This Week in Yankees History
November 28th - December 4th
November 28th
1884 - Former Yankees INF/OF Wilbur “Roxy” Roach (1910-1911) was born. In August of 1909, the New York Yankees purchased Roxy Roach from Lancaster (Tri-State) for $2,500. He appeared in 83 games for the Yankees hitting just .219. On June 15, 1911, he was purchased by Jersey City (Eastern) from the Yankees.
1927 - The New York Yankees released veteran pitchers Bob Shawkey and Dutch Ruether, who both have retired from MLB. Bob Shawkey finished his New York Yankees pitching career with a record of 168-131. He was a 4-time, 20 game winner (1915-1927) after being obtained from the Philadelphia A’s for $85,000 in 1915. Bob will manage the Yankees in 1930 to an 86-68 record, before being replaced by veteran NL manager Joe McCarthy. Dutch Ruether finished out his long MLB career by going 12-6 in 1927 after being obtained from the Washington Senators.
1958 - Former Yankees P Dave “Rags” Righetti (1979-1990) was born. On January 11, 1977, Dave was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1st round (10th pick) of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft (January). On November 10, 1978, Dave was traded by the Rangers along with Greg Jemison (minors), OF Juan Beniquez, P Mike Griffin and P Paul Mirabella to the Yankees for C Mike Heath, pitchers Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich, INF Domingo Ramos and cash. Dave won the American League Rookie Of Year award in 1981. The highlight of his efforts as a starting pitcher occurred on the Fourth of July, 1983, when he threw a 4-0 no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox. It was the 1st Yankee no-hitter since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, and the 1st by a Yankee left-hander since 1917. In 1984, Dave was converted from a starter to a closer by the Yankees, replacing closer Rich Gossage, who left the Yankees for MLB free agency.
On October 4, 1986, he saved both games of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, finishing the 1986 AL season with 46 saves, and breaking the MLB record shared by Dan Quisenberry and Bruce Sutter. The record would stand until Bobby Thigpen saved 57 games for the White Sox in 1990, which would also be Righetti's last season with the Yankees. Righetti retained the single-season record for left-handers until 1993, when Randy Myers saved 53 games for the Cubs; Righetti still owns the AL record for left-handers. He posted a 74-61career record for the Yankees in 522 games with 224 saves and a 3.11 ERA. He was 3-0 in AL playoffs. He went 0-1 in the 1981 World Series for the Yankees. In 1986-1987, Dave won the American League Rolaids Relief award. He was on the 1986-1987 AL All Star teams. He left the Yankees after the 1990 AL season, signing with the San Francisco Giants. He is currently the MLB pitching coach for the Giants.
1960 - The new expansion Washington Senators drafted New York Yankees P John Gabler in the 1960 MLB Rule 5 player draft. John had posted a 4-4 record in 24 games with 1 save during the 1959-1960 AL seasons for the New York Yankees.
1967 - On November 28, 1967, C/1B Bill Bryant was drafted by the Washington Senators from the New York Yankees organization in the 1967 MLB Rule 5 player draft. On June 10,1966, Bill was traded by the Kansas City A’s along with P Fred Talbot to the Yankees for OF Roger Repoz, Pitchers Gil Blanco and Bill Stafford. Bill hit .217 and .166 for the Yankees.
1977 - Former Yankees OF Bob Meusel (1920-1929) dies at the age of 81. Bob Meusel batted over .300 seven times, including a career-high mark of .337 in 1927. He also participated in 6 World Series with the Yankees. Bob had a lifetime BA of .311, hitting 146 HRS, with 1,005 RBIs with the Yankees (1920-1929). He finished his MLB playing career with Cincinnati Reds in 1930, hitting .289 in 113 games. His older brother Irish Meusel played in NL (1914-1927).
2007 - Former Yankees minor league OF Robert “Bob” Marquis passed away. Bob Marquis began his professional career in 1947 with the Lufkin Foresters, hitting .346 with 22 doubles and 16 triples in 140 games. He was sent to the Beaumont Exporters in the New York Yankees farm system, and with them he played in 4 games, going 0-for-1 at the plate. His 145 runs tied Lew Morton for the Lone Star League lead; no player scored more runs in the league's history. In 1948, he played for Beaumont (2 games) and the Quincy Gems (126 games), hitting a combined .333 with 15 HRs, 18 triples and 21 doubles. He led the Three-I League with 108 runs and 164 hits. Marquis split the 1949 minor league season between Beaumont (20 games) and the Binghamton Triplets (106 games), hitting a combined .236 in 453 at-bats. He hit .293 in 151 games for Beaumont in 1950. In 1951, he played with the Kansas City Blues (AAA). Bob hit .278 for the Blues in 123 games. He played for the Blues again in 1952, hitting .246 in 97 games. On August 28,1952, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds by the Yankees along with OF Jim Greengrass, pitchers Ernie Nevel, Johnny Schmitz and $35,000 for veteran P Ewell Blackwell. In his only MLB season, he appeared in 40 games with the Reds in 1953, hitting .278.
November 29th
1924 - Former Yankees All Star OF Irv Noren (1952-1956) was born. Irv Noren had three good out of four seasons with the New York Yankees, including hitting .314 in 1954, dispite being plagued with bad knees. He appeared in 3 World Series with the Bombers with the 1952 World Series being his best, hitting .300 against the Dodgers. Irv was on the 1954 AL All Star team. On May 3, 1952, Irv was traded by the Senators along with OF Tom Upton to the Yankees for OF Jackie Jensen, P Spec Shea, INF Jerry Snyder, and OF Archie Wilson. On February 12,1957, after hitting just .216 in 1956, Irv was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later, P Rip Coleman, INF Milt Graff, INF Billy Hunter, Pitchers Mickey McDermott, and Tom Morgan to the Kansas City A’s for players to be named later, Pitchers Art Ditmar, Bobby Shantz, Jack McMahan, and Wayne Belardi. Yankees sent P Jack Urban on April 5, 1957 to the A’s to complete the trade. The A’s sent Curt Roberts on April 4, 1957 and INF Clete Boyer on June 4, 1957 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1950 - Former Yankees DH/OF/1B Otto Velez (1973-1976) was born. In 1969, Otto Velez was signed by the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent. Otto appeared in a total of 105 games with the Yankees He hit .266 in 49 games in 1976 season playing 1B,OF and DH. Otto appeared in the 1976 AL Playoffs and World Series with 4 at bats and no hits. On November 5,1976, Otto was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays from the New York Yankees as the 53rd pick in the 1976 AL Player Expansion draft (Blue Jays and Mariners).
1966 - The New York Yankees traded 3B Clete Boyer to the Atlanta Braves for rookie OF Bill Robinson and 39-year-old P Chi-Chi Olivo. The trade of Clete Boyer will leaves a defensive gap at 3B for the Yankees, which will not be solved until the arrival of Graig Nettles from the Indians in winter of 1972. Rookie OF Bill Robinson was a failure for the Yankees, but later reappeared in the NL, having successful seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Phillies Phillies, meanwhile Boyer would have 5 more good MLB seasons with the Braves, before going to Japan to play baseball.
1969 - Current Yankees Closer Mario “Mo” Rivera (1995-current) was born. Mo Rivera is the greatest Yankees closer in the team’s history (1903-2010). Mo Rivera Yankees career stats are currently at 62-44 record with 2.35 ERA in 787 games with 443 saves. Mo All Star record is 0-0 in 6 games with 3 saves. His AL Divisional series record is 2-0 in 38 games 0.38 ERA. His ALCS record is 4-0 with 0.93 ERA in 25 games and 10 saves. His World Series record is 2-1, with a 1.16 ERA in 20 games with 9 saves.
1976 - The New York Yankees signed All Star free agent OF Reggie Jackson to five-year, $3.5 million dollar contract. During Mr. October's tenure, the Bronx Bombers will win 4 AL East divisions, 3- AL pennants and 2 World Series Championships, before leaving in 1981 as a free agent signing with the California Angels.
1979 - MLB Commissioner Kuhn lets Billy Martin off with a warning, following the October 23rd incident in which he is involved in a barroom altercation with Joseph Cooper, a Minnesota marshmallow salesman. Cooper requires 15 stitches to close a gash in his lip.
1982 - Former Yankees P Al Cicotte (1957) passed away (1929-1982). Before the 1948 AL Season, Al Cicotte was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Al went 2-2 in 20 games with 2 saves in 1957. On May 14,1958, Al was purchased by the Washington Senators from the Yankees.
1998 - Former Yankees pitcher and long time MLB Pitching Coach for Manager Casey Stengel, Jim “The Milkman” Turner passed away (1903-1998). Jim Turner went 11-9 in 88 games with 19 saves, for the New York Yankees. He led the American League in 1945 with 10 saves. He would be Casey Stengel’s pitching coach during the 1949-1959 dynasty seasons. He was replaced by former Yankees teammate Eddie Lopat after the 1959 3rd place AL finish. Jim would work with the Cincinnati Reds organization from 1960-1965. He would return to the New York Yankees in 1966, being the Yankees MLB pitching coach until 1973, under Manager Ralph Houk.
1995 - Former 3B Charlie Smith, the player traded to New York Yankees from the St. Louis Cardinals for former AL MVP and All Star OF Roger Maris in 1966, dies at age 57.
Charley Smith hit .224 (1967) and .229 (1968) for the Yankees before being traded to the San Francisco Giants. While Roger Maris hit .261 and .255 for the St. Louis Cardinals and playing in the 1967-1968 World Series, while the New York Yankees finished 9th and 5th place in the AL.
2005 - Former Yankees minor league 1B Vic Power passed away (1927-2005). Before 1951 AL Season, Vic Power was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Drummondville (Provincial). On December 16,1953, Vic was traded by the Yankees along with INF Don Bollweg, 3B Jim Finigan, P Johnny Gray, OF Bill Renna, and C Jim Robertson to the Philadelphia A’s for P Harry Byrd, 1B Eddie Robinson, outfielders Tom Hamilton and Carmen Mauro, and INF Loren Babe. Vic Power was considered to be too flashy by Yankees General Manager George Weiss to be the 1st black Yankee MLB player. GM Weiss traded away the black players in the Yankees farm system, keeping only C Elston Howard. Vic Power was a better 1B than Bill “Moose” Skowron, who admitted that Vic Power was the best 1st Baseman that he had ever played against during his MLB career. Vic won AL Golden Glove 1B Award in the AL from 1958-1964.
2006 - Former Yankees P Pete Mikkelsen (1964-1965) passed away (1939-2006). Before the 1958 AL Season, Pete Mikkelsen was signed by the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent. Primarily used as a reliever by Manager Yogi Berra, he reached the World Series in 1964, his rookie season with the Yankees. His rookie season bullpen work for the Bronx Bombers was instrumental in helping the team squeeze out an AL pennant, the last for the old Yankees dynasty (1949-1964). In 1964, He went 7-4 in 50 games with 12 saves. In 1965, he slipped to a 4-9 mark with 41 games with only 1 save. On December 10,1965, Pete was traded by the Yankees to the Pittsburgh Pirates and cash for veteran starter Bob Friend. His trade was another bad deal done by the Yankees front office along with the deals of Clete Boyer and Roger Maris, which in all truth were salary dumps made by CBS management.
2007 - The New York Yankees officially announced that catcher Jorge Posada's four-year, $52.4-million deal that will most likely keep him in pinstripes for the remainder of his MLB baseball career or at least through 2011.
November 30th
1909 - Former Yankees P Jimmy DeShong (1934-1935) was born. Jimmy went 10-8 in 60 games with the New York Yankees. On January 17,1936, Jim was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jesse Hill to the Washington Senators for P Bump Hadley and OF Roy Johnson.
1936 - Former Yankees reliever Steve Hamilton (1963-1970) was born (1936-1997). Steve Hamilton was obtained from the Washington Senators for P Jim Coates in April of 1963. Steve worked out of the Yankees bullpen until 1970, going 34-20 in 312 games with 36 saves. On September 9,1970, Steve was selected off waivers by the Chicago White Sox from the Yankees.
1952 - On a local TV program, Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson charges that the New York Yankees management is racist for its failure to bring up a black player. General Manager George Weiss of the Yankees denies the allegations. Weiss will release or trade away all minority players except for catcher Elston Howard, who will become the 1st black Yankee MLB player in 1955. Among those minority players who were traded away were future AL All Star 1B Vic Power and P Ruben Gomez.
1960 - Former Yankees P Bob Tewksbury (1986-1987) was born. Bob Tewksbury was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 19th round of the 1981 MLB amateur player draft. Bob went 9-5 in 23 games with 2 complete games in 1986. In 1987, Bob was 1-4 in 8 games, when on July 13,1987, he was traded by the Yankees along with minor league pitchers Rich Scheid and Dean Wilkins to the Chicago Cubs for P Steve Trout.
1967 - The New York Yankees purchased shortstop Gene “Stick” Michael from the Dodgers for cash. He will be the Yankees shortstop until the 1975 AL season. After retiring as a MLB player, he will return to the Yankees organization to be a coach, Manager (MLB and minor leagues), General Manager and now a Special Consultant in the front office.
1976 - New York Yankees purchased OF/DH Jimmy “Toy Cannon” Wynn from the Atlanta Braves for $100,000. He hit .133 in 43 games for the Yankees before being released on July 14, 1977.
1976 - Former Yankees reserve 1B/OF Craig Wilson (2006) was born. After being traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates for P Shawn Chacon, Craig only hit .212 in 40 disappointing games in New York. He left the Yankees for MLB free agency in the fall of 2006, signing with the Atlanta Braves.
1981 - New York Yankees P Dave Righetti with a record of 8-4, 2.06 ERA in 1981, wins the 1981 American League Rookie of the Year Award.
2000 - Free agent P Mike Mussina inks an $88.5 million, six-year contract with the New York Yankees. The 10-year veteran compiled a 147-81 record with a 3.53 ERA as an Baltimore Oriole hurler. Mussina says a deciding factor was a telephone call from Yankees Manager Joe Torre.
December 1st
1940 - Former Yankees P Cecil Perkins (1967) was born. He went 0-1 in 2 games with the New York Yankees in 1967.
1951 - The New York Yankees released former player Tommy Henrich as a MLB Coach.
1954 -The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles complete the largest trade in MLB history as 17 players, including MLB players Don Larsen, Gene Woodling, and Bob Turley change teams. The 1st phase of the transaction began November 18th and will conclude today after the major league draft. The Yankees obtained 1B Richard Kryhoski, P Mike Blayzka, C Darrell Johnson, and outfielders Jim Fridley and Tel Del Guercio from the Orioles sending them P Bill Miller, 3B Kal Segrist, 2B Don Leppert and 2 minor leaguers to be named later. Only C Darrell Johnson remained with the Yankees as a back-up catcher for Yogi Berra in 1958-1959, before he was traded to the Cardinals organization after the 1959 AL season. The rest were traded away or never played for the Yankees at the MLB level.
1956 - Former Yankees minor league P Tom Filer was born. In 1978, hurler Tom Filer was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. On December 8, 1980, Tom was drafted by the Oakland A’s from the Yankees in the 1980 Rule 5 player draft. On April 9,1981,Tom was returned (earlier draft pick) by the A’s to the Yankees. On April 27,1981, Tom Filer was traded by the Yankees along with cash to the Chicago Cubs for veteran C Barry Foote.
1971 - The New York Yankees obtained veteran 2B Bernie Allen from the Texas Rangers for pitchers Terry Ley and Gary Jones. Bernie Allen would be a successful pinch hitter for the Yankees in 1972.
1978 - The New York Yankees assigned the contract of left-handed reliever Paul Linblad to the Seattle Mariners for future considerations. Paul went 0-0 in seven games with the 1978 Yankees after joining them in August.
1982 - The New York Yankees sign onetime AL MVP Don Baylor to a MLB free agent contract. Baylor won the 1979 AL MVP Award when he hit 24 HRs and 93 RBI’s for the Angels in 1982. He signs a reported 5-year, $5 million contract. After hitting .303 with 21 HRS and 85 RBIs in 1982, Don dropped off the next two seasons by hitting only .262 and .231. On March 28,1986, Don was traded by the Yankees to the Boston Red Sox for OF/DH Mike Easler.
1991 - Former Yankees reserve OF (1940) and MLB Manager Buster Mills passed away. (1908-1991). Buster Mills hit .397 in 14 games for the Yankees in 1940. In 1953, Buster managed the Cincinnati Reds for 8 games going 4-4.
December 2nd
1889 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ray Morehart (1927) was born. On January 13, 1927, Ray was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with C Johnny Grabowski to the New York Yankees for INF Aaron Ward. Ray was a reserve INF on the 1927 Yankees bench, appearing in 73 games and hitting .256. He retired from MLB after the 1927 World Series.
1903 - Former Yankees P Don Brennan (1933) was born. Don Brennan went 5-1 in 18 games with 3 saves for the 1933 Yankees. On March 5, 1934, the Cincinnati Reds purchased Don from the Yankees.
1950 - Former Yankees P Robert “Bob” Kammeyer (1978-1979) was born (1950-2003). The New York Yankees in the 21st round of the 1972 MLB amateur player draft drafted Bob Kammeyer. He attended Dartmouth University, majoring in Economics. Bob went 0-0 in 8 games for the Yankees during the 1978-1979 AL seasons. In 1980, Bob was named International League Pitcher of the Year, while pitching with the Columbus Clippers. Bob passed away in 2003.
1952 - Brooklyn Dodgers executive Buzzie Bavasi dismisses the Yankees front office’s reaction to Jackie Robinson's charges of racism. MLB Commissioner Ford Frick plans to take no action against Jackie Robinson for his remarks to the New York City media. Two days earlier Jackie Robinson had called the New York Yankees, a racist organization for its failure to promote a black player to the parent club. The 1st black Yankees MLB player would be Catcher/OF Elston Howard in 1955.
1967 - The New York Yankees purchased C John Boccabella from Chicago Cubs for cash. He never played for the New York Yankees at the MLB level. He would be sold to the Montreal Expos.
1971 - The New York Yankees traded former AL Rookie Of Year P Stan Bahnsen to the Chicago White Sox for INF Rich McKinney. This deal failed for the Yankees when McKinney couldn’t handle the transition from 2B to 3B. Meanwhile Stan Bahnsen would win 20 games for the White Sox in 1972. McKinney’s failure at 3B led to the Graig Nettles trade with the Cleveland Indians in the fall of 1972. He will be traded to the Oakland A’s in the winter of 1972.
1971 - The New York Yankees obtained veteran INF Bernie Allen from the Texas Rangers for pitchers Terry Ley and Gary Jones. Bernie Allen would be a successful pinch hitter for the Yankees during the 1972 AL season.
1974 - The New York Yankees purchased OF/1B/DH Bob Oliver from the Baltimore Orioles for cash. Bob hit only .132 in 18 games before being released by the Yankees on July 15, 1975.
1997 - Former Yankees P Steve Hamilton (1963-1969) passed away from cancer.(1936-1997). Steve Hamilton was obtained from the Washington Senators for P Jim Coates in April of 1963. Steve worked mostly out of the Yankees bullpen until September of 1970, going 34-20 in 312 games with 36 saves. On September 9, 1970, Steve was selected off waivers by the Chicago White Sox from the Yankees.
December 3rd
1915 - Former Yankees P Charles “Butch” Wensloff (1943, 1947) was born. Butch Wensloff pitched for three seasons in the majors. All 3-years were on a World Series championship team. He was a star with th New York Yankees as a rookie in 1943, going 13-11. Then, after missing several years of a career to World War II, he came back to win again with the Yankees in 1947, going 3-1. His ERA was well under 3.00, both years. In the 1947 World Series, which the Yankees won, Wensloff pitched a couple scoreless innings in the 6th game. He pitched one game for the 1948 Cleveland Indians, who went on to win the 1948 World Series. He led the American Association in 1942 with 21 victories, while pitching for the Kansas City Blues. On March 27, 1948, he was sent to the Philadelphia Phillies by the Yankees as part of a conditional deal. On April 10, 1948, Butch was returned by the Phillies to the Yankees as part of a conditional deal. On April 12, 1948, he was purchased by the Cleveland Indians from the Yankees.
1922 - Former Yankees 1B/OF Joe Collins (1948-1957) was born. Before 1939 AL Season, Joe was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. In ten seasons with the Yankees, Joe hit .256, never really living up to the hitting promise that the Yankees had hoped for. Joe appeared in seven World Series with the Yankees. During the 1957 AL season Joe was replaced by Bill Skowron as the regular Yankees 1B. On March 20, 1958, Joe was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Yankees. Joe retired from MLB, turning down a $100,000 player contract offer from the Phillies. He told the New York City media that he wanted to be remembered as a Yankee.
1925 - Former Yankees reserve OF Harry “The Suitcase” Simpson was born (1925-1979). On June 15,1957, Harry “The Suitcase” Simpson was traded by the Kansas City A’s along with P Ryne Duren and OF Jim Pisoni to the New York Yankees for INF Billy Martin, P Ralph Terry, INF/OF Woodie Held, and OF Bob Martyn. In 1957, Harry hit .270 in 75 games for the Yankees. In 1958, he hit only .216 in 24 games, before being traded back to the Kansas City A’s along with P Bob Grim for A’s P Duke Maas and P Virgil Trucks.
1947 - Former Yankees minor league P Gerry Pirtle was born. Gerry Pirtle was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 7th round of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft (June Secondary). He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On January 23,1976, he was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs for C Rick Stelmaszek.
1951 - Minor league Pitcher Rubén Gómez was drafted by the New York Yankees from the St. Jean Canadians (Provincial League) in the 1951 MLB minor league player draft. Ruben will be released by the New York Yankees organization in June of 1952. The New York Giants will sign him; making his MLB debut in 1953, posting a 13-11 mark. In 1954, he will have his best MLB season posting a 17-9 record for the NL Champion Giants. He won 1 game for the Giants in the 1954 World Series. He will pitch in the MLB for 10 seasons, posting a 76-86 record with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, and the Minnesota Twins.
1960 - Former Yankees P Gene Nelson (1981) was born. On October 8,1979, Gene was sent to the New York Yankees by the Texas Rangers to complete the Oscar Gamble-Mickey Rivers trade made earlier in August of 1979. Gene would go 3-1 in 8 games in 1981. In 1982 spring training camp, he made the Yankees starting rotation, but once again the Yankees front office decided to bring in a veteran pitcher rather than go with a young pitcher. On April 1, 1982, Gene was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later, P Bill Caudill to the Seattle Mariners for starter Shane Rawley. At first report of the trade, the Mariners inform Nelson that he would be pitching for their AAA team. Nelson balks telling them that he had just made the New York Yankees starting rotation, he will not report to their AAA team, finally both sides reached an agreement. The Yankees would later send reserve OF Bobby Brown on April 6,1982, to the Mariners to complete the trade. Gene would go 6-9 in 22 starts for the Seattle Mariners during the 1982 AL season.
1962 - Former MLB players Frank Crosetti (New York Yankees) and Johnny Schulte (Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies) file suit to halt any increased MLB pension benefits that fail to include old-time MLB players.
1968 - The MLB Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed to increase the amount of offensive run production in both leagues. In the most significant alterations, the committee agrees to decrease the size of the strike zone and lower the height of the pitcher's mound from 15 inches to 10 inches. The rules changes will result in increased run scoring in 1969.
1974 - The New York Yankees obtained P Skip Lockwood from the California Angels for C/INF Bill Sudakis. The Yankees would release Skip Lockwood during spring training; he would sign on with the New York Mets.
1988 - MLB free agent P Dave LaPoint signs a three-year contract with the New York Yankees. Dave would go 14-19 in 48 games with the Yankees. On February 17, 1991, Dave was released by the team.
2005 - Former New York Yankees set-up man Tom “Flash” Gordon agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Phillies on a three-year contract.
December 4th
1890 - Former Yankees P and Manager (1930) Bob “Sailor Bob” Shawkey (1915-1927) was born. Bob Shawkey finished his New York Yankees pitching career with a record of 168-131. He was a four-time 20 game winner for the New York Yankees after being obtained from the Philadelphia A’s in 1915 for $85,000. Bob will manage the Yankees in 1930 to an third place finish with a 86-68 record before being replaced by veteran National League Chicago Cubs Manager Joe McCarthy.
1893 - Former Yankees P Luke Nelson (1919) was born. Luke Nelson pitched 24.3 innings for the 1919 Yankees, while posting a 3-0 record in 9 games.
1938 - Former Yankees reserve C/1B Bill Bryan (1966-1967) was born. On June 10, 1966, Bill Bryan was traded by the Kansas City A’s along with P Fred Talbot to the New York Yankees for OF Roger Repoz, pitchers Gil Blanco and Bill Stafford. Bill hit .217 and .166 for the 1966-1967 Yankees. On November 28, 1967, Bill was drafted by the Washington Senators from the New York Yankees organization in the 1967 MLB Rule 5 player draft.
1954 - Former Yankees reserve INF Tucker Ashford (1981) was born. On October 24, 1980, Tucker was traded by the Texas Rangers with cash to the New York Yankees for INF Roger Holt. In 1981, Tucker will appear in only 3 games with the Yankees with no hits. On October 27, 1982, he was purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Yankees. On April 5, 1983, Tucker is returned to the Yankees by the Blue Jays. On April 18, 1983, Tucker is traded by the Yankees to the New York Mets for a player to be named later and Steve Ray (minors). The Mets would send minor leaguer Felix Perdomo on May 3, 1983 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1957 - Major League Baseball kills the bonus rule and raises the minimum MLB player salary to $7,000. New York Yankees General Manager George Weiss stayed away from the bonus rule type players after the signings of 1B Frank Leja and INF Tommy Carroll. Yankees Manager Casey Stengel did not play the bonus players, who had to stay with the MLB team roster for two years.
1957 - Former Yankees P Lee Smith (1993) was born. The former NL All Star St. Louis Cardinals closer Lee appeared in eight games with a 0-0 record with 3 saves in September of 1993, before leaving the Yankees for MLB free agency. He would sign with the Eastern division rivals Baltimore Orioles.
1957 - Former Yankees reserve OF Pat Sheridan (1991) was born. On January 24, 1991, Pat Sheridan was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. He would bat only .204 in 62 games for the Yankees during the 1991 AL season.
1962 - Former Yankees reserve OF Stanley “Stan” Jefferson (1989) was born. On October 24, 1988, Stan Jefferson was traded by the San Diego Padres along with P Jimmy Jones and P Lance McCullers to the New York Yankees for 1B Jack Clark and P Pat Clements. Stan appeared in only 10 games with the Yankees, just hitting only .083. On July 20, 1989, Stan was traded by the Yankees to the Baltimore Orioles for P John Habyan.
1964 - The Major League Baseball restores to the commissioner's office all powers rescinded after Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis's death in 1944. Principally, they waived their right to take legal action in the event of disagreements with the Major League Baseball Commissioner and grant him authority to judge whether actions taken by the owners in concert are, automatically "in the best interests of baseball." Voting for the annual Major League Baseball All-Star teams is turned back to the fans.
1964 - Major League Baseball approves a free-agent draft. At their winter meetings in Houston, the minor league and major league organizations establish a system, basically like that of professional football, which will take effect in January of 1965 and be held every 4 months thereafter. Choices will be exercised by clubs in reverse order of their previous year's league standings. Draftees must be included in their club's 40-man roster or be susceptible to claim at the waiver price the following season. This move by the Major League Baseball owners would end the dominance of the New York Yankees and the L. A. Dodgers from spending big money to sign young players, giving the poorer teams a chance to sign young talented players.
1968 - The New York Yankees obtained reserve OF Richard Simpson from the Houston Astros for reliever Dooley Womack. Simpson hit .273 in six games for the 1969 Yankees before being sent to the Seattle Pilots. Dooley Womack was never effective pitcher after leaving the Yankees.
1968 - The Dodgers traded P Mike Kekich to the Yankees for OF Andy Kosco. He never really showed the promise of being a power hitter, while playing for the Yankees. Mike Kelich is more known for his wife trade with fellow Yankees teammate P Fritz Peterson than for his pitching with the Yankees.
1969- The New York Yankees send veteran starter Al Downing and C Frank Fernandez to Oakland A’s for 1B Danny Cater and C Ossie Chavarria. Al Downing was still coming back from pitching arm problems. Frank Fernandez was a weak hitting catcher, with young minor league catcher Thurman Munson expected to be coming up soon, he became expendable. Danny Cater would be traded to the Boston Red Sox for reliever Sparky Lyle in March of 1972.
1969 - The New York Yankees traded former AL Golden Glove winner 1B/OF Joe Pepitone to the Houston Astros for 1B/OF/C Curt Blefary. Curt returns to the New York Yankees, the MLB team that he originally signed with in the early 1960’s. He was lost by the Yankees in a 40-man roster move made during the 1963 AL season, adding veteran INF Harry Bright. The Baltimore Orioles immediately claimed Curt, who was playing at Greensboro (AA). Curt will be a major disappointment for the Yankees, never showing the power hitting that he had with the Baltimore Orioles during the mid 1960’s. Joe Pepitone had worn out his welcome with the New York Yankees front office with his disputes with the team.
1975 - Former Yankees P Ed Yarnell (1999-2000) was born. On February 1, 1999, Ed was traded by the Florida Marlins along with Todd Noel (minors) and Mark J. Johnson to the New York Yankees for INF Mike Lowell. Ed went 1-0 in 7 games with the Yankees. On July 12, 2000, Ed Yarnell was traded by the Yankees along with minor league OF Jackson Melian, 3B Drew Henson, and Brian Reith to the Cincinnati Reds for OF Mike Frank and veteran MLB starter Denny Neagle.
1985 - Current Yankees minor league P Andrew Brackman was born.
Andrew Brackman is a 6' 11" right-handed Minor League Baseball pitcher with the Yankees organization. He signed a 4 year $4.55 million dollar deal with $3.35 million signing bonus as the 30th overall pick of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. In 2009, he pitched for Charleston River Dogs. He is still recovering from arm surgery.
1990 - Former New York Yankees closer Dave Righetti signs as a MLB free agent with the San Francisco Giants.
1992 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent shortstop Spike Owen (1993) to a three-year contract. Spike hit .234 in 103 games with the Yankees, before being traded on December 9, 1993, along with cash to the California Angels for minor league player Jose Musset.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
