Post by fwclipper51 on May 25, 2024 17:05:56 GMT -5
This Week in Yankees History May 26th-June 1st
May 26th
1910-The Yankees had sold Veteran MLB Catcher Red Kleinow to the Red Sox. The Yankees had acquired him in 1903 from AA Toledo (AA) for Reserve Catcher Jack Zalusky. Kleinow was the team’s starting Catcher from 1905 to 1909, until he developed throwing arm problems. In 1910, he become the Yankees 3rd string catcher, he will be the same for the 1910 Red Sox. Red had appeared in 522 games for the team, while hitting .219 with 2 HRs and 127 RBIs.
1926-The Yankees runs its winning streak to 16 games by nipping the Red Sox at Fenway Park by the score of 9-8, sweeping Boston, putting them ahead in the AL standings by 8 ½ games.
1928-At Shibe Park in Philadelphia, the hometown A’s kick in 6 errors to lift the Yankees to a 7-4 win. A’s 3B Sammy Hale makes 4 errors in the Saturday game played at Shibe Park. At the plate, he fairs better by going 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Veteran Bronx Starter Stan Coveleski picks-up his 4th win of the season for the Bombers. While Reliever Al Shealy gets 2nd save. For the Yankees, Tony Lazzeri hits a double and HR, also Babe Ruth gets 2 RBIs in the game. The Yankees are now 30-7 for the 1928 AL season.
1932-Former Yankees Minor League Manager, MLB Coach (1981-1982) and MLB Manager Joe Altobelli was born. (1932-2021)
Joe Altobelli was 1B/OF for the 1955, 1957 Indians and the 1961 Twins. From 1966-1976, Joe was a long-time Minor-League Manager for the Orioles organization reaching AAA level with the Rochester Red Wings (IL). From 1977-1979, he managed the Giants. In 1980, Altobelli led the Yankees AAA club, the Columbus Clippers to an International League title. Next, he served as a Yankees MLB Coach on the 1981-1982 teams. He would later manage the 1983 Orioles, replacing the retiring Manager Earl Weaver. In 1985, he was replaced mid-year by Cal Ripken Sr. He would return to MLB Coaching for the Yankees in 1986. He was a MLB Coach for the Cubs from 1988 until 1991, serving as Interim Manager for 1 game between Managers Don Zimmer and Jim Essian that season. Overall, Joe Altobelli's Minor League teams were 870-670 in 12 seasons, while winning 4 IL titles. Since 1998, Altobelli has been a Radio Broadcaster for the AAA Rochester Red Wings. He was inducted into the Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2008, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
1947-Former MLB Player and Yankees MLB Coach Darrell Evans (1990) was born.
Darrell Evans was selected by the Yankees in 1966 MLB Amateur Player Draft, but he didn’t sign with the team. In 1967, he would eventually sign with Oakland. He would play in the MLB for 21 seasons (1969-1989), while hitting 414 MLB Career HRs. He had played for the Tigers, Braves and the Giants. In 1990, Darrell was a member of the Yankees MLB Coaching Staff. Later, he would manage in the Minor Leagues.
1952-The Yankees had released veteran Reserve OF/1B/PH Johnny Hopp. On September 5,1950, Johnny Hopp was purchased by the Yankees from the Pirates. He would hit .333 with 1 HR and 8 RBIs in 19 games for the 1950 Yankees. He appeared in 3 games of the 1950 World Series against the Phillies with no hits. In 1951, he hit .206 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in 46 games as a Reserve 1B and Pinch-Hitter. He would appear in 1 game of the 1951 World Series against the Giants with no hits. At the time of his player release, he was hitting only .160 in 16 games for the 1952 Yankees. Overall, as a Yankees Reserve player, he had hit .226 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs. He would be signed by the Tigers, hitting just .217 before retiring from MLB at the end of the 1952 AL season. The Yankees would call up Pitcher Bill Miller from AAA Kansas City Blues (AA) to take Hopp’s spot on the Yankees MLB 25-man roster.
1959-The Yankees had re-obtained Pitcher Ralph Terry and INF/OF Hector Lopez from Kansas City for 2 veteran hurlers: Johnny Kucks, Tom Sturdivant and Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe. Terry had his MLB seasoning with the A’s, was now ready to pitch for the Yankees. He had been traded on June 15, 1957 to Kansas City as part of the Billy Martin trade. He had gone 17-28 in 3 seasons with the team, but A’s Manager Harry Craft wasn’t impressed with him as a Starter. He was 2-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 9 games for the 1959 A’s. Johnny Kucks and Tommy Sturdivant were battling arm and back problems, causing them to be ineffective on the mound. Sturdivant had won 16 games in 1956 and 1957 for the team, but in 1958, he battled arm problems slipping to a 3-6 record with a 4.20 ERA in 15 games. In 1959, he was 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA in 7 games for the Yankees at the time of the trade. He had compiled a 36-25 record with a 3.19 ERA and 5 saves in 115 games for the team. He went 1-0 with a 4.34 ERA in 6 games in 3 World Series for the team. In 1956, Johnny Kucks had a 18-9 record with a 3.84 ERA in 34 games. He had gone 16-19 with the team as Manager Casey Stengel had begun to use him as a swingman. As a Yankees Pitcher, he would post a 42-35 record with a 3.82 ERA and 6 saves in 143 games. Yankees Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe was a good infielder, because of his lack of consistent hitting, but he was unable to unseat Tony Kubek at Shortstop or Bobby Richardson at 2B. He was hitting .222 with no extra base hits and 2 RBIs in 18 games for the 1959 Yankees. Overall, as a Yankees Reserve INF player, he had hit .271 with 3 HRs and 49 RBIs in 159 games. He would become a regular 2B with the A’s, later with the Tigers. The Yankees would use Hector Lopez at 3B, until they moved him to the outfield in 1960, where he would play for his final 8 MLB seasons with the Yankees. He would hit .262 with 69 HRs during the regular AL season. In World Series play for the Bronx Bombers, he would hit .286 in 15 games. At the time of the trade, the Kansas City had him playing at 2B, he was hitting .281 with 6 HRs and 24 RBIs. Starter Ralph Terry would go 3-7 with a 3.39 ERA in 24 games for the 1959 Yankees, improving to a 10-8 record in 1960 as a regular starter for the team.
1962-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 29,487 fans watched Tigers AL All-Star RF Al Kaline fractured his collarbone while making a dramatic game-saving catch in right field. His catch helped preserve a Tigers 2-1 victory over the Yankees, but he will miss 2 months of the 1962 AL season with the collarbone injury. Tigers Starter Hank Aguirre picks-up the complete game victory, while Yankees Starter Roland Sheldon takes the loss. Both hurlers have 2-2 records for the 1962 AL season.
1971-The Yankees had obtained 2 Pitchers: Rob Gardner and Darrel Osteen from the Oakland A’s for 1B/C Curt Blefary. The Yankees would assign both Pitchers to their AAA Club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Osteen, never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level, In 1970, Rob went 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 1 game for the Yankees before being traded back to Oakland for veteran OF Felipe Alou. Gardner would go 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 20 games for the 1972 Yankees. Curt Blefary was a former Yankees Minor League player (1963), who couldn’t hit anymore, when he returned to the team in 1969 in a trade with the Astros for veteran AL All-Star 1B/OF Joe Pepitone.
1973-Former Yankees Reserve OF/1B Chicken Hawks (1921) had passed away. (1896-1973)
On July 27, 1920, 1B/OF Chicken Hawks was purchased by the Yankees from Calgary (WC). For the 1921 Yankees, Hawks would hit .280 with 2 HRs with15 RBIs in 41 games. From 1922 to 1924, he would play in the Minor Leagues. In 1925, he would return to the MLB with the Phillies as a 1B, appearing in 105 games, while hitting .322 with 5 HRs and 45 RBIs. He would return to the Minor Leagues in 1926, playing at the high levels until 1931, when he retired from the game.
1975-Former Yankees DH/1B Travis Lee (2004) was born.
DH/1B Travis Lee spent most of his 2004 Yankees stay on DL with a major shoulder injury that occurred in 2004 MLB spring training camp. At the end of 2004 AL season, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency.
1977-Former Yankees Minor League P Johnny Kucab had passed away. (1919-1977)
Johnny Kucab had pitched for the 1950-1952 Philadelphia A’s, while posting a 5-5 record with a 4.44 ERA and 3 saves in 59 games. He had joined the Yankees Minor League organization in 1953, pitching until the 1958 season. Johnny never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. He had posted an overall 52-31 record, as a Yankees Minor League Pitcher. He would pitch for the AAA Kansas City Blues (AA) and then for the AAA Denver Bears (AA). After the 1958 Minor League baseball season had ended, he would retire as an active player.
1980-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 28,170 fans watched the Yankees rip the Tigers by the score of 13-5. Yankees Starter Tommy Underwood picks-up his 4th victory of the season, he is now 4-3. Bronx Closer Rich Gossage gets his 4th save of the 1980 season. Yankee hitters Catcher Rick Cerone and OF Bobby Brown hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now 25-15 for the 1980 AL season.
1996-Former Yankees 1B Don Bollweg (1953) had passed away. (1921-1996).
On May 14,1951,1B Don Bollweg was traded by the Cardinals along with $15,000 Cash to the Yankees for veteran 3B Billy “The Bull” Johnson. Commending about the 1951 trade, “He's been knocking around the minors for a long time. His name is Boll... Boll... Boll Weevil, or something like that."-Casey Stengel. In 1942, the Cardinals had signed Don as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Bollweg would serve in the Army, missing the 1943-1945 MLB seasons. He would reach the Cardinals during the 1950-1951 NL seasons, appearing in just 10 games, while hitting only .150. While playing for the 1952 AAA Kansas City Blues (AA), Don won the MVP Award in the American Association for hitting .325 with 23 HRs and 81 RBIs. He would hit .297 with 6 HRs and 24 RBIs in 70 games for the 1953 Yankees. Don had appeared in 3 games of 1953 World Series against the Dodgers with no hits. On December 16,1953, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jim Finigan, P Johnny Gray, 1B/OF Vic Power, OF Bill Renna and Catcher Jim Robertson to the Philadelphia Athletics for INF Loren Babe, Starter Harry Byrd, Outfielders Tom Hamilton, Carmen Mauro and veteran 1B Eddie Robinson. He would play for the 1954-1955 A’s, while hitting just .220 in 115 games. In 1955-1956, Don Bollweg was with the AAA Minneapolis Millers (AA). He had appeared in the 1955 Junior World Series with them. He would retire as an active player in 1956.
2006-Angel Berroa hit a 3-run HR in the 8th inning, as the Royals escaped a jam in the bottom of the 9th inning after a near 2-hour rain delay, edging the Yankees by the score of 7-6 to halt a 13-game losing streak and 14-game streak at Yankee Stadium since 2005. The Royals' 19-game losing streak from July 28th-August 19th last season was the only mark longer in Royals’ franchise history. Reggie Sanders would hit his 299th MLB career HR for the Royals. After his next HR, he will become the just the 5th player in MLB history with at least 300 HRs with 300 stolen bases, joining Bobby and Barry Bonds, Andre Dawson and Willie Mays. For the Yankees, Shortstop Derek Jeter got his 2,000th MLB career hit in the contest, becoming the 8th player in Yankees club history to reach the MLB milestone.
2010-The Yankees take 2 games from the Twins at Target Field. First, in a resumption of yesterday's game, which was suspended by rain with no score, they win the game by the score of 1-0 on a HR by Derek Jeter. Then they would win the regularly scheduled game by the score of 3-2 on a HR by Nick Swisher against Twins hurler Jon Rauch in the 9th inning that gives veteran Bronx Starter Andy Pettitte the victory. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera saves both games.
2018-Angels Slugger Mike Trout has the 1st 5-hit game of his MLB playing career as he drives in 4 runs to lead the Angels to an 11-4 win over the Yankees. His 5 hits include 3 doubles and a HR which ties him for the AL lead. For the Yankees, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge would lead off the bottom of the 1st with back-to-back HRs off of Angels Starter Jaime Barria, the 2nd of these making Judge the fastest player to reach 70 MLB at Yankee career homers. He has needed only 231 MLB games, 2 fewer than previous record holder former Phillies 1B Ryan Howard.
2022-The Yankees have announced the signing of former Cardinals INF/OF Mark Carpenter to an MLB Player contract. The former Cardinal INF had been released by the Rangers from a Minor League deal. He will join the team immediately.
2022-The Yankees have announced a Minor League signing of former MLB Reliever Shane Green, who had been released by the Dodgers. He had appeared with the Dodgers in 1 game, while pitching 2 innings of relief and picking up a victory before being released by the team. He was assigned by the Yankees to their AAA club in Scranton. With the 2022 Yankees, Shane would appear in 1 game with 0-0 record with an 18.00 ERA. He would be sent back to AAA Scranton the finish the season. The team would grant him free agency. He would be signed by the Cubs. He is currently pitching in the Rangers minor league system.
May 27th
1914-The Yankees would sell Rookie Pitcher Guy “Rebel” Cooper to the Red Sox for Cash. The Yankees had asked for a Player for Cooper, but the Red Sox wanted a Cash deal only. Cooper had appeared in only 1 game for the 1914 Yankees with no record. He will go 1-1 with a 5.33 ERA in 10 games from the 1914-1915 Red Sox.
1933-On a Saturday afternoon game played at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers enter the 8th inning trailing White Sox Starter Ted Lyons by a score of 11-3, when they would score 12 runs in that inning to win the Saturday afternoon game by a final score of 15-11. The Yankees 12-run 8th inning rally was capped by a Grand Slam HR by Yankees Catcher Bill Dickey to win the game. Bronx P Jumbo Brown picks the victory, his 1st win; while Reliever Herb Pennock gets his 2nd save of the season. White Sox Reliever Jake Miller takes the loss, he is now 1-1. The Yankees are now 21-12 for the 1933 AL season
1939-In the 1st game of a Saturday doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 30,358 fans watched the Bombers score 5 runs in the 1st inning off of A’s Starter Roy Paramelee to coast to 8-2 victory. Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez goes the distance, allowing the A’s only 2 runs, 6 hits, 5 walks with 5 strikeouts to even his 1939 AL season pitching record to 2-2. The Bronx Bombers scoring attack was led by Slugger Charlie Keller’s 2-run HR shot in the 1st inning. In the 2nd game, Yankees would beat the Athletics by the score of 11-9. The Yankees hitters rock A’s Relief P Chubby Dean for 6 runs and the A’s loss. Yankees Reliever Steve Sundra picks-up the win for his 3rd of the season, while Closer Johnny Murphy gets his 6th save. The Yankees are now 26-6 for the 1939 AL season.
1949-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Ed Lopat picks up his 5th victory of the 1949 AL season with a 3-0 complete game shutout of the A’s. Lopat allows just 6 A’s hits, 6 strikeouts and 4 walks in the game. At the plate, he hits a double in the game. Yankees hitters Tommy Henrich and Yogi Berra hit HRs off of A’s Starter Joe Coleman, who takes the loss.
1949-Former Yankees MLB and Minor League Pitching Coach Mark Connor was born.
Mark Connor had pitched in the Twins farm system in 1971 and 1972 before his pro baseball career was ended by an pitching arm injury. He went 4-5 with 3 saves and a 2.78 ERA for the 1971 Auburn Twins with 57 K in 55 IP. The next season, he had a 5-2 record with a 3.83 ERA in 32 relief appearances for the Wisconsin Rapids Twins. After his playing days had ended, Connor was the Pitching Coach at the Univ. of Tennessee from 1974 to 1978. He was the Pitching Coach for the 1978 Independent League, Paintsville Highlanders. In 1979, Connors hooked on with the Yankees organization, serving as an MLB Scout for the 1st year. Next, he was the Pitching Coach for the 1980-1982 AA Greensboro Hornets (SAL), 1983-mid-1984 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL) and the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL) mid-1985. He also served the 1st 2 of 3 stints as an MLB Pitching Coach for the Yankees (mid-1984 to mid-1985, May,1986-1987). In 1988 and 1989, Connor was Head Baseball Coach of the Univ. of Tennessee. He was the Yankees MLB Bullpen Coach in 1990 and 1993. Mark was the team’s MLB Pitching Coach in 1991-1992. Moving to the Blue Jays organization, Connor was Pitching Coach for the 1994-1995 Knoxville Smokies. Next, hooking up with the new NL Expansion Team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mark was the team's Pitching Coordinator in 1996 and 1997; Scouting and preparing for the MLB Expansion Team Player Draft. From 1998 to 2000, he was Pitching Coach of the MLB Diamondbacks under Manager Buck Showalter. He would hold the same post with the Blue Jays in 2001 and part of 2002 AL season. He would joined the Rangers as MLB Bullpen Coach in 2003 and in 2006, Connor became the team's MLB Pitching Coach. Less than 3 months later, he was hired by the Rangers Front Office as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations. In 2011, he again worked under Showalter, after doing so in Arizona and Texas, becoming his MLB Pitching Coach with the Orioles. He would resign on June 14th of that year, citing personal reasons. He was replaced by Orioles Bullpen Coach Rick Adair.
1952-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would beat the Senators by the score of 7-2. A crowd of 25,391 fans watched the day game. Bronx Starter Allie Reynolds throws a complete game victory, picking-up his 5th win of the season, he is now at 5-3 mark. Nats Starter Connie Marrero takes the loss, he is now at the 4-1 mark. Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra hits 2 solo HRs in the game. Meanwhile, Bronx OF Irv Noren hits a 2-run HR. The Yankees are now 17-15 for the 1952 AL season.
1960-Orioles Catcher Clint “Scraps” Courtney used an oversized catchers’ mitt in an effort to handle the knuckleball pitches of veteran MLB Starter Hoyt Wilhelm. This catcher’s mitt was designed by Orioles Manager Paul Richards; a former MLB Catcher, it was 50 percent larger than the standard MLB catcher’s mitt. Courtney handled Wilhelm's pitches flawlessly in a 3-2 win over the Yankees. The AL league office will later ban the oversized catchers’ mitt. Clint Courtney was a former Yankees Minor League catcher, who had been blocked by AL All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra. Also, he was one of the 1st modern MLB Catchers to wear glasses behind the catcher’s mask during the 1950’s.
1968-At Shea Stadium, the Mets defeated the Yankees by the score of 4-3 to win the 1968 Mayor’s Trophy game. A crowd of 35,198 fans attended the game. In the 8th inning, Mets’ batter Don Bosch hit a ball that turned into a triple as it bounced over Yankees OF Bill Robinson’s head. Former Yankees hurler Bill Short, who is now with the Mets picks up the win, while Yankees Reliever Dooley Womack takes the loss for the team
1970-At Tigers Stadium in Detroit, the Yankees would beat the Tigers by the score of 4-2. Yankees Starter Fritz Peterson gains his 7th victory of the 1970 AL season, with relief help from Jack Aker, who picks-up his 9th save of the season. Tigers Starter Joe Niekro takes the loss, he is now 4-4 for the year. A crowd of 12,161 fans had attended the game.
1982-The 1982 Mayor’s Trophy Game was played at Yankee Stadium. A crowd of 41,614 fans watched the Mets beat the Yankees by the score of 4-1. This was the best crowd was drawn at Yankee Stadium at that point of the season. In early April, the series revival was announced at City Hall, Mayor Koch presented “crying towels” to the representatives of both teams, saying “one of you will need these.” The winning Mets pitcher was Steve Ratzer, who never appeared in a regular season game with the team, he had arrived from AAA Tidewater Tides, just 6 hours before the game. His name was sewn on his Mets uniform so hurriedly that the “A” fell off in the 8th inning. Mets Catcher John Stearns doubled off of Yankees losing Pitcher Roger Erickson, then the next batter Joel Youngblood drove him in with a tie-breaking single. After the game Mets Team Owner Nelson Doubleday lifted the trophy high and toured the Mets clubhouse to congratulate his players.
1995-Oakland A’s Starter Steve Ontiveros holds the Yankees to just 1 hit by Luis Polonia in his 3-0 shutout of the Yankees.
2001-At Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Yankees Starter Ted Lilly goes 7 innings just allowing 7 Tribe hits, 2 runs and 6 strikeouts for a 6-2 victory over the Indians. Bronx Relievers Mike Stanton and Mo Rivera close out the game for the Yankees, as Rivera picks up his 14th save of the 2001 AL season. Yankees CF Bernie Williams hits a solo HR off of Tribe Starter Bartolo Colon, who drops to a 4-5 record for the season.
May 28th
1910-Former Yankees Minor League C Willard “Bill” Hershberger was born (1910-1940)
Bill Hershberger had previously played for the AA Newark Bears (IL) in the Yankees Minor League system from 1932-1937. His path to the Yankees was blocked the presence of future HOF Catcher Bill Dickey. On December 3,1937, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the Reds for INF Eddie Miller and $40,000 Cash. Hershberger had been an excellent hitter, especially for a Catcher, hitting .316 lifetime (1938-1940) in 160 games for the Reds. On August 3, 1940 Willard Hershberger died, a victim of suicide. He had sliced his jugular vein in the shower at the team hotel. He had been suffering from a long-standing depression, after his father killed himself using a shotgun that minutes before Willard set down after a hunting trip. Hershberger, dealing with the loss of his father, was ill-equipped to accept the weight of leadership when the Reds starting Catcher Ernie Lombardi was injured late in the season and left the Reds in the middle of a NL pennant drive without their starting catcher. He was only 30, he remains the only player ever to end his MLB playing career by committing suicide during the regular season.
1923-Former Yankees Pitcher Bob “Sarge” Kuzava (1951-1954) was born. (1923-2017)
In 1941, the Indians had signed P Bob Kuzava as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had served in the Army during World War II, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant (1943-1945). He would pitch 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 Reliever Tom Ferrick. Bob posted a 23-20 record with 3.39 ERA and 13 saves in 104 games for the Yankees. He appeared in 3 World Series for the Yankees (1951-1953), going 0-0, while posting a 2.08 ERA with 2 saves in 3 games. On August 7,1954, he was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees. Bob would finish his MLB Pitching career in 1957, ending with a MLB lifetime record of 49-44 with a 4.05 ERA and 13 saves in 213 games.
1927-In his 1st starting assignment for the 1927 Yankees, Reliever Wilcy Moore loses a heartbreaker to the Senators by the score of 3-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader. Yankees Lou Gehrig is spiked at 1B by Senators base runner Bucky Harris as Firpo Marberry scored the winning run. The Yankees won the Opener by the score of 8-2, as Babe Ruth hit his 12th HR of the 1927 AL season, a 3-run HR shot. Senators OF Tris Speaker played most of Game 1 for the Nats despite fracturing his left thumb in batting practice.
1939-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would score 5 runs in the 1st inning off of A’s Starter Roy Paramelee to coast to 8-2 victory. Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez goes the distance, allowing the A’s only 2 runs, 6 hits, 5 walks and 5 strikeouts to even his 1939 AL season pitching record to 2-2. The Bronx Bombers scoring attack was led by Slugger Charlie Keller’s 2-run HR shot in the 1st inning.
1941-In the 1st night game played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., the Yankees would defeat the Senators by a score of 6-5. The Wednesday Night game would draw a crowd of 25,000 fans. Bronx hitters Tommy Henrich and George Selkirk hit HRs in the game. Yankees Starter Steve Peek gets the win, he is now 2-0 for the 1941 AL season. Yankees Reliever Marv Breuer picks-up his 1st save of the season. Nats hurler Sid Hudson takes the loss, he is now 3-5 for the season.
1946-The 1st night game is played at Yankee Stadium as the Senators beat the Yankees by a score of 2-1. The crowd of 49,917 fans came to the 1st night game by Yankees, showing the value of night games over daytime games, especially on weeknights, that draw more fans.
1956-The Yankees had waived veteran MLB Pitcher Gerry Staley to the White Sox. On September 14,1955, P Gerry Staley was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Reds. He would only appear in 3 games for the 1955 Yankees with no record. He would become one of the main bullpen pitchers of the 1959 White Sox AL Championship team’s pitching staff.
1960-Veteran Yankees Manager Casey Stengel is hospitalized with a virus, forcing MLB Coach Ralph Houk to take over the team for 13 games. Houk made several changes that were retained, when Casey came back to the team, including by putting Clete Boyer at 3B, which clearly helped the Yankees rally from 3rd place to win the 1960 AL pennant. The other changes included moving Hector Lopez from 3B to LF and letting Reserve Catcher Johnny Blanchard share some of the catching duties with Elston Howard and Yogi Berra. The Yankees went 7-6 under Ralph Houk’s control. Houk had passed his MLB audition for the Yankees Managers job, because Casey Stengel’s Yankees Manager contract would expire in October of 1960. Also, this was a sign that the platoon system in the Yankees Infield was about to be expiring.
1968-The AL Team Owners agreed to divide itself into 2 divisions and reduced its regular season schedule from 162 to 156 games. The following divisional alignment is set for the 1969 AL season: Eastern Division: Orioles, Red Sox, Indians, Tigers, Yankees and the Senators. The AL Western Division would be: Angels, White Sox, Royals, Twins, A’s and the Mariners.
1968-Former Yankees Minor League P Rickey Rhodes was born.
Brother of MLB Reliever Arthur Rhodes, Ricky Rhodes was selected in the 35th round by the Yankees in the 1987 MLB Amateur Player Draft. In his 4 Minor League seasons in the Yankees farm system, he had posted a 20-26 record with a 4.20 ERA in 82 games. He returned to baseball in 1995 to pitch for the Surrey Glaciers in the Western League (Independent league). He had appeared in 17 games, while posting a 6-9 record with a 6.33 ERA.
1971-Former Yankees 3B Clete Boyer, involved in a dispute with the Braves Owner Paul Richards and Manager Lum Harris over alleged silly rules and mismanagement is released, he retires from MLB. Boyer had hit safely in the last 9 games of his 16-season MLB playing career, including 5 HRs with 14 RBIs. A Gold Glove 3B Boyer was a .242 hitter with 162 HRs with 654 RBIs in 1,725 games for the A’s, Yankees and the Braves. Clipper Notes: Why the Yankees never made a serious attempt to re-obtained Clete Boyer is still puzzling, because they were still having very serious defensive problems at 3B, which would not be solved until the arrival of Graig Nettles in a trade from the Indians in November of 1972.
1971-The Yankees had obtained veteran MLB hurler Jim Hardin from the Orioles for Pitcher Bill Burbach, who was a failed 1st pick MLB Amateur Player Draft choice. In 1969, he was Co-Winner of the James P. Dawson Award, sharing the award with INF Jerry Kenney. He had gone 6-8 with a 3.31 ERA in 31 games for the 1969 Yankees. Bill went 0-3 with an ERA over 10.60 in 6 games during the 1970-1971 AL seasons, while spending most of his time pitching at AAA level. The Orioles would send him to their AAA club the Rochester Red Wings (IL). Jim Hardin was still recovering from pitching arm problems. He went 0-2 with a 5.08 ERA in 12 games with the 1971 Yankees before being released by the team. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1972 Braves. The Braves would send him to their AAA club the Richmond Braves (IL).
1977-Before a “Yankee Jacket Day” crowd of 54,881 fans at Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Ron Guidry has a rare bad outing dropping a 9-4 decision, a 16-hit loss to the White Sox.
1983-Former Yankees Reliever Cory Wade (2011-2012) was born.
On June 13, 2011, Reliever Cory Wade was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Tampa Bay had released him. He would post a 7-2 record with a 4.23 ERA in 79 games for the Yankees. Cory Wade was originally signed by the Dodgers in 2004 MLB Amateur Player Draft. On October 17, 2012, Corey was selected off waivers by the Blue Jays from the Yankees.
1991-Former Yankees Reserve OF/INF Roy Cullenbine (1942) had passed away.(1914-1991)
On August 31,1942, OF Roy Cullenbine was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. Roy had appeared in 21 games with the 1942 Yankees, while hitting .364. Roy appeared 5 games of the 1942 World Series against the Cardinals, hitting .263 for the Yankees. On December 17,1942, Roy was traded by the Yankees along with AL All-Star Catcher Buddy Rosar to the Indians for INF Oscar Grimes and OF Roy Weatherly.
1995-Bronx Rookie Starter Mario Rivera makes his 2nd MLB start for the Yankees, picking up a 4-1 victory over the Oakland A’s. It is the only Yankees victory in a 10 game West Coast road trip. Rivera had lost his MLB Pitching debut start on May 23rd to the Angels, losing the game by a score of 10-0, while lasting only 3 1/3 innings.
2004-Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera posted his 300th MLB Career save in a Yankees 7-5 victory over the Devil Rays. He also became the 1st Yankee and 17th reliever in MLB history to reach the 300 MLB save milestone.
2012-The Angels lose their pitching Ace, Jered Weaver, after he had thrown only 12 pitches, when he is forced to leave his start against the Yankees with a back injury in the 1st inning, but they hold on for a hard-fought 9-8 win, that was capped by Mark Trumbo's walk-off HR. The victory puts the Angels at .500 for the 1st time since April 9th. Howie Kendrick and Kendry Morales drive in 3 runs each and Mike Trout homers to lead the offense. Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira hit HRs for the Yankees, while Russell Martin hits a 2-run double in the 7th to tie the game at 8-all, but Trumbo's 9th-inning HR off of Yankees Reliever Cory Wade ends it, giving struggling Angels Closer Jordan Walden his 1st win of the 2012 AL season.
2013-The Mets honor Yankees great Mariano Rivera, who has announced his MLB retirement at the end of the 2013 AL season by having him throw the ceremonial 1st pitch before the game between the 2 teams from the Big Apple at Citi Field, with retired Mets Closer John Franco acting as his Catcher for the occasion. However, the night doesn't end so well for Mo, as Daniel Murphy leads off the bottom of the 9th inning with a double then David Wright and Lucas Duda follow up with RBI singles to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win. It is the 1st time of Mariano's illustrious MLB Pitching career that he blows a save without retiring a single batter; it is also his 1st blown save of the 2013 AL season.
May 29th
1875-Former Yankees OF/3B David Fultz (1903-1905) was born. (1875-1959)
In March of 1903, the Highlanders had signed INF/OF Dave Fultz from the Philadelphia A’s. In 1902, he had hit .302 for the A’s, while scoring a leading AL 109 runs. After his 2 seasons with the 1901-1902 A’s, his MLB player contract allowed to play for any team that he wanted to for 1903 season. The Yankees had offered him the most money. He would get the Yankees 1st hit in their 1st game of the 1903 AL season. Dave had hit .243 with 2 HRs and 99 RBIs in 305 games for the Yankees, before being traded back (his players rights) to the A’s for OF Danny Hoffman on April 29,1906. A’s Team Owner Connie Mack had tried to get him to come back to play for him again. At the age of 31, Fultz had become a Lawyer; he didn’t want to play MLB baseball anymore. Later in 1919-1920, he would serve as the President of the International League.
1910-Former Yankees 1B George Mc Quinn (1947-1948) was born. (1910-1978)
On November 22,1935, 1B George Mc Quinn was sent from the Yankees to the Reds in an unknown transaction. After appearing 38 games for the 1936 Reds, he was returned to the Yankees organization. On October 5,1937, he was drafted by the St. Louis Browns from the Yankees farm system in the 1937 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. After leaving with the Yankees, where he was blocked by the presence of future HOF Lou Gehrig at 1B, George would have a good playing career with the 1938-1945 Browns. On January 25,1947, George was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. The A’s had released him at the end of the 1946 AL season, as their Owner/Manager Connie Mack thought that he was too old and finished as a regular position player. Yankees Manager Bucky Harris had promised George, a chance to win the starting 1B job in the 1947 Yankees Spring Training Camp. For the 1947 Yankees as their regular 1st baseman, George would hit .308 with 13 HRs and 80 RBIs in 144 games. In 1947 and 1948, he would be named to the AL All-Star team. In the 1948 AL season, he would slump to a .248 BA with 11 HRs and 41 RBIs in 94 games. He would retire from the MLB. George had appeared in 2 World Series during his MLB playing career; 1 with the 1944 Browns and 1 with the 1947 Yankees, while hitting .256 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs in 13 games.
1921-Bronx Slugger Babe Ruth hits HR over the Right Field Roof at the Polo Grounds in a 9-4 Yankees win over the Philadelphia A’s.
1922-In a game played at the Polo Grounds against the Philadelphia A’s‚ the Yankees would score 7 runs in the 7th inning to beat them by the score of 7-4. Yankees Starter Carl Mays is the winner‚ notching his 20th straight victory over the A's.
1927-In a loosely played Sunday game at Yankee Stadium‚ the Bronx Bombers would swamp the Red Sox by the score of 15-7‚ by scoring 7 runs in the 8th inning. A crowd of 35,000 fans see Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth propels his 13th HR off of Red Sox hurler Danny MacFayden‚ while Reserve Catcher Johnny Grabowski is 4 for 4 at the plate along with a walk. Veteran Bronx Starter Dutch Ruether is ineffective‚ serving up gopher ball to the Red Sox's Grover Hartley in the 2nd inning and to Fred Haney in the 3rd. The Red Sox give it back in the 4th inning with 3 walks‚ 2 errors‚ a single by Bob Meusel and a double by Mark Koenig to make 4 runs. Ted Wingfield‚ pitching 2/3 of the 4th inning‚ takes the loss for Boston. Yankees Reliever Myles Thomas would pitch 7 innings of relief allowing only 3 Boston hits and 3 runs; to pick-up his 1st win of the season. He is now, has a 1-1 record for the 1927 Yankees.
1928-At Yankee Stadium‚ the Yankees would sweep a doubleheader from the Senators by the scores of 3-2 and 12-3. In the Opener, Yankees INF Leo Durocher’s bases-loaded triple gives Yankees Starter George Pipgras (8-1) the victory. In the nightcap, Bronx Sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, both hit a pair of HRs: Lou hits his 9th HR of the 1928 AL season in the 3rd inning‚ off of Nats Starter Milt Gaston‚ then Ruth and Gehrig hit back-to-back HRs in the 4th inning off of Nats Reliever Lloyd Brown. Babe Ruth adds his 18th HR off of Brown in the 7th inning. Also, Yankees CF Earle Combs hits a HR in the game.
1934-The Yankees had purchased “some would say rent” veteran 41-year-old spit-baller Starter Burleigh Grimes from the Pirates. After 10 appearances with the 1934 Yankees, while posting a 1-2 record with a 5.50 ERA, the team will release Grimes and the Pirates will re-obtain him.
1934-The Yankees had sold Pitcher Harry Smythe to the Dodgers for $7,500 Cash. He was sold to create an MLB 25-man roster spot for newly acquired veteran MLB hurler Burleigh Grimes from the Pirates. For the 1934 Yankees, Harry had posted a 0-2 record with a 7.08 ERA in 8 games.
1941-Former Yankees Reserve INF John Kennedy (1967) was born. (1941-2018)
After being obtained from the Dodgers for Reserve OF/1B John Miller and Minor League P Jack Cullen, John had hit only .196 with 1 HR and 17 RBIs in 78 games for the 1967 Yankees before being purchased by the Seattle Pilots in November of 1968. He was not the answer to the current Yankees infield problems. He had spent the 1968 baseball season playing for the Yankees AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL).
1941-Despite scoring 5 runs in the top of the 6th inning‚ the Yankees and Senators end in a tie at 2-2 in a game that is called after 5 innings. Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio has a hit and a strikeout‚ just his 3rd this season.
1942-Yankees veteran Starter Lefty Gomez‚ self-described as the worst-hitting pitcher in MLB‚ bangs out 4 hits, while pitching a 4-hit‚ a 16-1 Yankees victory over the Senators. They are his last MLB playing career hits. Also, Yankees 1B Buddy Hassett adds 4 hits in the game as well.
1956-At Yankee Stadium‚ Mickey Mantle's walk in the 7th inning is the 1st Yankees base runner against Red Sox Starter Willard Nixon. Mantle's 2-out 9th inning HR deprives the Boston righty of a shutout. The Red Sox still beat the Yankees by the score of 7-3.
1957-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C.‚ Nats Starter Camilo Pascual gives up 2 solo HRs to Yankee Sluggers Mickey Mantle and Hank Bauer‚ but the Senators still win the game by the score of 6-2. Senators Starter Camilo Pascual will groove 43 gopher balls during the 1957 AL season.
1961-At Fenway Park‚ veteran Boston Starter Ike Delock out-duels Bronx Ace Whitey Ford to beat the Yankees by the score of 2-1. New York's only scoring is Mickey Mantle's 1st HR in 2 weeks.
1965-Orioles Club President Joe Iglehart sells his 32% holding in the club to National Brewing Company President Jerry Hoffberger and Club Treasurer Zanvyl Krieger. He is forced to do so as a major shareholder and Executive with CBS, which bought the rival New York Yankees a few months ago, placing him in a conflict of interest.
1965-Former Yankees 3B Charlie Hayes (1992,1996-1997) was born.
On February 19,1992, INF Charlie Hayes was sent by the Phillies to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on January 8,1992. The Phillies would send a Player to be Named Later to the Yankees for Minor League P Darrin Chapin. In 1992, Charlie would hit .257 with 18 HRs and 66 RBIs in 142 games for the Yankees. On November 17,1992, Hayes was drafted by the Rockies from the Yankees as their 3rd pick in the 1992 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft. On August 30,1996, Charlie was traded by the Pirates to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later. On August 31,1996, the Yankees would send Minor League P Chris Corn to the Pirates to complete the trade. He would share the Yankees 3B duties with AL All-Star Wade Boggs. He had appeared in 1996 World Series against the Braves, while hitting only .188. In 1997, he would hit .258 with 11 HRs and 53 RBIs for the team. With the 1997 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft coming up, the Yankees had decided not to protect Hayes in the player draft, instead they had elected to trade him. On November 11,1997, Charlie was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to the Giants for 2 Players: Catcher Alberto Castillo and OF Chris Singleton. Charlie had started his MLB playing career with the Giants before being traded to the Phillies. Overall, in 2 tours with the Yankees, Hayes had hit .259 with 31 HRs and 132 RBIs.
1965-Former Yankees INF Mike McNally (1921-1924) had passed away. (1892-1965)
From 1915-1920, INF Mike McNally had played for the Red Sox. In 1916, he would appear in the World Series with Boston. On December 15,1920, Mike was traded by the Red Sox along with Pitchers Harry Harper, Waite Hoyt and Catcher Wally Schang to the Yankees for 2B Del Pratt, Catcher Muddy Ruel, Pitcher Hank Thormahlen and OF Sammy Vick. He would appear in 202 games with the Yankees, while hitting .252 with 1 HR and 43 RBIs. Also, he would play in 2 World Series with the 1921-1922 Yankees. On December 10,1924, Mike was traded by the Yankees to the Red Sox for OF Howie Shanks.
1966-Former Yankees Pitcher Hippo Vaughn (1908-1912) had passed away. (1888-1966)
Hippo Vaughn began his MLB Pitching career with the 1908 Yankees. He was traded to the Senators in the middle of the 1912 AL season. However, he achieved his greatest success after joining the Cubs in 1913. In 9 NL seasons with Chicago, he had won 20 games in a season 5 times. His best pitching season for the Yankees was in 1910, when he posted a 13-11 record. His final Yankees Pitching career totals was a 23-29 record with a 3.18 ERA and 1 save in 73 games. His overall MLB Pitching career record was 178-136 with 2.36 ERA in 390 games.
1976-Former Yankees Reserve INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. (2009) was born.
Jerry Hairston is the son of Jerry Hairston Sr., Brother of Scott Hairston, Grandson of Sammy Hairston and Nephew of Johnny Hairston and Sam Hairston Jr. He is part of only 3 three-generation MLB families, the Boones and Bells being the other 2. On July 31,2009, Jerry was traded by the Reds to the Yankees for Minor League P Chase Weems. Jerry would appear in 45 games for the 2009 Yankees, while hitting .237 with 2 HRs and 12 RBIs. He would play in 3 games of the 2009 World Series against the Phillies, while hitting .167. On November 10, 2009, the Yankees would grant Jerry MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Padres for the 2010 NL season.
1977-Yankees Starter Ed Figueroa wins his 7th straight complete game of the 1977 AL season, as he defeated the White Sox by a score of 5-2. Bombers 1B Chris Chambliss supplied most of the Yankees run support with a 2-run HR and a rare steal of home plate.
1980-Yankees Starter Luis Tiant is fined $500 for dropping the ball to the ground and throwing his glove into the stands in what appeared to be an act of defiance after Manager Richard Howser had removed him from the game. Tiant had pitched shutout ball for 6 2/3 innings before giving up a triple to Barry Bonnell and then walking Al Woods. Yankees Manager Howser brought in Closer Rich Gossage from the bullpen and the "Goose" recorded his 5th save of the 1980 AL season. According to Tiant, he went to hand the ball to Howser while looking upward and that he did not see that the Manager’s hands had returned to his hip pockets.
1982-In Minnesota‚ the Yankees put runners on 1B (Graig Nettles) and 2B (Bobby Murcer) with no outs. When Yankees batter Roy Smalley strikes out on a wide 3-2 pitch from Twins’ P Terry Felton‚ Murcer attempts to steal 3rd base. But Twins Catcher Sal Butera’s throw beats him so badly that he retreats to 2nd, only to find Nettles already there. Twins Shortstop Gary Gaetti tags Murcer, who is standing safely alone on the base and then he throws to 1B Kent Hrbek to catch Nettles heading back to 1st. Murcer then tries for 3B, Ken Hrbek's throw to hurler Felton, covering the bag, completes the triple play. Alas‚ Felton‚ who was 0-8 coming into the game gets a no-decision: he will lose another 5 games to finish his MLB pitching career with a 0-16 record.
1987-Former MLB Player, Scout and Yankees Minor League Manager Jack Sheehan had passed away. (1893-1987)
Jack Sheehan had played 2 MLB seasons with the 1920-1921 Dodgers. He was a long-time Minor-League Manager. He was in the Yankees organization in 1933-1934, managing the Wheeling Stogies (MAL). Later, he would become an MLB Scout working with the Cubs, Indians, Senators and the Rangers organizations before retiring.
1993-Former MLB Player and Yankees Minor League Player INF Alex Kampouris (1940) had passed away. (1912-1993)
Infielder Alex Kampouris had played for the Reds from 1934 to 1938, before being traded to the Giants. On December 27,1939, the Giants had sent INF Alex Kampouris and Catcher Tom Padden to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on September 1,1939. On that date, the Giants would send players be named later and cash to the Yankees for Minor League star INF Mickey Witek, who was named the 1939 IL MVP Award winner. In 1940, Alex was sent down to the AA Newark Bears (IL) by the Yankees, where he would hit .273 with 36 HRs in 147 games. He would never appear with team at the MLB level. On September 10,1940, Alex was purchased by the Dodgers from the Yankees. He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1943 Senators.
1997-The Yankees finally agree to terms with Japanese hurler Hideki Irabu‚ signing the fire-baller to a 4-year contract worth $12.8 million. The deal includes a signing bonus of $8.5 million
1997-At Toronto‚ Yankees 1B Tino Martinez hits his 20th HR - his 3rd in 3 games as veteran Bronx Starter David Cone strikes out 12 Blue Jays batters to lead the Yankees over Toronto by the score of 4-0. Reliever Jeff Nelson strikes out 3 more Blue Jays batters. Martinez raises his RBI total to 56 with a single in the 1st of off of veteran MLB Starter Woody Williams (1-5) and a solo HR shot in the 3rd inning.
2000-Oakland A’s 2B Randy Velarde turned an unassisted triple play, just the 11th in MLB history, on a line drive hit by Yankees batter Shane Spencer. With runners on 1st and 2nd bases running with the pitch, Velarde tagged Jorge Posada as he neared 2nd base, then he touched the base to retire Tino Martinez. In 1995 spring training game, while playing with the Yankees, Velarde had turned an unassisted triple play against the Dodgers.
2002-Yankees Starter Roger Clemens becomes the 3rd MLB Pitcher to strike out 10 or more batters in at least 100 games. Nolan Ryan (215) and Randy Johnson (175) are the other 2 MLB hurlers to have accomplished this pitching feat.
2007-The Yankees, a season-low 8 games under .500 on May 29th, go on a 73-39 in a stretch run leading the MLB in wins and winning percentage.
2009-On the road, the Yankees top the Indians by the score of 3-1. Bronx Closer Mariano Rivera saves an Andy Pettitte win for the 58th time, setting a new record for a pitcher duo; the old mark had been held by Oakland A’s hurlers Dennis Eckersley and Bob Welch.
2016-For the 1st time in over a century, the Yankees win a game in spite of being limited to only 1 hit. Yankees 2B Starlin Castro hits a 2-run HR off of Rays’ hurler Jake Odorizzi in the 7th inning and it is enough to procure a 2-1 win. The last time the Yankees had won a game while collecting a single hit was on July 10,1914, when Charlie Mullen had the only safety in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against the Indians, shortened to 6 innings by darkness.
2018-Former Yankees 1B/OF Ray” Buddy” Barker (1965-1967) had passed away. (1937-2018)
On May 10,1965, 1B/OF Ray “Buddy” Barker was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for Reserve INF Pedro Gonzalez. Buddy would hit .222 with 10 HRs and 44 RBIs in 176 games for the 1965-1967 Yankees. On July 4,1967, Buddy was traded by the Yankees along with Players to be Named Later and Cash to the Orioles for veteran MLB Starter Steve Barber. On December 15,1967, the Yankees would send 2 Minor League Players: Infielders Chester Trail and Daniel Bailey to the Orioles to complete the trade. Buddy never appears at the MLB level with the 1967 Orioles, he was sent to their AAA team, the Rochester Red Wings (IL).
May 30th Traditional Memorial Day Double Headers!
1884-Former Yankees INF/OF Rube Oldring (1905,1916) was born. (1884-1961)
Rube Oldring came up to the MLB originally as a Shortstop with the 1905 Highlanders, for whom the regular Shortstop that season was Kid Elberfeld. He would stick around with the Yankees, while the Athletics would select Oldring. His son, in an article states, however that Oldring was actually owned by the Philadelphia A’s, while he played for the 1905 Highlanders. A’s Team Owner Connie Mack would not let him stay with the team for the 1906 AL season. With the 1916 Yankees, Rube would play in the Outfield, while hitting .234 and appearing in 43 games. Overall, Rube would hit .245 with 2 HRs and 18 RBIs in 51 games for the Yankees in 2 tours with the team.
1894-Former Yankees Pitcher and Minor League Manager Al Mamaux (1924) was born. (1894-1963)
Al Mamaux would pitch in 12 seasons in the MLB. He had won 21 games with the Pirates in 1915 and 1916. He would appear in the 1920 World Series with the Dodgers. On July 12,1924, Al Mamaux was purchased by the Yankees from the AA Reading (IL). He would appear in 14 games with the 1924 Yankees, while posting a 1-1 record. He would sit out 1925 season, following his final season in the MLB, but he would return to the mound for the 1926 AA Newark Bears (IL). He would lead the International League with a 2.22 ERA that season. In 1927, Al paced the IL circuit with 25 wins with a 2.61 ERA. He would later manage the AA Newark Bears (IL) in the Yankees Minor League system. Then he would manage the Senators IL AA entry, the Albany Senators for 2 seasons. Al was the Head Baseball Coach at Seton Hall Univ. from 1937 to 1942. His teams had an overall record of 69-19 and the 1942 Pirates team went undefeated. In 1951, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame. In 1975, Al was selected for the Seton Hall Univ. Sports Hall of Fame and the Duquesne Univ. Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
1902-Former Yankees Pitcher Louis McEvoy (1930-1931) was born (1902-1953)
For the 1930-1931 Yankees, Lou McEvoy would post a 1-3 record with a 7.79 ERA and 4 saves in 34 games.
1905-The Yankees had sold OF/1B John Anderson to the Washington Nationals (aka Senators). During the 1903 AL season, the team had acquired him from the St. Louis Browns; he would hit .282 for the team, while driving in 82 runs. After the 1st 32 games of the 1905 AL season, he was only hitting .232 for the team.
1907-The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB Pitcher Frank Kitson from the Senators. For the 1907 Senators, Kitson was 0-3 with a 3.94 ERA in 5 games. He had been pitching in the MLB since 1898. The veteran hurler post a 4-0 record with a 3.10 ERA in 12 games for the Yankees in his final MLB active season.
1912-After a minor fire at Hilltop Park, the Yankees would play a separate admission, day-night doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics at the Polo Grounds. The Yankees had lost the morning game by a score of 7-1; the 2nd game of the double-bill was rained out.
1912-Former Yankees MLB Scout Eddie Dancisak (1963) was born. (1912-1966)
Outfielder Eddie Dancisak had played Minor League baseball from 1937 to 1942, almost entirely at the C and D class levels. Dancisak had entered the Army in February,1944, he was discharged in May,1946. Eddie was a MLB Scout for the 1946-1948 St. Louis Browns,1949-1959 Boston/Milwaukee Braves,1960-1962 Phillies, 1963 Yankees and the 1964-1966 Mets.
1922-Former MLB Pitcher Bob Hooper (1950-1955) was born in Leamington, Ontario, Canada. (1922-1980)
Clippers Note: He was my High School Gym teacher at New Brunswick Senior High School in New Jersey. He was the 1st MLB player that I ever met. He spoke very highly of the New York Yankee players that he had played against during the early 1950’s. In 1969, when he spoke at our Senior Sports Dinner, saying how proud he was to be MLB player, when there were only 16 teams. He felt that expansion and big money was corrupting the game. We talked many times about baseball, it was an honor to meet and know such a man. Although he was born in Canada, Bob Hooper had served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He had pitched 6 seasons in the MLB for the Philadelphia A's, Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds and another 10 seasons in the Minor Leagues. Before the start of the1941 MLB season, the New York Giants signed Bob Hooper. He did not appear with them at the MLB level. As a 28-year-old Rookie in 1950, he was the Philadelphia A’s Closer, posting a 15-10 record with a 5.02 ERA and 5 saves in 45 games. In 1951, he became a Starter for the A’s, posting a 12-10 record with a 4.38 ERA and 5 saves in 38 games. In 1952, Bob went 8-15 with a 5.18 ERA with 6 saves in 45 games. In December of 1952, the A’s traded him to Indians for 2 players. With the 1953 Indians, he went 5-4 with a 4.02 ERA with 7 saves in 43 games. With the Indians, he was Early Wynn’s roommate. He was on the 1954 Indians, pitching in 17 games with no record, he was dealing with pitching arm issues, but he didn’t appear in the 1954 World Series against the Giants. In 1955, he pitched in his final MLB season with the Reds, appearing in 8 games with a 0-2 record with a 7.62 ERA. His final MLB Pitching career record was 40-41 with a 4.80 ERA and 25 saves in 194 games. Bob Hooper would manage in the Orioles Minor League System from 1957-1960. Then he was an MLB Scout for the 1963 Mets. One of his Orioles Minor League teams included future MLB Players: 3B Brooks Robinson, Pitcher Dean Chance and 1B John “Boog” Powell. He was a Physical Education teacher at New Brunswick Senior High School in Central New Jersey until his retirement in 1980. On March 17, 1980, Bob Hooper had passed away at age of 57 from a heart attack in his home in New Brunswick, N.J.
1923-The Yankees would celebrate Memorial Day 1923 in Washington, D.C. playing at Griffith Stadium before a crowd of 14,000 fans with a twin-bill sweep of the Senators by scores of 6-4 and 9-5. In the 1st game, the Yankees beat the Nats by the score of 6-4. Yankees Starter Herb Pennock throws a complete game victory to bring his 1923 AL season pitching record to 6-0. Senators Ace Walter Johnson only goes 3 innings before being replaced by Reliever Bonnie Hollingsworth, who is charged with the Nats loss, he is now 1-5 for the season. Babe Ruth hits a HR off of Nats Ace Walter Johnson in the 1st inning. In 2nd game, the Yankees beat the Nats by the score of 9-5. Yankees Starter “Bullet Joe Bush improves his 1923 pitching record to 7-4. Bronx Slugger Babe Ruth hits a HR in the game.
1930-The Yankees had obtained Pitcher Owen Carroll, Reserve INF George Wuestling and OF Harry Rice for the Tigers for veteran Starter Waite Hoyt and Shortstop Mark Koenig. For the 1930 Yankees; veteran OF Harry Rice would hit .298 with 7 HRs and 74 RBIs in 100 games; while George Wuestling was a weak hitting utility infielder, who had hit .200 in 54 games for the team. Veteran Starter Waite Hoyt would continue to pitch successfully in the MLB for the next 8 seasons. Shortstop Mark Koenig would end up with the 1932 Cubs. For the 1930 Bombers, Ownie Carroll would post a 0-1 record with a 6.61 ERA in 10 games before being sent to the Reds on September 13,1930. On January 13,1931, veteran OF Harry Rice was selected off waivers by the Senators from the Yankees. The new 1931 Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy had decided that he didn’t have any plans for the veteran outfielder on the 1931 team.
1932-In memory of former Yankees Manager Miller Huggins (1918-1929), the 1st plaque is attached to a monument in Yankee Stadium is dedicated.
1932-The Yankees would celebrate Memorial Day 1932 with a twin-bill sweep of the Red Sox. A crowd of 45,000 fans watched the 2 Monday day games played at Yankee Stadium. In the Opener, Yankees Veteran Starter Herb Pennock throws a complete game victory. He is now 3-0 for the 1932 AL season. Former Yankees hurler Wilcy Moore takes the loss for Boston, he is now at the 1-4 mark. On August 1,1932, he will be traded back to the Yankees. In the 2nd game, the Bombers beat by the Red Sox by the score of 13-3. Yankees hitting star was Shortstop Lyn Lary, who goes 3 for 5 at the plate with a HR and 3 RBIs in the game. Yankees Starter Hank Johnson throws a complete game win, bringing his 1932 pitching record to a 2-1 mark. The Yankees now have a 28-11 record for the 1932 AL season.
1938-Before a crowd of 83,533 fans at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would sweep a Monday Memorial Day Doubleheader from the Red Sox by scores of 10-0 and 5-4. More than 6,000 fans are turned away; 511 fans are given refunds. In the 1st game, Yankees Starter Red Ruffing throws a complete game shutout for his 6th win of the season. Meanwhile Boston Starter Lefty Grove his handed his 1st loss of the 1938 AL season, he is now 8-1. In the 2nd game, Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez throws a complete game, picking up his 3rd victory of the season, while Boston Starter Jack Wilson, is now at the 3-5 mark. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hits his 4th HR of the season, a 2-run HR shot. Yankee hitters Joe DiMaggio and Bill Dickey hit doubles in the game. The game also featured a fistfight under the Stadium stands between Yankees OF Jake Powell and Red Sox Player-Manager Joe Cronin, after they had been both thrown out of the game. Powell had charged the Red Sox hurler Archie Mc Kain, after he had hit him in the stomach. Joe Cronin came in from his Shortstop position to protect his pitcher. That fight would last for several minutes. The both players were separated by the Umpires and thrown out of the game. The visitors in those days had to approach their clubhouse through the Yankees dugout. The Players and Umpires broke up this 2nd fight. Joe Cronin and Jake Powell were later fined and suspended for 10 days for their actions by the AL President’s office.
1941-The Red Sox and Yankees would split a Friday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Fenway Park. A crowd of 34,500 fans had attend the 2 games. The Yankees would win the Opener by score of 4-3 by scoring 3 runs in the 9th inning to win the game. Bronx Bomber 3B Red Rolfe hits a HR. In the Nightcap, the Red Sox bounce back with 13-0 win over the Yankees. The Red Sox cap it off with a triple steal. Boston Slugger Ted Williams laces out 6 hits, while Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio continues his consecutive game hitting streak with a hit in each game, he is now at 16 games mark.
1943-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 53,685 fans would watch a Sunday Memorial Doubleheader played between the Yankees and the Indians. The Bronx Bombers would sweep the Tribe by scores of 4-3 and 3-2. In the Opener, Yankees Starter Spud Chandler and Closer Johnny “The Milkman” Murphy hold the off the Indians for a 4-3 win. Chandler gets his 5th win of the season, while Bronx Closer Murphy gets his 1st save of the season. Bronx hitter Joe “Flash” Gordon hits a HR and has 3 RBIs in the game. Pitcher Spud Chandler enjoys a good day with the bat, going 3 for 3 including a double. Tribe 2B Ray Mack hits a 2-run HR to make the game close in the 9th inning. Indians Starter Al Smith takes the loss, he is now 3-1 for the season. In the 2nd game, Bronx Starter Butch Wensloff throws a complete game for his 2nd win of the season, he is now at 2-2 mark. Tribe Starter Joe Heving gets a no decision. Meanwhile Indians Reliever Allie Reynolds gets the loss, he is now 0-3. Yankees OF Roy Weatherly hits a solo HR.
1950-The Yankees would sweep the Red Sox in a Tuesday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium by the scores of 11-7 and 5-3. In the 1st game Yankees Starter Tommy Byrne gets a 11-7 victory. Byrne is now 5-1; while Closer Joe Page picks-up his 8th save of the season. Red Sox Starter Mel Parnell takes the loss, he is now 5-3. Bronx veteran 1B Tommy “Old Reliable” Henrich goes 2 for 5 at the plate. “Old Reliable” has a double and a triple with 2 RBIs in the game. Also, Yankees Pitcher Tommy Byrne enjoys a good game at the plate by going 3 for 4 along with 2 RBIs. In the 2nd game, the Yankees win the game by the score of 5-3. Yankees Starter Eddie Lopat gets his 6th win of the season with relief help from Yankees P Allie Reynolds, who gets his 1st save of the season. Red Sox Starter Ellis Kinder throws a complete game loss, he is now 3-5 for the year. Bombers Joe Collins hits a HR in the game. The Yankees are now 19-16 for the1950 AL season.
1956-In a Wednesday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 29,825 fans watch as Mickey Mantle launches his 1st facade HR shot off of Senators Starter Pedro Ramos in Game 1. The Mantle HR Ball misses going out of Yankee Stadium by 18 inches; reporters estimate it would’ve gone at least 600 feet. Bronx Starter Johnny Kucks picks up his 6th victory of the season along with relief help from Tom Morgan in the Yankees 4-3 victory. The Mantle HR ball hit the face of the upper deck in Right Field, 370 feet from home plate and 117 feet in the air. Mantle also became the 1st player in MLB history to hit 20 HRs by the end of May. In Game 2, he would clout a 450-footer HR off of Nats Starter Camilo Pascual that goes half-way up the bleachers in Right Field to lead the Yankees 12-5 win to complete a twin-bill sweep over the Senators. Bronx Starter Bob Turley picks up the Yankees victory, he is now 2-2 for the season. Meanwhile Nats Starter Pascual falls to a 2-6 record. Yankee veteran hitters Eddie Robinson and Hank Bauer would hit HRs in the 2nd game. The 1956 Yankees now have a 28-13 record.
1959-The Yankees sweep the Senators in a Saturday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Griffith Park in Washington, D.C. In 1st game, the Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 11-2 with HRs hit by Elston Howard, Hector Lopez and Mickey Mantle. Yankees Starter Art Ditmar throws a complete game victory, bringing his record up to 2-4 for the season. In the 2nd game, the Yankees Starter Don Larsen throws a complete game win, improving his pitching record to 5-0. With the Memorial Day sweep of the Nats, the Yankees trying to climb back into the 1959 AL Pennant race, they are now at the 18-23 mark.
1960-The Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium on a Monday, that draws a crowd of 43,699 fans. The Yankees would split the doubleheader with the Nats. The Senators would take the Opener with a 2-1 win. Nats Starter Chuck Stubbs wins his 2nd game of the year, getting relief help from veteran Closer Tex Clevenger, who gets his 2nd save of the season. Yankees Starter Art Ditmar goes 7 innings, allowing 2 Nats runs, he gets the lost; he is now 2-2 for the season. Bronx Reliever Johnny James goes 2 scoreless innings to end the game. In the 2nd game, the Bronx Bombers bounce back with a 3-2 win over the Nats. Yankees Batters RF Roger Maris (solo) and Catcher Yogi Berra (2-runs) would hit HRs in the game. Nats Starter Pedro Ramos throws a complete game loss, he is now 2-6 for the 1960 season. Bronx Starter Ralph Terry goes 7 innings, but he doesn’t get the decision, Yankees veteran Reliever Bobby Shantz picks-up the win, he is now 1-1. The 1960 Yankees are now 19-16 for the season.
1961-At Fenway Park, Yankees hitters Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Bill “Moose” Skowron each hit 2 HRs to lead the Yankees to a 12-3 rout over the Red Sox in a single game played for the Memorial Day holiday. Also, Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra hits a HR for in the game. Yankees Starter Ralph Terry was the winning pitcher, while veteran Starter Gene Conley was the losing pitcher for the Red Sox.
1967-Veteran Yankees Starter Whitey Ford announced his player retirement from MLB baseball because of an elbow injury. His final Yankees appearance was a start in Detroit on May 21st, but he had lasted just 1 inning for the Yankees. He would finish his Yankees MLB Pitching career with a 236-106 record to become the All-Time Yankee Pitcher’s wins’ leader. He had passed former team leader Red Ruffing, who had 232 Yankee career wins during the 1966 AL season.
1974-The 1974 Mayor’s Trophy game was held at Shea Stadium, since Yankee Stadium is being remodeled. The Yankees won the game by the score of 9-4 behind a 3rd inning Grand Slam HR by Reserve INF Fernando Gonzalez off of Mets Pitcher Mike Wegener. Yankees hurler Dave Pagan picks-up the win. The crowd attendance for the game played at Shea Stadium was 35,984 fans.
1975-Rangers INF César Tovar becomes the 2nd player to collect the only hit in 5 1-hitters, doing so in a 6-0 loss to Catfish Hunter of the Yankees. Tovar also had the only hit while playing for the Twins on April 30,1967; May 15 and August 10,1969; and August 13,1970. Billy Williams preceded Tovar in setting this record a month earlier and Eddie Milner will tie it in 1986.
1977-Bronx Bomber Sluggers 3B Graig Nettles and RF Reggie Jackson would hit back-to back HRs in 2nd inning to lead the Yankees past the Red Sox by a score of 5-4.
1980-The Yankees would play the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. A crowd of 24,319 fans watched the Friday Memorial Day game. Yankees veteran Starter Luis Tiant picks-up his 4th win of the season, while Closer Rich Gossage gets his 5th save. Blue Jays Starter Jim Clancy takes the loss. Clancy is now 3-3 for the season. Yankee Hitters OF Bobby Brown, Pinch-Runner and DH Dennis Werth hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now 27-16 for the 1980 AL season.
1991-Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Magnuson (1973) had passed away. (1946-1991)
The Yankees had claimed Pitcher Jim Magnuson from the White Sox organization in the 1971 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would spend all of 1972 baseball season with their AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL); while posting a 9-7 record with a 3.48 ERA and 3 saves for the team. He was 10th in the International League in ERA and led his club. Jim would finish his pro baseball career in 1973, going 7-4 with a 4.04 ERA for AAA Syracuse (IL). For the 1973 Yankees, Jim would post a 0-1 record with a 4.28 ERA in 6 games.
1992-Yankees Starter Scott Sanderson became the 9th MLB pitcher to beat all 26 MLB teams, as the Bronx Bombers defeated the Brewers by a score of 8-1. Scott Sanderson would join MLB hurlers Doyle Alexander, Rich Gossage, Tommy John, Gaylord Perry, Nolan Ryan, Don Sutton, Mike Torrez and Rick Wise, as MLB Pitchers, who have defeated every MLB club during their Pitching careers.
2011-Yankees Veteran Starter Bartolo Colon pitches his 1st MLB shutout since the 2006 MLB season by blanking the Oakland A’s by the score of 5-0. The 38-year-old Yankees Pitcher has made a remarkable comeback after being out of the majors all of last season.
2013-The Mets would complete a 4-game sweep of the Yankees with a 3-1 win behind the pitching of their Starter Dillon Gee, who strikes out a MLB career-high 12 Yankee batters in 7 1/3 innings. It is the 1st time the Mets have ever swept a Subway Series against the Bronx Bombers, as those are the only 4 games the 2 teams will play against each other this 2013 MLB season.
2017-At a Memorial Day Game played at Baltimore’s Camden Yards, a crowd of 16,126 fans see the Birds lose to the Yankees by the score of 8-3. Yankees Starter Luis Severino picks-up his 4th win of the 2017 AL season along with bullpen help from Yankee Relievers Tommy Layne, Adam Warren, Bryan Mitchell and Tyler Clippard. While Orioles Starter Chris Tillman is loser for the Birds, he is now 1-2 for the 2017 AL season. The Yankees hitters Brett Gardner and Matt Holiday, each hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now at the 30-19 mark for the 2017 AL season.
May 31st
1907-On a Friday day game played at Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds in Boston, Highlanders Shortstop Kid Elberfeld steals home twice in game against the Americans (aka the Red Sox). The Highlanders would beat the Boston by the score 4-1. Bronx Starter Frank Kitson picks-up his 1st victory of the 1907 AL season, he is now at the 1-3 mark. The Americans P George Winter takes the lost, he is now 0-4 for the 1907 season. The Yankees now have a 19-16 record for the 1907 AL Season. Boston would use Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds in Boston until the end of the 1911 season, when they would open their new ballpark, Fenway Park for the 1912 AL season.
1910-The Yankees had sold Pitcher “Slow” Joe Doyle to the Reds. He had posted a 22-21 record with a 2.75 ERA and 1 save in 70 games for the 1906-1910 Yankees. Joe was 0-2 for the 1910 Yankees at the time of his trade to the Reds. He was nicked-named “Slow” because the amount of time that he took in throwing his pitches in a game.
1913-The Yankees had obtained INF Rollie Zeider and 1B Bill Borton from the White Sox for 1B Hal “Prince” Chase. Yankees Manager Frank Chance had 1B Hal Chase traded by the team front office because he thought that Chase was betting on Highlanders games. In 1920, Hal Chase would later be banned from MLB for gambling on games along with his former Reds teammate OF Lee Magee during the 1918 NL season by MLB Commissioner Judge Landis, costing him his pro baseball playing career and a chance of being to be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1923-The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB Shortstop Ernie Johnson from the White Sox for $4,000 Cash. The Yankees had planned to use the veteran shortstop as a Reserve Infielder. He would appear in 19 games for the 1923 team, while hitting .447 with 1 HR and 8 RBIs in 19 games. In 1924, He would hit .353 with 3 HRs and 13 RBIs in 64 games. Then in 1925, he would hit .282 with 5 HRs and 17 RBIs, while playing in 76 games for the team. On October 28,1925, Yankees would send INF Ernie Johnson to AA St Paul Saints (AA) to complete an earlier deal made on May 29,1925; the Yankees would send a Player to be Named Later, Catcher Fred Hoffman, P Oscar Roettger and $50,000 Cash to the AA St Paul Saints (AA) for Shortstop Mark Koenig.
1933-The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Pitcher Johnny Broaca (1934-1937). He was a successful College Pitcher at Yale Univ. On June 2,1934, he would join the Yankees. Johnny Broaca would post a 40-27 record with a 4.04 ERA and 3 saves in 99 games in 4 seasons with the Yankees before being picked up by the Indians on waivers from the Bombers in the fall of 1938. During his Yankees pitching career, Johnny had several disputes with the Yankees GM Edward Barrow and Manager Joe McCarthy, which resulted in several suspensions by the team. In the fall of 1938, he would be reinstated to the team, so the club could send him to the Indians. For the 1939 Indians, Allen would post a 4-2 record in his last active MLB season.
1938-At a Tuesday day game played at Yankee Stadium, Bronx hurler Joe Beggs gives up the 1st of 3-Grand Slam HRs to Red Sox Slugger Jimmy Foxx would hit off of him during the 1938 AL season. Yankees AL All-Star 1B Lou Gehrig played in his 2000th consecutive MLB game. Lou would collect a RBI single. The Yankees would beat the Red Sox by the score of 12-5, as a crowd of 6,317 fans watched the day game. Yankees Starter Beggs gets a no decision, while Reliever Johnny Murphy gets the victory for his 3rd win of the 1938 AL season. Boston Starter Johnny Marcum takes the loss, he is now at 3-3 mark. Yankee hitters 3B Red Rolfe, OF Tommy Henrich and Catcher Bill Dickey would each hit HRs in the game.
1944-Al Unser hits his only HR of the 1944 AL season, a pinch-hit Grand Slam HR with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, helping the Tigers beat the Yankees by the score of 6-2
1950-Former Yankees Pitcher Tippy Martinez (1974-1976) was born.
On July 22,1972, P Tippy Martinez was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. His Yankees Pitching career record was 3-2 with a 2.67 ERA and 10 saves in 44 games. Tippy and Yankees Manager Billy Martin didn’t get along. On June 15,1976, Tippy was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve Catcher Rick Dempsey, Pitchers Rudy May, Scott McGregor and Dave Pagan to the Orioles for 3 veteran Pitchers: Ken Holtzman, Doyle Alexander and Grant Jackson, Reserve Catcher Ellie Hendricks and OF Jimmy Freeman. This was a classic Yankees trade of “trade for now and forget about the future.” Tippy Martinez and Scott McGregor would have good MLB player careers with the Orioles; they were players that the Yankees could have use.
1961-At Yankee Stadium, Red Sox Pinch-hitter Carroll Hardy batting for OF Carl Yastrzemski bunts for a single in the 8th inning of 7-6 loss to the Yankees. Hardy will be the only MLB player to pinch-hit for both Red Sox Hall Fame Outfielders: Carl Yastrzemski and Ted Williams.
1967-The Yankees had signed veteran AL Starter Bill Monbouquette as an MLB Free Agent. The Tigers had released him on May 15,1967. He would replace ineffective Starter Jim Bouton, who the team had sent down to AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL) to get work on a regular basis. Bill will post a 6-5 record with a 2.36 ERA and 1 save in 33 games for the 1967 Yankees.
1967-Former Yankees OF Kenny Lofton (2004) was born.
On January 6, 2004, veteran MLB OF Kenny Lofton was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would appear in 83 games for the 2004 Yankees, while hitting .275 with only 3 HRs and 18 RBIs. On December 3, 2004, he was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for P Felix Rodriguez.
1973-Former Yankees Minor League P Marty Janzen was born.
On August 8,1991, Pitcher Marty Janzen was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. He never appears with the team at the MLB level. On July 28,1995, he was traded by the Yankees along with 2 other Minor League hurlers: Mike Gordon and Jason Jarvis to the Blue Jays for veteran Starter David Cone. On March 7,1998, Marty was traded by the D-Backs along with P Todd Erdos to the Yankees for Reserve INF Andy Fox. Once again, Marty never appears with the Yankees at MLB level. Later, he would become a Minor League Pitching Coach.
1974-The Yankees had sold Veteran 2B Horace Clarke (1965-1974) to the Padres. In 1974, Yankees Manager Bill Virdon had replaced Horace as the team’s 2B with former Yankees starting Shortstop Gene Michael, who would be later replaced by veteran INF Sandy Alomar, when he was acquired from the Angels. From 1965-1974, Clarke had played in 1,230 games for the team. He became the Yankees regular 2B in 1967, holding the starting 2B position until 1973 AL season. He had hit .257 with 27 HRs and 300 RBIs and stole 151 bases for the 1965-1974 Yankees. He would lead the AL 2B in assists for 6 seasons (1967-1972) and in putouts for 4 AL seasons (1968-1971). Horace will appear in 42 games for the Padres, while hitting only .189. After the 1974 NL season had ended, Clarke would retire from baseball.
1975-Rangers hitter César Tovar becomes the 2nd player to collect the only hit in 5 1-hitters, doing so in a 6-0 loss to Yankees Starter Catfish Hunter.
1983-AL President Lee MacPhail had suspended Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner for 1 week, citing "repeated problems" with the outspoken Team Owner's public criticism of AL Umpires. Steinbrenner, who had been fined $50,000 by Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn during MLB spring training for berating some NL umpires, he cannot attend games or be in his Yankee Stadium office during the 1 week suspension period.
1984-Former Yankees Reliever Andrew Bailey (2015) was born.
In 2014, the Yankees had signed former MLB All-Star Closer Andrew Bailey, who was recovering from pitching arm surgery. He had started pitching again in 2015 season. He would appear in 10 games for the 2015 Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record with 5.19 ERA. After the 2015 AL season had ended, the Yankees would grant Bailey MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Phillies for the 2016 NL season.
1986-Former Yankees Minor League INF C. J. Henry was born.
In 2005, Shortstop C.J. Henry was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round of the MLB Amateur Player Draft. Henry would make his 2005 pro baseball debut that summer with the GCL Yankees, where he hit .249 in 48 games. He began 2006 season with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), hitting .240 in 77 games. In July, he was traded to the Phillies as part of the trade that brought MLB Players OF Bobby Abreu and P Cory Liddle to the Bronx. After the July trade, he would play for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws (SAL), while hitting .253 in 25 games. After being released outright by the Phillies in 2007, he would return to the Yankees organization, who had signed him to a Minor League contract. He would leave pro baseball in 2008 to begin a basketball career. Henry's father, Carl Henry, played in the NBA and C.J. would have been a recruited walk-on to play basketball at the Univ. of Kansas, where his Father and Mother both played. His brother, Xavier Henry also played at Kansas and in the NBA. In 2015, he would play pro baseball with the Kansas City T-Bones, an independent baseball team in the American Association before being released, ending his pro baseball career.
1991-Former Yankees Pitcher Matt Bowman (2023) was born.
The Yankees had signed former MLB P Matt Bowman to a 2-year Minor League deal for the 2021-2022 seasons, along with invitation to the Yankees 2022 MLB Spring Training Camp. Bowman had performed “Tommy John” surgery on his pitching right elbow on September 16, 2020. He was drafted by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Princeton Univ. (Princeton, NJ). He was 2-2 with 3 saves and a 2.45 ERA for the Class A 2012 Brooklyn Cyclones, while striking out 30 and walking only 2 in 29 1/3 innings. He would split the 2013 season between the Savannah Sand Gnats (4-0, 2.64 ERA) and the St. Lucie Mets (6-4, 3.18 ERA). He would remained productive in 2014 with the AA Binghamton Mets (7-6, 3.12 ERA) and the AAA Las Vegas 51s (3-2, 3.47 ERA) with 124 strikeouts to 36 walks in 134 1/3 innings. In 2015, he would spend all season in AAA, but he was lit up at Las Vegas (7-16, 5.53 ERA) with only 71 strikeouts to 55 walks in 140 innings. Undaunted by his struggles in the hitter's paradise that is the Pacific Coast League, the Cardinals would take him in the 2015 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would make 59 appearances out of the 2016 Cards bullpen, while posting a 2-5 record with a 3.46 ERA, a specialist, with a 3-6 record with a 3.99 ERA in 58 2/3 innings. He would struggle in 2018, to the tune of a 6.26 ERA in 22 games and made a return engagement to the minor leagues. Following the season, he was claimed on waivers by the Reds, for whom he made 27 appearances and recorded 2 victories with a 3.66 ERA in 32 innings. He has an MLB career record of 7-13 with a 4.02 ERA and 2 saves in 183 games. For the 2023 Yankees, Matt would post a 0-0 record with a 9.00 ERA in 8 games. The Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency after the 2023 season had ended. He would be signed by the Twins, who would trade him to D-Backs during the 2024 season.
1996-At Oakland Coliseum, the Yankees would beat the Athletics by the score of 4-1; as Starter Jimmy Key improves his 1996 AL season record to 2-5 mark, while Bronx Closer John Wetteland gets his 10th save of the 1996 AL season. Oakland Starter Doug Johns takes the loss, dropping to a 4-6 season record. A crowd of 13,279 fans had attend this Friday Night game played at the Oakland Coliseum. Yankees Outfielders Ruben Rivera and Paul O’Neill would each hit HRs in the game.
2010-Yankees All-Star 3B Alex Rodriguez may not be his usual superhuman self this season, but it's still a bad idea to issue an intentional walk to face him with the bases loaded. The Indians find this out the hard way, as A-Rod connects for a Grand Slam HR in the 7th inning, turning a 2-1 Yankees close lead into an 11-2 rout of the Tribe. The Grand Slam HR is the 20th of his MLB playing career, placing him 3rd on the All-time MLB list, behind Lou Gehrig (23) and Manny Ramirez (21).
June 1st
1891-Former Yankees Catcher Hank Severeid (1926) was born. (1891-1968)
Hank Severeid had started playing in the MLB with the 1911 Reds in the NL, then he would move to the AL to play for the Browns and the Senators before joining the Yankees in 1926. On July 22,1926, veteran Catcher Hank Severeid was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. He would hit .268 with No HRs and 12 RBIs in 41 games for the 1926 Yankees, before retiring from the MLB. Hank did appear in 2 World Series: 1925 Series with the Senators and the 1926 Series with the Yankees. In the 1926 World Series with the Yankees against the Cardinals, Hank would appear in 7 games as their starting Catcher, while hitting .273 with No HRs and 1 RBI. After his active playing days, he would manage for 4 seasons in the St. Louis Browns Minor League system (1932-1935) and for 2 years with Independent Minor League teams (1936-1937). Later, he would work in the Reds farm system (1938-1940). Then he was an MLB Scout for the 1943 Cubs and later for the Red Sox organization (1944-1968).
1914-On May 31,1914, OF Charles Meara was purchased by the Yankees from the Class D Perth Amboy Pacers (AL) for Cash. Charles would play in 4 games for the 1914 Yankees, while hitting .286 with No HRs and 1 RBI before being released by the team and returning to play in the Minor Leagues.
1915-Former Yankees Reserve OF Art “Bud” Metheny (1943-1946) was born. (1915-2003)
In 1938, OF Art “Bud” Metheny was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. He had worked his way up the Yankees Minor League system, reaching AA playing level with the Kansas City Blues (AA) and the 1942 Newark Bears (IL). For the wartime 1943-1945 Yankees, he would hit .247 with 31 HRs and 156 RBIs in 376 games as an Outfielder. Bud had appeared in 2 games of the 1943 World Series for the team against the Cardinals, while hitting just .125. On May 3,1946, the Yankees would send him to their AA Kansas City Blues team. He had appeared in 3 games with no hits for the 1946 Yankees, ending his MLB playing career with the team. After leaving pro baseball, Bud Metheny was the Baseball Coach at Old Dominion Univ. from 1948 to 1980. Also, he would coach their college Basketball team (1948-1965). Also, he would serve as the ODU Athletic Director (1963-1970).
1918-While losing 5-4 against the Yankees, the White Sox would load the bases in the 9th inning with no outs. Chicago batter Chick Gandil lined a shot to Yankees 3B Frank Baker, who turned it into a game ending triple play.
1925-Rookie 1B Lou Gehrig of the Yankees pinch-hits for veteran Shortstop Pee Wee Wanninger, beginning his streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive MLB games. The next day, veteran-starting 1B Wally Pipp showed up with a headache, after being hit in the head with a ball during batting practice, which turned out to be a Head Concussion. Rookie Lou Gehrig would take over the starting 1B position for the Yankees. Wally Pipp would be a Reserve 1B and PH for the club for the rest of the 1925 AL season. In the fall, he would be sold to the Reds.
1934-The Yankees had released veteran Pitcher George Uhle (1933-1934). The Veteran MLB hurler came to the Yankees at the end of his long MLB Pitching career. On July 24,1933, Uhle was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would appear in 22 games for the 1933-1934 Bronx Bombers, posting an 8-5 record with a 6.17 ERA before finishing out his MLB Pitching career with the 1936 Indians. Overall, George had posted a 200-166 record with a 3.99 ERA in 513 MLB games (1919-1936).
1935-In a rare display of solo HR’s, the Yankees would hit 6-solo HRs against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in a 7-2 victory. The Yankee HR solo Sluggers were Catcher Bill Dickey (2), while Shortstop Frank Crosetti, OF Ben Chapman, OF George Selkirk and 3B Red Rolfe. Mel Almeda would score the 2 Red Sox runs on a 2-run HR in the 8th inning.
1936-The Yankees score 7 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, but they wind up on the short end of an 11-9 score against the White Sox in a game played at Yankee Stadium.
1941-A Sunday doubleheader played at Cleveland Stadium sees the Yankees shutout the Indians by the score of 2-0 in the 1st game behind Yankees Starter Red Ruffing’s complete game shutout. Tribe hurler Al Milnar takes the loss, as he drops to a 6-5 record, while Ruffing improves his 1941 AL season pitching record to 5-3. In the 2nd game, Bronx Bombers complete the twin-bill sweep of the Tribe with a 5-3 win. Yankees veteran Starter Lefty Gomez improves his 1941 pitching record to 4-3 along with a relief help from Marv Breuer, who picks-up his 2nd save of the season. Yankee hitters 1B Johnny Strum and OF George Selkirk, each hit 2-run HRs in the game. The Yankees are now 25-19-2 for the 1941 AL season.
1950-On a Thursday game played at Yankee Stadium, before a crowd of 17,554 fans see the Bronx Bombers score 4 runs in the last 3 innings of game to comeback from a 5-2 White Sox lead to win the game in the 9th inning by the final score of 6-5. Yankees Starter Allie Reynolds goes 7 innings, but he gets a no-decision; Bronx Reliever Bob Porterfield shuts down the Chicago bats for 2 innings. Closer Joe Page pitches a scoreless 9th, he gets the win, he is now 3-3 for the 1951 AL season. White Sox Starter Billy Pierce gets the no-decision, while Reliever Bill Wight gets the loss, he is now 3-6 for the season. The Yankees are now 27-10 for the 1950 AL season.
1962-A crowd of 51,584 fans see the Yankees play the Angels at Dodger Stadium. In 1962, the Angels had moved from their old PCL ballpark, Wrigley Field to play at Dodger Stadium for the 1962 AL season, while their own new stadium was being built. Yankees Starter Ralph Terry throws a complete game 6-2 victory; while allowing only 2 Angels runs, 4 hits and 8 strikeouts, picking-up his 6th victory of the 1962 AL season. Angels Starter Bo Belinsky drops to a 6-2 record by allowing 5 Yankee runs on 10 hits in the game. Veteran Angels Reliever Tom Morgan gives up a Bill “Moose” Skowron HR in the 9th inning. The Yankees are now 26-18 for the 1962 AL season.
1973-Former Yankees Pitcher Derek Lowe (2012) was born.
Derek Lowe was reborn in Cleveland in the early stages of the 2012 AL season. On May 15th, he ran his record to 6-1 by throwing his 1st shutout in nearly 7 seasons, beating the Twins by the score of 5-0. Throwing almost exclusively sinkers, he did not strike out a single batter in the game, becoming the 1st pitcher to record a shutout without the benefit of a strikeout since Scott Erickson on April 28, 2002. His revival was short lived, however. On August 1st, the Indians announced that he had been DFA. His 2012 record was now 8-10, with a 5.52 ERA in 21 starts, he had lost 4 straight decisions. Lowe’s ERA in his last 3 starts was a stratospheric 15.88 - not much worse than the 8.80 ERA he had put up in his last 12 games. Rookie hurler Corey Kluber was called up to take his place in the Tribe starting rotation. He had cleared MLB waivers. On August 13th, Derek Lowe officially signed with the Yankees, having agreed to pitch out of the bullpen for the Bronx Bombers. In his 1st appearance with his new team was that same day; he pitched 4 shutout innings of relief, taking over for emergency Starter David Phelps. He earned his 1st MLB save since 2001 in preserving the Yankees' 8-2 win over the Rangers. He did well for the 2012 Yankees, pitching 17 times with a 3.04 ERA in 23 2/3 innings and adding 3 outings in the 2012 AL Postseason. After the 2012 Postseason was over, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency.
1973-Former Yankees Pitcher Fred Heimach (1928-1929) had passed away. (1901-1973)
Fred Heimach had broken into MLB at age of 19 with the 1920 Philadelphia A’s. He went 14-12 for a below-.500 1924 A’s team. On August 6,1928, Fred was traded by the AA St. Paul Saints (AA) to the Yankees for $20,000 Cash and a Player to be Named Later. In 1928, he was part of an AL pennant-winning 1928 Yankees team. In 1929, he would post a 11-6 record for the Yankees. Overall, as a Yankees hurler, Fred had a 13-9 record with a 3.77 ERA in 48 games. On March 25,1930, Fred was purchased by the AA Toledo Mud Hens (AA) from the Yankees. In 1931 and 1932, he would post 9-7 and 9-4 record for above-.500 Dodgers teams. Heimach was used as a pinch-hitter 52 times in the MLB, getting 20 hits for a .385 average. His MLB lifetime BA was .236 (in 542 at-bats). One source claim that he had served in the Army during WWI. He was in the Minor Leagues at Raleigh before coming to the MLB. In 1927 and part of 1928 seasons, he had pitched for the AA St. Paul Saints (AA). Then he was with the AA Toledo Mud Hens for part of 1930 season. In 1934, he was back with AA St. Paul Saints (AA). In 1940, he would manage the Miami Beach Tigers during their only season in the Florida East Coast League. The team would finish with a 60-51 record and in 3rd place.
1977-Former MLB Player and Yankees MLB Assistant Hitting Coach (2023) Brad Wilkerson was born.
Brad Wilkerson won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was MVP of the 1995 World Junior Championship, hitting .360 with 7 runs, 8 RBI, 3 doubles and 3 HRs and going 3-0 on the mound with a 0.90 ERA, 11 hits allowed, 3 walks allowed and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched. He drove in the winning run in the semifinals against Australia, then pitched a 3-hit shutout against Taiwan to give the US, the Gold Medal. He is often cited as being the last Montreal Expos player because of his appearance during the Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series shortly after the 2004 regular season wearing his Expos uniform. He was the final winner of the Expos Player of the Year award in 2004, when he had scored 112 runs and hit 32 HRs as the Expos' lead-off hitter; he also drew a career-high 106 walks that season. Wilkerson moved with the Expos franchise to Washington. An established starter from his time in Montreal, he was inserted as the leadoff hitter and center fielder on Opening Day for the Washington Nationals on April 4, 2005. He singled to start the contest against the Phillies' Jon Lieber, making him the 1st National to get a base hit. Wilkerson was traded on December 7, 2005 by the Nats to the Rangers with OF Terrmel Sledge and RHP Armando Galarraga for 2B Alfonso Soriano. Wilkerson would retired in 2009, while playing for the Boston Red Sox' AAA team, the Pawtucket Red Sox (IL). Brad had hit for the cycle twice in his MLB playing career: on June 24, 2003 for the Expos against the Pirates and on April 6, 2005 as a newly-minted National against the Phillies just 2 days after the Nats' inaugural game. Wilkerson joined the coaching ranks in 2014 as leader of The King's Academy middle school team. The next year, he moved to head coach of the varsity team where he remained through 2019. Wilkerson then moved to the college level in July 2020 as an Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator for the Jacksonville University Dolphins. He continued with the Dolphins through 2022.In 2023, he returned to the MLB as an Assistant Hitting Coach for the Yankees.
1980-A Sunday crowd of 52,049 fans at Yankee Stadium, watched the Yankees beat the Blue Jays by the score of 11-7. Yankees Starter Tommy Underwood picks-up his 5th win of the 1980 AL season against his former team. Former Yankees Pitcher Paul Mirabella, who is now with the Blue Jays takes the loss, he is now at the 4-4 mark. Yankee hitters OF Bobby Brown and 3B Graig Nettles hit HRs for the Bronx Bombers in the game. Yankees Closer Rich Gossage had a rough relief appearance for the team, giving up 3 Blue Jays runs in the 9th inning. The Yankees are now 29-18 for the 1980 AL season.
1996-A Saturday game played in Oakland before a crowd of 21,354 fans, see the Yankees beat Athletics by the score 6-3. Yankees Starter Andy Pettitte picks-up his 8thwin of the 1996 AL season with relief help from 3 Yankee Bullpen Relievers: Bob Wickman, Jeff Nelson, Steve Howe and Closer John Wetteland, who gets his 11th save of the season. Oakland Starter Bobby Chouinard takes the loss, he is now at the 0-2 mark. The Yankees are now 30-21 for the 1996 AL season.
2001-At Yankee Stadium, Indians would defeat the Yankees, just in 5 ½ innings, when the game was called because of rain with Tribe ahead by the score of 7-2. In a rarity, Indians Starter C.C. Sabathia earned a win despite pitching only 4 innings. Reliever Ricardo Rincón got the save retiring the side in the 5th inning. The baseball rules state that in a 5-inning game, a starter need not go the full 5 innings to earn a victory. Baseball historian David W. Smith noted that there are just 5 other cases since 1978 to match the Sabathia feat.
2003-Former Yankees Reserve OF/1B/PH Johnny Hopp (1950-1952) had passed away (1916-2003).
On September 5,1950, veteran OF/1B John Hopp was purchased from the Pirates by the Yankees for Cash. Johnny would hit .333 down the stretch drive to help the 1950 Yankees win the AL Pennant. Since he was obtained after the August 31st trade deadline, he couldn’t play in the 1950 World Series for the Yankees. In 1951, he would hit only .206 in 46 games for the Yankees. In 1952, he had started off poorly, hitting only .160 in 15 games, when he was sold to the Tigers. Johnny Hopp would retire from MLB at the end of the 1952 AL season. He had originally come up to the MLB with the Cardinals, where he would appear the in 1942,1943,1944 World Series with them. He was member of the 1946 NL All-Star team. He had played in 1 World Series with the 1951 Yankees. Overall, Johnny had appeared in 80 games with the Yankees, while hitting .226 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs. He had spent 14 seasons in the MLB, playing for the Cardinals, Pirates (twice), Dodgers, Braves, Yankees before finishing his MLB playing career with the 1952 Tigers.
2006-Former Yankees Minor League Catcher Eddie Malone had passed away. (1920-2006)
Catcher Eddie Malone played 2 seasons as a Reserve Catcher with the 1949-1950 White Sox. He had appeared in 86 games, while hitting .257 with 1 HR and 26 RBIs. On June 28,1950, he was purchased by the Yankees from the White Sox. He never appears with the team at the MLB level. On July 5,1950, the Yankees would send C Eddie Malone to the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made on October 13,1949; the Yankees send a Player to be Named Later and Cash to the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL) for OF Jackie Jensen and INF Billy Martin. On July 12,1951, Eddie was purchased by the Yankees from the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL). On July 12,1951, he was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League P Bob Landeck and Cash to the Dodgers for Pitcher Art Schallock.
2009-The Yankees would play their 18th straight game without an error, breaking the AL record held by the 2006 Red Sox. The Yankees were playing the Indians before a crowd of 23,651 fans on a Monday game at Progressive Field in Cleveland, winning the game by the score of 5-2. Yankees Starter Joba Chamberlain picks up his 3rd win, while Closer Mo Rivera earn his 11th save of the 2009 AL season. Tribe Reliever Greg Aquino is charged with the loss, he is now 1-1. The Yankees are now 30-21 for the 2009 AL season
2023-Veteran outfielder Kole Calhoun has exercised an out clause in his minor league deal with the Yankees. The team will have 72 hours to add him to the roster or else grant him his release. The 35-year-old Calhoun has had a strong start at AAA Scranton, slashing .293 with 4 homers, 6 doubles and 2 triples in 97 trips to the plate thus far. On June 3rd, the Yankees will grant him his player release. He will be signed by the Rangers.
May 26th
1910-The Yankees had sold Veteran MLB Catcher Red Kleinow to the Red Sox. The Yankees had acquired him in 1903 from AA Toledo (AA) for Reserve Catcher Jack Zalusky. Kleinow was the team’s starting Catcher from 1905 to 1909, until he developed throwing arm problems. In 1910, he become the Yankees 3rd string catcher, he will be the same for the 1910 Red Sox. Red had appeared in 522 games for the team, while hitting .219 with 2 HRs and 127 RBIs.
1926-The Yankees runs its winning streak to 16 games by nipping the Red Sox at Fenway Park by the score of 9-8, sweeping Boston, putting them ahead in the AL standings by 8 ½ games.
1928-At Shibe Park in Philadelphia, the hometown A’s kick in 6 errors to lift the Yankees to a 7-4 win. A’s 3B Sammy Hale makes 4 errors in the Saturday game played at Shibe Park. At the plate, he fairs better by going 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Veteran Bronx Starter Stan Coveleski picks-up his 4th win of the season for the Bombers. While Reliever Al Shealy gets 2nd save. For the Yankees, Tony Lazzeri hits a double and HR, also Babe Ruth gets 2 RBIs in the game. The Yankees are now 30-7 for the 1928 AL season.
1932-Former Yankees Minor League Manager, MLB Coach (1981-1982) and MLB Manager Joe Altobelli was born. (1932-2021)
Joe Altobelli was 1B/OF for the 1955, 1957 Indians and the 1961 Twins. From 1966-1976, Joe was a long-time Minor-League Manager for the Orioles organization reaching AAA level with the Rochester Red Wings (IL). From 1977-1979, he managed the Giants. In 1980, Altobelli led the Yankees AAA club, the Columbus Clippers to an International League title. Next, he served as a Yankees MLB Coach on the 1981-1982 teams. He would later manage the 1983 Orioles, replacing the retiring Manager Earl Weaver. In 1985, he was replaced mid-year by Cal Ripken Sr. He would return to MLB Coaching for the Yankees in 1986. He was a MLB Coach for the Cubs from 1988 until 1991, serving as Interim Manager for 1 game between Managers Don Zimmer and Jim Essian that season. Overall, Joe Altobelli's Minor League teams were 870-670 in 12 seasons, while winning 4 IL titles. Since 1998, Altobelli has been a Radio Broadcaster for the AAA Rochester Red Wings. He was inducted into the Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2008, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
1947-Former MLB Player and Yankees MLB Coach Darrell Evans (1990) was born.
Darrell Evans was selected by the Yankees in 1966 MLB Amateur Player Draft, but he didn’t sign with the team. In 1967, he would eventually sign with Oakland. He would play in the MLB for 21 seasons (1969-1989), while hitting 414 MLB Career HRs. He had played for the Tigers, Braves and the Giants. In 1990, Darrell was a member of the Yankees MLB Coaching Staff. Later, he would manage in the Minor Leagues.
1952-The Yankees had released veteran Reserve OF/1B/PH Johnny Hopp. On September 5,1950, Johnny Hopp was purchased by the Yankees from the Pirates. He would hit .333 with 1 HR and 8 RBIs in 19 games for the 1950 Yankees. He appeared in 3 games of the 1950 World Series against the Phillies with no hits. In 1951, he hit .206 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in 46 games as a Reserve 1B and Pinch-Hitter. He would appear in 1 game of the 1951 World Series against the Giants with no hits. At the time of his player release, he was hitting only .160 in 16 games for the 1952 Yankees. Overall, as a Yankees Reserve player, he had hit .226 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs. He would be signed by the Tigers, hitting just .217 before retiring from MLB at the end of the 1952 AL season. The Yankees would call up Pitcher Bill Miller from AAA Kansas City Blues (AA) to take Hopp’s spot on the Yankees MLB 25-man roster.
1959-The Yankees had re-obtained Pitcher Ralph Terry and INF/OF Hector Lopez from Kansas City for 2 veteran hurlers: Johnny Kucks, Tom Sturdivant and Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe. Terry had his MLB seasoning with the A’s, was now ready to pitch for the Yankees. He had been traded on June 15, 1957 to Kansas City as part of the Billy Martin trade. He had gone 17-28 in 3 seasons with the team, but A’s Manager Harry Craft wasn’t impressed with him as a Starter. He was 2-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 9 games for the 1959 A’s. Johnny Kucks and Tommy Sturdivant were battling arm and back problems, causing them to be ineffective on the mound. Sturdivant had won 16 games in 1956 and 1957 for the team, but in 1958, he battled arm problems slipping to a 3-6 record with a 4.20 ERA in 15 games. In 1959, he was 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA in 7 games for the Yankees at the time of the trade. He had compiled a 36-25 record with a 3.19 ERA and 5 saves in 115 games for the team. He went 1-0 with a 4.34 ERA in 6 games in 3 World Series for the team. In 1956, Johnny Kucks had a 18-9 record with a 3.84 ERA in 34 games. He had gone 16-19 with the team as Manager Casey Stengel had begun to use him as a swingman. As a Yankees Pitcher, he would post a 42-35 record with a 3.82 ERA and 6 saves in 143 games. Yankees Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe was a good infielder, because of his lack of consistent hitting, but he was unable to unseat Tony Kubek at Shortstop or Bobby Richardson at 2B. He was hitting .222 with no extra base hits and 2 RBIs in 18 games for the 1959 Yankees. Overall, as a Yankees Reserve INF player, he had hit .271 with 3 HRs and 49 RBIs in 159 games. He would become a regular 2B with the A’s, later with the Tigers. The Yankees would use Hector Lopez at 3B, until they moved him to the outfield in 1960, where he would play for his final 8 MLB seasons with the Yankees. He would hit .262 with 69 HRs during the regular AL season. In World Series play for the Bronx Bombers, he would hit .286 in 15 games. At the time of the trade, the Kansas City had him playing at 2B, he was hitting .281 with 6 HRs and 24 RBIs. Starter Ralph Terry would go 3-7 with a 3.39 ERA in 24 games for the 1959 Yankees, improving to a 10-8 record in 1960 as a regular starter for the team.
1962-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 29,487 fans watched Tigers AL All-Star RF Al Kaline fractured his collarbone while making a dramatic game-saving catch in right field. His catch helped preserve a Tigers 2-1 victory over the Yankees, but he will miss 2 months of the 1962 AL season with the collarbone injury. Tigers Starter Hank Aguirre picks-up the complete game victory, while Yankees Starter Roland Sheldon takes the loss. Both hurlers have 2-2 records for the 1962 AL season.
1971-The Yankees had obtained 2 Pitchers: Rob Gardner and Darrel Osteen from the Oakland A’s for 1B/C Curt Blefary. The Yankees would assign both Pitchers to their AAA Club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). Osteen, never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level, In 1970, Rob went 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 1 game for the Yankees before being traded back to Oakland for veteran OF Felipe Alou. Gardner would go 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 20 games for the 1972 Yankees. Curt Blefary was a former Yankees Minor League player (1963), who couldn’t hit anymore, when he returned to the team in 1969 in a trade with the Astros for veteran AL All-Star 1B/OF Joe Pepitone.
1973-Former Yankees Reserve OF/1B Chicken Hawks (1921) had passed away. (1896-1973)
On July 27, 1920, 1B/OF Chicken Hawks was purchased by the Yankees from Calgary (WC). For the 1921 Yankees, Hawks would hit .280 with 2 HRs with15 RBIs in 41 games. From 1922 to 1924, he would play in the Minor Leagues. In 1925, he would return to the MLB with the Phillies as a 1B, appearing in 105 games, while hitting .322 with 5 HRs and 45 RBIs. He would return to the Minor Leagues in 1926, playing at the high levels until 1931, when he retired from the game.
1975-Former Yankees DH/1B Travis Lee (2004) was born.
DH/1B Travis Lee spent most of his 2004 Yankees stay on DL with a major shoulder injury that occurred in 2004 MLB spring training camp. At the end of 2004 AL season, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency.
1977-Former Yankees Minor League P Johnny Kucab had passed away. (1919-1977)
Johnny Kucab had pitched for the 1950-1952 Philadelphia A’s, while posting a 5-5 record with a 4.44 ERA and 3 saves in 59 games. He had joined the Yankees Minor League organization in 1953, pitching until the 1958 season. Johnny never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. He had posted an overall 52-31 record, as a Yankees Minor League Pitcher. He would pitch for the AAA Kansas City Blues (AA) and then for the AAA Denver Bears (AA). After the 1958 Minor League baseball season had ended, he would retire as an active player.
1980-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 28,170 fans watched the Yankees rip the Tigers by the score of 13-5. Yankees Starter Tommy Underwood picks-up his 4th victory of the season, he is now 4-3. Bronx Closer Rich Gossage gets his 4th save of the 1980 season. Yankee hitters Catcher Rick Cerone and OF Bobby Brown hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now 25-15 for the 1980 AL season.
1996-Former Yankees 1B Don Bollweg (1953) had passed away. (1921-1996).
On May 14,1951,1B Don Bollweg was traded by the Cardinals along with $15,000 Cash to the Yankees for veteran 3B Billy “The Bull” Johnson. Commending about the 1951 trade, “He's been knocking around the minors for a long time. His name is Boll... Boll... Boll Weevil, or something like that."-Casey Stengel. In 1942, the Cardinals had signed Don as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Bollweg would serve in the Army, missing the 1943-1945 MLB seasons. He would reach the Cardinals during the 1950-1951 NL seasons, appearing in just 10 games, while hitting only .150. While playing for the 1952 AAA Kansas City Blues (AA), Don won the MVP Award in the American Association for hitting .325 with 23 HRs and 81 RBIs. He would hit .297 with 6 HRs and 24 RBIs in 70 games for the 1953 Yankees. Don had appeared in 3 games of 1953 World Series against the Dodgers with no hits. On December 16,1953, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jim Finigan, P Johnny Gray, 1B/OF Vic Power, OF Bill Renna and Catcher Jim Robertson to the Philadelphia Athletics for INF Loren Babe, Starter Harry Byrd, Outfielders Tom Hamilton, Carmen Mauro and veteran 1B Eddie Robinson. He would play for the 1954-1955 A’s, while hitting just .220 in 115 games. In 1955-1956, Don Bollweg was with the AAA Minneapolis Millers (AA). He had appeared in the 1955 Junior World Series with them. He would retire as an active player in 1956.
2006-Angel Berroa hit a 3-run HR in the 8th inning, as the Royals escaped a jam in the bottom of the 9th inning after a near 2-hour rain delay, edging the Yankees by the score of 7-6 to halt a 13-game losing streak and 14-game streak at Yankee Stadium since 2005. The Royals' 19-game losing streak from July 28th-August 19th last season was the only mark longer in Royals’ franchise history. Reggie Sanders would hit his 299th MLB career HR for the Royals. After his next HR, he will become the just the 5th player in MLB history with at least 300 HRs with 300 stolen bases, joining Bobby and Barry Bonds, Andre Dawson and Willie Mays. For the Yankees, Shortstop Derek Jeter got his 2,000th MLB career hit in the contest, becoming the 8th player in Yankees club history to reach the MLB milestone.
2010-The Yankees take 2 games from the Twins at Target Field. First, in a resumption of yesterday's game, which was suspended by rain with no score, they win the game by the score of 1-0 on a HR by Derek Jeter. Then they would win the regularly scheduled game by the score of 3-2 on a HR by Nick Swisher against Twins hurler Jon Rauch in the 9th inning that gives veteran Bronx Starter Andy Pettitte the victory. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera saves both games.
2018-Angels Slugger Mike Trout has the 1st 5-hit game of his MLB playing career as he drives in 4 runs to lead the Angels to an 11-4 win over the Yankees. His 5 hits include 3 doubles and a HR which ties him for the AL lead. For the Yankees, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge would lead off the bottom of the 1st with back-to-back HRs off of Angels Starter Jaime Barria, the 2nd of these making Judge the fastest player to reach 70 MLB at Yankee career homers. He has needed only 231 MLB games, 2 fewer than previous record holder former Phillies 1B Ryan Howard.
2022-The Yankees have announced the signing of former Cardinals INF/OF Mark Carpenter to an MLB Player contract. The former Cardinal INF had been released by the Rangers from a Minor League deal. He will join the team immediately.
2022-The Yankees have announced a Minor League signing of former MLB Reliever Shane Green, who had been released by the Dodgers. He had appeared with the Dodgers in 1 game, while pitching 2 innings of relief and picking up a victory before being released by the team. He was assigned by the Yankees to their AAA club in Scranton. With the 2022 Yankees, Shane would appear in 1 game with 0-0 record with an 18.00 ERA. He would be sent back to AAA Scranton the finish the season. The team would grant him free agency. He would be signed by the Cubs. He is currently pitching in the Rangers minor league system.
May 27th
1914-The Yankees would sell Rookie Pitcher Guy “Rebel” Cooper to the Red Sox for Cash. The Yankees had asked for a Player for Cooper, but the Red Sox wanted a Cash deal only. Cooper had appeared in only 1 game for the 1914 Yankees with no record. He will go 1-1 with a 5.33 ERA in 10 games from the 1914-1915 Red Sox.
1933-On a Saturday afternoon game played at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers enter the 8th inning trailing White Sox Starter Ted Lyons by a score of 11-3, when they would score 12 runs in that inning to win the Saturday afternoon game by a final score of 15-11. The Yankees 12-run 8th inning rally was capped by a Grand Slam HR by Yankees Catcher Bill Dickey to win the game. Bronx P Jumbo Brown picks the victory, his 1st win; while Reliever Herb Pennock gets his 2nd save of the season. White Sox Reliever Jake Miller takes the loss, he is now 1-1. The Yankees are now 21-12 for the 1933 AL season
1939-In the 1st game of a Saturday doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 30,358 fans watched the Bombers score 5 runs in the 1st inning off of A’s Starter Roy Paramelee to coast to 8-2 victory. Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez goes the distance, allowing the A’s only 2 runs, 6 hits, 5 walks with 5 strikeouts to even his 1939 AL season pitching record to 2-2. The Bronx Bombers scoring attack was led by Slugger Charlie Keller’s 2-run HR shot in the 1st inning. In the 2nd game, Yankees would beat the Athletics by the score of 11-9. The Yankees hitters rock A’s Relief P Chubby Dean for 6 runs and the A’s loss. Yankees Reliever Steve Sundra picks-up the win for his 3rd of the season, while Closer Johnny Murphy gets his 6th save. The Yankees are now 26-6 for the 1939 AL season.
1949-At Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Ed Lopat picks up his 5th victory of the 1949 AL season with a 3-0 complete game shutout of the A’s. Lopat allows just 6 A’s hits, 6 strikeouts and 4 walks in the game. At the plate, he hits a double in the game. Yankees hitters Tommy Henrich and Yogi Berra hit HRs off of A’s Starter Joe Coleman, who takes the loss.
1949-Former Yankees MLB and Minor League Pitching Coach Mark Connor was born.
Mark Connor had pitched in the Twins farm system in 1971 and 1972 before his pro baseball career was ended by an pitching arm injury. He went 4-5 with 3 saves and a 2.78 ERA for the 1971 Auburn Twins with 57 K in 55 IP. The next season, he had a 5-2 record with a 3.83 ERA in 32 relief appearances for the Wisconsin Rapids Twins. After his playing days had ended, Connor was the Pitching Coach at the Univ. of Tennessee from 1974 to 1978. He was the Pitching Coach for the 1978 Independent League, Paintsville Highlanders. In 1979, Connors hooked on with the Yankees organization, serving as an MLB Scout for the 1st year. Next, he was the Pitching Coach for the 1980-1982 AA Greensboro Hornets (SAL), 1983-mid-1984 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL) and the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL) mid-1985. He also served the 1st 2 of 3 stints as an MLB Pitching Coach for the Yankees (mid-1984 to mid-1985, May,1986-1987). In 1988 and 1989, Connor was Head Baseball Coach of the Univ. of Tennessee. He was the Yankees MLB Bullpen Coach in 1990 and 1993. Mark was the team’s MLB Pitching Coach in 1991-1992. Moving to the Blue Jays organization, Connor was Pitching Coach for the 1994-1995 Knoxville Smokies. Next, hooking up with the new NL Expansion Team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mark was the team's Pitching Coordinator in 1996 and 1997; Scouting and preparing for the MLB Expansion Team Player Draft. From 1998 to 2000, he was Pitching Coach of the MLB Diamondbacks under Manager Buck Showalter. He would hold the same post with the Blue Jays in 2001 and part of 2002 AL season. He would joined the Rangers as MLB Bullpen Coach in 2003 and in 2006, Connor became the team's MLB Pitching Coach. Less than 3 months later, he was hired by the Rangers Front Office as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations. In 2011, he again worked under Showalter, after doing so in Arizona and Texas, becoming his MLB Pitching Coach with the Orioles. He would resign on June 14th of that year, citing personal reasons. He was replaced by Orioles Bullpen Coach Rick Adair.
1952-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would beat the Senators by the score of 7-2. A crowd of 25,391 fans watched the day game. Bronx Starter Allie Reynolds throws a complete game victory, picking-up his 5th win of the season, he is now at 5-3 mark. Nats Starter Connie Marrero takes the loss, he is now at the 4-1 mark. Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra hits 2 solo HRs in the game. Meanwhile, Bronx OF Irv Noren hits a 2-run HR. The Yankees are now 17-15 for the 1952 AL season.
1960-Orioles Catcher Clint “Scraps” Courtney used an oversized catchers’ mitt in an effort to handle the knuckleball pitches of veteran MLB Starter Hoyt Wilhelm. This catcher’s mitt was designed by Orioles Manager Paul Richards; a former MLB Catcher, it was 50 percent larger than the standard MLB catcher’s mitt. Courtney handled Wilhelm's pitches flawlessly in a 3-2 win over the Yankees. The AL league office will later ban the oversized catchers’ mitt. Clint Courtney was a former Yankees Minor League catcher, who had been blocked by AL All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra. Also, he was one of the 1st modern MLB Catchers to wear glasses behind the catcher’s mask during the 1950’s.
1968-At Shea Stadium, the Mets defeated the Yankees by the score of 4-3 to win the 1968 Mayor’s Trophy game. A crowd of 35,198 fans attended the game. In the 8th inning, Mets’ batter Don Bosch hit a ball that turned into a triple as it bounced over Yankees OF Bill Robinson’s head. Former Yankees hurler Bill Short, who is now with the Mets picks up the win, while Yankees Reliever Dooley Womack takes the loss for the team
1970-At Tigers Stadium in Detroit, the Yankees would beat the Tigers by the score of 4-2. Yankees Starter Fritz Peterson gains his 7th victory of the 1970 AL season, with relief help from Jack Aker, who picks-up his 9th save of the season. Tigers Starter Joe Niekro takes the loss, he is now 4-4 for the year. A crowd of 12,161 fans had attended the game.
1982-The 1982 Mayor’s Trophy Game was played at Yankee Stadium. A crowd of 41,614 fans watched the Mets beat the Yankees by the score of 4-1. This was the best crowd was drawn at Yankee Stadium at that point of the season. In early April, the series revival was announced at City Hall, Mayor Koch presented “crying towels” to the representatives of both teams, saying “one of you will need these.” The winning Mets pitcher was Steve Ratzer, who never appeared in a regular season game with the team, he had arrived from AAA Tidewater Tides, just 6 hours before the game. His name was sewn on his Mets uniform so hurriedly that the “A” fell off in the 8th inning. Mets Catcher John Stearns doubled off of Yankees losing Pitcher Roger Erickson, then the next batter Joel Youngblood drove him in with a tie-breaking single. After the game Mets Team Owner Nelson Doubleday lifted the trophy high and toured the Mets clubhouse to congratulate his players.
1995-Oakland A’s Starter Steve Ontiveros holds the Yankees to just 1 hit by Luis Polonia in his 3-0 shutout of the Yankees.
2001-At Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Yankees Starter Ted Lilly goes 7 innings just allowing 7 Tribe hits, 2 runs and 6 strikeouts for a 6-2 victory over the Indians. Bronx Relievers Mike Stanton and Mo Rivera close out the game for the Yankees, as Rivera picks up his 14th save of the 2001 AL season. Yankees CF Bernie Williams hits a solo HR off of Tribe Starter Bartolo Colon, who drops to a 4-5 record for the season.
May 28th
1910-Former Yankees Minor League C Willard “Bill” Hershberger was born (1910-1940)
Bill Hershberger had previously played for the AA Newark Bears (IL) in the Yankees Minor League system from 1932-1937. His path to the Yankees was blocked the presence of future HOF Catcher Bill Dickey. On December 3,1937, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the Reds for INF Eddie Miller and $40,000 Cash. Hershberger had been an excellent hitter, especially for a Catcher, hitting .316 lifetime (1938-1940) in 160 games for the Reds. On August 3, 1940 Willard Hershberger died, a victim of suicide. He had sliced his jugular vein in the shower at the team hotel. He had been suffering from a long-standing depression, after his father killed himself using a shotgun that minutes before Willard set down after a hunting trip. Hershberger, dealing with the loss of his father, was ill-equipped to accept the weight of leadership when the Reds starting Catcher Ernie Lombardi was injured late in the season and left the Reds in the middle of a NL pennant drive without their starting catcher. He was only 30, he remains the only player ever to end his MLB playing career by committing suicide during the regular season.
1923-Former Yankees Pitcher Bob “Sarge” Kuzava (1951-1954) was born. (1923-2017)
In 1941, the Indians had signed P Bob Kuzava as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had served in the Army during World War II, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant (1943-1945). He would pitch 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 Reliever Tom Ferrick. Bob posted a 23-20 record with 3.39 ERA and 13 saves in 104 games for the Yankees. He appeared in 3 World Series for the Yankees (1951-1953), going 0-0, while posting a 2.08 ERA with 2 saves in 3 games. On August 7,1954, he was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees. Bob would finish his MLB Pitching career in 1957, ending with a MLB lifetime record of 49-44 with a 4.05 ERA and 13 saves in 213 games.
1927-In his 1st starting assignment for the 1927 Yankees, Reliever Wilcy Moore loses a heartbreaker to the Senators by the score of 3-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader. Yankees Lou Gehrig is spiked at 1B by Senators base runner Bucky Harris as Firpo Marberry scored the winning run. The Yankees won the Opener by the score of 8-2, as Babe Ruth hit his 12th HR of the 1927 AL season, a 3-run HR shot. Senators OF Tris Speaker played most of Game 1 for the Nats despite fracturing his left thumb in batting practice.
1939-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would score 5 runs in the 1st inning off of A’s Starter Roy Paramelee to coast to 8-2 victory. Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez goes the distance, allowing the A’s only 2 runs, 6 hits, 5 walks and 5 strikeouts to even his 1939 AL season pitching record to 2-2. The Bronx Bombers scoring attack was led by Slugger Charlie Keller’s 2-run HR shot in the 1st inning.
1941-In the 1st night game played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., the Yankees would defeat the Senators by a score of 6-5. The Wednesday Night game would draw a crowd of 25,000 fans. Bronx hitters Tommy Henrich and George Selkirk hit HRs in the game. Yankees Starter Steve Peek gets the win, he is now 2-0 for the 1941 AL season. Yankees Reliever Marv Breuer picks-up his 1st save of the season. Nats hurler Sid Hudson takes the loss, he is now 3-5 for the season.
1946-The 1st night game is played at Yankee Stadium as the Senators beat the Yankees by a score of 2-1. The crowd of 49,917 fans came to the 1st night game by Yankees, showing the value of night games over daytime games, especially on weeknights, that draw more fans.
1956-The Yankees had waived veteran MLB Pitcher Gerry Staley to the White Sox. On September 14,1955, P Gerry Staley was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Reds. He would only appear in 3 games for the 1955 Yankees with no record. He would become one of the main bullpen pitchers of the 1959 White Sox AL Championship team’s pitching staff.
1960-Veteran Yankees Manager Casey Stengel is hospitalized with a virus, forcing MLB Coach Ralph Houk to take over the team for 13 games. Houk made several changes that were retained, when Casey came back to the team, including by putting Clete Boyer at 3B, which clearly helped the Yankees rally from 3rd place to win the 1960 AL pennant. The other changes included moving Hector Lopez from 3B to LF and letting Reserve Catcher Johnny Blanchard share some of the catching duties with Elston Howard and Yogi Berra. The Yankees went 7-6 under Ralph Houk’s control. Houk had passed his MLB audition for the Yankees Managers job, because Casey Stengel’s Yankees Manager contract would expire in October of 1960. Also, this was a sign that the platoon system in the Yankees Infield was about to be expiring.
1968-The AL Team Owners agreed to divide itself into 2 divisions and reduced its regular season schedule from 162 to 156 games. The following divisional alignment is set for the 1969 AL season: Eastern Division: Orioles, Red Sox, Indians, Tigers, Yankees and the Senators. The AL Western Division would be: Angels, White Sox, Royals, Twins, A’s and the Mariners.
1968-Former Yankees Minor League P Rickey Rhodes was born.
Brother of MLB Reliever Arthur Rhodes, Ricky Rhodes was selected in the 35th round by the Yankees in the 1987 MLB Amateur Player Draft. In his 4 Minor League seasons in the Yankees farm system, he had posted a 20-26 record with a 4.20 ERA in 82 games. He returned to baseball in 1995 to pitch for the Surrey Glaciers in the Western League (Independent league). He had appeared in 17 games, while posting a 6-9 record with a 6.33 ERA.
1971-Former Yankees 3B Clete Boyer, involved in a dispute with the Braves Owner Paul Richards and Manager Lum Harris over alleged silly rules and mismanagement is released, he retires from MLB. Boyer had hit safely in the last 9 games of his 16-season MLB playing career, including 5 HRs with 14 RBIs. A Gold Glove 3B Boyer was a .242 hitter with 162 HRs with 654 RBIs in 1,725 games for the A’s, Yankees and the Braves. Clipper Notes: Why the Yankees never made a serious attempt to re-obtained Clete Boyer is still puzzling, because they were still having very serious defensive problems at 3B, which would not be solved until the arrival of Graig Nettles in a trade from the Indians in November of 1972.
1971-The Yankees had obtained veteran MLB hurler Jim Hardin from the Orioles for Pitcher Bill Burbach, who was a failed 1st pick MLB Amateur Player Draft choice. In 1969, he was Co-Winner of the James P. Dawson Award, sharing the award with INF Jerry Kenney. He had gone 6-8 with a 3.31 ERA in 31 games for the 1969 Yankees. Bill went 0-3 with an ERA over 10.60 in 6 games during the 1970-1971 AL seasons, while spending most of his time pitching at AAA level. The Orioles would send him to their AAA club the Rochester Red Wings (IL). Jim Hardin was still recovering from pitching arm problems. He went 0-2 with a 5.08 ERA in 12 games with the 1971 Yankees before being released by the team. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1972 Braves. The Braves would send him to their AAA club the Richmond Braves (IL).
1977-Before a “Yankee Jacket Day” crowd of 54,881 fans at Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Ron Guidry has a rare bad outing dropping a 9-4 decision, a 16-hit loss to the White Sox.
1983-Former Yankees Reliever Cory Wade (2011-2012) was born.
On June 13, 2011, Reliever Cory Wade was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Tampa Bay had released him. He would post a 7-2 record with a 4.23 ERA in 79 games for the Yankees. Cory Wade was originally signed by the Dodgers in 2004 MLB Amateur Player Draft. On October 17, 2012, Corey was selected off waivers by the Blue Jays from the Yankees.
1991-Former Yankees Reserve OF/INF Roy Cullenbine (1942) had passed away.(1914-1991)
On August 31,1942, OF Roy Cullenbine was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. Roy had appeared in 21 games with the 1942 Yankees, while hitting .364. Roy appeared 5 games of the 1942 World Series against the Cardinals, hitting .263 for the Yankees. On December 17,1942, Roy was traded by the Yankees along with AL All-Star Catcher Buddy Rosar to the Indians for INF Oscar Grimes and OF Roy Weatherly.
1995-Bronx Rookie Starter Mario Rivera makes his 2nd MLB start for the Yankees, picking up a 4-1 victory over the Oakland A’s. It is the only Yankees victory in a 10 game West Coast road trip. Rivera had lost his MLB Pitching debut start on May 23rd to the Angels, losing the game by a score of 10-0, while lasting only 3 1/3 innings.
2004-Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera posted his 300th MLB Career save in a Yankees 7-5 victory over the Devil Rays. He also became the 1st Yankee and 17th reliever in MLB history to reach the 300 MLB save milestone.
2012-The Angels lose their pitching Ace, Jered Weaver, after he had thrown only 12 pitches, when he is forced to leave his start against the Yankees with a back injury in the 1st inning, but they hold on for a hard-fought 9-8 win, that was capped by Mark Trumbo's walk-off HR. The victory puts the Angels at .500 for the 1st time since April 9th. Howie Kendrick and Kendry Morales drive in 3 runs each and Mike Trout homers to lead the offense. Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira hit HRs for the Yankees, while Russell Martin hits a 2-run double in the 7th to tie the game at 8-all, but Trumbo's 9th-inning HR off of Yankees Reliever Cory Wade ends it, giving struggling Angels Closer Jordan Walden his 1st win of the 2012 AL season.
2013-The Mets honor Yankees great Mariano Rivera, who has announced his MLB retirement at the end of the 2013 AL season by having him throw the ceremonial 1st pitch before the game between the 2 teams from the Big Apple at Citi Field, with retired Mets Closer John Franco acting as his Catcher for the occasion. However, the night doesn't end so well for Mo, as Daniel Murphy leads off the bottom of the 9th inning with a double then David Wright and Lucas Duda follow up with RBI singles to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win. It is the 1st time of Mariano's illustrious MLB Pitching career that he blows a save without retiring a single batter; it is also his 1st blown save of the 2013 AL season.
May 29th
1875-Former Yankees OF/3B David Fultz (1903-1905) was born. (1875-1959)
In March of 1903, the Highlanders had signed INF/OF Dave Fultz from the Philadelphia A’s. In 1902, he had hit .302 for the A’s, while scoring a leading AL 109 runs. After his 2 seasons with the 1901-1902 A’s, his MLB player contract allowed to play for any team that he wanted to for 1903 season. The Yankees had offered him the most money. He would get the Yankees 1st hit in their 1st game of the 1903 AL season. Dave had hit .243 with 2 HRs and 99 RBIs in 305 games for the Yankees, before being traded back (his players rights) to the A’s for OF Danny Hoffman on April 29,1906. A’s Team Owner Connie Mack had tried to get him to come back to play for him again. At the age of 31, Fultz had become a Lawyer; he didn’t want to play MLB baseball anymore. Later in 1919-1920, he would serve as the President of the International League.
1910-Former Yankees 1B George Mc Quinn (1947-1948) was born. (1910-1978)
On November 22,1935, 1B George Mc Quinn was sent from the Yankees to the Reds in an unknown transaction. After appearing 38 games for the 1936 Reds, he was returned to the Yankees organization. On October 5,1937, he was drafted by the St. Louis Browns from the Yankees farm system in the 1937 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. After leaving with the Yankees, where he was blocked by the presence of future HOF Lou Gehrig at 1B, George would have a good playing career with the 1938-1945 Browns. On January 25,1947, George was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. The A’s had released him at the end of the 1946 AL season, as their Owner/Manager Connie Mack thought that he was too old and finished as a regular position player. Yankees Manager Bucky Harris had promised George, a chance to win the starting 1B job in the 1947 Yankees Spring Training Camp. For the 1947 Yankees as their regular 1st baseman, George would hit .308 with 13 HRs and 80 RBIs in 144 games. In 1947 and 1948, he would be named to the AL All-Star team. In the 1948 AL season, he would slump to a .248 BA with 11 HRs and 41 RBIs in 94 games. He would retire from the MLB. George had appeared in 2 World Series during his MLB playing career; 1 with the 1944 Browns and 1 with the 1947 Yankees, while hitting .256 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs in 13 games.
1921-Bronx Slugger Babe Ruth hits HR over the Right Field Roof at the Polo Grounds in a 9-4 Yankees win over the Philadelphia A’s.
1922-In a game played at the Polo Grounds against the Philadelphia A’s‚ the Yankees would score 7 runs in the 7th inning to beat them by the score of 7-4. Yankees Starter Carl Mays is the winner‚ notching his 20th straight victory over the A's.
1927-In a loosely played Sunday game at Yankee Stadium‚ the Bronx Bombers would swamp the Red Sox by the score of 15-7‚ by scoring 7 runs in the 8th inning. A crowd of 35,000 fans see Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth propels his 13th HR off of Red Sox hurler Danny MacFayden‚ while Reserve Catcher Johnny Grabowski is 4 for 4 at the plate along with a walk. Veteran Bronx Starter Dutch Ruether is ineffective‚ serving up gopher ball to the Red Sox's Grover Hartley in the 2nd inning and to Fred Haney in the 3rd. The Red Sox give it back in the 4th inning with 3 walks‚ 2 errors‚ a single by Bob Meusel and a double by Mark Koenig to make 4 runs. Ted Wingfield‚ pitching 2/3 of the 4th inning‚ takes the loss for Boston. Yankees Reliever Myles Thomas would pitch 7 innings of relief allowing only 3 Boston hits and 3 runs; to pick-up his 1st win of the season. He is now, has a 1-1 record for the 1927 Yankees.
1928-At Yankee Stadium‚ the Yankees would sweep a doubleheader from the Senators by the scores of 3-2 and 12-3. In the Opener, Yankees INF Leo Durocher’s bases-loaded triple gives Yankees Starter George Pipgras (8-1) the victory. In the nightcap, Bronx Sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, both hit a pair of HRs: Lou hits his 9th HR of the 1928 AL season in the 3rd inning‚ off of Nats Starter Milt Gaston‚ then Ruth and Gehrig hit back-to-back HRs in the 4th inning off of Nats Reliever Lloyd Brown. Babe Ruth adds his 18th HR off of Brown in the 7th inning. Also, Yankees CF Earle Combs hits a HR in the game.
1934-The Yankees had purchased “some would say rent” veteran 41-year-old spit-baller Starter Burleigh Grimes from the Pirates. After 10 appearances with the 1934 Yankees, while posting a 1-2 record with a 5.50 ERA, the team will release Grimes and the Pirates will re-obtain him.
1934-The Yankees had sold Pitcher Harry Smythe to the Dodgers for $7,500 Cash. He was sold to create an MLB 25-man roster spot for newly acquired veteran MLB hurler Burleigh Grimes from the Pirates. For the 1934 Yankees, Harry had posted a 0-2 record with a 7.08 ERA in 8 games.
1941-Former Yankees Reserve INF John Kennedy (1967) was born. (1941-2018)
After being obtained from the Dodgers for Reserve OF/1B John Miller and Minor League P Jack Cullen, John had hit only .196 with 1 HR and 17 RBIs in 78 games for the 1967 Yankees before being purchased by the Seattle Pilots in November of 1968. He was not the answer to the current Yankees infield problems. He had spent the 1968 baseball season playing for the Yankees AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL).
1941-Despite scoring 5 runs in the top of the 6th inning‚ the Yankees and Senators end in a tie at 2-2 in a game that is called after 5 innings. Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio has a hit and a strikeout‚ just his 3rd this season.
1942-Yankees veteran Starter Lefty Gomez‚ self-described as the worst-hitting pitcher in MLB‚ bangs out 4 hits, while pitching a 4-hit‚ a 16-1 Yankees victory over the Senators. They are his last MLB playing career hits. Also, Yankees 1B Buddy Hassett adds 4 hits in the game as well.
1956-At Yankee Stadium‚ Mickey Mantle's walk in the 7th inning is the 1st Yankees base runner against Red Sox Starter Willard Nixon. Mantle's 2-out 9th inning HR deprives the Boston righty of a shutout. The Red Sox still beat the Yankees by the score of 7-3.
1957-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C.‚ Nats Starter Camilo Pascual gives up 2 solo HRs to Yankee Sluggers Mickey Mantle and Hank Bauer‚ but the Senators still win the game by the score of 6-2. Senators Starter Camilo Pascual will groove 43 gopher balls during the 1957 AL season.
1961-At Fenway Park‚ veteran Boston Starter Ike Delock out-duels Bronx Ace Whitey Ford to beat the Yankees by the score of 2-1. New York's only scoring is Mickey Mantle's 1st HR in 2 weeks.
1965-Orioles Club President Joe Iglehart sells his 32% holding in the club to National Brewing Company President Jerry Hoffberger and Club Treasurer Zanvyl Krieger. He is forced to do so as a major shareholder and Executive with CBS, which bought the rival New York Yankees a few months ago, placing him in a conflict of interest.
1965-Former Yankees 3B Charlie Hayes (1992,1996-1997) was born.
On February 19,1992, INF Charlie Hayes was sent by the Phillies to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on January 8,1992. The Phillies would send a Player to be Named Later to the Yankees for Minor League P Darrin Chapin. In 1992, Charlie would hit .257 with 18 HRs and 66 RBIs in 142 games for the Yankees. On November 17,1992, Hayes was drafted by the Rockies from the Yankees as their 3rd pick in the 1992 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft. On August 30,1996, Charlie was traded by the Pirates to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later. On August 31,1996, the Yankees would send Minor League P Chris Corn to the Pirates to complete the trade. He would share the Yankees 3B duties with AL All-Star Wade Boggs. He had appeared in 1996 World Series against the Braves, while hitting only .188. In 1997, he would hit .258 with 11 HRs and 53 RBIs for the team. With the 1997 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft coming up, the Yankees had decided not to protect Hayes in the player draft, instead they had elected to trade him. On November 11,1997, Charlie was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to the Giants for 2 Players: Catcher Alberto Castillo and OF Chris Singleton. Charlie had started his MLB playing career with the Giants before being traded to the Phillies. Overall, in 2 tours with the Yankees, Hayes had hit .259 with 31 HRs and 132 RBIs.
1965-Former Yankees INF Mike McNally (1921-1924) had passed away. (1892-1965)
From 1915-1920, INF Mike McNally had played for the Red Sox. In 1916, he would appear in the World Series with Boston. On December 15,1920, Mike was traded by the Red Sox along with Pitchers Harry Harper, Waite Hoyt and Catcher Wally Schang to the Yankees for 2B Del Pratt, Catcher Muddy Ruel, Pitcher Hank Thormahlen and OF Sammy Vick. He would appear in 202 games with the Yankees, while hitting .252 with 1 HR and 43 RBIs. Also, he would play in 2 World Series with the 1921-1922 Yankees. On December 10,1924, Mike was traded by the Yankees to the Red Sox for OF Howie Shanks.
1966-Former Yankees Pitcher Hippo Vaughn (1908-1912) had passed away. (1888-1966)
Hippo Vaughn began his MLB Pitching career with the 1908 Yankees. He was traded to the Senators in the middle of the 1912 AL season. However, he achieved his greatest success after joining the Cubs in 1913. In 9 NL seasons with Chicago, he had won 20 games in a season 5 times. His best pitching season for the Yankees was in 1910, when he posted a 13-11 record. His final Yankees Pitching career totals was a 23-29 record with a 3.18 ERA and 1 save in 73 games. His overall MLB Pitching career record was 178-136 with 2.36 ERA in 390 games.
1976-Former Yankees Reserve INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. (2009) was born.
Jerry Hairston is the son of Jerry Hairston Sr., Brother of Scott Hairston, Grandson of Sammy Hairston and Nephew of Johnny Hairston and Sam Hairston Jr. He is part of only 3 three-generation MLB families, the Boones and Bells being the other 2. On July 31,2009, Jerry was traded by the Reds to the Yankees for Minor League P Chase Weems. Jerry would appear in 45 games for the 2009 Yankees, while hitting .237 with 2 HRs and 12 RBIs. He would play in 3 games of the 2009 World Series against the Phillies, while hitting .167. On November 10, 2009, the Yankees would grant Jerry MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Padres for the 2010 NL season.
1977-Yankees Starter Ed Figueroa wins his 7th straight complete game of the 1977 AL season, as he defeated the White Sox by a score of 5-2. Bombers 1B Chris Chambliss supplied most of the Yankees run support with a 2-run HR and a rare steal of home plate.
1980-Yankees Starter Luis Tiant is fined $500 for dropping the ball to the ground and throwing his glove into the stands in what appeared to be an act of defiance after Manager Richard Howser had removed him from the game. Tiant had pitched shutout ball for 6 2/3 innings before giving up a triple to Barry Bonnell and then walking Al Woods. Yankees Manager Howser brought in Closer Rich Gossage from the bullpen and the "Goose" recorded his 5th save of the 1980 AL season. According to Tiant, he went to hand the ball to Howser while looking upward and that he did not see that the Manager’s hands had returned to his hip pockets.
1982-In Minnesota‚ the Yankees put runners on 1B (Graig Nettles) and 2B (Bobby Murcer) with no outs. When Yankees batter Roy Smalley strikes out on a wide 3-2 pitch from Twins’ P Terry Felton‚ Murcer attempts to steal 3rd base. But Twins Catcher Sal Butera’s throw beats him so badly that he retreats to 2nd, only to find Nettles already there. Twins Shortstop Gary Gaetti tags Murcer, who is standing safely alone on the base and then he throws to 1B Kent Hrbek to catch Nettles heading back to 1st. Murcer then tries for 3B, Ken Hrbek's throw to hurler Felton, covering the bag, completes the triple play. Alas‚ Felton‚ who was 0-8 coming into the game gets a no-decision: he will lose another 5 games to finish his MLB pitching career with a 0-16 record.
1987-Former MLB Player, Scout and Yankees Minor League Manager Jack Sheehan had passed away. (1893-1987)
Jack Sheehan had played 2 MLB seasons with the 1920-1921 Dodgers. He was a long-time Minor-League Manager. He was in the Yankees organization in 1933-1934, managing the Wheeling Stogies (MAL). Later, he would become an MLB Scout working with the Cubs, Indians, Senators and the Rangers organizations before retiring.
1993-Former MLB Player and Yankees Minor League Player INF Alex Kampouris (1940) had passed away. (1912-1993)
Infielder Alex Kampouris had played for the Reds from 1934 to 1938, before being traded to the Giants. On December 27,1939, the Giants had sent INF Alex Kampouris and Catcher Tom Padden to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on September 1,1939. On that date, the Giants would send players be named later and cash to the Yankees for Minor League star INF Mickey Witek, who was named the 1939 IL MVP Award winner. In 1940, Alex was sent down to the AA Newark Bears (IL) by the Yankees, where he would hit .273 with 36 HRs in 147 games. He would never appear with team at the MLB level. On September 10,1940, Alex was purchased by the Dodgers from the Yankees. He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1943 Senators.
1997-The Yankees finally agree to terms with Japanese hurler Hideki Irabu‚ signing the fire-baller to a 4-year contract worth $12.8 million. The deal includes a signing bonus of $8.5 million
1997-At Toronto‚ Yankees 1B Tino Martinez hits his 20th HR - his 3rd in 3 games as veteran Bronx Starter David Cone strikes out 12 Blue Jays batters to lead the Yankees over Toronto by the score of 4-0. Reliever Jeff Nelson strikes out 3 more Blue Jays batters. Martinez raises his RBI total to 56 with a single in the 1st of off of veteran MLB Starter Woody Williams (1-5) and a solo HR shot in the 3rd inning.
2000-Oakland A’s 2B Randy Velarde turned an unassisted triple play, just the 11th in MLB history, on a line drive hit by Yankees batter Shane Spencer. With runners on 1st and 2nd bases running with the pitch, Velarde tagged Jorge Posada as he neared 2nd base, then he touched the base to retire Tino Martinez. In 1995 spring training game, while playing with the Yankees, Velarde had turned an unassisted triple play against the Dodgers.
2002-Yankees Starter Roger Clemens becomes the 3rd MLB Pitcher to strike out 10 or more batters in at least 100 games. Nolan Ryan (215) and Randy Johnson (175) are the other 2 MLB hurlers to have accomplished this pitching feat.
2007-The Yankees, a season-low 8 games under .500 on May 29th, go on a 73-39 in a stretch run leading the MLB in wins and winning percentage.
2009-On the road, the Yankees top the Indians by the score of 3-1. Bronx Closer Mariano Rivera saves an Andy Pettitte win for the 58th time, setting a new record for a pitcher duo; the old mark had been held by Oakland A’s hurlers Dennis Eckersley and Bob Welch.
2016-For the 1st time in over a century, the Yankees win a game in spite of being limited to only 1 hit. Yankees 2B Starlin Castro hits a 2-run HR off of Rays’ hurler Jake Odorizzi in the 7th inning and it is enough to procure a 2-1 win. The last time the Yankees had won a game while collecting a single hit was on July 10,1914, when Charlie Mullen had the only safety in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against the Indians, shortened to 6 innings by darkness.
2018-Former Yankees 1B/OF Ray” Buddy” Barker (1965-1967) had passed away. (1937-2018)
On May 10,1965, 1B/OF Ray “Buddy” Barker was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for Reserve INF Pedro Gonzalez. Buddy would hit .222 with 10 HRs and 44 RBIs in 176 games for the 1965-1967 Yankees. On July 4,1967, Buddy was traded by the Yankees along with Players to be Named Later and Cash to the Orioles for veteran MLB Starter Steve Barber. On December 15,1967, the Yankees would send 2 Minor League Players: Infielders Chester Trail and Daniel Bailey to the Orioles to complete the trade. Buddy never appears at the MLB level with the 1967 Orioles, he was sent to their AAA team, the Rochester Red Wings (IL).
May 30th Traditional Memorial Day Double Headers!
1884-Former Yankees INF/OF Rube Oldring (1905,1916) was born. (1884-1961)
Rube Oldring came up to the MLB originally as a Shortstop with the 1905 Highlanders, for whom the regular Shortstop that season was Kid Elberfeld. He would stick around with the Yankees, while the Athletics would select Oldring. His son, in an article states, however that Oldring was actually owned by the Philadelphia A’s, while he played for the 1905 Highlanders. A’s Team Owner Connie Mack would not let him stay with the team for the 1906 AL season. With the 1916 Yankees, Rube would play in the Outfield, while hitting .234 and appearing in 43 games. Overall, Rube would hit .245 with 2 HRs and 18 RBIs in 51 games for the Yankees in 2 tours with the team.
1894-Former Yankees Pitcher and Minor League Manager Al Mamaux (1924) was born. (1894-1963)
Al Mamaux would pitch in 12 seasons in the MLB. He had won 21 games with the Pirates in 1915 and 1916. He would appear in the 1920 World Series with the Dodgers. On July 12,1924, Al Mamaux was purchased by the Yankees from the AA Reading (IL). He would appear in 14 games with the 1924 Yankees, while posting a 1-1 record. He would sit out 1925 season, following his final season in the MLB, but he would return to the mound for the 1926 AA Newark Bears (IL). He would lead the International League with a 2.22 ERA that season. In 1927, Al paced the IL circuit with 25 wins with a 2.61 ERA. He would later manage the AA Newark Bears (IL) in the Yankees Minor League system. Then he would manage the Senators IL AA entry, the Albany Senators for 2 seasons. Al was the Head Baseball Coach at Seton Hall Univ. from 1937 to 1942. His teams had an overall record of 69-19 and the 1942 Pirates team went undefeated. In 1951, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame. In 1975, Al was selected for the Seton Hall Univ. Sports Hall of Fame and the Duquesne Univ. Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
1902-Former Yankees Pitcher Louis McEvoy (1930-1931) was born (1902-1953)
For the 1930-1931 Yankees, Lou McEvoy would post a 1-3 record with a 7.79 ERA and 4 saves in 34 games.
1905-The Yankees had sold OF/1B John Anderson to the Washington Nationals (aka Senators). During the 1903 AL season, the team had acquired him from the St. Louis Browns; he would hit .282 for the team, while driving in 82 runs. After the 1st 32 games of the 1905 AL season, he was only hitting .232 for the team.
1907-The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB Pitcher Frank Kitson from the Senators. For the 1907 Senators, Kitson was 0-3 with a 3.94 ERA in 5 games. He had been pitching in the MLB since 1898. The veteran hurler post a 4-0 record with a 3.10 ERA in 12 games for the Yankees in his final MLB active season.
1912-After a minor fire at Hilltop Park, the Yankees would play a separate admission, day-night doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics at the Polo Grounds. The Yankees had lost the morning game by a score of 7-1; the 2nd game of the double-bill was rained out.
1912-Former Yankees MLB Scout Eddie Dancisak (1963) was born. (1912-1966)
Outfielder Eddie Dancisak had played Minor League baseball from 1937 to 1942, almost entirely at the C and D class levels. Dancisak had entered the Army in February,1944, he was discharged in May,1946. Eddie was a MLB Scout for the 1946-1948 St. Louis Browns,1949-1959 Boston/Milwaukee Braves,1960-1962 Phillies, 1963 Yankees and the 1964-1966 Mets.
1922-Former MLB Pitcher Bob Hooper (1950-1955) was born in Leamington, Ontario, Canada. (1922-1980)
Clippers Note: He was my High School Gym teacher at New Brunswick Senior High School in New Jersey. He was the 1st MLB player that I ever met. He spoke very highly of the New York Yankee players that he had played against during the early 1950’s. In 1969, when he spoke at our Senior Sports Dinner, saying how proud he was to be MLB player, when there were only 16 teams. He felt that expansion and big money was corrupting the game. We talked many times about baseball, it was an honor to meet and know such a man. Although he was born in Canada, Bob Hooper had served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He had pitched 6 seasons in the MLB for the Philadelphia A's, Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds and another 10 seasons in the Minor Leagues. Before the start of the1941 MLB season, the New York Giants signed Bob Hooper. He did not appear with them at the MLB level. As a 28-year-old Rookie in 1950, he was the Philadelphia A’s Closer, posting a 15-10 record with a 5.02 ERA and 5 saves in 45 games. In 1951, he became a Starter for the A’s, posting a 12-10 record with a 4.38 ERA and 5 saves in 38 games. In 1952, Bob went 8-15 with a 5.18 ERA with 6 saves in 45 games. In December of 1952, the A’s traded him to Indians for 2 players. With the 1953 Indians, he went 5-4 with a 4.02 ERA with 7 saves in 43 games. With the Indians, he was Early Wynn’s roommate. He was on the 1954 Indians, pitching in 17 games with no record, he was dealing with pitching arm issues, but he didn’t appear in the 1954 World Series against the Giants. In 1955, he pitched in his final MLB season with the Reds, appearing in 8 games with a 0-2 record with a 7.62 ERA. His final MLB Pitching career record was 40-41 with a 4.80 ERA and 25 saves in 194 games. Bob Hooper would manage in the Orioles Minor League System from 1957-1960. Then he was an MLB Scout for the 1963 Mets. One of his Orioles Minor League teams included future MLB Players: 3B Brooks Robinson, Pitcher Dean Chance and 1B John “Boog” Powell. He was a Physical Education teacher at New Brunswick Senior High School in Central New Jersey until his retirement in 1980. On March 17, 1980, Bob Hooper had passed away at age of 57 from a heart attack in his home in New Brunswick, N.J.
1923-The Yankees would celebrate Memorial Day 1923 in Washington, D.C. playing at Griffith Stadium before a crowd of 14,000 fans with a twin-bill sweep of the Senators by scores of 6-4 and 9-5. In the 1st game, the Yankees beat the Nats by the score of 6-4. Yankees Starter Herb Pennock throws a complete game victory to bring his 1923 AL season pitching record to 6-0. Senators Ace Walter Johnson only goes 3 innings before being replaced by Reliever Bonnie Hollingsworth, who is charged with the Nats loss, he is now 1-5 for the season. Babe Ruth hits a HR off of Nats Ace Walter Johnson in the 1st inning. In 2nd game, the Yankees beat the Nats by the score of 9-5. Yankees Starter “Bullet Joe Bush improves his 1923 pitching record to 7-4. Bronx Slugger Babe Ruth hits a HR in the game.
1930-The Yankees had obtained Pitcher Owen Carroll, Reserve INF George Wuestling and OF Harry Rice for the Tigers for veteran Starter Waite Hoyt and Shortstop Mark Koenig. For the 1930 Yankees; veteran OF Harry Rice would hit .298 with 7 HRs and 74 RBIs in 100 games; while George Wuestling was a weak hitting utility infielder, who had hit .200 in 54 games for the team. Veteran Starter Waite Hoyt would continue to pitch successfully in the MLB for the next 8 seasons. Shortstop Mark Koenig would end up with the 1932 Cubs. For the 1930 Bombers, Ownie Carroll would post a 0-1 record with a 6.61 ERA in 10 games before being sent to the Reds on September 13,1930. On January 13,1931, veteran OF Harry Rice was selected off waivers by the Senators from the Yankees. The new 1931 Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy had decided that he didn’t have any plans for the veteran outfielder on the 1931 team.
1932-In memory of former Yankees Manager Miller Huggins (1918-1929), the 1st plaque is attached to a monument in Yankee Stadium is dedicated.
1932-The Yankees would celebrate Memorial Day 1932 with a twin-bill sweep of the Red Sox. A crowd of 45,000 fans watched the 2 Monday day games played at Yankee Stadium. In the Opener, Yankees Veteran Starter Herb Pennock throws a complete game victory. He is now 3-0 for the 1932 AL season. Former Yankees hurler Wilcy Moore takes the loss for Boston, he is now at the 1-4 mark. On August 1,1932, he will be traded back to the Yankees. In the 2nd game, the Bombers beat by the Red Sox by the score of 13-3. Yankees hitting star was Shortstop Lyn Lary, who goes 3 for 5 at the plate with a HR and 3 RBIs in the game. Yankees Starter Hank Johnson throws a complete game win, bringing his 1932 pitching record to a 2-1 mark. The Yankees now have a 28-11 record for the 1932 AL season.
1938-Before a crowd of 83,533 fans at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would sweep a Monday Memorial Day Doubleheader from the Red Sox by scores of 10-0 and 5-4. More than 6,000 fans are turned away; 511 fans are given refunds. In the 1st game, Yankees Starter Red Ruffing throws a complete game shutout for his 6th win of the season. Meanwhile Boston Starter Lefty Grove his handed his 1st loss of the 1938 AL season, he is now 8-1. In the 2nd game, Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez throws a complete game, picking up his 3rd victory of the season, while Boston Starter Jack Wilson, is now at the 3-5 mark. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hits his 4th HR of the season, a 2-run HR shot. Yankee hitters Joe DiMaggio and Bill Dickey hit doubles in the game. The game also featured a fistfight under the Stadium stands between Yankees OF Jake Powell and Red Sox Player-Manager Joe Cronin, after they had been both thrown out of the game. Powell had charged the Red Sox hurler Archie Mc Kain, after he had hit him in the stomach. Joe Cronin came in from his Shortstop position to protect his pitcher. That fight would last for several minutes. The both players were separated by the Umpires and thrown out of the game. The visitors in those days had to approach their clubhouse through the Yankees dugout. The Players and Umpires broke up this 2nd fight. Joe Cronin and Jake Powell were later fined and suspended for 10 days for their actions by the AL President’s office.
1941-The Red Sox and Yankees would split a Friday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Fenway Park. A crowd of 34,500 fans had attend the 2 games. The Yankees would win the Opener by score of 4-3 by scoring 3 runs in the 9th inning to win the game. Bronx Bomber 3B Red Rolfe hits a HR. In the Nightcap, the Red Sox bounce back with 13-0 win over the Yankees. The Red Sox cap it off with a triple steal. Boston Slugger Ted Williams laces out 6 hits, while Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio continues his consecutive game hitting streak with a hit in each game, he is now at 16 games mark.
1943-At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 53,685 fans would watch a Sunday Memorial Doubleheader played between the Yankees and the Indians. The Bronx Bombers would sweep the Tribe by scores of 4-3 and 3-2. In the Opener, Yankees Starter Spud Chandler and Closer Johnny “The Milkman” Murphy hold the off the Indians for a 4-3 win. Chandler gets his 5th win of the season, while Bronx Closer Murphy gets his 1st save of the season. Bronx hitter Joe “Flash” Gordon hits a HR and has 3 RBIs in the game. Pitcher Spud Chandler enjoys a good day with the bat, going 3 for 3 including a double. Tribe 2B Ray Mack hits a 2-run HR to make the game close in the 9th inning. Indians Starter Al Smith takes the loss, he is now 3-1 for the season. In the 2nd game, Bronx Starter Butch Wensloff throws a complete game for his 2nd win of the season, he is now at 2-2 mark. Tribe Starter Joe Heving gets a no decision. Meanwhile Indians Reliever Allie Reynolds gets the loss, he is now 0-3. Yankees OF Roy Weatherly hits a solo HR.
1950-The Yankees would sweep the Red Sox in a Tuesday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium by the scores of 11-7 and 5-3. In the 1st game Yankees Starter Tommy Byrne gets a 11-7 victory. Byrne is now 5-1; while Closer Joe Page picks-up his 8th save of the season. Red Sox Starter Mel Parnell takes the loss, he is now 5-3. Bronx veteran 1B Tommy “Old Reliable” Henrich goes 2 for 5 at the plate. “Old Reliable” has a double and a triple with 2 RBIs in the game. Also, Yankees Pitcher Tommy Byrne enjoys a good game at the plate by going 3 for 4 along with 2 RBIs. In the 2nd game, the Yankees win the game by the score of 5-3. Yankees Starter Eddie Lopat gets his 6th win of the season with relief help from Yankees P Allie Reynolds, who gets his 1st save of the season. Red Sox Starter Ellis Kinder throws a complete game loss, he is now 3-5 for the year. Bombers Joe Collins hits a HR in the game. The Yankees are now 19-16 for the1950 AL season.
1956-In a Wednesday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 29,825 fans watch as Mickey Mantle launches his 1st facade HR shot off of Senators Starter Pedro Ramos in Game 1. The Mantle HR Ball misses going out of Yankee Stadium by 18 inches; reporters estimate it would’ve gone at least 600 feet. Bronx Starter Johnny Kucks picks up his 6th victory of the season along with relief help from Tom Morgan in the Yankees 4-3 victory. The Mantle HR ball hit the face of the upper deck in Right Field, 370 feet from home plate and 117 feet in the air. Mantle also became the 1st player in MLB history to hit 20 HRs by the end of May. In Game 2, he would clout a 450-footer HR off of Nats Starter Camilo Pascual that goes half-way up the bleachers in Right Field to lead the Yankees 12-5 win to complete a twin-bill sweep over the Senators. Bronx Starter Bob Turley picks up the Yankees victory, he is now 2-2 for the season. Meanwhile Nats Starter Pascual falls to a 2-6 record. Yankee veteran hitters Eddie Robinson and Hank Bauer would hit HRs in the 2nd game. The 1956 Yankees now have a 28-13 record.
1959-The Yankees sweep the Senators in a Saturday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Griffith Park in Washington, D.C. In 1st game, the Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 11-2 with HRs hit by Elston Howard, Hector Lopez and Mickey Mantle. Yankees Starter Art Ditmar throws a complete game victory, bringing his record up to 2-4 for the season. In the 2nd game, the Yankees Starter Don Larsen throws a complete game win, improving his pitching record to 5-0. With the Memorial Day sweep of the Nats, the Yankees trying to climb back into the 1959 AL Pennant race, they are now at the 18-23 mark.
1960-The Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium on a Monday, that draws a crowd of 43,699 fans. The Yankees would split the doubleheader with the Nats. The Senators would take the Opener with a 2-1 win. Nats Starter Chuck Stubbs wins his 2nd game of the year, getting relief help from veteran Closer Tex Clevenger, who gets his 2nd save of the season. Yankees Starter Art Ditmar goes 7 innings, allowing 2 Nats runs, he gets the lost; he is now 2-2 for the season. Bronx Reliever Johnny James goes 2 scoreless innings to end the game. In the 2nd game, the Bronx Bombers bounce back with a 3-2 win over the Nats. Yankees Batters RF Roger Maris (solo) and Catcher Yogi Berra (2-runs) would hit HRs in the game. Nats Starter Pedro Ramos throws a complete game loss, he is now 2-6 for the 1960 season. Bronx Starter Ralph Terry goes 7 innings, but he doesn’t get the decision, Yankees veteran Reliever Bobby Shantz picks-up the win, he is now 1-1. The 1960 Yankees are now 19-16 for the season.
1961-At Fenway Park, Yankees hitters Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Bill “Moose” Skowron each hit 2 HRs to lead the Yankees to a 12-3 rout over the Red Sox in a single game played for the Memorial Day holiday. Also, Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra hits a HR for in the game. Yankees Starter Ralph Terry was the winning pitcher, while veteran Starter Gene Conley was the losing pitcher for the Red Sox.
1967-Veteran Yankees Starter Whitey Ford announced his player retirement from MLB baseball because of an elbow injury. His final Yankees appearance was a start in Detroit on May 21st, but he had lasted just 1 inning for the Yankees. He would finish his Yankees MLB Pitching career with a 236-106 record to become the All-Time Yankee Pitcher’s wins’ leader. He had passed former team leader Red Ruffing, who had 232 Yankee career wins during the 1966 AL season.
1974-The 1974 Mayor’s Trophy game was held at Shea Stadium, since Yankee Stadium is being remodeled. The Yankees won the game by the score of 9-4 behind a 3rd inning Grand Slam HR by Reserve INF Fernando Gonzalez off of Mets Pitcher Mike Wegener. Yankees hurler Dave Pagan picks-up the win. The crowd attendance for the game played at Shea Stadium was 35,984 fans.
1975-Rangers INF César Tovar becomes the 2nd player to collect the only hit in 5 1-hitters, doing so in a 6-0 loss to Catfish Hunter of the Yankees. Tovar also had the only hit while playing for the Twins on April 30,1967; May 15 and August 10,1969; and August 13,1970. Billy Williams preceded Tovar in setting this record a month earlier and Eddie Milner will tie it in 1986.
1977-Bronx Bomber Sluggers 3B Graig Nettles and RF Reggie Jackson would hit back-to back HRs in 2nd inning to lead the Yankees past the Red Sox by a score of 5-4.
1980-The Yankees would play the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. A crowd of 24,319 fans watched the Friday Memorial Day game. Yankees veteran Starter Luis Tiant picks-up his 4th win of the season, while Closer Rich Gossage gets his 5th save. Blue Jays Starter Jim Clancy takes the loss. Clancy is now 3-3 for the season. Yankee Hitters OF Bobby Brown, Pinch-Runner and DH Dennis Werth hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now 27-16 for the 1980 AL season.
1991-Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Magnuson (1973) had passed away. (1946-1991)
The Yankees had claimed Pitcher Jim Magnuson from the White Sox organization in the 1971 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would spend all of 1972 baseball season with their AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL); while posting a 9-7 record with a 3.48 ERA and 3 saves for the team. He was 10th in the International League in ERA and led his club. Jim would finish his pro baseball career in 1973, going 7-4 with a 4.04 ERA for AAA Syracuse (IL). For the 1973 Yankees, Jim would post a 0-1 record with a 4.28 ERA in 6 games.
1992-Yankees Starter Scott Sanderson became the 9th MLB pitcher to beat all 26 MLB teams, as the Bronx Bombers defeated the Brewers by a score of 8-1. Scott Sanderson would join MLB hurlers Doyle Alexander, Rich Gossage, Tommy John, Gaylord Perry, Nolan Ryan, Don Sutton, Mike Torrez and Rick Wise, as MLB Pitchers, who have defeated every MLB club during their Pitching careers.
2011-Yankees Veteran Starter Bartolo Colon pitches his 1st MLB shutout since the 2006 MLB season by blanking the Oakland A’s by the score of 5-0. The 38-year-old Yankees Pitcher has made a remarkable comeback after being out of the majors all of last season.
2013-The Mets would complete a 4-game sweep of the Yankees with a 3-1 win behind the pitching of their Starter Dillon Gee, who strikes out a MLB career-high 12 Yankee batters in 7 1/3 innings. It is the 1st time the Mets have ever swept a Subway Series against the Bronx Bombers, as those are the only 4 games the 2 teams will play against each other this 2013 MLB season.
2017-At a Memorial Day Game played at Baltimore’s Camden Yards, a crowd of 16,126 fans see the Birds lose to the Yankees by the score of 8-3. Yankees Starter Luis Severino picks-up his 4th win of the 2017 AL season along with bullpen help from Yankee Relievers Tommy Layne, Adam Warren, Bryan Mitchell and Tyler Clippard. While Orioles Starter Chris Tillman is loser for the Birds, he is now 1-2 for the 2017 AL season. The Yankees hitters Brett Gardner and Matt Holiday, each hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now at the 30-19 mark for the 2017 AL season.
May 31st
1907-On a Friday day game played at Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds in Boston, Highlanders Shortstop Kid Elberfeld steals home twice in game against the Americans (aka the Red Sox). The Highlanders would beat the Boston by the score 4-1. Bronx Starter Frank Kitson picks-up his 1st victory of the 1907 AL season, he is now at the 1-3 mark. The Americans P George Winter takes the lost, he is now 0-4 for the 1907 season. The Yankees now have a 19-16 record for the 1907 AL Season. Boston would use Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds in Boston until the end of the 1911 season, when they would open their new ballpark, Fenway Park for the 1912 AL season.
1910-The Yankees had sold Pitcher “Slow” Joe Doyle to the Reds. He had posted a 22-21 record with a 2.75 ERA and 1 save in 70 games for the 1906-1910 Yankees. Joe was 0-2 for the 1910 Yankees at the time of his trade to the Reds. He was nicked-named “Slow” because the amount of time that he took in throwing his pitches in a game.
1913-The Yankees had obtained INF Rollie Zeider and 1B Bill Borton from the White Sox for 1B Hal “Prince” Chase. Yankees Manager Frank Chance had 1B Hal Chase traded by the team front office because he thought that Chase was betting on Highlanders games. In 1920, Hal Chase would later be banned from MLB for gambling on games along with his former Reds teammate OF Lee Magee during the 1918 NL season by MLB Commissioner Judge Landis, costing him his pro baseball playing career and a chance of being to be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1923-The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB Shortstop Ernie Johnson from the White Sox for $4,000 Cash. The Yankees had planned to use the veteran shortstop as a Reserve Infielder. He would appear in 19 games for the 1923 team, while hitting .447 with 1 HR and 8 RBIs in 19 games. In 1924, He would hit .353 with 3 HRs and 13 RBIs in 64 games. Then in 1925, he would hit .282 with 5 HRs and 17 RBIs, while playing in 76 games for the team. On October 28,1925, Yankees would send INF Ernie Johnson to AA St Paul Saints (AA) to complete an earlier deal made on May 29,1925; the Yankees would send a Player to be Named Later, Catcher Fred Hoffman, P Oscar Roettger and $50,000 Cash to the AA St Paul Saints (AA) for Shortstop Mark Koenig.
1933-The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Pitcher Johnny Broaca (1934-1937). He was a successful College Pitcher at Yale Univ. On June 2,1934, he would join the Yankees. Johnny Broaca would post a 40-27 record with a 4.04 ERA and 3 saves in 99 games in 4 seasons with the Yankees before being picked up by the Indians on waivers from the Bombers in the fall of 1938. During his Yankees pitching career, Johnny had several disputes with the Yankees GM Edward Barrow and Manager Joe McCarthy, which resulted in several suspensions by the team. In the fall of 1938, he would be reinstated to the team, so the club could send him to the Indians. For the 1939 Indians, Allen would post a 4-2 record in his last active MLB season.
1938-At a Tuesday day game played at Yankee Stadium, Bronx hurler Joe Beggs gives up the 1st of 3-Grand Slam HRs to Red Sox Slugger Jimmy Foxx would hit off of him during the 1938 AL season. Yankees AL All-Star 1B Lou Gehrig played in his 2000th consecutive MLB game. Lou would collect a RBI single. The Yankees would beat the Red Sox by the score of 12-5, as a crowd of 6,317 fans watched the day game. Yankees Starter Beggs gets a no decision, while Reliever Johnny Murphy gets the victory for his 3rd win of the 1938 AL season. Boston Starter Johnny Marcum takes the loss, he is now at 3-3 mark. Yankee hitters 3B Red Rolfe, OF Tommy Henrich and Catcher Bill Dickey would each hit HRs in the game.
1944-Al Unser hits his only HR of the 1944 AL season, a pinch-hit Grand Slam HR with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, helping the Tigers beat the Yankees by the score of 6-2
1950-Former Yankees Pitcher Tippy Martinez (1974-1976) was born.
On July 22,1972, P Tippy Martinez was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. His Yankees Pitching career record was 3-2 with a 2.67 ERA and 10 saves in 44 games. Tippy and Yankees Manager Billy Martin didn’t get along. On June 15,1976, Tippy was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve Catcher Rick Dempsey, Pitchers Rudy May, Scott McGregor and Dave Pagan to the Orioles for 3 veteran Pitchers: Ken Holtzman, Doyle Alexander and Grant Jackson, Reserve Catcher Ellie Hendricks and OF Jimmy Freeman. This was a classic Yankees trade of “trade for now and forget about the future.” Tippy Martinez and Scott McGregor would have good MLB player careers with the Orioles; they were players that the Yankees could have use.
1961-At Yankee Stadium, Red Sox Pinch-hitter Carroll Hardy batting for OF Carl Yastrzemski bunts for a single in the 8th inning of 7-6 loss to the Yankees. Hardy will be the only MLB player to pinch-hit for both Red Sox Hall Fame Outfielders: Carl Yastrzemski and Ted Williams.
1967-The Yankees had signed veteran AL Starter Bill Monbouquette as an MLB Free Agent. The Tigers had released him on May 15,1967. He would replace ineffective Starter Jim Bouton, who the team had sent down to AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL) to get work on a regular basis. Bill will post a 6-5 record with a 2.36 ERA and 1 save in 33 games for the 1967 Yankees.
1967-Former Yankees OF Kenny Lofton (2004) was born.
On January 6, 2004, veteran MLB OF Kenny Lofton was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would appear in 83 games for the 2004 Yankees, while hitting .275 with only 3 HRs and 18 RBIs. On December 3, 2004, he was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for P Felix Rodriguez.
1973-Former Yankees Minor League P Marty Janzen was born.
On August 8,1991, Pitcher Marty Janzen was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. He never appears with the team at the MLB level. On July 28,1995, he was traded by the Yankees along with 2 other Minor League hurlers: Mike Gordon and Jason Jarvis to the Blue Jays for veteran Starter David Cone. On March 7,1998, Marty was traded by the D-Backs along with P Todd Erdos to the Yankees for Reserve INF Andy Fox. Once again, Marty never appears with the Yankees at MLB level. Later, he would become a Minor League Pitching Coach.
1974-The Yankees had sold Veteran 2B Horace Clarke (1965-1974) to the Padres. In 1974, Yankees Manager Bill Virdon had replaced Horace as the team’s 2B with former Yankees starting Shortstop Gene Michael, who would be later replaced by veteran INF Sandy Alomar, when he was acquired from the Angels. From 1965-1974, Clarke had played in 1,230 games for the team. He became the Yankees regular 2B in 1967, holding the starting 2B position until 1973 AL season. He had hit .257 with 27 HRs and 300 RBIs and stole 151 bases for the 1965-1974 Yankees. He would lead the AL 2B in assists for 6 seasons (1967-1972) and in putouts for 4 AL seasons (1968-1971). Horace will appear in 42 games for the Padres, while hitting only .189. After the 1974 NL season had ended, Clarke would retire from baseball.
1975-Rangers hitter César Tovar becomes the 2nd player to collect the only hit in 5 1-hitters, doing so in a 6-0 loss to Yankees Starter Catfish Hunter.
1983-AL President Lee MacPhail had suspended Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner for 1 week, citing "repeated problems" with the outspoken Team Owner's public criticism of AL Umpires. Steinbrenner, who had been fined $50,000 by Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn during MLB spring training for berating some NL umpires, he cannot attend games or be in his Yankee Stadium office during the 1 week suspension period.
1984-Former Yankees Reliever Andrew Bailey (2015) was born.
In 2014, the Yankees had signed former MLB All-Star Closer Andrew Bailey, who was recovering from pitching arm surgery. He had started pitching again in 2015 season. He would appear in 10 games for the 2015 Yankees, while posting a 0-1 record with 5.19 ERA. After the 2015 AL season had ended, the Yankees would grant Bailey MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Phillies for the 2016 NL season.
1986-Former Yankees Minor League INF C. J. Henry was born.
In 2005, Shortstop C.J. Henry was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round of the MLB Amateur Player Draft. Henry would make his 2005 pro baseball debut that summer with the GCL Yankees, where he hit .249 in 48 games. He began 2006 season with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), hitting .240 in 77 games. In July, he was traded to the Phillies as part of the trade that brought MLB Players OF Bobby Abreu and P Cory Liddle to the Bronx. After the July trade, he would play for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws (SAL), while hitting .253 in 25 games. After being released outright by the Phillies in 2007, he would return to the Yankees organization, who had signed him to a Minor League contract. He would leave pro baseball in 2008 to begin a basketball career. Henry's father, Carl Henry, played in the NBA and C.J. would have been a recruited walk-on to play basketball at the Univ. of Kansas, where his Father and Mother both played. His brother, Xavier Henry also played at Kansas and in the NBA. In 2015, he would play pro baseball with the Kansas City T-Bones, an independent baseball team in the American Association before being released, ending his pro baseball career.
1991-Former Yankees Pitcher Matt Bowman (2023) was born.
The Yankees had signed former MLB P Matt Bowman to a 2-year Minor League deal for the 2021-2022 seasons, along with invitation to the Yankees 2022 MLB Spring Training Camp. Bowman had performed “Tommy John” surgery on his pitching right elbow on September 16, 2020. He was drafted by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Princeton Univ. (Princeton, NJ). He was 2-2 with 3 saves and a 2.45 ERA for the Class A 2012 Brooklyn Cyclones, while striking out 30 and walking only 2 in 29 1/3 innings. He would split the 2013 season between the Savannah Sand Gnats (4-0, 2.64 ERA) and the St. Lucie Mets (6-4, 3.18 ERA). He would remained productive in 2014 with the AA Binghamton Mets (7-6, 3.12 ERA) and the AAA Las Vegas 51s (3-2, 3.47 ERA) with 124 strikeouts to 36 walks in 134 1/3 innings. In 2015, he would spend all season in AAA, but he was lit up at Las Vegas (7-16, 5.53 ERA) with only 71 strikeouts to 55 walks in 140 innings. Undaunted by his struggles in the hitter's paradise that is the Pacific Coast League, the Cardinals would take him in the 2015 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would make 59 appearances out of the 2016 Cards bullpen, while posting a 2-5 record with a 3.46 ERA, a specialist, with a 3-6 record with a 3.99 ERA in 58 2/3 innings. He would struggle in 2018, to the tune of a 6.26 ERA in 22 games and made a return engagement to the minor leagues. Following the season, he was claimed on waivers by the Reds, for whom he made 27 appearances and recorded 2 victories with a 3.66 ERA in 32 innings. He has an MLB career record of 7-13 with a 4.02 ERA and 2 saves in 183 games. For the 2023 Yankees, Matt would post a 0-0 record with a 9.00 ERA in 8 games. The Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency after the 2023 season had ended. He would be signed by the Twins, who would trade him to D-Backs during the 2024 season.
1996-At Oakland Coliseum, the Yankees would beat the Athletics by the score of 4-1; as Starter Jimmy Key improves his 1996 AL season record to 2-5 mark, while Bronx Closer John Wetteland gets his 10th save of the 1996 AL season. Oakland Starter Doug Johns takes the loss, dropping to a 4-6 season record. A crowd of 13,279 fans had attend this Friday Night game played at the Oakland Coliseum. Yankees Outfielders Ruben Rivera and Paul O’Neill would each hit HRs in the game.
2010-Yankees All-Star 3B Alex Rodriguez may not be his usual superhuman self this season, but it's still a bad idea to issue an intentional walk to face him with the bases loaded. The Indians find this out the hard way, as A-Rod connects for a Grand Slam HR in the 7th inning, turning a 2-1 Yankees close lead into an 11-2 rout of the Tribe. The Grand Slam HR is the 20th of his MLB playing career, placing him 3rd on the All-time MLB list, behind Lou Gehrig (23) and Manny Ramirez (21).
June 1st
1891-Former Yankees Catcher Hank Severeid (1926) was born. (1891-1968)
Hank Severeid had started playing in the MLB with the 1911 Reds in the NL, then he would move to the AL to play for the Browns and the Senators before joining the Yankees in 1926. On July 22,1926, veteran Catcher Hank Severeid was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. He would hit .268 with No HRs and 12 RBIs in 41 games for the 1926 Yankees, before retiring from the MLB. Hank did appear in 2 World Series: 1925 Series with the Senators and the 1926 Series with the Yankees. In the 1926 World Series with the Yankees against the Cardinals, Hank would appear in 7 games as their starting Catcher, while hitting .273 with No HRs and 1 RBI. After his active playing days, he would manage for 4 seasons in the St. Louis Browns Minor League system (1932-1935) and for 2 years with Independent Minor League teams (1936-1937). Later, he would work in the Reds farm system (1938-1940). Then he was an MLB Scout for the 1943 Cubs and later for the Red Sox organization (1944-1968).
1914-On May 31,1914, OF Charles Meara was purchased by the Yankees from the Class D Perth Amboy Pacers (AL) for Cash. Charles would play in 4 games for the 1914 Yankees, while hitting .286 with No HRs and 1 RBI before being released by the team and returning to play in the Minor Leagues.
1915-Former Yankees Reserve OF Art “Bud” Metheny (1943-1946) was born. (1915-2003)
In 1938, OF Art “Bud” Metheny was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. He had worked his way up the Yankees Minor League system, reaching AA playing level with the Kansas City Blues (AA) and the 1942 Newark Bears (IL). For the wartime 1943-1945 Yankees, he would hit .247 with 31 HRs and 156 RBIs in 376 games as an Outfielder. Bud had appeared in 2 games of the 1943 World Series for the team against the Cardinals, while hitting just .125. On May 3,1946, the Yankees would send him to their AA Kansas City Blues team. He had appeared in 3 games with no hits for the 1946 Yankees, ending his MLB playing career with the team. After leaving pro baseball, Bud Metheny was the Baseball Coach at Old Dominion Univ. from 1948 to 1980. Also, he would coach their college Basketball team (1948-1965). Also, he would serve as the ODU Athletic Director (1963-1970).
1918-While losing 5-4 against the Yankees, the White Sox would load the bases in the 9th inning with no outs. Chicago batter Chick Gandil lined a shot to Yankees 3B Frank Baker, who turned it into a game ending triple play.
1925-Rookie 1B Lou Gehrig of the Yankees pinch-hits for veteran Shortstop Pee Wee Wanninger, beginning his streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive MLB games. The next day, veteran-starting 1B Wally Pipp showed up with a headache, after being hit in the head with a ball during batting practice, which turned out to be a Head Concussion. Rookie Lou Gehrig would take over the starting 1B position for the Yankees. Wally Pipp would be a Reserve 1B and PH for the club for the rest of the 1925 AL season. In the fall, he would be sold to the Reds.
1934-The Yankees had released veteran Pitcher George Uhle (1933-1934). The Veteran MLB hurler came to the Yankees at the end of his long MLB Pitching career. On July 24,1933, Uhle was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He would appear in 22 games for the 1933-1934 Bronx Bombers, posting an 8-5 record with a 6.17 ERA before finishing out his MLB Pitching career with the 1936 Indians. Overall, George had posted a 200-166 record with a 3.99 ERA in 513 MLB games (1919-1936).
1935-In a rare display of solo HR’s, the Yankees would hit 6-solo HRs against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in a 7-2 victory. The Yankee HR solo Sluggers were Catcher Bill Dickey (2), while Shortstop Frank Crosetti, OF Ben Chapman, OF George Selkirk and 3B Red Rolfe. Mel Almeda would score the 2 Red Sox runs on a 2-run HR in the 8th inning.
1936-The Yankees score 7 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, but they wind up on the short end of an 11-9 score against the White Sox in a game played at Yankee Stadium.
1941-A Sunday doubleheader played at Cleveland Stadium sees the Yankees shutout the Indians by the score of 2-0 in the 1st game behind Yankees Starter Red Ruffing’s complete game shutout. Tribe hurler Al Milnar takes the loss, as he drops to a 6-5 record, while Ruffing improves his 1941 AL season pitching record to 5-3. In the 2nd game, Bronx Bombers complete the twin-bill sweep of the Tribe with a 5-3 win. Yankees veteran Starter Lefty Gomez improves his 1941 pitching record to 4-3 along with a relief help from Marv Breuer, who picks-up his 2nd save of the season. Yankee hitters 1B Johnny Strum and OF George Selkirk, each hit 2-run HRs in the game. The Yankees are now 25-19-2 for the 1941 AL season.
1950-On a Thursday game played at Yankee Stadium, before a crowd of 17,554 fans see the Bronx Bombers score 4 runs in the last 3 innings of game to comeback from a 5-2 White Sox lead to win the game in the 9th inning by the final score of 6-5. Yankees Starter Allie Reynolds goes 7 innings, but he gets a no-decision; Bronx Reliever Bob Porterfield shuts down the Chicago bats for 2 innings. Closer Joe Page pitches a scoreless 9th, he gets the win, he is now 3-3 for the 1951 AL season. White Sox Starter Billy Pierce gets the no-decision, while Reliever Bill Wight gets the loss, he is now 3-6 for the season. The Yankees are now 27-10 for the 1950 AL season.
1962-A crowd of 51,584 fans see the Yankees play the Angels at Dodger Stadium. In 1962, the Angels had moved from their old PCL ballpark, Wrigley Field to play at Dodger Stadium for the 1962 AL season, while their own new stadium was being built. Yankees Starter Ralph Terry throws a complete game 6-2 victory; while allowing only 2 Angels runs, 4 hits and 8 strikeouts, picking-up his 6th victory of the 1962 AL season. Angels Starter Bo Belinsky drops to a 6-2 record by allowing 5 Yankee runs on 10 hits in the game. Veteran Angels Reliever Tom Morgan gives up a Bill “Moose” Skowron HR in the 9th inning. The Yankees are now 26-18 for the 1962 AL season.
1973-Former Yankees Pitcher Derek Lowe (2012) was born.
Derek Lowe was reborn in Cleveland in the early stages of the 2012 AL season. On May 15th, he ran his record to 6-1 by throwing his 1st shutout in nearly 7 seasons, beating the Twins by the score of 5-0. Throwing almost exclusively sinkers, he did not strike out a single batter in the game, becoming the 1st pitcher to record a shutout without the benefit of a strikeout since Scott Erickson on April 28, 2002. His revival was short lived, however. On August 1st, the Indians announced that he had been DFA. His 2012 record was now 8-10, with a 5.52 ERA in 21 starts, he had lost 4 straight decisions. Lowe’s ERA in his last 3 starts was a stratospheric 15.88 - not much worse than the 8.80 ERA he had put up in his last 12 games. Rookie hurler Corey Kluber was called up to take his place in the Tribe starting rotation. He had cleared MLB waivers. On August 13th, Derek Lowe officially signed with the Yankees, having agreed to pitch out of the bullpen for the Bronx Bombers. In his 1st appearance with his new team was that same day; he pitched 4 shutout innings of relief, taking over for emergency Starter David Phelps. He earned his 1st MLB save since 2001 in preserving the Yankees' 8-2 win over the Rangers. He did well for the 2012 Yankees, pitching 17 times with a 3.04 ERA in 23 2/3 innings and adding 3 outings in the 2012 AL Postseason. After the 2012 Postseason was over, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency.
1973-Former Yankees Pitcher Fred Heimach (1928-1929) had passed away. (1901-1973)
Fred Heimach had broken into MLB at age of 19 with the 1920 Philadelphia A’s. He went 14-12 for a below-.500 1924 A’s team. On August 6,1928, Fred was traded by the AA St. Paul Saints (AA) to the Yankees for $20,000 Cash and a Player to be Named Later. In 1928, he was part of an AL pennant-winning 1928 Yankees team. In 1929, he would post a 11-6 record for the Yankees. Overall, as a Yankees hurler, Fred had a 13-9 record with a 3.77 ERA in 48 games. On March 25,1930, Fred was purchased by the AA Toledo Mud Hens (AA) from the Yankees. In 1931 and 1932, he would post 9-7 and 9-4 record for above-.500 Dodgers teams. Heimach was used as a pinch-hitter 52 times in the MLB, getting 20 hits for a .385 average. His MLB lifetime BA was .236 (in 542 at-bats). One source claim that he had served in the Army during WWI. He was in the Minor Leagues at Raleigh before coming to the MLB. In 1927 and part of 1928 seasons, he had pitched for the AA St. Paul Saints (AA). Then he was with the AA Toledo Mud Hens for part of 1930 season. In 1934, he was back with AA St. Paul Saints (AA). In 1940, he would manage the Miami Beach Tigers during their only season in the Florida East Coast League. The team would finish with a 60-51 record and in 3rd place.
1977-Former MLB Player and Yankees MLB Assistant Hitting Coach (2023) Brad Wilkerson was born.
Brad Wilkerson won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was MVP of the 1995 World Junior Championship, hitting .360 with 7 runs, 8 RBI, 3 doubles and 3 HRs and going 3-0 on the mound with a 0.90 ERA, 11 hits allowed, 3 walks allowed and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched. He drove in the winning run in the semifinals against Australia, then pitched a 3-hit shutout against Taiwan to give the US, the Gold Medal. He is often cited as being the last Montreal Expos player because of his appearance during the Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series shortly after the 2004 regular season wearing his Expos uniform. He was the final winner of the Expos Player of the Year award in 2004, when he had scored 112 runs and hit 32 HRs as the Expos' lead-off hitter; he also drew a career-high 106 walks that season. Wilkerson moved with the Expos franchise to Washington. An established starter from his time in Montreal, he was inserted as the leadoff hitter and center fielder on Opening Day for the Washington Nationals on April 4, 2005. He singled to start the contest against the Phillies' Jon Lieber, making him the 1st National to get a base hit. Wilkerson was traded on December 7, 2005 by the Nats to the Rangers with OF Terrmel Sledge and RHP Armando Galarraga for 2B Alfonso Soriano. Wilkerson would retired in 2009, while playing for the Boston Red Sox' AAA team, the Pawtucket Red Sox (IL). Brad had hit for the cycle twice in his MLB playing career: on June 24, 2003 for the Expos against the Pirates and on April 6, 2005 as a newly-minted National against the Phillies just 2 days after the Nats' inaugural game. Wilkerson joined the coaching ranks in 2014 as leader of The King's Academy middle school team. The next year, he moved to head coach of the varsity team where he remained through 2019. Wilkerson then moved to the college level in July 2020 as an Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator for the Jacksonville University Dolphins. He continued with the Dolphins through 2022.In 2023, he returned to the MLB as an Assistant Hitting Coach for the Yankees.
1980-A Sunday crowd of 52,049 fans at Yankee Stadium, watched the Yankees beat the Blue Jays by the score of 11-7. Yankees Starter Tommy Underwood picks-up his 5th win of the 1980 AL season against his former team. Former Yankees Pitcher Paul Mirabella, who is now with the Blue Jays takes the loss, he is now at the 4-4 mark. Yankee hitters OF Bobby Brown and 3B Graig Nettles hit HRs for the Bronx Bombers in the game. Yankees Closer Rich Gossage had a rough relief appearance for the team, giving up 3 Blue Jays runs in the 9th inning. The Yankees are now 29-18 for the 1980 AL season.
1996-A Saturday game played in Oakland before a crowd of 21,354 fans, see the Yankees beat Athletics by the score 6-3. Yankees Starter Andy Pettitte picks-up his 8thwin of the 1996 AL season with relief help from 3 Yankee Bullpen Relievers: Bob Wickman, Jeff Nelson, Steve Howe and Closer John Wetteland, who gets his 11th save of the season. Oakland Starter Bobby Chouinard takes the loss, he is now at the 0-2 mark. The Yankees are now 30-21 for the 1996 AL season.
2001-At Yankee Stadium, Indians would defeat the Yankees, just in 5 ½ innings, when the game was called because of rain with Tribe ahead by the score of 7-2. In a rarity, Indians Starter C.C. Sabathia earned a win despite pitching only 4 innings. Reliever Ricardo Rincón got the save retiring the side in the 5th inning. The baseball rules state that in a 5-inning game, a starter need not go the full 5 innings to earn a victory. Baseball historian David W. Smith noted that there are just 5 other cases since 1978 to match the Sabathia feat.
2003-Former Yankees Reserve OF/1B/PH Johnny Hopp (1950-1952) had passed away (1916-2003).
On September 5,1950, veteran OF/1B John Hopp was purchased from the Pirates by the Yankees for Cash. Johnny would hit .333 down the stretch drive to help the 1950 Yankees win the AL Pennant. Since he was obtained after the August 31st trade deadline, he couldn’t play in the 1950 World Series for the Yankees. In 1951, he would hit only .206 in 46 games for the Yankees. In 1952, he had started off poorly, hitting only .160 in 15 games, when he was sold to the Tigers. Johnny Hopp would retire from MLB at the end of the 1952 AL season. He had originally come up to the MLB with the Cardinals, where he would appear the in 1942,1943,1944 World Series with them. He was member of the 1946 NL All-Star team. He had played in 1 World Series with the 1951 Yankees. Overall, Johnny had appeared in 80 games with the Yankees, while hitting .226 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs. He had spent 14 seasons in the MLB, playing for the Cardinals, Pirates (twice), Dodgers, Braves, Yankees before finishing his MLB playing career with the 1952 Tigers.
2006-Former Yankees Minor League Catcher Eddie Malone had passed away. (1920-2006)
Catcher Eddie Malone played 2 seasons as a Reserve Catcher with the 1949-1950 White Sox. He had appeared in 86 games, while hitting .257 with 1 HR and 26 RBIs. On June 28,1950, he was purchased by the Yankees from the White Sox. He never appears with the team at the MLB level. On July 5,1950, the Yankees would send C Eddie Malone to the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made on October 13,1949; the Yankees send a Player to be Named Later and Cash to the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL) for OF Jackie Jensen and INF Billy Martin. On July 12,1951, Eddie was purchased by the Yankees from the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL). On July 12,1951, he was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League P Bob Landeck and Cash to the Dodgers for Pitcher Art Schallock.
2009-The Yankees would play their 18th straight game without an error, breaking the AL record held by the 2006 Red Sox. The Yankees were playing the Indians before a crowd of 23,651 fans on a Monday game at Progressive Field in Cleveland, winning the game by the score of 5-2. Yankees Starter Joba Chamberlain picks up his 3rd win, while Closer Mo Rivera earn his 11th save of the 2009 AL season. Tribe Reliever Greg Aquino is charged with the loss, he is now 1-1. The Yankees are now 30-21 for the 2009 AL season
2023-Veteran outfielder Kole Calhoun has exercised an out clause in his minor league deal with the Yankees. The team will have 72 hours to add him to the roster or else grant him his release. The 35-year-old Calhoun has had a strong start at AAA Scranton, slashing .293 with 4 homers, 6 doubles and 2 triples in 97 trips to the plate thus far. On June 3rd, the Yankees will grant him his player release. He will be signed by the Rangers.