This Week in Yankees History
June 3rd - June 9th
June 3rd
1929 - The New York Yankees released veteran 1B George “Tioga” Burns (1928-1929). George Burns played briefly with the New York Yankees in 1928, before finishing his long MLB career with the Philadelphia A’s in 1929. In 1915 with the Detroit Tigers, he beat out fellow rookie Wally Pipp for the Tigers 1st base job, Pipp was sent to the Yankees in a trade.
1932 - New York Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hit 4 consecutive HRs in a game, he narrowly missed a 5th HR, stopped by a great catch by an A’s outfielder. His Yankees teammate Tony Lazzeri hits for the cycle as the Yankees beat the Philadelphia A’s by a score of 20-13. The Yankees set a MLB record for total bases with 50; both teams set a still-standing record for extra bases with 41.
1933 - After giving up 11 runs to the Philadelphia A’s in the 2nd inning, the New York Yankees rebound in the 5th inning with 10 runs, as they out slug the A’s by the score of 17-11. In the 8th inning, Babe Ruth will cap off the Yankees comeback with a 3-run HR.
1941 - At Cleveland Stadium, Yankees starter Red Ruffing shuts out the Indians 2-0. Ruffing allows 8 Tribe hits in the complete game victory. He is now 5-3 for the 1941 AL season. Al Milnar takes the loss for Cleveland. Buddy Rosar and Frank Crosetti lead the Yankees hitting attack, driving in 1 run apiece.
1950 - The New York Yankees sweep the Chicago White Sox by scores of 3-1 and 6-3 in a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. In the 1st game, Yankees starter Tommy Byrne picks up his 6th victory of the 1950 AL season, holding the White Sox to 1 run with 9 hits, 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.
Phil Rizzuto and Hank Bauer each going 3 for 4 at the plate, lead the Bronx Bombers hitting attack. The Scooter drives in 2 Yankee runs, while Hank Bauer gets 1 RBI. In the 2nd game, Fred Sanford picks up his 3rd victory for the Yankees with relief help from Yankees Closer Joe Page, who picks up his 9 save of the season. Bill Wight takes the lost for the White Sox. Joe DiMaggio goes 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs including a HR in the game
1968 - The New York Yankees turn their 21st triple play in their team’s history, but lose to the Minnesota Twins by the score of 4-3. With the bases loaded and the go-ahead run already across the plate, Yankees P Dooley Womack catches a lined shot by Twins C Johnny Roseboro, who threw to Bobby Cox at 3B and then watched in awe as when Cox’s throw to 1B Mickey Mantle was in time to complete the triple-play.
1971 - Former Yankees OF minor leaguer Carl Everett was born. Carl Everett was drafted by the Florida Marlins from the New York Yankees in 1992 MLB expansion player draft. He was a former No. 1 round free agent draft pick by the Yankees in 1990. Carl was label as a troublemaker in the Yankees minor league system, so Carl was left unprotected by the Yankees in the 1992 MLB expansion team player draft.
1972 - The New York Yankees score 8 runs in the 13th inning, 6 of which scored on 3-run HR by Thurman Munson and Bobby Mercer to down the Chicago White Sox by a score of 18-10. Bobby Mercer had 4 hits, scored 5 runs and 3 runs battered in. There was one other unusual happening; Yankees reliever Sparky Lyle actually hit a double.
1981 - At Yankee Stadium, 30,162 fans watch the Yankees and Orioles play 11 innings. The Yankees win the game with a 2-run HR shot by Yankees 3B Graig Nettles off of Orioles reliever Tippy Martinez in the 11th inning. Dave Righetti started the game for New York going 8 innings, while Orioles starter Dave Martinez goes 10 innings. Yankees reliever Ron Davis picks up the victory; his 1981 record is now 2-2, pitching 2 scoreless innings of relief. Tippy Martinez takes the loss for the Orioles, is now 2-2 for the 1981 AL season.
1998 - At Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays by the score of 7-1. Yankees starter Orlando Hernandez goes 7 innings, allowing only 1 Tampa Bay run, 5 hits and 7 strikeouts. Mike Stanton finishes the game for the Yankees. Starter Tony Saunders takes the loss for the Rays. Yankees hitting attack is led by 3B Scott Brosius, who goes 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs.
2003 - New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is named the 11th team captain in club’s history.
2011 - Angels starter Jered Weaver, who had won 6 games in April, earns his 1st victory since then in beating the New York Yankees by the score of 3-2. The Angels starter is now 7-4 for 2011 AL season.
June 4th
1885 - Former Yankees reserve INF Bobby Vaughn (1909) was born (1885-1965). Bobby Vaughn played in 5 games for the 1909 Yankees, just hitting .143.
1889 - Former Yankees INF/OF Leo “Lee” Magee (1916-1917) was born (1889-1966). After being obtained from Brooklyn Tip-Tops (Federal League), OF Lee Magee hit .238 in 182 games with the Yankees. On July 15,1917, Lee was traded to the St. Louis Browns by the Yankees for OF Armando Marsans. Later, Lee would be involved with former Yankees 1B Hal Chase in 1920 for betting scandal involving games while playing with Hal Chase on the 1918 Cincinnati Reds.
1915 - Ty Cobb steals home in the 9th inning of 3-0 Detroit win‚ the only steal of home that late in a game in his MLB career. Yankees pitcher Ray Caldwell is so angry at the safe call, he throws his mitt in the air and is promptly ejected by umpire Silk O'Loughlin. It is Cobb's second steal of home while Caldwell is on the mound (the 1st was on May 12,1911)
1922 - At the Polo Grounds‚ Yankees starter Carl Mays collects 3 hits and beats the Philadelphia A's for the 21st straight time. The Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 8-3. Babe Ruth clouts a 3-run HR over the RF fence for New York.
1928- Former Yankees INF and MLB Manager Billy Hunter (1955-1956) was born. INF Billy Hunter was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in the big 17-man trade of December 1954. Billy became the regular shortstop on the 1955 Yankees, appearing a bit more often than the 38-year-old veteran Phil Rizzuto at the position. He was a back up INF for the 1956 Yankees. In February of 1957, he was traded to the Kansas City A’s in the Bobby Shantz trade. After his playing career ended, Billy Hunter was a MLB scout for the Cleveland Indians in 1961. He managed the Bluefield Orioles in 1962-1963. Billy was a Baltimore Orioles MLB coach from 1964 to 1977, before becoming skipper of the Texas Rangers. In 1977-1978, Billy was the MLB manager of the Texas Rangers finishing 2nd place in AL West twice, He was also a longtime Athletics Director at Towson University. Hunter coached the college baseball team at Towson from 1979 to 1987.
1931 - After hitting safely in his last 8 times at bat‚ Oscar Melillo‚ the slick-fielding but light-hitting 2B of the Browns is stopped by starter Red Ruffing of the New York Yankees. St. Louis wins the game by the score of 8-6.
1933 - New York Yankees starter Johnny Allen’s no-hit bid is spoiled in the 1st inning on A’s batter Ed Coleman’s single. Allen will not allow another A’s hit, as he wins the game by a score of
6-0 against the Philadelphia A’s.
1939 - Former Yankees INF Phil “Super Sub” Linz (1962-1965) was born. In 1958, infielder Phil Linz was signed by the New York Yankees as a MLB amateur free agent. In 1961, he won the Texas League MVP award as the starting shortstop for the Amarillo Gold Sox. He had been beaten out for the regular shortstop job at the Yankees AAA team at Richmond by future Yankees teammate Tom Tresh. He made the team in 1962, along other Yankee rookies who were known as the “Amarillo Gang” (Joe Pepitone, Linz and Jim Bouton). In 1962, Tom Tresh beat out Phil Linz for the Yankees starting shortstop job. Yankees regular shortstop Tony Kubek was away from the Yankees for US Army Reserve active duty. Phil became the Yankees utility man, he could play the OF and INF. Phil is most known for the 1964 harmonica incident on the team bus in Chicago, with Manager Yogi Berra following a tough Yankee loss. The bus incident sparked the Yankees to regain the 1964 AL championship. Not a big home run hitter normally, he hit 2 HRs in the 1964 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 2nd one was off of Cardinals Ace Bob Gibson in the 9th inning of the 7th game. Linz batted leadoff in all 7 games of the 1964 World Series. With the retirement of Tony Kubek at the end of the 1965 AL season due to nagging back and neck injuries. The Yankees GM Ralph Houk traded Phil on November 29,1965, to the Philadelphia Phillies for shortstop Ruben Amaro Sr.. The Yankees should have kept Phil Linz because Amaro was a complete disaster for the Yankees including a collision with Tom Tresh in the outfield that ruined Tresh’s knees and his MLB career. Phil Linz ended his MLB career in 1968 with the New York Mets.
1944 - In Hawaii‚ New York Yankees CF now in the service, Joe DiMaggio hits a 435-foot HR‚ but the 7th Army team loses 6-2 to a Navy team‚ as former major league P Bob Harris throws a 4-hitter for the Navy.
1956 - Former Yankees C Roxy Walters (1915-1918) passed away (1892-1956). On July 23, 1915, Roxy Walters was purchased by the New York Yankees from Waco (Texas League). He appeared in 193 games for the Yankees, hitting .243. On December 18,1918, Roxy was traded by the New York Yankees along with P Ray Caldwell, OF Frank Gilhooley, P Slim Love and $15,000 to the Boston Red Sox for P Dutch Leonard, OF Duffy Lewis and P Ernie Shore.
1953 - At Chicago‚ Mickey Mantle's HR in the 4th inning off of White Sox starter Billy Pierce‚ gives the New York Yankees a 5-0 lead‚ but Chicago comes back to tie the game. Mick's leadoff single in the 10th inning ignites a Bronx Bombers rally‚ and they win the game by the final score of 9-5.
1957 - Yankees Current MLB Bench base Coach Tony Pena (2006-2011) was born. Tony Pena was known for his unique style of catching. He would sit on the ground with one knee tucked to the side while his other leg was straight out to the other side. He could even throw out would-be base stealers from this position with an incredibly strong arm. He ended his MLB career with 1,950 games behind the plate, fourth most of all catchers. He was named to the 1981 Topps All-Star Rookie Team. He was a 5-time NL All-Star (1982,1984-1986 and 1989) Tony Pena was a 4-time Gold Glove Winner (1983-1985 in NL and in 1991 in the AL). As a Manager with the Kansas City Royals, he won the 2003 AL Manager of the Year Award.
1958 - After 32 scoreless innings, the Chicago White Sox score in the 3rd inning and go on to win 7-4 over the 1st place New York Yankees. White Sox starter Billy Pierce is the winner, despite giving up a moon shot to Mickey Mantle that lands in the left-center field bleachers. The drive is measured at 478 feet.
1963 - Baltimore Orioles’ ace Steve Barber tops the New York Yankees by the score of 3-1. Mickey Mantle accounts for the only New York score with an opposite field homer into the RF bleachers.
1966 - At Fenway Park, Jim Gosger hits a game-ending 3-run HR in the 16th inning off of reliever Dooley Womack to give the Boston Red Sox a 6-3 win over the visiting New York Yankees.
1972 - In game 2 of a doubleheader in Chicago‚ White Sox pinch hitter Dick Allen connects with 2 on and 2 outs in the 9th inning, he drives a Sparky Lyle pitch into the LF upper deck for a dramatic 5-4 White Sox win over the New York Yankees.
1977 - New York RF Reggie Jackson hits a pair of run-scoring doubles to highlight a 7-run 2nd inning in Yankees 8-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox. New York starter Don Gullet was the winner; while Yankees closer Sparky Lyle notched his 10th save of the 1977 AL season.
1980 - The New York Yankees‚ with no picks in rounds 1 and 2‚ select 18-year-old Billy Cannon Jr. with their 3rd round pick in the 1980 MLB amateur player draft. After protests from at least two other teams‚ MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn rules that all the teams but the Yankees had been misled by a telegram sent by Bill Cannon‚ Sr.‚ saying his son was going to play football. A special draft (excluding the Yankees) in August is won by the Cleveland Indians‚ who offer the young gun $275‚000. But Cannon elects to play football at Texas A&M. Following in the footsteps of his Heisman dad‚ Cannon will be the number #1 pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1984‚ but a neck injury curtails his NFL career.
1986 - New York Yankees starter Joe Niekro no-hits the California Angels for 7 2/3 innings before Gary Pettis doubles‚ and Niekro combines with Yankees reliever Al Holland for an easy 11-0 one-hitter. AL All Star slugger Dave Winfield homers twice for the Yankees.
1988 - Yankees LF Rickey Henderson steals 2 bases in New York's 7-6‚ 14-inning loss to the Baltimore Orioles‚ giving him a club-record 249 stolen bases as a Yankees player.
1997 - For the 2nd straight night‚ Rafael Palmeiro knocks in the winning run to beat the stumbling New York Yankees‚ as the Baltimore Orioles whip the Yankees by the score of 9-7. The Yankees had tied the game at 7 apiece on Charlie Hayes' pinch-hit grand slam HR. The O's Chris Hoiles has 2 RBIs and Cal Ripken‚ showing no effects from signing (a major-league record?) 2200 copies of his new book after last night's game‚ hits a HR. Ripken did not get through with the autographing until 3:01 a.m. The Orioles extend their winning streak to 7 games and move 9 1/2 games ahead of the 2nd-place Yankees in the AL East.
2006 - At Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles play Small ball, cuffing New York Yankees starter Aaron Small for 7 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, and reliever Scott Erickson for another 4 runs. The O's win the game by the score of 11-3. The Birds hit 3 HRs off of Aaron Small, one by Javy Lopez, who also homers off of Erickson. The Yankees will release the veteran hurler Erickson on June 19th.
2007 - Former Yankees 3B and MLB Coach Clete Boyer (1959-1966) passed away (1937-2007). Clete Boyer took over the regular Yankees 3B job from Andy Carey and Hector Lopez in 1960. He would become, one of finest 3B to play for the Yankees from 1960-1966. He was over shadowed by the presence of Baltimore Orioles AL All Star 3B Brooks Robinson. Clete appeared in 5 World Series with the Yankees (1960-1964). In the winter of 1966, he was traded by the Yankees to the Atlanta Braves for rookie OF Bill Robinson and a minor league pitcher. After leaving the MLB, Clete played for several seasons in Japan. The Yankees 3B position would not be solid again until the arrival of Graig Nettles in winter of 1972 from the Cleveland Indians. Clete Boyer was an Oakland A’s MLB coach from 1980-1985. He was a member of the New York Yankees MLB Coaching staff in 1988 and again from 1992-1994. Clete Boyer passed away in 2007. He was the younger brother of former MLB player’s NL All Star 3B Ken and P Cloyd Boyer, who was later a Yankees MLB pitching coach.
June 5th
1874 - Former Yankees P Jack “Happy Jack” Chesbro (1903-1909) was born (1874-1931). Jack Chesbro holds the MLB and New York Yankees team record for most wins in a season with 41 wins (1904). From 1903-1909, Jack won 129 games as a Yankees hurler, in 269 games with 169 complete games, 1,953 innings, a .577 WP, with a 2.58 ERA, with 16 shutouts and 913 strikeouts. The Yankees had brought him over from the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he had won28 games in 1902 and 21 games in 1901. Jack Chesbro retired from baseball in 1909, having accumulated a 198-132 MLB pitching career record. He had been part of 2 pennant-winning teams (1901-1902 Pirates). Chesbro served as a Washington Senators MLB coach in 1924. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.
1878 - Former Yankees reserve C Fred Mitchell (1910) was born (1878-1970). Fred Mitchell hit .230 in 68 games for the 1910 Yankees.
1891 - Former Yankees C/1B James ‘Truck” Hannah (1918-1920) was born (1891-1982). James “Truck” Hannah hit .235 in 244 games with the Yankees.
1926 - The Cleveland Indians add insult to injury by turning a triple play against the New York Yankees in 15-3 win.
1932 - The New York Yankees obtained P Dan Mac Fayden from the Boston Red Sox for veteran pitchers Ivy Andrews, Henry Johnson and $50,000 in cash. Dan went 14-11 in 62 games for the Yankees (1932-1935).
1936 - New York Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig plays in his 1,700th consecutive MLB game, as the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians by the score of 4-3.
1941 - Former Yankees reserve C/DH Duane “Duke” Simms (1973-1974) was born. Duke Simms hit the last Yankee HR at the original Yankee Stadium in September of 1973. The Yankees had obtained him on waivers from the Detroit Tigers. Duke only appeared in 9 games for the Yankees hitting .208. In May of 1974, Duke Simms was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for P Larry Gura.
1951 - Former Yankees OF/DH Darryl Jones (1979) was born. Outfielder Darryl Jones was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 5th round of the 1972 MLB amateur player draft. He played 18 games with the 1979 New York Yankees in June, the first part of July. He was mostly used a DH. He was 28 years old at the time. The regular DH that year for the New York Yankees was Jim Spencer, having his best year by far with a .593 slugging percentage in 295 at-bats. Jones had gotten the Yankees attention by hitting .330 for Syracuse (AAA) in 1977 and .322 for Tacoma (AAA) in 1978. He also spent three years with West Haven AA (1974-1976). He was the brother of Lynn Jones, who also made his MLB debut in 1979.
1955 - New York Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle hits a HR off of Chicago White Sox hurler Billy Pierce that traveled an estimated 550 Feet. The ball cleared the Left Field upper deck at Chicago’s Comiskey Park.
1958 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees rout the Chicago White Sox veteran starter Early Wynn for a 12-5 victory. In the 3rd inning, New York CF Mickey Mantle legs out his 3rd inside-the-park HR in a month.
1963 - At Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, New York Yankees CF Mickey Mantle fractures a bone in his left foot and suffers ligament and cartilage damage to the left knee running into the chain link fence chasing down a Brooks Robinson drive. Mantle will be out of the Yankees lineup for 61 games. Yankees veteran starter Whitey Ford beats Orioles starter Milt Pappas by the score of
4-3, as the Yankees return to 1st place in the AL. Yankees RF Roger Maris would take over the CF position, while Mickey Mantle is on the DL.
1972 - Former Yankees minor league INF Mike Coolbaugh was born (1972-2007). INF Mike Coolbaugh signed as MLB free agent with the New York Yankees for 1999 season. He batted .276 with 15 HRs and 31 doubles for the Columbus Clippers (International League). Returning to Columbus for his 11th season in Organized Baseball, Coolbaugh produced at a .271 with 23 HRs. He tied Clippers teammate Ryan Thompson for the most HRs by a Yankees farmhand. He left the Yankees organization in 2001. On July 22, 2007, Mike was a St. Louis Cardinals minor league 1st base coach, who was hit in the head by a line drive that killed him. His brother Scott Coolbaugh played in the MLB.
1977- New York Yankee batters Carlos May, Bucky Dent, Thurman Munson, Reggie Jackson, Craig Nettles and rookie George Zeber, each hit a HR during the Yankees 8-6 win over the Chicago White Sox. The 6 HRs were the most the Yankees hit in 1 game in 3 seasons. INF George Zeber’s HR shot was the game winner.
1981 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees edge the Chicago White Sox by the score of 6-5 in extra innings. Yankees starter Rudy May goes 6 plus innings giving 5 White Sox runs, 9 hits, 5 walks and 6 strikeouts. Yankees reliever Dave LaRoche comes in and shuts down Chicago with 5 2/3 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. Yankees batting star is Rich Cerone with a 2 run HR shot and the winning sac fly in the 12th inning that wins the game.
1998 - At Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees open a inter league series with the Florida Marlins. Yankee starter Andy Pettitte throws a complete game victory, giving up just 1 run, while striking out 4 Marlin batters. Joe Fontenot takes the loss for Florida. Andy improves his 1998 AL season pitching record to 7-5 mark. Yankees DH Darryl Strawberry hits a HR, while 2B Chuck Knoblauch goes 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.
2006 - New York Yankees hitters Jason Giambi and Andy Phillips, each hit a 3-run HRs in a 7-run 2nd inning, as the host Bronx Bombers roughed up old nemesis Boston starter Josh Beckett in a 13-5 rout of the Red Sox. New York had 11 hits for its 12th consecutive game with at least 10, breaking the franchise record of 11 straight games set in May 1937.
2010 - The surprising Toronto Blue Jays keep giving their main rivals trouble. In tonight's game against the Yankees, the Jays' bullpen pitches 6 scoreless innings and Aaron Hill drives in Edwin Encarnacion with a single against Yankees reliever Chad Gaudin in the 14th inning for a 3-2 win. Vernon Wells and Alex Gonzalez hit solo HRs, bringing Toronto's MLB-leading home run total to 96. For the Yankees, the struggling All Star 1B Mark Teixeira goes 0 for 6 with 5 strikeouts to see his batting average fall to .215.
June 6th
1887- Former Yankees INF/OF Delmar “Del” Paddock (1912) was born (1887-1952). Del Paddock hit .288 in 46 games with the 1912 Yankees.
1907- Former Yankees Hall Of Fame Catcher, MLB Coach and Manager Bill Dickey (1928-1946) was born (1907-1993). Bill Dickey was the 1st great Yankees catcher. He was a tough as nails player. Bill had a lifetime BA of .313 for the Yankees. He hit .300, or better 10 times during his 13 years as a MLB player. His best Yankees season was in 1936, when he hit .362. Bill topped the 100 RBI’s mark for 4 years (1936-39.) He was AL All Star catcher (1933-1943, 1946.) Bill led the AL in fielding as a catcher (1931,1935,1937,1939,1941.) During the 1946 AL season, he managed the Yankees to a 57-48 record, after longtime Manager Joe McCarthy had resigned. He served as a MLB coach for Yankee Manager’s Bucky Harris and Casey Stengel. HOF Yogi Berra credits Bill with teaching him the fundamentals of catching. He also taught Elston Howard and Johnny Blanchard in the 1950’s as well. Later he would come to the Yankees spring training camp as a special advisor and work with the team’s organizational catchers.
1913 - The New York Yankees were defeated for the 13th consecutive time in the 2-1 loss to the Cleveland Naps (Indians).
1931 - The New York Yankees turn a triple play, but they still lose to the Cleveland Indians by a score of 7-5.
1934 - New York OF Myril Hoag hit a MLB record of 6 singles in the Yankees' 15-3 rout of the Boston Red Sox.
1937 - Red Ruffing’s pinch-hit HR leads the New York Yankees to a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. Ruffing, who was the ace pitcher on Yankees pitching staff, was also a dangerous hitter and frequently got the call by New York Manager Joe McCarthy, when the Yankees need an extra bat off the bench. He hit .269 lifetime, including .254 as a pinch hitter (58 pinch hits in 228 pinch hit bats.) Ruffing, also hit 36 MLB career HRs.
1944 - All MLB games were canceled as the country's focus is turned toward Europe, while allied forces invade occupied France, (Normandy Beach Invasion, D-Day.)
1949 - Former Yankees C Jim Deidel (1974) was born. In 1967, catcher Jim Deidel was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 15th round of the MLB amateur player draft. He appeared in only 2 games for the team during the 1974 AL season.
1954 - Former Yankees OF/1B Dave Bergman (1975, 1977) was born. The New York Yankees drafted Bergman in the 2nd round of the 1974 MLB amateur player draft. The Yankees would sent Dave to the Houston Astros as part of 3 minor league players involved in the Cliff Johnson trade on June 15,1977.
1965 - In the 2nd game of a doubleheader, Yankees switch-hitter Tom Tresh connected for 3 consecutive HRs in the 12-0 rout of the Chicago White Sox. Tresh hit his 1st HR right-handed off of starter Juan Pizarro in the 1st inning, then he went to the other side of the plate and hit 2 HRs against reliever Bruce Howard in the 3rd and 5th innings. The Yankees won the 1st game of the doubleheader by a score of 6-1.
1965 - The New York Yankees claimed shortstop Bill Betha on waivers from the Minnesota Twins. He never plays for the Yankees at the MLB Level.
1972 - The New York Yankees obtained P Wade Blasingame from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later. Wade’s claim to fame as Yankees pitcher was during a start against the Detroit Tigers, when he walked the 1st batter and then surrendered 3 consecutive homeruns, with the last HR being a shot over the roof in left center field at Tiger Stadium.
1977 - Veteran New York Yankees starter Catfish Hunter comes off the DL, he pitches a 6-hit, complete game, a 9-2 win over the Texas Rangers. Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson hits his 10th and 11th HR’s of the 1977 AL season.
1980 - At the Seattle Kingdome, New York Yankees starter Tommy John shuts down the Mariners by the score of 3-0 for his 8th victory of the 1980 AL season. In John’s complete game victory, he allows only 2 Mariner hits, while striking out 6 Seattle batters. Former Yankees pitcher Jim Beattie takes the loss for the Mariners dropping his 1980 season record to 3-5 mark. The Yankees hitting attack is lead by Bobby Murcer and Bobby Brown, who each hit HRs for the team.
1990 - Longtime Yankees minor league system manager Stump Merrill replaces Bucky Dent as the New York Yankees manager. The Yankees are in 7th place in the AL East with a dismal 18-31 record. Bucky Dent’s Yankees Managing career record was 36-53 (1989-1990).
1996 - The New York Yankees defeat the Toronto Blues Jays by the score of 8-1. Andy Pettitte pitches a complete game victory, just giving up 6 Blue Jays hits, 1 run with 8 strikeouts. Blue Jays starter Paul Quantrill takes the loss, dropping to a 2-6 record. Pettitte improves his record to 9-3 mark. Yankees reserve INF Andy Fox leads the Yankees hitting attack with a 3-run HR. Yankees CF Bernie Williams goes 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs.
2001 - New York Yankees starter Roger Clements throws a 3-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium, winning the game by the score of 4-0. The Rocket fans 10 Oriole batters in 8 innings. Yankees Closer Marino Rivera finished the game with a scoreless 9th inning. Baltimore Orioles starter Sidney Ponson loses the complete game start, giving up 4 Yankee runs, with 12 hits. Yankees hitting attack is led by reserve catcher Todd Greene’s 3 for 4 performance at the plate, knocking in 3 Yankee runs.
June 7th
1900 - Former Yankees P Ed Wells (1929-1932) was born (1900-1986). On August 28, 1928, Ed Wells was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Birmingham (Southern Association). Ed went 37-20 in 107 games for the Yankees. On April 14,1933, he was purchased by the St. Louis Browns from the Yankees.
1907 - Boston Red Sox purchased 43-year-old Deacon McGuire from the New York Highlanders and makes him manager. He will have a combined 98-123 record for this season and in 1908.
1911 - Former Yankees P Ralph “Buck” Buxton (1949) was born (1911-1988). Ralph “Buck” Buxton went 0-1 in 14 games with 2 saves for the 1949 Yankees.
1913 - At the Polo Grounds, the New York Highlanders finally win 1 game by the score of 3- 2, over the Chicago White Sox. The Yankees end the 13–game winless streak (12 loses, 1 tie.) It was the club’s longest winless streak ever. The 1913 New York Yankees are now 10-34.
1927 - At Yankee Stadium, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig hit back-to-back HR’s in the 4th inning, off of P Tommy Thomas, to beat the Chicago White Sox by the score of 4-1; increasing the Yankees' lead over Chicago to 2 games. Also Yankees catcher Pat Collins hits a HR for the Bronx Bombers, while 1B Bud Clancy matches for the White Sox.
1936 - A HR by New York OF George Selkirk in the 16th inning gives Yankees starter Red Ruffing, a 5-4 win over Cleveland Indians P Oral Hildebrand. Ruffing has 3 hits, including a homerun. In creditably, there are no strikeouts in the 16-inning game.
1939 - In his 1st at bat since April 29th, Joe DiMaggio hit a triple to pace the New York Yankees to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park.
1947- Former AL All Star Yankees Catcher and Captain Thurman Munson (1969-1979) was born (1947-1979). Thurman Munson was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1968 MLB amateur player draft. Munson was a graduate of Kent State University. Munson, who died in aircraft crash in August of 1979. He finished his Yankees career with a lifetime BA of .292. He was named the 1970 AL Rookie of Year. In 1976, he won the American League MVP award. He was named Yankee captain. Munson was an American League All Star catcher in 1971,1973-1978. He won AL Golden Glove as a catcher 1973-1975. Thurman was a modern day version of Bill Dickey. His World Series lifetime BA was .373; in the American League Playoffs series his BA was .339.
1953 - At Sportsman Park in St. Louis, the New York Yankees sweep the St. Louis Browns in a doubleheader sweep by scores of 9-2 and 7-2. In 1st game, Yankees starter Eddie Lopat throws a complete allowing only 6 hits, 2 runs and striking out 3 Browns batters. Richard Littlefield takes the loss for the Browns, dropping his 1953 AL season record to 3-4. The Yankees hitting attack was lead by Billy Martin, Gil McDougald and Yogi Berra, who hit HRs. In the second game, Whitey Ford goes 5 innings, giving up only 6 Browns hits and 2 runs for his 6th victory of the 1953 season. Allie Reynolds pitches 4 innings of scoreless relief for the Yankees. Harry Brecheen takes the loss for St. Louis, dropping his 1953 season record to 1-7. Yankee hitters Gene Woodling and Mickey Mantle each drive in 2 runs.
1967 - The last-place New York Yankees have the 1st pick in the1967 MLB free-agent player draft and use it to take 1B Ron Blomberg. In 1973, Ron “Boomer” Blomberg will become the 1st designated hitter in MLB history.
1968 - The New York Yankees drafted Kent State University catcher Thurman Munson in the 1st round (fourth pick) of the 1968 MLB amateur player draft.
1971 - The New York Yankees obtained OF/1B Danny Walton from the Brewers for INF/OF Frank Tepedino and OF Bobby Mitchell. Danny Walton never turned out to be the power hitter the Yankees were hoping for. He would be traded to the Minnesota Twins for reserve C Rick Dempsey in the fall of 1972.
1973 - In 2 separate player transactions; the New York Yankees purchased veteran P “Sudden Sam” McDowell from the San Francisco Giants for $100,000. Then they obtained veteran starter Pat Dobson from the Atlanta Braves for 1B/OF Wayne Nordhagen, OF/1B Frank Tepedino, Pitchers David Cheadle and Alan Coster. Former AL All Star hurler Sam McDowell was still batting serious drinking problems. He was a major disappointment with the Yankees, he would be released. Meanwhile Pat Dobson went 9-8 in 1973; he posted a 19-15 record in 1974, before fading in 1975. Pat was traded in November to Chicago White Sox for OF/DH Oscar Gamble. The Yankee players sent to the Atlanta Braves did nothing as MLB players.
1982 - In the 1982 MLB free agent player draft, the New York Yankees select two-sport star Bo Jackson in the second round, but Bo Jackson opts for Auburn College to play college football instead; later he will sign the Kansas City Royals in 1986.
1990 - At Fenway Park, 2 Boston Red Sox pitchers starter Greg Harris and closer Jeff Reardon combine to hurl a 1-hitter beating the New York Yankees by a score of 3-0.
1998 - In a MLB Inter League game between the New York Yankees and Florida Marlins draws 47,731 fans at Yankee Stadium. New York starter David Cone throws a 2-hitter, allowing 1 run, while striking out 14 Marlin batters. Cone’s 1998 AL season pitching record is now 8-1. Florida starter Ryan Dempster goes only 4 plus innings takes the loss for the Marlins.
1998 - Former Yankees P Tom Buskey (1973-1974) passed away in Harrisburg, PA from injuries involving an auto accident (1947-1998). In 1969, Tom Buskey was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. His pitching record with the Yankees was 0-2 in 12 games with 2 saves. Tom was a short relief man, who was traded by the Yankees to the Cleveland Indians in the Chris Chambliss trade during the 1974 AL season.
2011 - On the day he is handed a 3-game suspension for losing his cool with an umpire on June 4th, Jonathan Papelbon notches the 200th save of his MLB career in Boston's 6-4 win over the Yankees. He needs only 259 appearances to reach the milestone, beating Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera, who had been fastest, doing it in 382 games.
June 8th
1927 - Tony Lazzeri hits 3 HR’s during the New York Yankees come from behind win against the Chicago White Sox 12-11 in 11 innings. Tony hit 2 HR’s off of White Sox starter Red Faber, and hit a game tying 2-run HR in the 9th inning off of White Sox reliever George Connally.
1933 - Jimmie Foxx hit 3 HRs in his 1st three at-bats as the Philadelphia A’s outscore the New York Yankees by a score of 14-10. Foxx had homered his last time up the previous day to give him four consecutive HRs.
1935 – New York Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig collides with Carl Reynolds on a play at 1B. Lou leaves the game with arm and shoulder injuries. His MLB consecutive game streak is preserved, in part, by a rainout of the next day's game and an open date in the 1935 New York Yankees season schedule.
1941 - New York Yankees C Bill Dickey makes unassisted double play in the 1st game of a doubleheader again the St. Louis Browns and thereby ties the MLB record for unassisted double plays in one game by a catcher.
1954 - Former Yankees reserve INF Lenn Sakata (1987) was born. The New York Yankees signed veteran MLB INF Lenn Sakata as a MLB free agent. He appeared in 48 games, hitting .267 as a reserve infielder during the 1987 AL season.
1959 - Former Yankees P Britt Burns (1986) was born. On December 12, 1985, starter Britt Burns was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with minor league players Glen Braxton and Mike Soper to the New York Yankees for P Joe Cowley and C/DH/1B Ron Hassey. Britt never pitched for the Yankees due to a hip injury that ended his MLB career.
1969 - New York Yankees' uniform No. 7 is officially retired on “Mickey Mantle Day.” A crowd of 60,096 fans come to Yankee Stadium to honor Mickey Mantle and watched the Yankees sweep the Chicago White Sox in a doubleheader by scores of 3-1 and 11-2. Yankees Hall Of Fame CF Joe DiMaggio is present to the wall plaque to his former Yankee teammate. In turn Mantle surprises the Yankee Clipper with a wall plaque to celebrate Joe’s being named “Greatest Living Player in Baseball History” as part of MLB’s 100th anniversary season (1869-1969). The surprised Joe DiMaggio remarks ‘I’m out here in great company.”
1975 - Former Yankees P Ownie Carroll (1930) passed away (1902-1975). On May 30,1930, Ownie Carroll was traded by the Detroit Tigers along with OF Harry Rice and INF Yats Wuestling to the New York Yankees for veteran starter Waite Hoyt and INF Mark Koenig. Ownie appeared in 10 games for the 1930 Yankees, posting a 0-1 record. On September 13,1930, he was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds from the New York Yankees. Carroll had been a star HS player in New Jersey, then attending Holy Cross College posting a 50-2 record before signing with the Detroit Tigers. From 1948-1972, he was the head baseball coach at Seton Hall University.
1977 - New York starter Mike Torrez’s 5-hit, 9-2 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers, puts the Yankees into 1st place in the AL East, the 1st time since May 20th.
1981 - The New York Yankees use their 1st round player draft pick to take college football QB John Elway, who will only play minor league baseball (Oneonta Yankees) for the Yankees before going on to a long successful NFL career.
1986 - In the longest 9-inning game by time in American League history, the Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Yankees by a score of 18-9. The game features 9 pitchers, 36 hits, and 16 walks, and takes 4-hours, 16-minutes to complete.
1997 - Former Yankees reserve OF Ken Hunt (1959-1960) passes away (1934-1997). In 1952, the New York Yankees signed OF Ken Hunt as a MLB free agent. He appeared in 32 games for the Yankees during the 1959-1960 AL seasons batting .303. He was unable to crack the regular Yankees starting outfield of Mantle, Maris, Lopez and Berra. In December of 1960, Ken Hunt was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in AL 1960 expansion team player draft. Former Yankees Manager Casey Stengel, who helped the Angels with MLB scouting reports on players placed in the draft, recommend him to the Angels front office. In 1961, Ken Hunt hit .255 with 25 HRs with the Angels. He finished MLB career in 1964 with the Washington Senators. He was a close friend to his Yankees teammate OF Roger Maris; the two players are buried next to each other at Holy Cross Trinity Cemetery in Fargo, North Dakota.
2005 - New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez became the youngest member of the 400-HR MLB career club, when he hit a solo HR in the 8th inning of New York's 12-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
2011 - The Boston Red Sox take over 1st place in the AL East by dropping the New York Yankees, by the score of 11-6, at New Yankee Stadium. Veteran Red Sox hurler Tim Wakefield continues to do well in filling for injured members of the starting rotation, picking up his 3rd win after being staked an early 7-0 lead. David Ortiz, Carl Crawford and J.D. Drew all homer as Yankees starter A.J. Burnett takes the loss. But not all is rosy for Boston: 2B Dustin Pedroia heads home after the game to have his ailing right knee examined, but the problem turns out to be only a bone bruise. The Yankees are not so lucky as they place P Joba Chamberlain on the DL before the game with what turns out to be a torn ligament in his pitching elbow, requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery; Boston reliever Bobby Jenks also goes on the DL, but his outlook is not as dire as Joba's.
June 9th
1915 - At the Polo Grounds‚ the Chicago White Sox pound the New York Yankees by the score of 13-0‚ as White Sox starter Eddie Cicotte allows just 2 Yankee hits. Braggo Roth leads the White Sox attack with a HR‚ triple and single.
1920 - The New York Yankees come from behind to club the host Detroit Tigers by the score of 13-6. Pacing the Yankees are Bob Meusel‚ with a double and 2 singles‚ and George Mogridge with a bases-loaded double before the Tigers knock him out. Babe Ruth has a single‚ 2 walks and is hit with a pitch. The Tigers are playing without Ty Cobb‚ who is out 10 days with an injured knee.
1922 - At Chicago‚ the New York Yankees use a courtesy runner against the Chicago White Sox. On a 2-out single to shortstop‚ Yankees catcher Wally Schang is injured in the 6th inning when he slides into first base‚ he is replaced by Al DeVormer. After the 3rd out‚ Wally Schang returns to catching. When Schang reaches base in the 8th inning‚ DeVormer again runs for him‚ this time staying in to catch.
1927 - At Yankee Stadium‚ the Yankees win for the 3rd straight time over the Chicago White Sox winning the game by the score of 8-3. The Bronx Bombers knocks White Sox starter Ted Blankenship out of the box in the 7th inning. Yankees batter Ray Morehart hits reliever Bert Cole's 1st pitch for a 3-run HR. Babe Ruth follows with a triple and then steals home. The Yankees score 6 runs in the inning.
1928 - Cleveland Indians OF Charlie Jamieson starts his second triple play in 3 weeks‚ this time against the New York Yankees in the 2nd inning. Ben Paschal is on third base‚ and Tony Lazzeri on 1st‚ when Jamieson snags a line drive hit by Joe Dugan. Charlie's quick throw to 1B Lew Fonseca nabs Lazzeri‚ Ben Paschal is out at home when he tries to score. Again‚ Cleveland is on the losing end‚ as New York wins the game by the score of 7-3.
1931 - Former Yankees minor league OF and MLB Manager Bill Virdon (1974-1975) was born. In 1950, the New York Yankees originally signed outfielder Bill Vidron; but he was later traded along with P Mel Wright and another minor league player to the St. Louis Cardinals for veteran OF Enos “Country” Slaughter in 1954. In 1955, he won the NL Rookie Of Year award with the St. Louis Cardinals. Bill would go on to be an All Star OF with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He hit .241 with the Pirates in the 1960 World Series against the Yankees. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates before coming to the Yankees to replace longtime Yankees Manager Ralph Houk, who resigned at the end of 1973 AL season. He is the only modern era New York Yankees manager to not win a game at Yankee Stadium. Bill’s tenure as the Yankees manager was when the team played their home games at Shea Stadium (1974-1975) during the remodeling of Yankee Stadium. In 1974, Bill was named The Sporting News American League Manager of the Year, for his 2nd place finish in the AL East with the Yankees. He helped Bobby Murcer become a better MLB outfielder in 1974. Bill had moved Elliot Maddox to CF, Bobby Murcer went to RF. The 1975 AL season was marred with injuries to key Yankee players such as Bobby Bonds and Mel Stottlemyre. After being replaced by the Yankees in 1975 mid season by Billy Martin. He would later manage the Houston Astros and Montreal Expos in the NL.
1933 - At Shibe Park in Philadelphia, A’s slugger Jimmie Foxx ties a MLB record with another homer‚ his 5th HR in 3 games and his 12th of the 1933 AL season‚ but the A's bow to the Yankees, by the score of 7-6. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hits his 12th HR of the year; teammate Tony Lazzeri hits a 3-run HR in the 8th inning to ice it. The sweltering heat in the east (New York City sets a heat record for the date with 97 degrees) causes both teams starters to end early; Jim Peterson leaves after walking the leadoff batter: after 5 innings Pitcher Jumbo Brown collapses in the Yankees dugout and has to be carried away.
1936 - St. Louis Browns Manager Rogers Hornsby makes his 2nd and last appearance of the 1936 AL season as he replaces the injured Jim Bottomley at 1B. The Browns beat the league-leading New York Yankees by the score of 5-3‚ when “The Rajah” draws a walk to force in the winning run and Beau Bell follows with another walk.
1946 - The New York Yankees draw 66,545 fans for their doubleheader with the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium, breaking 1-million attendance mark in the earliest date in MLB history. The Tribe takes the opener by a score of 9-5, while the Yankees come back to win the nightcap by a score of 7-4.
1947 - The 2nd place New York Yankees drop a 9-8 decision to the woeful Chicago White Sox. Yankees starter Allie Reynolds issues 8 walks and reliever Bill Bevens adds 3 more. Yankees closer Joe Page walks none in the 9th inning, but Yankees catcher Aaron Robinson lets a pop-up drop in front of the plate for a single‚ and 2 hits later‚ the Sox score the winning run. Yankees Johnny Lindell and White Sox hitter Luke Appling match HRs.
1959 - At Yankee Stadium‚ the New York Yankees edge the Kansas City A’s by the score of 9 - 8 in 13 innings. Mickey Mantle HR in the 4th inning‚ off of veteran MLB hurler Murry Dickson‚ but it is Hector Lopez's single that wins it for the Yankees in the 13th inning.
1961 - In a rain-interrupted game in at Yankee Stadium‚ Yankees CF Mickey Mantle's 3-run HR in the 3rd inning is the difference in a 8-6 win over the Kansas City A’s. His Yankees teammate Roger Maris also HRs‚ the 3rd time this 1961 AL season the 2 players have gone deep in the same game.
1969 - New York Yankees purchased veteran knuckleball P Ken Johnson from the Atlanta Braves for undisclosed amount of cash. Johnson appeared in 12 games for the Yankees posting a 1-2 record with a 3.46 ERA. Ken was sent to the Chicago Cubs in August of 1969.
1973 - At Kansas City‚ the New York Yankees rally for 5 runs in the 9th inning to stop the Royals‚ by the score of 6-4. Newcomer Yankees hurler Pat Dobson pitches 5 innings and allows one hit to win in relief. New York moves into 1st place in the AL East with the win.
1974 - Former Yankees DH/OF Randy Winn (2010) was born. On February 8, 2010, Randy Winn was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. The Yankees released Randy Winn in May of 2010, after appearing in only 29 games, hitting just .213 with 1 HR and 8 RBI’s.
1977 - New York shortstop Bucky Dent’s 3-hits highlight a Yankees 10-1 victory at Milwaukee County Stadium over the Brewers with Yankees starter Don Gullet picking up his 5th victory of the 1977 American League season.
1979 - Former Yankees P Jason Anderson (2003,2005) was born. On June 5, 2000, Jason Anderson was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 10th round of the MLB amateur player draft. In 2003, Jason appeared in 22 games for the Yankees, posting a 1-0 record. On July 16,2003, Jason Anderson was traded by the New York Yankees along with minor league players Ryan Bicondoa and Anderson Garcia to the New York Mets for All Star reliever Armando Benitez. On June 1,2004, Jason was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in 3 games for the 2004 Yankees, posting a 1-0 record. On February 15,2006, Jason was selected off waivers by the San Diego Padres from the New York Yankees.
1981 - At Royals Stadium, the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals by the score of 8-5 by using relief pitchers. Jeff Nelson started the game, followed by Dave LaRoche, then Mike Griffin and the game was closed out by Rich Gossage, who picks up his 17th save of the 1981 AL season. LaRoche goes 4 plus innings, picking up his 3rd victory of the 1981 AL season. Yankees knock out Royals starter Juan Berenguer, who was replaced by reliever Renie Martin, who took the loss, dropping to 1-3 record. Yankees hitters Dave Winfield and Graig Nettles hit HRs for the Yankees.
1992 - The New York Yankees traded P Lee Guetterman to the New York Mets in exchange for P Tim Burke.
2002 - At Yankee Stadium before a crowd of 55,335 fans, New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens holds the San Francisco Giants to just to 2 runs, 7 hits with 9 strikeouts in 8 innings. Yankees reliever Steve Karsay closes the game for the Yankees picking up his 2nd save of the 2002 AL season with a scoreless 9th inning. New York Yankees DH Nick Johnson has 1 hit with 2 RBIs, also Robin Ventura and Rondell White drive in runs for the Yankees. Giants starter Felix Rodriguez takes the lost for San Francisco.
2010 - At Camden Yards in Baltimore, New York Yankees ace starter CC Sabathia goes 7 innings allowing only 2 Orioles runs as the Yankees defeat the Orioles by the score of 4-2. Relievers Joba Chamberlain and Closer Mo Rivera close the game with 2 scoreless innings, giving only 1 hit. Rivera picks-up his 14 save of the 2010 AL season. Sabathia improves his 2010 season record to 6-3. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano leads the Yankees hitting attack with a 3 for 4 performance at the plate, while driving in 1 run. Baltimore starter Chris Tillman takes the lost for the Orioles, he is still winless (0-2).
