This Week in Yankees History (4/5-4/11)

This Week in Yankees History

April 5th-11th

April 5th

1913 - In an exhibition game at Brooklyn, the Dodgers play their 1st game at their new ballpark, Ebbets Field. The Dodgers beat the Yankees by the score of 3-2, with the Dodgers OF Casey Stengel hitting the park's 1st HR, an in the park HR shot.

1921 - Former Yankees P Robert Hogue (1951-52) was born. Bob went 4-5 in 33 games with the Yankees, before being sent to the Browns in 1952.

1925 - In spring training, the Yankees whip the Dodgers, by a score of 16-9, but the sports headlines are all about All Star OF Babe Ruth. The Bambino collapses in the railroad station in Asheville, NC, and winds up in a New York City hospital. Ruth will undergo an operation for an ulcer on April 17th and will be in bedridden until May 26th. The newspapers call the incident “Babe Ruth’s Bellyache.” The Yankees would fall to 7th place in the AL during the 1925 AL season.

1934 - Babe Ruth, sponsored by Quaker Oats, agrees to do three 15-minute broadcasts a week over NBC radio. The total of $39,000 for 13 weeks is $4,000 more than his Yankees player contract. Of equal way, WSAL hires Red Barber to broadcast the Reds games.

1938 - Former Yankees veteran INF Ron Hansen (1970-71) was born. By the time, Ron reached the Yankees he was playing with a bad back with limited range.

1973 - The Yankees obtained INF Tom Matchick from the Orioles for INF Frank “No Homerun“ Baker. Frank Baker was a terrible INF with the Yankees. While in the Orioles minor league system, he became a better fielder. At the MLB level Frank became a good bench player for the Birds. Tom Matchick never played for the Yankees at MLB level.

1977 - The Yankees acquired shortstop Bucky Dent from the White Sox for OF/DH Oscar Gamble, minor league hurlers La Marr Hoyt and Bob Polinsky and an estimated $200,000. Dent will solidify Yankees middle infield and help the Yankees reach the World Series in 1977 and '78. Gamble will have a fine season with the White Sox. While La Marr Hoyt will blossom into the ace of the White Sox staff in the early 1980's.

1979 - At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 52,719 fans sees Brewers jump on Ron Guidry for 4 runs in the 6th inning, beating Yankees by the score of 5-1. It's the most runs the 1978 AL Cy Young Award winner has allowed since the 1977 AL season. New York get singles from their 1st 3 hitters, but manage to score just 1 run in the 1st inning off of Brewers starter Mike Caldwell.

1995 - The Yankees acquired closer John Wetteland (1995-96) from the Expos for minor league 1B Fernando Segugnol and cash. Wetteland will help the Yankees to the World Championship in 1996. He will go 3-8 in 122 games with 74 saves as the Yankees closer before leaving the team for free agency. John will win the 1996 World Series MVP and Rolaids Relief Awards.

2002 - Former Yankees minor league manager William “Sheriff” Robinson passed away (1921-2002). He managed the Amarillo Gold Sox (AA) in 1961, which featured future Yankees P Jim Bouton, INF Phil Linz and 1B Joe Pepitione, aka “The Amarillo Gang”. In 1962, he managed the Yankees AAA club, the Richmond Virginians (IL), before leaving the Yankees to join the Mets organization in 1963.

April 6th

1954 - Former Yankees P Ken Clay (1977-80) was born. Ken was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1972 MLB amateur player draft. He went 6-13 in 81 games with 3 saves for the Yankees. He appeared in the 1977-78 World Series against the Dodgers with no record. He picked up a save in Game 1 of the 1978 AL Playoffs. On August 14,1980, he was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later to the Rangers for veteran starter Gaylord Perry. The Yankees would send minor leaguer Marvin Thompson to the Rangers to complete the trade.

1973- At Fenway Park, Ron Blomberg of the Yankees becomes the 1st designated hitter in MLB history. In his 1st plate appearance, Blomberg walks with the bases loaded off of Red Sox starter Luis Tiant. He will end up with one hit in 3 at-bats as the Yankees lose to the Red Sox, by the score of 15-5. Ron jokingly refers to himself to the media as the “Designated Hebrew.”

1974 - The Yankees play their 1st home game outside of Yankee stadium since 1922 AL season, when they hosted the Indians at Shea Stadium. The Yankees beat the Tribe by the score of 6-1 behind pitching of starter Mel Stottlemyre and 2 HRs by 3B Graig Nettles. This will be the last opening day start for veteran P Mel Stottlemyre for the Yankees. The Yankees will play at Shea Stadium for the 1974-1975 AL seasons, while Yankee Stadium is being rebuilt.

1977 - Former Yankees INF/OF Andy Phillips (2005-2007) was born. Andy was drafted by the Yankees in the 7th round of the 1999 MLB amateur player draft. He had played shortstop for the University of Alabama. In 1995, Andy won the James P. Dawson Award as the best Yankees rookie in spring training camp. Andy hit .253 with 11 HRs with 60 RBI’s in 203 games with the Yankees. On December 7, 2007, Andy was granted free agency by the Yankees. In 2008, he played for the Reds and Mets.

1982 - A freak heavy spring snowstorm brings subfreezing temperatures across the northeast and mid-west regions of the country that causes the postponement of MLB home openers for the Yankees and other teams.

1983 - Former Yankees OF Bronson Sardinha (2007) was born.

1998 - Former Yankees reliever John Wyatt (1968) passed away at the age of 63 from a heart attack. (1935-1998). John appeared briefly with the Yankees in 1968, after being acquired from the Red Sox, before moving on to the Tigers during the 1968 AL season. John appeared in only 7 games for the Yankees, going 0-2. After starring in the Negro Leagues, Wyatt embarked on a 9-year career in the AL, where he saved 103 games. In perhaps his most memorable appearance, he won Game 6 of the 1967 World Series for the Red Sox against the Cardinals.

2004 - Former Yankees reserve C Lou Berberet (1954-55) passed away (1929-2004). Before the 1950 AL Season, Lou was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in brief trials with the 1954-55 Yankees, he hit .400 both times, going 2 for 5. Lou was another of a long list of young catchers in the Yankees minor league system, which was blocked by the presence of Yogi Berra starting behind the plate, along with Elston Howard during the 1950’s. On February 8, 1956, Lou was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later, INF Herb Plews, OF Richard Tettelbach and Bob Wiesler to the Senators for a player to be named later, for INF Bobby Kline and P Mickey McDermott. The Yankees would send minor league OF Whitey Herzog on April 2, 1956 to the Senators to complete the trade. He would also play for the Red Sox and Tigers, finishing up in 1960 with a lifetime .230 BA.

2004 - Former Yankees P Ken Johnson (1969) passed away (1923-2004). Ken played briefly with the Yankees appearing in 12 games in 1969, going 1-2, after coming from the Braves, before being sent on to the Cubs. He was a knuckleball pitcher, who originally came up with the A’s in 1955.

April 7th

1875 - Former Yankees INF John Ganzel (1903-04) was born. John hit .268 in 259 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the Reds.

1907 - Former Yankees P Oral “Hildy” Hildebrand (1939-40) was born. Oral was traded on October 26, 1938 by the Browns along with OF Buster Mills to the Yankees for C Joe Glenn and OF Myril Hoag. Oral went 11-5 in 34 games with 2 saves before retiring after the 1940 AL season.

1933 - Former Yankees reserve OF Bobby Del Greco (1957-58) was born. Bobby hit .459 for his month with the Yankees in September of 1957 after being purchased from the Cubs. He appeared in only 6 games with the Yankees in 1958, before being sold to Phillies in April of 1959.

1948 - Former Yankees P Rick Sawyer (1974-75) was born. Rick had no decisions in 4 games with the Yankees during the 1974-1975 AL seasons. On March 19, 1974, he was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Indians along with OF Walt Williams to the Yankees. The Yankees sent C Jerry Moses to the Tigers. The Tribe sent P Ed Farmer to the Yankees. The Tigers sent P Jim Perry to the Indians. On July 31, 1976, Rick was sent by the Yankees to the Padres to complete an earlier deal made for OF Gene Locklear on July 10,1976.

1952 - The Yankees waived hurler Dave “The Squeakin’ Deacon” Madison (1950) to the Browns. Dave signed with the Yankees in 1947. He appeared in 1 game for the Yankees with no decision during the 1950 AL season. After his MLB playing career was over, Dave became a Yankees minor league scout.

1969 - Ted Williams makes his managerial debut for the Washington Senators. Williams loses his 1st game to the Yankees, by the score of 8-4, on Opening Day at RFK Stadium.

1977 - The Yankees open defense of their 1976 AL Championship by defeating the Brewers 3-0 at Yankee Stadium. Sparky Lyle recorded the 1st of 26 saves in relief of starter Catfish Hunter, who went 7-innings of 2-hit ball before getting hit by a line drive by Von Joshua. Yankees DH Jim Wynn hit a HR in his 1st at bat as a Yankee.

1978 - The U.S. Court of Appeals upholds an earlier court decision in support of Commissioner Kuhn's voiding of attempted player sales by A’s owner Charlie Finley in June 1976. Finley's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court will be rejected on October 2nd. The Yankees had picked up All Star starter Vida Blue from the A’s, but Kuhn voided the deal.

April 8th

1899 - Former Yankees P Ted Kleinhans (1936) was born. Ted appeared in 19 games going 1-1 with 1 save in 1936.

1908 - While at spring training, 1B Hal Chase of the Highlanders contracts smallpox. The entire Highlanders team is vaccinated and quarantined while traveling north.

1946 - Former Yankees HOF P Jim “Catfish” Hunter (1975-1979) is born in Hertford, North Carolina (1946-1999). Hunter will make his MLB debut in 1965 with the A’s. He will join the Yankees as a free agent in 1975. His Yankee career pitching record was 63-53. He won 23 (1975) and 17 games (1976) for the Yankees. He will retire at the age of 33 in 1979 after 15 year MLB career. He will win election to the HOF in 1987. Sadly in 1999, Catfish Hunter passes away from ALS disease.

1957 - Former Yankees INF Roger Holt (1980) was born. He was drafted in the 4th round (101st pick overall) of the 1977 MLB amateur draft by the Yankees. Holt was a star in the minor leagues (he had the game winning hit in the minor league World Series and was named the Yankees Minor League Player of the Year). In 1980, he was called up by Yankees and given the number 55; he played in 2 games. In those 2 games, Holt had 6 at bats; he struck out twice, walked once, and got 1 hit (off of Aurelio Lopez of the Tigers). However, the following spring, he was traded to the Rangers for INF Tucker Ashford.

1967 - Former Yankees minor league pitcher P Rich Batchelor was born. In 1990, the Yankees signed Rich, as an amateur free agent. He never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. On August 31, 1993, Rich was traded by the Yankees to the Cardinals for veteran All Star reliever Lee Smith.

1975 - Frank Robinson makes his debut as MLB’s 1st black manager. Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson, throws out the ceremonial 1st pitch before a crowd of 56,204 fans. As the player-manager of the Indians, Frank Robinson hits a HR in his 1st at-bat, helping the Indians to a 5-3 victory over the Yankees. For Robinson, it is his 8th Opening Day HR, setting a MLB record.

1985 - At Fenway Park, 46-year-old Phil Niekro starts for the Yankees, becoming the 2nd oldest pitcher ever to start in Opening Day. Only Jack Quinn, for the Dodgers in 1931, was older at age 47. The Red Sox chases Niekro after 4 innings and behind the pitching of Oil Can Boyd coasts to a 9-2 win. Niekro walks 4 in the 3rd inning, including 2 with the bases loaded, to lose his 7th opener in a row (6 with Braves), the worst opening day record ever. Outfielders Tony Armas, Dwight Evans and Jim Rice stroke HRs for the Red Sox.

1993 - Carlos Baerga of the Indians becomes the 1st player in MLB history to switch-hit HRs in the same inning. In the 7th inning, Baerga connects against Yankees relievers Steve Howe and Steve Farr. Baerga's outburst helps the Indians to a 15-5 win over the Yankees.

2003 - At Yankee Stadium home opener, with the fans chanting his name, Hideki Matsui hit his 1st MLB HR, a grand slam, against the Twins.

2005 - Former Yankees P Al Gettel (1945-46) passed away. The Yankees signed Al as an amateur free agent in 1936. He posted a 15-15 record in 53 games with 3 saves. On January 22, 1943, he was traded by the Yankees with Ed Levy and $10,000 to the Philadelphia Blue Jays (Phillies) for 1B Nick Etten. Al Gettel and Ed Levy returned to original team on March 26, 1943. The Yankees sent Tom Padden and Al Gerheauser on March 26, 1943 to the Philadelphia Blue Jays to complete the trade. On December 6, 1946, Al was traded by the Yankees along with P Gene Bearden and OF Hal Peck to the Indians for C Sherm Lollar and INF Ray Mack.

April 9th

1888 - Former Yankees P James “Hippo” Vaughn (1908,1910-1912) was born. Hippo went 22-30 with the Yankees in 72 games, before going to the Senators on waivers.

1961 - Former Yankees reserve C Brian Dorsett (1989-90) was born. On November 17, 1988, Brian was traded by the Angels to the Yankees for minor league player Eric Schmidt. He appeared in only 22 games hitting .258, before he was released in November of 1990.

1965 - U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson joins the 47,878 fans for the opening of Harris County Domed Stadium, the Astrodome. The Astros win an exhibition game against the Yankees by the score of 2-1, in 12 innings. Yankees All Star CF Mickey Mantle hits the 1st-ever indoor HR in the new ballpark.

1965 - Former Yankees OF/1B Hal Morris (1988-89) was born. Hal was drafted by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 1986 MLB amateur played draft. He played 30 games for the Yankees, hitting just .189, before being traded away to the Reds for P Tim Leary. Some reason, owner George Steinbrenner didn’t like Hal as a player, hence his Yankees playing career was very short.

1967 - Former Yankees P Graeme Lloyd (1996-1998) was born. Graeme came to the Yankees in the trade with the Brewers, that saw P Bob Wickman and OF Gerald Williams going to the Brewers. He went 4-3 in 109 games with 1 save before being traded along with P David Wells to the Blue Jays for P Roger Clemens in spring of 1999.

1971 - The A’s traded veteran 1B/OF Felipe Alou to the Yankees in exchange for pitchers Rob Gardner and Ron Kliminkowski. In 1972, Felipe's younger brother, Matty will join him in pinstripes. The Yankees will acquire him in another trade with A’s.

1989- All Star LF Rickey Henderson of the Yankees gets his 800th MLB career stolen base in a 4-3 Yankees loss to the Indians.

1993 - At Comiskey Park, Bo Jackson of the White Sox hits a HR on his 1st at-bat after coming back from hip replacement surgery. The White Sox, however, still lose to the Yankees, by a score of 11-6.

2004 - The Yankees and their Manager Joe Torre agreed to a 3-year contract extension. The contract also includes an additional 6-year deal in which the 62-year old manager will serve as a team advisor through the 2013 season.

April 10th

1913 - In a game, which features U.S. President Woodrow Wilson throwing out the 1st pitch, the Highlanders, who are now called the Yankees, playing their 1st game under their new nickname, the Yankees lose to the Senators by a score of 2-1, as future HOF starter Walter Johnson picks up the victory for Washington.

1946 - Former Yankees 1B/DH and GM Bob Watson (1980-81) was born. Bob was signed as a free agent in 1980. He hit .307 for the Yankees. He was traded to the Braves in 1982. During the early 1990’s, he was the Yankees General Manager until 1995. He now works in the MLB Commissioner’s office.

1950 - Former Yankees OF/1B/DH Ken Griffey Sr. (1982-86) was born. On November 4, 1981, Ken was traded by the Reds to the Yankees for a player to be named later and P Brian Ryder (minors). The Yankees sent P Freddie Toliver on December 9, 1981 to the Reds to complete the trade. Ken hit .289 in 551 games with 49 HRs and 251 RBIs with the Yankees. On June 30, 1986, Ken was traded by the Yankees along with INF Andre Robertson to the Braves for OF Claudell Washington and minor league INF Paul Zuvella.

1967 - Former Yankees reserve OF Mike Humphreys (1991-93) was born. On February 7, 1991, he was sent by the Padres to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 3, 1990. The Padres sent a player to be named later to the Yankees for OF Oscar Azocar. The Padres sent OF Mike Humphreys to the Yankees to complete the trade. Mike won the James P. Dawson Award in 1993, as best Yankees rookie in spring training camp. Mike appeared in only 54 games, just hitting .176 for the Yankees.

1971 - Former Yankees P Al Reyes (2003) was born. Al was signed as a free agent in 2003; he appeared in 13 games with the Yankees with no record.

1976 -The 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, ruled that Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss had called timeout prior to the pitch. Money returns to the plate, hits a sacrifice fly, and the Brewers lose the game by a score of 9-7.

1982 - The Yankees trade hard-throwing reliever Ron Davis and minor leaguers INF Greg Gagne and P Paul Boris to the Twins for INF Roy Smalley. The trade breaks up the Yankees' devastating bullpen combination of Ron Davis and Goose Gossage, who with a Yankees lead after the 7th inning have a 97% success rate. George wanted a HR hitting shortstop because the Orioles had Cal Ripken. This trade weakens the Yankees bullpen greatly and gave up Gagne, who would become a solid infielder for the Twins for many years. Smalley never fits in with the Yankees, would be traded away.

1989 - At Yankee Stadium, Blue Jays starter Dave Stieb throws a 1-hitter, 8-0 shutout against the Yankees, giving him 3 one-hitters in his last 4 starts dating back to the September of1988.

1998 - The Yankees draw the largest regular-season crowd ever at the new Yankee Stadium as 56,717 fans attend the home opener against the A’s. Then the Yankees crush the club scoring mark by winning the 17-13 slugfest opener.

2007 - Former Yankees 1B Richard Kryhoski (1946-1949) passed away. In 1946, the Yankees signed Richard as free agent. 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 Tigers for 1B Richard Wakefield (1950).

April 11th

1872 - Former Yankees P Frank Kitson (1907) was born. On May 30, 1907, he was purchased by the Highlanders from the Senators. He went 4-0 in 12 games for the Yankees.

1917 - Babe Ruth of the Red Sox pitches a 3-hitter in shutting down the Yankees on Opening Day. Ruth's performance marks the start of good things to come. He will win 24 games in 1917, while leading the AL with 35 complete games.

1954 - To make room for promising rookie OF Wally Moon, the Cardinals trade longtime OF great Enos Slaughter to the Yankees in exchange for OF Bill Vidron, P Mel Wright, C Hal Smith, and OF Emil Tellinger. Bill Vidron would become the NL Rookie of the Year in 1955, later starting OF for the Pirates during the 1950-60’s. Hal Smith was another in a string of young Yankee catchers, who were traded away because of presence of Yogi Berra behind the plate. Tellinger never play at MLB level. Bill Virdon and Mel Wright would return to the 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 A’s (1955-56).

1965 - Former Yankees minor league OF Turner Ward was born. Turner was drafted by the Yankees in the 18th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On March 19, 1989, he was traded by the Yankees along with C Joel Skinner to the Indians for OF Mel Hall.

1980 - Current Yankees All Star 1B Mark Teixeira was born. In late December of 2008, Mark Teixeira signed a contract as a free agent with the Yankees for an 8-year term, making him one of the highest-paid players in MLB. He has previously played with the Rangers, Braves and the Angels.

previous week

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