This Week in Yankees History
August 21st-27th
August 21st
1891 - Former Yankees C John Gosset (1913-1914) was born. John Gosset was a weak hitting catcher, who the Yankees had purchased from the Chicago White Sox.
1914 - The St. Louis Browns commit 8 errors during a 4-3 defeat to the Yankees.
1916 - Former Yankees P Murry Dickson (1958) was born (1916-1986). The New York Yankees obtained veteran MLB P Murry Dickson from the Kansas City A’s for a player to be named later (OF John Bella). He went 1-2 in 6 games for the Yankees before being sent back to the A’s during the 1959 AL season. Murry made two relief appearances for the Yankees in the 1958 World Series against the Milwaukee Braves with no decisions.
1917 - The New York Yankees buy C Muddy Ruel (1917-1920) from the St. Louis Browns for Cash. He will hit .234 in 170 games as a reserve catcher for the Yankees.
1920 - Former Yankees relief P Gerry Stanley (1955-1956) was born. After being obtained from the Cincinnati Reds, Gerry Stanley went 0-0 in 6 games with the Yankees before being waived to the Chicago White Sox in 1956. He would become one of the key bullpen pitchers for the 1959 AL Champion Chicago White Sox bullpen.
1921 - At St. Louis, the largest crowd of the 1921 AL season, cheer as the Browns sweep a pair from the Yankees, winning by scores of 5-4 and 10-0. Bayne strikes out 7 of the 1st nine Yanks batters in game 2 on his way to a 10-strikeout run.
1931 - After belting his MLB career HR #599, a grand slam HR in yesterday's game, Babe Ruth hits his 600th HR, off of Browns hurler George Blaeholder, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 11-7. Lou Gehrig homers immediately, after the Babe's historic MLB HR blow. In their 10 years as teammates, they will hit HRs in the same inning 19 times and in the same game 72 times.
1933 -The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox play an 18-inning game, which ends in a 3-3 tie.
1936 - Boston Red Sox hurler Wes Ferrell, in a tantrum for what he considers shabby support, walks off the mound during a New York Yankees rally. He is suspended and fined $1,000 by Boston Manager Joe Cronin.
1948 - Former Yankees C/1B/DH Johnny Ellis (1969-1972) was born. On August 15,1966, Johnny Ellis was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent with promising hitting power. John was a winner of the James P. Dawson Award for the best Yankee rookie in spring training camp. John couldn’t beat out Yankees teammate Thurman Munson for starting catcher’s job, he was given a shot at 1B, 3B and DH before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in the Graig Nettles trade in November of 1972. John would play for the Indians and the Texas Rangers, before a serious leg injury forced him into retirement from MLB.
1953 - MLB player representatives Ralph Kiner (NL) and Yankees Allie Reynolds (AL) hire labor leader John Norman Lewis at $15,000 per annum to give legal advice to MLB players in their negotiations with the MLB team owners.
1958 - The New York Yankees obtained veteran P Murry Dickson from the Kansas City A’s for a player to be named later (OF John “Zeke” Bella). He went 1-2 in 6 games for the Yankees before being sent back to the A’s during the 1959 AL season. Murry made two relief appearances for the Yankees in the 1958 World Series against the Milwaukee Braves with no decisions.
1964 - Former Yankees P Shawn Hillegas (1992) was born. On April 9,1992, Shawn Hillegas was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. Shawn posted a 1-8 record in 21 games with 1 save for the 1992 Yankees. On August 22,1992, he was released by the New York Yankees. He would finish the 1992 AL season with the Oakland A’s.
1966 - Former Yankees Closer John Wetteland (1995-1996) was born. John Wetteland was traded on April 5,1995, by the Montreal Expos to the New York Yankees for minor league 1B Fernando Seguignol and cash. John would go 3-8 in 122 games with the Yankees with 74 saves. He would be named to 1996 AL All Star team. John would lead the AL with 43 saves. He would leave the Yankees after the 1996 World Series for the Texas Rangers, where he had back injuries that forced him to retire from MLB.
1968 - The Minnesota Twin's starter Jim Merritt loses his shutout in the 9th inning, when Mickey Mantle hits a pinch-hit HR, but he still wins the game by a score of 3-1. It is Mantle's 534th MLB career HR, tying him with Hall Of Fame AL Slugger Jimmie Foxx for 3rd on the all-time MLB HR leader’s list.
1977 - Yankees All Star 3B Graig Nettles' HR and double account for both New York runs in a 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers. Ron Guidry picks up his 10th win of the 1977 AL season, as the Yankees cut the Boston Red Sox lead to 1/2 game.
1991 - New York Yankees CF Bernie Williams fans 5 consecutive times in a 7-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals to tie the MLB mark for a 9-inning game. After the game, Yankees MLB hitting coach Frank Howard, who was one of the previous 28 MLB batters, who shared this mark, consoles Bernie Williams.
1996 - Welcome to the MLB, Yankees Derek Jeter hits a HR off of Jason Dickson's first MLB pitch, but that's all the scoring for the slumping Yankees as the Angels' rookie wins the game by a score of 7-1. Chili Davis has a pair of HRs, the 1st off of Yankees loser Jimmy Key (9 -10).
2009 - New York DH Hideki Matsui hits a pair of three-run homers and drives in 7 runs as the Yankees destroy the Boston Red Sox by the score of 20-11 at Fenway Park. The only highlight for the Sox comes when Jacoby Ellsbury steals his 54th base of the 2009 AL season in the 1st, breaking the Red Sox franchise record held by Tommy Harper.
2010 - Mariners 1B Casey Kotchman goes 3 for 4 at the plate in a 9-5 Seattle loss to the New York Yankees, but makes his first error in 275 games. The previous MLB record for errorless games at first base had been held by Kevin Youkilis.
August 22nd
1889 - Former Yankees C Wally Schang (1921-1925) was born. Wally Schang was obtained from the Boston Red Sox. He would hit .316 and .319 for 2 of 5 seasons that he played for the New York Yankees. On February 6,1926, Wally was traded by the Yankees to the St. Louis Browns for veteran hurler George Mogridge and cash. Wally would hit .330 for the Browns, while Mogridge never pitched for the Yankees in his 2nd tour with the team. Wally’s trade would be a rare trade mistake by Yankees GM Edward Barrow.
1890 - Former Yankees P Urban Shocker (1916-1917, 1925-1928) was born. During September of 1915, Urban Shocker was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Guelph (Canadian) in the 1915 Rule 5 player draft. Urban would go 12-8 in 38 games for the Yankees. On January 22, 1918, he was traded by the along with Nick Cullop, Joe Gedeon, Fritz Maisel, Les Nunamaker, and $15,000 to the Browns for P Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt. On December 17,1924, he was traded back by the Browns to the Yankees for pitchers Joe Bush, Milt Gaston, and Joe Giard. Urban would post a 49-29 record in 114 games for the Yankees. At the age of 38, Urban Shocker died on September 9,1928 from heart failure in Denver. The veteran pitcher had suffered from a swollen heart for more than two years, He was unable to sleep in a prone position, as news of condition where made known, he became the 1st Yankee tragic death.
1922 - At the Polo Grounds, Cleveland Indians P George Uhle singles in the 6th inning and the Yankees (as noted by Retrosheet) allow a courtesy pinch runner Les Nunnamaker, while Uhle gets his shoe repaired. Uhle returns to mound to finish the game, winning by a score of 6-2. The loss drops the Yankees to 2nd place in the AL behind the St. Louis Browns.
1927 - The New York Yankees lose their 4th straight for the 1st time 9-4 to the Cleveland Indians, despite Babe Ruth's 40th HR. Detroit wins its 13th straight game, moving up to 2nd place, 12 1/2 games back.
1933 - The New York Yankee purchased 1B Don “Jeep” Heffner (1934-1937) from the Baltimore Orioles (IL) for cash. Don was a good INF reserve for Yankees.
1936 - The New York Yankees buy veteran reserve OF Bob Seeds from Montreal Royals (IL) for cash. He hit .262 in 13 games for New York Yankees in 1936.
1937 - Former Yankees Scouting Director Pat Gillick (1975-1976) was born. Pat Gillick was the New York Yankees Scouting Director from 1975-1976. He left the team to join the new AL expansion franchise, the Toronto Blue Jays, as Assistant General Manager.
1939 - At Chicago’s Comiskey Park, the New York Yankees win their 1st night game in franchise history as the Bronx Bombers defeat the White Sox by the score of 14-5.
1947 - Former Yankees P William “Bill” Burbach (1969-1971) was born. On June 8, 1965, Bill Burbach was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1965 amateur player draft. Bill went 6-11 in 38 games with the Yankees, never showing the promise that the Yankees had hoped for when they drafted him in 1965. On May 28,1971, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the Baltimore Orioles for veteran P Jim Hardin. Bill never pitched in MLB for the Orioles. Jim Hardin never did anything for the Yankees.
1949 - The New York Yankees purchased 1B Johnny “Big Cat” Mize (1949-1953) from the New York Giants for $40,000. One of the greatest waiver deals made by the Yankees. For five AL seasons (1949-1953), he provided power off the Yankees bench. He was one of the premier pinch hitters in MLB baseball with a .283 lifetime BA mark.
1950 - Former Yankees P Ray Burris (1979) was born. On May 23, 1979, Ray Burris was traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Yankees for P Richard “Dirt” Tidrow. Ray went 1-3 in 15 games for the Yankees before being claimed on waivers by the
New York Mets. He wasn’t worth giving up Dirt Tidrow.
1952 - The New York Yankees purchased veteran P Ray Scarborough from the Boston Red Sox on waivers. Ray would help the Yankees by going 5-1 during the AL pennant drive of 1952.
1954 - The New York Yankees purchased P Jim Konstanty from Philadelphia Phillies on waivers. Jim gave the Yankees bullpen a boost during his stay with the team, including a 7-2 season with 11 saves in 1955. He won the 1950 National League MVP award with the Philadelphia Phillies.
1960 - The New York Yankees purchased veteran 1B Dale Long on waivers from the San Francisco Giants. Don hit .366 in 23 games before being lost to the new Washington Senators in the December 1960 AL expansion player draft. This would the 1st of 2 tours that Don would spend with the Yankees during the early 1960’s.
1961 - New York Yankees 1960 AL MVP RF Roger Maris, in his record-setting season, becomes the 1st player to hit his 50th HR in the month of August. The 26-year old All-Star RF connects off of veteran starter Ken McBride as the Yankees lose to the Angels by a score of 4-3.
1964 - The New York Yankees lose the 1st game to the Boston Red Sox by a score of 5-3, extending their losing streak to 6 games. Boston scores 3 runs in the 8th inning to win it. In the nightcap, Yankees win the game by a score of 8-0, as Mickey Mantle and John Blanchard, both hit HRs, while Roger Maris drives in 3 runs. Mel Stottlemyre wins his 3rd game in a row since being recalled from Richmond Virginians (AAA). The Yankees end the day 5-1/2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles, with the Chicago White Sox in 2nd place, 1-½ games back.
1974 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mark Bellhorn (2005) was born. The New York Yankees signed Mark Bellhorn as a MLB free agent during the 2005 AL season. He appeared in only 9 games, hitting just .118. He left the team for MLB free agency after the 2005 AL post season.
1974 - Former Yankees reserve C Bobby Estella (2001) was born. On July 4, 2001, Bobby Estella was traded by the San Francisco Giants along with Joe Smith (minors) to the Yankees for P Brian Boehringer. Bobby appeared in 3 games with the Yankees with no hits. On March 27,2002, Bobby was released by the Yankees.
1976 - Former Yankees P Jeff Weaver (2002-2003) was born. On July 5, 2002, Jeff Weaver was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees. The Oakland A’s sent a player to be named later, Franklyn German and Carlos Pena to the Detroit Tigers. The New York Yankees sent Jason Arnold (minors), John-Ford Griffin and Ted Lilly to the Oakland A’s. The Detroit Tigers sent cash to the Oakland A’s. The Oakland A’s sent Jeremy Bonderman (August 22, 2002) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade. Jeff went 12-12 in 47 games with the Yankees. He was a major disappointment for the Yankees. On December 13,2003, Jeff was traded by the New York Yankees along with minor league players Brandon Weeden and Yhency Brazoban with cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for veteran starter Kevin Brown.
1977 - Both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees lose today. The Chicago White Sox top the Yankees by a score of 5-3, snapping the Bombers' 8-game win streak, while the Minnesota Twins; top the Boston Red Sox with a 5-4 victory.
1996 - The New York Yankees claimed veteran INF Luis Sojo off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. He would become a valuable reserve infielder for the Yankees. After his MLB playing career, Luis managed in the Yankees minor league system and coached for the team at the MLB level.
2008 - New York Yankees All Star shortstop Derek Jeter collects his 2,500 MLB career hit during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The hit was a bloop single into shallow center field off of rookie right-handed Orioles hurler Radhames Liz. Derek reached this MLB career milestone in his 13th year of MLB play with the Yankees. He becomes the 7th active MLB player to have 2,500 MLB career hits. He is now, the 88th MLB player in MLB history to accomplish this feat.
2009 - One day after being battered 20-11 by the New York Yankees, The Boston Red Sox get a measure of revenge with a 14-1 pasting of their long-time AL rivals. Kevin Youkilis homers twice and drives in 6 runs, while Junichi Tazawa pitches six scoreless innings for the win. For his part, New York Yankees starter A.J. Burnett gives up a MLB career-high 9 runs in the loss.
2010 - The New York Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners, by the score of 10-0. Robinson Cano hits a grand slam home run and drives in 6 runs in support of CC Sabathia's league-leading 17th win, his 15th straight win at New Yankee Stadium.
August 23rd
1896 - Former Yankees OF/1B Cedric Durst (1927-1930) was born (1896-1971). On February 8,1927, Cedric Durst was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with P Joe Giard to the Yankees for P Sam Jones. On May 6,1930, Cedric was traded by the Yankees with $50,000 to the Boston Red Sox for right-handed hurler Red Ruffing.
1910 - Former Yankees reserve INF Lonnie Frey (1947-1948) was born. On June 25, 1947, Lonnie Frey was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Chicago Cubs. Lonnie appeared in only 25 games for the Yankees hitting .179, before being released in May of 1948.
1918 - Former Yankees P Ken Holcombe (1945) was born. Ken Holcombe went 3-3 in 23 games with the Yankees during the 1945 AL season.
1924 - Former Yankees C Sherman Lollar (1947-1948) was born. On December 6, 1946, Sherm Lollar was traded by the Cleveland Indians along with 2B Ray Mack to Yankees for OF Hal Peck, pitchers Al Gettel, and Gene Bearden. Sherman appeared in 33 with the Yankees as a back-up catcher. With the rise of Yogi Berra and Ralph Houk, he became expendable. On December 13,1948, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Red Embree, 1B Richard Starr, and $100,000 to the St. Louis Browns for C Roy Partee and P Fred Sanford. He would go on to be the starting catcher for the Chicago White Sox during the 1950’s.
1928 - The New York Yankees pick up lefty starter Tom Zachary on waivers from the Washington Senators. Tom was the pitcher who gave up Babe’s 60th HR in 1927. As a Yankees pitcher for 2 seasons, he would go 16-4, including a 12-0 mark in 1929.
1930 - The New York Yankees buy INF Frank Crosetti from the San Francisco Seals (PCL) but allow him to play another season in the PCL before reporting to the team. “The Crow” would be a Yankee regular for 13 seasons and part time player for 4 years, before becoming the long time Yankees 3B Coach. The Yankees will make a similar arrangement for OF Joe DiMaggio, buying him from the Seals but waiting a year before acquiring him in 1936.
1930 - Former Yankees OF John “Zeke” Bella (1957) was born. In 1951, the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent signed John “Zeke” Bella. He appeared in only 5 games for the 1957 Yankees, hitting .182. On August 22, 1958, John was traded by the Yankees along with cash to the Kansas City A’s for veteran hurler Murry Dickson.
1942 - Former Washington Senator Ace Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth is the pre-game attraction that draws 69,000 fans for the New York-Washington game at Yankee Stadium that provides $80,000 for Army-Navy relief. Babe Ruth hits the 5th pitch into the RF stands, and then adds one more shot before circling the bases. Sixteen relief games contribute $523,000 during the AL season. In the doubleheader between the Senators and the Yankees, the Senators win the opener, with a 7-6 victory and the Yankees win the nightcap, by a score of 3-0, in 5 1/2 innings.
1948 - Former Yankees 1B/DH Ron Bloomberg (1969-1977). On June 6, 1967, Ron Bloomberg was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft. Ron was the 1st DH in MLB History. He had great power, but was hampered with knee injuries, he never really had the MLB career that the Yankees had hoped for as a 1st round draft player pick. Recently Ron published a book on his MLB experiences.
1956 - Led by Nellie Fox's 7 straight hits, the Chicago White Sox sweep the New York Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a bunt-single, triple and HR in the 6-4-nightcap loss, but he now trails Nellie Fox in season hits, 158 to 155. But the Mickey still leads in the 1956 AL Triple Crown race.
1964 - The New York Yankees tops the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, by a score of 4-3, as Mickey Mantle starts the scoring with a 2-run HR in the 3rd inning off of Red Sox starter Earl Wilson. The Yankees will win 26 of their next 33 games.
1968 - New York rookie starter Stan Bahnsen out-duels Detroit veteran starter Earl Wilson to give the Yankees, a 2-1 win over the Tigers. The 2 teams then battle for 19 innings, before the 2nd game is suspended by AL curfew rules with the score tie at 3-3. The game will be finished tomorrow. In the long tie, Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel retires 21 straight Tiger batters, 6 on strikeouts. In his last 3 relief appearances, Lindy has retired 30 batters in a row.
1972 - Chicago White Sox slugger Dick Allen becomes the 4th MLB player (Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, and Alex Johnson are the others) to hit one into the CF bleachers at Comiskey Park, when he connects off of Yankees P Lindy McDaniel. The 2-run HR in the 7th ices, the 5-2 win for the White Sox. In 1972, all the Chicago Wednesday season games are in the afternoon, and Harry Caray announces them while sitting in the CF bleachers. Allen's drive misses Caray by just a few rows.
1977 - Behind Mickey Rivers' 5-for-5 performance at the plate, Mike Torrez's 7th straight complete game contributing to an 8-3 whipping of the Chicago White Sox, the Yankees take over 1st place in the AL East. With the Boston Red Sox losing, the Yankees go ahead by a half game and will stay in 1st place in the AL East to the end of the regular AL season.
1996 - The New York Yankees obtained P Graeme Lloyd and former AL ROY INF Pat Listach from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for OF Gerald Williams and P Bob Wickman. Lloyd is put to work and provides late inning relief as the 1st-place Yankees beat the Oakland A's, by the score of 5-3. The Yankees will officially complain to the AL office that the Brewers sent damaged goods in the 2 players, but the Yankees complaint is ignored by the AL office. However, the Brewers will take back Pat Listach and send P Ricky Bones to the Yankees on the 29th. The Yankees will file a grievance over Lloyd's injury in September.
1997 - Former Yankees 1B John “Buddy” Hassett (1942) passed away. On February 20, 1936, Buddy Hassett was traded by the New York Yankees to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Buzz Boyle, Johnny McCarthy and $40,000. On December 16,1941, Buddy was sent by the Boston Braves to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 9,1941. The Braves sent players to be named later to the Yankees for players to be named later and OF Tommy Holmes. The Braves sent Buddy Hassett on December 16, 1941 and Gene Moore on February 5, 1942 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Buddy hit .284 in 132 games with 5 HRs with 48 RBIs for the 1942 Yankees. His last MLB appearances were in the 1942 World Series, where he went 3-for-9. His last hit was in the 9th inning of Game 2 off of Cardinals P Johnny Beazley. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. On May 1,1946, Buddy was released by the Yankees. After his playing days, he managed in the minors including for the Yankees organization from 1947 to 1950 for the Norfolk Tars, Binghamton Triplets, Newark Bears, and Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
1999 -The New York Yankees score 6 runs in the 1st inning on their way to a 21-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. 3B Scott Brosius (6) and C Joe Girardi (7) the 8th and 9th batters in the Yankees lineup drive in 13 of the Yankee runs. Jeter scores his 100th run of the 1999 AL season, the 1st Yankee to string together 4 straight seasons of 100+ runs since Mickey Mantle did it in 9-straight seasons (1953-61).
2003 - In front of full house at Yankee Stadium, Ron Guidry's Yankee uniform no. 49 is retired on the lefty's special day. "Louisiana Lightning”, who played his entire MLB career with the Yankees, while posting a 170-90 MLB career record, is surprised the club hasn't just honored him with a day, but have retired his jersey and place a plaque in Monument Park in his honor.
2003 - Former Yankees All Star OF Bobby Bonds (1975) passed away. Bobby Bonds played for the Yankees for in 1975, where he hit .270 with 32 HRs, stole 30 bases, and pulled 89 walks but nevertheless only scored 93 runs on a team that was otherwise weak. Bobby was named to the AL All Star team was a CF. He came to the Yankees in a trade for AL All Star OF Bobby Murcer, a trade that was not particularly popular with Giants and Yankee fans. On December 11,1975, Bobby Bonds was traded by the New York Yankees to the California Angels for P Ed Figueroa and OF Mickey Rivers.
2004 - Former Yankees P Hank Borowy (1942-1945) passed away. A graduate of Fordham University who was a dependable war time starter for the Yankees from 1942 to 1944, Hank was 15-4, 14-9 and 17-12 with an ERA under 3.00 all three years. In the 1943 World Series, he was a 6-2 winner over the St. Louis Cardinals in game 3. He had a record of 10-5 on July 27,1945, when he was surprisingly placed on waivers by the Yankees. The Chicago Cubs claimed Hank. He was then 11-2 over the final 2 months to play in what was then the team's last NL pennant. With his overall record of 21-7, Hank became only the 3rd pitcher in MLB history to win 20 games in a season divided between the two leagues. Rick Sutcliffe (1984) and Bartolo Colon (2002) have done it since.
August 24th
1904 - The Highlanders OF Willie Keeler collects 2 HR’s against the St. Louis Browns in a 9-1 win at New York. Both of his HR drives are inside the park shots.
1951 - Against Cleveland Indian's Early Wynn, Gene Woodling cracks his 3rd HR off the Tribe ace this season, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 2-0. Woodling went deep on Wynn on June 24th, July 24th, including today’s game. Rookie OF Mickey Mantle makes his 1st Yankee appearance since his recall from the Kansas City Blues (AAA).
1960 - Despite Roy Sievers 2-HRs and a double, the New York Yankees still beat the Chicago White Sox by a score of 3-2, dropping the White Sox to 1 1/2 games off the pace and into a 2nd place tie with the Baltimore Orioles. Yankees starter Art Ditmar is the winner over veteran lefty hurler Herb Score.
1964 - The New York Yankees win their 1st Mayor’s trophy game at Shea Stadium by the score of 6-4 before a crowd of 60,167 fans.
1966 - Former Yankees minor league P Dean Wilkins was born. The New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft drafted Dean. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 13,1987, Dean was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Rich Scheid and Bob Tewksbury to the Chicago Cubs for MLB hurler Steve Trout.
1968 - In a battle between two team’s pitching aces, the Yankees Mel Stottlemyre tops the Tigers ace Denny McLain by the score of 2-1.
1977 - Catfish Hunter notches his final victory of the 1977 AL season, an 11-1, 4-hit victory over the Twins. The Yankees batting line-up supports Hunter with HRs outages by Roy White, Mickey Rivers, Chris Chambliss and Bucky Dent.
1981 - In his 1st MLB at bat, Minnesota Twins rookie1B Kent Hrbek hits a 12th-inning HR giving them, a 3-2 victory over the Yankees.
1983 - Current Yankees LF Brett Gardner (2008-2011) was born. The New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 2005 MLB amateur player draft drafted Brett Brett. In 2009 Yankees spring training camp, Brett Gardner was competing for the starting job as the Yankees CF with Melky Cabrera. He ended up making the team and sharing playing time with Cabrera. In the spring, he had received the "Kevin Lawn Award" for being the Yankees' top minor league batter the previous season. In 2008, in 42 games, and 227 at bats, Brett Gardner posted 29 hits, including 2 triples, and 5 doubles for a .229 batting average. He also scored 18 runs, and was successful in 13 out of 14 stolen base attempts. He also played errorless defense in the outfield. In 2009, Brett hit .270 for the Yankees. In 2010, he won the LF regular job for the Yankees.
1985 - New York Yankees DH Don Baylor ties a MLB record, when he hit by a pitch for the 189th time in his MLB playing career.
1990 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mickey Witek (1949) passed away. Mickey Witek came up to the Majors in 1940 with the New York Giants. He had won the 1939 International League Award while playing for the Newark Bears (AAA). With the 1949 Yankees, he appeared in 2 games with 1 hit. He retired from baseball after 1950 minor league season split between the Kansas City Blues (Yankees AAA) and the Seattle Rainers in PCL.
August 25th
1889 - Former Yankees C/1B Les Nunamaker (1914-1917) was born. On May 13, 1914, Les Nunamaker was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox. He hit .261 in 369 games for the Yankees. On January 22,1918, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Nick Cullop, Joe Gedeon, Fritz Maisel, P Urban Shocker, and $15,000 to the St. Louis Browns for P Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt.
1902 - American League President Ban Johnson announces the AL's intention to have a New York team in 1903, with Clark Griffith as manager. The Baltimore Orioles franchise will be moved to New York City in 1903, becoming the New York Highlanders.
1906 - New York Yankees rookie hurler Slow Joe Doyle makes his MLB debut with a 2-0 shutout against the Cleveland Indians. Doyle would go 22-21 in 70 games for Yankees (1906-1910).
1913 - The New York Yankees obtained OF Frank Gilhooley from the St. Louis Cardinals for cash. He would play for the Yankees from 1913-1918, appearing in 250 games, hitting .277. On December 18,1918, Frank was traded by the Yankees along with P Ray Caldwell, P Slim Love, C Roxy Walters and $15,000 to Boston Red Sox for P Dutch Leonard, OF Duffy Lewis and P Ernie Shore.
1921 - With the Cleveland Indians waltzing to a 15-1 victory over the Yankees. Yankees hurler Harry Harper, pitching in the 8th inning, plunks Tribe OF Charles Jamieson in the ribs, Larry Gardner in the arm, and Steve O'Neill in the back. O'Neill throws the ball back at Harper precipitates a bench clearing brawl. Yankees OF Bob Meusel contributes 4 errors in the game. The Tribe takes over 1st place in the AL from the Yankees.
1922 - in the 1st of a doubleheader before a sold-out Polo Grounds, the St. Louis Browns beat the Yankees by the score of 3-1, behind starter Urban Shocker. Waite Hoyt is the loser for the Yankees, but he stops Ken Williams hit streak at 28 consecutive games. George Sisler hits in his 24th straight game. In game 2, the Yankees jump to a 2-0 lead on Babe Ruth's 2-run triple, and then extend it to 6-1 behind starter Joe Bush. The Browns close to 6-5, but that is it.
1928 - Former Yankees reserve C and MLB Manager Darrell Johnson (1957-1958) was born (1928-2004). Darrell Johnson came to the New York Yankees in the big 17-man trade with the Baltimore Orioles in the winter of 1954. He would be one of the back up catchers for Yogi Berra during the 1957-1958 AL seasons. On November 30,1959, Darrell was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Yankees organization in the 1959 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Darrell would make his only World Series appearance in 1961, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds playing against his former team, the Yankees. He would later move on to become a MLB Manager with the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.
1929 - After 3 straight shutouts by St. Louis Browns hurlers Gray, Blaeholder, and Crowder the Yankees break their 32-inning scoreless streak with a 4th-inning HR by Babe Ruth. The Browns still win the game by a score of 3-2.
1931 - At Chicago, the Yankees record their 1st shutout of the 1931 AL season, when Herb Pennock blanks the Chicago White Sox by the score of 6-0. Yankees OF Ben Chapman has a good day at the plate with a triple, single, 2-runs scored and his 50th and 51st stolen bases of the season. In addition, he beats the White Sox player Carl Reynolds in a pre-game 100-yard dash.
1935 - New York Yankees CF Earle Combs collides with 3B Red Rolfe on a fly ball and suffers a severe shoulder injury. It will contribute to his decision to retire at the end of the 1935 AL season. Earl Coombs was the 1st of the great Yankees centerfielders; Joe DiMaggio would replace him in 1936. Earl will become a Yankees MLB coach, teaching DiMaggio how to play centerfield at Yankee Stadium.
1939 - New York Yankees 3rd baseman Red Rolfe scores in his 18th consecutive game, giving him a total of 30 runs.
1939 - Former Yankees P Dooley Womack (1966-1968) was born. Before the 1958 AL Season, Dooley Womack was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Dooley went 15-16 in 152 games with 24 saves for the Yankees. On December 4,1968, he was traded by the Yankees to the Houston Astros for OF Richard Simpson.
1951 - Before 66,110 fans at Cleveland, Mickey Mantle belts an opposite field 2-run HR off of Tribe starter Mike Garcia to help the Yankees win the game by a score of 7-3. The Yankees now are 77-46 moves to a game in back of the Tribe.
1952 - In a 1-0 win over the Yankees in Yankee Stadium, Detroit Tigers starter Virgil Trucks pitches his 2nd no-hitter of the 1952 AL season. The no-hitter is in doubt for 3 innings when a play made by shortstop Johnny Pesky in the 3rd inning is under debate. The official scorer, John Drebinger, records it as an error when Pesky has trouble getting a ball hit by Phil Rizzuto out of his glove. Dan Daniel of The New York World Telegram convinces Drebinger that it cannot be ruled an error because the ball was stuck in the fielder's glove, and Rizzuto is awarded a hit. In the 6th inning, with Trucks not having given up another hit, Drebinger calls Pesky in the dugout from the press box, and the Shortstop says that he should be given the error rather than Rizzuto the hit. The call is changed again, and Trucks' no-hitter is preserved. Trucks' pitching record for the 1952 AL season is now at 5-15 mark.
1956 - Prior to the Old Timer's Game at Yankee Stadium, veteran Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto is asked to consult with Yankees GM George Weiss and Manager Casey Stengel concerning a player move necessitated by reacquiring veteran OF Enos Slaughter from the Kansas City A's. After making several suggestions about who should be cut from the squad, the veteran INF is told by GM Weiss, that he is the player about to be let go. Rizzutto would be the last Yankee player to play for Yankee managers Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel. Through the instigation of major sponsor for the Yankees, Ballantine Beer, Phil Rizzuto will be in the announcing booth next year, replacing veteran announcer Jim Woods. Phil turns down an offer from the Brooklyn Dodgers to play with them, because they want him to get into playing shape at their AAA farm team in Montreal (International League) before joining the team. Also Phil turns down an offer to manage the Washington Senators for the 1957 AL season.
1956 - The New York Yankees required veteran OF Enos “Country” Slaughter from the Kansas City A’s for cash. Enos second tour with the Yankees proved to be more successful than his 1st, before fading during the 1959 AL season, with Enos being sold to the Milwaukee Braves.
1959 - At Cleveland’s Muncipal Stadium, Indians slugger Rocky Colavito HRs twice as the Tribe tops the New York Yankees by a score of 6-3. The Indians have now won 7 straight to move 2 games behind the 1st-place Chicago White Sox.
1960 - Former Yankees INF and MLB 3B Coach Bobby Meacham (1983-1988) was born. On December 14, 1982, Bobby Meacham was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals along with OF Stan Javier to the Yankees for minor league players Bob Helsom, Marty Mason, and Steve Fincher. Bobby would hit .276 in 457 games with the Yankees. He led the AL in sac hits in 1984 (14) and 1985 ((23). On December 5,1988, Bobby was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for OF Bob Brower.
1966 - New York Yankees veteran All Star starter Whitey Ford (2-5) undergoes surgery for a circulatory problem in his left shoulder.
1968 - With the Detroit Tigers ahead by the score of 5-0 fail to score with 2 men on base in the 4th inning, when the Yankees bring in Rocky Colavito. The 35-year-old slugger retires Al Kaline and Willie Horton and tosses 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. In Rocky's only other pitching appearance in 1958, he also faced Al Kaline, and the victory by a non-pitcher will be the last in 20th century. Yankees Bill Robinson and Bobby Cox crash successive HRs to tie the score and, after a walk, Rocky comes around to score the winning run. In the 8th inning, Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel ties the AL record for consecutive batters retired by setting down the 1st Tiger he faces, giving him 32 straight batters retired over 4 appearances. The Yankees sweep the doubleheader, winning the 1st game by the score of 6-5 and then topping Tigers starter Mickey Lolich by the score of 5-4 in the nightcap. The four losses at Yankee Stadium, leaves the Detroit Tigers just 5 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles.
1976 - The New York Yankees edge the Minnesota Twins by the score of 5-4 in a 19-inning marathon. Grant Jackson is the winner for the Yankees over Twin’s Pete Redfern.
1977 - The Minnesota Twins blow a 4-2 lead over the New York Yankees, when Mickey Rivers hits a 2-run single in the 7th inning and Reggie Jackson drives home a run in the 8th inning.
1978 - With 4 amateur umps officiating, Ron Guidry posts his 18th win, beating the Oakland A's by the score of 7-1. Reggie Jackson's HR drives in his 1,001st MLB career RBI. The win keeps the Yankees 7 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox.
1984 - Former Yankees Hall Of Fame hurler Waite “School Boy” Hoyt (1921-1930) passed away (1899-1984). On December 15,1920, Waite Hoyt was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with P Harry Harper, INF Mike McNally and C Wally Schang to the New York Yankees for 2B Del Pratt, C Muddy Ruel, P Hank Thormahlen and OF Sammy Vick. Waite Hoyt would go 157-98, with a WP of .617 in 9 ½ seasons with the New York Yankees. He was on the only 20-game winner on the 1927 World Championship team, going 22-7. He posted a 6-4 record in World Series with ERA of 1.83. On May 30,1930, Waite Hoyt was traded by the New York Yankees along with INF Mark Koenig to the Detroit Tigers for P Ownie Carroll, OF Harry Rice and INF Yats Wuestling. After his MLB playing days were over, he became a long time broadcaster with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1969, Waite “Schoolboy” Hoyt was elected into Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1989 - Former Yankees INF Jim Brideweser (1951-1953) passed away (1927-1989). Before the 1950 AL Season, the New York Yankees signed Jim Brideweser as an MLB amateur free agent after attending USC. Jim hit .363 (16 for 44) in 51 games as Yankee before being claimed on waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on May 11,1954. Jim was a good utility infielder, but there was no room for him on the Yankees 25 man MLB roster. Jim would play for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers before finishing up in 1959 as MLB player.
1996 - The New York Yankees dedicate their 1st new monument in 47 years, to Hall Of Fame CF Mickey Mantle in Monument Park in center field at Yankee Stadium. Miller Huggins, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig are also honored with monuments, while 15 Yankee players are honored on plaques.
2001 - The New York Yankees defeat the California Angels by score of 7-5, as Roger Clemens becomes the 1st AL hurler to go 17-1 to begin an AL season. Yankees RF Paul O'Neill hits his 20th HR of the year, making him the oldest player in MLB history at age 38 to reach the 20 HR-20 SB mark in a season.
August 26th
1916 - The New York Yankees turn a big triple play during a 10-6 win over the St. Louis Browns. With a 3-run Yankee lead, the Browns load the bases in the 7th inning with no-outs only watch a line drive to 3rd base clear the bases.
1918 - Ban Johnson casts the deciding vote in a National Commission decision awarding the disputed services of P Jack Quinn to the New York Yankees for 1919 AL season over the claim of the Chicago White Sox, for whom Quinn was 5-1 this season. Quinn, who had pitched for the Yankees in 1913, he had jumped to the Federal League in 1914.
1922 - The New York Yankees take over 1st place in the AL by beating the St. Louis Browns by the score of 9-2, behind veteran starter Carl Mays. Rasty Wright is the loser for the Browns.
1935 - Lumbering 1B Zeke Bonura of the Chicago White Sox steals home with 2 outs in the 15th inning to beat the Yankees by score of 9-8.
1951 - In the 2nd game against the Yankees, veteran INF Bert Haas hits a pinch HR in the 6th Inning for the Chicago White Sox, in his last MLB at bat. The White Sox will release the 37-year old veteran tomorrow. The Yankees win the game by a score of 8-6, to remain a game behind the Indians. The White Sox take the opener by the score of 3-2, behind starter Saul Rogovin.
1956 - The Yankees announced the purchase of veteran OF Enos Slaughter from the Kansas City A’s for cash ($50,000). To make room for Enos Slaughter on the MLB 25 man roster, the Yankees released longtime AL All Star shortstop Phil Rizzuto.
1957 - Yankee-killer Tigers starter Frank Lary stops the Bombers as Detroit wins by a score of 5-2. The Yankees lead over the White Sox is now 3 ½ games. The Yankees will go into Chicago, where they will sweep the White Sox in a 3 game series.
1959 - The Cleveland Indians stretch their winning streak to 8 games when Rocky Colavito snaps a 4-4 tie with an 8th inning HR. Jim Perry, in relief of Tribe starter Gary Bell picks up the win, a 5-4 victory, over the Yankees.
1960 - The Yankees smash 5-solo HRs and 4-pinch hits, the latter tying an AL record, to top the Cleveland Indians by a score of 7-6. Yogi Berra’s 2nd HR gives the Yankees the win in the 11th inning. In the 2nd game, the Yankees win by a score of 7-5 with Bob Cerv's 3-run HR is the big blast that wins the game.
1961 - Yankees All Star RF Roger Maris belts HR #51, off of Kansas City A's hurler Jerry Walker. Roger's HR in the 6th inning follows, a Tony Kubek HR blast. Yankees starter Bill Stafford allows just one-hit, till the 9th inning as the Yankees win the game by the score of 5-1.
1962 - Veteran NL All Star starter Robin Roberts, discarded by the Yankees at the end of 1962 spring training camp beats Whitey Ford by a score of 2-1 on HRs by Brooks Robinson and Jim Gentile to complete a 5-game Baltimore Orioles sweep of the sagging Yankees. The Minnesota Twins and LA Angels are now 3 games behind the New York Yankees.
1966 - Tiger's Earl Wilson, winner of 6 straight games, hits an 8th inning HR to give himself a 5-3 lead over the Yankees. But the Yankees, batting against reliever Hank Aguirre in the 9th inning, tally 1-run on a Clete Boyer single, and win it, by a score of 6-5, when Mickey Mantle clouts a pinch HR over a leaping Al Kaline in RF. The win still leaves the Yankees (57-72) in last place in AL.
1972 - Former Yankees P Danny MacFayden (1933-1934) passed away. On June 5, 1932, Dan MacFayden was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees for Pitchers Ivy Andrews, Hank Johnson and $50,000. Dan went 7-5 in 47 games for the Yankees. On November 22,1934, Dan was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds from the Yankees.
1975 - Former Yankees reserve INF Morgan Ensberg (2008) was born. Morgan Ensberg appeared in 28 games for the 2008 Yankees hitting just .203 before being released by the team.
1977 - The Yankees win their 12th game in 13 games, when Graig Nettles triples home 2 runs in the 9th inning to give the Bombers, a 6-5 win over the Texas Rangers. With the Boston Red Sox losing, the Yankees move in front of the AL East by 2 games.
1985 - Former Yankees PH Richard Wakefield (1950) passed away (1921-1985). On December 17,1949, he was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees for 1B Richard Kryhoski. He appeared in only 3 games for the Yankees. Before the 1952 AL Season, the Yankees released him.
1987 - The New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds exchange starting pitchers, with Dennis Rasmussen going to Cincinnati for Bill Gullickson. Bill went 4-2 in 8 games for the Yankees, before leaving as a MLB free agent to play in Japan.
1991 - Number 1 draft pick Brien Taylor is signed to a guaranteed $1.55 million contract by the New York Yankees. It is the largest deal ever given to an amateur player, surpassing the $1.2 million paid to Todd Van Poppel by Oakland A’s in 1990. He will injured his pitching shoulder in a off-season bar fight and never recover from it, costing him his chance for MLB career with the Yankees.
1997 - The New York Yankees pound out 22 hits in an 18-2 win over the Oakland A’s. Joe Girardi and Rey Sanchez lead the way for the Yankees with 4 hits apiece.
2002 - The 1st video streaming coverage of a MLB game takes place on the Internet. Approximately 30,000 fans visit MLB.com to see the New York Yankees defeat the Texas Rangers, by the score of 10-3. With a solo shot in 4th inning in 10-3 victory over the Rangers, Yankees 2B Alfonso Soriano sets a team record for HRs by a 2B. The previous club mark of 30 HR’s was established in 1940 by 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon.
August 27th
1875 - Former Yankees OF Ed Hahn (1905-1906) was born. On August 20, 1905, Ed Hahn was purchased by the Highlanders from New Orleans (Southern Association). Ed hit .291 in 54 games for the New York Yankees. On May 10,1906, Ed was purchased by the Chicago White Sox from the Highlanders.
1883 - Former Yankees 3B William “Baldy” Louden (1907) was born. On August 4, 1907, Bill Louden was purchased by the New York Highlanders from Dallas (Texas) for $1,500. Bill appeared in 4 games hitting just .111.
1909 - 35-year old veteran P Jack Chesbro (0-4, 9 games) makes his final appearance in a Yankees uniform and is ineffective in relief of starter Peter Wilson during the Yankees 17-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The Yankees would put him on waivers in September of 1909 to be claimed by the Boston Red Sox. His 1903 season record of 41 wins is still a MLB record and the Yankees club record for most victories by pitchers.
1910 - In the 1st of 2 games, New York Highlanders hurler Jack Warhop swipes home in 6th inning. His run is the difference as the Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox by a score of 4-3.
1922 - The New York Yankees increase their lead by beating the St. Louis Browns by a score of 2-1, in 11 innings on Bob Meusel's sac fly. Hank Severeid's HR is the only score for the Browns. An apparent 2-run double off the LF wall by Eddie Foster in the 10th inning is ruled foul by Umpire Moriarty. The Yankees take the 4 game series with the Browns, 3 games to 1.
1926 - Veteran AL hurler Dutch Ruether is picked up from Washington Senators by the New York Yankees. He went 13-7 on the 1927 World Championship team and then he retired from MLB.
1935 - The New York Yankees out-slug the Chicago White Sox in a 13-10 victory in the 1st game of doubleheader. In the 2nd game, Lou Gehrig ties an AL record with 5 walks, as the Yankees lose to the White Sox by a score of 4-3.
1938 - In the 1st game of a twin bill at Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio hits 3 consecutive triples. His offensive outburst helps the Bronx Bombers edge the Cleveland Indians by the score of 8-7. In the 2nd game, Monte Pearson becomes the 1st pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Yankee Stadium. Facing only 27 batters, thanks to 2 double plays, he beats his former team, the Indians by the score of 13-0 for his 10th consecutive victory. The Yankees playing their sixth successive doubleheader increase their AL lead to 12 games.
1946 - Former Yankees reserve C/DH Ed Herman (1975) was born. On April 1, 1975, Ed Herman was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Yankees for minor league players Fred Anyzeski, John Narron, Ken Bennett, Terry Quinn, and cash. Ed hit .255 in 80 games as a back-up catcher and DH for the Yankees in 1975. On February 20,1976, Ed was purchased by the California Angels from the Yankees.
1947 - Former Yankees P Jim York (1976) was born. On January 8, 1976, Jim York was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Houston Astros. Jim went 1-0 in 3 appearances with the Yankees, before being released by the team in August of 1976.
1950 - New York Yankees veteran All Start starter Allie “Super Chief” Reynolds hurls a two-hitter in a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.
1977 - Texas Ranger batters Toby Harrah and Bump Wills hit back-to-back inside-the-park HRs on consecutive pitches off of Yankees hurler Ken Clay, highlighting an 8-2 win over the Yankees, only the 2nd loss for the Yankees in 14 games. It ties the MLB mark and it is the 1st time since 1946 that 2 batters have connected consecutively on in-the-park HRs.
1978 - The “Miracle of Catfish Hunter” continues as the veteran New York Yankees starter downs his former team the Oakland A’s by the score of 6-2, He finishes the month of August 1978 with a 6-0 record with a 1.64 ERA. The win helps keep the Yankees stay at 7 ½ games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
1984 - Dave Kingman hits a double and HR to help the Oakland A’s score 6-runs in the 7th inning, but that's all the A's score in losing to the Yankees by the score of 7-6. Yankees Bobby Meacham has 2 HRs, including the game winner in the 8th inning, to back Yankees closer Dave Righetti's relief win. Oakland reliever Bill Caudill takes the loss for the A’s.
1985 - Former Yankees P/OF Johnny Lindell (1941-1950) passed away (1916-1985). Before the 1936 AL Season, the New York Yankees signed Johnny as an MLB amateur free agent. John pitched for the Yankees in 1942, going 2-1 in 23 games. He was converted to an outfielder in 1943. He was selected for the 1943 AL All Star team, but he did not play. His best Yankees season was in 1944, when he hit .300. John appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees hitting .324 in 12 games. On May 15,1950, Johnny was purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Yankees. He would later play for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies in the NL, before retiring from MLB in 1954.
1997 - The Oakland A’s defeats the New York Yankees by the score of 8-7, as the A’s DH Dave Magadan leads the way with 5 hits, including a HR.
