Post by fwclipper51 on May 18, 2024 15:13:33 GMT -5
This Week in Yankees History May 12th-May 18th
May 12th
1889-Former Yankees Pitcher Al Schulz (1912-1914) was born. (1889-1931)
For the Yankees, Al Schulz would post a 9-18 record with a 3.75 ERA in 47 games. In 1914, he would jump from the Yankees to pitch with the Buffalo Buffeds in the Federal League before returning back to the MLB with the Reds in 1916. He would finish MLB Pitching career with an overall 47-63 record with a 3.32 ERA in 160 games.
1897-Former Yankees 3B Joseph “Jumping Joe” Dugan (1922-1928) was born. (1897-1982)
Joe Dugan would break into the MLB with the Philadelphia A’s. He would play for the team until his trade by A’s Team Owner/Manager Connie Mack to the Red Sox. However, on July 23 1922, the baseball establishment and fans everywhere were shocked to learn that Joe Dugan had been traded by Red Sox Team Owner Harry Frazee to the Yankees, who were in a close AL Pennant race with the St. Louis Browns. To obtain Dugan from the Red Sox, the Yankees would gave up utility INF Players Johnny Mitchell, Chick Fewster, Elmer Miller, an excellent defensive outfielder and a Player to be Named Later - which was Pitcher Frank "Lefty" O'Doul. Red Sox Owner Harry Frazee also received a considerable amount of Cash from the Yankees. Replacing an aged Frank "Home Run" Baker at 3B, Dugan would solidified the Yankees Infield, joining Shortstop “Deacon” Scott, 2B Aaron Ward and Wally Pipp at 1B. With the Yankees and Browns embroiled in a very tight AL Pennant race; St. Louis fans were outraged. As it turned out, the Yankees would open a 4-game series with the Browns in St. Louis right after the trade was made with Boston. The Browns’ fans would boo Dugan as soon as he got off the train in St. Louis. He would play in 60 games for the Yankees that season, while batting .286 with 3 HRs and 25 RBIs. The Yankees would finish in 1st place in the AL, 1-game ahead of the St. Louis Browns in the final season standings. In the 1922 World Series against the Giants, Dugan had batted .250, with 1 double. As the regular 3B for the Yankees the next 4 seasons, Dugan would hit .283 (1923), .302 (1924), .292 (1925) and .288 (1926). He also hit well in the 1923 and 1928 World Series for team at .280 and .333 marks, respectively. Joe had suffered from a "trick knee" that began to give him trouble soon, after joining the Yankees. The knee would lock and interfere with his playing. In 1925, he had a very delicate operation and was in bed for 6 weeks. The knee surgery had helped him, but Dugan never played again without the knee acting up on occasion. Joe Dugan always made light of his hitting on the great Yankee powerhouses. He told 1 anecdote to highlight the power of those teams and what he felt was his more modest contribution: in 1 inning the 1st 5 or 6 Yankee batters all hit safely – doubles, triples, and a HR. According to Dugan, when he came to bat and hit a single, Yankees Manager Miller Huggins fined him for breaking up a rally. In his last season of playing over 100 games, he was the 3B for the mighty 1927 Yankees team, considered by many to be the greatest of all time. He would hit .269 with 2 HRs and 43 RBIs that season. He went 3 for 15 as the Yankees would sweep the Pirates in the 1927 World Series. In 1928, Joe had appeared in only 94 games with the Yankees. On December 24,1929, he was sold by the team to the Boston Braves, where he would hit .304 in 60 games. After the 1929 NL season had ended, Dugan had retired, but he came out of retirement to play 8 games with the 1931 Tigers. His July 23,1922 trade by Boston to the Yankees led to the creation by the American League Office that created a June 15th trade deadline. Other AL teams had protested the Yankees-Red Sox trade to League President Ban Johnson. After his player retirement, Joe was an MLB Scout for the Red Sox from 1955 to 1966.
1915-The Yankees would beat the Indians by the score of 4-2, despite hitting into a triple play during the game.
1916-Former Yankees Pitcher Henry “Hank” Borowy (1942-1945) was born. (1916-2004)
A graduate of Fordham Univ., Hank was a dependable war-time starter for the 1943-1944 Yankees. He had posted records of 15-4, 14-9 and 17-12 with an ERA under 3.00 in all 3 seasons. In the 1943 World Series, he was a 6-2 winner over the Cardinals in Game 3. He worked in a New Jersey defense plant as a Supervisor in 1942-1943, was with the USO (United Service Organizations) in 1943-1944 and spent the winter of 1944-1945 working at the Eastern Tool and Manufacturing Company in Bloomfield, NJ. He had a record of 10-5 on July 27,1945, when he was surprisingly placed on waivers by the Yankees. The Cubs had claimed Hank for $90,000 Cash. He was then 11-2 over the final 2 months to play in what was then the team's last NL pennant. With his overall record of 21-7, Hank became only the 3rd pitcher in MLB history to win 20 games in a season divided between the 2 leagues. In 1945, Hank Borowy became the last pitcher with 5 decisions in a World Series. He shut out the Tigers in Game # 1 and lost Game # 5 by the score of 8-4. Then he came on in relief in Game # 6 to hold the Tigers scoreless over the final 4 innings in an 8-7, 12 inning Cubs victory forcing a 7th game in which a bone tired Borowy was given the start, but he was knocked out in the 1st inning in a 9-3 loss to finish at 2-2 in the Series. Hank was with the Cubs for 3 more seasons before moving to the Phillies, Pirates and back to the Tigers, where his 10 year MLB Pitching career ended in 1951 with an overall MLB pitching record of 108-82 with 3.50 ERA in 314 games.
1919-For 2nd straight day, the Yankees and the Senators battle into extra inning without a result. Today’s game ends in a 4-4 tie, the contest is called after 15 innings are played because of darkness.
1925-Future Yankee Hall Of Fame Player, Coach and Manager Lawrence “Yogi” Berra was born. (1925-2015) (Player: 1946-1963, MLB Coach: 1976-1983, Manager: 1964,1984.)
Yogi Berra was one of the most beloved players to ever wear the New York Yankees pinstripes. He hit .285, while playing 2,116 games, hitting 358 HRs and 1,430 RBIs in 18 seasons as a Yankees player. Yogi played in 14 World Series for the Yankees with 10 World Championships with 71 World Series hits. Yogi was an AL All-Star catcher for 15 seasons and 3-time American League MVP winner (1951,1954-1955). He would lead the AL Catchers in fielding twice (1957 and 1959.) Yogi became one of the greatest catchers in the game through the help of former Yankees great HOF Catcher Bill Dickey. In October of 1963, Yogi was named Manager of the 1964 Yankees. Despite posting a 99-63 record, winning the 1964 AL Flag, but losing to the Cardinals in 7 games in the 1964 World Series. Yankees GM Ralph Houk had fired him. In October of 1963, Berra was picked to manage the 1964 Yankees by Co-Team Owner Dan Topping Sr., so he wasn’t Yankees GM Houk’s choice to lead the 1964 team. In 1965, Berra would move across town, joining the New York Mets Coaching staff under his long-time mentor Casey Stengel and even appearing in a handful of games. He would remained a Mets MLB Coach until 1972, when he took over as the club's skipper upon the sudden death of Gil Hodges. After finishing in 3rd place that year, he would lead the team on a remarkable run in 1973. Although the Mets were in last place as late as August 30th, the club went 19-8 in September to capture the NL East title and beat the heavily-favored Reds in the NLCS to reach the World Series (which they ultimately lost to the Oakland A’s in 7 games). Berra would remain Manager of the Mets until 1975. In 1976, Berra would return to the Yankees MLB Coaching staff for Manager Billy Martin. In 1984, he was promoted again to Manager. However, early in the 1985 AL season, he was fired and replaced with Billy Martin by Team Owner George Steinbrenner. George was going through a revolving door of Managers in those years and Berra actually posted one of the best winning percentages of all those who managed the Yankees in the 1st phase of Steinbrenner's ownership (i.e. until the appointment of Joe Torre as manager in 1996). Berra went on to serve on the Astros MLB Coaching Staff from 1986 to 1989. Yogi Berra is one of few MLB Managers to win a pennant in each major league: Yankees (1964) and Mets (1973) joining HOF Managers Joe McCarthy (Cubs and Yankees) and Sparky Anderson (Reds and Tigers) in that select group. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
1930-Former Yankees Minor League OF Tom Umphlett was born.
On June 12,1962, OF Tom Umphlett was traded by the Red Sox along with Cash to the Yankees for Veteran Reserve INF Billy Gardner. Tom never played for the Yankees at MLB level. He would spend the 1962 season with the Yankees AAA team, the Richmond Virginians (IL).
1930-The Yankees would sell veteran Starter Tom Zachary to the Boston Braves. He had posted a 12-0 record with a 2.48 ERA for the 1929 Yankees. He was 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 3 games for the 1930 Yankees. Yankees Manager Bob Shawkey had Rookie Starter Lefty Gomez and recently acquired veteran MLB Starter Red Ruffing from the Red Sox, joining the Yankees 1930 starting rotation, so veteran hurler became expendable. On September 30,1927, Tom was the Senators Pitcher, who gave up Babe Ruth’s 60th HR at Yankee Stadium.
1933-The Yankees would sell Rookie 3B Billy Werber and veteran hurler George Pipgras to the Red Sox for $20,000 Cash. For the 1923-1933 Yankees, as a Yankees hurler, George Pipgras had posted a 93-64 record with a 4.40 ERA and 14 saves in 247 games. In 1930, INF Billy Werber was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. He had played college baseball at Duke Univ. He had spent the 1931-1932 seasons playing in the Minor Leagues. He had appeared in just 7 games, while hitting .250 for the 1933 Yankees. With the Red Sox, he would become a regular player. Pipgras would win 9 games for the 1933 Red Sox before a pitching arm injury had ended his MLB pitching Career. After retiring as an active player, George would become an AL Umpire.
1935-Former Yankees 1B/DH Felipe Alou (1971-1973) was born.
After being obtained on April 9, 1971 from Oakland for 2 Pitchers: Ron Klimkowski and Rob Gardner. Veteran 1B/DH Felipe Alou would hit .289 in 1971 and .278 in 1972, before fading during the 1973 AL season. Overall, as a Yankees player, Felipe had hit .271 with 18 HRs and 133 RBIs in 344 games. In September of 1973, he was sold to the Montreal Expos. After his active playing days, Alou became an MLB Manager for the Expos and the Giants.
1941-Red Sox Starter Lefty Grove beats Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez by the score of 6-4 for his 20th straight at Fenway Park. A Jimmie Fox 2-run HR is the margin of victory for Boston.
1952-The Yankees had waived veteran hurler Frank "Stubby" Overmire to the St. Louis Browns. After being obtained by Yankees on June 15, 1951 for Starter Tommy Byrne and $25,000 Cash. The veteran Overmire would post a 1-1 record with a 4.83 ERA in 15 games for the 1951 Yankees. He would go 0-3 for the 1952 Browns, retiring at the end of the season.
1958-In an in-season exhibition game held at Yankee Stadium, the Milwaukee Braves would beat the Yankees by the score of 4-3 with 13,00 fans (15,000 tickets were sold) watching the contest. Before the game, there was a HR Derby contest between the 2 team’s sluggers. Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Moose Skowron represented the Yankees. Meanwhile, Eddie Mathews, Joe Adcock and Hank Aaron would represent the Braves. Bronx veteran Pitcher Sal Maglie making his 1958 season’s debut at age 41, hurled 7 strong innings. Yankees Reliever Johnny Kucks took the loss, giving up 2 runs in the 8th inning. Braves Manager Fred Haney had used 9 pitchers for 1 inning each; Bob Rush, who worked the 7th inning got the win. This exhibition game between the Bronx Bombers and the Braves was a replacement for the Mayor’s Thorphy Game which ended in 1957. The Giants and Dodgers had moved to the West Coast ending the city series, which wouldn’t resume until the 1962 MLB season, when the new NL expansion team, the Mets were born and the City series was restarted.
1959-At Yankee Stadium, Catcher Yogi Berra committed an error as his errorless streak of 148 games for a MLB Catcher came to an end in a 7-6 loss to Indians.
1967-Former Yankees Minor League P Kenny Greer was born.
On June 1,1988, Pitcher Kenny Greer was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 1988 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. On September 17,1993, Kenny was traded by the Yankees to the Mets for veteran MLB Starter Frank Tanana.
1974-Former Yankees MLB Scout Ricardo Finol was born.
Ricardo Finol had pitched in the Minor Leagues, then he became an MLB scout. The Pirates took Finol in the 46th round of the MLB Amateur Player Draft,1 round after they picked Chris Capuano. With the 1996 GCL Pirates, he was 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA, allowing 19 hits and 5 walks in 10 innings. In 1996-1997, he had a 1-0 record, with 2.70 ERA for the Pastora de Occidente. He split the summer of '97 with the GCL Pirates (1-1, Sv, 3.15 ERA, 4 BB in 20 IP) and the Augusta Greenjackets (1-2, 6.65 ERA in 11 G). He went 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA for the 1997-1998 Pastora de Los Llanos. His final campaign, 1998-1999, he was 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 3 games for the Aguilas del Zulia. Overall, he was 3-3 with a save and a 5.75 ERA in 23 games, with 59 hits, 22 walks and 35 strikeouts in 51 2/3 IP in the minors. He went 2-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 16 contests, with 28 hits, 14 walks and 11 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings in the Venezuelan League. Finol later scouted for the Yankees, signing: INF Ramon Flores, Carlos Monasterios, Catcher Jesus Montero and OF José Tabata among others.
1978-Former Yankees Reserve 1B/DH Josh Phelps (2007) was born.
On December 7, 2006, 1B Josh Phelps was drafted by the Yankees from the Orioles organization in the 2006 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Josh had appeared in 36 games for the 2007 Yankees, while hitting .267. On June 22, 2007, Phelps was placed on waivers by the Yankees, the Pirates would claim him.
1978-At Royals Stadium, a potential game-ending routine fly ball to the Outfield became an Amos Otis walk-off Inside-the-Park HR as Yankees Outfielders RF Reggie Jackson and CF Mickey Rivers collided in the outfield. This defensive misplay turned a sure Yankees Closer Goose Gossage save into a sour loss for the current World Champions Yankees.
1979-Former Yankees MLB Scout, Baseball Executive (1967-1975) and MLB Catcher Clyde Kluttz had passed away. (1917-1979)
As an MLB Scout for the Yankees, he would convince MLB Free Agent Starter Catfish Hunter to sign with the Yankees on December 31,1974. He also spent time with the Yankees front office as Director of Player Development (1971-1973) and then as a Scouting Director in 1974. Clyde Kluttz was Catcher, who had played in the MLB from 1942-1952 with the Braves, Giants, Cardinals, Browns, Pirates before finishing up his MLB playing career with the Senators.
1982-The Yankees had traded INF Larry Milbourne, P John Pacella and Minor League P Pete Filson to the Twins for MLB Catcher Butch Wynegar and P Roger Erickson. The Yankees acquired Butch Wynegar from the Twins, after placing Catcher Rick Cerone on the DL. Roger Erickson was replacing an injured Yankees Starter, when the team placed veteran hurler Doyle Alexander on the DL. They already had veteran MLB Starter Rick Reuschel on the DL. Roger was currently 4-3 for the 1982 Twins. Since joining the Yankees in 1981, Milbourne had hit .265 with 1 HR and 14 RBIs in 106 games. Pacella had gone 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in 3 games for the team, he was pitching at AAA Columbus (IL) at the time of the trade was made. Pete Filson was also pitching at AAA Columbus (IL), he had never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1987-Former Yankees Pitcher Lance Lynn (2018) was born.
In 2011, Lance Lynn came up to the MLB with the Cardinals. From 2011-2015, he would post a 61-39 record for the Cardinals. He would underwent Tommy John surgery following the 2015 MLB Postseason, putting him out for all of 2016 NL season. He came back in 2017 to make a NL-leading 33 starts, ending up with a 11-8 record with a 3.43 ERA, while logging 186 1/3 and striking out 153 NL batters. After the season, he became an MLB Free Agent, while his numbers should have made him a hot property, he was caught in the glacial market affecting the MLB free agents that winter. He was only signed by a MLB team on March 10, 2018, when he agreed to a 1-year deal with the Twins for $12 million. His results with Minnesota were not that great in 20 starts for the team, he would post a 7-8 record with a 5.10 ERA. Meanwhile, the team as a whole disappointed and it soon became clear that there was little chance of returning to the AL postseason that season. As the July 31st MLB trading deadline approached, the Twins dealt a number of veteran players including Lynn. He was sent to the Yankees on July 30th in return for 1B/OF Tyler Austin and Minor League P Luis Rijo. With the Yankees, he was expected to be used as a long reliever and serve as an insurance policy, if a starter went down to injury. His 1st outing came in relief, but he was quickly tagged to replace an ineffective Bronx Starter Sonny Gray in the Yankees rotation. His 1st start on August 6th, Lance was outstanding as he held the White Sox scoreless into the 8th inning in a 7-0 Yankees win. He had retired 19 White Sox straight batters at one point. Lynn would go 3-2 with a 4.14 ERA in 11 games - 9 starts - for the 2018 Yankees, then was he used out of the bullpen in the 2018 AL Postseason. He had a good outing in Game 1 of the ALDS, when he had pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief of J.A. Happ and Chad Green in a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox, but in the pivotal Game 3 of ALDS, things went sour as he replaced a shaky Bronx Starter Luis Severino in the 4th inning, as he had allowed the 1st 3 Boston batters of the inning for each base, loading the bases with the Yankees already down by the score of 3-0. Lance could not pull off a miracle however; he walked the 1st man he faced, Mookie Betts, to force in a run, than allowed a bases-clearing double to the next batter, Andrew Benintendi. By the time the inning ended, Chad Green had replaced him on the mound and the Yankees were down by the score of 10-0 on their way to losing the game by the final score of 16-1. They never recovered from that beating. After the 2018 MLB postseason had ended, Lynn became an MLB Free Agent. On December 12, 2018, he would sign a 3-year contract worth $30 million with the Rangers
1992-Former Yankees Reserve OF Jonathan Davis (2021) was born.
On August 3, 2021, the Yankees had claimed OF Jonathan Davis on waivers from the Blue Jays. He had played in 52 games as a Reserve OF for the 2021 Blue Jays, hitting only .143 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs. Overall, with the 2018-2021 Blue Jays, he had hit .180 with 4 HRs and 16 RBIs in 122 games as a Reserve OF. On June 8, 2013, Davis was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 15th round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft. The Yankees had plan to send him to AAA Scranton, but team injuries have force them to keep him at the MLB level as a Reserve OF. For the Yankees, Davis would appear in just 12 games, while hitting .059. In November of 2021, he was granted MLB Free Agency the Yankees.
1999-The Angels shut out the Yankees by the score of 1-0, behind the combined 3-hit pitching of Starter Chuck Finley and Closer Troy Percival. Finley had struck out 11 Yankee batters in his 8 innings of work, including 4 batters in the 3rd inning, to become the 33rd pitcher in history to strike out 4 batters in a single frame. It is possible when a batter with 2 strikes on him takes a swing at strike 3; however, the catcher does not field the ball cleanly and instead of tagging the runner out, the runner reaches the 1st base. The strikeout is recorded, but not the out.
2022-It's a game for lovers of the 3 true outcomes at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, as Dylan Cease starts the game for the White Sox by recording 11 strikeouts in 4 innings against the Yankees. But he also gives up 2 walks and 6 hits, 5 of them for extra bases, including a pair of HRs by Giancarlo Stanton, he departs the game trailing by the score of 6-3. The Sox manage to tie the game at 7-all in the 7th, thanks to a 3-run homer by Yoan Moncada, but the Yankees come back with 7 runs in the top of the 8th against Sox Relievers Joe Kelly and Tanner Banks, with Bronx Sluggers Aaron Judge and Josh Donaldson both contributing homers. In all, the Yankees walk 7 times and strike out 14 times, in addition to the 4 long balls.
May 13th
1914-On May 13,1914, the Yankees had acquired Catcher/1B Les Nunamaker for Cash from the Red Sox. He would be the Yankees main Catcher until the 1918 AL season, when he was traded in the Urban Shocker trade to the St. Louis Browns. His best Yankees player season was in 1916, when Les would hit .296 in 91 games for the Yankees. As a Yankees player, Les had appeared in 396 games, while hitting .262 with 2 HRs and 107 RBIs.
1929-At Cleveland's League Park, the Indians would defeat the Yankees by a score of 4-3 in the 1st game in MLB history in which players from both teams wear numbers on the back of their jerseys.
1929-Former Yankees and MLB Manager George Stallings (1909-1910) had passed away. (1867-1929)
George Stallings had reached the MLB as a player in 1890, going hitless in 4 games with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. He was soon back in the Minor Leagues and began his managing career with the Augusta Electricians (SL) in 1893. Also, from 1893-1896, he was the Head Baseball Coach at Mercer Univ.. In 1897, he would become the Phillies Manager, also appeared in 2 games as the club finished in 10th place in the NL. He would play in 1 game with the team the next summer, but he was replaced by Bill Shettsline at the helm on June 18th. Stallings had led the Tigers to a 3rd place finish in 1901. Then he would find success with the AA Buffalo Bisons, leading the club to 2 Eastern League titles. He would take over the job as Yankees Manager for the 1909 AL season. The 1909 Yankees had finished in 5th place with a 74-77 record. With the 1910 Highlanders, the team was in 2nd place late in the season, before he resigned on September 21st. Stallings had a disagreement with Yankees Co-Team Owners Farrell and Devery over 1B Hal Chase’s play. He strongly felt that that Chase was trying to throw games and gambling on them as well. Ironically, Stallings was replaced by the team’s Co-Team Owners with 1B Hal Chase. Overall, George Stallings Yankees Manager record was 153-138. After 2 more seasons back with AA Buffalo (IL), Stallings became Manager of the Boston Braves in 1913. He took the club from last place to a NL pennant the next summer. “The Miracle Braves”, as the 1914 squad was known, were in last place for much of the 1st part of the season and as late as July 18th. On August 4th, they had climbed to 4th place, but they didn't reach 1st until August 25th. They dropped back into 2nd, but by September 5th, they were atop the NL standings for good. The Braves went on to sweep the Athletics in the 1914 World Series. Under Stallings' leadership, the Braves would finish in 2nd place in 1915, he would continue to manage the team through the 1920 NL season. In 1959, Stallings was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
1943-Former Yankees Pitcher Pat Malone (1935-1937) had passed away. (1902-1943)
After the 1934 NL campaign had ended, veteran Starter Pat Malone was traded by the Cubs to the Cardinals. However, he immediately clashed with Cardinals GM Branch Rickey over his MLB player salary; before the start of the 1935 AL season, he was sold to the Yankees for $15,000 Cash. With the Cubs, Pat had posted a 115-79 record with a 3.57 ERA in 265 games. He had won 22 games in 1929 and 20 games in 1930. Unable to crack a Yankees starting rotation that included Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing, he was moved to the Yankees bullpen, where he found success in 1936. That season, he would win 12 games. Pat had led the AL Relievers with 9 saves. Playing in the 3rd World Series of his MLB Pitching career that fall, he would earn a save in Game #3, but then he took the loss in Game #5. Nonetheless, the Yankees had defeated their cross-town NL rivals, the Giants in 6 games. He had appeared in 92 games with the Yankees, while posting a 19-13 record with a 4.97 ERA and 18 saves before being released by the team in January of 1938.
1946-The Yankees use air transport for travel as an MLB team for 1st time. They would lease a plane from United Airlines, nickname it “Yankee Mainliner.” Despite the advantages of flying, 4 Yankee players, including Pitcher Red Ruffing, still chose to take the train.
1947-Three Yankee batters Charlie Keller, Joe DiMaggio and Johnny Lindell would hit consecutive HRs in 6th inning off of St. Louis Browns Starter Fred Sanford to lead the Bronx Bombers to a 9-1 victory.
1948-The Yankees had obtained OF Leon Culberson and $20,000 in Cash from the Senators for OF Bud Stewart. On May 15,1948, the Yankees would option Leon to their AAA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA), where he would hit .259 in 83 games.
1950-“Ed Barrow Day” is staged at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees would honor their long-time Team President (1939-1945) and General Manager (1920-1945), who had run the Yankees Front office. He had created a farm system that allowed the team to dominate the AL. Also, he would engineer the famous trades that would make the team dominate in the MLB from 1920’s to 1940’s. Before joining the Yankees in 1920 postseason, he had managed the Tigers and Red Sox. In 1918 with Boston, he had won a World Series. He was responsible for moving Babe Ruth from the mound to the Outfielder, to take advantage of his hitting power at the plate.
1950-Former Yankees OF Juan Beniquez (1979) was born.
On November 10,1978, OF Juan Beniquez was traded by the Rangers along with Minor League Players: OF Greg Jemison, Pitchers Mike Griffin, Paul Mirabella and Dave Righetti to the Yankees for Reserve Catcher Mike Heath, Pitchers Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich, Reserve INF Domingo Ramos and Cash. While battling with injures, Juan would appear in only 62 games for the Yankees, hitting .254 with 4 HRs and 17 RBIs. On November 1,1979, Juan was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Rick Anderson and Jim Beattie, Reserve Catcher Jerry Narron to the Mariners for OF Ruppert Jones and P Jim Lewis.
1953-The Yankees would waive veteran hurler Johnny Schmitz to the Senators. With the 1952-1953 Yankees, Johnny had posted 1-1 record with a 3.26 ERA and 1 save in 8 games before joining the Nats. On August 1,1952, the Yankees had purchased Johnny Schmitz from Dodgers. On August 28,1952, the Yankees would trade Johnny as part of player package to the Reds in the Ewell Blackwell trade. On February 16,1953, the Yankees would purchase Schmitz from the Reds. He had posted a 1-0 record in 3 games with the 1952 Reds. For the 1953 Yankees, he had a 0-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in 3 games.
1955-At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle would hit HR’s from both sides of the plate for the 1st time in his MLB playing career. The Yankees Slugger would finish the game with 3 HR’s - 2 left-handed and 1 right-handed - and drove in all of his team's runs in a 5-2 victory over the Tigers. Whitey Ford was the winning pitcher, while Steve Gromek was the loser for the Tigers.
1965-Former Yankees Pitcher Jose Rijo (1984) was born.
Rookie Pitcher Jose Rijo had posted a 2-8 record with a 4.76 ERA and 2 saves in 24 games for the 1984 Yankees. The team had rush him up to the MLB to match the Mets young Rookie Pitcher Doc Gooden. In December of 1984, the Yankees would trade him to Oakland in the Rickey Henderson trade. He would later find success in the MLB, while pitching for the Reds before arm injures would end his MLB pitching career.
1969-Former Yankees Minor League OF Lyle Mouton was born.
On June 3,1991, OF Lyle Mouton was selected by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 1991 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Lyle never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On April 22,1995, Lyle was sent by the Yankees to the White Sox to complete an earlier deal made on December 14,1994. The Yankees had sent a Player to be Named Later and Keith Heberling (Minors) to the White Sox for veteran Starter Jack McDowell.
1974-The Yankees had sold veteran 1B Mike Hegan to the Brewers. On August 18,1973, Mike had been acquired by the Yankees from Oakland. He would share the Yankees 1B job with veteran Matty Alou. With the arrival of 1B Chris Chambliss from the Indians on April 27th, Mike had been sharing the 1B job with veteran INF Bill Sudakis. He had played in 18 games for the 1974 Yankees, while hitting .226 with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs. He would ask the Yankees front office for a trade to the Brewers, Tigers or the Red Sox. With the Brewers, he would become their Reserve 1B for AL All-Star Veteran 1B George Scott.
1977-Yankees Starter Ed Figueroa wins his 4th straight complete game, beating his former teammates the Angels by score of 3-0. Yankees Catcher Thurman Munson hit his 7th HR of the 1977 AL season.
1984-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher J. Brent Cox was born.
The Yankees had selected Pitcher J. Brent Cox in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Player Draft, a pick that was compensation for the loss of P Orlando Hernández to MLB Free Agency. He had signed for a $550,000 bonus. At the Univ. of Texas, he was the set-up man for Closer Houston Street. Debuting professionally in High Class A, Cox was 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 16 games for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), striking out 27 batters in 28 IP and allowing a .206 average. Cox had another fine season in 2006, going 6-2 with a 1.75 ERA and 3 saves in 41 games for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). He would allow a .196 average. Baseball America rated him as having the best slider in the Yankee system and being the team's 8th-best prospect. Cox had struck out 7 batters in 7 innings for Team USA in the American Qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics (held in 2006), allowing 4 runs and having no decisions or saves. He pitched scoreless ball against Brazil (2 IP, 3 H), Venezuela (1 2/3 IP) and Nicaragua (2 IP). He had struggled, though, against Cuba in the finale. Relieving Kevin Slowey with a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the 6th inning, Cox was charged with 2 runs in that inning and 2 more in the 7th inning (though Jeff Ridgeway was on the hill, when both runners scored) as Cuba tied it. In March of 2007, Cox had elbow surgery; he did not pitch a game that season. In 2009, he would appear in 12 games for AAA Scranton (IL) and 5 games for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). In 2010, he would play his last season in pro baseball, splitting time between 2 teams: AA Trenton (EL) and Class A Tampa (FSL).
1985-After trailing by 8 runs going into the bottom of the 6th inning, the Yankees rally to beat the Twins, by the score of 9-8. Don Mattingly's 9th inning 2-out, 3-run walk off HR in Yankee Stadium is the finishing touch.
1987-Former Yankees Pitcher D. J. Mitchell (2012) was born.
D.J. Mitchell had played baseball and basketball in high school. He was 3-time All-Conference in baseball. Going on to Clemson Univ., he would hit .289 as a backup RF. He stole 8 bases in 11 tries. He started all 3 games of the 2006 College World Series. Mitchell would help the Thomasville HiToms win the Coastal Plain League title that summer. He had scored 15 runs in 21 games; he had a 2.25 ERA as a reliever. In the championship game, he got the start on the hill and won, allowing 1 run and 2 hits in 5 innings. In 2007, D.J. struggled as a part-time outfielder with a .208 BA, 8 steals in 11 tries again) but he did well on the mound (5-0, 3.27 ERA) signaling a switch of positions. With the Bourne Braves that summer, he had a 1-2 record with a 1.47 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 49 innings. He would lead the prestigious Cape Cod League in strikeouts and was 4th in ERA. On the league All-Star team, he him as the loop's #22 prospect between Brett Jacobson and Jason Castro. As a Junior in 2008, he would post a 6-5 record with a 3.47 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 20 appearances. It was the highest strikeout total by a Clemson hurler since Kris Benson 12 years prior. Mitchell made 1st-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference. The Yankees in the 10th round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected D. J. Mitchell. He was signed by the team for a $450,000 bonus, but he did not play professionally that season due to a muscle strain. He made his pro debut the following summer with the Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), going 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA in 6 starts before being transferred to the High Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) in May. With Tampa for the remainder of the season, he went 8-6 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 games for the team. He had tied Lance Pendleton for 2nd in the Yankees chain in wins (behind David Phelps), Mitchell was 2nd in strikeouts (125, behind Pendleton) and he was 4th in ERA. He helped Class A Tampa Yankees win the FSL title. Mitchell spent most of the 2010 season with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), while posting a 11-4 record with a 4.06 ERA. In August, he was promoted to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (IL) for whom, he was 2-0 with a 3.57 ERA in 3 late-season starts. He had allowed 3 earned runs in 5 innings in an IL postseason start with Scranton, he got a no-decision. He was back with Scranton for the entire next season, going 13-9 with a 3.18 ERA in 28 games. He led the 2011 International League with 2 shutouts and tied Zach McAllister for the league lead with 3 complete games. He also was 2nd in the IL in wins and 5th in ERA. He led Yankee farmhands in wins and was 3rd in ERA. He was named the 2011 Yankees Minor League Pitcher of the Year. After making 4 starts AAA Scranton to begin the 2012 season (2-1 record with a 3.13 ERA), when he was called up to the Yankees in late April to replace Reliever Cody Eppley. He made his MLB Pitching debut on May 1st, facing the Orioles, entering with a 7-1 deficit in the 9th inning. He began by striking out J.J. Hardy. Nick Markakis singled but Mitchell got Adam Jones to hit into a force out. Matt Wieters singled, but he was out trying for a double to end Mitchell's scoreless inning of relief. After 1 more appearance 2 days later, he was sent back down to Scranton to clear an MLB roster spot for Reserve OF Dewayne Wise. On July 23, 2012, Mitchell was traded along with Minor League P Danny Farquhar to the Mariners for veteran AL All-Star OF Ichiro Suzuki.
1991-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher John Ryan Murphy (2013-2015) was born.
In 2009, Catcher John Ryan Murphy was the 2nd-team HS All-American Catcher according to Baseball America behind Bryce Harper. The Yankees had selected him 76th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Amateur Player Draft; the pick was compensation for failing to sign Scott Bittle the year before. He was the Yankees 2nd selection, following OF Slade Heathcott. He turned down a scholarship to the Univ. of Miami, signed late. Murphy played in just 9 games for the GCL Yankees (11 for 33, 2 BB, 1 HR, 3 BB). He would hit .255 for the 2010 Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), fielding .973 with 13 passed balls in 53 games, while throwing out 23% of attempted base-stealers. He did come up with a big day August 13th against the Hickory Crawdads, with a Grand Slam HR, a 3-run HR and 2 more RBIs to fall 1 RBI shy of the South Atlantic League single-game record. Backing up fellow Catching prospect Gary Sanchez for Charleston in 2011, he fared better, hitting .297 in 63 Games. He moved up to the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) hitting .259 in 23 Games. He had hit 29 doubles in 341 at-bats that season. In 2012, he would play for Class A Tampa (FSL) hitting .257 in 67 Games, he moved up to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), while batting .231 in 43 Games. He had 11 errors, 13 passed balls and threw out 32% of attempted base-stealers. He was 6 for 26 with 2 HRS and 4 RBIs for Trenton in the Eastern League playoffs. J.R. would open the 2013 season with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), hitting .268 in 49 Games. Then he was moved up to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL) hitting .270 with 12 HRs and 29 doubles in 59 Games. He was a September call-up to the Bronx. In his MLB Player debut was on September 2nd, when he pinch-hit for 2B Robinson Cano in the bottom of the 8th of a 9-1 blowout of the White Sox. Murphy singled off of Dave Purcy, then he exited the game in the top of the 9th. He would hit .154 in 16 games in his 1st taste of the MLB action. He started the 2014 season back in the Minors (5 for 26, 3 2B for Scranton,) but J.R. was soon called up to the Bronx to back up newly signed C Brian McCann, when Reserve Catcher Francisco Cervelli went on the DL. He hit his 1st MLB career HR on April 26th, connecting off of Angels hurler Hector Santiago in the 5th inning; after having hit a 2-run single in the 2nd. His offensive heroics were key to a 4-3 win. He ended playing in 32 games for the 2014 Yankees, while hitting .284 with 1 HR and 9 RBIs. In 2015, John Ryan began the season as the Reserve for starting Catcher Brian McCann, following Cervelli's trade to the Pirates in the off-season. On July 25th, his 1st HR of the 2015 AL season was a dramatic one against the Twins. The Yankees had fallen into an early 5-0 hole, but 3 HRs by Alex Rodriguez, including a solo HR in the 9th that had tied the score at 5-5. Facing AL All-Star Closer Glen Perkins later that inning, he hit a 3-run HR shot that gave the Yankees an 8-5 win. He would play in 67 games for the 2015 Yankees, while hitting .277 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs, showing that he was ready to step into an MLB Catcher starting job. However, this was not to come with the Yankees, with veteran MLB Catcher Brian McCann having signed to a long-term MLB Player contract and with another young Catcher waiting in the wings in Gary Sanchez. After the 2015 AL season, the Yankees would trade Murphy to the Twins for OF Aaron Hicks. In 2016, Ryan would only play in 26 MLB games for the Twins, hitting just .146 with 1 HR and 3 RBIs, before being sent down to AAA. During the 2017 AL season, the Twins had traded him to the Diamondbacks for a Minor League player. On April 30, 2019, John became Yankees veteran Starter CC Sabathia 3,000 MLB career strike out victim in a game between the D-Backs and the Yankees. In 2020, he was a reserve catcher with the Pirates, hitting just .172 with No HRs and 2 RBIs. John would finish MLB playing career with a .215 BA along with 18 HRs and 61 RBIs in 284 MLB games.
1996-Former Yankees Pitcher Justus Sheffield (2018) was born.
Pitcher Justus Sheffield was selected by the Indians in 2014 MLB Amateur Player Draft (the pick was compensation for the loss of Ubaldo Jimenez). He is the Nephew of former Yankees OF/DH Gary Sheffield and Brother of 2013 draftee Jordan Sheffield. In the 2013 World Junior Championship, he was roughed up in starts against Cuba and Taiwan but the US rallied to win both en route to the Gold. He won the 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year after going 10-0 with a 0.34 ERA and 131 K in 61 2/3 IP. Gary Sheffield won the 1st such honor in 1986. Sheffield began his pro career at 18 years old, going 3-1 with 29 strikeouts and a 4.87 ERA in 20 1/3 innings for the AZL Indians in 2014. On January 20, 2015, he was arrested for aggravated burglary and underage drinking. That did not affect his season, however, as he pitched for the Lake County Captains that season and went 9-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 26 starts; he had 138 strikeouts in 127 2/3 innings and earned Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star and MiLB.com Organization All-Star selections. Going into the year, he had been ranked the #4 prospect in the Indians system by Baseball America. Going into 2016, he was ranked the #4 prospect in the Indians system and the #81 prospect in all of baseball by BA. He began the season with the Lynchburg Hillcats. In 19 starts, he went 7-5 with a 3.59 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 95 1/3 innings. On July 31st, he was traded to the Yankees along with Tribe Prospects: OF Clint Frazier, Pitchers J.P. Feyereisen and Ben Heller in return for veteran MLB Closer Andrew Miller. He would finish the 2016 Minor League season with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), pitching in 5 games, while posting a 3-1 record with a 1.73 ERA. He had started the 2017 season with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL.) He was with the 2018 AAA Scranton (IL). With the 2018 Yankees, he would work out of the bullpen, when he was called up to the Bronx. He had appeared in 10 games with a 0-0 record with a 10.13 ERA in 3 games. On November 19, 2018, Sheffield was traded along with 2 other Minor League Players: OF Dom Thompson-Williams and Pitcher Erik Swanson for Mariners MLB Starter James Paxton.
2012-The Mariners would beat the Yankees by the score of 6-2 in Andy Pettitte's return to Yankees pinstripes, after a 1-year retirement from the game. Mariner batters Justin Smoak and Casper Wells hit HRs against Pettitte; veteran MLB Starter Kevin Millwood picks up his 1st win for Seattle. Wells is a dutiful son on Mother's Day, hitting his long ball after his Mom, who drove all the way from Schenectady, NY to the Big Apple to attend the game, asked him to hit a HR to make it memorable.
2016-Former Yankees MLB Pitching Coach (1982-1984,1986) and MLB Pitcher Sammy Ellis had passed away. (1941-2016)
After playing college baseball at Mississippi State Univ. (MSU) for the Mississippi St. Bulldogs, Sammy Ellis was signed by the Reds an MLB Amateur Free Agent in 1961. At Mississippi State, he had lettered 1 year (1961) with a pitching record of 12–7, leading the team in strikeouts (73) and innings pitched (57 2⁄3). He was named to MSU's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012. Ellis made his MLB Pitching debut at the start of the 1962 NL season. His 1st MLB appearance was on April 14,1962, in which he lost. His 1st MLB victory came 10 days later on April 24th, when he walked 11 batters, but he only allowed 1 hit. After spending part of the 1962 and all of the 1963 season in the Minors, Ellis would rejoin the MLB club in 1964 as a Reliever. He would finish the season with a 10–3 record along with a 2.57 ERA; he had pitched in 52 games and threw fewer walks in those 52 games (28) than he did in 1962 in 8 games (29). Ellis had an excellent season in 1964, as the Reds' top Relief Pitcher, by saving 14 games, while posting a 10-3 record and a 125/28 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He was moved to the Reds starting rotation in 1965. He made the 1965 NL All-Star team, winning 22 games, while striking out 183 NL batters. Only 24 at the time, he seemed to have a great future ahead of him, but after a 12-19 season in 1966, he had developed pitching arm problems, Sammy was out of MLB baseball by mid-1969. He had pitched for the Reds, Angels and the White Sox. Overall, as an MLB Pitcher, Sammy had posted a 63-58 record with a 4.15 ERA in 229 games. Ellis, later became a successful Pitching Coach for a number of MLB teams in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1982, he was a Yankees MLB Pitching Coach, from 1983 to 1984 and again in 1986. He was then a roving Minor League Pitching Coach for the 1987 White Sox. From 1989 to 1991, Sammy was on the White Sox MLB Coaching staff; then he spent the 1992 NL season across town as the Cubs MLB Pitching Coach. He was later a member of the Mariners MLB Coaching staff in 1993-1994, then he was with the 1996 Red Sox MLB Coaching staff and then 2000 Orioles MLB Coaching staff.
May 14th
1899-Future Yankees HOF CF Earle “The Kentucky Colonel” Combs (1924-1935) was born. (1899-1976)
In 1923, OF Earl Combs would hit .380 for the AA Louisville Colonels (AA). He had his Minor League player contract purchased by the Yankees prior to the start of the 1924 AL season for $50,000 cash, a huge sum at the time. Earl was a lifetime MLB .325 hitter for the Yankees. He was the leadoff hitter for the Yankees, the 1st player to wear Yankees Uniform #1. Combs' best season came with the 1927 Yankees, when he hit .356, while scored 137 runs and led the AL with 231 hits. In 1934, Combs suffered a serious injury that could have cost him his life, fracturing his skull after running into the outfield wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. He was carried unconscious from the field. He remained in the hospital for 2 months afterwards, but he miraculously returned to the playing field in 1935. However, his MLB player career was shortly thereafter ended by another injury, this time with a broken collarbone. He had batted .340 in 4 World Series with the Yankees, 8th highest in MLB history. He was the 1st of the great Yankee Centerfielders. After he stopped playing, Earl became a Yankees MLB Coach (1936-1944). He would teach Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio, how to play centerfield at Yankee Stadium. Later, Combs would become a member of the 1947 St. Louis Browns MLB Coaching staff. Next, he would be an MLB coach for the 1948-1952 Red Sox working for his Former Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy. He would spend the 1954 NL season with the Phillies, as a member of their MLB Coaching Staff. In 1970, Earle Combs was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1913-Former Yankees Minor League P Johnny Babich was born. (1913-2001).
Johnny Babich grew up in the San Francisco area. In 1931, he began his pro baseball pitching career with the AA San Francisco Seals (PCL). In 1933, Johnny was traded by the Seals to the cross-town Missions (PCL); where he went on to win 20 games. He would win 10 games during the 1934 PCL season before being acquired by the Dodgers, where he went 7-11 as an MLB Rookie hurler. After posting a 6.66 ERA for the 1935 Dodgers, he was sent back down to the Minors. Babich spent most of the 1935 season pitching in the PCL; he did play in 3 games for the Boston Bees (aka the Braves). After going 19-17 with a 3.27 ERA for the 1938 AA Hollywood Stars (PCL), he was acquired by the Yankees, who sent him to their Minor League AA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA). One year later, he was selected by Philadelphia Athletics in the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. With the 1940 A’s, he had posted a 14-13 record with a 3.73 ERA. Johnny had a 5-0 record against the 1940 Yankees. He would play 1 more season in the MLB, going 2-7 for the 1941 A’s. Following his MLB Pitching career, Babich would manage in the Minor Leagues; he continued to pitch as well. He would lead the 1947 Stockton Ports to a California League title, while posting a 5-2 record on the mound.
1917-Former Yankees Minor League OF Bob Thurman was born. (1917-1998)
Outfielder Bob Thurman was a star player in the Negro Leagues and in the Winter Baseball Leagues. On July 29,1949, it was announced that the Yankees had purchased his player contract from the Kansas City Monarchs (Negro Leagues). He was assigned to the AA Newark Bears (IL), where he hit 3 HRs in his 1st week. For the rest of the 1950 International League season, he would hit .317 for the Bears in 59 games, before a hand injury had sidelined him. The Yankees would send him to the Cubs that winter. Bob would reach the MLB with the 1955 Reds. After his MLB playing career had ended, he would join the Twins as an MLB Scout. Later, he would scout for the Reds and the Royals as well as working for the MLB Scouting Bureau.
1931-Former Yankees Pitcher Eustance “Doc” Newton (1905-1909) had passed away. (1877-1931)
On October 4,1904, Pitcher Doc Newton was drafted by the Highlanders from the AA Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He had previously pitched in the NL for the Reds and Dodgers from 1900 to 1902. He had jumped from the Dodgers in 1902 to pitch in the PCL with the AA Los Angeles Angels (PCL). With the 1905-1909 Yankees, Doc will post a 20-25 record with a 2.96 ERA with 1 save in 78 games.
1934-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Lou Criger (1910) had passed away. (1872-1934)
On December 16,1909, veteran Catcher Lou Criger was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for OF Ray Demmitt and P Joe Lake. Lou only appeared in 27 games as a Reserve Catcher for the team, hitting just .188 for the Yankees. In 1911, he will go back to the Browns to finish out his MLB playing career. He would play a few more seasons in the Minor Leagues after that, including a stint as Player-Manager for Boyne City (MSL) in 1911. He was then the 1912 St. Louis Browns MLB Pitching Coach, catching 1 game as an emergency injury replacement. In 1914, he had developed Tuberculosis, then he would move to Arizona, where he would pass away in 1934.
1937-Former Yankees INF (1967-1968), MLB Coach (1968-1978) and Manager (1980) Richard Howser was born. (1937-1987)
Infielder Richard Howser was signed by the Kansas City A’s, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. In 1961, A’s Shortstop Richard Howser was a Topps All-Star Team Rookie. Also, he was named to the 1961 AL All-Star team as a member of the A’s. Later, he would play for the Indians, before joining the Yankees in 1966. On December 20,1966, Howser was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for Minor League P Gil Downs and Cash. As a Yankees player, Howser would appear in 148 games, while hitting .211 with No HRs and 13 RBIs. Overall, as an MLB player, he had played in 789 games, while hitting .248 with 16 HRs and 165 RBIs. Richard Howser finished his MLB playing career with the Yankees in 1968, becoming an MLB Coach for the team. He was the 1st player from Florida State Univ. to come to the MLB. Howser returned to FSU as Head Baseball Coach in 1979, before the Yankees brought him back to the Bronx as their MLB Manager the next year. He would manage the Yankees in 1980, taking the team to a 103-59 record before losing to the Royals in AL Title Playoffs. He would later manage the Royals, going to the 1985 World Series winning the World Championship, before he passed away from Brain Cancer in 1987.
1947-Former Yankees Pitcher Richard “Dirt” Tidrow (1974-1979) was born. (1947-2021)
On January 28,1967, Pitcher Richard Tidrow was drafted by the Indians in the 4th round of the 1967 MLB Amateur Player Draft (January Secondary). He would pitch for the Tribe from 1972 to April 1974. As an Indians starter, he had posted a 29-34 record with a 3.78 ERA in 85 games. On April 26,1974, Richard “Dirt” Tidrow came over to the Yankees from the Indians in the Chris Chambliss trade. With the Yankees, he became the Set-Up Man for Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle. After pitching effectively in relief for several seasons, he returned to the starting rotation in 1978, following injuries to veteran Bronx Starters Catfish Hunter and Don Gullett as he went 7-11 with a 3.84 ERA in 31 games for the team. As a Yankees Pitcher, he had posted a 40-33 record with a 3.61 ERA and 23 saves in 211 games, before being traded to Cubs for P Ray Burris during the 1979 AL season. He would finish with an MLB Pitching career with a record of 100-94 with a 3.68 ERA and 55 saves in 620 games. Tidrow had pitched in the MLB for the Indians, Yankees, Cubs, White Sox and the Mets. “Dirt” appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, pitching in 4 games with no record. In the AL Post Season, he went 1-0 in 8 games for the Yankees. Since his MLB Pitching career ended in 1984, Tidrow has been an MLB Scout for the Yankees. Since 1994, he has worked in the front office for the Giants. Tidrow was a Special Assistant to the GM in 1996. Tidrow was the Giants Farm Director from 1997 to 2005. In 2012, he is the "Vice President, Player Personnel,” a job he has held since at least 2008.
1948-Former Yankees Reliever Dave LaRoche (1981-1983) was born.
The Yankees had signed Veteran Reliever Dave La Roche as an MLB Free Agent. He went 8-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 72 games with no saves for the 1981-1983 Yankees. Dave was known for his unique pitch called the "LaLob". He is one of the last MLB Pitchers to use an eephus pitch, which he utilized as an "out pitch" late in his career. His eephus pitch was thrown overhand, but it would arc as high as 20 feet on its way to home plate. He later became a Minor League Pitching Coach for the Yankees, Mets and the Royals Minor League systems. His son, Adam would play in the MLB.
1951-The Yankees had obtained 1B Don Bollweg and $15,000 Cash from the Cardinals for veteran INF Billy “The Bull” Johnson. He had been with Yankees since 1943. He had missed playing time in 1944-1945 due to wartime duty with the Navy. He had been the team’s regular and part-time 3B. In 1951, he had only appeared in 15 games for the team, while hitting .300 with No HRs and 6 RBIs. Billy would finish his Yankees playing career with .275 BA along with 45 HRs and 388 RBIs in 735 games. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the team, while playing in 18 games, hitting .237 with No HRs and 5 RBIs. Don Bollweg was sent to the Yankees AAA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA). He would play for the Blues for the 1951-1952 Minor League seasons. In 1953, he would appear in 70 games for the Yankees, while hitting .297 with 6 HRs and 24 RBIs. In December of 1953, Don was traded by the Yankees to the Philadelphia Athletics in the Vic Power trade.
1958-The Yankees had sold Pitcher Al Cicotte to the Senators for Cash. He had spent 9 seasons pitching in the Minor Leagues. In 1956, he would post a15-12 record for AAA Richmond Virginians (IL). In 1957, he had appeared in 20 games for the Yankees, while posting a 2-2 record along with a 3.03 ERA; he didn’t appear in the 1957 World Series for the team against the Braves. For the 1958 AL season, he hadn’t appeared in any games for the club.
1967-Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle joined the 500 HR MLB club, when he connected off of Orioles Veteran Reliever Stu Miller. Mantle became the 6th MLB player to reach the 500 HR MLB career mark, joining Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Willie Mays, Mel Ott and Ted Williams. Mantle's HR helped the Bombers to a 6-5 victory over the Birds at Yankee Stadium.
1977-Former Yankees MLB Scout Louis Majuolo (1947-1975) had passed away. (1899-1977)
Lou Maguolo was an MLB Scout for the 1936-1942 St. Louis Browns. During World War II, Maguolo had served in the Army in the Pacific Northwest. His duties were primarily in Special Services Recreation, where he attained the rank of Major. In 1947, he moved to the Yankees, becoming an MLB Scout (1947-1970.) He would retire in 1970, but he continued to work for the Yankees as a part-time MLB Scout from 1970-1975. He was best known for signing Yankee greats as 1B Bill Skowron, INF Tony Kubek, Pitchers Fritz Peterson, Jim Bouton and OF/C Elston Howard. He is credited with signing at least 40 athletes, who eventually played in the MLB; 10 of them for the St. Louis Browns including Al LaMacchia, Don Lenhardt, P Marlin Stuart, Fuzz White, Jackie Juelich, Babe Martin, George Hausmann and 1B Roy Sievers. Other players that he signed for the Yankees included: OF Whitey Herzog, C Cal Neeman, OF Norm Siebern, OF Lee Thomas, C Jim Robertson, OF Jay Ward, P Bob Keegan, INF Herb Plews, INF Lou Skizas, P Bob Wiesler, OF Al Pilarcik, 1B Bud Zipfel, Pitchers Paul Hinrichs, Zach Monroe, Lloyd Merritt, Steve Karly, Tom Metcalf, Mike Jurewicz, John Gabler and Hal Stowe, OF Jim Finigan, OF/P Joe Pactwa, OF Larry Murray, INF Jerry Lumpe, INF Jerry Kenney, INF Dennis Werth and 1B Dave Bergman. While working for the Yankees, he was their Chief Midwest MLB Scout for a while.
1977-Before a crowd of 41,000 fans in California, Yankees Starter Don Gullett hurls a 4-hitter, as he out-duels Angels Ace Nolan Ryan by the score of 4-1.
1985-Current Yankees MLB Pitching Coach Matt Blake (2020-2024) was born.
In 2020, Matt Blake was appointed pitching coach of the New York Yankees, succeeding Larry Rothschild. He very much fit the profile of a number of recent coaching appointments in the MLB, as his playing experience consisted only of 4 seasons with the varsity team, when he was studying psychology and philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross. He never played professionally, instead got into coaching at the high school level in suburban Massachusetts and with a private coaching firm, Cressey Sports Performance, based in West Palm Beach, FL. In 2010, he became an Associate Scout for the Yankees, then in 2015, he became a Pitching Coach in the Cape Cod League. That year, he would join the Cleveland Indians organization as a Minor League Pitching Coordinator. He also worked with the team's player development staff; Matt was eventually named Director of Pitching Development. He was very much into analytics and was credited with helping the rise of a number of young Tribe hurlers within the organization, such as Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber or Adam Plutko.
1985-Former Yankees Pitcher Harry Byrd (1954) had passed away. (1925-1985)
In winter of 1953, Starter Harry Byrd had joined the Yankees, after coming over from the Philadelphia A’s trade that saw Minor League Star 1B/OF Vic Power and other players go to the A’s. In 1952, Harry had won the AL Rookie of the Year Award, while posting a 15-15 record with a 3.31 ERA in 37 games for the A’s. The Yankees had hoped that he could help out in the rebuilding of the aging Yankees starting rotation. Harry would post a 9-7 record with a 2.99 ERA in 25 games for the 1954 Yankees before being traded to Orioles in the big 17-man MLB Trade in December of 1954. Harry would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 46-54 record with a 4.35 ERA in 187 games, while pitching for the A’s, Yankees, Orioles, White Sox and the Tigers.
1986-Former MLB INF and Long-Time Yankees MLB Scout Frank O’Rourke (1952-1983) had passed away. (1891-1986)
Frank O'Rourke was a good-field, little-hit infielder, who had played 14 seasons in the MLB; stretched out in the period from 1912 to 1931. After his playing days, O'Rourke was a Minor League Coach. Also, he would manage the 1931-1933 AA Milwaukee Brewers, 1935 Charlotte Hornets, 1936-1939 El Dorado Lions and the 1942 Cordele Reds. Later, he was a MLB Scout with the Reds from 1941 to 1951 and then he was with the Yankees from 1952 to 1983.
1996-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 20,786 fans had attend a Tuesday afternoon game see Veteran MLB Starter Dwight Gooden became the 8th pitcher in New York Yankees team history to throw a No-Hitter in the with a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Doc walks 6 Mariners batters, while striking out 5 Seattle hitters. Doc is now 2-3 for the 1996 AL season. Former Yankees Pitcher Sterling Hitchcock takes the loss for Seattle, he is now 3-2 for the 1996 AL season.
2001-Current Yankees Minor League OF Spencer Jones was born.
Outfielder Spencer Jones was the 1st-round pick of the New York Yankees in the MLB Amateur Player Draft, taken with the 25th overall selection out of Vanderbilt Univ.. Three years earlier, in 2019 MLB Amateur Player Draft, he had been selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 31st round, but he had decided to continue on to college instead. As a junior at Vanderbilt in 2022, he would hit .370 with 12 HRs, 62 runs and 60 RBIs in 62 games. He played in the 2021 College World Series. He had been a successful 2-way player in high school and while he did not pitch in college, he had missed part of the 2021 season recovering from Tommy John surgery resulting from his days as a pitcher. His being drafted by the Yankees coincided with the tremendous season being put up by Aaron Judge, when he broke Roger Maris's 60-year old record for most HRs in a season in the American League, so he did not fail to draw comparisons to the superstar outfielder, given they played the same position and featured a similar body type (although Jones hits lefthanded, whereas Judge is a righthander). He made his pro debut in 2022 with the FCL Yankees then after 3 games was promoted to the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), where he hit .325 in 22 games. In 2023, he spent most of the season with the Hudson Valley Renegades (SAL) before earning a late-season call-up to the AA Somerset Patriots (EL), where he replaced another vaunted Yankee prospect, Jasson Dominguez, who had just been promoted to AAA himself. He hit .267/.336/.444 in 117 games between the 2 teams, with 29 doubles, 16 HRs and 66 RBIs. He had also stolen 43 stolen bases, a reflection that, like Judge, he was extremely athletic in spite of his large size. He was chosen to play in the 2023 Futures Game. He was named an organizational All-Star after the season. The hype around him continued to build when he showed up for spring training with the big-league team in 2024 and he only fueled the fire by hitting a monster HR in his 1st Grapefruit League at-bat on February 24th, a bomb to left field estimated at 470 feet, and then going deep twice in a "Spring Breakout" game against the top prospects of the Blue Jays on March 16th.
2004-Former Yankees Pitcher Walter “Rip” Coleman (1955-1956) had passed away. (1931-2004)
Before the start of the 1952 AL season, Walter “Rip” Coleman was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. In 1955, he would post a 2-1 record with a 5.28 ERA and 1 save in 10 games for the Yankees. Coleman had appeared in Game 4 of the 1955 World Series for the Yankees, giving up 5 Dodgers hits in 1 inning of work. Rip Coleman would post a 5-6 record with a 4.07 ERA and 3 saves in 39 games for the Yankees before being traded to the Kansas City in the Bobby Shantz trade that was made in February of 1957. He would finish his MLB Pitching career in 1960 with the Orioles. He had posted a 7-25 lifetime record with a 4.58 ERA in 95 games.
2010-After Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire orders an intentional walk to 1B Mark Teixeira and brings in righty Matt Guerrier to face Yankees Slugger Alex Rodriguez in the 7th inning, then Yankee 3B blasts his 19th MLB career Grand Slam HR to pass Frank Robinson for 7th on the all-time MLB career HR list and give the Bronx Bombers an 8-4 win.
2011-It wouldn't be the Yankees-Red Sox series without a bit of soap opera. Today, veteran DH Jorge Posada asks to be taken out of the Yankees starting line-up 40 minutes before the game, after being listed as the 9th-place hitter against the Red Sox. Posada was hitting just .165, the DH claims he has a bad back, something which Yankees GM Brian Cashman denies. After the game Posada explains that he feels "a little bit disrespected". With veteran Andruw Jones taking Posada's place, the Yankees lose the game, 6-0 to the Sox with a 2-run double by Jacoby Ellsbury and a 3-run HR by Adrian Gonzalez against Yankees Starter CC Sabathia providing the key blows in support of Josh Beckett's 6 scoreless innings. Jones hits 9th in the game, the 2nd #9 hitter in MLB history with 400+ HRs to his credit - the prior one was Jimmie Foxx from his days as a pitcher at the tail end of his MLB Playing career.
2014-Bronx Starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches his 1st MLB shutout as the Yankees defeat the Mets by the score of 4-0. The Japanese off-season Free Agent signee is now 6-0 with a 2.17 ERA, after 8 starts in the MLB. The Yankees' win follows 6 straight losses to the Mets, dating back to last season.
2017-The Yankees officially retire Uniform Number 2 in honor of Derek Jeter and unveil a plaque in his name in Monument Park at New Yankee Stadium between games of a doubleheader against the Astros. They win the opener by the score of 11-6, thanks to a bases-loaded triple by Chase Headley and HRs by Starlin Castro, Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner. In the nightcap, Masahiro Tanaka gives up 3 1st-inning HRs, including a Grand Slam HR by Alex Bregman as New York goes down by the score of 10-7. George Springer HRs twice for Houston which leads 9-0 before the Yankees score some late runs to make the game appear closer than it is. Before the games, they had place Closer Aroldis Chapman on the DL with inflammation in his left shoulder.
2000-Former Yankees 1B/DH (1980-1982) and General Manager Bob Watson (1996-1997) had passed away. (1946-2020)
On November 8,1979, Veteran 1B Bob Watson was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Bob had played for the Red Sox in 1979, hitting .337 with 13 HRs and 53 RBIs. Watson had played for the Astros from 1966 to June,1979, hitting .297 with 139 HRs and 782 RBIs in nearly 1,400 games. The Astros had traded him to the Red Sox. He was expected to replace the recently traded regular Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss. He hit .307 with 13 HRs and 68 RBIs for the 1980 Yankees. In 1981, Bob would suffer a groin injury that limited him to playing to only 59 games, while hitting just .212. On April 23,1982, Bob was traded by the Yankees to the Braves for Minor League P Scott Patterson. His final Yankees playing career totals were a .282 BA with 19 HRs with 83 RBIs. He would finish his MLB playing career with a .295 BA along with 184 HRs and 989 RBIs in 1,832 games. After his MLB playing career had ended, Watson was an Oakland A’s MLB Coach for 3 seasons. Then he was the Astros Assistant GM from 1989 to 1993. Bob Watson became the 2nd African-American GM in MLB history, when he was named to that post with the Astros in 1994. Then he would hold the General Manager position with the Yankees in 1996-1997. Later, Bob would work in the MLB Commissioner’s Offices, before retiring from baseball.
May 15th
1908-The Yankees had purchased Pitcher James “Hippo” Vaughn from Hot Springs (ASL) for undisclosed amount of cash. He would first appear with the team in 1908 for just 2 games with no decisions. Then in 1910, James would post a 13-11 record with a 1.83 ERA and 1 save in 30 games. It would be his best season with the Yankees. He would struggle before being waived to the Senators on June 26,1912. Overall, James would post a 22-30 record with a 3.18 ERA with the Yankees (1908,1910-1912) in 73 games. He would record a 4-3 mark for the 1912 Nats before being traded by the team on August 23,1912 along with Tillie Walker to the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) for Bert Gallia and Duke Kenworthy. Then on August 9,1913, he is traded by the Blues to the Cubs for Lew Richie. James would find his MLB Pitching success with the NL Cubs, winning 20 games or more for 5 seasons. In the 1918 World Series against the Red Sox, James would post a 1-2 record with a 1.00 ERA in 3 games. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 178-173 record with a 2.49 ERA in 390 games.
1912-At Hilltop Park in New York City, Ty Cobb charges into the stands, attacking a crippled heckler named Claude Lueker. Other Highlander fans and Tigers players mix it up before order is restored; AL President Ban Johnson would suspend Ty Cobb indefinitely for the incident.
1922-In a 4-1 victory at the Polo Grounds, Tigers Hitter Ty Cobb beats out a grounder to Yankees Shortstop Everett Scott. Veteran Baseball Writer Fred Lieb scores it a hit in the game box score, that he files with the Associated Press. But official scorer John Kieran of the New York Tribune gives an error to Scott. At the season's end, the AL official records based on AP box scores, list Cobb at .401. New York writers complain unsuccessfully, claiming it should be .399, based on the official scorer's stats. Fred Lieb will reverse himself at the end of the year, but AL President Ban Johnson goes with the hit call.
1933-The Yankees would send Reserve OF Dusty Cooke to the Red Sox for OF Johnny Watwood and 2B Marv Olson. Both players received from Boston never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. During the 1931 AL season, OF Dusty Cooke had suffered a serious shoulder injury, that he really never fully recovered from it. At the time of the trade, he was currently playing for the Yankees AA club, the Newark Bears (IL). As a Yankees player, he had hit .267 with 7 HRs and 35 RBIs in 122 games.
1934-The Yankees had obtained INF Fred Mullen and $20,000 Cash from the Red Sox for INF Lyn Lary. Fred Mullen never plays for the Yankees at the MLB level. In 1928, Lyn Larry and OF Jimmy Reese were purchased by the Yankees from AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). In 1929, Lyn would join the Yankees as Reserve INF. During the 1930 AL season, he would become the Yankees starting Shortstop, after the team had traded veteran Mark Koenig to the Tigers. In 1931, he would hit .281 with 155 RBIs in 155 games. In 1932, he was beaten out for the starting Yankees Shortstop job by Yankees Rookie Shortstop Frank Crosetti in the Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp. With the 1932 Red Sox, he would become their starting Shortstop. Fred Mueller was sent to the Yankees AA team, Newark Bears (IL). He would never play in the MLB again.
1934-The Yankees had sent down 2 players to their AA team, the Newark Bears (IL), P Charles Devens and C Norman Kies, who had been the Yankees 3rd string Catcher for the team. Devens would return to the Yankees later in the season. He hadn’t appeared in a game for the team. Kies would never return to play in the MLB again.
1935-The Yankees had sold veteran hurler Dan MacFayden to the Boston Braves for undisclosed amount of cash. He had been obtained by the Yankees in a trade with the Red Sox in 1932. For the 1932-1934 Yankees, he had posted a 14-10 record with a 4.68 ERA and 1 save in 64 games.
1935-Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig steals home in a 4-0 Yankees win over the Tigers. It is his 15th and last steal of home, all of which were double steals.
1940-The Yankees had waived veteran hurler Leo Grissom to the Dodgers, who would send him down to their AA club, the Montreal Royals (IL). He had went 0-0 in 5 games for the 1940 Yankees. On January 4,1940, he had been obtained from the Reds for P Joe Beggs. Leo had posted a 9-7 record for the 1939 NL Champs, the Reds.
1941-At Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio gets a single in 4 at bats against White Sox P Eddie Smith to start his 56-game hitting streak. Joe D's hit goes unnoticed as the Yankees lose the game to Chicago by the score of 13-1. Taffy Wright hit a HR and drives in 4 White Sox runs, the 8th straight game that he's driven in a run.
1949-The Yankees would sell Pitcher Ed Kleiman to the White Sox for undisclosed amount of cash. The Yankees had obtained him from the Senators 12 days earlier. Ed had never appeared in a game with the Yankees.
1950-The Yankees had waived veteran OF/P Johnny Lindell to the Cardinals. Johnny had played for the team for 10 seasons as a OF and Pitcher. He had hit .275, while hitting 45 HRs and 63 RBIs in 742 games. In 1942, he had pitched for the Yankees, while posting a 2-1 record with a 3.76 ERA and 1 save in 23 games. Johnny had appeared in 3 World Series with the team, playing in 12 games, while hitting .324 with No HRs and 7 RBIs. In a separate player transaction, the Yankees would sell Pitcher Clarence “Cuddles” Marshall to the St. Louis Browns. As a Yankees hurler, Marshall had a 6-4 record with a 5.21 ERA and 3 saves in 45 games for the Yankees. He had been acquired by the Yankees in the winter of 1944 from AA Seattle (PCL) in a trade for MLB P Johnny Babich and Minor League Player Richard Hearn.
1955-In the 1st game of a doubleheader, Yankees OF Irv Noren hits an Inside-the-Park Grand Slam HR in an 8-4 victory over the A's. The Yankees win the nightcap to sweep Kansas City. Yankees CF Slugger Mickey Mantle is 4-for-9 for the afternoon. He is currently hitting .311 for the 1955 AL season. He will finish the 1955 AL season with a .306 BA.
1963-Down 4-0 to the Twins, Bronx CF Slugger Mickey Mantle hits a 2-run HR off of veteran Starter Pedro Ramos to put the Yankees on the board. Mantle, later scores the winning run as the Bombers win the game by a score of 4-3.
1965-At Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle slices an opposite field HR in the 8th inning off of O’s Reliever Richard Hall to give Yankees, a 3-2 win over the Orioles.
1968-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Bill Drescher (1944-1946) had passed away.(1923-1968)
Catcher Bill Drescher would spend 11 seasons in pro baseball from 1942 through 1954. He had spent parts of 3 seasons, 1944, 1945 and 1946 in the MLB with the Yankees. He had appeared in 57 games for the Wartime Yankees, hitting .266 with No HRs and 16 RBIs. In 1942, Bill had broken into baseball with the Class C Amsterdam Rugmakers (CAML), he had appeared in 102 games, hitting at a .301 clip, in his only year in a league that wasn't Class A or better. During his career, Bill had played 8 seasons of AAA ball, 2 of AA and in 1943, he had a split season of AA and A. Bill had only 2 seasons above the .300 mark in his 11-year run, his 1st in 1942 and probably his best hitting year came in 1948 with the AA Kansas City Blues (AA), when he hit .319 with a career-high 7 HRs and 52 RBIs. Drescher wound up his Minor League playing career in 1954 with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL) in the Phillies Farm System. He had appeared in 875 Minor League games with 2,492 at-bats and 679 base hits, that included 28 HRs, while hitting .272. Also, he fielded the Catcher's spot at a .987 percentage.
1969-Former Yankees Pitcher Hideki Irabu (1997-1999) was born. (1969-2011)
Following the 1996 Japanese baseball season, Hideki Irabu had announced he wanted to go to the MLB, so Chiba, which had a working agreement with San Diego Padres; so, they sold him to the Padres. Irabu, who stated that he would only pitch in the MLB for the Yankees, so he didn’t report to the Padres. Finally, after Padres trade talks with the Yankees, he was traded by the team to the Yankees for OF Ruben Rivera, P Rafael Medina and $3 million in cash. In May of 1997, Irabu would sign a $12.8 Million deal with the Yankees. Irabu would struggle in his 1st MLB season with the Yankees, posting a 5-4 record with a 7.09 ERA in 13 games. In 1998, Irabu would blossom into what would be his best MLB pitching career season by going 13-9 with a 4.06 ERA in 29 games. Finishing out his Yankees Pitching career in 1999, Irabu had posted a 11-7 record with a 4.84 ERA in 32 games. Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner wasn't a big fan of Irabu, though, he once called him a "fat toad" for his poor fielding performance during a Yankees spring training game. On December 22, 1999, the Yankees would trade him to the Montreal Expos for 3 young Pitchers: Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly and Christian Parker. Overall, Hideki Irabu had went 29-20 with a 4.80 ERA in 74 games for the Yankees.
1970-The Yankees had obtained veteran P Gary Waslewski from the Montreal Expos for Yankees Reserve 1B/OF Dave McDonald. To make room for him on the Yankees 25-man roster, the team would send down P Joe Verbanic to AAA Syracuse (IL), ending his MLB Pitching career. In 1970, Gary would go 2-2 with a 3.11 ERA in 26 games for the team. In 1971, he went 0-1 with a 3.28 ERA and 1 save in 24 relief appearances; but he did spend 2 months on the DL. On April 3,1972, the team would release him. Dave McDonald had spent the 1969 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He would make his MLB Player debut in September of 1969 with the Yankees, hitting .217 in 9 games. The Expos would send him to their AAA club at Winnipeg (IL) for the 1970 season.
1975-The 1975 Mayor’s Trophy game is played at Shea Stadium. Before the game, Mets players Dave Kingman and Ed Kranepool received complimentary “Perfect Man Permanent” hair treatments. It didn’t help- the Yankees won the Mayor’s Trophy again by a 9-4 score. The Yankees hurler, former MLB P Bob Johnson called up from AAA Syracuse (IL) to pitch the game, he was the winner. Meanwhile, Mets’ veteran P George Stone trying to come back from arm problems, pitched reasonably well allowing only 4 Yankee hits and 3 Bronx runs in 6 innings of work, but he lost the game. The Yankees broke it open in the 7th inning by sending 10 men to the plate against Mets Reliever Randy Tate.
1987-Former Yankees Reserve INF and Minor League Manager David Adams (2013) was born.
Yankees had selected INF David Adams in the 3rd round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Player Draft, the 106th total selection. He was the Yankees 1st position player taken, following hurlers Gerrit as Cole, Jeremy Bleich and Scott Bittle. David made his pro debut with the 2008 Class A short season Staten Island Yankees (NYAPL). He produced with a .257 BA with 45 runs in 67 games. He was 3 for 9 in the postseason. He was 6th in the NY-PA League in runs. He split 2009 season between the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), hitting .290 in 67 games and the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), while hitting .281 in 65 games. He led the Yankees farm system in doubles (40), tied for 7th in triples (8), 3rd in RBIs (75), and he was 5th in walks (61). Baseball America had rated Adams as having the best strike-zone judgment in the Yankees farm system in 2010. That season, he would hit .309 with 31 runs, 15 doubles and 32 RBIs in 39 games for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL) before fracturing his right ankle in late May. He would miss the remainder of the 2010 season and need surgeries. Further ankle problems sidelined him 3 times in 2011, as he saw little action for the GCL Yankees, hitting .429, 13 Runs, 9 doubles in 17 games and Class A Tampa .308 in 12 games. He battled more health issues in 2012, missing a month with back spasms. He again did well when healthy, hitting .306 with 23 doubles in 86 games. In the IL playoffs, he was 8 for 30 with 3 doubles. He followed with a .286 fall for Scottsdale (AFL). He would begin 2013 season with the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (IL), he was batting .316 after 27 games. David was then called up to replace INF Chris Nelson on the roster; the injury-plagued 2013 Yankees had lost infielders Derek Jeter, Eduardo Nunez and Kevin Youkilis to injuries, given the injury-plagued Adams his chance at the MLB level. He started at 3B and hit 6th in the Yankees line-up in his MLB Player debut on May 15th, on his 26th birthday, grounding out against P Hisashi Iwakuma in his 1st MLB at-bat. He singled off of P Iwakuma in the 6th inning for his 1st MLB hit, finishing the day 1 for 4. His 1st MLB HR came 5 days later off of veteran P Freddy Garcia. David would finish the 2013 AL season, playing in 43 games for the Yankees, while hitting just .193 with 2 HRs and 13 RBIs. The Yankees would release him at the end of the 2013 AL season. Since 2013, David has played in the Indians, Orioles and the Marlins organizations. In 2016, he played his last active season in the Blue Jays organization. In 2017, Adams became a Defensive Coach with the GCL Yankees East, then he moved up to the GCL Yankees West Manager's job in 2018. He would become the skipper the Class A short season Staten Island Yankees (NYPL) in 2019. He was scheduled to manage the Class A Tampa Tarpons (FSL) and to serve as the Tampa Training Complex Coordinator in 2020 before the minor league baseball season was cancelled due to COVID-19. In 2021, David worked as the Class A Tampa Tarpons Manager (FSL).
1996-The Mariners would spot the Yankees 4 runs, then hammer Bronx Starter Jimmy Key and 5 other Yankee pitchers for 19 hits to win the game by the score of 10-5. Seven Mariners batters collect 2 or more hits, as DH Edgar Martinez drives in 4 runs. A very wild Key takes his 5th straight loss, while Yankees Reliever Mariano Rivera records 4 outs to stretch his scoreless innings to 21 2/3 innings. The Yankees will place Jimmy Key on the 15-day DL.
1996-The Yankees would outbid 4 other MLB teams as they signed Japanese Pitcher Katsuhiro Maeda to a $1.5 million player contract. The Yankees obtain the fastball hurler from the Seibu Lions for more than $350,000. Maeda, who has his hair dyed orange, he was 0-2 with the Lions from 1993-1995, but he refused to sign for the 1996 JPL season, unless he was traded to a MLB team. He will never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. Maeda dyed his hair hot pink, silver or purple at times during his 1st year in the U.S. He had a 1-1 record with a 3.00 ERA for the GCL Yankees, a 4.22 ERA in 2 starts for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL). He went 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA for the AA Norwich Navigators (EL). He cut his walk total down to 21 batters in 53 1/3 IP, but he only struck out 30 batters. Baseball America still rated him as the #5 prospect in the Yankees Minor League system, right ahead of P Eric Milton and INF Cristian Guzman. He would spend the 1997 season with AA Norwich (EL); where he had an 8-10 record with 4.56 ERA. He had walked 62 batters and fanned 76 batters in 124 1/3 innings of work. In 1998, Kazuhiro was 1-3 with a 7.71 ERA with 1 save for Norwich; walking 31 batters, while striking out 27 batters in 37 1/3 relief innings. Also, he made 13 appearances with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), posting a 0-1 record with a 2.51 ERA; he had walked 8, while striking out 16 batters in 14 1/3 IP. Maeda would spend all of 1999 Minor League season with AA Norwich (EL), going 3-2 with a 4.34 ERA and 1 save. He had walked 40 and struck out 48 batters in 76 2/3 IP. In 2000, he would split the season between AA Norwich (2-2 with a 4.80 ERA, 44 BB and 54 K in 50 2/3 IP) and the AAA Columbus Clippers (2 runs in 2 innings). The Yankees will release him at the end of the 1999 AL season, he will return to Japan to play baseball.
1996-Current Yankees OF Alex Verdugo (2024) was born.
Outfielder Alex Verdugo was drafted by the Dodgers in the 2nd round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Sahuaro HS (Tucson, AZ). On February 10, 2020, Alex was traded by the Dodgers along with Infielders Jeter Downs and Connor Wong to the Red Sox for All-Star OF Mookie Betts, Pitcher David Price and cash. Before the 2023 MLB season, he had played for the Mexican national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, honoring the country of his ancestry. On December 5, 2023, he was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for 3 Pitchers: Richard Fitts (Minors), Nicholas Judice (Minors) and MLB Pitcher Greg Weissert. Alex comes to the Bronx with a .281 BA along with 55 HRs and 253 RBIs in 651 games.
2005-Yankees 1B Tino Martinez hits 2 HRs and drove in 3 runs in the Yankees 6-4 victory over the Oakland A’s. The 2 HRs give Tino Martinez 8 HRs in his last 8 games.
2011-The Red Sox would beat the Yankees by the score of 7-5 at New Yankee Stadium to complete a 3-game sweep and bring their team record to .500 for the 1st time after starting the 2011 MLB season at 0-6. Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit HRs for the Red Sox. The Yankees have now lost 9 of their last 12 games as the standings in the AL Eastern Division are completely bunched up, with all 5 Eastern teams within 3 1/2 games of each other.
2014-In his 1st MLB outing, Mets Starter Jacob DeGrom does something no other member of the pitching staff has been able to do yet this season: get a hit. His 3rd-inning single off of Yankees Starter Chase Whitley breaks a record 0-for-64 drought by Mets pitchers at the plate this season. DeGrom, who had been an Infielder his 1st couple of years in college before becoming a Pitcher, also pitches very well, allowing 1 run in 7 innings, but is a hard-luck loser losing to the Yankees by the score of 1-0, as Yankees hurlers Chase Whitley, Dellin Betances, Adam Warren and David Robertson combine on a 3-hit shutout. Whitley, who is also making his MLB Pitching debut, gives up no runs in 4 2/3 innings, also he collects his 1st MLB hit off of Mets Starter Jacob deGrom.
2016-Sunday afternoon game played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 41,979 fans watch Yankees OF Carlos Beltran hit his 400th HR of his MLB playing career against White Sox Reliever Zach Duke, becoming the 4th Switch-Hitter in MLB history to reach the mark, after Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray and Chipper Jones. The Yankees beat the White Sox by the score of 7-5.
2017-Former Yankees Pitcher Bob “Sarge” Kuzava (1951-1954) had passed away. (1923-2017)
In 1941, the Indians had signed Pitcher Bob Kuzava as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would serve in the Army during World War II, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant (1943-1945). He would pitch in the MLB for the Indians, White Sox, Senators, Yankees, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates and the Cardinals from 1946-1957. On June 15,1951, Bob “Sarge” Kuzava was traded by the Senators to the Yankees for 3 Pitchers: Starters Fred Sanford, Bob Porterfield and veteran Reliever Tom Ferrick. He had posted a 23-20 record with a 3.39 ERA and 13 saves in 104 games for the Yankees. He had appeared in 3 World Series for the Yankees (1951-1953), going 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 2 saves in 3 games. Yankees Manager Casey Stengel had used him as a spot starter and reliever. On August 7,1954, Bob was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees. He had posted a 1-3 record with a 5.45 ERA and 1 save in 20 games for the 1954 Yankees.
May 16th
1907-The Yankees had traded P Walter Clarkson and OF Frank Delahanty, both siblings of future Hall of Famer’s to Indians for Starter Earl Moore. New York is hoping that Earl Moore will return to the form, that he showed before a Yankees line drive injured his foot last season, limiting him to just 6 games for the Tribe. Moore will go 2-6 with a 3.94 ERA and 1 save in 12 Games for the 1907 Yankees. In August of 1907, he was purchased by AA Jersey City (EL) from the Yankees.
1919-Former Yankees Pitcher Frank “Stubby” Overmire (1951) was born. (1919-1977)
On June 15,1951, veteran P Frank “Stubby” Overmire was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for Starter Tommy Byrne and $25,000 Cash. Frank had appeared in 15 games for the 1951 Yankees, while posting a 1-1 record with a 4.63 ERA. He didn’t appear in the 1951 World Series for the team against the Giants. On May 12,1952, Stubby was selected off waivers by the Browns from the Yankees. He hadn’t made any pitching appearances for the 1952 Yankees. He would go 0-3 for the 1952 Browns, after the AL season had ended, he would retire.
1919-Former Yankees Player/MLB Coach Germany “Liberty” Schaefer had passed away. (1876-1919)
On January 21,1916, Germany “ Liberty” Schafer was purchased by the Yankees from the Newark Peppers (Federal League). He would appear in 1 game with the 1916 Yankees, spending the rest of season as an MLB Coach for the team.
1926-Former Yankees INF (1950-1957) and Manager Billy Martin (1975-1978,1983,1985,1988) was born. (1926-1989)
On October 13,1949, INF Billy Martin was traded by the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL) along with OF Jackie Jensen to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later and Cash. On July 5,1950, the Yankees would send Minor League Catcher Eddie Malone to Oakland to complete the trade. In 1952, Billy was a World Series hero for the Yankees with Game 7 saving catch of Jackie Robinson’s infield fly ball. In 1953 World Series against the Dodgers, he had 12 hits including a double, 2 triples and 2 HRs, while hitting .500 in 6 games. In 1956, he was named to the AL All-Star team as the starting 2B. He had played in 5 World Series with the Yankees, appearing in 28 games, while hitting .333 with 5 HRs and 19 RBIs. Billy would play for the 1950-1957 Yankees, while missing the 1954-1955 AL seasons due to military service in the Army. As a Yankee player, he would hit .262 with 30 HRs and 188 RBIs in 262 games. He was one of Manager Casey Stengel’s favorite Yankees players, who was hated by Yankees GM George Weiss, who would deal him away on June 15,1957 to the Kansas City A’s, after Billy’s birthday party fight at the Copacabana Night Club. After his trade from the Yankees, Billy would play for the A’s, Tigers, Indians, Braves, Reds and finishing up with the Twins in 1961. During the 1958 AL season while playing with the Indians, Billy suffered a serious beaning in the head. During the 1960 NL season with the Reds, he was involved in a fight with Cubs P Jim Brewer, who Martin broke his jaw in the fight over attempted beaning. The incident would later go to civil court. Overall, Billy Martin would play in 1,021 MLB games, while hitting .257 with 64 HRs and 333 RBIs. During the 1962 Twins MLB Spring Training Camp, Billy was released by the team as an active player; so, he became MLB Scout from 1962-1964 for the team, before becoming a Twins MLB Coach for the 1964-1968 seasons. During the 1968 season, he would manage the Twins AAA Denver Bears (AA). In 1962, Mets Manager Casey Stengel wanted to sign Billy for his new Mets team to play in their infield, but Mets GM George Weiss wanted no part of him. Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle had asked Manager Ralph Houk for a spot for Billy as a Reserve Infielder on the team, but Houk said no, instead choosing to go with Rookie INF Phil Linz instead. His Yankees Manager record was 941-556 with a WP of .591. He would win AL flags with the 1976-1977 Yankees. His only Yankees World Series Championship was in 1977. During the 1978 AL season, he was fired by Team Owner George Steinbrenner, being replaced by former MLB Manager Bob Lemon. With the Yankees, Billy Martin would manage the team from 1975-1978; then he would return during the 1979 AL season, replacing Bob Lemon. After managing Oakland for 3 seasons, Billy would return to the team for 1982-1983 AL seasons. Also, Martin would come back to the team in 1985 and 1988. During during his long MLB Manager career, Billy Martin had managed the 1969 Twins, 1971-1973 Tigers, 1973-1975 Rangers and the 1980-1982 Oakland A’s. In December of 1989, Billy Martin had died in a truck accident.
1927-Yankees OF Bob Meusel swipes 2B, 3B, and home in the 3rd inning as the Bronx Bombers top the Tigers by the score of 6-2. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig contributes with a HR and 2 doubles to back veteran MLB Starter Dutch Ruether's pitching.
1931-In Detroit, Tigers Starter Tommy Bridges gives up 3 Yankees hits in stopping the Bombers by the score of 3-1, dropping them to 2nd place, as they will not retake 1st place in AL. The Yankees will finish the 1931 AL season in 2nd place with a 94-59 record.
1932-The Yankees record their 4th straight shutout to equal the record set by the 1903 Indians and the 1906 Red Sox. Johnny Allen, George Pipgras, Red Ruffing and Lefty Gomez were the Yankee hurlers. Lefty stops the Indians on 5 hits to win the game by the score of 8-0. It is the Yankees 5th shutout in 7 games.
1941-The Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy benches top Yankees Rookie Infield Prospects Shortstop Phil Rizzuto and 2B Jerry Priddy, putting back in veterans 2B Joe Gordon and Shortstop Frankie Crosetti back into the Yankees starting lineup. Then Bronx Bombers rally in the 9th inning to beat the White Sox by the score of 5-4. Priddy and Rizzuto have been Minor League All Stars with the 1940 AA Kansas City Blues (AA). In 1941, Phil Rizzuto will become the Yankees new starting Shortstop hitting .307 with 3 HRs and 46 RBIs in 133 games for the Yankees, while Priddy will become a Reserve Infielder for the team before being traded to the Senators in January of 1943. Joe “Flash” Gordon will stay at 2B.
1944-The White Sox would beat the Yankees by the score of 10-4 to stop Bronx Starter Hank Borowy's 2-season winning streak at 11 games.
1949-Former Yankees Pitcher Rick Reuschel (1981) was born.
On June 12,1981, Starter Rick Reuschel was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later, P Doug Bird and $400,000 Cash. On August 5,1981, the Yankees would send P Mike Griffin to the Cubs to complete the trade. Rick would post a 4-4 record with a 2.67 ERA in 12 games for the Yankees before arm injury ended his 1981 season; he didn’t pitch in 1982 due to arm injuries. The Yankees would release him during the 1983 AL season. He would be resigned by the Cubs.
1951-At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle drives in 4 runs and scores 3 as Yankees rout the Indians by a score of 11-3. Mantle connects for the 1st of his 206 MLB HRs at the Stadium, the HR blast coming off of Tribe hurler Richard Rozek.
1953-At Yankee Stadium, White Sox lefty Pitcher Tommy Byrne pinch-hits for Chicago Slugger Vern Stephens. He hits a Grand Slam HR off of Yankees Reliever Ewell Blackwell to climax a 5-run 9th inning and give White Sox, a 5-3 victory. Stephens has 10 MLB Career Grand Slam HRs: Byrne now has 2.
1953-Former Yankees Pitcher Rick Rhoden (1987-1988) was born.
On November 26,1986, veteran Starter Rick Rhoden was traded by the Pirates along with Pitchers Pat Clements and Cecilio Guante to the Yankees for Pitchers Doug Drabek, Brian Fisher and Logan Easley. Rick would post a 28-22 record with a 4.09 ERA in 60 games for the Yankees before being sold in the fall of 1988 to the Astros for 3 Minor League Players: Pitchers Pedro DeLeon and Mike Hook and OF/1B John Fishel.
1954-In Baltimore, the Orioles draw a record crowd of 46,796 fans for a doubleheader split with the Yankees. Veteran Bronx Starter Allie Reynolds wins the opener for Yankees by the score of 2-0 on a 3-hitter before Orioles Starter Don Larsen stops the Yankees with a 6-2 victory in the nightcap.
1956-On a blustery day in Cleveland, the Yankees top the Indians by the score of 4-1. Mickey Mantle hits a HR off of Tribe Starter Bud Daley, while his pal 2B Billy Martin is benched for the 1st time in his Yankees playing career by Yankees Manager Casey Stengel. Rookie INF Bobby Richardson takes his place in the starting line-up at 2B.
1957-The Yankees would top the A’s by the score of 3-0 behind Bob Turley's 4-hit shutout. Mickey Mantle has a HR off of A’s P Alex Kellner, the 11th time in his last 12 at bats he's reached base safely. That night a group of Yankee players would go to celebrate Billy Martin's 29th birthday in a raucous fashion. An ensuing fight incident at Manhattan's Copacabana Night Club leads to $5,500 in player fines and the eventual trade of Billy Martin to Kansas City on June 15th. Hank Bauer allegedly starts the fight by hitting a patron, although Bauer denies it. The Yankees fine veterans P Whitey Ford, OF Hank Bauer, C Yogi Berra, OF Mickey Mantle and INF Billy Martin $1,000 each and Rookie P Johnny Kucks $500. The Yankees front office will return the fine money collected from the players after the 1957 World Series is over except for Billy Martin, who is now with the A’s.
1965-Orioles Rookie Starter Jim Palmer picks up his 1st MLB victory by topping the Yankees by the score of 7-5. Also, Jim Palmer also bangs out his 1st MLB HR, a 2-run drive off of Yankees Starter Jim Bouton to give himself the victory margin.
1967-Former Yankees Minor League P Frank Seminara was born.
On June 1,1988, Pitcher Frank Seminara was selected by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 1988 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Frank never would appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. In 1990, while he was pitching for the Class A Prince William Cannons, he had led the Carolina League with 16 wins along with a 1.90 ERA. He was named the League's Pitcher of the Year. On December 3,1990, Frank was drafted by the Padres from the Yankees in the 1990 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He will pitch in the MLB for the 1992-1993 Padres and the 1994 Mets, finishing his MLB Pitching career with a 12-9 record with a 4.12 ERA in 47 games.
1970-Former Yankees Pitcher Dutch Ruether (1926-1927) had passed away. (1893-1970)
Dutch Ruether had pitched 11 seasons in the MLB, winning 59% of his games. He had posted a 19-6 record for the 1919 Reds, who opposed the Black Sox in the 1919 World Series. Dutch went 21-12 for the 1922 Brooklyn Robins (aka Dodgers). Then Dutch would post a 18-7 record for the 1925 Senators. He would appear in 1925 World Series for the Senators as a pinch-hitter. On August 27,1926, Dutch was traded by the Senators to the Yankees for Players to be Named Later. On October 19,1926, the Yankees would send 2 hurlers: Nick Cullop and Garland Braxton on to the Senators to complete the trade. Dutch would close out his 11-season MLB Pitching career with a 13-6 record with a 3.38 ERA in 27 games for the famous 1927 Yankees team. He was Babe Ruth’s roommate on the 1927 Yankees, both players like living the nightlife. His final Yankee pitching career totals was a 15-9 record with a 3.40 ERA in 32 games. After 1927 World Series, the Yankees would release Dutch, ending his MLB pitching career at 34. He had appeared in 1 game of the 1926 World Series, losing a 4-0 game to the Cardinals Starter Pete Alexander. Only Cy Young, Babe Ruth, and Dutch Ruether have ever pitched and tripled in a World Series game. Dutch is the only one who hit 2 triples in the game. He finishes his MLB Pitching career with a 137-95 record with a 3.50 ERA and 8 saves in 309 games.
1970-Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Mecir (1996-1997) was born.
Jim Mecir was selected in the 3rd Round of the 1991 MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Mariners. He had spent most of the 1995 AL season with Seattle’s AAA club, in Tacoma (PCL), where he was a Reliever; who had posted a 1-4 record with a 3.10 ERA and 8 saves in 40 games. He had appeared in 2 games with the 1995 Mariners. On December 7, 1995, he came to the Yankees from the Mariners in the Tino Martinez trade. For the Yankees, he would post a 1-5 record with a 5.47 ERA and no saves in 51 games before being traded to the Red Sox as the Player to Named Later in the Mike Stanley trade on September 29,1997. The Red Sox would leave him unprotected in the 1997 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft in November of 1997. Jim was selected as the 36th pick by the AL Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
1976-The Yankees would send Pitcher Larry Gura to Royals for Reserve Catcher Fran Healy. Healy's best moment will come in the Yankees broadcast booth, while Gura will help the Royals to the 1978 AL playoffs with a 16-4 record. He would pitch for the team for 10 seasons, winning in double digits 7 times. Larry Gura did not get along with Yankees Manager Billy Martin, who had traded him to the Bronx, when he was the 1974 Rangers Manager. He hadn’t made any pitching appearances for the team in 1974 season, he was assigned to AAA Syracuse Chief (IL). Gura would finish his Yankees Pitching career with a 12-9 record with a 3.21 ERA in 24 games. For the 1976-1978 Yankees, Fran Healey will appear in 74 games, while hitting .250 with No HRs and 16 RBIs.
1981-Former Yankees Minor League INF Jim Finigan had passed away. (1928-1981).
Before the start of the 1948 AL season, the Yankees had signed INF Jim Finigan as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Working his way up through the Yankees farm system, he would miss the 1951-1952 seasons due to military service. On December 16,1953, Jim was traded by the Yankees as part of the player package that was sent to the Athletics in the Vic Power trade; where he spent his Rookie season in Philadelphia by hitting .302, while playing 3B base for the 1954 team. When the club was moved to Kansas City, he went with them and played there in 1955-1956. He was a 1955 AL All-Star again hitting 30 doubles (4th in the AL) and his 7 triples (8th in the AL). In 1955 and 1956, he would play more 2B than 3B, as Hector Lopez became the starting 3B for the A’s. While hitting only .216 in 1956, he was traded by team in the fall to the Tigers. Jim would share the 3B spot on the Tigers in 1957 with Reno Bertoia. Finigan would hit .270. In 1958, Bertoia would keep the Tigers 3B job, while Finigan was traded to the Giants; where he appeared in only 23 games in 1958, only 12 of which were in the field. He was then sent to the Orioles in 1959, where he finished out his MLB playing career by hitting .252 in 119 at-bats as a 3B, filling in for a young 3B Brooks Robinson, who was only 22, but he was already playing in his 5th MLB season. Then in 1961, Jim would play for the Orioles AAA club, the Rochester Red Wings (IL). He hit a key HR that got Rochester into the International League’s post-season, called "Finigan's Rainbow.” In 1964, he would manage Quincy's entry in the Midwest League. In the 2 years before his death, Jim was a College Baseball Coach at Quincy College. He died at age 52, apparently of a heart attack.
1983-Former Yankees Minor League P and MLB Pitching Coach Mel Wright (1974-1975) had passed away from Cancer. (1928-1983)
Before the start of the 1950 AL season, the Yankees had signed P Mel Wright, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Mel would pitch in the Yankees farm system from 1950 to April of 1954. He had posted a 11-2 record for the 1953 AAA Kansas City Blues (AA). On April 11,1954, Mel was traded by the Yankees along with other Minor League Players; OF Emil Tellinger and OF Bill Virdon to the Cardinals for Veteran NL All-Star OF Enos Slaughter. He would pitch for the 1954-1955 Cardinals and the 1960-1961 Cubs during his MLB Pitching career; while posting a 2-4 record in 58 games. Mel would serve as Yankees Manager Bill Virdon’s MLB Pitching Coach during the 1974-1975 AL seasons. Also, he would work for Bill Virdon as an MLB Pitching Coach with the Pirates, Astros and the Expos.
1985-Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny Broaca (1933-1937) had passed away. (1909-1985)
Johnny Broaca had posted a 39-23 record in 99 games for the Yankees. In 1932, Johnny had attended Yale Univ. He would spend the 1933 season with the AA Newark Bears (IL), going 7-2. In his 1934 Rookie year with the Yankees, Broaca went 12-9 as a Starter. In 1935, he would post a 15-7 record. With the AL pennant-winning 1936 Yankees, he was 12-7, before leaving the team in September to take up a career in boxing, giving up his 1936 World Series share check. In 1937, he started the season out with a 1-4 mark in 7 games, when he would leave the team again. The Yankees Front Office would suspend him for the remainder of the 1937 AL season and all of the 1938 AL season. In November of 1938, the Yankees had reinstated him to their MLB 40-man roster, to be able to trade him. On November 19,1938, he was purchased by the Indians from the Yankees. He went 4-2 as a Reliever for the Tribe before leaving MLB for good in 1940. There have been several stories that Johnny Broaca stopped playing baseball because he didn’t have to pay alimony to his wife. Also, that he didn’t get along with Yankees teammate Starter Lefty Gomez. The New York Times had an article saying that the team voted a World Series share to Broaca's estranged wife (the 1st time a share was ever voted to a woman) after Broaca had left the Yankees in 1937. The book “Joe McCarthy: Architect of the Yankee Dynasty” says that Broaca had abandoned his wife. The December 1957 Baseball Digest relates a story where Lefty Gomez, unhappy that Broaca was saving his arm and refused to throw balls before a game, played a practical joke on Broaca by calling the bullpen, pretending to be the Manager, ordering Broaca to warm up for 9 innings straight. The story goes that Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy didn't know about this incident for many years, why Broaca claimed to be unable to start the next day's game. The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract tells a story about Lefty Gomez getting upset at Johnny Broaca for calling him "Goofy". When asked why Gomez was upset when other players such as Pat Malone also called him "Goofy", Gomez said, "Malone didn't go to Yale".
1991-Former Yankees Minor League P Dietrich Enns was born.
Dietrich Enns was selected by the Yankees in the 19th Round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would begin his pro career that year. He dominated at every level of pro ball before making his MLB Pitching debut in 2017. He began as a Relief Pitcher, who had posted a 2.11 ERA in 22 appearances his 1st season. In 2013, his ERA mark was 2.94. He had 112 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings and in 2014, also he had a 1.42 ERA in 25 1/3 innings, while averaging more than a strikeout per frame. The 2015 season saw him transition to the starting rotation, he went 2-1 with a 0.61 ERA in 13 games (12 starts), allowing just 4 earned runs in 58 1/3 innings (granted, he was a 24-year-old pitching in rookie-level and High A ball. In 2016, he was 14-4 with a 1.73 ERA in 26 games (22 starts), allowing just 102 hits in 135 innings. In his 1st taste of AAA that year, he was 7-2 with a 1.52 ERA in 14 games (10 starts). He was a Mid-Season All-Star in 2013 and 2016 and a MiLB.com Organization All-Star in 2016. On July 30, 2017, he was 1 of 2 prospects sent by the Yankees to the Twins in return for MLB Starter Jaime Garcia. He made his MLB Pitching debut with the Twins less than 2 weeks later, on August 10th. He went 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 2 games with the 2017 Twins. At the end of the 2018 AL season, the team would grant Enns his MLB Free Agency. He was signed by the Padres; he would pitch for their AAA team. After the season ended, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would sign a Minor League contract with the Mariners for 2020 AL season. The Mariners would release him in August of 2020. He would be signed by the Rays; he was pitching in their Minor League system for 2021 season, before being brought up to the Rays, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.82 ERA and 2 saves in 9 games. In 2022, he was signed to pitch for the Seibu Lions in the Japanese pro baseball league. In 2024, he is pitching in the Korean Baseball League.
1996-Former Yankees Minor League Catcher Donnie Sands was born.
Catcher Donny Sands was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 2015 MLB Amateur Player Draft out of a high school in Arizona. He never did get to wear the pinstripes in the MLB, however, as on November 19, 2021, he was included in a low-profile trade with the Phillies, accompanying P Nick Nelson in return for 2 minor leaguers: 1B T.J. Rumfield and Joel Valdez in a deal designed primarily to clear a spot on the Yankees' 40-man roster. He would spent the 2022 season in the Phillies minor league system, mainly with the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs (IL); where he hit .309 in 57 games with 5 HRs and 34 RBIs. He got to make his MLB. Player debut that September as he went 0 for 3 in 3 games for the Phillies. On January 7, 2023, he was traded to the Tigers along with 2 young outfielders, Matt Vierling and Nick Maton, in return for P Gregory Soto and utility player Kody Clemens. The Tigers had just seen C Tucker Barnhart leave via MLB Free Agency, opening up a possible spot for him on the team. On March 26, 2024, Donnie was released by the Tigers.
2006-The Yankees were down 9-0 to the Rangers in the 2nd inning matched the biggest comeback in Yankees team history, when Catcher Jorge Posada hits a game-winning 2-run HR with 2 outs in the 9th inning against the Rangers, giving the Yankees a 14-13 comeback victory.
2010-At New Yankee Stadium, the Twins would stun the Yankees with an 8th-inning Grand Slam HR by Jason Kubel against Closer Marino Rivera for a 6-3 win. Rivera had converted a record-tying 51 consecutive save opportunities at Yankee Stadium, he had not given up a Grand Slam HR since 2002 AL season; the runs are also the 1st he gives up for 2010 AL season.
2012-Former Yankees Minor League P Kevin Hickey had passed away. (1956-2012)
On August 13,1984, the White Sox had sent Pitchers Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on July 18,1984. On that day, the White Sox would send Players to be Named Later to the Yankees for MLB Shortstop Roy Smalley. Kevin was sent to the Yankees AAA team, the Columbus Clippers (IL) posting a 1-1 record with an 8.68 ERA in 5 games. In 1985, he was sent to AA Albany-Colonie (EL). He had appeared in 11 games for the team with no record. On May 25,1985, Kevin was released by the Yankees. He would be signed by the Phillies.
2012-Former Yankees Pitcher Thad Tillotson (1967-1968) had passed away. (1940-2012)
On September 10,1966, Minor League P Thad Tillotson was acquired by the Yankees from the Dodgers for veteran MLB INF Richard Schofield Sr. In 1960, Thad had signed with the Dodgers organization. He had never appeared with Dodgers at the MLB level. He would appear with the Yankees during the 1967-1968 AL seasons as a Reliever, while posting a 4-9 record with a 4.06 ERA and 2 saves in 50 games. He would stay in the Yankees organization until 1970, pitching for the Yankees AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He would spend his last season of pro baseball in Japan, pitching for the 1971 Nankai Hawks.
2012-The Blue Jays had pounded out 4 HRs to beat the Yankees by the score of 8-1 at home. The long balls by Jays sluggers Edwin Encarnacion, J.P. Arencibia, Jose Bautista and Kelly Johnson account for 7 of the runs as Jays Starter Kyle Drabek is the winner against Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda.
May 17th
1899-Former Yankees Co-Team Owner Del Webb (1945-1964) was born. (1899-1974)
Del Webb grew up in California. He had to quit school and work as a carpenter's apprentice when his family was ruined in 1913. He then worked in the Oakland, CA shipyards during World War I. He played semi-pro baseball as a pitcher after the war but hurt his arm before he could land a professional contract. He had contracted typhoid fever from an inmate during a game at San Quentin prison in 1928 and almost died. He would move to Phoenix, AZ to restore his health and started a small construction company, which became quite prosperous thanks to government building contracts during the New Deal period. He developed a network of privileged contacts, and this was how MacPhail eventually approached him when he was trying to put together a syndicate to purchase the Yankees. In January of 1945, Construction/Real Estate Investor Del Webb became part Co-Team Ownership of the New York Yankees, when he was part of an investment group that had purchased the team from the estate of the late Team Owner Jacob Ruppert. He had made his money through Construction and Real Estate investments. The new team owners group also included Businessman Dan Topping Sr. and MLB Baseball Executive Larry MacPhail. After the 1947 World Series victory over the Dodgers, Del Webb and Dan Topping bought out Larry MacPhail’s shares of the team. Webb would handle the league matters, while Topping team issues. They later would sell the club to CBS Inc. in November 1964. Dan Topping was a Yankees Minority Team Owner until the fall of 1966, when he sold the rest of his Yankees team shares (10%) to CBS, Inc.
1920-Former Yankees Pitcher James “Hot Rod” McDonald (1952-1954,1955) was born. (1920-2004)
On November 23,1951, Pitcher Jim McDonald was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for Reserve Catcher Clint Courtney. Jim would post a 16-12 record with a 3.57 ERA in 69 games for the Yankees. He had appeared in 1953 World Series for the team, picking up a victory in 7 2/3 innings of work against the Dodgers. He would go 4-1 with a 3.17 ERA in 16 games for the 1954 Yankees. In December of 1954, Jim was traded by the Yankees to the Orioles as part of the big 17-player trade. On July 30,1955, he was traded by the Orioles back to the Yankees for veteran All-Star Starter Ed Lopat. He didn’t appear in any games with the 1955 Yankees, instead spending the season with AAA Denver Bears (AA). Before the start of 1956 AL season, Jim was sent from the Yankees to the Orioles in an unknown transaction. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1958 White Sox. Overall, Jim would post a 24-27 record with a 4.27 ERA and 1 save in 136 games with the Red Sox, Browns, Yankees, Orioles and the White Sox.
1948-Former Yankees OF/DH Carlos May (1976-1977) was born.
On May 18,1976, the Yankees had obtained OF/DH Carlos May from the White Sox for P Ken Brett and OF Rich Coggins. May had lost his right thumb to a mortar accident, while on Marine Reserve Active Duty in August of 1969, but it didn't stop his pro baseball career. In 1969, Carlos was named to the 1969 Topps All-Star Rookie team. He had appeared in the 1969 MLB All-Star game. He would play in 152 games for the Yankees, while hitting .258 with 5 HRs and 56 RBIs. On September 16,1977, May was purchased by the Angels from the Yankees. After leaving the Angels, he would play pro baseball for 4 seasons in Japan.
1952-Former Yankees Minor League P Porfi Altamirano was born.
On December 4,1984, Pitcher Porfi Altamirano was traded by the Cubs along with Pitcher Rich Bordi, OF Henry Cotto and C/DH Ron Hassey to the Yankees for OF/INF Brian Dayett and Pitcher Ray Fontenot. He does not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1957-Former Yankees Pitcher Pascual Perez (1990-1991) was born. (1957-2012)
On November 21,1989, Pascual Perez was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. He was the Brother of MLB Players Carlos and Melido Perez. He had previously pitched in the MLB with the Pirates, Braves and the Expos. He had appeared in only 17 games due injuries for the 1990-1991 Yankees, while posting a 3-6 record. Overall, as an MLB hurler, he had posted a 67-68 record with a 3.44 ERA in 207 games. In 1992, he was suspended by MLB for the 2nd time because of a positive test for Cocaine (he had agreed to undergo such testing as part of his 1st MLB Drug Suspension). Combined with his health woes, the 2nd suspension effectively ended his MLB Pitching career. He did return professionally to play baseball briefly in 1996, going 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA for the China Times Eagles in Taiwan. He was killed in 2012 in a botched robbery attempt at his home in the Dominican Republic; the thieves were apparently looking to get their hands on his MLB Pension check. He was struck on the head and suffered a fatal stab wound in his neck. He had been in poor health, because of a kidney ailment before the robbery incident that ended his life. Three days after his death, police announced that they had arrested 3 suspects and identified 2 others, confirming that robbery was the motive.
1961-The 1960 AL MVP Yankees RF Roger Maris hit his 1st HR of the 1961 AL season at Yankee Stadium (4th overall for the season) on his way to an MLB season-record HR of 61. The 1961 Yankees as a team would hit 240 HRs during the 1961 AL season.
1975-Former Yankees Reserve INF Scott Seabol (2001) was born.
In 1996, the Yankees in the 88th round of the MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected INF Scott Seabol. He had won the 1999 South Atlantic League’s MVP Award, while playing for the Class A Greensboro Hornets. He had appeared in 1 game with the 2001 Yankees, having 1 at bat with no hits. On October 15, 2002, Scott was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. The Cardinals would sign him; he would return to MLB in 2004. Also, he would play pro baseball in Japan and South Korea before retiring from the game.
1977-After dropping the 1st 2 games of a 3-game series to the Oakland A’s, Yankees Starter Ron Guidry throws 8.1 innings. After giving up 2 HRs to Oakland in the 9th inning, the game is now tied at 2-2, he is relieved by Bronx Closer Sparky Lyle, who hurls 6 scoreless innings as the Yankees win the game in 15th inning by scoring 3 runs off of 2 A’s Relievers winning the game by a score of 5-2. A’s Starter Vida Blue goes 13 innings with a no decision.
1982-Former Yankees Reserve OF Dixie Walker (1931-1936) had passed away. (1910-1982)
Reserve OF Dixie Walker was unable to break into the Yankees starting outfield of the 1930’s. On May 6,1936, he was waived by the team to the White Sox to make room for Yankees Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio on their 25-Man MLB roster. He had appeared in 131 games with the 1931-1936 Yankees, while hitting .268 with 16 HRs with 58 RBIs. He would play for the White Sox and then the Tigers in the AL, before being traded to the Dodgers in 1939. In the NL, he would have a successful MLB career with the Brooklyn. His brother, Harry “The Hat” Walker, also played in the NL, they are only brothers to win MLB batting titles. From 1950-1959, Dixie was a Minor League Manager for several MLB organizations. He was an MLB Scout for the 1960-1962 Braves and again in 1966-1968. He was on their MLB Coaching staff from 1963-1965. Later, he would work for the Dodgers organization.
1991-The Yankees had traded 3B Mike Blowers to the Mariners for Cash and a Player to be Named Later. For the 1991 Yankees, Blowers had been hitting .200 with 1 HR in 15 games. He had been with the team for 3 seasons, hitting .203 with 6 HRs in 76 games. The Mariners would assign him to their AAA Club at Calgary (PCL). To replace Blowers on the MLB 25-man roster, the Yankees would call up INF Tory Lovullo from AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). Also, the team recalled Reliever Alan Mills from the Clippers. Next, the Bombers would send down Reserve INF Jim Leyritz to the AAA Clippers. On June 22,1991, the Mariners would send Minor League Class AA Pitcher Jack Blueberg to the Yankees, who assigned him to AA Albany Yankees (EL).
1992-Former Yankees Minor League OF Ben Gamel (2016) was born.
OF Ben Gamel was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He began his pro playing career that summer with the GCL Yankees, hitting .280 in 7 games. He started in RF for the 2011 Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), while batting .289. Ben had produced at a .306 BA for the 2012 Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) with 19 steals in 29 tries. He was 8th in the South Atlantic League in average, he tied Taylor Dugas for 4th in the Yankees chain. The brother of MLB Player Mat Gamel, Ben made his MLB Player debut in May of 2016. He would appear in only 5 games for the Yankees, while hitting just .125 before being returned to AAA Scranton (IL). He had a great season with the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, however, being named Player of the Year in the International League by hitting .308 with 80 runs, 6 HRs and 51 RBIs in 116 games. The RailRiders went on to win the Triple-A Baseball National Championship, but by that time, he had been traded to the Mariners on August 31st MLB Trade Deadline, in return for 2 Minor League Players: Juan De Paula and Jio Orozco.
1992-Former Yankees Minor League INF Eric Jagielo was born.
Eric Jagielo was selected by the Cubs in the 50th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Player Draft, but he did not sign with the team, opting to attend the Univ. of Notre Dame instead. Then Eric was chosen by the Yankees in the 1st round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would soon sign with the team for a bonus of $1.8 million. He had played for 3 Yankees Gulf Coast teams in 2013. In 2014, he spent most of the season with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), playing in 85 games, but also he played 7 games with the GCL Yankees 1 on a Rehab Assignment. With Class A Tampa (FSL), he would hit .259 with 14 doubles, 16 HRs and 54 RBIs. In 2015, he moved up to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). Eric would put up his best numbers percentage-wise, a batting line of .284, although injuries had limited him to just 58 games. He did hit 16 doubles and 9 HRs in spite of his limited playing time. On December 28, 2015, Jagielo was traded to the Reds along with INF Tony Renda, Pitchers Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis in return for MLB Closer Aroldis Chapman. He was joining a team that had just traded its starting 3B Todd Frazier, opening a big window of opportunity for him. The Reds would assign him to AA Pensacola (SL) to start the 2016 season.
1996-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 19,087 fans see Yankees young Reliever Mariano Rivera records his 1st MLB Save in an 8-5 victory over the Angels. Bronx Starter Andy Pettitte gains his 6th victory of the season, it is the 1st of many saves for Rivera for Starter Pettitte.
1998-Veteran Bronx Starter David Wells pitched the 13th perfect game in modern MLB history, as the Yankees beat the Twins by a score of 4-0. Wells, whose perfecto was the 1st by a Yankees Pitcher since Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, also set an AL record by retiring 37 batters in a row, dating back to his last start on May 12th against the Royals. The Perfect Game ends with Twins Shortstop Pat Meares flied out to Yankees RF Paul O'Neill to complete the perfect afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
2007-Former Yankees Pitcher Bill “Lefty” Wight (1946-1947) had passed away. (1922-2007)
In 1941, Bill Wight would begin his pro baseball career. He had missed the 1943-1945 MLB seasons due to military service. for the 1946-1947 Yankees, he would post at 3-2 record with a 3.83 ERA in 15 games. Bill didn’t appear in the 1947 World Series for the team against the Dodgers. On February 24,1948, Wright was traded by the Yankees along with P Fred Bradley and All-Star Catcher Aaron Robinson to the White Sox for Starter Eddie Lopat. Eventually, he would pitch for 8 MLB teams from 1946-1958. Bill had pitched for the Yankees, White Sox, Red Sox, Tigers, Indians and the Orioles in the AL. In the NL, Bill would pitch for the Reds and finished out his MLB Pitching career with the 1958 Cardinals. He was renowned in the MLB for his pickoff move. Once he had picked off Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle twice in a game. Overall, he would post a 77-99 record with 3.95 ERA in 347 games. For 37 years, he had worked in MLB Scouting, signing INF Joe Morgan for the Astros before moving to the Braves organization, where he would spend 32 years. He had signed Dusty Baker, Dale Murphy, Bob Horner and David Justice for the Braves.
2008-Yankees 1B Jason Giambi hits his 185th MLB Career HR as a Yankee player in a 7-4 loss, during an MLB Inter-league game against the Mets at Yankee Stadium. He had been tied with former Yankees OF Charlie “King Kong” Keller who had 184 HRs. Now, he is tied at 185 with former Yankees OF Paul O’Neill.
2010-It's another epic battle between the Yankees and Red Sox at new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees take a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning against Red Sox Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, but the Red Sox storm back to take the lead with 5 HRs; 2 by Victor Martinez and 1 each by David Ortiz, J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis. Then, in the bottom of the 9th inning, Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon gives up a pair of 2-run HRs to Yankee hitters Alex Rodriguez and Marcus Thames, putting the Yankees on top, winning the game by the score of 11-9.
2012-Reserve INF Yan Gomes becomes the 1st Brazilian player in MLB history, when he is inserted in the Blue Jays' starting line-up at 3B in today's game against the Yankees, taking over for INF Brett Lawrie, who is beginning a 4-game player suspension. Gomes goes 2 for 3, but it is HRs by Jose Bautista and J.P. Arencibia, which lead the Jays to a 4-1 win over the Yankees.
2021-The tug-of-war between Gerrit Cole and Corbin Burnes for the record for most consecutive strikeouts without a walk ends in Cole's favor. Burnes had brought the record to 58 before giving up a walk in his most recent start on May 13th, but Cole still had an active streak of 56 at that point. In tonight's game against the Rangers, the Yankees' ace adds 5 more strikeouts before walking Nate Lowe in the 5th to end the streak, giving him sole possession of the record with 61 Ks. However, the Rangers come out on top, beating the Yankees by the score of 5-2.
May 18th
1885-Former Yankees Pitcher Eros “Cy” Barger (1906-1907) was born. (1885-1964)
For the 1906-1907 Yankees, Cy Barger went 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA and 1 save in 3 games. Also, he had appeared in 3 games for the Yankees as an Outfielder. He would hit .200 in the 3 games, with no runs scored or extra base hits.
1905-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Art Jorgens (1929-1939) was born. (1905-1980)
On August 24,1928, Catcher Art Jorgens was purchased by the Yankees from the Oklahoma City (WL). He was a Reserve Catcher for the Yankees for 11 seasons for starting All-Star Catcher Bill Dickey. In 1934, he would post MLB career-highs in hits (38), runs batted in (20) and games played (58). In 1935, Art batted a career-high .238. Jorgens Yankees player career totals was a .238 BA with 4 HRs and 89 RBIs in 307 games. Art Jorgens holds the all-time record for World Series games in which he was on the team roster without ever appearing in a Series game. He was on the post-season roster for the Yankees in 1932 and from 1936-1939 (23 games total), but Art never appeared in a MLB Post-Season game for the team.
1930-Bronx Starter George Pipgras tossed his 3rd shutout of the 1930 AL season as the Yankees again, supported his pitching by bombing the host Red Sox by a score of 11-0. Bronx Slugger Babe Ruth hit an Ed Morris pitch over the RF Bleachers for one of the longest HRs ever hit at Fenway Park.
1935-Indians batter Earl Averill ruins Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez’s bid for a No-Hitter by hitting 2 singles, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 3-0.
1946-Future Yankees Hall Of Fame OF/DH Reggie Jackson (1977-1981) was born.
In 1967, Reggie Jackson will make his MLB Player debut with the Kansas City A’s. He had been star college baseball player at Arizona State Univ. His stay in Yankees pinstripes was a wild one with filled the fights with Manager Billy Martin and disagreements with Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner. His greatest Yankees moment was in the 1977 World Series, when he hit 3-HRs in 1 game against the Dodgers, earning him the nickname of “Mr. October.” He will finish his MLB playing career with 563 HRs, 6th on the All-time MLB Career HR list. His final Yankees player career totals were a .281 BA with 144 HRs and 461 RBIs in 653 games. He played for the Kansas City and Oakland A’s (twice), Orioles, Yankees, Angels, and finished up with the A’s. Reggie had appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees, while hitting .391 with 8 HRs and 17 RBIs in 13 games. In 1993, Reggie Jackson was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1947-Former Yankees 1B and Player-Manager Hal “Prince Hal” Chase (1905-1913) passes away at the age of 64. (1883-1947).
On October 4,1904, 1B Hal Chase was drafted by the Highlanders from AA Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would hit .284 in 1,061 games as Yankee player from 1905-1913. Hal was a Yankees Team Captain for the 1910-1912 AL Seasons. Chase had managed the Yankees in 1910-1911, while posting an 85-78 record. On June 1,1913, Hal was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for INF Rollie Zeider and 1B Babe Borton. Yankees Manager Frank Chance had suspected that Hal Chase of betting on Yankee games, He had him traded away. Many of the MLB Players and Baseball Writers from his playing days, didn’t rate Hal Chase as being an “honest” player, Hal was a great defensive 1B and hitter. His serious gambling problems would later cost him his MLB Playing career and a chance to be voted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. In 1920, MLB Commissioner Judge Landis had banned Hal Chase from organized baseball for his gambling activities during the 1918 NL season, while Hal was playing with the Reds.
1956-Yankees All-Star CF Mickey Mantle hit HRs from both sides of the plate for the 3rd time in his MLB playing career, setting a new MLB record. Mantle included a perfect 4-for-4 day, helping the Yankees to an 8-7 victory over the White Sox.
1958-The Yankees would sweep the Senators in a doubleheader played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C, winning by scores of 5-2 and 3-0 before a crowd of 27,704 fans. This doubleheader sweep brings the Yankees record to a 19-5 for 1958 AL season. In the Opener, former NL Veteran Starter Sal “The Barber” Maglie goes 8 innings for the Yankees, allowing only 8 hits and 2 Nat runs. In the 9th inning, Yankees Bullpen Ace Ryne Duren closes out the game for his 6th save of the 1958 AL season. Sal Maglie hits a 2-run HR shot off of Nats Starter Pedro Ramous in the 4th inning. Mickey Mantle had hit a solo HR in the 3rd inning. In the nightcap, Bronx Starter “Bullet Bob” Turley throws a 3-0 shutout, allowing only 5 Nat hits, while striking out 6 Senators batters. Bomber hitters Tony Kubek and Mickey Mantle provided the Yankees offense by driving in 3 runs. Yankees Rookie 1B Marv Throneberry gets a rare start at 1st base, going 1 for 2 in the game.
1959-Former Yankees Reserve INF John Hummel (1918) had passed away. (1883-1959)
MLB Veteran John Hummel had appeared in 22 games for the 1918 Yankees as a Reserve INF, while hitting .295 with No HRs and 4 RBIs. After the 1918 AL season had ended, he would retire from the game.
1961-Former Yankees Baseball Computer System Executive Jim Bowden (1988-1989) was born.
Jim Bowden was the Assistant Farm Director of the Pirates from 1987 to 1989. He had worked in sports radio at Rollins College. After his college graduation in 1985. he would join the Pirates' Media Relations Dept. He had obtained the job thanks to a college friendship with the Grandson of Team Owner John Galbraith. There he became a protégé of GM Syd Thrift, who gave him a job in the Baseball Operations Department, then Thrift would take him along, when he moved to the Yankees Front Office in 1988. He was a Computer System Analyst for Yankees Senior Vice President Syd Thrift. On August 31,1989, Jim was let go by the Yankees Front Office, after Thrift was fired by Team Owner George Steinbrenner, on the previous day. Then he would move to the Reds Organization in 1990, where he was the Reds' Director of Player Development in 1992. Next, he was the Team’s General Manager from October 1992 to 2003. When he was named, he was the youngest GM in MLB history. In November of 2004, Bowden became GM of the Washington Nationals, just prior to the team's relocation to the Nation's capital. On March 1, 2009, Bowden would resign as GM of the Nationals citing himself as a distraction following the controversy around Esmailyn Gonzalez and allegations of skimming bonuses to Latin American players. He later would become a Baseball analyst for ESPN, SiriusXM Radio and various other Sports Media outlets. He also hosted a blog named "The GM's Office" on ESPN.com.
1968-The Yankees had obtained veteran AL All-Star Closer John Wyatt from the Red Sox for Cash. He will appear in only 7 games for the team, while posting a 0-2 mark with a 2.16 ERA, before the Yankees sold him to the Tigers. John had been a star in the Negro Leagues, before being signed by the Kansas City A’s during the 1950’s.
1972-Former Yankees Pitcher Mike Jerzembeck (1998) was born.
Pitcher Mike Jerzembeck was drafted by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Univ. of No. Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC). Mike would pitch in the Yankees Farm System from 1993 to 2001. He had missed the 1999-2000 seasons due to injury. During the 1998 AL season, he would appear in 3 games for the team, while posting a 0-1 record with a 12.79 ERA.
1974-Former Co-Team Owner of New York Yankees Dan Topping Sr. (1945-1964) passes away from Lung Disease at the age of 61. (1912-1974).
Del Webb grew up in California. He had to quit school and work as a carpenter's apprentice when his family was ruined in 1913. He then worked in the Oakland, CA shipyards during World War I. He played semi-pro baseball as a pitcher after the war but hurt his arm before he could land a professional contract. He had contracted typhoid fever from an inmate during a game at San Quentin prison in 1928 and almost died. He would move to Phoenix, AZ to restore his health and started a small construction company, which became quite prosperous thanks to government building contracts during the New Deal period. He developed a network of privileged contacts, and this was how MacPhail eventually approached him when he was trying to put together a syndicate to purchase the Yankees. Along with Business Partner Del Webb and MLB Executive Larry McPhail, they brought the New York Yankees from the Jacob Ruppert family estate in January of 1945. After the 1947 World Series victory over the Dodgers, they bought out their Business Partner Larry MacPhail. Del Webb and Dan Topping would sell the Yankees to CBS, Inc. in 1964. Dan Topping Sr. would hold minority business interest in the Yankees until the fall of 1966, before selling it to CBS. Dan’s son Dan Topping Jr. would be the Yankees General Manager briefly during the 1966 AL season replacing Ralph Houk, who had stepped down from the position to become Yankees Manager after his firing of Manager Johnny Keane in May of 1966. Dan was replaced in the fall of 1966, when his father sold his remaining 10% interest in the team to CBS. His replacement would be former Yankees Team Owner Partner Larry MacPhail’s son, Lee.
1976-The Yankees had obtained OF/DH Carlos May from the White Sox for P Ken Brett and OF Rich Coggins. Carlos will hit .278 with 3 HRs and 40 RBIs in 87 games in 1976 for the Yankees before fading in 1977, hitting only .227 BA with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs; being sold to the Angels in September. Overall, May would hit .258 with 5 HRs and 56 RBIs in 152 games for the Yankees.
1995-Former Yankees Pitcher Jack Kramer (1951) had passed away. (1918-1995)
On May 28,1951, veteran MLB starter Jack Kramer was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Jack had started the 1951 MLB season with the Giants, going 0-0 in 4 games. With the Yankees, he would appear in 19 games, while posting a 1-3 record with a 4.65 ERA. On August 30,1951, Jack was released by the Yankees. Both the Yankees and the Giants will appear in the 1951 World Series, while Jack sat at home. For the 1944 St. Louis Browns, Jack would post a 17-13 record with a 2.49 ERA for the 1944 pennant winners; adding a complete game victory in Game 3 of the 1944 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a 3-time All-Star for the St. Louis Browns, from 1945 to 1947. Jack Kramer had pitched in the MLB from 1939 to 1951 for the Browns, Red Sox, Giants and the Yankees; finishing with an MLB Pitching record of 95-103 with a 4.24 ERA in 322 games.
1999-The Red Sox had defeated the Yankees by the score of 6-3, spoiling the return of Yankees Manager Joe Torre to the team. Yankees Bench Coach Don Zimmer had been handling the Yankees Manager duties, while Joe Torre was being treated for Prostate Cancer.
2003-The Texas Rangers would swept 3 games at Yankee Stadium from the Yankees for the 1st time in the AL franchise's 43-year history.
2010-Another game, another epic Yankees-Red Sox battle, today the Yankees play the game under protest, claiming the Red Sox did not properly signal an injury before removing Starting Pitcher Josh Beckett trailing 5-0 in the 5th inning, thus giving Reliever Manny Delcarmen, more time to warm up than warranted. For the 2nd night in a row, the Red Sox come back from a 5-run hole, taking a 7-5 lead in the 9th inning thanks to an error by Yankees RF Marcus Thames on Marco Scutaro's fly ball. Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon, who blew a save the previous night, allows a run in the bottom of the 9th inning, but he strikes out Yankees batter Randy Winn with runners on 2nd and 3rd to end the game. The contest starts almost an hour late because of rain, is played in a constant drizzle and lasts a marathon 4 Hours and 9 minutes, making it the longest 9-inning game played so far, this 2010 MLB season.
2011-On a wild night for baseball, 4 other games go into extra innings, with 1 game ending in a wild 15th inning. The Orioles and the Yankees are tied at 1-1, when the Yankees score 2 runs off of Reliever Mike Gonzalez, who is then ejected for hitting Yankees batter Chris Dickerson, shattering his batting helmet and sending him to the hospital. Out of pitchers, the O's have to bring in the next day's scheduled Starter, Jeremy Guthrie to complete the inning. Yankees Rookie Pitcher Hector Noesi throws 4 scoreless innings to earn the win in his MLB Pitching debut; he had been called up by the Yankees 16 days earlier, he had yet to pitch before the marathon game forced Bombers Manager Joe Girardi's hand. Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the 15th inning, The Orioles then put 2 runners on base, but Matt Wieters' ground ball headed for right field just nips the foot of base runner Brandon Snyder: he is called out for interference, snuffing the O's best chance to tie the game.
2013-In effort to strength their infield racked by injuries, the Yankees had acquired veteran MLB INF Reid Brignac from the Rockies. Despite his excellent glove play, Reid falls to hit for the team going just .133 in 17 games for the Yankees. Then the Yankees Designated him For Assignment. After clearing MLB waivers: Reid refused to go down to AAA Scranton (IL) to play, instead electing to become an MLB Free Agent. On June 2, 2013, the Rockies would resign him and send him down to their AAA team in the PCL. On November 5, 2013, he is granted MLB Free Agency by the Rockies.
2014-The Pirates win for the 1st time at Yankee Stadium in 54 years - since the 1960 World Series (Game # 5) - when they beat the Yankees by the score of 5-3 in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. They lose the opener to the Yankees by the score of 4-3. Bucs batters Starling Marte and Josh Harrison hit HRs in the Nightcap, after Bombers 1B Mark Teixeira gets a couple of early RBIs in the Opener as the Yankees hand Starter Charlie Morton his 6th loss against no wins despite having a 1.01 ERA.
May 12th
1889-Former Yankees Pitcher Al Schulz (1912-1914) was born. (1889-1931)
For the Yankees, Al Schulz would post a 9-18 record with a 3.75 ERA in 47 games. In 1914, he would jump from the Yankees to pitch with the Buffalo Buffeds in the Federal League before returning back to the MLB with the Reds in 1916. He would finish MLB Pitching career with an overall 47-63 record with a 3.32 ERA in 160 games.
1897-Former Yankees 3B Joseph “Jumping Joe” Dugan (1922-1928) was born. (1897-1982)
Joe Dugan would break into the MLB with the Philadelphia A’s. He would play for the team until his trade by A’s Team Owner/Manager Connie Mack to the Red Sox. However, on July 23 1922, the baseball establishment and fans everywhere were shocked to learn that Joe Dugan had been traded by Red Sox Team Owner Harry Frazee to the Yankees, who were in a close AL Pennant race with the St. Louis Browns. To obtain Dugan from the Red Sox, the Yankees would gave up utility INF Players Johnny Mitchell, Chick Fewster, Elmer Miller, an excellent defensive outfielder and a Player to be Named Later - which was Pitcher Frank "Lefty" O'Doul. Red Sox Owner Harry Frazee also received a considerable amount of Cash from the Yankees. Replacing an aged Frank "Home Run" Baker at 3B, Dugan would solidified the Yankees Infield, joining Shortstop “Deacon” Scott, 2B Aaron Ward and Wally Pipp at 1B. With the Yankees and Browns embroiled in a very tight AL Pennant race; St. Louis fans were outraged. As it turned out, the Yankees would open a 4-game series with the Browns in St. Louis right after the trade was made with Boston. The Browns’ fans would boo Dugan as soon as he got off the train in St. Louis. He would play in 60 games for the Yankees that season, while batting .286 with 3 HRs and 25 RBIs. The Yankees would finish in 1st place in the AL, 1-game ahead of the St. Louis Browns in the final season standings. In the 1922 World Series against the Giants, Dugan had batted .250, with 1 double. As the regular 3B for the Yankees the next 4 seasons, Dugan would hit .283 (1923), .302 (1924), .292 (1925) and .288 (1926). He also hit well in the 1923 and 1928 World Series for team at .280 and .333 marks, respectively. Joe had suffered from a "trick knee" that began to give him trouble soon, after joining the Yankees. The knee would lock and interfere with his playing. In 1925, he had a very delicate operation and was in bed for 6 weeks. The knee surgery had helped him, but Dugan never played again without the knee acting up on occasion. Joe Dugan always made light of his hitting on the great Yankee powerhouses. He told 1 anecdote to highlight the power of those teams and what he felt was his more modest contribution: in 1 inning the 1st 5 or 6 Yankee batters all hit safely – doubles, triples, and a HR. According to Dugan, when he came to bat and hit a single, Yankees Manager Miller Huggins fined him for breaking up a rally. In his last season of playing over 100 games, he was the 3B for the mighty 1927 Yankees team, considered by many to be the greatest of all time. He would hit .269 with 2 HRs and 43 RBIs that season. He went 3 for 15 as the Yankees would sweep the Pirates in the 1927 World Series. In 1928, Joe had appeared in only 94 games with the Yankees. On December 24,1929, he was sold by the team to the Boston Braves, where he would hit .304 in 60 games. After the 1929 NL season had ended, Dugan had retired, but he came out of retirement to play 8 games with the 1931 Tigers. His July 23,1922 trade by Boston to the Yankees led to the creation by the American League Office that created a June 15th trade deadline. Other AL teams had protested the Yankees-Red Sox trade to League President Ban Johnson. After his player retirement, Joe was an MLB Scout for the Red Sox from 1955 to 1966.
1915-The Yankees would beat the Indians by the score of 4-2, despite hitting into a triple play during the game.
1916-Former Yankees Pitcher Henry “Hank” Borowy (1942-1945) was born. (1916-2004)
A graduate of Fordham Univ., Hank was a dependable war-time starter for the 1943-1944 Yankees. He had posted records of 15-4, 14-9 and 17-12 with an ERA under 3.00 in all 3 seasons. In the 1943 World Series, he was a 6-2 winner over the Cardinals in Game 3. He worked in a New Jersey defense plant as a Supervisor in 1942-1943, was with the USO (United Service Organizations) in 1943-1944 and spent the winter of 1944-1945 working at the Eastern Tool and Manufacturing Company in Bloomfield, NJ. He had a record of 10-5 on July 27,1945, when he was surprisingly placed on waivers by the Yankees. The Cubs had claimed Hank for $90,000 Cash. He was then 11-2 over the final 2 months to play in what was then the team's last NL pennant. With his overall record of 21-7, Hank became only the 3rd pitcher in MLB history to win 20 games in a season divided between the 2 leagues. In 1945, Hank Borowy became the last pitcher with 5 decisions in a World Series. He shut out the Tigers in Game # 1 and lost Game # 5 by the score of 8-4. Then he came on in relief in Game # 6 to hold the Tigers scoreless over the final 4 innings in an 8-7, 12 inning Cubs victory forcing a 7th game in which a bone tired Borowy was given the start, but he was knocked out in the 1st inning in a 9-3 loss to finish at 2-2 in the Series. Hank was with the Cubs for 3 more seasons before moving to the Phillies, Pirates and back to the Tigers, where his 10 year MLB Pitching career ended in 1951 with an overall MLB pitching record of 108-82 with 3.50 ERA in 314 games.
1919-For 2nd straight day, the Yankees and the Senators battle into extra inning without a result. Today’s game ends in a 4-4 tie, the contest is called after 15 innings are played because of darkness.
1925-Future Yankee Hall Of Fame Player, Coach and Manager Lawrence “Yogi” Berra was born. (1925-2015) (Player: 1946-1963, MLB Coach: 1976-1983, Manager: 1964,1984.)
Yogi Berra was one of the most beloved players to ever wear the New York Yankees pinstripes. He hit .285, while playing 2,116 games, hitting 358 HRs and 1,430 RBIs in 18 seasons as a Yankees player. Yogi played in 14 World Series for the Yankees with 10 World Championships with 71 World Series hits. Yogi was an AL All-Star catcher for 15 seasons and 3-time American League MVP winner (1951,1954-1955). He would lead the AL Catchers in fielding twice (1957 and 1959.) Yogi became one of the greatest catchers in the game through the help of former Yankees great HOF Catcher Bill Dickey. In October of 1963, Yogi was named Manager of the 1964 Yankees. Despite posting a 99-63 record, winning the 1964 AL Flag, but losing to the Cardinals in 7 games in the 1964 World Series. Yankees GM Ralph Houk had fired him. In October of 1963, Berra was picked to manage the 1964 Yankees by Co-Team Owner Dan Topping Sr., so he wasn’t Yankees GM Houk’s choice to lead the 1964 team. In 1965, Berra would move across town, joining the New York Mets Coaching staff under his long-time mentor Casey Stengel and even appearing in a handful of games. He would remained a Mets MLB Coach until 1972, when he took over as the club's skipper upon the sudden death of Gil Hodges. After finishing in 3rd place that year, he would lead the team on a remarkable run in 1973. Although the Mets were in last place as late as August 30th, the club went 19-8 in September to capture the NL East title and beat the heavily-favored Reds in the NLCS to reach the World Series (which they ultimately lost to the Oakland A’s in 7 games). Berra would remain Manager of the Mets until 1975. In 1976, Berra would return to the Yankees MLB Coaching staff for Manager Billy Martin. In 1984, he was promoted again to Manager. However, early in the 1985 AL season, he was fired and replaced with Billy Martin by Team Owner George Steinbrenner. George was going through a revolving door of Managers in those years and Berra actually posted one of the best winning percentages of all those who managed the Yankees in the 1st phase of Steinbrenner's ownership (i.e. until the appointment of Joe Torre as manager in 1996). Berra went on to serve on the Astros MLB Coaching Staff from 1986 to 1989. Yogi Berra is one of few MLB Managers to win a pennant in each major league: Yankees (1964) and Mets (1973) joining HOF Managers Joe McCarthy (Cubs and Yankees) and Sparky Anderson (Reds and Tigers) in that select group. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
1930-Former Yankees Minor League OF Tom Umphlett was born.
On June 12,1962, OF Tom Umphlett was traded by the Red Sox along with Cash to the Yankees for Veteran Reserve INF Billy Gardner. Tom never played for the Yankees at MLB level. He would spend the 1962 season with the Yankees AAA team, the Richmond Virginians (IL).
1930-The Yankees would sell veteran Starter Tom Zachary to the Boston Braves. He had posted a 12-0 record with a 2.48 ERA for the 1929 Yankees. He was 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 3 games for the 1930 Yankees. Yankees Manager Bob Shawkey had Rookie Starter Lefty Gomez and recently acquired veteran MLB Starter Red Ruffing from the Red Sox, joining the Yankees 1930 starting rotation, so veteran hurler became expendable. On September 30,1927, Tom was the Senators Pitcher, who gave up Babe Ruth’s 60th HR at Yankee Stadium.
1933-The Yankees would sell Rookie 3B Billy Werber and veteran hurler George Pipgras to the Red Sox for $20,000 Cash. For the 1923-1933 Yankees, as a Yankees hurler, George Pipgras had posted a 93-64 record with a 4.40 ERA and 14 saves in 247 games. In 1930, INF Billy Werber was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. He had played college baseball at Duke Univ. He had spent the 1931-1932 seasons playing in the Minor Leagues. He had appeared in just 7 games, while hitting .250 for the 1933 Yankees. With the Red Sox, he would become a regular player. Pipgras would win 9 games for the 1933 Red Sox before a pitching arm injury had ended his MLB pitching Career. After retiring as an active player, George would become an AL Umpire.
1935-Former Yankees 1B/DH Felipe Alou (1971-1973) was born.
After being obtained on April 9, 1971 from Oakland for 2 Pitchers: Ron Klimkowski and Rob Gardner. Veteran 1B/DH Felipe Alou would hit .289 in 1971 and .278 in 1972, before fading during the 1973 AL season. Overall, as a Yankees player, Felipe had hit .271 with 18 HRs and 133 RBIs in 344 games. In September of 1973, he was sold to the Montreal Expos. After his active playing days, Alou became an MLB Manager for the Expos and the Giants.
1941-Red Sox Starter Lefty Grove beats Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez by the score of 6-4 for his 20th straight at Fenway Park. A Jimmie Fox 2-run HR is the margin of victory for Boston.
1952-The Yankees had waived veteran hurler Frank "Stubby" Overmire to the St. Louis Browns. After being obtained by Yankees on June 15, 1951 for Starter Tommy Byrne and $25,000 Cash. The veteran Overmire would post a 1-1 record with a 4.83 ERA in 15 games for the 1951 Yankees. He would go 0-3 for the 1952 Browns, retiring at the end of the season.
1958-In an in-season exhibition game held at Yankee Stadium, the Milwaukee Braves would beat the Yankees by the score of 4-3 with 13,00 fans (15,000 tickets were sold) watching the contest. Before the game, there was a HR Derby contest between the 2 team’s sluggers. Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Moose Skowron represented the Yankees. Meanwhile, Eddie Mathews, Joe Adcock and Hank Aaron would represent the Braves. Bronx veteran Pitcher Sal Maglie making his 1958 season’s debut at age 41, hurled 7 strong innings. Yankees Reliever Johnny Kucks took the loss, giving up 2 runs in the 8th inning. Braves Manager Fred Haney had used 9 pitchers for 1 inning each; Bob Rush, who worked the 7th inning got the win. This exhibition game between the Bronx Bombers and the Braves was a replacement for the Mayor’s Thorphy Game which ended in 1957. The Giants and Dodgers had moved to the West Coast ending the city series, which wouldn’t resume until the 1962 MLB season, when the new NL expansion team, the Mets were born and the City series was restarted.
1959-At Yankee Stadium, Catcher Yogi Berra committed an error as his errorless streak of 148 games for a MLB Catcher came to an end in a 7-6 loss to Indians.
1967-Former Yankees Minor League P Kenny Greer was born.
On June 1,1988, Pitcher Kenny Greer was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 1988 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. On September 17,1993, Kenny was traded by the Yankees to the Mets for veteran MLB Starter Frank Tanana.
1974-Former Yankees MLB Scout Ricardo Finol was born.
Ricardo Finol had pitched in the Minor Leagues, then he became an MLB scout. The Pirates took Finol in the 46th round of the MLB Amateur Player Draft,1 round after they picked Chris Capuano. With the 1996 GCL Pirates, he was 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA, allowing 19 hits and 5 walks in 10 innings. In 1996-1997, he had a 1-0 record, with 2.70 ERA for the Pastora de Occidente. He split the summer of '97 with the GCL Pirates (1-1, Sv, 3.15 ERA, 4 BB in 20 IP) and the Augusta Greenjackets (1-2, 6.65 ERA in 11 G). He went 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA for the 1997-1998 Pastora de Los Llanos. His final campaign, 1998-1999, he was 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 3 games for the Aguilas del Zulia. Overall, he was 3-3 with a save and a 5.75 ERA in 23 games, with 59 hits, 22 walks and 35 strikeouts in 51 2/3 IP in the minors. He went 2-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 16 contests, with 28 hits, 14 walks and 11 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings in the Venezuelan League. Finol later scouted for the Yankees, signing: INF Ramon Flores, Carlos Monasterios, Catcher Jesus Montero and OF José Tabata among others.
1978-Former Yankees Reserve 1B/DH Josh Phelps (2007) was born.
On December 7, 2006, 1B Josh Phelps was drafted by the Yankees from the Orioles organization in the 2006 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Josh had appeared in 36 games for the 2007 Yankees, while hitting .267. On June 22, 2007, Phelps was placed on waivers by the Yankees, the Pirates would claim him.
1978-At Royals Stadium, a potential game-ending routine fly ball to the Outfield became an Amos Otis walk-off Inside-the-Park HR as Yankees Outfielders RF Reggie Jackson and CF Mickey Rivers collided in the outfield. This defensive misplay turned a sure Yankees Closer Goose Gossage save into a sour loss for the current World Champions Yankees.
1979-Former Yankees MLB Scout, Baseball Executive (1967-1975) and MLB Catcher Clyde Kluttz had passed away. (1917-1979)
As an MLB Scout for the Yankees, he would convince MLB Free Agent Starter Catfish Hunter to sign with the Yankees on December 31,1974. He also spent time with the Yankees front office as Director of Player Development (1971-1973) and then as a Scouting Director in 1974. Clyde Kluttz was Catcher, who had played in the MLB from 1942-1952 with the Braves, Giants, Cardinals, Browns, Pirates before finishing up his MLB playing career with the Senators.
1982-The Yankees had traded INF Larry Milbourne, P John Pacella and Minor League P Pete Filson to the Twins for MLB Catcher Butch Wynegar and P Roger Erickson. The Yankees acquired Butch Wynegar from the Twins, after placing Catcher Rick Cerone on the DL. Roger Erickson was replacing an injured Yankees Starter, when the team placed veteran hurler Doyle Alexander on the DL. They already had veteran MLB Starter Rick Reuschel on the DL. Roger was currently 4-3 for the 1982 Twins. Since joining the Yankees in 1981, Milbourne had hit .265 with 1 HR and 14 RBIs in 106 games. Pacella had gone 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in 3 games for the team, he was pitching at AAA Columbus (IL) at the time of the trade was made. Pete Filson was also pitching at AAA Columbus (IL), he had never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1987-Former Yankees Pitcher Lance Lynn (2018) was born.
In 2011, Lance Lynn came up to the MLB with the Cardinals. From 2011-2015, he would post a 61-39 record for the Cardinals. He would underwent Tommy John surgery following the 2015 MLB Postseason, putting him out for all of 2016 NL season. He came back in 2017 to make a NL-leading 33 starts, ending up with a 11-8 record with a 3.43 ERA, while logging 186 1/3 and striking out 153 NL batters. After the season, he became an MLB Free Agent, while his numbers should have made him a hot property, he was caught in the glacial market affecting the MLB free agents that winter. He was only signed by a MLB team on March 10, 2018, when he agreed to a 1-year deal with the Twins for $12 million. His results with Minnesota were not that great in 20 starts for the team, he would post a 7-8 record with a 5.10 ERA. Meanwhile, the team as a whole disappointed and it soon became clear that there was little chance of returning to the AL postseason that season. As the July 31st MLB trading deadline approached, the Twins dealt a number of veteran players including Lynn. He was sent to the Yankees on July 30th in return for 1B/OF Tyler Austin and Minor League P Luis Rijo. With the Yankees, he was expected to be used as a long reliever and serve as an insurance policy, if a starter went down to injury. His 1st outing came in relief, but he was quickly tagged to replace an ineffective Bronx Starter Sonny Gray in the Yankees rotation. His 1st start on August 6th, Lance was outstanding as he held the White Sox scoreless into the 8th inning in a 7-0 Yankees win. He had retired 19 White Sox straight batters at one point. Lynn would go 3-2 with a 4.14 ERA in 11 games - 9 starts - for the 2018 Yankees, then was he used out of the bullpen in the 2018 AL Postseason. He had a good outing in Game 1 of the ALDS, when he had pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief of J.A. Happ and Chad Green in a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox, but in the pivotal Game 3 of ALDS, things went sour as he replaced a shaky Bronx Starter Luis Severino in the 4th inning, as he had allowed the 1st 3 Boston batters of the inning for each base, loading the bases with the Yankees already down by the score of 3-0. Lance could not pull off a miracle however; he walked the 1st man he faced, Mookie Betts, to force in a run, than allowed a bases-clearing double to the next batter, Andrew Benintendi. By the time the inning ended, Chad Green had replaced him on the mound and the Yankees were down by the score of 10-0 on their way to losing the game by the final score of 16-1. They never recovered from that beating. After the 2018 MLB postseason had ended, Lynn became an MLB Free Agent. On December 12, 2018, he would sign a 3-year contract worth $30 million with the Rangers
1992-Former Yankees Reserve OF Jonathan Davis (2021) was born.
On August 3, 2021, the Yankees had claimed OF Jonathan Davis on waivers from the Blue Jays. He had played in 52 games as a Reserve OF for the 2021 Blue Jays, hitting only .143 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs. Overall, with the 2018-2021 Blue Jays, he had hit .180 with 4 HRs and 16 RBIs in 122 games as a Reserve OF. On June 8, 2013, Davis was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 15th round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft. The Yankees had plan to send him to AAA Scranton, but team injuries have force them to keep him at the MLB level as a Reserve OF. For the Yankees, Davis would appear in just 12 games, while hitting .059. In November of 2021, he was granted MLB Free Agency the Yankees.
1999-The Angels shut out the Yankees by the score of 1-0, behind the combined 3-hit pitching of Starter Chuck Finley and Closer Troy Percival. Finley had struck out 11 Yankee batters in his 8 innings of work, including 4 batters in the 3rd inning, to become the 33rd pitcher in history to strike out 4 batters in a single frame. It is possible when a batter with 2 strikes on him takes a swing at strike 3; however, the catcher does not field the ball cleanly and instead of tagging the runner out, the runner reaches the 1st base. The strikeout is recorded, but not the out.
2022-It's a game for lovers of the 3 true outcomes at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, as Dylan Cease starts the game for the White Sox by recording 11 strikeouts in 4 innings against the Yankees. But he also gives up 2 walks and 6 hits, 5 of them for extra bases, including a pair of HRs by Giancarlo Stanton, he departs the game trailing by the score of 6-3. The Sox manage to tie the game at 7-all in the 7th, thanks to a 3-run homer by Yoan Moncada, but the Yankees come back with 7 runs in the top of the 8th against Sox Relievers Joe Kelly and Tanner Banks, with Bronx Sluggers Aaron Judge and Josh Donaldson both contributing homers. In all, the Yankees walk 7 times and strike out 14 times, in addition to the 4 long balls.
May 13th
1914-On May 13,1914, the Yankees had acquired Catcher/1B Les Nunamaker for Cash from the Red Sox. He would be the Yankees main Catcher until the 1918 AL season, when he was traded in the Urban Shocker trade to the St. Louis Browns. His best Yankees player season was in 1916, when Les would hit .296 in 91 games for the Yankees. As a Yankees player, Les had appeared in 396 games, while hitting .262 with 2 HRs and 107 RBIs.
1929-At Cleveland's League Park, the Indians would defeat the Yankees by a score of 4-3 in the 1st game in MLB history in which players from both teams wear numbers on the back of their jerseys.
1929-Former Yankees and MLB Manager George Stallings (1909-1910) had passed away. (1867-1929)
George Stallings had reached the MLB as a player in 1890, going hitless in 4 games with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. He was soon back in the Minor Leagues and began his managing career with the Augusta Electricians (SL) in 1893. Also, from 1893-1896, he was the Head Baseball Coach at Mercer Univ.. In 1897, he would become the Phillies Manager, also appeared in 2 games as the club finished in 10th place in the NL. He would play in 1 game with the team the next summer, but he was replaced by Bill Shettsline at the helm on June 18th. Stallings had led the Tigers to a 3rd place finish in 1901. Then he would find success with the AA Buffalo Bisons, leading the club to 2 Eastern League titles. He would take over the job as Yankees Manager for the 1909 AL season. The 1909 Yankees had finished in 5th place with a 74-77 record. With the 1910 Highlanders, the team was in 2nd place late in the season, before he resigned on September 21st. Stallings had a disagreement with Yankees Co-Team Owners Farrell and Devery over 1B Hal Chase’s play. He strongly felt that that Chase was trying to throw games and gambling on them as well. Ironically, Stallings was replaced by the team’s Co-Team Owners with 1B Hal Chase. Overall, George Stallings Yankees Manager record was 153-138. After 2 more seasons back with AA Buffalo (IL), Stallings became Manager of the Boston Braves in 1913. He took the club from last place to a NL pennant the next summer. “The Miracle Braves”, as the 1914 squad was known, were in last place for much of the 1st part of the season and as late as July 18th. On August 4th, they had climbed to 4th place, but they didn't reach 1st until August 25th. They dropped back into 2nd, but by September 5th, they were atop the NL standings for good. The Braves went on to sweep the Athletics in the 1914 World Series. Under Stallings' leadership, the Braves would finish in 2nd place in 1915, he would continue to manage the team through the 1920 NL season. In 1959, Stallings was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
1943-Former Yankees Pitcher Pat Malone (1935-1937) had passed away. (1902-1943)
After the 1934 NL campaign had ended, veteran Starter Pat Malone was traded by the Cubs to the Cardinals. However, he immediately clashed with Cardinals GM Branch Rickey over his MLB player salary; before the start of the 1935 AL season, he was sold to the Yankees for $15,000 Cash. With the Cubs, Pat had posted a 115-79 record with a 3.57 ERA in 265 games. He had won 22 games in 1929 and 20 games in 1930. Unable to crack a Yankees starting rotation that included Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing, he was moved to the Yankees bullpen, where he found success in 1936. That season, he would win 12 games. Pat had led the AL Relievers with 9 saves. Playing in the 3rd World Series of his MLB Pitching career that fall, he would earn a save in Game #3, but then he took the loss in Game #5. Nonetheless, the Yankees had defeated their cross-town NL rivals, the Giants in 6 games. He had appeared in 92 games with the Yankees, while posting a 19-13 record with a 4.97 ERA and 18 saves before being released by the team in January of 1938.
1946-The Yankees use air transport for travel as an MLB team for 1st time. They would lease a plane from United Airlines, nickname it “Yankee Mainliner.” Despite the advantages of flying, 4 Yankee players, including Pitcher Red Ruffing, still chose to take the train.
1947-Three Yankee batters Charlie Keller, Joe DiMaggio and Johnny Lindell would hit consecutive HRs in 6th inning off of St. Louis Browns Starter Fred Sanford to lead the Bronx Bombers to a 9-1 victory.
1948-The Yankees had obtained OF Leon Culberson and $20,000 in Cash from the Senators for OF Bud Stewart. On May 15,1948, the Yankees would option Leon to their AAA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA), where he would hit .259 in 83 games.
1950-“Ed Barrow Day” is staged at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees would honor their long-time Team President (1939-1945) and General Manager (1920-1945), who had run the Yankees Front office. He had created a farm system that allowed the team to dominate the AL. Also, he would engineer the famous trades that would make the team dominate in the MLB from 1920’s to 1940’s. Before joining the Yankees in 1920 postseason, he had managed the Tigers and Red Sox. In 1918 with Boston, he had won a World Series. He was responsible for moving Babe Ruth from the mound to the Outfielder, to take advantage of his hitting power at the plate.
1950-Former Yankees OF Juan Beniquez (1979) was born.
On November 10,1978, OF Juan Beniquez was traded by the Rangers along with Minor League Players: OF Greg Jemison, Pitchers Mike Griffin, Paul Mirabella and Dave Righetti to the Yankees for Reserve Catcher Mike Heath, Pitchers Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich, Reserve INF Domingo Ramos and Cash. While battling with injures, Juan would appear in only 62 games for the Yankees, hitting .254 with 4 HRs and 17 RBIs. On November 1,1979, Juan was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Rick Anderson and Jim Beattie, Reserve Catcher Jerry Narron to the Mariners for OF Ruppert Jones and P Jim Lewis.
1953-The Yankees would waive veteran hurler Johnny Schmitz to the Senators. With the 1952-1953 Yankees, Johnny had posted 1-1 record with a 3.26 ERA and 1 save in 8 games before joining the Nats. On August 1,1952, the Yankees had purchased Johnny Schmitz from Dodgers. On August 28,1952, the Yankees would trade Johnny as part of player package to the Reds in the Ewell Blackwell trade. On February 16,1953, the Yankees would purchase Schmitz from the Reds. He had posted a 1-0 record in 3 games with the 1952 Reds. For the 1953 Yankees, he had a 0-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in 3 games.
1955-At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle would hit HR’s from both sides of the plate for the 1st time in his MLB playing career. The Yankees Slugger would finish the game with 3 HR’s - 2 left-handed and 1 right-handed - and drove in all of his team's runs in a 5-2 victory over the Tigers. Whitey Ford was the winning pitcher, while Steve Gromek was the loser for the Tigers.
1965-Former Yankees Pitcher Jose Rijo (1984) was born.
Rookie Pitcher Jose Rijo had posted a 2-8 record with a 4.76 ERA and 2 saves in 24 games for the 1984 Yankees. The team had rush him up to the MLB to match the Mets young Rookie Pitcher Doc Gooden. In December of 1984, the Yankees would trade him to Oakland in the Rickey Henderson trade. He would later find success in the MLB, while pitching for the Reds before arm injures would end his MLB pitching career.
1969-Former Yankees Minor League OF Lyle Mouton was born.
On June 3,1991, OF Lyle Mouton was selected by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 1991 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Lyle never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On April 22,1995, Lyle was sent by the Yankees to the White Sox to complete an earlier deal made on December 14,1994. The Yankees had sent a Player to be Named Later and Keith Heberling (Minors) to the White Sox for veteran Starter Jack McDowell.
1974-The Yankees had sold veteran 1B Mike Hegan to the Brewers. On August 18,1973, Mike had been acquired by the Yankees from Oakland. He would share the Yankees 1B job with veteran Matty Alou. With the arrival of 1B Chris Chambliss from the Indians on April 27th, Mike had been sharing the 1B job with veteran INF Bill Sudakis. He had played in 18 games for the 1974 Yankees, while hitting .226 with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs. He would ask the Yankees front office for a trade to the Brewers, Tigers or the Red Sox. With the Brewers, he would become their Reserve 1B for AL All-Star Veteran 1B George Scott.
1977-Yankees Starter Ed Figueroa wins his 4th straight complete game, beating his former teammates the Angels by score of 3-0. Yankees Catcher Thurman Munson hit his 7th HR of the 1977 AL season.
1984-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher J. Brent Cox was born.
The Yankees had selected Pitcher J. Brent Cox in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Player Draft, a pick that was compensation for the loss of P Orlando Hernández to MLB Free Agency. He had signed for a $550,000 bonus. At the Univ. of Texas, he was the set-up man for Closer Houston Street. Debuting professionally in High Class A, Cox was 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 16 games for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), striking out 27 batters in 28 IP and allowing a .206 average. Cox had another fine season in 2006, going 6-2 with a 1.75 ERA and 3 saves in 41 games for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). He would allow a .196 average. Baseball America rated him as having the best slider in the Yankee system and being the team's 8th-best prospect. Cox had struck out 7 batters in 7 innings for Team USA in the American Qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics (held in 2006), allowing 4 runs and having no decisions or saves. He pitched scoreless ball against Brazil (2 IP, 3 H), Venezuela (1 2/3 IP) and Nicaragua (2 IP). He had struggled, though, against Cuba in the finale. Relieving Kevin Slowey with a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the 6th inning, Cox was charged with 2 runs in that inning and 2 more in the 7th inning (though Jeff Ridgeway was on the hill, when both runners scored) as Cuba tied it. In March of 2007, Cox had elbow surgery; he did not pitch a game that season. In 2009, he would appear in 12 games for AAA Scranton (IL) and 5 games for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). In 2010, he would play his last season in pro baseball, splitting time between 2 teams: AA Trenton (EL) and Class A Tampa (FSL).
1985-After trailing by 8 runs going into the bottom of the 6th inning, the Yankees rally to beat the Twins, by the score of 9-8. Don Mattingly's 9th inning 2-out, 3-run walk off HR in Yankee Stadium is the finishing touch.
1987-Former Yankees Pitcher D. J. Mitchell (2012) was born.
D.J. Mitchell had played baseball and basketball in high school. He was 3-time All-Conference in baseball. Going on to Clemson Univ., he would hit .289 as a backup RF. He stole 8 bases in 11 tries. He started all 3 games of the 2006 College World Series. Mitchell would help the Thomasville HiToms win the Coastal Plain League title that summer. He had scored 15 runs in 21 games; he had a 2.25 ERA as a reliever. In the championship game, he got the start on the hill and won, allowing 1 run and 2 hits in 5 innings. In 2007, D.J. struggled as a part-time outfielder with a .208 BA, 8 steals in 11 tries again) but he did well on the mound (5-0, 3.27 ERA) signaling a switch of positions. With the Bourne Braves that summer, he had a 1-2 record with a 1.47 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 49 innings. He would lead the prestigious Cape Cod League in strikeouts and was 4th in ERA. On the league All-Star team, he him as the loop's #22 prospect between Brett Jacobson and Jason Castro. As a Junior in 2008, he would post a 6-5 record with a 3.47 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 20 appearances. It was the highest strikeout total by a Clemson hurler since Kris Benson 12 years prior. Mitchell made 1st-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference. The Yankees in the 10th round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected D. J. Mitchell. He was signed by the team for a $450,000 bonus, but he did not play professionally that season due to a muscle strain. He made his pro debut the following summer with the Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), going 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA in 6 starts before being transferred to the High Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) in May. With Tampa for the remainder of the season, he went 8-6 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 games for the team. He had tied Lance Pendleton for 2nd in the Yankees chain in wins (behind David Phelps), Mitchell was 2nd in strikeouts (125, behind Pendleton) and he was 4th in ERA. He helped Class A Tampa Yankees win the FSL title. Mitchell spent most of the 2010 season with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), while posting a 11-4 record with a 4.06 ERA. In August, he was promoted to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (IL) for whom, he was 2-0 with a 3.57 ERA in 3 late-season starts. He had allowed 3 earned runs in 5 innings in an IL postseason start with Scranton, he got a no-decision. He was back with Scranton for the entire next season, going 13-9 with a 3.18 ERA in 28 games. He led the 2011 International League with 2 shutouts and tied Zach McAllister for the league lead with 3 complete games. He also was 2nd in the IL in wins and 5th in ERA. He led Yankee farmhands in wins and was 3rd in ERA. He was named the 2011 Yankees Minor League Pitcher of the Year. After making 4 starts AAA Scranton to begin the 2012 season (2-1 record with a 3.13 ERA), when he was called up to the Yankees in late April to replace Reliever Cody Eppley. He made his MLB Pitching debut on May 1st, facing the Orioles, entering with a 7-1 deficit in the 9th inning. He began by striking out J.J. Hardy. Nick Markakis singled but Mitchell got Adam Jones to hit into a force out. Matt Wieters singled, but he was out trying for a double to end Mitchell's scoreless inning of relief. After 1 more appearance 2 days later, he was sent back down to Scranton to clear an MLB roster spot for Reserve OF Dewayne Wise. On July 23, 2012, Mitchell was traded along with Minor League P Danny Farquhar to the Mariners for veteran AL All-Star OF Ichiro Suzuki.
1991-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher John Ryan Murphy (2013-2015) was born.
In 2009, Catcher John Ryan Murphy was the 2nd-team HS All-American Catcher according to Baseball America behind Bryce Harper. The Yankees had selected him 76th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Amateur Player Draft; the pick was compensation for failing to sign Scott Bittle the year before. He was the Yankees 2nd selection, following OF Slade Heathcott. He turned down a scholarship to the Univ. of Miami, signed late. Murphy played in just 9 games for the GCL Yankees (11 for 33, 2 BB, 1 HR, 3 BB). He would hit .255 for the 2010 Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), fielding .973 with 13 passed balls in 53 games, while throwing out 23% of attempted base-stealers. He did come up with a big day August 13th against the Hickory Crawdads, with a Grand Slam HR, a 3-run HR and 2 more RBIs to fall 1 RBI shy of the South Atlantic League single-game record. Backing up fellow Catching prospect Gary Sanchez for Charleston in 2011, he fared better, hitting .297 in 63 Games. He moved up to the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) hitting .259 in 23 Games. He had hit 29 doubles in 341 at-bats that season. In 2012, he would play for Class A Tampa (FSL) hitting .257 in 67 Games, he moved up to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), while batting .231 in 43 Games. He had 11 errors, 13 passed balls and threw out 32% of attempted base-stealers. He was 6 for 26 with 2 HRS and 4 RBIs for Trenton in the Eastern League playoffs. J.R. would open the 2013 season with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), hitting .268 in 49 Games. Then he was moved up to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL) hitting .270 with 12 HRs and 29 doubles in 59 Games. He was a September call-up to the Bronx. In his MLB Player debut was on September 2nd, when he pinch-hit for 2B Robinson Cano in the bottom of the 8th of a 9-1 blowout of the White Sox. Murphy singled off of Dave Purcy, then he exited the game in the top of the 9th. He would hit .154 in 16 games in his 1st taste of the MLB action. He started the 2014 season back in the Minors (5 for 26, 3 2B for Scranton,) but J.R. was soon called up to the Bronx to back up newly signed C Brian McCann, when Reserve Catcher Francisco Cervelli went on the DL. He hit his 1st MLB career HR on April 26th, connecting off of Angels hurler Hector Santiago in the 5th inning; after having hit a 2-run single in the 2nd. His offensive heroics were key to a 4-3 win. He ended playing in 32 games for the 2014 Yankees, while hitting .284 with 1 HR and 9 RBIs. In 2015, John Ryan began the season as the Reserve for starting Catcher Brian McCann, following Cervelli's trade to the Pirates in the off-season. On July 25th, his 1st HR of the 2015 AL season was a dramatic one against the Twins. The Yankees had fallen into an early 5-0 hole, but 3 HRs by Alex Rodriguez, including a solo HR in the 9th that had tied the score at 5-5. Facing AL All-Star Closer Glen Perkins later that inning, he hit a 3-run HR shot that gave the Yankees an 8-5 win. He would play in 67 games for the 2015 Yankees, while hitting .277 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs, showing that he was ready to step into an MLB Catcher starting job. However, this was not to come with the Yankees, with veteran MLB Catcher Brian McCann having signed to a long-term MLB Player contract and with another young Catcher waiting in the wings in Gary Sanchez. After the 2015 AL season, the Yankees would trade Murphy to the Twins for OF Aaron Hicks. In 2016, Ryan would only play in 26 MLB games for the Twins, hitting just .146 with 1 HR and 3 RBIs, before being sent down to AAA. During the 2017 AL season, the Twins had traded him to the Diamondbacks for a Minor League player. On April 30, 2019, John became Yankees veteran Starter CC Sabathia 3,000 MLB career strike out victim in a game between the D-Backs and the Yankees. In 2020, he was a reserve catcher with the Pirates, hitting just .172 with No HRs and 2 RBIs. John would finish MLB playing career with a .215 BA along with 18 HRs and 61 RBIs in 284 MLB games.
1996-Former Yankees Pitcher Justus Sheffield (2018) was born.
Pitcher Justus Sheffield was selected by the Indians in 2014 MLB Amateur Player Draft (the pick was compensation for the loss of Ubaldo Jimenez). He is the Nephew of former Yankees OF/DH Gary Sheffield and Brother of 2013 draftee Jordan Sheffield. In the 2013 World Junior Championship, he was roughed up in starts against Cuba and Taiwan but the US rallied to win both en route to the Gold. He won the 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year after going 10-0 with a 0.34 ERA and 131 K in 61 2/3 IP. Gary Sheffield won the 1st such honor in 1986. Sheffield began his pro career at 18 years old, going 3-1 with 29 strikeouts and a 4.87 ERA in 20 1/3 innings for the AZL Indians in 2014. On January 20, 2015, he was arrested for aggravated burglary and underage drinking. That did not affect his season, however, as he pitched for the Lake County Captains that season and went 9-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 26 starts; he had 138 strikeouts in 127 2/3 innings and earned Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star and MiLB.com Organization All-Star selections. Going into the year, he had been ranked the #4 prospect in the Indians system by Baseball America. Going into 2016, he was ranked the #4 prospect in the Indians system and the #81 prospect in all of baseball by BA. He began the season with the Lynchburg Hillcats. In 19 starts, he went 7-5 with a 3.59 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 95 1/3 innings. On July 31st, he was traded to the Yankees along with Tribe Prospects: OF Clint Frazier, Pitchers J.P. Feyereisen and Ben Heller in return for veteran MLB Closer Andrew Miller. He would finish the 2016 Minor League season with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), pitching in 5 games, while posting a 3-1 record with a 1.73 ERA. He had started the 2017 season with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL.) He was with the 2018 AAA Scranton (IL). With the 2018 Yankees, he would work out of the bullpen, when he was called up to the Bronx. He had appeared in 10 games with a 0-0 record with a 10.13 ERA in 3 games. On November 19, 2018, Sheffield was traded along with 2 other Minor League Players: OF Dom Thompson-Williams and Pitcher Erik Swanson for Mariners MLB Starter James Paxton.
2012-The Mariners would beat the Yankees by the score of 6-2 in Andy Pettitte's return to Yankees pinstripes, after a 1-year retirement from the game. Mariner batters Justin Smoak and Casper Wells hit HRs against Pettitte; veteran MLB Starter Kevin Millwood picks up his 1st win for Seattle. Wells is a dutiful son on Mother's Day, hitting his long ball after his Mom, who drove all the way from Schenectady, NY to the Big Apple to attend the game, asked him to hit a HR to make it memorable.
2016-Former Yankees MLB Pitching Coach (1982-1984,1986) and MLB Pitcher Sammy Ellis had passed away. (1941-2016)
After playing college baseball at Mississippi State Univ. (MSU) for the Mississippi St. Bulldogs, Sammy Ellis was signed by the Reds an MLB Amateur Free Agent in 1961. At Mississippi State, he had lettered 1 year (1961) with a pitching record of 12–7, leading the team in strikeouts (73) and innings pitched (57 2⁄3). He was named to MSU's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012. Ellis made his MLB Pitching debut at the start of the 1962 NL season. His 1st MLB appearance was on April 14,1962, in which he lost. His 1st MLB victory came 10 days later on April 24th, when he walked 11 batters, but he only allowed 1 hit. After spending part of the 1962 and all of the 1963 season in the Minors, Ellis would rejoin the MLB club in 1964 as a Reliever. He would finish the season with a 10–3 record along with a 2.57 ERA; he had pitched in 52 games and threw fewer walks in those 52 games (28) than he did in 1962 in 8 games (29). Ellis had an excellent season in 1964, as the Reds' top Relief Pitcher, by saving 14 games, while posting a 10-3 record and a 125/28 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He was moved to the Reds starting rotation in 1965. He made the 1965 NL All-Star team, winning 22 games, while striking out 183 NL batters. Only 24 at the time, he seemed to have a great future ahead of him, but after a 12-19 season in 1966, he had developed pitching arm problems, Sammy was out of MLB baseball by mid-1969. He had pitched for the Reds, Angels and the White Sox. Overall, as an MLB Pitcher, Sammy had posted a 63-58 record with a 4.15 ERA in 229 games. Ellis, later became a successful Pitching Coach for a number of MLB teams in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1982, he was a Yankees MLB Pitching Coach, from 1983 to 1984 and again in 1986. He was then a roving Minor League Pitching Coach for the 1987 White Sox. From 1989 to 1991, Sammy was on the White Sox MLB Coaching staff; then he spent the 1992 NL season across town as the Cubs MLB Pitching Coach. He was later a member of the Mariners MLB Coaching staff in 1993-1994, then he was with the 1996 Red Sox MLB Coaching staff and then 2000 Orioles MLB Coaching staff.
May 14th
1899-Future Yankees HOF CF Earle “The Kentucky Colonel” Combs (1924-1935) was born. (1899-1976)
In 1923, OF Earl Combs would hit .380 for the AA Louisville Colonels (AA). He had his Minor League player contract purchased by the Yankees prior to the start of the 1924 AL season for $50,000 cash, a huge sum at the time. Earl was a lifetime MLB .325 hitter for the Yankees. He was the leadoff hitter for the Yankees, the 1st player to wear Yankees Uniform #1. Combs' best season came with the 1927 Yankees, when he hit .356, while scored 137 runs and led the AL with 231 hits. In 1934, Combs suffered a serious injury that could have cost him his life, fracturing his skull after running into the outfield wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. He was carried unconscious from the field. He remained in the hospital for 2 months afterwards, but he miraculously returned to the playing field in 1935. However, his MLB player career was shortly thereafter ended by another injury, this time with a broken collarbone. He had batted .340 in 4 World Series with the Yankees, 8th highest in MLB history. He was the 1st of the great Yankee Centerfielders. After he stopped playing, Earl became a Yankees MLB Coach (1936-1944). He would teach Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio, how to play centerfield at Yankee Stadium. Later, Combs would become a member of the 1947 St. Louis Browns MLB Coaching staff. Next, he would be an MLB coach for the 1948-1952 Red Sox working for his Former Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy. He would spend the 1954 NL season with the Phillies, as a member of their MLB Coaching Staff. In 1970, Earle Combs was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1913-Former Yankees Minor League P Johnny Babich was born. (1913-2001).
Johnny Babich grew up in the San Francisco area. In 1931, he began his pro baseball pitching career with the AA San Francisco Seals (PCL). In 1933, Johnny was traded by the Seals to the cross-town Missions (PCL); where he went on to win 20 games. He would win 10 games during the 1934 PCL season before being acquired by the Dodgers, where he went 7-11 as an MLB Rookie hurler. After posting a 6.66 ERA for the 1935 Dodgers, he was sent back down to the Minors. Babich spent most of the 1935 season pitching in the PCL; he did play in 3 games for the Boston Bees (aka the Braves). After going 19-17 with a 3.27 ERA for the 1938 AA Hollywood Stars (PCL), he was acquired by the Yankees, who sent him to their Minor League AA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA). One year later, he was selected by Philadelphia Athletics in the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. With the 1940 A’s, he had posted a 14-13 record with a 3.73 ERA. Johnny had a 5-0 record against the 1940 Yankees. He would play 1 more season in the MLB, going 2-7 for the 1941 A’s. Following his MLB Pitching career, Babich would manage in the Minor Leagues; he continued to pitch as well. He would lead the 1947 Stockton Ports to a California League title, while posting a 5-2 record on the mound.
1917-Former Yankees Minor League OF Bob Thurman was born. (1917-1998)
Outfielder Bob Thurman was a star player in the Negro Leagues and in the Winter Baseball Leagues. On July 29,1949, it was announced that the Yankees had purchased his player contract from the Kansas City Monarchs (Negro Leagues). He was assigned to the AA Newark Bears (IL), where he hit 3 HRs in his 1st week. For the rest of the 1950 International League season, he would hit .317 for the Bears in 59 games, before a hand injury had sidelined him. The Yankees would send him to the Cubs that winter. Bob would reach the MLB with the 1955 Reds. After his MLB playing career had ended, he would join the Twins as an MLB Scout. Later, he would scout for the Reds and the Royals as well as working for the MLB Scouting Bureau.
1931-Former Yankees Pitcher Eustance “Doc” Newton (1905-1909) had passed away. (1877-1931)
On October 4,1904, Pitcher Doc Newton was drafted by the Highlanders from the AA Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He had previously pitched in the NL for the Reds and Dodgers from 1900 to 1902. He had jumped from the Dodgers in 1902 to pitch in the PCL with the AA Los Angeles Angels (PCL). With the 1905-1909 Yankees, Doc will post a 20-25 record with a 2.96 ERA with 1 save in 78 games.
1934-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Lou Criger (1910) had passed away. (1872-1934)
On December 16,1909, veteran Catcher Lou Criger was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for OF Ray Demmitt and P Joe Lake. Lou only appeared in 27 games as a Reserve Catcher for the team, hitting just .188 for the Yankees. In 1911, he will go back to the Browns to finish out his MLB playing career. He would play a few more seasons in the Minor Leagues after that, including a stint as Player-Manager for Boyne City (MSL) in 1911. He was then the 1912 St. Louis Browns MLB Pitching Coach, catching 1 game as an emergency injury replacement. In 1914, he had developed Tuberculosis, then he would move to Arizona, where he would pass away in 1934.
1937-Former Yankees INF (1967-1968), MLB Coach (1968-1978) and Manager (1980) Richard Howser was born. (1937-1987)
Infielder Richard Howser was signed by the Kansas City A’s, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. In 1961, A’s Shortstop Richard Howser was a Topps All-Star Team Rookie. Also, he was named to the 1961 AL All-Star team as a member of the A’s. Later, he would play for the Indians, before joining the Yankees in 1966. On December 20,1966, Howser was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for Minor League P Gil Downs and Cash. As a Yankees player, Howser would appear in 148 games, while hitting .211 with No HRs and 13 RBIs. Overall, as an MLB player, he had played in 789 games, while hitting .248 with 16 HRs and 165 RBIs. Richard Howser finished his MLB playing career with the Yankees in 1968, becoming an MLB Coach for the team. He was the 1st player from Florida State Univ. to come to the MLB. Howser returned to FSU as Head Baseball Coach in 1979, before the Yankees brought him back to the Bronx as their MLB Manager the next year. He would manage the Yankees in 1980, taking the team to a 103-59 record before losing to the Royals in AL Title Playoffs. He would later manage the Royals, going to the 1985 World Series winning the World Championship, before he passed away from Brain Cancer in 1987.
1947-Former Yankees Pitcher Richard “Dirt” Tidrow (1974-1979) was born. (1947-2021)
On January 28,1967, Pitcher Richard Tidrow was drafted by the Indians in the 4th round of the 1967 MLB Amateur Player Draft (January Secondary). He would pitch for the Tribe from 1972 to April 1974. As an Indians starter, he had posted a 29-34 record with a 3.78 ERA in 85 games. On April 26,1974, Richard “Dirt” Tidrow came over to the Yankees from the Indians in the Chris Chambliss trade. With the Yankees, he became the Set-Up Man for Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle. After pitching effectively in relief for several seasons, he returned to the starting rotation in 1978, following injuries to veteran Bronx Starters Catfish Hunter and Don Gullett as he went 7-11 with a 3.84 ERA in 31 games for the team. As a Yankees Pitcher, he had posted a 40-33 record with a 3.61 ERA and 23 saves in 211 games, before being traded to Cubs for P Ray Burris during the 1979 AL season. He would finish with an MLB Pitching career with a record of 100-94 with a 3.68 ERA and 55 saves in 620 games. Tidrow had pitched in the MLB for the Indians, Yankees, Cubs, White Sox and the Mets. “Dirt” appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, pitching in 4 games with no record. In the AL Post Season, he went 1-0 in 8 games for the Yankees. Since his MLB Pitching career ended in 1984, Tidrow has been an MLB Scout for the Yankees. Since 1994, he has worked in the front office for the Giants. Tidrow was a Special Assistant to the GM in 1996. Tidrow was the Giants Farm Director from 1997 to 2005. In 2012, he is the "Vice President, Player Personnel,” a job he has held since at least 2008.
1948-Former Yankees Reliever Dave LaRoche (1981-1983) was born.
The Yankees had signed Veteran Reliever Dave La Roche as an MLB Free Agent. He went 8-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 72 games with no saves for the 1981-1983 Yankees. Dave was known for his unique pitch called the "LaLob". He is one of the last MLB Pitchers to use an eephus pitch, which he utilized as an "out pitch" late in his career. His eephus pitch was thrown overhand, but it would arc as high as 20 feet on its way to home plate. He later became a Minor League Pitching Coach for the Yankees, Mets and the Royals Minor League systems. His son, Adam would play in the MLB.
1951-The Yankees had obtained 1B Don Bollweg and $15,000 Cash from the Cardinals for veteran INF Billy “The Bull” Johnson. He had been with Yankees since 1943. He had missed playing time in 1944-1945 due to wartime duty with the Navy. He had been the team’s regular and part-time 3B. In 1951, he had only appeared in 15 games for the team, while hitting .300 with No HRs and 6 RBIs. Billy would finish his Yankees playing career with .275 BA along with 45 HRs and 388 RBIs in 735 games. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the team, while playing in 18 games, hitting .237 with No HRs and 5 RBIs. Don Bollweg was sent to the Yankees AAA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA). He would play for the Blues for the 1951-1952 Minor League seasons. In 1953, he would appear in 70 games for the Yankees, while hitting .297 with 6 HRs and 24 RBIs. In December of 1953, Don was traded by the Yankees to the Philadelphia Athletics in the Vic Power trade.
1958-The Yankees had sold Pitcher Al Cicotte to the Senators for Cash. He had spent 9 seasons pitching in the Minor Leagues. In 1956, he would post a15-12 record for AAA Richmond Virginians (IL). In 1957, he had appeared in 20 games for the Yankees, while posting a 2-2 record along with a 3.03 ERA; he didn’t appear in the 1957 World Series for the team against the Braves. For the 1958 AL season, he hadn’t appeared in any games for the club.
1967-Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle joined the 500 HR MLB club, when he connected off of Orioles Veteran Reliever Stu Miller. Mantle became the 6th MLB player to reach the 500 HR MLB career mark, joining Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Willie Mays, Mel Ott and Ted Williams. Mantle's HR helped the Bombers to a 6-5 victory over the Birds at Yankee Stadium.
1977-Former Yankees MLB Scout Louis Majuolo (1947-1975) had passed away. (1899-1977)
Lou Maguolo was an MLB Scout for the 1936-1942 St. Louis Browns. During World War II, Maguolo had served in the Army in the Pacific Northwest. His duties were primarily in Special Services Recreation, where he attained the rank of Major. In 1947, he moved to the Yankees, becoming an MLB Scout (1947-1970.) He would retire in 1970, but he continued to work for the Yankees as a part-time MLB Scout from 1970-1975. He was best known for signing Yankee greats as 1B Bill Skowron, INF Tony Kubek, Pitchers Fritz Peterson, Jim Bouton and OF/C Elston Howard. He is credited with signing at least 40 athletes, who eventually played in the MLB; 10 of them for the St. Louis Browns including Al LaMacchia, Don Lenhardt, P Marlin Stuart, Fuzz White, Jackie Juelich, Babe Martin, George Hausmann and 1B Roy Sievers. Other players that he signed for the Yankees included: OF Whitey Herzog, C Cal Neeman, OF Norm Siebern, OF Lee Thomas, C Jim Robertson, OF Jay Ward, P Bob Keegan, INF Herb Plews, INF Lou Skizas, P Bob Wiesler, OF Al Pilarcik, 1B Bud Zipfel, Pitchers Paul Hinrichs, Zach Monroe, Lloyd Merritt, Steve Karly, Tom Metcalf, Mike Jurewicz, John Gabler and Hal Stowe, OF Jim Finigan, OF/P Joe Pactwa, OF Larry Murray, INF Jerry Lumpe, INF Jerry Kenney, INF Dennis Werth and 1B Dave Bergman. While working for the Yankees, he was their Chief Midwest MLB Scout for a while.
1977-Before a crowd of 41,000 fans in California, Yankees Starter Don Gullett hurls a 4-hitter, as he out-duels Angels Ace Nolan Ryan by the score of 4-1.
1985-Current Yankees MLB Pitching Coach Matt Blake (2020-2024) was born.
In 2020, Matt Blake was appointed pitching coach of the New York Yankees, succeeding Larry Rothschild. He very much fit the profile of a number of recent coaching appointments in the MLB, as his playing experience consisted only of 4 seasons with the varsity team, when he was studying psychology and philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross. He never played professionally, instead got into coaching at the high school level in suburban Massachusetts and with a private coaching firm, Cressey Sports Performance, based in West Palm Beach, FL. In 2010, he became an Associate Scout for the Yankees, then in 2015, he became a Pitching Coach in the Cape Cod League. That year, he would join the Cleveland Indians organization as a Minor League Pitching Coordinator. He also worked with the team's player development staff; Matt was eventually named Director of Pitching Development. He was very much into analytics and was credited with helping the rise of a number of young Tribe hurlers within the organization, such as Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber or Adam Plutko.
1985-Former Yankees Pitcher Harry Byrd (1954) had passed away. (1925-1985)
In winter of 1953, Starter Harry Byrd had joined the Yankees, after coming over from the Philadelphia A’s trade that saw Minor League Star 1B/OF Vic Power and other players go to the A’s. In 1952, Harry had won the AL Rookie of the Year Award, while posting a 15-15 record with a 3.31 ERA in 37 games for the A’s. The Yankees had hoped that he could help out in the rebuilding of the aging Yankees starting rotation. Harry would post a 9-7 record with a 2.99 ERA in 25 games for the 1954 Yankees before being traded to Orioles in the big 17-man MLB Trade in December of 1954. Harry would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 46-54 record with a 4.35 ERA in 187 games, while pitching for the A’s, Yankees, Orioles, White Sox and the Tigers.
1986-Former MLB INF and Long-Time Yankees MLB Scout Frank O’Rourke (1952-1983) had passed away. (1891-1986)
Frank O'Rourke was a good-field, little-hit infielder, who had played 14 seasons in the MLB; stretched out in the period from 1912 to 1931. After his playing days, O'Rourke was a Minor League Coach. Also, he would manage the 1931-1933 AA Milwaukee Brewers, 1935 Charlotte Hornets, 1936-1939 El Dorado Lions and the 1942 Cordele Reds. Later, he was a MLB Scout with the Reds from 1941 to 1951 and then he was with the Yankees from 1952 to 1983.
1996-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 20,786 fans had attend a Tuesday afternoon game see Veteran MLB Starter Dwight Gooden became the 8th pitcher in New York Yankees team history to throw a No-Hitter in the with a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Doc walks 6 Mariners batters, while striking out 5 Seattle hitters. Doc is now 2-3 for the 1996 AL season. Former Yankees Pitcher Sterling Hitchcock takes the loss for Seattle, he is now 3-2 for the 1996 AL season.
2001-Current Yankees Minor League OF Spencer Jones was born.
Outfielder Spencer Jones was the 1st-round pick of the New York Yankees in the MLB Amateur Player Draft, taken with the 25th overall selection out of Vanderbilt Univ.. Three years earlier, in 2019 MLB Amateur Player Draft, he had been selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 31st round, but he had decided to continue on to college instead. As a junior at Vanderbilt in 2022, he would hit .370 with 12 HRs, 62 runs and 60 RBIs in 62 games. He played in the 2021 College World Series. He had been a successful 2-way player in high school and while he did not pitch in college, he had missed part of the 2021 season recovering from Tommy John surgery resulting from his days as a pitcher. His being drafted by the Yankees coincided with the tremendous season being put up by Aaron Judge, when he broke Roger Maris's 60-year old record for most HRs in a season in the American League, so he did not fail to draw comparisons to the superstar outfielder, given they played the same position and featured a similar body type (although Jones hits lefthanded, whereas Judge is a righthander). He made his pro debut in 2022 with the FCL Yankees then after 3 games was promoted to the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), where he hit .325 in 22 games. In 2023, he spent most of the season with the Hudson Valley Renegades (SAL) before earning a late-season call-up to the AA Somerset Patriots (EL), where he replaced another vaunted Yankee prospect, Jasson Dominguez, who had just been promoted to AAA himself. He hit .267/.336/.444 in 117 games between the 2 teams, with 29 doubles, 16 HRs and 66 RBIs. He had also stolen 43 stolen bases, a reflection that, like Judge, he was extremely athletic in spite of his large size. He was chosen to play in the 2023 Futures Game. He was named an organizational All-Star after the season. The hype around him continued to build when he showed up for spring training with the big-league team in 2024 and he only fueled the fire by hitting a monster HR in his 1st Grapefruit League at-bat on February 24th, a bomb to left field estimated at 470 feet, and then going deep twice in a "Spring Breakout" game against the top prospects of the Blue Jays on March 16th.
2004-Former Yankees Pitcher Walter “Rip” Coleman (1955-1956) had passed away. (1931-2004)
Before the start of the 1952 AL season, Walter “Rip” Coleman was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. In 1955, he would post a 2-1 record with a 5.28 ERA and 1 save in 10 games for the Yankees. Coleman had appeared in Game 4 of the 1955 World Series for the Yankees, giving up 5 Dodgers hits in 1 inning of work. Rip Coleman would post a 5-6 record with a 4.07 ERA and 3 saves in 39 games for the Yankees before being traded to the Kansas City in the Bobby Shantz trade that was made in February of 1957. He would finish his MLB Pitching career in 1960 with the Orioles. He had posted a 7-25 lifetime record with a 4.58 ERA in 95 games.
2010-After Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire orders an intentional walk to 1B Mark Teixeira and brings in righty Matt Guerrier to face Yankees Slugger Alex Rodriguez in the 7th inning, then Yankee 3B blasts his 19th MLB career Grand Slam HR to pass Frank Robinson for 7th on the all-time MLB career HR list and give the Bronx Bombers an 8-4 win.
2011-It wouldn't be the Yankees-Red Sox series without a bit of soap opera. Today, veteran DH Jorge Posada asks to be taken out of the Yankees starting line-up 40 minutes before the game, after being listed as the 9th-place hitter against the Red Sox. Posada was hitting just .165, the DH claims he has a bad back, something which Yankees GM Brian Cashman denies. After the game Posada explains that he feels "a little bit disrespected". With veteran Andruw Jones taking Posada's place, the Yankees lose the game, 6-0 to the Sox with a 2-run double by Jacoby Ellsbury and a 3-run HR by Adrian Gonzalez against Yankees Starter CC Sabathia providing the key blows in support of Josh Beckett's 6 scoreless innings. Jones hits 9th in the game, the 2nd #9 hitter in MLB history with 400+ HRs to his credit - the prior one was Jimmie Foxx from his days as a pitcher at the tail end of his MLB Playing career.
2014-Bronx Starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches his 1st MLB shutout as the Yankees defeat the Mets by the score of 4-0. The Japanese off-season Free Agent signee is now 6-0 with a 2.17 ERA, after 8 starts in the MLB. The Yankees' win follows 6 straight losses to the Mets, dating back to last season.
2017-The Yankees officially retire Uniform Number 2 in honor of Derek Jeter and unveil a plaque in his name in Monument Park at New Yankee Stadium between games of a doubleheader against the Astros. They win the opener by the score of 11-6, thanks to a bases-loaded triple by Chase Headley and HRs by Starlin Castro, Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner. In the nightcap, Masahiro Tanaka gives up 3 1st-inning HRs, including a Grand Slam HR by Alex Bregman as New York goes down by the score of 10-7. George Springer HRs twice for Houston which leads 9-0 before the Yankees score some late runs to make the game appear closer than it is. Before the games, they had place Closer Aroldis Chapman on the DL with inflammation in his left shoulder.
2000-Former Yankees 1B/DH (1980-1982) and General Manager Bob Watson (1996-1997) had passed away. (1946-2020)
On November 8,1979, Veteran 1B Bob Watson was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Bob had played for the Red Sox in 1979, hitting .337 with 13 HRs and 53 RBIs. Watson had played for the Astros from 1966 to June,1979, hitting .297 with 139 HRs and 782 RBIs in nearly 1,400 games. The Astros had traded him to the Red Sox. He was expected to replace the recently traded regular Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss. He hit .307 with 13 HRs and 68 RBIs for the 1980 Yankees. In 1981, Bob would suffer a groin injury that limited him to playing to only 59 games, while hitting just .212. On April 23,1982, Bob was traded by the Yankees to the Braves for Minor League P Scott Patterson. His final Yankees playing career totals were a .282 BA with 19 HRs with 83 RBIs. He would finish his MLB playing career with a .295 BA along with 184 HRs and 989 RBIs in 1,832 games. After his MLB playing career had ended, Watson was an Oakland A’s MLB Coach for 3 seasons. Then he was the Astros Assistant GM from 1989 to 1993. Bob Watson became the 2nd African-American GM in MLB history, when he was named to that post with the Astros in 1994. Then he would hold the General Manager position with the Yankees in 1996-1997. Later, Bob would work in the MLB Commissioner’s Offices, before retiring from baseball.
May 15th
1908-The Yankees had purchased Pitcher James “Hippo” Vaughn from Hot Springs (ASL) for undisclosed amount of cash. He would first appear with the team in 1908 for just 2 games with no decisions. Then in 1910, James would post a 13-11 record with a 1.83 ERA and 1 save in 30 games. It would be his best season with the Yankees. He would struggle before being waived to the Senators on June 26,1912. Overall, James would post a 22-30 record with a 3.18 ERA with the Yankees (1908,1910-1912) in 73 games. He would record a 4-3 mark for the 1912 Nats before being traded by the team on August 23,1912 along with Tillie Walker to the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) for Bert Gallia and Duke Kenworthy. Then on August 9,1913, he is traded by the Blues to the Cubs for Lew Richie. James would find his MLB Pitching success with the NL Cubs, winning 20 games or more for 5 seasons. In the 1918 World Series against the Red Sox, James would post a 1-2 record with a 1.00 ERA in 3 games. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 178-173 record with a 2.49 ERA in 390 games.
1912-At Hilltop Park in New York City, Ty Cobb charges into the stands, attacking a crippled heckler named Claude Lueker. Other Highlander fans and Tigers players mix it up before order is restored; AL President Ban Johnson would suspend Ty Cobb indefinitely for the incident.
1922-In a 4-1 victory at the Polo Grounds, Tigers Hitter Ty Cobb beats out a grounder to Yankees Shortstop Everett Scott. Veteran Baseball Writer Fred Lieb scores it a hit in the game box score, that he files with the Associated Press. But official scorer John Kieran of the New York Tribune gives an error to Scott. At the season's end, the AL official records based on AP box scores, list Cobb at .401. New York writers complain unsuccessfully, claiming it should be .399, based on the official scorer's stats. Fred Lieb will reverse himself at the end of the year, but AL President Ban Johnson goes with the hit call.
1933-The Yankees would send Reserve OF Dusty Cooke to the Red Sox for OF Johnny Watwood and 2B Marv Olson. Both players received from Boston never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. During the 1931 AL season, OF Dusty Cooke had suffered a serious shoulder injury, that he really never fully recovered from it. At the time of the trade, he was currently playing for the Yankees AA club, the Newark Bears (IL). As a Yankees player, he had hit .267 with 7 HRs and 35 RBIs in 122 games.
1934-The Yankees had obtained INF Fred Mullen and $20,000 Cash from the Red Sox for INF Lyn Lary. Fred Mullen never plays for the Yankees at the MLB level. In 1928, Lyn Larry and OF Jimmy Reese were purchased by the Yankees from AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). In 1929, Lyn would join the Yankees as Reserve INF. During the 1930 AL season, he would become the Yankees starting Shortstop, after the team had traded veteran Mark Koenig to the Tigers. In 1931, he would hit .281 with 155 RBIs in 155 games. In 1932, he was beaten out for the starting Yankees Shortstop job by Yankees Rookie Shortstop Frank Crosetti in the Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp. With the 1932 Red Sox, he would become their starting Shortstop. Fred Mueller was sent to the Yankees AA team, Newark Bears (IL). He would never play in the MLB again.
1934-The Yankees had sent down 2 players to their AA team, the Newark Bears (IL), P Charles Devens and C Norman Kies, who had been the Yankees 3rd string Catcher for the team. Devens would return to the Yankees later in the season. He hadn’t appeared in a game for the team. Kies would never return to play in the MLB again.
1935-The Yankees had sold veteran hurler Dan MacFayden to the Boston Braves for undisclosed amount of cash. He had been obtained by the Yankees in a trade with the Red Sox in 1932. For the 1932-1934 Yankees, he had posted a 14-10 record with a 4.68 ERA and 1 save in 64 games.
1935-Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig steals home in a 4-0 Yankees win over the Tigers. It is his 15th and last steal of home, all of which were double steals.
1940-The Yankees had waived veteran hurler Leo Grissom to the Dodgers, who would send him down to their AA club, the Montreal Royals (IL). He had went 0-0 in 5 games for the 1940 Yankees. On January 4,1940, he had been obtained from the Reds for P Joe Beggs. Leo had posted a 9-7 record for the 1939 NL Champs, the Reds.
1941-At Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio gets a single in 4 at bats against White Sox P Eddie Smith to start his 56-game hitting streak. Joe D's hit goes unnoticed as the Yankees lose the game to Chicago by the score of 13-1. Taffy Wright hit a HR and drives in 4 White Sox runs, the 8th straight game that he's driven in a run.
1949-The Yankees would sell Pitcher Ed Kleiman to the White Sox for undisclosed amount of cash. The Yankees had obtained him from the Senators 12 days earlier. Ed had never appeared in a game with the Yankees.
1950-The Yankees had waived veteran OF/P Johnny Lindell to the Cardinals. Johnny had played for the team for 10 seasons as a OF and Pitcher. He had hit .275, while hitting 45 HRs and 63 RBIs in 742 games. In 1942, he had pitched for the Yankees, while posting a 2-1 record with a 3.76 ERA and 1 save in 23 games. Johnny had appeared in 3 World Series with the team, playing in 12 games, while hitting .324 with No HRs and 7 RBIs. In a separate player transaction, the Yankees would sell Pitcher Clarence “Cuddles” Marshall to the St. Louis Browns. As a Yankees hurler, Marshall had a 6-4 record with a 5.21 ERA and 3 saves in 45 games for the Yankees. He had been acquired by the Yankees in the winter of 1944 from AA Seattle (PCL) in a trade for MLB P Johnny Babich and Minor League Player Richard Hearn.
1955-In the 1st game of a doubleheader, Yankees OF Irv Noren hits an Inside-the-Park Grand Slam HR in an 8-4 victory over the A's. The Yankees win the nightcap to sweep Kansas City. Yankees CF Slugger Mickey Mantle is 4-for-9 for the afternoon. He is currently hitting .311 for the 1955 AL season. He will finish the 1955 AL season with a .306 BA.
1963-Down 4-0 to the Twins, Bronx CF Slugger Mickey Mantle hits a 2-run HR off of veteran Starter Pedro Ramos to put the Yankees on the board. Mantle, later scores the winning run as the Bombers win the game by a score of 4-3.
1965-At Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle slices an opposite field HR in the 8th inning off of O’s Reliever Richard Hall to give Yankees, a 3-2 win over the Orioles.
1968-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Bill Drescher (1944-1946) had passed away.(1923-1968)
Catcher Bill Drescher would spend 11 seasons in pro baseball from 1942 through 1954. He had spent parts of 3 seasons, 1944, 1945 and 1946 in the MLB with the Yankees. He had appeared in 57 games for the Wartime Yankees, hitting .266 with No HRs and 16 RBIs. In 1942, Bill had broken into baseball with the Class C Amsterdam Rugmakers (CAML), he had appeared in 102 games, hitting at a .301 clip, in his only year in a league that wasn't Class A or better. During his career, Bill had played 8 seasons of AAA ball, 2 of AA and in 1943, he had a split season of AA and A. Bill had only 2 seasons above the .300 mark in his 11-year run, his 1st in 1942 and probably his best hitting year came in 1948 with the AA Kansas City Blues (AA), when he hit .319 with a career-high 7 HRs and 52 RBIs. Drescher wound up his Minor League playing career in 1954 with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL) in the Phillies Farm System. He had appeared in 875 Minor League games with 2,492 at-bats and 679 base hits, that included 28 HRs, while hitting .272. Also, he fielded the Catcher's spot at a .987 percentage.
1969-Former Yankees Pitcher Hideki Irabu (1997-1999) was born. (1969-2011)
Following the 1996 Japanese baseball season, Hideki Irabu had announced he wanted to go to the MLB, so Chiba, which had a working agreement with San Diego Padres; so, they sold him to the Padres. Irabu, who stated that he would only pitch in the MLB for the Yankees, so he didn’t report to the Padres. Finally, after Padres trade talks with the Yankees, he was traded by the team to the Yankees for OF Ruben Rivera, P Rafael Medina and $3 million in cash. In May of 1997, Irabu would sign a $12.8 Million deal with the Yankees. Irabu would struggle in his 1st MLB season with the Yankees, posting a 5-4 record with a 7.09 ERA in 13 games. In 1998, Irabu would blossom into what would be his best MLB pitching career season by going 13-9 with a 4.06 ERA in 29 games. Finishing out his Yankees Pitching career in 1999, Irabu had posted a 11-7 record with a 4.84 ERA in 32 games. Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner wasn't a big fan of Irabu, though, he once called him a "fat toad" for his poor fielding performance during a Yankees spring training game. On December 22, 1999, the Yankees would trade him to the Montreal Expos for 3 young Pitchers: Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly and Christian Parker. Overall, Hideki Irabu had went 29-20 with a 4.80 ERA in 74 games for the Yankees.
1970-The Yankees had obtained veteran P Gary Waslewski from the Montreal Expos for Yankees Reserve 1B/OF Dave McDonald. To make room for him on the Yankees 25-man roster, the team would send down P Joe Verbanic to AAA Syracuse (IL), ending his MLB Pitching career. In 1970, Gary would go 2-2 with a 3.11 ERA in 26 games for the team. In 1971, he went 0-1 with a 3.28 ERA and 1 save in 24 relief appearances; but he did spend 2 months on the DL. On April 3,1972, the team would release him. Dave McDonald had spent the 1969 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He would make his MLB Player debut in September of 1969 with the Yankees, hitting .217 in 9 games. The Expos would send him to their AAA club at Winnipeg (IL) for the 1970 season.
1975-The 1975 Mayor’s Trophy game is played at Shea Stadium. Before the game, Mets players Dave Kingman and Ed Kranepool received complimentary “Perfect Man Permanent” hair treatments. It didn’t help- the Yankees won the Mayor’s Trophy again by a 9-4 score. The Yankees hurler, former MLB P Bob Johnson called up from AAA Syracuse (IL) to pitch the game, he was the winner. Meanwhile, Mets’ veteran P George Stone trying to come back from arm problems, pitched reasonably well allowing only 4 Yankee hits and 3 Bronx runs in 6 innings of work, but he lost the game. The Yankees broke it open in the 7th inning by sending 10 men to the plate against Mets Reliever Randy Tate.
1987-Former Yankees Reserve INF and Minor League Manager David Adams (2013) was born.
Yankees had selected INF David Adams in the 3rd round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Player Draft, the 106th total selection. He was the Yankees 1st position player taken, following hurlers Gerrit as Cole, Jeremy Bleich and Scott Bittle. David made his pro debut with the 2008 Class A short season Staten Island Yankees (NYAPL). He produced with a .257 BA with 45 runs in 67 games. He was 3 for 9 in the postseason. He was 6th in the NY-PA League in runs. He split 2009 season between the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), hitting .290 in 67 games and the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), while hitting .281 in 65 games. He led the Yankees farm system in doubles (40), tied for 7th in triples (8), 3rd in RBIs (75), and he was 5th in walks (61). Baseball America had rated Adams as having the best strike-zone judgment in the Yankees farm system in 2010. That season, he would hit .309 with 31 runs, 15 doubles and 32 RBIs in 39 games for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL) before fracturing his right ankle in late May. He would miss the remainder of the 2010 season and need surgeries. Further ankle problems sidelined him 3 times in 2011, as he saw little action for the GCL Yankees, hitting .429, 13 Runs, 9 doubles in 17 games and Class A Tampa .308 in 12 games. He battled more health issues in 2012, missing a month with back spasms. He again did well when healthy, hitting .306 with 23 doubles in 86 games. In the IL playoffs, he was 8 for 30 with 3 doubles. He followed with a .286 fall for Scottsdale (AFL). He would begin 2013 season with the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (IL), he was batting .316 after 27 games. David was then called up to replace INF Chris Nelson on the roster; the injury-plagued 2013 Yankees had lost infielders Derek Jeter, Eduardo Nunez and Kevin Youkilis to injuries, given the injury-plagued Adams his chance at the MLB level. He started at 3B and hit 6th in the Yankees line-up in his MLB Player debut on May 15th, on his 26th birthday, grounding out against P Hisashi Iwakuma in his 1st MLB at-bat. He singled off of P Iwakuma in the 6th inning for his 1st MLB hit, finishing the day 1 for 4. His 1st MLB HR came 5 days later off of veteran P Freddy Garcia. David would finish the 2013 AL season, playing in 43 games for the Yankees, while hitting just .193 with 2 HRs and 13 RBIs. The Yankees would release him at the end of the 2013 AL season. Since 2013, David has played in the Indians, Orioles and the Marlins organizations. In 2016, he played his last active season in the Blue Jays organization. In 2017, Adams became a Defensive Coach with the GCL Yankees East, then he moved up to the GCL Yankees West Manager's job in 2018. He would become the skipper the Class A short season Staten Island Yankees (NYPL) in 2019. He was scheduled to manage the Class A Tampa Tarpons (FSL) and to serve as the Tampa Training Complex Coordinator in 2020 before the minor league baseball season was cancelled due to COVID-19. In 2021, David worked as the Class A Tampa Tarpons Manager (FSL).
1996-The Mariners would spot the Yankees 4 runs, then hammer Bronx Starter Jimmy Key and 5 other Yankee pitchers for 19 hits to win the game by the score of 10-5. Seven Mariners batters collect 2 or more hits, as DH Edgar Martinez drives in 4 runs. A very wild Key takes his 5th straight loss, while Yankees Reliever Mariano Rivera records 4 outs to stretch his scoreless innings to 21 2/3 innings. The Yankees will place Jimmy Key on the 15-day DL.
1996-The Yankees would outbid 4 other MLB teams as they signed Japanese Pitcher Katsuhiro Maeda to a $1.5 million player contract. The Yankees obtain the fastball hurler from the Seibu Lions for more than $350,000. Maeda, who has his hair dyed orange, he was 0-2 with the Lions from 1993-1995, but he refused to sign for the 1996 JPL season, unless he was traded to a MLB team. He will never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. Maeda dyed his hair hot pink, silver or purple at times during his 1st year in the U.S. He had a 1-1 record with a 3.00 ERA for the GCL Yankees, a 4.22 ERA in 2 starts for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL). He went 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA for the AA Norwich Navigators (EL). He cut his walk total down to 21 batters in 53 1/3 IP, but he only struck out 30 batters. Baseball America still rated him as the #5 prospect in the Yankees Minor League system, right ahead of P Eric Milton and INF Cristian Guzman. He would spend the 1997 season with AA Norwich (EL); where he had an 8-10 record with 4.56 ERA. He had walked 62 batters and fanned 76 batters in 124 1/3 innings of work. In 1998, Kazuhiro was 1-3 with a 7.71 ERA with 1 save for Norwich; walking 31 batters, while striking out 27 batters in 37 1/3 relief innings. Also, he made 13 appearances with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), posting a 0-1 record with a 2.51 ERA; he had walked 8, while striking out 16 batters in 14 1/3 IP. Maeda would spend all of 1999 Minor League season with AA Norwich (EL), going 3-2 with a 4.34 ERA and 1 save. He had walked 40 and struck out 48 batters in 76 2/3 IP. In 2000, he would split the season between AA Norwich (2-2 with a 4.80 ERA, 44 BB and 54 K in 50 2/3 IP) and the AAA Columbus Clippers (2 runs in 2 innings). The Yankees will release him at the end of the 1999 AL season, he will return to Japan to play baseball.
1996-Current Yankees OF Alex Verdugo (2024) was born.
Outfielder Alex Verdugo was drafted by the Dodgers in the 2nd round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Sahuaro HS (Tucson, AZ). On February 10, 2020, Alex was traded by the Dodgers along with Infielders Jeter Downs and Connor Wong to the Red Sox for All-Star OF Mookie Betts, Pitcher David Price and cash. Before the 2023 MLB season, he had played for the Mexican national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, honoring the country of his ancestry. On December 5, 2023, he was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for 3 Pitchers: Richard Fitts (Minors), Nicholas Judice (Minors) and MLB Pitcher Greg Weissert. Alex comes to the Bronx with a .281 BA along with 55 HRs and 253 RBIs in 651 games.
2005-Yankees 1B Tino Martinez hits 2 HRs and drove in 3 runs in the Yankees 6-4 victory over the Oakland A’s. The 2 HRs give Tino Martinez 8 HRs in his last 8 games.
2011-The Red Sox would beat the Yankees by the score of 7-5 at New Yankee Stadium to complete a 3-game sweep and bring their team record to .500 for the 1st time after starting the 2011 MLB season at 0-6. Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit HRs for the Red Sox. The Yankees have now lost 9 of their last 12 games as the standings in the AL Eastern Division are completely bunched up, with all 5 Eastern teams within 3 1/2 games of each other.
2014-In his 1st MLB outing, Mets Starter Jacob DeGrom does something no other member of the pitching staff has been able to do yet this season: get a hit. His 3rd-inning single off of Yankees Starter Chase Whitley breaks a record 0-for-64 drought by Mets pitchers at the plate this season. DeGrom, who had been an Infielder his 1st couple of years in college before becoming a Pitcher, also pitches very well, allowing 1 run in 7 innings, but is a hard-luck loser losing to the Yankees by the score of 1-0, as Yankees hurlers Chase Whitley, Dellin Betances, Adam Warren and David Robertson combine on a 3-hit shutout. Whitley, who is also making his MLB Pitching debut, gives up no runs in 4 2/3 innings, also he collects his 1st MLB hit off of Mets Starter Jacob deGrom.
2016-Sunday afternoon game played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 41,979 fans watch Yankees OF Carlos Beltran hit his 400th HR of his MLB playing career against White Sox Reliever Zach Duke, becoming the 4th Switch-Hitter in MLB history to reach the mark, after Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray and Chipper Jones. The Yankees beat the White Sox by the score of 7-5.
2017-Former Yankees Pitcher Bob “Sarge” Kuzava (1951-1954) had passed away. (1923-2017)
In 1941, the Indians had signed Pitcher Bob Kuzava as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would serve in the Army during World War II, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant (1943-1945). He would pitch in the MLB for the Indians, White Sox, Senators, Yankees, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates and the Cardinals from 1946-1957. On June 15,1951, Bob “Sarge” Kuzava was traded by the Senators to the Yankees for 3 Pitchers: Starters Fred Sanford, Bob Porterfield and veteran Reliever Tom Ferrick. He had posted a 23-20 record with a 3.39 ERA and 13 saves in 104 games for the Yankees. He had appeared in 3 World Series for the Yankees (1951-1953), going 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 2 saves in 3 games. Yankees Manager Casey Stengel had used him as a spot starter and reliever. On August 7,1954, Bob was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees. He had posted a 1-3 record with a 5.45 ERA and 1 save in 20 games for the 1954 Yankees.
May 16th
1907-The Yankees had traded P Walter Clarkson and OF Frank Delahanty, both siblings of future Hall of Famer’s to Indians for Starter Earl Moore. New York is hoping that Earl Moore will return to the form, that he showed before a Yankees line drive injured his foot last season, limiting him to just 6 games for the Tribe. Moore will go 2-6 with a 3.94 ERA and 1 save in 12 Games for the 1907 Yankees. In August of 1907, he was purchased by AA Jersey City (EL) from the Yankees.
1919-Former Yankees Pitcher Frank “Stubby” Overmire (1951) was born. (1919-1977)
On June 15,1951, veteran P Frank “Stubby” Overmire was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for Starter Tommy Byrne and $25,000 Cash. Frank had appeared in 15 games for the 1951 Yankees, while posting a 1-1 record with a 4.63 ERA. He didn’t appear in the 1951 World Series for the team against the Giants. On May 12,1952, Stubby was selected off waivers by the Browns from the Yankees. He hadn’t made any pitching appearances for the 1952 Yankees. He would go 0-3 for the 1952 Browns, after the AL season had ended, he would retire.
1919-Former Yankees Player/MLB Coach Germany “Liberty” Schaefer had passed away. (1876-1919)
On January 21,1916, Germany “ Liberty” Schafer was purchased by the Yankees from the Newark Peppers (Federal League). He would appear in 1 game with the 1916 Yankees, spending the rest of season as an MLB Coach for the team.
1926-Former Yankees INF (1950-1957) and Manager Billy Martin (1975-1978,1983,1985,1988) was born. (1926-1989)
On October 13,1949, INF Billy Martin was traded by the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL) along with OF Jackie Jensen to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later and Cash. On July 5,1950, the Yankees would send Minor League Catcher Eddie Malone to Oakland to complete the trade. In 1952, Billy was a World Series hero for the Yankees with Game 7 saving catch of Jackie Robinson’s infield fly ball. In 1953 World Series against the Dodgers, he had 12 hits including a double, 2 triples and 2 HRs, while hitting .500 in 6 games. In 1956, he was named to the AL All-Star team as the starting 2B. He had played in 5 World Series with the Yankees, appearing in 28 games, while hitting .333 with 5 HRs and 19 RBIs. Billy would play for the 1950-1957 Yankees, while missing the 1954-1955 AL seasons due to military service in the Army. As a Yankee player, he would hit .262 with 30 HRs and 188 RBIs in 262 games. He was one of Manager Casey Stengel’s favorite Yankees players, who was hated by Yankees GM George Weiss, who would deal him away on June 15,1957 to the Kansas City A’s, after Billy’s birthday party fight at the Copacabana Night Club. After his trade from the Yankees, Billy would play for the A’s, Tigers, Indians, Braves, Reds and finishing up with the Twins in 1961. During the 1958 AL season while playing with the Indians, Billy suffered a serious beaning in the head. During the 1960 NL season with the Reds, he was involved in a fight with Cubs P Jim Brewer, who Martin broke his jaw in the fight over attempted beaning. The incident would later go to civil court. Overall, Billy Martin would play in 1,021 MLB games, while hitting .257 with 64 HRs and 333 RBIs. During the 1962 Twins MLB Spring Training Camp, Billy was released by the team as an active player; so, he became MLB Scout from 1962-1964 for the team, before becoming a Twins MLB Coach for the 1964-1968 seasons. During the 1968 season, he would manage the Twins AAA Denver Bears (AA). In 1962, Mets Manager Casey Stengel wanted to sign Billy for his new Mets team to play in their infield, but Mets GM George Weiss wanted no part of him. Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle had asked Manager Ralph Houk for a spot for Billy as a Reserve Infielder on the team, but Houk said no, instead choosing to go with Rookie INF Phil Linz instead. His Yankees Manager record was 941-556 with a WP of .591. He would win AL flags with the 1976-1977 Yankees. His only Yankees World Series Championship was in 1977. During the 1978 AL season, he was fired by Team Owner George Steinbrenner, being replaced by former MLB Manager Bob Lemon. With the Yankees, Billy Martin would manage the team from 1975-1978; then he would return during the 1979 AL season, replacing Bob Lemon. After managing Oakland for 3 seasons, Billy would return to the team for 1982-1983 AL seasons. Also, Martin would come back to the team in 1985 and 1988. During during his long MLB Manager career, Billy Martin had managed the 1969 Twins, 1971-1973 Tigers, 1973-1975 Rangers and the 1980-1982 Oakland A’s. In December of 1989, Billy Martin had died in a truck accident.
1927-Yankees OF Bob Meusel swipes 2B, 3B, and home in the 3rd inning as the Bronx Bombers top the Tigers by the score of 6-2. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig contributes with a HR and 2 doubles to back veteran MLB Starter Dutch Ruether's pitching.
1931-In Detroit, Tigers Starter Tommy Bridges gives up 3 Yankees hits in stopping the Bombers by the score of 3-1, dropping them to 2nd place, as they will not retake 1st place in AL. The Yankees will finish the 1931 AL season in 2nd place with a 94-59 record.
1932-The Yankees record their 4th straight shutout to equal the record set by the 1903 Indians and the 1906 Red Sox. Johnny Allen, George Pipgras, Red Ruffing and Lefty Gomez were the Yankee hurlers. Lefty stops the Indians on 5 hits to win the game by the score of 8-0. It is the Yankees 5th shutout in 7 games.
1941-The Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy benches top Yankees Rookie Infield Prospects Shortstop Phil Rizzuto and 2B Jerry Priddy, putting back in veterans 2B Joe Gordon and Shortstop Frankie Crosetti back into the Yankees starting lineup. Then Bronx Bombers rally in the 9th inning to beat the White Sox by the score of 5-4. Priddy and Rizzuto have been Minor League All Stars with the 1940 AA Kansas City Blues (AA). In 1941, Phil Rizzuto will become the Yankees new starting Shortstop hitting .307 with 3 HRs and 46 RBIs in 133 games for the Yankees, while Priddy will become a Reserve Infielder for the team before being traded to the Senators in January of 1943. Joe “Flash” Gordon will stay at 2B.
1944-The White Sox would beat the Yankees by the score of 10-4 to stop Bronx Starter Hank Borowy's 2-season winning streak at 11 games.
1949-Former Yankees Pitcher Rick Reuschel (1981) was born.
On June 12,1981, Starter Rick Reuschel was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later, P Doug Bird and $400,000 Cash. On August 5,1981, the Yankees would send P Mike Griffin to the Cubs to complete the trade. Rick would post a 4-4 record with a 2.67 ERA in 12 games for the Yankees before arm injury ended his 1981 season; he didn’t pitch in 1982 due to arm injuries. The Yankees would release him during the 1983 AL season. He would be resigned by the Cubs.
1951-At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle drives in 4 runs and scores 3 as Yankees rout the Indians by a score of 11-3. Mantle connects for the 1st of his 206 MLB HRs at the Stadium, the HR blast coming off of Tribe hurler Richard Rozek.
1953-At Yankee Stadium, White Sox lefty Pitcher Tommy Byrne pinch-hits for Chicago Slugger Vern Stephens. He hits a Grand Slam HR off of Yankees Reliever Ewell Blackwell to climax a 5-run 9th inning and give White Sox, a 5-3 victory. Stephens has 10 MLB Career Grand Slam HRs: Byrne now has 2.
1953-Former Yankees Pitcher Rick Rhoden (1987-1988) was born.
On November 26,1986, veteran Starter Rick Rhoden was traded by the Pirates along with Pitchers Pat Clements and Cecilio Guante to the Yankees for Pitchers Doug Drabek, Brian Fisher and Logan Easley. Rick would post a 28-22 record with a 4.09 ERA in 60 games for the Yankees before being sold in the fall of 1988 to the Astros for 3 Minor League Players: Pitchers Pedro DeLeon and Mike Hook and OF/1B John Fishel.
1954-In Baltimore, the Orioles draw a record crowd of 46,796 fans for a doubleheader split with the Yankees. Veteran Bronx Starter Allie Reynolds wins the opener for Yankees by the score of 2-0 on a 3-hitter before Orioles Starter Don Larsen stops the Yankees with a 6-2 victory in the nightcap.
1956-On a blustery day in Cleveland, the Yankees top the Indians by the score of 4-1. Mickey Mantle hits a HR off of Tribe Starter Bud Daley, while his pal 2B Billy Martin is benched for the 1st time in his Yankees playing career by Yankees Manager Casey Stengel. Rookie INF Bobby Richardson takes his place in the starting line-up at 2B.
1957-The Yankees would top the A’s by the score of 3-0 behind Bob Turley's 4-hit shutout. Mickey Mantle has a HR off of A’s P Alex Kellner, the 11th time in his last 12 at bats he's reached base safely. That night a group of Yankee players would go to celebrate Billy Martin's 29th birthday in a raucous fashion. An ensuing fight incident at Manhattan's Copacabana Night Club leads to $5,500 in player fines and the eventual trade of Billy Martin to Kansas City on June 15th. Hank Bauer allegedly starts the fight by hitting a patron, although Bauer denies it. The Yankees fine veterans P Whitey Ford, OF Hank Bauer, C Yogi Berra, OF Mickey Mantle and INF Billy Martin $1,000 each and Rookie P Johnny Kucks $500. The Yankees front office will return the fine money collected from the players after the 1957 World Series is over except for Billy Martin, who is now with the A’s.
1965-Orioles Rookie Starter Jim Palmer picks up his 1st MLB victory by topping the Yankees by the score of 7-5. Also, Jim Palmer also bangs out his 1st MLB HR, a 2-run drive off of Yankees Starter Jim Bouton to give himself the victory margin.
1967-Former Yankees Minor League P Frank Seminara was born.
On June 1,1988, Pitcher Frank Seminara was selected by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 1988 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Frank never would appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. In 1990, while he was pitching for the Class A Prince William Cannons, he had led the Carolina League with 16 wins along with a 1.90 ERA. He was named the League's Pitcher of the Year. On December 3,1990, Frank was drafted by the Padres from the Yankees in the 1990 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He will pitch in the MLB for the 1992-1993 Padres and the 1994 Mets, finishing his MLB Pitching career with a 12-9 record with a 4.12 ERA in 47 games.
1970-Former Yankees Pitcher Dutch Ruether (1926-1927) had passed away. (1893-1970)
Dutch Ruether had pitched 11 seasons in the MLB, winning 59% of his games. He had posted a 19-6 record for the 1919 Reds, who opposed the Black Sox in the 1919 World Series. Dutch went 21-12 for the 1922 Brooklyn Robins (aka Dodgers). Then Dutch would post a 18-7 record for the 1925 Senators. He would appear in 1925 World Series for the Senators as a pinch-hitter. On August 27,1926, Dutch was traded by the Senators to the Yankees for Players to be Named Later. On October 19,1926, the Yankees would send 2 hurlers: Nick Cullop and Garland Braxton on to the Senators to complete the trade. Dutch would close out his 11-season MLB Pitching career with a 13-6 record with a 3.38 ERA in 27 games for the famous 1927 Yankees team. He was Babe Ruth’s roommate on the 1927 Yankees, both players like living the nightlife. His final Yankee pitching career totals was a 15-9 record with a 3.40 ERA in 32 games. After 1927 World Series, the Yankees would release Dutch, ending his MLB pitching career at 34. He had appeared in 1 game of the 1926 World Series, losing a 4-0 game to the Cardinals Starter Pete Alexander. Only Cy Young, Babe Ruth, and Dutch Ruether have ever pitched and tripled in a World Series game. Dutch is the only one who hit 2 triples in the game. He finishes his MLB Pitching career with a 137-95 record with a 3.50 ERA and 8 saves in 309 games.
1970-Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Mecir (1996-1997) was born.
Jim Mecir was selected in the 3rd Round of the 1991 MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Mariners. He had spent most of the 1995 AL season with Seattle’s AAA club, in Tacoma (PCL), where he was a Reliever; who had posted a 1-4 record with a 3.10 ERA and 8 saves in 40 games. He had appeared in 2 games with the 1995 Mariners. On December 7, 1995, he came to the Yankees from the Mariners in the Tino Martinez trade. For the Yankees, he would post a 1-5 record with a 5.47 ERA and no saves in 51 games before being traded to the Red Sox as the Player to Named Later in the Mike Stanley trade on September 29,1997. The Red Sox would leave him unprotected in the 1997 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft in November of 1997. Jim was selected as the 36th pick by the AL Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
1976-The Yankees would send Pitcher Larry Gura to Royals for Reserve Catcher Fran Healy. Healy's best moment will come in the Yankees broadcast booth, while Gura will help the Royals to the 1978 AL playoffs with a 16-4 record. He would pitch for the team for 10 seasons, winning in double digits 7 times. Larry Gura did not get along with Yankees Manager Billy Martin, who had traded him to the Bronx, when he was the 1974 Rangers Manager. He hadn’t made any pitching appearances for the team in 1974 season, he was assigned to AAA Syracuse Chief (IL). Gura would finish his Yankees Pitching career with a 12-9 record with a 3.21 ERA in 24 games. For the 1976-1978 Yankees, Fran Healey will appear in 74 games, while hitting .250 with No HRs and 16 RBIs.
1981-Former Yankees Minor League INF Jim Finigan had passed away. (1928-1981).
Before the start of the 1948 AL season, the Yankees had signed INF Jim Finigan as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Working his way up through the Yankees farm system, he would miss the 1951-1952 seasons due to military service. On December 16,1953, Jim was traded by the Yankees as part of the player package that was sent to the Athletics in the Vic Power trade; where he spent his Rookie season in Philadelphia by hitting .302, while playing 3B base for the 1954 team. When the club was moved to Kansas City, he went with them and played there in 1955-1956. He was a 1955 AL All-Star again hitting 30 doubles (4th in the AL) and his 7 triples (8th in the AL). In 1955 and 1956, he would play more 2B than 3B, as Hector Lopez became the starting 3B for the A’s. While hitting only .216 in 1956, he was traded by team in the fall to the Tigers. Jim would share the 3B spot on the Tigers in 1957 with Reno Bertoia. Finigan would hit .270. In 1958, Bertoia would keep the Tigers 3B job, while Finigan was traded to the Giants; where he appeared in only 23 games in 1958, only 12 of which were in the field. He was then sent to the Orioles in 1959, where he finished out his MLB playing career by hitting .252 in 119 at-bats as a 3B, filling in for a young 3B Brooks Robinson, who was only 22, but he was already playing in his 5th MLB season. Then in 1961, Jim would play for the Orioles AAA club, the Rochester Red Wings (IL). He hit a key HR that got Rochester into the International League’s post-season, called "Finigan's Rainbow.” In 1964, he would manage Quincy's entry in the Midwest League. In the 2 years before his death, Jim was a College Baseball Coach at Quincy College. He died at age 52, apparently of a heart attack.
1983-Former Yankees Minor League P and MLB Pitching Coach Mel Wright (1974-1975) had passed away from Cancer. (1928-1983)
Before the start of the 1950 AL season, the Yankees had signed P Mel Wright, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Mel would pitch in the Yankees farm system from 1950 to April of 1954. He had posted a 11-2 record for the 1953 AAA Kansas City Blues (AA). On April 11,1954, Mel was traded by the Yankees along with other Minor League Players; OF Emil Tellinger and OF Bill Virdon to the Cardinals for Veteran NL All-Star OF Enos Slaughter. He would pitch for the 1954-1955 Cardinals and the 1960-1961 Cubs during his MLB Pitching career; while posting a 2-4 record in 58 games. Mel would serve as Yankees Manager Bill Virdon’s MLB Pitching Coach during the 1974-1975 AL seasons. Also, he would work for Bill Virdon as an MLB Pitching Coach with the Pirates, Astros and the Expos.
1985-Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny Broaca (1933-1937) had passed away. (1909-1985)
Johnny Broaca had posted a 39-23 record in 99 games for the Yankees. In 1932, Johnny had attended Yale Univ. He would spend the 1933 season with the AA Newark Bears (IL), going 7-2. In his 1934 Rookie year with the Yankees, Broaca went 12-9 as a Starter. In 1935, he would post a 15-7 record. With the AL pennant-winning 1936 Yankees, he was 12-7, before leaving the team in September to take up a career in boxing, giving up his 1936 World Series share check. In 1937, he started the season out with a 1-4 mark in 7 games, when he would leave the team again. The Yankees Front Office would suspend him for the remainder of the 1937 AL season and all of the 1938 AL season. In November of 1938, the Yankees had reinstated him to their MLB 40-man roster, to be able to trade him. On November 19,1938, he was purchased by the Indians from the Yankees. He went 4-2 as a Reliever for the Tribe before leaving MLB for good in 1940. There have been several stories that Johnny Broaca stopped playing baseball because he didn’t have to pay alimony to his wife. Also, that he didn’t get along with Yankees teammate Starter Lefty Gomez. The New York Times had an article saying that the team voted a World Series share to Broaca's estranged wife (the 1st time a share was ever voted to a woman) after Broaca had left the Yankees in 1937. The book “Joe McCarthy: Architect of the Yankee Dynasty” says that Broaca had abandoned his wife. The December 1957 Baseball Digest relates a story where Lefty Gomez, unhappy that Broaca was saving his arm and refused to throw balls before a game, played a practical joke on Broaca by calling the bullpen, pretending to be the Manager, ordering Broaca to warm up for 9 innings straight. The story goes that Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy didn't know about this incident for many years, why Broaca claimed to be unable to start the next day's game. The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract tells a story about Lefty Gomez getting upset at Johnny Broaca for calling him "Goofy". When asked why Gomez was upset when other players such as Pat Malone also called him "Goofy", Gomez said, "Malone didn't go to Yale".
1991-Former Yankees Minor League P Dietrich Enns was born.
Dietrich Enns was selected by the Yankees in the 19th Round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would begin his pro career that year. He dominated at every level of pro ball before making his MLB Pitching debut in 2017. He began as a Relief Pitcher, who had posted a 2.11 ERA in 22 appearances his 1st season. In 2013, his ERA mark was 2.94. He had 112 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings and in 2014, also he had a 1.42 ERA in 25 1/3 innings, while averaging more than a strikeout per frame. The 2015 season saw him transition to the starting rotation, he went 2-1 with a 0.61 ERA in 13 games (12 starts), allowing just 4 earned runs in 58 1/3 innings (granted, he was a 24-year-old pitching in rookie-level and High A ball. In 2016, he was 14-4 with a 1.73 ERA in 26 games (22 starts), allowing just 102 hits in 135 innings. In his 1st taste of AAA that year, he was 7-2 with a 1.52 ERA in 14 games (10 starts). He was a Mid-Season All-Star in 2013 and 2016 and a MiLB.com Organization All-Star in 2016. On July 30, 2017, he was 1 of 2 prospects sent by the Yankees to the Twins in return for MLB Starter Jaime Garcia. He made his MLB Pitching debut with the Twins less than 2 weeks later, on August 10th. He went 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 2 games with the 2017 Twins. At the end of the 2018 AL season, the team would grant Enns his MLB Free Agency. He was signed by the Padres; he would pitch for their AAA team. After the season ended, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would sign a Minor League contract with the Mariners for 2020 AL season. The Mariners would release him in August of 2020. He would be signed by the Rays; he was pitching in their Minor League system for 2021 season, before being brought up to the Rays, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.82 ERA and 2 saves in 9 games. In 2022, he was signed to pitch for the Seibu Lions in the Japanese pro baseball league. In 2024, he is pitching in the Korean Baseball League.
1996-Former Yankees Minor League Catcher Donnie Sands was born.
Catcher Donny Sands was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 2015 MLB Amateur Player Draft out of a high school in Arizona. He never did get to wear the pinstripes in the MLB, however, as on November 19, 2021, he was included in a low-profile trade with the Phillies, accompanying P Nick Nelson in return for 2 minor leaguers: 1B T.J. Rumfield and Joel Valdez in a deal designed primarily to clear a spot on the Yankees' 40-man roster. He would spent the 2022 season in the Phillies minor league system, mainly with the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs (IL); where he hit .309 in 57 games with 5 HRs and 34 RBIs. He got to make his MLB. Player debut that September as he went 0 for 3 in 3 games for the Phillies. On January 7, 2023, he was traded to the Tigers along with 2 young outfielders, Matt Vierling and Nick Maton, in return for P Gregory Soto and utility player Kody Clemens. The Tigers had just seen C Tucker Barnhart leave via MLB Free Agency, opening up a possible spot for him on the team. On March 26, 2024, Donnie was released by the Tigers.
2006-The Yankees were down 9-0 to the Rangers in the 2nd inning matched the biggest comeback in Yankees team history, when Catcher Jorge Posada hits a game-winning 2-run HR with 2 outs in the 9th inning against the Rangers, giving the Yankees a 14-13 comeback victory.
2010-At New Yankee Stadium, the Twins would stun the Yankees with an 8th-inning Grand Slam HR by Jason Kubel against Closer Marino Rivera for a 6-3 win. Rivera had converted a record-tying 51 consecutive save opportunities at Yankee Stadium, he had not given up a Grand Slam HR since 2002 AL season; the runs are also the 1st he gives up for 2010 AL season.
2012-Former Yankees Minor League P Kevin Hickey had passed away. (1956-2012)
On August 13,1984, the White Sox had sent Pitchers Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on July 18,1984. On that day, the White Sox would send Players to be Named Later to the Yankees for MLB Shortstop Roy Smalley. Kevin was sent to the Yankees AAA team, the Columbus Clippers (IL) posting a 1-1 record with an 8.68 ERA in 5 games. In 1985, he was sent to AA Albany-Colonie (EL). He had appeared in 11 games for the team with no record. On May 25,1985, Kevin was released by the Yankees. He would be signed by the Phillies.
2012-Former Yankees Pitcher Thad Tillotson (1967-1968) had passed away. (1940-2012)
On September 10,1966, Minor League P Thad Tillotson was acquired by the Yankees from the Dodgers for veteran MLB INF Richard Schofield Sr. In 1960, Thad had signed with the Dodgers organization. He had never appeared with Dodgers at the MLB level. He would appear with the Yankees during the 1967-1968 AL seasons as a Reliever, while posting a 4-9 record with a 4.06 ERA and 2 saves in 50 games. He would stay in the Yankees organization until 1970, pitching for the Yankees AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He would spend his last season of pro baseball in Japan, pitching for the 1971 Nankai Hawks.
2012-The Blue Jays had pounded out 4 HRs to beat the Yankees by the score of 8-1 at home. The long balls by Jays sluggers Edwin Encarnacion, J.P. Arencibia, Jose Bautista and Kelly Johnson account for 7 of the runs as Jays Starter Kyle Drabek is the winner against Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda.
May 17th
1899-Former Yankees Co-Team Owner Del Webb (1945-1964) was born. (1899-1974)
Del Webb grew up in California. He had to quit school and work as a carpenter's apprentice when his family was ruined in 1913. He then worked in the Oakland, CA shipyards during World War I. He played semi-pro baseball as a pitcher after the war but hurt his arm before he could land a professional contract. He had contracted typhoid fever from an inmate during a game at San Quentin prison in 1928 and almost died. He would move to Phoenix, AZ to restore his health and started a small construction company, which became quite prosperous thanks to government building contracts during the New Deal period. He developed a network of privileged contacts, and this was how MacPhail eventually approached him when he was trying to put together a syndicate to purchase the Yankees. In January of 1945, Construction/Real Estate Investor Del Webb became part Co-Team Ownership of the New York Yankees, when he was part of an investment group that had purchased the team from the estate of the late Team Owner Jacob Ruppert. He had made his money through Construction and Real Estate investments. The new team owners group also included Businessman Dan Topping Sr. and MLB Baseball Executive Larry MacPhail. After the 1947 World Series victory over the Dodgers, Del Webb and Dan Topping bought out Larry MacPhail’s shares of the team. Webb would handle the league matters, while Topping team issues. They later would sell the club to CBS Inc. in November 1964. Dan Topping was a Yankees Minority Team Owner until the fall of 1966, when he sold the rest of his Yankees team shares (10%) to CBS, Inc.
1920-Former Yankees Pitcher James “Hot Rod” McDonald (1952-1954,1955) was born. (1920-2004)
On November 23,1951, Pitcher Jim McDonald was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for Reserve Catcher Clint Courtney. Jim would post a 16-12 record with a 3.57 ERA in 69 games for the Yankees. He had appeared in 1953 World Series for the team, picking up a victory in 7 2/3 innings of work against the Dodgers. He would go 4-1 with a 3.17 ERA in 16 games for the 1954 Yankees. In December of 1954, Jim was traded by the Yankees to the Orioles as part of the big 17-player trade. On July 30,1955, he was traded by the Orioles back to the Yankees for veteran All-Star Starter Ed Lopat. He didn’t appear in any games with the 1955 Yankees, instead spending the season with AAA Denver Bears (AA). Before the start of 1956 AL season, Jim was sent from the Yankees to the Orioles in an unknown transaction. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1958 White Sox. Overall, Jim would post a 24-27 record with a 4.27 ERA and 1 save in 136 games with the Red Sox, Browns, Yankees, Orioles and the White Sox.
1948-Former Yankees OF/DH Carlos May (1976-1977) was born.
On May 18,1976, the Yankees had obtained OF/DH Carlos May from the White Sox for P Ken Brett and OF Rich Coggins. May had lost his right thumb to a mortar accident, while on Marine Reserve Active Duty in August of 1969, but it didn't stop his pro baseball career. In 1969, Carlos was named to the 1969 Topps All-Star Rookie team. He had appeared in the 1969 MLB All-Star game. He would play in 152 games for the Yankees, while hitting .258 with 5 HRs and 56 RBIs. On September 16,1977, May was purchased by the Angels from the Yankees. After leaving the Angels, he would play pro baseball for 4 seasons in Japan.
1952-Former Yankees Minor League P Porfi Altamirano was born.
On December 4,1984, Pitcher Porfi Altamirano was traded by the Cubs along with Pitcher Rich Bordi, OF Henry Cotto and C/DH Ron Hassey to the Yankees for OF/INF Brian Dayett and Pitcher Ray Fontenot. He does not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1957-Former Yankees Pitcher Pascual Perez (1990-1991) was born. (1957-2012)
On November 21,1989, Pascual Perez was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. He was the Brother of MLB Players Carlos and Melido Perez. He had previously pitched in the MLB with the Pirates, Braves and the Expos. He had appeared in only 17 games due injuries for the 1990-1991 Yankees, while posting a 3-6 record. Overall, as an MLB hurler, he had posted a 67-68 record with a 3.44 ERA in 207 games. In 1992, he was suspended by MLB for the 2nd time because of a positive test for Cocaine (he had agreed to undergo such testing as part of his 1st MLB Drug Suspension). Combined with his health woes, the 2nd suspension effectively ended his MLB Pitching career. He did return professionally to play baseball briefly in 1996, going 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA for the China Times Eagles in Taiwan. He was killed in 2012 in a botched robbery attempt at his home in the Dominican Republic; the thieves were apparently looking to get their hands on his MLB Pension check. He was struck on the head and suffered a fatal stab wound in his neck. He had been in poor health, because of a kidney ailment before the robbery incident that ended his life. Three days after his death, police announced that they had arrested 3 suspects and identified 2 others, confirming that robbery was the motive.
1961-The 1960 AL MVP Yankees RF Roger Maris hit his 1st HR of the 1961 AL season at Yankee Stadium (4th overall for the season) on his way to an MLB season-record HR of 61. The 1961 Yankees as a team would hit 240 HRs during the 1961 AL season.
1975-Former Yankees Reserve INF Scott Seabol (2001) was born.
In 1996, the Yankees in the 88th round of the MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected INF Scott Seabol. He had won the 1999 South Atlantic League’s MVP Award, while playing for the Class A Greensboro Hornets. He had appeared in 1 game with the 2001 Yankees, having 1 at bat with no hits. On October 15, 2002, Scott was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. The Cardinals would sign him; he would return to MLB in 2004. Also, he would play pro baseball in Japan and South Korea before retiring from the game.
1977-After dropping the 1st 2 games of a 3-game series to the Oakland A’s, Yankees Starter Ron Guidry throws 8.1 innings. After giving up 2 HRs to Oakland in the 9th inning, the game is now tied at 2-2, he is relieved by Bronx Closer Sparky Lyle, who hurls 6 scoreless innings as the Yankees win the game in 15th inning by scoring 3 runs off of 2 A’s Relievers winning the game by a score of 5-2. A’s Starter Vida Blue goes 13 innings with a no decision.
1982-Former Yankees Reserve OF Dixie Walker (1931-1936) had passed away. (1910-1982)
Reserve OF Dixie Walker was unable to break into the Yankees starting outfield of the 1930’s. On May 6,1936, he was waived by the team to the White Sox to make room for Yankees Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio on their 25-Man MLB roster. He had appeared in 131 games with the 1931-1936 Yankees, while hitting .268 with 16 HRs with 58 RBIs. He would play for the White Sox and then the Tigers in the AL, before being traded to the Dodgers in 1939. In the NL, he would have a successful MLB career with the Brooklyn. His brother, Harry “The Hat” Walker, also played in the NL, they are only brothers to win MLB batting titles. From 1950-1959, Dixie was a Minor League Manager for several MLB organizations. He was an MLB Scout for the 1960-1962 Braves and again in 1966-1968. He was on their MLB Coaching staff from 1963-1965. Later, he would work for the Dodgers organization.
1991-The Yankees had traded 3B Mike Blowers to the Mariners for Cash and a Player to be Named Later. For the 1991 Yankees, Blowers had been hitting .200 with 1 HR in 15 games. He had been with the team for 3 seasons, hitting .203 with 6 HRs in 76 games. The Mariners would assign him to their AAA Club at Calgary (PCL). To replace Blowers on the MLB 25-man roster, the Yankees would call up INF Tory Lovullo from AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). Also, the team recalled Reliever Alan Mills from the Clippers. Next, the Bombers would send down Reserve INF Jim Leyritz to the AAA Clippers. On June 22,1991, the Mariners would send Minor League Class AA Pitcher Jack Blueberg to the Yankees, who assigned him to AA Albany Yankees (EL).
1992-Former Yankees Minor League OF Ben Gamel (2016) was born.
OF Ben Gamel was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He began his pro playing career that summer with the GCL Yankees, hitting .280 in 7 games. He started in RF for the 2011 Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), while batting .289. Ben had produced at a .306 BA for the 2012 Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) with 19 steals in 29 tries. He was 8th in the South Atlantic League in average, he tied Taylor Dugas for 4th in the Yankees chain. The brother of MLB Player Mat Gamel, Ben made his MLB Player debut in May of 2016. He would appear in only 5 games for the Yankees, while hitting just .125 before being returned to AAA Scranton (IL). He had a great season with the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, however, being named Player of the Year in the International League by hitting .308 with 80 runs, 6 HRs and 51 RBIs in 116 games. The RailRiders went on to win the Triple-A Baseball National Championship, but by that time, he had been traded to the Mariners on August 31st MLB Trade Deadline, in return for 2 Minor League Players: Juan De Paula and Jio Orozco.
1992-Former Yankees Minor League INF Eric Jagielo was born.
Eric Jagielo was selected by the Cubs in the 50th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Player Draft, but he did not sign with the team, opting to attend the Univ. of Notre Dame instead. Then Eric was chosen by the Yankees in the 1st round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would soon sign with the team for a bonus of $1.8 million. He had played for 3 Yankees Gulf Coast teams in 2013. In 2014, he spent most of the season with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), playing in 85 games, but also he played 7 games with the GCL Yankees 1 on a Rehab Assignment. With Class A Tampa (FSL), he would hit .259 with 14 doubles, 16 HRs and 54 RBIs. In 2015, he moved up to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). Eric would put up his best numbers percentage-wise, a batting line of .284, although injuries had limited him to just 58 games. He did hit 16 doubles and 9 HRs in spite of his limited playing time. On December 28, 2015, Jagielo was traded to the Reds along with INF Tony Renda, Pitchers Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis in return for MLB Closer Aroldis Chapman. He was joining a team that had just traded its starting 3B Todd Frazier, opening a big window of opportunity for him. The Reds would assign him to AA Pensacola (SL) to start the 2016 season.
1996-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 19,087 fans see Yankees young Reliever Mariano Rivera records his 1st MLB Save in an 8-5 victory over the Angels. Bronx Starter Andy Pettitte gains his 6th victory of the season, it is the 1st of many saves for Rivera for Starter Pettitte.
1998-Veteran Bronx Starter David Wells pitched the 13th perfect game in modern MLB history, as the Yankees beat the Twins by a score of 4-0. Wells, whose perfecto was the 1st by a Yankees Pitcher since Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, also set an AL record by retiring 37 batters in a row, dating back to his last start on May 12th against the Royals. The Perfect Game ends with Twins Shortstop Pat Meares flied out to Yankees RF Paul O'Neill to complete the perfect afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
2007-Former Yankees Pitcher Bill “Lefty” Wight (1946-1947) had passed away. (1922-2007)
In 1941, Bill Wight would begin his pro baseball career. He had missed the 1943-1945 MLB seasons due to military service. for the 1946-1947 Yankees, he would post at 3-2 record with a 3.83 ERA in 15 games. Bill didn’t appear in the 1947 World Series for the team against the Dodgers. On February 24,1948, Wright was traded by the Yankees along with P Fred Bradley and All-Star Catcher Aaron Robinson to the White Sox for Starter Eddie Lopat. Eventually, he would pitch for 8 MLB teams from 1946-1958. Bill had pitched for the Yankees, White Sox, Red Sox, Tigers, Indians and the Orioles in the AL. In the NL, Bill would pitch for the Reds and finished out his MLB Pitching career with the 1958 Cardinals. He was renowned in the MLB for his pickoff move. Once he had picked off Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle twice in a game. Overall, he would post a 77-99 record with 3.95 ERA in 347 games. For 37 years, he had worked in MLB Scouting, signing INF Joe Morgan for the Astros before moving to the Braves organization, where he would spend 32 years. He had signed Dusty Baker, Dale Murphy, Bob Horner and David Justice for the Braves.
2008-Yankees 1B Jason Giambi hits his 185th MLB Career HR as a Yankee player in a 7-4 loss, during an MLB Inter-league game against the Mets at Yankee Stadium. He had been tied with former Yankees OF Charlie “King Kong” Keller who had 184 HRs. Now, he is tied at 185 with former Yankees OF Paul O’Neill.
2010-It's another epic battle between the Yankees and Red Sox at new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees take a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning against Red Sox Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, but the Red Sox storm back to take the lead with 5 HRs; 2 by Victor Martinez and 1 each by David Ortiz, J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis. Then, in the bottom of the 9th inning, Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon gives up a pair of 2-run HRs to Yankee hitters Alex Rodriguez and Marcus Thames, putting the Yankees on top, winning the game by the score of 11-9.
2012-Reserve INF Yan Gomes becomes the 1st Brazilian player in MLB history, when he is inserted in the Blue Jays' starting line-up at 3B in today's game against the Yankees, taking over for INF Brett Lawrie, who is beginning a 4-game player suspension. Gomes goes 2 for 3, but it is HRs by Jose Bautista and J.P. Arencibia, which lead the Jays to a 4-1 win over the Yankees.
2021-The tug-of-war between Gerrit Cole and Corbin Burnes for the record for most consecutive strikeouts without a walk ends in Cole's favor. Burnes had brought the record to 58 before giving up a walk in his most recent start on May 13th, but Cole still had an active streak of 56 at that point. In tonight's game against the Rangers, the Yankees' ace adds 5 more strikeouts before walking Nate Lowe in the 5th to end the streak, giving him sole possession of the record with 61 Ks. However, the Rangers come out on top, beating the Yankees by the score of 5-2.
May 18th
1885-Former Yankees Pitcher Eros “Cy” Barger (1906-1907) was born. (1885-1964)
For the 1906-1907 Yankees, Cy Barger went 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA and 1 save in 3 games. Also, he had appeared in 3 games for the Yankees as an Outfielder. He would hit .200 in the 3 games, with no runs scored or extra base hits.
1905-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Art Jorgens (1929-1939) was born. (1905-1980)
On August 24,1928, Catcher Art Jorgens was purchased by the Yankees from the Oklahoma City (WL). He was a Reserve Catcher for the Yankees for 11 seasons for starting All-Star Catcher Bill Dickey. In 1934, he would post MLB career-highs in hits (38), runs batted in (20) and games played (58). In 1935, Art batted a career-high .238. Jorgens Yankees player career totals was a .238 BA with 4 HRs and 89 RBIs in 307 games. Art Jorgens holds the all-time record for World Series games in which he was on the team roster without ever appearing in a Series game. He was on the post-season roster for the Yankees in 1932 and from 1936-1939 (23 games total), but Art never appeared in a MLB Post-Season game for the team.
1930-Bronx Starter George Pipgras tossed his 3rd shutout of the 1930 AL season as the Yankees again, supported his pitching by bombing the host Red Sox by a score of 11-0. Bronx Slugger Babe Ruth hit an Ed Morris pitch over the RF Bleachers for one of the longest HRs ever hit at Fenway Park.
1935-Indians batter Earl Averill ruins Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez’s bid for a No-Hitter by hitting 2 singles, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 3-0.
1946-Future Yankees Hall Of Fame OF/DH Reggie Jackson (1977-1981) was born.
In 1967, Reggie Jackson will make his MLB Player debut with the Kansas City A’s. He had been star college baseball player at Arizona State Univ. His stay in Yankees pinstripes was a wild one with filled the fights with Manager Billy Martin and disagreements with Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner. His greatest Yankees moment was in the 1977 World Series, when he hit 3-HRs in 1 game against the Dodgers, earning him the nickname of “Mr. October.” He will finish his MLB playing career with 563 HRs, 6th on the All-time MLB Career HR list. His final Yankees player career totals were a .281 BA with 144 HRs and 461 RBIs in 653 games. He played for the Kansas City and Oakland A’s (twice), Orioles, Yankees, Angels, and finished up with the A’s. Reggie had appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees, while hitting .391 with 8 HRs and 17 RBIs in 13 games. In 1993, Reggie Jackson was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1947-Former Yankees 1B and Player-Manager Hal “Prince Hal” Chase (1905-1913) passes away at the age of 64. (1883-1947).
On October 4,1904, 1B Hal Chase was drafted by the Highlanders from AA Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would hit .284 in 1,061 games as Yankee player from 1905-1913. Hal was a Yankees Team Captain for the 1910-1912 AL Seasons. Chase had managed the Yankees in 1910-1911, while posting an 85-78 record. On June 1,1913, Hal was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for INF Rollie Zeider and 1B Babe Borton. Yankees Manager Frank Chance had suspected that Hal Chase of betting on Yankee games, He had him traded away. Many of the MLB Players and Baseball Writers from his playing days, didn’t rate Hal Chase as being an “honest” player, Hal was a great defensive 1B and hitter. His serious gambling problems would later cost him his MLB Playing career and a chance to be voted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. In 1920, MLB Commissioner Judge Landis had banned Hal Chase from organized baseball for his gambling activities during the 1918 NL season, while Hal was playing with the Reds.
1956-Yankees All-Star CF Mickey Mantle hit HRs from both sides of the plate for the 3rd time in his MLB playing career, setting a new MLB record. Mantle included a perfect 4-for-4 day, helping the Yankees to an 8-7 victory over the White Sox.
1958-The Yankees would sweep the Senators in a doubleheader played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C, winning by scores of 5-2 and 3-0 before a crowd of 27,704 fans. This doubleheader sweep brings the Yankees record to a 19-5 for 1958 AL season. In the Opener, former NL Veteran Starter Sal “The Barber” Maglie goes 8 innings for the Yankees, allowing only 8 hits and 2 Nat runs. In the 9th inning, Yankees Bullpen Ace Ryne Duren closes out the game for his 6th save of the 1958 AL season. Sal Maglie hits a 2-run HR shot off of Nats Starter Pedro Ramous in the 4th inning. Mickey Mantle had hit a solo HR in the 3rd inning. In the nightcap, Bronx Starter “Bullet Bob” Turley throws a 3-0 shutout, allowing only 5 Nat hits, while striking out 6 Senators batters. Bomber hitters Tony Kubek and Mickey Mantle provided the Yankees offense by driving in 3 runs. Yankees Rookie 1B Marv Throneberry gets a rare start at 1st base, going 1 for 2 in the game.
1959-Former Yankees Reserve INF John Hummel (1918) had passed away. (1883-1959)
MLB Veteran John Hummel had appeared in 22 games for the 1918 Yankees as a Reserve INF, while hitting .295 with No HRs and 4 RBIs. After the 1918 AL season had ended, he would retire from the game.
1961-Former Yankees Baseball Computer System Executive Jim Bowden (1988-1989) was born.
Jim Bowden was the Assistant Farm Director of the Pirates from 1987 to 1989. He had worked in sports radio at Rollins College. After his college graduation in 1985. he would join the Pirates' Media Relations Dept. He had obtained the job thanks to a college friendship with the Grandson of Team Owner John Galbraith. There he became a protégé of GM Syd Thrift, who gave him a job in the Baseball Operations Department, then Thrift would take him along, when he moved to the Yankees Front Office in 1988. He was a Computer System Analyst for Yankees Senior Vice President Syd Thrift. On August 31,1989, Jim was let go by the Yankees Front Office, after Thrift was fired by Team Owner George Steinbrenner, on the previous day. Then he would move to the Reds Organization in 1990, where he was the Reds' Director of Player Development in 1992. Next, he was the Team’s General Manager from October 1992 to 2003. When he was named, he was the youngest GM in MLB history. In November of 2004, Bowden became GM of the Washington Nationals, just prior to the team's relocation to the Nation's capital. On March 1, 2009, Bowden would resign as GM of the Nationals citing himself as a distraction following the controversy around Esmailyn Gonzalez and allegations of skimming bonuses to Latin American players. He later would become a Baseball analyst for ESPN, SiriusXM Radio and various other Sports Media outlets. He also hosted a blog named "The GM's Office" on ESPN.com.
1968-The Yankees had obtained veteran AL All-Star Closer John Wyatt from the Red Sox for Cash. He will appear in only 7 games for the team, while posting a 0-2 mark with a 2.16 ERA, before the Yankees sold him to the Tigers. John had been a star in the Negro Leagues, before being signed by the Kansas City A’s during the 1950’s.
1972-Former Yankees Pitcher Mike Jerzembeck (1998) was born.
Pitcher Mike Jerzembeck was drafted by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Univ. of No. Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC). Mike would pitch in the Yankees Farm System from 1993 to 2001. He had missed the 1999-2000 seasons due to injury. During the 1998 AL season, he would appear in 3 games for the team, while posting a 0-1 record with a 12.79 ERA.
1974-Former Co-Team Owner of New York Yankees Dan Topping Sr. (1945-1964) passes away from Lung Disease at the age of 61. (1912-1974).
Del Webb grew up in California. He had to quit school and work as a carpenter's apprentice when his family was ruined in 1913. He then worked in the Oakland, CA shipyards during World War I. He played semi-pro baseball as a pitcher after the war but hurt his arm before he could land a professional contract. He had contracted typhoid fever from an inmate during a game at San Quentin prison in 1928 and almost died. He would move to Phoenix, AZ to restore his health and started a small construction company, which became quite prosperous thanks to government building contracts during the New Deal period. He developed a network of privileged contacts, and this was how MacPhail eventually approached him when he was trying to put together a syndicate to purchase the Yankees. Along with Business Partner Del Webb and MLB Executive Larry McPhail, they brought the New York Yankees from the Jacob Ruppert family estate in January of 1945. After the 1947 World Series victory over the Dodgers, they bought out their Business Partner Larry MacPhail. Del Webb and Dan Topping would sell the Yankees to CBS, Inc. in 1964. Dan Topping Sr. would hold minority business interest in the Yankees until the fall of 1966, before selling it to CBS. Dan’s son Dan Topping Jr. would be the Yankees General Manager briefly during the 1966 AL season replacing Ralph Houk, who had stepped down from the position to become Yankees Manager after his firing of Manager Johnny Keane in May of 1966. Dan was replaced in the fall of 1966, when his father sold his remaining 10% interest in the team to CBS. His replacement would be former Yankees Team Owner Partner Larry MacPhail’s son, Lee.
1976-The Yankees had obtained OF/DH Carlos May from the White Sox for P Ken Brett and OF Rich Coggins. Carlos will hit .278 with 3 HRs and 40 RBIs in 87 games in 1976 for the Yankees before fading in 1977, hitting only .227 BA with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs; being sold to the Angels in September. Overall, May would hit .258 with 5 HRs and 56 RBIs in 152 games for the Yankees.
1995-Former Yankees Pitcher Jack Kramer (1951) had passed away. (1918-1995)
On May 28,1951, veteran MLB starter Jack Kramer was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Jack had started the 1951 MLB season with the Giants, going 0-0 in 4 games. With the Yankees, he would appear in 19 games, while posting a 1-3 record with a 4.65 ERA. On August 30,1951, Jack was released by the Yankees. Both the Yankees and the Giants will appear in the 1951 World Series, while Jack sat at home. For the 1944 St. Louis Browns, Jack would post a 17-13 record with a 2.49 ERA for the 1944 pennant winners; adding a complete game victory in Game 3 of the 1944 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a 3-time All-Star for the St. Louis Browns, from 1945 to 1947. Jack Kramer had pitched in the MLB from 1939 to 1951 for the Browns, Red Sox, Giants and the Yankees; finishing with an MLB Pitching record of 95-103 with a 4.24 ERA in 322 games.
1999-The Red Sox had defeated the Yankees by the score of 6-3, spoiling the return of Yankees Manager Joe Torre to the team. Yankees Bench Coach Don Zimmer had been handling the Yankees Manager duties, while Joe Torre was being treated for Prostate Cancer.
2003-The Texas Rangers would swept 3 games at Yankee Stadium from the Yankees for the 1st time in the AL franchise's 43-year history.
2010-Another game, another epic Yankees-Red Sox battle, today the Yankees play the game under protest, claiming the Red Sox did not properly signal an injury before removing Starting Pitcher Josh Beckett trailing 5-0 in the 5th inning, thus giving Reliever Manny Delcarmen, more time to warm up than warranted. For the 2nd night in a row, the Red Sox come back from a 5-run hole, taking a 7-5 lead in the 9th inning thanks to an error by Yankees RF Marcus Thames on Marco Scutaro's fly ball. Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon, who blew a save the previous night, allows a run in the bottom of the 9th inning, but he strikes out Yankees batter Randy Winn with runners on 2nd and 3rd to end the game. The contest starts almost an hour late because of rain, is played in a constant drizzle and lasts a marathon 4 Hours and 9 minutes, making it the longest 9-inning game played so far, this 2010 MLB season.
2011-On a wild night for baseball, 4 other games go into extra innings, with 1 game ending in a wild 15th inning. The Orioles and the Yankees are tied at 1-1, when the Yankees score 2 runs off of Reliever Mike Gonzalez, who is then ejected for hitting Yankees batter Chris Dickerson, shattering his batting helmet and sending him to the hospital. Out of pitchers, the O's have to bring in the next day's scheduled Starter, Jeremy Guthrie to complete the inning. Yankees Rookie Pitcher Hector Noesi throws 4 scoreless innings to earn the win in his MLB Pitching debut; he had been called up by the Yankees 16 days earlier, he had yet to pitch before the marathon game forced Bombers Manager Joe Girardi's hand. Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the 15th inning, The Orioles then put 2 runners on base, but Matt Wieters' ground ball headed for right field just nips the foot of base runner Brandon Snyder: he is called out for interference, snuffing the O's best chance to tie the game.
2013-In effort to strength their infield racked by injuries, the Yankees had acquired veteran MLB INF Reid Brignac from the Rockies. Despite his excellent glove play, Reid falls to hit for the team going just .133 in 17 games for the Yankees. Then the Yankees Designated him For Assignment. After clearing MLB waivers: Reid refused to go down to AAA Scranton (IL) to play, instead electing to become an MLB Free Agent. On June 2, 2013, the Rockies would resign him and send him down to their AAA team in the PCL. On November 5, 2013, he is granted MLB Free Agency by the Rockies.
2014-The Pirates win for the 1st time at Yankee Stadium in 54 years - since the 1960 World Series (Game # 5) - when they beat the Yankees by the score of 5-3 in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. They lose the opener to the Yankees by the score of 4-3. Bucs batters Starling Marte and Josh Harrison hit HRs in the Nightcap, after Bombers 1B Mark Teixeira gets a couple of early RBIs in the Opener as the Yankees hand Starter Charlie Morton his 6th loss against no wins despite having a 1.01 ERA.