1901 - Former Yankees OF/3B Harry Rice (1929) was born. Harry hit .298 as a regular outfielder in 100 games for the 1929 Yankees. He was obtained from the Tigers in the Waite Hoyt trade
1926 - Former Yankees P Lew Burdette (1950) was born (1926-2007). On April 6, 1947, Lew was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Lew appeared in 2 games for the 1950 Yankees with no record. On August 29, 1951, Lew was traded by the Yankees along with $50,000 to the Braves for veteran P Johnny Sain. Lew would come back to haunt the Yankees in 1957 World Series, winning 3 games against his former team. If Lew had stayed with the Yankees, he could have won 300 games. He finished his MLB career in 1967 with a 203-144 mark. Lew passed away in February of 2007.
1943 - Former Yankees P Wade Blasingame (1972) was born. After being obtained from the Astros, Wade went 0-1 in 12 games for the 1972 Yankees, before being sent to the Cardinals in March of 1973.
1946 - Former Yankees 3B Rich McKinney (1972) was born. On December 2, 1971, Rich was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees for P Stan Bahnsen. Rich hit .215 in 37 games for the Yankees in one of the worst modern day trades in the team’s history. He was unable to make the adjustment from 2B to 3B. On December 1, 1972, he was sent by the Yankees to the A’s to complete an earlier deal made on November 24, 1972. The Yankees sent a player to be named later and P Rob Gardner to the A’s for OF/DH Matty Alou. The Yankees sent INF Rich McKinney on December 1, 1972 to the A’s to complete the trade. With the arrival of Graig Nettles from the Indians, Rich’s fate with the Yankees was sealed. He was very happy to leave New York City.
1955 - Former Yankees INF Wayne Tolleson (1986-1990) was born. On July 30, 1986, Wayne was traded by the White Sox along with OF/1B/DH Ron Kittle and C Joel Skinner to the Yankees for a player to be named later, C/1B/DH Ron Hassey and 1B/OF Carlos Martinez. The Yankees would send minor league C Bill Lindsey on December 24, 1986 to the White Sox to complete the trade. Wayne’s best Yankee season was in 1986, when he hit .286 in 60 games for the Yankees. He played in 355 games for the Yankees, hitting .233.
1957 - In a controversial AL MVP vote, Yankees CF Mickey Mantle barely edges Red Sox OF Ted Williams, 233 to 209, to win the 1957 AL MVP Award. Mantle batted .365 with 34 HRs for the 1st-place Yankees, while Williams, of the 3rd-place Red Sox, led the AL with a .388 average with 38 HRs, as well as a stunning .731 slugging percentage. Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey fumes at the news, noting that 2 Chicago baseball writers had listed Ted Williams in the 9th and 10th places on their AL MVP voting ballots.
1978 - The Yankees signed veteran starter Tommy John, a reentry MLB free agent formerly with the Dodgers. John will be a valuable addition to the Yankees starting rotation, winning 43 games in the next 2 AL seasons.
1995 - The Angels signed free agent INF Randy Velarde, formerly of the Yankees to a 3-year contract. Randy will have a chance to be the Angels fulltime shortstop for the 1996 AL season.
1988 - Current Yankees minor league catcher Austin Romine was born. The son of former MLB player Kevin Romine and brother of Andrew Romine, catcher Austin Romine was selected by the Yankees in the 2nd round of the 2007 MLB amateur player draft. He made his pro debut that summer with the GCL Yankees, going 1-for-2 in 1st game there. In September of 2009, Austin Romine was named Florida State League Player of the Year.
2006 - Former Yankees P Pat Dobson (1973-1975) passed away (1942-2006). On June 7, 1973, the Yankees sent 1B Frank Tepedino, OF Wayne Nordhagen and players to be named later were sent to the Braves for P Pat Dobson. The Yankees would send minor league hurlers Dave Cheadle and Al Closter to the Braves to complete the trade. Pat went 9-8 for the 1973 Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1974, when Pat posted a 19-15 record in 39 games. Pat went 39-27 in 72 games for the Yankees, before being traded to the Indians in winter of 1975 for OF/DH Oscar Gamble.
November 23rd
1940 - Former Yankees P Louis Tiant (1979-1980) was born. Louie went 21-17 in 55 games as a Yankee starter. His best Yankees season was in 1979, when he went 13-8. In 1980, he dropped off to an 8-9 mark. In the winter of 1980, he signed as a MLB free agent with Pirates.
1947 - Former Yankees 1B/OF Frank Tepedino (1967, 1969-1971, 1971-1972) was born. On November 28, 1966, Frank was drafted by the Yankees from the Orioles in the 1966, 1st-year player draft. He appeared in 58 games, hitting .286 with the Yankees during his various visits, his nickname should been “Suitcase.” On June 7, 1971 he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Bobby Mitchell to the Brewers for OF Danny Walton. On March 31, 1972, Frank was purchased by the Yankees from the Brewers. On June 7, 1973, Frank was traded by the Yankees with players to be named later and OF Wayne Nordhagen to the Braves for P Pat Dobson. The Yankees sent hurlers Dave Cheadle and Al Closter to the Braves to complete the trade. After he finished his MLB career, Frank became a NYC Firefighter.
1951 - The Yankees send young C Clint “Scraps” Courtney to the Browns for P Jim McDonald. Clint Courtney was the 1st MLB catcher to wear eyeglasses behind the catcher’s mask. He appeared in only 1 game for the 1951 Yankees. He was one of many young Yankees catchers traded away during the 1950’s because of the presence of AL All Star Yogi Berra starting behind the plate.
1963 - Former Yankees reserve INF Dale Sveum (1998) was born. On November 25, 1997, Dale was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. Dale appeared in 30 games for the Yankees, hitting only .155. On August 3, 1998, Dale was released by the Yankees.
1971 - Former Yankees P Aaron Small (2005-2006) was born. Aaron went 10-0 as a Yankee in 15 games during the 2005 AL season. In 2006 he was injured, Aaron went 0-3 in 11 games. Aaron Small retired from MLB in 2007.
1977 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent reliever Rich “Goose” Gossage to a 6-year, 2.75 million dollar contract. Rich Gossage had 26 saves with a 1.26 ERA for the Pirates last season. He will join closer Sparky Lyle in the Yankees bullpen.
1977 - The Yankee lose MLB free agent starter Mike Torrez to the Red Sox. On April 27, 1977, Mike was traded by the A’s to the Yankees for P Dock Ellis, OF Larry Murray and reserve INF Marty Perez. Mike posted a 14-12 record in 31 games with 15 complete games for the 1977 Yankees. He went 0-1 in the 1977 ALCS. Mike went 2-0 in 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.
1988 - Leaving the 1988 World Champion Dodgers, MLB free agent 2B Steve Sax signs a 3-year deal with the Yankees. Meanwhile former Yankees 2B Willie Randolph will sign with the Dodgers.
2006 - Former Yankees minor league OF Ted Del Guercio passed away. Ted came to the Orioles from Yankees minor league system in the big 17-man trade in November of 1954. He never played for the Yankees or Orioles at the MLB level.
November 24th
1930 - Former Yankees P Robert “Warrior” Friend (1966) was born. On December 10, 1965, Bob was traded by the Pirates to the Yankees for P Pete Mikkelsen and cash. It was another great over the hill veteran for youth trade by Yankees GM Ralph Houk. Everyone in the MLB knew that former NL All Star pitcher was over the hill except for Ralph Houk. Bob went 1-4 in 12 games for the Yankees before being dumped to the Mets in June of 1966. Bob finished his MLB career with a 197-200 record with the 1958 NL season as his best with a 22-14 mark for the Pirates. He was named to the NL All Star team 3 times.
1942 - Former Yankees P Fred Beene (1972-1974) was born. On January 19, 1972, Fred was traded by the Orioles to the Yankees for a player to be named later. The Yankees sent minor leaguer Dale Spier on April 10, 1972 to the Orioles to complete the trade. Fred would go 7-3 for the Yankees in 54 games before arm injuries finished him in 1973. On April 26,1974, Fred was traded by the Yankees with along with pitchers Tom Buskey, Steve Kline, and Fritz Peterson to the Indians for 1B Chris Chambliss, P Richard “Dirt” Tidrow, and reliever Cecil Upshaw.
1962 - Former Yankees INF Randy Velarde (1987-1995, 2001) was born. On January 5, 1987, Randy was traded by the White Sox along with P Pete Filson to the Yankees for Pitchers Scott Nielsen and Mike Soper (minors). Randy hit .272 in 121 games in 1992 and .286 in 111 games in 1995. In the fall of 1995, he signed as a MLB free agent with the Angels. On August 31, 2001, Randy was traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for players to be named later. The Yankees would send minor league players Randy Flores and Rosman Garcia on October 11, 2001 to the Rangers to complete the trade. Randy only appeared in 15 games for the 2001 Yankees for the rest of the 2001 AL season. He did get his chance to play in a World Series for the Yankees appearing in 1 game against the D-Backs, going 0 for 3.
1970 - Former Yankees reserve OF Spencer Adams (1926) passed away. On January 20, 1926, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Senators. Spencer appeared in 28 games for the 1926 Yankees, hitting just .120. Adams appeared in 2 games of the 1926 World Series with no hits. He was one of 1st Mormons to play in the MLB.
1970 - Former Yankees P Ivy “Poison” Andrews (1931-1932, 1937-1938) passed away. On June 5, 1932, Ivy was traded by the Yankees along with P Hank Johnson and $50,000 to the Red Sox for P Danny MacFayden. On August 14, 1937, Andrews was purchased by the Yankees from the Indians for $7,500. Ivy posted a Yankee career record of 8-6 in 41 games in 2 tours with the team.
1972 - The Yankees acquired veteran OF/DH Matty Alou from the A’s for P Rob Gardner and INF Rich McKinley. It is the 2nd time the Yankees have traded P Rob Gardner to the A’s for an Alou brother. Last year, it was for older brother Felipe Alou. Matty was a major disappointment with his bat for the Yankees with low HR and RBI production.
1986 - In yet another unwise trade of young prospects for aging veterans, the Yankees traded pitchers Brian Fisher, Doug Drabek and Logan Easley to the Pirates for pitchers Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements. Doug Drabek will win the 1990 NL Cy Young Award.
2004 - Former Yankees reserve C Jesse Gonder (1960-1961) passed away. Before the 1955 NL Season, the Reds signed Jesse as an MLB amateur free agent. Before the 1960 AL Season, Jesse was sent from the Reds to the Yankees in an unknown transaction. Jesse appeared in 22 games for the Yankees as a reserve catcher. He was the starting catcher for the Yankees AAA team in Richmond (IL). He was called up in September of 1960, when Yogi Berra and Elston Howard were injured, to be a backup to C Johnny Blanchard. On December 14, 1961, Jesse was traded by the Yankees back to the Reds for veteran reliever Marshall Bridges. Jesse would play for the Mets, Braves and Pirates before retiring as MLB player. He wrote a book about his experiences with racism as a black baseball player in the 1950-1960’s.
November 25th
1903 - Former Yankees P Jim “Big Jim” Weaver ((1931) was born. On November 28, 1930, Jim was traded by the Baltimore Orioles (International) along with Thomas Patten (minors) to the Yankees for Ken Holloway, Jack Hopkins (minors), and cash. Jim went 2-1 in 17 games for the Yankees. On September 10, 1933, Jim was purchased by the Browns from the Yankees. He would be returned to the Yankees by Browns in 1934, the Yankees would sell him to the Cubs for the waiver price of $12,400.
1914 - Future HOF Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California (1914-1999). The son of Italian immigrants, Joe DiMaggio will make his MLB debut in 1936, hitting .323 in 138 games. Joe would win the AL MVP Award 3 times (1939, 1941 and 1947). He will finish his Yankee career with a lifetime BA of .325 with 361 MLB career HRs. His 56 consecutive game hitting streak in 1941 set a new MLB record. Joe had reached the .300 BA mark in 11 seasons of the 13 MLB seasons in his Yankees career, with his .381 in 1939 as being his best year. In 1955, Joe will be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Joe’s brothers Vince and Dom played in the MLB.
1923 - Former Yankees OF Archie Wilson (1951-1952) was born (1923-2007). In 1947, the Yankees signed Archie Wilson, as an MLB amateur free agent. Archie appeared in only 7 games for the Yankees before being traded on May 3, 1952, along with OF Jackie Jensen, P Spec Shea, and INF Jerry Snyder to the Senators for Outfielders Irv Noren and Tom Upton. Archie passed away in April of 2007.
1949 - Red Sox OF Ted Williams, who lost the AL Triple Crown when his batting average was .0002 below that of Tigers 3B George Kell, who wins the 1949 AL MVP Award vote in a landslide. The Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto and closer Joe Page finished 2nd and 3rd in the AL MVP voting. Phil Rizzuto will win the 1950 AL MVP award.
1951 - Former Yankees shortstop and Manager Russell Earl “Bucky” Dent (1977-1982) was born. The 1978 AL play-off hero Bucky Dent was obtained by the Yankees on April 5,1977, from the White Sox for OF/DH Oscar Gamble, minor league pitchers La Marr Hoyt and Bob Polinsky and $200,000. His HR in the 1978 AL Playoff game against the Red Sox is considered to be one of the most dramatic HRs in Yankees history. In 1978, he won the AL Babe Ruth Award and the World Series MVP for his .417 BA. Dent will be the AL All Star team shortstop in 1980-1981. In 1982, with the arrival of Roy Smalley from the Twins and struggling with his batting average, Bucky lost his starting job as the Yankees shortstop. On August 8, 1982, he was traded by the Yankees to the Rangers for OF/DH Lee Mazzilli. After retiring as a MLB player, he will return to the Yankees organization as coach, then manager at Columbus (IL), before managing the Yankees in 1988-1989, going 36-53 in 89 games.
1953 - The Yankees lose minor league OF Jerry Lynch to the Pirates in the 1953 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Lynch would later become a successful MLB pinch hitter for the Pirates and Reds during the 1950-1960’s.
1966 - Former Yankees OF/DH Mark Whitten (1997) was born. On January 9, 1997, Mark was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. Mark hit .265 in 69 games for the Yankees, before being released in August of 1997.
1970 - Yankees C Thurman Munson receives 23 of the 24 1st-place votes and is named the 1970 AL Rookie of the Year. Munson batted .302 during the regular 1970 AL season. Indians OF Roy Foster is also named on a 1st place ballot.
1973 - Former Yankees reliever Octavio Dotel (2006) was born. On January 4, 2006, he was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. He was recovering from arm injury in 2006, which limited his play to only 14 games during the 2006 AL season. He will leave the Yankees and sign as a free agent with the Royals in 2007.
1980 - Former Yankees shortstop and MLB coach Gene Michael becomes the 25th manager in Yankees club history, replacing a resigning Manager Richard Howser. Under Gene Michael, the Yankees will win the AL pennant in 1981, but lose the 1981 World Series to the Dodgers. Howser will go on to manage the Royals, before passing away from cancer in 1985.
1980 - Current Yankees RF/DH/1B Nick Swisher (2009) was born. On November 13, 2008, Nick was traded by the White Sox along with Kanekoa Texeira (minors) to the Yankees for P Jeff Marquez (minors), INF Wilson Betemit and P Jhonny Nunez. In 150 games, Nick hit .249 with 29 HRs, 82 RBIs for the 2009 Yankees.
2008 - Former Yankees’ hurler, Minor League Manager, and Scout, Randy Gumpert (1946-1948) passed away. In 1936, Randy was signed by the A’s, as an MLB amateur free agent. The A’s released Randy outright in July of 1939. He was picked up by the Yankees organization. After his WWII military service was over, he had his finest season with the Yankees in 1946, going 11-3 with a 2.31 ERA. Randy would go 4-1 with a 5.43 ERA in '47 and after being 1-0 in 1948 he was placed on waivers and signed by the Chicago White Sox on July 25, 1948 after going 16-4 during his 2 plus MLB seasons for the Pinstripes. Randy was the MLB pitcher that gave up Mickey Mantle’s 1st MLB HR on May 1, 1951 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. It was a 450 FT shot into the Yankees bullpen. After his MLB playing career was finished, Randy Gumpert managed the 1956 Bradford Yankees, 1956-1958 Kearney Yankees and the 1960 St. Petersburg Saints. He also served as a Yankees MLB scout for 20 years. He was a scouting supervisor for the MLB Scouting Bureau for several years. Gumpert would die on November 28, 2008 at the age of 90, in Wyomissing, PA.
November 26th
1878 - Former Yankees P Thomas “Long Tom” Hughes (1904) was born. On December 20, 1903, Tom was traded by the Americans to the Yankees for P Jesse Tannehill. Tom went 7-11 in 19 games before being traded on July 20, 1904 by the Yankees along with Barney Wolfe to the Senators for P Al Orth.
1908 - Former Yankees HOF P Veron “Lefty Gomez (1930-1942) was born (1908-1989).
On August 17, 1929, Lefty was purchased by the Yankees from the San Francisco Seals (PCL). Lefty would go 189-101 with a WP of .637 in 357 games in his Yankees pitching career. Also Lefty would finish with 1,468 strikeouts with 173 complete games and 26 shutouts. Lefty appeared on 7 AL All Star teams, including the very 1st in 1933. His AL All Star record was 3-1 in 5 games. His World Series record as a Yankees starter was 5-0 in 7 games. On January 25, 1943, Lefty was purchased by the Braves from the Yankees. The Braves would release Gomez, and then he was picked up by the Senators, going 0-1 in 1 game before retiring in July of 1943. He would be elected to Baseball’s HOF in 1972. He was one of the most colorful players to ever wear the Yankees pinstripes.
1941 - Former Yankees MLB coach Jeff Torborg (1975-1976) was born. Jeff was a Yankees MLB Coach from 1975-1976, before leaving to take the manager’s job at Cleveland. As an MLB player, he played with the Dodgers and Angels. He caught no-hitters by starters Sandy Koufax, Bill Singer and Nolan Ryan. Jeff was a 1963 College All American Catcher at Rutgers University.
1947 - Former Yankees P Larry Gura (1974-1976) was born. On May 7, 1974, Larry was traded by the Rangers with cash to the Yankees for C/DH/1B Duke Sims. Larry posted a 12-9 record in 34 games with the Yankees. After being in Billy Martin’s doghouse, Larry was traded by the Yankees to the Royals for reserve C Fran Healy on May 16, 1976. As a Royals starter, he would give the Yankees trouble.
1955 - Former Yankees P Jay Howell (1982-1984) was born. On August 2, 1982, Jay was sent by the Cubs to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on August 19, 1981. The Cubs sent players to be named later to the Yankees for INF Pat Tabler. The Cubs sent pitchers Bill Caudill on April 1, 1982 and Jay Howell on August 2, 1982 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Jay went 12-12 in 66 games with 7 saves. His best Yankees season was in 1984, when he went 9-4 in 41 games with 7 saves. On December 5, 1984, Jay was traded by the Yankees with along P Tim Birtsas, OF Stanley Javier, pitchers Eric Plunk and Jose Rijo to the A’s for All Star LF Rickey Henderson, P Bert Bradley and cash.
1958 - The 1958 AL MVP winner is announced with Red Sox slugger Jackie Jensen winning over Yankees pitcher Bob Turley and Indians outfielder Rocky Colavito. Bob Turley will walk away with the 1958 MLB Cy Young Award.
1962 - The Dodgers traded veteran starter Stan Williams (14-12, 4.46 ERA) for Yankees 1B Bill “Moose” Skowron (.270 BA, 23 HRs, 80 RBIs). Bill Skowron will hit a HR against his former teammates in Game 2 of the 1963 World Series. Yankees rookie 1B/OF Joe Pepitone will take over the regular duties at 1st base. Bill Skowron leaves the Yankees with a lifetime BA of .296 in 12 seasons with the team (1954-1962). Stan Williams would go 9-8 with 2 saves for the 1963 Yankees. The next season, Stan dropped to a 1-5 mark for the Yankees. In the spring of 1965, the Yankees sold him to the Indians. Stan appeared in 1 game for the Yankees in 1963 World Series, pitching 3 scoreless innings of relief.
1969 - Former Yankees P Sam Mititello (1992-1993) was born. The Yankees in the 6th Round of the 1990 MLB amateur player draft selected Sam Militello. He made his debut in 1990, with the Oneonta Yankees, and led the Short-Season New York-Penn League with 119 strikeouts; his 1.22 ERA was 2nd in the league. At the MLB level, Sam went 4-4 in 12 games with Yankees.
November 27th
1892 - Former Yankees P Leslie “Bullet Joe” Bush (1922-1924) was born. On December 20, 1921, Joe was traded by the Red Sox along with P Sam Jones and INF Everett Scott to the Yankees for INF Roger Peckinpaugh, P Jack Quinn, P Harry Collins, and Bill Piercy. “Bullet Joe” would go 62-38 in 115 games with 61 complete games and 6 shutouts for the Yankees, before he was traded on December 17, 1924, along with pitchers Milt Gaston and Joe Giard to the Browns for veteran starter Urban Shocker.
1920 - Former Yankees P John “Bear Tracks” Schmitz (1952-1953) was born. On August 1, 1952, he was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Dodgers. John went 1-1 in 8 games with 2 saves for the Yankees during the 1952-1953 AL seasons. On August 28, 1952, Johnny was traded by the Yankees along with outfielders Jim Greengrass, Bob Marquis, P Ernie Nevel, and $35,000 to the Reds for veteran P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell. On February 16, 1953, John was purchased by the Yankees from the Reds. After appearing in 3 games with 1 save and a 0-0 record, John was selected off waivers by the Senators from the Yankees on May 12, 1953.
1937 - Former Yankees P William “Bill” Short (1960) was born. Before the 1955 AL Season, the Yankees signed Bill Short as an MLB amateur free agent. In 1959, Bill was named the Pitcher of the Year for International League, with a 17-6 record in 27 games with a 2.48 ERA, while playing with the Richmond Virginians (AAA). In 1960, Bill went 3-5 in 10 starts for the Yankees. On November 27,1961, Billy was drafted by the Orioles from the Yankees organization in the 1961 MLB Rule 5 player draft.
1941 - Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio is named 1941 AL MVP. His 56-game hitting streak edges out Ted Williams and his .406 BA for the MVP award (votes: 291 for Joe DiMaggio and 254 for Ted Williams).
1947 - AL Triple Crown winner Ted Williams (.343 BA, 32 HRs, 162 RBIs) is edged out by Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio (.315 BA, 20 HRs, 97 RBIs) for the 1947 AL MVP Award by 1 point. One BBWAA member, Mel Webb, fails to include Ted Williams, anywhere on his 1947 AL MVP players voting ballot.
1961 - On November 27, 1961, P Bill Short was drafted by the Orioles from the Yankees organization in the 1961 MLB Rule 5 player draft.
1971 - Former Yankees C/DH/1B Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was born. On July 30, 2008, Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees by the Tigers in return for hard-throwing reliever Kyle Farnsworth; the trade came on the same day on which the Yankees announced that regular C Jorge Posada would miss the remainder of the 2008 AL season after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder. He ended up sharing catching duties with Jose Molina during the remainder of the 2008 AL season. He appeared in 39 games for the Yankees, just hitting .219 with only 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. He became a MLB free agent.
1972 - The Yankees make one of their best trades in the team’s history, by acquiring 3B Graig Nettles from the Indians for C John Ellis, INF Jerry Kenney, and outfielders Charlie Spikes and Rusty Torres. Also the Yankees received C Jerry Moses from the Tigers. Nettles will help the Yankees win the World Series in 1977 and 1978. The Yankees 3B problem will finally be solve 6 years after the 1966 trade of Clete Boyer to the Braves. Johnny Ellis couldn’t beat Munson behind the plate, Kennedy, Spikes and Torres were supposed to be the next generation of young Yankees stars, but they weren’t.
1973 - Former Yankees minor league P Jason Beverlin was born.On July 28, 1995, Jason was traded by the A’s along with OF/DH Ruben Sierra to the Yankees for OF/DH Danny Tartabull. Jason never played for the Yankees at the MLB level.
1974 - MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for 2 years as a result of Steinbrenner's federal conviction for illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon and others. His suspension will be reduced to 1 year.
1984 - Yankees P Ron Guidry is named to the AL Golden Glove team. He is the only Yankee regular to be named to the 1984 AL Golden Glove squad.
November 28th
1884 - Former Yankees INF/OF Wilbur “Roxy” Roach (1910-1911) was born. In August of 1909, the Yankees purchased Roxy from Lancaster (Tri-State) for $2,500. He appeared in 83 games for the Yankees hitting just .219. On June 15, 1911, he was purchased by Jersey City (Eastern) from the Yankees.
1927 - The Yankees release veteran pitchers Bob Shawkey and Dutch Ruether, who both have retired from MLB. Bob Shawkey finished his Yankee pitching career with a record of 168-131. He was a 4-time 20 game winner (1915-1927) after being obtained from the A’s for $85,000 in 1915. Bob will manage the Yankees in 1930 to an 86-68 record, before being replaced by veteran NL manager Joe McCarthy. Dutch Ruether finished out his long MLB career by going 12-6 in 1927 after being obtained from the Senators.
1958 - Former Yankees P Dave “Rags” Righetti (1979-1990) was born. On January 11, 1977, Dave was drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round (10th pick) of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft (January). On November 10, 1978, Dave was traded by the Rangers along with Greg Jemison (minors), OF Juan Beniquez, P Mike Griffin and P Paul Mirabella to the Yankees for C Mike Heath, pitchers Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich, INF Domingo Ramos and cash. Dave won the AL ROY award in 1981. The highlight of his efforts as a starting pitcher occurred on the Fourth of July, 1983, when he threw a 4-0 no-hitter against the Red Sox. It was the 1st Yankee no-hitter since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, and the 1st by a Yankee left-hander since 1917. Dave was converted from a starter to a closer by the Yankees in 1984, replacing closer Rich Gossage, who left the Yankees for free agency.
On October 4, 1986, he saved both games of a doubleheader against the Red Sox, finishing the 1986 AL season with 46 saves, and breaking the MLB record shared by Dan Quisenberry and Bruce Sutter. The record would stand until Bobby Thigpen saved 57 games for the White Sox in 1990, which would also be Righetti's last season with the Yankees. Righetti retained the single-season record for left-handers until 1993, when Randy Myers saved 53 games for the Cubs; Righetti still owns the AL record for left-handers. He posted a 74-61career record for the Yankees in 522 games with 224 saves and a 3.11 ERA. He was 3-0 in AL playoffs. He went 0-1 in the 1981 World Series for the Yankees. In 1986-1987, Dave won the AL Rolaids Relief award. He was on the 1986-1987 AL All Star teams. He left the Yankees after the 1990 AL season, signing with the Giants. He is currently the MLB pitching coach for the Giants.
1960 - The new expansion Washington Senators drafted Yankees P John Gabler in the 1960 MLB Rule 5 player draft. John had posted a 4-4 record in 24 games with 1 save during the 1959-1960 AL seasons for the Yankees.
1967 - On November 28, 1967, C/1B Bill Bryant was drafted by the Senators from the Yankees in the 1967 MLB Rule 5 player draft. On June 10, 1966, Bill was traded by the A’s along with P Fred Talbot to the Yankees for OF Roger Repoz, Pitchers Gil Blanco and Bill Stafford. Bill hit .217 and .166 for the Yankees.
1977 - Former Yankees OF Bob Meusel dies at the age of 81. Bob Meusel batted over .300 seven times, including a career-high mark of .337 in 1927. He also participated in 6 World Series with the Yankees. Bob had a lifetime BA of .311, hitting 146 HRS, with 1,005 RBIs with the Yankees (1920-1929). He finished his MLB playing career with Reds in 1930, hitting .289 in 113 games. His older brother Irish Meusel played in NL (1914-1927).
2007 - Former Yankees minor league OF Robert “Bob” Marquis passed away. Bob Marquis began his professional career in 1947 with the Lufkin Foresters, hitting .346 with 22 doubles and 16 triples in 140 games. He was sent to the Beaumont Exporters in the Yankees farm system, and with them he played in 4 games, going 0-for-1 at the plate. His 145 runs tied Lew Morton for the Lone Star League lead; no player scored more runs in the league's history. In 1948, he played for Beaumont (2 games) and the Quincy Gems (126 games), hitting a combined .333 with 15 HRs, 18 triples and 21 doubles. He led the Three-I League with 108 runs and 164 hits. Marquis split the 1949 minor league season between Beaumont (20 games) and the Binghamton Triplets (106 games), hitting a combined .236 in 453 at-bats. He hit .293 in 151 games for Beaumont in 1950. In 1951, he played with the Kansas City Blues (AAA). Bob hit .278 for the Blues in 123 games. He played for the Blues again in 1952, hitting .246 in 97 games. On August 28, 1952, he was traded to the Reds by the Yankees along with OF Jim Greengrass, pitchers Ernie Nevel, Johnny Schmitz and $35,000 for veteran P Ewell Blackwell. In his only MLB season, he appeared in 40 games with the Reds in 1953, hitting .278.
