This Week in Yankees History January 15th-21st Part 1
January 15th
1890- Former Yankees MLB Scout and Minor League Manager Johnny Nee was born. (1890-1957)
Johnny Nee was an MLB Scout and a Minor League Player-Manager. A young Minor League infielder of 22, Nee was chosen to Skipper the Terre Haute team in 1912 as a Player-Manager. He served as a Player-Manager at many of his Minor League stops including his last post as the leader of the 1925-1926 Kinston Eagles (VAL). During that final managerial season, one of his young charges was future Hall of Famer&nbs**** Ferrell. Starting in 1927, Johnny Nee began a long career as an MLB Scout for the Yankees. He was credited with discovering many future MLB Players including Bill Dickey, Gene Bearden, Marv Breuer, Ben Chapman, Atley Donald, Tommy Henrich, **** Outen, Billy Werber, Johnny Allen, Dixie Walker, Spud Chandler, Billy Hitchcock and Willie Jones. In 1946, he would leave the Yankees organization to work for the Phillies. At the end of the 1949 NL season, Nee was named head of the Phillies Minor League system.
1896- Former Yankees Pitcher Michael Cantwell (1916) was born. (1896-1953)
Mike Cantwell had appeared in 1 game with the 1916 Yankees, while pitching 2 innings in relief with no decision.
1926- The Yankees would sell veteran 1B Wally Pipp to the Reds. He had been the Yankees starting 1B from 1915 to mid-1925, before being replaced by Rookie 1B Lou Gehrig. The Yankees had purchased him from the Tigers in 1915.He had hit over .300 in 3 seasons with the Yankees, with 1922 being his best Yankees season with a .329 mark. He would appear in 1,488 games for the Yankees, while hitting .282 with 80 HRs and 826 RBIs. In 1916 and 1917, Wally Pipp led the AL in HRs with 12 and 9. He had led the AL in fielding for 1B in 1915 and 1924. Pipp would play in 3 World Series with the team, hitting .224 with No HRs and 6 RBIs in 19 games. Wally would play 3 seasons for the Reds (1926-1928) before leaving the MLB, later, he continued to play in the Minor Leagues until the 1930’s.
1934- Veteran Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth signs a 1-year MLB contract worth $35,000. While the player contract is considered a lucrative one for the times, it represents a pay cut of $17,000 for "The Babe". He will only hit .288 with 22 HRs and 103 RBIs in 125 games for the 1934 Yankees.
1946- Former Yankees Reserve 1B/OF Tony Solaita (1968) was born. (1946-1990)
The Yankees had signed Tony Solaita as an MLB Amateur Free Agent in 1965. In 1968, he appeared in only 1 game for the Yankees, while going 0 for 1. He had won the 1968 MVP Award in the Carolina League, while playing for the Yankees High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms team. He had hit 49 HRs that season. On February 28,1973, Tony was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates for Minor League 1B George Kopacz. He would later play pro ball in Japan, hitting 155 career HRs. He was murdered during in a dispute in 1990 in his native country of America Samoa.
1956- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher and MLB Manager Jerry Narron (1979) was born.
The Yankees in the 6th round of the 1974 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected Catcher Jerry Narron. In 1979, Jerry played in 61 games filling in for the late Thurman Munson, while hitting just .161. On November 1,1979, Jerry was traded by the Yankees along with Pitchers Rick Anderson, Jim Beattie and MLB OF Juan Beniquez to the Mariners for OF Ruppert Jones and P Jim Lewis. As an MLB Manager, Jerry has managed the Rangers and Reds. In 2011, he was back in the MLB as Bench Coach of the Brewers under new Manager Ron Roenicke, staying until the end of the 2015 NL season.
1957- Former Yankees Pitcher Don Cooper (1985) was born.
The Yankees in the 17th round of the 1978 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected P Don Cooper. On December 8,1980, he was drafted by the Twins from the Yankees organization in the 1980 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. On March 13,1984, he was traded by the Blue Jays to the Yankees for Minor League OF Derwin McNealy. Don had appeared in 7 games with no record with a 5.40 ERA for the 1985 Yankees. He was the MLB Pitching Coach for the 2002- 2020 White Sox, before being released by the team.
1958- The Yankees had announced that 140 games would be televised on WPIX-TV this season. The TV Broadcast deal is worth over 1 million dollars. Six days later, the Phillies agree to televise 78 games into the NYC area, which is without NL Baseball for the 1st time since the National League’s inception in 1876. When the Yankees threaten to televise their games into the Philadelphia TV market, the Phillies quickly change their minds. The Pirates and Cardinals had similar TV plans for the NYC Market, but they dropped their plans as well.
1960- Former Yankees Pitcher Curt Brown (1984) was born.
On December 19,1983, Pitcher Curt Brown was traded by the Angels to the Yankees for Minor League P Mike Browning. Curt would post a 1-1 record with a 2.70 ERA in 13 games for the 1984 Yankees.
1980- Former Yankees DH Matt Holiday (2017) was born.
On December 7, 2016, veteran OF Matt Holiday was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. In November of 2016, he had been granted MLB Free Agency the Cardinals. Matt had appeared in 110 games for the 2016 Cardinals, while hitting .246 with 20 HRs and 62 RBIs. In 2017, Matt had injury and health issues limiting his play for the Yankees to just 105 games, while hitting just .231 with 19 HRs and 64 RBIs. On November 2, 2017, Matt was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees.
1994- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Reliever Donnie Pall. He would go 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in 26 games for the team before being released on July 29,1994. Don would finish the 1994 MLB season with the Cubs.
1998- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent All-Star OF Tim Raines. He will hit .296 with 5 HRs and 47 RBIs in 109 games for the 1998 Yankees, before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency. He will be signed by Oakland for the 1999 AL season.
2005- The Yankees had traded veteran Starter Orlando Hernandez to the White Sox for Reliever Antonio Osuna and Minor League P Eddi Candelario. Orlando Hernandez had pitched for the Yankees from 1998 to 2004, while posting a 61-40 record with a 3.96 ERA and 1 save in 139 games. His post-season record for the Yankees was a 9-3 mark in 19 games. He had appeared in 5 World Series with the team, going 2-1; 5 ACLS, he was 4-1 and in 5 ALDS, he was 3-1.
2007- The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Catcher Ben Davis. The former Dodgers Catcher was recovering a from an elbow injury. He would play for the Yankees at AAA Scranton (IL) in 2007, before being released by the team during the 2008 MLB spring training camp. Later, he would become a Minor League Manager.
2008- The Yankees had signed the following MLB Free Agents, most of them will be playing for 2008 AAA Scranton (IL): INF Bernie Castro, P Dan Giese, INF Nick Green, P Heath Phillips, INF Cody Ransom, Pitchers Darrell Rasner, Scott Strickland and Billy Traber.
2009- Former Yankees Minor League Manager Tommy Jones passed away from Brain Cancer. (1954-2009)
A Minor League player in the Giants organization from 1976 to 1981. Tommy Jones had managed in the Yankees Minor League system at AA level with the 1987-1988 Albany-Colonie (EL). From 1998 to 2004, Jones was the Director of Player Development for the Diamondbacks. In 2004, Tommy was the MLB 1B Coach for the Diamondbacks. In 2005, he was an MLB Scout for the Mariners.
2013- The Nationals had signed former Yankees 2012 Closer Rafael Soriano to a 2-year contract for $28 million. He had optioned out of his Yankees player contract. Soriano became the Yankees 2012 Closer, when Closer Mariano Rivera had a broken ankle in Kansas City that ended his 2012 AL season. Soriano post a 2-1 record with a 2.26 ERA and 42 saves in 69 games for the 2012 Yankees. Overall, as a Yankees Reliever, he went 4-4 with a 2.94 ERA and 44 saves in 111 games.
2020- The Yankees had traded Reliever Stephen Tarpley to the Marlins for Class AA 3B James Nelson and Cash. Earlier in the week, Tarpley had been DFA by the team to clear an MLB Roster spot for OF Brett Gardner, who had been resigned by the club for the 2020 AL season.
2021- The Yankees break their own MLB Free Agent ice with the resigning of AL All-Star 2B D.J. LeMahieu to a 6-year, 95-Million-dollar deal, which allows the team to have more money to spend on MLB Pitching Free Agents this winter. The Yankees immediately use this money budget move to sign MLB Free Agent Starter Corey Kluber to a 1-year deal worth 11-million dollars. He will join the 2021 Yankees Starting Rotation.
2021- The Yankees and OF Aaron Judge avoided Arbitration by signing a 10.175-million-dollar deal. The Bombers have successfully avoided Arbitration with the following players P Chad Green (2.15), C Gary Sanchez (6.35),1B Luke Voit (4.&) 3B Gio Urshela (4.65), Shortstop Gleyber Torres (4.00) and OF Clint Frazier (2.1) Also, the trade talks between the Yankees and the Reds for Starter Luis Castillo break down, when the 2 teams can’t agree on which Yankees players are to be involved in the trade for the Reds young starter. The Reds had been asking for Yankees Current Shortstop Gleyber Torres, who Bronx GM Brian Cashman has refused to trade away. Other Yankees players mention in the baseball media were OF Clint Frasier and former starting 3B Miguel Andujar, as well several of the top Yankees Minor League Pitching Prospects such as Clarke Schmidt, Deivi Garcia and Mike King.
January 16th
1957- Former Yankees 1B/DH Steve “Bye-Bye” Balboni (1981-1983,1989-1990) was born.
The Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1978 MLB Amateur Player Draft had selected 1B Steve Balboni. As a young player in the Yankees Farm System, he led the 1979 Florida State League with 26 HRs and the 1980 Southern League with 34 HRs, while playing for with the Nashville Sounds. Next, Steve was playing for the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL), where he led the International League in HRs during the 1981 and 1982 seasons. After seeing limited action with the 1981-1983 Yankees, Steve Balboni was traded on December 8,1983 along with Pitcher Roger Erickson to the Royals for Reliever Mike Armstrong and Minor League C Duane Dewey. Before this trade was made, Yankees starting 1B Don Mattingly had approached the Yankees Front Office with the idea of him going back to the outfield, while allowing Balboni more playing time at 1B, but his position change offer was turned down by the Yankees Front Office. On March 27,1989, Steve was traded by the Mariners to the Yankees for Minor League P Dana Ridenour. He had only hit .232 and .219 in his last 2 seasons in Bronx before being released by the team in 1990. Overall, as a Yankees player, Steve had appeared in 295 games, while hitting .214 with 41 HRs and 116 RBIs. In the 1992-1993, he would play for the AAA Royals team and winning back -to-back HR Crowns in the American Association. In 1993, Steve would briefly play for the Rangers. As an MLB player for 11 seasons, he would play in 965 games, while hitting .229 with 181 HRs and 495 RBIs. He had appeared in 1 World Series with the 1985 Royals. Steve batted .320 with 3 RBI in the 1985 World Series. In 2011, he was elected to the International Hall of Fame. Steve later coached in the Royals organization, developing their younger hitters. He was Minor League Coach of the 1998 Spokane Indians and the 1999-2000 Wilmington Blue Rocks. After 3 years with the Royals, he would join the Expos organization, where he ran their extended spring training program. Then he would manage the 2001 Vermont Expos. Next, Steve would move to theCardinals' chain, where he was a Minor League Coach of the 2002 New Haven Ravens and then the 2003-2004 Tennessee Smokies. As of 2010, Balboni was an MLB Scout for the Giants. He still coaches part time at the Steve Balboni Baseball School and resides in Berkeley Heights, NJ with his wife.
1963- Former Yankees Pitcher Tommy Thompson (1912) passed away. (1889-1963)
Tommy Thompson had pitched in 7 games for the 1912 Yankees, while posting a 0-2 record with a 6.06 ERA.
1966- Former Yankees Starter “Black” Jack McDowell (1995) was born.
On December 14,1994, Starter Jack McDowell was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later (OF Lyle Mouton) and Minor League P Keith Heberling. He had posted a 91-58 record as a Starter, including two 20-game win seasons for the White Sox. In 1993, he had won the AL Cy Young Award. Never afraid of controversy, McDowell's 1-year stay with the Yankees was overshadowed by a vulgar hand gesture made towards the fans at Yankee Stadium. When the Bronx crowd booed the right-hander for a poor performance against the White Sox, McDowell hoisted his middle finger and displayed it for all to see. He had won 15 games during the 1995 AL season with the Yankees, but he was criticized for failing to win in the 1995 AL playoffs. For the 2nd time in 3 seasons, McDowell posted an 0-2 AL Postseason record as the Yankees fell to the Mariners in the 1995 ALDS. He had posted a 15-10 record with a 3.93 ERA in 30 games for the 1995 Yankees, before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency. He would be signed by the Indians for the 1996 AL season.
1968- Former Yankees OF Liz Funk (1929) passed away. (1904-1968)
Liz Funk, born Elias Calvin Funk in Kansas in 1904. He was at the Univ. of Oklahoma during the years of 1923-1928. A centerfielder by trade, he got into 1 game with the 1929 Yankees in April, spending most of the season playing in the Pacific Coast League. He would become a regular with the 1930 Tigers. He was in the Minor Leagues in 1931. In early 1932. AA Louisville (AA), who would trade him to the 1932 White Sox, where he became the regular Centerfielder on a team that lost 102 games. In 1933, the White Sox kept Manager Lew Fonseca, but changed numerous players, including the entire outfield. Funk would play his last MLB game in May of 1933.
1970- Former Yankees Reliever Ron Villone (2006-2007) was born.
On November 16, 2005, veteran MLB Reliever Ron Villone was traded by the Marlins to the Yankees for Minor League P Ben Julianel. Ron would post a 3-3 record with a 4.77 ERA in 107 games for the 2006-2007 Yankees.
1974- The BWAA selects 2 former 1950-1960’sYankees teammates: OF/1B Mickey Mantle and Pitcher Whitey Ford to the Hall of Fame. Mickey Mantle becomes only the 7th player to make it in his 1st try. His 536 MLB career HRs with the Yankees ranked 2nd only to Babe Ruth. Mantle had played in more games (2,401) than any other Yankees player, including HOF 1B Lou Gehrig. Whitey Ford was arguably the greatest Yankees pitcher of all-time, retiring with more wins (236), more innings pitched (3,171), more strikeouts (1,956), and more shutouts (45) than any pitcher in the club’s history.
1977- Former Yankees Pitcher Colter Bean (2005-2007) was born.
In 2000, the Yankees had signed Pitcher Colter Bean as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He would post a 0-1 record with a 6.00 ERA in 6 games for the Yankees. In the 2003 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft, the Red Sox had selected Bean, but he was returned to the Yankees in their 2004 MLB Spring Training Camp. In the fall of 2007, after leaving the Yankees as an MLB Free Agent, he would pitch in the Braves and the Rays organizations for the 2008 season.
1979- Former Yankees Minor League player 1B/DH Jack Cust was born.
On March 28, 2012, 1B/DH Jack Cust was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He previously played in the MLB with the A’s. He did not appear with the Yankees at the MLB level. Jack was sent to AAA Scranton (IL) appearing in 98 games, while hitting .249 with 20 HRs and 66 RBIs. On August 1, 2012, Jack was released by the team. He would be signed by the Blue Jays organization, playing for their AAA team, the Las Vegas 51s (PCL).
1986- Former Yankees Reserve INF Reid Brignac (2013) was born.
On May 18, 2013, INF Reid Brignac was purchased by the Yankees from the Rockies. He would appear in only 17 games for the Yankees, hitting just .114. On June 25, 2013, the Yankees would grant him MLB Free Agency. He had refused an assignment to AAA Scranton (IL). The Yankees wanted him to work on his hitting with their AAA Batting Coach, Butch Wynegar. On June 26, 2013, he was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Rockies. He was sent to their AAA club in the PCL. On November 5, 2013, the Rockies would grant him his MLB Free Agency. On November 20, 2013, Reid was signed as an MLB Free Agent with the Phillies with an MLB Spring Training Camp invitation. Also, he has played in the Marlins organization in 2015. On November 5, 2015, Reid was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Braves organization. He will be working in the Mets Minor League system as an AA Team Manager for the 2022 season.
1987- Former Yankees Reserve INF Zelous Wheeler (2014) was born.
On November 12, 2013, the Yankees had signed Minor League Free Agent INF Zelous Wheeler. The Brewers had originally signed him. He had started the 2014 season with the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL), where he hit .299 with 20 doubles and 7 HRs in 66 games before being called up to the Bronx on July 3rd. He had replaced 3B Yangervis Solarte on the 25-man MLB roster and in the starting line-up, after Solarte had fallen into a deep batting slump following a hot start. In his Yankees MLB Player debut, Zelous went 2 for 4 including a solo HR off of former Yankees Starter Philip Hughes in a 7-4 win over the Twins. He would finish the 2014 season with a .193 BA with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs in 29 games. On November 20, 2014, he was released by the Yankees, so he could be sold to Japan's Rakuten Golden Eagles (JPL), where he would play for the 2015 baseball season. Currently, Wheeler is still playing pro baseball in Japan
2001- Outfielders Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett are elected to the Hall of Fame in their 1st year of eligibility. The former Twins are the 4th pair of teammates selected by BBWAA in the same year. Dave Winfield was originally signed by the Padres in 1973, then he played for the 1980-1990 Yankees. On December 15,1980, Winfield signed a record 10-year, $23 million contract with the Yankees. It was the longest and richest contract at the time. However, after a solid strike-shortened season in 1981, he had a terrible World Series, going 1 for 22 as the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in 6 games, prompting Yankees Team Owner George Steinbrenner to call him sarcastically “Mr. May,” in a demeaning comparison with superstar Reggie Jackson, who always seemed to save his best performances for the limelight. In spite of frequent highlights and occasional sustained excellence, the Yankees went into a downward cycle after Winfield's arrival in the Bronx. He was considered a disappointment by many Yankees fans. Despite his Yankees Career performances that included a career-high 37 HRs in 1982, a .340 batting average in 1984 and just 3 RBIs short in 1987 of topping 100 RBIs in 7 straight years from 1982 to 1988. Still, the home-grown Don Mattingly emerged as the Yankees fan favorite, foreshadowing the Alex Rodriguez experience 2 decades later. As a Yankees player, Dave had appeared in 1,172 games, while hitting .290 with 205 HRs and 818 RBIs.
2003- The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Free Agent Catcher John “Flash” Flaherty. He will make the team in Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp as the Reserve Catcher for the 2003 AL season, replacing the Team’s 2002 Reserve Catcher Chris Wedger, who was released by the team at the end of the Yankees 2003 MLB Spring Training Camp.
January 17th
1915- Former Yankees Minor League Player, Manager, MLB Player and Scout, Manager Mayo Smith was born. (1915-1977)
Mayo Smith was a long-time Minor League player from 1933 to 1948. He had 1 season in the MLB with the 1945 Philadelphia A’s, hitting only .215. He return to the Minor Leagues in 1946, playing at the AA level in the PCL until 1948. For the 1949 season, the Yankees had hired him as a Player-Manager for their Class A team, the Amsterdam Rugmakers (CANAM). Smith led by example, by hitting .297 with 19 HRs and 116 RBIs in 119 games. Never known for his power, he lit up that lower circuit, he was tied for 3rd in HRs, also he was 3rd in RBIs despite missing 20 games. His team went 67-71-1 and finished in 5th place. The next Season, he batted .323 with 10 HRs and 53 RBIs in only 66 games; the team finished in 4th place with a 72-65-1 record. They won in the 1st playoff round, but they lost in the League Finals. Smith would not play regularly again, getting into only 1 game in 1952; he had completed his 2-year run as a Player-Manager. In 1951, Mayo Smith was promoted by the Yankees to the Class B Piedmont League to manage the Norfolk Tars. He led the team to League titles in 1951-1952; when his 1952 team posted the 2nd-best winning percentage (.727) in the history of the Piedmont League. Then he was moved up to another level in the Yankees organization. Mayo managed in the Class AA Southern Association for 2 seasons; leading the Birmingham Barons. He was an MLB Scout for the Yankees for 7 years. He had managed in the MLB with the 1955-1959 Phillies, 1959 Reds and with the 1966-1970 Tigers, winning the 1968 AL pennant and the World Series Championship. He was named the 1968 AL Manager of the Year by “The Sporting News.” In 1969, the Tigers won 90 more games, but they finished in 2nd place again to the Orioles. The team slipped in 1970, finishing 4th place, while playing under .500 and Smith was fired, bringing his career as an MLB Manager to an end.
1917- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Pat McCauley (1903) passed away. (1887-1917)
Pat McCauley was a Catcher, who played 3 times in the MLB, but several years apart. He had played 5 games for the 1893 St. Louis Browns, then after 3 years, he had appeared in 26 games with the 1896 Washington Senators; and then 7 years later, Pat would play in 6 games with the 1903 New York Highlanders. His MLB playing career had ended with a .193 BA with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs in 37 games. In addition to his playing time, he umpired 1 National League game during the 1896 season. McCauley's Minor League playing career ran from 1892-1910, mostly playing in the New England League, the Western League and the Eastern League. He was a player in the Eastern League 11 seasons.
1922- Former Yankees and Giants OF Benny Kauffs’ suit for an injunction to restrain the decision to keep him out of organized baseball is rejected by the Appellate Court. Kauff was acquitted of auto theft charges, while running a used car business with his Brother in 1921; but MLB Commissioner Landis still barred him from organized baseball, stating: "That acquittal was one of the worst miscarriages of justice that ever came under my observation."
1931- Former Yankees Bench Coach, MLB Player and Long-time MLB Manager Don Zimmer was born. (1931-2014)
In 1949, the Dodgers had signed Shortstop Don Zimmer as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. After several seasons with the Dodgers as a Reserve Infielder. In 1960, he was traded by the team to the Cubs. Don had appeared in 1955 and 1959 World Series with the Dodgers. Also, he had played for the 1962 NL Expansion Mets, then the Reds, Dodgers and the Senators. He spent the 1966 season playing baseball in Japan with the Toei Flyers (JJPL), hitting only .182 with 9 HRs and 20 RBIs in 87 games. In 1967, Don began his Minor League Manager career working in the Minors until 1970. In 1971, he became a MLB Coach with the Expos, then with the 1972 Padres, 1974-1976 Red Sox, 1983 Yankees, 1984-1986 Cubs, 1987 Giants, 1992 Red Sox, 1993-1995 Rockies and the 1996-2003 Yankees. He was an MLB Manager with the following teams: 1972-1973 Padres, 1976-1980 Red Sox, 1981-1982 Rangers and the 1988-1991 Cubs. His 1978 Red Sox team blew a 14-game lead in the AL East Division to the Yankees, resulting in a 1 game play-off game with the Yankees winning. In 1989, Don had won NL Division Championship with the Cubs. He was named 1989 NL Manager of the Year. With the Yankees, he was Manager Joe Torre MLB Bench Coach; he served as Interim Manager, while Torre was being treated for Cancer. After the 2003 AL season, Don left the Yankees following a dispute with the Front Office. From 2004-2014, Don worked as a Special Advisor for the Tampa Bay Rays Front Office.
1936- The Yankees had obtained 2 veteran players: Pitcher Irving “Bump” Hadley and OF Roy Johnson from the Senators for P Jimmy DeShong and Rookie OF Jesse Hill. Hadley will post a 49-31 record with a 4.28 ERA and 6 saves in 140 games in 5 seasons with the Yankees. Bump will appear in 3 World Series with the team; while posting a 2-1 record with a 4.15 ERA in 3 games. Johnson will hit .256 with 1 HR and 25 RBIs in 75 games as a Reserve OF, before being sold to the Braves on May 11,1937, to make room on the MLB 25-man roster for Rookie OF Tommy Henrich, who had been called up by the team. Rookie OF Jesse Hill was a Reserve CF for the Yankees, filling for the injured starting CF Earl Combs. He had hit .291 with 4 HRs and 33 RBIs in 107 games for the team in 1936. Hill will become a Reserve OF for the Nats, while Jimmy DeShong will post a 37-36 record in 4 seasons as a Senators Starter; including an 18-10 record in 1936. He was a Yankees hurler for 2 seasons, posting a 10-8 record with a 3.32 ERA and 6 saves in 60 games, mostly as a Reliever.
1939- The New York Yankees elected long-time General Manager Edward Barrow as the Club President. Barrow replaces Team Owner Jacob Ruppert, who had died 4 days earlier. Barrow will remain as the Yankees President until January of 1945, when the team is bought by new Team Owners Dan Topping, Larry Mc Phail and Del Webb from the Jacob Ruppert Estate. Ed will retire from the Yankees in December of 1945.
1960- Former Yankees DH/OF Chili Davis (1998-1999) was born.
On December 10,1997, the Yankees had signed 38 yearold veteran DH/OF Chili Davis as an MLB Free Agent. He had played for the Royals in 1997 as their DH, while hitting a career high of 30 HRs. Chili will become the Yankees DH for the next 2 seasons, he replaces veteran Cecil Fielder. Davis will play in 181 games for the team, while hitting .273 with 22 HRs and 87 RBIs. He would appear in 2 World Series with the Yankees, hitting .181 in 4 games. Overall, as an MLB player, Davis had played in 2,436 games, while hitting .274 with 350 HRs and 1,372 RBIs. After the 1999 World Series, he retired from the MLB. He had originally come up to the MLB with the Giants, later playing with the Twins, Angels before joining the Royals.
1970- MLB teams had selected a record 357 players in the January phase of the annual Free-Agent Player Draft, including top pick 1B Chris Chambliss by the Indians and Shortstop Chris Speier. OF Fred Lynn, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round, but he will not sign with the team.
1984- The Yankees had drafted Pitcher Tim Belcher in the 1st round (1st Pick) of the 1984 MLB Amateur Player Draft (Secondary Phase). In a Yankees front office paperwork mistake, the Yankees would lose Belcher to Oakland as a Free Agent Compensation Pick on February 8,1984.
1989- MLB Free Agent OF/DH Claudell Washington leaves the Yankees to sign a 3-year player contract with the Angels.
1991- Former Yankees Pitcher Marv Breuer (1939-1943) passed away. (1914-1991)
Marv Breuer spent 10 seasons in pro baseball from 1934 to 1943. He spent 6 of those years (1934-1939) in the Minor Leagues before getting his chance to pitch in the Bronx. Breuer made his MLB Pitching debut with the Yankees on May 4,1939 appearing in 1 game with no decisions. Marv spent the rest of the 1939 season with the AA Kansas City Blues(AA.) Marv led the League with a 2.28 ERA, as he helped his team to win the League championship with a 17-6 record. Marv spent the next 4 seasons (1940-1943) back with the Bronx Bombers, building a 25-26 record with a 4.03 ERA in 86 games. His best Yankees pitching season came in 1941, when he went 9-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 26 games. His Yankees final game and in pro baseball came on August 28,1943. During his 6-year Minor League run, Breuer had 4 double-digit winning seasons. The 1st came in 1935 with the Class C Joplin Miners Class (WA), when he went 14-14 for a last-place team. In 1936, Marv had an 18-9 record with the Class A Binghamton Triplets (NYPL) as he helped his team to win the NYPL Championship. He went 12-12 for the 2nd-place 1938 AA Kansas City Blues (AA), helping his club to the AA Playoff Title and then he topped this off with the above-mentioned 17-6 record in 1939. After the 1943 AL season, Breuer left pro baseball with a 75-69 Minor League Pitching record in 196 games. His final MLB pitching stats shows a 25-26 record with a 4.03 ERA and 3 saves, while appearing in 86 games for the 1939-1943 Yankees. He had appeared in 2 World Series games for the team with no decisions.
2002- The Yankees had released Reserve INF/OF Clay Bellinger. Despite his ability to play many positions on the field, Clay could not hit for any kind of average at the MLB playing level. He had appeared in 181 games for the team, while hitting only .194 with 12 HRs and 35 RBIs. He would be signed by the Angels for the 2002 AL season. His Son, Cody is a current MLB player with the Dodgers.
2002- The Yankees had signed veteran MLB Free Agent Starter David Wells. He will go 19-7 and 15-7 records for the 2002-2003 Yankees before leaving the team for MLB Free Agency in the winter of 2003. He will sign with his San Diego hometown MLB team, the Padres.
January 18th
1903- Former Yankees Reserve INF Clifford “Nolan “Richardson (1935) was born. (1903-1951)
Nolan Richardson appeared in 12 games as a Reserve INF for the 1935 Yankees, hitting .217 with No HRs and 5 RBIs. He had originally come up to the MLB with the 1929 Tigers. He had played for the 1936-1937 AA Newark Bears (IL) in the Yankees farm system. On November 5,1937, Richardson was purchased by the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL) from the Yankees. He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1938-1939 Reds. In 1951, Nolan was Head Baseball Coach at the Univ. of Georgia.
1910-The Yankees had purchased P/INF Harry Wolter from the Red Sox for $1,500 Cash. The Yankees would never use him as a Pitcher in his 4 seasons with the team. He would be used as an Outfielder by the team. He had appeared in 396 games as a Yankees player from 1910-1913, while hitting .277 with 10 HRs and 122 RBIs. After playing for the Yankees, Harry returned to the Minor Leagues, playing in the Pacific Coast League, before returning to the MLB finishing out his MLB playing career with the 1917 Cubs.
1911- Former Yankees Minor League INF and Manager Pinky May was born. (1911-2000)
Pinky May had signed with the Yankees in 1932, coming out of Indiana Univ. In the Yankees Minor League system, he played for the AA Newark Bears (IL) in 1938, hitting .331 in 146 games. He was drafted by the Phillies from the Yankees organization in 1938 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Pinky May would play 5 seasons in the MLB, all of them with the Phillies. He is one of the few players who played at least 5 seasons; he had at least 100 games with 400 at-bats in each MLB season. He broke into the MLB in 1939, while playing in 135 games. May would lead the NL in sacrifice hits. He made the NL All-Star team in 1940. He had served in the Navy during World War II. After his MLB playing career had ended, Pinky May was a Minor League skipper, managing more than a dozen clubs. In 1963, he managed the Class A Fort Lauderdale Yankees (FSL) to a 60-60 record. Also, he managed in the Pirates, Indians and the Reds organizations. He had compiled a record of 1,658-1,560 over 27 seasons (1947-1972) in the Minor Leagues. In 1970 his son, Catcher Milt May made it to the MLB with the Pirates. His Grandson Scott May played in the Minors. Pinky May’s real name was Merrill Glend May.
1954-Former Yankees Minor League P Scott McGregor (1975-1976) was born.
Scott McGregor was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 1972 MLB Amateur Player Draft. While pitching in the Yankees Minor League System, he was named the 1974 Pitcher of the Year International League, while pitching for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs posting a 13-10 record with an 3.44 ERA. He never appeared with the club at the MLB level. On June 15,1976, Scott was traded by the Yankees along with Reserve C Rick Dempsey, Pitchers Tippy Martinez, Rudy May and Dave Pagan to the Orioles for veteran MLB Starters Ken Holtzman and Doyle Alexander, Reliever Grant Jackson, Reserve C Ellie Hendricks and Minor League OF Jimmy Freeman. At the time of the June 15th trade, he was recovering from a broken collarbone injury. Scott will have a fine MLB Pitching career record of 138-108 with the 1976-1988 Orioles. He is currently working in the Orioles Minor League system.
1974- Former Yankees Pitcher Pete Appleton (1933) passed away. (1904-1974)
Pete Appleton was with the 1933 Yankees, appearing in only 1 game with no record; he was sent back to AA Newark Bears (IL). He finally finished the rest of the 1933 baseball season with the AA Baltimore Orioles (IL). After retiring as an active MLB player, Pete would manage in the Senators organization. Later, he was an MLB Scout for the Senators/Twins organizations.
1984- Former Yankees Pitcher Justin Thomas (2012) was born.
On May 12, 2012, Reliever Justin Thomas was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Red Sox. He appeared in just 4 games for the 2012 Yankees with no record. On October 17, 2012, Justin was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He was signed by Oakland for 2013 AL season.
1988-The Yankees had signed MLB Free Agent Starter John “Candy Man” Candelaria. John will post a 13-7 mark with a 3.38 ERA and 1 save in 25 games with the 1988 Yankees. In 1989, he was 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA in 10 games, when he was traded to the Expos for INF Mike Blowers. His MLB Pitching career was hampered by pitching hip problems.
1989- Former Yankees Pitcher Michael Pineda (2012-2017) was born.
On January 13, 2012, the Mariners had traded Pitcher Michael Pineda along with 19-year-old Minor-League P Jose Campos to the Yankees for C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi. Pineda had posted a 9-10 record for the 2011 Mariners. While with Seattle, he was named to the 2011 AL All-Star Pitching staff. At the end of his 1st Yankees Spring Training Camp in 2012, Pineda complained of tightness in the back of his right shoulder. After undergoing an MRI and being diagnosed with tendonitis, he had to start the season on the DL list. He had been battered around in his last practice start, giving up 6 runs in 2 2/3 innings to set off alarms, although there had been concern all spring that his velocity was noticeably down. The Yankees got more bad news on April 25th, when a further medical exam found a tear in the labrum muscle of Michael's right throwing shoulder. The injury required season-ending surgery. While working out inTampa, he was arrested by local police in the early hours of August 20th, after being spotted driving his SUV erratically and at high speed. Pineda was charged with DUI, having tested for a blood alcohol level well over the legal limit. When Pineda showed up for 2013 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, he was still not ready to pitch, but at least the team was confident that he could be in their starting rotation by May or June, but that turned out to be way too optimistic. He began his Minor League Rehab on June 9th, with the Class A Tampa Yankees (FSL), before moving up to the AA Trenton Thunder (EL) at the end of the month. On July 6th, he joined the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (IL). He was 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 10 starts between the 3 levels, when he was taken out of a game on August 2nd due to stiffness in his shoulder. He was shut down completely for 2 weeks. Then, he resumed throwing from flat ground in mid-August. In spite of the setback, the Yankees were still hoping to finally have him in pinstripes before the end of the season. He didn’t pitch for the team. When Pineda showed up for 2014 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, he was finally healthy. Pineda was able to earn the team's 5th starter job, beating out Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno.
He finally made his belated debut in Yankee pinstripes on April 5th against the Blue Jays. He pitched well over 6 innings, but he was charged with a 4-0 loss. He earned his 1st win on April 10th, a 4-1 victory over the Red Sox; there was some controversy surrounding his performance, as the Red Sox's Broadcasters claimed to have detected pine taron his pitching hand. Pineda dismissed this, stating it was simply sweat mixed with dust, the matter was never brought to the attention of Home Plate Umpire Brian O'Nora, who would have been the only person who could have properly investigated it. On April 16th, he followed Masahiro Tanaka's strong performance in the opening game of a doubleheader by holding the Cubs scoreless over 6 innings as the Yankees swept the twin-bill by the scores 3-0 and 2-0. It was the 1st time an MLB team had recorded 2 shutouts on the same day since 1988. On April 23rd, however, his pine tar antics caught up with him in another start against Boston. This time, Boston Manager John Farrell brought a stain on the right side of Michael's neck to the attention of Home Plate Umpire Gerry Davis in the 2nd inning. Davis promptly ejected Pineda from the game for using a foreign substance on the baseball. Pineda had given up a pair of runs in the 1st inning, he was charged with the 5-1 loss; after the game, he explained that he had had trouble gripping the ball because of the cold in the 1st inning, he had applied the substance to counter that. The following day Pineda was handed a 10-game suspension by the MLB, which he declined to appeal, given the circumstances.
While he was serving the 10-day suspension, he felt tightness in his back during a simulated game; the diagnosis was a muscle tear that would lead to a stay on the DL as soon as the suspension was over. He would finish the 2014 season with a 5-5 record with 1.89 ERA in 13 games. In 2015, Michael came back, as a Yankees Starter, when he posted a 12-10 record with a 4.37 ERA in 27 games. In 2016, Pineda was only 6-12 with a 4.82 ERA for the Yankees, but he still managed to post the best K/9 ratio in team history, with 207 strikeouts in 175 2/3 innings, or 10.6 strikeouts per 9 innings. Both his innings pitched and strikeouts were personal bests and his ratio was also the best in the AL. He was the Starter for the Yankees in their home opener against the Rays on April 10, 2017. He had a great performance, as he retired the 1st 20 Tampa hitter that he faced before giving up a double to 3B Evan Longoria. He lasted until 2 outs in the 8th before turning the ball over to Reliever Tyler Clippard and received credit for his team's 8-1 win. He had 11 strikeouts on the day. He posted a solid 8-4 record with a 4.39 ERA in 17 1st-half starts, but just as the 2nd half was set to begin on July 14th, the Yankees received some bad news, learning that Michael had a partially torn ligament in his elbow. It forced him to miss the 2nd half of the 2017 AL season as he underwent Tommy John surgery. After the 2017 AL season had ended, he became an MLB Free Agent. Overall, as a Yankees Pitcher, Pineda would post a 31-31 record with a 4.16 ERA in 89 games. On December 13th, he would sign a 2-year deal with the Twins for $10 million; even though, he was not expected to be back before the 2nd half of the 2018 AL season. He did not pitch for the 2018 Twins, but he appeared in 4 games in the Twins Minor League system. During the 2019 MLB off-season, he was resigned by the Twins.
2017- Former Yankees Pitcher Richard Starr (1947-1948) passed away. (1921-2017)
Before the start of the 1941 AL season, 20-year-old P Richard Starr was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. The right-hander would spend 1941-1942 seasons in the Minors Leagues with the Butler Yankees and the Findlay Browns; while going 33-14 before being drafted by the Army; where he spend 3 years of service during World War II. Released by the Army in 1946, Starr would spend the season in the Minor Leagues, going 19-10 for the Augusta Tigers (SAL); while leading the South Atlantic League in 3 categories with 19 wins, 233 strikeouts and a 2.07 ERA. He would appear with the 1947 Yankees in for 4 games and winning 1 decision.
In 1948, the Yankees tried him again, he appeared in 1 game with no decisions. He had a 14-9 record and 158 strikeouts with the 1948 AA Newark Bears (IL). On December 13,1948, the Yankees traded him to the St. Louis Browns along with P Red Embree, Reserve Catcher Sherman Lollar and $100,000 Cash to the Browns for Catcher Roy Partee and Starter Fred Sanford. He would finish his Yankees Pitching career with a 1-0 record with a 1.88 ERA in 5 games. With the Browns, he stayed with the team through the middle of 1951 AL season, while going 10-17 before being traded to the Senators for P Fred Sanford, where he finished out his MLB Pitching career in 1951 with a 1-7 effort. This finished up his MLB Pitching career, finishing with a 12-24 record with a 5.25 ERA and 2 saves in 95 games. Starr went back to the Minor Leagues, where he spent the 1952-1956 seasons pitching at the AAA level in the International League by going 33-33 during this period and adding these numbers to his Minor League Pitching record (23-15), while he was in in and out of the MLB with his pre-MLB stats (52-24). He wound up with a very decent 108-72 record with a 3.57 ERA, while pitching in the Minor Leagues.
