February 8th – February 14th
February 8th
1911 - Former Yankees reserve INF and MLB Manager Don “Jeep” Heffner (1934-37) was born. Don was a reserve INF for the Yankees from 1934-37, before being traded to the Browns in 1938. In 1966, he would manage the Reds.
1927 - Yankees Starter Sad Sam Jones is traded to the Browns in exchange for P Joe Giard and OF Cedric Durst. Jones will be 8 -14 in his only season in St. Louis.
1942 - Former Yankees P Fritz Peterson (1966-1974) was born. The Yankees signed Fritz as an amateur free agent in 1963. Fritz went 109-96 during his career with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1970, when he posted a 20-11 mark in 39 games and making the AL All Star team. On April 26,1974, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Fred Beene, P Tom Buskey, and P Steve Kline to the Indians for 1B Chris Chambliss, P Richard Tidrow, and P Cecil Upshaw.
1943 - Former Yankees INF Bob Oliver (1975) was born. Bob hit .118 in 18 games for the Yankees in 1975, before being released.
1956 - The Senators send P Mickey McDermott and INF Bob Kline to the Yankees in exchange for C Lou Berberet, OF Whitey Herzog, and 3 more players.
1983 - Former Yankees P Chase Wright (2007-2008) was born. The Yankees in the 3rd round of the 2001 MLB amateur player draft drafted Chase. In 2007, he went 2-0 in 3 games for the Yankees. On February 4, 2009, Chase was traded to the Brewers for outfielder-catcher Eric Fryer.
1983 - One day after taking a job as director of sports promotions for the Claridge Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, Mickey Mantle is ordered to sever his ties with MLB by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Mickey Mantle joins fellow HOF Willie Mays as players banned from baseball by Kuhn for involvement with legalized gambling.
1984 - After losing Type A free agent P Tom Underwood to the Orioles, the A’s grab P Tim Belcher from the Yankees as compensation. The No.1 selection in the June 1983 draft, Belcher did not sign with the Twins and was available in the January draft. The Yankees signed him on February 2nd, only to lose him, because they had already submitted their list of 26 protected players.
February 9th
1902 - Former Yankees INF Julie Wera (1927, 1929) was born. He batted .278 in 43 games before being sent to San Francisco Seals (PCL) in the Frank Crosetti trade.
1937 - Former Yankees 3B and MLB Coach Clete Boyer (1959-1966) was born. (1937-2007) Clete Boyer took over the regular 3B job from Andy Carey during the 1960 AL season. Clete would be one of finest 3B to play for the Yankees from 1960-66. He was over shadow by the Orioles Brooks Robinson. Clete appeared in 5 World Series with the Yankees (1960-1964). In the winter of 1966, Clete was traded by the Yankees to the Braves for rookie OF Bill Robinson and other player. The Yankees 3B position would not be solid again until the arrival of Graig Nettles from the Indians in 1973. Clete passed away in 2007. He was one of three Boyer brothers who played in the MLB, older brothers, Ken with the Cardinals and Cloyd with the A’s. Cloyd would later become a Yankees MLB pitching coach.
1980 - The late All Star Yankees catcher Thurman Munson is inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame of Kent State University.
1984 - Former Yankee C Dioner Navarro (2004) was born. Dioner was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 2000. He hit .429 in 5 games, before being traded to the D-Backs in the Randy Johnson trade.
1994 - The Phillies traded starter Terry Mulholland and a player to be named later to the Yankees in exchange for P Bobby Munoz, minor league players 2B Kevin Jordan and P Ryan Karp
2001 - After 13 months of negotiations, AL All Star shortstop Derek Jeter and the Yankees finalize a $189 million, 10-year contract. The deal makes the all-star shortstop second only to Alex Rodriguez ($252 million/10 years) as highest paid player in the history of the sport.
2007 - Former Yankees OF (1948-1959) and MLB Manager Hank Bauer passed away from cancer (1922-2007). Before the 1946 AL Season, the Yankees signed Hank as an amateur free agent. He was AL All Star RF in 1952-1954. Hank appeared in 9 World Series with the Yankees, with the 1958 series against the Braves being his best, hitting .323 with 4 HRs with 8 RBI’s. Hank finished his Yankees career with a .277 BA, 158 HRs, and 654 RBIs in 1,406 games. On December 11,1959, Hank was traded by the Yankees along with P Don Larsen, OF Norm Siebern, and OF/1B Marv Throneberry to the A’s for OF Roger Maris, INF Joe De Maestri, and 1B Kent Hadley. Hank would finish his playing career with the A’s in 1961. He would manage the A’s in Kansas City and Oakland. Hank would win the 1966 World Series with his Orioles beating the Dodgers. Later he would managed in the Mets farm system at Tidewater (AAA) in the 1970’s and then scout for the Yankees afterwards.
February 10th
1894 - Former Yankees P Herb Pennock (1923-1933) is born in Kennett Square, Pa. Herb Pennock extended his MLB career over 22 seasons, during which he won 241 games. As a Yankees starter, Herb won 162 games. He posted a 5-0 record in 5 World Series for the Yankees. At the time of his death from a fatal heart attack in 1948, Herb was the GM of the Phillies (1944-48). He will be elected to the HOF by the BWAA in 1948, with 94 votes on 121 ballots.
1917 - Former Yankees P Allie “Super Chief” Reynolds (1947-1954) is born. Allie was obtained from the Indians in 1947; he went 19-8, with a WP.704 for the Yankees. He was one of the mainstays of the Yankees starting rotation that won 5 straight World Championships (1949-1953) along with Eddie Lopat, Vic Raschi, and later Whitey Ford. His World Series Yankees pitching record was 7-2. Allie went 131-60 in 8 seasons with the Yankees, including a 20-8 with an ERA 2.06 in 1952. During the 1951 AL season, he pitched 2-no-hitters, including one against the Red Sox. His former team, the Indians was his other no-hit victim in 1951. A back injury during a team bus accident during the 1954 AL season forced Allie to retire at the end of the season. He later became the Baseball Commissioner of the American Association (AAA).
1970 - Former Yankees reserve C Alberto Castillo (2002) was born. He hit .135 in 15 games with the Yankees, before being released.
1971 - Former MLB player Bill White becomes the 1st black play-by-play broadcaster in MLB history. WPIX-TV hires Bill White to team with Phil Rizzuto and Frank Messer on Yankees broadcasts.
1975 - Yankees signed free agent minor league INF Damaso Garcia. Garcia played 2B during the 1978 AL season for the injured 2B Willie Randolph. He appeared in 29 games hitting .229 before being traded to the Blue Jays on November 1, 1979. He was traded by the Yankees along with 1B Chris Chambliss and P Paul Mirabella for P Tom Underwood, C Rick Cerone, and OF Ted Wilborn.
1990 - Former Yankees 1B Tony Solaita (1968) passed away (1947-1990). The Yankees signed Tony, as an amateur free agent in 1965. In 1968, he appeared in 1 game for the Yankees, going 0 fo1. On February 28, 1973, Tony was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for George Kopacz. After playing in the MLB, Tony played baseball for several years in Japan.
2002 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Jim Spencer (1978-1981) passed away (1947-2002). Jim was traded on December 12,1977, by the White Sox along with P Bob Polinsky and OF Tommy Cruz to the Yankees for P Stan Thomas, P Ed Ricks and cash. Jim never hit as expected for the Yankees during his stay with the Bombers. His best Yankees season was in 1979, when he hit .279. On May 20, 1981, Jim was traded by the Yankees along with P Tom Underwood to the A’s for 1B Dave Revering, Pitchers Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty. After retiring from MLB, he coached the U.S. Naval Academy baseball team for several years.
2005 - In his 1st public appearance, Yankees 1B Jason Giambi apologizes to his teammates, Yankees fans, and to baseball fans everywhere for letting them down in 2004 season. The All-Star 1B, however, never uses the word steroids as he accepted full responsibility for the controversy.
February 11th
2006 - Pitcher Shawn Chacon and the Yankees agreed to a $3.6 million, one-year contract and avoided a salary arbitration hearing.
February 12th
1921 - Former Yankees INF Don Bollweg (1953) was born. On May 14, 1951, Don was traded by the Cardinals along with $15,000 to the Yankees for veteran 3B Billy Johnson. Don hit .297 in 70 games for Yankees. On December 16, 1953, Don was traded by the Yankees along with INF Jim Finigan, P Johnny Gray, 1B Vic Power, OF Bill Renna, and C Jim Robertson to the A’s for P Harry Byrd, 1B Eddie Robinson, OF Tom Hamilton, Carmen Mauro, and 3B Loren Babe.
1930 - In a defeat for AL president Ban Johnson, starter Carl Mays is reinstated, and the Yankees' 3rd place finish is recognized.
1932 - George Weiss is named head of the Yankees' new minor league system by General Manager Ed Barrow. Weiss will eventually become the General Manager of the Yankees (1948-1960), and along with manager Casey Stengel, will oversee an unprecedented 5 consecutive World Championships from 1949 to 1953. George Weiss will eventually gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1971, as a baseball executive. He will be the first GM for the NL expansion team, Mets in 1962.
1942 - Former Yankees P Pat Dobson (1973-75) was born (1942-2006). Pat went 39-27 in 72 games for the Yankees, after being obtained from the Braves for several minor league players. His best Yankees season was in 1974, when Pat posted a 19-15 record in 39 games. In winter of 1975, he was sent to the Indians for OF/DH Oscar Gamble. Pat passed away in 2006.
1953 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Dave Revering (1981-82) was born. On May 20, 1981, Dave was traded by the by A’s along with Pitchers Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty to the Yankees for 1B Jim Spencer and P Tom Underwood. Don hit .190 in 59 games for the Yankees, before being traded to the Blue Jays for veteran 1B/DH John Mayberry.
1978 - Former Yankees P Tim Redding (2006) was born. Tim was picked up from the Nationals organization by the Yankees. Tim went 0-1 in 1 appearance for the Yankees, lasting only 1 inning giving up 6 runs.
February 13th
1883 - Former Yankees 1B and Player-Manager Hal “Prince Hal” Chase (1903-1913) was born. On October 4, 1904, he was drafted by the Highlanders from the Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Hal had a lifetime BA of .284 as a Yankee. He led the Yankees in hitting in 1906-07. During the 1910-11 seasons, he was a player–manager for the Yankees. His character was often questioned because of not playing honestly. On June 1, 1913, Hal was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for OF Rollie Zeider and 1B Babe Borton. Hal was banned from organized baseball in 1920 for gambling and fixing games.
1927 - Former Yankees INF Jim Brideweser (1951-53) was born. Before the 1950 AL Season, Jim was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent, after attending USC. Jim hit .363 (16 for 44) in 51 games as Yankee before being claimed on waivers by the Orioles on May 11, 1954. Jim was a good utility INF, but there was no room for him on the Yankees 25 man MLB roster. Jim would play for the Orioles, White Sox and Tigers before finishing up in 1959 as MLB player.
1941 - Former Yankees P Jim Brenneman (1965) was born. Jim was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1961. He appeared in 3 games in 1965 with no record for the Yankees.
1960 - Former Yankees minor league P Brian Ryder was born. Pitcher Brian Ryder was drafted in the 1st round of the 1978 MLB amateur player draft by the Yankees. In December of 1981, he was traded along with P Freddie Toliver for OF Ken Griffey Sr. Brian Ryder never made it to the MLB with the Reds.
1971 - Former Yankees P Todd Williams (2001) was born. Signed as a free agent, Todd went 1-0 in 15 games for the 2001 Yankees.
1980 - Former Yankees INF Drew Henson (2002-3) was born. Henson was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1998 MLB amateur player draft. On July 12, 2000, Drew was traded by the Yankees with along with OF Jackson Melian, Brian Reith, and P Ed Yarnall to the Reds for OF Mike Frank and P Denny Neagle. On March 21, 2001, Drew was traded back to the Yankees by the Reds along with OF Michael Coleman for OF Wily Mo Pena. Drew hit .111 in 13 games. With the arrival of A-Rod, the Yankees bought out his contract. Drew Henson left MLB baseball to play NFL football.
1985 - The Yankees re-acquired C Ron Hassey from the White Sox. Hassey, who had been traded to Chicago only 2 months earlier, returns to Yankees in a 7-player trade. Ron was traded by the White Sox along with minor league players Chris Alvarez and Eric Schmidt and OF Matt Winters to the Yankees for P Neil Allen, C Scott Bradley, minor leaguer Glen Braxton and cash.
February 14th
1913 - Former HOF Yankees broadcasting announcer Mel Allen was born. He was known as “The Longtime Voice of the Yankees” from the late 1939 to 1964. He would greet Yankee fans with “Hello here, everyone” at the beginning of the every Yankee broadcast. With new CBS ownership, Mel was let go by the Yankees in 1964. Mel Allen was welcomed back to the Yankees' on-air family in 1976 as a pre/post-game host for the cable telecasts with John Sterling, and eventually started calling play-by-play again. He announced Yankees cable telecasts on SportsChannel New York (now FSN New York) along with the regular crew of Phil Rizzuto, Bill White, Frank Messer, and occasionally Fran Healy. Mel Allen remained with the Yankees' play-by-play crew until 1985. Mel made occasional appearances on Yankee telecasts and commercials into the late 1980s.
In 1990, Allen called play-by-play for a WPIX Yankees game to officially make him baseball's 1st 7-decade announcer. Among the memorable moments Allen called in that stretch were Yankee OF Reggie Jackson's 400th MLB HR in 1980, and Yankees starter Dave Righetti's no-hitter on July 4, 1983. Later he would host “This Week in Baseball,” television series, working on the show until his death in 1996.
1951 - Former Yankees reserve INF Larry Milbourne (1981-83) was born. On November 18, 1980, Larry was traded by the Mariners with a player to be named later to the Yankees for C Brad Gulden and $150,000. Larry would hit .313 in 61 games in 1981 for the Yankees. On May 12, 1982, he was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Pete Filson, John Pacella, and cash to the Twins for C Butch Wynegar and P Roger Erickson. In 1983, Larry was purchased by the Yankees from the Phillies, Larry appeared in 31 games hitting .200. On February 14,1984, Larry was traded by the Yankees to the Mariners for P Scott Nielsen and Eric Parent.
1970 - Former Yankees reserve C Kelly Stinnett (2006) was born. On December 1, 2005, Kelly was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. He hit .228 in 34 games before being released in July of 2006.
1981 - Former Yankees P Brad Halsey (2004) was born. Brad was drafted by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 2002 MLB amateur player draft. He went 1-3 in 8 games in 2004, before being traded to the Diamondbacks in the Randy Johnson trade.
1985 - Former Yankees P Tyler Clippard (2007) was born. Tyler was drafted by the Yankees in the 9th round of the 2003 MLB amateur player draft. Tyler went 3-1 in 6 games for the Yankees. On December 5, 2007, Tyler was traded by the Yankees to the Nationals for P Jonathan Albaladejo.
1984 - Former Yankees INF (1952-53) and MLB Coach (1967) Babe “Bee Bee” Loren passed away. The Yankees signed babe Loren as an amateur free agent in 1945. Babe appeared in only 17 games for the Yankees in 1952-53. He had been buried in the Yankees farm system with so many talented INF players around. In 1953, he was sold to the A’s, but was reacquired by the Yankees in December of 1953 in the Vic Power trade. He remained in the minor leagues until retiring as active player in 1958. From 1961-1966, he managed in the Yankees farm system. He was a MLB coach for the Yankees in 1967. He later worked with the White Sox in the 1980’s, before his death from cancer in 1984.
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