This Week in Yankees History
December 20th - December 26th
December 20th
December 20th - December 26th
December 20th
1876- Former Yankees 2B James “Buttons” Williams (1903-07) was born. Before the 1901 AL Season, James jumped from the Pirates to the Baltimore Orioles (pre-Highlanders). He appeared in 940 games with the Yankees hitting .277. On November 5, 1907, he was traded by the Highlanders along with Hobe Ferris and Danny Hoffman to the Browns for P Fred Glade, OF Charlie Hemphill and INF Harry Niles.
1881 - Former Yankees C and HOF Baseball executive Wesley “Branch” Rickey (1907) was born. On February 28, 1907, Branch was traded by the Browns to the Highlanders for INF Joe Yeager. Branch playing with a bad shoulder appeared in 52 games hitting just .182 for the Yankees. In 1967, he was elected to Baseball HOF as a baseball executive. He was the creator of the farm system, signing Jackie Robinson in 1947 to break the MLB color player barrier.
1885 - Former Yankees 2B Charles “Paddy” Baumann (1915-1917) was born. After he was obtained from the Tigers Paddy hit.276 in 204 games for the Yanks.
1888 - Former Yankees 1B Fred Merkle (1925-1926) was born. On June 17, 1925, Fred was purchased by the Yankees from Rochester (International) for $6,000. Fred was at the end of his MLB career when he joined the Yankees. He appeared in only 8 games for the Yankees, hitting .333.
1899 - Former Yankees P George Pipgras (1923-1924, 1927-1933) was born. On January 3, 1923, George was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with OF Harvey Hendrick to the New York Yankees for C Al DeVormer and cash. George went 93-64 in 247 games for the Yankees. He appeared in 3 World Series (1927-28, 1932) for the Yankees, posting a 3-0 record. On May 12, 1933, George was purchased by the Red Sox from the Yankees for $100,000.
1903 - In an unpopular trade in Boston, the Pilgrims send Long Tom Hughes to the Highlanders for lefty P Jesse Tannehill. Hughes, 20-7 winner for the AL champs, had jumped to the AL from the NL Chicago team in 1902. Hughes will come up short in the Bronx. He will be shipped to the Senators in July, while Tannehill will win 20 for the Pilgrims (aka the Red Sox).
1921 - The Yankees raided the Red Sox again, and come away with P Bullet Joe Bush, Shortstop Everett Scott, and P Sad Sam Jones in exchange for Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh (who goes on to Senators), pitchers Jack Quinn, Rip Collins, and Bill Piercy, and $50,000.
1928 - The Yankees released reserve INF Mike Gazella (1923, 1926-1928). Mike had appeared in 162 games for the Yankees, hitting .241. He appeared in 1 game of the 1926 World Series with no hits.
1940 - Former Yankees P Thad Tillotson (1967-1968) was born. Thad went 4-9 for the Yankees in 50 games after being obtained from the Dodgers for veteran INF Richard “Ducky” Schofield.
1946 - With the trade for veteran C Al Lopez, the Indians send young C Sherm Lollar and 2B Ray Mack to the Yankees for minor league pitchers Gene Bearden, Al Gettel, and OF Hal Peck. Peck never played for the Yankees after they acquired him in June. Sherman Lollar will play just 33 games in 2-years, with Yankees having Yogi Berra and Ralph Houk ahead of him. Meanwhile 2B Ray Mack is swapped after appearing in 1 game during the 1947 AL season. Gene Bearden, as a rookie knuckle-ball pitcher in 1948, will win 20 games and the lead the AL in ERA. It will be his best season as a MLB pitcher.
1949 - Former Yankees OF/DH Oscar Gamble (1976, 1979-1984) was born. On November 22, 1975, Oscar was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for starter Pat Dobson. Oscar hit will hit only .232 in 1976. On April 5, 1977, Oscar was traded by the Yankees along with minor league hurlers Bob Polinsky, La Marr Hoyt, and $200,000 to the White Sox for INF Bucky Dent. On August 1, 1979, Oscar was traded by the Rangers along with players to be named later and Amos Lewis (minors) to the Yankees for players to be named later and OF Mickey Rivers. The Rangers would send hurlers Ray Fontenot and Gene Nelson on October 8, 1979 to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees will send minor league pitchers Bob Polinsky, Neal Mersch, and Mark Softy on October 8, 1979 to the Rangers to complete the trade. Oscar would hit well for the Yankees, until injuries finally slowed him down. In 7 seasons with the Yankees, Oscar appeared in 540 games with 87 HRs, 276 RBI’s with a .259 BA. In 2 World Series with the Yankees, Oscar would hit .285. He will finish his MLB career with the White Sox in 1985.
1966 - The Yankees acquired shortstop Richard Howser from the Indians for minor leaguer P Gil Downs and cash. Howser was at the end of his fine MLB career because of back problems. Later he would become the Yankees 3B MLB Coach after retiring as an active player. He would later manage the Yankees in 1980 and the Royals before dying of cancer in 1985.
1973 - In Siding with the A's, AL President Joe Cronin rules that the Yankees cannot sign the A’s former manager Richard Williams. The Yankees had announced a deal with the former Oakland skipper 2 days earlier. The Yankees will end up signing former MLB manager Bill Vidron as their manager for the 1974 AL season. Bill had originally signed with the Yankees, but was traded away in 1954 to the Cardinals in the Enos Slaughter trade.
1974 - The Yankees released veteran All Star starter Sam Mc Dowell. After being purchased from the Giants in 1973, Sam went 6-10 in 34 games for the Yankees. Sam was battling drinking problems that eventually ended his MLB career. He would retire from MLB in 1975, after finishing out his career with the Pirates, going 2-1 in 14 games.
1986 - The Yankees released veteran hurler Bob Shirley. He will be resigned in January of 1987. Bob will post a 14-20 record in 165 games with 5 saves as a Yankee.
1988 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent veteran C Jamie Quirk. He will appear in only 13 games, hitting only .083 before being released by the Yankees.
1989 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent veteran C Rick Cerone. He will appear in 49 games as reserve catcher, hitting .302.
1993 - The Yankees signed free agent OF/DH Luis Polonia (1989-1990, 1994-1995, 2000). Luis would be a reserve OF and occasional DH for the Yankees during his 3 tours with the team. He will appear in 276 games with 6 HRs, 88 RBI’s with a .296 BA.
1996 - The Yankees granted MLB free agency to the following players: P Billy Brewer, P Scott Kamieniecki and INF Luis Sojo.
2002 - The Japan's most heralded player, 28-year-old OF slugger Hideki Matsui (.334, 50 HRs, 107 RBIs), reaches a preliminary agreement with the Yankees on a $21 million, 3-year contract. "Godzilla" the 3-time Most Valuable Player of Japan's Central League, had rejected the Yomiuri Giant's $33 million, 4-year offer opting to play for the Yankees. He will play for the Yankees 2003-2009. Matsui appeared in 916 games, hitting 140 HR’s and 597 RBI’s with a Yankee career BA of .290. In 2003-2004, he was named to the AL All Star team. In 2005, he hit .305 for the Yankees. He was named the 2009 MLB World series MVP for hitting .615 (8 for 13) with 3 HRs and 8 RBI’s against the Phillies. Overall in 2 World Series, Matsui finished with a .389 BA, with 4 HR’s and 12 RBI’s. In 6 ALDS, he hit .261 with 3 HR’s and 10 RBI’s. In 3 ALCS, Matsui hit .333 (10 for 81) with 2 HR’s and 17 RBI’s. After the 2009 World Series, Matsui left the Yankees to sign a MLB free agent contract of 6.5 million dollars with the Angels.
2003 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent INF Homer Bush. He will appear in 4 games with no hits for the 2004 Yankees, unable to comeback from his leg injuries.
2004 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent starter Carl Pavano. Carl posted a 9-8 record in 26 games during his injury riddled 4-year stay with the Yankees (2005-2008).
2004 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent veteran INF Tony Womack. Tony will hit only .249 in 108 games for the 2005 Yankees. On December 8, 2005, Tony was traded by the Yankees with cash to the Reds for 2 minor league players Benjamin Himes (minors) and Kevin Howard.
2007 - Former Yankees P Tommy Byrne (1943, 1946-1951, 1954-1957) passed away (1919-2007). Before the 1940 AL season, the Yankees signed him as an MLB amateur free agent. Tommy went 73-50 in 249 games in 10 seasons with the Yankees. He won 15 games each during the1949 and 1950 AL seasons. Tom was named to the 1950 AL All Star team. On June 15, 1951, he was traded by the Yankees along with $25,000 to the Browns for veteran P Stubby Overmire. Tommy was re-obtained by the Yankees in September of 1954 from Seattle Rayners (PCL). In 1955, he won the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award by going 16-5 for the Yankees. He would pitch 2 more seasons for the team, before retiring in 1957. He would become the Mayor and Owner of the Wake Forrest, NC Country Club.
December 21st
1927 - The Yankees signed veteran starter Stan Coveleski after his release by the Senators. Stan will go 5-1 in 12 games for the 1928 Yankees. He was elected to Baseball’s HOF in 1969. He finished his MLB career with a 215-142 pitching record.
1934 - The Yankees sell reserve OF Sammy Byrd to the Reds. Sam was known as Babe Ruth’s legs as a late inning defensive replacement for the Babe. He played in 565 games for the Yankees, hitting .281 with 27 HRs and 155 RBI’s.
1947 - Former Yankees OF Elliot Maddox (1974-1976) was born. On March 23, 1974, Elliot was purchased by the Yankees from the Rangers. Elliot played well for the Yankees in OF, replacing Bobby Mercer as the Yankees CF during the 1974 AL season with Mercer moving to RF. He hit .303 and .307 for the Yankees in 1974-1975. During the 1975 AL season, he injured his leg on the outfield turf at Shea Stadium. With the arrival of Billy Martin as Yankees manager in 1975, Elliot's days as a Yankee player were numbered. On January 20, 1977, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Rick Bladt to the Orioles for veteran golden glove OF Paul Blair.
1948 - Former Yankees DH/OF Dave Kingman (1977) was born. Dave appeared in 8 games for the Yankees hitting .250 before leaving for MLB free agency signing with the Cubs.
1972 - Former Yankees reliever La Troy Hawkins (2008) was born. La Troy went 1-1 in 11 games before being sent on July 30, 2008 by the Yankees along with cash to the Astros for minor league player Matthew Cusick.
1973 - AL President Joe Cronin rules that former Yankees Manager Ralph Houk is free from all contractual obligations with the New York Yankees. He is free to sign with any MLB team.
1977 - Former Yankees INF D'Angelo Jimenez (1999) was born. The Yankees signed D’Angelo Jimenez, as an MLB amateur free agent in 1994. On June 23, 2001, he was traded by the Yankees to the Padres for reliever Jay Witasick.
1987 - The Yankees released veterans OF/1B/DH Mike Easler and OF/DH Ron Kittle. Also they signed veteran starter Tommy John as a MLB free agent.
1995 - After considering an attractive offer from the Orioles, free agent starter David Cone re-signs with the Yankees for a 3-year deal worth $18 million.
1995 - The Yankees sold veteran hurler Rick Honeycutt to the Cardinals. Rick went 0-0 in 3 games with the Yankees after being purchased from the A’s on September 25, 1995.
1997 - The Yankees signed free agent P Darren Holmes. He would post a 0-3 record in 34 games with 2 saves for the 1998 Yankees. On March 30, 1999, he as traded by the Yankees with cash to the Diamondbacks for P Ben Ford and Izzy Molina.
1998- The Yankees grant OF/DH Daryl Strawberry MLB free agency. Daryl had hit .247 with 24 HRs with 57 RBIs. He will re-sign with the Yankees in April of 1999.
2002 - The Yankees grant OF Spence Spencer and P Christian Parker MLB free agency. Christian Parker will resign with the team on December 30th.
2003 - The Yankees grant OF Karim Garcia and OF/DH Dave Dellucci, MLB free agency.
2005 - Former Yankees reserve C (1976-1977) and long time Orioles MLB Coach and player Elrod Hendricks passes away (1940-2005).
2005 - The Yankees grant reliever Wayne Franklin MLB free agency. On April 4, 2005, Wayne was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. He posted a 0-1 record in 13 games for the 2005 Yankees.
December 22nd
1938 - Former Yankees OF/1B/DH Matty Alou (1973) was born. On November 24, 1972, Matty was traded by the A’s to the Yankees for a player to be named later and P Rob Gardner. The Yankees would send INF Rich McKinney on December 1, 1972 to the A’s to complete the trade. Matty was a major disappointment for the Yankees, hitting .296 but with only 2 HRs and 28 RBIs in 123 games. On September 6, 1973, Matty was purchased by the Cardinals from the Yankees.
1940 - Former Yankees reserve C Elrod Hendricks (1976-1977) was born.
1953 - Former Yankees P Tommy Underwood (1980-1981) was born. On November 1,1979, Tom was traded by the Blue Jays along with C Rick Cerone and OF Ted Wilborn to the Yankees for 1B Chris Chambliss, INF Damaso Garcia, and P Paul Mirabella. Tom would go 13-9 in 1980, before slipping to 1-4 in 1981, before being traded on May 20,1981 by the Yankees along with 1B/DH Jim Spencer to the A’s for 1B Dave Revering, Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty (minors). His brother Pat also played in MLB.
1968 - Former Yankees reserve C Benny Bengough (1923-1930) passed away (1898-1968). Benny hit .253 in 317 games for the Yankees.
1982 - Versatile OF/DH Lee Mazzilli is traded for the 3rd time this year. The Yankees send him to the Pirates for P Tim Burke and 4 minor league players: Don Aubin, John Holland and Jose Rivera.
1986 - The Yankees released veteran reliever Mike Armstrong. He will resign with team in January of 1987.
1987 - The Yankees send troubled starter Steve Trout and OF Henry Cotto to the Mariners for pitchers Lee Guetterman, Clay Parker and minor leaguer P Wade Taylor.
1988 - The Yankees signed P Richard Noles as an MLB free agent. Noles will not pitch for the Yankees at the MLB level.
1989 - The Yankees signed INF Damaso Garcia as a free agent. He will spend the 1990 season at Columbus (AAA).
1993 - The Yankees signed DH/1B Same Horn as a free agent. He will spend most of his time playing at Columbus (IL) in 1994.
1999 - The Expos obtained P Hideki Irabu from the Yankees in exchange for P Jake Westbrook and 2 players to be named. Pitcher Christian Parker will be one of those players named. The Expos will later send P Ted Lilly to the Yankees on March 17,2000 to complete the trade.
2005 - The Yankees agreed to terms with veteran AL All Star OF Bernie Williams on a one-year contract.
2006 - The Yankees signed former Cuban national team baseball player 1B Juan Miranda as an MLB amateur free agent.
December 23rd
1882 - Former Yankees reserve OF George Whiteman (1913) was born. George appeared in only 11 games for the Yankees, hitting .344.
1889 - Former Yankees INF/OF Fritz Maisel (1913-1917) was born. Fritz appeared in 502 games with the Yankees hitting .243, while stealing 183 bases. On January 22,1918, Fritz was traded by the Yankees with P Nick Cullop, 2B Joe Gedeon, P Les Nunamaker, P Urban Shocker and $15,000 to the Browns for P Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt.
1898 - Former Yankees reserve OF Henry “Hinky” Haines (1923) was born. Henry appeared in 28 games for the Yankees, hitting only .160. He appeared in 2 games of the 1923 World Series with no hits.
1928 - Former Yankees minor league P Mike Blyzka was born. The right-hander was part of the 18-player trade between the Orioles and the Yankees after the 1954 AL season that saw Bob Turley and Don Larsen go to the Bronx Bombers. Mike was to make the trip also but the Yankees dropped him off with the Denver Bears (AAA) in the American Association. Blyzka never quite made it to Yankee Stadium, pitching for the AAA Denver Bears again in 1956. He finished out his pro baseball career with the AAA Minneapolis Millers and the Springfield Giants in 1957. In 1953-1954, he pitched with the Browns and Orioles; Mike posted a 3-11 record in 70 games.
1929 - Former Yankees P AL “Bozo” Cicotte (1957) was born (1929-1982). In 1948, the Yankees signed Al as an MLB amateur free agent. He went 2-2 in 20 games with 2 saves for the Yankees in 1957. On May 14, 1958, he was purchased by the Senators from the Yankees. Al was the great-nephew of HOF starter Eddie Cicotte.
1958 - Former Yankees P Tim Leary (1990-1992) was born. Tim was a former 1 draft pick by the Mets in 1979. On December 12, 1989, he was traded by the Reds along with OF Van Snider to the Yankees for OF/1B Hal Morris and P Rodney Imes (minors). Tim went 9-19 in 31 games in 1990, then 4-10 in 28 games in 1991. He went 5-6 in 18 games before being traded by the Yankees on August 22, 1992, along with cash to the Mariners for minor league player Sean Twitty.
1969 - The Yankees signed OF/1B Otto Velez as an amateur MLB free agent. Otto will play for the Yankees from 1973-1976, appearing in 65 games hitting .255 with 6 HRs and 28 RBI’s. On November 5, 1976, Otto was drafted by the Blue Jays from the Yankees as the 53rd pick in the 1976 AL expansion player draft.
1977 - Former Yankees P Shawn Chacon (2005-2006) was born. On July 28, 2005, Shawn was traded by the Rockies to the Yankees for Eduardo Sierra (minors) and Ramon Ramirez. Shawn went 12-6 in 31 games for the Yankees. On July 31, 2006, Shawn was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for INF/OF Craig Wilson.
1981 - The Yankees signed free agent OF/1B Dave Collins for a reported $750,000 a year for at least 3 seasons. Collins, who stole 79 bases for the Reds in 1979, he will end up being a bust in pinstripes; he will be traded after 1 season to the Blue Jays.
1987 - The Yankees signed closer Dave Righetti as a MLB free agent.
1994 - The Yankees grant starter Jim Abbott and INF Randy Velarde free agency. Randy Velarde will sign a 3-year deal with the Angels.
1996 - The Yankees signed free agent P Dave Eiland. He will spend the 1997 season at Columbus (AAA).
2004 - Former Yankees reserve C (1980-1981) and MLB Manager Johnny Oates passes away. John appeared in 49 games, hitting .189 as a reserve catcher for the 1980-1981 Yankees.
2005 - Former Red Sox AL All Star CF free agent Johnny Damon signs a 4-year contract with the Yankees. Johnny has appeared in 576 games for the Yankees, hitting .285 with 77 HRs and 296 RBI’s. He hit .364 for the Yankees in the 2009 World Series against the Phillies.
December 24th
1978 - Former Yankees 1B George McQuinn (1947-1948) passed away (1910-1978). In 1947, George hit .304 with 80 RBIs after being signed by Yankees after being released by the A’s. In 1948, he slipped to .248, but recorded a .421 slugging percentage. He retired after the 1948 AL season.
1986 - MLB free agent OF Gary Ward signs with the Yankees. Gary will hit .255 for the Yankees in 145 games, before being released by the team.
1996 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent starter David “Boomer” Wells. David will go 34-14 in 62 games for the Yankees. On February 18, 1999, David was traded by the Yankees along with INF Homer Bush and P Graeme Lloyd to the Blue Jays for AL All Star starter Roger Clemens.
2002 - In a deal which prompts a Red Sox official to call the Yankees an "evil empire", Cuban defector Jose Contreras agree to terms on a 4-year contract with Yankees. Contreras, who was considered the top pitcher on Cuba's national team, was declared a free agent after gaining residency in Nicaragua.
December 25th - Merry Christmas to all!!!
1881 - Former Yankees reserve C Joseph McCarthy (1905) was born. In September of 1905, Joe was purchased by the Highlanders from Poughkeepsie (Hudson River). Joe appeared in only 1 game with the team with no hits.
1899 - Former Yankees reserve INF Gene Robertson (1928-1929) was born. Gene hit .295 in 173 games for the Yankees. In the 1928 World Series, Gene hit .125 with 2 RBI’s. On September 17, 1929, Gene was purchased by the Braves from the Yankees.
1908 - Former Yankees AL All Star OF (1930-1936) and MLB Manager (Phillies 1945-1948) Ben Chapman was born. Ben was a .305 Lifetime hitter for the Yankees. He was a member of the AL All Star teams from 1933-1935. On June 14, 1936, Ben was traded by the Yankees to the Senators for OF Jake Powell. Ben was the Phillies Manager, who gave Dodgers Jackie Robinson problems in 1947, Ben was a racist, was one of the reasons that the Yankees traded him during the 1936 AL season.
1919 - Red Sox owner Harry Frazee makes a secret agreement to sell OF Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000 (one-fourth cash, plus $25,000 a year at 6 percent) plus guaranteeing a $300,000 loan with Fenway Park as collateral. The transaction will be announced publicly one week later.
1953 - Former Yankees minor league P Richard Anderson was born.
Rick Anderson was the 1979 International League Pitcher of the Year. With the Yankees' Columbus farm club that season, he was 13-3 with a 1.63 ERA and 21 saves. He was unable to break into the Yankees bullpen with Rich Gossage and others around. After being traded to the Mariners, he was 6-0 with the Spokane Indians (PCL) in 1980. However, he developed arm problems and was released by the club in 1982. Anderson weighed over 400 pounds at the time of his death. He was found dead with an autograph request in his hand.
1958 - Former Yankees AL All Star LF Rickey Henderson (1985-1988) was born. On December 5, 1984, Rickey was traded by the A’s along with Bert Bradley and cash to the Yankees for OF Stan Javier, Pitchers Jay Howell, Jose Rijo, Eric Plunk, and Tim Birtsas. As a Yankee, Rickey appeared on the 1985-1988 AL All Star teams. His best Yankees season was in 1985, when he hit .314 with 24 HRs and 72 RBIs. On June 21, 1989, Rickey was traded by the Yankees back to the A’s for P Greg Cadaret, P Eric Plunk, and OF/DH Luis Polonia.
1976 - Former Yankees reserve C (1926) and long time Yankees Minor League Manager Bill Skiff passed away. Bill played in only 6-games, hitting only .091 as a reserve catcher for the 1926 Yankees. He became a manager in the Yankees farm system: 1933-1937 Durham Bulls, 1948 Newark Bears, 1949 Kansas City Blues and 1950 Binghamton Triplets.
1989 - Billy Martin, an AL All-Star INF with the Yankees (1950-1957) and former MLB manager of the Twins, Tigers, Rangers, Yankees and A’s, dies in a truck accident in Johnson City, NY, at the age of 61. Billy Martin, a 5-time Yankees manager under Owner George Steinbrenner, was rumored to be a candidate to replace current Yankees skipper Lou Piniella. During his 18-year managerial career in the AL, Martin posted a 1253-1013 record, led his teams to 5-AL Championship titles and guided the Yankees to the 1977 World Championship. He will be buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Westchester, NY, in a plot near Babe Ruth. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who had fired Billy Martin four times (he resigned the 5th time) purchases the burial plot for Martin.
1995 - The Associated Press selects Cal Ripken, Jr. as the top sports story of the 1995, followed by the death of Yankees Hall Of Fame CF Mickey Mantle.
December 26th
1889 - Former Yankees reserve INF/OF James “Queenie” O’Rourke (1908) was born. He appeared in 34 games for the 1908 Yankees, hitting .231.
1901 - Former Yankees INF/P Edward “Doc” Farrell (1932-1933) was born. Doc appeared in 70 games for the Yankees, hitting .231. On December 19, 1934, he was sent by the Yankees to San Francisco Seals (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made on November 21, 1934. The Yankees sent players to be named later and cash to San Francisco Seals (PCL) for OF Joe DiMaggio. Doc Farrell refused to report to his new team in 1935.
1947 - Former Yankees reserve INF Roxey Roach (1910-1911) passed away. In August of 1909, the Highlanders purchased Roxey Roach from Lancaster (Tri-State League) for $2,500. He appeared in 83 games for the Yankees hitting .219. On June 15, 1911, Roxy was purchased by Jersey City (Eastern) from the Highlanders.
1948 - Former Yankees AL All Star 1B and MLB Coach Carroll “Chris” Chambliss (1974-1979, 1988) was born. On April 26, 1974, Chris was traded by the Indians along with pitchers Richard Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw to the Yankees for pitchers Fritz Peterson, Steve Kline, Fred Beene, and Tom Buskey. Chris hit the game winning HR in the 1976 ALCS to bring the Yankees back into the World Series for the 1st time since 1964. He was an AL All Star 1B in 1976. In 1978, he won the AL Golden Glove for 1B. In the post season for the Yankees, Chris hit .281 with 3 HRs with 15 RBIs. He appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees (1976-1978) hitting .275 with 1 HR, 5 RBIs. To get a replacement for the late Thurman Munson the Yankees traded Chris away after the 1979 AL season. On November 1,1979, Chris was traded by the Yankees along with INF Damaso Garcia and P Paul Mirabella to the Blue Jays for P Tom Underwood, C Rick Cerone, and OF Ted Wilborn. The Blue Jays would soon trade him to Braves. During the 1988 AL season, Chris had a brief 1 game comeback with the Yankees.
1971 - Former Yankees P Jay Tessmer (1998-2000, 2002) was born. The Yankees in the 19th round of the 1995 MLB amateur player draft drafted Jay. Although he was very successful coming out the bullpen at Columbus, he couldn’t repeat that performance in pinstripes. He appeared in 22 games with 1-0 record. On January 3, 2001, Jay was traded by the Yankees along with Seth Taylor (minors) to the Rockies for David Lee. Jay would return to the Yankees as a free agent in 2002.
1974 - The Yankees signed C Juan Espino as an MLB amateur free agent. On March 31, 1984, Juan was purchased by the Indians from the Yankees. On January 8, 1985, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Indians. Juan would appear with the Yankees in parts of the 1982-1983, 1985-1986 AL seasons appearing in only 49 games, hitting just .219.
1992 - Former Yankees P Tom Gorman (1952-54) passed away. In 1946, the Yankees signed Tom as an MLB amateur free agent. Tom went 10-7 in 75 games with 9 saves for the Yankees before being sold to the A’s in March of 1955. He appeared in 2 World Series (1952-1953) with the Yankees with no record.
1994 - Former Yankees AL All Star pitcher Allie “Super Chief “Reynolds (1947-1954) passed away. On October 19, 1946, Allie was obtained from the Indians for 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon; he went 19-8, with a .704 WP in 1947. He was one of the mainstays of the Yankee starting rotation that won 5 straight World Championships (1949-1953) along with Eddie Lopat, Vic Raschi, and later Whitey Ford. His Yankees World Series pitching record was 7-2. Allie went 131-60 in 8 seasons with the Yankees, including a 20-8 record with an ERA 2.06 in 1952. During the 1951 AL season, he pitched 2-no-hitters, including one against the Red Sox. A back injury during a team bus accident in Baltimore during the 1954 AL season forced Allie to retire at the end of the AL season. He later became the Baseball Commissioner of the American Association (AAA).
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
