This Week in Yankees History
October 23rd - 29th
October 23rd
1882 - Former Yankees OF/INF William “Birdie” Cree (1908-1915) was born. William “Birdie” Cree played 742 games for the New York Yankees with lifetime BA of .292. His best Yankees seasons were in 1911 and 1912, when he hit .348 and .332 for the team. He retired from MLB after the 1915 AL season.
1907 - Former Yankees P Lee “Lefty” Grissom (1940) was born. On January 4, 1940, Lee Grissom was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees for P Joe Beggs. Lee went 0-0 in 5 games with the Yankees. On May 15,1940, Lee was selected off waivers by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Yankees.
1922 - Former Yankees P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell (1952-1953) was born. On August 26,1952, the New York Yankees purchased veteran hurler Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell from the Cincinnati Reds for $35,000 and 4 players: pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel and Outfielder’s Bob Marquis and Jim Greengrass. Blackwell will go 3-0 with 2 saves in September and the 1953 AL season. On March 30,1955, he was purchased by the Kansas City A’s from the Yankees for $50,000.
1923 - New York Yankees OF Babe Ruth makes a postseason appearance in a New York Giants uniform as the Giants defeat the minor league Baltimore Orioles (International League) by the score of 9-0. Ruth hits a Home Run over the Right Field roof at the Polo Grounds. The game is a benefit for destitute former New York Giants owner John Day.
1965 - Former Yankees P Al Leiter (1987-1989, 2005) was born. The New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1984 MLB amateur player draft drafted Al Leiter. Al appeared in 22 games with the Yankees going 7-8, before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for OF Jesse Barfield in April of 1989. Al returned to the Yankees in 2005 from the Florida Marlins, going 4-5 in 16 games. During spring training camp in 2006, Al announced his retirement from MLB baseball. Al now works for the Yes Network covering the Yankees. Also Al’s older brother Mark pitched for the 1990 Yankees.
1969 - Former Yankees P Walter “Monk” Dubiel (1944-1945) passed away (1912-1969). Before the 1941 American League season, the New York Yankees signed Walter “Monk” Dubiel as an MLB amateur free agent. "Monk" would spend 1941 season with the class C Akron Yankees and the Erie Sailors and the right-hander would appear in a combined 28 games, posting a 14-8 record with a 2.44 ERA. Dubiel came by the name of "Monk" in his 1st year of professional baseball in the minor leagues when a teammate noted that his uniform was so small for him that he looked like an organ grinder's monkey. After winning 16 games in the for the Newark Bears (AAA), including a no-hitter over the Syracuse Chiefs in 1943, "Monk" became a dependable wartime hurler for the Yankees, winning a career high 13 games in 1944, then 10 games in 1945. Dubiel's MLB career was hindered by a hip and recurring back ailment that kept him from serving in the military service during World War II. His overall Yankees pitching career record was 23-22 in 56 games with 28 complete games with 4 shutouts. On December 14,1946, Monk Dubiel was purchased by Seattle Rainers (Pacific Coast League) from the Yankees.
1979 - Former New York Yankees Manager Billy Martin is involved in a barroom altercation with Joseph Cooper, a Minnesota marshmallow salesman. Cooper requires 15 stitches to close a gash in his lip.
1981 - The Dodgers beat the New York Yankees by the score of 5-4 in Game 3 of the 1981 World Series, narrowing the Yankees' World Series lead to 2-1.
1996 - At Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Atlanta Braves jump to a 6-0 lead, but the New York Yankees mount their biggest comeback in World Series history with a 3-run HR by Jim Leyritz that ties the game in the 8th inning. After Bernie Williams is intentionally walked with runners on 1st base and 2nd in the 10th inning, Braves hurler Steve Avery walks Yankees 3B Wade Boggs to bring in the deciding run.
1996 - Former Yankees P Bob Grim (1954-1958) passed away (1930-1996). In 1948, the New York Yankees signed Bob Grim as an MLB amateur free agent. In 1954, after spending 2 years in the U.S. Army; Bob Grim comes into the Yankees spring training camp as a non-roster player, he makes the team. Bob went 20-6 in 37 games with a 3.26 ERA and 8 complete games to win the 1954 AL Rookie Of Year Award. During the 1954 off-season, he injured his arm working at his winter job. The Yankees converted Bob Grim into a relief pitcher. His best Yankees reliever season was in 1957, when he went 12-8 with 19 saves in 46 games. He was named to 1957 AL All Star team. On June 15,1958, Bob was traded by the Yankees along with OF Harry “Suitcase” Simpson to the Kansas City A’s for pitchers Duke Maas and Virgil Trucks.
October 24th
1887 - Former Yankees OF Hugh “Lefty” High (1915-1918) was born. On February 4, 1915, Hugh High was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Detroit Tigers. His best Yankees season was in 1916, when hit .263 for the Yankees.
1904 - Former Yankees P William “Harry” Smythe (1934) was born. Harry Smythe went 0-2 in 8 games with Yankees before being picked up by the Brooklyn Dodgers on waivers.
1927 - Former Yankees minor league OF Jim Greengrass was born. Before the 1944 MLB season, Yankees signed Jim Greengrass as an amateur MLB free agent, as a 16 year old outfielder. He spent 2 seasons (1944-1945) in the low minors before going into the military for 2 years (1946-1947). After his military service was over, Jim worked his way up in the New York Yankees organization to the Newark Bears (AAA) in 1949, but then he was sent back to the lower minors to work on becoming a pitcher. But after losing 5 games, Jim was switched back to the outfield. In 1951, Jim would have his best professional season yet, for the Muskegon Reds (Central League), hitting a league leading .379 BA with 18 HRs. In 1952 for the Beaumont Roughnecks (Texas League), he would hit .276 with 22 HRs. On August 28,1952, he was traded by Yankees along with pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel and OF Bob Marquis and $35,000 to the Cincinnati Reds for veteran hurler Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell. Jim would play for the Reds and then with the Philadelphia Phillies until 1956.
1930 - The New York Yankees released reserve C Bubbles Hargrave (1930). Bubbles Hargrave hit .248 in 45 games as a reserve catcher for the 1930 Yankees.
1939 - The New York Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio is named the 1939 AL MVP, with 1B Jimmie Foxx of the Boston Red Sox as the runner-up. Joe hit .381 in 120 games with 176 hits, 30 HRs with 126 RBIs for the Yankees. The Yankee Clipper was the top hitter in the AL with his .381 BA.
1950 - Former Yankees P Rawley Eastwick (1978) was born. Signed as MLB free agent, Rawley went 2-1 in 8 games for the 1978 Yankees. With Sparky Lyle and Rich Goosage already in the Yankees bullpen there was no room for Rawley. Plus Yankees Manager Billy Martin and Rawley did not get along. On June 14, 1978, Rawley was traded by the Yankees to the Philadelphia Phillies for Outfielders Jay Johnstone and Bobby Brown. Jay Johnstone would help out the Yankees bench by hitting .258 for the Yankees during the 1978 AL season.
1952 - Former Yankees OF Omar Moreno (1983-1985) was born. On August 10, 1983, Omar Moreno was traded by the Houston Astros to the New York Yankees for OF Jerry Mumphrey. His best Yankees season was in 1984, when he hit .259. On August 16,1985, Omar was released by the Yankees appearing in 34 games hitting just .197. He would finish the 1985 AL season with the Kansas City Royals.
1972 - The New York Yankees obtained INF Fred ”Chicken” Stanley (1973-1980) from the San Diego Padres for minor league P George Pena. Fred would prove to be a very valuable infield reserve during his stay with the Yankees. He appeared in 521 games, hitting .222, as a reserve INF. On November 3, 1980, Fred was traded by the Yankees to the Oakland A’s for P Mike Morgan. Stanley, whose nickname was "Chicken," primarily played as a backup shortstop and was a key backup player Bucky Dent on the Yankees teams in the late 1970s. Stanley was a favorite player Phil Rizzuto who did the color analysis for the Yankees during this time period. Since 1960, no other non-pitcher has had as many seasons (9) with at least 30 at-bats and 5 or fewer extra base hits. His final MLB career BA was .216. On October 12, 2007, he was appointed as the San Francisco Giants' Director of Player Development. Prior to that, he held several positions in the Giants' organization, including spending 2000-2004 as a minor league manager. In 2001, he managed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to the league championship of the Northwest League.
1981 - The Dodgers come back to beat the New York Yankees by the score 8-7 in a sloppy 3-hour marathon and tied the 1981 World Series at 2-2. The Yankees blew a 6-3 lead. On one play, Yankees RF Reggie Jackson lost the ball in the sun and it bounced off his shoulder for a 2-base error.
1996 - The New York Yankees lay claim to the last game played at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The Yankees, who finish the postseason with an 8-0 road record, are helped by poor Atlanta Braves outfield defense and some great plays from their own outfielders as Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte out-duels the Braves starter John Smoltz by the score of 1-0, in Game 5 of the 1996 World Series.
2000 - New York Yankees starter Orlando Hernandez, with an 8-0 record with a 1.90 ERA in his postseason career, losses his 1st postseason game as the New York Mets defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-2, on a tie breaking 8th inning double by Benny Agbayani. New York native John Franco gets the win, ending the Yankees' record 14-game World Series winning streak.
2000 - New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens is fined a reported $50,000 for throwing the jagged barrel of a shattered bat in the direction of Mets C Mike Piazza in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series.
October 25th
1869 - Former Yankees 1B Jack “Dirty Jack” Doyle (1905) was born. Jack Doyle appeared in one game with no hits for the 1905 Yankees.
1917 - Former Yankees front office executive Lee MacPhail Jr, was born. Lee McPhail Jr. was the son of former Yankees Co-Owner Larry MacPhail (1945-1947). After graduating from college, Lee MacPhail was the business manager of the Reading Brooks in 1941. He was the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) then began a long association with the New York Yankees. He was the business manager, then General Manager of the Kansas City Blues (AAA). He moved up to Midwest farm director for the Yankees. He was co-farm director, then director of player personnel for the team. He returned to New York as General Manager of the Yankees from 1967 to 1973. He was President of American League from 1974 to 1983. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1998. Lee and Larry MacPhail are the only father and son team to be elected to the Baseball’s Hall Of Fame.
1923 - Former Yankees special pitching Instructor Russ “Mad Monk “ Meyer was born. Russ Myer pitched in MLB from 1946-1959. He was a member of the 1950 NL Champs, the “Whiz Kids” Phillies. He appeared in 1 game in relief with the Phillies against the Yankees in the 1950 World Series. He appeared in 2 games with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1953 and 1955 World Series against the Yankees.
1924 - Former Yankees INF and MLB Executive Robert “Doc” Brown (1946-1954) was born. In 1946, the New York Yankees signed Robert “Bobby” Brown, as an MLB amateur free agent. Bobby hit .279 in 8 seasons with the Yankees, before leaving MLB to become a Doctor. Bobby hit .439 (18 for 41) in 4 World Series with the Yankees. Brown is the all-time leader for batting average in post-season play with his 17 for 41 record (.439) among players with at least 40 post-season plate appearances. While with the Yankees, Bobby roomed sometimes with Yankees C Yogi Berra, who read comic books, while Brown read his medical textbooks. One night, when both were closing their books, Yogi asked him "How did yours come out?" After retiring from Medical practice, Bobby worked in MLB again as American League President (1984-1994).
1939 - Former Yankees P Pete Mikkelsen (1964-1965) was born (1939-2006). In 1958, Pete Mikkelsen was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Pete went 11-13 with 13 saves in 91 games for the Yankees. In one of the worst trades made by Yankees General Manager Ralph Houk, on December 10,1965, Pete was traded by the Yankees with cash to the Pirates for veteran P Bob Friend. Bob Friend was an over the hill starter for the Pirates, he best days were long behind him. Pete would have 5 more successful years in MLB. Meanwhile, Bob Friend was dumped by the Yankees to the Mets in June of 1966. Pete passed away in November of 2006.
1950 - Former Yankees INF Roy Smalley III (1982-1984) was born. On April 10, 1982, Roy Smalley was traded by the Minnesota Twins to the Yankees for pitchers Ron Davis, Paul Boris, and INF Greg Gagne. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner wanted a shortstop, who could hit HRs like the Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken. So he decided that Roy Smalley is the answer for the Yankees. Smalley’s arrival dumps Bucky Dent out of the starting line up. He is later traded away to the Texas Rangers for OF Lee Mazilli. The trade of Ron Davis breaks up with the very effective closing combo of Rich Gossage and Ron Davis. The Yankees were better off not making the trade and letting Gagne develop at Columbus (AAA). On July 18,1984, Roy was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for players to be named later. On August 13, 1984, the White Sox would send pitchers Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1956 - Former Yankees P Andy McGaffigan (1981) was born. In 1978, the New York Yankees in the 6th round of the MLB amateur player draft drafted Andy McGaffigan. In 1981, Andy appeared in 2 games with the Yankees with no record. On March 30,1982, Andy was traded by the along with OF Ted Wilborn to the San Francisco Giants for veteran starter Doyle Alexander, who will go 1-7 for the Yankees.
1981 - Dodgers hitters Steve Yeager and Pedro Guerrero hit consecutive HRs in the 7th inning, leading the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the Yankees in Game 5 of the 1981 World Series.
1996 - Frank Torre, the older brother of Yankees manager Joe Torre, receives a heart transplant after months of waiting. Frank was a recipient of a World Series ring as a member of the Milwaukee Braves, when they beat the Yankees in 1957. His brother Joe will make him a gift of a World Series ring that's 39 years newer after Game 6 of the 1996 World Series.
2000 - At Shea Stadium, the Yankees defeated the Mets by the score of 3-2, behind 5 pitchers and 1-HR by Derek Jeter in Game 4 of the 2000 World Series.
2003 - As the 2003 World Series headed back to Yankee Stadium, starter Josh Beckett, on 3 days rest, threw a complete game shutout, allowing just 5 Yankee hits to give the Marlins, its 2nd World Championship in 11 seasons with a 2-0 victory over the Yankees. Beckett was named the World Series MVP. This was the 100th World Series game ever played at Yankee Stadium, as the Marlins became the 1st opposing team to win a Series championship on the field at Yankee Stadium since 1981, when the Dodgers did it.
2009 - The New York Yankees clinch their 40th American League pennant with a 5-2 win over the Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS. The familiar tandem of Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera earns the win and save, as Andy Pettitte claims his record 16th postseason win.
October 26th
1877 - Former Yankees P Eustance “Doc” Newton (1905-1909) was born. On October 4, 1904, Doc Newton was drafted by the Highlanders from the Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Doc will go 20-25 in 78 games for the Yankees.
1918 - Former Yankees INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss (1943-1950) was born (1918-1958). The New York Yankees signed George Stirnweiss as a MLB free agent in 1940. He joined the Yankees in 1943, just hitting .219. In 1944, he hit .319. He led the AL in 4 departments: base hits (205), runs (125), triples (16) and stolen bases (55). In 1945, he led the AL with .309 BA, triples (22), Runs (107), hits (195) stolen bases (33). Snuffy was a member of the AL All Star teams in 1944-45 as a 2nd baseman. George led the AL 2B in fielding in 1944 and 1948. George appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees in 1943, 1947 and 1949, appearing in 4 games and batting .250. He continued to play for the Yankees until he was traded to the Browns in June of 1950. He finished up his MLB playing career with the Indians, retiring after the 1952 AL season. Know for his speed on the base paths, George finished his Yankees career with 66 triples and 130 stolen bases. He was with Phil Rizzuto at Yankee Stadium, when Phil was released in 1956, George made sure that Phil, who was very upset with his release went to his New Jersey home safely. In 1958, George was killed in a train wreck in New Jersey.
1938 - The New York Yankees obtained P Oral Hildebrand and OF Colonel Mills from the St. Louis Browns for C Joe Glenn and OF Myril Hoag.
1946 - Former Yankees INF Toby Harrah (1984) was born. On February 5, 1984, Toby was traded by the Cleveland Indians with a player to be named later to the Yankees for a player to be named later, along with P George Frazier, and OF Otis Nixon. The Indians sent minor league player Rick Browne on February 8, 1984 to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees sent minor league P Guy Elston on February 8,1984 to the Indians to complete the trade. Toby hit .217 for the Yankees in 1984. He was a complete failure at the plate. On February 27,1985, Toby was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later and OF Billy Sample. The Rangers would send minor league player Eric Dersin on July 14, 1985 to the Yankees to complete the trade.
1950 - The BWAA selected New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the 1950 American League Most Valuable Player. He posted a .324 batting average with 200 hits and 125 runs, but drove in just 66 runs. Rizzuto, who received 16 of 23 first-place votes, easily out-pointed runner-ups Billy Goodman of the Boston Red Sox and his fellow Yankees teammate C Yogi Berra.
1964 - Former Yankees P Steve Adkins (1990) was born. The New York Yankees in the 15th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft drafted Steve Adkins. Steve went 1-2 in 5 games with the 1990 Yankees. On June 26,1991, Steve was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs for minor league player David Rosario.
1977 - New York Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle became the 1st AL reliever to win the Cy Young Award. Lyle led the American League with 72 appearances, posting a 13-5 record with 26 saves with a 2.17 ERA.
1991 - Former Yankees P Floyd “Bill” Bevens (1944-1947) passed away (1916-1991). Bill Bevens went 40-36 in 96 games for the New York 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.
1996 - The New York Yankees clinch their 23rd World Series by defeating the Atlanta Braves by a score of 3-2 in Game 6. Yankees catcher Joe Girardi’s RBI triple keys a 3-run rally against the Braves starter Greg Maddux. The Yankees closer John Wetteland is named the 1996 World Series Most Valuable Player after posting his 4th save of the 1996 World Series.
2000 - In Game 5 at Shea Stadium, the Yankees win their 3rd consecutive World Series, their 4th title in 5 years and record 26th World Series Championship by defeating the New York Mets by the score of 4-2. Luis Sojo's 9th inning 2-out, tie-breaking single off of Mets starter Al Leiter is the decisive hit. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter becomes the 1st player to win the All-Star Game MVP and the World Series MVP honors in the same MLB season. Joe Torre becomes only the 5th manager to win 4 WS championships, joining Hall Of Fame Managers: Joe McCarthy (Yankees) (7), Casey Stengel (Yankees) (7), Connie Mack (A’s) (5) and Walter Alston (Dodgers) (4).
October 27th
1876 - Former Yankees OF Patrick “Pasty” Dougherty (1904-1906) was born. On June 17, 1904, Patsy Dougherty was traded by the Boston Americans to the New York Highlanders for INF Bob Unglaub. His best Yankees season was in 1904, when hit .283 for the Yankees.
1955 - Former Yankees P, MLB Team Owner and Manager HOF Clark Griffith (1903-1908) passed away (1869-1955). Clark Griffith was the 1st Manager of the New York Highlanders. As a pitcher with the Yankees, Clark went 31-23. His Yankees Manger record was a 419-370 mark, (1903-1908). His best Yankees season was in 1904, with an 92-61 record and then in 1906 going 90-61, both seasons were 2nd place finishes. The 1904 AL season the Yankees lost the pennant on the last day of the 1904 season on a wild pitch by Yankees starter “Happy” Jack Chesbro, who had won 41 games for the team. Clark managed the Chicago White Sox, before coming to the Highlanders, then the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Senators. He was the owner of the Washington Senators until his death in 1955. He was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1946.
1972 - The New York Yankees obtained C Rick Dempsey from the Minnesota Twins for OF Danny Walton. Rick would be a reserve catcher for Thurman Munson until his trade in June of 1976 to the Baltimore Orioles. Walton was a major disappointment for the Yankees, never showing the signs of being a power hitter the Yankees had hoped for when they had obtained him from the Milwaukee Brewers. Walton spent the 1972 season in the minors, while young Dempsey had cups of coffee with the Twins the past 4 AL seasons.
1985 - Manager Billy Martin is fired by the Yankees for an unprecedented 4th time and is replaced by former Yankees OF Lou Piniella, who had been the team's hitting instructor since retiring as a active player in 1984.
1996 - After 2 humbling losses at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees won their 1st World Series title since 1978 with a 3-2 victory over the defending World Champion Atlanta Braves in Game 6.
1999 - Roger Clemens pitched the New York Yankees to their 2nd straight World Series sweep, shutting down the Atlanta Braves by the score of 4-1, ending his quest for the one and only prize that eluded him, a World Series Championship ring. The Yankees won their record 25th World championship their third in four years. Game 4 marked Bombers 12th Series victory a row, matching a team's mark. Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera gets his 2nd save and is named the 1999 World Series MVP. The Atlanta Braves joins the New York Giants (1910-1919) as the only MLB teams to lose 4 World Series in a decade.
2000 - NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani thinks it is okay for children to take a day off from school to watch the Yankees' ticker-tape parade. His Honor, believing baseball can be an educational experience, has allowed his own kids, Andrew and Caroline, to miss classes in the past to watch the Yankees post-season celebrations. The Mets, this year's runner-ups in the Subway Series turn down Giuliani's invitation to be part of the parade for the World Champion Yankees down the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
2001 - The Arizona Diamondbacks pound the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 2001 World Series by a score of 9-1 behind starter Curt Schilling. Schilling hurls 7-innings to win his 4th game of the postseason. Craig Counsell and Luis Gonzalez hits HRs for the D-Backs as Yankees starter Mike Mussina takes the loss.
2006 - Former Yankees P Joe Niekro (1985-1987) passed away. On September 15, 1985, Joe Niekro was traded by the Houston Astros to the Yankees for players to be named later and P Jim Deshaies. The Yankees sent Neder Horta (minors) on September 24, 1985 and Dody Rather (minors) on January 11,1986, to the Astros to complete the trade. Joe went 14-15 in 36 games for the Yankees. On June 7, 1987, Joe was traded by the Yankees to the Minnesota Twins for C/DH/1B Mark Salas.
2008 - Former Yankees OF/1B Ed Levy (1942,1944) passed away (1916-2008). Ed Levy hit .216 in 53 games with the Bronx Bombers between trades with the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.
October 28th
1900 - Former Yankees MLB and Minor League Manager Johnny Neun (1946) was born. After playing the in MLB, Johnny played for the Newark Bears (IL) from 1932-1934, serving as a player/coach in his final pro ball season. After time as manager of the Akron Yankees and the Norfolk Tars, he returned to Newark in 1938 as the club's skipper, a post he held through the 1941 International League season. Johnny managed the great Bears championship teams of 1938-1940. After managing the Kansas City Blues (American Association) for 2 years, he became a member of the Yankees MLB coaching staff from 1944-1946, when he replaced Bill Dickey as the club's manager late in the 1946 AL season. He then went on to manage the Cincinnati Reds for a season and a half before spending more than 40 years as a MLB scout for the Yankees, Royals, Angels and the Brewers.
1904 - Former Yankees OF Elias “Liz” Funk (1929) was born. Outfielder Liz Funk appeared in 1 game for the 1929 Yankees with no hits.
1916 - Former Yankees OF/1B Ed Levy (1942, 1944) was born (1916-2008). Ed Levy hit .216 in 53 games with the Bronx Bombers between trades with the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.
1917 - Former Yankees Closer Joe “Fireman” Page (1944-1950) was born (1917-1980). The Yankees signed Joe as an MLB amateur free agent in 1940. Joe Page was the Yankees bullpen closer from 1944-1950. He finished his Yankees career with a 57-49 record in 278 games with 76 saves. He led the AL in saves in 1947 with 17 along with 14 wins, again in 1949 with 27 saves and 13 wins. Joe appeared in 2 World Series with the Yankees, going 2-1 with 2 saves. Joe was named to the AL All Star team in 1944, 1947-1948. In 1949, Joe won the Babe Ruth Award for his performance in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. On May 16, 1951, the Yankees released Joe. He would finish his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Joe passed away on April 21, 1980, at the age of 63. Before his death, he ran a hotel-bar in Ligonier, Pa.
1953 - Veteran baseball announcer Red Barber resigns from the Brooklyn Dodgers broadcasting team and takes a job with the rival New York Yankees, joining Mel Allen in the Yankees broadcasting booth.
1979 - The New York Yankees replaced fired manager Billy Martin with former Yankees MLB Coach Richard Howser, who was the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles baseball team. In 1980, Howser will lead the New York Yankees to 103 victories, but lose the 1980 ALCS to the Kansas City Royals.
1981 - Behind solid pitching of Burt Hooton, the Dodgers completed a World Series comeback defeating the Yankees by the score of 9-2. The Dodgers had trailed the Series 2 games to none before bouncing back to win 4 straight games. Pedro Guerrero drove in 5 runs for the Dodgers, who avenged two 6-game World Series defeats to the Yankees in 1977 and 1978.
1993 - Former Yankees reserve OF Bob “Suitcase Bob” Seeds (1936) passed away (1907-1993). On August 22, 1936, Bob Seeds was traded by Montreal Royals (International League) to Yankees for players to be named later. He appeared in 13 games with the Yankees, hitting .262. He would appear in 1 game of the 1936 World Series against the New York Giants. The Yankees would send minor league players Marv Duke and Norm Kies on November 30,1936 to Montreal Royals to complete the trade.
2001 - In the 2001 World Series, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitched a 3-hit shutout to defeat the New York Yankees by the score of 4-0, taking a 2-0 advantage in the Series. Matt Williams became the 1st player in World Series history to hit a HR with 3 MLB different teams. He hit HRs in the Fall Classic for the Cleveland Indians in 1997 and the San Francisco Giants in 1989.
2009 - The Philadelphia Phillies win Game 1 of the 2009 World Series by the score of 6-1 over the New York Yankees, as Cliff Lee out-pitches CC Sabathia in a duel of former Cy Young Award winners and Chase Utley hits a pair of homers. It is the latest starting date in the history of the Fall Classic.
October 29th
1882 - Former Yankees OF Arthur “Circus Solly” Hofman (1916) was born. Before 1916 AL Season, Solly Hoffman jumped from the Buffalo Blues (Federal League) to the New York Yankees. He hit .296 in 6 games for the 1916 Yankees.
1891 - Former Yankees P Joseph “Happy Joe” Finneran (1918) was born. In May of 1918, the Yankees purchased hurler Joe Finneran from the Detroit Tigers. Joe went 3-6 in 23 games for the 1918 Yankees.
1920 - The New York Yankees raid the Boston Red Sox again, this time not getting a player, but a front office executive by signing away General Manager Ed Barrow, who will become the Yankees new General Manager. Barrow was the Boston Red Sox manager, who won the1918 World Championship. Also he was instrumental in switching Babe Ruth from the mound to the outfield. He would be instrumental in building the Yankees farm system and great trades that allowed the Yankees to dominated baseball in 1920-1930’s. From 1939-1945, he was the Yankees President, before leaving the New York Yankees in 1945 following the sale of the team by the Jacob Ruppert estate. Edward Barrow would be elected to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1953.
1941 - Former Yankees reserve OF Harvey Hendrick (1923-1924) passed away. On January 3, 1923, Harvey Hendrick was traded by the Boston Red Sox along with P George Pipgras to the Yankees for C Al DeVormer and cash. He appeared in 1 game of the 1923 World Series for the Yankees. On October 29,1941, Harvey committed suicide at the age of 43.
1946- Former Yankees reserve INF Frank “No Home Run” Baker (1970-1971) was born. Frank Baker was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft (June Secondary Phase). He appeared in 78 games as a back-up shortstop to Gene Michaels, hitting just .191. On April 5,1973, Frank was traded by the New York Yankees to the Baltimore Orioles for INF Tommy Matchick.
1959 - Former Yankees OF Jesse Barfield (1989-1992) was born. On April 30,1989, Jesse Barfield was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Yankees for P Al Leiter. Jesse never regained his batting stroke that he had earlier in his MLB career with Blue Jays.
1959 - Former Yankees INF/OF Dave Fultz (1903-1905) passed away. In March of 1903, INF Dave Fultz was purchased by the New York Highlanders from the Philadelphia A’s He appeared in 305 games for the Yankees, hitting .243. On April 29,1906, Dave was traded by the Highlanders to the A’s for P Danny Hoffman. Dave was the President of International League (1919-1920).
1965 - Former Yankees INF (1913) and HOF MLB Manager Bill McKechnie passed away. Bill McKechnie was a weak fielding player, who would have more success as a MLB Manager. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1967. As a Yankees INF in 1913, Bill hit .314 in 44 games. He won NL pennants with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1925, his Pittsburgh Pirates team defeated the Washington Senators in the World Series.
1968 - The New York Yankees released veteran MLB INF Richard Howser as a player, then signed him as an MLB coach. Richard was plagued by back problems, when he came to the Yankees to finish out his MLB playing career.
1974 - Former Yankees reserve OF George Wilson (1956) passed away. On August 22, 1956, George Wilson was selected off waivers by New York Yankees from the New York Giants. He appeared in 11 games for the Yankees hitting just .166. He did appear 1 game in 1956 World Series with no hits. He spent the 1957-1958 seasons with the Yankees AAA team at Denver. After retiring as an active player, he was a MLB scout for the Yankees.
1975 - Former Yankees OF/DH Karim Garcia (2002-2003) was born. On April 2, 2002, he was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. He appeared in 5 games and hit .200. The New York Yankees released him in July of 2002. The Cleveland Indians picked up Karim Garcia. On June 25, 2003, the Yankees re-purchased Karim from the Indians. He hit .302 in 52 games before leaving the team for MLB free agency. He would sign with the New York Mets
1991 - New York Yankees MLB Coach Buck Showalter replaces Stump Merrill as the Manager of the Yankees. At age of 35, Buck Showalter becomes the youngest active manager in the MLB. He will manage the Yankees through the end of the 1995 AL season. Buck won the 1994 AL Manager of the Year award. In 1977, 1B/OF Buck Showalter was an All-American outfielder. The Yankees in the 5th round of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft selected him. He spent 7 years as a player in the Yankees farm system, hitting .324 for the 1980 Nashville Sounds, leading the Southern League with 178 hits. During his playing days he picked up the nickname "Buck" from a minor league manager's comment on his tendency to walk around the clubhouse "buck naked". Showalter retired as an active player after the 1983 season. He became a minor league coach in the Yankees farm system. From 1985-1989, he was a manager in their organization. When he took over the Oneonta Yankees in 1985, he was only 28 years old. In his 2 seasons with the O-Yanks, Buck set new Eastern League records for wins each season. It is also where he began his long working relationship with pitching coach Russ “Monk” Meyer. In 1990, he became a Yankees MLB coach, and 2 years later, he took over as the club's manager. Buck is now the manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
1996 - Former Yankees P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell (1952-1953) passed away (1922-1996). On August 28, 1952, the New York Yankees purchased veteran P Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell from the Cincinnati Reds for $35,000 and 4 players: pitchers Johnny Schmitz and Ernie Nevel and Outfielders Bob Marquis and Jim Greengrass. Blackwell will go 3-0 with 2 saves in September of 1952 and the 1953 AL season. He started Game 5 of the 1952 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers; he was not involved in the final decision. He would finish his MLB career with the Kansas City A’s.
2009 - The New York Yankees even the 2009 World Series by taking Game 2 at home, a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Yankees starter A.J. Burnett and Closer Mariano Rivera combine for the win while Yankee batters Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui go deep against the veteran Phillies starter Pedro Martinez.
(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)
