This Week in Yankees History October 27th-November 2nd
Oct 26, 2024 16:36:58 GMT -5
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This Week in Yankees History October 27th-November 2nd
October 27th
1876-Former Yankees OF Patrick “Pasty” Dougherty (1904-1906) was born. (1876-1940)
On June 17,1904, OF Patsy Dougherty was traded by the Boston Americans (aka Red Sox) to the Yankees for INF Bob Unglaub. His best Yankees player season was in 1904, when hit .283 for the team. Overall, as a Yankees player, he had appeared in 234 games, while hitting .269 with 9 HRs and 55 RBIs. On June 6,1906, Pasty was sold by the Yankees to the White Sox; he had quit the team over a salary dispute with Yankees Manager Clark Griffith. He had appeared in 12 games for the 1906 team, while hitting only .192.
1955-Former Yankees Pitcher, HOF, MLB Team Owner, MLB Manager and the Yankees 1st Manager Clark Griffith (1903-1908) had passed away. (1869-1955).
Before the start of the 1903 AL Season, veteran AL hurler Clark Griffith was sent from the White Sox to the Highlanders in an unknown transaction. Clark Griffith was the 1st Manager of the New York Yankees. In July of 1903, he would become the 1st Yankee Pitcher to hit a HR in a game. As a hurler with the Yankees, the veteran Clark would post a 31-23 record with a 2.66 ERA and 3 saves in 87 games. His Yankees Manager record was a 419-370 mark (1903-1908). His best Yankees season was in 1904, with a 92-61 record and then in 1906 going 90-61, both seasons were 2nd place team finishes in the AL. The 1904 AL season the Yankees lost the pennant on the last day of the season on a wild pitch by Yankees Starter “Happy” Jack Chesbro, who had won 41 games. He had managed the 1902 White Sox before coming to the 1903 Yankees then later working with the Reds and finally with the Senators. From 1911-1955, he was the Team Owner of the Washington Senators until his death in 1955. Clark was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1946. He had finished his MLB Pitching career with a 237-146 record along with a 3.31 ERA and 8 saves in 453 games.
1972-The Yankees had obtained Catcher Rick Dempsey from the Twins for OF Danny Walton. Rick would be a Reserve Catcher for Thurman Munson until his trade on June 15,1976 to the Orioles. Walton was a major disappointment for the Yankees, never showing the signs of being a power hitter the Yankees had hoped for when they had obtained him from the Brewers. Walton had spent the 1972 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL), while young Dempsey had several cups of coffee with the Twins during the past 4 seasons.
1983-Former Yankees INF/OF Martin Prado (2014) was born.
In 2014, INF Martin Prado was hitting .270 in 106 games for the Diamondbacks, then on July 31st MLB Trade Deadline, he was traded by the team to the Yankees in return for Minor League Catching Prospect Peter O'Brien. Martin would appear in 37 games for the 2014 Yankees, while hitting .316 with 7 HRs and 16 RBIs, before having season ending surgery in September. On December 19th, he was traded again, this time by the Yankees to the Marlins along with Starter David Phelps in return for Starter Nate Eovaldi, 1B/OF Garrett Jones and Minor League hurler Domingo German. Prado had originally come up to the MLB with the Braves.
1985-Manager Billy Martin is fired by the Yankees for an unprecedented 4th time. This time, Martin is replaced by former Yankees OF and MLB Coach Lou Piniella, who had been the team's MLB Hitting Instructor since retiring as an active player in 1984.
1999-Veteran All-Star Starter Roger Clemens pitched the Yankees to their 2nd straight World Series sweep by shutting down the Braves by the score of 4-1, ending his quest for the 1 and only MLB prize that eluded him in his MLB playing career, a World Series Championship Ring. The Yankees win their record 25th World championship their 3rd in 4 years. Game 4 marked Bomber’s 12th Series victory a row, matching a team's mark. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets his 2nd save of the Series. He is named the 1999 World Series MVP. The Braves, now join the Giants (1910-1919) as the only MLB teams to lose 4 World Series in a decade.
2000-New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani thinks it is okay for children to take a day off from school to watch the Yankees' ticker-tape parade. His Honor, believing baseball can be an educational experience, has allowed his own kids, Andrew and Caroline, to miss classes in the past to watch the Yankees Post-Season celebrations. The Mets, this year's runner-up in the Subway Series turn down Giuliani's invitation to be part of the parade for the World Champion Yankees down the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
2001-In Game 1 of the 2001 World Series, the Diamondbacks would pound the Yankees by a score of 9-1 behind Starter Curt Schilling, who hurls 7-innings to win his 4th game of the 2001 MLB postseason. Arizona hitters Craig Counsell and Luis Gonzalez hit HRs for the D-Backs as Yankees veteran Starter Mike Mussina takes the Series Opener loss.
2006-Former Yankees Pitcher Joe Niekro (1985-1987) had passed away from of a Brain Aneurysm. (1944-2006)
On September 15,1985, veteran Starter Joe Niekro was traded by the Astros to the Yankees for Players to be Named Later and Pitcher Jim Deshaies. The Yankees would send 2 Minor League Pitchers: Neder Horta on September 24,1985 and Dody Rather on January 11,1986 to the Astros to complete the trade. For the 1985 Yankees, Joe had posted a 2-1 record in 3 starts as they tried to catch the Blue Jays in the 1985 AL Eastern Division pennant race. He would spend the 1986 AL season in the Yankees' starting rotation by going 9-10 with a 4.87 ERA in 25 games; with the highlight being a combined 1-hitter of the Angels on June 4th. Overall, Joe would post a 14-15 record in 36 games for the Yankees. On June 7,1987, Joe was traded by the Yankees to the Twins for C/DH/1B Mark Salas. For the 1985 Yankees, he had a 3-4 record in 8 games. As a MLB pitcher, Joe had won 220 games in his pitching career that lasted from 1967 to 1988. His older brother, Phil had both pitched in the MLB; they were Yankees teammates in 1985 and with the 1974-1975 Braves.
2006-Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner calls together his top baseball executives to Tampa, Florida for organizational meetings less than a week after the Yankees lost the 2006 ALCS to the Red Sox.
2008-Former Yankees Reserve OF/1B Ed Levy (1942, 1944) had passed away. (1916-2008)
For the Bronx Bombers, Reserve OF/1B Ed Levy had hit .216 with 4 HRs and 32 RBIs in 53 games, between trades with the Yankees and the Phillies. On February 24,1940, Ed was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for INF Jim Shilling and $15,000 Cash. On April 27,1940, Levy was returned to his original team. On January 22,1943, Ed was traded by the Yankees along with P Al Gettel and $10,000 Cash to the Phillies for veteran 1B Nick Etten. On March 26,1943, Al Gettel and Ed Levy returned to their original team. The Yankees would send Minor League C Tom Padden and P Al Gerheauser on March 26,1943 to the Phillies to complete the trade. On June 20,1944, Ed was traded by the team along with Cash to the AA Milwaukee Brewers (AA) for veteran OF Hersh Martin. In 1943, he went into the Coast Guard, but he would hurt his back in 1944; Ed was discharged from his military service. From 1946 and in 1951-1955, Ed was a Player/Manager in the Minor Leagues for 4 different MLB organizations.
2019-The Yankees have lost a pair of Minor League Coaches to the Marlins, as George A. King III of the New York Post reports that Tommy Phelps and Phil Plantier are headed to Miami. Tommy Phelps would have been the Yankees’ AAA Pitching Coach at Scranton (IL) had a 2020 Minor League season had taken place, meanwhile Plantier was in line to serve as their Team Hitting Coach. Phelps will now work as the Marlins’ Assistant Pitching Coordinator, though Plantier’s role with the Marlins is unclear.
October 28th
1900-Former Yankees MLB and Minor League Manager Johnny Neun (1946) was born. (1900-1990)
After playing the in MLB, Johnny Neun would play for the 1932-1934 AA Newark Bears (IL), serving as a Player/Coach in his final pro ball season. After spending time as Manager of the Akron Yankees and the Norfolk Tars teams, he would return to AA Newark in 1938 as the club's skipper; a post he held through the 1941 International League season. Johnny had managed the great Bears championship teams of 1938-1940. After managing the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) for 2 seasons, he became a member of the Yankees MLB Coaching staff from 1944-1946, when he would replace Bill Dickey as the club's Manager late in the 1946 AL season. The Yankees would let Johnny go in the fall of 1946, when the team decided to hired veteran MLB Manager Bucky Harris for 2 seasons. He then went on to manage the Reds for a season and a half before spending more than 40 years as an MLB Scout for the Yankees, Royals, Angels and the Brewers organizations.
1904-Former Yankees Reserve OF Elias “Liz” Funk (1929) was born. (1904-1968)
Outfielder Liz Funk would appear in 1 game for the 1929 Yankees with no hits. He would spend the rest of the 1929 baseball season playing for the AA Hollywood Stars (PCL). He would later play for the Tigers and White Sox in the early 1930’s. He would finish his MLB playing career with a .267 BA with 6 HRs and 105 RBIs in 273 games.
1916-Former Yankees OF/1B Ed Levy (1942, 1944) was born. (1916-2008)
Reserve OF/1B Ed Levy would hit .216 with 4 HRs and 32 RBIs in 53 games with the Bronx Bombers, between trades with the Yankees and the Phillies. On February 24,1940, Ed was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for INF Jim Shilling and $15,000. Ed Levy was returned to original team on April 27,1940. On January 22,1943, Ed was traded by the Yankees along with hurler Al Gettel and $10,000 to the Phillies for veteran 1B Nick Etten. Al Gettel and Ed Levy returned to their original team on March 26,1943. The Yankees would send Minor League C Tom Padden and P Al Gerheauser on March 26, 1943 to the Phillies to complete the trade. On June 20,1944, Ed Levy was traded by the Bronx Bombers along with cash to the AAA Milwaukee Brewers (AA) for veteran OF Hersh Martin. He went into the Coast Guard in 1943, but he injured his back in 1944; Ed was discharged from military service. He was a Player/Manager in the Minor Leagues for 4 MLB organizations from 1946 and in 1951-1955.
1917-Former Yankees Closer Joe “Fireman” Page (1944-1950) was born. (1917-1980)
In 1940, the Yankees had signed hurler Joe Page as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. From 1944-1950, Joe was the Yankees Bullpen Closer. He would finish his Yankees pitching career by posting a 57-49 record with a 3.44 ERA and 76 saves in 278 games. He led the AL in saves in 1947 with 17 along with 14 wins; again in 1949 with 27 saves and 13 wins. Joe had appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, posting a 2-1 record with 2 saves. Page was named to the AL All-Star team in 1944, 1947-1948. In 1949, Joe had won the Babe Ruth Award for his performance in the World Series against the Dodgers. On May 16,1951, the Yankees would release Joe. He would continue to pitch in the Yankees Minor League system with 3 teams from 1951 to 1952. Joe did not play pro baseball in 1953. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1954 Pirates by appearing in just 7 games before being released by the team.
1953-Veteran MLB Announcer Red Barber resigns from the Brooklyn Dodgers broadcasting team. He takes a job with the rival New York Yankees, joining Mel Allen in their broadcasting booth. Red had previously worked for the Cincinnati Reds WLW Radio Broadcasting team during the 1930’s before joining the Dodgers. Red would work for the Yankees from 1954 to 1966.
1961-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher (1994) and Longtime MLB Manager Bob Melvin was born.
On April 26,1994, veteran MLB Catcher Bob Melvin was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. The Red Sox had just released him. He would hit .286 with 1 HR and 3 RBIs in 9 games for the team. On July 22,1994, Bob was selected off waivers by the Angels from the Yankees. Then the Angels would trade him to the White Sox, finishing his MLB 10 season playing career. He had appeared in 692 games, while hitting .233 with 35 HRs and 212 RBIs. Bob has managed the Mariners, Diamondbacks and the 2010-2021 Oakland A’s. He has won 3 MLB Manager of the Year Awards. On October 29, 2021, Bob who had left the A’s, was signed by the Padres to be their 2022 Manager. Bob is now the Giants 2024 Manager.
1974-Former Yankees Reserve OF/PH (1956), Minor League Player George and MLB Scout “Teddy” Wilson (1956) had passed away. (1925-1974)
In 1942, OF George “Teddy” Wilson was originally signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Red Sox. He played in their organization until the 1951 season, when he was selected by the White Sox in 1951 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He played for the 1952 White Sox briefly before being traded to the Giants. After playing for the 1952 Giants, he would play for their AAA Team in Minnesota (AA) for 3 seasons. On August 22,1956, veteran OF George “Teddy” Wilson was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Giants. He appeared in only 11 games for the Yankees, while hitting just .167. He appeared in 1 game of the 1956 World Series against the Dodgers, as a pinch-hitter, striking out against Dodger Starter Sal Maglie. George would spend the 1957-1958 seasons with the Yankees AAA team, the Denver Bears (AA). In 1959, he had played in the Cardinals organization with the AAA Rochester Red Wings (IL). He chose to spend 1960-1961 seasons, managing the Shelby Colonels and the Class D Statesville Owls (WCL). He would return to AAA Denver (AA) in 1962 as a Pinch-Hitter and Coach. In 1963-1964, he would journey to Japan for a 2-season run with the Nishitetsu Lions. He would hit .255 with 20 HRs in 1963 and .263 with 7 HRs in 1964. Later, he was an MLB Scout for the Yankees organization.
1979-The Yankees would replace fired Manager Billy Martin with former Yankees Player and MLB Coach Richard Howser, who was the head Baseball Coach of the Florida State Seminoles baseball team. In 1980, Howser will lead the Yankees to 103 victories, but he will lose the 1980 ALCS to the Royals. He will leave the team after a personnel dispute with Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner over team personnel matters.
1981-Behind solid pitching of Starter Burt Hooton, the Dodgers completed a World Series comeback defeating the Yankees by the score of 9-2. The Dodgers had trailed the 1981 World Series 2 games to none before bouncing back to win 4 straight games. Slugger Pedro Guerrero drove in 5 runs for the Dodgers, who avenged the 2 straight 6-game World Series defeats to the Yankees in 1977 and 1978.
1988-Former Yankees Reserve INF Corban Joseph (2013) was born.
Corban Joseph was selected by the Yankees in the 4th round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He had turned down a college baseball commitment to the Univ. of Kentucky to sign with the Yankees. He would hit .277 for the GCL Yankees that summer. With the 2009 Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), his batting line was .300, as he legged out 8 triples. He was 5th in the SAL in batting average; he tied Xavier Avery for 6th in triples. He was named the league's All-Star 3B. In 2010, Corban would hit .302 in 98 games for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) and .216 in 31 for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). He was 4th in the FSL in average. His 7 triples tied Jimmy Paredes for 5th in the Yankees chain, while his 33 doubles tied for 7th among their farmhands. He had lost FSL All-Star 2B honors to LeMahieu, but Baseball America named him as the best defensive 2B in Single-A. With the 2011 AA Trenton Thunder, he produced at a .277 clip with 38 doubles, 8 triples and 75 runs. He had tied Starling Marte for the Eastern League lead in doubles. With the Phoenix Desert Dogs (AFL), Joseph hit only .227 in a hitter-friendly loop. He had showed more HR power in 2012, split between the AA Thunder (.314 in 23 Games) and the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (.266 in 84 Games). He had clubbed 15 HRs while drawing 68 walks. He was 3rd among Yankee Minor Leaguers in walks, behind veteran Jack Cust and Cito Culver and had tied Brandon Laird and Ronnier Mustelier for 10th in HRs. This was despite missing almost a month with right shoulder trouble. He began the 2013 season back with AAA Scranton; after playing in 31 games, his BA was .270 with 22 runs. He was called up to the Yankees, when INF Kevin Youkilis went on the DL, but he did not play in his 2 days before the Yankees had traded for INF Chris Nelson. He was called up again as the extra man for a doubleheader on May 13th. He started at 1B and hit 7th in the starting line-up in a 1-0 loss to the Indians in the opener, drawing a Justin Masterson walk his 1st time up but then being retired twice. In the nightcap, he went 1 for 4, while doubling off of Tribe P Trevor Bauer in the 7th for his 1st MLB hit and then he scored. He had played 2B in that game. At the end of 2013 season, he had shoulder surgery. The Yankees would take him off their 40-man MLB roster. He had started the 2014 season with AAA Scranton, appearing in 70 games, hitting .268 with 4 HRs and 28 RBIs. On August 27, 2014, during a series of Yankees MLB roster moves, Joseph was released by the team. During the winter of 2014, he was signed by the Braves organization; where he had played at AA level until his release by the team in June of 2015. Then the Orioles would sign him, he would finish 2015 Minor League season with their AA team. He did return to the MLB in 2018 with the Orioles, as a Reserve INF for the team.
1993-Former Yankees Reserve OF Bob “Suitcase Bob” Seeds (1936) had passed away. (1907-1993)
On August 22,1936, veteran OF Bob Seeds was traded by the AA Montreal Royals (IL) to Yankees for Players to be Named Later. He will appear in 13 games with the 1936 Yankees, while hitting .262 with 4 HRs and 10 RBIs. He would play in 1 game of the 1936 World Series with the Yankees against the Giants. On November 30,1936, the Yankees would send Minor League Players Marv Duke and Norm Kies to the AA Royals to complete the trade. He would finish his MLB playing career as a Reserve OF with the 1938-1940 Giants.
2001-In the 2001 World Series, Diamondbacks Starter Randy Johnson pitched a 3-hit shutout to defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-0, taking a 2-0 advantage in the Series. D-Backs 3B Matt Williams became the 1st player in World Series history to hit a HR with 3 MLB different teams. He has hit HRs in the Fall Classic for the 1997 Indians and the 1989 Giants.
2009-The Phillies would win the Opening Game of the 2009 World Series by the score of 6-1 over the Yankees; as MLB All-Star Starter Cliff Lee out-pitches Yankees Ace CC Sabathia in a duel of former Cy Young Award winners as Phillies 2B Chase Utley hits a pair of HRs. It is the latest starting date in the history of the Fall Classic.
2015-MLB honors its 2015 Top Relief Pitchers as Pirates Mark Melancon wins the Trevor Hoffman Award as the outstanding Reliever in the NL; meanwhile Yankees Closer Andrew Miller wins the Mariano Rivera Award, its equivalent award in the AL.
2019-Former Yankees Pitcher Cecil Perkins (1967) had passed away. (1940-2021)
Before the start of the 1962 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Cecil Perkins as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. With the 1967 Yankees, Perkins had posted a 0-1 record with a 9.00 ERA in 2 games. He would finish his pro baseball career in 1968 with the Yankees AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He would end his Minor League Pitching career with a 33-42 record with a 3.90 ERA in 116 games.
October 29th
1882-Former Yankees OF Arthur “Circus Solly” Hofman (1916) was born. (1882-1956)
Before the start of 1916 AL season, OF Solly Hofman jumped from the Buffalo Blues (Federal League) to the Yankees. He had previously played in the NL from 1903-1913 with the Pirates and Cubs before jumping to the 1914 Brooklyn Tips-Tops (Federal League). For the 1916 Yankees, he will hit .296 in 6 games. Also, he had appeared in 5 games with the 1916 Cubs.
1891-Former Yankees Pitcher Joseph “Happy Joe” Finneran (1918) was born.(1891-1942)
On May 24,1918, the Yankees had purchased Pitcher Joe Finneran from the AA St. Paul Saints (AA). He had pitched for the Tigers in the AL before being sent down to the AA Saints (AA). For the 1918 Yankees, Joe would post a 3-6 record with a 3.78 ERA in 23 games. In February of 1919, the Yankees would send P Sammy Ross (Minors), 1B Zinn Beck and P Joe “Happy” Finneran to AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made on July 19,1918. On that day, the Yankees would send Players to be Named Later to the AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) for Pitcher Jack Quinn. As an MLB hurler, Joe had posted a 25-33 record with a 3.30 ERA and 5 saves in 109 games.
1920-The Yankees have announced that current Yankees Manager Miller Huggins will return for the 1921 AL season. He would sign a 1-year contract with the team worth $12,000. The 1920 Yankees had finished in 3rd place in the AL with a 95-59 record and drawing for the 1st time in Yankees franchise history, a crowd of 1,289,422 fans at the gate. It was the 2nd consecutive AL season that the team has finished in 3rd place.
1920-The Yankees would raid the Boston Red Sox again, this time not getting a player, but a Front Office Baseball Executive by signing GM Edward Barrow, who will become the Yankees new General Manager. Barrow was unhappy with Red Sox Team Owner Harry Frazee’s dismantling of the team of all of its star players for cash and players, who were not star quality. He is replaced by Hugh Duffy as the new Boston GM. Edward Barrow would replace former Yankees Business Manager Harry Sparrow, who had passed away earlier in the year. Barrow had managed the Tigers and the Red Sox before joining the Yankees front office. He was the Red Sox Manager, who won the 1918 World Championship. Also, he was instrumental in switching Babe Ruth from the mound to the outfield; to take advantage of his power hitting HR bat. Barrow would support Yankees Manager Huggins with any issues with new Slugger Babe Ruth. In 1922, he told the Yankees Team Owners Ruppert and Huston that the Yankees clubhouse was off limits to them, unless they were invited by the Huggins and him. He would be instrumental in building the new Yankees farm system, also in making great trades that allowed the Yankees to dominated baseball in 1920-1940’s. From 1939-1945, he was the Yankees Team President, running the team for the Jacob Ruppert Estate before leaving the team in January of 1945, following the sale of the team by the Ruppert estate. Barrow didn’t get along with the new Yankees Co-Team Owner Larry MacPhail, who would become the new Yankees President and GM, until he sold his interest in the team to Co-Team Owners Del Webb and Dan Topping, after the 1947 World Series Yankees victory over the Dodgers. On May 13,1949, Ed was honored by Yankees with a “Day.” In 1954, he was honored by Yankees with a plaque at Yankee Stadium. In 1953, Edward Barrow would be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame as a Baseball Executive.
1941-Former Yankees Reserve OF/INF Harvey “Gink” Hendrick (1923-1924) had passed away. (1897-1941)
On January 3,1923, Minor League OF/INF Harvey Hendrick was traded by the Red Sox along with Minor League Pitcher George Pipgras to the Yankees for Catcher Al DeVormer and Cash. Harvey will appear in 77 games for the Yankees, while hitting .268 with 4 HRs and 23 RBIs. He had appeared in 1 game of the 1923 World Series for the team against the Giants. In 11 MLB seasons, he had hit .308 with 48 HRs and 413 RBIs in 922 games. On October 29,1941, Harvey had committed suicide at the age of 43.
1946-Former Yankees Reserve INF Frank “No Home Run” Baker (1970-1971) was born.
Frank Baker was selected by the Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1967 MLB Amateur Player Draft (June, Secondary Phase). He had appeared in 78 games as a back-up Shortstop to Gene Michaels, hitting just .191 with No HRs. On April 5,1973, Frank was traded by the Yankees to the Orioles for Reserve INF Tommy Matchick. With the Orioles, he would improve on his fielding skills, while playing for AAA Rochester (IL) in their farm system; later he would become a Reserve Infielder for the team during the 1973-1974 AL seasons.
1959-Former Yankees OF Jesse Barfield (1989-1992) was born.
On April 30,1989, veteran OF Jesse Barfield was traded by the Blue Jays to the Yankees for Pitcher Al Leiter. The Yankees had lost starting RF Dave Winfield to a season ending surgery. Jesse would never regain his batting stroke that he had earlier in his MLB playing career with the Blue Jays. He would appear in 396 games for the Yankees, while hitting .231 with 62 HRs and 189 RBIs. Also, his fielding skills in the outfield had declined greatly. He had several injuries during the 1991-1992 AL seasons that cost him playing time with the team. On November 4,1992, the Yankees would release Jesse, who would go on to play pro ball in Japan for 2 seasons.
1959-Former Yankees 2B/CF (1903-1905) and Minor League Baseball Executive Dave Fultz (1919-1920) had passed away. (1875-1959)
In March of 1903, Dave Fultz was signed by the Highlanders, his current Philadelphia A’s player contract had allowed him the option to become a Free Agent. The Yankees had offered more money than Connie Mack’s Athletics would pay him. In 1902, Fultz had hit .302 and driven in AL leading 109 runs, while leading the Philadelphia to AL pennant. For the 1903-1905 Yankees, Dave will appear in 305 games, while hitting .243 with 2 HRs and 99 RBIs. After the 1905 AL season, he would retire from the MLB, to become a full-time lawyer. On April 29,1906, Dave player’s rights were traded by the Highlanders back to the Athletics for OF Danny Hoffman. As an MLB player for 7 seasons (1898-1905), he would appear in 644 games, while hitting .271 with 3 HRs and 223 RBIs. Dave Fultz had played for 4 MLB teams; the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Athletics and the New York Highlanders. He had served in the military during WW I. Also, he was a successful College Football Coach with Navy and Columbia Univ. Later, Dave was the President of International League (1919-1920.)
1962-The Yankees have sold veteran Pitcher Bob Turley to the Angels. “Bullet Bob” had been battling elbow problems, even after having surgery in the fall of 1961. For the 1962 for the Yankees, he had posted a 3-3 record with a 4.57 ERA and 1 save in 24 games with all of his 3 wins coming in relief. Bob would split the 1963 AL season, by going 2-7 for the Angels and finishing with the Red Sox, where he was 1-4. As a Yankees hurler, he had posted an 82-52 record with a 3.62 ERA and 13 saves in 234 games. He would throw 21 shoutouts during his Yankees pitching career. In World Series play with the team, Bob had posted a 4-3 record with a 3.19 ERA and 1 save in 15 games. In 1958, Bob had won the Cy Young Award, when he had posted a 21-7 record with a 2.97 ERA in 33 games. He was a 2-time AL All-Star team Pitcher. Bob had originally been signed by the St. Louis Browns, who later became the Baltimore Orioles in 1954. He was part of the 17-player trade between the Orioles and Yankees that was made during the winter of 1954. In 1955, Bob would join the new Yankees starting rotation of Whitey Ford, Tommy Byrne, Don Larsen and Eddie Lopat. He would post a 17-13 record with a 3.06 ERA and 1 save in 36 games.
1965-Former Yankees INF (1913) and HOF MLB Manager Bill “Deacon” McKechnie had passed away. (1886-1965)
Bill McKechnie was a weak fielding player, who would have more success as an MLB Manager in the NL. As a 1913 Yankees Reserve Infielder, Bill would hit .134 with No HRs and 8 RBIs in 44 games. Before the start of the 1914 AL Season, Bill would jumped from the Yankees to the Indianapolis Hoosiers (Federal League.) As an MLB Manager, Bill had won NL pennants with the 1925 Pirates, 1928 Cardinals and the 1939-1940 Reds. In 1925, his Pirates team had defeated the Senators in the World Series. In 1939, his Reds team would lose to the Yankees in 4 straight games. In 1940, his Reds team would beat the Tigers in the World Series. As an MLB Manager, he had posted a 1,898-1,724 record with a 524 WP. In 1967, Bill was elected as an MLB Manager to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1968-The Yankees had released veteran INF Richard Howser as a player, then they would sign him as an MLB Coach. Howser was plagued by back problems, when he came to the Yankees to finish out his MLB playing career. The Yankees would obtain him in a trade with the Indians in December of 1966 for Minor League P Gil Downs and Cash. As an MLB player, he had appeared in 789 games, while hitting .248 with 16 HRs and 165 RBIs. He had played for the 1961-1963 A’s,1963-1966 Indians and finished his MLB playing career with the 1967-1968 Yankees.
1975-Former Yankees OF/DH/1B Karim Garcia (2002-2003) was born.
On April 2,2002, OF/DH/1B Karim Garcia was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. He would appear in 5 games for the team and hit just .200. Then Yankees had released him in July of 2002. The Indians would pick him up. On June 25, 2003, the Yankees re-purchased Karim from the Tribe. He would hit .305 with 6 HRs and 21 RBIs in 52 games before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Mets. In the 2003 ALCS with the Yankees, he had hit .250 in 5 games. In 2003 World Series, he hit .286 for the team. Garcia would later play pro ball in Japan, Korea and Mexico, before retiring from the game.
1977-Former Yankees Minor League Player and Former MLB Scout Dennis J. Svihlit was born.
D.J. Svihlik had a brief Minor League playing career for the Yankees, then he would become an MLB Scout for the team. Svihlik hit .492 as a High School Sr. As a College freshman, he batted .338 and won the starting 2B job as the year progressed. He hit .406 in conference play in 1998 to win Big 10 Conference Player of the Year; the youngest player so honored since Bubba Smith in 1989. As a Junior, he had batted .359 with 15 HRs, 59 runs and 52 RBIs in 55 games. He slumped to .302, as a Senior, with his HR total dropping to just 5 HRs. DJ went undrafted in the 1999 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Later, D.J. was signed by the Yankees. In 2000, he was 6 for 18 with a double, 4 runs, 3 RBIs and had 1 error in 5 chances with the Class A Tampa Yankees (GULF). In 2001, he was 1 for 7 with a triple and run for the Class A Greensboro Bats (SAL), while having 1 error in 8 chances at 2B. The Yankees were impressed with Svihlik's off-field abilities, so they decided kept him on as an MLB Scout. He has signed the following players for the team: Pitchers T.J. Beam, David Robertson and Chase Whitley among others. Then he would leave the Yankees to work for the Marlins organization. In October of 2023, he would leave the Marlins organization.
1982-Former Yankees Pitcher Tom Sheehan (1921) had passed away. (1894-1982)
On September 7,1920, hurler Tom Sheehan was purchased by the Yankees from the AA Atlanta Crackers (SA). He had previously pitched in the MLB with the 1915-1916 Philadelphia A’s. For the 1921 Yankees, he had appeared in 12 games, while posting a 1-0 record with a 5.45 ERA and 1 save. In 1921, he would leave the Yankees, joining the AA St. Paul Saints (AA), pitching for the team for 3 seasons (1921-1923). He would return to the MLB with the 1924 Reds. His final MLB career totals for pitching in 6 seasons; he had posted a 17-19 record with a 4.00 ERA and 5 saves in 146 games.
1988-Former Yankees Minor League Manager and MLB Player Andy Cohen had passed away. (1904-1988)
Andy Cohen was an MLB INF for the 1926-1929 Giants. A leg injury had ended Andy’s Giants playing career. He had appeared in 262 games for the team, while hitting .281 with 14 HRs and 114 RBIs. Andy had continue to play in the Minors until 1937, when he became a Minor League Manager. Andy would join the Yankees Minor League system in 1958, replacing Ralph Houk as the Manager of the AAA Denver Bears (AA) club, Houk had been promoted to Casey Stengel’s MLB Coaching staff. Under Cohen’s direction, the Bears would finish in 4th place with a 78-71 record. They would lose in the American Associations play-off series. It was the last year that Denver would be a AAA team for the Yankees. In 1960, Andy would join the Phillies as an MLB Coach for the team.
1991-Yankees MLB Coach Buck Showalter replaces Manager Stump Merrill as the Manager of the Yankees. Merrill will return to Manage in the Yankees Minor League System. At age of 35, Buck Showalter becomes the youngest active manager in the MLB. He will manage the Yankees through the end of the 1995 AL Post Season. Buck had won the 1994 AL Manager of the Year award. In 1977, 1B/OF Buck Showalter was an All-American Outfielder. The Yankees in the 5th round of the 1977 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected him. He spent 7 years as a player in the Yankees farm system, hitting .324 for the 1980 AA Nashville Sounds, leading the Southern League with 178 hits. During his playing days, he picked up the nickname "Buck" from a Minor League Manager's comment on his tendency to walk around the clubhouse "buck naked.” After the 1983 Minor League season had ended, Showalter retired as an active player. Buck was block at 1B in the Yankees organization by future MLB Yankees Dave Mattingly and Steve Balboni. So, he would become a Minor League Coach in the Yankees farm system. From 1985-1989, he was a Manager in their organization. When he took over the Class A Oneonta Yankees (EL) in 1985, when he was only 28 years old. In his 2 seasons with the O-Yankees, Buck would set new Eastern League records for wins each season. It is also where he began his long working relationship with Pitching Coach Russ “Monk” Meyer. In 1990, he became a Yankees MLB Coach and 2 years later, he took over as the club's Manager.
1994-Current Yankees Minor League Reliever Addison Russ was born.
Addison Russ was drafted by the Phillies in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Houston Baptist Univ. (Houston, TX). In 2019, he was a Reliever for the Class AA Reading Phillies (EL), posting a 5-6 record with a 2.54 ERA and 22 saves in 55 games. On August 21, 2020, he was traded by the Phillies to the Yankees in return for a more experienced MLB pitching arm, David Hale. The Yankees would assign him to their 2020 Alternate Training Site at Scranton. He did not pitch for the Yankees at the MLB level in 2020. In 2021, he would pitch at the AA and AAA levels of the Minor Leagues. With the AA Somerset Patriots, he had posted a 3-2 record with a 1.91 ERA and 4 saves in 27 games. With the AAA Scranton Railriders, he had appeared in 8 games with no decisions along with an 8.74 ERA. He didn’t pitch during the 2022-2023 seasons, due to pitching arm injury.
1996-Former Yankees Pitcher Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell (1952-1953,1955) had passed away. (1922-1996)
On August 28,1952, the Yankees had purchased veteran NL Starter Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell from the Reds for $35,000 Cash and 4 players: MLB Pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel along with 2 Minor League players: Outfielders Bob Marquis and Jim Greengrass. Blackwell will post a 3-0 record with 2 saves in September of 1952 and the 1953 AL season for the team. He had started Game 5 of the 1952 World Series against the Dodgers; but he was not involved in the game’s final decision. He did not pitch during the 1954 AL season due to a pitching arm injury. On March 20,1955, the Yankees had sold him along with 2 other MLB players: Reliever Tom Gorman and Reserve 1B Richard Kryhoski for $50,000 to the Kansas City A’s. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1955 A’s by appearing in only 2 games, while posting a 0-1 record and finishing his MLB Pitching career. Overall, Ewell Blackwell had posted an 82-78 MLB career record with a 3.30 ERA in 236 games for the 1942,1946-1952 Reds, 1952-1953,1955 Yankees and the 1955 A’s. In 1947, he had won 22 games for the Reds.
2009-The Yankees would even the 2009 World Series by taking Game 2 at Yankee Stadium, with a 3-1 victory over the Phillies. Yankees Starter A.J. Burnett and Closer Mariano Rivera combine for the win, while Yankee hitters Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui would go deep against the veteran Phillies Starter Pedro Martinez.
2020-The Yankees 1st major 2020 MLB Off-Season move, the team have exercised their 2022 club option for veteran Reliever Zack Britton.
October 30th
1888-Former Yankees Pitcher Marty McHale (1913-1915) was born. (1888-1979)
On August 11,1913, Pitcher Marty McHale was purchased by the Yankees from AA Jersey City (IL) for $6,000. He would make his MLB pitching debut with the 1910-1911 Red Sox, while posting a 0-2 record in 6 games before the team had traded him to AA Jersey City (IL). For the Yankees, McHale will post a 11-27 record with 3.28 ERA and 1 save in 51 games. He would finish his MLB Pitching career pitching for the 1916 Red Sox and Indians.
1941-Former Yankees DH/3B James “Jim Ray” Hart (1973-1974) was born. (1941-2016)
On April 16,1973, veteran 3B Jim Hart was purchased by the Yankees from the Giants for Cash. He had suffered several leg injuries, while playing with the Giants. As the 1973 Yankees primary DH, Jim would hit .254 with 13 HRs and 52 RBIs in 114 games. On June 7,1974, Hart was released by the team, he was only hitting just .053 in 10 games.
1948-Former Yankees OF Mickey “Mick the Quick” Rivers (1976-1979) was born.
Outfielder Mickey “Mick the Quick” Rivers had a solid 15-year career in the MLB, but he was best known as a colorful character, who uttered many humorous remarks. His entire MLB career was spent with 3 AL teams, and although he was with the Yankees for less than the other 2 teams, many of the funny remarks date from that period of his career. After attending Miami Dade College (where Bucky Dent was a teammate), Rivers was drafted by the Braves in 1969. He made his pro debut that year with the Magic Valley Cowboys, hitting .307. At the end of the summer, he was traded along with Clint Compton to the Angels for veteran Reliever Hoyt Wilhelm and Bob Priddy. He would split the next 4-seasons between the Minors and the Angels, hitting well over .300 at every minor league stop. In 1974, Rivers stay in the MLB for good as the Angels' center fielder. In his 1st full MLB season, he would hit .285 with 30 stolen bases as he led the AL with 11 triples, despite playing in just 118 games. In 1975, he would hit .284, while leading the AL with 13 triples and 70 steals (the most in the AL since Ty Cobb had stolen 96 in 1915). On December 11,1975, Mickey was dealt to the Yankees along with Pitcher Ed Figueroa for MLB All-Star OF Bobby Bonds. In his 1st season in the Bronx, Rivers would hit .312 with 43 stolen bases and 67 RBIs. He would finish 3rd in 1976 AL MVP voting. Mickey was the leadoff hitter for the AL in the MLB All-Star Game that summer, but he could not be located as the National Anthem was being played.
The team searched and found Rivers sleeping in a space between the dugout and clubhouse. He had hit .348 in the 1976 ALCS against the Royals, but he struggled in that fall's World Series, hitting only .167 as the Yankees fell to the Reds in 4 games. In 1977, Rivers would miss 24 games due to injuries, but he still would hit .326 with MLB career bests with 12 HRs with 69 RBIs. He drove in the winning run in the deciding Game 5 of the 1977 ALCS against the Royals, but again he would struggle in the 1978 World Series, hitting just .222 as the Yankees captured the World Championship over the Dodgers. His BA dropped from .326 to .265 in 1978; but he continue to performed well in the MLB postseason by hitting .455 in the ALCS and .333 in the World Series as the Yankees repeated as World Champs, once again defeating the Dodgers. On August 1,1979, Mickey was traded by the Yankees to the Rangers as part of an 8-player deal that included him, plus 3 Players to be Named Later for Rangers for MLB OF Oscar Gamble, 3B Amos Lewis (Minors) and 2 Players to be Named Later. As a Yankee player, Mickey would hit .299 with 34 HRs and 209 RBIs along with 93 stolen bases in 490 games. With the 1980 Rangers, he would posted MLB career highs with a .333 BA, 210 hits, 96 runs scored, and 32 doubles, plus he put together a 24-game hitting streak. In 1981, He would hit .286, but Rivers would miss most of 1982 AL season due to injuries. After that, he played 2 more seasons for Texas as a part-timer, hitting .300 in his final season in 1984. He would retire from the MLB, after the Rangers had released him prior to the start of the 1985 AL season. Mickey Rivers would finish his 15-season MLB playing career with a .295 BA with 61 HRs and 494 RBIs and 267 stolen bases in 1,468 games. He had played for the Angels, Yankees and the Rangers.
1962-Former Yankees OF/DH Danny Tartabull (1992-1995) was born.
Outfielder Danny Tartabull was the son of former MLB Player OF Jose Tartabull. On January 6,1992, the Yankees would sign OF/DH Danny Tartabull as an MLB Free Agent. Danny had originally come up to the MLB with the Royals. His best Yankees player season was in 1992, when he would hit .262 with 25 HRs and 85 RBIs for the team. As a Yankees player, he had appeared in 424 games, while hitting .252 with 81 HRs with 282 RBIs. On July 28,1995, Danny was traded by the team to Oakland Athletics for veteran OF/DH Ruben Sierra and Pitcher Jason Beverlin.
1982-Former Yankees Reliever Jonathan Albaladejo (2008-2010) was born.
In the fall of 2007, Pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo was traded by the Nationals to the Yankees for Reliever Tyler Clippard. Albaladejo was injured for most of 2008 AL season, but he did make 7 appearances for the Yankees. He wasn't as good as the previous season, allowing 15 hits and 6 walks in 13 ⅔ innings, being charged with a loss in his only decision. Still, he did strike out 13 batters, demonstrating that his fastball still has some bite. Also, he had pitched in 6 games in the Minors, 2 rehabilitation starts for the Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL) and 4 games with the AAA Scranton (IL), totaling only 11 innings of work between the 2 teams. Back with 2010 AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL), Albaladejo was dominant as a Closer, beating the old International League mark of 38 saves in a season that had been held by Matt Whiteside since 2004. As a Yankees hurler, he had posted a 5-2 record with a 4.70 ERA in 49 games. In the fall of 2010, he was sold by the Yankees to a team in Japan.
1984-Former Yankees Reserve OF Shane Robinson (2018) was born.
OF Shane Robinson was selected by the Cardinals in the 5th round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would play in the MLB for the Cardinals, Twins and the Angels. On February 9, 2018, Shane was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had appeared in 25 games for the team, when the it was hit with injuries to their starting outfielders, he would hit just .143 with 2 HRs and 2 RBIs. With AAA Scranton, Robinson had played in 50 games, while hitting .250 with No HRs and 14 RBIs. On October 10, 2018, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would be signed by the Phillies for the 2019 season, playing for their AAA Club, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (IL)
2001-George W. Bush becomes the 8th President of the United States to attend a World Series game, the 1st since President Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial 1st pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11th attacks, the President walks to the mound by himself gives a thumb up and throws a perfect strike much to the delight of the Yankee Stadium faithful. In Game 3, the Yankees will win by the score of 2-1 over the Diamondbacks, behind the strong pitching by veteran starter Roger Clemens and Closer Mariano Rivera.
2007-Former Yankees Catcher and MLB Manager Joe Girardi is named the 32nd Manager in Yankees franchise history. He replaces the currently departed Manager Joe Torre (1996-2007), who had turned down the Yankees front office offer of a reduce pay with certain incentives to stay on as their Manager. Joe Girardi had recently managed the Miami Marlins. He had been fired by Marlin’s Team Owner Jeffrey Laurie, who was causing constant problems for the team and him.
2011-Former Yankees Minor League P Mickey Scott had passed away. (1947-2011)
The Yankees in the 17th round of the 1965 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected P Mickey Scott. He had made his pro baseball debut that year. The following season, he would post a 15-5 record with a 2.75 ERA for the Class A Binghamton Triplets; he had led the NYPL in wins and strikeouts. After missing the 1967 AL season due to military service; he was back with the Class A Triplets for the 1968 season. He would spend the 1969 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL.) Mickey would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. Following the 1969 AL season, Scott was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for veteran INF Pete Ward. Then the White Sox would trade him to the Orioles. Following his MLB playing days, he would work for the Yankees organization in various capacities.
2012-Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira picks up his 5th AL Golden Glove Award, although they have not been consecutive.
2015-Former Yankees Golden Glove OF Norm Siebern (1956-1959) had passed away. (1933-2015)
Norm Siebern had a 12-year career in the MLB starting with the 1956 Yankees. He was a 3-time AL All-Star player. In 1951, he was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. Norm would make his pro debut that year with the Class C McAlester Rockets (WA) by hitting .331 in 50 games. During the off-seasons, he had attended Southwest Missouri St. Univ., where he played basketball. Along with future Yankees teammate Jerry Lumpe, he led the school to NAIA basketball championships in 1952 and 1953. He would spend the 1952 campaign with the Class C Joplin Miners (WA). He had hit .324 with 13 HRs and led the circuit with 33 doubles and 115 runs scored. After hitting .281 with 21 HRs for the Birmingham Barons in 1953, he would missed the next 2 seasons, while serving in the Army. Back on the diamond in 1956, Siebern won the 1st James P. Dawson Memorial Award, an award given to the top rookie in the Yankees' MLB Spring Training Camp, but he suffered a knee injury just before the beginning of the 1956 AL season. He was sent down to the AAA Denver Bears (AA). Despite missing a good portion of the season, he did make it to the Bronx in June, about a month shy of his 23rd birthday, Norm went on to play in 54 games for Bombers that year while hitting .204 with 4 HRs. Also, he had appeared in 1 game of the 1956 World Series against the Dodgers, which the Yankees won. Back in the Minors with the 1957 AAA Denver Bears (AA), he would lead the American Association by hitting .349, 124 runs, 191 hits, 45 doubles and 15 triples. He would also hit 24 HRs for the Bears.
Norm was chosen by The Sporting News as their Minor League Player of the Year. In 1958, Siebern would return to the Yankees as their regular LF. In his 1st full MLB season, he would hit .300 along with 14 HRs and a .388 on-base percentage, while winning an AL Gold Glove; the 1st Yankee regular position player to do so. In 1958 World Series, he got 1 hit (off of Braves P Lew Burdette) in 8 at-bats, but he made 2 key misplays in left in Game 4 that cost Bronx Bombers the game (but not the Series, as the Yankees won the Series in 7 games). His play left him in Casey Stengel’s doghouse for young players, joining INF Jerry Lumpe and 1B/OF Marv Throneberry. For the 1959 AL season, Norm will play in 120 games for the 3rd place Yankees, while hitting .271 with 11 HRs and 53 RBIs. On December 7,1959, Siebern was traded to the A’s along with veteran RF Hank Bauer, Pitcher Don Larsen and Reserve 1B/OF Marv Throneberry in the trade that brought OF Roger Maris, veteran INF Joe DeMaestri and 1B Kent Hadley to the Yankees. Norm had appeared in 308 games with the Yankees, while hitting .273 with 29 HRs and 129 RBIs. He would spend 4 seasons with the A's, hitting a peak in 1962 with numbers of .308 BA with 117 RBIs. He led the AL in Runs Created.
It was quite a performance considering that the A’s had lost 90 games; they had no players other than Siebern that drove in or scored 100+ runs. For his performance, he was an AL All-Star team member in 1962 and 1963. Following the 1963 AL season, Siebern was traded by the Athletics to the Orioles for AL All-Star 1B Jim Gentile. In 1964, his BA had dipped to .245, but he had an AL-high 106 walks, thus still was able to score 92 runs, which was 2nd on the team behind Luis Aparicio's 93 runs scored. Also, Norm was an AL All-Star for the 3rd and final time in his MLB playing career. After the 1965 AL season, he was dealt by the Orioles to the Angels for OF/1B Dick Simpson. In 1966, he would hit .247, but he drew enough walks that he was close to leading the team in OBP. After 1 season with the Angels, Siebern was sent to the Giants for 1B/OF Len Gabrielson. He would appear in just 46 games for the 1967 Giants, primarily backing up NL All-Star 1B Willie McCovey, before being purchased by the Red Sox in July. He would hit just .205 with No HRs and 7 RBIs with 7 walks in 33 games for Boston that season, but Norm went 1-for-3 (with a hit coming off of Cardinals Ace Bob Gibson) in pinch-hitting appearances in the 1967 World Series. After going just 2-for-30 for Boston in 1968, he was released by the team and his MLB playing career was now over. Norm Siebern had a 12-season playing career in the MLB with 6 teams; while hitting .272 with 132 HRs and 636 RBIs in 1,406 games. Following his playing days, Siebern was an MLB Scout for a time, later he would work as an insurance agent.
2020-In their major 2nd 2020 MLB Off-Season move, the Yankees have declined their 2021 Club Options with long-time team OF Brett Gardner and veteran Starter J. A. Happ, making them both MLB Free Agents. J.A. Happ would be signed by the Twins. Brett Gardner would return to the Yankees for the 2021 AL season by signing a 1-year deal in January.
2023-Former Yankees MLB Coach, MLB Player and Manager Frank “Hondo” Howard had passed away at the age of 87. (1936-2023)
Frank Howard had played in the MLB for 16 seasons, appearing in 1,895 games, hitting .273 with 382 HRs and 1,119 RBIs. As an active MLB player, he had played for the Dodgers, Senators/Rangers and the Tigers during his MLB playing career (1958-1973). He would hit the final HR for the Senators and the 1st HR for the Rangers. He was 4-time MLB All-Star player. Frank had appeared in 1 World Series with 1963 Dodgers, hitting .300 with 1 HR and 1 RBI against the Yankees. Also, Frank had played pro ball in Japan, before knee injury in 1974 forced him to retire as an active player. He was an MLB Coach for the 1977-1980 Brewers and again in 1985-1986. Later, he was an MLB Manager for the 1981 Padres and the 1983 Mets. His MLB Manager record was a 93-133 mark in 226 games In 1989, Frank Howard was a Yankees MLB Coach, then again from 1990 to 1993. Howard would briefly manage in the Yankees farm system during the 2002 season with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL).
2023-Pirates Roberto Clemente was an elegant right fielder. He had a tremendous arm. He swung the bat with incredible force and he ran the bases in a daring fashion. When Clemente was on the field, it was almost impossible not to stare at him. “Couldn’t take my eyes off him,” Yankees former RF Paul O’Neill once said. Aaron Judge is a regal right fielder. He has a powerful arm. He swings the bat with sensational force and he runs the bases in an athletic fashion. When Judge is on the field, it is almost impossible not to watch him. “Everyone comes to see Judge,” former Yankees starter David Cone has said. There are definite similarities between the iconic Clemente and the larger-than-life Judge. And those 2 players became forever entwined on Monday, when Judge won the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award. This annual award recognizes the MLB player, who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions. For what Judge has done as a player and as a person, he is a perfect recipient of the Clemente Award. Judge is one of the most talented players in the MLB, a 6-foot-7-inch, 282-pound giant who, like Clemente, is adept in all facets of the game and, like Clemente, is charitable away from the field. When Judge hammered an AL record 62 HRs for the Yankees in 2022; he was the A.L.’s Most Valuable Player. It was a memorable and surreal season for Judge who, again, had virtually every set of eyes watching his pursuit of Roger Maris’s total of 61 HRs.
Despite only playing in 106 games in an injury-plagued 2023 season, Judge still manage hit to 37 HRs. In addition to Judge’s obvious exploits on the field, he has also been instrumental in impacting lives off the field. In 2018, Judge would start the “ALL RISE” Foundation, which has allowed him to create opportunities for children in San Joaquin County and Fresno County in California and in the Bronx, N.Y. According to ALL RISE, Judge has helped support more than 2,000 kids in various programs and initiatives. When Judge was nominated for the Clemente award, he said Clemente was a “complete player” and “someone I try to model my game after.” Judge praised Clemente for his charitable work and how Clemente “touched every single fan” with his selflessness. Clemente had notched his 3,000 MLB career hit off the Mets’ Jon Matlack in the final game of the 1972 NL season. Less than 3 months later, Clemente who perished in a plane crash, while he was trying to help coordinate the delivery of supplies to Nicaragua, which had been ravaged by an earthquake. The National Baseball Hall of Fame amended its rules so that a player who had been dead for at least 6 months would be eligible to be on the ballot. Roberto Clemente, who played his entire 18-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, was inducted into the Hall in 1973. For Judge, it has already been a busy and rewarding off-season. In addition to the prestigious Clemente award, Judge’s number 29 will be retired by Fresno State on the weekend of November 18th and 19th. During Judge’s college baseball career at Fresno State, he had batted .345 with 18 HRs and 109 runs batted in across 169 games. Judge now wears number 99 for the Yankees, which is one of the best-selling jerseys in baseball. And now number 99, that regal right fielder, has an indelible connection to Clemente, another elegant right fielder. It’s a connection that Judge will cherish forever.
October 31st
1882-Former Yankees OF Bert Daniels (1910-1913) was born. (1882-1958)
In August of 1909, OF Bert Daniels was purchased by the Highlanders from Altoona (TSL). For the 1910-1913 Yankees, Daniels would hit .257 with 5 HRs and 111 RBIs in 455 games. On August 8,1913, Burt was traded by Yankees along with OF Ezra Midkiff and $12,000 Cash to the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) for INF Fritz Maisel. In 1918, Daniels would manage the St. Joseph Saints (WL). At the time the league suspended its operations in early July, the team had a 30-38 record and was in 7th place. Later, Bert would become the Head Coach of the Manhattan College baseball team from 1931-1938.
1936-Former Yankees C/1B and MLB Manager Deacon McGuire (1904-1907) had passed away. (1863-1936)
Catcher Deacon McGuire had played pro baseball for 26 seasons (1884-1912). On February 21,1904, the 41-yearold Catcher was purchased by the Highlanders from the Tigers. He would play for the Yankees from 1904 to 1907. He had appeared in 225 games for the team, while hitting .230 with No HRs and 67 RBIs. He would share the Yankees catching duties with Red Kleinow. On June 7,1907, Deacon was selected off waivers by the Boston Americans (aka Red Sox) from the Highlanders. He would become the new 1907 Red Sox Manager. Overall, as an MLB player, he had appeared in 1,781 games, while hitting .278 with 45 HRs and 840 RBIs. As an MLB Manager, he had led the 1898 Senators,1907-1908 Red Sox and the 1909-1911 Cleveland Naps (aka Indians).
1957-Yankees All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra says the team had returned fine money to the Yankee players involved in the Copacabana Nightclub fight in May of 1957. Former Yankees 2B Billy Martin, who is now with the Kansas City Athletics doesn’t get a refund of the player fine money by Yankees GM George Weiss.
1958-Former Yankees Reserve INF Paul Zuvella (1985-1986) was born.
On June 30,1986, Minor League Shortstop Paul Zuvella was traded by the Braves along with OF Claudell Washington to the Yankees for veteran All-Star 1B/OF Ken Griffey Sr. and Reserve INF Andre Robertson. He had been playing shortstop for the AAA Richmond Braves (IL). Paul will appear in only 35 games for the Yankees, while hitting just .172, then he would spend most of his 1986 season with the Yankees AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL). On October 15,1987, Paul was released by the Yankees.
1960-Former Yankees INF Mike Gallego (1992-1994) was born.
On January 7,1992, INF Mike Gallego was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. His best season as a Yankees player was in 1993, when he hit .283 with 10 HRs and 54 RBIs in 119 games. He would appear in 261 games as a Yankee, while hitting .262 with 19 HRs and 109 RBIs for the team. On October 24,1994, Mike was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. In the spring of 1995, he would resign with his old club, the Oakland A’s.
1963-Former Yankees Minor League 1B Fred McGriff was born.
The Yankees had signed 1B Fred McGriff as a 9th round selection in the 1981 MLB Amateur Player Draft. On December 9,1982, he was traded by the Yankees along with 1B/OF Dave Collins, P Mike Morgan and Cash to the Blue Jays for Reserve OF Todd Dodd and Reliever Dale Murray. In 1982, he had played in 62 games, while hitting .272 with 9 HRs and 41 RBIs for the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (GL).
1963-Former Yankees C/1B/DH Matt Nokes (1990-1994) was born.
On June 4,1990, veteran Catcher Matt Nokes was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for 2 Pitchers; Lance McCullers and Clay Parker. Matt will appear in 452 games for the Yankees, while hitting .249 with 71 HRs and 222 RBIs. He was the Yankees starting Catcher during the 1991-1992 AL seasons. In 1993, he had lost his starting job to Mike Stanley. In 1994, Matt would spend time on the DL. After the 1994 AL season had ended, the Yankees had granted Mike his MLB Free Agency. He would be signed by the Orioles. After retiring as an active player, Matt has worked as a Minor League Coach and Manager for several MLB organizations.
1964-Former Yankees Minor League P Steve Rosenberg was born.
In 1985, Pitcher Steve Rosenberg was 2-2 with a 2.06 ERA for the Univ. of Florida, then he followed with a 5-4 with a 4.81 ERA for the 1986 college season. The Yankees had selected him in the 4th round of the 1986 MLB Amateur Player Draft. After signing with the team, he was assigned to the Class A Oneonta Yankees (NYPL), where he saved 3 of 3 games; while striking out 10 batters and allowing only 4-hits and 1 run in 9 innings. Next, Steve was promoted to the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FLS). He would post a 6-1 record with a 2.12 ERA and 3 saves in 25 games. Rosenberg continued his rapid rise through the Yankees farm system in 1987 by going 4-4 with a 2.25 ERA and 15 saves for the Class AA Albany-Colonie Yankees (EL). He was soon promoted to the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). The 22-year-old hurler did okay with the Clippers by posting a 4-1 record with a 4.08 ERA and 2 saves. On November 13,1987, Steve was dealt by the Yankees along with 1B/OF Dan Pasqua, C/DH/1B Mark Salas for 2 White Sox hurlers: Richard Dotson and Scott Nielsen.
1973-Former Yankees OF/DH David Dellucci (2003) was born.
On July 29,2003, OF/DH David Dellucci was traded by the Diamondbacks along Minor League 1B/OF John Prowl and Pitcher Bret Prinz to Yankees for MLB OF Raul Mondesi and Cash. He would appear in just 21 games for the team, while hitting .176 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs. At the end of 2003 AL season, David would leave the Yankees for MLB Free Agency signing with the Rangers, who had offer him more playing time than the Yankees could have in 2004.
1979-Orioles Starter Mike Flanagan, who had posted a 23-9 record is named the winner of the 1979 AL Cy Young Award by a comfortable margin over veteran Yankees Starter Tommy John, who had a 21-9 record with a 2.97 ERA in 37 games.
1983-Former Yankees Reserve OF (1919) and longtime NFL Chicago Bears Owner/Coach George Halas had passed away. (1895-1983)
George Halas was better known as a legendary NFL Football Coach and Team Owner of the Chicago Bears. He had only played 1 season in the MLB. George had been a 3-sport athlete at the Univ. of Illinois. On December 18,1918, the Yankees had signed OF George Halas as an MLB Free Agent. After playing Minor League ball, he came up to the 1919 Yankees as an Outfielder. It was the season before Babe Ruth came to the Yankees, and their starting outfield consisted of Sammy Vick, Ping Bodie and Duffy Lewis. In 22 MLB at-bats with the Yankees, George Halas' MLB career batting average was .091, while appearing in just 12 games for the team. He was sent down to the Minor Leagues by Yankees Manager Miller Huggins to learn how to hit the curveball. He never would play at the MLB level again. Instead, he would leave pro baseball in 1920 to start a new career in pro football.
1998-Former Yankees Minor League OF Bob Thurman had passed away. (1917-1998)
On July 29,1949, it was announced that the Yankees had purchased OF Bob Thurman’s player contract from the Kansas City Monarchs (Negro League). He was one of the 1st black players in the Yankees Minor League system along with INF Artie Wilson, P Ruben Gomez, 1B/OF Vic Power, P Frank Barnes and OF Elston Howard. He was assigned to the AAA Newark Bears (IL), where he hit 3 HRs in his 1st week with the team. For rest of the 1949 Minor League season, he would hit .317 for the Bears in 59 games, before a hand injury would sideline him. In 1950, the Yankees would sell him to the Cubs. In 1955, Bob would reach the MLB, playing for the Reds. He would play for the 1955-1959 Reds, while appearing in 334 games, hitting .246 with 35 HRs and 106 RBIs.
2001-For the 1st time since the Philadelphia A’s Mule Haas hit a game-tying 2-run HR in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series, a team comes from behind to tie a Fall Classic game in the 9th inning and goes on to win in extra innings. A 2-out, 2-run HR by Yankees 1B Tino Martinez in the bottom of the 9th inning ties the game. Yankees Shortstop Derek Jeter hits a HR in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving the Yankees, a 3-2 victory over the D-Backs that knots the 2001 World Series at 2 games apiece. Both HRs come off of D-Backs Closer Byung-Hyun Kim, who had relieved Starter Curt Schilling in the 8th inning. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets the win in relief for the Yankees. World Series Game #4 was played at Yankee Stadium that draws a crowd of 55,683 fans.
2005-MLB Silver Slugger Award winners are announced for each league. In the AL, Jason Varitek (C), Mark Teixeira (1B), Yankees Alfonso Soriano (2B), Joe Crede (3B), Miguel Tejada (SS), Manny Ramirez (OF), Yankees Gary Sheffield (OF), Vladimir Guerrero (OF) and David Ortiz (DH) are the winners.
2009-The Yankees would take a 2-1 lead in the 2009 World Series by winning Game #3, with a 8-5 win over the Phillies in a game in which 6 HRs are hit -3 by each team. Yankees veteran Starter Andy Pettitte is the winner over Phillies Starter Cole Hamels. Bronx Bombers Sluggers A-Rod, Nick Swisher and Hideki Matsui would hit HRs. World Series Game #3 was played at Philadelphia’s Citizens Park, which drew a crowd of 46,061 fans.
2010-Former Yankees Minor League INF Artie Wilson had passed away. (1920-2010)
Artie Wilson first played pro ball in 1944, the 1st of his 5 seasons with the Birmingham Black Barons (Negro Leagues). He was selected to play in their All-Star game 4 times, the only season he missed; the Shortstop chosen was a Kansas City Monarchs Rookie, named Jackie Robinson. Also, he had played in the Negro World Series 3 times, including the last one in 1948, each time losing to the powerful Homestead Grays. During the 1948 season that Wilson helped mentor another Alabama native, 17-year-old Baron’s Rookie OF Willie Mays. During the 1948 regular season, Wilson would hit .402 for the Barons. He is credited with being the last player in a top league to hit .400 as he did it 7 years after Ted Williams had hit .406 for the 1941 Red Sox. A speedster on the bases, Wilson was a singles hitter, who often hit to the opposite field. After the 1948 Series, Wilson went to Puerto Rico to play winter ball, where he led the Mayaguez Indians to the Puerto Rican Winter League title, by hitting .379. Cleveland's flamboyant Team Owner, Bill Veeck, flew to Puerto Rico; he would sign Wilson, 28 to play for the Indians, who had won the 1948 World Series that season with former Negro League stars OF Larry Doby and P Satchel Paige on their team roster. Unfortunately for Wilson, the Yankees would protest the signing, as the Yankees believed they had secured the right to sign Wilson from the Barons' Team Owner. At the same time a contract dispute arose between the Tribe and Yankees over the Yankees signing another former Negro Leagues star, OF Luis Marquez. MLB commissioner Happy Chandler resolved the conflict by voiding both player contracts. The Indians would receive Marquez. The Yankees would promptly trade Wilson to the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL), where he played his 1st season of integrated pro baseball. Artie led the PCL in BA in 1949 with a .348 mark and 47 stolen bases. A slick-fielding middle INF, he had 6 seasons of hitting over .300 in the PCL. In 1950, he led the league in runs (168) and in hits (264). He made PCL All-Star teams in at least the following seasons: 1950, 1952 and 1953. In 1952, he had led the PCL in hits again. In 1953, he led the league with 14 triples and his .332 BA was 2nd to Bob Dillinger. He had played for several PCL teams during his prime - the Oakland Oaks, San Diego Padres, Seattle Rainiers and the Portland Beavers. On October 11,1950, Artie was traded by Oakland along with P Al Gettel and C Ray Noble to the Giants for P Wes Bailey (Minors), P Bill Ayers, INF/OF Bert Haas,1B/OF Joe Lafata and $125,000 cash.
In 1951, Artie Wilson finally receive the opportunity to play in the MLB, when the Giants had signed him. He would shine in their MLB Spring Training Camp held in St. Petersburgh, Florida. The Giants Manager Leo Durocher was quoted in the N.Y. Times as saying he didn't see how he could keep Artie out of the Giants starting lineup, once the 1951 NL season had begun. Wilson only played sparingly for the 1951 Giants, getting just 22 at-bats, while hitting just .182 in 19 games. He was sent down to the Minors in May, when the Giants brought up a stellar OF from their AAA Minneapolis Millers club, named Willie Mays. On December 10,1951, he was sent to AA Seattle Rainers (PCL) by the Giants as part of a conditional deal. In 1956-1957, he would manage Mexicali team (MWL) to an overall 114-149 record. In 1957, he would finish his active playing career in the PCL. In 1962, he would return as an active player at the age of 41, to play for 2 teams in the Kansas City A’s Minor-League organization. In 2003, he was elected to the PCL Hall of Fame.
2013-Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny Kucks (1955-1959) had passed away (1933-2013)
Before the start of the 1952 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Johnny Kucks as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was playing in the 1952 Class B Piedmont League, pitching for 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 Johnny would miss the 1953-1954 baseball seasons due to military service. When he returned to baseball in 1955, he went straight to the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1956, when he recorded a 18-9 record with a 3.85 ERA in 34 games. He made the 1956 AL All-Star team. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the Yankees, while posting a 1-0 record with a 1.89 ERA in 8 games. Plagued by back troubles, Johnny would never be as effective as his great 1956 AL season. Overall, for the Yankees, he had posted a 42-35 record with a 3.82 ERA in 143 games. On May 26,1959, he was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe and Pitcher Tom Sturdivant to the A’s for Pitcher Ralph Terry and INF/OF Hector Lopez. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1959-1960 A’s (12-21 in 64 games), finishing with an overall MLB Pitching career record of 54-56 with a 4.10 ERA in 207 games. The Athletics would sell him to the Orioles, where he would pitch at AAA level. Then in 1962, Orioles would sell him to the Cardinals; again, he would pitch at AAA level. Johnny was the top pitcher on the 1962-1963 AAA Atlanta Crackers, winning 14 games, both seasons before retiring from the game.
2014-Former Yankees Pitcher Brad “Admiral” Halsey (2004) had passed away.(1981-2014)
The Yankees in the 8th round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected Pitcher Brad Halsey. For the 2004 Yankees, he had posted a 1-3 record with a 4.67 ERA in 8 games; before being traded to the Diamondbacks in the Randy Johnson trade. Brad had pitched in MLB with the Yankees, Diamondbacks and the A’s. In 2011, he would rejoin the Yankees organization pitching in the Minor Leagues. Overall, as an MLB Pitcher, Brad had a 14-19 record with a 4.84 ERA in 88 MLB games. He had passed away in October of 2014 at the age of only 33. He died after falling from a 100-ft cliff near his home in Texas, although it was not clear if he fell or jumped to his death. His body was found on October 31st on a private property at the base of the cliff, but his death was not reported until a few days later. A judge was appointed to investigate the circumstances of his death, although close family friends stated that it was most likely a recreational climbing accident.
2020-Right-hander Reliever Tommy Kahnle declined an outright assignment by the Yankees to AAA Scranton (IL), instead he chose to become a MLB Free Agent, the team has announced. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, Kahnle will miss most and quite possibly all of the 2021 AL season, making him a logical non-tender candidate. Headed into his 3rd trip through the arbitration process, Kahnle was projected to earn $2.7MM, or a minimal raise on his $2.65MM salary from 2020 given that he pitched a single inning this season. He would sign a deal with the Dodgers.
November 1st
1884-Former Yankees OF/1B Robert “Ham” Hyatt (1918) was born. (1884-1963)
On June 19,1918, the Yankees had purchased INF/OF Bob Hyatt from the Boston Braves. For the 1918 Yankees, he would hit .229 in 53 games. He had started playing in the MLB with 1909-1914 Pirates. In 1909, he had played in 2 games of the 1909 World Series with the Pirates. Later, he would play for the 1915 Cardinals, before joining the Braves. On January 28,1921, Yankees would send Catcher Truck Hannah, OF Ham Hyatt, Pitchers Bob McGraw and Ernie Shore to AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made during September, 1920. In September, 1920, the Yankees would send Players to be Named Later and OF Howie Camp to AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) for Shortstop Johnny Mitchell
1893-Former Yankee Reserve OF Alex Burr (1914) was born. (1893-1918)
Reserve Outfielder Alex Burr had appeared in 1 game with the 1914 Yankees with no plate appearances. On October 12,1918, Alex Burr was killed in an airplane accident, while serving in the United States Air Service in Cazaux, France. Burr's plane crashed into a lake in flames; his body was not recovered. He had been serving in France since November of 1917. Alex was only 24 years old at the time of his death. Burr was one of 5 MLB players, who were killed during World War I. The 4 other players were: Bun Troy‚ Larry Chappell‚ Eddie Grant and Ralph Sharman.
1894-Former Yankees Minor League Manager and Scout Joe McDermott was born. (1894-1978)
Catcher Joe McDermott had played for 9 Minor League seasons, later he would manage in the Minor Leagues. Also, McDermott would own Minor League teams in Norfolk and Grand Island in the Class D Nebraska State League. Joe was a MLB Scout for the Cardinals (1941-1945), Yankees (1946-1962)and the Mets (1962-1964). He would return to the Yankees organization again working from 1965 to 1969. Then he was Scout for the MLB Scouting Bureau until his retirement in the 1970's.
1927-Former Yankees Minor League/MLB 1B/OF Vic Power was born. (1927-2005)
Before the start of the 1951 AL season, 1B/OF Vic Power was purchased by the Yankees from Drummondville (Canadian Provincial League). Vic was sent to AAA Syracuse (IL) to play in the Yankees organization for the 1951 Minor League season. In 1952, he was with the Yankees AAA Kansas City Blues (AA). In 1953, he would lead the American Association in batting. Since Vic was flashy and very outspoken, Yankees GM George Weiss felt that Vic Power was not going to be the 1st MLB Black Yankee player. He had decided on Catcher/OF Elston Howard, so Vic Power and other black players in the Yankees Minor League organization were soon traded away by the him. On December 16,1953, Vic was traded by Yankees along with 1B Don Bollweg, P Johnny Gray, C Jim Robertson, 3B Jim Finigan to Philadelphia for INF Loren Babe, Starter Harry Byrd, Outfielders Tom Hamilton, Carmen Mauro and veteran 1B/PH Eddie Robinson. Vic would play 12 seasons in the MLB, hitting .284 with 126 HRs, while winning 7 AL Golden Gloves at 1B. He hit .300 3-times during his MLB playing career. Former Yankees 1B Bill “Moose” Skowron was asked, who was the best MLB 1B, he played against during his MLB playing career, he quickly replied “Vic Power.” When Power was traded away, Skowron was with the AAA Kansas City Blues, he eventually would replace the Yankees regular 1B Joe Collins during the 1956 AL season.
1943-Yankees AL All-Star Starter Spud Chandler is named AL Pitching ERA leader with a 1.64 ERA. Spud had posted a 20-4 record for the 1943 World Champion Yankees.
1961-Former Yankees Pitcher “Salida Tom” Hughes (1906-1910) had passed away. (1884-1961)
In August of 1905, Pitcher Tom Hughes was drafted by the Yankees from Class C Topeka (WA) in the 1905 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. With the 1906-1910 Yankees, he would post a 17-17 record with a 3.14 ERA and 2 saves in 54 games. Tom would later pitch in the NL with the 1914-1918 Braves. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 56-39 record with a 2.56 ERA and 17 saves in 160 games. He would continue to pitch in the high Minor Leagues until 1926, retiring at the age of 42.
1967-Former Yankees Reserve INF Carlos Rodriguez (1991) was born.
On March 20,1987, INF Carlos Rodriguez was purchased by the Yankees from Mexico City Tigers (MXL). He had appeared in 15 games as a Reserve Infielder, while hitting just .189 for the 1991 Yankees. On October 15,1993, Carlos was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would sign be by the Red Sox organization. He would play for them in 1994-1995, before leaving the MLB, returning to Mexico.
1974-Former Yankees Pitcher Leslie “Bullet Joe” Bush (1922-1924) had passed away. (1892-1974)
The Philadelphia Athletics had originally had signed Pitcher Joe Bush. Then they would trade him to the Red Sox. On December 20,1921, the Red Sox would trade him along with Pitcher Sam Jones and INF Everett “Deacon” Scott to the Yankees for Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, 3-Pitchers Rip Collins, Bill Piercy and Jack Quinn. For the 1922-1924 Yankees, Joe had posted a 62-38 record with a 3.44 ERA and 4 saves in 115 games. The 1922 AL season was his best Yankees pitching career season, when Joe would record a 26-7 mark with WP of .788 in 39 games. He had appeared in 1922-1923 World Series with the Yankees, while posting a 1-3 record. On December 17,1924, Joe was traded by the team along with fellow hurlers Milt Gaston and Joe Giard to the St. Louis Browns for veteran Starter Urban Shocker. In 1928, Bush would end his MLB Pitching career with the A’s, finishing with an overall MLB pitching record of 196-184 with a 3.51 ERA in 488 games.
1978-Yankees Starter Ron Guidry is the unanimous choice for the 1978 AL Cy Young Award. Ron Guidry led the AL in Wins (25), Winning Percentage (.893), Shutouts (9) and ERA (1.74).
1979-The Yankees would make 2 major trades today with the Blue Jays and the Mariners. In the 1st trade, they would send veteran 1B Chris Chambliss (.280,18 HRs and 63 RBIs), Reserve 2B Damaso Garcia (.228, 5 RBIs, 29 games) and Pitcher Paul Mirabella (0-4, 8.79 ERA, 10 games) to the Blue Jays for Catcher Rick Cerone (.239, 7 HRs, 61 RBIs), Starter Tom Underwood (9-16) and Reserve OF Ted Wilborn. Cerone will become the Yankees starting catcher for the 1980 AL season, replacing the 2-rookie Catchers duo of Jerry Narron and Brad Gulden, who had stepped in after Thurman Munson’s tragic death in August of 1979. Tom Underwood would join the 1980 Yankees starting rotation. With the 1979 Blue Jays, he had posted a 9-16 record with a 3.69 ERA, while leading the Jays staff in wins, games started and strikeouts. In the 2nd trade of the day, the Yankees had acquired MLB OF Ruppert Jones and Pitcher Jim Lewis from the Mariners for Starter Jim Beattie, Minor League Reliever Rich Anderson, Reserve C Jerry Narron and MLB OF Juan Beniquez, who had hit .254 in 62 games for the Yankees; missing playing time due to injuries. For the 1980 AL season, Ruppert Jones would become the Yankees new starting CF. For the 1979 Mariners, he had hit .267 with 21 HRs and 78 RBIs. For the Yankees, Jim Beattie had a good 1978 AL season, winning several key games for the team, but he was injured in 1979, winning only 3 games. Minor League Reliever Rick Anderson couldn’t break into the Yankees MLB bullpen, despite being successful with the 1979 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), posting a 13-3 record with 21 saves. Ted Wilborn and Jim Lewis would make brief appearances with the Yankees, before leaving the team. During the winter of 1979, Chris Chambliss would be traded by the Blue Jays to the Braves, where he would play 8 seasons with them before retiring as an active player. In 1988, Chris would become the Yankees MLB Batting Coach.
1987-Former Yankees Minor League INF Walter Ibarra was born.
Infielder Walter Ibarra had signed with the Yankees at age 17. He would make his pro debut with the 2006 GCL Yankees by hitting .264. His 19 games at Shortstop led the team; he had fielded .957 there. In 2007, he struggled offensively as a backup middle infielder for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) (5 for 28, 2 BB, 2B) and GCL Yankees (8 for 39, 4 BB, 2 2B). The next season, Walter would struggle with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) by hitting just .198 in a utility role. Then he would be demoted to the short season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), where he was 11 for 49 with 3 doubles, 2 HRs and 2 walks. Next, he was moved up to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), batting .268 in 18 games. In 2007, he would spraine his left ankle in late August, then he would miss the rest of the 2007 EL season. That winter, he would hit .188 in 37 games for the Hermosillo (MWL). In 2009, Ibarra produced at a .265 with 11 steals in 16 tries as Class A Tampa's starting Shortstop (fielding .955 there). He was also 7 for 29 with 2 walks for Class A Charleston (SAL). Back with Hermosillo for more winter ball play, he would hit .250 as the backup to Jose Luis Sandoval. In the summer of 2010, Ibarra battled injuries to his hamstring, left hand and left shoulder, but he had his best season yet, hitting .301 for Class A Tampa (FSL), while going 15-for-22 in steal attempts. Among players with 70+ games, he was 5th in the FSL in average. He would split the Hermosillo Shortstop role with Sandoval in the winter ball, batting .303 with 30 runs in 56 games. In 2011, Walter would hit .297 for Class A Tampa (FSL). He had led the FSL with 14 sacrifice hits and tied for the league lead with 8 sacrifice flies as well. He would field .970 at shortstop at AA and AAA levels. After the 2013 Minor League season had ended, he would leave the Yankees organization, joining the Dodgers organization, playing at AA and AAA levels.
1988-Former Yankees Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (2014-2020) was born.
On January 22, 2014, Pitcher Masahiro Tanka was signed as a MLB Free Agent by the Yankees for a $155 million, 7-year contract. Tanaka would make his MLB Pitching debut as the Yankees' Starter against the Blue Jays on April 4th, with dozens of Japanese baseball journalists having made the trip from Japan for the special occasion. He started with a misstep as he gave up a lead-off HR to Melky Cabrera, but then he settled down to earn a 7-3 win, while pitching 7 solid innings. He gave up only 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, walked none and struck out 8 batters. On April 16th, he gave up only 2 bunt singles over 8 innings while striking out 10 batters in the 1st game of a doubleheader against the Cubs that the Yankees won, 3-0. When Michael Pineda followed him with another strong performance in the 2nd game, leading to a 2-0 shutout, it was the 1st time since 1988 that that the Yankees had recorded 2 whitewashings in 1 day. On May 14th, he pitched his 1st complete game shutout, defeating the Mets by the score of 4-0 for the Yankees' 1st win over their cross-town rivals after 6 straight losses. He would lose in the MLB for the 1st time on May 20th, when Tanka was beaten by the Cubs by the score of 6-1 on a drizzly night game played at Wrigley Field. By then, his streak of unbeaten regular season starts had reached 42 games between NPB and MLB.
He was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for May, thanks to a 5-1 record and a 1.88 ERA. On June 11th, he threw a complete game while striking out 11 batters in beating the Mariners by the score of 4-2, becoming the 2nd MLB pitcher to 10 wins that season, after Mark Buehrle. When he won his 11th game of the season, a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays on June 17th, he took over the MLB lead for wins with 11. His 2nd loss of the season came on June 28th, courtesy of 2-out solo HR by Red Sox hitter Mike Napoli in the 9th inning for a 2-1 defeat. He was named to the All-Star team in early July, but a couple of days later, on July 9th, went on the DL with inflammation in his elbow, forcing him to miss the MLB Mid-season classic. He had complained of soreness following his worst outing of the season the day before, a 5-3 loss to the Indians. The diagnosis was of a partially torn ligament; the Yankees decided to have him rest for 6 weeks, although the possibility of Tommy John surgery was very much present as well and questions were asked about why the Yankees had not decided to go straight to surgery, given the poor success record of rehabilitation in similar cases. Masahiro gave signs that he would be ready to return in early September after some throwing sessions in August went very well, but on August 29th, he experienced a setback when he felt "general soreness" after a simulated game, making a return before the end of the season unlikely. However, he beat the odds by coming back on September 21st, when he pitched 5 1/3 innings in a 5-2 win over the Blue Jays. While his return was encouraging, many observers wondered what was the point of getting him back on an MLB mound with the Yankees eliminated from the 2014 AL Postseason contention and just a week left to play on the season schedule. Tanaka finished the 2014 season with a 13-5 record along with 141 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA in 20 games. He had thrown 3 complete games. Tanaka was the Yankees' 2015 Opening Day starting pitcher, facing the Blue Jays again, but he was tagged for 5 runs in 4 innings to suffer a 6-1 loss. In the media cauldron that is New York City, this led to immediate questions about whether he had lost crucial velocity on his fastball, or was just deliberately relying more on his off-speed pitches and had simply had a bad day.
On April 28th, he was put on the DL with what the Yankees described as a "mild strain in his right forearm" he was expected to miss a month. He was 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 4 starts at the time. He would return to the mound on June 3rd, when he was credited with a 3-1 victory over the Mariners, needing just 78 pitches to go through 7 innings of 1-run ball. He had pitched his 1st complete game in over a year in a key situation on August 15th, facing the Blue Jays on the road with the Yankees trying to hold on to half-game lead and the team's 2 late-game Relievers, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller were unavailable. He would limit the Jays to just 5 hits in a 4-1 win. He would pitch another great game against the Jays on September 13th, holding them scoreless for 7 innings in a 5-0 victory. It was a key game, as the Yankees had lost the 1st 3 games of the series, while giving up 30 runs, they were in danger of being caught by several teams in the race for an ALWC slot. He would finish the season at 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 24 starts; while logging in 154 innings. He then started the ALWC against the Astros on October 6th, but he allowed 3 runs in 5 innings, he was a 3-0 loser against Astros Starter Dallas Keuchel.
In 2016, Masahiro made an MLB career-high 31 starts. He had another solid season, by going 14-4 with a 3.07 ERA with 165 strikeouts, while coming just a third of an inning short of the 200 innings mark. He was designated once again as the 2017 Opening Day starter, but he gave up 7 runs in 2 2/3 innings to the Rays on April 2nd, he was saddled with a 7-3 loss. After a no-decision in his 2nd start, he ended the month on a strong note, however, winning his next 3 starts, including his 2nd MLB career shutout on April 27th, when he defeated the Red Sox, 3-0 on a 3-hitter. On May 14th, however, he had the worst outing of his career in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against the Astros. George Springer led off the game with a solo HR, Josh Reddick added another solo HR shot and Alex Bregman then hit a Grand Slam HR - all in the 1st inning. After Springer hit another HR to lead off the 2nd, he gave up an RBI double to Carlos Beltran and left after 1 2/3 innings, having allowed 8 runs. He was charged with the 10-7 loss. That was not his only poor performance during the month: in 6 starts in May, he gave up 48 hits in 31 innings, 11 of them HRs, and had posted a bloated 8.42 ERA. On June 9th, Manager Joe Girardi announced that he was pushing back Tanaka's next start by a day, in order to avoid having him face the Orioles for a 3rd time after having already been hit hard by that team the last 2 times that he had faced them. He pitched a lot better in the 2nd half and ended the regular season on a positive note on September 29th, when he recorded a career high 15 strikeouts in 7 innings in a 4-0 win over the Blue Jays. That gave him a record of 13-12 for the season, along with an ERA of 4.74. He had gone 6-4. 3.77 in the 2nd half after having been 7-8, 5.47 ERA at the All-Star break. Tanka had a great start in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Indians on October 8th, giving up no runs on 3 hits in 7 innings and getting credit for a 1-0 win. After losing Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros, 2-1, in spite of another solid start, he was excellent again in Game 5 on October 18th, duplicating his ALDS performance with 7 scoreless innings, this time for a 5-0 win. He had started off the 2018 season well, even if his ERA was on the high side. Taking advantage of the Yankees' great bats, he was 6-2 with a 4.62 ERA at the end of May. On June 8th, however, he left an interleague game against the Mets with stiffness in both hamstrings, the result of scoring a run in the 6th inning. He was placed on the DL the next day. He would miss a month of action, returning on July 10th. He went overall with a 12-6 record with a 3.75 in 27 starts, while pitching 156 innings. He had started Game 2 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on October 6th at Fenway Park. He was the only Yankees' pitcher to record a win in the series, as he gave up just 1 run in 5 innings as the Yankees would win the game, 6-2.
The Yankees got off to a great start that year in spite of a rash of injuries, but as one of the only starters not to miss a turn, he was just 3-5, after a loss on June 4th. He then beat the Mets in spite of a shaky outing on June 11th, despite allowing 5 runs in 6 2/3 innings, but his next start was a gem, as he shut down the Yankees' main rivals that season, the Rays on a complete game 2-hitter, 3-0. He had struck out 10 Rays batters and walked only 1 in a dominating performance. On June 29th, he had a rough outing when he started for the Yankees against the Red Sox at London Olympic Stadium in the 1st MLB game to be played in Europe; he was chased after just 2 outs in the bottom of the 1st, having allowed 6 Red Sox runs. His opponent on the mound that day, Rick Porcello, had also failed to make it through the 1st inning, marking the 1st time since 1989 that both starting pitchers had failed to complete the 1st inning. On July 25th, he again would face Porcello at Fenway Park, this time he would allowed 7 runs in the 1st.
With a tired bullpen, Manager Aaron Boone left him in the game, and that allowed him to give up another 5 runs before being lifted with 1 out in the 4th. The 12 earned runs he allowed that day were the most ever by a Yankees pitcher against the Red Sox. While Yankees had managed to win the London game, 17-13, it lost that one badly, 19-3. He would finish the season with a 11-9, record with a 4.45 ERA in 32 games. In the postseason, he would win his ALDS start in Game 2 again the Twins, giving up 1 run in 5 innings. In the ALCS, he had won Game 1 against the Astros 7-0, with 6 brilliant innings of 1-hit ball, but he allowed 4 runs in 5 innings in Game 4, which the Yankees lost, by the score of 8-3.
On July 4, 2020, in his 1st outing of Spring Training Camp after the long break caused by the coronavirus pandemic, he was hit on the side of the head by a ball off the bat of teammate Giancarlo Stanton in a simulated game. He fell in a heap to the ground, and while he got up on his own power, he was hospitalized as a precaution. For some reason, the Yankees were not using a protective screen in front of the pitcher. He was diagnosed with a mild concussion, but he was released from hospital quickly. He was able to rejoin the team the next day; although he needed to sit out a few days before taking the mound again. Tanka would finish the shorten 2020 AL season with a 3-3 record with a 3.56 ERA in 10 appearances. In the 2020 AL Postseason, he went 0-1 in 2 games against the Indians and the Rays. After the 2000 MLB Postseason had ended, he had finished his 7-year MLB player contract with the Yankees; he would return to pitch in Japan for his old team. In 2021, when he his opt out came up from his current contract, he decide to stay with his team in Japan, rather than return to the USA to pitch in the MLB, ending rumors that he would resign with his old team, the Yankees.
1994-Current Yankees Reliever Anthony Misiewicz (2023-2024) was born.
On July 6, 2023, the Yankees had acquired hurler Anthony Misiewicz from the Tigers in a waiver deal. The club would add him to their MLB 40-man roster, replacing the MLB suspended hurler Jimmy Cordero, who is now out for the rest of 2023 MLB season. He was assigned to AAA Scranton. In 4 MLB seasons, Anthony has a 7-9 record with a 4.74 ERA and no saves in 127 games. The Yankees would recall him from AAA Scranton. On September 16th, while pitching in relief against the Pirates, he was hit by a comebacker in the head, he had suffered a head concussion; which would end his 2023 AL season with the Yankees. For the 2023 Bronx Bombers, he had posted a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA in 3 games. For the 2024 Yankees, he would appear in 1 game, pitching just 1 inning of work with no record. He was sent down to AAA Scranton (IL), where he would post a 3-2 record with a 3.90 ERA and 8 saves in 47 games.
1996-Current Yankees Reserve OF Trent Grisham (2024) was born.
Outfielder Trent Grisham was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1st round (15th) of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Richland HS (North Richland Hills, TX). On November 27, 2019, Trent was traded by the Brewers along with Zach Davies to the Padres for Eric Lauer, Luis Urías and player to be named later. In 5 MLB seasons, he has a .216 BA with 61 HRs and 215 RBIs in 547 games. On December 7, 2023, he was traded by the Padres along with OF Juan Soto to the Yankees for P Drew Thorpe (minors), P Jhony Brito, Catcher Kyle Higashioka, Pitchers Michael King and Randy Vásquez. For the 2024Yankees, Trent was a reserve outfielder, who had appeared in 76 games, while hitting only .190 with 9 HRs and 31 RBIs. Trent was not on the Yankees player roster for the 2024 ALCS and the World Series.
2001-The 1st MLB game ever started in the month of November is a memorable one as the Yankees, for the 2nd consecutive night at Yankee Stadium, they make a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie the game and go on to a victory in extra innings. In an amazing case of history repeating itself, Diamondbacks Closer Byung-Hyun Kim is again victimized, this time by Yankees 3B Scott Brosius, who hits a game-tying 2-out, 2-run HR to knot the game at 2-2 in the 9th inning; as Alfonso Soriano’s hit an RBI single with Chuck Knoblauch scoring the winning run in the 12th inning to give the Yankees, a 3-2 victory and 3-2 lead over the Diamondbacks in the World Series. D-Backs hitters Steve Finley and Rod Barajas had hit HRs in the 5th inning for Arizona's 2 runs. World Series Game #5 was played at Yankee Stadium that draws a crowd of 56,018 fans.
2005-The Yankees had hired Larry Bowa as their MLB 3B Coach for the 2006 AL season. A 5-time NL All-Star Shortstop Bowa, who had managed in the NL with the Padres and the Phillies. Also, he was an MLB Coach for the Angels, Mariners and the Phillies. Bowa is the 1st addition to Yankees Manager Joe Torre’s MLB Coaching staff, which recently lost long-time MLB Pitching Coach Mel Stottlemyre (who had retired) and MLB Bench Coach Joe Girardi (who left to become Manager of the Marlins). Luis Sojo, who coached 3B the last season is expected to be offered another position in the organization by the Yankees.
2005-AL Gold Glove Award winners are announced. Players Kenny Rogers (P), Jason Varitek (C), Mark Teixeira (1B), Orlando Hudson (2B), Eric Chavez (3B), Yankees Derek Jeter (Shortstop), Ichiro Suzuki (OF), Torii Hunter (OF) and Vernon Wells (OF) earn honors.
2007-The Dodgers had hired Joe Torre as their new manager for the 2007 NL season, replacing Grady Little. Torre has just been let go by the Yankees Front Office despite leading them to the MLB Postseason for 12 straight seasons. He had turned down the Yankees new Manager contract offer by the team’s front office that had a reduced salary and that also included performance incentives.
2009-The Yankees would take a 3 games to 1 lead in the 2009 World Series with a 7-4 win over Philadelphia. The Yankees had score 3 runs off of Phillies Closer Brad Lidge with 2 outs in the 9th inning, after the Phillies had rallied to tie the game with HRs hit by Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz. World Series Game #4 had drawn a crowd of 46,145 fans to Philadelphia’s Citizen Park.
2012-Former Yankees and MLB Pitcher Pascual Perez (1990-1991) was murdered during a home robbery. (1957-2012)
On November 21,1989, the Yankees had signed veteran hurler Pascual Perez as an MLB Free Agent. However, he was never really healthy (pitching shoulder issues) to pitch effectively for the Yankees, posting only a 3-6 record in 17 games over the next 2 seasons (although his ERA during that period was an excellent 2.87). He was suspended for drug use by the MLB. Also, he had 2 brothers Carlos and Melido, who also had pitch in the MLB. The Robbers were trying to steal his MLB pension money.
2013-The Yankees would resign their long-time Team Captain and All-Star Shortstop Derek Jeter for a 12 million 1-year deal. He was injured most of the 2013 AL season, appearing in only 17 games, while just hitting .190 with 1 HR.
2016-Former Yankees Minor League C John Orsino had passed away. (1938-2016)
In 1957, Catcher John Orsino was signed by the Giants as an MLB Amateur Player. He had appeared in 332 MLB games, while hitting .249 with 40 HRs with 123 RBIs with the Giants, Orioles, Indians and Senators. On August 23, 1961, he was 1 of a record 5 Giants players who homered in the 9th inning against the Reds in a 14-0 win. The other Giants HR hitters were Orlando Cepeda, Felipe Alou, Willie Mays and Jim Davenport. His 3-run HR blast was the last of the 5 HRs hit in the game. He appeared in 1 game of the 1962 World Series against the Yankees with no hits for the Giants. On January 8,1969, John was purchased by the Yankees from the Senators. He never appeared with the Yankees at MLB level. On June 12,1969, he was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for Pitcher Rob Gardner. He never appears with the Tribe at the MLB level. They would have him playing the 1969 season at AAA level, before retiring as a player. In 1970-1976, John Orsino was the Head Baseball Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. He then would manage in the Indians' chain for a 1 ½ years at the AA level with the Jersey City Indians (EL) in 1977. Then he was with the Chattanooga Lookouts (SAL) for part of 1978 season. In 1980, Orsino would return to FDU for 1 more season as Head Coach for their baseball team.
2021-The Yankees have announced the signing of the following Free Agent players to Minor League player contracts: Pitcher Wilfrido Bido, 3B Johan Ferreira, Shortstops Andry Javier, Luis Ogando and Edward Sanchez. None of these players would appear with the 2022 Yankees at the MLB level. Bido would pitch for the Yankees team in the DSL, he is only 18 years old.
2022-The AL Gold Glove Awards are announced, the Yankees have 2 players on the team: Catcher Jose Trevino and INF D. J. LeMahieu for Utility INF. Trevino is a 1st time Golden Glove Award winner, while D.J. picks-up his 4th GG Award. Several other Yankee players were in their position finalist groups: 1B Anthony Rizzo and Pitcher Jameson Taillon.
November 2nd
1888-Former MLB and Yankees Minor League Manager (1935-1937, 1951) Dutch Zwilling was born. (1888-1978)
Despite finding no real success in the MLB beforehand or afterwards, OF Dutch Zwilling was one of the biggest stars of the short-lived rival Federal League. After a cup of coffee with the White Sox in 1910, he would join the Chicago Whales (Federal League) in 1914. He would hit .313 and led the circuit with 16 HRs as the club finished in 2nd place that season. His numbers would fell a bit in 1915 to .286 and 13 HRs, but he still led the league with 94 RBIs as the Whales captured the League title. He holds the Federal League record for most career HRs with 29. After the league had folded, he would join the Cubs (who had just been purchased by Whales Owner Charles Weeghman), but Zwilling failed to hit his weight in 35 games with them in 1916. He would spend many years as an MLB Scout and Minor League Manager, after his active playing career had ended. He was skipper of the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) for 9 seasons (1927-1932 and 1935-1937) including 1929, when they had won the Junior World Series. His 1935-1937 AA Blues teams were part of the new Yankees farm system. Also, he was a member of the 1941 Indians MLB Coaching staff. In 1951, he would manage the Yankees Minor League team, the Quincy Gems (3-IL).
1937-AL Batting Champ Tigers 2B Charlie Gehringer is named the 1937 AL MVP receiving 78 out of a possible 80 points. Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio, who hit .346 is a close 2nd with 4 points behind in the player voting, meanwhile Charlie’s Tigers teammate 1B Hank Greenberg, who had 183 RBI’s is a distant 3rd in the voting. Gehringer also becomes the 3rd Tiger player in 4 years to be named AL MVP Award winner.
1938-Red Sox 1B Jimmie Foxx is voted the AL MVP for the 3rd time with Yankees Catcher Bill Dickey, who had hit .313 with 27 HRs and 115 RBIs, finishing in 2nd place in the AL MVP voting. Fox had hit .349 with 50 HRs and 179 RBIs in 149 games for the 1938 Red Sox.
1941-Former Yankees MLB Pitching Coach and Baseball Executive Bill Connors was born. (1941-2018)
Bill Connors had started 1 game in his MLB Pitching career. It was on September 2,1967 as a member of the Mets against the Cubs. He went 4 innings, gave up 4 hits, allowed 4 earned runs, walked 2 and struck out 3 Cub batters. He did not get a decision. Connors was the 3rd baseman and #5 batter on the National team of Schenectady, NY that had won the 1954 Little League World Series; one of his teammates was Jim Barbieri. Connors later had a long MLB Coaching career, starting out as a member of the 1980-1981 Royals MLB Coaching staff. Then he was a Cubs MLB Pitching Coach from 1982 to 1986. Next, he was a part of the Mariners MLB Coaching staff for the 1987-1988 AL seasons. In 1989 and 1990, he was with the Yankees before returning to the Cubs from 1991-1993. He would spend the next 2 seasons,1994-1995 back with the Yankees. Then he returned to the Yankees for a 3rd stint in 2000. From 1996-2012, he had served as Vice-President of Player Personnel for the Yankees.
1958-Former Yankees Minor League OF/MLB Player Willie McGee was born.
Outfielder Willie McGee was selected by the Yankees in 1st round (15th pick) of the 1977 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). Willie never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. With the 1981 AA Nashville Sounds, he had hit .322 with 7 HRs and 63 RBIs in 100 games. On October 21,1981, Willie was traded by the Yankees to the Cardinals for Pitcher Bob Sykes, who turned out to be injured. Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner was furious that such a talented young player as McGee had gone away essentially for nothing. He threatened to take action to cancel the trade, eventually the Cardinals quieted him by sending 2 good Minor League prospects: OF Stan Javier and former #1 pick Shortstop Bobby Meacham to the Yankees to even things up. The Yankees Outfield was tied up with Major League Players, blocking Willie’s chance to play at the MLB level. Willie McGee will win the NL MVP Award in 1985, also he had won the NL Batting Title with a .353 average. Willie was a 4-time NL All-Star player, representing the Cardinals in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1988. He had won 3 NL Gold Glove Awards in 1983, 1985 and 1986. In 2018, he was added to the Cardinals MLB Coaching Staff. In the fall of 2024, he was moved up to the Cardinals front office position.
1960-The Yankees make it official by announcing that General Manager George Weiss will retire after 29 years of service with the organization. George Weiss had run the Yankee Farm System under long-time President/General Manager Edward Barrow, before becoming the Yankees General Manager in 1946. His Assistant Roy Hamey Jr. is named as his successor. Weiss tells the New York City sports media that the Yankees have a good run of 5 years left, before the Yankees farm system talent is finished. In 1961, he will join his former Yankees Manager Casey Stengel in running the new 1962 NL Expansion Team in New York City, the Mets as their 1st General Manager and Team President (1961-1965).
1960-The Yankees All-Star RF Roger Maris defeated his fellow Yankees teammate CF Mickey Mantle for the 1960 AL MVP Award by 225-222, (3 votes), the 2nd-closest AL MVP vote ever, behind the Yankees Joe DiMaggio and Red Sox Ted Williams in the 1947 AL MVP election. Roger Maris 1st Yankees player season is a success hitting .283, while hitting 39 HRs with 112 RBIs in 136 games. Also, he wins the AL Golden Glove Award for Right Fielders, beating out AL All-Star Tigers RF Al Kaline. Also, Maris finishes 2nd in the 1960 AL HR race, with his Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle taking the AL HR Crown with 40 HRs.
1960-Former Yankees Shortstop Everett “Deacon” Scott (1922-1925) had passed away. (1892-1960)
Shortstop Everett “Deacon” Scott had played in 1,307 consecutive games, the MLB record until Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig came along and broke it. He would begin his MLB playing streak on June 20,1916, while playing for the Red Sox. On December 20,1921, the Red Sox would trade Scott along with 2 hurlers Sam Jones and Bullet Joe Bush to the Yankees for Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, Pitchers Rip Collins, Bill Piercy and Jack Quinn. On May 6,1925, Yankees Manager Miller Huggins had benched Scott in favor of Pee Wee Wanninger. Ironically, less than a month later, his Yankees teammate Lou Gehrig began his own streak, when he entered a game as a Pinch Hitter for Wanninger. Scott's streak is still the 3rd longest MLB streak behind Cal Ripken and Lou Gehrig. His Yankees player career totals were a .254 BA with 13 HRs and 173 RBIs in 481 games. He had appeared 11 World Series games with the Yankees, while hitting .230 with 4 RBIs. On June 17,1925, the Senators had selected Scott off waivers from the Yankees. He will appear in 33 games for the Nats, while hitting .273 with No HRs and 18 RBIs. The Senators would trade him to the White Sox in 1926. After playing in only 44 games with the 1926 White Sox and the Reds, when the 1926 MLB season had ended, he would retire from the game. Overall, Everett “Deacon” Scott had appeared in a total of 1,654 MLB games along with a .249 lifetime BA, while hitting 20 HRs with 549 RBIs. He had appeared in 3 World Series with the 1915-1916,1918 Red Sox before being traded to the Yankees during the 1922 AL off-season. With the Yankees, he would play in 11 games in the 1922-1923 World Series against the Giants.
1964-CBS Inc. purchases 80% of the New York Yankees Team Ownership for an estimated $11,2000,000 from Yankees Co-Owners Del Webb and Dan Topping Sr. The network would later purchase the remaining 20% of team’s stock from Dan Topping Sr. in the fall of 1966.
1976-Former Yankees Pitcher Sidney Ponson (2006, 2008) was born.
In 2 tours with the 2006 and 2008 Yankees, veteran MLB Starter Sidney Ponson had posted a 4-5 record with a 6.63 ERA in 21 games.
1981-Former Yankees Reserve INF Wilson Betemit (2007-2008) was born.
On July 31,2007, INF Wilson Betemit was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees for Pitcher Scott Proctor. He had appeared in 124 games for the Yankees, while hitting .253 with 10 HRs with 49 RBI’s. On November 13, 2008, Wilson was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League Pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez to the White Sox for MLB 1B/OF Nick Swisher and Minor League hurler Kanekoa Texeria.
1982-Former Yankees Pitcher Bill Zuber (1943-1946) had passed away. (1913-1982)
On January 29,1943, the Senators had traded Pitcher Bill Zuber along with Cash to the Yankees for hurler Milo Candini and INF Jerry Priddy. As a Spot Starter for the 1943-1946 Yankees, Bill had posted an 18-23 record with 3.88 ERA and 2 saves in 66 games. He didn’t appear in the 1943 World Series for the Yankees against the Cardinals. On June 18,1946, he was purchased by the Red Sox from the Yankees. For Boston in 1946, he would post a 5-1 record with a 2.54 ERA in 15 games. He made 1 appearance with no decision in the 1946 World Series for the Red Sox. After the 1947 AL season had ended, Bill would retire from the MLB with a lifetime pitching record of 43-42 with a 4.88 ERA and 6 saves in 224 games.
1984-Former Yankees Reliever Tommy Layne (2016-2017) was born.
Pitcher Tommy Layne was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 26th round of the 2007 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would never pitch for the D-Backs at the MLB level. On May 2,2012, Tommy Layne was purchased by the Padres from the D-Backs. He had posted a 2-3 record with a 2.84 ERA with 2 saves in 40 games. In 2014, the Red Sox had signed Tommy as an MLB Free Agent. With Boston, Tommy had posted a 4-3 record with a 3.30 ERA and 1 save in 138 games before being released by the team during the 2016 AL season. Next, the Yankees would sign Tommy as an MLB Free Agent. As a Yankee Reliever, he would post a 2-0 record with a 3.38 ERA with 1 save in 29 games. After going 0-0 with a 7.62 ERA in 19 games, he was released by the team on July 5, 2017. Then the Dodgers would sign him, later he would be released by the team in August of 2017. Next, he would be signed by the Cardinals, pitching in their Minor League system during the 2018-2019 seasons, before being released by the team in August of 2019.
1987-The Yankees had acquired Catcher Don Slaught from the Rangers for a Player to be Named Later. The Yankees would send former Pitching Prospect Brad Arnsberg (1-3 in 8 games) to the Rangers as the Player to be Named Later. For the 1988 Yankees, Don Slaught will take over the starting catcher’s job from weak hitting Joel Skinner by hitting .283 with 9 HRs and 43 RBIs in 97 games.
1994-Current Yankees Reliever Jonathan Loaisiga (2018-2024) was born.
In September of 2012, Jonathan Loaisiga was originally signed by the Giants. He had a great season with the 2013 DSL Giants by going 8-1 with a 2.75 ERA in 13 starts, but then he would miss the next 2 seasons. In September of 2015, he was released by the team. The Yankees had signed him early in 2016. After 1 game with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) on May 13th, he had to undergo Tommy John surgery. He did not pitch again until the end of June, 2017. However, he had done well for the Nicaraguan national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers before suffering the injury. After those various career interruptions, Jonathan got to pitch in earnest with 3 teams in 2017, the GCL Yankees East, the GCL Yankees West and the short season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL). He went a combined 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA in 11 starts; logging 32 2/3 innings. Given how little he had pitched thus far, no one expected to see him rise quickly in 2018, but he was dominant with the Class A Tampa Tarpons at the start of the FSL season, going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in 4 starts; he was promoted to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). In his 1st 6 starts there, he was 3-1 with a 4.32 ERA. Pitching between the 2 teams, he had a combined 58 strikeouts, with just 4 walks in 45 innings.
That prompted the Yankees to call him up to the Show on June 12th, slotting him to make his MLB Pitching debut in a start on June 15th, taking the place of the injured Starter Masahiro Tanaka. The fact he was already on the 40-man MLB roster, as opposed to other top pitching prospects in the organization, explained why he was the one picked for the assignment. In his 1st game against the Rays, he did very well, with no runs allowed on 3 hits in 5 innings, he received credit for a 5-0 win. On June 25th, he mystified the Phillies for 5 1/3 innings, allowing just a hit and 2 walks to gain credit for a 4-2 win. He was perfect through the 1st 4 innings, walked Carlos Santana to start the 5th inning, but he left him stranded and only allowed his 1st hit when Jorge Alfaro led off the 6th with a single; after a walk and a ground out, he was replaced by Reliever David Robertson, who did not allow either runner to score. Overall, he was 2-0 with a 5.11 ERA in 9 games for the Yankees, including 4 starts, logging 24 2/3 innings. He was one of a number of players, who received an unexpected chance to play in the MLB at the start of the 2019 AL season because of a rash of injuries affecting the Yankees. He went 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 4 games, including 3 starts, before being himself added to the IL on May 13th, the cause being a strained rotator cuff. The next day, he was transferred to the 60-day list in order to make room on the Yankees' roster for newly-acquired DH Kendrys Morales, a clear sign that his injury was serious. He did make it back to the team, finishing the 2019 AL season with a 2-2 record with a 4.55 ERA in 15 games. He had 3 appearances in 2019 AL Postseason with no decisions. In the 2020 short AL season, he posted a 3-0 record with a 3.56 ERA in 10 games. In the 2020 AL postseason, he had no decisions in 2 relief appearances for the team. In 2021, he had a very successful season for the team working out of the bullpen by posting a 9-4 record with 2.17 ERA along with 5 saves in 57 games. In 2022, he would post a 2-3 record with a 4.13 ERA and 2 saves in 50 games. In 2023, he would post a record of 0-2 with a 3.06 ERA with no saves in 17 games, spending most of the 2023 season on IL list because of pitching arm injuries. In 2024, he would suffer a season ending injury, a torn UCL, requiring arm surgery. For the 2024, Yankees he had a 1-0 record with no ERA in 3 games. He had a UCL injury that required season ending surgery that was performed in April of 2024.
1995-The Yankees would name Joe Torre as their new Manager, replacing the recently departed Manager Buck Showalter. Joe Torre, a former Braves, Cardinals' NL All-Star and NL Batting Champion, will guide the Yankees to 4 World Championships in his 1st 5 seasons with the team. This winning feat will erase the New York City sports media of the nickname “Clueless Joe.” He will manage the Yankees until 2007.
2005-Former Orioles Manager Lee Mazzilli would rejoin the Yankees as Joe Torre's MLB Bench Coach. He had been a Yankees MLB Coach before accepting the Orioles Manager job.
2007-Former Yankees Player and MLB Coach Joe Girardi signs a 3-year, $7.8 million deal with a $3000,00 signing bonus and $2.5 million per season through 2010 AL season. He would become the 32nd manager in Yankees History, replacing the recently departed Joe Torre. The Marlins Team Owner Jeff Lurie had fired Joe, despite his winning the 2007 NL Manager of the Year Award.
2009-In Game #5 of the World Series, the Phillies would send the 2009 World Series back to Yankee Stadium with an 8-6 win over the Yankees. Phillies 2B Chase Utley hits 2 HRs and drives in 4 runs as the Phillies jump to a 6-1 lead against Yankees Starter A. J. Burnett. Phillies NL All-Star hurler Cliff Lee wins his 2nd start of the 2009 World Series. World Series Game #5 was played at Citizen’s Park in Philadelphia drawing a crowd of 46,178 fans.
2010-Former Yankees Manager, Baseball Executive, MLB Coach and MLB player Clyde King had passed away. (1924-2010)
In 1978 and 1981, Clyde King was a member of the Yankees MLB Coaching Staff. He had managed the Yankees for part of the turbulent 1982 AL season. In 1985-1986, he would serve as the Yankees General Manager. In 1988, King was a member of the team's MLB Coaching staff again. From 1998 to 2005, he was a Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Yankees. Clyde King had pitched in the MLB for the Dodgers and the Reds (1944-1953). Also, he had managed the Giants and Braves during his MLB Manager career. Previously, he had worked for the Reds, Pirates and the Cardinals organizations.
2011-The 2011 AL Silver Slugger Awards are announced, the Yankees have 3 Award winners; they are 2B Robinson Cano, Shortstop Derek Jeter and OF Curtis Granderson.
2023-The following Yankees players became MLB free agents 1 day after the conclusion of the 2023 World Series: INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Reliever Zach McAllister, Reliever Keynan Middleton, Starter Frankie Montas, Reliever Wandy Peralta, Starter Luis Severino and Reliever Luke Weaver. Only Pitcher Luke Weaver will be resigned by the Yankees for the 2024 AL season.
2023-The Yankees have placed Starter Domingo Germán, Relievers Ryan Weber, Jimmy Cordero and Matt Bowman, Outfielders Franchy Cordero and Billy McKinney on waivers; all 6 players have the requisite service time to become MLB Free Agents; if they go unclaimed. Bronx starter Germán is the most notable of the group. The right-hander had pitched parts of 6 seasons for the Yankees, turning in a 4.41 ERA across 522 1/3 innings. He had tallied 108 2/3 frames this year- the 2nd-highest workload of his MLB pitching career; while allowing 4.56 earned runs per 9 innings. That pedestrian ERA belies the highs and lows of his season. On June 28th, Germán would throw the 1st perfect game in more than a decade, completing the feat in Oakland. He would allow 4 or more runs in 8 of his 19 appearances overall, though.
Germán’s 2023 AL season would end in early August, when the Yankees had placed the pitcher on the Restricted List; so, he could report for in-patient treatment for alcohol abuse. That was reportedly preceded by an incident in the Yankees clubhouse, which he had entered intoxicated. Germán was eligible for arbitration this offseason. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected a $4.4MM salary, if he were tendered a contract. That always made him a likely non-tender candidate. Germán had turned 31 in August. Jimmy Cordero had posted a 3.86 ERA with strong peripherals over 32 2/3 innings, when MLB had announced in early July that he would be suspended for the remainder of the 2023 season, for violating the domestic violence policy. The rest of the outrighted players are back-of-the-roster depth types. Reliever Ryan Weber had pitched 14 1/3 innings of 5-run ball over 8 relief appearances. After signing a minor league deal over the offseason, OF Billy McKinney would hit .227 in 147 plate appearances. After signing an MLB deal late in Spring Training, OF/DH/1B Franchy Cordero got into 24 games for the Yankees. The left-handed hitter would bat .188 with 6 HRs with a 35.2% strikeout rate, before being sent down to AAA Scranton (IL). Reliever Nate Bowman would make 3 relief appearances, his 1st MLB pitching action since 2019, after having pitching arm surgery. He had posted a 3.99 ERA in 58 2/3 innings at AAA Scranton (IL).
October 27th
1876-Former Yankees OF Patrick “Pasty” Dougherty (1904-1906) was born. (1876-1940)
On June 17,1904, OF Patsy Dougherty was traded by the Boston Americans (aka Red Sox) to the Yankees for INF Bob Unglaub. His best Yankees player season was in 1904, when hit .283 for the team. Overall, as a Yankees player, he had appeared in 234 games, while hitting .269 with 9 HRs and 55 RBIs. On June 6,1906, Pasty was sold by the Yankees to the White Sox; he had quit the team over a salary dispute with Yankees Manager Clark Griffith. He had appeared in 12 games for the 1906 team, while hitting only .192.
1955-Former Yankees Pitcher, HOF, MLB Team Owner, MLB Manager and the Yankees 1st Manager Clark Griffith (1903-1908) had passed away. (1869-1955).
Before the start of the 1903 AL Season, veteran AL hurler Clark Griffith was sent from the White Sox to the Highlanders in an unknown transaction. Clark Griffith was the 1st Manager of the New York Yankees. In July of 1903, he would become the 1st Yankee Pitcher to hit a HR in a game. As a hurler with the Yankees, the veteran Clark would post a 31-23 record with a 2.66 ERA and 3 saves in 87 games. His Yankees Manager record was a 419-370 mark (1903-1908). His best Yankees season was in 1904, with a 92-61 record and then in 1906 going 90-61, both seasons were 2nd place team finishes in the AL. The 1904 AL season the Yankees lost the pennant on the last day of the season on a wild pitch by Yankees Starter “Happy” Jack Chesbro, who had won 41 games. He had managed the 1902 White Sox before coming to the 1903 Yankees then later working with the Reds and finally with the Senators. From 1911-1955, he was the Team Owner of the Washington Senators until his death in 1955. Clark was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1946. He had finished his MLB Pitching career with a 237-146 record along with a 3.31 ERA and 8 saves in 453 games.
1972-The Yankees had obtained Catcher Rick Dempsey from the Twins for OF Danny Walton. Rick would be a Reserve Catcher for Thurman Munson until his trade on June 15,1976 to the Orioles. Walton was a major disappointment for the Yankees, never showing the signs of being a power hitter the Yankees had hoped for when they had obtained him from the Brewers. Walton had spent the 1972 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL), while young Dempsey had several cups of coffee with the Twins during the past 4 seasons.
1983-Former Yankees INF/OF Martin Prado (2014) was born.
In 2014, INF Martin Prado was hitting .270 in 106 games for the Diamondbacks, then on July 31st MLB Trade Deadline, he was traded by the team to the Yankees in return for Minor League Catching Prospect Peter O'Brien. Martin would appear in 37 games for the 2014 Yankees, while hitting .316 with 7 HRs and 16 RBIs, before having season ending surgery in September. On December 19th, he was traded again, this time by the Yankees to the Marlins along with Starter David Phelps in return for Starter Nate Eovaldi, 1B/OF Garrett Jones and Minor League hurler Domingo German. Prado had originally come up to the MLB with the Braves.
1985-Manager Billy Martin is fired by the Yankees for an unprecedented 4th time. This time, Martin is replaced by former Yankees OF and MLB Coach Lou Piniella, who had been the team's MLB Hitting Instructor since retiring as an active player in 1984.
1999-Veteran All-Star Starter Roger Clemens pitched the Yankees to their 2nd straight World Series sweep by shutting down the Braves by the score of 4-1, ending his quest for the 1 and only MLB prize that eluded him in his MLB playing career, a World Series Championship Ring. The Yankees win their record 25th World championship their 3rd in 4 years. Game 4 marked Bomber’s 12th Series victory a row, matching a team's mark. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets his 2nd save of the Series. He is named the 1999 World Series MVP. The Braves, now join the Giants (1910-1919) as the only MLB teams to lose 4 World Series in a decade.
2000-New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani thinks it is okay for children to take a day off from school to watch the Yankees' ticker-tape parade. His Honor, believing baseball can be an educational experience, has allowed his own kids, Andrew and Caroline, to miss classes in the past to watch the Yankees Post-Season celebrations. The Mets, this year's runner-up in the Subway Series turn down Giuliani's invitation to be part of the parade for the World Champion Yankees down the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
2001-In Game 1 of the 2001 World Series, the Diamondbacks would pound the Yankees by a score of 9-1 behind Starter Curt Schilling, who hurls 7-innings to win his 4th game of the 2001 MLB postseason. Arizona hitters Craig Counsell and Luis Gonzalez hit HRs for the D-Backs as Yankees veteran Starter Mike Mussina takes the Series Opener loss.
2006-Former Yankees Pitcher Joe Niekro (1985-1987) had passed away from of a Brain Aneurysm. (1944-2006)
On September 15,1985, veteran Starter Joe Niekro was traded by the Astros to the Yankees for Players to be Named Later and Pitcher Jim Deshaies. The Yankees would send 2 Minor League Pitchers: Neder Horta on September 24,1985 and Dody Rather on January 11,1986 to the Astros to complete the trade. For the 1985 Yankees, Joe had posted a 2-1 record in 3 starts as they tried to catch the Blue Jays in the 1985 AL Eastern Division pennant race. He would spend the 1986 AL season in the Yankees' starting rotation by going 9-10 with a 4.87 ERA in 25 games; with the highlight being a combined 1-hitter of the Angels on June 4th. Overall, Joe would post a 14-15 record in 36 games for the Yankees. On June 7,1987, Joe was traded by the Yankees to the Twins for C/DH/1B Mark Salas. For the 1985 Yankees, he had a 3-4 record in 8 games. As a MLB pitcher, Joe had won 220 games in his pitching career that lasted from 1967 to 1988. His older brother, Phil had both pitched in the MLB; they were Yankees teammates in 1985 and with the 1974-1975 Braves.
2006-Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner calls together his top baseball executives to Tampa, Florida for organizational meetings less than a week after the Yankees lost the 2006 ALCS to the Red Sox.
2008-Former Yankees Reserve OF/1B Ed Levy (1942, 1944) had passed away. (1916-2008)
For the Bronx Bombers, Reserve OF/1B Ed Levy had hit .216 with 4 HRs and 32 RBIs in 53 games, between trades with the Yankees and the Phillies. On February 24,1940, Ed was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for INF Jim Shilling and $15,000 Cash. On April 27,1940, Levy was returned to his original team. On January 22,1943, Ed was traded by the Yankees along with P Al Gettel and $10,000 Cash to the Phillies for veteran 1B Nick Etten. On March 26,1943, Al Gettel and Ed Levy returned to their original team. The Yankees would send Minor League C Tom Padden and P Al Gerheauser on March 26,1943 to the Phillies to complete the trade. On June 20,1944, Ed was traded by the team along with Cash to the AA Milwaukee Brewers (AA) for veteran OF Hersh Martin. In 1943, he went into the Coast Guard, but he would hurt his back in 1944; Ed was discharged from his military service. From 1946 and in 1951-1955, Ed was a Player/Manager in the Minor Leagues for 4 different MLB organizations.
2019-The Yankees have lost a pair of Minor League Coaches to the Marlins, as George A. King III of the New York Post reports that Tommy Phelps and Phil Plantier are headed to Miami. Tommy Phelps would have been the Yankees’ AAA Pitching Coach at Scranton (IL) had a 2020 Minor League season had taken place, meanwhile Plantier was in line to serve as their Team Hitting Coach. Phelps will now work as the Marlins’ Assistant Pitching Coordinator, though Plantier’s role with the Marlins is unclear.
October 28th
1900-Former Yankees MLB and Minor League Manager Johnny Neun (1946) was born. (1900-1990)
After playing the in MLB, Johnny Neun would play for the 1932-1934 AA Newark Bears (IL), serving as a Player/Coach in his final pro ball season. After spending time as Manager of the Akron Yankees and the Norfolk Tars teams, he would return to AA Newark in 1938 as the club's skipper; a post he held through the 1941 International League season. Johnny had managed the great Bears championship teams of 1938-1940. After managing the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) for 2 seasons, he became a member of the Yankees MLB Coaching staff from 1944-1946, when he would replace Bill Dickey as the club's Manager late in the 1946 AL season. The Yankees would let Johnny go in the fall of 1946, when the team decided to hired veteran MLB Manager Bucky Harris for 2 seasons. He then went on to manage the Reds for a season and a half before spending more than 40 years as an MLB Scout for the Yankees, Royals, Angels and the Brewers organizations.
1904-Former Yankees Reserve OF Elias “Liz” Funk (1929) was born. (1904-1968)
Outfielder Liz Funk would appear in 1 game for the 1929 Yankees with no hits. He would spend the rest of the 1929 baseball season playing for the AA Hollywood Stars (PCL). He would later play for the Tigers and White Sox in the early 1930’s. He would finish his MLB playing career with a .267 BA with 6 HRs and 105 RBIs in 273 games.
1916-Former Yankees OF/1B Ed Levy (1942, 1944) was born. (1916-2008)
Reserve OF/1B Ed Levy would hit .216 with 4 HRs and 32 RBIs in 53 games with the Bronx Bombers, between trades with the Yankees and the Phillies. On February 24,1940, Ed was traded by the Yankees to the Phillies for INF Jim Shilling and $15,000. Ed Levy was returned to original team on April 27,1940. On January 22,1943, Ed was traded by the Yankees along with hurler Al Gettel and $10,000 to the Phillies for veteran 1B Nick Etten. Al Gettel and Ed Levy returned to their original team on March 26,1943. The Yankees would send Minor League C Tom Padden and P Al Gerheauser on March 26, 1943 to the Phillies to complete the trade. On June 20,1944, Ed Levy was traded by the Bronx Bombers along with cash to the AAA Milwaukee Brewers (AA) for veteran OF Hersh Martin. He went into the Coast Guard in 1943, but he injured his back in 1944; Ed was discharged from military service. He was a Player/Manager in the Minor Leagues for 4 MLB organizations from 1946 and in 1951-1955.
1917-Former Yankees Closer Joe “Fireman” Page (1944-1950) was born. (1917-1980)
In 1940, the Yankees had signed hurler Joe Page as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. From 1944-1950, Joe was the Yankees Bullpen Closer. He would finish his Yankees pitching career by posting a 57-49 record with a 3.44 ERA and 76 saves in 278 games. He led the AL in saves in 1947 with 17 along with 14 wins; again in 1949 with 27 saves and 13 wins. Joe had appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, posting a 2-1 record with 2 saves. Page was named to the AL All-Star team in 1944, 1947-1948. In 1949, Joe had won the Babe Ruth Award for his performance in the World Series against the Dodgers. On May 16,1951, the Yankees would release Joe. He would continue to pitch in the Yankees Minor League system with 3 teams from 1951 to 1952. Joe did not play pro baseball in 1953. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1954 Pirates by appearing in just 7 games before being released by the team.
1953-Veteran MLB Announcer Red Barber resigns from the Brooklyn Dodgers broadcasting team. He takes a job with the rival New York Yankees, joining Mel Allen in their broadcasting booth. Red had previously worked for the Cincinnati Reds WLW Radio Broadcasting team during the 1930’s before joining the Dodgers. Red would work for the Yankees from 1954 to 1966.
1961-Former Yankees Reserve Catcher (1994) and Longtime MLB Manager Bob Melvin was born.
On April 26,1994, veteran MLB Catcher Bob Melvin was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. The Red Sox had just released him. He would hit .286 with 1 HR and 3 RBIs in 9 games for the team. On July 22,1994, Bob was selected off waivers by the Angels from the Yankees. Then the Angels would trade him to the White Sox, finishing his MLB 10 season playing career. He had appeared in 692 games, while hitting .233 with 35 HRs and 212 RBIs. Bob has managed the Mariners, Diamondbacks and the 2010-2021 Oakland A’s. He has won 3 MLB Manager of the Year Awards. On October 29, 2021, Bob who had left the A’s, was signed by the Padres to be their 2022 Manager. Bob is now the Giants 2024 Manager.
1974-Former Yankees Reserve OF/PH (1956), Minor League Player George and MLB Scout “Teddy” Wilson (1956) had passed away. (1925-1974)
In 1942, OF George “Teddy” Wilson was originally signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Red Sox. He played in their organization until the 1951 season, when he was selected by the White Sox in 1951 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He played for the 1952 White Sox briefly before being traded to the Giants. After playing for the 1952 Giants, he would play for their AAA Team in Minnesota (AA) for 3 seasons. On August 22,1956, veteran OF George “Teddy” Wilson was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Giants. He appeared in only 11 games for the Yankees, while hitting just .167. He appeared in 1 game of the 1956 World Series against the Dodgers, as a pinch-hitter, striking out against Dodger Starter Sal Maglie. George would spend the 1957-1958 seasons with the Yankees AAA team, the Denver Bears (AA). In 1959, he had played in the Cardinals organization with the AAA Rochester Red Wings (IL). He chose to spend 1960-1961 seasons, managing the Shelby Colonels and the Class D Statesville Owls (WCL). He would return to AAA Denver (AA) in 1962 as a Pinch-Hitter and Coach. In 1963-1964, he would journey to Japan for a 2-season run with the Nishitetsu Lions. He would hit .255 with 20 HRs in 1963 and .263 with 7 HRs in 1964. Later, he was an MLB Scout for the Yankees organization.
1979-The Yankees would replace fired Manager Billy Martin with former Yankees Player and MLB Coach Richard Howser, who was the head Baseball Coach of the Florida State Seminoles baseball team. In 1980, Howser will lead the Yankees to 103 victories, but he will lose the 1980 ALCS to the Royals. He will leave the team after a personnel dispute with Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner over team personnel matters.
1981-Behind solid pitching of Starter Burt Hooton, the Dodgers completed a World Series comeback defeating the Yankees by the score of 9-2. The Dodgers had trailed the 1981 World Series 2 games to none before bouncing back to win 4 straight games. Slugger Pedro Guerrero drove in 5 runs for the Dodgers, who avenged the 2 straight 6-game World Series defeats to the Yankees in 1977 and 1978.
1988-Former Yankees Reserve INF Corban Joseph (2013) was born.
Corban Joseph was selected by the Yankees in the 4th round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He had turned down a college baseball commitment to the Univ. of Kentucky to sign with the Yankees. He would hit .277 for the GCL Yankees that summer. With the 2009 Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL), his batting line was .300, as he legged out 8 triples. He was 5th in the SAL in batting average; he tied Xavier Avery for 6th in triples. He was named the league's All-Star 3B. In 2010, Corban would hit .302 in 98 games for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) and .216 in 31 for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). He was 4th in the FSL in average. His 7 triples tied Jimmy Paredes for 5th in the Yankees chain, while his 33 doubles tied for 7th among their farmhands. He had lost FSL All-Star 2B honors to LeMahieu, but Baseball America named him as the best defensive 2B in Single-A. With the 2011 AA Trenton Thunder, he produced at a .277 clip with 38 doubles, 8 triples and 75 runs. He had tied Starling Marte for the Eastern League lead in doubles. With the Phoenix Desert Dogs (AFL), Joseph hit only .227 in a hitter-friendly loop. He had showed more HR power in 2012, split between the AA Thunder (.314 in 23 Games) and the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (.266 in 84 Games). He had clubbed 15 HRs while drawing 68 walks. He was 3rd among Yankee Minor Leaguers in walks, behind veteran Jack Cust and Cito Culver and had tied Brandon Laird and Ronnier Mustelier for 10th in HRs. This was despite missing almost a month with right shoulder trouble. He began the 2013 season back with AAA Scranton; after playing in 31 games, his BA was .270 with 22 runs. He was called up to the Yankees, when INF Kevin Youkilis went on the DL, but he did not play in his 2 days before the Yankees had traded for INF Chris Nelson. He was called up again as the extra man for a doubleheader on May 13th. He started at 1B and hit 7th in the starting line-up in a 1-0 loss to the Indians in the opener, drawing a Justin Masterson walk his 1st time up but then being retired twice. In the nightcap, he went 1 for 4, while doubling off of Tribe P Trevor Bauer in the 7th for his 1st MLB hit and then he scored. He had played 2B in that game. At the end of 2013 season, he had shoulder surgery. The Yankees would take him off their 40-man MLB roster. He had started the 2014 season with AAA Scranton, appearing in 70 games, hitting .268 with 4 HRs and 28 RBIs. On August 27, 2014, during a series of Yankees MLB roster moves, Joseph was released by the team. During the winter of 2014, he was signed by the Braves organization; where he had played at AA level until his release by the team in June of 2015. Then the Orioles would sign him, he would finish 2015 Minor League season with their AA team. He did return to the MLB in 2018 with the Orioles, as a Reserve INF for the team.
1993-Former Yankees Reserve OF Bob “Suitcase Bob” Seeds (1936) had passed away. (1907-1993)
On August 22,1936, veteran OF Bob Seeds was traded by the AA Montreal Royals (IL) to Yankees for Players to be Named Later. He will appear in 13 games with the 1936 Yankees, while hitting .262 with 4 HRs and 10 RBIs. He would play in 1 game of the 1936 World Series with the Yankees against the Giants. On November 30,1936, the Yankees would send Minor League Players Marv Duke and Norm Kies to the AA Royals to complete the trade. He would finish his MLB playing career as a Reserve OF with the 1938-1940 Giants.
2001-In the 2001 World Series, Diamondbacks Starter Randy Johnson pitched a 3-hit shutout to defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-0, taking a 2-0 advantage in the Series. D-Backs 3B Matt Williams became the 1st player in World Series history to hit a HR with 3 MLB different teams. He has hit HRs in the Fall Classic for the 1997 Indians and the 1989 Giants.
2009-The Phillies would win the Opening Game of the 2009 World Series by the score of 6-1 over the Yankees; as MLB All-Star Starter Cliff Lee out-pitches Yankees Ace CC Sabathia in a duel of former Cy Young Award winners as Phillies 2B Chase Utley hits a pair of HRs. It is the latest starting date in the history of the Fall Classic.
2015-MLB honors its 2015 Top Relief Pitchers as Pirates Mark Melancon wins the Trevor Hoffman Award as the outstanding Reliever in the NL; meanwhile Yankees Closer Andrew Miller wins the Mariano Rivera Award, its equivalent award in the AL.
2019-Former Yankees Pitcher Cecil Perkins (1967) had passed away. (1940-2021)
Before the start of the 1962 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Cecil Perkins as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. With the 1967 Yankees, Perkins had posted a 0-1 record with a 9.00 ERA in 2 games. He would finish his pro baseball career in 1968 with the Yankees AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He would end his Minor League Pitching career with a 33-42 record with a 3.90 ERA in 116 games.
October 29th
1882-Former Yankees OF Arthur “Circus Solly” Hofman (1916) was born. (1882-1956)
Before the start of 1916 AL season, OF Solly Hofman jumped from the Buffalo Blues (Federal League) to the Yankees. He had previously played in the NL from 1903-1913 with the Pirates and Cubs before jumping to the 1914 Brooklyn Tips-Tops (Federal League). For the 1916 Yankees, he will hit .296 in 6 games. Also, he had appeared in 5 games with the 1916 Cubs.
1891-Former Yankees Pitcher Joseph “Happy Joe” Finneran (1918) was born.(1891-1942)
On May 24,1918, the Yankees had purchased Pitcher Joe Finneran from the AA St. Paul Saints (AA). He had pitched for the Tigers in the AL before being sent down to the AA Saints (AA). For the 1918 Yankees, Joe would post a 3-6 record with a 3.78 ERA in 23 games. In February of 1919, the Yankees would send P Sammy Ross (Minors), 1B Zinn Beck and P Joe “Happy” Finneran to AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made on July 19,1918. On that day, the Yankees would send Players to be Named Later to the AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) for Pitcher Jack Quinn. As an MLB hurler, Joe had posted a 25-33 record with a 3.30 ERA and 5 saves in 109 games.
1920-The Yankees have announced that current Yankees Manager Miller Huggins will return for the 1921 AL season. He would sign a 1-year contract with the team worth $12,000. The 1920 Yankees had finished in 3rd place in the AL with a 95-59 record and drawing for the 1st time in Yankees franchise history, a crowd of 1,289,422 fans at the gate. It was the 2nd consecutive AL season that the team has finished in 3rd place.
1920-The Yankees would raid the Boston Red Sox again, this time not getting a player, but a Front Office Baseball Executive by signing GM Edward Barrow, who will become the Yankees new General Manager. Barrow was unhappy with Red Sox Team Owner Harry Frazee’s dismantling of the team of all of its star players for cash and players, who were not star quality. He is replaced by Hugh Duffy as the new Boston GM. Edward Barrow would replace former Yankees Business Manager Harry Sparrow, who had passed away earlier in the year. Barrow had managed the Tigers and the Red Sox before joining the Yankees front office. He was the Red Sox Manager, who won the 1918 World Championship. Also, he was instrumental in switching Babe Ruth from the mound to the outfield; to take advantage of his power hitting HR bat. Barrow would support Yankees Manager Huggins with any issues with new Slugger Babe Ruth. In 1922, he told the Yankees Team Owners Ruppert and Huston that the Yankees clubhouse was off limits to them, unless they were invited by the Huggins and him. He would be instrumental in building the new Yankees farm system, also in making great trades that allowed the Yankees to dominated baseball in 1920-1940’s. From 1939-1945, he was the Yankees Team President, running the team for the Jacob Ruppert Estate before leaving the team in January of 1945, following the sale of the team by the Ruppert estate. Barrow didn’t get along with the new Yankees Co-Team Owner Larry MacPhail, who would become the new Yankees President and GM, until he sold his interest in the team to Co-Team Owners Del Webb and Dan Topping, after the 1947 World Series Yankees victory over the Dodgers. On May 13,1949, Ed was honored by Yankees with a “Day.” In 1954, he was honored by Yankees with a plaque at Yankee Stadium. In 1953, Edward Barrow would be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame as a Baseball Executive.
1941-Former Yankees Reserve OF/INF Harvey “Gink” Hendrick (1923-1924) had passed away. (1897-1941)
On January 3,1923, Minor League OF/INF Harvey Hendrick was traded by the Red Sox along with Minor League Pitcher George Pipgras to the Yankees for Catcher Al DeVormer and Cash. Harvey will appear in 77 games for the Yankees, while hitting .268 with 4 HRs and 23 RBIs. He had appeared in 1 game of the 1923 World Series for the team against the Giants. In 11 MLB seasons, he had hit .308 with 48 HRs and 413 RBIs in 922 games. On October 29,1941, Harvey had committed suicide at the age of 43.
1946-Former Yankees Reserve INF Frank “No Home Run” Baker (1970-1971) was born.
Frank Baker was selected by the Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1967 MLB Amateur Player Draft (June, Secondary Phase). He had appeared in 78 games as a back-up Shortstop to Gene Michaels, hitting just .191 with No HRs. On April 5,1973, Frank was traded by the Yankees to the Orioles for Reserve INF Tommy Matchick. With the Orioles, he would improve on his fielding skills, while playing for AAA Rochester (IL) in their farm system; later he would become a Reserve Infielder for the team during the 1973-1974 AL seasons.
1959-Former Yankees OF Jesse Barfield (1989-1992) was born.
On April 30,1989, veteran OF Jesse Barfield was traded by the Blue Jays to the Yankees for Pitcher Al Leiter. The Yankees had lost starting RF Dave Winfield to a season ending surgery. Jesse would never regain his batting stroke that he had earlier in his MLB playing career with the Blue Jays. He would appear in 396 games for the Yankees, while hitting .231 with 62 HRs and 189 RBIs. Also, his fielding skills in the outfield had declined greatly. He had several injuries during the 1991-1992 AL seasons that cost him playing time with the team. On November 4,1992, the Yankees would release Jesse, who would go on to play pro ball in Japan for 2 seasons.
1959-Former Yankees 2B/CF (1903-1905) and Minor League Baseball Executive Dave Fultz (1919-1920) had passed away. (1875-1959)
In March of 1903, Dave Fultz was signed by the Highlanders, his current Philadelphia A’s player contract had allowed him the option to become a Free Agent. The Yankees had offered more money than Connie Mack’s Athletics would pay him. In 1902, Fultz had hit .302 and driven in AL leading 109 runs, while leading the Philadelphia to AL pennant. For the 1903-1905 Yankees, Dave will appear in 305 games, while hitting .243 with 2 HRs and 99 RBIs. After the 1905 AL season, he would retire from the MLB, to become a full-time lawyer. On April 29,1906, Dave player’s rights were traded by the Highlanders back to the Athletics for OF Danny Hoffman. As an MLB player for 7 seasons (1898-1905), he would appear in 644 games, while hitting .271 with 3 HRs and 223 RBIs. Dave Fultz had played for 4 MLB teams; the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Athletics and the New York Highlanders. He had served in the military during WW I. Also, he was a successful College Football Coach with Navy and Columbia Univ. Later, Dave was the President of International League (1919-1920.)
1962-The Yankees have sold veteran Pitcher Bob Turley to the Angels. “Bullet Bob” had been battling elbow problems, even after having surgery in the fall of 1961. For the 1962 for the Yankees, he had posted a 3-3 record with a 4.57 ERA and 1 save in 24 games with all of his 3 wins coming in relief. Bob would split the 1963 AL season, by going 2-7 for the Angels and finishing with the Red Sox, where he was 1-4. As a Yankees hurler, he had posted an 82-52 record with a 3.62 ERA and 13 saves in 234 games. He would throw 21 shoutouts during his Yankees pitching career. In World Series play with the team, Bob had posted a 4-3 record with a 3.19 ERA and 1 save in 15 games. In 1958, Bob had won the Cy Young Award, when he had posted a 21-7 record with a 2.97 ERA in 33 games. He was a 2-time AL All-Star team Pitcher. Bob had originally been signed by the St. Louis Browns, who later became the Baltimore Orioles in 1954. He was part of the 17-player trade between the Orioles and Yankees that was made during the winter of 1954. In 1955, Bob would join the new Yankees starting rotation of Whitey Ford, Tommy Byrne, Don Larsen and Eddie Lopat. He would post a 17-13 record with a 3.06 ERA and 1 save in 36 games.
1965-Former Yankees INF (1913) and HOF MLB Manager Bill “Deacon” McKechnie had passed away. (1886-1965)
Bill McKechnie was a weak fielding player, who would have more success as an MLB Manager in the NL. As a 1913 Yankees Reserve Infielder, Bill would hit .134 with No HRs and 8 RBIs in 44 games. Before the start of the 1914 AL Season, Bill would jumped from the Yankees to the Indianapolis Hoosiers (Federal League.) As an MLB Manager, Bill had won NL pennants with the 1925 Pirates, 1928 Cardinals and the 1939-1940 Reds. In 1925, his Pirates team had defeated the Senators in the World Series. In 1939, his Reds team would lose to the Yankees in 4 straight games. In 1940, his Reds team would beat the Tigers in the World Series. As an MLB Manager, he had posted a 1,898-1,724 record with a 524 WP. In 1967, Bill was elected as an MLB Manager to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1968-The Yankees had released veteran INF Richard Howser as a player, then they would sign him as an MLB Coach. Howser was plagued by back problems, when he came to the Yankees to finish out his MLB playing career. The Yankees would obtain him in a trade with the Indians in December of 1966 for Minor League P Gil Downs and Cash. As an MLB player, he had appeared in 789 games, while hitting .248 with 16 HRs and 165 RBIs. He had played for the 1961-1963 A’s,1963-1966 Indians and finished his MLB playing career with the 1967-1968 Yankees.
1975-Former Yankees OF/DH/1B Karim Garcia (2002-2003) was born.
On April 2,2002, OF/DH/1B Karim Garcia was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. He would appear in 5 games for the team and hit just .200. Then Yankees had released him in July of 2002. The Indians would pick him up. On June 25, 2003, the Yankees re-purchased Karim from the Tribe. He would hit .305 with 6 HRs and 21 RBIs in 52 games before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Mets. In the 2003 ALCS with the Yankees, he had hit .250 in 5 games. In 2003 World Series, he hit .286 for the team. Garcia would later play pro ball in Japan, Korea and Mexico, before retiring from the game.
1977-Former Yankees Minor League Player and Former MLB Scout Dennis J. Svihlit was born.
D.J. Svihlik had a brief Minor League playing career for the Yankees, then he would become an MLB Scout for the team. Svihlik hit .492 as a High School Sr. As a College freshman, he batted .338 and won the starting 2B job as the year progressed. He hit .406 in conference play in 1998 to win Big 10 Conference Player of the Year; the youngest player so honored since Bubba Smith in 1989. As a Junior, he had batted .359 with 15 HRs, 59 runs and 52 RBIs in 55 games. He slumped to .302, as a Senior, with his HR total dropping to just 5 HRs. DJ went undrafted in the 1999 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Later, D.J. was signed by the Yankees. In 2000, he was 6 for 18 with a double, 4 runs, 3 RBIs and had 1 error in 5 chances with the Class A Tampa Yankees (GULF). In 2001, he was 1 for 7 with a triple and run for the Class A Greensboro Bats (SAL), while having 1 error in 8 chances at 2B. The Yankees were impressed with Svihlik's off-field abilities, so they decided kept him on as an MLB Scout. He has signed the following players for the team: Pitchers T.J. Beam, David Robertson and Chase Whitley among others. Then he would leave the Yankees to work for the Marlins organization. In October of 2023, he would leave the Marlins organization.
1982-Former Yankees Pitcher Tom Sheehan (1921) had passed away. (1894-1982)
On September 7,1920, hurler Tom Sheehan was purchased by the Yankees from the AA Atlanta Crackers (SA). He had previously pitched in the MLB with the 1915-1916 Philadelphia A’s. For the 1921 Yankees, he had appeared in 12 games, while posting a 1-0 record with a 5.45 ERA and 1 save. In 1921, he would leave the Yankees, joining the AA St. Paul Saints (AA), pitching for the team for 3 seasons (1921-1923). He would return to the MLB with the 1924 Reds. His final MLB career totals for pitching in 6 seasons; he had posted a 17-19 record with a 4.00 ERA and 5 saves in 146 games.
1988-Former Yankees Minor League Manager and MLB Player Andy Cohen had passed away. (1904-1988)
Andy Cohen was an MLB INF for the 1926-1929 Giants. A leg injury had ended Andy’s Giants playing career. He had appeared in 262 games for the team, while hitting .281 with 14 HRs and 114 RBIs. Andy had continue to play in the Minors until 1937, when he became a Minor League Manager. Andy would join the Yankees Minor League system in 1958, replacing Ralph Houk as the Manager of the AAA Denver Bears (AA) club, Houk had been promoted to Casey Stengel’s MLB Coaching staff. Under Cohen’s direction, the Bears would finish in 4th place with a 78-71 record. They would lose in the American Associations play-off series. It was the last year that Denver would be a AAA team for the Yankees. In 1960, Andy would join the Phillies as an MLB Coach for the team.
1991-Yankees MLB Coach Buck Showalter replaces Manager Stump Merrill as the Manager of the Yankees. Merrill will return to Manage in the Yankees Minor League System. At age of 35, Buck Showalter becomes the youngest active manager in the MLB. He will manage the Yankees through the end of the 1995 AL Post Season. Buck had won the 1994 AL Manager of the Year award. In 1977, 1B/OF Buck Showalter was an All-American Outfielder. The Yankees in the 5th round of the 1977 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected him. He spent 7 years as a player in the Yankees farm system, hitting .324 for the 1980 AA Nashville Sounds, leading the Southern League with 178 hits. During his playing days, he picked up the nickname "Buck" from a Minor League Manager's comment on his tendency to walk around the clubhouse "buck naked.” After the 1983 Minor League season had ended, Showalter retired as an active player. Buck was block at 1B in the Yankees organization by future MLB Yankees Dave Mattingly and Steve Balboni. So, he would become a Minor League Coach in the Yankees farm system. From 1985-1989, he was a Manager in their organization. When he took over the Class A Oneonta Yankees (EL) in 1985, when he was only 28 years old. In his 2 seasons with the O-Yankees, Buck would set new Eastern League records for wins each season. It is also where he began his long working relationship with Pitching Coach Russ “Monk” Meyer. In 1990, he became a Yankees MLB Coach and 2 years later, he took over as the club's Manager.
1994-Current Yankees Minor League Reliever Addison Russ was born.
Addison Russ was drafted by the Phillies in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Houston Baptist Univ. (Houston, TX). In 2019, he was a Reliever for the Class AA Reading Phillies (EL), posting a 5-6 record with a 2.54 ERA and 22 saves in 55 games. On August 21, 2020, he was traded by the Phillies to the Yankees in return for a more experienced MLB pitching arm, David Hale. The Yankees would assign him to their 2020 Alternate Training Site at Scranton. He did not pitch for the Yankees at the MLB level in 2020. In 2021, he would pitch at the AA and AAA levels of the Minor Leagues. With the AA Somerset Patriots, he had posted a 3-2 record with a 1.91 ERA and 4 saves in 27 games. With the AAA Scranton Railriders, he had appeared in 8 games with no decisions along with an 8.74 ERA. He didn’t pitch during the 2022-2023 seasons, due to pitching arm injury.
1996-Former Yankees Pitcher Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell (1952-1953,1955) had passed away. (1922-1996)
On August 28,1952, the Yankees had purchased veteran NL Starter Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell from the Reds for $35,000 Cash and 4 players: MLB Pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel along with 2 Minor League players: Outfielders Bob Marquis and Jim Greengrass. Blackwell will post a 3-0 record with 2 saves in September of 1952 and the 1953 AL season for the team. He had started Game 5 of the 1952 World Series against the Dodgers; but he was not involved in the game’s final decision. He did not pitch during the 1954 AL season due to a pitching arm injury. On March 20,1955, the Yankees had sold him along with 2 other MLB players: Reliever Tom Gorman and Reserve 1B Richard Kryhoski for $50,000 to the Kansas City A’s. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1955 A’s by appearing in only 2 games, while posting a 0-1 record and finishing his MLB Pitching career. Overall, Ewell Blackwell had posted an 82-78 MLB career record with a 3.30 ERA in 236 games for the 1942,1946-1952 Reds, 1952-1953,1955 Yankees and the 1955 A’s. In 1947, he had won 22 games for the Reds.
2009-The Yankees would even the 2009 World Series by taking Game 2 at Yankee Stadium, with a 3-1 victory over the Phillies. Yankees Starter A.J. Burnett and Closer Mariano Rivera combine for the win, while Yankee hitters Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui would go deep against the veteran Phillies Starter Pedro Martinez.
2020-The Yankees 1st major 2020 MLB Off-Season move, the team have exercised their 2022 club option for veteran Reliever Zack Britton.
October 30th
1888-Former Yankees Pitcher Marty McHale (1913-1915) was born. (1888-1979)
On August 11,1913, Pitcher Marty McHale was purchased by the Yankees from AA Jersey City (IL) for $6,000. He would make his MLB pitching debut with the 1910-1911 Red Sox, while posting a 0-2 record in 6 games before the team had traded him to AA Jersey City (IL). For the Yankees, McHale will post a 11-27 record with 3.28 ERA and 1 save in 51 games. He would finish his MLB Pitching career pitching for the 1916 Red Sox and Indians.
1941-Former Yankees DH/3B James “Jim Ray” Hart (1973-1974) was born. (1941-2016)
On April 16,1973, veteran 3B Jim Hart was purchased by the Yankees from the Giants for Cash. He had suffered several leg injuries, while playing with the Giants. As the 1973 Yankees primary DH, Jim would hit .254 with 13 HRs and 52 RBIs in 114 games. On June 7,1974, Hart was released by the team, he was only hitting just .053 in 10 games.
1948-Former Yankees OF Mickey “Mick the Quick” Rivers (1976-1979) was born.
Outfielder Mickey “Mick the Quick” Rivers had a solid 15-year career in the MLB, but he was best known as a colorful character, who uttered many humorous remarks. His entire MLB career was spent with 3 AL teams, and although he was with the Yankees for less than the other 2 teams, many of the funny remarks date from that period of his career. After attending Miami Dade College (where Bucky Dent was a teammate), Rivers was drafted by the Braves in 1969. He made his pro debut that year with the Magic Valley Cowboys, hitting .307. At the end of the summer, he was traded along with Clint Compton to the Angels for veteran Reliever Hoyt Wilhelm and Bob Priddy. He would split the next 4-seasons between the Minors and the Angels, hitting well over .300 at every minor league stop. In 1974, Rivers stay in the MLB for good as the Angels' center fielder. In his 1st full MLB season, he would hit .285 with 30 stolen bases as he led the AL with 11 triples, despite playing in just 118 games. In 1975, he would hit .284, while leading the AL with 13 triples and 70 steals (the most in the AL since Ty Cobb had stolen 96 in 1915). On December 11,1975, Mickey was dealt to the Yankees along with Pitcher Ed Figueroa for MLB All-Star OF Bobby Bonds. In his 1st season in the Bronx, Rivers would hit .312 with 43 stolen bases and 67 RBIs. He would finish 3rd in 1976 AL MVP voting. Mickey was the leadoff hitter for the AL in the MLB All-Star Game that summer, but he could not be located as the National Anthem was being played.
The team searched and found Rivers sleeping in a space between the dugout and clubhouse. He had hit .348 in the 1976 ALCS against the Royals, but he struggled in that fall's World Series, hitting only .167 as the Yankees fell to the Reds in 4 games. In 1977, Rivers would miss 24 games due to injuries, but he still would hit .326 with MLB career bests with 12 HRs with 69 RBIs. He drove in the winning run in the deciding Game 5 of the 1977 ALCS against the Royals, but again he would struggle in the 1978 World Series, hitting just .222 as the Yankees captured the World Championship over the Dodgers. His BA dropped from .326 to .265 in 1978; but he continue to performed well in the MLB postseason by hitting .455 in the ALCS and .333 in the World Series as the Yankees repeated as World Champs, once again defeating the Dodgers. On August 1,1979, Mickey was traded by the Yankees to the Rangers as part of an 8-player deal that included him, plus 3 Players to be Named Later for Rangers for MLB OF Oscar Gamble, 3B Amos Lewis (Minors) and 2 Players to be Named Later. As a Yankee player, Mickey would hit .299 with 34 HRs and 209 RBIs along with 93 stolen bases in 490 games. With the 1980 Rangers, he would posted MLB career highs with a .333 BA, 210 hits, 96 runs scored, and 32 doubles, plus he put together a 24-game hitting streak. In 1981, He would hit .286, but Rivers would miss most of 1982 AL season due to injuries. After that, he played 2 more seasons for Texas as a part-timer, hitting .300 in his final season in 1984. He would retire from the MLB, after the Rangers had released him prior to the start of the 1985 AL season. Mickey Rivers would finish his 15-season MLB playing career with a .295 BA with 61 HRs and 494 RBIs and 267 stolen bases in 1,468 games. He had played for the Angels, Yankees and the Rangers.
1962-Former Yankees OF/DH Danny Tartabull (1992-1995) was born.
Outfielder Danny Tartabull was the son of former MLB Player OF Jose Tartabull. On January 6,1992, the Yankees would sign OF/DH Danny Tartabull as an MLB Free Agent. Danny had originally come up to the MLB with the Royals. His best Yankees player season was in 1992, when he would hit .262 with 25 HRs and 85 RBIs for the team. As a Yankees player, he had appeared in 424 games, while hitting .252 with 81 HRs with 282 RBIs. On July 28,1995, Danny was traded by the team to Oakland Athletics for veteran OF/DH Ruben Sierra and Pitcher Jason Beverlin.
1982-Former Yankees Reliever Jonathan Albaladejo (2008-2010) was born.
In the fall of 2007, Pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo was traded by the Nationals to the Yankees for Reliever Tyler Clippard. Albaladejo was injured for most of 2008 AL season, but he did make 7 appearances for the Yankees. He wasn't as good as the previous season, allowing 15 hits and 6 walks in 13 ⅔ innings, being charged with a loss in his only decision. Still, he did strike out 13 batters, demonstrating that his fastball still has some bite. Also, he had pitched in 6 games in the Minors, 2 rehabilitation starts for the Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL) and 4 games with the AAA Scranton (IL), totaling only 11 innings of work between the 2 teams. Back with 2010 AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL), Albaladejo was dominant as a Closer, beating the old International League mark of 38 saves in a season that had been held by Matt Whiteside since 2004. As a Yankees hurler, he had posted a 5-2 record with a 4.70 ERA in 49 games. In the fall of 2010, he was sold by the Yankees to a team in Japan.
1984-Former Yankees Reserve OF Shane Robinson (2018) was born.
OF Shane Robinson was selected by the Cardinals in the 5th round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would play in the MLB for the Cardinals, Twins and the Angels. On February 9, 2018, Shane was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had appeared in 25 games for the team, when the it was hit with injuries to their starting outfielders, he would hit just .143 with 2 HRs and 2 RBIs. With AAA Scranton, Robinson had played in 50 games, while hitting .250 with No HRs and 14 RBIs. On October 10, 2018, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would be signed by the Phillies for the 2019 season, playing for their AAA Club, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (IL)
2001-George W. Bush becomes the 8th President of the United States to attend a World Series game, the 1st since President Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial 1st pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11th attacks, the President walks to the mound by himself gives a thumb up and throws a perfect strike much to the delight of the Yankee Stadium faithful. In Game 3, the Yankees will win by the score of 2-1 over the Diamondbacks, behind the strong pitching by veteran starter Roger Clemens and Closer Mariano Rivera.
2007-Former Yankees Catcher and MLB Manager Joe Girardi is named the 32nd Manager in Yankees franchise history. He replaces the currently departed Manager Joe Torre (1996-2007), who had turned down the Yankees front office offer of a reduce pay with certain incentives to stay on as their Manager. Joe Girardi had recently managed the Miami Marlins. He had been fired by Marlin’s Team Owner Jeffrey Laurie, who was causing constant problems for the team and him.
2011-Former Yankees Minor League P Mickey Scott had passed away. (1947-2011)
The Yankees in the 17th round of the 1965 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected P Mickey Scott. He had made his pro baseball debut that year. The following season, he would post a 15-5 record with a 2.75 ERA for the Class A Binghamton Triplets; he had led the NYPL in wins and strikeouts. After missing the 1967 AL season due to military service; he was back with the Class A Triplets for the 1968 season. He would spend the 1969 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL.) Mickey would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. Following the 1969 AL season, Scott was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for veteran INF Pete Ward. Then the White Sox would trade him to the Orioles. Following his MLB playing days, he would work for the Yankees organization in various capacities.
2012-Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira picks up his 5th AL Golden Glove Award, although they have not been consecutive.
2015-Former Yankees Golden Glove OF Norm Siebern (1956-1959) had passed away. (1933-2015)
Norm Siebern had a 12-year career in the MLB starting with the 1956 Yankees. He was a 3-time AL All-Star player. In 1951, he was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. Norm would make his pro debut that year with the Class C McAlester Rockets (WA) by hitting .331 in 50 games. During the off-seasons, he had attended Southwest Missouri St. Univ., where he played basketball. Along with future Yankees teammate Jerry Lumpe, he led the school to NAIA basketball championships in 1952 and 1953. He would spend the 1952 campaign with the Class C Joplin Miners (WA). He had hit .324 with 13 HRs and led the circuit with 33 doubles and 115 runs scored. After hitting .281 with 21 HRs for the Birmingham Barons in 1953, he would missed the next 2 seasons, while serving in the Army. Back on the diamond in 1956, Siebern won the 1st James P. Dawson Memorial Award, an award given to the top rookie in the Yankees' MLB Spring Training Camp, but he suffered a knee injury just before the beginning of the 1956 AL season. He was sent down to the AAA Denver Bears (AA). Despite missing a good portion of the season, he did make it to the Bronx in June, about a month shy of his 23rd birthday, Norm went on to play in 54 games for Bombers that year while hitting .204 with 4 HRs. Also, he had appeared in 1 game of the 1956 World Series against the Dodgers, which the Yankees won. Back in the Minors with the 1957 AAA Denver Bears (AA), he would lead the American Association by hitting .349, 124 runs, 191 hits, 45 doubles and 15 triples. He would also hit 24 HRs for the Bears.
Norm was chosen by The Sporting News as their Minor League Player of the Year. In 1958, Siebern would return to the Yankees as their regular LF. In his 1st full MLB season, he would hit .300 along with 14 HRs and a .388 on-base percentage, while winning an AL Gold Glove; the 1st Yankee regular position player to do so. In 1958 World Series, he got 1 hit (off of Braves P Lew Burdette) in 8 at-bats, but he made 2 key misplays in left in Game 4 that cost Bronx Bombers the game (but not the Series, as the Yankees won the Series in 7 games). His play left him in Casey Stengel’s doghouse for young players, joining INF Jerry Lumpe and 1B/OF Marv Throneberry. For the 1959 AL season, Norm will play in 120 games for the 3rd place Yankees, while hitting .271 with 11 HRs and 53 RBIs. On December 7,1959, Siebern was traded to the A’s along with veteran RF Hank Bauer, Pitcher Don Larsen and Reserve 1B/OF Marv Throneberry in the trade that brought OF Roger Maris, veteran INF Joe DeMaestri and 1B Kent Hadley to the Yankees. Norm had appeared in 308 games with the Yankees, while hitting .273 with 29 HRs and 129 RBIs. He would spend 4 seasons with the A's, hitting a peak in 1962 with numbers of .308 BA with 117 RBIs. He led the AL in Runs Created.
It was quite a performance considering that the A’s had lost 90 games; they had no players other than Siebern that drove in or scored 100+ runs. For his performance, he was an AL All-Star team member in 1962 and 1963. Following the 1963 AL season, Siebern was traded by the Athletics to the Orioles for AL All-Star 1B Jim Gentile. In 1964, his BA had dipped to .245, but he had an AL-high 106 walks, thus still was able to score 92 runs, which was 2nd on the team behind Luis Aparicio's 93 runs scored. Also, Norm was an AL All-Star for the 3rd and final time in his MLB playing career. After the 1965 AL season, he was dealt by the Orioles to the Angels for OF/1B Dick Simpson. In 1966, he would hit .247, but he drew enough walks that he was close to leading the team in OBP. After 1 season with the Angels, Siebern was sent to the Giants for 1B/OF Len Gabrielson. He would appear in just 46 games for the 1967 Giants, primarily backing up NL All-Star 1B Willie McCovey, before being purchased by the Red Sox in July. He would hit just .205 with No HRs and 7 RBIs with 7 walks in 33 games for Boston that season, but Norm went 1-for-3 (with a hit coming off of Cardinals Ace Bob Gibson) in pinch-hitting appearances in the 1967 World Series. After going just 2-for-30 for Boston in 1968, he was released by the team and his MLB playing career was now over. Norm Siebern had a 12-season playing career in the MLB with 6 teams; while hitting .272 with 132 HRs and 636 RBIs in 1,406 games. Following his playing days, Siebern was an MLB Scout for a time, later he would work as an insurance agent.
2020-In their major 2nd 2020 MLB Off-Season move, the Yankees have declined their 2021 Club Options with long-time team OF Brett Gardner and veteran Starter J. A. Happ, making them both MLB Free Agents. J.A. Happ would be signed by the Twins. Brett Gardner would return to the Yankees for the 2021 AL season by signing a 1-year deal in January.
2023-Former Yankees MLB Coach, MLB Player and Manager Frank “Hondo” Howard had passed away at the age of 87. (1936-2023)
Frank Howard had played in the MLB for 16 seasons, appearing in 1,895 games, hitting .273 with 382 HRs and 1,119 RBIs. As an active MLB player, he had played for the Dodgers, Senators/Rangers and the Tigers during his MLB playing career (1958-1973). He would hit the final HR for the Senators and the 1st HR for the Rangers. He was 4-time MLB All-Star player. Frank had appeared in 1 World Series with 1963 Dodgers, hitting .300 with 1 HR and 1 RBI against the Yankees. Also, Frank had played pro ball in Japan, before knee injury in 1974 forced him to retire as an active player. He was an MLB Coach for the 1977-1980 Brewers and again in 1985-1986. Later, he was an MLB Manager for the 1981 Padres and the 1983 Mets. His MLB Manager record was a 93-133 mark in 226 games In 1989, Frank Howard was a Yankees MLB Coach, then again from 1990 to 1993. Howard would briefly manage in the Yankees farm system during the 2002 season with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL).
2023-Pirates Roberto Clemente was an elegant right fielder. He had a tremendous arm. He swung the bat with incredible force and he ran the bases in a daring fashion. When Clemente was on the field, it was almost impossible not to stare at him. “Couldn’t take my eyes off him,” Yankees former RF Paul O’Neill once said. Aaron Judge is a regal right fielder. He has a powerful arm. He swings the bat with sensational force and he runs the bases in an athletic fashion. When Judge is on the field, it is almost impossible not to watch him. “Everyone comes to see Judge,” former Yankees starter David Cone has said. There are definite similarities between the iconic Clemente and the larger-than-life Judge. And those 2 players became forever entwined on Monday, when Judge won the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award. This annual award recognizes the MLB player, who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions. For what Judge has done as a player and as a person, he is a perfect recipient of the Clemente Award. Judge is one of the most talented players in the MLB, a 6-foot-7-inch, 282-pound giant who, like Clemente, is adept in all facets of the game and, like Clemente, is charitable away from the field. When Judge hammered an AL record 62 HRs for the Yankees in 2022; he was the A.L.’s Most Valuable Player. It was a memorable and surreal season for Judge who, again, had virtually every set of eyes watching his pursuit of Roger Maris’s total of 61 HRs.
Despite only playing in 106 games in an injury-plagued 2023 season, Judge still manage hit to 37 HRs. In addition to Judge’s obvious exploits on the field, he has also been instrumental in impacting lives off the field. In 2018, Judge would start the “ALL RISE” Foundation, which has allowed him to create opportunities for children in San Joaquin County and Fresno County in California and in the Bronx, N.Y. According to ALL RISE, Judge has helped support more than 2,000 kids in various programs and initiatives. When Judge was nominated for the Clemente award, he said Clemente was a “complete player” and “someone I try to model my game after.” Judge praised Clemente for his charitable work and how Clemente “touched every single fan” with his selflessness. Clemente had notched his 3,000 MLB career hit off the Mets’ Jon Matlack in the final game of the 1972 NL season. Less than 3 months later, Clemente who perished in a plane crash, while he was trying to help coordinate the delivery of supplies to Nicaragua, which had been ravaged by an earthquake. The National Baseball Hall of Fame amended its rules so that a player who had been dead for at least 6 months would be eligible to be on the ballot. Roberto Clemente, who played his entire 18-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, was inducted into the Hall in 1973. For Judge, it has already been a busy and rewarding off-season. In addition to the prestigious Clemente award, Judge’s number 29 will be retired by Fresno State on the weekend of November 18th and 19th. During Judge’s college baseball career at Fresno State, he had batted .345 with 18 HRs and 109 runs batted in across 169 games. Judge now wears number 99 for the Yankees, which is one of the best-selling jerseys in baseball. And now number 99, that regal right fielder, has an indelible connection to Clemente, another elegant right fielder. It’s a connection that Judge will cherish forever.
October 31st
1882-Former Yankees OF Bert Daniels (1910-1913) was born. (1882-1958)
In August of 1909, OF Bert Daniels was purchased by the Highlanders from Altoona (TSL). For the 1910-1913 Yankees, Daniels would hit .257 with 5 HRs and 111 RBIs in 455 games. On August 8,1913, Burt was traded by Yankees along with OF Ezra Midkiff and $12,000 Cash to the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) for INF Fritz Maisel. In 1918, Daniels would manage the St. Joseph Saints (WL). At the time the league suspended its operations in early July, the team had a 30-38 record and was in 7th place. Later, Bert would become the Head Coach of the Manhattan College baseball team from 1931-1938.
1936-Former Yankees C/1B and MLB Manager Deacon McGuire (1904-1907) had passed away. (1863-1936)
Catcher Deacon McGuire had played pro baseball for 26 seasons (1884-1912). On February 21,1904, the 41-yearold Catcher was purchased by the Highlanders from the Tigers. He would play for the Yankees from 1904 to 1907. He had appeared in 225 games for the team, while hitting .230 with No HRs and 67 RBIs. He would share the Yankees catching duties with Red Kleinow. On June 7,1907, Deacon was selected off waivers by the Boston Americans (aka Red Sox) from the Highlanders. He would become the new 1907 Red Sox Manager. Overall, as an MLB player, he had appeared in 1,781 games, while hitting .278 with 45 HRs and 840 RBIs. As an MLB Manager, he had led the 1898 Senators,1907-1908 Red Sox and the 1909-1911 Cleveland Naps (aka Indians).
1957-Yankees All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra says the team had returned fine money to the Yankee players involved in the Copacabana Nightclub fight in May of 1957. Former Yankees 2B Billy Martin, who is now with the Kansas City Athletics doesn’t get a refund of the player fine money by Yankees GM George Weiss.
1958-Former Yankees Reserve INF Paul Zuvella (1985-1986) was born.
On June 30,1986, Minor League Shortstop Paul Zuvella was traded by the Braves along with OF Claudell Washington to the Yankees for veteran All-Star 1B/OF Ken Griffey Sr. and Reserve INF Andre Robertson. He had been playing shortstop for the AAA Richmond Braves (IL). Paul will appear in only 35 games for the Yankees, while hitting just .172, then he would spend most of his 1986 season with the Yankees AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL). On October 15,1987, Paul was released by the Yankees.
1960-Former Yankees INF Mike Gallego (1992-1994) was born.
On January 7,1992, INF Mike Gallego was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. His best season as a Yankees player was in 1993, when he hit .283 with 10 HRs and 54 RBIs in 119 games. He would appear in 261 games as a Yankee, while hitting .262 with 19 HRs and 109 RBIs for the team. On October 24,1994, Mike was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. In the spring of 1995, he would resign with his old club, the Oakland A’s.
1963-Former Yankees Minor League 1B Fred McGriff was born.
The Yankees had signed 1B Fred McGriff as a 9th round selection in the 1981 MLB Amateur Player Draft. On December 9,1982, he was traded by the Yankees along with 1B/OF Dave Collins, P Mike Morgan and Cash to the Blue Jays for Reserve OF Todd Dodd and Reliever Dale Murray. In 1982, he had played in 62 games, while hitting .272 with 9 HRs and 41 RBIs for the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (GL).
1963-Former Yankees C/1B/DH Matt Nokes (1990-1994) was born.
On June 4,1990, veteran Catcher Matt Nokes was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for 2 Pitchers; Lance McCullers and Clay Parker. Matt will appear in 452 games for the Yankees, while hitting .249 with 71 HRs and 222 RBIs. He was the Yankees starting Catcher during the 1991-1992 AL seasons. In 1993, he had lost his starting job to Mike Stanley. In 1994, Matt would spend time on the DL. After the 1994 AL season had ended, the Yankees had granted Mike his MLB Free Agency. He would be signed by the Orioles. After retiring as an active player, Matt has worked as a Minor League Coach and Manager for several MLB organizations.
1964-Former Yankees Minor League P Steve Rosenberg was born.
In 1985, Pitcher Steve Rosenberg was 2-2 with a 2.06 ERA for the Univ. of Florida, then he followed with a 5-4 with a 4.81 ERA for the 1986 college season. The Yankees had selected him in the 4th round of the 1986 MLB Amateur Player Draft. After signing with the team, he was assigned to the Class A Oneonta Yankees (NYPL), where he saved 3 of 3 games; while striking out 10 batters and allowing only 4-hits and 1 run in 9 innings. Next, Steve was promoted to the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FLS). He would post a 6-1 record with a 2.12 ERA and 3 saves in 25 games. Rosenberg continued his rapid rise through the Yankees farm system in 1987 by going 4-4 with a 2.25 ERA and 15 saves for the Class AA Albany-Colonie Yankees (EL). He was soon promoted to the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). The 22-year-old hurler did okay with the Clippers by posting a 4-1 record with a 4.08 ERA and 2 saves. On November 13,1987, Steve was dealt by the Yankees along with 1B/OF Dan Pasqua, C/DH/1B Mark Salas for 2 White Sox hurlers: Richard Dotson and Scott Nielsen.
1973-Former Yankees OF/DH David Dellucci (2003) was born.
On July 29,2003, OF/DH David Dellucci was traded by the Diamondbacks along Minor League 1B/OF John Prowl and Pitcher Bret Prinz to Yankees for MLB OF Raul Mondesi and Cash. He would appear in just 21 games for the team, while hitting .176 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs. At the end of 2003 AL season, David would leave the Yankees for MLB Free Agency signing with the Rangers, who had offer him more playing time than the Yankees could have in 2004.
1979-Orioles Starter Mike Flanagan, who had posted a 23-9 record is named the winner of the 1979 AL Cy Young Award by a comfortable margin over veteran Yankees Starter Tommy John, who had a 21-9 record with a 2.97 ERA in 37 games.
1983-Former Yankees Reserve OF (1919) and longtime NFL Chicago Bears Owner/Coach George Halas had passed away. (1895-1983)
George Halas was better known as a legendary NFL Football Coach and Team Owner of the Chicago Bears. He had only played 1 season in the MLB. George had been a 3-sport athlete at the Univ. of Illinois. On December 18,1918, the Yankees had signed OF George Halas as an MLB Free Agent. After playing Minor League ball, he came up to the 1919 Yankees as an Outfielder. It was the season before Babe Ruth came to the Yankees, and their starting outfield consisted of Sammy Vick, Ping Bodie and Duffy Lewis. In 22 MLB at-bats with the Yankees, George Halas' MLB career batting average was .091, while appearing in just 12 games for the team. He was sent down to the Minor Leagues by Yankees Manager Miller Huggins to learn how to hit the curveball. He never would play at the MLB level again. Instead, he would leave pro baseball in 1920 to start a new career in pro football.
1998-Former Yankees Minor League OF Bob Thurman had passed away. (1917-1998)
On July 29,1949, it was announced that the Yankees had purchased OF Bob Thurman’s player contract from the Kansas City Monarchs (Negro League). He was one of the 1st black players in the Yankees Minor League system along with INF Artie Wilson, P Ruben Gomez, 1B/OF Vic Power, P Frank Barnes and OF Elston Howard. He was assigned to the AAA Newark Bears (IL), where he hit 3 HRs in his 1st week with the team. For rest of the 1949 Minor League season, he would hit .317 for the Bears in 59 games, before a hand injury would sideline him. In 1950, the Yankees would sell him to the Cubs. In 1955, Bob would reach the MLB, playing for the Reds. He would play for the 1955-1959 Reds, while appearing in 334 games, hitting .246 with 35 HRs and 106 RBIs.
2001-For the 1st time since the Philadelphia A’s Mule Haas hit a game-tying 2-run HR in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series, a team comes from behind to tie a Fall Classic game in the 9th inning and goes on to win in extra innings. A 2-out, 2-run HR by Yankees 1B Tino Martinez in the bottom of the 9th inning ties the game. Yankees Shortstop Derek Jeter hits a HR in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving the Yankees, a 3-2 victory over the D-Backs that knots the 2001 World Series at 2 games apiece. Both HRs come off of D-Backs Closer Byung-Hyun Kim, who had relieved Starter Curt Schilling in the 8th inning. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets the win in relief for the Yankees. World Series Game #4 was played at Yankee Stadium that draws a crowd of 55,683 fans.
2005-MLB Silver Slugger Award winners are announced for each league. In the AL, Jason Varitek (C), Mark Teixeira (1B), Yankees Alfonso Soriano (2B), Joe Crede (3B), Miguel Tejada (SS), Manny Ramirez (OF), Yankees Gary Sheffield (OF), Vladimir Guerrero (OF) and David Ortiz (DH) are the winners.
2009-The Yankees would take a 2-1 lead in the 2009 World Series by winning Game #3, with a 8-5 win over the Phillies in a game in which 6 HRs are hit -3 by each team. Yankees veteran Starter Andy Pettitte is the winner over Phillies Starter Cole Hamels. Bronx Bombers Sluggers A-Rod, Nick Swisher and Hideki Matsui would hit HRs. World Series Game #3 was played at Philadelphia’s Citizens Park, which drew a crowd of 46,061 fans.
2010-Former Yankees Minor League INF Artie Wilson had passed away. (1920-2010)
Artie Wilson first played pro ball in 1944, the 1st of his 5 seasons with the Birmingham Black Barons (Negro Leagues). He was selected to play in their All-Star game 4 times, the only season he missed; the Shortstop chosen was a Kansas City Monarchs Rookie, named Jackie Robinson. Also, he had played in the Negro World Series 3 times, including the last one in 1948, each time losing to the powerful Homestead Grays. During the 1948 season that Wilson helped mentor another Alabama native, 17-year-old Baron’s Rookie OF Willie Mays. During the 1948 regular season, Wilson would hit .402 for the Barons. He is credited with being the last player in a top league to hit .400 as he did it 7 years after Ted Williams had hit .406 for the 1941 Red Sox. A speedster on the bases, Wilson was a singles hitter, who often hit to the opposite field. After the 1948 Series, Wilson went to Puerto Rico to play winter ball, where he led the Mayaguez Indians to the Puerto Rican Winter League title, by hitting .379. Cleveland's flamboyant Team Owner, Bill Veeck, flew to Puerto Rico; he would sign Wilson, 28 to play for the Indians, who had won the 1948 World Series that season with former Negro League stars OF Larry Doby and P Satchel Paige on their team roster. Unfortunately for Wilson, the Yankees would protest the signing, as the Yankees believed they had secured the right to sign Wilson from the Barons' Team Owner. At the same time a contract dispute arose between the Tribe and Yankees over the Yankees signing another former Negro Leagues star, OF Luis Marquez. MLB commissioner Happy Chandler resolved the conflict by voiding both player contracts. The Indians would receive Marquez. The Yankees would promptly trade Wilson to the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL), where he played his 1st season of integrated pro baseball. Artie led the PCL in BA in 1949 with a .348 mark and 47 stolen bases. A slick-fielding middle INF, he had 6 seasons of hitting over .300 in the PCL. In 1950, he led the league in runs (168) and in hits (264). He made PCL All-Star teams in at least the following seasons: 1950, 1952 and 1953. In 1952, he had led the PCL in hits again. In 1953, he led the league with 14 triples and his .332 BA was 2nd to Bob Dillinger. He had played for several PCL teams during his prime - the Oakland Oaks, San Diego Padres, Seattle Rainiers and the Portland Beavers. On October 11,1950, Artie was traded by Oakland along with P Al Gettel and C Ray Noble to the Giants for P Wes Bailey (Minors), P Bill Ayers, INF/OF Bert Haas,1B/OF Joe Lafata and $125,000 cash.
In 1951, Artie Wilson finally receive the opportunity to play in the MLB, when the Giants had signed him. He would shine in their MLB Spring Training Camp held in St. Petersburgh, Florida. The Giants Manager Leo Durocher was quoted in the N.Y. Times as saying he didn't see how he could keep Artie out of the Giants starting lineup, once the 1951 NL season had begun. Wilson only played sparingly for the 1951 Giants, getting just 22 at-bats, while hitting just .182 in 19 games. He was sent down to the Minors in May, when the Giants brought up a stellar OF from their AAA Minneapolis Millers club, named Willie Mays. On December 10,1951, he was sent to AA Seattle Rainers (PCL) by the Giants as part of a conditional deal. In 1956-1957, he would manage Mexicali team (MWL) to an overall 114-149 record. In 1957, he would finish his active playing career in the PCL. In 1962, he would return as an active player at the age of 41, to play for 2 teams in the Kansas City A’s Minor-League organization. In 2003, he was elected to the PCL Hall of Fame.
2013-Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny Kucks (1955-1959) had passed away (1933-2013)
Before the start of the 1952 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Johnny Kucks as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was playing in the 1952 Class B Piedmont League, pitching for 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 Johnny would miss the 1953-1954 baseball seasons due to military service. When he returned to baseball in 1955, he went straight to the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1956, when he recorded a 18-9 record with a 3.85 ERA in 34 games. He made the 1956 AL All-Star team. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the Yankees, while posting a 1-0 record with a 1.89 ERA in 8 games. Plagued by back troubles, Johnny would never be as effective as his great 1956 AL season. Overall, for the Yankees, he had posted a 42-35 record with a 3.82 ERA in 143 games. On May 26,1959, he was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve INF Jerry Lumpe and Pitcher Tom Sturdivant to the A’s for Pitcher Ralph Terry and INF/OF Hector Lopez. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1959-1960 A’s (12-21 in 64 games), finishing with an overall MLB Pitching career record of 54-56 with a 4.10 ERA in 207 games. The Athletics would sell him to the Orioles, where he would pitch at AAA level. Then in 1962, Orioles would sell him to the Cardinals; again, he would pitch at AAA level. Johnny was the top pitcher on the 1962-1963 AAA Atlanta Crackers, winning 14 games, both seasons before retiring from the game.
2014-Former Yankees Pitcher Brad “Admiral” Halsey (2004) had passed away.(1981-2014)
The Yankees in the 8th round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected Pitcher Brad Halsey. For the 2004 Yankees, he had posted a 1-3 record with a 4.67 ERA in 8 games; before being traded to the Diamondbacks in the Randy Johnson trade. Brad had pitched in MLB with the Yankees, Diamondbacks and the A’s. In 2011, he would rejoin the Yankees organization pitching in the Minor Leagues. Overall, as an MLB Pitcher, Brad had a 14-19 record with a 4.84 ERA in 88 MLB games. He had passed away in October of 2014 at the age of only 33. He died after falling from a 100-ft cliff near his home in Texas, although it was not clear if he fell or jumped to his death. His body was found on October 31st on a private property at the base of the cliff, but his death was not reported until a few days later. A judge was appointed to investigate the circumstances of his death, although close family friends stated that it was most likely a recreational climbing accident.
2020-Right-hander Reliever Tommy Kahnle declined an outright assignment by the Yankees to AAA Scranton (IL), instead he chose to become a MLB Free Agent, the team has announced. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, Kahnle will miss most and quite possibly all of the 2021 AL season, making him a logical non-tender candidate. Headed into his 3rd trip through the arbitration process, Kahnle was projected to earn $2.7MM, or a minimal raise on his $2.65MM salary from 2020 given that he pitched a single inning this season. He would sign a deal with the Dodgers.
November 1st
1884-Former Yankees OF/1B Robert “Ham” Hyatt (1918) was born. (1884-1963)
On June 19,1918, the Yankees had purchased INF/OF Bob Hyatt from the Boston Braves. For the 1918 Yankees, he would hit .229 in 53 games. He had started playing in the MLB with 1909-1914 Pirates. In 1909, he had played in 2 games of the 1909 World Series with the Pirates. Later, he would play for the 1915 Cardinals, before joining the Braves. On January 28,1921, Yankees would send Catcher Truck Hannah, OF Ham Hyatt, Pitchers Bob McGraw and Ernie Shore to AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made during September, 1920. In September, 1920, the Yankees would send Players to be Named Later and OF Howie Camp to AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) for Shortstop Johnny Mitchell
1893-Former Yankee Reserve OF Alex Burr (1914) was born. (1893-1918)
Reserve Outfielder Alex Burr had appeared in 1 game with the 1914 Yankees with no plate appearances. On October 12,1918, Alex Burr was killed in an airplane accident, while serving in the United States Air Service in Cazaux, France. Burr's plane crashed into a lake in flames; his body was not recovered. He had been serving in France since November of 1917. Alex was only 24 years old at the time of his death. Burr was one of 5 MLB players, who were killed during World War I. The 4 other players were: Bun Troy‚ Larry Chappell‚ Eddie Grant and Ralph Sharman.
1894-Former Yankees Minor League Manager and Scout Joe McDermott was born. (1894-1978)
Catcher Joe McDermott had played for 9 Minor League seasons, later he would manage in the Minor Leagues. Also, McDermott would own Minor League teams in Norfolk and Grand Island in the Class D Nebraska State League. Joe was a MLB Scout for the Cardinals (1941-1945), Yankees (1946-1962)and the Mets (1962-1964). He would return to the Yankees organization again working from 1965 to 1969. Then he was Scout for the MLB Scouting Bureau until his retirement in the 1970's.
1927-Former Yankees Minor League/MLB 1B/OF Vic Power was born. (1927-2005)
Before the start of the 1951 AL season, 1B/OF Vic Power was purchased by the Yankees from Drummondville (Canadian Provincial League). Vic was sent to AAA Syracuse (IL) to play in the Yankees organization for the 1951 Minor League season. In 1952, he was with the Yankees AAA Kansas City Blues (AA). In 1953, he would lead the American Association in batting. Since Vic was flashy and very outspoken, Yankees GM George Weiss felt that Vic Power was not going to be the 1st MLB Black Yankee player. He had decided on Catcher/OF Elston Howard, so Vic Power and other black players in the Yankees Minor League organization were soon traded away by the him. On December 16,1953, Vic was traded by Yankees along with 1B Don Bollweg, P Johnny Gray, C Jim Robertson, 3B Jim Finigan to Philadelphia for INF Loren Babe, Starter Harry Byrd, Outfielders Tom Hamilton, Carmen Mauro and veteran 1B/PH Eddie Robinson. Vic would play 12 seasons in the MLB, hitting .284 with 126 HRs, while winning 7 AL Golden Gloves at 1B. He hit .300 3-times during his MLB playing career. Former Yankees 1B Bill “Moose” Skowron was asked, who was the best MLB 1B, he played against during his MLB playing career, he quickly replied “Vic Power.” When Power was traded away, Skowron was with the AAA Kansas City Blues, he eventually would replace the Yankees regular 1B Joe Collins during the 1956 AL season.
1943-Yankees AL All-Star Starter Spud Chandler is named AL Pitching ERA leader with a 1.64 ERA. Spud had posted a 20-4 record for the 1943 World Champion Yankees.
1961-Former Yankees Pitcher “Salida Tom” Hughes (1906-1910) had passed away. (1884-1961)
In August of 1905, Pitcher Tom Hughes was drafted by the Yankees from Class C Topeka (WA) in the 1905 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. With the 1906-1910 Yankees, he would post a 17-17 record with a 3.14 ERA and 2 saves in 54 games. Tom would later pitch in the NL with the 1914-1918 Braves. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 56-39 record with a 2.56 ERA and 17 saves in 160 games. He would continue to pitch in the high Minor Leagues until 1926, retiring at the age of 42.
1967-Former Yankees Reserve INF Carlos Rodriguez (1991) was born.
On March 20,1987, INF Carlos Rodriguez was purchased by the Yankees from Mexico City Tigers (MXL). He had appeared in 15 games as a Reserve Infielder, while hitting just .189 for the 1991 Yankees. On October 15,1993, Carlos was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would sign be by the Red Sox organization. He would play for them in 1994-1995, before leaving the MLB, returning to Mexico.
1974-Former Yankees Pitcher Leslie “Bullet Joe” Bush (1922-1924) had passed away. (1892-1974)
The Philadelphia Athletics had originally had signed Pitcher Joe Bush. Then they would trade him to the Red Sox. On December 20,1921, the Red Sox would trade him along with Pitcher Sam Jones and INF Everett “Deacon” Scott to the Yankees for Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, 3-Pitchers Rip Collins, Bill Piercy and Jack Quinn. For the 1922-1924 Yankees, Joe had posted a 62-38 record with a 3.44 ERA and 4 saves in 115 games. The 1922 AL season was his best Yankees pitching career season, when Joe would record a 26-7 mark with WP of .788 in 39 games. He had appeared in 1922-1923 World Series with the Yankees, while posting a 1-3 record. On December 17,1924, Joe was traded by the team along with fellow hurlers Milt Gaston and Joe Giard to the St. Louis Browns for veteran Starter Urban Shocker. In 1928, Bush would end his MLB Pitching career with the A’s, finishing with an overall MLB pitching record of 196-184 with a 3.51 ERA in 488 games.
1978-Yankees Starter Ron Guidry is the unanimous choice for the 1978 AL Cy Young Award. Ron Guidry led the AL in Wins (25), Winning Percentage (.893), Shutouts (9) and ERA (1.74).
1979-The Yankees would make 2 major trades today with the Blue Jays and the Mariners. In the 1st trade, they would send veteran 1B Chris Chambliss (.280,18 HRs and 63 RBIs), Reserve 2B Damaso Garcia (.228, 5 RBIs, 29 games) and Pitcher Paul Mirabella (0-4, 8.79 ERA, 10 games) to the Blue Jays for Catcher Rick Cerone (.239, 7 HRs, 61 RBIs), Starter Tom Underwood (9-16) and Reserve OF Ted Wilborn. Cerone will become the Yankees starting catcher for the 1980 AL season, replacing the 2-rookie Catchers duo of Jerry Narron and Brad Gulden, who had stepped in after Thurman Munson’s tragic death in August of 1979. Tom Underwood would join the 1980 Yankees starting rotation. With the 1979 Blue Jays, he had posted a 9-16 record with a 3.69 ERA, while leading the Jays staff in wins, games started and strikeouts. In the 2nd trade of the day, the Yankees had acquired MLB OF Ruppert Jones and Pitcher Jim Lewis from the Mariners for Starter Jim Beattie, Minor League Reliever Rich Anderson, Reserve C Jerry Narron and MLB OF Juan Beniquez, who had hit .254 in 62 games for the Yankees; missing playing time due to injuries. For the 1980 AL season, Ruppert Jones would become the Yankees new starting CF. For the 1979 Mariners, he had hit .267 with 21 HRs and 78 RBIs. For the Yankees, Jim Beattie had a good 1978 AL season, winning several key games for the team, but he was injured in 1979, winning only 3 games. Minor League Reliever Rick Anderson couldn’t break into the Yankees MLB bullpen, despite being successful with the 1979 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), posting a 13-3 record with 21 saves. Ted Wilborn and Jim Lewis would make brief appearances with the Yankees, before leaving the team. During the winter of 1979, Chris Chambliss would be traded by the Blue Jays to the Braves, where he would play 8 seasons with them before retiring as an active player. In 1988, Chris would become the Yankees MLB Batting Coach.
1987-Former Yankees Minor League INF Walter Ibarra was born.
Infielder Walter Ibarra had signed with the Yankees at age 17. He would make his pro debut with the 2006 GCL Yankees by hitting .264. His 19 games at Shortstop led the team; he had fielded .957 there. In 2007, he struggled offensively as a backup middle infielder for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL) (5 for 28, 2 BB, 2B) and GCL Yankees (8 for 39, 4 BB, 2 2B). The next season, Walter would struggle with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) by hitting just .198 in a utility role. Then he would be demoted to the short season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), where he was 11 for 49 with 3 doubles, 2 HRs and 2 walks. Next, he was moved up to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), batting .268 in 18 games. In 2007, he would spraine his left ankle in late August, then he would miss the rest of the 2007 EL season. That winter, he would hit .188 in 37 games for the Hermosillo (MWL). In 2009, Ibarra produced at a .265 with 11 steals in 16 tries as Class A Tampa's starting Shortstop (fielding .955 there). He was also 7 for 29 with 2 walks for Class A Charleston (SAL). Back with Hermosillo for more winter ball play, he would hit .250 as the backup to Jose Luis Sandoval. In the summer of 2010, Ibarra battled injuries to his hamstring, left hand and left shoulder, but he had his best season yet, hitting .301 for Class A Tampa (FSL), while going 15-for-22 in steal attempts. Among players with 70+ games, he was 5th in the FSL in average. He would split the Hermosillo Shortstop role with Sandoval in the winter ball, batting .303 with 30 runs in 56 games. In 2011, Walter would hit .297 for Class A Tampa (FSL). He had led the FSL with 14 sacrifice hits and tied for the league lead with 8 sacrifice flies as well. He would field .970 at shortstop at AA and AAA levels. After the 2013 Minor League season had ended, he would leave the Yankees organization, joining the Dodgers organization, playing at AA and AAA levels.
1988-Former Yankees Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (2014-2020) was born.
On January 22, 2014, Pitcher Masahiro Tanka was signed as a MLB Free Agent by the Yankees for a $155 million, 7-year contract. Tanaka would make his MLB Pitching debut as the Yankees' Starter against the Blue Jays on April 4th, with dozens of Japanese baseball journalists having made the trip from Japan for the special occasion. He started with a misstep as he gave up a lead-off HR to Melky Cabrera, but then he settled down to earn a 7-3 win, while pitching 7 solid innings. He gave up only 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, walked none and struck out 8 batters. On April 16th, he gave up only 2 bunt singles over 8 innings while striking out 10 batters in the 1st game of a doubleheader against the Cubs that the Yankees won, 3-0. When Michael Pineda followed him with another strong performance in the 2nd game, leading to a 2-0 shutout, it was the 1st time since 1988 that that the Yankees had recorded 2 whitewashings in 1 day. On May 14th, he pitched his 1st complete game shutout, defeating the Mets by the score of 4-0 for the Yankees' 1st win over their cross-town rivals after 6 straight losses. He would lose in the MLB for the 1st time on May 20th, when Tanka was beaten by the Cubs by the score of 6-1 on a drizzly night game played at Wrigley Field. By then, his streak of unbeaten regular season starts had reached 42 games between NPB and MLB.
He was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for May, thanks to a 5-1 record and a 1.88 ERA. On June 11th, he threw a complete game while striking out 11 batters in beating the Mariners by the score of 4-2, becoming the 2nd MLB pitcher to 10 wins that season, after Mark Buehrle. When he won his 11th game of the season, a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays on June 17th, he took over the MLB lead for wins with 11. His 2nd loss of the season came on June 28th, courtesy of 2-out solo HR by Red Sox hitter Mike Napoli in the 9th inning for a 2-1 defeat. He was named to the All-Star team in early July, but a couple of days later, on July 9th, went on the DL with inflammation in his elbow, forcing him to miss the MLB Mid-season classic. He had complained of soreness following his worst outing of the season the day before, a 5-3 loss to the Indians. The diagnosis was of a partially torn ligament; the Yankees decided to have him rest for 6 weeks, although the possibility of Tommy John surgery was very much present as well and questions were asked about why the Yankees had not decided to go straight to surgery, given the poor success record of rehabilitation in similar cases. Masahiro gave signs that he would be ready to return in early September after some throwing sessions in August went very well, but on August 29th, he experienced a setback when he felt "general soreness" after a simulated game, making a return before the end of the season unlikely. However, he beat the odds by coming back on September 21st, when he pitched 5 1/3 innings in a 5-2 win over the Blue Jays. While his return was encouraging, many observers wondered what was the point of getting him back on an MLB mound with the Yankees eliminated from the 2014 AL Postseason contention and just a week left to play on the season schedule. Tanaka finished the 2014 season with a 13-5 record along with 141 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA in 20 games. He had thrown 3 complete games. Tanaka was the Yankees' 2015 Opening Day starting pitcher, facing the Blue Jays again, but he was tagged for 5 runs in 4 innings to suffer a 6-1 loss. In the media cauldron that is New York City, this led to immediate questions about whether he had lost crucial velocity on his fastball, or was just deliberately relying more on his off-speed pitches and had simply had a bad day.
On April 28th, he was put on the DL with what the Yankees described as a "mild strain in his right forearm" he was expected to miss a month. He was 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 4 starts at the time. He would return to the mound on June 3rd, when he was credited with a 3-1 victory over the Mariners, needing just 78 pitches to go through 7 innings of 1-run ball. He had pitched his 1st complete game in over a year in a key situation on August 15th, facing the Blue Jays on the road with the Yankees trying to hold on to half-game lead and the team's 2 late-game Relievers, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller were unavailable. He would limit the Jays to just 5 hits in a 4-1 win. He would pitch another great game against the Jays on September 13th, holding them scoreless for 7 innings in a 5-0 victory. It was a key game, as the Yankees had lost the 1st 3 games of the series, while giving up 30 runs, they were in danger of being caught by several teams in the race for an ALWC slot. He would finish the season at 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 24 starts; while logging in 154 innings. He then started the ALWC against the Astros on October 6th, but he allowed 3 runs in 5 innings, he was a 3-0 loser against Astros Starter Dallas Keuchel.
In 2016, Masahiro made an MLB career-high 31 starts. He had another solid season, by going 14-4 with a 3.07 ERA with 165 strikeouts, while coming just a third of an inning short of the 200 innings mark. He was designated once again as the 2017 Opening Day starter, but he gave up 7 runs in 2 2/3 innings to the Rays on April 2nd, he was saddled with a 7-3 loss. After a no-decision in his 2nd start, he ended the month on a strong note, however, winning his next 3 starts, including his 2nd MLB career shutout on April 27th, when he defeated the Red Sox, 3-0 on a 3-hitter. On May 14th, however, he had the worst outing of his career in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against the Astros. George Springer led off the game with a solo HR, Josh Reddick added another solo HR shot and Alex Bregman then hit a Grand Slam HR - all in the 1st inning. After Springer hit another HR to lead off the 2nd, he gave up an RBI double to Carlos Beltran and left after 1 2/3 innings, having allowed 8 runs. He was charged with the 10-7 loss. That was not his only poor performance during the month: in 6 starts in May, he gave up 48 hits in 31 innings, 11 of them HRs, and had posted a bloated 8.42 ERA. On June 9th, Manager Joe Girardi announced that he was pushing back Tanaka's next start by a day, in order to avoid having him face the Orioles for a 3rd time after having already been hit hard by that team the last 2 times that he had faced them. He pitched a lot better in the 2nd half and ended the regular season on a positive note on September 29th, when he recorded a career high 15 strikeouts in 7 innings in a 4-0 win over the Blue Jays. That gave him a record of 13-12 for the season, along with an ERA of 4.74. He had gone 6-4. 3.77 in the 2nd half after having been 7-8, 5.47 ERA at the All-Star break. Tanka had a great start in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Indians on October 8th, giving up no runs on 3 hits in 7 innings and getting credit for a 1-0 win. After losing Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros, 2-1, in spite of another solid start, he was excellent again in Game 5 on October 18th, duplicating his ALDS performance with 7 scoreless innings, this time for a 5-0 win. He had started off the 2018 season well, even if his ERA was on the high side. Taking advantage of the Yankees' great bats, he was 6-2 with a 4.62 ERA at the end of May. On June 8th, however, he left an interleague game against the Mets with stiffness in both hamstrings, the result of scoring a run in the 6th inning. He was placed on the DL the next day. He would miss a month of action, returning on July 10th. He went overall with a 12-6 record with a 3.75 in 27 starts, while pitching 156 innings. He had started Game 2 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on October 6th at Fenway Park. He was the only Yankees' pitcher to record a win in the series, as he gave up just 1 run in 5 innings as the Yankees would win the game, 6-2.
The Yankees got off to a great start that year in spite of a rash of injuries, but as one of the only starters not to miss a turn, he was just 3-5, after a loss on June 4th. He then beat the Mets in spite of a shaky outing on June 11th, despite allowing 5 runs in 6 2/3 innings, but his next start was a gem, as he shut down the Yankees' main rivals that season, the Rays on a complete game 2-hitter, 3-0. He had struck out 10 Rays batters and walked only 1 in a dominating performance. On June 29th, he had a rough outing when he started for the Yankees against the Red Sox at London Olympic Stadium in the 1st MLB game to be played in Europe; he was chased after just 2 outs in the bottom of the 1st, having allowed 6 Red Sox runs. His opponent on the mound that day, Rick Porcello, had also failed to make it through the 1st inning, marking the 1st time since 1989 that both starting pitchers had failed to complete the 1st inning. On July 25th, he again would face Porcello at Fenway Park, this time he would allowed 7 runs in the 1st.
With a tired bullpen, Manager Aaron Boone left him in the game, and that allowed him to give up another 5 runs before being lifted with 1 out in the 4th. The 12 earned runs he allowed that day were the most ever by a Yankees pitcher against the Red Sox. While Yankees had managed to win the London game, 17-13, it lost that one badly, 19-3. He would finish the season with a 11-9, record with a 4.45 ERA in 32 games. In the postseason, he would win his ALDS start in Game 2 again the Twins, giving up 1 run in 5 innings. In the ALCS, he had won Game 1 against the Astros 7-0, with 6 brilliant innings of 1-hit ball, but he allowed 4 runs in 5 innings in Game 4, which the Yankees lost, by the score of 8-3.
On July 4, 2020, in his 1st outing of Spring Training Camp after the long break caused by the coronavirus pandemic, he was hit on the side of the head by a ball off the bat of teammate Giancarlo Stanton in a simulated game. He fell in a heap to the ground, and while he got up on his own power, he was hospitalized as a precaution. For some reason, the Yankees were not using a protective screen in front of the pitcher. He was diagnosed with a mild concussion, but he was released from hospital quickly. He was able to rejoin the team the next day; although he needed to sit out a few days before taking the mound again. Tanka would finish the shorten 2020 AL season with a 3-3 record with a 3.56 ERA in 10 appearances. In the 2020 AL Postseason, he went 0-1 in 2 games against the Indians and the Rays. After the 2000 MLB Postseason had ended, he had finished his 7-year MLB player contract with the Yankees; he would return to pitch in Japan for his old team. In 2021, when he his opt out came up from his current contract, he decide to stay with his team in Japan, rather than return to the USA to pitch in the MLB, ending rumors that he would resign with his old team, the Yankees.
1994-Current Yankees Reliever Anthony Misiewicz (2023-2024) was born.
On July 6, 2023, the Yankees had acquired hurler Anthony Misiewicz from the Tigers in a waiver deal. The club would add him to their MLB 40-man roster, replacing the MLB suspended hurler Jimmy Cordero, who is now out for the rest of 2023 MLB season. He was assigned to AAA Scranton. In 4 MLB seasons, Anthony has a 7-9 record with a 4.74 ERA and no saves in 127 games. The Yankees would recall him from AAA Scranton. On September 16th, while pitching in relief against the Pirates, he was hit by a comebacker in the head, he had suffered a head concussion; which would end his 2023 AL season with the Yankees. For the 2023 Bronx Bombers, he had posted a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA in 3 games. For the 2024 Yankees, he would appear in 1 game, pitching just 1 inning of work with no record. He was sent down to AAA Scranton (IL), where he would post a 3-2 record with a 3.90 ERA and 8 saves in 47 games.
1996-Current Yankees Reserve OF Trent Grisham (2024) was born.
Outfielder Trent Grisham was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1st round (15th) of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from Richland HS (North Richland Hills, TX). On November 27, 2019, Trent was traded by the Brewers along with Zach Davies to the Padres for Eric Lauer, Luis Urías and player to be named later. In 5 MLB seasons, he has a .216 BA with 61 HRs and 215 RBIs in 547 games. On December 7, 2023, he was traded by the Padres along with OF Juan Soto to the Yankees for P Drew Thorpe (minors), P Jhony Brito, Catcher Kyle Higashioka, Pitchers Michael King and Randy Vásquez. For the 2024Yankees, Trent was a reserve outfielder, who had appeared in 76 games, while hitting only .190 with 9 HRs and 31 RBIs. Trent was not on the Yankees player roster for the 2024 ALCS and the World Series.
2001-The 1st MLB game ever started in the month of November is a memorable one as the Yankees, for the 2nd consecutive night at Yankee Stadium, they make a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie the game and go on to a victory in extra innings. In an amazing case of history repeating itself, Diamondbacks Closer Byung-Hyun Kim is again victimized, this time by Yankees 3B Scott Brosius, who hits a game-tying 2-out, 2-run HR to knot the game at 2-2 in the 9th inning; as Alfonso Soriano’s hit an RBI single with Chuck Knoblauch scoring the winning run in the 12th inning to give the Yankees, a 3-2 victory and 3-2 lead over the Diamondbacks in the World Series. D-Backs hitters Steve Finley and Rod Barajas had hit HRs in the 5th inning for Arizona's 2 runs. World Series Game #5 was played at Yankee Stadium that draws a crowd of 56,018 fans.
2005-The Yankees had hired Larry Bowa as their MLB 3B Coach for the 2006 AL season. A 5-time NL All-Star Shortstop Bowa, who had managed in the NL with the Padres and the Phillies. Also, he was an MLB Coach for the Angels, Mariners and the Phillies. Bowa is the 1st addition to Yankees Manager Joe Torre’s MLB Coaching staff, which recently lost long-time MLB Pitching Coach Mel Stottlemyre (who had retired) and MLB Bench Coach Joe Girardi (who left to become Manager of the Marlins). Luis Sojo, who coached 3B the last season is expected to be offered another position in the organization by the Yankees.
2005-AL Gold Glove Award winners are announced. Players Kenny Rogers (P), Jason Varitek (C), Mark Teixeira (1B), Orlando Hudson (2B), Eric Chavez (3B), Yankees Derek Jeter (Shortstop), Ichiro Suzuki (OF), Torii Hunter (OF) and Vernon Wells (OF) earn honors.
2007-The Dodgers had hired Joe Torre as their new manager for the 2007 NL season, replacing Grady Little. Torre has just been let go by the Yankees Front Office despite leading them to the MLB Postseason for 12 straight seasons. He had turned down the Yankees new Manager contract offer by the team’s front office that had a reduced salary and that also included performance incentives.
2009-The Yankees would take a 3 games to 1 lead in the 2009 World Series with a 7-4 win over Philadelphia. The Yankees had score 3 runs off of Phillies Closer Brad Lidge with 2 outs in the 9th inning, after the Phillies had rallied to tie the game with HRs hit by Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz. World Series Game #4 had drawn a crowd of 46,145 fans to Philadelphia’s Citizen Park.
2012-Former Yankees and MLB Pitcher Pascual Perez (1990-1991) was murdered during a home robbery. (1957-2012)
On November 21,1989, the Yankees had signed veteran hurler Pascual Perez as an MLB Free Agent. However, he was never really healthy (pitching shoulder issues) to pitch effectively for the Yankees, posting only a 3-6 record in 17 games over the next 2 seasons (although his ERA during that period was an excellent 2.87). He was suspended for drug use by the MLB. Also, he had 2 brothers Carlos and Melido, who also had pitch in the MLB. The Robbers were trying to steal his MLB pension money.
2013-The Yankees would resign their long-time Team Captain and All-Star Shortstop Derek Jeter for a 12 million 1-year deal. He was injured most of the 2013 AL season, appearing in only 17 games, while just hitting .190 with 1 HR.
2016-Former Yankees Minor League C John Orsino had passed away. (1938-2016)
In 1957, Catcher John Orsino was signed by the Giants as an MLB Amateur Player. He had appeared in 332 MLB games, while hitting .249 with 40 HRs with 123 RBIs with the Giants, Orioles, Indians and Senators. On August 23, 1961, he was 1 of a record 5 Giants players who homered in the 9th inning against the Reds in a 14-0 win. The other Giants HR hitters were Orlando Cepeda, Felipe Alou, Willie Mays and Jim Davenport. His 3-run HR blast was the last of the 5 HRs hit in the game. He appeared in 1 game of the 1962 World Series against the Yankees with no hits for the Giants. On January 8,1969, John was purchased by the Yankees from the Senators. He never appeared with the Yankees at MLB level. On June 12,1969, he was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for Pitcher Rob Gardner. He never appears with the Tribe at the MLB level. They would have him playing the 1969 season at AAA level, before retiring as a player. In 1970-1976, John Orsino was the Head Baseball Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. He then would manage in the Indians' chain for a 1 ½ years at the AA level with the Jersey City Indians (EL) in 1977. Then he was with the Chattanooga Lookouts (SAL) for part of 1978 season. In 1980, Orsino would return to FDU for 1 more season as Head Coach for their baseball team.
2021-The Yankees have announced the signing of the following Free Agent players to Minor League player contracts: Pitcher Wilfrido Bido, 3B Johan Ferreira, Shortstops Andry Javier, Luis Ogando and Edward Sanchez. None of these players would appear with the 2022 Yankees at the MLB level. Bido would pitch for the Yankees team in the DSL, he is only 18 years old.
2022-The AL Gold Glove Awards are announced, the Yankees have 2 players on the team: Catcher Jose Trevino and INF D. J. LeMahieu for Utility INF. Trevino is a 1st time Golden Glove Award winner, while D.J. picks-up his 4th GG Award. Several other Yankee players were in their position finalist groups: 1B Anthony Rizzo and Pitcher Jameson Taillon.
November 2nd
1888-Former MLB and Yankees Minor League Manager (1935-1937, 1951) Dutch Zwilling was born. (1888-1978)
Despite finding no real success in the MLB beforehand or afterwards, OF Dutch Zwilling was one of the biggest stars of the short-lived rival Federal League. After a cup of coffee with the White Sox in 1910, he would join the Chicago Whales (Federal League) in 1914. He would hit .313 and led the circuit with 16 HRs as the club finished in 2nd place that season. His numbers would fell a bit in 1915 to .286 and 13 HRs, but he still led the league with 94 RBIs as the Whales captured the League title. He holds the Federal League record for most career HRs with 29. After the league had folded, he would join the Cubs (who had just been purchased by Whales Owner Charles Weeghman), but Zwilling failed to hit his weight in 35 games with them in 1916. He would spend many years as an MLB Scout and Minor League Manager, after his active playing career had ended. He was skipper of the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) for 9 seasons (1927-1932 and 1935-1937) including 1929, when they had won the Junior World Series. His 1935-1937 AA Blues teams were part of the new Yankees farm system. Also, he was a member of the 1941 Indians MLB Coaching staff. In 1951, he would manage the Yankees Minor League team, the Quincy Gems (3-IL).
1937-AL Batting Champ Tigers 2B Charlie Gehringer is named the 1937 AL MVP receiving 78 out of a possible 80 points. Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio, who hit .346 is a close 2nd with 4 points behind in the player voting, meanwhile Charlie’s Tigers teammate 1B Hank Greenberg, who had 183 RBI’s is a distant 3rd in the voting. Gehringer also becomes the 3rd Tiger player in 4 years to be named AL MVP Award winner.
1938-Red Sox 1B Jimmie Foxx is voted the AL MVP for the 3rd time with Yankees Catcher Bill Dickey, who had hit .313 with 27 HRs and 115 RBIs, finishing in 2nd place in the AL MVP voting. Fox had hit .349 with 50 HRs and 179 RBIs in 149 games for the 1938 Red Sox.
1941-Former Yankees MLB Pitching Coach and Baseball Executive Bill Connors was born. (1941-2018)
Bill Connors had started 1 game in his MLB Pitching career. It was on September 2,1967 as a member of the Mets against the Cubs. He went 4 innings, gave up 4 hits, allowed 4 earned runs, walked 2 and struck out 3 Cub batters. He did not get a decision. Connors was the 3rd baseman and #5 batter on the National team of Schenectady, NY that had won the 1954 Little League World Series; one of his teammates was Jim Barbieri. Connors later had a long MLB Coaching career, starting out as a member of the 1980-1981 Royals MLB Coaching staff. Then he was a Cubs MLB Pitching Coach from 1982 to 1986. Next, he was a part of the Mariners MLB Coaching staff for the 1987-1988 AL seasons. In 1989 and 1990, he was with the Yankees before returning to the Cubs from 1991-1993. He would spend the next 2 seasons,1994-1995 back with the Yankees. Then he returned to the Yankees for a 3rd stint in 2000. From 1996-2012, he had served as Vice-President of Player Personnel for the Yankees.
1958-Former Yankees Minor League OF/MLB Player Willie McGee was born.
Outfielder Willie McGee was selected by the Yankees in 1st round (15th pick) of the 1977 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). Willie never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. With the 1981 AA Nashville Sounds, he had hit .322 with 7 HRs and 63 RBIs in 100 games. On October 21,1981, Willie was traded by the Yankees to the Cardinals for Pitcher Bob Sykes, who turned out to be injured. Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner was furious that such a talented young player as McGee had gone away essentially for nothing. He threatened to take action to cancel the trade, eventually the Cardinals quieted him by sending 2 good Minor League prospects: OF Stan Javier and former #1 pick Shortstop Bobby Meacham to the Yankees to even things up. The Yankees Outfield was tied up with Major League Players, blocking Willie’s chance to play at the MLB level. Willie McGee will win the NL MVP Award in 1985, also he had won the NL Batting Title with a .353 average. Willie was a 4-time NL All-Star player, representing the Cardinals in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1988. He had won 3 NL Gold Glove Awards in 1983, 1985 and 1986. In 2018, he was added to the Cardinals MLB Coaching Staff. In the fall of 2024, he was moved up to the Cardinals front office position.
1960-The Yankees make it official by announcing that General Manager George Weiss will retire after 29 years of service with the organization. George Weiss had run the Yankee Farm System under long-time President/General Manager Edward Barrow, before becoming the Yankees General Manager in 1946. His Assistant Roy Hamey Jr. is named as his successor. Weiss tells the New York City sports media that the Yankees have a good run of 5 years left, before the Yankees farm system talent is finished. In 1961, he will join his former Yankees Manager Casey Stengel in running the new 1962 NL Expansion Team in New York City, the Mets as their 1st General Manager and Team President (1961-1965).
1960-The Yankees All-Star RF Roger Maris defeated his fellow Yankees teammate CF Mickey Mantle for the 1960 AL MVP Award by 225-222, (3 votes), the 2nd-closest AL MVP vote ever, behind the Yankees Joe DiMaggio and Red Sox Ted Williams in the 1947 AL MVP election. Roger Maris 1st Yankees player season is a success hitting .283, while hitting 39 HRs with 112 RBIs in 136 games. Also, he wins the AL Golden Glove Award for Right Fielders, beating out AL All-Star Tigers RF Al Kaline. Also, Maris finishes 2nd in the 1960 AL HR race, with his Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle taking the AL HR Crown with 40 HRs.
1960-Former Yankees Shortstop Everett “Deacon” Scott (1922-1925) had passed away. (1892-1960)
Shortstop Everett “Deacon” Scott had played in 1,307 consecutive games, the MLB record until Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig came along and broke it. He would begin his MLB playing streak on June 20,1916, while playing for the Red Sox. On December 20,1921, the Red Sox would trade Scott along with 2 hurlers Sam Jones and Bullet Joe Bush to the Yankees for Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, Pitchers Rip Collins, Bill Piercy and Jack Quinn. On May 6,1925, Yankees Manager Miller Huggins had benched Scott in favor of Pee Wee Wanninger. Ironically, less than a month later, his Yankees teammate Lou Gehrig began his own streak, when he entered a game as a Pinch Hitter for Wanninger. Scott's streak is still the 3rd longest MLB streak behind Cal Ripken and Lou Gehrig. His Yankees player career totals were a .254 BA with 13 HRs and 173 RBIs in 481 games. He had appeared 11 World Series games with the Yankees, while hitting .230 with 4 RBIs. On June 17,1925, the Senators had selected Scott off waivers from the Yankees. He will appear in 33 games for the Nats, while hitting .273 with No HRs and 18 RBIs. The Senators would trade him to the White Sox in 1926. After playing in only 44 games with the 1926 White Sox and the Reds, when the 1926 MLB season had ended, he would retire from the game. Overall, Everett “Deacon” Scott had appeared in a total of 1,654 MLB games along with a .249 lifetime BA, while hitting 20 HRs with 549 RBIs. He had appeared in 3 World Series with the 1915-1916,1918 Red Sox before being traded to the Yankees during the 1922 AL off-season. With the Yankees, he would play in 11 games in the 1922-1923 World Series against the Giants.
1964-CBS Inc. purchases 80% of the New York Yankees Team Ownership for an estimated $11,2000,000 from Yankees Co-Owners Del Webb and Dan Topping Sr. The network would later purchase the remaining 20% of team’s stock from Dan Topping Sr. in the fall of 1966.
1976-Former Yankees Pitcher Sidney Ponson (2006, 2008) was born.
In 2 tours with the 2006 and 2008 Yankees, veteran MLB Starter Sidney Ponson had posted a 4-5 record with a 6.63 ERA in 21 games.
1981-Former Yankees Reserve INF Wilson Betemit (2007-2008) was born.
On July 31,2007, INF Wilson Betemit was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees for Pitcher Scott Proctor. He had appeared in 124 games for the Yankees, while hitting .253 with 10 HRs with 49 RBI’s. On November 13, 2008, Wilson was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League Pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez to the White Sox for MLB 1B/OF Nick Swisher and Minor League hurler Kanekoa Texeria.
1982-Former Yankees Pitcher Bill Zuber (1943-1946) had passed away. (1913-1982)
On January 29,1943, the Senators had traded Pitcher Bill Zuber along with Cash to the Yankees for hurler Milo Candini and INF Jerry Priddy. As a Spot Starter for the 1943-1946 Yankees, Bill had posted an 18-23 record with 3.88 ERA and 2 saves in 66 games. He didn’t appear in the 1943 World Series for the Yankees against the Cardinals. On June 18,1946, he was purchased by the Red Sox from the Yankees. For Boston in 1946, he would post a 5-1 record with a 2.54 ERA in 15 games. He made 1 appearance with no decision in the 1946 World Series for the Red Sox. After the 1947 AL season had ended, Bill would retire from the MLB with a lifetime pitching record of 43-42 with a 4.88 ERA and 6 saves in 224 games.
1984-Former Yankees Reliever Tommy Layne (2016-2017) was born.
Pitcher Tommy Layne was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 26th round of the 2007 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would never pitch for the D-Backs at the MLB level. On May 2,2012, Tommy Layne was purchased by the Padres from the D-Backs. He had posted a 2-3 record with a 2.84 ERA with 2 saves in 40 games. In 2014, the Red Sox had signed Tommy as an MLB Free Agent. With Boston, Tommy had posted a 4-3 record with a 3.30 ERA and 1 save in 138 games before being released by the team during the 2016 AL season. Next, the Yankees would sign Tommy as an MLB Free Agent. As a Yankee Reliever, he would post a 2-0 record with a 3.38 ERA with 1 save in 29 games. After going 0-0 with a 7.62 ERA in 19 games, he was released by the team on July 5, 2017. Then the Dodgers would sign him, later he would be released by the team in August of 2017. Next, he would be signed by the Cardinals, pitching in their Minor League system during the 2018-2019 seasons, before being released by the team in August of 2019.
1987-The Yankees had acquired Catcher Don Slaught from the Rangers for a Player to be Named Later. The Yankees would send former Pitching Prospect Brad Arnsberg (1-3 in 8 games) to the Rangers as the Player to be Named Later. For the 1988 Yankees, Don Slaught will take over the starting catcher’s job from weak hitting Joel Skinner by hitting .283 with 9 HRs and 43 RBIs in 97 games.
1994-Current Yankees Reliever Jonathan Loaisiga (2018-2024) was born.
In September of 2012, Jonathan Loaisiga was originally signed by the Giants. He had a great season with the 2013 DSL Giants by going 8-1 with a 2.75 ERA in 13 starts, but then he would miss the next 2 seasons. In September of 2015, he was released by the team. The Yankees had signed him early in 2016. After 1 game with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) on May 13th, he had to undergo Tommy John surgery. He did not pitch again until the end of June, 2017. However, he had done well for the Nicaraguan national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers before suffering the injury. After those various career interruptions, Jonathan got to pitch in earnest with 3 teams in 2017, the GCL Yankees East, the GCL Yankees West and the short season Class A Staten Island Yankees (NYPL). He went a combined 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA in 11 starts; logging 32 2/3 innings. Given how little he had pitched thus far, no one expected to see him rise quickly in 2018, but he was dominant with the Class A Tampa Tarpons at the start of the FSL season, going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in 4 starts; he was promoted to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). In his 1st 6 starts there, he was 3-1 with a 4.32 ERA. Pitching between the 2 teams, he had a combined 58 strikeouts, with just 4 walks in 45 innings.
That prompted the Yankees to call him up to the Show on June 12th, slotting him to make his MLB Pitching debut in a start on June 15th, taking the place of the injured Starter Masahiro Tanaka. The fact he was already on the 40-man MLB roster, as opposed to other top pitching prospects in the organization, explained why he was the one picked for the assignment. In his 1st game against the Rays, he did very well, with no runs allowed on 3 hits in 5 innings, he received credit for a 5-0 win. On June 25th, he mystified the Phillies for 5 1/3 innings, allowing just a hit and 2 walks to gain credit for a 4-2 win. He was perfect through the 1st 4 innings, walked Carlos Santana to start the 5th inning, but he left him stranded and only allowed his 1st hit when Jorge Alfaro led off the 6th with a single; after a walk and a ground out, he was replaced by Reliever David Robertson, who did not allow either runner to score. Overall, he was 2-0 with a 5.11 ERA in 9 games for the Yankees, including 4 starts, logging 24 2/3 innings. He was one of a number of players, who received an unexpected chance to play in the MLB at the start of the 2019 AL season because of a rash of injuries affecting the Yankees. He went 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 4 games, including 3 starts, before being himself added to the IL on May 13th, the cause being a strained rotator cuff. The next day, he was transferred to the 60-day list in order to make room on the Yankees' roster for newly-acquired DH Kendrys Morales, a clear sign that his injury was serious. He did make it back to the team, finishing the 2019 AL season with a 2-2 record with a 4.55 ERA in 15 games. He had 3 appearances in 2019 AL Postseason with no decisions. In the 2020 short AL season, he posted a 3-0 record with a 3.56 ERA in 10 games. In the 2020 AL postseason, he had no decisions in 2 relief appearances for the team. In 2021, he had a very successful season for the team working out of the bullpen by posting a 9-4 record with 2.17 ERA along with 5 saves in 57 games. In 2022, he would post a 2-3 record with a 4.13 ERA and 2 saves in 50 games. In 2023, he would post a record of 0-2 with a 3.06 ERA with no saves in 17 games, spending most of the 2023 season on IL list because of pitching arm injuries. In 2024, he would suffer a season ending injury, a torn UCL, requiring arm surgery. For the 2024, Yankees he had a 1-0 record with no ERA in 3 games. He had a UCL injury that required season ending surgery that was performed in April of 2024.
1995-The Yankees would name Joe Torre as their new Manager, replacing the recently departed Manager Buck Showalter. Joe Torre, a former Braves, Cardinals' NL All-Star and NL Batting Champion, will guide the Yankees to 4 World Championships in his 1st 5 seasons with the team. This winning feat will erase the New York City sports media of the nickname “Clueless Joe.” He will manage the Yankees until 2007.
2005-Former Orioles Manager Lee Mazzilli would rejoin the Yankees as Joe Torre's MLB Bench Coach. He had been a Yankees MLB Coach before accepting the Orioles Manager job.
2007-Former Yankees Player and MLB Coach Joe Girardi signs a 3-year, $7.8 million deal with a $3000,00 signing bonus and $2.5 million per season through 2010 AL season. He would become the 32nd manager in Yankees History, replacing the recently departed Joe Torre. The Marlins Team Owner Jeff Lurie had fired Joe, despite his winning the 2007 NL Manager of the Year Award.
2009-In Game #5 of the World Series, the Phillies would send the 2009 World Series back to Yankee Stadium with an 8-6 win over the Yankees. Phillies 2B Chase Utley hits 2 HRs and drives in 4 runs as the Phillies jump to a 6-1 lead against Yankees Starter A. J. Burnett. Phillies NL All-Star hurler Cliff Lee wins his 2nd start of the 2009 World Series. World Series Game #5 was played at Citizen’s Park in Philadelphia drawing a crowd of 46,178 fans.
2010-Former Yankees Manager, Baseball Executive, MLB Coach and MLB player Clyde King had passed away. (1924-2010)
In 1978 and 1981, Clyde King was a member of the Yankees MLB Coaching Staff. He had managed the Yankees for part of the turbulent 1982 AL season. In 1985-1986, he would serve as the Yankees General Manager. In 1988, King was a member of the team's MLB Coaching staff again. From 1998 to 2005, he was a Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Yankees. Clyde King had pitched in the MLB for the Dodgers and the Reds (1944-1953). Also, he had managed the Giants and Braves during his MLB Manager career. Previously, he had worked for the Reds, Pirates and the Cardinals organizations.
2011-The 2011 AL Silver Slugger Awards are announced, the Yankees have 3 Award winners; they are 2B Robinson Cano, Shortstop Derek Jeter and OF Curtis Granderson.
2023-The following Yankees players became MLB free agents 1 day after the conclusion of the 2023 World Series: INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Reliever Zach McAllister, Reliever Keynan Middleton, Starter Frankie Montas, Reliever Wandy Peralta, Starter Luis Severino and Reliever Luke Weaver. Only Pitcher Luke Weaver will be resigned by the Yankees for the 2024 AL season.
2023-The Yankees have placed Starter Domingo Germán, Relievers Ryan Weber, Jimmy Cordero and Matt Bowman, Outfielders Franchy Cordero and Billy McKinney on waivers; all 6 players have the requisite service time to become MLB Free Agents; if they go unclaimed. Bronx starter Germán is the most notable of the group. The right-hander had pitched parts of 6 seasons for the Yankees, turning in a 4.41 ERA across 522 1/3 innings. He had tallied 108 2/3 frames this year- the 2nd-highest workload of his MLB pitching career; while allowing 4.56 earned runs per 9 innings. That pedestrian ERA belies the highs and lows of his season. On June 28th, Germán would throw the 1st perfect game in more than a decade, completing the feat in Oakland. He would allow 4 or more runs in 8 of his 19 appearances overall, though.
Germán’s 2023 AL season would end in early August, when the Yankees had placed the pitcher on the Restricted List; so, he could report for in-patient treatment for alcohol abuse. That was reportedly preceded by an incident in the Yankees clubhouse, which he had entered intoxicated. Germán was eligible for arbitration this offseason. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected a $4.4MM salary, if he were tendered a contract. That always made him a likely non-tender candidate. Germán had turned 31 in August. Jimmy Cordero had posted a 3.86 ERA with strong peripherals over 32 2/3 innings, when MLB had announced in early July that he would be suspended for the remainder of the 2023 season, for violating the domestic violence policy. The rest of the outrighted players are back-of-the-roster depth types. Reliever Ryan Weber had pitched 14 1/3 innings of 5-run ball over 8 relief appearances. After signing a minor league deal over the offseason, OF Billy McKinney would hit .227 in 147 plate appearances. After signing an MLB deal late in Spring Training, OF/DH/1B Franchy Cordero got into 24 games for the Yankees. The left-handed hitter would bat .188 with 6 HRs with a 35.2% strikeout rate, before being sent down to AAA Scranton (IL). Reliever Nate Bowman would make 3 relief appearances, his 1st MLB pitching action since 2019, after having pitching arm surgery. He had posted a 3.99 ERA in 58 2/3 innings at AAA Scranton (IL).