This Week in Yankees History
December 13th - December 19th
December 13th - December 19th
December 13th
1916 - Former Yankees reserve INF Hank Majeski (1946) was born. On May 25, 1941, Hank was purchased by the Yankees from the Braves. Hank appeared in 8 games for the 1946 Yankees, hitting just .083. On June 14, 1946, Hank was purchased by the A’s from the Yankees.
1935 - Former Yankees P Lindy McDaniel (1968-1973) was born. On July 12, 1968, Lindy was traded by the Giants to the Yankees for veteran P Bill Monbouquette. Lindy went 38-29 in 265 games with 58 saves and 1 complete game with the Yankees. On December 7, 1973, Lindy was traded by the Yankees to the Royals for OF Lou Piniella and P Ken Wright. Lindy McDaniel is the last Yankees pitcher to hit a HR. He hit it on September 28, 1972 at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. His brother Von also pitched in the MLB in the 1950’s with the Cardinals.
1940 - Former Yankees reserve INF Nate Oliver (1969) was born. On December 6, 1968, Nate was traded by the Giants to the Yankees for INF Charley Smith. Nate only appeared in 1 game for the 1969 Yankees with no hits. On April 19, 1969, he was traded by the Yankees to the Cubs for INF Lee Elia. In 1959, the Dodgers originally signed Nate Oliver. Lee Elia never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1948 - After a year with the Yankees, P Red Embree is traded, along with young C Sherm Lollar, P Richard Starr and $100,000 to the Browns. Embree will slump to 3-13 mark with the Browns, after having his only winning MLB season with the Yankees. Lollar is the prize of the trade. Sherman will catch in the majors through the 1963 AL season, mainly with the White Sox. The Yankees received P Fred Sanford and C Roy Partee. Partee is ticketed for the minors, while Fred Sanford will help the Yankees as a starter/reliever during the 1949 AL season.
1955 - Former Yankees minor league P Paul Boris was born. On April 7, 1978, Paul was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. He had attended Rutgers University. On December 7, 1981, Paul was drafted by the Twins from the Yankees in the 1981 MLB Rule 5 player draft. On April 2, 1982, Paul was returned (earlier draft pick) by the Twins to the Yankees. On April 10, 1982, Paul was traded by the Yankees along with reliever Ron Davis and minor league INF Greg Gagne to the Twins for INF Roy Smalley. Paul would go 1-2 in 23 games for the 1982 Twins.
1956 - Former Yankees INF Dale Berra (1985-1986) was born. On December 20, 1984, Dale was traded by the Pirates along with minor league OF Jay Buhner and P Alfonso Pulido to the Yankees for INF Tim Foli, OF Steve Kemp and cash. Dale appeared in 90 games for the Yankees hitting just .230. On July 27, 1986, Dale was released by the Yankees.
1960 - Former Yankees P Jeff Robinson (1990) was born. On December 4, 1989, Don was traded by the Pirates along with P Willie Smith to the Yankees for C Don Slaught. Jeff went 3-6 in 54 games for the 1990 Yankees, before leaving the team for free agency.
1962 - All Star CF Mickey Mantle signs a 1962 Yankees MLB player contract for $82,000. Previously only Hall Of Fame CF Joe DiMaggio (1936-1951) has been paid more money as a player by the Yankees.
1974 - Oakland’s All Star starter Jim “Catfish” Hunter wins his claim against the A's owner Charlie Finley. Catfish labor arbitrator Peter Seitz declared Hunter an MLB free agent. He will sign with the Yankees for estimated 3 million dollars. The Yankees were able to sign Hunter due to his closeness to Yankees minor league director Clyde Klutz.
1993 - Former Yankees reserve C Billy Shantz (1960) passed away. He was the brother of former Yankees hurler Bobby Shantz (1957-1960). He appeared in 1 game for the Yankees during the 1960 AL season. He spent most of 1960 season with Richmond (AAA), as a back up to starter Jesse Gonder. He would later become a minor league manager for the Yankees. The A’s originally signed Bobby and Billy.
1999 - The Rangers obtained OF Chad Curtis from the Yankees in exchange for minor league pitchers Sam Marsonek and Brandon Knight.
2001 - The Yankees signed MLB free-agent 1B Jason Giambi to a 7-year deal worth $120 million. The 2000 AL MVP and this year's runner-up drove in 120 runs, hit 38 HRs, and had a .342 batting average for the wild card A's 2001 AL season.
2001 - The Yankees acquired OF/1B John Vander Wal from the Giants in exchange for reliever Jay Witasick. John hit .260 in 117 games for the Yankees, before leaving the team for free agency.
2002 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent reliever Chris Hammond. He would go 3-2 in 62 games with 1 save for the 2003 Yankees. He pitched in 1 game of the 2003 World Series for the Yankees against the Marlins. On December 18,2003, Chris was traded by the Yankees along with cash to the Athletics for minor league players Eduardo Sierra and J.T. Stotts.
2003 - The Dodgers traded 38-year-old starter Kevin Brown with a 14-9 record with a 2.39 ERA to the Yankees for troubled starter Jeff Weaver, minor league prospects Yhency Brazoban, Brandon Weeden and cash. Kevin Brown is MLB’s 1st 100-million dollar player, who will make $15 million next season, waives his no-trade clause to be closer to his family, who live in Atlanta, Ga.
2007 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez.
2008 - MLB Free agent starter A.J. Burnett signs an $82.5 million, 5-year deal with the Yankees only 3 days after they inked another top MLB free agent starter, CC Sabathia.
December 14th
1873 - Former Yankees OF John Anderson (1904-1905) was born. On October 6, 1903, John was traded by the Browns to the Yankees for C/1B Jack O'Connor. John hit .271 in 175 games for the Yankees. On May 30, 1905, John was selected off waivers by the Senators from the Yankees.
1942 - Former Yankees P Jim Roland (1972) was born. On April 28, 1972, Jim was purchased by the Yankees from the Athletics. Jim went 0-1 in 16 games for the Yankees. On August 30, 1972, Jim was traded by the Yankees to the Rangers for P Casey Cox.
1948 - The Yankees obtained OF Jim Delsing from White Sox for OF Steve Souchock. Jim only appeared in 17 games in 2 seasons for the Yankees, hitting .381. Souchock will become a Yankees minor league manager after his active MLB player career ends.
1950 - The MLB owners choose Lou Perini (Braves), Phil Wrigley (Cubs), Del Webb (Yankees) and Ellis Ryan (Indians) to select a new MLB Commissioner as soon as possible. In a close vote of 9-7, current Commissioner Happy Chandler's contract was not renewed 3 days earlier to serve a 3rd term.
1956 - C Harry Chiti was sent by the Cubs to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 11, 1956. The Cubs sent a player to be named later to the Yankees for veteran C Charlie Silvera and cash and another player to be named. The Cubs sent C Harry Chiti on December 14, 1956 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Chiti never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 2, 1957, Harry Chiti would be drafted by the A's from the Yankees in the 1957 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft.
1960 - The two new AL franchises, L. A. Angels and the " new" Washington Senators are the 1st expansion teams in over a half of a century, select their rosters in the 1st ever MLB player expansion draft. The Angels make Yankees P Eli Grba, the 1st selection of the draft, while the "new" Senators follow by tabbing another Yankees P Bobby Shantz. The Yankees will trade Bobby Shantz to the Pirates for P Bernie Daniels, 1B R. C. Stevens and INF Harry Bright. They will be forward to the new Senators. Also the Yankees lose P John Gabler (Rule 5 Draft), veteran 1B Dale Long and minor league 1B Bud Zippel to the new Nats. The Senators originally drafted veteran Yankees INF Gil McDougal, but he refuses to go. 1B Bud Zippel replaced Gil in the draft. He will retire as an active MLB player. Gill will turn down a $100,000 player-manager offer from the Angels. He will become the Baseball Coach at Fordham University. Also the Yankees lose veteran OF Bob Cerv, young OF Ken Hunt, and veteran hurler Duke Maas to the Angels. Former Yankees Manager Casey Stengel helps out the Angels with their player draft selections as a special talent advisor. The AL teams had frozen their 40 Man MLB rosters on May 30, 1960 for players to be available for the expansion team player draft in December.
1964 - Former Yankees minor league C Mitch Lyden was born. The Yankees in the 4th round of the 1983 MLB amateur player draft drafted Mitch Lyden. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. After the 1990 MLB season, the Yankees granted him free agency. He would finally appear in the ML with the Marlins in 1993.
1961 - The Yankees GM Roy Hamey denies the AL 1960-1961 MVP winner and All Star RF Roger Maris’ request for a $75,000 1962 MLB player contract.
1961 - The Yankees obtained veteran reliever Marshall Bridges from the Reds for reserve C Jesse Gonder. Gonder was a victim of the numbers game with Yogi Berra, Elston Howard and Johnny Blanchard on the 25-man player roster.
1980 - Former 1963 AL Batting Champ, 1st black player to wear the Yankee pinstripes, Elston Howard passes away from a heart attack. Elston joined the Yankees in 1955, played with the team until his mid-season trade in 1967 to the Red Sox. He took over the starting catching duties in 1960 for the Yankees. He would become the 1st black MLB coach for the Yankees in 1969. He had a lifetime BA of .274, playing in 9 World Series with the Yankees and 1 with the Red Sox in 1967.
1982 - The Cardinals swap blue-ribbon prospects INF Bobby Meacham and OF Stan Javier to the Yankees for 3 minor leaguers- Bob Helsom, Marty Mason, and Steve Fincher. Some observers think this is a make-up trade to the Yankees for sending OF Willie McGee to the Cardinals last year in exchange for P Bob Sykes, who was injured and never played for the Yankees.
1985 - Former MLB All Star OF Roger Maris dies from cancer at the age of 51. In 1961, Maris set a MLB record by hitting 61 HRs. Considered an excellent all-around outfielder, Maris won two AL MVP awards (1960-1961) with the Yankees (1960-1966) during his MLB career (1957-1968), which started with the Indians in 1957, later he was traded to the A’s, then the Yankees, finishing up with the Cardinals in 1968.
1994 - The Yankees obtained starter Jack McDowell from the White Sox in exchange for minor league P Keith Heberling and a player to be named later, minor league OF Lyle Mouton.
1999 - The Yankees traded P Dan Naulty to the Dodgers for minor league player Nicholas Leach. Dan had posted a 1-0 mark with 33 games for the 1999 Yankees. Leach never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level.
2000 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent P Brian Boehringer. On March 21,1994, Brian was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees for reliever Paul Assenmacher. Brian went 5-9 in 56 games for the Yankees from 1995-1997. On November 18,1997, he was drafted by the Devil Rays from the Yankees as the 30th pick in the 1997 MLB player expansion draft. On July 4,2001, Brian was traded by the Yankees to the Giants for Joe Smith (minors) and C Bobby Estalella.
2004- Former Yankees minor league INF Rod " Hot Rod" Kanehl passed away (1934-2004). The Yankees originally signed Rod Kanehl in 1951. Rod never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. The Yankees sold him to the Mets in the winter of 1961. He would finally play for Manager Casey Stengel at the MLB level with the Mets. The Yankees wanted to give Rod a shot at 3B job in 1967, but the Mets refused to release him from his player contract despite being in AAA.
December 15th
1909 - Veteran shortstop Norman "Kid" Elberfeld (1903-1909), who helped make the Highlanders a winner, is sold to the Senators for $5,000. He hit .306 for the 1906 Yankees.
1920 - The new Yankees General Manager Ed Barrow pries future Hall of Fame starter Waite Hoyt, C Wally Schang, P Harry Harper, and INF Mike McNally from his former Red Sox team in exchange for Yankees 2B Del Pratt, C Muddy Ruel, P Hank Thormahlen, OF Sammy Vick and cash.
1920 - Former Yankees 1B Eddie Robinson (1954-1956) was born. On December 16,1953, Ed was traded by the A’s along with INF Lore Babe, P Harry Byrd, OF Tom Hamilton and OF Carmen Mauro to the Yankees for 1B Don Bollweg, 3B Jim Finigan, P Johnny Gray, 1B Vic Power, Bill Renna and C Jim Robertson. Ed hit .230 in 199 games for the Yankees. In the 1955 World Series, he hit .667 against the Dodgers. On June 14, 1956, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Lou Skizas to the A’s for P Moe Burtschy, OF Bill Renna and cash.
1932 - A joint meeting of AL and NL owners approves the concept of "chain store" baseball, developed as the Cardinal farm system by Branch Rickey, despite strenuous objections by MLB Commissioner Judge Landis. The era of independent minor league teams will begin to start. The Yankees will sign deal with the Newark Bears of International League to be their top farm team.
1944 - Former Yankees P Stan Bahnsen (1968-1971) was born. Stan won the AL Rookie of Year Award in 1968. The Yankees traded Stan to the White Sox for INF Rich McKinney in December of 1971.
1945 - Former Yankees P Gil Blanco (1965) was born. Before the 1964 AL Season, the Yankees signed Gil Blanco as an MLB amateur free agent. Gil went 1-1 in 17 games with a 3.98 ERA for the 1965 Yankees. On June 10, 1966, Gil was traded by the Yankees along with OF Roger Repoz and P Bill Stafford to the A’s for C Billy Bryan and P Fred Talbot
1953 - Long time Yankees General Manager Ed Barrow passed away (1899-1953). Ed was a MLB manager with the Red Sox, winning the 1918 World Series. He is credited with making the switch of a young Babe Ruth from the mound to the outfield. He would join the Yankees front office in 1920. From 1921-1945, Ed Barrow was the Yankees General Manager, engineering some of the most famous Yankees trades. He left the team in 1945, after the Jacob Ruppert estate sold the Yankees to new owners Del Webb, Dan Topping and Larry MacPhail. In 1953, Ed was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame.
1960 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent veteran OF Elmer Valo after his released by the Indians. During the 1960 AL season, the Yankees would release Elmer; he would pick by the Senators.
1967 - The Yankees completed the Steve Barber trade with the Orioles made during the 1967 AL season, by sending minor league players INF Chet Trail and OF Joe Brady to the Orioles.
1980 - All Star OF Dave Winfield (.276, 20 HRs, with 87 RBIs) becomes the highest-paid player in the history of sports. The former Padre start signs a 10-year free-agent deal with Yankees worth a record $16 million.
1981 - Former AL Cy Young Award Winner free-agent starter Ron Guidry re-signs with the Yankees to a 4-year $3.6 million pact.
1988 - The Yankees signed P Mark Hutton as an MLB amateur free agent. Mark posted a 1-3 record in 19 games for the Yankees. On July 31, 1996, Mark was traded by the Yankees to the Marlins for veteran P Dave Weathers.
1992 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent 3B Wade Boggs to a 3-year contract. Wade appeared in 601 games for the Yankees, hitting .313. In the 1996 World Series against the Braves, Boggs hit .273.
1994 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent veteran shortstop Tony Fernandez. Tony will hit .245 in 108 games for the Yankees in 1995.
1999 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent reserve OF Ryan Thompson. Ryan appeared in 33 games for the Yankees, hitting .260.
2003 - The Yankees lose P Colter Bean to the Red Sox in the 2003 MLB Rule 5 player draft.
2003 - The Yankees signed veteran catcher John “Flash” Flaherty as a MLB free agent. He replaced Chris Widger as the Yankees reserve catcher in 2003. “Flash” appeared in 134 games for the Yankees, hitting .226.
December 16th
1948 - Former Yankees minor league P Terry Bongiovanni was born. The Cubs in the 3rd round of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft drafted Terry Bongiovanni. He pitched 6 years in the minors, reaching AA with a career mark of 26-34. On September 11, 1969 Terry Bongiovanni was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees with a player to be named later and cash for veteran OF Jimmie Hall. The Cubs would send OF Rick Bladt on January 6, 1970 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1953 - In a 10-player trade, the Yankees send 1B Vic Power, infielders Jimmy Finigan and Don Bollweg, OF Bill Renna, C Jim Robertson, and P John Gray to the A's. The A’s send veteran 1B Eddie Robinson, 3B Loren Babe, P Harry Byrd, and outfielders Tom Hamilton and Carmen Mauro to the Yankees. Byrd, who won 26 games in 2 years for the A's, will never match his wins in pinstripes. The stylish Power, the American Association batting leader in 1953, will win 7 Gold Gloves and make the All-Star team 4 times.
1958 - Former Yankees reserve OF Ted Wilborn (1980) was born. On June 8, 1976, Ted was drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round of the 1976 MLB amateur player draft. On December 4, 1978, Ted was drafted by the Blue Jays from the Yankees in the 1978 MLB Rule 5 player draft. On November 1,1979, he was traded by the Blue Jays along with C Rick Cerone and P Tom Underwood to the Yankees for 1B Chris Chambliss, INF Damaso Garcia and P Paul Mirabella. During the 1980 AL season, Ted appeared in 8 games for the Yankees hitting.250. On March 30, 1982, Ted was traded by the Yankees along with minor league P Andy McGaffigan to the Giants for veteran MLB starter Doyle Alexander.
1960 - The Yankees purchase P Danny McDevitt from the Dodgers. He had originally signed with the Yankees in 1951, but the Yankees released Danny in 1952. The Dodgers picked him up.
1960 - The Yankees traded P Bobby Shantz to the Pirates for P Bernie Daniels, 1B R. C. Stevens and INF Harry Bright. The players received by the Yankees are forwarded to the new expansion Washington Senators.
1983 - Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner fires Billy Martin as manager of the Yankees for the 3rd time, replacing him with Yogi Berra and giving Billy Martin a front-office job.
1996 - The Yankees lose closer John Wetteland to MLB free agency. Mo Rivera will replace John. The Rangers signed free agent P John Wetteland to a 4-year contract worth $23 million. Wetteland had 43 saves for the Yankees during the 1996 AL season.
2003 - After declining the $4.6 million 2-year December 7th contract offer by the Yankees, which he only had 15 minutes to consider, Mike Stanton (7-1, 3.00, 6 saves) still decides to stay in town by, agreeing to a $9 million, 3-year, no trade contract with the cross-town rival Mets. The AL All-Star reliever wasn't offered salary arbitration by the Yankees front office, after he failed to respond to their ultimatum.
2007 - Former Yankees P Clarence “Cuddles” Marshall (1946, 1948-1950) passed away. On December 9, 1944, he was traded by Seattle (PCL) to the Yankees for Dick Hearn minors) and Johnny Babich. Marshall went 6-4 in 45 games with 3 saves for the Yankees. Twenty-one year old Cuddles Marshall of the Yankees was the starting pitcher for the club in the 1st night game ever played at Yankee Stadium, on May 28, 1946, before a crowd of 49,917 fans; the Senators defeated the Yankees by the score of 2-1. The opposing pitcher was knuckleball specialist Dutch Leonard.
"The biggest highlight of my career was pitching the 1st night game ever in the stadium," said Cuddles. "I had just won my first game up in Detroit. Then we got to Boston and came back home. Bill Dickey told me I was going to pitch the game that night. He caught the game, I was so nervous, I can't remember. I walked the first batter on four pitches and then I walked someone else." Dickey came out and said, "Are you scared kid? I said yes, and he said so am I. He slapped me on the butt and I went back and pitched the game. We lost. Jake Wade relieved me in the 7th inning. We just couldn't hit Leonard and his knuckler."
His roommate Joe Page dubbed the big right-hander “Cuddles”. "He kind of tacked it on me," explained Marshall. "A lot of young girls would come into the hotel lobbies where we stayed and Joe said the newspapermen wanted to get a nickname for me, so he made a statement to them that I was cuddly, or something like that. Joe loved to play ball and he loved to party. He was a good roommate, except I had to be careful or he would get me into trouble."
Clarence divided his time in the late 1940’s between the Yankees and their top AAA farm teams the Kansas City Blues and the Newark Bears. The native of Bellingham, WA was babtized in his MLB debut at Fenway Park, entering the game in relief. His first assignment was simply to pitch to Ted Williams. "Boston had runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out," recalled Marshall. "Being a young kid and not knowing any better, it didn't bother me." It apparently didn't as "Cuddles" got the "Splendid Splinter" to ground into a double play.
Marshall, who began his organized baseball career with the Seattle Rainiers (PCL) right out of high school, went 3-0 with the Yankees in 1949 and made 19 relief appearances. Perhaps his finest hour came in a game against the Red Sox when he came in out of the bullpen and pitched four shutout innings to help defeat the Red Sox by the score of -6-4. The Yankees would go on from here and defeat this same Boston team by a 1game margin for the 1949 AL pennant and start their string of 5 straight World Series Championships. Clarence spent his final MLB season with the Browns in 1950 going 1-3 and closing out his 4-year MLB run at 7-7 with a 5.98 ERA.
December 17th
1924 - The Yankees get 4-time 20-game winner Urban Shocker back from the Browns for pitchers Milt Gaston, Joe Giard, and Joe Bush. Urban Shocker led the Browns in wins in each of the past 5 seasons and will be a mainstay on 2 pennant-winning staffs for the Yankees. Joe Bush had beaten the Browns 17 straight times after losing to them on June 12, 1922. Shocker will go 46-24 in 3 seasons for the Yankees during his 2nd time with the team. Urban had pitched for the Yankees in 1916-1917.
1934 - Former reserve 1B Kent Hadley (1960) was born (1934-2005). Kent came to the Yankees in the Roger Maris trade with the A's in December of 1959. He hit .204 in 55 games with the Yankees. After the 1960 AL season with the Yankees, he would go on to play baseball in Japan. Kent originally came up with the Tigers, and then he was traded to the A’s. After leaving the Yankees, Kent played professional baseball in Japan.
1936 - Former Yankees P Rolland “Rollie” Sheldon (1961-1962, 1964-1965) was born. Before the 1960 AL season, Rollie was by the Yankees as an amateur MLB free agent. In the Yankees 1961 spring training camp, Roland was named the winner of James P. Dawson Award for the best Yankee rookie in the camp. In his rookie season, Rollie went 11-5 in 1961. In 1963, he missed the season due to arm injuries. Rollie would finish his Yankee career with a 23-15 record before being traded to the A's in 1965. On May 3, 1965, Rollie was traded by the Yankees with C/1B/OF Johnny Blanchard to the A’s for C Doc Edwards. This was a terrible trade for the Yankees. Rollie would go 10-8 for the A' s, while Edwards was a failure behind the plate and with the bat.
1942 - The Yankees traded OF Roy Cullenbine and C Buddy Rosar to the Indians for OF Roy Weatherly and IF Oscar Grimes. With the military draft in mind, all 4 players are married with 1 child each. As noted by historian Lyle Spatz, Rosar had been in the doghouse with Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy for leaving the team without permission the weekend of July 18-19th to take a police examination in Buffalo. The leave-taking prompted the Yankees to sign veteran C Rollie Hemsley, who would play in 31 games for the Yankees hitting .294. Rollie would stay with the Yankees as a reserve catcher until 1944.
1947 - Former Yankees reserve C Charlie Sands (1967) was born. On November 28, 1966, Charlie was drafted by the Yankees from the Orioles organization in the 1966 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Charlie appeared in 1 game for the Yankees in 1967. On October 15, 1970, Charlie was traded by the Yankees along with minor league players Dave Kent and Gary Washington to the Pirates for minor league players Ed Pachec, Jerry Branch and Tom Frondorf.
1949 - The Yankees and Tigers swap 1st basemen, with the Tigers getting Richard Kryhoski while the Yankees take Richard Wakefield, who was signed by the Tigers in 1941 with a $52,000 bonus. Kryhoski would return to the Yankees in the winter of 1954 17-player trade with the Orioles. Wakefield will appear in only 3 games for the Yankees in 1950, before being released by the team in 1952.
1953 - In a tax-avoidance scheme, the Yankees sell Yankee Stadium and Kansas City properties (Ruppert Stadium) for $6.5 million in a deal with Johnson Corporation and the Knights of Columbus, who immediately lease the property back to the Yankees.
1961 - Former Yankees OF Ping Bodie (1918-1921) passed away (1887-1961). Ping was one of the 1st colorful players to wear the Yankees uniform. On March 8, 1918, Ping was traded by the Athletics to the Yankees for George Burns. He appeared in 385 games for the Yankees, hitting .272 with 16 HRs with 196 RBI’s.
1964 - The Yankees fire long time television and radio voice Mel Allen. This well known broadcaster popularized the 'going, going, gone' home run call and often said 'how about that' to describe happenings on the ball field.
1968 - Former Yankees reserve OF Curtis Pride (2003) was born. On May 23, 2003, Curtis was purchased by the Yankees from Nashua (Atlantic). Curtis despite being deaf was able to play professional baseball. During the 2003 AL season, he did appear in 4 games with the Yankees, hitting .083. He spent most of the 2003 baseball season at Columbus (AAA). With the Clippers, Curtis hit .289 with 7 stolen bases (2nd on the team). On October 14,2003, Curtis was granted free agency by the Yankees. He would sign with the Angles organization.
1996 - MLB free agent pitcher David “Boomer” Wells signs a 3-year $13.5 million contract with the Yankees. He would go 32-14 in 62 games for the Yankees. On February 18, 1999, Dave was traded by the Yankees along with INF Homer Bush and reliever Graeme Lloyd to the Blue Jays for All Star starter Roger Clemens.
2001 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent OF Rondell White, who played for the Cubs this past year, to a 2-year contract. Rondell never could stay healthy, while he was with the Yankees.
2003 - After agreeing to basics weeks ago, the Yankees owner George Steinnbrenner and 35-year old Gary Sheffield (.330, 39 HRs, 132 RBIs) finalizes a $39 million, 3-year deal, which includes $13.5 million in deferred money and a $13 million team option for 2007. The 7-time All-Star outfielder played with Braves last season. Gary has spent time with the Padres, Marlins and Dodgers after breaking in with the Brewers in 1988.
2004 - A 3-team trade which including Diamondback southpaw Randy Johnson and P Kazuhisa Ishii traded to the Yankees, Dodger OF Shawn Green and P Brad Penny being sent to the Diamondbacks with Jose Vazquez and prospects going to the Dodgers. The blockbuster transaction falls apart as the Dodgers back out at the 11th hour.
December 18th
1918 - Outfielder Duffy Lewis returns from the military, he is traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees. He goes along with front-line pitchers Ernie Shore and Dutch Leonard for P Ray "Slim" Caldwell, Slim Love, Roxy Walters, Frank Gilhooley, and $15,000. The Tigers had turned down a deal for Leonard on the 16th. The Boston Post newspaper reports, "It will take a lot to convince Boston fans that they got the best of this one."
1930 - Former Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (1954-1962) was born. Bill hit .296 in 12 years with the Yankees with 156 HRs and 672 RBI's. He was named to the AL All Star team 1957-1961. In 1958, he led the AL 1st baseman in fielding. He appeared in 7 World Series with the Yankees and 1 with the Dodgers (1963). Bill was traded to the Dodgers for starter Stan Williams during the winter of 1962. Now Bill works with the White Sox community relations department. He is still a very popular player with the Yankees fans on Old Timer’s Day games.
1930 - Former Yankees minor league INF Mike Baxes was born. Before the start of 1951 AL season, the Yankees obtained Mike from San Francisco Seals (PCL) as part of a minor league working agreement. Before the start of the 1952 AL season, the Yankees returned Mike to San Francisco Seals (PCL), after expiration of minor league working agreement. On September 21, 1955, he was purchased by the A’s from the Seals (PCL). Mike played 2b and shortstop for the A’s. On April 12, 1959, Mike was traded by the A’s along with OF Bob Martyn to the Yankees for INF Tom Carroll and minor league OF Russ Snyder. Mike never played for the Yankees at the MLB level, he was sent to Richmond (AAA). Also his brother Jim played in the ML during the 1950’s.
1950 - Yankee OF great Tommy "Old Reliable" Henrich calls it a career as a MLB player. He accepts a MLB coaching position with the Yankees.
1956 - Former Yankees All Star and AL MVP shortstop Phil Rizzuto signs as a Yankee radio-TV announcer. The Yankees have him replaced veteran baseball announcer Jim Woods.
1957 - Former Yankees P Bob Ojeda (1994) was born. On January 28, 1994, Bob was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. Bob appeared in only 1 game for the Yankees in 1994. On May 5, 1994, Bob was released by the Yankees.
1958 - Former Yankees P Scott Nielsen (1986, 1988-1989) was born. On February 14, 1984, Scott was traded by the Mariners along with P Eric Parent (minors) to the Yankees for INF Larry Milbourne. In 1986, Scott went 4-4 for the Yankees. On January 5, 1987, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Mike Soper (minors) to the White Sox for P Pete Filson and INF Randy Velarde. On November 12, 1987, Scott was traded by the White Sox along with P Richard Dotson to the Yankees for OF/1B Dan Pasqua, P Steve Rosenberg and C/DH/1B Mark Salas. In 1988 he went 1-2 and in 1989 he posted a 1-0 mark for the Yankees. On July 10, 1989, Scott was traded by the Yankees to the Mets for OF Marcus Lawton.
1967 - The White Sox send veteran 3B/1B slugger Pete Ward to the Yankees for P Mickey Scott and cash. Pete Ward was at the end of his MLB career playing with back problems.
1968 - Former Yankees reserve C Hank Severeid (1926) passed away. On July 22, 1926, Hank was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. He appeared in 41 games for the Yankees, hitting .268. In the 1926 World Series, he played in all 7 games for the Yankees, hitting .273.
1973 - The Yankees announced the signing of Richard Williams as manager, precipitating a legal showdown with A's Owner Charlie Finley. Two days later, AL president Joe Cronin rules that the Yankees cannot sign Williams that he is still legally contracted with the A’s.
1993 - Top Yankees Pitching prospect Brien Taylor injures his shoulder in a fight near his home in North Carolina. The Injury will require surgery and cause Taylor to miss the entire 1994 season. Taylor, who signed for a $1.55 million bonus in 1991, has yet to make it to the majors.
2002 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent 3B Todd Zeile to a contract. Todd will appear in 66 games for the 2002 Yankees, hitting just .210. On August 18, 2003, Todd was released by the Yankees.
December 19th
1915 - Former Yankee PH/INF Nicholas “Mickey” Witek (1949) was born. Mickey was the 1939 MVP for the Newark Bears (IL). He was brought up to the majors with the Giants. He spent the 1943-1946 MLB seasons in the Coast Guard. He appeared in 1 game for the 1949 Yankees, as a pinch hitter.
1930 - Former Yankee reserve OF Gordon Windhorn (1959) was born. On March 14, 1957, Gordon was traded by the Red Sox along with P Eli Grba to the Yankees for OF Bill Renna. In 1958 with the Denver Bears in the American Association (AAA), Gordon won the batting crown. Gordon was selected as the 1959 James P. Dawson Award for being the best Yankees rookie in the 1959 spring training camp. Gordon appeared in only 7 games for the Yankees in 1959. On April 5, 1960, Gordon was traded by the Yankees along with minor league player Dick Sanders to the Dodgers for P Fred Kipp.
1934 - The Yankees send 5 players to San Francisco Seals (PCL) as part of the payment for OF Joe DiMaggio. He will play another season in the Pacific Coast League and will report at the end of 1935.
1943 - Former Yankee OF/DH Walt "No Neck" Williams (1974-1975) was born. Walt hit .113 and 281 for the Yankees. After the 1975 AL season, the Yankees released Walt. He went to Japan to play baseball. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner helped Walt get a contact with a Japanese team.
1944 - Former Yankees P Rob Gardner (1970-1972) was born. Rob went 9-5 in 2 tours with the Yankees between trades to the A's. He was traded for both of the Alou brothers. His best Yankees season was in 1972, when he went 8-5 in 14 starts for the Yankees.
1962 - Former Yankees P Clay Parker (1989-1990) was born. On December 22, 1987, Clay was traded by the Mariners along with hurlers Lee Guetterman and Wade Taylor to the Yankees for starter Steve Trout and OF Henry Cotto. Clay went 5-6 in 32 games for the Yankees. On June 4, 1990, Clay was traded by the Yankees along with P Lance McCullers to the Tigers for OF/DH/C Matt Nokes.
1970 - Former Yankees minor league C Tom Wilson was born. On June 4, 1990, Tom was drafted by the Yankees in the 23rd round of the 1990 MLB amateur player draft. Tom never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On April 6, 1996, he was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for 2 minor league players: Marc Marini and Ryan Martindale. In 1997 and 1999, he rejoined the Yankees organization; he played at Columbus (AAA).
1974 - The race to sign MLB free agent All Star hurler Catfish Hunter begins in the law offices of Cherry, Cherry & Flythe in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Yankees and Red Sox representatives are the 1st arrivals.
1991 - Yankees reliever Steve Howe is arrested in Montana on a charge of possession of cocaine. Howe has been suspended from baseball 5 times for drug and alcohol problems.
2002 - The Yankees signed Japanese star OF Hideki Matsui to a 3-year contract.
2003 - Former Yankees minor league OF Carmen Mauro passed away. In a 10-player trade, the Yankees send 1B Vic Power, infielders Jimmy Finigan and Don Bollweg, OF Bill Renna, C Jim Robertson, and P John Gray to the A's. The A’s send veteran 1B Eddie Robinson, 3B Loren Babe, P Harry Byrd, and outfielders Tom Hamilton and Carmen Mauro to the Yankees. Carmen never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He would spend the next 5 seasons in the minor leagues. He would retire from baseball in 1958.
2008 - Former Yankees P Dock Ellis (1976-1977) passed away. On December 11, 1975, Dock was traded by the Pirates along with P Ken Brett and minor league 2B Willie Randolph to the Yankees for P George “Doc” Medich. Dock went 17-8 with the 1976 Yankees. In 1977, he was 1-1. On April 27, 1977, Dock was traded by the Yankees along with OF Larry Murray and INF Marty Perez to the A’s for starter Mike Torrez.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
