Post by fwclipper51 on Apr 20, 2024 10:40:13 GMT -5
This Week in Yankees History April 21st-April 27th
April 21st
1887-Future Hall of Fame Yankees Manager (1931-1946), MLB Manager Joe “Marsh” McCarthy was born. (1887-1978)
Joe “Marsh” McCarthy will become the 1st MLB manager to win pennants with both NL (Cubs) and AL teams (Yankees), winning 9 League titles overall along with 7 World Series Championships. In 1977, he will be inducted into Baseball’s Hall Of Fame. His New York Yankees Manager record was 1,460-867 with a .627 WP with 8 AL Flags, 7 World Championships (1931-1946). He holds the Yankees Manager record for most wins in team’s history with HOF Managers Joe Torre in 2nd place and Casey Stengel is in 3rd place with Manager Miller Huggins in 4th place. Joe McCarthy was credited for creating the modern Yankee image, he instituting a dress code, banning card playing and clowning around in the team clubhouse before a game. He requiring that each player had 3 uniforms, so no Yankee would ever wear a dirty one. He would leave the Yankees during the 1946 AL season, no exact reason has been given some have claimed to be health reasons, mental exhaustion among other things. It is known that he didn’t get along with current Yankees Co-Team Owner, General Manager and Team President Larry MacPhail (1945-1947). MacPhail was very unpopular with the Yankee players. He will sell his interest in the team after the 1947 World Series victory over the Dodgers. In 1948, Joe McCarthy would return to MLB, managing the AL rival Boston Red Sox from 1948 to mid-season of 1950. In 1957, he was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame as an MLB Manager.
1901-Former Yankees Pitcher Phillip “Lefty” Weinert (1931) was born. (1901-1973)
On September 30,1930, Pitcher Lefty Weinert was selected by the Yankees from AA Louisville (AA) in the 1930 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He had posted a 2-2 record with a 6.20 ERA in 17 games for the 1931 Yankees. Later, Weinert would coach the College Baseball at Villanova Univ. from 1946 to 1949. Then, he was an MLB Scout for the 1950-1957 Dodgers and the 1958 Indians.
1912-The Yankees would drop an 11-2 decision to the Giants in a special benefit game played at the Polo Grounds for the survivors of the RMS Titanic Naval Disaster.
1951-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., Senators LF Gil Coan collects 2 triples in the 6th inning. The Senators would score 7 runs in the frame, but that's it, as they still lose to the Yankees by a score of 8-7. Veteran Reliever Tom Ferrick is the winning pitcher for the Yankees.
1957-Former Yankees Reliever Jesse Orosco (2003) was born.
On July 22, 2003, the Yankees had obtained veteran NL Reliever Jesse Orosco from the Padres on a conditional basis. Former NL All-Star Closer for the Mets, he will appear in 15 games for the 2003 Yankees with no record. On August 31, 2003, Jesse was traded by the Yankees to the Twins for a Player to be Named Later. On August 31, 2003, the Twins would send P Juan Padilla to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1963-The Yankees had traded veteran hurler Jim Coates (1956,1959-1963) to the Senators for lefty P Steve Hamilton (1963-1970). The Yankees had traded for Steve Hamilton, who was a lefty reliever that they needed for their 1963 bullpen, since veteran lefty Reliever Louis Arroyo was out of action with pitching arm injuries. Hamilton had been 0-1 in 3 games for the 1963 Senators. He had come up to the MLB with the 1961 Indians. In 1962, he was traded by the Tribe to the Senators, where he went 3-8 as a Reliever. Jim Coates hadn’t made any pitching appearances for the 1963 Yankees. Coates leaves the Yankees with a pitching career record of 37-15 along with a 3.84 ERA and 15 saves in 167 games. He had pitched in 3 World Series for the Yankees, finishing with a 0-1 record and a 4.15 ERA and 1 save in 6 games. He would split the 1963 MLB season between the Senators and Reds, before spending his final 3 MLB seasons with the 1965-1967 Angels. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 43-22 record and a 4.00 ERA with 17 saves in 297 games.
1963-The Yankees had obtained veteran INF Harry Bright from the Reds for Cash. To make room for Harry Bright to join the Yankees, they remove a young outfielder, who playing at Greensboro, named Curt Belfry from their MLB 40-man roster; who is immediately claimed by the Orioles. Harry was originally signed by the Yankees in 1946, but they had released him in 1947. In 1963, Bright would be the Yankees Reserve 1B and Pinch-Hitter, while appearing in 60 games, hitting .236 with 7 HRs and 23 RBIs. He would appear in 2 games of the 1963 World Series against the Dodgers with no hits. After injuries had left him only playing in 4 games with the 1964 Yankees, Harry was released by the team in September. He would become an MLB Free Agent signing with the Cubs for his final MLB player season in 1965. Later, he would become a Minor League Manager.
1963-The Yankees had sold veteran hurler Hal Brown to the Houston Colt 45s. In September of 1962, Hal “Skinny” Brown was obtained from the Orioles, appearing in 2 games with the Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA. Brown did not make any appearances in the 1962 World Series against the Giants. He hadn’t pitched in any games for the 1963 Yankees. He will post a 5-11 record with a 3.31 ERA in 26 games for Houston in 1963.
1977-With the Yankees in a 2-8 slump, Manager Billy Martin draws the starting Yankees lineup out of a hat. The Yankees would beat the expansion Blue Jays by a score of 8-6. The revised lineup had clean-up hitter 1B Chris Chambliss batting 8th, as he drives in 5 runs, 3B Graig Nettles hits a HR, while Yankees Starter Ken Holtzman is the winner with relief help from Closer Sparky Lyle.
1980-Former Yankees Closer Joe “Fireman” Page (1944-1950) had passed away. (1917-1980)
Joe Page was the famous Yankees Bullpen Closer of the late 1940’s. He had replaced veteran Yankees Closer Johnny Murphy in 1944. Page had led the AL Relievers in saves in 1947, with 17 saves in 57 games along with 14 wins. In 1949, Joe did again with 27 saves in 60 games along with 13 wins. From 1947-1949, Joe had won a total of 34 games along with 60 saves for the Yankees. An arm injury in early 1950, shorten his Yankees pitching career. In 1950, the Yankees would release Joe Page during their MLB Spring Training Camp. As a Yankees Pitcher, Page would finish with a 57-49 record and a 3.44 ERA with 76 saves in 278 games. He had appeared in 2 World Series with the team, while posting a 2-1 record with a 3.27 ERA in 7 games. Joe was named to the AL All-Star team in 1944 and 1947-1948. He would spend the 1951-1952 seasons in the Minor Leagues, pitching at AAA level. Joe would finish out his MLB Pitching career with the 1954 Pirates, appearing in just 7 games with no record, before being released by the team.
1981-Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner, who is annoyed at the 1981 Yankees yearbook images of him, orders 50,000 copies removed from Yankee Stadium concession stands.
1983-The 1983 Mayor’s Trophy Game is played at Shea Stadium. The MLB Umpires who were assigned, refused to work this game. There were a couple of stories. One concerned a feud between the MLB Umpires over labor practices. Another story was that NL Umpires John Kibler and Terry Tata were unhappy that MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn had not suspended Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner for his remarks about the integrity of NL Umpire crews in spring training games (The Boss was fined $50,00 by the MLB.) Before a crowd of 20,471 fans, 4 College umpires work the game played at Shea Stadium. The Yankees would win the game by a score of 4-1 behind a 3rd inning HR by Yankees 2B Willie Randolph off of Mets Minor League Pitcher and loser Rick Ownbey. Yankees Minor League Starter Ben Callahan would get the win.
1995-Former Yankees Minor League OF Dom Thompson-Williams was born.
Outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams was a 5th-round draft pick by the Yankees in the 2016 MLB Amateur Player Draft, out of the Univ. of So. Carolina. Two years earlier, in 2014, he had been taken in the 19th round by the Cardinals, coming out of community college, but he had not signed with the team. He began his pro baseball career in 2016 with the Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), where he hit .246 in 56 games, while scoring 30 runs and stealing 15 bases. In 2017, he would split his season between 2 teams; Class A short-season Staten Island Yankees (NYPL) and the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), hitting a combined .244 in 64 games. He then took a big step forward in 2018, as his batting line was a solid .299 in 100 games, hitting 22 HRs, 17 doubles, 63 runs and 74 RBIs. He again split his season between 2 teams, starting off with Class A Charleston RiverDogs before earning a promotion to the Class A Tampa Tarpons (FSL), after hitting a scorching .378 in his 1st 10 games. He led all of the Yankees' Minor League hitters in HRs that year. Also, he would play for the Class AA Trenton Thunder in the Eastern League playoffs. On November 19th, he was 1 of 3 Yankees prospects traded to the Mariners for MLB Starter James Paxton, alongside 2 Minor League Pitchers Justus Sheffield and Erik Swanson.
2009-Yankees veteran Starter Andy Pettitte picks up the win, while Closer Mariano Rivera gets the save, when Yankees would defeat Oakland by the score of 5-3 in the 1st night game played at New Yankee Stadium. It is the 57th time that Mo Rivera has saved an Andy Pettitte victory, tying the Oakland A’s pitching duo of Starter Bob Welch and Closer Dennis Eckersley of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s for the highest total in MLB history.
2010-Bronx hurler Philip Hughes justifies the decision to return him to the Yankees starting rotation by pitching a No-hitter for 7 innings before Oakland 3B Eric Chavez bounces a ground ball towards the mound to open the 8th inning. The ball hits Hughes's left forearm and lands for a single in front of the pitcher. The Yankees would win the game beating Oakland by the score of 3-1.
2012-With no sense of history, the Red Sox continue to have a highly embarrassing week, while trying to celebrate Fenway Park's Centenary. Today, they take a 9-0 lead over the Yankees, only to collapse totally, coughing up 15 unanswered runs to lose the game. Fourteen of the runs come courtesy of a Red Sox bullpen that has been horrendous since the 2012 AL season had started. With his team trailing by the score of 9-1 in the 7th inning, Nick Swisher gets the Bronx Bombers rolling with a Grand Slam HR off of Sox P Vicente Padilla; then Yankees 1B Mark Texeira adds a 3-run HR shot before the 7th inning ends. But that only serves to set up a nightmarish 8th inning, during which 3 other Red Sox Relievers give up 7 more Yankees runs as Boston Manager Bobby Valentine is booed heartily by Fenway Park fans; every time he comes out of the dugout to make a pitching change. With two-thirds of their starting outfield on the DL, the reeling Red Sox make a trade after the game, by acquiring veteran CF Marlon Byrd from the Cubs in return for P Michael Bowden and a Player to be Named Later.
2012-Former Yankee Minor League Catcher Harry “Bud” Heslet had passed away. (1920-2012)
Harry “Bud” Heslet was a Minor League Catcher and Outfielder; who had spent 14 seasons in the Minor Leagues, including 4 seasons at Triple-A. He hit a total of 314 Minor League career HRs, including 51 HRs in his final season. He won 5 HRs titles just shy of half the seasons that he played in. In 1938, the Yankees had signed Bud was still a Jr. in High School. He would begin his pro playing career in 1940, playing for the Norfolk Yankees and then the Joplin Miners, while hitting a combined .287 with 9 HRs in 104 games. He was named the Western League's All-Star Catcher. In 1941, he was with the Miners again, while hitting .281 with 12 HRs in 119 games. He again played with Joplin in 1942, hitting .343 with 13 HRs in 87 games. He led the Western Association in batting average. He did not play from 1943 to 1945 seasons due to military service. He returned with a bang in 1946, while playing for the Twin Falls Cowboys - that season, when he would hit .308 with 29 HRs in 124 games. He had led the Pioneer League in both HRs (29) and RBIs (124). With the 1947 Binghamton Triplets (EL), he would hit .288 with 24 HRs. He led the Eastern League in HRs. At age 27, he finally made it to AAA, as he played for the 1948-1949 Newark Bears (IL), hitting .266 with 9 HRs and 43 RBIs in 91 games in 1948 and then just .228 in 1949 with 22 HRs and 75 RBIs in 140 games. He began playing the Outfield in addition to Catching in 1948. He would be practically a full-time Outfielder by the 1950 season. Heslet tied for 9th in the 1949 International League in HRs. Every other player in the league with 20+ HRs would appear in the MLB during their playing career. After the 1949 baseball season was over, Bud would leave the Yankees Minor League organization. Next, he would play in the Phillies and Browns organizations; later, he would play in the independent leagues. In 1956, "Harry "Bud" Heslet posted the greatest offensive season in California League history with Visalia Cubs, setting league records with 51 HRs and 172 RBIs. He also batted .334 that season. His records have not been not been challenged since." The fact that Heslet retired from baseball after that incredible season was the subject of a feature article published by MLB.com in May of 2008. When asked by the writer why he "simply retired and walked away from the game never to look back," Heslet replied, "The main reason was I had a boy and I wanted to get him settled. The only way to do that was to give up baseball, stay home and be a Dad." The article went on to say, "Several teams wanted him to manage, but he turned them all down." Overall, Bud Heslet had hit .279 with 314 HRs with 1,164 RBIs, 266 doubles and 48 triples in 1,711 games in his 14-year playing career. He never reached the MLB despite playing for 3 different MLB organizations.
April 22nd
1881-Former Yankees INF Neal Ball (1907-1908) was born. (1881-1957)
In August, 1907, INF Neal Ball was purchased by the Yankees from the Class A Montgomery Senators (SA). For the Yankees, Ball would hit .241 with No HRs and 45 RBIs in 155 games, before he was sold to the Indians on May 18,1909.
1903-At American League Park (aka Hill Top Park), the New York Highlanders lost their 1st game to the Washington Senators by the score of 3-1 before a crowd of 11,950 fans. Washington elects to bat 1st, but the New Yorkers score in the bottom of the opening inning to take a 1-0 lead. Each teams’ starter gives up 6 hits with Jack Chesbro, the NL top winner last year with the Pirates (28-6) taking the loss for the Yankees. Veteran starter Al Orth, in his 2nd season with the Senators is the winner.
1904-After surrendering a leadoff single to Senators batter Kip Selbach, Yankees veteran Starter Jack Chesbro pitches no-hit ball the rest of the game beating the Senators by the score of 2-0.
1915-The Pinstripes 1st appeared on the New York Yankees player uniforms. The 1912 Philadelphia Phillies were the 1st MLB to have pinstripes on their player uniforms.
1918-Former Yankees Minor League Manager (1971) and MLB Coach (1982), MLB Manager (1961-1963), MLB Player (1939-1960) Mickey Veron was born. (1918-2008)
From 1939-1960, Mickey Veron was an MLB 1B, who mostly played with the Senators during his long MLB playing career. Mickey was an AL All-Star team member for 7 seasons. He had won 2 AL Batting crowns. Mickey was a Yankees Minor League Manager with the 1971 Class AA Manchester Yankees (EL). In 1982, he was a Yankees MLB Coach. Also, he was the 1st MLB Manager for the new AL Expansion Team, the 1961 Washington Senators. He would manage the club until 1963. Also, Veron was an MLB Coach for the Pirates, Expos and the Cardinals. Later, he would manage and coach in the Minor Leagues for several MLB organizations, before retiring from the game.
1920-Outfielder Babe Ruth plays his 1st game as a New York Yankee. Babe goes hitless at the plate and his outfield error proved to be the game losing miscue in a 6-5 loss to the Philadelphia A’s.
1923-The 1st Sunday game at Yankee Stadium draws an estimated crowd of 60,000 fans, but the Yankees would suffer their 1st loss of the 1923 AL season, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Washington Senators.
1923-Former Yankees Minor League OF Keith “Kite” Thomas was born. (1923-1995)
Kite Thomas was an Outfielder for 8 seasons (1947-1954). In 1941, he graduated from high school, where he starred in Baseball and Basketball. Thomas had served in the Navy during World War II. Then he would attend Kansas State Univ. in 1947. Before the 1947 AL Season began, he was signed by Yankees MLB Scout Lee MacPhail for the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Thomas would break into Organized Baseball in 1947 at age 23 with Class C Joplin Miners (WA). That winter, he played guard (and refereed some) for Kansas City in the PBLA. He would play for 1948 Quincy Gems (3-IL); 1949 AA Kansas City Blues (AA); 1949-1950 Class A Beaumont Roughnecks (TL) and then again with the 1951 AAA Kansas City Blues (AA). On November 19, 1951, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Athletics from the Yankees organization in the 1951 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. On April 19,1952, Kite Thomas was 28 yrs. old, when he broke into the MLB with the A’s. He would play for the 1952-1953 A’s. On June 30,1953, Thomas was selected off waivers by the Senators from the A’s. He would play for the 1953 Nats, where he played his final MLB game on September 27,1953 at age 30. On March 27,1954, Kite was traded by the Senators to the White Sox for Tom Wright. He would return to the Minor Leagues with the 1954 Memphis (SA) ending his pro baseball-playing career at age 31.
1931-Yankees Outfielder Babe Ruth collides with the Red Sox Catcher Charlie Berry, a former pro football player, while trying to score on a sacrifice fly. Ruth is carried off the playing field at Fenway Park and is taken to a local Boston hospital. The Yankees would beat the Red Sox by the score of 7-5. Yankees Starter Roy Sherid picks-up 2nd victory of the season, while Reliever Hank Johnson gets his 1st save of the season. Boston starter Hod Lisenbee, who fails to get out the 1st inning, giving up 4 runs, takes the loss. He is now 0-2 for the 1931 season.
1933-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Bob Schmidt (1965) was born. (1933-2015)
On May 8,1963, Catcher Bob Schmidt was purchased by the Yankees from the Senators. He would play for the Yankees AAA team, the 1963-1965 Richmond Virginians (IL). During the 1965 AL season, Bob would hit .250 in 20 games for the Yankees as a Reserve Catcher. In 1966, Schmidt would finish his pro baseball career at the age of 33 with the Yankees AAA club, the Toledo Mud Hens (IL). In 1951, Bob Schmidt was originally signed by the Giants organization. In 1958, while playing for the Giants, he was named to the 1958 NL All-Star team, but he did not make an appearance in the game. Later, Bob had played for the 1961 Reds and the 1962-1963 Senators before joining the Yankees organization in 1963.
1938-Former Yankees Minor League C John Orsino was born. (1938-2016)
On January 8,1969, Catcher John Orsino was purchased by the Yankees from the Senators. John would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. On June 12,1969, John was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for Pitcher Rob Gardner. In 1957, the Giants had originally signed him as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had played for the Giants, Orioles and the Senators before joining the Yankees organization in 1969. John Orsino was the Head Baseball Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. from 1970 to 1976. He then he would manage in the Indians' Minor League system for a year and a half at the AA level with the 1977 Jersey City Indians (EL). Then he was with the 1978 Chattanooga Lookouts (SA) for part of the 1978 Minor League season. In 1980, Orsino would return to FDU to coach the Baseball team for 1 more college season.
1956-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Don Larsen hits a Grand Slam HR off of Red Sox hurler Frank Sullivan, as the Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 13-6. Don Larsen lasted only 4 1/3 innings, while giving up 4 runs and 5 hits. Yankees Reliever Bob Grim comes in for 4 2/3 innings of work, picking-up the win. Yankee hitters Joe Collins and Yogi Berra, also hit HRs in the game. Red Sox Reliever Frank Baumann gets the lost, while giving up 4 Yankee runs in 3 innings of work.
1957-Former Yankees MLB Scout Johnny Nee (1927-1945) had passed away. (1890-1957)
Johnny Nee was an MLB Scout and a Minor League Player-Manager. In 1912, Nee, a young Minor League INF 22 years-old, when he was chosen to skipper the Terre Haute team as a Player-Manager. He would serve as a Player-Manager at many of his Minor League stops including his last post as the leader of the 1925-1926 Virginia League’s Kinston Eagles. During that final managerial season, one of his young charges was future Hall of Famer Rick Ferrell. Starting in 1927, Nee began a long career as an MLB Scout for the Yankees organization (1927-1945). He was credited with discovering many future MLB Players including Catcher Bill Dickey, Pitcher Gene Bearden, Pitcher Marv Breuer, OF Ben Chapman, Pitcher Atley Donald, OF Tommy Henrich, Catcher Chink Outen, INF Billy Werber, Pitcher Johnny Allen, OF Dixie Walker, Pitcher Spud Chandler, Infielders: Billy Hitchcock and Willie Jones. In 1946, he would leave the Yankees organization to join the Phillies organization in 1946 to work with former Yankees P Herb Pennock, who was the team’s GM, who rebuilding the team’s farm system. At the end of the 1949 NL season, Johnny Nee was named head of the Phillies farm system by former Yankees Pitcher Herb Pennock, who was the Phillies GM.
1958-Former Yankees Pitcher Stefan Wever (1982) was born. (1958-2022)
On June 5,1979, Pitcher Stefan Wever was selected by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 1979 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He appeared in 1 game for the 1982 Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record. A torn rotator cuff injury from his only Yankees start would end his pro baseball pitching career.
1959-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D. C., Yankees Ace Whitey Ford pitched a 14-inning, 1-0 shutout against the Senators; while allowing only 8 hits, while striking out 15 Nats batters. The Yankees won in the 1st half of the 14th inning on a Moose Skowron solo HR, ending the longest contest in MLB history ending 1-0 on a HR.
1960-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees behind veteran AL All-Star Starter Whitey Ford and Reliever Ralph Terry shutout the Orioles by the score of 5-0. Ford picks up his 1st win of the 1960 AL season. The Orioles veteran Starter Hoyt Wilhelm takes the lost for the Birds by allowing 7 Yankees hits and 4 runs in the game. Yankees hitters Mickey Mantle and Hector Lopez each hit HRs for the Bronx Bombers.
1961-Former Yankees Pitcher Jimmy Key (1993-1996) was born.
On December 10,1992, Pitcher Jimmy Key was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had been an AL All-Star Starter with the Blue Jays, while posting a 9 MLB season pitching record of 116-81 with a 3.42 ERA in 317 games. He went 2-0 in 2 games for the Blue Jays in the 1992 World Series against the Braves. He was named to the AL All-Star team in 1993-1994. Key would have 2 solid seasons for the 1993-1994 Yankees, while posting 18-6 and 17-4 season records. In 1995, Jimmy would miss most of the AL season being on the DL with arm problems; appearing only in 5 games, while posting a 1-2 record with a 5.64 ERA. In 1996, he would bounce back with a 12-11 record with a 4.68 ERA in 30 games. Jimmy went 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA in 2 games for the Yankees in the 1996 World Series against the Braves. Overall, he had a 43-23 record with a 3.68 ERA in 94 games as a Starter for the 1993-1996 Yankees. After the 1996 World Series victory over the Braves, Jimmy would leave the Yankees for MLB Free Agency, signing with their AL Eastern Division rivals; the Orioles.
1964-At Chicago’s Comiskey Park, a crowd of 29,703 fans watch the Yankees beat the White Sox with Whitey Ford’s complete game victory, a 3-0 shutout. Chicago Starter Gary Peters takes the loss, going 7 innings, while giving up 4 Yankees hits and 2 runs to the Bombers. Yankees 3B Clete Boyer hits a HR off of Peters. The veteran Starter Ford allows only 6 White Sox hits, while walking 1 Sox hitter and striking out 2 Chicago batters.
1967-Former Yankees INF Fritz Maisel (1913-1917) had passed away. (1889-1967)
On August 8,1913, INF Fritz Maisel was traded by the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) to the Yankees for OF Bert Daniels, INF Ezra Midkiff and $12,000 Cash. Fritz Maisel will appear in 502 games for the Yankees, while hitting .243 with 6 HRs and 132 RBIs along with 183 stolen bases. On January 22,1918, Fritz was traded by the Yankees along with P Nick Cullop, INF Joe Gedeon, Catcher Les Nunamaker, P Urban Shocker and $15,000 Cash to the St. Louis Browns for veteran MLB Starter Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt. He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1918 Browns. His overall MLB totals was a .243 BA with 6 HRs and 148 RBIs, finishing with 194 stolen bases. He will play for the Minor League AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) from 1919 to 1928. Fritz will manage the team from 1929 to 1932. Later, he will be an MLB Scout for the MLB Orioles from 1954 to 1967. In 1959, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
1970-The Yankees would drop an 18 inning, 2-1 game to the Senators. When Mike Epstein’s sac fly scores Nats base runner Ed Stroud. Yankees CF Bobby Mercer’s 9th inning HR had tied the game at 1-1. Senators Reliever Joe Grzenda gets the win, while Yankees Reliever Ron Klimkowski takes the loss.
1972-Yankees 3B Rich McKinney’s fielding errors contribute to the Red Sox scoring of 9 runs and a 11-7 loss for the Bombers.
1981-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would defeat the Tigers by the score of 7-2. A 5-run 7th inning rally by the Bronx Bombers wins the game. Yankees Ace Starter Ron Guidry starts the game; then veteran David LaRoche relieves him in the 6th inning, he picks up the victory. Then Reliever Ron Davis finishes off the game for the Yankees, holding the Tigers off the scoreboard for the game’s final 2 innings. The Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led a HR by Slugger Reggie Jackson.
1993-Former Yankees Shortstop Mark Koenig (1925-1930) had passed away. (1904-1993)
On May 29,1925, INF Mark Koenig was traded by the AA St Paul Saints (AA) to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later, Catcher Fred Hofmann, Pitcher Oscar Roettger and $50,000 Cash. On October 28,1925, the Yankees will send INF Ernie Johnson to the Saints to complete the trade. Mark Koenig was the starting Shortstop for the Yankees during the mid-1920’s. He would finish his Yankees playing career with a .285 BA with 15 HRs and 144 RBIs, while playing in 567 games. Koenig had played on Yankees World Series teams in 1926-1928, while hitting .500 in the 1927 World Series. On May 30,1930, Mark was traded along with veteran Pitcher Waite Hoyt to the Tigers for OF Harry Rice, Pitcher Ownie Carroll and Reserve INF Yats Wuestling. Also, he would appear in the World Series with the 1932 Cubs and the 1936 Giants, both against his former team, the Yankees. In 20 World Series games, Mark will hit .237 with No HRs and 5 RBIs. Also, during his long MLB playing career, he had played for the Yankees, Tigers, Cubs, Phillies and the Reds before finishing up with the 1936 Giants. His last MLB game was an appearance in Game 6 of the 1936 World Series with the Giants against the Yankees as a Pinch-Hitter and playing 2B. Overall, Mark had appeared in 1,162 MLB games, while hitting .279 with 28 HRs and 446 RBIs. Mark was the last living member of the 1927 World Series Champion New York Yankees.
1997-After 4 months of on-and-off negotiations, the Yankees had acquired the rights to Japanese Pitcher Hideki Irabu from the Padres for $3 million. Irabu’s Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, gave the San Diego Padres exclusive rights to the 27-year-old righty, but Irabu refused to sign with the Padres, saying he would only go with the Yankees.
2007-The Red Sox complete their 1st sweep of the Yankees in Fenway Park in 17 seasons. Red Sox Sluggers Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek hit consecutive HRs, making it the 4th instance in MLB history that 4 straight hitters have gone deep. The victim for all 4 gopher balls is young Yankees Pitcher Chase Wright, who ties the MLB record for HRs allowed in an inning. Veteran Tigers hurler Paul Foytack in 1963 had been the only prior pitcher to allow 4 straight HRs in an inning.
2010-The Yankees lose the rubber game of series against the Oakland A's, taking 2 out of 1st 3 games, including a Phil Hughes 1-hitter. Oakland would defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-2, snapping the Yankees 6-game winning streak. Bronx Starter CC Sabathia throws a complete game. Mark Teixeira hits his 1st HR of the 2010 AL season. OF Marcus Thames hits a solo HR for the Bombers. With runners on 1st and 2nd in the 6th inning, A's batter Kurt Suzuki hit a sharp grounder to Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, who stepped on the bag and threw to 2B Robinson Cano. Cano's relay to 1B Nick Johnson barely beat Suzuki. It was the 1st triple play against Oakland since the Royals did it in 1994. The Yankees had gone 6,632 consecutive regular-season games without a triple play. Their last one came on June 3,1968, with Yankees 1B Mickey Mantle catching the final out on a ball hit by Minnesota's Catcher John Roseboro. The Twins Catcher Johnny Roseboro's liner was caught by Yankees Pitcher Dooley Womack, who then threw to 3B Bobby Cox. The Cox's relay throw then went to Yankees 1B Mickey Mantle for the 3rd out of the triple play.
2015-At Comerica Park in Detroit, the Yankees would chase Tiger’s All-Star Starter David Price, who lasts only 2 innings before giving up to the Yankees 10 hits, while allowing 8 runs. The Yankees win the game by the score of 13-4. Bronx Starter Adam Warren picks up his 1st victory of the 2015 AL season with help from bullpen trio of Justin Wilson, David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve. The Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led by 1B Mark Teixeira’s a 3-run HR and triples from Carlos Beltran and Chase Headley. A crowd of 27,389 fans had attended the mid-week game in Detroit.
April 23rd
1903-The New York Highlanders win their 1st MLB game played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C, behind the pitching of Starter Harry Howell, a 7-2 victory over the Senators. At the plate, Howell would hit the 1st triple in team’s history. Lefty Davis would score what proved to be the winning run, when Senators OF Jimmy Ryan dropped a fly ball hit by veteran MLB hitter Willie Keeler.
1937-Former Yankees Reserve 1B Duke Carmel (1965) was born. (1937-2021)
Duke Carmel was drafted by the Yankees from the Mets organization in the 1964 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. In 1964, Duke had play well for the Mets AAA club, the Buffalo Bisons (IL) by hitting .271; making the International League All-Star team. In 1965, he had appeared in only 6 games for the Yankees with no hits in just 8 plate appearances. During the 1955 NL season, he had originally been signed by the Cardinals. In 1959, Duke would come up with the Cards. During the 1963 NL season, Carmel was traded by the Cardinals to the Mets for OF Jacke Davis and Cash. After he had left the Yankees organization in 1965, he would play at the AAA level with several different MLB organizations before retiring from the game in 1967.
1947-The Yankees would release their former bullpen Closer Johnny "Grand Ma” Murphy (1932,1934-1943,1946). He had appeared in 383 games for the team with 93 wins and 107 saves as the Yankees Bullpen Closer. Young Joe Page had taken over the Yankees Bullpen Closer role. Murphy would pitch his last MLB active season with the Red Sox before retiring from the game in 1947. Later, he would become the Director of Player Development for the Mets, signing many of the young Mets players, who would later play on the 1969 World Championship team. In January of 1970, he was the General Manager of the Mets, when he passed away of a fatal heart attack.
1953-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 10,045 fans had watched a Thursday afternoon game between the Yankees and Red Sox. The Yankees would beat the Boston by the score of 6-3. Yankees Veteran Starter Johnny Sain throws a complete victory, he is now 3-0 for the 1953 AL season. Meanwhile Veteran AL Starter Sid Hudson began the game for Boston, but he was replaced by Reliever Bill Werle, who takes the loss. The Yankees would score 5 runs in the 8th and 9th innings to win the game. Yankees All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra hits a solo HR. Yankees Rookie RF Mickey Mantle hits a 3-run HR in the game, also, he hits a double, giving him 3 RBIs in the game. The 1953 Yankees are now 7-2.
1963-Former Yankees Pitcher Harry Harper (1921) had passed away. (1895-1963)
Veteran AL hurler Harry Harper came to the Yankees in the Waite Hoyt trade with the Red Sox on December 15,1920. He had previously pitched for the1913-1919 Senators before joining the Red Sox in 1920. With the 1920 Red Sox, he had posted a 5-14 record for the 5th place Boston club. For the 1921 Yankees, he would post a 4-3 record with 3.76 ERA in 8 games. Harper had pitched in the 1921 World Series, starting Game 6 against the Giants, but he was not involved in the final decision. On June 1,1922, he was released by the Yankees, due to hand injury. He would finish his MLB career pitching for the 1923 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Harry’s final MLB Pitching stats was a 57-76 record with a 2.87 ERA with 5 saves in 219 games.
1975-Yankees OF Roy White again hits a HR from both sides of the plate, this time in an 11-7 loss to the Red Sox. Roy White’s last switch-hit HRs were on August 13,1973.
1977-Former Yankees Reserve OF/DH Andruw Jones (2011-2012) was born.
The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent NL Golden Glove winner OF Andruw Jones. He would replace OF/DH Marcus Thames, who had left the team for MLB Free Agency. In 2010, Andruw Jones had played for the White Sox. He was back playing the outfield in 2010 AL season, logging 62 games in RF and a few games in both CF and LF. Power remained the best part of his game, with 19 HRs in 278 at-bats, but he was also able to draw 45 walks, turning a .230 batting average into a decent .341 on-base percentage. In 2012, he had played 94 games for the Yankees, splitting his time between LF, RF and DH, while hitting only .197. However, he still displayed good power, hitting 14 HRs with 34 RBIs, but his OBP was below .300, for an OPS+ of 88. He did not play at all in the 2012 AL Postseason. After the 2012 season had ended, the Yankees did not attempt to re-sign him, so he became an MLB Free Agent. Jones, instead inked a deal with the Rakuten Golden Eagles (Japan's PL) on December 16th. Andrew had originally come up to the MLB with the Braves in 1996.
1979-Former Yankees Minor League P Carlos Silva was born.
On April 9, 2011, the Yankees had signed former MLB hurler Carlos Silva, who had been recently released by the Cubs. He would pitch for the AAA Scranton (IL), later he was released by the Yankees. He will start the 2012 AL season with the Red Sox, but the team will release him.
1981-Former Yankees Pitcher Sean Henn (2005-2007) was born.
Sean Henn was selected by the Yankees; as a draft-and-follow pick in the 26th round of the 2000 MLB Amateur Player Draft. In May of 2001, Henn was signed by Yankees MLB Scout Mark Batchko for a $1.701 million bonus. He made his pro debut that summer. Henn's 1st MLB win in 2007 closed a remarkable 3-game series between the Yankees and the Indians. For the 1st time in MLB history, a team swept a series of 3 or more games, with each game giving a pitcher his 1st MLB career win. The other winners were Pitchers Chase Wright and Kei Igawa. For the 2007 Yankees, Sean was 2-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 36 games. On May 9, 2008, Sean Henn was selected off waivers by the Padres from the Yankees. After being out of the MLB for 3 full years, including the 2012 season that was spent with the Hanwha Eagles (KBO); at the end of the 2013 NL season, Sean did come back to the MLB for 4 games with the Mets. His 3.38 ERA during that very brief stint with the Mets was the best of his 6 MLB pitching seasons.
1982-The Yankees had traded veteran 1B/DH Bob Watson to the Braves for Minor League P Scott Patterson. Watson had joined the Yankees as an MLB Free Agent replacing the recently traded 1B Chris Chambliss to the Blue Jays in the Rick Cerone trade. In 1980, he had hit .307 with 13 HRs for the Yankees. The 1981 AL season was marred by a groin injury that limited his playing time to just 59 games, while hitting just .212. Scott Patterson was a Starter for the Braves AAA Richmond team (IL), the Yankees would assign him to their AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL). He never appears at the MLB level for the Yankees.
1992-Former Yankees Reserve INF/OF Deron Roger Johnson (1960-1961) passes away from Lung Cancer at the age of 53. (1938-1992)
Before the start of 1956 AL season, the Yankees had signed INF/OF Deron Johnson as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Deron was never able to find a regular position to play with the Yankees. At 3B, Andy Carey and Hector Lopez, later Clete Boyer had blocked Deron. At 1B, he was blocked by the presence AL All-Star 1B Bill Skowron. Plus, the Yankees had a starting OF was filled by CF Mickey Mantle, RF Roger Maris and Yogi Berra-Hector Lopez combo in LF. For the 1960-1961 Yankees, he had only appeared in 19 games, while just hitting .174. In June of 1961, he was traded along with veteran Starter Art Ditmar to Kansas City A’s for veteran Starter Bud Daley. In 1963, the Athletics would later trade him to the Reds. Deron Johnson would find MLB success in the NL starting with the 1964-1967 Reds. In 1965, Deron had his best MLB season by batting .287, slugging 32 HRs and 130 RBIs. Later, he would play for the 1968 Braves and the 1969-1973 Phillies,1973 A’s and the 1974 Brewers during his MLB playing career. He would finish his MLB career with .244 BA with 245 MLB career HRs and 923 RBIs in 1,765 games. He had played in 1 World Series with the 1973 Oakland A’s, appearing in 6 games, while hitting .300. After his MLB playing career had ended, Johnson spent most of the rest of his life as MLB Coach. He did manage the Minor League team, the Salt Lake City Gulls in 1978. Then he began his MLB Coaching career with the 1979-1980 Angels. In 1981, he was a Mets MLB Coach. From 1982-1984, Deron was a member of the Phillies MLB Coaching staff. In 1985-1986, he was with the Mariners. Then Deron would spend the 1987 AL season with the White Sox. He would return to the Angels as their MLB Hitting Coach from 1989 to 1991.
2000-In a 10-7 victory over the Blue Jays, Yankee hitters CF Bernie Williams and Catcher Jorge Posada become the 1st teammates to hit a HR from both sides of the plate in the same MLB game.
2011-The homer-happy Yankees are at it again, connecting 5 times in a 15-3 victory over the Orioles. Bronx DH Russell Martin goes deep twice; he is joined by his fellow Yankees teammates catcher Jorge Posada, CF Brett Gardner and 3B Alex Rodriguez, who hits a Grand Slam HR. It is the 22nd slam of A-Rod's MLB playing career, moving him past the recently retired Manny Ramirez and into 2nd place on the all-time MLB list, 1 behind the MLB leader former Yankees HOF 1B Lou Gehrig. Meanwhile, Bronx Starter CC Sabathia picks up his 1st win of the 2011 AL season, while Brad Bergesen is the loser for the Orioles.
2014-Already suspected by Red Sox Broadcasters of illegally using pine tar during his last start against the team, the Yankees' Starter Michael Pineda gets caught red-handed this time, as Umpire Gerry Davis finds the substance on his neck and ejects him in the 2nd inning of his start as the Red Sox win the game by the score of 5-1. Facing a MLB suspension, Pineda confesses to the violation of the rules after the game, explaining to the Media "my hands get sweaty".
2023-Former Yankees Reserve 1B/OF John Miller (1966) had passed away .(1944-2023)
In 1962, the Yankees had signed OF/1B John Miller as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would appear in only 6 games for the 1966 Yankees, while hitting just .087. He hit a HR at his 1st MLB at bat with the Yankees. John would be traded to the Dodgers, where he hit a HR in his last MLB at bat. Overall, he had appeared in only 32 MLB games, while hitting .164 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. John would go on to play pro baseball in Japan with the 1970-1972 Chunichi Dragons (JPCL). He had appeared in 382 games for the team, while hitting .245 with 79 HRs with 222 RBIs.
April 24th
1895-Former Yankees Pitcher Harry Harper (1921) was born. (1895-1963)
On December 15,1920, Pitcher Harry Harper came to the Yankees from the Red Sox along with Starter Waite Hoyt, Catcher Wally Schang and INF Mike McNally for Yankees 2B Del Platt, Catcher Muddy Ruel, OF Sammy Vick and Pitcher Hank Thormahlen. Harry had posted a 5-14 record for the 5th place 1920 Red Sox. For the 1921, Yankees Harper would post a 4-3 record with a 3.76 ERA in 8 games. He would pitch in 6th game of the 1921 World Series against the Giants, but he was not involved in the final decision. During his 10 MLB season pitching career, Harry had pitched for the Senators, Red Sox, Yankees and the Dodgers. He would finish his MLB pitching career with a 56-76 record, along with a 2.87 ERA and 5 saves in 219 games.
1905-The Yankees would hit onto a triple play during a 4-3 loss to the Washington Senators.
1917-Before of crowd of 3,219 fans at Fenway Park, Yankees Lefty Starter George Mogridge pitches a No-Hitter against the Red Sox, winning the game by the score of 2-1. Mogridge strikes out 3 Red Sox hitters and walks 3 Boston batters, as he becomes the 1st Yankees Pitcher to actually win a no-hit game. The Red Sox in the 7th inning managed to score their only run of the game without getting a hit off of Mogridge; by putting together a couple of walks, an error and a sacrifice fly. Red Sox veteran knuckleballer starter Dutch Leonard would take the loss for Boston.
1923-US President Warren G. Harding and 7,999 other fans witnesses the 1st shutout ever thrown at Yankee Stadium as Babe Ruth hits a HR in New York’s 4-0 victory over the Senators. Yankees Veteran Starter Sad Sam Jones throws the complete game shutout by allowing only 5 Senator hits, while striking out 4 Nats batters. The 1923 Yankees are now 5-2 for the 1923 AL season.
1927-On a Sunday afternoon game played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., a crowd of 20,000 fans see the Yankees beat the Senators by the score of 6-2. Veteran Yankees Starter Urban Shocker throws a complete game victory, while allowing only Nats 2 runs, 8 hits and 4 strikeouts. Senators Starter Sloppy Thurston takes the loss, by allowing 6 Yankees runs on 8 hits. Yankees Sluggers Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel, each hit solo HRs in the game. Yankees Pinch-hitter Cedric Durst has a big hit the game with a triple that results on 3 Yankee runs.
1932-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 31,00 fans watched a Sunday game against the Red Sox as the Yankees prevail by the score of 9-2. Yankees Starter George Pipgras throws a complete victory, he is now 1-1 for the 1932 AL season. Red Sox Reliever Wilcy Moore takes the loss by allowing 7 Yankee hits and 7 runs in the game. Catcher Bill Dickey and CF Earle Combs led the Yankees hitting attack against the Red Sox.
1943-Former Yankees Pitcher Joe Verbanic (1967-1968,1970) was born.
On December 10,1966, Pitcher Joe Verbanic was traded by the Phillies along with Cash to the Yankees for veteran Closer Pedro Ramos. In 1966, Joe had appeared in 17 games for the Phillies, while posting a 1-1 record as a reliever. He would be part of the 1967 Yankees bullpen along with Hal Reniff and Dooley Womack. Joe would have a 11-10 record with a 3.12 ERA in 92 games as a Reliever in 3 seasons in the Bronx. He would leave the Yankees organization in the fall of 1970. He would return to the Phillies organization, pitching for their AAA club Eugene (PCL) for the 1971 season and then retiring from the game. For the last place 1966 Yankees, Closer Pedro Ramos had posted a 3-9 record with a 3. 3.61 ERA and 13 saves. Manager Ralph Houk had lost confidence him as a Closer and was unhappy with his overall playing attitude, plus being over- weight at 31.
1946-Former Major League Players Jesse Burkett, Frank Chance, Jack Chesbro, Johnny Evers, Clark Griffith, Tommy McCarthy, Joe McGinnity, Eddie Plank, Joe Tinker, Rube Waddell and Ed Walsh are all inducted into the Hall of Fame. Jack Chesbro had won 41 games for the 1904 Yankees setting an AL Pitching record and a Yankees franchise record, which still stands today. Both Veteran MLB INF Frank Chance and Pitcher Clark Griffith were also early Yankee Managers.
1951-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx veteran Starter Eddie "The Junkman" Lopat shutouts the Philadelphia Athletics by the score of 3-0. He would pitch a complete game victory by allowing the A’s only 4 hits, while striking out 4 batters. Philadelphia A’s Starter Bobby Shantz, also throws a complete game, while taking the loss. He allows only 3 Yankees runs with 6 hits. Yankee hitters Joe DiMaggio, Johnny Mize and Jackie Jensen led the Yankees hitting attack. A crowd of 8,742 fans had attended the Tuesday day game played at Yankee Stadium.
1965-Former Yankees 3B Mike Blowers (1989-1991) was born.
On August 29,1989, INF Mike Blowers was traded by the Expos to the Yankees for veteran MLB Starter John Candelaria. Mike had hit .203 with 6 HRs and 25 RBIs in 76 games for the Yankees. On May 17,1991, Mike was traded by the Yankees to the Mariners for a Player to be Named Later and Cash. The Mariners would later send Minor Leaguer P Jim Blueberg on June 22,1991 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1967-Former Yankees and MLB Scout Lester Patterson (1952-1967) had passed away. (1897-1967)
Pat Patterson was a Minor League Catcher and Manager. He had scouted for the 1942-1951 Reds and the 1952-1967 Yankees; signing MLB Players such as Ewell Blackwell, Dixie Howell, Ray Lamanno, Lloyd Merriman, Kent Peterson, Bob Usher, Joe Nuxhall and Grady Hatton for the Reds. For the Yankees, Pat had signed INF/OF Tom Tresh and P Bob Meyer.
1977-Former Yankees OF/DH Carlos Beltran (2014-2016) was born.
On December 19, 2013, OF/DH Carlos Beltran signed as MLB Free Agent by the Yankees to a 3-year deal worth $45 million, stepping into the breach opened, when CF Curtis Granderson had decided to move to the Mets that same day. Beltran started the 2014 AL season relatively slowly for the Yankees, as he was hitting only .234 in mid-May. One of the reasons was that he was having problems with bone spurs in his right elbow. He took a cortisone shot to relieve the pain, but there was a possibility that season-ending surgery would be required. He played on in spite of not being 100% but he lost about a third of the season to various injuries. He was only hitting .236 with 15 HRs and 49 RBIs in 108 games, when personal tragedy struck as well. He took a leave of absence from the team on September 17th after his wife, who was expecting the couple's 1st boy, had a late miscarriage. When he returned to the team after a few days, it was a bone spur in his right elbow that made him unable to provide much offensive production. He would finish the 2014 AL season with a .233 average in 109 games, while hitting 15 HRs and 49 RBIs. In 2015, he would play in 133 games, bouncing back to .276 with 34 doubles and 19 HRs, while driving in 67 runs. He was the team's main RF as the Yankees played the ALWCS. Carlos would go 1 for 4 in the game, as the Astros shut out the Yankees. On May 15, 2016, he hit the 400th HR of his MLB playing career against White Sox P Zach Duke, becoming the 4th switch-hitter in MLB history to reach the mark, after Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray and Chipper Jones. He was also the 3rd Puerto Rican to reach the number (after Carlos Delgado and Juan Gonzalez). He was probably the team's best hitter in the 1st half. He was rewarded with a return to the MLB All-Star Game, his 1st appearance since 2013. On August 1st, he was hitting .304 with 22 HRs and 64 RBIs, when he was traded to the Rangers in return for 3 Minor League Pitching prospects: Dillon Tate, Nick Green and Erik Swanson. Overall, as a Yankees player, Carlos had hit .270 with 56 HRs and 180 RBIs in 341 games. He would play in 52 games for Texas, while hitting .280 with 7 HRs and 29 RBIs, while playing primarily at DH. In total, that gave him a .295 BA with 29 HRs and 93 RBIs. He then went 2 for 11 as the Rangers, who were swept by the Blue Jays in the ALDS. After the 2016 season had ended, he became an MLB Free Agent again. On December 3rd, he would sign a 1-year, $16 million player contract to return to the Astros for the 2017 AL season.
2000-Former Yankees Minor League Shortstop Trey Sweeney was born.
Shortstop Trey Sweeney was drafted by the Yankees with the 20th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2021 MLB Amateur Player Draft, out of Eastern Illinois University. He hit a scorching .382 in his junior year of college, before the draft, and was at .351 the year before, in 2020, when the COVID-19 brought the college season to an early stop. He had also hit .387 in the Coastal Plain League in 2020, so it was not just the case of dominating opponents in a less competitive conference. But dominate he did, as he was the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2021 and was also named an All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association. He received a signing bonus of $3 million from the Yankees, just under slot value. He started his pro career in 2021 with the FCL Yankees before earning a quick promotion to the Tampa Tarpons of the one-and-future Florida State League. In 33 games, his slash line was .261/.384/.548. In 2022, he spent the bulk of the season in the South Atlantic League with the Hudson Valley Renegades before earning a late-year promotion to the AA Somerset Patriots. In a combined 111 games, he hit .240/.349/.413, with 19 doubles and 16 HRs, 76 runs and 56 RBIs. In 2023, with another top Yankee prospect taking over the shortstop job in New York in Anthony Volpe, he spent a full season in the Eastern League with Somerset and hit .252/.367/.411 in 100 games, with another 67 runs. On December 11,2023, the Yankees had traded Minor League Shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney to the Dodgers for veteran MLB Reliever Victor Gonzalez and Minor League INF Jorbit Vivas. The Dodgers have Todd playing for their AAA club in the Pacific Coast League for the 2024 season.
2009-At Fenway Park in Boston, Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera is charged with a rare blown save in the 1st match-up between the Yankees and Red Sox for 2009 AL season. With 2 outs in the 9th inning, Rivera gives up a 2-run HR to Jason Bay to tie the score at 4- 4. Kevin Youkilis homers over the Fenway Park’s Green Monster in the 11th inning for a 5-4 Red Sox victory.
2012-The game between the Yankees and Rangers features a duel between 2 Japanese Free Agent signees, Starters Hiroki Kuroda and Yu Darvish. Texas Starter Darvish gets the upper hand by pitching 8 1/3 scoreless innings, while striking out 10 Yankee batters in leading Texas to a 2-0 win.
2012-Former Yankees Minor League P Fred Bradley had passed away. (1920-2012)
From 1940-1949, Fred Bradley had spent 7 seasons in pro baseball. Also, he would spend 3 years of miliary service with the Navy during World War II. Bradley had spent 3 seasons in the Minor Leagues before enlisting in the Navy. He went 8-6 in 24 games for the Class C Idaho Falls Russets (PL) in his 1st season in the pros. Fred then had 2 double-digit win seasons, back-to-back, racking up 16 wins for the same Idaho squad in 1941, then winning 14 games for the Class B Tacoma Tigers (WIL) in 1942, before entering the service. Back from the Navy in time for the 1946 AL season, Fred would spend with the 1946-1947 Yankees AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA). He would spin a 7-9 record in 1946, but he came right back the following season, putting together a 13-4 record to go with a 2.98 ERA. On February 24,1948, he was traded by the Yankees along with Catcher Aaron Robinson and P Bill Wight to the White Sox for Starter Eddie Lopat. On May 1,1948, Bradley made his MLB Pitching debut with the White Sox. He would appear in just 8 games, while pitching 15 2/3 innings with a 4.60 ERA and no decisions. He was back with the White Sox for the 1949 AL season, Fred made his only appearance on May 1st, pitching 2 innings, giving up 4 hits and 3 runs for a 13.50 ERA and this was his finale in his MLB pitching career. Fred had finish out the 1949 season and his pro baseball career with the Memphis Chickasaws (SA). He had posted a 3-9 record in 19 appearances. Fred decided to call it a career. In 1949, Fred would leave the game with a 61-52 Minor League record in 172 games.
2014-Yankees Starter Michael Pineda is handed a 10-game suspension after being caught using pine tar on the mound in the previous day's game. The sentence is longer than previous ones, as there had already been controversy over his alleged use of the substance earlier this season. Pineda acknowledges his sin and states that he will not appeal the suspension. In today’s game, David Ortiz breaks Harold Baines' record for games played at DH (1,644); Ortiz already held records for hits, HRs and RBI as a DH. Ortiz goes 0 for 1 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch before leaving the game early in a 12-5 Red Sox loss to the Yankees.
2015-The Yankees snap the Mets' franchise record-tying 11-game winning streak with a 6-1 win. Mets Starter Jacob deGrom allows 3 Yankee HRs, 2 by 1B Mark Teixeira and the other by CF Jacoby Ellsbury to be tagged with the loss. Yankees Starter Michael Pineda picks-up the victory.
April 25th
1883-Former Yankees Pitcher Russ Ford (1909-1913) was born. (1883-1960)
In September of 1908, hurler Russ Ford was selected by the Yankees from AA Atlanta Crackers (SA) in the 1908 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Ford would dominate the AL and the Federal League for a few seasons thanks to his devastating emery ball. The emery ball was a nominally illegal pitch that involved doctoring the baseball by scuffing it with emery paper. Ford had disguised his illegal modification by claiming to throw a spitball, though he came clean about his technique after retiring from the game. Russ Ford had 2 outstanding seasons with the Yankees, going 26-6 with 200 strikeouts and 8 shutouts in 1910. Then in 1911, he had a 21-11 record. As a Yankees Pitcher from 1909-1915, he would post a 73-56 record with a 2.54 ERA in 143 games. In 1913, Russ went 12-18 with a high 2.66 ERA. The Yankees wanted to give a pay cut for the 1914 AL season. So, on January 20,1914, Russ Ford jumped from the Yankees to pitch for the Buffalo Buffeds of the rival Federal League. For 2 seasons with Buffalo, he went 21-6 with 1.82 and 6 saves in 35 games in 1914. Next season, he was bothered with pitching arm issues, posting just a 5-9 record with a 4.52 ERA in 21 games. On August 28,1914, Buffalo would release him, ending his MLB Pitching career. He would continue to pitch in the Minor Leagues for 2 seasons, before retiring from baseball. Russ Ford would finish his MLB pitching career with a 100-71 record with 2.59 ERA and 8 saves in 199 MLB games. He is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
1904-Highlanders Starter Jack Chesbro posts the 1st of his 41 wins of the 1904 AL season; a MLB, AL and Yankees franchise pitching record that still stands. Jack Chesbro was the NL top winner in 1903, while he was with the Pirates, posting a 28-6 record before jumping to the Yankees in the AL.
1916-At the Polo Grounds, Red Sox Starter Babe Ruth pitches a 10-inning complete game to defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-3. Ruth gives up 2 earned runs on 8-Yankee hits, but he is held hitless at the plate by Yankee Pitchers.
1924-Former Yankees Pitcher Art Schallock (1951-1955) was born.
Before the start of 1947 NL season, Pitcher Art Schallock was signed by the Dodgers as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He did not appear with the Dodgers at the MLB level. On July 12,1951, Art was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees for Minor League P Bob Landeck, C Eddie Malone and Cash. For the 1951-1955 Yankees, he will appear in 28 games, while posting a 3-2 mark with a 3.90 ERA and 1 save in 28 games. Art had appeared in 1 game of the 1953 World Series against the Dodgers with no decision. On May 11,1955, Art was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees. For the 1955 Birds, he would post a 3-5 record with a 4.15 ERA in 30 games in his last active MLB Pitching season. After pitching in PCL with the 1956 AAA Seattle Rainers, Art would retire from baseball.
1933-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., Yankees Rookie Starter Russ Van Atta makes a successfully MLB Pitching debut, when he pitches a 5-hit shutout, while striking out 5 batters and issuing 3 walks against the Senators. With the bat, Russ collects 4 singles in 4 at-bats with 1 RBI. A crowd of 6,000 Washington fans watch the Bronx Bombers maul the 4 Nats Pitchers for 21 hits that resulted in 16 runs. Bronx sluggers Lou Gehrig and Tony Lazzeri hit HRs, while Shortstop Frank Crosetti hits a triple. Yankees CF Earle Combs adds 5 hits including a triple with 1 RBI. Bronx veteran Slugger Babe Ruth goes 2 for 5 at the plate with 3 RBIs. The only Yankee batters, who don’t get hits in the game are 3B Joe Swell and LF Sammy Byrd, but Sewell does get an RBI. The 1933 Yankees are now 8-2 for the AL season.
1937-At Fenway Park, a Boston Sunday crowd of 35,000 fans watched the Yankees rout the Red Sox by the score of 9-3. Yankees Reliever Pat Malone picks up the win after relieving Bronx Starter Bump Hadley in the 4th inning. Starter Wes Farrell takes the loss for Boston. LF Roy Johnson (3 for 6, 2 RBIs) and 2B Tony Lazzeri (2 for 4, 2 RBIs) led the Bronx Bombers hitting attack. The Yankees will take the 2-game series with the Red Sox.
1941-The Yankees would shutout the Senators by the score of 6-0. Bronx Starter Tiny Bonham throws a complete game victory, bring his 1941 AL season pitching record to 2-0. A crowd of 6,521 fans watched the Yankees victory. Nats Starter Dutch Leonard gives up 7 Yankee hits and 6 runs in his 3rd loss of the 1941 AL season.
1951-The Yankees shutout the A’s 4-0 behind the complete game pitching of Starter Frank “Spec” Shea, who picks-up his 1st victory of the 1951 AL season. A crowd of 7,842 fans watched the day game played at Yankee Stadium. Philadelphia Starter Alex Kellner takes the loss for the A’s, he is now 1-1 for the season. Bronx Starter Spec Shea had allowed only 4 A’s hits, while striking out 5 batters. Yankees Rookie RF Mickey Mantle goes 0 for 4 at the plate, but he did drive in 1 Yankee run in the game.
1965-At Yankee Stadium, the Bombers complete their day-night doubleheader sweep of the Angels with a 1-0 win. Yankees Starter Mel Stottlemyre allows only 4 Angels hits, while striking out 7 batters for a complete game win. The Angels Starter Rudy May gives up only 3 Yankee hits in 6 innings, but 1 of them is Mickey Mantle's HR in the 4th inning to give the Yankees lead and win. The Yankees had won the afternoon game by the score of 3-2 as Yankees veteran Starter Whitey Ford picks-up the win with Closer Pedro Ramos getting the save.
1966-Former Yankees Pitcher Darren Holmes (1998) was born.
On December 22,1997, P Darren Holmes was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had pitched for the 1997 Rockies, while posting a 9-7 record with a 5.34 ERA and 3 saves in 42 games. For the 1998 Yankees, he will have a 0-3 record with a 3.33 ERA and 2 saves in 34 games for the 1998 Yankees. He didn’t appear in the 1998 World Series against the Padres. On March 30,1999, Darren Holmes was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to the Diamondbacks for P Ben Ford and Catcher Izzy Molina.
1967-Veteran Yankees Starter Whitey Ford earned his final MLB career victory. His 236th MLB win comes against the White Sox in an 11-2 decision at Yankee Stadium. Ford throws a complete game victory, while allowing only the White Sox, 2 runs on 8 hits. Chicago Starter Tommy John takes the loss. Ford will enter the Hall Of Fame in 1974 with his longtime Yankees teammate OF/1B Mickey Mantle. He would finish with his Yankee Pitching career record with 236 wins, becoming the club leader in wins, passing 1930-1947 Bronx Starter Red Ruffing, who had 232 career wins with the Yankees.
1978-At Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, the Yankees would edge out the Orioles by the score of 4-3. A crowd of 14,159 fans had attend the game between the 2 AL Eastern Division rivals. Yankees Rookie Starter Jim Beattie picks up the win along with relief help from Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle, who picks up his 1st save of the 1978 AL season. Orioles Starter Jim Palmer takes the lost, while pitching a complete game; he is now 2-1 on the season. Yankees Jim Spencer hits a HR for the Bombers. The victory brings the Yankees to the .500 mark for the 1978 AL season, they are now 8-8.
1982-Just 14 games into the 1982 AL season, Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner fires Yankees Manager Bob Lemon, he replaces him with former Manager Gene Michael, the man who Bob Lemon had replaced last September. Michael won't finish the 1982 season either. Clyde King will later replace him and finish the season. The 1982 Yankees will finish 5th place in the AL East with a 79-83 record. Besides the 3 Manager changes, the MLB Coaching staff will also be changed during the 1982 season, especially the Pitching Coaches (Sammy Ellis, Jerry Walker and Stan Williams).
1983-Former Yankees Reserve 1B/DH Juan Miranda (2009-2010) was born in Cuba.
For the 2009-2010 Yankees, Juan Miranda had appeared in 46 games, while hitting .263 with 4 HRs and 14 RBIs. After the 2010 AL season, the Yankees will dealt Juan Miranda to the Diamondbacks in return for Minor League P Scottie Allen. Since leaving the MLB in 2012, Miranda has played pro baseball in the Japanese and the Mexican Baseball Leagues.
1992-Former Yankees Pitcher Luis Cessa (2016-2021) was born.
Before the 2009 NL season, the Mets had signed Luis Cessa as a 17-year-old MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was an Infielder at the time. He played his 1st 2 pro seasons with the DSL Mets and DSL Mets 1 in 2009 and 2010, as an infield position player. However, he failed to hit for .200 either season. In 2011, he was moved the mound. The decision to make Luis a Pitcher proved to be a good one, as in his 1st season in the role, he did well enough to move to the GCL Mets after 5 starts with the DSL Mets 2. He was a combined 4-3 record with a 3.19 ERA in 15 games that 1st year, being used out of the bullpen, after moving to the US. In 2012, he went 5-4 with a 2.49 ERA in 13 games as a Starter for the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones (NYPL). He followed that with an 8-4 record with a 3.12 ERA in 21 starts for the Class A 2013 Savannah Sand Gnats. He spent most of 2014 season with the Class A St. Lucie Mets (FSL), where he was 7-8 with a 4.00 ERA in 20 starts, also pitching once for the AA Binghamton Mets (EL) in his 1st taste of AA ball. He started 2015 season with AA Binghamton (EL), where his record was a solid 7-4, with a 2.56 ERA in 13 starts to earn him a promotion to the AAA Las Vegas 51s (PCL) in early July. He was roughed up in 5 starts, going 0-3 with a 8.51 ERA, but he had shown enough until then that the Tigers acquired him, along with fellow pitching prospect Michael Fulmer in a trade for starting LF Yoenis Cespedes that was made at the July 31st MLB Trade Deadline. He made 7 starts for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens (IL), while posting a 1-3 record with a 5.97 ERA to finish with a combined pitching line of 8-10 with a 4.52 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 139 1/3 innings. On December 9, 2015, he was traded again, this time he was headed to the Yankees alongside fellow Pitching Prospect Chad Green in return for Veteran MLB Reliever Justin Wilson. He made the team out of the 2016 MLB spring training camp. Luis made his MLB Pitching debut facing his former team, the Tigers in relief on April 8th; in his 1st inning of work, he gave up an opposite-field HR to Miguel Cabrera, then he followed that with a scoreless frame. He would finish the 2016 AL season with the Yankees putting up a 4-4 record and a 4.35 ERA in 17 games. In 2017, he went 0-3 with a 4.45 ERA in 10 games. In 2018, Luis posted a 1-4 mark with a 5.24 ERA in 16 games. For the 2019 Yankees, Luis had a 2-1 record with a 4.11 ERA and 1 save in 43 games. In the 2019 AL Postseason, Luis threw 4 scoreless innings of relief against the Astros. In 2020, Luis had appeared in 16 games for the team, while posting a 0-0 record with a 3.32 ERA with 1 save. In 2020 AL Post Season, he had appeared in 4 games for the Yankees with no decisions. In 2020, he was used exclusively as a reliever by the Yankees during the pandemic-shortened season, putting up an ERA of 3.32 in 21 2/3 innings over 16 games. His only decision was a save as he was used in middle relief. He had appeared 3 times in the postseason, giving up 2 runs in 4 innings. He was used in a similar role in 2021, but he pitched quite well while going largely under the radar, by going 3-1 with an era of 2.82 in 29 games over the 1st 4 months of the season. On July 27th, he and fellow Bronx Reliever Justin Wilson were dealt to the Reds with the only return being a Player to be Named Later. There was immediate speculation that the Yankees were clearing some salary space to make an acquisition before the MLB trading deadline coming up in 2 days, but in the meantime, the Reds, who were also in contention, had added 2 useful pitchers on the cheap for their bullpen. On August 30, 2021, the Reds would send Class A Minor League P Jason Parker to the Yankees to complete the trade. Luis would finish his Yankees pitching career with a 10-13 record with a 4.19 ERA and 4 saves in 131 games. For the 2021 Reds, he would post a 2-1 record with a 2.05 ERA in 24 games.
1999-A monument to honor Hall of Fame CF Joe DiMaggio is unveiled in Yankee Stadium Monument Park in front of a sold-out Stadium crowd and many of DiMaggio’s former teammates. Phil Rizzuto will address the fans, Singer Paul Simon sang “Mrs. Robinson”, while standing in center field. When he reached the last line “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?” many in the Stadium crowd sang along and cheered.
2003-At the Ballpark in Arlington, a crowd of 40,052 fans watch the Yankees edge the Rangers by the score of 3-2. Yankees veteran Starter Mike “Moose” Mussina picks-up his 5th victory of the 2003 AL season along with relief help from Reliever Juan Acevedo, who gets his 4th save of the season. Nick Johnson hits a 2-run HR for the Yankees. Texas Starter Colby Lewis takes the loss, he is now 3-1. The Yankees are now 19-4 for the 2003 AL season.
2006-Rays hitter Jonny Gomes slugs his AL-leading 10th HR in Tampa Bay's 9-1 loss to the Yankees. Gomes ties the club record for HRs in a month with Jose Canseco and Aubrey Huff.
2019-The Yankees had acquired veteran MLB OF Cameron Maybin from the Indians for Cash considerations. After being released by the Giants during their 2019 MLB Spring Training camp, Cameron had signed a Minor League deal with the Tribe. He had been playing for the Tribe’s AAA team, the Columbus Clippers (IL), hitting .216 in 14 games. For the 2019 Yankees, Cameron will hit .285 with 11 HRs and 32 RBIs in 82 games. In the 2019 AL Postseason, Maybin will hit .333 with 1 HR and 1 RBI in 5 games against the Twins and the Astros. After the 2019 World Series had ended, the Yankees would grant Maybin, his MLB Free Agency. On February 12, 2020, the Tigers would sign Maybin to a 1-year $1.5 million contract for his 3rd stint with the team.
2023-The Yankees have selected the contract of Minor League hurler Nick Ramirez from AAA Scranton, while optioning Reliever Greg Weissert, back to Scranton. Nick had posted an 0-0 record with a 1.74 ERA in 8 games. Weissert had had posted a 0-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in 4 games for the Yankees. Now, the Yankees have a 2nd lefty reliever in their bullpen.
April 26th
1873-Former Yankees Reserve 3B Jim Cockman (1905) was born in Canada. (1893-1947)
In September of 1905, INF Jim Cockman was sent from AA Newark Sailors (EL) to the Yankees in an unknown transaction. Jim had appeared in 132 games for AA Newark, while hitting .232. He will only appear in 13 games for the 1905 Yankees, while hitting just .105 with No HRs and 2 RBIs in his only active season in the MLB. After the 1905 AL season had ended, he would return to Newark. He would play pro baseball from 1896 to 1912.
1888-Former Yankees Pitcher Ray “Slim” Caldwell (1910-1918) was born. (1988-1967)
In August of 1910, Pitcher Ray Caldwell was purchased by the Highlanders from Class C McKeesport Tubers (O-PL) for $2,000 Cash. His best Yankees season was in 1914, when he had posted a 18-9 record along with a 1.94 ERA in 31 games. In 1915, Ray would record a 19-16 mark with 2.89 ERA in 36 games. For the 1910-1918 Yankees, Ray had posted a 96-99 pitching career record with a 3.00 ERA in 258 games. On December 18,1918, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Frank Gilhooley, P Slim Love, Catcher Roxy Walters and $15,000 Cash to the Red Sox for Starter Ernie Shore, OF Duffy Lewis and veteran MLB Starter Dutch Leonard. The Red Sox would trade him to the Tribe during 1919 AL season. He had won 20 games for the 1920 Indians as he would appear in his only World Series of his MLB pitching career. Overall, as an MLB Pitcher, Ray would finish with an pitching career record of 134-120 with a 3.22 ERA and 8 saves in 343 games. Besides being a successful MLB Pitcher, Ray Caldwell, would also serve as a Pinch-Hitter and Outfielder, while hitting .248 as a hitter, something which is better than it may seem because he achieved it mostly during the dead-ball era, when hits were scarce. After his MLB Pitching career ended, he would continue to pitch for many years in the Minor Leagues. Ray had 154 MLB at-bats as a Pinch-Hitter, while getting 36 hits. Also, he was used sometimes in the MLB as a position player, getting into 11 games as an OF in 1911, 6 games as a 1B in 1914, 8 games as an OF in 1917, 19 games as an OF in 1918 and smaller numbers in the field in other MLB seasons. Interestingly, he would appear in CF more often than in LF or RF - and his career 23 stolen bases in the MLB showed that he had some speed on the base-paths.
1913-The Yankees had purchased Catcher John Gossett from the White Sox. For the 1913-1914 Yankees, he would appear in only 49 games as a Reserve Catcher, while just hitting .159 with No HRs and 10 RBIs.
1917-Former Yankees Pitcher Sal “The Barber” Maglie (1957-1958) was born. (1917-1992)
On September 1,1957, veteran Pitcher Sal “The Barber” Maglie was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Dodgers. Due to being acquired pass the August 31st MLB trade-line, Sal was unable to appear in the 1957 World Series for the Yankees against the Braves. Sal will post a 2-0 record with a 1.73 ERA and 3 saves in 6 games for the 1957 Yankees. In 1958, he had a 1-1 record with a 4.63 ERA in 7 games for the Yankees before being sent to the Cardinals to finish out his long MLB Pitching career. Sal went 2-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 10 games for the Cardinals, before retiring in April of 1959. He was one of the few players to play for all 3 MLB teams in New York City during the Golden Years era of 1947-1957. Later, Sal became an MLB Pitching Coach for several MLB teams, including the 1969 AL Expansion Team, the Seattle Pilots, which former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton wrote about him in his famous baseball book, “Ball Four.”
1917-Former Yankees Pitcher Virgil “Fire” Trucks (1958) was born. (1917-2013)
On June 15,1958, veteran hurler 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 Reserve OF/1B Harry “Suitcase” Simpson. With the 1958 Yankees, Virgil would post a 2-1 record with an ERA and 1 save in 25 games being used out of their bullpen. He did not appear in the 1958 World Series for the team against the Braves. Virgil had pitched 17 seasons in the MLB, starting out with the 1941 Tigers, then pitching for the St. Louis Browns, White Sox and the A’s before coming to the 1958 Yankees. He was named to the AL All-Star team twice. In the 1945 World Series with the Tigers, Virgil had appeared in 2 games against the Cubs, winning Game 2 with a complete game 4-hitter victory. During the 1952 AL season, he had pitched 2 No-Hitters against the Senators and the Yankees. He would finish his MLB pitching career with a 177-135 record with a 3.39 ERA in 517 games In 1959, he returned to the Minor Leagues for a handful of games with the AAA Miami Marlins (IL) before retiring as an active player. In 1963, he was MLB Pitching Coach for the Pirates. He was the oldest living Ex-Yankee player at the time of his death on March 23, 2013.
1929-At Shibe Park in Philadelphia, despite losing the game to Athletics by the score of 5-2, that was played on a Friday afternoon, the Yankees would turn a triple play. It went P Johnson-C Grabowski-1B Gehrig- 3B Koenig. Meanwhile, A’s Veteran Starter Jack Quinn picks up a complete game win, while Yankees Starter Herb Pennock takes the lost.
1931-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., a walk to Yankees batter Lyn Lary is followed by a Lou Gehrig HR, a smash which clears the fence, but bounces back into the hands of Senators CF Harry Rice. The base runner Lary thinks the ball has been caught on the fly for the 3rd out returning to the dugout without crossing home plate, Lou Gehrig, running with his head down, is ruled out for passing a runner in front of him costing the Yankees a possible victory (they lost by 2 runs), the 1931 AL HR crown (he tied his Yankees teammate Babe Ruth with 46) and 2-RBI’s to add to his record setting 184 for the season.
1936-At Fenway Park, after surrendering 6 runs to the Red Sox in the 1st inning. The Yankees would rebound with 7 runs in the top of the 2nd inning in route of 12-9 victory. The Red Sox had chased Yankees Starter Johnny Broaca for the 6 runs. Then Yankees Relievers Bump Hadley and Johnny Murphy had shut down Boston line-up for the victory. While Hadley picks up the win, while Closer Murphy gets a save. Yankees Slugger Lou Gehrig and Boston’s 1B Jimmy Foxx, each hit 3-run HRs for their teams in the game.
1940-At Fenway Park, Yankees 3B Red Rolfe has 9 assists in a game against the Red Sox as the Yankees lose to Boston by the score of 8-1.
1953-Former Yankees Pitcher Don Brennan (1933) had passed away. (1903-1953)
In 1933, Don Brennan had pitched for the Yankees, while appearing 18 games, while posting a 5-1 record with a 4.98 ERA. On March 5,1934, he was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees. Later, he would pitch for the Giants. He had appeared in 2 games of the 1937 World Series with the Giants against his old team the Yankees with no record. Overall, in the MLB, Don would post a 21-12 record with a 4.19 ERA in 141 games.
1953-The Yankees would sell Reserve INF Loren Babe to the Philadelphia Athletics for $30,000 Cash. He had appeared in 17 games for the 1952-1953 Yankees, while hitting .205 with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs. With the 1953 A’s, he will play in 103 games, hitting .223 with No HRs and 26 RBIs. Babe’s freedom from the Yankees organization will be very short, as they will reacquire him in December of 1953 as part of the Vic Power trade. He was one of the many young talented players buried in their farm system during the 1950’s.
1955-The Yankees new Starter Bob Turley, who had been acquired from the Orioles during the winter of 1954, pitches a 1-hit shutout against the White Sox. “Bullet Bob” had struck out 10 Chicago batters to lead the Yankees to a 5-0 victory. He will finish the 1955 AL season by posting a 17-13 record along with a 3.06 ERA and 210 strikeouts in 36 games finishing 2nd to Indians Starter Herb Score, who had led AL Pitchers with 245 strikeouts.
1961-At Tiger Stadium, Roger Maris hits his 1st HR of the 1961 AL season off of veteran Tigers Starter Paul Foytack. His Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle adds HRs from both sides of the plate for the 8th time in his MLB playing career as the Yankees defeat the Tigers by the score of 13-10.
1969-The Baseball Records Committee decides to give Babe Ruth credit for 1 more HR during his MLB playing career for a total of 715. The committee rules that one of Ruth's HRs had been incorrectly ruled a triple. The committee will later reverse its decision, returning Babe Ruth to an MLB Career total of 714 HRs.
1970-Former Yankees Reserve INF Yats Wuestling (1930) had passed away. (1903-1970)
On May 30,1930, Reserve INF Yats Wuestling was traded by the Tigers along with Pitcher Owens Carroll and INF/OF Harry Rice to the Yankees for veteran Starter Waite Hoyt and INF Mark Koenig. He had appeared in 25 games for the 1930 Yankees, while hitting just .190 with No HRs and 3 RBIs. He would play in the Minor Leagues from 1931 to 1934 before retiring from the game.
1974-After a Friday Night Yankee victory, “The Friday Night Massacre” occurs when the Yankees make a huge player trade with the Indians. The club had obtained 1B Chris Chambliss along with Pitchers Richard Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw from the Indians for 4 Yankee hurlers: Fred Beene, Fritz Peterson, Steve Kline and Tom Buskey. Chris Chambliss and Richard “Dirt” Tidrow will help the Yankees win the AL pennants in 1976-1978. Chambliss would become the Yankees starting 1B replacing Mike Hegan, who will be later sold to the Brewers on May 13,1974. Cecil Upshaw would be a less than successful Reliever for the Yankees by going 1-5 with a 3.06 ERA with only 6 saves in 36 games. On December 5,1974, he would be traded away to the White Sox for Reserve INF Eddie Leon. Pitcher Richard Tidrow was a starter with the Tribe, who had posted records of 14-15 and 14-16, the Yankees would use him as a Starter, he would have a 11-9 record with a 3.87 ERA with 1 save in 33 games. Veteran Yankees Starter Fritz Peterson had become expendable, after his celebrated wife and family trade with his Yankees teammate Pitcher Mike Kekich. He had been dropped from the Yankees Starting Rotation, being reduce to relief work. After 9 seasons, he leaves the Yankees by posting a 109-106 career record with a 3.10 ERA and 1 save in 288 games. Bronx Starter Steve Kline had posted a 40-37 record with a 2.96 ERA in 97 games with the Yankees. Fred Beene had been obtained by the Yankees from the Orioles in a Minor League trade; he went 7-3 with a 1.99 ERA with 5 saves in 54 games for the team. Young Yankees Reliever Tom Buskey had appeared in 12 games for the club, while posting a 0-2 record with a 5.64 ERA and 2 saves.
1976-Former Yankees Pitcher Alex Ferguson (1918, 1921, 1925) had passed away. (1897-1976)
For the 1918 and 1921 Yankees ,hurler Alex Ferguson had posted a 3-1 record with a 5.91 ERA in 18 games. On February 24,1922, Alex was selected off waivers by the Red Sox from the Yankees. On May 5,1925, Alex was traded by the Red Sox along with OF Bobby Veach to the Yankees for Pitcher Ray Francis and $9,000 Cash. For the 1925 Yankees, Alex would post a 4-2 record with a 7.79 ERA in 21 games. Overall, as a Yankees Pitcher, he would post a 7-3 record with a 6.73 ERA and 2 saves in 39 games. On August 17,1925, Alex was purchased by the Senators from the Yankees. He would appear in 2 games of the 1925 World Series for the Senators, while having a 1-1 record. Later, he would pitch in the NL with the Phillies and Dodgers. Alex would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 61-85 record with a 4.93 ERA and 11 saves in 259 games.
1978-The 1978 Mayor’s Trophy game was played at Yankee Stadium. Yankees Fran Healy’s squeeze bunt drove home Yankees base runner Jim Spencer with the game winning run in the 13th inning. The final score of the game was 4-3, played before 9,792 fans- at least at the beginning. This year’s edition featured Yankees 3B Graig Nettles’ infamous attempt to throw the game (as alleged in Sparky Lyle’s book “The Bronx Zoo,” although Nettles would later deny it) Mets batter Ron Hodges opened the 11th inning with a bouncer to 3rd, which Nettles heaved 10 FT over the head of Chris Chambliss at 1st Base. However, the Mets could not bring Hodges in from 2B. It might not have gone that long if Brian Doyle (in 1st game at Yankee Stadium) hadn’t made 2 diving stops with the bases loaded that turned into inning-ending double plays- the last thing his teams’ mates wanted! The winning pitcher for the Yankees was Rookie Ken Clay; while Mardie Cornejo took the lost for the Mets.
1981-The Yankees had traded Minor League P Tom Filer and Cash to the Cubs for MLB Catcher Barry Foote. The team needed an experienced MLB Catcher since starting Catcher Rick Cerone was placed on the DL with a broken hand. Reserve Catchers Johnny Oates and Dennis Werth were not up to the task of playing on a regular basis. Foote had hit .233 in 630 MLB games with the Expos, Cubs and the Phillies. For the 1981-1982 Yankees, he would hit .191 with 6 HRs and 12 RBIs in 57 games for the 1981-1982 Yankees. Tom Filer was a Yankee Minor League Pitcher who had been drafted by the Oakland A’s in the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft, but he was returned by the team to the Yankees during their 1981 MLB Spring Training Camp. At the time of the trade, he was pitching for the Yankees AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL). The Cubs would assign him to their AAA team, the Iowa Cubs (AA).
1984-Former Yankees Pitcher Shawn Kelly (2013-2014) was born.
Shawn Kelley was selected by the Mariners in the 13th round of the 2007 MLB Amateur Player Draft. In 2009, Kelley made his MLB Pitching debut with the Mariners. With the Seattle, he had posted a 10-9 record with a 3.52 ERA in 120 games. On February 13, 2013, he was traded to the Yankees for Minor League OF Abraham Almonte. He had appeared in 57 games for the 2013 Yankees, going 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA. He had struck out 71 batters in 53 1/3 innings, a very positive sign for a Short Reliever. When the great Closer Mariano Rivera retired after the 2013 MLB season, it set off a chain of events that found Kelley as the Yankees' 8th-inning set-up man at the start of 2014 AL season, with David Robertson, who had been Rivera's understudy for a number of seasons, taking over as the team’s Closer. However, Robertson suffered a pulled groin muscle barely a week into the new season, Kelley suddenly found himself as a Closer for the 1st time of his MLB Pitching career. He would record his 1st MLB career save on April 7th, preserving a 4-2 win over the Orioles. Things did not go as smoothly in his next opportunity, though, as he gave up 4 straight singles to the Orioles in the 9th inning, turning a 4-3 Yankees lead into a 5-4 loss. He would finish the 2014 AL season with a 3-6 mark with a 4.53 ERA and 4 saves, while appearing in 59 games. On December 29, 2014, Kelly was traded by the Yankees to the Padres for Minor League P Johnny Barbato.
1992-Current Yankees Team Captain, OF/DH Aaron Judge (2017-2024) was born.
OF/DH Aaron Judge was selected by the Oakland A’s in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He did not sign with the A’s, opting instead to attend Fresno St. Univ. instead. The Yankees would select Aaron in the 1st round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would sign shortly before the deadline for a $1.8 million bonus. In 2014, Judge would play for Tampa (FSL) and Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), appearing in a total of 131 games, while hitting .308 with 17 HRs and 78 RBIs. He started out the 2015 season with AA Trenton Thunder (EL) and once again at the halfway point of the season, he earned a promotion, this time to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL). His numbers were not as glowing as in his1st season, but were still good: a BA of .255 in 124 games, with 26 doubles and 20 HRs, 63 runs and 72 RBIs. His numbers were brought down by a .224 BA at Scranton, where pitchers began to pitch him off-speed pitches at the corner of the strike zone, after challenging him unsuccessfully with mostly fastballs until then. In 2016, he began the season back at AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He hit much better, putting up a .270 BA in 93 games and displaying excellent power with 18 doubles and 19 HRs. It was his luck that the Yankees were now undertaking a youth movement by getting rid of some of their older players, and the day after former superstar Alex Rodriguez played his last game in Yankees pinstripes, he was called up to the Show, making his MLB player debut in RF and batting 8th against the Tampa Bay at New Yankee Stadium. Batting ahead of him was his Scranton teammate, Tyler Austin, who was playing 1B and he got his MLB ledger started by hitting a HR off of Rays P Matt Andriese to open the score in the 2nd; not to be outdone, Aaron followed with a HR of his own, a monster shot that went an estimated 476 FT to dead center, one of the longest ever hit at the Stadium. It was the 1st time 2 teammates had HR in their maiden MLB at-bat in the same game, never mind back-to-back. He then added another hit and run to finish 2 for 4 as the Yankees cruised to an 8-4 win. He hit another HR in his 2nd game the next day to become only the 2nd player in Yankees history to HR in his 1st 2 games, after OF Joe Lefebvre (1980). In 27 games, he hit only .179 with 42 strikeouts in 84 at-bats. He hit 2 more HRs, after his opening burst to finish with 4 HRs and 10 RBIs with a .179 BA. On September 13th, he was removed from a game against the Dodgers with a right oblique strain, ending his 2016 AL season. In 2017, he was the Opening Day RF for the Yankees. He drove in the team's 1st run of the season with a double off of Rays Starter Chris Archer in the 2nd inning on April 2nd. He was voted the 2017 AL Rookie of Year, he played in 155 games, while hitting .284 with 52 HRs and 114 RBIs. He was named to the 2017-2018 AL All-Star teams. His 2018 AL season was marred by mid-season injuries, Judge only had appeared in 112 games; while hitting .278 with 27 HRs and 67 RBIs. In 2019, Aaron was slowed down by injuries again, appearing in only 102 games for the team. He would hit .272 with 27 HR and 55 RBIs. In the 2019 AL Postseason, Judge had hit .264 with 1 HR and 2 RBIs. There were more injury worries in spring training in 2020, after he complained of nagging discomfort early on, before medical tests finally discovered that he had a stress fracture in 1 rib, an injury likely dating back to the previous season. He was prescribed rest, although if that did not work, the next option was to have the rib surgically removed. For him, the forced suspension of baseball's activities due to the Coronavirus Pandemic came at an opportune time, as it allowed him to take extended rest to take care of the problem. He was thus in the Yankees starting lineup when the 2020 60-game season finally started on July 23rd. He went on a tear shortly after that, homering in 5 straight games starting on July 29th, including a pair of long balls against the Red Sox on August 2nd; the 2nd of these was a 2-run shot off of Matt Barnes in the bottom of the 8th that broke a 7-7 tie and gave the Yankees a 9-7 win. Not coincidentally, the Yankees won all 5 of these games to get off to an excellent 7-1 start. After 17 games, he was hitting .290 with 9 HRs and 20 RBIs, when he was placed on the IL with a "very mild" calf strain on August 14th. When he would finish the 2020 AL season, Aaron had appeared in 28 games, while hitting .257 with 9 HRs and 22 RBIs. In the 2020 AL post season, he would hit only .127 with 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in 7 games. In 2021, Judge was back in All-Star form and was clearly his team's best player as the Yankees struggled with inconsistency and injuries in the 1st half. His production was one of the main reasons they were still in contention at the MLB trading deadline, when they had acquired Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo and Rangers OF Joey Gallo to add a couple of left-handed bats to a starting line-up that was overwhelmingly right-handed. For a few games after the trade, he formed a giant-sized outfield playing alongside Stanton in LF and Gallo in RF, while manning centerfield among a trio of players all 6' 5" or taller. He had a great game, albeit for naught, in the "Field of Dreams Game" played on August 12th in a temporary ballpark erected in a cornfield near Dyersville, IA. He had blasted 2 HRs into the corn stalks, the 1st a 3-run shot off of White Sox Starter Lance Lynn in the 3rd. Then the 2nd a 2-out 2-run blast against Closer Liam Hendriks in the 9th. That brought the Yankees within 1 run, and after a walk to Gallo, Stanton would hit a 2-run blast of his own to give the Yankees an improbable 8-7 lead over the White Sox, but the Yankees were unable to nail it down as Tim Anderson ended one of the most thrilling games in recent memory with a 2-run HR of his own against Bronx Reliever Zack Britton in the bottom of the 9th. He had another hot streak in September that cemented the Yankees' postseason slot - they finished just 1 game ahead of the Blue Jays. He would finish the season at .287 with 39 HRs and 98 RBIs in 148 games and an OPS+ of 149. He would win a AL Silver Slugger Award for the 2nd time and finished 4th in the AL MVP vote. However, what was otherwise a fantastic season ended on a sour note as the Yankees were eliminated by the Red Sox, in the ALWC game, as he went 1 for 4. For the 2022 AL season, Judge would hit an AL-record 62 HRs and batted .311/.425/.686 (177-for-570) with 133 R, 28 doubles, 131 RBIs, 111 BB and 16 SB in 157 games. On December 20, 2022, the Yankees announced that they have re-signed 4-time All-Star and 2022 AL MVP OF Aaron Judge to a 9-year MLB contract extending through the 2031 AL season. The next day, the Yankees announced that Aaron Judge has been named team captain, becoming the 16th player to receive the honor in franchise history, and just the 2nd since 1996.The honor was bestowed during today’s press conference at Yankee Stadium by Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner.
1994-The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Catcher Bob Melvin. He had been released by the Red Sox. Melvin had a .234 career BA in 10 MLB seasons. He would play in 9 games for the team, going 4 for 14. On July 22,1994, when Bob came off the DL, he was put on waivers by the team. He was claimed by the Angels, who then would trade him to the White Sox.
1996-Former Yankees Minor League P Trevor Lane was born.
Trevor Lane was the Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year in high school in 2012. He was 7-1 with a 2.01 ERA and hit .444 as a Senior, while fanning 72 in 48 1/3 IP. He would hit .279 and struck out 18 in 17 1/3 IP (3.63 ERA) as a college freshman at Campbell Univ. He then transferred to Lower Columbia Community College. As a Junior, he moved to Illinois-Chicago, posting a 6-3 record, 3.92 ERA and making 2nd-team All-Horizon League; he was 6th in the loop in wins. As a Senior, he went 8-5 with 5 saves, a 1.41 ERA and 90 K in 70 1/3 IP. He led the league in ERA, K/9 and opponent average (.169), winning Horizon League Relief Pitcher of the Year. The Yankees had selected him in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Player Draft, 2 picks before Taylor Widener. He would split the 2016 summer between the GCL Yankees East (1-0, 0.79 in 10 G) and short-season Class A Staten Island Yankees (0 R in 4 IP). In 2017, he would pitch for the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (4-2, 2 Sv, 0.79 ERA in 24 G) and the Class A Tampa Yankees (2-2,1 Sv, 3.15 ERA in 13 G). He would continue to work his way up in 2018, when he spend the season with the Class A Tampa Tarpons (1-3, 3 Sv, 3.97 in 29 G) and the AA Trenton Thunder (EL) (1-1, 3.98ERA in 11 G), while striking out 82 in 68 innings. In 2019, he had a 2.05 ERA between 3 stops: Tampa (1-0, 0 R in 2 IP), Trenton (5-2, 1Sv, 1.99 ERA, .99 WHIP in 41 IP) and the AA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2 R in 4 2/3 IP). The 2020 Minor League season was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. He would start the 2021 season with the AAA RailRiders (1-0, 4.05 ERA, 9 K in 6 2/3 IP). Then he was with Team USA for the Americas Olympic Qualifier. In his debut, he had relieved veteran Edwin Jackson with 1 out in the 6th against the Dominican national team, a 4-3 lead and 2 on. He would retired Juan Francisco, but he would serve up a 2-run HR shot to Diego Goris. Then he would get Charlie Valerio to end the inning. Despite a rough outing, he wound up with the win when the US got 4 runs in the bottom of the inning. Anthony Carter took over in the 7th. The US's victory put them into the Super Round. In 2021, he would finish the season at AAA Scranton finishing with a 4-0 record with a 1.00 ERA and 1 save in 17. Games. In 2022, he has returned to AAA Scranton. During the 2022 AL season, he was released by the team.
1996-Former Yankees Pitcher Milt Gaston (1924) had passed away. (1896-1996)
In 1924 for the Yankees, Milt Gaston had posted a 5-3 record with a 4.50 ERA and 1 save in 29 games. He had never pitched an inning in the Minor Leagues. On December 17,1924, Milt was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Bullet Joe Bush and Joe Giard to the St. Louis Browns for veteran Starter Urban Shocker. Milt will pitch in MLB with the Yankees, Browns, Senators, Red Sox and the White Sox before retiring, after the 1934 MLB season had ended. While an average MLB Pitcher, Milt Gaston had the tough luck of pitching for bad teams. He has the lowest career winning percentage (.372) of anybody with 220 or more MLB career decisions. Further, he had lost 67 games more than he won: this number is also an all-time record. His final MLB Pitching record was 97-164 with a 4.55 ERA in 355 games. Gaston would pass away in 1996, shortly after turning 100. At the time, he was 1 of just 10 ex-major leaguers to live to age 100 and the only centenarian with a decade or more of MLB playing experience. His older Brother Alex was an MLB Catcher with the Giants and Red Sox; they were Boston teammates in 1929.
1997-The Yankees had traded Top Minor League Prospect OF Ruben Rivera, Minor League P Rafael Medina and Cash to the Padres for Japanese Pitcher Hideki Irabu, Minor League Players: 2B Homer Bush, OF Gordon Anderson and a Player to be Named Later. On June 9th, the Padres would send OF Vernon Maxwell their #2 MLB Amateur Player Draft pick in 1996 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Rivera was the Yankees top OF Prospect, who had hit .286 in 46 games for the 1996 Yankees. He was playing for AAA Columbus (IL) getting more playing time rather than sitting on the Yankees bench in the Bronx. Rafael Medina was a Class AA Pitcher, who had posted a 5-8 record with a 3.06 ERA with the AA Norwich Navigators (EL) in 1996. The Yankees would send 2B Homer Bush to their AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL). Amerson would be assigned to one of the Yankees Class A teams for the 1997 season. Maxwell would be assigned to Class A, Oneonta Yankees (NYPL). Both Amerson and Maxwell would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB Level. After pitching in 4 Minor League games for the Yankees, Irabu was called up to the Bronx. Hideki Irabu would post a 5-4 record with a 7.09 ERA in 13 games for the 1997 Yankees.
1998-Former Yankees Team President and General Manager, MLB Executive Gabe Paul (1973-1977) had passed away. (1910-1998)
Former Indians General Manager Gabe Paul came to the Yankees in 1973 as part of a group of investors, who would buy the team from CBS Inc. Paul had been the MLB General Manager with the Reds and Indians before joining the Yankees in 1973. He was given the position of Team President and General Manager, when Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner had fired current Yankees President Michael Burke. Gabe Paul helped rebuild the team through a series of great trades that gave the Yankees championship teams with players like Lou Piniella, Chris Chambliss, Mickey Rivers, Ed Figueroa, Bucky Dent and others. He was against the hiring of Billy Martin as Yankees Manager in 1975, but the Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner over ruled him. George’s constant interference with team personnel decisions caused Gabe Paul leave the Yankees front office after their 1977 World Series victory over the Dodgers to go back to the Indians working their front office. Then the Yankees hired former Indians Baseball Executive Al Rosen to replace Gabe Paul as Team President and General Manager for the 1978 season. Gabe Paul will continue to work in the Indians front office as President and Team Minority Owner. Gabe Paul had started in baseball, while in his teens. The AA Rochester Red Wings (IL) were run by Warren Giles, Paul impressed Giles enough to be hired as a general handy man. He started writing publicity releases for the team, then he learned front office detail and concessions. When Giles left to become the GM of the Reds, Paul followed him to be the Reds' new Publicity Chief, replacing Gene Karst (who was the 1st "publicity man" in the MLB, with the 1931 Cardinals. Paul became Giles' 1st Assistant and remained with the Reds, when Giles left to become NL President in 1951. Gabe was the Vice President and General Manager of the Indians until 1960, when he left to become GM of the new NL Expansion team, the Houston Colt 45's. Paul didn't stay long enough to see Houston field a team, as he moved back to the Indians in 1961, serving as their GM until 1973. In 1963, he was part of a group that bought the Indians and added the job titles of President and Treasurer. In 1966, he would sell his team stock to Tribe Owner Vernon Stouffer. He was replaced as the GM in Cleveland by his longtime "second banana" Phil Seghi.
2005-At Yankee Stadium, 3B Alex Rodriguez slugs his way to the best performance of his MLB playing career, hitting 3 HRs in his 1st 3 at-bats off of Angels Starter Bartolo Colón. The Yankees win the game by a score of 12-4, as Rodriguez becomes only the 11th player in MLB history to collect 10 or more RBIs in a game. He is 1 RBI shy of the AL record of 11 set in 1936 by former Yankees Hall Of Fame INF Tony Lazzeri and 2 short of the MLB mark of 12 shared by Jim Bottomley (1924) and Mark Whiten (1993), both of them were playing for the Cardinals, when they made their MLB record.
2006-At Yankee Stadium, the Devil Rays would beat the Yankees by the score of 4-2 despite their pitchers setting a team record of walking 14 Yankee batters.
2009-The Red Sox completes a 3-game sweep with a 4-1 victory over the Yankees for Boston's 10th consecutive victory. Boston CF Jacoby Ellsbury pulls off a straight steal of home against Yankees veteran Starter Andy Pettitte in the 5th inning in the game's key play. Red Sox Starter Justin Masterson has now won both of his starts in place of the injured Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka.
2012-The injury-plagued Yankees lose 2 more players, but they continue to win. First, Catcher Francisco Cervelli breaks his right hand, when he was hit by a foul tip off of Blue Jay’s Rajai Davis's bat on the 5th pitch of the game, then Bronx Starter Ivan Nova has to leave after 2 innings with pain in his right elbow, Bronx hurler David Phelps steps in ably, giving up 1 run in 4 innings of work, while striking out 9 Toronto batters, as the Yankees defeat the Blue Jays by the score of 6-4. Cervelli's replacement, Chris Stewart, pitches in by throwing out a pair of Blue Jays’ base runners in steal attempts.
2012-Yankees Catcher Francisco Cervelli has a fracture in his right hand that will require surgery, he will miss a minimum of 6 weeks of the 2012 AL season. Cervelli was hurt in the 1st inning of Friday’s game against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium, when a foul ball off the bat of Blue Jays DH Rajai Davis hit him in his bare throwing hand. After a consultation with the trainers, he was removed from the game and taken for X-Rays that confirmed the fracture. Entering play Friday, Cervelli was hitting .269 with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs in 16 games. He had earned the bulk of the playing time in a timeshare with Reserve Catcher Chris Stewart. When Cervelli is officially placed on the DL, the Yankees will likely summon top catching prospect Austin Romine from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL) to replace him; Romine, who was hitting .341 entering Friday, was removed from the RailRiders’ AAA game against the Columbus Clippers on Friday night in the midst of the top of the 3rd inning, after the team had learned of Cervelli’s injury in New York.
2022-A U.S. District Court judge in New York, NY orders the unsealing of a letter from Commissioner Rob Manfred to the Yankees which reveals that the Bronx Bombers were fined $100,000 in 2017 for violating rules on the use of the dugout phone in the 2 previous seasons, using the video room to decode the opposite team's signs and relay their findings in real time to players on the field. Immediately after sending the letter, Manfred informed all teams that the use of electronics to steal signs was strictly prohibited and would be severely punished, an admonition that the Houston Astros blatantly ignored. The Yankees had tried to keep the embarrassing missive under wraps, after fantasy baseball players suing MLB for allowing sign-stealing to affect the outcome of games had demanded that its contents be released as relevant to the case. While the plaintiffs lost their case, the Yankees had appealed the original judge's order that the letter be disclosed, but lost their final appeal of that decision the previous week.
April 27th
1894-Former Yankees Reserve C/1B Bob Williams (1911-1914) was born. (1894-1962)
For the 1911-1914 Yankees, Reserve C/1B Bob Williams would hit .164 with No HRs and 11 RBIs in 46 games.
1903-The New York Highlanders would suffer the 1st shutout loss in their team history in a 6-0 loss to the Philadelphia A’s.
1916-Future Hall Of Fame Yankees A’s, Braves and Cardinals OF Enos “Country” Slaughter (1954-1955,1956-1959) was born. (1916-2002)
On April 11,1954, veteran OF Enos “Country” Slaughter was traded by the Cardinals to the Yankees for 3 Minor League players: OF Bill Virdon, Pitcher Mel Wright and INF Emil Tellinger. His 1st tour with the Yankees was unsuccessful, just hitting .248 with 1 HR and 9 RBIs. in 69 games. On May 11,1955, he was traded by the Yankees along with veteran P Johnny Sain to Kansas City for P Sonny Dixon and Cash. On August 25,1956, Enos was selected off waivers by the Yankees from Kansas City for $50,000 Cash. With his trade with the A’s, the Yankees had released veteran All-Star Shortstop Phil Rizzuto on Old Timer’s Day 1956. Enos would finish the 1956 AL season with a .289 BA with No HRs and 4 RBIs in 24 games for the team. He would hit .350 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs in 6 games of the 1956 World Series for the Yankees. Enos performed better for the team with his 2nd tour before fading during the 1959 AL season and being sold to the Braves to finish his long MLB playing career; which had started with the 1938 Cardinals. As a Yankees player, Enos had appeared in 350 games, while hitting .253 with 16 HRs and 98 RBIs. During his long MLB playing career, Slaughter had appeared in the World Series with the 1942, 1946 Cardinals and the 1956-1958 Yankees, while hitting .291 with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs in 27 games. In 1985, Enos was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
1923-Former Yankees Minor League OF Kite Thomas was born. (1923-1995)
Before the start of the 1947 AL season, Kite Thomas was signed as an Amateur Free Agent by Yankees MLB Scout Lee MacPhail. He broke into Organized Baseball at age 23 with the Joplin Miners (WA). That winter, he played guard (and refereed some) for Kansas City in the Professional Basketball League of America. He would play for the 1948 Quincy Gems (3-I League), where he led the league with 99 RBIs. Then Kite was with the 1949-1950 Beaumont Roughnecks (TL). He saw action with the 1949,1951 AAA Kansas City Blues (AA). 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 played for the team during the 1952-1953 AL seasons. On June 30,1953, Kite was selected off waivers by the Senators from the A’s. He also 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 OF Tom Wright. He returned to the Minor Leagues, playing for the Memphis Chickashaws (SA) that season, ending his active-playing career at age 31. His best season in the MLB was in 1952 with the Senators, when he had 29 hits, 24 runs, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HRs and 18 RBIs, while hitting .250 in 75 games. In 1950, his best season in the Minor Leagues was with Beaumont (TL), when 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.
1935-The Yankees turn a 1st inning triple play during a 9-8 victory over the A’s. Philadelphia had runners on 1B and 2B, when A’s Slugger Jimmy Foxx lined out to 2B Tony Lazzeri, who then fired to 1B Lou Gehrig, who then threw to Shortstop Frank Crosetti, who was covering 2B. Also, the Yankees turned a game ending double play in the 9th inning, when the A’s had the bases loaded.
1947-“Babe Ruth Day” is celebrated in every baseball park in the United States and Japan.
1947-“Babe Ruth Day” is held at Yankee Stadium drew a crowd of more than 58,000 fans to honor the ailing Yankees Hall of Fame baseball star, who is suffering from Throat Cancer. His Yankees Uniform No 3 is retired by the team. In the regular season game, Senators Starter Sid Hudson out-duels Yankees Starter Spud Chandler, winning the game by a score of 1-0.
1957-Former Yankees Minor League player OF/1B Willie Upshaw was born.
In 1975, 1B/OF Willie Upshaw was signed as an 5th Round Draft Pick in MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Yankees. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was lost in the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft in winter of 1977, when the new AL Eastern Division Expansion Team, the Toronto Blue Jays had selected him. In 1977, Willie had played with the Yankees Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL), then he was promoted to the AA West Haven Yankees (EL).
1965-Former Yankees Pitcher Bob Macdonald (1995) was born.
On February 15,1995, Pitcher Bob Macdonald was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would post a 1-1 record with a 4.86 ERA in 33 games, while working out of the bullpen for the 1995 Yankees. On October 16,1995, Bob was released by the team. He would join the Mets for the 1996 NL season
1977-The Yankees had obtained veteran MLB Starter Mike Torrez from Oakland for veteran Starter Dock Ellis, Reserve INF Marty Perez and Reserve OF Larry Murray. Doc Ellis had a salary dispute with the Yankees Front Office. For the 1976 Yankees, Ellis had posted a 17-8 record with a 3.19 ERA in 32 games. At the time of the trade was made, he had a 1-1 record with a 1.83 ERA for the team. Reserve INF Marty Perez had been obtained by the Yankees in a trade with the Giants, who received young reserve OF Terry Whitfield. He had appeared in 1 game for the team. Reserve OF Larry Murray had played in 20 games for the 1974-1976 Yankees. When the trade was made, he was hitting .310 for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Mike Torrez had started the season with the A’s, posting a 3-1 record with a 4.44 ERA in 4 games. Mike would go 14-12 with a 3.95 ERA with 15 complete games and 2 shutouts in 31 games for the 1977 Yankees. He would win 2 games in the 1977 World Series for the Yankees against the Dodgers before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency. He would be signed by their Eastern Division rivals Red Sox. Mike would give up Bucky Dent’s winning HR in the 1978 AL Play-Off Game played at Fenway Park
1982-Former Yankees Catcher Truck Hannah (1918-1920) had passed away. (1889-1982)
Catcher Truck Hannah was a pro baseball player for an amazing 30 seasons, playing in 2,267 games. In the MLB, he had caught for the 1918-1920 Yankees, getting over 200 at-bats each season. Hannah had appeared in a total of 244 games for the 1918-1922 Yankees, while hitting .235 with 5 HRs and 66 RBIs. On January 28,1921, the Yankees sent Catcher Truck Hannah, OF Ham Hyatt, Pitchers Bob McGraw and Ernie Shore to AA Vernon (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made in September,1920; the Yankees sent Players to be Named Later and OF Howie Camp to AA Vernon (PCL) for Shortstop Johnny Mitchell. Later, Truck would become a Minor League Manager, spending most of his time working in the Pacific Coast League. He is a member of the PCL Hall of Fame.
2010-With a 3-16 team record coming into the game, the Orioles win at home for the 1st time this 2010 AL season beating the Yankees by the score of 5-4. It's hard slogging, though as the Yankees score 2 unearned runs in the 9th inning as Orioles Reliever Alfredo Simon records the 1st save of his MLB Pitching career in his 1st appearance since reconstructive elbow surgery last May. Alberto Castillo is the winner in relief. The Orioles now have a 2-game winning streak, but their team record is still 4 games worse than any other team in the MLB.
2012-Former Yankees All Star 1B Bill “Moose” Skowron (1954-1962) had passed away. (1930-2012)
In 1951, the Yankees had signed William “Moose” Skowron as an MLB Amateur Free agent. He had been a College Baseball and Football star at Purdue Univ. He spent the majority of his 1st pro season with the Class B Norfolk Tars (PL); Bill had led the Piedmont League with a .334 average. He had an even better season in 1952, hitting .341 for the AAA Kansas City Blues(AA) leading the American Association with 31 HRs and 134 RBIs. ‘Moose” was named the 1952 Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News. Nonetheless, Bill was back playing in the Minor Leagues, with the 1953 AAA Blues again. In 1953 off-season, the Yankees were faced with a decision of which young Minor League 1B prospect to keep, Vic Power or Bill Skowron. Power was a young flashy Black player, who had won the 1953 American Association Batting Title. Yankees GM George Weiss didn’t want him to be the 1st MLB Black Yankees player; OF/C Elston Howard was going to be selected by GM Weiss for that honor. So, he would trade Vic Power to the Philadelphia A’s. Bill would make the 1954 Yankees MLB squad. Bill would hit .296 during his 12 seasons playing with the Bronx Bombers, while hitting 156 HRs with 672 RBI's. In 1958, he would lead the AL 1B in fielding. He was named to the AL All-Star teams in 1957-1961. He had appeared in 7 World Series with the Yankees (1955-1958,1960-1962) and 1 with the 1963 Dodgers. He would hit .293 with 8 HRs and 29 RBIs in 39 World Series games. During the winter of 1962, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the Dodgers for veteran Starter Stan Williams. He would hit just .203 in 89 games for the 1963 Dodgers, but he made up for it to some extent by hitting .385 with a HR in the 1963 World Series as the Dodgers sweep over the Yankees in 4 games. Later, he would return to the AL playing for the Senators, White Sox and the Angels before retiring as an active player after the 1967 AL season had ended. Overall, Bill Skowron had an MLB playing career BA of .282 with 211 HRs and 888 RBIs. After his MLB playing career ended in 1967, Bill would work with the Chicago White Sox Community Relations Dept. He was a very popular player with the Yankees fans on Old Timer’s Day games, showing off with his 1950’s style crewcut along with his former Yankees teammate OF Hank Bauer.
2021-Veteran MLB Reliever Wandy Peralta was traded by the Giants along with a Player to be Named Later to the Yankees for OF Mike Tauchman. On June 1, 2021, the Giants would send Minor League 1B Connor Cannon to the Yankees to complete the trade. For the 2021 Yankees, Wandy Peralta will post a 3-3 record with a 2.95 ERA and 3 saves in 46 games. With the 2021 Giants, he had posted a 2-1 record with a 5.40 ERA and 2 saves in 10 games. In 2022, he would post a 3-4 record with a 2.72 ERA and 4 saves in 56 games. In 2023, Wany would post a 4-2 record with a 2.83 ERA and 4 saves in 63 games. In the 2023 off-season, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency. His final Yankees pitching record was a 10-9 mark with a 2.82 ERA and 11 saves in 165 games. He would be signed by the Padres.
April 21st
1887-Future Hall of Fame Yankees Manager (1931-1946), MLB Manager Joe “Marsh” McCarthy was born. (1887-1978)
Joe “Marsh” McCarthy will become the 1st MLB manager to win pennants with both NL (Cubs) and AL teams (Yankees), winning 9 League titles overall along with 7 World Series Championships. In 1977, he will be inducted into Baseball’s Hall Of Fame. His New York Yankees Manager record was 1,460-867 with a .627 WP with 8 AL Flags, 7 World Championships (1931-1946). He holds the Yankees Manager record for most wins in team’s history with HOF Managers Joe Torre in 2nd place and Casey Stengel is in 3rd place with Manager Miller Huggins in 4th place. Joe McCarthy was credited for creating the modern Yankee image, he instituting a dress code, banning card playing and clowning around in the team clubhouse before a game. He requiring that each player had 3 uniforms, so no Yankee would ever wear a dirty one. He would leave the Yankees during the 1946 AL season, no exact reason has been given some have claimed to be health reasons, mental exhaustion among other things. It is known that he didn’t get along with current Yankees Co-Team Owner, General Manager and Team President Larry MacPhail (1945-1947). MacPhail was very unpopular with the Yankee players. He will sell his interest in the team after the 1947 World Series victory over the Dodgers. In 1948, Joe McCarthy would return to MLB, managing the AL rival Boston Red Sox from 1948 to mid-season of 1950. In 1957, he was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame as an MLB Manager.
1901-Former Yankees Pitcher Phillip “Lefty” Weinert (1931) was born. (1901-1973)
On September 30,1930, Pitcher Lefty Weinert was selected by the Yankees from AA Louisville (AA) in the 1930 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He had posted a 2-2 record with a 6.20 ERA in 17 games for the 1931 Yankees. Later, Weinert would coach the College Baseball at Villanova Univ. from 1946 to 1949. Then, he was an MLB Scout for the 1950-1957 Dodgers and the 1958 Indians.
1912-The Yankees would drop an 11-2 decision to the Giants in a special benefit game played at the Polo Grounds for the survivors of the RMS Titanic Naval Disaster.
1951-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., Senators LF Gil Coan collects 2 triples in the 6th inning. The Senators would score 7 runs in the frame, but that's it, as they still lose to the Yankees by a score of 8-7. Veteran Reliever Tom Ferrick is the winning pitcher for the Yankees.
1957-Former Yankees Reliever Jesse Orosco (2003) was born.
On July 22, 2003, the Yankees had obtained veteran NL Reliever Jesse Orosco from the Padres on a conditional basis. Former NL All-Star Closer for the Mets, he will appear in 15 games for the 2003 Yankees with no record. On August 31, 2003, Jesse was traded by the Yankees to the Twins for a Player to be Named Later. On August 31, 2003, the Twins would send P Juan Padilla to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1963-The Yankees had traded veteran hurler Jim Coates (1956,1959-1963) to the Senators for lefty P Steve Hamilton (1963-1970). The Yankees had traded for Steve Hamilton, who was a lefty reliever that they needed for their 1963 bullpen, since veteran lefty Reliever Louis Arroyo was out of action with pitching arm injuries. Hamilton had been 0-1 in 3 games for the 1963 Senators. He had come up to the MLB with the 1961 Indians. In 1962, he was traded by the Tribe to the Senators, where he went 3-8 as a Reliever. Jim Coates hadn’t made any pitching appearances for the 1963 Yankees. Coates leaves the Yankees with a pitching career record of 37-15 along with a 3.84 ERA and 15 saves in 167 games. He had pitched in 3 World Series for the Yankees, finishing with a 0-1 record and a 4.15 ERA and 1 save in 6 games. He would split the 1963 MLB season between the Senators and Reds, before spending his final 3 MLB seasons with the 1965-1967 Angels. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 43-22 record and a 4.00 ERA with 17 saves in 297 games.
1963-The Yankees had obtained veteran INF Harry Bright from the Reds for Cash. To make room for Harry Bright to join the Yankees, they remove a young outfielder, who playing at Greensboro, named Curt Belfry from their MLB 40-man roster; who is immediately claimed by the Orioles. Harry was originally signed by the Yankees in 1946, but they had released him in 1947. In 1963, Bright would be the Yankees Reserve 1B and Pinch-Hitter, while appearing in 60 games, hitting .236 with 7 HRs and 23 RBIs. He would appear in 2 games of the 1963 World Series against the Dodgers with no hits. After injuries had left him only playing in 4 games with the 1964 Yankees, Harry was released by the team in September. He would become an MLB Free Agent signing with the Cubs for his final MLB player season in 1965. Later, he would become a Minor League Manager.
1963-The Yankees had sold veteran hurler Hal Brown to the Houston Colt 45s. In September of 1962, Hal “Skinny” Brown was obtained from the Orioles, appearing in 2 games with the Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA. Brown did not make any appearances in the 1962 World Series against the Giants. He hadn’t pitched in any games for the 1963 Yankees. He will post a 5-11 record with a 3.31 ERA in 26 games for Houston in 1963.
1977-With the Yankees in a 2-8 slump, Manager Billy Martin draws the starting Yankees lineup out of a hat. The Yankees would beat the expansion Blue Jays by a score of 8-6. The revised lineup had clean-up hitter 1B Chris Chambliss batting 8th, as he drives in 5 runs, 3B Graig Nettles hits a HR, while Yankees Starter Ken Holtzman is the winner with relief help from Closer Sparky Lyle.
1980-Former Yankees Closer Joe “Fireman” Page (1944-1950) had passed away. (1917-1980)
Joe Page was the famous Yankees Bullpen Closer of the late 1940’s. He had replaced veteran Yankees Closer Johnny Murphy in 1944. Page had led the AL Relievers in saves in 1947, with 17 saves in 57 games along with 14 wins. In 1949, Joe did again with 27 saves in 60 games along with 13 wins. From 1947-1949, Joe had won a total of 34 games along with 60 saves for the Yankees. An arm injury in early 1950, shorten his Yankees pitching career. In 1950, the Yankees would release Joe Page during their MLB Spring Training Camp. As a Yankees Pitcher, Page would finish with a 57-49 record and a 3.44 ERA with 76 saves in 278 games. He had appeared in 2 World Series with the team, while posting a 2-1 record with a 3.27 ERA in 7 games. Joe was named to the AL All-Star team in 1944 and 1947-1948. He would spend the 1951-1952 seasons in the Minor Leagues, pitching at AAA level. Joe would finish out his MLB Pitching career with the 1954 Pirates, appearing in just 7 games with no record, before being released by the team.
1981-Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner, who is annoyed at the 1981 Yankees yearbook images of him, orders 50,000 copies removed from Yankee Stadium concession stands.
1983-The 1983 Mayor’s Trophy Game is played at Shea Stadium. The MLB Umpires who were assigned, refused to work this game. There were a couple of stories. One concerned a feud between the MLB Umpires over labor practices. Another story was that NL Umpires John Kibler and Terry Tata were unhappy that MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn had not suspended Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner for his remarks about the integrity of NL Umpire crews in spring training games (The Boss was fined $50,00 by the MLB.) Before a crowd of 20,471 fans, 4 College umpires work the game played at Shea Stadium. The Yankees would win the game by a score of 4-1 behind a 3rd inning HR by Yankees 2B Willie Randolph off of Mets Minor League Pitcher and loser Rick Ownbey. Yankees Minor League Starter Ben Callahan would get the win.
1995-Former Yankees Minor League OF Dom Thompson-Williams was born.
Outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams was a 5th-round draft pick by the Yankees in the 2016 MLB Amateur Player Draft, out of the Univ. of So. Carolina. Two years earlier, in 2014, he had been taken in the 19th round by the Cardinals, coming out of community college, but he had not signed with the team. He began his pro baseball career in 2016 with the Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), where he hit .246 in 56 games, while scoring 30 runs and stealing 15 bases. In 2017, he would split his season between 2 teams; Class A short-season Staten Island Yankees (NYPL) and the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), hitting a combined .244 in 64 games. He then took a big step forward in 2018, as his batting line was a solid .299 in 100 games, hitting 22 HRs, 17 doubles, 63 runs and 74 RBIs. He again split his season between 2 teams, starting off with Class A Charleston RiverDogs before earning a promotion to the Class A Tampa Tarpons (FSL), after hitting a scorching .378 in his 1st 10 games. He led all of the Yankees' Minor League hitters in HRs that year. Also, he would play for the Class AA Trenton Thunder in the Eastern League playoffs. On November 19th, he was 1 of 3 Yankees prospects traded to the Mariners for MLB Starter James Paxton, alongside 2 Minor League Pitchers Justus Sheffield and Erik Swanson.
2009-Yankees veteran Starter Andy Pettitte picks up the win, while Closer Mariano Rivera gets the save, when Yankees would defeat Oakland by the score of 5-3 in the 1st night game played at New Yankee Stadium. It is the 57th time that Mo Rivera has saved an Andy Pettitte victory, tying the Oakland A’s pitching duo of Starter Bob Welch and Closer Dennis Eckersley of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s for the highest total in MLB history.
2010-Bronx hurler Philip Hughes justifies the decision to return him to the Yankees starting rotation by pitching a No-hitter for 7 innings before Oakland 3B Eric Chavez bounces a ground ball towards the mound to open the 8th inning. The ball hits Hughes's left forearm and lands for a single in front of the pitcher. The Yankees would win the game beating Oakland by the score of 3-1.
2012-With no sense of history, the Red Sox continue to have a highly embarrassing week, while trying to celebrate Fenway Park's Centenary. Today, they take a 9-0 lead over the Yankees, only to collapse totally, coughing up 15 unanswered runs to lose the game. Fourteen of the runs come courtesy of a Red Sox bullpen that has been horrendous since the 2012 AL season had started. With his team trailing by the score of 9-1 in the 7th inning, Nick Swisher gets the Bronx Bombers rolling with a Grand Slam HR off of Sox P Vicente Padilla; then Yankees 1B Mark Texeira adds a 3-run HR shot before the 7th inning ends. But that only serves to set up a nightmarish 8th inning, during which 3 other Red Sox Relievers give up 7 more Yankees runs as Boston Manager Bobby Valentine is booed heartily by Fenway Park fans; every time he comes out of the dugout to make a pitching change. With two-thirds of their starting outfield on the DL, the reeling Red Sox make a trade after the game, by acquiring veteran CF Marlon Byrd from the Cubs in return for P Michael Bowden and a Player to be Named Later.
2012-Former Yankee Minor League Catcher Harry “Bud” Heslet had passed away. (1920-2012)
Harry “Bud” Heslet was a Minor League Catcher and Outfielder; who had spent 14 seasons in the Minor Leagues, including 4 seasons at Triple-A. He hit a total of 314 Minor League career HRs, including 51 HRs in his final season. He won 5 HRs titles just shy of half the seasons that he played in. In 1938, the Yankees had signed Bud was still a Jr. in High School. He would begin his pro playing career in 1940, playing for the Norfolk Yankees and then the Joplin Miners, while hitting a combined .287 with 9 HRs in 104 games. He was named the Western League's All-Star Catcher. In 1941, he was with the Miners again, while hitting .281 with 12 HRs in 119 games. He again played with Joplin in 1942, hitting .343 with 13 HRs in 87 games. He led the Western Association in batting average. He did not play from 1943 to 1945 seasons due to military service. He returned with a bang in 1946, while playing for the Twin Falls Cowboys - that season, when he would hit .308 with 29 HRs in 124 games. He had led the Pioneer League in both HRs (29) and RBIs (124). With the 1947 Binghamton Triplets (EL), he would hit .288 with 24 HRs. He led the Eastern League in HRs. At age 27, he finally made it to AAA, as he played for the 1948-1949 Newark Bears (IL), hitting .266 with 9 HRs and 43 RBIs in 91 games in 1948 and then just .228 in 1949 with 22 HRs and 75 RBIs in 140 games. He began playing the Outfield in addition to Catching in 1948. He would be practically a full-time Outfielder by the 1950 season. Heslet tied for 9th in the 1949 International League in HRs. Every other player in the league with 20+ HRs would appear in the MLB during their playing career. After the 1949 baseball season was over, Bud would leave the Yankees Minor League organization. Next, he would play in the Phillies and Browns organizations; later, he would play in the independent leagues. In 1956, "Harry "Bud" Heslet posted the greatest offensive season in California League history with Visalia Cubs, setting league records with 51 HRs and 172 RBIs. He also batted .334 that season. His records have not been not been challenged since." The fact that Heslet retired from baseball after that incredible season was the subject of a feature article published by MLB.com in May of 2008. When asked by the writer why he "simply retired and walked away from the game never to look back," Heslet replied, "The main reason was I had a boy and I wanted to get him settled. The only way to do that was to give up baseball, stay home and be a Dad." The article went on to say, "Several teams wanted him to manage, but he turned them all down." Overall, Bud Heslet had hit .279 with 314 HRs with 1,164 RBIs, 266 doubles and 48 triples in 1,711 games in his 14-year playing career. He never reached the MLB despite playing for 3 different MLB organizations.
April 22nd
1881-Former Yankees INF Neal Ball (1907-1908) was born. (1881-1957)
In August, 1907, INF Neal Ball was purchased by the Yankees from the Class A Montgomery Senators (SA). For the Yankees, Ball would hit .241 with No HRs and 45 RBIs in 155 games, before he was sold to the Indians on May 18,1909.
1903-At American League Park (aka Hill Top Park), the New York Highlanders lost their 1st game to the Washington Senators by the score of 3-1 before a crowd of 11,950 fans. Washington elects to bat 1st, but the New Yorkers score in the bottom of the opening inning to take a 1-0 lead. Each teams’ starter gives up 6 hits with Jack Chesbro, the NL top winner last year with the Pirates (28-6) taking the loss for the Yankees. Veteran starter Al Orth, in his 2nd season with the Senators is the winner.
1904-After surrendering a leadoff single to Senators batter Kip Selbach, Yankees veteran Starter Jack Chesbro pitches no-hit ball the rest of the game beating the Senators by the score of 2-0.
1915-The Pinstripes 1st appeared on the New York Yankees player uniforms. The 1912 Philadelphia Phillies were the 1st MLB to have pinstripes on their player uniforms.
1918-Former Yankees Minor League Manager (1971) and MLB Coach (1982), MLB Manager (1961-1963), MLB Player (1939-1960) Mickey Veron was born. (1918-2008)
From 1939-1960, Mickey Veron was an MLB 1B, who mostly played with the Senators during his long MLB playing career. Mickey was an AL All-Star team member for 7 seasons. He had won 2 AL Batting crowns. Mickey was a Yankees Minor League Manager with the 1971 Class AA Manchester Yankees (EL). In 1982, he was a Yankees MLB Coach. Also, he was the 1st MLB Manager for the new AL Expansion Team, the 1961 Washington Senators. He would manage the club until 1963. Also, Veron was an MLB Coach for the Pirates, Expos and the Cardinals. Later, he would manage and coach in the Minor Leagues for several MLB organizations, before retiring from the game.
1920-Outfielder Babe Ruth plays his 1st game as a New York Yankee. Babe goes hitless at the plate and his outfield error proved to be the game losing miscue in a 6-5 loss to the Philadelphia A’s.
1923-The 1st Sunday game at Yankee Stadium draws an estimated crowd of 60,000 fans, but the Yankees would suffer their 1st loss of the 1923 AL season, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Washington Senators.
1923-Former Yankees Minor League OF Keith “Kite” Thomas was born. (1923-1995)
Kite Thomas was an Outfielder for 8 seasons (1947-1954). In 1941, he graduated from high school, where he starred in Baseball and Basketball. Thomas had served in the Navy during World War II. Then he would attend Kansas State Univ. in 1947. Before the 1947 AL Season began, he was signed by Yankees MLB Scout Lee MacPhail for the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Thomas would break into Organized Baseball in 1947 at age 23 with Class C Joplin Miners (WA). That winter, he played guard (and refereed some) for Kansas City in the PBLA. He would play for 1948 Quincy Gems (3-IL); 1949 AA Kansas City Blues (AA); 1949-1950 Class A Beaumont Roughnecks (TL) and then again with the 1951 AAA Kansas City Blues (AA). On November 19, 1951, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Athletics from the Yankees organization in the 1951 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. On April 19,1952, Kite Thomas was 28 yrs. old, when he broke into the MLB with the A’s. He would play for the 1952-1953 A’s. On June 30,1953, Thomas was selected off waivers by the Senators from the A’s. He would play for the 1953 Nats, where he played his final MLB game on September 27,1953 at age 30. On March 27,1954, Kite was traded by the Senators to the White Sox for Tom Wright. He would return to the Minor Leagues with the 1954 Memphis (SA) ending his pro baseball-playing career at age 31.
1931-Yankees Outfielder Babe Ruth collides with the Red Sox Catcher Charlie Berry, a former pro football player, while trying to score on a sacrifice fly. Ruth is carried off the playing field at Fenway Park and is taken to a local Boston hospital. The Yankees would beat the Red Sox by the score of 7-5. Yankees Starter Roy Sherid picks-up 2nd victory of the season, while Reliever Hank Johnson gets his 1st save of the season. Boston starter Hod Lisenbee, who fails to get out the 1st inning, giving up 4 runs, takes the loss. He is now 0-2 for the 1931 season.
1933-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Bob Schmidt (1965) was born. (1933-2015)
On May 8,1963, Catcher Bob Schmidt was purchased by the Yankees from the Senators. He would play for the Yankees AAA team, the 1963-1965 Richmond Virginians (IL). During the 1965 AL season, Bob would hit .250 in 20 games for the Yankees as a Reserve Catcher. In 1966, Schmidt would finish his pro baseball career at the age of 33 with the Yankees AAA club, the Toledo Mud Hens (IL). In 1951, Bob Schmidt was originally signed by the Giants organization. In 1958, while playing for the Giants, he was named to the 1958 NL All-Star team, but he did not make an appearance in the game. Later, Bob had played for the 1961 Reds and the 1962-1963 Senators before joining the Yankees organization in 1963.
1938-Former Yankees Minor League C John Orsino was born. (1938-2016)
On January 8,1969, Catcher John Orsino was purchased by the Yankees from the Senators. John would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. On June 12,1969, John was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for Pitcher Rob Gardner. In 1957, the Giants had originally signed him as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had played for the Giants, Orioles and the Senators before joining the Yankees organization in 1969. John Orsino was the Head Baseball Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. from 1970 to 1976. He then he would manage in the Indians' Minor League system for a year and a half at the AA level with the 1977 Jersey City Indians (EL). Then he was with the 1978 Chattanooga Lookouts (SA) for part of the 1978 Minor League season. In 1980, Orsino would return to FDU to coach the Baseball team for 1 more college season.
1956-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Don Larsen hits a Grand Slam HR off of Red Sox hurler Frank Sullivan, as the Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 13-6. Don Larsen lasted only 4 1/3 innings, while giving up 4 runs and 5 hits. Yankees Reliever Bob Grim comes in for 4 2/3 innings of work, picking-up the win. Yankee hitters Joe Collins and Yogi Berra, also hit HRs in the game. Red Sox Reliever Frank Baumann gets the lost, while giving up 4 Yankee runs in 3 innings of work.
1957-Former Yankees MLB Scout Johnny Nee (1927-1945) had passed away. (1890-1957)
Johnny Nee was an MLB Scout and a Minor League Player-Manager. In 1912, Nee, a young Minor League INF 22 years-old, when he was chosen to skipper the Terre Haute team as a Player-Manager. He would serve as a Player-Manager at many of his Minor League stops including his last post as the leader of the 1925-1926 Virginia League’s Kinston Eagles. During that final managerial season, one of his young charges was future Hall of Famer Rick Ferrell. Starting in 1927, Nee began a long career as an MLB Scout for the Yankees organization (1927-1945). He was credited with discovering many future MLB Players including Catcher Bill Dickey, Pitcher Gene Bearden, Pitcher Marv Breuer, OF Ben Chapman, Pitcher Atley Donald, OF Tommy Henrich, Catcher Chink Outen, INF Billy Werber, Pitcher Johnny Allen, OF Dixie Walker, Pitcher Spud Chandler, Infielders: Billy Hitchcock and Willie Jones. In 1946, he would leave the Yankees organization to join the Phillies organization in 1946 to work with former Yankees P Herb Pennock, who was the team’s GM, who rebuilding the team’s farm system. At the end of the 1949 NL season, Johnny Nee was named head of the Phillies farm system by former Yankees Pitcher Herb Pennock, who was the Phillies GM.
1958-Former Yankees Pitcher Stefan Wever (1982) was born. (1958-2022)
On June 5,1979, Pitcher Stefan Wever was selected by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 1979 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He appeared in 1 game for the 1982 Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record. A torn rotator cuff injury from his only Yankees start would end his pro baseball pitching career.
1959-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D. C., Yankees Ace Whitey Ford pitched a 14-inning, 1-0 shutout against the Senators; while allowing only 8 hits, while striking out 15 Nats batters. The Yankees won in the 1st half of the 14th inning on a Moose Skowron solo HR, ending the longest contest in MLB history ending 1-0 on a HR.
1960-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees behind veteran AL All-Star Starter Whitey Ford and Reliever Ralph Terry shutout the Orioles by the score of 5-0. Ford picks up his 1st win of the 1960 AL season. The Orioles veteran Starter Hoyt Wilhelm takes the lost for the Birds by allowing 7 Yankees hits and 4 runs in the game. Yankees hitters Mickey Mantle and Hector Lopez each hit HRs for the Bronx Bombers.
1961-Former Yankees Pitcher Jimmy Key (1993-1996) was born.
On December 10,1992, Pitcher Jimmy Key was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had been an AL All-Star Starter with the Blue Jays, while posting a 9 MLB season pitching record of 116-81 with a 3.42 ERA in 317 games. He went 2-0 in 2 games for the Blue Jays in the 1992 World Series against the Braves. He was named to the AL All-Star team in 1993-1994. Key would have 2 solid seasons for the 1993-1994 Yankees, while posting 18-6 and 17-4 season records. In 1995, Jimmy would miss most of the AL season being on the DL with arm problems; appearing only in 5 games, while posting a 1-2 record with a 5.64 ERA. In 1996, he would bounce back with a 12-11 record with a 4.68 ERA in 30 games. Jimmy went 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA in 2 games for the Yankees in the 1996 World Series against the Braves. Overall, he had a 43-23 record with a 3.68 ERA in 94 games as a Starter for the 1993-1996 Yankees. After the 1996 World Series victory over the Braves, Jimmy would leave the Yankees for MLB Free Agency, signing with their AL Eastern Division rivals; the Orioles.
1964-At Chicago’s Comiskey Park, a crowd of 29,703 fans watch the Yankees beat the White Sox with Whitey Ford’s complete game victory, a 3-0 shutout. Chicago Starter Gary Peters takes the loss, going 7 innings, while giving up 4 Yankees hits and 2 runs to the Bombers. Yankees 3B Clete Boyer hits a HR off of Peters. The veteran Starter Ford allows only 6 White Sox hits, while walking 1 Sox hitter and striking out 2 Chicago batters.
1967-Former Yankees INF Fritz Maisel (1913-1917) had passed away. (1889-1967)
On August 8,1913, INF Fritz Maisel was traded by the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) to the Yankees for OF Bert Daniels, INF Ezra Midkiff and $12,000 Cash. Fritz Maisel will appear in 502 games for the Yankees, while hitting .243 with 6 HRs and 132 RBIs along with 183 stolen bases. On January 22,1918, Fritz was traded by the Yankees along with P Nick Cullop, INF Joe Gedeon, Catcher Les Nunamaker, P Urban Shocker and $15,000 Cash to the St. Louis Browns for veteran MLB Starter Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt. He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1918 Browns. His overall MLB totals was a .243 BA with 6 HRs and 148 RBIs, finishing with 194 stolen bases. He will play for the Minor League AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) from 1919 to 1928. Fritz will manage the team from 1929 to 1932. Later, he will be an MLB Scout for the MLB Orioles from 1954 to 1967. In 1959, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
1970-The Yankees would drop an 18 inning, 2-1 game to the Senators. When Mike Epstein’s sac fly scores Nats base runner Ed Stroud. Yankees CF Bobby Mercer’s 9th inning HR had tied the game at 1-1. Senators Reliever Joe Grzenda gets the win, while Yankees Reliever Ron Klimkowski takes the loss.
1972-Yankees 3B Rich McKinney’s fielding errors contribute to the Red Sox scoring of 9 runs and a 11-7 loss for the Bombers.
1981-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would defeat the Tigers by the score of 7-2. A 5-run 7th inning rally by the Bronx Bombers wins the game. Yankees Ace Starter Ron Guidry starts the game; then veteran David LaRoche relieves him in the 6th inning, he picks up the victory. Then Reliever Ron Davis finishes off the game for the Yankees, holding the Tigers off the scoreboard for the game’s final 2 innings. The Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led a HR by Slugger Reggie Jackson.
1993-Former Yankees Shortstop Mark Koenig (1925-1930) had passed away. (1904-1993)
On May 29,1925, INF Mark Koenig was traded by the AA St Paul Saints (AA) to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later, Catcher Fred Hofmann, Pitcher Oscar Roettger and $50,000 Cash. On October 28,1925, the Yankees will send INF Ernie Johnson to the Saints to complete the trade. Mark Koenig was the starting Shortstop for the Yankees during the mid-1920’s. He would finish his Yankees playing career with a .285 BA with 15 HRs and 144 RBIs, while playing in 567 games. Koenig had played on Yankees World Series teams in 1926-1928, while hitting .500 in the 1927 World Series. On May 30,1930, Mark was traded along with veteran Pitcher Waite Hoyt to the Tigers for OF Harry Rice, Pitcher Ownie Carroll and Reserve INF Yats Wuestling. Also, he would appear in the World Series with the 1932 Cubs and the 1936 Giants, both against his former team, the Yankees. In 20 World Series games, Mark will hit .237 with No HRs and 5 RBIs. Also, during his long MLB playing career, he had played for the Yankees, Tigers, Cubs, Phillies and the Reds before finishing up with the 1936 Giants. His last MLB game was an appearance in Game 6 of the 1936 World Series with the Giants against the Yankees as a Pinch-Hitter and playing 2B. Overall, Mark had appeared in 1,162 MLB games, while hitting .279 with 28 HRs and 446 RBIs. Mark was the last living member of the 1927 World Series Champion New York Yankees.
1997-After 4 months of on-and-off negotiations, the Yankees had acquired the rights to Japanese Pitcher Hideki Irabu from the Padres for $3 million. Irabu’s Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, gave the San Diego Padres exclusive rights to the 27-year-old righty, but Irabu refused to sign with the Padres, saying he would only go with the Yankees.
2007-The Red Sox complete their 1st sweep of the Yankees in Fenway Park in 17 seasons. Red Sox Sluggers Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek hit consecutive HRs, making it the 4th instance in MLB history that 4 straight hitters have gone deep. The victim for all 4 gopher balls is young Yankees Pitcher Chase Wright, who ties the MLB record for HRs allowed in an inning. Veteran Tigers hurler Paul Foytack in 1963 had been the only prior pitcher to allow 4 straight HRs in an inning.
2010-The Yankees lose the rubber game of series against the Oakland A's, taking 2 out of 1st 3 games, including a Phil Hughes 1-hitter. Oakland would defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-2, snapping the Yankees 6-game winning streak. Bronx Starter CC Sabathia throws a complete game. Mark Teixeira hits his 1st HR of the 2010 AL season. OF Marcus Thames hits a solo HR for the Bombers. With runners on 1st and 2nd in the 6th inning, A's batter Kurt Suzuki hit a sharp grounder to Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, who stepped on the bag and threw to 2B Robinson Cano. Cano's relay to 1B Nick Johnson barely beat Suzuki. It was the 1st triple play against Oakland since the Royals did it in 1994. The Yankees had gone 6,632 consecutive regular-season games without a triple play. Their last one came on June 3,1968, with Yankees 1B Mickey Mantle catching the final out on a ball hit by Minnesota's Catcher John Roseboro. The Twins Catcher Johnny Roseboro's liner was caught by Yankees Pitcher Dooley Womack, who then threw to 3B Bobby Cox. The Cox's relay throw then went to Yankees 1B Mickey Mantle for the 3rd out of the triple play.
2015-At Comerica Park in Detroit, the Yankees would chase Tiger’s All-Star Starter David Price, who lasts only 2 innings before giving up to the Yankees 10 hits, while allowing 8 runs. The Yankees win the game by the score of 13-4. Bronx Starter Adam Warren picks up his 1st victory of the 2015 AL season with help from bullpen trio of Justin Wilson, David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve. The Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led by 1B Mark Teixeira’s a 3-run HR and triples from Carlos Beltran and Chase Headley. A crowd of 27,389 fans had attended the mid-week game in Detroit.
April 23rd
1903-The New York Highlanders win their 1st MLB game played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C, behind the pitching of Starter Harry Howell, a 7-2 victory over the Senators. At the plate, Howell would hit the 1st triple in team’s history. Lefty Davis would score what proved to be the winning run, when Senators OF Jimmy Ryan dropped a fly ball hit by veteran MLB hitter Willie Keeler.
1937-Former Yankees Reserve 1B Duke Carmel (1965) was born. (1937-2021)
Duke Carmel was drafted by the Yankees from the Mets organization in the 1964 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. In 1964, Duke had play well for the Mets AAA club, the Buffalo Bisons (IL) by hitting .271; making the International League All-Star team. In 1965, he had appeared in only 6 games for the Yankees with no hits in just 8 plate appearances. During the 1955 NL season, he had originally been signed by the Cardinals. In 1959, Duke would come up with the Cards. During the 1963 NL season, Carmel was traded by the Cardinals to the Mets for OF Jacke Davis and Cash. After he had left the Yankees organization in 1965, he would play at the AAA level with several different MLB organizations before retiring from the game in 1967.
1947-The Yankees would release their former bullpen Closer Johnny "Grand Ma” Murphy (1932,1934-1943,1946). He had appeared in 383 games for the team with 93 wins and 107 saves as the Yankees Bullpen Closer. Young Joe Page had taken over the Yankees Bullpen Closer role. Murphy would pitch his last MLB active season with the Red Sox before retiring from the game in 1947. Later, he would become the Director of Player Development for the Mets, signing many of the young Mets players, who would later play on the 1969 World Championship team. In January of 1970, he was the General Manager of the Mets, when he passed away of a fatal heart attack.
1953-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 10,045 fans had watched a Thursday afternoon game between the Yankees and Red Sox. The Yankees would beat the Boston by the score of 6-3. Yankees Veteran Starter Johnny Sain throws a complete victory, he is now 3-0 for the 1953 AL season. Meanwhile Veteran AL Starter Sid Hudson began the game for Boston, but he was replaced by Reliever Bill Werle, who takes the loss. The Yankees would score 5 runs in the 8th and 9th innings to win the game. Yankees All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra hits a solo HR. Yankees Rookie RF Mickey Mantle hits a 3-run HR in the game, also, he hits a double, giving him 3 RBIs in the game. The 1953 Yankees are now 7-2.
1963-Former Yankees Pitcher Harry Harper (1921) had passed away. (1895-1963)
Veteran AL hurler Harry Harper came to the Yankees in the Waite Hoyt trade with the Red Sox on December 15,1920. He had previously pitched for the1913-1919 Senators before joining the Red Sox in 1920. With the 1920 Red Sox, he had posted a 5-14 record for the 5th place Boston club. For the 1921 Yankees, he would post a 4-3 record with 3.76 ERA in 8 games. Harper had pitched in the 1921 World Series, starting Game 6 against the Giants, but he was not involved in the final decision. On June 1,1922, he was released by the Yankees, due to hand injury. He would finish his MLB career pitching for the 1923 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Harry’s final MLB Pitching stats was a 57-76 record with a 2.87 ERA with 5 saves in 219 games.
1975-Yankees OF Roy White again hits a HR from both sides of the plate, this time in an 11-7 loss to the Red Sox. Roy White’s last switch-hit HRs were on August 13,1973.
1977-Former Yankees Reserve OF/DH Andruw Jones (2011-2012) was born.
The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent NL Golden Glove winner OF Andruw Jones. He would replace OF/DH Marcus Thames, who had left the team for MLB Free Agency. In 2010, Andruw Jones had played for the White Sox. He was back playing the outfield in 2010 AL season, logging 62 games in RF and a few games in both CF and LF. Power remained the best part of his game, with 19 HRs in 278 at-bats, but he was also able to draw 45 walks, turning a .230 batting average into a decent .341 on-base percentage. In 2012, he had played 94 games for the Yankees, splitting his time between LF, RF and DH, while hitting only .197. However, he still displayed good power, hitting 14 HRs with 34 RBIs, but his OBP was below .300, for an OPS+ of 88. He did not play at all in the 2012 AL Postseason. After the 2012 season had ended, the Yankees did not attempt to re-sign him, so he became an MLB Free Agent. Jones, instead inked a deal with the Rakuten Golden Eagles (Japan's PL) on December 16th. Andrew had originally come up to the MLB with the Braves in 1996.
1979-Former Yankees Minor League P Carlos Silva was born.
On April 9, 2011, the Yankees had signed former MLB hurler Carlos Silva, who had been recently released by the Cubs. He would pitch for the AAA Scranton (IL), later he was released by the Yankees. He will start the 2012 AL season with the Red Sox, but the team will release him.
1981-Former Yankees Pitcher Sean Henn (2005-2007) was born.
Sean Henn was selected by the Yankees; as a draft-and-follow pick in the 26th round of the 2000 MLB Amateur Player Draft. In May of 2001, Henn was signed by Yankees MLB Scout Mark Batchko for a $1.701 million bonus. He made his pro debut that summer. Henn's 1st MLB win in 2007 closed a remarkable 3-game series between the Yankees and the Indians. For the 1st time in MLB history, a team swept a series of 3 or more games, with each game giving a pitcher his 1st MLB career win. The other winners were Pitchers Chase Wright and Kei Igawa. For the 2007 Yankees, Sean was 2-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 36 games. On May 9, 2008, Sean Henn was selected off waivers by the Padres from the Yankees. After being out of the MLB for 3 full years, including the 2012 season that was spent with the Hanwha Eagles (KBO); at the end of the 2013 NL season, Sean did come back to the MLB for 4 games with the Mets. His 3.38 ERA during that very brief stint with the Mets was the best of his 6 MLB pitching seasons.
1982-The Yankees had traded veteran 1B/DH Bob Watson to the Braves for Minor League P Scott Patterson. Watson had joined the Yankees as an MLB Free Agent replacing the recently traded 1B Chris Chambliss to the Blue Jays in the Rick Cerone trade. In 1980, he had hit .307 with 13 HRs for the Yankees. The 1981 AL season was marred by a groin injury that limited his playing time to just 59 games, while hitting just .212. Scott Patterson was a Starter for the Braves AAA Richmond team (IL), the Yankees would assign him to their AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL). He never appears at the MLB level for the Yankees.
1992-Former Yankees Reserve INF/OF Deron Roger Johnson (1960-1961) passes away from Lung Cancer at the age of 53. (1938-1992)
Before the start of 1956 AL season, the Yankees had signed INF/OF Deron Johnson as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Deron was never able to find a regular position to play with the Yankees. At 3B, Andy Carey and Hector Lopez, later Clete Boyer had blocked Deron. At 1B, he was blocked by the presence AL All-Star 1B Bill Skowron. Plus, the Yankees had a starting OF was filled by CF Mickey Mantle, RF Roger Maris and Yogi Berra-Hector Lopez combo in LF. For the 1960-1961 Yankees, he had only appeared in 19 games, while just hitting .174. In June of 1961, he was traded along with veteran Starter Art Ditmar to Kansas City A’s for veteran Starter Bud Daley. In 1963, the Athletics would later trade him to the Reds. Deron Johnson would find MLB success in the NL starting with the 1964-1967 Reds. In 1965, Deron had his best MLB season by batting .287, slugging 32 HRs and 130 RBIs. Later, he would play for the 1968 Braves and the 1969-1973 Phillies,1973 A’s and the 1974 Brewers during his MLB playing career. He would finish his MLB career with .244 BA with 245 MLB career HRs and 923 RBIs in 1,765 games. He had played in 1 World Series with the 1973 Oakland A’s, appearing in 6 games, while hitting .300. After his MLB playing career had ended, Johnson spent most of the rest of his life as MLB Coach. He did manage the Minor League team, the Salt Lake City Gulls in 1978. Then he began his MLB Coaching career with the 1979-1980 Angels. In 1981, he was a Mets MLB Coach. From 1982-1984, Deron was a member of the Phillies MLB Coaching staff. In 1985-1986, he was with the Mariners. Then Deron would spend the 1987 AL season with the White Sox. He would return to the Angels as their MLB Hitting Coach from 1989 to 1991.
2000-In a 10-7 victory over the Blue Jays, Yankee hitters CF Bernie Williams and Catcher Jorge Posada become the 1st teammates to hit a HR from both sides of the plate in the same MLB game.
2011-The homer-happy Yankees are at it again, connecting 5 times in a 15-3 victory over the Orioles. Bronx DH Russell Martin goes deep twice; he is joined by his fellow Yankees teammates catcher Jorge Posada, CF Brett Gardner and 3B Alex Rodriguez, who hits a Grand Slam HR. It is the 22nd slam of A-Rod's MLB playing career, moving him past the recently retired Manny Ramirez and into 2nd place on the all-time MLB list, 1 behind the MLB leader former Yankees HOF 1B Lou Gehrig. Meanwhile, Bronx Starter CC Sabathia picks up his 1st win of the 2011 AL season, while Brad Bergesen is the loser for the Orioles.
2014-Already suspected by Red Sox Broadcasters of illegally using pine tar during his last start against the team, the Yankees' Starter Michael Pineda gets caught red-handed this time, as Umpire Gerry Davis finds the substance on his neck and ejects him in the 2nd inning of his start as the Red Sox win the game by the score of 5-1. Facing a MLB suspension, Pineda confesses to the violation of the rules after the game, explaining to the Media "my hands get sweaty".
2023-Former Yankees Reserve 1B/OF John Miller (1966) had passed away .(1944-2023)
In 1962, the Yankees had signed OF/1B John Miller as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would appear in only 6 games for the 1966 Yankees, while hitting just .087. He hit a HR at his 1st MLB at bat with the Yankees. John would be traded to the Dodgers, where he hit a HR in his last MLB at bat. Overall, he had appeared in only 32 MLB games, while hitting .164 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. John would go on to play pro baseball in Japan with the 1970-1972 Chunichi Dragons (JPCL). He had appeared in 382 games for the team, while hitting .245 with 79 HRs with 222 RBIs.
April 24th
1895-Former Yankees Pitcher Harry Harper (1921) was born. (1895-1963)
On December 15,1920, Pitcher Harry Harper came to the Yankees from the Red Sox along with Starter Waite Hoyt, Catcher Wally Schang and INF Mike McNally for Yankees 2B Del Platt, Catcher Muddy Ruel, OF Sammy Vick and Pitcher Hank Thormahlen. Harry had posted a 5-14 record for the 5th place 1920 Red Sox. For the 1921, Yankees Harper would post a 4-3 record with a 3.76 ERA in 8 games. He would pitch in 6th game of the 1921 World Series against the Giants, but he was not involved in the final decision. During his 10 MLB season pitching career, Harry had pitched for the Senators, Red Sox, Yankees and the Dodgers. He would finish his MLB pitching career with a 56-76 record, along with a 2.87 ERA and 5 saves in 219 games.
1905-The Yankees would hit onto a triple play during a 4-3 loss to the Washington Senators.
1917-Before of crowd of 3,219 fans at Fenway Park, Yankees Lefty Starter George Mogridge pitches a No-Hitter against the Red Sox, winning the game by the score of 2-1. Mogridge strikes out 3 Red Sox hitters and walks 3 Boston batters, as he becomes the 1st Yankees Pitcher to actually win a no-hit game. The Red Sox in the 7th inning managed to score their only run of the game without getting a hit off of Mogridge; by putting together a couple of walks, an error and a sacrifice fly. Red Sox veteran knuckleballer starter Dutch Leonard would take the loss for Boston.
1923-US President Warren G. Harding and 7,999 other fans witnesses the 1st shutout ever thrown at Yankee Stadium as Babe Ruth hits a HR in New York’s 4-0 victory over the Senators. Yankees Veteran Starter Sad Sam Jones throws the complete game shutout by allowing only 5 Senator hits, while striking out 4 Nats batters. The 1923 Yankees are now 5-2 for the 1923 AL season.
1927-On a Sunday afternoon game played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., a crowd of 20,000 fans see the Yankees beat the Senators by the score of 6-2. Veteran Yankees Starter Urban Shocker throws a complete game victory, while allowing only Nats 2 runs, 8 hits and 4 strikeouts. Senators Starter Sloppy Thurston takes the loss, by allowing 6 Yankees runs on 8 hits. Yankees Sluggers Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel, each hit solo HRs in the game. Yankees Pinch-hitter Cedric Durst has a big hit the game with a triple that results on 3 Yankee runs.
1932-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 31,00 fans watched a Sunday game against the Red Sox as the Yankees prevail by the score of 9-2. Yankees Starter George Pipgras throws a complete victory, he is now 1-1 for the 1932 AL season. Red Sox Reliever Wilcy Moore takes the loss by allowing 7 Yankee hits and 7 runs in the game. Catcher Bill Dickey and CF Earle Combs led the Yankees hitting attack against the Red Sox.
1943-Former Yankees Pitcher Joe Verbanic (1967-1968,1970) was born.
On December 10,1966, Pitcher Joe Verbanic was traded by the Phillies along with Cash to the Yankees for veteran Closer Pedro Ramos. In 1966, Joe had appeared in 17 games for the Phillies, while posting a 1-1 record as a reliever. He would be part of the 1967 Yankees bullpen along with Hal Reniff and Dooley Womack. Joe would have a 11-10 record with a 3.12 ERA in 92 games as a Reliever in 3 seasons in the Bronx. He would leave the Yankees organization in the fall of 1970. He would return to the Phillies organization, pitching for their AAA club Eugene (PCL) for the 1971 season and then retiring from the game. For the last place 1966 Yankees, Closer Pedro Ramos had posted a 3-9 record with a 3. 3.61 ERA and 13 saves. Manager Ralph Houk had lost confidence him as a Closer and was unhappy with his overall playing attitude, plus being over- weight at 31.
1946-Former Major League Players Jesse Burkett, Frank Chance, Jack Chesbro, Johnny Evers, Clark Griffith, Tommy McCarthy, Joe McGinnity, Eddie Plank, Joe Tinker, Rube Waddell and Ed Walsh are all inducted into the Hall of Fame. Jack Chesbro had won 41 games for the 1904 Yankees setting an AL Pitching record and a Yankees franchise record, which still stands today. Both Veteran MLB INF Frank Chance and Pitcher Clark Griffith were also early Yankee Managers.
1951-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx veteran Starter Eddie "The Junkman" Lopat shutouts the Philadelphia Athletics by the score of 3-0. He would pitch a complete game victory by allowing the A’s only 4 hits, while striking out 4 batters. Philadelphia A’s Starter Bobby Shantz, also throws a complete game, while taking the loss. He allows only 3 Yankees runs with 6 hits. Yankee hitters Joe DiMaggio, Johnny Mize and Jackie Jensen led the Yankees hitting attack. A crowd of 8,742 fans had attended the Tuesday day game played at Yankee Stadium.
1965-Former Yankees 3B Mike Blowers (1989-1991) was born.
On August 29,1989, INF Mike Blowers was traded by the Expos to the Yankees for veteran MLB Starter John Candelaria. Mike had hit .203 with 6 HRs and 25 RBIs in 76 games for the Yankees. On May 17,1991, Mike was traded by the Yankees to the Mariners for a Player to be Named Later and Cash. The Mariners would later send Minor Leaguer P Jim Blueberg on June 22,1991 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1967-Former Yankees and MLB Scout Lester Patterson (1952-1967) had passed away. (1897-1967)
Pat Patterson was a Minor League Catcher and Manager. He had scouted for the 1942-1951 Reds and the 1952-1967 Yankees; signing MLB Players such as Ewell Blackwell, Dixie Howell, Ray Lamanno, Lloyd Merriman, Kent Peterson, Bob Usher, Joe Nuxhall and Grady Hatton for the Reds. For the Yankees, Pat had signed INF/OF Tom Tresh and P Bob Meyer.
1977-Former Yankees OF/DH Carlos Beltran (2014-2016) was born.
On December 19, 2013, OF/DH Carlos Beltran signed as MLB Free Agent by the Yankees to a 3-year deal worth $45 million, stepping into the breach opened, when CF Curtis Granderson had decided to move to the Mets that same day. Beltran started the 2014 AL season relatively slowly for the Yankees, as he was hitting only .234 in mid-May. One of the reasons was that he was having problems with bone spurs in his right elbow. He took a cortisone shot to relieve the pain, but there was a possibility that season-ending surgery would be required. He played on in spite of not being 100% but he lost about a third of the season to various injuries. He was only hitting .236 with 15 HRs and 49 RBIs in 108 games, when personal tragedy struck as well. He took a leave of absence from the team on September 17th after his wife, who was expecting the couple's 1st boy, had a late miscarriage. When he returned to the team after a few days, it was a bone spur in his right elbow that made him unable to provide much offensive production. He would finish the 2014 AL season with a .233 average in 109 games, while hitting 15 HRs and 49 RBIs. In 2015, he would play in 133 games, bouncing back to .276 with 34 doubles and 19 HRs, while driving in 67 runs. He was the team's main RF as the Yankees played the ALWCS. Carlos would go 1 for 4 in the game, as the Astros shut out the Yankees. On May 15, 2016, he hit the 400th HR of his MLB playing career against White Sox P Zach Duke, becoming the 4th switch-hitter in MLB history to reach the mark, after Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray and Chipper Jones. He was also the 3rd Puerto Rican to reach the number (after Carlos Delgado and Juan Gonzalez). He was probably the team's best hitter in the 1st half. He was rewarded with a return to the MLB All-Star Game, his 1st appearance since 2013. On August 1st, he was hitting .304 with 22 HRs and 64 RBIs, when he was traded to the Rangers in return for 3 Minor League Pitching prospects: Dillon Tate, Nick Green and Erik Swanson. Overall, as a Yankees player, Carlos had hit .270 with 56 HRs and 180 RBIs in 341 games. He would play in 52 games for Texas, while hitting .280 with 7 HRs and 29 RBIs, while playing primarily at DH. In total, that gave him a .295 BA with 29 HRs and 93 RBIs. He then went 2 for 11 as the Rangers, who were swept by the Blue Jays in the ALDS. After the 2016 season had ended, he became an MLB Free Agent again. On December 3rd, he would sign a 1-year, $16 million player contract to return to the Astros for the 2017 AL season.
2000-Former Yankees Minor League Shortstop Trey Sweeney was born.
Shortstop Trey Sweeney was drafted by the Yankees with the 20th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2021 MLB Amateur Player Draft, out of Eastern Illinois University. He hit a scorching .382 in his junior year of college, before the draft, and was at .351 the year before, in 2020, when the COVID-19 brought the college season to an early stop. He had also hit .387 in the Coastal Plain League in 2020, so it was not just the case of dominating opponents in a less competitive conference. But dominate he did, as he was the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2021 and was also named an All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association. He received a signing bonus of $3 million from the Yankees, just under slot value. He started his pro career in 2021 with the FCL Yankees before earning a quick promotion to the Tampa Tarpons of the one-and-future Florida State League. In 33 games, his slash line was .261/.384/.548. In 2022, he spent the bulk of the season in the South Atlantic League with the Hudson Valley Renegades before earning a late-year promotion to the AA Somerset Patriots. In a combined 111 games, he hit .240/.349/.413, with 19 doubles and 16 HRs, 76 runs and 56 RBIs. In 2023, with another top Yankee prospect taking over the shortstop job in New York in Anthony Volpe, he spent a full season in the Eastern League with Somerset and hit .252/.367/.411 in 100 games, with another 67 runs. On December 11,2023, the Yankees had traded Minor League Shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney to the Dodgers for veteran MLB Reliever Victor Gonzalez and Minor League INF Jorbit Vivas. The Dodgers have Todd playing for their AAA club in the Pacific Coast League for the 2024 season.
2009-At Fenway Park in Boston, Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera is charged with a rare blown save in the 1st match-up between the Yankees and Red Sox for 2009 AL season. With 2 outs in the 9th inning, Rivera gives up a 2-run HR to Jason Bay to tie the score at 4- 4. Kevin Youkilis homers over the Fenway Park’s Green Monster in the 11th inning for a 5-4 Red Sox victory.
2012-The game between the Yankees and Rangers features a duel between 2 Japanese Free Agent signees, Starters Hiroki Kuroda and Yu Darvish. Texas Starter Darvish gets the upper hand by pitching 8 1/3 scoreless innings, while striking out 10 Yankee batters in leading Texas to a 2-0 win.
2012-Former Yankees Minor League P Fred Bradley had passed away. (1920-2012)
From 1940-1949, Fred Bradley had spent 7 seasons in pro baseball. Also, he would spend 3 years of miliary service with the Navy during World War II. Bradley had spent 3 seasons in the Minor Leagues before enlisting in the Navy. He went 8-6 in 24 games for the Class C Idaho Falls Russets (PL) in his 1st season in the pros. Fred then had 2 double-digit win seasons, back-to-back, racking up 16 wins for the same Idaho squad in 1941, then winning 14 games for the Class B Tacoma Tigers (WIL) in 1942, before entering the service. Back from the Navy in time for the 1946 AL season, Fred would spend with the 1946-1947 Yankees AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA). He would spin a 7-9 record in 1946, but he came right back the following season, putting together a 13-4 record to go with a 2.98 ERA. On February 24,1948, he was traded by the Yankees along with Catcher Aaron Robinson and P Bill Wight to the White Sox for Starter Eddie Lopat. On May 1,1948, Bradley made his MLB Pitching debut with the White Sox. He would appear in just 8 games, while pitching 15 2/3 innings with a 4.60 ERA and no decisions. He was back with the White Sox for the 1949 AL season, Fred made his only appearance on May 1st, pitching 2 innings, giving up 4 hits and 3 runs for a 13.50 ERA and this was his finale in his MLB pitching career. Fred had finish out the 1949 season and his pro baseball career with the Memphis Chickasaws (SA). He had posted a 3-9 record in 19 appearances. Fred decided to call it a career. In 1949, Fred would leave the game with a 61-52 Minor League record in 172 games.
2014-Yankees Starter Michael Pineda is handed a 10-game suspension after being caught using pine tar on the mound in the previous day's game. The sentence is longer than previous ones, as there had already been controversy over his alleged use of the substance earlier this season. Pineda acknowledges his sin and states that he will not appeal the suspension. In today’s game, David Ortiz breaks Harold Baines' record for games played at DH (1,644); Ortiz already held records for hits, HRs and RBI as a DH. Ortiz goes 0 for 1 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch before leaving the game early in a 12-5 Red Sox loss to the Yankees.
2015-The Yankees snap the Mets' franchise record-tying 11-game winning streak with a 6-1 win. Mets Starter Jacob deGrom allows 3 Yankee HRs, 2 by 1B Mark Teixeira and the other by CF Jacoby Ellsbury to be tagged with the loss. Yankees Starter Michael Pineda picks-up the victory.
April 25th
1883-Former Yankees Pitcher Russ Ford (1909-1913) was born. (1883-1960)
In September of 1908, hurler Russ Ford was selected by the Yankees from AA Atlanta Crackers (SA) in the 1908 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Ford would dominate the AL and the Federal League for a few seasons thanks to his devastating emery ball. The emery ball was a nominally illegal pitch that involved doctoring the baseball by scuffing it with emery paper. Ford had disguised his illegal modification by claiming to throw a spitball, though he came clean about his technique after retiring from the game. Russ Ford had 2 outstanding seasons with the Yankees, going 26-6 with 200 strikeouts and 8 shutouts in 1910. Then in 1911, he had a 21-11 record. As a Yankees Pitcher from 1909-1915, he would post a 73-56 record with a 2.54 ERA in 143 games. In 1913, Russ went 12-18 with a high 2.66 ERA. The Yankees wanted to give a pay cut for the 1914 AL season. So, on January 20,1914, Russ Ford jumped from the Yankees to pitch for the Buffalo Buffeds of the rival Federal League. For 2 seasons with Buffalo, he went 21-6 with 1.82 and 6 saves in 35 games in 1914. Next season, he was bothered with pitching arm issues, posting just a 5-9 record with a 4.52 ERA in 21 games. On August 28,1914, Buffalo would release him, ending his MLB Pitching career. He would continue to pitch in the Minor Leagues for 2 seasons, before retiring from baseball. Russ Ford would finish his MLB pitching career with a 100-71 record with 2.59 ERA and 8 saves in 199 MLB games. He is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
1904-Highlanders Starter Jack Chesbro posts the 1st of his 41 wins of the 1904 AL season; a MLB, AL and Yankees franchise pitching record that still stands. Jack Chesbro was the NL top winner in 1903, while he was with the Pirates, posting a 28-6 record before jumping to the Yankees in the AL.
1916-At the Polo Grounds, Red Sox Starter Babe Ruth pitches a 10-inning complete game to defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-3. Ruth gives up 2 earned runs on 8-Yankee hits, but he is held hitless at the plate by Yankee Pitchers.
1924-Former Yankees Pitcher Art Schallock (1951-1955) was born.
Before the start of 1947 NL season, Pitcher Art Schallock was signed by the Dodgers as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He did not appear with the Dodgers at the MLB level. On July 12,1951, Art was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees for Minor League P Bob Landeck, C Eddie Malone and Cash. For the 1951-1955 Yankees, he will appear in 28 games, while posting a 3-2 mark with a 3.90 ERA and 1 save in 28 games. Art had appeared in 1 game of the 1953 World Series against the Dodgers with no decision. On May 11,1955, Art was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees. For the 1955 Birds, he would post a 3-5 record with a 4.15 ERA in 30 games in his last active MLB Pitching season. After pitching in PCL with the 1956 AAA Seattle Rainers, Art would retire from baseball.
1933-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., Yankees Rookie Starter Russ Van Atta makes a successfully MLB Pitching debut, when he pitches a 5-hit shutout, while striking out 5 batters and issuing 3 walks against the Senators. With the bat, Russ collects 4 singles in 4 at-bats with 1 RBI. A crowd of 6,000 Washington fans watch the Bronx Bombers maul the 4 Nats Pitchers for 21 hits that resulted in 16 runs. Bronx sluggers Lou Gehrig and Tony Lazzeri hit HRs, while Shortstop Frank Crosetti hits a triple. Yankees CF Earle Combs adds 5 hits including a triple with 1 RBI. Bronx veteran Slugger Babe Ruth goes 2 for 5 at the plate with 3 RBIs. The only Yankee batters, who don’t get hits in the game are 3B Joe Swell and LF Sammy Byrd, but Sewell does get an RBI. The 1933 Yankees are now 8-2 for the AL season.
1937-At Fenway Park, a Boston Sunday crowd of 35,000 fans watched the Yankees rout the Red Sox by the score of 9-3. Yankees Reliever Pat Malone picks up the win after relieving Bronx Starter Bump Hadley in the 4th inning. Starter Wes Farrell takes the loss for Boston. LF Roy Johnson (3 for 6, 2 RBIs) and 2B Tony Lazzeri (2 for 4, 2 RBIs) led the Bronx Bombers hitting attack. The Yankees will take the 2-game series with the Red Sox.
1941-The Yankees would shutout the Senators by the score of 6-0. Bronx Starter Tiny Bonham throws a complete game victory, bring his 1941 AL season pitching record to 2-0. A crowd of 6,521 fans watched the Yankees victory. Nats Starter Dutch Leonard gives up 7 Yankee hits and 6 runs in his 3rd loss of the 1941 AL season.
1951-The Yankees shutout the A’s 4-0 behind the complete game pitching of Starter Frank “Spec” Shea, who picks-up his 1st victory of the 1951 AL season. A crowd of 7,842 fans watched the day game played at Yankee Stadium. Philadelphia Starter Alex Kellner takes the loss for the A’s, he is now 1-1 for the season. Bronx Starter Spec Shea had allowed only 4 A’s hits, while striking out 5 batters. Yankees Rookie RF Mickey Mantle goes 0 for 4 at the plate, but he did drive in 1 Yankee run in the game.
1965-At Yankee Stadium, the Bombers complete their day-night doubleheader sweep of the Angels with a 1-0 win. Yankees Starter Mel Stottlemyre allows only 4 Angels hits, while striking out 7 batters for a complete game win. The Angels Starter Rudy May gives up only 3 Yankee hits in 6 innings, but 1 of them is Mickey Mantle's HR in the 4th inning to give the Yankees lead and win. The Yankees had won the afternoon game by the score of 3-2 as Yankees veteran Starter Whitey Ford picks-up the win with Closer Pedro Ramos getting the save.
1966-Former Yankees Pitcher Darren Holmes (1998) was born.
On December 22,1997, P Darren Holmes was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had pitched for the 1997 Rockies, while posting a 9-7 record with a 5.34 ERA and 3 saves in 42 games. For the 1998 Yankees, he will have a 0-3 record with a 3.33 ERA and 2 saves in 34 games for the 1998 Yankees. He didn’t appear in the 1998 World Series against the Padres. On March 30,1999, Darren Holmes was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to the Diamondbacks for P Ben Ford and Catcher Izzy Molina.
1967-Veteran Yankees Starter Whitey Ford earned his final MLB career victory. His 236th MLB win comes against the White Sox in an 11-2 decision at Yankee Stadium. Ford throws a complete game victory, while allowing only the White Sox, 2 runs on 8 hits. Chicago Starter Tommy John takes the loss. Ford will enter the Hall Of Fame in 1974 with his longtime Yankees teammate OF/1B Mickey Mantle. He would finish with his Yankee Pitching career record with 236 wins, becoming the club leader in wins, passing 1930-1947 Bronx Starter Red Ruffing, who had 232 career wins with the Yankees.
1978-At Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, the Yankees would edge out the Orioles by the score of 4-3. A crowd of 14,159 fans had attend the game between the 2 AL Eastern Division rivals. Yankees Rookie Starter Jim Beattie picks up the win along with relief help from Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle, who picks up his 1st save of the 1978 AL season. Orioles Starter Jim Palmer takes the lost, while pitching a complete game; he is now 2-1 on the season. Yankees Jim Spencer hits a HR for the Bombers. The victory brings the Yankees to the .500 mark for the 1978 AL season, they are now 8-8.
1982-Just 14 games into the 1982 AL season, Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner fires Yankees Manager Bob Lemon, he replaces him with former Manager Gene Michael, the man who Bob Lemon had replaced last September. Michael won't finish the 1982 season either. Clyde King will later replace him and finish the season. The 1982 Yankees will finish 5th place in the AL East with a 79-83 record. Besides the 3 Manager changes, the MLB Coaching staff will also be changed during the 1982 season, especially the Pitching Coaches (Sammy Ellis, Jerry Walker and Stan Williams).
1983-Former Yankees Reserve 1B/DH Juan Miranda (2009-2010) was born in Cuba.
For the 2009-2010 Yankees, Juan Miranda had appeared in 46 games, while hitting .263 with 4 HRs and 14 RBIs. After the 2010 AL season, the Yankees will dealt Juan Miranda to the Diamondbacks in return for Minor League P Scottie Allen. Since leaving the MLB in 2012, Miranda has played pro baseball in the Japanese and the Mexican Baseball Leagues.
1992-Former Yankees Pitcher Luis Cessa (2016-2021) was born.
Before the 2009 NL season, the Mets had signed Luis Cessa as a 17-year-old MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was an Infielder at the time. He played his 1st 2 pro seasons with the DSL Mets and DSL Mets 1 in 2009 and 2010, as an infield position player. However, he failed to hit for .200 either season. In 2011, he was moved the mound. The decision to make Luis a Pitcher proved to be a good one, as in his 1st season in the role, he did well enough to move to the GCL Mets after 5 starts with the DSL Mets 2. He was a combined 4-3 record with a 3.19 ERA in 15 games that 1st year, being used out of the bullpen, after moving to the US. In 2012, he went 5-4 with a 2.49 ERA in 13 games as a Starter for the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones (NYPL). He followed that with an 8-4 record with a 3.12 ERA in 21 starts for the Class A 2013 Savannah Sand Gnats. He spent most of 2014 season with the Class A St. Lucie Mets (FSL), where he was 7-8 with a 4.00 ERA in 20 starts, also pitching once for the AA Binghamton Mets (EL) in his 1st taste of AA ball. He started 2015 season with AA Binghamton (EL), where his record was a solid 7-4, with a 2.56 ERA in 13 starts to earn him a promotion to the AAA Las Vegas 51s (PCL) in early July. He was roughed up in 5 starts, going 0-3 with a 8.51 ERA, but he had shown enough until then that the Tigers acquired him, along with fellow pitching prospect Michael Fulmer in a trade for starting LF Yoenis Cespedes that was made at the July 31st MLB Trade Deadline. He made 7 starts for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens (IL), while posting a 1-3 record with a 5.97 ERA to finish with a combined pitching line of 8-10 with a 4.52 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 139 1/3 innings. On December 9, 2015, he was traded again, this time he was headed to the Yankees alongside fellow Pitching Prospect Chad Green in return for Veteran MLB Reliever Justin Wilson. He made the team out of the 2016 MLB spring training camp. Luis made his MLB Pitching debut facing his former team, the Tigers in relief on April 8th; in his 1st inning of work, he gave up an opposite-field HR to Miguel Cabrera, then he followed that with a scoreless frame. He would finish the 2016 AL season with the Yankees putting up a 4-4 record and a 4.35 ERA in 17 games. In 2017, he went 0-3 with a 4.45 ERA in 10 games. In 2018, Luis posted a 1-4 mark with a 5.24 ERA in 16 games. For the 2019 Yankees, Luis had a 2-1 record with a 4.11 ERA and 1 save in 43 games. In the 2019 AL Postseason, Luis threw 4 scoreless innings of relief against the Astros. In 2020, Luis had appeared in 16 games for the team, while posting a 0-0 record with a 3.32 ERA with 1 save. In 2020 AL Post Season, he had appeared in 4 games for the Yankees with no decisions. In 2020, he was used exclusively as a reliever by the Yankees during the pandemic-shortened season, putting up an ERA of 3.32 in 21 2/3 innings over 16 games. His only decision was a save as he was used in middle relief. He had appeared 3 times in the postseason, giving up 2 runs in 4 innings. He was used in a similar role in 2021, but he pitched quite well while going largely under the radar, by going 3-1 with an era of 2.82 in 29 games over the 1st 4 months of the season. On July 27th, he and fellow Bronx Reliever Justin Wilson were dealt to the Reds with the only return being a Player to be Named Later. There was immediate speculation that the Yankees were clearing some salary space to make an acquisition before the MLB trading deadline coming up in 2 days, but in the meantime, the Reds, who were also in contention, had added 2 useful pitchers on the cheap for their bullpen. On August 30, 2021, the Reds would send Class A Minor League P Jason Parker to the Yankees to complete the trade. Luis would finish his Yankees pitching career with a 10-13 record with a 4.19 ERA and 4 saves in 131 games. For the 2021 Reds, he would post a 2-1 record with a 2.05 ERA in 24 games.
1999-A monument to honor Hall of Fame CF Joe DiMaggio is unveiled in Yankee Stadium Monument Park in front of a sold-out Stadium crowd and many of DiMaggio’s former teammates. Phil Rizzuto will address the fans, Singer Paul Simon sang “Mrs. Robinson”, while standing in center field. When he reached the last line “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?” many in the Stadium crowd sang along and cheered.
2003-At the Ballpark in Arlington, a crowd of 40,052 fans watch the Yankees edge the Rangers by the score of 3-2. Yankees veteran Starter Mike “Moose” Mussina picks-up his 5th victory of the 2003 AL season along with relief help from Reliever Juan Acevedo, who gets his 4th save of the season. Nick Johnson hits a 2-run HR for the Yankees. Texas Starter Colby Lewis takes the loss, he is now 3-1. The Yankees are now 19-4 for the 2003 AL season.
2006-Rays hitter Jonny Gomes slugs his AL-leading 10th HR in Tampa Bay's 9-1 loss to the Yankees. Gomes ties the club record for HRs in a month with Jose Canseco and Aubrey Huff.
2019-The Yankees had acquired veteran MLB OF Cameron Maybin from the Indians for Cash considerations. After being released by the Giants during their 2019 MLB Spring Training camp, Cameron had signed a Minor League deal with the Tribe. He had been playing for the Tribe’s AAA team, the Columbus Clippers (IL), hitting .216 in 14 games. For the 2019 Yankees, Cameron will hit .285 with 11 HRs and 32 RBIs in 82 games. In the 2019 AL Postseason, Maybin will hit .333 with 1 HR and 1 RBI in 5 games against the Twins and the Astros. After the 2019 World Series had ended, the Yankees would grant Maybin, his MLB Free Agency. On February 12, 2020, the Tigers would sign Maybin to a 1-year $1.5 million contract for his 3rd stint with the team.
2023-The Yankees have selected the contract of Minor League hurler Nick Ramirez from AAA Scranton, while optioning Reliever Greg Weissert, back to Scranton. Nick had posted an 0-0 record with a 1.74 ERA in 8 games. Weissert had had posted a 0-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in 4 games for the Yankees. Now, the Yankees have a 2nd lefty reliever in their bullpen.
April 26th
1873-Former Yankees Reserve 3B Jim Cockman (1905) was born in Canada. (1893-1947)
In September of 1905, INF Jim Cockman was sent from AA Newark Sailors (EL) to the Yankees in an unknown transaction. Jim had appeared in 132 games for AA Newark, while hitting .232. He will only appear in 13 games for the 1905 Yankees, while hitting just .105 with No HRs and 2 RBIs in his only active season in the MLB. After the 1905 AL season had ended, he would return to Newark. He would play pro baseball from 1896 to 1912.
1888-Former Yankees Pitcher Ray “Slim” Caldwell (1910-1918) was born. (1988-1967)
In August of 1910, Pitcher Ray Caldwell was purchased by the Highlanders from Class C McKeesport Tubers (O-PL) for $2,000 Cash. His best Yankees season was in 1914, when he had posted a 18-9 record along with a 1.94 ERA in 31 games. In 1915, Ray would record a 19-16 mark with 2.89 ERA in 36 games. For the 1910-1918 Yankees, Ray had posted a 96-99 pitching career record with a 3.00 ERA in 258 games. On December 18,1918, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Frank Gilhooley, P Slim Love, Catcher Roxy Walters and $15,000 Cash to the Red Sox for Starter Ernie Shore, OF Duffy Lewis and veteran MLB Starter Dutch Leonard. The Red Sox would trade him to the Tribe during 1919 AL season. He had won 20 games for the 1920 Indians as he would appear in his only World Series of his MLB pitching career. Overall, as an MLB Pitcher, Ray would finish with an pitching career record of 134-120 with a 3.22 ERA and 8 saves in 343 games. Besides being a successful MLB Pitcher, Ray Caldwell, would also serve as a Pinch-Hitter and Outfielder, while hitting .248 as a hitter, something which is better than it may seem because he achieved it mostly during the dead-ball era, when hits were scarce. After his MLB Pitching career ended, he would continue to pitch for many years in the Minor Leagues. Ray had 154 MLB at-bats as a Pinch-Hitter, while getting 36 hits. Also, he was used sometimes in the MLB as a position player, getting into 11 games as an OF in 1911, 6 games as a 1B in 1914, 8 games as an OF in 1917, 19 games as an OF in 1918 and smaller numbers in the field in other MLB seasons. Interestingly, he would appear in CF more often than in LF or RF - and his career 23 stolen bases in the MLB showed that he had some speed on the base-paths.
1913-The Yankees had purchased Catcher John Gossett from the White Sox. For the 1913-1914 Yankees, he would appear in only 49 games as a Reserve Catcher, while just hitting .159 with No HRs and 10 RBIs.
1917-Former Yankees Pitcher Sal “The Barber” Maglie (1957-1958) was born. (1917-1992)
On September 1,1957, veteran Pitcher Sal “The Barber” Maglie was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Dodgers. Due to being acquired pass the August 31st MLB trade-line, Sal was unable to appear in the 1957 World Series for the Yankees against the Braves. Sal will post a 2-0 record with a 1.73 ERA and 3 saves in 6 games for the 1957 Yankees. In 1958, he had a 1-1 record with a 4.63 ERA in 7 games for the Yankees before being sent to the Cardinals to finish out his long MLB Pitching career. Sal went 2-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 10 games for the Cardinals, before retiring in April of 1959. He was one of the few players to play for all 3 MLB teams in New York City during the Golden Years era of 1947-1957. Later, Sal became an MLB Pitching Coach for several MLB teams, including the 1969 AL Expansion Team, the Seattle Pilots, which former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton wrote about him in his famous baseball book, “Ball Four.”
1917-Former Yankees Pitcher Virgil “Fire” Trucks (1958) was born. (1917-2013)
On June 15,1958, veteran hurler 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 Reserve OF/1B Harry “Suitcase” Simpson. With the 1958 Yankees, Virgil would post a 2-1 record with an ERA and 1 save in 25 games being used out of their bullpen. He did not appear in the 1958 World Series for the team against the Braves. Virgil had pitched 17 seasons in the MLB, starting out with the 1941 Tigers, then pitching for the St. Louis Browns, White Sox and the A’s before coming to the 1958 Yankees. He was named to the AL All-Star team twice. In the 1945 World Series with the Tigers, Virgil had appeared in 2 games against the Cubs, winning Game 2 with a complete game 4-hitter victory. During the 1952 AL season, he had pitched 2 No-Hitters against the Senators and the Yankees. He would finish his MLB pitching career with a 177-135 record with a 3.39 ERA in 517 games In 1959, he returned to the Minor Leagues for a handful of games with the AAA Miami Marlins (IL) before retiring as an active player. In 1963, he was MLB Pitching Coach for the Pirates. He was the oldest living Ex-Yankee player at the time of his death on March 23, 2013.
1929-At Shibe Park in Philadelphia, despite losing the game to Athletics by the score of 5-2, that was played on a Friday afternoon, the Yankees would turn a triple play. It went P Johnson-C Grabowski-1B Gehrig- 3B Koenig. Meanwhile, A’s Veteran Starter Jack Quinn picks up a complete game win, while Yankees Starter Herb Pennock takes the lost.
1931-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., a walk to Yankees batter Lyn Lary is followed by a Lou Gehrig HR, a smash which clears the fence, but bounces back into the hands of Senators CF Harry Rice. The base runner Lary thinks the ball has been caught on the fly for the 3rd out returning to the dugout without crossing home plate, Lou Gehrig, running with his head down, is ruled out for passing a runner in front of him costing the Yankees a possible victory (they lost by 2 runs), the 1931 AL HR crown (he tied his Yankees teammate Babe Ruth with 46) and 2-RBI’s to add to his record setting 184 for the season.
1936-At Fenway Park, after surrendering 6 runs to the Red Sox in the 1st inning. The Yankees would rebound with 7 runs in the top of the 2nd inning in route of 12-9 victory. The Red Sox had chased Yankees Starter Johnny Broaca for the 6 runs. Then Yankees Relievers Bump Hadley and Johnny Murphy had shut down Boston line-up for the victory. While Hadley picks up the win, while Closer Murphy gets a save. Yankees Slugger Lou Gehrig and Boston’s 1B Jimmy Foxx, each hit 3-run HRs for their teams in the game.
1940-At Fenway Park, Yankees 3B Red Rolfe has 9 assists in a game against the Red Sox as the Yankees lose to Boston by the score of 8-1.
1953-Former Yankees Pitcher Don Brennan (1933) had passed away. (1903-1953)
In 1933, Don Brennan had pitched for the Yankees, while appearing 18 games, while posting a 5-1 record with a 4.98 ERA. On March 5,1934, he was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees. Later, he would pitch for the Giants. He had appeared in 2 games of the 1937 World Series with the Giants against his old team the Yankees with no record. Overall, in the MLB, Don would post a 21-12 record with a 4.19 ERA in 141 games.
1953-The Yankees would sell Reserve INF Loren Babe to the Philadelphia Athletics for $30,000 Cash. He had appeared in 17 games for the 1952-1953 Yankees, while hitting .205 with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs. With the 1953 A’s, he will play in 103 games, hitting .223 with No HRs and 26 RBIs. Babe’s freedom from the Yankees organization will be very short, as they will reacquire him in December of 1953 as part of the Vic Power trade. He was one of the many young talented players buried in their farm system during the 1950’s.
1955-The Yankees new Starter Bob Turley, who had been acquired from the Orioles during the winter of 1954, pitches a 1-hit shutout against the White Sox. “Bullet Bob” had struck out 10 Chicago batters to lead the Yankees to a 5-0 victory. He will finish the 1955 AL season by posting a 17-13 record along with a 3.06 ERA and 210 strikeouts in 36 games finishing 2nd to Indians Starter Herb Score, who had led AL Pitchers with 245 strikeouts.
1961-At Tiger Stadium, Roger Maris hits his 1st HR of the 1961 AL season off of veteran Tigers Starter Paul Foytack. His Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle adds HRs from both sides of the plate for the 8th time in his MLB playing career as the Yankees defeat the Tigers by the score of 13-10.
1969-The Baseball Records Committee decides to give Babe Ruth credit for 1 more HR during his MLB playing career for a total of 715. The committee rules that one of Ruth's HRs had been incorrectly ruled a triple. The committee will later reverse its decision, returning Babe Ruth to an MLB Career total of 714 HRs.
1970-Former Yankees Reserve INF Yats Wuestling (1930) had passed away. (1903-1970)
On May 30,1930, Reserve INF Yats Wuestling was traded by the Tigers along with Pitcher Owens Carroll and INF/OF Harry Rice to the Yankees for veteran Starter Waite Hoyt and INF Mark Koenig. He had appeared in 25 games for the 1930 Yankees, while hitting just .190 with No HRs and 3 RBIs. He would play in the Minor Leagues from 1931 to 1934 before retiring from the game.
1974-After a Friday Night Yankee victory, “The Friday Night Massacre” occurs when the Yankees make a huge player trade with the Indians. The club had obtained 1B Chris Chambliss along with Pitchers Richard Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw from the Indians for 4 Yankee hurlers: Fred Beene, Fritz Peterson, Steve Kline and Tom Buskey. Chris Chambliss and Richard “Dirt” Tidrow will help the Yankees win the AL pennants in 1976-1978. Chambliss would become the Yankees starting 1B replacing Mike Hegan, who will be later sold to the Brewers on May 13,1974. Cecil Upshaw would be a less than successful Reliever for the Yankees by going 1-5 with a 3.06 ERA with only 6 saves in 36 games. On December 5,1974, he would be traded away to the White Sox for Reserve INF Eddie Leon. Pitcher Richard Tidrow was a starter with the Tribe, who had posted records of 14-15 and 14-16, the Yankees would use him as a Starter, he would have a 11-9 record with a 3.87 ERA with 1 save in 33 games. Veteran Yankees Starter Fritz Peterson had become expendable, after his celebrated wife and family trade with his Yankees teammate Pitcher Mike Kekich. He had been dropped from the Yankees Starting Rotation, being reduce to relief work. After 9 seasons, he leaves the Yankees by posting a 109-106 career record with a 3.10 ERA and 1 save in 288 games. Bronx Starter Steve Kline had posted a 40-37 record with a 2.96 ERA in 97 games with the Yankees. Fred Beene had been obtained by the Yankees from the Orioles in a Minor League trade; he went 7-3 with a 1.99 ERA with 5 saves in 54 games for the team. Young Yankees Reliever Tom Buskey had appeared in 12 games for the club, while posting a 0-2 record with a 5.64 ERA and 2 saves.
1976-Former Yankees Pitcher Alex Ferguson (1918, 1921, 1925) had passed away. (1897-1976)
For the 1918 and 1921 Yankees ,hurler Alex Ferguson had posted a 3-1 record with a 5.91 ERA in 18 games. On February 24,1922, Alex was selected off waivers by the Red Sox from the Yankees. On May 5,1925, Alex was traded by the Red Sox along with OF Bobby Veach to the Yankees for Pitcher Ray Francis and $9,000 Cash. For the 1925 Yankees, Alex would post a 4-2 record with a 7.79 ERA in 21 games. Overall, as a Yankees Pitcher, he would post a 7-3 record with a 6.73 ERA and 2 saves in 39 games. On August 17,1925, Alex was purchased by the Senators from the Yankees. He would appear in 2 games of the 1925 World Series for the Senators, while having a 1-1 record. Later, he would pitch in the NL with the Phillies and Dodgers. Alex would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 61-85 record with a 4.93 ERA and 11 saves in 259 games.
1978-The 1978 Mayor’s Trophy game was played at Yankee Stadium. Yankees Fran Healy’s squeeze bunt drove home Yankees base runner Jim Spencer with the game winning run in the 13th inning. The final score of the game was 4-3, played before 9,792 fans- at least at the beginning. This year’s edition featured Yankees 3B Graig Nettles’ infamous attempt to throw the game (as alleged in Sparky Lyle’s book “The Bronx Zoo,” although Nettles would later deny it) Mets batter Ron Hodges opened the 11th inning with a bouncer to 3rd, which Nettles heaved 10 FT over the head of Chris Chambliss at 1st Base. However, the Mets could not bring Hodges in from 2B. It might not have gone that long if Brian Doyle (in 1st game at Yankee Stadium) hadn’t made 2 diving stops with the bases loaded that turned into inning-ending double plays- the last thing his teams’ mates wanted! The winning pitcher for the Yankees was Rookie Ken Clay; while Mardie Cornejo took the lost for the Mets.
1981-The Yankees had traded Minor League P Tom Filer and Cash to the Cubs for MLB Catcher Barry Foote. The team needed an experienced MLB Catcher since starting Catcher Rick Cerone was placed on the DL with a broken hand. Reserve Catchers Johnny Oates and Dennis Werth were not up to the task of playing on a regular basis. Foote had hit .233 in 630 MLB games with the Expos, Cubs and the Phillies. For the 1981-1982 Yankees, he would hit .191 with 6 HRs and 12 RBIs in 57 games for the 1981-1982 Yankees. Tom Filer was a Yankee Minor League Pitcher who had been drafted by the Oakland A’s in the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft, but he was returned by the team to the Yankees during their 1981 MLB Spring Training Camp. At the time of the trade, he was pitching for the Yankees AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL). The Cubs would assign him to their AAA team, the Iowa Cubs (AA).
1984-Former Yankees Pitcher Shawn Kelly (2013-2014) was born.
Shawn Kelley was selected by the Mariners in the 13th round of the 2007 MLB Amateur Player Draft. In 2009, Kelley made his MLB Pitching debut with the Mariners. With the Seattle, he had posted a 10-9 record with a 3.52 ERA in 120 games. On February 13, 2013, he was traded to the Yankees for Minor League OF Abraham Almonte. He had appeared in 57 games for the 2013 Yankees, going 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA. He had struck out 71 batters in 53 1/3 innings, a very positive sign for a Short Reliever. When the great Closer Mariano Rivera retired after the 2013 MLB season, it set off a chain of events that found Kelley as the Yankees' 8th-inning set-up man at the start of 2014 AL season, with David Robertson, who had been Rivera's understudy for a number of seasons, taking over as the team’s Closer. However, Robertson suffered a pulled groin muscle barely a week into the new season, Kelley suddenly found himself as a Closer for the 1st time of his MLB Pitching career. He would record his 1st MLB career save on April 7th, preserving a 4-2 win over the Orioles. Things did not go as smoothly in his next opportunity, though, as he gave up 4 straight singles to the Orioles in the 9th inning, turning a 4-3 Yankees lead into a 5-4 loss. He would finish the 2014 AL season with a 3-6 mark with a 4.53 ERA and 4 saves, while appearing in 59 games. On December 29, 2014, Kelly was traded by the Yankees to the Padres for Minor League P Johnny Barbato.
1992-Current Yankees Team Captain, OF/DH Aaron Judge (2017-2024) was born.
OF/DH Aaron Judge was selected by the Oakland A’s in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He did not sign with the A’s, opting instead to attend Fresno St. Univ. instead. The Yankees would select Aaron in the 1st round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would sign shortly before the deadline for a $1.8 million bonus. In 2014, Judge would play for Tampa (FSL) and Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), appearing in a total of 131 games, while hitting .308 with 17 HRs and 78 RBIs. He started out the 2015 season with AA Trenton Thunder (EL) and once again at the halfway point of the season, he earned a promotion, this time to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL). His numbers were not as glowing as in his1st season, but were still good: a BA of .255 in 124 games, with 26 doubles and 20 HRs, 63 runs and 72 RBIs. His numbers were brought down by a .224 BA at Scranton, where pitchers began to pitch him off-speed pitches at the corner of the strike zone, after challenging him unsuccessfully with mostly fastballs until then. In 2016, he began the season back at AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He hit much better, putting up a .270 BA in 93 games and displaying excellent power with 18 doubles and 19 HRs. It was his luck that the Yankees were now undertaking a youth movement by getting rid of some of their older players, and the day after former superstar Alex Rodriguez played his last game in Yankees pinstripes, he was called up to the Show, making his MLB player debut in RF and batting 8th against the Tampa Bay at New Yankee Stadium. Batting ahead of him was his Scranton teammate, Tyler Austin, who was playing 1B and he got his MLB ledger started by hitting a HR off of Rays P Matt Andriese to open the score in the 2nd; not to be outdone, Aaron followed with a HR of his own, a monster shot that went an estimated 476 FT to dead center, one of the longest ever hit at the Stadium. It was the 1st time 2 teammates had HR in their maiden MLB at-bat in the same game, never mind back-to-back. He then added another hit and run to finish 2 for 4 as the Yankees cruised to an 8-4 win. He hit another HR in his 2nd game the next day to become only the 2nd player in Yankees history to HR in his 1st 2 games, after OF Joe Lefebvre (1980). In 27 games, he hit only .179 with 42 strikeouts in 84 at-bats. He hit 2 more HRs, after his opening burst to finish with 4 HRs and 10 RBIs with a .179 BA. On September 13th, he was removed from a game against the Dodgers with a right oblique strain, ending his 2016 AL season. In 2017, he was the Opening Day RF for the Yankees. He drove in the team's 1st run of the season with a double off of Rays Starter Chris Archer in the 2nd inning on April 2nd. He was voted the 2017 AL Rookie of Year, he played in 155 games, while hitting .284 with 52 HRs and 114 RBIs. He was named to the 2017-2018 AL All-Star teams. His 2018 AL season was marred by mid-season injuries, Judge only had appeared in 112 games; while hitting .278 with 27 HRs and 67 RBIs. In 2019, Aaron was slowed down by injuries again, appearing in only 102 games for the team. He would hit .272 with 27 HR and 55 RBIs. In the 2019 AL Postseason, Judge had hit .264 with 1 HR and 2 RBIs. There were more injury worries in spring training in 2020, after he complained of nagging discomfort early on, before medical tests finally discovered that he had a stress fracture in 1 rib, an injury likely dating back to the previous season. He was prescribed rest, although if that did not work, the next option was to have the rib surgically removed. For him, the forced suspension of baseball's activities due to the Coronavirus Pandemic came at an opportune time, as it allowed him to take extended rest to take care of the problem. He was thus in the Yankees starting lineup when the 2020 60-game season finally started on July 23rd. He went on a tear shortly after that, homering in 5 straight games starting on July 29th, including a pair of long balls against the Red Sox on August 2nd; the 2nd of these was a 2-run shot off of Matt Barnes in the bottom of the 8th that broke a 7-7 tie and gave the Yankees a 9-7 win. Not coincidentally, the Yankees won all 5 of these games to get off to an excellent 7-1 start. After 17 games, he was hitting .290 with 9 HRs and 20 RBIs, when he was placed on the IL with a "very mild" calf strain on August 14th. When he would finish the 2020 AL season, Aaron had appeared in 28 games, while hitting .257 with 9 HRs and 22 RBIs. In the 2020 AL post season, he would hit only .127 with 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in 7 games. In 2021, Judge was back in All-Star form and was clearly his team's best player as the Yankees struggled with inconsistency and injuries in the 1st half. His production was one of the main reasons they were still in contention at the MLB trading deadline, when they had acquired Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo and Rangers OF Joey Gallo to add a couple of left-handed bats to a starting line-up that was overwhelmingly right-handed. For a few games after the trade, he formed a giant-sized outfield playing alongside Stanton in LF and Gallo in RF, while manning centerfield among a trio of players all 6' 5" or taller. He had a great game, albeit for naught, in the "Field of Dreams Game" played on August 12th in a temporary ballpark erected in a cornfield near Dyersville, IA. He had blasted 2 HRs into the corn stalks, the 1st a 3-run shot off of White Sox Starter Lance Lynn in the 3rd. Then the 2nd a 2-out 2-run blast against Closer Liam Hendriks in the 9th. That brought the Yankees within 1 run, and after a walk to Gallo, Stanton would hit a 2-run blast of his own to give the Yankees an improbable 8-7 lead over the White Sox, but the Yankees were unable to nail it down as Tim Anderson ended one of the most thrilling games in recent memory with a 2-run HR of his own against Bronx Reliever Zack Britton in the bottom of the 9th. He had another hot streak in September that cemented the Yankees' postseason slot - they finished just 1 game ahead of the Blue Jays. He would finish the season at .287 with 39 HRs and 98 RBIs in 148 games and an OPS+ of 149. He would win a AL Silver Slugger Award for the 2nd time and finished 4th in the AL MVP vote. However, what was otherwise a fantastic season ended on a sour note as the Yankees were eliminated by the Red Sox, in the ALWC game, as he went 1 for 4. For the 2022 AL season, Judge would hit an AL-record 62 HRs and batted .311/.425/.686 (177-for-570) with 133 R, 28 doubles, 131 RBIs, 111 BB and 16 SB in 157 games. On December 20, 2022, the Yankees announced that they have re-signed 4-time All-Star and 2022 AL MVP OF Aaron Judge to a 9-year MLB contract extending through the 2031 AL season. The next day, the Yankees announced that Aaron Judge has been named team captain, becoming the 16th player to receive the honor in franchise history, and just the 2nd since 1996.The honor was bestowed during today’s press conference at Yankee Stadium by Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner.
1994-The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Catcher Bob Melvin. He had been released by the Red Sox. Melvin had a .234 career BA in 10 MLB seasons. He would play in 9 games for the team, going 4 for 14. On July 22,1994, when Bob came off the DL, he was put on waivers by the team. He was claimed by the Angels, who then would trade him to the White Sox.
1996-Former Yankees Minor League P Trevor Lane was born.
Trevor Lane was the Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year in high school in 2012. He was 7-1 with a 2.01 ERA and hit .444 as a Senior, while fanning 72 in 48 1/3 IP. He would hit .279 and struck out 18 in 17 1/3 IP (3.63 ERA) as a college freshman at Campbell Univ. He then transferred to Lower Columbia Community College. As a Junior, he moved to Illinois-Chicago, posting a 6-3 record, 3.92 ERA and making 2nd-team All-Horizon League; he was 6th in the loop in wins. As a Senior, he went 8-5 with 5 saves, a 1.41 ERA and 90 K in 70 1/3 IP. He led the league in ERA, K/9 and opponent average (.169), winning Horizon League Relief Pitcher of the Year. The Yankees had selected him in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Player Draft, 2 picks before Taylor Widener. He would split the 2016 summer between the GCL Yankees East (1-0, 0.79 in 10 G) and short-season Class A Staten Island Yankees (0 R in 4 IP). In 2017, he would pitch for the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (4-2, 2 Sv, 0.79 ERA in 24 G) and the Class A Tampa Yankees (2-2,1 Sv, 3.15 ERA in 13 G). He would continue to work his way up in 2018, when he spend the season with the Class A Tampa Tarpons (1-3, 3 Sv, 3.97 in 29 G) and the AA Trenton Thunder (EL) (1-1, 3.98ERA in 11 G), while striking out 82 in 68 innings. In 2019, he had a 2.05 ERA between 3 stops: Tampa (1-0, 0 R in 2 IP), Trenton (5-2, 1Sv, 1.99 ERA, .99 WHIP in 41 IP) and the AA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2 R in 4 2/3 IP). The 2020 Minor League season was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. He would start the 2021 season with the AAA RailRiders (1-0, 4.05 ERA, 9 K in 6 2/3 IP). Then he was with Team USA for the Americas Olympic Qualifier. In his debut, he had relieved veteran Edwin Jackson with 1 out in the 6th against the Dominican national team, a 4-3 lead and 2 on. He would retired Juan Francisco, but he would serve up a 2-run HR shot to Diego Goris. Then he would get Charlie Valerio to end the inning. Despite a rough outing, he wound up with the win when the US got 4 runs in the bottom of the inning. Anthony Carter took over in the 7th. The US's victory put them into the Super Round. In 2021, he would finish the season at AAA Scranton finishing with a 4-0 record with a 1.00 ERA and 1 save in 17. Games. In 2022, he has returned to AAA Scranton. During the 2022 AL season, he was released by the team.
1996-Former Yankees Pitcher Milt Gaston (1924) had passed away. (1896-1996)
In 1924 for the Yankees, Milt Gaston had posted a 5-3 record with a 4.50 ERA and 1 save in 29 games. He had never pitched an inning in the Minor Leagues. On December 17,1924, Milt was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Bullet Joe Bush and Joe Giard to the St. Louis Browns for veteran Starter Urban Shocker. Milt will pitch in MLB with the Yankees, Browns, Senators, Red Sox and the White Sox before retiring, after the 1934 MLB season had ended. While an average MLB Pitcher, Milt Gaston had the tough luck of pitching for bad teams. He has the lowest career winning percentage (.372) of anybody with 220 or more MLB career decisions. Further, he had lost 67 games more than he won: this number is also an all-time record. His final MLB Pitching record was 97-164 with a 4.55 ERA in 355 games. Gaston would pass away in 1996, shortly after turning 100. At the time, he was 1 of just 10 ex-major leaguers to live to age 100 and the only centenarian with a decade or more of MLB playing experience. His older Brother Alex was an MLB Catcher with the Giants and Red Sox; they were Boston teammates in 1929.
1997-The Yankees had traded Top Minor League Prospect OF Ruben Rivera, Minor League P Rafael Medina and Cash to the Padres for Japanese Pitcher Hideki Irabu, Minor League Players: 2B Homer Bush, OF Gordon Anderson and a Player to be Named Later. On June 9th, the Padres would send OF Vernon Maxwell their #2 MLB Amateur Player Draft pick in 1996 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Rivera was the Yankees top OF Prospect, who had hit .286 in 46 games for the 1996 Yankees. He was playing for AAA Columbus (IL) getting more playing time rather than sitting on the Yankees bench in the Bronx. Rafael Medina was a Class AA Pitcher, who had posted a 5-8 record with a 3.06 ERA with the AA Norwich Navigators (EL) in 1996. The Yankees would send 2B Homer Bush to their AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL). Amerson would be assigned to one of the Yankees Class A teams for the 1997 season. Maxwell would be assigned to Class A, Oneonta Yankees (NYPL). Both Amerson and Maxwell would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB Level. After pitching in 4 Minor League games for the Yankees, Irabu was called up to the Bronx. Hideki Irabu would post a 5-4 record with a 7.09 ERA in 13 games for the 1997 Yankees.
1998-Former Yankees Team President and General Manager, MLB Executive Gabe Paul (1973-1977) had passed away. (1910-1998)
Former Indians General Manager Gabe Paul came to the Yankees in 1973 as part of a group of investors, who would buy the team from CBS Inc. Paul had been the MLB General Manager with the Reds and Indians before joining the Yankees in 1973. He was given the position of Team President and General Manager, when Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner had fired current Yankees President Michael Burke. Gabe Paul helped rebuild the team through a series of great trades that gave the Yankees championship teams with players like Lou Piniella, Chris Chambliss, Mickey Rivers, Ed Figueroa, Bucky Dent and others. He was against the hiring of Billy Martin as Yankees Manager in 1975, but the Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner over ruled him. George’s constant interference with team personnel decisions caused Gabe Paul leave the Yankees front office after their 1977 World Series victory over the Dodgers to go back to the Indians working their front office. Then the Yankees hired former Indians Baseball Executive Al Rosen to replace Gabe Paul as Team President and General Manager for the 1978 season. Gabe Paul will continue to work in the Indians front office as President and Team Minority Owner. Gabe Paul had started in baseball, while in his teens. The AA Rochester Red Wings (IL) were run by Warren Giles, Paul impressed Giles enough to be hired as a general handy man. He started writing publicity releases for the team, then he learned front office detail and concessions. When Giles left to become the GM of the Reds, Paul followed him to be the Reds' new Publicity Chief, replacing Gene Karst (who was the 1st "publicity man" in the MLB, with the 1931 Cardinals. Paul became Giles' 1st Assistant and remained with the Reds, when Giles left to become NL President in 1951. Gabe was the Vice President and General Manager of the Indians until 1960, when he left to become GM of the new NL Expansion team, the Houston Colt 45's. Paul didn't stay long enough to see Houston field a team, as he moved back to the Indians in 1961, serving as their GM until 1973. In 1963, he was part of a group that bought the Indians and added the job titles of President and Treasurer. In 1966, he would sell his team stock to Tribe Owner Vernon Stouffer. He was replaced as the GM in Cleveland by his longtime "second banana" Phil Seghi.
2005-At Yankee Stadium, 3B Alex Rodriguez slugs his way to the best performance of his MLB playing career, hitting 3 HRs in his 1st 3 at-bats off of Angels Starter Bartolo Colón. The Yankees win the game by a score of 12-4, as Rodriguez becomes only the 11th player in MLB history to collect 10 or more RBIs in a game. He is 1 RBI shy of the AL record of 11 set in 1936 by former Yankees Hall Of Fame INF Tony Lazzeri and 2 short of the MLB mark of 12 shared by Jim Bottomley (1924) and Mark Whiten (1993), both of them were playing for the Cardinals, when they made their MLB record.
2006-At Yankee Stadium, the Devil Rays would beat the Yankees by the score of 4-2 despite their pitchers setting a team record of walking 14 Yankee batters.
2009-The Red Sox completes a 3-game sweep with a 4-1 victory over the Yankees for Boston's 10th consecutive victory. Boston CF Jacoby Ellsbury pulls off a straight steal of home against Yankees veteran Starter Andy Pettitte in the 5th inning in the game's key play. Red Sox Starter Justin Masterson has now won both of his starts in place of the injured Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka.
2012-The injury-plagued Yankees lose 2 more players, but they continue to win. First, Catcher Francisco Cervelli breaks his right hand, when he was hit by a foul tip off of Blue Jay’s Rajai Davis's bat on the 5th pitch of the game, then Bronx Starter Ivan Nova has to leave after 2 innings with pain in his right elbow, Bronx hurler David Phelps steps in ably, giving up 1 run in 4 innings of work, while striking out 9 Toronto batters, as the Yankees defeat the Blue Jays by the score of 6-4. Cervelli's replacement, Chris Stewart, pitches in by throwing out a pair of Blue Jays’ base runners in steal attempts.
2012-Yankees Catcher Francisco Cervelli has a fracture in his right hand that will require surgery, he will miss a minimum of 6 weeks of the 2012 AL season. Cervelli was hurt in the 1st inning of Friday’s game against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium, when a foul ball off the bat of Blue Jays DH Rajai Davis hit him in his bare throwing hand. After a consultation with the trainers, he was removed from the game and taken for X-Rays that confirmed the fracture. Entering play Friday, Cervelli was hitting .269 with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs in 16 games. He had earned the bulk of the playing time in a timeshare with Reserve Catcher Chris Stewart. When Cervelli is officially placed on the DL, the Yankees will likely summon top catching prospect Austin Romine from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL) to replace him; Romine, who was hitting .341 entering Friday, was removed from the RailRiders’ AAA game against the Columbus Clippers on Friday night in the midst of the top of the 3rd inning, after the team had learned of Cervelli’s injury in New York.
2022-A U.S. District Court judge in New York, NY orders the unsealing of a letter from Commissioner Rob Manfred to the Yankees which reveals that the Bronx Bombers were fined $100,000 in 2017 for violating rules on the use of the dugout phone in the 2 previous seasons, using the video room to decode the opposite team's signs and relay their findings in real time to players on the field. Immediately after sending the letter, Manfred informed all teams that the use of electronics to steal signs was strictly prohibited and would be severely punished, an admonition that the Houston Astros blatantly ignored. The Yankees had tried to keep the embarrassing missive under wraps, after fantasy baseball players suing MLB for allowing sign-stealing to affect the outcome of games had demanded that its contents be released as relevant to the case. While the plaintiffs lost their case, the Yankees had appealed the original judge's order that the letter be disclosed, but lost their final appeal of that decision the previous week.
April 27th
1894-Former Yankees Reserve C/1B Bob Williams (1911-1914) was born. (1894-1962)
For the 1911-1914 Yankees, Reserve C/1B Bob Williams would hit .164 with No HRs and 11 RBIs in 46 games.
1903-The New York Highlanders would suffer the 1st shutout loss in their team history in a 6-0 loss to the Philadelphia A’s.
1916-Future Hall Of Fame Yankees A’s, Braves and Cardinals OF Enos “Country” Slaughter (1954-1955,1956-1959) was born. (1916-2002)
On April 11,1954, veteran OF Enos “Country” Slaughter was traded by the Cardinals to the Yankees for 3 Minor League players: OF Bill Virdon, Pitcher Mel Wright and INF Emil Tellinger. His 1st tour with the Yankees was unsuccessful, just hitting .248 with 1 HR and 9 RBIs. in 69 games. On May 11,1955, he was traded by the Yankees along with veteran P Johnny Sain to Kansas City for P Sonny Dixon and Cash. On August 25,1956, Enos was selected off waivers by the Yankees from Kansas City for $50,000 Cash. With his trade with the A’s, the Yankees had released veteran All-Star Shortstop Phil Rizzuto on Old Timer’s Day 1956. Enos would finish the 1956 AL season with a .289 BA with No HRs and 4 RBIs in 24 games for the team. He would hit .350 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs in 6 games of the 1956 World Series for the Yankees. Enos performed better for the team with his 2nd tour before fading during the 1959 AL season and being sold to the Braves to finish his long MLB playing career; which had started with the 1938 Cardinals. As a Yankees player, Enos had appeared in 350 games, while hitting .253 with 16 HRs and 98 RBIs. During his long MLB playing career, Slaughter had appeared in the World Series with the 1942, 1946 Cardinals and the 1956-1958 Yankees, while hitting .291 with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs in 27 games. In 1985, Enos was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
1923-Former Yankees Minor League OF Kite Thomas was born. (1923-1995)
Before the start of the 1947 AL season, Kite Thomas was signed as an Amateur Free Agent by Yankees MLB Scout Lee MacPhail. He broke into Organized Baseball at age 23 with the Joplin Miners (WA). That winter, he played guard (and refereed some) for Kansas City in the Professional Basketball League of America. He would play for the 1948 Quincy Gems (3-I League), where he led the league with 99 RBIs. Then Kite was with the 1949-1950 Beaumont Roughnecks (TL). He saw action with the 1949,1951 AAA Kansas City Blues (AA). 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 played for the team during the 1952-1953 AL seasons. On June 30,1953, Kite was selected off waivers by the Senators from the A’s. He also 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 OF Tom Wright. He returned to the Minor Leagues, playing for the Memphis Chickashaws (SA) that season, ending his active-playing career at age 31. His best season in the MLB was in 1952 with the Senators, when he had 29 hits, 24 runs, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HRs and 18 RBIs, while hitting .250 in 75 games. In 1950, his best season in the Minor Leagues was with Beaumont (TL), when 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.
1935-The Yankees turn a 1st inning triple play during a 9-8 victory over the A’s. Philadelphia had runners on 1B and 2B, when A’s Slugger Jimmy Foxx lined out to 2B Tony Lazzeri, who then fired to 1B Lou Gehrig, who then threw to Shortstop Frank Crosetti, who was covering 2B. Also, the Yankees turned a game ending double play in the 9th inning, when the A’s had the bases loaded.
1947-“Babe Ruth Day” is celebrated in every baseball park in the United States and Japan.
1947-“Babe Ruth Day” is held at Yankee Stadium drew a crowd of more than 58,000 fans to honor the ailing Yankees Hall of Fame baseball star, who is suffering from Throat Cancer. His Yankees Uniform No 3 is retired by the team. In the regular season game, Senators Starter Sid Hudson out-duels Yankees Starter Spud Chandler, winning the game by a score of 1-0.
1957-Former Yankees Minor League player OF/1B Willie Upshaw was born.
In 1975, 1B/OF Willie Upshaw was signed as an 5th Round Draft Pick in MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Yankees. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was lost in the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft in winter of 1977, when the new AL Eastern Division Expansion Team, the Toronto Blue Jays had selected him. In 1977, Willie had played with the Yankees Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL), then he was promoted to the AA West Haven Yankees (EL).
1965-Former Yankees Pitcher Bob Macdonald (1995) was born.
On February 15,1995, Pitcher Bob Macdonald was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would post a 1-1 record with a 4.86 ERA in 33 games, while working out of the bullpen for the 1995 Yankees. On October 16,1995, Bob was released by the team. He would join the Mets for the 1996 NL season
1977-The Yankees had obtained veteran MLB Starter Mike Torrez from Oakland for veteran Starter Dock Ellis, Reserve INF Marty Perez and Reserve OF Larry Murray. Doc Ellis had a salary dispute with the Yankees Front Office. For the 1976 Yankees, Ellis had posted a 17-8 record with a 3.19 ERA in 32 games. At the time of the trade was made, he had a 1-1 record with a 1.83 ERA for the team. Reserve INF Marty Perez had been obtained by the Yankees in a trade with the Giants, who received young reserve OF Terry Whitfield. He had appeared in 1 game for the team. Reserve OF Larry Murray had played in 20 games for the 1974-1976 Yankees. When the trade was made, he was hitting .310 for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Mike Torrez had started the season with the A’s, posting a 3-1 record with a 4.44 ERA in 4 games. Mike would go 14-12 with a 3.95 ERA with 15 complete games and 2 shutouts in 31 games for the 1977 Yankees. He would win 2 games in the 1977 World Series for the Yankees against the Dodgers before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency. He would be signed by their Eastern Division rivals Red Sox. Mike would give up Bucky Dent’s winning HR in the 1978 AL Play-Off Game played at Fenway Park
1982-Former Yankees Catcher Truck Hannah (1918-1920) had passed away. (1889-1982)
Catcher Truck Hannah was a pro baseball player for an amazing 30 seasons, playing in 2,267 games. In the MLB, he had caught for the 1918-1920 Yankees, getting over 200 at-bats each season. Hannah had appeared in a total of 244 games for the 1918-1922 Yankees, while hitting .235 with 5 HRs and 66 RBIs. On January 28,1921, the Yankees sent Catcher Truck Hannah, OF Ham Hyatt, Pitchers Bob McGraw and Ernie Shore to AA Vernon (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made in September,1920; the Yankees sent Players to be Named Later and OF Howie Camp to AA Vernon (PCL) for Shortstop Johnny Mitchell. Later, Truck would become a Minor League Manager, spending most of his time working in the Pacific Coast League. He is a member of the PCL Hall of Fame.
2010-With a 3-16 team record coming into the game, the Orioles win at home for the 1st time this 2010 AL season beating the Yankees by the score of 5-4. It's hard slogging, though as the Yankees score 2 unearned runs in the 9th inning as Orioles Reliever Alfredo Simon records the 1st save of his MLB Pitching career in his 1st appearance since reconstructive elbow surgery last May. Alberto Castillo is the winner in relief. The Orioles now have a 2-game winning streak, but their team record is still 4 games worse than any other team in the MLB.
2012-Former Yankees All Star 1B Bill “Moose” Skowron (1954-1962) had passed away. (1930-2012)
In 1951, the Yankees had signed William “Moose” Skowron as an MLB Amateur Free agent. He had been a College Baseball and Football star at Purdue Univ. He spent the majority of his 1st pro season with the Class B Norfolk Tars (PL); Bill had led the Piedmont League with a .334 average. He had an even better season in 1952, hitting .341 for the AAA Kansas City Blues(AA) leading the American Association with 31 HRs and 134 RBIs. ‘Moose” was named the 1952 Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News. Nonetheless, Bill was back playing in the Minor Leagues, with the 1953 AAA Blues again. In 1953 off-season, the Yankees were faced with a decision of which young Minor League 1B prospect to keep, Vic Power or Bill Skowron. Power was a young flashy Black player, who had won the 1953 American Association Batting Title. Yankees GM George Weiss didn’t want him to be the 1st MLB Black Yankees player; OF/C Elston Howard was going to be selected by GM Weiss for that honor. So, he would trade Vic Power to the Philadelphia A’s. Bill would make the 1954 Yankees MLB squad. Bill would hit .296 during his 12 seasons playing with the Bronx Bombers, while hitting 156 HRs with 672 RBI's. In 1958, he would lead the AL 1B in fielding. He was named to the AL All-Star teams in 1957-1961. He had appeared in 7 World Series with the Yankees (1955-1958,1960-1962) and 1 with the 1963 Dodgers. He would hit .293 with 8 HRs and 29 RBIs in 39 World Series games. During the winter of 1962, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the Dodgers for veteran Starter Stan Williams. He would hit just .203 in 89 games for the 1963 Dodgers, but he made up for it to some extent by hitting .385 with a HR in the 1963 World Series as the Dodgers sweep over the Yankees in 4 games. Later, he would return to the AL playing for the Senators, White Sox and the Angels before retiring as an active player after the 1967 AL season had ended. Overall, Bill Skowron had an MLB playing career BA of .282 with 211 HRs and 888 RBIs. After his MLB playing career ended in 1967, Bill would work with the Chicago White Sox Community Relations Dept. He was a very popular player with the Yankees fans on Old Timer’s Day games, showing off with his 1950’s style crewcut along with his former Yankees teammate OF Hank Bauer.
2021-Veteran MLB Reliever Wandy Peralta was traded by the Giants along with a Player to be Named Later to the Yankees for OF Mike Tauchman. On June 1, 2021, the Giants would send Minor League 1B Connor Cannon to the Yankees to complete the trade. For the 2021 Yankees, Wandy Peralta will post a 3-3 record with a 2.95 ERA and 3 saves in 46 games. With the 2021 Giants, he had posted a 2-1 record with a 5.40 ERA and 2 saves in 10 games. In 2022, he would post a 3-4 record with a 2.72 ERA and 4 saves in 56 games. In 2023, Wany would post a 4-2 record with a 2.83 ERA and 4 saves in 63 games. In the 2023 off-season, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency. His final Yankees pitching record was a 10-9 mark with a 2.82 ERA and 11 saves in 165 games. He would be signed by the Padres.