This Week in Yankees History
October 11th - October 17th
October 11th - October 17th
October 11th
1931 - Former Yankees P Gary Blaylock (1959) was born. On July 26, 1959, Gary was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Cardinals. He went 0-1 in 15 games for the 1959 Yankees. Gary later managed in the Yankees farm system during the 1960’s.
1943 - Yankees starter Spud Chandler shut out the Cardinals by the score of 2-0 as the Yankees win the 1943 World Series in 5 games. Chandler gave up 10 hits, but stranded 11 Cardinal runners. Yankees catcher Bill Dickey's 2-run HR in the 6th inning was the difference in the game.
1964 - The Cardinals 3B Ken Boyer hits a Grand Slam HR in Game 4 of the 1964 World Series, capping off a 4-3 comeback win over the Yankees. The Cardinals had trailed by the score of 3-0, before Ken Boyer's grand slam HR blast against Yankees starter Al Downing. Yankees reliever Ralph Terry holds the Cardinals scoreless, but the Yankees batting line-up fails to catch the Cardinals.
1965 - Former Yankees P Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez (1998-2004) was born in Cuba. On March 23, 1998, Orlando was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent after fleeing Cuba. El Duque went 53-45 as a Yankees pitcher. His best Yankees season was in 1999, when he posted a 17-9 record. In 1999, he was the ALCS MVP. Orlando went 4-4 in 4 World Series for the Yankees. In AL postseason playoffs, Orlando was 13-10 for the Yankees. On January 15, 2003, Orlando was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for P Antonio Osuna and Delvis Lantigua (minors).
1977 - The Yankees defeat the Dodgers by the score of 4-3 in the opener of the 1977 World Series. The Dodgers held a 2-1 lead in the 6th inning, when the Yankees tie the game at 2-2 in the 8th inning on a Willie Randolph HR, followed a Thurman Munson double later in the inning that score the go head run. The Dodgers tied the game at 3-3 in the 9th inning, sending the game into extra innings. In the 12th inning, the Yankees score the winning runs, with Randolph on 2B after hitting a lead off double, Munson was intentionally passed, and Paul Blair singles home the winning run.
1978 - The Dodgers edge the Yankees by the score of 4-3 in game 2 of the 1978 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Catfish Hunter takes the loss for the Yankees. With runners in scoring position Dodgers hurler Bob Welch strikes out Reggie Jackson to end the game.
2006 - Yankees P Cory Lidle is killed, when a plane he is in crashes into a residential building in New York City. On July 30, 2006, Corey was traded by the Phillies along with OF Bobby Abreu to the Yankees for P Matt Smith, and minor leaguers: C.J. Henry, Carlos Monastrios and Jesus Sanchez. Corey went 4-3 in 10 games with the 2006 Yankees.
October 12th
1922 - The Yankees transfer P Lefty O’Doul to the Red Sox to complete the Joe Dugan trade of July 24, 1922. Later in his MLB career, Lefty would switch from the mound to the OF be a successful player in NL, finishing with a lifetime .346 BA. He would be a successful minor league manager with the San Francisco Seals in the PCL.
1936 - Former Yankees All Star INF /OF Tony Kubek (1957-1965) was born. Tony Kubek was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent in 1954. In 1957, Tony was the AL ROY Award winner for the Yankees, hitting .297 in 127 games with the Yankees. He was a member of the AL All Star team in 1958-59 and 1961 AL seasons. He appeared in 7 World Series as a Yankee, hitting .240. Tony finished his Yankee career with a .266 BA in 1.092 games with 57 HRs with 373 RBIs. He retired at the end of 1965 AL season due to neck and back injuries. Tony became a baseball announcer, covering the “Game of the Week” on NBC-TV for 24 years. In 1977, he joined the new AL expansion team, the Blue Jays broadcasting team. From 1990 to 1994, Tony worked for MSG Network covering the Yankees. In 1995, Tony retired from broadcasting. Over the years, he was been away from the game disappointed with baseball’s overall greed. Tony wrote a book about the 1961 Yankees team entitled “61”.
1948 - The Yankees name former NL Manager Casey Stengel their manager for the 1949 AL season, replacing Manager Bucky Harris (1946-1948). Stengel, who receives a 2-year contract, will lead the Yankees to 5 consecutive World Championships beginning in 1949. The Boston baseball writers declared that the 1949 AL season is over for the Yankees and that the Red Sox will prevail in the AL. Casey Stengel has never had a winning season as MLB manager with the Dodgers and Braves in the NL.
1960 - The Yankees veteran starter Whitey Ford throws his 2nd shutout of the 1960 World Series defeating the Pirates by the score of 12-0. Yankees 2B Bobby Richardson leads the Yankees hitting attack with 2 triples.
1977 - The Dodgers beat the Yankees by the score of 6-1 to even the 1977 World Series after 2 games. Catfish Hunter, who had not pitched in over a month, started the game for the Yankees. Dodger HRs by Ron Cey, Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith knocked out Catfish Hunter in the 3rd inning of the game. Catfish Hunter’s start allowed the Yankees to have a rested Mike Torrez and Ron Guidry to start the next 2 games for the Yankees.
October 13th
1876 - Former Yankees P and Manager William “Wild Bill’ Donvan (1915-1916) was born. He posted a 220-239 mark with the Yankees, before being replaced by Miller Higgins in 1918. As a pitcher for the Yankees, he appeared in only 13 games posting a 0-1 mark.
1883 - Former Yankees reserve C/1B/OF Walter “Heavy” Blair (1907-1911) was born. On August 18, 1907, Walter was purchased by the Highlanders from the Williamsport (Tri-State). After the 1911, he left the Yankees to play for Buffalo in the Federal League.
1895 - Former Yankees /OF Ben Paschal (1924-29) was born. On September 9, 1924, Ben purchased by the Yankees from the Atlanta Crackers (Southern Association) for $20,000. Ben hit .289 in 346 games for the Yankees as a reserve OF.
1896 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mike Gazella (1923, 1926-1928) was born.Mike .241 in 160 games for the Yankees as a reserve INF.
1921 - In the 1st "Subway Series" ever, the Giants defeat the Yankees by a score of 1-0, to take the 1921 World Series, 5 games to 3. The only run of the game scores on a 1st inning error by Yankees shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
1924 - Former Yankees reserve C/3B Charlie Silvera (1948-56) was born. Charlie was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent in 1942. Charlie appeared in 221 games for the Yankees hitting .292. His best Yankee season was in 1949, when he played in 58 games and hit .315. He made 1 game appearance in the 1949 World Series for the Yankees. On December 11, 1956, Charlie was traded by the Yankees with cash and another player to be named to the Cubs for a player to be named later. The Cubs sent C Harry Chiti on December 14, 1956 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Harry Chiti never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1937 - Former Yankees OF Lou Clinton (1966-1967) was born (1937-1997). On January 14, 1966, Lou was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for reserve C Doc Edwards. He hit .220 in 86 games with the Yankees.
1960 - The Pirates 2B Bill Mazeroski hits one of the most dramatic HR’s in World Series history. Maz' leadoff HR in the bottom of the 9th inning against Yankees reliever Ralph Terry gives Pirates a stunning 10-9 win in Game 7. It is the last game of Yankees Manager Casey Stengel’s career and his last World Series appearance as a Manager. He will be let go by the Yankees and replaced by Yankees MLB coach Ralph Houk. Also long time Yankees General Manager George Weiss will be let go by Yankee Co-Owners Del Webb and Dan Topping.
1971 - The Yankees obtained P Rich Hinton from the Indians for OF Jim Lyttle. Hinton would go 1-0 for the Yankees before being sent to the Rangers during the 1972 AL season. Jim Lyttle hit .270 for the Yankees in 1970, but missed most of the 1971 AL season being stricken with mono.
1978 - Yankees All Star 3B Graig Nettles put on a fielding clinic and prevented 7 runs as the Yankees beat the Dodgers by the score of 5-1, in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series. Nettles made 4 spectacular stops and gave the Yankees the 1st victory of the World Series. Yankees starter Ron Guidry gets the win, beating Dodgers starter Don Sutton, while OF Roy White hits a HR for the Yankees.
1996 - Powered by 3 HRs in the 3rd inning and 8 strong innings from lefty starter Andy Pettitte, as the Yankees won their 34th AL pennant with a 6-4 victory over the Orioles. The Yankees took the ALCS by 4-games-1 and went to the 1996 World Series for the 1st time since 1981 AL season.
1998 - The Yankees advanced to the 1998 World Series for a record 35th time after beating the Indians 9-5 to win the ALCS in 6 games.
1999 - The Yankees defeat the Red Sox in the opener of the ALCS, by the score of 4-3, in 10 innings. The Red Sox blow a 3-0 lead, and Yankees CF Bernie Williams hit a HR off of Red Sox reliever Rod Beck to win it.
2000 - The Yankees batter the Mariners by the score of 8-2 to take a 2-games-to-1 lead in the ALCS. Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez hit back-to-back HRs in the 2nd inning for the Yankees, while David Justice has 3 RBIs. Mariano Rivera breaks Whitey Ford's record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched in postseason play with 33 1/3 scoreless frames. Clippers Note: I disagree with this record, because all of Whitey Ford’s work was done in the World Series, not in the AL playoffs. There should be a distinctive division between the World Series and League Play-offs and Championship Series records, I hope that the next MLB Commissioner will make this happen, because it will not happen on Clueless Bud Sleig’s watch.
2001 - Yankees C Jorge Posada's 5th inning solo HR accounts for all the scoring as the Yankees defeat the A’s, by the score of 1-0, to stay alive in their ALDS. The Yankees starter Mike “Moose” Mussina gives up just 4 hits in 7 innings to get the win.
October 14th
1913 - Former Yankees P Hugh Casey (1949) was born. On September 4, 1949, Hugh was signed as a free agent by the Yankees. Casey had previously pitched for the Dodgers during the early 1940’s. He went 1-0 in 4 games in his last MLB season as a player.
1923 - Veteran starter Joe Bush spins a 3-hitter as the Yankees beat the Giants, by the score of 8-1 in Game 5 of the 1923 World Series. Joe Dugan hits a HR for the Yankees. The Yankees, now lead the Giants in the 1923 World Series by 3-games to 2.
1948 - Former Yankees P Ed Figueroa (1976-1980) was born. On December 11, 1975 Ed was traded by the Angels along with OF Mickey Rivers to the Yankees for OF Bobby Bonds. Ed went 62-29 in 132 games with the Yanks, with 42 compete games. His best Yankees season was in 1978, when he posted a 20-9 mark in 35 games with 12 complete games. In 2 World Series, Ed was 1-1. In postseason games, he was 3-1 for the Yankees. After 1978 season, Ed suffered with arm problems just going 7-9 in his last 2 seasons with the team. On July 28, 1980, Ed was purchased by the Rangers from the Yankees.
1953 - Former Yankees OF Bill Renna (1953) was born. Before the 1949 AL Season, Bill was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Bill hit .314 in 61 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the A’s on December 16,1953, along with INF Don Bollweg, OF Jim Finigan, C Johnny Gray, 1B Vic Power, and P Jim Robertson for P Harry Byrd, INF Eddie Robinson, OF Tom Hamilton, OF Carmen Mauro, and INF Loren Babe.
1964 - In Game 6 of the 1964 World Series, Yankees Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle hit HRs on back-to-back pitches from Curt Simmons of the Cardinals. Joe Pepitone belts a Grand Slam HR. The Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 8-3 at St. Louis. The Yankees victory evens the 1964 World Series at 3 games apiece. It would be the last Yankees victory in a World Series game until the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.
1964 - Former Yankees C and Coach, MLB Manager (Marlins) and Current Yankees Manager Joe Girardi (1996-1999) was born. On November 20, 1995, Joe was traded by the Rockies to the Yankees for P Mike DeJean. Joe’s best Yankees season was in 1996, when he hit .296. He helped current Yankees C Jorge Posada in his development as a MLB catcher. After retiring as a MLB player, he returned to the Yankees as a MLB coach. In October of 2007, he was named manager of the Yankees, replacing long-time manager Joe Torre.
1967 - Former Yankees INF Pat Kelly (1991-97) was born. Pat was drafted by the Yankees in the 9th round of the 1988 MLB amateur player draft. From 1992-1995, Pat hit over .300 for the Yankees, before injuries slowed down his MLB career. In 1994, he led the AL in sac flies with 14. Pat was granted free agency by the Yankees in 1997. He finished his MLB career with the Cardinals.
1976 - At Yankee Stadium, Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss hits a 9th-inning HR off of Royals closer Mark Littell to give the Yankees, a 7-6 victory over the Royals and their 1st AL pennant since the 1964 AL season.
1977 - Yankees starter Mike Torrez scatters 7-hits, a complete game as the Yankees beat the Dodgers by the score of 5-3 in Game 2 of the 1977 World Series. Dodgers’ starter Tommy John takes the lost.
1988 - Former Yankees P Vic “The Springfield Rifle” Raschi (1946-1953) passed away (1919-1988). Vic was one of main starters along with Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat during the Yankees 5 straight World Championship run of 1949-1953. He won 120 games as a Yankees starter with 24 shutouts and 99 complete games. He won 21 games each season for the Yankees from 1949-51. In February of 1954, Vic was sold to the Cardinals for $85,000 by Yankees GM George Weiss as a signal to stop other Yankee stars from staging salary holdouts. Vic lasted 2 years with the Cardinals and A’s, pitching under .500 baseball before retiring in 1955.
2000 - Giving the Yankees, a 3-1 lead in the 2000 ALC Series, starter Roger Clemens strikes out a series record-setting 15 Mariner batters, allowing only one-hit, winning the game by the score of 5-0.
October 15th
1906 - Former Yankees reserve OF Sammy “Babe Ruth’s Legs” Byrd (1929-1934) was born. Sam’s best season for the Yankees was in 1932, when he hit .297. He was Babe Ruth’s late inning OF replacement. At the end of the 1934 AL season, he was sold to the Reds for cash. Sammy played for 2 years with the Reds before retiring as an active MLB player.
1923 - At the Polo Grounds, the Yankees scored 5 runs in the 8th inning to post a comeback victory in the 6th and final game of the 1923 World Series. Babe Ruth hit a 1st-inning HR in the Yankees 6-4 victory over their NL rivals the Giants.
1964 - Cardinals starter Bob Gibson allows 3 HRs but still manages to win the 7th and final game of the 1964 World Series against the Yankees. Mickey Mantle, Phil Linz and Clete Boyer hit HRs for the Yankees, who drop a 7-5 decision. St. Louis takes an early lead after a 5th-inning HR by Lou Brock that triggers a second 3-run frame and a 6-0 lead for Gibson, who is named the 1964 World Series MVP. Mickey Mantle’s HR will be his last HR hit in a World Series; he will finish up with 18 HRs in World Series play.
1965 - Former Yankees back-up INF Fritz Brickell (1958-1959) passed away (1935-1965). He was the son of former Pirates OF Fritz Brickell. Before the 1953 AL season, Fritz was signed as an MLB amateur free agent by the Yankees. Fritz, who stood just 5'5½", was optioned out to the Joplin Miners of the Western Association (Class C). The 18 year old got into only 37 games his 1st year, hitting just.221. Fritz was in the same league in 1954 but with the St. Joseph Saints, where he played 121 games at shortstop, hitting .306. He would spend the next few years in the high minors, until he had a look-see in a couple games, with no record for the Yankees during the 1958 AL season. They gave him another look during the 1959 AL season. He appeared in 18 games at shortstop, hitting .256 before being sent back to Richmond (AAA), where he finished out the season hitting .247 in 88 games. Fritz Brickell stayed in the Yankees organization until April 4, 1961, when they traded him to the new Angels expansion team for former Yankees P Duke Maas. Fritz became the 1st starting shortstop for the Angels, but was troubled by injuries appearing in only 21 games in 1961. He was sent down to Angels AAA team at Toronto, where after he healed a bit, had probably his best season yet, hitting .307 in 108 games and fielding percentage of .985, while holding down the 2B position.
Fritz was with 2 AAA teams in 1962, hitting a combined .234 in 68 games. It was apparent he wasn't his old self, so he called it a career after the season. He had spent 10 years in pro baseball from 1952-1962. Fritz's minor league records show, he appeared in 982 games with 3,549 at bats, 979 base hits, including 82 HRs and had a .275 career BA. When he was diagnosed with cancer, Fritz Brickell Night was held in August of 1965 at the National Semi-Pro Tournament in Wichita, Kansas with his former Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle on hand to stage a hitting exhibition as part of the activities. Fritz died just a few months later on October 15, 1965 at age 30 in his hometown of Wichita.
1977 - The Yankees win by a score of 4-2 to take a 3-1 World Series advantage over the Dodgers. Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson doubles and homers, while starter Ron Guidry notches a 4-hitter.
1978 - In Game 5 of the 1978 World Series, the Yankees pummel the Dodgers with 18 hits to win the game by a score of 12-2. Bucky Dent, Mickey Rivers and Brian Doyle have 3 hits each for the Yankees. New York starter Jim Beattie gives up 9 Dodger hits, but only allows 2 Dodger runs. The Dodgers commit 3 errors in the game.
1981 - Yankee hurlers Dave Righetti, Ron Davis and Goose Gossage combined on a 4-0 shutout of the A’s to give the Yankees their 33rd AL pennant.
1996 - Former Yankees P Tom Ferrick (1950-1951) passed away (1915-1996). On June 15, 1950, Tom was traded by the Browns along with P Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas to the Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, P Don Johnson, P Duane Pillette, INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000. Tom went 8-4 in 30 games with 9 saves for the Yankees in 1950, to lead the Yankees bullpen staff. He appeared in game 3 of the 1950 World Series, picking up a win in relief of starter Eddie Lopat. On June 15, 1951, Tom was traded by the Yankees along with hurlers Bob Porterfield and Fred Sanford to the Senators for P Bob Kuzava. Tom would later, became a MLB pitching coach for the Tigers.
2001 - The Yankees beat the A’s, by the score of 5-3, to win the 2001 AL Division Series. The Bronx Bombers become the 1st team ever to win a best-of-5 series after losing the 1st two games at home.
October 16th
1895 - Former Yankees C Bill Skiff (1926) was born (1895-1976). Bill appeared in 6 games with .091 BA in 1926. Bill would later work for the Yankees as a scout and long-time Minor League manager. Also Bill worked for the Brewers organization before retiring from baseball in the early 1970’s.
1900 - Former Yankees P/PH Henry “Tomato Face” Cullop (1926) was born. Henry only appeared in 2 games for the Yankees as a PH, before being sent on October 19, 1926, to the Senators to complete an earlier deal made on August 27, 1926. The Yankees sent players to be named later to the Senators for veteran P Dutch Ruether. The Yankees would send hurlers Garland Braxton and Nick Cullop on October 19, 1926 to the Senators to complete the trade.
1921 - In defiance of MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis ban on World Series participants playing post-season exhibitions, Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel and Bill Piercy launch a barnstorming tour in Buffalo, NY. Five days later, they cut it short in Scranton, Pa. In the meantime, Babe Ruth openly challenges Judge Landis to act. The judge does, fining the players their World Series shares ($3,362.26), and suspending them until May 20th of the 1922 AL season.
1923 - Soon after Babe Ruth receives his 1923 World Series winner's share of $6,160.46, MLB player (Tigers) and insurance agent Harry Heilmann, who beat Babe Ruth for the AL batting title by 10 points, sells him a $50,000 life insurance policy. Beneficiaries are Mrs. Ruth and adopted their daughter, Dorothy.
1929 - The Yankees sell veteran OF Bob Meusel to Reds for cash. Bob had a .311 lifetime BA with 146 HRs with the Yankees from 1920-1929. He had 7 seasons with the Yankees hitting .300 or better. In 1925, he led the AL in HRs with 33 and RBI’s with 133. He led the Yankees in stolen bases 5 times, finishing his Yankees career with 131 stolen bases.
1936 - The Yankees AL All Star 1B Lou Gehrig, who hit .354 with 49 HRs, 167 runs, and 152 RBI is voted the 1936 American League MVP.
1949 - Former Yankees P Don Hood (1979) was born. On June 15, 1979, Don was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for DH/C/1B Cliff Johnson. Don went 3-1 in 27 games for the Yankees before leaving for free agency in the off-season.
1956 - Yankees sell OF Bob Cerv to the A’s for cash. Bob would get a chance to play full time with the A’s, including a great 1958 AL season with a .305 BA, 38 HRs, 104 RBI’s, making the AL All Star team as the starting LF. He would return to Yankees in May of 1960 in trade for veteran 3B Andy Carey.
1961 - Yankee purchased veteran P Robin Roberts from the Phillies for $100,000. The Yankees made a major mistake when they wrote him off as a washed up in 1962 spring training. Clippers Note: They should have kept him and dumped veteran P Bob Turley instead. Robin Roberts signed with the rival Orioles, going 10-9, and then he won 14 games in 1963. If the Yankees had kept him, he would have won 300 games during his great MLB career.
1962 - With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, Giants slugger Willie McCovey hit a hard line drive at 2B Bobby Richardson for the final out as the Yankees won Game 7 of the 1962 World Series by a score of 1-0, for their 20th World Series title. The winning pitcher for the Yankees is Ralph Terry, who after being the goat in 1960 and losing a game in 1961 World Series is finally a Yankee World Series hero.
1965 - Former Yankees minor league OF Darren Reed was born. On June 4, 1984, Darren was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1984 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Darren never appeared at the MLB level with the Yankees. On December 11, 1987, he was traded by the Yankees along with minor league P Steve Frey and C Phil Lombardi to the Mets for shortstop Rafael Santana and Victor Garcia (minors).
1976 - Reds pitchers Don Gullett and Pedro Borbon combine on a 5-hitter as the Reds win the opening game of the 1976 World Series over the Yankees, by the score of 5-1. Three hits by Tony Perez, who is the 1st DH in World Series history and 2B Joe Morgan’s HR supply the Reds offense. Yankees starter Doyle Alexander took the loss.
1977 - In the 1977 World Series, the Dodgers stay alive with a 10-4 victory in Game 5 against the Yankees. Dodgers Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith hit HRs, and Don Sutton pitches a complete game. Yankee starter Don Gullet only goes 4 innings, allowing 4-runs. Late inning HRs by Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson provide the Yankees offense.
1978 - The Yankees clinch their 22nd World Championship with a 7-2 victory at Dodger Stadium behind the pitching of starter Catfish Hunter. The Catfish goes8-innings, giving up only 1-run before Yankees Closer Rich Gossage shuts down the Dodgers in 8th inning and saves the game for the Yankees.
1993 - Former Yankees P Jimmy DeShong (1934-1935) passed away (1909-1993). Jimmy went 10-8 in 60 games for the Yankees. On January 17, 1936, Jimmy was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jesse Hill to the Senators for P Bump Hadley and OF Roy Johnson. Jimmy would be repurchased by the Yankees from the Senators in 1939, but not appear with them at the MLB level, instead playing with their Newark Bears AAA club in the IL.
1999 - The Red Sox roll over the Yankees, by the score of 13-1, behind a strong pitching of starter Pedro Martinez. Nomar Garciaparra gets 4 hits for the Red Sox, while John Valentin gets 5 RBI. Garciaparra, Valentin and Brian Daubach, all hit HRs for the Red Sox. The Yankees now leads the 1999 ALCS, 2-games-to-1.
2003 - The Yankees capture their 39th AL pennant beating the Red Sox, by the score of 6-5, thanks to Aaron Boone's 11th inning HR off of P Tim Wakefield at Yankee Stadium. Aaron Boone becomes the 5th player to end a post-season series with a HR joining Bill Mazeroski (1960 WS), Chris Chambliss (1976 ALCS, Joe Carter (1993 WS) and Todd Pratt (1999 NLDS).
October 17th
1908 - Former Yankees INF Robert “Red” Rolfe (1931, 1934-1942) was born. (1908-1969). Red finished his 10-year Yankee career with a .289 BA. He led the AL 3B in fielding (1935-1936). Red was named to AL All Star team 4 times as a Yankee. He led the AL in hits (139) and runs (213) in 1939, posting his highest season BA of .329. After his MLB playing career was over, Red was an AL Manager with the Tigers (1949-1952) in 539 games, with a record of 278-256 with a WP of .521. His best season as a MLB Manager was in 1950, when he finished 2nd place with the Tigers to the Yankees with a 95-59 mark.
1961 - Former Yankees OF/1B/DH Dan Pasqua (1985-1987) was born. June 7, 1982, Dan was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1982 MLB amateur player draft. Dan best season with the Yankees was in 1986, hitting .283. He never reached that mark again in the MLB. On November 12, 1987, Dan was traded by the Yankees along with P Steve Rosenberg and C Mark Salas to the White Sox for hurlers Richard Dotson and Scott Nielsen.
1964 - Despite guiding the Yankees to a 99-63 record, winning the 1964 AL pennant, the Yankees fired Manager Yogi Berra after losing the 1964 World Series to the Cardinals in 7 games. Yankees GM Ralph Houk feels that Berra didn’t have enough control over the Yankee players, many of them were his former teammates. Meanwhile in St. Louis, Manager Johnny Keane of the World Championship Cardinals resigns unexpectedly. He will take Yankees manager job, which opens as the result of the firing of Yogi Berra.
1976 - On a cold Sunday night, the Reds gang up on Yankees starter Catfish Hunter for 3 runs, but the Yankees battle back to tie it up at 3-3. With 2 outs in the 9th inning, Yankees shortstop Fred Stanley throws Ken Griffey's easy grounder into the dugout. A walk and a Tony Perez single follow and the Reds win Game 2 of the World Series, by the score of 4-3.
1978 - The Yankees win their 4th straight game, by the score of 7-2, to clinch their 2nd consecutive World Championship over the Dodgers. Yankees infielders Brian Doyle and 1978 World Series MVP Bucky Dent have 3 hits apiece.
1985 - Lou Piniella is named Manager of the Yankees replacing Billy Martin, who had piloted the Yankees to 2nd place finishing with a 91-54 record in the AL East.
2000 - In a come-from-behind victory by the score of 9-7 over the Mariners, David Justice propels the Yankees with a 3-run HR to their record 37th AL pennant setting up the 1st time in 44 years a Subway Series in New York City.
2003 - Early editions of the New York Post include an editorial claiming the Yankees lose to the Red Sox and couldn't get the job done in Game 7 of the ALCS. Although New York did trail the Red Sox, the team rallies to beat their arch-rivals in 11 innings, by the score of 6-5.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
