This Week in Yankees History
April 10th - April 16th
April 10th
1895 - Former Yankees P Robert McGraw (1917-1919,1920) was born. Bob McGraw went 1-2 in 24 games for the Yankees. On July 29,1919, Bob was traded by the New York Yankees with Allen Russell and $40,000 to the Boston Red Sox for starter Carl Mays.
1913 - In a game, which features U.S. President Woodrow Wilson throwing out the 1st pitch, the Highlanders, become known as the Yankees. Playing their 1st game under their new nickname, the Yankees lose to the Washington Senators by the score of 2-1, as future Hall of Fame P Walter Johnson picks up the win for Washington.
1946 - Former Yankees player and General Manager Bob Watson (1980-1981) was born. In 1980, the New York Yankees signed Bob Watson, as a MLB free agent. He was the Yankees regular 1st baseman, replacing the recently traded Chris Chambliss. He hit .307 for the 1980 Yankees. He had a great post-season in 1981, after an injury-plagued 1981 AL season during which he only hit .212 in 59 games. He went 7 for 16 (.438) in the Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, added 3 hits in the Yankees' sweep of the Oakland A’s in the ALCS, then went 7 for 22 (.318) with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs in the 1981 World Series, which the Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. However, the Yankees traded him away to the Atlanta Braves three weeks into the 1982 AL season, after some free agent signings over the winter had made him redundant. Bob’s final Yankees career totals were .282 BA with 19 HRs and 83 RBIs. On April 23,1982, Bob was traded by the New York Yankees to the Atlanta Braves for minor league player Scott Patterson. Bob Watson was the Yankees General Manager in 1995-1996. In 1997, Brian Cashman as the Yankees General Manager replaced Bob. Also he served as Vice President of Major League Baseball. He was responsible for on-field discipline for MLB.
1950 - Former Yankees OF/1st baseman Ken Griffey Sr. (1982-1986) was born. On November 4, 1981, Ken Griffey Sr. was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later and minor league P Brian Ryder. The New York Yankees sent P Freddie Toliver on December 9, 1981 to the Cincinnati Reds to complete the trade. With the Yankees, Ken appeared in 551 games, hitting .285 with 49 HRs and 251 RBIs. On June 30,1986, Ken was traded by the New York Yankees along with INF Andre Robertson to the Atlanta Braves for OF Claudell Washington and INF Paul Zuvella.
1967 - Former Yankees reserve OF Mike Humphreys (1991-1993) was born. On February 7, 1991, Mike Humphreys was sent by the San Diego Padres to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 3,1990. The San Diego Padres sent a player to be named later to the New York Yankees for OF Oscar Azocar. In 1993, Mike won the James P. Dawson Award for being the best Yankees rookie in the spring training camp. Mike appeared in 54 games for the Yankees, hitting just .176.
1971 - Former Yankees P Al Reyes (2003) was born. On March 24, 2003, Al Reyes was signed as a MLB Free Agent with the New York Yankees. Al went 0-0 in 13 games for the 2003 Yankees. On July 25, 2003, the New York Yankees released Al
1976 - The Milwaukee Brewers 3B Don Money hits a 9th-inning grand slam HR to give the Brewers, an apparent 10-9 lead over the Yankees. The umpires, however, rule that Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss had called timeout prior to the pitch. Don Money returns to the plate, hits a sacrifice fly, and the Brewers loses the game to the Yankees by a score of 9-7.
1982 - The New York Yankees traded hard-throwing reliever Ron Davis and minor leaguer players INF Greg Gagne and P Paul Boris to the Minnesota Twins for INF Roy Smalley. The trade breaks up the Yankees' devastating bullpen combination of Ron Davis and Goose Gossage.
1989 - At Yankee Stadium, Toronto Blue Jays starter Dave Stieb throws a one-hitter, an 8-0 shutout against the New York Yankees, giving him three one-hitters in his last four starts dating back to September of 1988.
1998 - The New York Yankees draw the largest regular-season crowd ever at the new Yankee Stadium as 56,717 fans attend the home opener against the Oakland A’s. Then the Yankees crush the club scoring mark by winning the 17-13 slugfest against the A’s.
2007 - Former Yankees 1B Richard Kryhoski (1946-1949) passed away. In 1946, Richard Kryhoski was signed as an MLB amateur free agent by the Yankees scout Paul Krichell. He batted .294 in 54 games during the 1949 AL season for the Yankees. On December 17, 1949, he was traded by the Yankees to the Detroit Tigers for 1B Richard Wakefield (1950). On December 1, 1954, he was sent by the Baltimore Orioles to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on November 17, 1954. The Baltimore Orioles sent players to be named later, INF Billy Hunter, Pitchers Don Larsen and Bob Turley to the New York Yankees for players to be named later, P Harry Byrd, P Jim McDonald, INF Willy Miranda, Catchers Hal Smith, and Gus Triandos and OF Gene Woodling. On March 30, 1955, he was purchased by the Kansas City A’s from the New York Yankees.
2010 - The New York Yankees starter CC Sabathia flirts with a no-hit bid, before giving up a two-out single to the Tampa Bay Rays' Kelly Shoppach in the eighth inning. Having reached his pitch count limit, he then exits the game, but he is credited with the Yankees 10-0 victory.
April 11th
1872 - Former Yankee P Frank Kitson (1907) was born. On May 30, 1907, Frank Kitson was purchased by the New York Highlanders from the Washington Senators. He appeared in 12 games for the Yankees, posting a 4-0 record. In August of 1907, Frank was purchased by Kansas City (American Association) from the New York Highlanders.
1917 - Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox pitches a three-hitter in shutting down the New York Yankees on Opening Day. Ruth's performance marks the start of good things to come. He will win 24 games this year, while leading the American League with 35 complete games.
1954 - To make room for promising rookie OF Wally Moon, the St. Louis Cardinals trade longtime OF great Enos Slaughter to the New York Yankees in exchange for minor league OF Bill Vidron, pitcher Mel Wright, C Hal Smith, and OF Emil Tellinger. Vidron would become the National League Rookie of the Year in 1955, later starting outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1950-1960’s. Hal Smith was another in a string of young Yankee catchers, who were traded away because of the presence of All Star starting catcher Yogi Berra. Bill Virdon and Mel Wright would return to the New York Yankees in 1974 as Manager and MLB pitching coach. Enos Slaughter would play 5 seasons with the Yankees in between a brief stay with the Kansas City A’s, before retiring in 1959 with the Milwaukee Braves.
1965 - Former Yankee minor league player Turner Ward was born. On June 2, 1986, Turner Ward was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 18th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On March 19,1989, he was traded by the New York Yankees along with C Joel Skinner to the Cleveland Indians for OF Mel Hall.
1980 - Current Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira was born. In late December 2008, 1B Mark Teixeira signed a contract as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees for an 8-year term, making him one of the highest-paid players in baseball. After a slow start, Teixeira took his accustomed place among baseball's best sluggers in his initial season in pinstripes. He hit .292 in 2009, with 43 doubles, 39 homers, 122 RBI and 103 runs scored. He led the AL in total bases (344), home runs, RBI and extra-base hits while forming a formidable tandem in the middle of the Yankees' batting order with Alex Rodriguez. He was a leading candidate for the AL MVP Award, finishing 2nd in the voting behind Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins. Mark picked up both an AL Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award at 1B while being named to the AL All-Star team. He was not as hot during the post-season, but still contributed 2 home runs, 10 runs and 8 RBI towards the Bronx Bombers' conquest of their 1st World Series title since 2000.
April 12th
1895 - Former Yankees OF Sammy Vick (1917-1920) was born. Sammy Vick was a weak-hitting outfielder. He appeared in 169 games with the Yankees, hitting .246. He was the Yankees regular right fielder for the 1919 Yankees. In 1920, he was replaced by newly acquired outfielder Babe Ruth. On December 15,1920, Sammy Vick was traded by the New York Yankees along with INF Del Pratt, C Muddy Ruel, and Hank Thormahlen to the Boston Red Sox for P Waite Hoyt, P Harry Harper, C Wally Schang and INF Mike McNally.
1922 - Former Yankees P Bill Wright (1946-1947) was born. Hurler Bill Wight was signed as a high school junior by New York Yankees MLB scout Joe Devine. Eventually he played for 8 MLB teams; New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and finishing up with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958. He was renowned for his pickoff move, and once picked off Mickey Mantle twice in a game. Wight began his professional career in 1941. He missed the 1943-1945 seasons due to military service. Bill appeared in 15 games for the Yankees posting a 3-2 record. On February 24,1948, he was traded by the New York Yankees along with P Fred Bradley and C Aaron Robinson to the Chicago White Sox for starter Eddie Lopat. For 37 years, he worked in scouting, signing Joe Morgan for the Houston Astros, before moving to the Atlanta Braves where he spent 32 years. He signed MLB players Dusty Baker, Dale Murphy, Bob Horner and David Justice for the Braves among others.
1927 - The New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia A’s by a score of 8-3, before the largest confirmed paid opening day attendance in baseball history, at that time (73,206 fans) as Yankees starter Waite Hoyt out-dueled A’s Ace Lefty Grove.
1933 - Former Yankees MLB Batting Coach Charlie Lau (1979-1980) was born. Charley Lau was a reserve catcher who shuttled between AAA and the Majors for most of his 11-year career. Afterwards, he became much more famous as a thoughtful hitting coach. While in the minors, Lau missed the 1953-1954 seasons due to military service. In 11 years in the majors, Lau played in 527 games. He hit .255 with 16 home runs. He was doomed to be remembered by few, and then he became a MLB coach. On July 13,1962 Lau hit 4 doubles in a 9-inning game against the Cleveland Indians. This ties the all time MLB record for the most doubles in a game. In 1968, Lau managed Shreveport in the Texas League. The following season he became a major league hitting instructor. In 1969, he was with the Baltimore Orioles. He joined the Oakland A’s in 1970. His greatest work came with the Kansas City Royals, beginning in 1971. In Kansas City, he took a crop of young players and made them outstanding hitters. Under his guidance, George Brett and Hal McRae battled for the 1976 batting title. In seven seasons, ten of Lau's hitters had .300 batting averages. Charley Lau moved to the New York Yankees for the 1979-1980 AL seasons. Then he moved on to the Chicago White Sox, officially, for 1981-1982. He was also on their MLB staff for 1983, but he gave up his official position so MLB Coach Loren Babe could qualify for his MLB player pension. He is credited with the development of Harold Baines while with the White Sox. Lau died in March 1984 of colon cancer at age 50.
1942 - Former Yankees P Dale Roberts (1967) was born. In 1963, the New York Yankees as an amateur MLB free agent signed hurler Dale Roberts. He would appear in only 2 games in 1967 for the Yankees with no record. On December 7,1967, Dale was traded by the Yankees along with C Bob Tillman to the Atlanta Braves for INF Bobby Cox.
1948 - The New York Yankees released veteran AL All Star starter Surgeon “Spud“ Chandler (1937-1947). Spud had retired from MLB. Spud Chandler went 109–43, .717 WP, with a 2.84 ERA, in 211 games for the New York Yankees. He completed 109 games with 26 shutouts. He won 20 games twice for the Yankees in 1943 (20-4) and 1946 (20-8). He won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 1943. He was named to the AL All Star team In 1942-1943 and the 1946 AL seasons.
1953 - Former Yankees minor league OF Mickey Mantle Jr. was born (1953-2000). Mickey Mantle Jr. played in the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers minor league systems. He never appeared in the MLB. He was a switch-hitting centerfielder like his father. He passed away on December 23, 2000 from cancer.
1959 - The New York Yankees obtained OF Bob Martyn and INF Mike Baxes from the Kansas City A’s for minor league OF Russ Snyder and shortstop Tommy Carroll. Russ Snyder was a rare Yankees mistake, which would play 12 years in the MLB. Russ would hit .300 for the Kansas City A’s and the Baltimore Orioles. Martyn and Baxes never made it with the Yankees at the MLB level. Tommy Carroll was one of the New York Yankees bonus baby signings of the 1950’s. He left MLB after the 1959 AL season with the Kansas City A’s. He had hit .300 in 64 games. He had attended Notre Dame University. He left professional baseball to have a long career in U.S. Foreign Services agency.
1960 - Former Yankees minor league C Bill Lindsey was born. In 1981, the New York Yankees as an amateur MLB free agent signed catcher Bill Lindsey. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 24,1986, Bill was sent by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox to complete an earlier deal made on July 30, 1986. The Yankees sent a player to be named later, C Ron Hassey and OF Carlos Martinez to the White Sox for a player to be named later, OF/1B/DH Ron Kittle, C Joel Skinner and INF Wayne Tolleson. The Yankees would send C Bill Lindsey on December 24, 1986 to the White Sox to complete the trade.
1970 - Plaques honoring former New York Yankees centerfields Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle are dedicated at Yankee Stadium. The plaques are located in center field and will eventually be moved to "Monument Park" beyond the LF fence, when Yankee Stadium is renovated in 1974-75.
1973 - Former Yankees reliever Antonio Osuna (2003) was born. He came to the New York Yankees from the Chicago White Sox in the Orlando Hernandez trade. He went 2-5 in 48 games for the 2003 Yankees, working out of the bullpen.
April 13th
1866 - Former Yankees INF Herman “Germany” Long (1903) was born. Herman Long appeared in 22 games for the 1903 Yankees, just hitting .188.
1875 - Former Yankees INF and Manager (1908) Kid “The Tabasco Kid” Elberfeld (1903-1909) was born. (1875-1944). On June 10, 1903, INF Kid Elberfeld was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Highlanders for infielders Ernie Courtney and Herman Long. Kid appeared in 667 games for the Yankees, hitting .268. He managed the 1908 New York Highlanders for 98 games. He was proficient at the art of getting hit by the pitch, ranking # 15 on the all-time list (through 2010). He also he played and managed many years in the minor leagues. Although he stood only 5 ' 7 " tall, he was famous for his temper, which earned him the nickname of “The Tabasco Kid”. Books about Casey Stengel say that when Elberfeld was a veteran and Stengel was a young player, the two became close friends. Elberfeld gave Stengel useful information on how to be a successful ballplayer. On December 14,1909, he was purchased by the Washington Senators from the New York Highlanders for $5,000.
1879 - Former Yankees INF/OF Garland “Jake” Stahl (1908) was born (1879-1922). October 13, 1907, 1B Jake Stahl was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Chicago White Sox to the New York Highlanders. The New York Highlanders sent Frank LaPorte to the Boston Americans. The Boston Americans sent Freddy Parent to the Chicago White Sox. Jake Stahl appeared in 75 games for the 1908 Yankees, hitting .255. He switched from 1B to the outfield because the Yankees had Hal Chase. On July 10,1908, he was purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the New York Highlanders.
1915 - Former Yankees INF Oscar Grimes (1943-1946) was born. On December 17, 1942, Oscar Grimes was traded by the Cleveland Indians along with OF Roy Weatherly to the New York Yankees for OF Roy Cullenbine and C Buddy Rosar. Oscar would hit .266 in 281 games for the Yankees before being sold to the Philadelphia A’s.
1919 - The New York Yankees released outfielders Ham Hyatt and Hugh High and P Ed Monroe.
1921 - In the 1921 American League season opener for the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth goes 5-for-5, as Yankees starter Carl Mays beat the Philadelphia A’s by the score of 11-1.
1926 - The New York Yankees edge the Boston Red Sox by the score of 12-11 at Fenway Park in one of the wildest opening games in the history of both clubs.
1973 - Former Yankees P Mark Leiter (1990) was born. The New York Yankees signed Pitcher Mark Leiter as a MLB free agent. Mark went 1-1 in 8 games with Yankees. He is the older brother of former Yankees P Al Leiter. On March 19,1991, Mark was traded by the Yankees to the Detroit Tigers for INF Torey Lovullo.
1995 - Former Yankees minor league OF Hal Peck passed away. On June 19, 1946, OF Hal Peck was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Philadelphia Athletics. Hal never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level, spending the 1946 season at Triple AAA. On December 6,1946, Hal was traded by the New York Yankees along with Pitchers Gene Bearden and Al Gettel to the Cleveland Indians for C Sherman Lollar and INF Ray Mack.
2010 - The New York Yankees receive their 2009 World Series rings in a ceremony before their home opener at New Yankee Stadium. Hideki Matsui, the 2009 World Series MVP, gets to join his former teammates for the ceremony, as he now plays for today’s visitors, the Los Angeles Angels. The New York Yankees bang out 13 hits for a 7-5 victory. Yankees veteran lefty starter Andy Pettitte picks up the victory with six scoreless innings.
April 14th
1910 - In the season opener before 25,000 fans at New York's Hilltop Park, Red Sox sport laced collars, the last MLB team to wear a collar. Boston sends Yankees into extra innings before the game is called at the end of 14 innings with the score, 4-4. Ed Cicotte starts for Red Sox, with Joe Wood relieving in the 8th inning. Yankees starter Hippo Vaughn goes all the way, retiring Red Sox batters in the 4th and 12th innings on 4 pitches. He needs just 3 pitches in the 10th inning.
1930 - Former Yankee P Frank Kitson (1907) passed away (1869-1930). On May 30, 1907, Frank Kitson was purchased by the New York Highlanders from the Washington Senators. He appeared in 12 games for the Yankees, posting a 4-0 record. In August of 1907, Frank was purchased by Kansas City (American Association) from the New York Highlanders
1931 - Former Yankees INF Kal Segrist (1951) was born. In 1951, the New York Yankees, as an amateur MLB free agent, signed INF Kal Segrist. He only appeared in 13 games during the 1951 AL Season, just hitting .043. He was hitting .291 with 17 homers for Kansas City Blues (American Association) in 1951 before coming up partway through the season to the Yankees. After being sent back to the minors, he ended up the season hitting .308 with 25 home runs. He stayed with the Kansas City Blues for the next 2 seasons; Kal would hit .291 with 15 home runs in 1954. He would be sent to the Baltimore Orioles in the huge 17-player trade in December of 1954. He coached at Texas Tech University from 1965-1987, serving as head coach from 1968-1983.
1955 - Elston Howard becomes the 1st black MLB player in New York Yankees team history. The 26-year-old C/OF makes his MLB debut against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, as he hit a single with 1 RBI in the Yankees' 8-4 loss.
1955 - Former Yankees minor league P Chris Welsh was born. The New York Yankees in the 21st round of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft drafted hurler Chris Welsh. Chris never pitched for the Yankees at MLB level. He was traded to the San Diego Padres in the Ruppert Jones-Jerry Mumphrey trade. This trade also included young Yankees P Tim Lollar and OF Joe Lefebve.
1966 - Former Yankees OF/DH David Justice (2000-01) was born. Dave Justice came over from the Cleveland Indians in mid-season trade that saw the Yankees gave up pitchers Zack Day, Jake Westbrook and OF Ricky Ledee. He hit .305 in 78 games for the Yankees. In 2001, he dropped to a .241 mark in 111 games. Dave was traded by the Yankees to the Mets for 3B Robin Ventura in December of 2001.
1967 - Boston Red Sox rookie P Billy Rohr makes a memorable debut by no-hitting the New York Yankees for 8th -two-thirds innings. Yankees C Elston Howard spoils Rohr's masterpiece with a 2-out single in the 9th inning, but the Red Sox still win the game, by a score of 3-0. Despite his impressive debut, Billy Rohr will win only 2 more games in his MLB career.
1969 - Former Yankees minor leaguer and MLB player C Brad Ausmus was born. The New York Yankees in the 48th round of the 1987 MLB amateur player draft drafted catcher Brad Ausmus. He spent six seasons in the Yankees organization. Brad was drafted fro, the Yankees farm system by the Colorado Rockies in MLB expansion player draft of 1992 (Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins). It has never been stated, why he was left exposed by the Yankees in the 1992 MLB expansion player draft.
1969 - The New York Yankees purchased veteran OF Jimmie Hall from the Cleveland Indians. He would hit .236 in 80 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the Chicago Cubs.
1976 - Former Yankees reliever Kyle Farnsworth (2006-2008) was born. On December 5, 2005, Kyle was signed as a MLB free gent with the New York Yankees. Kyle Farnsworth posted a 6-9 mark with 7 saves in 181 games for the Yankees. On July 30,2008, Kyle was traded by the New York Yankees to the Detroit Tigers for C Ivan Rodriguez.
1978 - Former Yankees AL All Star INF Joe “Flash “ Gordon (1938-1943,1946) passes away. (1915-1978). Former MLB Manager: Cleveland Indians (1958-1960), Detroit Tigers (1960), Kansas City A’s (1961) and the Kansas City Royals (1969).
In 1936, the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent signed infielder Joe Gordon. In 1938, he joined the Yankees as a 2B. He made the AL All Star team in from 1939 to 1943 and 1946. In 1942, he won AL MVP award hitting .342. In October of 1946, Joe was traded to the Indians for starter Allie Reynolds. After retiring as an active player, he later became a MLB manager in the AL during the 1950’s. He was involved in the only trade of MLB managers in 1960. The Cleveland Indians to the Detroit Tigers traded Joe Gordon for Jimmy Dykes by Tribe’s General Manager Frank “Trader” Lane. The Veteran’s committee elected Joe Gordon to baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 2008.
2001 - Former Yankees OF/1B Frenchy Bordagaray (1941) passed away. On January 27, 1940, he was sent by the Cincinnati Reds to the 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 players to be named later and 1B Vince DiMaggio. The Reds sent OF Frenchy Bordagaray and P Nino Bongiovanni on January 27,1940 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Frenchy would appear in 36 games for the Yankees, hitting .260. On March 23,1942, he was purchased by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Yankees.
2004 - A day after New York Yankees teammate Mike Mussina earns his 200th MLB career victory, Kevin Brown reaches the same plateau beating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, by the score of 5-1. It is the first time in MLB history members of the same pitching staff have won their 200th MLB career victory in consecutive starts.
2008 - New York Yankees All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez moves up to a tie for 15th place on the all-time MLB Home Run leader lists, even with Ted Williams and Willie McCovey. Rodriguez hits his 521st MLB career HR as part of a 4-for-5 day; Tampa Bay Rays hurler Andy Sonnanstine allows the HR shot. The Yankees top the Rays by the score of 8-7.
2008 - Former Yankees minor league OF Tommy Holmes passed away. In 1937, New York Yankees MLB scout Paul Krichell signed outfielder Tommy Holmes. Holmes began his pro career in 1937 with the Norfolk Tars, hitting .320 with 25 HRs and 111 RBIs. The next summer, he hit .368 with the Binghamton Triplets to win the Eastern League batting crown. He then spent the next 3 seasons with the Newark Bears (IL), hitting over .300 each year, but found his path to the majors blocked by a talent-laden Yankees outfield that included Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, Charlie Keller, and George Selkirk. Following the 1941 MLB season, Holmes was traded to the Boston Braves for 1B Buddy Hassett and OF Gene Moore. He soon became a regular in the outfield and spent the next decade playing for the Braves.
April 15th
1886 - Former Yankees P Leonard “King” Cole (1914-15) was born. “King Cole” would go 14-12 in 43 games with the Yankees.
1913 - The New York Yankees purchased INF Bill McKechnie from the Boston Braves for cash. Bill hit .145 in 45 games for the Yankees. In 1962, he would be elected to Hall Of Fame for his long time MLB Manager career in the National League with the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds. In 1925, he won a World Championship against the Washington Senators with the Pirates. In 1928, he led the Cardinals to a NL flag. With the Reds, Bill won National League pennants in 1939-1940.
1934 - The New York Yankees released P Charles Devens (1932-34). In 1932, the New York Yankees as an amateur MLB free agent signed former college hurler Charles Devens. He had played college baseball at Harvard University. He went 5-3 in 16 games with the Yankees.
1936 - Former Yankees minor league Manager Leo Posada (1975) was born. The Milwaukee Braves signed outfielder Leo Posada in 1954. H came up to the majors to play 3 seasons with the Kansas City Athletics, serving as the regular left fielder in 1961. Born in Cuba in 1936, he is the uncle of New York Yankees DH Jorge Posada. During the 1958-1959 winter he played for Almendares in Cuba as a teammate of former Dodgers Pitcher Tommy Lasorda. The Pride of Havana says that Posada "came of age in the 1960-61 winter" in Cuban baseball. After retiring as a active player, Leo Posada managed in the minor leagues with the 1968-1969 Cocoa Astros, 1973-1974 Cedar Rapids Astros, 1975 Fort Lauderdale Yankees, 1976-1977, Columbus Astros and 1978 Daytona Beach Astros.
1945 - Former Yankees INF Chick Fewster (1917-1922) passed away. Chick Fewster appeared in 228 games for the Yankees, hitting .259. In April of 1923, as a member of the Boston Red Sox, Chick became the 1st official batter at Yankee Stadium.
1961- Former Yankees P Nick Cullop (1916-1917) passed away. On January 21, 1916, Nick Cullop was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Kansas City Packers (Federal League). Nick went 18-15 in 58 games for the Yankees with 2 saves.
On January 22,1918, Nick was traded by the New York Yankees with P Joe Gedeon, INF Fritz Maisel, C Les Nunamaker, P Urban Shocker and $15,000 to the St. Louis Browns for P Eddie Plank and INF Del Pratt.
1968- Former Yankees reliever Billy Brewer (1996) was born. On June 22, 1996, Billy Brewer was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees for P Mike Judd. Billy posted a 1-0 mark with the 1996 Yankees in 4 games.
1976 - The New York Yankees defeat the Minnesota Twins, by the score of 11-4, in the 1st game at the newly renovated Yankee Stadium. Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and the widows of Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth take part in pre-game ceremonies at the Stadium, which had been closed for remodeling the 1974 and 1975 AL seasons. The opening day attendance for the Yankees was 52,613 fans.
1976 - Former Yankees P Floyd Newkirk (1934) passed away. Floyd Newkirk appeared in one game for the 1934 Yankees with no record. On December 19,1934, the New York Yankees sent Jim Densmore (minors), Ted Norbert (minors), Doc Farrell and Floyd Newkirk to San Francisco (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made on November 21, 1934. November 21,1934, The New York Yankees sent players to be named later and cash to San Francisco Seals (Pacific Coast League) for OF Joe DiMaggio. Doc Farrell refused to report to his new team on 1935.
1998 - The 1st-ever AL-NL doubleheader ends up a good day for New York City baseball fans. The Yankees are forced to come to Shea Stadium after a beam falls into the stands at Yankee Stadium on April 13th. The Yankees earn their 1st victory in Queens in 22 years as they defeat the Angels by the score of 6-3. Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry, the all-time HR leader at Shea Stadium, adds to his total HR with a shot into the LF bleachers. In the regularly scheduled night game, the Mets beat the Chicago Cubs by the score of 2-1. The Yankees, who played at Shea Stadium in 1974-75 while Yankee Stadium was renovated, drew a crowd of 40,743, a dramatic contrast to the gathering of 16,012 fans, who showed up for the Mets game at night.
April 16th
1892 - Former Yankees P Dutch Leonard (1919) was born (1892-1952). On December 18, 1918, Dutch Leonard was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with OF Duffy Lewis and P Ernie Shore to the New York Yankees for P Ray Caldwell, OF Frank Gilhooley, P Slim Love, C Roxy Walters and $15,000. Dutch Leonard didn’t want to play in New York. On May 17, 1919, he was purchased by the Detroit Tigers from the New York Yankees for $12,000.
1903 - Former reserve OF Paul Waner (1944-1945) was born (1903-1965). Paul Waner was at the end of his Hall of Fame MLB career, when he joined the New York Yankees in September of 1944. He only appeared in 10 games hitting just .143 before being release in May of 1945. He had spent most of his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1929 - The New York Yankees are the 1st team in MLB history to permanently feature numbers on the backs of their uniforms. The numbers correspond to each player's position in the batting order. The numbers also allow fans and broadcasters to more easily identify the players.
1937 - Yankee Stadium opened for its 15th season with a new enlarged Right Field stand. Prior to the 1937 American League season, the triple decked seating area ended at the foul poles, and the bleachers extended across the outfield from pole to pole. The extended decks included new box and reserved seats, and thereby reduced the Stadium’s seating capacity below the 72,000, it once allegedly held.
1939 - Former Yankees reserve INF Bernie Allen (1972-73) was born. Bernie Allen was obtained from the Texas Rangers in 1972 for 2 Yankee minor league players, P Terry Ley and P Gary Jones. During the 1973 AL season, he was sold to the Montreal Expos.
1943 - Former Yankees reserve C Frank Fernandez (1967-69) was born. In 1961, the New York Yankees, as an amateur MLB free agent, signed catcher Frank Fernandez. Frank was weak hitting catcher, who hit .204 in 149 games with 20 HRs and 63 RBIs. On December 5,1969, Frank was traded by the Yankees along with veteran starter Al Downing to the Oakland A’s for 1B Danny Cater and INF/OF Ossie Chavarria.
1954 - Former Yankees reserve C Bruce Robinson (1979-1980) was born. Bruce Robinson was purchased by the New York from Oakland A’s for $400,000 in February of 1979. He only appeared in 10 games for the Yankees, going 2 for 17 with a .118 BA. Robinson's lasting legacy on the game will be his invention of the "Robby Pad" in 1979. The "Robby Pad", a hinged flap on the right/throwing shoulder of a catcher's chest protector, began seeing widespread use in the early 1980s and can be viewed on most every catcher's chest protector from the major leagues to youth leagues. One of the original two "Robby Pads" is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Robinson, along with former New York Yankees pitching star, Dave Righetti, were involved in a car accident in 1980 in which Robinson's right shoulder sustained a career-impacting injury, necessitating shoulder reconstruction in May of 1981. A drunken driver rear-ended Robinson and Righetti in Robinson's car that was stopped in a left hand turn lane.
As a result of the injury, Robinson could not take advantage of being handed the left-handed platoon side of a starting role with the Yankees. Robinson missed the 1981 and 1982 seasons on the disabled list. He never made it back to the major leagues. He did lead the Oakland A's in batting average during spring training of 1984 but was sent to AAA Tacoma before agreeing to accept a player/hitting coach position with class A Modesto in the California League. Robinson's primary role was to work with two young hitters, Mark McGwire (fresh from the 1984 Olympic team) and Jose Canseco who was underperforming. McGwire and Canseco went on to prolific and controversial careers in the "steroid age" of baseball in the 1980s and 1990s.
1959 - The New York Yankees unveil the 1st message scoreboard in Stadium History. It listed the lineups, out of town scores, and a wide expanse for paragraph-type messages, posted via electronic devices.
1960 - Former Yankees P Curt Young (1992) was born. On June 16, 1992, Curt Young was signed as a MLB free agent by the New York Yankees. Curt went 3-0 in 13 games for the 1992 Yankees. On November 6,1992, Curt was granted MLB free agency by the New York Yankees. Curt became a pitching coach, he was the Oakland A’s MLB pitching coach from 2004-2010. Currently he is the Boston Red Sox MLB pitching coach.
1961 - Beginning his historic HR chase of Babe Ruth's 60 HR season-record, Yankees RF Roger Maris connects for 1st HR in the 12th game of the 1961 American League season. The 5th-inning solo homerun shot is off of Detroit Tigers veteran starter pitcher Paul Foytack.
1967 - The New York Yankees edge the Boston Red Sox by the score of 7-6 in 18 innings. The 5-hour, 50-minute marathon ended when Jake Gibbs walked, stole 2nd base and scored on a single by Joe Pepitone.
1973 - The New York Yankees purchased veteran 3B/1B Jim Ray Hart from the San Francisco Giants for over $50,000. Jim would hit .254 for the Yankees in 1973.
2009 - The Cleveland Indians spoil the opening of New Yankee Stadium with a 10-2 win over the New York Yankees. Jhonny Peralta hits a two-run double off of reliever Jose Veras to break a 1 - 1 tie, then Grady Sizemore delivers the KO with a grand slam homerun off of reliever Damaso Marte. Jorge Posada is the first batter to homer in the Yankees' new ballpark with a solo shot off winning pitcher Cliff Lee in the 5th inning. New York had won 16 of their final 17 home openers at the old Yankee Stadium.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
