This Week in Yankees History (1/4-1/10)

January 4th - January 10th

January 4th

1904 - The Highlanders announce plans to play on Sundays at Ridgewood Park in Queens, NY, but the Brooklyn Superbas objects. Sunday MLB baseball games are legal in the cities of Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati.

1906 - Former Yankees reserve INF John “Blondy” Ryan (1935) was born.On August 6, 1935, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Phillies. John appeared in 30 games for the Yankees, hitting .238. On December 18, 1935, John was purchased by the Indians from the Yankees.

1908 - Former Yankees All Star OF and MLB Executive George “Twinkletoes” Selkirk (1934-1942) was born. (1908-1987) George Selkirk succeeded Babe Ruth as the Yankees right fielder after Ruth was sent to the Braves following the 1934 AL season. George played for 9 seasons with the Yankees finishing with lifetime BA of .290. He was a member of AL All Star team twice (1936 and 1939). George hit .265 in 6 World Series. He served in the military during WWII. When he was released by the Yankees in May of 1946, he would become a minor league manager. He worked in the A’s front office as their GM in the late 1950's. Then he would become the GM of new Senators expansion team in 1961, holding the position until 1968.

1910 - Former Yankees President and GM Gabe Paul (1973-1977) was born (1910-1998). Gabe Paul’s trades in the early 1970’s helped rebuild the Yankees into championship teams. Gabe Paul replaced Mike Burke as the Yankees President when the group of investors led by George Steinnbrenner bought the team from CBS, Inc.

1925 - Former Yankees reliever Tom Gorman (1952-54) was born (1925-1992). Tom went 10-7 in 75 games with 9 saves for the Yankees before being sold to the A’s in 1955.

1928 - The Yankees buy shortstop Lyn Lary and INF Jimmie Reese from the Oakland Oaks (PCL) for a reported $150,000 in cash. Lary would give the Yankees, 3 strong seasons at shortstop before slipping in 1934; Jimmie Reese would be shipped off to the Cardinals in 1931.

1940 - In a trade of pitchers, the Reds send Lee Grissom to the Yankees for Joe Beggs, who had to clear waivers from all 7 AL teams. This is due to the new rule voted last month barring the AL pennant winner from any trades within the league. Beggs will go 1-3 for the Reds, while Grissom will be sold to the Dodgers on May 15,1940.

1943 - A wartime tone for the 1943 MLB season is set, when Yankees starter Red Ruffing, just months short of his 38th birthday, and minus 4 toes, is drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps.

1963 - Former Yankees OF Daryl Boston (1993) was born. On January 13, 1994, Daryl was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. In 1994, he played for the Yankees, appearing in 52 games with 77 at-bats, just hitting .182.

1963 - Former Yankees minor league Manager Trey Hillman (1989-2002) was born. Hillman spent 13 years in the Yankees organization primarily as a manager at every level. He won three Manager of the Year awards and guided his teams to three 1st-place finishes. He left the Yankees organization to manage in Japan. He is currently the MLB manager of the Royals.

1966 - Yankees obtained OF Lou Clinton from the Indians for C Doc Edwards. Lou batted .220 for the Yankees, as a reserve OF in 1966. He was originally signed with the
Red Sox.

1976 - Former Yankees P Ted Lilly (2000-01) was born. Ted came to the Yankees from Expos in the Hideki Irabu trade in the winter of 1999. He went 8-12 as a Yankee in 38 games. He had trouble throwing strikes. On July 5, 2002, he was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Yankees along with P Jason Arnold and OF John-Ford Griffin to the A’s. The A’s sent a player to be named later, 1B Carlos Pena, and P Franklyn German to the Tigers. The Tigers sent P Jeff Weaver to the Yankees. The Tigers sent cash to the A’s. The A’s sent P Jeremy Bonderman to the Tigers to complete the trade.

2005 - Former Yankees 3B Wade Boggs becomes the 41st player elected to the Hall of Fame in his 1st year of eligibility, while receiving 474 of the record number of 516 votes cast (92%).

January 5th

1885 - Former Yankees longtime MLB Coach and Manager Art Fletcher was born (1885-1950). Art was a longtime Yankees coach from 1927 to 1945. He spent 11 games as the club's skipper in 1929, before Bob Shawkey took over the team, following Yankees Manager Miller Higgins death.

1890 - Former Yankees reserve OF Benjamin “Benny” Kauff (1912). Benny only appeared in 5 games for the Yankees during the 1912 AL season hitting .273.

1914 - The Yankees buy P Boardwalk Brown from the A’s for cash. He went 3-6 and was released during the 1914 AL season.

1915 - Former Yankees P John “Jack” Kramer (1951) was born. On May 28, 1951, Jack was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. He went 1-3 in 19 games for the Yankees, before being released on August 30, 1951. He had started the 1951 MLB season with the Giants.

1928 - Former Yankees minor league C Bob Oldis was born. In October of 1956, Bob was purchased by the Yankees from the Senators. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 30, 1959, Bob was drafted by the Pirates from the Yankees in the 1959 MLB Rule 5 player draft. He appeared in 2 games against the Yankees in 1960 World Series with no hits.

1934 - The Yankees released 2 veteran players: P Herb Pennock and 3B Joe Sewell. Their HOF MLB playing careers were over.

1943 - The MLB Teams agree to start the 1943 season later than usual and prepare to train in northern areas of the country because of World War II travel restrictions. Resorts, armories, and university facilities are chosen for spring training sites. The Yankees will try the seashore resort city of Atlantic City, NJ for their 1943 MLB spring training camp.

1944 - Former Yankees minor league INF Charlie Vinson was born. Charlie was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1963. On December 2, 1963, he was drafted by the Angels from the Yankees in the 1963 MLB 1st year player draft.

1951 - Former Yankees minor league P Ed Ricks (1977) was born. Ed Ricks was drafted in the 6th round of the 1972 amateur player draft by the Yankees. He led the 1972 Appalachian League with 97 IP, 100 H, 72 R, and 56 ER. Ricks spent 1975-1976 seasons with the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He was on the Yankees 1977 spring roster, but never appeared in a game at the MLB level. However, he appeared on the Yankees active MLB roster in September of 1977.

1958 - Former Yankees OF/DH Ron Kittle (1986-87) was born. On July 30, 1986, he was traded by White Sox along with C Joel Skinner and INF Wayne Tolleson to the Yankees for a player to be named later, C Ron Hassey, and OF Carlos Martinez. The Yankees would later send C Bill Lindsey to the White Sox to complete the trade. Ron hit .277 in 1987, before leaving the team for free agency, signing with the Indians.

1961 - Former Yankees reserve OF Henry Cotto (1985-87) was born. On December 4, 1984, Henry was traded by the Cubs along with P Porfi Altamirano, P Rich Bordi, and C Ron Hassey to the Yankees for P Ray Fontenot and OF/INF Brian Dayett. Henry would be a reserve OF for the Yankees. On December 22, 1987, Henry was traded by the Yankees, along with starter Steve Trout to the Mariners for 3 pitchers: Lee Guetterman, Clay Parker, and Wade Taylor.

1984 - The Yankees signed future HOF P Phil Niekro to a 2-year contract. Niekro, who went 11-10 with a 3.97 ERA for the Braves in 1983, will fill a void in the Yankees starting rotation, allowing the team to move starter Dave Righetti to the bullpen to be a closer.

1993 - Former Yankees OF Reggie Jackson is the lone player elected by the BWAA to the HOF. Jackson, whose .262 lifetime batting average is the lowest of any outfielder in the HOF, receives 93.6 percent of the vote. His 563 MLB career HRs make him a hit with voters in his 1st year of eligibility.

1999 - HOF Yankees catcher Yogi Berra received an apology from Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner about his dismissal as Yankees manager in 1985 after only 16 games. Berra says he will end his self-exile from Yankee Stadium and the Yankees organization. He is expected to participate in future Opening Day and Old Timer's Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium.

January 6th

1915 - Former Yankees P Tom Ferrick (1950-51) was born. (1915-1996) On June 15, 1950, Tom was traded by the Browns along with P Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas to the Yankees for Jim Delsing, Don Johnson, Duane Pillette, Snuffy Stirnweiss, and $50,000. In 1950, Tom posted an 8-4 record with 9 saves. In 1951, he went 1-1 in 9 games with 1 save before being traded on June 15,1951 along with Pitchers Bob Porterfield and Fred Sanford to the Senators for P Bob Kuzava. He would later become a pitching coach with the Tigers in the late 1950's.

1926 - Future All-Star pitcher Ralph Branca (1954) is born in Mount Vernon, NY. Although Branca will win 21 games in 1947 for the Dodgers, he will become best known for giving up the Giants Bobby Thomson's pennant-winning HR in 1951 NL playoff game. In he will appear in 5 games for the Yankees during the 1954 AL season, posting a 1-0 mark.

1931 - The Yankees signed veteran INF Joe Sewell after his release by the Indians. He will be the Yankees regular 3B for the 1932-33 AL seasons.

1936 - Former Yankees INF Ruben Amaro Sr. (1966-68) was born. On November 29, 1965, he was traded by the Phillies to the Yankees for INF Phil Linz. The Yankees had high hopes for Ruben Amaro, a former MLB Golden Glover (1964) to take over starting shortstop position after Tony Kubek was forced to retire from MLB with back injuries. He was a failure with the bat and getting Tom Tresh hurt didn’t help out matters any. In 1968, he was sold to the Angels.

1940- Former Yankees OF Elvio Jimenez (1964) was born. Elvio Jimenez played 1 game in October of 1964 for the Yankees, getting 6 at-bats with 2 hits.

1950 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ray Staiger (1979) was born. On December 9, 1977, Roy was traded by the Mets to the Yankees for INF Sergio Ferrer. Roy only appeared in 4 games with the Yankees in 1979, hitting .273.

1951 - Former Yankees P Don Gullet (1977-1980) was born. November 18, 1976, Don was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. Don went 14-4 in 1977, then 4-2 in 1978 before arm injuries ended his MLB career in 1980.

1967 - Former Yankees manager Johnny Keane (1965-66) dies in Chicago from a heart attack at the age of 55. Keane guided the Cardinals to the 1964 World Series, but left to become the manager of the Yankees, whom the Cardinals had beaten in the World Series, replacing the popular Yogi Berra. After an unsuccessful stint with the Yankees (81-101), Keane became a scout with the Angels. In all fairness to Keane during the 1965 AL season, he was only able to field the Yankees regulars together for only for 20 games due to injuries.

1970 - Former Yankees P Dan Naulty (1999) was born. On November 16, 1998, Dan was traded by Twins to the Yankees for Allen Butler (minors). Dan went 1-0 in 33 games before being traded on December 14, 1999 to the Dodgers for Nicholas Leach (minors).

1970 - The Yankees purchased reserve OF Rick Bladt from the Cubs for cash.

1988 - Free agent slugger Jack Clark signs with the Yankees. Jack hit .242 with 27 HRs, 93 RBIs in 1988, before being traded to Padres on October 24, 1988, along with P Pat Clements for Pitchers Lance McCullers, Jimmy Jones, and OF Stanley Jefferson.

1992 - The Yankees signed free agent OF Danny Tartabull to a 5-year contract after losing the chase to sign free agent OF Barry Bonds to the Giants.

January 7th

1900 - Former Yankees reserve C John ‘Nig” Grabowski (1927-1929) was born. On January 13, 1927, John was traded by the White Sox along with Ray Morehart to the Yankees for shortstop Aaron Ward. John hit .272 in 167 games for the Yankees. In 1946, John was killed in a house fire in Albany, NY.

1913 - Future HOF Yankees 1B/PH Johnny Mize (1949-1953) is born in Demorest, GA. Known as "The Big Cat," Mize will hit 359 MLB creer HRs. He will gain election to the HOF in 1981. On August 22, 1949, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Giants for $40,000. With the Yankees, Johnny would be PH and reserve 1B, leading the AL in PH for 3 years, finishing with a lifetime PH BA of .283, as a Yankee Johnny will hit 44 HRs with 179 RBI’s. John appeared in 5 World Series hitting .286 with 3 HRs, 18 RBIs in 18 games. His Yankees Manager Casey Stengel called Mize as “the greatest pinch hitter I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around long enough to have seen everything and some things which was never seen.”

1915 - The Tigers waived 1B Wally Pipp to the Yankees. Pipp hit .161 in 12 games, but he'll anchor 1st base for the Yankees for a decade until Lou Gehrig's appearance, because of Pipp’s headache during the 1925 AL season. He will finish up his MLB career with the Reds in NL.

1920 - Newly acquired Yankees OF Babe Ruth reacts to the trade in the Boston Evening Standard saying, "Frazee is not good enough to own any ball club, especially one in Boston."

1924 - The Yankees buy the contract of Louisville Colonels star OF Earle Combs, who hit .380 in 1923. The Colonels owner Bill Kneblekamp gets $50,000, OF Elmer Smith and another player, and demands that the Yankees play an exhibition game in Louisville with a guarantee that Babe Ruth is in the starting lineup. This reportedly nets Kneblekamp an additional $5,000. Earle Combs will become the 1st of the great Yankee Center Fielders to play for the team.

1935 - Former Yankees INF Richard “Ducky” Schofield Sr. (1966) was born. He is the Father of former MBL player Richard Schofield Jr. and the Grandfather of Jayson Werth of the Phillies. On May 11, 1966, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Giants to fill in for injured Ruben Amaro. He hit .155 in 25 games before being traded to the Dodgers on September 10, 1966 for P Thad Tillotson and cash.

1976 - Former All Star 2B Yankees Alfonso Soriano (1999-2003) was born. On September 29, 1998, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Japan Central). He was the AL All Star 2B in 2002-3. His best Yankees season was in 2002, hitting .300 with 39 HRs and 102 RBIs. On February 16,2004, he was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later to the Rangers for INF Alex Rodriguez and cash.

1978 - Former Yankees 1B George “Tioga” Burns (1928-29) passed away (1914-1978). George played in 13 games in 1928-29 before being sent to the A’s. George was blocked at 1st base by Lou Gehrig.

1980 - Former Yankees minor league OF Jackson Melian was born. Jackson never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was sent to the Reds in the Danny Neagle trade. He is currently in the Tigers organization, yet to play at the MLB level.

2006 - The final 2005 MLB teams payrolls are released, the Yankees finished last year with a record $207.2 million payroll, more than $90 million ahead of any other MLB team, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner's office.

January 8th

1913 - The Highlanders signed Frank Chance to be their next manager. Chance previously won 2 World Series and 4 pennants as the manager of the Cubs. His Yankees managing record would be 118-170. (1913-14)

1941 - The BWAA in The Sporting News poll names the 1940 MLB All Star team: Hank Greenberg (LF), Yankees Joe DiMaggio (CF), Ted Williams (RF), Frank McCormick (1B), Yankees Joe Gordon (2B), Luke Appling (SS), Stan Hack (3B) and Harry Danning (C) are the position players, while Bob Feller, Bucky Walters, and Paul Derringer are the pitchers.

1963 - Former Yankees minor league OF Shane Turner was born. Shane was drafted by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 1985 MLB amateur player draft. He never appeared with the Yankees at MLB level. On June 10, 1987, Shane was traded by the Yankees along with OF Keith Hughes to the Phillies for OF Mike Easler.

1969 - Former Yankees P Brian Boehringer (1995-1997) was born. On December 14,2000, Brian was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.He went 5-9 in 56 games before being traded on July 4,2001 to the Giants for C Bobby Estalella and Joe Smith (minors). He was signed as a free agent by the Yankees in July of 2005, but was released at the end of the month with no appearances with the Yankees at the MLB level.

1971 - Former Yankees DH/1B Jason Giambi (2002-2008) was born. Jason’s best Yankees season was in 2002, when he hit .314 with 34 HRs with 122 RBIs.

1976 - Former Yankees P Carl Pavano (2005-2007) was born.

1985 -The Yankees reacquired reserve C Juan Espino from the Indians.

1988 - Faced with a midnight deadline to re-sign with the Yankees, P Bill Gullickson agrees to a 2-year contract with Yomiuri Giants instead. Clipper’s Note: The Yankees front office really dropped the ball on Bill Gullickson, he should have been resigned.

2008 - Former Yankees Closer Rich “Goose“ Gossage is voted into the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA on the 9th try. Gossage had a 1.26 ERA+ and was a 9-time All-Star while saving over 300 games. He is the 5th reliever voted into the Hall, but the 3rd in the past 5 years. He joins Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Bruce Sutter as relief pitchers enshrined in Cooperstown.

January 9th

1903 - The defunct Baltimore Orioles AL franchise is purchased by Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $18,000 and is moved to Manhattan, where they will become the New York Highlanders, which marked the genesis of the Yankees.

1936 - Former Yankees P Ralph Terry (1956-57, 1959-1964) was born. Ralph was signed by the Yankees in 1953, as an amateur free agent. He pitched in 10 games for the Yankees during the 1956-57 AL seasons, going 2-3 before being traded on June 15, 1957 in the Billy Martin trade. Ralph would return to the Yankees on May 26, 1959, being traded by the A’s along with INF Hector Lopez for Pitchers Johnny Kucks, Tom Sturdivant, and INF Jerry Lumpe. Ralph would become a starter in 1960, going 10-8 in 35 games. He gave up the 9th inning HR to Maz in 1960, WS loss to the Pirates. In 1961, he went 16-3 in 31 games. The 1962 season was Ralph’s best MLB season; he went 23-12 in 43 starts. He was named to AL All Star team. He won the AL Babe Ruth Award and MLB WS MVP award, going 2-1 in the WS against the Giants. In 1963, he went 17-13. In 1964, he was slowed down by arm injuries slipping to a 7-11 mark and working out of the bullpen. Ralph appeared in 5 WS with a 2-4 mark, 2.93 ERA with 31 K’s. After the 1964 WS, he was sent along with P Bud Daley to complete the Pedro Ramos September trade with the Indians.

1953 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ivan DeJesus (1986) was born. On May 1, 1986, he was signed as a free agent with the Yankees.He only appeared in 7 games with the Yankees, before being released on June 24, 1986.

1959 - Former Yankees OF Otis Nixon (1983) was born. Otis was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1979 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). He appeared in only 13 games, batting just .143 in 1983. On February 5, 1984, Otis was traded by the Yankees with a player to be named later (Guy Elston) and P George Frazier to the Indians for a player to be named later (Rick Browne) and INF Toby Harrah.

1964 - Former Yankees OF Stan Javier (1984) was born. After being obtained from the Cardinals, he hit .143 in 7 games in 1984, before being sent to the A’s in the Rickey Henderson trade.

1969 - Former Yankees P Domingo Jean (1993) was born. On January 10, 1992, he was traded by the White Sox along with P Melido Perez and Bob Wickman to the Yankees for INF Steve Sax. He would go 1-1 in 10 games for the Yankees before being traded on November 27, 1993, along with INF Andy Stankiewicz to the Astros for reliever Xavier Hernandez.

1973 - Former Yankees INF Lynn Lary (1929-34) passed away (1906-1973). Lyn was purchased from Oakland (PCL) in 1928. He had 3 good seasons with the Yankees, before slipping in 1932. In 1934, he would be sent to the Red Sox.

1990 - Former Yankees All Star P Spud Chandler (1937-1947) passed away (1907-1990). Spud Chandler pitched for the Yankees from 1937 to 1947, with a pitching career record of 109-43 (.717). His best season was in 1943, when Spud went 20-1 (.833) with a 1.64 ERA. He was named to the AL All Star team and was the winner of the AL MVP and ML MVP awards. He appeared in the 1941-43 and 1947 World Series with the Yankees going 2-2 with 1.62 ERA. At the age of 38 in 1946, he went 20-8 for the Yankees. He retired after the 1947 AL season.

1997 - Free agent OF/DH Mark Whiten (1997) is signed by the Yankees. Mark would hit .265 in 67 games in 1997 for the Yankees.

January 10th

1888 - Former Yankees INF Del Pratt (1918-1920) was born. Del was obtained form the Browns in the Urban Shocker trade of 1918.He was a 2B for the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1920, when he hit .314. In December of 1920, he would be traded to the Red Sox in the Waite Hoyt trade.

1903 - Despite attempts by John T. Brush and Andrew Freedman to use their political influence to prevent the AL from finding suitable grounds in NYC, AL Commissioner Ban Johnson, aided by baseball writer Joe Vila, finds backers. Johnson also finds a ballpark site at 165th St and Broadway. Frank Farrell and Bill Devery pay $18,000 for the Baltimore franchise and will build a wooden grandstand seating 15,000 on the highest point of Manhattan. The team, logically, will be called the New York Highlanders. The ballpark will be called Hill Top Park.

1924 - Yankees released future HOF 3B Frank “Home Run” Baker, he retired from MLB.

1959 - Former Yankees P Richard Dotson (1988-89) was born. On November 12, 1987; he was traded by the White Sox along with P Scott Nielsen to the Yankees for OF Dan Pasqua, C/DH Mark Salas, and P Steve Rosenberg. Rich would go 14-14 in 43 games before being released in 1989.

1960 - Former Yankees reserve OF Bob Brower (1989) was born. On December 5, 1988, he was traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for INF Bobby Meacham. Bob would appear in 26 games, hitting .232 in 1989.

1983 - A preliminary injunction is issued by NY Supreme Court barring the Yankees from playing their opening games against the Tigers in Denver, Colorado. The Yankees sought to move games fearing the renovations to the Yankee Stadium would not be completed on time.

1992 - The Yankees traded 2B Steve Sax to the White Sox in exchange for 3 pitchers: Melido Perez, Domingo Jean and Bob Wickman.

2002 - The Yankees signed free agent starter David Wells to a 2-year, $7-million contract to re-join the team. After posting a 34-14 record including a perfect game from 1997-98, David Wells was traded to the Blue Jays in exchange for All Star starter Roger Clemens. In Toronto, David Wells had his only 20-win season of his MLB career.

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(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)