This Week in Yankee History
February 14th - February 20th
February 14th - February 20th
February 14th
1879 - Former Yankees 1B Tim Jordan (1903) was born. Tim appeared 2 games with the 1903 Yankees, hitting just .125.
1913 - Former HOF Yankees broadcasting announcer Mel Allen was born. He was known as “The Longtime Voice of the Yankees” from the late 1939 to 1964. He would greet Yankee fans with “Hello here, Everyone” at the beginning of the every Yankees broadcast. With new CBS ownership, Mel was let go by the Yankees in winter of 1964. Mel Allen was welcomed back to the Yankees' on-air family in 1976 as a pre/post-game host for the cable telecasts with John Sterling, and eventually started calling play-by-play again. He announced Yankees cable telecasts on SportsChannel New York (now FSN New York) along with the regular crew of Phil Rizzuto, Bill White, Frank Messer, and occasionally Fran Healy. Mel Allen remained with the Yankees' play-by-play crew until 1985. Mel made occasional appearances on Yankee telecasts and commercials into the late 1980s. In 1990, Allen called play-by-play for a WPIX Yankees game to officially make him baseball's 1st 7-decade announcer. Among the memorable moments Allen called in that stretch were Yankee OF Reggie Jackson's 400th MLB HR in 1980, and Yankees starter Dave Righetti's no-hitter on July 4, 1983. Later he would host “This Week in Baseball,” television series, working on the show until his death in 1996.
1951 - Former Yankees reserve INF Larry Milbourne (1981-1983) was born. On November 18, 1980, Larry was traded by the Mariners with a player to be named later to the Yankees for C Brad Gulden and $150,000. Larry would hit .313 in 61 games in 1981 for the Yankees. On May 12, 1982, he was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Pete Filson, John Pacella, and cash to the Twins for C Butch Wynegar and P Roger Erickson. In 1983, the Yankees purchased Larry from the Phillies. Larry appeared in 31 games for the Yankees hitting .200. On February 14, 1984, Larry was traded by the Yankees to the Mariners for P Scott Nielsen and Eric Parent.
1966 - Former Yankees INF Bill Stumpf (1912-1913) passed away. Bill appeared in 54 games for the Yankees, hitting .234. On May 25, 1913, Bill was traded by the Yankees along with INF Jack Lelivelt to the Naps for shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
1970 - Former Yankees reserve C Kelly Stinnett (2006) was born. On December 1, 2005, Kelly was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. He hit .228 in 34 games before being released in July of 2006.
1975 - Current Yankees reliever Damaso Marte (2008-2009) was born. Damaso Marte was originally signed by the Mariners, but was released by the team. On November 16, 2000, he was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. On June 13, 2001, Marte was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for INF Enrique Wilson. The Pirates would trade him to White Sox. On July 26, 2008, Damaso was traded by the Pirates along with OF Xavier Nady to the Yankees for minor league players P Daniel McCutchen and OF Jose Tabata, Pitchers Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf. His Yankee career record is 2-6 in 46 games working out of the Yankees bullpen.
1981 - Former Yankees P Brad “Admiral” Halsey (2004) was born. The Yankees in the 8th round of the 2002 MLB amateur player draft drafted Pitcher Brad Halsey. He went 1-3 in 8 games for the Yankees in 2004, before being traded to the Diamondbacks in the Randy Johnson trade.
1985 - Former Yankees P Tyler Clippard (2007) was born. The Yankees in the 9th round of the 2003 MLB amateur player draft drafted Pitcher Tyler Clippard. Tyler went 3-1 in 6 games for the Yankees. On December 5, 2007, Tyler was traded by the Yankees to the Nationals for P Jonathan Albaladejo.
1984 - Former Yankees INF (1952-1953) and MLB Coach (1967) Babe “Bee Bee” Loren passed away. The Yankees signed babe Loren as an amateur free agent in 1945. Babe appeared in only 17 games for the Yankees in 1952-53. He had been buried in the Yankees farm system with so many talented INF players around. In 1953, he was sold to the A’s, but was reacquired by the Yankees in December of 1953 in the Vic Power trade. He remained in the minor leagues until retiring as active player in 1958. From 1961-1966, he managed in the Yankees farm system. He was a MLB coach for the Yankees in 1967. He later worked with the White Sox in the 1980’s, before his death from cancer in 1984.
February 15th
1915 - Former Yankees reserve OF Cyril “Roy” Weatherly (1943-1945) was born. Roy hit .266 in 79 games for the Yankees.
1916 - The Yankees buy 3B Frank "Home Run" Baker from the A’s for $37,500. He sat out the 1915 AL season in a salary dispute with the A’s Owner/Manager Connie Mack. He will anchor the 3rd base position for the Yankees for several seasons (1916-1919 and 1921-1923).
1938 - Yankees obtained reserve INF Billy “Knick” Knickerbocker from Browns for reserve INF Don “Jeep” Heffner and cash
1931 - The Yankees' training site in St. Petersburg, Florida is renamed Miller Huggins Field in honor of the team's late manager, who had passed away in September of 1929.
1942 - Former Yankees P Bill Henry (1966) was born. The Yankees signed Pitcher Bill Henry, as an MLB amateur free agent in 1964. He appeared in 2 games for the 1966 Yankees with no record. On September 18, 1967, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the Reds for INF/OF Len Boehmer.
1945 - Former Yankees reserve OF Ross “Mickey Mantle’s Legs” Moschitto (1965, 1967) was born. Ross was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent in 1964. Ross hit .184 in 110 games with 1 HR with 3 RBIs. He was a sure sign that the Yankees, once great farm system was in very bad shape. Ross Moschitto is one of only 7 non-pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball (through 2006) to have played more than 100 games with more games played than plate appearances in his MLB career. He played in 110 games with only 39 plate appearances.
1951 - Former Yankees minor league OF Tommy Cruz was born. On December 12,1977, Tommy was traded by the White Sox along with P Bob Polinsky (minors) and 1B/DH Jim Spencer to the Yankees for P Ed Ricks (minors), P Stan Thomas and cash. Tommy never played for the Yankees at the MLB level.
1963 - Former Yankees P Bump Hadley (1936-1940) passed away (1904-1963). Bump went 47-31 in 140 games for the Yankees. He went 2-1 in 3 World Series with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1936, going 14-4. In 1939, he posted 12-6 mark for the Yankees. In 1940, he was sold to the A’s.
1966 - Former Yankees P Melido Perez (1992-1995) was born. On January 10, 1992, he was traded by the White Sox along with Pitchers Domingo Jean and Bob Wickman to the Yankees for 2B Steve Sax. Melido posted a 33-39 mark for the Yankees.
1971 - Former Yankees minor league OF Terry Jones was born. On January 6, 2000, the Dodgers sent Terry Jones to the Yankees as part of a conditional deal. On March 31, 2000, Terry was selected off waivers by the Expos from the Yankees.
1979 - The Yankees traded OF Gary Thomasson to the Dodgers for C Brad Gulden. After being obtained from the A’s, Gary would hit .276 in 56 games for the 1978 Yankees, while filling in for the injured CF Mickey Rivers.
1994 - The Yankees signed veteran reliever Jeff Reardon as a MLB free agent. Jeff posted a 1-0 record in 11 games with 2 saves. On May 6, 1994, Jeff was released by the Yankees.
1995 - The Yankees signed P Bob MacDonald as a MLB free agent. Bob posted a 1-1 record in 33 games with the Yankees. On October 16, 1995, Bob was released by the Yankees.
2001 - The Yankees signed OF Henry Rodriguez, to a 1-year contract. The agreement was reached a month ago and H-Rod is already listed in the team's spring training program. He will only appear in 5 games for the Yankees with no hits before being released by the team.
2006 - The Yankees hurler Jason Anderson is selected off waivers by the Padres. Jason was drafted by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2000 MLB amateur player draft. In 2003, he went 1-0 in 22 games for the Yankees. On July 16, 2003, Jason was traded by the Yankees along with minor league players Ryan Bicondoa and Anderson Garcia to the Mets for reliever Armando Benitez. On June 1, 2004, Jason was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Indians. In 2005, he appeared in 3 games for the Yankees posting a 1-0 record.
February 16th
1897 - Former Yankees P Alex Ferguson (1918-1921, 1925) was born. Alex went 3-1 in 18 games for the Yankees. On February 24, 1922, Alex was picked up on waivers from the Yankees by the Red Sox. In 1925, he returned to the Yankees, posting a 4-2 mark in 21 games. On August 17, 1925, Alex was waived to the Senators, he posted 5-1 mark in 7 games.
1924 - The Braves 3B Tony Boeckel becomes the 1st MLB player to be killed in an automobile accident, when he dies from injuries received as a passenger yesterday in San Diego. Yankees’ OF Bob Meusel, also a passenger of the car driven by Los Angeles theater man Bob Albright, escaped without any serious injuries.
1948 - The Yankees released veteran hurler Louis “Bob” Newsom. In 1947, he went 7-5 for the Yankees, after being obtained from the Senators.
1952 - Former Yankees reserve C Barry Foote (1981-1982) was born. On April 27, 1981, Barry was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees for P Tom Filer and cash. Barry hit .177 in 57 games for the team.
1953 - Yankees purchased P Johnny Schmitz (1952-1953) from the Reds for cash. John went 2-1 in 8 games with 2 saves for the Yankees.
1961 - Former Yankees P Dazzy Vance (1915, 1918) passed away. In April of 1915, the Yankees purchased Dazzy Vance from the Pirates. While with the Yankees, Dazzy suffered with arm problems. He only appeared in 10 games, posting a 0-3 record. He would be released by the Yankees Vance would be picked up by the Dodgers. Once his arm problems were over, he posted a 190-131 mark for the Dodgers. He won 20 games or more 3 times for the Dodgers. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1955.
1967 - Former Yankees All Star P Charles “Red” Ruffing (1930-1946), author of 273 major league wins, is elected to the Hall Of Fame. Red would lead the Yankee pitchers in career wins with 231 wins, until Whitey Ford passed the Yankees club record in 1965, which finished with 236 wins as a Yankee. Also he was a pretty good hitting pitching pitcher for the Yankees; hitting a Grand Slam HRs. Ruffing will win 273 games during a 22-year MLB career with the Red Sox, Yankees and the White Sox. From 1936-1939, he went 20-3, 20-2, 21-1 and 21-2 as Yankees starter.
1971 - Former Yankees reserve OF Cedric Durst passed away (1896-1971). On February 8, 1927, he was traded by the Browns along with P 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 P Charles “Red” Ruffing.
1981 - The Yankees traded INF Rafael Santana to the Cardinals for a player to be named later. On June 7, 1981, the Cardinals sent P George Frazier to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1981 - Current Yankees P Sergio Mitre (2009) was born. On November 3, 2008, Sergio was signed as a MLB free agent by the Yankees. In January of 2009, Sergio Mitre was suspended for 50 games by MLB for a positive test for a banned substance. The California native said it was from an over-the-counter supplement he had purchased. He posted a 3-3 record in 12 games for the 2009 Yankees.
2001 - The Yankees premier MLB reliever, Mariano Rivera (7-4 record, with a 2.85 ERA and 36 saves), signs a 4-year, approximately $40 million contract with the Bronx Bombers. The 31-year old Panama native surpassed Dennis Eckersley’s MLB record with 16 saves in post-season games.
2004 - Former MLB GM, manager and coach Charley Fox passes away. Charley spent most of his MLB career with the Giants organization. In 1989, he was a MLB coach for the Yankees.
2004 - The Yankees traded a player to be named later and AL All Star 2B Alfonso Soriano to the Rangers for All Star shortstop Alex Rodriguez and cash. On April 24, 2004, the Yankees would send minor league player Joaquin Arias to the Rangers to complete the trade.
2006 - The Yankees signed veteran P Scott Erickson as a MLB free agent. He will appear in 6 games for the Yankees with no record. On June 11, 2006, Scott was released by the Yankees.
February 17th
1893 - Former Yankees 1B Wally Pipp (1915-1925) was born. On February 4, 1915, Wally was purchased by the Yankees from the Tigers. He was the Yankees regular 1B from 1915-1925, he hit over .300 twice for the club. His best Yankees season was in 1922, when he hit .329 in 152 games. During the 1925 AL season, Pipp had asked out of the Yankees starting lineup with a headache He was replaced by rookie 1B Lou Gehrig. He never started another game for the Yankees at 1B. On January 15, 1926, Wally was purchased by the Reds from the Yankees for $7,500.
1901 - Former Yankees reserve C Eddie Phillips (1932) was born. Ed appeared in only 9 games for the 1932 Yankees, hitting .290. He spent part of the 1932 season with the Newark Bears (AAA).
1908 - Former HOF Yankees broadcaster Red “Old Redhead” Barber (1954-1966) was born. Red was a broadcast journalist, not a “homer” announcer. He had previously worked for the Reds and Dodgers before joining the Yankees in 1954. He teamed up with Mel Allen to give the Yankees, one of most famous broadcasting teams in MLB history. He was let go by the Yankees after the 1966 season, ending a great broadcasting tradition.
1937 - The Yankees buy another Babe from the Red Sox, this time picking up 1B Babe Dahlgren. The California native will become the player who replaces Lou Gehrig at 1B in Detroit, during the 1939 AL season.
1943 - All Star CF Joe DiMaggio, drawing $43,500 from the Yankees, trades in his MLB salary for the $50 a month as an U.S. Army enlisted man. Joe DiMaggio, in his customary quiet style, gives no notice to the Yankees.
1959 - The Yankees invite Australian cricket player Norman O'Neill for a tryout at shortstop. U.S. Davis Cup captain Billy Talbert, while playing tennis in Australia, arranges the deal after hearing of O'Neill's prowess.
1976 - Former Yankees reserve INF Cody Ransom (2008-2009) was born. Ransom was used as a utility player by the Yankees in 2008 getting the 1st playing time of his MLB career as a 1B that year - he had originally come up as a shortstop. On September 21, 2008, he recorded the last putout in the history of Yankee Stadium, fielding a ground ball from Brian Roberts of the Orioles at 1st base; he had come into the game as a defensive substitute for Jason Giambi in the 8th inning. He hit surprisingly well that year, posting a batting average of .302 and a slugging percentage of .651 in 33 games. Largely as a result of that unexpected good performance, Ransom was chosen to take over at 3rd base for Alex Rodriguez, when the superstar was sidelined by a hip injury at the beginning of the 2009 AL season. In 2009, Cody appeared in 31 games for the Yankees, hitting a very disappointing .190.
1977 - The Yankees traded veteran INF Sandy Alomar Sr. to the Rangers for infielders Greg Pryor, Brian Doyle and cash.
1981 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent reliever Bill Castro. Bill will post a 1-1 record in 11 games for the Yankees in 1981. On March 24, 1982, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the Angels for INF Butch Hobson.
1982 - Former Yankees reliever Brian Bruney (2006-2009) was born. On July 1, 2006, Brian was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees, after being released by the Diamondbacks. In 2009, he went 5-0 in 44 games. His Yankees career record was 12-3 record in 153 games with 1 save. After 2009 World Series, Brian was traded to the Nationals.
1986 - Former Yankees HOF P Charles “Red” Ruffing passed away (1905-1986). Red would lead the Yankee pitchers in career wins with 231 wins, until Whitey Ford passed the club record in 1965, who finished with 236 wins as a Yankee. Also he was a pretty good pitching pitcher for the Yankees hitting a Grand Slam HR. Ruffing will win 273 games during a 22-year MLB career with the Red Sox, Yankees and White Sox. He will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1967.
1987 - The Yankees All Star 1B Don Mattingly wins his $1.975 million arbitration case breaking the record for the largest amount ever awarded to a MLB player set by starter Jack Morris, just 4 days ago.
1989 - Former Yankees HOF P Veron “Lefty” Gomez passed away. (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 Yankee career. Also Lefty would finish with 1,468 strikeouts with 173 complete games and 26 shutouts. He appeared on 7 AL All Star teams, including the very 1st team in 1933. His AL All Star record was 3-1 in 5 games. His World Series record as a Yankee starter was 5-0 in 7 games. On January 25, 1943, the Braves purchased Lefty from the Yankees. He would be released by the Braves. Then he was picked up by Senators, going 0-1 in one game, before retiring from MLB in July of 1943. He would be elected to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1972. He was one of the most colorful players to wear the Yankees uniform, having the nickname of “Goofy”.
1990 - The Yankees signed P Mariano Rivera as an MLB amateur free agent.
1991 - The Yankees released veteran P Dave LaPoint. Dave had posted a 13-19 record in 48 games for the Yankees.
February 18th
1879 - Former Yankees P Louis Leroy (1905-1906) was born. Louis was 3-1 in 14 games for the Yankees.
1887 - Former Yankees INF Curt Coleman (1912) was born. He appeared in 12 games for the 1912 Yankees, hitting .243.
1889 - Former Yankees P George Mogridge (1915-1920) was born. George posted a 48-53 record in 171 games for the Yankees His best Yankees Season was in 1918, when he posted a 16-13 record in 45 games. On January 20, 1921, George was traded along with OF Duffy Lewis to the Senators for OF Bob Roth.
1915 - Former Yankees MVP 2B (1938-1943, 1946) and MLB Manager Joe “Flash” Gordon was born. Former MLB Manager: Indians (1958-1960), Tigers (1960), A’s (1961) and the Royals (1969). The Yankees signed Joe Gordon in 1936. In 1938, he joined the Yankees as a 2B. He made the AL All Star team in from 1939 to 1943, and 1946. In 1942, he won AL MVP award, hitting .342. In October of 1946, Joe was traded to the Indians for starter Allie Reynolds. After retiring as an active player, he later became a MLB manager during the 1950’s. He was involved in the only trade of MLB managers in 1960, when he was traded from the Indians to Tigers for Manager Jimmy Dykes. Joe was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in December of 2008.
1927 - Former Yankees Closer and Scout Louis Arroyo (1960-1963) was born. On July 20, 1960, Louis was purchased by the Yankees from the Reds. He would go 5-1 with 7 saves in 1960. In 1961, he had his best MLB career season going 15-5 with 29 saves and leading the AL with 54 games finished. In 1962, he injured his pitching arm, just going 1-3. In September of 1963, the team released him. His final Yankees career record was 22-10 with 30 saves. He later would become a scout for the Yankees.
1929 - Former Yankees minor league C Cal Neeman was born. In 1949, Cal Neeman was signed as an MLB amateur free agent by the Yankees, out of Illinois Wesleyan University, where he also played basketball, The Yankee organization assigned Cal to the Joplin Miners of the class C Western Association, where he spent both the 1949 and 1950 seasons. Cal would hit .292 for the Miners in 95 games in 1950 to help them win the pennant (with help from Mickey Mantle) Neeman was then called up by the United States Military to serve during the Korean War, returning in time for the 1953 season. Neeman would spend the next 4 seasons in the minors with his best year coming in 1955 when he caught 122 games, hitting .294 for the Birmingham Barons of the Southern Association. In 1956, he would split time with the Richmond Virginians (AAA) and the Denver Bears (AAA) and he played well. On December 3,1956 he was drafted by the Cubs from the Yankees organization in the MLB Rule 5 player draft. Neeman's MLB numbers showed that he had 7 active years behind the plate, where he had a good .988 fielding percentage but wound up with a .224 BA, with 30 HRs while appearing in 376 games. Cal played for the Cubs, Phillies, Pirates, Indians and Senators. Cal had also spent time in all or parts of 9 minor league seasons with a .261 BA with 30 HRs, while appearing in 719 games.
1949 - Former Yankees 1B/DH John Mayberry (1982) was born. On May 5, 1982, John was traded by the Blue Jays to the Yankees for 1B Dave Revering, OF Tom Dodd, and Jeff Reynolds. John would hit .209 in 69 games for the 1982 Yankees.
1975 - Former Yankees reserve C Chad Moeller (2008) was born. On March 12, 2008, Chad was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. Chad split the 2008 season between Scranton and the Yankees. As a Yankee he appeared in 41 games hitting .231. On October 30, 2008, Chad was granted free agency by the Yankees. He would sign with the Orioles for the 2009 MLB season.
1977 - The Yankees signed INF Jose Uribe as an MLB amateur free agent. On July 5, 1977, Jose was released by the Yankees. He would sign with the Cardinals, and then he played for the Giants.
1998 - The Yankees sign All Star CF Bernie Williams to an $8.5 million, 1-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
1999 - The Yankees end the trade rumors by acquiring Cy Young Award winner P Roger Clemens from the Blue Jays in exchange for pitchers David Wells, Graeme Lloyd and INF Homer Bush.
2005 - The Yankees signed P Ramiro Mendoza as a MLB free agent. He was still recovering from arm problems. He would never regain the effectiveness as a reliever, that he was in his 1st tour with the Yankees.
February 19th
1932 - Former Yankees minor league OF Don Taussig was born. Before the 1950 AL season, Don Taussig was a New York City born outfielder, who was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. He appeared in a couple of class D leagues in 1950 hitting just .195 in 56 games. The Yankees promptly sent him to the Giants in an unknown transaction before the 1951 AL season. Taussig worked his way up through the Giants system and after 3 years (1955-57) with the Dallas Eagles of the Texas League (AA) he first made it to the MLB when the Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958. He hit .200 for the Giants with 1 HR, spending the rest of the year at Phoenix (AAA). He would play with the Giants, Cardinals, and finishing up with the NL expansion Colt 45s.
1935 - Lou Gehrig signs a MLB player contract with the Yankees for $30,000, $7,000 less than he asked for, but still making him the highest-paid player. The 32-year old Gehrig will hit .329 with 30 HRs, while driving in 119 runs for the 2nd-place 1935 Yankees.
1952 - Former Yankees minor league P David Cheadle was born. David was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (12th pick) of the 1970 MLB amateur player draft. He never played for the Yankees at MLB level. On August 15, 1973, Dave was sent by the Yankees to the Braves to complete an earlier deal made on June 7,1973. The Yankees sent players to be named later, INF/OF Wayne Nordhagen and 1B/OF Frank Tepedino to the Braves for P Pat Dobson. He appeared in 2 games for the 1973 Braves with 0-1record.
1956 - Former Yankees OF Ray Demmit (1909) passed away. Ray appeared in 123 games for the 1909 Yankees, hitting .243. On December 16, 1909, Ray was traded by the Highlanders along with P Joe Lake to the Browns for C Lou Criger.
1957 - The Yankees obtained pitchers Art Ditmar and Bobby Shantz, infielders Clete Boyer, Jack McMahon, and Wayne Belardi from the A’s for Yankees pitchers Rip Coleman, Tom Morgan and Maury McDermott, shortstop Billy Hunter and OF Irv Noren and INF Milt Graff. MLB Commissioner Ford Frick ruled that Clete Boyer, who was an A’s “bonus baby” had to remain with the team until his bonus term expired with the A’s MLB roster. He did not join the Yankees until June 4, 1957. The key to the trade was Clete Boyer, a badly needed infielder of outstanding defensive ability. Art Ditmar pitched well for the Yankees from 1957-1960, except for in the 1960 World Series. He won 15 games in 1960, leading the Yankees starters in victories. He was traded back to the A’s in June of 1961 along with OF Deron Johnson for veteran starter Bud Daley. Bobby Shantz became the 1st Yankee player to win an AL Golden Glove award in 1957. He won the AL pitcher’s Golden Glove award from 1957-1960. Also he led the AL Pitchers in ERA in 1957 with a 2.45 mark. He was very effective out of the bullpen for the Yankees, as well as being an occasional starter. After the 1960 World Series, he was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for 3 players, who were sent to the new expansion Senators. The Yankees bait to the A’s in this 1957 trade was veteran OF Irv Noren, a former .300 hitter. He never hit .300 for the A’s. Tom Morgan was a serviceable bullpen pitcher. Jack McMahon and Wayne Belardi never made to the Yankees at the MLB level. The A's will eventually admit that when they signed Clete Boyer for a $40,000 bonus in 1955, it was on behalf of the Yankees, with the understanding that they'd later ship him to team.
1959 - Former Yankees P Tim Burke (1992) was born. On June 9, 1992, Tim was traded by the Mets to the Yankees for P Lee Guetterman. Tim went 2-2 in 23 games before leaving the Yankees for free agency.
1962 - Former Yankees INF Alvaro Espinoza (1988-1991) was born. He was signed as a MLB free agent. His best Yankees season was in 1989, when he hit .282. He appeared 447 games for the Yankees with a .255 BA. On March 17, 1992, he was released by the Yankees.
1982 - Former Yankees reserve C Chris Steward (2008) was born. Chris was signed a free agent in 2008, he appeared in 1 game for 2008 Yankees, spending most of the season with Scranton (AAA). He signed with the White Sox as a free agent for 2009. On March 21, 2009, Chris was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees for future considerations (minors).
February 20th
1887 - Former Yankees P Carroll “Boardwalk” Brown (1914-1915) was born. After being acquired from the A’s, he went 3-6 for the Yankees before being released by the team.
1888 - Former Yankees INF Edward “Stubby” Magner (1911) was born. Stubby would appear in only 13 games with the 1911 Yankees, hitting just .212.
1896 - Former Yankees reserve C Muddy Ruel (1917-1920) was born. Muddy was obtained from the Browns in 1917. He would be traded to the Red Sox in the Waite Hoyt trade.
1913 - Former Yankees OF/1B and MLB Coach Tommy “Old Reliable” Henrich (1937-1942, 1946-1950) was born. (1913-2009) On April 19, 1937, Tommy was signed as a MLB amateur free agent with the Yankees. He played 11 seasons with Yankees finishing with a lifetime BA of .282. He appeared in 4 World Series, hitting .262 for the Yankees. He was named to the AL All Star teams in 1942, 1947-1950. After retiring, he became a Yankees MLB Coach. In 2009, Tommy Henrich passed away.
1947 - Former Yankees P Tom Buskey (1973-1974) was born (1947-1998). In 1969, the Yankees signed Tom as an MLB amateur free agent. Tom went 0-2 in 12 games for the Yankees before being traded to the Indians in the Chris Chambliss trade in April of 1974. Tom died in auto accident in 1998.
1959 - Former Yankees P Bill Gullickson (1987) was born. On August 26, 1987, Bill was traded by the Reds to the Yankees for P Dennis Rasmussen. He went 4-2 in 8 games for the Yankees before leaving for free agency and signing to pitch in Japan.
1963 - Former Yankees reserve C Phil Lombardi (1986-1987) was born. Phil was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1981 MLB amateur player draft. Phil hit .201 in 25 games for the Yankees. On December 11, 1987, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Steve Frey and OF Darren Reed to the Mets for Shortstop Rafael Santana and minor league player Victor Garcia.
1972 - Former Yankees OF/DH Shane Spencer (1998-2002) was born. Shane was drafted by the Yankees in the 28th round of the 1990 MLB amateur player draft. Spence had a call-up in September of 1998 to remember, when he hit .373 with 10 HRs with 27 RBIs. In 2000, Shane was hitting .282 as the Yankees regular LF, when he injured his leg at Shea Stadium. He never regained his playing form after that season ending injury. He left the Yankees for free agency. He had played baseball in Japan for several years after leaving the MLB in 2004. He is now a minor league coach.
1976 - The Yankees sell veteran C/DH/1B Ed Herrmann to the Angels. 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 appeared in 80 games for the Yankees, hitting .255 with 6 HRs and 30 RBI’s.
1985 - Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner gives Yankees Manager Yogi Berra the dreaded vote of confidence. Steinbrenner says that Berra will remain Yankee skipper for the entire 1985 AL season, regardless of how badly the team might struggle. Yogi Berra will last only 16 games in 1985, before being fired. This will lead to a boycott of the Yankees by Yogi Berra that will last for 15 years.
1996 - The Yankees signed veteran starter Dwight “Doc” Gooden as a MLB free agent. Doc will post a 20-11 record in 49 games, before leaving the team for free agency in 1997.
2006 - Former Yankees announcer Curt Gowdy (1949-1950) passed away. Curt would leave the Yankees in 1951 to announce games for the Red Sox and later on NBC-TV’s “Game of the Week.”
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
