player as a Rookie, appearing in 135 games, while hitting .271 with 4 HRs and 52 RBIs. In August 1956, he was traded by the Orioles to the A’s. In 1957, Hal had one of his best MLB career seasons with the bat, hitting .303 and slugging .483, 101 points above the AL Slugging average. For the 1958-1959 AL seasons, Smith played a lot of 3B, as the A's tried to keep his bat in the regular lineup, when he wasn't catching. After the 1959 AL season, he was traded to the Pirates for 2 players in time to be part of their 1960 World Series team. During the regular season, he slugged .508. During the 1960 World Series, he hit a 3-run HR in Game 7 that keyed a Pirates comeback in the 8th inning. Smith's HR put the Pirates ahead by the score of 9-7 before the Yankees tied the game with 2 runs in the 9th inning. Bill Mazeroski’s Memorable HR in the bottom of the 9th inning won the 1960 World Series for the Pirates. In 1962, Hal became one of the original members of the new NL Expansion Team, the Houston Colt .45s. In 1964, he would finish out his MLB playing career with the Reds.

2021-Former Yankees Minor League Catcher George Pena had passed away at age 76 from COVID-19 Virus. (1944-2021)
Catcher George Pena had played in 13 seasons in the Minor Leagues, reaching the AAA level for most of those years. After graduating from Montebello HS, Pena was signed by the Angels and began his pro career with the 1963 Quad Cities Angels, hitting .204 in 40 games with the club. After a stint in the Cubs farm system, he moved on to play for the Yankees organization in 1970. That summer, he hit .246 with 15 HRs for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Pena drove in the winning run in Game 6 of the 1970 Junior World Series. He had his best season in 1971, hitting .284 with 22 HRs for AAA Syracuse (IL) and earning a spot on the International League All-Star team, joining Johnny Oates as the catchers. On October 24,1972, the Yankees had traded George to the Padres INF Fred Stanley. The trade was done at the AAA level with the Syracuse Chiefs getting Stanley for the 1973 IL season. Pena would later played in the Tigers, Indians, Twins and the Astros organizations, never reaching the MLB level. Away from the diamond, Pena had served in the U.S. Marine Reserves. On January 9, 2021, he died of COVID-19 Virus at age 76.

2022-Rachel Balkovec was named the 1st female manager in affiliated professional baseball, after she was tabbed by the Yankees on Tuesday to manage the Low-A Tampa Tarpons this season. “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Rachel on this historic milestone," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "As manager of the Tampa Tarpons, she will continue to demonstrate her expertise and leadership in the Yankees’ organization. We wish Rachel well in this new capacity and appreciate her mentorship to the growing network of women in baseball operations and player development roles. “When Kim Ng was hired as the general manager of the Marlins prior to the 2021 season, it was a meaningful step forward. I am pleased to see the game continue to make important progress at various levels. Major League Baseball is committed to providing a supportive environment for women and girls to pursue our sport as players, coaches, umpires and executives. We are proud of Rachel, new director of player development Sara Goodrum of the Astros and all the women across our sport who are setting a positive example for our next generation of fans and proving, on and off the field, that Baseball is a game for everyone.” Rachel Balkovec, aged 34, was serving as a Hitting Coach in the Yankees organization's Rookie-level Florida Complex League. She has been a Coach in pro baseball for 10 years; becoming the 1st female full-time Hitting Coach in an MLB organization, when she took on her previous role in 2019.

January 10th

1888-Former Yankees 2B Del Pratt (1918-1920) was born. (1888-1977)
On January 22,1918, 2B Del Pratt was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with veteran P Eddie Plank to the Yankees for P Nick Cullop, INF Joe Gedeon, 2B Fritz Maisel, C Les Nunamaker, P Urban Shocker and $15,000 Cash. Del became the starting 2B for the 1918-1920 Yankees, replacing the recently traded 2B Fritz Maisel. His best Yankees season was in 1920, when he hit .314 with 4 HRs and 100 RBIs in 154 games. He led the AL in games played that season. Also, he had led the AL in games played in 1911-1914 and 1916, while playing with the Browns. With the Yankees, Del would appear in 420 games, while hitting .295 with 10 HRs and 219 RBIs. On December 15,1920, Del was traded by the Yankees along with Catcher Muddy Ruel, P Hank Thormahlen and OF Sammy Vick to the Red Sox for Pitchers Harry Harper, Waite Hoyt, INF Mike McNally and Catcher Wally Schang. He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1923-1924 Tigers. Overall, he had appeared in 1,836 MLB games, while hitting .292 with 43 HRs and 979 RBIs. Later, he would become a Minor League Manager in the Texas League.

1903-Despite attempts by the Giants Management John T. Brush and Andrew Freedman to use their political influence to prevent the American League from finding suitable grounds for a club to play in New York City. AL Commissioner Ban Johnson is aided by Baseball Writer Joe Vila, who finds financial backers for a team. Also, Johnson finds a ballpark site at 165th Street and Broadway, they leased the land from the from the New York Institute for the Blind. Frank Farrell and Bill Devery would pay $18,000 for the Baltimore Orioles AL team franchise. They will build a wooden grandstand ballpark seating 15,000 people on the highest point of Manhattan. The team logically will be called the New York Highlanders. The new ballpark will be called Hill Top Park; it will be the team’s home field from 1903 to 1912. At the end of the 1912 AL season, the team will move to the Polo Grounds, when the current landowners refused to renew their lease of the land.

1924-The Yankees had released future Hall of Fame 3B Frank “Home Run” Baker, he had retired from MLB. On February 15,1916, 3B Frank Baker was purchased by the Yankees from Philadelphia Athletics for $37,500 Cash. Baker had sat out the 1915 AL season due to an MLB player contract dispute with A’s Team Owner/Manager Connie Mack. He would appear in 676 games for the 1916-1922 Yankees, while hitting .288 with 48 HRs and 375 RBIs. In 1920, he had sat out the AL season due to death of his wife to take care of his 2 young children. In 1921. he would return to the team. In 1955, Frank “Home Run” Baker will be elected to the Hall of Fame.

1956-Former Yankees MLB Scout Phil Rossi (1997-2000) was born.
Phil Rossi has been a Minor League player (2 yrs.) and a long-time MLB Scout (over 30 yrs.). His twin brother, Bob Rossi has also scouted. The Cubs had selected Rossi in the 36th round of the 1977 MLB Amateur Player Draft. The Infielder would split the summer between the GCL Cubs (12 for 29, 3B, 3 BB) and the Geneva Cubs (.274 in 43 G). He had stolen 10 bases in 11 tries for the summer and only struck out in 7 of 164 AB. In 1978, he was a utility man for the Pompano Beach Cubs, while backing up 2B Dan Rohn and also seeing action at SS, 3B, C and OF. He hit .246 with only 4 strikeouts in 122 AB, but also only 1 extra-base hit (a double). In 156 minor league games, he had batted .276 with just 11 strikeouts in 286 at-bats. He had fielded .945 in 34 games at Shortstop, .932 in 34 in the OF, .974 in 18 at 2B, .917 in 5 at 3B and had 1 putout and no errors at Catcher.
Rossi would scout for several MLB teams; the Red Sox (1981-1997), Yankees (1997-2000), Indians (2000-2005) and the Marlins (2006- ). He had signed John Marzano and Frank Herrmann.

1959-Former Yankees Pitcher Richard Dotson (1988-1989) was born.
On November 12,1987, AL All-Star hurler Richard Dotson was traded by the White Sox along with P Scott Nielsen to the Yankees for OF Dan Pasqua, C/DH/1B Mark Salas and P Steve Rosenberg. Rich would post a 14-14 record with a 5.13 ERA in 43 games before being released by the team in 1989.

1960-Former Yankees Reserve OF Bob Brower (1989) was born.
On December 5,1988, OF Bob Brower was traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for Reserve INF Bobby Meacham. Bob would appear in 26 games as a Reserve OF for the 1989 Yankees, while hitting .232 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. It would his last active MLB season. Since 2000, he has been working for the Scott Boras Corporation.

1968-Yankees Minor League Manager Carlos Mota was born.
From 1987 until 1993, former Minor League Catcher Carlos Mota had played in the Indians organization. He would finish active playing career with the 1994-1999 Independent League team, the St. Paul Saints. He had been a Player/Coach with the Saints in 1999. Then he would join the Diamondbacks organization working for them from 2000-2001. He would leave the Arizona Organization to join the Yankees Organization from 2002-2009, working as a Yankees Minor League Coach or Manager with the 2010 Manager DSL Yankees 1, 2012-2013 Manager DSL Yankees 2 and then he was the 2014-2015 Rehab Manager for the Yankees Latin Béisbol Academy.

1973-Pitcher Doug Heinold was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round of the 1973 MLB Amateur Player Draft. While he did not pan out for the Yankees, they did better later in the Amateur Player Draft with the selections of INF Mike Heath, P LaMarr Hoyt and INF Garth Iorg.

1983-A preliminary injunction is issued by N.Y. Supreme Court barring the Yankees from playing their 1983 AL Opening Season games against the Tigers in Denver, Colorado. The Yankees had sought to move their home games fearing the renovations to the Yankee Stadium would not be completed on time and conditions would be unsafe for the fans.

1989-The Yankees had traded veteran MLB Starter Rick Rhoden to the Astros for 3 Minor League players: OF John Fishel, Pitchers Pedro Deleon and Mike Hook. For the 1988 Yankees, Rhoden had posted a 12-12 record with a 4.29 ERA in 30 games. In 2 seasons with the team, Rick had posted a 28-22 record with a 4.09 ERA in 60 games. Fishel was assigned to AAA Columbus (IL), meanwhile the 2 Pitchers were assigned to AA Albany (EL). All 3 players obtained in the trade never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level.

1992-The Yankees had traded veteran All-Star 2B Steve Sax to the White Sox in exchange for 3 Pitchers: Melido Perez, Domingo Jean and Bob Wickman. Sax had appeared in 471 games for the Yankees, while hitting .294 with 19 HRs and 161 RBIs. He was named to the AL All Star team twice. The Yankees Front Office felt that young Pat Kelly should give a chance to play regularly at 2B. Perez was bothered by arm injuries during his stay with the 1993-1995 Yankees. He will post a 33-39 record with a 4.06 ERA in 93 games. Wickman and Jean were both Class A Minor League Pitchers, who were assigned to the Yankees Minor League system. Bob Wickman would go 31-14 with a 4.21 ERA and 11 saves in 223 games before being traded by the Yankees to the Brewers during the 1996 AL season. Jean would appear with the 1993 Yankees, going 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA in 10 games before being traded to Astros in the winter of 1993.

2002-The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Starter David Wells to a 2-year, $7-million contract to re-join the team. After posting a 34-14 record including a Perfect Game from 1997-1998, David Wells and 2 other players were traded to the Blue Jays in exchange for AL All-Star Starter Roger Clemens. With the Blue Jays, Wells had his only 20-win season of his MLB Pitching career.

2014-MLB Reliever Matt Thornton completes his 2-year $7 million deal with the Yankees. To make room for him on their 40-Man MLB Roster, the Bronx Bombers designate veteran OF/DH Vernon Wells for assignment. With the 2014 Yankees, Matt would post a 0-3 record with a 2.55 ERA with no saves in 46 games. On August 5, 2014, he was selected off waivers by the Nationals from the Yankees.

2021-Former Yankees Reserve INF Pedro Gonzalez (1963-1965) had passed away from lung disease. (1937-2021)
Before the start of 1958 AL Season, the Yankees had signed INF Pedro Gonzalez as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was the winner of the 1963 James P. Dawson Award for best Yankees Rookie in MLB Spring Training Camp. For the Yankees, Pedro would hit .266 with No HRs and 6 RBIs in 101 games. In 1964, he had appeared in 80 games for the Yankees, while hitting .277. He had played in 1 game of the 1964 World Series against the Cardinals with no hits. On May 10,1965, Pedro was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for 1B Ray ”Buddy” Barker. For the Tribe. Pedro would hit .240 with 8 HRs and 64 RBIs in a 116 games. Overall, as an MLB Player, Pedro would play in 407 games; while hitting .244 with 8 HRs and 70 RBIs.

January 11th

1911-Former Yankees Minor league INF Roy Hughes was born. (1911-1995)
On June 13,1939, INF Roy Hughes was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with Cash to the Yankees for OF Joe Gallagher, who was hitting .244 with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs in 14 games with the Bombers. Roy would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was assigned to the AA Newark Bears (IL). On July 13,1939, Roy was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for P Al Hollingsworth.

1915-Two New York Businessmen Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston buy the New York Yankees from current Team Owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $460,000. Jacob Ruppert, who owns a local brewery, is thinking of renaming the team the “Knickerbockers” to promote his NYC Beer Brewery product, but he is dissuaded by local newspapermen to keep the “Yankees” name instead.

1928-Former Yankees Reserve INF (1952-1953) and MLB Coach (1967) Loren “Bee Bee” Babe was born. (1928-1984)
In 1945, INF Babe Loren was signed by the Yankees, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would only appear in only 17 games, hitting .205 with 2 HRs and 26 RBIs for the 1952-1953 Yankees. He had been buried in the Yankees Minor League system with so many talented infielders around their organization. In the spring of 1953, he was sold to the Philadelphia A’s. With the A’s, Babe would play 3B, while appearing in 103 games, while hitting .224 with No HRs and 20 RBIs. In December of 1953, the Yankees would reacquire Babe in the Vic Power trade. He remained in the Minor Leagues playing at the AAA level from 1954 until 1958, before retiring as an active player. From 1961-1966, he would manage in the Yankees Minor League system at different levels, reaching AAA in 1966 and again in 1976. In 1967, Loren was an MLB Coach for the Yankees. He would move on to the White Sox as a Special Assignment Scout in 1977-1979, then as a MLB Coach in 1979, 1980 and 1983. When it was found in April of 1983, that Babe was suffering from cancer, fellow White Sox Coach Charley Lau voluntarily gave up his spot on the MLB coaching staff, so that Babe could qualify for MLB pension benefits. Babe would pass away from cancer at age 56. Lau was diagnosed with cancer a month after Babe, and he would pass away 5 weeks after him.

1934-The Yankees had released Reserve INF Edward “Doc” Farrell. He had appeared in 70 games as a Reserve Infielder for the 1932-1933 Yankees, while hitting .231. Farrell had been part of the Joe DiMaggio trade with the AA San Francisco Seals (PCL), but he refused to go to the team, instead he will play briefly for the 1934 Red Sox before leaving the MLB.

1962-Former Yankees Reliever Don Pall (1994) was born.
On January 16,1994, Reliever Don Pall was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Don had posted a 1-2 record with a 3.60 ERA in 26 games for the Yankees before being released on July 29,1994. He would finish the 1994 MLB season with the Cubs.

1965-Former Yankees 1B Wally Pipp (1915-1925), the predecessor of Lou Gehrig at 1B for the Yankees passes away in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was 71 years old. (1893-1965)
Rookie 1B Wally Pip was acquired from the Tigers in 1915. He had been beaten out of the Tigers starting 1B job by Tigers teammate George “Tigoa” Burns. Pipp, who in 1925, he had asked out of the Yankees starting lineup with a headache, he had been hit by a ball in the head the previous day. After giving way to Rookie 1B Lou Gehrig, Pipp will never again play a game at 1B for the Yankees. In January of 1926, Wally was sold to the Reds for $7,500 Cash. He would finish up his fine MLB playing career with the 1926-1928 Reds. Wally had appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees, while hitting .224 in 19 games. He hit over .300 in 3 seasons with the Yankees, with 1922 being his best Yankees player season with a .329 mark. He had appeared in 1,488 games for the Yankees, hitting .282 with 80 HRs and 826 RBIs. In 1916 and 1917, Wally Pipp led the AL in HRs with 12 and 9. Also, he led the AL in fielding for 1B in 1915 and 1924.

1973-MLB Team Owners approve one of the game's most controversial rules: Designated Hitter. The team owners decide to allow AL teams to implement the rule on an experimental 3-year basis, but the DH Rule will become a permanent addition to the American League. The Yankees Ron Bloomberg will become the 1st DH in MLB History to appear in a game against the Red Sox in April of 1973.

1977-The Yankees had drafted OF Willie McGee in the 1st round (15th pick) of the 1977 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). Willie will never play for the Yankees at the MLB level. On October 21,1981, Willie was traded by the Yankees to the Cardinals for Pitcher Bob Sykes.

1980-The Yankees had drafted OF/1B Tom Dodd in the 1st round (7th selection) of the1980 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). Todd never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On May 5,1982, he was traded by the Yankees along with 3B Jeff Reynolds (Minors) and 1B/DH Dave Revering to the Blue Jays for veteran 1B/DH John Mayberry. On December 9,1982, Tom was traded by the Blue Jays along with veteran Reliever Dale Murray to the Yankees for 1B/OF Dave Collins, Minor League Class A 1B Fred McGriff, Pitcher Mike Morgan and Cash.

1983-The Yankees would name Billy Martin their Manager for the 3rd time in 8 years. Martin takes over for Clyde King, who is bumped upstairs to the Yankees front office. Billy Martin will lead the Yankees to a record of 91-71 in 1983 AL season.

1983-Ellis Burks is one of the few good players to be drafted and also signed in the January Free Agent Draft. Burks is picked on the 1st round by the Red Sox as the Yankees had picked and signed Ozzie Canseco, who was a Pitcher with their 4th pick.

1989-Former Yankees Reserve OF Rico Noel (2015) was born.
Beginning in 2010, CF Rico Noel had played in the Padres organization. He was selected by the club in the 5th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Player Draft. The owner of blazing speed, Noel stole 17 bases in 44 games his 1st season, and followed that with a 62-steal campaign in 126 games in 2011. Entering 2012, he was ranked the best defensive Outfielder in the Padres system by Baseball America. He had stolen 90 bases in 113 tries for the Lake Elsinore Storm that year. In 2013, he stole 59 bases in 131 games for the San Antonio Missions. He began 2014 season with the AAA El Paso Chihuahuas (PCL). He stole 32 bases while playing there. Back with El Paso in 2015 after being a non-roster invitee to the Padres' Spring Training Camp, the Padres had released him on June 28th. On July 2nd, he was signed by the Yankees. He would spend time 1st with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL) and then with the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL). He was called up to the Bronx, when team rosters expanded on September 1st. He made his Yankees player debut the next day as a late-game defensive replacement for RF Carlos Beltran, although he did not have a chance to bat in the game. He would appear in 15 games with the 2015 Yankees, while hitting .500. On October 16, 2015, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. On December 17, 2015, the Dodgers would sign him.

1995-Former Yankees Minor League INF Nick Solak was born.
Second baseman Nick Solak was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Yankees, out of the Univ. of Louisville. He began his pro career that season with the Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), hitting a solid .321 in 64 games. In 2017, he began the season in the Florida State League with the Class A Tampa Yankees, for whom he played 100 games, then he was promoted to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL ) for an additional 30 games. Between the 2 stops, his batting line was .297 with 72 runs, 26 doubles,12 HRs and 53 RBIs.
On February 20, 2018, just after the opening of MLB Spring Training Camp, he was traded by the Yankees 1st to the Diamondbacks along with P Taylor Widener in return for MLB 2B/3B Brandon Drury, then immediately by the D-Backs to the Rays along with P Anthony Banda and 2 Players to be Named Later (Sam McWilliams and Colin Poche) in return for OF Steven Souza. The Rays had suddenly decided, as their MLB Spring Training Camp opened, to shed some salary and Souza was the 3rd veteran to be dealt by the team in the span of 4 days in return for prospects. Nick had played for the 2018 AA Montgomery Biscuits (SL).

1999-Former Yankees Minor League OF/INF Jim Dyck had passed away. (1922-1999)
In 1941, the Yankees had signed INF/OF Jim Dyck as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had played in the Yankees farm System from 1941-1942, (1943-1945 WWII Service time) and the 1946-1949 seasons. He would reach AA level with 1947 Newark Bears (IL) and the Kansas City Blues (AA). He would never play for the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 5,1949, Jim was drafted by the St. Louis Browns from the Yankees organization in the 1949 Minor League Player Draft. In 1952-1953, he was the Browns starting 3B. From 1951-1956, he would play in the MLB with the Browns, Orioles, Indians and the Reds; while hitting .246 with 26 HRs and 114 RBIs in 350 games. He will play in the Minor Leagues from 1957-1961, retiring as an active player at the age of 39.

2000-Former Hall of Fame MLB Pitcher and Yankees/MLB Manager Bob Lemon had passed away at the age of 79. (1922-2000)
Bob Lemon was a 7-time 20-game winner with the Indians. He teamed with Bob Feller, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia to form one of the game's greatest starting rotations. In 1954, Bob Lemon went 23-7 with a 2.72 ERA in 36 games with 21 complete games, helping the Indians to an AL record 111-win season. After retiring as an active player in 1958, he would work for the Indians organization as an MLB Scout and then as a Minor League Manager. In 1970, Lemon became an MLB Manager for the 1st time, when he assumed leadership of the Kansas City Royals, replacing former Manager Joe Gordon. He was elected to Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976. He was a 1976 Yankees MLB Pitching Coach. In 1977, he would leave the team to manage the White Sox.
On July 25,1978, Bob Lemon was named to replace the fired Billy Martin and helped the Yankees orchestrate a miraculous 14 game comeback against the Red Sox. Under Bob Lemon's calming hand, the Yankees won their 2nd straight World Championship in 1978. He was elected to Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976. Midway through the 1979 season, Martin replaced him as Yankees Manager. In 1981, when the MLB Player strike split the season into 2 halfs, Gene Michael would manage the Yankees to a 1st-half division lead, but when the team faltered in the 2nd half after the strike had ended, Lemon would returned as Manager. Even though the Yankees had a losing record under his helm, he still took them to victory in the divisional playoff with 2nd-half winner Milwaukee Brewers and then to a 3-game sweep of the Oakland A’s in the ALCS. The Yankees would lose the World Series to the Dodgers in 6 games, as Lemon was widely criticized for a managerial decision that he made in the last game, when he called in Bobby Murcer to pinch hit for ace pitcher Tommy John with 2 on and 2 outs in the 4th inning; Murcer flied out to right field, and the bullpen imploded after John's departure, giving the game and the series away to the Dodgers. When the Bombers had started slowly in 1982, Lemon was again replaced as Manager after 14 games only, this time by Gene Michael. He did not even get to manage the AL team in the 1982 MLB All-Star Game, a traditional perk of the previous year's World Series Manager, he was replaced by Billy Martin, whose A’s had been swept by Lemon's Yankees in the ALCS. Bob Lemon would pass way at the age of 79 from a Heart Attack/Stroke after a long period of failing health at Palmcrest Convalescent Home in San Bernardino, CA. He was later cremated. He was survived by his wife, Jane and 2 sons. The hard-drinking, easygoing Lemon had been seriously ill and housebound, a virtual recluse in his native Long Beach, CA, but he was nevertheless still on the Yankees payroll as an MLB Scout. It was a "lifetime contract" reward from George Steinbrenner for winning the 1978 Yankee World Championship.

2001-Former Yankees Starter David Cone agrees to a 1-year contract with the Eastern Division rivals, the Red Sox. The former Cy Young Award winner could make between $4 million and $5 million with the Red Sox, compared to $500,000 guaranteed-offer made by the Yankees, if he makes the MLB 25-man Roster and pitches regularly during the 2001 season. He will win just 9 games in 25 starts for Boston during the 2001 AL season.

2005-The Diamondbacks had traded 5-time Cy Young Award Winner Randy Johnson to the Yankees in a 3-team deal that includes the Dodgers OF Shawn Green, Pitcher Javier Vazquez and Rookie Catcher Dioner Navarro, also move in the transaction. Arizona will receive MLB Starter Javier Vazquez, Catcher Dioner Navarro and Rookie Pitcher Brad Halsey from the Yankees. Then the D-Backs will send Catcher Dioner Navarro along with 3 Minor League Prospects to Dodgers for All-Star OF Shawn Green.

2012-The Yankees would sign OF Preston Mattingly, the son of franchise great Don Mattingly to a Minor League contract. Ironically, Preston was under employment of the Dodgers, the team his father is now managing. He never appears with the team at the MLB level.

2013-Former Yankees Pitcher Fred Talbot (1965-1969) had passed away. (1941-2013)
On June 10,1966, P Fred Talbot was traded by the A’s along with Catcher Billy Bryan to the Yankees for P Gil Blanco, OF Roger Repoz and MLB P Bill Stafford. For the 1965-1969 Yankees, Fred would post a 14-24 record with a 3.99 ERA in 89 games. On May 20,1969, Fred was traded by the Yankees to the Seattle Pilots for veteran Reliever Jack Aker. Fred had appeared in 8 games all in relief with no decisions for the 1969 Yankees. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with Oakland in 1970. In 1959, the White Sox had signed Fred Talbot as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would pitch for the White Sox, Indians, the A’s, Yankees, Pilots and the A’s again, who were now in Oakland; posting an overall MLB Pitching record of 38-56 record with a 4.12 ERA in 195 games. Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton wrote about Fred in his famous baseball book “Ball Four.”

2014-Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz issues his ruling on Alex Rodriguez's appeal of his 211-game suspension for PED use, originally issued on August 5th, reducing it to 162 games, or the entire 2014 MLB Season and Postseason, costing him $25 million in salary. Rodriguez says he will appeal the decision in federal court. For its part, the Players Association says it disagrees with the decision, but will respect it as it was reached through due process.

2019-The Yankees add another veteran MLB Infielder to their MLB Roster by signing MLB Free Agent INF D.J. LeMahieu for 2 years and $24 million. The former Rockies 2B D.J. will hit .327 with 26 HRs and 102 RBIs in 143 games for the 2019 Yankees. Also, he was on the 2019 AL All-Star team.

January 12th

1881-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Joe McCarthy (1905) was born. (1881-1937)
In September of 1905, Catcher Joe McCarthy was purchased by the Highlanders from Poughkeepsie (HRL). He had appeared in 1 game with the 1905 team with no hits. He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1906 NL Cardinals.

1950-The Yankees would sell their longtime AAA Newark Bears (1936-1954) International League franchise to the Cubs, who will move the team to Springfield, Massachusetts. The once-proud Bears, owned by the Yankees since 1936, had finished last in the International League in 1949. The Kansas City Blues (AA) will become the Yankees top AAA team. The Springfield, MA team will be moved to Havana, Cuba in 1954, when the International League has 2 teams shift locations due to the arrival of the new Baltimore Orioles, formerly the St. Louis Browns to American League. The former Springfield team will have an MLB working agreement with Reds, the team will be known as the Havana Sugar Kings. They will play in Cuba until Castro takes over the country, banning foreign professional baseball in 1959. The team will move to Jersey City, NJ and play their home games at the former Minor League ballpark, Roosevelt Stadium.

1951-Former Yankees Reserve OF Terry Whitfield (1974-1976) was born.
Terry Whitfield was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round (19th-pick) of the 1971 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He will hit .335 with 18 HRs for Kinston (CL) in 1973. Terry would spend the 1974-1976 seasons with AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL), hitting with moderate power. He was called up to the Bronx for a bit in each of 1974-1976 AL seasons, getting in 81 at-bats with the 1975 Yankees. Terry will hit .276 in 31 games for the Yankees, before being traded on March 14,1977 to the Giants for veteran MLB INF Marty Perez. Terry got his chance to play more with the Giants, who made him their # 4 outfielder. In 1978-1980, he was the starting Leftfielder for the team. In all 4 of the NL seasons from 1977-1980, he hit around .290. In early March 1981, the Giants had sold him to the Seibu Lions (JPCL). He would play 3 seasons in Japan, helping the Lions to win a couple of championships. Then, saying he wanted to be closer to his family, he came back to the MLB as a Dodger in 1984. He was a Reserve OF on the 1984-1986 Dodger teams, while appearing in the 1985 NLCS. He was released by the team in late May 1986. Terry would play in the Minor Leagues in 1987-1988 with a team in the California League.

1954-The International League (AAA) makes 2 team franchise shifts as the Baltimore Orioles, the current Minor League team is transferred to Richmond, Va. becoming the Richmond Virginians as Baltimore is receiving the old AL St. Louis Browns franchise for the 1954 AL season. The new MLB team will keep the long-time Minor League team name of the “Orioles.” The Richmond Virginians will become a Yankees AAA Farm Club. The Springfield, MA team, the former Newark Bears NJ team moves to Havana, Cuba, becoming the Havana Sugar Kings. They will have a minor league working agreement with the Reds. The team will move back to Jersey City, NJ to play their games at Roosevelt Stadium; when Cuba becomes unsettled with the arrival of Fidel Castro to power in 1960. Cuba will ban all American pro baseball from the island, replacing them with their own Cuban Baseball leagues.

1955-Former Yankees Minor League P Doug Heinold was born.
Doug Heinold was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round of the 1973 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He had pitched 6 seasons in their organization, reaching the AAA level for 4 years before his pro baseball career was ended by a pitching arm injury. Heinold was selected 13th overall in the 1973 draft; while he did not pan out for the Yankees, they did better later in the draft with the selections of INF Mike Heath, P LaMarr Hoyt and INF Garth Iorg. He would make his pro debut with the 1973 Johnson City Yankees, going 5-4 with a 3.24 ERA. He had struck out 73 batters and only walked 11 in 75 innings. The big right-hander was 9th in the Appalachian League in strikeouts and 10th in ERA. He also hit his only pro baseball career HR. Heinold dazzled for the 1974 Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL) with a 11-8 record with a 2.26 ERA. In 1975, Doug would pitch for the AA West Haven Yankees (EL) with a 10-7 record, 2.29 ERA and the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (3 R in 6 IP, 0-1). He was among the Eastern League leaders in ERA and hit batsmen. He would split the 1976 season between the same 2 clubs, going lights-out in AA for West Haven (7-3 record with a 1.34 ERA) but proving to be human for the AAA Chiefs (4-9 record with a 4.73 ERA). Due to injury, he would miss much of the 1978 season, going 1-2 with 1 save with a 2.31 ERA in 9 games for AAA Syracuse. In 1978, he would bounced between Class A Fort Lauderdale (4-3 record, 2.44 ERA), AA West Haven (2-1, 4.32 ERA) and the AAA Tacoma Yankees (1-2 record, 6.11 ERA). Overall, the Texan hurler record a 45-40 mark with a 2.83 ERA in 117 Minor League games, while completing 44 of 108 starts. He would issue just 162 walks in 756 innings, while allowing 724 hits and striking out 368 batters. Since 2008, Heinold has been an Assistant Coach at the Univ. of Houston-Victoria.

1971-Former Yankees Reserve INF Andy Fox (1996-1997) was born.
The Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1989 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected INF Andy Fox. As a Reserve Infielder for the team, Andy would hit .200 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs in 135 games before being traded on March 7,1998 to the Diamondbacks for 2 hurlers: Todd Erdos and Marty Janzen. Andy Fox is now a Minor League Executive with the Red Sox organization.

1972-The Yankees had drafted Pitcher Rick Anderson in the 1st round (5th-pick) of the 1972 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). Also, the Yankees had drafted Larry Wolfe in the 4th round of the MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase), but they did not sign him.

1973-The Yankees had selected Pitcher Scott McGregor in the 1st Round (14th-pick) of the 1973 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). He will pitch in the Yankees Minor League system from 1972-1976, while posting a 38-35 record in 86 games. On June 15,1976, the Yankees will trade him to the Orioles in the Doyle Alexander trade.

1978-Former Yankees Reliever Luis Ayala (2011) was born.
On February 9, 2011, Reliever Luis Ayala was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. He had appeared in 52 games for the 2011 Yankees, while posting a 2-2 record with a 2.09 ERA and no saves. On October 30, 2011, Luis was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees. Their Eastern Division rivals, the Orioles would sign him for the 2012 AL season.

1982-The Yankees had drafted OF Oddibe McDowell in the 1st round (9th-pick) of the 1982 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase), but they did not sign him.

1984-MLB Free Agent Closer Goose Gossage leaves the Yankees for MLB Free Agency. He signs a new deal with the Padres. The hard-throwing right-hander will save 25 games in 1984, he will help the Padres to their 1st appearance in the World Series. The Yankees will move Starter Dave Righetti to their bullpen to become the new Yankees Closer.

1987-Former Yankees Pitcher Ivan Nova (2010-2016) was born.
In 2004, the Yankees had signed P Ivan Nova. He would make his pro baseball debut with the 2005 DSL Yankees 1, going 0-1 with a 2.29 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings, allowing 29 hits. With the 2006 GCL Yankees, the right-hander had a 3-0, 2.72 record for the GCL Yankees with 1 save; he had fanned 36 batters, while walking only 7 in 43 innings. In 2007, he went 6-8 with a 4.98 ERA for the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), allowing a .306 average. Moving up to the 2008 Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), Nova had an 8-13 mark with a 4.36 ERA and a .294 opponent average. He led the Florida State League in losses as well as losing more games than any other Yankees farmhand. That winter, the Padres had chosen Nova in the 2008 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft, but they would return him to the Yankees during the 2009 MLB Spring Training Camp, after allowing 11 runs in 8 2/3 innings. Nova would split the 2009 season pitching for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL) posting a 5-4 record, with a 2.36 ERA and AAA Scranton (IL) with a 1-4 record with a 5.10 ERA. He was sharp in the 2009 AL Postseason for the Yankees with a 1-0 record with a 1.93 ERA. Nova would begin 2010 season with AAA Scranton, going 2-0 with a 3.73 ERA. He was then called up to the MLB to replace Romulo Sanchez in the Yankees bullpen. After 3 shutout innings in his 1st 2 games in the Bronx, Nova was returned to the Minors, when veteran P Chan-Ho Park came off the DL. He would finish the 2010 AL season with a 1-2 mark in 7 games for the Yankees. Nova made the Yankees' starting rotation out of the 2011 MLB Spring Training Camp. He would pitch very well over the 1st half, going 8-4 with a 4.12 ERA in 16 starts. In spite of a few hiccups, he was generally solid, and was in fact the 1st Yankee Rookie Pitcher to make 15 starts in the 1st half of a season since Doc Medich in 1973. However, on July 3rd, with Phil Hughes about to come back from the DL, he was sent down to Scranton to make room. He was called back to the Bronx on July 30th, he would benefit from a huge offensive outburst in his 1st start, as the Yankees scored 12 runs in the 1st inning in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against the Orioles; he cruising to an easy 17-3 victory. He would finish the 2011 AL season with a 16-4 record with a 3.70 ERA in 165 1/3 innings, although he struck out only 98 batters. He tied for 4th in the 2011 AL in wins behind Justin Verlander, CC Sabathia and Jeff Weaver. He was 2nd to Verlander in winning percentage. Otherwise, he only made the top 10 in wild pitches and lowest HR rate. He took over for Starter CC Sabathia in the 2nd inning of Game 1 of the ALDS against the Tigers after the game, begun the previous day, had been suspended by rain. He pitched well over 7 1/3 innings of relief and earned the win. He was then picked to start the decisive Game 5, but left after 1 inning during which he had given up 2 runs, victim of a pulled groin muscle. He was charged with the Yankees loss that time. In 2012, Nova ran his streak of consecutive wins to 15, 1 shy of the Yankees franchise record by winning his 1st 3 decisions of the year. The streak would end on May 2nd, when the Yankees were shut out by the Orioles' Starter Jake Arrieta by the score of 5-0. On August 23rd, he was placed on the DL with inflammation in his rotator cuff. He had a 11-7 record with a 4.92 ERA, he had allowed an AL-leading 179 hits at the time. The move was seen as a way to allow CC Sabathia to return to the active roster; while giving the young Nova a rest for a couple of weeks, rather than the sign of anything seriously wrong. Indeed, he made 3 more starts in late September with the Yankees in a tight race with the Orioles, winning once and losing once to finish the season with a 12-8 record and a 5.02 ERA in 28 starts. He had tied Dan Haren for 9th in the 2012 AL with 28 HRs allowed, Nova was 10th with 95 earned runs allowed and, on a more positive note, was 10th in K per 9 innings (8.08). He did not pitch in the 2012 AL postseason. He had started 2013 AL season in the Yankees' starting rotation, going 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 4 April starts, but then Ivan was one of a slew of Yankees to make a trip on the DL, being out until May 25th. That day, he picked up a win in relief against the Rays, then in his next appearance, also in relief, on May 29th, he managed a rare feat, striking out the side on 9 pitches against the Mets in the 8th inning. It was the 50th time this had been accomplished in the MLB. However, with an ERA above 5.00, he was sent down to AAA Scranton, after that, only coming back a month later. He pitched much better after his return, as in July and August; he went 6-2 and lowered his ERA to 2.88. He pitched his 1st MLB career complete game in beating the Orioles on July 9th, then he would finished August with his 1st MLB career shutout, a masterful 3-hit whitewash of the same Orioles, 2-0 on August 31st. His excellent performance during the month was rewarded with the AL Pitcher of the Month Award, in recognition of his record of 4-0, record with a 2.08 ERA in August. On September 21st, he threw a 6-hit shutout against the Giants with the Yankees trying to hand on at the edge of the ALWC race. He would finish the season with a 9-6 record with a 3.10 ERA in 23 games, including 20 starts. Ivan was part of the 2014 Yankees' starting rotation at the beginning of the season. He was 2-1 after 3 starts, but in his 4th start on April 19th, he suffered a drubbing at the hands of the Rays, giving up 4 HRs and 8 runs in 4 innings as the Yankees lost by the score of 16-1. That shot his ERA up to 8.27, he complained of pain in his elbow. A medical exam by Dr. James Andrews revealed a partially torn ligament. He would decide to undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2014 AL season. His return to the Bronx took place on June 24, 2015; it was a successful one, as he allowed only 3 hits to the Phillies in 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Nova received credit for a 10-2 win. He would finish the 2015 season with a 6-11 record with a 5.07 ERA in 17 games. For the 2016 Yankees, Ivan had made 21 appearances, including 15 starts. Like the team itself, he was just middling, with a record of 7-6 with a 4.90 ERA. He gave up a lot of hits - 107 in 97 1/3 innings - but his K/W ratio was quite good at 75/25. On August 1st, he was traded to the Pirates in return for 2 Players to be Named Later. It was a bit of a surprising development because, while the Yankees were shedding high-priced talent at that point, they were doing so with a clear strategy of getting younger and stocking up their farm system with talented prospects. Not yet 30-years old, Nova was not getting on in years, his salary was quite reasonable, and the fact there was no return identified in the immediate made it unlikely the Yankees would be getting anyone of great value at the end of the day. Ivan had finished his Yankees Pitching career with a 53-39 record with 4.41 ERA in 131 games. Nova turned things around with the Pirates, by going 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts. He was among the NL leaders for complete games with 3, one of which was a no-decision, when the Pirates played the Cubs to a 1-1 tie on September 29th. The Pirates were suitably impressed with his work. On December 22nd, they would re-sign him to a 3-year contract worth $26 million.

1988-Former Yankees Baseball Executive John H. Johnson (1947-1969) had passed away. (1921-1988).
In 1947, John H. Johnson had joined the New York Yankees organization, serving as a Secretary to GM George Weiss. He rose through a series of posts, becoming the team's Farm Director and ultimately Vice President of Minor League Operations during the 1960s. When Bowie Kuhn was elected Commissioner in 1969, Johnson would joined his staff and after serving there for 9 years, he became President of the National Association in 1978. He was credited with stabilizing the Minor Leagues and steering them through a period of growth. The President's Trophy, which is "presented annually to honor the complete baseball franchise based on franchise stability, contributions to league stability, contributions to baseball in the community, and promotion of the baseball industry,” has been presented since 1974, but it was renamed The John H. Johnson President's Trophy after Johnson's death in 1988. John had died of chest cancer. He was only 66 years old.

1997-The Padres had acquired the rights to 27-year-old Japanese Starter Hideki Irabu from the Chiba Lotte Marines. Irabu says he only wants to play in the MLB for the Yankees. He will force a trade by the Padres to the Bronx Bombers.

2004-The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent 1B/DH/OF Tony Clark. He will hit .221 with 16 HRs and 49 RBIs in 106 games for the Yankees in 2004; before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency. He would be signed with the Diamondbacks, who had offered him more playing time than the Yankees could.

2009-Former Yankees and A’s LF Rickey Henderson the All-time MLB Leader in Stolen Bases, Runs and Leadoff HRs is elected to the Hall of Fame on the 1st ballot; at the time of his retirement, Henderson also held the MLB All-time Walk Record. Also elected to the Hall of Fame is former Red Sox Slugger Jim Rice, the 3rd player to go in on the 15th and final ballot (after Slugger Ralph Kiner and Pitcher Red Ruffing); Rice's long-time Red Sox teammate, Fred Lynn says that stats should be discarded in pushing his case.

2022-The Yankees have promoted former MLB Outfielder (and longtime Minor-Leaguer) Kevin Reese to the position of Vice President of Player Development. Since retiring after spending the 2007 season at AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Reese would join the Yankees organization as a Minor League Scout. Before this promotion, he had served as the Yankee’s Director of Professional Scouting since 2017. In an extremely small sample (16 plate appearances between 2005 and 2006), Reese had posted a .385/.500/.385 batting line in the MLB.

January 13th

1915-Former Yankee INF Michael “Mollie” Milosevich (1944-1945) was born. (1915-1966)
In 1935, INF Michael Milosevich was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. From 1935 to 1943, he had played in the Yankees Minor League system. He would reach the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) in 1942. He would play for the Blues again in 1943. Mollie was brought up to the Bronx, when the regular players were drafted for military duty. For the 1944-1945 Yankees, Shortstop Mollie Milosevich would hit .241 with 0 HRs and 31 RBIs in 124 games. In 1946, he was sent down to the AA Newark Bears (IL) also, he would spend time with the AA Kansas City Blues (AA). In 1947, Mike would leave the Yankees organization. Later, he would manage in the Minor Leagues for the Red Sox organization from 1947 to 1951.

1927-The Yankees had obtained Reserve Catcher Johnny Grabowski and INF Ray Morehart from the White Sox for veteran INF Aaron Ward. They both would be reserve bench help for the 1927 World Championship team. Veteran 2B Aaron Ward had been the Yankees starting 2B since the 1921 AL season until the arrival of rookie 2B Tony Lazzeri in 1926. Ward became a Reserve Infielder for the team. Reserve Catcher Johnny Grabowski would appear in 70 games for the Yankees, while hitting .277 with 0 HRs and 25 RBIs. He will play for the team until 1929, when he was traded to the AA St. Paul Saints (AA). Ray Morehart had appeared in 73 games for the 1927 Yankees, while hitting .256 with 1 HR and 20 RBIs. He would finish his pro baseball career playing in the Minor Leagues from 1928 to 1933.

1931-The Yankees had sold veteran AL OF Harry Rice to the Senators. He had hit .298 with 7 HRs and 74 RBIs in 100 games for the Yankees after being obtained from the Tigers in the Waite Hoyt trade during the 1930 AL season. Incoming new Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy felt that he wasn’t part of his outfield plans for the 1931 AL season.He had wanted a younger and faster outfield.

1939-The New York Yankees long-time Team Owner Jacob Ruppert (1915-1939) passes away from phlebitis at age of 62. (1867-1939)
In 1915, Jacob Ruppert and his Business Partner Col. Huston had bought the Yankees from Team Co-Owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery. AL President Ban Johnson wanted a stabilized Team Ownership with Businessmen, rather than the questionable character of current Owners Farrell and Devery. The 2 new team owners started improving the team by acquiring such players as 3B Frank “Home Run” Baker, Rookie 1B Wally Pipp and Starter Bob Shawkey. Settling the Manager’s position with the hiring of Miller Huggins in 1918. In 1919, Jacob Ruppert will purchase the land in the Bronx on which Yankee Stadium would eventually be built in 1922-1923. In 1920, they made the trade for Red Sox Pitcher/OF Babe Ruth. In the winter of 1920, they bought over Boston GM Edward Barrow to be the team’s new President/General Manager. In 1922, Jacob Ruppert will buy out his business partner Col. Huston to become the sole Team Owner of the Yankees. After his death in January of 1939, his estate was headed by long-time Yankees President/ General Manager Edward Barrow, who will run the Yankees until when the club is sold to new team Co-Owners Del Webb, Dan Topping Sr. and Larry MacPhail in 1945. He left the Yankees after disputes with Co-Team Owner Larry McPhail, who had replaced him as Team President. Yankees Owner Jacob Ruppert will be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013.

1944-Former Yankees INF (1903-1909) and MLB Manager (1908) Norman “Kid” Elberfeld had passed away (1875-1944).
In 1908, Norman “Kid” Elberfeld went 27-71 as the Yankees Player/Manager, after Yankees Manager Clark Griffth quit the team in a dispute with Team’s 2 Owners: Frank Farrell and Bill Devery. On June 10,1903, he was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for 2 Shortstops: Herman Long and Ernie Courtney. He would help stabilized the Yankees Infield. His best Yankees season was in 1906, when he hit .306 as the team’s starting Shortstop. On December 14,1909, “Kid” was purchased by the Senators from the Yankees for $5,000 Cash. As a Yankees player, he had appeared in 667 games, while hitting .268 with 4 HRs with 257 RBIs. He was also known as “The Tabasco Kid” for his hot temper on the playing field during his MLB playing career.

1954-Former Yankees Reliever Steve Comer was born.
On January 21,1983, Veteran AL Reliever Steve Comer was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had pitched for the Rangers for 5 AL seasons, while posting a 39-29 record with a 3.80 ERA with 13 saves in 151 games. The Yankees were hoping to use him in their 1983 Bullpen. After a poor spring training camp performance with the Yankees, he was released by the team on March 28,1983.

1969-Former Yankees Minor League INF Orlando Miller was born.
In 1987, the Yankees had signed INF Orlando Miller as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On March 13,1990, he was traded by the Yankees to the Astros for a Player to be Named Later and INF Dave Silvestri. On June 11,1990, the Astros would send Minor League P Daven Bond to the Yankees to complete the trade.

1978-Former Yankees Hall of Fame Manager and MLB Manager Joseph “Marse Joe” McCarthy (1931-1946) passes away at the age of 90 in Buffalo, NY. (1887-1978)
As a young man McCarthy played baseball at Niagara College (now Niagara Univ.) and then he had a long Minor League playing career from 1907 to 1921. He had started managing, while still an active player, he eventually moved up to the MLB in 1926 with the Cubs. He will lead the 1929 Cubs to a NL Pennant. While managing the Yankees, Joe was a 3-time Major League Manager of the Year Award (1936, 1938 & 1943). Joe McCarthy was the 1st MLB manager to win pennants with both NL (1929 Cubs) and the AL team (1932 Yankees). He would win a total of 9 League titles and 7 World Series championships with the Cubs and Yankees. His Yankees Managing record was 1,460-867, with a WP .627 with 8 AL flags along with 7 World Championships. He is the all-time wins leader as a Yankees Manager, followed by former Yankee Managers Joe Torre, Casey Stengel and Miller Huggins. In 1956, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame. In 1957, Joe McCarthy was elected as an MLB Manager to Baseball Hall of Fame.

1981-Former Yankees Pitcher Darrell Rasner (2007-2008) was born.
Darrell Rasner was selected by the Montreal Expos as the 5th pick in the 2nd round (46th overall) of the 2002 MLB Amateur Player Draft. On February 10, 2006, Darrell was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Nationals. He had appeared in 6 games for the 2007 Yankees, while posting a 1-3 record. On May 19, 2007, in a start against the Mets, Rasner was struck on the right hand by a ball hit by Endy Chavez, a former teammate with the Nationals. He fractured his right index finger. Rasner did not pitch in the AL again that season, though he pitched at several levels of the Yankees organization on rehab assignments. On December 12, 2007, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees. On December 14, 2007, Darrell was signed to a Minor League player contract by the Yankees. In 2008, he had posted a 5-10 record with a 5.40 ERA for the Yankees in 24 games. Overall, as a Yankees hurler, he would have a 9-14 record with a 5.06 ERA in 36 games for the team. On November 15, 2008, he was purchased from the Yankees by Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (JPL). During the 2011-2013 JPL seasons, Rasner has been a Set-up Man and Closer for the Golden Eagles.

1987-Former Yankees Pitcher (1951-1952,1954-1956), MLB Scout (1971) MLB Pitching Coach (1979), Tom “Plowboy” Morgan had passed away. (1930-1987)
In 1949, the Yankees had signed hurler Tom Morgan as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would join the Yankees in 1951, going 9-3 with 3.68 ERA in 27 games as a spot Starter role with 4 complete games. In 1952, he saw limited action being called into the military service, going just 5-4 with a 3.07 ERA with 2 saves in 16 games. In 1954, he would rejoin the team posting a 11-5 record with a 3.34 ERA and 1 save in 32 games, his best Yankees season. In 1955, he went 7-3 with a 3.25 ERA and 11 saves in 40 games. In 1956, Tom had slipped to a 6-7 mark along with a 4.16 ERA in 41 games; but he still had 11 saves, the best in AL. Overall, as a Yankees hurler, Tom had posted a 38-22 record with a 3.48 ERA and 27 saves in 156 games. He had appeared in 3 World Series with the team, while posting a 0-1 record with a 5.59 ERA in 5 games. On February 19,1957, Tom was traded by the Yankees to Kansas City in the Bobby Shantz deal. He would finish with MLB Pitching career in 1963, pitching for the Angels (1961-1963). He would work in the Angels Minor League system as a Pitching Coach and Manager. In 1971, he would return to the Yankees organization as an MLB Scout. His last job with the team was in 1979, when he was one of the MLB Pitching Coaches that season. Afterwards, Morgan would return to the Angels organization.

1989-Former Yankees Reserve INF Ray Morehart (1927) had passed away. (1898-1989)
The Yankees had obtained Reserve Catcher Johnny Grabowski and INF Ray Morehart from the White Sox for veteran Shortstop/2B Aaron Ward. Ray Morehart was Reserve INF on the 1927 World Champion Yankees. He played in 73 games for the team as a Reserve 2B, while hitting .256 with 1 HR and 20 RBIs. He will continue to play in the Minor Leagues from 1928 to 1933, before retiring.

1991-The Yankees had released veteran MLB Catcher Rick Cerone. He had appeared in 49 games as a Reserve Catcher for the team, while hitting .302 with 2 HRs and 11 RBIs. He will be signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Mets for the 1992 NL season.

1994-The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent OF Daryl Boston. For the 1994 Yankees, he will hit only .182 in 52 games as a Reserve Outfielder for the 1994 Yankees.

2005-The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Free Agent OF/DH Ruben Sierra. He will only hit .229 in 61 games for the 2005 Yankees.

2005-The North Dakota House of Representatives approves a resolution proclaiming native son former MLB star Outfielder Roger Maris should be elected to Baseball Hall of Fame. The lawmakers' action, which was sponsored by Rep. Andy Maragos, orders the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the 85 members of the baseball veterans' committee, which includes the 60 living members enshrined in Cooperstown.

2009-Former Yankees Minor League Manager (1963-1964) and MLB Manager Preston Gomez had passed away. (1922-2009)
In 1963-1964, Preston Gomez had managed in the Yankees Minor League organization. He was the Manager of the Yankees AAA team, the Richmond Virginians (IL). He would finish in the 9th and 7th place in the IL with Richmond. Also, he was an MLB Coach for the Cardinals, Angels, Cubs, Astros and the Dodgers. He was the 1st MLB Manager for the NL San Diego Padres (1969-1972). Later, he would manage the Astros (1974-1975). His last MLB manager job was in 1980 with the Cubs. His 1959 AAA Havana Sugar Kings team (IL) won the Junior World Series by defeating the AAA Minneapolis MilIers (AA) by led by Manager Gene Mauch.

2011-The Yankees ink their 1st MLB Free Agent of the 2011 MLB off-season by signing veteran MLB Reliever Rafael Soriano to a 3-year contract worth $35 million. While Soriano will be the Set-up Man for Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera this season, he excelled as the Rays' Closer last season; he could be in line to take over for the great Rivera, when he eventually retires.

2012-The Yankees had acquired AL All-Star Pitcher Michael Pineda and 19-year-old Minor-League P Jose Campos from the Mariners for C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi. Pineda had posted a 9-10 record for the 2011 Seattle. He was named to the 2011 AL All-Star Pitching staff. Catching prospect Jesus Montero had appeared in 18 games for the Yankees, while hitting .328 with 4 HRs and 12 RBIs. Hector Noesi had appeared in 5 games with the Yankees, while posting a 2-2 record. Also, Jose Campos had arm problems, while pitching in the Seattle Minor League system during the 2012 baseball season.

2012-The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Starter Hiroki Kuroda to a 1-year deal worth 10 million dollars. As a Starter for the 2011 Dodgers, he had posted a 13-6 record with a 3.07 ERA in 32 games. With the 2012 Yankees, he will go 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA in 33 games.

2014-Alex Rodriguez files a lawsuit in federal court against the MLB and the MLB Players Association seeking to overturn the 162-game suspension handed out 2 days earlier by Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz.

2016-Former Yankees Closer and MLB Scout Luis Arroyo (1960-1963) had passed away. (1927-2016)
On December 5,1949, Luis Arroyo was drafted by the Cardinals from Greensboro (CL) in the 1949 Minor League Player draft. In 1955, as a Rookie Pitcher with the Cardinals, Luis made the NL All-Star team. During that 1955 season, Luis Arroyo won 11 games for the Cards. On May 5,1956, Luis was traded by the Cardinals to the Pirates for MLB veteran P Max Surkont. On December 3,1958, Luis was traded by the Pirates to the Reds for 1B/OF Nino Escalera. On July 20,1960, Luis Arroyo was purchased by the Yankees from the Reds organization. He had been pitching with the Reds AAA team, Jersey City Jerseys (IL). He would go 5-1 with a 2.88 ERA with 7 saves in 29 games for the 1960 Yankees, giving their bullpen extra veteran lefty help. In 1961, he had his best MLB Pitching career season going 15-5 with a 2.19 ERA with 29 saves, leading the AL with 54 games finished. He was selected to the 1961 AL All-Star team. Luis was the 1961 AL Reliever of the Year Award Winner. In the winter of 1961, Luis did not follow his usual routine of pitching in Winter League baseball, instead attending various winter baseball dinners and awards meetings. During the 1962 AL season, he had injured his pitching arm, just going 1-3 with 7 saves in 27 games for the Yankees. Later, he admitted that the arm injury was due to not following his normal Winter League pitching routine. In September of 1963, the team would release him. He had only pitched in 6 games for the 1963 Yankees with a 1-1 record and no saves. His final Yankees pitching career record was 22-10 with a 3.12 ERA and 43 saves in 127 games. Luis had appeared in the 1960-1961 World Series with the Yankees posting a 1-0 record in 3 games. He would manage in the Mexican Baseball Leagues for 3 seasons. Then, he later would become a long-time MLB Scout for the Yankees. He was elected to the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its 2012 Class.

Thank you!

Clipper

This Week in Yankees History March 3rd-March 9th



March 3rd

1872-Future Yankees HOF INF/OF William “Wee Willie” Keeler (1903-1909) was born. (1872-1923)
As a 1903-1909 Yankees player, Willie “Wee Willie” Keeler had a .295 lifetime BA, he had played in 873 games for the team. A remarkable hitter, Willie Keeler will hit over .300 16 times in 19 MLB seasons, he hit over .400 once. Willie had hit .432 in 1897 with the Baltimore Orioles (NL). Keeler would finish with a .341 BA over his MLB playing career, currently 14th in all-time list. Overall, as an MLB player for 19 seasons, Willie would hit .341 with 33 HRs with 810 RBIs in 2,133 games. Willie had played in the MLB from 1892-1910, starting out and finishing with the Giants. He played for the Giants (twice), Brooklyn, Baltimore in the NL and with the Yankees in the AL. While playing for the 1903-1909 Yankees, Willie would hit .308 (1903), .343 (1904), .302 (1905), .304 (1906), before tailing off to .234 in 1907. Keeler had umpired 1 NL game in 1910. Later, he was an MLB Coach for the 1914 NL Brooklyn Tip-Tops. Then Willie would scout for the Boston Braves in 1915. Willie Keeler will be selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939 with 75.55% of the vote. He
was the ballplayer, who had coined the phrase “Hit’em, where they ain’t.”

1886-Former Yankees OF Les Channell (1910,1914) was born. (1886-1954)
On September 1,1909, OF Les Channell was drafted by the Yankees from Fort Wayne (CL) in the 1909 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Les had appeared in just 7 games for the Yankees. His lifetime MLB BA was .350 (7-for-20). Les had played left field for the team. His suffering a broken leg, when he slid into 3B unfortunately shortened his 1910 MLB Player debut. Also, he had played for the Denver team (WL) during the 1912-1913 seasons, then he was with the AA Buffalo Bisons (IL) in 1914-1917. While playing with Denver, Les would led the Western League in HRs in 1913.

1895-Former Yankees Long-time MLB Scout Joe Devine (1932-1951) was born. (1895-1951)
Joe Devine was a long-time MLB Scout and Minor League Manager. As a Minor League player, Devine was 0 for 6 for the 1915 AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). By 1919, he was managing in the Northwest International League, he was only 24 years old. In 1920-1921, he guided the Calgary Bronchos to a composite 143-72 record, while winning the Western Canada League titles, both times. Then he would scout for the Pirates, signing future Hall of Fame Slugger Paul Waner, most notably for the team. Then Devine would manage the AA Mission Reds for parts of 1931 and 1932 PCL seasons. Starting in 1932, Joe Devine became a was a Yankees MLB Scout who was signed by Head Scout Paul Krichell. Devine was covering the West Coast, especially the San Francisco Bay area. He was most noted in the signing of young Joe DiMaggio. Also, Devine is credited with signing the following MLB players: Infielders: Joe Gordon, Frank Crosetti, Johnny Lindell, Bobby Brown, Andy Carey, Jerry Coleman Ed Bahr, C Lou Berberet, P Milo Candini, Bernie DeViveiros, Bud Hafey, Tom Hafey, Bob Joyce, Frank Lucchesi (MLB Manager), Woody Main, INF Gil McDougald, INF Fenton Mole, OF Bill Renna, Hal Rhyne, Pitchers: Art Schallock, Bill Wight, Rugger Ardizoia, Tiny Bonham, Outfielders Wally Judnich and Frankie Kelleher, Catchers Gus Triandos and Charlie Silvera, OF Jackie Jensen and INF/OF Woodie Held. In 1937, Joe had miss-judge the talent skills of a young outfielder named Ted Williams, who was playing for the AA San Diego Padres (PCL), so the Yankees didn’t sign him. Later, Williams would be signed by their AL rivals the Red Sox. He continued working for the Yankees organization until his death on September 21,1951.

1904-The Yankees had traded veteran Starter Harry Howell and $8,000 Cash payment to the St. Louis Browns for veteran Starter Jack Powell. Howell had pitched for the 1901-1902 Baltimore Orioles (NL), while posting a 23-36 record. In 1903, he went 9-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 25 games with 13 complete games for the Yankees. In 1904, Jack Powell will post a 23-19 record with a 2.44 ERA in 47 games with 38 complete games for the team. Overall, with the 1904-1905 Yankees, he will go 31-32 with 2.81 ERA in 84 games. On September 11,1905, he will be re-purchased by the Browns from the Yankees.

1918-The Yankees had purchased 1B George “Tigoa” Burns from the Tigers for Cash, then the team traded him to Athletics for veteran MLB OF Ping Bodie. Burns had hit .226 for the 1917 Tigers. Yankees Manager Miller Huggins had been trying to acquire A’s OF Tilly Walker, but Connie Mack wanted Burns to replace recently traded away 1B Stuffy McInnis. The Yankees had to acquire 1B Burns from the Tigers to get an outfielder from the A’s. Veteran OF Ping Bodie had hit .291 for the 1917 A’s. The Yankees already had Wally Pipp as their regular 1B, who was acquired by the Yankees from the Tigers in 1915, as a Rookie with the Tigers, when they started using George Burns as their 1915 starting 1B. For the 1919 Yankees, Bodie will hit .256 with 3 HRs and 46 RBIs in 91 games f, finishing out his MLB playing career with the team in 1921. Overall, Bodie will appear in 385 games for the team, while hitting .272 with 16 HRs and 194 RBIs.

1919-Former Yankees 1B/OF and Minor League Manager Steve “Bud” Souchock (1946,1948) was born. (1919-2002)
Steve Souchock had played semi-pro ball before being signed by the Yankees in 1939. He would play in the Yankees farm system for Greenburg, Easton, Akron, Norfolk Tars and the Binghamton Triplets, where he was Eastern League Most Valuable Player in 1942. Souchock played a bit of service ball before becoming an Army Tank Commander. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his combat efforts during the Battle of the Bulge. He would miss 3 seasons of pro baseball due to the war, but within 6 months of his army discharge, he would make his MLB Player debut with the 1946 Yankees at age 27, hitting .302 with 2 HRs and 10 RBIs as a Rookie. In 1947, he would return to the AAA Kansas City Blues (AA) hitting .294 with 17 HRs. He would appear in 71 games for the 1948 Yankees, hitting .203 with 3 HRs and 11 RBIs in 44 games. On December 14,1948, Steve was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for OF Jim Delsing. Most of his MLB playing career was spent with the Tigers, where he slugged .492 from 1951 to 1953. In each of those AL seasons, he had the 2nd-highest slugging percentage on the team. After his finishing his MLB playing career, Steve started managing in the Minor Leagues for the Tigers organization from 1955-1956. Then in 1957, he continued to managed in the Minor Leagues for the Yankees organization until 1963; then he was an MLB Scout for the team from 1964-1974.

1927- Former Yankees MLB Scout Tony Stiel was born. (1927-2010)
Tony Stiel was an MLB Scout. Stiel had worked as a police office and was Chief Investigator for the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office. He scouted for the Tigers, Orioles, Indians (1966-1970), Yankees, Brewers (1972-1974), Major League Scouting Bureau and the Braves (1981- ). He had helped sign Steve Avery, Paul Assenmacher, Kent Mercker, Joe Roa, Jim Kern, Chuck Oertel, Rich Maloney, Lary Sorensen, Bob Owchinko and Dale Polley. In 1998, he was inducted into the Major League Scouting Hall of Fame.

1956-Former Yankees INF Dennis Sherrill (1978,1980) was born.
INF Dennis Sherrill was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round (12th Pick) of the 1974 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Dennis had only appeared in 5 games with the Yankees, while hitting just .200. He was blocked at the Yankees starting Shortstop position by the presence of AL All-Star Shortstop Bucky Dent.

1960-Former Yankees Pitcher Chuck Cary (1989-1991) was born.
On January 26,1989, Pitcher Chuck Cary was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Cary had pitched for the Yankees from 1989 through 1991, but he was released by the team on October 28,1991, following elbow surgery that he had performed in September. His Yankees Pitching career record was 11-22 with a 4.19 ERA in 60 games.

1960-Former Yankees Pitcher Neal Heaton (1993) was born.
On February 2,1993, veteran P Neal Heaton was signed as a Minor League Free Agent by the Yankees. Neal made the 25-man team roster in MLB Spring Training Camp. He would post a 1-0 record with a 6.00 ERA in 18 games, before being released by the team on July 27,1993, ending his MLB Pitching career. Neal finishes his 12-season MLB Pitching career with an 80-96 record with a 4.37 ERA and 10 saves in 382 games.

1966-Former Yankees Minor League P Francisco de la Rosa was born. (1966-2011)
Originally signed by the Orioles as an MLB Amateur Free Agent, P Francisco de la Rosa was traded to the Yankees for P Alan Mills on February 29,1992. He would spend the 1992 season with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), while posting a 6-1 record with a 3.72 ERA in 48 games; but he did not make it back to the MLB. After the 1993 baseball season had ended, the Yankees would release him, when his ERA had ballooned to 6.45 mark.

1968-Former Yankees Pitcher Bobby Munoz (1993) was born.
The Yankees in the 15th round of the 1988 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected Pitcher Bobby Munoz. For the 1993 Yankees, he had posted a 3-3 record with a 3.52 ERA in 38 games. On February 9,1994, Bobby was traded by the Yankees along with 2 Minor League Players INF Kevin Jordan and P Ryan Karp to the Phillies for a Player to be Named Later and veteran MLB Starter Terry Mulholland. On November 8,1994, the Phillies would send Minor League P Jeff Patterson to the Yankees to complete the trade.

1977-Former Yankees Pitcher Frank “Stubby” Overmire (1951) had passed away. (1919-1977)
After being obtained by the Yankees from the St. Louis Browns for veteran Starter Tommy Byrne and $25,000 Cash. Stubby would post a 1-1 record with a 4.63 ERA in 15 games for the 1951 Yankees. At the time of the trade, he was 1-6 with the 1951 Browns. He did not appear in the 1951 World Series with the team against the Giants. In May of 1952, the Yankees traded him back to the Browns, where he finished out his 10-season MLB Pitching career (1943-1952). He would finish with an overall MLB Pitching record of 58-67, along with a 3.96 ERA and 10 saves in 266 games. The Tigers had originally signed him as an MLB Amateur Free Agent, he reached the MLB with them in 1943. He had appeared in the 1945 World Series with the team, while posting a 0-1 record in 1 game against the Cubs. After retiring as an active player, Stubby became a long-time Minor League Manager in the Tigers organization.

1980-Former Yankees INF Jerry Priddy (1941-1942) had passed away. (1919-1980)
In 1937, Yankees MLB Scout Bill Essick had offered INF Jerry Priddy, a player contract, he signed because his family needed money. He would leave school at 17 to go to play Class-D ball in Rogers, Arkansas. While playing in the Yankees farm system, Jerry Priddy and Phil Rizzuto were touted as the new Yankees double play combo for the future. Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy was disappointed with Priddy’s weak bat. He was moved from starting 2B to Reserve INF by McCarthy. Veteran Joe “Flash” Gordon was moved back to 2B from 1B, while Johnny Strum played 1B for the team. Jerry did appear in 3 games of the 1942 World Series with the Yankees against the Cardinals, hitting just .100 with no HRs and 1 RBI for the team. Jerry would appear in 115 games for the 1941-1942 Yankees, while hitting .248 with 3 HRs and 54 RBIs. On January 29,1943, Jerry was traded by the Yankees along with P Milo Candini to the Senators for veteran P Bill Zuber and Cash. Priddy would enter the Army in December 1943; he was discharged from the service in January of 1946. After spending time with the Nats, he would later play for the Browns and the Tigers before retiring from MLB in the Fall of 1953. He would finish his MLB playing career with a .265 BA, while hitting 61 HRs and 544 RBIs in 1,296 games.

1997-The Yankees would offer the Padres a choice of 1 from a list of players for the negotiating rights to Japanese Pitcher Hideki Irabu. The list includes Pitchers Brian Boehringer, David Weathers, Chris Cumberland, Reserve INF Andy Fox and OF Matt Luke. The Yankees also offer 1 player from a list of 5 Minor Leaguers, plus $3 million. The Padres are talking to several other MLB teams beside the Yankees.

1997-Former Yankees Minor League 1B Harry Davis had passed away. (1908-1997)
On December 4,1937, 1B Harry Davis was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for Pitcher Vito Tamulis. Harry never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He had played in the MLB for the Tigers and the Browns before joining the Yankees organization. In 1938, the Yankees would send him to their AA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA), where he hit .299. For the 1939 baseball season, Harry would join the Cardinals organization. After retiring as an active player, Harry became a Minor League Manager (1940-1945) for several MLB teams before retiring from the game.

2013-Former Yankees Minor League OF Ray Mantle had passed away. (1936-2013)
The brother of Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, OF Ray Mantle had played 2 seasons of Minor League baseball in the Yankees organization. In addition to Mickey, Ray had a twin brother Roy Mantle, who was his teammate during his playing career. Roy’s pro baseball career ended, when he was drafted into the Army. He never return to play pro baseball.

2021-Former Yankees Minor League Manager and MLB Coach (1981-1982) Joe Altobelli had passed away. (1932-2021)
Joe Altobelli was 1B/OF for the 1955, 1957 Indians and the 1961 Twins. From 1966-1976, Joe was a long-time Minor-League Manager for the Orioles organization reaching AAA level with the Rochester Red Wings (IL). From 1977-1979, he would manage the Giants. In 1980, Altobelli led the Yankees AAA club, the Columbus Clippers to an International League title. Next, he served as a Yankees MLB Coach on the 1981-1982 teams. In 1983, he would manage the 1983 Orioles, replacing the retiring Manager Earl Weaver. In 1985, he was replaced mid-season by Cal Ripen Sr. He would return to MLB Coaching for the Yankees in 1986. He was a MLB Coach for the Cubs from 1988 until 1991, serving as Interim Manager for 1 game between Managers Don Zimmer and Jim Essian that season. Overall, Joe Altobelli's Minor League teams were 870-670 in 12 seasons, while winning 4 IL titles. Since 1998, Altobelli has been a Radio Broadcaster for the AAA Rochester Red Wings. He was inducted into the Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2008, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.

March 4th

1891-Former Yankees and HOF Pitcher Arthur “Dazzy” Vance (1915,1918) was born. (1891-1961)
During the 1915 AL season, P Arthur “Dazzy” Vance was acquired by the Yankees from the Pirates. He didn’t pitch for the Yankees during the 1916 or the 1917 AL seasons due to pitching arm injuries. He went 0-3 with a 4.45 ERA in 10 games with the Yankees. After being picked up by the Dodgers in 1922, he would recover from his pitching arm injuries. He was named the NL MVP in 1924. He had pitched a No-Hitter in 1925. Vance would lead the NL in wins twice, in NL Pitcher’s ERA 3 times during his MLB pitching career. He is the only pitcher to top the NL in strikeouts for 7 consecutive MLB seasons. in 1955, Dazzy Vance will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the BWAA with 205 votes on 251 ballots. He had posted a lifetime a 197-140 record with a 3.24 ERA in 442 games during his 16-season MLB pitching career. Dazzy had pitched for the Pirates, Yankees, Dodgers (twice), Cardinals and the Reds before retiring, after the 1935 NL season. He had appeared in 1 game of the 1934 World Series with the Cardinals with no record.

1897-Former Yankees P/OF Lefty O’Doul (1919-1920,1922) was born. (1897-1969)
On September 21,1918, Lefty O’Doul was drafted by the Yankees from AA Salt Lake City (PCL) in the 1918 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He had started his MLB playing career as a Pitcher, playing 4 years in the AL with the Yankees and the Red Sox in his early 20's, before hurting his pitching arm. Lefty O’Doul went 0-0 a 3.65 ERA in 11 games as a Pitcher for the Yankees before being sent the Red Sox in a trade. As a Yankees hitter, he had appeared in 40 games, hitting .243 with No HRs and 6 RBIs. On September 29,1922, the Yankees sent P Lefty O'Doul to the Red Sox to complete an earlier deal made on July 23,1922, the Yankees sent a Player to be Named Later, INF Chick Fewster, OF Elmer Miller, INF Johnny Mitchell and $50,000 Cash to the Red Sox for veteran 3B Joe Dugan and OF Elmer Smith. Lefty O'Doul was a .349 career hitter in the MLB, who had won 2 MLB batting titles in the NL. His MLB career batting average puts him at # 4 on the all-time list, although his MLB career was short with only a bit more than 3,000 at-bats. For many years after he retired, he had stout proponents, who said he belonged in the Hall of Fame. In 2007 voting by the Veterans Committee, he received 18% of the vote. He became an Outfielder and returned to the MLB after some outstanding seasons in the PCL with AA teams in Salt Lake City and San Francisco. He was selected by the Giants in the 1927 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would appear in a total of 970 MLB games, while hitting .341 with 113 HRs and 542 RBIs. Lefty had appeared in 1 World Series with the 1933 Giants against the Senators, hitting 1.000 (1 for 1). He was a long-time Manager in the PCL, starting with the 1935-1951 San Francisco Seals, 1952-1954 San Diego Padres, 1955 Oakland Oaks, 1956 Vancouver Mounties and the 1957 Seattle Rainiers. He had compiled a lifetime record of 2,094-1,970 over 23 seasons of Managing in the Minor Leagues. He is a member of the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. He also helped bring baseball to Japan, travelling there with MLB Player teams often before and after World War II.

1897-Former Yankees Pitcher Neal Brady (1915, 1918) was born. (1897-1947)
Pitcher Neal Brady went 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA in 4 games for the Yankees. He would pitch in the Minor Leagues for several seasons, before reappearing in the MLB with the 1925 Reds for 20 games, while posting a 1-3 record.

1913-The Yankees become the 1st MLB team to conduct Spring Training outside of the United States, when they begin their 1913 Spring Training Camp in Bermuda, where are a projected a series of exhibition games scheduled.

1917-Former Yankees Minor League Player Clyde McCullough was born. (1917-1982)
Catcher Clyde McCullough made his pro debut as an 18-year-old with the 1935 Lafayette White Sox (EL), who would sell him to the Yankees organization. He would spend the next 4 seasons in the Yankees Minor League system reaching AA level in 1938, splitting the season between the Newark Bears (IL) and the Kansas City Blues (AA). Then in 1939, he would only play for the AA Kansas City Blues (AA), hitting .277 with 11 HRs. On September 8,1939, Clyde was purchased by Cubs from the Yankees. Clyde’s path to the Yankees was blocked by several other young catchers in their farm system. He would spend most of 1940 season with AA Buffalo Bisons (IL), while hitting .324 with 27 HRs, also he saw action at the MLB level that year. He made his MLB player debut on April 28th, pinch hitting against Cardinals P Clyde Shoun in the 9th inning and striking out; but he did not play for the Cubs again until September. Overall, he had hit .154 in 9 games for the Cubs that season. In 1941, McCullough became Chicago's regular catcher as he posted career-highs with 9 HRs and 53 RBIs. He remained the team's starting backstop until entering the Navy in December 1943. He was discharged from the Navy in September 1945, just prior to the Cubs World Series against the Tigers. Commissioner Happy Chandler allowed the club to add him to their postseason roster. He made an appearance as a pinch-hitter in Game #7, striking out while facing Tigers P Hal Newhouser. He is the only player ever to appear in a World Series without playing a regular season game in the same year.
Despite hitting just .209, splitting time behind the plate with Bob Scheffing and Rube Walker in 1948. McCullough was selected to that year's All-Star Game. Following that season, he was dealt to the Pirates. After 4 years with the Pirates, he was traded back to the Cubs. He was again selected to the All-Star Game in 1953. He remained with Chicago through 1956. After his release from the Cubs, he would suit up for the semipro Alpine Cowboys as he was added to their team just before the National Semipro Tournament in Wichita, KS. Despite Alpine finishing in 3rd place, McCullough was named MVP of the 1957 Tournament. In 1957, he had played for the AAA Miami Marlins (IL) in his final season as an active player. Later, he became an MLB Coach and a Minor League Manager before passing away from a heart attack in 1982. At the time of his death, he was the MLB Bullpen Coach for the 1982 Padres.

1918-Former Yankees Pitcher Mel Queen Sr. (1942,1944,1946-1947) was born. (1918-1982)
In 1938, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Mel Queen, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Queen spent nearly a decade pitching in the Yankees organization, having several cups of coffee with the club in the years during World War II.
Mel had posted an 8-4 record with a 4.27 ERA in 33 games for the Yankees, before being sold to the Pirates in 1947. In 1949, he would lead the American Association in wins (22), strikeouts (123) with an 2.57 ERA, while pitching for the AAA Indianapolis Indians. Two years later, in 1951, Queen had his best MLB pitching season, going 7-9 with a 4.44 ERA in 39 games along with 123 strikeouts for the Pirates. His son, Mel Queen Jr. had played for the Reds during the 1960’s.

1925-Former Yankees Minor League INF Leo Righetti was born. (1925-1998)
Leo Righetti was a Minor League INF for 12 seasons, 8 of them in either the AAA or Open classification. His son, Dave Righetti became an MLB Pitcher for the Yankees and Giants, while his other son, Steven Righetti played in the Minors. Leo debuted in 1944 with the Yankees farm club, the Binghamton Triplets (EL) hitting .232 in 67 games and fielding .887 at shortstop. He also was briefly with the AA Newark Bears, (IL) hitting .143 in 4 contests. He did not play in 1945. In 1946, Leo only managed a .166 batting line in 57 games for Binghamton Triplets, the lowest average that year by any Eastern League player with 100 at-bats, let alone 200 plate appearances. He would field only .855 in 30 games at 3B and .915 in 10 at 2B. Righetti made strides in 1947, hitting .251 with a career-high 10 HRs and 81 RBIs for the Victoria A’s. In 1948, he batted .162 for Binghamton Triplets and .237 for the Augusta Tigers. Back with Augusta for the 1949 season, the Leo would hit .225 with 4 HRs and 46 RBIs. He did not play pro baseball in 1950. He would leave the Yankees organization and play AAA baseball out in the PCL before retiring from pro baseball.

1952-Former Yankees MLB Scout Jax Robertson (1977-1980) was born.
Jax Robertson was selected by the Indians in the 30th round of the 1971 MLB Amateur Player Draft, but he did not sign with the team. In 1974, he would be signed by the Cubs as an Undrafted Free Agent, he would hit .120 in 30 games for the Key West Conchs with 32 strikeouts in 85 AB; he was also 0 for 10 for the GCL Cubs to finish his pro baseball career with a .106 average. Next, Jax would become a MLB Scout with the Yankees from 1977-1980, most notably signing unheralded 1B Don Mattingly. Next. he was an Assistant Baseball Coach at Old Dominion Univ. in 1981. From 1982-1987, he was an MLB Scout with Tigers, signing shortstop Travis Fryman. From 1988-1991, Jax was the Tigers Director of Scouting. From 1992-1999, Robertson was the National Crosschecker for the Marlins. Next, he was a Pro Scout for the 2000-2001 Marlins. Then Jax would join the Pirates as a Special Assistant to the General Manager.

1962-Former Yankees Pitcher George Mogridge (1915-1920) had passed away. (1889-1962)
In 1911-1912, George Mogridge had pitched for the White Sox, posting a 3-6 record with a 4.19 ERA in 21 games. In February of 1915, Chicago would send him to AA Minneapolis Millers (AA). During the month of August 1915, Mogridge was acquired by the Yankees from the AA Minneapolis Millers (AA). On April 24,1917, he would pitch a No-Hitter against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. He had his Yankees pitching career season in 1918, when he posted a 16-13 record with a 2.18 ERA and 7 saves in 45 games. His final Yankees pitching record was a 48-57 record along with a 2.73 ERA and 8 saves in 171 games. George’s 2.73 ERA in his 6 seasons with the Yankees is one of the 5 best pitching ERAs for a Yankees Pitcher in the 20th century. On December 31,1920, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Duffy Lewis to the Senators for OF Braggo Roth. On February 6,1926, George was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with Cash to the Yankees for Catcher Wally Schang. On February 15,1926, George was selected off waivers by the Boston Braves from the Yankees. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with an overall record of 132-133 with a 3.23 ERA and 21 saves in 398 games.

1974-Former Yankees Minor League P and Coach Tommy Phelps was born.
Tommy Phelps had pitched in the MLB from 2003-2005 with the Marlins and the Brewers; posting a 4-5 record in 75 games. On April 20, 2006, Tommy was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He did not appear with the 2006 Yankees at the MLB level, pitching instead with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), where he posted a 7-4 record with a 4.45 ERA in 17 games. On October 15, 2006, the Yankees granted Tommy MLB Free Agency. He was the Pitching Coach for the 2010-2014 Yankees AA Trenton Thunder (EL) In 2015, then he would coach for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL). In 2016-2019, he was the Pitching Coach for AAA Scranton (IL). He would have started his 5th season as the 2020 Pitching Coach for Scranton, but the 2020 Minor League season was canceled by the COVIDS-19 outbreak. Instead, he did work at the 2020 Yankees Alternate Training site held in Scranton. In the Fall of 2020, Tommy would leave the Yankees organization to work for the Marlins organization.

1983-Former Yankees Reserve OF George “Kiddo” Davis (1926) had passed away. (1902-1983)
George "Kiddo" Davis made 8 stops during his 8-year MLB playing career as an Outfielder. He would hit .381 in the 2 World Series that he appeared in as a player. At the age of 24, George got his 1st taste of the MLB in 1926 appearing in 1 game with the Yankees. The Yankees won the 1926 AL pennant, but Davis did not appear in the 1926 World Series against the Cardinals. After his 1 game with the Yankees in 1926, he disappeared from the MLB for 6 seasons until 1932, when he emerged as a regular outfielder for the Phillies, hitting .309 at the age of 30. He was in the top 10 in the NL in runs scored, in doubles and in stolen bases. The .309 wasn't as impressive as it sounded, though, as the team hit .292 with 6 of the 8 regulars over .300. Fellow Phillies OF Chuck Klein hit .348. After 1 season with the Phillies, he was on to the Giants for 1 season, where he played in the outfield with Mel Ott. Davis hit only .258 on a team that had hit .263 and he was on the move again. He had started 1934 NL season with the Cardinals, but the Phillies decided they wanted him back; he played the bulk of 1934 NL season for them, he would hit .293. In 1935, he was back with the Giants. Although he didn't play much, apparently being used often as a pinch-hitter, he was with the Giants for 1935, 1936 and part of 1937 NL seasons. Giants were managed by his former teammate, Player/Manager Bill Terry, the Giants were very competitive in 1935, won the NL pennant in 1936. In the 1936 World Series, Davis appeared in 4 games against the Yankees, getting only 2 at-bats. His 1 hit was a pinch-hit single off of Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez in the 4th inning of the 2nd game of the World Series. In 1937, the Reds had bought Davis in August from the Giants, who went on to win the NL pennant again. He would finish out the 1937 NL season with Reds. Then, he had appeared in just 5 games with the 1938 Reds before being released by the team on August 1,1938.

1988-Former Yankees Pitcher Jose De Paula (2015) was born.
In 2015, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Jose De Paula as an MLB Free Agent. He would appear in 6 games with AAA Scranton (IL), while posting a 2-3 record with 5.20 ERA in 6 games. With the 2015 Yankees, he had appeared in 1 game with no record with a 2.70 ERA. In the fall of 2015, Jose was granted MLB Free Agency by the team.

1992 Former Yankees Reserve OF Larry Rosenthal (1944) had passed away. (1912-1992)
On April 3,1942, OF Larry Rosenthal was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for OF Buster Mills. Larry had appeared in 36 games for the 1944 Yankees as a Reserve Outfielder, while hitting just .198. On July 6,1944, Larry was purchased by the Philadelphia Athletics from the Yankees. He had been playing for the Yankees AA team, the Newark Bears (IL).

1996-Former Yankees Minor League OF Tyler Hill was born.
Tyler Hill was selected by the Red Sox with their 20th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Amateur Player Draft out of Delaware Military Academy in Wilmington, DE, where he was a 3-sport standout before graduating in 2014. During the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings, the Tigers had selected Hill from the Red Sox in the Minor League phase of the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He was, in turn, they traded to the Yankees for Cash Considerations. In 2019, he would play for the Yankees Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), while appearing in 51 games, hitting .242 with 5 HRs and 20 RBIs in 51 games. During the 2019 AL season, Tyler was traded by the Yankees to the Royals organization.

2004-The Yankees had signed 2 MLB Free Agents: Hansel Izuierdo and OF John Rodriguez. Neither player appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level in 2004.

2004-Veteran MLB INF Mike Lamb is traded by the Yankees to the Astros for Minor League player Juan De Leon. With A-Rod joining the Yankees in a trade with the Rangers as their new 3B, Mike became expendable.

2013-With the Yankees struck by a number of key players either injured, or trying to return from serious injuries, GM Brian Cashman joins the fray. He breaks his fibula and dislocates his right ankle, while making a charity parachute jump with the U.S. Army's Skydiving team, the Golden Knights at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida.

2021-MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred proclaims that June 2nd will now be "Lou Gehrig Day", set to commemorate the life and legacy of Yankees Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig and to raise funds in the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the disease that claimed Gehrig's life in 1941.

March 5th

1891-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Walter “Walt” Alexander (1915-1917) was born. (1891-1978)
On July 30,1915, Reserve Catcher Walt Alexander was purchased by the Yankees from the St. Louis Browns. Walt had spent 3 seasons as a reserve catcher with the 1912-1915 Browns. For the St. Louis, he had hit .154 with No HRs and 12 RBIs in 81 games. For the 1915-1917 Yankees, Alexander would hit .221 with 1 HR and 12 RBIs in 81 games. On September 15,1917, he was purchased by the AA Toledo Mud Hens (AA) from the Yankees. From 1922 to 1929, Walt was a Manager in the Texas Minor Leagues.

1903-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher and Minor League Manager (1948-1949) Martin “Chick” Autry (1924) was born. (1903-1951)
For the 1924 Yankees, Reserve Catcher Martin Autry had appeared in only 2 games with no hits. He would spend the 1925 season in the Minor Leagues. Autry was 1 of 5 players traded by the Yankees to the AA Salt Lake City Bees (PCL) for INF Tony Lazzeri in September of 1925. He was drafted by the Indians in the 1925 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft, before suiting up in Salt Lake. His best season with the bat came in 1928, when he hit .300. During the offseason prior to 1929, he was traded for OF Bibb Falk, a good regular outfielder who had had fallen off a bit with the bat in 1928. At Cleveland, he had backed up starting Catcher Luke Sewell. At Chicago, he would back up starting Catcher Moe Berg. As a catcher in the Minors, his playing career would stretch from 1923-1942, playing with New Orleans from 1932-1936. Autry would later would manage for 9 years in the minors, mostly at Savannah. He was the incumbent skipper of the Beaumont Exporters (TXL), a Yankee AA affiliate, when he died during the 1949-1950 offseason of a heart attack, aged 46.

1912-Former Yankees MLB Coach (1964) and Minor League Manager Jimmy “Gee Gee” Gleeson (1964) was born. (1912-1996)
A former MLB player with the Indians, Cubs and Reds, Jimmy Gleason had hit .263 with 16 HRs and 154 RBIs in 392 games. On December 8,1936, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Indians. Jimmy never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB Level. Instead, he would spend the 1937-1938 seasons playing for the Yankees AA club, the Newark Bears (IL), hitting .298 and .310. On January 24,1939, he was purchased by the Cubs from the Yankees for $25,000. Jimmy Gleeson was a Manager in the Yankee Minor League system in the 1950-1960’s. He had managed the 1951 Muskegon Reds (CL)), 1952,1961-1962 Binghamton Triplets (EL), 1959 Kearney Yankees (NSL) and the 1960 AA Amarillo Gold Sox (TXL). In 1957, he was an MLB Coach for the Kansas City A’s. In 1964, he was an MLB Coach for Yankees Manager Yogi Berra.

1919-Former Yankees 3B/OF Don Savage (1944-1945) was born. (1919-1961)
Don Savage came out of Rutgers Univ. and the Minor Leagues to play 3B for the 1944-1945 Yankees. Although he is listed as being at Rutgers in 1938-1943, he was also in the Yankees Minor League system during those years (except for the 1942 season). In 1943, Don was playing with the AA Newark Bears (IL), before he came to the Yankees and went back to in 1946. In 1944, he had appeared in 60 games at 3B for the Yankees, while Oscar Grimes was in 97 games at 3rd. The following season, Grimes appeared much more often at 3B and Savage less often at the position. In 1945, Don Savage was in 14 games at 3B and with 2 games in the outfield, but he had 34 total appearances, so he presumably did a lot of pinch-hitting for the team. Overall, Don had hit .256 with 4 HRs and 27 RBIs in 105 games for the 1944-1945 Yankees. He was out organized baseball for 2 years. In 1949, he would play for the St. Jean Braves, an Independent Minor League team in Canada. In 1956-1957, Don Savage was the Head Baseball Coach at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY.

1921-Former Yankees Reserve OF Elmer Valo (1960) was born. (1921-1998)
On December 11,1959 veteran OF Elmer Valo was signed by the Yankees as MLB Free Agent. He had hit .292 in 24 games for the 1959 Indians and .324 in 60 games for the AAA Seattle Rainers (PCL). He had a .284 lifetime BA in 18 MLB seasons. Valo had played for Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics for 15 AL seasons. Elmer would only appear in just 8 games with the 1960 Yankees with no BA, before being released by the club on May 18,1960. A week later, Elmer would be picked-up by the Senators. In 1961, he would retire as an MLB active player after finishing the season with the Phillies. He will spend 2 seasons with the Indians as an MLB Coach. Then Elmer would become a long-time MLB Scout for the Phillies (1969-1982).

1922-Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth becomes the highest paid player in MLB history, when he signs a 3-year player contract that will pay him over $50,000 per season. In 1921, Babe Ruth had led the AL with 59 HRs and 171 RBIs, while hitting .378 in 152 games. The next-highest-paid Yankees player on the Yankees MLB Roster is veteran 3B Frank “Home Run” Baker at $16,000.

1950-Former Yankees Pitcher Doug Bird (1980-1981) was born.
On April 29,1980, Pitcher Doug Bird was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would post an 8-1 record with a 2.68 ERA and 1 save in 39 games. On June 12,1981, Doug was traded by the Yankees along with a Player to be Named Later and $400,000 Cash to the Cubs for veteran Starter Rick Reuschel. On August 5,1981, the Yankees would send Pitcher Mike Griffin to the Cubs to complete the trade.

1973-Yankees Pitchers Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson make a stunning public declaration. The 2 Yankees left-handers have announced that they have traded wives, children and the family dogs. Their announcement sends shock waves through-out the MLB world. Both players will be traded away by the team by the next season. Both Peterson (1974) and Kekich (1973), both will be traded to the Indians.

1975-The Yankees had released Reserve INF Fernando Gonzalez to the Poza Rica Petroleros team in the Mexican League. For the 1974 Yankees, Ferando would appear in 51 games, while hitting just .215. In 1975, he will return to the MLB with the Pirates. Leaving the MLB again, he will play in the Mexican League from 1981-1984. He would return to the Yankees organization in 1984, playing for their AA team, the Nashville Sounds (SL). He had appeared in 29 games for the team, while hitting .257 with 3 HRs and 30 RBIs.

1995-Former Yankees Reserve INF Roy Hughes (1939) had passed away. (1911-1995)
On June 13,1939, veteran MLB INF Roy Hughes was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with Cash to the Yankees for OF Joe Gallagher. Roy never appears with the Yankees in an MLB game. He was sent to AA Newark Bears (IL), appearing in 28 games, while hitting .374. On July 13,1939, Roy Hughes was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for Minor League P Al Hollingsworth.

2001-Former Yankees Minor League INF Leo Thomas had passed away. (1923-2001).
On June 15, 1950, INF Leo Thomas was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with 2 Pitchers: Tom Ferrick and Joe Ostrowski to the Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, Pitchers Don Johnson and Duane Pillette, INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000 Cash. Leo doesn’t appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was sent down to the Yankees AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA), where he hit .250 with No HRs and 19 RBIs in 36 games. On July 22,1950, he was purchased by AAA Portland Beavers (PCL) from the Yankees.

2003-The Yankees had signed P Ramon Ramirez as an MLB Free Agent. Ramon never would pitch for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 28, 2005, he was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League Player Eduardo Sierra to the Rockies for MLB P Shawn Chacon.

2007-Former Yankees Minor League P and MLB Scout Ken Beardslee had passed away. (1930-2007)
Ken Beardslee had set national high school records, then he would pitch for 6 years in the minor leagues (going 41-28). Ken Beardslee was a high school superstar for Vermontville, IL, where he had set national records in strikeouts in a 9-inning game (26), threw 8 no-hitters, won 24 of 25 games and set the national record for career strikeout average (18.1 out of every 21 batters) and season strikeout rate (19 of 21 batters in 1949). He and L.J. Grantham are the only high schoolers to throw 2 career perfect games. He was signed by the New York Yankees. Ken would debuted professionally with the 1949 Newark Yankees (OIL), going 3-5 with a 3.80 ERA despite a 5-hitter against Lima. In 1950, he was 6-7 with a 2.72 ERA for the Independence Yankees, striking out 101 in 96 innings, but walking 60 batters. Beardslee would miss the 1951 and 1952 seasons, presumably due to military service. In 1953, Ken went 6-5 with a 2.66 ERA for the West Palm Beach Indians (FIL) and 0-3 for the Class B Norfolk Tars (PL). Back in Norfolk in 1954, Beardslee had his best year as a pro, going 15-4 with a 3.17 ERA and tying for 2nd in the Piedmont League in wins. Ken's last year pitching pro was in 1955, he was 8-3 with a 3.10 ERA for the Winston-Salem Twins (NCL) and 3-1, 6.43 ERA for the Birmingham Barons (SA). Back trouble is credited with helping to end his pro pitching career. Ken would be an MLB Scout for the Pirates for 20 years. Also, Ken was a Scouting Supervisor for some of this 20-year period. He is the author of “Making Every Pitch Count”

March 6th

1919-The Yankees would sell veteran hurler Ray Keating (1912-1916,1918) to the Boston Braves for Cash. Ray had a Yankees pitching career record of 24-40 with a 3.36 ERA in 108 games. In 1919, he would post a 7-11 record with 2.89 ERA in 22 games for the Braves in his last season pitching in the MLB. His final MLB Pitching career record was a 31-51 mark with a 3.29 ERA in 130 games. He would continue to pitch in the high-level Minor Leagues until 1934, retiring at the age of 40.

1965-Former Yankees Catcher Wally Schang (1921-1925) had passed away. (1889-1965)
On December 15,1920, Catcher Wally Schang was traded by the Red Sox along with Pitchers Harry Harper, Waite Hoyt and INF Mike McNally to the for 2B Del Pratt, C Muddy Ruel, P Hank Thormahlen and OF Sammy Vick. In 5 seasons with the Yankees, Wally Schang would hit .297 with 16 HRs and 209 RBIs in 529 games, before being traded to the St. Louis Browns for P George Mogridge on February 6,1926. He would hit .330 for the 1926 St. Louis Browns. Wally would be the starting catcher for the Browns for the next 4 seasons. His trade was considered to be a rare mistake by Yankees GM Edward Barrow. The Yankees would not have a regular starting catcher until the arrival of Rookie Bill Dickey in 1928. Wally would continue to play in the MLB until 1931. He had originally come up to the MLB with the 1912 A’s, then he was traded to the Red Sox, before joining the Yankees in 1921. Then he would play for the Browns and finishing up his active playing career with the 1931 Tigers. Wally had played in 5 World Series: 1913-1914 A’s, 1918 Red Sox and the 1921-1923 Yankees. For the Bronx Bombers, he would appear in 13 Series games, while hitting .271 with No HRs and 1 RBI. He would also continue to play in the Minors as a Player-Manager for many years, after his active MLB playing career had ended. From 1936 to 1938, Schang was a Indians MLB Coach. He would manage in the Minor leagues during the 1930’s-1940’s with the Red Sox, Cardinals, Phillies and the Yankees organizations. In 1942, he had managed the Yankees farm club, the Augusta Tigers (SAL).

1965-Former Yankees INF and MLB Manager Jimmy Austin (1909-1910) had passed away. (1879-1965)
On September 1,1908, INF Jimmy Austin was selected by the Yankees from Omaha (WL) in the 1908 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He had appeared in 269 games for the 1909-1911 Yankees, as the team’s 3B, while hitting only .224 with 3 HRs and 75 RBIs. On February 11,1911, Jimmy was traded by the Yankees along with INF/OF Frank LaPorte to the St. Louis Browns for INF Roy Hartzell and Cash. Austin would play for the Browns until 1929, retiring as an active player at the age of 45. Also, he would manage the team in 1913,1918 and 1923. Later, Jimmy was an MLB Coach for the 1933-1935,1937 and the 1939-1940 White Sox .

1977-Former Yankees Reserve OF (2000, 2010) and Former MLB Hitting Coach Marcus Thames (2018-2021) was born.
In the 30th round of the 1996 MLB Amateur Player Draft the Yankees had selected OF Marcus Thames. He would appear in 13 games with the 2000 Yankees, while hitting .231. Marcus broke into the MLB by hitting a HR for the Yankees off of Diamondbacks Starter Randy Johnson. On June 6, 2003, he was traded to the Rangers for veteran OF/DH Ruben Rivera. In June of 2008, Marcus Thames was playing for the Tigers, he had 8 HRs in a span of 8 hits. From 2006-2009, he had played for the Tigers. In 2010, Marcus hit .288 with 12 HRs and 33 RBIs for the Yankees as a DH/Reserve Outfielder. In the winter of 2010, Marcus became an MLB Free agent. In January of 2011, he signed a 1-year deal with the Dodgers for the 2011 NL season. During the 2011 NL season, the Dodgers would release Marcus. He rejoined the Yankees organization, finishing the season with AAA Scranton (IL). He was a Coach for the 2013 Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL). In 2014, he moved up to the Class AA Trenton Thunder (EL) and then he continued to move up in 2015 to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL), before re-joining the club as a MLB Co-Hitting Coach for the 2016 AL season. In 2018, he was named the team’s MLB Hitting Coach. In November of 2021, Marcus was fired by the Yankees along with his Assistant Hitting Coach. He would be picked up by the Marlins for their 2022 MLB Coaching Staff.

1985-Former Yankees, A’s, Braves and the Cardinals OF Enos “Country” Slaughter (1954-1955,1956-1959) and NL Shortstop John “Arky” Vaughan are elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame. Enos Slaughter, known for his hustling style of play with the Cardinals and later with the Yankees, he had gained fame for his celebrated "Mad Dash" home during the 1946 World Series against the Red Sox. With the Yankees, Enos Slaughter had played in 350 games, while hitting .285, while hitting 6 HRs with 198 RBIs. He had appeared in 5 World Series with the 2-Cardinals and 3-Yankees. As a Yankees player, Slaughter would hit .285 in 3 World Series overall with an .291 BA in 5 World Series. Arky Vaughan had batted .318 over a 14-year MLB playing career in the NL with the Pirates and the Dodgers.

1986-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Francisco Cervelli (2008-2014) was born.
Catcher Francisco Cervelli was seriously injured in a collision at home plate during a 2008 spring training game against the Rays. He was a top Yankees prospect at that point, after hitting .279 with an OBP 100 points higher for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) in 2007. However, the injury shortened his 2008 season to 27 games for 3 different Yankee Minor League teams. Still, he showed that he remained on track for the MLB during his time with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), where he put up a line of .315 in 21 games. That earned him a late-season call-up to the Bronx in September. He went 0 for 5 in 3 games in his cup of coffee in Yankee pinstripes. The team called him up early in the 2009 season, when regular MLB Catchers Jorge Posada and Jose Molina were sidelined in turn by injuries. He would appear in 42 games for the Yankees, while hitting .298 with 1 HR with 11 RBI’s. He had played in the 2009 AL playoffs for 1 game, but he did not play in the 2009 World Series against the Phillies.
In 2010, Cervelli took over from Molina as Posada's main back-up. With Posada catching fewer games because of his age, he got a chance to play often. He batted very well albeit with little power - in the early going, although his average fell back to his career norms as the season advanced. However, he showed good defense and an excellent ability to handle pitchers, giving Manager Joe Girardi the chance to rest Posada more often and play him as the DH, after veteran DH/1B Nick Johnson was lost for the season because of a serious wrist injury. In 2011, with Posada moving to become the full-time DH, he was in competition for the starting catching job with veteran MLB Catcher Russell Martin in the MLB Spring Training Camp, but Martin had won out and Cervelli would play the season as a back-up. In 2012, he fell down 1 more step, losing the back-up job to veteran Catcher Chris Stewart. He playing most of the season with AAA Scranton (IL), getting into only 3 contests at the MLB level. In 2013, however, Martin would leave the Yankees, as an MLB Free Agent; the team did not attempt to sign a veteran starter to take his place, relying on Cervelli and Stewart instead. In the early going, Cervelli got most of the playing time, but it came crashing down on April 26th, when Blue Jays batter Rajai Davis hit a foul tip that went straight on his right hand, breaking a bone and putting him on the DL for an extended period. He was hitting .269 with 3 HRs at the time. While on the DL, Cervelli had accepted a 50-game suspension resulting from MLB's investigation of the Biogenesis Laboratories on August 5th. As a result of his earlier head injury, Cervelli wears an oversized batting helmet designed to afford him more protection and reduce the risk of a future head concussions. During the winter of 2014, the Yankees would trade him to the Pirates for Reliever Justin Wilson. Cervelli’s final Yankee player career totals was a .278 BA with 10 HRs and 92 RBIs in 250 games. After the 2020 MLB season had ended, Cervelli had announced his player retirement from the MLB. In the Fall of 2021, he would join the Pirates MLB Coaching Staff as an MLB Hitting Coach.

1990-Former Yankees and Indians Hall Of Fame INF Joe Sewell (1931-1933) had passed away. (1898-1990)
Infielder Joe Sewell spent most of his 14-season MLB playing career with the Indians. He would finish out his MLB playing career with the 1931-1933 Yankees. In September of 1920, the Indians bought his Minor League player contract from New Orleans (SA). In 1921, he became the Tribe’s regular 2B, the Indians had lost regular 2B Roy Chapman from a beaning death in 1920 from a pitch thrown by Bronx veteran P Carl Mays, which resulted in his death. After the 1930 AL season had ended, the Tribe would release Joe, then the Yankees would sign him as an MLB Free Agent. In 1931, as the Yankees regular 3B, he would hit .300 with 6 HRS and 64 RBIs in 130 games. With the 1932 Yankees, Joe would hit .272 with 11 HRs and 68 RBIs in 125 games. His last Yankee season was in 1933, Sewell had hit .273 with 2 HRs and 54 RBIs in 135 games. Overall, as a Yankees player, Joe had hit .282 with 19 HRs and 186 RBIs in 390 games. Joe would appear in 2 World Series as a player; with the 1920 Indians and the 1932 Yankees; while hitting .237 with No HRs and 3 RBIs in 11 games. His lifetime MLB BA mark was .312 with 49 HRs and 1,054 RBIs in 1,903 games. He was the toughest player to fan in MLB history, only 114 times in his 14-year MLB playing career. In 1977, Joe Sewell was elected to the Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

1994-Former Yankees Minor League P Domingo Acevedo was born.
Domingo Acevedo was signed by the Yankees in 2013. In 2018, he had pitched for the short-season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL) and the AA Trenton Yankees (EL). He would post a 3-3 record with a 2.92 ERA in 14 games for the AA Trenton Thunder. On July 21st, he was called up to the MLB for the 1st time. It was only for a day and he was there strictly as insurance if the Yankees had needed a long reliever, but it was a 1st taste of the MLB atmosphere for him. It turned out that his services weren't required in the game, so he was sent back down at the end of the day. In the Fall of 2020, he became a Minor League Free Agent. For the 2021 AL season, he was with the Oakland A’s. On July 31, 2021, the A’s had Designated him For Assignment.

2005- Suzyn Waldman becomes the 1st woman to be a full-time color commentator in MLB history, making her debut with John Sterling on WCBS-AM 880, the radio flagship of the New York Yankees. The former Radio-Talk host on WFAN, the 1st all-sports radio station in US, was also the 1st female to broadcast on a nationally baseball telecast as well as the 1st to provide local TV (Yankees) MLB play-by-play.

2010-Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Roland (1972) had passed away. (1942-2010)
On April 28,1972, P Jim Roland was purchased by the Yankees from the A’s. He had appeared in 16 games for the 1972 Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record with a 5.04 ERA. On August 30,1972, Jim was traded by the Yankees to the Rangers for veteran Reliever Casey Cox. Jim had pitched in the MLB for 12 seasons, including 6 seasons with the Twins, the team that he had originally signed with. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 19-17 record with a 3.22 ERA and 9 saves in 216 games.

2013-The seemingly cursed Yankees get more bad news when they learn that AL All-Star 1B Mark Teixeira 's wrist injury is more serious than thought and that he will be out until mid-May of 2013; with no obvious back-up plan in place. At least, Shortstop Derek Jeter and Closer Mariano Rivera seem to be doing well in their bid to come back from 2012 season-ending injuries, but the Yankees Spring Training Complex in Tampa, Fla. is starting to look like a MASH Unit with GM Brian Cashman addressing reporters on crutches resulting from a charity sky-diving accident with the US Army Golden Knights.

March 7th

1908-Former Yankees Minor League 1B Harry Davis was born. (1908-1997)
On December 4,1937, 1B Harry Davis was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for P Vito Tamulis. Harry would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. He had played in the MLB for the Tigers and the Browns before joining the Yankees organization. In 1938, the Yankees would send him to their AA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA), where he would hit .299. For the 1939 baseball season, Harry would join the St. Louis Cardinals organization. After retiring as an active player, Harry became a Minor League Manager (1940-1945) for several MLB teams before retiring.

1914-Former Yankees Reserve OF Joseph “Muscles” Gallagher (1939) was born. (1914-1998)
For the 1939 Yankees, Reserve OF Joe Gallagher would appear in 14 games, while hitting .244 before being traded on June 13,1939 by the team to the St. Louis Browns for INF Roy Hughes and Cash. Prior to making his MLB player debut with the 1939 Yankees, he was a star with their AA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA) in 1938, hitting .343 with 24 HRs, both his hitting stats led the team. On April 9,1947, Gallagher was hired as Head Baseball Coach at Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches, Tx. Also, Gallagher was the Head Baseball Coach at Rice Univ. in 1962. In 1998, Joe died at age of 83 after a long illness.

1930-Former Yankees Minor League P Tom Acker was born. (1930-2021)
In 1948, P Tom Acker had been signed as MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Giants organization. He eventually came up to the MLB, pitching for the 1956-1959 Reds. Acker had appeared in 153 games for the team, while posting a 19-13 record with a 4.12 ERA in 380 innings. During the winter of 1959, Tom was traded by the Reds to the Athletics for Catcher Frank House. He didn’t pitch for the 1960 A’s. Instead, Tom Acker would spend his last season in pro baseball with the 1960 Richmond Virginians (IL), who were the Yankees AAA team. He would appear in 15 games for Richmond, closing out his pro pitching career in the Minor Leagues with a 0-2 won-loss record with a 5.06 ERA.

1954-Former Yankees Reliever Mike Armstrong (1983-1986) was born.
After the 1983 AL season ended, the Royals had traded Reliever Mike Armstrong and Duane Dewey to the Yankees for 1B Steve Balboni and P Roger Erickson. The Yankees, who were anticipating losing Rich Gossage to MLB Free Agency, were desperate to shore up their bullpen, when they made the trade. However, the deal soon turned into a PR nightmare for the team. Balboni, a heavily-hyped prospect, who had been unable to succeed in limited trials in the Bronx, settled in as Royals starting 1B, Steve would hit 117 HRs for the next 4 seasons. Armstrong, on the other hand, showed up at 1984 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp with a sore pitching arm. It turned out Armstrong's bum elbow was one of the worst-kept secrets in baseball, but the Yankees hadn't gotten the memo. Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner, convinced that he had been peddled "damaged goods," asked MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to intervene and amend the deal with the Royals; but no resolution was ever reached. Armstrong did not make his 1984 MLB Pitching debut with the Yankees until June 16th. Prior to 1985 MLB season, the Tigers reportedly had offered aging Slugger Darrell Evans to the Yankees for Armstrong. The Yankees declined the trade, Evans went on to lead the AL with 40 HRs. Meanwhile, things didn't get any better for Armstrong, as he had a poor spring training camp. At the beginning of the season, he was sent down to the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). He was recalled on June 4th, but Yankees Manager Billy Martin had no use for the finesse-tossing Armstrong. He buried him in the back of the Bronx bullpen. On June 20th, Yankees Closer Dave Righetti blew a 3-run lead in the bottom of the 9th inning against the Tigers, then he put runners on the corners with 2 outs in the 10th. Armstrong was summoned from the bullpen, even though he hadn't pitched since June 9th. On his 2nd pitch, Mike threw a walk-off wild pitch. That effectively ended any possibility of Armstrong having a meaningful pitching career with the Yankees. He was soon sent back down to AAA Columbus (IL). However, the Yankees recalled him immediately before the brief MLB players' strike later that season, so they could avoid having to pay his salary during the work stoppage. The Yankees kept shuttling Armstrong between Bronx and AAA Columbus and late in the season, the Players' Association filed a grievance on his behalf, claiming the Yankees had sent Armstrong down improperly. He apparently ended up dropping the grievance to avoid having his guaranteed MLB player contract being terminated. Armstrong would spend most of 1986 season at AAA Columbus, along with a handful of appearances with the Yankees. He had signed a Minor League contract with the Yankees in 1987, but he was released in April, after refusing to accept a demotion to Double A. Mike had a 3-3 record with 1 save in 42 games with the Yankees before finishing up his MLB pitching career with the 1987 Indians. After his release from the Yankees, Mike was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Tribe. Mike would make 14 appearances for the team during that season.

1962-Former Yankees Minor Leaguer P Jose Cano was born.
Jose Cano is the Father of former Yankees 2B Robinson Cano. Jose had appeared in the MLB with 1989 Astros, going 1-1 in 6 games. He originally signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees in 1980. The Yankees would release Jose. In 1981, the Braves would sign Jose as an MLB Free Agent. Twice the Braves had released him. Then, Jose Cano was signed by the Astros organization. Also, he pitched for years in Mexican Leagues as well as in Taiwan, before retiring as an active player. He was Robbie Cano’s pitcher for the MLB All-Star HR Derby Contest.

1981-Former Yankees Shortstop Paul “Pee Wee” Wanninger (1925) had passed away. (1902-1981)
Paul “Pee-Wee” Wanninger was the regular Shortstop for the 1925 Yankees. Paul had hit .236 with 1 HR and 23 RBIs in 117 games for the Yankees. He had replaced veteran starter Everett “Deacon” Scott at Shortstop in May of 1925 to end his then-record MLB Consecutive Games streak at 1,307 games. Less than a month later, on June 1st, he would make way for another record-long consecutive games played streak to start, when a Yankee Rookie 1B named Lou Gehrig pinch-hit for him in a game. After the 1925 AL season had ended, the Yankees would trade Wanninger to AA St. Paul Saints (AA) to complete the earlier trade made for Catcher Pat Collins. He went on to play many seasons for the AA St. Paul Saints (1926-1932) and other teams, through the 1940 season. Also, he was a Manager for 4 seasons in the Minor Leagues.

1998-The Yankees had signed former Cuban Baseball Star hurler Orlando Hernandez, brother of the 1997 World Series hero Livan Hernandez to a 4-year, $6.6 million contract. “El Duque” would go on to post a 61-40 record for the 1998-2004 Yankees. He was 2-0 in World Series play and 7-2 in AL Post-season games for the Yankees.

2006-World Baseball Classic: Pool C Game: Yankees AL All-Star CF Bernie Williams drove in a 6th-inning run to hand Puerto Rico, a 2-1 victory over Panama.

2006-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher, now with the Red Sox, John “Flash” Flaherty announces his MLB player retirement, ending his 14-year MLB playing career with the team that he started out with. After playing 3 seasons with the Yankees, he was signed in December of 2005 as an MLB Free Agent, as a Reserve Catcher to Jorge Posada. Also, John had played for the Tigers and the Padres. He was one of the original members of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. John had posted a lifetime .252 BA with 80 HRs and 395 RBIs in 1,047 MLB games played. He will go to work as a Sports Announcer for the Yes Network.

2016-Former Yankees Pitcher Steve Kraly had passed away. (1929-2016)
In 1949, the Yankees had signed P Steve Kraly, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. In 1953, Steve had posted a 0-2 record with a 3.24 ERA in 5 games with the Yankees. Also, he would pitch in the Yankees farm system from 1949-1960. He had posted a 18-6 record for the 1950 Class C Joplin (WL). While playing at Joplin, he was Mickey Mantle’s roommate. Steve would continue pitching in the Yankees Minor League organization until 1958, then he would pitch in the Tigers, Reds and the Phillies organizations before retiring with an 89-65 record in 324 games. He said that Former Yankee Manager Casey Stengel had picked up his player contract for the original 1962 Mets in the fall of 1961, but that Steve’s would wife prevailed on him to retire from pro baseball. Steve would work for the IBM Corp. for 30 years. For many seasons, Steve was the Game Official Scorer for the Birmingham Minor League Baseball team.

2022-The Yankees make several roster moves today as they pick up Veteran Marwin Gonzalez Minor League Contract signing him to an MLB deal and adding him to their 40-Man MLB roster: to make room for him; they will DFA OF Jeisson Rosairo. On March 10th, he will clear waivers and be outrighted by the team to AA Somerset. Marwin will appear in 85 games for the 2022 Yankees, hitting only .185 with 6 HRs and 18 RBIs. On November 6, 2022, the Yankees will grant him MLB Free Agency.

March 8th

1893-Former Yankees Pitcher Ray Francis (1925) was born. (1893-1934)
For the 1925 Yankees, hurler Ray Francis went 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 4 games. On August 14,1924, he had been purchased by the Yankees along with OF Ben Paschal from the AA Atlanta Crackers (SA). He had previously pitched in the AL with the Senators and Tigers. He was sent to Minor Leagues by the Yankees, while Paschal stayed in the Bronx. On May 5,1925, Ray was traded by the Yankees along with $9,000 Cash to the Red Sox for OF Bobby Veach and P Alex Ferguson. He would go 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 6 games with Boston, before being sent down to the AA Minneapolis Millers (AA). He would pitch in the Minor Leagues from 1925-1932 before retiring from baseball. His final MLB Pitching record was a 12-28 mark with a 4.65 ERA and 3 saves in 82 games.

1930-Veteran Bronx Bomber Slugger Babe Ruth signs a 2-year MLB player contract for $160,000 with the Yankees. At $80,000 per year, he is the highest paid MLB player of all time as of 1930. In 1929, Babe had hit .345 with 54 HRs and 145 RBIs in 135 games for the Yankees.

1930-Former Yankees Pitcher Bob Grim (1954-1958) was born. (1930-1996).
After spending 2-years active duty in the Army for Korean War service, Bob Grim made the Yankees MLB Pitching staff in the 1954 Bronx MLB Spring Training camp. In 1954, Bob Grim would post a 20-6 record with a 3.26 ERA in 37 games for the Yankees; including 8 wins and 1 save in relief. He was named the 1954 AL Rookie of Year for his 1954 season pitching performance. He would lose 1 game in the 1955 World Series against the Dodgers. He would finish the 1955 AL season with a 7-5 record with a 4.19 ERA and 4 saves in 26 games. After injuring his pitching arm, while working in an off-season job, Bob became a Reliever for the Yankees in 1956, posting 4 saves, while posting a 6-1 record with a 2.77 ERA. He didn’t pitch in the 1956 World Series against the Dodgers. In 1957, he would lead the AL Relievers with 18 saves, while going 12-8 with a 2.63 ERA in 46 games. Bob was named to 1957 AL All-Star team. He had appeared in the 1957 World Series against the Braves in relief and taking the loss in Game #4. On June 15,1958, Grim was traded by the Yankees to the Kansas City A’s along with veteran OF/1B Harry “Suitcase” Simpson for 2 Pitchers: Duke Maas and Virgil Trucks. At the time of the June 15th trade, he was 0-1 with a 5.51 ERA with no saves in 11 games for the Yankees. His final Yankees Pitching record was a 45-21 mark along with a 3.35 ERA and 28 saves in 46 games. He would pitch for the 1958-1959 A’s, 1960 Indians, Reds and the Cardinals. He would spend the 1961 season with the Cardinals AAA team. In 1962, Grim was back in the MLB with the Kansas City for 12 games, while posting a 0-1 record, making his last MLB pitching appearance against his old team, the Yankees. Bob would finish his MLB Pitching career in 1962 with an overall 61-41 record with a 3.61 ERA and 38 saves in 268 games. He had pitched in the MLB for the Yankees, A’s (twice), Indians, Reds and the Cardinals.

1938-The Yankees AL All-Star 1B Lou Gehrig rejects the latest MLB Player contract offer from the Yankees front office to a 1-year deal worth $39,000. Yankees GM Ed Barrow was ready to use 1B Babe Dahlgren, who they had obtained from the Red Sox in February of 1937 as his replacement. Four days later, veteran 1B Lou Gehrig will agree to the same Yankees player contract offer to end his 1938 Yankees Spring Training Camp player contract holdout. Even with his long-time Yankee teammate Babe Ruth is gone, the Yankees Front Office continue to low-ball Lou Gehrig on his MLB Player salary, despite his excellent production on the playing field. In 1937, Lou had hit .351 with 37 HRs and 157 RBIs in 157 games

1939-Former Yankees Pitcher (1962-1968) and Sports Author Jim “Bull Dog” Bouton was born. (1939-2019)
In 1958, Jim Bouton had pitched at West Michigan Univ. before signing with the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would reach the Bronx in 1962. Bouton was the winning pitcher of the 22-inning game against the Tigers in 1962. He would finish his MLB Rookie season with an 7-7 record with a 3.99 ERA and 2 saves in 36 games. He didn’t appear in the 1962 World Series against the Giants. In 1963, Jim would post a 21–7 record with a 2.53 ERA in 40 games for the Yankees. He was named to the 1962 AL All-Star team to pitching staff. In 1964, he would post an 18-13 record with a 3.02 ERA in 38 games for the Yankees. He had appeared in 2 World Series for the 1963-1964 Yankees, going 2-1 with a 1.48 ERA in 3 games; winning 2 games against the St. Louis Cardinals (1964); losing a 1-0 shutout, a 4-hitter to the Dodgers Starter Don Drysdale in 1963 World Series. He injured his pitching arm in 1965, he was never effective hurler again for the team. His Yankees Pitching career record was a 55-51 mark with a 3.36 ERA and 4 saves in 197 games. In October of 1968, he was sold by the Yankees to the AAA Seattle Angels (PCL), who would become the new AL Expansion Team, the Seattle Pilots. Also, Jim would pitch for the Astros and Braves in the NL. Jim Bouton would finish MLB Pitching career with a 62-63 record along with a 3.57 ERA and 6 saves in 304 games. After his MLB playing career was over, he wrote his bestselling baseball book, titled “Ball Four.” Also, he worked as a Sportscaster for WABC-TV and WCBS-TV in New York City.

1947-At the new Stadium del Cerro in Havana, Cuba, the Dodgers would beat the Yankees by a score of 1-0.

1961-Former Yankees C/DH/OF Mark Salas (1987) was born.
On June 7,1987, Catcher/DH Mark Salas was traded by the Twins to the Yankees for veteran MLB Starter Joe Niekro. For the 1987 Yankees, Mark will appear in 50 games, hitting only .200 with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs. On November 12,1987, Mark was traded by the Yankees along with OF/1B Dan Pasqua and P Steve Rosenberg to the White Sox for 2 Pitchers: Richard Dotson and Scott Nielsen.

1963-Former Yankees Pitcher Terry Mulholland (1994) was born.
On February 9,1994, MLB Starter Terry Mulholland was traded by the Phillies along with a Player to be Named Later to the Yankees for P Bobby Munoz, 2 Minor League players: P Ryan Karp and INF Kevin Jordan. The Phillies would later send P Jeff Patterson on November 8,1994 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Terry would post a 6-7 record with a 6.49 ERA in 24 games with the Yankees before the 1994 MLB Player Strike took place. In the fall of 1994, he would leave the Yankees for MLB Free Agency, signing with the Giants.

1964-Former Yankees Pitcher Lance McCullers (1989-1990) was born.
On October 24,1988, Reliever Lance McCullers was traded by the Padres along with Reserve OF Stan Jefferson and P Jimmy Jones to the Yankees for veteran OF/1B Jack Clark and P Pat Clements. For the Yankees, Lance had posted a 5-3 record with a 4.42 ERA and 3 saves in 63 games. On June 4,1990, Lance was traded by the Yankees along with P Clay Parker to the Tigers for C/DH/1B Matt Nokes. He is the father of current MLB Player Lance McCullers Jr, who pitches for the Astros.

1966-The Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee waives one of its election rules and selects former Yankees and Mets Manager Casey Stengel as the newest member of the HOF. Stengel had managed the Mets for most of the 1965 NL season before falling and breaking his hip ending his season. Veteran Mets MLB Coach Wes Westrum, had replaced him as the Mets Manager. His hip injury ended the elderly Stengel's long MLB Managing career. Given his age, the Veterans Committee decides to make him immediately eligible for the Hall of Fame. Casey Stengel had managed the Yankees from 1949-1960, winning 5 straight World Championships from (1949-1953.) He also had won World Championships with the Yankees in 1956 and 1958. Also, Casey had managed in the NL with the Boston Braves (1938-1943) and the Brooklyn Dodgers (1934-1936) without much success. He had been a long-time Minor League Manager with AA teams like the AA Toledo Mud Hens (1926-1931), AA Milwaukee Brewers (1944), AA Kansas City Blues (1945) and the AA Oakland Oaks (1946-1948) before joining the Yankees in 1949, as their new MLB Manager replacing 1948 Manager Bucky Harris, who was let go by Yankees GM George Weiss, who wanted his own man to run the Yankees.

1999-Former Hall Of Fame Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio (1936-1941,1945-1951) dies of a Lung Cancer at age 84. (1914-1999)
On November 21,1934, Joe DiMaggio was traded by AA San Francisco Seals (PCL) to the Yankees for Players to be Named Later and Cash. On December 19,1934, the Yankees would send INF Doc Farrell, P Floyd Newkirk, Minor League Players P Jimmy Densmore and OF Ted Norbert and $5,000 Cash in 1935 to the AA Seals to complete the trade. Reserve INF Doc Farrell refused to report to the AA Seals in 1935, he would briefly play for the 1935 Red Sox. In 1936, Joe DiMaggio would arrive in the Bronx at the age of 21. He would hit .323 with 29 HRs and 125 RBIs in 138 games in his 1st MLB season. He would helped the Yankees win the 1936 World Championship. He was the 1st Rookie to be selected for an MLB All-Star game. His 1936 Rookie season performance served as an indicator of future MLB success, both for him and the Yankees. During his 13-year MLB playing career, Joe DiMaggio had participated in 10 World Series with his team, winning the World Championship 9 times. In 51 World Series games, Joe would hit .271 with 8 HRs and 30 RBIs. He was the AL Batting Leader in 1939 (.381) and 1940 (.352). In 1941, DiMaggio achieved his most famous MLB milestone, when he compiled an MLB record 56-game hitting streak. He was the AL MVP Award winner 3 times in his Yankees playing career (1939,1941 and 1947.) His Yankees lifetime BA was .326 along with 361 HRs and 1,537 RBIs in 1,736 games. In 1949, Joe was the 1st Yankee player to have a $100,000 player contract. He would receive the same amount in 1950. He would miss the 1943-1945 MLB seasons, while serving on active duty with the Army. His older Brother, Vince had played in the NL with the Reds, Braves and the Pirates; while his younger brother Dom would play the outfield for the rival Red Sox in the AL. After retiring as an active player in the Fall of 1951, Joe was a Yankees TV Broadcaster working with Mel Allen. Joe was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955. In the 1968-1969, Joe was an MLB Coach for the Oakland A’s.

2012-The Yankees get an injury scare when Reliever David Robertson, sprained his foot falling down some stairs, while moving boxes at home.

March 9th

1875-Former Yankees Pitcher/OF Elmer Bliss (1903-1904) was born. (1875-1962)
For the 1903 Yankees, Elmer Bliss went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 1 game, when you get a chance to pitch in the MLB and go 7 innings without giving up an earned run. That, however, was Elmer's total MLB Pitching career, 1 game for in which he earned the victory. Oddly enough, while that performance did not earn him another chance to pitch, he did come back the next season with the 1904 Yankees for 1 game as an Outfielder. He would play for 11 seasons in the Minor Leagues. He also would manage a couple times in the Minor Leagues, once for the Grand Rapids Wolverines and once for the Wellsville Rainmakers.

1890-Former Yankees Pitcher George “Iron” Davis (1912) was born. (1890-1961)
For the 1912 Yankees, hurler George Davis had appeared in 10 games, while posting a 1-4 record with a 6.50 ERA. In April of 1913, George Davis was purchased by AA Jersey City Skeeters (IL) from the Yankees. In September of 1913, the Boston Braves would acquire Davis from AA Jersey City (IL). He would pitch for the 1914-1915 Boston Braves, while posting a 6-6 record with a 3.68 ERA in 26 games. During the 1914 NL season, he had pitched a No-Hitter for the Braves. Davis did not appear in the 1914 World Series for the team.

1908-Former Yankees OF Myril Hoag (1931-1938) was born. (1908-1971)
At age 18, Myril Hoag was playing in the Minor Leagues with the AA Sacramento team (PCL). He had spent several years in the Minor Leagues, mostly with AA Sacramento (PCL) before making his MLB Player debut at age 23 with the 1931 Yankees. In 1930, he had hit .337 with 17 HRs for AA Sacramento, but the 1932 Yankees let him have only 29 at-bats in 44 games. The Yankee outfield that year was Babe Ruth, Earle Combs and Ben Chapman, all of whom hit at least .315. Myril would be a Reserve OF for years with the Yankees (although he spent 1933 in the Minors with the AA Newark Bears (IL). In 1936, he had a serious collision in the outfield with Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio that required Brain Surgery. With the 1937 Yankees, he finally became a regular of sorts, appearing more often in RF than any other player, although his 70 games there barely beat out the 69 games that George Selkirk played at the position, also a young Tommy Henrich played 29 games there. Both Selkirk and Henrich would become regulars in the 1938 Outfield. OF Myril Hoag would play in 471 games for the Yankees, while hitting .284 with 11 HRs and 185 RBIs. He had appeared in 3 World Series with the team (1932,1937-1938) playing in 8 games, while hitting .320. On October 26,1938, Myril was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve Catcher Joe Glenn to the St. Louis Browns for veteran P Oral Hildebrand and OF Buster Mills. In 1939, he was named to the AL All-Star team as a member of the Browns. He would later play for the White Sox and the Indians before retiring in 1945. From 1946-1951, Myril was a Minor League Player-Manager.

1927-Former Yankees OF Jackie Jensen (1950-1952) was born. (1927-1982)
Jackie Jensen was a former All-American College Football player. In the fall of 1949, the Yankees had purchased him and INF Billy Martin from the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). Jackie had appeared in 108 games with the 1950-1952 Yankees, while hitting .265 with 9 HRs and 32 RBIs. He had appeared in 1 game of the 1950 World Series against the Phillies with no hits; he didn’t appear in any of the games in the 1951 World Series against the Giants. On May 3,1952, Jackie was traded by the Yankees along with OF Archie Wilson, Pitcher Frank “Spec” Shea, 2B Jerry Snyder to the Senators for OF Irv Noren and Shortstop Tom Upton. Yankees Manager Casey Stengel felt that Jackie didn’t hit enough with power for a Yankees Centerfielder. At the time of trade, Jackie was hitting only .105 (2 for 19). He had been benched by Stengel, who used Veteran OF Gene Woodling and Rookie Bob Cerv as Centerfielders.

After his trade to the Senators, Casey would move Rookie RF Mickey Mantle to CF, who held the starting Yankees CF position for the next 15 seasons. The Senators would later trade Jackie to the Red Sox in December of 1953. Jensen was named to the AL All-Star team 3 times during his MLB playing career. In 1958, Jensen was named AL Most Valuable Player, hitting .286 with 35 HRs and 122 RBIs in 154 games. It was a questionable AL MVP selection; since his former Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle had out-performed him by hitting .304 along with an AL Leading 42 HRs and 97 RBIs in 150 games. In 1959, he won an AL Golden Glove for the Outfield. In 1960, he had stopped playing in the MLB because of his fear of flying. He did return to the Red Sox in 1961 for his final MLB active season. Jackie had played in 1,438 MLB games and finished his MLB playing career with a lifetime .279 BA; while hitting 199 HRs and 929 RBIs. In 1982, Jackie had died from a heart attack at the age of 55. He remains the only athlete to play in the Rose Bowl, East-West Shrine Game, the MLB’s World Series (1950) and the MLB All-Star game. Former Yankees GM George Weiss (1948-1960) named OF Jackie Jensen and P Lew Burdette as the 2 young Yankees players that he should have kept on the team, instead of trading them away during the 1950’s.

1942-Former Yankees Reserve INF Bert Campaneris (1983) was born.
On February 24,1983, former AL All-Star INF Burt Campaneris was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. Bert had previously played for the Kansas City and Oakland A’s, then as an MLB Free Agent, he would play for the Rangers and the Angels (1964-1981). In 1977, Yankees Manager Billy Martin wanted to sign Bert as MLB Free Agent to become the Yankees 1977 starting Shortstop, but Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner wanted Slugger Reggie Jackson instead. After finishing his contract with the Angels in 1981. He would sit out the 1982 MLB season. He had appeared in 60 games with the 1983 Yankees as a Reserve INF, while hitting .322. On November 7,1983, Bert was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees. Bert had retired from MLB.

1958-Former Yankees Minor League Player, Coach and Manager Brian Butterfield was born.
The son of late Yankees Executive Jack Butterfield, Brian Butterfield played at 3 schools during his College Baseball career. A 2B, he signed with the Yankees organization in 1979. Originally a right-handed hitter only, he made himself into a switch-hitter. He would hit .218 for the Class A Oneonta Yankees (NYPL) in his 1st pro season. In 1980, Brian went 2 for 16 with 4 walks for the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (GCL) and .227 with the Class A Greensboro Hornets (SAL). He returned to Class A Fort Lauderdale in 1981, hitting .286 for the season; then he hit .259 for them in 1982 and .133 in a brief appearance with the AA Nashville Sounds (SAL). He also briefly reached the AAA level in 1982, hitting .417 in 13 games with the Columbus Clippers (IL). The following year, his final season as a player, he would play in the Padres farm system. He was used by the 1983 Marlins as a utility INF, hitting just .238. In 1984, Butterfield would begin his Minor League Coaching career as a Roving Infield Instructor for the Yankees. Then he would coach for various clubs in the Yankees organization over the next 3 seasons. He would manage in the Yankees chain from 1988 to 1990 and then again in 1992, winning a GCL championship with the 1988 Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees. In 1991, he was Infield Instructor again. After a stint as a Coach with the Class A Albany-Colonie Yankees (NYPL) in 1993, Butterfield was a member of the 1994-1995 Yankees MLB Coaching staff. He would work with a young Yankees infielder named, Derek Jeter, on his footwork at shortstop. In 1996, Butterfield moved to the new NL expansion team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was their Minor League Infield Instructor for 2 seasons, before serving as the MLB 3B Coach for the MLB team; when it began to play in the NL from 1998 to 2000. In 2001, he would rejoin the Yankees organization as a Minor League Manager, leading the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) to a FSL Co-Championship. He began the 2002 season as Skipper of the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL) before being dismissed in May. Less than a month later, he would join the Blue Jays as a MLB 3B Coach, replacing Carlos Tosca, who was named the team’s new MLB Manager. Tosca and Butterfield had previously worked together with the Diamondbacks organization. Butterfield would continue on as the Blue Jays 3B Coach through Tosca's and John Gibbons' MLB Coaching staffs through the 2007 AL season. In 2008, he was promoted to MLB Bench Coach and served there under both Gibbons and Cito Gaston though the 2010 AL season. When John Farrell was named team Manager in 2011, Butterfield would returned to his previous post of 3B Coach. In 2013, he would followed Farrell to the Red Sox. He stayed as long as Farrell was the Manager, until the end of the 2017 AL season; then he moved to the Cubs in 2018, also served as their MLB 3B Coach under new Cubs Manager Joe Maddon. When Maddon moved over to the Angels in 2020, Butterfield followed him as the team's MLB 3B Coach. After the 2021 AL season had ended, Jack was released as an MLB Coach by the Angels.

1966-Former Yankees 3B (2003) and Current Yankees Manager Aaron “Home Run” Boone (2018-2024) was born.
Aaron Boone was the Grandson of former MLB Player Ray Boone and the son of former MLB Catcher/Manager Bob Boone. His Brother was MLB All-Star 2B Bret Boone. He had started the 2003 MLB season with the Reds, making the NL All-Star team despite mediocre numbers, and was traded to the Yankees for P Brandon Claussen at the MLB July 31st Trading Deadline. He would hit .254 with 6 HRs and 31 RBIs in 54 games for the team. In 2003, Aaron hit one of the most famous Yankee Playoff HRs in MLB history to beat the Red Sox. When he violated terms of his contract during the offseason by getting injured while playing basketball, the Yankees would release him. The leg injury prompted the Yankees to make a trade with the Rangers for Alex Rodriguez to take over his spot at 3rd base. While as a member of the Astros, he would spend the 2009 MLB season on the DL dealing with heart problems. In February of 2010, Aaron Boone would announce his player retirement from MLB. He was working for ESPN covering the MLB before he was named to replace Joe Girardi as the Yankees 2018 Manager. He had a very good 1st season in 2018, as the Yankees improved upon their breakthrough 2017. He was particularly good at juggling his lineup because of numerous injuries and integrating youngsters Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres into everyday roles. Unfortunately, the Red Sox were having a historically good season at the same time, and began to pull away for the division lead beginning in July, meaning that as well as the Yankees had played, they were likely headed into a winner-take-all WCG at the end of the season. While generally keeping things calm in the media cauldron that is New York, he did have 1 epic tirade on August 31st, when he hotly disputed a strike 3 call, complete with crouching behind the plate and mimicking the gestures of a catcher framing the pitch. He was of course ejected, plus a 1-game suspension was added as it was determined that he had bumped Umpire Nic Lentz during the argument. The Yankees won WCG at home against the Athletics, but they were defeated by the Red Sox in 4 games in the ALDS.
Boone's 2nd season at the helm of the Yankees in 2019 was even more impressive. He had to juggle a lineup and pitching rotation beset from injuries starting in spring training, yet the team never skipped a beat, quickly building a sizable lead over the Red Sox and also distancing the resilient Rays by the All-Star break. On September 19th, the Yankees clinched a division title, their 1st since 2012 with their 100th win of the year. Boone also became the 1st ever manager to win 100 or more games in his 1st 2 seasons. He would guide the Yankees to the ALCS, where they fell to the Astros. The challenges were different in 2020 as he had to contend with the Coronavirus pandemic, which upended spring training and cut off two-thirds of the season, but he managed to get the Yankees into the postseason again, where they once again fell at the ends of the eventual AL pennant winner, this time the Rays. The loss came in a hotly-disputed Division Series that went to the limit. In 2021, just as spring training was getting underway, he had to take an unplanned leave of absence to undergo emergency surgery to have a heart pacemaker inserted at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, FL. It was not his 1st time under the knife for a heart problem, as when he was still a player in March 2009, he had undergone open-heart surgery to replace his bicuspid aortic valve. The 2nd procedure was a more routine one, and he was expected to resume his duties rapidly, with MLB Bench Coach Carlos Mendoza stepping in in the interim. He led the Yankees to the postseason for the 4th straight year that season, as the 2nd WC team in the AL, after a streaky season that saw them look awful at times and like world beaters at others. However, they would lose the WCG to the Red Sox as there was speculation that he would pay the price for failing to bring the Bronx Bombers to the World Series once again. However, on October 18th, he was offered a 2-year contract extension by the Yankees Front Office. The 2022 season started great for the Yankees, as they were on a historic winning pace for the 1st 2 months, but things stalled with a very poor month of August and their play in September was only mediocre, leading to a 99-win season. They won their Eastern Division title easily, thanks to their great start, but there was some criticism of how, apart from a historic 62-HR season by Aaron Judge, the rest of the team was underperforming. They then almost were eliminated by the Guardians in the ALDS, which went to the limit, and their shortcomings were made apparent when they were swept by the Astros in the ALCS. There was a lot of grumbling from the fan base about Boone's leadership starting in August, to the point that Owner Hal Steinbrenner had to make a public statement 2 days after the team's elimination to state that Boone still was his man and that "I believe he is a very good manager. I don’t see a change there."

1966-Former Yankees AL All-Star Catcher Aaron Robinson (1946-1947) had passed away. (1915-1966).
Called up from the 1943 AA Newark Bears (IL), Catcher Aaron Robinson appeared in 1 game for the 1943 Yankees. He was 28-years old. In 1943, Aaron would join the Coast Guard, serving on active duty until July of 1945. Robinson would appear in 50 games for the 1945 Yankees, while hitting .281. In 1946, he had appeared in 100 games for the Yankees, while hitting .297 with 19 HRs and 64 RBIs. In 1947, he made the AL All-Star team, while hitting .270 for the Yankees. He would play in 3 games of the 1947 World Series against the Dodgers. With the arrival of a 22-year-old Yogi Berra as a Catcher in 1947, Aaron became expendable. On February 24,1948, Aaron Robinson was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for veteran Starter Eddie Lopat. He would spend only 1 season playing with the White Sox, before being traded to the Tigers for Rookie Pitcher Billy Pierce. In 1951, he would finish out his MLB Playing career, with the Red Sox.

1973-Former Yankees Pitcher C. J. Nitkowski (2004) was born.
C.J. Nitkowski was a graduate of St. Johns’ Univ., who was drafted as an MLB Amateur Player in 1994 by the Reds. On July 19, 2004, he was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would appear in 19 games for the 2004 Yankees, while posting a 1-1 record with a 7.62 ERA. On October 29, 2004, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency. After leaving the MLB in 2005, he would continue to pitch in Japan and Korea pro baseball leagues, before retiring from the game. In 2017, he would become a television analyst for the Rangers on the Fox Sports Southwest Cable Network. Later, he would work with the Yankees broadcasting team as a substitute announcer.

1974-Former Yankees Reliever Wayne Franklin (2005) was born.
After appearing in 8 games with the 2005 Giants in their MLB Spring Training Camp, Reliever Wayne Franklin would sign a Minor League player contract with the Yankees on April 4th. Franklin would post a 2-3 record with a 3.61 ERA and 1 save in 46 games with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). He had appeared in 13 games with the 2005 Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record with a 6.39 ERA. At the end of 2005 AL season, Wayne was granted his MLB Free Agency by the Yankees.

1981-Former Yankees Reliever Clay Rapada (2012) was born.
On February 18,2012, Reliever Clay Rapada was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had appeared in 70 games for the 2012 Yankees, while posting a 3-0 record with a 2.82 ERA. On April 5,2013, Clay was released by the team. On April 9,2013, he was resigned as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. On June 4, 2013, he was released by the team. Clay would be picked up by the Indians for the rest of 2013 AL season.

1996-Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Hardin (1971) had passed away from injuries suffered in an aircraft crash. (1943-1996)
Veteran AL Starter Jim Hardin was recovering from pitching arm injuries, when he joined the Yankees on May 28, 1971. The Yankees had sent former #1 MLB Amateur Player Draft Pick P Bill Burbach to the Orioles in the trade. He never was an effective pitcher for the Yankees, like he was with the Orioles during the late-1960’s. Jim would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1972 Braves. He ended his MLB pitching career with a record of 43-32 with a 3.19 ERA in 168 games. Hardin, a pilot, died on March 9,1991, when his Beech 35-C33A crashed in Key West, Fla. Shortly after taking off from Key West Int’l Airport, the propeller of his aircraft failed from fatigue. The aircraft had stalled and crashed, while Hardin attempted to return to the airport to make an emergency landing. It was widely reported that, during the plane's descent, Hardin steered the plane away from a baseball field filled with young children. The plane came to rest in a parking lot of the TGI Fridays Restaurant, which was under construction at the time. Jim Hardin is 1 of 3 Yankees players to lose their lives in aviation accidents; the other 2 Yankee players were Catcher Thurman Munson (1979) and Pitcher Cory Lidle (2006). His Wife and 3 children survived him.

1998-The Yankees had traded Reserve INF Andy Fox to the Diamondbacks for 2 Pitchers: Marty Jansen and Todd Erdos. INF Andy Fox was blocked at 2B by the presence of new recently acquired AL All-Star 2B Chuck Knoblauch. Also, he was out of Minor League player options, so the Yankees had to either trade him or released him. The Yankees would find takers in the Diamondbacks, who would give him a chance for more playing time. Overall, as a Yankees player, Andy Fox had appeared in 135 games, while hitting .200 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs. He had appeared in 4 games of the 1996 World Series against the Braves with no hits. Marty Janzen was originally signed by the Yankees, but he was traded as one of the 3 Yankee AAA Minor League Pitchers to the Blue Jays in the July of 1995 for veteran MLB Starter David Cone. Erdos had been signed by the Padres, appeared with them at the MLB level in 1997, while posting 2-0 record in 11 games. Both Pitchers had been selected by the Diamondbacks in the 1997 MLB Expansion Team’s Player Draft. They were assigned by the Yankees to AAA Columbus Clippers (IL) for the 1998 AL season.

This Week in Yankees History March 17th-March 23rd



March 17th-  Happy Saint Patty’s Day

1888-Former Yankees Pitcher Edward “Big Ed” Klepfer (1911, 1913) was born. (1888-1950)
Ed Klepfer had posted a 0-1 record with a 7.53 ERA in 10 games for the Yankees. In July of 1911, Ed was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve OF Mike Fitzgerald and Cash to Sioux City Packers (WL) for Minor League P Jeff Clarke. He would return to the MLB in 1915 to pitch with the White Sox, later with the Indians.

1921-With their MLB Spring Training Camp in Shreveport, LA, the Yankees journey to Lake Charles to play a game against the Cardinals, who are based in Orange, TX. The game was proclaimed "Ruth-Hornsby Day," but Hornsby hits only a single while Babe Ruth lofts a HR over the short RF fence. The Yankees would win the spring exhibition game by a score of 14-5.

1936-Much-heralded Yankees Rookie Outfielder Joe DiMaggio makes his player debut with the team, collecting 4 hits including a triple. The day is marred when the Cardinals win the game by a score of 8-7.

1938-Former Yankees Reserve OF Jimmy Hall (1969) was born.
On April 14,1969, veteran AL OF Jimmy Hall was purchased by the Yankees from the Indians for Cash. He would hit .236 with 3 HRs and 26 RBIs in 80 games for the 1969 Yankees. On September 11,1969, Jim was traded by the Yankees to the Cubs for a Player to be Named Later, Minor League P Terry Bongiovanni and Cash. On January 6,1970, the Cubs will send Reserve OF Rick Bladt to the Yankees to complete the trade.

1956-Former Yankees Pitcher Tim Lollar (1980) was born.
Tim Lollar was drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round of the 1978 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Lollar had appeared in 14 games with the 1980 Yankees, while posting a 1-0 mark with a 3.34 ERA and 2 saves. With the 1980 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), he had posted a 9-12 record with a 2.73 ERA. On March 31,1981, Tim was traded by the Yankees along with MLB OF Ruppert Jones, Reserve OF Joe Lefebvre and P Chris Welsh to the Padres for MLB OF Jerry Mumphrey and P John Pacella.

1956-Former Yankees Reliever Ron Scurry (1985-1986) was born. (1956-1992)
On September 13,1985, the Yankees had purchased veteran NL lefty Reliever Ron Scurry from the Pirates to help out the Yankees bullpen, which needed another lefty reliever to help out Yankees Closer Dave Righetti. He had been with the Pirates since 1980, appearing in 257 games, while recording 34 saves. He did have some cocaine drug problems, when he was playing for the Pirates. Yankees GM Clyde King had him agree to have regular drug testing, while he was pitching for the team. For the 1985 NL season with the Bucs, he had 2 saves in 30 games. He went 1-0 with 1 save for the 1985 Yankees. On December 6,1986, Reliever Ron Scurry was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. In 1986, he went 1-2 with 2 saves in 31 games for the team. On March 27,1987, Ron was released by the Yankees. In 1992, Ron Scurry would pass away from drug related problems.

1958-Former Yankees Minor League OF/INF and MLB Executive Frank Wren was born.
The Yankees in the 17th round of the 1976 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected OF/INF Frank Wren. He never played for the Yankees at MLB level. He would later play in the Expos organization until 1982. After his active playing career was over, he became a Baseball Executive in the Expos organization. Then Wren served as GM of the 1999 Orioles. Next, he would work in the Marlins front office for 8 years. Later, he would work in the 2007-2014 Braves front office. On September 25, 2015, he was hired by new Red Sox Team President Dave Dombrowski as Vice-President of Baseball Operations, a day after Mike Hazen had been hired to be the team's General Manager. Wren had a strong connection with Dombrowski, who had been his boss in the Expos organization and whom he had followed to the Marlins, when that NL franchise got 1st got off the ground as an MLB Expansion Team.

1961-Former Yankees MLB Scout Hector Rincones was born.
Hector Rincones was a light-hitting Minor League INF, who played from 1978-1986, spending the last 3 seasons at AAA. He had played in the Reds, Dodgers and Royals Minor League systems. Later, Hector would manage in Minor Leagues briefly for the White Sox organization. Next, he was a White Sox MLB Scout, signing Humberto Quintero. Then he was a MLB Scout for the Yankees signing Catcher Francisco Cervelli. In 2012, Rincones was promoted to the position of Mets Venezuelan Scouting Supervisor. He had signed Ezequiel Zabaleta.

1963-Former Yankees Minor League OF Jason Maas was born.
The brother of Yankees 1B Kevin Maas, OF Jason Maas reached AAA, but he did not make an appearance with the Yankees at the MLB level. Jason was picked earlier in the player draft than his brother, going to the Yankees in the 10th round of the 1985 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would hit .286 with 16 steals in 19 tries in his pro debut for the Class A Oneonta Yankees (NYPL). He was 10th in the NYPL in batting average. He helped Oneonta to win their PYPL title. In 1986, he would be move up to the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL), putting up a .259 BA, with a team-high 32 steals in 40 tries. Maas would split the 1987 season between Class A Fort Lauderdale (.283,17 SB, 4 CS) and the Class A Prince William Yankees (CA), hitting .197 in 45 Games. While with Class A Fort Lauderdale, he was a teammate of his brother's, with the 2 posting similar averages (Kevin at .278) and steal totals (Kevin stole 14), but Kevin had significantly more pop (11 HRs to Jason's 1 HR). While Kevin Maas was selected, as a FSL All-Star team member. Jason Maas got the big hit in the FSL championship game for Fort Lauderdale, hitting a 2-run pinch-hit double. In 1988, Jason would hit .271 for the AA Albany-Colonie Yankees (EL) with 8 triples and 15 steals in 20 tries. Returning to Albany in 1989, he improved his BA to .296 with 24 steals in 31 tries and 61 walks. He won yet another Eastern league pennant. Maas was 4th in the EL in average. He was 3rd in OBP. Maas spent his last 2 Minor League seasons with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). He would hit .248 with 13 steals (never caught) in 1990, splitting time in the Columbus outfield with Van Snider, Oscar Azocar, Hensley Meulens and John Fishel. He would begin the 1991 IL season with a hot bat for AA Clippers, hitting .352 in 30 games. When the Yankees did not promote him (their MLB outfield consisted of Mel Hall, Jesse Barfield, Bernie Williams, Roberto Kelly and Meulens). He asked to be released, to try his chances with another MLB organization. The Yankees refused to release him, so Jason retired from pro baseball. His brother said that the Yankees "never treated [Jason] well" in 630 Minor League games, Jason Maas had hit .273 with over 100 steals. Not a slugger like his brother Kevin, he only had 14 career HRs.

1980-Former MLB Pitcher Bob Hooper (1950-1955) passed away. (1922-1980)
Clippers Note: He was my High School Gym teacher at New Brunswick Senior High School in New Jersey. He was the 1st MLB player that I ever met. He spoke very highly of the New York Yankee players that he had played against during the early 1950’s. In 1969, when he spoke at the Senior Sports Dinner, saying how proud he was to be MLB player, when there were only 16 teams. He felt that expansion and big money was corrupting the game. We talked many times about baseball, it was an honor to meet and know such a man. Bob Hooper served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He pitched 6 years in the MLB for the Philadelphia A's, Indians, the Reds and another 10 seasons in the Minor Leagues. Before the start of the 1940 MLB season, the Giants signed Bob Hooper. As a 28-yearold Rookie in 1950, he was the Philadelphia A’s closer, posting a 15-10 record with 5 saves. In 1951, he became a starter for the A’s, posting a 12-10 record. With the Indians, he was Early Wynn’s roommate. He was on the 1954 Indians, but he didn’t appear in the 1954 World Series against the Giants. His final MLB Pitching career record was 40-41. Bob Hooper would manage in the Orioles Minor League system from 1957-1960. Then he was an MLB Scout for the 1963 Mets. One of his Orioles Minor League teams included future MLB Players 3B Brooks Robinson, Pitcher Dean Chance and OF John “Boog” Powell. He was a Physical Education Teacher at New Brunswick Senior High School in Central New Jersey until his retirement in 1979. He died at age 57 from a heart attack in his home.

1978-For a St. Patrick's Day spring exhibition game, the Reds wear special green uniforms, rather than their traditional red, starting an annual ritual. The good luck works and the Reds beat the Yankees by the score of 9-2. The Cardinals, between other teams, will be the next team to follow suit. Although the Reds will never use the uniforms in regular NL season play, the green colors will become a spring training tradition for the team that will last a few seasons.

1985-Former Yankees Minor League 1B Taylor Mattingly was born.
The son of former Yankees Captain Don Mattingly and brother of Preston Mattingly were drafted by the Yankees in the 42nd round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He hit .224 in 24 games, half of them at 1B. His Brother, Preston was in the Dodgers organization.

1988-Recently signed former Cardinals Slugger Jack Clark tears a calf tendon, while hitting a HR for the Yankees in a spring exhibition game. The oft-injured Clark had signed an MLB Free Agent contract with the team on January 6,1988. Clark was expected to be the 1988 Yankees DH, since the team already had AL All-Star Don Mattingly starting at 1B. He will miss the start of the 1988 AL season, but he will return to hit only .242, while hitting 27 HRs with 93 RBIs.

1993-Former Yankees Minor League INF and Manager Joe Abreu had passed away. (1913-1993)
In 1936, Joe Abreu was signed by the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). In 1937, he had played for the AA Oaks and the Class B Spokane Hawks (WIL). For the next 2 seasons, he would play for the AA Oaks (PCL). The next season, Joe would play for the Class B Fort Worth Cats (TXL). He would split 1941 baseball season between the Ft. Worth Cats and the AA Milwaukee Brewers (AA). On April 23,1942, he would make his MLB Player debut with the Reds. He would appear in only 9 games for the team, while hitting .214 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs before he was traded by the Reds along with P Jim Turner for Yankees for Minor League star OF Frankie Kelleher. The Yankees would assign both players to their AA club, the Newark Bears (IL). Turner would be called up to Bronx on August 30th. Meanwhile, Joe would play in 30 games for the AA Bears, while hitting .236 with No HRs and 9 RBIs. From there, he went into the Navy, where he played baseball in the Army and Navy League in California. When he was released from the Navy in 1946, he was Player/Manager for the Class D Wellsville Yankees (PONYL). In 1947, he would manage the Newnan Brownies (GA-ALL) in the St. Louis Browns farm system. Then in 1948, he would lead the Tampa Smokers (FIL). In 1949, he was briefly with the Santa Rosa Cats (FWL).

1998-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher Milo Candini had passed away (1917-1998)
Before the start of the 1938 AL season, P Milo Candini was sent from El Paso (AZ-TXL) to the Yankees in an unknown transaction. He would pitch for several years in their Minor League System, on the mound with their 2 top AA teams; the Newark Bears (IL) and the Kansas City Blues (AA). His last season in the Yankees farm system. He had suffered pitching arm problems and the team gave up of him, despite that he was only 25-years old. On January 29,1943, Milo was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve INF Jerry Priddy to the Senators for P Bill Zuber and Cash. He would make his MLB Pitching debut with the Senators during the 1943 AL season, posting a 11-7 record. Milo remained with the Nats through the 1949 AL season with the exception of 1945, when he served in the Army during WWII from March 1945 to February 1946. On May 24,1949, Milo was traded by the Senators to AA Oakland Oaks (PCL) for P Lloyd Hittle. On November 17,1949, Milo was drafted by the Phillies from the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL) in the 1949 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would pitch for the team for 2 seasons, while posting a 2-0 record. He did not appear for the Phillies in 1950 World Series against the Yankees. He was return to the Minor Leagues in 1952, pitching in the PCL until his retirement from pro baseball in 1957. His final MLB Pitching career record was a 26-21 mark with a 3.92 ERA and 8 saves in 174 games.

2017-The Yankees No-Hit the Tigers in a Grapefruit League game by the score of 3-0. Yankees Starter Masahiro Tanaka strikes out 6 Tiger batters in 4 1/3 innings of work, then Reliever Chasen Shreve completes the 5th inning, then followed by Rookie Starter Jordan Montgomery, who completes the no-hit feat with 4 perfect innings of work.

2022-Former Yankees 1B/3B (1970) and Minor League Manager (1972-1977) Pete Ward had passed away. (1937-2022)
Veteran INF Pete Ward was at the end of his MLB playing career, when he joined the Yankees suffering from neck and back problems, forcing him to switch from 3B to 1B. Although he was originally signed by the Orioles, he was traded by the team to the White Sox in 1963. He was a member of the 1963 Topps All-Star team. He had finished 2nd in the 1963 AL ROY Award voting. As a Yankees player, Pete would appear in 66 games for the team, while hitting .260 with 1 HR and 18 RBIs. He would finish his MLB playing career with a .254 BA along with 98 HRs and 254 RBIs in 973 games. After his active playing career had ended in the Fall of 1970, Pete would become a Minor League Manager for the Yankees organization. He would manage the 1972-1974 Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL). From 1974 to 1976, Ward was the Manager of the Class AA West Haven Yankees (EL). Then in 1977, he would move up to manage the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Later, he would manage in the Cubs farm system with the 1980 AAA Iowa Cubs (AA). Then in 1981, he would move to the Pirates Minor League system to handle their AAA club, Portland in the PCL.

March 18th

1901-Former Yankees Reserve OF John Cooney (1944) was born. (1901-1986)
On June 17,1944, veteran MLB OF John Cooney was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. John had only appeared in 10 games with the 1944 Yankees, while hitting only .125 before being released by the team. Later, he became an MLB Coach for the Braves and the White Sox. During the 1949 NL season, he had briefly managed the Braves.

1928-Former Yankees Minor League Reliever Chi-Chi Olivo was born. (1928-1977)
On November 29,1966, veteran MLB Reliever Chi-Chi Olivo was traded by the Braves along with Rookie OF Bill Robinson to the Yankees for veteran 3B Clete Boyer. He would never pitch for the Yankees at the MLB level. In the spring of 1967, the Yankees would send Olivo to their AAA team, the Toledo Mud Hens (IL). He had previously pitched in the MLB with the 1961,1964-1966 Braves, while posting a 7-6 record with a 3.96 ERA and 12 saves in 96 games. His older brother, Diomedes Olivo had pitched in the MLB with the Pirates (1960,1962-1963.)

1943-Due to wartime travel restrictions, the 1943 MLB Spring Training Camps begin opening in northern locations of the country. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, NY (Dodgers), French Lick Springs, Indiana (Cubs and White Sox), Asbury Park, NJ (Yankees), Lakewood, NJ (Giants), Medford, MA (Red Sox) and in Wallingford, CT (Braves).

1960-Former Yankees Minor League OF Matt Winters was born.
On June 6,1978, OF Matt Winters was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round (24th selection) of the 1978 MLB Amateur Player Draft. On November 12,1985, he was released by the team. On December 22,1985, Matt was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the White Sox. On February 13,1986, he was traded by Chicago along with C Chris Alvarez, P Eric Schmidt and MLB Catcher Ron Hassey to the Yankees for P Neil Allen, Catcher Scott Bradley, Minor League OF Glen Braxton and Cash. He would play for the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL) that season. On October 15,1986, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees. Matt would finally make his MLB Player debut with the 1989 Royals, appearing in 42 games, while hitting .234 with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs. Matt would later play pro baseball in Japan from 1990-1994 with the Nippon Hamfighters (JPL). He had appeared in 637 games for the Nippon team, while hitting .267 with 160 HRs and 428 RBIs.

1962-Former Yankees Reliever Brian Fisher (1985-1986) was born.
On December 5,1984, Minor League P Brian Fisher was traded by the Braves to the Yankees for veteran Catcher Rick Cerone. He had posted a 9-11 record with a 4.28 ERA for the Braves AAA club, the Richmond Braves (IL). In 1985, Fisher will post a 4-4 record with 14 saves in 55 games. In 1986, he would follow up with a 9-5 record with 6 saves in 62 games for the Yankees. Overall, he had posted a 13-9 record with the Yankees with 20 saves in 117 games. On November 26,1986, he was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Doug Drabek and Logan Easley to the Pirates for 3 Pitchers: Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements.

1962-Former Yankees Pitcher/OF Elmer Bliss (1904) had passed away (1875-1962)
Pitcher Elmer Bliss had appeared in 1 game for the 1903 Yankees, while pitching 7 scoreless innings for his only MLB victory. He came back in 1904 to play 1 inning as a Reserve Outfielder for the team. He would return to the Minor Leagues in 1905, continue playing until 1910. Later, he would become a Minor League Manager.

1984-Former Yankees Batting Coach Charlie Lau, a renowned MLB Batting Instructor, dies in Key Colony Beach, FL at age 50, after a long bout with colon cancer. (1933-1984)
Before the start of the 1952 AL Season, Catcher Charlie Lau was signed by the Tigers, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He played in the MLB from 1956 to 1967 with the Tigers, Braves (twice), Orioles (twice) and the A’s. He would finish his MLB playing career with a .255 BA with 16 HRs and 140 RBIs in 527 games. He would become a Minor League Coach and Manager, before joining the 1969 Orioles and 1970 Athletics as their MLB Batting Coach. Charlie Lau had earned his MLB Coaching fame as the Kansas City Royals MLB Batting Coach from 1971-1978, where his star pupils were AL All-Star 3B George Brett and Hal McRae. In 7 seasons, 10 of Lau's hitters had .300 batting averages. Charlie wrote a best-selling baseball book, entitled “The Art of hitting .300.” Then Lau moved to the Yankees for the 1979 and 1980 AL seasons, then he moved to the White Sox, officially for the 1981 and 1982 AL seasons. He was also on their MLB Coaching staff for 1983, but he gave up his official position, so fellow MLB Coach Loren Babe could qualify for his MLB League pension, Babe was suffering from Cancer. While he was working with the White Sox, Lau is credited with the development of AL All-Star Slugger Harold Baines.

1985-MLB Commissioner Peter Ueberroth reinstates HOF members Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, who had been banned from association with organized baseball by former MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn due to their employment by Atlantic City Gambling Casinos. Ueberroth's ruling will allow both men to pursue employment with MLB teams.

2004-Former Yankees Minor League and MLB Pitcher Gene Bearden had passed away. (1920-2004)
Before the start of 1939 AL season, the Phillies had signed P Gene Bearden as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. In June of 1942, Gene was sent from the Savannah (SAL) to the Yankees organization in an unknown transaction. Gene had successful seasons with the 1945 Binghamton Triplets (EL) posting a 15-5 record with a 2.41 ERA in 23 games. In 1946, he had recorded a 15-4 record along with a 3.13 ERA in 32 games for the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). He never would appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 6,1946, Gene was traded by the Yankees along with P Al Gettel and OF Hal Peck to the Indians for Catcher Sherman Lollar and Reserve INF Ray Mack. He would have 1 good MLB pitching season with the 1948 Indians, while posting a 20-7 record with a 2.43 ERA in 37 games. He would pitch in the MLB with the Indians, Senators, Tigers, Browns and the White Sox. He would finish his MLB pitching career with a 45-38 record, while posting a 3.96 ERA and 1 save in 193 games. Gene had a 1-0 record in 2 games for the Tribe in the 1948 World Series.

2011-Former Yankees Minor League Manager (1947-1949) and MLB Manager (1970) Charley Metro had passed away. (1918-2011)
Outfielder Charley Metro was Player-Manager for 2 Yankees Minor League teams: 1947 Bisbee Yanks and the 1948-1949 Twin Falls Cowboys. Later, he was MLB Coach for several teams. He was involved with the AL Expansion Team, the Kansas City Royals, helping them prepared for the 1968 AL Expansion Team Player Draft. He became the Manager of the Royals in 1970, before being released with a 19-33 team record. He would work with the MLB Scouting Bureau as a National Cross-checker. He would spend several years with the Dodgers organization as a Player Talent Evaluator.

2018-The Yankees had traded Minor League OF Jake Cave to the Twins for Minor League P Luis Gil. Jake Cave was drafted by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from Kecoughtan HS (Hampton, VA). Cave had been selected in the 2105 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft by the Reds, but he was returned to the Yankees during their 2016 MLB Spring Training Camp. He had played for the 2016-2017 AA Trenton Thunder (EL) and AAA Scranton (IL) in their Minor League system. Cave never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. Minor League P Luis Gil would be assigned to the Class A Rookie Pulaski Yankees (APPYL).

2022-The Yankees have announced that they have acquired Minor League P Justin Lange from the Padres in exchange for MLB INF Luke Voit. Lange, 20, was a 1st-round selection (34th overall – Competitive Balance Round A) of the Padres in the 2020 1st-Year Player Draft out of Llano HS in Llano, Tx. He made his pro debut in 2021, making 9 starts for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League (ACL) Padres, going 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA (22.0IP, 18H, 17ER, 15BB, 29K, 1HR). Prior to the 2020 1st-Year Player Draft, the 6’ 4” right-hander was ranked 50th on Baseball America’s Top 500 list. He was No. 57 on MLB Pipeline’s list of top draft-eligible prospects. Lange had his senior season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Justin was a 2020 Perfect Game Preseason All-American 1st-Team selection. Prior to signing with the Padres, he had committed to Dallas Baptist Univ. In 2019, he had earned Perfect Game Honorable Mention and Underclassmen All-American honors. For the 2022 Yankees Florida Complex League team, he would post a 3-1 record with a 6.44 ERA in 12 games. Luke Voit, 31, has hit .267 (297-for-1,112) with 187 Runs, 47 doubles, 2 triples, 73 HRs, 203 RBIs and 133 BB in 351 career games over parts of 5 MLB seasons with the Cardinals (2017-2018) and the Yankees (2018-2021). He had hit .239 (51-for-213) with 26 Runs, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 11 HRs, 35 RBIs and 21 BB in 68 games last season. On July 28, 2018, the 2020 MLB HR leader was acquired by the Yankees from St. Louis along with International Signing Bonus Pool Money in exchange for Relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos. The Wildwood, Mo., native was originally selected by the Cardinals in the 22nd round of the 2013 1st-Year Player Draft out of Missouri St. Univ.

March 19th

1884-Former Yankees OF Clyde “Hack” Engle (1909-1910) was born. (1884-1939)
In August of 1908, OF/3B Clyde Hack was purchased by the Highlanders from the AA Newark Indians (EL). In his 1909 Yankees Rookie season, he was the Yankees full-time LF, appearing in 135 games, while hitting .278 with 3 HRs and 78 RBIs. He had stolen 18 bases for the team. On May 10,1910, Hack was purchased by the Red Sox from the Yankees. He would play for the Red Sox, then he would jump to the 1914 Buffalo Blues (Federal League). He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1916 Indians. After his playing days, he would coach the Baseball Team at the Univ. of Vermont. Later, he would coach the Freshman team at Yale Univ., where the Head Coach of the Varsity Baseball team was his former Red Sox teammate, Pitcher “Smokey” Joe Wood.

1935-Former Yankees Reserve INF Fritz “Fritzie” Brickell (1958-1959) was born. (1935-1965)
As a Reserve Infielder, Fritz Brickell had batted .256 in 20 games with the 1958-1959 Yankees. He was the son of former MLB OF Fritz Brickell, who had played for the Pirates and the Phillies (1926-1933). Before the start of the 1953 AL season, the Yankees had signed Shortstop Fritz Brickell, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Fritz, who stood just 5'5½", was optioned out to the Class C Joplin Miners (WA). The 18-year-old Kansas native got into only 37 games his 1st year, hitting .221. Fritz was in the same league in 1954, but with the St. Joseph Saints, where he played 121 games at shortstop and hitting .306. He would spend the next few seasons in the high minors until he had a look-see in a couple games, with no record for the 1958 Yankees. They gave him another look during the 1959 AL season, when he appeared in 18 games at Shortstop. He would hit .256 for the Bombers before being sent back to the AAA Richmond Virginians (IL) where he would finish out the 1959 baseball season, by hitting .247 in 88 games. Brickell would stay in the Yankees organization until April 4,1961, when they traded him to the new AL expansion team, the Angels for veteran MLB P Duke Maas. Fritz would become the 1st starting Shortstop for the new Expansion Angels, but he was waylaid by several injuries, appearing in only 21 games. Then he was dispatched by the Angels to their AAA team, the Toronto Maple Leafs (IL); where after he healed a bit, had probably his best season yet by hitting .307 in 108 games and fielding at a .985 mark, while holding down the 2B position. In 1962, Fritz was with both the Toronto Maple Leafs (IL) and the Louisville Colonels (AA), hitting a combined .234 in 68 games. It was apparent he wasn't his old self, so he called it a career after the 1962 baseball season had ended. He had spent 10 years in pro baseball from 1953-1962. Fritz's Minor League records show, that he played in 982 games with 3,549 at bats, 979 base hits, including 82 HRs and finishing with a .275 career BA. When he was diagnosed with cancer, “Fritz Brickell Night” was held in August of 1965 at the National Semi-Pro Tournament in Wichita, Kansas with his former Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle on hand to stage a hitting exhibition as part of the activities. Fritz would pass away just a few months later, on October 15,1965 at the age of 30 in his hometown of Wichita.

1940-In an spring exhibition game that might be a spring training record of sorts, the AA team Kansas City Blues (AA) pound the Washington Senators by the score of 22-5. The Blues, who are one the 2 AA clubs in the Yankees Minor League system; they will collect 23 hits for 46 total bases off of Senators pitchers. Veteran MLB OF Frenchy Bordagaray starts the scoring with a HR in the 1st inning; another veteran MLB INF Jack Saltzgaver hits 3 triples in 3 at-bats with 5 RBIs. Another familiar name, future Yankees P/OF Johnny Lindell yields just 3 hits in 3 innings, while pitching for the Blues.

1974-In a 5-player, 3-team deal involving the Indians, Tigers and the Yankees; Starter Jim Perry joins his pitching brother, Gaylord in Cleveland. The Tigers would send Starter Jim Perry to Indians and Reliever Ed Farmer to the Yankees, who in return send Catcher Jerry Moses to Tigers and the Tribe would send P Rick Sawyer and OF Walt Williams to the Yankees. The 1974 AL season will mark the Perry’s 1st season as teammates during their long MLB pitching careers. The Indians had signed Jim, while his brother Gaylord had signed with the Giants to start their MLB Pitching careers. Walt Williams will hit .244 in 125 games for the 1974-1975 Yankees as a OF/DH. The Yankees will release him in January of 1976 to play pro baseball in Japan. The Yankees will assign Pitchers Rick Sawyer and Ed Farmer to their AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Farmer will refuse to report to the AAA team. He will be sold by the Yankees to the Phillies several days later.

1981-Former Yankees Reserve 3B Zinn Beck (1918) had passed away. (1885-1981)
On September 20,1917, 3B Zinn Beck was selected by the Yankees from the AA Milwaukee Brewers (AA) in the 1917 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He had previously played in the MLB with the 1913-1916 Cardinals. Zinn Beck will appear in only 11 games with the 1918 Yankees with no hits. In February of 1919, the Yankees will send Minor League P Sammy Ross, 3B Zinn Beck and Pitcher Happy Finneran to the AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made on July 19,1918. The Yankees would send Players to be Named Later to Vernon Tigers (PCL) for Pitcher Jack Quinn. After ending his active playing career, Zinn Beck became a Minor League Manager.

1989-With AL All-Star OF Dave Winfield sidelined with a disc injury, the Yankees had traded Catcher Joel Skinner and Minor League OF Turner Ward to the Indians for veteran MLB OF Mel Hall (1989-1992). After undergoing back surgery next week for central disc problems, Winfield will miss all of the 1989 AL season. Mel Hall will hit .260 with 17 HRs and RBIs in 113 games for the 1989 Yankees. Catcher Joel Skinner had been a major disappointment with the bat hitting only .137 in 1987 and .227 in 88 games in 1988. He had been replaced by Don Slaught as the Yankees starting Catcher. Turner Ward had played 3 seasons in the Yankees Minor League system. In 1988, he had played for the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), while hitting .251 with 7 HRs and 28 stolen bases.

2003-Former Yankees Shortstop (1945) and longtime Minor League Team Owner Joe Buzas had passed away. (1919-2003)
Joe Buzas had owned 82 Minor League teams at some point in a 47-year period. At the time of his death, he had owned the Salt Lake Stingers. He was the Opening Day Shortstop for the 1945 Yankees, he badly injured his shoulder during the 1945 AL season, ending his MLB playing career. The 1st Minor League team that he owned was the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Joe Buzas was known for turning a profit when times were poor financially in the Minor Leagues.

March 20th

1875-Former Yankees Reserve INF Patrick “Willie” Greene (1903) was born. (1875-1934)
After being obtained by the Yankees from the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL), INF Paddy Greene would appear in only 4 games for the 1903 Yankees, while hitting .308. On July 16,1903, he was traded by the Yankees to the Tigers for Pitcher John Deering.

1880-Former MLB Scout for Cardinals and Yankees (1918-1924) and Team Owner of AA Saint Paul Saints (1925-1934) Bob Connery was born. (1880-1967)
Bob Connery was a MLB scout for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1913 to 1917 and the New York Yankees from 1918 to 1924. He reportedly discovered and signed Rogers Hornsby for the Cardinals and teamed with Paul Krichell to sign Lou Gehrig for the Yankees. He had briefly played in the minor leagues until his playing career was cut short by a car accident. Connery had owned the St. Paul Saints from 1925 to 1934. Even during that time, He acted as a "scouting consultant" for the Yankees, scouting Tony Lazzeri for example before the Yankees signed him. He was a close personal friend of Yankees Manager Miller Huggins, who was secretly a minority investor in the Saints. Connery visited him on his death bed in New York, NY in 1929, and sold more players to the Yankees than anyone else during the period of his ownership.

1944-Former Yankees Pitcher Steve Blateric (1972) was born.
Steve Blateric was acquired in a conditional deal with the Reds. He appeared in only 1 game with the 1972 Yankees with no record. He was returned to the Reds in the spring of 1973. He would return to the MLB in appearing in 2 games with the 1975 Angels. In 11 innings of work, his ERA was 5.73. Later, he was the Head Baseball Coach at Sonoma St. Univ. from 1980-1985.

1954-Former Yankees Pitcher Paul Mirabella (1979) was born.
On November 10,1978, Paul Mirabella was traded by the Rangers along with Greg Jemison (Minors), MLB OF Juan Beniquez, Pitchers Mike Griffin and Dave Righetti to the Yankees for Reserve INF Domingo Ramos, Catcher Mike Heath, Pitchers Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich and Cash. Paul had won the 1979 James P. Dawson Award for being the best Yankee Rookie in the 1979 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp. He went 0-4 with an 8.79 ERA in 10 games with the 1979 Yankees. On November 1,1979, he was traded by the team along with 1B Chris Chambliss and Reserve INF Damaso Garcia to the Blue Jays for Starter Tom Underwood, Catcher Rick Cerone and Reserve OF Ted Wilborn.

1956-On a tear for what will be his finest MLB spring training camp since 1951, Mickey Mantle - facing the Cardinals in St. Petersburg yet again - unleashes another tremendous tape-measure HR, this one high over the CF barrier at Al Lang Stadium at least 500 feet long. Cardinals' CF Bill Virdon (future Yankees Manager 1974-1975) says it's the longest HR, that he ever saw.

1957-Former Yankees INF Ezra “Salt Rock” Midkiff (1912-1913) had passed away.
(1882-1957)
Ezra "Salt Rock" Midkiff was the 3B for the 1913 Yankees. He had appeared in 104 games, while hitting .208 with No HRs and 23 RBIs. On August 8,1913, Midkiff was traded by the Yankees along with OF Bert Daniels and $12,000 Cash to the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) for INF Fritz Maisel. Later, he would manage in the Minor Leagues for 5 seasons.

1958-The Phillies had acquired veteran 1B/OF Joe Collins (1948-1957) from the Yankees. Opting not to report to the Phillies Clearwater, Fla. MLB Spring Training Camp, Joe Collins decides to retire from MLB, thereby canceling the deal. Yankee veteran Collins was quoted by the NYC sports media saying that, “I want to be remembered as a Yankee.” He turns down a player contract offered by the Phillies of $100,000. Joe had hit .258 with 86 HRs and 329 RBIs in 908 games with the 1948-1957 Yankees, never becoming the player that the Yankees had projected him to be. Yankees Manager Casey Stengel used him against right hand pitching. Joe had appeared in 7 World Series with the Yankees, hitting .163 with 4 HRs and 10 RBIs in 36 games. During the 1955 World Series opener against the Dodgers, Joe hit 2 HRs in a Yankees 6-5 win. Bronx Bomber Manager Casey Stengel had often referred to Joe Collins as “My meal ticket.” Young Bill “Moose” Skowron had replaced him as the Yankees regular 1B during the 1956 AL season.

1961-The Yankees announced that the team will oppose any plans that would enable the new NL Expansion Franchise to use Yankee Stadium. This decision leaves the only the old Polo Grounds, the former home of the NL Giants and 1912-1923 Yankees as the only viable option for the new NL NYC Expansion Team, the Mets. NYC will pass a bond issue to build a new ballpark in Flushing Meadow, NY at the former site of the 1939 New York World‘s Fair. The new stadium will be called “Shea Stadium”, named after William Shea, who was responsible to bringing back a NL team to New York City. The Yankees will play at Shea Stadium during the 1974-1975 AL seasons, while Yankee Stadium is being remodeled and reopen for play in 1976.

1961-In his 1st MLB Spring Training Camp under new Yankees Manager Ralph Houk, Mickey Mantle crushes a high HR off of Dodgers P Roger Craig at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. Mickey's left-handed HR drive goes completely out of the ballpark over the RF fence and disappears into the distance.

1984-Former Yankees (1928) and Hall of Fame MLB Pitcher Stan Coveleski dies at the age of 94 in South Bend, In. (1889-1984)
Stan Coveleski had pitched in the MLB for 14 seasons for the A’s, Indians, Senators and the 1928 Yankees, while winning 215 games, which included 5 twenty-win seasons. On December 21,1927, Stan was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. In 1928, he would post a 5-1 record with a 5.74 ERA in 12 games for the team. He did not appear in the 1928 World Series for the Yankees. After the 1928 World Series had ended, he would retire from baseball. Stan had appeared in 2 World Series (1920 Indians and 1925 Senators), while posting a 3-2 record. Stan would be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.

2006-Two-time All-Star hurler Al Leiter (1987-1989, 2005) announces his MLB player retirement after a 19-season MLB Pitching career at the Yankees 2006 MLB Spring Training Camp in Tampa, Fla. Al Leiter was originally signed by the Yankees, later he was traded on April 30,1989 by the Yankees to the Blue Jays for OF Jesse Barfield. Also, he had pitched for the cross-town rivals the Mets and the Marlins during his 19-season MLB Pitching career.

2022-The Yankees and veteran MLB OF Marwin Gonzalez have agreed to a Minor-League deal along with a 2022 MLB Spring Training Camp Invitation. He would be in the mix for 4th Outfielder spot or the team’s utilityman since the team had traded away INF/OF Tyler Wade in the Fall to the Angels.

March 21st

1892-Former Yankees INF Bill Stumpf (1912-1913) was born. (1892-1966)
On September 1,1911, INF Bill Stump was drafted by the Yankees from York White Roses (TSL) in the 1911 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. At the age of 20, Bill Stumpf would play for the Yankees, while appearing in 54 games, hitting .234 with No HRs and 11 RBIs. On May 25,1913, Bill was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jack Lelivelt to the Cleveland Naps for Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, who would become the Yankees new starting Shortstop. The Tribe would send Stumpf down to the Minor Leagues, where he played mostly in the PCL until 1925.

1897-Former Yankees Reserve OF William “Goodtime Bill” Lamar (1917-1919) was born. (1897-1970)
On August 14,1917, 20-year old OF Bill Lamar was purchased along with INF Chick Fewster and P Hank Thormahlen by the Yankees from the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) for $20,000 Cash. As a Reserve LF for the 1917-1919 Yankees, he would hit .228 with 0 HRs and 5 RBIs in 50 games, before being sold to the Red Sox on June 13,1919. From 1917-1921 and from 1924-1927, he would play the outfield in 550 MLB games for the Yankees, Red Sox, Brooklyn Robins (aka Dodgers) and the Philadelphia A’s, while hitting .310 with 19 HRs and 245 RBIs. He would pinch-hit in 3 games for the Robins in the 1920 World Series against the Indians.

1936-The Yankees Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio runs his spring training hitting record to 12-for-20 in an 11-2 Yankees victory over the newly named Boston Bees, formerly the Braves. Before the next game is played, the prize rookie is left unattended with his foot in a diathermy machine. The resulting burn ends his 1st MLB spring training and delays his MLB player debut with the Yankees until May. This incident leaves a strain relationship between Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy and Yankees long-time Trainer Doc Bennett.

1939-Former Yankees DH Tommy Davis (1976) was born.
After his MLB Spring Training Camp released by the Orioles, the Yankees had signed former NL Batting Champion Tommy Davis. Despite having a good MLB spring training camp with the 1976 Yankees; he was released when Manager Billy Martin, who had decided to carry more pitchers than position players to start the 1976 AL season. In June of 1976, he would be picked-up by the Angels and finish the 1976 AL season with the Royals. In the summer of 1956, Tommy was ready to sign with the Yankees, but a last-minute phone call from Dodgers Star Jackie Robinson changed his mind, so he signed with the Dodgers instead. He was 1962-1963 NL batting Champion. In 1964, a serious ankle injury ended his season; after that injury Davis never would regain his excellent playing form.

1957-Former Yankees Minor League Coach and Manager Oscar Acosta was born. (1957-2006)
Oscar Acosta would manage in the Yankees farm system with the 1996-1998 AAA Columbus Clippers and the 1999 Class A Lansing Lugnuts. In 2004, he became Manager of the GCL Yankees and Latin American Coordinator, positions that he held, when he was killed in an auto accident in 2006.

1974-Recently acquired MLB Reliever Ed Farmer by the Yankees from the Indians on March 19,1974. Now he is purchased by the Phillies from the Yankees. Ed Farmer had refused to report to the Yankees AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL); then the Yankees would sell him to the Phillies.

1975-Former Yankees and MLB Player OF Joe “Ducky” Medwick (1947) had passed away. (1911-1975)
On December 11,1946, former Cardinals “Gas House Gang” player was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would wear Yankees Uniform No. 3 in 1947 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp. He would never appear in an AL game for the 1947 Yankees, who would release him on April 29,1947. He would finish his MLB long-time playing career (1930-1948) with his old team, the St. Louis Cardinals in 1948. Joe, who had played 17 seasons in MLB, finishing with a .324 lifetime BA and hitting 205 HRs, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1968.

1978-Former Yankees Minor League INF Cristian Guzman was born.
In 1994, the Yankees had signed INF Cristian Guzman as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On February 6,1998, he was traded by the Yankees along with other Minor League Players: 1B/OF Brian Buchanan, Pitchers Eric Milton and Danny Mota and Cash to the Twins for 2B Chuck Knoblauch.

1986-The Yankees announce that their most celebrated off-season acquisition, 26-year-old AL Starter Britt Burns will not pitch at all this 1986 AL season because of a chronic deteriorating hip condition. He would never again pitch in the MLB. On December 12,1985, Britt Burns was traded by the White Sox along with Minor League Pitchers Glen Braxton and Mike Soper to the Yankees for Catcher Ron Hassey and P Joe Cowley. The Yankees front office officials had advised Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner not to make the deal because of Burns major health concerns, but he ignored their advice.

1993-Former Yankees Pitcher Frankie Montas (2022-2023 was born.
Montas was originally signed by the Red Sox and Scout Manny Nanita for $75,000 as an Amateur Free Agent in December of 2009, but he was then included in a series of high profile trades. The 1st one, on July 30 2013, saw him go from the Red Sox to the White Sox in the 3-team deal that saw SS Jose Iglesias go from Boston to the Tigers, OF Avisail Garcia move from Tigers to White Sox, and P Jake Peavy for White Sox to Red Sox. Frankie made his MLB debut with the White Sox in September of 2015, by going 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA in 7 games. On December 16th, he was part of another mega-trade involving 3 teams. The major fallout from that deal was 3B Todd Frazier going from the Reds to the White Sox, with the Sox sending 3 youngsters to the Dodgers and then the Dodgers in turn sending 3 others to the Reds; Frankie was one of the players going from Chicago to L.A., along with OF Trayce Thompson and IF Micah Johnson. Frankie had some health issues in the 1st few months of the 2016 season, while pitching only 7 times between the AA Tulsa Drillers and AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers. He had no record and 2.25 ERA in 16 innings, but the Dodgers were reluctant to call him up, when they had suffered a bevy of pitching injuries. Instead, on August 1st, they added his name to another big trade, this on landing the Dodgers P Rich Hill and OF Josh Reddick, while he and fellow pitching prospects Jharel Cotton and Grant Holmes were moved to the Athletics.

On June 21, 2019, he was handed a suspension of 80 games for violating MLB drug policy after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He was having a great season, going 9-2, with a 2.70 ERA in his 1st 15 starts. The suspension made him ineligible for the All-Star Game, to which he appeared to be headed. He claimed he had ingested a tainted over-the-counter supplement, that he had not willingly taken Ostarine, the banned substance in question, but accepted responsibility for the mistake. He returned to make 1 final start on September 25th - a no-decision - but he was not eligible for the postseason either due to the suspension. In 2020, he never really got going after the COVIDS pandemic amputated the 1st 4 months of the season. In 11 starts, he went 3-5 with a bloated 5.60 ERA. He still got to make his postseason debut, in Game 3 of the WCS on October 1st, when he defeated the White Sox, as he picked up the 6-4 win with a 2-inning relief stint as the 3rd of 8 A's pitchers in the see-saw game. He was then given the ball to start Game 4 of the ALDS against the Astros, he was charged with the 11-6 loss after giving up 5 runs in 3 2/3 innings.

He was a bit of a question mark heading into the 2021 season, but ended up as Oakland's most reliable pitcher, especially after Chris Bassitt, who had been the team's ace, was hit by a batted ball in August and only came back in the last days of the season, by which time their fate was sealed. The Athletics missed the postseason because they were manhandled by the surprising Mariners down the stretch, but Frankie still ended up with a 13-9 record with a 3.37 ERA. In September/October, he was named the AL Pitcher of the Month after going 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 6 starts, with 40 strikeouts in 37 innings. He almost doubled his previous high for innings in a season, pitching 187 innings after his previous high had been 96 in 2019, and he also topped 200 strikeouts for the 1st time, finishing with 207. Oakland cleaned house before the 2022 season, trading away a number of veterans, but Frankie was among those who stayed put, although it was widely rumored that his time would come as well at the July 31st trading deadline. He had posted a 4-9 record with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts over the 1st 4 months, pitching well for a bad team, and the expected trade happened on August 1st when he and fellow veteran Reliever Lou Trivino were traded by the A’s to the Yankees in return for 4 prospects: Connor Bowman, Luis Medina, JP Sears and Ken Waldichuk. However, things did not go great in the Bronx as he only posted a 1-3 record with a 6.35 ERA in 8 starts to finish the season with a 5-12 record along with a 4.05 ERA. He would only pitched 1 inning in the postseason, in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros when he pitched the 7th inning of a 4-2 loss and gave up the Astros' final run on a solo HR by Jeremy Peña. There was more bad news as Yankees spring training camp got under way in 2023 as it was announced he would need to undergo shoulder surgery, forcing him to miss most or all of the season. For the 2023 season, he would return to pitch in 1 game in relief and picked up a victory. He would finish his Yankees pitching career with a 2-3 record with a 6.15 ERA in 9 games. The Yankees would grant him his MLB free agency, he would be signed by the Reds.

1994-The Yankees had traded Reliever Paul Assenmacher to the White Sox for Minor League P Brian Boehringer. On July 30,1993, the Yankees had obtained Paul from the Cubs in a 3-team trade that also included the Royals. Paul would appear in 26 games in relief for the 1993 Yankees, while posting a 2-2 record with a 3.12 ERA. Boehringer was assigned to Class A Albany/Colonie (EL) for the 1994 season. He would appear in 56 games for the 1995-1997 Yankees, while posting 5-9 record with 5.54 ERA. He was selected in 1997 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft by the Tampa Devil Rays, who in return would trade him to the Padres.

2001-In a trade of highly touted prospects, the Yankees re-obtained 3B Prospect Drew Henson along with Reserve OF Michael Coleman from the Reds for Minor League OF Prospect Wily Mo Peña and Cash considerations.

2017-Former Yankees MLB Scout Jerry Krause had passed away. (1939-2017)
Jerry Krause began his pro scout career in basketball, serving as a scout for numerous NBA teams before moving to MLB's Chicago White Sox, for whom he scouted in the 1970s and 1980s. In the mid-1980s, Krause returned to basketball, serving as the General Manager for the Chicago Bulls during their run of 6 NBA championships. He was a 2-time recipient of the NBA's Executive of the Year award. In the 2000s, he would return to baseball scouting, working for the Yankees, White Sox and the Mets organizations. He last worked for the Diamondbacks as a Special Assistant in their Scouting Department.

March 22nd

1903-Advance tickets for the New York Highlanders’ home opener go on sale on the same day the team announces that it will build a new ballpark on 9.6-acre site at 168th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. The site was leased from the landowners, the New York Institute for the Blind. Their new home, would be called “American League Park,” later known as “Hilltop Park” was an all-wood structure with a small cover stand in the infield and open bleachers down the foul lines. It sat approximately 15,000 fans, including on the field, “bring your seat” tickets. Hilltop Park was finished in time for the 1903 AL Season Opener; it remained home for the Highlanders-Yankees until 1912, when the Yankees moved to the Polo Grounds. Their leased on the playing field was not renewed by the current landowners, the New York Institute for the Blind. After a fire at the Polo Grounds in 1911, the Yankees had shared the playing field with the Giants. In 1914, the wooden ballpark was demolished by the current land owners and the land was later sold. The Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, a major NYC hospital, opened up on that location in 1928. A plaque was dedicated to the old Ball Park, where home plate was gives a credit to the 1st field that the Highlanders-Yankees and Giants had played on for their MLB games.

1915-Former Yankees Pitchers Norman “Red” Branch (1941-1942) was born. (1915-1971)
Norman “Red” Branch went 5-2 with a 3.73 ERA with 4 saves in 37 games for the 1941-1942 Yankees. After serving in the military during World War II, Red returned to the Yankees. He would pitch in their Minor League system with the 1946 Beaumont Roughnecks (TXL) and the AA Newark Bears (IL) before retiring from the game.

1960-Former Yankees Pitcher Gordon Rhodes (1929-1932) had passed away. (1907-1960)
In September 1928, P Gordon Rhodes was purchased by the Yankees from AA Hollywood (PCL). Gordon would appear in 41 games for the Yankees, while posting a 7-9 record with a 4.57 ERA. On August 1,1932, he was traded by Yankees to the Red Sox for veteran MLB hurler Wilcy Moore. Actually, the trade was waiver claims made by both teams on the 2 players involved.

1960-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Scott Bradley (1984-1985) was born.
The Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1981 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected Catcher Scott Bradley. He had played college baseball for the Univ. of No. Carolina at Chapel Hill campus. He had appeared in only 28 games for the 1984-1985 Yankees, while hitting just .220 with No HRs and 3 RBIs. On February 13,1986, Scott was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League OF Glen Braxton, MLB P Neil Allen and Cash to the White Sox for C/DH Ron Hassey, OF Matt Winters, 2 Minor League Players: Catcher Chris Alvarez and P Eric Schmidt. Scott had played in the MLB from 1984 to 1992 with the Yankees, White Sox, Mariners and the Reds. He would appear in 604 games, while hitting .257 with 18 HRs and 184 RBIs. Since 1998, Scott has been the Head Baseball Coach for Princeton Univ.

1962-At the Yankees 1962 MLB Spring Training Camp, Bronx Slugger Roger Maris declines to pose with HOF Mets Batting Coach Rogers Hornsby in a publicity photo, because he had criticized him in his book “My Wars with Baseball.” Hornsby was jealous of the money that the modern MLB Players were making, using Roger Maris as an example in his book. He called modern MLB players like Roger Maris, a “punk” in his book.

1963-Former Yankees Reliever and MLB Bullpen Coach Rich Monteleone (1990-1993) was born.
On April 29,1990, P Rich Monteleone was traded by the Angels along with OF/DH Claudell Washington to the Yankees for OF/DH Luis Polonia. Rich would post a 17-9 record with a 4.06 ERA in 120 games for the Yankees. Later, he became a Pitching Coach (1997-2000) in the Yankees Minor League system. Also, he would serve as the Yankees 2000-2004 MLB Bullpen Coach as well. Then he would spend the next 4 summers as a Special Pitching Instructor for the Yankees.

1965-Former Yankees OF/DH Glenallen Hill (2000) was born.
Veteran OF/DH Glenallen Hill hit .333 with 16 HRs and 29 RBIs, while appearing in 40 games with the 2000 Yankees. On July 21, 2000, he was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees for 2 Minor League Pitchers: Ben Ford and Oswaldo Mairena. On March 28, 2001, he was traded by the Yankees to the Angels for Minor League OF Darren Blakely.

1972-Former Yankees Pitcher Cory Lidle (2006) was born. (1972-2006)
On July 30, 2006, Pitcher Cory Lidle was traded by the Phillies along with NL All-Star OF Bobby Abreu to the Yankees for P Matt Smith, Shortstop C.J. Henry, P Carlos Monastrios and P/C Jesus Sanchez. He would post a 4-3 record with a 5.16 ERA in 10 games for the 2006 Yankees. On October 11, 2006, Cory was killed in airplane crash in New York City. His final MLB Pitching career record was 82-72 with a 4.57 ERA with 2 saves in 277 games.

1972-In one of the best trades in the Yankees franchise history, the Bronx Bombers had acquired Reliever Sparky Lyle from the Red Sox in exchange for 1B/OF Danny Cater and a Player to be Named Later. The Yankees would later send Minor League INF Mario Guerrero to the Red Sox to complete the trade. Lyle had posted a 22-17 record along with a 2.85 ERA with 69 saves in 260 games for Boston. The Red Sox were going to use young Bill Lee as Lyle’s replacement for their 1972 bullpen. In 7 seasons with the Yankees, Sparky Lyle will post a 57-40 record with 141 saves and a 2.41 ERA, while winning the 1977 AL Cy Young Award, while helping the team to win 2 World Series Championships. Danny Cater had hit .290 for the 1970-1971 Yankees with 10 HRs and 126 RBIs in 276 games. He had always hit well at Fenway Park against the Red Sox.

1987-Former Yankees Reserve 1B Ike Davis (2016) was born.
Ike Davis is the son of former Yankees Reliever Ron Davis. He had previous played in the MLB with the Mets, Pirates and the A’s. After the 2015 NL season, he became an MLB Free Agent. On February 15, 2016, Davis signed a Minor League deal with the Rangers. He was assigned to the AAA Round Rock Express (PCL), where he hit .268 with 12 doubles, 4 HRs and 25 RBIs in 39 games. The Rangers would release him on June 12th, so he could sign with the Yankees, who were desperate for a healthy body to place at 1B with Mark Teixeira, Greg Bird, Dustin Ackley and Chris Parmelee, who were all hurt and have been placed on the DL. He would play in 8 games for the Bronx Bombers going 3 for 14, when he was DFA; when Mark Teixeira was activated from the DL on June 25th. He would accepted to be outrighted to their AAA team, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL). He would hit .217 in 26 games for the RailRiders. At the end of the 2016 AL season, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency. On January 26, 2017, Davis was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Dodgers.

2012-New Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine gets an early introduction to the fierce rivalry with the Yankees. After the Red Sox tie a spring training game at 4-4, on a squeeze bunt by Jason Repko in the bottom of the 9th inning, Valentine has Reliever Clayton Mortensen on the mound ready to pitch the 10th inning, when rival Manager Joe Girardi announces that his team is leaving Fort Myers, immediately, taking a bus back to their MLB Spring Training base in Tampa, FL. Girardi later justifies his last-minute decision by the fact that he has used all of the pitchers, he had planned to bring into the game, but Valentine is still irked by his actions.

2015-Yankees Prospect OF Jose Pirela runs into the center field fence at full speed in trying to chase down a drive off the bat of the Mets' Juan Lagares. He suffers a concussion and has to be taken to hospital; but he escapes more serious injury. Meanwhile, Lagares circles the bases with an inside-the-park HR.

2017-Former MLB Pitcher, Yankees Manager and MLB Baseball Executive Dallas Green (1989) had passed away. (1934-2017)
Former MLB Pitcher Dallas Green became the Assistant Farm Director for the Phillies from 1970 to 1972. Green had been an MLB Pitcher from 1960 to 1967, pitching for the Phillies, Senators and the Mets, while posting a 20-22 record with a 4.26 ERA and 4 saves in 185 games. From 1973 to 1974, he was the Phillies Director of Player Development and then the Scouting Director from 1975 to 1979. Green went on to later manage the Phillies to the World Series Championship in 1980. He became General Manager of the Cubs from October 1981 to 1987. Also, Green had managed the 1989 Yankees and the 1993-1996 Mets. Green would spend the 2000’s as a Senior Advisor to the GM of the Phillies. He still held that position as of 2011.

March 23rd



1941-Yankees AL All-Star CF Joe DiMaggio, a 1941 MLB player contract holdout and a late arrival in the 1941 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, plays his 1st spring exhibition game for the team. In 1941, Joe would hit .341 with 30 HRs and 125 RBIs in 139 games. He would hit in 56 straight games, establishing a new MLB Hitting record. He would win the 1941 AL MVP Award beating out his Red Sox rival OF Ted Williams, who had hit .406 and had won the AL Triple Crown.

1942-The Dodgers re-obtained veteran OF/1B Stanley “Frenchy” Bordagaray (1941), buying the veteran OF from the Yankees. On January 27,1940, Frenchy was sent by the Reds to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on August 5,1939. The Reds would send Players to be Named Later and $40,000 Cash to the Yankees for veteran 1B Vince DiMaggio. They would send 2 Outfielders Frenchy Bordagaray and Nino Bongiovanni on January 27,1940 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Frenchy would hit .260 with No HRs and 4 RBIs in 36 games for the 1941 Yankees. He had appeared in 1 game of the 1941 World Series with no hits. Nino Bongiovanni never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level.

1944-Former Yankees DH/1B George “Boomer” Scott (1979) was born. (1944-2013)
On August 26,1979, veteran AL All-Star DH/1B George Scott was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. The Royals had released him. George would hit .318 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs in 16 games for the 1979 Yankees, before retiring from MLB. He would later play pro Baseball and Manage in Mexico Baseball Leagues.

1952-Former Yankees Pitcher Steve “Smokey” Sundra (1936,1938-1940) had passed away. (1910-1952)

On December 11,1935, P Steve Sundra was traded by the Indians along with P Monte Pearson to the Yankees for Starter Johnny Allen. Steve would record a 21-11 record with a 4.22 ERA and 2 saves in 77 games with the Yankees before being traded to the Senators on March 27, 1941. His best Yankees season was in 1939, when he posted an 11-1 mark with a 2.76 ERA in 24 games. He had appeared in Game #4 of 1939 World Series in relief against the Reds with no decision. Overall, Steve would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 56-41 record with a 4.17 ERA in 168 games.

1969-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Chris Turner (2000) was born
Chris Turner was a Yankees Reserve Catcher, who had played in 37 games for the team in 2000; while hitting .236 with 1 HR and 7 RBIs. He originally came up to the MLB with the Angels. He had played in the MLB for the Angels, Indians and the Yankees.

1974-The Yankees had purchased OF Elliot Maddox (1974-1977) from the Rangers for $100,000 Cash. Texas Manager Billy Martin didn’t get along with him, so the team had traded him. During the 1974 AL season, Yankees Manager Bill Virdon had switched CF Bobby Mercer to RF to play Elliot Maddox in CF, who responded with a .303 BA. Bobby Mercer became a very effective RF for the Yankees. During the 1975 AL season at Shea Stadium, Elliot was injured on the outfield playing turf resulting in a serious knee injury. He was never again to be an effective player, as he was during the 1974 AL season. Yankees Manager Billy Martin had him traded to the Orioles in January of 1977 for veteran AL Golden Glove winner OF Paul Blair. As a Yankees player, Maddox would hit .299 with 4 HRs and 71 RBIs in 210 games. Elliot Maddox would later sue the New York City for 1 Million Dollars over the playing field conditions at Shea Stadium, but he will lose the lawsuit.

1988-Former Yankees Reliever Dellin Betances (2011-2019) was born.
The Yankees in the 8th round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected P Dellin Betances. He would reach the MLB with the 2011 Yankees appearing in 2 games with no decisions. In 2013, he returned to the Yankees for 6 games with no decisions. In 2014, he appeared in 70 games for the Yankees, working out of their bullpen, posting a 5-0 record with a 1.40 ERA and 1 save. In 2015, he continued to be successful out of the Yankees bullpen, posting a 6-4 record with a 1.50 ERA with 9 saves in 74 appearances. In 2016, Betances was 1 of 3 potential closers with the Yankees at the start of the AL season, alongside Miller and the newly acquired Closer Aroldis Chapman from the Reds. When the 3 were on the team, Betances was given the task of pitching the 7th inning, with Miller handling the 8th and Chapman, closing out the 9th inning. However, in spite of that loaded bullpen, the Yankees were having a middling season and at the July 31st MLB Trade Deadline, the team decided to reload, trading both Miller (Indians) and Chapman (Cubs) for a package of young Minor League prospects. That left Betances as the team’s Closer for the final 2 months of the season; but he did not do that well, as he would finish with 3-6 record with a 3.08 ERA with 12 saves and 5 blown saves in 73 games. His 73-innings pitched were the fewest he had pitched in 3 seasons, but in spite of the relatively high ERA by his lofty standards, his other rate stats remained outstanding, allowing only 54 hits, giving-up 28 walks against 126 strikeouts. Before the 2017 AL season, the Yankees would re-sign Chapman as an MLB Free Agent, meaning that Betances would be back in the role of Yankees bullpen Set-up man. He went to salary arbitration that winter, requesting $5 million, while the Yankees offered $3 million. The hearing was acrimonious and Betances lost; while Yankees President Randy Levine took the opportunity to criticize him harshly in the media, claiming he had been manipulated by his agents into asking for a ridiculous salary raise in order to upset the prevailing salary structure set by previous arbitration decisions. Dellin's Agents replied that Levine's tirade was unjustified and was an attempt to bully the arbitration panel. For the 2017 AL season, he had posted a 3-6 record with a 2.87 ERA along with 10 saves in 66 games. He was named to the 2017 AL All-Star team. In 2018, he had posted a 4-6 record with a 2.70 ERA in 66 games with 4 saves. In 2019, he was injured in Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, missing most of the season. He only appeared in 1 game with no decision, injuring his ankle, causing him to miss the AL Post Season. He would finish his Yankees Pitching career with a 21-22 record along with a 2.36 ERA and 36 saves in 358 games. He was named to the AL All-Star team from 2014 to 2017. During the winter of 2019, the Yankees had granted him MLB Free Agency. On December 24, 2019, he would sign a multi-year deal with the cross-town Mets. In August of 2022, Dellin would announce his MLB player retirement.

1989-The Yankees had traded P Charles Hudson (1987-1988) to the Tigers for Veteran AL INF Tom Brookens. Charles had posted a 17-13 record with a 3.97 ERA with 2 saves in 63 games for the 1987-1988 Yankees. Brookens will hit .226 with 4 HRs and 14 RBIs as a Reserve INF, while appearing in 66 games before being released by the team in December of 1989. Tom would finish his MLB playing career with the 1990 Indians.

1990-Gambler Howard Spira is arrested for extorting money from Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner, who paid Spira $40,000 Cash in January. The MLB Commissioner will suspend Steinbrenner because of his relationship with the unsavory character.

1993-Current Yankees Minor League Pitcher Art Warren was born.
Art Warren was selected by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 2021 1st Year Player Draft out of Southeastern. Louisiana University. In 2 seasons in the Yankees organization, he has gone 19-13 with a 3.63 ERA in 53 games. Baseball America ranks him as the Yankees No. 9 Prospect.

1995-Former Yankees INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2022-2023) was born.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa would make his MLB player debut for the Rangers early in the 2018 season, filling in at 2nd base for an injured Rougned Odor. On June 20th, he would start his 1st game as a catcher and formed one half of the first hyphenated battery in MLB history, when he caught Starting Pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx, who started the game on the mound. In 2020, he became the starter at 3rd base. He was a surprise winner of the AL Gold Glove Award for his defensive work at the hot corner. He had originally been drafted as a shortstop; he was also used at 2nd and 3rd base in the Minors, before the Rangers decided to have him work behind the plate as well, increasing his value to the organization. In addition to his stellar defensive play, he would hit .280 in 58 games with an OPS+ of 93 - not bad for someone who was seen strictly as a utility player only a couple of years earlier. His development as a stand-out defensive player changed the Rangers' plans and following the 2020 season, they announced that he was being penciled in as the team's starting shortstop for 2021, replacing long-time incumbent Elvis Andrus. He had started 15 games at the position in 2020. Of course, the combination of SS/C was a very rare one at the MLB level, with Kyle Farmer the only other active player to have as many as 10 games at both positions. Historically, a few names like Dave Cochrane, Jamie Quirk, Bobby Bragan and Moe Berg fit the criteria. He was not expected to do any more catching moving forward, except in emergencies, however. He had played in 158 games, 156 of them at shortstop, while hitting 271 with 25 doubles, 8 HRs and 53 RBIs. While he did not win another Gold Glove, his defensive work was considered above average, his OPS+ of 85 while well below average, was not bad for a standout defensive player. Still, the Rangers were looking to improve their offensive production from infielders after the 2021 season. They went all out in the MLB Free Agent market by signing Marcus Semien and Corey Seager just before the MLB lockout began. It looked like Kiner-Falefa would still get a chance to compete for the vacant 3rd base job, but on March 12, 2022, shortly after the MLB Players lockout was resolved; he was instead traded to the Twins along with P Ronny Henriquez in return for Catcher Mitch Garver. The Twins' starter at shortstop the previous season, Andrelton Simmons had just signed as a MLB Free Agent with the Cubs the day before, leaving a vacant slot for him to fill. However, the Twins had other plans, as on the very next day, March 13th, he was traded to the Yankees as part of a blockbuster deal, joining 3B Josh Donaldson and Catcher Ben Rortvedt in return for Catcher Gary Sanchez and 3B Gio Urshela. The Yankees have named him their 2022 season starting shortstop. As Donaldson would become the Yankees new starting 3B. For the 2022 AL season, Isiah Kiner-Falefa would play in 142 games, while hitting .261 with 4 HRs and 48 RBIs. In 2023, he will play multiple positions in INF/OF for the Yankees as Yankees rookie Anthony Volpe would take over the starting shortstop job. He would appear in 113 games, while hitting .242 with 6 HRs and 37 RBIs. He will finish his Yankees playing career with .253 BA with 10 HRs and 85 RBIs in 255 games. After the 2023 MLB post season had ended, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency. On December 27, 2023, it was reported that he had signed a 2-year contract with the Blue Jays for $15 million. He was an option to provide defense at 3rd base with the expected departure of Matt Chapman, and fit right into a team that had been privileging defense over offense the past year - and had had all sorts of problems scoring runs as a result.

2012-Yankees Pitcher Joba Chamberlain dislocates his ankle while playing on a trampoline with his son. Already recovering from Tommy John surgery, he undergoes emergency surgery for an open dislocation. Doctor’s report that he lost so much blood that there was concern for his life and that he will need to stay hospitalized for several days. The injury precludes any return this season and may well turn out to be career-ending; but Joba will be back pitching for the Yankees on August 1st.


2013-Former Yankees Pitcher Virgil “Fire” Trucks (1958) had passed away at age of 96. (1917-2013)

On June 15,1958, veteran MLB P Virgil “Fire” Trucks was traded by the Kansas City A's along with P Duke Maas to the Yankees for veteran Reliever Bob Grim and OF/1B Harry “Suitcase” Simpson. Virgil would post a 2-1 record with 4.54 ERA and 2 saves in 25 games before retiring from MLB in April of 1959. Virgil had pitched 17 seasons in the MLB, starting out with the Tigers, then he would pitch for the Browns, White Sox and the A’s before coming to the Yankees in June of 1958. He would finish his MLB pitching career with a 177-135 record with a 3.39 ERA in 517 games, along with 30 saves. He was named to the AL All-Star team twice. In the 1945 World Series with the Tigers, Virgil would appear in 2 games against the Cubs, winning Game # 2 with a complete game 4-hitter. During the 1952 AL season, he pitched 2-No-Hitters against the Senators and the Yankees. On April 14,1959, the Yankees would release Trucks. In 1959, he returned to the Minor Leagues for a handful of games with the AAA Miami Marlins (IL). In 1963, he was MLB Pitching Coach for the Pirates. He was the oldest living Ex-Yankee player at the time of his death.

2016-Former MLB Player, Author, Yankees (1965-1967) and MLB Team Announcer Joe Garagiola had passed away at 90. (1926-2016)
Joe Garagiola was former MLB player with the Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs and Giants (1946-1954). Garagiola grew up in St. Louis, MO, he was a boyhood friend of another MLB catcher, Yogi Berra. The 2 were sons of Italian immigrants, who hardly spoke any English. As he explained, "if you saw us, you'd say this one will probably go to reform school and that one will end up in the federal penitentiary. We were just normal kids." He was a broadcaster for the Cardinals (1955-1962), Yankees (1965-1967) and the Angels. His association with the NBC-TV network, which had him work on broadcasts of its Saturday afternoon Game of the Week in the 1970s and early 1980s. As a broadcaster, he was known for focusing on the play and not on statistics, and for introducing many of his amusing stories into his broadcasts. He liked to say that he called the game from the perspective not of a star but of a player who was never sure if he would get into the game.

In 1973, he hosted a series of short documentaries for NBC called The Baseball World of Joe Garagiola, meeting with lesser-known personalities around baseball, but also letting stars like Hank Aaron interview him using questions he was being asked during his chase of Babe Ruth's HR record (example: "Hank, I've been a huge fan of yours for years. Tell me, are you a right-handed or a left-handed batter?"). These capsules were broadcast before games and were a huge popular and critical hit. Working with NBC, he was a regular on its Today show from 1967 to 1973 and again in the early 1990s. His friendship with Johnny Carson meant that he got to be guest host on the Tonight Show a number of times, including the one time in 1968 when Paul McCartney and John Lennon of the Beatles appeared on the show. The studio was filled with celebrities that evening and, as he quipped: "I was the only unknown there - and I was hosting." Garagiola was also the long-time voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. He is the Father of former Diamondbacks GM Joe Garagiola, Jr.. He was an active spokesman against the use of chewing tobacco, warning young players about the danger of mouth cancer. He was also a close friend of former President Gerald Ford, whom he met playing golf. Joe had spent 58 years in the broadcasting booth, in addition to his service time as a player. In 2014, he was named recipient of the 3rd Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Board of the Baseball Hall of Fame "to honor an individual whose extraordinary efforts enhanced baseball's positive impact on society, broadened the game's appeal and whose character, integrity and dignity are comparable to the qualities exhibited by O'Neil."