This Week in Yankees History September 18th-24thPart One

September 18^th

1911- At Detroit, with a triple steal on, the Yankees hitter Cozy Dolan singles in 3 runs in a 9-4 loss. The 3 RBIs are half of Cozy's 1911 AL season total.

1898- Former Yankees Pitcher George “The Bull” Uhle (1933-1934) was born. (1898-1985)

During the 1933-1934 AL seasons, hurler George Uhle would post a 8-5  record along with a 6.17 ERA in 22 games for the Yankees; before finishing his MLB Pitching career with the 1936 Indians. During the 1920’s, George was the leading Starter for the Tribe. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with an overall 200-166 record with a 3.99 ERA in 513 games.

1909- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Robert “Bob” Collins (1944) was born. (1909-1969) 

Bob Collins had appeared in 3 games as a Reserve Catcher for the 1944 Yankees, while batting .333 (1-3). He had previously played in the MLB for the 1940 Cubs, appearing in 47 games, while hitting .258.

1920- NL Directors meet in New York City joined by AL Team Owners Jacob Ruppert and Capt. Huston (Yankees), Charles Comiskey (White Sox) and Harry Frazee (Red Sox). They name a committee to draw up an agreement along the lines of Albert Lasker’s proposal and give the 5 AL clubs still backing Ban Johnson an ultimatum: come in by November 1st or the Yankees, White Sox, and Red Sox will pull out of the AL and join a 12-team NL (with a team in Detroit to complete the roster). The other AL 5 Team Owners turns it down and bluff and counterbluff blow through the autumn air.

1922- Yankees OF Whitey Witt, his head bandaged from being hit by a bottle thrown by a St. Louis fan, drives in 2 runs in the 9^th inning for a 3-2 Yankees win. The Yankees would leave St. Louis with 1 1/2 games in front of the Browns. They will finish 1 game on top, clinching the 1922 AL pennant on September 30th with a 3-1 win over the Red Sox. The St. Louis Brown’s George Sisler’s 41-game hitting streak is stopped by Yankees Starter Joe Bush, the same pitcher that he had started his hitting streak against on July 27th.

1922- Former Yankees OF/1B and MLB Manager (1905-1906 Senators, 1912-1913 Red Sox) Garland “Jake” Stahl (1908) passed away. (1879-1922)

On October 13,1907, 1B Jake Stahl was traded as part of a 3-team trade by White Sox to the Yankees. The Yankees would send 2B Frank LaPorte to the Boston Americans (Aka Red Sox). They would in return send  INF Freddy Parent to the White Sox. The Yankees switched Jake from 1B to Outfield, because they already had Hal Chase starting at 1B. He would appear in 75 games for the 1908 Yankees, while hitting .225 with 4 HRs and 45 RBIs. On July 10,1908, Jake was purchased by the Red Sox from the Yankees. In his last game as a Yankee, Jake had 3 hits including a HR. He would finish his active playing career in 1913 as a Player-Manager with the Red Sox. His 1912 Boston team had won the World Series. With 1905-1906 Senators, he was a Player-Manager. His final MLB career totals was a .261 BA with 31 HRs with 431 RBIs in 981 games.

1926- At Cleveland’s Dunn Field, the Indians win their 4^th game in a row, by defeating the Yankees by a score of 3-1 behind veteran Starter George Uhle. This Indians victory cuts the Yankees AL lead to 2 1/2 games over the Tribe.

1927- Former Yankees Closer Luis “Yo-Yo” Arroyo (1960-1963) was born. (1927-2015)

On July 20,1960, the Reds sent veteran P Luis Arroyo to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on March,1960. He had been pitching for the Reds AAA club, the Jersey City Jerseys (IL).  In the March 1960 trade, the Reds would sent Players to be Named Later and Catcher Jesse Gonder to the Yankees for Players to be Named Later (P Zack Monroe). Luis would behelping out in the Bronx bullpen, eventually he would later replace veteran Closer Ryne Duren as the 1961 Yankees Bullpen Closer. For the 1960 Yankees, he had posted a 5-1 record with a 2.88 ERA and 7 saves in 29 games. He would make 1 appearance for the team in the 1960 World Series against the Pirates. The 1961 AL season was his best MLB and Yankees career season, when he went 15-5 with  a  2.19 ERA and 29 saves in 65 games. He was selected for the AL All-Star team. He won 1 game in the 1961 World Series against the Reds. In the winter of 1961, Luis did not pitch in winter baseball for the 1^st time in his MLB Pitching career, which resulted in him having pitching arm problems during the 1962 and 1963 AL seasons. He would finish his Yankees pitching career with an overall 22-10 record along with a 3.12 ERA and 43 saves in 127 games. He originally came up to the MLB with 1955 Cardinals. He would make the 1955 NL All-Star team. Later, he would pitch for the Pirates and Reds before joining the Yankees in July of 1960. On September 27,1963, he was released by theYankees. He had never fully recovered from his pitching arm injuries. After retiring as an active player, Louie would later become a long-time Yankees MLB Scout in Latin America. Also, he would manage in the Mexico League for 3 seasons (1967-1968 and 1978.)

1930- At Sportsman Park in St. Louis, the Yankees would edge the Browns by a score of 7-6 in 10 innings as Yankees Starter Red Ruffing hits 2 HRs in the game, also CF Earl Combs hits a HR in game. Veteran Yankees hurler Herb Pennock picks-up the win in relief of Ruffing, he is now 11-7 for the season, while Bronx Reliever Lou McEvoy gets his 4^th save. Reliever Richard Coffman is the loser for the Browns, he is now 8-18.

1933-The 2nd-place Yankees would split a doubleheader with the White Sox, winning the opener by the score of 6-1 on Johnny Allen's 2-hitter, before falling in the nightcap by the score of 4-3. Rookie Starter Les Tietje, in his MLB Pitching debut stops the Bombers in the nightcap. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig clubs HRs #28 and #29; while Philadelphia A’s Slugger Jimmie Foxx, who leads the AL HR race with 45 HRs.

1938- Although they had dropped a doubleheader to the St. Louis Browns, the Yankees clinch the 1938 AL Pennant. The Red Sox are rained out in Chicago, their doubleheader with the White Sox will not be played, because rain-outs were not made up at that time.

1948- Former Yankees Pitcher Ken Brett (1976) was born. (1948-2003)

Pitcher Ken Brett came to the Yankees from the Pirates in the Doc Medich trade. He only appeared in 2 games for the 1976 Yankees going 0-0, before being traded to the White Sox for OF/DH Carlos May. He was the older brother of Royals All-Star 3B George Bret

1951- The Indians would beat the Red Sox by the score of 6-4, as Starter Mike Garcia wins his 20^th game of the 1951 season. With the Yankees losing to White Sox Starter Billy Pierce by the score of 7-1, the Indians and Yankees now are tied for 1st place in the AL. This is the 10th time the 2 teams have been in a tie for 1st place in AL, surpassing the MLB record of 9 set in the NL race of 1889 and the 1914 Federal League race.

1956- At Chicago’s Comiskey Park, before a crowd of 31,694 fans watch Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle hit his 50th HR of the 1956 AL season, only the 8^th MLB player to do so, in the 11th inning off of White Sox veteran hurler Billy Pierce, as Yankees win the game by a score of 3-2 to clinch another AL Pennant for Manager Casey Stengel. Yankees Starter Whitey Ford along with relief help from Bob Grimm picks up his 19^th win of the season. Billy Pierce’s complete game loss, drops his record to a 20-8 mark for the 1956 AL season

1960- Before a crowd of  53,876 fans at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would sweep their doubleheader with the Orioles, winning by the scores of 7-3 and 2-0. The Bombers will sweep their 4-game series with the Birds. The faltering Orioles, who are now 4 games back will end up in 2nd place in the AL, 8 games back of the 1960 Yankees, their best AL season since moving to from St. Louis to Baltimore in 1954. Bronx Starter Ralph Terry's 2-hitter in the nightcap beats O’s Starter Milt Pappas.

1962- At Washington’s new ballpark “D.C. Stadium”, Mickey Mantle clouts the 1st HR there, then he adds another HR, both are hit off of Senators Starter Tom Cheney to pace Yankees to a 7-1 win. Mickey has a total of 5 RBIs in the game. Yankees Starter Ralph Terry picks up his 22nd win of the 1962 AL season, the most by a Yankee Right-Hander since Waite Hoyt (23-7) and George Pipgras (24-13) during the 1928 AL season. The Yankees victory, combined with a Twins loss, leaves the Yankees (90-63) in 1st place by 4 games.

1965- On “Mickey Mantle Day” at Yankee Stadium, 50,180 fans see Mantle play his 2,000th MLB game. HOF Joe DiMaggio and Senator Bobby Kennedy are on hand as Mickey Mantle is given a barbecue grill in the shape of a prairie schooner and a 6-FT kosher salami weighing 100 Lbs. In Mantle's 1st at bat, Tiger hurler Joe Sparma comes off the mound to shake his hand. Mickey then flies out. Tigers would win the game by score of 4-3 with Reliever Denny McLain getting the win.

1966- The Twins would beat the Yankees by the score of 5-3 in 10 innings on Bob Allison's Pinch-Hit 3-run HR, sending the Yankees to the cellar (10^th place) in the AL. In his last plate appearance of the 1966 AL season, Mickey Mantle whiffs. He becomes the 1^st MLB player to strike out 1,500 times in his MLB playing career.

1967- The Yankees and the Reds swap players, the Yankees would send Rookie P Bill Henry (1966) to the Reds for Reserve INF/1B Len Boehmer (1969,1971). Bill Henry had posted a 0-0 record in 2 games for the 1966 Yankees. Len Boehmer would hit .168 with No HRs and 7 RBIs in 48 games for the Bombers. He would play in the Yankee Minor League system at the AAA level from 1968-1971.

1977- The Yankees survive a 5-run Tiger 9^th inning rally to edge Detroit by the score of 6-5. The Tigers proven to be a stubborn opponent down the stretch: perhaps egged on by former Yankees Skipper Ralph Houk, who never really forgave the Yankees for what most observers called a “forced” resignation. Actually, Ralph Houk had resigned at the end of the 1973 AL season. Rather than be fired as Yankees Manager by new Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner. He had spent over 30 years in the Yankee organization as an MLB player, MLB Coach, Minor League Manager (1955-1957 AAA Denver Bears), MLB Manager and General Manager. He did not trust George, despite his promises to spend money on MLB player talent to build a contending team.

1979- Yankees Manager Billy Martin reportedly pays Bronx Rookie P Bob Kammeyer $100 to hit former Yankees player Cliff Johnson with a pitch in the Tribe’s 16-3 rout of the Yankees. Johnson belts 2 HRs as does his teammate Toby Harrah as the 2 players combine for 9 RBIs in the game. The loss goes to Yankees Starter Paul Mirabella, but Bob Kammeyer gives up all 8 Tribe runs in the 4th inning without recording an out. 

1979- Former Yankees Reliever Billy Traber (2008) was born.

On January 4, 2008, veteran Reliever Billy Traber was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Billy would appear in 19 games for the 2008 Yankees with no record. After the 2008 AL season had ended, Traber was granted MLB Free Agency by the team.

1997- Former Yankees Reserve OF Kevin Thompson (2006-2007) was born.

Outfielder Kevin Thompson made his MLB player debut in 2006. Thompson helped Grayson County College win the 1999 NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series. He was selected by the Yankees in the 31st round of the 1999 MLB Amateur Player Draft as a draft-and-follow pick. In 2000, Kevin helped Grayson to another NJCAA Division I title. He would make his pro debut that summer. Thompson debuted as a pro with the GCL Yankees, hitting .267 in 20 games. In 2001, he was converted from a 2B to an OF as he batted .262 for the Class A short season Staten Island Yankees (NYPL). On 2002, Thompson would start off with the Class A Greensboro Bats (SA) by hitting .283, 14 SB in 17 tries in 62 games, then he was promoted to the Class A Tampa Yankees  (FSL) hitting .184, 11 SB in 12 tries in 25 games; then he was dropped back to Class A short-season Staten Island (.302). His 31 stolen bases overall led the Yankees chain. Thompson showed off his speed in 2003. He would hit .331 for Tampa with 16 steals in 21 tries and 42 runs in 44 games, earning a promotion to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). With Trenton, Kevin set franchise records for steals in a game (4), a month (20 in August) and a season (47 despite playing only 86 games; he was caught stealing just 8 times with Trenton). Unfortunately, Thompson only hit .226 for the AA Thunder. His 63 steals would lead Yankees Minor Leaguers. After off-season elbow surgery, Thompson had a rehab stint with Tampa (.356, 9 SB in 11 tries in 11 games) before finishing back with AA Trenton (.281, 29 SB in 39 tries). In 2005, Kevin had an excellent campaign. He would hit .329 in 81 games for the AA Trenton Thunder (.355 against righties) and .249 in 58 outings for the AAA Columbus Clippers, leading both teams in steals  (25 for Trenton, 18 for Columbus). He led Yankee farmhands in hits (155), doubles (45), walks (76) and OBP (.394). Thompson was 0 for 2 as the leadoff man for the USA in the 2005 Futures Game. He would split the 2006 season between AAA Columbus (.265,17 SB in 24 tries) and the Bronx Bombers. In 3 stints with the Yankees, he would hit .300 in 19 games and stole 2 bases in 2 tries. He was 1st was called up to replace the injured Gary Sheffield. Playing RF in his MLB Player debut, he struck out against P Adam Loewen in his 1st MLB at-bat. Thompson's 2007 season was similar to 2006 - mostly in AAA (.281, 24 SB in 32 tries in 77 games for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees) will 3 MLB call-ups, in which he hit .190 in 13 games. The Yankees would waive him;  Oakland would pick him up, batting just .071 for them. Let go by the A’s, he was claimed off of waivers by the Pirates. In 63 games for the AAA Indianapolis Indians (IL), he would hit .282 with 16 steals in 19 tries. A day after surgery on a torn tendon and broken hamate in his left hand in June, the Pirates would unconditionally release him to free a 40-Man Roster spot for Denny Bautista. Kevin would play in the Minor Leagues for the Rangers organization until 2011. 

1981- At Fenway Park, the Yankees would defeat the Red Sox by the score of 6-4 behind the pitching of veteran MLB Starter Rick Reuschel and Reliever Ron Davis. Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led by HRs by Bomber Sluggers Dave Winfield, Lou Piniella and Bob Watson.

1983- Former Yankees Reserve INF Brent Lillibridge (2013) was born.

On June 21,2013, INF Brent Lillibridge was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees for Player to be Named or Cash. He would appear in only 11 games as Reserve INF for the Yankees, while hitting just .171. The team would release him.

1982- Former Yankees Minor League C Clyde McCullough passed away. (1917-1982)

Before the start of the 1936 AL season, Catcher Clyde McCullough was sent from Lafayette (EL) to the Yankees in an unknown transaction. Clyde never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On September 8,1939, Clyde was purchased by the Cubs from the Yankees. He would play in the MLB from 1940-1956 with the Cubs and the Pirates.

1993- The Yankees would defeat the Red Sox by the score of 4-3, because of a fan who runs out on the playing field. With the Yankees trailing by the score of 3-1 with 2 outs and a man on 1st in the 9th inning, Mike Stanley hits a fly ball to LF that apparently ends the game. Umpire Tim Welke, however, had called time, when the fan bolted onto the field, giving Mike Stanley, a 2nd chance to bat. He would single on the next pitch. That hit was followed by a hit by Wade Boggs, then a walk to Dion James followed a single by Don Mattingly, which drove home the tying and winning runs for the Yankees.

2000- Pitching a 1-hitter against the Yankees, Indians hurler Bartolo Colon nearly ends the longest streak in MLB history of a team being held hitless by its opponents. Luis Polonia's 8th inning single is the only Yankees hit. The Bronx Bombers have not been denied a hit in a game since Orioles Starter Hoyt Wilhelm did it with a No-Hitter on September 9,1958, spanning total of 6,637 MLB contests.

2009- Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki hits a 2-out, 2-run HR off of Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera to give the Mariners a 3-2 victory

2010- CC Sabathia becomes the MLB’s 1st 20-game winner this season in the Yankees' 11-3 pasting of the Orioles. Sabathia has twice before finished an MLB season with 19 wins, but it is the 1st time he reaches the magic number. However, the Yankees fail to put some distance between themselves and Tampa Bay, as the Rays rally in the 9^th inning to tie the game, then score the winning run on a throwing error as they defeat the Angels by the score of 4-3 to remain a half-game behind.

2019- With a 9-1 win over the Angels, the Yankees clinch their 1st division title since 2012 season. However, the news is not all good as they also learn that Starter Domingo German, their leading winner with a record of 18-4, has been placed on an administrative leave by the Commissioner's office as a result of domestic violence allegations and may well miss the 2019 MLB postseason as a result. 

September 19th     

1890- Former Yankees INF Ralph Young (1913) was born. (1890-1965)

Infielder Ralph Young played 9 years in the MLB, getting over 3,600 at-bats. Although he was only 5 ' 5 " tall, he was a regular player every season except his 1st year, when he appeared in only 7 games. Ralph Young had appeared in 7 games for the 1913 Yankees, while hitting .067. Young was only managed by future HOF Managers in the MLB. With the Yankees, it was Frank Chance, with the Tigers, it was Hughie Jennings and Ty Cobb and with the A's, it was Connie Mack. He played in the PCL for most of 1913-1914 seasons. The book Ty Cobb by Dan Holmes indicates that in 1917 baseball was in a patriotic mood and the Tigers did drills with their bats as if they were soldiers. Young, who was said to be a graduate of a military academy, became the drill instructor, when the Sergeant who had been the instructor was called away to active duty. Following his playing days, Young was a Baseball Coach at Temple Univ. (1932-1942) later at St. Joseph's Univ. (1948-1955).

1909- Former Yankees OF Hersh Martin (1944-1945) was born. (1909-1980)

From 1937-1940, OF Hersh Martin had played for the Phillies. In 1938, he was named to the NL All-Star team. On June 15,1940, he was purchased along with Del Young by the Giants from the Phillies. Hersch had played for the Giants organization from 1940-1941; then he moved to the Cubs organization in 1942. On June 20,1944, Hersh was traded by the AA Milwaukee Brewers (AA) to the Yankees for 1B/OF Ed Levy and Cash. Martin would hit .284 with 16 HRs and 100 RBIs in 202 games for the 1944-1945 Yankees. In 1946, he would return to the Minor Leagues, playing for the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL) under Manager Casey Stengel until 1947. Martin was a Minor League Manager from 1948-1958 for the Browns, Pirates and the Cubs organizations. 

1913- Former Yankees 1B Nick Etten (1943-1946) was born. (1913-1990)

On January 22,1943, 1B Nick Etten was obtained by the Yankees from the Phillies for 3 Minor League players and Cash. In 1943, the miracle happened. The Yankees had traded for Etten as part a player salary dump by Phillies Team Owner Gerry Nugent. Etten went from a last-place team in the NL to a Yankee team that had finished 1st in the AL from 1941 to 1942. Nick said, "Imagine a man in that environment hearing that he had been sold to the Yankees!" Etten would hit .271 in his 1st season in the Bronx, on a team that hit .256. His BA was good enough to be 3rd-best on the team, distantly behind Bill Dickey's .351. Etten would lead the team with 107 RBIs (which was also good for 2nd in the AL behind Rudy York) and was 3rd on the team in HRs. with 14 behind "King Kong" Charlie Keller and Joe Gordon. Nick’s .420 slugging average was good enough for 6th in the AL. His 35 doubles were 3rd in the AL. He was 9th in walks, 8th in HRs and 6th in total bases. From July 30th to August 15th, Etten hit exactly 0 singles: he hit 5 HRs and 9 doubles with 16 RBIs, but no singles. In spite of his successful slugging during the 1943 AL season, in the 1943 World Series Etten hit mostly 7th (sometimes 6th) in the Yankees batting order. INF Frankie Crosetti usually batted 2nd, followed in the 3d spot by 3B Billy Johnson, then followed by OF Charlie Keller and 2B Joe Gordon, Catcher Bill Dickey and Etten. Etten hit only .105 in the 1943 Series, but the Yankees won handily in 5 games over Stan Musial's 1943 Cardinals; which had won 105 games in the regular NL season. In 1944, the Yankees had slipped to 3rd in the AL, but Etten had a substantial season, hitting .293 with 97 walks, he led the AL with 22 HRs. His on-base percentage (.399) and slugging percentage (.466) were both in the top 5 in the AL. The 1945 Yankees slipped further to 4^th place in the AL, but Etten continued to hit well at age 31, by Hitting .285, his 18 HRs were 2nd in the AL (behind Vern Stephens) and his 111 RBIs were 1st. Both his on-base percentage and slugging percentage were again in the top 5 in the AL. Etten was named to the AL All-Star team for the 1st and only time in his MLB playing career. With the regular MLB players returning from World War II service with the talent levels reverting to norms, he had a sharp drop-off in 1946, hitting only .232 with 9 HRs. The winter of 1946, he became expendable, when the Yankees had signed veteran MLB Player George McQuinn to play 1B. The Phillies would re-acquire him. Nick finished out his MLB playing career playing 14 games with the 1947 Phillies, hitting .244. He had hit only .214 for the AA Newark Bears (IL) as well. His pro baseball career wasn't over, though, because he was to join the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). He hit .300 with them in 46 games in 1947; then in 1948 he became part of a great Minor League season. The team, managed by Casey Stengel in the years immediately before his Yankees days, that was called the "Nine Old Men" due to the number of ex-MLB Players (substantial even by grey-bearded PCL standards), including Etten, Ernie Lombardi, Les Scarsella, Maurice Van Robays, Cookie Lavagetto and others. The young players included Billy Martin and Catfish Metkovich. Etten had 43 HRs, far more than anyone else on the team. The team contended with the San Francisco Seals to win the PCL title; Oakland won the Governors’ Cup defeating Seattle 4 games to 1. Overall, Nick hit .313 and drove in 155 runners. He was 2nd in the PCL in slugging (behind Gene Woodling), 2nd in RBIs (1 behind Gus Zernial) and 2nd in HRs (5 behind Jack Graham). In 1949, Etten played for the AA Milwaukee Brewers (AA), while hitting .280 with 20 HRs and 82 RBIs, 2nd on the club in HR behind Howie Moss. He finished his pro playing career with the 1950 Memphis Chickashaws, batting .313 with 17 HRs, 93 RBIs and 76 walks. Lifetime, he had 89 HRs in the MLB, while hitting .277 (125 OPS+), but those stats conceal the facts that much of his career was during the war, when batting numbers were lower (lowering his numbers) and the fact that the talent level was reduced due to top players serving in the military. The similarity scores method show Sid Bream as the 2nd most similar player to Etten, but clearly Etten was much more prominent in his career. It also ignores Bream's significant defensive edge. It is true, though, that Etten didn't have a great impact on MVP voters. He wasn't in the top 10 in the MVP voting in either of 1944 or 1945, although he was in the top 2 in the league in HRs each season. In 1943, when the Yankees won the World Series, Etten was 2nd in the AL in RBIs, he finished only 7th in the voting. A large element missing when looking merely at his offensive numbers is how deplorable Nick's defense was. Bill James gives Etten an "F" at 1B, 1 of just 3 MLB regulars to earn that mark - the others are Frank Thomas and Dick Stuart. Etten almost never tried to reach grounders to the 1st base side. Teammate Danny Murtaugh said, "There were a few balls hit between 1st and 2^nd base that I felt Nick should have tried for, but he'd just run to the bag and let me attempt to get them. So, one day I said to him, 'Nick, I think there are a few balls being hit down there that you should make an effort to reach.' He looked at me and replied, 'Son, they pay Ol' Nick to hit. You can't hit, so you catch all those balls and I'll knock in the runs for both of us."

1920- In New York City, Babe Ruth's movie opens at Madison Square Garden. It has been re-titled “Heading Home.” At Sportmans Park in St. Louis, the Browns would beat the Yankees by the score of 6-1.

1924- Former Yankees MLB Coach Vern Benson (1965-1966) was born. (1924-2014)

Veron Benson was a Yankees MLB Coach for the 1965-1966 AL seasons under Manager Johnny Keane. He had previously worked with Keane with the Cardinals, before joining the Yankees in October of 1964, when Keane replaced Yogi Berra as Manager. Benson had played in the MLB for the Philadelphia A’s and the Cardinals, appearing in 55 games; while hitting .202 with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs. Then he would work for the Cardinals in their Minor League system before joining the club as an MLB Coach in 1961. Later, he would work for the Reds, Braves and the Blue Jays organizations before retiring from baseball in 1980.

1926- At Cleveland's League Park, a crowd of 31,000 fans watch the Yankees hold back the Indians by the score of 8-3 in the final game of a 6-game series. In the 7^th inning, Babe Ruth parks his 43rd HR of the 1926 AL season; then his teammate Lou Gehrig follows with another HR, both are off of Tribe P Emil Levsen. Bronx 1B Lou Gehrig would add 3 doubles and 5 RBIs to lead the Yankees batting attack. Yankees veteran Starter Dutch Ruether picks up the win.

1930- Former Yankees Pitcher Robert “Bullet Bob” Turley (1955-1962) was born. (1930-2013) 

In November of 1954, the Yankees had obtained Starter Robert “Bullet Bob” Turley from the Orioles along with hurler Don Larsen in the huge 17-player trade. In his 1^st Yankee season in 1955, he went 17-13 with 210 strikeouts, plus making the AL All-Star team. His best Yankees season was in 1958, with Bob posting a 21-7 record, winning the MLB Cy Young Award. He was named to the AL All-Star team. Bob had appeared in 5 World Series for the Yankees, while recording a 4-3 mark with a 3.19 ERA. After the 1958 AL season, he battled with pitching arm troubles (1959-1962) with the 1960 season being his best, posting a 9-3 mark. He finished his Yankees pitching career with an 82-52 career mark (WP .612) with a 3.82 ERA and 909 strikeouts. After the 1962 AL season had ended, the Yankees sold Bob to the Angels. He will finish MLB Pitching career with the 1963 Red Sox. As an MLB Pitcher, Bob posted a 101-83 record with a 3.64 ERA in 310 games. He was an MLB Pitching Coach for the Red Sox for 1 season.

1933-The Yankees would pile up 34 hits and drub the White Sox twice by scores of 10-1 and 10-3. Yankee Starters George Uhle and Charley Devens are the recipients of the huge Yankees offensive attack. Bronx 3B Joe Sewell has 6 hits for the afternoon, while Lou Gehrig has 6 RBIs. Lou hits HR #30 in Game 1, following immediately after OF Dixie Walker hits a HR. Lou is now even with his Yankees teammate Babe Ruth, who had sat out the afternoon game.

1937- Tigers Slugger Hank Greenberg's HR in Detroit's 8-1 win over the Yankees is the 1^st HR ever hit into the CF stands at Yankee Stadium.

1951- The Yankees are victorious, when Rookie Slugger Mickey Mantle hits a 3-run HR off of White Sox hurler Lou Kretlow to win the game by a score of 5-3. A small crowd of only 12,127 fans watched the game played at Yankee Stadium. The 2 teams have been tied now for 11 days. The Yankees now have 9 games left in the 1951 AL season with 8 games against the Red Sox.

1951- Former Yankees MLB Coach Nardi Contreras (1995) was born.

Former MLB Pitcher Nardi Contreras appeared in 8 games for the 1980 White Sox. He began his Coaching Career as the Pitching Coach of the AA Glens Falls White Sox in 1982. After 3 seasons in Glens Falls, he would move up to the AAABuffalo Bisons (IL) for the 1985 season. In 1986, he began a 2-year stint with the GCL Braves. Then he would move on to the Montreal Expos organization becoming the Pitching Coach for AA Jacksonville Expos from 1988-1990. In 1989, Contreras played for the St. Petersburg Pelicans (Senior Professional Baseball Association). Contreras was later an MLB Coach with the Yankees in 1995. He was then a member of the Mariners MLB Coaching Staff in 1997 and 1998, then he was a White Sox MLB Coach from 1998 to 2002. 

1964- The Yankees move a half game ahead of the rained-out Orioles by defeating the A’s, Ralph Terry pitches effectively in relief of Yankees Starter Al Downing.

1966- Former Yankees Co-Owner Dan Topping Sr. sells his remaining 10% stock interest in the Yankees to CBS, Inc. Also, he resigns as the Yankees Club President. CBS Executive Mike Burke succeeds him as the team’s Club President. His son, Dan Topping Jr. the Yankees GM also will leave the Yankees organization at the end of the 1966 AL season.

1967- Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Abbott (1993-1994) was born.

Despite being born with no right hand, Jim Abbott went on to a successful MLB Pitching career, winning 87 games in a decade in the MLB. Jim Abbot went 20-22 with a 4.45 ERA in 56 games for the Yankees. As an MLB Pitcher, Jim went 87-108 with a 4.25 ERA in 263 games. The Yankees had obtained him from the Angels for 3 Minor League players, 1B J. T. Snow, Pitchers Jerry Nielsen and Russ Springer. On September 4,1993, he threw a No-Hitter for the Yankees against the Indians. In the fall of 1994, he would leave the Yankees for MLB Free Agency. Jim currently has published a book about his playing career in baseball.

1968- Denny McLain's 31st win of the 1968 AL season is overshadowed by Mickey Mantle's 535th MLB career HR. McLain allegedly calls Catcher Jim Price out to the mound, tells him to inform Mickey Mantle, that he's throwing the slugger nothing but fastballs. The HR gives Mantle undisputed hold of 3rd place on the all-time MLB HR leaders list. Mickey Mantle tips his cap to Denny as he rounds 3B. Joe Pepitone, the next Yankees batter, signals where he would like the ball thrown to him, Danny McLain immediately dusts him. The Tigers would win the game by the score of 6-2 for their 12th straight complete game for the 1968 Tigers pitching staff.

1976- Veteran AL All-Star Starter Catfish Hunter notches his 200th MLB Career victory as the Yankees stop the Brewers by the score of 2-1. Since 1901, only Christy Mathewson and Pete Alexander have hit the 200-win mark before their 31st birthday, but arm trouble will limit Catfish to a total of 224 MLB career wins. He'll win 17 games for the Yankees this season, after 5 straight 20-win seasons.

1978- Former Yankees DH/1B Nick Johnson (2001-2003,2010) was born.

In 1996, Nick Johnson was a 3^rd round MLB Amateur Player Draft pick by the Yankees. He played for the Yankees from 2001-2003, but Nick had trouble staying healthy. He was named to the 2002 Topps All-Star Rookie team. As a Yankee, Nick had appeared in 272 games, while hitting .249 with 33 HRs and 121 RBIs. In the winter of 2003, Nick was traded to the Expos along with OF Juan Rivera, P Randy Choate for Expos Starter Javier Vazquez. The Yankees repatriated Nick in 2010,installing him as their DH at the start of the 2010 AL season. but injuries caught up with him quickly, however, he was limited to just 24 games, during which he hit only .167. He was placed on the DL on May 8th with an inflamed tendon in his right wrist and never played again that season. The Yankees granted him MLB Free Agency, he signed with the Indians organization for 2011 season, but he played at their AAA team at Columbus (IL). In 2012, the Orioles signed Nick as an MLB Free Agent. He made their team as a DH. He started off stone cold though, going hitless in his 1st 28 at-bats. He was still only hitting .143 on May 11th, when he hit his 1st HR in over 2 years, connecting off the Rays' Joel Peralta in the 7th inning to give Orioles a 4-3 win and sole possession of 1st place in the AL East. He suffered a season-ending wrist injury in June, at which point, he was hitting .207 with 4 HRs and 11 RBIs. After the 2012 AL season, he decided to throw in the towel as a result of the endless string of injuries, announcing his MLB player retirement on January 28, 2013. In 10 MLB seasons with 832 games played, Nick Johnson had hit .268 with 95 HRs and 398 RBIs, his biggest asset having always been his ability to get on base combined with decent power. He is the nephew of former MLB Player and Manager Larry Bowa and the Grandson of Paul Bowa.

1970- Down on the Farm, the Yankees AAA Team, Syracuse Chiefs (IL) win the 1970 Junior World Series by beating the Omaha Royals (AA). In the 5th game of the Series, Omaha scored twice in the 1st against wild Chiefs Starter Gary Jones (2 wild pitches, hit batsmen). Jones recovered to blank Omaha for the next 6 frames. In the meantime, Syracuse rallied on solo HR by OF Bobby Mitchell in the 3rd, 3B Bobby Cox in the 5th and OF Bill Robinson in the 8th for a 3-2 edge. Omaha rallied in the bottom of the 9^th, when Alcaraz doubled in the game-tying score. In the top of the 11th, Cox drew a walk from Royals P Paul Splittorff, then he scored on Catcher George Pena’s triple. The winning pitcher for the Chiefs was veteran Reliever Hal Reniff, who had hit a sacrifice fly for insurance as Syracuse won the game by the score 5-3 to lock up the 1970 Junior Series. Chiefs OF Bill Robinson was 8 for 17 with 16 total bases in the Junior Series.

1980- At Fenway Park, the Yankees edge the Red Sox by the score of 2-1 on Bobby Brown’s 7^th inning HR. Yankees Starter Louis Tiant picks up his 7^th win of the season by pitching 7 innings, while only giving up 5 Boston hits, he had allowed only 1 run. Also, the Yankees Closer Goose Gossage gets his 29^th save of the 1980 AL season.

1982- The Brewers scores 9 runs in the 8^th inning to roll over the Yankees by the score of 14-1. Veteran MLB Starter Don Sutton is the winning hurler for the Brewers. Slugger Gorman Thomas has a double and HR in the big inning, while Paul Molitor adds an HR as well.

2000- After a 16-3 loss to the Blue Jays, Yankees Manager Joe Torre has a team meeting, and blisters the Yankees players for their poor play. It won't help as they lose their next 7 games by scores of 15-4, 2-1, 11-1, 11-3, 13-2, 9-1 and 7-3.

2001- In defeating the White Sox by the score of 6-3, Yankees Starter Roger Clemens becomes the 1st MLB pitcher to have season won-loss record of 20-1. The 5-time Cy Young Award winner has won his last 16 decisions.

2001- Former Yankees Pitcher Bill Stafford (1960-1965) passes away at age of 62 due to heart problems. (1939-2001). 

In 1957, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Bill Stafford as an MLB Free Agent. He would come up to the Yankees in 1960, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.25 ERA in 11 games. He would appear in relief in 2 games for the team in the 1960 World Series against the Pirates. In 1961, he would post a 14-9 record with 2.68 ERA in 36 games as a regular starter under new Yankees Manager Ralph Houk. He was the winning pitcher of the Roger Maris #61 HR Game, shutting out the Red Sox by the score of 1-0. He had started Game # 3 of the 1961 World Series against the Reds, but he did not get the win. In 1962, he went 14-9 again with a 3.67 ERA in 35 games as a Yankees regular starter. Bill would win Game #3 of the 1962 World Series by throwing a 4-hitter against the Giants. On 1963 Opening Day in Kansas City, he hurt his pitching arm while in cold weather, finishing the 1963 AL season with a 4-8 mark with 6.02 ERA in just 28 games. In 1964, he would bounced back to a 5-0 record with a 2.67 ERA in 31 games. In 1965, he went only 3-8 with a 3.56 ERA in 22 games. In 1966, Bill was 5-0 at AAA Richmond (IL), when he was traded by the Yankees along with Rookie P Gil Blanco, OF Roger Repoz to Kansas City for P Fred Talbot and Reserve Catcher Bill Bryan. He would finish up his MLB Pitching career with a 0-5 mark with the 1965-1967 A’s, before retiring as an MLB player. In 1967, he had led the A’s pitching staff in ERA with a 1.69 ERA. As an MLB Pitcher, Bill would finish his pitching career with a 43-40 record with a 3.52 ERA in 186 games. His son, Mike was a Minor League Pitcher in the Blue Jays organization, he is now a Pitching Coach in the Toronto system.

2008- Yankees Starter Roger Clemens becomes the 1^st MLB hurler to post a 20-1 pitching record.

2011- Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera throws a perfect 9th inning in the Yankees 6-4 win over the Twins, striking out Rookie Chris Parmelee for the final out, to record the 602nd save of his MLB pitching career. He with his 602 career save, he passes Padres Closer Trevor Hoffman for the All-Time MLB lead in the category.

2012- Yankees veteran OF Ichiro Suzuki goes 7 for 8 as the Yankees sweep a doubleheader with the Blue Jays, winning by scores of 4-2 and 2-1. Veteran Bronx Starter Andy Pettitte makes his return to the mound from a broken fibula in winning the opener, while Shortstop Derek Jeter collects his 200th hit of the 2012 AL season in the nightcap, tying HOF 1B Lou Gehrigwho also recorded 200 hits 8 times for the Yankees during his playing career.

2018- The Red Sox's magic number to clinch a 3rd straight AL East title remains at 2 as they lose to their AL East rivals the Yankees by the score of 10-1, their 2nd straight loss against their nearest pursuers. Yankees Starter Luis Severino pitches 7 strong innings for his 18th win of the 2018 AL season, while 1B Luke Voit adds to his Cinderella story as he goes 4-for-4, homers twice and scores 4 runs to lead New York's offence 

2019- With a 9-1 win over the Angels, the Yankees clinch their 1^st AL East Division title since 2012. However, the news is not all good as they also learn that pitcher Domingo German, their leading winner with a record of 18-4, has been placed on an administrative leave by the Commissioner's office as a result of domestic violence allegations and he may well miss the 2019 MLB postseason as a result.

2020- Former Yankees MLB Executive and MLB Scout Gary Hughes (1978-1985) passed away. (1941-2020)

Gary Hughes had spent over 45 years in baseball. His son, Sam Hughes has been a scout, while another son, Michael Rock, had worked for the Marlins as their clubhouse manager starting with the team's foundation in 1992; as of 2020, he was the team's longest-tenured employee. He was a HS teammate of Jim Fregosi and Tim Cullen, but he never played pro baseball. His 1st job in baseball was serving as Baseball Coach at Marin Catholic HS in Kentfield, CA from 1964 to 1972; while starting to work as an MLB Scout on the side. Hughes worked, as a Scout or Executive for the1967-1972 Giants, 1973-1976 Mets, 1977 Mariners, 1978-1985 Yankees, 1986-1991 Expos, 1992-1998 Marlins, 1999 Rockies and the 2000-2002 Reds. He was a Special Assistant to the GM of the Cubs from 2002-2011, then he moved to the Red Sox and finally to the 2019 Diamondbacks, after long-time friend David Dombrowski's departure in 2019. He was Scouting Director for the Yankees, Expos and Marlins and Assistant GM for the Marlins, Rockies and Reds. Baseball America named him 1 of the top 10 scouts of the 20th Century. He had signed Brad Arnsberg, Delino DeShields, John Elway, Kevin Millar, Mike Redmond, Greg Colbrunn, Cliff Floyd, Marquis Grissom, Rex Hudler and Rondell White among many others. He also scouted Tom Brady as a baseball player, getting the Expos to draft him, before Brady turned his attention full-time to football, and completed the trifecta of future NFL stars by signing future Pro Bowler John Lynch as a pitcher, when he worked for the Marlins. He has been called "the greatest scout of all time" and was a founder of the Professional Baseball Scouting Foundation, helping those in the profession who had lost their jobs when many teams began to lay off scouts in the early 21st Century in order to devote more resources to analytics. He had long advocated for the Hall of Fame to dedicate a special wing to honor scouts. He was inducted in the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame in 2009. He received the Baseball America lifetime achievement award in 2007. In June of 2020, Gary was diagnosed with liver cancer. He would die at his home at the age of 79 on September 19, 2020.

September 20th

1894- Former Yankees MLB Coach (1947-1948) and Long-Time MLB Manager Charlie Dressen was born. (1894-1966)

Charlie Dressen was a former MLB 3B (1925-1933). He had hit .272 with 11 HRs and 221 RBIs in 646 games. He was the Manager for the 1934-1937 Reds. He would join the Dodgers as an MLB Coach from 1939-1946, then joining the Yankees MLB Coaching staff for 1947-1948 seasons under Manager Bucky Harris. In 1949, Charley would leave the Yankees MLB Coaching staff to manage the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL), replacing Manager Casey Stengel, who had become the Yankees new Manager for 1949 AL season. He would win the 1949 PCL Championship with the Oaks. In 1951, Dressen would take over as the new Dodgers Skipper, finishing in a tie for 1st with the Giants that NL season. He was the one, who chose to use Ralph Branca in relief of Starter Carl Erskine in the 3d game of the 1951 NL playoffs, with the result being Bobby Thomson'sShot Heard 'Round the World HR’. After leading the Dodgers to the 1952-1953 World Series- but losing both times to the Yankees, he demanded a 3-year contract from Dodgers Team Owner Walter O'Malley. Instead, O'Malley fired him. He would replace him with Walter Alston, a man who would go on to manage the club for more than 2 decades, always on a 1-year contract. Later, Dressen moved on 1st to manage the AAA Oakland Oaks (PCL) for 1 season, then moving to the 1955-1957 Senators in the AL for a little more than 2 seasons. He would reconciled with the Dodgers management, serving on Walter Alston's MLB Coaching staff for the 1958-1959 NL seasons. In 1960, Dressen took over as Manager of the Braves. He led the club to a 2nd-place finish in 1960 NL season, but he was replaced during the 1961 NL season by Birdie Tebbetts, despite posting an 83-71 record. In 1963, Charlie became the Tigers Manager. He missed the beginning of the 1965 AL season after having a heart attack, but he was back in the Tigers dugout by May. On May 16,1966, he suffered another heart attack, resigning as the team manager due to his health reasons. Charlie was replaced by the Tigers MLB Coach Bob Swift for the rest of the 1966 AL season. His final MLB Manager record was 1,008-973 (.509 WP) in 1,990 games.

1911- The Yankees would commit 7 errors in the 1st game of a double header with the Indians (a 12-9 loss) and then commit 5 more in the nightcap (a 5-4 win). The 12 errors in 1 day is still the Yankees club record for errors.

1921- The Yankees had obtained P/1B/PH Oscar Roettger from Joplin (WL) in return for an extension of the agreement whereby the Yankees loaned Joplin 2 players: 1B Jack Doyle and Larry Christianson. Oscar had appeared in 6 games for the 1923-1924 Yankees with no decisions along with an 8.69 ERA. As batter, he went 0 for 6 for the team. On May 25,1925, Oscar was traded by the Yankees along with a Player to be Named Later, Catcher Fred Hofmann and $50,000 Cash to the AA St. Paul Saints (AA) for Shortstop Mark Koenig. On October 28,1925, the Yankees would send Reserve INF Ernie Johnson to St. Paul to complete the trade. His younger brother OF Wally played in the NL from 1929-1934.

1931- Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig drives in 4 runs to break his old AL RBI mark of 175 set in 1927. By the end of 1931 AL season's end, Lou will have a total of 184 RBI’s along with a .341 BA and 46 HRs for the team. 

1938- Former Yankees INF/OF Tom Tresh (1961-1969) was born. (1938-2008)

In 1958, the Yankees had signed INF Tom Tresh as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was the son of former White Sox Catcher Mike Tresh, who is now a Yankees MLB Scout. Tom was the only rookie player called up to the Yankees in 1961. In 1962, he won the AL Rookie of Year Award. Tom took over the starting Shortstop position, while Tony Kubek was serving on active duty in the Army Reserves. Tresh had beaten out rookie teammate Phil Linz for the starting position. He was an AL All-Star team member in 1962-1963. Tommy would play in 3 World Series for the Yankees, hitting .277. He hit a key HR in the 1962 Series against the Giants. He won an AL Golden Glove in 1965, while hitting .275 with 26 HRs. After the 1965 AL season ended, the Red Sox offered Yaz for Tresh in a trade, but then the Boston Front office changed their minds. During his Yankees playing career, Tom would hit 20 HR’s or more for 4 seasons. During the 1966 AL season, Tom seriously injured his knees, when newly acquired Yankees Shortstop Ruben Amaro Sr. ran into him during a play in the outfield. The injury ruined Tom’s knees and his MLB playing career. He would return to Shortstop position in 1968, but his batting production had dropped greatly. In June of 1969, Tom was traded to the Tigers for OF Ron Woods. Tom’s son Mickey Tresh would play in the Yankees and Tigers Minor League systems.

1945- Former Yankees Pitcher Mike Jurewicz (1965) was born.

Before the start of 1963 AL Season, Pitcher Mike Jurewicz was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Mike would appear in 2 games for the 1965 Yankees with no decisions. An arm injury had cut his MLB Pitching career short 

1954- Former Yankees Reserve INF Mickey Klutts (1976-1978) was born.

In 1972, INF Mickey Klutts was a 4th round draft choice in the MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Yankees. He was the Co-MVP of the International League in 1976 with the Syracuse Chiefs (shared with Rich Dauer and Joe Lis). He played for AAA Syracuse Chiefs in 1976-1977 and again in 1983. He ranks 4th in Chiefs’ history for his .308 BA with them. He was named in 2004 to the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame. In 1976, Mickey had hit .319 with 24 HRs and 80 RBIs for the AAA Chiefs. He would appear in 8 games for the 1976-1976 Yankees, while hitting .300, before being traded to the A’s along with Reserve OF Dell Alston for OF Gary Thomasson on June 15,1978. A broken finger injury in 1977 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, had costed him a chance to win the starting Yankees Shortstop job. Soon after his hand injury, the Yankees had acquired Shortstop Bucky Dent from the White Sox. Mickey would finish his MLB playing career in 1983 with the Blue Jays. He had appeared in 199 MLB games, while hitting .241 with 14 HRs and 59 RBIs

1958- Thanks to a Gus Triandos HR, recently acquired by the Orioles veteran knuckleball hurler Hoyt Wilhelm No-Hits the Yankees by the score of 1-0. It will be the last time in this century, that the Yankees will fail to get a hit in a game. The veteran MLB hurler had been recently acquired on waivers by the Orioles from the Indians

1961- The 155th Yankees game of the 1961 AL season (including a tie) is Roger Maris' last chance to beat the 60 HR mark set by Babe Ruth. In compliance with MLB Commissioner Ford Frick's statement, for the record to be broken Maris must do it in the same number of games as Ruth. Maris' 59th HR of the season, off of Orioles hurler Jack Fisher, is short of the HR record, but helps the Yankees beat the Birds by a score of 4-2 to clinch their 26th AL pennant. The MLB Commissioner Frick ignores the fact the Babe Ruth played under different rules for recording batting stats than Roger Maris.

1968- Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle hit his 536^th HR, the final HR of his 18-year MLB playing career. His last MLB Career HR is given up by Boston hurler Jim Lonborg in a 4-3 loss to the Red Sox at the Yankee Stadium.

1978- The Yankees split a doubleheader with the Blue Jays, losing the Opener by the score of 8-1 as Ron Guidry lost his 3^rdgame of the 1978 AL season. In the nightcap, the Yankees bounced back with a 3-2 win with bullpen help from Closer Goose Gossage and 3-run rally in the 9^th inning. The big hits were run-scoring singles by Lou Piniella, Chris Chambliss and Graig Nettles. Their lead is at 1 1/2 games, until news comes in from Detroit, that the Red Sox are mauled by the Tigers by the score of 12-2, the Yankees lead in the AL East goes back to 2 games.

1980- In memory of their former Team Captain and AL All-Star Catcher Thurman Munson, a bronze plaque in Memorial Park is dedicated to the deceased Yankee Catcher, who had died in a jet crash at Canton, Ohio in August of 1979.

1991- Former Yankees Pitcher Steve Peek (1941) passed away. (1914-1991)

Before the start of the 1937 AL season, the Yankees had signed Steve Peek as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would spend 4 seasons in the Minors (1937-1940), having his best season in 1940 with the AA Newark Bears (IL), while posting a 14-4 record with a 2.69 ERA in 144 innings; helping his team to the International League Play-Off Championship. Steve looked strong in the 1941 MLB spring training workouts. He made his MLB Pitching debut with the Yankees on April 16th. He would appear in 17 games, while pitching 80 innings, posting a 4-2 record before being sent back to the AA Newark Bears for the balance of the 1941 season. Steve went 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA for the Bears, missing his chance to play in a World Series. The Yankees would beat the Dodgers 4 games to 1 in the 1941 World Series. Peek did not play in the World Series. He never returned to the MLB. Steve would spend the next 4 years (1942-1945) in the Army during World War II. He returned from the service in time for the 1946 AL season, but at the age of 31, he spent the rest of his pro baseball career pitching in the Minor Leagues, playing with the AA Newark Bears again before he finished out in 1948 with the AA Seattle Rainiers (PCL). Steve's 8 seasons in the Minor Leagues saw him post a 73-44 record, while appearing in 186 games and pitching 974 innings.

1998- At Camden Yards in Baltimore, the Yankees hang on to beat the Orioles by the score of 5-4. Yankees Closer Mo Rivera gives up a HR to Robby Alomar in 9^th inning, but he still gets his 36^th save of the 1998 AL season as Yankees Starter Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez picks-up his 11^th victory. 

1998- Orioles Cal Ripken, Jr. takes himself out of the Baltimore starting lineup. He does not play in the Orioles' loss to the Yankees, ending his MLB consecutive games played streak at 2,632 games. After nearly 16 MLB seasons, Ripken says he decided the time was right to end the streak, which began on May 30, 1982.

2005- Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez hits his 42nd HR of the 2005 AL season, while 2B Robinson Cano erases a 4-run deficit with a Grand Slam HR, helping Yankees Starter Aaron Small and the 7-time defending Eastern division winners rally to beat the Devil Rays by the score of 9-5. Yankees Aaron Small pitching record goes to 8-0, becoming the 1st pitcher to win his 1^st 8 decisions with the Yankees since Doug Bird in 1980 and 1981; the Yankees 4th straight win continues its strong push in the 2005 AL East and Wild-Card races.

2010- Former Yankees Minor League OF Al Pilarcik passed away. (1930-2010)

Before the start of the 1948 AL season, OF Al Pilarcik began his pro career in the Yankees organization, when he was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. The lefty-hitting outfielder had great speed and a strong throwing arm. Al once raced Mickey Mantle. "We had a match race in training camp which he said he beat me by 10 feet, but it was more like 10 inches," recalled Pilarcik. Al would spend 7 active seasons in the Minor Leagues (1948-1956) and sandwiched in between these years he would spend 1953-1954 seasons in Military during the Korean War. Pilarcik had 3 good seasons out of the 7; his 1st was in 1949 with the Class C Joplin Miners  (WA), when he hit .304 in 107 games. The 1952 season before he served in the military, he hit .305 in 137 games for the AA Beaumont Roughnecks (TXL). In October of 1955, the Yankees sent Al to the Kansas City A’s as part of a conditional agreement, playing with the 1956 AAA Columbus Jets (IL). In the 1st half of the season, he was on fire, hitting .375 with 18 HRs and 75 RBIs. "Luke Easter and I were challenging each other," said Pilarcik. "Luke was about 6' 5" and 240 lbs. I was 5' 10". They called him 'Big Poison' and me 'Little Poison'." Unknown at the time this would be Al's last run in the Minors, he finished up his 7-season stint by hitting .285 along with 43 HRs. His strong showing with the AAA Jets, got Al called up for his 1st crack at the MLB; on July 13,1956, he would debut with the Kansas City A’s. He would finish out the 1956 season with them, by hitting .251 in 69 games. The following season, Al was traded by the A’s to the Orioles in a multi-player deal. In 1957, Al had 15 assists in the outfield, while hitting a MLB career high BA of .282 in 1959. He would finish his MLB playing career in 1961, with the White Sox and the A’s finishing his pro career with a .256 BA with 22 HRs and 143 RBIs in 668 games.

2012- Yankees veteran OF Ichiro Suzuki continues his hot hitting as he homers off of Blue Jays Starter Aaron Laffey in the 3^rd inning to open the Yankees' account, then he hits a 2-run double in a 7-run 4th inning, leading the Yankees to a 10-7 win over the Blue Jays. Nick Swisher adds a Grand Slam HR during the big run outburst, as the Bronx Bombers move to 1 full game ahead of the idle Orioles in the AL East.

2013- Breaking a 1-1 tie in the 7th inning, the Yankees' 3B Alex Rodriguez hits a Grand Slam HR off of Giants Reliever George Kontos for a 5-1 win. It is the 24th Grand Slam HR of A-Rod's MLB playing career, breaking a tie with Yankees HOF Lou Gehrig for most ever in the MLB. 

2018- With an 11-6 win over the Yankees, the Red Sox clinch their 3rd straight AL Eastern Division title. But the Yankees still set a couple of records on Luke Voit's HR in the 2nd inning. It is his 10^th HR since joining the Yankees from the Cardinals in a trade, giving them an MLB record 12 players with 10 or more HRs this season, it is also the team's 246^th HR, breaking their team record set in 2012.

2019- Former Yankees Minor League Coach and MLB Scout Howard “Hopalong” Cassady had passed away.  (1934-2019)

Howard “Hopalong” Cassady was the 1955 Heisman Trophy winner. He would set Ohio State Football records (since broken) for career rushing yards (2,466), points (222) and all-purpose yards (4,403). He led Ohio State's Baseball team in HRs in 1955 and steals in 1956. He turned a $10,000 player contract to play pro baseball for the Yankees, choosing to play in the NFL instead.  Cassidy was the 3rd pick overall in the 1956 NFL Player Draft, he was not as impressive in the pro ranks; but he did have over 4,000 all-purpose yards in 8 seasons, mostly with the Detroit Lions. Later, Cassady would scout for the Yankees. He had coached for their 1991-2003 AAA Columbus Clippers team (IL).

2020- Former Yankees DH/OF Jay Johnstone (1978) passed away. (1945-2020)
On June 14,1978, OF Jay Johnstone was traded by the Phillies along with Minor League OF Bobby Brown to the Yankees for MLB Reliever Rawly Eastwick. Jay would hit .262 in 32 games for the 1978 Yankees. On June 15,1979, Jay was traded by the Yankees to the Padres for P Dave Wehrmeister. He had only played in 23 games for the team in 1979, while just hitting .208. Overall, Jay had appeared in 59 games for the Yankees, while hitting .239 with 2 HRs and 13 RBIs.

2021- Former Yankees MLB Pitching Coach (1977) and Minor League Manager, MLB Pitcher Cloyd Boyer passed away. (1927-2021)

Cloyd Boyer was the oldest of the 3-Boyer brothers who had played in the MLB. He had pitched for the Cardinals and Athletics in the MLB. From 1949 to 1955, he had posted a 20-23 record with a 4.73 ERA in 111 MLB games. Boyer was a Yankees Minor League Pitching Coach for the 1962 AAA Richmond Virginians (IL). He was a Yankees Minor League Pitching Coach during the 1963-1964 and 1974-1976 seasons. Boyer was an MLB Scout for the 1964-1974 Yankees. He had replaced Minor League Managers in mid-season in 1962,1963 and 1968. He was an MLB Pitching Coach for the Yankees in 1977. Also, he had worked for the Blue Jays organization.

This Week in Yankees History September 18th-24th Part 3

September 23^rd

1898- Former Yankees Pitcher George “Smiler” Murray (1922) was born. (1898-1955) 

In 1920, George Murray was signed out No. Carolina St. College by the Yankees. He had pitched for the AA Rochester Colts (IL) before joining the team in May of 1922. As a 24-yearold Rookie, George had posted a 4-2 record with a 3.97 ERA in 22 games with the 1922 Yankees. On January 30,1923, he was traded to the Red Sox along with Outfielder’s Norm McMillian and Camp Skinner for veteran AL Starter Herb Pennock. The Yankees needed a veteran lefty for their Starting pitching staff for 1923 season, with several veteran righty starters already on the staff; young Murray would have been sitting on the bench according to Yankees Manager Miller Huggins. He will go 9-20 with a 5.48 ERA in 67 games with the 1923-1925 Red Sox, then he had a 7-4 record with a 5.89 ERA in 15 games with the 1926-1927 Senators. After pitching in Minor Leagues from 1928-1933. He would appear in 2 games with no decisions for the 1933 White Sox.

1906- Highlanders Starter Bill Hogg outduels White Sox Starter Ed Walsh by the score of 1-0 to put New York in 1st place in the AL with 10 games left to play in the season.

1908- The Indians win its 10th straight game, defeating the Yankees veteran Starter Jack Chesbro by a score of 9-3. The Naps score 5 runs in the 7^th inning, while Rhoades pitches strong ball until the 9^th inning, when he allows only 2 Yankee runs. Tribe hitter Nap Lajoie has no official at bats, getting hit by pitched balls 3 times, tying an AL record and walking his other time up.

1910- Yankees Manager George Stallings, convinced that 1B Hal Chase tried to throw a game, but he is unable to make the charge stick, is replaced by his charismatic 1B as Manager of the 2nd-place Yankees by the Team Owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for the 1910 AL season's final 11 games. On his own, “Prince Hal” will lead the Yankees downhill to 6th place in 1911 with a 76-76 record. Harry Wolverton will become the Yankees Manager in 1912. Even Giants HOF Manager John McGraw suspected Chase of not playing “clean” when he was with the 1919 Giants. In 1920, MLB Commissioner Judge Landis will ban Hal Chase from baseball for his gambling activities, while playing for the 1918 Reds.

1915- In the 1st of 2 games at the Polo Grounds, the Yankees top St. Louis by the score of 7-0. George Sisler pitches 1 perfect inning of relief for the Browns. In the 2^nd game the Yankees take the nightcap from the Browns by the score of 5-1. 

1921- Trailing by 2 percentage points, the Indians come to Yankee Stadium for a 4-game showdown. Waite Hoyt's arm and Babe Ruth's 3 doubles beat them by a score of 4-2.

1933- The Yankees would make 5 errors, including 3 made by INF Frank Crosetti, but they have enough firepower to out-slug the Red Sox to win the game by the score of 16-12. Included in the Bomber’s 23 hits are HRs by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, HR #31 for each; Also, Lou Gehrig added 2 doubles and a single. Sammy Byrd, Ben Chapman and Frankie Crosetti have 3 hits apiece, meanwhile Reliever Wilcy Moore drives in the last run with his 1st hit of the 1933 AL season. The Red Sox had chased winning Bronx Starter Herb Pennock in the 6^th inning to make the score 12-9, but they fall short at the end.

1934- For the 2^nd season in a row, Fenway Park’s attendance record is broken in a Red Sox-Yankees doubleheader as 47,627 fans jam into the ballpark. The Yankees would take the 1^st game by the score of 1-0, and then slam 7 ground-rule doubles into the Fenway Park roped-off crowd. Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez wins his 26^th game of the 1934 AL season, while Gordon Rhoades take the lost for Boston; he is now 12-12 for the season. In the 2^nd Game, the Red Sox bounce back to a 5-0 shutout victory over the Yankees. Red Sox Starter Spike Merenea gets his 1^st victory of the 1934 AL season, while Yankees Starter Johnny Murphy drops to a 14-10 record.  Both team starters in the doubleheader, pitch complete games. After World War II, more stringent Boston fire laws and MLB League rules will prevent overcrowding that was allowed in the 1930s. 

1937- At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees will lose their game to the St. Louis Browns by a score of 9-5, but they clinch the 1937 AL pennant when the Red Sox beat the Tigers. Browns Starter Bill Trotter picks up 2^nd victory of the 1937 AL season, while Bronx Starter Red Ruffing now 18-7,  would take the loss for the Yankees.

1942- Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Rooker (1968) was born.

On September 30,1968, Jim Rooker was purchased by the Yankees from the Tigers. Jim never appeared in an MLB game with the Yankees. On October 15,1968, Jim was drafted by the Kansas City Royals from the Yankees as the 6th pick in the 1968 AL Expansion Team Player Draft.

1942- Former MLB Player and Yankees Baseball Executive Woodie Woodward (1985-1987) was born.

Woodie Woodward was an MLB Infielder, who had played for the Braves and the Reds (1963-1971). Woodward was the Head Baseball Coach at Florida State University from 1975 to 1978.  Before joining the Yankees, he had worked in the Reds front office. Woodie Woodward was the Assistant General Manager of the Yankees in 1985-1986. He was General Manager of the Yankees in 1987. He was the Phillies GM in 1988. From 1988-1999, he was the GM for the Mariners. 

1950- The Yankees, tied for 1st place with the Tigers and 2 games ahead of the Boston. Open a crucial series with the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Joe DiMaggio's 1st inning HR off of Red Sox Starter Mel Parnell is all the scoring they needed, as the Bombers win the game by a score of 8-0. Yankees Starter Eddie Lopat gives up only 5 Boston hits, including a leadoff triple to Dom DiMaggio. A Yankee Stadium crowd of 68,998 fans watched the Saturday game.

1955- The Yankees would clinched the 1955 AL pennant by beating the Red Sox by the score of 3-2. They would split their Friday doubleheader at Fenway Park by losing the opener 8-4 and then winning the nightcap. Yankees Starter Don Larsen picks up his 9^th win of the 1955 AL season along with relief help from Whitey Ford, who picks up his 2^nd save for the season.

1960- At Fenway Park, the Yankees would win their 7^th straight game in row by downing the Red Sox by the score of 5-1. Yankees veteran Starter Bob Turley goes 7 innings, by allowing only 3 Red Sox hits, 1-run, while striking out 7 Boston batters. Veteran Bronx Reliever Bobby Shantz picks up his 11^th save of the 1960 AL season. The Yankees would finish the 1960 AL season with 15 straight wins, ending the season with a 97-51-1 record.

1961- At Fenway Park in Boston, an ailing Mickey Mantle's career-high 54th HR, his last of the regular 1961 AL season, helps Yankees beat the Red Sox by a score of 8-3. Yankee Starter Whitey Ford leaves the game in the 5th inning, but he wins his 25^th game of the 1961 AL season. He is relieved by Jim Coates, who was followed by Luis Arroyo, who picks up his 25^th save of the season. Elston Howard and Bob Cerv hit HRs for the Yankees.

1964- Former Yankees Pitcher Cy Barger (1906-1907) passed away. (1885-1964)

Cy Barger had appeared in 3 games with the 1906-1907 Yankees with no decisions along with a 6.35 ERA and 1 save.

1964- The sizzling Yankees win their 9th game in a row defeating the Tribe by the score of 4-3 in 11 innings in the opener and 6-4 in the 2^nd game. Elston Howard's HR off of Tribe P Luis Tiant, snaps a tie game in the opener. Indians Catcher Johnny Romano hits HRs in both games.  While recently acquired Closer Pedro Ramos finishes up both games for the Yankees. Ramos, however, will not be eligible to play for the Yankees in the upcoming 1964 World Series against the Cardinals.

1966- The Yankees play before a crowd of 1,440 fans at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees host the Red Sox, losing the game by the score of 2-1. Yankees Starter Mel Stottlemyre takes the lost, while Lee Stange is the winner for Boston. Tomorrow will be their last season home game at Yankee Stadium, before finishing the 1966 AL season in Chicago, they will take 2 out of 3 games from the White Sox, finishing in last place in the AL with a dismal 70-89-1 record. 

1977- Graig Nettles’ 9^th inning 2-run HR puts Yankees fans fears to rest as the Yankees rebound from a 2-game sweep at Fenway Park by downing season-long nemesis the Expansion Blue Jays by a score of 5-3 behind Starter Don Gullett’s 5-hitter.

1978- The Yankees lead over the Red Sox is trimmed to 1-game when the Indians scalp the Bombers by the score of 10-1 behind Tribe Starter David Clyde for a complete game victory.

1980- At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would score 4 runs in the 9^th inning to beat the Indians by a score of 5-4. The Yankee hitting attack in the game was led by Aurelio Rodriguez’s triple, doubles by Reggie Jackson and Oscar Gamble. Yankees Reliever Ron Davis is the winner picking up his 9^th win of the 1980 AL season, while Reliever Mike Stanton took the loss for the Tribe.

1981-At Yankee Stadium, the Bombers beat the Indians by the score of 6-1 behind veteran Starter Rick Reuschel’s complete game as he picks up his 4^th win of the 1981 AL season. Reggie Jackson’s 2-run HR leads the Yankee hitting attack.

1984- The Tigers would defeat the Yankees by the score of 4-1, making Sparky Anderson the 1st MLB Manager ever to win 100 games in a season in each major league. As skipper of the 'Big Red Machine', his team had won 108 games in 1975 and 102 games in 1976.

1985- Former Yankees Pitcher Joba Chamberlain (2007-2013) was born.

Joba Chamberlain was a top prospect in the Yankees system before making his MLB Pitching debut in 2007, his 1st pro season. He was selected with the 41st pick in the 2006 MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Yankees, compensation for the loss of MLB Reliever Tom Gordon to MLB Free Agency. Joba signed for a $1,100,000 bonus, but he did not pitch in the Minors that year. It was the highest a Native American player had gone in the history of the MLB Amateur Player Draft. Joba got off to a quick start in his 1st season in the Minors, going 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 7 games for the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), allowing 25 hits, walking 11, while striking out 51 batters in 40 IP. Chamberlain was promoted from Tampa to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL); he had a 4-2 record 3.43 ERA for them, while striking out 64 batters in 39 1/3 innings. He then was moved up once more, to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (IL). In his AAA pitching debut, he pitched 5 scoreless innings, whiffed 10 batters to give him 125 strikeouts in 84 1/3 IP through July 26th. Chamberlain was 1-0 in 3 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, fanning 18 batters in 8 innings while allowing no runs and 5 hits. That made him 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 135 K in 88 1/3 innings in his 1st year as a pro, allowing a .198 average. He was called up to the Yankees to replace Brian Bruney in the bullpen. In his 1st MLB game, Joba had relieved Jim Brower against the Blue Jays in the 8th inning and struck out his 1st MLB opponent. Then he threw 2 scoreless frames, walking 2, whiffing 2 batters and allowing 1 hit. Through his 1st 3 MLB games, he had allowed no base runners in 3 more innings, while striking out 6 hitters more. The Yankees' top brass enacted special "Joba rules" to prevent him from being overused in spite of his success. His fairy-tale 1st season ended on a strange note, when in the ALDS, he was bothered by an invasion of midges in Cleveland, losing a game to the Indians. The big story then became whether Joba should start or relieve, the controversy lasting for the next 2 seasons. He began 2008 season in the bullpen, but when the Yankees' starting rotation was beset by injuries, the pressure to have him start became relentless. He was eased into the job, pitching well, but not picking up many wins, and then being shut down at the end of the 2008 AL season. He ended the season with a 4-3 record with a 2.60 ERA, in 42 games, including 12 starts. He spent most of 2009 AL season as a Starter, but he had trouble going deep into games, Joba seemed to lose velocity, when compared to his performances out of the bullpen. He was 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 157 innings. Manager Joe Girardi would put him in the bullpen when the Yankees reached the 2009 postseason, deciding to go with only 3 starters. He pitched well in relief as the Yankees conquered the Phillies in the 2009 World Series. In 10 appearances, he gave up only 2 earned runs; he won 1 game in the 2009 World Series. In 2010, he was in contention to become the Yankees' 5th Starter, but he lost out to Philip Hughes, returning to the bullpen to be Mariano Rivera's Set-Up Man. Over the period, he had pitched well as a Starter, but had been simply outstanding as a Reliever, keeping alive the controversy over what his optimal usage should be. Things changed in 2010, however, as he experienced problems with his mechanics, Joba was hit hard, in spite of throwing his fastball at a much higher velocity than when he was a Starter. In late July, Yankees Manager Girardi moved him away from the Set-up role in order for him to work out his problems in less stressful circumstances. He would finish the 2010 AL season with a record of 3-4 with a 4.40 ERA with 3 saves in 73 games, but he pitched all right in the ALCS, giving up a 1 run in 3 1/3 innings facing the Rangers. Joba was back in the bullpen at the start of 2011 season, he was not seriously considered for a starting spot even after the Yankees were left thin in that area when veteran Yankees Starter Andy Pettitte decided to retire. He was pitching much better than in his previous 2 seasons, with a 2-0 record with a 2.83 ERA in 27 games as 1 of 2 set-up men for Closer Mariano Rivera, when he was placed on the DL on June 8th with what was originally described as "discomfort" in his pitching elbow. The issue turned out to be much more serious - a torn ligament requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. He suffered a further and potentially much more significant setback on March 23, 2012 when he dislocated his ankle while playing on a trampoline with his 5-year-old son at a kid's center with athletics activities. He underwent surgery for an open dislocation, but lost so much blood that there was concern for his life. The injury seemed to preclude any return this year, may well have turned out to be career ending. However, Chamberlain was released from hospital 3 days later. Joba told media that while the injury was serious, his life was never in danger and no bones were broken. He stated he was still planning to return to the mound before the end of the 2012 AL season. True to his word, he made his 1st appearance on August 1st; giving up 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings in a 12-3 win over the Orioles. Overall, as a Yankees Pitcher, Joba had posted a 23-14 record with a 3.85 ERA and 5 saves in 260 games. After 2013 AL season had ended, the Yankees would grant Joba MLB Free Agency, he would sign with the Tigers. In the spring of 2017, he would retire from MLB baseball finishing with an overall record of 25-21 along with a 3.81 ERA and 7 saves in 385 games.

1997- In a warm-up for the 1997 AL playoffs, the Indians would rally from a 9-2 deficit to shock the Yankees by the score of 10-9. Yankees Tony Fernandez and Tino Martinez match 2-run HRs, while David Justice and Robby Alomar would hit HRs for the Tribe.

1998- With an 8-4 victory over the Indians, the 1998 Yankees tie the 1927 World Championship team for the most wins in franchise history. The Bombers' 110 victories pull them within 1 game of the AL record of 111 victories held by the 1954 Indians.

1999- By drawing a crowd of  27,549 fans, the Yankees break the NYC season attendance record with a total of 3,072,009. The Mets had previously held the attendance record when 3,047,724 fans turned the turnstiles in 1988.  

2000- Former Yankees Reserve INF Aurelio Rodriguez (1947-2000) died after being struck by a car that had jumped the sidewalk in Detroit. Rodriguez had appeared in 79 games for the 1980-1981 Yankees as a Reserve INF, while hitting .250. On November 7,1981, the Yankees had traded him to the Blue Jays for a Minor League C Mike Lebo.

2001- By saving New York's 5-4, 10-inning win over the Orioles at Camden Yards, Yankees Closer Marino Rivera establishes a franchise single-season record with his 47th save. The previous club record was held by Dave Righetti, who had 46 saves in 1986.

2008- The Red Sox hand Cliff Lee just his 3rd loss in 25 decisions in a 5-4 win to clinch an AL playoff spot. The Boston win eliminates the Yankees from making the AL postseason for the 1st time since 1993, not counting the 1994 AL season, when the MLB Postseason was cancelled by the MLB baseball strike, but during which the Yankees posted the best record in the AL.

September 24^th

1904- For the 2nd time this 1904 AL season, Chicago's Patsy Dougherty spoils a no-hit bid with a safety. This time it is off of Yankees hurler Joe Lake.

1910- Former Yankees Reserve OF Dixie Walker (1931,1933-1936) was born. (1910-1982). 

In 1931, Dixie Walker had started his MLB playing career with the Yankees, but he couldn’t break into their Yankees starting outfield. On May 1,1936, he was sold by the Yankees to the White Sox. As a Yankees player, Dixie had appeared in 131 games, while hitting .268 with 16 HRs and 58 RBIs. In 1933, he had appeared in 98 games for the Yankees, while hitting .274 with 15 HRs and 51 RBIs. The team had sold him to make MLB roster room for Rookie OF Joe DiMaggio, who was joining the team in 2 days. After playing for the White Sox and Tigers in the AL, he would become an MLB star playing for the 1940’s Dodgers. He was the brother of MLB batting star Harry “The Hat” Walker. Overall, in 18 seasons as an MLB player, Walker had played in 1,925 games, while hitting .306 with 105 HRs and 1,023 RBIs. Later, he would become a Minor League Manager.

1910- Yankees 1B Hal “Prince” Chase is named Manager of the Yankees following the resignation of Manager George Stallings in the day before. The Yankees would finish in 2^nd place at 88-63. Hal would lead the Yankees to a 6^th place finish in 1911 by going 76-76. As Player-Manager, he would stay with the Yankees until June 1,1913, when he was traded to the White Sox for 1B Babe Borton and 2B Rollie Zeider.

1919- Red Sox Starter Waite Hoyt pitches 9 perfect innings against the Yankees, but they come in between the 4th and the 13^th innings in which he gives up hits. He loses the game by a score of 2-1 in the 13^th inning. In the game, Boston Slugger Babe Ruth hits his 28^th HR of the 1919 AL season, breaking the single-season record. His HR shot clears the Polo Grounds RF roof.

1920- In the 1st game of a twin bill, Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth hits his 50th HR in the 1st inning off of the Senators P Jose Acosta. Then he adds HR# 51 in a 4-for-4 performance in the 2nd game, a 2-1 win, to give the Yankees, a sweep of the Nats. The other 3 hits came off of loser Jim Shaw are by Yankees 2B Del Pratt. 

1923- Tigers Starter Ray Francis with a 3-0 lead over the Yankees, issues a bases loaded walk to Babe Ruth, but he hangs on for the victory.

1924- Former Yankees Pitcher Wally Hood (1949) was born. (1924-2001)

On June 28,1948, Wally Hood was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. The 22-year-old right-hander was assigned to the AA Newark Bears (IL). Wally would chalk up a 6-5 record with a 4.19 ERA, while pitching 86 innings in his 1st season in pro baseball. Hood, who would never pitch below AA ball during his 7-season run in the Minors, was with the AANewark Bears (IL) and the Kansas City Blues (AA) in 1949, his 2nd season in the Minors. He put together an 8-8 record with a 4.92 ERA, while pitching 161 innings. Wally would receive a call from the Yankees in late September of 1949. The Californian made his MLB Pitching debut on September 23,1949. In his 2 Bronx appearances, he allowed no hits and no runs, he never appeared in another MLB game again. Hood would spend 5 more seasons in baseball, but all in the Minors. The right-hander would go from a 7-16 and a 5.42 ERA record in 1950 with the Kansas City Blues to a 11-9 record in a split season with the AA teams: San Francisco Seals and the Hollywood Stars (PCL) in 1951. The Yankees would send Hood to the Dodgers during the 1952 AL season in a presently unknown transaction. Hood would report to the Fort Worth Cats, Wally had the best numbers of his career, going 5-2 with a 2.66 ERA in the final months of the 1952 Minor League season. Wally would hold on through 1954 season, when he went 4-5 with a 5.43 ERA for the Dodgers AAA team, the Montreal Royals (IL). He would call it quits at the age of 28 with a 7-season pitching career record of 52-62 with a 4.61 ERA in 951 innings

1927-The Yankees would win their 106^th game of the 1927 AL season, a 6-0 victory over the Tigers for a new AL season record high. They will win 110 games, an AL record held until the 1954, when Indians win 111 games.

1929- The Yankees Starter Tom Zachary wins his 12^th game without a loss by the score of 5-3 over the Red Sox. His 12-0 season record will not be equaled.

1931- The round-robin playoff among New York City's 3 MLB teams, to raise money for the unemployed, concludes with Dodgers losing to both the Giants and the Yankees at the Polo Grounds. Again, a near capacity crowd turns out and adds $48,000 to bring the fund to $108,000. In field events held between games, Babe Ruth, normally a left-handed hitter, bats right-handed and wins the fungo hitting contest. He breaks the old distance record held by Big Ed Walsh. Babe Ruth's drive lands in deep center field, 421 FT away. The old record, that was set 20 years earlier, was 419 1/2 FT.

1932- In a battle of former Boston collegians, Harvard beats Boston College. Charlie Devens, former Harvard hurler, makes his MLB Pitching debut for the Yankees; as he beats the Red Sox by the score of 8-2. The loss goes to Eddie Gallagher, former Boston College pitcher, who exits in the 5^th inning. Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth swats his 41st HR of the 1932 AL season in the 9^th inning, while his Bronx teammate Lou Gehrig belts his 34^th HR in the 5^th inning.

1934- At Yankee Stadium, the Idle Tigers would win the 1934 AL pennant, as the Red Sox beat the Yankees by the score of 5-0 in the season's finale. Babe Ruth walks in the 1st inning, limps to 1B and then he leaves for a Pinch-Runner in his last home game was a Yankees player. A crowd of only 2,500 fans sees the final home game for the 1934 AL season. The Yankees will finish the season in 2^nd place in the AL with a 94-60 record.

1946- Disappointing on the field, the Yankees (87-67, 3^rd Place) nevertheless would finish their 1946 AL season home season with a 2,309,029 attendance. The best previous draw was the 1929 Cubs at 1,485,166. Total MLB attendance was 18.5 million, 80 percent more than 1945 with more players returning from their wartime service.

1948- Former Yankees DH/INF Eric Soderholm (1980) was born.

On November 14,1979, INF Eric Soderholm was traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for Players to be Named Later and Cash. Eric had originally come up to the MLB with the Twins. The Yankees would send 2 Minor League Players: 3B Amos Lewis and P Ricky Burdette on December 13,1979 to the Rangers to complete the trade. Eric was playing with bad knees from an off-season job injury as a construction worker. He. would hit .287 with 11 HRs and 35 RBIs in 95 games as a 3B/DH for the 1980 Yankees. In the 1980 ALCS, Eric had appeared in 2 games, hitting just .167.  An illness made him miss the entire 1981 AL season. On October 13,1981, Eric was released by the Yankees.

1949- Red Sox Starter Ellis Kinder (15-1 at Fenway Park) pitches a 6-hitter, as Boston Slugger Ted Williams hits his 42nd HR of the 1949 season to beat the Yankees by the score of 2-0, pulling the Red Sox 1 game behind the Yankees.

1950- In the 2nd game of a key series with the Red Sox, 66,924 fans are on hand for “Johnny Mize Day” at Yankee Stadium, as the Yankees top the fading Red Sox by the score of 9-5 to go 4 games up on Boston and 2 1/2 games ahead of the Tigers. Yankees Shortstop Phil Rizzuto contributes with a single, double and a HR, while Yogi Berra, adds 4 hits including a triple. Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak reaches 15 games. The 1950 Yankees will win 5 of their next 7 games, meanwhile the Tigers will manage to go 4-3.

1954- New York ties an MLB record, when 3 consecutive Yankees Pinch-Hitters strike out in 1-inning. The 9^th inning Yankee victims of A’s hurler Arnold Portocarrero were Lou Berbert, Gus Triandos and Frank Leja. The Yankees would strike out 11 times in the game, which they lost by a score of 5-1 to the A’s.

1957- The Yankees would clinch their 23rd AL pennant and 8th under Manager Casey Stengel, as the A’s tips the White Sox by the score of 6-5.

1958- The Red Sox would close out their 1958 AL home schedule with a 7-5 loss to the Yankees. Bronx Bomber Mickey Mantle would crack his 42nd HR of the 1958 AL season to put him 3 HRs, ahead of Indians Slugger Rocky Colavito, who will finish the 1958 AL season at 42 HRs.

1960- At Fenway Park, Yankees Slugger Mickey Mantle's 11th inning HR off of Boston P Ted Wilks gives Bronx Bombers, a 6-5 victory over the Red Sox. Mantle had driven in the games 1^st run with a drag bunt in the 1st inning. The Yankees win their 8th straight game. 

1967- The Twins would crunch the Yankees by the score of 9-2 as AL All-Star Starter Dean Chance, who scatters 9 Yankee hits for his 20th victory of the 1967 AL season.

1972- In the nightcap of a twin-bill sweep over the Indians, Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle sets an AL record, tying the MLB mark by saving his 35th game. The Yankees would win the game by the score of 8-3, after gaining a 5-4 win in the opener, when they had score 2 unearned runs on 5 Indian errors in the 11^th inning. Thurman Munson steals 2B by kicking the ball out of Frank Duffy's glove and going to 3B on the error. Duffy then boots a grounder and throws wildly for 2 more errors. Tribe Catcher Gerry Moses then picks up a squibber and fires over 1B and RF Del Unser’s throw to the plate is over Moses' head for error #5. 

1973- The Yankees had acquired veteran C/1B/DH Duke Simms on waivers from the Tigers. He had appeared in 4 games for the team, while hitting .333. Duke would make Yankee Stadium history by hitting the last Yankees HR at the old Yankee Stadium. On May 7,1974, the Yankees  would trade him to the Rangers for P Larry Gura and Cash.

1976- The Yankees win the 1976 AL East Division Title by defeating the Tigers by the score of 8-0.

1977- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Sherman Lollar (1947-1948) passes away. (1923-1977)

In 1946, Catcher Sherman Lollar had appeared in the MLB with the Indians. On December 6,1946, Lollar was traded to the Yankees, when the Indians would send him and  veteran 2B Ray Mack in a trade that the Tribe had received OF Hal Peck, Pitcher Al Gettel and Minor League P Gene Bearden. He had played in 33 games as a Reserve Catcher to Yogi Berra. He would appear in the 1947 World Series with the Yankees, playing in 2 games, while hitting .750 (3 for 4). After the 1948 AL season, Sherman would be traded to the St. Louis Browns as part of the Fred Sanford trade. He would later become a 7-time AL All-Star Catcher for the White Sox during the 1950’s. Sherman won a Golden Glove for AL Catchers in 1957-1959. He was the starting catcher for the 1959 AL Champions White Sox. He appeared in his 2^nd World Series against the Dodgers, playing in 6 games, while hitting .227 with 1 HR and 5 RBIs. Sherman finished his MLB playing career with the 1963 White Sox, hitting .264 with 155 HRs and 808 RBIs in 1,752 games. 

1977- Graig Nettles’ 9^th inning 2-run HR puts Yankees fans’ fears to rest as the Bronx Bombers rebound from a 2-game sweep in Boston by defeating the Blue Jays 5-3, behind the 5-hit pitching performance of veteran Starter Don Gullet 

1978- Yankees Starter Ron Guidry (23-3) gains his 3rd 2-hit shutout of September, with a 4-0 win over the Indians. The 2 Tribe hits allowed were by Duane Kuiper, the 2nd time this season that he has recorded the only hits in a game. The Yankees Ace, also threw a 2-hit against the Red Sox on September 9^th (7-0) and 15^th (4-0). It is Guidry's 9th shut out of the 1978 AL season, a Yankees record and just 1 short of the AL record for southpaws set by Red Sox Lefty Babe Ruth in 1916. The Red Sox would stay 1 game in back of Yankees by topping the Blue Jays by the score of 7-6.

1980- At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees beat the Indians by the score of 7-3 behind the pitching of Starter Luis Tiant and Reliever Tommy Underwood. Tiant gets his 8th win, while Tommy Underwood picks up his 2^nd save of the 1980 AL season. The Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led by veteran 1B Bob Watson, who goes 3 for 5 with 3 RBI’s.

1980- Former Yankees Pitcher Ernie Shore (1919-1920) passed away. (1891-1980)

In August of 1912, P Ernie Shore was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to AA Indianapolis for Ted Goulait. On December 18,1918, Shore was traded by the Red Sox along with P Dutch Leonard and OF Duffy Lewis to the Yankees for 2 Pitchers: Ray Caldwell, Slim Love, OF Frank Gilhooley, C Roxy Walters and $15,000 Cash. Ernie had posted a 7-10 record with a 4.39 ERA in 34 games for the 1919-1920 Yankees. On January 28,1921, the Yankees would send C/1B Truck Hannah, OF Ham Hyatt, Pitchers Bob McGraw and Ernie Shore to AA Vernon (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made in September, 1920. In September of 1920, the Yankees would sent Players to be Named Later and OF Howie Camp to AA Vernon Tigers (PCL) for Shortstop Johnny Mitchell.

1982- Former Yankees Pitcher Jeff Karstens (2006-2007) was born.

Jeff Karstens was selected by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He would make his pro debut that summer. Jeff had appeared in 15 games for the 2006-2007 Yankees, while posting a 3-5 record with a 5.65 ERA. On July 26, 2008, Jeff was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Daniel McCutchen, Ross Ohlendorf and Minor League OF Prospect Jose Tabata to the Pirates for MLB Reliever Damaso Marte and OF Xavier Nady. He  would pitch for the Bucs from 2008 to 2012.

1983- Former Yankees Reserve 1B/OF Travis Ishikawa (2013) was born.

On July 7, 2013, 1B Travis Ishikawa was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Orioles. After appearing in 1 game for the Yankees, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would be picked up by the Pirates. 

1996- Former Yankees Pitcher Red Embree (1948) passed away (1917-1996)

On December 11,1947, P Red Embree was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for OF Allie Clark. Red had posted a 5-3 record with a 3.76 ERA in 20 games for the 1948 Yankees. On December 13,1948, Red was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve Catcher Sherman Lollar, 1B Richard Starr and $100,000 Cash to St. Louis Browns for Reserve Catcher Roy Partee and Starter Fred Sanford.

1998- The Yankees win by the score of 5-2 over the Devil Rays and post their 111th win of the 1998 AL season, surpassing the club record of 110, set by the 1927 World Championship team. They now tie the AL record of 111 victories held by the 1954 Indians. Yankees Rookie OF Shane Spencer pounds a Grand Slam HR, his 8th HR in 57 at bats.

2002- Thanks to Jason Giambi's 2-HRs in the Yankees 6-0 whitewash of the Devil Rays, the Giambi brothers (Jason 40, Jeremy 20) pass the DiMaggio siblings for the highest single-season total for HRs with 60. The DiMaggio’s (Joe 46, Vince 13) went yard 59 times in 1937.

2005- Averaging more than 50,000 fans per game, the Yankees become the 3^rd franchise in MLB history and the 1st since the 1994 MLB strike to pass the 4-million attendance mark. The 1993 Rockies and the 1991-1993 Blue Jays are the other MLB teams, which have reached the attendance milestone.

2008- Former Yankees MLB Coach (1982), MLB Player and Manager Mickey Veron passed away. (1918-2008)

Mickey Veron played in the MLB mostly with the Senators. Also, he played for the Indians (twice), Red Sox, Braves and briefly with the 1960 Pirates. Veron had won 2 AL batting titles (1946 and 1953). He was named to the AL All-Star team 7 times. He would appear in 2,409 games (1939-1960) finishing with a .286 BA with 172 HRs and 1,311 RBIs. He was the 1^stManager of the 1961 AL Expansion team, the new Washington Senators (1961-1963). He then would manage several Minor League teams: the 1966-1968 AAA Vancouver Mounties (PCL), 1969-1970 AAA Richmond Braves (IL). He was a Minor League Batting Instructor for the 1973-1974 Royals and the 1975-1976 Dodgers. He returned to the MLB as a Coach for the 1977-1978 Expos and the1982 Yankees. Also, he was an MLB Coach for several teams, including the 1960,1964 Pirates and the 1965 Cardinals.

2012- The Yankees would defeat the Twins by the score of 6-3 behind veteran Starter Andy Pettitte to move to 1 1/2 games in front of the Birds. Yankees CF Curtis Granderson hits his 40th HR, becoming the 5th Yankee player to hit 40 dingers in back-to-back AL seasons.