This Week in Yankees History
October 16th- 22nd
October 16th
1895 - Former Yankees reserve C Bill Skiff (1926) was born (1895-1976). Bill Skiff appeared in 6 games for the 1926 Yankees with .091 BA. Bill would later work for the New York Yankees as a MLB scout and long-time Minor League manager. Also Bill worked for the Milwaukee Brewers organization before retiring from baseball in the early 1970’s.
1900 - Former Yankees P/PH Henry “Tomato Face” Cullop (1926) was born. Henry Cullop only appeared in 2 games for the Yankees as a pinch-hitter, before being sent on October 19,1926, to the Washington Senators to complete an earlier deal made on August 27,1926. The Yankees sent players to be named later to the Senators for veteran P Dutch Ruether. The Yankees would sent hurlers Garland Braxton and Nick Cullop on October 19,1926 to the Senators to complete the trade.
1921 - In defiance of MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis ban on World Series participants playing post-season exhibitions, Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel and Bill Piercy launch a barnstorming tour in Buffalo, NY. Five days later, they cut it short in Scranton, Pa. In the meantime, Babe Ruth openly challenges Judge Landis to act. The judge does, fining the players their World Series shares ($3,362.26), and suspending them until May 20th of the 1922 AL season.
1923 - Soon after Babe Ruth receives his 1923 World Series winner's share of $6,160.46, MLB player (Tigers) and insurance agent Harry Heilmann, who beat Babe Ruth for the AL batting title by 10 points, sells him a $50,000 life insurance policy. Beneficiaries are Mrs. Ruth and adopted their daughter, Dorothy.
1929 - The New York Yankees sell veteran OF Bob Meusel to Cincinnati Reds for cash. Bob had a .311 lifetime BA with 146 HRs with the Yankees from 1920-1929. He had 7 seasons with the Yankees hitting .300 or better. In 1925, he led the AL in HRs with 33 and RBI’s with 133. He led the Yankees in stolen bases 5 times, finishing his Yankees career with 131 stolen bases.
1936 - New York Yankees AL All Star 1B Lou Gehrig, who hit .354 with 49 HRs, 167 runs, and 152 RBI is voted the 1936 American League Most Valuable Player.
1949 - Former Yankees P Don Hood (1979) was born. On June 15,1979, Don Hood was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the New York Yankees for DH/C/1B Cliff Johnson. Don went 3-1 in 27 games for the Yankees before leaving for MLB free agency in the off-season.
1956 - The New York Yankees sell OF Bob Cerv to the Kansas City A’s for cash. Bob would get a chance to play full time with the A’s, including a great 1958 AL season with a .305 BA, 38 HRs, 104 RBI’s, making the AL All Star team as the starting LF. He would return to Yankees in May of 1960 in trade for veteran 3B Andy Carey.
1961 - New York Yankees purchased veteran P Robin Roberts from the Philadelphia Phillies for $100,000. The Yankees made a major mistake when they wrote him off as a washed up in 1962 spring training. Clippers Note: They should have kept him and dumped veteran P Bob Turley instead. Robin Roberts signed with the rival Baltimore Orioles, going 10-9, then he won 14 games in 1963. If the Yankees had kept him, he would have won 300 games during his great MLB career.
1962 - With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, San Francisco Giants slugger Willie McCovey hit a hard line drive at 2B Bobby Richardson for the final out as the Yankees won Game 7 of the 1962 World Series by a score of 1-0, for their 20th World Series title. The winning pitcher for the Yankees is Ralph Terry, who after being the goat in 1960 and losing a game in 1961 World Series is finally a Yankee World Series hero.
1962 - Former MLB Player and Yankees Minor League Manager Ray Powell passed away (1888-1962). As MLB Player, Ray Powell played for the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Braves. He managed in the Yankees minor league system for 1939-1942.
1965 - Former Yankees minor league OF Darren Reed was born. On June 4, 1984, Darren Reed was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1984 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Darren never appeared at the MLB level with the Yankees. On December 11,1987, he was traded by the Yankees along with minor league P Steve Frey and C Phil Lombardi to the New York Mets for shortstop Rafael Santana and minor league player Victor Garcia.
1976- Cincinnati Reds pitchers Don Gullett and Pedro Borbon combine on a 5-hitter as the Reds win the opening game of the 1976 World Series over the New York Yankees, by the score of 5-1. 3 hits by Tony Perez, who is the 1st DH in World Series history and 2B Joe Morgan with a HR supply the Reds offense. Yankees starter Doyle Alexander took the loss.
1977 - In the 1977 World Series, the Dodgers stay alive with a 10-4 victory in Game 5 against the Yankees. Dodgers Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith hit HRs, and Don Sutton pitches a complete game. Yankee starter Don Gullet only goes 4 innings, allowing 4-runs. Late inning HRs by Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson provide the Yankees offense.
1978 - The Yankees clinch their 22nd World Championship with a 7-2 victory at Dodger Stadium behind the pitching of veteran starter Catfish Hunter. The Catfish goes 8-innings, giving up only 1-run before Yankees Closer Rich Gossage shuts down the Dodgers in 8th inning and saves the game for the Yankees.
1993 - Former Yankees P Jimmy DeShong (1934-1935) passed away (1909-1993). Jimmy DeShong went 10-8 in 60 games for the Yankees. On January 17,1936, Jimmy was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jesse Hill to the Washington Senators for P Bump Hadley and OF Roy Johnson. Jimmy would be repurchased by the Yankees from the Senators in 1939, but not appear with them at the MLB level, instead playing with their Newark Bears AAA club in the International League.
1999 - The Boston Red Sox roll over the New York Yankees by the score of 13-1, behind a strong pitching of starter Pedro Martinez. Nomar Garciaparra gets 4 hits for the Red Sox, while John Valentin gets 5 RBI. Garciaparra, Valentin and Brian Daubach, all hit HRs for the Red Sox. The Yankees now leads the 1999 ALCS, 2-games-to-1.
2003 - The New York Yankees capture their 39th AL pennant beating the Boston Red Sox by the score of 6-5, thanks to Aaron Boone's 11th inning HR off of P Tim Wakefield at Yankee Stadium. Aaron Boone becomes the 5th player to end a post-season series with a HR joining Bill Mazeroski (1960 WS), Chris Chambliss (1976 ALCS, Joe Carter (1993 WS) and Todd Pratt (1999 NLDS2).
2009 - The New York Yankees take Game 1 of the ALCS with a 4-1 win over the Angels at New Yankee Stadium. The Yankees take advantage of 3 Angel errors to score their runs, but the critical play is a 2-out pop-up that falls untouched between 3B Chone Figgins and SS Erick Aybar in the 1st inning, allowing Johnny Damon to score the Yankees' 2nd run. CC Sabathia pitches 8 innings for the victory, while Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets the save.
October 17th
1908- Former Yankees INF Robert “Red” Rolfe (1931,1934-1942) was born (1908-1969). Red Rolfe finished his 10-year New York Yankees career with a .289 BA. He led the AL 3B in fielding (1935-1936). Red was named to AL All Star team 4 times as a Yankee. He led the AL in hits (139) and runs (213) in 1939, posting his highest season BA of .329. After his MLB playing career was over, Red was an AL Manager with the Detroit Tigers (1949-1952) in 539 games, with a record of 278-256 with a WP of .521. His best season as a MLB Manager was in 1950, when he finished 2nd place with the Detroit Tigers to the Yankees with a 95-59 mark.
1926 - "Ruth, by Losing 36 Baseballs, Breaks Up Game in Montreal." The barnstorming Babe and his buddy Urban Shocker are the Yankee ringers infiltrating this exhibition bout north of the border. The Associated Press reports: "Babe Ruth stopped a perfectly good ball game here today when, knocking 36 balls out of the grounds, he forced the game to be called shortly after the start of the 9th inning because the management had no more spheres. Ruth enjoyed a Roman holiday to the delight of 3,000 fans, who braved a chilling wind to see the home-run hero's mighty bat give Guybourg a 4-3 victory over Beaurivage. Ruth's performance included 2 HRs. He also played shortstop, first base, pitched and umpired."
1961 - Former Yankees OF/1B/DH Dan Pasqua (1985-1987) was born. On June 7, 1982, Dan Pasqua was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1982 MLB amateur player draft. Dan’s best season with the Yankees was in 1986, hitting .283. He never reached that mark again in the MLB. On November 12,1987, Dan was traded by the Yankees along with P Steve Rosenberg and C Mark Salas to the Chicago White Sox for hurlers Richard Dotson and Scott Nielsen.
1964 - Despite guiding the New York Yankees to a 99-63 record, winning the 1964 AL pennant, the Yankees fired Manager Yogi Berra after losing the 1964 World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in 7 games. Yankees General Manager Ralph Houk feels that Yogi Berra didn’t have enough control over the Yankee players; many of them were his former teammates. The truth is that Yogi Berra was selected by the Yankees Co-Owners Dan Topping and Del Webb to manage the Yankees. Ralph Houk wanted his own choice to manage the team. Meanwhile in St. Louis, Manager Johnny Keane of the World Championship Cardinals resigns unexpectedly. He will take Yankees manager job, which opens as the result of the firing of Yogi Berra.
1976 - On a cold Sunday night, the Cincinnati Reds gang up on Yankees starter Catfish Hunter for 3 runs, but the Yankees battle back to tie it up at 3-3. With 2 outs in the 9th inning, Yankees shortstop Fred Stanley throws Ken Griffey's easy grounder into the dugout. A walk and a Tony Perez single follow and the Reds win Game 2 of the World Series by the score of 4-3.
1978 - The New York Yankees win their 4th straight game by the score of 7-2, to clinch their 2nd consecutive World Championship over the Dodgers. Yankees infielders Brian Doyle and 1978 World Series MVP Bucky Dent have 3 hits apiece.
1985 - Lou Piniella is named Manager of the New York Yankees replacing Billy Martin, who had piloted the Yankees to 2nd place finishing with a 91-54 record in the AL East.
2000 - In a come-from-behind victory by the score of 9-7 over the Seattle Mariners, David Justice propels the Yankees with a 3-run HR to their record 37th AL pennant setting up the for the 1st time in 44 years a Subway Series (Yankees vs. Mets) in New York City.
2003 - Early editions of the New York Post include an editorial claiming the New York Yankees lose to the Boston Red Sox, that the team couldn't get the job done in Game 7 of the ALCS. Although New York did trail the Red Sox, the team rallies to beat their archrivals in 11 innings by the score of 6-5.
2009 - The New York Yankees take a 2-0 lead over the Angels in the ALCS by winning a 13-inning marathon, by the score of 4-3 at New Yankee Stadium. Yankees 3rdBaseman Alex Rodriguez homers off of reliever Brian Fuentes in the bottom of the 11th inning to tie the game and the winning run scores when Maicer Izturis throws the ball away while trying to start an inning-ending double play, allowing Jerry Hairston to score from second base.
October 18th
1889 - Former Yankees INF Charles “Dutch” Sterrett (1912-1913) was born. Dutch Sterrett appeared in 67 games for the Yankees hitting .253.
1901 - Former Yankees minor league and MLB executive Parke Carroll was born (1901-1961). Parke Carroll was a front-office executive in minor leagues and MLB, who was perhaps best known, in baseball circles, for his 2-year stint as the General Manager of the Kansas City Athletics from 1959-1960. During those 2 years, he engineered a few trades that sent key players to the New York Yankees, but his most notable deal came on December 11,1959, in which Carroll sent Roger Maris to the Yankees along with 2 other players for Don Larsen (author of a 1956 World Series perfect game), Marv Throneberry, Hank Bauer and Norm Siebern. With the aid of the short right-field porch in Yankee Stadium, Maris set a single-season HR record with 61 HRs in 1961, just 2-seasons after leaving the A's. Only Norm Siebern would pay dividends for the A's however, as he was their regular 1B from 1960-1963. Carroll did pick up from the Yankees during the 1959 season, INF Jerry Lumpe and OF Russ Snyder, who did help the team before being traded away.
Carroll's dealings with the Yankees were controversial because the A’s, under owner Arnold Johnson, sent many top players to New York in apparently one-sided trades during the mid- to late-1950s. Johnson and the team's Director of Player Personnel, George Selkirk, had previously traded quality players such as Bobby Shantz, Clete Boyer, Harry "Suitcase" Simpson and Ryne Duren to the Yankees. Also Johnson had business ties with Yankees Co-Owner Del Webb and owned Yankee Stadium in the Bronx prior to purchasing the A’s in 1954. All these factors led to charges from fans, writers and other teams that Johnson and Carroll ran the A’s as a Yankee farm team at the MLB level.
Carroll came to the A’s directly after working in the New York Yankees organization as business manager for the Bombers' 2 top farm clubs, the Kansas City Blues (American Association) and the Newark Bears (International League.) A former sportswriter who served as sports editor of the Kansas City Journal Post, Carroll entered baseball when that newspaper ceased publication during World War II. He joined the A's in their 1st season in Kansas City in 1955 as Vice President and Business Manager. After the end of the 1958 AL season, Parke was promoted to General Manager by Johnson. The A’s Owner previously had not handed the General Manager title to a specific executive, preferring to divide the GM responsibilities among himself, Selkirk and Carroll. However, Johnson died suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage during 1960 spring training camp. His unexpected death forced the sale of the team to Chicago insurance executive Charlie Finley, who fired Carroll at the end of the 1960 AL season, replacing him with former Cleveland Indians GM Frank "Trader" Lane. Ironically, only months later, Carroll also died suddenly — of a heart attack in Kansas City, on February 4, 1961, at age 56.
1903 - Former Yankees reserve INF George “Yats” Wuestling (1930) was born. On May 30, 1930, George Wuestling was traded by the Detroit Tigers along with P Ownie Carroll and OF Harry Rice to the New York Yankees for P Waite Hoyt and INF Mark Koenig. Reserve INF George “Yats” Wuestling hit .190 in 25 games with the 1930 New York Yankees.
1914 - Former Yankees reserve OF/INF Roy Cullenbine (1942) was born (1914-1991). On August 31, 1942, Roy Cullenbine was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Washington Senators. He appeared in 21 games for the 1942 Yankees hitting .364. The pennant-winning Yankees thought enough of him to put him 3rd in the batting lineup in all 5 games of the 1942 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals batting him ahead of Joe DiMaggio. On December 17,1942, Roy was traded by the Yankees along with C Buddy Rosar to the Cleveland Indians for INF Oscar Grimes and OF Roy Weatherly.
1931 - Former Yankees 3B Andy Carey (1952-1960) was born. Before the 1950 AL season, the Yankees signed Andy Carey as an MLB amateur free agent. Andy appeared in 4 World Series with the Yankees, his best one was in 1957, when he hit .286. His best Yankees regular season was in 1954, when he hit .302. Andy would be the Yankees regular 3B from 1954-1958. He married Hollywood actress Lucy Marlow in 1955. Later part of his Yankee playing career, Andy was bothered by back troubles. During the 1959 AL season, the Yankees started using Hector Lopez and Clete Boyer at 3B over Andy Carey. On May 19,1960, Andy was traded by the Yankees to the Kansas City A’s for veteran OF Bob Cerv. Andy would end his MLB playing career with the Dodgers in 1962. His favorite hobby was photography. After baseball, he went into the brokerage business in California.
1960 - Instituting a mandatory retirement age of 65, the New York Yankees co-owners Dan Topping and Del Webb relieved veteran Yankees Manager Casey Stengel. He posted a 1,149-696 record for the Yankees, including 10 AL pennants and 7 World Championships. Casey turns the tables on the New York Yankees co-owners at his retirement press conference, saying he was fired as their manager because of his age.
1960 - Former Yankees reserve INF Steve Kiefer (1989) was born. After leaving the Milwaukee Brewers organization as a MLB free agent, Kiefer moved to the Yankees. He hit .276 for the Columbus Clippers (International League) in 1989. Steve was 1 for 8 with 5 strikeouts for the 1989 Yankees to conclude his MLB career.
1966 - Former Yankees P Alan Mills (1990-1991) was born. On June 22, 1987, Alan Mills was sent by the California Angels to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 19,1986. The Angels sent a player to be named later and Ron Romanick to the Yankees for C Butch Wynegar. The Angels sent P Alan Mills on June 22,1987 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Alan posted a 2-6 mark in 42 games for the Yankees. On February 29,1992, Alan was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for players to be named later. The Orioles would sent Francisco de la Rosa on March 5,1992 and minor league player Mark Carper on June 8,1992 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1977 - New York Yankees RF Reggie Jackson became known as "Mr. October" when he hits 3 consecutive HRs in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. Jackson led the Yankees to an 8-4 victory and the 1978 World Championship over the Dodgers. Jackson's 3-HRs shots came on the 1st pitch off of Dodger pitchers, Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa and Charlie Hough. He drove in 5 runs and earned 1977 World Series MVP honors.
1990 - Former Yankees 1B Nick Etten (1943-1946) passed away (1913-1990). On January 22, 1943, Nick Etten was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Yankees for Ed Levy, Al Gettel, and $10,000. Al Gettel and Ed Levy returned to original teams on March 26,1943. The Yankees sent Tom Padden and Al Gerheauser on March 26,1943 to the Phillies to complete the trade. Nick hit .271, .293 and .285 for the Yankees before fading in 1946, to a .232 mark. During the 1945 AL season, Nick was named to the AL All Star team. On April 14,1947, Nick was re-purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Yankees.
2004 - After 5 hours, 49 minutes and 471 pitches, the Boston Red Sox outlasts the New York Yankees, winning the game by a score of 5-4, in Game 4 of the ALCS. Boston's DH David Ortiz, who is the 1st player history to hit 2 walk-off HRs in during the postseason, ends the longest game in ALCS series history at 1:22 a.m. with a 2-out single into center field scoring Johnny Damon from 2nd base in the 14th inning at Fenway Park.
2007 - New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre ends his 12-year manager’s job with the team, when he turns down a new contract offer made by Yankees front office. He finishes 2nd on the Yankees All time Managers list with a 1,173-767 record with a WP .605 in 1,942 games (1996-2007). He won World Championships with the Yankees in 1996,1998-2000. Joe retired in September 2010, as the manager of the Dodgers in the NL. He currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations.
October 19th
1891 - Former Yankees 2B George Batten (1912) was born. George Batten appeared in one game with the 1912 Yankees with 3 at bats and no-hits.
1943 - Former Yankees reserve INF Sandy Alomar Sr. (1974-1976) was born. On July 8, 1974, veteran MLB INF Sandy Alomar was purchased by the New York Yankees from the California Angels. Sandy provided excellent infield help for the Yankees during his stay with the team. On February 17,1977, Sandy was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for Infielders Greg Pryor, Brian Doyle, and cash. He is the father of former MLB players Sandy Jr. and Roberto Alomar.
1946 - The New York Yankees acquired starter Allie Reynolds from the Cleveland Indians for former 1942 AL MVP 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon and 3B Eddie Bockman. Reynolds had struggled with the Indians, losing 15 of 16 decisions during the 1946 AL season. Reynolds will reverse his fortunes in 1947, winning 19 games for the World Champion Yankees. He would finish his Yankees pitching career with 131 wins. He will be apart of the Yankees starting rotation that won 5 straight World Series Championships from 1949 to 1953. A back injury from a team bus accident in Baltimore during the 1954 AL season forced Allie to retired from MLB. Later He would become the Baseball Commissioner of the American Association (AAA).
1949 - Former Yankees P Ed Farmer (1974) was born. On March 19, 1974, Ed Farmer was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees. The New York Yankees sent C Jerry Moses to the Detroit Tigers. The Detroit Tigers sent P Jim Perry to the Cleveland Indians. The Tribe sent P Rick Sawyer and OF Walt Williams to the New York Yankees. Ed never appeared in a game with the Yankees at MLB level. On March 21, 1974, Ed Farmer was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies from the New York Yankees.
1952 - Former Yankees reserve INF Jerry Royster (1987) was born. On August 26, 1987, Jerry Royster was traded by the Chicago White Sox with along with minor league P Mike Soper to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later and P Ken Patterson. The New York Yankees sent minor league player Jeff Pries on September 19,1987 to the Chicago White Sox to complete the trade. Jerry appeared in 18 games for the Yankees, hitting .357. On April 4,1988, Jerry Roster was released by the New York Yankees.
1961 - Former Yankees minor league P Tim Belcher was born. Pitcher Tim Belcher was the 1st overall pick in the 1983 MLB amateur player draft by Minnesota Twins, but he did not sign with the club. He instead joined the USA National Team, playing in Pan American Games. He was eligible for the draft again in January 1984, he was selected 1st overall by the New York Yankees, in what was considered a major coup. However, because of a Yankees front office mix-up, his name was left off the team's protected players' list for the free agent signing compensation draft. Tim was selected by the Oakland A’s on February 8,1984. The Yankees Owner George Steinnbrenner was livid over this development, blaming the Yankees young GM Murray Cook for this mistake and fired him shortly afterwards. Tim would pitch 14 seasons in the MLB for 6 teams, posting a 146-140 record. Ironically, Tim never pitched a MLB inning for the Oakland A’s, they traded him to the Dodgers in 1987.
1965 - Former Yankees P Wade Taylor (1991) was born. On December 22, 1987, Wade Taylor was traded by the Seattle Mariners along with hurlers Lee Guetterman and Clay Parker to the Yankees for P Steve Trout and OF Henry Cotto. Wade was regarded as one of Yankees top prospects at that time and no one realized what was to be. In the next 4 seasons Wade would spend time with the Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL) going 4-11. Then he moved up to the Prince Williams Cannons (A) at 9-8, then on to the Albany-Colonie Yankees (AA) for a 6-4 and then to Columbus Clippers (AAA), again at 6-4. In 1991, he got his 1st and only try at the MLB, when the Yankees gave him a chance. Taylor would go 7-12, appearing in 23 outings, pitching 116 innings and came up with a 6.27 ERA. Also Wade spent time during that season with Clippers (AAA) again, going 4-1 with a 3.54 ERA. During the 1992 season, he would spend time with 3 different clubs, but appeared in only 5 games, pitching 13 innings and posting a 0-1 record. In 1993, he was back with Columbus, posting a 3-1 mark in 30 innings with a 4.45 ERA. He would later work in the Yankees scouting department, as an advance MLB scout. Wade was fired by the Yankees front office after the 2006 AL playoff loss to the Detroit Tigers
1966 - The Yankees released 2 veteran players P Whitey Ford and OF Hector Lopez. The CBS controlled Yankees management starts cutting cost of the MLB player payroll. Next veteran Yankee stars to go; would be 3B Clete Boyer and RF Roger Maris in bad trades during the winter.
1976 - The Cincinnati Reds took a commanding 3-0 lead over the Yankees in the 1976 World Series with a 6-2 victory at Yankee Stadium. Cincinnati's DH Dan Driessen had a single, double, HR and a walk to lead the attack. Shortstop Jim Mason had a solo HR in the 7th inning for the only HR hit by the Yankees in the 1976 World Series.
1986 - Former Yankees P and AL Umpire George Pipgras (1923-1933) passed away (1889-1986). On January 3, 1923, George Pipgras was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with OF Harvey Hendrick to the Yankees for C Al DeVormer and cash. His best Yankees season was in 1928, when he went 28-13 in 46 games. He appeared in 3 World Series going 3-3. George finished his Yankee pitching career with 93 wins. On May 12,1933, George was purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the Yankees for $100,000. After retiring from MLB as an active player, George became an MLB umpire. In 1938, George joined AL umpire staff working until the late 1940’s. Also he was a MLB scout for the Boston Red Sox, before retiring from baseball.
1987 - Controversial Billy Martin is named manager of the New York Yankees for a fifth time, replacing Lou Piniella, who had previously replaced Billy Martin. Lou Piniella is moved up to the Yankees General Manager position. Piniella had led the Yankees to an 89-73 record in 1987, a 4th place finish in the AL East.
1992 - Former Yankees P Atley “Swampy” Donald (1938-1945) passed away (1910-1992). Atley “Swampy” Donald went 66-33 in 153 games with the New York Yankees. He had 54 complete games with 6 shut outs as a Yankees starter. He led the AL in WP with .813 in 1939, while posting a 13-3 record. Atley was 1-1 in 2 games in the 1941-1942 World Series for the Yankees. Atley Donald was a key part of the New York Yankees from 1938-1945. He was never the # 1 starter, but his lifetime winning percentage of .663 shows that he was an important winner for them practically every season. Also he was a big winner on the great 1938-1939 Newark Bears teams, 2 of the minor leagues' greatest teams. He led Binghamton Triplets (Eastern League) in strikeouts in 1936. He was the leading pitcher for the Newark Bears in 1937 with a record of 19-2. After getting into 2 games with the Yankees in 1938; he came back to Newark posting a 16-7 record. In 1939, he won 12 straight games, setting the AL record for most wins by a rookie. He ended the 1939 AL season with 13-3 record. Also he helped with the bat, hitting .250. The Yankees won 106 games. He did not appear in the either the 1938 or 1939 World Series. In 1939, the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers speed gun throwing a pitch at a then-record 94.7 mph clocked him.
Except for 1944, he never got into more than 24 games in a season. In 1940, he appeared in 24, with a record of 8-3 with an ERA of 3.03. Unlike most of his seasons, in 1940 he appeared in slightly more games as a reliever than as a starter. In 1941, he went 9-5 as the team won the pennant. In 1942, he went 13-3 as the team won again. He pitched in both World Series but was not particularly effective. He was 6-5 in 1943, and then 13-10 in 1944 as he appeared in the most games of his career in one season, 30. He did not appear in the 1943 World Series. In 1945 he went 5-4 with a 3.52 ERA, but his Yankees career was over due to injuries. After retiring from MLB as an active player, he was a long-time Yankees MLB scout.
2004 - Boston Red Sox starter Curt Schilling, pitching on a dislocated ankle tendon held down by 3 sutures put in the day before, gave up 1 run over 7 innings as the Red Sox beat the Yankees 4-2 to save their 2004 AL season for the 3rd day in a row and force a winner-take-all Game 7 in their ALCS and a trip to the 2004 World Series.
2009 - The Angels beat the New York Yankees at home by the score of 5-4 in 11 innings, in game 3 of the ALCS. Jeff Mathis drives in Howie Kendrick from first base with a double as Los Angeles overcomes 4 solo homers by the Yankees.
October 20th
1903 - Former Yankees P Archie Campbell (1928) was born. Archie Campbell went 0-1 in 13 games for the 1928 New York Yankees.
1931 - New York Yankees HOF, AL MVP, MLB Coach, All Star OF/1B Mickey Charles Mantle (1951-1968) was born (1931-1996). Before the 1949 AL season, Mickey “ The Commerce Comet” Mantle was signed by the Yankees super scout Tom Greenwade, as an MLB amateur free agent. Mickey Mantle was the greatest switch-hitter of all time. He hit 536 MLB career HRs, including 18 HRs in 230 at bats in 65 games in the World Series play. He won the AL Triple Crown in 1956 (BA .353, 52 HRs, 130 RBIs). Mantle was selected for 20 All Star games. He was the AL MVP 3 times (1956-1957 and 1962). Mantle played in 2,401 games as a Yankee despite being plagued by injuries. With all of Mantle's power, he suffered though an assortment of injuries and his bones were beset by osteomylitis, which weakened his bone structure. The 1st of his injuries occurred in the 1951 World series against the Giants, when he got his spikes caught in a drainage valve in the Yankee Stadium outfield while chasing a fly ball hit by future long time CF rival Willie Mays. He was never really the same after that injury. In 1974, Mickey Mantle along with his long-time Yankees teammate Whitey Ford were elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1940 - Former Yankees P Thad Tilltson (1967-1968) was born. On September 10, 1966, Thad Tilltson was traded by the Dodgers with cash to the Yankees for veteran INF Richard “Ducky” Schofield. Thad went 4-9 in 50 games for the Yankees in 1967-1968.
1951 - New York Yankees All Star CF Joe DiMaggio accompanies Lefty O'Doul's All-Stars on a baseball tour of Japan. They will win 13 of the 15 games played in Japan.
1952 - Former Yankees OF/1B/DH Dave Collins (1982) was born. On December 23, 1981, Dave Collins was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. He hit .253 for the Yankees in 1982. On December 9,1982, he was traded by the Yankees along with minor league 1B Fred McGriff, P Mike Morgan and cash to the Toronto Blue Jays for reliever Dale Murray and OF Tom Dodd.
1954 - Former Yankees reserve INF/C Jamie Quirk (1989) was born. On December 20, 1988, Jamie Quirk was signed as a MLB free agent by the Yankees. He only appeared in 13 games for the team, hitting just .083. On May 16,1989, Jamie was released by the Yankees.
1960 - Former Yankees player (1947-1954) and MLB Coach Ralph “The Major” Houk is named to succeed Casey Stengel as Manager of the New York Yankees. He briefly led the team during the 1960 AL season, going 7-6, while Casey Stengel was hospitalized. Ralph Houk had managed the Yankees top AAA team in Denver from 1955-1957, winning championships in the American Association. Ralph Houk will replace Casey Stengel’s platoon infield system with a set INF of Clete Boyer (3B), Tony Kubek (shortstop), Bobby Richardson (2B) and Bill Skowron at 1B. Also he will have veteran Whitey Ford on a 4-day pitching schedule. Houk replaces Eddie Lopat as Yankees MLB pitching coach with former Yankees teammate Johnny Sain. Also former AL hitting star Wally Moses becomes the new Yankees MLB batting coach/1B coach. With Ralph Houk bringing in former Tribe C Jim Hegan as Bullpen coach, Bill Dickey will become a special catching instructor for the Yankees minor league system. Long time Yankees 3B Coach Frank Crosetti stays with the Yankees MLB coaching staff.
1960 - The New York Yankees named Roy Hamey, as former Yankees General Manager George Weiss successor. The change of the Yankees front office is now complete with a new GM (Haney) and Manager (Houk) for the 1961 AL season. Also Ralph Houk has changed the Yankees MLB coaching staff for 1961, by adding Johnny Sain, Jim Hegan and Wally Moses to his MLB staff.
1964 - Three days after resigning as manager of the 1964 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, Johnny Keane replaces Yogi Berra as the new Yankees' field boss for 1965 AL season. It is one of the worst personnel moves made by Yankees General Manager Ralph Houk. In 1965, Johnny Keane will finish in 6th place (77-85) in AL with an injury riddled Yankees team. He will start the 1966 AL season with 4-16 record, before being replaced by former manager Ralph Houk.
1978 - Just days after the Yankees World Series victory against the Dodgers, rumors circulate that the Yankees plan to trade reliever Sparky Lyle and others to the Texas Rangers for OF Juan Beniquez and minor league P Dave Righetti. The Yankees Owner George Steinnbrenner denies the trade rumors of a possible trade of veteran closer Sparky Lyle and All Star Catcher Thurman Munson for Pittsburgh Pirates All Star slugger Dave Parker. Also he said that Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson will remain as Yankees for the 1979 AL season. Munson had express a desired to play for the Cleveland Indians to finish out his MLB career, in order to be closer to his family, who lived in Canton, Ohio. Only Yankees reliever Sparky Lyle will be traded by the Yankees in a trade to the Texas Rangers for minor league star P Dave Righetti.
1980 - Former Yankees P Jose Veras (2006-2009) was born. On December 12, 2005, Jose Veras was signed as a MLB free agent by the New York Yankees. He appeared in 106 games for the Yankees, posting an 8-4 record with 3 saves. On June 24, 2009, Jose was purchased by the Cleveland Indians from the Yankees.
1981 - In a World Series rematch of the 1978 teams, the Yankees take Game 1 over the Dodgers by the score of 5-3. Yankees Bob Watson hit a 3-run HR in the 1st inning as starter Ron Guidry goes 7 innings for the win. Yankees closer Goose Gossage closes down a Dodgers rally in the 8th inning.
1996 - The Atlanta Braves continue to pound the ball, as they defeat the New York Yankees by the score of 12-1, in the 1996 World Series opener. At age 19, the Braves rookie OF Andruw Jones puts himself in the MLB record books as the youngest player to hit a HR in a World Series game. He hit 1-HR in the 2nd inning off of Yankees starter Andy Pettitte and another HR in the 3rd inning. Braves starter John Smoltz gains the win.
2004 - After losing the first three games of the ALCS, the Boston Red Sox became the 1st team in MLB history to win a best-of-7 series by beating New York at Yankee Stadium by a score of 10-3. Johnny Damon hits 2 HRs, including a Grand Slam HR in the 4th inning, backing up a solid pitching work of Red Sox starter Derek Lowe. The Red Sox joined the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1975 New York Islanders as the only teams in the history of professional sports to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win a 7-game series.
2009 - The New York Yankees take a 3-1 lead in the 2009 ALCS by crushing the Angels, 10-1 in Anaheim. Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez continues his red-hot hitting with a 2-run HR off of Angels P Jason Bulger in the 5th inning, giving him an RBI in 8 consecutive postseason contests.
October 21st
1885 - Former Yankees C Augustus “Gus” Fisher (1912) was born. On April 9, 1912, Gus Fisher was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Cleveland Naps (aka Indians). Gus appeared in only 4 games for the 1912 Yankees going 1 for 10.
1916 - Former Yankees P Floyd “Bill” Bevens (1944-1947) was born. Bill Bevens went 40-36 in 96 games for the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1946, when he posted a 16-13 record. Bill nearly pitched the 1st no-hitter in World Series history. Pitching for the New York Yankees with 2 out and 2 on (both via walks) in the 9th inning of Game 4 of the 1947 World Series, Bevens allowed a 2-run double to Brooklyn Dodgers pinch-hitter Cookie Lavagetto, losing the no-hitter and the game on his last pitch. He came back in Game 7 to relieve starter Spec Shea in the 2nd inning, pitching 2 2/3 innings; he kept his team in the game long enough for his successor on the mound; Yankees Closer Joe Page to claim a 5-2 Series-clinching victory. Overall, he gave up only 3 hits in 11 1/3 innings in that, his only World Series appearance, but he walked 11 Dodger batters. On January 17,1949, he was purchased by the Chicago White Sox from the Yankees. On March 28,1949, Bill was returned to the Yankees by the White Sox. On April 18,1949, Bill was released by the Yankees. He would continue to pitch in the minor leagues before retiring from the game.
1928 - Former Yankees Hall Of Fame P Edward “Whitey” Ford (1950-1967) was born. In 1947, the New York Yankees signed Whitey Ford as a MLB amateur free agent. Whitey Ford pitched for the Yankees for 16 seasons. Ford missed the 1951-1952 AL seasons, because of military service. He finished his Yankees career with a 236-106 record, WP .690 with a 2.74 ERA in 498 games with 45 shutouts, 1,956 strikeouts in 3,171 innings pitched. In 1961, Whitey Ford was the Cy Young award winner after going 25-4. Also that year, he won the Babe Ruth Award. Whitey was selected for AL All Star team 8 times. He won 20 games only twice in his MLB career, in 1961 going 25-4 and 24-7 in 1963. In 1961, he broke Babe Ruth’s 29 2/3 scoreless innings pitched World Series record with a total of 33 innings. In the World Series with the Yankees, Whitey posted a 10-8 record in 22 World Series games. He was elected in 1974 along with long-time Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
1934 - An All-Star team led by Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth and Philadelphia A’s Manager Connie Mack sails on tour to Hawaii and Japan. Major League Players with wives on the baseball tour include Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Charlie Gehringer, Lefty Gómez, Earl Averill and Lefty O'Doul.
1946 - The New York Yankees obtained P Art Cuccurullo from the Pittsburgh Pirates for veteran starter Ernie “Tiny” Bonham. Art never appeared in a MLB game for the Yankees.
1959 - The MLB Players Association approves 2 All-Star Games in 1960, one to be held at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium and the other game at Yankee Stadium. The players would like to have them played within 4 days of each other.
1967 - Former Yankees reserve C John “Flash” Flaherty (2003-2005) was born. The Yankees signed John Flaherty as a MLB free agent in 2003. He appeared in 134 games, hitting .226 for the Yankees. John works for the Yes Network.
1968 - After 2 seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1967-1968), former All-Star catcher Yankee Elston Howard announces his retirement from MLB baseball. Elston Howard was the 1st black player to play for the New York Yankees at MLB Level in 1955. Ellie would join the Yankees MLB coaching staff in 1969, becoming their 1st Black MLB coach.
1976 - With a 7-2 victory, the Cincinnati Reds won the 1976 World Series completing a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees. It was the Reds' 2nd straight World Championship. Johnny Bench hit 2 HRs for 5-RBIs. He finished the Series with a .533 batting average. Bench was named 1976 World Series MVP. Yankees catcher Thurman Munson had 6 straight singles to tie a Series record. The Reds became the 1st MLB team ever to go through an entire LCS and WS without a defeat.
1981 - At Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees shut out the Dodgers in the World Series. Yankees starter Tommy John and closer Goose Gossage gets the credit for the four-hit, 3-0 victory, as the Bronx Bombers lead the 1981 World Series 2 games-0.
1993 – Former Yankees minor league INF Wayne Belardi passed away. In 1949, Wayne Belardi was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers. He spent 6-years in the Majors from 1950-1956 with the Dodgers and the Detroit Tigers as a backup 1B and pinch hitter. Big and powerful, he came up to the Dodgers in 1950 at age 19. He hit 11 HRs in limited play in each of 1953 and 1954. He appeared in the 1953 World Series with the Dodgers in 2 games. Strangely, he was out of the Majors at age 26 despite hitting .279 in 1956. On February 19,1957, Wayne was traded by the Kansas City A’s along with players to be named later, P Art Ditmar, INF Jack McMahan and P Bobby Shantz to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later, P Rip Coleman, INF Milt Graff, INF Billy Hunter, P Mickey McDermott, P Tom Morgan and OF Irv Noren. The New York Yankees sent P Jack Urban on April 5, 1957 to the A’s to complete the trade. The A’s would send INF Curt Roberts to the Yankees on April 4,1957. On June 4,1957, the A’s sent INF Clete Boyer to the Yankees to complete the trade. Wayne Belardi concluded his professional baseball career in 1957, after hitting only .220 with New Orleans Pelicans (AA, Yankees).
1996 - Atlanta Braves starter Greg Maddux holds the New York Yankees to 6 hits in 8 innings as Braves 1B Fred McGriff drives in 3 runs in a 4-0 win in Game 2 of the 1996 World Series.
1998 - The 1998 New York Yankees closed out their historic AL season with 3-0 win against the Padres, sweeping San Diego in 4 games to win their record 24th World Series Championship. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte gets the victory, while 3B Scott Brosius is named World Series MVP. The Game 4 victory gave the Yankees 125 wins against 50 losses for a .714 winning percentage, the best in the majors since their Murderers' Row club of 1927, as their AL record of 114 regular-season victories were the most ever for a MLB champion team.
2000- The Yankees defeat the Mets by the score of 4-3 in 12 innings, in Game 1 of the 2000 World Series. The longest game in World Series history (4 hours, 51 minutes) is ended on Jose Vizcaino's single which drives home Tino Martinez. It is Vizcaino’s 4th hit of the night. The Mets lead, 3-2, going into the 9th inning, but Closer Armando Benitez surrenders the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Chuck Knoblauch. The victory is the Yankees 13th in a row in World Series play for a new record. Todd Pratt of the Mets ties a World Series record by being hit by pitches 2 times.
2001 - The Yankees take a 3-1 lead in their ALCS match-up with the Seattle Mariners, defeating them by a score of 3-1. Mariner’s Bret Boone's 8th inning HR broke a scoreless tie, but Bernie Williams hits a HR in the bottom half of the 8th inning to tie the score. Yankees win on 2B Alfonso Soriano's 2-run HR in the 9th inning, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera gets the victory in relief.
2003 - At Pro Player Stadium in Miami, the New York Yankees defeat the Florida Marlins by the score of 6-1 in Game 3 of the 2003 World Series. Aaron Boone and Bernie Williams hits HRs for the Yankees, as starter Mike Mussina is the winning pitcher with help of closer Mariano Rivera in relief. Marlins starter Josh Beckett is the loser. The Yankees, now lead the 2003 World Series 2-1.
October 22nd
1882 - Former Yankees OF/INF William “Birdie” Cree (1908-1915) was born. William “Birdie” Cree played 742 games for the Yankees with lifetime BA of .292. His best Yankees seasons were in 1911 and 1912, when he hit .348 and .332. He retired from MLB after the 1915 AL season.
1887 - Former Yankees P Myles Thomas (1926-1929) was born. On December 16, 1925, Myles Thomas was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) to the Yankees for cash and players. Myles went 14-12 in 71 games for the Yankees before being sold to the Washington Senators during the 1929 AL season. He returned to the Yankees organization after leaving the Senators, but did not pitch at the MLB level with the team. On January 19,1932, Myles was traded by the Yankees along with OF George Quellich and cash to Hollywood Stars (PCL) for OF Jesse Hill.
1942 - Former Yankees P Cecil Upshaw (1974) was born (1942-1995). On April 26, 1974, Cecil Upshaw was traded by the Cleveland Indians along with 1B Chris Chambliss and P Richard Tidrow to the Yankees for Pitchers Fritz Peterson, Steve Kline, Fred Beene, and Tom Buskey. Cecil was a disappointment for the Yankees only going 1-5 with 6 saves in 36 games. On December 5,1974, he was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for reserve INF Eddie Leon. Cecil Upshaw passed away in 1995.
1943 - Former Yankees reserve OF Bobby Mitchell (1970) was born. On December 2, 1968, Bobby Mitchell was drafted by the Yankees from the Boston Red Sox organization in the 1968 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. In 1970, Bobby hit .220 in 10 games for the Yankees. On October 23,1969, Bobby was sent to the Atlanta Braves by the Yankees as part of a conditional deal. On March 26,1970, Bobby was returned by the Braves to the Yankees as part of a conditional deal. On June 7,1971, Bobby was traded by the Yankees along with 1B Frank Tepedino to the Milwaukee Brewers for OF Danny Walton. Bobby managed to stay in one place with Brewers until 1975.
1963 - Former Yankees P Bill Fulton (1987) was born. On June 6, 1983, Bill Fulton was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1983 MLB amateur draft (June Secondary). Bill appeared in 3 games with the 1987 Yankees posted a 1-0 record.
1974 - The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants traded their popular All Star outfielders, both drawing the ire of their loyal fans. The Giants send OF Bobby Bonds to Yankees for OF Bobby Murcer. Bonds will play one season for the Yankees before being traded to the California Angels for OF Mickey Rivers and P Ed Figueroa, while Murcer will last only two years with the Giants before being dealt to the Chicago Cubs. He will return to the Yankees during the 1979 AL season.
1982 - Current Yankees All Star 2B Robinson “Robbie” Cano was born. In 2001, the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent signed Robinson “Robbie” Cano. He is the son of former MLB P Jose Cano, who originally was signed by the Yankees, later played in MLB with the Houston Astros. Robbie has appeared in 1,053 games with the Yankees (2005-2011) hitting .308 with 144 HRs with 621 RBI’s. His best Yankees season was in 2006, when he hit .342 in 122 games with 15 HRs with 78 RBI’s. That season, he won the AL Silver Slugger award for 2B. He was named to the 2006,2010-2011 AL All Star teams. In 2010, Robbie won AL Golden Glove for 2B.
1996 - In the 1996 World Series, New York Yankees starter David Cone holds the Atlanta Braves, while CF Bernie Williams drives in 3 runs in a 5-2 win in Game 3 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
2000 - In Game 2 of 2000 World Series, the Yankees extend their World Series winning streak to 14 consecutive games defeating the Mets by the score of 6-5 in a contest, which is overshadowed by P Roger Clemens throwing the barrel of a shattered bat to Mike Piazza as the Mets catcher runs to 1st base. The eagerly awaited at bat, due to the Clemens' beaning of Piazza in July, results in the 2 players confronting one another and the emptying of both team benches.
2002 - Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak being broken by Cal Ripken, Jr. in 1995 is voted as baseball's most memorable moment by the fans participating MLB and MasterCard promotion. Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time HR record, Jackie Robinson becoming the 1st black to play in MLB, Mark McGwire breaking Yankees Roger Maris' single-season HR record and Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig's farewell speech were also in the top 5 events selected by the fans
2003 - The Florida Marlins won in dramatic fashion by the score of 4-3 over the Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series behind a leadoff HR by Alex Gonzalez in the bottom of the 12th inning. Miguel Cabrera also HR for Marlins as Braden Looper had the win in relief.
2009 - The Angels stave off elimination in Game 5 of the ALCS by beating the Yankees by the score of 7-6. Los Angeles overcomes a 6-run Yankees rally in the 7th inning by coming back with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Angels reliever Brian Fuentes ends the tense contest by getting the Yankees Nick Swisher to fly out with the bases loaded in the 9th inning.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)