This Week in Yankees History January 23rd-January 29th Part One
January 23rd
1890- Former Yankees Reserve OF Ed Barney (1915) was born. (1890-1967)
On July 20,1915, Reserve OF Ed Barney was purchased by the Yankees from AA Jersey City Skeeters (IL). He had appeared in 11 games, while hitting only .194 for the 1915 Yankees. On August 19,1915, Ed was selected off waivers by the Pirates from the Yankees.
1903- Former Yankees INF and Minor League Manager Jack Saltzgaver (1932-1937) was born. (1903-1978)
Otto Hamlin "Jack" Saltzgaver would play 6 seasons in the MLB, mostly for the Yankees during one of their most dominant periods. He had played Minor League baseball for many years before coming up to the MLB. Appearing 1st in the outfield and then as a 2B. He would play for Ottumwa, Oklahoma City, AA St. Paul Saints (AA) and the AA Newark Bears (IL) during his 1925-1934 Minor League. playing seasons. On June 27,1931, Jack was traded by the AA St. Paul Saints (AA) along with P Johnny Murphy, Cash and 2 Players to be Named Later to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later. The Yankeeswould send OF Jimmie Reese on November 12, 1931 to St. Paul to complete the trade. Jack made his MLB Player debut with the 1932 Yankees, while playing 2B appearing in 20 games, hitting 1.28 with 0 HRs and 5 RBIs. He came back in 1934 to be the Yankees regular 3B, hitting .271 with 6 HRs and 36 RBIs appearing in 94 games. He continued to play some 3B during the 1935-1936 AL seasons, but he was in his 30's, while 3B Red Rolfe was much younger. Also, Jack played some 2B and 1B. In 1937, he appeared in 17 games, his only time in the field was in 4 games at 1B. Then he spent the 1938-1945 seasons in the Minor Leagues with the Yankees AA team, the Kansas City Blues (AA), hitting as high as .348 at age 41 in 1944. Also, Jack managed the Blues as well that season, finishing in 8th place. He came back to the MLB for 52 games with the 1945 Pirates, hitting quite well, batting .325. At age 42, he was the oldest player on the team. Also, he would manage several seasons in the Minor Leagues with the Phillies organization at Wilmington (1946-1947) and with the Tigers organization at Little Rock (1948-1950).
1916- Former Yankees 1B Johnny Sturm (1941) was born. (1916-2004)
In 1941, Johnny Sturm made his MLB player debut with the Yankees, hitting .239 as the club's regular 1B. In the 1941 World Series, he got a hit in each of the 5 games played. After that season, he would enlist in the Army and served in World War II. During his time in the military, he lost the tip of his right index finger in a tractor accident. In 1946, Sturm tried to make a comeback with the Yankees, but a broken wrist ended his attempt, before he played in a game. After his playing days ended, he was a Yankees Minor League Manager, who was largely responsible for discovering Mickey Mantle, when he gave the young player a tryout. Also, he spent time as an MLB Scout.
1918- Former Yankees Pitcher and Minor League Manager, MLB Scout Randy Gumpert (1946-1948) was born. (1918-2008)
During July of 1939, hurler Randy Gumpert was sent from Athletics to the Yankees in an unknown trade transaction. Randy would spend the 1943-1945 seasons serving in the Coast Guard. Randy would post a 16-4 record with a 3.20 ERA and 1 save in 72 games with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1946, when he had posted an 11-3 record with a 2.32 ERA in 33 games. On July 25,1948, Randy was purchased by the White Sox from the Yankees. In 1951, while pitching for Chicago, he gave up Mickey Mantle's 1st MLB HR on May 1st at Comiskey Park. It was a 450 FT shot into the visitor’sbullpen. Gumpert won a career high of 13 games for the 6th place White Sox in 1949. He wound down his MLB pitching days with the Red Sox and the Senators in 1952 finishing with a MLB Pitching career record of 51-59 with a 4.17 ERA. In his post-playing career, Randy Gumpert managed in the Yankees Minor League Organization. He would manage the 1956 Bradford Yankees, 1957-1958 Kearney Yankees and the 1960 St. Petersburg Saints. Also, he served as a Yankees MLB Scout for 20 years. He was a Scouting Supervisor for the Major League Scouting Bureau for several years before retiring.
1923- Former Yankees MLB Pitching Coach Cot Deal (1965) was born.
Cot Deal was the MLB Pitching Coach for Yankees Manager Johnny Keane in 1965. Cot Deal had pitched 4 seasons in the MLB with the Red Sox and Cardinals, while posting a 3-4 record in 33 games. Also, he had pitched for 8 seasons with the AAA Rochester Red Wings (IL), winning 61 games during that time. He went on to manage the club for a time before becoming an MLB Coach. Deal was a member of the Reds MLB Coaching staff in 1959-1960 before spending 1961 as the Skipper of the AAA Indianapolis Indians (AA). He was an MLB Coach with the expansion Houston Colt .45s from 1962-1964. After leaving the Yankees in 1965, he began a 2-season stint with the Oakland A’s. In 1970-1971, Deal was a member of theIndians MLB Coaching staff. He spent the 1973-1974 seasons with the Tigers. His last MLB Coaching position was with the 1983-1985 Astros.
1936- Former Yankees Reliever Don Nottebart (1969) was born. (1936-2007)
On October 21,1968, veteran Reliever Don Nottebart was purchased conditionally by the Yankees from the Reds. He would appear in only 4 games for the 1969 Yankees with no record, before being returned to the Reds on April 26,1969. Don had pitched against the Yankees, as a member of the Milwaukee Braves bullpen in the 1957-1958 World Series. In 1963, he won 11 games and he had pitched a No-Hitter for the Houston Colt 45s.
1951- Former Yankees OF Charley Spikes (1972) was born.
Charley Spikes was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round (11th pick) of the 1969 MLB Amateur Player Draft. In 1972, he received a September call up from the Yankees, after hitting .309 for their AA club, the West Heaven Yankees (EL). Charlie appeared in only 12 games with the 1972 Yankees, hitting just .147 before being sent to Indians that winter as part of the Yankees player package in the Graig Nettles trade. The Tribe insisted that if the Yankees wanted Nettles that Spikes had to be in the Yankees trade offer. He never was able to take full advantage of his baseball skills that were projected by the Yankee Scouts Atley Donald and Tom Greenwade. He had the HR power, but his strikeout rate was too high, resulting in low BA’s. He would play for the Yankees, Indians, Tigers and the Braves, where he was a successful reserve player for 2 seasons. In 1981, Spikes retired from pro baseball due to knee injuries. He had been playing for the 1981 Chunichi Dragons (JPL) appearing only in 22 games, while hitting just .122 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs, when he reinjured his knees again and retired as an active player.
1957- Former Yankees Pitcher Alfonso Pulido (1986) was born.
On December 20,1984, Pitcher Alfonso Pulido was traded by the Pirates along with INF Dale Berra and Minor League Class A OF Jay Buhner to the Yankees for INF Tim Foli, OF Steve Kemp and Cash. Alfonso would appear in only 10 games for the 1985 Yankees, while posting a 1-1 record with a 4.70 ERA with 1 save. He would pitch for the 1986-1987 AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). In 1988, he would pitch for the Mexico City Reds for 1 season before retiring from the game.
1970- Former Yankees Reliever Alan Embree (2005) was born.
After being released by the Red Sox, Yankees had signed veteran Reliever Alan Embree. He would post a 1-1 record with a 7.53 ERA in 24 games while working out of the 2005 Yankees bullpen. The Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency. Alan would be signed by the Padres.
1970- Former Yankees Minor League OF Sherman Obando was born.
The Yankees had signed OF Sherman Obando as an MLB Amateur Free Agent in 1987. He would never appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 7,1992, he was drafted by the Orioles from the Yankees organization in the 1992 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. While playing for the 1999-2005 Nippon Ham Fighters (JPL) in Japan, he would hit 102 HRs. Then he rejoined the Yankees Minor League organization. In 2009, Sherman began his 1st season with the Class A Charleston River Dogs (SAL) in the Yankees organization as their 1B Coach.
1970- Former Yankees Pitcher Mark Wohlers (2001) was born.
On July 1, 2001, veteran Reliever Mark Wohlers was traded by the Reds to the Yankees for Minor League P Ricardo Aramboles. He went 1-0 with a 4.54 ERA in 31 games for the 2001 Yankees. On November 1, 2001, the Yankees granted him MLB Free Agency. He would be signed by the Indians.
1976- The Yankees had traded Minor League P Gerry Pirtle to the Cubs for C Rick Stelmaszek. Neither player appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. Gerry Pirtle was drafted by the Yankees in the 7th round of the 1967 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase from Bacone College (Muskogee, OK). In 1975, he had pitched for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL) as a Reliever; posting a 7-3 record with a 2.70 ERA and 8 saves in 61 games. Catcher Rick Stelmaszek had appeared in 60 MLB games with the Senators, Rangers, Angels and the Cubs, hitting just .170 with 1 HR and 10 RBIs. He would spend the 1976 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL), appearing in 74 games, while hitting .220 with 2 HRs and 23 RBIs. The Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency.
1982- Former Yankees Minor League OF Wily Mo Pena was born.
On April 5,1999, OF Wily Mo Pena was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Wily never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He only played in the Yankees Minor League system for 2 seasons. On March 21, 2001, he was traded by the Yankees to the Reds for Minor League INF Drew Henson and Reserve OF Michael Coleman. He would play in the MLB with the Reds, Red Sox, Nationals, Mariners and the Diamondbacks. From 2011-2017, he would play pro baseball in Japan.
1983- Former Yankees Minor League P Cookie Cuccurullo passed away. (1918-1983)
On October 24, 1946, Pitcher Cookie Cuccurullo was traded by the Pirates to the Yankees for veteran AL All-Star Starter Tiny Bonham. Cookie had gone 3-5 with a 4.55 ERA with 5 saves in 62 games for the 1942-1945 Pirates. The Yankees would assign him to their AA club, the Newark Bears (IL). He never appeared in the MLB with the Yankees. In 1948, he pitched for the Yankees AA club, the Oakland Oaks (PCL) before leaving the Yankees organization at the end of the 1948 PCL season.
1989- Former MLB player and Yankees Minor League Manager George Case (1969-1972) passed away. (1915-1989)
Outfielder George Case spent most of his MLB playing career with the Senators. He led the AL in stolen bases 6 times during his MLB playing career. George played for the Senators (1937-1945,1947) and the Indians (1946). He also had batting averages in the top 10 during the wartime MLB seasons. He finished his MLB playing career with a .288 BA. In 1946, his speed was matched up against that of Jesse Owens in a race. Both were perhaps a bit past their prime at the time. Owens beat Case by a small margin. After his MLB playing days ended, he coached College Baseball at Rutgers University from 1950-1960. He was a Senators MLB Coach from 1961 to 1963. From 1965 to 1967, George managed in the Senators organization. He was a member of the Twins MLB Coaching staff in 1968, as their 1B Coach. From 1969-1972, George Case managed in the Yankees Minor League organization with the Class A Oneonta Yankees (NYPNL). He finished 1st twice in 1969 and 1971 winning the League Championship. In 1970 and 1972 seasons, he finished in 2nd place.
2005- The Yankees had signed Veteran MLB Free Agent INF Rey Sanchez. On August 16, 1997, Rey was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees for Minor League P Frisco Parotte. He appeared in 38 games for the 1997 Yankees, while hitting .312 with 1 HR and 15 RBIs. He left the team for MLB Free Agency, signing with the Giants. He will appear in only 23 games for the 2005 Yankees due to injuries, hitting .279 with No HRs and 2 RBIs for the club. He was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees.
2012- The Yankees had acquired AL All-Star Pitcher Michael Pineda and 19-year-old Minor-League P Jose Campos from the Mariners for C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi. Pineda had posted a 9-10 record for the 2011 Mariners. He was named to the 2011 AL All-Star Pitching staff. Catcher/DH Jesus Montero had appeared in 18 games for the Yankees, while hitting .328 with 4 HRs and 12 RBIs. Hector Noesi had appeared in 30 games with the Yankees, while posting a 2-2 record with a 4.47 ERA. Also, Jose Campos had arm problems, while pitching in the Mariners Minor League system during the 2012 season.
2016- Former Yankees OF/DH Walt “No Neck “Williams passed away. (1943-2016)
Originally signed by the Houston Colt .45's, Walt Williams reached the MLB with the club early in the 1964 NL season before being claimed off waivers by the Cardinals. In the St. Louis system, he hit .330 in both 1965 and 1966 to capture batting titlesin the Texas League and Pacific Coast League in back-to-back seasons. Following the 1966 NL season, he was traded to the White Sox along with Don Dennis for veteran Catcher Johnny Romano. Williams saw playing time as a backup outfielder for the 1967-1968 Sox before taking over as the team's regular RF spot in 1969. He hit .304 in his 1st season as a White Sox regular. Walt became the 1st Sox player in 5 seasons to hit over .300. After 6 seasons with the Sox, Williams was traded to the Indians for INF Eddie Leon following the 1972 AL season. With the Tribe, he broke up a no-hitter by White Sox P Stan Bahnsen with 2 outs in the 9th on August 21, 1973. On March 19, 1974, Walt was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Indians along with P&nbs**** Sawyer to the Yankees. The Yankees sent C Jerry Moses to the Tigers. The Indians sent P Ed Farmer to the Yankees. Detroit sent P Jim Perry to the Tribe. Walt played in 125 games for the Bronx Bombers, while hitting .244 with 5 HRs and 19 RBIs as a Reserve player. On January 27,1976, he was released by the Yankees. Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner helped Walt get a pro baseball contract in Japan. He played 2 seasons with the Nippon Hamfighters (JPL). From 1978 to 1979, he would play in the Mexico Baseball Leagues. After his active playing days, Williams was an MLB Coach for the 1988 White Sox and the AAA 1990 Tulsa Drillers. He would managed the 1992 Gastonia Rangers, 1993 Charleston Rainbows and 1994 Charleston RiverDogs in the Rangers Minor League organization. In 1989, Williams had played for the St. Lucie Legends (Senior Professional Baseball Association). He hit would .257 in 11 games with the club.
January 24th
1885- Former Yankees 2B Earl Gardner (1908-1912) was born. (1885-1943)
On September 1,1908, 2B Earl Gardner was drafted by the Yankees from Hartford (CSL) in the 1908 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Earl would play 5 seasons for the Yankees, while hitting .263 with 1 HR and 108 RBIs in 273 games. His best Yankees season was in 1911, when Earl played in 102 games for the team, while hitting .263 with No HRs and 39 RBIs. During the 1912 AL season, he was sent down to the AA Toledo Mud Hens (AA). He never played in the MLB again. He finished his pro baseball career playing in the high Minor Leagues (1912-1917).
1939- Eddie Collins, Willie Keeler and George Sisler are elected to the Hall of Fame by the BWAA. George Sisler set an MLB season-record with 257 hits in 1920. He batted .420 in 1922 on his way to a .340 MLB career average. Eddie Collins batted an even .333 for his MLB player career and stole 744 bases as a member of 4 World Series teams. The Yankees OF Willie Keeler, who "hit 'em where they ain't." He batted an MLB career .341 with 2,932 MLB career hits. With the 1903-1909 Yankees, Keeler had appeared in 873 games, while hitting .294 with 10 HRs and 206 RBIs.
1952- Former Yankees Reserve INF and MLB Scout Angel Aragon (1914,1916,1917) passed away. (1890-1952)
Angel Aragon was the Father of Giants Catcher and Minor League Manager Jack Aragon. Angel was one of the earliest MLB players to be born in Cuba. He was born in Havana, Cuba. One source opines that he may have been the 1st Hispanic player on the Yankees. He played as a Reserve INF/OF for the 1914,1916-1917 Yankees appearing in only 32 games, while hitting just .118. In 1915, he had played with the Long Branch Cubans. Angel was playing for the AA Toledo Iron Men (AA) during the 1917-1918 baseball seasons. In later life, he was an MLB Scout for the Yankees.
1953- Former Yankees Reliever Tim Stoddard (1986-1988) was born.
On July 9,1986, Veteran MLB Reliever Tim Stoddard came to the Yankees in a mid-season trade made for Starter Ed Whitson with the Padres. He had posted a 10-6 record with 4.39 ERA and 11 saves in 109 games, while working out of the 1986-1988 Yankees Bullpen as a middle-Reliever for the team.
1955- Former Yankees C/1B Monte Beville (1903-1904) passed away. (1875-1955)
Catcher/1B Monte Beville played for the 1903-1904 Yankees, while appearing in 91 games, while hitting just .200. On July 25,1904, Monte was sold by the Yankees to the Tigers, who needed a Reserve Catcher. He would hit .207 in 54 games with the Tigers, finishing his MLB active playing career.
1958- Former Yankees Pitcher and MLB Bullpen Coach Neil Allen (1985,1987-1988) was born.
In 1976, Neil Allen was originally signed by the Mets, who after 3 seasons with the team traded him to the Cardinals for 1B Keith Hernandez. On July 16,1985, Neil was purchased by the Yankees from the Cardinals. On February 13,1986, Neil was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League OF Glen Braxton, C Scott Bradley and Cash to the White Sox for Minor League Players: C Chris Alvarez, P Eric Schmidt, OF Matt Winters and MLB C Ron Hassey. Neil Allen went 6-4 with a 3.62 ERA and 1 save in 66 games in 2 tours with the Yankees. He pitched for the Mets, Cardinals, Yankees (twice) and the White Sox, finished up his MLB Pitching career with the 1989 Indians. Since retiring as an active player in 1989, Allen has spent over a decade as a Minor League Pitching/Bullpen Coach. He worked in the Blue Jays system from 1996-1999 and then in the Yankees chain from 2000 to 2006. Also, Allen was the 2005 Yankees' MLB Bullpen Coach. After working with Minor League affiliates of the Tampa Bay from 2007-2014, Allen returned to the MLB in 2015 as Pitching Coach of the Twins.
1960- Former Yankees Pitcher Russell “Russ” Ford (1910-1913) passed away. (1883-1960)
Before the start of the 1909 AL season, hurler Russ Ford was drafted by the Yankees from the Class A Atlanta Crackers (SA). Russ had posted a 74-56 record with a 2.54 ERA and 2 saves in 143 games for the Yankees. He had 100 complete games as a Yankees hurler. Ford’s best Yankees season was in 1910, when he posted a 26-6 record with a 1.65 ERA in 36 games. In 1911, he had a 22-11 record with a 2.27 ERA in 37 games for the Yankees. On January 20,1914, Russ Ford jumped from the Yankees to the Buffalo Buffeds (Federal League) over a salary cut dispute with the Yankees Front Office. With Buffalo, Ford went 26-15 with a 2.74 ERA and 6 saves in 56 games. When the Federal League banned the “emery ball” in 1915, Ford lost his most effective pitch and hurt his pitching arm. He went 5-9 for Buffalo, being released by the team in August of 1915. Russ Ford had dominated the AL for a few seasons thanks to his devastating “emery ball”. The emery ball was a nominally illegal pitch that involved doctoring the baseball by scuffing it with emery paper. Ford disguised his illegal modification by claiming to throw a spitball, though he came clean about his technique after retiring as an active player in 1936. Other MLB Pitchers apparently figured out that he was getting away with scuffing; they copied both his approach and the dodge of claiming that their pitches were spitballs. He is the brother of former MLB P Gene Ford. Russ Ford is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
1969- Former Yankees Pitcher Tom Zachary (1928-1930) passed away. (1896-1969)
On August 23,1928, veteran hurler Tom Zachary was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. While pitching for the 1927 Senators, Tom gave up 3 of Babe Ruth's 60 HRs during the 1927 AL season, including his 60th HR on September 30,1927. With the Senators, he had appeared in 2 World Series (1924-1925), while posting a 2-0 mark. Zachary holds the MLB record for most wins in an MLB season without a loss. With the 1929 Yankees, Tom went 12-0 with a 2.48 ERA and 2 saves in 26 games. He appeared in the 1928 World Series for the Yankees, posting a 1-0 mark with a complete game. His overall Yankees Pitching record was 16-4 with a 3.21 ERA and 3 saves in 36 games. On May 12,1930, Tom was selected off waivers by the Braves from the Yankees. Tom had pitched in MLB for 19 seasons (1918-1936) before retiring at the age of 40 in 1936, appearing with the Dodgers and the Phillies that season.
1980- The Yankees had signed INF/OF Jim Nettles as an MLB Free Agent. He is the brother of Yankees 3B Graig Nettles. He will not appear at the MLB level with the Yankees. He will play the 1980 baseball season with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL).
1982- Former Yankees Pitcher Ben Shields (1924-1925) passed away. (1903-1982)
Ben Shields had appeared in 6 games for the 1924-1925 Yankees, while posting a 3-0 record with a 6.58 ERA. On February 6, 1926, Ben was placed on the voluntary retired list by the Yankees due to his medical problems. Once his health improved, he would return to pitch in the MLB with the 1930 Red Sox.
1991- The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Free Agent OF/DH Pat Sheridan. The former Royals player will hit .204 with 4 HRs in 62 games for the 1991 Yankees. When he failed to make the team during the 1992 MLB Spring Training Camp, he was released by the team.
1991- Former Yankees Minor League INF Tony Renda was born.
During the 2015 AL season, INF Tony Renda was acquired by the Yankees from the Nationals. He would spend the rest of the 2015 season playing for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL), while hitting .270. He never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. In winter of 2015, Tony was traded by the Yankees to the Reds in the Aroidis Chapman deal.
2000- Top Yankees Minor League INF Prospect D'Angelo Jimenez suffers a broken neck, when a car he is driving in the Dominican Republic collides with a bus. Jimenez is not paralyzed, but he will miss the entire 2000 AL season. He was figured to be the Yankees new Reserve Infielder, taking over the role that veteran MLB INF Luis Sojo had, who is now with the Pirates, had played during the 1999 AL season.
2006- It is announced that more than 1,000 items of Joe DiMaggio memorabilia, including his 1947 AL MVP Award plaque and a signed photo of Marilyn Monroe, will be auctioned in May
2006- Former Yankees Minor League INF/OF Carlos Martinez passed away. (1965-2006)
On November 17,1983, Shortstop Carlos Martinez was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 30,1986, Carlos was traded by the Yankees along with a Player to be Named Later and C/DH/1B Ron Hassey to the White Sox for OF/1B/DH Ron Kittle, Catcher Joel Skinner and INF Wayne Tolleson. The Yankees would send Minor League C Bill Lindsey on December 24,1986 to Chicago to complete the trade. In 1989, he was named to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team. He had hit .300 with 5 HRs and 32 RBIs in 109 games. On May 25,1993, Carlos Martinez hit the famous HR off the head of Rangers OF Jose Canseco. He would play in the MLB from 1988-1995 with the White Sox, Indians and the Angels. He would play in 465 games, while hitting .258 with 25 HRs and 145 RBIs. In 2006, he died from Stomach Cancer at the age of 40.
January 25th
1876- Former Yankees Pitcher Fred “Lucky” Glade (1908) was born. (1876-1934)
On November 5,1907, Veteran Starter Fred Glade was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with OF Charlie Hemphill and 2B Harry Niles to the Yankees for 2B Hobe Ferris, CF Danny Hoffman and INF Jimmy Williams. With the Browns, Fred had posted a 52-63 record with a 2.52 ERA and 2 saves in 126 games. After coming over from the Browns, veteran hurler Fred Glade would post a 0-4 record with 4.22 ERA in 5 games for the 1908 Yankees before retiring from the MLB with a sore pitching arm. His failure to develop a second pitch, cause his pitching arm problems, his reliance of throwing the fast ball all the time finally caught up with him.
1889- Former Yankees Catcher Les Nunamaker (1914-1917) was born. (1889-1938)
On May 13,1914, Catcher Les Nunamaker was purchased by the Yankees from the Red Sox for $5,000 Cash. He would be the Yankees back-up Catcher to Starting Catcher Jeff Sweeney. He would appear in 369 games for the Yankees, while hitting .262 with 2 HRS and 107 RBIs. On January 22,1918, Les was traded by the Yankees along with P Nick Cullop, INF Joe Gedeon, INF Fritz Maisel, P Urban Shocker and $15,000 Cash to the Browns for veteran MLB Starter Eddie Plank and 2B Del Pratt.
1908- Former Yankees Pitcher Roy Sherid (1929-1931) was born. (1908-1982)
On September 12,1931, the Yankees send Pitchers Lou McEvoy and Roy Sherid to the AA St. Paul Saints (AA) to complete an earlier deal made on June 27, 1931. On June 27, 1931, the Yankees sent Players to be Named Later and Cash and Players to be Named Later to the AA St. Paul Saints (AA) for P Johnny Murphy and INF Jack Saltzgaver. Pitcher Roy Sherid was returned to original team on December 8,1931. Roy went 23-24 with a 4.87 ERA and 6 saves in 87 games for the Yankees. His best Yankee Pitching season was a 12-13 record with a 5.23 ERA in 37 games for the 1930 AL season. Roy was a Starter and Reliever for the team. He had pitched for the AA Montreal Royals (IL) in 1928 and 1931. He was in 3 games for the 1932 AA Newark Bears (IL), who won 109 games.
1918- Former Yankees Pitcher Steve Roser (1944-1946) was born. (1918-2002)
Before the start of the 1940 AL season, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Steve Roser, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He spent through 1943 season in the Minors, plugging along with a good season coming in 1941 with the Class A Binghamton Triplets(EL), when the 2nd-year pitcher went 13-12 with a 2.51 ERA, while pitching 197 innings. He also fared well in 1943 with the AA Newark Bears (IL), when he posted a 12-10 record with a 3.61 ERA, while pitching 162 innings. Steve's good work paid off, Steve made his MLB Pitching debut with the Yankees on May 5,1944; he pitched well and stayed with the team for the entire 1944 AL season. He built a 4-3 record with a 3.86 ERA, while appearing in 16 games and pitching 84 innings. In 1945, Roser was back with the Yankees, he appeared in 11 games, pitched 27 innings, but he had no decisions. After a bad start with the 1946 Yankees (1-1 with a 16.20 ERA in 4 appearances), he was sold to the Braves on May 3,1941. Steve had appeared in 14 games for the Braves, while posting a 1-1 record with a 3.60 ERA. This effort finished off Steve Roser’s MLB Pitching career with a 6-5 record with a 4.04 ERA in 45 appearances. His Yankees Pitching career totals were a 5-4 record with a 4.17 ERA and 1 save in 31 games.
1943- The Yankees sell future Hall of Fame Pitcher Lefty Gomez to the Braves. He had been plagued by arm injuries. During Lefty Gomez’s Yankee Pitching career (1930-1942), he won 189 games, while appearing in 367 games with a WP .649 and a 3.34 ERA. He had 26 shutouts with 173 complete games. He was the Starting pitcher for the 1st 2 AL All-Star teams. Lefty had a 6-0 record in 6 World Series for the Yankees. Gomez will never pitch in a game for Boston, who decided to release the veteran left-hander in May of 1943. He will eventually sign with the Senators in May of 1943, only appearing in 1 game, losing it before retiring from MLB.
1945- Former MLB Baseball Executive Larry MacPhail, Businessmen Dan Topping Sr. and Del Webb purchased the New York Yankees for $2.8 million from the heirs of former Team Owner Jacob Ruppert. The heirs group included the following people; Yankees President/GM Edward Barrow received $300,000, 3 Ruppert heirs received $2.5 million, while George Ruppert retained 3.12% interest in the team until he died in November 1948. The new Team Owners announce that Edward Barrow will remain in place as General Manager, but a month later they will install Larry MacPhail as the Yankees new Team President with Farm System Director George Weiss being moved to the GM role, but MacPhail will run the show. The 77-yearold Barrow will become the Yankees Chairman of the Board and would retire in 1946. Edward Barrow had been the Yankees President and General Manager from 1939-1945, running the team for the Jacob Ruppert Estate. In 1920, he had joined the Yankees front office, after being with the Red Sox Front Office. Ed was the Red Sox Manager, when they won the 1918 World Championship. Also, he was the Red Sox Manager, who had switched Babe Ruth from a Pitcher to an Outfielder, to take advantage of his hitting ability.
1947- The Yankees had signed veteran 1B George McQuinn as an MLB Free Agent. He was a former Yankees Minor League player, who was traded because of the presence of Lou Gehrig at 1B. In 1938, he was traded to the St. Louis Browns. George would become the Browns starting 1B from 1938 to 1945. He would lead the AL 1B in fielding in 1939-1941 and 1944. He was an AL All-Star in 1944. He hit .435 for the Browns in the 1944 World Series against the Cardinals. George was traded by the Browns to the Philadelphia A’s for 1B Richard Siebert. He only hit .225 in 136 games for the 1946 A’s. At the end of the 1946 AL season, A’s Team Owner/Manager Connie Mack had released him, saying he was too old to be a regular player for his team. Then the Yankees would sign him with the promise from Yankees Manager Bucky Harris that the Yankees 1947 starting 1B job was his to win in their MLB Spring Training camp. In 1947, George would come back, hitting a .304 BA with 13 HRs and 80 RBIs in 144 games for the team. He would play his final MLB season in 1948, hitting .248 in 94 games retiring at the end of the season.
1956- Former Yankees Reliever Dale Mohorcic (1988-1989) was born.
On August 30,1988, MLB Reliever Dale Mohorcic was traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for veteran Reliever Cecilio Guante. Working out of the Yankees bullpen, Dale would post a 4-3 record with a 4.37 ERA and 3 saves in 45 games. On November 8,1989, Dale was released by the Yankees. He would be signed by the Expos for the 1990 NL season.
1966- Yankees veteran AL All-Star Shortstop Tony Kubek announces his MLB player retirement due to a serious back problem. During a 9-year MLB playing career, Tony Kubek was named to 3 AL All-Star teams. He had played on 7 Yankee AL Pennant winners and 3 World Championship clubs. Overall, as a Yankees player, Tony appeared in 1,092 games, while hitting .266 with 57 HRs and 373 RBIs. In 6 World Series for the team, Kubek had played in 37 games; while hitting .240 with 2 HRs and 10 HRs. He was the AL Rookie of Year in 1957, while hitting .297 with 3 HRs and 39 RBIs in 127 games. Tony will become a successful MLB Baseball Broadcaster, covering the Yankees and Blue Jays, as well doing NBC-TV Network Baseball Coverage.
1974- Former Yankees Minor League 3B Ryan Kane was born.
Ryan Kane, a 3B, who was drafted by the Angels in the 6th round (144th overall) of the 1995 MLB Amateur Player Draft. After signing, he was sent to the Short Season Class A Boise Hawks, where he made the Northwest League All-Star team. In 1996, Ryan had hit .258 with 14 HRs, while playing for the Cedar Rapids (MWL). On December 5,1996, Kane was traded to the Yankees along with P Jeremy Blevins for C/INF Jim Leyritz. He would struggle, while playing in the Yankees Farm system. He eventually be released by the team. He went on to play for a number of Independent League teams, including the St. Paul Saints, New Haven County Cutters, Bangor Lumberjacks and the Chillicothe Paints. Ryan would then go on to be a Hitting Instructor for the Broxton Rox.
1999- The Mets games for the coming 1999 NL season will broadcast by WPIX-TV, Channel 11, after being aired on WOR-TV, Channel 9, since the club’s inception in 1962. The Yankees games, which had been aired for nearly 50 years on WPIX-TV, will now be seen on Channel 5, a FOX-TV affiliate.
1999- MLB Free Agent OF/DH Tim Raines is signed by Oakland to a $600,000 contract. Raines had hit .290 with 5 HRs and 30 RBIs in 109 games for the 1998 World Champion Yankees. In 3 seasons with the Yankees, Tim had hit .299 with 18 HRs and 188 RBIs in 242 games.
2015- Former Yankees and MLB Pitcher Bill Monbouquette (1967-1968) passed away. (1936-2015)
Bill Monbouquette was an MLB Pitcher for 11 seasons. Most of his MLB Pitching career was spent with the Red Sox, as he won 20 games for them in 1963. In 1961, he struck out 17 batters in a game, a Red Sox record that stood until Roger Clemens struck out 20 batters in a game in 1986, setting a new MLB Pitching record. On August 1,1962, he pitched a 1-0, No-Hitter against the White Sox. His 96 wins for Boston are the 7th most in team’s Pitching history. Prior to breaking in with the Red Sox, he was on the AAA Minneapolis Millers (AA); where Hitting Coach Jimmie Foxx befriended him. When Monbouquette made it to the Red Sox in 1958, it was the time of the veteran players like Ted Williams, Pete Runnels, Jim Piersall and Jackie Jensen played for Boston. The Red Sox were not contenders, while Monbouquette was in Boston, waiting until 1967 to go to the World Series. But by that time Bill was gone. He never pitched in the MLB Postseason. After the 1965AL season, he was traded by the Red Sox to the Tigers in a multi-player trade. Bill was not a successful in 1966 with Detroit, posting a 7-8 with a 4.73 ERA in 30 games. After 2 appearances with no record with the 1967 Tigers, the team would release him. He would catch on with the 1967 Yankees; he pitched well for the team, posting a 6-5 record with a 2.36 ERA in 33 games. In 1968, Monbouquette struggled in 17 games with the Yankees, going 5-7. He was traded to the Giants for hurler NL veteran Lindy McDaniel. With the Giants, he had a 0-1 record with a 3.65 ERA in 7 games. It was the end of his fine MLB Pitching career. Bill finished his MLB Pitching career with a 114-112 record with 3.68 ERA in 343 games. After being a Minor League Coach in the Mets organization for 5 years, Bill became their MLB Pitching Coach for their 1982-1983 teams. Monbouquette returned to the Yankees Farm system, as a Minor League Pitching Coach with the 1986-1987 AA Albany-Colonie Yankees (EL). Then he moved over to the Blue Jays organization, coaching with the 1989 Myrtle Beach Blue Jays, 1990-1994 Dunedin Blue Jays and the 1996 AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He later was a Coach for the 2005-2006 Oneonta Tigers (FSL). In 2000, he was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. On July 27, 2006, he came out of retirement to join the Single A Lowell Spinners Coaching staff for 1 night and officially retired within the Red Sox organization. In 2015, Bill passed away from complications from Leukemia in Boston at age 78.
2021- The Yankees had traded 4 Minor League Players to the Pirates exchange for MLB Starter Jameson Taillon. The Bucs received 2 Minor League Pitchers: Miguel Yajure and Roansu Contreras, INF Maikol Escotto and OF Canann Smith. James Taillon was drafted by the Pirates in the 1st Round (2nd) of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from The Woodlands HS (The Woodlands, TX). He comes to the Yankees with a lifetime MLB Pitching Record of 29-24 with a 3.67 ERA in 82 games. He is expected to join the Yankees 2021 starting rotation.
2021- The Yankees lose veteran MLB Free Agent Starter Masuhiro Tanka, who returns to Japan. In 7 MLB seasons, Tanka had posted a 78-46 record with a 3.74 ERA in 197 games with the Yankees. He returns to Japan to sign a multi-year deal with his former Japanese team, the Rukuten Eagles; the team he had started his Japanese pro-baseball career, before leaving to pitch in the MLB, signing a Free Agent 7-year deal with the Yankees.
2021- The Yankees had traded their Bullpen Set-up Man Adam Ottavino and Minor League P Frank German to their Eastern Division rivals, the Red Sox. The trade is a cost cutting MLB salary move. Ottavino leaves the team with an 8-8 record with a 2.76 ERA and 2 saves in 97 games. He had signed a 2-year MLB Free Agent deal with the Yankees, after pitching for 7 seasons with the Rockies.
January 26th
1927- Former MLB Player and Yankees MLB Scout Bob Nieman (1977-1984) was born. (1927-1985)
Bob Nieman had played 12 MLB seasons (1951-1962) as an Outfielder for the Browns, Tigers, White Sox, Orioles, Cardinals, Indians and the Giants. In 1948, the Reds had originally signed him as an MLB Amateur Free Agent, but he never played for them at the MLB level. After retiring as an active player in 1962, he became an MLB Scout with the Indians, A’s and finally finishing with the Yankees organization from 1977-1984.
1950- Former Yankees Minor League P Mike Pazik was born.
Mike Pazik was a 1st-round pick in the 1971 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). He was in the Yankees Minor League system from 1971 through part of 1974 season. He had posted a 13-8 record for the 1973 AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL). In 1974, he split the Minor League season between the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (Yankees, IL) and the AAA Tacoma (Twins, PCL); he went 13-8 again. Mike never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On May 4,1974, he was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to the Twins for veteran P Richard Woodson.
1950- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher (1924), Minor League Manager and MLB player Chick Autry passed away. (1903-1950)
Chick Autry was Reserve Catcher in MLB. He had appeared in 2 games for the 1924 Yankees with no hits. Also, he played in the MLB for the Indians and White Sox. After retiring from MLB as an active player, he managed in the Minor Leagues for the Pirates and the Yankees Organizations. His last Minor League Manager job was with the Yankees organization. He was the Manager for the Class A Beaumont Exporters (TXL) for the 1948-1949 seasons.
1952- Because of poor attendance, the Canadian-American League suspends operations for this season. The Yankees lose their Amsterdam Rugmakers team (1938-1942,1946-1951). This is 1 of 7 Minor Leagues that will not operate this season, dropping the total from 50 to 43. The Korean War military obligation is the primary reason stated for suspended leagues operation.
1955- Former Yankees Reserve INF Brian Doyle (1978-1980) was born.
On February 17,1977, INF Brian Doyle was traded by the Rangers along with INF Greg Pryor and Cash to the Yankees for veteran MLB INF Sandy Alomar Sr. Brian had a very busy 1978 season, being sent from the Yankees to AAA Tacoma Yankees (PCL) 5 times. In 1978 MLB Post Season, Brian filled in at 2B for the injured Willie Randolph. In the 1978 ALCS, Brian hit .286 in 3 games. In the 1978 World Series against the Dodgers, Brian hit .438 drove in 4 runs in 6 games for the team. With the return of a healthy Willie Randolph at 2B, Brian spent the next 2 seasons shuttling between the Yankees and the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). On December 8,1980, Brian was drafted by Oakland from the Yankees in the 1980 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Also, Brian had 2 Brothers that played pro baseball, Denny with Red Sox and his twin Brother Blake, who played in the Orioles organization. They had operated a baseball school in Florida.
1958- Former Yankees Reserve OF Mike Patterson (1981-1982) was born.
On May 20,1981, OF Mike Patterson was traded by the A’s along with Minor League P Chuck Dougherty and 1B Dave Revering to the Yankees for veteran 1B/DH Jim Spencer and P Tom Underwood. Mike would appear in 15 games for the Yankees, while hitting .200.
1962- Yankees AL All-Star Outfielder’s Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle sign acting contracts with Columbia Pictures to appear in “Safe at Home!” a movie that is to be shot during the 1962 New York Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp at their new spring home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The movie will star Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle as themselves and feature cameo appearances by Yankee Players Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Yankees Manager Ralph Houk.
1962- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher (1925) and MLB Manager Steve O’Neill passed away. (1881-1962)
On December 15,1924, Catcher Steve O’Neill was selected off waivers for $4,000 by the Yankees from the Red Sox. Steve had appeared in 35 games for the 1925 Yankees, while hitting .286 with 1 HR and 13 RBIs. After the 1925 AL season had ended, the Yankees sent Steve to AA Reading (IL.) O’Neil would later manage in the MLB with the Indians, Tigers, Red Sox and the Phillies. In 1947, he was named as part of the inaugural class of the International League Hall of Fame. In addition, he was an MLB Coach and Scout before retiring from the game.
1968- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Eddie Phillips (1932) passed away. (1901-1968)
Eddie Phillips had played 6 seasons in the MLB for 6 different teams (Braves, Pirates, Tigers, Senators, Yankees and the Indians), all of them as a Catcher. On January 29,1932, Eddie Collins traded by the Pirates along with P Bob Osborn to AA Kansas City Blues (AA) for P Bill Swift. The 1932 Yankees used him as Reserve Catcher for 9 games. Eddie would hit .290 with 2 HRs with 4 RBIs for the Bronx Bombers. Also, he had appeared in 35 games with the 1932 AA Newark Bears (IL), who won 109 games that season. Later, he would manage the 1939 Wilkes-Barre Barons (Indians), 1940-1941 Richmond Colts(Giants) and Greenville in 1942.
1987- Former Yankees Pitcher Hector Noesi (2011) was born.
Hector Noesi had signed with the Yankees, a month before he turned 18. He made his pro debut with the DSL Yankees, going 5-3 with a 1.60 ERA. Hector fanned 11 batters in 7 innings for the 2006 GCL Yankees with 1 run allowed, but he missed much of the season with a right shoulder strain injury. The right-hander did not pitch much in 2007 either. He missed the 1st 50 days for violating the Minor League Steroid and Drug program. He was 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA for the Charleston RiverDogs(SAL), then ended his season on June 23rd due to another shoulder strain. On a rehab assignment, he began 2008 season with the GCL Yankees; he was 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA in 9 games before being promoted to the Class A Staten Island Yankees(NYPNL), where he had a 1-1 record, 3.00 ERA and 31 K’s in 24 innings. The Dominican hurler kicked off 2009 baseball season on a spectacular note with Class A Charleston (SL), not allowing a run for 27 1/3 innings during which he whiffed 35 batters and walked just 3 batters. Noesi was 3-4 with a 2.38 ERA for Charleston before being promoted to the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), where he had a 3-0 record with a 3.92 ERA. Overall, he struck out 118 batters in 117 innings and allowed a .220 average with only 15 walks. He tied Zach McAllister for the lowest average allowed by a Yankees Minor League Pitcher. In the 2009 Postseason, he allowed 4 runs in 7 innings and picked up a win as Tampa Yankees won the FSL pennant. Hector missed time for a 4th straight season due to injury, sidelined for several weeks in late summer with Tendonitis. Noesi opened 2010 season with Class A Tampa, going 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA with 53 strikeouts to 6 walks in 43 innings. He was promoted to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL); he began 4-1 with a 2.20 ERA. He made the 2010 MLB Futures Game team. In 2011, Hector appeared 5 games for the Yankees, while posting a 2-2 record. On January 13, 2012, he was traded along with C/DH Jesus Montero to the Mariners for Starter Michael Pineda and Minor League P Jose Campos. The Mariners would send him to the Rangers in 2014, who later released him.
1989- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Pitcher Chuck Cary (1989-1991). He would post a 11-22 record with a 4.19 ERA in 60 games for the Yankees before being released by the team in October of 1993.
1989- Former Yankees Pitcher Branden Pinder (2015-2016) was born.
On June 7, 2011, P Branden Pinder was selected by the Yankees in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would appear in 26 games for the 2015-2016 Yankees, while posting a 0-2 record with a 3.45 ERA. In November of 2016, he was out-righted to AAA Scranton (IL). On July 27, 2017, he was released by the Yankees. He would be signed by the Angels as an MLB Free Agent, who would release him at the end of the 2017 AL season. He would pitch in the Independent Atlantic League with the 2018 Long Island Ducks, before ending his pro baseball career.
1995- Former Yankees Reserve OF Richard “Tut” Tettelbach (1955) passed away. (1929-1995)
Richard Tettelbach, who played college baseball at Yale Univ. with George H.W. Bush. Tettelbach attended Yale Univ. from 1948-1950. He played in the AL during 1955-1957 seasons. Also, he had a 6-year Minor League career, while hitting .302. Before the start of the 1951 AL season, Richard Tettelbach was signed as by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was a star player with Norfolk Tars in 1952, a team that went 96-36; Tettelbach led the Piedmont League with 30 stolen bases, while hitting .317 good for 3rd in the league. In 1955, he played for the Yankees top AAA team, the Denver Bears (AA). In September of 1955, Richard made his MLB Player debut with the Yankees appearing in 2 games with no hits. On February 8,1956, Richard was traded by the Yankees along with a Player to be Named Later, C Lou Berberet, INF Herb Plews and P Bob Wiesler to the Senators for INF Bobby Kline and P Mickey McDermott. The Yankees would later send Minor League OF Whitey Herzog on April 2,1956 to the Senators to complete the trade. Most of his MLB at-bats came with the 1956 Senators. He played LF, a position, where Roy Sievers was the Senators regular from 1954-1959.
1998- The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Free Agent Reliever Doug Linton. The Yankees would release Doug during their 1998 MLB Spring Training Camp.
1999- The Yankees make 2 roster moves: they released Reserve Catcher Alberto Castillo and signed MLB Free Agent hurler Jason Grimsley. For the 1999-2000 Yankees, Jason Grimsley will post a 10-4 record with a 4.41 ERA and 2 saves in 118 games. In 1999, he will go 7-2 with a 3.60 ERA with 1 save in 55 games for the team. He was granted MLB Free Agency by the team in the fall of 2000. He would be signed by the Royals for the 2001 AL season.
2000- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent veteran OF Roberto Kelly. He will only appear in 10 games as Reserve Outfielder with the 2000 Yankees, while hitting only .120. He had originally started his MLB Playing career with the 1987 Yankees, before being traded to the Reds for OF Paul O’Neill on November 3,1992. He had been an AL All-Star Outfielder for the Yankees. He had refused to moved from CF to give Yankees Rookie OF Bernie Williams a chance to play, so the Yankees Front Office traded him to the Reds for OF Paul O’Neill.
2002- Former Yankees Minor League P and Manager (1958) Ray Yochim passed away. (1922-2002)
Ray Yochim was in his last season as a Minor League Pitcher, when he took over the Manager’s job with the Yankees AA New Orleans Pelicans (SA) team from Charlie Silvera (46-80). Ray went 11-14 to finish out the 1958 Southern Association season. As a Pitcher, he went 2-0 in 7 games for the Pelicans. He had been an MLB Pitcher for the Cardinals during the 1948-1949 NL seasons appearing in only 3 games with no pitching record. He spent the rest of his baseball career in the Minor Leagues. He ended his Minor League Pitching career with an 80-97 record in 282 games
2007- The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Free Agent Reserve INF Miguel Cairo. He will appear in 54 games, while hitting .254 for the Yankees before being released by the team on August 15, 2007. He will be picked up by the Cardinals, finishing out the 2007 NL season with them.
2011- Desperate for pitching, the Yankees sign MLB Veteran Starter Bartolo Colon, who did not pitch in the MLB last year, to a Minor League contract. He will be given a chance to make the team out of their MLB Spring Training Camp, after playing well in the Dominican League this past winter. Yankees Bench Coach Tony Pena recommended him to the team’s front office. Colon will post an 8-10 record in 29 games for the 2011 Yankees. The team granted him MLB Free Agency; he will pitch for 2012 A’s.
2012- Former Yankees Minor League INF George Spears passed away. (1918-2012)
Infielder George Spears played for the Yankees 1951 Norfolk Tars (PL) and then he played for the 1952 AA Binghamton Triplets (EL) teams before leaving the Yankees organization. Later, he became a Minor League Manager for 2 seasons, before retiring from baseball in 1954.
