This Week in Yankees History December 18th-24th Part One
December 18th
1918- The Yankees had signed OF George Halas as MLB Amateur Free Agent. A former College baseball star, he would only appear in 12 games for the Yankees, while batting only .091. He was sent down by the Yankees to the Minor Leagues to learn how to hit a curveball. Later, he would find more success in the world of Professional Football as the Team Owner and Head Coach of the NFL Chicago Bears.
1918- Red Sox OF Duffy Lewis returns from wartime service with the Navy, he is traded by the team to the Yankees. He goes along with front-line Pitchers Ernie Shore (58-33) and Dutch Leonard for 2 Pitchers: Veteran Starter Ray Caldwell (96-99 with 3.00 ERA in 248 games) and Elmer “Slim” Love (21-17 with a 3.05 ERA in 91 games, 1 save), Reserve Catcher Roxy Walters (.243 with No HRs and 49 RBIs in 243 games), Reserve OF Frank Gilhooley (.277 with 2 HRs and 55 RBIs in 250 games) and $15,000 Cash. Veteran AL Starter Dutch Leonard refused to report to the Yankees, instead he is sent to the Tigers. The Tigers had turned down a deal for Dutch Leonard on the 16th. Ernie Shore had also spent the 1918 AL season in the Navy, he would go 7-10 with a 4.39 ERA and 1 save in 34 games in 2 seasons with the 1919-1920 Yankees. The Boston Post newspaper reports, "It will take a lot to convince Boston fans that they got the best of this one."
1930- Former Yankees Minor League INF Mike Baxes was born.
Before the start of 1951 AL season, the Yankees had obtained INF Mike Baxes from the AAA San Francisco Seals (PCL) as part of a Minor League working agreement. Before the start of the 1952 AL season, the Yankees returned Mike to Seals, after their expiration of their Minor League team working agreement. On September 21,1955, he was purchased by Kansas City A’s from the Seals. On April 12,1959, he was traded along with OF Bob Martyn to the Yankees for Reserve INF Tom Carroll and Minor League OF Russ Snyder. Mike never played for the Yankees at the MLB level, instead he was sent to the AAA Richmond Virginians (IL). Also, his brother Jim had played in the MLB during the 1950’s with the Dodgers.
1930- Former Yankees 1B Bill “Moose” Skowron was born. (1930-2012)
Bill Skowron had attended Purdue Univ., as a Baseball and Football player: Halfback, Punter and Kicker for the Big 10 Football powerhouse. Prior to the start of the 1951 AL season, he was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He spent the majority of his 1st pro season with the Class B Norfolk Tars, where he led the Piedmont League with a .334 average. He had an even better season in 1952, hitting .341 for the AAA Kansas City Blues, while leading the American Association with 31 HRs and 134 RBIs. In 1952, Bill was named the Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News. Nonetheless, he was back again in the Minors with the 1953 Blues. With Kansas City, Bill was the regular 1B, while future AL Golden Glove winner 1B Vic Power would play in the outfield. Power would be later traded to the Philadelphia A’s during the 1953 MLB off-season. Reaching the MLB with Yankees in 1954, Skowron initially was platoon with veteran 1B/OF Joe Collins.
He had a very successful Rookie season, hitting .340 with a .577 slugging average with 7 HRs and 41 RBIs in 87 games. Bill will hit over .300 in his 1st 4 seasons in the MLB. He was the Yankees regular at 1B by 1956. In the fall of 1956, he hit a Grand Slam HR in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers, as his team won the Fall Classic. Starting in 1957, he began a string of 5 straight AL All-Star Game appearances. In the 1958 World Series, Skowron homered in Game 1, drove in the winning run in Game # 6; he hit a 3-run HR in Game # 7 against the Braves, as the Yankees captured another World Championship. From 1960-1962, he hit more than 20 HRs in each season for the team. Moose was 1 of 6 Yankees to hit more than 20 HRs in 1961, when he clubbed a career-high 28 HRs. He added 2 more World Series titles to his resume in 1961 and 1962. Bill “Moose” Skowron hit .296 in 12 seasons with the Yankees with 156 HRs and 672 RBI's. In 1958, he led the AL 1st Baseman in fielding. He had appeared in 7 World Series with the Yankees and 1 with the Dodgers (1963). During the winter of 1962, Bill was traded to the Dodgers for Starter Stan Williams. He didn’t hit much for the 1963 NL season for the Dodgers, appearing in 89 games while hitting just .203 with 4 HRs and 19 RBIs, but his bat came alive in the 1963 World Series against the Yankees. Skowron hit .385 in 4 games with 1 HR and 3 RBIs against his old team. “I was miserable,” he recalled in “Bombers: An Oral History of the New York Yankees,” recorded by Richard Lally. "Twelve years I was with New York, 3 in the Minors, 9 in the Majors. I loved those guys and it killed me to beat them. My uniform might have said Los Angeles, but in my heart, I was always a Yankee.” That winter Bill was sold by the Dodgers to the Senators, later he would play for the White Sox and Angels before retiring from the game in 1967. Overall. Bill Skowron had hit .282 with 211 HRs and 888 RBIs in 1,658 games. He had batted .293 with 8 HRs and 29 RBIs in 39 World Series games as a member of 5 World Champion clubs. A native of the Chicago area, Bill would work with the White Sox Community Relations Dept. for many years. He was still a very popular player with the Yankees fans on Old Timer’s Day games at Yankee Stadium.
1950- Yankees OF/1B great Tommy "Old Reliable" Henrich calls it a career as an active MLB player. He accepts an MLB Coaching position with the Yankees for the 1951 AL season. As a Yankees player, Henrich had played in 1,284 games, while hitting .282 with 183 HRs and 795 RBIs. He had appeared in 4 World Series with the Yankees, hitting .262 with 4 HRs and 8 RBIs, while playing in 21 games. He was named to the AL All-Star team 5 times during his Yankees playing career. Tommy had played for the team for 11 seasons, missing the 1943-1945 AL seasons due to wartime military service.
1958- Former Yankees Pitcher Scott Nielsen (1986,1988-1989) was born.
On February 14,1984, P Scott Nielsen was traded by the Mariners along with Minor League P Eric Parent to the Yankees for Reserve INF Larry Milbourne. In 1986, Scott went 4-4 with a 4.02 ERA in 10 games for the Yankees. On January 5,1987, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Mike Soper (Minors) to the White Sox for P Pete Filson and INF Randy Velarde. On November 12,1987, Scott was traded by the White Sox along with P Richard Dotson to the Yankees for OF/1B Dan Pasqua, P Steve Rosenberg (Minors) and C/DH/1B Mark Salas. In 1988, he went 1-2 for the team and in 1989; he posted a 1-0 mark for the Yankees. On July 10,1989, Scott was traded by the Yankees to the Mets for Reserve OF Marcus Lawton.
1968- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Hank Severeid (1926) passed away. (1891-1968)
On July 22,1926, veteran Catcher Hank Severeid was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. He had appeared in 41 games for the 1926 Yankees, while hitting .268. In the 1926 World Series against the Cardinals, he had caught in all 7 games for the Yankees, while hitting .273. He had played in the 1925 World Series with the Washington Senators.
1969- The White Sox send veteran 3B/1B Slugger Pete Ward to the Yankees for Minor League P Mickey Scott and Cash. Pete Ward was at the end of his MLB player career playing with back problems. With the 1970 Yankees, he will play 1B, while hitting .260 with 1 HR and 16 RBIs playing in 66 games. He will later become a Yankees Minor League Manager. Mickey Scott had never appeared at the MLB level with the Yankees. After his retirement as an active player, Scott would later work for the Yankees organization in various positions.
1973- The Yankees had announced the signing of Richard Williams as their 1974 Manager, precipitating a legal showdown with Oakland A’s Team Owner Charlie Finley. Two days later, AL President Joe Cronin rules that the Yankees cannot sign Williams, since he is still legally contracted with the A’s. Finley would let Williams manage again in the MLB, with the exception of the Yankees.
1986- Former Yankees Reserve 1B Chris Carter (2017) was born.
The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent veteran 1B/OF Chris Carter as a DH/1B for the 2017 AL season. Chris had hit 41 HRs for the 2016 Brewers. He was a major disappointment for the team with the bat and his glove-work at 1B. On July 10, 2017, the Yankees would release him, he had a very weak .201 BA with only 8 HRs with 26 RBIs in 62 games.
1993- Top Yankees Minor League Pitching Prospect Brien Taylor injures his shoulder in a bar fight near his home in North Carolina. The shoulder injury will require surgery that will cause Taylor to miss the entire 1994 season. Taylor, who had signed for a $1.55 million bonus in 1991, has yet to make it to the MLB. Taylor will never regain his fine pitching form; he will not appear in the MLB. The Yankees will eventually release him.
2002- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent veteran 3B Todd Zeile to a contract. He will appear in 66 games for the 2002 Yankees, while hitting just .210 with 6 HRs and 23 RBIs. On August 18, 2003, the Yankees would release Todd. He will finish the 2002 MLB season with the Expos.
2009- The Yankees had sign MLB Free Agent and former Yankees 1B/DH Nick Johnson to a 1-year contract with an option for 2011 AL season. He is expected to play DH and bat 2nd in place of MLB Free Agent Johnny Damon, whom the Yankees announced they would not seek to re-sign. Damon was seeking a multi-season contract. Nick Johnson will miss most of the 2010 AL season due to a wrist injury that required season ending surgery.
December 19th
1915- Former Yankees PH/INF Nicholas “Mickey” Witek (1949) was born. (1915-1990)
Infielder Mickey Witek was the 1939 International League Most Valuable Player, while playing for the AA Newark Bears (IL) in the Yankees Minor League system. The Giants had purchased him from the AA Newark Bears (IL). In 1940, the Giants would bring him up to the Majors. He miss the 1943-1946 NL seasons due to his military service in the Coast Guard. He would appear in 2 games for the 1949 Yankees, as a Pinch-Hitter. Overall, Mickey would play in 581 MLB games, while hitting .277 with 22 HRs and 196 RBIs. After the 1950 baseball season, Mickey would retire from baseball, after splitting the season playing at AAA level with the Seattle Rainers (PCL) and the Yankees AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA).
1930- Former Yankees Reserve OF Gordon Windhorn (1959) was born. (1930-2022)
On March 14,1957, OF Gordon Windhorn was traded along with Pitcher Eli Grba by the Red Sox to the Yankees for OF Bill Renna. In 1952, he had originally been signed by the Giants. The Yankees would send him to Minor Leagues for the 1957 season. In 1958, Gordon was playing for the AAA Denver Bears (AA), where he won the League’s Batting Crown with a .328 BA along with 10 HRs and 72 RBIs. Gordon was selected as the 1959 James P. Dawson Award for being the best Yankees Rookie in their 1959 MLB Spring Training Camp. Gordon would appear in only 7 games going 0 for 11 for the 1959 Yankees, before he was sent down to AAA Richmond (IL). On April 5,1960, Gordon was traded by the Yankees along with Minor League INF Richard Sanders to the Dodgers for veteran lefty P Fred Kipp. After being with the Dodgers, Gordon would play in the AL for the A’s and Angels, before traveling to Japan in 1964 to play for Hankyu (JPL) for 5 seasons. Overall, he had appeared in 95 MLB games, while hitting only .176 with 2 HRs and 8 RBIs.
1934- The Yankees would sell veteran Reserve OF Sammy Byrd to the Reds. Sammy was known as” Babe Ruth’s legs” as a late inning defensive replacement for the Yankees Slugger. He had played in 565 games for the 1929-1934 Yankees, while hitting .281 with 27 HRs and 155 RBI’s. He had appeared in 1 game with no hits of the 1932 World Series with the Yankees against the Cubs. Sam will play 2 seasons with the Reds before retiring from the game. Later, he will become a very successful PGA Golfer.
1943- Former Yankees OF/DH Walt "No Neck" Williams (1974-1975) was born. (1943-2016)
On April 19,1974, the Yankees had obtained OF Walt “No Neck” Williams along with Pitchers Rick Sawyer and Ed Farmer from the Indians for Reserve Catcher Gerry Moses. Walt Williams had hit .113 and .281 for the Yankees. After the 1975 AL season, the Yankees would release Walt. He went to Japan to play baseball. Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner had helped Walt get a player contact with a Japanese team.
1944- Former Yankees Pitcher Rob Gardner (1970-1972) was born.
The Twins had originally signed Pitcher Rob Gardner in 1963. The Mets in the 1964 MLB 1st Year Player Draft had selected Rob from the Twins organization. After going 4-10 with the 1965-1966 Mets, he was traded by the team to the Cubs. In 1968, the Cubs would trade him to the Indians. On June 12,1969, Gardner was traded by the Tribe to the Yankees for Minor League C John Orsino. Rob Gardner had posted a 9-5 record with a 3.19 ERA in 23 games with the Yankees between the 2 trades to the A's. He was traded for both of the older Alou brothers. Rob was 1970 Pitcher of the Year International League, while pitching for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs. He had posted a 16-5 record with a 2.53 ERA. His best Yankees season was in 1972, when he posted a 8-5 record with a 3.06 ERA in 14 starts. On April 9,1971, Gardner was traded by the Yankees along with Reliever Ron Klimkowski to the A’s for veteran OF/1B Felipe Alou. On May 26,1971, Rob was traded by Oakland back to theYankees for veteran C/1B Curt Blefary. On November 24,1972, he was traded by the Yankees along with a Player to be Named Later to A’s for veteran OF Matty Alou. The Yankees would send Reserve INF Rich McKinney on December 1,1972 to the Oakland to complete the trade. He would pitch for the A’s and Brewers, finishing up MLB career with an overall record of 14-18 with a 4.35 ERA and 2 saves in 109 games. In 1974, he would pitch in Tigers farm system at AAA level, seeing limited action, before being released by the team. He would return to the Yankees Organization in 1975, pitching for their AAA team, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL), while posting a 0-1 record with a 2.08 ERA in 10 games.
1962- Former Yankees Pitcher Clay Parker (1989-1990) was born.
On December 22,1987, P Clay Parker was traded by the Mariners along with Pitchers Lee Guetterman and Wade Taylor to the Yankees for MLB Starter Steve Trout and Reserve OF Henry Cotto. Clay had posted a 5-6 record with a 3.80 ERA in 27 games for the Yankees. On June 4,1990, Clay was traded by the Yankees along with P Lance McCullers to the Tigers for OF/DH/C Matt Nokes.
1965- Former Yankees INF John “Schoolboy” Knight (1909-1911,1913) passed away. (1885-1965).
As a 19-year-old rookie, John “Schoolboy” Knight was the regular Shortstop for the 1905 Philadelphia A’s. John would play in the MLB for 8 seasons. On August 20,1908, INF John Knight was purchased by the Yankees from AA Baltimore Orioles (IL). A weak hitter most seasons, he did have an MLB career year with the 1910 Yankees, when he hit .312 with 3 HRs and 45 RBIs in in 116 games. Playing with the Yankees for 4 seasons, John had appeared in 435 games, while hitting .267 with 6 HRs and 171 RBIs. On February 17,1912, John was traded by the team along with a Player to be Named Later to the Senators for C/1B Gabby Street. The Yankees would send C/1B Rip Williams on February 22,1912 to the Senators to complete the trade. On July 7,1913, John was traded by the AA Jersey City Skeeters (IL) to the Yankees for 1B Babe Borton and Cash. John would hit .237 with No HRs and 24 RBIs in 70 games for 1913 Yankees. On December 8,1913, John was purchased by AA Toledo Mud Hens (AA) from the Yankees.
1970- Former Yankees Minor League C and Minor League Coach Tom Wilson was born.
On June 4,1990, Catcher Tom Wilson was selected by the Yankees in the 23rd round of the 1990 MLB Amateur Player Draft. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On April 6,1996, he was traded by the Yankees to the Indians for 2 Minor League players: Marc Marini and Ryan Martindale. In 1997 and 1999, he would rejoin the Yankees organization; he would play for the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). In 2007, he was a Yankees Minor League Coach for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL.) In 2016, he was a Coach with AAA Scranton (IL).
1974- The race to sign MLB Free Agent All-Star Starter Catfish Hunter begins in the law offices of Cherry, Cherry & Flythe in Ahoskie, North Carolina. The Yankees and Red Sox Representatives are the 1st MLB Teams arrivals. On December 31st, Catfish Hunter will sign with the Yankees.
1978- Former Yankee Reserve INF Andy Cannizaro (2006) was born.
The Yankees had selected INF Andy Cannizaro in the 7th round of the 2001 MLB Amateur Player Draft. They had assigned him to the short-season Class A Staten Island Yankees, where he batted .283, but he only stole 5 bases in 8 tries, while grounding into 15 double plays, the most in the NYPL. Then he moved up to the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), where he hit .249, then followed with a .276 season for the AA Trenton Thunder (EL). In 2004, Cannizaro returned to AA Trenton, where he improved his batting to .314. He would split 2005 Minor League season between the AA Thunder (.248) and the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL) hitting .253. In 2006, he had a .276 BA with 32 doubles for the AAA Clippers. Andy made his MLB Player debut with the 2007 Yankees by going 2 for 8 (.250) with 1 HR with 5 runs as a Pinch-Hitter and Pinch-Runner. In the fall of 2007, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency. He was signed by the Tampa Bay organization. He would appear in 1 game with the 2008 Rays. Also, he has played in the Indians and White Sox organizations before retiring as an active player. Cannizaro was an MLB Scout for the Yankees in the South for 5 years. Then he was an Assistant Coach at Louisiana St. Univ. from 2014-2016. Andy would replace John Cohen as Head Baseball Coach at Mississippi St. Univ., when Cohen was promoted to Athletic Director.
1979- Former Yankees Reliever Rafael Soriano (2011-2012) was born.
On January 18, 2011, the Yankees had signed Reliever Rafael Soriano as an MLB Free Agent. He had been a Closer for the 2010 Rays. He had made the 2010 AL All-Star team. Soriano signed a long-term deal with the Yankees before the start of the 2011 season. He knew of course that he would not be the Closer there, since the great Mariano Rivera had a stranglehold on the job. But Mariano was already into his 40’s, and his heir apparent Joba Chamberlain was struggling with injuries, so there was a possibility to install himself as the set-up man and insurance policy in case something happened to Mo. It was not the case in 2011, as Mariano was his usual outstanding self, and Soriano in turn struggled in his 1st season in the Bronx. His ERA shot up to 4.12 - the worst since his MLB Rookie season, not counting the 3 1/3 innings, he pitched while injured in 2004. He struggled with his health again, being limited to only 42 games; he only struck out 36 batters in 39 1/3 innings. While he was injured or struggling, young David Robinson passed him on the Yankees bullpen depth chart. In the 2011 ALDS, he would pitch 3 times and only gave up a 1 hit in 4 2/3 innings against the Tigers; however, that hit was a solo HR by Delmon Young in the 7th inning of Game 3 on October 3rd, which broke a 4-4 tie and that handed him the loss.
He began 2012 season as the 7th-inning specialist in the Yankees bullpen, pitching much well than in his 1st season. When the unthinkable happened, Mo Rivera went down with a season-ending ankle injury in early May, it was Robertson, who stepped into the breach. He quickly earned the save in his 1st outing as the Closer, and it seemed that he was about to grab onto the position for years to come, but everything unraveled quickly: he blew his next save opportunity, then felt pain in his ribs in his next game, being forced onto the DL. Rafael then took over the top job, he quickly asserted himself by converting his 1st 2 save opportunities. He never slowed down, registering his 40th save of the season against his former team, the Rays on September 16th, in the heat of the 2012 AL Pennant race, to reach the mark for the 2nd time of his MLB Pitching career. He finished the 2012 season with 42 savers, 3rd in the AL behind Jim Johnson and Fernando Rodney, with an outstanding 2.26 ERA. He did not allow a run in 4 1/3 innings in the 2012 MLB Postseason, but the Yankees were unable to give him any leads to protect either. After the season ended, he decided to opt out of the final year of his Yankees MLB player contract, wanting to cash in on his excellent season by obtaining a long-term deal from an MLB team that would guarantee him a spot as the Team Closer.
1983- The Yankees had traded Minor League P Mike Browning to the Angels for P Curt Brown. In 1983, Curt Brown had appeared in 10 games as a Reliever for the Angels, while posting a 1-1 record with a 7.31 ERA. He will go 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 13 games the 1984 Yankees. Mike Browning was a Minor League Pitcher, who went 5-7 with the AA Nashville Sounds (SAL) and 5-1 with AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). He never appears in the MLB with the Angels.
1986- The Yankees had traded veteran MLB Catcher Butch Wynegar to Angels for P Ron Romanick and a Player to be Named Later. Butch Wynegar had played for the team for 4 ½ seasons, while hitting .259 with 27 HRs and 128 RBIs in 449 games. He had suffered from mental medical issues during the 1986 AL season, which cause him to leave the team on July 31,1985, which lead to his placement on the Restricted List and losing his MLB Players pay. In turn, Butch sued the team, the Yankees Front Office worked out a deal to settle the medical issues. Ron Romanick had split time between the AAA Edmonton Trappers (PCL) going 5-8 and with the Angels, where he went 2-3. He never appears in the MLB with the Yankees. The Player to be Named later was Minor League P Alan Mills, who was assigned to the Yankees Class A team, the Prince William Cannons (CL).
1991- Yankees veteran Reliever Steve Howe is arrested in Montana on a charge of possession of cocaine. Howe has been suspended by the MLB 5 times for Drug and Alcohol problems.
2002 The Japan's most heralded player, 28-year-old OF Slugger Hideki Matsui (.334, 50 HRs, 107 RBIs), reaches a preliminary agreement with the Yankees on a $21 million, 3-year contract. "Godzilla" the 3-time MVP of Japan's Central League, had rejected the Yomiuri Giant's $33 million, 4-year offer opting to play for the Yankees. He will play for the Yankees 2003-2009. Matsui appeared in 916 games, while hitting 140 HR’s and 597 RBIs with a Yankee career BA of .290. In 2003-2004, he was named to the AL All-Star team. In 2005, he hit .305 for the Yankees. He was named the 2009 MLB World Series MVP for hitting .615 (8 for 13) with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs against the Phillies. In 2 World Series with the Yankees, Matsui finished with a .389 BA with 4 HR’s and 12 RBI’s. In 6 ALDS, he would hit .261 with 3 HR’s and 10 RBI’s. In 3 ALCS, Matsui had hit .333 (10 for 81) with 2 HR’s and 17 RBI’s. After the 2009 World Series, Matsui left the Yankees to sign an MLB Free Agent contract worth 6.5 million dollars with the Angels.
2003- Former Yankees Minor League OF Carmen Mauro passed away. (1926-2003)
In a 10-player trade made on December 16, 1953, the Yankees would send Minor League 1B/OF Vic Power, 3B Jimmy Finigan, 1B Don Bollweg, OF Bill Renna, C Jim Robertson and P John Gray to the Philadelphia A's. They would send veteran 1B/PH Eddie Robinson, INF Loren Babe, Starter Harry Byrd, Outfielders Tom Hamilton and Carmen Mauro to the Yankees. Carmen never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. He was assigned by the Yankees to their AAA club, the Kansas City Blues (AA). He would spend the next 5 seasons in the Minor Leagues. Mauro would retire from pro baseball in 1958.
2008- Former Yankees Pitcher Dock Ellis (1976-1977) passed away. (1945-2008)
On December 11,1975, veteran NL Starter Dock Ellis was traded by the Pirates along with P Ken Brett and Minor League 2B Willie Randolph to the Yankees for MLB Starter George “Doc” Medich. Dock went 17-8 with the 1976 Yankees. In 1977, he was 1-1 with a 1.83 ERA in 3 starts when on April 27,1977, Dock was traded by the Yankees along with Rookie OF Larry Murray and veteran Reserve INF Marty Perez to Oakland for veteran Starter Mike Torrez, who would go 14-12 for the 1977 Yankees. Doc Ellis would go 1-5 with 9.69 ERA in 7 games with the A’s. On June 15,1977, Doc Ellis was purchased by the Rangers from the A’s, he will go 10-6 with a 2.90 ERA in 23 games for the team.
2014-The Yankees had traded INF Martin Prado and P David Phelps to the Marlins in exchange for P Nathan Eovaldi and 1B/OF Garrett Jones. The Bronx Bombers will also get Minor-League P Domingo German in the deal as well; also, the Yankees will send $6 Million to Miami to offset part of Prado's MLB player salary.
2014- The Dodgers end the Yankees' 15-year streak of owning MLB's biggest payroll. When the luxury tax calculations are in for the year, the Dodgers owe $26.6 million, based on a payroll of $257 million. The Yankees also need to pay the tax levied on payrolls above $189 million, and their bill is $18.3 million, down from $28 million in 2013.
2014- The Yankees had acquired P Gonzalez Germen from the Mets in exchange for Cash considerations. Germen, 27, did not record a decision in 25 relief appearances with the 2014 Mets, while posting a 4.75 ERA (30.1IP, 16ER). Also, he had spent time with the Mets AAA club, Las Vegas (PCL), going 3-1 with 6 saves and a 2.38 ERA (22.2IP, 6ER) in 18 appearances out of the bullpen. To make room for Germen on the Yankees 40-man roster, P Preston Claiborne was DFA.
2017- For the 4th straight year, the Dodgers are assessed the largest luxury tax payment in MLB, while the Yankees have to make a payment for the 15th straight year - in spite of going through a successful youth movement before the season. Los Angeles will have to pay $36.2 million and New York $15.7 million. Three other teams are assessed much smaller amounts
2019- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Starter Gerrit Cole to a 324 Million-Dollar player contract. He had posted a 20-5 record with a 3.50 ERA in 33 games for the 2019 Astros. Gerrit posted a 1-1 record with a 3.86 ERA in 2 games against the Nationals in the 2019 World Series. Cole has an MLB Pitching career record of 94-52 with a 3.22 ERA in 192 games with the Pirates and Astros (2013-2019). He will become the 2020 Yankees No. 1 Starter.
2019- The Players Association files a grievance on behalf of Yankees Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who was released earlier this month with 2 years remaining on a $153 million contract signed before the 2014 AL season, The Yankees are trying to void the contract, claiming that Ellsbury underwent unauthorized medical treatment, whereas the Association claims that this is simply a ploy to circumvent what was a guaranteed contract. The dispute is likely headed to arbitration
December 20th
1876- Former Yankees 2B James “Buttons” Williams (1903-1907) was born. (1876-1965)
Before the start of 1901 AL Season, 2B James Williams had jumped from the NL Pirates to the AL Baltimore Orioles (pre-Highlanders). Jimmy would play with the Yankees from 1903 to 1907. While not as good as he had been in previous seasons, he had led the Yankees in slugging percentage in 1903. He was in the top 10 in the AL in HRs in 1905-1906 and in RBIs during the 1903-1904 and 1906-1907 AL seasons. Overall, he had played in 940 games with the team, while hitting .277 with 15 HRs and 356 RBIs. On November 5,1907, he was traded by the Yankees along with INF Hobe Ferris and OF Danny Hoffman to the St. Louis Browns for P Fred Glade, OF Charlie Hemphill and 2B Harry Niles. He would finish out his MLB playing career with the 1908-1909 Browns. From 1910-1915, he would play in the Minor Leagues for the AA Minneapolis Millers (AA), while hitting over .300 twice.
1881- Former Yankees (1907), MLB Catcher and Manager, HOF Baseball Executive Wesley “Branch” Rickey was born. (1881-1965)
On February 28,1907, Catcher Branch Rickey was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for INF Joe Yeager. Branch playing with a bad shoulder, he would appear in 52 games, hitting just .182 with No HRs and 15 RBIs for the 1907 Yankees. When he left the MLB in 1907,&nbs****ey returned to college to earn a Law degree. Rickey was the head coach at OWU in 1903-1904 and 1907-1909. While working on his degree at the Univ. of Michigan, Rickey would also serve as that University's Head Baseball Coach. In 1913, Rickey returned to the Browns, this time as a Baseball Executive. He served as Manager at the end of the 1913 AL season. The Browns crept out of the cellar under Rickey in 1914 and 1915; but they remained in the AL 2nd division. Rickey's most important contribution to the team was probably his signing of George Sisler, a former player for Rickey at Michigan, who had been declared an MLB Free Agent because of irregularities in his initial MLB signing. From 1916-1918, Rickey was out of baseball, as he served in the military during World War I. He returned to St. Louis in 1919, this time with the Cardinals. As the Team President and Manager, Rickey brought the team to its 1st sustained success in over 30 years; the 1921 and 1922 teams were the 1st since the 1890 and 1891 versions to finish with winning records in consecutive NL seasons. In 1925, he was replaced as the team’s Manager by the Cardinals Team Owner. He became strictly a Baseball Executive. Rickey was the creator of the Minor League Farm System in the 1930’s, while working for the Cardinals. Then in 1947, his MLB contract signing of Negro League Star 2B Jackie Robinson with the Dodgers to break the MLB Color Player barrier. Then, he would work for the Pirates Front Office in the early 1950’s. In 1959, he tried to start a 3rd MLB League called the Continental League, forcing the AL and NL to new teams’ expansion in 1961 and 1962. He would finish his MLB Executive career as a Special Advisor to the Cardinals. In 1965, he would suffer a fatal heart attack. In 1967, Branch Rickey was elected as a Baseball Executive to the Hall of Fame.
1885- Former Yankees INF/OF Charles “Paddy” John Baumann (1915-1917) was born. (1885-1969)
On March 3, 1915, INF/OF Charles “Paddy’” John Baumann was sent from the AA Providence Grays (IL) to the Yankees in an unknown transaction. He had played for the 1911-1914 Tigers, while hitting .272 with 1 HR and 40 RBIs in 95 games, while splitting playing with the AA Grays. Charles “Paddy” Bauman would hit .276 with 3 HRs and 61 RBIs in 204 games for the 1915-1917 Yankees. Paddy would play in the Minor Leagues from 1917 to 1928, before retiring from the game at the age of 42.
1888- Former Yankees Reserve 1B and MLB Coach Fred “Bonehead” Merkle (1925-1926) was born. (1888-1956)
On June 17,1925, veteran MLB 1B Fred Merkle was purchased by the Yankees from the AA Rochester Tribe (IL) for $6,000. Fred Merkle had played in the MLB for 16 seasons with the 1907-1916 Giants, 1917-1920 Cubs, 1916-1917 Dodgers and the 1925-1926 Yankees. He had appeared in 1,638 MLB games, while hitting .273 with 61 HRs and 740 RBIs. Fred was at the end of his fine MLB playing career, when he joined the Yankees; he had played in the Minor Leagues with AA Rochester (IL) from 1921-1925. He would appear in only 8 games for the Yankees, while hitting .333. He would become a Yankees MLB Coach for the 1925-1926 AL seasons. He had played in 5 World Series with the Giants, Dodgers and the Cubs, hitting .239 with 1 HR and 9 RBIs in 27 games. Fred was nicknamed for a play he made in his 1907 Rookie season with the Giants. It was known as the “Merkle Bonehead play” something that happened when he was a Rookie in the heat of the 1908 NL Pennant race (the "mistake" he committed was one that had typically been overlooked by Umpires till Johnny Evers warned the umps that he would insist on compliance in the future). Although he was called "bonehead" in the press for the remainder of his MLB Playing career, his teammates consistently described Merkle as one of the smartest players that they knew and the only player who Giants Manager John McGraw would consult on matters of strategy. He managed the AA Reading Keystones (IL) for part of 1927 season. In 1953, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
1899- Former Yankees Pitcher George Pipgras (1923-1924,1927-1933) and AL Umpire (1939-1946) was born. (1899-1986)
On January 3,1923, P George Pipgras was traded by the Red Sox along with OF Harvey Hendrick to the Yankees for Catcher Al DeVormer and Cash. George post a 93-64 record with a 4.04 ERA in 247 games for the Yankees. He threw 84 complete games along with 13 shutouts as a Yankees Starter. George’s best season as a Yankee Starter was in 1928, when he posted a 24-13 record with 3.38 ERA along with 22 complete games in 48 games. Pipgras had appeared in 3 World Series (1927-1928,1932) for the Yankees, while posting a 3-0 record with a 2.77 ERA. On May 12,1933, George was purchased by the Red Sox from the Yankees for $100,000 Cash. He went 9-9 in 26 games for Boston, before retiring as an active player in the winter of 1935. He was a Minor League Umpire in the NY-Penn League in 1936-1937; then George would work in the Eastern League in 1938. George Pipgras became an AL Umpire from 1939 to 1946. Afterwards, he was an MLB Scout and instructed Umpires.
1903- In an unpopular trade in Boston, the Pilgrims (aka Red Sox) send Starter Long Tom Hughes to the Highlanders for lefty hurler Jesse Tannehill, who was 15-15 for the 1903 Yankees. Hughes had posted a 20-7 record for the 1903 AL Champs; he had jumped to the AL from the NL Chicago team in 1902. Hughes will come up short in the Bronx, going 7-11 with a 3.70 ERA in 19 games. He will be shipped to the Senators for veteran hurler Al Orth in July. Meanwhile Jesse Tannehill will win 20 games for the 1904 Pilgrims (aka the Red Sox). Jesse will finish his MLB Pitching career with a 132-73 record.
1921- The Yankees GM Edward Barrow raided his old team the Red Sox again; when he came away with Starting Pitchers Bullet Joe Bush (16-9), Sad Sam Jones (23-16) and Shortstop Everett ”Deacon” Scott (.246 with 7 HRs and 349 RBIs in 1,096 consecutive games played) in exchange for Team Captain and Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh (.257 with 36 HRs and 428 RBIs in 1,219 games) who later goes on to the Senators that winter to the Senators, 3 Pitchers: Veteran hurler Jack Quinn (8-7 with a 3.78 ERA in 33 games), Starter Rip Collins (25-13 with a 4.16 ERA and 1 save in 64 games), Bill Piercy (5-5 with 2.98 ERA in 15 games) and $50,000 Cash.
1928- The Yankees had released veteran Reserve INF Mike Gazella. He had played in 162 games as a Reserve INF for the1923,1926-1928 Yankees; while hitting .241 with No HRs and 56 RBIs. He would appear in 1 game with no hits for the team in the 1926 World Series against the Cardinals. Mike would continue to play in the Minor Leagues from 1930-1939. He was a Minor League Manager from 1935-1949 seasons for the White Sox, Yankees and the Braves organizations before retiring from baseball.
1940- Former Yankees Pitcher Thad Tillotson (1967-1968) was born. (1940-2012)
In 1960, the Dodgers had signed P Thad Tillotson as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He never appeared with the Dodgers at the MLB level. After being obtained from the Dodgers for veteran MLB INF Richard “Ducky” Schofield on September 10,1966, he went 4-9 with 4.56 ERA in 50 games for the Yankees. He had spent 1967 and part of 1968 AL seasons with the Yankees. Also, he was also with their AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL) from 1968 to 1970, posting a winning record each season with the team. In 1971, he would pitch for Nankai in Japan Professional Baseball League, before retiring from the game.
1946- With the trade for veteran Catcher Al Lopez, the Indians would send young Catcher Sherman Lollar and Veteran 2B Ray Mack to the Yankees for Minor League Pitchers Gene Bearden, Al Gettel and OF Hal Peck. After they acquired him from the Philadelphia A’s in June; Peck had suffered a nervous breakdown; he never would play in a game for the 1946 Yankees. Sherman Lollar will play in just 33 games as a Reserve Catcher in his 2-seasons with the club, having Gus Niarhos, Ken Silvestri, Yogi Berra and Ralph Houk ahead of him. After appearing in 1 game as a pinch-runner during the 1947 AL season, veteran 2B Ray Mack was traded to the Cubs. Gene Bearden, as a Rookie knuckle-ball pitcher in 1948, will win 20 games for the Tribe and the lead the AL in ERA. It will be his best season as an MLB Pitcher.
1949- Former Yankees OF/DH Oscar Gamble (1976,1979-1984) was born. (1949-2018)
On November 22,1975, OF Oscar Gamble was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for veteran MLB Starter Pat Dobson. Oscar hit will hit only .232 with 17 HRs and 57 RBIs in 1976. On April 5,1977, Oscar was traded by the Yankees along with 2 Minor League hurlers: Bob Polinsky, La Marr Hoyt and $200,000 Cash to the White Sox for Shortstop Bucky Dent. On August 1,1979, Oscar was traded by the Rangers along with Players to be Named Later and Minor League OF Amos Lewis to the Yankees for Players to be Named Later and veteran MLB OF Mickey Rivers. The Rangers would send Pitchers Ray Fontenot and Gene Nelson on October 8, 1979 to the Yankees to complete the trade. The Yankees will send Minor League Pitchers Bob Polinsky, Neal Mersch and Mark Softy on October 8,1979 to the Rangers to complete the trade. Oscar would hit well for the Yankees, until various injuries finally slowed him down. In 7 seasons with the Yankees, Oscar Gamble had played in 540 games; while hitting .259 with 87 HRs and 276 RBI’s. In the World Series with the Yankees, Oscar would hit .214 in 6 games. He will finish out his MLB Playing career with the 1985 White Sox. The Cubs had originally signed him as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had played for the 1969 Cubs, 1970-1972 Phillies, 1976, 1979-1984 Yankees, 1977, 1985 White Sox, 1978 Padres and the 1979 Rangers.
1954- New York Yankees Pitcher Bob Grim, who posted a 20-6 record with a 3.26 ERA and 1 save in 37 games is named AL Rookie of the Year. After spending 2 years of active duty in the Army, Bob came into to the 1954 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, as a non-roster invitee, he made the team’s pitching staff.
1966- The Yankees had acquired veteran AL Shortstop Richard Howser from the Indians for Minor League P Gil Downs and Cash. He was at the end of his fine MLB playing career because of back problems. After retiring as an active player, Howser will become a Yankees MLB Coach; later an MLB Manager for the team in 1980. Gil Downs never appeared with the Yankees or the Indians at the MLB level. The Yankees had drafted him from the White Sox organization in 1963 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft.
1965- Former Yankees Reliever AL Lyons (1944,1946-1947) passed away. (1918-1965)
Reliever Al Lyons went 1-1 with a 5.49 ERA in 19 games for the Yankees before being sold to the Pirates in 1947. Al will finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1948 Boston Braves. He didn’t make any appearances for the Braves in the 1948 World Series. Overall, he had recorded a 3-3 record with a 6.30 ERA in 30 MLB games. From 1949 to 1955, Lyons had pitched in the Pacific Coast League for various teams. During the 1956 season, he would briefly manage a Yankees Class C Minor League team, the Modesto Reds (CAL). Later, he would become a Mets MLB Scout from 1962 until his death in 1965.
1966- Former Yankees Reserve INF Edward “Doc” Stephen Farrell (1932-1933) passed away. (1901-1966)
Doc Farrell started his MLB playing career with the 1925 Giants. He would be a part of the Giants infield until he was traded along with Kent Greenfield and Hugh McQuillan to the Braves for Larry Benton, Zack Taylor and Herb Thomas on June 12,1927. In "Doc’s MLB career it would be this split season in 1927 that he would have his best year at the bat, hitting a combined .316 for the Giants and the Braves. Farrell would be in the NL through 1930 season, along with his earlier stints with the Giants and the Braves. He would be with both the Cardinals and the Cubs in 1930. "Doc" would spend 1931 season with the Los Angeles Angels (PCL) where he had by far his best season anywhere as he would appear in 185 games; he had 727 at-bats and hitting for a .327 BA with 11 HRs. Then Doc Farrell played for the 1932-1933 Yankees, where he was used at a Reserve INF, appearing in only 70 games, while hitting just .231 with No HRs and 10 RBIs. In 1934, Doc Farrell was with the Yankees AA club, the Newark Bears (IL), hitting .233 in 88 games. In 1935, he hit at a .405 clip in 17 games for the AA Bears, this ended his 3-season Minor League career with a .301 hitting average. On December 19, 1934, "Doc" was sent by the Yankees to the AA San Francisco Seals (PCL) to complete an earlier deal made on November 21,1934. The Yankees had sent Players to be Named Later and Cash to San Francisco Seals for OF Joe DiMaggio. "Doc" refused to report to his new team in 1935. He instead hooked up with the 1935 Red Sox, where he appeared in only 4 games. He apparently went into the dental profession. This move ended Doc Farrell’s pro baseball career. He had finished his 9-season playing career with a .260 BA with 10 HRs and 213 RBIs in 591 games. Farrell has the distinction of being the only player in MLB history to play for the New York Yankees and the Giants, the Boston Braves and the Red Sox.
1973- In siding with the A’s Team Owner Charley Finley, AL President Joe Cronin rules that the Yankees cannot sign the A’s former Manager Richard Williams for the 1974 AL season. The Yankees had announced a deal with the former A’s skipper 2 days earlier, that he was replacing former Yankees Manager Ralph Houk, who had resigned as Manager at the end of the 1973 AL season. The Yankees will end up signing former Pirates Manager Bill Virdon as their MLB manager for the 1974 AL season. Bill had originally signed as an Amateur player with the Yankees, but he was traded away in spring of 1954 to the Cardinals in the Enos Slaughter trade. He was a NL All-Star CF for the Cardinals and the Pirates during his MLB playing career. Ralph Houk will sign with the Tigers as their Manager for the 1974 AL season. Williams will end up managing the Angels for the 1974 AL season; after reaching an agreement with Finley to release him from his Oakland Manager’s contract that he could manage any MLB team; but not the Yankees.
1974- The Yankees had released veteran All-Star Starter Sam McDowell. After being purchased from the Giants in 1973, Sam would post a 6-10 record with a 4.20 ERA in 34 games for the Yankees. Sam was still battling drinking problems that eventually will end his MLB Pitching career. After finishing out his MLB pitching career with the Pirates by going 2-1 with a 2.83 ERA in 14 games, he would retire from the game in 1975. He had originally come up to the MLB with the 1960 Indians. As an MLB hurler, Sam had posted a 141-134 record with a 3.17 ERA in 425 games. He had led AL Pitchers in Strikeouts 5 times during his MLB Pitching career.
1984- The Yankees had traded veteran OF Steve Kemp, Shortstop Tim Foli and Cash to the Pirates for Shortstop Dale Berra, P Alfonso Pulido and Class A Minor League OF Jay Buhner. In 2 seasons with the Yankees, Steve Kemp had played in 203 games; while hitting .264 with 19 HRs and 90 RBIs. Tim Foli had hit .252 with No HRs and 16 RBIs in 61 games for the Yankees. Dale Berra was expected to platoon at 3B with Mike Pagliarulo for the 1985 AL season. He had only hit .238 with the Pirates, plus he had made 30 errors at Shortstop. Pulido would spend the 1985 season at AAA Columbus (IL). Jay Buhner would be assigned to the Yankees Class A team, the Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL).
1986- The Yankees had released veteran MLB P Bob Shirley. The team will resign him in January of 1987. Bob will post a 14-20 record with a 4.05 ERA with 5 saves in 165 games as a Yankee hurler.
1988- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent veteran Catcher Jamie Quirk. He will appear in only 13 games, hitting only .083 before being released by the Yankees on May 13,1988.
1989- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent veteran Catcher Rick Cerone. Rick had been with the 1988-1989 Red Sox. He had hit .243 with 4 HRs and 48 RBIs in 102 games with the 1989 Red Sox. He was expected to be the back-up catcher to starting Catcher Bob Geren. He will appear in only 49 games as a Reserve Catcher for the team, while hitting .302 with 2 HRs and 11 RBIs. His 1990 AL season was plagued by a knee injury, he would be released by the team at the end of the season.
1993- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent OF/DH Luis Polonia (1989-1990,1994-1995, 2000). Luis Polonia would be a Reserve OF and occasional DH for the Yankees during his 3 tours with the team. He would appear in a total of 276 games with the team, while hitting .296 with 6 HRs and 88 RBI’s.
1996- The Yankees had granted MLB Free Agency to 3 players: Pitchers Billy Brewer and Scott Kamieniecki and Reserve INF Luis Sojo.
2000- Former Yankees Minor League OF Mickey Mantle Jr. passed away. (1953-2000)
Mickey Mantle Jr. was the son of Yankees HOF OF/1B Mickey Mantle and the nephew of Ray Mantle and Roy Mantle, who both played in the Yankees Farm System in the 1950’s. He played for the 1978 Class A Alexandria Dukes, going a miserable 4 for 57 for a .070 average, along with 26 strikeouts. He had 3 walks, 3 runs, 2 RBI, no extra-base hits and no steals. In the outfield, he had fielded .947 with 1 assist in 17 games.
2003- The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Free Agent Reserve INF Homer Bush. He will appear in 4 games with no hits for the 2004 Yankees, unable to make a comeback from his various leg and hip injuries. Homer had been with the Yankees during the late 1990’s.
2004- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Starter Carl Pavano to a 4-year contract. Carl Pavano will post a 9-8 record in 26 games during his injury riddled 4-season stay with the 2005-2008 Yankees. The teams will grant him MLB Free Agency; he will sign with the Twins.
2004- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent veteran INF Tony Womack. He will hit only .249 with No HRs and 15 RBIs in 108 games for the 2005 Yankees. On December 8, 2005, he was traded by the team along with Cash to the Reds for 2 Minor League players: Infielders Benjamin Himes and Kevin Howard. After the completion of their 2005 Minor League season, both players would be released by the Yankees organization.
2007-Former Yankees Pitcher Tommy Byrne (1943,1946-1951,1954-1957) passed away. (1919-2007)
Before the start of the 1940 AL season, the Yankees MLB Scout Paul Krichell had signed Pitcher Tommy Byrne as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Tommy went 72-40 with a 3.93 ERA and 12 saves in 249 games in 10 seasons with the Yankees. He won 15 games each during the 1949 and 1950 AL seasons. Tom was named to the 1950 AL All-Star team. On June 15,1951, he was traded by the Yankees along with $25,000 Cash to the St. Louis Browns for veteran Pitcher Stubby Overmire. Tommy was re-obtained by the Yankees in September of 1954 from AAA Seattle Rainers (PCL). Tom would finish the 1954 season for the Yankees with a 3-2 record with a 2.70 ERA in 5 games, throwing 4 complete games. In 1955, he won the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award by going 16-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 27 games for the Yankees. He would pitch 2 more seasons for the team, before retiring after the 1957 World Series. Tommy appeared in 4 World Series with the Yankees, while posting a 1-1 record with a 2.53 ERA in 6 games. His overall MLB pitching record was 85-69 with a 4.11 ERA in 281 games. He pitched for the Yankees (twice), Browns, White Sox and the Senators. Tommy led the AL in walks, 3 times (1948-1951). After his baseball retirement, he would become the Mayor of Wake Forrest, NC and the Owner of the Wake Forrest, NC Country Club.
2018- The Yankees had signed 2 MLB Free Agent Pitchers: Danny Coulombe and Rex Brothers to Minor League contracts with invitations to their 2019 MLB Spring Training Camp. Both Pitchers will be assigned to AAA Scranton (IL) at the close of the 2019 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp.
December 21st
1911- Former Yankees Minor League OF Nino Bongiovanni was born. (1911-2009)
Nino Bongiovanni had played for the 1938-1939 Reds as a Reserve Outfielder. He hit .259 with No HRs and 16 RBIs in 68 games. He played in 1 game of the 1939 World Series against the Yankees with no hits. On January 27,1940, the Reds would send 2 Outfielders: Nino Bongiovanni and Frenchy Bordagaray to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made In August of 1939. On August 5,1939, the Reds sent Players to be Named Later and $40,000 Cash to the Yankees for 1B Vince DiMaggio, who was playing for the AA Kansas City Blues (AA) in the Yankees Minor League organization. Nino would play in the Yankees organization in 1941-1942 with their 2 AA teams: the Kansas City Blues (AA) and the Newark Bears (IL).
1927- After his release by the Senators, the Yankees had signed veteran MLB Starter Stan “The Silent Pole” Coveleski. Stan will post a 5-1 record with a 5.74 ERA in 12 games for the 1928 Yankees. He didn’t appear in the 1928 World Series for the Yankees. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with a 215-142 record along with a 2.88 ERA in 450 games. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1969. He had appeared in the 1920 World Series with the Indians, while posting a 3-0 record. In 1925, he appeared with the Senators, while posting a 0-2 record. Overall, Stan pitched in the MLB starting with the 1912 Philadelphia A’s, 1916-1924 Indians and the 1925-1927 Senators. He would finish up his MLB Pitching career with the 1928 Yankees, by going 5-1 with a 5.74 ERA in 12 games before being released by the team in August; when the team acquired veteran hurler Tom Zachary from the Senators.
1947- Former Yankees OF/INF Elliot Maddox (1974-1976) was born.
On March 23,1974, OF Elliot Maddox was purchased by the Yankees from the Rangers for $60,000 Cash. Elliot had played well for the Yankees in OF, replacing Bobby Mercer as the Yankees CF during the 1974 AL season, with Mercer moving to RF. He would hit .303 and .307 for the Yankees during the 1974-1975 AL seasons. During the 1975 AL season, he injured his knee, while playing on the outfield turf at Shea Stadium. With the arrival of Billy Martin as the new Yankees Manager in August of 1975, Elliot's days as a Yankees player were numbered. After getting 2nd knee operation without the Yankees front office approval; the team would trade Elliot. On January 20,1977, he was traded by the team along with Reserve OF Rick Bladt to the Orioles for veteran AL Golden Glove OF Paul Blair. His final Yankees career player numbers were a .299 BA with 4 HRs and 71 RBIs in 210 games.
1948- Former Yankees DH/OF Dave Kingman (1977) was born.
On September 15,1977, MLB veteran Slugger Dave Kingman had been purchased for Cash from the Angels. Kingman will appeare in 8 games during September of 1977 for the Yankees, while hitting .250 with 4 HRs and 7 RBIs. Since he was acquired by the team after the August 31st MLB trade deadline, Dave was unable to play for the Yankees in the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers. The Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency, he would sign with the Cubs.
1972- Former Yankees Reliever LaTroy Hawkins (2008) was born.
The Yankees had signed veteran Reliever LaTroy Hawkins as an MLB Free Agent. He went 1-1 with a 5.71 ERA and no saves in 11 games for the Yankees before being traded on July 30, 2008 by the team along with Cash to the Astros for Minor League INF Matthew Cusick, who never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level.
1973- AL President Joe Cronin rules that former Yankees Manager Ralph Houk is free from all contractual obligations with the team. Cronin’s reasoning was that Ralph Houk’s Manager contract was made by CBS, Inc., not with the New Team Owner George Steinbrenner. At the end of the 1973 AL season, Houk had resigned from his Manager’s job with the Yankees, he still had 2 years left on his current Yankees Manager’s contract. He is now free to sign with any MLB team for a Managers job for the 1974 MLB season. Houk had left the Yankees because of personnel issues with new Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner. A long-time Yankees organization man for over 35 years as a Player, Minor League Manager, MLB Coach, Manager and then as a General Manager, Ralph Houk didn’t trust the new inexperience team owner. He would finish his Yankees 11-season Manager career with a 944-806 record along with 3 AL Flags and 2 World Championships. He would sign with the Tigers for the 1974 AL season, bringing along with him, his long-time Yankees MLB Coach Jim Hegan (1960-1973).
1977- Former Yankees Reserve INF D'Angelo Jimenez (1999) was born.
In 1994, the Yankees had signed INF D’Angelo Jimenez, as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He was a player in their farm system from 1995 through part of 2001. He was with AAA Columbus (IL) in parts of 5 seasons, blossoming in 1999, when he posted hitting stats of .327; a highly touted prospect often mentioned in the same breath with then up-and-coming INF Alfonso Soriano. Jimenez was brought up for a cup of coffee in 1999 for the Yankees; he hit .400 in 7 games. Then a serious off-season car crash almost curtailed his pro baseball career and his life that winter. He would survive the auto accident with a broken neck, spending all of 2000 and into 2001 seasons recovering from his auto accident injuries. As questions abounded if he would ever return to his previous form, the Yankees, in urgent need of relief pitching, traded him to the Padres for veteran Reliever Jay Witasick on June 23,2001.
1977- Former Yankees Reliever Buddy Carlyle (2011) was born.
On December 23, 2003, Reliever Buddy Carlyle was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Buddy will spend the 2004 baseball season with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL). On October 15, 2004, the Yankees granted him MLB Free Agency. On December 2, 2010, he was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. He would post a 0-1 record with a 4.70 ERA in 8 games for the 2011 Yankees.
1980- Former Yankees Pitcher Royce Ring (2010) was born.
On January 5, 2010, P Royce Ring was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. Royce would appear in 5 games with the 2010 Yankees with no record. On November 5, 2010, the Yankees granted Royce his MLB Free Agency.
1987- In several MLB roster moves the Yankees had released MLB veterans OF/1B/DH Mike Easler and OF/DH/1B Ron Kittle. Also, they had signed veteran MLB Starter Tommy John as an MLB Free Agent.
1988- Former Yankees Pitcher Asher Wojciechowski (2021) was born.
The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent P Asher Wojciechowski to a Minor League Player contract with an invitation to their 2021 MLB Spring Training Camp. He has an MLB pitching career record of 9-15 with a 5.95 ERA in 57 games. He pitched in the MLB with the 2015 Astros, 2017 Reds and the 2019-2020 Orioles. Asher was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the Compensation Round A of the 2010 1st -Year Player Draft. He became the 1st college baseball player from the Citadel to be selected in the 1st round of the MLB Baseball’s Draft. He didn’t make the Yankees 25-man team roster out of spring training camp. He was sent to AAA Scranton (AAA East). On July 21,2021, the Yankees had purchased his Minor League player contract. He appeared in 1 game for the team, making a start against the Phillies with a no-decision. On July 22, 2021, Asher was DFA by the Yankees. After no team had claimed him, he became an MLB Free Agent, rather than report to AAA Scranton. (IL)
1995- After considering an attractive player contract offer from their AL East rivals, the Orioles, MLB Free Agent Starter David Cone re-signs with the Yankees for a 3-year deal worth $18 million.
1995- The Yankees had sold veteran P Rick Honeycutt to the Cardinals. After being purchased from Oakland on September 25,1995, Rick would post a 0-0 record with a 27.00 ERA in 3 games with the Yankees.
1997- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent P Darren Holmes, who would post a 0-3 record with a 3.33 ERA and 2 saves in 34 games for the 1998 Yankees. On March 30,1999, he was traded by the Yankees along with Cash to the Diamondbacks for P Ben Ford and C Izzy Molina.
1998- The Yankees had granted veteran OF/DH Daryl Strawberry his MLB Free Agency. Daryl had hit .247 with 24 HRs with 57 RBIs. He will re-sign with the Yankees in April of 1999.
2002- The Yankees had granted OF/1B/DH Shane Spencer and P Christian Parker their MLB Free Agency. Christian Parker will resign with the team on December 30th. Spencer will be signed by the Indians; he leaves with the Yankees with a .263 BA with 43 HRs and 167 RBIs in 345 games. Parker had 0-1 with in 1 game with the team in 2001.
2003- The Yankees grant the following players: OF Karim Garcia and OF/DH Dave Dellucci, MLB Free Agency. Dave Dellucci leaves the Yankees looking for more playing time. He will sign with the Rangers.
2005- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher (1976-1977) and long-time Orioles MLB Coach and Catcher Elrod Hendricks passed away. (1940-2005).
On June 15,1976, Catcher Elrod Hendricks was traded by the Orioles along with P Doyle Alexander, OF Jimmy Freeman, P Ken Holtzman and Reliever Grant Jackson to the Yankees for Catcher Rick Dempsey, Pitchers Tippy Martinez, Rudy May, Scott McGregor and Dave Pagan. Elrod would appear in 34 games with the Yankees as a Reserve Catcher, while hitting just .234. On October 20,1977, Elrod was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees, he would be signed by the Orioles. After retiring as an active player in 1979, he became an Orioles MLB Coach. He appeared in 4 World Series with the Orioles, and the 1976 World Series with the Yankees. He had appeared in 14 World Series games, while hitting .238 with 1 HR and 5 RBIs.
2005- The Yankees would grant Reliever Wayne Franklin his MLB Free Agency. On April 4, 2005, Wayne Franklin was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Yankees. He had posted a 0-1 record with a 6.39 ERA in 13 games for the 2005 Yankees. He will spend most of the 2005 season with the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL).
