This Week in Yankees History April 8th-14th

 April 8th

1874- Former Yankees infielder and MLB Manager John Ganzel (1903-1904) was born. (1874-1959).
John Ganzel appeared in 259 games for the Yankees hitting .323. In 1908, he was the MLB manager for the Cincinnati Reds. He was along time minor league manager in the 1920-1940’s.

1899- Former Yankees P Ted Kleinhans (1936) was born. (1899-1985)
Ted went 1-1 in 19 games for the 1936 Yankees. On September 4, 1937, the Cincinnati Reds purchased Ted from the New York Yankees. He coached college baseball about 20 years at Syracuse University, before retiring in 1966.

1908- While at spring training camp, 1st baseman Hal Chase of the New York  Highlanders contracts smallpox. The entire team is vaccinated and quarantined while traveling north by train.

1946- Former Yankees Hall Of Fame P Jim “Catfish” Hunter (1975-1979) was born in Hertford, North Carolina (1946-1999).
James “Catfish” Hunter will make his MLB debut in 1965 with the Kansas City A’s. He will join the New York Yankees as a MLB free agent in 1975. His Yankees pitching career record was 63-53. He won 23 games in 1975 and 17 games in 1976 for the Yankees. He will retire at the age of 33 in 1979 after 15 year MLB career with the A’s and Yankees. He will win election to the Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1999, Jim “Catfish” Hunter will pass away from ALS at the age of 53.

1957- Former Yankees reserve INF Roger Holt  (1980) was born.
Roger Holt was drafted in the 4th round (101st pick overall) of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft by the  Yankees. Holt was a star in the minor leagues (he had the game winning hit in the minor league World Series. He was named the Yankees Minor League Player of the Year. In 1980, he was called up by Yankees and given the uniform number 55; he played in 2 games. In those games Holt had 6 at bats; he struck out twice, walked once, and got 1 hit (off of Aurelio Lopez of the Detroit Tigers). However, the following spring, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for INF Tucker Ashford.

1967- Former Yankees minor league P Rich Batchelor was born.
In 1990, the New York Yankees signed P Rich Batchelor as an MLB amateur free agent. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On August 31,1993, Rich was traded by the New York Yankees to the St. Louis Cardinals for veteran MLB closer Lee Smith.

1975- Frank Robinson makes his debut as MLB 1st black manager. Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson, throws out the ceremonial 1st pitch before a crowd of 56,204. As the player-manager of the Cleveland Indians, Frank Robinson hits a HR in his 1st at-bat, helping Cleveland Indians to a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees. For Robinson, it is his 8th Opening Day home run, setting a MLB record.

1985- At Fenway Park, 46-year-old Phil Niekro starts for the New York Yankees, becoming the 2nd oldest pitcher ever to start in Opening Day. Only Jack Quinn, for the Brooklyn Robins in 1931, was older at age 47. The Boston Red Sox chase Niekro after 4 innings and, behind the pitching of Oil Can Boyd, coast to a 9-2 win. Niekro walks 4 batters in the 3rd inning, including 2 with the bases loaded, to lose his 7th opener in a row (6 with the Atlanta Braves), the worst opening day record ever. Outfielders Tony Armas, Dwight Evans and Jim Rice stroke HRs for Boston.

2003- At Yankee Stadium 2003 home opener, with the New York Yankees fans chanting his name, Hideki Matsui hit his 1st MLB Home Run, a grand slam shot against the Minnesota Twins.

2003- Former Yankees minor league player Bing Russell passed away. (1926-2003)
Bing Russell was a minor league player in the New York Yankees farm system, playing for the Carrolton (Georgia-Alabama League, Class D) in 1948-1949. Bing later became a Hollywood actor most known for his work in the NBC-TV show "Bonanza". Russell returned to baseball in the 1970s as owner of the Portland Mavericks of the Northwest League. His son, actor Kurt Russell, played with the Dodgers organization for part of his minor league career, until shoulder injuries ended his career. Russell's grandson, Matt Franco, went on to play in the majors.

2005- Former Yankees P Al Gettel (1945-1946) passed away. (1917-2005)
In 1936, the New York Yankees, as an MLB amateur free agent, signed hurler Al Gettel. He posted a 15-15 record with 3 saves in 53 games for the Yankees. On January 22,1943, Al was traded by the New York Yankees along with Ed Levy and $10,000 to the Philadelphia Blue Jays (aka Phillies) for 1B Nick Etten. Al Gettel and Ed Levy were returned to Yankees on March 26,1943. The New York Yankees sent Tom Padden and Al Gerheauser on March 26, 1943 to the Philadelphia Blue Jays to complete the trade. On December 6,1946, Al was traded by the New York Yankees along with P Gene Bearden and OF Hal Peck to the Cleveland Indians for C Sherm Lollar and INF Ray Mack.

2011- The Boston Red Sox finally record their 1st win of the 2011 AL season after starting 0-6, defeating their arch-rivals the New York Yankees by the score of 9-6, in their home opener. Dustin Pedroia hits a HR in his 1st at-bat with his team down by 2-0.  He finishes the day with 3 hits and as many RBI to lead the Boston attack. John Lackey is the winner in spite of giving up 6 runs over 5 innings. Yankees starter Phil Hughes gave up 7 hits and 6 runs in the 1st two innings. Yankees reliever Bartolo Colon takes the loss despite going 4 innings while giving up only 2 runs.

April 9th

1888- Former Yankees P James “Hippo” Vaughn  (1908,1910-1912) was born. (1888-1966)
Hippo Vaughn went 22-30 with the New York Yankees in 72 games before going to the Washington Senators on waivers during the 1912 AL season. In 1913, Hippo will be picked by the Chicago Cubs, becoming a 20 game winner for five seasons with the Cubs before finishing his MLB career with them in 1921.

1961- Former Yankees reserve C Brian Dorsett (1989-1990) was born.
On November 17,1988, Brian Dorsett was traded by the California Angels to the New York Yankees for minor league player Eric Schmidt. He appeared in 22 games for the Yankees, hitting .228. On November 19,1990, Brian was released by the New York Yankees. The San Diego Padres would sign him.

1965- U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson joins 47,878 fans for the opening of Harris County Domed Stadium (the Astrodome). The Houston  Astros win an exhibition against the  Yankees, 2-1, in 12 innings. New York Yankees All Star CF Mickey Mantle hits the 1st-ever indoor HR in the new park.

1965- Former Yankees OF/1st baseman Hal Morris (1988-1989) was born.
In 1986, Hal Morris was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 8th round of the MLB amateur player draft. He played 30 games for the Yankees, hitting just .184. On December 12,1989, Hal traded by the New York Yankees along with minor league P Rodney Imes to the Cincinnati Reds for P Tim Leary and OF Van Snider. Hal’s best position was 1st base, but he was blocked there by Yankees All Star 1B Don Mattingly. Most recently Hal was a MLB scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1967- Former Yankees P Graeme Lloyd (1996-1998) was born.
Graeme Lloyd came to the New York Yankees in the trade with the Milwaukee Brewers that saw P Bob Wickman and OF Gerald Williams go to the Brewers. He went 4-3 in 109 games with 1 save before being traded along with P David Wells to the Toronto Blue Jays for P Roger Clemens in the spring of 1999.

1971- The Oakland  A’s traded veteran 1B/OF Felipe Alou to the New York  Yankees in exchange for pitchers Rob Gardner and Ron Kliminkowski.  In 1972, Felipe Alou's younger brother, Matty will join him in Yankee pinstripes. The Yankees will acquired him in another deal with the Oakland A’s.

1985- Current Yankees reliever Dave Robertson (2008-2011) was born.
The New York Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB amateur player draft drafted Dave Robertson. Dave went 4-0 in 2008. In 2009, he posted a 2-1 record and appeared in the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2010, he went 4-5 with 1 save. In 2011, Dave was named to the American League All Star team. He went 4-0 in 70 games with 1.70 ERA

1989- All Star OF Rickey Henderson of the New York Yankees gets his 800th MLB career stolen base in a 4-3 Yankees loss to the Cleveland Indians.

1993- At Comiskey Park, DH Bo Jackson of the Chicago White Sox hits a HR in his 1st at-bat after coming back from hip replacement surgery. The White Sox still lose the game to the New York Yankees by the score of 11-6. Starter Bob Wickman of the Yankees picks up the victory with HR support from Randy Velarde and Jim Leyritz.

2004- The New York  Yankees and their Manager Joe Torre agree to a 3-year contract extension. The contract also includes an additional 6-year deal in which the 62-year old manager will serve as a team advisor through the 2013 AL season.

April 10th

1913- In a game at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., which features U.S. President Woodrow Wilson throwing out the 1st pitch, the New York  Highlanders became the New York Yankees. Playing their 1st MLB game under their new nickname, the Yankees lose to the Washington Senators by the score of 2-1, as starter  Walter Johnson picks up the victory for the Nats.

1921- Former Yankees minor league 1B Chuck “The Rifleman” Connors” was born. (1921-1992)
New York Yankees Super Scout Paul Krichell noted that Chuck Connors was left unprotected by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941. He signed him to a minor league contract for the New York Yankees organization. Chuck replaced Joe Collins at 1st base with the Norfolk Tars (Piedmont League), Chuck hit .264 and slugged .408. His Tars teammate Bill Wight recalled that Connors often would recite Casey at the Bat, Shakespeare or other poetry. In 1942, Chuck was drafted into the U.S. Army. Chuck related that he would write to Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey in 1946, asking for the Dodgers to reacquire him. The New York Yankees waived him on April 23,1946, the Brooklyn Dodgers claimed their old prospect back. Chuck would appear in 67 games for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs hitting. 238 before shoulder injuries ended his professional baseball career. While playing with the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League, Chuck started acting in Hollywood in minor roles. He became a full time actor in Hollywood, starting in several hit TV series, “The Rifleman” and “Branded” and movies during his long acting career.

1946- Former Yankees 1B/DH and General Manager Bob Watson (1980-1982) was born.
Bob Watson was signed as a MLB free agent in 1980 by the Yankees, he hit .307 with 13 HRs with 68 RBIs. His Yankee career totals were .282 BA with 19 HRs with 83 RBIs. On April 23, 1982, Bob was traded by the New York Yankees to the Atlanta Braves for minor league player Scott Patterson. After his MLB playing career ended, Watson was an Oakland A's MLB coach for 3 seasons. He was the Assistant GM of the Houston Astros from 1989 to 1993. Bob became the 2nd African-American General Manager in baseball history, when he was named to that post with the Astros in 1994. He later held the same position with the New York Yankees in 1996-1997. Later Bob worked in the MLB Commissioner’s offices.

1950- Former Yankees OF/1st baseman Ken Griffey Sr. (1982-1986) was born.
On November 4,1981, Ken Griffey Sr. was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later and minor league P Brian Ryder. The New York Yankees sent P Freddie Toliver on December 9,1981 to the Reds to complete the trade. Moving to the New York Yankees at the age of 32, he played 4 1/2 seasons with them before going to the Atlanta Braves in 1986. His Yankee career totals were a .285 BA with 49 HRs with 251 RBIs. On June 30,1986, Ken was traded by the New York Yankees along with reserve INF Andre Robertson to the Atlanta Braves for OF Claudell Washington and INF Paul Zuvella. After playing parts of 3 seasons with the Braves, he moved on to play parts of 3 seasons back with Cincinnati Reds (beginning at age 38), before finishing up with the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991, where by then his son Ken Griffey, Jr. was a regular player. He was the 1st of 2 fathers to play with his son in the same MLB game (Tim Raines is the other).

1967- Former Yankees reserve OF Mike Humphreys (1991-1993) was born.
On February 7,1991, the San Diego Padres sent OF Mike Humphreys to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on December 3, 1990. On December 3,1990, the San Diego Padres sent a player to be named later to the New York Yankees for OF Oscar Azocar. Mike appeared in 54 games as a reserve outfielder, hitting just .171.

1971- Former Yankees reliever Al Reyes (2003) was born.
On March 24,2003, reliever Al Reyes was signed as a MLB Free Agent with the New York Yankees. He appeared in 13 games with the Yankees with no record. On July 25,2003, Al Reyes was released by the New York Yankees.

1976- Milwaukee 3B Don Money hits a 9th-inning Grand Slam HR to give the Brewers an apparent 10-9 lead over the  Yankees. The umpires, however, rule that Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss had called timeout prior to the pitch. Money returns to the plate, hits a sacrifice fly, and the Brewers lose the game by a score of 9-7.

1982- The New York  Yankees traded hard-throwing reliever Ron Davis and minor leaguers INF Greg Gagne and P Paul Boris to the Minnesota  Twins for INF Roy Smalley. The trade breaks up the Yankees' devastating bullpen combination of Ron Davis and Goose Gossage. Roy Smalley will be a major disappointment for the Yankees.

1982- Yankees minor league OF Chris Dickerson (2011) was born.
On March 25, 2011, Chris Dickerson was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the New York Yankees for hurler Sergio Mitre. Chris appeared in 60 games as a reserve OF with 2011 Yankees with a .260 BA with 1 HR and 7 RBIs. Chris is playing for AAA Scranton this season.

1998- The Yankees draw the largest regular-season crowd ever at the new Yankee Stadium as 56,717 fans attend the 1998 home opener against the Oakland  Athletics. Then the Yankees crush the club scoring mark by winning the game by the score of 17-13.

2007- Former Yankees 1B Richard Kryhoski  (1946-1949) passed away. (1925-2007)
The New York Yankees signed Richard Kryhoski in 1946. He batted .294 in 54 games during the 1949 AL season for the Yankees. On December 17,1949, he was traded by the  Yankees to the Detroit  Tigers for 1B Richard Wakefield (1950). During the winter of 1954, he returned to the New York Yankees in the 17-player trade with the Baltimore Orioles. On March 30,1955, Richard was purchased along with pitchers Ewell Blackwell and Tom Gorman by the Kansas City A’s from the New York Yankees for $50,000.

2010- New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia flirts with a no-hit bid, before giving up a 2-out single to the Tampa Bay Rays' Kelly Shoppach in the 8th inning. Having reached his pitch count limit, he then exits the game, but he is credited with the Yankees' 10-0 win.

2011- In the nationally-televised Sunday-night game, the Boston Red Sox shut out the New York Yankees, by the score of 4-0, thanks to a dominating performance by Josh Beckett, who gives up only 2 hits in 8 innings while striking out 10 Yankee batters. The Red Sox strand 16 base runners but they manage to squeak a run off of Yankees starter CC Sabathia on Mike Cameron's infield single in the 3rd inning, before tacking on a few insurance runs late in the game. Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon combine to retire the final 17 New York batters in order.

April 11th

1917- Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox pitches a 3-hitter in shutting down the New York Yankees on Opening Day 1917. Ruth's performance marks the start of good things to come. He will win 24 games this season, while leading the American League with 35 complete games. The 1917 Yankees will finish the 1917 AL season in 6th place with a 71-82 record.

1954- To make room for promising rookie OF Wally Moon, the St. Louis Cardinals trade longtime OF great Enos Slaughter to the New York  Yankees in exchange for OF Bill  Vidron, pitcher Mel Wright, C Hal Smith, and OF Emil Tellinger. Vidron would become the NL Rookie of the Year in 1955, later starting OF for the Pirates during the 1950-1960’s. Hal Smith was another in a string of young Yankee catchers, who were traded away because of the presence of All Star starting catcher Yogi Berra.  Bill Virdon and Mel Wright would return to the  New York Yankees in 1974 as Manager and MLB pitching coach. Enos Slaughter would played 5 seasons with the Yankees in between a brief stay with the Kansas City A’s (1955-1956), before retiring in 1959 with the Milwaukee Braves.

1965- Former Yankee minor league OF Turner Ward was born.
On June 2,1986, Turner Ward was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 18th round of the 1986 MLB amateur player draft. He never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. On March 19,1989, he was traded by the New York Yankees along with C Joel Skinner to the Cleveland Indians for OF/DH Mel Hall.

1980- Current Yankees All Star 1B Mark Teixeira (2009-2011) was born.
In late December 2008, 1B Mark Teixeira signed a contract as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees for an 8-year term, making him one of the highest-paid players in baseball. The Baltimore Orioles had also sought Teixeira, who is from Maryland, but could not compete with the Yankees' contract offer. After a slow start, Teixeira took his accustomed place among baseball's best sluggers in his initial season in pinstripes. He hit .292 in 2009, with 43 doubles, 39 HRs, 122 RBI and 103 runs scored. He led the AL in total bases (344), HRs, RBIs and extra-base hits while forming a formidable tandem in the middle of the Yankees' batting order with Alex Rodriguez. He was a leading candidate for the 2009 AL MVP Award, finishing 2nd in the voting behind Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins. He picked up both an AL Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award at 1st base, while being named to the AL All-Star team. He was not as hot during the post-season, but he still contributed with 2 HRs, 10 runs and 8 RBIs towards the Bronx Bombers' conquest of their 1st World Series title since 2000. On August 2, 2011, Teixeira hit HRs from both sides of the plate for the 12th time in his career in a win over the Chicago White Sox, giving him the all-time record ahead of Eddie Murray and Chili Davis. The 2 long HR balls also gave him his 8th consecutive 30-HR MLB season.

April 12th

1895- Former Yankees OF Sammy Vick (1917-1920) was born. (1895-1986)
Sammy Vick was the right fielder for the New York Yankees in 1919. The Yankees then acquired Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox, the Babe played right field in 1920; as a result, Vick's playing time went way down. Sammy’s Yankees career totals were a .246 BA with 2 HRs and 46 RBIs in 169 games. On December 15,1920, Sammy Vick was traded by the New York Yankees along with INF Del Pratt, C Muddy Ruel and P Hank Thormahlen to the Boston Red Sox for Pitchers Harry Harper and Waite Hoyt, INF Mike McNally and C Wally Schang.

1922- Former Yankees P Bill Wright (1946-1947) was born. (1922-2007)
Bill Wight was signed as a high school junior by New York Yankees MLB scout Joe Devine. Wight began his professional baseball career in 1941. He missed the 1943-1945 MLB seasons due to military service. He went 3-2 in 15 games for the 1946-1947 New York Yankees. On February 24,1948, Bill Wright was traded by the New York Yankees along with P Fred Bradley and C Aaron Robinson to the Chicago White Sox for P Eddie Lopat.  Eventually he played for 8 MLB teams from 1946-1958. Bill pitched for the Yankees, White Sox, Red Sox, Tigers, Indians, Orioles, Reds and  the Cardinals. He was renowned for his pickoff move, and once picked off Mickey Mantle twice in a game. For 37 years, he worked in MLB scouting, signing INF Joe Morgan for the Houston Astros, before moving to the Atlanta Braves where he spent 32 years with their organization. He signed Dusty Baker, Dale Murphy, Bob Horner and David Justice for the Braves among others.

1927- The New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia A’s by the score of 8-3 before the largest confirmed paid opening day attendance in baseball history, to that time  (73,206) as Yankees starter Waite Hoyt out-dueled A’s starter Lefty Grove.
 
1933- Former Yankees MLB Batting Coach Charlie Lau (1978-1979), a renowned MLB batting instructor and MLB player was born. (1933-1984)
In 11 MLB seasons (1956-1967), Charlie Lau played in 527 games. He hit .255 with 16 HRs. He played for the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and Kansas City A’s and finished with the Braves in Atlanta in 1967. Charlie Lau, whose MLB career batting average was .255, earned his MLB fame as the Kansas City Royals MLB batting coach from 1971-1977, where his star pupil was AL All Star 3B George Brett. Lau also served as a MLB batting coach for the Baltimore Orioles, Oakland A’s, New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. He was the author of the popular baseball book, titled “The Art of Hitting .300.” Charlie Lau died in March 1984 of colon cancer at age 50.
 
1942- Former Yankees P Dale Roberts (1967) was born. (1942-2010)
In 1963, the New York Yankees signed Dale Roberts. In 1967, Dale earned a September call-up with the club, after going 9-4 with a 2.97 ERA for the Syracuse Chiefs (International League) that season. He made his MLB debut on September 9th against the Boston Red Sox, entering the game in the bottom of the 8th inning with his club down by the score of 6-1. He pitched one frame, allowing Mike Andrews to score on a Jerry Adair single. On September 16th, he made his only other appearance, pitching the 8th inning against the Cleveland Indians. With his team down by the score of 5-1, when he came into the game, he hit the 1st 2 batters that he faced, Chuck Hinton and Leon Wagner. After retiring Max Alvis, he walked Tony Horton to load the bases. Joe Azcue then singled to drive in Hinton. Roberts ended his MLB career with 2 earned runs in 2 innings spread over 2 games. After the 1967 AL season was finished, Dale Roberts was dealt to the Atlanta Braves along with C Bob Tillman for INF Bobby Cox. He played 3 more seasons in the minor leagues, ending his playing days with brief stints in the California Angels and Philadelphia Phillies organizations in 1970.

1948- The New York Yankees released veteran AL All Star P Surgeon “Spud “ Chandler. (1937-1947) He had retired as a MLB player. Spud Chandler went 109–43 .717 WP, with a 2.84 ERA in 211 games for the New York Yankees.  He completed 109 games with 26 shutouts. He won 20 games twice for the Yankees in 1943 (20-4) and  in 1946 (20-8). He won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 1943. He was named to the American League All Star teams in 1942-1943 and 1946 seasons.

1953- Former Yankees minor league OF Mickey Mantle Jr was born. (1953-2000)
Mickey Mantle Jr. was the son of Mickey Mantle and nephew of Ray Mantle and Roy Mantle. He played for the 1978 Alexandria Dukes, going a miserable 4 for 57 for a .070 average, with 26 strikeouts. He had 3 walks, 3 runs, 2 RBI, no extra-base hits and no steals. In the outfield, he fielded .947 with 1 assist in 17 games. He left the Yankees organization briefly played in the Texas Rangers organization, before ending his professional baseball career. Mickey Jr., the oldest of the four Mantle sons -- a switch-hitting outfielder like his father -- played amateur baseball in Florida as a teenager. At age 24, he joined the New York Yankees organization in the low minors. After one season, he moved to the Texas Rangers' farm system, but abruptly quit in the face of overwhelming news media attention. ''It was sick,'' he recalled. ''Not many 24-year-olds walk out of an insurance office and make the major leagues.'' In 2000, at the age of 47, Mickey passed away from cancer.

1959- The New York Yankees obtained OF Bob Martyn and INF Mike Baxes from the Kansas City A’s for minor league OF Russ Snyder and shortstop Tommy Carroll. Russ Snyder was a rare Yankees mistake, who would play 12 years in the MLB. Russ would hit .300 for the Kansas City  A’s and the Baltimore Orioles. Bob  Martyn and Mike Baxes never made it with the Yankees at the MLB level, they were sent to AAA Richmond (Inrernational League). Tommy Carroll was one the New York Yankees bonus baby signings of the 1950’s. He left MLB after the 1959 AL season with the A’s hitting 143 in limited action with Kansas City, overall he had hit .300 in 64  MLB games. He had played college baseball at Notre Dame University. He missed 2 seasons due to military service. Tommy  left MLB  to have a long career in U.S. Foreign Services agency

1960- Former Yankees minor league C Bill Lindsey was born.
On April 27,1981, Bill Lindsey was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Bill never played for the Yankees at MLB level. On December 24,1986, the New York Yankees sent C Bill Lindsey to the Chicago White Sox to complete an earlier deal made on July 30,1986. On July 30,1986, the New York Yankees sent a player to be named later, C Ron Hassey and OF/INF Carlos Martinez to the Chicago White Sox for DH/1B/OF Ron Kittle, C Joel Skinner and INF  Wayne Tolleson. In 1987, Bill appeared with the White Sox in 9 games, just hitting .188.

1970- Plaques honoring former Yankees Center fielders Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle are dedicated at Yankee Stadium. The plaques are located in center field and will eventually be moved to "Monument Park" beyond the left field fence, when Yankee Stadium is renovated in 1974-1975.

1973- Former Yankees P Antonio Osuna  (2003) was born.
Antonio Osuna came to the New York Yankees from the Chicago White Sox in the Orlando Hernandez trade. He went 2-5 in 48 games for the  2003 Yankees, working out of the bullpen.

April 13th

1866- Former Yankees INF Herman “Germany” Long  (1903) was born.  (1866-1909)

Infielder Herman Long would appeared in 22 games for the New York Yankees in 1903, hitting just .188.

1875- Former Yankees INF (1903-1909) and MLB Manager (1908) Norman “ Tabasco Kid “ Elberfeld was born. (1875-1944).
Norman “ Tabasco Kid” Elberfeld went 27-71 as the New York Yankees Manager in 1908, after Yankees Manager Clark Griffth quit the team in a dispute with Yankees team owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery. On June 10,1903, he was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Highlanders for shortstops Herman Long and Ernie Courtney. Norman was nicknamed “The Tabasco Kid” because of his bad temper. His best Yankees season was in 1906, when he hit .306 as the starting shortstop. As a Yankee, he appeared in 667 games, hitting .268 with 4 HRs with 257 RBI’s. On December 14,1909, “Kid” was purchased by the Washington Senators from the New York Highlanders for $5,000.

1879- Former Yankees OF/1B Jake Stahl (1908) was born. (1879-1922)
On October 13,1907, 1B Jake Stahl was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Chicago White Sox to the New York Yankees. The New York Yankees sent 2B Frank LaPorte to the Boston Americans. The Boston Americans sent Freddy Parent to the Chicago White Sox. Jake, who was 1B, was moved to the outfield by New York, who already had Hal Chase starting at 1st base. He appeared in 75 games, hitting .255 for the team. On July 10,1908, Jake was purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the New York Highlanders.

1915- Former Yankees INF Oscar Grimes (1943-1946) was born. (1915-1993)
Oscar Grimes was the son of MLB player Ray Grimes. On December 17,1942, INF Oscar Grimes was traded by the Cleveland Indians along with OF Roy Weatherly to the New York Yankees for OF Roy Cullenbine and C Buddy Rosar. He was a reserve INF in 1943, he became regular INF in 1944-1945 AL seasons, hitting .279 and .265 for the Yankees. In 1945, he was selected to the AL All Star team, but he didn’t play in the game. On July 11,1946, INF Oscar Grimes was purchased by the Philadelphia A’s from the New York Yankees.

1921- In the 1921 AL season opener for the New York  Yankees, slugger Babe Ruth goes 5-for-5, as Yankees starter Carl Mays beat the Philadelphia A’s by the score of 11-1

1973- Former Yankees P Mark Leiter  (1990) was born.
On September 29,1988, P Mark Leiter was signed as a MLB Free Agent with the New York Yankees. Mark Leiter went 1-1 in 8 games with the 1990 Yankees. He is the older brother of former Yankees P Al Leiter. On March 19,1991, Mark was traded by the New York Yankees to the Detroit Tigers for INF Torey Lovullo.

1995- Former Yankees OF Hal Peck (1946) passed away. (1917-1995)
On June 19,1946, OF Hal Peck was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Philadelphia Athletics. He did not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level.  On December 6,1946, OF Hal Peck was traded by the New York Yankees along with Pitchers Gene Bearden and Al Gettel to the Cleveland Indians for C Sherm Lollar and INF Ray Mack.

2001- Former Yankees OF Stanley “Frenchy” Bordagaray (1941) passed away. (1910-2001)
On January 27,1940, he was sent by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on August 5,1939. The Reds sent players to be named later and $40,000 to the Yankees for 1B Vince DiMaggio. The Reds would send outfielders Frenchy Bordagaray and Nino Bongiovanni on January 27,1940 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Bordagaray took 1B Vince DiMaggio's spot in the Kansas City Blues lineup and he excelled. He beat-out teammate Jack Saltzgaver, he would hit .350 and delivered. He hit .358 with 39 doubles, 8 triples, 31 steals and 214 hits. He led the American Association in hits. He was also 2nd in batting average (.011 behind Ab Wright), 4 steals behind league leader and Blues teammate Phil Rizzuto and tied Harry Walker for 2nd in doubles, 1 behind Ted Gullic. The Kansas City Blues went 95-57 to finish 1st in the league, led by Bordagaray along with future Yankees Phil Rizzuto, Jerry Priddy and Johnny Lindell.  He hit .260 in 36 games as reserve outfielder for the 1941 Yankees. On March 23, 1942, Frenchy was purchased by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Yankees. He would finish up his MLB playing career with the Dodgers in 1945.

2010- The New York Yankees receive their 2009 World Series rings in a ceremony before their 2010 home opener at New Yankee Stadium. Hideki Matsui, the 2009 World Series MVP, gets to join his former teammates for the ring ceremony, as he now plays for today’s' visitors, the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees bang out 13 hits for a 7-5 win. Yankees veteran starter Andy Pettitte picks up the victory with 6 scoreless innings.

April 14th

1910- In the 1910 season opener before 25,000 at New York's Hilltop Park, the Boston  Red Sox, sport laced collars, the last MLB team to wear a collar uniform. Boston sends Yankees into extra innings before the game is called at the end of 14 innings with the score tie at 4-4. Ed Cicotte starts for Boston, with Joe Wood relieving in the 8th inning. Hippo Vaughn goes all the way for Yankees, retiring Boston batters in the 4th and 12th innings on 4 pitches. He needs just 3 pitches in the 10th inning.

1931- Former Yankees INF Kal Segrist (1952) was born.
Before the start of the 1951 AL Season, Kal Segrist was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur MLB free agent. He was hitting .291 with 17 HRs for Kansas City Blues (American Association) in 1952 before coming up part way through the season to the Yankees. Kal appeared in only 13 games for the 1952 Yankees, hitting just .063. After being sent back to the minors, he finished the 1952 minor league season hitting .308 with 25 HRs. In 1953, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1954, Kal returned to Kansas City, where he hit .291 with 15 HRs for the Blues. On December 1,1954, the New York Yankees sent OF Ted Del Guercio (minors), INF Don Leppert, P Bill Miller and INF Kal Segrist to the Baltimore Orioles to complete an earlier deal made on November 17, 1954. On November 17,1954, the New York Yankees sent players to be named later, Pitchers Harry Byrd, Jim McDonald, INF Willy Miranda, Catchers Hal Smith and Gus Triandos and MLB OF Gene Woodling to the Baltimore Orioles for players to be named later, INF Billy Hunter, Pitchers Don Larsen and Bob Turley. Kal returned to the minor leagues in 1956, playing until the 1961 season. Later, Kal coached college baseball at Texas Tech University from 1965-1987, serving as head baseball coach from 1968-1983.

1955- Elston Howard becomes the 1st black player in New York Yankees history. The 26-year-old C/OF makes his MLB debut against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, as he hit a single with 1 RBI in the Yankees' 8-4 loss. Elston will play for the Yankees from 1955 to 1967, finishing his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1968. In 1963, Elston Howard will be the 1st black player to win the AL MVP Award. In 1969, he would become the Yankees 1st MLB black coach.

1955- Former Yankees farmhand P Chris Welch was born.
On June 7,1977, Chris Welch was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 21st round of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft. Chris never pitched for the Yankees at MLB level. On March 31,1981, Chris was traded by the New York Yankees along with OF Ruppert Jones, OF Joe Lefebvre and P Tim Lollar to the San Diego Padres for OF Jerry Mumphrey and P John Pacella. Chris is currently a member of the Cincinnati Reds broadcasting team.

1966- Former Yankees OF/DH David Justice  (2000-2001) was born.
David Justice came over from the Cleveland Indians in mid-season trade in 2000 that saw the New York Yankees give up pitchers Zack Day, Jake Westbrook and OF Ricky Ledee. Dave was traded by the Yankees to the Mets for veteran MLB 3B Robin Ventura in December of 2001.

1967- Boston Red Sox rookie hurler Billy Rohr makes a memorable MLB debut by no-hitting the New York Yankees for 8th -two-thirds innings. Veteran Yankees C Elston Howard spoils Rohr's masterpiece with a 2-out single in the 9th, but the Red Sox still win the game by the score of 3-0. Despite his impressive MLB debut, Billy Rohr will win only 2 more games in his MLB career. Howard will be traded to the Red Sox later in the 1967 AL season.

1969- Former Yankees minor league player and MLB player C Brad Ausmus was born.
On June 2,1987, Brad Ausmus was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 48th round of the 1987 MLB amateur player draft. Brad played 5 seasons in the minor leagues for the Yankees. He was drafted from the New York Yankees farm system by the Colorado Rockies in the 1992 MLB expansion team player draft as their 54th pick. It has never been stated why he was let go by the New York Yankees organization in the expansion player draft.

1976- Former Yankees pitcher Kyle Farnsworth (2006-2008) was born.
On December 5,2005, reliever Kyle Farnsworth was signed as a MLB Free Agent with the New York Yankees.  Kyle went 6-9 in 181 games with 1 save while working out of the Yankees bullpen. On July 30,2008, Kyle was traded by the New York Yankees to the Detroit Tigers for former AL All Star C Ivan Rodriguez. Kyle is currently with the 2012 Tampa Bay Rays as their closer, he started the 2012 AL season on the DL.

1978- Former HOF Yankees AL All Star INF Joe  “Flash “ Gordon (1938-1943,1946) passes away. (1915-1978). Former MLB Manager: Cleveland  Indians (1958-1960), Detroit Tigers (1960), Kansas City  A’s (1961) and Royals (1969).
The New York Yankees signed Joe “Flash” Gordon in 1936. In 1938, he joined the Yankees as a 2nd baseman. He made the American League  All Star teams from 1939 to 1943, 1946. In 1942, he won American League  MVP award, while hitting .342 for the Yankees. In October of 1946, Joe was traded to the Cleveland Indians by the Yankees for P Allie Reynolds. After retiring as an active player, he later became a MLB manager during the mid-1950’s. He was involved in the only trade of MLB managers in 1960, when he was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Detroit Tigers for Jimmy Dykes by Tribe General Manager Frank Lane. Joe was the 1st manager for the expansion Kansas City Royals in 1969. Joe “Flash” Gordon was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

2004- A day after Yankees teammate Mike Mussina earns his 200th MLB career victory, Kevin Brown reaches the same plateau beating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays by the score of 5-1. It is the 1st time in MLB history members of the same MLB pitching staff have won their 200th MLB career victory in consecutive starts.

2008- New York Yankees AL All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez moves up to a tie for 15th on the all-time major league HR leader list, even with sluggers Ted Williams and Willie McCovey. Rodriguez hits his 521st career HR as part of a 4 for 5 day; Rays hurler Andy Sonnanstine allows the A-Rod HR shot. The Yankees top the Rays by the score of 8-7.

2008- Former Yankees minor league OF and MLB player/Manager Tommy Holmes passed away. (1917-2008)
Before the 1937 AL Season, Tommy Holmes was signed by the New York Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Tommy began his professional baseball career in 1937 with the Norfolk Tars (Piedmont League), hitting .320 with 25 HRs and 111 RBIs. The next season, he hit .368 with the Binghamton Triplets to win the Eastern League batting crown. He then spent the next 3 seasons with the Newark Bears (International League), hitting over .300 each season, but he found his path to the majors blocked by a talent-laden Yankees outfield that included Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, Charlie Keller, and veteran George Selkirk. Following the 1941 AL season, Tommy Holmes was traded to the Boston Braves by the New York Yankees for 1B Buddy Hassett and OF Gene Moore. He soon became a regular in the Braves outfield. He spent the next decade playing for Boston. In 1951-1952 NL seasons, he was the MLB Manager for the Boston Braves. After being let go by the Braves during the  1952 NL season, Tommy finished his MLB playing career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Holmes went on to manage in the minors for several seasons. Beginning in 1958, he was a Los Angeles Dodgers MLB scout. Later he was Director of Amateur Baseball Relations for the New York Mets for 30 years.

2011- At a news conference in which he announces that P Pedro Feliciano is lost for the 2011 MLB season because of impending shoulder surgery, New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman lashes out at former Yankees Manager Joe Torre for his handling of pitchers. He blames Torre for chronically overusing relievers such as Scott Proctor, thereby ruining their MLB pitching careers. Feliciano led the National League in games pitched 3 consecutive seasons while with the New York Mets prior to joining the Yankees, although Joe Torre had nothing to do with that.

Happy Birthday to Yankees Reliever Dave Robertson

April 9, 1985- Current Yankees reliever Dave Robertson (2008-2011) was born.
The New York Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB amateur player draft drafted Dave Robertson. Dave went 4-0 in 2008. In 2009, he posted a 2-1 record and appeared in the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2010, he went 4-5 with 1 save for the Yankees. In 2011, Dave was named to the American League All Star team. He went 4-0 in 70 games with 1.70 ERA

Happy Birthday to Tex!!

April 11, 1980- Current Yankees All Star 1B Mark Teixeira (2009-2012) was born.
In late December 2008, 1B Mark Teixeira signed a contract as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees for an 8-year term, making him one of the highest-paid players in baseball. The Baltimore Orioles had also sought Teixeira, who is from Maryland, but could not compete with the New York Yankees' contract offer. After a slow start, Teixeira took his accustomed place among baseball's best sluggers in his initial season in Yankee pinstripes. He hit .292 in 2009, with 43 doubles, 39 HRs, 122 RBI and 103 runs scored. He led the AL in total bases (344), HRs, RBIs and extra-base hits while forming a formidable tandem in the middle of the Yankees' batting order with Alex Rodriguez. He was a leading candidate for the 2009 AL MVP Award, finishing 2nd in the voting behind Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins. He picked up both an AL Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award at 1st base, while being named to the American League All-Star team. He was not as hot during the post-season, but he still contributed with 2 HRs, 10 runs and 8 RBIs towards the Bronx Bombers' conquest of their 1st World Series title since 2000. On August 2, 2011, Teixeira hit HRs from both sides of the plate for the 12th time in his MLB career in a win over the Chicago White Sox, giving him the all-time record ahead of Eddie Murray and Chili Davis. The 2 long HR balls also gave him his 8th consecutive 30-HR MLB career season.

Apr 11, 2012 -- 5:00PM, yankee3611 wrote:

      Hey Clipper

              i was on here 3 months ago under a different name, i said i thought you were doing a great job & i asked you how do you do it & you wrote back to me & said thanks for your kind words & you gave me the name of a yankee website & you said that there is a lot of great photos on there & that i should check it out. then i got banned from this sight [yesnet] & i forgot to bookmark the website you told me about & i lost it & forgot the name of it. if you could please answer this in your normal way i will forever be in you debt. ill keep checking back here at least once a day to see if youve gotten back to me. if they figure out who i am, they may ban me, but ill still be able to see your answer. i follow you on here all the time. you are the best thing on here. it seems there is one among you that didnt like to hear truth & i didnt know he had any pull, but he does. thanks for everything. ill be looking for your words

                  respectfully

                           corethree

Enjoy!

www.lonecadaver.com 

Clipper

1921 New York Yankees Season Opener; The Yankees play the Philadelphia A's

April 13, 1921- In the 1921 American League season opener for the New York Yankees, slugger Babe Ruth goes 5-for-5, as Yankees starter Carl Mays beat the Philadelphia A’s by the score of 11-1. While pitching for the Yankees (1919-1923) Carl Mays will dominate the Philadelphia A's with 20 plus wins against them.

Yankees OF Babe Ruth (1920-1934)

New York  Yankees Pitcher Carl "Sub" Mays (1919-1923)