Post by fwclipper51 on May 4, 2024 17:08:36 GMT -5
This Week in Yankees History May 5th-May 11th
May 5th
1903-The Yankees turn their 1st triple play in their club’s history during an 11-3 win against the Philadelphia A’s.
1914-The Yankees would turn a triple play during a 6-0 loss to the Washington Senators.
1922-The White Construction Company begins their building of Yankee Stadium located at 161st Street and River Avenue in the Bronx; the 11-month building project would be finished allowing the Yankees to open the 1923 AL Season on April 23,1923, ending the Yankees stay playing at the Polo Grounds (1913-1922).
1925-Veteran Shortstop Everett “Deacon” Scott was benched by Yankees Manager Miller Huggins, ending his MLB playing streak of 1,307 consecutive games played that had started in 1918, while he was playing for the Red Sox. Scott, who would give way to Pee Wee Wanninger as the Yankees starting Shortstop. Scott had the longest MLB playing streak before Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig started his 2,130 game MLB streak. Scott’s consecutive streak is still in 3rd place in MLB history behind Cal Ripken and Lou Gehrig’s streaks. On June 17,1925, Everett Scott would be claimed on waivers by the Senators from the Yankees. For the 1925 Bombers, he was hitting only .217 with No HRs and 4 RBIs in 22 games. His final Yankees player career totals was a .254 BA with 13 HRs and 174 RBIs in 481 games. He had appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, hitting .230 with No HRs and 4 RBIs in 39 games.
1925-The Yankees had obtained OF Bobby Veach and Pitcher Alex Ferguson from the Red Sox for hurler Ray Francis and $8,000 Cash. Ray Francis had appeared in 4 games for the 1925 Yankees with no record. Reserve OF Bobby Veach had hit .353 with No HRs and 16 RBIs in 56 games for the Bombers. He was the only Yankee player to ever pinch-hit for Slugger Babe Ruth. For the 1925 Yankees, hurler Alex Ferguson would post a 4-2 record with a 7.79 ERA and 1 save in 21 games. On August 17,1925, Veach and Ferguson would be selected off waivers by the Senators from the Yankees. Ferguson would help the Nats would win the 1925 AL Pennant. He would appear in the 1925 World Series for the Nats against the Pirates.
1925-Former Yankees Reserve OF Robert "Bob" Cerv (1951-1956,1960-1962) was born. (1925-2017)
In 1950, the Yankees had signed OF Bob Cerv as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had played for the team from 1951-1956 before being sold to the Kansas City A’s, after the end of the 1956 World Series. He had hit a pinch-hit HR in the 5th game of the 1955 World Series against the Dodgers. He had his best MLB season was in 1958, while playing with the A’s, hitting .305 with 38 HRs and 104 RBIs, despite playing with a broken jaw. He was named to the 1958 AL All-Star team. Bob has finished 4th in the 1958 AL MVP ballot voting, which was won by his former Yankees teammate OF Jackie Jensen, who is now with the Red Sox. He would return to the Bronx on May 19,1960 in a trade that saw former Yankees starting 3B Andy Carey being sent to the A’s. He would hit .250 with 8 HRs and 28 RBIs in 87 games for the 1960 Yankees. In the 1960 World Series, Bob would hit .357 against the Pirates until an ankle injury forced him out of Game #7. The Yankees would lose him in the 1960 AL Expansion Teams Player Draft to the Angels. He would only appear in 18 games with his new team, hitting just .158 with 2 HRs and 6 Runs. On May 8,1961, Bob would return to the Yankees along with veteran MLB Reliever Tex Clevenger for 2 Yankee Pitchers Ryne Duren, Johnny James and Rookie OF/1B Lee Thomas. He would hit .271 with 6 HRs and 20 RBIs in 57 games for the 1961 Yankees. Bob did not appear in the 1961 World Series for the team against the Reds. He had appeared in 3 World Series (1955-1956,1960) with the Yankees, while hitting .258 with 1 HR and 2 RBIs in 10 games. On June 26, 1962, Yankees would sell Bob to the new NL expansion team, the Houston Colt 45s, he was now 36 years old, playing in just 14 games, while hitting just.118. Due to leg injuries, he had only appeared 19 games for the Colt 45s., while hitting .226 before being release by the team. Bob was always a good outfielder and hitter for the Yankees, but he could never could break into a fulltime position in the Yankees outfield. Cerv was up with the Yankees for parts of each season from 1951 to 1956, but he never appeared in more than 56 games in a season. He had hit .341 in 1955 and .304 in 1956. Overall, while playing for the Yankees, Bob would hit .266 with 26 HRs and 118 RBIs in 379 games. At the end of his MLB playing career, Bob went to MLB Spring Training Camp with the 1963 Mets, but his recurring leg injuries forced him to retire from the game. Mets Manager Casey Stengel was hoping to use him as a regular outfielder for the team.
1926-Former Yankees Minor League player Bing Russell was born. (1926-2003)
Bing Russell was a Minor League player in the Yankees farm system, playing for the 1948-1949 Class D Carrolton (GA-AL). Bing later would become a Hollywood actor most known for his work in the NBC-TV western show "Bonanza". Russell would return to baseball in the 1970s as Team Owner of the Portland Mavericks (NWL). His son, Actor Kurt Russell had played with the Dodgers organization for part of his Minor League playing career, until serious shoulder injuries had ended his pro baseball career. Russell's Grandson, Matt Franco, went on to play in the majors.
1930-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Lefty Gomez beats White Sox hurler Red Faber by the score of 4-1. Gomez pitches a complete game victory, while allowing only 5 White Sox hits with 1-run allowed and 6 Chicago strikeouts. Yankees 2B Tony Lazerri hits a HR for the Bronx Bombers. White Sox Starter Red Faber takes the loss, dropping to a 1-3 record, while Gomez picks his 1st victory of the 1930 AL season.
1949-At Comiskey Park, the Yankees would beat the White Sox by the score of 7-5. The Bronx Bombers had chased White Sox Starter Billy Pierce for 6 runs in the 1st 4 innings of the game. Allie Reynolds starts for the Yankees, going 6 innings for the win; while Yankees Closer Joe Page comes in for the final 3 innings of the game. Bronx OF Tommy Henrich leads the Yankees hitting attack with a HR. Reynolds is now 2-1 for the 1949 AL season. Meanwhile, White Sox lefty Starter Billy Pierce is now 2-1.
1954-Orioles Starter Bob Turley gave up 2 hits to the Yankees line-up, but Bronx veteran hurler Eddie Lopat defeated him by the score of 4-2. Yankees 1B Joe Collins drove in 3 runs for the Yankees with a triple. It was Turley's 2nd 2-hit loss of the 1954 AL season; the Indians had defeated him on April 2nd.
1956-A Yankee Stadium crowd of 12,773 fans watched a Saturday afternoon game between the Yankees and the A’s. They see Slugger Mickey Mantle hit a HR blast off of A’s Starter Lou Kretlow, striking the facade at Yankee Stadium to beat KC by the score of 5-2. Yankees Starter Mickey McDermott picks up the win along with relief help from Don Larsen. Mantle’s Yankees teammates, Catcher Yogi Berra and RF Hank Bauer, also he hit solo HRs in the game. The 1956 Yankees are now 11-5 for the AL season.
1964-A Tuesday day game at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 12,867 fans watch the Bronx Bombers edge the Tigers by the score of 4-3. Yankee Starter Whitey Ford goes 8 innings, while giving up 4 hits and 3 runs; while striking out 6 Tiger batters. Bronx Relievers Bill Stafford and Steve Hamilton shut down the Tigers for the win. The Yankees had scored the winning run of the game off of veteran MLB Reliever Larry Sherry in the 9th inning. Veteran Tigers Starter Hank Aguirre, who goes 8 innings, gets a no decision. Meanwhile Bronx lefty Reliever Steve Hamilton picks up his 1st victory of the 1964 AL season.
1970-Former Yankees Reliever Juan Acevedo (2003) was born.
In January of 2003, the Yankees had signed veteran MLB Reliever Juan Acevedo, as an MLB Free Agent. He went 0-3 with a 7.11 ERA with 6 saves in 25 games for the 2003 Yankees bullpen before being released by the team on June 10, 2003. On June 17, 2003, Juan was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Blue Jays. He would appear in 14 games with a 1-2 pitching record with a 4.26 ERA before being released by Toronto in August of 2003.
1974-Former Yankees Pitcher Vito Tamulis (1934-1935) had passed away. (1911-1974)
Shortly before his 19th birthday, Yankees MLB Scout Gene McCann had signed Vito Tamulis. He started his way up in the Yankees Minor League chain with the Class D Chambersburg Young Yanks (BRL) going 6-2, right out of high school in 1930. In 1931, his 2nd year in pro ball, Vito would move up to the Class C Cumberland Colts (MAL), making the All-Star team with a 15-4 record with a league-leading 1.92 ERA. In 1932, in a 3-team split-season with the Albany Senators (EL), the Binghamton Triplets (NYPL) and the AA Newark Bears (IL), Vito came up with a combined 20-7 record with a 2.41 ERA. After another 3-team season with Binghamton, Albany and Newark in 1933, Vito had posted a 10-8 record with a 5.08 ERA. He would spend the 1934 season with the AA Newark Bears (IL). He would post a 13-7 record with a 2.74 ERA, earning his 1st chance at MLB hitters, when the Yankees would bring him up for a late season MLB Pitching debut on September 25,1934. Vito would pitch a 7-hit shutout against the A’s at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Tamulis would spend the 1935 AL season with the Yankees, while posting a 10-5 record with a 4.09 ERA that included 3 shutouts. Also, he had hit .246 as a Yankee pitcher. He had tied Ted Lyons, Wes Ferrell, Willis Hudlin and Whitey Wilshere for 4th in the AL in shutouts. During the following winter, Vito was stricken with pleurisy. He would miss half of the 1936 AL season. Not fully recovered, he would spend the balance of the 1936 season with the AA Newark Bears (IL). Vito still managed to post a 7-5 record in 96 innings. He would remain with the AA Bears in 1937, having a 18-6 record with a 3.98 ERA in 190 innings. The 1937 Newark Bears are considered one of the greatest Minor League teams ever. Overall, Vito Tamulis had posted an 11-5 record with a 3.87 ERA and 1 save in 31 games for the Yankees. On December 4,1937, he was traded by the Yankees to the Browns for 1B Harry Davis, who never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was sent down to AA Kansas City Blues (AA).
1974-The Yankees had purchased Reserve INF Fernando Gonzalez from the Royals. He was a former Pirates Infielder, who had played for current Yankees Manager Bill Virdon, while he was managing the Bucs. For the 1974 Yankees, he would hit .215 with 1 HR and 7 RBIs in 51 games. On March 25,1975, the team would release him to Poza Rica, a team in the Mexican League. In July of 1975, he would return to play in the MLB with the Pirates.
1982-The Yankees had traded MLB 1B Dave Revering, along with 2 Minor League Players: OF Tom Dodd and 3B Jeff Reynolds to the Blue Jays for veteran MLB 1B/DH John Mayberry. He would appear in 69 games for the team, while hitting .209 with 8 HRs and 27 RBIs. After winning the Yankees starting 1B job in 1982 Yankees MLB spring training camp, Dave Revering has a major disappointment with the bat for the Yankees, hitting just .150 with No HRs and 2 RBIs in 14 games.
1988-At Royals Stadium in Kansas City, 36,255 fans watch as the Yankees down by the Royals by the score of 5-3. The Bronx Bombers had chased Royals Starter Mark Gubicza for 5 runs, while Yankees Starter Richard Dotson picks-up his 4th victory of the 1988 AL season. Yankee batters Don Mattlingly and Rickey Henderson lead the Bombers hitting attack. Yankees Closer Cecilio Guante gains his 3rd save of the season with 2 innings of scoreless work. The Yankees team record for the 1988 AL season is now at the 20-8 mark.
1991-Former Yankees Reliever James Pazos (2015-2016) was born.
On June 5, 2012, Pitcher James Pazos was selected by the Yankees in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Player Draft. During the 2015 AL season, he was called up to the Bronx, appearing in 11 games as a Reliever with no record. He had started the 2016 season with AAA Scranton (IL.) Overall, with the Yankees, James had posted a 1-1 record with a 5.40 ERA in 18 games. On November 18, 2016, he was traded by the Yankees to the Mariners for Minor League P Zack Littell.
2010-Veteran Yankees Starter Andy Pettitte earns his 4th victory of the 2010 AL season against no losses by beating the Orioles by the score of 7-5, but the veteran Yankees starter has to be removed from the game after throwing only 77 pitches and undergoes an MRI on his left elbow. The MRI test reveals no structural damage, but Pettitte will have to rest until the inflammation goes away. He will retire after this season, but then he will come back to pitch for the Yankees.
May 6th
1890-Former Yankees INF Luke “Danny” Boone (1913-1916) was born. (1890-1982)
Danny Boone would hit .236 in 88 games with the Yankees before finishing his MLB playing career with the Pirates in 1918. After his MLB playing days, he would continued to play in the Minor Leagues for 14 straight seasons in the American Association. He kept playing even as late as 1935, he was instrumental in reviving the Northern League by serving as League President in 1933-1934 and Team Owner, Manager and Player for the Crookston Pirates in 1933-1935. After he had sold the team, he would Manage the Wausau team. Boone and Marty Berghammer were the double play combination with the 1919-1925 AA St. Paul Saints (AA).
1907-Former Yankees Pitcher Ivy “Poison” Andrews (1931-1932,1937-1938) was born. (1907-1970)
On July 24,1929, P Ivy Andrews was purchased by the Yankees from Mobile (SA) for $20,000 Cash. On June 5,1932, Andrews was traded by the Yankees along with P Hank Johnson and $50,000 Cash to the Red Sox for P Danny MacFayden. On August 14,1937, Ivy was purchased by the Yankees from the Indians for $7,500 Cash. Ivy Andrews went 8-6 with a 3.12 ERA with 2 saves in 41 games for the Yankees during his 2 tours with the team. In 1947, he would manage in the A’s Minor League system for 1 season.
1911-The Yankees would turn a triple play during a 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox at Hilltop Park.
1914-The Yankees win a scheduled 7th inning game with the Senators by a score of 4-0. During the pre-flight era, MLB games were occasionally shortening to 7 innings by mutual agreement by both teams, so as to allow the visiting team to catch a train on, known as “getaway day.”
1915-At the Polo Grounds, as a Pitcher for the Red Sox, a young Babe Ruth had 3 hits, including his 1st MLB HR, when he connected off of Yankees hurler Jack Warhop. The Yankees would edge the Red Sox by the score of 4-3 in 13 innings.
1921-Former Yankees PH Richard Wakefield (1950) was born. (1921-1985)
On December 17,1949, Richard Wakefield was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for 1B Richard Kryhoski. Richard had appeared in only 3 games with the 1950 Yankees. Before the start of 1952 AL Season, he was released by the Yankees; later, he would be picked by the Giants.
1930-The Yankees had obtained Pitcher Charles “Red” Ruffing (1930-1942,1945-1946) from the Red Sox Reserve OF Cedric Durst and $50,000 Cash. Durst would hit .245 for the 1930 Red Sox, then he would retire from the MLB. Red would lead the Yankee pitchers in career wins with 231 wins, until the club record was passed by Whitey Ford in 1967, who finished with 236 wins as a Yankee. Also, he was a pretty good hitting pitcher for the Yankees, hitting .270 with 31 HRs and 213 RBIs. Red was named to the AL All-Star team 5 times during his Yankees Pitching career. Ruffing will win 273 games during a 22-season MLB Pitching career starting with the 1924-1930 Red Sox, then with the 1930-1946 Yankees and finishing up with the 1947 White Sox. In 1967, he will gain election to the Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1941-Tigers Slugger Hank Greenberg made the most of his last MLB game before entering the U.S. military for service, a memorable one as he hits 2 HRs along with 3 RBIs helping the Tigers to a 7-4 victory over the Yankees.
1951-At Briggs Stadium, the Yankees rout the Tigers by the score of 14-4. Reliever Tom Morgan picks up the win in relief of Yankees Starter Frank “Spec” Shea. At the plate, Tom Morgan hits a double. Veteran Bronx Bomber hitter Johnny Hopp hits a pinch-hit HR. Yankees, hitting attack is led by Rookie RF Mickey Mantle, who goes 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs.
1963-Former Minor League Player and Yankees MLB Scout (1995-2004) Scott Plies was born.
Scott Pleis had played 5 seasons in the Minor Leagues, then he became an MLB Scout. His father, Bill Pleis had (Scott is technically William Pleis IV) had pitched in the MLB. Scott Pleis was selected by the Blue Jays in the 4th round of the 1981 MLB Amateur Player Draft, as the 82nd overall selection. Pleis was drafted as a Catcher, but he was immediately was moved to 2B. He hit .310 for the 1981 Medicine Hat Blue Jays, while fielding .901 at his new position. He was close to the Pioneer League Top 10 in average. In 1982, his defense improved significantly (.967 at 2B) but his hitting imploded at .198 for the Florence Blue Jays. He also pitched 1 shutout inning. His main role was to back up Bernie Tatis at 2B. Pleis joined the Cardinals chain for his final 3 seasons as a player. In 1983, he was with the Erie Cardinals, hitting .321 in 60 games, then the Macon Redbirds hitting .232 in 55 games. He allowed 1 run in 5 1/3 innings between the 2 stops, while fanning 8 batters. He was .003 shy of 10th in the NYPL in batting average. With no set position, he split the 1984 season between Erie hitting .241 in 44 contests and the Springfield Cardinals, while hitting .239 BA in 27 games. On the mound, his pitching record was 1-1, with a 5.40 ERA. With Springfield in 1985, he ended his playing career by doubling in his only at-bat and pitching 5 games (5 R, 11 BB, 9 K in 8 1/3 IP). For his pro career, he had posted a .267 BA in 275 games with 97 runs and 89 RBIs. He was 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA in 13 pitching appearances. Then he went into MLB Scouting. From 1995-2004, he was an Area Scout for the Yankees, while signing P Tyler Clippard and OF John-Ford Griffin for the team. From 2005-2007, he was East Coast Crosschecker for the Cubs. Then he would join the Tigers organization as a National Crosschecker. In August 2010, he was promoted to the role as Detroit’s Scouting Director.
1964-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would edge the Tigers by the score of 4-3. Reliever Steve Hamilton picks the win in relief of Bronx veteran Starter White Ford, who had pitched 8 innings, allowing 8 Tiger hits, 3 runs with 6 strikeouts. Hamilton had relieved Bill Stafford as he got 1 out in the 8th inning with Hamilton finishing the inning and then pitching the scoreless 9th inning. Veteran Tigers Reliever Larry Sherry takes the loss by allowing 4 Yankee hits and 2 runs. Hank Aguirre had started the game for the Tigers, gets the no decision.
1978-At Yankee Stadium, veteran Bronx Starter Catfish Hunter picks up his 1st victory of the 1978 AL season by beating the Royals by score of 4-2. Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle picks up his 4th save of the 1978 AL season with 2 scoreless innings of work. Catfish is now 1-3 for the 1978 season. The Yankees would beat Royals Starter Larry Gura. The Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led by Lou Piniella, who hits a 2-run HR off of Gura.
1982-At Seattle's Kingdome, Mariners veteran Starter Gaylord Perry became the 15th MLB pitcher with 300 MLB career victories, when he defeated the Yankees by the score of 7-3. Perry became the 1st pitcher to notch his 300th MLB career victory, since Tribe hurler Early Wynn did it during the 1963 AL season.
1985-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Joe Glenn (1932-1933,1935-1938) had passed away. (1908-1985)
Joe Glenn was the Reserve catcher for All-Star Catcher Bill Dickey. He had appeared in 138 games for the Yankees, while hitting .252 with 1 HR and 56 RBIs. Joe didn’t make any World Series appearances with the team. On October 26,1938, Joe was traded by the Yankees along with OF Myril Hoag to the St. Louis Browns for P Oral Hildebrand and OF Buster Mills. After his MLB playing career was over, Joe was a Minor League Manager from 1946-1950.
1994-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Jimmy Key picks up his 5th win of the 1994 AL season with a 3-1 complete game victory against the Red Sox. He allows only 4 Red Sox hits and 1 run in the game. The Friday night game played at Yankee Stadium draws a crowd of 30,979 fans. The Yankees are now at a 17-10 record for the 1994 AL season.
2005-Former Yankees Pitcher Lee Stine (1938) had passed away. (1913-2005)
On December 19,1936, Lee Stine was purchased by the Yankees from the Reds. Stine had pitched 4 seasons in the MLB, while he was young, finishing up with the 1938 Yankees for whom he had pitched in 4 games at age 24. His ERA that season with the Yankees was 1.04. He did not pitch in the 1938 World Series for the Yankees. He would pitch in the high Minor Leagues until 1942.
2007-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Bomber LF Hideki Matsui doubles to left in an at-bat against Mariners Starter Jarrod Washburn. It his 2,000th hit between MLB and NPB and makes him the 46th member of the meikyukai. The Yankees would shut out the Mariners by the score of 5-0. The Sunday afternoon played game at Yankee Stadium drew a crowd of 52,553 fans.
2007-MLB Veteran All-Star Starter Roger Clements signs as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees.
2010-Former Yankees and MLB Pitcher Robin Roberts (1962) Robin Roberts dies at age 83 at his home in Temple Terrace, FL. (1926-2010)
In the fall of 1961, Yankees had purchased veteran NL All-Star Pitcher Robin Roberts from the Phillies for $100,000 Cash. He was released at the end of 1962 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, when Manager Ralph Houk and MLB Pitching Coach Johnny Sain thought that veteran Yankee Starter Bob Turley was still effective, which prove to be wrong. In April, Orioles would pick up Robin Roberts as an MLB Free Agent. He would have 3 good seasons with the Birds. He was especially effective against the Yankees. In 1948, he had begun his MLB Pitching career with the Phillies, for whom he had his best MLB seasons. He was named to 7 NL All-Star teams; he would post a 286-245 record in an MLB pitching career that stretched from 1948 to 1966. Roberts had appeared in the 1950 World Series against the Yankees, losing a 10 inning 2-1 pitcher’s duel with Allie Reynolds. He had led the NL in wins 4 times, won 20 or more games during 6 consecutive MLB seasons, but he also gave up an MLB Pitching record of 505 HRs. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. Clippers Note: I still believe that Robin Roberts would have won 300 games in his MLB Pitching career, if the Yankees had kept him.
2011-Former Yankees Pitcher Duane Pillette (1949-1950) had passed away. (1922-2011)
Before the start of the 1946 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Duane Pillette as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Duane was the son of former MLB Player Herman Pillette. He went 2-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 16 games for the Yankees. He did not appear in the 1949 World Series against the Dodgers. On June 15,1950, Duane was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jim Delsing, P Don Johnson, INF George ”Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000 Cash to the St. Louis Browns for 2 Pitchers: Tom Ferrick, Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas.
2018-The Yankees are on fire as they record their 15th win in their last 16 games, a 7-4 victory over the Indians; thanks to a 3-run walk-off HR by Rookie INF Gleyber Torres off of Tribe Pitcher Dan Otero. Yankees Rookie hurler Domingo German making his 1st MLB start in place of an injured Starter Jordan Montgomery, begins things by pitching 6 hitless innings for New York before being removed for having reached his pitch count limit.
May 7th
1896-Former Yankees Pitcher Jonathan “Tom” Zachary (1928-1930) was born. (1896-1969)
On September 30,1927, Tom Zachary was the Washington Senators pitcher, who gave up Babe Ruth’s 60th HR. Also, during the 1927 AL season, Tom would give up 2 other HRs to Babe Ruth. On August 23,1928, Tom was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. He would post a 3-3 record with a 3.94 ERA and 1 save in 7 games for the 1928 team. In 1929, he would have a 12-0 record with a 2.48 ERA and 2 saves in 26 games. In 1930, he went 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 3 games. Overall, Tom had posted a 16-4 record with a 3.21 ERA and 3 saves in 36 games for the Yankees. On May 12,1930, he was selected on waivers from the Yankees by the Braves. He had appeared in 2 World Series during his long MLB pitching career (1918-1936), 1 with the 1924 Senators and the other 1 was with the 1928 Yankees. The team would sell Tom to the Braves on May 12,1930, because they had just acquired a young righthanded starter named Red Ruffing from the Red Sox on May 6, 1930 for their starting rotation.
1903-The Highlanders lose to the Red Sox by the score of 6-2 in the 1st game played between the 2 teams. Bill Dineen was the winning pitcher for the Red Sox. While Snake Wilse took the lost for the Highlanders. Red Sox 2B Hobe Ferris had hit a HR in the game.
1906-Yankees Manager Clark Griffith is struck in the mouth by AL Umpire Tim Hurst, who is suspended by the American League for 5 days for his actions.
1913-Yankees Starter Ray Keating yields a 2nd inning single to Chas Deal, then he pitches no-hit ball the rest of the way in a 6-0 win over the Tigers. Keating managed to strike out Tiger Star Ty Cobb in his 1st two at bats, after which Cobb quit for the day.
1943-Former Yankees OF Steve Whitaker (1966-1968) was born.
Before the start of the 1962 AL season, the Yankees had signed OF Steve Whitaker as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would play in their Minor League system until August of 1966, when he was called-up to the Bronx. Steve was very talented player, who couldn’t control his temper. He would hit .246, .243 and .221 for the Yankees, while hitting 18 HRs with 68 RBIs in 181 games. In 1967, he was the Yankees regular RF, who led the AL Outfielders with 6 double plays. Steve was selected by the Royals from the Yankees in 1968 AL Expansion Team Player Draft. During the Royals 1st MLB Spring Training Camp, Steve was traded by the team to the other new AL Expansion Team, the Seattle Pilots for OF Lou Piniella. He would finish his short MLB 6-season playing career (1966-1970) with the Giants. He would end his MLB playing career by hitting .230 with 24 HRs and 85 RBIs in 266 games.
1944-Former Yankees Minor League OF Billy Murphy was born.
In 1962, the Yankees had signed OF Billy Murphy, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 29,1965, he was drafted by the Mets from the Yankees organization in the 1965 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. In his only MLB season in 1966, Billy had appeared in 84 games with the Mets, while hitting .230 with 3 HRs and 13 RBIs.
1957-At a night game played at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, Indians Starter Herb Score was hit on the right eye by a line drive off the bat of Yankees batter Gil McDougald in the 1st inning. The ball broke Score's nose and damaged his eye; he will miss the rest of the 1957 AL season. The Yankees win the game by a score of 2-1. The eye injury effectively ended Score’s MLB pitching career; he would continue to pitch until 1962. He would finish his MLB pitching career with the White Sox. Overall, Score had posted a 55-46 record with a 3.36 ERA in 150 games. He was never the same power strikeout pitcher (508 strikeouts in his 1st 2 MLB seasons). Also, the injury to Score had affected Yankees INF Gil McDougal, who was never as aggressive at the plate like he had been. After the 1960 World Series, he would retire from MLB refusing to go to the new Senators in the 1960 AL expansion team player draft and also turning down a $100,000 offer to become the Player-Manager of the other new AL Expansion Team, Los Angeles Angels. Later, he would become the Baseball Coach at Fordham Univ. during the 1960’s.
1959-The largest crowd in baseball history, 93,103 fans would jam the Los Angeles Coliseum to watch the World Champion Yankees play the Dodgers in an exhibition game held for the benefit of crippled former Dodgers All-Star Catcher Roy Campanella. The Yankees would defeat the Dodgers Starter Sandy Koufax by a score of 6-2.
1966-After only 4 victories in their 1st 20 games of the 1966 AL season, the Yankees Manager Johnny Keane was fired by the Bronx Front Office. He was replaced by the team's GM and former Skipper, Ralph Houk. The 1966 Yankees would post a 70-89 record; finishing last in AL. Johnny Keane was the wrong manager for the veteran Yankees team, replacing the popular Yogi Berra, who had 99 games and an AL pennant in 1964. Ralph Houk deserved to finish last place in 1966, since he was responsible for some of the poorest player personnel moves ever made in the team’s history, including the hiring of Johnny Keane to replace Manager Yogi Berra, who had won 99 games for AL Pennant and took the team to 7 games in the World Series against the Cardinals in 1964; while he was the Yankees General Manager (1964-1966).
1969-Former Yankees Reserve 2B Ray Mack (1947) had passed away. (1916-1969)
On December 6,1946, INF Ray Mack was traded by the Indians along with Reserve Catcher Sherman Lollar to the Yankees for OF Hal Peck, P Al Gettel and Minor League hurler Gene Bearden. Ray would appear on only 1 game with the 1947 Yankees. He was sent down to AAA Newark Bears, hitting .260 with 20 HRs and 70 RBIs in 137 games before being sent to the Cubs, hitting .217 with 2 HRs and 12 RBIs in 21 games. Lollar would share reserve catching duties with other young Yankee Catchers (Yogi Berra, Gus Niarhos and Ralph Houk) behind All-Star Catcher Aaron Robinson during the 1947 AL season before being traded by the team to the St. Louis Browns on December 13,1948 in the Fred Sanford deal.
1974-The Yankees had traded veteran C/1B Duke Simms to the Rangers for P Larry Gura and Cash. Duke Simms had been obtained by the Yankees from the Tigers during the last week of the 1973 AL season. He went 3 for 9 in 4 games for the team. In 1974, he was 2 for 15. At the time of the trade, Larry Gura had gone 3-7 with the Cubs before being traded to the Rangers. Texas had him pitching at AAA Spokane (PCL), where he had a 1-1 record. The Yankees would transfer him to their AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL).
1979-Former Yankees Pitcher Marty McHale (1913-1915) had passed away. (1886-1979)
On August 11,1913, Pitcher Marty McHale was purchased by the Yankees from AA Jersey City Skeeters (IL) for $6,000 Cash. He had pitched for the 1910-1911 Red Sox. He had appeared in 51 games in 3 seasons for the Yankees, while posting an 11-27 record with a 3.28 ERA and 1 save. Marty would split the 1916 AL season pitching for the Red Sox and the Indians before leaving the MLB with a 11-30 record with a 3.57 ERA and 1 save in 64 games.
1999-Yankees Starter Hideki Irabu opposes Mariners Starter Mac Suzuki in the 1st match up of Japanese starting pitchers in MLB history. The Yankees would win the game by a score of 10-1 with Irabu going 7 innings, while giving up only 4 Mariner hits and 1 run. Suzuki had lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up 5 Yankee hits, 7 runs, 5 walks and 3 strikeouts.
2000-The Yankees honor long-time Public Address Announcer Bob Sheppard with a “Yankee Stadium Day” as he received a plaque in Monument Park in the Center Field. He had started working for the Yankees in 1951.
2017-In a nationally televised Sunday night game, the Yankees would defeat the Cubs by the score of 5-4 in 18 innings in a game played at Wrigley Field. The longest MLB Interleague game in history features a record 48 strikeouts - 26 by Yankees pitchers and 22 by the Cubs. New York seems on its way to a victory with a 4-1 lead in the 9th inning, but Bronx Closer Aroldis Chapman allows 3 runs, the last on a bases-loaded hit by pitch of Cubs batter Anthony Rizzo. There is no more scoring until the top of the 18th, when Yankees CF Aaron Hicks, who has struck out 4 times in the game, leads off with a bunt single off of Cubs Reliever Pedro Strop and moves to 2nd on Catcher Willson Contreras' wild throw, which ends up in Right Field. After moving to 3rd, he scores on Starlin Castro's infield grounder, when Shortstop Addison Russell's throw home is wide of the mark. Yankees Reliever Chasen Shreve pitches 3 scoreless innings for the win, which he ends the game by striking out P Kyle Hendricks, who was used a pinch-hitter with Cubs baserunners on 1st and 2nd.
May 8th
1891-Former Yankees Pitcher Chester “Red” Hoff (1911-1913) was born. (1891-1998)
Chet Hoff is the longest-lived Ex-MLB Player ever. He was the last person alive to have played in the 1900’s. At the time of his death, he was 107 years, 4 months, 9 days old, outdistancing his nearest competitors, Karl Swanson, Bob Wright and John Daley by more than 5 years. He died a week after a fall in which he had broken a hip and not of the complications associated with his advanced age. In 1991, Hoff had gained some fame, when he turned 100. After his 100th birthday, Hoff delighted in signing postcard photos featuring him pitching in his Yankees uniform at age 100. It was reported that he used the $5 autograph fee for weekly trips to the shopping mall from his assisted living facility. On September 6,1911, Red Hoff would make his MLB Pitching debut with the Yankees against the Senators. He had once struck out Tigers future HOF Ty Cobb. He had several cups of coffee with the Yankees through the 1913 AL season, then he would spend the 1914 season in the Minor Leagues. In 1915, he would return to the MLB with the St. Louis Browns, Red had his finest MLB season, posting a 2-2 record with a 1.24 ERA in 11 games. After that 1914 AL season, he would never return to pitch in the MLB, but he remained a Yankees fan for the rest of his long life. Chester “Red” Hoff had posted a 0-2 record along with a 3.89 ERA in 12 games for the Yankees. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with an overall record of 2-4 with a 2.49 ERA in 23 games.
1903-After losing their 1st ever game against the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees behind Veteran MLB Starter Jack Chesbro win their 1st franchise victory by a score of 6-1. The former NL Pirates Starter Chesbro would throw a 6-hitter against Boston. Red Sox 2B Hobe Ferris had hit a HR, his 2nd for the season.
1911-At Hill Top Park in New York City, Red Sox Starter Smokey Joe Wood beats the Yankees by the score of 4-0 in 6 innings. He gives up just 1 Yankees hit, a single to Pitcher Ray Caldwell.
1915-At the Polo Grounds, a crowd of 10,000 fans watch the Yankees pound the Red Sox by the score of 10-3, scoring all of their runs in the 4th inning. Sixteen Yankee batters will come to the plate in the 4th. Yankees Starter Ray Fisher picks up the easy Bronx complete game victory, improving his 1915 season pitching record to 5-0.
1919-At Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Yankees Ace Bob Shawkey retires the 1st 14 Philadelphia batters that he faces in the game, then he allows a single for the A’s only hit of the game as the Yankees beat the Mackmen by score of 2-0. Shawkey’s 1-hit victory over Philadelphia, even outs his season record to a 2-2 mark. Bob Geary takes the complete game loss for the Mackmen, he is now 0-1 for the season.
1920-New York Yankees Business Manager Harry L. Sparrow passes away at the age of 45, after suffering a long illness. The Yankees will replace him with Boston Red Sox Baseball Executive Edward Barrow in the 1920 off-season.
1926-The Yankees would score 7 runs in the 2nd inning, but they still lose the game to the Tigers by the score of 14-10, knocking themselves out of the AL lead; as the Senators would move into 1st place in the AL.
1927-In Chicago, the Yankees draw a record crowd of 52,000 fans to Comiskey Park, but Bronx Starter Waite Hoyt spoils the party by winning 1 of his AL-leading 22 games of the 1927 AL season by a score of 9-0; the 2nd straight shutout of the White Sox by Yankee Starters. Bronx Catcher Pat Collins hits HR in the 7th inning, while 1B Lou Gehrig adds a pair of triples.
1937-Former Yankees Reserve OF Art Lopez (1965) was born.
In 1961, the Yankees had signed OF Art Lopez as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. When injuries struck the regular Yankee outfielders during the 1965 AL season, Art was not the answer for the Yankees OF problems, as he appeared in just 38 games, while hitting .143 with No HRs or RBIs. He had been a .280 hitter in the Yankees Minor League system, but he could never hit that well for the Yankees at the MLB level. He would spend the 1966-1967 seasons playing at AAA level in the Yankees and Tigers organizations. Later, he would play pro baseball in Japan, along with his former Yankees teammate 1B/OF Joe Pepitone. Art would spend the 1968-1972 seasons playing in Japan with Tokyo, Lotte and the Yakult pro teams, while appearing in 750 games, hitting .290 with 116 HRs with 401 RBIs.
1955-At Fenway Park, after 13 straight losses to the Yankees, the Red Sox win a dramatic 11-inning, 2-1 thriller. Billy Goodman's HR off of Yankees Starter Johnny Sain gives Red Sox Starter Hal “Skinny” Brown the 2-1 victory. Dick Gernert’s 2nd inning HR was the only other Boston score in the game. In Red Sox previous win over the Yankees on August 9,1952, all of the Boston scoring came on solo HRs.
1957-At Cleveland Stadium, a crowd of 15,629 fans watch the Tribe batters CF Roger Maris, LF Gene Woodling and 1B Vic Wertz hit 3 HRs to back Veteran Starter Early Wynn's 10-4 win over the Yankees. All-Star CF Mickey Mantle has a HR and 3 RBIs for the Bronx Bombers. Yankees Reliever Tommy Byrne takes the loss the loss, giving up 5 Indian runs.
1959-The Yankees had re-obtained Pitcher Mark Freedman from Kansas City A's for veteran MLB hurler Murray Dickson. Mark Freeman will only appear in 1 game for the 1959 Yankees before being traded to the Cubs during the Spring of 1960. In 1959, Murray Dickson will go 2-1 for the Athletics, before retiring from MLB.
1960-Former Yankees Reserve OF Howie Camp (1917) had passed away. (1893-1960)
On June 23,1917, OF Howie Camp was purchased along with INF Aaron Ward by the Yankees from Class C Charleston (SA). He would only play in 5 games for the Yankees, while hitting .286. In September of 1920, Howie Camp was traded by the Yankees along with Players to be Named Later to Class AA Vernon (PCL) for Shortstop Johnny Mitchell. On January 28,1921, the Yankees would send 2 Pitchers: Ernie Shore, Bob McGraw, Catcher Truck Hannah and OF Ham Hyatt to Class AA Vernon (PCL) to complete the trade. Camp would continue to play baseball in the Minor Leagues from 1919 to 1930, before retiring as an active player. From 1928-1929, he was a Minor League Manager.
1961-The new AL Expansion Team, the Los Angeles Angels had traded 2 veteran AL players: Reliever Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv to the Yankees for 2 Pitchers: Ryne Duren, Johnny James and Rookie OF/1B Lee Thomas. For Veteran OF Bob Cerv, it is his 3rd and final tour of duty in Yankees Pinstripes. Veteran AL Reliever Tex Clevenger will help out in the Yankees bullpen. He was expendable to the team, since they had other veteran MLB Relievers in their bullpen. He had posted a 2-1 record in 12 games for the Angels. Bob Cerv was once again was a Reserve Outfielder and power bat off the Yankees bench. He had appeared in 18 games for the Angels, while hitting just .158. Ryne Duren had lost his Yankees Closer job to lefty Veteran Reliever Luis Arroyo. Houk felt that the Angels could give more work than the Yankees would. The Angels would have him be a starter and he made 1961 All-Star team. Young Starter Johnny James had appeared with the 1959-1960 Yankees, posting a 5-1 record with a 3.97 ERA and 2 saves in 30 games before being sent back to AAA Richmond (IL). In 1962, James will injure his pitching arm in Angels MLB spring training camp. He would never pitch again in the MLB. James had posted a 0-2 record with a 5.30 ERA in 36 games for the 1961 Angels. Outfielder/1B Lee Thomas had spent 7 seasons playing in the Yankees farm system. In 1961, he was 1 for 2 with the Bombers before he was traded to the Angels. Thomas would have some success, while playing in MLB for several teams. After retiring as an active player, he would become a Baseball Executive. Later, he would become a General Manager for the Phillies.
1962-Former Yankees1B/OF Orestes Destrade (1987) was born.
In 1981, the Yankees had signed 1B/OF Orestes Destrade as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Orestes would appear in only 9 games for the 1987 Yankees, while hitting .263 with only 19 at bats. On March 30,1988, he was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for veteran Reliever Hipolito Pena. He would later play pro baseball in Japan. After his MLB playing career had ended, he would become a Sports Announcer for ESPN.
1964-At Cleveland, there are tornado warnings in the weather reports, but the Yankees bat’s supplies damage, when CF Mickey Mantle cracks a 3-run HR off of Tribe Starter Tommy John in the 4th inning to lead the Bombers to a 10-3 victory. A crowd of 20,877 fans had attended the game played at Cleveland Stadium. Yankees Starter Ralph Terry pitches a complete game victory, bring his season record to a 1-1 mark, while Tommy John is now at the 1-1 mark.
1971-Former Yankees Reserve C/DH Todd Greene (2001) was born.
On April 5, 2000, the Yankees had signed C/OF Todd Greene as an MLB Free Agent. In 1993, Todd had originally been signed by the Angels, who had released him in 2000. He would play for the 2000 Blue Jays as a Reserve Catcher. At the end of their 2001 MLB spring training camp, the team had released him. He would hit .208 with 1 HR and 11 RBIs in 35 games for the 2001 Yankees. He had appeared in 1 game of the 2000 World Series against the Diamondbacks, while going 1 for 2 at the plate. The club would release him in March during their 2002 MLB spring training camp. Todd would become a Reserve Catcher with the Rangers, Rockies and finishing up his MLB playing career with the 2006 Giants. In 2008, Greene was an MLB Scout for the Padres. In 2009, he was a Quality Assurance Coach for Tampa Bay. In 2010, he was an MLB Scout for the Mariners. In 2011, Todd was an MLB Scout for the Diamondbacks.
1991-Gambler Howard Spira is found guilty of trying to extort money from New York Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner. Spira had already received $40,000 in Cash payments from George Steinbrenner.
1991-Former Yankees and MLB Baseball Executive Cedric Tallis (1978-1983) had passed away. (1914-1991)
Cedric Tallis was the original General Manager of the new AL Expansion Team, the Kansas City Royals from their inception in 1968 until June 1974. Then he moved to the Yankees organization to be an Assistant General Manager to GM Gabe Paul for the 1976-1977 seasons. He would take over the General Manager position (1978-1979), when Gabe Paul returned to the Indians in the winter of 1977. Cedric would replace Al Rosen as GM, when he left the Yankees to work in the Astros Front Office. From 1980 to 1983, Tallis would be the Yankees Team President.
1994-At a Sunday afternoon game played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 28,680 fans would see 3 Yankees batters: OF Danny Tartabull, C Mike Stanley and OF Gerald Williams hit back-to-back-to-back HRs for the Bronx Bombers in the 6th inning off of Boston Pitchers during their 8-4 win over the Red Sox. Yankees OF Gerald Williams will hit another HR in the 7th inning. Yankees Starter Terry Mulholland picks his 4th win of the season along with relief help from Donny Pall and Sterling Hitchcock, who gets his 2nd save of the season. Red Sox Reliever Paul Quantrill would take the loss.
1999-The Mariners would defeat the Yankees by the score of 14-5 as Seattle’s 3B John Mabry gets 5 hits to led the Mariners’ hitting attack.
2009-In his 1st game of the 2009 AL season after missing 6 weeks because of hip surgery, Yankees Slugger Alex Rodriguez hits the 1st pitch that he sees from Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie for a 3-run HR in a 4-0 Yankees win that ends a 5-game Yankees losing streak. Yankees Starter CC Sabathia pitches a 4-hit shutout in his best pitching performance, since signing a huge MLB Free Agent contract with the club over the winter of 2008.
2010-Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira became only the 2nd player in Yankees history to smack 3 HRs in a single game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The last Yankees player to do it was Lou Gehrig, who accomplished the feat on June 23,1927. That was also the only other time a Yankee has hit 3 HRs in a game against the Red Sox in either New York's Yankee Stadium or Boston's Fenway Park. "Man, that's humbling right there," the unassuming Teixeira said after the Yankees crushed the rival Red Sox by the score of 14-3. "Any time you talk about the Yankees -- Gehrig, [Joe] DiMaggio, the list goes on and on -- it makes you realize you have a long way to go to be in their category. So, there's a lot of work for me left to do." Reserve Catcher Francisco Cervelli, starting the game because of an injury to starting Catcher Jorge Posada, also drives in 5 runs. Teixeira's last dinger is hit against OF Jonathan Van Every, making the 2nd pitching appearance of his MLB Pitching career. The game is interrupted for 1:15 by a rain delay in the 5th inning, forcing Yankees Starter CC Sabathia out of the game early and giving Bronx Reliever Alfredo Aceves the win.
2013-The injury-riddled Yankees struggle to put together a line-up, today batting P David Phelps 8th and playing OF Vernon Wells at 3B for an inning in his 1st MLB playing career appearance at the position, but they manage to keep on winning. Wells hits a 2-run HR in the 1st, then in the 9th inning, Manager Joe Girardi uses a pinch-hitter for 3B Chris Nelson in scoring the deciding run in a 3-2 win over the Rockies. Out of back-up infielders, he puts Wells at the hot corner for the bottom of the 9th. Wells successfully fields a ground ball as Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera records his 12th save of the season - and the 1st of his MLB pitching career at Coors Field in Denver.
May 9th
1903-The Boston Pilgrims (aka the Red Sox) top the visiting Highlanders by a score of 12-5 with a little help from AL Umpire Caruthers, who tosses out Highlanders Pitcher Jesse Tannehill and 2B Jimmy Williams for a ball call at home.
1930-The Yankees and the Tigers Outfielders make only 2 putouts for an AL record, which has never been equaled. Tiger's Starter George Uhle strikes out 8 Yankee batters in winning the game by the score of 5-4. This loss to Detroit drops the Yankees to 7th place in the AL. Bronx Starter Hank Johnson (7 innings) and Reliever George Pipgras (2 innings) are the Yankee hurlers in the game.
1940-The Press reports the impending sale of the Yankees by the Jacob Ruppert Estate to NYC Political Bigwigs Jim Farley and Jesse Jones. The Sporting News declares the sale will be made for $4 million. The imminent sale will resurface on the front page several times during the next year, but it never happens. The Yankees will be sold in January of 1945 by the Jacob Ruppert Estate to a group of buyers, consisting of Businessmen Del Webb, Dan Topping Sr. and former MLB Baseball Executive Larry MacPhail Sr.
1944-After missing much of the Yankees 1944 MLB Spring Training Camp and the early part of the 1944 AL season due to illness, Joe “Marsh” McCarthy returns as the Yankees Manager. The team with a majority of its regular players serving in the armed forces for World War II service, would finish in 3rd place in the AL with an 83-71 record.
1949-At Briggs Stadium in Detroit, the Tigers set back the 1st-place Yankees by the score of 4-1 behind the 5-hit pitching of Starter Ted Gray, who is now 2-0. Yankees Starter Vic Raschi allows just 5 Tigers hits, including a HR by Richard Wakefield in taking the loss. Yankees Starter Raschi’s pitching record for the 1949 season is now at 4-1 mark.
1953-At Fenway Park, a Saturday crowd of 26,065 fans see the 1st place Yankees beat the Red Sox by the score of 6-4. Yankees CF Mickey Mantle hits a HR off of Red Sox hurler Bill Werle. Mickey is robbed of another HR, when Red Sox CF Jimmy Piersall makes a sensational catch at the Boston bullpen in RF-CF. Veteran MLB Starter Ernie Blackwell pick-up his 1st win of the season for the Yankees, with relief help work from Tom Gorman and Bob Kuzava. Losing Boston Starter Mickey McDermott is now at 2-3.
1954-At a Sunday doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 23,909 fans watched as Philadelphia A’s Catcher Wilmer (Billy) Shantz, the brother of Pitcher Bobby Shantz, hits a Grand Slam HR, the 1st HR of his MLB playing career. It comes off former A's hurler Harry Byrd, who is now with the 1954 Yankees. Shantz will hit just 1 more HR in his MLB playing career. Billy's Grand Slam HR is all the offense the A’s get as the Yankees win the game by a score of 7-4. The Yankees will hit 3 HRs in the game; by 3B Andy Carey, C Yogi Berra and RF Enos Slaughter. Byrd will pick-up his 1st victory for the Yankees, along with Reliever Johnny Sain 2-scoreless innings, as he gets his 3rd save of the 1954 AL season. The nightcap ends in a 1-1 tie, after 9 innings were played.
1958-After 6 straight home rainouts, the Yankees play their 1st home night game of the 1958 AL season against the Senators. A crowd of 18,604 fans see Yankees CF Mickey Mantle breaks a 2-2 tie in the 3rd inning with an inside-the-park solo HR off of Nats Starter Pedro Ramos. The Bronx Bombers will roll on to a 9-5 win over the Senators. Bronx starter Bob Turley throws a complete victory, he is now 4-0 for the season. Plus, he hits a solo HR in the 8th inning off of Nats Reliever Bud Byerly.
1959-The Yankees would sell back veteran hurler Murry Dickson to Kansas City. For the 1958 Yankees, he had posted a 1-2 record with a 5.75 ERA in 6 games. He had appeared in 2 games of the 1958 World Series against the Braves with no record. Before retiring from the MLB, he will go 2-1 with a 4.94 ERA in 38 games for the 1959 A’s.
1964-At Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, Tribe Starter Pedro Ramos gives up 4 HRs to Yankees batters: Tony Kubek, Mickey Mantle, Joe Pepitone and Hector Lopez, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 6-2.
1966-At Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, the Yankees (6-20) would edge the Twins by the score of 3-2. Yankee Sluggers Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and Joe Pepitone with the game-winner in the 9th inning hit HRs for the Bronx Bombers.
1979-The Yankees had released veteran AL Golden Glove Winner Reserve OF Paul Blair, who then he would sign with the Reds. He had appeared in 172 games for the Yankees, often as a defensive replacement for Reggie Jackson, while hitting .223 with 2 HRs and 38 RBIs. Paul had played in 2 World Series (1977-1978) for the Yankees, while hitting .300 (4 for 12).
1981-Seattle’s Tom Paciorek hits his 2nd game winning, bottom-of-the-9th inning HR in as many games, a 3-run blow giving the Mariners, a 6-5 victory over the Yankees. The previous night, Paciorek had led off the 9th inning with a solo HR to give the Mariners, a 3-2 victory over the Yankees.
1984-Former Yankees 3B Chase Headley (2014-2017) was born.
Chase Headley was selected in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Padres. Headley was ranked #5 among Padres prospects in the Baseball America Prospect Handbook 2006, #6 in 2007 and #1 in 2008. He made his MLB Player debut with the Padres in June of 2007; but he only played 8 games in the MLB that 1st year, going 4 for 22. He played 91 games as a rookie in 2008, while hitting .269 with 9 HRs and 38 RBIs. He played mostly in LF in 2008 and 2009, before moving back to his natural position of 3B in 2010. His 1st 3 full seasons came with quite similar results, as he hit between .262 and .269 while hitting between 9 and 13 HRs. His average improved to .289 in 2011, but his power fell as he hit only 4 HRs. Headley had a breakout season in 2012. He was the NL Player of the Month for August when he hit .306, while leading the MLB with 31 RBIs and tying for 1st with 10 HRs. He also scored 20 runs during the month and slugged .611. He repeated as NL Player of the Month in September, when he hit .324, slugged, .647, hitting 9 HRs and collected 30 RBIs. He finished the season with a NL-leading 115 RBIs, to go along with 31 doubles and 31 HRs in 161 games. He also had an outstanding season with the glove, winning the NL Gold Glove Award at 3B that year. He finished 5th in the voting for the 2012 NL MVP Award voting. After his breakout season, Headley filed for salary arbitration heading into the 2013 NL season, but he was able to reach a deal with the Padres before the hearing. The 2 sides agreed on a salary of $8.575 million for 1 year, a raise of more than $5 million. On March 17th, however, he broke his thumb sliding into 2B in a spring training game and as a result was forced to miss the start of the season. The injury ushered in a fall back to earth for Headley, as his bat production fell to be more in line his previous seasons norms: he hit .250 with 35 doubles,13 HRs and 50 RBIs in 141 games. In 2014, Headley was bothered in the early season by a herniated disk in his back, which sapped his bat power. He improved after receiving an epidural injection in late June, but he was still only hitting .229 with 7 HRs and 32 RBIs in 77 games, when he was traded to the Yankees on July 22nd in return for INF Yangervis Solarte and Pitcher Rafael De Paula. With 3B Alex Rodriguez suspended for the 2014 AL season, they had struggled to find a replacement at 3B, after Rookie INF Solarte had cooled down following a strong season start. Kelly Johnson and another Rookie, Zelous Wheeler had shared the position in recent weeks, but without providing much production at the plate. Headley immediately headed to the Bronx after the trade was announced and made it in time to enter that night's game in the 9th inning; he proved to be the hero in the 14th inning, when he drove in base runner Brian Roberts with the winning run in a 4-2 win over the Rangers. He ended up doing quite well with the Yankees, as he hit .262 with 6 HRs and 17 RBIs in 58 games; in addition to playing well on defense. The Yankees were quite pleased with his player performance. On December 15th, they would re-sign him to a 4-year player contract worth $52 million, clearly indicating that he was considered the team's 3B of the future; with the player that he had replaced, A-Rod having to earn his keep on the team as a DH. Headley will spent 3 full seasons as a starter for the Yankees from 2015 to 2017. He was used almost exclusively a 3B in the 1st 2 seasons, then he was moved over to 1st base in mid-season in 2017; after the Yankees had acquired 3B Todd Frazier from the White Sox at the July 31st MLB Deadline Trade. He did not do as well then in his 1st half-season in the Bronx, with an OPS+ of 90 and 91 in 2015 and 2016, with 11 and 14 HRs, along with 62 and 51 RBIs. In 2017, as the Yankees experienced a resurgence thanks to an influx of young players, he improved his BA to .273 with 12 HRs and 61 RBIs. Chase would get his 1st taste of the MLB Postseason in 2015, when he was 0-for-2 with a walk when the Yankees were shut out by the Astros in the ALWCS. In 2017, he went 0 for 12 in the ALDS against the Indians, and then he hit .389 (7 for 18) as the Yankees lost to the Astros in the ALCS. He was the team's primary DH in both series, as Rookie Greg Bird had taken over the 1B job. After the season on December 12th, he was traded back to the Padres along with P Bryan Mitchell in return for OF Jabari Blash. The trade came 1 day after Yankees had acquired NL All-Star Superstar Slugger Giancarlo Stanton in a trade with the Marlins; it was meant to slash team payroll to compensate for Stanton's huge MLB player contract. Headley was expected to start at 3B for the young Padres in 2018; but he quickly lost his job when Rookie Christian Villanueva had a 3-HR game in his 1st start at the position, and then went on to win Rookie of the Month honors in the NL. With the Padres having signed 1B Eric Hosmer to a large contract in the offseason, there was little or no playing time left for Headley on the team; he did not do much to prove his value, when he did get to play, as he was hitting just .115 with 52 at-bats in 27 games on May 12th, the day the Padres had him Designated for Assignment.
1990-At Yankee Stadium, Oakland edges the Yankees by the score of 2-1 in 11 innings. A’s LF Rickey Henderson scores the 1st run of the game, by scoring from 2B on a 6-3 ground out. Rick Honeycutt is the A’s winning pitcher.
1990-Former Yankees Reserve INF Jace Peterson (2018) was born.
On January 2, 2018, Reserve INF Jace Peterson was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. On April 15, 2018, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. On April 16, 2018, he was resigned as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would only appear in 3 games with the team, while hitting .300. On April 24, 2018, Jace was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees.
1997-Against the Royals in the 6th inning, the Yankees catch Royals base runner Jay Bell in a rundown, when Bell is suddenly called out by Umpire Dale Ford, who thinks he passed the preceding Royals base runner Jose Offerman. However, Offerman had been forced out at 3B. Royals' Manager Bob Boone argues until the Umpires agree and put runners back at 2B and 3B and call for a resumption of play. Chili Davis then lines a 2-run single off of Yankees Starter Kenny Rogers to tie the score. The Royals win the game by a score of 7-5 in 12 innings with the victory going to Reliever Randy Veres. The Yankees protest that the rundown play should not have been reversed. Gene Budig of AL league office will dismiss the Yankees protest, stating that with the rundown there were several scenarios, where Jay Bell could have escaped a tag.
1999-The Yankees would defeat the Mariners by the score of 6-1. Veteran MLB Reliever Mike Stanton makes his 1st MLB Career start for the Yankees, ending his MLB Pitching record streak of 552 consecutive relief appearances prior to his 1st MLB start. The previous MLB record was 443 games, which was set by Giants Reliever Gary Lavelle.
2002-Yankees Closer Marino Rivera gets his 225th MLB save, setting a new Yankees franchise Pitching record for Saves.
2010-Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez tied HOF Frank Robinson for 7th place with 586 MLB Career HRs list. A-Rod’s 3rd HR of the 2010 AL season, a solo HR shot, just cleared the LF wall in the 4th inning of the Yankees game against the Red Sox on Sunday night. It cut Boston's lead over the Yankees to 6-2. The Yankees eventually lost the game by a score of 9-3, but still took the 3-game series by winning the 1st 2 games by scores of 10-3 and 14-3. Alex Rodriguez's HR was his 21st at Boston's Fenway Park, tying him with Jim Thome for the most by an active opponent. Yankees Hall of Fame Sluggers Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle top the overall MLB Players list with 38 HRs each.
2012-The Yankees find out what it's like not to have the greatest closer in history pitching for them anymore, as his replacement, new Closer David Robertson blows a 1-0, 9th-inning lead against the Rays. He loads the bases quickly, and then he gives up a game-tying sacrifice fly to B.J. Upton and a 3-run HR to Matt Joyce as Tampa Bay wins, the game by the score of 4-1. These are the 1st runs given up by Robertson this season; he had been successful in his 1st opportunity to close in place of the injured Mariano Rivera on May 8th.
2018-The Yankees have sole possession of 1st place in the AL East with a 9-6 win over the Red Sox, for their 17th win in their last 18 games. Boston has a 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the 8th, but Red Sox Relievers Matt Barnes and Craig Kimbrel get tagged for 4 Yankee runs, on a 2-run triple by Brett Gardner and a HR by Aaron Judge. Gardner, who was hitting just .198 coming into the game, adds a pair of doubles and scores 3 runs for the Bronx Bombers.
May 10th
1868-Future MLB Manager, HOF Baseball and Yankees Executive Edward Barrow (1920-1946) was born. (1868-1953)
Edward Barrow worked as a journalist and soap salesman before entering the business of baseball by selling concessions at games. From there, Barrow had purchased Minor League baseball teams, also serving as Team Manager and served as President of the Atlantic League. After managing the Tigers in 1903 and 1904, returning to the Minor Leagues, Barrow became disenchanted with baseball; he left the game to operate a hotel. He returned to baseball in 1910 as the President of the Eastern League. After a 7-year tenure, Barrow managed the Red Sox from 1918-1920. He was the Manager of 1918 World Champion Red Sox. He was the MLB Manager, who decided to make Babe Ruth, an everyday player because of his great hitting ability. In 1920, Ed will leave the Red Sox to become the Yankees General Manager, who will through a series of trades with the Red Sox build the Yankees into a World Championship team. In 1931, he had signed former Cubs Manager Joe McCarthy to manage the Yankees, replacing 1930 Yankees Manager Bob Shawkey. In 1932, he had hired Minor League Executive George Weiss to run the newly created Yankees Minor League system. He will be run the Yankees front office until January of 1945, when the Jacob Ruppert Estate sells the team to Co-Team Owners Del Webb, Dan Topping Sr. and Larry MacPhail, who will replace Barrow as the Yankees President. Edward Barrow would sell his 10% stake in the team to the group. Ed would remained as Chairman of the Board and an Informal Adviser. Though he had signed a 5-year contract to remain with the Yankees, he will exercise a clause in his contract to free himself as of December 31,1946 in order to officially retire from MLB. In 1953, he was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame as a Baseball Executive. On April 15,1954, the Yankees would dedicated a plaque to Barrow, which 1st hung on the CF Wall at Yankee Stadium, near the flagpole and the outfield monuments to Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Manager Miller Huggins. The plaques and monuments were later moved to the Stadium's Monument Park, when Yankee Stadium was being remodeled in 1973-1975.
1906-The Yankees had sold OF Ed Hahn to the White Sox. He had hit .309 in 43 games with the 1905 Yankees. Overall, Ed had appeared in 54 games for the team, while hitting No HRs and 12 RBIs in 54 games. The Yankees had just acquired veteran MLB OF Danny Hoffman from the Philadelphia A’s, making Hahn expendable.
1910-The Yankees would sell OF Clyde Engle to the Red Sox. He was the 1909 Yankees full-time LF, hitting 20 doubles with 3 HRs and 71 RBIs; while hitting .278 in 140 games. He had reported to the Yankees 1910 MLB Spring Training Camp out of shape, he would start the season slowly going 3 for 13 in 5 games.
1911-The Tigers would lose their 1st home game of the 1911 AL season by a score of 6-2, as the Yankees hands Tigers Starter George Mullin gets his 1st loss. The Tigers have a 21-2 record and will lead the AL until July 4th.
1913-The Yankees would commit 8 errors, but they still end up beating the Tigers by a score of 10-9 in 10 innings. Three of the 8 errors are made by Yankees Shortstop Claud Derrick, who will field just .872 for the season. Related? In 10 days, the Yankees will make a deal for Indians starting Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh to stabilize their shaky infield.
1926-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Bomber Sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth hit back-to-back HRs off of Tigers Starter Sam Gibson as the Yankees outscore the Bengals by the score of 13-9. Veteran Bronx Starter Herb Pennock is the winning pitcher for the Yankees.
1934-Lou Gehrig hits 2 HRs (including a Grand Slam HR) and a pair of doubles, tying the record with 4 long hits and drives in 7 runs, but he leaves the game after 5 innings with a severe cold. The Yankees top the White Sox by the score of 13-3. During the game, Yankees OF Ben Chapman (1930-1936) shouts racial remarks at a Jewish fan. His racist behavior will lead the Yankees to trade him in 1936 to the Senators. During the 1947 NL season, as Manager of the Phillies, he will lead the dugout bigots in protest of Dodgers Black Rookie INF Jackie Robinson.
1936-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees by beating the Athletics by the score of 7-2, the they would move into 1st place, where they will remain there the rest of the 1936 AL season. Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio makes his belated Yankee Stadium debut for the Bronx Bombers hitting his 1st MLB career HR off of A’s Pitcher George Turbeville. Lou Gehrig has 4 hits along with 2 RBIs with Yankees Pitcher Johnny Murphy in his 1st start of the 1936 AL season, picking up the victory.
1937-Yankees Starter Monte Pearson pitches a 1-hitter in stopping the White Sox by the score of 6-0. Joe DiMaggio hits his 1st 2 HRs of the 1937 AL season, while RF George Selkirk hits his 5th HR for the Bronx Bombers. Chicago's only hit is a 1-out 1st inning single by Larry Rosenthal, who was erased on a double play.
1941-Former MLB Player, Yankees Minor League Manager (1982) and Outfield Instructor Ken Barry was born.
Outfielder Ken Barry had played in the MLB from 1962 to 1975 with the White Sox, Angels, Brewers and the Indians. Ken was 2-time AL Golden Glove Award winner. He was a Yankee Minor League Manager with the 1982 Class A Oneonta Yankees (NYPL). He had finished in 1st place, but his team lost in the League play-offs. Also, he was a Minor League Outfield Instructor for the Yankees. Ken has worked for several MLB organizations; Brewers, Mets, Padres and the White Sox as a Minor League Manager and Batting Coach.
1942-The Yankees would sell Reserve OF Mike Chartak to the Senators. As a Reserve Outfielder for the 1940 and 1942 Yankees, Mike had appeared in only 16 games; while hitting only .100 with No HRs and 3 RBIs. He had joined the Yankees farm system in 1938, playing for their 2 AA teams, Newark Bears (IL) and the Kansas City Blues (AA).
1946-Before a Friday Ladies' Day crowd at Yankee Stadium of 64,183 fans, the 1st-place Red Sox win their 15th straight game, a 5-4 victory over the Yankees. Boston Reliever Earl Johnson gets the win with 4 innings of scoreless relief. A Joe DiMaggio Grand Slam HR accounts for the all of the Bombers' scoring.
1947-Former Yankees Pitcher and MLB Pitching Coach John Cumberland (1968-1970) was born. (1947-2022)
Before the start of 1966 NL season, John Cumberland was signed by the Phillies as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. On November 29,1966, he was drafted by the Yankees from the Phillies in the 1966 MLB Minor League Player Draft. He would pitch at the AAA level in the Yankees Minor League system, before being called-up by the team in September of 1968. With the 1968-1970, Yankees John would post a 3-4 record with a 4.11 ERA in 18 games. On July 20,1970, John was traded to the Giants for veteran MLB Starter Mike McCormick. Overall, he had a MLB Pitching career record of 15-16 with a 3.82 ERA; while pitching for the Yankees, Giants, Cardinals and the Angels. Later, he would become an MLB Pitching Coach, working for the Red Sox and Royals. Also, John has worked with several MLB organizations as Manager and Pitching Coach.
1952-At Yankee Stadium, Yankees veteran RF Hank Bauer goes 5 for 6 at the plate in an 18-3 romp over the Red Sox. He hits 2 HRs and a double, finishing the game with 6 RBIs. The Red Sox come away with a record-tying 10 assists in the 5th inning. They had chased Yankees Starter Tom Morgan for 4 hits and 3 Runs in the 1st 2 innings of the game. Then Yankee Relievers Jim “Hot Rod” McDonald and Bob “Sarge” Kuzava shut down Boston’s batting line-up with 7 innings of scoreless relief. McDonald pitches 5 innings of relief, picking up the win, as Kuzava gets credit for the save. Red Sox Starter Mickey McDermott takes the loss by allowing 7 Yankees runs on 7 hits; he is now 1-1 for the 1952 AL season.
1953-Veteran Yankees Starter Vic Raschi makes his 1st relief appearance in 2 seasons, limiting the Red Sox to 3 hits in 4 innings, as the Yankees win the game by the score of 7-4. Red Sox INF Billy Goodman sustains a freak rib accident, which will keep him out of action for 3-weeks, it occurred when CF Jim Piersall picks him up and lugs him from the field to break up Goody's argument with AL Umpire Jim Duffy. Del Wilber hits his 2nd consecutive pinch-hit HR in the 8th inning; his 1st HR came on May 6th.
1956-At Yankee Stadium, Indians Starter Bob Lemon gives the Tribe a 7-2 victory over the Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a solo HR in the 6th inning for the Bronx Bombers. For Mickey Mantle, it is his 20th HR of May, a new record. Also, the Yankees All-Starter Slugger adds a double and 2 singles, he is currently hitting .425 with 50 RBIs.
1958-Former Yankees Minor League Coach Dave Howard (1994-1997) was born.
Dave Howard has Coached and Managed in the Minor Leagues. Howard began his Baseball Coaching career at his alma mater, Georgia Southern College, where he worked as an Assistant to Head Coach Jack Stallings from 1981-1986. From 1987-1994, he was the 3B Coach and Hitting Coach for the Univ. of Florida, during which the team made the College World Series twice. Then Howard moved into pro baseball with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), coaching for them from 1994-1997. In 1998, he became the Manager of the Princeton Devil Rays, leading them to the finals of the Class A Appalachian League. In 1999-2000, Dave would coach baseball for the Tampa Prep School. Then he would return to manage in the Minor Leagues from 2001-2005 with the Hudson Valley Renegades. From 2006-2008, Howard was Major League Promotions Manager with Easton Sports.
In 2009, he was the Hitting Coach of the Lynchburg Hillcats, he was entrusted with 2008 Amateur Draft 1st-Rounder Pedro Alvarez. In 2010, he was the Hitting Coach for the Class A Bradenton Marauders, then in 2011, he was with the AA West Virginia Power and the State College Spikes in 2012.
1959-At Yankee Stadium, the Bombers would sweep doubleheader from the Senators, winning by scores of 6-3 and 3-2 in 10 innings. Mickey Mantle's HR in the 3rd inning of the Opener starts the Yankees scoring, as they beat Nats Starter Chuck Stobbs. Mantle singles and scores the winning run in the 10th inning of the nightcap. Yogi Berra has a HR in the 2nd game. Yogi sets a new MLB record for consecutive errorless games by a catcher with 148.
1965-At Fenway Park, the 9th-place Yankees lose again to Red Sox by a score of 3-2, when Carl Yastrzemski out-hits a hobbling Mickey Mantle. Yaz hits a pair of HRs and sacrifice fly, while Mantle is 3-for-4 with a HR. After Mantle doubles with 2 outs in the 9th inning off of Rookie Starter Jim Lonborg, who is lifted. Red Sox Closer Richard “The Monster” Radatz gets the final out of the game. It is Jim Lonborg's 1st MLB Pitching career win.
1965-The Yankees had traded Reserve INF/OF Pedro Gonzalez to the Indians for 1B Ray “Buddy” Barker. The trade was made to allow veteran 1B/OF Joe Pepitone move to the OF to replace the injured RF Roger Maris, meanwhile Barker would take over at 1B. He will appear in 176 games for the 1965-1967 Yankees, while hitting just .222 with 10 HRs and 44 RBIs. In 1967, he was Mickey Mantle’s back up at 1B. In 1963, INF Pedro Gonzalez had won the James P. Dawson Award. He had appeared in 101 games for the 1963-1965 Yankees, while hitting .266 with No HRs and 6 RBIs. His best season was in 1964, when he had appeared in 80 games, while hitting .277. Also, Pedro had appeared in 1 game of the 1964 World Series for the Yankees against the Cardinals with no hits.
1966-The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB Shortstop Richard “Ducky” Schofield from the Giants for $25,000 Cash. To make room for him on the Yankees MLB 25-man team roster, the team will send Rookie P Jack Cullen down to the AAA Toledo Mud Hens (IL). He would only hit .155 with No HRs and 2 RBIs in 25 games for the team. On September 10,1966, he was traded by the Yankees to the Dodgers for P Thad Tillotson and Cash. Ducky had previous played in the MLB for the Cardinals, Pirates before joining the Giants.
1973-The 1973 Mayor’s Trophy game is played at Shea Stadium. The Mets win the game by the score of 8-4 thanks to 5 runs in 2nd inning, sparked by Mets’ batter Felix Millan. Mets Veteran Starter George Stone held the Yankees batters scoreless for 7 innings, but he eventually gave up a Grand Slam HR to Yankees 3B Craig Nettles. Yankees Minor League Pitcher Mike Pazik takes the loss for the Bombers.
1996-Yankees Veteran MLB Starter David Cone undergoes surgery to remove an aneurysm in his right pitching arm.
2010-On the night they pay tribute to long-time Detroit Broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who had passed away last week, the Tigers would beat Yankees by the score of 5-4 with key contributions from 3 former Yankee players. Johnny Damon, who had signed as a MLB Free Agent in the off-season, hits a HR in his 1st game against his former team, while former Yankees Minor League OF Prospect Austin Jackson drives in a run and Reliever Phil Coke gets 2 key outs late in the game. Jackson and Coke were both obtained in an off-season trade for OF Curtis Granderson, who is currently on the Yankees DL.
2015-For his part, Yankees Starter Michael Pineda strikes out a MLB Pitching career-high of 16 Orioles batters in 7 innings in picking up a 6-2 victory. The 16 strikeouts are tied for 2nd-most in Yankees club pitching history, the team record being 18 was made by Ron Guidry, while the Orioles set team records for most strikeouts against 1 pitcher and most in a game, as they whiff 2 more times in the final 2 innings to end up with 18 for the game.
May 11th
1903-New York’s 1st Baseman John Ganzel hits the 1st Highlanders HR, as they defeat the Tigers by a score of 8-2. Also, his teammate, Shortstop William “Wild” Conroy hit a HR for the Highlanders in the game.
1919-At the Polo Grounds, Senators Starter Walter Johnson pitched a 12 scoreless innings in a duel with Yankees Veteran Starter Jack Quinn. Johnson had allowed only 2 Yankee hits as he had retired 28 Bronx batters in a row. Future NFL Chicago Bears Owner Rookie OF George Halas, batting leadoff for the Yankees, went 0-for-5, while striking out twice.
1928-Former Yankees Minor League Player and MLB Pitching Coach Mel Wright (1974-1975) was born. (1928-1983)
Before the start of the 1950 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Mel Wright as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had pitched in the Yankees Minor League system from 1950 to 1953, while compiling a 50-26 pitching record. On April 11,1954, Mel was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League Players INF Emil Tellinger and OF Bill Virdon to the St. Louis Cardinals for veteran OF Enos Slaughter. He would pitch for the 1954-1955 Cardinals and the 1960-1961 Cubs finishing his MLB pitching career with a 2-4 record with a 7.61 ERA in 58 games. He would return to the Yankees in 1974 as their new Yankees Manager Bill Virdon’s MLB Pitching Coach. Mel was Bill Virdon’s MLB Pitching Coach on several NL teams that he had managed.
1937-The Yankees had sold Veteran OF Roy Johnson to the Boston Bees (aka the Braves). On January 17,1936, Roy was traded by the Senators along with P Bump Hadley to the Yankees for P Jimmie DeShong and OF Jesse Hill. In 1936, Johnson had hit .265 with 1 HR and 19 RBIs in 63 games. For the 1937 AL season, after 51 at bats, he was hitting .294 with No HRs and 6 RBIs for the team. He became expendable with the arrival of Yankees Rookie OF Tommy Henrich, who the team had called up from their AA team, the Newark Bears (IL). He would take Johnson’s spot on the 25-man MLB team roster.
1946-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Tiny Bonham puts the brakes on the Boston’s 15-game winning streak with a 2-0 complete game shutout. He allows only 2 Boston hits, while striking 4 Red Sox batters. Boston hurler Tex Hughson takes the loss. Yankees OF Tommy Henrich leads the Yankees hitting attack with a double and a HR for the Yankees scoring.
1954-The Yankees had sold Reserve INF Jim Brideweser (1951-1953) to the Orioles. He had been placed on suspension by Yankees GM George Weiss for reusing to report to their AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA) for the 1954 season. In 1950, the Yankees had signed Jim Brideweser as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Jim had played college baseball at USC. He couldn’t break into the Yankee starting infield. Jim had appeared in only 57 games for the 1951-1953 Yankees, while hitting .327 with No HRs and 5 RBIs.
1955-The Yankees made several player moves to get down to the MLB 25-Man Roster limit. First, the Yankees had obtained Reliever Sonny Dixon from Kansas City A's for veteran OF Enos “Country” Slaughter and Pitcher Johnny Sain. Slaughter would return to the Yankees in August of 1956; his 1st stay was a major disappointment by hitting only .248 with 1 HR and 19 RBIs in 69 games. Johnny Sain was at the end of his fine MLB Pitching career that had started with the Braves in the late 1940’s. As a Yankee Pitcher, he had posted a 33-20 record with a 3.31 ERA and 41 saves in 130 games. Reliever Sonny Dixon would appear in 3 games for the 1956 Yankees, going 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA before leaving the MLB. He had previously pitched in the MLB for the Senators and the Athletics. Then team would option P Don Larsen to the AAA Denver Bears (AA), where he would go 9-1 before being recalled by the team in late July. Next, the Yankees would sell P Art Schallock to the Orioles for Cash. On July 12,1951, Art was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees for 2 Minor League Players: Pitcher Bob Landeck, Catcher Eddie Malone and Cash. Art would post a 3-2 record with 3.90 ERA and 1 save in 28 games for the 1951-1954 Yankees.
1958-Former Yankees Pitcher Walt Terrell (1989) was born.
On July 22,1989, Starter Walt Terrell was traded by the Padres along with a Player to be Named Later to the Yankees for INF Mike Pagliarulo and P Don Schulze. The Padres would send former Yankees Minor League P Freddie Toliver on September 27,1989 to the Bronx to complete the trade. He never makes an appearance with the Yankees. Walt had posted a 6-5 record with a 5.20 ERA in 13 games for the 1989 Yankees. On November 13,1989, Walt was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would be signed by the Pirates for the 1990 NL season.
1961-At Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium, a crowd of 15,986 fans watch their team lose to the visiting Yankees by the score of 9-4. Yankees new Veteran AL Reliever Tex Clevenger picks up the win in relief of Starter Ralph Terry. Kansas City Starter Bud Daley takes the loss for the A’s by allowing 8 Yankee hits and 7 runs. He is now 3-4 for the 1961 AL season. On June 14,1961, Bud will be traded by KC to the Yankees for Starter Art Ditmar and Rookie INF/OF Deron Johnson.
1979-The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB lefty hurler Jim Kaat from the Phillies. He would help out in the Yankees bullpen. He would post a 2-3 record with a 3.86 ERA and 2 saves in 40 games for the team before being sold to the Cardinals in 1980.
1981-Former Yankees Reserve OF Sammy “Babe Ruth’s legs” Byrd (1929-1934) had passed away. (1906-1981)
Outfielder Sammy Byrd was often used as Babe Ruth’s late inning defensive Outfield replacement, earning him the nickname of “Babe Ruth’s legs.” He had appeared in 565 games for the Bombers, while hitting .281 with 27 HRs and 155 RBIs. Sam had played in 1 game of the 1932 World Series for the Yankees against the Cubs with no hits. On December 19,1934, he was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees. He would play for the Reds for 2 seasons, before he retiring from the MLB. Overall, as an MLB Player Sammy ended his playing career with a .274 BA with 38 HRs and 220 RBIs in 745 games. He later would become a Pro Golfer, who won 23 PGA Pro events during his PGA Golfing career (1942-1946).
1990-MLB All-Star OF Dave Winfield rejected a trade that would have sent him from the Yankees to the California Angels in exchange for Veteran MLB Starter Mike Witt. A no-trade clause in Winfield's MLB player contract gave him the right to turn down the deal. Five days later, Winfield will reach an agreement with the Yankees Front Office and give his permission to let the trade to take place. On May 16,1990, the trade would be finalized by the 2 teams.
2006-Yankees LF Hideki Matsui broke his left wrist and his consecutive-games streak ended in the Red Sox 5-3 victory at Yankee Stadium. Going back to his days in Nippon Pro Baseball, when he had appeared in 1,768 consecutive games. Matsui had played in 518 consecutive games (a record for the start of an MLB career) since joining the Yankees in 2003, after playing in 1,250 straight for the Yomiuri Giants from August 22,1993 through 2002 season.
2020-Former Yankees Pitcher Larry Gowell (1972) had passed away. (1948-2020)
The Yankees in the 4th round of the 1967 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected Pitcher Larry Gowell. He went 0-1 with a 1.29 ERA in 2 games for the 1972 Yankees. On October 4,1972, Gowell had hit a double off of Brewers Pitcher Jim Lonborg for his 1st and only MLB hit and the last hit by a pitcher in a regular season AL game before the start of the DH rule in April of 1973. The baseball Gowell hit was accepted as a historical baseball into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, where it now resides. He would pitch in the Yankees organization until 1974. In 1975, he pitched in the Mexican League for 1 season before retiring the game.
May 5th
1903-The Yankees turn their 1st triple play in their club’s history during an 11-3 win against the Philadelphia A’s.
1914-The Yankees would turn a triple play during a 6-0 loss to the Washington Senators.
1922-The White Construction Company begins their building of Yankee Stadium located at 161st Street and River Avenue in the Bronx; the 11-month building project would be finished allowing the Yankees to open the 1923 AL Season on April 23,1923, ending the Yankees stay playing at the Polo Grounds (1913-1922).
1925-Veteran Shortstop Everett “Deacon” Scott was benched by Yankees Manager Miller Huggins, ending his MLB playing streak of 1,307 consecutive games played that had started in 1918, while he was playing for the Red Sox. Scott, who would give way to Pee Wee Wanninger as the Yankees starting Shortstop. Scott had the longest MLB playing streak before Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig started his 2,130 game MLB streak. Scott’s consecutive streak is still in 3rd place in MLB history behind Cal Ripken and Lou Gehrig’s streaks. On June 17,1925, Everett Scott would be claimed on waivers by the Senators from the Yankees. For the 1925 Bombers, he was hitting only .217 with No HRs and 4 RBIs in 22 games. His final Yankees player career totals was a .254 BA with 13 HRs and 174 RBIs in 481 games. He had appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, hitting .230 with No HRs and 4 RBIs in 39 games.
1925-The Yankees had obtained OF Bobby Veach and Pitcher Alex Ferguson from the Red Sox for hurler Ray Francis and $8,000 Cash. Ray Francis had appeared in 4 games for the 1925 Yankees with no record. Reserve OF Bobby Veach had hit .353 with No HRs and 16 RBIs in 56 games for the Bombers. He was the only Yankee player to ever pinch-hit for Slugger Babe Ruth. For the 1925 Yankees, hurler Alex Ferguson would post a 4-2 record with a 7.79 ERA and 1 save in 21 games. On August 17,1925, Veach and Ferguson would be selected off waivers by the Senators from the Yankees. Ferguson would help the Nats would win the 1925 AL Pennant. He would appear in the 1925 World Series for the Nats against the Pirates.
1925-Former Yankees Reserve OF Robert "Bob" Cerv (1951-1956,1960-1962) was born. (1925-2017)
In 1950, the Yankees had signed OF Bob Cerv as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had played for the team from 1951-1956 before being sold to the Kansas City A’s, after the end of the 1956 World Series. He had hit a pinch-hit HR in the 5th game of the 1955 World Series against the Dodgers. He had his best MLB season was in 1958, while playing with the A’s, hitting .305 with 38 HRs and 104 RBIs, despite playing with a broken jaw. He was named to the 1958 AL All-Star team. Bob has finished 4th in the 1958 AL MVP ballot voting, which was won by his former Yankees teammate OF Jackie Jensen, who is now with the Red Sox. He would return to the Bronx on May 19,1960 in a trade that saw former Yankees starting 3B Andy Carey being sent to the A’s. He would hit .250 with 8 HRs and 28 RBIs in 87 games for the 1960 Yankees. In the 1960 World Series, Bob would hit .357 against the Pirates until an ankle injury forced him out of Game #7. The Yankees would lose him in the 1960 AL Expansion Teams Player Draft to the Angels. He would only appear in 18 games with his new team, hitting just .158 with 2 HRs and 6 Runs. On May 8,1961, Bob would return to the Yankees along with veteran MLB Reliever Tex Clevenger for 2 Yankee Pitchers Ryne Duren, Johnny James and Rookie OF/1B Lee Thomas. He would hit .271 with 6 HRs and 20 RBIs in 57 games for the 1961 Yankees. Bob did not appear in the 1961 World Series for the team against the Reds. He had appeared in 3 World Series (1955-1956,1960) with the Yankees, while hitting .258 with 1 HR and 2 RBIs in 10 games. On June 26, 1962, Yankees would sell Bob to the new NL expansion team, the Houston Colt 45s, he was now 36 years old, playing in just 14 games, while hitting just.118. Due to leg injuries, he had only appeared 19 games for the Colt 45s., while hitting .226 before being release by the team. Bob was always a good outfielder and hitter for the Yankees, but he could never could break into a fulltime position in the Yankees outfield. Cerv was up with the Yankees for parts of each season from 1951 to 1956, but he never appeared in more than 56 games in a season. He had hit .341 in 1955 and .304 in 1956. Overall, while playing for the Yankees, Bob would hit .266 with 26 HRs and 118 RBIs in 379 games. At the end of his MLB playing career, Bob went to MLB Spring Training Camp with the 1963 Mets, but his recurring leg injuries forced him to retire from the game. Mets Manager Casey Stengel was hoping to use him as a regular outfielder for the team.
1926-Former Yankees Minor League player Bing Russell was born. (1926-2003)
Bing Russell was a Minor League player in the Yankees farm system, playing for the 1948-1949 Class D Carrolton (GA-AL). Bing later would become a Hollywood actor most known for his work in the NBC-TV western show "Bonanza". Russell would return to baseball in the 1970s as Team Owner of the Portland Mavericks (NWL). His son, Actor Kurt Russell had played with the Dodgers organization for part of his Minor League playing career, until serious shoulder injuries had ended his pro baseball career. Russell's Grandson, Matt Franco, went on to play in the majors.
1930-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Lefty Gomez beats White Sox hurler Red Faber by the score of 4-1. Gomez pitches a complete game victory, while allowing only 5 White Sox hits with 1-run allowed and 6 Chicago strikeouts. Yankees 2B Tony Lazerri hits a HR for the Bronx Bombers. White Sox Starter Red Faber takes the loss, dropping to a 1-3 record, while Gomez picks his 1st victory of the 1930 AL season.
1949-At Comiskey Park, the Yankees would beat the White Sox by the score of 7-5. The Bronx Bombers had chased White Sox Starter Billy Pierce for 6 runs in the 1st 4 innings of the game. Allie Reynolds starts for the Yankees, going 6 innings for the win; while Yankees Closer Joe Page comes in for the final 3 innings of the game. Bronx OF Tommy Henrich leads the Yankees hitting attack with a HR. Reynolds is now 2-1 for the 1949 AL season. Meanwhile, White Sox lefty Starter Billy Pierce is now 2-1.
1954-Orioles Starter Bob Turley gave up 2 hits to the Yankees line-up, but Bronx veteran hurler Eddie Lopat defeated him by the score of 4-2. Yankees 1B Joe Collins drove in 3 runs for the Yankees with a triple. It was Turley's 2nd 2-hit loss of the 1954 AL season; the Indians had defeated him on April 2nd.
1956-A Yankee Stadium crowd of 12,773 fans watched a Saturday afternoon game between the Yankees and the A’s. They see Slugger Mickey Mantle hit a HR blast off of A’s Starter Lou Kretlow, striking the facade at Yankee Stadium to beat KC by the score of 5-2. Yankees Starter Mickey McDermott picks up the win along with relief help from Don Larsen. Mantle’s Yankees teammates, Catcher Yogi Berra and RF Hank Bauer, also he hit solo HRs in the game. The 1956 Yankees are now 11-5 for the AL season.
1964-A Tuesday day game at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 12,867 fans watch the Bronx Bombers edge the Tigers by the score of 4-3. Yankee Starter Whitey Ford goes 8 innings, while giving up 4 hits and 3 runs; while striking out 6 Tiger batters. Bronx Relievers Bill Stafford and Steve Hamilton shut down the Tigers for the win. The Yankees had scored the winning run of the game off of veteran MLB Reliever Larry Sherry in the 9th inning. Veteran Tigers Starter Hank Aguirre, who goes 8 innings, gets a no decision. Meanwhile Bronx lefty Reliever Steve Hamilton picks up his 1st victory of the 1964 AL season.
1970-Former Yankees Reliever Juan Acevedo (2003) was born.
In January of 2003, the Yankees had signed veteran MLB Reliever Juan Acevedo, as an MLB Free Agent. He went 0-3 with a 7.11 ERA with 6 saves in 25 games for the 2003 Yankees bullpen before being released by the team on June 10, 2003. On June 17, 2003, Juan was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Blue Jays. He would appear in 14 games with a 1-2 pitching record with a 4.26 ERA before being released by Toronto in August of 2003.
1974-Former Yankees Pitcher Vito Tamulis (1934-1935) had passed away. (1911-1974)
Shortly before his 19th birthday, Yankees MLB Scout Gene McCann had signed Vito Tamulis. He started his way up in the Yankees Minor League chain with the Class D Chambersburg Young Yanks (BRL) going 6-2, right out of high school in 1930. In 1931, his 2nd year in pro ball, Vito would move up to the Class C Cumberland Colts (MAL), making the All-Star team with a 15-4 record with a league-leading 1.92 ERA. In 1932, in a 3-team split-season with the Albany Senators (EL), the Binghamton Triplets (NYPL) and the AA Newark Bears (IL), Vito came up with a combined 20-7 record with a 2.41 ERA. After another 3-team season with Binghamton, Albany and Newark in 1933, Vito had posted a 10-8 record with a 5.08 ERA. He would spend the 1934 season with the AA Newark Bears (IL). He would post a 13-7 record with a 2.74 ERA, earning his 1st chance at MLB hitters, when the Yankees would bring him up for a late season MLB Pitching debut on September 25,1934. Vito would pitch a 7-hit shutout against the A’s at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Tamulis would spend the 1935 AL season with the Yankees, while posting a 10-5 record with a 4.09 ERA that included 3 shutouts. Also, he had hit .246 as a Yankee pitcher. He had tied Ted Lyons, Wes Ferrell, Willis Hudlin and Whitey Wilshere for 4th in the AL in shutouts. During the following winter, Vito was stricken with pleurisy. He would miss half of the 1936 AL season. Not fully recovered, he would spend the balance of the 1936 season with the AA Newark Bears (IL). Vito still managed to post a 7-5 record in 96 innings. He would remain with the AA Bears in 1937, having a 18-6 record with a 3.98 ERA in 190 innings. The 1937 Newark Bears are considered one of the greatest Minor League teams ever. Overall, Vito Tamulis had posted an 11-5 record with a 3.87 ERA and 1 save in 31 games for the Yankees. On December 4,1937, he was traded by the Yankees to the Browns for 1B Harry Davis, who never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was sent down to AA Kansas City Blues (AA).
1974-The Yankees had purchased Reserve INF Fernando Gonzalez from the Royals. He was a former Pirates Infielder, who had played for current Yankees Manager Bill Virdon, while he was managing the Bucs. For the 1974 Yankees, he would hit .215 with 1 HR and 7 RBIs in 51 games. On March 25,1975, the team would release him to Poza Rica, a team in the Mexican League. In July of 1975, he would return to play in the MLB with the Pirates.
1982-The Yankees had traded MLB 1B Dave Revering, along with 2 Minor League Players: OF Tom Dodd and 3B Jeff Reynolds to the Blue Jays for veteran MLB 1B/DH John Mayberry. He would appear in 69 games for the team, while hitting .209 with 8 HRs and 27 RBIs. After winning the Yankees starting 1B job in 1982 Yankees MLB spring training camp, Dave Revering has a major disappointment with the bat for the Yankees, hitting just .150 with No HRs and 2 RBIs in 14 games.
1988-At Royals Stadium in Kansas City, 36,255 fans watch as the Yankees down by the Royals by the score of 5-3. The Bronx Bombers had chased Royals Starter Mark Gubicza for 5 runs, while Yankees Starter Richard Dotson picks-up his 4th victory of the 1988 AL season. Yankee batters Don Mattlingly and Rickey Henderson lead the Bombers hitting attack. Yankees Closer Cecilio Guante gains his 3rd save of the season with 2 innings of scoreless work. The Yankees team record for the 1988 AL season is now at the 20-8 mark.
1991-Former Yankees Reliever James Pazos (2015-2016) was born.
On June 5, 2012, Pitcher James Pazos was selected by the Yankees in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Player Draft. During the 2015 AL season, he was called up to the Bronx, appearing in 11 games as a Reliever with no record. He had started the 2016 season with AAA Scranton (IL.) Overall, with the Yankees, James had posted a 1-1 record with a 5.40 ERA in 18 games. On November 18, 2016, he was traded by the Yankees to the Mariners for Minor League P Zack Littell.
2010-Veteran Yankees Starter Andy Pettitte earns his 4th victory of the 2010 AL season against no losses by beating the Orioles by the score of 7-5, but the veteran Yankees starter has to be removed from the game after throwing only 77 pitches and undergoes an MRI on his left elbow. The MRI test reveals no structural damage, but Pettitte will have to rest until the inflammation goes away. He will retire after this season, but then he will come back to pitch for the Yankees.
May 6th
1890-Former Yankees INF Luke “Danny” Boone (1913-1916) was born. (1890-1982)
Danny Boone would hit .236 in 88 games with the Yankees before finishing his MLB playing career with the Pirates in 1918. After his MLB playing days, he would continued to play in the Minor Leagues for 14 straight seasons in the American Association. He kept playing even as late as 1935, he was instrumental in reviving the Northern League by serving as League President in 1933-1934 and Team Owner, Manager and Player for the Crookston Pirates in 1933-1935. After he had sold the team, he would Manage the Wausau team. Boone and Marty Berghammer were the double play combination with the 1919-1925 AA St. Paul Saints (AA).
1907-Former Yankees Pitcher Ivy “Poison” Andrews (1931-1932,1937-1938) was born. (1907-1970)
On July 24,1929, P Ivy Andrews was purchased by the Yankees from Mobile (SA) for $20,000 Cash. On June 5,1932, Andrews was traded by the Yankees along with P Hank Johnson and $50,000 Cash to the Red Sox for P Danny MacFayden. On August 14,1937, Ivy was purchased by the Yankees from the Indians for $7,500 Cash. Ivy Andrews went 8-6 with a 3.12 ERA with 2 saves in 41 games for the Yankees during his 2 tours with the team. In 1947, he would manage in the A’s Minor League system for 1 season.
1911-The Yankees would turn a triple play during a 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox at Hilltop Park.
1914-The Yankees win a scheduled 7th inning game with the Senators by a score of 4-0. During the pre-flight era, MLB games were occasionally shortening to 7 innings by mutual agreement by both teams, so as to allow the visiting team to catch a train on, known as “getaway day.”
1915-At the Polo Grounds, as a Pitcher for the Red Sox, a young Babe Ruth had 3 hits, including his 1st MLB HR, when he connected off of Yankees hurler Jack Warhop. The Yankees would edge the Red Sox by the score of 4-3 in 13 innings.
1921-Former Yankees PH Richard Wakefield (1950) was born. (1921-1985)
On December 17,1949, Richard Wakefield was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for 1B Richard Kryhoski. Richard had appeared in only 3 games with the 1950 Yankees. Before the start of 1952 AL Season, he was released by the Yankees; later, he would be picked by the Giants.
1930-The Yankees had obtained Pitcher Charles “Red” Ruffing (1930-1942,1945-1946) from the Red Sox Reserve OF Cedric Durst and $50,000 Cash. Durst would hit .245 for the 1930 Red Sox, then he would retire from the MLB. Red would lead the Yankee pitchers in career wins with 231 wins, until the club record was passed by Whitey Ford in 1967, who finished with 236 wins as a Yankee. Also, he was a pretty good hitting pitcher for the Yankees, hitting .270 with 31 HRs and 213 RBIs. Red was named to the AL All-Star team 5 times during his Yankees Pitching career. Ruffing will win 273 games during a 22-season MLB Pitching career starting with the 1924-1930 Red Sox, then with the 1930-1946 Yankees and finishing up with the 1947 White Sox. In 1967, he will gain election to the Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1941-Tigers Slugger Hank Greenberg made the most of his last MLB game before entering the U.S. military for service, a memorable one as he hits 2 HRs along with 3 RBIs helping the Tigers to a 7-4 victory over the Yankees.
1951-At Briggs Stadium, the Yankees rout the Tigers by the score of 14-4. Reliever Tom Morgan picks up the win in relief of Yankees Starter Frank “Spec” Shea. At the plate, Tom Morgan hits a double. Veteran Bronx Bomber hitter Johnny Hopp hits a pinch-hit HR. Yankees, hitting attack is led by Rookie RF Mickey Mantle, who goes 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs.
1963-Former Minor League Player and Yankees MLB Scout (1995-2004) Scott Plies was born.
Scott Pleis had played 5 seasons in the Minor Leagues, then he became an MLB Scout. His father, Bill Pleis had (Scott is technically William Pleis IV) had pitched in the MLB. Scott Pleis was selected by the Blue Jays in the 4th round of the 1981 MLB Amateur Player Draft, as the 82nd overall selection. Pleis was drafted as a Catcher, but he was immediately was moved to 2B. He hit .310 for the 1981 Medicine Hat Blue Jays, while fielding .901 at his new position. He was close to the Pioneer League Top 10 in average. In 1982, his defense improved significantly (.967 at 2B) but his hitting imploded at .198 for the Florence Blue Jays. He also pitched 1 shutout inning. His main role was to back up Bernie Tatis at 2B. Pleis joined the Cardinals chain for his final 3 seasons as a player. In 1983, he was with the Erie Cardinals, hitting .321 in 60 games, then the Macon Redbirds hitting .232 in 55 games. He allowed 1 run in 5 1/3 innings between the 2 stops, while fanning 8 batters. He was .003 shy of 10th in the NYPL in batting average. With no set position, he split the 1984 season between Erie hitting .241 in 44 contests and the Springfield Cardinals, while hitting .239 BA in 27 games. On the mound, his pitching record was 1-1, with a 5.40 ERA. With Springfield in 1985, he ended his playing career by doubling in his only at-bat and pitching 5 games (5 R, 11 BB, 9 K in 8 1/3 IP). For his pro career, he had posted a .267 BA in 275 games with 97 runs and 89 RBIs. He was 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA in 13 pitching appearances. Then he went into MLB Scouting. From 1995-2004, he was an Area Scout for the Yankees, while signing P Tyler Clippard and OF John-Ford Griffin for the team. From 2005-2007, he was East Coast Crosschecker for the Cubs. Then he would join the Tigers organization as a National Crosschecker. In August 2010, he was promoted to the role as Detroit’s Scouting Director.
1964-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would edge the Tigers by the score of 4-3. Reliever Steve Hamilton picks the win in relief of Bronx veteran Starter White Ford, who had pitched 8 innings, allowing 8 Tiger hits, 3 runs with 6 strikeouts. Hamilton had relieved Bill Stafford as he got 1 out in the 8th inning with Hamilton finishing the inning and then pitching the scoreless 9th inning. Veteran Tigers Reliever Larry Sherry takes the loss by allowing 4 Yankee hits and 2 runs. Hank Aguirre had started the game for the Tigers, gets the no decision.
1978-At Yankee Stadium, veteran Bronx Starter Catfish Hunter picks up his 1st victory of the 1978 AL season by beating the Royals by score of 4-2. Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle picks up his 4th save of the 1978 AL season with 2 scoreless innings of work. Catfish is now 1-3 for the 1978 season. The Yankees would beat Royals Starter Larry Gura. The Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led by Lou Piniella, who hits a 2-run HR off of Gura.
1982-At Seattle's Kingdome, Mariners veteran Starter Gaylord Perry became the 15th MLB pitcher with 300 MLB career victories, when he defeated the Yankees by the score of 7-3. Perry became the 1st pitcher to notch his 300th MLB career victory, since Tribe hurler Early Wynn did it during the 1963 AL season.
1985-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Joe Glenn (1932-1933,1935-1938) had passed away. (1908-1985)
Joe Glenn was the Reserve catcher for All-Star Catcher Bill Dickey. He had appeared in 138 games for the Yankees, while hitting .252 with 1 HR and 56 RBIs. Joe didn’t make any World Series appearances with the team. On October 26,1938, Joe was traded by the Yankees along with OF Myril Hoag to the St. Louis Browns for P Oral Hildebrand and OF Buster Mills. After his MLB playing career was over, Joe was a Minor League Manager from 1946-1950.
1994-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Jimmy Key picks up his 5th win of the 1994 AL season with a 3-1 complete game victory against the Red Sox. He allows only 4 Red Sox hits and 1 run in the game. The Friday night game played at Yankee Stadium draws a crowd of 30,979 fans. The Yankees are now at a 17-10 record for the 1994 AL season.
2005-Former Yankees Pitcher Lee Stine (1938) had passed away. (1913-2005)
On December 19,1936, Lee Stine was purchased by the Yankees from the Reds. Stine had pitched 4 seasons in the MLB, while he was young, finishing up with the 1938 Yankees for whom he had pitched in 4 games at age 24. His ERA that season with the Yankees was 1.04. He did not pitch in the 1938 World Series for the Yankees. He would pitch in the high Minor Leagues until 1942.
2007-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Bomber LF Hideki Matsui doubles to left in an at-bat against Mariners Starter Jarrod Washburn. It his 2,000th hit between MLB and NPB and makes him the 46th member of the meikyukai. The Yankees would shut out the Mariners by the score of 5-0. The Sunday afternoon played game at Yankee Stadium drew a crowd of 52,553 fans.
2007-MLB Veteran All-Star Starter Roger Clements signs as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees.
2010-Former Yankees and MLB Pitcher Robin Roberts (1962) Robin Roberts dies at age 83 at his home in Temple Terrace, FL. (1926-2010)
In the fall of 1961, Yankees had purchased veteran NL All-Star Pitcher Robin Roberts from the Phillies for $100,000 Cash. He was released at the end of 1962 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, when Manager Ralph Houk and MLB Pitching Coach Johnny Sain thought that veteran Yankee Starter Bob Turley was still effective, which prove to be wrong. In April, Orioles would pick up Robin Roberts as an MLB Free Agent. He would have 3 good seasons with the Birds. He was especially effective against the Yankees. In 1948, he had begun his MLB Pitching career with the Phillies, for whom he had his best MLB seasons. He was named to 7 NL All-Star teams; he would post a 286-245 record in an MLB pitching career that stretched from 1948 to 1966. Roberts had appeared in the 1950 World Series against the Yankees, losing a 10 inning 2-1 pitcher’s duel with Allie Reynolds. He had led the NL in wins 4 times, won 20 or more games during 6 consecutive MLB seasons, but he also gave up an MLB Pitching record of 505 HRs. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. Clippers Note: I still believe that Robin Roberts would have won 300 games in his MLB Pitching career, if the Yankees had kept him.
2011-Former Yankees Pitcher Duane Pillette (1949-1950) had passed away. (1922-2011)
Before the start of the 1946 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Duane Pillette as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Duane was the son of former MLB Player Herman Pillette. He went 2-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 16 games for the Yankees. He did not appear in the 1949 World Series against the Dodgers. On June 15,1950, Duane was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jim Delsing, P Don Johnson, INF George ”Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000 Cash to the St. Louis Browns for 2 Pitchers: Tom Ferrick, Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas.
2018-The Yankees are on fire as they record their 15th win in their last 16 games, a 7-4 victory over the Indians; thanks to a 3-run walk-off HR by Rookie INF Gleyber Torres off of Tribe Pitcher Dan Otero. Yankees Rookie hurler Domingo German making his 1st MLB start in place of an injured Starter Jordan Montgomery, begins things by pitching 6 hitless innings for New York before being removed for having reached his pitch count limit.
May 7th
1896-Former Yankees Pitcher Jonathan “Tom” Zachary (1928-1930) was born. (1896-1969)
On September 30,1927, Tom Zachary was the Washington Senators pitcher, who gave up Babe Ruth’s 60th HR. Also, during the 1927 AL season, Tom would give up 2 other HRs to Babe Ruth. On August 23,1928, Tom was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. He would post a 3-3 record with a 3.94 ERA and 1 save in 7 games for the 1928 team. In 1929, he would have a 12-0 record with a 2.48 ERA and 2 saves in 26 games. In 1930, he went 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 3 games. Overall, Tom had posted a 16-4 record with a 3.21 ERA and 3 saves in 36 games for the Yankees. On May 12,1930, he was selected on waivers from the Yankees by the Braves. He had appeared in 2 World Series during his long MLB pitching career (1918-1936), 1 with the 1924 Senators and the other 1 was with the 1928 Yankees. The team would sell Tom to the Braves on May 12,1930, because they had just acquired a young righthanded starter named Red Ruffing from the Red Sox on May 6, 1930 for their starting rotation.
1903-The Highlanders lose to the Red Sox by the score of 6-2 in the 1st game played between the 2 teams. Bill Dineen was the winning pitcher for the Red Sox. While Snake Wilse took the lost for the Highlanders. Red Sox 2B Hobe Ferris had hit a HR in the game.
1906-Yankees Manager Clark Griffith is struck in the mouth by AL Umpire Tim Hurst, who is suspended by the American League for 5 days for his actions.
1913-Yankees Starter Ray Keating yields a 2nd inning single to Chas Deal, then he pitches no-hit ball the rest of the way in a 6-0 win over the Tigers. Keating managed to strike out Tiger Star Ty Cobb in his 1st two at bats, after which Cobb quit for the day.
1943-Former Yankees OF Steve Whitaker (1966-1968) was born.
Before the start of the 1962 AL season, the Yankees had signed OF Steve Whitaker as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would play in their Minor League system until August of 1966, when he was called-up to the Bronx. Steve was very talented player, who couldn’t control his temper. He would hit .246, .243 and .221 for the Yankees, while hitting 18 HRs with 68 RBIs in 181 games. In 1967, he was the Yankees regular RF, who led the AL Outfielders with 6 double plays. Steve was selected by the Royals from the Yankees in 1968 AL Expansion Team Player Draft. During the Royals 1st MLB Spring Training Camp, Steve was traded by the team to the other new AL Expansion Team, the Seattle Pilots for OF Lou Piniella. He would finish his short MLB 6-season playing career (1966-1970) with the Giants. He would end his MLB playing career by hitting .230 with 24 HRs and 85 RBIs in 266 games.
1944-Former Yankees Minor League OF Billy Murphy was born.
In 1962, the Yankees had signed OF Billy Murphy, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 29,1965, he was drafted by the Mets from the Yankees organization in the 1965 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. In his only MLB season in 1966, Billy had appeared in 84 games with the Mets, while hitting .230 with 3 HRs and 13 RBIs.
1957-At a night game played at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, Indians Starter Herb Score was hit on the right eye by a line drive off the bat of Yankees batter Gil McDougald in the 1st inning. The ball broke Score's nose and damaged his eye; he will miss the rest of the 1957 AL season. The Yankees win the game by a score of 2-1. The eye injury effectively ended Score’s MLB pitching career; he would continue to pitch until 1962. He would finish his MLB pitching career with the White Sox. Overall, Score had posted a 55-46 record with a 3.36 ERA in 150 games. He was never the same power strikeout pitcher (508 strikeouts in his 1st 2 MLB seasons). Also, the injury to Score had affected Yankees INF Gil McDougal, who was never as aggressive at the plate like he had been. After the 1960 World Series, he would retire from MLB refusing to go to the new Senators in the 1960 AL expansion team player draft and also turning down a $100,000 offer to become the Player-Manager of the other new AL Expansion Team, Los Angeles Angels. Later, he would become the Baseball Coach at Fordham Univ. during the 1960’s.
1959-The largest crowd in baseball history, 93,103 fans would jam the Los Angeles Coliseum to watch the World Champion Yankees play the Dodgers in an exhibition game held for the benefit of crippled former Dodgers All-Star Catcher Roy Campanella. The Yankees would defeat the Dodgers Starter Sandy Koufax by a score of 6-2.
1966-After only 4 victories in their 1st 20 games of the 1966 AL season, the Yankees Manager Johnny Keane was fired by the Bronx Front Office. He was replaced by the team's GM and former Skipper, Ralph Houk. The 1966 Yankees would post a 70-89 record; finishing last in AL. Johnny Keane was the wrong manager for the veteran Yankees team, replacing the popular Yogi Berra, who had 99 games and an AL pennant in 1964. Ralph Houk deserved to finish last place in 1966, since he was responsible for some of the poorest player personnel moves ever made in the team’s history, including the hiring of Johnny Keane to replace Manager Yogi Berra, who had won 99 games for AL Pennant and took the team to 7 games in the World Series against the Cardinals in 1964; while he was the Yankees General Manager (1964-1966).
1969-Former Yankees Reserve 2B Ray Mack (1947) had passed away. (1916-1969)
On December 6,1946, INF Ray Mack was traded by the Indians along with Reserve Catcher Sherman Lollar to the Yankees for OF Hal Peck, P Al Gettel and Minor League hurler Gene Bearden. Ray would appear on only 1 game with the 1947 Yankees. He was sent down to AAA Newark Bears, hitting .260 with 20 HRs and 70 RBIs in 137 games before being sent to the Cubs, hitting .217 with 2 HRs and 12 RBIs in 21 games. Lollar would share reserve catching duties with other young Yankee Catchers (Yogi Berra, Gus Niarhos and Ralph Houk) behind All-Star Catcher Aaron Robinson during the 1947 AL season before being traded by the team to the St. Louis Browns on December 13,1948 in the Fred Sanford deal.
1974-The Yankees had traded veteran C/1B Duke Simms to the Rangers for P Larry Gura and Cash. Duke Simms had been obtained by the Yankees from the Tigers during the last week of the 1973 AL season. He went 3 for 9 in 4 games for the team. In 1974, he was 2 for 15. At the time of the trade, Larry Gura had gone 3-7 with the Cubs before being traded to the Rangers. Texas had him pitching at AAA Spokane (PCL), where he had a 1-1 record. The Yankees would transfer him to their AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL).
1979-Former Yankees Pitcher Marty McHale (1913-1915) had passed away. (1886-1979)
On August 11,1913, Pitcher Marty McHale was purchased by the Yankees from AA Jersey City Skeeters (IL) for $6,000 Cash. He had pitched for the 1910-1911 Red Sox. He had appeared in 51 games in 3 seasons for the Yankees, while posting an 11-27 record with a 3.28 ERA and 1 save. Marty would split the 1916 AL season pitching for the Red Sox and the Indians before leaving the MLB with a 11-30 record with a 3.57 ERA and 1 save in 64 games.
1999-Yankees Starter Hideki Irabu opposes Mariners Starter Mac Suzuki in the 1st match up of Japanese starting pitchers in MLB history. The Yankees would win the game by a score of 10-1 with Irabu going 7 innings, while giving up only 4 Mariner hits and 1 run. Suzuki had lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up 5 Yankee hits, 7 runs, 5 walks and 3 strikeouts.
2000-The Yankees honor long-time Public Address Announcer Bob Sheppard with a “Yankee Stadium Day” as he received a plaque in Monument Park in the Center Field. He had started working for the Yankees in 1951.
2017-In a nationally televised Sunday night game, the Yankees would defeat the Cubs by the score of 5-4 in 18 innings in a game played at Wrigley Field. The longest MLB Interleague game in history features a record 48 strikeouts - 26 by Yankees pitchers and 22 by the Cubs. New York seems on its way to a victory with a 4-1 lead in the 9th inning, but Bronx Closer Aroldis Chapman allows 3 runs, the last on a bases-loaded hit by pitch of Cubs batter Anthony Rizzo. There is no more scoring until the top of the 18th, when Yankees CF Aaron Hicks, who has struck out 4 times in the game, leads off with a bunt single off of Cubs Reliever Pedro Strop and moves to 2nd on Catcher Willson Contreras' wild throw, which ends up in Right Field. After moving to 3rd, he scores on Starlin Castro's infield grounder, when Shortstop Addison Russell's throw home is wide of the mark. Yankees Reliever Chasen Shreve pitches 3 scoreless innings for the win, which he ends the game by striking out P Kyle Hendricks, who was used a pinch-hitter with Cubs baserunners on 1st and 2nd.
May 8th
1891-Former Yankees Pitcher Chester “Red” Hoff (1911-1913) was born. (1891-1998)
Chet Hoff is the longest-lived Ex-MLB Player ever. He was the last person alive to have played in the 1900’s. At the time of his death, he was 107 years, 4 months, 9 days old, outdistancing his nearest competitors, Karl Swanson, Bob Wright and John Daley by more than 5 years. He died a week after a fall in which he had broken a hip and not of the complications associated with his advanced age. In 1991, Hoff had gained some fame, when he turned 100. After his 100th birthday, Hoff delighted in signing postcard photos featuring him pitching in his Yankees uniform at age 100. It was reported that he used the $5 autograph fee for weekly trips to the shopping mall from his assisted living facility. On September 6,1911, Red Hoff would make his MLB Pitching debut with the Yankees against the Senators. He had once struck out Tigers future HOF Ty Cobb. He had several cups of coffee with the Yankees through the 1913 AL season, then he would spend the 1914 season in the Minor Leagues. In 1915, he would return to the MLB with the St. Louis Browns, Red had his finest MLB season, posting a 2-2 record with a 1.24 ERA in 11 games. After that 1914 AL season, he would never return to pitch in the MLB, but he remained a Yankees fan for the rest of his long life. Chester “Red” Hoff had posted a 0-2 record along with a 3.89 ERA in 12 games for the Yankees. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with an overall record of 2-4 with a 2.49 ERA in 23 games.
1903-After losing their 1st ever game against the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees behind Veteran MLB Starter Jack Chesbro win their 1st franchise victory by a score of 6-1. The former NL Pirates Starter Chesbro would throw a 6-hitter against Boston. Red Sox 2B Hobe Ferris had hit a HR, his 2nd for the season.
1911-At Hill Top Park in New York City, Red Sox Starter Smokey Joe Wood beats the Yankees by the score of 4-0 in 6 innings. He gives up just 1 Yankees hit, a single to Pitcher Ray Caldwell.
1915-At the Polo Grounds, a crowd of 10,000 fans watch the Yankees pound the Red Sox by the score of 10-3, scoring all of their runs in the 4th inning. Sixteen Yankee batters will come to the plate in the 4th. Yankees Starter Ray Fisher picks up the easy Bronx complete game victory, improving his 1915 season pitching record to 5-0.
1919-At Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Yankees Ace Bob Shawkey retires the 1st 14 Philadelphia batters that he faces in the game, then he allows a single for the A’s only hit of the game as the Yankees beat the Mackmen by score of 2-0. Shawkey’s 1-hit victory over Philadelphia, even outs his season record to a 2-2 mark. Bob Geary takes the complete game loss for the Mackmen, he is now 0-1 for the season.
1920-New York Yankees Business Manager Harry L. Sparrow passes away at the age of 45, after suffering a long illness. The Yankees will replace him with Boston Red Sox Baseball Executive Edward Barrow in the 1920 off-season.
1926-The Yankees would score 7 runs in the 2nd inning, but they still lose the game to the Tigers by the score of 14-10, knocking themselves out of the AL lead; as the Senators would move into 1st place in the AL.
1927-In Chicago, the Yankees draw a record crowd of 52,000 fans to Comiskey Park, but Bronx Starter Waite Hoyt spoils the party by winning 1 of his AL-leading 22 games of the 1927 AL season by a score of 9-0; the 2nd straight shutout of the White Sox by Yankee Starters. Bronx Catcher Pat Collins hits HR in the 7th inning, while 1B Lou Gehrig adds a pair of triples.
1937-Former Yankees Reserve OF Art Lopez (1965) was born.
In 1961, the Yankees had signed OF Art Lopez as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. When injuries struck the regular Yankee outfielders during the 1965 AL season, Art was not the answer for the Yankees OF problems, as he appeared in just 38 games, while hitting .143 with No HRs or RBIs. He had been a .280 hitter in the Yankees Minor League system, but he could never hit that well for the Yankees at the MLB level. He would spend the 1966-1967 seasons playing at AAA level in the Yankees and Tigers organizations. Later, he would play pro baseball in Japan, along with his former Yankees teammate 1B/OF Joe Pepitone. Art would spend the 1968-1972 seasons playing in Japan with Tokyo, Lotte and the Yakult pro teams, while appearing in 750 games, hitting .290 with 116 HRs with 401 RBIs.
1955-At Fenway Park, after 13 straight losses to the Yankees, the Red Sox win a dramatic 11-inning, 2-1 thriller. Billy Goodman's HR off of Yankees Starter Johnny Sain gives Red Sox Starter Hal “Skinny” Brown the 2-1 victory. Dick Gernert’s 2nd inning HR was the only other Boston score in the game. In Red Sox previous win over the Yankees on August 9,1952, all of the Boston scoring came on solo HRs.
1957-At Cleveland Stadium, a crowd of 15,629 fans watch the Tribe batters CF Roger Maris, LF Gene Woodling and 1B Vic Wertz hit 3 HRs to back Veteran Starter Early Wynn's 10-4 win over the Yankees. All-Star CF Mickey Mantle has a HR and 3 RBIs for the Bronx Bombers. Yankees Reliever Tommy Byrne takes the loss the loss, giving up 5 Indian runs.
1959-The Yankees had re-obtained Pitcher Mark Freedman from Kansas City A's for veteran MLB hurler Murray Dickson. Mark Freeman will only appear in 1 game for the 1959 Yankees before being traded to the Cubs during the Spring of 1960. In 1959, Murray Dickson will go 2-1 for the Athletics, before retiring from MLB.
1960-Former Yankees Reserve OF Howie Camp (1917) had passed away. (1893-1960)
On June 23,1917, OF Howie Camp was purchased along with INF Aaron Ward by the Yankees from Class C Charleston (SA). He would only play in 5 games for the Yankees, while hitting .286. In September of 1920, Howie Camp was traded by the Yankees along with Players to be Named Later to Class AA Vernon (PCL) for Shortstop Johnny Mitchell. On January 28,1921, the Yankees would send 2 Pitchers: Ernie Shore, Bob McGraw, Catcher Truck Hannah and OF Ham Hyatt to Class AA Vernon (PCL) to complete the trade. Camp would continue to play baseball in the Minor Leagues from 1919 to 1930, before retiring as an active player. From 1928-1929, he was a Minor League Manager.
1961-The new AL Expansion Team, the Los Angeles Angels had traded 2 veteran AL players: Reliever Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv to the Yankees for 2 Pitchers: Ryne Duren, Johnny James and Rookie OF/1B Lee Thomas. For Veteran OF Bob Cerv, it is his 3rd and final tour of duty in Yankees Pinstripes. Veteran AL Reliever Tex Clevenger will help out in the Yankees bullpen. He was expendable to the team, since they had other veteran MLB Relievers in their bullpen. He had posted a 2-1 record in 12 games for the Angels. Bob Cerv was once again was a Reserve Outfielder and power bat off the Yankees bench. He had appeared in 18 games for the Angels, while hitting just .158. Ryne Duren had lost his Yankees Closer job to lefty Veteran Reliever Luis Arroyo. Houk felt that the Angels could give more work than the Yankees would. The Angels would have him be a starter and he made 1961 All-Star team. Young Starter Johnny James had appeared with the 1959-1960 Yankees, posting a 5-1 record with a 3.97 ERA and 2 saves in 30 games before being sent back to AAA Richmond (IL). In 1962, James will injure his pitching arm in Angels MLB spring training camp. He would never pitch again in the MLB. James had posted a 0-2 record with a 5.30 ERA in 36 games for the 1961 Angels. Outfielder/1B Lee Thomas had spent 7 seasons playing in the Yankees farm system. In 1961, he was 1 for 2 with the Bombers before he was traded to the Angels. Thomas would have some success, while playing in MLB for several teams. After retiring as an active player, he would become a Baseball Executive. Later, he would become a General Manager for the Phillies.
1962-Former Yankees1B/OF Orestes Destrade (1987) was born.
In 1981, the Yankees had signed 1B/OF Orestes Destrade as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Orestes would appear in only 9 games for the 1987 Yankees, while hitting .263 with only 19 at bats. On March 30,1988, he was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for veteran Reliever Hipolito Pena. He would later play pro baseball in Japan. After his MLB playing career had ended, he would become a Sports Announcer for ESPN.
1964-At Cleveland, there are tornado warnings in the weather reports, but the Yankees bat’s supplies damage, when CF Mickey Mantle cracks a 3-run HR off of Tribe Starter Tommy John in the 4th inning to lead the Bombers to a 10-3 victory. A crowd of 20,877 fans had attended the game played at Cleveland Stadium. Yankees Starter Ralph Terry pitches a complete game victory, bring his season record to a 1-1 mark, while Tommy John is now at the 1-1 mark.
1971-Former Yankees Reserve C/DH Todd Greene (2001) was born.
On April 5, 2000, the Yankees had signed C/OF Todd Greene as an MLB Free Agent. In 1993, Todd had originally been signed by the Angels, who had released him in 2000. He would play for the 2000 Blue Jays as a Reserve Catcher. At the end of their 2001 MLB spring training camp, the team had released him. He would hit .208 with 1 HR and 11 RBIs in 35 games for the 2001 Yankees. He had appeared in 1 game of the 2000 World Series against the Diamondbacks, while going 1 for 2 at the plate. The club would release him in March during their 2002 MLB spring training camp. Todd would become a Reserve Catcher with the Rangers, Rockies and finishing up his MLB playing career with the 2006 Giants. In 2008, Greene was an MLB Scout for the Padres. In 2009, he was a Quality Assurance Coach for Tampa Bay. In 2010, he was an MLB Scout for the Mariners. In 2011, Todd was an MLB Scout for the Diamondbacks.
1991-Gambler Howard Spira is found guilty of trying to extort money from New York Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner. Spira had already received $40,000 in Cash payments from George Steinbrenner.
1991-Former Yankees and MLB Baseball Executive Cedric Tallis (1978-1983) had passed away. (1914-1991)
Cedric Tallis was the original General Manager of the new AL Expansion Team, the Kansas City Royals from their inception in 1968 until June 1974. Then he moved to the Yankees organization to be an Assistant General Manager to GM Gabe Paul for the 1976-1977 seasons. He would take over the General Manager position (1978-1979), when Gabe Paul returned to the Indians in the winter of 1977. Cedric would replace Al Rosen as GM, when he left the Yankees to work in the Astros Front Office. From 1980 to 1983, Tallis would be the Yankees Team President.
1994-At a Sunday afternoon game played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 28,680 fans would see 3 Yankees batters: OF Danny Tartabull, C Mike Stanley and OF Gerald Williams hit back-to-back-to-back HRs for the Bronx Bombers in the 6th inning off of Boston Pitchers during their 8-4 win over the Red Sox. Yankees OF Gerald Williams will hit another HR in the 7th inning. Yankees Starter Terry Mulholland picks his 4th win of the season along with relief help from Donny Pall and Sterling Hitchcock, who gets his 2nd save of the season. Red Sox Reliever Paul Quantrill would take the loss.
1999-The Mariners would defeat the Yankees by the score of 14-5 as Seattle’s 3B John Mabry gets 5 hits to led the Mariners’ hitting attack.
2009-In his 1st game of the 2009 AL season after missing 6 weeks because of hip surgery, Yankees Slugger Alex Rodriguez hits the 1st pitch that he sees from Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie for a 3-run HR in a 4-0 Yankees win that ends a 5-game Yankees losing streak. Yankees Starter CC Sabathia pitches a 4-hit shutout in his best pitching performance, since signing a huge MLB Free Agent contract with the club over the winter of 2008.
2010-Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira became only the 2nd player in Yankees history to smack 3 HRs in a single game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The last Yankees player to do it was Lou Gehrig, who accomplished the feat on June 23,1927. That was also the only other time a Yankee has hit 3 HRs in a game against the Red Sox in either New York's Yankee Stadium or Boston's Fenway Park. "Man, that's humbling right there," the unassuming Teixeira said after the Yankees crushed the rival Red Sox by the score of 14-3. "Any time you talk about the Yankees -- Gehrig, [Joe] DiMaggio, the list goes on and on -- it makes you realize you have a long way to go to be in their category. So, there's a lot of work for me left to do." Reserve Catcher Francisco Cervelli, starting the game because of an injury to starting Catcher Jorge Posada, also drives in 5 runs. Teixeira's last dinger is hit against OF Jonathan Van Every, making the 2nd pitching appearance of his MLB Pitching career. The game is interrupted for 1:15 by a rain delay in the 5th inning, forcing Yankees Starter CC Sabathia out of the game early and giving Bronx Reliever Alfredo Aceves the win.
2013-The injury-riddled Yankees struggle to put together a line-up, today batting P David Phelps 8th and playing OF Vernon Wells at 3B for an inning in his 1st MLB playing career appearance at the position, but they manage to keep on winning. Wells hits a 2-run HR in the 1st, then in the 9th inning, Manager Joe Girardi uses a pinch-hitter for 3B Chris Nelson in scoring the deciding run in a 3-2 win over the Rockies. Out of back-up infielders, he puts Wells at the hot corner for the bottom of the 9th. Wells successfully fields a ground ball as Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera records his 12th save of the season - and the 1st of his MLB pitching career at Coors Field in Denver.
May 9th
1903-The Boston Pilgrims (aka the Red Sox) top the visiting Highlanders by a score of 12-5 with a little help from AL Umpire Caruthers, who tosses out Highlanders Pitcher Jesse Tannehill and 2B Jimmy Williams for a ball call at home.
1930-The Yankees and the Tigers Outfielders make only 2 putouts for an AL record, which has never been equaled. Tiger's Starter George Uhle strikes out 8 Yankee batters in winning the game by the score of 5-4. This loss to Detroit drops the Yankees to 7th place in the AL. Bronx Starter Hank Johnson (7 innings) and Reliever George Pipgras (2 innings) are the Yankee hurlers in the game.
1940-The Press reports the impending sale of the Yankees by the Jacob Ruppert Estate to NYC Political Bigwigs Jim Farley and Jesse Jones. The Sporting News declares the sale will be made for $4 million. The imminent sale will resurface on the front page several times during the next year, but it never happens. The Yankees will be sold in January of 1945 by the Jacob Ruppert Estate to a group of buyers, consisting of Businessmen Del Webb, Dan Topping Sr. and former MLB Baseball Executive Larry MacPhail Sr.
1944-After missing much of the Yankees 1944 MLB Spring Training Camp and the early part of the 1944 AL season due to illness, Joe “Marsh” McCarthy returns as the Yankees Manager. The team with a majority of its regular players serving in the armed forces for World War II service, would finish in 3rd place in the AL with an 83-71 record.
1949-At Briggs Stadium in Detroit, the Tigers set back the 1st-place Yankees by the score of 4-1 behind the 5-hit pitching of Starter Ted Gray, who is now 2-0. Yankees Starter Vic Raschi allows just 5 Tigers hits, including a HR by Richard Wakefield in taking the loss. Yankees Starter Raschi’s pitching record for the 1949 season is now at 4-1 mark.
1953-At Fenway Park, a Saturday crowd of 26,065 fans see the 1st place Yankees beat the Red Sox by the score of 6-4. Yankees CF Mickey Mantle hits a HR off of Red Sox hurler Bill Werle. Mickey is robbed of another HR, when Red Sox CF Jimmy Piersall makes a sensational catch at the Boston bullpen in RF-CF. Veteran MLB Starter Ernie Blackwell pick-up his 1st win of the season for the Yankees, with relief help work from Tom Gorman and Bob Kuzava. Losing Boston Starter Mickey McDermott is now at 2-3.
1954-At a Sunday doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 23,909 fans watched as Philadelphia A’s Catcher Wilmer (Billy) Shantz, the brother of Pitcher Bobby Shantz, hits a Grand Slam HR, the 1st HR of his MLB playing career. It comes off former A's hurler Harry Byrd, who is now with the 1954 Yankees. Shantz will hit just 1 more HR in his MLB playing career. Billy's Grand Slam HR is all the offense the A’s get as the Yankees win the game by a score of 7-4. The Yankees will hit 3 HRs in the game; by 3B Andy Carey, C Yogi Berra and RF Enos Slaughter. Byrd will pick-up his 1st victory for the Yankees, along with Reliever Johnny Sain 2-scoreless innings, as he gets his 3rd save of the 1954 AL season. The nightcap ends in a 1-1 tie, after 9 innings were played.
1958-After 6 straight home rainouts, the Yankees play their 1st home night game of the 1958 AL season against the Senators. A crowd of 18,604 fans see Yankees CF Mickey Mantle breaks a 2-2 tie in the 3rd inning with an inside-the-park solo HR off of Nats Starter Pedro Ramos. The Bronx Bombers will roll on to a 9-5 win over the Senators. Bronx starter Bob Turley throws a complete victory, he is now 4-0 for the season. Plus, he hits a solo HR in the 8th inning off of Nats Reliever Bud Byerly.
1959-The Yankees would sell back veteran hurler Murry Dickson to Kansas City. For the 1958 Yankees, he had posted a 1-2 record with a 5.75 ERA in 6 games. He had appeared in 2 games of the 1958 World Series against the Braves with no record. Before retiring from the MLB, he will go 2-1 with a 4.94 ERA in 38 games for the 1959 A’s.
1964-At Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, Tribe Starter Pedro Ramos gives up 4 HRs to Yankees batters: Tony Kubek, Mickey Mantle, Joe Pepitone and Hector Lopez, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 6-2.
1966-At Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, the Yankees (6-20) would edge the Twins by the score of 3-2. Yankee Sluggers Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and Joe Pepitone with the game-winner in the 9th inning hit HRs for the Bronx Bombers.
1979-The Yankees had released veteran AL Golden Glove Winner Reserve OF Paul Blair, who then he would sign with the Reds. He had appeared in 172 games for the Yankees, often as a defensive replacement for Reggie Jackson, while hitting .223 with 2 HRs and 38 RBIs. Paul had played in 2 World Series (1977-1978) for the Yankees, while hitting .300 (4 for 12).
1981-Seattle’s Tom Paciorek hits his 2nd game winning, bottom-of-the-9th inning HR in as many games, a 3-run blow giving the Mariners, a 6-5 victory over the Yankees. The previous night, Paciorek had led off the 9th inning with a solo HR to give the Mariners, a 3-2 victory over the Yankees.
1984-Former Yankees 3B Chase Headley (2014-2017) was born.
Chase Headley was selected in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Padres. Headley was ranked #5 among Padres prospects in the Baseball America Prospect Handbook 2006, #6 in 2007 and #1 in 2008. He made his MLB Player debut with the Padres in June of 2007; but he only played 8 games in the MLB that 1st year, going 4 for 22. He played 91 games as a rookie in 2008, while hitting .269 with 9 HRs and 38 RBIs. He played mostly in LF in 2008 and 2009, before moving back to his natural position of 3B in 2010. His 1st 3 full seasons came with quite similar results, as he hit between .262 and .269 while hitting between 9 and 13 HRs. His average improved to .289 in 2011, but his power fell as he hit only 4 HRs. Headley had a breakout season in 2012. He was the NL Player of the Month for August when he hit .306, while leading the MLB with 31 RBIs and tying for 1st with 10 HRs. He also scored 20 runs during the month and slugged .611. He repeated as NL Player of the Month in September, when he hit .324, slugged, .647, hitting 9 HRs and collected 30 RBIs. He finished the season with a NL-leading 115 RBIs, to go along with 31 doubles and 31 HRs in 161 games. He also had an outstanding season with the glove, winning the NL Gold Glove Award at 3B that year. He finished 5th in the voting for the 2012 NL MVP Award voting. After his breakout season, Headley filed for salary arbitration heading into the 2013 NL season, but he was able to reach a deal with the Padres before the hearing. The 2 sides agreed on a salary of $8.575 million for 1 year, a raise of more than $5 million. On March 17th, however, he broke his thumb sliding into 2B in a spring training game and as a result was forced to miss the start of the season. The injury ushered in a fall back to earth for Headley, as his bat production fell to be more in line his previous seasons norms: he hit .250 with 35 doubles,13 HRs and 50 RBIs in 141 games. In 2014, Headley was bothered in the early season by a herniated disk in his back, which sapped his bat power. He improved after receiving an epidural injection in late June, but he was still only hitting .229 with 7 HRs and 32 RBIs in 77 games, when he was traded to the Yankees on July 22nd in return for INF Yangervis Solarte and Pitcher Rafael De Paula. With 3B Alex Rodriguez suspended for the 2014 AL season, they had struggled to find a replacement at 3B, after Rookie INF Solarte had cooled down following a strong season start. Kelly Johnson and another Rookie, Zelous Wheeler had shared the position in recent weeks, but without providing much production at the plate. Headley immediately headed to the Bronx after the trade was announced and made it in time to enter that night's game in the 9th inning; he proved to be the hero in the 14th inning, when he drove in base runner Brian Roberts with the winning run in a 4-2 win over the Rangers. He ended up doing quite well with the Yankees, as he hit .262 with 6 HRs and 17 RBIs in 58 games; in addition to playing well on defense. The Yankees were quite pleased with his player performance. On December 15th, they would re-sign him to a 4-year player contract worth $52 million, clearly indicating that he was considered the team's 3B of the future; with the player that he had replaced, A-Rod having to earn his keep on the team as a DH. Headley will spent 3 full seasons as a starter for the Yankees from 2015 to 2017. He was used almost exclusively a 3B in the 1st 2 seasons, then he was moved over to 1st base in mid-season in 2017; after the Yankees had acquired 3B Todd Frazier from the White Sox at the July 31st MLB Deadline Trade. He did not do as well then in his 1st half-season in the Bronx, with an OPS+ of 90 and 91 in 2015 and 2016, with 11 and 14 HRs, along with 62 and 51 RBIs. In 2017, as the Yankees experienced a resurgence thanks to an influx of young players, he improved his BA to .273 with 12 HRs and 61 RBIs. Chase would get his 1st taste of the MLB Postseason in 2015, when he was 0-for-2 with a walk when the Yankees were shut out by the Astros in the ALWCS. In 2017, he went 0 for 12 in the ALDS against the Indians, and then he hit .389 (7 for 18) as the Yankees lost to the Astros in the ALCS. He was the team's primary DH in both series, as Rookie Greg Bird had taken over the 1B job. After the season on December 12th, he was traded back to the Padres along with P Bryan Mitchell in return for OF Jabari Blash. The trade came 1 day after Yankees had acquired NL All-Star Superstar Slugger Giancarlo Stanton in a trade with the Marlins; it was meant to slash team payroll to compensate for Stanton's huge MLB player contract. Headley was expected to start at 3B for the young Padres in 2018; but he quickly lost his job when Rookie Christian Villanueva had a 3-HR game in his 1st start at the position, and then went on to win Rookie of the Month honors in the NL. With the Padres having signed 1B Eric Hosmer to a large contract in the offseason, there was little or no playing time left for Headley on the team; he did not do much to prove his value, when he did get to play, as he was hitting just .115 with 52 at-bats in 27 games on May 12th, the day the Padres had him Designated for Assignment.
1990-At Yankee Stadium, Oakland edges the Yankees by the score of 2-1 in 11 innings. A’s LF Rickey Henderson scores the 1st run of the game, by scoring from 2B on a 6-3 ground out. Rick Honeycutt is the A’s winning pitcher.
1990-Former Yankees Reserve INF Jace Peterson (2018) was born.
On January 2, 2018, Reserve INF Jace Peterson was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. On April 15, 2018, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. On April 16, 2018, he was resigned as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would only appear in 3 games with the team, while hitting .300. On April 24, 2018, Jace was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees.
1997-Against the Royals in the 6th inning, the Yankees catch Royals base runner Jay Bell in a rundown, when Bell is suddenly called out by Umpire Dale Ford, who thinks he passed the preceding Royals base runner Jose Offerman. However, Offerman had been forced out at 3B. Royals' Manager Bob Boone argues until the Umpires agree and put runners back at 2B and 3B and call for a resumption of play. Chili Davis then lines a 2-run single off of Yankees Starter Kenny Rogers to tie the score. The Royals win the game by a score of 7-5 in 12 innings with the victory going to Reliever Randy Veres. The Yankees protest that the rundown play should not have been reversed. Gene Budig of AL league office will dismiss the Yankees protest, stating that with the rundown there were several scenarios, where Jay Bell could have escaped a tag.
1999-The Yankees would defeat the Mariners by the score of 6-1. Veteran MLB Reliever Mike Stanton makes his 1st MLB Career start for the Yankees, ending his MLB Pitching record streak of 552 consecutive relief appearances prior to his 1st MLB start. The previous MLB record was 443 games, which was set by Giants Reliever Gary Lavelle.
2002-Yankees Closer Marino Rivera gets his 225th MLB save, setting a new Yankees franchise Pitching record for Saves.
2010-Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez tied HOF Frank Robinson for 7th place with 586 MLB Career HRs list. A-Rod’s 3rd HR of the 2010 AL season, a solo HR shot, just cleared the LF wall in the 4th inning of the Yankees game against the Red Sox on Sunday night. It cut Boston's lead over the Yankees to 6-2. The Yankees eventually lost the game by a score of 9-3, but still took the 3-game series by winning the 1st 2 games by scores of 10-3 and 14-3. Alex Rodriguez's HR was his 21st at Boston's Fenway Park, tying him with Jim Thome for the most by an active opponent. Yankees Hall of Fame Sluggers Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle top the overall MLB Players list with 38 HRs each.
2012-The Yankees find out what it's like not to have the greatest closer in history pitching for them anymore, as his replacement, new Closer David Robertson blows a 1-0, 9th-inning lead against the Rays. He loads the bases quickly, and then he gives up a game-tying sacrifice fly to B.J. Upton and a 3-run HR to Matt Joyce as Tampa Bay wins, the game by the score of 4-1. These are the 1st runs given up by Robertson this season; he had been successful in his 1st opportunity to close in place of the injured Mariano Rivera on May 8th.
2018-The Yankees have sole possession of 1st place in the AL East with a 9-6 win over the Red Sox, for their 17th win in their last 18 games. Boston has a 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the 8th, but Red Sox Relievers Matt Barnes and Craig Kimbrel get tagged for 4 Yankee runs, on a 2-run triple by Brett Gardner and a HR by Aaron Judge. Gardner, who was hitting just .198 coming into the game, adds a pair of doubles and scores 3 runs for the Bronx Bombers.
May 10th
1868-Future MLB Manager, HOF Baseball and Yankees Executive Edward Barrow (1920-1946) was born. (1868-1953)
Edward Barrow worked as a journalist and soap salesman before entering the business of baseball by selling concessions at games. From there, Barrow had purchased Minor League baseball teams, also serving as Team Manager and served as President of the Atlantic League. After managing the Tigers in 1903 and 1904, returning to the Minor Leagues, Barrow became disenchanted with baseball; he left the game to operate a hotel. He returned to baseball in 1910 as the President of the Eastern League. After a 7-year tenure, Barrow managed the Red Sox from 1918-1920. He was the Manager of 1918 World Champion Red Sox. He was the MLB Manager, who decided to make Babe Ruth, an everyday player because of his great hitting ability. In 1920, Ed will leave the Red Sox to become the Yankees General Manager, who will through a series of trades with the Red Sox build the Yankees into a World Championship team. In 1931, he had signed former Cubs Manager Joe McCarthy to manage the Yankees, replacing 1930 Yankees Manager Bob Shawkey. In 1932, he had hired Minor League Executive George Weiss to run the newly created Yankees Minor League system. He will be run the Yankees front office until January of 1945, when the Jacob Ruppert Estate sells the team to Co-Team Owners Del Webb, Dan Topping Sr. and Larry MacPhail, who will replace Barrow as the Yankees President. Edward Barrow would sell his 10% stake in the team to the group. Ed would remained as Chairman of the Board and an Informal Adviser. Though he had signed a 5-year contract to remain with the Yankees, he will exercise a clause in his contract to free himself as of December 31,1946 in order to officially retire from MLB. In 1953, he was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame as a Baseball Executive. On April 15,1954, the Yankees would dedicated a plaque to Barrow, which 1st hung on the CF Wall at Yankee Stadium, near the flagpole and the outfield monuments to Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Manager Miller Huggins. The plaques and monuments were later moved to the Stadium's Monument Park, when Yankee Stadium was being remodeled in 1973-1975.
1906-The Yankees had sold OF Ed Hahn to the White Sox. He had hit .309 in 43 games with the 1905 Yankees. Overall, Ed had appeared in 54 games for the team, while hitting No HRs and 12 RBIs in 54 games. The Yankees had just acquired veteran MLB OF Danny Hoffman from the Philadelphia A’s, making Hahn expendable.
1910-The Yankees would sell OF Clyde Engle to the Red Sox. He was the 1909 Yankees full-time LF, hitting 20 doubles with 3 HRs and 71 RBIs; while hitting .278 in 140 games. He had reported to the Yankees 1910 MLB Spring Training Camp out of shape, he would start the season slowly going 3 for 13 in 5 games.
1911-The Tigers would lose their 1st home game of the 1911 AL season by a score of 6-2, as the Yankees hands Tigers Starter George Mullin gets his 1st loss. The Tigers have a 21-2 record and will lead the AL until July 4th.
1913-The Yankees would commit 8 errors, but they still end up beating the Tigers by a score of 10-9 in 10 innings. Three of the 8 errors are made by Yankees Shortstop Claud Derrick, who will field just .872 for the season. Related? In 10 days, the Yankees will make a deal for Indians starting Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh to stabilize their shaky infield.
1926-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Bomber Sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth hit back-to-back HRs off of Tigers Starter Sam Gibson as the Yankees outscore the Bengals by the score of 13-9. Veteran Bronx Starter Herb Pennock is the winning pitcher for the Yankees.
1934-Lou Gehrig hits 2 HRs (including a Grand Slam HR) and a pair of doubles, tying the record with 4 long hits and drives in 7 runs, but he leaves the game after 5 innings with a severe cold. The Yankees top the White Sox by the score of 13-3. During the game, Yankees OF Ben Chapman (1930-1936) shouts racial remarks at a Jewish fan. His racist behavior will lead the Yankees to trade him in 1936 to the Senators. During the 1947 NL season, as Manager of the Phillies, he will lead the dugout bigots in protest of Dodgers Black Rookie INF Jackie Robinson.
1936-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees by beating the Athletics by the score of 7-2, the they would move into 1st place, where they will remain there the rest of the 1936 AL season. Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio makes his belated Yankee Stadium debut for the Bronx Bombers hitting his 1st MLB career HR off of A’s Pitcher George Turbeville. Lou Gehrig has 4 hits along with 2 RBIs with Yankees Pitcher Johnny Murphy in his 1st start of the 1936 AL season, picking up the victory.
1937-Yankees Starter Monte Pearson pitches a 1-hitter in stopping the White Sox by the score of 6-0. Joe DiMaggio hits his 1st 2 HRs of the 1937 AL season, while RF George Selkirk hits his 5th HR for the Bronx Bombers. Chicago's only hit is a 1-out 1st inning single by Larry Rosenthal, who was erased on a double play.
1941-Former MLB Player, Yankees Minor League Manager (1982) and Outfield Instructor Ken Barry was born.
Outfielder Ken Barry had played in the MLB from 1962 to 1975 with the White Sox, Angels, Brewers and the Indians. Ken was 2-time AL Golden Glove Award winner. He was a Yankee Minor League Manager with the 1982 Class A Oneonta Yankees (NYPL). He had finished in 1st place, but his team lost in the League play-offs. Also, he was a Minor League Outfield Instructor for the Yankees. Ken has worked for several MLB organizations; Brewers, Mets, Padres and the White Sox as a Minor League Manager and Batting Coach.
1942-The Yankees would sell Reserve OF Mike Chartak to the Senators. As a Reserve Outfielder for the 1940 and 1942 Yankees, Mike had appeared in only 16 games; while hitting only .100 with No HRs and 3 RBIs. He had joined the Yankees farm system in 1938, playing for their 2 AA teams, Newark Bears (IL) and the Kansas City Blues (AA).
1946-Before a Friday Ladies' Day crowd at Yankee Stadium of 64,183 fans, the 1st-place Red Sox win their 15th straight game, a 5-4 victory over the Yankees. Boston Reliever Earl Johnson gets the win with 4 innings of scoreless relief. A Joe DiMaggio Grand Slam HR accounts for the all of the Bombers' scoring.
1947-Former Yankees Pitcher and MLB Pitching Coach John Cumberland (1968-1970) was born. (1947-2022)
Before the start of 1966 NL season, John Cumberland was signed by the Phillies as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. On November 29,1966, he was drafted by the Yankees from the Phillies in the 1966 MLB Minor League Player Draft. He would pitch at the AAA level in the Yankees Minor League system, before being called-up by the team in September of 1968. With the 1968-1970, Yankees John would post a 3-4 record with a 4.11 ERA in 18 games. On July 20,1970, John was traded to the Giants for veteran MLB Starter Mike McCormick. Overall, he had a MLB Pitching career record of 15-16 with a 3.82 ERA; while pitching for the Yankees, Giants, Cardinals and the Angels. Later, he would become an MLB Pitching Coach, working for the Red Sox and Royals. Also, John has worked with several MLB organizations as Manager and Pitching Coach.
1952-At Yankee Stadium, Yankees veteran RF Hank Bauer goes 5 for 6 at the plate in an 18-3 romp over the Red Sox. He hits 2 HRs and a double, finishing the game with 6 RBIs. The Red Sox come away with a record-tying 10 assists in the 5th inning. They had chased Yankees Starter Tom Morgan for 4 hits and 3 Runs in the 1st 2 innings of the game. Then Yankee Relievers Jim “Hot Rod” McDonald and Bob “Sarge” Kuzava shut down Boston’s batting line-up with 7 innings of scoreless relief. McDonald pitches 5 innings of relief, picking up the win, as Kuzava gets credit for the save. Red Sox Starter Mickey McDermott takes the loss by allowing 7 Yankees runs on 7 hits; he is now 1-1 for the 1952 AL season.
1953-Veteran Yankees Starter Vic Raschi makes his 1st relief appearance in 2 seasons, limiting the Red Sox to 3 hits in 4 innings, as the Yankees win the game by the score of 7-4. Red Sox INF Billy Goodman sustains a freak rib accident, which will keep him out of action for 3-weeks, it occurred when CF Jim Piersall picks him up and lugs him from the field to break up Goody's argument with AL Umpire Jim Duffy. Del Wilber hits his 2nd consecutive pinch-hit HR in the 8th inning; his 1st HR came on May 6th.
1956-At Yankee Stadium, Indians Starter Bob Lemon gives the Tribe a 7-2 victory over the Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a solo HR in the 6th inning for the Bronx Bombers. For Mickey Mantle, it is his 20th HR of May, a new record. Also, the Yankees All-Starter Slugger adds a double and 2 singles, he is currently hitting .425 with 50 RBIs.
1958-Former Yankees Minor League Coach Dave Howard (1994-1997) was born.
Dave Howard has Coached and Managed in the Minor Leagues. Howard began his Baseball Coaching career at his alma mater, Georgia Southern College, where he worked as an Assistant to Head Coach Jack Stallings from 1981-1986. From 1987-1994, he was the 3B Coach and Hitting Coach for the Univ. of Florida, during which the team made the College World Series twice. Then Howard moved into pro baseball with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), coaching for them from 1994-1997. In 1998, he became the Manager of the Princeton Devil Rays, leading them to the finals of the Class A Appalachian League. In 1999-2000, Dave would coach baseball for the Tampa Prep School. Then he would return to manage in the Minor Leagues from 2001-2005 with the Hudson Valley Renegades. From 2006-2008, Howard was Major League Promotions Manager with Easton Sports.
In 2009, he was the Hitting Coach of the Lynchburg Hillcats, he was entrusted with 2008 Amateur Draft 1st-Rounder Pedro Alvarez. In 2010, he was the Hitting Coach for the Class A Bradenton Marauders, then in 2011, he was with the AA West Virginia Power and the State College Spikes in 2012.
1959-At Yankee Stadium, the Bombers would sweep doubleheader from the Senators, winning by scores of 6-3 and 3-2 in 10 innings. Mickey Mantle's HR in the 3rd inning of the Opener starts the Yankees scoring, as they beat Nats Starter Chuck Stobbs. Mantle singles and scores the winning run in the 10th inning of the nightcap. Yogi Berra has a HR in the 2nd game. Yogi sets a new MLB record for consecutive errorless games by a catcher with 148.
1965-At Fenway Park, the 9th-place Yankees lose again to Red Sox by a score of 3-2, when Carl Yastrzemski out-hits a hobbling Mickey Mantle. Yaz hits a pair of HRs and sacrifice fly, while Mantle is 3-for-4 with a HR. After Mantle doubles with 2 outs in the 9th inning off of Rookie Starter Jim Lonborg, who is lifted. Red Sox Closer Richard “The Monster” Radatz gets the final out of the game. It is Jim Lonborg's 1st MLB Pitching career win.
1965-The Yankees had traded Reserve INF/OF Pedro Gonzalez to the Indians for 1B Ray “Buddy” Barker. The trade was made to allow veteran 1B/OF Joe Pepitone move to the OF to replace the injured RF Roger Maris, meanwhile Barker would take over at 1B. He will appear in 176 games for the 1965-1967 Yankees, while hitting just .222 with 10 HRs and 44 RBIs. In 1967, he was Mickey Mantle’s back up at 1B. In 1963, INF Pedro Gonzalez had won the James P. Dawson Award. He had appeared in 101 games for the 1963-1965 Yankees, while hitting .266 with No HRs and 6 RBIs. His best season was in 1964, when he had appeared in 80 games, while hitting .277. Also, Pedro had appeared in 1 game of the 1964 World Series for the Yankees against the Cardinals with no hits.
1966-The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB Shortstop Richard “Ducky” Schofield from the Giants for $25,000 Cash. To make room for him on the Yankees MLB 25-man team roster, the team will send Rookie P Jack Cullen down to the AAA Toledo Mud Hens (IL). He would only hit .155 with No HRs and 2 RBIs in 25 games for the team. On September 10,1966, he was traded by the Yankees to the Dodgers for P Thad Tillotson and Cash. Ducky had previous played in the MLB for the Cardinals, Pirates before joining the Giants.
1973-The 1973 Mayor’s Trophy game is played at Shea Stadium. The Mets win the game by the score of 8-4 thanks to 5 runs in 2nd inning, sparked by Mets’ batter Felix Millan. Mets Veteran Starter George Stone held the Yankees batters scoreless for 7 innings, but he eventually gave up a Grand Slam HR to Yankees 3B Craig Nettles. Yankees Minor League Pitcher Mike Pazik takes the loss for the Bombers.
1996-Yankees Veteran MLB Starter David Cone undergoes surgery to remove an aneurysm in his right pitching arm.
2010-On the night they pay tribute to long-time Detroit Broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who had passed away last week, the Tigers would beat Yankees by the score of 5-4 with key contributions from 3 former Yankee players. Johnny Damon, who had signed as a MLB Free Agent in the off-season, hits a HR in his 1st game against his former team, while former Yankees Minor League OF Prospect Austin Jackson drives in a run and Reliever Phil Coke gets 2 key outs late in the game. Jackson and Coke were both obtained in an off-season trade for OF Curtis Granderson, who is currently on the Yankees DL.
2015-For his part, Yankees Starter Michael Pineda strikes out a MLB Pitching career-high of 16 Orioles batters in 7 innings in picking up a 6-2 victory. The 16 strikeouts are tied for 2nd-most in Yankees club pitching history, the team record being 18 was made by Ron Guidry, while the Orioles set team records for most strikeouts against 1 pitcher and most in a game, as they whiff 2 more times in the final 2 innings to end up with 18 for the game.
May 11th
1903-New York’s 1st Baseman John Ganzel hits the 1st Highlanders HR, as they defeat the Tigers by a score of 8-2. Also, his teammate, Shortstop William “Wild” Conroy hit a HR for the Highlanders in the game.
1919-At the Polo Grounds, Senators Starter Walter Johnson pitched a 12 scoreless innings in a duel with Yankees Veteran Starter Jack Quinn. Johnson had allowed only 2 Yankee hits as he had retired 28 Bronx batters in a row. Future NFL Chicago Bears Owner Rookie OF George Halas, batting leadoff for the Yankees, went 0-for-5, while striking out twice.
1928-Former Yankees Minor League Player and MLB Pitching Coach Mel Wright (1974-1975) was born. (1928-1983)
Before the start of the 1950 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Mel Wright as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had pitched in the Yankees Minor League system from 1950 to 1953, while compiling a 50-26 pitching record. On April 11,1954, Mel was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League Players INF Emil Tellinger and OF Bill Virdon to the St. Louis Cardinals for veteran OF Enos Slaughter. He would pitch for the 1954-1955 Cardinals and the 1960-1961 Cubs finishing his MLB pitching career with a 2-4 record with a 7.61 ERA in 58 games. He would return to the Yankees in 1974 as their new Yankees Manager Bill Virdon’s MLB Pitching Coach. Mel was Bill Virdon’s MLB Pitching Coach on several NL teams that he had managed.
1937-The Yankees had sold Veteran OF Roy Johnson to the Boston Bees (aka the Braves). On January 17,1936, Roy was traded by the Senators along with P Bump Hadley to the Yankees for P Jimmie DeShong and OF Jesse Hill. In 1936, Johnson had hit .265 with 1 HR and 19 RBIs in 63 games. For the 1937 AL season, after 51 at bats, he was hitting .294 with No HRs and 6 RBIs for the team. He became expendable with the arrival of Yankees Rookie OF Tommy Henrich, who the team had called up from their AA team, the Newark Bears (IL). He would take Johnson’s spot on the 25-man MLB team roster.
1946-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Tiny Bonham puts the brakes on the Boston’s 15-game winning streak with a 2-0 complete game shutout. He allows only 2 Boston hits, while striking 4 Red Sox batters. Boston hurler Tex Hughson takes the loss. Yankees OF Tommy Henrich leads the Yankees hitting attack with a double and a HR for the Yankees scoring.
1954-The Yankees had sold Reserve INF Jim Brideweser (1951-1953) to the Orioles. He had been placed on suspension by Yankees GM George Weiss for reusing to report to their AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA) for the 1954 season. In 1950, the Yankees had signed Jim Brideweser as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Jim had played college baseball at USC. He couldn’t break into the Yankee starting infield. Jim had appeared in only 57 games for the 1951-1953 Yankees, while hitting .327 with No HRs and 5 RBIs.
1955-The Yankees made several player moves to get down to the MLB 25-Man Roster limit. First, the Yankees had obtained Reliever Sonny Dixon from Kansas City A's for veteran OF Enos “Country” Slaughter and Pitcher Johnny Sain. Slaughter would return to the Yankees in August of 1956; his 1st stay was a major disappointment by hitting only .248 with 1 HR and 19 RBIs in 69 games. Johnny Sain was at the end of his fine MLB Pitching career that had started with the Braves in the late 1940’s. As a Yankee Pitcher, he had posted a 33-20 record with a 3.31 ERA and 41 saves in 130 games. Reliever Sonny Dixon would appear in 3 games for the 1956 Yankees, going 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA before leaving the MLB. He had previously pitched in the MLB for the Senators and the Athletics. Then team would option P Don Larsen to the AAA Denver Bears (AA), where he would go 9-1 before being recalled by the team in late July. Next, the Yankees would sell P Art Schallock to the Orioles for Cash. On July 12,1951, Art was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees for 2 Minor League Players: Pitcher Bob Landeck, Catcher Eddie Malone and Cash. Art would post a 3-2 record with 3.90 ERA and 1 save in 28 games for the 1951-1954 Yankees.
1958-Former Yankees Pitcher Walt Terrell (1989) was born.
On July 22,1989, Starter Walt Terrell was traded by the Padres along with a Player to be Named Later to the Yankees for INF Mike Pagliarulo and P Don Schulze. The Padres would send former Yankees Minor League P Freddie Toliver on September 27,1989 to the Bronx to complete the trade. He never makes an appearance with the Yankees. Walt had posted a 6-5 record with a 5.20 ERA in 13 games for the 1989 Yankees. On November 13,1989, Walt was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would be signed by the Pirates for the 1990 NL season.
1961-At Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium, a crowd of 15,986 fans watch their team lose to the visiting Yankees by the score of 9-4. Yankees new Veteran AL Reliever Tex Clevenger picks up the win in relief of Starter Ralph Terry. Kansas City Starter Bud Daley takes the loss for the A’s by allowing 8 Yankee hits and 7 runs. He is now 3-4 for the 1961 AL season. On June 14,1961, Bud will be traded by KC to the Yankees for Starter Art Ditmar and Rookie INF/OF Deron Johnson.
1979-The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB lefty hurler Jim Kaat from the Phillies. He would help out in the Yankees bullpen. He would post a 2-3 record with a 3.86 ERA and 2 saves in 40 games for the team before being sold to the Cardinals in 1980.
1981-Former Yankees Reserve OF Sammy “Babe Ruth’s legs” Byrd (1929-1934) had passed away. (1906-1981)
Outfielder Sammy Byrd was often used as Babe Ruth’s late inning defensive Outfield replacement, earning him the nickname of “Babe Ruth’s legs.” He had appeared in 565 games for the Bombers, while hitting .281 with 27 HRs and 155 RBIs. Sam had played in 1 game of the 1932 World Series for the Yankees against the Cubs with no hits. On December 19,1934, he was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees. He would play for the Reds for 2 seasons, before he retiring from the MLB. Overall, as an MLB Player Sammy ended his playing career with a .274 BA with 38 HRs and 220 RBIs in 745 games. He later would become a Pro Golfer, who won 23 PGA Pro events during his PGA Golfing career (1942-1946).
1990-MLB All-Star OF Dave Winfield rejected a trade that would have sent him from the Yankees to the California Angels in exchange for Veteran MLB Starter Mike Witt. A no-trade clause in Winfield's MLB player contract gave him the right to turn down the deal. Five days later, Winfield will reach an agreement with the Yankees Front Office and give his permission to let the trade to take place. On May 16,1990, the trade would be finalized by the 2 teams.
2006-Yankees LF Hideki Matsui broke his left wrist and his consecutive-games streak ended in the Red Sox 5-3 victory at Yankee Stadium. Going back to his days in Nippon Pro Baseball, when he had appeared in 1,768 consecutive games. Matsui had played in 518 consecutive games (a record for the start of an MLB career) since joining the Yankees in 2003, after playing in 1,250 straight for the Yomiuri Giants from August 22,1993 through 2002 season.
2020-Former Yankees Pitcher Larry Gowell (1972) had passed away. (1948-2020)
The Yankees in the 4th round of the 1967 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected Pitcher Larry Gowell. He went 0-1 with a 1.29 ERA in 2 games for the 1972 Yankees. On October 4,1972, Gowell had hit a double off of Brewers Pitcher Jim Lonborg for his 1st and only MLB hit and the last hit by a pitcher in a regular season AL game before the start of the DH rule in April of 1973. The baseball Gowell hit was accepted as a historical baseball into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, where it now resides. He would pitch in the Yankees organization until 1974. In 1975, he pitched in the Mexican League for 1 season before retiring the game.