This Week in Yankees History
November 21st - November 27th
November 21st
1885 - Former Yankees P Harry Billiard (1908) was born. Harry Billiard appeared in six games for the Yankees with no record during the 1908 AL season.
1911 - After a 6th place finish with a 76-76 record, Hal Chase resigns as the New York Yankees manager. Harry Wolverton replaces him. Hal Chase will remain a player with the Yankees, until he is traded to the Chicago White Sox during the 1913 AL season.
1934 - The New York Yankees purchased minor league OF Joe DiMaggio from San Francisco Seals (PCL) for players to be named later and cash. Joe will report to the New York Yankees for the 1936 AL season. The son of Italian immigrants will be one of three DiMaggio brothers to play in the MLB, Dom (Boston Red Sox) and Vince (Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates). Doc Farrell refused to report to his new team in 1935. On December 19, 1934, the Yankees sent Doc Farrell (Minors), Floyd Newkirk, Jim Densmore (minors), Ted Norbert (minors), and $5,000 (1935) to the San Francisco Seals (PCL) to complete the trade.
1947 - Former Yankees P Slow Joe Doyle (1906-1910) passed away. Joe Doyle went 22-21 in 70 games for the Yankees. On May 31,1910, Joe was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds from the New York Yankees for $2,000.
1958 - Former Yankees P Lee Gutterman (1988-1992) was born. On December 22, 1987, Lee Gutterman was traded by the Seattle Mariners along with pitchers Clay Parker and Wade Taylor to the New York Yankees for P Steve Trout and OF Henry Cotto. Lee’s best season with the Yankees was in 1990, when he went 11-7. Lee went 21-19 as a Yankee before being traded on June 9,1992 to the New York Mets for P Tim Burke.
1973 - Former Yankees OF Rickey Ledee (1998-2000) was born. The New York Yankees in the 16th round of the 1990 MLB amateur player draft drafted Rickey Ledee. He was trying to break into the Yankees starting outfield, when on June 29, 2000, he was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Zach Day and Jake Westbrook to the Cleveland Indians for OF/DH David Justice. The arrival of Dave Justice helped the Yankees win the 2000 AL Flag. Rickey has never reached his great promise as a MLB player due to various injuries.
1973 - Former Yankees P Todd Erdos (1998-2000) was born. On March 7, 1998, Todd Erdos was traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks along with P Marty Janzen to the New York Yankees for INF Andy Fox. Todd went 0-0 in 20 games with the Yankees.
1980 - Despite having led the New York Yankees to 103 wins last season, Manager Richard Howser resigns. Former Yankees MLB player and Coach Gene “The Stick” Michael would replace him.
2000 - The New York Yankees signed free MLB agent C Joe Oliver (2001) to a contract. Joe Oliver would hit .250 in 12 games for the Yankees, before being released on June 20, 2001. He would finish the 2001 AL season with the Boston Red Sox.
November 22nd
1901 - Former Yankees OF/3B Harry Rice (1929) was born. Harry hit .298 as a regular outfielder in 100 games for the 1929 Yankees. He was obtained from the Detroit Tigers in the Waite Hoyt trade.
1926 - Former Yankees P Lew Burdette (1950) was born (1926-2007). On April 6, 1947, Lew was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Lew appeared in 2 games for the 1950 Yankees with no record. On August 29,1951, Lew was traded by the Yankees along with $50,000 to the Braves for veteran P Johnny Sain. Lew would come back to haunt the Yankees in 1957 World Series, winning 3 games against his former team. If Lew had stayed with the Yankees, he could have won 300 games. He finished his MLB career in 1967 with a 203-144 mark. Lew Burdette passed away in February of 2007.
1943 - Former Yankees P Wade Blasingame (1972) was born. After being obtained from the Houston Astros, Wade went 0-1 in 12 games for the 1972 Yankees, before being sent to the St. Louis Cardinals in March of 1973.
1946 - Former Yankees INF Rich McKinney (1972) was born. On December 2,1971, Rich was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the New York Yankees for P Stan Bahnsen. Rich hit .215 in 37 games for the Yankees in one of the worst modern day trades in the team’s history. He was unable to make the adjustment from 2B to 3B. On December 1,1972, he was sent by the Yankees to the Oakland A’s to complete an earlier deal made on November 24,1972. The Yankees sent a player to be named later and P Rob Gardner to the A’s for OF/DH Matty Alou. The Yankees sent INF Rich McKinney on December 1,1972 to the A’s to complete the trade. With the arrival of Graig Nettles from the Cleveland Indians, Rich’s fate with the Yankees was sealed. He was very happy to leave New York City.
1955 - Former Yankees INF Wayne Tolleson (1986-1990) was born. On July 30,1986, Wayne Tolleson was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with OF/1B Ron Kittle and C Joel Skinner to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later, C Ron Hassey, and OF Carlos Martinez. The Yankees would send minor league C Bill Lindsey to the White Sox to complete the trade. Wayne’s best season as a Yankees player was in 1986, when he hit .284.
1956 - Former Yankees reserve OF Roy Carlyle (1926) passed away. On June 15,1926, Roy Carlyle was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox. He appeared in 37 games for the Yankees, hitting 323 for the team.
1957 - In a controversial AL MVP vote; New York Yankees CF Mickey Mantle barely edges Boston Red Sox OF Ted Williams, 233 to 209, to win the 1957 AL MVP Award. Mantle batted .365 with 34 HRs for the 1st-place Yankees, while Williams, of the 3rd-place Red Sox, led the AL with a .388 average with 38 HRs, as well as a stunning .731 slugging percentage. Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey fumes at the news, noting that two Chicago baseball writers had listed Ted Williams in the 9th and 10th places on their AL MVP voting ballots.
1978 - The New York Yankees signed veteran starter Tommy John, a reentry MLB free agent formerly with the Dodgers. John will be a valuable addition to the Yankees starting rotation, winning 43 games in the next two AL seasons.
1988 - Current Yankees minor league catcher Austin Romine was born. The son of former MLB player Kevin Romine and brother of Andrew Romine, catcher Austin Romine was selected by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 2007 MLB amateur player draft. He made his pro debut that summer with the Gulf Coast League Yankees, going 1-for-2 in 1st game there. In September of 2009, Austin Romine was named Florida State League Player of the Year.
1995 - The California Angels signed free agent INF Randy Velarde, formerly of the New York Yankees to a three-year contract. Randy will have a chance to be the Angels fulltime shortstop for the 1996 AL season.
2006 - Former Yankees P Pat Dobson (1973-1975) passed away (1942-2006). On June 7,1973, the New York Yankees sent 1B Frank Tepedino, OF Wayne Nordhagen and players to be named later were sent to the Atlanta Braves for P Pat Dobson. The Yankees would send minor league hurlers Dave Cheadle and Al Closter to the Braves to complete the trade. Pat went 9-8 for the 1973 Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1974, when Pat posted a 19-15 record in 39 games. Pat went 39-27 in 72 games for the Yankees, before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in winter of 1975 for OF/DH Oscar Gamble.
November 23rd
1940 - Former Yankees P Louis Tiant (1979-1980) was born. Louie Tiant went 21-17 in 55 games as a Yankees starter. His best Yankees season was in 1979, when he went 13-8. In 1980, he dropped off to an 8-9 mark. In the winter of 1980, he signed as a MLB free agent with Pittsburgh Pirates.
1947 - Former Yankees 1B/OF Frank Tepedino (1967, 1969-1971, 1971-1972) was born. On November 28, 1966, Frank Tepedino was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Baltimore Orioles organization in the 1966, 1st-year player draft. He appeared in 58 games, hitting .286 with the Yankees during his various visits, his nickname should been “Suitcase.” On June 7, 1971 he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Bobby Mitchell to the Milwaukee Brewers for OF Danny Walton. On March 31,1972, Frank was purchased by the Yankees from the Brewers. On June 7,1973, Frank was traded by the Yankees with players to be named later and OF Wayne Nordhagen to the Atlanta Braves for veteran starter Pat Dobson. The Yankees sent hurlers Dave Cheadle and Al Closter to the Braves to complete the trade. After he finished his MLB career, Frank became a New York City Firefighter.
1951 - The New York Yankees send young Catcher Clint “Scraps” Courtney to the St. Louis Browns for P Jim McDonald. Clint Courtney was the 1st MLB catcher to wear eyeglasses behind the catcher’s mask. He appeared in only one game for the 1951 Yankees. He was one of many young Yankees catchers traded away during the 1950’s because of the presence of AL All Star Yogi Berra starting behind the plate.
1963 - Former Yankees reserve INF Dale Sveum (1998) was born. On November 25, 1997, Dale was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. Dale appeared in 30 games for the Yankees, hitting only .155. On August 3,1998, Dale was released by the Yankees.
1971 - Former Yankees P Aaron Small (2005-2006) was born. Aaron Small went 10-0 as a Yankee in 15 games during the 2005 AL season. In 2006, he was injured; Aaron Small went 0-3 in 11 games. He retired from MLB in 2007.
1977 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent reliever Rich ”Goose” Gossage to a 6-year, 2.75 million dollar contract. Rich Gossage had 26 saves with a 1.26 ERA for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. He will join closer Sparky Lyle in the Yankees bullpen.
1977 - The New York Yankee lose MLB free agent starter Mike Torrez to the Boston Red Sox. On April 27, 1977, Mike was traded by the Oakland A’s to the Yankees for P Dock Ellis, OF Larry Murray and reserve INF Marty Perez. Mike posted a 14-12 record in 31 games with 15 complete games for the 1977 Yankees. He went 0-1 in the 1977 ALCS. Mike went 2-0 in 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.
1988 - Leaving the 1988 World Champion Dodgers, MLB free agent 2B Steve Sax signs a three-year deal with the Yankees. Meanwhile former New York Yankees All Star 2B Willie Randolph will sign with the Dodgers.
2006 - Former Yankees minor league OF Ted Del Guercio passed away. Ted came to the Orioles from Yankees minor league system in the big 17-man trade in November of 1954. He never played for the New York Yankees or Baltimore Orioles at the MLB level.
November 24th
1930 - Former Yankees P Robert “Warrior” Friend (1966) was born. On December 10, 1965, Bob was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Yankees for P Pete Mikkelsen and cash. It was another great over the hill veteran for youth trade by Yankees GM Ralph Houk. Bob went 1-4 in 12 games for the Yankees before being dumped to the New York Mets in June of 1966. Bob finished his MLB career with a 197-200 record with the 1958 NL season as his best with a 22-14 mark for the Pirates. He was named to the NL All Star team 3 times.
1942 - Former Yankees P Fred Beene (1972-1974) was born. On January 19, 1972, Fred Beene was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later. The Yankees sent minor league player Dale Spier on April 10,1972 to the Orioles to complete the trade. Fred would go 7-3 for the Yankees in 54 games before arm injuries finished him in 1973. On April 26,1974, Fred was traded by the Yankees with along with pitchers Tom Buskey, Steve Kline, and Fritz Peterson to the Cleveland Indians for 1B Chris Chambliss, P Richard “Dirt” Tidrow, and reliever Cecil Upshaw.
1962 - Former Yankees INF Randy Velarde (1987-1995, 2001) was born. On January 5,1987, Randy Velarde was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with P Pete Filson to the New York Yankees for Pitchers Scott Nielsen and Mike Soper (minors). Randy hit .272 in 121 games in 1992 and .286 in 111 games in 1995. In the fall of 1995, he signed as a MLB free agent with the Angels. On August 31,2001, Randy was traded by the Texas Rangers to the Yankees for players to be named later. The Yankees would send minor league players Randy Flores and Rosman Garcia on October 11, 2001 to the Rangers to complete the trade. Randy only appeared in 15 games for the 2001 Yankees for the rest of the 2001 AL season. He did get his chance to play in a World Series for the Yankees appearing in one game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, going 0 for 3.
1970 - Former Yankees reserve OF Spencer Adams (1926) passed away. On January 20, 1926, he was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Washington Senators. Spencer appeared in 28 games for the 1926 Yankees, hitting just .120. Adams appeared in 2 games of the 1926 World Series with no hits. He was one of 1st Mormons to play in the MLB.
1970 - Former Yankees P Ivy “Poison” Andrews (1931-1932, 1937-1938) passed away. On June 5, 1932, Ivy Andrews was traded by the New York Yankees along with P Hank Johnson and $50,000 to the Boston Red Sox for P Danny MacFayden. On August 14,1937, Andrews was purchased by the Yankees from the Cleveland Indians for $7,500. Ivy posted a Yankee career record of 8-6 in 41 games in two tours with the team.
1972 - The New York Yankees acquired veteran OF/DH Matty Alou from the Oakland A’s for P Rob Gardner and INF Rich McKinley. It is the 2nd time the Yankees have traded hurler Rob Gardner to the Oakland A’s for an Alou brother. Last year, it was for older brother Felipe Alou. Matty was a major disappointment with his bat for the Yankees with low HR and RBI production.
1986 - In yet another unwise trade of young prospects for aging veterans, the New York Yankees traded pitchers Brian Fisher, Doug Drabek and Logan Easley to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitchers Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements. Doug Drabek will win the 1990 NL Cy Young Award.
November 25th
1903 - Former Yankees P Jim “Big Jim” Weaver ((1931) was born. On November 28,1930, Jim Weaver was traded by the Baltimore Orioles (International) along with Thomas Patten (minors) to the Yankees for Ken Holloway, Jack Hopkins (minors), and cash. Jim went 2-1 in 17 games for the Yankees. On September 10,1933, Jim was purchased by the St. Louis Browns from the Yankees. He would be returned to the Yankees by Browns in 1934, the Yankees would sell him to the Chicago Cubs for the waiver price of $12,400.
1914 - Future Hall Of Fame Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California (1914-1999). The son of Italian immigrants, Joe DiMaggio will make his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in 1936, hitting .323 in 138 games. Joe would win the American League Most Valuable Player Award 3 times (1939, 1941 and 1947). He will finish his Yankee career with a lifetime BA of .325 with 361 MLB career HRs. His 56 consecutive game hitting streak in 1941 set a new MLB record. Joe had reached the .300 BA mark in 11 seasons of the 13 MLB seasons in his Yankees career, with his .381 in 1939 as being his best year. In 1955, Joe will be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Joe’s two brothers Vince (Braves and Pirates) and Dom (Red Sox) played in the MLB.
1923 - Former Yankees reserve OF Archie Wilson (1951-1952) was born (1923-2007). In 1947, the New York Yankees signed Archie Wilson, as an MLB amateur free agent. Archie appeared in only 7 games for the Yankees before being traded on May 3,1952, along with OF Jackie Jensen, P Spec Shea, and INF Jerry Snyder to the Washington Senators for Outfielders Irv Noren and Tom Upton. Archie Wilson passed away in April of 2007.
1949 - Boston Red Sox OF Ted Williams, who lost the AL Triple Crown when his batting average was .0002 below that of Detroit Tigers 3B George Kell, who wins the 1949 American League Most Valuable Player Award vote in a landslide. The New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto and closer Joe Page finished 2nd and 3rd in the AL MVP voting. Phil Rizzuto will win the 1950 AL Most Valuable Player award.
1951 - Former Yankees shortstop (1977-1982) and MLB Manager (1988-1989) Russell Earl “Bucky” Dent was born. The 1978 American League play-off hero Bucky Dent was obtained by the New York Yankees on April 5,1977, from the Chicago White Sox for OF/DH Oscar Gamble, minor league pitchers La Marr Hoyt and Bob Polinsky and $200,000. His HR in the 1978 AL Playoff game against the Red Sox is considered to be one of the most dramatic HRs in New York Yankees history. In 1978, he won the AL Babe Ruth Award and the World Series MVP for his .417 BA. Dent will be the AL All Star team shortstop in 1980-1981. In 1982, with the arrival of Roy Smalley from the Twins and struggling with his batting average, Bucky lost his starting job as the Yankees shortstop. On August 8,1982, he was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for OF/DH Lee Mazzilli. After retiring as a MLB player, he will return to the New York Yankees organization as coach, then manager at Columbus (IL), before managing the Yankees in 1988-1989, going 36-53 in 89 games.
1953 - The Yankees lose minor league OF Jerry Lynch to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1953 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Lynch would later become a successful MLB pinch hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds during the 1950-1960’s.
1966 - Former Yankees OF/DH Mark Whitten (1997) was born. On January 9, 1997, Mark Whitten was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. Mark hit .265 in 69 games for the Yankees, before being released in August of 1997.
1970 - New York Yankees C Thurman Munson receives 23 of the 24 1st-place votes and is named the 1970 American League Rookie of the Year. Munson batted .302 during the regular 1970 AL season. Cleveland Indians OF Roy Foster is also named on a 1st place ballot.
1973 - Former Yankees reliever Octavio Dotel (2006) was born. On January 4, 2006, he was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. He was recovering from arm injury in 2006, which limited his play to only 14 games during the 2006 AL season. He will leave the Yankees and sign as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals in 2007.
1980 - Former Yankees shortstop and MLB coach Gene Michael becomes the 25th manager in Yankees club history, replacing a resigning Manager Richard Howser. Under Gene Michael, the Yankees will win the AL pennant in 1981, but lose the 1981 World Series to the Dodgers. Howser will go on to manage the Kansas City Royals, before passing away from cancer in 1985.
1980 - Current Yankees RF/DH/1B Nick Swisher was born. On November 13, 2008, Nick was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with Kanekoa Texeira (minors) to the Yankees for P Jeff Marquez (minors), INF Wilson Betemit and P Jhonny Nunez.
2008 - Former Yankees hurler, Minor League Manager, MLB Scout Randy Gumpert (1946-1948) passed away. In 1936, Randy Gumpert was signed by the Philadelphia A’s, as an MLB amateur free agent. The A’s released Randy outright in July of 1939. He was picked up by the New York Yankees organization. After his WWII military service was over, he had his finest season with the Yankees in 1946, going 11-3 with a 2.31 ERA. Randy would go 4-1 with a 5.43 ERA in '47 and after being 1-0 in 1948 he was placed on waivers and signed by the Chicago White Sox on July 25, 1948 after going 16-4 during his 2 plus MLB seasons for the Pinstripes. Randy was the MLB pitcher that gave up Mickey Mantle’s 1st MLB HR on May 1, 1951 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. It was a 450 FT shot into the Yankees bullpen. After his MLB playing career was finished, Randy Gumpert managed the 1956 Bradford Yankees, 1956-1958 Kearney Yankees and the 1960 St. Petersburg Saints. He also served as a Yankees MLB scout for 20 years. He was a scouting supervisor for the MLB Scouting Bureau for several years. Randy Gumpert would die on November 28, 2008 at the age of 90, in Wyomissing, PA.
November 26th
1878 - Former Yankees P Thomas “Long Tom” Hughes (1904) was born. On December 20, 1903, Tom was traded by the Boston Americans to the New York Yankees for
P Jesse Tannehill. Tom went 7-11 in 19 games before being traded on July 20, 1904 by the Yankees along with Barney Wolfe to the Washington Senators for P Al Orth.
1908 - Former Yankees Hall Of Fame P Veron “Lefty Gomez (1930-1942) was born (1908-1989). On August 17, 1929, Lefty was purchased by the New York Yankees from the San Francisco Seals (PCL). Lefty would go 189-101 with a WP of .637 in 357 games in his Yankees pitching career. Also Lefty would finish with 1,468 strikeouts with 173 complete games and 26 shutouts. Lefty appeared on 7 AL All Star teams, including the very 1st team in 1933. His AL All Star record was 3-1 in 5 games. His World Series record as a Yankees starter was 5-0 in 7 games. On January 25,1943, Lefty was purchased by the Boston Braves from the Yankees. The Braves would release Gomez, and then he was picked up by the Washington Senators, going 0-1 in 1 game before retiring in July of 1943. He would be elected to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1972. He was one of the most colorful players to ever wear the Yankees pinstripes.
1941 - Former Yankees MLB coach Jeff Torborg (1975-1976) was born. Jeff was a New York Yankees MLB Coach from 1975-1976, before leaving to take the manager’s job at Cleveland. As an MLB player, he played with the Dodgers and Angels. He caught no-hitters by starters Sandy Koufax, Bill Singer and Nolan Ryan. Jeff Torborg was a 1963 College All American Catcher at Rutgers University.
1947 - Former Yankees P Larry Gura (1974-1976) was born. On May 7, 1974, Larry was traded by the Texas Rangers with cash to the New York Yankees for C/DH/1B Duke Sims. Larry posted a 12-9 record in 34 games with the Yankees. After being in Billy Martin’s doghouse, Larry was traded by the Yankees to the Kansas City Royals for reserve C Fran Healy on May 16, 1976. As a Royals starter, he would give the Yankees trouble.
1955 - Former Yankees P Jay Howell (1982-1984) was born. On August 2, 1982, Jay was sent by the Chicago Cubs to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on August 19, 1981. The Cubs sent players to be named later to the Yankees for INF Pat Tabler. The Cubs sent pitchers Bill Caudill on April 1, 1982 and Jay Howell on August 2,1982 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Jay went 12-12 in 66 games with 7 saves. His best Yankees season was in 1984, when he went 9-4 in 41 games with 7 saves. On December 5,1984, Jay was traded by the Yankees with along P Tim Birtsas, OF Stanley Javier, pitchers Eric Plunk and Jose Rijo to the Oakland A’s for All Star LF Rickey Henderson, P Bert Bradley and cash.
1958 - The 1958 American League Most Valuable Player winner is announced with Boston Red Sox slugger Jackie Jensen winning over New York Yankees pitcher Bob Turley and Cleveland Indians outfielder Rocky Colavito. Bob Turley will walk away with the 1958 MLB Cy Young Award.
1962 - The Dodgers traded veteran starter Stan Williams (14-12, 4.46 ERA) for New York Yankees veteran 1B Bill “Moose” Skowron (.270 BA, 23 HRs, 80 RBIs). Bill Skowron will hit a HR against his former teammates in Game 2 of the 1963 World Series. Yankees rookie 1B/OF Joe Pepitone will take over the regular duties at 1st base. Bill Skowron leaves the Yankees with a lifetime BA of .296 in 12 seasons with the team (1954-1962). Stan Williams would go 9-8 with 2 saves for the 1963 Yankees. The next season, Stan dropped to a 1-5 mark for the Yankees. In the spring of 1965, the Yankees sold him to the Cleveland Indians. Stan appeared in 1 game for the Yankees in 1963 World Series, pitching 3 scoreless innings of relief.
1969 - Former Yankees P Sam Mititello (1992-1993) was born. The New York Yankees in the 6th Round of the 1990 MLB amateur player draft selected Sam Militello. He made his debut in 1990, with the Oneonta Yankees, and led the Short-Season New York-Penn League with 119 strikeouts; his 1.22 ERA was 2nd in the league. At the MLB level, Sam went 4-4 in 12 games with Yankees.
1985 - Former Yankees minor league P Jhonny Nunez was born. On July 31,2008, Jhonny Nunez was traded by the Washington Nationals to the New York Yankees for minor league INF Alberto Gonzalez. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 13, 2008, he was traded by the New York Yankees along with INF/OF Wilson Betemit and minor league P Jeff Marquez to the Chicago White Sox for 1B/OF/DH Nick Swisher and minor league hurler Kanekoa Texeira.
2009 - New York Yankees Public Address announcer Bob Sheppard officially retires at the age of 99. Known as the "Voice of God," Sheppard had been the Yankees PA announcer from 1951 to 2007 before his deteriorating health forced him to step down. He briefly returned in 2008 to announce the Yankees lineup for the final game at the old Yankee Stadium.
November 27th
1892 - Former Yankees P Leslie “Bullet Joe” Bush (1922-1924) was born. On December 20, 1921, “Bullet Joe” Bush was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with P Sam Jones and INF Everett Scott to the New York Yankees for INF Roger Peckinpaugh, P Jack Quinn, P Harry Collins, and Bill Piercy. “Bullet Joe” would go 62-38 in 115 games with 61 complete games and 6 shutouts for the Yankees, before he was traded on December 17, 1924, along with pitchers Milt Gaston and Joe Giard to the St. Louis Browns for veteran starter Urban Shocker.
1920 - Former Yankees P John ”Bear Tracks“ Schmitz (1952-1953) was born. On August 1, 1952, he was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Brooklyn Dodgers. John went 1-1 in 8 games with 2 saves for the Yankees during the 1952-1953 AL seasons. On August 28,1952, Johnny was traded by the Yankees along with outfielders Jim Greengrass, Bob Marquis, P Ernie Nevel, and $35,000 to the Cincinnati Reds for veteran P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell. On February 16,1953, John was purchased by the Yankees from the Reds. After appearing in 3 games with 1 save and a 0-0 record; John Schmitz was selected off waivers by the Washington Senators from the Yankees on May 12,1953.
1937 - Former Yankees P William “Bill” Short (1960) was born. Before the 1955 American League Season, the New York Yankees signed Bill Short as an MLB amateur free agent. In 1959, Bill was named the Pitcher of the Year for International League, with a 17-6 record in 27 games with a 2.48 ERA, while playing with the Richmond Virginians (AAA). In 1960, Bill went 3-5 in 10 starts for the Yankees. On November 27,1961, Billy was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles from the New York Yankees organization in the 1961 MLB Rule 5 player draft.
1941 - New York Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio is named 1941 American League Most Valuable Player. His 56-game hitting streak edges out Boston Red Sox OF Ted Williams and his .406 BA for the MVP award (votes: 291 for Joe DiMaggio and 254 for Ted Williams).
1947 - The 1947 American League Triple Crown winner Boston Red Sox OF Ted Williams (.343 BA, 32 HRs, 162 RBIs) is edged out by New York Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio (.315 BA, 20 HRs, 97 RBIs) for the 1947 American League Most Valuable Player Award by 1 point. One BBWAA member, Mel Webb, fails to include Ted Williams, anywhere on his 1947 AL MVP players voting ballot.
1961 - On November 27, 1961, P Bill Short was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles from the New York Yankees organization in the 1961 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Bill Short had appeared in 10 games for the 1960 New York Yankees posting a 3-5 record.
1971 - Former Yankees C/DH/1B Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was born. On July 30, 2008, Ivan Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees by the Detroit Tigers in return for hard-throwing reliever Kyle Farnsworth; the trade came on the same day on which the Yankees announced that regular Catcher Jorge Posada would miss the remainder of the 2008 AL season after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder. He ended up sharing catching duties with Jose Molina during the remainder of the 2008 AL season. He appeared in 39 games for the Yankees, just hitting .219 with only 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. After the 2008 AL season, he became a MLB free agent.
1972 - The New York Yankees make one of their best trades in the team’s history by acquiring 3B Graig Nettles from the Cleveland Indians for C/1B/3B John Ellis, INF Jerry Kenney, and outfielders Charlie Spikes and Rusty Torres. Also the Yankees received C Jerry Moses from the Detroit Tigers. Graig Nettles will help the Yankees win the World Series in 1977-1978. The Yankees 3B problem will finally be solved 6 years after the 1966 trade of Clete Boyer to the Atlanta Braves. Johnny Ellis couldn’t beat out Thurman Munson behind the plate, Jerry Kennedy, Charlie Spikes and Rusty Torres were supposed to be the next generation of young Yankees stars, but they weren’t.
1973 - Former Yankees minor league P Jason Beverlin was born. On July 28, 1995, Jason was traded by the Oakland A’s along with OF/DH Ruben Sierra to the New York Yankees for OF/DH Danny Tartabull. Jason never played for the Yankees at the MLB level.
1974 - MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for two years as a result of Steinbrenner's federal conviction for illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon and others. His suspension will be reduced to one year.
1984 - New York Yankees starter Ron Guidry is named to the American League Golden Glove team. He is the only New York Yankees player to be named to the 1984 AL Golden Glove squad.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
