This Week in Yankees History
October 10th - October 16th
October 10th
1904 - The Boston Red Sox clinched the AL pennant on the last day of the season when Jack Chesbro of the New York Highlanders threw a wild pitch in the 9th inning to allow the winning run to score from 3B. The Red Sox had won the opener by the score of 3-2 in the doubleheader opener. Jack Chesbro finishes 1904 AL season with a MLB and Yankees club pitching record of 41 wins.
1923 - It's an all-New York City World Series for the 3rd straight year. In Game 1, the Giants break a 4-4 tie in the top of the 9th inning as they defeat the Yankees by the score of 5-4. Giants P Rosy Ryan takes the win and Yankees P Joe Bush is the loser. The Giants veteran OF Casey Stengel's inside-the-park HR is the 1st Series HR hit at Yankee Stadium. It is the 1st World Series to be broadcast on a nationwide radio network.
1926 - Veteran hurler Grover Alexander saved Game 7 and the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals, by fanning Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded in the 7th inning and pitching 2 1/3 hitless innings.
1929 - Former Yankees P Bobby Tiefenauer (1965) was born. Bobby was obtained from the Milwaukee Braves, going 1-1 in 10 games in 1965 with 2 saves working out of the Yankees bullpen.
1937 - In the World Series, New York Yankees starter Lefty Gomez knocks in the winning run in the 4-2 clincher in Game 5 against the New York Giants. Lefty records his 5th World Series win without a loss. Yankees Joe DiMaggio and Myril Hoag hit HRs for the Bombers. Another new record comes when the Yankees complete the 1937 World Series without an error.
1951 - Hank Bauer's bases-loaded triple in Game 6 of the World Series propels the New York Yankees to a 4-3 over the New York Giants and their 3d straight World Series victory. As 67,111 fans see Joe DiMaggio’s last World Series game as a Yankee player. Joe finishes the World Series with a double in the 8th inning. The Yankees starter Vic Raschi picks up the victory with relief help from pitchers Johnny Sain and Bob Kuzava, who gets the save.
1956 - New York Yankees starter Johnny Kucks sets down the Brooklyn Dodgers by the score of 9-0, as the Yankees win the 1956 World Series in 7 games. Yogi Berra hits a pair of 2-run HRs and Bill Skowron hits a Grand Slam HR. It's the 7th and final time, the Dodgers and the Yankees will meet in the World Series as New York City MLB teams. In the future, it will take a jet, not a subway, to get these 2 teams together in 1963 for the World Series.
1957 - Lew Burdette's 3rd victory of the 1957 World Series, a 5-0 shutout over the Yankees, gave the Braves, the 1957 World Series Championship, their 1st since the Miracle Boston Braves of 1914 and the team’s only one in Milwaukee.
1964 - The Yankees Jim Bouton and Curt Simmons of the Cardinals battle to a 1-1 tie through 8 innings in Game 3 of the 1964 World Series. Mickey Mantle hits a HR on Barney Schultz's 1st pitch in the 9th inning, and the Yankees win the game by a score of 2-1. It is Mickey’s 16 World Series HR breaking Babe Ruth’s record. Before his at bat in the 9th inning, Mickey tells his Yankees teammate, Elston Howard that he’ll hit Schultz’s 1st pitch for a HR. Mickey Mantle will finish the1964 World Series with a .333 BA and 3 HRs, he will finish with 18 HRs in World Series play for the Yankees.
1976 - The Kansas City Royals even their AL Playoffs series with the New York Yankees by coming from behind to beat the Yankees by a score of 7-3.
1978 - The Dodgers Davey Lopes collects 2 HRs and 5 RBIs to lead the Dodgers to an 11- 5 victory over the Yankees in Game 1 of the 1978 World Series. Tommy John picks up the win for the Dodgers, while Yankees starter Ed Figueroa takes the loss.
1980 - The Kansas City Royals All Star 3B George Brett hits an upper-deck 3-run HR off Yankees relief ace Goose Gossage to give the Royals a 4-2 victory and a 3-game sweep of the Yankees in the 1980 AL Championship Series.
1986 - Former Yankees P Russ Van Atta (1933-1935) passed away (1906-1986). Russ went 24-25 in 114 games with the Yankees before being sold to the St. Louis Browns. His best Yankees season was in 1933, when he went 12-4 for the Yankees.
1990 - Former Yankees Batting Coach and MLB player Wally Moses passed away. (1910-1990) Wally Moses was the Yankees MLB batting coach for Manager Ralph Houk from 1961-1963.
1996 - The Baltimore Orioles' 5-3 win over the Yankees in Game 2, evens the 1996 ALCS at 1 game apiece. Orioles 1B Rafael Palmeiro's 7th-inning HR is the key blow.
1998 - The Yankees even the ALCS at 2 games apiece on a 4-hit, 4-0 shutout by Orlando Hernandez, who hurls the 1st 7 innings, while Yankees relievers Mike Stanton and Mariano Rivera finish up the game.
2000 - The Seattle Mariners defeated the New York Yankees by the score of 2-0, to take the opener of the 2000 AL Championship Series. Freddy Garcia and the Mariners bullpen combine on the 6-hitter, while Alex Rodriguez hits a HR for Seattle.
2001 - The New York Yankees fall to the Oakland A’s by the score of 5-3, in Game 1 of their AL Division Series. A’s OF Terrence Long hits a pair of HRs for Oakland, while Jason Giambi, adds another HR for the A’s. Starter Mark Mulder gets the win for Oakland, while A’s OF Johnny Damon goes 4-for-4.
2005 - Angels Rookie P Ervin Santana pitched 5 1/3 strong innings in his postseason debut, Garret Anderson hits a HR and drove in 2 runs, and Adam Kennedy hit a go-ahead 2-run triple, to lead the Angels over New York, by the score of 5-3, in the decisive Game 5 of their 2005 AL playoff series.
October 11th
1931 - Former Yankees P Gary Blaylock (1959) was born. On July 26,1959, Gary was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the St. Louis Cardinals. He went 0-1 in 15 games for the 1959 Yankees. Gary later managed in the Yankees farm system during the 1960’s.
1943 - New York Yankees starter Spud Chandler shut out the St. Louis Cardinals by the score of 2-0 as the Yankees win the 1943 World Series in 5 games. Chandler gave up 10 hits, but stranded 11 Cardinal runners. Yankees catcher Bill Dickey's 2-run HR in the 6th inning was the difference in the game.
1964 - The St. Louis Cardinals 3B Ken Boyer hits a Grand Slam HR in Game 4 of the 1964 World Series, capping off a 4-3 comeback win over the Yankees. The Cardinals had trailed by the score of 3-0, before Ken Boyer's grand slam HR blast against Yankees starter Al Downing. Yankees reliever Ralph Terry holds the Cardinals scoreless, but the Yankees batting line-up fails to catch the Cardinals.
1965 - Former Yankees P Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez (1998-2003) was born in Cuba. On March 23, 1998, Orlando was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent after fleeing Cuba. El Duque went 53-45 as a Yankees pitcher. His best Yankees season was in 1999, when he posted a 17-9 record. In 1999, he was the ALCS MVP. Orlando went 4-4 in 4 World Series for the Yankees. In AL postseason playoffs, Orlando was 13-10 for the Yankees. On January 15,2003, Orlando was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for P Antonio Osuna and minor league player Delvis Lantigua.
1977 - The Yankees defeat the Dodgers by the score of 4-3 in the opener of the 1977 World Series. The Dodgers held a 2-1 lead in the 6th inning, when the Yankees tie the game at 2-2 in the 8th inning on a Willie Randolph HR, followed a Thurman Munson double later in the inning that score the go head run. The Dodgers tied the game at 3-3 in the 9th inning, sending the game into extra innings. In the 12th inning, the Yankees score the winning runs, with Randolph on 2B after hitting a lead off double, Munson was intentionally passed, and Paul Blair singles home the winning run.
1978 - The Dodgers edge the Yankees by the score of 4-3 in game 2 of the 1978 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Catfish Hunter takes the loss for the Yankees. With runners in scoring position Dodgers hurler Bob Welch strikes out Reggie Jackson to end the game.
2006 - New York Yankees P Cory Lidle is killed, when a plane he is in crashes into a residential building in New York City. On July 30, 2006, Corey was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies along with OF Bobby Abreu to the Yankees for P Matt Smith, and minor leaguers: C.J. Henry, Carlos Monastrios and Jesus Sanchez. Corey went 4-3 in 10 games with the 2006 Yankees.
2009 - The New York Yankees complete a sweep of their own, defeating Minnesota Twins by the score of 4-1, to take their ALDS in the last game ever played at the Metrodome. Solo home runs by Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada off of Twins starter Carl Pavano in the 7th inning are the deciding blows. New York Yankees veteran starter Andy Pettitte wins the 15th postseason game of his career, tying John Smoltz for the most ever.
October 12th
1910 - The Former Voice of Yankee Stadium Robert “Bob” Sheppard was born (1910-2010). The long time public address announcer of the New York Yankees, Bob Sheppard is the most famous PA voice in sports history. His slow, deep cadence has rung out from "Now batting for the Yankees, number five, Joe DiMaggio" to "Now batting for the Yankees, number two, Derek Jeter." He graduated from St. John's University in the class of 1932. At St. John's, he spent 4 years on the football team and also was the 1st baseman for the baseball squad. He joined the New York Yankees in DiMaggio's last year, on April 17,1951. He has been at the microphone high above Yankee Stadium ever since. He has announced thousands of players over more than 4,000 games. Of course being the announcer for the Yankees meant Sheppard was the PA announcer for dozens of World Series games. He has worked 20 World Series in all. He has also been the public address announcer for the New York Football Giants, a position he has held from 1956-2005. Since announcing is a part time, seasonal job, 81 games a year plus the postseason, Sheppard also taught speech at St. John's for 25 years. During his winter stay in Florida, Sheppard reads at daily Mass. He is often approached after Mass by fans that say, "you sound like the guy at Yankee Stadium..." He then stops them and confirms he is the voice of Yankee Stadium. Sheppard has kept his age a guarded secret through the years but the combination of his college graduation (1932); his 1910 birthdate given on imdb.com seems plausible. His last season of regular work at Yankee Stadium was 2007; he officially retired in 2009.
1918 - Former New York Yankees Outfielder Alex Burr (1914) is killed in France, becoming the third major leaguer to die in World War I.
1922 - The New York Yankees transfer P Lefty O’Doul to the Boston Red Sox to complete the Joe Dugan trade of July 24, 1922. Later in his MLB career, Lefty would switch from the mound to the OF be a successful player in NL, finishing with a lifetime .346 BA. He would be a successful minor league manager with the San Francisco Seals in the PCL.
1936 - Former Yankees All Star INF /OF Tony Kubek (1957-1965) was born. In 1954, Tony Kubek was signed by the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent. In 1957, Tony was the AL Rookie Of Year Award winner for the Yankees, hitting .297 in 127 games with the Yankees. He was a member of the AL All Star team in 1958-1959 and 1961 AL seasons. He appeared in 7 World Series as a Yankee, hitting .240. Tony finished his Yankee career with a .266 BA in 1.092 games with 57 HRs with 373 RBIs. He retired at the end of 1965 AL season due to neck and back injuries. Tony became a baseball announcer, covering the “Game of the Week” on NBC-TV for 24 years. In 1977, he joined the new AL expansion team, the Blue Jays broadcasting team. From 1990 to 1994, Tony worked for MSG Network covering the Yankees. In 1995, Tony retired from broadcasting. Over the years, he was been away from the game disappointed with baseball’s overall greed. Tony wrote a book about the 1961 Yankees team entitled “61”.
1948 - The New York Yankees name former NL Manager Casey Stengel their manager for the 1949 AL season, replacing Manager Bucky Harris (1946-1948). Stengel, who receives a 2-year contract, will lead the Yankees to 5 consecutive World Championships beginning in 1949. The Boston baseball writers declared that the 1949 AL season is over for the Yankees and that the Red Sox will prevail in the AL. Casey Stengel has never had a winning season as MLB manager with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves in the NL.
1954 - Former Yankees minor league INF Garth Iorg was born. On June 5, 1973, Garth Iorg was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 8th round of the 1973 MLB amateur player draft. Garth never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 5, 1976, Garth Iorg was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays from the New York Yankees as the 41st pick in the 1976 AL expansion player draft.
1955 - Former Yankees P Jim Lewis (1982) was born. On November 1,1979, Jim Lewis was traded by the Seattle Mariners along with OF Ruppert Jones to the New York Yankees for P Rick Anderson, P Jim Beattie, OF Juan Beniquez and C Jerry Narron. Jim appeared in only 1 game for the 1982 Yankees with no record. On December 7,1982, Jim was drafted by the Minnesota Twins from the New York Yankees in the 1982 minor league player draft.
1960 - The New York Yankees veteran starter Whitey Ford throws his 2nd shutout of the 1960 World Series defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 12-0. Yankees 2B Bobby Richardson leads the Yankees hitting attack with 2 triples.
1963 - Former Yankees OF/DH Louis Polonia (1989-1990, 1994-1995,2000) was born. On June 21,1989, Louis Polonia was traded by the Oakland Athletics along with hurlers Greg Cadaret and Eric Plunk to the New York Yankees for OF Rickey Henderson. On April 29,1990, Louis was traded by the New York Yankees to the California Angels for P Rich Monteleone and OF/DH Claudell Washington. On October 27,1993, Louis was granted MLB free agency by the Angels. On December 20,1993, Louis was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. On August 11,1995, Louis was traded by the New York Yankees to the Atlanta Braves for minor league player Troy Hughes. In August of 2000, the Yankees signed Louis as a MLB free agent. He appeared in 2 games of 2000 World Series for the Yankees. In 5 seasons with the Yankees, Louis appeared in 276 games with 6 HRs and 88 RBI’s, while hitting .296 and stealing 44 bases.
1970 - Former Yankees P Tanyon Sturtze ((2004-2006) was born. On May 15, 2004, Tanyon Sturtze was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Yankees for Brian Myrow. Tanyon went 11-5 in 110 games with 2 saves for the Yankees.
1977 - The Dodgers beat the Yankees by the score of 6-1 to even the 1977 World Series after 2 games. Catfish Hunter, who had not pitched in over a month, started the game for the Yankees. Dodger HRs by Ron Cey, Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith knocked out Catfish Hunter in the 3rd inning of the game. Catfish Hunter’s start allowed the Yankees to have a rested Mike Torrez and Ron Guidry to start the next 2 games for the Yankees.
2006 - Former Yankees reserve OF Johnny Callison (1972-1973) passed away (1939-2006). On January 20, 1972, Johnny Callison was traded by the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later. The New York Yankees sent P Jack Aker on May 17,1972 to the Chicago Cubs to complete the trade. He appeared in 137 games for the Yankees, hitting 231. In 1972, he hit .258 for the Yankees, but he faded in 1973. On August 18,1973, Johnny was released by the New York Yankees. As a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, Johnny was the 1964 All Star MVP game for hitting the game winning homerun at Shea Stadium. He appeared on 3 NL All Star teams.
October 13th
1876 - Former Yankees P and MLB Manager William “Wild Bill’ Donvan (1915-1916) was born. He posted a 220-239 mark with the Yankees, before being replaced by Miller Higgins in 1918. As a pitcher for the Yankees, he appeared in only 13 games posting a 0-1 mark.
1883 - Former Yankees reserve C/1B/OF Walter “Heavy” Blair (1907-1911) was born. On August 18,1907, Walter was purchased by the Highlanders from the Williamsport (Tri-State). After the 1911 MLB season, he left the Yankees to play for Buffalo in the Federal League.
1895 - Former Yankees /OF Ben Paschal (1924-1929) was born. On September 9, 1924, Ben purchased by the Yankees from the Atlanta Crackers (Southern Association) for $20,000. Ben hit .289 in 346 games for the Yankees as a reserve OF.
1896 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mike Gazella (1923, 1926-1928) was born. Mike .241 in 160 games for the Yankees as a reserve INF.
1921 - In the first New York City "Subway Series" ever, the Giants defeat the Yankees by a score of 1-0, to take the 1921 World Series, 5 games to 3. The only run of the game scores on a 1st inning error by Yankees shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
1921 - Former Yankees Baseball Executive Lou Saban was born (1921-2009). Lou Saban was a college and professional football coach. He was briefly president of the New York Yankees in 1981 and 1982. He also served as a MLB scout for the club from 1984 to 1987.
1924 - Former Yankees reserve C/3B Charlie Silvera (1948-1956) was born. In 1942, Charlie Silvera was signed by the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent. Charlie appeared in 221 games for the Yankees hitting .292. His best Yankee season was in 1949, when he played in 58 games and hit .315. He made 1 game appearance in the 1949 World Series for the Yankees. On December 11,1956, Charlie was traded by the Yankees with cash and another player to be named to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. The Cubs sent C Harry Chiti on December 14,1956 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Harry Chiti never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1937 - Former Yankees OF Lou Clinton (1966-1967) was born (1937-1997). On January 14, 1966, Lou was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Yankees for reserve C Doc Edwards. He hit .220 in 86 games with the Yankees. Lou originally came up with the Boston Red Sox.
1954 - Former Yankees minor league manager Tommy Jones was born (1954-2009). Tommy Jones managed the Albany Colonie Yankees in 1987-1988.
1954 - Former Yankees P George Frazier (1981-1983) was born. On June 7,1981, George was sent by the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on February 16,1981. The St. Louis Cardinals sent a player to be named later to the New York Yankees for INF Rafael Santana. George appeared in 140 games for the Yankees posting an 8-9 record with 12 saves. He lost 3 games to the Dodgers in the 1981 World Series. On February 5,1984, George was traded by the New York Yankees with a player to be named later and OF Otis Nixon to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later and INF Toby Harrah. The Cleveland Indians sent minor league player Rick Browne on February 8, 1984 to the New York Yankees to complete the trade. The New York Yankees sent minor league P Guy Elston on February 8, 1984 to the Cleveland Indians to complete the trade
1960 - Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Bill Mazeroski hits one of the most dramatic HR’s in World Series history. Maz' leadoff HR in the bottom of the 9th inning against Yankees reliever Ralph Terry gives Pirates a stunning 10-9 win in Game 7. It is the last game of Yankees Manager Casey Stengel’s career and his last World Series appearance as a Manager. He will be let go by the Yankees and replaced by Yankees MLB coach Ralph Houk. Also long time Yankees General Manager George Weiss will be let go by New York Yankees Co-Owners Del Webb and Dan Topping.
1971 - The New York Yankees obtained P Rich Hinton from the Cleveland Indians for OF Jim Lyttle. Rich Hinton would go 1-0 for the Yankees before being sent to the Texas Rangers during the 1972 AL season. Jim Lyttle hit .270 for the Yankees in 1970, but missed most of the 1971 AL season being stricken with mono.
1978 - Yankees All Star 3B Graig Nettles put on a fielding clinic and prevented 7 runs as the Yankees beat the Dodgers by the score of 5-1, in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series. Nettles made 4 spectacular stops and gave the Yankees the 1st victory of the World Series. Yankees starter Ron Guidry gets the win, beating Dodgers starter Don Sutton, while OF Roy White hits a HR for the Yankees.
1996 - Powered by 3 HRs in the 3rd inning and 8 strong innings from lefty starter Andy Pettitte, as the Yankees won their 34th AL pennant with a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees took the ALCS by 4-games-1 and went to the 1996 World Series for the 1st time since 1981 AL season.
1998 - The Yankees advanced to the 1998 World Series for a record 35th time after beating the Cleveland Indians 9-5 to win the ALCS in 6 games.
1999 - The New York Yankees defeat the Boston Red Sox in the opener of the ALCS, by the score of 4-3 in 10 innings. The Red Sox blow a 3-0 lead, as Yankees CF Bernie Williams hit a HR off of Red Sox reliever Rod Beck.
2000 - The Yankees batter the Seattle Mariners by the score of 8-2 to take a 2-games-to-1 lead in the ALCS. Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez hit back-to-back HRs in the 2nd inning for the Yankees, while David Justice has 3 RBIs. Mariano Rivera breaks Whitey Ford's record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched in postseason play with 33 1/3 scoreless frames. Clippers Note: I disagree with this record, because all of Whitey Ford’s work was done in the World Series, not in the AL playoffs. There should be a distinctive division between the World Series and League Play-offs and Championship Series records; I hope that the next MLB Commissioner will make this happen, because it will not happen on Clueless Bud Sleig’s watch.
2001 - Yankees C Jorge Posada's 5th inning solo HR accounts for all the scoring as the Yankees defeat the Oakland A’s by the score of 1-0, to stay alive in their ALDS. The Yankees starter Mike “Moose” Mussina gives up just 4 hits in 7 innings to get the win.
2004 - Former Yankees minor league P Mike Blyzka passed away. The right-hander was part of the 18-player trade between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees after the 1954 AL season ended that saw hurlers Bob Turley and Don Larsen go to the Bronx Bombers, while the Orioles received OF Gene Woodling and C Gus Triandos. Mike was to send him to 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 retired after the 1957 minor league. The Chicago White Sox originally signed him in 1946. While in MLB, Mike did pitch for the St. Louis Browns and Baltimore Orioles, posting a 3-11 record.
October 14th
1913 - Former Yankees P Hugh Casey (1949) was born. On September 4, 1949, Hugh was signed as a MLB free agent by the New York Yankees. Casey had previously pitched for the Dodgers during the early 1940’s. He went 1-0 in 4 games in his last MLB season as a player.
1923 - Veteran starter Joe Bush spins a 3-hitter as the Yankees beat the Giants, by the score of 8-1 in Game 5 of the 1923 World Series. Joe Dugan hits a HR for the Yankees. The Yankees, now lead the Giants in the 1923 World Series by 3-games to 2.
1948 - Former Yankees P Ed Figueroa (1976-1980) was born. On December 11,1975 Ed was traded by the California Angels along with OF Mickey Rivers to the Yankees for OF Bobby Bonds. Ed went 62-29 in 132 games with 42 compete games with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1978, when he posted a 20-9 mark in 35 games with 12 complete games. In 2 World Series, Ed was 1-1. In postseason games, he was 3-1 for the Yankees. After 1978 season, Ed suffered with arm problems just going 7-9 in his last 2 seasons with the team. On July 28,1980, Ed was purchased by the Texas Rangers from the Yankees.
1953 - Former Yankees OF Bill Renna (1953) was born. Before the 1949 AL Season, Bill Renna was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Bill hit .314 in 61 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the Philadelphia A’s on December 16,1953, along with INF Don Bollweg, OF Jim Finigan, C Johnny Gray, 1B Vic Power, and P Jim Robertson for P Harry Byrd, INF Eddie Robinson, OF Tom Hamilton, OF Carmen Mauro, and INF Loren Babe.
1964 - In Game 6 of the 1964 World Series, Yankees Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle hit HRs on back-to-back pitches from Curt Simmons of the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe Pepitone belts a Grand Slam HR. The Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 8-3 at St. Louis. The Yankees victory evens the 1964 World Series at 3 games apiece. It would be the last Yankees victory in a World Series game until the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.
1964 - Former Yankees C and Coach, MLB Manager (Marlins) and Current Yankees Manager Joe Girardi (1996-1999) was born. On November 20, 1995, Joe was traded by the Colorado Rockies to the Yankees for minor league P Mike DeJean. Joe’s best Yankees season was in 1996, when he hit .296. He helped current Yankees C Jorge Posada in his development as a MLB catcher. After retiring as a MLB player, he returned to the Yankees as a MLB coach. In October of 2007, he was named manager of the Yankees, replacing long-time manager Joe Torre. In 2009, Joe won a World Championship for the Yankees as they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.
1967 - Former Yankees INF Pat Kelly (1991-1997) was born. In 1988, Pat Kelly was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 9th round of the MLB amateur player draft. From 1992-1995, Pat hit over .300 for the Yankees, before injuries slowed down his MLB career. In 1994, he led the AL in sac flies with 14. The Yankees granted Pat Kelly MLB free agency in 1997. He finished his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals.
1976 - At Yankee Stadium, Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss hits a 9th-inning HR off of Kansas City Royals closer Mark Littell to give the Bronx Bombers, a 7-6 victory over the Royals and their 1st AL pennant since the 1964 AL season.
1977 - Yankees starter Mike Torrez scatters 7-hits, a complete game as the Yankees beat the Dodgers by the score of 5-3 in Game 2 of the 1977 World Series. Dodgers’ starter Tommy John takes the lost.
1988 - Former Yankees P Vic “The Springfield Rifle” Raschi (1946-1953) passed away (1919-1988). Vic Raschi was one of main starters along with Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat during the Yankees 5 straight World Championship run of 1949-1953. He won 120 games as a Yankees starter with 24 shutouts and 99 complete games. He won 21 games each season for the Yankees from 1949-51. In February of 1954, Yankees GM George Weiss sold Vic Raschi to the St. Louis Cardinals for $85,000 as a signal to stop other Yankee stars from staging salary holdouts. Vic lasted 2 years with the Cardinals and the Kansas City A’s, pitching under .500 baseball before retiring in 1955.
2000 - Giving the Yankees, a 3-1 lead in the 2000 ALC Series, starter Roger Clemens strikes out a series record-setting 15 Seattle Mariner batters, allowing only one-hit, winning the game by the score of 5-0.
2008 - Former Yankees INF/OF Tom Tresh (1961-1969) passed away (1937-2008). The Yankees signed Tommy Tresh as a MLB free agent in 1958. He was the son of former Chicago White Sox C Mike Tresh. Tom was the only rookie player called up to the Yankees in 1961. In 1962, he won the AL Rookie Of Year Award. Tom took over the starting shortstop position, when Tony Kubek was serving active duty for the Army Reserve. Tom had beaten out Phil Linz for the starting position. He was an AL All Star team member in 1962-1963. In Game 5 of the 1962 World Series, he broke a 2-2 tie with a 3-run HR in the bottom of the 8th inning off Jack Sanford (who won 24 games that season), leading to a 5-3 Yankees win and a 3-2 lead in games. Tommy played in 3 World Series for the Yankees hitting .277. He won an AL OF Golden Glove in 1965. After the 1965 AL season, the Boston Red Sox offered Yaz for Tresh in a trade, but then they changed their minds. During the 1966 AL season, Tom injured his knees when newly acquired Yankees shortstop Ruben Amaro Sr. ran into him. The injury ruined Tom’s MLB career. In June of 1969, Tom was traded away to the Detroit Tigers for OF Ron Woods. Tom’s son played in the Yankees and Tigers farm systems
October 15th
1906 - Former Yankees reserve OF Sammy “Babe Ruth’s Legs” Byrd (1929-1934) was born. Sam’s best season for the Yankees was in 1932, when he hit .297. He was Babe Ruth’s late inning OF replacement. At the end of the 1934 AL season, he was sold to the Cincinnati Reds for cash. Sammy played for 2 years with the Reds before retiring as an active MLB player.
1923 - At the Polo Grounds, the Yankees scored 5 runs in the 8th inning to post a comeback victory in the 6th and final game of the 1923 World Series. Babe Ruth hit a 1st-inning HR in the Yankees 6-4 victory over their NL rivals the Giants.
1964 - St. Louis Cardinals starter Bob Gibson allows 3 HRs but still manages to win the 7th and final game of the 1964 World Series against the Yankees. Mickey Mantle, Phil Linz and Clete Boyer hit HRs for the Yankees, who drop a 7-5 decision. St. Louis takes an early lead after a 5th-inning HR by Lou Brock that triggers a second 3-run frame and a 6-0 lead for Gibson, who is named the 1964 World Series MVP. Mickey Mantle’s HR will be his last HR hit in a World Series, he will finish up with 18 HRs in World Series play.
1965 - Former Yankees back-up INF Fritz Brickell (1958-1959) passed away (1935-1965). He was the son of former Pirates OF Fritz Brickell. Before the 1953 AL season, the Yankees signed Fritz as an MLB amateur free agent. Fritz, who stood just 5'5½", was optioned out to the Joplin Miners of the Western Association (Class C). The 18 year old got into only 37 games his 1st year, hitting just.221. Fritz was in the same league in 1954 but with the St. Joseph Saints, where he played 121 games at shortstop, hitting .306. He would spend the next few years in the high minors, until he had a look-see in a couple games, with no record for the Yankees during the 1958 AL season. They gave him another look during the 1959 AL season. He appeared in 18 games at shortstop, hitting .256 before being sent back to Richmond (AAA), where he finished out the season hitting .247 in 88 games. Fritz Brickell stayed in the Yankees organization until April 4, 1961, when they traded him to the new Angels expansion team for former Yankees P Duke Maas. Fritz became the 1st starting shortstop for the Angels, but was troubled by injuries appearing in only 21 games in 1961. He was sent down to Angels AAA team at Toronto, where after he healed a bit, had probably his best season yet, hitting .307 in 108 games and fielding percentage of .985, while holding down the 2B position.
Fritz was with 2 AAA teams in 1962, hitting a combined .234 in 68 games. It was apparent he wasn't his old self, so he called it a career after the season. He had spent 10 years in pro baseball from 1952-1962. Fritz's minor league records show, he appeared in 982 games with 3,549 at bats, 979 base hits, including 82 HRs and had a .275 career BA. When he was diagnosed with cancer, Fritz Brickell Night was held in August of 1965 at the National Semi-Pro Tournament in Wichita, Kansas with his former Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle on hand to stage a hitting exhibition as part of the activities. Fritz died just a few months later on October 15,1965 at age 30 in his hometown of Wichita.
1977- Former Yankees minor league OF/1B Mitch Jones was born. On June 5, 2000, Mitch Jones was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 7th round of the 2000 MLB amateur player draft. On May 19, 2006 he was called up to the Major Leagues. He spent one game on the Yankee bench before being returned to the minors without seeing any action. A free agent that off-season, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
1977 - The Yankees win by a score of 4-2 to take a 3-1 World Series advantage over the Dodgers. Yankees Reggie Jackson doubles and HRs, while starter Ron Guidry notches a 4-hitter.
1978 - In Game 5 of the 1978 World Series, the Yankees pummel the Dodgers with 18 hits to win the game by a score of 12-2. Bucky Dent, Mickey Rivers and Brian Doyle have 3 hits each for the Yankees. New York starter Jim Beattie gives up 9 Dodger hits, but only allows 2 Dodger runs. The Dodgers commit 3 errors in the game.
1981 - New York Yankee hurlers Dave Righetti, Ron Davis and Goose Gossage combined on a 4-0 shutout of the Oakland A’s to give the Yankees their 33rd AL pennant.
1996 - Former Yankees P Tom Ferrick (1950-1951) passed away (1915-1996). On June 15, 1950, Tom was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with P Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas to the New York Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, P Don Johnson, P Duane Pillette, INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000. Tom went 8-4 in 30 games with 9 saves for the Yankees in 1950, to lead the Yankees bullpen staff. He appeared in game 3 of the 1950 World Series, picking up a win in relief of starter Eddie Lopat. On June 15,1951, Tom was traded by the Yankees along with hurlers Bob Porterfield and Fred Sanford to the Washington Senators for P Bob Kuzava. Tom would later, became a MLB pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers.
2001 - The New York Yankees beat the Oakland A’s, by the score of 5-3, to win the 2001 AL Division Series. The Bronx Bombers become the 1st team ever to win a best-of-5 series after losing the 1st two games at home.
October 16th
1895 - Former Yankees C Bill Skiff (1926) was born (1895-1976). Bill appeared in 6 games with .091 BA in 1926. Bill would later work for the New York Yankees as a MLB scout and long-time Minor League manager. Also Bill worked for the Milwaukee Brewers organization before retiring from baseball in the early 1970’s.
1900 - Former Yankees P/PH Henry “Tomato Face” Cullop (1926) was born. Henry only appeared in 2 games for the Yankees as a PH, before being sent on October 19, 1926, to the Washington Senators to complete an earlier deal made on August 27, 1926. The Yankees sent players to be named later to the Senators for veteran P Dutch Ruether. The Yankees would sent hurlers Garland Braxton and Nick Cullop on October 19,1926 to the Senators to complete the trade.
1921 - In defiance of MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis ban on World Series participants playing post-season exhibitions, Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel and Bill Piercy launch a barnstorming tour in Buffalo, NY. Five days later, they cut it short in Scranton, Pa. In the meantime, Babe Ruth openly challenges Judge Landis to act. The judge does, fining the players their World Series shares ($3,362.26), and suspending them until May 20th of the 1922 AL season.
1923 - Soon after Babe Ruth receives his 1923 World Series winner's share of $6,160.46, MLB player (Tigers) and insurance agent Harry Heilmann, who beat Babe Ruth for the AL batting title by 10 points, sells him a $50,000 life insurance policy. Beneficiaries are Mrs. Ruth and adopted their daughter, Dorothy.
1929 - The New York Yankees sell veteran OF Bob Meusel to Cincinnati Reds for cash. Bob had a .311 lifetime BA with 146 HRs with the Yankees from 1920-1929. He had 7 seasons with the Yankees hitting .300 or better. In 1925, he led the AL in HRs with 33 and RBI’s with 133. He led the Yankees in stolen bases 5 times, finishing his Yankees career with 131 stolen bases.
1936 - The Yankees AL All Star 1B Lou Gehrig, who hit .354 with 49 HRs, 167 runs, and 152 RBI is voted the 1936 American League MVP.
1949 - Former Yankees P Don Hood (1979) was born. On June 15,1979, Don was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the New York Yankees for DH/C/1B Cliff Johnson. Don went 3-1 in 27 games for the Yankees before leaving for MLB free agency in the off-season.
1956 - The New York Yankees sell OF Bob Cerv to the Kansas City A’s for cash. Bob would get a chance to play full time with the A’s, including a great 1958 AL season with a .305 BA, 38 HRs, 104 RBI’s, making the AL All Star team as the starting LF. He would return to Yankees in May of 1960 in trade for veteran 3B Andy Carey.
1961 - New York Yankees purchased veteran P Robin Roberts from the Philadelphia Phillies for $100,000. The Yankees made a major mistake when they wrote him off as a washed up in 1962 spring training. Clippers Note: They should have kept him and dumped veteran P Bob Turley instead. Robin Roberts signed with the rival Baltimore Orioles, going 10-9, then he won 14 games in 1963. If the Yankees had kept him, he would have won 300 games during his great MLB career.
1962 - With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, San Francisco Giants slugger Willie McCovey hit a hard line drive at 2B Bobby Richardson for the final out as the Yankees won Game 7 of the 1962 World Series by a score of 1-0, for their 20th World Series title. The winning pitcher for the Yankees is Ralph Terry, who after being the goat in 1960 and losing a game in 1961 World Series is finally a Yankee World Series hero.
1965 - Former Yankees minor league OF Darren Reed was born. On June 4, 1984, Darren was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1984 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Darren never appeared at the MLB level with the Yankees. On December 11,1987, he was traded by the Yankees along with minor league P Steve Frey and C Phil Lombardi to the New York Mets for shortstop Rafael Santana and Victor Garcia (minors).
1976 - Cincinnati Reds pitchers Don Gullett and Pedro Borbon combine on a 5-hitter as the Reds win the opening game of the 1976 World Series over the Yankees, by the score of 5-1. Three hits by Tony Perez, who is the 1st DH in World Series history and 2B Joe Morgan with a HR supply the Reds offense. Yankees starter Doyle Alexander took the loss.
1977 - In the 1977 World Series, the Dodgers stay alive with a 10-4 victory in Game 5 against the Yankees. Dodgers Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith hit HRs, and Don Sutton pitches a complete game. Yankee starter Don Gullet only goes 4 innings, allowing 4-runs. Late inning HRs by Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson provide the Yankees offense.
1978 - The Yankees clinch their 22nd World Championship with a 7-2 victory at Dodger Stadium behind the pitching of starter Catfish Hunter. The Catfish goes 8-innings, giving up only 1-run before Yankees Closer Rich Gossage shuts down the Dodgers in 8th inning and saves the game for the Yankees.
1993 - Former Yankees P Jimmy DeShong (1934-1935) passed away (1909-1993). Jimmy DeShong went 10-8 in 60 games for the Yankees. On January 17,1936, Jimmy was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jesse Hill to the Washington Senators for P Bump Hadley and OF Roy Johnson. Jimmy would be repurchased by the Yankees from the Senators in 1939, but not appear with them at the MLB level, instead playing with their Newark Bears AAA club in the IL.
1999 - The Boston Red Sox roll over the New York Yankees by the score of 13-1, behind a strong pitching of starter Pedro Martinez. Nomar Garciaparra gets 4 hits for the Red Sox, while John Valentin gets 5 RBI. Garciaparra, Valentin and Brian Daubach, all hit HRs for the Red Sox. The Yankees now leads the 1999 ALCS, 2-games-to-1.
2003 - The New York Yankees capture their 39th AL pennant beating the Boston Red Sox by the score of 6-5, thanks to Aaron Boone's 11th inning HR off of P Tim Wakefield at Yankee Stadium. Aaron Boone becomes the 5th player to end a post-season series with a HR joining Bill Mazeroski (1960 WS), Chris Chambliss (1976 ALCS, Joe Carter (1993 WS) and Todd Pratt (1999 NLDS2).
2009 - The New York Yankees take Game 1 of the ALCS with a 4 -1 win over the Angels at New Yankee Stadium. The Yankees take advantage of 3 Angel errors to score their runs, but the critical play is a 2-out pop-up that falls untouched between 3B Chone Figgins and SS Erick Aybar in the 1st inning, allowing Johnny Damon to score the Yankees' 2nd run. CC Sabathia pitches 8 innings for the win while Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets the save.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
