This Week in Yankees History
January 23rd - January 29th
January 23rd
1890 - Former Yankees reserve OF Ed Barney (1915) was born. On July 20, 1915, Ed Barney was purchased by the New York Yankees from Jersey City (International League). He appeared in 11 games, hitting .194 for the 1915 Yankees. On August 19,1915, Ed was selected off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the New York Yankees.
1904 - The New York Highlanders send pitchers Long Tom Hughes and Bill Wolfe to the Washington Senators for veteran starter Al Orth. Hughes, who posted a 20-7 record with the Boston Pilgrims in 1903, came to New York in December swap with the Pilgrims, who had received P Jesse Tannehill.
1916 - Former Yankees 1B Johnny Sturm (1941) was born. In 1941, Johnny Sturm made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees, hitting .239 as the club's regular first baseman. In the 1941 World Series, he got a hit in each of the five games played. After that season, he enlisted in the Army and served in World War II. During his time in the military, he lost the tip of his right index finger in a tractor accident. Sturm tried to make a comeback with the Yankees in 1946, but a broken wrist ended the attempt, before he played in a game. After his playing days ended, he was a minor league manager who was largely responsible for discovering Mickey Mantle, when he gave the young player a tryout. Also he spent time as a MLB scout.
1918 - Former Yankees P Randy Gumpert (1946-1948) was born. Randy Gumpert went 16-4 in 72 games with one save with the New York Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1946, when he posted an 11-3 record. During July of 1939, Randy was sent from the Philadelphia Athletics to the New York Yankees in an unknown transaction. On July 25,1948, Randy was purchased by the Chicago White Sox from the Yankees.
1936 - Former Yankees P Don Nottebart (1969) was born. On October 21, 1968, Don Nottebart was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds. He appeared in only four games for the Yankees with no record, before being returned to the Reds on April 26,1969. Don had pitched against the New York Yankees, as a member of the Milwaukee Braves bullpen in the 1957-1958 World Series.
1951 - Former Yankees OF Charley Spikes (1972) was born. Outfielder Charley Spikes was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (11th pick) of the 1969 MLB amateur player draft. Charlie appeared in only 12 games with the Yankees, hitting just .147 before being sent to Cleveland Indians as part of the Yankees player package in the Graig Nettles trade.
1957 - Former Yankees P Alfonso Pulido (1986) was born. On December 20, 1984, Alfonso Pulido was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates along with INF Dale Berra and minor league OF Jay Buhner to the New York Yankees for INF Tim Foli, OF Steve Kemp and cash. Alfonso appeared in 10 games with a 1-1 record with one save for the 1986 Yankees.
1970 - Former Yankees P Alan Embree (2005) was born. Alan Embree went 1-1 in 24 games working out of the 2005 Yankees bullpen.
1970 - Former Yankees minor league OF Sherman Obando was born. The New York Yankees signed Sherman Obando as an MLB amateur free agent in 1987. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 7,1992, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles from the New York Yankees organization in the 1992 MLB Rule 5 player draft. He hit 102 HRs while playing for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan from 1999-2005. In 2009, Sherman Obando began his 1st season with the Charleston River Dogs as the 1st base coach.
1970 - Former Yankees P Mark Wohlers (2001) was born. On July 1, 2001, Mark Wohlers was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees for minor league P Ricardo Aramboles. He went 1-0 in 31 games for the 2001 Yankees.
1976 - The New York Yankees traded minor league P Gerry Pirtle to the Chicago Cubs for C Rick Stelmaszek. Neither player appeared with the New York Yankees at the MLB level.
1982 - Former Yankees minor league OF Wily Mo Pena was born. On April 5, 1999, Wily Mo Pena was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. Wily never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On March 21,2001, he was traded by the New York Yankees to the Cincinnati Reds for INF Drew Henson and OF Michael Coleman.
2005 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent veteran INF Rey Sanchez. He will appear in only 23 games for the Yankees in 2005 due to injuries. He hit .279 for the Yankees.
January 24th
1885 - Former Yankees 2B Earl Gardner (1908-1912) was born. Earl Gardner played five seasons for Yankees, hitting .263 in 273 games.
1936 - The New York Yankees obtained P Bump Hadley and OF Roy Johnson from the Washington Senators for OF Jesse Hill and P Jimmy De Shong. Bump Hadley will go 49-31 in five years with the Yankees. Roy Johnson will hit .265 as reserve outfielder, before being sent to the Boston Braves.
1939 - Eddie Collins, Willie Keeler and George Sisler are elected to the Hall of Fame by the BWAA. George Sisler set a MLB season-record with 257 hits in 1920. He batted .420 in 1922 on his way to a .340 career average. Collins batted an even .333 for his career and stole 744 bases as a member of 4 World Series. The Yankees OF Willie Keeler, who "hit 'em where they ain't", batted .341 and 2,932 hits.
1953 - Former Yankees P Tim Stoddard (1986-1988) was born. Tim Stoddard came to the New York Yankees in the Ed Whitson trade with the San Diego Padres. He posted a 10-6 record with 11 saves working out of the Yankees bullpen in 109 games.
1958 - Former Yankees P and MLB Bullpen Coach Neil Allen (1985,1987-1988) was born. Neil Allen went 7-4 in 56 games with one save in two tours with the New York Yankees. He would later become the Yankees MLB bullpen coach.
1960 - Former Yankees P Russ Ford (1910-1913) passed away. In September of 1908, pitcher Russ Ford was drafted by the New York Highlanders from Atlanta (Southern Association) in the 1908 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Russ posted a 73-56 record in 143 games for the New York Yankees. Ford‘s best Yankee season was in 1910, when he went 26-6. In 1911, he posted a 22-11 record for the Yankees. On January 20,1914, Russ Ford jumped from the New York Yankees to the Buffalo Buffeds of the Federal League. Russ Ford dominated the American League for a few seasons thanks to his devastating “emery ball”. The emery ball was a nominally illegal pitch that involved doctoring the baseball by scuffing it with emery paper. Ford disguised his illegal modification by claiming to throw a spitball, though he came clean about his technique after retiring as a active player in 1936. Other MLB pitchers apparently figured out that he was getting away with scuffing and copied both his approach and the dodge of claiming that their pitches were spitballs. He is the brother of former MLB P Gene Ford. Russ Ford is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
1969 - Former Yankees P Tom Zachary (1928-1930) passed away. On August 23, 1928, Tom Zachary was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Washington Senators. While pitching for the 1927 Senators, Tom Zachary gave up three of Babe Ruth's 60 HRs during the 1927 AL season, including his 60th HR on September 30,1927. With the Senators, he appeared in two World Series (1924-1925) posting a 2-0 mark. Zachary holds the MLB record for most wins in a MLB season without a loss. In 1929, Tom went 12-0 for the 1929 Yankees. He appeared in the 1928 World Series for the Yankees, posting a 1-0 mark. His overall Yankees pitching record was 16-4 in 36 games. On May 12,1930, Tom was selected off waivers by the Boston Braves from the Yankees. Tom pitched in majors for 19 seasons, before retiring at the age of 40 in 1936.
1980 - The New York Yankees signed INF/OF Jim Nettles as a free agent. He is the brother of Yankees 3B Graig Nettles. He will play at Columbus (AAA).
1991 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent OF/DH Pat Sheridan. Pat will hit .204 in 62 games for the Yankees during the 1991 AL season.
2000 - New York Yankees minor league INF prospect D'Angelo Jimenez suffers a broken neck when a car he is driving in the Dominican Republic collides with a bus. Jimenez is not paralyzed, but will miss the 2000 AL season. He figured to be the Yankees reserve infielder, taking over the role that Luis Sojo, now with the Pittsburgh Pirates, filled during the 1999 American League season.
2006 - It is announced that more than 1,000 items of Joe DiMaggio memorabilia, including his 1947 American League Most Valuable Player Award plaque and a signed photo of Marilyn Monroe, will be auctioned in May.
2006 - Former Yankees minor league INF/OF Carlos Martinez passed away. On November 17, 1983, Carlos Martinez was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 30,1986, Carlos was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later and C/DH/1B Ron Hassey to the Chicago White Sox for OF/1B/DH Ron Kittle, C Joel Skinner and INF Wayne Tolleson. The Yankees would send minor league C Bill Lindsey on December 24,1986 to the White Sox to complete the trade. Carlos Martinez hit the famous HR off the head of Rangers OF Jose Canseco on May 25, 1993. He died at the age of 41 of AIDS-related causes.
January 25th
1876 - Former Yankees P Fred Glade (1908) was born. Fred Glade went 0-4 in 5 games in 1908, after coming from the St. Louis Browns.
1889 - Former Yankees C Les Nunamaker (1914-1917) was born. On May 13, 1914, Les Nunamaker was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox. He appeared in 369 games for 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 veteran starter Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt.
1908 - Former Yankees P Roy Sherid (1939-1941) was born. Roy Sherid went 23-24 in 87 games with 7 saves for the Yankees.
1918 - Former Yankees P Steve Roser (1944-1946) was born. Steve Roser went in 5-4 in 20 games for the Yankees with one save, before being sold to Boston Braves.
1943 - The New York Yankees sell future Hall Of Fame P Lefty Gomez to the Boston Braves. Gomez will never pitch in a game for the Braves, who decided to release the veteran left-hander. Gomez will eventually sign with the Washington Senators in May, only appearing in one game before retiring from MLB.
1945 - Larry MacPhail, Dan Topping and Del Webb purchased the New York Yankees for $2.8 million from the heirs of previous owner Jacob Ruppert. The new owners announce that Ed Barrow will remain in place as General Manager, but a month later they will install Larry MacPhail as the Yankees new GM. Edward Barrow was the New York Yankees President and General Manager from 1939-1945, running the team for the Jacob Ruppert estate. He had joined the New York Yankees front office in 1920 after being with the Boston Red Sox. Ed Barrow was the manager of the Red Sox, when they won the 1918 World Championship.
1956 - Former Yankees P Dale Mohorcic (1988-1989) was born. On August 30, 1988, Dale Mohorcic was traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees for reliever Cecilio Guante. Working out of the Yankees bullpen, Dale went 4-3 in 45 games with three saves. On November 8,1989, Dale was released by the Yankees. He would finish out his MLB pitching career with the Montreal Expos.
1966 - New York Yankees veteran shortstop Tony Kubek announces his MLB retirement due to a serious back problem. During a nine-year MLB career, Tony Kubek was named to three American League All-Star teams. He played on seven Yankee pennant winners and three World Championship clubs. He was the American League Rookie Of Year in 1957, hitting .297 in 127 games. Tony will become a successful MLB baseball announcer.
1999 - The New York Mets games for the coming 1999 National League season will broadcast by WPIX-TV, Channel 11, after being aired on WOR-TV, Channel 9, since the club’s inception in 1962. The New York Yankees games, which had been aired for nearly 50 years on WPIX-TV, will now be seen on Channel 5, a FOX-TV affiliate.
1999 - MLB free agent OF/DH Tim Raines is signed by the Oakland A’s to a $600,000 contract. Tim Raines hit .290 for the 1998 World Champion New York Yankees. He has a .296 MLB career batting average.
January 26th
1927 - Former MLB player and Yankees MLB scout Bob Nieman (1977-1984) was born (1927-1985). Bob Nieman played 12 seasons in MLB. After retiring in 1962, he became a MLB scout with the Cleveland, Oakland A’s and finally with the New York Yankees from 1977-1984. Bob passed away in 1985.
1950 - Former Yankees minor league P Mike Pazik was born. Mike Pazik was a 1st-round pick in the 1971 MLB amateur player draft (secondary phase). He was in the New York Yankees organization from 1971 through part of 1974. He went 13-8 for Syracuse Chiefs in 1973 and in 1974, split the minor league season between Syracuse (Yankees) and Tacoma (Twins), again he went 13-8. Mike never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On May 4,1974, Mike was traded by the New York Yankees along with cash to the Minnesota Twins for veteran P Dick Woodson.
1950 - Former Yankees reserve C (1924), Minor league manager and MLB player Chick Autry passed away. Chick Autry was reserve catcher in MLB. He appeared in two games for the 1924 New York Yankees with no hits. Also he played for the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. After retiring from MLB as an active player, he managed in the minors for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees. His last minor league manager job was with the New York Yankees organization. He was with the Beaumont Exporters in the Texas League for the 1948-1949 seasons.
1955 - Former Yankees reserve INF Brian Doyle (1978-1980) was born. On February 17, 1977, Brian Doyle was traded by the Texas Rangers along with INF Greg Pryor and cash to the New York Yankees for veteran INF Sandy Alomar Sr. Brian had a very busy 1978 season, being sent from the Yankees to Tacoma Yankees AAA (Pacific Coast League) five times. In 1978 MLB post season, Brian filled in at 2B for the injured Willie Randolph. In the 1978 ALCS, Brian hit .286 in 3 games. In the 1978 World Series against the Dodgers, Brian hit .438 drove in 4 runs in six games for the Yankees. With the return of a healthy Willie Randolph at 2B, Brian spent the next two seasons moving between the Yankees and Columbus Clippers (AAA). On December 8,1980, Brian was drafted by the Oakland A’s from the Yankees in the 1980 MLB Rule 5 player draft.
1958 - Former Yankees reserve OF Mike Patterson (1981-1982) was born. On May 20, 1981, Mike Patterson was traded by the Oakland A’s along with minor leaguer Chuck Dougherty and 1B Dave Revering to the New York Yankees for 1B/DH Jim Spencer and P Tom Underwood. Mike appeared in 15 games for the Yankees, hitting .200.
1962 - New York Yankees AL All Star outfielder’s Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle sign contracts with Columbia Pictures to appear in “Safe at Home!” a movie that is to be shot during the 1962 New York Yankees spring training camp at Fort Lauderdale, Fl. The movie will star Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle as themselves and feature cameos by Yankee players Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Yankees Manager Ralph Houk.
1962 - Former Yankees reserve C (1925) and MLB manager Steve O’Neill passed away. On December 15, 1924, Steve O’Neill was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox. Steve appeared in 35 games for the 1925 Yankees, hitting .286. Steve would manage the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. In addition he was a MLB coach and scout before retiring from the game.
1987 - Current Yankees minor league P Hector Noesi was born. Hector Noesi signed with the New York Yankees a month before he turned 18. He made his professional debut with the DSL Yankees, going 5-3 with a 1.60 ERA. Hector fanned 11 batters in 7 innings for the 2006 GCL Yankees with one run allowed but missed much of the year with a right shoulder strain injury. The right-hander did not play much in 2007, either. He missed the first 50 days for violating the minor league steroid and drug program. He was 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA for the Charleston RiverDogs then ended his season on June 23rd due to another shoulder strain. On a rehab assignment, he began 2008 with the GCL Yankees; he was 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA in 9 games before being promoted to the Staten Island Yankees, where he had a 1-1 record, 3.00 ERA and 31 K’s in 24 innings. The Dominican hurler kicked off 2009 baseball season on a spectacular note with Charleston, not allowing a run for 27 1/3 innings during which he whiffed 35 and walked just 3.
Noesi was 3-4 with a 2.38 ERA for Charleston before being promoted to the Tampa Yankees, where he had a 3-0 record with a 3.92 ERA. Overall, he struck out 118 in 117 innings and allowed a .220 average with 15 walks. He tied Zach McAllister for the lowest average allowed by a Yankees minor league pitcher. In the postseason, he allowed 4 runs in 7 innings and picked up a win as Tampa Yankees won the Florida State League pennant. Hector missed time for a 4th straight season due to injury, sidelined for several weeks in late summer with tendonitis. Noesi opened 2010 season with Tampa, going 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA with 53 strikeouts to 6 walks in 43 innings. He was promoted to the Trenton Thunder (Eastern League); he began 4-1 with a 2.20 ERA and made the 2010 Futures Game team.
1989 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent P Chuck Cary (1989-1991). Chuck Cary would go 11-22 in 60 games as a Yankees pitcher before being released by the team in October of 1993.
1995 - Former Yankees reserve OF Richard Tettelbach (1955) passed away (1929-1995). Richard Tettelbach, who played at Yale University with George H.W. Bush, was in the American League during 1955-1957. Also he had a 6-year minor league career, hitting .302. Tettelbach was at Yale from 1948-1950. Before 1951 AL Season, Richard Tettelbach was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. He was a star with Norfolk Tars in 1952, a team that went 96-36; Tettelbach led the Piedmont League with 30 stolen bases, while hitting .317, good for 3rd in the league. In 1955, he played for the Yankees top AAA team, the Denver Bears (American Association). In September of 1955, Richard made his MLB debut with the Yankees appearing in two games with no hits. On February 8,1956, Richard was traded by the New York Yankees along with a player to be named later, C Lou Berberet, INF Herb Plews and P Bob Wiesler to the Washington Senators for INF Bobby Kline and P Mickey McDermott. The Yankees would send minor league OF Whitey Herzog on April 2,1956 to the Senators to complete the trade. Most of his MLB at-bats came with the 1956 Senators. He played left field, a position where Roy Sievers was the Senators regular from 1954-1959.
1998 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent P Doug Linton. The Yankees would release Doug during their 1998 spring training camp.
1999 - The New York Yankees released reserve C Alberto Castillo. They signed MLB free agent hurler Jason Grimsley. For the Yankees, Jason Grimsley will post a 10-4 record with 2 saves in 118 games (1999-2000). In 1999, he will go
7-2 in 55 games with one save for the Yankees.
2000 - The New York Yankees signed free agent MLB veteran OF Roberto Kelly. Roberto will only appear in 10 games with the Yankees during the 2000 AL season, hitting only .120. He had originally started his MLB career with the New York Yankees, before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds for OF Paul O’Neill.
2007 - The New York Yankees signed free agent MLB veteran reserve INF Miguel Cairo. He will appear in 54 games, hitting .254 for the Yankees before being released by the team on August 15, 2007. He will be picked by the St. Louis Cardinals and finished the 2007 MLB season with them.
January 27th
1888 - Former Yankees reserve OF Alan Wickland (1919) was born. He hit .152 in 26 games for the 1919 Yankees.
1896 - Former Yankees P Milton Gaston (1924) was born. Milt Gaston went 5-3 in 29 games for the New York Yankees, before being traded to the St. Louis Browns in Urban Shocker trade.
1901 - Former Yankees P Fred “Lefty” Heimach (1928-1929) was born. Fred Heimach went 13-9 in 48 games with the Yankees.
1921 - The New York Yankees obtained shortstop John Mitchel from the Vernon (Pacific Coast League) for P Ernie Shore, P Bob McGraw and C James “Tuck” Hannah. John hit .262 in 17 games for the Yankees before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in the Joe Dugan deal.
1929 - Former Yankees minor league INF Bobby Kline was born. On February 8, 1956, Bobby Kline was traded by the Washington Senators along with P Mickey McDermott to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later, C Lou Berberet, INF Herb Plews, OF Richard Tettelbach and P Bob Wiesler. The Yankees would send minor league OF Whitey Herzog on April 2,1956 to the Senators to complete the trade. Kline never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1968 - The New York Yankees drafted John Andrews in the 5th round of the 1968 MLB amateur player draft, but did not sign the player.
1978 - Former Yankees All Star P Monte Pearson passed away (1908-1978). In 1935, Monte Pearson was acquired by the New York Yankees in trade that sent starter Johnny Allen to the Cleveland Indians. He pitched for the Yankees from 1936-1940. His best Yankees season was in 1936, when he went 19-7. He made the American League All Star team. Monte Pearson threw the first no-hitter at Yankee Stadium against the Indians in 1938. He appeared in the 1936-1939 World Series with the Yankees going 4-4. His Yankees pitching career record was 63-27. He was sold to the Cincinnati Reds in 1940.
1978 - Former Yankees reserve INF Angel Berroa (2009) was born. On January 6, 2009, Angel Berroa was signed as a MLB free agent by the Yankees. Angel appeared in 21 games for the 2009 Yankees, hitting just .136. On July 7,2009, he was released by the Yankees. He would finish the 2009 MLB season with the New York Mets.
1991 - Former Yankees veteran reserve 1B Dale Long (1960, 1962-1963) passed away (1926-1991). On December 5,1949, Dale Long was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Detroit Tigers organization in the 1949 MLB minor league player draft. Don will not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 16,1950, Dale was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Yankees in the 1950 MLB rule 5 player draft. In 1956, Don was a NL All Star 1B with the Chicago Cubs, during that season Don set a MLB record of hitting 7 HRs in seven straight games. During the 1958 NL season with the Pirates, he caught two games as a left-handed catcher. In August of 1960, the New York Yankees obtained Don Long from the San Francisco Giants. He hit .366 in 26 games for the 1960 Yankees. He was lost in the 1960 AL Expansion Player Draft to the new Washington Senators. On July 11,1962, Dale was re-obtained from the Senators by the Yankees for minor league OF Don Lock (Richmond AAA). He hit .298 in 41 games for the 1962 Yankees. The Yankees released Dale Long during the 1963 AL season; he was only hitting .200, while appearing in only 14 games. He appeared in two World Series with the Yankees (1960 and 1962) hitting .250.
2003 - Former Yankees P Robert “Bob” Kammeyer (1978-1979) passed away (1950-2003). The New York Yankees in the 21st round of the 1972 MLB amateur player draft drafted Robert “Bob” Kammeyer. He was a graduate of Stanford University. Bob went 0-0 in 8 games for the Yankees during the 1978-1979 AL seasons. In 1978, he went 12-2 for the AAA Tacoma Yankees (Pacific Coast League). The following season at Columbus (AAA), Bob posted a 16-8 record. In 1980, Bob was named International League Pitcher of the Year, while pitching with the Columbus Clippers posting a 15-7 record with 2.91 ERA and 13 complete games. Despite posting a 63-35 mark at AAA level for the Yankees for three seasons, Bob didn’t get a real chance to break into the Yankees starting rotation.
2003 - The New York Yankees signed veteran MLB free agent reliever Juan Acevedo. Juan will go 0-3 in 25 games with six saves out of the Yankees bullpen, before the team released him in August of 2003. He will finish the 2003 American League season with the Toronto Blue Jays.
2010 - The New York Yankees signed MLB veteran free agent Randy Winn to a one-year deal to be their left fielder this season. This moves comes, as the 2009 Yankees starter MLB free agent Johnny Damon is still unsigned. However, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman states that the team has now reached its payroll limit and that Damon is simply too expensive. He will sign with the Detroit Tigers for the 2010 AL season. Randy Winn will appear in 29 games, hitting just .213 for the Yankees, before being released by the team. He will finish the 2010 MLB season playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.
January 28th
1884 - Former Yankees P Tom “Salida Tom” Hughes (1906-1907,1909-1910) was born. During the month of August of 1905, pitcher Tom Hughes was drafted by the New York Highlanders from Topeka (Western Association) in the 1905 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Tom posted a 17-17 record in 54 games with the Yankees.
1893 - Former Yankees P Guy Cooper (1913-1914)) was born. On August 11, 1913, Guy Cooper was purchased by the New York Yankees from Petersburg (Virginia League) for $1,500. He appeared in only one game for the Yankees with no record. On May 27,1914, Guy Cooper was purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the New York Yankees.
1906 - Former Yankees INF Lyn Larry (1929-1934) was born. Infielder Lyn Larry was purchased from Oakland Oaks (PCL) in 1928. He had three good seasons with the Yankees, before slipping in 1932. In 1934, he would be sent to the Boston Red Sox.
1916 - Former Yankees P Bob Muncrief (1951) was born. On November 16, 1950, Bob Muncrief was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Chicago Cubs organization in the 1950 Rule 5 MLB player draft. He went 0-0 in two games with the Yankees during the 1951 AL season.
1928 - Former Yankees minor league C Jim Robertson was born. Before the 1949 American League season, the New York Yankees originally signed Jim Robertson, as an MLB amateur free agent. Jim played in the New York Yankees minor league system until 1953. In 1949, he played for the Grand Forks Chiefs, hitting .248 in 153 at-bats. He played for the Quincy Gems in 1950, hitting .295 in 404 at-bats. With the Muskegon Reds in 1951, he hit .288, and with the Binghamton Triplets in 1952 he hit .303. He split the 1953 season between the Kansas City Blues and Syracuse Chiefs, hitting .278 with the Blues and .264 with the Chiefs. On December 16,1953, Robertson was traded by the New York Yankees along with INF Don Bollweg, OF Jim Finigan, Johnny Gray, 1B Vic Power and OF Bill Renna to the Philadelphia A’s for P Harry Byrd, 1B Eddie Robinson, OF Tom Hamilton, OF Carmen Mauro, and INF Loren Babe. On April 15,1954, he made his MLB debut. He spent his entire 1954 AL season with the A’s, hitting .184 in 63 games (147 at-bats). In 1955, he played in 6 games for the Kansas City A’s, hitting .250 in 8 at-bats. He spent most of the 1955 baseball season with the Portland Beavers (PCL), hitting .229 in 319 at-bats. Robertson played his final MLB game on May 10,1955. Overall, he played in 69 MLB games for the A’s, hitting just .187 in 155 at-bats.
1959 - Former Yankees P Walter Beall (1924-1927) passed away. On June 24, 1924, hurler Walter Beall was purchased by the New York Yankees from Rochester (International League) for $30,000. He posted a 4-5 record with one save in 33 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the Washington Senators.
1967 - The New York Yankees drafted P Terry Ley in the 3rd round of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Terry will appear in six games for the Yankees with no record in 1971. On December 2,1971, Terry was traded along with minor league P Gary Jones to the Texas Rangers for veteran INF Bernie Allen.
1976- The New York Yankees released veteran OF Walt “No Neck” Williams. The New York Yankees Owner George Steinnbrenner would help Walt obtain a player contract with a team in Japan. After coming to the New York Yankees, Walt hit .113 and .281 in 125 games for the Yankees (1974-1975).
1987 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent P Bob Shirley (1983-1987). Bob posted a 14-20 record in 165 games with five saves before being released by the team in August of 1987.
1994 - The New York Yankees signed veteran MLB free agent P Bob Ojeda. Bob appeared in two games with no record before being released by the Yankees in May of 1994.
2001 - Former Yankees OF/DH/1B Curt Blefary (1970-1971) passed away. In 1962, the New York Yankees signed Curt Blefary was signed as a MLB amateur free agent. He was removed from the 40-man New York Yankees roster, when they acquired veteran INF Harry Bright from the Cincinnati Reds during the 1963 AL season. The Baltimore Orioles immediately claimed Curt Blefary. In 1965, he was the American League Rookie Of Year award winner with the Orioles, hitting .260, with 22 HRs and 70 RBI’s. On December 4,1969, Curt was traded by the Houston Astros to the New York Yankees for 1B Joe Pepitone. Curt only hit .212 as a Yankee. On May 26,1971, he was traded by the Yankees to the Oakland A’s for P Rob Gardner. He would play for the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Oakland A’s and New York Yankees during his eight-year MLB career.
2002 - The New York Yankees signed veteran MLB free agent INF Ron Coomer. He would appear in 55 games hitting .264 for the Yankees in 2002, before leaving the team for MLB free agency.
2004 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agents OF/DH Darren Bragg and OF Tyler Houston. Darren Bragg and Tyler Houston will not play for the Yankees at the MLB level during the 2004 AL season, spending the season at Columbus (AAA).
January 29th
1885 - Former Yankees INF George “Hack” Simmons (1912) was born. George Simmons hit .239 in 110 games in 1912.
1930 - The Boston Red Sox sell former American League HR king Ken Williams to their rival New York Yankees for the waiver price. Williams, a lifetime .319 hitter, will be released prior to the start of the 1930 American League season. He will never again play in the MLB.
1943 - The New York Yankees traded 2B Jerry Priddy and minor league P Milo Candini to the Washington Senators for P Bill Zuber and cash consideration. Bill Zuber was classified 4-F in the war draft, will not have a winning season with the Yankees, while Milo Candini will go 11-7 for the Senators in 1943. Priddy was unable to beat out Joe “Flash” Gordon at second base.
1948 - MLB Commissioner Happy Chandler fines the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies $500 each for signing high school players.
1951 - Former Yankees minor league INF Sergio Ferrer was born. On March 26, 1977, INF Sergio Ferrer was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York Yankees for reserve OF Kerry Dineen. Sergio never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was assigned to Syracuse Chiefs (AAA), appearing in 67 games, hitting .281. On December 9,1977, he was traded by the New York Yankees to the New York Mets for INF Roy Staiger.
1955 - John Williams Cox buys Yankee Stadium from the Dan Topping-Del Webb partnership. He immediately sells the grounds to the Knights of Columbus. He will leave Yankee Stadium to Rice University in 1962.
1960 - Former Yankees AL All Star INF Steve Sax (1989-1991) was born. Sax was signed as a MLB free agent replacing Willie Randolph at 2B. He hit .315, .260 and .304 as a Yankee, making the AL All Star team in 1989-1990. On January 10,1992, Steve was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for pitchers Melido Perez, Bob Wickman, and Domingo Jean.
1961 - Former Yankees reserve OF/1B/DH Mike Aldrete (1996) was born. On June 12, 1996, Mike Aldrete was traded by the California Angels to the New York Yankees for P Rich Monteleone. Mike appeared in 32 games for the 1996 Yankees, hitting .250. He appeared in two games of the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves with no hits. On November 4,1996, Mike was granted MLB free agency by the Yankees.
1964 - Former Yankees P John Habyan (1990-1993) was born. On July 20, 1989, John Habyan was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the New York Yankees for OF Stanley Jefferson. John will spend the rest of the 1989 season at Columbus (AAA). He went 11-9 in 154 games for the Yankees with ten saves. On July 30,1993, John was traded as part of a three-team trade by the New York Yankees to the Kansas City Royals. The Chicago Cubs sent P Paul Assenmacher to the Yankees. The Royals sent OF Karl Rhodes to the Cubs.
1966 - The New York Yankees drafted Darrell Evans in the 2nd Round of the 1966 MLB amateur player draft (secondary phase), but did not sign the player.
1982 - The New York Yankees named American League All Star 3B Graig Nettles as their team captain. Nettles, becomes the 1st Yankees captain since Thurman Munson, who was killed in August of 1979 in airplane crash in Canton, Ohio.
1992 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent P Allan Anderson. He never appears in a game with the Yankees.
1993 - The New York Yankees signed 1B Fernando Seguignol was an MLB amateur free agent. He was assigned to the 1993 GCL Yankees and struggled, batting only .217 as an outfielder. In 1994, the teenager improved to .289, though he struck out 61 times in 266 AB’s. He led the NY-PA League with 9 triples that year. In 1995, he was traded by the New York Yankees to the Montreal Expos for reliever John Wetteland. In 2003, Fernando returned from Japan to play in the USA, signing with the Yankees organization. He was 5 for 7 in limited appearances with the Yankees. He was 5 for 13 with the Tampa Yankees. He spent most of 2003 season, producing at a .341 clip with 28 HRs in 402 AB’s for the Columbus Clippers (AAA). He led the International League in HRs and BA, led all of full-season MIL baseball in slugging percentage. He was named the DH on the IL All-Star team and won the IL MVP award. In 2004, he went back to play in Japan, where he is still active.
2005 - The New York Yankees signed veteran MLB free agent OF Doug Glanville. The Yankees will release him during their 2005 spring training camp.
2007 - Former Yankees pitching coach and former MLB pitcher Art Fowler passed away (1922-2007). Art Fowler was Billy Martin’s longtime MLB pitching coach with the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and the Oakland A's. As MLB pitcher (1954-1964), Art went 54-51, with the Cincinnati Reds, Dodgers and Angels. As a MLB pitching coach, Art Fowler never believed in running for his MLB pitchers, he is quoted as saying " If you pitched with your legs, Jesse Owens would have won 30 games."
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
