Post by fwclipper51 on Jul 20, 2024 18:47:51 GMT -5
This Week in Yankees History July 21st-July 27th
July 21st
1890-Former Yankees INF/OF Howard “Hank” Shanks (1925) was born. (1890-1941)
On December 10,1924, veteran INF/OF Hank Shanks was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for INF Mike McNally. Shanks had played for the 1912-1922 Senators, then he joined the Red Sox in 1923. Hank will appear in 66 games for the 1925 Yankees, while hitting .258.
1891-Former Yankees Pitcher Ray Keating (1912-1916,1918) was born. (1891-1963)
In September of 1912, the Yankees had purchased starter Ray Keating for $12,000 Cash from the Lawrence Barristers (NEL). He had won 26 games for Lawrence in 1912. Overall, as a Yankees Starter and then a Reliever, Ray would post a 24-40 record with a 3.36 ERA in 108 games. On March 6,1919, Ray was sold to the Boston Braves, where he would post a 7-11 record. In 1920 he would return to the minor leagues, where he would pitch another 13 seasons.
1910-The Yankees would take advantage of 8 Browns errors to down St. Louis by the score of 19-2.
1921-The Indians batters bang out 9 doubles, while the Yankees hit 7 doubles for an AL record 16 doubles in the Indian's 17-8 win. The Indians cling to a 2-game lead in the AL.
1929-Former Yankees Minor League INF Jerry Snyder was born.
In 1947, INF Jerry Snyder had started out his playing career in pro baseball in the Yankees organization. He had 5 solid Minor League seasons from 1947-1951. He would hit .302 for Class B, Quincy Gems (3-IL) in his 2nd season of pro ball. In 1951, he would play with the Class AA Beaumont Exporters (TXL) and the AAA Kansas City Blues (AA), he would hit .290 for the combined season. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On May 3,1952, he was traded by the Yankees along with MLB OF Jackie Jensen, veteran P Frank “Spec” Shea and Reserve OF Archie Wilson to the Senators for 2 Outfielders: Irv Noren and Tom Upton. Jerry Snyder would spend his entire 7-season MLB playing career with the 1952-1958 Senators. He hit for a .339 average for the 1953 AL season, he would finish his overall MLB playing career with a .230 average in 266 games.
1941-Former Yankees Pitcher Gary Waslewski (1970-1971) was born.
On May 15,1970, Pitcher Gary Waslewski was traded by the Expos to the Yankees for Reserve 1B/OF Dave McDonald. Gary went 2-3 with 1 save in 50 games for the Yankees. On April 3,1972, Gary was released by the Yankees. Gary had originally come up to the MLB with the 1967 Red Sox. Gary Waslewski holds the record for the fewest career wins at the time of a World Series start. He had only 2 MLB career wins before starting Game 6 of the 1967 World Series against the Cardinals for the Red Sox. He lasted 5.1 innings, but he didn’t get a decision, veteran Red Sox Reliever John Wyatt picked up the victory.
1942-Former Yankees and long-time MLB Announcer 1B/DH Mike Hegan (1964,1966-1967,1973-1974) was born. (1942-2013)
In 1961, the Yankees had signed Mike Hegan as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He appeared in 5 games with the team in 1964 with no hits. He was on the Yankees' roster for the 1964 World Series, shortly after making his MLB Player debut, as a replacement of the injured Shortstop Tony Kubek. He appeared in 3 games in the 1964 World Series with 3 at bats with no-hits. Mike hit .205 in 13 games in 1966 and .136 in 68 games in 1967. On June 14,1968, he was purchased by the expansion Seattle Pilots from the Yankees. On August 18,1973, Mike was sent to the Yankees by Oakland as part of a conditional deal. Mike hit .275 in 37 games for the Yankees for the rest of the 1973 AL season. With the arrival of 1B Chris Chambliss from the Indians on April 16,1974 made him expendable on the team. Mike requested a trade. He was hitting only .226 in 18 games, when the Yankees would send him to the Brewers. Mike’s Dad, Jim Hegan was former Yankees MLB Bullpen Coach and MLB Catcher. In 1964, they were the 1st MLB Father and Son combination to appear in a World Series together with the Yankees against the Cardinals. After retiring as an active player, Mike became a Sports Broadcaster for the 1977-1989 Brewers, then he was with the Indians Broadcasting team from 1989-2013.
1947-The Boston Braves would edge the Yankees by a score of 4-3 in the annual Baseball Hall of Fame game held at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY
1952-At Yankee Stadium, the 1952 Mayor’s Trophy game is held. A crowd of 48,263 fans watched the Yankees beat the Dodgers by the score of 5-3. Yankees young Slugger Mickey Mantle hit a 2-run HR in the 8th inning to snap a 3-3 tie and the game was called after that inning because the Yankees had to catch a train west! The winning pitcher for the Yankees was veteran Reliever Joe Ostrowski, while Dodgers P Clyde King took the loss.
1961-At Fenway Park, Bronx Sluggers Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris slam back-to-back HRs in the 1st inning for the Yankees, but it takes a 2-out, 9th-inning pinch-hit Grand Slam HR by Johnny Blanchard to finally subdue the Red Sox by a score of 11-8. Johnny Blanchard’s pinch-hit Grand Slam HR is the AL 6th of the 1961 season, setting a new AL record.
1969-A gala 1969 MLB All-Star Game banquet is held in Washington, D.C., is one of baseball's great events. The MLB is celebrating its 100th year Anniversary. An All-Time Team and All-Time Living Team are announced by the MLB. Babe Ruth is selected as the Greatest All-Time MLB Player, while the Yankees Hall of Fame CF Joe DiMaggio, as the Greatest Living MLB Player.
1972-The Yankees would sweep a doubleheader from the Angels, winning by scores of 6-0 and 3-0 over the Angels. Yankees veteran starters Fritz Peterson and Mel Stottlemyre apply the whitewash of the Angels.
1973-Former Yankees Minor League OF/1B Brian Buchanan was born
Brian Buchanan was selected in the 1st Round (24th Pick) of the 1994 MLB Amateur Player Draft. by the Yankees. The team would assign him initially to the Class A Oneonta Yankees, he hit just .226. In 1995, he would hit a solid .302 for the Class A Greensboro Bats (SAL) with 7 steals in 8 tries but he only played in 23 games, presumably due to an injury. In 1996, the Yankees had placed Brian with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL); where he batted .260 with 23 steals in 31 attempts. In 1997, Buchanan was 8th in the Eastern League in BA, after hitting .309 for the AA Norwich Navigators (EL); then moving up to the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), where he hit .279. On February 6,1998, he was traded along with Yankee Minor Leaguers INF Cristian Guzman, Pitchers Eric Milton and Danny Mota along with Cash to the Twins for MLB 2B Chuck Knoblauch. Brian would make his MLB Player debut with the 2000 Twins, hitting just .232. Later, he would play for the Padres, Mets, including 1 season in Japan. After retiring as an active player in 2008, Brian became a Minor League Manager in the Royals organization.
1976-Former Yankees Hall of Fame OF and MLB Coach Earl “The Kentucky Colonel” Combs (1924-1935) had passed away. (1899-1976)
Earl Combs was the 1st of the great Yankee Centerfielders. He was a lifetime .325 hitter, who hit in the leadoff spot for the Yankees batting lineup. Combs hit .380 for the 1923 Louisville Colonels (AA). He had his Minor League player contract purchased by the Yankees prior to the following season for $50,000, a huge sum at the time. He quickly became the Yankees regular Centerfielder, but a broken ankle caused him to miss most of his 1924 AL Rookie season. He came back the next season, scoring over 100 runs in each season from 1925-1932, also leading the AL in triples 3 times during that span. At the same time, he managed to hit under .300 in just once while playing fulltime in the MLB and at that, he was just under hitting .299 in 1926. Earl Combs' best MLB campaign came with the 1927 Yankees, when he hit .356, scored 137 runs and led the AL with 231 hits. He also starred in the postseason, hitting .350 over the course of 4 World Series from 1926-1932, with the Yankees winning 3 World Championships. A broken finger limited him to 1 plate appearance in the 1928 World Series, but he made the most of it, hitting a sacrifice fly that drove in a run. In 1934, Combs suffered a serious injury that could have cost him his life, fracturing his skull after running into the wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. He was carried unconscious from the field. Earl would remain in the hospital for 2 months afterwards, but miraculously he returned to the field in 1935. However, his MLB playing career was shortly thereafter ended by another injury, this time it was a broken collarbone. He was replaced in 1936 as the Yankees Centerfielder by future another Hall of Famer, Joe DiMaggio. As a Yankees MLB Coach, Earl taught young rookie outfielder Joe DiMaggio how to handle Centerfield at Yankee Stadium. Although he was a very good player, Combs was famous for his weak-throwing arm. After his MLB playing days were over, Combs was a Yankees MLB Coach from 1936-1944. In 1947, he was a member of the St. Louis Browns MLB Coaching staff. Later, he would coach for the 1948-1952 Red Sox. In 1954, he would spend the season as an MLB Coach for the Phillies.
1977-Veteran Bronx Starter Catfish Hunter tosses a 7-0 shut out against the Brewers to snap a Yankees 3-game losing streak. The Brewers come back in the nightcap to win by a score of 5-4 in 10 innings.
1980-Former Yankees All-Star Pitcher C.C. Sabathia (2009-2019) was born.
In December 2008, C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees agreed on a 7-year deal for $161 million, a new record for an MLB Pitcher. He was picked as the Yankees' 2009 Opening Day Starter in Baltimore on April 6th, but he had a rough go of it, giving up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4⅓ innings while not striking out a batter; he was charged with the Yankees' 10-5 loss. However, he soon settled down into the role of ace of the Yankees' rotation, picking up a league-leading 19 wins, while pitching 230 innings with a 3.37 ERA. He won his 1st 3 starts of the AL Post Season, by beating the Twins in the opener of the ALDS, then disposing of the Angels twice in the ALCS. He started 2 games in the World Series against the Phillies; he was out-dueled by his former Tribe teammate, Cliff Lee, in Game 1, then left with a 4-3 lead in the 8th inning of Game 4 only to see the Phillies tie the game against Reliever Joba Chamberlain, before the Yankees put the game away with a 9th-inning rally. The Bronx Bombers went on to win the 2009 World Series, 4 games to 2 to claim their 1st World Championship title since 2000. Sabathia led the AL with 21 wins in 2010, finishing with a 21-7 record with a 3.18 ERA and 197 strikeouts. On July 26, 2010, Sabathia struck out 18 Mariner batters and allowed only 1 hit in a win against Seattle. Only one other pitcher had ever fanned 18 or more batters while tossing a 1-hitter or No-hitter - Kerry Wood in 1998. He went on to win the AL's Pitcher of the Month Award for July, as he went 4-1 with a 0.92 ERA with 50 strikeouts during the month. He was named to the 2010 AL All-Star team, but he had to bow out under the "Sunday Starter" rule. For the season, he went 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA. He started Game 1 of the ALDS against the Tigers' Justin Verlander, but the game was suspended by rain in the middle of the 2nd inning. He came back to start Game 3, but C.C. was not involved in the decision, then came on in relief of Ivan Nova in the 2nd inning of Game 5, as the Yankees vainly tried to save their 2010 AL season. At the end of the 2010 MLB season, he had an option to decline the remaining years on his contract and become a MLB Free Agent - and his success in Yankee pinstripes would have made him a highly coveted one - but he agreed to a deal with the Yankees on the last day to do so, October 31st. The deal reportedly added $30 million to his existing contract. He was resigned by the Yankees for the 2019 season, announcing that he would retire at the end of the season. During this 2019 AL season, CC would reach 2 MLB Pitching Milestones with his 250th career victory and 3,000 strikeouts. After the 2019 AL Post Season, he retired after the 2019 AL season had ended. As a Yankees Pitcher, C.C. would finish with a 134-88 record with a 3.81 ERA in 307 games. Overall, as an MLB hurler, he had finished with an MLB pitching career record of 251-161 with a 3.74 ERA in 561 games. In the MLB Post Season, he would post a 10-6 record in 24 games. He had appeared in 1 World Series with the 2009 Yankees, while having a record of 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA in 2 games.
1987-Former Yankees Pitcher Diego Moreno (2015) was born.
Diego Moreno is a pitcher who made his MLB Pitching debut with the 2015 Yankees. Diego had signed with the Pirates at age 19. He debuted as a pro with the 2007 VSL Pirates, going 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA and 2 saves. With the same club in 2008, he improved to 3-1 record with a 0.87 ERA. He helped his team take the title. Had he qualified, he would have paced the Venezuelan Summer League in ERA. In 2009, Diego made his US pitching debut with the State College Spikes, allowing 1 run in 4 innings and going 1-3 with a 2.60 ERA and 5 saves for the West Va. Power (holding opponents to a .182 average and whiffing 57 batters in 45 innings). His fastball was being timed with a peak of 97 mph. Moreno began the 2010 season with the Class A Bradenton Marauders (FSL): he was excellent (3-0 record,1.37 ERA). He was promoted to the AA Altoona Curve (EL), but he was soon put on the DL with a right rotator cuff injury, having gone 0-0 with a 7.04 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. He would return to Bradenton in 2011. He had another good season with a 2-4 record with a 3.21 ERA and 5 saves in 31 games in relief. Later in the season, he was promoted once again to AA Altoona (EL), where he put up a 4.91 ERA in 7 games. Overall, in 44 2/3 innings that season, he had struck out 45 batters and gave up 18 walks. On February 17, 2012, Diego and Exicardo Cayones were traded to the Yankees in return for veteran MLB Starter A.J. Burnett. In his 4th season in the Yankees' organization, he would finally receive the call to the Bronx, making his MLB pitching debut on June 22, 2015 as he pitched a scoreless inning in an 11-8 loss to the Phillies. It was an eventful effort, however, as he gave up a pair of hits and hit a batter with a pitch, but he also struck out 2 batters. He was the 3rd Yankees reliever to make his MLB pitching debut in 2 days, as Danny Burawa and Jose De Paula had both done so the previous day. After returning to the Minor Leagues, he recorded his 1st career win in his 3rd appearance on July 28th, after relieving starter Chris Capuano with 2 outs in the 1st inning after had already given up 5 runs to the Rangers. Moreno stopped the bleeding, by pitching 5 1/3 hitless innings as the Yankees' bats came alive in the 2nd, exploding for 11 runs. Yankees OF Chris Young then added a Grand Slam HR in the 3rd. Diego received credit for the 21-5 beat-down of the Rangers. Then Adam Warren succeeded him and pitched the final 3 innings to earn a save. He also did not allow a hit and it was only the 2nd time in MLB history that 2 relievers had each pitched 3 or more hitless innings for 1 team in a 9-inning game, after Ewald Pyle and Mickey Haefner had done so for the Senators against the St. Louis Browns on July 3,1943. On August 19, 2016, Diego was released by the Yankees. He had posted a 1-0 record with a 5.23 ERA in 4 games. On December 8, 2016, he was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Rays.
1988-The Mariners would send veteran DH/1B Ken Phelps to the Yankees for MLB OF Jay Buhner and 2 Minor league Pitchers: Rich Balabon and Troy Evers. Ken Phelps would hit .244 in 1988 and .249 for the Yankees before being traded on August 30,1989 to the A’s for Minor League P Scott Holcomb. The Yankees had previously drafted Ken Phelps twice, while he was in college, but he didn’t sign with the team. With the Mariners, Jay Buhner will hit .254 with 310 MLB career HRs, while throwing out AL base runners with his strong arm.
1993-Former Yankees player, now a Mariner OF Jay Buhner collects 5 hits in Mariners 10-3 win over the Yankees. Seattle Starter Erik Hanson goes all the way, allowing no earned runs to beat Yankees Starter Jimmy Key (12-3). The Yankees had traded Jay Buhner, 5 seasons earlier to the Mariners veteran DH/1B Ken Phelps.
1997-Four days after the birth of his 2nd child, Yankees' OF/DH Mark Whiten is arrested in Milwaukee, where he is charged with 2nd-degree sexual assault of a 31-year-old woman.
2000-Wasting no time in his new capacity as Chicago’s new GM, Cubs President Andy MacPhail sends the popular OF Glenallen Hill to the Yankees for 2 Minor League Pitchers: Ben Ford and Ozwaldo Mairena. Hill would hit .333 for the Yankees in 30 games, before being traded on March 28, 2001 to the Angels for Minor League P Darren Blakely.
2009-Yankees Pitcher Sergio Mitre earns his 1st MLB win since the 2007 MLB season as the Yankees beat Orioles by the score of 6-4. Mitre underwent Tommy John surgery in 2008, then he was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a banned substance; he allows 4 runs in 5 2/3 innings in his 1st MLB start after being called up from AAA Scranton (IL) to replace the injured Starter Chien-Ming Wang. A 2-run HR by Robinson Cano off of P Rich Hill and a 2-run single by Alex Rodriguez are the big hits for the Bronx Bombers. Combined with a Red Sox 4-2 loss at Texas, the win gives the Yankees sole possession of 1st place in the AL East for the 1st time this season.
2010-Former Yankees player, MLB Coach, Manager and General Manager Ralph Houk had passed away. (1919-2010)
Prior to the start of the 1939 MLB season Ralph Houk had signed with the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Following 3 seasons in the Minor Leagues, he would enlisted in the Army on February 22, 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During World War II, as an Army Ranger, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Houk had earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart, seeing combat under the command of General George S. Patton. On one occasion, he took a bullet through the helmet, but Houk was not seriously wounded. He would leave the Army with the rank of Major. After the war, Houk would return to baseball in 1946. He will reach the Bronx in 1947 as the team's 3rd-string catcher behind Starter Aaron Robinson and Rookie C Yogi Berra. He hit .272 in a career-best 41 MLB games that season. Ralph got a hit in Game 6 of 1947 World Series against the Dodgers. He would split the next 2 seasons moving between the Yankees and the AA Kansas City Blues (AA). Then he spent the next 5 seasons in the Bronx, seeing very limited playing time behind Yankees Catchers Yogi Berra and Charlie Silvera. Nevertheless, he was on the Yankees' World Series roster 4 times during his MLB playing career (1947-1953). Following his MLB playing days, Houk returned to the Minor Leagues in 1955, as the skipper of the AAA Denver Bears (AA). He would spend 3 seasons managing the team, winning an American Association title in his final season. Then Houk went on to spend 3 seasons on the Yankees MLB Coaching staff before succeeding Casey Stengel at the helm of the club from 1961-1963. He took the team to the World Series all 3 years. The Yankees won the Fall Classic twice (1961-1962). In October of 1963, Houk was then named the team's new General Manager. Yankees Co-Owner Dan Topping Sr. promoted Player/Coach Yogi Berra to Manager. After the Yankees 1964 World Series lost to the Cardinals, Houk would fire Manager Yogi Berra, despite winning 99 games and the 1964 AL flag replacing him with former Cardinals Manager Johnny Keane. After the Yankees had a slow start in May of 1966 under Keane, he stepped down as team’s GM to manage the club again. From 1966-1973, Houk would have only 1 good season in 1970, bringing the Yankees to 2nd place finish behind the Orioles in the AL Eastern Division with a 96-69 record.
After the Yankees were sold by CBS, Inc. to an Ohio investment group that included George Steinbrenner in January of 1973, he would resigned his Manager post at the end of the 1973 AL season. Ralph didn’t trust new head Team Owner George Steinbrenner despite his promises to spend money on players for the team to become winners. Overall, as a Yankees MLB Manager, Houk went 309-176 (1961-1963) with 2 World Championships and a 635-630 record (1966-1973). For an overall team record of 934-806 (.530 WP). Ralph Houk went on to manage the 1974-1978 Tigers. Only once did the team finish above the .500 mark in 1978 with an 86-76 record. He was instrumental in rebuilding the team with young players, like Infielders Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell. In fall of 1978, Ralph Houk was replaced by Les Moss as the 1979 Tigers Manager. In the fall of 1980, Houk was named the new Manager of the 1981 Red Sox. The team had fired Manager Don Zimmer during the season with MLB Coach Johnny Pesky taking over for the rest of 1980 AL season. Ralph Houk would manage the Red Sox from 1981-1984, having only 1 season under .500. In his last MLB job, he was a Baseball Executive for the Twins working in their Player Development Dept. Despite his success in the 1st 3 seasons of his MLB managerial career with the Yankees, he would never return to the MLB postseason again. Ralph Houk‘s Manager record for 20 MLB seasons was a 1,619-1,531 record in 3,156 MLB games.
2013-Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli hits a pair of HRs, the 2nd of the walk-off variety in the 11th inning as the Red Sox edge the Yankees by the score of 8-7. The nationally televised ESPN Sunday night game ends at 12:53 AM.
2017-The Yankees had traded Minor League P Dillon McNamara to the Giants for an undisclosed return. He was the Yankees' 27th-round pick in 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft out of Adelphi Univ. on Long Island, NY. He was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA with 9 saves in 26 relief appearances this 2017 season between AA Trenton Thunder (EL) and Class-A Advanced Tampa (FSL). Dillion had posted a 2.79 overall ERA across 3 levels during his 5 seasons of pitching in the Yankees organization.
2019-The 2019 Hall of Fame Class is inducted in Cooperstown, NY, with 6 former players being honored: Harold Baines, Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Lee Smith. All are present, save for Halladay, who passed away in a plane crash in 2017 and, who is represented by his wife, Brandy. Rivera, the 1st player to be elected unanimously to the Hall, gets the honor of speaking last, befitting his status as the greatest closer in MLB history.
2022-In the 1st day of games after the All-Star break, 2 of the best teams in the MLB meet for a doubleheader, with the Astros sweeping the Yankees by scores of 3-2 and 7-5, at Minute Maid Park. In the opener, rookie J.J. Matijevic scores Alex Bregman from 3rd base with an infield single in the bottom of the 9th, and in the 2nd game, Aaron Judge hits a 3-run HR in the 9th, but it's not enough as Houston has built a 7-2 lead on HRs by Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Chas McCormick. The Astros have won 5 of 7 games against the Yankees this season.
2023-The Yankees announce that starting Catcher Jose Trevino is shut down for the rest of the 2023 AL season due to a right wrist tear injury, that will require surgery. His injury is a torn Triangular Libro-cartridge complex (TFCC) ligament. He was only hitting .248 for the team this season. The Yankees would call-up Catcher Ben Rortvedt from AAA Scranton to be the club’s Reserve catcher. In a corresponding move, the club would promote AA Catcher Aaron Wells from Somerset to AAA Scranton.
July 22nd
1918-At the Polo Grounds, Yankees and the St. Louis Browns battled to a 15-inning a 4-4 tie. Browns Starter Rasty Wright and Reliever Bryon Houck, each had pitch 7 innings in the game with no decision. Yankees Starter Hank Thormahlen goes 7.1 innings, while allowing 3 Browns runs. He is followed by Reliever Happy Finneran, who allows the Browns to tie the game with a run. He is followed by Reliever George Mogridge, who posts a scoreless inning. Next, the Yankees Reliever Ray Keating would throw 6 scoreless innings.
1925-The Yankees would buy Shortstop Leo “Lip” Durocher from Hartford Senators (EL) for $12,000 Cash. In 1925, he had signed with the Yankees, who had assigned him to the Hartford Senators (Eastern League). A weak-hitting shortstop, Durocher broke into the MLB at the age of 19 for 2 games at the end of that season. He would return to the minors playing with the 1926 Atlanta Crackers and the 1927 St. Paul Saints before making the Yankees' MLB roster for good in 1928. Leo would appear in 4 games of the 1928 World Series against the Cardinals with no hits. With the 1925,1928-1929 Yankees, Leo had appeared in 210 games for the team, while hitting .261 with no HRs and 63 RBIs in 210 games He was the 1st Yankee player to wear uniform #7. After the 1929 AL season, the Yankees would waive him because he had a fight with his Yankees roommate Babe Ruth for allegedly for stealing the Babe’s watch. Reports say that the Babe really smacked Leo around their hotel room. On February 5,1930, he was selected off waivers by the Reds from the Yankees. He would find success in the NL playing for the Reds, Cardinals and the Dodgers. Later, Leo would become a successful MLB Manager in the NL with the 1939-1948 Dodgers and the 1948-1955 Giants. He would appear in 3 World Series as a NL Manager: 1941 Dodgers, 1951 and 1954 Giants. His Giants team would upset the Indians in the 1954 World Series with a 4-game sweep. He would return to the Dodgers, working as an MLB Coach for Manager Walter Alston. Also, he later would manage the 1966-1972 Cubs and the 1972-1973 Astros, before retiring from the game. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1994.
1926-The Yankees had obtained veteran Catcher Hank Severeid on waivers from the Senators. Yankees starting Catcher Pat Collins had injured his elbow. Hank will hit .268 with No HRs and 12 RBIs in 41 games for the Yankees. In the 1926 World Series for the team, Hank had appeared in 7 games, while hitting .273 with No HRs and 1 RBI. After the World Series had ended, Hank retired from baseball. Overall, he had played in 1,390 MLB games, while hitting .289 with 17 HRs and 539 RBIs. During his MLB playing career, he had been with the Reds, Browns, Senators and then finishing up with the 1926 Yankees. He had appeared 1 game of 1925 World Series for the Senators, hitting .333 (1 for 3).
1928-White Sox hurler Red Faber comes up to bat in the 8th inning with 2 runners on base and the game with the Yankees is tied at 4-4. He swings twice right-handed against Bronx righty Reliever Wilcy Moore and misses. He then switches to the left side of the plate and knocks in the winning runs with a single to centerfield.
1929-Former Yankee Minor INF Jerry Snyder was born. (1921-2022)
In 1947, Infielder Jerry Snyder would start out in pro ball in the New York Yankees organization. He had 5 solid minor league seasons from 1947 to 1951. He would hit .302 for the Class B Quincy Gems (3-IL) in his 2nd season of pro ball. In 1951 with the Beaumont Exporters (TXL) and AA Kansa City Blues (AA), he hit .290 in a combined season. On May 3, 1952 he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jackie Jensen, P Spec Shea and OF Archie Wilson to the Senators for OF Irv Noren and OF Tom Upton. Snyder would spend his entire 7-year MLB playing career, , with the 1952-1958 Senators. He hit for a .339 average in 1953, albeit in only 62 at-bats, and wound up his MLB run with a .230 average in 266 games. During the years he appeared in the majors, Jerry also spent considerable time in the Minors. He hit .307 for the 1953 AA Chattanooga Lookouts; with the same club in 1955, he hit at a .344 clip in 54 games. Also, in 1958, he managed a .312 average for the Miami Marlins (IL). After his MLB run, Jerry spent 3 more years in pro ball (1959-1961), all with AA and AAA teams and finished up his 12-season Minor League playing. career with a .289 average in 4,277 plate appearances. In 1961, Snyder tried his luck as Player-Manager with the Macon Peaches (SA). He was the 2nd of 2 managers and the Peaches finished up the season with a 75-79 record, for a 5th-place finish, 16 games back. Jerry had played in 102 games and hitting .309.
1944-Former Yankees Cy Young Award Winner Reliever Sparky “The Count” Lyle (1973-1978) was born.
On March 22,1972, Reliever Sparky Lyle was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later and MLB 1B Danny Cater. The Yankees would send Minor League INF Mario Guerrero on June 30,1972 to the Red Sox to complete the trade. Lyle had complied a 22-17 record with a 2.85 ERA with 69 saves in 260 games with the 1967-1972 Red Sox. He became the Yankees Bullpen Closer in 1973, while posting a 5-9 record with a 2.51 ERA and 27 saves in 51 games. He was named to the 1973 AL Star team. Sparky won the 1977 Cy Young Award with a 13-5 record with a 2.17 ERA, while appearing in 72 games with 26 saves. He was a 3-time AL All Star team member. With the arrival of MLB Free Agent Closer Rich Gossage in 1978, Sparky was no longer the team’s Closer. He would finish his Yankees Pitching career with a 57-40 record with a 2.41 ERA in 420 games with 151 saves. Lyle had appeared in 3 World Series with the team posting 1-0 record, he didn’t pitch in 1978 World Series against the Dodgers. On November 10,1978, he was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve Catcher Mike Heath, Pitchers Larry McCall and Dave Rajsich, Reserve INF Domingo Ramos and Cash to the Rangers for Minor League P Dave Righetti, MLB OF Juan Beniquez, Pitchers Mike Griffin, Paul Mirabella and Greg Jemison (Minors). After the playing for the Rangers, Sparky would pitch for the 1980-1982 Phillies. He would finish up his MLB Pitching career with the 1982 White Sox. Lyle’s final MLB Pitching totals were a 99-76 record with a 2.88 ERA with 238 saves in 899 games (1967-1982). In 1998, he became the Manager of the Somerset Patriots, an Independent League team based in Bridgewater, NJ. He would manage the team to Atlantic League pennants in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2008. From 1998 to 2012, Lyle had a Manager record of 1,374-1,215 in 2,593 games with the Patriots. He would retire from the team after the 2012 Atlantic League season had ended.
1947-Former Yankees C/DH/1B Clifford “Heathcliff” Johnson (1977-1979) was born.
On June 15,1977, Cliff Johnson was traded by the Astros to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later, along with P Randy Niemann and INF Mike Fischlin. The Yankees would send 1B/OF Dave Bergman on November 23,1977 to the Astros to complete the trade. Cliff was a power bat off the bench for the Yankees during his stay with the team. After a clubhouse fight with Yankees Closer Rich Gossage, in which Gossage hurt his pitching hand, the team traded him. On June 15,1979, Cliff was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for Pitcher Don Hood. As a Yankees player, Johnson had appeared in 160 games for the team, while hitting .239 with 20 HRs with 56 RBIs.
1948-The Yankees take the rubber game of the series with the Indians as Vic Raschi earns the 6-5 win over the Tribe’s Ace Bob Feller. Joe DiMaggio's Grand Slam HR is the big blow for the Bronx Bombers: he has hit 4 HRs and a triple in Feller's 4 starts against the Yankees. His 8 RBIs in the 3 games against the Indians gives him an AL-leading 82.
1954-The Yankees had signed veteran MLB P Ralph Branca as an MLB Free Agent. Branca had been released by the Tigers on July 15,1954. He had posted a 3-3 record with a 5.76 ERA with Detroit. The Yankees would use him for 5 games, making 3 starts, while posting a 1-0 record with a 2.48 ERA. In October of 1954, he would be released by the Yankees.
1954-In an attempt to put more pop in the Yankees starting lineup, Yankees Skipper Casey Stengel inserts Mickey Mantle in the infield as the Shortstop, while veteran Phil Rizzuto plays 2B. The experiment works as the “Commerce Comet” HRs in the 10th inning giving the Yankees a 3-2 victory over the White Sox.
1956-Former Yankees Pitcher Scott Sanderson (1991-1992) was born. (1956-2019)
After being purchased on December 31,1990 from the Oakland A’s, Scott Sanderson would post a 28-22 record with a 4.35 ERA in 67 games for the Yankees. In 1991, Scott had a 16-10 record with a 3.81 ERA in 34 games for the Yankees. In 1992, Sanderson would go 12-11 along with a 4.93 ERA in 33 games for the team, before leaving the club in December of 1992 for MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Angels. He would finish his MLB Pitching career in 1996 with a 163-143 record with a 3.84 ERA in 472 MLB games.
1960-The Reds would sent veteran NL reliever Luis Arroyo to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal that was made on April 1,1960. The Reds would on April 1,1960, send players to be named later and Catcher Jesse Gonder to the Yankees for players to be named later. The Yankees have acquired veteran 33-year-old Pitcher Luis Arroyo from the Reds AAA team, the Jersey City Jerseys (IL). Luis had previously pitched in the MLB for the Cardinals, Pirates and the Reds. He will be a key pitcher in the Bronx bullpen for their 1960 AL Pennant run. Luis will eventually replace veteran Ryne Duren as the Yankees Closer out of the bullpen in the spring of 1961. He will become an AL All-Star Closer in 1961 with 15 wins with 29 saves.
1961-The Yankees “Super-Sub” John Blanchard does it again with a solo pinch-hit HR to start a 3-run 9th-inning Bronx Bombers rally to tumble the Red Sox by a score of 11-9.
1966-Former Yankees OF Frank “Pudgie” Delahanty (1905-1906,1908) had passed away. (1885-1966)
Frank Delahanty was one of 5 Delahanty brothers to play in the MLB. He had played 6 seasons in the MLB as an outfielder: 4 in the AL from 1905-1908 and 2 in the Federal League (1914-1915). On August 22,1905, Frank was purchased by the Highlanders from Birmingham (SA). He was the starting LF for much of the 1906 AL season for the Yankees, while appearing in 86 games there while getting 307 at-bats. Although his batting average was below the team average, he showed some power with 8 doubles and 2 HRs (no player on the team had more than 10 doubles or 4 HRs). On May 16,1907, he was traded by the Highlanders along with P Walter Clarkson to the Cleveland Naps (aka Indians) for P Earl Moore. On December 3,1907, Frank was purchased by New Orleans (SA) from the Naps. On July 9,1908, Frank was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees, playing 36 games in LF, while getting 125 at-bats. His .256 BA was 20 points higher than the team average. His overall Yankees player career totals were a .242 BA with 2 HRs and 53 RBIs in 138 games.
1973-Former Yankees Pitcher and MLB Scout Mike Thurman (2002) was born.
The Yankees had signed MLB Pitcher Mike Thurman as an MLB Free Agent. The Expos had originally signed him, where he had a 25-36 record with a 5.04 ERA in 93 games. He would appear in 12 games for the 2002 Yankees, while posting a 1-0 record with a 5.18 ERA. Also, he had pitched for the 2002 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), while recording a 7-3 record with a 3.52 ERA in 12 games. He would spend the next 2 seasons with the AAA Clippers. In 2006, Mike Thurman was the Pitching Coach for the short season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL). In 2007, he became a Yankees MLB Scout for the Pacific Northwest.
1989-The Yankees had traded the popular 3B Mike “Pags” Pagliarulo and Pitcher Don Schulz to the Padres for 2 Pitchers: veteran MLB Starter Walt Terrell and Fred Toliver, who won't report to the Yankees until September 27th. Walt Terrell went 6-5 with a 5.20 ERA in 13 games for the Yankees. After the 1989 AL season is over, veteran Starter Terrell will sign with the Pirates, as an MLB Free Agent. The Yankees had originally had signed P Freddie Toliver; but he was traded to the Reds in the Ken Griffey Sr. trade in the fall of 1981. He doesn’t appear with the team; he was released on April 2,1990. “Pags” was only hitting .197 with 4 HRs and 16 RBIs in 74 games for the 1989 Yankees. He will be replaced at 3B by veteran MLB INF Tom Brookens for the remainder of the 1989 AL season. Mike leaves the Yankees after playing 6 seasons for the team, while hitting .229 with 105 HRs and 337 RBIs in 703 games. Don Schulze was 8-4 for AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). For the 1989 Yankees, he had a 1-1 record with a 4.09 ERA in 2 games. He had been signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees in November of 1988.
1991-Former Yankees Pitcher Jake Barret (2019) was born.
On April 4, 2019, Pitcher Jake Barret was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Pirates. He only appeared in 2 games for the 2019 Yankees, as he posted no decisions along with a 14.73 ERA. He went on the IL for pitching arm issues. On November 4, 2019, the Yankees would grant Jake Barrett MLB Free Agency.
1998-The Yankees would deflate the Tigers by the score of 13-2 to run their 1998 AL season record to 71-25, an MLB record percentage after 96 games.
2011-The Yankees would score 9 runs in the 3rd inning, on their way to an emphatic 17-7 win over the Oakland A’s. Yankees Slugger Nick Swisher hits a 3-run HR, while 1B Mark Teixeira blast a Grand Slam HR during the Bronx Bombers big inning.
2012-The A’s complete a 4-game sweep of the Yankees at The Coliseum in Oakland, a 1st since the team moved to the city in 1968. The win comes in the 12th inning as Coco Crisp singles in Derek Norris with 2 outs. It comes after the A's spot the Yankees a 4-0 lead after 4 innings, then come back for the 5-4 win.
2014-The Yankees had acquired veteran MLB 3B Chase Headley from the Padres in return for INF Yangervis Solarte and Pitcher Rafael De Paula. Headley joins his new team in time to enter today's game in the 9th inning and to be the hero, when he drives in Yankees base-runner Brian Roberts with the winning run in the 14th inning as the Yankees beat the Rangers by the score of 2-1.
2019-In a meeting of AL division leaders, the Twins pull a number on the Yankees as they turn a triple play and hit 5 HRs in an 8-6 win. Yankees 1B Edwin Encarnacion hits into the triple killing in the 1st, while Mitch Garver homers twice for Minnesota. The Yankees also hit 3 HRs in a losing cause as Lewis Thorpe, in relief of starter Martin Perez gets credit for his 1st MLB win.
2021-Yankees Pitcher Brooks Kriske tied a MLB record by unloading 4 wild pitches in the 10th inning of a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Red Sox had tied the game dramatically by scoring twice with 2-outs in the bottom of the 9th, then the Yankees had managed to cash in their designated runner in the top of the 10th. With Closer Aroldis Chapman unavailable and a few other relievers having already been used in the game, Kriske was tasked with closing out the win, but things did not go as planned as his 1st 2 wild offerings resulted in Rafael Devers scoring the tying run, after which Xander Bogaerts, who had reached on a walk, successively advanced to 2nd and 3rd base on 2 more wild pitches before being driven in by Hunter Renfroe on a sacrifice fly. The 4 wild pitches also set a new MLB record for most thrown by a pitcher in extra innings.
July 23rd
1880-Former Yankees Pitcher Lew Brockett (1907, 1909, 1911) was born. (1880-1960)
During the month of August of 1906, Pitcher Lew Brockett was purchased by the Yankees from AA Buffalo (EL). He would appear in 50 games for the Yankees, while posting a 13-14 pitching record with a 3.43 ERA and 1 save.
1901-Former Yankees 2B Malcolm “Mack” Hillis (1924) was born. (1901-1961)
After coming up from the Atlanta Crackers (SA), INF Mack Hillis had appeared in 1 game with the 1924 Yankees. In 1925-1926, he was involved in a 2-part trade that sent INF Tony Lazzeri to the Yankees organization. Hillis was sent to the AA Salt Lake City Bees (PCL).
1903-In a doubleheader played at New York’s Hilltop Park, Boston veteran starter Cy Young wins the opener by the score of 6-1 in a match that takes 1 hour, 35 minutes. New York would win the nightcap by the score of 4-2.
1917-Former Yankees Pitcher Ray Scarborough (1952-1953) was born. (1917-1982)
After being obtained from the Red Sox for $10,000 cash on August 22,1952, veteran hurler Ray Scarborough would post a 7-3 record with a 3.15 ERA and 2 saves in 33 games for the 1952-1953 Yankees. He had originally come up with the Senators during the 1940’s. The Yankees would release him in August of 1953; he would finish out his MLB pitching career with the 1953 Tigers. Later, Ray would become an MLB Scout for the Orioles, Angels and the Brewers organizations, before retiring from the game.
1922-The Yankees start planning for the 1922 World Series, when they pick up 3B Joe Dugan and one-time Indians World Series hero Elmer Smith from the Red Sox, giving up OF Elmer Miller, Shortstops Chick Fewster and John Mitchell, later Pitcher Lefty O'Doul. The contending St. Louis Browns and other western clubs howl in protest and this deal will lead to an MLB rule barring non-waiver trades after June 15th by MLB Commissioner Judge Landis. Joe Dugan will replace the aging veteran Frank Baker at 3B. He will appear in 60 games for the team, while hitting .286 with 3 HRs and 26 RBIs. Joe will appear in the 1922 World Series against the Giants, playing in 4 games, while hitting .250
1925-The Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hits the 1st of his record 23 MLB career Grand Slam HRs as the Bronx Bombers beat the Senators by the score of 11-7.
1933-Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny James (1958,1960-1961) was born.
Johnny James played only 1 game in his MLB Pitching debut season in 1958. Appearing in relief for Art Ditmar (who had given up 7 earned runs in 6 innings of work) on September 6th. James would pitch 3 innings of scoreless baseball. He did walk 4 batters, while he strikeout only 1 batter. Also, he had 1 at-bat in that game, in which he had struck-out. He would spend all of the 1959 season at AAA Richmond (IL). He had earned a spot on the 1960 Yankees pitching staff by being a part of a Spring Training game no-hitter. For the 1960 Yankees, Johnny would post a 5-1 record with a 4.36 ERA and 2 saves in 28 games. Overall, as a Yankee hurler, Johnny James would post a 5-1 record with a 3.97 ERA and 2 saves in 36 games for the Yankees. On May 8,1961, he was traded by the club along with veteran Reliever Ryne Duren and Rookie OF/1B Lee Thomas for Angels veteran Reliever Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv. With the 1961 Angels, he had posted a 0-2 record with a 5.30 ERA in 36 games. Overall that season, he had walked 54 batters and struck out only 43 batters. James gave up the 20th HR of Roger Maris' then record-setting 61 HR season. Before the start of the 1962 AL season, Johnny would injure his pitching arm; he would never pitch in the MLB again. He had a 5-3 record in 66 MLB games, starting only 3 of them. In 119 innings of work, he would walk 84 hitters, while striking out 73 batters, finishing his MLB pitching career with a 4.76 ERA. Although, he did not collect a single hit in 17 at-bats (he had struck out 8 times), he did score 3 runs so one can assume he was used as a pinch-runner a few times in his MLB playing career. He would spend the 1962 season in the Minor Leagues before retiring from the game.
1950-Tigers Pitcher Saul Rogovin hits a 2nd inning Grand Slam HR off of Bronx starter Eddie Lopat as the 1st-place Bengals nip onrushing Yankees by the score of 6-5.
1957-Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle hits for the cycle and adds a stolen base against White Sox hurlers Bob Keegan, Paul LaPalme, Dixie Howell, Jack Harshman and Gary Staley. The Yankees win the game by a score of 10-6. Don Larsen had started for the Yankees followed by Tommy Byrne, Art Ditmar picks up his 7th win of the season by going 1.1 innings, then Bob Grim pitches 2 scoreless innings of relief gaining his 11th save of the 1957 AL season.
1966-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would celebrate the 1966 Old-Timers' Day, but they still lose to the Angels by a score of 7-6, despite a Grand Slam HR from Mickey Mantle. The Grand Slam HR, off of Angels hurler Marcelino Lopez, is Mickey's 9th. He ties Babe Ruth -- not in HRs, but in games played as a Yankees player.
1969-The Giants Willie McCovey hits 2 HRs as the NL Squad beats the AL team by the score of 9-3 for their 7th straight MLB All-Star Game win. Yankees P Mel Stottlemyre Sr. starts the game for the AL Squad, when Tigers Starter Denny McLain is late arriving from a dental appointment.
1977-Bronx Bombers veteran Reserve OF Paul Blair hits a 9th inning 3-run HR to give the Yankees Starter Ron Guidry a 3-1 victory over the Brewers.
1978-Bronx Slugger Reggie Jackson returns to the team as the Yankees win their 5th game straight by the score of 3-1 over the White Sox. The next day, Yankees Manager Billy Martin will resign under pressure, giving way to veteran AL Manager Bob Lemon. At the Chicago O’Hara Airport, Martin, reacting to reporters' questions about Yankees Slugger Reggie Jackson and Team Owner George Steinbrenner, replies, "The two deserve each other. One's a born liar; the other's convicted." His public remarks to the sports media will cost Billy his Yankees Manager’s job. The next day, Martin resigns under pressure, giving way to veteran MLB Manager Bob Lemon, after a 1-game interim by Yankees MLB Coach Richard Howser.
1984-Kansas City Closer Dan Quisenberry would register his 200th MLB career save as the Royals beat the Yankees by the score of 5-2. Quisenberry had reached the 200 MLB save plateau in his 409th MLB appearance, the quickest in MLB history.
2012-The Mariners would send long-time AL All-Star OF Ichiro Suzuki to the Yankees in return for 2 Minor League Pitchers: D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar. He was hitting .288 in 95 games for Seattle, leading the AL with 402 at-bats, along with 5 triples. The Yankees had recently announced that LF Brett Gardner was out for the 2012 AL season with an injury. Suzuki had a rebirth with the Yankees, by hitting a solid .322 with 5 HRs and 27 RBIs in 67 games as the Yankees managed to finish ahead of the Orioles in the AL East. In his 1st postseason action in over a decade, he was 5 for 23 (.217) as the Yankees would defeat the O's in the ALDS, then he went 6 for 17 (.353) with a HR as the Yankees' best hitter in their 4-game sweep at the hands of the Tigers in the ALCS. After the 2012 MLB season, he was re-signed with the Yankees for 2 years.
2012-Hours after being acquired in a trade, now a Yankee player, OF Ichiro Suzuki singles off of Mariners Pitcher Kevin Millwood in his 1st at-bat as a Yankee player in a 4-1 win over his former team, the Mariners. Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda is the winner, while 3B Alex Rodriguez hits his 15th HR of the 2012 AL season.
2014-The Yankees continued to juggle their MLB 25-man roster with INF/OF Kelly Johnson going on the 15-day DL, while purchasing Reliever Chris Leroux from AAA Scranton (IL). Veteran hurler Bruce Billings at AAA Scranton is DFA; he would go to the Korea Baseball League to pitch.
2014-Former Yankees Minor League 2B and MLB Scout Paul Tretiak had passed away.(1926-2014)
Infielder Paul Tretiak had spent 8 seasons in the Minor Leagues, playing from 1947 to 1954. He was with the Yankees organization from 1947-1952. He would finish his playing days in the Cubs organization from 1953-1954. In 3,027 at-bats, he hit only 8 HRs and 91 doubles, while slugging .312 overall. He averaged 1HR every 378 at-bats and didn't hit a single dinger from 1948 to 1950, during which time he had 1,216 ABs. Perhaps his best season was 1948, when he hit .279 with 131 hits, 19 doubles, 7 triples and 164 total bases in 122 games for the Joplin Miners (WL). Overall, he had hit .251 in 811 games. He would manage the Florida Instructional League Mets in 1968 and 1969. As well, he spent a year as Assistant Baseball Coach at So. Illinois Univ. at Carbondale. Paul had spent time Coaching and MLB Scouting for the 1960-1963 Pirates,1965-1977 Mets and the 1975-1978 Brewers Minor League systems.
2019-The Yankees would defeat the Twins by the score of 14-12 in 10 innings in a game that features 5 lead changes and the Yankees coming back from 6 runs down at 1 point. Bronx Shortstop Didi Gregorius has 5 hits and 7 RBIs, while OF Aaron Hicks ends it with a great diving catch in centerfield, robbing Twins batter Matt Kepler of game winning hit with the bases loaded. Both Team Closers Taylor Rogers and Aroldis Chapman blow save opportunities in the 9th inning to force the game into extra innings.
2020-In the most belated Opening Day in MLB history, a result of the COVIDS pandemic, the Yankees would defeat the Nationals by the score of 4-1 in an Interleague game ended in the 6th inning by a violent thunderstorm. Without any spectators present, the nation's Chief Immunologist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, throws a wild ceremonial 1st pitch at Nationals Park before Yankee Slugger Giancarlo Stanton hits a 2-run HR off of Nats Starter Max Scherzer to put New York ahead to stay in the top of the 1st. The Yankees' prize off-season signing, Ace Starting Pitcher Gerrit Cole, allows just 1 Nats hit, a solo HR by Adam Eaton, in pitching an abbreviated complete game. As a reminder that the health crisis is still a reality, the Nats play without their star LF Juan Soto, who had tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the game.
July 24th
1922-Former Yankees Pitcher Duane “Dee” Pillette (1949-1950) was born. (1922-2011)
Before the start of the 1946 AL season, Pitcher Duane “Dee” Pillette was signed by the Yankees, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. For the 1949-1950 Yankees, Duane would post a 5-9 record with a 3.86 ERA in 40 games. He did not appear in the 1949 World Series against the Dodgers for the team. On June 15,1950, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jim Delsing, Pitcher Don Johnson, MLB INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000 Cash to the St. Louis Browns for 2 hurlers: Tom Ferrick, Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas.
1923-Yankees Starter Carl Mays wins his 23rd consecutive game against the Philadelphia A’s.
1926-Yankee Sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth demonstrate that power hitting is not the only thing they can do when Lou scores on a double steal with the Babe in a victory over the White Sox. They had pulled the same double steal against the Red Sox on April 13th.
1933-On July 24,1933, the Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent veteran Pitcher George Uhle, after he was released by the Giants. For the 1933 Yankees, he will post a 6-1 record with a 5.16 ERA in 12 games, before fading to a 2-4 mark with a 9.92 ERA in 10 games in the 1934. On June 2,1934, George Uhle would be released by the team to clear an MLB roster spot for Yale Univ. pitching star Johnny Broaca, who had been signed by the team.
1934-Yankees CF Earle Combs crashes into the outfield wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, he suffers a fractured skull. The Yankees call up OF George Selkirk, but the team learns he broke his arm the same day, while playing for the AA Newark Bears (IL). This injury will eventually end Earl Combs great Yankees MLB playing career in 1935. He will become a Yankees MLB Coach, helping Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio to learn how to play CF at Yankee Stadium, when he is moved from RF to CF by Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy.
1935-The Tigers would shut down the Yankees by the score of 4-2 to go ahead by 1/2 game, but are a fraction of a percentage point behind in AL.
1954-After Yankees Manager Casey Stengel pulls starting Shortstop Phil Rizzuto in the 8th inning for a pinch-hitter. He would move CF Mickey Mantle again to play Shortstop, while Willie Miranda plays 2B against left-handed hitters. Against right-handed batters, Miranda and Mantle switch their infield positions. The Indians win the game by a score of 5-4 to go 2 ½ games up on the Yankees in the 1954 AL pennant race.
1960-White Sox 3rd straight win at Yankee Stadium and 8th straight overall, a 6-3 victory behind veteran lefty Starter Billy Pierce, gives the White Sox a 2-game lead atop the AL. Yankees Starter Eli Grba beats White Sox hurler Herb Score in the 2nd game by the score of 8-2 to give Yankees, a twin-bill split.
1961-In an unusual mid-season night exhibition match at Yankee Stadium, the Giants would beat their former cross-town rivals by the score of 4-1. Mickey Mantle's HR accounts for the only Bronx Bombers run, while Willie Mays has 2 RBIs for the visiting "Jints.” His 2-run single gave the Giants the lead in the game, that they would hold on the rest of the way. Giants Pitcher Bobby Bolin had pitched 6 innings for the win with Mantle’s HR the only run, that he had gave up to the Yankees batting order. Veteran Giants hurler Billy O’Dell would finish up the game for the Giants. Yankees Rookie hurler Al Downing would take the loss. The attendance for the exhibition game was 47,346 people. The next time the 2 teams would play at the Yankee Stadium; it will be in the 1962 World Series.
1964-Tigers veteran Starter Hank Aguirre gives up 5 runs on 3 HRs to the Yankees in the 1st 4 innings, but the Tigers overcome a 5-2 deficit to win the game by a final score of 10-5.
1965-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Joe Oliver (2001) was born.
On November 21,2000, C Joe Oliver was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He appeared in only 12 games for the team, while hitting .250. On June 20, 2001, Joe was released by the Yankees, but he would be picked up by the Red Sox for the rest of the 2001 AL season.
1966-The Yankees beat the Angels by the score of 9-1 in Game 1, as Mickey Mantle hits his 2nd HR in 2 days. The Mantle HR, his 493rd MLB career HR shot, ties him with HOF Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig for 6th place on the All-time MLB HR Leaders list.
1978-In Kansas City, a sobbing Billy Martin reads a prepared statement in which he resigns as the Yankees Manager. New York MLB Coach Richard Howser will fill in that night as acting Manager, as the Yankees would lose the game to the Royals by a score of 5-2. The new Yankees skipper Bob Lemon will take over the next day, he will pilot the Yankees to the 1978 World Championship, which included the 14-game come-back for the Yankees to catch the Red Sox to win the AL East Division crown, eventually the AL Pennant and a 1978 World Series victory over the Dodgers.
1983-In the memorable "Pine Tar Game" at Yankee Stadium, Royals 3B George Brett hits an apparent 2-run HR off of Yankees Closer Rich Gossage to give Kansas City a 5-4 lead with 2 outs in the 9th inning, only to have it taken away when Yankees Manager Billy Martin at the urging of MLB Bench Coach Don Zimmer, points out that the pine tar on Brett's bat handle exceeds the 17 inches allowed in the MLB rules. As a result, Brett is called out for illegally batting the ball, giving New York, a 4-3 victory. George Brett goes ballistic and the Royals immediately protest, AL President Lee MacPhail overrules his Umpires for the 1st time saying that, while the rules should certainly be rewritten and clarified, the HR will stand and the game will be resumed from that point on August 18th.
1985-Former Yankees Pitcher Ted Kleinhans (1936) had passed away. (1899-1995)
For the 1936 Yankees, Ted Kleinhans had appeared in 19 games; while posting a 1-1 record with a 5.83 ERA with 1 save. In 1935, Ted had joined the Yankees organization, pitching for AA Newark Bears (IL). For the 1935 Bears, he had posted a 17-8 record with a 2.82 ERA in 40 games. In 1936, Ted was with the Bears again, posting a 4-2 record in 8 games, before being called up by the Yankees. In 1937, he would pitch for the AA Kansas City Blues (AA), having a 15-9 record with a 4.03 ERA in 37 games. On September 4,1937, Ted was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees Organization. Later, he would coach College Baseball for 20 years at Syracuse Univ., before retiring in 1966. He had originally come up with the 1934 Phillies before being traded to the Reds during the 1934 NL season.
1991-In a game against the Mariners, the Yankees score 3 runs on a ground ball hit back to the pitcher. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out in the 4th inning, Pat Kelly hits a comebacker to Pitcher Erik Hanson. The Seattle hurler traps Yankees” base runner Kevin Maas in a rundown between 3B and home, but Kevin Maas scores, when 3B Edgar Martinez's throw hits him in the back. The ball rolls up the 1B line in foul territory, where Catcher Dave Cochrane, who throws home to head off the Yankees base runner Alvaro Espinoza, who is also attempting to score, recovers it. The throw goes into the Mariners' dugout allowing Espinoza and Kelly to cross the plate with the 2nd and 3rd runs of the inning.
1992-MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent announces that New York Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner can resume active control of the Yankees on March 1,1993.
1999-The Yankees would pound out the Indians by the score of 21-1. The Bronx Bombers are led by DH Chili Davis, who bangs out 5 hits, including a double and HRs, while driving home 6 runs.
2001-The Yankees edge the Tigers by the score of 6-5, despite an 8th inning moon shot by Tiger's Juan Encarnacion off of Yankees Reliever Ramiro Mendoza, that lands in the 2nd row of the empty blue bleacher seats in left centerfield. It is believed to be the 1st ball hit into that area since Yankee Stadium was remodeled in 1976.
2004-Another saga is added to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry as a bench-clearing brawl breaks out after Red Sox Starter Bronson Arroyo hits Yankees batter Alex Rodriguez, who hit last night's game-winning HR, with a pitch. As A-rod stares out at the mound on his way to 1B, Boston's Catcher Jason Varitek, after a verbal exchange, pushes the All-Star 3B in the face causing a series of fights with players in both team's dugouts and bullpens involved.
2009-The Yankees would extend their winning streak to 8 games with an 8-3 defeat of the Oakland A's. Yankees Starter Joba Chamberlain is the winner.
2012-Seattle Starter Felix Hernandez breaks Yankees batter Alex Rodriguez's hand with a pitch in the 8th inning of a 4-2 victory over the Yankees. The Yankees make history by becoming the 1st team since the 1927 Philadelphia A’s have 3 players with 2,500+ MLB career hits in the starting lineup. New York uses Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and the newly acquired OF Ichiro Suzuki to pull that feat off.
2014-The Yankees continuing making deals before the 2014 July 31st MLB Trade deadline. They have purchased P Chris Capuano from the Rockies for Cash. He had started the 2014 AL season with the Red Sox, going 1-1 with a 4.55 ERA in 28 games before being released by the team. The Rockies would pick him up as an MLB Free Agent. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi tells the NYC sports writers, that he will use him as a starter. For the 2014-2015 Yankees, Capuano will go 2-7 with a 5.67 ERA in 34 games. He was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He was signed with the Brewers for the 2016 MLB season.
2017-The Yankees have acquired 1B Ryan McBroom from the Blue Jays in exchange for Reserve INF/OF Rob Refsnyder. He will be assigned to AA Trenton Thunder (EL).
2018-The Orioles had traded veteran MLB Reliever Zach Britton to the Yankees for 3 Minor League Pitchers: Cody Carroll, Dillon Tate and Josh Rogers. Britton will help out the Yankees bullpen during the 2018 ALWC race. For the 2018 Yankees, Britton will post a 1-0 record with a 2.88 ERA and 3 saves in 25 games. He had made 3 appearances in the 2018 AL Post season with no decisions. He was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. Later, Zach was resigned by the Yankees.
2018-Former MLB Pitcher and Yankees Bullpen Coach Tony Cloninger had passed away. (1940-2018)
Tony Cloninger pitched a 12 years in the MLB, most notably for the Braves. Despite hitting just .192 during his MLB playing career, he is well remembered for some feats with the bat during the 1966 NL campaign. In 1958, Cloninger was signed by the Braves and made his pro debut that summer. In 1959, while playing for the Cedar Rapids Braves (3-IL), he had one of the worst stretches of any pitcher to eventually become a successful MLB Pitcher. Over a 10-game span with the team, he went 0-9 with a 9.59 ERA, allowing 58 walks in only 46 innings. Despite his early struggles, Cloninger reached the MLB with Milwaukee in 1961. In 1964, he led the Braves staff with 19 wins. In 1965, he was 24-11, but he didn’t get any votes for the Cy Young Award because Dodgers Sandy Koufax, who won 26 games, was the unanimous winner of the award. The Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, and Cloninger tied Ken Johnson for the team lead with 14 victories. However, he is perhaps most famous for his feats with the bat that summer. On June 16th, against the Mets, he clubbed a pair of HRs in a game. Several weeks later, on July 3rd, he hit 2 Grand Slams in 1 game versus the Giants at Candlestick Park, as the Braves won by the score of 17-3. He became the 1st NL player to accomplish that feat, also the only NL pitcher. As of 2009, only 12 other MLBer’s have done the same. He also had an RBI single in the game, for a total of 9-runs batted in. Overall, during a 6-game stretch from June 16th to July 3rd, he had 4 HRs and 18 RBIs. Later, Cloninger would pitch for the Reds and the Cardinals. With the Reds, he made 2 appearances in the 1970 World Series, taking the loss in Game 3 as his team fell to the Orioles in 5 games. He would end his pro playing career in the Atlanta chain, pitching for the 1972 AAA Richmond Braves (IL). Cloninger was a member of the Yankees MLB Coaching staff from 1992 to 2001. Also, he worked as the MLB Pitching Coach for the 2002-2003 Red Sox. When he was diagnosed with Cancer, Tony was forced to take a leave of absence from the team. After he had recovered, he would serve as a Scout in the Class A Carolina League in 2005. In 2011, he was a Player Development Consultant for the Red Sox.
2023-The Yankees have announced that they have release Minor League P Michael Felz, so that he could accept an offer to pitch for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan. He had pitched in 13 games for AAA Scranton this season. He had been signed to a minor league contract by the Yankees during the winter. He had pitched for the Red Sox in 2022.
July 25th
1903-At Hill Top Park in New York, the Boston Pilgrims (aka Red Sox) bang out 7 doubles while beating the Highlanders by the score of 7-5. Buck Freeman and Marty Parent each have 2 doubles.
1904-Before a crowd of 1,522 fans at Hill Top Park, veteran hurler Al Orth makes his 1st start for the Highlanders. He matches zeroes with White Sox Starter Yip Owen. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Patsy Dougherty leads off with a triple and scores on Willie Keeler's bouncer through the infield.
1908-With the Yankees leading the Tigers by the score of 3-2 in the 8th inning, Detroit scores 2 runs on a Ty Cobb triple. With lefty Claude Rossman the next hitter, New York's new Manager Kid Elberfeld moves righty P Jack Chesbro to 1B and replaces him with 1B Hal Chase. Chase allows a fly ball that scores Cobb, then goes back to 1B and Jack Chesbro resumes his spot on the mound. It is Hal Chase's only Yankee pitching appearance as the Tigers win the game by a score of 5-3.
1920-The Red Sox turn a triple play against the Yankees, who win the game by a score of 8-2. Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth hits his 35th HR of the 1920 AL season.
1939-Yankees Rookie Starter Atley Donald sets the AL Rookie Pitcher’s record for consecutive wins. "Swampy” beats the St. Louis Browns for his 12th straight victory, winning the game by a score of 5-1.
1947-Former Yankees MLB 1B Coach Mick Kelleher (2009-2014) was born.
Mick Kelleher had played in the MLB during the 1970’s with the Cubs, until a back injury forced to stop playing. He would join the Yankees MLB Coaching staff in 2009. He was released by the team at the end of 2014 AL season. Previously, he was an MLB Coach with the Pirates and the Tigers.
1947-Former Yankees Minor League P Mickey Scott was born. (1947-2011)
The Yankees in the 17th round of the 1965 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected P Mickey Scott. He would make his pro debut that year. The following season, he went 15-5 with a 2.75 ERA for the AA Binghamton Triplets (NYPL). He would lead the NYPL in wins and strikeouts. After missing the 1967 AL season due to military service, he was back with the Triplets in 1968. Mickey would spend the 1969 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 18,1969, Mickey was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to the White Sox for veteran INF Pete Ward. Later, he would pitch for the Orioles and the Angels. Following his MLB playing days, he would work for the Yankees organization in various capacities.
1948-In the tight 4-team 1948 AL Pennant race, Joe DiMaggio leads the Yankees to a sweep over the White Sox by scores of 5-3 and 7-3. Yankee Clipper is 3-for-3 in Game 1 to back Yankees Starter Eddie Lopat, then he adds a triple and 2 doubles in the nightcap. His 3-RBIs in the nightcap, gives him an AL-high 86 RBIs. Both the Yankees and Indians are tied for 2nd place 1 1-2 games behind the 1st place Red Sox.
1959-Against Detroit, Yankees 1B Bill “Moose “Skowron reaching for a wide throw collides with Tigers’ baserunner Coot Veale. Bill Skowron's arm is broken in 2 places; he is out for the rest of the 1959 AL season. Yankees Rookie Marv Throneberry will fill in at 1B, while hitting .241 with 8 HRs and 22 RBIs for the team. The Yankees would win the game by a score of 9-8, when Yogi Berra hits a HR in the 9th inning with Mickey Mantle on. Prior to the Yogi’s HR, Infielders Bobby Richardson and Fritz Brickell had hit their 1st MLB HRs for the Yankees. Yogi Berra’s HR erases 5 Yankee errors, including 3 by 3B Hector Lopez. In 1960, he will eventually be moved to OF with Clete Boyer taking over 3B. Bill Skowron’s arm injury will be very costly for the Yankees, who will finish in 3rd place in the AL with a 79-75 record behind the 2nd place Indians and 1959 AL Champions White Sox.
1961-Yankees RF Roger Maris hits 4 HRs, tying the AL record for a twin bill (at least 1 in each game) as the Bombers beat the White Sox by the scores of 5-1 and 12-0. Also, Mickey Mantle HRs off of hurler Frank Baumann in the 1st game. He ends the day with 38 HRs to 40 HRs for Roger Maris. With his 4 HR performance in the doubleheader sweep over the White Sox, Roger Maris moves 25 games ahead of Babe Ruth's 1927 60 HR pace. The Yankee slugger now has 40 HRs for the season; Roger Maris will finish the 1961 AL season with an MLB record of 61 HRs.
1962-Former Yankees Pitcher Doug Drabek (1986) was born.
On August 13,1984, Doug Drabek was sent by the White Sox to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on July 18,1984. The White Sox would send Players to be Named Later to the Yankees for veteran INF Roy Smalley. The White Sox would send 2 hurlers: Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey on August 13,1984 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Doug went 7-8 in 27 games for the 1986 Yankees. On November 26,1986, he was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Logan Easley and Brian Fisher to the Pirates for 3 Pitchers: Veteran Starter Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements.
1965-Former Yankees Reserve INF (1991) and MLB Manager Torey Lovullo was born.
On March 19,1991, INF Torey Lovullo was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for Pitcher Mark Leiter. He would appear in only 22 games as a Reserve INF for the 1991 Yankees, while hitting just .176. He would spend most of his season playing for the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL).
1966-Former Yankees MLB Manager and NL Player Casey Stengel is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by a special vote of the MLB Writers Association and the Old Timer’s Committee. The purpose was the special election vote was due to Casey Stengel being seriously injured in accident. The Press wanted him to be elected to the Hall of Fame, while he was still alive. As an MLB player, Casey had played in the MLB for 14 seasons, finishing with a lifetime BA of .284 with 60 HRs and 535 RBIs in 1,277 MLB games. On October 10,1923, he hit the 1st World Series HR in Game #1 at Yankee Stadium as a member of the Giants. Casey had played for the Dodgers, Pirates, Phillies, Giants and the Braves (1912-1925). He had appeared in 3 World Series as an MLB player with the 1916 Dodgers and the 1922-1923 Giants playing in 12 games, while hitting .393 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs.
1967-At Yankee Stadium, AL HR leader Harmon Killebrew gives the Twins a 1-0 lead with a 1st inning HR off of Yankees Starter Al Downing. Twins Starter Jim Kaat holds the Yankees scoreless until 2-outs in the 9th inning when Mickey Mantle clocks a ball over the 457 FT mark to tie the score. The game is rained out with the score tie at 1-1. It will be replayed on August 18th. The Yankees will win the replay by a score of 1-0.
1967-Former Yankees OF Mike “Shotgun” Chartak (1940) had passed away. (1916-1967)
Mike Chartak was 25 years old, when World War II started. He had played for the Yankees, Senators and Browns in 1940 and from 1942-1944. He had 10 HRs in both 1942 and 1943, each seasons in which, that he had around 390 at-bats. In the 1944 World Series, he was a pinch-hitter for the St. Louis Browns in Games 5 and 6. Mike Chartak was an outfielder on the 1938 Newark Bears (IL), one of the great minor league teams with a record of 104-48. Mike only appeared in 16 games for the 1940 Yankees, just hitting .100. During 7 seasons in the Minor Leagues, he had posted a batting average of .306 along with a slugging percentage of .509. On May 10,1942, Mike was purchased by the Senators from the Yankees. In April of 1945, it was discovered that he had tuberculosis in his left lung. Mike had to stop playing pro baseball. Doctors discovered spots on Chartak's lungs during a pre-induction military examination. He had tuberculosis; he was sent to a sanatorium. Over the next 23 years, Chartak spent the majority of his time in sanatoriums. On July 25,1967, He died from Pulmonary Tuberculosis at a sanatorium in Oakdale, Iowa.
1976-Former Yankees Pitcher Javier Vazquez (2004,2010) was born.
On December 16, 2003, starter Javier Vazquez was traded by the Expos to the Yankees for 1B Nick Johnson, OF Juan Rivera and Reliever Randy Choate. For the 2004 Yankees, he would post a 14-10 record in 32 games. On January 11, 2005, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Brad Halsey, C Dioner Navarro and cash to the Diamondbacks for All-Star starter Randy Johnson. On December 22, 2009, Javier was traded by the Braves along with P Boone Logan to the Yankees for P Arodys Vizcaino (Minors), OF Melky Cabrera, P Michael Dunn and Cash. His 2nd tour with the Yankees, Juan is a major disappointment; Vazquez goes only 10-10 in 31 games. Overall, as a Yankees starter, he had a 24-20 record with a 5.09 ERA in 63 games. The Yankees would let him leave the team for MLB Free Agency. He was signed by the Marlins for the 2011 MLB season. In the Fall of 2011, Javier would retire from baseball, finishing with a 165-160 record with a 4.22 ERA in 450 games.
1978-The Yankees would name Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Lemon as their new manager replacing the recently resigned Billy Martin. His Bronx MLB managing debut is a 4-0 win against the Royals. He will restore order to the team and catch the Red Sox, who currently lead the Yankees by 14 ½ games for the AL East crown. He will win the 1978 World Series defeating the Dodgers.
1991-A Yankees baseball jersey once worn by Yankees Hall of Fame CF Mickey Mantle is sold for $71,500 at a Sports Auction held in Manhattan.
1995-Yankees' 2B Randy Velarde strokes 5 hits in a Bombers 8-1 win over the Royals. Velarde's 5 hits in the game included 4 singles and a HR.
1996-Royals Rookie Starter Jose Rosado wins his 1st MLB game by the score of 7-0 by shutting down the Yankees on 4-hits at Yankee Stadium.
1997-The Yankees had signed veteran MLB OF Pete Incaviglia to a Minor League contract as a Free Agent and sent him to AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). He had hit .246 with 5 HRs with the 1997 Orioles before being released by the team. After 3 games with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), he was called up to the Bronx, where he as a DH for the team, hitting 4 singles in 16 at bats. On August 13, 1997, Pete was released by the team, when they had obtained veteran DH/1B/Catcher Mike Stanley from the Red Sox in a trade.
1998-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher T.J. Sikkema was born.
Minor League Pitcher T. J. Sikkema was traded by the Reds to the Yankees in the 2019 Sonny Gray trade. He would spend the 2019 Minor League season with the short season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), while posting a 0-0 record with a 0.84 ERA in 4 games for the team. However, he then missed all of the next 2 seasons: 2020 because the minor leagues were shut down by the Coronavirus pandemic and 2021, he didn’t pitch because of a shoulder injury. On July 27, 2022, the Yankees had acquired Veteran MLB OF Andrew Benintendi from the Royals in exchange for 3 Minor League Pitchers: P Chandler Champlain, T.J. Sikkema and Beck Way.
1998-Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton makes his 1st appearance at Yankee Stadium since 1970 at Old Timer’s Day. He is greeted with cheers all around. Bouton had been persona non grata in New York since writing his baseball book, "Ball Four," which broke a long-standing taboo in sports by taking readers into the locker room and revealing players' extracurricular escapades. The Yankees had invited the Bulldog back after his son wrote a Father's Day article in the New York Times suggesting it. On his 1st pitch on the Yankee Stadium pitching mound, he did his famous hat-flying-off pitching delivery, which the Yankee fans cheered wildly about. His former Yankees teammate Pitcher Mel Stottlemyre had reminded him that the fans would he looking to see if he was going to do it again.
2011-The Yankees would extend the Mariners' franchise-worst losing streak to 16 games with a 10-3 win at Yankee Stadium. Yankees batters Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira hit a HR and have 3 RBIs each.
2014-Former Yankees Reserve OF Arthur “Dutch” Schult (1953) had passed away.(1928-2014)
Art Schult played 5 seasons in the MLB for 4 different teams. He was in 59 games at 1B and 56 in the outfield. He first came up with the Yankees; his next team was the Reds, moving on to the Senators. His last MLB season was with the Cubs. He hit for a .254 average, while playing in the MLB. He had appeared in only 7 games as a Yankee, all of them were as a pinch-runner, but he did score 3 runs.
2015-Alex Rodriguez continues his remarkable 2015 comeback season by hitting 3 HRs in an 8-5 Yankees win over the Twins. His 3rd long ball ties the score against Twins Closer Glen Perkins in the 9th inning then Rookie Catcher John Ryan Murphy follows with a 3-run game-winning HR shot.
2016-In a rare development, the Yankees become sellers at the July 31st MLB Trading Deadline approaches as they would send Closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs in return for a very rich package of 3 Minor League Prospects that includes Outfielders Rashad Crawford and Billy McKinney, INF Gleyber Torres and MLB P Adam Warren. The Yankees were dealing from a position of strength, with 2 other top-class MLB Relievers still on hand in Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, while Chapman is headed for MLB Free Agency, after the 2016 MLB postseason ends. He will help the Cubs win the NL pennant and the 2016 World Series. In the Fall of 2016, he will resign a multi-year contract with the Yankees in the Fall of 2016.
2017-In his 1st plate appearance at home as a member of the Yankees, 3B Todd Frazier hits into one of the rarest plays in baseball: a triple play that actually scores a run. Batting with the bases loaded and none out in the 2nd, he hits a hard grounder to Reds Shortstop Jose Peraza, who steps on 2nd and throws to 1st for the 1st 2 outs. Meanwhile, Didi Gregorius, who was on 2nd base, freezes up between 2nd and 3rd, thinking Peraza may catch the ball on the fly. Reds 1B Joey Votto throws to 3rd and catches Gregorius in a rundown. He is called out for leaving the base line - but not before Yankees baserunner Matt Holiday has crossed home plate. Because the final out was not the result of a force out, the Yankees run stands. The Yankees will go on to beat the Reds by the score of 4-2.
2019-At Fenway Park, the Red Sox author another chapter in the long saga that is their rivalry with the Yankees by defeating them by a score of 19-3. Masahiro Tanaka allows 12 earned runs in 3 1/3 innings, the most by a Yankee pitcher against the Sox. Xander Bogaerts sets the tone with a 3-run HR in the 1st as part of a 4-hit night in which he adds another long ball, against C Austin Romine pitching mop-up relief in the 8th. The 19 runs by the Red Sox are the most they have scored in the 117-year history of facing the Yankees.
July 26th
1892-Former Yankees Pitcher Samuel “Sad Sam” Jones (1922-1926) was born. (1892-1966)
On December 20,1921, Starter Sam Jones was traded by the Red Sox along with P Bullet Joe Bush and Shortstop Everett Scott to the Yankees for Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, 3 Pitchers: Rip Collins, Jack Quinn and Bill Piercy along with $100,000 Cash. He had been pitching in the AL since 1914, when he had started with the Indians, who later would trade him to the Red Sox. In 1921, Sam had posted a 21-16 record with a 3.22 ERA in 40 games for Boston. For the 1922-1926 Yankees, Sam would post a 67-56 record with a 4.06 ERA and 22 saves in 202 games. His best Yankees pitching season was in 1923, when he went 21-8 with a 3.63 ERA in 39 games. On September 4,1923, he had thrown a No-Hitter against the Philadelphia A’s. On February 8,1927, Sam was traded by the Yankees to the St. Louis Browns for OF Cedric Durst and P Joe Giard. Jones would later pitch for the Senators and the White Sox, before retiring in 1936. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the 1st was with 1918 Red Sox and then 1922-1923,1926 Yankees with 0-2 pitching record with a 2.05 ERA in 6 games. His final MLB pitching career mark was a 229-217 record with a 3.84 ERA and 31 saves in 647 games.
1920-Former Yankees Reserve 3B Eddie Bockman (1946) was born. (1920-2011)
Reserve INF Eddie Bockman appeared in only 4 games for the 1946 Yankees before being traded on October 12,1946 by the team to the Indians for a Player to be Named Later and Cash. The Indians would send INF Dutch Meyer on December 5,1946 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Later, Eddie would become a Minor League Manager. He was a long-time MLB Scout for the Phillies.
1922-Former Yankees Minor League Manager and Hall of Fame MLB Pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm was born. (1922-2002)
Hoyt Wilhem was an MLB Pitcher for 21 seasons. He was named to the MLB All-Star teams in both leagues, 5 different times. He had won 2 ERA Titles during his MLB Pitching career. Hoyt had appeared in his only World Series with the 1954 Giants, he had made 2 appearances against the Indians with no decisions. In 1958 with the Orioles, Hoyt had pitched a No-Hitter against the Yankees. He would start his pitching career in the MLB with the 1952 Giants, he would later pitch for the Cardinals, Indians, Orioles, White Sox, Royals, Angels, Braves, Cubs and finishing up his long MLB career with the 1972 Dodgers. Overall, Hoyt had posted a 143-122 record with a 2.50 ERA in 1,090 MLB games. He had finished his long MLB Pitching career with 228 saves. After his MLB playing days, Wilhelm had managed for 2 seasons in the Minor Leagues in the Braves organization with the Greenwood Braves. Also, Hoyt was a Minor League Pitching Coach in the Yankees organization: 1977 AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL), 1978 AAA Tacoma Yankees (PCL), 1979 AA West Haven Yankees (EL), 1982, 1983 and 1984 AA Nashville Sounds (SAL) and the GCL Yankees for several years, before he retired from the game. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 7,1985.
1922-In several pre-game fights between Yankees’ teammates, OF Bob Meusel and Catcher Wally Schang duke it out in the Yankees dugout. Then Babe Ruth and 1B Wally Pipp takes a turn at it. The riled-up Yankee players then turn on the St. Louis Browns beating them by the score of 11-6. Babe Ruth bangs out 2 HRs, while 1B Wally Pipp adds another HR and Catcher Wally Schang chips in with a 2-run triple.
1923-Former Yankees Minor League INF Leo Thomas was born. (1923-2001)
On June 15,1950, INF Leo Thomas was traded by the Browns along with Pitchers Tom Ferrick and Joe Ostrowski to the Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, Pitchers Don Johnson, Duane Pillette, Veteran INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000 Cash. He did not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was assigned by the team to their AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA). On July 22,1950, Leo was purchased by the AAA Portland Beavers (PCL) from the Yankees.
1927-Former Yankees Pitcher Bill Miller (1952-1954) was born. (1927-2003)
On August 1,1951, hurler Bill Miller was purchased by the Yankees from the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). The Giants originally had signed him. For the 1952-1954 Yankees, Bill would post a 6-8 record with a 3.95 ERA and 1 save in 36 games; before being traded to the Orioles in the winter of 1954, as part of the huge 17-player trade. While pitching for the 1952-1953 Yankees, Bill didn’t appear in the World Series for the team.
1928-Tiger’s Rookie right-hander Vic Sorrell and the Yankees' veteran Starter Waite Hoyt are in 1-1 tie after 11 innings. Twelve hits and 2 walks in the 12th inning score 11 Yankees runs in the biggest extra-inning storm ever. Yankees OF Bob Meusel again hits for the cycle. The Yankees Outfielder becomes the 1st MLB player to accomplish the hitting feat for a 3rd time during his MLB playing career. The Yankees would lose the nightcap to the Tigers by a score of 13-10.
1930-Former Yankees Reserve OF Tommy Madden (1910) had passed away. (1883-1930)
On August 23,1909, Tommy Madden was purchased by the Yankees from Utica (NY State). He would appear in 1 game for the 1910 Yankees with no hits.
1931-At Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers split a doubleheader with the White Sox, taking the 2nd game by the score of 22-5 with 9 Yankee batters scoring 2 or more runs each. The Sunday twin bill played in the Bronx had attracted a crowd of 40,000 fans. The Yankees would chase Chicago Starter Pat Caraway, who in 2 innings of work gives up 7 Yankees hits, while allowing 13 runs. Red Ruffing is the winning pitcher for the Yankees with Reliever Lou McEvoy picking up his 1st save of the 1931 AL season. In the Opener, the White Sox had beaten the Bombers by the score of 5-4. Chicago Starter Red Faber throws a complete game victory. Hank Johnson takes the complete game loss for Yankees; he is now 9-5 for the 1931 AL season.
1933-Former Yankees Golden Glove Winner OF Norm Siebern (1956,1958-1959) was born. (1933-2015)
Before the start of the 1951 AL season, the Yankees had signed Norm Siebern as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would miss the 1954-1955 baseball seasons due military service. He had appeared with the Yankees briefly in 1956, then Norm joined the team full-time in 1958, being the 1st Yankees position player to win an AL Golden Glove for LF. In 1956, Norm was the 1st winner of James P. Dawson Award for best Yankee Rookie in MLB spring training camp. Back in the Minors with the AAA Denver Bears, the following year, he led the American Association with a .349 average, 24 HRs, 124 runs, 191 hits, 45 doubles, and 15 triples, as he was chosen by the Sporting News as their 1957 Minor League Player of the Year. In 1958, Norm had played in 134 games for the Yankees, while hitting .300 with 14 HRs and 55 RBIs. In 1959, Norm would play in 120 games for the team, while hitting .271 with 11 HRs and 35 RBIs. Norm was one of the young players who, Yankees Manager Casey Stengel, who openly criticized him in the NYC sports media. On December 11,1959, Norm was traded by the Yankees along with veteran OF Hank Bauer, Starter Don Larsen and Reserve 1B/OF Marv Throneberry to the Kansas City A’s for OF Roger Maris, veteran AL Shortstop Joe DeMaestri and 1B Kent Hadley. Overall, as a Yankees player, he had played in 308 games, while hitting .273 with 29 HRs and 129 RBIs. He would play for Athletics from 1960 to 1963, being named to the AL All-Star team twice before being traded to the Orioles in the winter of 1963. Norm would later play for the Giants, Angels and the Red Sox before retiring in 1968. He had appeared in 3 World Series (1956, 1958 Yankees and the 1967 Red Sox), playing in 7 games, while hitting just .167 with No HRs and 1 RBI.
1933-Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig is thrown out of the 2nd game in a double-header against the Red Sox, had it been the 1st game, his MLB consecutive-game streak would have ended.
1935-An unusual double play occurs when a line drive hit by Yankees’ batter Jesse Hill bounces off the Pitcher's head Senators Ed Linke in the air to the Catcher Jack Redmond, who throws to 2nd to double off the Yankees base-runner Ben Chapman.
1936-Umpire Bill Summers is forced out the game after he was hit in the groin by a pop bottle thrown from an unruly crowd of 50,000 Chicago fans during a Sunday doubleheader played at Comiskey Park. The Chicago crowd becomes upset with an out call at 1B on Ray Radcliff in the 8th inning of the nightcap. Baseball Commissioner Judge Landis, on hand to watch the game, offers a $5,000 reward over the PA system for the culprit, but his PA announcement only draws more boos. The deluge of pop bottles finally abates when White Sox Manager Jimmy Dykes pleads through the field amplifier. The Yankees would sweep a pair from the Sox, winning by scores of 12-3 and 11-8 in 11 innings. Lou Gehrig hits his 29th HR with 2 aboard to start the Yankees scoring in the opener. Then Joe DiMaggio and Tony Lazzeri add round trippers to make it easy win for Yankees Starter Johnny Broaca. Sugar Cain is the losing Chicago pitcher. In the nightcap, Lou Gehrig adds another HR, while Zeke Bonura HRs and drives home 4 runs for the White Sox. Yankees Rookie CF Joe DiMaggio has 1 hit, a triple for the Yankees. White Sox Starter John Whitehead, Relievers Clint Brown, Bill Dietrich and the loser Red Evans (0-2) are pounded by the Yankee hitters for 11 runs and 15 hits in the game. The Chicago hitters had chased Yankees Starter Bump Hadley for 7 runs and 10 hits, after 4 innings of work. Yankees’ veteran hurler Pat Malone comes in to shut down the White Sox batters allowing only 3 hits and 1 run in 4 innings of work, improving his 1936 pitching record to 10-4. The doubleheader sweep of Chicago increases the Yankees AL led to 9 1/2 games, they have a 62-32 record for the 1936 season.
1937-Former Yankees INF (1970) and Minor League Manager Pete Ward was born.(1937-2022)
Veteran INF Pete Ward was at the end of his MLB playing career, when he joined the Yankees suffering from neck and back problems, forcing him to switch from 3B to 1B. Although originally signed by the Orioles, but he was traded to the White Sox in 1963. He was a member of the 1963 Topps All-Star team. He had finished 2nd in the 1963 AL ROY Award voting. As a Yankees player, Pete had appeared in 66 games for the team, while hitting .260 with 1 HR and 18 RBIs. After his active MLB playing career had ended in 1970, Pete would become a Minor League Manager for the Yankees organization. Later, he would work for the Braves Minor League organization.
1939-Bronx Bomber All-Star Catcher Bill Dickey hits 3 consecutive HRs during the Yankees 14-1 victory against the St. Louis Browns. Meanwhile Yankee Starter Red Ruffing throws a 3-hitter against the Browns. The Yankees tied the MLB record by scoring every inning.
1940-Yankees Starter Spud Chandler beats the White Sox with his bat by knocking in 6 runs with a single and 2-HRs, one being a Grand Slam HR off of Chicago P Pete Appleton. The 6-RBI ties the AL record held by Pitchers Pete Appleton, George Uhle and Wes Ferrell.
1948-Yankees Hall of Fame OF Babe Ruth makes his last public appearance at the NYC premiere of the film “The Babe Ruth Story”, starting William Bendix as Babe Ruth. Ruth will pass away from Cancer 3 weeks later.
1948-The Yankees had waived veteran hurler Randy Gumpert (1946-1948) to the White Sox. Randy Gumpert’s best season as a Yankees hurler was in 1943, when he would post a 11-3 record with a 2.31 ERA and 1 save in 33 games for the team. From 1943-1945, he would miss playing time due to military service. His final Yankees pitching career record was a 16-4 mark with a 3.20 ERA and 1 save in 72 games, after being obtained from the 1939 Philadelphia A’s. In 1957, Randy would return to the Yankees as an MLB Coach for 1 season.
1952-Yankees OF Mickey Mantle hits his 1st MLB career Grand Slam HR as the Bombers lose to the Tigers by a score of 10-6 in extra innings. Mickey’s Grand Slam HR lands in the upper deck in Left-Centerfield of Briggs Stadium in Detroit. The Grand Slam HR is 15th HR of the 1952 AL season for Mantle.
1957-At Yankees Stadium, a crowd of 31,182 fans watched as Tigers Starter Jim Bunning 2-hits the Yankees, winning the game by the score of 3-2; but 1 of the 2 hits that he allows is Mickey Mantle's 9th left-handed HR, the 200th HR of his MLB playing career. Yankees All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra gets the other hit, a triple. Jim Bunning is now 12-3 for the 1957 AL season, while Bronx Starter Bob Turley takes the loss, he is now 5-3.
1958-Former Yankees Pitcher Marty Bystrom (1984-1985) was born.
On June 30,1984, Pitcher Marty Bystrom was traded by the Phillies along with Reserve OF Keith Hughes to the Yankees for Starter Shane Rawley. He had appeared in 15 games for the 1984-1985 Yankees, while posting a 5-4 record with a 4.37 ERA. He would retire after the 1985 AL season was finished due to pitching arm problems.
1959-The Yankees had purchased Rookie hurler Gary Blaylock from the Cardinals. For the 1959 Cardinals, Gary had gone 4-5 with a 5.13 ERA in 26 games as a Reliever and spot Starter. In a roster move to make room for Blaylock, the Yankees would send Rookie P Jim Bronstad, who had a 0-3 record to AAA Richmond (IL), ending his career with the Yankees. With the 1959 Yankees, Gary would post a 0-1 record with a 3.51 ERA in 15 games. The 1959 AL season would be the only season, that Gary would pitch in the MLB. He would spend the 1960-1966 baseball seasons, pitching in the Yankees Minor League system.
1961-Yankees “Super Sub” John Blanchard ties an MLB record by hitting his 3rd and 4th HRs in 4 at bats over 3 games. He drives in 4 of the 5 Yankee runs in a 5-2 victory over the White Sox at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees manage just 6-hits, but 4 of them are HRs, including 1 by Mickey Mantle following Blanchard's 1st-inning clout. Johnny Blanchard will end the 1961 AL season with 21 HRs in 243 at bats, becoming the 1st player in MLB history to hit 20 HRs or more in fewer than 250 at bats.
1962-In New York City, Red Sox veteran Starter Gene Conley and Reserve INF Pumpsie Green would mysteriously disappear after a 13-3 Boston loss to the Yankees. They leave the Red Sox team bus in traffic to use a rest room and fail to return. Conley decides that he wants to fly to Israel, then goes to the airport, but he is refused a ticket because he does not have a travel visa. Conley was the loser in the game, pitching only 2-2/3 innings, while walking in 2 runs of the 8 earned runs that he allowed. Reserve INF Pumpsie Green did not play in the game. Rookie Starter Jim Bouton is the winner for the Yankees, shutting out the Red Sox for 6 innings.
1967-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would play their 2nd 18-inning game of the 1967 AL season, losing this one by the score of 3-2 to the Twins. Rod Carew walks, steals 2B, and continues to 3B on Yankee Catcher's Jake Gibbs errant throw and scores on Rich Rollins' single. Twins Closer Al Worthington wins the game over Yankees Pitcher Thad Tillotson in a game that lasted 4-hours, 20-minutes. Jim Roland picks up the save for the Twins. Tilloston’s 1967 pitching record drops to a 3-7-mark, Yankees Starter Fred Talbot had pitched 7 innings, giving up only 1 Twins run.
1969-The Yankees would sell Reserve OF/1B/PH Billy Cowan to the Angels for Cash. On December 2,1968, Billy was drafted by the Yankees from the Phillies AAA team San Diego Padres (PCL) in the 1968 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. As a Reserve player, Billy would hit .167 with 1 HR in 32 games for the 1969 Yankees, before being sent to the Angels. Cowan would hit .304 in 28 games for the 1969 Angels, while filling in for the Angels injured OF Lou Johnson.
1977-The Yankees would open their final series with Baltimore by tying the Orioles at 4-4 on a Cliff Johnson 2-run pinch HR in the 9th inning. Yankees Slugger Reggie Jackson then leads off the 10th inning with a solo HR to win the game.
1987-Former Yankees and A’s Pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter, long-time Cubs NL All-Star OF Billy Williams and Black Baseball League Star Ray Dandridge are inducted into the Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
1987-Former Yankees Pitcher Vidal Nuno (2013-2014) was born.
Vidal Nuno was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008. He had been a 48th round choice by the Indians in the 2009 MLB Amateur Player Draft out of Baker Univ. in Baldwin City, KS). A prototypical long shot to make it to the show; he would pitch 2 seasons in the Indians organization. In 2009, he went 5-0, with a 2.39 ERA between the AZL Indians (4 R in 7 IP) and Mahoning Valley Scrappers (5-0, 2.05 ERA), but in 2010, his record fell to 6-8, while his ERA rose to 4.96 in 21 games for the Lake County Captains, though he had only walked 14 and fanned 94 batters in 94 1/3 IP. The Tribe would release him. Nuno had to pitch in the independent leagues to continue his pro career, making 6 starts for the Washington Wild Things (Frontier League), in which he went 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA, before signing with the Yankees organization in June of 2011. He went back down to the short-season Class A NYPL, where he had pitched in his 1st pro season, he would dominate opponents to the tune of a 5-0 record with an 0.92 ERA and 1 save in 8 games for the Class A Staten Island Yankees. That earned him a promotion to the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), where he continued to do well, by posting a 2-1 record with a 1.80 ERA in 7 starts. His combined record during the 2011 season was 9-4 with a 1.95 ERA, 100 strikeouts in 106 1/3 innings. Suddenly he was on the prospect radar screen. In 2012, Vidal continued to pitch very well in a couple of Minor League stops, 1st going 1-1, 2.96 ERA in 11 games as a Reliever for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), then he had posted a 9-5 record with a 2.45 ERA in 20 starts for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). He led Yankee farmhands in strikeouts (126, 2 ahead of Dellin Betances) and ERA (2.54, .46 ahead of Nik Turley) while he tied Turley for 3rd in wins. In winter ball, he was 4-3 with a save and a 2.52 ERA in 22 relief outings for the Aguilas del Zulia. He would start the 2013 season with AAA Scranton (IL); he had recorded a pair of wins with a 1.54 ERA in his 1st 4 starts, winning International League Pitcher of the Week, when he got the call to the Bronx. On April 29, 2013, he would make his MLB Pitching debut with the Yankees, having been called up that day, when Starter Ivan Nova was placed on the DL. In his MLB Pitching debut, he had pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief in a 9-1 loss to the Astros, having come into the game in the 7th inning after both Starter Andy Pettitte and Reliever Adam Warren had been shelled by Astros batters. He would give up 4 hits, but he didn’t issue any walks, while he had struck out 2 Astros. He would only pitch 5 times for the Yankees that season, including 3 starts, he went 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings, as a strained groin cut his 2013 season short just after he had been sent back to AAA in early June. In 2014, he was 2-5 with a 5.42 ERA in 17 games for the Yankees, including 14 starts, when he was traded to the Diamondbacks on July 6th in return for MLB veteran Starter Brandon McCarthy. The Yankees had just learned that CC Sabathia would likely be out for the rest of 2014 AL season with a knee injury, they did not want to have a young starter like Vidal learning on the job; while they were trying to chase down a postseason slot in the AL East.
1996-The Yankees would unload a 21-hit barrage and bat around twice to whip the Royals by the score of 15-1. This is the most hits the Yankees have collected in 9 innings since August 25,1984, when they had 23 hits against the Mariners. Yankees Starter Jimmy Key is the easy winner, giving up only 3 Royals hits in 7 innings. Yankees 2B Pat Kelly, who had been out most of the 1996 AL season with surgery, makes his 1996 AL season debut and promptly injures a hamstring.
1996-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher Spencer Howard was born.
Spencer Howard was considered the top pitching prospect in the Phillies organization, when he made his MLB pitching debut on August 9, 2020. He had been a 2nd-round selection by the Phillies in the 2017 MLB Amateur Player Draft, 45th pick overall. He would start against the Braves that day, giving up 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings to be saddled with an 8-0 loss. On July 30, 2021 He was traded by the Phillies to the Rangers in the trade that sent veteran P Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy to the Phillies. On August 1, 2023, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Rangers. This season, he was 0-0 with a 10.50 ERA and no saves in 3 games for the Rangers. Yankees have assigned him to AAA Scranton, working out of their bullpen. He has an MLB life-time record of 3-11 with a 7.20 ERA and no saves in 38 games. On August 30, 2023, Howard was released by the Yankees. He was picked-up by the Giants.
1998-Former MLB Pitcher Don Sutton and OF Larry Doby are inducted into the Hall of Fame along with MLB Baseball Executive Lee MacPhail, George Davis and Joe Rogan. Former Yankees GM Lee MacPhail joins his Father, former Yankees Team Co-Owner Larry MacPhail (1945-1947) to become the 1st Father and Son duo to be enshrined at Cooperstown. Larry Doby was the 1st Black MLB player in the AL breaking in with the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
2004-Former Yankees Minor League and MLB Pitcher Ruben Gomez had passed away. (1927-2004)
On December 3,1951, Ruben Gomez was drafted by the Yankees from the St Jean (Canada: Provincial League) in the 1951 Minor League Player Draft. In June of 1952, Ruben was released by the team, when Yankees GM George Weiss decided he wasn’t the proper player to represent the Yankees as their 1st MLB minority player. Weiss had settled on Catcher/OF Elston Howard for that role, releasing or trading away or releasing other minority players in the Yankees Minor League system. In January of 1953, the Giants would sign him as an MLB Free Agent. He would win 13 games for the 1953 Giants, then in 1954; he would win 17 games for NL Champs. He had won 1 game in the 1954 World Series as the Giants upset the Indians in 4 games. He would pitch for 10 seasons in MLB, while posting a 76-86 mark.
2008-The Pirates had send .330-hitting Xavier Nady and interim Closer Damaso Marte to the Yankees for young Pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen and Jeff Karstens and injured OF prospect José Tabata. The Pirates are in desperate need of pitching depth with injuries to Phil Dumatrait and Matt Capps, the struggles of Ian Snell, Matt Morris and Tom Gorzelanny, ineffective call-ups by young Buc hurlers John Van Benschoten, Yoslan Herrera and an empty Minor League cupboard, while the Yankees need help for the 2008 AL pennant run, being in 3rd place in the AL East. Future MLB Free Agent Nady was considered unlikely to re-sign with the Pirates.
2009-Former Yankees/A’s OF Rickey Henderson, Red Sox Slugger Jim Rice and Yankees/Indians 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Former 1942 AL MVP Joe Gordon is the 1st player to be voted in by the Veterans Committee since its rules were reformulated following the controversial election of Pirates 2B Bill Mazeroski in 2001. Joe Gordon was an MLB player with the Yankees and Indians and an MLB Manager with the Indians, Tigers, A’s and the Royals during his MLB Manager career.
2011-The Mariners would lose their 17th consecutive game. They lose the game by the score of 4-1 to the Yankees Ace CC Sabathia. He would fans 18 Mariner batters, CC allows only 1 Seattle hit; only 1 other hurler, Cubs Starter Kerry Wood on May 6,1998, had fanned 18 or more batters while allowing 1 hit or less in a game.
2013-The Yankees repatriate veteran OF Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs in return for Minor League hurler Corey Black. Soriano would play DH and bats 4th in the Yankees starting line-up in tonight's game against the Rays, but he goes 0-for-5 as the Yankees lose the game by the score of 10-6. For the 2013 Yankees, he would appear in 58 games, while hitting .256 with 17 HRs and 50 RBIs.
2014-The Blue Jays snapped a 17-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium. Toronto beats the Yankees by the score of 6-4 on a 3-run HR by Dan Johnson off of Yankees Reliever Jeff Francis. Yankees Carlos Beltran hits a 2-run HR in the 9th inning.
2018-The Blue Jays had traded MLB veteran Starter A.J. Happ to the Yankees for Minor League OF Billy McKinney and MLB 3B Brandon Dury. He was excellent in his debut for his new team on July 29th allowing 1 run just 3 hits in 6 innings as the Yankees defeated the Royals by the score of 6-3. A couple of days later, however the Yankees announced that J.A. was temporarily sidelined because he had contracted hand, foot and mouth disease, a children's malady that does not often affect adults but that had also hit Mets Pitcher Noah Syndergaard a few days earlier. On August 19th, he would defeat his former team the Jays by the score of 10-2, to improve to 14-6 on the season and 4-0 since the trade, giving the Yankees every-thing they had been looking for. He would post a 7-0 record with a 2.69 ERA for the Yankees, finishing the season at 17-6 mark, along with a 3.65 ERA. However, he was the loser in his only 2108 AL Postseason appearance, as he gave up 5 runs in 2 innings in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Red Sox. He would become an MLB Free Agent after the 2018 AL season had ended, but it was clear that the Yankees wanted him back for the 2019 AL season. On December 12th, the 2 sides would agree on a 2-year, $34 million contract.
2022-The Yankees have announced that Veteran MLB Reliever Ryan Weber has elected to be an MLB Free Agent, rather than accepted an outright assignment to AAA Scranton. Ryan had appeared in 3 games in relief with no decisions for the Yankees.
July 27th
1898-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Benny Bengough (1923-1930) was born. (1898-1968)
After the 1922 Minor League season had ended, Catcher Benny Bengough was acquired by the Yankees from AA Buffalo Bisons (IL). He had appeared in 2 World Series for the team, playing in 6 games, while hitting .176 with No HRs and 1 RBI with the 1927-1928 Yankees. In 10 seasons of playing in the MLB with 2 World Series appearances, Benny failed to hit a HR as an MLB player. Overall, as a Yankees player, Ben would hit .257 with No HRs and 81 RBIs in 317 games. On October 24,1930, he was purchased by the AA Milwaukee Brewers (AA) from the Yankees. Also, he would manage in the Yankees Minor League system; 1934-1935 Class D Washington Generals (PSA), then he moved up to the 1936-1937 Class C Joplin Miners (WA). He was then a Minor League Coach for the 1938-1939 AA Newark Bears (IL). Next, Bengough was an MLB Coach for the 1940-1943 Senators. Then he would work for Braves during the 1944-1945 NL seasons. Then Benny was a long-time Phillies MLB Coach from 1946-1958.
1904-The Tigers had purchased Catcher Monte Beville from the Highlanders to replace Catcher Bob Wood, who dislocated an elbow yesterday, when he slipped trying to field a bunt against the Philadelphia A's. Monte had hit .194 in 82 games for the 1903 Yankees. This season he was 9 for 22 for the team. He will hit .207 in 54 games for the Tigers, which will be his last time playing in the MLB.
1905-Former Yankees INF (1925-1929) and long-time MLB Manager, Hall of Famer Leo “Lip” Durocher was born. (1905-1991)
In August of 1925, INF Leo Durocher was purchased by the Yankees from the Hartford (EL) for $12,000 Cash. He would play in the last 2 games of the 1925 AL season. Leo had played the infield for the Yankees in 210 games, while hitting .258 with No HRs and 63 RBIs. He had appeared in 1 World Series with the 1928 Yankees, playing in 4 games with no hits. Also, Leo would appear in the 1934 World Series with the Cardinals. He was the 1st Yankee player to wear Yankees uniform #7. As Babe Ruth’s roommate, he stole some things from the Babe, who beat him up in their hotel room. Leo was banished from the AL by the Yankees GM Ed Barrow. On February 5,1930, the Reds had selected Leo off of MLB waivers from the Yankees. During the 1933 NL season, Leo was traded by the Reds to the Cardinals. Later, he became a successful MLB Manager in the NL with the Dodgers and the Giants. In 1941, his Dodgers team won the NL Pennant, but they lost to the Yankees in the 1941 World Series. He would take the Giants to the World Series in 1951, but losing again to the Yankees. In 1954, his Giants team would upset the Indians for the 1954 World Championship. Later in the late 1950’s, he was an MLB Coach for the Dodgers. Also, Leo would manage the 1966-1972 Cubs and then the 1972-1973 Astros. In 24 MLB seasons as an MLB Manager, he had a 2,008-1,709 record with a .540 WP. In 1994, Leo was elected to the Hall of Fame.
1922-St. Louis Browns Starter Elam Vangilder gives up a HR to Yankees 1B Wally Pipp in the 4th inning, but he leads by the score of 2-1 going in to the 8th inning. The Yankees jump on the Browns Starter and Reliever Ray Kolp for 4 runs before the Browns tie with 3 runs in the 9th inning. Dave Danforth comes on Fred Hofmann on a pitch "that sailed a foot." When Umpire Brick Owens exams the ball, he rules it was doctored, earning Dave Danforth, an automatic 10-day suspension. Reliever Rasty Wright comes on and serves up a game-winning HR to Yankees Catcher Wally Schang. Yankees will win the game by a score of 6-5.
1933-Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny Kucks (1955-1959) was born. (1933-2013)
Before the start of the 1952 AL season, Johnny Kucks was signed by the Yankees, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would pitch in the 1952 Class B Piedmont League with the Norfolk Tars, posting a 19-6 record with a 2.55 ERA. He was 2nd in the circuit in victories and 7th in ERA. Then he would miss the 1953-1954 seasons due to military service. When he returned to pro baseball in 1955, he went straight to the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1956, when he record a 18-9 record and made the AL All Star team. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the team. Plagued by back troubles, Johnny would never be as effective as his great 1956 AL season. Overall, he had posted a 42-35 record with a 3.82 ERA in 143 games for the team. On May 26,1959, he was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe and P Tom Sturdivant to the Kansas City A’s for P Ralph Terry and INF/OF Hector Lopez. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the A’s (12-21) in 1960, finishing with an overall MLB 54-56 career record. Kansas City would sell him to the Orioles, where he would pitch at AAA level. Then Orioles would sell him to the Cardinals in 1962, again, he would pitch at the AAA level. Johnny was the top pitcher on the 1962-1963 AAA Atlanta Crackers, winning 14 games both seasons before a pitching arm torn nerve injury forced him to retire from the game. In 1964, the Cardinals would give him a position of Roving Pitching Instructor and MLB Scout.
1936-Former Yankees Minor League OF Don Lock was born. (1936-2017)
In 1958, the Yankees had signed Don Lock as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. In the Yankees farm system, he was a HR king, who never had a chance to make the Yankees MLB 25-man roster. In 1959, he had played at Greensboro along with Shortstop Tom Tresh. In 1960, he would lead the Eastern League in HRs with 35 and in RBIs with 117. From Tales from the Yankee Dugout, “Humorously reacting during spring training to the possibility that the Yankees would cut him, he crossed off his name from his locker, barricaded himself inside and "fired" at anyone who approached with his bat.” On July 11,1962, Don Lock was playing for the Yankees AAA Richmond Virginians (IL), when he was traded to the Senators for veteran 1B Don Long. Later, he would play for the Phillies and the Red Sox. From 1971-1973, he would become a Minor League Manager in the Red Sox system.
1945-The Cubs had purchased Starter Hank Borowy from the Yankees in an unexpected waiver deal. Hank Borowy is currently 10-5 with the 1945 Yankees, he was put on waivers, apparently to solve a roster problem, he was passed over by 15 MLB teams. He was nursing a sore arm. The Cubs would snatch him for $97,500 cash. Hank will help the Cubs win the 1945 NL pennant with an 11-2 record, including 3 wins over their rivals the Cardinals down the stretch.
1947-Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra starts an incredible 148-game errorless streak, an MLB record for catchers.
1948-In his MLB player debut with the Browns, St. Louis native Hank Arft bangs a triple and a HR off of Yankees P Frank Hiller. Arft drives in 3-runs as the Browns top Yankees by a score of 4-0. Tomorrow's cheers of "Arft, Arft" will give Hank his nickname "Bow Wow."
1951-The White Sox, who are just 3 1/2 games behind the Yankees and the Red Sox, open a 4-game series at Yankee Stadium. Trailing 3-1 in the 9th inning, the White Sox make it 3-2 before rain and the Yankees delay the game. Yankees INF Gil McDougald is thrown out of the game for stalling, while Yankees Manager Casey Stengel uses 5 pitchers in the inning. Finally, the Yankees win as the game is called after 30 minutes.
1953-MLB All-Star Pitcher Dizzy Dean and OF Al Simmons are inducted into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. Along with them, the Veterans Committee enshrines Chief Bender, Bobby Wallace, 19th-century Manager Harry Wright, Yankees Executive and MLB Manager Edward Barrow and MLB Umpires Bill Klem and Tom Connolly. Edward Barrow was the Yankees General Manager from 1920-1945. As an MLB Manager, he had won the 1918 World Championship with the Red Sox. Before joining the Red Sox, he had managed the Tigers. He was the Red Sox Manager, who switched Babe Ruth from the mound to the outfield to take advantage of his power hitting.
1955-Former Yankees Pitcher Shane Rawley (1982-1984) was born.
On April 1,1982, Shane Rawley was traded by the Mariners to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later along with hurlers Bill Caudill and Gene Nelson. The Yankees would send Reserve OF Bobby Brown on April 6, 1982 to the Mariners to complete the trade. Shane would post a 27-27 record with a 4.11 ERA with 4 saves in 92 games as a Yankees hurler. On June 30,1984, he was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for P Marty Bystrom and Reserve OF Keith Hughes.
1956-Future Yankee 3B Hector Lopez and former Bronx farmhand 1B Vic Power of the Kansas City A’s, each have 5 hits including a HR each in a 14-inning game, a 10-9 loss to the Yankees. Yankees would get their HRs from C Yogi Berra, 3B Andy Carey and 1B Bill Skowron. On the pitching side, veteran P Tommy Byrne picks up the victory for the Yankees by throwing 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief. Both teams’ starters were knocked out early in the game.
1958-Former MLB Pitcher, Yankees Minor League Manager (1940-1941,1953-1956) and MLB Scout Phil Page had passed away. (1905-1958)
From 1928-1934, Phil Page was MLB pitcher. He had pitched for the Tigers and Dodgers with an overall MLB pitching record of 3-3 in 31 games. He would give up Lou Gehrig's 5th MLB career Grand Slam HR on September 10,1929. It was a 1st-inning blast hit at Yankee Stadium. After his MLB playing days were over, he would bulk of his time Managing and Scouting in the Yankees organization. He would manage the 1940 Augusta Tigers (SAL), 1940 Norfolk Tars (PL). the 1953 Binghamton Triplets (EL) and the 1955-1956 Birmingham Barons (SA). He was also the Reds' MLB Pitching Coach from 1947-1952. In 1958, Page would die from a heart attack at age of 52 in Springfield, MA, the place of his birth.
1968-Former Yankees Minor League INF and Manager Steve Livesey was born.
The Yankees in the 1986 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected INF Steve Livesey in the 29th round. Instead, Livesey would go to college, the Yankees would draft him again, this time in the 35th round of the 1991 MLB Amateur Player Draft. From 1991-1992, he would play in the Yankees Minor League system. Then he was loaned to the Co-Op team, the San Bernardino Spirit (CAL) in 1993 and 1994, but he only appeared in 4 games each season. In 2004, he was the Manager of the Class A Charleston Riverdogs (SAL) in the Yankees organization. In 2005, he would join the Tampa Bay Rays organization as a Minor League Manager.
1970-The Yankees would beat the Angels by the score of 5-2, behind veteran Ace Mel Stottlemyre, who is helped by Shortstop Gene Michael in the 9th inning. With the score tied, Michael pulls the hidden ball trick on Angels Pinch-Runner Jarvis Tatum. The Yankees would score 3-runs in 10th inning to win the game.
1970-Former Yankees CF Earle Combs, Player-MLB Manager Lou Boudreau, MLB Commissioner Ford Frick and Cardinals Pitcher Jesse Haines are inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Earle Combs was the 1st great Yankees Centerfielder (1924-1935). He was a lifetime .325 hitter for the Yankees in 12 seasons with the team. Earl would hit .340 with 4 World Series for the team.
1973-Yankees Catcher Thurman Munson singles home the winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Yankees, a 1-0 win over the Brewers Starter Jim Colborn.
1973-Former Yankees Reserve INF Enrique Wilson (2001-2004) was born.
On June 13, 2001, INF Enrique Wilson was traded by the Pirates to the Yankees for Minor League P Damaso Marte. He would hit .216 in 264 games as a Reserve INF for the Yankees.
1975-In the 1st game of a doubleheader played at Shea Stadium, Red Sox CF Fred Lynn makes a great running catch to save the game for Starter Bill Lee, who wins the game by the score of 1-0. In 2nd game, Roger Moret completes the Yankee whitewash with a 6-0-nightcap win. The 2 losses seem to finish the Yankees 1975 AL pennant hopes and Bill Virdon's Yankees Managing job. On August 1,1975, former Rangers Manager Billy Martin will replace Bill on August 1,1975. Bill will bounce back with an MLB Manager’s job with the Astros in August of 1975.
1975-Former Yankees 3B/DH Alex Rodriguez (2004-2016) was born.
On July 8, 1994, Alex Rodriguez made his MLB player debut with the Mariners against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, becoming the only player to reach the MLB at age 18 since the 1970s. He spent less than a month with the Mariners that strike-shortened season, and would split time in 1995 between the club and their AAA Tacoma team (PCL). In 1996, he would play only 2 games with Tacoma, since then has been in the MLB full-time. He would remain with the Mariners through the 2000 AL season, making 3 All-Star teams and establishing himself as one of the game's best shortstops and one of its premier offensive players.. Prior to the start of 2001 MLB season, A-Rod would sign a 10-year/$252 million contract with the Rangers that made him MLB's highest-paid player. He continued to perform at the highest level with the Rangers, leading the AL in HRs all 3 years and winning his 1st AL MVP Award in 2003. He also would top 50 HRs for the 1st time in 2001, a total he would reach 2 more times, in 2002 and 2007. On February 16, 2004, Rodriguez was traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for Shortstop Alfonso Soriano and a Player to be Named Later (Minor League Player Joaquin Arias). Although he had made his reputation as one of the greatest shortstops of his generation, he deferred to Yankee Captain (and Shortstop) Derek Jeter and accepted a move to 3B with the Yankees even though, he had won 2 Gold Gloves as a Shortstop, while Jeter had won none. While playing in New York, he won 2 additional AL MVP Awards. In 2005, he would break the Yankees' single-season record for HRs by a right-handed hitter, held for more than 50 years by all-time Yankee great Joe DiMaggio, when he hit 48 HRs. He would raise the record to 54 HRs, 2 years later in 2007. That season, he tied a record by hitting 12 HRs in his 1st 15 games. Despite continuing to achieve extraordinary success in the regular season, A-Rod's postseason performance was disappointing to his fans, batting .279 and slugging .483 with 7 HRs in 10 postseason series. He gained some measure of infamy during the 2004 ALCS the Red Sox when he "karate chopped" Boston Pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who was tagging him out at 1B.On October 28, 2007, Rodriguez opted out of the 10-year/$252 million deal, thus becoming a MLB Free Agent again. In November, he was re-signed with the Yankees after hearing advice from his friend Warren Buffett, the famous billionaire investor. His MLB Player Agent Scott Boras had encouraged him to ask for much more on the MLB Free Agent market, but Rodriguez did not heed his advice.
On September 3, 2008, a HR, he hit to LF off of P Troy Percival became the 1st play to be reviewed under MLB's new instant replay rule; Brian Runge's HR call was upheld. He would missed the beginning of the 2009 MLB season because of hip surgery, but on August 7th, he became the 9th player in MLB history to hit at least 20 HRs in every year in a decade, and the 1st from the 2000s. He would finish the season with 30 HRs and 100 RBIs, although his batting average had slipped to .286, his lowest since 1999. To reach those totals, he had a great final game on October 4th, when he hit a pair of HRs and drove in 7 runs in a 10-run 6th inning against the Rays; the 7 RBIs were an AL record, although they fell short by 1 of Fernando Tatis' MLB record of 8 RBIs in a single inning. That season, he put to rest criticisms about his lack of hitting in the postseason, as he carried the Yankee offense on his shoulders in the 1st 2 rounds of the playoffs: he went 5 for 11 with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs in the ALDS against the Twins, then was 9 for 21 with 2 doubles, 3 HRs and 6 RBIs in the ALCS against the Angels. He was not as scorching in the World Series, but he still contributed with 3 doubles, a HR and another 6 RBIs in the Yankees' defeated the Phillies. A-Rod's quest for 600 MLB HRs came true on August 4, 2010, on a 2-0 cutter from Blue Jays P Shaun Marcum at New Yankee Stadium. He had taken 10 days to hit the milestone HR, but he hit it on the 3-year anniversary of his 500th HR long ball.
Rodriguez's 2011 season was interrupted by surgery on his right knee at the MLB All-Star break; he was hitting .295 with 13 HRs and 52 RBIs in 80 games at the time. He only returned to the line-up on August 21st. He would finish out the season with the worst numbers of his career: just hitting 16 HRs with 62 RBIs and a .276 BA in 99 games. He was only 2 for 18 in the ALDS as the Yankees were upset by the Tigers. The 1st half of the 2012 season was the healthiest in years for A-Rod, as he had played in 94 of the team's 1st 97 games. However, his production was way down, as he had a .274 BA with 15 HRs and 44 RBIs at that point, while batting in the middle of the batting order for a 1st-place team. He was left off the AL All-Star team. Then on July 24th, he suffered a freak injury when a change-up by Seattle's Felix Hernandez broke a bone in his left hand, sending him to the DL. It capped a bad day for Rodriguez, who had become the 5th player to reach 2,000 career strikeouts earlier in the contest. He was out for 6 weeks altogether, only returning to the line-up on September 3rd. He would finish the season hitting .272 in 122 games, with 18 HRs and 57 RBIs in 122 games. He would slump badly in the ALDS, as the Yankees were involved in a closely played 5-game series with the Orioles. He was only 2 for 16. He was benched at 2 key moments, giving way to pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez with the Yankees down by 1 run in the 9th inning of Game 3 - Ibanez hit a dramatic game-tying HR - and being left on the bench in favor of Eric Chavez in the decisive Game 5. After going 1 for 7 in the 1st 2 games of the ALCS - both losses at home to the Tigers, he was benched again for Game 3. What made things worse was that he had been seen flirting with female fans in the stands during Game 1, which the Yankees had lost in extra innings. No trade happened in the early days of the 2012-2013 off-season, and then more bad news hit on December 3rd, when it was announced that Rodriguez had a hip tear and would need to undergo surgery on January 16th, which was likely to sideline him for the 1st half of the 2013 season at a minimum. It was the worst possible news for the Yankees, as they remained on the hook for his salary, needed to find a short-term replacement at 3B and had no guarantee that he would be a productive hitter, when he returned. They had signed veteran 3B Kevin Youkilis to a 1-year contract a few days later to ensure they would at least have an MLB-caliber hitter to play the hot corner. Indeed, a few days after the surgery, GM Brian Cashman stated publicly that there was a chance A-Rod would miss the entire season "because (of) the serious nature of the surgery and the condition that he's trying to recover from".
Meanwhile, the Biogenesis Scandal was hitting full steam, Rodriguez was sent for another rehabilitation stint, this time with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), starting on August 2nd. He got some attention focused on his playing for a change by hitting a long 2-run HR off of Pitcher Jesse Biddle in his 1st game. He would finally return to the Yankees line-up on August 5th, which was ironically the day MLB announced that he was being suspended for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. Because A-Rod immediately announced he was appealing the suspension, he was able to play that same day against the White Sox; he was booed mercilessly by the fans as he went 1 for 4 in an 8-1 Yankees loss. He would finally receive some ink for baseball reasons on August 11th, when he hit his 1st HR of the year off of Tigers Starter Justin Verlander the accompanying RBI was number 1,951 for Alex, moving him past Stan Musial into 5th place on the MLB All-Time list. On August 18th, he was hit by a pitch from Ryan Dempster in the 2nd inning of a game against the Red Sox in what was clearly seen as a gesture of displeasure with his involvement with PEDs; Rodriguez replied by hitting a HR in the 6th. On September 20th, he became the MLB All-Time leader for Grand Slam HRs, passing former Yankees great Lou Gehrig. He would end his season a few games early, missing the Yankees' last series because of soreness in his legs. In 44 games, he had hit .244 with 7 HRs and 19 RBIs. He then focused on the appeal of his suspension, as the hearings on the matter were scheduled to start on September 30th at MLB's offices in New York.
On January 11, 2014, Horowitz would issue his ruling, reducing his player suspension from 211 games to 162, or the full 2014 MLB season and postseason. The Yankees were planning to give him a chance to play in 2015, although in December of 2014, GM Brian Cashman mentioned that he was being looked at as a DH, no longer as a full-time 3B; after re-signing veteran MLB 3B Chase Headley, who had been acquired during A-Rod's suspension to a lucrative 4-year contract. There was the expected media scramble, when he showed in spring training, 2 days ahead of schedule. He then began working out at 1B, given the Yankees were concerned about Mark Teixeira's health. He was in the Yankees' Opening Day line-up on April 6th, starting at DH and hitting 7th against the Blue Jays; he hit his 1st HR in 2 years on April 9th, a solo HR shot off of Toronto's Daniel Norris in a 6-3 loss. He quickly found his stroke to become one of the offensive leaders of the Yankees, who were able to battle for 1st place in the AL East, contrary to what had happened in his absence. His numbers at mid-season could have made him an All-Star, although he was passed over in favor of AL Sluggers Nelson Cruz and Prince Fielder as the AL's DH. On July 25th, he had a 3-HR game against the Twins, keying a comeback from a 5-0 deficit. His 3rd HR, off of Twins Closer Glen Perkins in the 9th, tied the score at 5, and Yankees teammate John Ryan Murphy gave the Yankees an 8-5 win with a 3-run HR later on that inning. On July 27th, he would join a small club of MLB players to have homered on their 40th birthday, when he went deep off of Rangers P Matt Harrison in a 6-2 Yankees win.
That long ball also made him only the 4th player to HR before turning 20 and after turning 40, following Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub and Gary Sheffield. On August 18th, he would add to his MLB record for Grand Slams by belting the 25th of his MLB playing career in an 8-4 win over the Twins. He slowed down some in the last month and a half and finished the season hitting .250 with 33 HRs and 90 RBIs, very good numbers given his age and the fact he had missed a full season and was struggling badly the year before. However, he was silenced in the ALWC against the Astros, going 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts. During spring training camp in 2016, he mentioned that he was considering retirement after the following season. It was not a huge surprise given he was going to turn 41 during the present season, but journalists were wary of taking him at his word, given he had changed in mind on a number of other matters before. On April 24th, he had to leave a game in the 6th inning because of a strained oblique muscle; the Yankees were very concerned and had him undergo an MRI immediately, bracing themselves for a long absence. However, it was just a scare, as A-Rod was back in the line-up, after missing only 2 games. However, on May 4th, he was indeed placed on the DL, because of a strained hamstring muscle. He had been one of the most productive hitters on a team struggling to score runs. He would come back on May 26th as he struggled badly at first, with his batting average falling as low as .170 on May 29th. He hit slightly better in June, bring his average back to the .220s, but with only 2 HRs hit during the month. That is when Manager Joe Girardi began to bench him against right-handed pitchers, against whom he was batting only .200. The move was also aimed at improving the team's defense, as RF Carlos Beltran had replaced him at DH with Aaron Hicks getting to play the outfield. By the end of July, though, he was back to hitting .210. Girardi would bench him for a full week as the Yankees were trying to claw their way back into the AL postseason picture. He did not help his cause when, in his 1st game back in the starting line-up on July 30th, he got to wear the so-called “ Golden Sombrero” by striking out 4 times in a 6-3 loss to the Rays. There were now calls for A-Rod to be released based on his inability to produce anymore, these getting louder as the Yankees were now clearly in reconstruction mode, having recently had traded 3 MLB Stars –OF Carlos Beltran, Relief Pitchers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman at the July 31st MLB trading deadline.
Rodriguez had expressed a quiet and serene resignation when asked about that possibility: "I know that the organization has a brighter future today than it did last week. Hopefully I’m part of that equation. But if not, I can accept it very clearly." He was only 4 HRs away from being the 3rd player to reach 700 for his MLB career, which was a possible incentive for the Yankees to keep him on board at least until he reached that MLB milestone. Speculation about his future increased when the Yankees called a press conference for August 7th, only a couple of days after teammate Mark Teixeira had announced he would be retiring at the end of the season. At the conference, Alex did announce his player retirement, stating that his last game would be on August 12th. He was to be given his unconditional release as a player: after the game and to fulfill the remainder of his player contract as a Special Adviser and Instructor with the team. His last week with the Yankees was no glamorous farewell tour, however, as Joe Girardi kept him largely confined to the bench, his only commitment to the declining superstar being that he would get to start at DH on his final day with the team. This did not sit well with a number of reporters, who thought that A-Rod, for all his flaws, deserved a more dignified exit. Thus, when Alex was unsuccessful in a pinch-hitting appearance against the Red Sox on August 10th, it was his 1st appearance in a game since August 2nd. On August 11th, he finally got to start a game on his penultimate day with the team, as the DH and clean-up hitter facing Red Sox P Eduardo Rodriguez; he went 0 for 4, but he did collect an RBI in the 4-2 win, although it came on a dribbler that barely traveled 15 feet. In his MLB final game against the Rays, he had hit a 1st-inning RBI double off of Rays P Chris Archer for his final MLB hit, then he would make outs in his last 3 at-bats. The Yankees had won the game, 6-3. In the top of the 9th, Girardi let him play 3B for final time, although he left the game after the 1st out without having any fielding chances. He had ended the 2016 AL season by hitting .200 with 9 HRs and 31 RBIs in 65 games. As a Yankees player, Alex had played in 1,509 games, while hitting .283 with 351 HRs and 1,096 RBIs. Overall, as an MLB player, he had hit .295 with 696 HRs along with 2,086 RBIs in 2,784 games.
1978-The Yankees win the 1st game of a doubleheader with the Indians by a score of 11-0, but the Tribe rebound to win the 2nd game by the score of 17-5. Indians Duane Kuiper ties the MLB record with 2 bases-loaded triples in the nightcap, only the 3rd player (after Bill Bruton and Elmer Valo) to do so in the 20th century.
1979-The Brewers would edge the Yankees by the score of 6-5 as Milwaukee Slugger Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th AL player this month to hit 3 HRs in a game.
1988-Veteran Bronx Starter Tommy John achieves what is believed to be a MLB 1st by committing 3-errors on 1-play during the Yankees' 16-3 rout of the Brewers. The feat ties the MLB record for errors in 1 inning by a pitcher.
1991-Former Yankees Reliever Wandy Peralta (2021-2023) was born.
On April 27, 2021 Reliever Wandy Peralta was traded by the Giants with a player to be named later to the Yankees for OF Mike Tauchman. On June 1, 2021, the Giants would send Minor League 1B Connor Cannon to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees would assign him to Class A Tampa Tarpons (FSL). For the 2021 Yankees, Wandy would post a 3-3 record with a 2.95 ERA and 5 saves in 46 games. He had another good season for the Yankees in 2022, making 56 appearances, while posting a 3-4 record with a 2.72 ERA and 4 saves. In 2023, he would post a 4-2 record with a 2.83 ERA and 4 saves in 63 games. He would leave the Yankees for MLB Free Agency, signing with the Padres. He would finish his Yankees pitching record of 10-9 with a 2.82 ERA with 11 saves in 165 games.
1992-Former Yankees Minor League P Vincente Campos was born.
On May 14,2009, Vincente Campos was signed by the Mariners as an MLB Amateur Free Agent, when he was still only 16 years-old. Vicente was signed by the Mariners in his native Venezuela, he began playing with the 2009 VSL Mariners. He was 1-3 with a 5.73 ERA in 13 games in his 1st season, then he would improve to 8-2 record with a 3.16 ERA as a full-time starter in 2010. In 57 innings, he had walked 19 batters while striking out 59 batters. In 2011, he made the move to the US, pitching for the Class A Everett AquaSox (NWL). He would continue to improve, as in 14 games as a starting pitcher, he gave up only 66 hits in 81 1/3 innings with only 13 walks against 83 strikeouts. While his record was only 5-5, his ERA was a sparkling 2.32. Those results caught the eyes of scouts for the Yankees, who would acquire Campos on January 13,2012, along with P Michael Pineda in return for 2 of the Yankees' top Minor League Prospects, C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi. The trade was only finalized on January 23rd, as all 4 players needed to pass physical exams. In 2012, he had suffered a 1st setback, as after only 5 starts for the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) during which he had posted a 3-0 record; he was placed on the DL for the rest of the 2012 season. In 2013, he would make 26 appearances for Charleston, including 19 starts, but he pitched only 87 innings, as the Yankees were being careful with him. He was 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA that season. Then he had another injury setback, undergoing Tommy John surgery, missing all of 2014 season as a result. In 2015, he had started back in the lowest levels of the Yankees organization with the Class A GCL Yankees 1. He would eventually move up to the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), but Campos was only 3-7 with 7.25 ERA in 11 starts. The former top prospect found his way back in 2016, however, as he went a combined 9-3 record in 20 starts between 3 teams: Class A Tampa, the AA Trenton Thunder and the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. On July 31st, he was traded by the Yankees to the Diamondbacks straight up for veteran MLB Reliever Tyler Clippard. The D-backs would assign him to their AA team, the Mobile BayBears.
2008-Former Yankees and MLB Closer Rich “Goose” Gossage is inducted into the Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The Reliever credits White Sox Slugger Richie Allen and Manager Chuck Tanner for their support early in his MLB pitching career. He is the 5th MLB Relief Pitcher enshrined in Cooperstown. Also inducted are former MLB Manager Richard Williams, Dodgers Team Owner Walter O'Malley, Pirates Team Owner Barney Dreyfuss, former MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and MLB Manager Billy Southworth; all but Williams are deceased. Larry Whiteside is honored with the J. G Taylor Spink Award and Dave Niehaus with the Ford Frick Award.
2010-With the spotlight on the All-Star 3B Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, sitting on 599 MLB career HRs on his birthday, Indians' Starter Josh Tomlin grabs the headlines by giving up only 3 Yankee hits in 7 innings in winning his MLB Pitching debut by the score of 4-1. A-Rod would finish the night with a 0 for 4 performance at the plate.
2011-The Mariners end a 17-game losing streak by beating the Yankees by the score of 9-2 at New Yankee Stadium. Seattle batters Ichiro Suzuki, Mike Carp collected 4 hits and Dustin Ackley gets 3, part of a 17-hit attack in support of Starter Felix Hernandez, who defeats Yankees Starter Phil Hughes. It's the M's 1st victory since July 5th.
2011-Former Yankees Pitcher Hideki Irabu with (1997-1999) had passed away. (1969-2011)
Following the 1996 Japanese baseball season, Hideki Irabu had announced that he wanted to go to the MLB, so Chiba, which had a working agreement with San Diego, sold him to the Padres. Irabu, who stated that he would only pitch in the MLB for the Yankees. He ended up getting his way. He was traded by the Padres to the Yankees for OF Ruben Rivera, P Rafael Medina and $3 million in cash. Irabu signed a $12.8 million deal with the Yankees in May 1997. Irabu struggled in his 1st season with the Yankees, going 5-4 with a 7.09 ERA in 13 games. In 1998, Irabu blossomed into what would be his best MLB season, going 13-9 with a 4.06 ERA in 29 games. Finishing out his Yankees pitching career in 1999, Irabu went 11-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 32 games. Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner wasn't a big fan of Irabu, though, he once called him a "fat toad" for his poor fielding performance during a Yankees spring training game. The Yankees would trade him to the Expos for 3 young Pitchers: Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly and Christian Parker. Hideki Irabu went 29-20 with 4.80 ERA in 74 games for the Yankees. In 2002, Irabu had finished his MLB pitching career with a 34-35 record with a 5.15 ERA and 16 saves in 126 games pitching for the Yankees, Expos and the Rangers. On July 27, 2011, Irabu was found dead in his California home; the Los Angeles County Coroner announced that the cause of his death was hanging, as Irabu had apparently committed suicide at age 42. He did not leave a suicide note.
2013-For the 1st time since September 4,1965, 3 AL games would end with 1-0 scores. Rays starter Chris Archer throws a 2-hitter at the Yankees, while Tribe P Justin Masterson and Wade Davis of the Royals need bullpen help for their victories over the Rangers and the White Sox, respectively.
2014-A huge crowd estimated at 48,000 fans are on hand for the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. This year's class is unusually large and prestigious, featuring 3 players elected on the 1st ballot: 300-game winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and Slugger Frank Thomas, a member of the 500 HR club. Joining them are 3 MLB Managers who stand at #3, 4 and 5 on the all-time win list are Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre. Maddux, Glavine and Cox all found their greatest success in the great Braves teams of the late 1990s. Joe Torre was successful with the Yankees. LaRussa was successful with MLB teams in both leagues.
2015-Yankees Alex Rodriguez joins the small club of MLB players, who have homered on their 40th birthday, when he goes deep off of Texas P Matt Harrison in the Yankees' 6-2 win over the Rangers. Yankees Shortstop Didi Gregorius contributes with 3 hits, including a HR with 4 RBIs.
2017-The Rays lose a heartbreaker to the Yankees by the score of 6-5, as an apparently inoffensive ground ball hit by Bombers Catcher Gary Sanchez finds a hole between Shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria and 2B Tim Beckham to tie the game with 2 outs in the 9th inning and Brett Gardner on 3rd base. Gardner then goes yard off of Reliever Andrew Kittredge in the 11th inning to end the game.
2021-For their part, the Yankees send a couple of veteran relievers, Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson to the Reds and only receive a player to be named later in return; it seems that they are clearing some salary space for an upcoming move meant to add some talent this time. On August 30, 2021, the Reds would send Minor League Player Jason Parker to the Yankees to complete the trade.
2022-The Yankees have announced that they have acquired Veteran MLB OF Andrew Benintendi from the Royals in exchange for 3 Minor League Pitchers: Chandler Champlain, P T.J. Sikkema and Beck Way. Andrew Benintendi, 28, has hit .321 (111-for-347) with 40 Runs,14 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HRs, 39 RBIs and 4 SB in 93 games this season with the Royals. The 2022 AL All-Star had entered this week in ranking 2nd in the MLB in multi-hit games (34,1st in the AL), 5th in BA (3rd in the AL), tied for 7th in hits (tied for 2nd in AL) and 8th in on-base percentage (5th in the AL).The left-handed hitter has reached base in 31 of his last 33 games with an at-bat since June 14th, batting .360) with 19 R, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 17 RBIs, 16 BB and 4 SB in that span. Over that stretch, Benintendi leads the AL and ranks 3rd in the MLB in on-base percentage and ranks 2nd in the AL and 4th in the MLB in batting average. He has also hit safely in 19 of his last 22 starts (since June 27th), while batting .398 (33-for-83) with 12 runs, 3 doubles,14 RBIs,10 BB and 3 SB in that span. The 2021 Gold Glove Award winner has made 89 starts in left field this year; He has not made an error in 164 total chances. His 40 outfield assists since 2017 are tied for the 4th-most in the MLB in that span. In over 7 MLB seasons with the 2016-2020 Red Sox and the 2021-2022 Royals, he has batted .280 (749-for-2,677) with 382 R, 160 doubles, 17 triples, 71 HRs, 372 RBIs, 296 BB and 65 SB in 712 career games. In his MLB playing career, he has hit .324 (203-for-627) with 45 doubles, 9 triples, 14 HRs, 284 RBIs and 109 BB with runners in scoring position. Andrew has made the MLB postseason 3 times with the 2016-2018 Red Sox, while hitting .272 (22-for-81) with 18 Runs, 5 doubles, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs and 5 BB in 21 career postseason games. In 2018, he had started 13 of 14 AL playoff games for the Red Sox during their 2018 World Series campaign. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 1st round ( 7th overall) of the 2015 1st-Year Player Draft out of the Univ. of Arkansas. On February 10, 2021, he was acquired by the Royals along with Cash Considerations as part of a 3-team trade involving the Red Sox and Mets. The Red Sox had received OF Franchy Cordero and 2 Players to be Named Later (P Luis De La Rosa and P Grant Gambrell) from Royals and P Josh Winckowski and a Player to be Named from Mets. The Mets would receive OF Khalil Lee from the Royals. Chandler Champlain, 23, make his pro debut this season with Class A Tampa (FSL) by going 2-5 with a 4.30 ERA in 16 games (15 starts). The Mission Viejo, Ca., native was drafted by the Yankees in the 9th round of the 2021 1st-Year Player Draft out of the Univ. of So. California. T.J Sikkema, 24, went 1-1 with a 2.48 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) with High-A Hudson Valley this season. In over 2 minor league seasons (2019, 2022) in the Yankees organization, the left-handed pitcher had posted a 1-1 record with a 2.11 ERA in 15 game (14 starts). The Clinton, Iowa native was originally drafted by the Yankees in Competitive Balance Round A of the 2019 1st-Year Player Draft out of the Univ. of Missouri. Beck Way, 22, had posted a 5-5 record with a 3.73 ERA in 15 starts with High-A Hudson Valley this season. Over 2 minor league seasons (2021-2022) in the Yankees organization, the right-handed pitcher recorded a 9-8 record with a 3.85 ERA in 34 games (33 starts). The Harrisburg, Pa., native was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round of the 2020 1st-Year Player Draft out of NW Florida St. College.
2022-The Yankees have announced that Veteran MLB Reliever Shane Green has elected to be an MLB Free Agent, rather than accepted an outright assignment to AAA Scranton. Green had appeared with the 2022 Dodgers in 1 game, picking up a win in relief, then being DFA by the team in an MLB roster move. Then he was signed by the Yankees to a Minor League deal, pitching in relief at Scranton. He had appeared in 1 game for the Yankees, hurling 1 inning in relief and allowing 2 earned runs. Later on, he would be resigned by the Yankees to another Minor League pact, being assigned back to AAA Scranton (IL). He didn’t receive any MLB contract offers from other teams during his brief Free Agency.
July 21st
1890-Former Yankees INF/OF Howard “Hank” Shanks (1925) was born. (1890-1941)
On December 10,1924, veteran INF/OF Hank Shanks was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for INF Mike McNally. Shanks had played for the 1912-1922 Senators, then he joined the Red Sox in 1923. Hank will appear in 66 games for the 1925 Yankees, while hitting .258.
1891-Former Yankees Pitcher Ray Keating (1912-1916,1918) was born. (1891-1963)
In September of 1912, the Yankees had purchased starter Ray Keating for $12,000 Cash from the Lawrence Barristers (NEL). He had won 26 games for Lawrence in 1912. Overall, as a Yankees Starter and then a Reliever, Ray would post a 24-40 record with a 3.36 ERA in 108 games. On March 6,1919, Ray was sold to the Boston Braves, where he would post a 7-11 record. In 1920 he would return to the minor leagues, where he would pitch another 13 seasons.
1910-The Yankees would take advantage of 8 Browns errors to down St. Louis by the score of 19-2.
1921-The Indians batters bang out 9 doubles, while the Yankees hit 7 doubles for an AL record 16 doubles in the Indian's 17-8 win. The Indians cling to a 2-game lead in the AL.
1929-Former Yankees Minor League INF Jerry Snyder was born.
In 1947, INF Jerry Snyder had started out his playing career in pro baseball in the Yankees organization. He had 5 solid Minor League seasons from 1947-1951. He would hit .302 for Class B, Quincy Gems (3-IL) in his 2nd season of pro ball. In 1951, he would play with the Class AA Beaumont Exporters (TXL) and the AAA Kansas City Blues (AA), he would hit .290 for the combined season. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On May 3,1952, he was traded by the Yankees along with MLB OF Jackie Jensen, veteran P Frank “Spec” Shea and Reserve OF Archie Wilson to the Senators for 2 Outfielders: Irv Noren and Tom Upton. Jerry Snyder would spend his entire 7-season MLB playing career with the 1952-1958 Senators. He hit for a .339 average for the 1953 AL season, he would finish his overall MLB playing career with a .230 average in 266 games.
1941-Former Yankees Pitcher Gary Waslewski (1970-1971) was born.
On May 15,1970, Pitcher Gary Waslewski was traded by the Expos to the Yankees for Reserve 1B/OF Dave McDonald. Gary went 2-3 with 1 save in 50 games for the Yankees. On April 3,1972, Gary was released by the Yankees. Gary had originally come up to the MLB with the 1967 Red Sox. Gary Waslewski holds the record for the fewest career wins at the time of a World Series start. He had only 2 MLB career wins before starting Game 6 of the 1967 World Series against the Cardinals for the Red Sox. He lasted 5.1 innings, but he didn’t get a decision, veteran Red Sox Reliever John Wyatt picked up the victory.
1942-Former Yankees and long-time MLB Announcer 1B/DH Mike Hegan (1964,1966-1967,1973-1974) was born. (1942-2013)
In 1961, the Yankees had signed Mike Hegan as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He appeared in 5 games with the team in 1964 with no hits. He was on the Yankees' roster for the 1964 World Series, shortly after making his MLB Player debut, as a replacement of the injured Shortstop Tony Kubek. He appeared in 3 games in the 1964 World Series with 3 at bats with no-hits. Mike hit .205 in 13 games in 1966 and .136 in 68 games in 1967. On June 14,1968, he was purchased by the expansion Seattle Pilots from the Yankees. On August 18,1973, Mike was sent to the Yankees by Oakland as part of a conditional deal. Mike hit .275 in 37 games for the Yankees for the rest of the 1973 AL season. With the arrival of 1B Chris Chambliss from the Indians on April 16,1974 made him expendable on the team. Mike requested a trade. He was hitting only .226 in 18 games, when the Yankees would send him to the Brewers. Mike’s Dad, Jim Hegan was former Yankees MLB Bullpen Coach and MLB Catcher. In 1964, they were the 1st MLB Father and Son combination to appear in a World Series together with the Yankees against the Cardinals. After retiring as an active player, Mike became a Sports Broadcaster for the 1977-1989 Brewers, then he was with the Indians Broadcasting team from 1989-2013.
1947-The Boston Braves would edge the Yankees by a score of 4-3 in the annual Baseball Hall of Fame game held at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY
1952-At Yankee Stadium, the 1952 Mayor’s Trophy game is held. A crowd of 48,263 fans watched the Yankees beat the Dodgers by the score of 5-3. Yankees young Slugger Mickey Mantle hit a 2-run HR in the 8th inning to snap a 3-3 tie and the game was called after that inning because the Yankees had to catch a train west! The winning pitcher for the Yankees was veteran Reliever Joe Ostrowski, while Dodgers P Clyde King took the loss.
1961-At Fenway Park, Bronx Sluggers Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris slam back-to-back HRs in the 1st inning for the Yankees, but it takes a 2-out, 9th-inning pinch-hit Grand Slam HR by Johnny Blanchard to finally subdue the Red Sox by a score of 11-8. Johnny Blanchard’s pinch-hit Grand Slam HR is the AL 6th of the 1961 season, setting a new AL record.
1969-A gala 1969 MLB All-Star Game banquet is held in Washington, D.C., is one of baseball's great events. The MLB is celebrating its 100th year Anniversary. An All-Time Team and All-Time Living Team are announced by the MLB. Babe Ruth is selected as the Greatest All-Time MLB Player, while the Yankees Hall of Fame CF Joe DiMaggio, as the Greatest Living MLB Player.
1972-The Yankees would sweep a doubleheader from the Angels, winning by scores of 6-0 and 3-0 over the Angels. Yankees veteran starters Fritz Peterson and Mel Stottlemyre apply the whitewash of the Angels.
1973-Former Yankees Minor League OF/1B Brian Buchanan was born
Brian Buchanan was selected in the 1st Round (24th Pick) of the 1994 MLB Amateur Player Draft. by the Yankees. The team would assign him initially to the Class A Oneonta Yankees, he hit just .226. In 1995, he would hit a solid .302 for the Class A Greensboro Bats (SAL) with 7 steals in 8 tries but he only played in 23 games, presumably due to an injury. In 1996, the Yankees had placed Brian with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL); where he batted .260 with 23 steals in 31 attempts. In 1997, Buchanan was 8th in the Eastern League in BA, after hitting .309 for the AA Norwich Navigators (EL); then moving up to the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), where he hit .279. On February 6,1998, he was traded along with Yankee Minor Leaguers INF Cristian Guzman, Pitchers Eric Milton and Danny Mota along with Cash to the Twins for MLB 2B Chuck Knoblauch. Brian would make his MLB Player debut with the 2000 Twins, hitting just .232. Later, he would play for the Padres, Mets, including 1 season in Japan. After retiring as an active player in 2008, Brian became a Minor League Manager in the Royals organization.
1976-Former Yankees Hall of Fame OF and MLB Coach Earl “The Kentucky Colonel” Combs (1924-1935) had passed away. (1899-1976)
Earl Combs was the 1st of the great Yankee Centerfielders. He was a lifetime .325 hitter, who hit in the leadoff spot for the Yankees batting lineup. Combs hit .380 for the 1923 Louisville Colonels (AA). He had his Minor League player contract purchased by the Yankees prior to the following season for $50,000, a huge sum at the time. He quickly became the Yankees regular Centerfielder, but a broken ankle caused him to miss most of his 1924 AL Rookie season. He came back the next season, scoring over 100 runs in each season from 1925-1932, also leading the AL in triples 3 times during that span. At the same time, he managed to hit under .300 in just once while playing fulltime in the MLB and at that, he was just under hitting .299 in 1926. Earl Combs' best MLB campaign came with the 1927 Yankees, when he hit .356, scored 137 runs and led the AL with 231 hits. He also starred in the postseason, hitting .350 over the course of 4 World Series from 1926-1932, with the Yankees winning 3 World Championships. A broken finger limited him to 1 plate appearance in the 1928 World Series, but he made the most of it, hitting a sacrifice fly that drove in a run. In 1934, Combs suffered a serious injury that could have cost him his life, fracturing his skull after running into the wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. He was carried unconscious from the field. Earl would remain in the hospital for 2 months afterwards, but miraculously he returned to the field in 1935. However, his MLB playing career was shortly thereafter ended by another injury, this time it was a broken collarbone. He was replaced in 1936 as the Yankees Centerfielder by future another Hall of Famer, Joe DiMaggio. As a Yankees MLB Coach, Earl taught young rookie outfielder Joe DiMaggio how to handle Centerfield at Yankee Stadium. Although he was a very good player, Combs was famous for his weak-throwing arm. After his MLB playing days were over, Combs was a Yankees MLB Coach from 1936-1944. In 1947, he was a member of the St. Louis Browns MLB Coaching staff. Later, he would coach for the 1948-1952 Red Sox. In 1954, he would spend the season as an MLB Coach for the Phillies.
1977-Veteran Bronx Starter Catfish Hunter tosses a 7-0 shut out against the Brewers to snap a Yankees 3-game losing streak. The Brewers come back in the nightcap to win by a score of 5-4 in 10 innings.
1980-Former Yankees All-Star Pitcher C.C. Sabathia (2009-2019) was born.
In December 2008, C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees agreed on a 7-year deal for $161 million, a new record for an MLB Pitcher. He was picked as the Yankees' 2009 Opening Day Starter in Baltimore on April 6th, but he had a rough go of it, giving up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4⅓ innings while not striking out a batter; he was charged with the Yankees' 10-5 loss. However, he soon settled down into the role of ace of the Yankees' rotation, picking up a league-leading 19 wins, while pitching 230 innings with a 3.37 ERA. He won his 1st 3 starts of the AL Post Season, by beating the Twins in the opener of the ALDS, then disposing of the Angels twice in the ALCS. He started 2 games in the World Series against the Phillies; he was out-dueled by his former Tribe teammate, Cliff Lee, in Game 1, then left with a 4-3 lead in the 8th inning of Game 4 only to see the Phillies tie the game against Reliever Joba Chamberlain, before the Yankees put the game away with a 9th-inning rally. The Bronx Bombers went on to win the 2009 World Series, 4 games to 2 to claim their 1st World Championship title since 2000. Sabathia led the AL with 21 wins in 2010, finishing with a 21-7 record with a 3.18 ERA and 197 strikeouts. On July 26, 2010, Sabathia struck out 18 Mariner batters and allowed only 1 hit in a win against Seattle. Only one other pitcher had ever fanned 18 or more batters while tossing a 1-hitter or No-hitter - Kerry Wood in 1998. He went on to win the AL's Pitcher of the Month Award for July, as he went 4-1 with a 0.92 ERA with 50 strikeouts during the month. He was named to the 2010 AL All-Star team, but he had to bow out under the "Sunday Starter" rule. For the season, he went 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA. He started Game 1 of the ALDS against the Tigers' Justin Verlander, but the game was suspended by rain in the middle of the 2nd inning. He came back to start Game 3, but C.C. was not involved in the decision, then came on in relief of Ivan Nova in the 2nd inning of Game 5, as the Yankees vainly tried to save their 2010 AL season. At the end of the 2010 MLB season, he had an option to decline the remaining years on his contract and become a MLB Free Agent - and his success in Yankee pinstripes would have made him a highly coveted one - but he agreed to a deal with the Yankees on the last day to do so, October 31st. The deal reportedly added $30 million to his existing contract. He was resigned by the Yankees for the 2019 season, announcing that he would retire at the end of the season. During this 2019 AL season, CC would reach 2 MLB Pitching Milestones with his 250th career victory and 3,000 strikeouts. After the 2019 AL Post Season, he retired after the 2019 AL season had ended. As a Yankees Pitcher, C.C. would finish with a 134-88 record with a 3.81 ERA in 307 games. Overall, as an MLB hurler, he had finished with an MLB pitching career record of 251-161 with a 3.74 ERA in 561 games. In the MLB Post Season, he would post a 10-6 record in 24 games. He had appeared in 1 World Series with the 2009 Yankees, while having a record of 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA in 2 games.
1987-Former Yankees Pitcher Diego Moreno (2015) was born.
Diego Moreno is a pitcher who made his MLB Pitching debut with the 2015 Yankees. Diego had signed with the Pirates at age 19. He debuted as a pro with the 2007 VSL Pirates, going 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA and 2 saves. With the same club in 2008, he improved to 3-1 record with a 0.87 ERA. He helped his team take the title. Had he qualified, he would have paced the Venezuelan Summer League in ERA. In 2009, Diego made his US pitching debut with the State College Spikes, allowing 1 run in 4 innings and going 1-3 with a 2.60 ERA and 5 saves for the West Va. Power (holding opponents to a .182 average and whiffing 57 batters in 45 innings). His fastball was being timed with a peak of 97 mph. Moreno began the 2010 season with the Class A Bradenton Marauders (FSL): he was excellent (3-0 record,1.37 ERA). He was promoted to the AA Altoona Curve (EL), but he was soon put on the DL with a right rotator cuff injury, having gone 0-0 with a 7.04 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. He would return to Bradenton in 2011. He had another good season with a 2-4 record with a 3.21 ERA and 5 saves in 31 games in relief. Later in the season, he was promoted once again to AA Altoona (EL), where he put up a 4.91 ERA in 7 games. Overall, in 44 2/3 innings that season, he had struck out 45 batters and gave up 18 walks. On February 17, 2012, Diego and Exicardo Cayones were traded to the Yankees in return for veteran MLB Starter A.J. Burnett. In his 4th season in the Yankees' organization, he would finally receive the call to the Bronx, making his MLB pitching debut on June 22, 2015 as he pitched a scoreless inning in an 11-8 loss to the Phillies. It was an eventful effort, however, as he gave up a pair of hits and hit a batter with a pitch, but he also struck out 2 batters. He was the 3rd Yankees reliever to make his MLB pitching debut in 2 days, as Danny Burawa and Jose De Paula had both done so the previous day. After returning to the Minor Leagues, he recorded his 1st career win in his 3rd appearance on July 28th, after relieving starter Chris Capuano with 2 outs in the 1st inning after had already given up 5 runs to the Rangers. Moreno stopped the bleeding, by pitching 5 1/3 hitless innings as the Yankees' bats came alive in the 2nd, exploding for 11 runs. Yankees OF Chris Young then added a Grand Slam HR in the 3rd. Diego received credit for the 21-5 beat-down of the Rangers. Then Adam Warren succeeded him and pitched the final 3 innings to earn a save. He also did not allow a hit and it was only the 2nd time in MLB history that 2 relievers had each pitched 3 or more hitless innings for 1 team in a 9-inning game, after Ewald Pyle and Mickey Haefner had done so for the Senators against the St. Louis Browns on July 3,1943. On August 19, 2016, Diego was released by the Yankees. He had posted a 1-0 record with a 5.23 ERA in 4 games. On December 8, 2016, he was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Rays.
1988-The Mariners would send veteran DH/1B Ken Phelps to the Yankees for MLB OF Jay Buhner and 2 Minor league Pitchers: Rich Balabon and Troy Evers. Ken Phelps would hit .244 in 1988 and .249 for the Yankees before being traded on August 30,1989 to the A’s for Minor League P Scott Holcomb. The Yankees had previously drafted Ken Phelps twice, while he was in college, but he didn’t sign with the team. With the Mariners, Jay Buhner will hit .254 with 310 MLB career HRs, while throwing out AL base runners with his strong arm.
1993-Former Yankees player, now a Mariner OF Jay Buhner collects 5 hits in Mariners 10-3 win over the Yankees. Seattle Starter Erik Hanson goes all the way, allowing no earned runs to beat Yankees Starter Jimmy Key (12-3). The Yankees had traded Jay Buhner, 5 seasons earlier to the Mariners veteran DH/1B Ken Phelps.
1997-Four days after the birth of his 2nd child, Yankees' OF/DH Mark Whiten is arrested in Milwaukee, where he is charged with 2nd-degree sexual assault of a 31-year-old woman.
2000-Wasting no time in his new capacity as Chicago’s new GM, Cubs President Andy MacPhail sends the popular OF Glenallen Hill to the Yankees for 2 Minor League Pitchers: Ben Ford and Ozwaldo Mairena. Hill would hit .333 for the Yankees in 30 games, before being traded on March 28, 2001 to the Angels for Minor League P Darren Blakely.
2009-Yankees Pitcher Sergio Mitre earns his 1st MLB win since the 2007 MLB season as the Yankees beat Orioles by the score of 6-4. Mitre underwent Tommy John surgery in 2008, then he was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a banned substance; he allows 4 runs in 5 2/3 innings in his 1st MLB start after being called up from AAA Scranton (IL) to replace the injured Starter Chien-Ming Wang. A 2-run HR by Robinson Cano off of P Rich Hill and a 2-run single by Alex Rodriguez are the big hits for the Bronx Bombers. Combined with a Red Sox 4-2 loss at Texas, the win gives the Yankees sole possession of 1st place in the AL East for the 1st time this season.
2010-Former Yankees player, MLB Coach, Manager and General Manager Ralph Houk had passed away. (1919-2010)
Prior to the start of the 1939 MLB season Ralph Houk had signed with the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Following 3 seasons in the Minor Leagues, he would enlisted in the Army on February 22, 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During World War II, as an Army Ranger, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Houk had earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart, seeing combat under the command of General George S. Patton. On one occasion, he took a bullet through the helmet, but Houk was not seriously wounded. He would leave the Army with the rank of Major. After the war, Houk would return to baseball in 1946. He will reach the Bronx in 1947 as the team's 3rd-string catcher behind Starter Aaron Robinson and Rookie C Yogi Berra. He hit .272 in a career-best 41 MLB games that season. Ralph got a hit in Game 6 of 1947 World Series against the Dodgers. He would split the next 2 seasons moving between the Yankees and the AA Kansas City Blues (AA). Then he spent the next 5 seasons in the Bronx, seeing very limited playing time behind Yankees Catchers Yogi Berra and Charlie Silvera. Nevertheless, he was on the Yankees' World Series roster 4 times during his MLB playing career (1947-1953). Following his MLB playing days, Houk returned to the Minor Leagues in 1955, as the skipper of the AAA Denver Bears (AA). He would spend 3 seasons managing the team, winning an American Association title in his final season. Then Houk went on to spend 3 seasons on the Yankees MLB Coaching staff before succeeding Casey Stengel at the helm of the club from 1961-1963. He took the team to the World Series all 3 years. The Yankees won the Fall Classic twice (1961-1962). In October of 1963, Houk was then named the team's new General Manager. Yankees Co-Owner Dan Topping Sr. promoted Player/Coach Yogi Berra to Manager. After the Yankees 1964 World Series lost to the Cardinals, Houk would fire Manager Yogi Berra, despite winning 99 games and the 1964 AL flag replacing him with former Cardinals Manager Johnny Keane. After the Yankees had a slow start in May of 1966 under Keane, he stepped down as team’s GM to manage the club again. From 1966-1973, Houk would have only 1 good season in 1970, bringing the Yankees to 2nd place finish behind the Orioles in the AL Eastern Division with a 96-69 record.
After the Yankees were sold by CBS, Inc. to an Ohio investment group that included George Steinbrenner in January of 1973, he would resigned his Manager post at the end of the 1973 AL season. Ralph didn’t trust new head Team Owner George Steinbrenner despite his promises to spend money on players for the team to become winners. Overall, as a Yankees MLB Manager, Houk went 309-176 (1961-1963) with 2 World Championships and a 635-630 record (1966-1973). For an overall team record of 934-806 (.530 WP). Ralph Houk went on to manage the 1974-1978 Tigers. Only once did the team finish above the .500 mark in 1978 with an 86-76 record. He was instrumental in rebuilding the team with young players, like Infielders Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell. In fall of 1978, Ralph Houk was replaced by Les Moss as the 1979 Tigers Manager. In the fall of 1980, Houk was named the new Manager of the 1981 Red Sox. The team had fired Manager Don Zimmer during the season with MLB Coach Johnny Pesky taking over for the rest of 1980 AL season. Ralph Houk would manage the Red Sox from 1981-1984, having only 1 season under .500. In his last MLB job, he was a Baseball Executive for the Twins working in their Player Development Dept. Despite his success in the 1st 3 seasons of his MLB managerial career with the Yankees, he would never return to the MLB postseason again. Ralph Houk‘s Manager record for 20 MLB seasons was a 1,619-1,531 record in 3,156 MLB games.
2013-Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli hits a pair of HRs, the 2nd of the walk-off variety in the 11th inning as the Red Sox edge the Yankees by the score of 8-7. The nationally televised ESPN Sunday night game ends at 12:53 AM.
2017-The Yankees had traded Minor League P Dillon McNamara to the Giants for an undisclosed return. He was the Yankees' 27th-round pick in 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft out of Adelphi Univ. on Long Island, NY. He was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA with 9 saves in 26 relief appearances this 2017 season between AA Trenton Thunder (EL) and Class-A Advanced Tampa (FSL). Dillion had posted a 2.79 overall ERA across 3 levels during his 5 seasons of pitching in the Yankees organization.
2019-The 2019 Hall of Fame Class is inducted in Cooperstown, NY, with 6 former players being honored: Harold Baines, Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Lee Smith. All are present, save for Halladay, who passed away in a plane crash in 2017 and, who is represented by his wife, Brandy. Rivera, the 1st player to be elected unanimously to the Hall, gets the honor of speaking last, befitting his status as the greatest closer in MLB history.
2022-In the 1st day of games after the All-Star break, 2 of the best teams in the MLB meet for a doubleheader, with the Astros sweeping the Yankees by scores of 3-2 and 7-5, at Minute Maid Park. In the opener, rookie J.J. Matijevic scores Alex Bregman from 3rd base with an infield single in the bottom of the 9th, and in the 2nd game, Aaron Judge hits a 3-run HR in the 9th, but it's not enough as Houston has built a 7-2 lead on HRs by Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Chas McCormick. The Astros have won 5 of 7 games against the Yankees this season.
2023-The Yankees announce that starting Catcher Jose Trevino is shut down for the rest of the 2023 AL season due to a right wrist tear injury, that will require surgery. His injury is a torn Triangular Libro-cartridge complex (TFCC) ligament. He was only hitting .248 for the team this season. The Yankees would call-up Catcher Ben Rortvedt from AAA Scranton to be the club’s Reserve catcher. In a corresponding move, the club would promote AA Catcher Aaron Wells from Somerset to AAA Scranton.
July 22nd
1918-At the Polo Grounds, Yankees and the St. Louis Browns battled to a 15-inning a 4-4 tie. Browns Starter Rasty Wright and Reliever Bryon Houck, each had pitch 7 innings in the game with no decision. Yankees Starter Hank Thormahlen goes 7.1 innings, while allowing 3 Browns runs. He is followed by Reliever Happy Finneran, who allows the Browns to tie the game with a run. He is followed by Reliever George Mogridge, who posts a scoreless inning. Next, the Yankees Reliever Ray Keating would throw 6 scoreless innings.
1925-The Yankees would buy Shortstop Leo “Lip” Durocher from Hartford Senators (EL) for $12,000 Cash. In 1925, he had signed with the Yankees, who had assigned him to the Hartford Senators (Eastern League). A weak-hitting shortstop, Durocher broke into the MLB at the age of 19 for 2 games at the end of that season. He would return to the minors playing with the 1926 Atlanta Crackers and the 1927 St. Paul Saints before making the Yankees' MLB roster for good in 1928. Leo would appear in 4 games of the 1928 World Series against the Cardinals with no hits. With the 1925,1928-1929 Yankees, Leo had appeared in 210 games for the team, while hitting .261 with no HRs and 63 RBIs in 210 games He was the 1st Yankee player to wear uniform #7. After the 1929 AL season, the Yankees would waive him because he had a fight with his Yankees roommate Babe Ruth for allegedly for stealing the Babe’s watch. Reports say that the Babe really smacked Leo around their hotel room. On February 5,1930, he was selected off waivers by the Reds from the Yankees. He would find success in the NL playing for the Reds, Cardinals and the Dodgers. Later, Leo would become a successful MLB Manager in the NL with the 1939-1948 Dodgers and the 1948-1955 Giants. He would appear in 3 World Series as a NL Manager: 1941 Dodgers, 1951 and 1954 Giants. His Giants team would upset the Indians in the 1954 World Series with a 4-game sweep. He would return to the Dodgers, working as an MLB Coach for Manager Walter Alston. Also, he later would manage the 1966-1972 Cubs and the 1972-1973 Astros, before retiring from the game. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1994.
1926-The Yankees had obtained veteran Catcher Hank Severeid on waivers from the Senators. Yankees starting Catcher Pat Collins had injured his elbow. Hank will hit .268 with No HRs and 12 RBIs in 41 games for the Yankees. In the 1926 World Series for the team, Hank had appeared in 7 games, while hitting .273 with No HRs and 1 RBI. After the World Series had ended, Hank retired from baseball. Overall, he had played in 1,390 MLB games, while hitting .289 with 17 HRs and 539 RBIs. During his MLB playing career, he had been with the Reds, Browns, Senators and then finishing up with the 1926 Yankees. He had appeared 1 game of 1925 World Series for the Senators, hitting .333 (1 for 3).
1928-White Sox hurler Red Faber comes up to bat in the 8th inning with 2 runners on base and the game with the Yankees is tied at 4-4. He swings twice right-handed against Bronx righty Reliever Wilcy Moore and misses. He then switches to the left side of the plate and knocks in the winning runs with a single to centerfield.
1929-Former Yankee Minor INF Jerry Snyder was born. (1921-2022)
In 1947, Infielder Jerry Snyder would start out in pro ball in the New York Yankees organization. He had 5 solid minor league seasons from 1947 to 1951. He would hit .302 for the Class B Quincy Gems (3-IL) in his 2nd season of pro ball. In 1951 with the Beaumont Exporters (TXL) and AA Kansa City Blues (AA), he hit .290 in a combined season. On May 3, 1952 he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jackie Jensen, P Spec Shea and OF Archie Wilson to the Senators for OF Irv Noren and OF Tom Upton. Snyder would spend his entire 7-year MLB playing career, , with the 1952-1958 Senators. He hit for a .339 average in 1953, albeit in only 62 at-bats, and wound up his MLB run with a .230 average in 266 games. During the years he appeared in the majors, Jerry also spent considerable time in the Minors. He hit .307 for the 1953 AA Chattanooga Lookouts; with the same club in 1955, he hit at a .344 clip in 54 games. Also, in 1958, he managed a .312 average for the Miami Marlins (IL). After his MLB run, Jerry spent 3 more years in pro ball (1959-1961), all with AA and AAA teams and finished up his 12-season Minor League playing. career with a .289 average in 4,277 plate appearances. In 1961, Snyder tried his luck as Player-Manager with the Macon Peaches (SA). He was the 2nd of 2 managers and the Peaches finished up the season with a 75-79 record, for a 5th-place finish, 16 games back. Jerry had played in 102 games and hitting .309.
1944-Former Yankees Cy Young Award Winner Reliever Sparky “The Count” Lyle (1973-1978) was born.
On March 22,1972, Reliever Sparky Lyle was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later and MLB 1B Danny Cater. The Yankees would send Minor League INF Mario Guerrero on June 30,1972 to the Red Sox to complete the trade. Lyle had complied a 22-17 record with a 2.85 ERA with 69 saves in 260 games with the 1967-1972 Red Sox. He became the Yankees Bullpen Closer in 1973, while posting a 5-9 record with a 2.51 ERA and 27 saves in 51 games. He was named to the 1973 AL Star team. Sparky won the 1977 Cy Young Award with a 13-5 record with a 2.17 ERA, while appearing in 72 games with 26 saves. He was a 3-time AL All Star team member. With the arrival of MLB Free Agent Closer Rich Gossage in 1978, Sparky was no longer the team’s Closer. He would finish his Yankees Pitching career with a 57-40 record with a 2.41 ERA in 420 games with 151 saves. Lyle had appeared in 3 World Series with the team posting 1-0 record, he didn’t pitch in 1978 World Series against the Dodgers. On November 10,1978, he was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve Catcher Mike Heath, Pitchers Larry McCall and Dave Rajsich, Reserve INF Domingo Ramos and Cash to the Rangers for Minor League P Dave Righetti, MLB OF Juan Beniquez, Pitchers Mike Griffin, Paul Mirabella and Greg Jemison (Minors). After the playing for the Rangers, Sparky would pitch for the 1980-1982 Phillies. He would finish up his MLB Pitching career with the 1982 White Sox. Lyle’s final MLB Pitching totals were a 99-76 record with a 2.88 ERA with 238 saves in 899 games (1967-1982). In 1998, he became the Manager of the Somerset Patriots, an Independent League team based in Bridgewater, NJ. He would manage the team to Atlantic League pennants in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2008. From 1998 to 2012, Lyle had a Manager record of 1,374-1,215 in 2,593 games with the Patriots. He would retire from the team after the 2012 Atlantic League season had ended.
1947-Former Yankees C/DH/1B Clifford “Heathcliff” Johnson (1977-1979) was born.
On June 15,1977, Cliff Johnson was traded by the Astros to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later, along with P Randy Niemann and INF Mike Fischlin. The Yankees would send 1B/OF Dave Bergman on November 23,1977 to the Astros to complete the trade. Cliff was a power bat off the bench for the Yankees during his stay with the team. After a clubhouse fight with Yankees Closer Rich Gossage, in which Gossage hurt his pitching hand, the team traded him. On June 15,1979, Cliff was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for Pitcher Don Hood. As a Yankees player, Johnson had appeared in 160 games for the team, while hitting .239 with 20 HRs with 56 RBIs.
1948-The Yankees take the rubber game of the series with the Indians as Vic Raschi earns the 6-5 win over the Tribe’s Ace Bob Feller. Joe DiMaggio's Grand Slam HR is the big blow for the Bronx Bombers: he has hit 4 HRs and a triple in Feller's 4 starts against the Yankees. His 8 RBIs in the 3 games against the Indians gives him an AL-leading 82.
1954-The Yankees had signed veteran MLB P Ralph Branca as an MLB Free Agent. Branca had been released by the Tigers on July 15,1954. He had posted a 3-3 record with a 5.76 ERA with Detroit. The Yankees would use him for 5 games, making 3 starts, while posting a 1-0 record with a 2.48 ERA. In October of 1954, he would be released by the Yankees.
1954-In an attempt to put more pop in the Yankees starting lineup, Yankees Skipper Casey Stengel inserts Mickey Mantle in the infield as the Shortstop, while veteran Phil Rizzuto plays 2B. The experiment works as the “Commerce Comet” HRs in the 10th inning giving the Yankees a 3-2 victory over the White Sox.
1956-Former Yankees Pitcher Scott Sanderson (1991-1992) was born. (1956-2019)
After being purchased on December 31,1990 from the Oakland A’s, Scott Sanderson would post a 28-22 record with a 4.35 ERA in 67 games for the Yankees. In 1991, Scott had a 16-10 record with a 3.81 ERA in 34 games for the Yankees. In 1992, Sanderson would go 12-11 along with a 4.93 ERA in 33 games for the team, before leaving the club in December of 1992 for MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Angels. He would finish his MLB Pitching career in 1996 with a 163-143 record with a 3.84 ERA in 472 MLB games.
1960-The Reds would sent veteran NL reliever Luis Arroyo to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal that was made on April 1,1960. The Reds would on April 1,1960, send players to be named later and Catcher Jesse Gonder to the Yankees for players to be named later. The Yankees have acquired veteran 33-year-old Pitcher Luis Arroyo from the Reds AAA team, the Jersey City Jerseys (IL). Luis had previously pitched in the MLB for the Cardinals, Pirates and the Reds. He will be a key pitcher in the Bronx bullpen for their 1960 AL Pennant run. Luis will eventually replace veteran Ryne Duren as the Yankees Closer out of the bullpen in the spring of 1961. He will become an AL All-Star Closer in 1961 with 15 wins with 29 saves.
1961-The Yankees “Super-Sub” John Blanchard does it again with a solo pinch-hit HR to start a 3-run 9th-inning Bronx Bombers rally to tumble the Red Sox by a score of 11-9.
1966-Former Yankees OF Frank “Pudgie” Delahanty (1905-1906,1908) had passed away. (1885-1966)
Frank Delahanty was one of 5 Delahanty brothers to play in the MLB. He had played 6 seasons in the MLB as an outfielder: 4 in the AL from 1905-1908 and 2 in the Federal League (1914-1915). On August 22,1905, Frank was purchased by the Highlanders from Birmingham (SA). He was the starting LF for much of the 1906 AL season for the Yankees, while appearing in 86 games there while getting 307 at-bats. Although his batting average was below the team average, he showed some power with 8 doubles and 2 HRs (no player on the team had more than 10 doubles or 4 HRs). On May 16,1907, he was traded by the Highlanders along with P Walter Clarkson to the Cleveland Naps (aka Indians) for P Earl Moore. On December 3,1907, Frank was purchased by New Orleans (SA) from the Naps. On July 9,1908, Frank was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees, playing 36 games in LF, while getting 125 at-bats. His .256 BA was 20 points higher than the team average. His overall Yankees player career totals were a .242 BA with 2 HRs and 53 RBIs in 138 games.
1973-Former Yankees Pitcher and MLB Scout Mike Thurman (2002) was born.
The Yankees had signed MLB Pitcher Mike Thurman as an MLB Free Agent. The Expos had originally signed him, where he had a 25-36 record with a 5.04 ERA in 93 games. He would appear in 12 games for the 2002 Yankees, while posting a 1-0 record with a 5.18 ERA. Also, he had pitched for the 2002 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), while recording a 7-3 record with a 3.52 ERA in 12 games. He would spend the next 2 seasons with the AAA Clippers. In 2006, Mike Thurman was the Pitching Coach for the short season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL). In 2007, he became a Yankees MLB Scout for the Pacific Northwest.
1989-The Yankees had traded the popular 3B Mike “Pags” Pagliarulo and Pitcher Don Schulz to the Padres for 2 Pitchers: veteran MLB Starter Walt Terrell and Fred Toliver, who won't report to the Yankees until September 27th. Walt Terrell went 6-5 with a 5.20 ERA in 13 games for the Yankees. After the 1989 AL season is over, veteran Starter Terrell will sign with the Pirates, as an MLB Free Agent. The Yankees had originally had signed P Freddie Toliver; but he was traded to the Reds in the Ken Griffey Sr. trade in the fall of 1981. He doesn’t appear with the team; he was released on April 2,1990. “Pags” was only hitting .197 with 4 HRs and 16 RBIs in 74 games for the 1989 Yankees. He will be replaced at 3B by veteran MLB INF Tom Brookens for the remainder of the 1989 AL season. Mike leaves the Yankees after playing 6 seasons for the team, while hitting .229 with 105 HRs and 337 RBIs in 703 games. Don Schulze was 8-4 for AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). For the 1989 Yankees, he had a 1-1 record with a 4.09 ERA in 2 games. He had been signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees in November of 1988.
1991-Former Yankees Pitcher Jake Barret (2019) was born.
On April 4, 2019, Pitcher Jake Barret was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Pirates. He only appeared in 2 games for the 2019 Yankees, as he posted no decisions along with a 14.73 ERA. He went on the IL for pitching arm issues. On November 4, 2019, the Yankees would grant Jake Barrett MLB Free Agency.
1998-The Yankees would deflate the Tigers by the score of 13-2 to run their 1998 AL season record to 71-25, an MLB record percentage after 96 games.
2011-The Yankees would score 9 runs in the 3rd inning, on their way to an emphatic 17-7 win over the Oakland A’s. Yankees Slugger Nick Swisher hits a 3-run HR, while 1B Mark Teixeira blast a Grand Slam HR during the Bronx Bombers big inning.
2012-The A’s complete a 4-game sweep of the Yankees at The Coliseum in Oakland, a 1st since the team moved to the city in 1968. The win comes in the 12th inning as Coco Crisp singles in Derek Norris with 2 outs. It comes after the A's spot the Yankees a 4-0 lead after 4 innings, then come back for the 5-4 win.
2014-The Yankees had acquired veteran MLB 3B Chase Headley from the Padres in return for INF Yangervis Solarte and Pitcher Rafael De Paula. Headley joins his new team in time to enter today's game in the 9th inning and to be the hero, when he drives in Yankees base-runner Brian Roberts with the winning run in the 14th inning as the Yankees beat the Rangers by the score of 2-1.
2019-In a meeting of AL division leaders, the Twins pull a number on the Yankees as they turn a triple play and hit 5 HRs in an 8-6 win. Yankees 1B Edwin Encarnacion hits into the triple killing in the 1st, while Mitch Garver homers twice for Minnesota. The Yankees also hit 3 HRs in a losing cause as Lewis Thorpe, in relief of starter Martin Perez gets credit for his 1st MLB win.
2021-Yankees Pitcher Brooks Kriske tied a MLB record by unloading 4 wild pitches in the 10th inning of a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Red Sox had tied the game dramatically by scoring twice with 2-outs in the bottom of the 9th, then the Yankees had managed to cash in their designated runner in the top of the 10th. With Closer Aroldis Chapman unavailable and a few other relievers having already been used in the game, Kriske was tasked with closing out the win, but things did not go as planned as his 1st 2 wild offerings resulted in Rafael Devers scoring the tying run, after which Xander Bogaerts, who had reached on a walk, successively advanced to 2nd and 3rd base on 2 more wild pitches before being driven in by Hunter Renfroe on a sacrifice fly. The 4 wild pitches also set a new MLB record for most thrown by a pitcher in extra innings.
July 23rd
1880-Former Yankees Pitcher Lew Brockett (1907, 1909, 1911) was born. (1880-1960)
During the month of August of 1906, Pitcher Lew Brockett was purchased by the Yankees from AA Buffalo (EL). He would appear in 50 games for the Yankees, while posting a 13-14 pitching record with a 3.43 ERA and 1 save.
1901-Former Yankees 2B Malcolm “Mack” Hillis (1924) was born. (1901-1961)
After coming up from the Atlanta Crackers (SA), INF Mack Hillis had appeared in 1 game with the 1924 Yankees. In 1925-1926, he was involved in a 2-part trade that sent INF Tony Lazzeri to the Yankees organization. Hillis was sent to the AA Salt Lake City Bees (PCL).
1903-In a doubleheader played at New York’s Hilltop Park, Boston veteran starter Cy Young wins the opener by the score of 6-1 in a match that takes 1 hour, 35 minutes. New York would win the nightcap by the score of 4-2.
1917-Former Yankees Pitcher Ray Scarborough (1952-1953) was born. (1917-1982)
After being obtained from the Red Sox for $10,000 cash on August 22,1952, veteran hurler Ray Scarborough would post a 7-3 record with a 3.15 ERA and 2 saves in 33 games for the 1952-1953 Yankees. He had originally come up with the Senators during the 1940’s. The Yankees would release him in August of 1953; he would finish out his MLB pitching career with the 1953 Tigers. Later, Ray would become an MLB Scout for the Orioles, Angels and the Brewers organizations, before retiring from the game.
1922-The Yankees start planning for the 1922 World Series, when they pick up 3B Joe Dugan and one-time Indians World Series hero Elmer Smith from the Red Sox, giving up OF Elmer Miller, Shortstops Chick Fewster and John Mitchell, later Pitcher Lefty O'Doul. The contending St. Louis Browns and other western clubs howl in protest and this deal will lead to an MLB rule barring non-waiver trades after June 15th by MLB Commissioner Judge Landis. Joe Dugan will replace the aging veteran Frank Baker at 3B. He will appear in 60 games for the team, while hitting .286 with 3 HRs and 26 RBIs. Joe will appear in the 1922 World Series against the Giants, playing in 4 games, while hitting .250
1925-The Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hits the 1st of his record 23 MLB career Grand Slam HRs as the Bronx Bombers beat the Senators by the score of 11-7.
1933-Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny James (1958,1960-1961) was born.
Johnny James played only 1 game in his MLB Pitching debut season in 1958. Appearing in relief for Art Ditmar (who had given up 7 earned runs in 6 innings of work) on September 6th. James would pitch 3 innings of scoreless baseball. He did walk 4 batters, while he strikeout only 1 batter. Also, he had 1 at-bat in that game, in which he had struck-out. He would spend all of the 1959 season at AAA Richmond (IL). He had earned a spot on the 1960 Yankees pitching staff by being a part of a Spring Training game no-hitter. For the 1960 Yankees, Johnny would post a 5-1 record with a 4.36 ERA and 2 saves in 28 games. Overall, as a Yankee hurler, Johnny James would post a 5-1 record with a 3.97 ERA and 2 saves in 36 games for the Yankees. On May 8,1961, he was traded by the club along with veteran Reliever Ryne Duren and Rookie OF/1B Lee Thomas for Angels veteran Reliever Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv. With the 1961 Angels, he had posted a 0-2 record with a 5.30 ERA in 36 games. Overall that season, he had walked 54 batters and struck out only 43 batters. James gave up the 20th HR of Roger Maris' then record-setting 61 HR season. Before the start of the 1962 AL season, Johnny would injure his pitching arm; he would never pitch in the MLB again. He had a 5-3 record in 66 MLB games, starting only 3 of them. In 119 innings of work, he would walk 84 hitters, while striking out 73 batters, finishing his MLB pitching career with a 4.76 ERA. Although, he did not collect a single hit in 17 at-bats (he had struck out 8 times), he did score 3 runs so one can assume he was used as a pinch-runner a few times in his MLB playing career. He would spend the 1962 season in the Minor Leagues before retiring from the game.
1950-Tigers Pitcher Saul Rogovin hits a 2nd inning Grand Slam HR off of Bronx starter Eddie Lopat as the 1st-place Bengals nip onrushing Yankees by the score of 6-5.
1957-Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle hits for the cycle and adds a stolen base against White Sox hurlers Bob Keegan, Paul LaPalme, Dixie Howell, Jack Harshman and Gary Staley. The Yankees win the game by a score of 10-6. Don Larsen had started for the Yankees followed by Tommy Byrne, Art Ditmar picks up his 7th win of the season by going 1.1 innings, then Bob Grim pitches 2 scoreless innings of relief gaining his 11th save of the 1957 AL season.
1966-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would celebrate the 1966 Old-Timers' Day, but they still lose to the Angels by a score of 7-6, despite a Grand Slam HR from Mickey Mantle. The Grand Slam HR, off of Angels hurler Marcelino Lopez, is Mickey's 9th. He ties Babe Ruth -- not in HRs, but in games played as a Yankees player.
1969-The Giants Willie McCovey hits 2 HRs as the NL Squad beats the AL team by the score of 9-3 for their 7th straight MLB All-Star Game win. Yankees P Mel Stottlemyre Sr. starts the game for the AL Squad, when Tigers Starter Denny McLain is late arriving from a dental appointment.
1977-Bronx Bombers veteran Reserve OF Paul Blair hits a 9th inning 3-run HR to give the Yankees Starter Ron Guidry a 3-1 victory over the Brewers.
1978-Bronx Slugger Reggie Jackson returns to the team as the Yankees win their 5th game straight by the score of 3-1 over the White Sox. The next day, Yankees Manager Billy Martin will resign under pressure, giving way to veteran AL Manager Bob Lemon. At the Chicago O’Hara Airport, Martin, reacting to reporters' questions about Yankees Slugger Reggie Jackson and Team Owner George Steinbrenner, replies, "The two deserve each other. One's a born liar; the other's convicted." His public remarks to the sports media will cost Billy his Yankees Manager’s job. The next day, Martin resigns under pressure, giving way to veteran MLB Manager Bob Lemon, after a 1-game interim by Yankees MLB Coach Richard Howser.
1984-Kansas City Closer Dan Quisenberry would register his 200th MLB career save as the Royals beat the Yankees by the score of 5-2. Quisenberry had reached the 200 MLB save plateau in his 409th MLB appearance, the quickest in MLB history.
2012-The Mariners would send long-time AL All-Star OF Ichiro Suzuki to the Yankees in return for 2 Minor League Pitchers: D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar. He was hitting .288 in 95 games for Seattle, leading the AL with 402 at-bats, along with 5 triples. The Yankees had recently announced that LF Brett Gardner was out for the 2012 AL season with an injury. Suzuki had a rebirth with the Yankees, by hitting a solid .322 with 5 HRs and 27 RBIs in 67 games as the Yankees managed to finish ahead of the Orioles in the AL East. In his 1st postseason action in over a decade, he was 5 for 23 (.217) as the Yankees would defeat the O's in the ALDS, then he went 6 for 17 (.353) with a HR as the Yankees' best hitter in their 4-game sweep at the hands of the Tigers in the ALCS. After the 2012 MLB season, he was re-signed with the Yankees for 2 years.
2012-Hours after being acquired in a trade, now a Yankee player, OF Ichiro Suzuki singles off of Mariners Pitcher Kevin Millwood in his 1st at-bat as a Yankee player in a 4-1 win over his former team, the Mariners. Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda is the winner, while 3B Alex Rodriguez hits his 15th HR of the 2012 AL season.
2014-The Yankees continued to juggle their MLB 25-man roster with INF/OF Kelly Johnson going on the 15-day DL, while purchasing Reliever Chris Leroux from AAA Scranton (IL). Veteran hurler Bruce Billings at AAA Scranton is DFA; he would go to the Korea Baseball League to pitch.
2014-Former Yankees Minor League 2B and MLB Scout Paul Tretiak had passed away.(1926-2014)
Infielder Paul Tretiak had spent 8 seasons in the Minor Leagues, playing from 1947 to 1954. He was with the Yankees organization from 1947-1952. He would finish his playing days in the Cubs organization from 1953-1954. In 3,027 at-bats, he hit only 8 HRs and 91 doubles, while slugging .312 overall. He averaged 1HR every 378 at-bats and didn't hit a single dinger from 1948 to 1950, during which time he had 1,216 ABs. Perhaps his best season was 1948, when he hit .279 with 131 hits, 19 doubles, 7 triples and 164 total bases in 122 games for the Joplin Miners (WL). Overall, he had hit .251 in 811 games. He would manage the Florida Instructional League Mets in 1968 and 1969. As well, he spent a year as Assistant Baseball Coach at So. Illinois Univ. at Carbondale. Paul had spent time Coaching and MLB Scouting for the 1960-1963 Pirates,1965-1977 Mets and the 1975-1978 Brewers Minor League systems.
2019-The Yankees would defeat the Twins by the score of 14-12 in 10 innings in a game that features 5 lead changes and the Yankees coming back from 6 runs down at 1 point. Bronx Shortstop Didi Gregorius has 5 hits and 7 RBIs, while OF Aaron Hicks ends it with a great diving catch in centerfield, robbing Twins batter Matt Kepler of game winning hit with the bases loaded. Both Team Closers Taylor Rogers and Aroldis Chapman blow save opportunities in the 9th inning to force the game into extra innings.
2020-In the most belated Opening Day in MLB history, a result of the COVIDS pandemic, the Yankees would defeat the Nationals by the score of 4-1 in an Interleague game ended in the 6th inning by a violent thunderstorm. Without any spectators present, the nation's Chief Immunologist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, throws a wild ceremonial 1st pitch at Nationals Park before Yankee Slugger Giancarlo Stanton hits a 2-run HR off of Nats Starter Max Scherzer to put New York ahead to stay in the top of the 1st. The Yankees' prize off-season signing, Ace Starting Pitcher Gerrit Cole, allows just 1 Nats hit, a solo HR by Adam Eaton, in pitching an abbreviated complete game. As a reminder that the health crisis is still a reality, the Nats play without their star LF Juan Soto, who had tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the game.
July 24th
1922-Former Yankees Pitcher Duane “Dee” Pillette (1949-1950) was born. (1922-2011)
Before the start of the 1946 AL season, Pitcher Duane “Dee” Pillette was signed by the Yankees, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. For the 1949-1950 Yankees, Duane would post a 5-9 record with a 3.86 ERA in 40 games. He did not appear in the 1949 World Series against the Dodgers for the team. On June 15,1950, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jim Delsing, Pitcher Don Johnson, MLB INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000 Cash to the St. Louis Browns for 2 hurlers: Tom Ferrick, Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas.
1923-Yankees Starter Carl Mays wins his 23rd consecutive game against the Philadelphia A’s.
1926-Yankee Sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth demonstrate that power hitting is not the only thing they can do when Lou scores on a double steal with the Babe in a victory over the White Sox. They had pulled the same double steal against the Red Sox on April 13th.
1933-On July 24,1933, the Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent veteran Pitcher George Uhle, after he was released by the Giants. For the 1933 Yankees, he will post a 6-1 record with a 5.16 ERA in 12 games, before fading to a 2-4 mark with a 9.92 ERA in 10 games in the 1934. On June 2,1934, George Uhle would be released by the team to clear an MLB roster spot for Yale Univ. pitching star Johnny Broaca, who had been signed by the team.
1934-Yankees CF Earle Combs crashes into the outfield wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, he suffers a fractured skull. The Yankees call up OF George Selkirk, but the team learns he broke his arm the same day, while playing for the AA Newark Bears (IL). This injury will eventually end Earl Combs great Yankees MLB playing career in 1935. He will become a Yankees MLB Coach, helping Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio to learn how to play CF at Yankee Stadium, when he is moved from RF to CF by Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy.
1935-The Tigers would shut down the Yankees by the score of 4-2 to go ahead by 1/2 game, but are a fraction of a percentage point behind in AL.
1954-After Yankees Manager Casey Stengel pulls starting Shortstop Phil Rizzuto in the 8th inning for a pinch-hitter. He would move CF Mickey Mantle again to play Shortstop, while Willie Miranda plays 2B against left-handed hitters. Against right-handed batters, Miranda and Mantle switch their infield positions. The Indians win the game by a score of 5-4 to go 2 ½ games up on the Yankees in the 1954 AL pennant race.
1960-White Sox 3rd straight win at Yankee Stadium and 8th straight overall, a 6-3 victory behind veteran lefty Starter Billy Pierce, gives the White Sox a 2-game lead atop the AL. Yankees Starter Eli Grba beats White Sox hurler Herb Score in the 2nd game by the score of 8-2 to give Yankees, a twin-bill split.
1961-In an unusual mid-season night exhibition match at Yankee Stadium, the Giants would beat their former cross-town rivals by the score of 4-1. Mickey Mantle's HR accounts for the only Bronx Bombers run, while Willie Mays has 2 RBIs for the visiting "Jints.” His 2-run single gave the Giants the lead in the game, that they would hold on the rest of the way. Giants Pitcher Bobby Bolin had pitched 6 innings for the win with Mantle’s HR the only run, that he had gave up to the Yankees batting order. Veteran Giants hurler Billy O’Dell would finish up the game for the Giants. Yankees Rookie hurler Al Downing would take the loss. The attendance for the exhibition game was 47,346 people. The next time the 2 teams would play at the Yankee Stadium; it will be in the 1962 World Series.
1964-Tigers veteran Starter Hank Aguirre gives up 5 runs on 3 HRs to the Yankees in the 1st 4 innings, but the Tigers overcome a 5-2 deficit to win the game by a final score of 10-5.
1965-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Joe Oliver (2001) was born.
On November 21,2000, C Joe Oliver was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He appeared in only 12 games for the team, while hitting .250. On June 20, 2001, Joe was released by the Yankees, but he would be picked up by the Red Sox for the rest of the 2001 AL season.
1966-The Yankees beat the Angels by the score of 9-1 in Game 1, as Mickey Mantle hits his 2nd HR in 2 days. The Mantle HR, his 493rd MLB career HR shot, ties him with HOF Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig for 6th place on the All-time MLB HR Leaders list.
1978-In Kansas City, a sobbing Billy Martin reads a prepared statement in which he resigns as the Yankees Manager. New York MLB Coach Richard Howser will fill in that night as acting Manager, as the Yankees would lose the game to the Royals by a score of 5-2. The new Yankees skipper Bob Lemon will take over the next day, he will pilot the Yankees to the 1978 World Championship, which included the 14-game come-back for the Yankees to catch the Red Sox to win the AL East Division crown, eventually the AL Pennant and a 1978 World Series victory over the Dodgers.
1983-In the memorable "Pine Tar Game" at Yankee Stadium, Royals 3B George Brett hits an apparent 2-run HR off of Yankees Closer Rich Gossage to give Kansas City a 5-4 lead with 2 outs in the 9th inning, only to have it taken away when Yankees Manager Billy Martin at the urging of MLB Bench Coach Don Zimmer, points out that the pine tar on Brett's bat handle exceeds the 17 inches allowed in the MLB rules. As a result, Brett is called out for illegally batting the ball, giving New York, a 4-3 victory. George Brett goes ballistic and the Royals immediately protest, AL President Lee MacPhail overrules his Umpires for the 1st time saying that, while the rules should certainly be rewritten and clarified, the HR will stand and the game will be resumed from that point on August 18th.
1985-Former Yankees Pitcher Ted Kleinhans (1936) had passed away. (1899-1995)
For the 1936 Yankees, Ted Kleinhans had appeared in 19 games; while posting a 1-1 record with a 5.83 ERA with 1 save. In 1935, Ted had joined the Yankees organization, pitching for AA Newark Bears (IL). For the 1935 Bears, he had posted a 17-8 record with a 2.82 ERA in 40 games. In 1936, Ted was with the Bears again, posting a 4-2 record in 8 games, before being called up by the Yankees. In 1937, he would pitch for the AA Kansas City Blues (AA), having a 15-9 record with a 4.03 ERA in 37 games. On September 4,1937, Ted was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees Organization. Later, he would coach College Baseball for 20 years at Syracuse Univ., before retiring in 1966. He had originally come up with the 1934 Phillies before being traded to the Reds during the 1934 NL season.
1991-In a game against the Mariners, the Yankees score 3 runs on a ground ball hit back to the pitcher. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out in the 4th inning, Pat Kelly hits a comebacker to Pitcher Erik Hanson. The Seattle hurler traps Yankees” base runner Kevin Maas in a rundown between 3B and home, but Kevin Maas scores, when 3B Edgar Martinez's throw hits him in the back. The ball rolls up the 1B line in foul territory, where Catcher Dave Cochrane, who throws home to head off the Yankees base runner Alvaro Espinoza, who is also attempting to score, recovers it. The throw goes into the Mariners' dugout allowing Espinoza and Kelly to cross the plate with the 2nd and 3rd runs of the inning.
1992-MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent announces that New York Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner can resume active control of the Yankees on March 1,1993.
1999-The Yankees would pound out the Indians by the score of 21-1. The Bronx Bombers are led by DH Chili Davis, who bangs out 5 hits, including a double and HRs, while driving home 6 runs.
2001-The Yankees edge the Tigers by the score of 6-5, despite an 8th inning moon shot by Tiger's Juan Encarnacion off of Yankees Reliever Ramiro Mendoza, that lands in the 2nd row of the empty blue bleacher seats in left centerfield. It is believed to be the 1st ball hit into that area since Yankee Stadium was remodeled in 1976.
2004-Another saga is added to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry as a bench-clearing brawl breaks out after Red Sox Starter Bronson Arroyo hits Yankees batter Alex Rodriguez, who hit last night's game-winning HR, with a pitch. As A-rod stares out at the mound on his way to 1B, Boston's Catcher Jason Varitek, after a verbal exchange, pushes the All-Star 3B in the face causing a series of fights with players in both team's dugouts and bullpens involved.
2009-The Yankees would extend their winning streak to 8 games with an 8-3 defeat of the Oakland A's. Yankees Starter Joba Chamberlain is the winner.
2012-Seattle Starter Felix Hernandez breaks Yankees batter Alex Rodriguez's hand with a pitch in the 8th inning of a 4-2 victory over the Yankees. The Yankees make history by becoming the 1st team since the 1927 Philadelphia A’s have 3 players with 2,500+ MLB career hits in the starting lineup. New York uses Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and the newly acquired OF Ichiro Suzuki to pull that feat off.
2014-The Yankees continuing making deals before the 2014 July 31st MLB Trade deadline. They have purchased P Chris Capuano from the Rockies for Cash. He had started the 2014 AL season with the Red Sox, going 1-1 with a 4.55 ERA in 28 games before being released by the team. The Rockies would pick him up as an MLB Free Agent. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi tells the NYC sports writers, that he will use him as a starter. For the 2014-2015 Yankees, Capuano will go 2-7 with a 5.67 ERA in 34 games. He was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He was signed with the Brewers for the 2016 MLB season.
2017-The Yankees have acquired 1B Ryan McBroom from the Blue Jays in exchange for Reserve INF/OF Rob Refsnyder. He will be assigned to AA Trenton Thunder (EL).
2018-The Orioles had traded veteran MLB Reliever Zach Britton to the Yankees for 3 Minor League Pitchers: Cody Carroll, Dillon Tate and Josh Rogers. Britton will help out the Yankees bullpen during the 2018 ALWC race. For the 2018 Yankees, Britton will post a 1-0 record with a 2.88 ERA and 3 saves in 25 games. He had made 3 appearances in the 2018 AL Post season with no decisions. He was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. Later, Zach was resigned by the Yankees.
2018-Former MLB Pitcher and Yankees Bullpen Coach Tony Cloninger had passed away. (1940-2018)
Tony Cloninger pitched a 12 years in the MLB, most notably for the Braves. Despite hitting just .192 during his MLB playing career, he is well remembered for some feats with the bat during the 1966 NL campaign. In 1958, Cloninger was signed by the Braves and made his pro debut that summer. In 1959, while playing for the Cedar Rapids Braves (3-IL), he had one of the worst stretches of any pitcher to eventually become a successful MLB Pitcher. Over a 10-game span with the team, he went 0-9 with a 9.59 ERA, allowing 58 walks in only 46 innings. Despite his early struggles, Cloninger reached the MLB with Milwaukee in 1961. In 1964, he led the Braves staff with 19 wins. In 1965, he was 24-11, but he didn’t get any votes for the Cy Young Award because Dodgers Sandy Koufax, who won 26 games, was the unanimous winner of the award. The Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, and Cloninger tied Ken Johnson for the team lead with 14 victories. However, he is perhaps most famous for his feats with the bat that summer. On June 16th, against the Mets, he clubbed a pair of HRs in a game. Several weeks later, on July 3rd, he hit 2 Grand Slams in 1 game versus the Giants at Candlestick Park, as the Braves won by the score of 17-3. He became the 1st NL player to accomplish that feat, also the only NL pitcher. As of 2009, only 12 other MLBer’s have done the same. He also had an RBI single in the game, for a total of 9-runs batted in. Overall, during a 6-game stretch from June 16th to July 3rd, he had 4 HRs and 18 RBIs. Later, Cloninger would pitch for the Reds and the Cardinals. With the Reds, he made 2 appearances in the 1970 World Series, taking the loss in Game 3 as his team fell to the Orioles in 5 games. He would end his pro playing career in the Atlanta chain, pitching for the 1972 AAA Richmond Braves (IL). Cloninger was a member of the Yankees MLB Coaching staff from 1992 to 2001. Also, he worked as the MLB Pitching Coach for the 2002-2003 Red Sox. When he was diagnosed with Cancer, Tony was forced to take a leave of absence from the team. After he had recovered, he would serve as a Scout in the Class A Carolina League in 2005. In 2011, he was a Player Development Consultant for the Red Sox.
2023-The Yankees have announced that they have release Minor League P Michael Felz, so that he could accept an offer to pitch for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan. He had pitched in 13 games for AAA Scranton this season. He had been signed to a minor league contract by the Yankees during the winter. He had pitched for the Red Sox in 2022.
July 25th
1903-At Hill Top Park in New York, the Boston Pilgrims (aka Red Sox) bang out 7 doubles while beating the Highlanders by the score of 7-5. Buck Freeman and Marty Parent each have 2 doubles.
1904-Before a crowd of 1,522 fans at Hill Top Park, veteran hurler Al Orth makes his 1st start for the Highlanders. He matches zeroes with White Sox Starter Yip Owen. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Patsy Dougherty leads off with a triple and scores on Willie Keeler's bouncer through the infield.
1908-With the Yankees leading the Tigers by the score of 3-2 in the 8th inning, Detroit scores 2 runs on a Ty Cobb triple. With lefty Claude Rossman the next hitter, New York's new Manager Kid Elberfeld moves righty P Jack Chesbro to 1B and replaces him with 1B Hal Chase. Chase allows a fly ball that scores Cobb, then goes back to 1B and Jack Chesbro resumes his spot on the mound. It is Hal Chase's only Yankee pitching appearance as the Tigers win the game by a score of 5-3.
1920-The Red Sox turn a triple play against the Yankees, who win the game by a score of 8-2. Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth hits his 35th HR of the 1920 AL season.
1939-Yankees Rookie Starter Atley Donald sets the AL Rookie Pitcher’s record for consecutive wins. "Swampy” beats the St. Louis Browns for his 12th straight victory, winning the game by a score of 5-1.
1947-Former Yankees MLB 1B Coach Mick Kelleher (2009-2014) was born.
Mick Kelleher had played in the MLB during the 1970’s with the Cubs, until a back injury forced to stop playing. He would join the Yankees MLB Coaching staff in 2009. He was released by the team at the end of 2014 AL season. Previously, he was an MLB Coach with the Pirates and the Tigers.
1947-Former Yankees Minor League P Mickey Scott was born. (1947-2011)
The Yankees in the 17th round of the 1965 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected P Mickey Scott. He would make his pro debut that year. The following season, he went 15-5 with a 2.75 ERA for the AA Binghamton Triplets (NYPL). He would lead the NYPL in wins and strikeouts. After missing the 1967 AL season due to military service, he was back with the Triplets in 1968. Mickey would spend the 1969 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 18,1969, Mickey was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to the White Sox for veteran INF Pete Ward. Later, he would pitch for the Orioles and the Angels. Following his MLB playing days, he would work for the Yankees organization in various capacities.
1948-In the tight 4-team 1948 AL Pennant race, Joe DiMaggio leads the Yankees to a sweep over the White Sox by scores of 5-3 and 7-3. Yankee Clipper is 3-for-3 in Game 1 to back Yankees Starter Eddie Lopat, then he adds a triple and 2 doubles in the nightcap. His 3-RBIs in the nightcap, gives him an AL-high 86 RBIs. Both the Yankees and Indians are tied for 2nd place 1 1-2 games behind the 1st place Red Sox.
1959-Against Detroit, Yankees 1B Bill “Moose “Skowron reaching for a wide throw collides with Tigers’ baserunner Coot Veale. Bill Skowron's arm is broken in 2 places; he is out for the rest of the 1959 AL season. Yankees Rookie Marv Throneberry will fill in at 1B, while hitting .241 with 8 HRs and 22 RBIs for the team. The Yankees would win the game by a score of 9-8, when Yogi Berra hits a HR in the 9th inning with Mickey Mantle on. Prior to the Yogi’s HR, Infielders Bobby Richardson and Fritz Brickell had hit their 1st MLB HRs for the Yankees. Yogi Berra’s HR erases 5 Yankee errors, including 3 by 3B Hector Lopez. In 1960, he will eventually be moved to OF with Clete Boyer taking over 3B. Bill Skowron’s arm injury will be very costly for the Yankees, who will finish in 3rd place in the AL with a 79-75 record behind the 2nd place Indians and 1959 AL Champions White Sox.
1961-Yankees RF Roger Maris hits 4 HRs, tying the AL record for a twin bill (at least 1 in each game) as the Bombers beat the White Sox by the scores of 5-1 and 12-0. Also, Mickey Mantle HRs off of hurler Frank Baumann in the 1st game. He ends the day with 38 HRs to 40 HRs for Roger Maris. With his 4 HR performance in the doubleheader sweep over the White Sox, Roger Maris moves 25 games ahead of Babe Ruth's 1927 60 HR pace. The Yankee slugger now has 40 HRs for the season; Roger Maris will finish the 1961 AL season with an MLB record of 61 HRs.
1962-Former Yankees Pitcher Doug Drabek (1986) was born.
On August 13,1984, Doug Drabek was sent by the White Sox to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on July 18,1984. The White Sox would send Players to be Named Later to the Yankees for veteran INF Roy Smalley. The White Sox would send 2 hurlers: Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey on August 13,1984 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Doug went 7-8 in 27 games for the 1986 Yankees. On November 26,1986, he was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Logan Easley and Brian Fisher to the Pirates for 3 Pitchers: Veteran Starter Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements.
1965-Former Yankees Reserve INF (1991) and MLB Manager Torey Lovullo was born.
On March 19,1991, INF Torey Lovullo was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for Pitcher Mark Leiter. He would appear in only 22 games as a Reserve INF for the 1991 Yankees, while hitting just .176. He would spend most of his season playing for the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL).
1966-Former Yankees MLB Manager and NL Player Casey Stengel is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by a special vote of the MLB Writers Association and the Old Timer’s Committee. The purpose was the special election vote was due to Casey Stengel being seriously injured in accident. The Press wanted him to be elected to the Hall of Fame, while he was still alive. As an MLB player, Casey had played in the MLB for 14 seasons, finishing with a lifetime BA of .284 with 60 HRs and 535 RBIs in 1,277 MLB games. On October 10,1923, he hit the 1st World Series HR in Game #1 at Yankee Stadium as a member of the Giants. Casey had played for the Dodgers, Pirates, Phillies, Giants and the Braves (1912-1925). He had appeared in 3 World Series as an MLB player with the 1916 Dodgers and the 1922-1923 Giants playing in 12 games, while hitting .393 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs.
1967-At Yankee Stadium, AL HR leader Harmon Killebrew gives the Twins a 1-0 lead with a 1st inning HR off of Yankees Starter Al Downing. Twins Starter Jim Kaat holds the Yankees scoreless until 2-outs in the 9th inning when Mickey Mantle clocks a ball over the 457 FT mark to tie the score. The game is rained out with the score tie at 1-1. It will be replayed on August 18th. The Yankees will win the replay by a score of 1-0.
1967-Former Yankees OF Mike “Shotgun” Chartak (1940) had passed away. (1916-1967)
Mike Chartak was 25 years old, when World War II started. He had played for the Yankees, Senators and Browns in 1940 and from 1942-1944. He had 10 HRs in both 1942 and 1943, each seasons in which, that he had around 390 at-bats. In the 1944 World Series, he was a pinch-hitter for the St. Louis Browns in Games 5 and 6. Mike Chartak was an outfielder on the 1938 Newark Bears (IL), one of the great minor league teams with a record of 104-48. Mike only appeared in 16 games for the 1940 Yankees, just hitting .100. During 7 seasons in the Minor Leagues, he had posted a batting average of .306 along with a slugging percentage of .509. On May 10,1942, Mike was purchased by the Senators from the Yankees. In April of 1945, it was discovered that he had tuberculosis in his left lung. Mike had to stop playing pro baseball. Doctors discovered spots on Chartak's lungs during a pre-induction military examination. He had tuberculosis; he was sent to a sanatorium. Over the next 23 years, Chartak spent the majority of his time in sanatoriums. On July 25,1967, He died from Pulmonary Tuberculosis at a sanatorium in Oakdale, Iowa.
1976-Former Yankees Pitcher Javier Vazquez (2004,2010) was born.
On December 16, 2003, starter Javier Vazquez was traded by the Expos to the Yankees for 1B Nick Johnson, OF Juan Rivera and Reliever Randy Choate. For the 2004 Yankees, he would post a 14-10 record in 32 games. On January 11, 2005, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Brad Halsey, C Dioner Navarro and cash to the Diamondbacks for All-Star starter Randy Johnson. On December 22, 2009, Javier was traded by the Braves along with P Boone Logan to the Yankees for P Arodys Vizcaino (Minors), OF Melky Cabrera, P Michael Dunn and Cash. His 2nd tour with the Yankees, Juan is a major disappointment; Vazquez goes only 10-10 in 31 games. Overall, as a Yankees starter, he had a 24-20 record with a 5.09 ERA in 63 games. The Yankees would let him leave the team for MLB Free Agency. He was signed by the Marlins for the 2011 MLB season. In the Fall of 2011, Javier would retire from baseball, finishing with a 165-160 record with a 4.22 ERA in 450 games.
1978-The Yankees would name Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Lemon as their new manager replacing the recently resigned Billy Martin. His Bronx MLB managing debut is a 4-0 win against the Royals. He will restore order to the team and catch the Red Sox, who currently lead the Yankees by 14 ½ games for the AL East crown. He will win the 1978 World Series defeating the Dodgers.
1991-A Yankees baseball jersey once worn by Yankees Hall of Fame CF Mickey Mantle is sold for $71,500 at a Sports Auction held in Manhattan.
1995-Yankees' 2B Randy Velarde strokes 5 hits in a Bombers 8-1 win over the Royals. Velarde's 5 hits in the game included 4 singles and a HR.
1996-Royals Rookie Starter Jose Rosado wins his 1st MLB game by the score of 7-0 by shutting down the Yankees on 4-hits at Yankee Stadium.
1997-The Yankees had signed veteran MLB OF Pete Incaviglia to a Minor League contract as a Free Agent and sent him to AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). He had hit .246 with 5 HRs with the 1997 Orioles before being released by the team. After 3 games with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), he was called up to the Bronx, where he as a DH for the team, hitting 4 singles in 16 at bats. On August 13, 1997, Pete was released by the team, when they had obtained veteran DH/1B/Catcher Mike Stanley from the Red Sox in a trade.
1998-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher T.J. Sikkema was born.
Minor League Pitcher T. J. Sikkema was traded by the Reds to the Yankees in the 2019 Sonny Gray trade. He would spend the 2019 Minor League season with the short season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), while posting a 0-0 record with a 0.84 ERA in 4 games for the team. However, he then missed all of the next 2 seasons: 2020 because the minor leagues were shut down by the Coronavirus pandemic and 2021, he didn’t pitch because of a shoulder injury. On July 27, 2022, the Yankees had acquired Veteran MLB OF Andrew Benintendi from the Royals in exchange for 3 Minor League Pitchers: P Chandler Champlain, T.J. Sikkema and Beck Way.
1998-Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton makes his 1st appearance at Yankee Stadium since 1970 at Old Timer’s Day. He is greeted with cheers all around. Bouton had been persona non grata in New York since writing his baseball book, "Ball Four," which broke a long-standing taboo in sports by taking readers into the locker room and revealing players' extracurricular escapades. The Yankees had invited the Bulldog back after his son wrote a Father's Day article in the New York Times suggesting it. On his 1st pitch on the Yankee Stadium pitching mound, he did his famous hat-flying-off pitching delivery, which the Yankee fans cheered wildly about. His former Yankees teammate Pitcher Mel Stottlemyre had reminded him that the fans would he looking to see if he was going to do it again.
2011-The Yankees would extend the Mariners' franchise-worst losing streak to 16 games with a 10-3 win at Yankee Stadium. Yankees batters Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira hit a HR and have 3 RBIs each.
2014-Former Yankees Reserve OF Arthur “Dutch” Schult (1953) had passed away.(1928-2014)
Art Schult played 5 seasons in the MLB for 4 different teams. He was in 59 games at 1B and 56 in the outfield. He first came up with the Yankees; his next team was the Reds, moving on to the Senators. His last MLB season was with the Cubs. He hit for a .254 average, while playing in the MLB. He had appeared in only 7 games as a Yankee, all of them were as a pinch-runner, but he did score 3 runs.
2015-Alex Rodriguez continues his remarkable 2015 comeback season by hitting 3 HRs in an 8-5 Yankees win over the Twins. His 3rd long ball ties the score against Twins Closer Glen Perkins in the 9th inning then Rookie Catcher John Ryan Murphy follows with a 3-run game-winning HR shot.
2016-In a rare development, the Yankees become sellers at the July 31st MLB Trading Deadline approaches as they would send Closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs in return for a very rich package of 3 Minor League Prospects that includes Outfielders Rashad Crawford and Billy McKinney, INF Gleyber Torres and MLB P Adam Warren. The Yankees were dealing from a position of strength, with 2 other top-class MLB Relievers still on hand in Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, while Chapman is headed for MLB Free Agency, after the 2016 MLB postseason ends. He will help the Cubs win the NL pennant and the 2016 World Series. In the Fall of 2016, he will resign a multi-year contract with the Yankees in the Fall of 2016.
2017-In his 1st plate appearance at home as a member of the Yankees, 3B Todd Frazier hits into one of the rarest plays in baseball: a triple play that actually scores a run. Batting with the bases loaded and none out in the 2nd, he hits a hard grounder to Reds Shortstop Jose Peraza, who steps on 2nd and throws to 1st for the 1st 2 outs. Meanwhile, Didi Gregorius, who was on 2nd base, freezes up between 2nd and 3rd, thinking Peraza may catch the ball on the fly. Reds 1B Joey Votto throws to 3rd and catches Gregorius in a rundown. He is called out for leaving the base line - but not before Yankees baserunner Matt Holiday has crossed home plate. Because the final out was not the result of a force out, the Yankees run stands. The Yankees will go on to beat the Reds by the score of 4-2.
2019-At Fenway Park, the Red Sox author another chapter in the long saga that is their rivalry with the Yankees by defeating them by a score of 19-3. Masahiro Tanaka allows 12 earned runs in 3 1/3 innings, the most by a Yankee pitcher against the Sox. Xander Bogaerts sets the tone with a 3-run HR in the 1st as part of a 4-hit night in which he adds another long ball, against C Austin Romine pitching mop-up relief in the 8th. The 19 runs by the Red Sox are the most they have scored in the 117-year history of facing the Yankees.
July 26th
1892-Former Yankees Pitcher Samuel “Sad Sam” Jones (1922-1926) was born. (1892-1966)
On December 20,1921, Starter Sam Jones was traded by the Red Sox along with P Bullet Joe Bush and Shortstop Everett Scott to the Yankees for Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, 3 Pitchers: Rip Collins, Jack Quinn and Bill Piercy along with $100,000 Cash. He had been pitching in the AL since 1914, when he had started with the Indians, who later would trade him to the Red Sox. In 1921, Sam had posted a 21-16 record with a 3.22 ERA in 40 games for Boston. For the 1922-1926 Yankees, Sam would post a 67-56 record with a 4.06 ERA and 22 saves in 202 games. His best Yankees pitching season was in 1923, when he went 21-8 with a 3.63 ERA in 39 games. On September 4,1923, he had thrown a No-Hitter against the Philadelphia A’s. On February 8,1927, Sam was traded by the Yankees to the St. Louis Browns for OF Cedric Durst and P Joe Giard. Jones would later pitch for the Senators and the White Sox, before retiring in 1936. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the 1st was with 1918 Red Sox and then 1922-1923,1926 Yankees with 0-2 pitching record with a 2.05 ERA in 6 games. His final MLB pitching career mark was a 229-217 record with a 3.84 ERA and 31 saves in 647 games.
1920-Former Yankees Reserve 3B Eddie Bockman (1946) was born. (1920-2011)
Reserve INF Eddie Bockman appeared in only 4 games for the 1946 Yankees before being traded on October 12,1946 by the team to the Indians for a Player to be Named Later and Cash. The Indians would send INF Dutch Meyer on December 5,1946 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Later, Eddie would become a Minor League Manager. He was a long-time MLB Scout for the Phillies.
1922-Former Yankees Minor League Manager and Hall of Fame MLB Pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm was born. (1922-2002)
Hoyt Wilhem was an MLB Pitcher for 21 seasons. He was named to the MLB All-Star teams in both leagues, 5 different times. He had won 2 ERA Titles during his MLB Pitching career. Hoyt had appeared in his only World Series with the 1954 Giants, he had made 2 appearances against the Indians with no decisions. In 1958 with the Orioles, Hoyt had pitched a No-Hitter against the Yankees. He would start his pitching career in the MLB with the 1952 Giants, he would later pitch for the Cardinals, Indians, Orioles, White Sox, Royals, Angels, Braves, Cubs and finishing up his long MLB career with the 1972 Dodgers. Overall, Hoyt had posted a 143-122 record with a 2.50 ERA in 1,090 MLB games. He had finished his long MLB Pitching career with 228 saves. After his MLB playing days, Wilhelm had managed for 2 seasons in the Minor Leagues in the Braves organization with the Greenwood Braves. Also, Hoyt was a Minor League Pitching Coach in the Yankees organization: 1977 AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL), 1978 AAA Tacoma Yankees (PCL), 1979 AA West Haven Yankees (EL), 1982, 1983 and 1984 AA Nashville Sounds (SAL) and the GCL Yankees for several years, before he retired from the game. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 7,1985.
1922-In several pre-game fights between Yankees’ teammates, OF Bob Meusel and Catcher Wally Schang duke it out in the Yankees dugout. Then Babe Ruth and 1B Wally Pipp takes a turn at it. The riled-up Yankee players then turn on the St. Louis Browns beating them by the score of 11-6. Babe Ruth bangs out 2 HRs, while 1B Wally Pipp adds another HR and Catcher Wally Schang chips in with a 2-run triple.
1923-Former Yankees Minor League INF Leo Thomas was born. (1923-2001)
On June 15,1950, INF Leo Thomas was traded by the Browns along with Pitchers Tom Ferrick and Joe Ostrowski to the Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, Pitchers Don Johnson, Duane Pillette, Veteran INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000 Cash. He did not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was assigned by the team to their AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA). On July 22,1950, Leo was purchased by the AAA Portland Beavers (PCL) from the Yankees.
1927-Former Yankees Pitcher Bill Miller (1952-1954) was born. (1927-2003)
On August 1,1951, hurler Bill Miller was purchased by the Yankees from the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). The Giants originally had signed him. For the 1952-1954 Yankees, Bill would post a 6-8 record with a 3.95 ERA and 1 save in 36 games; before being traded to the Orioles in the winter of 1954, as part of the huge 17-player trade. While pitching for the 1952-1953 Yankees, Bill didn’t appear in the World Series for the team.
1928-Tiger’s Rookie right-hander Vic Sorrell and the Yankees' veteran Starter Waite Hoyt are in 1-1 tie after 11 innings. Twelve hits and 2 walks in the 12th inning score 11 Yankees runs in the biggest extra-inning storm ever. Yankees OF Bob Meusel again hits for the cycle. The Yankees Outfielder becomes the 1st MLB player to accomplish the hitting feat for a 3rd time during his MLB playing career. The Yankees would lose the nightcap to the Tigers by a score of 13-10.
1930-Former Yankees Reserve OF Tommy Madden (1910) had passed away. (1883-1930)
On August 23,1909, Tommy Madden was purchased by the Yankees from Utica (NY State). He would appear in 1 game for the 1910 Yankees with no hits.
1931-At Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers split a doubleheader with the White Sox, taking the 2nd game by the score of 22-5 with 9 Yankee batters scoring 2 or more runs each. The Sunday twin bill played in the Bronx had attracted a crowd of 40,000 fans. The Yankees would chase Chicago Starter Pat Caraway, who in 2 innings of work gives up 7 Yankees hits, while allowing 13 runs. Red Ruffing is the winning pitcher for the Yankees with Reliever Lou McEvoy picking up his 1st save of the 1931 AL season. In the Opener, the White Sox had beaten the Bombers by the score of 5-4. Chicago Starter Red Faber throws a complete game victory. Hank Johnson takes the complete game loss for Yankees; he is now 9-5 for the 1931 AL season.
1933-Former Yankees Golden Glove Winner OF Norm Siebern (1956,1958-1959) was born. (1933-2015)
Before the start of the 1951 AL season, the Yankees had signed Norm Siebern as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would miss the 1954-1955 baseball seasons due military service. He had appeared with the Yankees briefly in 1956, then Norm joined the team full-time in 1958, being the 1st Yankees position player to win an AL Golden Glove for LF. In 1956, Norm was the 1st winner of James P. Dawson Award for best Yankee Rookie in MLB spring training camp. Back in the Minors with the AAA Denver Bears, the following year, he led the American Association with a .349 average, 24 HRs, 124 runs, 191 hits, 45 doubles, and 15 triples, as he was chosen by the Sporting News as their 1957 Minor League Player of the Year. In 1958, Norm had played in 134 games for the Yankees, while hitting .300 with 14 HRs and 55 RBIs. In 1959, Norm would play in 120 games for the team, while hitting .271 with 11 HRs and 35 RBIs. Norm was one of the young players who, Yankees Manager Casey Stengel, who openly criticized him in the NYC sports media. On December 11,1959, Norm was traded by the Yankees along with veteran OF Hank Bauer, Starter Don Larsen and Reserve 1B/OF Marv Throneberry to the Kansas City A’s for OF Roger Maris, veteran AL Shortstop Joe DeMaestri and 1B Kent Hadley. Overall, as a Yankees player, he had played in 308 games, while hitting .273 with 29 HRs and 129 RBIs. He would play for Athletics from 1960 to 1963, being named to the AL All-Star team twice before being traded to the Orioles in the winter of 1963. Norm would later play for the Giants, Angels and the Red Sox before retiring in 1968. He had appeared in 3 World Series (1956, 1958 Yankees and the 1967 Red Sox), playing in 7 games, while hitting just .167 with No HRs and 1 RBI.
1933-Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig is thrown out of the 2nd game in a double-header against the Red Sox, had it been the 1st game, his MLB consecutive-game streak would have ended.
1935-An unusual double play occurs when a line drive hit by Yankees’ batter Jesse Hill bounces off the Pitcher's head Senators Ed Linke in the air to the Catcher Jack Redmond, who throws to 2nd to double off the Yankees base-runner Ben Chapman.
1936-Umpire Bill Summers is forced out the game after he was hit in the groin by a pop bottle thrown from an unruly crowd of 50,000 Chicago fans during a Sunday doubleheader played at Comiskey Park. The Chicago crowd becomes upset with an out call at 1B on Ray Radcliff in the 8th inning of the nightcap. Baseball Commissioner Judge Landis, on hand to watch the game, offers a $5,000 reward over the PA system for the culprit, but his PA announcement only draws more boos. The deluge of pop bottles finally abates when White Sox Manager Jimmy Dykes pleads through the field amplifier. The Yankees would sweep a pair from the Sox, winning by scores of 12-3 and 11-8 in 11 innings. Lou Gehrig hits his 29th HR with 2 aboard to start the Yankees scoring in the opener. Then Joe DiMaggio and Tony Lazzeri add round trippers to make it easy win for Yankees Starter Johnny Broaca. Sugar Cain is the losing Chicago pitcher. In the nightcap, Lou Gehrig adds another HR, while Zeke Bonura HRs and drives home 4 runs for the White Sox. Yankees Rookie CF Joe DiMaggio has 1 hit, a triple for the Yankees. White Sox Starter John Whitehead, Relievers Clint Brown, Bill Dietrich and the loser Red Evans (0-2) are pounded by the Yankee hitters for 11 runs and 15 hits in the game. The Chicago hitters had chased Yankees Starter Bump Hadley for 7 runs and 10 hits, after 4 innings of work. Yankees’ veteran hurler Pat Malone comes in to shut down the White Sox batters allowing only 3 hits and 1 run in 4 innings of work, improving his 1936 pitching record to 10-4. The doubleheader sweep of Chicago increases the Yankees AL led to 9 1/2 games, they have a 62-32 record for the 1936 season.
1937-Former Yankees INF (1970) and Minor League Manager Pete Ward was born.(1937-2022)
Veteran INF Pete Ward was at the end of his MLB playing career, when he joined the Yankees suffering from neck and back problems, forcing him to switch from 3B to 1B. Although originally signed by the Orioles, but he was traded to the White Sox in 1963. He was a member of the 1963 Topps All-Star team. He had finished 2nd in the 1963 AL ROY Award voting. As a Yankees player, Pete had appeared in 66 games for the team, while hitting .260 with 1 HR and 18 RBIs. After his active MLB playing career had ended in 1970, Pete would become a Minor League Manager for the Yankees organization. Later, he would work for the Braves Minor League organization.
1939-Bronx Bomber All-Star Catcher Bill Dickey hits 3 consecutive HRs during the Yankees 14-1 victory against the St. Louis Browns. Meanwhile Yankee Starter Red Ruffing throws a 3-hitter against the Browns. The Yankees tied the MLB record by scoring every inning.
1940-Yankees Starter Spud Chandler beats the White Sox with his bat by knocking in 6 runs with a single and 2-HRs, one being a Grand Slam HR off of Chicago P Pete Appleton. The 6-RBI ties the AL record held by Pitchers Pete Appleton, George Uhle and Wes Ferrell.
1948-Yankees Hall of Fame OF Babe Ruth makes his last public appearance at the NYC premiere of the film “The Babe Ruth Story”, starting William Bendix as Babe Ruth. Ruth will pass away from Cancer 3 weeks later.
1948-The Yankees had waived veteran hurler Randy Gumpert (1946-1948) to the White Sox. Randy Gumpert’s best season as a Yankees hurler was in 1943, when he would post a 11-3 record with a 2.31 ERA and 1 save in 33 games for the team. From 1943-1945, he would miss playing time due to military service. His final Yankees pitching career record was a 16-4 mark with a 3.20 ERA and 1 save in 72 games, after being obtained from the 1939 Philadelphia A’s. In 1957, Randy would return to the Yankees as an MLB Coach for 1 season.
1952-Yankees OF Mickey Mantle hits his 1st MLB career Grand Slam HR as the Bombers lose to the Tigers by a score of 10-6 in extra innings. Mickey’s Grand Slam HR lands in the upper deck in Left-Centerfield of Briggs Stadium in Detroit. The Grand Slam HR is 15th HR of the 1952 AL season for Mantle.
1957-At Yankees Stadium, a crowd of 31,182 fans watched as Tigers Starter Jim Bunning 2-hits the Yankees, winning the game by the score of 3-2; but 1 of the 2 hits that he allows is Mickey Mantle's 9th left-handed HR, the 200th HR of his MLB playing career. Yankees All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra gets the other hit, a triple. Jim Bunning is now 12-3 for the 1957 AL season, while Bronx Starter Bob Turley takes the loss, he is now 5-3.
1958-Former Yankees Pitcher Marty Bystrom (1984-1985) was born.
On June 30,1984, Pitcher Marty Bystrom was traded by the Phillies along with Reserve OF Keith Hughes to the Yankees for Starter Shane Rawley. He had appeared in 15 games for the 1984-1985 Yankees, while posting a 5-4 record with a 4.37 ERA. He would retire after the 1985 AL season was finished due to pitching arm problems.
1959-The Yankees had purchased Rookie hurler Gary Blaylock from the Cardinals. For the 1959 Cardinals, Gary had gone 4-5 with a 5.13 ERA in 26 games as a Reliever and spot Starter. In a roster move to make room for Blaylock, the Yankees would send Rookie P Jim Bronstad, who had a 0-3 record to AAA Richmond (IL), ending his career with the Yankees. With the 1959 Yankees, Gary would post a 0-1 record with a 3.51 ERA in 15 games. The 1959 AL season would be the only season, that Gary would pitch in the MLB. He would spend the 1960-1966 baseball seasons, pitching in the Yankees Minor League system.
1961-Yankees “Super Sub” John Blanchard ties an MLB record by hitting his 3rd and 4th HRs in 4 at bats over 3 games. He drives in 4 of the 5 Yankee runs in a 5-2 victory over the White Sox at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees manage just 6-hits, but 4 of them are HRs, including 1 by Mickey Mantle following Blanchard's 1st-inning clout. Johnny Blanchard will end the 1961 AL season with 21 HRs in 243 at bats, becoming the 1st player in MLB history to hit 20 HRs or more in fewer than 250 at bats.
1962-In New York City, Red Sox veteran Starter Gene Conley and Reserve INF Pumpsie Green would mysteriously disappear after a 13-3 Boston loss to the Yankees. They leave the Red Sox team bus in traffic to use a rest room and fail to return. Conley decides that he wants to fly to Israel, then goes to the airport, but he is refused a ticket because he does not have a travel visa. Conley was the loser in the game, pitching only 2-2/3 innings, while walking in 2 runs of the 8 earned runs that he allowed. Reserve INF Pumpsie Green did not play in the game. Rookie Starter Jim Bouton is the winner for the Yankees, shutting out the Red Sox for 6 innings.
1967-At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would play their 2nd 18-inning game of the 1967 AL season, losing this one by the score of 3-2 to the Twins. Rod Carew walks, steals 2B, and continues to 3B on Yankee Catcher's Jake Gibbs errant throw and scores on Rich Rollins' single. Twins Closer Al Worthington wins the game over Yankees Pitcher Thad Tillotson in a game that lasted 4-hours, 20-minutes. Jim Roland picks up the save for the Twins. Tilloston’s 1967 pitching record drops to a 3-7-mark, Yankees Starter Fred Talbot had pitched 7 innings, giving up only 1 Twins run.
1969-The Yankees would sell Reserve OF/1B/PH Billy Cowan to the Angels for Cash. On December 2,1968, Billy was drafted by the Yankees from the Phillies AAA team San Diego Padres (PCL) in the 1968 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. As a Reserve player, Billy would hit .167 with 1 HR in 32 games for the 1969 Yankees, before being sent to the Angels. Cowan would hit .304 in 28 games for the 1969 Angels, while filling in for the Angels injured OF Lou Johnson.
1977-The Yankees would open their final series with Baltimore by tying the Orioles at 4-4 on a Cliff Johnson 2-run pinch HR in the 9th inning. Yankees Slugger Reggie Jackson then leads off the 10th inning with a solo HR to win the game.
1987-Former Yankees and A’s Pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter, long-time Cubs NL All-Star OF Billy Williams and Black Baseball League Star Ray Dandridge are inducted into the Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
1987-Former Yankees Pitcher Vidal Nuno (2013-2014) was born.
Vidal Nuno was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008. He had been a 48th round choice by the Indians in the 2009 MLB Amateur Player Draft out of Baker Univ. in Baldwin City, KS). A prototypical long shot to make it to the show; he would pitch 2 seasons in the Indians organization. In 2009, he went 5-0, with a 2.39 ERA between the AZL Indians (4 R in 7 IP) and Mahoning Valley Scrappers (5-0, 2.05 ERA), but in 2010, his record fell to 6-8, while his ERA rose to 4.96 in 21 games for the Lake County Captains, though he had only walked 14 and fanned 94 batters in 94 1/3 IP. The Tribe would release him. Nuno had to pitch in the independent leagues to continue his pro career, making 6 starts for the Washington Wild Things (Frontier League), in which he went 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA, before signing with the Yankees organization in June of 2011. He went back down to the short-season Class A NYPL, where he had pitched in his 1st pro season, he would dominate opponents to the tune of a 5-0 record with an 0.92 ERA and 1 save in 8 games for the Class A Staten Island Yankees. That earned him a promotion to the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), where he continued to do well, by posting a 2-1 record with a 1.80 ERA in 7 starts. His combined record during the 2011 season was 9-4 with a 1.95 ERA, 100 strikeouts in 106 1/3 innings. Suddenly he was on the prospect radar screen. In 2012, Vidal continued to pitch very well in a couple of Minor League stops, 1st going 1-1, 2.96 ERA in 11 games as a Reliever for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), then he had posted a 9-5 record with a 2.45 ERA in 20 starts for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). He led Yankee farmhands in strikeouts (126, 2 ahead of Dellin Betances) and ERA (2.54, .46 ahead of Nik Turley) while he tied Turley for 3rd in wins. In winter ball, he was 4-3 with a save and a 2.52 ERA in 22 relief outings for the Aguilas del Zulia. He would start the 2013 season with AAA Scranton (IL); he had recorded a pair of wins with a 1.54 ERA in his 1st 4 starts, winning International League Pitcher of the Week, when he got the call to the Bronx. On April 29, 2013, he would make his MLB Pitching debut with the Yankees, having been called up that day, when Starter Ivan Nova was placed on the DL. In his MLB Pitching debut, he had pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief in a 9-1 loss to the Astros, having come into the game in the 7th inning after both Starter Andy Pettitte and Reliever Adam Warren had been shelled by Astros batters. He would give up 4 hits, but he didn’t issue any walks, while he had struck out 2 Astros. He would only pitch 5 times for the Yankees that season, including 3 starts, he went 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings, as a strained groin cut his 2013 season short just after he had been sent back to AAA in early June. In 2014, he was 2-5 with a 5.42 ERA in 17 games for the Yankees, including 14 starts, when he was traded to the Diamondbacks on July 6th in return for MLB veteran Starter Brandon McCarthy. The Yankees had just learned that CC Sabathia would likely be out for the rest of 2014 AL season with a knee injury, they did not want to have a young starter like Vidal learning on the job; while they were trying to chase down a postseason slot in the AL East.
1996-The Yankees would unload a 21-hit barrage and bat around twice to whip the Royals by the score of 15-1. This is the most hits the Yankees have collected in 9 innings since August 25,1984, when they had 23 hits against the Mariners. Yankees Starter Jimmy Key is the easy winner, giving up only 3 Royals hits in 7 innings. Yankees 2B Pat Kelly, who had been out most of the 1996 AL season with surgery, makes his 1996 AL season debut and promptly injures a hamstring.
1996-Former Yankees Minor League Pitcher Spencer Howard was born.
Spencer Howard was considered the top pitching prospect in the Phillies organization, when he made his MLB pitching debut on August 9, 2020. He had been a 2nd-round selection by the Phillies in the 2017 MLB Amateur Player Draft, 45th pick overall. He would start against the Braves that day, giving up 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings to be saddled with an 8-0 loss. On July 30, 2021 He was traded by the Phillies to the Rangers in the trade that sent veteran P Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy to the Phillies. On August 1, 2023, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Rangers. This season, he was 0-0 with a 10.50 ERA and no saves in 3 games for the Rangers. Yankees have assigned him to AAA Scranton, working out of their bullpen. He has an MLB life-time record of 3-11 with a 7.20 ERA and no saves in 38 games. On August 30, 2023, Howard was released by the Yankees. He was picked-up by the Giants.
1998-Former MLB Pitcher Don Sutton and OF Larry Doby are inducted into the Hall of Fame along with MLB Baseball Executive Lee MacPhail, George Davis and Joe Rogan. Former Yankees GM Lee MacPhail joins his Father, former Yankees Team Co-Owner Larry MacPhail (1945-1947) to become the 1st Father and Son duo to be enshrined at Cooperstown. Larry Doby was the 1st Black MLB player in the AL breaking in with the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
2004-Former Yankees Minor League and MLB Pitcher Ruben Gomez had passed away. (1927-2004)
On December 3,1951, Ruben Gomez was drafted by the Yankees from the St Jean (Canada: Provincial League) in the 1951 Minor League Player Draft. In June of 1952, Ruben was released by the team, when Yankees GM George Weiss decided he wasn’t the proper player to represent the Yankees as their 1st MLB minority player. Weiss had settled on Catcher/OF Elston Howard for that role, releasing or trading away or releasing other minority players in the Yankees Minor League system. In January of 1953, the Giants would sign him as an MLB Free Agent. He would win 13 games for the 1953 Giants, then in 1954; he would win 17 games for NL Champs. He had won 1 game in the 1954 World Series as the Giants upset the Indians in 4 games. He would pitch for 10 seasons in MLB, while posting a 76-86 mark.
2008-The Pirates had send .330-hitting Xavier Nady and interim Closer Damaso Marte to the Yankees for young Pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen and Jeff Karstens and injured OF prospect José Tabata. The Pirates are in desperate need of pitching depth with injuries to Phil Dumatrait and Matt Capps, the struggles of Ian Snell, Matt Morris and Tom Gorzelanny, ineffective call-ups by young Buc hurlers John Van Benschoten, Yoslan Herrera and an empty Minor League cupboard, while the Yankees need help for the 2008 AL pennant run, being in 3rd place in the AL East. Future MLB Free Agent Nady was considered unlikely to re-sign with the Pirates.
2009-Former Yankees/A’s OF Rickey Henderson, Red Sox Slugger Jim Rice and Yankees/Indians 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Former 1942 AL MVP Joe Gordon is the 1st player to be voted in by the Veterans Committee since its rules were reformulated following the controversial election of Pirates 2B Bill Mazeroski in 2001. Joe Gordon was an MLB player with the Yankees and Indians and an MLB Manager with the Indians, Tigers, A’s and the Royals during his MLB Manager career.
2011-The Mariners would lose their 17th consecutive game. They lose the game by the score of 4-1 to the Yankees Ace CC Sabathia. He would fans 18 Mariner batters, CC allows only 1 Seattle hit; only 1 other hurler, Cubs Starter Kerry Wood on May 6,1998, had fanned 18 or more batters while allowing 1 hit or less in a game.
2013-The Yankees repatriate veteran OF Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs in return for Minor League hurler Corey Black. Soriano would play DH and bats 4th in the Yankees starting line-up in tonight's game against the Rays, but he goes 0-for-5 as the Yankees lose the game by the score of 10-6. For the 2013 Yankees, he would appear in 58 games, while hitting .256 with 17 HRs and 50 RBIs.
2014-The Blue Jays snapped a 17-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium. Toronto beats the Yankees by the score of 6-4 on a 3-run HR by Dan Johnson off of Yankees Reliever Jeff Francis. Yankees Carlos Beltran hits a 2-run HR in the 9th inning.
2018-The Blue Jays had traded MLB veteran Starter A.J. Happ to the Yankees for Minor League OF Billy McKinney and MLB 3B Brandon Dury. He was excellent in his debut for his new team on July 29th allowing 1 run just 3 hits in 6 innings as the Yankees defeated the Royals by the score of 6-3. A couple of days later, however the Yankees announced that J.A. was temporarily sidelined because he had contracted hand, foot and mouth disease, a children's malady that does not often affect adults but that had also hit Mets Pitcher Noah Syndergaard a few days earlier. On August 19th, he would defeat his former team the Jays by the score of 10-2, to improve to 14-6 on the season and 4-0 since the trade, giving the Yankees every-thing they had been looking for. He would post a 7-0 record with a 2.69 ERA for the Yankees, finishing the season at 17-6 mark, along with a 3.65 ERA. However, he was the loser in his only 2108 AL Postseason appearance, as he gave up 5 runs in 2 innings in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Red Sox. He would become an MLB Free Agent after the 2018 AL season had ended, but it was clear that the Yankees wanted him back for the 2019 AL season. On December 12th, the 2 sides would agree on a 2-year, $34 million contract.
2022-The Yankees have announced that Veteran MLB Reliever Ryan Weber has elected to be an MLB Free Agent, rather than accepted an outright assignment to AAA Scranton. Ryan had appeared in 3 games in relief with no decisions for the Yankees.
July 27th
1898-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Benny Bengough (1923-1930) was born. (1898-1968)
After the 1922 Minor League season had ended, Catcher Benny Bengough was acquired by the Yankees from AA Buffalo Bisons (IL). He had appeared in 2 World Series for the team, playing in 6 games, while hitting .176 with No HRs and 1 RBI with the 1927-1928 Yankees. In 10 seasons of playing in the MLB with 2 World Series appearances, Benny failed to hit a HR as an MLB player. Overall, as a Yankees player, Ben would hit .257 with No HRs and 81 RBIs in 317 games. On October 24,1930, he was purchased by the AA Milwaukee Brewers (AA) from the Yankees. Also, he would manage in the Yankees Minor League system; 1934-1935 Class D Washington Generals (PSA), then he moved up to the 1936-1937 Class C Joplin Miners (WA). He was then a Minor League Coach for the 1938-1939 AA Newark Bears (IL). Next, Bengough was an MLB Coach for the 1940-1943 Senators. Then he would work for Braves during the 1944-1945 NL seasons. Then Benny was a long-time Phillies MLB Coach from 1946-1958.
1904-The Tigers had purchased Catcher Monte Beville from the Highlanders to replace Catcher Bob Wood, who dislocated an elbow yesterday, when he slipped trying to field a bunt against the Philadelphia A's. Monte had hit .194 in 82 games for the 1903 Yankees. This season he was 9 for 22 for the team. He will hit .207 in 54 games for the Tigers, which will be his last time playing in the MLB.
1905-Former Yankees INF (1925-1929) and long-time MLB Manager, Hall of Famer Leo “Lip” Durocher was born. (1905-1991)
In August of 1925, INF Leo Durocher was purchased by the Yankees from the Hartford (EL) for $12,000 Cash. He would play in the last 2 games of the 1925 AL season. Leo had played the infield for the Yankees in 210 games, while hitting .258 with No HRs and 63 RBIs. He had appeared in 1 World Series with the 1928 Yankees, playing in 4 games with no hits. Also, Leo would appear in the 1934 World Series with the Cardinals. He was the 1st Yankee player to wear Yankees uniform #7. As Babe Ruth’s roommate, he stole some things from the Babe, who beat him up in their hotel room. Leo was banished from the AL by the Yankees GM Ed Barrow. On February 5,1930, the Reds had selected Leo off of MLB waivers from the Yankees. During the 1933 NL season, Leo was traded by the Reds to the Cardinals. Later, he became a successful MLB Manager in the NL with the Dodgers and the Giants. In 1941, his Dodgers team won the NL Pennant, but they lost to the Yankees in the 1941 World Series. He would take the Giants to the World Series in 1951, but losing again to the Yankees. In 1954, his Giants team would upset the Indians for the 1954 World Championship. Later in the late 1950’s, he was an MLB Coach for the Dodgers. Also, Leo would manage the 1966-1972 Cubs and then the 1972-1973 Astros. In 24 MLB seasons as an MLB Manager, he had a 2,008-1,709 record with a .540 WP. In 1994, Leo was elected to the Hall of Fame.
1922-St. Louis Browns Starter Elam Vangilder gives up a HR to Yankees 1B Wally Pipp in the 4th inning, but he leads by the score of 2-1 going in to the 8th inning. The Yankees jump on the Browns Starter and Reliever Ray Kolp for 4 runs before the Browns tie with 3 runs in the 9th inning. Dave Danforth comes on Fred Hofmann on a pitch "that sailed a foot." When Umpire Brick Owens exams the ball, he rules it was doctored, earning Dave Danforth, an automatic 10-day suspension. Reliever Rasty Wright comes on and serves up a game-winning HR to Yankees Catcher Wally Schang. Yankees will win the game by a score of 6-5.
1933-Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny Kucks (1955-1959) was born. (1933-2013)
Before the start of the 1952 AL season, Johnny Kucks was signed by the Yankees, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would pitch in the 1952 Class B Piedmont League with the Norfolk Tars, posting a 19-6 record with a 2.55 ERA. He was 2nd in the circuit in victories and 7th in ERA. Then he would miss the 1953-1954 seasons due to military service. When he returned to pro baseball in 1955, he went straight to the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1956, when he record a 18-9 record and made the AL All Star team. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the team. Plagued by back troubles, Johnny would never be as effective as his great 1956 AL season. Overall, he had posted a 42-35 record with a 3.82 ERA in 143 games for the team. On May 26,1959, he was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe and P Tom Sturdivant to the Kansas City A’s for P Ralph Terry and INF/OF Hector Lopez. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the A’s (12-21) in 1960, finishing with an overall MLB 54-56 career record. Kansas City would sell him to the Orioles, where he would pitch at AAA level. Then Orioles would sell him to the Cardinals in 1962, again, he would pitch at the AAA level. Johnny was the top pitcher on the 1962-1963 AAA Atlanta Crackers, winning 14 games both seasons before a pitching arm torn nerve injury forced him to retire from the game. In 1964, the Cardinals would give him a position of Roving Pitching Instructor and MLB Scout.
1936-Former Yankees Minor League OF Don Lock was born. (1936-2017)
In 1958, the Yankees had signed Don Lock as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. In the Yankees farm system, he was a HR king, who never had a chance to make the Yankees MLB 25-man roster. In 1959, he had played at Greensboro along with Shortstop Tom Tresh. In 1960, he would lead the Eastern League in HRs with 35 and in RBIs with 117. From Tales from the Yankee Dugout, “Humorously reacting during spring training to the possibility that the Yankees would cut him, he crossed off his name from his locker, barricaded himself inside and "fired" at anyone who approached with his bat.” On July 11,1962, Don Lock was playing for the Yankees AAA Richmond Virginians (IL), when he was traded to the Senators for veteran 1B Don Long. Later, he would play for the Phillies and the Red Sox. From 1971-1973, he would become a Minor League Manager in the Red Sox system.
1945-The Cubs had purchased Starter Hank Borowy from the Yankees in an unexpected waiver deal. Hank Borowy is currently 10-5 with the 1945 Yankees, he was put on waivers, apparently to solve a roster problem, he was passed over by 15 MLB teams. He was nursing a sore arm. The Cubs would snatch him for $97,500 cash. Hank will help the Cubs win the 1945 NL pennant with an 11-2 record, including 3 wins over their rivals the Cardinals down the stretch.
1947-Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra starts an incredible 148-game errorless streak, an MLB record for catchers.
1948-In his MLB player debut with the Browns, St. Louis native Hank Arft bangs a triple and a HR off of Yankees P Frank Hiller. Arft drives in 3-runs as the Browns top Yankees by a score of 4-0. Tomorrow's cheers of "Arft, Arft" will give Hank his nickname "Bow Wow."
1951-The White Sox, who are just 3 1/2 games behind the Yankees and the Red Sox, open a 4-game series at Yankee Stadium. Trailing 3-1 in the 9th inning, the White Sox make it 3-2 before rain and the Yankees delay the game. Yankees INF Gil McDougald is thrown out of the game for stalling, while Yankees Manager Casey Stengel uses 5 pitchers in the inning. Finally, the Yankees win as the game is called after 30 minutes.
1953-MLB All-Star Pitcher Dizzy Dean and OF Al Simmons are inducted into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. Along with them, the Veterans Committee enshrines Chief Bender, Bobby Wallace, 19th-century Manager Harry Wright, Yankees Executive and MLB Manager Edward Barrow and MLB Umpires Bill Klem and Tom Connolly. Edward Barrow was the Yankees General Manager from 1920-1945. As an MLB Manager, he had won the 1918 World Championship with the Red Sox. Before joining the Red Sox, he had managed the Tigers. He was the Red Sox Manager, who switched Babe Ruth from the mound to the outfield to take advantage of his power hitting.
1955-Former Yankees Pitcher Shane Rawley (1982-1984) was born.
On April 1,1982, Shane Rawley was traded by the Mariners to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later along with hurlers Bill Caudill and Gene Nelson. The Yankees would send Reserve OF Bobby Brown on April 6, 1982 to the Mariners to complete the trade. Shane would post a 27-27 record with a 4.11 ERA with 4 saves in 92 games as a Yankees hurler. On June 30,1984, he was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for P Marty Bystrom and Reserve OF Keith Hughes.
1956-Future Yankee 3B Hector Lopez and former Bronx farmhand 1B Vic Power of the Kansas City A’s, each have 5 hits including a HR each in a 14-inning game, a 10-9 loss to the Yankees. Yankees would get their HRs from C Yogi Berra, 3B Andy Carey and 1B Bill Skowron. On the pitching side, veteran P Tommy Byrne picks up the victory for the Yankees by throwing 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief. Both teams’ starters were knocked out early in the game.
1958-Former MLB Pitcher, Yankees Minor League Manager (1940-1941,1953-1956) and MLB Scout Phil Page had passed away. (1905-1958)
From 1928-1934, Phil Page was MLB pitcher. He had pitched for the Tigers and Dodgers with an overall MLB pitching record of 3-3 in 31 games. He would give up Lou Gehrig's 5th MLB career Grand Slam HR on September 10,1929. It was a 1st-inning blast hit at Yankee Stadium. After his MLB playing days were over, he would bulk of his time Managing and Scouting in the Yankees organization. He would manage the 1940 Augusta Tigers (SAL), 1940 Norfolk Tars (PL). the 1953 Binghamton Triplets (EL) and the 1955-1956 Birmingham Barons (SA). He was also the Reds' MLB Pitching Coach from 1947-1952. In 1958, Page would die from a heart attack at age of 52 in Springfield, MA, the place of his birth.
1968-Former Yankees Minor League INF and Manager Steve Livesey was born.
The Yankees in the 1986 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected INF Steve Livesey in the 29th round. Instead, Livesey would go to college, the Yankees would draft him again, this time in the 35th round of the 1991 MLB Amateur Player Draft. From 1991-1992, he would play in the Yankees Minor League system. Then he was loaned to the Co-Op team, the San Bernardino Spirit (CAL) in 1993 and 1994, but he only appeared in 4 games each season. In 2004, he was the Manager of the Class A Charleston Riverdogs (SAL) in the Yankees organization. In 2005, he would join the Tampa Bay Rays organization as a Minor League Manager.
1970-The Yankees would beat the Angels by the score of 5-2, behind veteran Ace Mel Stottlemyre, who is helped by Shortstop Gene Michael in the 9th inning. With the score tied, Michael pulls the hidden ball trick on Angels Pinch-Runner Jarvis Tatum. The Yankees would score 3-runs in 10th inning to win the game.
1970-Former Yankees CF Earle Combs, Player-MLB Manager Lou Boudreau, MLB Commissioner Ford Frick and Cardinals Pitcher Jesse Haines are inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Earle Combs was the 1st great Yankees Centerfielder (1924-1935). He was a lifetime .325 hitter for the Yankees in 12 seasons with the team. Earl would hit .340 with 4 World Series for the team.
1973-Yankees Catcher Thurman Munson singles home the winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Yankees, a 1-0 win over the Brewers Starter Jim Colborn.
1973-Former Yankees Reserve INF Enrique Wilson (2001-2004) was born.
On June 13, 2001, INF Enrique Wilson was traded by the Pirates to the Yankees for Minor League P Damaso Marte. He would hit .216 in 264 games as a Reserve INF for the Yankees.
1975-In the 1st game of a doubleheader played at Shea Stadium, Red Sox CF Fred Lynn makes a great running catch to save the game for Starter Bill Lee, who wins the game by the score of 1-0. In 2nd game, Roger Moret completes the Yankee whitewash with a 6-0-nightcap win. The 2 losses seem to finish the Yankees 1975 AL pennant hopes and Bill Virdon's Yankees Managing job. On August 1,1975, former Rangers Manager Billy Martin will replace Bill on August 1,1975. Bill will bounce back with an MLB Manager’s job with the Astros in August of 1975.
1975-Former Yankees 3B/DH Alex Rodriguez (2004-2016) was born.
On July 8, 1994, Alex Rodriguez made his MLB player debut with the Mariners against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, becoming the only player to reach the MLB at age 18 since the 1970s. He spent less than a month with the Mariners that strike-shortened season, and would split time in 1995 between the club and their AAA Tacoma team (PCL). In 1996, he would play only 2 games with Tacoma, since then has been in the MLB full-time. He would remain with the Mariners through the 2000 AL season, making 3 All-Star teams and establishing himself as one of the game's best shortstops and one of its premier offensive players.. Prior to the start of 2001 MLB season, A-Rod would sign a 10-year/$252 million contract with the Rangers that made him MLB's highest-paid player. He continued to perform at the highest level with the Rangers, leading the AL in HRs all 3 years and winning his 1st AL MVP Award in 2003. He also would top 50 HRs for the 1st time in 2001, a total he would reach 2 more times, in 2002 and 2007. On February 16, 2004, Rodriguez was traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for Shortstop Alfonso Soriano and a Player to be Named Later (Minor League Player Joaquin Arias). Although he had made his reputation as one of the greatest shortstops of his generation, he deferred to Yankee Captain (and Shortstop) Derek Jeter and accepted a move to 3B with the Yankees even though, he had won 2 Gold Gloves as a Shortstop, while Jeter had won none. While playing in New York, he won 2 additional AL MVP Awards. In 2005, he would break the Yankees' single-season record for HRs by a right-handed hitter, held for more than 50 years by all-time Yankee great Joe DiMaggio, when he hit 48 HRs. He would raise the record to 54 HRs, 2 years later in 2007. That season, he tied a record by hitting 12 HRs in his 1st 15 games. Despite continuing to achieve extraordinary success in the regular season, A-Rod's postseason performance was disappointing to his fans, batting .279 and slugging .483 with 7 HRs in 10 postseason series. He gained some measure of infamy during the 2004 ALCS the Red Sox when he "karate chopped" Boston Pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who was tagging him out at 1B.On October 28, 2007, Rodriguez opted out of the 10-year/$252 million deal, thus becoming a MLB Free Agent again. In November, he was re-signed with the Yankees after hearing advice from his friend Warren Buffett, the famous billionaire investor. His MLB Player Agent Scott Boras had encouraged him to ask for much more on the MLB Free Agent market, but Rodriguez did not heed his advice.
On September 3, 2008, a HR, he hit to LF off of P Troy Percival became the 1st play to be reviewed under MLB's new instant replay rule; Brian Runge's HR call was upheld. He would missed the beginning of the 2009 MLB season because of hip surgery, but on August 7th, he became the 9th player in MLB history to hit at least 20 HRs in every year in a decade, and the 1st from the 2000s. He would finish the season with 30 HRs and 100 RBIs, although his batting average had slipped to .286, his lowest since 1999. To reach those totals, he had a great final game on October 4th, when he hit a pair of HRs and drove in 7 runs in a 10-run 6th inning against the Rays; the 7 RBIs were an AL record, although they fell short by 1 of Fernando Tatis' MLB record of 8 RBIs in a single inning. That season, he put to rest criticisms about his lack of hitting in the postseason, as he carried the Yankee offense on his shoulders in the 1st 2 rounds of the playoffs: he went 5 for 11 with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs in the ALDS against the Twins, then was 9 for 21 with 2 doubles, 3 HRs and 6 RBIs in the ALCS against the Angels. He was not as scorching in the World Series, but he still contributed with 3 doubles, a HR and another 6 RBIs in the Yankees' defeated the Phillies. A-Rod's quest for 600 MLB HRs came true on August 4, 2010, on a 2-0 cutter from Blue Jays P Shaun Marcum at New Yankee Stadium. He had taken 10 days to hit the milestone HR, but he hit it on the 3-year anniversary of his 500th HR long ball.
Rodriguez's 2011 season was interrupted by surgery on his right knee at the MLB All-Star break; he was hitting .295 with 13 HRs and 52 RBIs in 80 games at the time. He only returned to the line-up on August 21st. He would finish out the season with the worst numbers of his career: just hitting 16 HRs with 62 RBIs and a .276 BA in 99 games. He was only 2 for 18 in the ALDS as the Yankees were upset by the Tigers. The 1st half of the 2012 season was the healthiest in years for A-Rod, as he had played in 94 of the team's 1st 97 games. However, his production was way down, as he had a .274 BA with 15 HRs and 44 RBIs at that point, while batting in the middle of the batting order for a 1st-place team. He was left off the AL All-Star team. Then on July 24th, he suffered a freak injury when a change-up by Seattle's Felix Hernandez broke a bone in his left hand, sending him to the DL. It capped a bad day for Rodriguez, who had become the 5th player to reach 2,000 career strikeouts earlier in the contest. He was out for 6 weeks altogether, only returning to the line-up on September 3rd. He would finish the season hitting .272 in 122 games, with 18 HRs and 57 RBIs in 122 games. He would slump badly in the ALDS, as the Yankees were involved in a closely played 5-game series with the Orioles. He was only 2 for 16. He was benched at 2 key moments, giving way to pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez with the Yankees down by 1 run in the 9th inning of Game 3 - Ibanez hit a dramatic game-tying HR - and being left on the bench in favor of Eric Chavez in the decisive Game 5. After going 1 for 7 in the 1st 2 games of the ALCS - both losses at home to the Tigers, he was benched again for Game 3. What made things worse was that he had been seen flirting with female fans in the stands during Game 1, which the Yankees had lost in extra innings. No trade happened in the early days of the 2012-2013 off-season, and then more bad news hit on December 3rd, when it was announced that Rodriguez had a hip tear and would need to undergo surgery on January 16th, which was likely to sideline him for the 1st half of the 2013 season at a minimum. It was the worst possible news for the Yankees, as they remained on the hook for his salary, needed to find a short-term replacement at 3B and had no guarantee that he would be a productive hitter, when he returned. They had signed veteran 3B Kevin Youkilis to a 1-year contract a few days later to ensure they would at least have an MLB-caliber hitter to play the hot corner. Indeed, a few days after the surgery, GM Brian Cashman stated publicly that there was a chance A-Rod would miss the entire season "because (of) the serious nature of the surgery and the condition that he's trying to recover from".
Meanwhile, the Biogenesis Scandal was hitting full steam, Rodriguez was sent for another rehabilitation stint, this time with the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), starting on August 2nd. He got some attention focused on his playing for a change by hitting a long 2-run HR off of Pitcher Jesse Biddle in his 1st game. He would finally return to the Yankees line-up on August 5th, which was ironically the day MLB announced that he was being suspended for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. Because A-Rod immediately announced he was appealing the suspension, he was able to play that same day against the White Sox; he was booed mercilessly by the fans as he went 1 for 4 in an 8-1 Yankees loss. He would finally receive some ink for baseball reasons on August 11th, when he hit his 1st HR of the year off of Tigers Starter Justin Verlander the accompanying RBI was number 1,951 for Alex, moving him past Stan Musial into 5th place on the MLB All-Time list. On August 18th, he was hit by a pitch from Ryan Dempster in the 2nd inning of a game against the Red Sox in what was clearly seen as a gesture of displeasure with his involvement with PEDs; Rodriguez replied by hitting a HR in the 6th. On September 20th, he became the MLB All-Time leader for Grand Slam HRs, passing former Yankees great Lou Gehrig. He would end his season a few games early, missing the Yankees' last series because of soreness in his legs. In 44 games, he had hit .244 with 7 HRs and 19 RBIs. He then focused on the appeal of his suspension, as the hearings on the matter were scheduled to start on September 30th at MLB's offices in New York.
On January 11, 2014, Horowitz would issue his ruling, reducing his player suspension from 211 games to 162, or the full 2014 MLB season and postseason. The Yankees were planning to give him a chance to play in 2015, although in December of 2014, GM Brian Cashman mentioned that he was being looked at as a DH, no longer as a full-time 3B; after re-signing veteran MLB 3B Chase Headley, who had been acquired during A-Rod's suspension to a lucrative 4-year contract. There was the expected media scramble, when he showed in spring training, 2 days ahead of schedule. He then began working out at 1B, given the Yankees were concerned about Mark Teixeira's health. He was in the Yankees' Opening Day line-up on April 6th, starting at DH and hitting 7th against the Blue Jays; he hit his 1st HR in 2 years on April 9th, a solo HR shot off of Toronto's Daniel Norris in a 6-3 loss. He quickly found his stroke to become one of the offensive leaders of the Yankees, who were able to battle for 1st place in the AL East, contrary to what had happened in his absence. His numbers at mid-season could have made him an All-Star, although he was passed over in favor of AL Sluggers Nelson Cruz and Prince Fielder as the AL's DH. On July 25th, he had a 3-HR game against the Twins, keying a comeback from a 5-0 deficit. His 3rd HR, off of Twins Closer Glen Perkins in the 9th, tied the score at 5, and Yankees teammate John Ryan Murphy gave the Yankees an 8-5 win with a 3-run HR later on that inning. On July 27th, he would join a small club of MLB players to have homered on their 40th birthday, when he went deep off of Rangers P Matt Harrison in a 6-2 Yankees win.
That long ball also made him only the 4th player to HR before turning 20 and after turning 40, following Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub and Gary Sheffield. On August 18th, he would add to his MLB record for Grand Slams by belting the 25th of his MLB playing career in an 8-4 win over the Twins. He slowed down some in the last month and a half and finished the season hitting .250 with 33 HRs and 90 RBIs, very good numbers given his age and the fact he had missed a full season and was struggling badly the year before. However, he was silenced in the ALWC against the Astros, going 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts. During spring training camp in 2016, he mentioned that he was considering retirement after the following season. It was not a huge surprise given he was going to turn 41 during the present season, but journalists were wary of taking him at his word, given he had changed in mind on a number of other matters before. On April 24th, he had to leave a game in the 6th inning because of a strained oblique muscle; the Yankees were very concerned and had him undergo an MRI immediately, bracing themselves for a long absence. However, it was just a scare, as A-Rod was back in the line-up, after missing only 2 games. However, on May 4th, he was indeed placed on the DL, because of a strained hamstring muscle. He had been one of the most productive hitters on a team struggling to score runs. He would come back on May 26th as he struggled badly at first, with his batting average falling as low as .170 on May 29th. He hit slightly better in June, bring his average back to the .220s, but with only 2 HRs hit during the month. That is when Manager Joe Girardi began to bench him against right-handed pitchers, against whom he was batting only .200. The move was also aimed at improving the team's defense, as RF Carlos Beltran had replaced him at DH with Aaron Hicks getting to play the outfield. By the end of July, though, he was back to hitting .210. Girardi would bench him for a full week as the Yankees were trying to claw their way back into the AL postseason picture. He did not help his cause when, in his 1st game back in the starting line-up on July 30th, he got to wear the so-called “ Golden Sombrero” by striking out 4 times in a 6-3 loss to the Rays. There were now calls for A-Rod to be released based on his inability to produce anymore, these getting louder as the Yankees were now clearly in reconstruction mode, having recently had traded 3 MLB Stars –OF Carlos Beltran, Relief Pitchers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman at the July 31st MLB trading deadline.
Rodriguez had expressed a quiet and serene resignation when asked about that possibility: "I know that the organization has a brighter future today than it did last week. Hopefully I’m part of that equation. But if not, I can accept it very clearly." He was only 4 HRs away from being the 3rd player to reach 700 for his MLB career, which was a possible incentive for the Yankees to keep him on board at least until he reached that MLB milestone. Speculation about his future increased when the Yankees called a press conference for August 7th, only a couple of days after teammate Mark Teixeira had announced he would be retiring at the end of the season. At the conference, Alex did announce his player retirement, stating that his last game would be on August 12th. He was to be given his unconditional release as a player: after the game and to fulfill the remainder of his player contract as a Special Adviser and Instructor with the team. His last week with the Yankees was no glamorous farewell tour, however, as Joe Girardi kept him largely confined to the bench, his only commitment to the declining superstar being that he would get to start at DH on his final day with the team. This did not sit well with a number of reporters, who thought that A-Rod, for all his flaws, deserved a more dignified exit. Thus, when Alex was unsuccessful in a pinch-hitting appearance against the Red Sox on August 10th, it was his 1st appearance in a game since August 2nd. On August 11th, he finally got to start a game on his penultimate day with the team, as the DH and clean-up hitter facing Red Sox P Eduardo Rodriguez; he went 0 for 4, but he did collect an RBI in the 4-2 win, although it came on a dribbler that barely traveled 15 feet. In his MLB final game against the Rays, he had hit a 1st-inning RBI double off of Rays P Chris Archer for his final MLB hit, then he would make outs in his last 3 at-bats. The Yankees had won the game, 6-3. In the top of the 9th, Girardi let him play 3B for final time, although he left the game after the 1st out without having any fielding chances. He had ended the 2016 AL season by hitting .200 with 9 HRs and 31 RBIs in 65 games. As a Yankees player, Alex had played in 1,509 games, while hitting .283 with 351 HRs and 1,096 RBIs. Overall, as an MLB player, he had hit .295 with 696 HRs along with 2,086 RBIs in 2,784 games.
1978-The Yankees win the 1st game of a doubleheader with the Indians by a score of 11-0, but the Tribe rebound to win the 2nd game by the score of 17-5. Indians Duane Kuiper ties the MLB record with 2 bases-loaded triples in the nightcap, only the 3rd player (after Bill Bruton and Elmer Valo) to do so in the 20th century.
1979-The Brewers would edge the Yankees by the score of 6-5 as Milwaukee Slugger Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th AL player this month to hit 3 HRs in a game.
1988-Veteran Bronx Starter Tommy John achieves what is believed to be a MLB 1st by committing 3-errors on 1-play during the Yankees' 16-3 rout of the Brewers. The feat ties the MLB record for errors in 1 inning by a pitcher.
1991-Former Yankees Reliever Wandy Peralta (2021-2023) was born.
On April 27, 2021 Reliever Wandy Peralta was traded by the Giants with a player to be named later to the Yankees for OF Mike Tauchman. On June 1, 2021, the Giants would send Minor League 1B Connor Cannon to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees would assign him to Class A Tampa Tarpons (FSL). For the 2021 Yankees, Wandy would post a 3-3 record with a 2.95 ERA and 5 saves in 46 games. He had another good season for the Yankees in 2022, making 56 appearances, while posting a 3-4 record with a 2.72 ERA and 4 saves. In 2023, he would post a 4-2 record with a 2.83 ERA and 4 saves in 63 games. He would leave the Yankees for MLB Free Agency, signing with the Padres. He would finish his Yankees pitching record of 10-9 with a 2.82 ERA with 11 saves in 165 games.
1992-Former Yankees Minor League P Vincente Campos was born.
On May 14,2009, Vincente Campos was signed by the Mariners as an MLB Amateur Free Agent, when he was still only 16 years-old. Vicente was signed by the Mariners in his native Venezuela, he began playing with the 2009 VSL Mariners. He was 1-3 with a 5.73 ERA in 13 games in his 1st season, then he would improve to 8-2 record with a 3.16 ERA as a full-time starter in 2010. In 57 innings, he had walked 19 batters while striking out 59 batters. In 2011, he made the move to the US, pitching for the Class A Everett AquaSox (NWL). He would continue to improve, as in 14 games as a starting pitcher, he gave up only 66 hits in 81 1/3 innings with only 13 walks against 83 strikeouts. While his record was only 5-5, his ERA was a sparkling 2.32. Those results caught the eyes of scouts for the Yankees, who would acquire Campos on January 13,2012, along with P Michael Pineda in return for 2 of the Yankees' top Minor League Prospects, C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi. The trade was only finalized on January 23rd, as all 4 players needed to pass physical exams. In 2012, he had suffered a 1st setback, as after only 5 starts for the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) during which he had posted a 3-0 record; he was placed on the DL for the rest of the 2012 season. In 2013, he would make 26 appearances for Charleston, including 19 starts, but he pitched only 87 innings, as the Yankees were being careful with him. He was 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA that season. Then he had another injury setback, undergoing Tommy John surgery, missing all of 2014 season as a result. In 2015, he had started back in the lowest levels of the Yankees organization with the Class A GCL Yankees 1. He would eventually move up to the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), but Campos was only 3-7 with 7.25 ERA in 11 starts. The former top prospect found his way back in 2016, however, as he went a combined 9-3 record in 20 starts between 3 teams: Class A Tampa, the AA Trenton Thunder and the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. On July 31st, he was traded by the Yankees to the Diamondbacks straight up for veteran MLB Reliever Tyler Clippard. The D-backs would assign him to their AA team, the Mobile BayBears.
2008-Former Yankees and MLB Closer Rich “Goose” Gossage is inducted into the Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The Reliever credits White Sox Slugger Richie Allen and Manager Chuck Tanner for their support early in his MLB pitching career. He is the 5th MLB Relief Pitcher enshrined in Cooperstown. Also inducted are former MLB Manager Richard Williams, Dodgers Team Owner Walter O'Malley, Pirates Team Owner Barney Dreyfuss, former MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and MLB Manager Billy Southworth; all but Williams are deceased. Larry Whiteside is honored with the J. G Taylor Spink Award and Dave Niehaus with the Ford Frick Award.
2010-With the spotlight on the All-Star 3B Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, sitting on 599 MLB career HRs on his birthday, Indians' Starter Josh Tomlin grabs the headlines by giving up only 3 Yankee hits in 7 innings in winning his MLB Pitching debut by the score of 4-1. A-Rod would finish the night with a 0 for 4 performance at the plate.
2011-The Mariners end a 17-game losing streak by beating the Yankees by the score of 9-2 at New Yankee Stadium. Seattle batters Ichiro Suzuki, Mike Carp collected 4 hits and Dustin Ackley gets 3, part of a 17-hit attack in support of Starter Felix Hernandez, who defeats Yankees Starter Phil Hughes. It's the M's 1st victory since July 5th.
2011-Former Yankees Pitcher Hideki Irabu with (1997-1999) had passed away. (1969-2011)
Following the 1996 Japanese baseball season, Hideki Irabu had announced that he wanted to go to the MLB, so Chiba, which had a working agreement with San Diego, sold him to the Padres. Irabu, who stated that he would only pitch in the MLB for the Yankees. He ended up getting his way. He was traded by the Padres to the Yankees for OF Ruben Rivera, P Rafael Medina and $3 million in cash. Irabu signed a $12.8 million deal with the Yankees in May 1997. Irabu struggled in his 1st season with the Yankees, going 5-4 with a 7.09 ERA in 13 games. In 1998, Irabu blossomed into what would be his best MLB season, going 13-9 with a 4.06 ERA in 29 games. Finishing out his Yankees pitching career in 1999, Irabu went 11-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 32 games. Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner wasn't a big fan of Irabu, though, he once called him a "fat toad" for his poor fielding performance during a Yankees spring training game. The Yankees would trade him to the Expos for 3 young Pitchers: Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly and Christian Parker. Hideki Irabu went 29-20 with 4.80 ERA in 74 games for the Yankees. In 2002, Irabu had finished his MLB pitching career with a 34-35 record with a 5.15 ERA and 16 saves in 126 games pitching for the Yankees, Expos and the Rangers. On July 27, 2011, Irabu was found dead in his California home; the Los Angeles County Coroner announced that the cause of his death was hanging, as Irabu had apparently committed suicide at age 42. He did not leave a suicide note.
2013-For the 1st time since September 4,1965, 3 AL games would end with 1-0 scores. Rays starter Chris Archer throws a 2-hitter at the Yankees, while Tribe P Justin Masterson and Wade Davis of the Royals need bullpen help for their victories over the Rangers and the White Sox, respectively.
2014-A huge crowd estimated at 48,000 fans are on hand for the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. This year's class is unusually large and prestigious, featuring 3 players elected on the 1st ballot: 300-game winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and Slugger Frank Thomas, a member of the 500 HR club. Joining them are 3 MLB Managers who stand at #3, 4 and 5 on the all-time win list are Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre. Maddux, Glavine and Cox all found their greatest success in the great Braves teams of the late 1990s. Joe Torre was successful with the Yankees. LaRussa was successful with MLB teams in both leagues.
2015-Yankees Alex Rodriguez joins the small club of MLB players, who have homered on their 40th birthday, when he goes deep off of Texas P Matt Harrison in the Yankees' 6-2 win over the Rangers. Yankees Shortstop Didi Gregorius contributes with 3 hits, including a HR with 4 RBIs.
2017-The Rays lose a heartbreaker to the Yankees by the score of 6-5, as an apparently inoffensive ground ball hit by Bombers Catcher Gary Sanchez finds a hole between Shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria and 2B Tim Beckham to tie the game with 2 outs in the 9th inning and Brett Gardner on 3rd base. Gardner then goes yard off of Reliever Andrew Kittredge in the 11th inning to end the game.
2021-For their part, the Yankees send a couple of veteran relievers, Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson to the Reds and only receive a player to be named later in return; it seems that they are clearing some salary space for an upcoming move meant to add some talent this time. On August 30, 2021, the Reds would send Minor League Player Jason Parker to the Yankees to complete the trade.
2022-The Yankees have announced that they have acquired Veteran MLB OF Andrew Benintendi from the Royals in exchange for 3 Minor League Pitchers: Chandler Champlain, P T.J. Sikkema and Beck Way. Andrew Benintendi, 28, has hit .321 (111-for-347) with 40 Runs,14 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HRs, 39 RBIs and 4 SB in 93 games this season with the Royals. The 2022 AL All-Star had entered this week in ranking 2nd in the MLB in multi-hit games (34,1st in the AL), 5th in BA (3rd in the AL), tied for 7th in hits (tied for 2nd in AL) and 8th in on-base percentage (5th in the AL).The left-handed hitter has reached base in 31 of his last 33 games with an at-bat since June 14th, batting .360) with 19 R, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 17 RBIs, 16 BB and 4 SB in that span. Over that stretch, Benintendi leads the AL and ranks 3rd in the MLB in on-base percentage and ranks 2nd in the AL and 4th in the MLB in batting average. He has also hit safely in 19 of his last 22 starts (since June 27th), while batting .398 (33-for-83) with 12 runs, 3 doubles,14 RBIs,10 BB and 3 SB in that span. The 2021 Gold Glove Award winner has made 89 starts in left field this year; He has not made an error in 164 total chances. His 40 outfield assists since 2017 are tied for the 4th-most in the MLB in that span. In over 7 MLB seasons with the 2016-2020 Red Sox and the 2021-2022 Royals, he has batted .280 (749-for-2,677) with 382 R, 160 doubles, 17 triples, 71 HRs, 372 RBIs, 296 BB and 65 SB in 712 career games. In his MLB playing career, he has hit .324 (203-for-627) with 45 doubles, 9 triples, 14 HRs, 284 RBIs and 109 BB with runners in scoring position. Andrew has made the MLB postseason 3 times with the 2016-2018 Red Sox, while hitting .272 (22-for-81) with 18 Runs, 5 doubles, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs and 5 BB in 21 career postseason games. In 2018, he had started 13 of 14 AL playoff games for the Red Sox during their 2018 World Series campaign. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 1st round ( 7th overall) of the 2015 1st-Year Player Draft out of the Univ. of Arkansas. On February 10, 2021, he was acquired by the Royals along with Cash Considerations as part of a 3-team trade involving the Red Sox and Mets. The Red Sox had received OF Franchy Cordero and 2 Players to be Named Later (P Luis De La Rosa and P Grant Gambrell) from Royals and P Josh Winckowski and a Player to be Named from Mets. The Mets would receive OF Khalil Lee from the Royals. Chandler Champlain, 23, make his pro debut this season with Class A Tampa (FSL) by going 2-5 with a 4.30 ERA in 16 games (15 starts). The Mission Viejo, Ca., native was drafted by the Yankees in the 9th round of the 2021 1st-Year Player Draft out of the Univ. of So. California. T.J Sikkema, 24, went 1-1 with a 2.48 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) with High-A Hudson Valley this season. In over 2 minor league seasons (2019, 2022) in the Yankees organization, the left-handed pitcher had posted a 1-1 record with a 2.11 ERA in 15 game (14 starts). The Clinton, Iowa native was originally drafted by the Yankees in Competitive Balance Round A of the 2019 1st-Year Player Draft out of the Univ. of Missouri. Beck Way, 22, had posted a 5-5 record with a 3.73 ERA in 15 starts with High-A Hudson Valley this season. Over 2 minor league seasons (2021-2022) in the Yankees organization, the right-handed pitcher recorded a 9-8 record with a 3.85 ERA in 34 games (33 starts). The Harrisburg, Pa., native was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round of the 2020 1st-Year Player Draft out of NW Florida St. College.
2022-The Yankees have announced that Veteran MLB Reliever Shane Green has elected to be an MLB Free Agent, rather than accepted an outright assignment to AAA Scranton. Green had appeared with the 2022 Dodgers in 1 game, picking up a win in relief, then being DFA by the team in an MLB roster move. Then he was signed by the Yankees to a Minor League deal, pitching in relief at Scranton. He had appeared in 1 game for the Yankees, hurling 1 inning in relief and allowing 2 earned runs. Later on, he would be resigned by the Yankees to another Minor League pact, being assigned back to AAA Scranton (IL). He didn’t receive any MLB contract offers from other teams during his brief Free Agency.