This Week in Yankees History (1/11-1/17)

January 11th - January 17th

January 11th

1915 - Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston buy the Yankees from Owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $460,000. Jacob Ruppert, who owns a local brewery, is thinking of renaming the team the Knickerbockers to promote his product, but is dissuaded by local newspapermen.

1928 - Former Yankees INF (1952-53) and MLB Coach (1967) Loren ”Bee Bee” Babe was born (1928-1984). Loren was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1945. Babe appeared in 17 games for the Yankees in 1952-53. He had been buried in the Yankees minor league system with so many talented infielder’s around. In 1953, he was sold to the A’s, but was reacquired by the Yankees in the Vic Power trade in December of 1953. He remained in the minor leagues until retiring as an active player in 1958. From 1961-1966, he managed in the Yankees farm system. He was a MLB coach for the Yankees in 1967. He later worked with the White Sox in the 1980’s, before his death from cancer in 1984.

1962 - Former Yankees reliever Don Pall (1994) was born. Don went 1-2 in 26 games for the Yankees in 1994.

1965 - Wally Pipp (1915-1925), the predecessor of Lou Gehrig at 1st base for the Yankees, dies in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pipp, who in 1925 had asked out of the Yankees lineup with a headache, was 71 years old, after giving way to Lou Gehrig, Pipp will never again played a game at 1st base for the Yankees. He would finish up his MLB career in the NL with the Reds.

1973 - MLB owners approve one of the game's most controversial rules: the designated hitter. The owners decide to allow AL teams to implement the rule on an experimental 3-year basis, but the rule will become a permanent addition to the AL. The Yankees Ron Bloomberg will become the 1st DH in MLB history.

1977 - The Yankees drafted OF Willie McGee in the 1st round (15th pick) of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Willie will never play for the Yankees at the MLB level. On October 21, 1981, Willie was traded by the Yankees to the Cardinals for P Bob Sykes.

1980 - The Yankees drafted OF/1B Tom Dodd in the 1st round (7th pick) of the 1980 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Todd never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On May 5, 1982, Tom was traded by the Yankees along with Jeff Reynolds (minors) and 1B/DH Dave Revering to the Blue Jays for 1B/DH John Mayberry. On December 9,1982 Tom was traded by the Jays along with P Dale Murray to the Yankees for 1B/OF Dave Collins, minor league 1B Fred McGriff, P Mike Morgan, and cash.

1983 -The Yankees named Billy Martin their manager for the 3rd time in 8 years. Martin takes over for Clyde King, who is bumped upstairs to the Yankees front office. Martin will lead the Yankees to a record of 91-71 in 1983 AL season.

1983 - Ellis Burks is one of the few good players to be drafted and also signed in the January free agent draft. Burks is picked on the 1st round by the Red Sox as the Yankees picked and signed Ozzie Canseco, who was a pitcher with their 4th pick.

2000 - Former HOF MLB pitcher/OF and Yankees Manager Bob Lemon died at the age of 79. Lemon was a 7-time 20-game winner with the Indians. He teamed with Bob Feller, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia to form one of the game's greatest starting rotations. In 1954, Lemon went 23-7 and helped the Indians to an AL record 111-win season. After retiring in 1958, he worked for the Indians organization as a scout and manager. In 1970, Lemon became a MLB manager for the 1st time when he assumed leadership of the Royals. He later managed the White Sox before enjoying his greatest success with the Yankees. On July 25, 1978, Lemon replaced Billy Martin and helped the Yankees orchestrate a miraculous 14 game comeback against the Red Sox. Under Bob Lemon's calming hand, the Yankees won their 2nd straight World Championship in 1978. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1976.

2001 - Former Yankees starter David Cone agrees to a 1-year contract with the Red Sox. The former Cy Young Award winner could make between $4 million and $5 million with Boston, compared to $500,000 guaranteed-offer made by the Yankees, if he makes the MLB 25 man roster and pitches regularly during the 2001 AL season. He will win just 9 games in 25 starts during the 2001 AL season.

2005 - The Diamondbacks traded 5-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson to the Yankees in a 3-team deal that includes the Dodgers. Shawn Green, Javier Vazquez and Dioner Navarro also move in the transaction. Arizona receives P Vazquez, C Navarro and P Brad Halsey from the Yankees, and later sends Navarro and 3 minor league prospects to Dodgers for OF Shawn Green.

January 12th

1950 - The Yankees sell their Newark Bears International League franchise (AAA) to the Cubs, who will move the team to Springfield, Massachusetts. The once-proud Bears, owned by the Yankees since 1932, finished last in the IL in 1949. The Kansas City Blues (American Association) will become the Yankees top AAA team.

1951 - Former Yankees OF Terry Whitfield (1974-76) was born. Terry was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1971 MLB amateur player draft. Terry will hit .276 in 31 games for the Yankees, before being traded on March 14,1977 to the Giants for veteran INF Marty Perez

1954 - The International League (AAA) makes 2 franchises shifts as the Baltimore Orioles team is transferred to Richmond, Virginia, becoming the Richmond Virginians. Baltimore is receiving the old St. Louis Browns franchise of the AL for the 1954 MLB season. The new team will keep the long time team name of the Orioles. The Richmond Virginians will become a Yankees AAA farm club. The Springfield, Massachusetts team, the former Newark Bears team moves to Havana, Cuba, becoming the Havana Sugar Kings. They will have a working agreement with the Reds. The team will move back to Jersey City, NJ, when Cuba is unsettled with the arrival of Fidel Castro to power.

1971 - Former Yankees reserve INF Andy Fox (1996-97) was born. Andy was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1989 MLB amateur player draft. Andy hit .211 in 135 games before being traded on March 7, 1998 to the Diamondbacks for pitchers Todd Erdos and Marty Janzen. Andy is now a MLB coach.

1972 - The Yankees drafted P Rick Anderson in the 1st round (5th pick) of the 1972 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Also the Yankees drafted Larry Wolfe in the 4th round of the MLB amateur draft (Secondary Phase), but did not sign him.

1982 - The Yankees drafted OF Oddibe McDowell in the 1st round (9th) of the 1982 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase), but did not sign him.

1984 - Free agent relief ace Goose Gossage leaves the Yankees and signs with the Padres. The hard-throwing right-hander will save 25 games in 1984; he will help the Padres to their 1st appearance in the World Series.

1997 - The Padres acquired the rights to 27-year-old Japanese starter Hideki Irabu from the Chiba Lotte Marines. Irabu says he only wants to play in the MLB for the Yankees.

2004 - The Yankees signed free agent 1B/DH/OF Tony Clark. He will hit .221 in 106 games for the Yankees in 2004, before leaving the team for free agency.

January 13th

1915 - Former Yankee INF Michael “Mollie” Milosevich (1944-45) was born. Mollie hit .241 for the 1944-45 Yankees.

1927 - The Yankees obtained C Johnny Grabowski and INF Ray Morehart from
the White Sox for INF Aaron Ward. They would be reserve bench help for the 1927 World Championship team.

1939 - The Yankees long time owner Jacob Ruppert dies from phlebitis at age of 62. In 1919, Jacob Ruppert purchased the land in the Bronx on which Yankee Stadium would eventually be built. His estate headed by long time GM Edward Burrow will run the Yankees until when the club is sold to new owners, Del Webb, Dan Topping and Larry MacPhail in 1945.

1944 - Former Yankees INF (1903-09) and Manager (1908) Norman “Kid“ Elberfeld passed away (1875-1944). He went 27-71 as the Yankees Manager in 1908, after Yankees Manager Clark Griffth quit the team in a dispute with Yankees owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery. On June 10, 1903, he was traded by the Tigers to the Highlanders for shortstops Herman Long and Ernie Courtney. His best Yankees season was in 1906, when he hit .306 as the starting shortstop. On December 14, 1909, Kid was purchased by the Senators from the Highlanders for $5,000.

1969 - Former Yankees minor league INF Orlando Miller was born. The Yankees signed Orlando as an amateur free agent in 1987. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On March 13, 1990, he was traded by the Yankees to the Astros for a player to be named later and INF Dave Silvestri. The Astros would send minor leaguer Daven Bond on June 11, 1990 to the Yankees to complete the trade.

1978 - Former Yankees HOF Manager Joseph ”Marse Joe” McCarthy (1931-1946) dies at age of 90 in Buffalo, NY. Joe McCarthy was the 1st MLB manager to win pennants with both NL and AL teams. He won a total of 9 league titles and 7 World Series championships with the Cubs and the Yankees. His Yankees managing record was 1,460-867, WP .627 with 8 AL flags and 7 World Championships. He is the all-time wins leader as a Yankees Manager, followed by former managers Joe Torre and Casey Stengel.

1987 - Former Yankees P (1951-52, 1954-56), Scout (1971) and Pitching Coach (1979), Tom “Plowboy” Morgan passed away. (1930-1987) The Yankees signed Tom as an amateur free agent in 1949. He joined the Yankees in 1951, going 9-3 as a spot starter role with 4 CG. In 1952, he saw limited action being called into the military, going just 5-4 in 16 games. In 1954, he rejoined the team going 11-5 in 32 games, his best Yankee season. In 1955, he went 7-3 in 40 games with 10 saves. In 1956, he slipped 6-7 in 41 games but had 11 saves the 2nd best in AL. In February of 1957, Tom was traded to the A’s in the Bobby Shantz deal. He would finish with MLB career in 1963, pitching with the Angels (1961-63). He worked in the Angels minor league system. He would return to the Yankees in 1971 as a scout. His last job with the team was in 1979 when he was one of the pitching coaches that season. He returned to the Angels organization afterwards.

1989 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ray Morehart (1927) passed away. Ray was reserve INF on the 1927 World Champion Yankees. He retired as an active player after the 1927 World Series.

1991 - The Yankees released veteran C Rick Cerrone. Rick had appeared in 49 games as a reserve catcher, hitting .302.

1994 - The Yankees signed free agent OF Daryl Boston. He will hit only .182 in 52 games for the Yankees as a reserve OF.

2005 - The Yankees signed free agent OF/DH Ruben Sierra. Ruben will only hit .229 in 61 games for the Yankees in 2005.

2005 - The North Dakota House of Representatives approves a resolution proclaiming native son Roger Maris should be elected to Baseball's Hall Of Fame. The lawmakers' action, which was sponsored by Rep. Andy Maragos, orders the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the 85 members of the baseball veterans' committee, which includes the 60 living members enshrined in Cooperstown.

January 14th

1908 - Former Yankees Closer John “Grand Ma” Murphy (1932, 1934-43,1946) was born. On June 27, 1931, he was traded by the St Paul (American Association) along with Jack Saltzgaver and cash and 2 players to be named to the Yankees for a player to be named later. The Yankees sent OF Jimmie Reese to the St Paul (AA) to complete the trade. Johnny would go 93-53 in 383 games with 104 saves as Yankees closer. He appeared in 6 WS for the Yankees with a 2-0 record, with 4 saves, a 1.10 ERA in 8 games. He would finish his MLB career in 1947 with Red Sox, after being released by the Yankees in 1946. Later he would work in the Mets front office during the 1960’s as Director of Play Development, then as a General Manager until his death in 1970 from a heart attack.

1916 - Yankees purchased player/manager Lee Magee (1916-1917) from the Brooklyn Tip-Tops (Federal League) for $25,000.

1923 - Former Yankees P Ken Johnson (1969) was born. After being obtained from the Braves, Ken went 1-2 in 12 games before being sent to the Cubs.

1932 - The Yankees ALL Star Slugger Babe Ruth rejects a Yankees player contract offer of $70,000, as the MLB vow to cut player salaries by $1 million.

1954 - Former Yankees All Star CF Joe DiMaggio marries Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe.

1966 - The Indians traded OF Lou Clinton to the Yankees for C Doc Edwards, who won't play in the majors until 1970, with the Phillies. Edwards was a major disappointment for the Yankees behind the plate and with the bat.

1970 - Johnny Murphy, the Mets GM, who had seen his team rise from the NL cellar to the 1969 World Championship, dies of a heart attack at age 61. Johnny Murphy was a top relief pitcher for the Yankees in the 1930s and the 1940s.

1974 - Former Yankees minor league OF Mike Frank was born. Mike never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 12 2000, he was traded by the Reds along with starter Denny Neagle to the Yankees for P Ed Yarnall, INF Drew Henson, Brian Reith, and OF Jackson Melian (minors).

1981 - Former Yankees P Darrell Rasner (2006-2008) was born. On February 10, 2006, he was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Nationals. He went 9-14 in 36 games for the Yankees. He recently signed a deal to pitch in Japan for two years, starting in 2009.

1987 - All Star starter Catfish Hunter and OF Billy Williams are elected to the HOF by the BBWAA. Hunter made his name as the ace of the A’s pitching staff in their World Championship years and made his fortune as one of the 1st rated free agents with the Yankees. Williams set an NL record by playing in 1,117 consecutive games with the Cubs and accumulating 426 HRs and a NL batting title.

2004 - The Yankees signed 2 free agent catchers Sal Fasano and Jim Mann. Neither player will play for the Yankees at the MLB level. Jim Mann will be released in June of 2004 by the Yankees; he was playing at Columbus (AAA).

January 15th

1896 - Former Yankees P Michael Cantwell (1916) was born. Mike appeared in 1 game with the Yankees in 1916.

1934 - Yankees slugger Babe Ruth signs a 1-year MLB contract worth $35,000. While the contract is considered a lucrative one for the times, it represents a pay cut of $17,000 for "The Babe".

1947 - Former Yankees 1B/OF Tony Solaita (1968) was born (1946-1990). The Yankees signed Tony as an MLB amateur free agent in 1965. In 1968, he appeared in only 1 game for the Yankees, going 0 for 1. On February 28, 1973, Tony was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for George Kopacz.

1956 - Former Yankees C Jerry Narron (1979) was born. Jerry was drafted by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 1974 MLB amateur player draft. In 1979, Jerry played in 61 games filling in for the late Thurman Munson, hitting just .161. On November 1, 1979, Jerry was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Rick Anderson, Jim Beattie, and OF Juan Beniquez to the Mariners for OF Ruppert Jones and P Jim Lewis.

1957 - Former Yankees P Don Cooper (1985) was born. Don was drafted by the Yankees in the 17th round of the 1978 MLB amateur player draft. On December 8, 1980, Don was drafted by the Twins from the Yankees organization in the 1980 Rule 5 player draft. On March 13, 1984, he was traded by the Blue Jays to the Yankees for Derwin McNealy (minors). Don appeared in 7 games with no record in 1985 for the Yankees. He is currently the MLB pitching coach for the White Sox.

1958 - The Yankees announced that 140 games would be televised on WPIX-TV this season. The broadcast deal is worth over 1 million dollars. Six days later, the Phillies agree to televise 78 games into the New York City area, which is without NL baseball for the 1st time since the NL’s inception in 1876. When the Yankees threaten to televise their games into the Philadelphia TV market, the Phillies quickly change their minds.

1960 - Former Yankees P Curt Brown (1984) was born. On December 19,1983, Curt was traded by the Angels to the Yankees for Minor league P Mike Browning. Curt went 1-1 in 13 games for the Yankees.

1988 - The Yankees signed free agent starter John “Candyman” Candelaria. John will post a 13-7 mark with the Yankees in 1988. He was 3-3 in 1989, when he was traded to the Expos for INF Mike Blowers.

1998 - The Yankees signed free agent All Star OF Tim Raines. Tim will hit .296 for the Yankees, before leaving the team for free agency.

2003 - The Yankees traded veteran starter Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez to the White Sox for P Antonio Osuna and minor league player Delvis Lantigua.

2007 - The Yankees signed free agent C Ben Davis. He would play for the Yankees at AAA in 2007, before being released during spring training in 2008.

2008 - The Yankees signed the following free agents; most of them will be playing for Scranton (AAA): INF Bernie Castro, P Dan Giese, INF Nick Green, P Heath Phillips, INF Cody Ransom, P Darrell Rasner, P Scott Strickland and P Billy Traber.

January 16th

1957 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Steve “Bye-Bye” Balboni (1981-83, 1989-90) was born. Steve was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1978 MLB amateur player draft. After seeing limited action with the Yankees, Steve was traded on December 8, 1983, along with P Roger Erickson to the Royals for P Mike Armstrong and Duane Dewey (minors). On March 27, 1989, Steve was traded by the Mariners to the Yankees for minor league P Dana Ridenour. He only hit .232 and .219 before being released by the Yankees in 1990.

1966 - Former Yankees P Jack McDowell (1995) was born. On December 14, 1994, Jack was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees for a player to be named later (OF Lyle Mouton) and Keith Heberling (minors). He went 15-10 in 30 games for the Yankees in 1995.

1970 - Former Yankees P Ron Villone (2006-2007) was born. On November 16, 2005, Ron was traded by the Marlins to the Yankees for Ben Julianel (minors). Ron went 3-3 in 107 games for the Yankees.

1974 - The BWAA selects former Yankees teammates Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford to the Hall Of Fame. Mickey Mantle becomes only the 7th player to make it in his 1st try. His 536 MLB career HRs with the Yankees ranked 2nd only to Babe Ruth and he played in more games (2,401) than any other Yankee player, including Lou Gehrig. Whitey Ford was arguably the greatest Yankees pitcher of all time, retiring with more wins (236), more innings pitched (3,171), more strikeouts (1,956), and more shutouts (45) than any pitcher in the club’s history.

1977 - Former Yankees P Colter Bean (2005-2007) was born.Colter Bean was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent in 2000.He went 0-1 in 6 games for the Yankees.

1994 - The Yankees signed free agent reliever Donnie Pall. Don went 1-2 in 26 games for the Yankees in 1994.

2003 - The Yankees signed free agent C John “Flash” Flaherty. He will make the team as the reserve catcher, replacing Chris Wedger.

January 17th

1931 - Former Yankees Bench Coach and longtime MLB Manager Don Zimmer was born.

1936 - Yankees obtained P Irving “Bump” Hadley and OF Roy Johnson for Senators for P Jimmy DeShong and OF Jesse Hill.

1939 - The Yankees elected long time GM Ed Barrow as club president. Barrow replaces Owner Jacob Ruppert, who died 4 days earlier. Barrow will remain as the Yankees president until 1945, when the team is bought by new owners Dan Topping, Larry Mc Phail and Del Webb from the Jacob Ruppert Estate.

1960 - Former Yankees DH/OF Chilli Davis (1998-99) was born. Chilli hit .291 and .261 for the Yankees before retiring from MLB, after the 1999 World Series.

1970 - MLB teams select a record 357 players in the January phase of the annual free-agent draft, including top pick Chris Chambliss, by the Indians, and Chris Speier. Fred Lynn, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round, will not sign with the team.

1984 - The Yankees drafted P Tim Belcher in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1984 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). In a Yankees front office paperwork mistake, the Yankees would lose Belcher to the A’s as a free agent compensation pick on February 8, 1984.

1989 - Free agent OF/DH Claudell Washington leaves the Yankees to sign a 3-year contract with the Angels.

2002 - The Yankees released reserve INF/OF Clay Bellinger. Despite his ability to play many positions on the field, Clay couldn’t hit for any kind of average.

2002 - The Yankees signed free agent starter David Wells. He will go 19-7 and 15-7 for the Yankees, before leaving the team for free agency in the winter of 2003.

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