This Week in Yankees History
August 7th - 13th
August 7th
1886 - Former Yankees INF and HOF MLB Manager James “Bill” McKechnie (1913) was born. Bill hit only .134 for the New York Yankees in 1913. He would have a long successful career as a MLB Manager (Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Braves and the Cincinnati Reds) in the NL appearing in 4 World Series (1925,1928 and 1939-1940). Bill faced his old team the Yankees in the 1928 and 1939 World Series. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1962.
1915 - Another Hall of Famer player takes a turn on the mound, as George Sisler pitches to 2 Yankees in the 6th inning, hitting one and walking the other. The Browns-Yankees game is called at the end of 10 innings with the score tied at 4-4.
1929 - Former Yankees P Don Larsen (1955-1956) was born. Don Larsen went 45-24 in 121 games with New York from 1955-1959 after coming to the Yankees in the big 17-player trade with the Baltimore Orioles in the winter of 1954. His greatest moment as a Yankees pitcher was his Perfect Game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 World Series. After the 1959 AL season, Don was traded to the Kansas City A’s along with OF Hank Bauer, 1B/OF Marv Throneberry and OF Norm Siebern for the A’s OF Roger Maris, INF Joe DeMasteri and 1B Kent Hadley. Don would appear in one more World Series in 1962, as a member of the San Francisco Giants, working out of their bullpen against his former Yankee teammates.
1929 - For the 2nd game in a row, Babe Ruth hits a grand slam HR as the Yankees roll to a 13-1 win over the Philadelphia A's in the opener. Mickey Cochrane’s HR in his one at bat for the A's only run as the Yankees score 10 runs in the 1st two innings. George Pipgras is the winner for the Yankees. The A's take the nightcap by a score of 4 -2, as starter George Earnshaw goes 8 innings for the victory.
1938 - New York Yankees starter Red Ruffing’s no-hit bid ends in the 9th inning, when Cleveland Indians OF Roy Weathery doubles with one-out, but the Yankees still win the game by a score of 7-0.
1943 - Former Yankees P Jim Hardin (1971) was born (1943-1991). On May 28, 1971, Jim Hardin was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Yankees for P Bill Burbach. Jim was still recovering from arm injuries, when he joined the Yankees in 1971. He never was an effective pitcher for the Yankees, like he was with the Orioles during the mid 1960’s. Jim went 0-2 in 12 games for the Yankees in 1971. On April 3,1972, Jim was released by the Yankees. He would sign with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent, finishing his MLB career with them.
1945 - Former Yankees OF Bobby Veach (1925) passed away. On May 5,1925, Bobby Veach was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with P Alex Ferguson to the Yankees for P Ray Francis and $9,000. He appeared in 56 games, hitting .353 for the Yankees. On August 17,1925, Bobby was selected off waivers by the Washington Senators from the Yankees.
1948 - Before a crowd of 66,000 fans, New York Yankees starter Vic Raschi (14-4) allows 4 singles while stopping the Cleveland Indians by a score of 5-0. Joe DiMaggio has a pair of doubles, drives in 3-runs, and swipes home on the front end of a double steal.
1949 - Lineup juggling is a Casey Stengel manager’s forte as his New York Yankees suffer injury after injury. Against the St. Louis Browns, 13 different Yankees score a run in the 1st game of a doubleheader, which Yankees win by a score of 20-2 the 2nd game ends in 2-2 tie.
1954 - New York Yankees waived veteran P Bob Kuzava (1951-1954) to the Baltimore Orioles. Bob went 23-20 in 88 games with 13 saves for the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1951, going 8-4 with 5 saves. He appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees with 2 saves.
1954 - Former Yankees DH/OF Steve Kemp (1983-1984) was born. In the winter of1982, Steve Kemp was signed as a MLB free agent. He hit .266 in 203 games for the Yankees. On December 20,1984, Steve was traded by the New York Yankees along with INF Tim Foli and cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates for INF Dale Berra, P Alfonso Pulido, and minor league OF Jay Buhner.
1955 - After a 12-17 record in July, the Yankees are in a 4-team race. Detroit Tiger’s starter Frank Lary beats the Yankees by a score of 4-2 in game 1, and the Yankees then earn a critical 3-2 10th-inning win on a Mickey Mantle HR off of pitcher Babe Birrer in the 2nd game.
1956 - The Boston Red Sox fine Ted Williams $5,000 for spitting at Boston fans, as the Red Sox edge the Yankees in 11 innings on Williams's bases-loaded walk. It is Williams's 3rd spitting incident in 3 weeks. The spitting started after the crowd of 36,350, a record for night games at Fenway Park, started booing the Splendid Splinter for muffing Mickey Mantle's windblown fly in the 11th inning. Immediately thereafter, the jeers turn to cheers when Williams redeems himself with a leaping grab of Yogi Berra's drive against the Fenway Park scoreboard. The Splinter, however, is not so easily appeased. Thus, the fickle Fenway patrons find themselves the target of Teddy's spittle repeatedly as he makes his way towards the Red Sox dugout. Before the game, former Yankee, now a Red Sox RF Jackie Jensen had to be restrained by teammates from going into the stands after a heckler. The previous year Jackie Jensen had challenged a fan to come out of the stands.
1957 - Outfielder Hank Bauer of the Yankees hits his 2nd consecutive leadoff HR against the Washington Senators, as the 1st-place Yankees lose to the Nats by a score of 3-2.
1962 - Veteran New York Yankees Shortstop Tony Kubek, in his 1st at bat after returning from active duty in the US Army Reserves, homers in a 14-1 Yankees win over the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium.
1964 - Baltimore Orioles pitchers Steve Barber and Harvey Haddix beat the Yankees by a score of 2-0 to boost the Orioles back into 1st place in the AL.
1967 - Former Yankees P Jason Grimsley (1999-2000) was born. In 1999, the Yankees signed Jason Grimsley as a MLB free agent. He went 10-4 in 118 games with 2 saves before being released by the Yankees.
1968 - The Oakland A's Joe Keough makes his MLB debut with a 1st-at bat, HR in a 2nd-game 4-3 win over the Yankees. The Yankees win the opener by a score of 3-0.
1972 - Ron Allen hits 3-HRs as the Yankees beat the Dodgers 8-3 in the annual Hall of Fame game at Doubleday field in Cooperstown, NY. The contest is preceded by inductions of 8 new Hall Of Fame members.
1973 - The New York Yankees obtained P Wayne Granger from the St. Louis Cardinals for future considerations and cash. The Yankees will send minor league P Ken Crosby to the Cardinals to complete the deal. Wayne would go 0-1 in 7 games for the 1973 Yankees.
1977 - New York starter Mike Torrez snaps a 3-game Yankees losing streak with his 3rd straight victory. The Yankees will win 20 of their next 23 games over Western Division AL opponents.
1983 - The New York Yankees honor longtime AL All Star OF Bobby Murcer by giving him a day at the Yankee Stadium.
1984 - The White Sox and Yankees split a doubleheader with Chicago’s 6-3 victory in Game 1 stopping New York's 8-game winning streak. Former Yankees minor league hurler LaMarr Hoyt is the winner for the White Sox. Ron Guidry strikes out 13 to win the nightcap by a score of 7-0. The Gator finishes with a flourish, striking out the side on 9 pitches in the 9th inning.
1998 - New York Yankees Rookie OF Shane Spencer gets 5 hits, including 2 doubles and 2 HRs, while driving home 3 runs and scoring 4 in the Yankees 14-2 pasting of Kansas City Royals, in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. The Yankees also took the 1st contest by a score of 8-2.
2000 - The New York Yankees obtained veteran OF/DH Jose Canseco from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The move, which mystifies even Yankees Manager Joe Torre, is presumably designed to keep the high priced slugger away from other AL East rivals.
2003 - Former Yankees P Mickey McDermott (1956) passed away (1923-2003). Mickey McDermott came to the New York Yankees in a mid season trade with the Washington Senators in 1956. He went 2-6 in 23 games for the 1956 Yankees. He was sent to the Kansas City A’s in February of 1957 as part of the Bobby Shantz trade.
2009 - The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are locked in a scoreless tie for 14 innings until Yankees All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez hits a game-winning HR in the 15th off of Red Sox reliever Junichi Tazawa, making his MLB debut, for a 2-0 Yankees win. Tazawa took the place of veteran John Smoltz, who was designated for assignment earlier in the day after being roughed up in yesterday's 13-6 slugfest by the Yankees. Former Florida Marlin teammates Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett set the tone for the game by pitching 7 and 7⅔ scoreless innings respectively.
August 8th
1897 - Former Yankees P Ken Holloway (1930) was born. Ken Holloway went 0-0 in 16 games with the Yankees in 1930.
1904 - In Cleveland‚ with the Naps ahead of New York Highlanders by the score of 7-1 in the 4th inning‚ Dave Fultz and manager Clark Griffith argue a strike call with AL umpire Silk O'Loughlin. When they refuse to go the Highlander’s bench‚ Silk orders a policeman to escort them off the playing field. Tomorrow‚ Silk will throw out pitcher Jack Powell and have the police escort Jimmy Williams off the field. Griffith and Williams will receive suspensions from the American League. Highlander owner Frank Farrell vows Umpire O'Loughlin will not be allowed to enter Hilltop Park again.
1913 - The New York Yankees obtained 3B Fritz Maisel (1913-1917) from Baltimore Orioles (International League) for 3B Ezra Midkiff and OF Bert Daniels.
1918 - Former Yankees P Marlin Stuart (1954) was born. On July 4, 1954, Marlin Stuart was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Baltimore Orioles. He posted a 3-0 record in 10 games for the 1954 Yankees.
1920 - The New York Yankees lose shortest game in AL history, 1-0 in just 1 hour and 13 minutes to Detroit Tigers behind starter Howard Ehmke. Yankees CF Ping Bodie added to embarrassment by falling for the hidden ball trick, when Yankees had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs in 5th inning.
1924 - New York slugger Babe Ruth has a pair of homers - his 37th and 38th of the 1924 AL season - plus a triple and 2 walks‚ but it is not enough as the Yankees fall to Cleveland Indians by the score of 10-8. Joe Bush and Bob Shawkey do the bleeding. George Myatt's two-run homer is the difference in the 3-run 9th inning. Also Myatt has a single and double in the game.
1936 - Former Yankees MLB Coach and Minor League Manager Frank Howard was born. Frank Howard briefly managed in the New York Yankees farm system during the 2002 season at Columbus (AAA).
1940 - At Fenway Park‚ 27-year-old Tiny Bonham makes his MLB debut for the New York Yankees and loses the game by the score of 4-1‚ to Boston’s Fritz Ostermueller. Bonham‚ brought up to replace the sore-armed Lefty Gomez‚ will still end the 1940 AL season at 9-3‚ complete 10 games‚ and toss three shutouts. His ERA will be 1.90 but Cleveland Indians starter Bob Feller will lead the American League at 2.61, although some will consider Bonham the title holder.
1948 - In Cleveland‚ 73‚484 fans watch the Indians and Yankees square off for 2 games. Trailing in the opener‚ an ailing Lou Boudreau hits a bases-loaded pinch single in the 7th inning to tie the game‚ and Satchel Paige wins it in relief‚ 8-6. Indians starter Steve Gromek goes 7 innings in the nightcap to give the Indians a 2-1 win over Yankees rookie starter Bob Porterfield‚ making his MLB debut.
1952 - Former Yankees minor league player and MLB baseball executive Doug Melvin was born. Doug Melvin pitched in the minor leagues for 6 seasons, going 29-19 with a 3.43 ERA. He spent 1972-1973 in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. He missed the 1974 season due to injury. Then Doug played in the New York Yankees organization from 1975-1978. Melvin worked with the Yankees as a Baseball Operations Assistant from 1983-1984. Also as the Yankees Director of Scouting in 1985. In 1987, he moved to the Baltimore Orioles as the Special Assistant to former GM Roland Hemond before being named the Orioles Assistant GM and Director of Player Personnel, which he held from 1988-1993. Melvin was then GM of the Texas Rangers from 1994-2001. He worked as a consultant in the Boston Red Sox Minor League Operations department before being hired by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002. Melvin has been GM of the Milwaukee Brewers since 2002.
1953 - New York Yankees southpaws Whitey Ford and Bob Kuzava hurl 1-0 and 3-0 shutouts against the Chicago White Sox. Bob Kuzava gives up only Bob Boyd's double in the 9th inning. for one-hitter.
1954 - The New York Yankees spot the host Detroit Tigers a 4-run lead‚ tie it up‚ then watch as Detroit wins it 10-8 in 10 innings. Mickey Mantle has 1 homer‚ off of Tiger hurler Billy Hoeft‚ and just misses on a titanic opposite field drive that curves foul before leaving the stadium.
1956 - Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle's opposite field homer off of Washington Senators hurler Camilo Pascual in the first inning of the game, jump starts the Yankees to a 12-2 win over the Senators. Mantle is now 9 games ahead of Babe Ruth's 1927 homerun pace.
1957 - Former Yankees P Ray Fontenot (1983-1984) was born. On October 8, 1979, Ray Fontenot was sent by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on August 1,1979. The Rangers sent players to be named later, OF Oscar Gamble, and OF Amos Lewis (minors) to the New York Yankees for players to be named later and OF Mickey Rivers. The Rangers sent hurlers Ray Fontenot and Gene Nelson on October 8, 1979 to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees sent 3 players on October 8,1979, who were minor league players: Pitchers Bob Polinsky, Neal Mersch and Mark Softy to complete the trade. Ray went 16-11 in 50 games for the Yankees during the 1983-1984 AL seasons. On December 4,1984, Ray was traded by the Yankees along with OF Brian Dayett to the Chicago Cubs for P Porfi Altamirano, P Rich Bordi, OF Henry Cotto, and C Ron Hassey.
1967 - The New York Yankees purchased C Bob Tillman (1967) from the Boston Red Sox for cash. He will hit .254 for the season for the Yankees, before he was traded to the Atlanta Braves after the 1967 AL season for 3B Bobby Cox.
1970 - The New York Yankees honor former Hall Of Fame Manager Casey Stengel at Old-Timers Day in Yankee Stadium. Casey Stengel's Yankees uniform number 37 is retired, then the Baltimore Orioles beat the Yankees by a score of 4-2. Casey told the Yankees that he didn’t want the number retired; he wanted another younger Yankees player to wear the number 37.
1972 - The New York Yankees signed a 30-year lease to play in city owned Yankee Stadium to commence in 1976. The plans called for 24 million dollar remodeling for 2 years. The actual cost ends up being close to 55 million dollars. The Yankees will play at Shea Stadium during the remodeling of Yankee Stadium.
1973 - Against the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees starter Fritz Peterson injures himself fielding a bunt single hit by leadoff hitter Dave Nelson. He is replaced by reliever Fred Beene. Beene pitches 9 innings‚ allowing only 4 hits and winning by the score of 3-2 on Gene Michael's 2-out single in the 9th inning off Rangers starter Jim Merritt.
1982 - Former Yankees P Ross Ohlendorf (2007-2008) was born. On January 9, 2007, Ross was traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks along with P Steven Jackson (minors), INF Alberto Gonzalez, and P Luis Vizcaino to the Yankees for All Star starter Randy Johnson and cash. Ross went 1-1 in 31 games for the Yankees. On July 26, 2008, Ross Ohlendorf was traded along with minor league OF prospect Jose Tabata and P Jeff Karstens were dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for OF Xavier Nady and P Damaso Marte. Ross had played college baseball at Princeton University under former New York Yankees catcher Scott Bradley.
1995 - New York Yankees' DH Ruben Sierra drives home 7 runs to lead the Yankees to an 11 - 4 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Sierra's 3 hits include a single‚ double and home run.
1996 - Darryl Strawberry launches a pair of homers to lead the New York Yankees to an 8-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. Strawberry now has 5 homers in his last 9 at bats.
2005 - Former Yankees minor league player, MLB player and manager Gene Mauch passed away. Gene Mauch was an infielder originally signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers during the mid-1940’s. On November 19,1951, Gene was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Boston Braves organization in the 1951 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Gene never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On March 26,1952, Gene was selected off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Yankees. Gene was MLB manager for the Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins and the California Angels during his MLB manager career. He was the brother-in-law of former MLB player Roy Smalley Jr. and Uncle of former Yankees shortstop Roy Smalley III.
2009 - Former Yankees minor league manager and MLB Manager Cal Ermer passed away. Cal Ermer managed in the New York Yankees minor league system for one season. He managed the Richmond Virginians in 1961, finishing with a 71-83 record for 6th place in the International League. In 1962, he moved to the Minnesota Twins organization. He managed the Twins in 1967-1968, before returning to manage again in their minor league system.
August 9th
1894 - Former Yankees reserve INF John Mitchell (1921-1923) was born. In September of 1920, John Mitchell was traded by Vernon (PCL) to the New York Yankees for Howie Camp and additional compensation. John appeared in 17 games for the Yankees as a reserve infielder hitting .234. On July 23,1922, John was traded by the New York Yankees along with outfielders Chick Fewster, Elmer Miller, P Lefty O'Doul and $50,000 to the Boston Red Sox for 3B Joe Dugan and OF Elmer Smith.
1919 - Former Yankees Player (1947-1954), MLB Coach, Manager (1961-1963,1966-1973) General Manager (1964-1966), Ralph “The Major” Houk was born (1919-2010). The New York Yankees signed Ralph Houk as an MLB amateur free agent in 1939. He was a Yankees reserve catcher (1947-1954), appearing in 91 games while hitting 272. He became a Yankee MLB bullpen coach in 1955, before going to Denver Bears (AAA) to manage in the Yankees farm system. He returned to the Yankees to coach under Casey Stengel in 1958. He replaced Stengel as Yankees manager in 1961, winning three AL Flags from 1961-1963 and winning 2 World Championships (1961-1962). In 1964, he became the Yankees GM with Yogi Berra taking over as Yankees Manager. Ralph Houk fired Yogi Berra after the 1964 World Series loss to the Cardinals replacing him with ex-St. Louis Cardinals Manager Johnny Keane. He replaced Johnny Keane in 1966, staying with the team in end of the 1973 AL season, resigning because of problems with new Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner. Ralph had been with the Yankees organization for over 30 years. He would later manage the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers before retiring from MLB baseball. Ralph was called “The Major” from his WWII combat experience during the Battle of Bulge, in which he was awarded The Bronze Star and a field promotion to the rank of Major. Ralph Houk passed away on July 21, 2010.
1919 - Former Yankees P Fred Sanford (1949-1951) was born (1919-2011). On December 13,1948, Fred Stanford was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with C Roy Partee to the New York Yankees for C Sherm Lollar, P Red Embree, INF Richard Starr, and $100,000. Fred went 12-10 in 46 games with the Yankees (1949-1950). A lot was expected from the Utah native in the Bronx by the NYC sports media and Yankee fans were soon all over him when it was apparent he wasn't going to succeed. He did have winning records of 7-3 and 5-4 in his 2 full seasons with the Yankees, but he wasn't used in either the 1949 or the 1950 World Series by Yankees Manager Casey Stengel. New York Daily News writer Joe Trimble dubbed him the "$100,000 Lemon." Sanford, who called the 2 seasons with the World Champions "the worst two years of my life," On June 15,1951, he was traded by the Yankees along with hurlers Tom Ferrick and Bob Porterfield to the Washington Senators for MLB veteran P Bob Kuzava. Fred Sanford passed away on March 15, 2011.
1925 - New York Yankees reserve OF Bobby Veach pinch-hits for slugger Babe Ruth. This was only time in Babe Ruth’s career that a Yankee battled in his place. He flied out, the Yankees lose the game by the score of 4-3 in 12 innings.
1934 - Former Yankees P Elia Grba (1959-1960) was born. In 1952, Elia Grba was signed by Boston Red Sox. On March 14,1957, he was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with OF Gordie Windhorn to the New York Yankees for OF Bill Renna. Grba went 8-9 in 53 games for the Yankees (1959-1960) before being drafted by expansion LA Angels in December of 1960. He would later work in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system as a pitching instructor.
1939 - New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe begins an 18-game scoring streak. The Penacook, New Hampshire native will score 30 runs during this period of time.
1940 - Steve Sundra posts his 1st win of the year for the New York Yankees. The Yankees, at 51-51, seem certain to be out of the running for their 5th straight AL Championship. However, they will go 37-15 the rest of the way and actually make the top for a few hours on September 11th. The Yankees will ultimately finish 3rd place, losing 3 straight games to the St. Louis Browns on September 15-16th.
1941 - Former Yankees reliever Paul Linblad (1978) was born. Paul was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Texas Rangers on August 1,1978. Paul appeared in 7 games for the Yankees with no record with an ERA of 4.42. He was released to the Seattle Mariners after the 1978 AL season.
1944- The St. Louis Browns win their 9th straight game for the 2nd time this season in a 3-2 win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. They lead AL by 6 1/2 games. St Louis's other team, the Cardinals, after winning 26 in July, now leads the NL by 16 1/2 games. They will both meet in the 1944 World Series.
1946 - Former Yankees reserve C/DH Jerry Moses (1973) was born. Jerry Moses came to the New York Yankees in the Graig Nettles trade from the Cleveland Indians. He hit .254 in 59 games for the 1973 Yankees.
1948 - The New York Yankees waived P Karl Drews (1946-1948) to the St. Louis Browns. Karl went 8-9 in 53 games with the Yankees.
1949 - Boston’s Dom DiMaggio's 34-game hitting streak is on the line against New York Yankees starter Vic Raschi. Hitless in his 1st four at bats, Dom hits a sinking line drive in the 8th inning that his brother Joe catches at his shoe tops. The Boston Red Sox win the game by a score of 6-3 to move 5 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees. Dom had started his streak after going hitless against Yankees starter Vic Raschi.
1967 - Former Yankees OF Deion “Neon” Sanders (1989-1990) was born. Deion Sanders was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 1988 MLB amateur player draft. Deion hit .196 in 71 games before being released by the Yankees, on September 24,1990. He would sign with the Atlanta Braves.
1975 - Former Yankees INF Mike Lamb (2004) was born. On February 5, 2004, Mike was traded by the Texas Rangers to the Yankees for P Jose Garcia. After the Yankees acquired All Star shortstop Alex Rodriquez from Texas Rangers, Mike became expendable, when the Yankees announced that A-Rod would become the Yankees regular 3B. On March 25, 2004, Mike was traded by the Yankees to the Houston Astros for minor league player Juan DeLeon. In July of 2011, Mike signed a minor league contract with the Yankees. He is currently playing at Scranton.
1978 - The New York Yankees rallied for 5 runs in the 9th inning to beat the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 8-7 at Yankee Stadium.
1985 - In a 15-4 Detroit Tigers mauling of the New York Yankees, Catcher Rick Cerone takes the mound. Again, he walks 1 batter and allows no runs, the 2nd time in 3 weeks he's caught and pitched in the same game.
1986 - Former Yankees MLB scout Tom Greenwade passed away (1904-1986). Tom Greenwade was a noted MLB baseball scout for 50 years. He signed Mickey Mantle and Elston Howard for the New York Yankees. Later he signed Bobby Murcer, who replaced Mantle in the outfield. He also scouted the Negro Leagues, he gave the scouting report to Brooklyn Dodgers baseball executive Branch Rickey that convinced Rickey that Jackie Robinson was his man. Greenwade started out as a minor league pitcher for the 1923 Fort Smith Twins. He managed in the minors for the St. Louis Browns, winning the Northeast Arkansas League pennant with the 1940 Paragould Browns before Bill DeWitt made him a MLB scout. He then moved to the Brooklyn Dodgers and followed Larry MacPhail to the New York Yankees after WWII.
1991 - Former Yankees reserve INF Hank Majeski (1946) passed away. On May 25, 1941, Hank Majeski was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Boston Braves. Hank only appeared in 8 games with the Yankees during the 1946 AL season, just hitting .083. On June 14,1946, Hank was purchased by the Philadelphia A’s from the Yankees.
1992 - New York Yankees rookie starter Sam Militello allows just 1-hit in 7 innings as he defeats the Boston Red Sox by the score of 6-0, in his MLB pitching debut. Sam was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 6th round of the 1990 MLB amateur player draft. His MLB pitching career record would be 4-4 in 12 games (1991-1992) for the Yankees.
1996 - The Detroit Tigers defeat the New York by a score of 5-3, as DH Ruben Sierra, who was traded 9 days ago from the Yankees, drives home all 5 Tiger runs with a double and 3-run HR.
1997 - The New York Yankees beat Minnesota Twins starter Brad Radke by the score of 4-1, stopping Radke's 12-game winning streak. Yankees reserve INF Luis Sojo snaps the 1-1 tie in the 8th inning with a 2-run HR. Since 1950, only 3 pitchers have won 12 straight games.
1999 - For the 1st time in MLB history, 5 grand slams HRs are hit in a single day. St. Louis Cardinals Fernando Tatis, Montreal Expos Jose Vidro, Florida Marlins Mike Lowell, New York Yankees Bernie Williams (against the Oakland A’s) and Seattle Mariners Jay Buhner, all connect to set the MLB record.
2001 - New York Yankees hurler Ted Lilly is suspended for 6 games for hitting Anaheim's Scott Spiezio in the head with a pitch in a game last Sunday. New York Yankees manager Joe Torre rips into baseball's Dean of Discipline, Frank Robinson for the decision. The AL umpires did not throw Ted Lilly out of the game, when the incident occurred.
2009 - The New York Yankees complete a 4-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with a 5-2 victory at New Yankee Stadium. Jon Lester and Andy Pettitte keep the game scoreless for six innings until Alex Rodriguez leads off the bottom of the 7th inning with a HR. Victor Martinez gives Boston the lead with a 2-run HR shot off Yankees reliever Phil Coke in the 8th inning, breaking a 31-inning scoring drought. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira hit back-to-back long balls against Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard to put the Yankees ahead, and Nick Swisher hits a two-run single to seal the deal.
August 10th
1904 - New York Yankees starter Jack Chesbro is knocked out by the Chicago White Sox after pitching 30 complete games in a row. For the 1904 AL season, he will win 41 games, pitching 48 complete games out of 51 starts for the Highlanders. All are post-1900 records. His 455 innings pitched will be topped only by Ed Walsh's 464 innings in 1908.
1923 - Former Yankees P Bob Porterfield (1948-1951) was born (1923-1980). Before the start of 1946 AL Season, Bob Porterfield was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Bob was bothered by back problems; he went 8-9 in 40 games with the Yankees. On June 15,1951, he was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Tom Ferrick and Fred Sanford to the Washington Senators for P Bob Kuzava. Once healthy, Bob would win 22 games with the Senators in 1953. His trade to the Senators was a rare mistake made by Yankees GM George Weiss.
1926 - The New York Yankees dropped a scheduled 7-inning game with the Washington Senators by the score of 5-3 in at Griffith Stadium. The game was shorten to allow travel requirements by train.
1933- Former Yankees OF/P Rocky Colavitto (1968) was born. In June of 1968, the New York Yankees signed veteran All Star OF Rocky Colavitto as a MLB free agent after being released by the Dodgers. Rocky hit .229 in 30 games and won a game in relief for the Yankees during the 1968 AL season. The Yankees asked him to come back as a pitcher and OF/PH for the 1969 AL season; instead he chose to retire as a MLB player.
1934 - New York Yankees All Star slugger Babe Ruth announces that 1934 AL season is definitely his final season as a regular MLB player. He says he will seek a managerial role and will pinch-hit for the 1935 MLB season. The Yankees will offer him a chance to manage the Newark Bears (AAA) in International League, but he turns it down and is released by the Yankees.
1935 - New York Yankees OF George Selkirk drives in 8-runs, 1 short of slugger Jimmie Foxx's AL record, with 2 HRs and a single.
1953 - Former Yankees reserve INF Tom Brookens (1989) was born. On March 23,1989, Tom Brookens was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees for P Charles Hudson. Tom hit .226 in 66 games for the Yankees during the 1989 AL season.
1957 - 1956 AL MVP winner Mickey Mantle blasts a 460-foot HR to become the 1st player to clear the CF hedge at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore as the Yankees beat the Orioles by the score of 6-3.
1964 - Former Yankees reserve INF Andy Stankiewicz (1992-1993) was born. Andy Stankiewicz was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 12th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft. Andy hit .268 in 132 games for the Yankees. On November 27,1993, Andy was traded by the Yankees along with P Domingo Jean to the Houston Astros for reliever Xavier Hernandez. After scouting for the New York Yankees, Stankiewicz became an assistant coach at Arizona State University in 2007.
1965 - At Yankee Stadium, Minnesota Twins starter Jim Kaat benefits from sloppy Yankees fielding as the Twins score 6 unearned runs to beat the Yankees by the score of 7-3.
1966 - Former Yankees MLB Coach (1947-1948) and MLB Manager Charles “Chuck” Dressen passed away from at heart attack at the age of 68 (1898-1966). Charlie Dressen had managed the Cincinnati Reds in the 1930’s, managed in the minor leagues before coming to the New York Yankees as a MLB Coach in 1947-1948. He managed the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951-1953 winning the 2 NL pennants. He was fired by the Dodgers front office in 1954 for asking a 2-year managing contract. Future Hall Of Fame manager Walter Alston replaced Charlie. Chuck managed the Washington Senators in AL during the 1955-1957 seasons. Charlie led the Milwaukee Braves in 1960-1961, and then he moved back to the AL to manage the Detroit Tigers from 1963-1966. He was manager of the Tigers at the time of his death in 1966.
1966 - Former Yankees OF Gerald Williams (1992-1996, 2001-2002) was born. Gerald was drafted by the Yankees in the 14th round of the 1987 MLB amateur player draft. He won the 1992 James P. Dawson Award as the best Yankees rookie in spring training camp. Overall Gerald appeared in 379 games with the Yankees and hitting .202. On August 23,1996, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Bob Wickman to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later, Pat Listach, and P Graeme Lloyd. The Brewers would later send P Ricky Bones on August 29, 1996 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Pat Listach was returned to the Brewers on October 2, 1996, because of injury questions.
1968 - On Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium, the Minnesota Twins stop the Yankees, by a score of 3-2. The Yankees only runs are 2 solo HR shots by Mickey Mantle off of Twins starter Jim Merritt. It is the Mickey's 46th 2-HR MLB career game.
1969 - New York Yankee hitters Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson and Gene Michaels hit consecutive HRs in the 6th inning off of Kansas City Royals starter Lew Krause during a Yankees 5-1 win over the expansion Royals.
1971 - Former Yankees reserve C Sal Fasano (2006) was born. On July 26, 2006, Sal Fasano was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York Yankees for minor league player Hector Made. Sal hit .143 in 28 games for the Yankees as a back-up catcher after being obtained from the Phillies.
1977 - New York Yankees Manager Billy Martin installs Reggie Jackson as the Yankees' regular clean-up hitter in the Yankees starting line-up. The Yankees beat the Oakland A's by a score of 6-3, as Ron Guidry out-pitches A’s starter Vida Blue. Graig Nettles belts his 26th HR of the 1977 AL season. The Yankees will win 40 of final 53 games of the 1977 AL season, with Reggie Jackson contributing with 13 HRs and 49 RBIs.
1984 - Former Yankees minor league P Jeff Marquez was born. Jeffrey Marquez was the New York Yankees' 1st round selection in the 2004 amateur draft, with the 41st pick. Marquez had previously pitched at Sacramento City College. After signing, Marquez was assigned to the GCL Yankees. After 4 games (2 starts) Marquez put together a 2-0 record with a 0.63 ERA and was promoted to the Staten Island Yankees. At Staten Island, Marquez went 2-4 with a 3.02 ERA. He spent all of the 2005 with the Charleston River Dogs, where he struggled with a 9-13 record but only a 3.42 ERA. In 2006, Marquez was back in the Gulf Coast League for 2 games, taking a loss, before going up to the Tampa Yankees. With Tampa, Marquez put up a 7-5 mark with a 3.61 ERA and 82 strikeouts. Baseball America ranked him as the 9th best prospect in the Yankees system in 2006. He started the 2007 season with the Trenton Thunder (AA). Jeff never pitched for the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 13, 2009, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox along with INF Wilson Betemit in return for OF/1B/DH Nick Swisher.
1986- During “Billy Martin Day” at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers retire uniform #1 to honor their former scrappy 2nd baseman and 4-time manager.
1995 - New York Yankees' C Mike Stanley hits 3 HRs and drives home 7-runs, but it's not enough to prevent the Yankees from losing to the Cleveland Indians by a score of 10-9.
2000 - Winning for the 1st time in 16 starts, David Cone ends the worst slump of his MLB pitching career as the New York Yankees beat the Oakland A's by the score of 12-6. Newly acquired DH/OF Jose Canseco hits a 3-run HR into the upper deck to help David Cone stop his skid.
2005 - After being released from the hospital, an 18-year old fan appears in court to face criminal charges of trespassing, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief stemming from his 40-foot plunge last night from the upper deck of Yankee Stadium into the netting behind home plate. Team owner George Steinbrenner called the incident ``... the only exciting thing that happened today,” after his struggling club loses to the 1st-place Chicago White Sox by the score of 2-1.
August 11th
1906 - Before a crowd of 15‚000 fans‚ the Chicago White Sox whip the New York Highlanders‚ by the score of 8-1. New York’s 3B George Moriarty gets into a fight with a fan in the 8th inning before police break it up.
1907 - Former Yankees P Norman “ Bobo” Newsome (1947) was born. After being obtained from the Washington Senators during the 1947 AL season, Bobo Newsome went 7-5 in 17 games for the Yankees before being released to the New York Giants in 1948.
1907 - Former Yankees P John “Dusty” Rhoades (1929-1932) was born. John Rhoades went 7-10 in 30 games with the New York Yankees before going to the Boston Red Sox during the 1932 AL season. His best Yankees season was in 1931, going 6-3 in 18 games.
1912 - In an 8-3 victory over the New York Highlanders‚ Cleveland's Joe Jackson becomes the 2nd AL player to steal home twice in a game. He steals home in the 1st inning‚ and then in the 7th inning‚ he steals 2nd base‚ 3rd base‚ and home.
1919 - Cleveland's Tris Speaker ties an American League record‚ scoring 5 runs in a 15-9 win at New York.
1921 - The New York Yankees move one percentage point ahead of the Cleveland Indians with a 7-3 win over the Philadelphia A's.
1923 - The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees by the score of 10-4‚ in a series that features the top 2 hitters in the AL. Babe Ruth goes 3-for-8 against the Tigers‚ while Harry Heilmann is 5-for-10 against the Yankees. The two are neck and neck at .390 for the year. After the game‚ AL President Ban Johnson rules that Babe Ruth must give up his Sam Crawford bat‚ made for him by the future Hall of Famer. The bat is "four pieces of seasoned wood‚ carefully glued together." On August 21‚1923, Ban Johnson rules that only 1-piece bats will be allowed‚ a rule that also affects Ken Williams‚ who is using a plugged bat.
1929 - New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth hits his 500th MLB career HR, this one off of the Cleveland Indians' hurler Willis Hudlin. Second place all-time list is currently Cy Williams with 237 homers.
1936 - Former Yankees P and MLB Coach Bill Monbouquette (1967-1968) was born. On May 31,1967, veteran starter Bill Monbouquette was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees, after being released by the Detroit Tigers. Bill went pitched well for them, with a 6-5 record and a 2.36 ERA in 33 games. Overall Bill went 11-12 in 50 games with the Yankees. On July 12,1968, Bill was traded by the Yankees to the San Francisco Giants for veteran reliever Lindy McDaniel. After retiring as a player, he would become a MLB pitching coach, having a stint with the Yankees.
1943 - Former New York starter, now with the St. Louis Browns Steve Sundra stops the New York Yankees on just 1-hit‚ a HR by Yankees OF Charlie “King Kong” Keller. The Browns win the game by the score of 9-1.
1946 - Former Yankees reserve INF Eddie Leon (1975) was born. On December 5, 1974, Eddie Leon was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Yankees for P Cecil Upshaw. Eddie only appeared in 1 game with the Yankees before being released on May 5,1975.
1950 - Hitting just .279‚ Yankees great Joe DiMaggio is benched for the 1st time in his MLB career by Yankees Manager Casey Stengel. He is currently languishing in a 4 for 38 batting slump. His replacement‚ Cliff Mapes‚ wallops a 7th-inning HR to give the Yankees a 7-6 win over the Philadelphia A's.
1951 - Eddie Joost homers in the 9th inning for the Philadelphia A's to tie the game at 4-4‚ but the Yankees win in 11th inning by the score of 7-4. Sloppy fielding and a 2-run single by Yogi Berra account for the scoring. The win goes to new Yankees reliever Bob Kuzava‚ who was acquired from the Washington Senators‚ while hurler Alex Kellner takes the loss for the A’s.
1952 - At Yankee Stadium‚ the 3rd place Boston Red Sox trailing 1st-place New York Yankees by 4 games‚ manage just 2 hits off of veteran starter Allie Reynolds‚ as the ”Super Chief” wins the game by the score of 7-0. For Allie Reynolds‚ it's his 4th two-hitter of the 1952 AL season. Mickey Mantle's 1st inning HR‚ off of veteran starter Sid Hudson‚ is all the scoring New York needs‚ but Mantle adds a double in the 4th inning with a 2-run homer‚ against the lefty in the 5th inning‚ off of Red Sox P Ralph Brickner.
1955 - Boston Red Sox All Star OF Ted Williams hits a single off of New York Yankees starter Bob Turley for his 2,000th MLB career hit despite his milestone hit, the Red Sox lose the game anyway to the Yankees by a score of 5-3.
1956 - Mickey Mantle hits his 40th homer of the 1956 AL season off of Orioles hurler Hal Brown‚ as the Yankees clip the Baltimore by the score of 10-5. Mantle is the 1st Yankee since Joe DiMaggio‚ in 1937‚ to hit 40 homers.
1963 - Former Yankees minor league OF Van Snider was born. On December 12, 1989, Van Snider was traded by the Cincinnati Reds along with veteran MLB P Tim Leary to the New York Yankees for minor league P Rodney Imes and 1B/OF Hal Morris. Van never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. After leaving baseball in 1996, Van became a policeman in Ohio.
1965 - Former Yankees minor league INF Carlos Martinez was born (1965-2006). The New York Yankees signed Carlos Martinez as an MLB amateur free agent in 1983. He never appeared in a MLB game with the Yankees. On July 30, 1986, he was traded by the Yankees with a player to be named later and C Ron Hassey to the Chicago White Sox for a player to be named later, OF/DH Ron Kittle, C Joel Skinner and INF Wayne Tolleson. The Yankees would send minor league C Bill Lindsey on December 24,1986 to the White Sox to complete the trade. He died at the age of 41 of AIDS-related causes.
1966 - It is déjà vu all over again‚ as Baltimore Orioles OF Frank Robinson makes another game saving catch against the New York Yankees. Robby dives into the stands to rob Clete Boyer of an 11th-inning homer‚ preserving a 6-5 Orioles' win. Robby did it two months earlier.
1967 - In the 2nd inning of the 1st game of a doubleheader‚ Al Downing of the New York Yankees strikes out the side on just 9 pitches. Downing becomes the 12th MLB pitcher in history to accomplish this rare pitching performance The Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians by the score of 5-3.
1976 - Former Yankees reserve OF Bubba Crosby (2004-2006) was born. On July 31, 2003, Bubba Crosby was traded by the Dodgers along with P Scott Proctor to the Yankees for veteran 3B Robin Ventura. Bubba would win the 2003 James P. Dawson Award for the best Yankee rookie in spring training camp. Bubba would hit .211 in 196 games before being granted MLB free agency after the 2006 AL season ended.
1977 - Oakland's Manny Sanguillen foils a no-hit bid. His hit is off New York Yankees starter Mike Torrez. who finishes with a 3-0 shutout, two-hitter.
1980- New York Yankees All Star OF Reggie Jackson hits his 400th MLB career HR during the Yankees 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium.
1984 - Former Yankees OF Melky Cabera (2005-2009) was born. The New York Yankees signed Melky as an MLB amateur free agent in 2001. He has a lifetime BA of .269 with 36 HRs with 228 RBIs in 569 MLB games for the Yankees. On December 22, 2009, Melky was traded by the New York Yankees along with Pitchers Arodys Vizcaino (minors), Michael Dunn and cash to the Atlanta Braves for pitchers Boone Logan and Javier Vazquez.
1998 - The New York Yankees starter David Wells stops the Minnesota Twins on a 4-hitter to win‚ by the score of 7-0. In his last start, the Yankee lefty had pitched a perfect game against the Twins:
2001 - Led by the two Giambi brothers‚ Oakland A’s beat the visiting New York Yankees by the score of 8-6 for its 10th straight win. Jason and Jeremy each club 2-run homers‚ the second time they've both gone deep in the same game. They did it twice last season as well.
2003 - The Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees by the score of 12-9‚ as the teams set an American League record by stroking 19 doubles. KC strokes 11 of the two-baggers‚ just 1 shy of the AL mark.
August 12th
1906 - A Sunday crowd estimated at 30‚000 fans are on hand in Chicago to watch the red-hot White Sox beat the New York Highlanders by the score of 3-0. The gates are closed an hour before game time‚ locking many fans outside.
1918 - At Fenway Park‚ the Yankees win their 10th of 15 games with the AL leaders by beating Boston by the score of 2-1. Getting his opportunity because of the war‚ lefty Hank Robinson is making his first MLB start since 1915. He allows just 3 hits in besting Babe Ruth‚ who gives up 4 safeties. Jack Fournier scores the winning run on a squeeze bunt‚ while Babe Ruth‚ hitless on the afternoon‚ pops out for the last out of the game.
1932 - American League president Will Harridge upholds Detroit's protest of its August 1st game against New York Yankees. He orders it replayed on September 8th. Detroit had protested because Tony Lazzeri's and Ben Chapman's batting order was orally reversed after the lineup cards were handed in before the game.
1934 - A Crowd of 41,766 fans turn out to Fenway Park to see what will probably be Babe Ruth's last MLB game played in Boston. In game 1 of the double-header, Ruth goes 2-5 with a double, but he misplays a Billy Werber line drive into a triple. Ruth is 0-1 with 2 walks in the 2nd game, before leaving the game in the 6th inning.
1937 - In the 1st of 2 games with the Yankees‚ Red Sox slugger Jimmie Foxx hits one way out of Fenway Park‚ the ball leaving the park to the right of the CF flag pole. The shot comes off New York's Kemp Wicker and helps the Red Sox overpower the Yankees by the score of 16-10, stopping the Yankees winning win streak at 10 games. The Red Sox overcome a 6 run deficit. Buck Newsom is credited with his 11th win. In game 2‚ Yankees starter Bump Hadley out-pitches Red Sox starter Archie McKain to push Bronx Bombers lead to 11 1/2 games over Boston.
1939 - At Shibe Park‚ the New York Yankees bombard the feeble Philadelphia A's by the score of 18-4, as starter Steve Sundra (6-0) coasts to the win. Yankees 1B Babe Dahlgren has 4 hits‚ including a solo HR in the 6th inning and a grand slam HR in 7th inning. He drives in 6 runs. Yankees 2nd Joe Gordon adds his 18th homer of the 1939 AL season.
1945 - In the lid-lifter at Briggs Stadium‚ pitcher Jim Tobin‚ acquired on waivers‚ pitches 3 scoreless innings against New York Yankees. Tobin clubs a 3-run game-ending HR in the bottom of the 11th inning to win the game by a score of 9-6. Another former Braves pitcher‚ now with the Yankees Jim Turner‚ serves up the HR. The Tigers win the nightcap by the score of 8-2‚ behind Hal Newhouser's 18th win.
1950 - New York Yankees starter Allie Reynolds hits a bases-loaded single and hurls the Bronx Bombers to a 7-2 win over the Philadelphia A's. The loss goes to A’s starter Carl Scheib‚ but Bobby Shantz pitches the last 6 2/3 innings and clouts his only MLB career homer‚ off the Super Chief.
1951 - The Yankees lose a pair to the Philadelphia A's. The A's use 17 hits to win the opener‚ 9-5, then use Pennsylvania's Sunday Blue Law which calls for a 7:00 PM curfew to win the nightcap‚ by the score of 7-4. New York starts an 8th-inning 5-run rally at 6:37 PM and take a 9-7 lead‚ but the curfew wipes it out before A’s batter Pete Suder can hit. Beginning next season‚ the American League will adopt the 40-year-old suspended game policy of the National League.
1953 - Playing without the injured CF Mickey Mantle, who is out for 10 days with a sprained knee - the Yankees explode for 28 hits off of Washington Senators pitching‚ 2 shy of the AL record. New York rolls to a 22-1 victory over the Nats. Yankees Rookie Steve Kraly‚ relieving starter Whitey Ford‚ gives up a run to avert the largest shutout win in history. Ford has 4 hits‚ while Yogi Berra and Billy Martin each collect 5 RBIs. Hank Bauer scores 5 runs for the Bronx Bombers.
1956 - Mickey Mantle hits his 41st homer of the 1956 AL season‚ his 7th HR in 8 days‚ to pace New York to a 6-2 win and a doubleheader sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.
1958 - New York Yankees top the Baltimore Orioles by the score of 7-2 at Yankee Stadium. Mickey Mantle's 33rd homer of the 1958 AL season‚ off a Ken Lehman knuckler‚ gives him the American League lead.
1961 - At Griffith Stadium‚ Roger Maris belts his 43rd homer‚ off of expansion Washington Senators hurler Dick Donovan‚ but it's New York's only score as they lose the game by the score 5-1‚ the Yankees 1st loss in 10 games. For Washington it is their 1st win in 8 games. Gene Green's pinch grand slam HR off of Yankees reliever Luis Arroyo is the big blow for the Nats.
1962 - Former Yankees P Dave Pavlas (1995-1996) was born. In 1984, the Chicago Cubs originally signed Dave Pavlas as a MLB amateur free agent. On February 8, 1995, Dave was signed as a MLB Free Agent with the New York Yankees. Dave Pavlas went 0-0 in 20 games with the Yankees with 1 save.
1964 - New York Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle sets a MLB record when hits a HR from both sides of the plate for the 10th time in his MLB career. Mantle hits a left-handed HR off of veteran Ray Herbert over the 461 ft. marker in CF, the ball lands 15 rows into the bleachers, 502 ft. from home plate. The Yankees 7-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox marks the 1st start and MLB career victory by Yankees rookie hurler Mel Stottlemyre, who was called up from Richmond (AAA).
1969 - Citing "personal problems‚" New York Yankees AL Golden Glove winner 1B Joe Pepitone goes AWOL from the team. He will come back to the team, but the Yankees will trade him in the fall to the Houston Astros for C/1B/OF Curt Brefly.
1974 - Former New York Yankees OF/1B Mickey Mantle and his long-time Yankees teammate P Whitey Ford head a group of 6 Hall of Fame inductees at Cooperstown.
1977 - New York Yankee starters Catfish Hunter and Ed Figueroa combine to sweep the California Angels by scores of 10-1 and 9-3, as the Yankees bang out 25 hits. Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss hits 2 HRs in the opener, while Reggie Jackson hits 2 HRs in the nightcap. Both Yankee starters throw 6-hitters in their victories against the Angels.
1985 - At Chicago‚ Phil Niekro goes the route to pick up his 295th MLB win as the Yankees beat the White Sox by the score of 10-4. New York has a 7-run 7th inning to break the game open with Ron Hassey belting a 2-run HR and RBI single to lead the scoring in the frame.
1988 - Former Yankees minor league OF Jose Tabata was born. Jose Tabata signed with the New York Yankees on his 16th birthday. He made his pro debut with the 2005 GCL Yankees, hitting .314 and stealing 22 bases in 28 tries. He led the Gulf Coast League in steals and was 9th in batting average. He made the league All-Star outfield alongside Matt Kutler and Francisco Guzman. Baseball America rated him as the league's #7 prospect, third among outfielders after Andrew McCutchen and Jay Bruce and ahead of teammate Austin Jackson. They also ranked him as the #3 prospect in the Yankees system.
In 2006, the teenager hit .298 with 15 swipes in 20 attempts for the Charleston RiverDogs despite 3 stints on the disabled list. He played center field and hit 9th for the World team in the 2006 Futures Game in an 8-5 loss. Baseball America rated him as the #2 prospect in the South Atlantic League, behind McCutchen and just ahead of Fernando Martinez and Elvis Andrus. Had he qualified, Tabata would have tied for 8th in the SAL in average. Baseball America ranked him as the #2 New York Yankees prospect and as the best batting prospect in the 2006 SAL. That winter, he played for the Caribes de Oriente, producing at a .275.
Tabata was the right fielder for the 2007 Tampa Yankees, hitting .307with 15 steals in 21 tries. He placed 4th in the Florida State League in average and made the FSL All-Star outfield alongside Jacob Butler, Erik Lis and Cameron Maybin. Baseball America ranked him as the #9 prospect in the FSL, between Deolis Guerra and Austin Jackson. Only Bruce and Maybin were rated higher among position player prospects. In August, he had surgery to remove the hamate bone from his right wrist, which had been damaged by a pitch in July of 2006.
Baseball America rated Tabata as the #3 Yankees prospect after Joba Chamberlain and Austin Jackson. Tabata battled more injuries in 2008 and only batted .248 in 79 games for the Trenton Thunder. He was then traded along with pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen and Jeff Karstens to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for OF/1B Xavier Nady and P Damaso Marte.
1994 - MLB players go on strike. New York Yankees are in 1st place in the AL East. The Yankees in AL and the Montreal Expos in NL East have the best MLB team records. This strike will cancel the 1994 World Series for MLB.
1997 - Dean Palmer homers and drives in 4 runs as the Kansas City Royals end the New York Yankees' 3-game winning streak with a 6-4 victory. Palmer‚ who is 10-for-21 with runners in scoring position, he has 16 RBIs in 18 games since coming over in a trade with Texas Rangers‚ singles home a run in the 4th inning‚ opens the 6th inning with his 17th HR‚ then he hits a go-ahead‚ 2-run double in the 7th inning. Mike Perez (2-0)‚ the 2nd of 5 Royals' pitchers‚ is the winner. Royals Closer Jeff Montgomery pitches the 9th inning for his 8th save‚ the 250th of his MLB career. He retires 32 consecutive batters‚ 1 shy of the club record‚ before Bernie Williams singles with 2 outs in the 9th inning.
2002 - Former Yankees and Cardinals OF and Hall Of Famer Enos “Country” Slaughter (1954-1955,1956-1959) passes away. On April 11, 1954, Enos Slaughter was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Yankees for minor league players OF Bill Virdon, P Mel Wright, and OF Emil Tellinger. His 1st tour with the New York Yankees was unsuccessful, with Enos only hitting .249 in 69 games. On May 11,1955, he was traded by the Yankees along with veteran P Johnny Sain to the Kansas City A’s for P Sonny Dixon and cash. On August 25, 1956, Enos was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the A’s. His return to the Yankees brought the release of long-time Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto. Enos performed better for the team with his 2nd tour before fading during the 1959 AL season, being sold to the Milwaukee Braves. Enos retired as a active player at the end of 1959 MLB season. He was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1985.
August 13th
1875 – Former Yankees Shortstop (1903-1909) and Manager (1908) Norman “Tabasco Kid” Elberfeld was born. On June 10, 1903, Norman Elberfeld was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Highlanders for shortstops Herman Long and Ernie Courtney. The Kid’s best Yankees season was in 1906, when he hit .306 for the Yankees as their starting shortstop. During the 1908 AL season, he managed the Yankees to a 27-71 mark, after Manager Clark Griffth had quit as the manager in a dispute with New York owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery. The Kid finished his Yankees career with a lifetime BA of .260. On December 14,1909, he was purchased by the Washington Senators from the New York Highlanders for $5,000.
1906 - Former Yankees P Kemp Wicker (1936-1938) was born. Kemp Wicker went 9-5 in 24 games for the Yankees, before being sold to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939.
1921 - At Shibe Park, a crowd of 33,000 fans, the largest crowd to watch a game in Philadelphia since 1914, see Yankees starter Carl Mays win his 15th straight game over the A’s as the Yankees prevail by a score of 7-2, in game 1. New York starter Bob Shawkey coasts home to a 13-7 win in the nightcap. Yankees OF Bob Meusel hits HRs in each game.
1922 - The New York Yankees shortstop Everett Scott nears 1,000 consecutive games played, but it takes an extra effort to keep the streak alive. He spends $40 to hire a car to get to Chicago in time for the game after a train he is on is wrecked.
1924 - The New York Yankees regain the AL lead with 1-0 and 2-1 victories over the St. Louis Browns.
1930 - Former Yankees P Robert “Bob” Wiesler (1951,1954-1955) was born. Before the 1949 AL season, Bob Wiesler was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Bob went 3-4 in 26 games for the Yankees. On February 8,1956, he was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later, C Lou Berberet, INF Herb Plews, and OF Richard Tettelbach to the Washington Senators for P Mickey McDermott and INF Bobby Kline. The Yankees would send minor league OF Whitey Herzog on April 2,1956 to the Senators to complete the trade.
1932 - It looks like the New York Yankees scoring streak might be broken, but P Red Ruffing hits a HR in the 10th inning to beat hurler Al Thomas of the Washington Senators by a score of 1-0. Tom Hughes, in 1906, was the last MLB pitcher to hit an extra-inning, game-winning HR.
1939 - Former Yankees P William “Bill” Stafford (1960-1965) was born. (1939-2001) Before the 1957 AL Season, Bill was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Bill came up to the Yankees in 1960, as a 20-year old rookie posting a 3-1 mark. In 1961, he went 14-9 for the Yankees. He was the winning pitcher of Roger Maris HR #61 game, winning a 1-0 shutout of the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Bill appeared in the 1960-1961-1962 World Series for Yankees going 1-0. He would go 14-9 as a regular starter for the 1962 AL season. In the April of 1963, while starting the Yankees opener at Kansas City, Bill hurt his pitching arm in cold weather. In 1964, he bounced back to go 5-0 for the Yankees. In 1965, he had arm problems dropping to a 3-8 mark. On June 10,1966, Bill was traded by the Yankees along with P Gil Blanco and OF Roger Repoz to the Kansas City A’s for P Fred Talbot and C Billy Bryan. At the time of his trade, Bill was 5-0 at Richmond (AAA). Clippers Note: The Yankees should have held on to Bill Stafford, because Fred Talbot was a failure (8-16) as a starter and Bill Bryant never hit much for the Yankees. In 2001, Bill passed away from heart problems. His son, Mike is a pitching coach for the Blue Jays farm system and former minor league player.
1939 - The New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia A's by a score of 21-0 in the 2nd game of a doubleheader to equal the MLB record for lopsided shutouts. Yankee hitters Joe DiMaggio and Babe Dahlgren each have 2-HRs, one each inside the park. Yankees P Red Ruffing collects 4 hits along with the victory. The Yankees had dropped the 1st game to the A’s by a score of 12-9.
1940 - Former Yankees Bullpen Coach and NL MLB P Tony Cloninger was born. Tony Cloninger was the MLB bullpen coach (1992-2002) for the New York Yankees, when he left for the bullpen job with the Boston Red Sox (2003-2004). After he recovered from cancer, he served as a scout in the Class A Carolina League in 2005. As of 2011, he was a player development consultant for the Boston Red Sox.
1947 - Former Yankees reserve INF Fred “Chicken” Stanley (1973-1980) was born. On October 24, 1972, Fred Stanley was traded by the San Diego Padres to the New York Yankees for C George Pena. Fred played a key role as infield reserve for the Yankees. Fred appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees (1976-1978). On November 3,1980, he was traded by the Yankees to the Oakland A’s for P Mike Morgan. After retiring as an active MLB player in 1983, he worked in the Oakland A’s front office. On October 12, 2007, he was appointed as the San Francisco Giants Director of Player Development.
1957 - The New York Yankees All Star CF Mickey Mantle goes 3-for-3 and drives in 3 runs as the Yankees edge the Boston Red Sox by the score of 3-2. Mantle improves his average to .384 while Ted Williams, with 1-for-2, is at .388. A week later, Mantle will injure himself when he angrily swings a golf club at a branch and gouges his shinbone. This will effectively take him out of the running for a 2nd-straight AL triple crown.
1961 - In the 1st of 2 games with the expansion Washington Senators, Roger Maris belts his 44th HR to tie his Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle. An inning later, Mantle, hits a Bennie Daniels offering for his 45th HR, but that's all Daniels allows, winning by the score of 12-2. Roger Maris adds his 45th HR in the 1st inning in game 2, as the Yankees win the game by the score of 9-4.
1964 - CBS Inc. buys 80 percent of the New York Yankees from Yankee Co-Owners Del Webb and Dan Topping, effective November 2,1964.
1964 - Former Yankees OF Jay Buhner (1987-1988) was born. On December 20, 1984, Jay Buhner was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates along with INF Dale Berra and P Alfonso Pulido to the New York Yankees for OF Steve Kemp, INF Tim Foli, and cash. Jay only appeared in 32 games for the Yankees, just hitting .207. On July 21,1988, Jay was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later and P Rich Balabon (minors) to the Seattle Mariners for 1B/DH Ken Phelps. The Yankees would later send minor league P Troy Evers on October 12,1988 to the Seattle Mariners to complete the trade.
1969 - AL Golden Glove award winner 1B Joe Pepitone returns to the New York Yankees, but does not play in their 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Twins INF Rich Reese is 4-for-4 with 2-HRs and 2 singles to drive in 4-runs for the Twins as starter Jim Kaat is the winner over Yankees’ Mel Stottlemyre (16-9). Reese will have hits his 1st three at bats tomorrow before flying out.
1972 - Former Hall Of Fame and Yankees General Manager George Weiss (1949-1960) passed away (1899-1972). Baseball executive George Weiss spent 29 years in the New York Yankees organization before being fired in October of 1960. Before becoming the Yankees General Manager in 1948, he helped run the Yankees farm system under Yankees long-time GM Edward Barrow. He would join the NL expansion New York Mets in 1961, as their 1st team General Manager, with Casey Stengel as the team’s 1st MLB manager
1973 - New York OF Roy White hits HRs from both sides of the plate as the Yankees top the California Angels, by a score of 6-0.
1973 - The New York Yankees sell veteran reserve INF Bernie Allen (1972-1973) to the Montreal Expos for $25,000.
1978 - The New York Yankees erupt for 5 runs in the 7th inning to take a 5-3 lead over the Baltimore Orioles before heavy rains force a delay of the game. Thanks to stalling tactics of Manager Earl Weaver and some slow-moving Baltimore groundskeepers, the game is called, and the score reverts to the last complete inning. The Orioles win the game by a score of 3-0, with former Yankees minor league P Scott McGregor is the winner for the O’s. This rule will be changed by MLB in 1980, and the game, today would have been suspended.
1980 - The New York Yankees traded P Ken Clay and a player to be named later to the Texas Rangers for 41-year old veteran MLB starter Gaylord Perry.
1984 - Current Yankees reliever Boone Logan (2010-2011) was born. Pitcher Boone Logan was chosen by the Chicago White Sox in the 20th round of the 2002 amateur draft and made his pro debut the following year with the Great Falls White Sox, the first of 3 seasons with the Rookie-level club. After finishing the 2005 season in Class A, he made the jump to the MLB in 2006 when he made the Sox Opening Day roster. He posted a 5.68 ERA in his 1st 12 contests in the MLB before being demoted to the AAA Charlotte Knights. After going 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 11 saves at Charlotte, he rejoined the White Sox bullpen in September. He spent most of the 2007 campaign with the White Sox, going 2-1 with a 4.97 ERA in 68 games out of the bullpen. After spending the majority of 2008 AL season with the Sox as well, he was dealt to the Atlanta Braves along with Javier Vazquez following the campaign. After the 2009 MLB season, he was traded along with Javy Vazquez again, this time to the New York Yankees.
1995 - Flags fly at half-mast at Yankee Stadium as New York Yankees Hall Of Fame CF legend Mickey Mantle dies of liver cancer at the age of 63 in Dallas, Texas.
1996 - 3B Robin Ventura belts his team-record 9th grand slam HR to pace the Chicago White Sox to an 8-4 win over the New York Yankees. Yankees P David Weathers serves up the gopher ball.
1996 - The Boston Red Sox traded veteran C/DH/1B Mike Stanley and INF Randy Brown to the New York Yankees in exchange for minor league P Tony Armas Jr. and a player to be named.
1998 - New York Yankees starter Orlando Hernandez sets a Yankee rookie pitching record by striking out 13 while the beating the Texas Rangers, by a score of 2-0. The original Yankees rookie pitching record was 12 strikeouts set by Yankees rookie starter Stan Bahnsen in 1968.
2003 - Former Yankees P Charlie Devens (1932-1934) passes away (1910-2003). Former Harvard college star hurler Charlie Devens went 5-3 in 16 games for the Yankees.
2007 - Former Yankees Hall Of Fame MLB player (1941-1956) and long-time broadcasting announcer Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto passes away (1917-2007). Phil Rizzuto was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent in 1937. He won the Minor League player of the Year Award in 1940 with the Kansas City Blues (American Association, AAA). In 1941, he played his 1st season as a Yankee appearing in 133 games and hitting .307. Phil would miss the 1943-1945 AL seasons, while serving with the US Navy during WWII. As a Yankee, Phil would appear in 9 World Series hitting .242 in 52 games. He was named to the AL All Star squad 5 times. He led the AL shortstops in fielding in 1949-1950. In 1950, Phil had his best Yankee career season as he won the AL MVP Award hitting .324 in 155 games with 200 hits, scoring 100 runs. Also in 1950, he won the MLB best player award. In 1951, Phil won the Babe Ruth Award hitting .320 against the Giants in the 1951 World Series. During 1955-1956 seasons. Phil was slowed down by injuries and age, he was no longer the Yankees starting shortstop. On August 25,1956, Phil was released by the Yankees. In 1957, Phil started his long-time broadcasting career with the Yankees joining Mel Allen and Red Barber in the booth. In 1994, he was voted into Baseball’s HOF by the Veteran’s Committee.
