This Week in Yankees History
January 2nd – January 8th
January 2nd
1963 - Former Yankees P Al Mamaux (1924) passed away. Al Mamaux pitched a dozen seasons in the majors. He won 21 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1915-1916. He appeared in the 1920 World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers. On July 12, 1924, Al was purchased by the New York Yankees from Reading (International). He appeared in 14 games with the 1924 New York Yankees posting a 1-1 record. He sat out 1925 MLB season, following his final season in the majors. On December 16, 1925, Al was purchased by the Yankees from Newark (International League), but he returned to the mound for the Newark Bears in 1926. He led the International League with a 2.22 ERA that season. He paced the circuit with 25 wins with a 2.61 ERA in 1927. Later Al Mamaux managed the Newark Bears (1930-1933) and the Albany Senators (1936-1937). He was the head coach at Seton Hall University from 1937-1942. His teams had an overall record of 69-19. The 1942 team went undefeated. In 1951, Al was elected to the International League Hall of Fame. He was selected for the Seton Hall University Sports Hall of Fame in 1975. Al was selected for the Duquesne University Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
1963 - Former Yankees P David Cone (1995-2000) was born. On July 28, 1995, Dave Cone was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the New York Yankees for minor league players: P Marty Janzen, Jason Jarvis and Mike Gordon. Dave went 64-40 as a Yankees starter. He was 2-0 in four World Series with the Yankees. David Cone compiled an 8–3 postseason record over 21 postseason starts. He was a part of five World Series championship teams (1992 Blue Jays and 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Yankees). He had a career postseason ERA of 3.80. After pitching a perfect game on July 18, 1999, against the Montreal Expos (the last no-hitter to date by a Yankee pitcher), he seemed to suddenly lose effectiveness. The 1st inter-league perfect game was the last shutout; he would throw in his MLB career. After retiring from MLB, David has worked with the YES network covering the Yankees.
1973- Rumors appeared nationwide in the sports media that the New York Yankees were being purchased from CBS Inc., by a Cleveland group of investors.
1977 - Former Yankees P Scott Proctor (2004-2007) was born. On July 31, 2003, Scott Proctor was traded by the Dodgers along with OF Bubba Crosby to the New York Yankees for veteran INF Robin Ventura. Scott Proctor went 11-10 with one save in 190 games with the Yankees, before being traded back to the Dodgers on July 31, 2007 for INF Wilson Betemit.
1991 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent starter Mike Witt. Mike Witt was obtained from the California Angels for New York Yankees All Star OF Dave Winfield in May of 1990. He posted a 5-6 record in 16 games. He would only appear in two games in 1991, posting a 0-1 record due to injuries. He would miss the 1992 AL season due to injuries. In 1993, Mike appeared in only nine games with Yankees, posting a 3-2 record.
2003 - Former Yankees OF Art “Bud” Metheny (1943-1946) passed away. Art “Bud” Metheny hit .247 in 376 games for the New York Yankees. He appeared in two games in the 1943 World Series, hitting just .125. Bud Metheny was the baseball coach at Old Dominion University from 1948 to 1980. Also he coached basketball (1948-1965) and served as athletic director (1963-1970) at ODU.
2008 - Former Yankees reliever Gerry Staley (1955-1956) passed away. On September 14, 1955, Gerry Stanley was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds. He appeared in only three games with no record for the 1955 Yankees. On May 28, 1956, he was selected off waivers by the Chicago White Sox from the Yankees. He would be one of the key members of the 1959 American League Champions Chicago White Sox bullpen.
January 3rd
1891 - Former Yankees reserve INF John Dowd (1912) was born. John Dowd appeared in only 10 games for the 1912 Yankees, hitting just .194.
1912 - Former Yankees reserve OF Stanley “Frenchy” Bordagaray (1941) was born. On January 27, 1940, he was sent by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on August 5, 1939. The Reds sent players to be named later and $40,000 to the Yankees for 1B Vince DiMaggio, who was on the Kansas City Blues (AAA) roster. The Reds would send OF Frenchy Bordagaray and P Nino Bongiovanni on January 27, 1940 to the Yankees to complete the trade. He hit .260 in 36 games for the 1941 Yankees. On March 23, 1942, Frenchy was purchased by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Yankees.
1920 - The secret deal made on December 26, 1919 to sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $125,000 (twice the amount ever paid previously for a player) is announced publicly. Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee also secures a $350,000 loan from the New York Yankees as part of the deal.
1923 - The New York Yankees pluck two rookies from the Boston Red Sox in two separate deals, P George Pipgras and OF Harvey Hendrick. Yankees received P George Pipgras in exchange for backup catcher Al DeVormer. George Pipgras would win 93 games as a starter for the Yankees. Harvey Hendrick would be a reserve outfielder for the Yankees.
1965 - Former Yankees INF and MLB Coach Louis Sojo (1996-1999, 2001, 2003) was born. On August 22, 1996, Louie Sojo was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Seattle Mariners. He would prove to a valuable reserve INF for the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1997, when he hit .307 in 77 games. After leaving the Yankees thru MLB free agency, he returned to the team on August 7, 2000, Luis was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league P Chris Spurling. After retiring as an MLB active player in 2003, he was minor league manager in the Yankees farm system; later he would be a MLB 3B coach for the Yankees.
1973 - A group of investors headed by Cleveland, Ohio shipbuilder George Steinbrenner, purchases the New York Yankees from CBS, Inc. for $10 million. Mike Burke and Gabe Paul are among the limited partners in the group acquiring the Yankees. Former Cleveland Indians General Manager Gabe Paul would replace Mike Burke as President of the New York Yankees.
1974 - After the New York Yankees was denied by the MLB Commissioner’s office, the signing of former Oakland A’s Manager Richard Williams as their new manager for the 1974 AL season. The Yankees signed former minor league OF Bill Virdon as their new manager. Although the former Pittsburgh Pirates skipper will manage for two years in New York, he will never win a game at Yankee Stadium because the Yankees will play home games at Shea Stadium due to renovations of their stadium. The New York Yankees originally signed Bill Virdon, but he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in the Enos Slaughter trade in 1954. Bill went 142-123 as Yankees Manager before being replaced by Billy Martin during the 1975 AL season.
1977 - Current Yankees starter A.J. Burnett (2009-2010) was born. On December 18, 2008, Burnett signed a five-year $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees. A.J. Burnett posted a 13-9 record in 33 games for the 2009 Yankees. In 2009 World Series, A.J. went 1-1 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
1997 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent P Willie Banks. He had been a #1 draft-pick of the Minnesota Twins. Willie was a former New Jersey All State High School pitcher at St. Anthony High School. He will go 4-1 in 14 games before being traded on June 3, 1998, by the New York Yankees to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league players Scott Brow and Joe Lisio.
2001 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent P Todd Williams. Todd will appear in 15 games with the 2001 Yankees with a 1-0 record.
2001 - The New York Yankees traded reliever Jay Tessmer and minor league player Seth Taylor to the Colorado Rockies for P David Lee.
2003 - Former Yankees P Joe “Professor” Ostrowski (1950-1952) passed away (1916-2003). In 1941, the Boston Red Sox signed pitcher Joe “Professor” Ostrowski. After serving in the military WWII, he was traded by the Red Sox to the St. Louis Browns in 1947. On June 15, 1950, Joe was traded by the Browns along with pitchers Tom Ferrick, Sid Schacht and 3B Leo Thomas to the New York Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, Pitchers Don Johnson, Duane Pillette, INF George “ Snuffy” Stirnweiss, and $50,000. Joe was used primarily out of the bullpen for the Yankees World Championship teams of 1950 and 1952. Joe, who contributed a 6-4 record plus 5 saves in 1951 AL season. He appeared in 1 game in the 1951 World Series, pitching 2 innings with no decision against the New York Giants. He did not appear in the 1950 or 1952 World Series games for the Yankees. Ostrowski was 2-2 with a 5.62 ERA for the 1952 Yankees. He ended his five-year MLB career with a 23-25 record and 15 saves overall. As a Yankee, Joe went 9-7 in 75 games with 10 saves. He was nicknamed “Professor” because he had a teacher’s degree and taught high school before becoming an MLB player. After retiring from MLB, he returned to teaching and retired in 1978.
2003 - The New York Yankees released P Brandon Knight. On December 13,1999, Brandon Knight was traded by the Texas Rangers along with P Sam Marsonek to the New York Yankees for OF/DH Chad Curtis. In two seasons with the Yankees, Brandon appeared in only 11 games with no record.
2005 - MLB Commissioner Bud Selig approves the potential trade of the Arizona Diamondbacks Nation League All Star starter Randy Johnson to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitchers Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey, minor league C Dioner Navarro, and $9 million dollars.
2006 - The New York Yankees signed former Boston Red Sox CF Johnny Damon as a MLB free agent. In four seasons with the New York Yankees, Johnny has hit .285 in 575 games with 77 HRs and 296 RBIs. In the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit .364 (8 for 22). He left the Yankees in the winter for MLB free agency, signing with the Detroit Tigers for the 2010 AL season.
2006 - The New York Yankees resigned MLB free agent AL All Star CF Bernie Williams. In 2005, he had hit .249 in 141 games with 12 HRs with 64 RBI’s for the Yankees. In 2006, Bernie will hit .281 with 12 HRs with 61 RBI’s in his final season for the Yankees.
2007 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent P Ben Kozlowski. Ben will not appear with the 2007 Yankees at the MLB level.
January 4th
1890 - Former MLB player and Yankees minor league manager Oscar Vitt was born (1890-1963). Oscar Vitt was the manager of the Newark Bears of the International League (AAA) in the late 1930’s, when they were the top farm club of the New York Yankees. Oscar fielded one of the best minor league teams ever seen in 1937. His success with the Newark Bears lead to a MLB manager’s job with the Cleveland Indians from 1938-1940. After being let go by the Cleveland Indians, he managed in the Pacific Coast League (AAA) with the Hollywood Stars. He is a member of the Pacific Coast Hall of Fame. He played in the MLB (1912-1921) with Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers as an infielder.
1904 - The New York Highlanders announce plans to play on Sundays at Ridgewood Park in Queens, NY, but the Brooklyn Superbas (National League) objects to the plan. Sunday baseball games are legal in Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati.
1906 - Former Yankees reserve INF John “Blondy” Ryan (1935) was born. On August 6, 1935, John Ryan was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Philadelphia Phillies. He appeared in 30 games for the Yankees, hitting .238. On December 18,1935, John Ryan was purchased by the Cleveland Indians from the Yankees.
1908 - Former Yankees All Star OF and MLB Executive George “Twinkletoes” Selkirk (1934-1942) was born (1908-1987). George Selkirk succeeded Babe Ruth as the New York Yankees right fielder, after Ruth was sent to the Boston Braves following the 1934 American League season. George played for nine seasons with the Yankees finishing with lifetime BA of .290. He was a member of AL All Star team twice (1936 and 1939). George hit .265 in six World Series with the Yankees. He served in the military during WWII. When he was released by the Yankees in May of 1946, he would become a minor league manager. During the 1957-1958 American League seasons, he worked in the Kansas City A’s front office as their General Manager. Then he would become the General Manager of new Senators expansion team in 1962, holding the position until 1968, when the team moved to Texas.
1910 - Former Yankees President and MLB General Manager Gabe Paul (1973-1977) was born (1910-1998). Gabe Paul was part of a group of investors headed by George Steinnbrenner that bought the team from CBS Inc., in 1973. Gabe Paul’s trades in the early 1970’s helped rebuild the New York Yankees into championship teams. Gabe spent bulk of his MLB executive career with the Cleveland Indians. In the 1950’s, he had worked as the General Manager for the Cincinnati Reds. After the 1977 World Series, Gabe Paul left the New York Yankees and returned to the Cleveland Indians front office. He had grown tried of George Steinbrenner’s constant daily interference in player personnel matters. Al Rosen replaced him as Yankees President and General Manager.
1925 - Former Yankees reliever Tom Gorman (1952-1954) was born (1925-1992). In 1946, Tom Gorman was signed by the New York Yankees, as a MLB amateur free agent. He pitched in the World Series for the Yankees in 1952 and 1953 with no record in two games. As a Yankee, Tom went 10-7 in 75 games with 9 saves for the team before being sold to the Kansas City A’s in the spring of 1955. He would stay with the A’s until 1959. Tom finished his MLB career with a 36-36 record with 33 saves.
1928 -The New York Yankees buy shortstop Lyn Lary and INF Jimmie Reese from the Oakland Oaks (PCL) for a reported $150,000 in cash. Lary would give the Yankees, three strong seasons at shortstop before slipping in 1934; Jimmie Reese would be shipped off to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1931.
1940 - In a trade of pitchers, the Cincinnati Reds send Lee Grissom to the New York Yankees for Joe Beggs, who had to clear waivers from all seven American League teams. This is due to the new rule voted last month barring the American League pennant winner from any trades within the AL. Joe Beggs will go 1-3 for the Reds, while Lee Grissom will be sold by the Yankees to the Brooklyn Dodgers on May 15,1940.
1943 - A wartime tone for the 1943 MLB season is set, when New York Yankees veteran starter Red Ruffing, just months short of his 38th birthday, and minus four toes, is drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps.
1963 - Former Yankees reserve OF Daryl Boston (1994) was born. On January 13, 1994, Daryl Boston was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. In 1994, he played for the Yankees, appearing in 52 games with 77 at-bats, just hitting .182.
1963 - Former Yankees minor league Manager Trey Hillman (1989-2002) was born. Trey Hillman spent 13 years in the New York Yankees organization primarily as a manager at every level. He won three Manager of the Year awards and guided his teams to three 1st-place finishes. He left the New York Yankees organization in 2002, to work with the Texas Rangers organization as Director of Player Development. From 2003-2006, he managed in Japan. Trey was manager of the Kansas City Royals for the 2008-2009 AL seasons. In May of 2010, the Royals fired him after the team’s poor 12-23 start. On November 22, 2010, Trey Hillman was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers to become their bench coach under new manager Don Mattingly.
1966 - The New York Yankees obtained OF Lou Clinton from the Cleveland Indians for C Doc Edwards. Lou Clinton batted .220 for the Yankees, as a reserve outfielder in 1966.
1976 - Former Yankees P Ted Lilly (2000-2001) was born. Ted Lilly came to the New York Yankees from Montreal Expos in the Hideki Irabu trade in the winter of 1999. He went 8-12 as a Yankee pitcher in 38 games. He had trouble throwing strikes. On July 5, 2002, he was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the New York Yankees along with minor league players P Jason Arnold and OF John Ford-Griffin to the Oakland A’s. The A’s sent a player to be named later, 1B Carlos Pena, and P Franklyn German to the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers sent P Jeff Weaver to the Yankees. The Tigers sent cash to the A’s. The A’s sent P Jeremy Bonderman to the Tigers to complete the trade.
1987 - Former Yankees reserve C Tony Rensa (1933) passed away. Tony Rensa appeared in only eight games for the 1933 Yankees hitting .310.
2005 - Former New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox 3B Wade Boggs becomes the 41st player elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, while receiving 474 of the record number of 516 votes cast (92%). Wade had played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and finished his MLB career the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
January 5th
1885 - Former Yankees longtime MLB Coach and Manager Art Fletcher was born (1885-1950). Art Fletcher was a longtime New York Yankees MLB coach from 1927 to 1945. He spent 11 games as the club's skipper in 1929, following Yankees Manager Miller Huggins death in September of 1929, before Yankees MLB Pitching Coach Bob Shawkey took over the team.
1890 - Former Yankees reserve OF Benjamin “Benny” Kauff (1912) was born. Benny Kauff only appeared in five games as a reserve outfielder for the New York Yankees during the 1912 AL season hitting .273.
1914 - The New York Yankees buy hurler Boardwalk Brown from the Philadelphia A’s for cash. He went 3-6 and was released by the team during the 1914 American League season.
1915 - Former Yankees P John “Jack” Kramer (1951) was born. On May 28, 1951, veteran hurler Jack Kramer was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. He went 1-3 in 19 games for the Yankees, before being released on August 30, 1951. He had started the 1951 MLB season with the New York Giants. The Yankees and Giants would meet in the 1951 World Series without Jack.
1928- Former Yankees minor league C Bob Oldis was born. In October of 1956, the New York Yankees purchased Bob Oldis from the Washington Senators. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level, playing for their AAA farm teams: Richmond Virginians (IL) and Denver Bears (AA). On November 30, 1959, Bob was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the New York Yankees organization in the 1959 MLB Rule 5 player draft. He appeared in two games against the Yankees with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960 World Series with no hits. After his MLB playing career ended, Bob Oldis was a Philadelphia Phillies coach from 1964-1966, a Phillies MLB scout in 1967, and a member of the Minnesota Twins MLB coaching staff in 1968. He was one of the original coaches of the expansion Montreal Expos in 1969. Then he served as a MLB scout for the Expos for a number of years. He managed the Watertown Expos in 1971. Recently he worked for the Florida Marlins organization.
1934 - The New York Yankees released two veteran players: P Herb Pennock and 3B Joe Sewell. Their MLB playing careers were over. Both players would be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1943 - The MLB Teams agree to start the 1943 season later than usual and prepare to train in northern areas of the country because of World War II travel restrictions. Resorts, armories, and university facilities are chosen for spring training sites. The New York Yankees will try the seashore resort city of Atlantic City, New Jersey for their 1943 spring training camp.
1944 - Former Yankees minor league INF Charlie Vinson was born. The New York Yankees, as an amateur MLB free agent in 1963, signed infielder Charlie Vinson. On December 2, 1963, he was drafted by the Angels from the New York Yankees organization in the 1963 MLB 1st year player draft.
1951 - Former Yankees minor league P Ed Ricks (1977) was born. Ed Ricks was drafted in the 6th round of the 1972 MLB amateur player draft by the New York Yankees. He led the 1972 Appalachian League with 97 IP, 100 H, 72 R, and 56 ER. Ricks spent 1975-1976 seasons with the Syracuse Chiefs (International League). He was on the Yankees 1977 spring roster, but never appeared in a game at the MLB level. However, he appeared on the Yankees active MLB roster in September of 1977. He will spend his last two minor league seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
1953 - Former Yankees P Mike Cantwell (1916) passed away. Mike Cantwell appeared in one game with no record for the 1916 Yankees.
1958 - Former Yankees OF/DH/1B Ron Kittle (1986-1987) was born. On July 30, 1986, Ron Kittle was traded by Chicago White Sox along with C Joel Skinner and INF Wayne Tolleson to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later, C/DH/1B Ron Hassey, and OF/INF Carlos Martinez. The Yankees would later send minor league C Bill Lindsey to the White Sox to complete the trade. Ron hit .277 in 1987 for the Yankees, before leaving the team for MLB free agency, signing with the Cleveland Indians.
1961 - Former Yankees reserve OF Henry Cotto (1985-1987) was born. On December 4, 1984, Henry Cotto was traded by the Chicago Cubs along with P Porfi Altamirano, P Rich Bordi, and C Ron Hassey to the New York Yankees for P Ray Fontenot and OF/INF Brian Dayett. Henry would be a reserve outfielder for the Yankees. On December 22, 1987, Henry was traded by the Yankees, along with starter Steve Trout to the Seattle Mariners for 3 pitchers: Lee Guetterman, Clay Parker, and Wade Taylor.
1983 - Current Yankees minor league P Alan Horne was born. The New York Yankees in the 11th round of the 2005 MLB amateur player draft selected Alan Horne. He made his pro debut in 2006 with the Tampa Yankees, going 6-9 with a 4.84 ERA and 122 strikeouts. He played for the Trenton Thunder in 2007, going 12-4 with a league-leading 3.11 ERA with 165 strikeouts. Alan was named the 2007 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year. He began 2008 season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (AAA). He was 1-0 in 2 starts before going on the disabled list with Tommy John surgery in April of 2008. In 2009, he pitched for three minor league teams posting a 4-4 record. Alan sat out the 2010 baseball season with a torn rotation cuff injury.
1984 - The New York Yankees signed future Hall Of Fame P Phil Niekro to a two-year contract. Niekro, who went 11-10 with a 3.97 ERA for the Atlanta Braves in 1983, he will fill a void in the New York Yankees starting rotation, allowing the team to move starter Dave Righetti to the bullpen to be their new closer; replacing Rich Gossage who had left the team for MLB free agency.
1993 - Former New York Yankees OF Reggie Jackson is the lone player elected by the BWAA to the Hall Of Fame. Jackson, whose .262 lifetime batting average is the lowest of any outfielder in the Hall Of Fame, receives 93.6 percent of the vote. His 563 MLB career home runs make him a hit with voters in his first year of eligibility.
1999 - Hall Of Fame New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra received an apology from Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner about his dismissal as Yankees manager in 1985 after only 16 games into the season. Berra says he will end his self-exile from Yankee Stadium and the Yankees organization. He is expected to participate in future Opening Day and Old Timer's Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium.
2008 - The New York Yankees finalize their deal with MLB free agent All Star 1B Mark Teixeira for $180 million over eight years. Mark joins AL All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez, starter CC Sabathia, All Star shortstop Derek Jeter and starter A.J. Burnett on the payroll-heavy 2009 New York Yankees. Tex will provide the 2009 Yankees with a .292 BA with a league leading 39 HRs, with 122 RBI’s in 156 games. He was named to the 2009 AL All Star team. Tex won the AL 1B Golden Glove award as well as the AL 1B Silver Slugger Award.
January 6th
1915 - Former Yankees P Tom Ferrick (1950-1951) was born (1915-1996). On June 15, 1950, Tom Ferrick was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with P Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas to the New York Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, P Don Johnson, P Duane Pillette, veteran INF Snuffy Stirnweiss and $50,000. In 1950, Tom posted an 8-4 record with 9 saves. In 1951, he went 1-1 in 9 games with 1 save before being traded on June 15, 1951, along with hurlers Bob Porterfield and Fred Sanford to the Washington Senators for P Bob Kuzava. He would later become a MLB pitching coach with the Detroit Tigers.
1916 - Former Yankees P Leonard “King” Leslie Cole (1914-1915) passed away from tuberculosis at the age of 29. On September 15, 1913, King Cole was drafted by the New York Yankees from Columbus (American Association) in the 1913 Rule 5 player draft. King Cole went 12-12 in 43 games for the 1914-1915 Yankees. King Cole was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1915. He died early the next year at the age of 29.
1926 - Future NL All-Star and Yankees pitcher Ralph Branca (1954) is born in Mount Vernon, NY. Although Ralph Branca will win 21 games in 1947 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, he will become best known for giving up the New York Giants Bobby Thomson's pennant-winning Home Run in 1951 National League playoff-game. In July of 1954, the New York Yankees picked up Ralph Branca from the Detroit Tigers. He will appear in five games for the team, posting a 1-0 record. On October 19, 1954, Ralph was released by the Yankees. He would return to the MLB in September of 1956 for one game with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1931 - The New York Yankees signed veteran INF Joe Sewell after his release by the Cleveland Indians. He will be the Yankees regular third baseman for the 1932-1933 American League seasons.
1936 - Former Yankees INF Ruben Amaro Sr. (1966-1968) was born. On November 29, 1965, he was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York Yankees for INF Phil Linz. The Yankees had high hopes for Ruben Amaro; a former National League Golden Glover (1964) to take over starting shortstop position after Tony Kubek was forced to retire from MLB with back injuries. He was a failure with the bat. Getting Tom Tresh seriously hurt didn’t help out matters any. In 1968, he was sold to the Angels. His son Ruben Jr. is a former MLB player and is the current General Manager for the Philadelphia Phillies.
1940 - Former Yankees reserve OF Elvio Jimenez (1964) was born. Elvio Jimenez played one game in October of 1964 for the New York Yankees, getting six at-bats with two hits. His older brother Manny played in the MLB during the 1960’s with the Kansas City A’s, Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs.
1950 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ray Staiger (1979) was born. On December 9, 1977, Roy Staiger was traded by the New York Mets to the New York Yankees for reserve INF Sergio Ferrer. Roy only appeared in four games with the Yankees in 1979, hitting .273.
1951 - Former Yankees P Don Gullet (1977-1980) was born. On November 18, 1976, Don Gullet was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. Don posted a 14-4 record in 1977; then he went 4-2 in 1978 before arm injuries started that ended his MLB career in 1980.
1967 - Former New York Yankees Manager Johnny Keane (1965-1966) dies in Chicago from a heart attack at the age of 55. Johnny Keane guided the St. Louis Cardinals to the 1964 World Series, but he left the team to become the manager of the New York Yankees, whom the Cardinals had beaten in the World Series, replacing the popular Yogi Berra. After an unsuccessful stint with the Yankees (81-101), Keane became a MLB scout with the Angels. In all fairness to Johnny Keane during the 1965 American League season, he was only able to field the New York Yankees regulars together for only for 20 games due to various injuries to the regular starting players.
1970 - Former Yankees P Dan Naulty (1999) was born. On November 16, 1998, Dan Naulty was traded by Minnesota Twins to the New York Yankees for minor league player Allen Butler. Dan went 1-0 in 33 games for the Yankees, before being traded on December 14, 1999 to the Dodgers for minor league player Nicholas Leach.
1970 - On January 6, 1970, OF Rich Bladt was sent by the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on September 11, 1969. The Cubs sent a player to be named later, minor league player Terry Bongiovanni and cash to the Yankees for veteran OF Jimmie Hall. Rich would appear in 75 games as a reserve outfielder for the 1975 Yankees, hitting just .222. On January 20, 1977, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Elliott Maddox to the Baltimore Orioles for veteran AL golden glove winner OF Paul Blair.
1988 - MLB free agent slugger Jack Clark signs with the New York Yankees. Jack Clark will hit .242 with 27 HRs, 93 RBIs in 1988, before being traded by the Yankees to the San Diego Padres on October 24, 1988, along with P Pat Clements for Pitchers Lance McCullers, Jimmy Jones, and OF Stanley Jefferson.
1992 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent OF/DH Danny Tartabull to a five-year contract after losing the chase to sign MLB free agent OF Barry Bonds to the San Francisco Giants. He will hit .252 in 424 games for the Yankees with 81 HRs with 282 RBI’s. On July 28, 1995, he was traded by the New York Yankees to the Oakland A’s for P Jason Beverlin and OF/DH Ruben Sierra. He was the son of former MLB OF Jose Tartabull and the brother of minor league outfielder Jose Tartabull Jr.
January 7th
1900 - Former Yankees reserve C John ‘Nig” Grabowski (1927-1929) was born (1900-1946). On January 13, 1927, John Grabowski was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with INF Ray Morehart to the New York Yankees for shortstop Aaron Ward. John hit .272 in 167 games as a reserve catcher for the Yankees. Johnny Grabowski turned to umpiring shortly after his playing career ended. He had many successful years, working in the Canadian American League, Eastern League and the International League. In May of 1946, a fire broke out in Grabowski's home in Guilderland, NY. In the effort to save his home, Johnny Grabowski was engulfed by the fire; he died a few days later while in the hospital. He was only 46 years old.
1913 - Future Hall of Fame Yankees 1B/PH Johnny Mize (1949-1953) is born in Demorest, GA. Known as "The Big Cat," Johnny Mize will hit 359 HRs and will gain election to the Hall Of Fame in 1981. On August 22, 1949, he was purchased by the New York Yankees from the New York Giants for $40,000. With the Yankees, Johnny would be PH and reserve 1B, leading the American League in pinch-hitting for three years, finishing with a lifetime PH BA of .283. As a Yankee, Johnny will hit 44 HRs with 179 RBI’s. John appeared in five World Series (1949-1953) for the New York Yankees hitting .286 with 3 HRs, 18 RBIs in 18 games. His New York Yankees Manager Casey Stengel called Mize as “the greatest pinch hitter I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around long enough to have seen everything and some things, which was never seen.” Johnny Mize played for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and the New York Yankees during his long MLB career.
1915 - The Detroit Tigers waived 1B Wally Pipp to the New York Yankees. Wally Pipp hit .161 in 12 games for the 1914 Tigers, but he'll anchor 1st base for the New York Yankees for a decade until Lou Gehrig's appearance, because of Pipp’s headache during the 1925 American League season. He will finish his Yankees career with a .282 BA in 1,488 games, while hitting 80 HRs with 827 RBI’s. On January 15,1926, Wally Pipp was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds from the Yankees for $7,500.
1920 - The newly acquired New York Yankees OF/P Babe Ruth reacts to the trade in the Boston Evening Standard saying, "Frazee is not good enough to own any ball club, especially one in Boston."
1924 - The New York Yankees buy the player contract of Louisville Colonels (American Association) star OF Earle Combs, who hit .380 in 1923. The Louisville Colonels owner Bill Kneblekamp gets $50,000, OF Elmer Smith and another player, and he demands that the New York Yankees play an exhibition game in Louisville with a guarantee that Babe Ruth is in the Yankees starting lineup. This reportedly nets Kneblekamp an additional $5,000. Earle Combs will become the first of the great Yankees Center Fielders to play for the team.
1935 - Former Yankees INF Richard “Ducky” Schofield Sr. (1966) was born. He is the Father of former MBL player Richard Schofield Jr. and the Grandfather of Jayson Werth of the Washington Nationals. On May 11, 1966, he was purchased by the New York Yankees from the San Francisco Giants to fill in for injured shortstop Ruben Amaro. He hit .155 in 25 games before being traded to the Dodgers on September 10, 1966 for P Thad Tillotson and cash. He had been a member of the 1960 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates,he was the back-up for starting shortstop Richard Groat.
1976 - Former All Star 2B Yankees Alfonso Soriano (1999-2003) was born. On September 29, 1998, he was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Japan Central League). He was the American League All Star 2B in 2002-2003. His best Yankees season was in 2002, hitting .300 with 39 HRs and 102 RBIs. On February 16, 2004, he was traded by the New York Yankees along with a player to be named later to the Texas Rangers for American League All Star INF Alex Rodriguez and cash.
1978 - Former Yankees reserve 1B George “Tioga” Burns (1928-1929) passed away (1914-1978). In 1914, first baseman George Burns came up with the Detroit Tigers. He became the Tigers regular first baseman. His presence at 1B, allowed the Tigers to send first baseman Wally Pipp to the New York Yankees in January of 1915. In 1926, he led the American League in batting with a .358 BA for the Cleveland Indians. He was named the American Leagues’ Most Valuable Player for 1926 season. On September 17, 1928, George Burns was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Cleveland Indians. He played in 13 games during the 1928-1929 American League seasons with the New York Yankees before being sent to the Philadelphia A’s on June 19, 1929. George appeared in 29 games with the A’s hitting .265.
1980 - Former Yankees minor league OF Jackson Melian was born. Jackson Melián was signed as a free agent on July 3, 1996 at the age of 16 by the New York Yankees. He received a $1.6 million signing bonus, which was a record at the time for an international free agent. He was named the Yankees #3 prospect by tools-focused Baseball America before he even played a professional baseball game. Jackson was named after Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, as his father Vincent was a longtime Yankee fan. He was compared to Ruben Rivera, and then considered the top prospect in the Yankee system by Baseball America. Jackson never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was sent to the Cincinnati Reds in the Danny Neagle trade. He was traded several times to the Chicago Cubs, he returned to the New York Yankees organization, and then he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. He spent time in the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros organizations, playing at the AAA level in 2007-2008. He didn’t play professional baseball in 2009. In 2010, he played for two independent league teams; Wichita Wingnuts and Tijuana Cimarrones.
2006 - The final 2005 MLB teams payrolls are released, the New York Yankees finished last year with a record $207.2 million payroll, more than $90 million ahead of any other MLB team, according to final figures compiled by the MLB commissioner's office.
January 8th
1913 - The New York Highlanders signed former Chicago Cubs Manager Frank Chance to be their next manager. Chance previously won two World Series and four pennants as the manager of the Chicago Cubs. His New York Yankees managing record would be 118-170 (1913-1914).
1941 - The BWAA in The Sporting News poll names the 1940 MLB All Star team: Hank Greenberg (LF), Yankees Joe DiMaggio (CF), Ted Williams (RF), Frank McCormick (1B), Yankees Joe Gordon (2B), Luke Appling (SS), Stan Hack (3B) and Harry Danning (C) are the position players, while Bob Feller, Bucky Walters, and Paul Derringer are the pitchers.
1963 - Former Yankees minor league OF Shane Turner was born. The New York Yankees in the sixth round of the 1985 MLB amateur player draft drafted outfielder Shane Turner. He never appeared with the Yankees at MLB level. On June 10,1987, Shane Turner was traded by the Yankees along with OF Keith Hughes to the Philadelphia Phillies for veteran OF/1B Mike Easler.
1969 - Former Yankees P Brian Boehringer (1995-1997) was born. On December 14, 2000, Brian Boehringer was signed as a MLB free agent by the New York Yankees. He went 5-9 in 56 games before being traded on July 4, 2001 to the San Francisco Giants for reserve C Bobby Estalella and minor league player Joe Smith. The Yankees signed Brian as a MLB free agent in July of 2005, but he was released at the end of the month with no appearances with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1971 - Former Yankees AL All Star DH/1B Jason Giambi (2002-2008) was born. Jason Giambi’s best New York Yankees season was in 2002, when he hit .314 with 34 HRs and 122 RBIs. Jason was named to the American League All Star teams in 2002-2004. He appeared in 897 games for the Yankees, while hitting .260 with 209 HRs and 604 RBI’s.
1976- Former Yankees P Carl Pavano (2005-2007) was born. Former MLB free agent P Carl Pavano was 9-8 in limited action (26 games) for the New York Yankees due to various injuries.
1985 - The New York Yankees reacquired reserve C Juan Espino from the Cleveland Indians.
1988 - Faced with a midnight deadline to re-sign with the New York Yankees, hurler Bill Gullickson agrees to a two-year contract with Yomiuri Giants instead. Clipper’s Note: The Yankees front office really dropped the ball on Bill Gullickson; the team should have resigned him.
2008 - Former New York Yankees Closer Rich “Goose“ Gossage is voted into the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA on the ninth try. Gossage had a 126 ERA+ and was a nine-time All-Star while saving over 300 games. He is the fifth reliever voted into the Hall of Fame, but the third in the past five years. He joins relievers Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Bruce Sutter as relief pitchers enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. As a New York Yankees closer (1978-1983, 1989), Rich Gossage went 42-28 in 319 games with 151 saves.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
