Sunday, September 28, 2008

This Week In Yankees History

September 28th - October 4th

September 28th

1885 - Former Yankees P Wilbur “Lefty” Good (1905) was born.(1885-1963) Lefty was 0-2 in 5 games for the Yankees in 1905. In 1908, he was traded to the Indians, where he became an outfielder.

1892 - Former Yankees 2B Jack Fournier (1918) was born (1892-1973). Jack hit .350 in 27 games for the Yankees in 1918.

1895 - Former Yankees OF Lawton “Whitey” Witt (1922-25) was born. (1895-1988) Whitey was obtained from the A’s in 1922. He was a good hitter and solid outfielder. He was sold to the Dodgers after the 1925 AL season.

1923 - The Yankees overwhelm the Red Sox by the score of 24-4, among the battered Boston pitchers was Howard Ehmke, who straggler through 6 innings, allowing 17 runs with 21 hits. Yankees Babe Ruth and Aaron Ward hit HRs in Fenway Park that day.

1928 - The Yankees clinch their 6th AL pennant by defeating the Tigers by the score of 11-6, behind starting pitcher George Pipgras.

1930 - Lou Gehrig’s 885 consecutive game errorless streak at 1st base ends during a Yankees’ 9-3 win against the Red Sox. This game also featured a rare pitching performance by Babe Ruth, who hurled an 11-hit complete game win.

1942 - Former Yankees P Grant Jackson (1976) was born. Grant was obtained from the Orioles in June of 1976 in the Doyle Alexander trade. He went 6-0 in 21 games with 1 save. In the fall of 1976, the Yankees lost him to the Mariners in the AL expansion player draft.

1949 - Former Yankees minor league INF Mario Guerrero was born. Mario was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1968. Mario never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On June 30, 1972, Mario was sent by the Yankees to the Red Sox to complete an earlier deal made on March 22, 1972. The Yankees sent a player to be named later and 1B Danny Cater to the Red Sox for P Sparky Lyle. The Yankees sent INF Mario Guerrero on June 30, 1972 to the Red Sox to complete the trade.

1951 - Former Yankees P Dave Rajsich (1978) was born. Dave was signed as a free agent by the Yankees in 1974. He appeared in 4 games with no record in 1978. Then during the winter of 1978, he was traded to the Rangers in the Sparky Lyle-Dave Righetti trade. His brother Gary also played in the MLB.

1951 - Yankees starter Allie Reynolds pitched his 2nd no-hitter of the 1951 AL season as the Yankees defeat the Red Sox by the score of 8-0, in the opener of a doubleheader. He becomes the 1st AL pitcher to throw 2 no-hitters in a season. The game is best remembered for C Yogi Berra’s muff of a pop foul by Ted Williams, always a though out and the last batter in the 9th inning. Fortunately, Reynolds induced Williams to hit the same foul pop and this time Yogi Berra caught the ball. The Yankees clinched the 1951 AL pennant with an 11-3 victory in the nightcap, behind Yankees starter Vic Raschi.

1958 - The Yankees finish the 1958 AL season with a doubleheader sweep of the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. They would end the 1958 season with a 92-61-1 record. In the 1st game, the Yankees 7-0 win as starter Don Larsen picks up his 9th victory. A Marv Thronberry solo HR and Norm Seibern hits 2-HRs for the Yankees. In the 2nd game, Yankees win by a score of 6-3. As Yankees starter Tom Sturdivant picks up his 3rd victory with relief help from pitchers Bobby Shantz and Zack Monroe, who picks up his 3rd save of the 1958 AL season.

1958 - Former Yankees P Pete Filson (1987) was born. Pete was drafted by the Yankees in the 9th round of the 1979 amateur player draft. On May 12, 1982, Pete was traded by the Yankees along with INF Larry Milbourne, P John Pacella, and cash to the Twins for C Butch Wynegar and P Roger Erickson. On January 5, 1987, Pete was traded by the White Sox along with INF Randy Velarde to the Yankees for P Scott Nielsen and Mike Soper (minors). Pete went 1-0 in 7 games for the Yankees in 1987. He spent the 1988 season at Columbus (IL).

1960 - The Yankees win their 12th game, beating the Senators by a score of 6-3, as Whitey Ford finishes the 1960 AL season with a 12-9 record. The Yankees hitting attack is paced by Mickey Mantle’s 2-HR’s for 3 runs and a solo HR by Clete Boyer. Yankees starter Whitey Ford only goes 5 innings before getting relief help from pitchers Jim Coates and Louis Arroyo, who gets his 7th save of the 1960 season.

1970 - Former Yankees minor league P Mike DeJean was born. Mike was drafted by the Yankees in the 24th round of the 1992 amateur player draft. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 20, 1995, Mike was traded by the Yankees to the Rockies for C Joe Girardi.

1978 - Ron Guidry wins his 24th game of the 1978 season, with a 4-hit, 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. Yankees OF Roy White has a great game driving in the Yankees 1st run and robbing former Yankees teammate Otto Velez of a late inning HR that would have tie the game. Their lead in the AL East remains at 1 game.

1999 - The Yankees defeat the Orioles at Camden Yards, by a score of 9-5. The Birds chase Yankees starter Ed Yarnall for 7-hits, 5 runs, but Ramiro Mendoza and Mo Rivera hold the Birds, so the Yankees can come back for the victory. Tino Martinez hits a HR for the Yankees.

2001 - At Yankee Stadium, starter Mike Messina throws a complete game a 3-hitter, 7-0 victory against his former Orioles teammates. The Yankees hitting attack is led by a Bernie Williams HR and Tino Martinez’s double and triple.

2005 - Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez hits his 47th HR in the Yankees 2-1 victory over the Orioles. His shot broke Joe DiMaggio’s-season club record for HRs by a right-handed batter, set in 1937.

2007 - The Red Sox clinch the AL East title, bringing to an end a streak of 9 consecutive division titles by the Yankees, dating back to 1998. The Yankees will not miss the Postseason however, having clinched the American League Wild Card.

September 29th

1886 - Former Yankees P Edwin “Cy” Pieh (1913-15) was born (1886-1945). Cy went 9-9 in 43 games for the Yankees.

1901 - Former Yankees reserve C Anthony “Pug’” Rensa (1933) was born (1901-1987). Pug hit .310 in 8 games as a back up catcher for the Yankees in 1933.

1911 - The Yankees draw 13 walks and steal 15 bases in a wild 16-12 win against the Browns. The game also features a MLB record 6 stolen bases in one inning, the second inning.

1914 - Former Yankees P John “Swede” Johnson (1944) was born. John went 0-2 in 22 games for the Yankees in 1944.

1920 - Yankees OF Babe Ruth hits his MLB record 54th HR on the last day of the 1920 AL season. Only one other team in the American League will hit more than 44 homers.

1921 - It’s the 4th game of the crucial series with the Indians. Yankees are in 1st place by 1 1/2 games. Yankees manager Miller Huggins asks his players to select as their starting pitcher. The teams picks veteran P Jack Quinn. He gets rocked for 3 runs in the 1st inning. He is replaced by Waite Hoyt. Babe Ruth gets the Yankees going in the 1st inning with a HR. In the 3rd inning, he gets another run with a double, later he scores. In the 5th inning, Ruth then hits a 2-run HR for the Yankees to take a lead. Reliever Carl Mays holds the Indians, striking out Steve O’Neill with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs in the 9th inning. There by enable the Yankees to virtually clinch the AL pennant

1927 - Babe Ruth ties his own HR record with #59 on the 1927 AL season. Ruth will break the record tomorrow.

1927 - Babe Ruth hits his 2nd grand slam HR in as many consecutive games, thereby tying the MLB record. He would repeat the performance on 8/6/29 and 8/7/29.

1928 - The Yankees and Tigers combine to set AL record for most hits by both teams in a 9-inning game (45), when Detroit records 28 hits and New York adds 17. The Tigers won the game by a score of 19-10.

1934 - Babe Ruth hits his last HR as a Yankee. #659 as a Yankee and #708 of his MLB career comes off Syd Cohen at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D. C.

1938 - Former Yankees P Mike McCormick (1970) was born. Mike was obtained from the Giants, for P John Cumberland. As a Yankee, he went 2-0 in 8 games, before being released in 1971.

1967 - Former Yankees back-up INF Dave Silvestri (1992-1995) was born. On March 13, 1990, Dave was traded by the Astros with a player to be named later to the Yankees for Orlando Miller. The Astros sent Dave Bond (minors) on June 11, 1990 to the Yankees to complete the trade. David played in 56 games for the Yankees as a reserve INF, before being traded on July 16, 1995, to the Expos for Tyrone Horne (minors).

1975 - Former Hall Of Fame Yankees Manager Casey Stengel (1949-1960) passes away (1890 - 1975). MLB Player (1912-1925: Dodgers, Pirates, Phillies, Giants and Braves): MLB Manager: Dodgers, 1934-1936, Braves, 1938-1943, Yankees,1949-1960 and the Mets 1962-1965. Casey Stengel managed the great Yankees Dynasty teams of 1949-1960. He won 5 straight World Championships (1949-1953). Also he won World Championships in 1956 and 1958. He finished his Yankee managing career with a record of 1,149-696, WP .619 with 10 AL Flags and 7 World championships. He was let go by the Yankees after his manager’s contract expired in October, 1960. He would return to New York City in 1962 to manage the new NL expansion team, the Mets.

1977 - Former Yankees P Jake Westbrook (2000) was born. Jake was obtained from the Expos in the Hideki Irabu trade. He went 0-2 in 3 games for the Yankees in 2002, before being traded to the Indians in the David Justice trade.

1978 - Yankees starter Jim Beattie hurls 4-hit ball for 8-innings, as the Yankees score 3 runs in the 8th inning to down the Indians by the score of 3-1. Thurman Munson, Reggie Jackson and Lou Piniella, each drove in a run. Goose Goosage gains his league leading 26th save. The Yankees lead remains 1 game in AL East.

1979 - Yankees 1B/DH/OF Shelly Duncan (2007-08) was born. Shelly was a 2nd round draft choice by the Yankees in the 2001 amateur player draft. During the 2007 season, Shelly was brought up by the Yankees from Scranton (AAA). He hit .257 in 34 games with 7 HRs and 17 RBI’s.

1987 - Yankees 1B Don Mattingly sets a MLB record by hitting his 6th Grand Slam HR of the 1987 AL season, as Yankees starter Charlie Hudson hurls a 4-hit shutout, 6-0 victory over the Red Sox

2004 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees sweep a doubleheader with the Twins. In game 1, starters Santana and Mussina, both leave after 5 innings. The Twins bullpen gives up 4 runs to the Yankees in the 7th inning. Reliever Paul Quantrill gets the win, his 7th while closer Mo Rivera gets his 42nd save of the season as the Yankees win by the score of 5-3. In the 2nd game, Yankees win by a score of 5-4, as A-Rod and Matsui hit HRs for the Yankees. Yankees starter Jon Lieber picks up his 14th victory of the 2004 AL season, while Mo Rivera gets save #43.

September 30th

1904 - Doc White, White Sox lefthander, pitches his 5th shutout in 18 days, defeating the Yankees. Of his 7 shutouts for the 1904 AL season, 6 come in September.

1905 - Former Yankees P Johnny Allen (1932-1935) was born. Pitcher Johnny Allen was working as a bellboy in a hotel when he was discovered by Yankees scout Paul Krichell. He reached the majors with the Yankees in 1932. He went 17-4 that year, leading the AL with an .810 winning percentage. He won 15 games in 1933, but after holding out for a raise and suffering a sore arm, Johnny was traded to the Indians following the 1935 AL season for hurlers Monte Pearson and Steve Sundra.

1916 - Red Sox CF Tilly Walker, imitating Tris Speaker, his predecessor, dashes in for a low line drive and beats the runner back to 2B for an unassisted DP. It is an important play, as Dutch Leonard defeats Nick Cullop of the Yankees by the score of 1-0 in the 10th inning on Harry Hooper's sacrifice fly. The win clinches a tie for the pennant for Boston. The Indians will beat the White Sox tomorrow to give the AL flag to Boston.

1922 - The Yankees clinch their 2nd AL pennant by beating the Red Sox by the score of 3-1 behind the pitching of Waite Hoyt and Joe Bush.

1927 - With the score 2-2 in the 8th inning, Mark Koenig triples and Ruth hits HR No. 60 off of Senators P Tom Zachary for a 4-2 win. In the 9th inning, Walter Johnson makes his final MLB appearance as a player. He pinch-hits for Tom Zachary and flies out to Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth hits 17 HR’s in September, the highest month's HR output till Rudy York's 18 HRs in August of 1937.

1934 - Slugger Babe Ruth is hitless in his last game in a Yankees uniform. Babe went 0 for 3 with a walk and run scored. The Yankees lose to the Senators, by a score of 5-3.

1936 - In the 1936 World Series opener, Giants starter Carl Hubbell scatters 7 hits and limits the Yankees to a solo HR by George Selkirk. The Giants take a decisive 6-1 victory.

1937 - Former Yankees C/1B Gus Triandos (1953-54) was born. Gus was signed by the Yankees as a free agent in 1948. He was used as a back up catcher and 1B during the 1953-1954 AL seasons. Unable to unseat Yogi Berra behind the plate, Gus was traded to the Orioles as part of the 17-man trade made in November of 1954. He would become the starting catcher for the Orioles, making the AL All Star teams in 1958-1959.

1942 - Down 7-0 to Yankees starter Red Ruffing in the 1942 World Series opener, the Cardinals storm back for 4-runs in the 9th-inning, not enough to win but enough to portend the result of the World Series.

1945 - George "Snuffy" Stirnweiss of the Yankees gets 3 hits on the final day to raise his batting average to .309. The White Sox games are washed out, depriving the veteran Tony Cuccinello of a shot at the title. Only Elmer Flick in 1905 and Carl Yastrzemski in 1968 ever lead the AL with a lower average than George Stirnweiss, but the latter also leads the AL with 195 hits, 107 runs, 22 triples, 301 SB, 33 TB, and a .476 SA.

1947 - Dodgers hurler Ralph Branca becomes the youngest player to start a World Series opener. At Yankee Stadium, the 21-year (9 months) old right-hander and the Dodgers lose to the Bronx Bombers, by the score of 5-1 before a crowd of 73,365 fans at Yankee Stadium.

1948 - Former Yankees OF Rusty Torres (1971-72) was born. He was a 54th round draft pick by the Yankees in the 1966 player draft; Rusty appeared in 89 games with the Yankees. He was traded by the Yankees to the Indians in the Graig Nettles trade in the winter of 1972.

1951 - The triumphant Yankees beat the Red Sox, by the score of 3-0, behind starter Frank Shea's 9-hitter. It is the 3rd shutout in a row for the Yankees staff as they sweep the visiting Red Sox in 5 games, outscoring them 29-4.

1953 - The Yankees defeat the Dodgers by the score of 9-5 in the 1st game of the 1953 World Series. Dodger’s starter Carl Erskine is ineffective, walking the 1st 3 batters, who score on a Billy Martin triple. The Dodgers tie it up at 5-5, and Clem Labine gets the loss in relief, after Joe Collins hits a HR in the 7th inning. Johnny Sain picks the win in relief of starter Allie Reynolds.

1955 - The Dodgers Johnny Podres defeats Yankees starter Bob Turley, who fails to last 2 innings against the Bums. Catcher Roy Campanella leads the Dodgers attack with 3 hits and 3 RBI’s, as Brooklyn wins by the score of 8-3 behind the strong effort of lefty Johnny Podres.

1960 - The Yankees beat the Red Sox, by the score of 6-5, and set a new AL record for team HRs with 192. Tony Kubek and Jesse Gonder hit the HRs today as the Bombers win their 13th straight game. The team HR record would last for only 1 season with the 1961 Yankees setting a new record with 240 HRs.

1962 - At Yankee Stadium, White Sox starter Ray Herbert tops New York, by a score of 8-4. Mickey Mantle, batting leadoff to give him needed at bats, is 2-for-3 and qualifies for 2nd place in hitting (.321) with 502 plate appearances. He also hits a HR, giving him 8 straight MLB seasons of 30+ HRs.

1964 - In his 1st MLB at bat, pinch-hitter Bill Roman debuts with a HR, the only one of his brief MLB career. Even so, the Tigers lose to the Yankees by a score of 7-6 as a Mickey Mantle leadoff HR in the 2nd inning off of starter Mickey Lolich ignites a 5-run rally. The Yankees takes the nightcap by the score of 11-8 for a doubleheader sweep.

1966 - The White Sox tip the Yankees by a score of 6-5 at Comiskey Park. The Yankees will win their next 2 games, but finish in 10th place one-half game behind the 9th place Red Sox.

1970 - Yankees starter Fritz Peterson wins his 20th game of the 1970 AL season, defeating the Red Sox, by the score of 4-3.

1971 - The Senators draw 14,000 fans for their final MLB game at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C, with another 4,000 fans crashing. Senators starter Richard Bosman gives up HRs to Bobby Murcer, Roy White, and Rusty Torres with the Nats are down by the score of 5-1 in the 6th inning. Mike Kekich then grooves a fastball for Frank Howard, who parks his 26th HR, and thanks Thurman Munson as he crosses the plate. The Senators take a 7-5 lead, and after Bobby Murcer makes the 2nd out in the 9th inning, fans swarm onto the field, causing the game to be forfeited to the Yankees, by the score of 9-0. All records stand, but reliever Paul Lindblad losses the Win by not recording the 3rd out, Yankees batter Horace Clarke. Of the Washington Senators, Jeff Burroughs will be the last active player to retire, finishing up in 1985.

1973 - The Yankees close out their 50th year at old Yankee Stadium by losing to the Tigers, by a score of 8-5. Duke Sims hit the last Yankee HR in the old ballpark. Tigers ace John Hiller was the winner, while Yankee reliever Lindy Mc Daniel lost the finale game. It would be McDaniel’s last game as Yankee pitcher. He would be traded during the off-season to the Royals for OF Lou Piniella and P Ken Wright.

1978 - The Yankees top the Indians, by a score of 7-0, behind starter Ed Figueroa's 20th win of the season. The Yankees clinch a tie for the AL pennant.

1980 - In a 12-9 Indians win over the Yankees, the Tribe's Ron Hassey has a double & HR in the 8-run 2nd inning. There are 4 HRs hit in the game, including the Yankees Reggie Jackson's 38th HR of the 1980 AL season.

1984 - In the dramatic race for the AL batting title, Don Mattingly goes 4-for-5 in the Yankees season-ending 4-2 win over the Tigers to edge out teammate Dave Winfield .343 to .340. Dave Winfield goes 1-for-4 in the game.

1997 - The Indians score 5 runs in the 1st inning, but the Yankees come back to win the game with 5 runs of their own in the 6th inning to defeat the Indians in Game 1 of their playoff series, by a score of 8-6. Yankees Tim Raines, Derek Jeter, and Paul O'Neill hit consecutive HRs in the decisive inning, giving Yankees hurler Ramiro Mendoza the victory.

1998 - Yankees lefty starter Andy Pettitte's strong pitching gives the Yankees, a 2-0 lead in their playoff series with a 3-1 victory over the Rangers. Rookie OF Shane Spencer and Scott Brosius hit HRs for the Yankees.

October 1st

1889 - Former Yankees OF/INF/C Charles “Dutch’ Sterrett (1912-13) was born. (1889-1965) Dutch hit .253 in 87 games for the Yankees.

1904 - Former INF Yankees Jimmy Reese (1930-31) was born (1901-1994). Jimmy was obtained by the Yankees in 1927 from the Oakland Oaks (PCL). Debuting with the Yankees in 1930, Jimmy hit .346/.382/.489 in 77 games while backing up shortstop Tony Lazzeri. He was assigned as Babe Ruth's roommate and famously joked that in reality, he roomed with Ruth's suitcase. He said Ruth treated him "like a son." In 1931, Reese returned to earth, hitting .241/.293/.335 and playing in 65 games. He played with the Yankees in 1930-31, then he was picked up on waivers by the Cardinals in 1932. After retiring as active player, he became a coach and manager in the minors. In 1973, he became the conditioning coach for the Angels, until his death in 1994.

1908 - Yankees P Jack Chesbro notches his final victory in a (Highlander) Yankee uniform, a 5- hit win against then Senators starter Walter Johnson, beating the Nats by the score of 2-1. Jack finishes his Yankees pitching career with 126 wins, including a MLB record season of 41 wins in 1904.

1912 - The Yankees lose their 100th game of the 1912 AL season, a 4-3 loss at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. The Yankees finish the season with a 50-102 mark, 55 games behind the 1st place Red Sox, the worst finish in the team’s franchise history.

1921 - After clinching their 1st AL pennant by defeating the A’s by the score of 5-3, in the 1st game of a doubleheader. Yankees Babe Ruth comes in to pitch in the 8th inning of the nightcap and comes out the winner. Ruth took the mound in the top of the 8th inning, promptly allowed the A’s to score 6 runs to tie the game at 6-6, but then he settles down and holds them scoreless until the Yankees won the game with a run in the 11th inning.

1931 - Former Yankees P Fred Kipp (1960) was born. On April 5, 1960, Fred was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees for OF Gordon Windhorn and Richard Sanders (minors). Fred went 0-1 in 4 games for the Yankees in 1960.

1932 - Yankees Babe Ruth legend has it, called his HR off of Cubs starter Charlie Root in the 5th inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series at Wrigley Field. The Yankees win the game by a score of 7-5. Ruth’s teammate Lou Gehrig hits 2 HRs for the Yankees.

1933 - With the Yankees already eliminated from the AL pennant race, Babe Ruth is named the starting pitcher for today’s game. He responds by beating the Red Sox, by the score of 6-5. He allowed 11 hits, no walks, 3-strikeouts. As a hitter, he hits the game-winning HR.

1944 - The Yankees drop their 4th straight game to the Browns by a score of 5-2. This win gives the Browns their only AL pennant in their franchise history in St. Louis.

1949 - Some 69,551 fans jam Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees and Red Sox battle to a 5-4, come-from-behind New York victory. The Yankees entered the game trailing the Red Sox by 1 game with 2 games to go, both games were against the Red Sox.

1955 - In Game 4 of 1955 World Series, the Dodgers defeated the Yankees by a score of 8-5. Dodgers’ reliever Clem Labine is the winner, while starter Don Larsen takes the loss for the Yankees.

1955 - Former Yankees P Jeff Readon (1994) was born. After signing as a free agent with the Yankees, Jeff went 1-0 in 11 games with 2 saves in 1994.

1961 - At Yankee Stadium, Roger Maris hits his 61st HR of the 1961 season against Red Sox starter Tracy Stallard. The homer eclipsed Babe Ruth’s 34-year-old single-season MLB HR record. The Yankees win the game, by a score of 1-0. Yankee starter Bill Stafford picks up the win for the Yankees. The historic HR is hit before a crowd of only 23,000 fans at Yankee Stadium.

"As a ballplayer, I would be delighted to do it again. As an individual, I doubt if I could possibly go through it again." -ROGER MARIS, commenting about his historic 1961 season with the Yankees.

1964 - Former Yankees OF Roberto Kelly (1987-92, 2000) was born. Roberto was signed by the Yankees as a free agent in 1982. He was an AL All Star team member in 1992-93. Then during the winter of 1993, he was traded to the Reds for OF Paul O’Neill.

1973 - As renovations begin at Yankee Stadium, home plate and 1st base from the old ballpark are presented respectively to Mrs. Babe Ruth and Mrs. Lou Gehrig. The Bronx Bombers will play their home games at Shea Stadium during the next two AL seasons (1974-75).

1975 - Former Yankees, President and Part Owner, Larry MacPhail (1946-47) passed away. Larry was part of the group (Dan Topping and Del Webb) that bought the Yankees from the Jacob Ruppert estate in 1946. He replaced Ed Barrow as the Yankees General Manager. When he sold his interest in the Yankees he was replaced by George Weiss as the Yankees GM.

1977 - While the Yankees and Tigers sit out a 2:42 rain delay. The Orioles defeat the Red Sox by a score of 8-7 at Fenway Park, and thereby hand the Yankees their 2nd consecutive AL Eastern Division Championship. The Yankees added insult to injury by losing the game, by the score of 10-7, after the rain delay ended, but the Yankees won the final game of the year.

1978 - The Indians beat the Yankees by the score of 9-2 behind starter Rick Waits, on the last day of the 1978 AL season, to force a 1-game playoff between the Yankees and the Red Sox. The Red Sox won their 8th straight game, a 5-0 victory over the Blue Jays. The play-off game would be played on October 2nd at Fenway Park in Boston.

1995 - The Yankees become the 1st wild card winner in the American League.

October 2nd

1905- Yankees sign free agent shortstop Rube Oldring and immediately sell him to the A’s.

1919 - Former Yankees shortstop Joe Buzas (1945) was born. The opening day shortstop for the New York Yankees in 1945, he badly injured his shoulder, ending his MLB playing career. Joe would appear in only 30 games hitting .262. He would later become a successful minor league team owner for 47 years, owning over 82 teams during his baseball business career.

1920 - Former Yankees P Frank “Spec” Shea (1947, 1949-51) was born. Spec went 29-21 in 100 games for the Yankees. His best season was in 1947, going 14-5 for the Yankees. He won 2 games against the Dodgers in the 1947 World Series. In 1952, he was traded to the Senators in the Irv Noren-Jackie Jensen trade.

1930 - Former Yankees P John Gabler (1959-1960) was born. Before the 1930 AL season, John was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent. He went 4-4 in 24 games for the Yankees, before being drafted by the New Washington Senators in the Rule 5 Player Draft in December of 1960.

1936 - Tony Lazzeri becomes the 1st Yankee (and 2nd player in MLB history) to hit a Grand Slam HR in a World Series game. His drive capped a 7-run 3rd inning during the Yankees 18-4 shellacking of their cross-river rivals the Giants.

1947 - The Yankees C Yogi Berra becomes the 1st player in MLB history to hit a pinch-hit a HR in a World Series game, against the Dodgers, but the Yankees still lose the game by the score of 9-8.

1949 - The Yankees win the 1949 AL pennant by defeating the Red Sox by the score of 5-3. The Yankees’ Jerry Coleman’s 3-run triple provides the winning runs, to give Yankee starter Vic Raschi, the win. The game started with both teams tied for 1st place in the AL.

1949 - Former Yankees minor league INF Greg Pryor was born. On February 17, 1977, Greg was traded by the Rangers along with INF Brian Doyle and cash to the Yankees for INF Sandy Alomar. Greg never played for the Yankees at the MLB level.

1957 - In Game 3 of the 1957 World Series, Braves starter Lew Burdette wins the 1st of his 3 decisions against his former team the Yankees. Lew Burdette and the Braves beat Yankees pitcher Bobby Shantz by the score of 4-2.

1957 - Former Yankees INF Andre Robertson (1981-85) was born. On December 10, 1979, Andre was purchased by the Yankees from the Blue Jays. He played for 5 seasons with the Yankees hitting .251 in 254 games. A serious late night auto accident ruined his promising MLB career with the Yankees. On June 30, 1986, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF/1B/DH Ken Griffey Sr. to the Braves for OF Claudell Washington and INF Paul Zuvella.

1963 - Dodgers Starter Sandy Koufax sets a World Series record by striking out 15 Yankee batters in Game 1 against the Yankees. The Dodgers win the game, by the score of 5-2, behind Sandy Koufax's 6-hit pitching. Whitey Ford takes the loss for the Yankees.

1963 - Former Yankee back-up Catcher Cy Perkins (1931) passed away (1896-1963). Cy hit .255 in 16 games for the Yankees in 1931. He was a coach for the 1932 Yankees. Cy spent most of his MLB career with the A’s, before finishing up with the Yankees.

1965 - Yankees starter Mel Stottlemyre wins his 20th game of the 1965 AL season, by beating the Red Sox by the score of 6-1 at Fenway Park.

1966 - Former Yankees P Walter “Jumbo” Brown (1932-36) died. Jumbo went 19-16 in 80 games with 2 saves for the Yankees.

1977 - The Yankees beat the Tigers by the score of 8-7 to finish the season as AL East Champs.

1978 - Bucky Dent’s unlikey HR helps the Yankees defeat the Red Sox dramatic one-game playoff at Fenway Park. Trailing by 2 runs in the 6th inning, Bucky Dent smacks a 3-run HR shot against former Yankees P Mike Torrez the screen above the Green Monster. The Yankees hold on for a 5 -4 victory en route to face the Dodgers in the 1978 World Series.

October 3rd

1887 - Former Yankees INF Armando Marsans (1917-18) was born (1887-1961).

1909 - Former Yankees P Johnny Broaca (1934-37) was born (1909-1986). Johnny went 39-23 in 99 games for the Yankees. On November 19, 1938, Johnny was purchased by the Indians from the Yankees.

1926 - After the Yankees scored twice in the 2nd inning, Cardinals P Glover Cleveland Alexander sets down the last 21 Yankee batters with 10 strikeouts in Game 2 of the 1926 World Series, resulting in a 6-2 win.

1947 - Yankees starter Floyd Beavens flirts with immorality when he pitchers no-hit baseball for 8 2/3 innings of a World Series game against the Dodgers. He loses the no-hitter and game when Dodgers pinch hitter Cookie Lavagetto doubles off the RF wall at Ebbet’s Field to score the tying and winning runs.

1951 - Former Yankees All Star OF/DH and HOF Dave Winfield (1981-88) was born. On December 15, 1980, Dave signed as a free agent with the Yankees. Dave hit .296 with 205 HRs and 818 RBI’s in 1,172 games as Yankee. He was named to the AL All Star team 1981-88. In his only World Series appearance with the Yankees Dave only hit .045 in 6 games, prompting George to call him Mr. May for not responding with his bat for the Yankees. On May 11, 1990, Dave was traded by the Yankees to the Angels for P Mike Witt.

1956 - The Dodgers Sal Maglie defeats the Yankees by the score of 6-3 in the opening game of the 1956 World Series.

1957 - In Game 3 of the 1957 World Series, Lew Burdette wins the 1st of his 3 decisions against the Yankees. Burdette and the Braves beat Bobby Shantz by the score of 4 -2.

1960 - The Yankees end their 1960 AL season with a 8-7 win over the Red Sox, finishing the 1960 AL season with a 15-game winning streak.

1965 - Whitey Ford becomes the winngest pitcher in Yankees team history, when he notches career win No. 232 against the Red Sox by the score of 8-7 at Fenway Park.

October 4th

1884 - Former Yankees P Harry Ables (1911) was born (1884-1951). Harry went 0-1 in 3 games for the Yankees in 1911.

1887 - Former Yankees P Ray Fisher (1910-17) was born (1887-1982). Ray went 76-68 in 219 games for the Yankees before being sent to the Reds. His best Yankees season was in 1915, when he went 18-11.

1910 - Former Yankees INF (1932-48) and MLB Coach (1949-70) Frank “Crow” Crosetti was born (1910-2002). On August 23, 1929, Frank was traded by the San Francisco Seals (PCL) to the Yankees for a player to be named later and 3 players. The Yankees sent Julie Wera (1931) to the San Francisco (PCL) to complete the trade. He was a regular for 13 years and part-timer for 4 seasons. Frank hit more than 20 doubles 7 times and scored more than 70 runs in 7 seasons. He was an AL All Star team member in 1936-37. Frank finished with 260 doubles, 65 triples and 649 RBI’s in 1,682 games. He was the Yankees 3B coach from 1947-1970.

1922 - For the 1st time, the entire World Series will be broadcast over the radio Sportswriter Garland Rice does the announcing of the Giants and Yankees for radio station WJZ in Newark, NJ, whose signal is relayed to WGY in Schenectady, NY.

1928 - Game 1 of the World Series between the Yankees and Cardinals is a swift execution before 61,425 fans at Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth has a single and double, and scored 2 runs, once on Bob Meusel's 4th-inning HR, and Lou Gehrig is 2-for-4 with 2 RBI’s off of Bill Sherdel. Starter Waite Hoyt sets the Cardinals down with 3-hits, one a solo HR by Jim Bottomley in the 7th inning, for a 4-1 victory.

1939 - The World Series begins at Yankee Stadium, with the Reds playing their 1st Series since the infamous 1919 match-up against the White Sox. With the Yankees as heavy favorites, the game is tied 1-1 until the last of the 9th inning, when Yankees C Bill Dickey singles home the winning run.

1947 - Yankees starter Spec Shea throws a 4-hitter and helps his own cause hitting 2 singles, as the Yankees win by a score of 2-1 over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series. A HR by Joe DiMaggio in the 5th inning is the winning margin.

1950 - Phillies Relief ace Jim Konstanty starts and loses Game 1 of the 1950 World Series to Vic Raschi and the Yankees, by the score of 1-0. Bobby Brown hit a double and scored the lone run on 2 long flies.

1951 - In the opening game of the 1951 World Series, Monte Irvin stole home in the 1st inning and collected 4 hits. The Giants defeated Allie Reynolds and the Yankees by the score of 5-1 with Dave Koslo pitching a complete game at Yankee Stadium. Monte Irvin, Hank Thompson and Willie Mays of the Giants became the 1st all-black MLB outfield in a World Series game.

1953 - Mickey Mantle’s 3rd inning Grand Slam HR off of Dodger Ace Johnny Podres leads the Yankees to a 11-7 win and a 3 games to 2 games lead in the 1953 World Series. Also Yankees Gene Woodling, Gil McDougald and Billy Martin hit HRs in the game

1955 - “Next Year” finally comes to Brooklyn, as the Dodgers defeat the Yankees by the score of 2-0 to win the 1955 World Series behind the pitching of Johnny Podres. Yankees starter Tommy Byrne takes the loss.

1958 - In Game 3 of the 1958 World Series, Yankees starter Don Larsen and closer Ryne Duren combine for a shutout as New York wins by the score of 4-0 over the Braves. Hank Bauer accounts for all Yankee 4 runs, including a 2-run HR in the 7th inning.

1960 - Former Yankees P Jack Warhop (1908-1915) passed away (1884-1960). Jack pitched for some poor Yankee teams posting a 69-93 record with a 3.12 ERA in 221 games. His best Yankee season was in 1910, posting a 14-14 record in 37 games with a 2.64 ERA.

1961 - Whitey Ford's 3rd straight World Series shutout, with HR support by Elston Howard and Bill Skowron, gives the Yankees a 2-0 win in Game 1 against the Reds at Yankee Stadium.

1962 - In the opener of the 1962 World Series at Candlestick Park, Whitey Ford's record scoreless inning streak ends at 33 2/3 when a surprising squeeze-play by Jose Pagan brings Willie Mays home. The Yankees beat the Giants, by the score of 6–2, the last of a record 10 World Series victories for Whitey Ford.

1972 - Yankees' pitcher Larry Gowell hits a double in his only MLB at-bat. This is the last hit by an AL pitcher before the league adopts the DH rule for 1973 AL season. The Yankees lose to the Brewers, by the score of 1-0.

1978 - The Royals notches 16 hits off three Yankees pitchers to even the ALCS with a 10-4 triumph. A 2-run HR by Freddie Patek seals the victory.

1980 - The Yankees clinch their 4th AL East title in 5 seasons, beating the Tigers by the score of 5-2 in the 1st game of a doubleheader. Reggie Jackson hits his 41st HR of the 1980 AL season and will share the AL HR crown with Ben Oglivie of the Brewers.

1995 - Yankees Jim Leyritz hit a 2-run HR in the 15th inning to give the Yankees a dramatic victory and a 2-games-to-none AL Division Series lead over Mariners.

1996 - The Yankees score twice in the 9th inning to defeat the Rangers, by the score of 2-1, despite Juan Gonzalez's 4th HR of their ALDS. New York takes a 2-games-to-1 lead in the series.

1997- The Yankees goes a game up on Indians with a 6-1 victory behind a 5-hitter by starter David Wells. Yankees Paul O'Neill hits a 4th-inning grand slam HR, driving in 5 of the Yankees runs.

1998 - Former Yankees P Lee Grissom (1940) passed away (1907-1998). On January 4, 1940, Lee was traded by the Reds to the Yankees for Joe Beggs. Lee posted a 0-0 mark in 5 games for the Yankees before being selected off waivers on May 15, 1940 by the Dodgers from the Yankees.

2000 - The Yankees even their ALDS with the A’s at one game apiece with a 4-0 victory. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte holds the A’s scoreless for 7 2/3 innings for the victory.

2002 - The Yankees blow a 6-1 lead as the Angels bounce back for a 9-6 victory and a 2 games to 2 lead in their ALDS. Tim Salmon and Adam Kennedy hit HRs for Anaheim while rookie Francisco Rodriguez again gets the victory in relief.

2005 - Yankees starter Mike Mussina pitched scoreless ball into the 6th inning, and rookie 2B Robinson Cano lined a 3-run double in the 1st inning as the Yankees defeated Bartolo Colón and the Angels, by the score of 4-2, in Game 1 of their AL Division Series.

2007 - Former Yankees P Don Nottebart (1969) was passed away (1936-2007). On October 21, 1968, Don was purchased by the Yankees from the Reds. Don only appeared in 4 games for the Yankees with no record before being returned to the Reds on April 26, 1969.


(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)

0 Comments: