This Week in Yankees History
November 14th - November 20th
November 14th
1876 - Former Yankees INF/P Harry “Handsome Harry” Howell (1903) was born. Harry went 9-6 in 25 games for the Yankees in 1903. On March 6,1904, Harry was traded by the Yankees along with cash to the St. Louis Browns for P Jack Powell.
1885 - Former Yankees OF Jack Lelivelt (1912-1913) was born. Jack hit .288 in 77 games for the Yankees. On May 25,1913, Jack was traded by the Yankees along with INF Bill Stumpf to the Cleveland Naps (Indians) for shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
1938 - Former Yankees C Les Nunamaker (1914-1917) passed away. On May 13,1914, Les was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox. Les appeared in 369 games with the Yankees, hitting .262. On January 22,1918, Les was traded by the Yankees along with P Nick Cullop, INF Joe Gedeon, INF Fritz Maisel, P Urban Shocker and $15,000 to the St. Louis Browns for P Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt.
1969 - Former Yankees minor league INF Curt Roberts passed away. On April 4,1957, the Kansas City Athletics sent players to be named later and INF Curt Roberts to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on February 19, 1957. On February 19, 1957: The Kansas City A’s sent players to be named later, INF Wayne Belardi, P Art Ditmar, Jack McMahan and P Bobby Shantz to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later, P Rip Coleman, INF Milt Graff, INF Billy Hunter, pitchers: Mickey McDermott, Tom Morgan and OF Irv Noren. Curt never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He played with the Yankees AAA team: the Denver Bears (American Association). Curt would play in the high minors until 1963. In 1969, Curt was killed in a highway accident, while fixing a flat tire.
1973 - Former Yankees OF Ruben Rivera (1995-1996) was born. In 1990, Ruben was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent He was the cousin of Yankees Closer Mario Rivera. Ruben appeared in 54 games for the Yankees hitting .284. On April 22,1997, Ruben was traded by the Yankees along with Rafael Medina and $3 to the San Diego Padres for players to be named later, Homer Bush, and minor league player Gordon Amerson. The Padres would sent P Hideki Irabu on May 29,1997 and minor league player Vernon Maxwell on June 9,1997 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Ruben was trying to make a comeback with the Yankees during the Spring Training camp of 2002, when he was involved in an incident taking Derek Jeter’s glove from the Yankees clubhouse in Tampa. The Yankees gave him his unconditional release.
1978 - Former Yankees OF/1B/DH Xavier Nady (2008-2009) was born. On July 26,2008, Nady was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates along with P Damaso Marte to the Yankees for minor league players P Daniel McCutchen and OF Jose Tabata, MLB hurlers Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf. After just playing 7 games of the 2009 AL season, Nady went down with a season ending injury. He was hitting .286. His overall Yankees batting record is .270 BA in 66 games with 12 HRs with 42 RBI’s.
2004 - Former Yankees reserve C Jesse Gonder (1960-1961) passed away (1936-2004). In 1955, Jesse Gonder was originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds. Before the 1960 MLB Season, Jesse was sent from the Reds to the Yankees in an unknown transaction. Jesse briefly played for the Yankees during the 1960-1961 AL seasons, appearing in 22 games and hitting .309. He was the starting catcher for their 1960 Richmond AAA team. On December 14,1961, Jesse was traded back to the Reds by the Yankees for veteran reliever Marshall Bridges. After retiring as a MLB player, Jesse wrote a book about the racism that he faced while being a professional baseball player in the 1950-1960’s.
2005 - New York Yankees AL All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez, whose 48 HRs set a AL record for that position and broke a 68-year-old club mark for right-handed hitters, earned his 2nd AL MVP Award in the closest vote since 2001. Rodriguez edged Red Sox DH David Ortiz, 331-307, in voting by the BBWAA. He received 16 of 28 first place votes while Ortiz earned 11 votes, with 2004 MVP Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels collecting the other to finish 3rd with 196 points. The margin of victory is the smallest since Seattle Mariner's Ichiro Suzuki edged the Oakland A's Jason Giambi by a vote of 289-281, four years ago.
2006 - Former Yankees minor league player/MLB INF Pete Suder passed away. Before the 1935 AL season, the New York Yankees signed Pete Suder as an MLB amateur free agent. The 19 year old got his 1st taste of pro baseball with the Washington Generals of the class D Pennsylvania State Association. Where he played the 3B and fielded at a .947 clip in 98 games, while hitting for a .294 BA. In 1936, Pete would hit .309 with 18 HRs for the Akron Yankees of the class C Middle Atlantic League, while playing the shortstop position at a .951 percentage. In 1937, Pete would play 3B for the Norfolk Tars field at a .962 pace; hit an even .300 with 22 HRs making the Piedmont League All-Star team. The Binghamton Triplets would have Pete Suder on their 1938 roster. He helped them win the Eastern League pennant by hitting .278 with 10 HRs. Pete made the All-Star team at 3B by fielding at a .945 clip in 135 games. He would be with Triplets again for the 1940 EL season at the 3B position, fielded .945 in 138 games, while hitting .301 with 16 HRs. Pete helped the 2nd place Triplets win the EL playoffs, while making the All-Star team. Also Pete was named the 1940 EL MVP. On October 1,1940 the Yankees would lose him to the Philadelphia A’s in the MLB Rule 5 player draft. Pete would remain with the A’s until he played his last MLB game in 1955.
November 15th
1916 - Former Yankees P Joe “Professor” Ostrowski (1950-1952) was born. On June 15,1950, Joe Ostrowski was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with pitchers Tom Ferrick, Sid Schacht and 3B Leo Thomas to the Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, Pitchers Don Johnson, Duane Pillette, INF George “ Snuffy” Stirnweiss, and $50,000. Joe, who contributed a 6-4 record plus 5 saves in 1951, appeared in one game in the 1951 World Series that year, pitching 2 innings with no decision. He did not appear in the 1950 or 1952 World Series games for the Yankees. Ostrowski was 2-2 with a 5.62 ERA for the 1952 Yankees. Joe went 9-7 overall in 75 games with 10 saves for the Yankees. Joe ended his 5-year MLB run with a 23-25 record and 15 saves overall. Joe was called “Professor” because he wore glasses and taught high school in the off-season.
1951 - The BWAA named New York Yankees INF Gil McDougald as 1951 AL Rookie of the Year. Gil hit .306 for the Yankees in 1951, the leading the club with his .306 BA and had 23 team leading doubles. The Chicago White Sox object to Gil McDougald's ROY award, offering the statistical accomplishments of their great rookie OF Minnie Miñoso.
1955 - Former Yankees Minor League P Randy Nieman was born. On June 3,1975, Randy Nieman was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1975 MLB amateur player draft (June Secondary). He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On June 15,1977, Randy was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later and INF Mike Fischlin to the Houston Astros for C/1B Cliff Johnson. The Yankees would send 1B/OF Dave Bergman on November 23, 1977 to the Astros to complete the trade.
1961 - For the 2nd consecutive year, New York Yankees RF Roger Maris is named the AL MVP. The new single-season MLB HR record holder with 61 HRs, edges out his fellow Yankees teammate CF Mickey Mantle by 4 votes, 202-198. The Baltimore Orioles 1B Jim Gentile finished in 3rd place with 157 votes.
2001 - New York Yankees P Roger Clemens, who posted a 20-3 record with 213 strikeouts and a 3.51 ERA, wins the 2001 American League Cy Young Award for an unprecedented 6th time. Previously, Roger Clemens captured the award with the Boston Red Sox in 1986,1987,1991, and with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997-1998. He becomes the 1st Yankees pitcher to win the award since 1978, when Ron Guidry won the honor. In the 2004 season, Clemens will win his 7th Cy Young award in the National League with the Houston Astros.
2005 – LF Hideki Matsui and the New York Yankees agreed on a new four-year contract worth $52 million to the Japanese outfielder. The sides faced a November 15th deadline after which Matsui would go on waivers and be prevented from rejoining the Yankees until May 15, 2006
November 16th
1883 - Former Yankees INF/P Rollie “Bunions” Zeider (1903) was born. On June 1, 1913, Rollie Zeider was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with 1B Babe Borton to the Yankees for 1B Hal Chase. Rollie hit .233 in 50 games for the New York Yankees. Before the start of 1914 AL Season, Rollie jumped from the New York Yankees to the Chicago Chi-Feds of the Federal League.
1932 - Former Yankees minor league C Harry Chiti was born. On December 14, 1956, the Chicago Cubs sent a player to be named later and C Harry Chiti to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 11, 1956. On December 11,1956, the Chicago Cubs sent a player to be named later to the New York Yankees for C Charlie Silvera, cash and another player to be named. Harry never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was sent to the AAA Denver Bears in the American Association for the 1957 season. On December 2,1957: Harry was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from the New York Yankees organization in the 1957 MLB Rule 5 player draft.
1950 - The New York Yankees drafted P Bob Muncrief (1951) from the Chicago Cubs organization. Bob went 0-0 in 2 games with the Yankees in 1951.
1964 - Former Yankees P Dwight “Doc” Gooden (1996-1997, 2000) was born. Doc Gooden went 24-12 in 67 games with the Yankees, including pitching a no-hitter.
1998 - Former Yankees special pitching Coach Russ ”Mad Monk” Meyer passed away. (1923-1998) Russ appeared with the Philadelphia Phillies (1950) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1953,1955) against the New York Yankees in the World Series with a 0-1 record.
2002 - The New York Yankees and the Yomiuri Giants sign an agreement to form a working relationship. Being the most successful teams in their respective leagues, the organizations hope to establish scouting and marketing ties, which will benefit both teams.
November 17th
1913 - Former Yankees P Lee Stine (1938) was born. On December 19, 1936, Lee Stine was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds. Lee Stine pitched four years in the MLB, while he was young, finishing up with the 1938 Yankees, for whom he pitched in four games at age 24. His ERA that season with the Yankees was 1.04. He did not pitch in the 1938 World Series for the Yankees.
1964 - The New York Mets named former Yankees great Yogi Berra to their MLB coaching staff. Berra signs a two-year contract. He will work under another former Yankees legend and former long-time boss, Casey Stengel, who is now the Mets' manager.
1966 - Former Yankees P Jeff Nelson (1996-2000, 2003) was born. On December 7,1995, Jeff Nelson was traded by the Seattle Mariners along with 1B Tino Martinez and P Jim Mecir to the New York Yankees for INF Russ Davis and P Sterling Hitchcock. Jeff went 23-19 with 8 saves in 331 games for the Yankees. On August 6,2003, Jeff was traded by the Mariners back to the Yankees for reliever Armando Benitez. Nelson went 1-0 in 24 games with 1 save in his last season with the Yankees.
1977 - Former Yankees INF and Manager Roger Peckinpaugh (1913-1921) passed away (1891-1977). On May 25, 1913, Roger was traded by the Cleveland Naps (Indians) to the Yankees for INF Bill Stumpf and OF Jack Lelivelt. Roger’s best Yankees season was in 1919, when he hit .309 with 89 RBIs. During the 1914 AL season, he managed the team for 17 games, going 9-8. On December 20,1921, Roger was traded by the Yankees along with P Harry Collins, minor leaguer Bill Piercy, and P Jack Quinn to the Boston Red Sox for INF Everett Scott, pitchers Joe Bush and Sam Jones.
1977 - Former Yankees P Alex Graman (2004-2005) was born. The New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1999 MLB amateur player draft drafted Alex. He appeared in 5 games with the Yankees with no record. On July 29, 2005, the Yankees released Alex; the Cincinnati Reds would pick him up in August of 2005.
1992 - MLB holds the expansion draft to stock the rosters of the National League's two new teams, the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies. The Yankees lose the following players: OF Carl Everett (Marlins); veteran MLB 3B Charlie Hays (Rockies), minor league C Brad Ausmus (Rockies).
November 18th
1932 - Former Yankees P Danny McDevitt (1961) was born. The New York Yankees originally signed Danny McDevitt as an amateur MLB free agent in 1951. Before the start of 1952 AL Season, Danny was released by the Yankees. Then the Brooklyn Dodgers signed him as a MLB free agent. On December 16,1960, Danny was purchased by the Yankees from the Dodgers. Dan went 1-2 in 8 games with 1 save with the Yankees, before being traded on June 14,1961 to the Minnesota Twins for veteran reserve INF Billy Gardner. Dan‘s claim to MLB fame was being the last Brooklyn Dodger pitcher to start, throw a shutout and win at Ebbets Field in September of 1957 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His best MLB season was in 1959, when he went 10-8 for the World Champion Dodgers.
1938 - Former Yankees minor league 1B Bud Zipfel was born. Before the 1956 AL Season, the New York Yankees signed Bud Zipfel as an MLB amateur free agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 14, 1960, Bud was drafted by the new Washington Senators from the Yankees in the 1960 AL expansion player draft. Bud replaced Gil Mc Dougald on the Yankees Expansion draft player list, when Gil refused to go to the new Senators. Bud was being groomed to replace Bill Skowron at 1B. With his departure, Deron Johnson and Joe Pepitone moved up in the Yankees farm system as possible Moose’s 1B replacements.
1954 - In an enormous 2-part trade begun on November 14th, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles exchanged 17 players. Included are 1B Richard Kryhoski, pitchers Bob Turley and Don Larsen, C Darrell Johnson and INF Billy Hunter, from the Orioles. The Yankees would send OF Gene Woodling, shortstop Willie Miranda, P Harry Byrd, P Jim McDonald, and Catchers Gus Triandos and Hal Smith. The trade will give the Orioles a chance to rebuild their team, which was formerly the St. Louis Browns, one of the poorest MLB franchises. By the late 1950’s and early 1960’s the Orioles farm system will start producing their own stars such as Brooks Robinson, John “Boog” Powell, Milt Pappas and other players. The Yankees will plug Don Larsen and Bob Turley into their 1955 starting rotation.
1960 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ron Coomer (2002) was born. The Yankees signed Ron as a MLB free agent in 2001. Ron appeared in 55 games, hitting .264 during the 2002 AL season.
1964 - The Baltimore Orioles 3B Brooks Robinson is voted the 1964 AL MVP, outpolling the New York Yankees CF Mickey Mantle by a vote of 269 to 171.
1967 - Former Yankees P Tom “Flash” Gordon (2004-2005) was born. Tom was set up man for Yankees closer Mo Rivera in 2004-2005, going 14-8 with 6 saves in 159 games, before leaving for free agency and signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
1968 - Former Yankees reserve INF/OF Clay Bellinger (1999-2001) was born. Clay was signed as a MLB free agent to helped out the Yankees bench; he appeared in 182 games, hitting only .189 for three seasons.
1968 - Former Yankees OF/DH Gary Sheffield (2004-2006) was born. The New York Yankees signed Gary as a MLB free agent in 2003. Gary was a good power hitter, but he was injured in 2006. After the Yankees picked up his option, on November 10, 2006, Gary was traded by the Yankees to the Detroit Tigers for 3 minor league pitchers: Anthony Claggett, Humberto Sanchez, and Kevin Whelan.
1970 - Former Yankees P Allen Watson (1999-2000) was born. Allen Watson was signed as a MLB free agent pitcher in 1999. He posted a 4-0 record in 21 games. In 2000, he had no record while appearing in 17 games.
1976 - The New York Yankees signed free agent P Don Gullett for $2 million. Gullett will have a 14-4 record in 1977, but spend most of the next 3 Yankee seasons on the injured list, before being forced to retire.
1979 - Former Yankees minor league OF John-Ford Griffth was born. He was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st Round (23rd overall) of the 2001 MLB amateur player draft. John never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 5, 2002, John was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the New York Yankees with P Jason Arnold (minors) and P Ted Lilly to the Oakland A’s. The A’s sent a player to be named later, 1B Carlos Pena, and P Franklyn German to the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers sent starter Jeff Weaver to the Yankees. The Tigers sent cash to the A’s. The A’s would later send P Jeremy Bonderman on August 22, 2002 to the Tigers to complete the trade.
1997 - The New York Yankees obtained 3rd Baseman Scott Brosius from the Oakland A’s to complete the Kenny Rogers deal made earlier in the month.
1997 - MLB holds the 1997 expansion player draft to stock the rosters of the 2 new MLB teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League and Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the American League. The New York Yankees will lose P Ben Ford to the Diamondbacks, while Tampa Bay selected P Brian Boehringer and OF Luke Wilcox from the Yankees.
2003 - Former Yankees P Ken Brett (1976) passed away. Ken Brett was George Brett’s older brother. On December 11,1975, Ken Brett was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates along with P Dock Ellis and 2B Willie Randolph to the Yankees for P George “Doc” Medich. Ken only appeared in two games with the Yankees with no record, before being traded on May 18,1976, by the Yankees along with OF Rich Coggins to the Chicago White Sox for OF/DH Carlos May.
November 19th
1881- Former Yankees OF Bill Bailey (1911) was born. Bill appeared in only five games for the Yankees during the 1911 AL season, hitting just .111.
1892 - Former Yankees shortstop Everett “Deacon” Scott (1922-1925) was born. On December 20,1921, he was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with pitchers Joe Bush and Sam Jones to the New York Yankees for INF Roger Peckinpaugh, Pitchers Jack Quinn, Harry Collins, and minor leaguer Bill Piercy. Deacon would give the Yankees a solid three seasons as their shortstop, including leading the American League in fielding in 1922-1923. Shortstop Everett Scott played in 1307 consecutive MLB games, the MLB consecutive games record until Lou Gehrig came along. He began his streak on June 20, 1916 while playing for the Boston Red Sox. Following the 1921 season, he was traded to the New York Yankees. On May 6, 1925, he was benched in favor of Pee Wee Wanninger. Ironically, less than a month later, his Yankees teammate Lou Gehrig began his own streak when he entered a game as a pinch hitter for Wanninger. Scott's streak is still the third longest streak in MLB history behind Baltimore’s Cal Ripken and New York Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig.
1908 - Former Yankees reserve C Joe Glenn (1932-1933, 1935-1938) was born. Joe Glenn was back up catcher for All Star C Bill Dickey. On October 26,1938, Joe was traded by the Yankees along with OF Myril Hoag to the St. Louis Browns for P Oral Hildebrand and OF Buster Mills.
1953 - The New York Yankees signed P Ralph Terry as an MLB amateur free agent.
1966 - Former Yankees minor league P Rodney Imes was born. The New York Yankees in the 16th round of the 1987 MLB amateur player draft drafted Rodney Imes. He led the Eastern League with 17 wins in 1989. On December 12,1989, Rodney was traded by the New York Yankees along with OF/1B Hal Morris to the Cincinnati Reds for veteran P Tim Leary and OF Van Snider
1968 - New York Yankees starter Stan Bahnsen, who posted a 17-12 record with 162 strikeouts with a 2.05 ERA, is named American League Rookie of the Year. Bahnsen easily outdistances OF Del Unser of the Washington Senators.
2007 - New York Yankees All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez wins the 2007 American League Most Valuable Player Award with a .314 BA with a MLB leading 54 HRs, along with 156 RBIs and 143 runs scored.
November 20th
1869 - Former Yankees P (1903-1907) and MLB Manager (1903-1907) Clark “The Old Gray Fox” Griffith was born. Clark Griffth would take the New York Yankees to a 419-370 record as their manager in 1903-1907. As a pitcher, Clark posted a 32-24 record in 77 games for the New York Yankees. He was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1946 as a pioneer and baseball executive.
1882 - Former Yankees P Andy Coakley (1911) was born. Andy posted a 0-1 record in 2 games for the 1911 Yankees.
1919 - Former Yankees P Rugger Ardizoia (1947) was born. Rugger appeared in one game for the 1947 Yankees with no record.
1929 - Former Yankees reserve C Lou Berberet (1954-1955) was born (1929-2004). In 1950, the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent signed Lou Berbert. He appeared in 7 games for the Yankees hitting .400. Blocked by All Star C Yogi Berra and Elston Howard, Lou became expendable. 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 Washington Senators for P Mickey McDermott and INF Bobby Kline. The Yankees would later send minor league OF Whitey Herzog to the Senators to complete the trade.
1930 - Former Yankees minor league INF Don Leppert was born. The New York Yankees signed Don Leppert as an MLB amateur free agent in 1949. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. Don would be traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the big 17-player trade in November of 1954.
1934 - A 17-year-old Japanese pitcher named Eiji Sawamura gives up 1-hit, a HR to Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig, as the touring MLB All-Stars; win in Japan, by the score of 1-0. At one point, Sawamura strikes out 4 future MLB Hall of Famer’s in a row: Charlie Gehringer, Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Lou Gehrig.
1945 - Former Yankees DH/OF Jay Johnstone (1978) was born. On June 14, 1978, Jay was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies along with minor league OF Bobby Brown to the New York Yankees for P Rawly Eastwick. Jay would hit .262 for the Yankees in 1978. On June 15,1979, Jay was traded by the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres for P Dave Wehrmeister.
1962 - New York Yankees CF Mickey Mantle collects his 3rd American League Most Valuable Player Award. Mantle, who hit .321 with 30 HRs, also led the AL in walks (122) and slugging percentage (.605), while helping the Yankees to a berth in the 1962 World Series against the Giants.
1967 - The New York Yankees obtained INF and future MLB coach Bobby Cox from the Atlanta Braves for P Dale Roberts and reserve C Bob Tillman.
1971 - Former Yankees reliever Gabe White (2003-2004) was born. On July 31, 2003, the Cincinnati Reds sent Gabe White to the Yankees as part of a conditional deal. On December 7, 2003, Gabe was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. Gabe went 2-2 in 36 games for the Yankees during the 2003-2004 AL seasons. On June 18, 2004, the Yankees sent Gabe to the Reds for minor league P Charlie Manning and cash.
1985 - New York Yankees 1B Don Mattingly, who hit .324 with 35 HRs with 145 RBIs, easily wins the 1985 American League Most Valuable Player Award over the Kansas City Royals 3B George Brett (.335, 30 HRs with 103 RBIs).
1995 - The New York Yankees traded minor league P Mike DeJean and a player to be named to the Colorado Rockies for C Joe Girardi. He will solidify the catching for the Yankees, while DeJean will set a MLB mark for most appearances without a loss. DeJean will post a 7-0 record through 1998, while making 88 appearances, breaking a little-known mark set by Phil Paine from 1951-1958.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
