This Week in Yankee History
October 25th - October 31st
October 25th
1869 - Former Yankees 1B Jack “Dirty Jack” Doyle (1905) was born. Jack appeared in 1 game with no hits in 1905 for the Yankees.
1917 - Former Yankees front office executive Lee MacPhail Jr. was born. Lee was the son of former Yankees Co-Owner Larry MacPhail (1945-1947). After graduating from college, Lee MacPhail was the business manager of the Reading Brooks in 1941. He was the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs (IL) then began a long association with the Yankees. He was the business manager then GM of the Kansas City Blues (AAA). He moved up to Midwest farm director for the Yankees. He was Co-farm director, then director of player personnel for the team. He returned to New York as GM of the Yankees from 1967 to 1973. He was President of AL from 1974 to 1983. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1998. Lee and Larry MacPhail are the only father and son team to be elected to the Baseball’s HOF.
1923 - Former Yankees special pitching Instructor Russ “Mad Monk” Meyer was born. Russ pitched in MLB from 1946-1959. He was a member of the 1950 NL Champs, the “Whiz Kids” Phillies. He appeared in 1 game in relief with the Phillies against the Yankees in the 1950 World Series. He appeared in 2 games with the Dodgers in 1953 and 1955 World Series against the Yankees.
1924 - Former Yankees INF Robert “Doc” Brown (1946-1954) was born. Bobby was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent in 1946. Bobby hit .279 in 8 seasons with the Yankees, before leaving MLB to become a Doctor. Bobby hit .439 (18 for 41) in 4 World Series with the Yankees. Brown is the all-time leader for batting average in post-season play with his 17 for 41 record (.439) among players with at least 40 post-season plate appearances. While with the Yankees, Bobby roomed sometimes with Yankees C Yogi Berra, who read comic books, while Brown read medical texts. One night, when both were closing their books, Yogi asked him "How did yours come out?" After retiring from Medical practice, Bobby worked in MLB again as AL President (1984-1994).
1939 - Former Yankees P Pete Mikkelsen (1964-1965) was born (1939-2006). Pete was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent in 1958. Pete went 11-13 with 13 saves in 91 games for the Yankees. In one of the worst trades made by Yankees GM Ralph Houk, on December 10, 1965, Pete was traded by the Yankees with cash to the Pirates for veteran P Bob Friend. Bob Friend was an over the hill starter for the Pirates, and his best days were long behind him. Pete would have 5 more successful years in MLB. Meanwhile, Bob Friend was dumped by the Yankees to the Mets in June of 1966. Pete passed away in November of 2006.
1950 - Former Yankees INF Roy Smalley III (1982-1984) was born. On April 10, 1982, Roy was traded by the Twins to the Yankees for pitchers Ron Davis, Paul Boris, and INF Greg Gagne. Yankees Owner George Steinnbrenner wanted a shortstop, who could hit HRs like the Orioles Cal Ripken. So he decided that Roy Smalley is the answer for the Yankees. Smalley’s arrival dumps Bucky Dent out of the starting line up and he is later traded away to the Rangers for OF Lee Mazilli. The trade of Ron Davis breaks up with the very effective closing combo of Rich Gossage and Ron Davis. The Yankees were better off not making the trade and letting Gagne develop at Columbus (AAA). On July 18, 1984, Roy was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for players to be named later. On August 13, 1984, the White Sox would send pitchers Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1956 - Former Yankees P Andy McGaffigan (1981) was born. Andy was drafted by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 1978 MLB amateur player draft. In 1981, Andy appeared in 2 games with the Yankees with no record. On March 30, 1982, Andy was traded by the along with OF Ted Wilborn to the Giants for veteran starter Doyle Alexander, who will go 1-7 for the Yankees.
1981 - Dodgers Steve Yeager and Pedro Guerrero hit consecutive HRs in the 7th inning, leading the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the Yankees in Game 5 of the 1981 World Series.
1996 - Frank Torre, the older brother of Yankees manager Joe Torre, receives a heart transplant after months of waiting. Frank was a recipient of a World Series ring as a member of the Milwaukee Braves, when they beat the Yankees in 1957. His brother Joe will make him a gift of a World Series ring that's 39 years newer after Game 6 of the 1996 World Series.
2000 - At Shea Stadium, the Yankees defeated the Mets, by the score of 3-2, behind 5 pitchers and 1-HR by Derek Jeter in Game 4 of the 2000 World Series.
2003 - As the 2003 World Series headed back to Yankee Stadium, pitcher Josh Beckett, on 3 days rest, threw a complete game shutout, allowing just 5 hits to give the Marlins, its 2nd World Championship in 11 seasons with a 2-0 victory over the Yankees. Beckett was named the World Series MVP. This was the 100th World Series game ever played at Yankee Stadium, as the Marlins became the 1st opposing team to win a Series championship on the field at Yankee Stadium since 1981, when the Dodgers did it.
October 26th
1918 - Former Yankees INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss (1943-1950) was born (1918-1958). The Yankees signed George Stirnweiss as a free agent in 1940. He joined the Yankees in 1943 just hitting .219. In 1944, he hit .319. He led the AL in 4 departments: base hits (205), runs (125), triples (16) and stolen bases (55). In 1945, he led the AL with .309 BA, triples (22), Runs (107), hits (195) stolen bases (33). Snuffy was a member of the AL All Star teams in 1944-45 as a 2nd baseman. George led the AL 2B in fielding in 1944 and 1948. George appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees in 1943, 1947 and 1949, appearing in 4 games and batting .250. He continued to play for the Yankees until he was traded to the Browns in June of 1950. He finished up his MLB playing career with the Indians, retiring after the 1952 AL season. Know for his speed on the base paths, George finished his Yankees career with 66 triples and 130 stolen bases. He was with Phil Rizzuto at Yankee Stadium, when Phil was released in 1956, George made sure that Phil, who was very upset went home safely. In 1958, George was killed in a train wreck in New Jersey.
1938 - Yankees obtained P Oral Hildebrand and OF Colonel Mills from the Browns for C Joe Glenn and OF Myril Hoag.
1946 - Former Yankees INF Toby Harrah (1984) was born. On February 5, 1984, Toby was traded by the Indians with a player to be named later to the Yankees for a player to be named later, along with P George Frazier, and OF Otis Nixon. The Indians sent Rick Browne (minors) on February 8, 1984 to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees sent P Guy Elston (minors) on February 8, 1984 to the Indians to complete the trade. Toby hit .217 for the Yankees in 1984; he was a complete failure at the plate. On February 27, 1985, Toby was traded by the Yankees to the Rangers for a player to be named later and OF Billy Sample. The Rangers would send minor league player Eric Dersin on July 14, 1985 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1950 - The BWAA selected Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the 1950 AL MVP. He posted a .324 batting average with 200 hits and 125 runs, but drove in just 66 runs. Rizzuto, who received 16 of 23 1st-place votes, easily out-pointed runner-ups Billy Goodman of the Red Sox and his Yankees teammate Yogi Berra.
1964 - Former Yankees P Steve Adkins (1990) was born. The Yankees in the 15th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft drafted Steve. Steve went 1-2 in 5 games with the Yankees during the 1990 AL season. On June 26, 1991, Steve was traded by the Yankees to the Cubs for minor league player David Rosario.
1977 - Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle became the 1st AL reliever to win the Cy Young Award. Lyle led the AL with 72 appearances, posting a 13-5 record with 26 saves and a 2.17 ERA.
1996 - The Yankees clinch their 23rd World Series by defeating the Braves by a score of 3-2 in Game 6. Yankees catcher Joe Girardi’s RBI triple keys a 3-run rally against the Braves starter Greg Maddux. The Yankees closer John Wetteland is named the 1996 World Series MVP after posting his 4th save.
1991 - Former Yankees P Bill Bevens (1944-1948) passed away (1924-1991). Bill went 40-36 in 96 games for the Yankees. In the 1947 World Series, Bill lost his no-hitter game against the Dodgers in the 9th inning to lose the game by a score of 3-2. On January 17, 1949, Bill was purchased by the White Sox from the Yankees. On March 28, 1949, he was returned to the Yankees by the White Sox. On April 18, 1949, the Yankees released Bill.
2000 - In Game 5 at Shea Stadium, the Yankees win their 3rd consecutive World Series, their 4th title in 5 years and record 26th World Series Championship by defeating the Mets by the score of 4-2. Luis Sojo's 9th inning 2-out, tie-breaking single off of Mets starter Al Leiter is the decisive hit. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter becomes the 1st player to win the All-Star Game MVP and the World Series MVP honors in the same MLB season. Joe Torre becomes only the 5th manager to win 4 WS championships, joining HOF Managers: Joe McCarthy (Yankees) (7), Casey Stengel (Yankees) (7), Connie Mack (A’s) (5) and Walter Alston (Dodgers) (4).
October 27th
1876 - Former Yankees OF Patrick “Pasty” Dougherty (1904-1906) was born. On June 17, 1904, Patsy was traded by the Boston Americans to the Highlanders for Bob Unglaub. His best Yankees season was in 1904, when hit .283 for the Yankees.
1955 - Former Yankees P and Manager HOF Clark Griffith passed away (1869-1955). Clark was the 1st Manager of the Highlanders. As a pitcher with the Yankees, Clark went 31-23. His Yankees Manger record was a 419-370 mark, (1903-1908). His best Yankees season was in 1904, with a 92-61 record and then in 1906 going 90-61, both seasons were 2nd place finishes. The 1904 season the Yankees lost the pennant on the last day of the 1904 season on a wild pitch by Yankees starter “Happy” Jack Chesbro, who had won 41 games for the team.
1972 - Yankees obtained C Rick Dempsey from the Twins for OF Danny Walton. Rick would be a reserve catcher for Thurman Munson until his trade in June of 1976 to the Orioles. Walton was a major disappointment for the Yankees, never showing the signs of being a power hitter the Yankees had hoped for when they had obtained him from the Brewers. Walton spent the 1972 season in the minors; while young Dempsey had cups of coffee with the Twins the past 4 AL seasons.
1985 - Manager Billy Martin is fired by the Yankees for an unprecedented 4th time and is replaced by former Yankees OF Lou Piniella, who had been the team's hitting instructor since retiring as a active player in 1984.
1996 - After 2 humbling losses at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees won their 1st World Series title since 1978 with a 3-2 victory over the defending World Champion Atlanta Braves in Game 6.
1999 - Roger Clemens pitched the Yankees to their 2nd straight World Series sweep, shutting down the Braves by the score of 4-1 and ending his quest for the one and only prize that eluded him, a World Series Championship ring. The Yankees won their record 25th World championship their 3rd in 4 years. Game 4 marked Bombers 12th Series victory a row, matching a team's mark. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets his 2nd save and is named the 1999 World Series MVP. The Braves joins the Giants (1910-1919) as the only MLB teams to lose 4 World Series in a decade.
2000 - NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani thinks it is okay for children to take a day off from school to watch the Yankees' ticker-tape parade. His Honor, believing baseball can be an educational experience, has allowed his own kids, Andrew and Caroline, to miss classes in the past to watch the Yankees post-season celebrations. The Mets, this year's runner-ups in the Subway Series turn down Giuliani's invitation to be part of the parade for the World Champion Yankees down the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
2001 - The Diamondbacks pound the Yankees in Game 1 of the 2001 World Series by a score of 9-1 behind starter Curt Schilling. Schilling hurls 7-innings to win his 4th game of the postseason. Craig Counsell and Luis Gonzalez hits HRs for the D-Backs as Yankees starter Mike Mussina takes the loss.
2006 - Former Yankees P Joe Niekro (1985-1987) passed away. On September 15, 1985, Joe was traded by the Astros to the Yankees for players to be named later and P Jim Deshaies. The Yankees sent Neder Horta (minors) on September 24, 1985 and Dody Rather (minors) on January 11, 1986, to the Astros to complete the trade. Joe went 14-15 in 36 games for the Yankees. On June 7, 1987, Joe was traded by the Yankees to the Twins for C/DH/1B Mark Salas.
October 28th
1900 - Former Yankees and Minor League Manager Johnny Neun (1946) was born. After playing the in MLB, Johnny played for the Newark Bears (IL) from 1932-1934, serving as a player/coach in his final pro ball season. After time as manager of the Akron Yankees and the Norfolk Tars, he returned to Newark (IL) in 1938 as the club's skipper, a post he held through the 1941 IL season. Johnny managed the great Bears IL championship teams of 1938-1940. After managing the Kansas City Blues (American Association) for 2 years, he became a member of the Yankees MLB coaching staff from 1944-1946, when he replaced Bill Dickey as the club's manager late in the 1946 AL season. He then went on to manage the Reds for a season and a half before spending more than 40 years as a MLB scout for the Yankees, Royals, Angels and the Brewers.
1904 - Former Yankees OF Elias “Liz” Funk (1929) was born. Liz appeared in 1 game for the 1929 Yankees with no hits.
1916 - Former Yankees OF/1B Ed Levy (1942, 1944) was born. Joe hit .182 in 54 games with the Yankees between trades with the Yankees and the Phillies.
1917 - Former Yankees Closer Joe “Fireman” Page (1944-1950) was born. The Yankees signed Joe as an MLB amateur free agent in 1940. Joe Page was the Yankees bullpen closer from 1944-1950. He finished his Yankees career with a 57-49 record in 278 games with 76 saves. He led the AL in saves in 1947 with 17 along with 14 wins, again in 1949 with 27 saves and 13 wins. Joe appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, going 2-1 with 2 saves. Joe was named to the AL All Star team in 1944, and in 1947-1948. In 1949, Joe won the Babe Ruth Award for his performance in the World Series against the Dodgers. On May 16, 1951, the Yankees released Joe. Joe passed away on April 21, 1980, at the age of 63. Before his death, he ran a hotel-bar in Ligonier, Pa.
1953 - Veteran baseball announcer Red Barber resigns from the Dodgers broadcasting team and takes a job with the rival Yankees, joining Mel Allen in the Yankees broadcasting booth.
1979 - The Yankees replaced fired manager Billy Martin with former Yankees MLB Coach Richard Howser, who was the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles baseball team. In 1980, Howser will lead the Yankees to 103 victories, but lose the 1980 ALCS to the Royals.
1981 - Behind solid pitching of Burt Hooton, the Dodgers completed a World Series comeback defeating the Yankees by the score of 9-2. The Dodgers had trailed the Series 2 games to none before bouncing back to win 4 straight games. Pedro Guerrero drove in 5 runs for the Dodgers, who avenged two 6-game World Series defeats to the Yankees in 1977 and 1978.
1993 - Former Yankees reserve OF Bob Seeds (1936) passed away (1907-1993). On August 22, 1936, Bob was traded by Montreal Royals (IL) to Yankees for players to be named later. He appeared in 13 games with the Yankees, hitting .262. He would appear in 1 game of the 1936 World Series against the Giants. The Yankees would send minor league players Marv Duke and Norm Kies on November 30, 1936 to Montreal Royals (IL) to complete the trade.
2001 - In the 2001 World Series, Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks pitched a 3-hit shutout to defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-0, taking a 2-0 advantage in the Series. Matt Williams became the 1st player in World Series history to hit a HR with 3 MLB different teams. He hit HRs in the Fall Classic for the Indians in 1997 and the Giants in 1989.
October 29th
1882 - Former Yankees OF Arthur “Circus Solly” Hofman (1916) was born. Before 1916 AL Season, he jumped from the Buffalo Blues (Federal League) to the Yankees. He hit .296 in 6 games for the Yankees.
1891 - Former Yankees P Joseph “Happy Joe” Finneran (1918) was born. In May of 1918, the Yankees purchased Joe from the Tigers. Joe went 3-6 in 23 games for the 1918 Yankees.
1920 - The Yankees raid the Red Sox again, this time not getting a player, but a front office executive, by signing away General Manager Ed Barrow, who will become the Yankees new General Manager. Barrow was the Red Sox manager who 1918 World Championship. Also he was instrumental in switching Babe Ruth from the mound to the outfield. He would be instrumental in building the Yankees farm system and great trades that allowed the Yankees to dominated baseball in 1920-1930’s. From 1939-1945, he was the Yankees President, before leaving the Yankees in 1945. Ed would be elected to Baseball’s HOF in 1953.
1941 - Former Yankees reserve OF Harvey Hendrick (1923-1924) passed away. On January 3, 1923, he was traded by the Red Sox along with P George Pipgras to the Yankees for C Al DeVormer and cash. He appeared in 1 game of the 1923 World Series for the Yankees. On October 29, 1941, Harvey committed suicide at the age of 43.
1959 - Former Yankees OF Jesse Barfield (1989-1992) was born. On April 30, 1989, Jesse was traded by the Blue Jays to the Yankees for P Al Leiter. Jesse never regained his batting stroke that he had earlier in his MLB career with Blue Jays.
1965 - Former Yankees INF (1913) and HOF Manager Bill McKechnie passed away. Bill was a weak fielding player, who would have more success as a MLB Manager. He was elected to Baseball’s HOF in 1967. As a Yankees INF in 1913, Bill hit .314 in 44 games. He won NL pennants with the Pirates, Reds and the Cardinals. In 1925, his Pirates team defeated the Senators in the World Series.
1968 - Yankees released veteran INF Richard Howser as a player, then signed him as an MLB coach. Richard was plagued by back problems, when he came to the Yankees to finish out his MLB playing career.
1974 - Former Yankees reserve OF George Wilson (1956) passed away. On August 22, 1956, George was selected off waivers by Yankees from the Giants. He appeared in 11 games for the Yankees hitting just .166. He did appear 1 game in 1956 World Series with no hits.
1975 - Former Yankees OF/DH Karim Garcia (2002-2003) was born. On April 2, 2002, he was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. He appeared in 5 games and hit .200. The Yankees released him in July of 2002; he was picked up by the Indians. On June 25, 2003, the Yankees purchased Karim from the Indians. He hit .302 in 52 games before leaving the team for free agency.
1991 - Yankees MLB Coach Buck Showalter replaces Stump Merrill as the Manager of the Yankees. At age of 35, Showalter becomes the youngest active manager in the MLB. He will manage the Yankees through the end of the 1995 AL season. Buck won the 1994 AL Manager of the Year award. 1B/OF Buck Showalter was an All-American outfielder in 1977. He was selected by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft. He spent 7 years as a player in the Yankees farm system, hitting .324 for the 1980 Nashville Sounds and leading the Southern League with 178 hits. During his playing days he picked up the nickname "Buck" from a minor league manager's comment on his tendency to walk around the clubhouse "buck naked". Showalter retired as a player after the 1983 season and became a minor league coach in the Yankees farm system. From 1985-1989, he was a manager in their organization. When he took over the Oneonta Yankees in 1985, he was only 28 years old. In his 2 seasons with the O-Yanks, Buck set new Eastern League records for wins each season. It is also where he began his long working relationship with pitching coach Russ “Monk” Meyer. In 1990, he became a Yankees MLB coach, and 2 years later, he took over as the club's manager.
1996 - Former Yankees P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell (1952-1953) passed away (1922-1996). On August 28, 1952, Yankees purchased veteran P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell from the Reds for $35,000 and 4 players: pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel and Outfielders Bob Marquis and Jim Greengrass. Blackwell will go 3-0 with 2 saves in September of 1952 and the 1953 AL season. He started Game 5 of the 1952 World Series against the Dodgers; he was not involved in the final decision. He would finish his MLB career with the A’s.
October 30th
1888 - Former Yankees P Marty McHale (1913-1915) was born. Marty went 12-27 in 51 games for the Yankees.
1941 - Former Yankees DH/3B James “Jim Ray” Hart (1973-1974) was born. On April 16, 1973, Jim was purchased by the Yankees from the Giants for cash. Jim hit .254 for the Yankees in 1973. On June 7, 1974, Jim was released by the Yankees.
1948 - Former Yankees OF John “Mickey” Rivers (1976-1980) was born. On December 11, 1975, he was traded by the Angels along with P Ed Figueroa to the Yankees for All Star OF Bobby Bonds. In 1976, he hit .312 and was named to the AL All Star Team. He would hit .326 in 1977, but dropped to .266 playing with injuries. On August 1, 1979, the Yankees traded Mickey along with players to be named later to the Rangers for players to be named later, OF/DH Oscar Gamble and Amos Lewis (minors). The Rangers would send pitchers Ray Fontenot and Gene Nelson on October 8, 1979 to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees would send minor league hurlers Bob Polinsky, Neal Mersch and Mark Softy on October 8, 1979 to the Rangers to complete the trade.
1958 - Former Yankees reserve INF Paul Zuvella (1985-1986) was born. On June 30, 1986, Paul was traded by the Braves along with OF Claudell Washington to the Yankees for 1B/OF Ken Griffey Sr. and INF Andre Robertson. Paul appeared in only 35 games for the Yankees, hitting just .172, spending most of his time at Columbus (AAA). On October 15, 1987, Paul was released by the Yankees.
1960 - Former Yankees INF Mike Gallego (1992-1994) was born. On January 9, 1992, Mike was signed as a MLB free agent by the Yankees. He appeared in 261 games, hitting .261 for the team. On October 24, 1994, Mike was granted free agency, he would sign with the A’s in the spring of 1995.
1962 - Former Yankees OF/DH Danny Tartabull (1992-1995) was born. He was the son of former MLB player Jose Tartabull. On January 6, 1992, Yankees signed Jose as a MLB free agent. His best Yankees season was in 1992, when he hit .262 for the Yankees. On July 28, 1995, Jose was traded by the Yankees to the A’s for OF/DH Ruben Sierra and Jason Beverlin.
1963 - Former Yankees minor league 1B Fred McGriff was born. Fred McGriff was signed as a 9th round pick in the 1981 MLB amateur player draft by the Yankees. On December 9, 1982, he was traded by the Yankees along with 1B/OF Dave Collins, P Mike Morgan and cash to Blue Jays for OF Todd Dodd and reliever Dale Murray.
1963 - Former Yankees C/1B/DH Matt Nokes (1990-1994) was born. On June 4, 1990, Matt was traded by Tigers to the Yankees for Pitchers Lance McCullers and Clay Parker. Matt appeared in 452 games for the Yankees hitting .249, before leaving the team after the 1994 AL season for free agency.
1964 - Former Yankees minor league P Steve Rosenberg was born. Steve Rosenberg was 2-2 with a 2.06 ERA for the University of Florida in 1985 and followed with a 5-4, 4.81 season. The Yankees picked him in the 4th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft. After signing with the Yankees, he was assigned to the Oneonta Yankees, where he saved 3 of 3 games, striking out 10 and allowing 4hits and 1 run in 9 innings. Steve was promoted to Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FL), he was 6-1 with 3 saves and a 2.12 ERA in 25 games. Rosenberg continued his rapid rise through the Yankees farm system in 1987, going 4-4 with 15 saves and a 2.25 for the Albany-Colonie Yankees and getting promoted to the Columbus Clippers (AAA). The 22-year-old did okay in AAA posting a 4-1 record, with 2 saves and a 4.08 ERA. In the fall of 1987, Steve was dealt along by the Yankees along with 1B/OF Dan Pasqua, C/DH/1B Mark Salas for pitchers Richard Dotson and Scott Nielsen.
1973 - Former Yankees OF/DH David Dellucci (2003) was born. On July 29, 2003, Dave was traded by the Diamondbacks along minor leaguer John Prowl and P Bret Prinz to Yankees for OF Raul Mondesi and cash. At the end of 2003 AL season, David left the Yankees for free agency signing with the Rangers.
1983 - Former Yankees OF (1919) and NFL team owner George Halas passed away.
George Halas, was better known as a legendary NFL football coach and owner, played 1 season in the major leagues. He had been a 3-sport athlete at the University of Illinois and after playing minor league ball, came to the MLB as an outfielder in 1919. It was the year before Babe Ruth came to the Yankees and their outfield consisted of Sammy Vick, Ping Bodie and Duffy Lewis. In 22 MLB at-bats with the Yankees, Halas' MLB career batting average was .091.
1998 - Former Yankees minor league OF George Thurman passed away. On July 29, 1949, it was announced that Yankees had purchased his contract from the Kansas City Monarchs (Negro League). He was one of the first black players in the Yankees farm system, along with Vic Power, later Elston Howard. He was assigned to the Newark Bears of the International League, where he hit 3 homers in his 1st week. For rest of the 1949 minor league season, he hit .317 for the Bears in 59 games, before a hand injury sidelined him. In 1950, the Yankees sold him to the Cubs. Bob would reach the MLB in 1955 with the Reds.
2001 - George W. Bush becomes the 8th President of the United States to attend a World Series game and the 1st since Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial 1st pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11th attacks, the President walks to the mound by himself, gives a thumbs up, and throws a perfect strike much to the delight of the Yankee Stadium faithful. In Game 3, the Yankees will win by the score of 2-1 over the Diamondbacks, behind strong pitching by starter Roger Clemens and closer Mariano Rivera.
October 31st
1882 - Former Yankees OF Bert Daniels (1910-1913) was born. Bert hit .257 in 455 games with the Yankees, before being sold to the Reds in October of 1913.
1957 - All Star C Yogi Berra of the Yankees says the team returned fine money to the Yankee players involved in the Copacabana nightclub fight in May. Billy Martin, now with the A’s doesn’t get a refund of the fine money by Yankees GM George Weiss.
2001 - A 2-out, 2-run HR by Tino Martinez in the bottom of the 9thinning ties the game. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter hits a HR in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving the Yankees, a 3-2 victory over the D-Backs and knots the World Series at 2 games apiece. Both HRs come off of D-Backs closer Byung-Hyun Kim, who relieved starter Curt Schilling in the 8th inning. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets the win in relief for the Yankees.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
