This Week in Yankees History
July 24th - July 30th
July 24th
1922 - Former Yankees P Duane Pillette (1949-1950) was born. Before the start of 1946 AL Season, Duane Pillette was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Duane went 5-9 in 40 games for the Yankees. On June 15,1950, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jim Delsing, P Don Johnson, INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss, and $50,000 to the St. Louis Browns for hurlers Tom Ferrick, Joe Ostrowski, and 3B Leo Thomas.
1923 - New York Yankees starter Carl Mays wins his 23rd consecutive game against the Philadelphia A’s.
1926 - New York Yankee sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth demonstrate that power hitting is not the only thing they can do when Lou scores on a double steal with the Babe in a victory over the Chicago White Sox. They had pulled the same double steal against the Boston Red Sox on April 13th.
1933 - The Yankees sign free agent veteran P George Uhle after his release by the New York Giants. He will go 6-1 for the Yankees in 1933 before fading to a 2-4 mark in 1934.
1934 - New York Yankees CF Earle Combs crashes into the wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis and suffers a fractured skull. The Yankees call up OF George Selkirk, but learns he broke his arm the same day playing for Newark Bears (International League). This injury will eventually ends Earl Combs great Yankees MLB career in 1935.
1935 - The Detroit Tigers shut out the New York Yankees by the score of 4-2 to go ahead by one-half game, but are a fraction of a percentage point behind in AL.
1954 - After Yankees Manager Casey Stengel pulls starting shortstop Phil Rizzuto in the 8th inning for a pinch-hitter. He brings in CF Mickey Mantle again to play shortstop with Willie Miranda at 2B against left-handed hitters. Against right-handed batters, Miranda and Mantle switch their infield positions. The Cleveland Indians win the game by a score of 5-4 to go 2 ½ games up on the Yankees in the AL pennant race.
1960 - Chicago White Sox 3rd straight win at Yankee Stadium and 8th straight overall, 6-3 victory behind veteran starter Billy Pierce, gives the White Sox a 2-game lead atop the AL. Yankees starter Eli Grba beats White Sox hurler Herb Score in the 2nd game by the score of 8-2 to give Yankees, a twin-bill split.
1961 - In an unusual mid-season exhibition match at Yankee Stadium, the San Francisco Giants beat their former cross-town rivals by the score of 4-1. Mickey Mantle's HR accounts for the only Bronx Bombers run, while Willie Mays has 2 RBIs for the visiting "Jints.”
1964 - Detroit Tigers starter Hank Aguirre gives up 5 runs on 3 HRs to the Yankees in the 1st 4 innings, but the Tigers overcome a 5-2 deficit to win the game by a final score of 10-5.
1965 - Former Yankees reserve C Joe Oliver (2001) was born. On November 21, 2000, Joe Oliver was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the New York Yankees. He appeared in only 12 games for the Yankees, hitting .250. On June 20, 2001, Joe was released by the New York Yankees, but he would be picked up by the Boston Red Sox.
1966 - The Yankees beat the Angels by the score of 9-1, in game one, as Mickey Mantle hits his second HR in 2 days. The Mantle HR, his 493rd MLB career shot, ties him with Hall Of Fame Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig for 6th place on the all-time MLB HR leaders list.
1978 - In Kansas City, a sobbing Billy Martin reads a prepared statement in which he resigns as the New York Yankees manager. Yankees MLB Coach Richard Howser will fill in that night as acting Manager, as the Yankees lose the game to the Royals by a score of 5-2. The new Yankees skipper Bob Lemon will take over the next day, he will pilot the Yankees to the 1978 World Championship, which included the 14-game come-back for the Yankees to catch the Red Sox to win the AL East division crown and eventually the AL crown and 1978 World Series.
1983 - In the memorable "Pine Tar Game" at Yankee Stadium, George Brett hits an apparent 2-run HR off of New York Yankees closer Rich Gossage to give the Kansas City Royals a 5-4 lead with 2 outs in the 9th inning, only to have it taken away when Yankees manager Billy Martin, at the urging of coach Don Zimmer, points out that the pine tar on Brett's bat handle exceeds the 17 inches allowed in the MLB rules. As a result, Brett is called out for illegally batting the ball, giving New York, a 4-3 victory. George Brett goes ballistic and the Royals immediately protest, and AL President Lee MacPhail overrules his umpires for the 1st time saying that, while the rules should certainly be rewritten and clarified, the HR will stand and the game will be resumed from that point on August 18th.
1985 - Former Yankees P Ted Kleinhans (1936) passed away. Ted Kleinhans appeared in 19 games for the 1936 New York Yankees, posting a 1-1 record with 1 save. On September 4, 1937, Ted was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds from the New York Yankees. He coached college baseball for 20 years at Syracuse University, before retiring in 1966.
1991 - In a game against the Seattle Mariners, the Yankees score 3 runs on a ground ball hit back to the pitcher. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out in the 4th inning, Pat Kelly hits a come-backer to P Erik Hanson. The Seattle hurler traps Yankees base runner Kevin Maas in a rundown between 3B and home, but Kevin Maas scores, when 3B Edgar Martinez's throw hits him in the back. The ball rolls up the 1B line in foul territory, where C Dave Cochrane, who throws home to head off Yankees runner Alvaro Espinoza, who is also attempting to score, recovers it. The throw goes into the Mariners' dugout allowing Espinoza and Kelly to cross the plate with the 2nd and 3rd runs of the inning.
1992 - MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent announces that New York Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner can resume active control of the Yankees on March 1, 1993.
1999 - The New York Yankees pound the Cleveland Indians by the score of 21-1. The Bronx Bombers are led by DH Chili Davis, who bangs out 5 hits, including a double and HRs, while driving home 6 runs.
2001 - The New York Yankees edge the Detroit Tigers by the score of 6-5, despite an 8th inning moon shot by Tiger's Juan Encarnacion off of Yankees P Ramiro Mendoza, that lands in the 2nd row of the empty blue bleacher seats in left centerfield. It is believed to be the 1st ball hit into that area since Yankee Stadium was remodeled in 1976.
2004 - Another saga is added to the Boston Red Sox- New York Yankees rivalry as a bench-clearing brawl breaks out after Red Sox starter Bronson Arroyo hits Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, who hit last night's game-winning HR, with a pitch. As A-rod stares out at the mound on his way to 1B, Boston's C Jason Varitek, after a verbal exchange, pushes the All-star 3B in the face causing a series of fights with players in both team's dugouts and bullpens involved.
2009 - The New York Yankees extend their winning streak to 8 games with an 8-3 defeat of the Oakland A's. Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain is the winner.
July 25th
1903 - At New York, the Boston Pilgrims (Red Sox) bang 7 doubles while beating the New York Highlanders by the score of 7-5. Freeman and Parent each have 2 doubles.
1904 - Before 1,522 fans at Hill Top Park in New York City, veteran hurler Al Orth makes his 1st start for the Highlanders. He matches zeroes with Chicago White Sox starter Yip Owen. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Patsy Dougherty leads off with a triple and scores on Willie Keeler's bouncer through the infield.
1908 - With the Highlanders leading the Tigers 3-2 in the 8th inning, Detroit scores 2 runs on a Ty Cobb triple. With lefty Claude Rossman the next hitter, New York's new manager Kid Elberfeld moves righty P Jack Chesbro to 1B and replaces him with 1B Hal Chase. Chase allows a fly ball that scores Cobb, then goes back to 1B and Jack Chesbro resumes his spot on the mound. It is Hal Chase's only Yankee pitching appearance as the Tigers win the game by a score of 5-3.
1920 - The Boston Red Sox turn a triple play against the Yankees, who win the game by a score of 8-2. Yankees slugger Babe Ruth hits his 35th HR of the 1920 AL season.
1939 - New York Yankees rookie starter Atley Donald sets the AL rookie record for consecutive wins. "Swampy” beats the St. Louis Browns for his 12th straight victory, winning the game by a score of 5-1.
1947 - Current Yankees MLB 1st base Coach Mick Kelleher was born. Mick Kelleher played in the majors during the 1970’s with the Chicago Cubs, until a back injury forced to stop playing. He joined the New York Yankees MLB coaching staff in 2009. Previously he was a MLB coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers.
1947 - Former Yankees minor league P Mickey Scott was born. The New York Yankees in the 17th round of the 1965 MLB amateur player draft drafted Mickey Scott. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 18,1969, Mickey was traded by the Yankees along with cash to the Chicago White Sox for veteran INF Pete Ward.
1948 - In the tight four-team AL race, Joe DiMaggio leads the Yankees to a sweep over the Chicago White Sox by scores of 5-3 and 7-3. Yankee Clipper is 3-for-3 in Game 1 to back Yankees starter Eddie Lopat, then adds a triple and 2 doubles in the nightcap. His 3-RBIs in the nightcap, gives him an AL-high 86 RBIs.
1959 - Against Detroit, Yankees 1B Bill “ Moose “ Skowron reaching for a wide throw collides with Tigers runner Coot Veale. Bill Skowron's arm is broken in two places; he is out for the rest of the 1959 AL season. Marv Throneberry will fill in at 1B, hitting .241 for the Yankees. The Yankees win the game by a score of 9-8, when Yogi Berra hits a HR in the 9th inning with Mickey Mantle on. Prior to the Yogi’s HR, Infielders Bobby Richardson and Fritz Brickell hit their 1st MLB HRs for the Yankees. Yogi Berra’s HR erases 5 Yankee errors, including 3 by 3B Hector Lopez. Hector will eventually be moved to OF with Clete Boyer playing 3B with Andy Carey. Bill Skowron’s injury will be costly for the Yankees, who will finish in 3rd place in the AL with a 79-75 record behind the 2nd place Cleveland Indians and 1959 AL Champions Chicago White Sox.
1961 - New York RF Roger Maris hits 4 HRs, tying the AL record for a twin bill (at least 1 in each game), as the Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox by the scores of 5-1 and 12-0. Mickey Mantle also HRs off of P Frank Baumann in the 1st game. He ends the day with 38 HRs to 40 HRs for Roger Maris. With his 4 HR performance in the doubleheader sweep over the White Sox, Roger Maris moves 25 games ahead of Babe Ruth's 1927 60 HR pace. The Yankee slugger now has 40 for the year and will finish the 1961 AL season with a MLB record 61 HRs.
1962 - Former Yankees P Doug Drabek (1986) was born. On August 13, 1984, he was sent by the Chicago White Sox to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on July 18,1984. The White Sox sent players to be named later to the Yankees for veteran INF Roy Smalley. The White Sox sent hurlers Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey on August 13, 1984 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Doug went 7-8 in 27 games for the Yankees. On November 26,1986, he was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Logan Easley and Brian Fisher to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitchers Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante, and Pat Clements.
1965 - Former Yankees reserve INF Torey Lovullo (1991) was born. On March 19, 1991, Torey Lovullo was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees for P Mark Leiter. He appeared in only 22 games for the Yankees, hitting just .176, spending most of his season with Columbus Clippers (AAA).
1966 - Former Yankees Manager Casey Stengel is elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame by a special vote of the MLB Writers Association and the Old Timer’s Committee. The purpose was the special election vote was due to Casey Stengel being seriously injured in accident. The Press wanted him elected to the Hall of Fame, while he was still alive.
1967 - At Yankee Stadium, AL HR leader Harmon Killebrew gives the Minnesota Twins an 1-0 lead with a 1st inning HR off of Yankees starter Al Downing. Twins starter Jim Kaat holds the Yankees scoreless until 2-outs in the 9th inning when Mickey Mantle clocks a ball over the 457 FT mark to tie the score. The game is rained out with the score tie at 1-1. It will be replayed on August 18th. The Yankees will win the replay by a score of 1-0.
1976 - Former Yankees P Javier Vazquez (2004, 2010) was born. On December 16, 2003, he was traded by the Montreal Expos to the Yankees for 1B Nick Johnson, OF Juan Rivera, and LHP Randy Choate. He went 14-10 in 32 games for the Yankees. On January 11,2005, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Brad Halsey, C Dioner Navarro, and cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks for All Star starter Randy Johnson. On December 22, 2009, Javier was traded by the Atlanta Braves along with P Boone Logan to the New York Yankees for Arodys Vizcaino (minors), OF Melky Cabrera, P Michael Dunn and cash. His second tour with the Yankees is a major disappointment; Vazquez goes 10-10 in 31 games. The Yankees let him leave the team for MLB free agency. He signed with the Florida Marlins.
1978 - The New York Yankees named Hall Of Fame P Bob Lemon as their new manager replacing the recently resigned Billy Martin. His Yankees debut is a 4-0 win against the Kansas City Royals.
1991 - A New York Yankees baseball jersey once worn by Yankees Hall Of Fame CF Mickey Mantle is sold for $71,500 at a sports auction in Manhattan.
1995 - Yankees' 2B Randy Velarde strokes 5 hits in a Bombers 8-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. Velarde's 5 hits in the game included 4 singles and a HR.
1996 – Kansas City Royals rookie starter Jose Rosado wins his 1st MLB game, by the score of 7-0, shutting down the New York Yankees on 4-hits at Yankee Stadium.
1998 - Former Yankees P Jim Bouton makes his 1st appearance at Yankee Stadium since 1970 at Old Timer’s Day. He is greeted with cheers all around. Bouton had been persona non grata in New York since writing his book, "Ball Four," which broke a long-standing taboo in sports by taking readers into the locker room and revealing players' extracurricular escapades. The Yankees invited the Bulldog back after his son wrote a Father's Day article in the New York Times suggesting it.
July 26th
1892 - Former Yankees P Samuel “Sad Sam” Jones (1922-1926) was born. On December 20, 1921, Sam Jones was traded by the Boston Red Sox with P Bullet Joe Bush and INF Everett Scott to the New York Yankees for P Rip Collins, INF Roger Peckinpaugh, Bill Piercy, Jack Quinn and $100,000. Sam went 67-55 for the Yankees from 1922-1926. His best Yankees season was in 1923, when he went 21-8 and threw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia A’s for the Yankees. On February 8,1927, Sam was traded by the New York Yankees to the St. Louis Browns for OF Cedric Durst and P Joe Giard.
1920 - Former Yankees 3B Eddie Bockman (1946) was born. Eddie Bockman appeared in only 4 games for the Yankees in 1946, before being traded on October 12,1946, by the Yankees to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later and cash. The Indians sent Dutch Meyer on December 5, 1946 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1922 - In several pre-game fights between Yankees teammates, Bob Meusel and Wally Schang duke it out in the Yankees dugout. Then Babe Ruth and Wally Pipp take a turn. The riled-up players then turn on the St. Louis Browns, beating them by the score of 11-6. Babe Ruth bangs out 2 HRs, while Wally Pipp adds another HR, and Wally Schang chips in with a 2-run triple.
1923 - Former Yankees minor league INF Leo Thomas was born (1923-2001). On June 15, 1950, Leo Thomas was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with pitchers Tom Ferrick and Joe Ostrowski to the New York Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, P Don Johnson, P Duane Pillette, INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000. He did not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 22, 1950, Leo was purchased by Portland (PCL) from the New York Yankees.
1927 - Former Yankees P Bill Miller (1952-1954) was born. On August 1, 1951, Bill Miller was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Syracuse (IL). The New York Giants originally signed him. Bill went 6-8 in 35 games for the Yankees before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the winter of 1954, as part of the 17-player trade.
1928 - Detroit Tiger’s rookie right-hander Vic Sorrell and the Yankees' Waite Hoyt are in 1-1 tie after 11 innings. Twelve hits and 2 walks in the 12th inning score 11 Yankees runs in the biggest extra-inning storm ever. Yankees OF Bob Meusel again hits for the cycle. The Yankees outfielder becomes the 1st big leaguer to accomplish the feat for a 3rd time during his MLB career. The Yankees lose the nightcap to the Tigers by a score of 13-10.
1931 - The Yankees split a doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox, taking the 2nd game by the score of 22-5 with 9 batters scoring 2 or more runs each.
1933 - Former Yankees Golden Glove Winner OF Norm Siebern (1956,1958-1959) was born. Before the 1951 AL Season, the New York Yankees signed Norm Siebern as an MLB amateur free agent. He appeared with the Yankees briefly in 1956, then Norm joined the team in 1958, being the 1st Yankees position player to win an AL Golden Glove for LF. Norm was the first winner of James P. Dawson Award for best Yankee rookie in spring training camp. He hit .300 in 1958 and .271 in 1959. He appeared in the 1956 and 1958 World Series with the Yankees. Norm was one of the young players who Yankees Manager Casey Stengel, who openly criticized in the NYC media. On December 11, 1959, Norm was traded by the Yankees along with OF Hank Bauer, P Don Larsen, and 1B/OF Marv Throneberry to the Kansas City A’s for OF Roger Maris, INF Joe DeMaestri, and 1B Kent Hadley.
1933 - Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig is thrown out of the 2nd game in a double-header against the Boston Red Sox, had it been the 1st game, his MLB consecutive-game streak would have ended.
1935 - An unusual double play occurs when a line drive hit by Yankees Jesse Hill bounces off the pitcher's head Senators Ed Linke in the air to the catcher Jack Redmond who throws to 2nd to double off the Yankees base-runner Ben Chapman.
1936 - Umpire Bill Summers is forced out the game after he hit in the groin by a pop bottle thrown from an unruly crowd of 50,000 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The crowd is upset with an out call at 1B on Ray Radcliff in the 8th inning of the nightcap. Baseball Commissioner Judge Landis, on hand to watch the game, offers a $5,000 reward over the PA system for the culprit, but only draws more boos. The deluge of pop bottles finally abates when Jimmy Dykes pleads through the field amplifier. The Yankees sweep a pair from the Sox, winning by scores of 12-3 and 11-8 in 11 innings. Lou Gehrig hits his 29th HR with 2 aboard to start the Yankees scoring in the opener. Joe DiMaggio and Tony Lazzeri add round trippers to make it easy for Yankees starter Johnny Broaca. Sugar Cain is the losing pitcher. In the nightcap, Lou Gehrig adds another HR, while Zeke Bonura HRs and drives home 4 runs for the White Sox. Joe DiMaggio has 1 hit, a triple for the Yankees. The doubleheader sweep increases the Yankees AL lead to 9 1/2 games.
1937 - Former Yankees INF Pete Ward (1970) was born. Pete Ward was at the end of his MLB career, when he joined the Yankees suffering from bad back problems, forcing him to switch from 3B to 1B. The Chicago White Sox originally brought up Pete Ward to the MLB.
1939 - New York C Bill Dickey hits 3 consecutive HRs during the Yankees 14-1 victory against the St. Louis Browns. Meanwhile Yankee starter Red Ruffing throws a 3-hitter against the Browns. The Yankees tied the MLB record by scoring every inning.
1940 - New York Yankees starter Spud Chandler beats the Chicago White Sox with his bat, knocking in 6 runs with a single and 2-HRs, one a grand slam off of hurler Pete Appleton. The 6-RBI ties the AL record held by pitchers, Pete Appleton, George Uhle and Wes Ferrell.
1948 - New York Yankees Hall Of Fame OF Babe Ruth makes his last public appearance at the New York City premiere of the film “The Babe Ruth Story”. He will die three weeks later.
1948 - The New York Yankees waived veteran P Randy Gumpert to the Chicago White Sox. Randy’s best season as a Yankees hurler was in 1943, when he went 11-3 for the team. His Yankee career record was 16-4 in 60 games after being obtained from the Philadelphia A’s in 1939.
1952 - Yankees OF Mickey Mantle hits his 1st MLB career grand slam HR as the Yankees lose to the Detroit Tigers by a score of 10-6.
1957 - Detroit Tigers starter Jim Bunning 2-hits Yankees, winning by the score of 3-2, but one of the hits is Mickey Mantle's 9th left-handed HR, the 200th HR of his MLB career.
1958 - Former Yankees P Marty Bystrom (1984-1985) was born. On June 30, 1984, Marty Bystrom was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies along with OF Keith Hughes the New York Yankees for P Shane Rawley. He appeared in 15 games for the Yankees, posting a 5-4 record.
1961 - Yankees John Blanchard ties a MLB record by hitting his 3rd and 4th HRs in 4 at bats over 3 games. He drives in 4 of the 5 Yankee runs in a 5-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees manage just 6-hits, but 4 of them are HRs, including 1 by Mickey Mantle following Blanchard's 1st-inning clout. Johnny Blanchard will end the 1961 AL season with 21 HRs in 243 at bats, becoming the 1st player in MLB history to hit 20 HRs or more in fewer than 250 at bats.
1962 - In New York City, Boston Red Sox veteran starter Gene Conley and INF Pumpsie Green mysteriously disappear after a 13-3 loss to the Yankees. They leave the Red Sox team bus in traffic to use a rest room and fail to return. Conley decides he wants to fly to Israel, and goes to the airport, but is refused a ticket because he does not have a visa. Conley was the loser in the game, pitching only 2-2/3 innings, while walking in 2 of the 8 earned runs that he allowed. INF Pumpsie Green did not play in the game. Rookie starter Jim Bouton is the winner for the Yankees, shutting out the Red Sox for 6 innings.
1967 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees play their 2nd 18-inning game of the 1967 AL season, losing this one by the score of 3-2 to the Minnesota Twins. Rod Carew walks, steals 2B, continues to 3B on the Yankee catcher's errant throw, and scores on Rich Rollins' single. Twins closer Al Worthington wins the game over Yankees hurler Thad Tillotson in a game that lasted 4-hours, 20-minutes.
1969 - The New York Yankees sell reserve OF Billy Cowan to the California Angels for cash. Billy hit .167 in 32 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the Angels.
1977 - The New York Yankees open their final series with Baltimore by tying the O's at 4-4 on a Cliff Johnson 2-run pinch HR in the 9th inning. Reggie Jackson then leads off the 10th inning with a solo HR to win the game.
1987 - Former Yankees and A’s P Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Cub’s OF Billy Williams, and Black Baseball League star Ray Dandridge are inducted into the Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
1996 - The Yankees unload a 21-hit barrage and bat around twice to whip the Kansas City Royals, by the score of 15-1. This is the most hits the Yankees have collected in 9 innings since August 25,1984, when they had 23 hits against the Seattle Mariners. Yankees starter Jimmy Key is the easy winner, giving up only 3 hits in 7 innings. Yankees 2B Pat Kelly, who had been out most of the 1996 AL season with surgery, makes his debut and promptly injures a hamstring.
1998 - Don Sutton and Larry Doby are inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Lee MacPhail, George Davis and Joe Rogan. Former Yankees GM Lee MacPhail joins his dad, former Yankees co-owner Larry MacPhail, to become the 1st father and son duo to be enshrined at Cooperstown, NY|.
2004 - Former Yankees minor league hurler and MLB player Ruben Gomez passed away (1927-2004). The New York Yankees had picked up Ruben Gomez in 1951, but he was released in 1952, when Yankees GM George Weiss decided he wasn’t the proper player to represent the Yankees as a minority player. Weiss had settled on Elston Howard for that role, releasing or trading away or releasing other minority players in the Yankees minor league system. On December 3,1951, Ruben was drafted by the Yankees from the St Jean (Provincial League) in the 1951 minor league draft. In June of 1952, Ruben was released by the Yankees. The New York Giants in January of 1953 would sign him. He would pitch for 10 years in MLB posting a 76-86 mark.
2008 - The Pittsburgh Pirates send .330-hitting Xavier Nady and interim closer Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees for Pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen and Jeff Karstens and injured OF prospect José Tabata. The Pirates are in desperate need of pitching depth with injuries to Phil Dumatrait and Matt Capps, the struggles of Ian Snell, Matt Morris and Tom Gorzelanny, ineffective call-ups Yoslan Herrera and John Van Benschoten, and an empty minor league cupboard, while the Yankees need help for the pennant run, being in 3rd place in the AL East. Nady is considered unlikely to re-sign with Pittsburgh.
2009 - Former Yankees/A’s OF Rickey Henderson, Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice and Yankees/Indians 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Former AL MVP Joe Gordon is the 1st player to be voted in by the Veterans Committee since its rules were reformulated following the controversial election of Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Bill Mazeroski in 2001.
July 27th
1898 - Former Yankees reserve C Benny Bengough (1923-1930) was born (1898-1968). Benny Bengough hit .225 in 317 games as a reserve catcher for the Yankees. After his days in the majors, Bengough played in the minors and also managed in the New York Yankees minor league system. He managed the Washington Generals in 1934 and 1935, then he moved up to the Joplin Miners (Western Association) in 1936 and 1937. He was then a coach for the Newark Bears (International League) in 1938 and 1939. Bengough was a MLB coach for the Washington Senators from 1940 to 1943, the Boston Braves in 1944 and 1945, and for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1946 to 1958.
1904 - The Detroit Tigers purchased C Monte Beville from the New York Highlanders to replace Bob Wood, who dislocated an elbow yesterday, when he slipped trying to field a bunt against the Philadelphia A's
1922 - St. Louis Browns starter Elam Vangilder gives up a HR to Wally Pipp in the 4th inning but leads, by the score of 2-1 going in to the 8th inning. The Yankees jump on the Browns starter and reliever Ray Kolp for 4 runs before the Browns tie with 3 runs in the 9th inning. Dave Danforth comes on Fred Hofmann on a pitch "that sailed a foot." When umpire Brick Owens exams the ball, he rules it was doctored, earning Danforth, an automatic 10-day suspension. Reliever Rasty Wright comes on and serves up a game-winning HR to Wally Schang. Yankees win the game by a score of 6-5.
1933 - Former Yankees P Johnny Kucks (1955-1959) was born. Before the 1952 AL season, Johnny Kucks was signed by the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent. His best Yankees season was in 1956, when he went 18-9 and made the AL All Star team. He appeared in 4 World Series with the Yankees. Plagued by back troubles, Johnny would never be as effective as his great 1956 AL season. On May 26,1959, he was traded by the Yankees along with INF Jerry Lumpe and P Tom Sturdivant to the Kansas City A’s for P Ralph Terry and INF/OF Hector Lopez.
1936 - Former Yankees minor league OF Don Lock was born. The New York Yankees signed Don Lock as an MLB amateur free agent in 1958. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 11,1962, Don Lock, who was playing for the Yankees AAA Richmond Virginians (International League) was traded to the Washington Senators for veteran 1B Don Long.
1945 - The Chicago Cubs purchased starter Hank Borowy from the New York Yankees in an unexpected waiver deal. Hank Borowy is 10-5 with the Yankees, was put on waivers, apparently to solve a roster problem, he was passed over by 15 MLB teams. The Chicago Cubs snatch him for $97,500. Hank will help the Cubs win the 1945 NL pennant with an 11-2 record, including 3 wins over their rivals the St. Louis Cardinals down the stretch.
1947 - New York Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra starts an incredible 148-game errorless streak, a MLB record for catchers.
1948 - In his MLB debut with the Browns, St. Louis native Hank Arft bangs a triple and a HR off of Yankees pitcher Frank Hiller. Arft drives in 3- runs as the Browns top Yankees by a score of 4- 0. Tomorrow's cheers of "Arft, Arft" will give Hank his nickname "Bow Wow."
1951 - The Chicago White Sox, just 3 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, open a 4-game series at Yankee Stadium. Trailing 3-1 in the 9th inning, the Sox make it 3-2 before rain and the Yankees delay the game. Yankees INF Gil McDougald is thrown out for stalling, while Yankees Manager Casey Stengel uses 5 pitchers in the inning. Finally the Yankees win as the game is called after 30 minutes.
1953 - Pitcher Dizzy Dean and OF Al Simmons are inducted into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. Along with them, the Veterans Committee enshrines Chief Bender, Bobby Wallace, 19th-century manager Harry Wright, New York Yankees Executive and MLB Manager Edward Barrow and MLB umpires Bill Klem and Tom Connolly.
1955 - Former Yankees P Shane Rawley (1982-1984) was born. On April 1, 1982, Shane Rawley was traded by the Seattle Mariners to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later, along with pitchers Bill Caudill, and Gene Nelson. The Yankees would send OF Bobby Brown on April 6, 1982 to the Mariners to complete the trade. Shane went 27-27 in 92 games with 4 saves as a Yankee. On June 30, 1984, he was traded by the Yankees to the Philadelphia Phillies for P Marty Bystrom and OF Keith Hughes.
1956 - Future Yankee 3B Hector Lopez and former Yankees farmhand 1B Vic Power of the A’s each have 5 hits including a HR each in a 14-inning game, a 10-9 loss to the Yankees. Yankees get HRs from Yogi Berra, Andy Carey and Bill Skowron. On the pitching side, Tommy Byrne picks up the victory for the Yankees, throwing 5 1/3 innings of shut out relief. Both teams’ starters were knocked out early in the game.
1968 - Former Yankees minor league INF and Manager Steve Livesey was born. 3B/1B Steve Livesey was drafted in the 29th round of the 1986 amateur draft by the New York Yankees. Instead Steve Livesey went to college, the Yankees drafted him again, this time in the 35th round of the1991 MLB amateur player draft. He played in the New York Yankees minor league system in 1991-1992. Then he was loaned to the co-op team, San Bernardino Spirit in 1993 and 1994, but he only appeared in 4 games each season in the California League. In 2004, he was the manager of the Charleston Riverdogs in the South Atlantic League. In 2005 he joined the Tampa Bay Rays organization as a minor league manager.
1970 - The Yankees beat the California Angels by the score of 5-2, behind starter Mel Stottlemyre, who is helped by shortstop Gene Michael in the 9th inning. With the score tied, Michael pulls the hidden ball trick on Angels pinch runner Jarvis Tatum. The Yankees scored 3-runs in 10th inning to win the game.
1970 - Former Yankees CF Earle Combs, MLB Player-Manager Lou Boudreau, MLB Commissioner Ford Frick and St. Louis Cardinals P Jesse Haines are inducted to the Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
1973 - Thurman Munson singles home the winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Yankees, a 1-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers starter Jim Colborn.
1973- Former Yankees reserve INF Enrique Wilson (2001-2004) was born. On June 13, 2001, Enrique Wilson was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Yankees for minor league P Damaso Marte. He hit .216 in 264 games as a reserve INF for the Yankees.
1975 - In the 1st game of a doubleheader at Shea Stadium, Boston Red Sox CF Fred Lynn makes a great running catch to save the game for starter Bill Lee, who wins the game by the score of 1-0. In 2nd game, Roger Moret completes the whitewash with a 6-0-nightcap win. The 2 losses seem to finish the Yankees 1975 AL pennant hopes and Bill Virdon's Yankees managing job. Bill will be replaced by former Rangers manager Billy Martin on August 2, 1975.
1975 - Current Yankees AL MVP and All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez (2004-2011) was born. On February 16, 2004, INF Alex Rodriguez was traded by the Texas Rangers with cash to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later and MLB INF Alfonso Soriano. The New York Yankees sent minor league INF Joaquin Arias on April 23, 2004 to the Texas Rangers to complete the trade. Alex finished the 2010 AL season with a .270 BA with 30 HRs and 125 RBI’s. He won the 2005 and 2007 AL MVP awards.
1978 - The Yankees win the 1st game of a doubleheader with the Cleveland Indians by a score of 11-0, but the Tribe rebound to win the 2nd game, by the score of 17-5. Indians Duane Kuiper ties the MLB record with 2 bases-loaded triples in the nightcap, only the 3rd player (after Bill Bruton and Elmer Valo) to do so in the 20th century.
1979 – The Milwaukee Brewers edged the Yankees by the score of 6-5 as the Brewers slugger Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th AL player this month to hit 3 HRS in a game.
1988 - Tommy John achieves what is believed to be a MLB 1st by committing 3-errors on one play in the Yankees' 16-3 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers. The feat ties the MLB record for errors in 1 inning by a pitcher.
2008 - Former New York Yankees Closer Rich “Goose” Goosage is inducted into the Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The reliever credits Richard Allen and Chuck Tanner for their support early in his career. He is the 5th relief pitcher enshrined in Cooperstown. Also inducted are MLB Manager Richard Williams, Dodgers Owner Walter O'Malley, Pirates Owner Barney Dreyfuss, former MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and MLB Manager Billy Southworth; all but Williams are deceased. Larry Whiteside is honored with the J.G. Taylor Spink Award and Dave Niehaus with the Ford Frick Award.
July 28th
1905 - Former Yankees INF and MLB Manager, Hall Of Famer Leo “Lip” Durocher (1925-1929) was born (1905-1991). In August of 1925, Leo Durocher was purchased by the Yankees from the Hartford (Eastern) for $12,000. Leo played the INF for the Yankees in 210 games, hitting .258. He was the 1st Yankee player to wear uniform #7. As Babe Ruth’s roommate, he stole some things from the Babe, who beat him up in their hotel room. Leo was banished from the AL. On February 5,1930, the Cincinnati Reds selected Leo off waivers from the Yankees. He later became a successful MLB manager in the NL with the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants. Also Leo managed the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. He was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1994.
1922 - The New York Yankees move back into 1st place when Sad Sam Jones beats Ray Kolp, by the score of 7-3. Kolp lasts just 2 innings before Bill Bayne takes over for the final 7 innings only allows 2 runs. Ken Williams hits his 23rd HR for the Chicago White Sox, but the Yankees Whitey Witt counters with a 3-run HR.
1924 - After scoring 10 runs in the 1st inning, the New York Yankees barely hang on to edge the Chicago White Sox by a score of 12-10.
1931 - The Chicago White Sox record an AL-record 12 hits in the 8th inning against the Yankees. They score 11 runs as Bob Fothergill HRs and triples to win the game by a score of 14-12.
1936 - In the 6th inning of a 16-6, Yankees win in Detroit, the Tiger's Goose Goslin drives a ball in the gap in right center. RF Joe DiMaggio and CF Myril Hoag, in for a slumping Jake Powell, sprint for the ball and collide, the ball bounding by for an inside the park home run. Both players are knocked unconscious but appear unhurt: DiMaggio stays in though Hoag is replaced. Hoag will play tomorrow and collect a single, then collapse in his hotel room on the 30th with a brain clot. Hoag will be operated on successfully at Harper Hospital and will be out the rest of the 1936 AL season, but he'll return to play 6 more years. New York wins the game on 20 hits, scoring 4 runs in each of the 1st two innings, and 3 apiece in the 4th and 5th innings. Lou Gehrig's 2 doubles, single and HR # 31 with 2-aboard pace the visitors. Tommy Bridges is the loser while Johnny Murphy, who relieves Yankees starter Monte Pearson in the 4th inning, is credited with the win. George Selkirk adds a HR for the Yankees, who have now hit 122 HRs.
1940 - New York OF Charlie “King Kong” Keller clouts 3- HRs for the Yankees in a 10-9 Yankees win over the Chicago White Sox in the 1st game of a doubleheader split.
1943 - Former Yankees reserve OF Richard Simpson (1969) was born. On December 4, 1968, Richard Simpson was traded by the Houston Astros to the Yankees for P Dooley Womack. Richard only appeared in 6 games with the Yankees hitting .276. On May 19,1969, Richard was traded by the Yankees to the Seattle Pilots for OF Jose Vidal, who will never play for the Yankees at MLB level.
1958 - For the 6th time in his MLB career, Mickey Mantle hits HRs from both sides of the plate. Yankees beat the Kansas City A’s by a score of 14-7.
1959 – The Chicago White Sox take over 1st place for good in the AL by toppling the Yankees 4 -3 behind veteran starter Billy Pierce. OF Al Smith hitting a 2-run HR in the 8th inning, provides the winning margin. The Sox will go 13-9 against the Yankees this year, the 1st time since the 1925 AL season that Chicago is over .500 for the season against the Bombers.
1960 - With relief help from Bobby Shantz, Whitey Ford, who leaves with an upset stomach, picks up a 4-0 win over the Cleveland Indians. Tony Kubek, Mickey Mantle, and Clete Boyer hit HRs for the Yankees. The Bombers sweep the doubleheader, winning the nightcap, by a score of 9-2, and take over 1st place in the AL by 3 percentage points.
1961 - The New York Yankees buy veteran 1B/OF Bob Hale from the Cleveland Indians. This will make veteran 1B Earl Torgeson, who was signed on June 17th expendable. They'll release Torgy as a player in early September, then the Yankees will sign him as a MLB 1st base coach for the rest of the 1961 AL season.
1962 - On Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium, Chicago White Sox knuckle-baller Eddie Fisher loses a 3-0 shut out, when he surrenders 7th inning HRs to Mickey Mantle and Johnny Blanchard and loses the game by a score of 4-3.
1964 - The LA Angels shortstop Jim Fregosi hits for the cycle to assure a 3-1 win over the Yankees. New York's only score is a Mickey Mantle HR over the CF fence at Chavez Ravine, 1 of only 2-hits off of starter Dean Chance. It's the 1st HR given up by Angels starter Dean Chance in 69 innings.
1970 - It’s a tough day for the California Angels' C Tom Egan as he is charged with 5 passed balls, all with different pitchers. To make matters worse, the Angels backstop also commits an error allowing the winning run to score in a 6-5 loss to the Yankees.
1971 - Former Yankees reserve OF Myril Hoag (1931-32,1934-38) passes away (1908-1971). Myril Hoag appeared in 1,371 games as a Yankees outfielder hitting .273. His best Yankees season was in 1937, when he appeared in 106 games, hitting .301. On October 26,1938, he was traded by the Yankees along with C Joe Glenn to the St. Louis Browns for P Oral Hildebrand and OF Buster Mills.
1972 - The New York Yankees re-purchased veteran P Ron Klimkowski from the Oakland A’s for cash. He would go 0-3 for the team in his final MLB season.
1977 - In New York, a Thursday crowd of 40,918 fans cheer as the Yankees unleashes a 15 hit attack to down the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 14-2. The Yankees hitting barrage includes HRs by Graig Nettles, Thurman Munson and Roy White.
1983 - American League President Lee MacPhail decides that Kansas City Royals 3B George Brett's 'Pine Tar' HR should count. The remainder of the game will played on August 18th with the Kansas City Royals beating the Yankees, 5-4.
1985 - Former New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals OF Enos “Country” Slaughter, Lou Brock, Arky Vaughan, and Hoyt Wilhelm are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Wilhelm is the 1st pitcher to be inducted because of his role as a MLB relief pitcher.
1995 - The New York Yankees acquired starter David Cone from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade for minor league pitchers Marty Janzen, Jason Jarvis, and Mike Gordon. Also the Yankees traded OF-DH Danny Tartabull to the Oakland A’s for OF/DH Ruben Sierra and minor league P Jason Beverlin.
1996 - Darryl Strawberry's 300th MLB career HR, a 2-run shot in the 9th inning, lifts the Yankees to a 3-2 win over the visiting Kansas City Royals. The Yankees now lead the AL East by 12 games.
2000 - Unable to win in four months, veteran New York Yankees starter David Cone is sent to the team's minor league camp in Tampa by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. The struggling veteran will be under supervision of Billy Connors, the Yankees vice president of player personnel.
2002 - Former Yankees INF Steven “ Bud” Souchock (1946,1948) passed away. Before the 1939 AL Season, Steve “Bud” Souchock was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. He appeared in 91 games for the Yankees, hitting .245. On December 14,1948, Bud was traded by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for OF Jim Delsing. He was a long time minor league manager for the Yankees. Also he was MLB scout for the Yankees.
July 29th
1899 - Former Yankees P Walter Beall (1924-1927) was born. On June 24, 1924, Walt Beall was purchased by the New York Yankees from Rochester (International) for $30,000. He posted a 4-5 record in 33 games for the Yankees.
1903 - Cy Young goes all the way as Boston loses to the Highlanders by a score of 15-14. The New Yorkers had been shut out in their 2 previous matches in the series. Patsy Dougherty leads the Boston offense by hitting for the cycle, but Cy gets little defense as Boston makes 8 errors behind him. New York starter Jack Chesbro is lifted in the 6th inning for Harry Howell, while Willie Keeler has 4 hits to lead the Highlander offense. The game lasts 2 hours 10 minutes.
1928 - The Cleveland Indians score 8 runs in the 1st inning and 9 runs in the 2nd inning in a 24-6 win over the Yankees at home. Johnny Hodapp of the Indians becomes the 1st AL player to get 2 hits in an inning twice in a game. He strokes 2 singles in both the 2nd and 6th innings of the game. The Yankees' lead in the AL shrinks from 11 1/2 games to just 6 games in 1 week.
1938 - New York Yankees starter Spud Chandler pitches 15 innings as the Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox in Chicago by a score of 7-3.
1938 - In a post game radio interview with Bob Elson in Chicago, New York Yankees OF Jake Powell s will make nationwide headlines with remarks about "beating up n******s and then throwing them in jail" as part of his off-season duties as a policeman. For the statements, MLB Commissioner Judge Landis suspends Jake Powell for 10 days.
1951 - Former Yankees OF/DH Gary Thomasson (1978) was born. On June 15, 1978, Gary Thomasson was traded by the Oakland A’s to the New York Yankees for OF Dell Alston, INF Mickey Klutts, and $50,000. Gary had 3 game winning hits, while filling in for the injured Mickey Rivers in CF, playing in 55 games with a .276 BA. On February 15,1979, Gary was traded to the Dodgers for C Brad Gulden.
1951 - Before a Yankee Stadium crowd of 70,972 fans, the Yankees sweep the Chicago White Sox by scores of 8-3 and 2-0. Joe DiMaggio powers 2 HRs off of P Lou Kretlow in the opener, and ex-White Sox hurler Bob Kuzava out-duels Saul Rogovin to win the nightcap. With yesterday's game rained out, the White Sox are now 6 1/2 out of 1st place in the AL race.
1959 - Former Yankees P Dave LaPoint (1989-90) was born. The New York Yankees signed Dave LaPoint as a MLB free agent in 1988. He went 13-19 in 48 games for the Yankees.
1963 - Former Yankees minor league P Steve Frey was born. The New York Yankees in the 15th round of the 1983 MLB amateur player draft drafted Steve. Steve never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 11,1987, Steve was traded by the Yankees along with C Phil Lombardi and OF Darren Reed to the New York Mets for shortstop Rafael Santana and minor league player Victor Garcia
1966 - The New York Yankees edge the Chicago White Sox by the score of 2-1, on Mickey Mantle's 14th HR in 24 games. Mickey Mantle moves ahead of Hall Of Fame 1B Lou Gehrig into 6th place on the MLB career HR list with the blast.
1969 - New York Yankees reliever Jack Aker's string of 33 scoreless innings comes to an end as the A's rally for 3 runs to top the Yankees by a score of 6-5. Vida Blue, the Oakland A's starter, receives credit for his 1st MLB career victory.
1977 - New York starter Ron Guidry and relief ace Sparky Lyle combine for a 4-0 win as the Yankees streak to their 5th win in 6 games. Cliff Johnson and Graig Nettles, each hit HRs for the Yankees.
1978 - The Yankee Stadium crowd is pleasantly surprised as recently resigned skipper Billy Martin returns to join in on the Old Timers' Day festivities. Much to their delight, the fans are informed "Billy the Kid' will return as Yankees skipper for the 1980 AL season.
1991- During a game at Yankee Stadium, Oakland A’s OF Jose Canseco is bombarded with assorted objects by unruly fans. Included among the objects are an inflatable doll, a transistor radio, and a head of cabbage. The A’s escape with a 10-8 victory, as Canseco strokes a double in 4 at bats.
1997 - The Toronto Blue Jays pick up veteran INF Mariano Duncan from the New York Yankees for cash and minor league player Angel Ramirez.
2007 - Former Yankees OF Bill Robinson (1967-1969) passed away. Bill came to the Yankees from the Atlanta Braves in the Clete Boyer trade. Bill won the 1967 James P. Dawson Award for the best Yankee rookie in spring training camp. He was supposed to be the “black” Mickey Mantle, but he never adjusted to playing in New York City with the media pressure. He would hit .202 in 310 games for the Yankees. He was sent down to AAA. Later he would return to the MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates, then played for the Philadelphia Phillies. After retiring as a player, he became a MLB batting Coach for several MLB teams.
July 30th
1890 - Former MLB player and HOF Yankees Manager Casey Stengel (1949-1960) was born (1890-1975). Casey Stengel was an outfielder in NL for 14 seasons with a lifetime BA of .284. Casey Stengel managed the great New York Yankees Dynasty teams of 1949-1960. Before joining the Yankees, Casey had managed in the National League with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves with no success. He won 5 straight World Championships (1949-1953). Also he won World Championships in 1956 and 1958. He finished his Yankees managing career with a record of 1149-696, WP .619 with 10 AL Flags and 7 World Championships. He was let go by the Yankees after his manager’s contract expired in October of 1960. He would return to New York in 1962 to manage the new NL expansion team, the Mets, until 1965 when he suffered a serious hip injury that forced him to retire from MLB. Casey Stengel was elected in a special election by baseball writers to the Baseball’s Hall of Fame on July 25, 1966.
1919 - The New York Yankees obtained P Carl “Sub” Mays from the Boston Red Sox for pitchers Hubert McGraw and Alan Russell, a minor leaguer to be named later, and $25,000. Carl Mays would go 80-39 in 4 ½ seasons with the Yankees, including 26-11 in 1920 and 27-9 in 1921. Unfortunately Carl and Yankees Manager Miller Higgins never got along, which resulted in his trade to the Cincinnati Reds in 1923.
1930 - Former Yankees C/1B Gus Triandos (1953-1954) was born. Gus Triandos appeared in 20 games with the Yankees in 1953-1954, just hitting .171. He was unable to beat out Yankees starting C Yogi Berra. Gus was traded on November 17,1954, with players to be named later, Pitchers Harry Byrd and Jim McDonald, INF Willy Miranda, C Hal Smith, and OF Gene Woodling to the Baltimore Orioles for players to be named later, pitchers Bob Turley and Don Larsen, and INF Billy Hunter. Gus would become AL All Star catcher for the Orioles during the 1957-1958-1959 AL seasons. Gus Triandos and Gene Woodling would give the Orioles some power hitters in their starting lineup.
1936 - The New York Yankees, with Jake Powell back in CF for the injured Myril Hoag, drop a 5-4 decision to the Detroit Tigers. On August 1st, Powell will go to LF, with DiMaggio playing CF for the 1st time. George Selkirk will return to RF. The Yankees lose today, when Charlie Gehringer ties the match with a 2-run HR in the 8th inning. Yankees C Bill Dickey allows a ball to get by him in the 10th inning and Burns scores the winning run. The Tigers starter Schoolboy Rowe pitches 10 innings for the win over Yankees starter Johnny Broaca.
1940 - Former Yankees reserve INF Cesar “Pepi” Tovar (1976) was born (1940-1994). Cesar Tovar played in 13 games hitting .154 in September 1976 for the New York Yankees.
He retired as an active MLB player after the 1976 AL season.
1947 - Former Yankees DH/1B Jim Spencer (1978-1981) was born (1947-2002). Jim Spencer was traded on December 12,1977 by the Chicago White Sox along with P Bob Polinsky (minors) and OF Tommy Cruz to the Yankees for Pitchers Stan Thomas, Ed Ricks (minors), 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, hurlers Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty (minors). After retiring from MLB, he coached the U.S. Naval Academy baseball team for several years. Jim passed away in 2002.
1951 - New York Yankees All Star CF Joe DiMaggio makes a rare mental error against the Detroit Tigers, catching a Steve Souchock fly ball in deep CF and, thinking it's the 3rd out, begins trotting in. It's only the 2nd out, and George Kell scores from 2B to make the score 4-2 in the 8th inning. Despite the Yankee Clipper’s mental lapse, the Yankees win the game by a score of 5-4, with Joe DiMaggio knocking in the winning run in the 9th inning.
1952 - Journeyman hurler Lou Kretlow fashions his second consecutive two-hitter, as the Chicago White Sox down the New York Yankees by the score of 7-0.
1954 - Against New York Yankees veteran starter Allie Reynolds, Baltimore Orioles 3B Bob Kennedy hits the 1st grand slam homerun for the new Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles surpass the top season attendance the St. Louis Browns had in their 52 years, as they draw 27,385 for the game, giving them 7,000 more than the 712,918 St. Louis drew in 1922.
1955 - The Baltimore Orioles obtained veteran starter Ed Lopat from the New York Yankees for P Jim McDonald and cash. Ed was at the end of his fine long MLB career. He would rejoin the Yankees organization in 1956, managing their AAA farm club in Richmond (IL). In 1960, he would replace the fired MLB pitching coach Jim Turner, being Casey Stengel’s final Yankees MLB pitching coach.
1957 - Former Yankees P Steve Trout (1987) was born. On July 13, 1987, Steve Trout was traded by the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees for pitchers Bob Tewksbury, Rich Scheid, and Dean Wilkins. Steve went 0-4 in 14 games with a 6.60 ERA for the Yankees, being a major disappointment. He was traded on December 22,1987, by the Yankees along with reserve OF Henry Cotto to the Seattle Mariners for Pitchers Lee Guetterman, Clay Parker, and Wade Taylor.
1966 - Chicago White Sox starter Gary Peters shuts down the New York Yankees by a score of 6-0, facing just 29 batters. The efficient Peters used just 75 pitches for the win.
1977 - New York Yankees starter Don Gullett picks up his 10th win of the year, a 9-3 victory over the Oakland A's. But it will prove to be his final win of the 1977 AL season, when he injures his shoulder in the 7th inning and leaves the game.
1986 - Catcher Ron Hassey is traded for the 3rd time in 8 months. Traded by the New York Yankees with a player to be named later and Carlos Martinez to the Chicago White Sox for OF/DH Ron Kittle, INF Wayne Tolleson, and C Joel Skinner. The Yankees sent minor league C Bill Lindsey on December 24, 1986 to the White Sox to complete the trade.
1990 - In a surprisingly harsh ruling, MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent orders New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to resign as the club's general partner by August 20th and bans him from day-to-day operation of the team for life. The ruling is a result of Steinbrenner's $40,000 payment to confessed gambler Howie Spira for damaging information about since-traded Yankee All Star OF Dave Winfield.
1993 - The New York Yankees obtained P Paul Assenmacher from the Chicago Cubs in a 3-way deal, which sees Yankees P John Habyan go to the Kansas City Royals and the Royals send OF Karl Rhodes to the Chicago Cubs. Paul would go 2-2 in 24 games for the Yankees.
1997 - New York starter David Wells fires a 3-hitter as the Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals, by a score of 7-0. Yankees 1B Tino Martinez hits his 36th HR of the 1997 AL season and INF Luis Sojo has 4 hits
1999 - The New York Yankees defeat the Boston Red Sox by a score of 13-3, as 2B Chuck Knoblauch raps out 5 hits, including a double and HR, and drives home 4 runs.
2001 - The New York Yankees reacquired veteran P Sterling Hitchcock from the San Diego Padres, sending minor league P Brett Jodie and OF Darren Blakely to the Padres.
2008 - The busy New York Yankees traded veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins to the Houston Astros for minor league INF Matt Cusick. Also that day All Star Catcher Jorge Posada underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, the Yankees acquired veteran AL All Star Catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez from the Detroit Tigers for reliever Kyle Farnsworth.
2010 - The 2 best teams in the MLB this year, the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, begin a 3-game series before a rare sold-out crowd at Tropicana Field. Two batters into the game, New York leads 2-0 on a homer by Nick Swisher, but that's all the runs the Yankees will score in the game. Tampa Bay comes back with a 3-run HR shot by Matt Joyce in the 6th inning to win, by the score of 3-2. Wade Davis beats Phil Hughes, with Rafael Soriano picking up the save. Yankees All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez, who has been sitting on 599 MLB career homers for a week, goes 0 for 4 in the loss.
