This Week in Yankees History
May 8th - May 14th
May 8th
1891 - Former Yankees P Chester “Red” Hoff (1911-1913) was born. Chester “Red” Hoff went 0-2 in 12 games for the New York Yankees.
1903 - After losing their 1st ever game against the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees behind starter Jack Chesbro, win by a score of 6-1 for their 1st victory. He throws a 6-hitter.
1911 - At New York, Boston Red Sox starter Smokey Joe Wood beats the New York Yankees by the score of 4-0, in 6 innings. He gives up just 1 hit, a single to Ray Caldwell.
1915 - The New York Yankees pound the Boston Red Sox by the score of 10-3, scoring all of their runs in the 4th inning. Sixteen Yankee batters will come to the plate in the 4th inning.
1919 - New York Yankees ace Bob Shawkey retires the first 14 batters, he faces, then he allows a single for the A’s only hit as the Yankees beat the Philadelphia A’s by score of 2-0.
1926 - The New York Yankees score 7 runs in the 2nd inning but lose to Detroit Tigers by the score of 14 -10, knocking themselves out of the American League lead; as the Washington Senators move into 1st place.
1927 - The New York Yankees draw a record crowd of 52,000 fans to Comiskey Park, but starter Waite Hoyt spoils the party by winning one of his league-leading 22 games by a score of 9-0, the 2nd straight shutout of the Chicago White Sox. Yankees C Pat Collins homers in the 7th inning, while 1B Lou Gehrig adds a pair of triples.
1937 - Former Yankees OF Arturo Lopez (1965) was born. The New York Yankees signed Art Lopez as an MLB amateur free agent in 1961. When injuries struck the regular Yankee outfielders in 1965, Arturo was not the answer for the Yankees, appearing in 38 games, hitting just .143. A .280 hitter in the minors, he could never hit that well with the Yankees. He would play professional baseball in Japan with former Yankees teammate Joe Pepitone.
1953 - After 13 straight losses to the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox win a dramatic 11-inning, 2-1 thriller at Fenway Park. Billy Goodman's HR off of Yankees starter Johnny Sain gives Red Sox starter Hal Brown the victory. Dick Gernert's 2nd inning HR is the other Boston score. In Red Sox previous win over the Yankees on August 9, 1952, all of the Red Sox scoring came on solo HRs.
1957 - The Cleveland Indians clout 3 homers to back starter Early Wynn's 10-4 win over the Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a home run and 3 RBIs for the Yankees.
1959 - The New York Yankees obtained P Mark Freedman from the Kansas City A’s for veteran P Murray Dickson. Mark Freeman will only appear in one game for the Yankees in 1959, before being sent to the Chicago Cubs in 1960. Murray Dickson will go 2-1 for the Kansas City A’s in 1959, before retiring from MLB.
1961 - The expansion Los Angeles Angels traded veteran reliever Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv to the Yankees for Pitchers Ryne Duren, Johnny James and OF Lee Thomas. For Bob Cerv, it is his 3rd and final tour of duty in pinstripes. Tex Clevenger helped out the Yankees bullpen. Bob Cerv was once again was a backup outfielder and power bat off the Yankees bench. Ryne Duren had lost his Yankees closer job to Luis Arroyo. Johnny James injured his arm in spring of 1963 and never pitched again in the MLB. Lee Thomas would have some success in MLB. After retiring as a player, he later would become a General Manager for the Philadelphia Phillies and other MLB teams.
1962 - Former Yankees1B/OF/DH Orestes Destrade (1987) was born. In 1981, the New York Yankees signed Orestes Destrade, as an amateur MLB free agent. He appeared in only 9 games for the Yankees in 1987, hitting .263 with only 19 at bats. On March 30,1988, he was traded by the Yankees to the Pittsburgh Pirates for P Hipolito Pena.
1964 - In Cleveland, there are tornado warnings, but the New York Yankees supplies damage when CF Mickey Mantle cracks a 3-run HR off of Tribe hurler Tommy John in the 4th inning to lead New York to a 10-3 victory.
1971 - Former Yankees reserve C/OF Todd Greene (2001) was born. The New York Yankees signed Todd Greene as a MLB free agent. He hit .208 in 35 games in 2001, before being released by the team in March of 2002, during the Yankees spring training camp.
1991 - Howard Spira is found guilty of trying to extort money from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Spira had already received $40,000 from Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner.
1994 - Danny Tartabull, Mike Stanley and Gerald Williams hit back-to-back-to-back HRs for the New York Yankees in the 6th inning of Bronx Bomber's 8-4 win over the Boston Red Sox.
1999 - The Seattle Mariners defeat the New York Yankees by the score of 14-5, as Seattle’s 3B John Mabry gets 5 hits.
2009 - In his 1st game of the 2009 American League season after missing six weeks because of hip surgery, Alex Rodriguez hits the 1st pitch he sees from Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie for a 3-run HR in a 4-0 Yankees win that ends a 5-game losing streak. CC Sabathia pitches a 4-hit shutout in his best performance since signing a huge MLB free agent contract over the winter.
2010 - New York Yankees 1st baseman Mark Teixeira became only the 2nd player in Yankees history to smack 3 HRs in a single game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The last Yankees player to do it was Lou Gehrig, who accomplished the feat on June 23,1927. That was also the only other time a Yankee has hit 3 HRs in a game against the Red Sox in either New York's Yankee Stadium or Boston's Fenway Park. "Man, that's humbling right there," the unassuming Teixeira said after the Yankees crushed the rival Red Sox, by the score of 14-3. "Any time you talk about the Yankees -- Gehrig, [Joe] DiMaggio, the list goes on and on -- it makes you realize you have a long way to go to be in their category. So there's a lot of work for me left to do."
May 9th
1903 - The Boston Pilgrims top the visiting New York Highlanders by a score of 12-5, with a little help from Umpire Bob Caruthers, who tosses out Highlanders P Jesse Tannehill and 2B Williams for a ball call at home.
1930 - The Yankees and the Tigers outfielders make only 2 putouts for an AL record, which has never been equaled. Detroit's George Uhle strikes out 8 batters in winning by the score of 5-4, and dropping the Yankees to 7th place. Hank Johnson (7 innings) and George Pipgras are the Yankee hurlers.
1934 - The New York Yankees obtained INF Fred Mullen and $20,000 from the Boston Red Sox for INF Lyn Lary. Fred Mullen never plays for the Yankees at the MLB level.
1940 - The press reports the impending sale of the New York Yankees by the Jacob Ruppert estate to political bigwigs Jim Farley and Jesse Jones. The Sporting News declares the sale will be for $4 million. The imminent sale will resurface on the front page several times during the next year, but it never happens. The New York Yankees will be sold in 1945 by the Jacob Ruppert Estate to a group of buyers; Del Webb, Dan Topping and Larry MacPhail.
1944 - Joe McCarthy returns as New York Yankees manager after missing much of the Yankees 1944 spring training and the early 1944 American League season due to illness. The team would finish in 3rd place with an 83-71 record.
1949 - At Detroit, the Tigers set back the 1st-place Yankees by the score of 4-1, behind the 5-hit pitching of Ted Gray. Yankees starter Vic Raschi also allows just 5 hits, including a home run by Richard Wakefield, in taking the loss.
1953 - At Fenway Park, the 1st place New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox by the score of 6-4. Mickey Mantle hits a HR off of P Bill Werle. Mickey is robbed of another when OF Jimmy Piersall makes a sensational catch at the Red Sox bullpen in right-center field.
1954 - Philadelphia A’s C Wilmer (Billy) Shantz, brother of P Bobby Shantz, hits a grand slam HR, the 1st HR of his MLB career. It comes off former A's hurler Harry Byrd, who is now with the Yankees. Shantz will hit just 1 more MLB HR. Wilmer's slam is all the offense the A’s get as the Yankees win the game by a score of 7-4. The nightcap ends in a 1-1 tie, after 9 innings. Bobby and Billy Shantz will be teammates once again with the Yankees during the 1960 AL season.
1958 - After six straight home rainouts, the New York Yankees play their 1st home night game of the 1958 American League season against the Washington Senators. Mickey Mantle breaks a 2-2 tie in the 3rd inning with an inside-the-park solo HR off of P Pedro Ramos. New York rolls to a 9-5 win over the Senators.
1959 - The New York Yankees sell veteran MLB hurler Murray Dickson to the Kansas City A’s.
1964 - At Cleveland, Tribe starter Pedro Ramos gives up 4 HRs to Yankees Tony Kubek, Mickey Mantle, Joe Pepitone, and Hector Lopez, as the Yankees win by a score of 6-2. Pedro Ramos would finish the 1964 American League season with the Yankees, coming to the team in a late season trade in September. He would help out Yogi Berra’s bullpen, but was unable to play in the 1964 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, because the trade was made after August 31st.
1966 - At Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, the Yankees (6-20) edge the Minnesota Twins, by the score of 3-2. Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, and Joe Pepitone, with the game-winner in the 9th inning, hit home runs for New York.
1979 - The New York Yankees released veteran golden glove OF Paul Blair, who then signs with the Cincinnati Reds.
1981 - Tom Paciorek hits his 2nd game winning, bottom-of-the-9th inning HR in as many games, a 3-run blow giving the Seattle Mariners, a 6-5 victory over the Yankees. The previous night, Paciorek led off the 9th inning with a solo HR to give the Mariners, a 3-2 victory over the Yankees.
1990 - At Yankee Stadium, the Oakland A's edge the Yankees by the score of 2-1 in 11 innings. A’s Rickey Henderson scores the 1st run, scoring from 2B on a 6-3 ground out. Rick Honeycutt is the A’s winning pitcher.
1997 - Against the Kansas City Royals in the 6th inning, the Yankees catch Jay Bell in a rundown when Bell is suddenly called out by umpire Dale Ford, who thinks he passed the preceding base runner, Jose Offerman. However, Offerman had been forced out at 3B. Royals' manager Bob Boone argues until the umpires agree and put runners back at 2B and 3B and call for a resumption of play. Chili Davis then lines a 2-run single off of Yankees starter Kenny Rogers to tie the score. The Royals win the game by a score of 7-5 in 12 innings, with the victory going to Randy Veres. The Yankees protest that the rundown play should not have been reversed. Gene Budig of AL office will dismiss the protest, stating that with the rundown there were several scenarios, where Jay Bell could have escaped a tag.
1999 – The New York Yankees defeat the Seattle Mariners, by the score of 6-1. Reliever Mike Stanton makes his 1st MLB start for the Yankees, ending his MLB record streak of 552 consecutive relief appearances prior to his 1st start. The previous MLB record was 443 games, which was set by Gary Lavelle of the San Francisco Giants.
May 10th
1868 - Future MLB player, Manager and HOF baseball executive Edward Barrow is born (1863-1953). Edward Barrow was the manager of 1918 World Champion Boston Red Sox. He was the manager who decided to make Babe Ruth, an everyday player because of his hitting. In 1920, Ed will leave the Red Sox to become the Yankees General Manager, who will through a series of trades with the Red Sox build the Yankees into a World Championship team. In 1931, he signed former NL manager Joe McCarthy to manage the Yankees. In 1932, He hired George Weiss to run the Yankees farm system. He will be with the Yankees front office until 1945, when the Jacob Ruppert Estate sells the team to new owners Del Webb, Dan Topping and Larry MacPhail.
1911 - The Detroit Tigers lose their 1st home game of the 1911 AL season by a score of 6-2, as Yankees hands Tigers starter George Mullin his 1st loss. The Tigers have a 21-2 record and will lead the American League until July 4th.
1913 – The New York Yankees commit 8 errors, but still end up beating the Detroit Tigers, by a score of 10-9, in 10 innings. Three of the errors are made by shortstop Claud Derrick, who will field just .872 for the year. Related? In ten days, the New York Yankees will deal for Cleveland Indians shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
1926 - At Yankee Stadium, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth hit back-to-back HRs off of Tigers starter Sam Gibson, and the Yankees outscore the Detroit Tigers by the score of 13-9. Herb Pennock is the winning pitcher for the Yankees.
1934 - Lou Gehrig hits 2 HRs (including a grand slam) and a pair of doubles, tying the record with 4 long hits, and drives in 7 runs, but leaves the game after 5 innings with a severe cold. The Yankees top the White Sox, by the score of 13-3. During the game, Yankees OF Ben Chapman (1930-1936) shouts racial remarks at a Jewish fan. His behavior will lead the Yankees to trade him in 1936 to the Washington Senators. In 1947, he will lead the dugout bigots in protest of Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
1936 - By beating the Philadelphia A's by the score of 7-2 at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees move into 1st place and will remain there the rest of the 1936 American League season. Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio makes his belated home debut for the Yankees hitting his 1st MLB career HR, off of P George Turbeville. Lou Gehrig has 4 hits with 2 RBIs with hurler Johnny Murphy, in his 1st start of the 1936 AL season, picks up the victory.
1937 - New York Yankees starter Monte Pearson pitches a 1-hitter in stopping the Chicago White Sox, by the score of 6-0. Joe DiMaggio hits his 1st two HRs of the 1937 AL season, while George Selkirk hits his 5th HR for the Bronx Bombers. Chicago's only hit is a 1-out 1st inning single by Larry Rosenthal, who was erased on a double play.
1938 - Former Yankees minor league C Merritt Ranew was born. Before the start of the 1968 American League season, Merritt Ranew was sent from the California Angels to the New York Yankees in an unknown transaction. He did not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level, spending the season at AAA. Before the start of the 1969 AL Season, Merritt was sent from the New York Yankees to the expansion Seattle Pilots in an unknown transaction.
1946 - Before a Friday Ladies' Day crowd at Yankee Stadium of 64,183 fans, the 1st-place Boston Red Sox win their 15th straight game, a 5-4 win over the Yankees. Earl Johnson gets the win with 4 innings of scoreless relief. A Joe DiMaggio grand slam HR accounts for all of the Bombers' scoring.
1947- Former Yankees P John Cumberland (1968-1970) was born. John Cumberland went 3-4 in 18 games with the New York Yankees, who drafted him from the Philadelphia Phillies organization. John was traded to the San Francisco Giants for veteran starter Mike McCormick. He later became a MLB pitching coach, working for the Boston Red Sox (1995,1999-2001) and the Kansas City Royals (2002-2004).
1952 - Right fielder Hank Bauer of the New York Yankees goes 5-for-6 in an 18-3 romp over the Boston Red Sox. Boston comes away with a record-tying 10 assists in the 5th inning.
1953 – New York starter Vic Raschi makes his 1st relief appearance in 2 years, limiting the Boston Red Sox to 3 hits in 4 innings, as the Yankees win the game by the score of 7-4. Billy Goodman sustains a freak rib accident, which will keep him out of action for 3-weeks, when Jim Piersall picks him up and lugs him from the field to break up Goody's argument with umpire Jim Duffy. Del Wilber hits his 2nd consecutive pinch HR in the 8th inning; his 1st HR came on May 6th.
1956 - At Yankee Stadium, Bob Lemon gives the Cleveland Indians, a 7-2 victory over the Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a solo HR in the 6th inning for New York. For Mickey Mantle, it is his 20th HR of May, a new record. The slugger adds a double and 2 singles and is hitting .425 with 50 RBIs.
1959 - The New York Yankees sweep doubleheader from the Washington Senators at Yankee Stadium, winning by scores of 6-3 and 3-2 in 10 innings. Mickey Mantle's HR in the 3rd inning of the opener starts the Yankees scoring as they beat starter Chuck Stobbs. Mantle singles and scores the winning run in the 10th inning of the nightcap. Yogi Berra has a HR in the 2nd game. Yogi sets a new MLB record for consecutive errorless games by a catcher with 148.
1965 - At Fenway Park, the 9th-place Yankees lose again to Boston Red Sox, by a score of 3-2, when Carl Yastrzemski out-hits a hobbling Mickey Mantle. Yaz hits a pair of HRs and sacrifice fly, while Mantle is 3-for-4 with a HR. After Mantle doubles with 2 outs in the 9th inning off of starter Jim Lonborg, who is lifted. Red Sox closer Richard “The Monster” Radatz gets the final out of the game. It is Jim Lonborg's 1st MLB career win.
1996 - New York Yankees veteran starter David Cone undergoes surgery to remove an aneurysm in his pitching arm.
2010 - On the night they pay tribute to long-time broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who passed away last week, the Detroit Tigers beat the New York, Yankees by the score of 5-4, with key contributions from three former Yankees. Johnny Damon, signed as a MLB free agent in the off-season, hits a home run in his first game against his former team, while Austin Jackson drives in a run and Phil Coke gets two key outs late in the game. Jackson and Coke were both obtained in a trade for OF Curtis Granderson, who is on the Yankees disabled list.
May 11th
1903 - John Ganzel hits the 1st Highlanders Home Run. As they defeat the Detroit Tigers by a score of 8-2. Also his teammate, William “Wild” Conroy hit a HR for the Highlanders.
1919 - Starter Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators, pitched 12 scoreless innings in a duel with Jack Quinn of the Yankees at the Polo Grounds. Johnson allowed only 2 hits and retired 28 batters in a row. Future NFL Chicago Bears owner George Halas, batting leadoff for the Yankees, went 0-for-5, striking out twice.
1928 - Former Yankees minor league player and MLB pitching coach Mel Wright (1974-1975) was born. Mel Wright was part of the trade that brought OF Enos “Country” Slaughter to the Yankees in 1954. He was traded along with minor league OF Bill Vidron to the St. Louis Cardinals. He would return to the Yankees in 1974 as new Yankees Manager Bill Vidron’s pitching coach.
1946 - New York Yankees P Tiny Bonham puts the brake on the Boston Red Sox’s 15-game winning streak, with a 2-0 shutout at Yankee Stadium.
1954 - The Yankees sell INF Jim Brideweser (1951-1953) to the Baltimore Orioles. In 1950, former USC infielder Jim Brideweser was signed by the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent. Jim couldn’t break into the Yankees starting infield. He appeared in only 57 games for the Yankees hitting .546.
1955 - The New York Yankees obtained P Sonny Dixon from the Kansas City A’s for veteran OF Enos Slaughter and P Johnny Sain. Slaughter would return to the Yankees in 1956, his 1st stay was disappointing only hitting .249. Johnny Sain was at the end of his MLB playing career. Dixon would appear in 3 games for the Yankees, going 0-1, before leaving the MLB.
1955 - The New York Yankees sell P Art Schallock (1951-1954) to the Baltimore Orioles for cash. Art had been obtained from the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1951 AL season, going 3-2 in 28 games with 1 save for the Yankees.
1966 - The New York Yankees purchased INF Richard “Ducky” Schofield from the San Francisco Giants. He didn’t solve the 1966 Yankee infield problems.
1981 - Former Yankees reserve OF Sammy “Babe Ruth’s Legs” Byrd (1929-1934) passed away. Sammy Byrd earned the nickname "Babe Ruth's Legs" or "Babe Ruth's Caddy" as he often replaced Ruth as a pinch runner late in the Babe's Yankees career. As Yankee he appeared 565 games finishing with .281 BA. On December 19,1934, Sammy was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds from the New York Yankees. He would play two seasons with the Reds before retiring from MLB in 1936. Byrd was a backup outfielder who appeared in 645 games defensively, in roughly equal amounts in left field, center field, and right field. Offensively, he had 1,700 at-bats, with his best year being his rookie year in 1929, when he hit .312 and slugged .471. He later became a professional golfer who won 23 pro events.
1990 - Dave Winfield rejected a trade that would have sent him from the New York Yankees to the California Angels in exchange for veteran MLB starter Mike Witt. A no-trade clause in Winfield's player contract gave him the right to turn down the deal. Five days later, Winfield will reach an agreement with the Yankees and give his permission for the trade to take place.
2006 - Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees broke his left wrist and his consecutive-games streak ended in the Boston Red Sox 5-3 victory at Yankee Stadium. Going back to his days in Nippon Pro Baseball, he appeared in 1,768 consecutive games. Matsui had played in 518 consecutive games (a record for the start of a career) since joining the New York Yankees in 2003 after playing in 1,250 straight for the Yomiuri Giants from August 22, 1993, through 2002.
May 12th
1897 - Former Yankees 3rd baseman Joseph “Jumping Joe” Dugan (1922-1928) was born. On July 23, 1922, INF Joe Dugan was traded by the Red Sox along with Elmer Smith to the New York Yankees for INF Chick Fewster, OF Elmer Miller, INF Johnny Mitchell, P Lefty O'Doul, and $50,000 cash. Joe Dugan replaced the aging Frank “Home Run” Baker at 3rd base in 1922. He had six good seasons with the Yankees, hitting more than .280 in five of them.
1915 - The New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians by the score of 4-2, despite hitting into a triple play.
1916 - Former Yankees P Henry “Hank” Borowy (1942-1945) was born (1916-2004). Hank Borowy went 66-30 with the New York Yankees, until he was sold to the Chicago Cubs during the 1945 MLB season. At the time of trade, he was 10-5 with the Yankees. The Cubs paid $97,000 for him. Clippers Note: I have never read why he was traded away by the Yankees in mid-1945 AL season
1919 - For second straight day, the New York Yankees and the Washington Senators battle into extra inning without a result. Today’s game ends in a 4-4 tie, the game is called because of darkness, after 15 innings are played.
1925 - Future Yankee HOF player, Coach and Manager Lawrence “Yogi” Berra was born (Player: 1946-1963, Coach: 1976-1983, Manager: 1964,1984.). He was one of the most beloved players to ever wear the Yankee pinstripes. He hit .285 in 18 years as a Yankee. Yogi played in 14 World Series for the Yankees with 10 World Championships with 71 World Series hits. Yogi was an AL All Star catcher and 3-time AL MVP winner. Yogi became one of the greatest catchers in the game through the help of former Yankees great HOF catcher Bill Dickey. Yogi Berra is one of few MLB managers to win a pennant in each major league: Yankees (1964) and Mets (1973).
1930 - Former Yankees minor league OF Tom Uphlett was born. On June 12, 1962, Tom Uphlett was traded by the Boston Red Sox with cash to the New York Yankees for veteran INF Billy Gardner. Tom never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB. He spent his time playing at AAA Richmond. He came up with the Boston Red Sox during the 1950’s, later playing for the Washington Senators. After retiring as a player, Tom managed in the Minnesota Twins minor league system.
1935 - Former Yankees OF/DH Felipe Alou (1971-1973) was born. After being obtained from the Oakland A’s, Felipe Alou hit .289 in 1971, and .278 in 1972, before fading during the 1973 AL season, he was sold to the Montreal Expos.
1959 - At Yankee Stadium, Yogi Berra committed an error as his errorless streak of 148 games for a catcher came to an end in a 7-6 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
1967 - Former Yankees minor league P Kenny Greer was born. Kenny Greer was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 10th round of the 1988 MLB amateur player draft. Kenny never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On September 17,1993, Kenny was traded by the New York Yankees to the New York Mets for veteran MLB P Frank Tanana.
1978 - Former Yankees DH/1B/C Josh Phelps (2007) was born. After signing with the Baltimore Orioles, Josh was then picked by the New York Yankees in the MLB Rule 5 player draft. He hit .263 in 36 games for the 2007 Yankees and played one inning as catcher for the first time since his rookie year, then he was designated for assignment in mid-June to make room for INF Andy Phillips on the Yankees roster. He would finish the 2007 MLB season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1978 - At Royals Stadium, a potential game-ending routine fly ball became an Amos Otis walk-off inside-the-park HR as Reggie Jackson and Mickey Rivers collided in the outfield. The misplay turned a sure Goose Gossage save into a sour loss for the current World Champions Yankees.
1979 - Former Yankees MLB Scout (1967-1975) and MLB catcher Clyde Kluttz passes away. As a MLB scout for the New York Yankees, he convinced MLB free agent pitcher Catfish Hunter to sign with the Yankees on December 31,1974.
1999 - The California Angels shuts out the New York Yankees by the score of 1-0, behind the combined 3-hit pitching of Chuck Finley and Troy Percival. Finley struck out 11 Yankees in his 8 innings of work, including 4 in the 3rd inning, to become the 33rd pitcher in history to strike out 4 in a single frame. It is possible when a batter with 2 strikes on him takes a swing at strike 3; however, the catcher does not field the ball cleanly, and instead of tagging the runner out, the runner reaches the 1st base. The strikeout is recorded, but not the out.
May 13th
1914 - The New York Yankees acquired C/1B Les Nunamaker from the Boston Red Sox. He would be the Yankees main catcher until 1918, when he was traded in the Urban Shocker trade with the St. Louis Browns. His best season was in 1916, when Les hit .296 in 91 games for the Yankees.
1929 - At Cleveland's League Park, the Cleveland Indians defeated the New York Yankees, by a score of 4-3 in the 1st game in MLB history in which players from both teams wear numbers on the back of their jerseys.
1946 - The New York Yankees use air transport for travel as a MLB team for 1st time.
1948 - The New York Yankees obtained OF Leon Culberson and $20,000 in cash from the Washington Senators for OF Ed Stewart. Within a month, he would be returned to the Nats.
1950 - Former Yankees OF Juan Beniquez (1979) was born. On November 10, 1978, Juan Beniquez was traded by the Texas Rangers along with Greg Jemison (minors), pitchers Mike Griffin, Paul Mirabella and Dave Righetti to the New York Yankees for C Mike Heath, pitchers Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich, INF Domingo Ramos and cash. He appeared in 62 games for the 1979 Yankees hitting .254. On November 1,1979, Juan was traded by the New York Yankees along with pitchers Rick Anderson, Jim Beattie and C Jerry Narron to the Seattle Mariners for OF Ruppert Jones and P Jim Lewis.
1952 - The New York Yankees waived veteran P Frank "Stubby" Overmire to the St. Louis Browns. He went 1-1 in 15 games for the Yankees in 1951, after being obtained for Yankees P Tommy Byrne and $25,000 cash.
1953 - The New York Yankees waived veteran P Johnny Schmitz to the Washington Senators. Johnny went 0-0 in 3 games with 1 save with the Yankees, before joining the Nats.
1955 - At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle hit HR’s from both sides of the plate for the 1st time in his MLB career. The Yankees slugger finished the game with 3 HR’s - 2 left-handed and 1 right-handed - and drove in all of his team's runs in a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Whitey Ford was the winning pitcher, while Steve Gromek was the loser for Tigers.
1965 - Former Yankees P Jose Rijo (1984) was born. In 1980, Jose Rijo was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur MLB free agent. Jose Rijo posted a 2-8 record in 24 games for the 1984 New York Yankees. The Yankees had rush him up to match the Mets young rookie pitcher Doc Gooden. On December 5,1984, Jose was traded by the New York Yankees along with pitchers Tim Birtsas, Jay Howell, OF Stan Javier and P Eric Plunk to the Oakland Athletics for P Bert Bradley, OF Rickey Henderson and cash. He would find success in the National League, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds.
1969 - Former Yankees minor league OF Lyle Mouton was born. OF Lyle Mouton was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 5th round of the 1991 amateur MLB player draft. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On April 22,1995, the New York Yankees sent OF Lyle Mouton to the Chicago White Sox to complete an earlier deal made on December 14,1994. The New York Yankees sent a player to be named later and Keith Heberling (minors) to the Chicago White Sox for MLB P Jack McDowell.
1977 - The New York Yankees starter Ed Figueroa wins his 4th straight complete game, beating his former teammates the California Angels, by score of 3-0; Thurman Munson hit his 7th HR of the 1977 AL season.
1984 - Current Yankees minor league P J. Brent Cox was born. J. Brent Cox was a star in the 2005 College World Series who pitched in the minors in 2005-2006 and for the US national team in 2006. Cox was 6-0 with a 2.25 as a freshman at the University of Texas. He served as the set-up man for Huston Street, the team's All-American closer. In 2004, the sophomore went 6-2 with 5 saves and a 2.12 ERA. He was second to Street in the Big 12 Conference in ERA and both of the Longhorn relievers made the All-Conference team. Cox was tied for second in NCAA Division I in appearances (37), trailing only teammate Buck Cody. Cox helped Texas finish second in the country, losing the 2004 College World Series. In the 2004 World University Championship, Cox allowed no hits in 5 innings, striking out nine. He won one game and saved four to help lead the US to the title. For the summer, he was 2-1 with 4 saves and a 2.08 ERA, striking out 25 in 17 innings for Team USA. With Houston Street gone, Cox became the Longhorn closer in 2005. He was excellent, going 8-3 with 19 saves and a 1.73 ERA. In 78 innings, he allowed 57 hits and 25 walks while striking out 87. He again was an All-Conference pick and also was an ABCA All-American. Baseball America named him a second-team All-American. Cox was 6th in NCAA Division I in ERA (leading the Big 12 Conference ahead of Joba Chamberlain and Max Scherzer) and led NCAA Division I in saves. Cox was even sharper in the 2005 College World Series. He was 1-0 with 2 saves in 5 games, allowing 3 hits in 10 innings while striking out 12. He got the Series's final out. Cox was named to the All-Tournament team. He set the all-time career record with 12 appearances in College World Series games.
J. B. Cox was taken in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB amateur player draft by the New York Yankees, a pick that was compensation for the loss of Orlando Hernández to MLB free agency. He signed for a $550,000 bonus. Debuting professionally in high class A, Cox was 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 16 games for the Tampa Yankees, striking out 27 in 28 IP and allowing a .206 average. Cox had another fine year in 2006, going 6-2 with a 1.75 ERA and 3 saves in 41 games for the Trenton Thunder. He allowed a .196 average. Baseball America rated him as having the best slider in the Yankee system and being the team's 8th-best prospect. Cox struck out 7 in 7 innings for Team USA in the American Qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics (held in 2006), allowing four runs and having no decisions or saves. He pitched scoreless ball against Brazil (2 IP, 3 H), Venezuela (1 2/3 IP) and Nicaragua (2 IP). He struggled, though, against Cuba in the finale. Relieving Kevin Slowey with a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the 6th inning, Cox was charged with two runs in that inning and two more in the 7th (though Jeff Ridgway was on the hill when both runners scored) as Cuba tied it. Cox had elbow surgery in March of 2007 and did not pitch a game that season. He returned to pitching at the end of 2008 minor league season. He is still in the Yankees minor league organization.
May 14th
1899 - Future Yankees HOF CF Earle “The Kentucky Colonel” Combs (1924-1935) was born. Earl Combs was a lifetime .325 hitter for the New York Yankees. His Yankee career was cut short by serious injuries that he suffered, while making desperation catch in 1933. He batted .340 in 4 World Series, 8th highest in MLB history. He was the 1st of the great Yankee centerfielders.
1913 - Former Yankees minor league P Johnny Babich was born. On October 27, 1938, the Boston Bees sent P Johnny Babich, P/OF/3B Bobby Reis and P Tommy Reis to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on August 10,1938. On August 10,1938, the Boston Bees sent players to be named later, INF Gil English, C Johnny Riddle and cash to the New York Yankees for INF Eddie Miller. Johnny doesn’t appear with the Yankees at the MLB level, he is sent to the Kansas City Blues (American Association). Johnny posted a 17-6 record with a 2.55 ERA for the 1939 Blues. On October 3,1939, Johnny was drafted by the Philadelphia Athletics from the New York Yankees organization in the 1939 MLB Rule 5 player draft. In 1940, Johnny will posted a 14-13 record for the Philadelphia A’s, the next season, he will slip to a 2-7 record. On December 6,1941, Johnny is traded by the Philadelphia Athletics along with OF Eric Tipton to the New York Yankees for 3B Buddy Blair. In 1942, he will pitch for the Newark Bears (International League) posting a 7-1 record. In 1943, he posted a 0-5 record for Kansas City Blues before being sent to Seattle. Johnny is traded by the New York Yankees along with P Dick Hearn (minors) to Seattle Rainers (PCL) for P Clarence “Cuddles” Marshall.
1917 - Former Yankees minor league OF Robert Thurman was born. On July 29, 1949, it was announced that the New York Yankees had purchased his contract from the Kansas City Monarchs (Negro League). He was one of the 1st black players in the New York Yankees farm system, along with Vic Power, later Elston Howard. He was assigned to the Newark Bears of the International League, where he hit three homers in his 1st week. For rest of the 1949 minor league season, he hit .317 for the Bears in 59 games, before a hand injury sidelined him. In 1950, the Yankees sold him to the Chicago Cubs. Bob would reach the MLB in 1955 with the Cincinnati Reds.
1937 - Former Yankees INF (1967-1968), Coach (1968-1978) and Manager (1980) Richard Howser was born (1937-1987). Richard Howser finished his MLB playing career with the New York Yankees in 1968, becoming a MLB coach for the Yankees. He would manage the Yankees in 1980, taking the team to a 103-59 record before losing to the Kansas City Royals in American League Title Playoffs. He would later manage the Royals, before he died from cancer in 1987.
1947 - Former Yankees P Richard “Dirt” Tidrow (1974-1979). Richard “Dirt” Tidrow came over to the New York Yankees in April of 1974 from the Cleveland Indians in the Chris Chambliss trade. He went 40-33 in 211 games, before being traded to Chicago Cubs for P Ray Burris during the 1979 AL season.
1948 - Former Yankees P Dave LaRoche (1981-1983) was born. Veteran MLB reliever Dave LaRoche was signed by the New York Yankees, as a MLB free agent. David went 8-3 in 72 games for the Yankees.
1967 - Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees joined the 500 HR MLB club, when he connected against Stu Miller of the Baltimore Orioles. Mantle became the 6th MLB player to reach the 500 HR career mark, joining Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Willie Mays, Mel Ott and Ted Williams. Mantle's HR helped New York to the 6 -5 victory at Yankee Stadium.
1977 - New York Yankees starter Don Gullett hurls a 4-hitter and out-duels California Angels Ace Nolan Ryan by the score of 4-1 before a crowd of 41,000 fans in California.
1985 - Former Yankees P Harry Byrd (1954) passed away. Harry Byrd joined the New York Yankees in winter of 1953 coming over from the Philadelphia A’s trade that saw minor league player 1B Vic Power and others go to the A’s. Harry went 9-7 in 25 games for the 1954 Yankees before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the big 17-man trade in December of 1954.
1996 - Dwight Gooden became the 8th pitcher in New York Yankees team history to throw a no-hitter in the with a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium.
2004 - Former Yankees P Walter “ Rip” Gary Coleman (1955-1956) passes away. In 1952, Pitcher Rip Coleman was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Rip Coleman went 5-6 in 39 games for the 1955-1956 Yankees before being traded to the Kansas City A’s in February of 1957. "Rip" Coleman appeared in one game in the 1955 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, giving up five hits in one inning of work. On February 19,1957, Rip was Traded by the New York Yankees with a player to be named later, Infielders Milt Graff, Billy Hunter, Pitchers Mickey McDermott, Tom Morgan and OF Irv Noren to the Kansas City Athletics for players to be named later, INF Wayne Belardi, P Art Ditmar, INF Jack McMahan and P Bobby Shantz. The New York Yankees sent P Jack Urban (April 5, 1957) to the Kansas City Athletics to complete the trade. The Kansas City Athletics would send INF Curt Roberts (April 4, 1957) and INF Clete Boyer (June 4, 1957) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
2010 - After Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire orders an intentionally walk to Yankees batter Mark Teixeira and he brings in righty Matt Guerrier to face Alex Rodriguez in the 7th inning, the Yankee third baseman blasts his 19th MLB career grand slam to pass Frank Robinson for 7th on the all-time career home run list and give New York an 8-4 win.