This Week in Yankees History
August 22nd - August 28th
August 22nd
1889 - Former Yankees C Wally Schang (1921-1925) was born. Wally was obtained from the Boston Red Sox. He would hit .316 and .319 for 2 of 5 seasons that he played for the Yankees. On February 6,1926, Wally was traded by the Yankees to the St. Louis Browns for veteran hurler George Mogridge and cash. Wally would hit .330 for the Browns, while Mogridge never pitched for the Yankees in his 2nd tour with the team. Wally’s trade would be a rare trade mistake by Yankees GM Ed Barrow.
1890 - Former Yankees P Urban Shocker (1916-1917, 1925-1928) was born. During September of 1915, Urban Shocker was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Guelph (Canadian) in the 1915 Rule 5 player draft. Urban would go 12-8 in 38 games for the Yankees. On January 22, 1918, he was traded by the along with Nick Cullop, Joe Gedeon, Fritz Maisel, Les Nunamaker, and $15,000 to the Browns for P Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt. On December 17,1924, he was traded back by the Browns to the Yankees for pitchers Joe Bush, Milt Gaston, and Joe Giard. Urban would post a 49-29 record in 114 games for the Yankees. At the age of 38, Urban Shocker died on September 9,1928 from heart failure in Denver. The veteran pitcher had suffered from a swollen heart for more than 2 years, He was unable to sleep in a prone position, as news of condition where made known, he became the 1st Yankee tragic death.
1922 - At the Polo Grounds, Cleveland Indians P George Uhle singles in the 6th inning and the Yankees (as noted by Retrosheet) allow a courtesy pinch runner Les Nunnamaker, while Uhle gets his shoe repaired. Uhle returns to mound to finish the game, winning by a score of 6-2. The loss drops the Yankees to 2nd place in the AL behind the St. Louis Browns.
1927 - The Yankees lose their 4th straight for the 1st time 9-4 to the Cleveland Indians, despite Babe Ruth's 40th HR. Detroit wins its 13th straight game, moving up to 2nd place, 12 1/2 games back.
1933 - The Yankee purchased 1B Don “Jeep” Heffner (1934-1937) from the Baltimore Orioles (IL) for cash. Don was a good INF reserve for Yankees.
1936 - The Yankees buy reserve OF Bob Seeds from Montreal Royals (IL) for cash. He hit .262 in 13 games for New York Yankees in 1936.
1939 - At Chicago’s Comiskey Park, the Yankees win their 1st night game in franchise history as the Bronx Bombers defeat the White Sox by the score of 14-5.
1947 - Former Yankees P William “Bill” Burbach (1969-1971) was born. On June 8,1965, Bill was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1965 amateur player draft. Bill went 6-11 in 38 games with the Yankees, never showing the promise that the Yankees had hoped for when they drafted him in 1965. On May 28,1971, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the Baltimore Orioles for P Jim Hardin. Bill never pitched in MLB for the Orioles. Jim Hardin never did anything for the Yankees.
1949 - The New York Yankees purchased 1B Johnny “Big Cat” Mize (1949-1953) from the New York Giants for $40,000. One of the greatest waiver deals made by the Yankees. For five AL seasons (1949-1953), he provided power off the Yankees bench. He was one of the premier pinch hitters in MLB baseball with a .283 lifetime BA mark.
1950 - Former Yankees P Ray Burris (1979) was born. On May 23,1979, Ray was traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Yankees for P Richard “Dirt” Tidrow. Ray went 1-3 in 15 games for the Yankees before being claimed on waivers by the New York Mets. He wasn’t worth giving up Richard Tidrow.
1952 - The New York Yankees purchased P Ray Scarborough from the Boston Red Sox on waivers. Ray would help the Yankees by going 5-1 during the AL pennant drive of 1952.
1954 - The New York Yankees purchased P Jim Konstanty from Philadelphia Phillies on waivers. Jim gave the Yankee bullpen a boost during his stay with the team, including a 7-2 season with 11 saves in 1955. He won the 1950 NL MVP award with the Philadelphia Phillies.
1960 - The New York Yankees purchased veteran 1B Dale Long on waivers from the San Francisco Giants. Don hit .366 in 23 games before being lost to the new Washington Senators in the December 1960 AL expansion player draft. This would the 1st of 3 tours that Don would spend with the Yankees during the early 1960’s.
1961 - New York Yankees 1960 AL MVP RF Roger Maris, in his record-setting season, becomes the 1st player to hit his 50th HR in the month of August. The 26-year old All-Star RF connects off of starter Ken McBride as the Yankees lose to the Angels by a score of 4-3.
1964 - The New York Yankees lose the 1st game to the Boston Red Sox by a score of 5-3, extending their losing streak to 6 games. Boston scores 3 runs in the 8th inning to win it. In the nightcap, Yankees win the game by a score of 8-0, as Mickey Mantle and John Blanchard, both hit HRs, while Roger Maris drives in 3 runs. Mel Stottlemyre wins his 3rd game in a row since being recalled from Richmond (AAA). The Yankees end the day 5-1/2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles, with the Chicago White Sox in 2nd place, 1-½ games back.
1974 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mark Bellhorn (2005) was born. The New York Yankees signed Mark as a MLB free agent during the 2005 AL season. He appeared in only 9 games, hitting just .118. He left the team for MLB free agency after the 2005 AL post season.
1974 - Former Yankees reserve C Bobby Estella (2001) was born. On July 4, 2001, Bobby was traded by the San Francisco Giants along with Joe Smith (minors) to the Yankees for P Brian Boehringer. Bobby appeared in 3 games with the Yankees with no hits. On March 27,2002, Bobby was released by the Yankees.
1976 - Former Yankees P Jeff Weaver (2002-2003) was born. On July 5, 2002, Jeff Weaver was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees. The Oakland A’s sent a player to be named later, Franklyn German and Carlos Pena to the Detroit Tigers. The New York Yankees sent Jason Arnold (minors), John-Ford Griffin and Ted Lilly to the Oakland A’s. The Detroit Tigers sent cash to the Oakland A’s. The Oakland A’s sent Jeremy Bonderman (August 22, 2002) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade. Jeff went 12-12 in 47 games with the Yankees. He was a major disappointment for the Yankees. On December 13,2003, Jeff was traded by the New York Yankees along with minor league players Brandon Weeden and Yhency Brazoban with cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for veteran starter Kevin Brown.
1977 - Both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees lose today. The Chicago White Sox top the Yankees, by a score of 5-3, and snap the Bombers' 8-game win streak, while the Minnesota Twins, top the Red Sox with a 5-4 victory.
1996 - The New York Yankees claimed INF Luis Sojo off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. He would become a valuable reserve infielder for the Yankees. After his MLB playing career, Luis managed in the Yankees minor league system and coached for the team at the MLB level.
2008 - New York Yankees All Star shortstop Derek Jeter collects his 2,500 MLB career hit during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The hit was a bloop single into shallow center field off of rookie right-handed Orioles hurler Radhames Liz. Derek reached this MLB career milestone in his 13th year of MLB play with the Yankees. He becomes the 7th active MLB player to have 2, 500 career hits. He is now, the 88th MLB player in MLB history to accomplish this feat.
2009 - One day after being battered 20-11 by the New York Yankees, The Boston Red Sox get a measure of revenge with a 14-1 pasting of their long-time AL rivals. Kevin Youkilis homers twice and drives in 6 runs, while Junichi Tazawa pitches six scoreless innings for the win. For his part, New York Yankees starter A.J. Burnett gives up a MLB career-high 9 runs in the loss.
August 23rd
1896 - Former Yankees OF/1B Cedric Durst (1927-1930) was born (1896-1971). On February 8,1927, Cedric Durst was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with Joe Giard to the Yankees for P Sam Jones. On May 6,1930, Cedric was traded by the Yankees with $50,000 to the Boston Red Sox for right-handed hurler Red Ruffing.
1910 - Former Yankees reserve INF Lonnie Frey (1947-1948) was born. On June 25,1947, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs. Lonnie appeared in only 25 games for the Yankees hitting .179, before being released in May of 1948.
1918 - Former Yankees P Ken Holcombe (1945) was born. Ken went 3-3 in 23 games with the Yankees during the 1945 AL season.
1924 - Former Yankees C Sherman Lollar (1947-1948) was born. On December 6,1946, he was traded by the Cleveland Indians along with 2B Ray Mack to Yankees for OF Hal Peck, pitchers Al Gettel, and Gene Bearden. Sherman appeared in 33 with the Yankees as a back-up catcher. With the rise of Yogi Berra and Ralph Houk, he became expendable. On December 13,1948, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Red Embree, 1B Richard Starr, and $100,000 to the St. Louis Browns for C Roy Partee and P Fred Sanford. He would go on to be the starting catcher for the Chicago White Sox during the 1950’s.
1928 - The New York Yankees pick up lefty starter Tom Zachary on waivers from the Washington Senators. Tom was the pitcher who gave up Babe’s 60th HR in 1927. As a Yankees pitcher for 2 seasons, he would go 16-4, including a 12-0 mark in 1929.
1930 - The New York Yankees buy INF Frank Crosetti from the San Francisco Seals (PCL) but allow him to play another season in the PCL before reporting to the team. “The Crow” would be a Yankee regular for 13 seasons and part time player for 4 years, before becoming the long time Yankees 3B Coach. The Yankees will make a similar arrangement for OF Joe DiMaggio, buying him from the Seals but waiting a year before acquiring him in 1936.
1930 - Former Yankees OF John “Zeke” Bella (1957) was born. In 1951, the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent signed John “Zeke” Bella. He appeared in only 5 games for the Yankees, hitting .182. On August 22, 1958, John was traded by the Yankees along with cash to the Kansas City A’s for veteran hurler Murry Dickson.
1942 - Former Washington Senator Ace Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth is the pre-game attraction that draws 69,000 fans for the New York-Washington game at Yankee Stadium that provides $80,000 for Army-Navy relief. Babe Ruth hits the 5th pitch into the RF stands, and then adds one more shot before circling the bases. Sixteen relief games contribute $523,000 during the AL season. In the doubleheader between the Senators and the Yankees, the Senators win the opener, with a 7-6 victory and the Yankees win the nightcap, by a score of 3-0, in 5 1/2 innings.
1948 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Ron Bloomberg (1969-1977). On June 6,1967, Ron Bloomberg was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft. Ron was the 1st DH in MLB History. He had great power, but was hampered with knee injuries, he never really had the MLB career that the Yankees had hoped for as a 1st round draft player pick. Ron published a book on his MLB experiences.
1956 - Led by Nellie Fox's 7 straight hits, the Chicago White Sox sweep the Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a bunt-single, triple and HR in the 6-4-nightcap loss, but now trails Nellie Fox in season hits, 158 to 155. But the Mickey still leads in the 1956 AL Triple Crown race.
1964 - The New York Yankees tops the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, by a score of 4-3, as Mickey Mantle starts the scoring with a 2-run HR in the 3rd inning off of Red Sox starter Earl Wilson. The Yankees will win 26 of their next 33 games.
1968 - Yankees rookie starter Stan Bahnsen out-duels Detroit Tigers veteran starter Earl Wilson to give the Yankees, a 2-1 win over the Tigers. The 2 teams then battle for 19 innings, before the 2nd game is suspended by AL curfew rules with the score tie at 3-3. The game will be finished tomorrow. In the long tie, Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel retires 21 straight Tiger batters, 6 on strikeouts. In his last 3 relief appearances, Lindy has retired 30 batters in a row.
1972 - Chicago White Sox slugger Dick Allen becomes the 4th MLB player (Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, and Alex Johnson are the others) to hit one into the CF bleachers at Comiskey Park, when he connects off of Yankees P Lindy McDaniel. The 2-run HR in the 7th ices, the 5-2 win for the White Sox. In 1972, all the Chicago Wednesday season games are in the afternoon, and Harry Caray announces them while sitting in the CF bleachers. Allen's drive misses Caray by just a few rows.
1977 - Behind Mickey Rivers' 5-for-5 performance at the plate, Mike Torrez's 7th straight complete game contributing to an 8-3 whipping of the Chicago White Sox, the Yankees take over 1st place in the AL East. With the Boston Red Sox losing, the Yankees go ahead by a half game and will stay in 1st place in the AL East to the end of the regular AL season.
1996 - The New York Yankees obtained P Graeme Lloyd and former AL ROY INF Pat Listach from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for OF Gerald Williams and P Bob Wickman. Lloyd is put to work and provides late inning relief as the 1st-place Yankees beat the Oakland A's, by the score of 5-3. The Yankees will officially complain to the AL office that the Brewers sent damaged goods in the 2 players, but the Yankees complaint is ignored by the AL office. However, the Brewers will take back Pat Listach and send P Ricky Bones to the Yankees on the 29th. The Yankees will file a grievance over Lloyd's injury in September.
1997 - Former Yankees 1B John “Buddy” Hassett (1942) passed away. On February 20, 1936, Buddy was traded by the New York Yankees to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Buzz Boyle, Johnny McCarthy and $40,000. On December 16,1941, Buddy was sent by the Boston Braves to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 9,1941. The Braves sent players to be named later to the Yankees for players to be named later and OF Tommy Holmes. The Braves sent Buddy Hassett on December 16, 1941 and Gene Moore on February 5, 1942 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Buddy hit .284 in 132 games with 5 HRs with 48 RBIs for the 1942 Yankees. His last MLB appearances were in the 1942 World Series, where he went 3-for-9. His last hit was in the 9th inning of Game 2 off of Cardinals P Johnny Beazley. He served in the Navy during WWII. On May 1,1946, Buddy was released by the Yankees. After his playing days, he managed in the minors including for the Yankees organization from 1947 to 1950 for the Norfolk Tars, Binghamton Triplets, Newark Bears, and Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
1999 - The New York Yankees score 6 runs in the 1st inning on their way to a 21-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. 3B Scott Brosius (6) and C Joe Girardi (7) the 8th and 9th batters in the Yankees lineup drive in 13 of the Yankee runs. Jeter scores his 100th run of the 1999 AL season, the 1st Yankee to string together 4 straight seasons of 100+ runs since Mickey Mantle did it in 9-straight seasons (1953-61).
2003 - In front of full house at Yankee Stadium, Ron Guidry's Yankee uniform no. 49 is retired on the lefty's special day. "Louisiana Lightning”, who played his entire MLB career with the Yankees, while posting a 170-90 MLB career record, is surprised the club hasn't just honored him with a day, but have retired his jersey and place a plaque in Monument Park in his honor.
2003 - Former Yankees All Star OF Bobby Bonds (1975) passed away. Bobby Bonds played for the Yankees for in 1975, where he hit .270 with 32 HRs, stole 30 bases, and pulled 89 walks but nevertheless only scored 93 runs on a team that was otherwise weak. Bobby was named to the AL All Star team was a CF. He came to the Yankees in a trade for AL All Star OF Bobby Murcer, a trade that was not particularly popular with Giants and Yankee fans. On December 11,1975, Bobby was traded by the New York Yankees to the California Angels for P Ed Figueroa and OF Mickey Rivers.
2004 - Former Yankees P Hank Borowy (1942-1945) passed away. A graduate of Fordham University who was a dependable war time starter for the Yankees from 1942 to 1944, Hank was 15-4, 14-9 and 17-12 with an ERA under 3.00 all three years. In the 1943 World Series, he was a 6-2 winner over the St. Louis Cardinals in game 3. He had a record of 10-5 on July 27,1945, when he was surprisingly placed on waivers by the Yankees. The Chicago Cubs claimed hank. He was then 11-2 over the final 2 months to play in what was then the team's last NL pennant. With his overall record of 21-7, Hank became only the 3rd pitcher in MLB history to win 20 games in a season divided between the 2 leagues. Rick Sutcliffe (1984) and Bartolo Colon (2002) have done it since.
August 24th
1904 - The Highlanders OF Willie Keeler collects 2 HR’s against the St. Louis Browns in a 9-1 win at New York. Both of his HR drives are inside the park shots.
1951 - Against Cleveland Indian's Early Wynn, Gene Woodling cracks his 3rd HR off the Tribe ace this season, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 2-0. Woodling went deep on Wynn on June 24th, July 24th, including today’s game. Rookie OF Mickey Mantle makes his 1st Yankee appearance since his recall from the Kansas City Blues (AAA).
1960 - Despite Roy Sievers 2-HRs and a double, the New York Yankees still beat the Chicago White Sox by a score of 3-2, dropping White Sox to 1 1/2 games off the pace and into a 2nd place tie with the Baltimore Orioles. Yankees starter Art Ditmar is the winner over veteran lefty hurler Herb Score.
1964 - The New York Yankees win their 1st Mayor’s trophy game at Shea Stadium by the score of 6-4 before a crowd of 60,167 fans.
196 6- Former Yankees minor league P Dean Wilkins was born. The Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft drafted Dean. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 13,1987, Dean was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Rich Scheid and Bob Tewksbury to the Chicago Cubs for hurler Steve Trout.
1968 - In a battle between team pitching aces, the Yankees Mel Stottlemyre tops the Tigers ace Denny McLain by the score of 2-1.
1977 - Catfish Hunter notches his final victory of the 1977 AL season, an 11-1, 4-hit victory over the Twins. The Yankees batting line-up supports Hunter with HRs outages by Roy White, Mickey Rivers, Chris Chambliss and Bucky Dent.
1981 - In his 1st MLB at bat, Minnesota Twins rookie1B Kent Hrbek hits a 12th-inning HR giving them, a 3-2 victory over the Yankees.
1983 - Current Yankees LF Brett Gardner (2008-2010) was born. The Yankees in the 3rd round of the 2005 MLB amateur player draft drafted Brett. In 2009 Yankees spring training camp, Brett Gardner was competing for the starting job as the Yankees CF with Melky Cabrera. He ended up making the team and sharing playing time with Cabrera. In the spring, he had received the "Kevin Lawn Award" for being the Yankees' top minor league batter the previous season. In 2008, in 42 games, and 227 at bats, Brett Gardner posted 29 hits, including 2 triples, and 5 doubles for a .229 batting average. He also scored 18 runs, and was successful in 13 out of 14 stolen base attempts. He also played errorless defense in the outfield. In 2009, Brett hit .270 for the Yankees. In 2010, he won the LF regular job for the Yankees.
1985 - New York Yankees Don Baylor ties a MLB record, when he hit by a pitch for the 189th time in his MLB playing career.
1990 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mickey Witek (1949) passed away. Mickey came up to the Majors in 1940 with the New York Giants. He had won the 1939 International League Award while playing for the Newark Bears (AAA). With the 1949 Yankees, he appeared in 2 games with 1 hit. He retired from baseball after 1950 minor league season split between the Kansas City Blues (Yankees AAA) and Seattle Rainers in PCL.
August 25th
1889 - Former Yankees C/1B Les Nunamaker (1914-1917) was born. On May 13,1914, Les was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox. He hit .261 in 369 games for the Yankees. On January 22,1918, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Nick Cullop, Joe Gedeon, Fritz Maisel, P Urban Shocker, and $15,000 to the St. Louis Browns for P Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt.
1902 - AL President Ban Johnson announces the AL's intention to have a New York team in 1903, with Clark Griffith as manager. The Baltimore Orioles franchise will be moved to New York City in 1903, becoming the New York Highlanders.
1906 - New York Yankees rookie hurler Slow Joe Doyle makes his MLB debut with a 2-0 shutout against the Indians. Doyle would go 22-21 in 70 games for Yankees (1906-1910).
1913 - The New York Yankees obtained OF Frank Gilhooley from the St. Louis Cardinals for cash. He would play for the Yankees from 1913-1918, appearing in 250 games, hitting .277. On December 18, 1918, Frank was traded by the Yankees along with P Ray Caldwell, P Slim Love, C Roxy Walters and $15,000 to Boston Red Sox for P Dutch Leonard, OF Duffy Lewis and P Ernie Shore.
1921 - With the Cleveland Indians waltzing to a 15-1 victory over the Yankees. Yankees hurler Harry Harper, pitching in the 8th inning, plunks Tribe OF Charles Jamieson in the ribs, Larry Gardner in the arm, and Steve O'Neill in the back. O'Neill throws the ball back at Harper precipitates a bench clearing brawl. Yankees OF Bob Meusel contributes 4 errors in the game. The Tribe takes over 1st place in the AL from the Yankees.
1922 - in the 1st of a doubleheader before a sold-out Polo Grounds, the St. Louis Browns beat the Yankees by the score of 3-1, behind starter Urban Shocker. Waite Hoyt is the loser for the Yankees, but he stops Ken Williams hit streak at 28 consecutive games. George Sisler hits in his 24th straight game. In game 2, the Yankees jump to a 2-0 lead on Babe Ruth's 2-run triple, and then extend it to 6-1 behind starter Joe Bush. The Browns close to 6-5, but that is it.
1928- Former Yankees reserve C and MLB Manager Darrell Johnson (1957-1958) was born (1928-2004). Darrell Johnson came to the New York Yankees in the big 17-man trade with the Baltimore Orioles in the winter of 1954. He would be one of the back up catchers for Yogi Berra during the 1957-1958 AL seasons. On November 30, 1959, Darrell was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Yankees in the 1959 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Darrell would make his only World Series appearance in 1961, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds playing against his former team, the Yankees. He would later move on to become a MLB Manager with the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.
1929 - After 3 straight shutouts by St. Louis Browns hurlers Gray, Blaeholder, and Crowder the Yankees break their 32-inning scoreless streak with a 4th-inning HR by Babe Ruth. The Browns still win the game by a score of 3-2.
1931 - At Chicago, the Yankees record their 1st shutout of the 1931 AL season, when Herb Pennock blanks the Chicago White Sox by the score of 6-0. Yankees OF Ben Chapman has a good day at the plate with a triple, single, 2-runs scored and his 50th and 51st stolen bases of the season. In addition, he beats the White Sox player Carl Reynolds in a pre-game 100-yard dash.
1935 - Yankees CF Earle Combs collides with 3B Red Rolfe on a fly ball and suffers a severe shoulder injury. It will contribute to his decision to retire at the end of the 1935 AL season. Earl Coombs was the 1st of the great Yankees center fielders; Joe DiMaggio would replace him in 1936.
1939 - New York Yankees 3rd baseman Red Rolfe scores in his 18th consecutive game, giving him a total of 30 runs.
1939 - Former Yankees P Dooley Womack (1966-1968) was born. Before the 1958 AL Season, Dooley was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Dooley went 15-16 in 152 games with 24 saves for the Yankees. On December 4,1968, he was traded by the Yankees to the Houston Astros for OF Richard Simpson.
1951 - Before 66,110 fans at Cleveland, Mickey Mantle belts an opposite field 2-run HR off of Tribe starter Mike Garcia to help the Yankees win the game by a score of 7-3. The Yankees now are 77-46 moves to a game in back of the Tribe.
1952 - In a 1-0 win over the Yankees in Yankee Stadium, Detroit Tigers starter Virgil Trucks pitches his 2nd no-hitter of the 1952 AL season. The no-hitter is in doubt for 3 innings when a play made by shortstop Johnny Pesky in the 3rd inning is under debate. The official scorer, John Drebinger, records it as an error when Pesky has trouble getting a ball hit by Phil Rizzuto out of his glove. Dan Daniel of The New York World Telegram convinces Drebinger that it cannot be ruled an error because the ball was stuck in the fielder's glove, and Rizzuto is awarded a hit. In the 6th inning, with Trucks not having given up another hit, Drebinger calls Pesky in the dugout from the press box, and the Shortstop says that he should be given the error rather than Rizzuto the hit. The call is changed again, and Trucks' no-hitter is preserved. Trucks' pitching record for the 1952 AL season is now at 5-15 mark.
1956 - Prior to the Old Timer's Game at Yankee Stadium, veteran Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto is asked to consult with Yankees GM George Weiss and Manager Casey Stengel concerning a player move necessitated by reacquiring veteran OF Enos Slaughter from the Kansas City A's. After making several suggestions about who should be cut from the squad, the veteran INF is told by GM Weiss, that he is the player about to be let go. Rizzutto would be the last Yankee player to play for Yankee managers Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel. Through the instigation of major sponsor for the Yankees, Ballantine Beer, Rizzuto will be in the announcing booth next year, replacing veteran announcer Jim Woods. Phil turns down an offer from the Brooklyn Dodgers to play with them, because they want him to get into playing shape at their AAA farm team in Montreal (IL) before joining the team. Also Phil turns down an offer to manage the Washington Senators for the 1957 AL season.
1956 - The New York Yankees required veteran OF Enos “Country” Slaughter from the Kansas City A’s for cash. Enos 2nd tour with the Yankees proved to be more successful than his 1st, before fading during the 1959 AL season, with Enos being sold to the Milwaukee Braves.
1959 - At Cleveland’s Muncipal Stadium, Indians slugger Rocky Colavito HRs twice as the Tribe tops the New York Yankees by a score of 6-3. The Indians have now won 7 straight to move 2 games behind the 1st-place Chicago White Sox.
1960 - Former Yankees INF and MLB 3B Coach Bobby Meacham (1983-1988) was born.
On December 14,1982, Bobby was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals along with OF Stan Javier to the Yankees for minor league players Bob Helsom, Marty Mason, and Steve Fincher. Bobby
would hit .276 in 457 games with the Yankees. He led the AL in sac hits in 1984 (14) and 1985 ((23). On December 5,1988, Bobby was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for OF Bob Brower.
1966 - New York Yankees veteran All Star starter Whitey Ford (2-5) undergoes surgery for a circulatory problem in his left shoulder.
1968 - With the Detroit Tigers ahead by the score of 5-0 fail to score with 2 men on base in the 4th inning when the Yankees bring in Rocky Colavito. The 35-year-old slugger retires Al Kaline and Willie Horton and tosses 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. In Rocky's only other pitching appearance in 1958, he also faced Al Kaline, and the victory by a non-pitcher will be the last in 20th century. Yankees Bill Robinson and Bobby Cox crash successive HRs to tie the score and, after a walk, Rocky comes around to score the winning run. In the 8th inning, Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel ties the AL record for consecutive batters retired by setting down the 1st Tiger he faces, giving him 32 straight batters retired over 4 appearances. The Yankees sweep the doubleheader, winning the 1st game by the score of 6-5 and then topping Tigers starter Mickey Lolich by the score of 5-4 in the nightcap. The 4 losses at Yankee Stadium, leaves the Detroit Tigers just 5 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles.
1976 - The New York Yankees edge the Minnesota Twins by the score of 5-4 in a 19-inning marathon. Grant Jackson is the winner for the Yankees over Twin’s Pete Redfern.
1977 - The Minnesota Twins blow a 4-2 lead over the New York Yankees, when Mickey Rivers hits a 2-run single in the 7th inning and Reggie Jackson drives home a run in the 8th inning.
1978 - With 4 amateur umps officiating, Ron Guidry posts his 18th win, beating the Oakland A's by the score of 7-1. Reggie Jackson's HR drives in his 1,001st MLB career RBI. The win keeps the Yankees 7 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox.
1984 - Former Yankees Hall Of Fame hurler Waite “School Boy” Hoyt (1921-1930) passed away (1899-1984). Hoyt would go 157-98, with a WP of .617 in 9 ½ seasons with the New York Yankees. He was on the only 20-game winner on the 1927 World Championship team, going 22-7. He posted a 6-4 record in World Series with ERA of 1.83. After his playing days, he became a long time broadcaster with the Cincinnati Reds.
1989 - Former Yankees INF Jim Brideweser (1951-1953) passed away (1927-1989). Before the 1950 AL Season, the Yankees signed Jim as an MLB amateur free agent after attending USC. Jim hit .363 (16 for 44) in 51 games as Yankee before being claimed on waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on May 11,1954. Jim was a good utility infielder, but there was no room for him on the Yankees 25 man roster. Jim would play for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers before finishing up in 1959 as MLB player.
1996 - The New York Yankees dedicate their 1st new monument in 47 years, to Hall Of Fame CF Mickey Mantle in Monument Park in center field at Yankee Stadium. Miller Huggins, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig are also honored with monuments, while 15 Yankee players are honored on plaques.
2001 - The New York Yankees defeat the California Angels by score of 7-5, as Roger Clemens becomes the 1st AL hurler to go 17-1 to begin an AL season. Yankees RF Paul O'Neill hits his 20th HR of the year, making him the oldest player in MLB history at age 38 to reach the 20 HR-20 SB mark in a season.
August 26th
1916 - The New York Yankees turn a big triple play during a 10-6 win over the St. Louis Browns. With a 3-run Yankee lead, the Browns load the bases in the 7th inning with no-outs only watch a line drive to 3rd base clear the bases.
1918 - Ban Johnson casts the deciding vote in a National Commission decision awarding the disputed services of P Jack Quinn to the New York Yankees for 1919 AL season over the claim of the Chicago White Sox, for whom Quinn was 5-1 this year. Quinn, who had pitched for the Yankees in 1913, had jumped to the Federal League in 1914.
1922 - The New York Yankees take over 1st place in AL by beating the St. Louis Browns by the score of 9-2, behind starter Carl Mays. Rasty Wright is the loser for the Browns.
1935 - Lumbering 1B Zeke Bonura of the Chicago White Sox steals home with 2 outs in the 15th inning to beat the Yankees by score of 9-8.
1951 - In the 2nd game against the Yankees, veteran INF Bert Haas hits a pinch HR in the 6th
Inning for the Chicago White Sox, in his last MLB at bat. The White Sox will release the 37-year old veteran tomorrow. The Yankees win the game by a score of 8-6, to remain a game behind the Indians. The White Sox take the opener by the score of 3-2, behind starter Saul Rogovin.
1956 - The Yankees announced the purchase of veteran OF Enos Slaughter from the Kansas City A’s for cash ($50,000). To make room for Enos Slaughter on the MLB 25 man roster, the Yankees released longtime AL All Star shortstop Phil Rizzuto.
1957 - Yankee-killer Tigers starter Frank Lary stops the Bombers as Detroit wins by a score of
5-2.The Yankees lead over the White Sox is now 3 ½ games. The Yankees will go into Chicago, where they will sweep the White Sox in a 3 game series.
1959 - The Cleveland Indians stretch their winning streak to 8 games when Rocky Colavito snaps a 4-4 tie with an 8th inning HR. Jim Perry, in relief of Tribe starter Gary Bell picks up the win, a 5-4 victory, over the Yankees.
1960 - The Yankees crash 5-solo HRs and 4-pinch hits, the latter tying an AL record, to top the Cleveland Indians by a score of 7-6. Yogi Berra’s 2nd HR gives the Yankees the win in the 11th inning. In the 2nd game, the Yankees win by a score of 7-5 with Bob Cerv's 3-run HR is the big blast that wins the game.
1961 - Yankees All Star RF Roger Maris belts HR #51, off of Kansas City A's hurler Jerry Walker. Roger's HR in the 6th inning follows, a Tony Kubek HR blast. Yankees starter Bill Stafford allows just 1-hit, till the 9th inning as the Yankees win, by the score of 5-1.
1962 - Veteran NL All Star starter Robin Roberts, discarded by the Yankees at the end of 1962 spring training camp beats Whitey Ford by a score of 2-1 on HRs by Brooks Robinson and Jim Gentile to complete a 5-game Baltimore Orioles sweep of the sagging Yankees. The Minnesota Twins and LA Angels are now 3 games behind the New York Yankees.
1966 - Tiger's Earl Wilson, winner of 6 straight games, hits an 8th inning HR to give himself a 5-3 lead over the Yankees. But the Yankees, batting against reliever Hank Aguirre in the 9th inning, tally 1-run on a Clete Boyer single, and win it, by a score of 6-5, when Mickey Mantle clouts a pinch HR over a leaping Al Kaline in RF. The win still leaves the Yankees (57-72) in last place in AL.
1972 - Former Yankees P Danny MacFayden (1933-1934) passed away. On June 5,1932, Dan was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Yankees for P Ivy Andrews, Hank Johnson and $50,000. Dan went 7-5 in 47 games for the Yankees. On November 22,1934, Dan was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds from the Yankees.
1975 - Former Yankees reserve INF Morgan Ensberg (2008) was born. Morgan Ensberg appeared in 28 games for the Yankees hitting just .203 before being released by the team.
1977 - The Yankees win their 12th game in 13 games, when Graig Nettles triples home 2 runs in the 9th inning to give the Bombers, a 6-5 win over the Texas Rangers. With the Boston Red Sox losing, the Yankees move in front of the AL East by 2 games.
1985 - Former Yankees PH Richard Wakefield (1950) passed away (1921-1985). On December 17, 1949, he was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees for 1B Richard Kryhoski. He appeared in only 3 games for the Yankees. Before the 1952 AL Season, the Yankees released him.
1987 - The New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds exchange starting pitchers, with Dennis Rasmussen going to Cincinnati for Bill Gullickson. Bill went 4-2 in 8 games for the Yankees, before leaving as a MLB free agent to play in Japan.
1991 - Number 1 draft pick Brien Taylor is signed to a guaranteed $1.55 million contract by the New York Yankees. It is the largest deal ever given to an amateur player, surpassing the $1.2 million paid to Todd Van Poppel by Oakland A’s in 1990. He will injured his pitching shoulder in a off-season bar fight and never recover from it, costing him his chance for MLB career with the Yankees.
1997 - The New York Yankees pound out 22 hits in an 18-2 win over the Oakland A’s. Joe Girardi and Rey Sanchez lead the way for the Yankees with 4 hits apiece.
2002 - The 1st video streaming coverage of a MLB game takes place on the Internet. Approximately 30,000 fans visit MLB.com to see the New York Yankees defeat the Texas Rangers, by the score of 10-3. With a solo shot in 4th inning in 10-3 victory over the Rangers, Yankees 2B Alfonso Soriano sets a team record for HRs by a 2B. The previous club mark of 30 HR’s was established in 1940 by 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon.
August 27th
1875 - Former Yankees OF Ed Hahn (1905-1906) was born. On August 20,1905, Ed Hahn was purchased by the Highlanders from New Orleans (Southern Association). Ed hit .291 in 54 games for the New York Yankees. On May 10,1906, Ed was purchased by the Chicago White Sox from the Highlanders.
1883 - Former Yankees 3B William “Baldy” Louden (1907) was born. On August 4,1907, Bill was purchased by the New York Highlanders from Dallas (Texas) for $1,500. Bill appeared in 4 games hitting just .111.
1909 - 35-year old veteran P Jack Chesbro (0-4, 9 games) makes his final appearance in a Yankees uniform and is ineffective in relief of starter Peter Wilson during the Yankees 17-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The Yankees would put him on waivers in September of 1909 to be claimed by the Boston Red Sox. His 1903 season record of 41 wins is still a MLB record and the Yankees club record for most victories by pitchers.
1910 - In the 1st of 2 games, New York Highlander hurler Jack Warhop swipes home in 6th inning. His run is the difference as the Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox by a score of 4-3.
1922 - The New York Yankees increase their lead by beating the St. Louis Browns by a score of 2-1, in 11 innings on Bob Meusel's sac fly. Hank Severeid's HR is the only score for the Browns. An apparent 2-run double off the LF wall by Eddie Foster in the 10th inning is ruled foul by Umpire Moriarty. The Yankees take the 4 game series with the Browns, 3 games to 1.
1926 - Veteran AL hurler Dutch Ruether is picked up from Washington Senators by the New York Yankees. He went 13-7 on the 1927 World Championship team and then he retired from MLB.
1935 - The New York Yankees out-slug the Chicago White Sox in a 13-10 victory in the 1st game of doubleheader. In the 2nd game, Lou Gehrig ties an AL record with 5 walks, as the Yankees lose to the White Sox by a score of 4-3.
1938 - In the 1st game of a twin bill at Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio hits 3 consecutive triples. His offensive outburst helps the Bronx Bombers edge the Cleveland Indians by the score of 8-7. In the 2nd game, Monte Pearson becomes the 1st pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Yankee Stadium. Facing only 27 batters, thanks to 2 double plays, he beats his former team, the Indians by the score of 13-0 for his 10th consecutive victory. The Yankees playing their 6th successive doubleheader increase their AL lead to 12 games.
1946 - Former Yankees reserve C/DH Ed Herman (1975) was born. On April 1,1975, Ed was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Yankees for minor league players Fred Anyzeski, John Narron, Ken Bennett, Terry Quinn, and cash. Ed hit .255 in 80 games as a back-up catcher and DH for the Yankees in 1975. On February 20,1976, Ed was purchased by the California Angels from the Yankees.
1947 - Former Yankees P Jim York (1976) was born. On January 8,1976, Jim was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Houston Astros. Jim went 1-0 in 3 appearances with the Yankees, before being released by the team in August of 1976.
1950 - New York Yankees veteran All Start starter Allie “Super Chief” Reynolds hurls a 2-hitter in a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.
1977 - Texas Ranger batters Toby Harrah and Bump Wills hit back-to-back inside-the-park HRs on consecutive pitches off of Yankees hurler Ken Clay, highlighting an 8-2 win over the Yankees, only the 2nd loss for the Yankees in 14 games. It ties the MLB mark and it is the 1st time since 1946 that 2 batters have connected consecutively on in-the-park HRs.
1978 - The “Miracle of Catfish Hunter” continues as the veteran New York Yankees starter
downs his former team the Oakland A’s by the score of 6-2, He finishes the month of August 1978 with a 6-0 record with a 1.64 ERA. The win helps keep the Yankees stay at 7 ½ games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
1984 - Dave Kingman hits a double and HR to help the Oakland A’s score 6-runs in the 7th inning, but that's all the A's score in losing to the Yankees by the score of 7-6. Yankees Bobby Meacham has 2 HRs, including the game winner in the 8th inning, to back Yankees closer Dave Righetti's relief win. Oakland reliever Bill Caudill takes the loss for the A’s.
1985 - Former Yankees P/OF Johnny Lindell (1941-1950) passed away (1916-1985). Before the 1936 AL Season, the Yankees signed Johnny as an MLB amateur free agent. John pitched for the Yankees in 1942, going 2-1 in 23 games. He was converted to an outfielder in 1943. He was selected for the 1943 AL All Star team, but he did not play. His best Yankees season was in 1944, when he hit .300. John appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees hitting .324 in 12 games. On May 15,1950, Johnny was purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Yankees. He would later play for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies in the NL, before retiring from MLB in 1954.
1997 - The Oakland A’s defeats the New York Yankees by the score of 8-7, as the A’s DH Dave Magadan leads the way with 5 hits, including a HR.
August 28th
1875 - Former Yankees INF Joseph “Little Joe” Yeager (1905-1906) was born. In 1905 Joe was with the New York Highlanders, hitting .267 as the team's regular 3rd baseman. Joe's batting average was 19 points higher than the team batting average of .248. He hit .301 with a .407 on-base percentage in 1906, but only appeared in 57 games, mostly at 3rd base but also sometimes at shortstop. In the off-season, the Highlanders traded him to the St. Louis Browns for Catcher Branch Rickey.
1892 - Former Yankees 3B/OF Bobby “Braggo” Roth (1921) was born. On December 31,1920, Bobby was traded by the Washington Senators to the New York Yankees for OF Duffy Lewis and P George Mogridge. In 1921, Bobby hit .283 in 43 games for the Yankees. Bobby’s brother Frank Roth was the Yankees MLB pitching coach in 1921.
1896 - Former Yankees INF/OF Aaron Ward (1917-1926) was born (1896-1961). Aaron Ward was the 2B for the New York Yankees in the days before Tony Lazzeri. Coming up in 1917 at age 20, he was one of the youngest players in the American League. He became a regular in 1920. Aaron was in the World Series of 1921, 1922, and 1923 (he hit .417 in the 1923 World Series, which the Yankees won). Ward was one of several players who held out at the start of 1922 for better contracts. Ward succeeded in getting a big raise. Aaron’s best Yankees season was in 1921, when he hit .306. Aaron hit .286 in 3 World Series with the Yankees. On January 13,1927, Aaron was traded by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for C Johnny Grabowski and INF Ray Morehart.
1907 - New York Highlander P John "Tacks" Neuer begins baseball's most successful short career by besting the Boston Red Sox 1-0 in his 1st MLB start, the nightcap of a doubleheader. In 1 month, he will pitch 6 complete games, win 4, including 3 shutouts, and then disappear from the MLB scene. In the 1st game, veteran Boston Red Sox starter Cy Young wins his 20th game, defeating the Highlanders by a score of 5-3.
1916 - Former Yankees reserve OF Michael “Shotgun” Chartak (1940) was born. Mike appeared in 12 games for the Yankees, hitting just .100. On May 10,1942, Mike was purchased by the Washington Senators from the New York Yankees.
1921 - Despite 3 doubles by Yankees slugger Babe Ruth, the Detroit Tigers drop the Yankees by score of 7-3. Ruth starts a record streak in which he gets at least 1 extra-base hit in 9 straight games. Into the record books go his 119 extra-base hits, 177 runs, and 457 total bases. His .846 slugging average is 1 point behind that of a year ago.
1924 - Despite Babe Ruth's 2-HRs, the Washington Senators beat the New York Yankees by the score of 11-6 and move into 1st place. The Yankees will tie them for 2 days in September, but otherwise the Washington Senators stay on top till the end of the 1924 AL season.
1924 - The New Yankees purchased hurler Walter Beall from Rochester (IL) for $50,000.
He went 4-5 for the Yankees, before being sent to Washington Senators.
1938 - Former Yankees reserve OF Billy Cowan (1969) was born. On December 2,1968, Billy was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Philadelphia Phillies organization in the 1968 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Billy hit .166 in 38 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the California Angels during the 1969 AL season.
1943 - Former Yankees OF (1974-1984), MLB Coach, Manager (1986-1988) and General Manager, Lou Piniella was born. Originally, the Cleveland Indians signed Lou in 1962. In 1969, he was drafted in the AL expansion player draft by the Seattle Pilots, who during spring training traded him to the Kansas City Royals. In 1969, he won the AL Rookie Of Year award with the Royals hitting .282. In 1972, he was a member of the AL All Star team. On December 7,1973, Lou was traded by the Royals along with P Ken Wright to the Yankees for veteran hurler Lindy McDaniel. Lou hit a career .295 in 1,037 games as a Yankee from 1974-1984. He was a clutch hitter in the post season with a BA .300. In 4 World Series, Lou hit .319 for the Yankees. After retiring as an active player in 1984, he became a Yankees MLB coach.
1946 - Former Yankees P Mike Torrez (1977) was born. On April 27, 1977, Mike was traded by the Oakland A’s to the Yankees for P Dock Ellis, INF Marty Perez, and OF Larry Murray. In his only season was a Yankees, Mike went 14-12 in 31 games with 15 complete games. He left the Yankees for MLB free agency, signing with their rivals, the Boston Red Sox.
1948 - The New York Yankees stroll into 2nd-place by edging the Cleveland Indians by score of 3-2. Ahead 2-1, Tribe hurler Sam Zoldak wilts in the 98-degree weather and Gene Bearden replaces him in the 9th inning. Joe DiMaggio is hit, and 2 wild throws brings in Ed Klieman, who finishes the walk to Yogi Berra. A Bobby Brown sac bunt, and an intentional pass to Phil Rizzuto load the bases. Cliff Mapes walks to force a run and a grounder brings home the winning run.
1950 - Former AL Cy Young winner Yankees pitcher and Yankees Pitching Coach Ron “Gator” Guidry (1975-1988) was born. On June 8, 1971, Ron was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1971 MLB amateur player draft. He went 170-91 with a .651 WP in 14 seasons with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1978, when he went 25-3 in 35 games with 16 complete games, 9 shut outs with 1.78 ERA. In 1978, Ron won the Cy Young Award and the MLB Player of the Year Award. He was an AL ALL Star team member in 1978-1979 and 1982-1983. He led the AL in ERA in 1978-79. He was an AL Golden Glove winner from 1982-1986. His Yankees post season pitching record was 2-1 (3 World Series) 3-1 (LCS) and 6-2 in post season games.
1951 - The Boston Braves sell veteran starter Johnny Sain to the New York Yankees for $50,000 and a young hurler named Lew Burdette. It is another late-season insurance measure for the Yankees. Lew Burdette would come back to haunt the Yankees in 1957 World Series with the Milwaukee Braves, beating them 3 times for the 1957 World Championship.
1952 - The New York Yankees purchased veteran hurler Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell from the Cincinnati Reds for $35,000 and 4 players: pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel, Outfielders Bob Marquis and Jim Greengrass. Blackwell will go 3-0 with 2 saves in September of 1952 and during the 1953 AL season. On March 30,1955, Ewell Blackwell was purchased by the Kansas City A’s from the Yankees for $50,000.
1960 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees snap a 3-3 tie, when Mickey Mantle hits a 2-run HR in the 5th inning and Yogi Berra follows up with a solo HR. The New York Yankees top the Detroit Tigers by a score of 8-5.
1962 - At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle connects for a 2-run shot in the 4th inning off of Tribe starter Jim “Mudcat” Grant to give the Yankees a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.
1972 - Former Yankees reliever Jay Witasick (2001) was born. On June 23,2001, Jay was traded by the San Diego Padres to the New York Yankees for minor league INF prospect D'Angelo Jimenez. Jay went 3-0 in 32 games with the Yankees. On December 13,2001, Jay was traded by the Yankees to the San Francisco Giants for OF/1B John Vander Wal.
1977- New York Yankees starter Ron Guidry fires his 3rd shutout of the 1977 AL season, a 1-0 whitewash of the Texas Rangers. Guidry faces just 28 Ranger batters, allowing only 2 hits. Graig Nettles scores the winning run after belting as triple.
1996 - The Seattle Mariner's 10-2 win over the visiting New York Yankees is delayed 10 minutes by a bench clearing brawl in the 8th inning following a close pitch by M's rookie Tim Davis. The M's John Marzano and Yankees OF Paul O'Neill and P Jeff Nelson, all receive 2-game suspensions, with the Yankees players, each getting fined $1,000. Yankees reliever Jeff Nelson opened the 8th inning by plunking Seattle Mariners batter Joey Cora.
1998 - The Seattle Mariners clout 3 HRs in a 10-3 loss to the New York Yankees, making them the 1st team in history to reach the 200-HR mark for a season in 3 consecutive years. Shane Monahan, Russ Davis, and Rob Ducey, each belts a solo-HRs for the Seattle Mariners.
2008 - The New York Yankees salvage the last game of a 3 game series with the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium with a 3-2 victory with Jason Giambi providing the Yankees offense with a game tying HR and the game winning a single in the 9th inning. Yankees starter Jim Mussina scattered 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6 Red Sox batters, moving past Frank Tanana for sole possession of 20th place on MLB strikeout list with 2,778 career strikeouts.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
