(Sorry, this should have been posted yesterday, but I got sidetracked with the new puppy.)
This Week in Yankee History
February 7th - February 13th
February 7th
This Week in Yankee History
February 7th - February 13th
February 7th
1936 - Former Yankees 1B Frank Leja (1954-1955) was born (1936-1991). Frank Leja was the Yankee's 1st bonus player in 1953, when he was signed for a reported $100,000. He was required to be on the Yankees MLB roster for 2 years, because of his bonus status. Frank Leja was projected as another Lou Gehrig by legendary Yankees scout Paul Krichell. He worked out at Yankee Stadium and hit the 1st 9 of 10 pitches into the stands in HR territory. He appeared in only 19 games for the Yankees, getting 1 hit in 7 at bats. Yankees Manager Casey Stengel didn’t want to play Leja, preferring to play veteran players instead. He spent several years in the Yankees minor league system. Frank had possibly his best season in 1957, when he led the Eastern League with 117 RBIs and hit 22 HR to help the Binghamton Triplets to the EL pennant. Also 1958 was a good year when he hit for a .263 BA with 29 HRs for the New Orleans Pelicans of the Southern Association. In 1961 Frank had a very good year, when he led the International League with 98 RBIs and hit 30 HRs that was 2nd only to Rochester’s Boog Powell and his 32 HRs. Frank hung in there sticking out 8 seasons in the minors. He would wind up with a minor league career batting average of .248 with 164 HRs. On October 4, 1961, Frank was traded by the Yankees to the Cardinals organization for minor league player Ben Mateosky. Leja did make it back to the MLB for a 7 game trial with the 1962 Angels going hitless in 16 at-bats. He was 1-23 in the majors, giving him a lifetime MLB .043 batting average. Frank would finish up his pro baseball career in 1963 at age 27 with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League. Leja entered the insurance business in Nahant, Massachusetts. Later he was in the wholesale lobster business. He died of a heart attack on May 3, 1991, at age 55 in Boston.
1949 - The Yankees All Star CF Joe DiMaggio signs a 1-year player contract worth $100,000, becoming the 1st player to earn a 6-figure deal in MLB history. In 1948, DiMaggio batted .320, while leading the AL with 39 HRs and 155 RBIs.
1955 - Former Yankees reserve INF Damaso Garcia (1978-1979) was born. The Yankees signed Damaso as an MLB amateur free agent in 1975. He appeared in 29 games during the 1978 AL season, hitting .229 before being traded to the Blue Jays on November 1, 1979. He was traded by the Yankees along with 1B Chris Chambliss and P Paul Mirabella for P Tom Underwood, C Rick Cerone, and OF Ted Wilborn.
1967 - The Yankees obtained P Joe Verbanic from the Phillies for veteran reliever Pedro Ramos. Joe went 11-10 in 3 years with the Yankees.
1995 - Former MLB and Yankees P Cecil Upshaw (1974) died from a heart attack at the age of 52. The side-arming Upshaw saved 27 games in 1969, helping the Braves win the NL West Division. In 9 seasons, Upshaw made 348 MLB appearances, all in relief. On April 26, 1974, he was traded by the Indians to the Yankees in the Chris Chambliss trade. Cecil went 1-5 in 36 games with 6 saves for the Yankees in 1974. On December 5, 1974, Cecil was traded to the White Sox by the Yankees for veteran reserve INF Eddie Leon.
1996 - Former Yankees OF Dave Winfield announces his retirement at the age of 44. Winfield compiled 3,110 hits, 465 HRs and 1,833 RBIs during a 22-year MLB career with the Padres, Yankees, Angels, Blue Jays, Twins and Indians. A 12-time All-Star, he joins Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Stan Musial as the only MLB players with 3,000 hits and 400 HRs. Dave Winfield will be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.
2009 - Former Yankees P John Gabler (1959-1960) passed away. In 1949, the Yankees signed RHP John Gabler to a MLB free agent contract. He was sent to the Belleville Stags (Class D). The 18-year-old rookie spent his 1st season with a last-place team under 4 different managers. John ended up with a 5-7 record with a 4.75 ERA. He appeared in 18 games pitching 91 innings. It would be 1959 before Gabler got his 1st chance with the Yankees. He had spent most of the season with the Denver Bears (AAA). John had a 14-8 record with a 3.39 ERA. In late 1959 AL season, he got into 3 games with the Yankees posting a 1-1 record, while pitching 19 innings with a 2.79 ERA. John was rewarded for his good effort in 1959, when he started the 1960 AL season with the Yankees. He got into 21 games, going 3-3, pitching in 52 innings but went to a 4.15 ERA. He was then sent down to the Richmond Virginians (IL), where he finished out the season with a 4-4 record and a 2.71 ERA, thus missing the 1960 World Series against the Pirates. Gabler was to get one more shot at the MLB, when the expansion Senators drafted him from the Yankees organization on November 28, 1960 under the 1960 MLB Rule 5 player draft. He was with the expansion Senators for the entire 1961 AL season, posting 3-8 record, while appearing in 29 games. He pitched 93 innings, giving up 104 base hits, 37 walks and 61 runs. His ERA was at 4.86. In 1962, John found himself back in the minors where he began the year with the Syracuse Chiefs (IL) and finished the season with the Jacksonville Suns. He had a combined record of 8-13 in 34 games, pitching 145 innings, giving up 169 base hits and 43 walks for a 4.72 ERA. This was to be John Gabler's last season in professional baseball. Gabler played in the minor leagues a total of 13 seasons. He did not play in 1952 and 1953 due to military service in the Korean War. His trip through the minors had him in 8 different leagues with 10 different teams. Over these years in the minors, he came up with 112-93 record in 322 games, where he pitched 1,737 innings allowing 1,771 hits, 754 walks and giving up 861 earned runs for a 4.19 ERA. He died on February 7, 2009 at his home in Overland Park, KS.
February 8th
1911 - Former Yankees reserve INF and MLB Manager Don “Jeep” Heffner (1934-1937) was born. Don was a reserve INF for the Yankees from 1934-1937, before being traded to the Browns in 1938. In 1966, he would manage the Reds.
1927 - Yankees starter Sad Sam Jones is traded to the Browns in exchange for P Joe Giard and OF Cedric Durst. Jones will be 8-14 in his only season in St. Louis.
1942 - Former Yankees AL All Star P Fritz Peterson (1966-1974) was born. The Yankees signed Fritz Peterson as an MLB amateur free agent in 1963. Fritz went 109-96 during his pitching career with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1970, when he posted a 20-11 mark in 39 games and making the AL All Star team. After the disclosure that Fritz and his Yankees teammate P Mike Kelich had traded their families, Fritz’s days as a Yankee were numbered. On April 26,1974, he was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Fred Beene, Tom Buskey and Steve Kline to the Indians for 1B Chris Chambliss, pitchers Richard “Dirt” Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw.
1943 - Former Yankees reserve INF Bob Oliver (1975) was born. Bob hit .118 in 18 games for the 1975 Yankees, before being released by the team.
1956 - The Senators send P Mickey McDermott and INF Bob Kline to the Yankees in exchange for C Lou Berberet, OF Whitey Herzog, and 3 more players. INF Bob Kline never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level, while Mickey McDermott would go 2-6 in 23 games for the 1956 Yankees. In February of 1957, he would be traded to the A’s in the Bobby Shantz-Irv Noren trade.
1956 - Former Yankees P “Long Tom” Hughes (1904) passed away. On December 20, 1903, Tony was traded by the Boston Americans to the Yankees for P Jesse Tannehill. Tom went 7-11 in 19 games for the 1904 Yankees. On July 20, 1904, Tom was traded by the Yankees along with P Barney Wolfe to the Senators for P Al Orth.
1977 - Former Yankees P Boardwalk Brown (1914-1915) passed away. On July 6, 1914, Boardwalk Brown was purchased by the Yankees from the A’s. He went 7-11 in 39 games for the Yankees.
1983 - Former Yankees P Chase Wright (2007-2008) was born. The Yankees in the 3rd round of the 2001 MLB amateur player draft drafted Chase Wright. In 2007, he went 2-0 in 3 games for the Yankees. On February 4, 2009, Chase was traded to the Brewers for outfielder-catcher Eric Fryer.
1983 - One day after taking a job as director of sports promotions for the Claridge Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, Mickey Mantle is ordered to sever his ties with MLB by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Mickey Mantle joins fellow Hall Of Fame Willie Mays as players banned from baseball by Kuhn for involvement with legalized gambling.
1984 - After losing Type A MLB free agent P Tom Underwood to the Orioles, the A’s grab P Tim Belcher from the Yankees organization as compensation. The No.1 selection in the June 1983 draft, Belcher did not sign with the Twins and was available in the January draft. The Yankees signed him on February 2nd, only to lose him, because they had already submitted their list of 26 protected players.
February 9th
1902 - Former Yankees reserve INF Julie Wera (1927,1929) was born. He batted .278 in 43 games before being sent to San Francisco Seals (PCL) in the Frank Crosetti trade.
1937 - Former Yankees 3B and MLB Coach Clete Boyer (1959-1966) was born. (1937-2007) Clete Boyer was originally signed by the A’s in 1955. He was traded to the Yankees in February of 1957 in the Bobby Shantz-Irv Noren trade. Clete Boyer took over the regular Yankees 3B job from Andy Carey during the 1960 AL season. Clete would be one of finest 3B to play for the Yankees from 1960-1966. He was over shadowed in the AL by the Orioles Brooks Robinson. Clete appeared in 5 World Series with the Yankees (1960-1964). In the winter of 1966, Clete was traded by the Yankees to the Braves for rookie OF Bill Robinson and other player. The Yankees 3B position would not be solid again until the arrival of Graig Nettles from the Indians in 1973. Clete passed away in 2007. He was one of three Boyer brothers who played in the MLB, older brothers, Ken with the Cardinals and Cloyd with the Cardinals and A’s. Cloyd would later become a Yankees MLB pitching coach. Clete’s younger brother Ron Boyer played in the Yankees organization during the 1960’s.
1968 - Former Yankees reserve INF Robert Eenhoorn (1994-1996) was born. Robert Eenhoorn had a brief MLB career spread out over 4 seasons, but was a productive player in the minors. He has been a big factor in Dutch baseball for many years. Eenhoorn's father played baseball during World War II as an act of Dutch rebellion against the German occupation. Robert played soccer and baseball growing up and credited his soccer play with helping his footwork on the diamond. A 2nd-round draft pick by the Yankees in 1990, Robert began his professional career hitting .268 with the pennant-winning Oneonta Yankees. He was voted to the New York-Penn League All-Star team as a utility infielder and was labeled a "defensive genius" by Baseball America. He led the league's shortstops in fielding percentage (.960). According to Baseball America, he was the top prospect in a league that produced Carlos Delgado, Jeremy Burnitz and Brian Giles. In 1991, he hit .350 for the GCL Yankees and .241 for the Prince William Cannons. The next season, he batted .305 with the Fort Lauderdale Yankees and .235 for the Albany Yankees after entering the season as the #6 prospect in the Yankees system according to Baseball America. He was downgraded to #7 after the year, behind Derek Jeter and ahead of Dave Silvestri among pinstriped shortstops. In 1993, he was the All-Star shortstop in the Eastern League. He batted .280 that season, doing a good job at AA at age 25. He was removed from the top Yankee prospect list after that year. In 1994, Robert batted .239 for the Columbus Clippers (AAA). He went 2 for 4 in his 1st cup of coffee with the Yankees in 1994. With Derek Jeter moving up to Columbus in 1995, the Yankees moved Robert to 2nd base. He batted .252 for the Clippers. He was 2 for 14 in the MLB. In 1996, he hit .337 for a title-winning Columbus (AAA) but was only 1 for 14 in the major leagues. The Yankees placed Robert on waivers; he was picked-up in September of 1996 by the Angels. In 1997, he hit .308 for the Vancouver Canadians (AAA) and tied for the PCL lead with 12 sacrifice hits. He was 7 for 20 with the Angels, playing his last MLB contest that season. He closed out his career in 1998 with the Mets Norfolk Tides team (AAA), hitting just .233. Altogether, his MLB career comprised appearances in 4 seasons, of which 20 games were with the Yankees and 17 games with the Angels. He played at 2nd base, shortstop, and 3rd base.
1980 - The late All Star Yankees catcher Thurman Munson is inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame of Kent State University.
1984 - Former Yankees C Dioner Navarro (2004) was born. In 2000, the Yankees signed Dioner Navarro as an MLB amateur free agent. He hit .429 in 5 games for the Yankees, before being traded to the D-Backs in the 2004 Randy Johnson trade. He was traded to the Dodgers by the D-Backs. Later he played for the Devil Rays. In 2008, Dioner was a member of the 2008 AL All Star team.
1994 - The Phillies traded veteran starter Terry Mulholland and a player to be named later to the Yankees in exchange for P Bobby Munoz, minor league players 2B Kevin Jordan and P Ryan Karp
2001 - After 13 months of negotiations, AL All Star shortstop Derek Jeter and the Yankees finalize a $189 million, 10-year contract. The deal makes the all-star shortstop 2nd only to Alex Rodriguez ($252 million/10 years) as highest paid player in the history of the sport.
2007 - Former Yankees OF (1948-1959) and MLB Manager Hank Bauer passed away from cancer (1922-2007). Before the 1946 AL Season the Yankees signed Hank as an MLB amateur free agent. He was AL All Star RF in 1952-1954. Hank appeared in 9 World Series with the Yankees. With the 1958 World Series against the Braves being his best, hitting.323, 4 HRs with 8 RBI’s. Hank finished his Yankees career with a .277 BA, 158 HRs, and 654 RBIs in 1,406 games. On December 11,1959, Hank was traded by the Yankees along with P Don Larsen, OF Norm Siebern, and OF/1B Marv Throneberry to the A’s for OF Roger Maris, INF Joe De Maestri, and 1B Kent Hadley. Hank would finish his playing career with the A’s in 1961. He would manage the A’s in Kansas City and Oakland. Hank would win the 1966 World Series with his Orioles beating the Dodgers. Later he would managed in the Mets farm system at Tidewater (AAA) in the early 1970’s and then scout for the Yankees afterwards.
2009 - 12-time All-Star and 3-time MVP Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez publicly admits to using steroids from 2001-2003. Rodriguez apologizes for his past errors; he had not commented on steroids since Sports Illustrated had broken a story about a positive 2003 test two days prior.
February 10th
1894 - Former Yankees P Herb Pennock (1923-1933) was born in Kennett Square, Pa. Herb Pennock extended his MLB career over 22 seasons, during which he won 241 games. As a Yankees starter, Herb won 162 games. He posted a 5-0 record in 5 World Series for the Yankees. At the time of his death from a fatal heart attack in 1948, Herb was the General Manager of the Phillies (1944-1948). He will be elected to the Hall Of Fame by the BWAA in 1948, with 94 votes on 121 ballots.
1917 - Former Yankees P Allie “Super Chief” Reynolds (1947-1954) was born. Allie was obtained from the Indians in 1947; he went 19-8, with a WP.704 for the Yankees. He was one of the mainstays of the Yankees starting rotation that won 5 straight World Championships (1949-1953) along with Eddie Lopat, Vic Raschi, and later Whitey Ford. His World Series Yankees pitching record was 7-2. Allie went 131-60 in 8 seasons with the Yankees, including a 20-8 with an ERA 2.06 in 1952. During the 1951 AL season, he pitched 2-no-hitters, including one against the Red Sox. His former team, the Indians was his other no-hit victim in 1951. A back injury during a Yankees team bus accident in Baltimore during the 1954 AL season forced Allie to retire at the end of the season. He later became the Baseball Commissioner of the American Association (AAA).
1926 - Former Yankees co-owner Frank Farrell (1903-1913) passed away. Frank Farrell and Bill Devery were the 1st owners of the Highlanders - later to become the Yankees. They purchased the Baltimore Orioles on January 3rd, 1903 for $18,000. They were allowed by AL to purchase the team and move it to New York City because of their ties with the local politics. All previous attempts to move an AL team to Manhattan were blocked by the Giants. Farrell was heavily involved in the New York gambling market. He was known to own a number of pool halls and a casino. After the 1913 AL season, the duo sold the team to new owners Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Captain Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston.
1970 - Former Yankees reserve C Alberto Castillo (2002) was born. He hit .135 in 15 games with the 2002 Yankees, before being released by the team.
1971 - Former MLB player Bill White becomes the 1st black play-by-play broadcaster in MLB history. WPIX-TV hires Bill White to team with Phil Rizzuto and Frank Messer on Yankees broadcasts.
1975 - Yankees signed free agent minor league INF Damaso Garcia. Garcia played 2B during the 1978 AL season for the injured 2B Willie Randolph. He appeared in 29 games hitting .229 before being traded to the Blue Jays on November 1, 1979. He was traded by the Yankees along with 1B Chris Chambliss and P Paul Mirabella for P Tom Underwood, C Rick Cerone, and OF Ted Wilborn.
1990 - Former Yankees 1B Tony Solaita (1968) passed away (1947-1990). The Yankees signed Tony, as an MLB amateur free agent in 1965. In 1968, he appeared in 1 game for the Yankees, going 0 fo1. On February 28, 1973, Tony was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for George Kopacz. After playing in the MLB, Tony played baseball for several years in Japan.
2002 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Jim Spencer (1978-1981) passed away (1947-2002). Jim was traded on December 12,1977, by the White Sox along with P Bob Polinsky and OF Tommy Cruz to the Yankees for P Stan Thomas, P Ed Ricks and cash. Jim never hit as expected for the Yankees during his stay with the Bombers. His best Yankees season was in 1979, when he hit .279. On May 20, 1981, Jim was traded by the Yankees along with P Tom Underwood to the A’s for 1B Dave Revering, Pitchers Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty. After retiring from MLB, he coached the U.S. Naval Academy baseball team for several years.
2005 - In his 1st public appearance, Yankees 1B Jason Giambi apologizes to his teammates, Yankees fans and to baseball fans everywhere for letting them down in 2004 season. The All-Star 1B, however, never uses the word steroids as he accepted full responsibility for the controversy.
February 11th
1941 - Former MLB Pitcher and Yankees MLB pitching coach Sammy Ellis was born. Sammy Ellis had an excellent season as the Reds top relief pitcher in 1964, saving 14 games with a 10-3 record and a 125/28 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He moved to the Reds starting rotation in 1965. Sammy made the 1965 NL All-Star team, while winning 22 games and striking out 183 NL batters. Only 24 at the time, he seemed to have a great future ahead of him, but after a 12-19 season in 1966 he developed arm problems and was out of MLB by mid-1969. Sammy Ellis became a successful MLB pitching coach for a number of teams in the 1980s and 1990s. He was a Yankees MLB pitching coach in 1982, from 1983-1984 and again in 1986. Then he was with the White Sox staff from 1989-1991, then spent the next season across town as a Cubs coach. Later he was a member of the Mariners staff in 1993-1994, the Red Sox staff in 1996, and the Orioles in 2000.
2002 - Former Yankees INF (1932-1948) and MLB 3B Coach (1949-1968) Frank “The Crow” Crosetti passed away. Frankie Crosetti holds several longevity-related records. He holds the Yankees club record for service to the club. He was a player from 1932-1948 and their MLB 3rd base coach from 1949-1968. The "Crow" also coached for the Pilots and Twins before retiring from MLB in 1971. Crosetti won so many World Series rings, 7 as a Yankees player, and 10 as a MLB coach, that the Yankees began giving him engraved shotguns instead of rings. In all, Frank Crosetti was on the field in 23 World Series. Crosetti was suspended for the 1st month of the 1943 AL season after an altercation with umpire Bill Summers in the 1942 World Series against the Cardinals. In 1944 he didn't join the Yankees until July 5th, due to his wartime job. In 2004, he was elected to the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. He had played 4 seasons for the San Francisco Seals, hitting .320, before the Yankees traded for him. Crosetti, who had a long career mostly at shortstop, was not a strong hitter although he had some power and drew walks well. He also led the AL many times in hit-by-pitch. In his best offensive season, with the 1936 Yankees, when he hit .288 with 90 walks, 15 HRs with 18 stolen bases, while scoring 137 runs. That year, in the 1936 World Series, he was the lead-off hitter for a line-up that usually had Red Rolfe batting 2nd, Joe DiMaggio 3rd, Lou Gehrig 4th, Bill Dickey 5th, and then George Selkirk, Jake Powell and Tony Lazzeri in various combinations in the 6th, 7th and 8th spots. Crosetti also struck out a lot, leading the AL twice in strikeouts.
2006 - Pitcher Shawn Chacon and the Yankees agreed to a $3.6 million, one-year contract and avoided a salary arbitration hearing. On July 28, 2005, Shawn was traded by the Rockies to the Yankees for Eduardo Sierra (minors) and Ramon Ramirez. Shawn went 7-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 14 games for the 2005 Yankees. Shawn’s overall Yankees pitching record was 12-6 in 31 games. On July 31,2006, Shawn was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for INF/OF Craig Wilson.
February 12th
1895 - Former Yankees P Thomas “Shotgun” Rogers (1921) was born. Tom went 0-1 in 5 games for the 1921 Yankees. He appeared in 1 game of the 1921 World Series against Giants with no record.
1902 - Former Yankees OF George “Kiddo” Davis (1926) was born. George Davis was born in Bridgeport, CT in 1902, attended New York University, and got his 1st taste of the MLB in 1926 appearing in 1 game with the Yankees at age 24. The Yankees won the 1926 AL pennant, but Davis did not appear in the 1926 World Series. Davis was 1-year older than the 23-year-old Lou Gehrig, and he was 2 years older than fellow rookie 2BTony Lazzeri. After his 1 game appearance with the Yankees in 1926, he disappeared from the MLB for 6 years until 1932, when he emerged as a regular outfielder for the Phillies hitting .309 at the age of 30.
1912 - Former Yankees P Walter “Monk” Dubiel (1944-1945) was born. Before the 1941 AL season, the Yankees signed Walter “Monk” Dubiel as an MLB amateur free agent. "Monk" would spend 1941 season with the class C Akron Yankees and the Erie Sailors and the right-hander would appear in a combined 28 games, posting a 14-8 record with a 2.44 ERA. Dubie came by the name of "Monk" in his 1st year of professional baseball in the minor leagues when a teammate noted that his uniform was so small for him that he looked like an organ grinder's monkey. After winning 16 games in the for the Newark Bears (AAA), including a no-hitter over the Syracuse Chiefs in 1943, "Monk" became a dependable wartime hurler for the Yankees, winning a career high 13 games in 1944 and 10 games in 1945. Dubiel's MLB career was hindered by a hip and recurring back ailment that kept him from serving in the military service during World War II. His overall Yankees pitching career record was 23-22 in 56 games with 28 complete games with 4 shutouts. On December 14, 1946, Monk was purchased by Seattle (PCL) from the Yankees.
1920 -The Yankees 3B Frank "Home Run" Baker’s wife, Ottalee, dies at the age of 31, leaving two small children. Frank Baker will miss the entire 1920 AL season with the Yankees to stay home and take care of the family, returning in 1921 to hit .294 for the Yankees.
1921 - Former Yankees reserve INF Don Bollweg (1953) was born. On May 14, 1951, Don was traded by the Cardinals along with $15,000 to the Yankees for veteran 3B Billy Johnson. Don hit .297 in 70 games for Yankees. On December 16,1953, Don was traded by the Yankees along with INF Jim Finigan, P Johnny Gray, 1B Vic Power, OF Bill Renna, and C Jim Robertson to the A’s for P Harry Byrd, 1B Eddie Robinson, OF Tom Hamilton, Carmen Mauro, and 3B Loren Babe.
1926 - Former MLB player and Yankees Broadcaster Joe Garagiola (1965-1967) was born. Joe was a Yankees broadcaster from 1965-1967. He later worked for NBC sports covering MLB baseball during the 1970-1980’s. He is currently a member of the Diamondbacks broadcast team.
1930 - In a defeat for AL president Ban Johnson, Giants starter Carl Mays is reinstated, and the Yankees' 3rd place finish for the 1930 AL season is recognized.
1932 - At the age of 37, former minor league executive George Weiss is named head of the Yankees' new minor league system by General Manager Edward Barrow. Weiss was hired by the Yankees to create a farm system, which had been pioneered in the NL by the Cardinals executive Branch Rickey. It was the reason of the Cardinals' dominance of the NL. Weiss grew the Yankees farm system from 4 teams in 1931 up to 16 by 1939 that reached up to 20 teams by 1947. The Yankees farm system churned out many of the players who would lead the Bronx Bombers to their 4 consecutive (1936-1939) World Series titles in the 1930s, their 5 straight titles (1949-1953), and their 6 other championship clubs sprinkled throughout the rest of the 1940s and 1950s. George Weiss will eventually become the General Manager of the Yankees (1948-1960), and along with Manager Casey Stengel, will oversee an unprecedented 5 consecutive World Championships from 1949-1953. After the 1960 World Series lost to the Pirates in October, the Yankees let Weiss and Stengel go. Weiss was replaced by the Yankees with his assistant General Manager Roy Hamey Jr. In 1962, he will become the 1st General Manager and Club President for the new NL expansion team, New York Mets. Casey Stengel will join him as the team’s 1st MLB manager. He will hold his positions with the Mets until 1966, when he retired from MLB. George Weiss will eventually gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1971, as a baseball executive
1942 - Former Yankees P Pat Dobson (1973-1975) was born (1942-2006). Pat went 39-27 in 72 games for the Yankees, after being obtained from the Braves for several minor league players. His best Yankees season was in 1974, when Pat posted a 19-15 record in 39 games. In winter of 1975, he was sent to the Indians for OF/DH Oscar Gamble. Pat passed away in 2006.
1953 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Dave Revering (1981-1982) was born. On May 20, 1981, Dave was traded by the by A’s along with Pitchers Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty to the Yankees for 1B Jim Spencer and P Tom Underwood. Don hit .190 in 59 games for the Yankees, before being traded to the Blue Jays for veteran 1B/DH John Mayberry.
1978 - Former Yankees P Tim Redding (2006) was born. On July 2, 2005, Tim was traded by the Padres along with P Darrell May and cash to the Yankees for veteran reliever Paul Quantrill. Tim went 0-1 in his only Yankees starting appearance, lasting only 1 inning, while giving up 6 runs. After the start, he was sent down to Columbus (AAA) for the rest of the 2005 season.
February 13th
1883 - Former Yankees 1B and Player-Manager Hal “Prince Hal” Chase (1903-1913) was born. On October 4, 1904, he was drafted by the Highlanders from the Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Hal had a lifetime BA of .284 as a Yankee. He led the Yankees in hitting in 1906-1907. During the 1910-11 seasons, he was a player–manager for the Yankees. His character was often questioned because of not playing honestly. On June 1, 1913, Hal was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox for OF Rollie Zeider and 1B Babe Borton. Hal was later banned from organized baseball in 1920 for gambling and fixing games.
1887 - Former Yankees OF Guy Zinn (1911-1912) was born. Guy appeared in 115 games for the Yankees, hitting .255. In December of 1912, Guy Zinn was purchased by the Braves from the Yankees.
1888 - Former Yankees reserve INF Edward “Kid” Foster (1910) was born. Before 1910 AL Season, Eddie was purchased by the Highlanders from the Tigers. He appeared in 30 games for the 1910 Yankees, hitting just .133.
1890 - Former Yankees P Daniel “Big Dan” Tipple (1915) was born. “Big Dan” appeared in 3 games with the 1915 Yankees, going 1-1 with .095 ERA with 2 complete games.
1927 - Former Yankees reserve INF Jim Brideweser (1951-1953) was born. Before the 1950 AL Season, the Yankees signed Jim Brideweser as an MLB amateur free agent. He had attended college at USC. Jim hit .363 (16 for 44) in 51 games as reserve INF for the Yankees before being claimed on waivers by the Orioles on May 11, 1954. Jim was a good utility INF, but there was no room for him on the Yankees 25 man MLB roster. Jim would play for the Orioles, White Sox and Tigers before finishing up his MLB career in 1959.
1939 - Former Yankees MLB Pitching Coach, Minor League Manager and MLB pitcher Jerry Walker was born. Jerry Walker managed in the Yankees minor league system from 1968-1972. He was a Yankees MLB pitching coach in 1981-1982. As a MLB player he pitched for the Orioles, A’s and the Indians from 1958-1965. Jerry currently works for the Cardinals organization.
1941 - Former Yankees P Jim Brenneman (1965) was born. In 1961, the Yankees signed Jim Brenneman as an MLB amateur free agent. He would appear in 3 games with no record for the 1965 Yankees.
1949 - Former Yankees reserve INF Lenny Randle (1979) was born. On August 3, 1979, Lenny was purchased by the Yankees from the Pirates. Lenny appeared in only 20 games for the 1979 Yankees, hitting just .179. On November 1, 1979, Lenny was granted MLB free agency by the Yankees.
1960 - Former Yankees minor league P Brian Ryder was born. Pitcher Brian Ryder was drafted in the 1st round of the 1978 MLB amateur player draft by the Yankees. In December of 1981, he was traded along with P Freddie Toliver for OF Ken Griffey Sr. Brian Ryder never made it to the MLB level with the Reds.
1971 - Former Yankees P Todd Williams (2001) was born. Todd Williams won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. In the 1999 Pan American Games, Williams led Team USA with 4 appearances. He saved 1 game and had a 1.69 ERA as the US won Silver and advanced to the 2000 Olympics. The Dodgers originally signed Todd. In 2001, Todd was signed as a MLB free agent. He went 1-0 in 15 games for the 2001 Yankees.
1980 - Former Yankees INF Drew Henson (2002-2003) was born. The Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1998 drafted Drew Henson MLB amateur player draft. The former Michigan State University sport star chose playing MLB baseball over a chance to play football in the NFL. On July 12, 2000, Drew was traded by the Yankees with along with OF Jackson Melian, Brian Reith, and P Ed Yarnall to the Reds for OF Mike Frank and P Denny Neagle. On March 21, 2001, Drew was traded back to the Yankees by the Reds along with OF Michael Coleman for minor league OF Wily Mo Pena. Drew hit .111 in 13 games with the Yankees. With the arrival of A-Rod to play 3B, the Yankees bought out his player contract. Drew Henson left the MLB to play NFL football. He was a member of 2004 Dallas Cowboys.
1986 - The Yankees re-acquired veteran C/1B/DH Ron Hassey from the White Sox. Hassey, who had been traded to Chicago only 2 months earlier, returns to Yankees in a 7-player trade. On December 12, 1985, Ron was traded by the Yankees along with P Joe Cowley to the White Sox for minor league players Glen Braxton and P Mike Soper and MLB P Britt Burns. Ron was traded by the White Sox along with minor league players Chris Alvarez and Eric Schmidt and OF Matt Winters to the Yankees for P Neil Allen, C Scott Bradley, minor leaguer Glen Braxton and cash. Ron will hit .296 with 13 HRs with 42 RBIs in 92 games for the 1985 Yankees. In 1986, he will hit .298 in 64 games, before being traded on July 30,1986, back to the White Sox along with minor league INF/OF Carlos Martinez to the White Sox for OF/DH Ron Kittle, C Joel Skinner, and INF Wayne Tollenson. On December 24, 1986, the Yankees will send minor league C Bill Lindsey to the White Sox to complete the trade.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
