This Week in Yankees History
February 6th - February 12th
February 6th
1895 - New York Yankees Hall Of Fame OF/P Babe Ruth is born in Baltimore, Maryland (1895- 1948). Babe Ruth will amass 714 HRs with 2,217 RBIs with a lifetime batting average of .342 on his way to Hall of Fame election in 1936. Babe Ruth originally signed with the Boston Red Sox, as a pitcher and then was converted to an outfielder by his Red Sox Manager Edward Barrow. His trade by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees in January of 1920 will start the rise of the Yankees as one of the most dominant teams in MLB history. He will play for the Yankees from 1920 to 1934. Babe Ruth will be released by the Yankees in 1935, he will finish out his long MLB career with the Boston Braves.
1926 - The St. Louis Browns acquired veteran C Wally Schang from the New York Yankees for P George Mogridge and cash. Although Wally Schang is 36 years old, he will hold the job as starting catcher for the St. Louis Browns for the next four seasons.
1926 - Former Yankees 1B Dale Long (1960, 1962-1963) was born (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 New York Yankees organization in the 1950 MLB Rule 5 player draft. In 1956, Dale was a NL All Star 1B with the Chicago Cubs, during that 1956 season, Dale set a MLB record of hitting 7 HRs in seven straight games. During the 1958 NL season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he caught 2 games as a left-handed catcher. The New York Yankees obtained Dale Long from the San Francisco Giants in August of 1960. Dale hit .366 in 26 games for the 1960 Yankees. In December of 1960, Dale was lost in the 1960 AL Expansion 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 for the Yankees in 41 games. The Yankees released Dale 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 in 1960 and 1962 hitting .250.
1950 - Former long-time Yankees MLB Coach (1929-1945) and MLB player Art Fletcher (1909-1922) passed away. Art Fletcher was an MLB infielder for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. He finished his MLB playing career in 1922 with a .277 BA, 32 HRs and 675 RBIs. He was the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1923 to 1926. Art briefly managed the New York Yankees for 11 games, posting a 6-5 record after Yankees Manager Miller Higgins had died in September of 1929 during the 1929 American League season. Yankees MLB pitching coach Bob Shawkey would take over the team from him.
1969 - Former Yankees P Bob Wickman (1992-1996) was born. Bob Wickman was obtained from the Chicago White Sox in the Steve Sax trade. He went 31-14 in 223 games with 11 saves, for the Yankees. On August 23, 1996, Bob traded by the Yankees along with OF Gerald Williams to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later, INF Pat Listach, and P Graeme Lloyd. The Brewers would send P Ricky Bones on August 29,1996 to the Yankees to complete the trade. On October 2,1996, INF Pat Listach was returned to Brewers because injury issues.
1970 - Former Yankees P Mark Hutton (1993-1994, 1996) was born.In 1988, the New York Yankees signed Mark Hutton, as an MLB amateur free agent. He went 1-3 in 19 games with the team, before being traded on July 31, 1996, to the Florida Marlins for P Dave Weathers.
1986 - The New York Yankees signed veteran MLB free agent reliever Al Holland (1986-1987). Al went 1-0 in 28 games with 10 saves before being released by the team.
1996 - Former Yankees P Bob Muncrief (1951) passed away. On November 16, 1950, Bob Muncrief was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Chicago Cubs organization in the 1950 MLB Rule 5 player draft. He went 0-0 in two games in 1951 AL season.
1998 - The New York Yankees acquired American League All-Star second baseman Chuck Knoblauch from the Minnesota Twins for P Eric Milton, INF Cristian Guzman and minor leaguers OF/1B Brian Buchanan and Danny Mota, plus $3 million in cash. Chuck Knoblauch will bat .265 with 17 HRs in 1998, helping the New York Yankees win the World Championship.
2007 - Former Yankees P Lew Burdette (1950) passed away (1926-2007). In 1947, the New York Yankees signed Lew Burdette, as an MLB amateur free agent. During the 1950 AL season, he appeared in two games with the New York Yankees with no record, he had spend most of 1950 baseball season with the San Francisco Seals (Pacific Coast League). On August 29, 1951, he was traded by the Yankees along with $50,000 to the Boston Braves for veteran hurler Johnny Sain. Lew would come back to haunt the Yankees in 1957 World Series, winning 3 games for the Milwaukee Braves against his old team. If Lew had stayed with the Yankees, he could have won 300 games. He finished his MLB career in 1967 with a 203-144 mark. He pitched in the majors for the New York Yankees, Boston and Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and the California Angels.
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 two years, because of his bonus status. Frank Leja was projected as another Lou Gehrig by legendary Yankees MLB 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 HRs to help the Binghamton Triplets to the EL pennant. Also 1958 was another good season for Frank, when he hit for a .263 BA with 29 HRs for the New Orleans Pelicans (Southern Association). In 1961, Frank had a very good season, 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 eight seasons in the minor leagues. 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 New York Yankees to the St. Louis Cardinals organization for minor league player Ben Mateosky. Leja did make it back to the majors for a seven game trial with the 1962 expansion LA 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 professional baseball career in 1963 at age 27 with the Toronto Maple Leafs (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 New York Yankees All Star CF Joe DiMaggio signs a one-year MLB player contract worth $100,000, becoming the 1st player to earn a 6-figure deal in MLB history. In 1948, Joe DiMaggio batted .320, while leading the American League with 39 HRs and 155 RBIs.
1955 - Former Yankees reserve INF Damaso Garcia (1978-1979) was born. The New York Yankees signed Damaso Garcia 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 Toronto 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 New York Yankees obtained P Joe Verbanic from the Philadelphia Phillies for veteran reliever Pedro Ramos. Joe went 11-10 in three years with the New York Yankees.
1995 - Former MLB and Yankees P Cecil Upshaw (1974) died from a heart attack at the age of 52. The side-arming reliever Cecil Upshaw saved 27 games in 1969, helping the Atlanta Braves win the National League West Division. In nine MLB seasons, Upshaw made 348 appearances, all in relief. On April 26, 1974, he was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the New York 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 Upshaw was traded to the Chicago White Sox by the Yankees for veteran reserve INF Eddie Leon.
1996 - Former New York Yankees OF Dave Winfield announces his MLB 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 San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland 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 New York 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 AL season 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 1960 baseball season with a 4-4 record and a 2.71 ERA, thus missing the 1960 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Gabler was to get one more shot at the majors, when the expansion Washington Senators drafted him from the New York Yankees organization on November 28,1960 under the 1960 MLB Rule 5 player draft. He was with the Senators for the entire 1961 AL season, posting a 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 (International League) 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 1952-1953 seasons 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 Heffner was a reserve INF for the New York Yankees from 1934-1937, before being traded to the St. Louis Browns in 1938. He was a MLB coach with the New York Mets under Manager Casey Stengel. In 1966, he would manage the Cincinnati Reds.
1927 - New York Yankees starter Sad Sam Jones is traded to the St. Louis 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 New York 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 New York Yankees player were numbered. On April 26,1974, he was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Fred Beene, Tom Buskey and Steve Kline to the Cleveland Indians for 1B Chris Chambliss, pitchers Richard “Dirt” Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw.
1943 - Former Yankees reserve INF Bob Oliver (1975) was born. Bob Oliver hit .118 in 18 games for the 1975 Yankees, before being released by the team.
1956 - The Washington Senators send P Mickey McDermott and INF Bob Kline to the New York Yankees in exchange for C Lou Berberet, OF Whitey Herzog, and three 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 Kansas City A’s in the Bobby Shantz-Irv Noren trade.
1956 - Former Yankees P “Long Tom” Hughes (1904) passed away. On December 20, 1903, Tom was traded by the Boston Americans to the New York 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 Washington 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 New York Yankees from the Philadelphia A’s. He went 7-11 in 39 games for the Yankees.
1983 - Former Yankees P Chase Wright (2007-2008) was born. The New York Yankees in the third round of the 2001 MLB amateur player draft drafted pitcher Chase Wright. In 2007, he went 2-0 in 3 games for the Yankees. On February 4, 2009, Chase was traded to the Milwaukee 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 Commissioner Kuhn for involvement with legalized gambling.
1984 -After losing Type A MLB free agent P Tom Underwood to the Baltimore Orioles, the Oakland A’s grab P Tim Belcher from the New York Yankees organization as compensation. The No.1 selection in the June 1983 draft, Belcher did not sign with the Minnesota Twins, he was available in the January draft. The New York 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 Kansas City A’s in 1955. He was traded to the New York Yankees in February of 1957 in the Bobby Shantz-Irv Noren trade. Clete Boyer took over the regular Yankees 3B job from veteran Andy Carey during the 1960 American League season. Clete would be one of finest 3B to play for the Yankees from 1960-1966. He was over shadowed in the American League by the Baltimore Orioles 3B Brooks Robinson. Clete appeared in five World Series with the Yankees (1960-1964). In the winter of 1966, Clete Boyer was traded by the Yankees to the Atlanta 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 Cleveland Indians in 1973. Clete Boyer passed away in 2007. He was one of three Boyer brothers who played in the MLB, older brothers, Ken with the St. Louis Cardinals, also his oldest brother Cloyd played with the Cardinals and the Kansas City A’s. Cloyd would later become a Yankees MLB pitching coach. Clete’s younger brother Ron Boyer played in the Yankees minor league 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 four 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 New York 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 California 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 professional baseball career in 1998 with the New York Mets Norfolk Tides team (AAA), hitting just .233. Altogether, his MLB career comprised appearances in four 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 AL All Star New York 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 New York Yankees signed catcher Dioner Navarro as an MLB amateur free agent. He hit .429 in five games for the Yankees, before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2004 Randy Johnson trade. He was traded to the Dodgers by the D-Backs. Later he played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 2008, Dioner was a member of the 2008 American League All Star team. For the 2011 MLB season, Dioner will be playing for the Dodgers.
1994 - The Philadelphia Phillies traded veteran starter Terry Mulholland and a player to be named later to the New York Yankees in exchange for P Bobby Munoz, minor league players 2B Kevin Jordan and P Ryan Karp
2001 - After 13 months of negotiations, American League All Star shortstop Derek Jeter and the New York 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 American League Season, the New York Yankees signed Hank Bauer 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 Milwaukee Braves being his best, Hank hit .323, with 4 HRs and 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 Bauer was traded by the New York Yankees along with P Don Larsen, OF Norm Siebern, and OF/1B Marv Throneberry to the Kansas City A’s for OF Roger Maris, INF Joe De Maestri, and 1B Kent Hadley. Hank would finish his MLB 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 Baltimore Orioles beating the Dodgers. Later he would manage in the New York Mets farm system at Tidewater (AAA) in the early 1970’s and then he became a MLB scout for the New York Yankees afterwards.
2009 - 12-time All-Star and 3-time MVP New York 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 pitching career over 22 seasons, during which he won 241 games. As a New York 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 Philadelphia 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 Reynolds was obtained from the Cleveland Indians for Yankees 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon in 1947. He went 19-8, with a WP.704 for the New York 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, 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 two-no-hitters, including one against the Boston Red Sox. His former team, the Cleveland 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 first owners of the New York Highlanders - later to become the Yankees. They purchased the Baltimore Orioles on January 3,1903 for $18,000. They were allowed by American League 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 American League team to Manhattan were blocked by the NL New York 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 American League 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 New York Yankees broadcasts.
1975 - The New York Yankees signed free agent minor league INF Damaso Garcia. He played 2B during the 1978 American League season for the injured 2B Willie Randolph. He appeared in 29 games hitting .229 before being traded to the Toronto 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 New York Yankees signed Tony Solaita, as an MLB amateur free agent in 1965. In 1968, he appeared in one game for the Yankees, going 0 fo1. On February 28,1973, Tony was traded by the Yankees to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 1B George Kopacz. After playing in the MLB, Tony played professional baseball for several years in Japan.
2002 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Jim Spencer (1978-1981) passed away (1947-2002). Jim Spencer was traded on December 12,1977 by the Chicago White Sox along with P Bob Polinsky and OF Tommy Cruz to the New York 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 Oakland A’s for 1B Dave Revering, Pitchers Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty. After retiring from MLB, Jim Spencer coached the U.S. Naval Academy baseball team for several years.
2005 - in his 1st public appearance, New York Yankees 1B Jason Giambi apologizes to his teammates, Yankees fans and to baseball fans everywhere for letting them down in 2004 American League 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 Cincinnati 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 New York Yankees MLB pitching coach in 1982, from 1983-1984 and again in 1986. Then he was with the Chicago White Sox MLB coaching staff from 1989-1991, then spent the next season across town as a Chicago Cubs coach. Later he was a member of the Seattle Mariners staff in 1993-1994, the Boston Red Sox staff in 1996, and the Baltimore 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 New York Yankees club record for service to the club. He was a MLB player from 1932-1948 and their MLB 3rd base coach from 1949-1968. The "Crow" also coached for the Seattle Pilots and Minnesota 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 St. Louis 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 four seasons for the San Francisco Seals, hitting .320, before the New York 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. Also Frank Crosetti struck out a lot, leading the American League twice-in strikeouts.
2006 - Pitcher Shawn Chacon and the New York 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 Colorado Rockies to the New York 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 Pittsburgh 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 New York Yankees. He appeared in one game of the 1921 World Series against the New York 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 one game with the New York Yankees at age 24. The Yankees won the 1926 American League pennant, but Davis did not appear in the 1926 World Series. Davis was one-year older than the 23-year-old Lou Gehrig, and he was two years older than fellow Yankees rookie 2BTony Lazzeri. After his one game appearance with the Yankees in 1926, he disappeared from the MLB for six years until 1932, when he emerged as a regular outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies hitting .309 at the age of 30.
1912 - Former Yankees P Walter “Monk” Dubiel (1944-1945) was born. Before the 1941 American League season, the New York 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 Dubiel was purchased by Seattle (PCL) from the Yankees.
1920 -The New York 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 American League season with the New York 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 Bollweg was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals along with $15,000 to the New York 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 Philadelphia 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 New York 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 Arizona Diamondbacks broadcast team.
1930 - In a defeat for American League president Ban Johnson, New York Giants starter Carl Mays is reinstated, and the New York Yankees' 3rd place finish for the 1930 American League season is recognized.
1932 - At the age of 37, former minor league executive George Weiss is named head of the New York 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 National League by the St. Louis 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 five straight titles (1949-1953), and their six 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 five consecutive World Championships from 1949-1953. After the 1960 World Series lost to the Pirates in October, the Yankees let George Weiss and Casey Stengel go. The Yankees replaced George Weiss with his assistant General Manager Roy Hamey Jr. In 1962, he will become the first General Manager and Club President for the new National League expansion team, New York Mets. Former Yankee Manager 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 Dobson went 39-27 in 72 games for the New York Yankees, after being obtained from the Atlanta 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 Cleveland Indians for OF/DH Oscar Gamble. Pat Dobson passed away in 2006.
1953 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Dave Revering (1981-1982) was born. On May 20, 1981, Dave Revering was traded by the by Oakland A’s along with Pitchers Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty to the New York Yankees for 1B Jim Spencer and P Tom Underwood. Don hit .190 in 59 games for the Yankees, before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for veteran 1B/DH John Mayberry. The Cincinnati Reds originally signed Dave Revering as a MLB amateur free agent.
1978 - Former Yankees P Tim Redding (2006) was born. On July 2, 2005, Tim Redding was traded by the San Diego 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 one inning, while giving up 6 runs. After the start, he was sent down to Columbus (AAA) for the rest of the 2005 AL season. Tim would pitch for the Washington Nationals and New York Mets. He spent part of the 2010 baseball season with the Yankees organization pitching for Scranton, before leaving to sign with a professional team in Korea.