This Week in Yankees History (8/23-8/29)

This Week in Yankees History

August 23rd - August 29th

August 23rd

1896 - Former Yankees OF/1B Cedric Durst (1927-1930) was born (1896-1971). On February 8, 1927, he was traded by the Browns along with C Joe Giard to the Yankees for P Sam Jones. On May 6, 1930, Cedric was traded by the Yankees along with $50,000 to the Red Sox for right-handed hurler Red Ruffing.

1910 - Former Yankees reserve INF Lonnie Frey (1947-48) was born. On June 25, 1947, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Cubs. Lonnie appeared in only 25 games for the Yankees hitting just .179, before being released by the team in May of 1948.

1918 - Former Yankees P Ken Holcombe (1945) was born. Ken went 3-3 in 23 games with the Yankees during the 1945 AL season.

1924 - Former Yankees reserve C Sherman Lollar (1947-1948) was born. On December 6, 1946, he was traded by the Indians along with 2B Ray Mack to Yankees for OF Hal Peck, pitchers Al Gettel, and Gene Bearden. Sherman appeared in 33 games with the Yankees as a back-up catcher. With the rise of Yogi Berra and the presence of Ralph Houk, he became expendable. On December 13, 1948, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Red Embree, 1B Richard Starr, and $100,000 to the Browns for C Roy Partee and P Fred Sanford. He would go on to be the starting catcher for the White Sox during the 1950’s.

1928 - The Yankees pick up lefty starter Tom Zachary on waivers from the Senators. Tom was the pitcher, who had given up Babe Ruth’s 60th HR in 1927. As a Yankee pitcher for 2 seasons (1929-1930), he would go 16-4, including a 12-0 mark in 1929.

1930 - The Yankees buy INF Frank Crosetti from the San Francisco Seals (PCL) but allow him to play another season in the PCL before reporting to the team. “The Crow” would be a Yankee regular for 13 seasons and part time player for 4 years, before becoming the long time Yankees MLB 3B Coach. The Yankees will make a similar arrangement for OF Joe DiMaggio, buying him from the Seals but waiting a year before acquiring him in 1936.

1930 - Former Yankees OF John “Zeke” Bella (1957) was born. The Yankees signed John as an MLB amateur free agent in 1951. He appeared in only 5 games for the Yankees, hitting just .182. On August 22, 1958, John was traded by the Yankees along with cash to the A’s for veteran hurler Murry Dickson.

1942 - Former Senators Ace Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth is the pre-game attraction that draws 69,000 fans for the New York-Washington game at Yankee Stadium that provides $80,000 for Army-Navy relief. Ruth hits the 5th pitch into the RF stands, and then adds one more shot before circling the bases. Sixteen relief games contribute $523,000 during the AL season. In the doubleheader between the Senators and the Yankees, the Senators win the opener, with a 7-6 victory and the Yankees win the nightcap, by a score of 3-0, in 5 1/2 innings.

1948 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Ron Bloomberg (1969-1977) On June 6,1967, Ron was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft. Ron was the 1st DH in MLB History. He had great power, but he was hampered with knee injuries, he never really had the MLB career that the Yankees had hoped for as a 1st round MLB draft player pick. Ron is releasing a book on his MLB experiences.

1956 - Led by Nellie Fox's 7 straight hits, the White Sox sweep the Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a bunt-single, triple and HR in the 6-4 nightcap loss, but he trails Nellie Fox in season hits, 158 to 155. But the Mickey still leads in the AL Triple Crown race.

1964 - Yankees tops the Red Sox at Fenway Park, by a score of 4-3, as Mickey Mantle starts the scoring with a 2-run HR in the 3rd inning off of starter Earl Wilson. The Yankees will win 26 of their next 33 games.

1968 - Yankees rookie starter Stan Bahnsen out-duels Tigers veteran starter Earl Wilson to give the Yankees, a 2-1 win over the Tigers. The 2 teams then battle for 19 innings, before the 2nd game is suspended by AL curfew rules with the score tie at 3-3. The game will be finished tomorrow. In the long tie, Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel retires 21 straight Tiger batters, 6 on strikeouts. In his last 3 relief appearances, Lindy has retired 30 AL batters in a row.

1972 - White Sox slugger Richard Allen becomes the 4th MLB player (Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, and Alex Johnson are the others) to hit one into the CF bleachers at Comiskey Park, when he connects off of Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel. The 2-run HR in the 7th ices, the 5-2 win for the White Sox. In 1972, all of the Chicago Wednesday season games are in the afternoon, and Harry Caray announces them, while sitting in the CF bleachers. Allen's drive misses Caray by just a few rows.

1974 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mark Bellhorn (2005) was born.The Yankees signed Mark as a free agent during the 2005 AL season. He appeared in only 9 games, hitting just .118. He left the team for free agency after the 2005 AL post season.

1974 - Former Yankees reserve C Bobby Estella (2001) was born. On July 4, 2001, Bobby was traded by the Giants along with Joe Smith (minors) to the Yankees for P Brian Boehringer. Bobby appeared in 3 games with the Yankees with no hits. On March 27, 2002, Bobby was released by the Yankees.

1977 - Behind Mickey Rivers' 5-for-5 performance at the plate, Mike Torrez's 7th straight complete game contributing to an 8-3 whipping of the White Sox, the Yankees take over 1st place in the AL East. With the Red Sox losing, the Yankees go ahead by a half game and will stay in 1st place in the AL East to the end of the regular 1977 AL season.

1996 - The Yankees obtained P Graeme Lloyd and former AL ROY INF Pat Listach from the Brewers in exchange for OF Gerald Williams and P Bob Wickman. Lloyd is put to work and provides late inning relief as the 1st-place Yankees beat the A's, by the score of 5-3. The Yankees will officially complain to the AL office that the Brewers sent damaged goods in the 2 players, but the AL league office ignores the complaint. However, the Brewers will take back INF Pat Listach and will send P Ricky Bones to the Yankees on the 29th. The Yankees will file a grievance over Lloyd's injury in September.

1997 - Former Yankees 1B John “Buddy” Hassett (1942) passed away. On February 20, 1936, Buddy was traded by the Yankees to the Dodgers for Buzz Boyle, Johnny McCarthy and $40,000. On December 16, 1941, Buddy was sent by the Braves to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 9, 1941. The Braves sent players to be named later to the Yankees for players to be named later and OF Tommy Holmes. The Braves sent Buddy Hassett on December 16, 1941 and Gene Moore on February 5, 1942 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Buddy hit .284 in 132 games with 5 HRs with 48 RBIs for the 1942 Yankees.

His last MLB appearances were in the 1942 World Series, where he went 3-for-9. His last hit was in the 9th inning of Game 2 off of Cardinals P Johnny Beazley. He served in the Navy during WWII. On May 1, 1946, Buddy was released by the Yankees. After his playing days, he managed in the minors from 1947 to 1950 for the Norfolk Tars, Binghamton Triplets, Newark Bears, and Colorado Springs Sky Sox

1999 - The Yankees score 6 runs in the 1st inning on their way to a 21-3 victory over the Rangers. 3B Scott Brosius (6) and C Joe Girardi (7) the 8th and 9th batters in the Yankees lineup drive in 13 of the Yankee runs. Jeter scores his 100th run of the 1999 AL season, the 1st Yankee to string together 4 straight seasons of 100+ runs since Mickey Mantle did it in 9-straight seasons (1953-1961).

2003 - In front of full house at Yankee Stadium, Ron Guidry's Yankee uniform no. 49 is retired on the lefty's special day. "Louisiana Lightning”, who played his entire MLB career with the Yankees, while posting a 170-90 pitching career record, is surprised the club hasn't just honored him with a day, but have retired his uniform jersey number and place a plaque in Monument Park in his honor.

2003 - Former Yankees All Star OF Bobby Bonds (1975) passed away. Bobby Bonds played for the Yankees for in 1975, where he hit .270 with 32 HRs, stole 30 bases, and pulled 89 walks but nevertheless only scored 93 runs on a team that was otherwise weak. Bobby was named to the AL All Star team as a CF. He came to the Yankees in a trade for AL All Star OF Bobby Murcer, a trade that was not particularly popular with Giants and Yankee fans. On December 11, 1975, Bobby was traded by the Yankees to the Angels for P Ed Figueroa and OF Mickey Rivers.

2004 - Former Yankees P Hank Borowy (1942-1945) passed away. A graduate of Fordham University who was a dependable war time starter for the Yankees from 1942 to 1944, Hank was 15-4, 14-9 and 17-12 with an ERA under 3.00 all three years. In the 1943 World Series, he was a 6-2 winner over the Cardinals in game 3. He had a record of 10-5 on July 27, 1945, when he was surprisingly placed on waivers by the Yankees. The Cubs claimed hank. He was then 11-2 over the final 2 months to play in what was then the team's last NL pennant. With his overall record of 21-7, Hank became only the 3rd pitcher in MLB history to win 20 games in a season divided between the 2 leagues. Rick Sutcliffe (1984) and Bartolo Colon (2002) have done it since.

August 24th

1904 - The Highlanders OF Willie Keeler collects 2 HR’s against the Browns in a 9-1 win at New York. Both of his HR drives are inside the park shots.

1951 - Against the Indian's Early Wynn, Gene Woodling cracks his 3rd HR off the Tribe ace this season, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 2-0. Woodling went deep on Wynn on June 24th, July 24th and today. Mickey Mantle makes his 1st Yankee appearance since his recall from the Kansas City Blues (AAA).

1960 - Despite Roy Sievers 2-HRs and a double, the Yankees still beat the White Sox by a score of 3-2, dropping White Sox to 1 1/2 games off the pace and into a 2nd place tie with the Orioles. Yankees starter Art Ditmar is the winner over veteran lefty hurler Herb Score.

1964 - The Yankees win their 1st Mayor’s trophy game at Shea Stadium by the score of 6-4 before a crowd of 60,167 fans.

1966 - Former Yankees minor league P Dean Wilkins was born. The Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft drafted Dean. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 13, 1987, Dean was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Rich Scheid and Bob Tewksbury to the Cubs for P Steve Trout.

1968 - In a battle between team pitching aces, the Yankees Mel Stottlemyre tops the Tigers ace Denny McLain by the score of 2-1.

1977 - Catfish Hunter notches his final victory of the 1977 AL season, an 11-1, 4-hit victory over the Twins. The Yankees batting line-up supports Hunter with HRs outages by Roy White, Mickey Rivers, Chris Chambliss and Bucky Dent.

1981 - In his 1st MLB at bat, Twins rookie1B Kent Hrbek hits a 12th-inning HR giving them, a 3-2 victory over the Yankees.

1983 - Current Yankees OF Brett Gardner was born. The Yankees in the 3rd round of the 2005 MLB amateur player draft drafted Brett. In 2009 Yankees spring training camp; Brett Gardner was competing for the starting job as the Yankees CF with Melky Cabrera. He ended up making the team and sharing playing time with Cabrera. In the spring, he had received the "Kevin Lawn Award" for being the Yankees' top minor league batter the previous season. In 2008, in 42 games, and 227 at bats, Brett Gardner posted 29 hits, including 2 triples, and 5 doubles for a .229 batting average. He also scored 18 runs, and was successful in 13 out of 14 stolen base attempts. He also played errorless defense in the outfield.

1985 - Yankees Don Baylor ties a MLB record, when he hit by a pitch for the 189th time in his MLB playing career.

August 25th

1889 - Former Yankees C/1B Les Nunamaker (1914-1917) was born. On May 13, 1914, Les was purchased by the Yankees from the Red Sox. He hit .261 in 369 games for the Yankees. On January 22,1918, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Nick Cullop, Joe Gedeon, Fritz Maisel, P Urban Shocker, and $15,000 to the Browns for P Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt.

1902 - AL President Ban Johnson announces the AL's intention to have a New York City team in 1903, with Clark Griffith as manager. The Baltimore Orioles franchise will be moved to New York City in 1903, becoming the Highlanders.

1906 - Yankees rookie hurler Slow Joe Doyle makes his MLB debut with a 2-0 shutout against the Indians. Doyle would go 22-21 in 70 games for Yankees (1906-1910).

1913 - The Yankees obtained OF Frank Gilhooley from the Cardinals for cash. He would play for the Yankees from 1913-1918, appearing in 250 games, hitting .277. On December 18, 1918, Frank was traded by the Yankees along with P Ray Caldwell, P Slim Love, C Roxy Walters and $15,000 to Red Sox for P Dutch Leonard, OF Duffy Lewis and P Ernie Shore.

1921 - With the Indians waltzing to a 15-1 victory over the Yankees. Yankees hurler Harry Harper, pitching in the 8th inning, plunks Tribe OF Charles Jamieson in the ribs, Larry Gardner in the arm, and Steve O'Neill in the back. O'Neill throws the ball back at Harper precipitates a bench clearing brawl. Yankees OF Bob Meusel contributes 4 errors in the game. The Tribe takes over 1st place in the AL from the Yankees.

1922 - In the 1st of a doubleheader before a sold-out Polo Grounds, the Browns beat the Yankees, by the score of 3-1, behind Urban Shocker. Waite Hoyt is the loser for the Yankees, but stops Ken Williams hit streak at 28 consecutive games. George Sisler hits in his 24th straight game. In game 2, the Yankees jump to a 2-0 lead on Babe Ruth's 2-run triple, and then extend it to 6-1 behind starter Joe Bush. The Browns close to 6-5, but that is it.

1928 - Former Yankees reserve C and MLB Manager Darrell Johnson (1957-1958) was born (1928-2004). Darrell came to the Yankees in the big 17-man trade with the Orioles in the winter of 1954. He would be one of the back up catchers for Yogi Berra during the 1957-1958 AL seasons. On November 30, 1959, Darrell was drafted by the Cardinals from the Yankees in the 1959 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Darrell would make his only World Series appearance in 1961, as a member of the Reds playing against his former team, the Yankees. He would later move on to become a MLB Manager with the Red Sox, Mariners and the Rangers.

1929 - After 3 straight shutouts by Browns hurlers Gray, Blaeholder, and Crowder the Yankees break their 32-inning scoreless streak with a 4th-inning HR by Babe Ruth. The Browns still win the game by a score of 3-2.

1931 - At Chicago, the Yankees record their 1st shutout of the 1931 AL season, when Herb Pennock blanks the White Sox by the score of 6-0. Yankees OF Ben Chapman has a good day at the plate with a triple, a single, and 2-runs scored and his 50th and 51st stolen bases of the season. In addition, he beats the White Sox player Carl Reynolds in a pre-game 100-yard dash.

1935 - Yankees CF Earle Combs collides with 3B Red Rolfe on a fly ball and suffers a severe shoulder injury. It will contribute to his decision to retire at the end of the 1935 AL season. Earl Coombs was the 1st of the great Yankees centerfielders; Joe DiMaggio would replace him in 1936.

1939 - Yankees 3rd baseman Red Rolfe scores in his 18th consecutive game, giving him a total of 30 runs.

1939 - Former Yankees P Dooley Womack (1966-68) was born. Before the 1958 AL Season, Dooley was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Dooley went 15-16 in 152 games with 24 saves for the Yankees. On December 4, 1968, he was traded by the Yankees to the Astros for OF Richard Simpson.

1951 - Before 66,110 fans at Cleveland, Mickey Mantle belts an opposite field 2-run HR off of Tribe starter Mike Garcia to help the Yankees win by a score of 7-3. The Yankees now are 77-46 moves to a game in back of the Tribe.

1952 - In a 1-0 win over the Yankees in Yankee Stadium, Tigers starter Virgil Trucks pitches his 2nd no-hitter of the 1952 AL season. The no-hitter is in doubt for 3 innings when a play made by shortstop Johnny Pesky in the 3rd inning is under debate. The official scorer, John Drebinger, records it as an error when Pesky has trouble getting a ball hit by Phil Rizzuto out of his glove. Dan Daniel of The New York World Telegram convinces Drebinger that it cannot be ruled an error because the ball was stuck in the fielder's glove, and Rizzuto is awarded a hit. In the 6th inning, with Trucks not having given up another hit, Drebinger calls Pesky in the dugout from the press box, and the Shortstop says that he should be given the error rather than Rizzuto the hit. The call is changed again, and Trucks' no-hitter is preserved. Trucks' pitching record for the 1952 AL season is now at 5-15 mark.

1956 - Prior to the Old Timer's Game at Yankee Stadium, shortstop Phil Rizzuto is asked to consult with Yankees GM George Weiss and Manager Casey Stengel concerning a player move necessitated by reacquiring veteran OF Enos Slaughter from the A's. After making several suggestions about who should be cut from the squad, the veteran INF is told by GM Weiss, that he is the player about to be let go. Rizzutto would be the last Yankee player to play for Yankee managers Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel. Through the instigation of major sponsor for the Yankees, Ballantine Beer, Rizzuto will be in the announcing booth next year, replacing veteran announcer Jim Woods. Phil turns down an offer from the Dodgers to play with them, because they want him to get into playing shape at their AAA farm team in Montreal (IL) before joining the team. Also Phil turns down an offer to manage the Senators for the 1957 AL season.

1956 - The Yankees required veteran OF Enos “Country” Slaughter from the A’s for cash. Enos 2nd tour with the Yankees proved to be more successful than his 1st, before fading during the 1959 AL season, with Enos being sold to the Braves.

1959 - In Cleveland, Indians slugger Rocky Colavito HRs twice as the Tribe tops the Yankees by a score of 6-3. The Indians have now won 7 straight to move 2 games behind the 1st-place White Sox.

1960 - Former Yankees INF and MLB 3B Coach Bobby Meacham (1983-1988) was born. On December 14, 1982, Bobby was traded by the Cardinals along with OF Stan Javier to the Yankees for minor league players Bob Helsom, Marty Mason, and Steve Fincher. Bobby would hit .276 in 457 games with the Yankees. He led the AL in sac hits in 1984 (14) and 1985 ((23). On December 5, 1988, Bobby was traded by the Yankees to the Rangers for OF Bob Brower.

1966 - Yankees veteran All Star starter Whitey Ford (2-5) undergoes surgery for a circulatory problem in his left shoulder.

1968 - With the Tigers ahead by the score of 5-0 fail to score with 2 men on base in the 4th inning when the Yankees bring in Rocky Colavito. The 35-year-old slugger retires Al Kaline and Willie Horton and tosses 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. In Rocky's only other pitching appearance, in 1958, he also faced Al Kaline and the victory by a non-pitcher will be the last in 20th century. Yankees Bill Robinson and Bobby Cox crash successive HRs to tie the score and, after a walk, Rocky comes around to score the winning run. In the 8th inning, Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel ties the AL record for consecutive batters retired by setting down the 1st Tiger he faces, giving him 32 straight batters retired over 4 appearances. The Yankees sweep the doubleheader, winning the 1st game by the score of 6-5 and then topping Tigers starter Mickey Lolich by the score of 5-4 in the nightcap. The 4 losses at Yankee Stadium, leaves the Tigers just 5 games ahead of the Orioles.

1976 - The Yankees edge the Twins by the score of 5-4 in a 19-inning marathon. Grant Jackson is the winner for the Yankees over Twin’s Pete Redfern.

1977 - The Twins blow a 4-2 lead over the Yankees, when Mickey Rivers hits a 2-run single in the 7th inning and Reggie Jackson drives home a run in the 8th inning.

1978 - With 4 amateur umps officiating, Ron Guidry posts his 18th win, beating the A's by the score of 7-1. Reggie Jackson's HR drives in his 1,001st MLB career RBI. The win keeps the Yankees 7 1/2 games behind the Red Sox.

1984 - Former Yankees HOF hurler Waite “School Boy” Hoyt (1921-1930) passed away (1899 - 1984). Hoyt would go 157-98, with a WP of .617 in 9 ½ years with the Yankees. He was on the only 20-game winner on the 1927 World Championship team, going 22-7. He posted a 6-4 record in World Series with ERA of 1.83. After his playing days, he became a long time broadcaster with the Reds. He was elected to Hall of Fame in 1969.

1989 - Former Yankees INF Jim Brideweser (1951-1953) passed away (1927-1989). Before the 1950 AL Season, the Yankees signed Jim as an MLB 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 infielder, but there was no room for him on the Yankees 25 man roster. Jim would play for the Orioles, White Sox and Tigers before finishing up in 1959 as MLB player.

1996 - The Yankees dedicate their 1st new monument in 47 years, to HOF CF Mickey Mantle, in Monument Park in center field at Yankee Stadium. Miller Huggins, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig are also honored with monuments, while 15 Yankee players are honored on plaques.

2001 - The Yankees defeat the Angels by score of 7-5, as Roger Clemens becomes the 1st AL hurler to go 17-1 to begin an AL season. Yankees RF Paul O'Neill hits his 20th HR of the year, making him the oldest player in MLB history at age 38 to reach the 20 HR-20 SB mark in a season.

August 26th

1916 - The Yankees turn a big triple play during a 10-6 win over the Browns. With a 3-run Yankee lead, the Browns load the bases in the 7th inning with no-outs only watch a line drive to 3rd base clear the bases.

1919 - Ban Johnson casts the deciding vote in a National Commission decision awarding the disputed services of P Jack Quinn to the Yankees for 1919 AL season over the claim of the White Sox, for whom Quinn was 5-1 this year.

1922 - The Yankees take over 1st place in AL by beating the Browns by the score of 9-2, behind starter Carl Mays. Rasty Wright is the loser for the Browns.

1935 - Lumbering 1B Zeke Bonura of the White Sox steals home with 2 outs in the 15th inning to beat the Yankees by score of 9-8.

1951 - In the 2nd game against the Yankees, veteran INF Bert Haas hits a pinch HR in the 6th inning for the White Sox, in his last MLB at bat. The White Sox will release the 37-year old veteran tomorrow. The Yankees win the game by a score of 8-6, to remain a game behind the Indians. The White Sox take the opener by the score of 3-2, behind starter Saul Rogovin.

1956 - The Yankees announced the purchase of veteran OF Enos Slaughter from the A’s for cash ($50,000). To make room for Slaughter on the MLB 25 man roster, the Yankees released longtime AL All Star shortstop Phil Rizzuto.

1957 - Yankee-killer Tiger starter Frank Lary stops the Bombers as Detroit wins by a score of 5-2. The Yankees lead over the White Sox is now 3 ½ games. The Yankees will go into Chicago, where they will sweep the White Sox in a 3 game series.

1959 - The Indians stretch their winning streak to 8 games when Rocky Colavito snaps a 4-4 tie with an 8th inning HR. Jim Perry, in relief of starter Gary Bell picks up the win, a 5-4 victory, over the Yankees.

1960 - The Yankees crash 5-solo HRs and 4-pinch hits, the latter tying an AL record, to top the Indians by a score of 7-6. Yogi Berra’s 2nd HR gives the Yankees the win in the 11th inning. In the 2nd game, the Yankees win by a score of 7-5 with Bob Cerv's 3-run HR is the big blast that wins the game.

1961 - Yankees All Star RF Roger Maris belts HR #51, off of A's hurler Jerry Walker. Roger's HR in the 6th inning follows a Tony Kubek HR blast. Yankees starter Bill Stafford allows just 1-hit, till the 9th inning as the Yankees win, by the score of 5-1.

1962 - Veteran starter Robin Roberts, discarded by the Yankees at the end of 1962 spring training camp beats Whitey Ford by a score of 2-1 on HRs by Brooks Robinson and Jim Gentile to complete a 5-game Orioles sweep of the sagging Yankees. The Twins and Angels are now 3 games behind the Yankees.

1966 - Tiger's Earl Wilson, winner of 6 straight games, hits an 8th inning HR to give himself a 5-3 lead over the Yankees. But the Yankees, batting against reliever Hank Aguirre in the 9th inning, tally 1-run on a Clete Boyer single, and win it, by a score of 6-5, when Mickey Mantle clouts a pinch HR over a leaping Al Kaline in RF. The win still leaves the Yankees (57-72) in last place in AL.

1972 - Former Yankees P Danny MacFayden (1933-1934) passed away. On June 5, 1932, Dan was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for P Ivy Andrews, Hank Johnson and $50,000. Dan went 7-5 in 47 games for the Yankees. On November 22, 1934, Dan was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees.

1975 - Former Yankees reserve INF Morgan Ensberg (2008) was born. Morgan appeared in 28 games for the Yankees, hitting just .203 before being released by the team.

1977 - The Yankees win their 12th game in 13 games, when Graig Nettles triples home 2 runs in the 9th inning to give the Bombers, a 6-5 win over the Rangers. With the Red Sox losing, the Yankees move in front of the AL East by 2 games.

1985 - Former Yankees PH Richard Wakefield (1950) passed away (1921-1985). On December 17, 1949, he was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for 1B Richard Kryhoski. He appeared in only 3 games for the Yankees. Before the 1952 AL Season, the Yankees released him.

1987 - The Yankees and Reds exchange starting pitchers, with Dennis Rasmussen going to the Reds for Bill Gullickson. Bill went 4-2 in 8 games for the Yankees, before leaving as a free agent to play in Japan.

1991 - Number 1 draft pick Brien Taylor is signed to a guaranteed $1.55 million contract by the Yankees. It is the largest deal ever given to an amateur player, surpassing the $1.2 million paid to Todd Van Poppel by A’s in 1990. He will injured his pitching shoulder in a off-season bar fight and never recover from it, costing him his chance for MLB career with the Yankees.

1997 - The Yankees pound out 22 hits in an 18-2 win over the A’s. Joe Girardi and Rey Sanchez lead the way for the Yankees with 4 hits apiece.

2002 - The 1st video streaming coverage of a MLB game takes place on the Internet. Approximately 30,000 fans visit MLB.com to see the Yankees defeat the Rangers, by the score of 10-3. With a solo shot in 4th inning in 10-3 victory over the Rangers, Yankees 2B Alfonso Soriano sets a team record for HRs by a 2B. The previous club mark of 30 HR’s was established in 1940 by 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon.

August 27th

1875 - Former Yankees OF Ed Hahn (1905-1906) was born. On August 20, 1905, Ed was purchased by the Highlanders from New Orleans (Southern Association). (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.) Ed hit .291 in 54 games. On May 10, 1906, Ed was purchased by the White Sox from the Highlanders.

1883 - Former Yankees 3B William “Baldy” Louden (1907) was born. On August 4, 1907, Bill was purchased by the Highlanders from Dallas (Texas) for $1,500. Bill appeared in 4 games hitting just .111.

1909 - 35-year old veteran hurler Jack Chesbro (0-4, 9 games) makes his final appearance in a Yankee uniform and is ineffective in relief of starter Peter Wilson during the Yankees 17-6 loss to the Tigers. Yankees would put him on waivers in September of 1909 to be claimed by the Red Sox. His 1903 season record of 41 wins is still a MLB record and the Yankees club record for most victories by pitchers.

1910 - In the 1st of 2 games, Highlander P Jack Warhop swipes home in 6th inning. His run is the difference as the Yankees beat the White Sox by a score of 4-3.

1922 - The Yankees increase their lead by beating the Browns by a score of 2-1, in 11 innings on Bob Meusel's sac fly. Hank Severeid's HR is the only score for the Browns. An apparent 2-run double off the LF wall by Eddie Foster in the 10th inning is ruled foul by Umpire Moriarty. The Yankees take the 4 game series with the Browns, 3 games to 1.

1926 - Veteran AL hurler Dutch Ruether is picked up from Senators by the Yankees. He went 13-7 on the 1927 World Championship team and then he retired from MLB.

1935 - The Yankees out-slug the White Sox in a 13-10 victory in the 1st game of doubleheader. In the 2nd game, Lou Gehrig ties an AL record with 5 walks, as the Yankees lose to the White Sox by a score of 4-3.

1938 - In the 1st game of a twin bill at Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio hits 3 consecutive triples. His offensive outburst helps the Bronx Bombers edge the Indians by the score of 8-7. In the 2nd game, Monte Pearson becomes the 1st pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Yankee Stadium. Facing only 27 batters, thanks to 2 double plays, he beats his former team, the Indians by the score of 13-0 for his 10th consecutive victory. The Yankees playing their 6th successive doubleheader increase their AL lead to 12 games.

1946 - Former Yankees reserve C/DH Ed Herman (1975) was born. On April 1, 1975, Ed was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees for minor league players Fred Anyzeski, John Narron, Ken Bennett, Terry Quinn, and cash. Ed hit .255 in 80 games as a back-up catcher and DH for the Yankees in 1975. On February 20, 1976, Ed was purchased by the Angels from the Yankees.

1947 - Former Yankees P Jim York (1976) was born. On January 8, 1976, Jim was purchased by the Yankees from the Astros. Jim went 1-0 in 3 appearances with the Yankees, before being released by the team in August of 1976.

1950 - Yankees veteran All Star starter Allie “Super Chief” Reynolds hurls a 2-hitter in a 2-1 win over the White Sox.

1977 - Ranger batters Toby Harrah and Bump Wills hit back-to-back inside-the-park HRs on consecutive pitches off of Yankees hurler Ken Clay, highlighting an 8-2 win over the Yankees, only the 2nd loss for the Yankees in 14 games. It ties the MLB mark and it is the 1st time since 1946 that 2 batters have connected consecutively on in-the-park HRs.

1978 - The “Miracle of Catfish Hunter” continues as the veteran Yankees starter downs his former team the A’s by the score of 6-2, He finishes the month of August 1978 with a 6-0 record with a 1.64 ERA. The win helps keep the Yankees stay at 7 ½ games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.

1984 - Dave Kingman hits a double and HR to help the A’s score 6-runs in the 7th inning, but that's all the A's score in losing to the Yankees, by the score of 7-6. Yankees Bobby Meacham has 2 HRs, including the game winner in the 8th inning, to back Dave Righetti's relief win. A’s Hurler Bill Caudill takes the loss for the A’s.

1985 - Former Yankees P/OF Johnny Lindell (1941-1950) passed away (1916-1985). Before the 1936 AL Season, the Yankees signed Johnny as an MLB amateur free agent. John pitched for the Yankees in 1942, going 2-1 in 23 games. He was converted to an outfielder in 1943. He was selected for the 1943 AL All Star team, but he did not play. His best Yankees season was in 1944, when he hit .300. John appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees hitting .324 in 12 games. On May 15, 1950, Johnny was purchased by the Cardinals from the Yankees. He would later play for the Pirates and Phillies in the NL, before retiring from MLB in 1954.

1997 - The A’s defeats the Yankees, by the score of 8-7, as the A’s DH Dave Magadan leads the way with 5 hits, including a HR.

August 28th

1896 - Former Yankees INF/OF Aaron Ward (1917-26) was born (1896-1961). Aaron’s best Yankee season was in 1921, when he hit .306. Aaron hit .286 in 3 World Series with the Yankees. On January 13, 1927, Aaron was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for C Johnny Grabowski and INF Ray Morehart.

1907 - Highlander P John "Tacks" Neuer, begins baseball's most successful short career by besting the Red Sox 1-0 in his 1st start, the nightcap of a doubleheader. In 1 month, he will pitch 6 complete games, win 4, including 3 shutouts, and then disappear from the MLB scene. In the 1st game, veteran Red Sox starter Cy Young wins his 20th game, defeating the Highlanders, by a score of 5-3.

1921 - Despite 3 doubles by Yankees slugger Babe Ruth, the Tigers drop the Yankees by score of 7-3. Ruth starts a record streak in which he gets at least 1 extra-base hit in 9 straight games. Into the record books go his 119 extra-base hits, 177 runs, and 457 total bases. His .846 slugging average is 1 point behind that of a year ago.

1924 - Despite Babe Ruth's 2-HRs, the Senators beat the Yankees by the score of 11-6 and move into 1st place. The Yankees will tie them for 2 days in September, but otherwise the Senators stay on top till the end of the 1924 AL season.

1924 - The Yankees purchased hurler Walter Beall from Rochester (IL) for $50,000. He went 4-5 for the Yankees, before being sent to Senators.

1938 - Former Yankees reserve OF Billy Cowan (1969) was born. On December 2, 1968, Billy was drafted by the Yankees from the Phillies in the 1968 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Billy hit .166 in 38 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the Angels during the 1969 AL season.

1943 - Former Yankees OF (1974-84), MLB Coach, Manager (1986-88) and General Manager, Lou Piniella was born. Originally, the Indians signed Lou in 1962. In 1969, he was drafted in the AL expansion player draft by the Seattle Pilots, who during spring training traded him to the Royals. In 1969, he won the AL ROY award with the Royals hitting .282. In 1972, he was a member of the AL All Star team. On December 7, 1973, Lou was traded by the Royals along with P Ken Wright to the Yankees for veteran hurler Lindy McDaniel. Lou hit a career .295 in 1,037 games as a Yankee from 1974-1984. He was a clutch hitter in the post season with a BA .300. In 4 World Series, Lou hit .319 for the Yankees. After retiring as an active player in 1984, he became a Yankees MLB coach.

1946 - Former Yankees P Mike Torrez (1977) was born. On April 27, 1977, Mike was traded by the A’s to the Yankees for P Dock Ellis, INF Marty Perez, and OF Larry Murray. In his only season was a Yankees, Mike went 14-12 in 31 games with 15 complete games. He left the Yankees for free agency, signing with their rivals, the Red Sox.

1948 - The Yankees stroll into 2nd-place by edging the Indians by score of 3-2. Ahead 2-1, Sam Zoldak wilts in the 98-degree weather and Gene Bearden replaces him in the 9th inning. Joe DiMaggio is hit, and 2 wild throws brings in Ed Klieman, who finishes the walk to Yogi Berra. A Bobby Brown sac bunt, and an intentional pass to Phil Rizzuto loads the bases. Cliff Mapes walks to force a run and a grounder brings home the winning run.

1950 - Former Cy Young winner Yankees pitcher and Yankees Pitching MLB Coach Ron “Gator” Guidry (1975-1988) was born. On June 8, 1971, Ron was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1971 MLB amateur player draft. He went 170-91 with a .651 WP in 14 seasons with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1978, when he went 25-3 in 35 games with 16 complete games, 9 shut outs with 1.78 ERA. In 1978, Ron won the CY Young Award and the MLB Player of the Year Award. He was an AL ALL Star team member in 1978-79 and 1982-83. He led the AL in ERA in 1978-79. He was an AL Golden Glove winner from 1982-1986. His Yankees post season pitching record was 2-1 (3 World Series) 3-1 (LCS) and 6-2 in post season games.

1951 - The Braves sell veteran starter Johnny Sain to the Yankees for $50,000 and a young hurler named Lew Burdette. It is another late-season insurance measure for the Yankees. Lew Burdette would come back to haunt the Yankees in 1957 World Series with the Braves, beating them 3 times for the 1957 World Championship.

1952 - The Yankees purchased veteran hurler Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell from the Reds for $35,000 and 4 players: pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel and Outfielders Bob Marquis and Jim Greengrass. Blackwell will go 3-0 with 2 saves in September of 1952 and during the 1953 AL season. On March 30, 1955, Ewell was purchased by the A’s from the Yankees for $50,000.

1960 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees snap a 3-3 tie, when Mickey Mantle hits a 2-run HR in the 5th inning and Yogi Berra follows up with a solo HR. The Yankees top the Tigers by a score of 8-5.

1962 - At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle connects for a 2-run shot in the 4th inning off of Tribe starter Jim “Mudcat” Grant to give the Yankees a 2-1 win over the Indians.

1972 - Former Yankees reliever Jay Witasick (2001) was born. On June 23, 2001, Jay was traded by the Padres to the Yankees for minor league INF prospect D'Angelo Jimenez. Jay went 3-0 in 32 games with the Yankees. On December 13, 2001, Jay was traded by the Yankees to the Giants for OF/1B John Vander Wal.

1977 - Yankees starter Ron Guidry fires his 3rd shutout of the 1977 AL season, a 1-0 whitewash of the Rangers. Guidry faces just 28 Ranger batters, allowing only 2 hits. Graig Nettles scores the winning run after belting as triple.

1996 - The Mariner's 10-2 win over the visiting Yankees is delayed 10 minutes by a bench clearing brawl in the 8th inning following a close pitch by M's rookie Tim Davis. The M's John Marzano and Yankees OF Paul O'Neill and P Jeff Nelson, all receive 2-game suspensions, with the Yankees players, each getting fined $1,000. Jeff Nelson opened the 8th inning by plunking Mariners batter Joey Cora.

1998 - The Mariners clout 3 HRs in a 10-3 loss to the Yankees, making them the 1st team in history to reach the 200-HR mark for a season in 3 consecutive years. Shane Monahan, Russ Davis, and Rob Ducey, each belts a solo-HRs for the Mariners.

2008 - The Yankees salvage the last game of a 3 game series with the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium with a 3-2 victory with Jason Giambi providing the Yankees offense with a game tying HR and the game winning a single in the 9th inning. Yankees starter Jim Mussina scattered 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6 Red Sox batters, moving past Frank Tanana for sole possession of 20th place on MLB strikeout list with 2,778 career strikeouts.

August 29th

1888 - Former Yankees P Ensign Cottrell (1915) was born. On April 7,1915, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Braves. Ensign appeared in 7 games with the Yankees, posting a 0-1 record.

1925 - After a night on the town, Babe Ruth shows up late for batting practice. Yankees Manager Miller Huggins suspends Ruth and slaps a $5,000 fine on him for disobeying orders on the field and team rules off the field. In the showdown between the Bambino and the tiny manager, Yankees Owner Jake Ruppert backs up his manager. Ruth is forced to apologize, before he's reinstated to the team 9 days later. The day after his return to the Yankee lineup, Ruth hits MLB career HR number 300.

1927 - In St. Louis, the Yankees win their 18th game against the Browns without a loss by the score of 8-3.

1928 - Former Yankees P Mickey Dermont (1956) was born. Mickey went 2-6 with the Yankees in 1956, before being sent to the A’s in 1957.

1931 - In his 1st start following his loss, Lefty Grove fans the side (Byrd, Sewell, Ruth) in the 1st inning, hands out a walk to Lou Gehrig to start the 2nd inning, and records 3 more K's (Chapman, Lary, Dickey). Lefty has 2- K's in the 3rd inning but develops a blister from gripping the ball. Gehrig knocks Grove out of the box with a 6th-inning grand slam, but the A's lefty still wins the game by the score of 7-4. Lou now has 142 RBIs. Jimmie Foxx knocks in 5 runs for the A's.

1937 - Former Yankees P Hal Stowe (1960) was born. Before the 1959 AL Season, the Yankees signed Hal as an MLB amateur free agent. Hal went 0-0 in 1 game with the Yankees during the 1960 AL season. He remained in the Yankees minor league system during the mid-1960’s, never to pitch at the MLB level again.

1950 - Former Yankees reserve INF George Zeber (1977-78) was born. On June 7,1968, George was drafted by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 1968 MLB amateur player draft. He won the 1977 James P. Dawson Award for the best Yankees rookie in spring training camp. George appeared in 28 games with the Yankees hitting .296. He appeared in 2 games of the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.

1951 - The Yankees pick on the lowly Browns for a 15-2 win at Sportsman's Park. Mickey Mantle has 4 RBIs including a 3- run HR in the 9th inning off of veteran hurler Satchel Paige. Browns starter Ned Garver (15-9) is the loser for the Browns.

1964 - On “Elston Howard Night,” at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees take 2 games from the Red Sox, by the scores of 10-2 and 6-1. Joe Pepitone's 3 HRs, including a grand slam HR and Roger Maris 6-singles lead the Yankees offense. Mickey Mantle hits MLB career HR number #447 in the opener and ties Babe Ruth's MLB career strikeout record (1,330) in the nightcap.

1965 - Former Yankees OF Paul “Big Poison” Waner (1944-1945) passed away. Paul was at the end of his fine HOF career, when the Yankees picked up him in 1944. He appeared in only 10 games hitting just .143. He was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1952. His brother Lloyd played for the Pirates, he was nicked named “Little Poison”.

1966 - Former Yankees back-up C Al DeVormer (1921-22) passed away. (1891-1966). Al hit .275 in 46 games with the Yankees, before being traded to the Red Sox in 1923 with cash for P George Pipgras and OF Harvey Hendrick.

1967 - The Red Sox tie an AL record it originally set on July 4, 1905, by playing 29 innings in a doubleheader. The Red Sox win the 1st game against the Yankees by the score of 2-1, and then drops the nightcap in 20 innings by the score of 4-3. The Yankees winning P Fred Talbot has a single in 20th inning, off of Red Sox hurler Darrell Brandon, to set up Horace Clarke's game-winning single. The game lasts 5:15 and is the 3rd game this AL 1967 season of 18 innings or more for the Yankees.

1969 - Joe Pepitone quits the Yankees after being fined $500 for leaving the bench during a game. He will return to the team, but he will be traded to Astros in the off-season for former Yankees minor league OF/1B Curt Blefary.

1970 - Former Yankees All Star CF and MVP Mickey Mantle returns to the Yankees as MLB 1B coach.

1972 - Yankees Bobby Murcer hits for the cycle against the Rangers. He's the 1st Yankee player to hit for the cycle since Mickey Mantle in 1957. The next Yankees player to do this feat will be shortstop Tony Fernandez in 1995.

1973 - Yankees C Thurman Munson gets a tainted 1st-inning hit as a pop fly drops between 2 Angels’ infielders calling for it. It turns out to be the only hit allowed by the Angels starter Nolan Ryan as he beats the Yankees by the score of 5-0.

1977 - The Yankees top the Royals by the score of 5-3 on a 3-run pinch-hit HR in the 8th inning by 1B Chris Chambliss.

1978 - Against the Angels, the Yankees go into the record books by receiving 5 intentional passes in the 11-inning contest.

1985 - In the Yankees 4-0 win over the Angels, Yankees DH Don Baylor is hit by a pitch from Angels’ hurler Kirk McCaskill for the 190th time, breaking the AL record of 189 set by former AL star Minnie Minoso.

1996 - The last-place Angels defeat the Yankees by the score of 14-3, behind OF Garret Anderson's 7-runs batted in. Anderson has 2 doubles and a HR in the game.

1998 - Derek Jeter hits his 17th HR of the 1998 AL season to establish a new mark for Yankee shortstops. The infielder also scores 4 times in an 11-6 victory over the Mariners.

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