This Week in Yankees History October 2nd-8th Part One
October 2nd
1905- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Shortstop Rube Oldring, they would immediately sell him to the A’s.
1919- Former Yankees Shortstop Joe Buzas (1945) was born. (1919-2003)
The Opening Day Shortstop for the 1945 Yankees, Joe Buzas badly injured his shoulder, ending his MLB playing career. Joe appeared in only 30 games for the 1945 Yankees, while hitting .262 with No HRs with 6 RBIs. He would later become a successful Minor League Team Owner for 47 years, owning over 82 teams during his baseball business career.
1920- Former Yankees Pitcher Frank “Spec” Shea (1947,1949-1951) was born. (1920-2002)
Frank “Spec” Shea went 29-21 in 100 games for the Yankees. He was nicknamed “The Naugatuck Nugget.” He burst onto the MLB scene in 1947 as a 26-year-old Rookie, winning 14 games for the 1947 Yankees, while leading the AL in winning percentage. He was a member of 1947 All-Star squad. In the 1947 World Series, he won 2 games (Game 1 and Game 5), also he hit .400. He started the decisive 7th game against the Dodgers but he was taken out after only an inning and a third: Bill Bevens replaced him; the Yankees eventually won the game and the 1947 World Series. Spec spent 1949-1950 seasons pitching at AA level. In 1951, he returned to the Bronx, posting a 5-5 mark with a 4.33 ERA in 25 games, but he did not appear in 1951 World Series against the Giants. On May 3,1952, he was traded to the Senators in the Irv Noren-Jackie Jensen trade. With the Nats, he had 2 good seasons despite pitching for very poor Nats teams, posting 11-7 and 12-7 records before retiring from MLB in 1955.
1921- Babe Ruth slams his record 59th in the last game of the 1921 AL season, as the Yankees nip the Red Sox by the score of 7-6. Also, Yankees Shortstop Everett “Deacon” Scott plays in a Yankee team record 832nd consecutive game.
1930- Former Yankees Pitcher John Gabler (1959-1960) was born. (1930-2009)
In 1949, the Yankees had signed John Gabler to an MLB Free Agent contract. He was sent to the Class D Belleville Stags (MOVL). The 18-year-old rookie would spend his 1st season with a last-place team under 4 different managers. John ended up with a 5-7 record with a 4.75 ERA. He had appeared in 18 games, while pitching 91 innings. It would be 1959, before Gabler got his 1st chance to pitch with the Yankees. He had spent most of the season with the AAA Denver Bears (AA), where he had a 14-8 record with a 3.39 ERA. In late season, he got into 3 games with the Yankees, he posted a 1-1 record with a 2.79 ERA, while pitching 19 innings. John was rewarded for his good effort in 1959; when he started the 1960 season with the Yankees. He got into 21 games, posting a 3-3 record, but he went to a 4.15 ERA, while pitching 52 innings. He was then sent down to the AAA Richmond Virginians (IL) where he finished out the 1960 season with a 4-4 record with a 2.71 ERA, thus missing a chance to play in the 1960 World Series against the Pirates. Overall, he went 4-4 in 24 games for the Yankees before being drafted by the new expansion Senators in the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft in December of 1960. He was with the 1961 expansion Senators for the entire season, while posting a 3-8 record, appearing in 29 games. He would pitch 93 innings, while giving up 104 base hits, 37 walks and 61 runs. His 1961 pitching ERA was a 4.86 mark. In 1962, the Senators would send him down to AAA. After the 1962 season was over, John would retired as an active player.
1936- In game 2 of the 1936 World Series played at the Polo Grounds, Tony Lazzeri becomes the 1st Yankee (and 2nd player in MLB history) to hit a Grand Slam HR in a World Series game. His Grand Slam HR drive capped a 7-run 3rd inning during the Yankees 18-4 shellacking of their cross-river rivals the Giants. A crowd of 43,543 fans watched Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez throw a complete game win.
1947- At Game #3 of the 1947 World Series played at Ebbets Field, Yankees Rookie Catcher Yogi Berra becomes the 1st player in MLB history to hit a pinch-hit HR in a World Series game against the Dodgers, but the Yankees still lose the game by the score of 9-8. A crowd of 33,098 fans had attended the game
1949- At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees win the 1949 AL pennant by defeating the Red Sox by the score of 5-3. Yankees Jerry Coleman’s 3-run triple provides the winning runs to give Yankee Starter Vic Raschi, the win. The game had started with both teams tied for 1st place in the AL.
1949- Former Yankees Minor League INF Greg Pryor was born.
On February 17,1977, INF Greg Pryor was traded by the Rangers along with INF Brian Doyle and cash to the Yankees for veteran INF Sandy Alomar Sr. Greg never played for the Yankees at the MLB level.
1953- At Ebbets Field in Brooklyn with 35,270 fans watching, Dodgers Starter Carl Erskine sets a new World Series record with 14 strikeouts in Game 3 against the Yankees. The Dodgers win the game by the score of 3-2 behind Erskine’s 6-hit pitching performance. Yankees starter Vic Raschi takes the complete game loss. The new World Series strikeout record will stand until 1963, when Dodgers Ace Sandy Koufax fans 15 Yankee batters in Game 1 of the World Series.
1957- At Yankee Stadium before a crowd of 69,476 fans, the Yankees defeat the Braves by the score of 3-1 in the Opener of the 1957 World Series. Yankees Ace Whitey Ford pitches a complete game, allowing only 1 run on 5 Braves hits. Veteran starter Warren Spahn takes the loss for the Braves, lasting only 6 innings.
1957- Former Yankees INF Andre Robertson (1981-1985) was born.
On December 10,1979, INF Andre Robertson was purchased by the Yankees from the Blue Jays. He played for 5 seasons with the Yankees, while hitting .251 with 5 HRs and 54 RBIs in 254 games. A serious late-night auto accident ruined his promising MLB playing career with the Yankees. On June 30,1986, he was traded by the Yankees along with veteran OF/1B/DH Ken Griffey Sr. to the Braves for OF Claudell Washington and Minor League INF Paul Zuvella.
1963- Dodgers Starter Sandy Koufax sets a World Series record by striking out 15 Yankee batters in Game 1 against New York. Yankees batter Harry Bright was Koufax’s 15th strikeout victim. The Dodgers would win the game by the score of 5-2 behind Sandy Koufax's 6-hit pitching. Veteran starter Whitey Ford takes the loss for the Yankees. Tom Tresh hits a HR for the Yankees.
1963- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Cy Perkins (1931) passed away. (1896-1963)
Reserve Catcher Cy Perkins hit .255 in 16 games for the 1931 Yankees. He was an MLB Coach for the 1932 Yankees. Cy spent most of his MLB playing career with the Philadelphia A’s.
1965- At Fenway Park, Yankees Starter Mel Stottlemyre wins his 20th game of the 1965 AL season by beating the Red Sox by the score of 6-1. Mel finishes the 1965 AL season with a 20-9 record with a 2.63 ERA in 37 games.
1966- Former Yankees Pitcher Walter “Jumbo” George Brown (1932-1936) died. (1907-1966)
Jumbo Brown would post a 19-16 record with an ERA and 2 saves in 80 games for the 1932-1936 Yankees. In June of 1937, the Yankees would sell him to the Reds. He would finish the 1937 MLB season with the Giants. Over all, Brown had pitched in the MLB from 1925-1941, finishing with a 33-31 record with a 4.07 ERA in 249 games. Jumbo’s MLB player weight was listed at 300 Lbs. He had pitched for the Cubs, Indians, Yankees, Reds before finishing up with the 1941 Giants.
1977- The Yankees would beat the Tigers by the score of 8-7 to finish the season as AL Eastern Champs.
1978- Yankees Shortstop Bucky Dent’s unlikely HR helps the Yankees defeat the Red Sox dramatic 1-game playoff at Fenway Park. Trailing by 2 runs in the 6th inning, Bucky Dent smacks a 3-run HR shot against former Yankees Starter Mike Torrez the screen above the Green Monster. The Yankees hold on for a 5-4 victory en route to face the Royals in the AL Championship Series, then the Dodgers in the 1978 World Series.
1986- Breaking Earle Combs’ team record of 231 hits set in 1927, Don Mattingly notches his 232nd hit of the 1986 AL season in a 6-1 win over the Red Sox.
1989- Former Yankees Reliever Ryan Dull (2019) was born.
On August 14, 2019, Reliever Ryan Dull was elected off waivers by Yankees from the Giants. He went 0-0 with a 19.23 ERA in 3 games for the Yankees. On September 18, 2019, he was selected off waivers by the Blue Jays from the Yankees.
1989- Current Yankees OF Aaron Hicks (2015-2022) was born.
Aaron Hicks was selected by the Twins in the 1st round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Player Draft as the 14th overall selection. On June 22, 2008, Hicks made his pro debut for the GCL Twins against the GCL Red Sox as he went 2 for 4 at the plate. He hit .318 in 45 games that 1st season. In 2009, he hit .251 in 67 games for the Class A Beloit Snappers (ML). He repeated that level in 2010 and improved to .279 in 115 games. In 2011, he played for the Class A Fort Myers Miracle (FSL). He hit .242 in 122 games with 31 doubles. Over his 1st 4 seasons, he played mainly centerfield, displaying good on-base skills, with a high of 88 walks in 2010, and has a good number of doubles, but his personal high was 8 HRs. He stole a good number of bases, but with a mediocre success rate. In 2012, Hicks had the sort of season the Twins had been expecting when they had drafted him, by hitting .286 in 129 games for the AA New Britain Rock Cats (EL). He scored an even 100 runs, hit 21 doubles,11 triples and 13 HRs and drove in 61 runs. He was 32 for 43 on the base paths, showing the kind of base-stealing prowess that had been missing in previous years. After that outstanding season, the Twins traded their 2 MLB CF players: Ben Revere and Denard Span, in order to open a spot in the MLB team's line-up for Hicks in 2013. He confirmed his bosses' confidence with a great spring, securing his place on the opening day roster. Starting in centerfield on April 1st, he went 0 for 4 with a walk in his debut against the Tigers. He had a huge night on May 13th, after starting the season hitting only .137 with 1 HR through 30 games. Hicks had the 1st multi-hit game of his MLB career that night, with both hits being HRs off of Hector Santiago and also robbed Adam Dunn of a potential game-tying HR by leaping to snag the ball over the CF fence in the 6th inning; the Twins went on a late scoring binge to defeat the White Sox by the score of 10-3. He went on the DL with a pulled hamstring on June 10th. He ended up hitting .193 with 8 HRs and 27 RBIs in 61 games. Hicks improved slowly over the next 2 seasons. In 2014, he broke the Mendoza Line with a .215 BA, although with only 1 HR and 18 RBIs in 69 games. In 2015, he played in 97 games and began to look like an MLB hitter, with a .256 BA, 11 HRs and 33 RBIs. He would continue to be an excellent defender in CF, while stealing 13 bases in 16 attempts. He was particularly good against left-handed pitching, hitting .307. However, Hicks was also being pushed by Byron Buxton; a very similar player rated even higher as a prospect, who made his MLB player debut during the 2015 season. On November 11th, the Twins would trade him to the Yankees in return for Catcher John Ryan Murphy. The Yankees had a crew of outfielders who were on the wrong side of 30, they wanted to get younger and more athletic at the position. Hicks obviously fit the bill as on April 20, 2016, he displayed his tremendous arm by gunning down A’s Danny Valencia at home plate on a throw that measured at 105.5 mph - the highest speed ever recorded in the MLB on any throw or pitch. He finished the 2016 season for the Yankees with a disappointing .217 BA with 8 HRs and 31 RBIs in 123 games. Still, he managed to retain his job in 2017 and appeared to be transformed as a hitter. Over the 1st 2 months of the season, he would hit .298 with 8 HRs and 24 RBIs in 40 games. He received a lot of playing time, when CF Jacoby Ellsbury was placed on the DL in May; and thrived in the situation. On June 1st, he had the best game of his career in a 12-2 win over the Blue Jays, going 4-for-5 with 3 doubles and 6 RBIs to push his BA to .317. He followed that a couple of days later on June 9th with a pair of HRs in an 8-2 win over the Orioles. He ran into injury trouble during his break-out season though, as he was on the DL from June 26th to August 10th with a right oblique strain and again starting on September 3rd, this time with a left oblique strain. He had had trouble finding his hitting stroke again after the 1st injury, as he hit just .207 in 22 games before returning to the DL. He was re-activated by the team on September 26th, just in time to get a few games in before the start of the postseason.
In the 1st inning of his 1st game back against the Rays, he had robbed Wilson Ramos of a potential Grand Slam HR, with a magnificent leaping catch. He would end up hitting .266 with 15 HRs and 52 RBIs in 88 games. In the 2017 postseason, after going 1 for 3 in the ALWC Game, he would shine in the ALDS against the Indians by hitting .316 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs in the Yankees' upset win. He would cool down in the ALCS though, when he hit just .083 against theAstros. In 2018, Hicks was the Opening Day Centerfielder, going 2 for 4 on March 29th against the Blue Jays. However, the next day, he was placed on the DL with a strained intercostal muscle, although the injury was not expected to keep him out for more than a week. He would return on April 12th; in his 2nd game back, he would HR twice, 1 of them inside-the-park HR and drove in 3 runs in an 8-6 win over the Tigers. When he hit his 2nd in-the-park HR of the year on May 19th, he became the 1st Yankees player since Mickey Mantle in 1958 to have done so; Mantle had hit 3 such HRs that season. On July 1st, he had a 3-HR game in an 11-1 win over the Red Sox. He would play a career-high 137 games as he hit .248 along with 27 HRs and 79 RBIs; he also drew 90 walks and scored 90 runs. In the 2018 postseason, he went 1 for 4 with a double, a run and an RBI in Yankees win over the Athletics in the ALWC Game. However, he was hurt in the ALDS, which the Yankees lost to the Red Sox and went only 1 for 5 in 2 games. In February 2019, he had signed a 7-year contract extension with the Yankees worth $70 million. But he was hurt again in spring training camp, straining his back while taking batting practice on March 1st, making him miss Opening Day. He was finally back on the 25 MLB man roster on May 13th, having missed the 1st 6 weeks of the season. On June 29th, he became the 1st player to hit a MLB HR in Europe, when he connected off of&nbs**** Porcello in the 1st inning of the 1st of 2 games between the Yankees and the Red Sox played at London Olympic Stadium on June 29th. He would hit .235 in 59 games with 12 HRs and 36 RBIs, after missing the 1st 40 games of the season with a lower back strain and almost all of August and September with a flexor strain. He was reactivate in time for the 2019 postseason, going 2 for 13 with a HR in the Yankees' loss to the Astros in the ALCS. In 2020, he was back healthy and played in 54 of the Yankees' 60 games in the pandemic-shortened season. He would hit .225 with 6 HRs and 21 RBIs, but the superficially unimpressive numbers did not tell the whole story as his very good walk rate meant his OBP was a very good .379 and his OPS+ was 122. After going 1 for 8 in the 2-game sweep of the Indians in the ALWCS, he excelled in the closely-fought loss to the Rays in the ALDS, going 7 for 18 (.389) with a double, 2 runs and 3 RBIs. In 2021, he started the season as the Yankees' #3 hitter, as Manager Aaron Boone decided to have the switch-hitting Hicks break up a string of righthanded batters at the top of the line-up. He would start the season slowly by hitting .129 in his 1st 8 games before he announced on April 12th that he was sitting out that night's game against the Blue Jays as his mind was not on baseball given the recent events in Brooklyn Center, MN, where a young black motorist had been killed by a white policewoman in a stark reminder of the death of George Floyd a year earlier. As a former member of the Twins and African-American resident of the Minneapolis area, he felt particularly affected by the community's pain. In May of 2021, Aaron would hurt his left wrist in play, he had to have season ending surgery. Hicks had appeared in only 32 games, while hitting .194 with 4 HRs and 13 RBIs. In 2022, he would continue to have injury issues and a low BA during the season.
1989- Former Yankees Pitcher Tyler Olson (2016) was born.
On January 12, 2016, Tyler Olson was traded by the Dodgers along with INF Ronald Torreyes to the Yankees for Rob Segedin and Player to be Named or Cash. He had appeared in 1 game with the 2016 Yankees with no record. On June 14, 2016, Tyler was selected off waivers by the Royals from the Yankees.
2009- B.J. Upton becomes the 1st player in Tampa Bay franchise history to hit for the cycle. He goes 5 for 5 with 6 RBI in the Rays' 13-4 victory over New York. Yankees Starter CC Sabathia takes the loss in his bid to become the MLB’s 1st 20-game winner.
2011- The Tigers get a dominant outing by Starter Max Scherzer to beat the Yankees by the score of 5-3 and even their ALDS at 1 game each. Scherzer does not allow a Yankees hit until the 6th inning, while Miguel Cabrera puts the Tigers ahead with a 2-run HR off of Yankees starter Freddy Garcia in the 1st inning. Tigers Closer Jose Valverde struggles a bit in the 9th inning, giving up a HR to Nick Swisher and a triple to Jorge Posada, but he ends the game with the tying run on base.
2012- On the penultimate day of the regular 2012 AL season, the Yankees would maintain their 1-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East, when Raul Ibanez HRs off of Boston's Reliever Andrew Miller in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Yankees, a 4-3 win.
2016- The Orioles would clinch a ALWC spot by defeating the Yankees by the score of 5-2 behind a pair of HRs by Birds Slugger Matt Wieters.
2021- Today is the penultimate day of the MLB season, as at the end of play 4 teams are still vying for the 2 wild card spots in the AL. Following a 12-2 loss to the Rays, the Yankees are at 91-70, tied with the Red Sox, who had defeat the Nationals, by the score of 5-3. Just 1 game behind at 90-71 are the Blue Jays, who were the 10-2 winners over the Orioles and the Mariners, who had conclude the day with a 6-4 win over the Angels. All sorts of scenarios are in play for the final day of the AL season, including a possible unprecedented 4-way tie.
October 3rd
1887- Former Yankees INF Armando Marsans (1917-1918) was born. (1887-1960)
On July 15,1917, OF Armando Marsans was traded by the Browns to the Yankees for veteran OF Lee Magee. The Cuban born player had appeared in 62 games for the Yankees, while hitting .232 with No HRs and 24 RBIs during his time with team, he had leg injuries that reduced his playing time. In 1911, when the Reds had invited Rafael Almeida to a tryout, Armando Marsans would accompany him to act as his interpreter. Marsans would end up trying out for the club as well; he went on to play 8 seasons in the MLB, during the Deadball Era; while accumulating 2,273 at-bats. He would play for the 1911-1914 Reds, 1914-1915 Federal League team, 1917 Browns and the 1917-1918 Yankees. In 1912, he was in the top 10 in batting average. A centerfielder, he was a teammate of Reds Harvard Eddie Grant and George Sisler with the Browns. He was the 1st Cuban-born player to get 500 at-bats in the MLB, followed shortly thereafter by Dolf Luque and Mike Gonzalez. He was the Reds' Opening Day clean-up hitter in 1912 and 1914. Baseball Magazine in September 1914 published an article entitled "The Famous Marsans Case", calling his jumping to the Federal League "one of the most important of the test cases in baseball law". Baseball Magazine of July 1918 referred to him as "frail in build" and "a real speed merchant". It indicated that Marsans started in the U.S. in 1907 with New London. He was the 1st Cuban to manage in Organized Baseball, leading the 1924 Elmira Colonels. Also, he would manage the 1956 Havana Cubans (FIL). He is the all-time stolen base leader in the history of the Cuban Winter League, with 135, 23 more than Cristobal Torriente. In 1939, Armando Marsans was among the 1st group of players inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame.
1909- Former Yankees Pitcher Johnny Broaca (1934-1937) was born. (1909-1986)
Johnny Broaca would post a 40-27 record with an ERA in 99 games for the Yankees. He was a graduate of Yale University. His best Yankees season was in 1935, when he posted a 15-7 record. In 1937, he started out with 1-4 record. He jumped the Yankees during the 1937 AL season sitting out the rest of the year, as well as all of 1938. One source claims that it had something to do with Lefty Gomez and a woman. It was announced a week before he left the team that he had an arm injury. He left baseball to become a pro boxer. Eventually, he went back to his hometown of Lawrence, MA to work as a laborer. Another source says that Broaca left baseball because his wife divorced him and he would work for Tyer Rubber at low wages because, it was said, he refused to let his wife get any alimony. Yet other sources have different information. The New York Times had an article saying that the team voted a World Series share to Broaca's estranged wife (the 1st time that a player’s share was ever voted to a woman) after Broaca left the team. The book “Joe McCarthy: Architect of the Yankee Dynasty” says that Broaca had abandoned his wife. The December 1957 Baseball Digest relates a story where Gomez, unhappy that Broaca was saving his arm and refused to throw balls before a game, played a practical joke on him by calling the bullpen, pretending to be the manager and ordering Broaca to warm up for 9 innings straight. The story goes that Joe McCarthy didn't know for many years why Broaca claimed to be unable to start the next day's game. Broaca for calling him "Goofy". When asked why Gomez was upset when other players such as veteran hurler Pat Malone also called him "Goofy", Gomez said, "Malone didn't go to Yale". On November 19,1938, Johnny was purchased by the Indians from the Yankees. In 1939 as a Reliever, he would post a 4-2 record for the Tribe.
1926- After the Yankees had scored twice in the 2nd inning, Cardinals Starter Glover Cleveland Alexander sets down the last 21 Yankee batters with 10 strikeouts in Game 2 of the 1926 World Series, resulting in a 6-2 St. Louis win. Cardinal’s hitters Billy Southworth and Tommy Thevenow each collect 3 hits each in the Cardinals win.
1947- In Game #4 of the 1947 World Series played at Ebbets Field, Yankees Starter Floyd Bevens flirts with immorality, when he pitches no-hit baseball for 8 2/3 innings of a World Series game against the Dodgers. He loses the no-hitter and game, when Dodgers PH Cookie Lavagetto doubles off the RF wall at Ebbets Field to score the tying and winning runs.
1949- The Yankees win the 1949 AL pennant by defeating the Red Sox by the score of 5-3 at Yankee Stadium. Jerry Coleman's 3-run triple provides the winning margin, while Red Sox Slugger Ted Williams falls short of both the AL Batting title and the AL Triple Crown.
1951- Former Yankees HOF OF/DH Dave Winfield (1981-1988) was born.
On December 15,1980, MLB Free Agent Dave Winfield signed a 10-year player contract with the Yankees. He had come to the MLB with the Padres. Dave would hit .296 with 205 HRs and 818 RBIs in 1,172 games as Yankees player. He was named to the AL All-Star teams in 1981-1988. In his only World Series appearance in 1981 with the Yankees, Dave only hit .045 in 6 games, prompting Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner to call him “Mr. May” for not responding with his bat in the MLB postseason for the Yankees. On May 11,1990, Dave was traded by the Yankees to the Angels for veteran Starter Mike Witt. Winfield was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 16, 2001 by the BWAA. His Padres player uniform #31 was retired by the Padres in 2001, 1 year after he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. In his retirement, he would work in the front office of the Padres, holding the title of Executive Vice-President and Senior Adviser and as a Spring Training Instructor. In December of 2013, he would joined the staff of the MLB Players Association as Deputy to new Executive Director Tony Clark.
1955- In Game #6 of the 1955 World Series played at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees jump on Dodgers Starter Karl Spooner in the 1st inning beating Brooklyn by the score of 5-1. Whitey Ford pitches a complete game allowing only 4 Dodger hits, while Bill Skowron hits a HR for the Yankees.
1956- Dodgers veteran Starter Sal Maglie defeated the Yankees by the score of 6-3 in the opening game of the 1956 World Series. Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin hit HRs in the Yankee lost at Ebbets Field. Yankees Whitey Ford gives up a 3-HR to Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges in the 3rd inning to break a 2-2 tie
1957- In Game 2 of the 1957 World Series, Lew Burdette wins the 1st of his 3 decisions against his former team, the Yankees, allowing only 7 New York hits and just 2 runs. Hank Bauer hits a HR for the Bombers, while Shortstop Johnny Logan hits one for the Braves. Burdette complete game defeats Yankees Starter Bobby Shantz, Relievers Art Ditmar and Bob Grim by the score of 4-2.
1960-The Yankees ended their 1960 AL season with an 8-7 win over the Red Sox, finishing out the season with a 15-game winning streak.
1964- The Bronx Bombers clinched their 5th straight AL Pennant by defeating the Indians by the score of 8-3. Yankees Reliever Pete Mikkelsen picks-up the win in relief of Yankees Starter Al Downing. As Yankees hitters Elston Howard and Mickey Mantle led the Bombers hitting attack. A crowd of 14,879 fans attended the Saturday afternoon game at Yankee Stadium.
1965- Whitey Ford becomes the winngest pitcher in Yankees team history, when he notches career win No. 232 against the Red Sox by the score of 8-7 at Fenway Park. Whitey passes former Yankees Starter Charles “Red” Ruffing as the Yankees Pitcher with the most career team 231 wins.
1966-Former MLB Player and Yankees MLB Scout Mike Tresh passed away. (1914-1966.)
Father of Yankees player Tom Tresh, Mike Tresh played 12 seasons in the AL, almost all with the White Sox and finished up with the 1949 Indians. Mike had only 2 MLB HRs in over 1,027 games, unlike his son Tom, who was a pretty good HR hitter. During his MLB playing career, Mike hit .249 with 2 HRs and 297 RBIs. He was a good enough catcher that he never played any other position in the MLB. After his playing days were over, he was a Yankees MLB Scout and worked for Ford Motor Company. He died on October 4, 1966, 2 days after the end of the 1966 AL season in which his son Tom had achieved his career-best HR total of 27 with the Yankees. His Grandson, Mickey Tresh, played in the Minor Leagues with the Yankees and Tigers farm systems from 1987 to 1990.
1978- Yankees Slugger Reggie Jackson hits a 3-run HR, singles and doubles leading the Yankees to a 7-1 win in the Opening Game of the 1978 AL Championship Series against the Royals.
1986- Former Yankees Minor League 1B Vince DiMaggio passed away. (1912-1986)
In 1937, Vince DiMaggio came up to MLB with the Boston Bees (aka Braves). Vince was the older brother of MLB players Joe and Dom DiMaggio. He had been a Minor League star player with the AA San Francisco Seals (PCL). In February of 1939, he was traded to the Yankees, his brother Joe's team, but he never played a game for the team. He was blocked by the presence of Yankees Reserve 1B Babe Dahlgren. Most of 1939 season was spent in the Minors, where he showed substantial power for the AA Kansas City Blues (AA). He cranked out 46 HRs, the 2nd-highest total to that point by a right-handed hitter in the American Association, leading the league by 13 over Phil Weintraub. As the top power threat on the most successful AA team ever (judging by total wins), Vince also led the league with 136 RBIs. In August of 1939, he was traded by the Yankees to the Reds. Vince would play in 8 games for the 1939 Reds, while hitting just .071. In 1940, he would appear in 2 more games with the Reds before being traded to the Pirates, where he was to spend the bulk of his MLB playing career.
1990- For the 1st time during the team ownership of George Steinbrenner era, the Yankees finish the season in last place.
2011- Detroit takes a 2-1 lead in their ALDS with a 5-4 win over the Yankees. Tigers Starter Justin Verlander gives up 2 runs in the 1st inning, but then he settles down. The Tigers score twice in the 3rd inning off of Yankees Starter CC Sabathia, then Jhonny Peralta puts them ahead with an RBI double in the 5th inning. The Yankees tie the game at 4 in the 7th inning on Brett Gardner's 2-run double, but Delmon Young hits a solo HR off of Yankees Reliever Rafael Soriano in the bottom of the 7th inning to make Verlander a winner.
2012- Before a home crowd of 47,393 fans at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would clinch the 2012 AL East crown with a 14-2 rout of the Red Sox The Orioles would lose their game to the Rays by the score of 4-1. Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda picks up his 16th victory of the season. The Bronx Bombers hitting attack is led by CF Curtis Granderson, whohits 2 HRs, as he finished the 2012 AL season with 43 HRs. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano finishes the regular season with 2 HRs, finishing his 2012 AL season at 33 HRs mark.
2017- At New Yankee Stadium, the 2017 AL postseason opens with a ALWC Game between the Twins and Yankees. As expected, the Yankees win by the score of 8-4, but the game doesn't go according to script: the Twins would score 3 runs in the 1st as they chase Bronx starter Luis Severino after only 1 out, as he gives up long balls to Brian Dozier and Eddie Rosario. The Twins' Starter, Ervin Santana, doesn’t any fair better, as he allows a 3-run HR blast to Shortstop Didi Gregorius in the bottom of the 1st. He is taken out after 2 innings, after having given up another Bronx HR to Brett Gardner. The Yankees would then win the battle of the bullpens, as their relievers ring up 13 Twins strikeouts in 8 innings, while the Bombers continue to score, including a 2-run HR shot by Aaron Judge off of Twins P Jose Berrios in the 4th.
2018- The Yankees would defeat the A’s by the score of 7-2 in their AL WC game. Now they will now face their arch-enemy, the Red Sox in the 2018 AL Division Series. They take a quick 2-0 lead in the 1st against "opener" Liam Hendriks as Aaron Judge homers after a lead-off walk by Andrew McCutchen. After the A's waste a couple of good opportunities to get back in the game in the 4th and 5th innings, the Yankees put the game away with 4 runs in the 6th, with Luke Voit's triple off of A’s hurler Blake Treinen as being the big blow.
2021- In the ALWC race, the pressure is on both the Red Sox and Yankees to win as the Blue Jays take a quick and large lead on their way to defeating the Orioles, 12-4. The 2 leaders avoid a one-game playoff against the Jays by scoring the winning run in their respective games in the 9th inning: first the Yankees would defeat the Rays, 1-0, thanks to Aaron Judge's RBI, then a 2-run HR by Rafael Devers provides Boston with a 7-5 win over the Nationals, in a game in which they trailed , 5-1, at one point. The 2 long-time rivals finish with identical 92-70 records, but it's the Red Sox who will host the WC Game thanks to their better head-to-head record.
October 4th
1884- Former Yankees Pitcher Harry Ables (1911) was born. (1884-1951)
The Yankees had acquired P Harry Ables in 1911, after he had turned in as good a season as a pitcher could wish for, by going 22-11 with a 1.75 ERA for the AA Oakland Oaks (PCL). Harry went 0-1 in 3 games for the 1911 Yankees. Harry would spend the rest of his baseball career pitching in the minor leagues.
1887- Former Yankees Pitcher Ray Fisher (1910-1917) was born. (1887-1982)
Ray Fisher would post a 76-68 record in 219 games for the Yankees before being sent to the Reds. His best Yankees season was in 1915, when he went 18-11. In 1921, the Reds had cut Ray Fisher's salary by $1,000. Rather than take the pay cut, Fisher asked for his player release, then he quit to coach baseball at the Univ. of Michigan, when the Reds wouldn't release him. For this offense, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis had banned Ray Fisher from organized baseball. In 1980, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn would reinstate him back into baseball. In 1951, Fisher was one of a number of baseball figures, who had testified before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Study of Monopoly Power in its investigation of MLB's business practices. His testimony focused primarily on the circumstances surrounding his leaving the Reds to take the college baseball coaching position at Michigan with his subsequent blacklisting by the Commissioner Landis.
Ray Fisher would coach Michigan for 38 years (1921-1958) winning 9 Big 10 Conference titles outright, while sharing 4 more. His 1953 team had won the College World Series. Shortly before his death he was honored at Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium. Prior to his death, he was the oldest-living former player of the Yankees and Reds franchises.
1910- Former Yankees INF (1932-1948) and MLB Coach (1949-1970) Frank “The Crow” Crosetti was born. (1910-2002)
On August 23,1929, Shortstop Frank Crosetti was traded by the AA San Francisco Seals (PCL) to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later and 3 players. The Yankees sent Reserve INF Julie Wera (1931) to the Seals to complete the trade. Frank was a Yankees regular INF for 13 years and part-timer for 4 seasons. Frank hit more than 20 doubles 7 times and scored more than 70 runs in 7 seasons. He was a 1936-1937 AL All Star team member. Frank finished his Yankees playing career in 1948 with .245 BA with 98 HRs, 260 doubles, 65 triples and 649 RBIs in 1,682 games. Crosetti appeared in 7 World Series for the Yankees, hitting just .174 with 1 HR and 11 RBIs in 29 games. He was the longtime Yankees MLB 3B coach from 1947-1967. Also, he had coached for the AL expansion team, the Seattle Pilots and the Twins before retiring from baseball.
1922- For the 1st time, the entire World Series will be broadcast over the radio. Sportswriter Garland Rice does the announcing of the New York Giants-Yankees game for radio station WJZ in Newark, NJ, whose signal is relayed to WGY in Schenectady, NY.
1928- In Game 1 of the 1928 World Series between the Yankees and Cardinals is a swift execution before 61,425 fans at Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth has a single and double and scored 2 runs, once on Bob Meusel's 4th-inning HR, while 1B Lou Gehrig is 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs off of Cardinals hurler Bill Sherdel. Yankees Starter Waite Hoyt sets the Cardinals down with 3-hits with a solo HR by Jim Bottomley in the 7th inning for a 4-1 victory.
1939- The 1939 World Series begins at Yankee Stadium with a crowd of 58,451 fans watching the Reds playing their 1st Series since the infamous 1919 match-up against the White Sox. With the Yankees as heavy favorites, the game is tied 1-1 until the last of the 9th inning; when Yankees Bill Dickey singles home the winning run, making Yankees Starter Red Ruffing the winner. While Derringer takes the complete game loss for the Reds.
1942- In Game 4 of the 1942 World Series played at Yankee Stadium before 69,902 fans, the Cardinals get 6 runs in the 4th inning, but the Yankees tie the game with 5 runs in the 6th inning. St. Louis scores 3 more runs to win the game by the score of 9-6 in a 22-hit game. Max Lanier picks-up the win, while Atley “Swampy” Donald takes the loss in relief for the Yankees. Yankees Charlie Keller hits the only HR in the game.
1947- At Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Yankees Starter Frank “Spec” Shea throws a 4-hitter, as he helps his own cause at the plate by hitting 2 singles, the Yankees win the game by a score of 2-1 over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1947 World Series. A HR by Joe DiMaggio in the 5th inning is the winning margin for the Yankees.
1950- Phillies Relief ace Jim Konstanty starts and loses Game 1 of the 1950 World Series to Yankees Starter Vic Raschi by the score of 1-0. Yankees INF Bobby Brown hit a double and scored the lone run on 2 long flies.
1951- In the opening game of the 1951 World Series, Monte Irvin stole home in the 1st inning and collected 4 hits. The Giants would defeat Yankees Starter Allie Reynolds by the score of 5-1 with Giants Starter Dave Koslo pitching a complete game at Yankee Stadium. Monte Irvin, Hank Thompson and Willie Mays of the Giants became the 1st all-black MLB Outfield to play in a World Series game.
1952- At Yankee Stadium, before a crowd of 71,787 fans Bronx veteran Starter Allie Reynolds shutouts the Dodgers by the score of 2-0. Bronx Bomber 1B Johnny Mize hits a HR in the 4th inning for the Yankees. Starter Joe Black takes the loss for the Dodgers.
1953- At Ebbet’s field, Mickey Mantle’s 3rd inning Grand Slam HR off of Dodgers Ace Johnny Podres leads the Yankees to an 11-7 win, giving the Bronx Bombers a 3-2 games lead in the 1953 World Series. Also, Yankees hitters Gene Woodling, Gil McDougald and Billy Martin would hit HRs in the game.
1955- "Next Year” finally comes to Brooklyn as the Dodgers win by the score of 2-0 the 1955 World Series behind the pitching of Starter Johnny Podres at Yankee Stadium. Yankees starter Tommy Byrne takes the loss.
1958- In Game 3 of the 1958 World Series at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 71,599 fans see Yankees Starter Don Larsen and Closer Ryne Duren combine for a shutout as the Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 4-0 over the Braves. Yankees Slugger Hank Bauer accounts for all Yankee 4 runs, including a 2-run HR in the 7th inning.
1960- Former Yankees Pitcher Jack Warhop (1908-1915) passed away. (1884-1960)
Jack Warhop had pitched for some poor Yankee teams (1908-1915), while posting a 69-93 career record with a 3.12 ERA in 221 games. His best Yankees season was in 1910, posting a 14-14 record with a 2.64 ERA in 37 games.
1961- At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 62,397 fans see Yankees Starter Whitey Ford's 3rd straight World Series shutout along with Bomber HRs by Elston Howard and Bill Skowron, gives the Yankees a 2-0 win in Game 1 against the Reds. Starter Jim O’Toole takes the loss for the Reds. Ford continues his chase of Babe Ruth’s World Series pitching record of 29 2/3 innings of shutout baseball.
1962- In the opener of the 1962 World Series at Candlestick Park, Whitey Ford's record scoreless inning streak ends at 33 2/3 innings, when a surprising squeeze play by Giants batter Jose Pagan brings Giants base runner Willie Mays home. The 1st World Series game played in San Francisco draws a crowd of 43,852 fans. The Yankees would beat the Giants by the score of 6-2, the last win of a record 10 World Series victories for Whitey Ford. Yankees 3B Clete Boyer hits a HR for the Bronx Bombers
1972- Yankees' Pitcher Larry Gowell hits a double in his only MLB career at-bat. This is the last hit by an AL pitcher before the league adopts the DH rule for 1973 season. The Yankees would lose to the Brewers by the score of 1-0.
1978- The Royals notch 16 hits off of 3 Yankees pitchers (Starter Ed Figueroa, Relievers Richard Tidrow and Sparky Lyle) to even the 1978 ALCS with a 10-4 triumph. A 2-run HR by Royals shortstop Freddie Patek seals the victory. Royals starter Larry Gura picks up the victory.
1980-The Yankees would clinch their 4th AL East title in 5 seasons beating the Tigers by the score of 5-2 in the 1st game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Reggie Jackson hits his 41st HR of the 1980 AL season. Reggie will share the 1980 AL HR crown with Brewers slugger Ben Oglivie. Yankees Starter Rudy May picks up the victory for the team, finishing the 1980 AL season with a 15-5 record. Yankees Closer Rich Gossage records his 33 save of the season. In the 2nd game, the Tigers would beat the Yankees by the score of 7-6, with Dave Tobik picking up 1st win of the season. Mike Griffin takes the loss for the Yankees, dropping his 1980 AL season pitching record to 2-4. Yankees Catcher Brad Gulden hits his 1st HR of the season.
1995- The Yankees Jim Leyritz hits a dramatic 2-run HR in the 15th inning to give the Yankees a dramatic victory and a 2-games-to-none ALDS lead over the Mariners.
1996- The Yankees score twice in the 9th inning to defeat the Rangers by the score of 2-1, despite Juan Gonzalez's 4th HR of their ALDS. The Yankees take a 2-1 lead in the ALD series.
1997- The Yankees go a game up on Indians with a 6-1 victory behind a 5-hitter by Starter David Wells. Yankees RF Paul O'Neill hits a 4th-inning Grand Slam HR, driving in 4 of the 5 Yankees runs.
1998- Former Yankees Pitcher Lee Grissom (1940) passed away. (1907-1998)
On January 4,1940, Lee Grissom was traded by the Reds to the Yankees for P Joe Beggs. Lee posted a 0-0 mark in 5 games for the 1940 Yankees before being selected off of waivers on May 15, 1940 by the Dodgers from the Yankees, who assigned him to the AA Montreal Royals (IL).
2000- The Yankees even their ALDS with Oakland at 1 game apiece with a 4-0-shutout victory. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte holds the A’s scoreless for 7 2/3 innings for the victory.
2002- The Yankees blow a 6-1 lead as the Angels bounce back for a 9-6 victory and 2 games to 2 lead in their ALDS. Tim Salmon and Adam Kennedy hit HRs for Anaheim, while rookie hurler Francisco Rodriguez again gets the victory in relief.
2005- Yankees starter Mike Mussina pitched scoreless ball into the 6th inning, rookie 2B Robinson Cano lined a 3-run double in the 1st inning as the Yankees defeated Angels starter Bartolo Colon by the score of 4-2 in Game 1 of their ALDS.
2007- Former Yankees Pitcher Don Nottebart (1969) was passed away. (1936-2007)
On October 21,1968, veteran MLB Reliever Don Nottebart was purchased by the Yankees from the Reds. Don would only appear in 4 games for the 1969 Yankees with no record before being returned to the Reds on April 26,1969. During his 10-season MLB pitching career, Don had pitched for the Braves, Colt 45s., Reds (Twice), Yankees before finishing up his MLB pitching career with the 1969 Cubs
2009- The Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez sets an AL record with 7 RBIs in the 6th inning of the Yankees' 10-2 win over the Rays, with HRs off of hurlers Wade Davis and Andy Sonnanstine - the 2nd a Grand Slam HR. The Yankees complete the 2009 AL season with 243 HRs, a franchise record.
2011- The Yankees tie their ALDS with Detroit at 2 games each with a 10-1 rout at Comerica Park. Due to the suspension of Game 1, which cost the 2 teams an off day the Yankees have to start the unpredictable veteran starter A.J. Burnett against Tigers starter Rick Porcello, but he responds with a solid performance. Burnett gives up a run in 5 2/3 innings after issuing 3 walks in the 1st inning. Yankees put the game away by beating up Tiger's bullpen for 6-runs in the 8th-inning.
2019- Game 1 of the 2019 ALDS between the Twins and Yankees features 15 runs, 5 HRs and 13 pitchers - and a familiar result as the Bronx Bombers beat the Twins for the 11th straight time in a AL Postseason confrontation by the score of 10-4. All 5 HRs hit in the game- 3 by the Twins - are solo HR shots, but the deciding blows are a pair of doubles with the bases loaded, 1 by Gleyber Torres off of Twins Reliever Tyler Duffey in the 5th that scores 2 runs and another by D.J. LeMahieu off of Twins Reliever Kyle Gibson that clears the bases in the 7th inning.
2021- Former Yankees 1B/PH and MLB Baseball Executive Eddie Robinson (1954-1956) passed way at age of 100. (1920-2021)
On December 16,1953, veteran 1B Eddie Robinson was traded by A’s along with 3B Loren Babe, Starter Harry Byrd, Outfielders Tom Hamilton and Carmen Mauro to the Yankees for 1B Don Bollweg, Minor League 3B Jim Finigan, P Johnny Gray, Minor League Star 1B/OF Vic Power, OF Bill Renna and Minor League C Jim Robertson. Veteran power-hitter Eddie Robinson had hit 145 HRs in 9 AL seasons before joining the Yankees in 1954. Eddie was acquired by the Yankees to replace the retiring 1B/PH Johnny “Big Cat” Mize. He will hit .261 with 3 HRs and 27 RBIs in 85 games for the 1954 Yankees, while leading the AL with 15 Pinch-Hits. Overall, for the Yankees, Eddie would hit .230 along with 24 HRs and 80 RBIs in 199 games. In the 1955 World Series, he would hit .667 against the Dodgers. On June 14,1956, he was traded by the Yankees along with OF Lou Skizas to the Kansas City for Minor League P Moe Burtschy, OF Bill Renna and Cash. Eddie would retire as an active player after the 1957 AL season had ended. Robinson eventually became the Field Director for the Orioles in 1961. Next, he would move to the NL expansion team, the Houston Colt .45s as their Assistant GM in 1962. In 1964, he would become the club's Farm Director. In 1976, he was Kansas City's Director of Player Development. During that time, he became the subject of media and fan criticism for limiting young prospects to a pitch count of 100 pitches. Then Robinson was with the 1968-1972 Braves as their Farm Director. Next, he would become the team General Manager from 1973 to 1976. During his GM tenure with the Braves, he would trade Hank Aaron to the Brewers. Robinson would join the Rangers front office as their GM from 1977 to 1982, bringing in such MLB players as Buddy Bell, Mickey Rivers, Fergie Jenkins and Charlie Hough to help improve the club. In the 1990s, he was Assistant Coordinator of Scouting for the Yankees. Also, Eddie had scouted for various other MLB clubs over the years.
October 5th
1895- Former Yankees OF/3B Norman “Bub” McMillian (1922) was born. (1895-1969)
Norm McMillan made his MLB player debut batting cleanup on 1922 Opening Day for the defending AL Champion Yankees. He was replacing Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth who had been suspended by MLB Commissioner Judge Landis for barnstorming after the 1921 World Series. McMillian hit .256 in 33 games for the 1922 Yankees. On January 30,1923, McMillian was traded by the Yankees along with P George Murray, OF Camp Skinner and $50,000 to the Red Sox for P Herb Pennock.
1908- Veteran NL pitcher King Brady makes his only AL appearance with the Red Sox, a good one shutting out the Yankees by the score of 4-0. He will return to the NL next season pitching for the Boston Doves.
1912- The Yankees win their final game at Hill Top Park by the score of 8-6, when Hal Chase hits a 3-run HR to defeat the Senators. Next season, the team will play their AL season games at the Polo Grounds. Homer Thompson, in his only MLB appearance is the catcher for New York, while pitching is his brother Tommy, becoming the 1st brother battery in AL history.
1921- The Yankees play their 1st World Series game ever beating the Giants as Yankees starter Carl Mays only needs 86 pitches to set the Giants down on 5 hits, 4 of them by Frankie Frisch, as Babe Ruth drives in the 1st run of the World Series in the opening inning of the 3-0 Yankees win. A crowd of 30,202 fans attended the opening 1921 World Series game, played at the Polo Grounds. It will be 9 games World Series and the 1st all city World Series since the 1906 MLB season.
1922- The Yankees and Giants play to a 3-3 tie in 1922 World Series, in a game called account of darkness by the Umpires. Shortstop Aaron Ward hits a HR in the 7th inning to tie the game for the Yankees. A crowd of 37,202 fans watched the 2nd Game of the 1922 World Series played at the Polo Grounds.
1926- In Game #3 of the 1926 World Series at Sportsman Park in St. Louis, Cardinals Starter Jesse Haines pitches a 5-hit shutout as the Redbirds beat the Yankees by the score of 4-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the Series. Yankees veteran starter Dutch Ruether takes the lost for the Bombers.
1928- In the 1928 World Series Game #2 at Yankee Stadium, Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig unloads a 3-run HR in the 1st inning of Game #2. Grover Cleveland Alexander, the hero of the 1926 World Series between the Yankees and the Cardinals, is driven from the game in the 3rd inning as the Bronx Bombers cruise to a 9-3 victory, to take a 2-1 Series lead. A crowd of 60,714 fans had watched the game.
1939- In Game 2 of the 1939 World Series played at Yankee Stadium, Bronx Bombers Starter Monte Pearson does not allow a base hit until 1 out in the 8th inning as he shuts out the Reds by the score of 4-0. Yankees 1B Babe Dahlgren hits a HR and double for the Bronx Bombers. A crowd of 59,791 fans attended the game. Lou Gehrig in uniform sits on the Yankees bench to watch his last World Series. He would never wear the Yankees pinstripes again on the playing field after the 1939 World Series ends on October 8th.
1941- In Game #4 of the 1941 World Series played at Ebbet’s Field, Dodgers Catcher Mickey Owens earns eternal goat’s horns by dropping 3rd strike from Reliever Hugh Casey to Yankees batter Tommy Henrich in 9th inning thereby opens the floodgates for a Yankees win with 4 unearned runs being scored in the inning. A disappointed crowd of 33,813 fans watched the Dodgers lose their game. The Yankees now have 3-1 lead in the World Series.
1941- Former Yankees 1B/OF Andy Kosco (1968) was born.
In 1959, the Tigers had signed Andy Kosco as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. In 1965, he came up to MLB with the Twins, appearing in 23 games, but he did not appear in 1965 World Series against the Dodgers for the team. On November 28,1967, Andy Kosco was drafted by the Yankees from the A’s organization in the MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He became a regular on the 1968 Yankees, playing alongside Roy White and Joe Pepitone in the Yankees outfield. Also, he was back-up at 1B for Mickey Mantle. The Yankees were expecting him to be a power-hitter, but Andy only hit .248 with 15 HRs and 59 RBIs for the team. He still hit higher than the 1968 Yankee team BA of .214. On December 4,1968, Andy was traded by the Yankees to the Dodgers for P Mike Kekich. He would later play for the Angels, Red Sox, Brewers and the Reds before retiring as an active player in 1974.
1942- At Yankee Stadium, Cardinals 3B Whitey Kurowski hits a 2-run HR in the 9th inning of Game #5, giving the St. Louis, a 4-2 victory to capture the 1942 World Series in 5 games over the Yankees. Red Ruffing takes the loss for the Yankees, shortstop Phil Rizzuto hits a HR in the loss. A crowd of 69,052 fans watched the game.
1947- At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 74,065 fans watched Dodgers LF Al Gionfriddo make a spectacular catch and robs Joe DiMaggio of a game-tying HR in Game #6 of the World Series. The Dodgers would beat the Yankees by a score of 8-6. Dodgers hurler Ralph Branca picks up the win, while Yankees Closer Joe Page takes the loss. It is Gionfriddo’s last MLB appearance as a player in a game. The 2 teams used a record of 38 players in the game.
1949 -In the opening game of the 1949 World Series played at Yankee Stadium, 66,224 fans watched the Yankees edge the Dodgers by the score of 1-0 on Tommy Henrich’s lead off HR off of Dodgers starter Don Newcombe in the bottom of the 9th inning. Yankees starter Allie Reynolds throws a 2-hit complete game shutout.
1952- At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 70,536 fans watched Game #5 of the 1952 World Series, Dodgers win a 6-5 victory in 11 innings over the Yankees, when Billy Cox scores the winning run behind an RBI-double hit by Duke Snider. In the 5th inning, Yankees 1B Johnny Mize had hit a 3-run HR during the Yankees 5-run rally. Carl Erskine pitched a complete game to give the Dodgers, a 3-2 Series lead heading back to Ebbets Field. Yankees veteran reliever Johnny Sain takes the loss.
1953- Yankees 2B Billy Martin makes a record 12th hit in the 1953 World Series as the Yankees win their 5th consecutive World Championship under Manager Casey Stengel (1949-1953) with a 4-3 win over the Dodgers. Billy Martin collects his 12th Series hit, a single to center field in the bottom of the 9th inning, that gives the Yankees their 5th World Championship in a row. Carl Furillo had tied the game up in the 9th inning with a 2-run HR. Yankees Starter Whitey Ford goes 8 innings, with veteran hurler Allie Reynolds picking up his last World Series victory in relief. Clem Labine takes the loss for the Dodgers.
1956- In Game #2 of 1956 World Series at Ebbets Field, Yogi Berra becomes the 4th Yankee player to hit a Grand Slam HR in the World Series game, but the Yankees still lose the game by dropping a 6-0 lead to the Dodgers, who rally to win the game by a score of 13-8. Yankees Starter Don Larsen was knocked out of the game in 2nd inning after giving up a 3-run HR to Dodgers Slugger Duke Snider.
1960- In a portent of things to come, Bill Mazeroski's 2-run 5th-inning HR off of Yankees reliever Jim Coates is the difference as the Pirates beats the Yankees by the score of 6-4 for its 1st World Series game win since the 1925 World Series against the Senators.
1967- Former Yankees Reserve INF Rey Sanchez (1997,2005) was born.
On August 16,1997, INF Rey Sanchez was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees for Minor League player Frisco Parotte. He appeared in 38 games for the 1997 Yankees, hitting .312. In 2005, he returned to Yankees appearing in 23 games, while hitting .279.
1972- Former Yankees Reserve OF/1B/DH Aaron Guiel (2006) was born.
On July 5,2006, OF/1B/DH Aaron Guiel was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Royals. He appeared in 44 games for the 2006 Yankees, while hitting .256. Aaron batted .260 in 16 games for the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). On December 12, 2006, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees. He would play baseball in Japan for the 2007-2011 seasons, until a back injury forced him to retire from the game. He is now a Special Instructor in the Royals organization.
1977- In the opening game of the 1977 AL Playoffs. the Royals would shell Yankees starter Don Gullet for 3 HRs and win the game by a score of 7-2.
1985- At Exhibition Stadium, the Blue Jays win the AL East championship with a 5-1 win over the Yankees. Blue Jays starter Doyle Alexander pitches a complete game, allowing only 5 Yankee hits and 1 run.
1995- Former Yankees Minor League P Zack Littell was born.
Zach Littell was an 11th Round selection by the Mariners in the 2013 MLB Amateur Player Draft. On November 18, 2016, the Yankees had acquired P Zack Littell from the Mariners for Reliever James Pazos. On July 30, 2017, the Twins had acquired Minor League hurlers Zack Littell and Dietrich Enns from the Yankees in exchange for MLB starter Jaime Garcia and cash considerations. Ranked by MLB.com as the Yankees' No. 22 prospect, Littell holds a 1.87 ERA and 109/23 K/BB ratio over 115 1/3 innings this 2017 season between High- and Double-A (Tampa Yankees and Trenton Thunder). There are questions about Littell's upside, but he looks like a good get for a couple months of Garcia. His Yankees minor league pitching record at the time of trade was a 35-34 record along with a 3.24 ERA and 1 save in 62 games.
1996- Yankees CF Bernie Williams homered from each side of the plate and Cecil Fielder breaks a tie with a 7th-inning single as the Yankees beat the Rangers by a score of 6-4 to win the ALDS, 3-1 and advance to the 1996 ALCS.
1999-The Yankees would whitewash the Rangers by a score of 8-0 in Game #1 of their ALDS. Bronx starter Orlando Hernandez pitches a 2-hitter for the Yankees, while CF Bernie Williams hits a single, double and a HR, as he collects 6 RBIs in the game.
2002- The Angels shock the Yankees by scoring 8 runs in the 5th inning and going on to a 9-5 victory. This victory gives Anaheim its 1st postseason series victory ever, as they win their ALDS match-up, 3 games to 1. Shawn Wooten hit a HR for the Angels, while Catcher Jorge Posada adds a HR for the Yankees. Jarrod Washburn gets the victory for the Angels.
2007- The Indians can thank a bug infestation at Jacobs Field for helping them defeat the Yankees by the score of 2-1 in 11 innings and take a 2-0 lead in the 2007 ALDS. The bugs are at their worst in the 8th inning, when a flustered Yankees rookie reliever Joba Chamberlain gives up the tying run on a wild pitch.
2015- On the eve of the 2015 AL Wild Card Game between the Yankees and the Astros, Yankees Pitcher CC Sabathia checks himself into a rehabilitation facility to treat an alcohol dependency problem. He will miss the 2015 MLB postseason, but he explains that he owes this to his family.
2017- In 2017 ALDS action, Indians Starter Trevor Bauer muzzles the Yankees, by allowing just 2 hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings while striking out 8 Yankee batters, as the Tribe wins Game 1 of their series. A 2-run HR by Tribe hitter Jay Bruce off of Yankees Starter Sonny Gray in the 4th inning is the big blow for the Indians.
2019- The Yankees would continue their AL Postseason dominance of the Twins, by winning Game 2 of the ALDS by the score of 8-2, behind the pitching of veteran Starter Masahiro Tanaka and a Grand Slam HR by Shortstop Didi Gregorius that highlights a 7-run Yankees 3rd inning.
2020- In the 1st Series played at Petco Park in San Diego, the Yankees would blow open a close game with 5 runs in the top of the 9th, including a Grand Slam HR by Giancarlo Stanton, to secure a 9-3 win over Tampa Bay. The 2 teams combine for 7 homers, as Gerrit Cole prevails over Blake Snell.
2021- The 2021 Postseason begins with a 6-2 win by the Red Sox over the Yankees at Fenway Park in the AL Wild Card Game. Boston hitters chase Yankees Starter Gerrit Cole early with HRs by Xander Bogaerts and Kyle Schwarber, meanwhile Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi keeps the Yankees scoreless through 5 innings. A solo HR by Anthony Rizzo to lead off the 6th makes things closer, but after Aaron Judge is thrown out at the plate, the Sox would add 3 more runs over the next 2 innings to seal the win.
