This Week in Yankee History
October 24th - October 30th
October 24th
1887 - Former Yankees OF Hugh “Lefty” High (1915-1918) was born. On February 4, 1915, Hugh was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Detroit Tigers. His best Yankees season was in 1916, when hit .263 for the Yankees.
1904 - Former Yankees P William “Harry” Smythe (1934) was born. Harry went 0-2 in 8 games with Yankees before being picked up by the Brooklyn Dodgers on waivers.
1927 - Former Yankees minor league OF Jim Greengrass was born. Before the 1944 MLB season, Yankees signed Jim Greengrass as an amateur MLB free agent, as a 16 year old outfielder. He spent 2 seasons (1944-1945) in the low minors before going into the military for 2 years (1946-1947). After his military service was over, Jim worked his way up in the New York Yankees organization to the Newark Bears (AAA) in 1949, but then was sent back to the lower minors to work on becoming a pitcher. But after losing 5 games, Jim was switched back to the outfield. In 1951, Jim would have his best professional season yet, for the Muskegon Reds (Central), hitting a league leading .379 BA with 18 HRs. In 1952 for the Beaumont Roughnecks (Texas), he would hit .276 with 22 HRs. On August 28,1952, he was traded by Yankees along with pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel and OF Bob Marquis and $35,000 to the Cincinnati Reds for veteran hurler Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell. Jim would play for the Reds and then the Philadelphia Phillies until 1956.
1930 - The New York Yankees released reserve C Bubbles Hargrave (1930). Bubbles Hargrave hit .248 in 45 games as a reserve catcher for the 1930 Yankees.
1939 - The New York Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio is named the 1939 AL MVP, with 1B Jimmie Foxx of the Boston Red Sox as the runner-up. Joe hit .381 in 120 games with 176 hits, 30 HRs with 126 RBIs for the Yankees. The Yankee Clipper was the top hitter in the AL with his .381 BA.
1946 - Former Yankees INF Frank “No Home Run” Baker (1970-1971) was born. The New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft drafted Frank Baker. He appeared in 78 games for the Yankees hitting .185, earning the nickname of “No Home Run Baker.” On April 5,1973, Frank was traded by the Yankees to the Baltimore Orioles for INF Tom Matchick.
1950 - Former Yankees P Rawley Eastwick (1978) was born. Signed as MLB free agent, Rawley went 2-1 in 8 games for the 1978 Yankees. With Sparky Lyle and Rich Goosage already in the Yankees bullpen there was no room for Rawley. Plus Yankees Manager Billy Martin and Rawley did not get along. On June 14,1978, Rawley was traded by the Yankees to the Philadelphia Phillies for Outfielders Jay Johnstone and Bobby Brown. Jay Johnstone would help out the Yankees bench by hitting .258 for the Yankees during the 1978 AL season.
1952 - Former Yankees OF Omar Moreno (1983-1985) was born. On August 10, 1983, Omar was traded by the Houston Astros to the New York Yankees for OF Jerry Mumphrey. His best Yankees season was in 1984, when he hit .259. On August 16, 1985, Omar was released by the Yankees appearing in 34 games hitting just .197. He would finish the 1985 AL season with the Kansas City Royals.
1972 - The New York Yankees obtained INF Fred ”Chicken” Stanley (1973-1980) from the San Diego Padres for minor league P George Pena. Fred would prove to be a very valuable infield reserve during his stay with the Yankees. He appeared in 521 games, hitting .222, as a reserve INF. On November 3,1980, Fred was traded by the Yankees to the Oakland A’s for P Mike Morgan. Stanley, whose nickname was "Chicken," primarily played as a backup shortstop and was a key backup player Bucky Dent on the Yankees teams in the late 1970s. Stanley was a favorite player Phil Rizzuto who did the color analysis for the Yankees during this time period. Since 1960, no other non-pitcher has had as many seasons (9) with at least 30 at-bats and 5 or fewer extra base hits. His final MLB career BA was .216. On October 12, 2007, he was appointed as the San Francisco Giants' Director of Player Development. Prior to that, he held several positions in the Giants' organization, including spending 2000-2004 as a minor league manager. In 2001, he managed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to the league championship of the Northwest League.
1981 - The Dodgers come back to beat the New York Yankees by the score 8-7 in a sloppy 3-hour marathon and tied the 1981 World Series at 2-2. The Yankees blew a 6-3 lead. On one play, Yankees RF Reggie Jackson lost the ball in the sun and it bounced off his shoulder for a 2-base error.
1996 - The New York Yankees lay claim to the last game played at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The Yankees, who finish the postseason with an 8-0 road record, are helped by poor Atlanta Braves outfield defense and some great plays from their own outfielders as Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte out-duels the Braves starter John Smoltz by the score of 1-0, in Game 5 of the 1996 World Series.
2000 - New York Yankees starter Orlando Hernandez, with an 8-0 record with a 1.90 ERA in his postseason career, losses his 1st postseason game as the New York Mets defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-2, on a tie breaking 8th inning double by Benny Agbayani. New York native John Franco gets the win, ending the Yankees' record 14-game World Series winning streak.
2000 - New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens is fined a reported $50,000 for throwing the jagged barrel of a shattered bat in the direction of Mets C Mike Piazza in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series.
October 25th
1869 - Former Yankees 1B Jack “Dirty Jack” Doyle (1905) was born. Jack appeared in one game with no hits for the 1905 Yankees.
1917 - Former Yankees front office executive Lee MacPhail Jr, was born. Lee McPhail Jr. was the son of former Yankees Co-Owner Larry MacPhail (1945-1947). After graduating from college, Lee MacPhail was the business manager of the Reading Brooks in 1941. He was the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs (IL) then began a long association with the New York Yankees. He was the business manager, then General Manager of the Kansas City Blues (AAA). He moved up to Midwest farm director for the Yankees. He was co-farm director, then director of player personnel for the team. He returned to New York as GM of the Yankees from 1967 to 1973. He was President of American League from 1974 to 1983. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1998. Lee and Larry MacPhail are the only father and son team to be elected to the Baseball’s Hall Of Fame.
1923 - Former Yankees special pitching Instructor Russ “Mad Monk” Meyer was born. Russ Myer pitched in MLB from 1946-1959. He was a member of the 1950 NL Champs, the “Whiz Kids” Phillies. He appeared in one game in relief with the Phillies against the Yankees in the 1950 World Series. He appeared in two games with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1953 and 1955 World Series against the Yankees.
1924 - Former Yankees INF Robert “Doc” Brown (1946-1954) was born. In 1946, the Yankees signed Robert “Bobby” Brown, as an MLB amateur free agent. Bobby hit .279 in 8 seasons with the Yankees, before leaving MLB to become a Doctor. Bobby hit .439 (18 for 41) in 4 World Series with the Yankees. Brown is the all-time leader for batting average in post-season play with his 17 for 41 record (.439) among players with at least 40 post-season plate appearances. While with the Yankees, Bobby roomed sometimes with Yankees C Yogi Berra, who read comic books, while Brown read medical texts. One night, when both were closing their books, Yogi asked him "How did yours come out?" After retiring from Medical practice, Bobby worked in MLB again as American League President (1984-1994).
1939 - Former Yankees P Pete Mikkelsen (1964-1965) was born (1939-2006). In 1958, Pete Mikkelsen was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Pete went 11-13 with 13 saves in 91 games for the Yankees. In one of the worst trades made by Yankees General Manager Ralph Houk, on December 10,1965, Pete was traded by the Yankees with cash to the Pirates for veteran P Bob Friend. Bob Friend was an over the hill starter for the Pirates, he best days were long behind him. Pete would have 5 more successful years in MLB. Meanwhile, Bob Friend was dumped by the Yankees to the Mets in June of 1966. Pete passed away in November of 2006.
1950 - Former Yankees INF Roy Smalley III (1982-1984) was born. On April 10,1982, Roy was traded by the Minnesota Twins to the Yankees for pitchers Ron Davis, Paul Boris, and INF Greg Gagne. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner wanted a shortstop, who could hit HRs like the Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken. So he decided that Roy Smalley is the answer for the Yankees. Smalley’s arrival dumps Bucky Dent out of the starting line up. He is later traded away to the Texas Rangers for OF Lee Mazilli. The trade of Ron Davis breaks up with the very effective closing combo of Rich Gossage and Ron Davis. The Yankees were better off not making the trade and letting Gagne develop at Columbus (AAA). On July 18,1984, Roy was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for players to be named later. On August 13,1984, the White Sox would send pitchers Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1956 - Former Yankees P Andy McGaffigan (1981) was born. In 1978, the New York Yankees in the 6th round of the MLB amateur player draft drafted Andy McGaffigan. In 1981, Andy appeared in two games with the Yankees with no record. On March 30,1982, Andy was traded by the along with OF Ted Wilborn to the San Francisco Giants for veteran starter Doyle Alexander, who will go 1-7 for the Yankees.
1981 - Dodgers Steve Yeager and Pedro Guerrero hit consecutive HRs in the 7th inning, leading the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the Yankees in Game 5 of the 1981 World Series.
1996 - Frank Torre, the older brother of Yankees manager Joe Torre, receives a heart transplant after months of waiting. Frank was a recipient of a World Series ring as a member of the Milwaukee Braves, when they beat the Yankees in 1957. His brother Joe will make him a gift of a World Series ring that's 39 years newer after Game 6 of the 1996 World Series.
2000 - At Shea Stadium, the Yankees defeated the Mets by the score of 3-2, behind 5 pitchers and 1-HR by Derek Jeter in Game 4 of the 2000 World Series.
2003 - As the 2003 World Series headed back to Yankee Stadium, pitcher Josh Beckett, on 3 days rest, threw a complete game shutout, allowing just 5 hits to give the Marlins, its 2nd World Championship in 11 seasons with a 2-0 victory over the Yankees. Beckett was named the World Series MVP. This was the 100th World Series game ever played at Yankee Stadium, as the Marlins became the 1st opposing team to win a Series championship on the field at Yankee Stadium since 1981, when the Dodgers did it.
2009 - The New York Yankees clinch their 40th American League pennant with a 5-2 win over the Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS. The familiar tandem of Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera earns the win and save, as Andy Pettitte claims his record 16th postseason win.
October 26th
1877 - Former Yankees P Eustance “Doc” Newton (1905-1909) was born. On October 4, 1904, Doc was drafted by the Highlanders from the Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Doc will go 20-25 in 78 games for the Yankees.
1918 - Former Yankees INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss (1943-1950) was born (1918-1958). The New York Yankees signed George Stirnweiss as a MLB free agent in 1940. He joined the Yankees in 1943, just hitting .219. In 1944, he hit .319. He led the AL in 4 departments: base hits (205), runs (125), triples (16) and stolen bases (55). In 1945, he led the AL with .309 BA, triples (22), Runs (107), hits (195) stolen bases (33). Snuffy was a member of the AL All Star teams in 1944-45 as a 2nd baseman. George led the AL 2B in fielding in 1944 and 1948. George appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees in 1943, 1947 and 1949, appearing in 4 games and batting .250. He continued to play for the Yankees until he was traded to the Browns in June of 1950. He finished up his MLB playing career with the Indians, retiring after the 1952 AL season. Know for his speed on the base paths, George finished his Yankees career with 66 triples and 130 stolen bases. He was with Phil Rizzuto at Yankee Stadium, when Phil was released in 1956, George made sure that Phil, who was very upset went home safely. In 1958, George was killed in a train wreck in New Jersey.
1938 - The New York Yankees obtained P Oral Hildebrand and OF Colonel Mills from the St. Louis Browns for C Joe Glenn and OF Myril Hoag.
1946 - Former Yankees INF Toby Harrah (1984) was born. On February 5,1984, Toby was traded by the Cleveland Indians with a player to be named later to the Yankees for a player to be named later, along with P George Frazier, and OF Otis Nixon. The Indians sent minor league player Rick Browne on February 8, 1984 to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees sent minor league P Guy Elston on February 8,1984 to the Indians to complete the trade. Toby hit .217 for the Yankees in 1984. He was a complete failure at the plate. On February 27,1985, Toby was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later and OF Billy Sample. The Rangers would send minor league player Eric Dersin on July 14, 1985 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1950 - The BWAA selected New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the 1950 AL MVP. He posted a .324 batting average with 200 hits and 125 runs, but drove in just 66 runs. Rizzuto, who received 16 of 23 1st-place votes, easily out-pointed runner-ups Billy Goodman of the Boston Red Sox and his Yankees teammate Yogi Berra.
1964 - Former Yankees P Steve Adkins (1990) was born. The Yankees in the 15th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft drafted Steve Adkins. Steve went 1-2 in five games with the Yankees during the 1990 AL season. On June 26,1991, Steve was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs for minor league player David Rosario.
1977 - New York Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle became the 1st AL reliever to win the Cy Young Award. Lyle led the AL with 72 appearances, posting a 13-5 record with 26 saves and a 2.17 ERA.
1991 - Former Yankees P Bill Bevens (1944-1948) passed away (1924-1991). Bill went 40-36 in 96 games for the Yankees. In the 1947 World Series, Bill lost his no-hitter game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 9th inning to lose the game by a score of 3-2. On January 17,1949, Bill was purchased by the Chicago White Sox from the Yankees. On March 28,1949, he was returned to the Yankees by the White Sox. On April 18,1949, the Yankees released Bill.
1996 - The New York Yankees clinch their 23rd World Series by defeating the Atlanta Braves by a score of 3-2 in Game 6. Yankees catcher Joe Girardi’s RBI triple keys a 3-run rally against the Braves starter Greg Maddux. The Yankees closer John Wetteland is named the 1996 World Series MVP after posting his 4th save.
2000 - In Game 5 at Shea Stadium, the Yankees win their 3rd consecutive World Series, their 4th title in 5 years and record 26th World Series Championship by defeating the New York Mets by the score of 4-2. Luis Sojo's 9th inning 2-out, tie-breaking single off of Mets starter Al Leiter is the decisive hit. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter becomes the 1st player to win the All-Star Game MVP and the World Series MVP honors in the same MLB season. Joe Torre becomes only the 5th manager to win 4 WS championships, joining HOF Managers: Joe McCarthy (Yankees) (7), Casey Stengel (Yankees) (7), Connie Mack (A’s) (5) and Walter Alston (Dodgers) (4).
October 27th
1876 - Former Yankees OF Patrick “Pasty” Dougherty (1904-1906) was born. On June 17, 1904, Patsy was traded by the Boston Americans to the New York Highlanders for Bob Unglaub. His best Yankees season was in 1904, when hit .283 for the Yankees.
1955 - Former Yankees P and Manager HOF Clark Griffith passed away (1869-1955). Clark Griffith was the 1st Manager of the New York Highlanders. As a pitcher with the Yankees, Clark went 31-23. His Yankees Manger record was a 419-370 mark, (1903 - 1908). His best Yankees season was in 1904, with an 92-61 record and then in 1906 going 90-61, both seasons were 2nd place finishes. The 1904 AL season the Yankees lost the pennant on the last day of the 1904 season on a wild pitch by Yankees starter “Happy” Jack Chesbro, who had won 41 games for the team.
1972 - The New York Yankees obtained C Rick Dempsey from the Minnesota Twins for OF Danny Walton. Rick would be a reserve catcher for Thurman Munson until his trade in June of 1976 to the Baltimore Orioles. Walton was a major disappointment for the Yankees, never showing the signs of being a power hitter the Yankees had hoped for when they had obtained him from the Milwaukee Brewers. Walton spent the 1972 season in the minors, while young Dempsey had cups of coffee with the Twins the past 4 AL seasons.
1985 - Manager Billy Martin is fired by the Yankees for an unprecedented 4th time and is replaced by former Yankees OF Lou Piniella, who had been the team's hitting instructor since retiring as a active player in 1984.
1996 - After 2 humbling losses at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees won their 1st World Series title since 1978 with a 3-2 victory over the defending World Champion Atlanta Braves in Game 6.
1999 - Roger Clemens pitched the New York Yankees to their 2nd straight World Series sweep, shutting down the Atlanta Braves by the score of 4-1 and ending his quest for the one and only prize that eluded him, a World Series Championship ring. The Yankees won their record 25th World championship their 3rd in 4 years. Game 4 marked Bombers 12th Series victory a row, matching a team's mark. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets his 2nd save and is named the 1999 World Series MVP. The Atlanta Braves joins the New York Giants (1910-1919) as the only MLB teams to lose 4 World Series in a decade.
2000 - NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani thinks it is okay for children to take a day off from school to watch the Yankees' ticker-tape parade. His Honor, believing baseball can be an educational experience, has allowed his own kids, Andrew and Caroline, to miss classes in the past to watch the Yankees post-season celebrations. The Mets, this year's runner-ups in the Subway Series turn down Giuliani's invitation to be part of the parade for the World Champion Yankees down the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
2001 - The Arizona Diamondbacks pound the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 2001 World Series by a score of 9-1 behind starter Curt Schilling. Schilling hurls 7-innings to win his 4th game of the postseason. Craig Counsell and Luis Gonzalez hits HRs for the D-Backs as Yankees starter Mike Mussina takes the loss.
2006 - Former Yankees P Joe Niekro (1985-1987) passed away. On September 15, 1985, Joe was traded by the Houston Astros to the Yankees for players to be named later and P Jim Deshaies. The Yankees sent Neder Horta (minors) on September 24,1985 and Dody Rather (minors) on January 11,1986, to the Astros to complete the trade. Joe went 14-15 in 36 games for the Yankees. On June 7,1987, Joe was traded by the Yankees to the Minnesota Twins for C/DH/1B Mark Salas.
October 28th
1900 - Former Yankees MLB and Minor League Manager Johnny Neun (1946) was born. After playing the in MLB, Johnny played for the Newark Bears (IL) from 1932-1934, serving as a player/coach in his final pro ball season. After time as manager of the Akron Yankees and the Norfolk Tars, he returned to Newark (IL) in 1938 as the club's skipper, a post he held through the 1941 International League season. Johnny managed the great Bears IL championship teams of 1938-1940. After managing the Kansas City Blues (American Association) for 2 years, he became a member of the Yankees MLB coaching staff from 1944-1946, when he replaced Bill Dickey as the club's manager late in the 1946 AL season. He then went on to manage the Cincinnati Reds for a season and a half before spending more than 40 years as a MLB scout for the Yankees, Royals, Angels and the Brewers.
1904 - Former Yankees OF Elias “Liz” Funk (1929) was born. Liz appeared in 1 game for the 1929 Yankees with no hits.
1916 - Former Yankees OF/1B Ed Levy (1942 &1944) was born. Joe hit .182 in 54 games with the Bronx Bombers between trades with the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.
1917 - Former Yankees Closer Joe “Fireman” Page (1944-1950) was born (1917-1980). The Yankees signed Joe as an MLB amateur free agent in 1940. Joe Page was the Yankees bullpen closer from 1944-1950. He finished his Yankees career with a 57-49 record in 278 games with 76 saves. He led the AL in saves in 1947 with 17 along with 14 wins, again in 1949 with 27 saves and 13 wins. Joe appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, going 2-1 with 2 saves. Joe was named to the AL All Star team in 1944, and in 1947-1948. In 1949, Joe won the Babe Ruth Award for his performance in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. On May 16,1951, the Yankees released Joe. Joe passed away on April 21, 1980, at the age of 63. Before his death, he ran a hotel-bar in Ligonier, Pa.
1953 - Veteran baseball announcer Red Barber resigns from the Brooklyn Dodgers broadcasting team and takes a job with the rival New York Yankees, joining Mel Allen in the Yankees broadcasting booth.
1979 - The New York Yankees replaced fired manager Billy Martin with former Yankees MLB Coach Richard Howser, who was the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles baseball team. In 1980, Howser will lead the New York Yankees to 103 victories, but lose the 1980 ALCS to the Kansas City Royals.
1981 - Behind solid pitching of Burt Hooton, the Dodgers completed a World Series comeback defeating the Yankees by the score of 9-2. The Dodgers had trailed the Series 2 games to none before bouncing back to win 4 straight games. Pedro Guerrero drove in 5 runs for the Dodgers, who avenged two 6-game World Series defeats to the Yankees in 1977 and 1978.
1993 - Former Yankees reserve OF Bob Seeds (1936) passed away (1907-1993). On August 22, 1936, Bob was traded by Montreal Royals (IL) to Yankees for players to be named later. He appeared in 13 games with the Yankees, hitting .262. He would appear in 1 game of the 1936 World Series against the New York Giants. The Yankees would send minor league players Marv Duke and Norm Kies on November 30, 1936 to Montreal Royals (IL) to complete the trade.
2001 - In the 2001 World Series, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitched a 3-hit shutout to defeat the New York Yankees by the score of 4-0, taking a 2-0 advantage in the Series. Matt Williams became the 1st player in World Series history to hit a HR with 3 MLB different teams. He hit HRs in the Fall Classic for the Cleveland Indians in 1997 and the San Francisco Giants in 1989.
2009- The Philadelphia Phillies win Game 1 of the 2009 World Series, by the score of 6-1 over the New York Yankees, as Cliff Lee out-pitches CC Sabathia in a duel of former Cy Young Award winners and Chase Utley hits a pair of homers. It is the latest starting date in the history of the Fall Classic.
October 29th
1882 - Former Yankees OF Arthur “Circus Solly” Hofman (1916) was born. Before 1916 AL Season, he jumped from the Buffalo Blues (Federal League) to the New York Yankees. He hit .296 in six games for the 1916 Yankees.
1891 - Former Yankees P Joseph “Happy Joe” Finneran (1918) was born. In May of 1918, the Yankees purchased Joe Finneran from the Detroit Tigers. Joe went 3-6 in 23 games for the 1918 Yankees.
1920 - The New York Yankees raid the Boston Red Sox again, this time not getting a player, but a front office executive, by signing away General Manager Ed Barrow, who will become the Yankees new General Manager. Barrow was the Boston Red Sox manager, who won the1918 World Championship. Also he was instrumental in switching Babe Ruth from the mound to the outfield. He would be instrumental in building the Yankees farm system and great trades that allowed the Yankees to dominated baseball in 1920-1930’s. From 1939-1945, he was the Yankees President, before leaving the New York Yankees in 1945 following the sale of the team by the Jacob Ruppert estate. Ed Barrow would be elected to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1953.
1941 - Former Yankees reserve OF Harvey Hendrick (1923-1924) passed away. On January 3, 1923, he was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with P George Pipgras to the Yankees for C Al DeVormer and cash. He appeared in 1 game of the 1923 World Series for the Yankees. On October 29,1941, Harvey committed suicide at the age of 43.
1959 - Former Yankees OF Jesse Barfield (1989-1992) was born. On April 30, 1989, Jesse was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Yankees for P Al Leiter. Jesse never regained his batting stroke that he had earlier in his MLB career with Blue Jays.
1959 - Former Yankees INF/OF Dave Fultz (1903-1905) passed away. In March of 1903, INF/OF Dave Fultz was purchased by the New York Highlanders from the Philadelphia Athletics. He appeared in 305 games for the Yankees, hitting .243. On April 29,1906, Dave was traded by the New York Highlanders to the Philadelphia Athletics for P Danny Hoffman. Dave was the President of International League (1919-1920.)
1965 - Former Yankees INF (1913) and HOF Manager Bill McKechnie passed away. Bill McKechnie was a weak fielding player, who would have more success as a MLB Manager. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1967. As a Yankees INF in 1913, Bill hit .314 in 44 games. He won NL pennants with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1925, his Pittsburgh Pirates team defeated the Washington Senators in the World Series.
1968 - The New York Yankees released veteran INF Richard Howser as a player, then signed him as an MLB coach. Richard was plagued by back problems, when he came to the Yankees to finish out his MLB playing career.
1974 - Former Yankees reserve OF George Wilson (1956) passed away. On August 22,1956, George Wilson was selected off waivers by New York Yankees from the New York Giants. He appeared in 11 games for the Yankees hitting just .166. He did appear 1 game in 1956 World Series with no hits. He spent the 1957-1958 seasons with the Yankees AAA team at Denver. After retiring as an active player, he was a MLB scout for the Yankees.
1975 - Former Yankees OF/DH Karim Garcia (2002-2003) was born. On April 2, 2002, he was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. He appeared in 5 games and hit .200. The New York Yankees released him in July of 2002. The Cleveland Indians picked up Karim Garcia. On June 25, 2003, the Yankees re-purchased Karim from the Indians. He hit .302 in 52 games before leaving the team for MLB free agency. He would sign with the New York Mets.
1991 - New York Yankees MLB Coach Buck Showalter replaces Stump Merrill as the Manager of the Yankees. At age of 35, Showalter becomes the youngest active manager in the MLB. He will manage the Yankees through the end of the 1995 AL season. Buck won the 1994 AL Manager of the Year award. 1B/OF Buck Showalter was an All-American outfielder in 1977. The Yankees in the 5th round of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft selected him. He spent 7 years as a player in the Yankees farm system, hitting .324 for the 1980 Nashville Sounds and leading the Southern League with 178 hits. During his playing days he picked up the nickname "Buck" from a minor league manager's comment on his tendency to walk around the clubhouse "buck naked". Showalter retired as a player after the 1983 season and became a minor league coach in the Yankees farm system. From 1985-1989, he was a manager in their organization. When he took over the Oneonta Yankees in 1985, he was only 28 years old. In his 2 seasons with the O-Yanks, Buck set new Eastern League records for wins each season. It is also where he began his long working relationship with pitching coach Russ “Monk” Meyer. In 1990, he became a Yankees MLB coach, and 2 years later, he took over as the club's manager. Buck is now the manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
1996 - Former Yankees P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell (1952-1953) passed away (1922 - 1996). On August 28, 1952, Yankees purchased veteran P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell from the Cincinnati Reds for $35,000 and 4 players: pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel and Outfielders Bob Marquis and Jim Greengrass. Blackwell will go 3-0 with 2 saves in September of 1952 and the 1953 AL season. He started Game 5 of the 1952 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers; he was not involved in the final decision. He would finish his MLB career with the Kansas City A’s.
2009 - The New York Yankees even the 2009 World Series by taking Game 2 at home, a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Yankees starter A.J. Burnett and Closer Mariano Rivera combine for the win while Yankee batters Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui go deep against the Phillies starter Pedro Martinez.
October 30th
1888 - Former Yankees P Marty McHale (1913-1915) was born. Marty went 12-27 in 51 games for the Yankees.
1941 - Former Yankees DH/3B James “Jim Ray” Hart (1973-1974) was born. On April 16, 1973, Jim was purchased by the Yankees from the San Francisco Giants for cash. Jim hit .254 for the Yankees in 1973. On June 7,1974, Jim was released by the Yankees.
1948 - Former Yankees OF John “Mickey” Rivers (1976-1980) was born. On December 11, 1975, he was traded by the California Angels along with P Ed Figueroa to the Yankees for All Star OF Bobby Bonds. In 1976, he hit .312 and was named to the AL All Star Team. He would hit .326 in 1977, but dropped to .266 playing with injuries. On August 1,1979, the Yankees traded Mickey along with players to be named later to the Texas Rangers for players to be named later, OF/DH Oscar Gamble and Amos Lewis (minors). The Rangers would send pitchers Ray Fontenot and Gene Nelson on October 8,1979 to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees would send minor league hurlers Bob Polinsky, Neal Mersch and Mark Softy on October 8, 1979 to the Rangers to complete the trade.
1958 - Former Yankees reserve INF Paul Zuvella (1985-1986) was born. On June 30, 1986, Paul was traded by the Atlanta Braves along with OF Claudell Washington to the Yankees for 1B/OF Ken Griffey Sr. and INF Andre Robertson. Paul appeared in only 35 games for the Yankees, hitting just .172, spending most of his time at Columbus (AAA). On October 15,1987, Paul was released by the Yankees.
1960 - Former Yankees INF Mike Gallego (1992-1994) was born. On January 9, 1992, Mike was signed as a MLB free agent by the Yankees. He appeared in 261 games, hitting .261 for the team. On October 24,1994, Mike was granted MLB free agency, he would sign with the Oakland A’s in the spring of 1995.
1962- Former Yankees OF/DH Danny Tartabull (1992-1995) was born. He was the son of former MLB player OF Jose Tartabull. On January 6,1992, the New York Yankees signed Jose as a MLB free agent. His best Yankees season was in 1992, when he hit .262 for the Yankees. On July 28,1995, Jose was traded by the Yankees to the Oakland A’s for OF/DH Ruben Sierra and Jason Beverlin.
1963 - Former Yankees minor league 1B Fred McGriff was born. In 1981, the Yankees signed a Fred McGriff as a 9th round pick in the MLB amateur player draft. On December 9,1982, he was traded by the Yankees along with 1B/OF Dave Collins, P Mike Morgan and cash to Toronto Blue Jays for OF Todd Dodd and reliever Dale Murray.
1963 - Former Yankees C/1B/DH Matt Nokes (1990-1994) was born. On June 4, 1990, Matt was traded by Detroit Tigers to the Yankees for pitchers Lance McCullers and Clay Parker. Matt appeared in 452 games for the Yankees, hitting .249, before leaving the team after the 1994 AL season for free agency.
1964 - Former Yankees minor league P Steve Rosenberg was born. Steve Rosenberg was 2-2 with a 2.06 ERA for the University of Florida in 1985 and followed with a 5-4, 4.81 season. The Yankees picked him in the 4th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft. After signing with the Yankees, he was assigned to the Oneonta Yankees, where he saved 3 of 3 games; striking out 10 and allowing 4hits and 1 run in 9 innings. Steve was promoted to Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FL); he was 6-1 with 3 saves and a 2.12 ERA in 25 games. Rosenberg continued his rapid rise through the Yankees farm system in 1987, going 4-4 with 15 saves and a 2.25 for the Albany-Colonie Yankees and getting promoted to the Columbus Clippers (AAA). The 22-year-old did okay in AAA posting a 4-1 record, with 2 saves and a 4.08 ERA. In the fall of 1987, Steve was dealt along by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox along with 1B/OF Dan Pasqua, C/DH/1B Mark Salas for pitchers Richard Dotson and Scott Nielsen.
1973 - Former Yankees OF/DH David Dellucci (2003) was born. On July 29, 2003, Dave was traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks along minor leaguer John Prowl and P Bret Prinz to Yankees for OF Raul Mondesi and cash. At the end of 2003 AL season, David left the Yankees for MLB free agency signing with the Texas Rangers.
1982- Current Yankees P Jonathan Albaladejo (2008-2010) was born. In the fall of 2007, he was traded by the Washington Nationals to the New York Yankees for P Tyler Clippard. Albaladejo was injured for most of 2008 AL season, but did make 7 appearances for the Yankees. He wasn't as good as the previous year, allowing15 hits and 6 walks in 13 ⅔ innings and being charged with a loss in his only decision. Still, he did strike out 13 batters, demonstrating that his fastball still has some bite. He also pitched in six games in the minors, two rehabilitation starts for the Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League, and four games with the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, totaling only 11 innings of work between the two stops. Back with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2010, Albaladejo was dominant as a closer, beating the old International League mark of 38 saves in a season that had been held by Matt Whiteside since 2004.
1983- Former Yankees OF (1919) and NFL team owner George Halas passed away. George Halas was better known as a legendary NFL football coach and owner, played one season in the major leagues. He had been a 3-sport athlete at the University of Illinois and after playing minor league ball, came to the MLB as an outfielder in 1919. It was the year before Babe Ruth came to the Yankees, and their outfield consisted of Sammy Vick, Ping Bodie and Duffy Lewis. In 22 MLB at-bats with the Yankees, George Halas' MLB career batting average was .091.
1998 - Former Yankees minor league OF George Thurman passed away. On July 29, 1949, it was announced that Yankees had purchased his contract from the Kansas City Monarchs (Negro League). He was one of the 1st black players in the New York Yankees farm system, along with Vic Power, later Elston Howard. He was assigned to the Newark Bears of the International League, where he hit three homers in his 1st week. For rest of the 1949 minor league season, he hit .317 for the Bears in 59 games, before a hand injury sidelined him. In 1950, the Yankees sold him to the Chicago Cubs. Bob would reach the MLB in 1955 with the Cincinnati Reds.
2001 - George W. Bush becomes the 8th President of the United States to attend a World Series game and the 1st since Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial 1st pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11th attacks, the President walks to the mound by himself, gives a thumbs up, and throws a perfect strike much to the delight of the Yankee Stadium faithful. In Game 3, the Yankees will win by the score of 2-1 over the Arizona Diamondbacks, behind strong pitching by starter Roger Clemens and closer Mariano Rivera.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
