This Week in Yankees History
September 18th-24th
September 18th
1911 - With a triple steal on, the Highlanders Cozy Dolan singles in 3 runs in a 9-4 loss at Detroit. The 3 RBIs are half of Cozy's 1911 American League season total.
1898 - Former Yankees P George “The Bull” Uhle (1933-1934) was born (1898-1985). Veteran hurler George Uhle went 8-5 for the Yankees during the 1933-1934 AL seasons, before finishing his MLB career with the Indians.
1909 - Former Yankees reserve C Robert Collins (1944) was born (1909-1969). In 1944, Bob Collins appeared in 3 games as a reserve catcher batting .333 (1-3).
1920 - National League directors meet in New York City, joined by Jacob Ruppert, Cap Huston, Charles Comiskey, and Harry Frazee of the American League. They name a committee to draw up an agreement along the lines of Albert Lasker's proposal, and give the 5 AL clubs still backing Ban Johnson an ultimatum: come in by November 1st or the Yankees, White Sox, and Red Sox will pull out of the AL and join a 12-team NL (with a team in Detroit to complete the roster). The AL 5 team owners turns it down, and bluff and counterbluff blow through the autumn air.
1922- Yankees OF Whitey Witt, his head bandaged from being hit by a bottle, drives in 2 in the 9th inning for a 3-2 Yankees win The Yankees leave St. Louis with 1 1/2 games in front. They will finish 1 game on top, clinching the 1922 AL pennant on September 30th with a 3-1 win over the Red Sox. The Brown’s George Sisler’s 41-game hitting streak is stopped by Yankees starter Joe Bush, the same pitcher that he had started the hitting streak against on July 27th.
1922 - Former Yankees 1B/OF Jake Stahl (1908) passed away. On October 13,1907, Jake Stahl was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the White Sox to the Highlanders. The New York sent Frank LaPorte to Boston, who would send Freddy Parent to the White Sox. Jake was moved to the outfield by the Yankees, who already had Hal Chase at 1B. Jake appeared in 75 games for the Yankees, hitting .255. On July 10,1908, Jake was purchased by the Red Sox from the Highlanders.
1926 - At Dunn Field in Cleveland, the Indians win their 4th game in a row, defeating the Yankees by a score of 3-1, behind starter George Uhle. The victory cuts the Yankees AL lead to 2 1/2 games over the Tribe.
1927 - Former Yankees Closer Luis “Yo-Yo” Arroyo (1960-1963) was born. The Yankees acquired Luis Arroyo from the Reds during the 1960 AL season, helping out in the bullpen, eventually replacing Ryne Duren as the Yankees bullpen closer. The 1961 AL season was his best MLB and Yankees career season, when he went 15-5 with 29 saves in 65 games. He was selected for the AL All Star team. He won 1 game in the 1961 World Series against the Reds. In the winter of 1961, Louie did not pitch in winter baseball for the 1st time in his MLB career, which resulted in him having pitching arm problems in the 1962 and 1963 AL seasons. He finished his Yankees career with a 22-10 record. Louie would later become a Yankees scout in Latin America. Luis originally came up with the Cardinals in 1955, later he played for the Pirates before joining the Reds in 1959.
1930 - The Yankees edge the Browns by a score of 7-6 in 10 innings as Yankees starter Red Ruffing hits 2 HRs in the winning effort.
1933 -The 2nd-place Yankees split with the White Sox, winning by the score of 6-1 on Johnny Allen's 2-hitter, before falling in the nightcap by the score of 4-3. Les Tietje, in his MLB pitching debut, stops the Bombers in the nightcap. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig clubs HRs #28 and #29; the A’s slugger Jimmie Foxx leads the AL with 45 HRs.
1938 - Though they drop a doubleheader to the Browns, the Yankees clinch the 1938 AL pennant. The Red Sox are rained out in Chicago, their doubleheader with the White Sox will not be played, because rain outs were not made up at that time.
1948 - Former Yankees P Ken Brett (1976) was born (1948-2003). Ken Brett came to the Yankees from the Pirates in the Willie Randolph trade. He only appeared in 2 games for the Yankees going 0-0 before being traded to the White Sox for OF/DH Carlos May. He was the older brother of Royals All Star 3B George Brett.
1951 - The Indians beat the Red Sox by the score of 6-4, as Mike Garcia wins his 20th game of the 1951 AL season. With the Yankees losing to White Sox starter Billy Pierce by the score of 7-1. The Indians and Yankees now are tied for 1st place. This is the 10th time the 2 teams have been in a tie for 1st place in AL, surpassing the MLB record of 9 set in the NL race of 1889 and the Federal League race of 1914.
1956 - Yankees CF Mickey Mantle hits his 50th HR, only the 8th MLB player to do so, in the 11th inning off of White Sox veteran hurler Billy Pierce, as Yankees win the game by a score of 3-2 to clinch another AL pennant for Manager Casey Stengel. Yankees starter Whitey Ford picks up his 19th victory of the 1956 AL season.
1960 - Before 53,876 fans at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees sweep the Orioles, winning by the scores of 7-3 and 2-0. The Yankees sweep the 4-game series and the faltering Birds, are now 4 games back, will end up in 2nd place in the AL, 8 games back. Ralph Terry's 2-hitter in the nightcap beats O’s starter Milt Pappas.
1962 - At Washington’s new ballpark “D.C. Stadium”, Mickey Mantle clouts the 1st HR there, and adds another HR, both off of Senators starter Tom Cheney, to pace Yankees to a 7-1 win. Mickey has 5 RBIs in the game. New York starter Ralph Terry picks up his 22nd win, the most by a Yankee right-hander since the 1928 AL season. The Yankees victory, combined with a Twins loss, leaves the Yankees (90-63) in 1st place in the AL by 4 games.
1965 - On “Mickey Mantle Day” at Yankee Stadium, 50,180 fans see Mantle play his 2,000th MLB game. HOF Yankee Joe DiMaggio and US Senator Bobby Kennedy are on hand as Mickey Mantle is given a barbecue grill in the shape of a prairie schooner and a 6-foot kosher salami weighing 100 LBS. In Mantle's 1st at bat, Tiger hurler Joe Sparma comes off the mound to shake his hand. Mickey then flies out. Tigers win the game by score of 4-3, with Tigers reliever Denny McLain getting the win.
1966 - The Twins beat the Yankees by the score of 5-3 in 10 innings on Bob Allison's pinch-hit 3-run HR, sending the Yankees to the cellar (10th place) in the AL. In his last plate appearance of the 1966 AL season, Mickey Mantle whiffs and becomes the 1st MLB player to strike out 1,500 times in his MLB career.
1967 - The Yankees and Reds swap players, the Yankees send rookie P Bill Henry (1966) to the Reds for INF/1B Len Boehmer (1969, 1971).
1977 - The Yankees survive a 5-run Detroit 9th inning rally to edge the Tigers by the score of 6-5. The Tigers proven to be a stubborn opponent down the stretch, perhaps egged on by former Yankees skipper Ralph Houk, who never really forgave the Yankees for what most observers called a “forced” resignation. Actually Ralph resigned at the end of the 1973 AL season. Rather than be fired as Yankees Manager by new Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He had spent over 30 years in the Yankee organization as a player, coach, manager and General Manager.
1979 - Former Yankees reserve OF Kevin Thompson (2006-2007) was born. On June 2, 1999, Kevin Thompson was drafted by the Yankees in the 31st round of the 1999 MLB amateur player draft. He appeared in 33 games as a reserve OF for the 2006-2007 Yankees. On September 7,2007, Kevin was selected off waivers by the A’s from the Yankees.
1979 - Yankees Manager Billy Martin reportedly pays rookie P Bob Kammeyer $100 to hit former Yankees player Cliff Johnson with a pitch in the Indians's 16-3 rout of the Yankees. Johnson belts 2 HRs as does Toby Harrah and the two players combine for 9 RBIs in the game. The loss goes to Yankees starter Paul Mirabella, but Bob Kammeyer gives up all 8 Tribe runs in the 4th inning without recording an out.
1979 - Former Yankees P Billy Traber (2008) was born. On January 4, 2008, Billy Traber was signed as a MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. Billy appeared in 19 games for the 2008 Yankees with no record.
1981 - At Fenway Park, the Yankees defeat the Red Sox by the score of 6-4 behind the pitching of starter Rick Reuschel and Ron Davis. The Yankees hitting attack is led by HRs by Dave Winfield, Lou Piniella and Bob Watson.
1982 - Former Yankees minor league C Clyde McCullough passed away. Before the 1936 AL Season, Clyde McCullough was sent from Lafayette (Evangeline) to the New York Yankees in an unknown transaction. Clyde never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On September 8,1939, Clyde was purchased by the Cubs from the New York Yankees. He would play in the MLB from 1940-1956 with the Cubs and Pirates.
1993 - The Yankees defeat the Red Sox by the score of 4-3, because of a fan who runs out on the playing field. With the Yankees trailing by the score of 3-1, with 2 outs and a man on 1st in the 9th inning, Mike Stanley hits a fly ball to left field that apparently ends the game. Umpire Tim Welke, however had called time, when the fan bolted onto the field, giving Mike Stanley, a second chance to bat. He singled on the next pitch. That hit was followed by a hit by Wade Boggs, then a walk to Dion James, followed a single by Don Mattingly, which drove home the tying and winning runs for the Yankees.
2000 - Pitching a one-hitter against the Yankees, Indians hurler Bartolo Colon nearly ends the longest streak in MLB history of a team being held hitless by its opponents. Luis Polonia's 8th inning single is the only Yankees hit. The Bronx Bombers have not been denied a hit in a game since the Orioles starter Hoyt Wilhelm did it with a no-hitter on September 9,1958, spanning total of 6,637 contests.
2009 - Mariners All Star OF Ichiro Suzuki hits a two-out, two-run homer off of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera to give Seattle a 3-2 victory.
2010 - Yankees starter CC Sabathia becomes the MLB’s 1st 20-game winner this season in the Yankees' 11-3 pasting of the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia has twice before finished a season with 19 wins, but it is the 1st time, he reaches the magic number. However, the Yankees fail to put some distance between themselves and Tampa Bay, as the Rays rally in the 9th to tie the game, then score the winning run on a throwing error as they defeat the Angels, 4-3, to remain a half-game behind the Bronx Bombers.
September 19th
1890 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ralph Young (1913) was born. Ralph Young appeared in 7 games for the 1913 Yankees, hitting just .067.
1909 - Former Yankees OF Hersh Martin (1944-1945) was born. Hersh Martin hit .284 in 202 games for the Yankees after being obtained from the Phillies. With the Yankees in 1944 at the age of 34, he hit .302 on a team that hit .264. He had the second-highest batting average among the Yankee regulars, behind Snuffy Stirnweiss.
1913 - Former Yankees 1B Nick Etten (1943-1946) was born (1913-1990). Nick Etten was obtained from the Phillies in 1942. In 1945, he made the AL All Star team. His best season as a Yankee was in 1944, when he hit .293 and led the AL in HRs with 22. In 1947, he was sold back to the Phillies.
1920 - In New York City, Babe Ruth's movie opens at Madison Square Garden. It has been re-titled “Heading Home.” At Sportmans’ Park in St. Louis, the Browns beat the Yankees by the score of 6-1.
1926 - At Cleveland's League Park, a crowd of 31,000 fans watch the Yankees hold back the Indians by the score of 8-3, in the final game of a 6-game series. In the 7th inning, Babe Ruth parks his 43rd HR of the season, then Lou Gehrig follows up with another HR, both off of Tribe hurler Emil Levsen. Lou Gehrig adds 3 doubles and 5 RBIs to lead the Yankees batting charge. Yankees veteran starter Dutch Ruether picks up the win.
1930 - Former Yankees P Robert “Bullet Bob” Turley (1955-1962) was born. The Yankees obtained Bob Turley in November of 1954 from the Orioles along with P Don Larsen in the huge 17-player trade. He went 17-13 in 1955 with 210 strikeouts and made the AL All Star team. His best Yankees season was in 1958, with Bob going 21-7, winning the MLB Cy Young Award. Bob appeared in 5 World Series for the Yankees, posting a 4-3 mark with an ERA of 3.19. After the 1958 AL season, Bob battled with pitching arm troubles, with the 1960 AL season being his best, posting a 9-3 mark. After the 1962 AL season, Bob was sold to the Angels. Bob finished with an 82-52 Yankees career mark (WP .612) with 909 strikeouts with the Yankees.
1933 - The Yankees pile up 34 hits in a doubleheader as they drub the White Sox twice by scores of 10-1 and 10-3. Yankee starters George Uhle and Charley Devans are the recipients of the huge Yankees offensive attack. Joe Sewell has 6 hits for the afternoon, while Lou Gehrig has 6 RBIs. Lou Gehrig hits HR #30 in game #1, following immediately after OF Dixie Walker hits a HR. Lou is now even with Yankees teammate Babe Ruth, who sat out the afternoon game.
1937 - AL All Star slugger Hank Greenberg's HR in the Tiger's 8-1 win over the Yankees is the 1st ever hit into the CF stands at Yankee Stadium.
1951 -The Yankees are victorious when rookie OF Mickey Mantle hits a 3-run HR off of White Sox hurler Lou Kretlow to win the game by a score of 5-3. A small crowd of only 12,127 fans watch the game at Yankee Stadium. The 2 teams have been tied now for 11 days. The Yankees now have 9 games left in the 1951 AL season, with 8 games against the Red Sox.
1951 - Former Yankees MLB Coach Nardi Contreras (1995) was born. Nardi Contreras was a member of Yankees Manager Buck Showalter’s 1995 MLB coaching staff.
1964 - The Yankees move a half game ahead of the rained-out Orioles by defeating the A's by the score of 8-3. Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit HRs, while Ralph Terry pitches effectively in relief of Yankees starter Al Downing.
1966 - Former Yankees co-owner Dan Topping sells his remaining 10% stock interest in the Yankees to CBS. He resigns as the club president. CBS executive Mike Burke succeeds him as the team’s club president.
1967 - Former Yankees P Jim Abbott (1993-1994) was born. Jim Abbott went 20-22 for the Yankees. The Yankees obtained Jim from the Angels for 1B J. T. Snow, pitchers Jerry Nielsen and Russ Springer. On September 4,1993, he threw a no-hitter for the Yankees. In the fall of 1994, he left the team for MLB free agency.
1968 - Tigers starter Denny McLain's 31st win of the 1968 AL season is overshadowed by Mickey Mantle's 535th MLB career HR. McLain allegedly calls C Jim Price out to the mound, tells him to inform Mickey Mantle, that he's throwing the slugger nothing but fastballs. The HR gives Mantle undisputed hold of 3rd place on the all-time MLB HR leaders list. Mickey Mantle tips his cap to Denny as he rounds 3B. Joe Pepitone, the next Yankees batter, signals where he would like the ball thrown to him, Danny McLain immediately dusts him. The Tigers win the game, by the score of 6-2, for their 12th straight complete game for the 1968 Tigers pitching staff.
1970 - The Yankees AAA team Syracuse Chiefs (International League) managed by Frank Verdi beats Omaha (American Association), by the score of 5-3 in 11 innings, thereby winning the Junior World Series
1976 - Catfish Hunter notches his 200th MLB career victory as the Yankees stop the e Brewers by the score of 2-1. Since 1901, only Christy Mathewson and Pete Alexander have hit the 200-win mark before their 31st birthday, but arm trouble will limit Catfish to a total of 224 MLB career wins. He'll win 17 games for the Yankees this season, after 5 straight 20-win seasons.
1978 - Former Yankees DH/1B Nick Johnson (2001-2003, 2010) was born. Nick Johnson was a 3rd round draft pick by the New York Yankees in 1996. He played for the Yankees from 2001-2003, but Nick had trouble staying healthy. In the winter of 2003, he was traded to the Expos along with OF Juan Rivera, P Randy Choate for Expos starter Javier Vazquez. Nick was signed by the Yankees in the winter of 2009 to be the team’s 2010 DH; he saw limited play due to a season ending wrist injury that required 2nd surgery. Nick signed with the Cleveland Indians for the 2011 AL season.
1980 - At Fenway Park, the Yankees edge the Red Sox by the score of 2-1 on CF Bobby Brown’s 7th inning HR. New York starter Louis Tiant picks up his 7th win, pitching 7 innings, giving up only 5 hits and allowing only 1 run. Yankees closer Goose Gossage gets his 29th save of the 1980 AL season.
2000 - After a 16-3 loss to the Blue Jays, Yankees Manager Joe Torre has a team meeting, and blisters the Yankees players for poor play. It won't help as they lose their next 7 games by scores of 15-4, 2-1, 11-1, 11-3, 13-2, 9-1, and 7-3.
2001 - Defeating the White Sox by the score of 6-3, Yankees starter Roger Clemens becomes the 1st MLB pitcher to have season won-loss record of 20-1. The 5-time Cy Young Award winner has won his last 16 decisions.
2001 - Former Yankees P William “Bill” Stafford (1960-1965) passes away at age of 62 due to heart problems (1939-2001). The Yankees signed Bill Stafford as a MLB free agent in 1957. He came up to the Yankees in 1960, going 3-0. He appeared in relief in 2 games in 1960 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1961, he went 14-9 as a starter. He was the winning pitcher of the Roger Maris #61 HR Game, shutting out the Red Sox by the score of 1-0. He started game # 3 of the 1961 World Series, but he did not get the win. In 1962, he went 14-9 again as a starter. Bill won game #3 of the 1962 World Series, throwing a 4-hitter against the Giants. In 1963, on opening day in Kansas City, he hurt his pitching arm in cold weather, finishing the 1963 AL season with a 4-8 mark. In 1964, he bounced back to a 5-0 record. In 1965, he went only 3-8. In 1966, Bill was 5-0 at Richmond (AAA), when he was traded by the Yankees along with P Gil Blanco, OF Roger Repoz to the A’s for P Fred Talbot and C Bill Bryan. He finished up with a 0-5 mark with the A’s, before retiring as an MLB player. His son, Mike was a minor league pitcher in the Blue Jays organization, now is a pitching coach in the Blue Jays minor league system.
September 20th
1898 - Former Yankees MLB Coach (1947-1948) and MLB Manager Chuck Dressen was born (1898-1966). Chuck Dressen was a member of the Yankees 1947-1948 MLB coaching staff. He would later manage the Dodgers, Senators, Braves and the Tigers. In 1966, Chuck suffered a fatal heart attack while as manager of the Tigers.
1911 - The Yankees commit 7 errors in the 1st game of a double header with the Indians (a 12-9 loss), and then commit 5 more in the nightcap (a 5-4 win). The 12 errors in one day is still the Yankees club record for errors.
1931 - Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig drives in 4 runs to break his old AL RBI mark of 175, set in 1927. By the end of 1931 AL season's end, Lou Gehrig will have a total of 184 RBI’s.
1938 - Former Yankees INF/OF Tom Tresh (1961-1969) was born (1938-2009). The Yankees signed Tom Tresh as a MLB free agent in 1958. He was the son of former Chicago White Sox C Mike Tresh. Tom was the only rookie player called up to the Yankees in 1961. In 1962, he won the AL Rookie Of Year Award. Tom took over the starting shortstop position, while Tony Kubek was serving Army Reserve active duty. Tom had beaten out Phil Linz for the starting position. He was an AL All Star team member in 1962-1963. Tommy played in 3 World Series for the Yankees hitting .277. He won an AL OF Golden Glove in 1965. After the 1965 AL season, the Boston Red Sox offered Yaz for Tresh in a trade, but then they changed their minds. During the 1966 AL season, Tom injured his knees, when newly acquired Yankees shortstop Ruben Amaro Sr. ran into him. The injury ruined Tom’s MLB career. In June of 1969, Tom was traded away to the Tigers for OF Ron Woods. Tom’s son Mike played in the Yankees and Tigers minor league systems.
1945 - Former Yankees P Mike Jurewicz (1965) was born. Mike Jurewicz appeared in 2 games with the Yankees having no decisions in 1965. An arm injury cut his MLB baseball career short.
1954 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mickey Klutts (1976-1978) was born. In 1972, Mickey Klutts was a 4th round draft choice by the Yankees. He appeared in 8 games for the Yankees before being traded to the A’s along with OF Dell Alston, $50,00 cash for OF/DH Gary Thomasson in June of 1978. He was the co-MVP of the International League in 1976 with the Syracuse Chiefs (shared with Rich Dauer and Joe Lis). He played for Syracuse in 1976,1977, and in 1983. He ranks # 4 in Chiefs history for his .308 batting average with them. He was named in 2004 to the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame.
1958 - Thanks to a Gus Triandos HR, recently acquired B Orioles knuckleball hurler Hoyt Wilhelm no-hits Yankees by the score of 1-0. It will be the last time in this century the Yankees will fail to get a hit in a game.
1961 - The 155th Yankees game of the 1961 AL season (including a tie) is Roger Maris' last chance to beat the 60 HR mark set by Babe Ruth. In compliance with MLB Commissioner Ford Frick's statement, for the record to be broken Maris must do it in the same number of games as Ruth. Maris' 59th HR of the year, off of O’s hurler Jack Fisher, is short of the HR record, but helps the Yankees beat the Orioles by a score of 4-2 to clinch their 26th AL pennant.
1968 - Yankees All Star slugger Mickey Mantle hit his 536th and final HR of his 18-year MLB career. Red Sox hurler Jim Lonborg in a 4-3 loss gives up his last MLB HR to the Red Sox at the Yankee Stadium.
1978 - The Yankees split a doubleheader with the Blue Jays, losing the opener by the score of 8-1 as Ron Guidry lost his 3rd game of the 1978 AL season. In the nightcap, the Yankees bounced back with a 3-2 win with bullpen help from Goose Gossage and 3-run rally in the 9th inning. The big hits were run-scoring singles by Lou Piniella, Chris Chambliss and Graig Nettles. Their lead is at 1 1/2 games, until news comes in from the Motor City, the Red Sox are mauled by the Tigers by the score of 12-2, the Yankees lead in the AL East now goes back to 2 games.
1980 - In memory of their former team captain and All Star catcher Thurman Munson, a bronze plaque in Memorial Park is dedicated to the deceased Yankees catcher, who died in an airplane crash in August of 1979.
1998 - At Camden Yards in Baltimore, the Yankees hang on to beat the Orioles by the score of 5-4. Yankees Closer Mo Rivera gives up a HR to Robby Alomar in 9th inning, but he still gets his 36th save as New York starter Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez picks-up his 11th victory. Cal Ripken, Jr. takes himself out of the Orioles starting lineup does not play in the loss to the New York , ending his MLB consecutive games played streak at 2,632. After nearly 16 years, Ripken says he decided the time was right to end the streak, which began on May 30, 1982.
2005 - Yankees All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez hits his 42nd HR and 2B Robinson Cano erases a 4-run deficit with a Grand Slam HR, helping Yankees starter Aaron Small and the 7-time defending division winners rally to beat the Devil Rays by the score of 9-5. Aaron Small pitching record goes to 8-0, becoming the 1st pitcher to win his 1st 8 decisions with the Yankees since Doug Bird in 1980 and 1981, and the Yankees 4th straight win continues its strong push in the AL East and wild-card races
September 21st
1875 - Former Yankees reserve C Frank McManus (1903) was born. Frank McManus appeared in only 4 games with the 1903 Yankees with no BA.
1892 - Former Yankees OF Elmer Smith (1922-1923) was born. Elmer Smith was obtained from the Red Sox along with veteran INF Joe Dugan. After hitting .306 in 1923, he was traded by the Yankees in 1924 to Louisville for future Hall Of Fame CF Earl Combs.
1906 - At Chicago, the White Sox lose a pair to the Yankees before 20,000 fans, their largest Friday afternoon crowd. Yankees 1B Hal Chase has 22 putouts at 1B in the 1st game, tying the MLB record.
1908 - Indians takes the AL lead beating the Yankees, while the Tigers take 2 from the Browns. With two weeks to go, three 1/2 games separate four teams.
1923 - Yankees OF Babe Ruth is the unanimous choice of the AL committee of baseball writers for the 1923 AL MVP award.
1932 - Jimmie Foxx slugs his HR #54 of the 1932 AL season to lead the A's to an 8-4 win over the visiting Yankees. His A’s teammates, Al Simmons and Eric McNair also hit HRs off of Yankees starter Red Ruffing as A’s starter Sugar Cain is able to win.
1933 - With lefty Walter Stewart pitching, the Senators eliminates the Yankees from the 1933 AL pennant race by clinching the AL flag in a 2-1 home win over the Browns.
1935 - The Tigers clinch the 1935 AL pennant with a double win over the Browns, winning by the scores of 6-2 and 2-0. The Tigers will coast the rest of the way of the 1935 AL season, going just 1-6, while the Yankees go 6-1, finishing in 2nd place in the AL with a 89-60 record.
1942 - Former Yankees P “Sudden” Sam Mc Dowell (1973-1974) was born. Sam Mc Dowell was a major disappointment for the Yankees after coming over from the Giants in 1973. He went 5-8 and 1-6, before being released by the Yankees during the 1974 AL season. His drinking problems with ruined his MLB pitching career.
1954 - Yankees rookie starter Bob Grim wins his 20th game of the 1954 AL season as the Yankees defeat the Senators by the score of 3-1. Bob had previously spent the last two years in the Army, before making the Yankees pitching staff in spring training.
1956 - New York 1B Bill “ Moose” Skowron has 5 hits, but the Yankees strand a record 20 base runners in losing to the Red Sox at Fenway Park by the score of 13-9. Mickey Mantle sends a 480-foot HR into the CF bleachers that lands a foot from the top. His 3 hits raise his BA to .352, four points behind the Red Sox slugger Ted Williams.
1961 - At Yankee Stadium, Roger Maris is held hitless in 4 at bats, as the A’s win by the score of 5-3, behind Bill Fischer's 3-hitter. All the runs off him are unearned. Roger Maris is the only Yankees regular to play the entire game.
1961 - Former Yankees reserve C and current MLB Manager Bob Geren (1988-1991) was born. On November 7, 1985, Bob Geren was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. Bob hit .205 in 249 games for the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1989, when he hit .288. On December 2,1991, Bob was selected off waivers by the Reds from the Yankees. Bob is the current MLB manager of the A’s.
1963 - The A’s beat the Yankees by a score of 5-3, despite HRs by Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle. For Yogi Berra, it is his 358th MLB career and last HR as a Yankees player.
1963 - Former Yankee DH/1B Cecil “Big Daddy” Fielder (1996-1997) was born. On July 31,1996, Cecil Fielder was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees for OF/DH Ruben Sierra and minor league P Matt Drews. Cecil hit .260 in his 2 seasons with the Yankees with 28 HRs, 96 RBIs with the Bombers, before leaving the team for MLB free agency in 1997.
1968 - At Yankee Stadium, Red Sox starter Ray Culp fires his 3rd successive shutout, stopping the Yankees on 1-hit shutout, winning the game by the score of 2-0. Roy White's single in the 7th inning is the only Yankees hit. It's Culp's 15th win of the year for the Red Sox.
1971 - For the fourth consecutive AL season, Orioles starter Dave McNally wins his 20th game, as he shuts out the Yankees by the score of 5-0.
1989 - Former Yankees P Murry Dickinson (1958) passed away (1916-1989). Murry Dickinson went 1-2 in 6 games for the Yankees during the 1958 AL season, before being returned to the A’s during the 1959 AL season.
2000 - The Blue Jays defeat the Yankees by the score of 3-1, as former Yankees starter David Wells becomes the MLB's 1st 20-game winner for the 2000 AL season.
2001 - Yankees closer Mariano Rivera blows a save giving up a 2-run single to Jerry Hairston as the Orioles prevail over the Yankees by the score of 7-6.
2002 - The Yankees beat the Tigers by the score 3-2, to clinch the AL East for the 5th straight year.
2008 - In the last game ever played at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees defeat Baltimore, 7-3. Andy Pettitte earns his 14th win of the season, while Johnny Damon and José Molina hit home runs. Mariano Rivera closes out the game with a perfect 9th inning, forcing Brian Roberts to ground out to 1B Cody Ransom for the last out. New York thus avoids being eliminated from the playoffs in their final game at the historic stadium.
2009 - For the 2nd straight night, the Yankees fail to become the 1st MLB team to clinch a playoff spot. After the Mariners yesterday, it's the Angels' turn to spoil the Yankees celebration, with a 5-2 win over New York, thanks to a strong performance by P Joe Saunders.
September 22nd
1875 - Former Yankees reserve C/1B Mike Powers (1905) was born. Mike Powers hit .182 in 11 games for Yankees before being sent to the A’s.
1892 - Former Yankees reserve OF/INF Jimmy Walsh (1914) was born. Jimmy Walsh hit .191 in 43 games for the 1914 Yankees.
1915 - In the 1st of 2 games, the Yankees top the Browns by the score of 7-0. George Sisler pitches one perfect inning of relief for the Browns.
1920 - Former HOF MLB OF/P, Scout, MLB Manager, Coach and Yankees Manager (1978-1979, 1981) Robert “Bob” Lemon was born (1920-2000). Bob Lemon was brought in by Yankees President/GM Al Rosen during the 1978 AL season to replace fired manager Billy Martin. Under his leadership the Yankees caught the Red Sox, after being 14 1/2 games behind. The team won the AL East. He won the 1978 World Series against the Dodgers. Bob was a MLB, who player switched from the OF to pitching for the Indians during the late 1940’s and 1950’s. He would go 207-128 with a .618 WP, with a 3.23 ERA in 13 seasons (1946-1958). Bob had seven 20-game win seasons for the Indians. He managed in MLB with the Royals, White Sox and the Yankees.
1925 - Yankees OF Ben Paschal hits 2-inside–the-park HRs during a Yankees 11-6 win against the White Sox at Yankee Stadium in the 1st game of a doubleheader. The Yankees lost the 2nd game by a score of 4-2.
1927 - Yankees CF Earl Combs connects for 3-triples during the Yankees 8-7 win over the Tigers. Also in that game, Yankees slugger Babe Ruth hits HR #56 for the 1927 AL season.
1927 - Former Yankee minor league P Tommy Lasorda was born. On July 11, 1956, Tommy Lasorda was traded by the A’s to the Yankees for P Wally Burnette. Tommy never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On May 26,1957, he was purchased by the Dodgers from the Yankees.
1929 - Former Yankees reserve INF Harry Bright (1963-1964) was born (1929-2000). The Yankees acquired Harry Bright from the Reds to back up their INF off the bench. His addition to the Yankee 40 man roster cost the Yankees, a young minor league OF named Curt Belfry, who was at Greensboro (AA), who was immediately claimed by the Orioles. Harry Bright was a good field, no-hit player who could play a lot of positions, including catcher. The Yankees originally signed Harry in 1946. He came up to the MLB with the Pirates in 1958. Then he played for the new AL expansion team, the Senators then the Reds, before joining the Yankees in 1963. He appeared in 60 games hitting .236 in 1963. He was Sandy Koufax’ 15th strikeout victim in 1963 World Series. In 1964, he appeared in only 4 games for the Yankees because of injuries. He finished his MLB career in 1965 with the Cubs. After retiring from the MLB as an active player, Harry became a MLB baseball scout.
1952 - Former Yankees reserve OF Del Alston (1977-1978) was born. Del Alston was traded in June of 1978, along with reserve INF Mickey Klutts to the A’s for OF/DH Gary Thomasson, who helped the Yankees by hitting .276 in 51 games for the injured CF Mickey Rivers during the 1978 AL pennant race.
1956 - Former Yankees P Jesse Tannehill (1903) passed away. Before the start of 1903 AL Season, Jesse Tannehill jumped from the Pirates in NL to the Highlanders. Jesse went 15-15 in 32 games for the 1903 Yankees. On December 20, 1903, Jesse was traded by the Highlanders to the Red Sox for P Tom Hughes
1959 - At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., the Yankees beat the Senators by the score of 12-6 behind the complete game performance by Art Ditmar, who gains his 13th victory of the 1959 AL season, The Senators starter Pedro Ramos is chased by the Yankees for 7 runs in 4 innings.
1963 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees edge the A’s by the score of 4-3 on Joe Pepitone’s 2-run HR in the 6th inning. Yankees starter Al Downing picks up his 13th win of the 1963 AL season going the distance allowing only 9 hits, 3-runs, while striking out 6 A’s batters. Mickey Mantle picks up his 2nd stolen base of the 1963 AL season.
1964 - Yankees rookie starter Mel Stottlemyre picks up his 8th victory of the 1964 AL season as he goes 8 innings, allowing 8 hits, 3-runs in a 5-3 win over the Indians. Yankees new closer Pedro Ramos picks up his 3rd save of September of 1964.
1979 - The Yankees defeat the Blue Jays by the score of 7-4 behind the pitching of starter Luis Tiant and closer Goose Gossage 3-inning relief performance. Tiant picks up his 12th win, as Gossage gets his 16th save. He relieved Jim Kaat, who gave up a 2-run HR to Rico Carty in the 6th inning. The Yankees had HR’s by Oscar Gamble-2 HRs, Jerry Narron, a 2-run HR and Reggie Jackson had a solo HR shot.
1980 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees edge the Indians by the score of 4-3. Yankees starter Tommy John beats Tribe starter Len Barker. John goes 8 innings, as he gets his 22 win of the 1980 AL season. Yankees closer Goose Gossage works the 9th inning for his 31st save of the season.
1997 - Former Yankees minor OF and MLB Manager Eddie Sawyer passed away (1910-1997). Yankees scout Paul Krichell discovered Eddie Sawyer. He hit .361 for the Norfolk Tars in 1934, 3rd in the Piedmont League. The next season, Sawyer hit .314 for Norfolk and .325 for the Binghamton Triplets. In 1936 he batted .313 for the Triplets and drove in 98 runs, 8th-most in the New York-Penn League. After starting the '1937 season at .345 for Binghamton, he went up to the Oakland Oaks and hit .284 there. Injuring his shoulder, Sawyer returned to Binghamton to bat .299 as an outfielder there in 1938. He became a player-manager for the Amsterdam Rugmakers in 1939. He only struck out 7 times in 458 AB, led the Canadian-American League with 103 RBI and batted .363. His team won the title. The next year, Sawyer hit .329 with 99 RBI in 120 games. Returning to old stomping grounds, Eddie hit .277 for Norfolk as player-manager in 1941 and hit .267 and .280 the next 2 seasons in the same role with Binghamton to finish his playing career.
Moving from the Yankees farm system, where he had been since 1939, he was hired by the Phillies in 1944 to manage the Utica Blue Sox. In 1948, he became the Phillies MLB manager. In 1950, he would lead the Phillies to NL championship defeating the Dodgers, facing his old team in the World Series, the Yankees losing 4 straight games. He managed the Phillies during the 1950’s, returning to the team in 1960, before quitting and being replaced by Gene Mauch after 1 game.
1998 - The Yankees sweep a double header from the Indians at Yankee Stadium by scores of 10-4 and 5-1. In the 1st game, a 10-4 victory with Yankees starter Ramiro Mendoza picks up his 10th win of the 1998 AL season. The Yankees hitting attack is led by HRs from Tino Martinez, a 2-run HR shot, rookie OF Shane Spencer’s 2-solo HRs and another solo HR by Scott Brosius. In the 2nd game, a 5-1 victory, when Yankees starter Hideki Irabu goes 8 innings to get his 13th victory of the season. The Yankees only get 7-hits in the game, but no HRs are hit, but they score 5 runs. The doubleheader sweep gives the team victories #108 and #109 for the 1998 AL season.
2003 - Hitting his 13th leadoff HR of the 2003 AL season, Alfonso Soriano establishes a new MLB record. The Yankees 2B had been tied with Brady Anderson who hit 12 HRs in 1996 for the Orioles.
2009 - The Yankees are the 1st team to clinch a AL playoff spot after a 6-5 win over the Angels. Alex Rodriguez drives in Brett Gardner on a sacrifice fly in the 9th inning; he has a HR and 3 RBI in the game. Mariano Rivera pitches a scoreless 9th inning for the save.
September 23rd
1898 -Former Yankees P George “Smiler” Murray (1922) was born (1898-1955). As a 24-year old rookie, George Murray went 4-2 in 22 games with the Yankees in 1922. He was traded to the Red Sox for P Herb Pennock in January of 1923.
1908 - The Cleveland wins its 10th straight game, defeating the Yankees starter Jack Chesbro by a score of 9-3. The Naps score 5 runs in the 7th inning, while Rhoades pitches strong ball until the 9th inning, when he allows 2 Yankee runs. Nap Lajoie has no official at bats, getting hit by pitched balls 3 times, tying an AL record, and walking his other time up.
1910 - Yankees Manager George Stallings, convinced that 1B Hal Chase tried to throw a game, but unable to make the charge stick, is replaced by his charismatic 1st baseman as manager of the 2nd-place Highlanders for the season's final 11 games. On his own, Prince Hal will lead the Yankees downhill to 6th place in 1911. In 1920, Commissioner Judge Landis will ban Hal Chase from baseball for his gambling activities.
1915 -In the 1st of 2 games, the Yankees top the Browns by the score of 7-0. George Sisler pitches 1 perfect inning of relief for the Browns.
1921 - Trailing by 2 percentage points, the Indians come to Yankee Stadium for a 4-game showdown. Waite Hoyt's arm and Babe Ruth's 3 doubles beat them by a score of 4-2.
1933 -The Yankees make 7 errors, 3 by INF Frank Crosetti, but have enough firepower to out-slug the Red Sox by the score of 16-12. Including in New York's 23 hits are HRs by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, HR number #31 for each; Lou Gehrig adds 2 doubles and a single. Sammy Byrd, Ben Chapman, and Frankie Crosetti have 3 hits apiece, and reliever Wilcy Moore drives in the last run with his 1st hit of the season. The Red Sox chased winning starter Herb Pennock in the 6th inning and make the score 12-9, but fall short at the end.
1937 - The Yankees lose their game by a score of 9-5, but clinch the 1937 AL pennant when the Red Sox beat the Tigers.
1942 - Former Yankees P Jim Rooker (1968) was born. On September 30,1968, Jim Rooker was purchased by the Yankees from Tigers. Jim never appeared in a MLB game with the Yankees. On October 15,1968, Jim was drafted by the Royals from the Yankees as the 6th pick in the 1968 AL expansion team player draft.
1942 - Former MLB player and Yankees Baseball Executive Woodie Woodward (1985-1987) was born. Woodward was the head baseball coach at Florida State University from 1975 to 1978. Before joining the Yankees, he worked in the Cincinnati front office. Woodie Woodward was the assistant General Manager of the New York Yankees in 1985-1986. He was General Manager of the Yankees in 1987. As a MLB player, Woodie was infielder in NL with the Braves and Reds.
1950 - The Yankees, tied for 1st place with the Tigers and 2 games ahead of the Red Sox. Open a crucial series with the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Joe DiMaggio's 1st inning HR off of starter Mel Parnell is all the scoring needed, as the Bombers win by a score of 8-0. Yankees starter Eddie Lopat gives up only 5 hits, including a leadoff triple to Dom DiMaggio.
1955 - The Yankees clinched the 1955 AL pennant by beating the Red Sox by the score of 3-2.
1960 - The Yankees win their 7th straight game in row by downing the Red Sox by the score of 5-1 at Fenway Park. Yankees starter Bob Turley goes 7 innings, allowing only 3 hits, 1-run and striking out 7 batters. Reliever Bobby Shantz picks up his 11th save of the season. The Yankees would finish the 1960 AL season with 15 straight wins, ending with a 97-51-1 record.
1961 - An ailing Mickey Mantle's career-high 54th HR, his last of the regular AL season, helps Yankees beat the Red Sox by a score of 8-3. Yankee starter Whitey Ford leaves the game in the 5th inning, but wins his 25th game of the season.
1964 - Former Yankees P Cy Barger (1906-1907) passed away. Cy Barger appeared in 3 games with the Yankees with no record.
1964 - The sizzling Yankees win their 9th game in a row defeating the Tribe, by the score of 4-3 in 11 innings in the opener and 6-4 in the 2nd game. Elston Howard's HR off of P Luis Tiant, snaps a tie game in the opener. Indians C Johnny Romano hits HRs in both games. While recently acquired closer Pedro Ramos finishes up both games for the Yankees. Ramos, however, will not be eligible to play for the Yankees in the 1964 World Series against the Cardinals.
1977 - Graig Nettles’ 9th inning 2-run HR puts Yankees fans fears to rest as the Yankees rebound from a 2 game sweep at Fenway Park by downing season-long nemesis Blue Jays by a score of 5-3, behind starter Don Gullett’s 5-hitter.
1978 - The Yankees lead over the Red Sox is trimmed to 1 game when the Indians scalp New York by the score of 10-1.
1980 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees score 4 runs in the 9th inning to beat the Indians by a score of 5-4. The Yankee hitting attack in the game was led by Aurelio Rodriguez’s triple, doubles by Reggie Jackson and Oscar Gamble. Yankees reliever Ron Davis is the winner picking up his 9th win, while reliever Mike Stanton took the loss for the Tribe.
1981 - The Yankees beat the Indians by the score of 6-1 behind starter Rick Reuschel’s complete game as he picks up his 4th win of the season at Yankee Stadium. Reggie Jackson’s 2-run HR leads the Yankee hitting attack.
1984 - The Tigers defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-1, making Sparky Anderson the 1st MLB manager ever to win 100 games in a season in each league. As skipper of the 'Big Red Machine', his team won 108 games in 1975 and 102 games in 1976.
1985 - Current Yankees P Joba Chamberlain (2007-2011) was born. Joba Chamberlain was a top prospect in the Yankees system before making his MLB in 2007, his first pro season. He was selected with the 41st pick in the 2006 amateur draft by the Yankees, compensation for the loss of Tom Gordon to free agency. Joba signed for a $1,100,000 bonus, but did not pitch in the minors that year. It was the highest a Native American player had gone in the history of the MLB amateur draft. Joba got off to a quick start in his 1st season in the minors, going 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 7 games for the Tampa Yankees, allowing 25 hits, walking 11 and striking out 51 in 40 IP. Chamberlain was promoted from Tampa to the Trenton Thunder; he had a 4-2, 3.43 record for them, striking out 64 batters in 39 1/3 innings. He then was moved up once more, to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. In his AAA debut, he pitched 5 scoreless innings, whiffed 10 to give him 125 strikeouts in 84 1/3 IP through July 26th. Chamberlain was 1-0 in 3 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, fanning 18 in 8 innings while allowing no runs and 5 hits. That made him 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 135 K in 88 1/3 innings in his 1st year as a professional, allowing a .198 average. He was called up to New York to replace Brian Bruney in the bullpen.
In his 1st MLB game, Joba relieved Jim Brower against the Toronto in the 8th inning and struck out his 1st MLB opponent. He went 2 scoreless frames, walking 2, whiffing 2 and allowing 1 hit. Through his 1st 3 MLB games, he had allowed no base runners in 3 more innings, while striking out 6 more. The Yankees' top brass enacted special "Joba rules" to prevent him from being overused in spite of his success.
His fairy-tale 1st season ended on a strange note, when in the ALDS, he was bothered by an invasion of midges in Cleveland, OH, losing a game to the Indians. The big story then became whether Joba should start or relieve, the controversy lasting for the next 2 seasons. He began 2008 in the bullpen, but when the Yankees' starting rotation was beset by injuries, the pressure to have him start became relentless. He was eased into the job, pitching well, but not picking up many wins, and then being shut down at the end of the season. He ended the year 4-3, 2.60, in 42 games, including 12 starts. He spent most of 2009 as a starter, but had trouble going deep into games and seemed to lose velocity when compared to his performances out of the bullpen. He was 9-6, 4.75 in 157 innings. Manager Joe Girardi put him in the bullpen when the Yankees reached the postseason, deciding to go with only 3 starters. He pitched well in relief as the Yankees conquered the World Series. In 10 appearances, he gave up only 2 earned runs and won 1 game in the 2009 World Series. In 2010, he was in contention to become the Yankees' 5th starter, but lost out to Philip Hughes, returning to the bullpen, to be Mariano Rivera's set-up man. Over the period, he had pitched well as a starter, but had been simply outstanding as a reliever, keeping alive the controversy over what his optimal usage should be.
Things changed in 2010, however, as he experienced problems with his mechanics and was hit hard, in spite of throwing his fastball at a much higher velocity than when he was a starter. In late July, Girardi moved him away from the set-up role in order for him to work out his problems in less stressful circumstances.
He finished the season with a record of 3-4, 4.40 in 73 games with 3 saves but pitched all right in the ALCS, giving up a 1 run in 3 1/3 innings facing the Texas Rangers. Joba was back in the bullpen at the start of 2011, he was not seriously considered for a starting spot even after the Yankees were left thin in that area when Andy Pettitte decided to retire. He was pitching much better than in his previous 2 seasons, with a 2-0 record and 2.83 ERA in 27 games as 1 of 2 set-up men for Closer Mariano Rivera when he was placed on the DL on June 8th with what was originally described as "discomfort" in his pitching elbow. The issue turned out to be much more serious - a torn ligament requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery.
1997 - In a warm-up for the playoffs, the Indians rally from a 9-2 deficit to shock the Yankees by the score of 10-9. Yankees Tony Fernandez and Tino Martinez match 2-run HRs, while David Justice and Robby Alomar, also HR for the Indians.
1998 - With an 8-4 victory over the Indians, the 1998 Yankees tie the 1927 World Championship team for the most wins in franchise history. The Bombers' 110 victories pull them within 1 game of the AL record of 111 victories by the 1954 Indians.
1999 - By drawing 27,549 fans, the Yankees break the New York City season attendance record with a total of 3,072,009. The Mets had previously held the record when 3,047,724 fans turned the turnstiles in 1988.
2000 - Former Yankees reserve INF Aurelio Rodriguez (1980-1981) died after being struck by a car in Detroit. (1947-2000)
2001 - By saving New York's 5-4, 10-inning win over the Orioles at Camden Yards, Yankees closer Marino Rivera establishes a franchise single-season record with his 47th save. The previous club record was held by Dave Righetti, who had 46 saves in 1986.
2008 - The Red Sox hand Cliff Lee just his 3rd loss in 25 decisions in a 5-4 win to clinch a playoff spot. The win eliminates the Yankees from making the postseason for the 1st time since 1993 (not counting the 1994 season, when the postseason was cancelled, but during which the Yankees posted the best record in the AL).
September 24th
1910 - Former Yankees OF Dixie Walker (1931, 1933-1936) was born (1910-1982). Dixie Walker started his MLB career with the Yankees, but couldn’t break in Yankees starting outfield, later he was picked up on waivers by the White Sox in May of 1936. He would become a MLB star playing for the Dodgers during the 1940’s. He was the brother of MLB star Harry Walker.
1910 - Yankees 1B Hal “Prince” Chase is named manager of the Yankees following the resignation of Manager George Stallings in the day before. The Yankees finish in 2nd place at 88-63, Hal would lead the Yankees to a 6th place finish in 1911, going 76-76. As player-manager, he would stay with the Yankees until 1913, when he was traded to the White Sox.
1919 - Red Sox starter Waite Hoyt pitches 9 perfect innings against the Yankees, but they come in between the 4th and the 13th innings in which he gives up hits. He loses the game by a score of 2-1 in the 13th inning.
1920 - In the 1st game of a twin bill, Yankees slugger Babe Ruth hits his 50th HR in the 1st inning, off of the Senators P Jose Acosta. Then he adds HR# 51 in a 4-for-4 performance in the 2nd game, a 2-1 win, to give the Yankees, a sweep. The other 3 hits off loser Shaw are by Phelps.
1923 - The Tigers P Ray Francis, with a 3-0 lead over the Yankees, issues a bases loaded walk to Babe Ruth, but hangs on for the victory.
1924 - Former Yankees P Wally Hood (1949) was born. Wally Hood, was a pitcher for the USC baseball team, was signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Yankees on June 29, 1948. The 22-year-old right-hander was assigned to the Newark Bears (AAA, International League). Wally would chalk up a 6-5 record and a 4.19 ERA while pitching 86 innings in his 1st season in pro baseball. Hood, who would never pitch below AA ball during his 7-year run in the minors, was with the Newark Bears and the Kansas City Blues in 1949, his 2nd year in the minors, and put together an 8-8 record with a 4.92 ERA while pitching 161 innings. Wally would receive a call from the Yankees in late September of 1949. The Californian made his MLB debut on September 23rd of this same season. In his 2 appearances, he allowed no hits and no runs, he never appeared in the MLB again. Hood would spend 5 more seasons in baseball, all in the minors. The right-hander would go from a 7-16 and a 5.42 ERA record in 1950 with the Kansas City Blues to a 11-9 record in a split season with the San Francisco Seals and the Hollywood Stars (PCL) in 1951. The Yankees would send Hood to the Dodgers during the 1952 season in a presently unknown transaction. Hood reported to the Fort Worth Cats, Wally had the best numbers of his career, going 5-2 with a 2.66 ERA in the final months of the season. Wally would hold on through 1954 when he went 4-5 with a 5.43 ERA for the Montreal Royals (IL). He called it quits at the age of 28 with a 7-year career record of 52-62 and a 4.61 ERA in 951 innings.
1927 -The Yankees win their 106th game of the 1927 AL season, a 6-0 victory over the Tigers, for a new AL season record high. They will win 110 games, a record held until the 1954, when Indians win 111 games.
1929 - The Yankees starter Tom Zachary wins his 12th game without a loss by the score of 5-3 over the Red Sox. His 12-0 season record will not be equaled.
1931 - The round-robin playoff among New York City's 3 MLB teams, to raise money for the unemployed, concludes with Dodgers losing to both the Giants and the Yankees at the Polo Grounds. Again, a near capacity crowd turns out and adds $48,000 to bring the fund to $108,000. In field events held between games, Babe Ruth, normally a left-handed hitter, bats right-handed and wins the fungo hitting contest. He breaks the old distance record held by Big Ed Walsh. Babe Ruth's drive lands in deep center field, 421 FT away. The old record, set 20 years earlier, was 419 1/2 FT.
1932 - In a battle of former Boston collegians, Harvard beats Boston College. Charlie Devens, former Harvard hurler, makes his MLB debut for the Yankees; he beats the Red Sox by the score of 8-2. The loss goes to Eddie Gallagher, former Boston College pitcher who exits in the 5th inning. Yankees slugger Babe Ruth swats his 41st HR of the season in the 9th inning, Lou Gehrig belts his 34th HR in the 5th inning.
1934 - The idle Tigers win the 1934 AL pennant, as the Red Sox beat the Yankees by the score of 5-0 in the season's finale at Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth walks in the 1st inning, limps to 1B, and leaves for a pinch runner in his last home game was a Yankee. A crowd of only 2,500 fans see the final home game for the 1934 AL season. The Yankees finish in 2nd place with a 94-60 record.
1946 - Disappointing on the field, the Yankees (87-67, 3rd Place) nevertheless finish their home season with a 2,309,029 attendance. The best previous draw was the 1929 Cubs at 1,485,166. Total MLB attendance was 18.5 million, 80 percent more than 1945.
1948 - Former Yankees DH/INF Eric Soderholm (1980) was born. On November 14, 1979, Eric Soderholm was traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for players to be named later and cash. The Yankees sent minor league players Amos Lewis and Ricky Burdette on December 13, 1979 to the Rangers to complete the trade. Eric hit .280 for the 1980 Yankees.
1949 - Red Sox starter Ellis Kinder (15-1 at Fenway Park) pitches a 6-hitter, as Ted Williams lines his 42nd HR to beat the Yankees by the score of 2-0, pulling the Red Sox 1 game behind the Yankees.
1950 - In the 2nd game of a key series with the Red Sox, 66,924 fans are on hand for “Johnny Mize Day” at Yankee Stadium, as the Yankees top the fading Red Sox by the score of 9-5 to go 4 games up on Boston and 2 1/2 games ahead of the Tigers. Yankees Shortstop Phil Rizzuto contributes a single, double, and HR, while Yogi Berra, adds 4 hits including a triple. Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak reaches 15 games. The Yankees will win 5 of their next 7 games, while the Tigers will manage to go 4-3.
1954 - The New York ties a MLB record, when 3 consecutive Yankees pinch hitters strike out in 1-inning. The 9th inning Yankee victims of A’s hurler Arnold Portocarrero were Lou Berbert, Gus Triandos, and Frank Leja. The Yankees would strike out 11 times in the game, which they lost by a score of 5-1 to the A’s.
1957 - The Yankees clinch their 23rd AL pennant and 8th under Manager Casey Stengel, as the A’s tips the White Sox by the score of 6-5.
1958 - The Red Sox close out their 1958 AL home schedule with a 7-5 loss to the Yankees. Mickey Mantle cracks his 42nd HR of the season to put him 3 HRs, ahead of Indians slugger Rocky Colavito, who will finish at 42 HRs.
1960 - Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle's 11th inning HR off of Ted Wilks gives Bronx Bombers, a 6-5 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mantle had driven in the games 1st run with a drag bunt in the 1st inning. The Yankees win their 8th straight game. They would finish the 1960 AL season with 15 game winning streak as they clinched the AL Flag.
1967 -The Twins crunch the Yankees by the score of 9-2 as Dean Chance scatters 9 hits for his 20th victory of the 1967 AL season.
1972 - In the nightcap of a twin-bill sweep over the Indians, Yankees closer Sparky Lyle sets an AL record, tying the MLB mark by saving his 35th game. The Yankees win the game, by the score of 8-3, after gaining a 5-4 win in the opener when they score 2 unearned runs on 5 Indian errors in the 11th inning. Thurman Munson steals 2B by kicking the ball out of Frank Duffy's glove and going to 3B on the error. Duffy then boots a grounder and throws wildly for 2 more Errors. Catcher Gerry Moses then picks up a squibber and fires over 1B and RF Del Unser’s throw to the plate is over Moses' head for error #5.
1973 - The Yankees acquired C Duke Simms on waivers from the Tigers. Duke would make Yankee Stadium history by hitting the last Yankees Home Run at the old Yankee Stadium in 1973.
1977 - Former Yankees reserve C Sherman Lollar (1947-1948) passes away. Sherman Lollar played in 33 games as a backup catcher to Yogi Berra. He appeared in the 1947 World Series with the Yankees. He would be traded to the Browns after the 1948 AL season as part of the Fred Sanford trade. He would later become an AL All Star catcher for the White Sox during the 1950’s. He was the starting catcher for the 1959 AL champions White Sox.
1978 - Yankees starter Ron Guidry (23-3) gains his 3rd two-hit shutout of the month, 4-0 over the Indians. The 2 Indian hits are by Duane Kuiper, the 2nd time this year that he has recorded the only hits in a game. The Yankees ace, also threw a 2-hit against the Red Sox on September 9th (7-0) and 15th (4-0). It is Guidry's 9th shut out of the 1978 AL season, a Yankees record, and just 1 short of the AL record for southpaws set by Red Sox lefty Babe Ruth in 1916. The Red Sox stay 1 game in back of Yankees by topping the Blue Jays by the score of 7-6.
1980 - The Yankees beat the Indians by the score of 7-3 at Yankee Stadium behind the pitching of starter Luis Tiant and reliever Tommy Underwood. Tiant gets his 8th win, while Tommy Underwood picks up his 2nd save of the 1980 AL season. The Yankees hitting attack is led by 1B Bob Watson, who goes 3 for 5 with 3 RBI’s.
1980 - Former Yankees P Ernie Shore (1919-1920) passed away. In August of 1912, Ernie Shore was traded by the Highlanders along with cash to Indianapolis for Ted Goulait. On December 18,1918, Ernie Shore was traded by the Red Sox with Dutch Leonard and Duffy Lewis to the Yankees for Ray Caldwell, Frank Gilhooley, Slim Love, Roxy Walters and $15,000. Ernie went 7-10 in 34 games for the Yankees.
1996 - Former Yankees P Red Embree (1948) passed away (1917-1996). On December 11, 1947, Red Embree was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for OF Allie Clark. Red went 5-3 in 20 games for the 1948 Yankees. On December 13, 1948, Red was traded by the Yankees along with C Sherm Lollar, 1B Richard Starr, and $100,000 to the Browns for C Roy Partee and P Fred Sanford.
1998 - The Yankees win by the score of 5-2, over the Devil Rays and post their 111th win of the season, surpassing the club record of 110, set by the 1927 World Championship team. They tie the AL record of 111 victories in 1954 held by the Indians. Yankees Rookie OF Shane Spencer pounds a Grand Slam HR, his 8th HR in 57 at bats.
2002 - Thanks to 1B Jason Giambi's 2-HRs in the Yankees 6-0 whitewash of the Devil Rays, the Giambi brothers (Jason 40, Jeremy 20) pass the DiMaggio siblings for the highest single-season total for HRs with 60. The DiMaggio’s (Joe 46, Vince, 13) went yard 59 times in 1937.
2005 - Averaging more than 50,000 fans per game, the Yankees become the 3rd franchise in MLB history, and the 1st since the 1994 MLB baseball strike, to pass the 4-million attendance mark. The 1993 Rockies and the 1991-1993 Blue Jays are the other MLB teams, which have reached the attendance milestone.
