This Week in Yankees History
October 9th - 15th
October 9th
1898 - Former Yankees 3B Joe Sewell (1931-1933) was born/ After playing 2B with the Cleveland Indians for 11 years, Joe Sewell joined the New York Yankees for the 1931-1933 AL seasons becoming their 3rd baseman. He hit .301 in 1931. Joe was on the 1932 World Championship team, hitting .272. Joe finished MLB career with a .312 lifetime BA and with only 114 career strikeouts, making him the toughest player to strike out, ever be elected to the Hall Of Fame.
1921 - Babe Ruth hits his 1st World Series HR to lead the Yankees to their 1st series game victory over the Giants by the score of 3-0. This game will be the only Sunday game that Yankee hurler Carl Mays ever hurled in his 15-year MLB career.
1926 - St. Louis Cardinals Grover Alexander scatters 8 hits in Game 6 of the 1926 World Series while the Cards tee off Yankees pitchers at Yankee Stadium for a 10-2 romp that sends the 1926 World Series to a 7th game.
1928 - Yankees slugger Babe Ruth hits 3-HRs in a World Series game for the 2nd time in his Yankee career as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 7-3. Yankees starter Waite Hoyt picks up the win for the Bombers.
1938 - In the 1938 World Series, the Yankees became the 1st team to win 3 successive World Championships defeating the Chicago Cubs by the score of 8-3. Yankees starter Red Ruffing posted his 2nd victory of the 1938 World Series game as the Yankees sweep the Cubs for the 2nd time in 6 years.
1941 - Former Yankees 1B/OF Joe Pepitone (1962-1969) was born. Before the 1958 AL Season, the Yankees signed Joe Pepitone as an MLB amateur free agent. He was one of 3 rookies that made the 1962 Yankees (others: Pitcher Jim Bouton and INF Phil Linz). Joe replaced Bill Skowron as regular 1B in 1963. He hit .271. He was an AL Golden Glove winner for 1B in 1965-1966 and 1969. Joe was moved to the OF, when Mickey Mantle was moved to 1B in 1967. Joe was on the 1963-1965 AL All Star teams. After several problems with Yankees management during the 1969 AL season, he was traded in the off-season to the Houston Astros for former Yankees farmhand OF/1B/C Curt Blefary.
1949 - The Yankees pound the Dodgers by the score of 10-6 to win the 1949 World Series in 5 games. Pinch hitter and 3B Bobby Brown is the Yankees hitting hero, batting .500 and driving in 5 runs. Closer Joe Page picks up the save for the Yankees, as Joe DiMaggio hits a HR. The World Series ends with the Yankees hitting .226 to Dodgers .210, but the Yankee pitching holds up with a 2.80 ERA, while the Bums pitchers post a high 4.30 ERA.
1951 - The New York Yankees rookie INF Gil Mc Dougald’s grand-slam-HR highlighted the Yankees 13-1 win against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. Yankees starter Eddie Lopat picks up a complete game victory.
1956 - The Brooklyn Dodgers bounce back after Yankee’s Don Larsen's perfect game to tie the World Series in Game 6. Dodgers’ pitcher Clem Labine comes out of the bullpen to pitch a 1-0, victory over the Yankees in 10 innings. The Bums scored the games only run on a misplayed ball in the outfield by Yankees veteran Enos “Country” Slaughter.
1957 - With veteran starter Warren Spahn stricken by the flu, Lew Burdette, pitching with 2 days rest, hurls his 3rd complete game, a second shutout as the Milwaukee Braves beat the Yankees, by the score of 5-0 to win the 1957 World Series. Lew was originally signed with the Yankees, but he was traded during the 1951 AL season for veteran Boston Braves P Johnny Sain, who helped the Yankees win the 1951 AL pennant.
1958 - Yankees hurler Bob Turley pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings in relief of Yankees starter Don Larsen to beat the Milwaukee Braves by the score of 6-2 for the 1958 World Series title. The Yankees became the 1st team since 1925 to win the World Series after being down to 3-1 games. Yankees 1B Bill Skowron’s 3-run HR helps the Yankees win the game.
1969 - Former Yankees minor league INF Kevin Jordan was born. On June 4, 1990, Kevin Jordan was drafted by the Yankees in the 20th round of the 1990 MLB amateur player draft. Kevin never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On February 9,1994, Kevin was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers, Ryan Karp and Bobby Munoz to the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named later and starter Terry Mulholland. The Phillies would send Jeff Patterson on November 8,1994 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Kevin played from 1995-2001 in the MLB with the Phillies.
1976 - The Yankees open their 1st post-season play since 1964 AL season and their 1st AL Playoff Series appearance ever by dousing the Kansas City Royals by the score of 4-1 in Kansas City. Yankees starter Catfish Hunter tossed a 5-hitter against the Royals.
1977 - The Yankees rallied for 3 runs in the 9th inning to beat the Kansas City Royals by the score of 5-3. They take the 1977 AL pennant in the 5th game of the ALCS playoffs.
1996 - Yankees CF Bernie Williams hit a HR in the 11th inning to give the Yankees, a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series. The Yankees received a great help from a young fan, when Jeff Maier (age 12) created a game-tying HR by Derek Jeter in the 8th inning, when he reached out and grabbed a ball that was about to be caught by Orioles RF Tony Tarasco.
2004 - At Minneapolis, the Yankees rallied for 4 runs to tie the game in the 8th inning, then pushed across the winning run in the 11th inning on a wild pitch. The 6-5 win against the Twins gave them a 3-1 AL Division series victory and sends them back to Yankee Stadium, where they will open against the Red Sox in the best-of-seven ALCS.
2005 - The Yankees forced an ALDS Game 5 by defeating the Angels by the score of 3-2.
2009 - Twins closer Joe Nathan gives up a game-tying 2-run HR to the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez in the 9th inning. Minnesota wastes a slew of opportunities to put New York away in Game 2 of their ALDS, losing 4-3 in 11 innings. Mark Teixeira hits a walk-off HR off of Twins hurler Jose Mijares to end the game, after Minnesota wastes a bases-loaded, none out opportunity in the top of the 11th inning.
October 10th
1904 - The Boston Red Sox clinched the AL pennant on the last day of the 1904 season when Jack Chesbro of the New York Highlanders threw a wild pitch in the 9th inning to allow the winning run to score from 3B. The Red Sox had won the opener by the score of 3-2 in the doubleheader opener. Jack Chesbro finishes 1904 AL season with a MLB and Yankees club pitching record of 41 wins.
1923 - It's an all-New York City World Series for the 3rd straight year. In Game 1, the Giants break a 4-4 tie in the top of the 9th inning as they defeat the Yankees by the score of 5-4. Giants P Rosy Ryan takes the win and Yankees P Joe Bush is the loser. The Giants veteran OF Casey Stengel's inside-the-park HR is the 1st Series HR hit at Yankee Stadium. It is the 1st World Series to be broadcast on a nationwide radio network.
1926 - Veteran hurler Grover Alexander saved Game 7 and the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals by fanning Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded in the 7th inning and pitching 2 1/3 hitless innings. The 1926 World Series is the only Series in MLB History to have concluded with a runner being thrown out trying to steal. The unlikely owner of that dubious distinction is none other than the Sultan of Swat himself, Babe Ruth. With 2 outs in the top of the 9th, Alexander misses on a 3-2 pitch and Ruth is walked for the 3rd time, having hit a HR in his only official at-bat. With New York trailing by 1, Ruth reasons that, with nobody having gotten the ball out of the infield against the aging Cardinal ace, the Yankees' best bet is to at least get a runner into scoring position in case one of their ground balls finally finds a hole.
1929 - Former Yankees P Bobby Tiefenauer (1965) was born (1929-2000). Bobby Tiefenauer was obtained from the Milwaukee Braves, going 1-1 in 10 games in 1965 with 2 saves working out of the Yankees bullpen. Later he became a coach in the Phillies organization
1937 - In the World Series, New York Yankees starter Lefty Gomez knocks in the winning run in the 4-2 clincher in Game 5 against the New York Giants. Lefty records his 5th World Series win without a loss. Yankees Joe DiMaggio and Myril Hoag hit HRs for the Bombers. Another new record comes when the Yankees complete the 1937 World Series without an error.
1951 - Hank Bauer's bases-loaded triple in Game 6 of the World Series propels the New York Yankees to a 4-3 over the New York Giants and their 3d straight World Series victory. As 67,111 fans see Joe DiMaggio’s last World Series game as a Yankee player. Joe finishes the World Series with a double in the 8th inning. The Yankees starter Vic Raschi picks up the victory with relief help from pitchers Johnny Sain and Bob Kuzava, who gets the save.
1956 - New York Yankees starter Johnny Kucks sets down the Brooklyn Dodgers by the score of 9-0, as the Yankees win the 1956 World Series in 7 games. Yogi Berra hits a pair of 2-run HRs and Bill Skowron hits a Grand Slam HR. It's the 7th and final time, the Dodgers and the Yankees will meet in the World Series as New York City MLB teams. In the future, it will take a jet, not a subway, to get these 2 teams together in 1963 for the World Series.
1957 - Lew Burdette's 3rd victory of the 1957 World Series, a 5-0 shutout over the New York Yankees; gives the Milwaukee Braves, the 1957 World Series Championship, their 1st since the Miracle Boston Braves of 1914 and the team’s only one in Milwaukee.
1964 - The Yankees Jim Bouton and Curt Simmons of the St. Louis Cardinals battle to a 1-1 tie through 8 innings in Game 3 of the 1964 World Series. Mickey Mantle hits a HR on Barney Schultz's 1st pitch in the 9th inning the Yankees win the game by a score of 2-1. It is Mickey’s 16 World Series HR breaking Babe Ruth’s record. Before his at bat in the 9th inning, Mickey tells his Yankees teammate, Elston Howard that he’ll hit Schultz’s 1st pitch for a HR. Mickey Mantle will finish the1964 World Series with a .333 BA and 3 HRs, he will finish with 18 HRs in World Series play for the Yankees.
1976 - The Kansas City Royals even their AL Playoffs series with the New York Yankees by coming from behind to beat the Yankees by a score of 7-3.
1978 - The Dodgers Davey Lopes collects 2 HRs with 5 RBIs to lead the Dodgers to an 11- 5 victory over the Yankees in Game 1 of the 1978 World Series. Tommy John picks up the win for the Dodgers, while Yankees starter Ed Figueroa takes the loss.
1980 - The Kansas City Royals All Star 3B George Brett hits an upper-deck 3-run HR off Yankees relief ace Goose Gossage to give the Royals a 4-2 victory and a 3-game sweep of the Yankees in the 1980 AL Championship Series.
1986 - Former Yankees P Russ Van Atta (1933-1935) passed away (1906-1986). Russ Van Atta went 24-25 in 114 games with the Yankees before being sold to the St. Louis Browns. His best Yankees season was in 1933, when he went 12-4 for the Yankees.
1990 - Former Yankees Batting Coach and MLB player Wally Moses passed away (1910 - 1990). Wally Moses was the Yankees MLB batting coach for Manager Ralph Houk from 1961-1963. He had played for the Philadelphia A’s and the Chicago White Sox.
1996 - The Baltimore Orioles' 5-3 win over the Yankees in Game 2, evens the 1996 ALCS at 1 game apiece. Orioles 1B Rafael Palmeiro's 7th-inning HR is the key blow.
1998 - The Yankees even the 1998 ALCS at 2 games apiece on a 4-hit, 4-0 shutout by Orlando Hernandez, who hurls the 1st 7 innings, while Yankees relievers Mike Stanton and Mariano Rivera finish up the game.
2000 - The Seattle Mariners defeated the New York Yankees by the score of 2-0, to take the opener of the 2000 AL Championship Series. Starter Freddy Garcia and the Mariners bullpen combine on the six-hitter, while Alex Rodriguez hits a HR for Seattle.
2001 - The New York Yankees fall to the Oakland A’s by the score of 5-3, in Game 1 of their AL Division Series. A’s OF Terrence Long hits a pair of HRs for Oakland, while Jason Giambi, adds another HR for the A’s. Starter Mark Mulder gets the win for Oakland, while A’s OF Johnny Damon goes 4-for-4.
2005 - Angels Rookie P Ervin Santana pitched 5 1/3 strong innings in his postseason debut, Garret Anderson hits a HR and drove in 2 runs, and Adam Kennedy hit a go-ahead 2-run triple, to lead the Angels over New York, by the score of 5-3, in the decisive Game 5 of their 2005 AL playoff series.
October 11th
1931 - Former Yankees P Gary Blaylock (1959) was born. On July 26, 1959, Gary Blaylock was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the St. Louis Cardinals. He went 0-1 in 15 games for the 1959 Yankees. Gary later managed in the New York Yankees farm system during the 1960’s.
1943 - New York Yankees starter Spud Chandler shut out the St. Louis Cardinals by the score of 2-0 as the Yankees win the 1943 World Series in 5 games. Chandler gave up 10 hits, but stranded 11 Cardinal runners. Yankees catcher Bill Dickey's 2-run HR in the 6th inning was the difference in the game.
1964 - The St. Louis Cardinals 3B Ken Boyer hits a Grand Slam HR in Game 4 of the 1964 World Series, capping off a 4-3 comeback win over the New York Yankees. The Cardinals had trailed by the score of 3-0, before Ken Boyer's grand slam HR blast against Yankees starter Al Downing. Yankees reliever Ralph Terry holds the Cardinals scoreless, but the Yankees batting line-up fails to catch the Cardinals.
1965 - Former Yankees P Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez (1998-2003) was born in Cuba. On March 23, 1998, Orlando was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent after fleeing Cuba. El Duque went 53-45 as a Yankees pitcher. His best Yankees season was in 1999, when he posted a 17-9 record. In 1999, he was the ALCS MVP. Orlando went 4-4 in 4 World Series for the Yankees. In AL postseason playoffs, Orlando was 13-10 for the Yankees. On January 15,2003, Orlando was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for P Antonio Osuna and minor league player Delvis Lantigua.
1977 - The Yankees defeat the Dodgers by the score of 4-3 in the opener of the 1977 World Series. The Dodgers held a 2-1 lead in the 6th inning, when the Yankees tie the game at 2-2 in the 8th inning on a Willie Randolph HR, followed a Thurman Munson double later in the inning that score the go head run. The Dodgers tied the game at 3-3 in the 9th inning, sending the game into extra innings. In the 12th inning, the Yankees score the winning runs, with Willie Randolph on 2B after hitting a lead off double, Thurman Munson was intentionally passed, and Paul Blair singles home the winning run.
1978 - The Dodgers edge the Yankees by the score of 4-3 in game 2 of the 1978 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Catfish Hunter takes the loss for the Yankees. With runners in scoring position Dodgers hurler Bob Welch strikes out Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson to end the game.
2006 - New York Yankees P Cory Lidle is killed, when a plane he is in crashes into a residential building in New York City. On July 30, 2006, Corey was traded by the Phillies along with OF Bobby Abreu to the Yankees for P Matt Smith, and minor leaguers: C.J. Henry, Carlos Monastrios and Jesus Sanchez. Corey went 4-3 in 10 games with the 2006 Yankees.
2009 - The New York Yankees complete a sweep of their own, defeating Minnesota Twins by the score of 4-1, to take their ALDS in the last game ever played at the Metrodome. Solo home runs by Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada off of Twins starter Carl Pavano in the 7th inning are the deciding blows. New York Yankees veteran starter Andy Pettitte wins the 15th postseason game of his career, tying John Smoltz for the most ever.
October 12th
1910 - The Former Voice of Yankee Stadium Robert “Bob” Sheppard was born (1910-2010). The long time public address announcer of the New York Yankees, Bob Sheppard is the most famous PA voice in sports history. His slow, deep cadence has rung out from "Now batting for the Yankees, number five, Joe DiMaggio" to "Now batting for the Yankees, number two, Derek Jeter." He graduated from St. John's University in the class of 1932. At St. John's, he spent 4 years on the football team and also was the 1st baseman for the baseball squad. He joined the New York Yankees in DiMaggio's last year, on April 17,1951. He has been at the microphone high above Yankee Stadium ever since. He has announced thousands of players over more than 4,000 games. Of course being the announcer for the Yankees meant Sheppard was the PA announcer for dozens of World Series games. He has worked 20 World Series in all. He has also been the public address announcer for the New York Football Giants, a position he has held from 1956-2005. Since announcing is a part time, seasonal job, 81 games a year plus the postseason, Sheppard also taught speech at St. John's for 25 years. During his winter stay in Florida, Sheppard reads at daily Mass. He is often approached after Mass by fans that say, "you sound like the guy at Yankee Stadium..." He then stops them and confirms he is the voice of Yankee Stadium. Sheppard has kept his age a guarded secret through the years but the combination of his college graduation (1932); his 1910 birthdate given on imdb.com seems plausible. His last season of regular work at Yankee Stadium was 2007; he officially retired in 2009.
1918 - Former New York Yankees Outfielder Alex Burr (1914) is killed in France, becoming the third major leaguer to die in World War I.
1922 - The New York Yankees transfer P Lefty O’Doul to the Boston Red Sox to complete the Joe Dugan trade of July 24, 1922. Later in his MLB career, Lefty would switch from the mound to the OF be a successful player in NL, finishing with a lifetime .346 BA. He would be a successful minor league manager with the San Francisco Seals in the PCL.
1936 - Former Yankees All Star INF /OF Tony Kubek (1957-1965) was born. In 1954, Tony Kubek was signed by the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent. In 1957, Tony was the AL Rookie Of Year Award winner for the Yankees, hitting .297 in 127 games with the Yankees. He was a member of the AL All Star team in 1958-1959 and 1961 AL seasons. He appeared in 7 World Series as a Yankee, hitting .240. Tony finished his Yankee career with a .266 BA in 1.092 games with 57 HRs with 373 RBIs. He retired at the end of 1965 AL season due to neck and back injuries. Tony became a baseball announcer, covering the “Game of the Week” on NBC-TV for 24 years. In 1977, he joined the new AL expansion team, the Blue Jays broadcasting team. From 1990 to 1994, Tony worked for MSG Network covering the Yankees. In 1995, Tony retired from broadcasting. Over the years, he was been away from the game disappointed with baseball’s overall greed. Tony wrote a book about the 1961 Yankees team entitled “61”.
1948 - The New York Yankees name former NL Manager Casey Stengel their manager for the 1949 AL season, replacing Manager Bucky Harris (1946-1948). Casey Stengel, who receives a 2-year contract, will lead the Yankees to 5 consecutive World Championships beginning in 1949. The Boston baseball writers declared that the 1949 AL season is over for the Yankees, that the Red Sox will prevail in the AL. Casey Stengel, has never had a winning season as MLB manager with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves in the NL.
1954 - Former Yankees minor league INF Garth Iorg was born. On June 5, 1973, Garth Iorg was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 8th round of the 1973 MLB amateur player draft. Garth never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 5, 1976, Garth Iorg was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays from the New York Yankees as the 41st pick in the 1976 AL expansion team player draft.
1955 - Former Yankees P Jim Lewis (1982) was born. On November 1, 1979, Jim Lewis was traded by the Seattle Mariners along with OF Ruppert Jones to the New York Yankees for P Rick Anderson, P Jim Beattie, OF Juan Beniquez and C Jerry Narron. Jim appeared in only 1 game for the 1982 Yankees with no record. On December 7,1982, Jim was drafted by the Minnesota Twins from the New York Yankees in the 1982 minor league player draft.
1960 - The New York Yankees veteran starter Whitey Ford throws his 2nd shutout of the 1960 World Series defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 12-0. Yankees 2B Bobby Richardson leads the Yankees hitting attack with 2 triples.
1963 - Former Yankees OF/DH Louis Polonia (1989-1990, 1994-1995,2000) was born. On June 21, 1989, Louis Polonia was traded by the Oakland A’s along with hurlers Greg Cadaret and Eric Plunk to the New York Yankees for OF Rickey Henderson. On April 29,1990, Louis was traded by the Yankees to the California Angels for P Rich Monteleone and OF/DH Claudell Washington. On October 27,1993, Louis was granted MLB free agency by the Angels. On December 20,1993, Louis was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. On August 11,1995, Louis was traded by the New York Yankees to the Atlanta Braves for minor league player Troy Hughes. In August of 2000, the Yankees signed Louis as a MLB free agent. He appeared in 2 games of 2000 World Series for the Yankees. In 5 seasons with the Yankees, Louis appeared in 276 games with 6 HRs and 88 RBI’s, while hitting .296 and stealing 44 bases.
1970 - Former Yankees P Tanyon Sturtze ((2004-2006) was born. On May 15, 2004, Tanyon Sturtze was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Yankees for Brian Myrow. Tanyon went 11-5 in 110 games with 2 saves for the Yankees.
1977 - The Dodgers beat the Yankees by the score of 6-1 to even the 1977 World Series after 2 games. Catfish Hunter, who had not pitched in over a month, started the game for the Yankees. Dodger HRs by Ron Cey, Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith knocked out Catfish Hunter in the 3rd inning of the game. Catfish Hunter’s start allowed the Yankees to have a rested Mike Torrez and Ron Guidry to start the next 2 games for the Yankees.
2006 - Former Yankees reserve OF Johnny Callison (1972-1973) passed away (1939-2006). On January 20,1972, Johnny Callison was traded by the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later. The New York Yankees sent veteran reliever Jack Aker on May 17,1972 to the Cubs to complete the trade. He appeared in 137 games for the Yankees, hitting 231. In 1972, he hit .258 for the Yankees, but he faded in 1973. On August 18,1973, Johnny was released by the New York Yankees. As a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, Johnny was the 1964 All Star MVP game for hitting the game winning homerun at Shea Stadium. He appeared on 3 NL All Star teams.
October 13th
1876 - Former Yankees P and MLB Manager William “Wild Bill’ Donvan (1915-1916) was born. He posted a 220-239 mark with the Yankees, before being replaced by Miller Higgins in 1918. As a pitcher for the Yankees, he appeared in only 13 games posting a 0-1 mark.
1883 - Former Yankees reserve C/1B/OF Walter “Heavy” Blair (1907-1911) was born. On August 18, 1907, Walter Blair was purchased by the Highlanders from the Williamsport (Tri-State). After the 1911 MLB season, he left the Yankees to play for Buffalo in the Federal League.
1895 - Former Yankees /OF Ben Paschal (1924-1929) was born. On September 9, 1924, Ben Paschal purchased by the Yankees from the Atlanta Crackers (Southern Association) for $20,000. On April 12, 1927, the opening game of the 1927 season, Ben Paschal became the last player to ever pinch hit for Babe Ruth. The replacement came in the 6th inning, after Babe Ruth had gone 0 for 3, with 2 strikeouts; Paschal hit a single. Ben hit .309 in 346 games for the Yankees as a reserve OF.
1896 - Former Yankees reserve INF Mike Gazella (1923, 1926-1928) was born. Mike .241 in 160 games for the Yankees as a reserve infielder. During the 1940’s, Mike was a MLB scout for the Yankees organization.
1921 - In the first New York City "Subway Series" ever, the Giants defeat the Yankees by a score of 1-0, to take the 1921 World Series, 5 games to 3. The only run of the game scores on a 1st inning error by Yankees shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
1921 - Former Yankees Baseball Executive Lou Saban was born (1921-2009). Lou Saban was a college and professional football coach. He was briefly president of the New York Yankees in 1981-1982. He also served as a MLB scout for the club from 1984 to 1987.
1924 - Former Yankees reserve C/3B Charlie Silvera (1948-1956) was born. In 1942, Charlie Silvera was signed by the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent. Charlie appeared in 221 games for the Yankees hitting .292. His best Yankee season was in 1949, when he played in 58 games hitting .315. He made 1 game appearance in the 1949 World Series for the Yankees. On December 11,1956, Charlie was traded by the Yankees with cash and another player to be named to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. The Cubs sent C Harry Chiti on December 14,1956 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Harry Chiti never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He would be drafted by the Kansas City A’s from the Yankees in the Rule 5 player draft.
1937 - Former Yankees OF Lou Clinton (1966-1967) was born (1937-1997). On January 14, 1966, Lou Clinton was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Yankees for reserve C Doc Edwards. He hit .220 in 86 games with the Yankees. Lou Clinton originally came up with the Boston Red Sox.
1954 - Former Yankees minor league manager Tommy Jones was born (1954-2009). Tommy Jones managed the Albany Colonie Yankees in 1987-1988.
1954 - Former Yankees P George Frazier (1981-1983) was born. On June 7, 1981, George was sent by the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on February 16,1981. The St. Louis Cardinals sent a player to be named later to the New York Yankees for INF Rafael Santana. George appeared in 140 games for the Yankees posting an 8-9 record with 12 saves. He lost 3 games to the Dodgers in the 1981 World Series. On February 5,1984, George was traded by the New York Yankees with a player to be named later and OF Otis Nixon to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later and INF Toby Harrah. The Cleveland Indians sent minor league player Rick Browne on February 8, 1984 to the New York Yankees to complete the trade. The New York Yankees sent minor league P Guy Elston on February 8, 1984 to the Cleveland Indians to complete the trade
1960 - Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Bill Mazeroski hits one of the most dramatic HR’s in World Series history. Maz' leadoff HR in the bottom of the 9th inning against Yankees reliever Ralph Terry gives Pirates a stunning 10-9 win in Game 7. It is the last game of Yankees Manager Casey Stengel’s career and his last World Series appearance as a Manager. He will be let go by the Yankees and replaced by Yankees MLB coach Ralph Houk. Also long time Yankees General Manager George Weiss will be let go by Yankees Co-Owners Del Webb and Dan Topping.
1971 - The New York Yankees obtained P Rich Hinton from the Cleveland Indians for OF Jim Lyttle. Rich Hinton would go 1-0 for the Yankees before being sent to the Texas Rangers during the 1972 AL season. Jim Lyttle hit .270 for the Yankees in 1970, but missed most of the 1971 AL season being stricken with mono.
1978 - Yankees All Star 3B Graig Nettles put on a fielding clinic and prevented 7 runs as the Yankees beat the Dodgers by the score of 5-1, in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series. Nettles made 4 spectacular stops and gave the Yankees the 1st victory of the World Series. Yankees starter Ron Guidry gets the win, beating Dodgers starter Don Sutton, while OF Roy White hits a HR for the Yankees.
1996 - Powered by 3 HRs in the 3rd inning and 8 strong innings from lefty starter Andy Pettitte, as the Yankees won their 34th AL pennant with a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees took the ALCS by 4-games-1. The team went to the 1996 World Series for the 1st time since 1981 AL season.
1998 - The Yankees advanced to the 1998 World Series for a record 35th time after beating the Cleveland Indians 9-5 to win the ALCS in 6 games.
1999 - The New York Yankees defeat the Boston Red Sox in the opener of the ALCS, by the score of 4-3 in 10 innings. The Red Sox blow a 3-0 lead, as Yankees CF Bernie Williams hit a HR off of Red Sox reliever Rod Beck.
2000 - The New York Yankees batter the Seattle Mariners by the score of 8-2 to take a 2-games-to-1 lead in the ALCS. Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez hit back-to-back HRs in the 2nd inning for the Yankees, while David Justice has 3 RBIs. Mariano Rivera breaks Whitey Ford's record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched in postseason play with 33 1/3 scoreless frames. Clippers Note: I disagree with this record, because all of Whitey Ford’s work was done in the World Series, not in the AL playoffs. There should be a distinctive division between the World Series and League Play-offs and Championship Series records; I hope that the next MLB Commissioner will make this happen, because it will not happen on Clueless Bud Sleig’s watch.
2001 - Yankees C Jorge Posada's 5th inning solo HR accounts for all the scoring as the Yankees defeat the Oakland A’s by the score of 1-0, to stay alive in their ALDS. The Yankees starter Mike “Moose” Mussina gives up just 4 hits in 7 innings to get the win.
2004 - Former Yankees minor league P Mike Blyzka passed away. The right-hander was part of the 18-player trade between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees after the 1954 AL season ended that saw hurlers Bob Turley and Don Larsen go to the Bronx Bombers, while the Orioles received OF Gene Woodling and C Gus Triandos. Mike was to send him to the Denver Bears (AAA) in the American Association. Blyzka never quite made it to Yankee Stadium, pitching for the AAA Denver Bears again in 1956. He retired after the 1957 minor league season. The Chicago White Sox originally signed him in 1946. While in MLB, Mike did pitch for the St. Louis Browns and Baltimore Orioles, posting a 3-11 record.
October 14th
1913 - Former Yankees P Hugh Casey (1949) was born. On September 4, 1949, Hugh Casey was signed as a MLB free agent by the New York Yankees. Casey had previously pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the early 1940’s. He went 1-0 in 4 games in his last MLB season as a player.
1923 - Veteran Yankees starter Joe Bush spins a 3-hitter as the Bronx Bombers beat the Giants, by the score of 8-1 in Game 5 of the 1923 World Series. Joe Dugan hits a HR for the Yankees. The Yankees, now lead the Giants in the 1923 World Series by 3 to 2 games.
1948 - Former Yankees P Ed Figueroa (1976-1980) was born. On December 11, 1975 Ed Figueroa was traded by the California Angels along with OF Mickey Rivers to the New York Yankees for All Star OF Bobby Bonds. Ed went 62-29 in 132 games with 42 compete games with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1978, when he posted a 20-9 mark in 35 games with 12 complete games. In 2 World Series, Ed was 1-1. In postseason games, he was 3-1 for the Yankees. After 1978 AL season, Ed suffered with arm problems just going 7-9 in his last 2 seasons with the team. On July 28,1980, Ed was purchased by the Texas Rangers from the New York Yankees.
1953 - Former Yankees OF Bill Renna (1953) was born. Before the 1949 AL Season, Bill Renna was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Bill hit .314 in 61 games for the Yankees, before being sent to the Philadelphia A’s on December 16,1953, along with INF Don Bollweg, OF Jim Finigan, C Johnny Gray, 1B Vic Power, and P Jim Robertson for P Harry Byrd, INF Eddie Robinson, OF Tom Hamilton, OF Carmen Mauro, and INF Loren Babe.
1964 - In Game 6 of the 1964 World Series, Yankees Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle hit HRs on back-to-back pitches from Curt Simmons of the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe Pepitone belts a Grand Slam HR. The Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 8-3 at St. Louis. The Yankees victory evens the 1964 World Series at 3 games apiece. It would be the last Yankees victory in a World Series game until the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.
1964 - Former Yankees C and Coach, MLB Manager (Marlins) and Current Yankees Manager Joe Girardi (1996-1999) was born. On November 20, 1995, Joe Girardi was traded by the Colorado Rockies to the Yankees for minor league P Mike DeJean. Joe’s best Yankees season was in 1996, when he hit .296. He helped current Yankees C Jorge Posada in his development as a MLB catcher. After retiring as a MLB player, he returned to the Yankees as a MLB coach. In October of 2007, he was named manager of the Yankees, replacing long-time manager Joe Torre. In 2009, Joe won a World Championship for the Yankees as they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.
1967 - Former Yankees INF Pat Kelly (1991-1997) was born. In 1988, Pat Kelly was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 9th round of the MLB amateur player draft. From 1992 - 1995, Pat hit over .300 for the Yankees, before injuries slowed down his MLB career. In 1994, he led the AL in sac flies with 14. The New York Yankees granted Pat Kelly MLB free agency in 1997. He finished his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals.
1976 - At Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss hits a 9th-inning HR off of Kansas City Royals closer Mark Littell to give the Bronx Bombers, a 7-6 victory over the Royals and their 1st AL pennant since the 1964 season.
1977 - New York Yankees starter Mike Torrez scatters 7-hits, a complete game as the Yankees beat the Dodgers by the score of 5-3 in Game 2 of the 1977 World Series. Dodgers’ starter Tommy John takes the lost.
1988 - Former Yankees P Vic “The Springfield Rifle” Raschi (1946-1953) passed away (1919 - 1988). Vic Raschi was one of main starters along with Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat during the Yankees 5 straight World Championship run of 1949-1953. He won 120 games as a Yankees starter with 24 shutouts and 99 complete games. He won 21 games each season for the Yankees from 1949-51. In February of 1954, Yankees GM George Weiss sold Vic Raschi to the St. Louis Cardinals for $85,000 as a signal to stop other Yankee stars from staging salary holdouts. Vic lasted 2 years with the Cardinals and the Kansas City A’s, pitching under .500 baseball before retiring in 1955.
2000 - Giving the New York Yankees, a 3-1 lead in the 2000 ALC Series, starter Roger Clemens strikes out a series record-setting 15 Seattle Mariner batters, allowing only one-hit, winning the game by the score of 5-0.
2008 - Former Yankees INF/OF Tom Tresh (1961-1969) passed away (1937-2008). The Yankees signed Tommy 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, when Tony Kubek was serving active duty for the US Army Reserve. Tom had beaten out Phil Linz for the starting position. He was an AL All Star team member in 1962-1963. In Game 5 of the 1962 World Series, he broke a 2-2 tie with a 3-run HR in the bottom of the 8th inning off Jack Sanford (who won 24 games that season), leading to a 5-3 Yankees win and a 3-2 lead in games. 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 Detroit Tigers for OF Ron Woods. Tom’s son played in the Yankees and Tigers farm systems.
October 15th
1906 - Former Yankees reserve OF Sammy “Babe Ruth’s Legs” Byrd (1929-1934) was born. Sam Byrd’s best season for the Yankees was in 1932, when he hit .297. He was Babe Ruth’s late inning OF replacement. At the end of the 1934 AL season, he was sold to the Cincinnati Reds for cash. Sammy played for 2 seasons with the Reds before retiring as an active MLB player.
1923 - At the Polo Grounds, the Yankees scored 5 runs in the 8th inning to post a comeback victory in the 6th and final game of the 1923 World Series. Babe Ruth hit a 1st-inning HR in the Yankees 6-4 victory over their NL rivals the Giants.
1964 - St. Louis Cardinals starter Bob Gibson allows 3 HRs but still manages to win the 7th and final game of the 1964 World Series against the Yankees. Mickey Mantle, Phil Linz and Clete Boyer hit HRs for the Yankees, who drop a 7-5 decision. St. Louis takes an early lead after a 5th-inning HR by Lou Brock that triggers a second 3-run frame and a 6-0 lead for Gibson, who is named the 1964 World Series MVP. Mickey Mantle’s HR will be his last HR hit in a World Series, he will finish up with 18 HRs in World Series play.
1965 - Former Yankees back-up INF Fritz Brickell (1958-1959) passed away (1935-1965). Fritz Brickell was the son of former Pirates OF Fritz Brickell. Before the 1953 AL season, the Yankees signed Fritz as an MLB amateur free agent. Fritz, who stood just 5'5½", was optioned out to the Joplin Miners of the Western Association (Class C). The 18 year old got into only 37 games his 1st year, hitting just.221. Fritz was in the same league in 1954 but with the St. Joseph Saints, where he played 121 games at shortstop, hitting .306. He would spend the next few years in the high minors, until he had a look-see in a couple games, with no record for the Yankees during the 1958 AL season. They gave him another look during the 1959 AL season. He appeared in 18 games at shortstop, hitting .256 before being sent back to Richmond (AAA), where he finished out the season hitting .247 in 88 games. Fritz Brickell stayed in the Yankees organization until April 4, 1961, when they traded him to the new Angels expansion team for former Yankees P Duke Maas. Fritz became the 1st starting shortstop for the Angels, but was troubled by injuries appearing in only 21 games in 1961. He was sent down to Angels AAA team at Toronto, where after he healed a bit, had probably his best season yet, hitting .307 in 108 games and fielding percentage of .985, while holding down the 2B position.
Fritz was with 2 AAA teams in 1962, hitting a combined .234 in 68 games. It was apparent he wasn't his old self, so he called it a career after the season. He had spent 10 years in pro baseball from 1952-1962. Fritz's minor league records show, he appeared in 982 games with 3,549 at bats, 979 base hits, including 82 HRs and had a .275 career BA. When he was diagnosed with cancer, Fritz Brickell Night was held in August of 1965 at the National Semi-Pro Tournament in Wichita, Kansas with his former Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle on hand to stage a hitting exhibition as part of the activities. Fritz died just a few months later on October 15,1965 at age 30 in his hometown of Wichita.
1968 - Former Yankees minor league P Matt Dunbar was born. Matt Dunbar was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 25th round of the 1990 MLB amateur player draft. Matt never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 5,1994, Matt was drafted by the Florida Marlins from the New York Yankees in the 1994 MLB Rule 5 player draft. On May 25,1995, Matt was returned by the Marlins to the Yankees
1977 - Former Yankees minor league OF/1B Mitch Jones was born. On June 5, 2000, Mitch Jones was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 7th round of the 2000 MLB amateur player draft. On May 19, 2006 he was called up to the Major Leagues. He spent one game on the Yankee bench before being returned to the minors without seeing any action. A free agent that off-season, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers released him. Then he played 2 seasons in Japan. In 2009, he returned to the Dodgers appearing 8 games and hitting .308.
1977 - The Yankees win by a score of 4-2 to take a 3-1 World Series advantage over the Dodgers. Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson doubles and HRs, while starter Ron Guidry notches a 4-hitter.
1978 - In Game 5 of the 1978 World Series, the Yankees pummel the Dodgers with 18 hits to win the game by a score of 12-2. Bucky Dent, Mickey Rivers and Brian Doyle have 3 hits each for the Yankees. New York starter Jim Beattie gives up 9 Dodger hits, but only allows 2 Dodger runs. The Dodgers commit 3 errors in the game.
1981 - New York Yankee hurlers Dave Righetti, Ron Davis and Goose Gossage combined on a 4-0 shutout of the Oakland A’s to give the Yankees their 33rd AL pennant.
1996 - Former Yankees P Tom Ferrick (1950-1951) passed away (1915-1996). On June 15, 1950, Tom Ferrick was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with P Joe Ostrowski and 3B Leo Thomas to the New York Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, P Don Johnson, P Duane Pillette, INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and $50,000. Tom went 8-4 in 30 games with 9 saves for the Yankees in 1950, to lead the Yankees bullpen staff. He appeared in game 3 of the 1950 World Series, picking up a win in relief of starter Eddie Lopat. On June 15,1951, Tom was traded by the Yankees along with hurlers Bob Porterfield and Fred Sanford to the Washington Senators for P Bob Kuzava. Tom would later, became a MLB pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers.
2001 - The New York Yankees beat the Oakland A’s by the score of 5-3, to win the 2001 AL Division Series. The Bronx Bombers become the 1st team ever to win a best-of-5 series after losing the first two games at home.
