This Week in Yankees History May 28th-June 3rd Part One

May 28^th

1910- Former Yankees Minor League C Willard “Bill” Hershberger was born (1910-1940)

Bill Hershberger had previously played for the AA Newark Bears (IL) in the Yankees Minor League system from 1932-1937. His path to the Yankees was blocked the presence of future HOF Catcher Bill Dickey. On December 3,1937, Bill was traded by theYankees to the Reds for INF Eddie Miller and $40,000 Cash. Hershberger had been an excellent hitter, especially for a Catcher, hitting .316 lifetime (1938-1940) in 160 games for the Reds. On August 3, 1940 Willard Hershberger died, a victim of suicide. He had sliced his jugular vein in the shower at the team hotel. He had been suffering from a long-standing depression, after his father killed himself using a shotgun that minutes before Willard set down after a hunting trip. Hershberger, dealing with the loss of his father, was ill-equipped to accept the weight of leadership when the Reds starting Catcher Ernie Lombardi was injured late in the season and left the Reds in the middle of a NL pennant drive without their starting catcher. He was only 30, he remains the only player ever to end his MLB playing career by committing suicide during the regular season.

1923- Former Yankees Pitcher Bob “Sarge” Kuzava (1951-1954) was born. (1923-2017)

In 1941, the Indians had signed P Bob Kuzava as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had served in the Army during World War II, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant (1943-1945). He would pitch for the Indians, White Sox, Senators, Yankees, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates and the Cardinals from 1946-1957.  On June 15,1951, Bob “Sarge” Kuzava was traded by the Senators to the Yankees for 3 Pitchers: starters Fred Sanford, Bob Porterfield and Reliever Tom Ferrick. Bob posted a 23-20 record with 3.39 ERA and 13 saves in 104 games for the Yankees. He appeared in 3 World Series for the Yankees (1951-1953), going 0-0, while posting a 2.08 ERA with 2 saves in 3 games. On August 7,1954, he was selected off waivers by the Orioles from the Yankees. Bob would finish his MLB Pitching career in 1957, ending with a lifetime record of 49-44 with a 4.05 ERA and 13 saves in 213 games. 

1927- In his 1st starting assignment for the 1927 Yankees, Reliever Wilcy Moore loses a heartbreaker to the Senators by the score of 3-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader. Yankees Lou Gehrig is spiked at 1B by Senators base runner Bucky Harris as Firpo Marberry scored the winning run. The Yankees won the Opener by the score of 8-2, as Babe Ruth hit his 12th HR of the 1927 AL season, a 3-run HR shot. Senators OF Tris Speaker played most of Game 1 for the Nats despite fracturing his left thumb in batting practice.

1939- At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would score 5 runs in the 1^st inning off of A’s Starter Roy Paramelee to coast to 8-2 victory. Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez goes the distance, allowing the A’s only 2 runs, 6 hits, 5 walks and 5 strikeouts to even his 1939 AL season pitching record to 2-2. The Bronx Bombers scoring attack was led by Slugger Charlie Keller’s 2-run HR shot in the 1^st inning.

1941- In the 1st night game played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., the Yankees would defeat the Senators by a score of 6-5. The Wednesday Night game would draw a crowd of 25,000 fans. Bronx hitters Tommy Henrich and George Selkirk hit HRs in the game. Yankees Starter Steve Peek gets the win, he is now 2-0 for the 1941 AL season. Yankees Reliever Marv Breuer picks-up his 1st save of the season. Nats hurler Sid Hudson takes the loss, he is now 3-5 for the season. 

1946- The 1st night game is played at Yankee Stadium as the Senators beat the Yankees by a score of 2-1. The crowd of 49,917 fans came to the 1st night game by Yankees, showing the value of night games over daytime games, especially on weeknights, that draw more fans.

1956- The Yankees had waived veteran MLB P Gerry Staley to the White Sox. On September 14,1955, P Gerry Staley was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Reds. He would only appear in 3 games for the 1955 Yankees with no record. He would become one of the main bullpen pitchers of the 1959 White Sox AL Championship team’s pitching staff.

1960- Veteran Yankees Manager Casey Stengel is hospitalized with a virus, forcing MLB Coach Ralph Houk to take over the team for 13 games. Houk made several changes that were retained, when Casey came back to the team, including by putting Clete Boyer at 3B, which clearly helped the Yankees rally from 3^rd place to win the 1960 AL pennant. The other changes included moving Hector Lopez from 3B to LF and letting Reserve Catcher Johnny Blanchard share some of the catching duties with Elston Howard and Yogi Berra. The Yankees went 7-6 under Ralph Houk’s control. Houk had passed his MLB audition for the Yankees Managers job, because Casey Stengel’s Yankees Manager contract would expire in October of 1960. Also, this was a sign that the platoon system in the Yankees Infield was about to be expiring.

1968- The AL Team Owners agreed to divide itself into 2 divisions and reduced its regular season schedule from 162 to 156 games. The following divisional alignment is set for the 1969 AL season: Eastern Division: Orioles, Red Sox, Indians, Tigers, Yankees and the Senators. The AL Western Division would be: Angels, White Sox, Royals, Twins, A’s and the Mariners.

1968- Former Yankees Minor League P Rickey Rhodes was born.

Brother of MLB Reliever Arthur Rhodes, Ricky Rhodes was selected in the 35th round by the Yankees in the 1987 MLB Amateur Player Draft. In his 4 Minor League seasons in the Yankees farm system, he had posted a 20-26 record with a 4.20 ERA in 82 games. He returned to baseball in 1995 to pitch for the Surrey Glaciers in the Western League (Independent league). He had appeared in 17 games, while posting a 6-9 record with a 6.33 ERA.

1971- Former Yankees 3B Clete Boyer, involved in a dispute with the Braves Owner Paul Richards and Manager Lum Harrisover alleged silly rules and mismanagement is released, he retires from MLB. Boyer had hit safely in the last 9 games of his 16-season MLB playing career, including 5 HRs with 14 RBIs. A Gold Glove 3B Boyer was a .242 hitter with 162 HRs with 654 RBIs in 1,725 games for the A’s, Yankees and the Braves. Clipper Notes: Why the Yankees never made a serious attempt to re-obtained Clete Boyer is still puzzling, because they were still having very serious defensive problems at 3B, which would not be solved until the arrival of Graig Nettles in a trade from the Indians in November of 1972. 

1971- The Yankees had obtained veteran MLB P Jim Hardin from the Orioles for P Bill Burbach, who was a failed 1^st pick MLB Amateur Player Draft choice. In 1969, he was Co-Winner of the James P. Dawson Award, sharing the award with INF Jerry Kenney. He had gone 6-8 with a 3.31 ERA in 31 games for the 1969 Yankees. Bill went 0-3 with an ERA over 10.60 in 6 games during the 1970-1971 AL seasons, while spending most of his time pitching at AAA level. The Orioles would send him to their AAA club the Rochester Red Wings (IL). Jim Hardin was still recovering from pitching arm problems. He went 0-2 with a 5.08 ERA in 12 games with the 1971 Yankees before being released by the team. He would finish his MLB Pitching career with the 1972 Braves. The Braves would send him to their AAA club the Richmond Braves (IL). 

1977- Before a “Yankee Jacket Day” crowd of 54,881 fans at Yankee Stadium, Bronx Starter Ron Guidry has a rare bad outing dropping a 9-4 decision, a 16-hit loss to the White Sox.

1983- Former Yankees Reliever Cory Wade (2011-2012) was born.

On June 13, 2011, Reliever Cory Wade was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. Tampa Bay had released him. He would post a 7-2 record with a 4.23 ERA in 79 games for the Yankees. Cory Wade was originally signed by the Dodgers in 2004 MLB Amateur Player Draft. On October 17, 2012, Corey was selected off waivers by the Blue Jays from the Yankees. 

1991- Former Yankees Reserve OF/INF Roy Cullenbine (1942) passed away. (1914-1991)

On August 31,1942, OF Roy Cullenbine was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Senators. Roy had appeared in 21 games with the 1942 Yankees, while hitting .364. Roy appeared 5 games of the 1942 World Series against the Cardinals, hitting .263 for the Yankees. On December 17,1942, Roy was traded by the Yankees along with AL All-Star Catcher Buddy Rosarto the Indians for INF Oscar Grimes and OF Roy Weatherly. 

1995- Bronx Rookie Starter Mario Rivera makes his 2^nd MLB start for the Yankees, picking up a 4-1 victory over the Oakland A’s. It is the only Yankees victory in a 10 game West Coast road trip. Rivera had lost his MLB Pitching debut start on May 23^rdto the Angels, losing the game by a score of 10-0, while lasting only 3 1/3 innings.

2004- Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera posted his 300th MLB Career save in a Yankees 7-5 victory over the Devil Rays. He also became the 1st Yankee and 17th reliever in MLB history to reach the 300 MLB save milestone.

2012- The Angels lose their pitching Ace, Jered Weaver, after he had thrown only 12 pitches, when he is forced to leave his start against the Yankees with a back injury in the 1st inning, but they hold on for a hard-fought 9-8 win, that was capped by Mark Trumbo's walk-off HR. The victory puts the Angels at .500 for the 1st time since April 9th. Howie Kendrick and Kendry Morales drive in 3 runs each and Mike Trout homers to lead the offense. Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira hit HRs for the Yankees, while Russell Martin hits a 2-run double in the 7th to tie the game at 8-all, but Trumbo's 9th-inning HR off of Yankees Reliever Cory Wade ends it, giving struggling Angels Closer Jordan Walden his 1st win of the 2012 AL season.

2013- The Mets honor Yankees great Mariano Rivera, who has announced his MLB retirement at the end of the 2013 AL season by having him throw the ceremonial 1st pitch before the game between the 2 teams from the Big Apple at Citi Field, with retired Mets Closer John Franco acting as his Catcher for the occasion. However, the night doesn't end so well for Mo, as Daniel Murphy leads off the bottom of the 9^th inning with a double then David Wright and Lucas Duda follow up with RBI singles to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win. It is the 1st time of Mariano's illustrious MLB Pitching career that he blows a save without retiring a single batter; it is also his 1st blown save of the 2013 AL season.

May 29^th

1875- Former Yankees OF/3B David Fultz (1903-1905) was born. (1875-1959)

In March of 1903, the Highlanders had signed INF/OF Dave Fultz from the Philadelphia A’s. In 1902, he had hit .302 for the A’s, while scoring a leading AL 109 runs. After his 2 seasons with the 1901-1902 A’s, his MLB player contract allowed to play for any team that he wanted to for 1903 season. The Yankees had offered him the most money.  He would get the Yankees 1^st hit in their 1^st game of the 1903 AL season. Dave had hit .243 with 2 HRs and 99 RBIs in 305 games for the Yankees, before being traded back (his players rights) to the A’s for OF Danny Hoffman on April 29,1906.  A’s Team Owner Connie Mack had tried to get him to come back to play for him again. At the age of 31, Fultz had become a Lawyer; he didn’t want to play MLB baseball anymore. Later in 1919-1920, he would serve as the President of the International League.

1910- Former Yankees 1B George Mc Quinn (1947-1948) was born. (1910-1978)

On November 22, 1935, 1B George Mc Quinn was sent from the Yankees to the Reds in an unknown transaction. After appearing 38 games for the 1936 Reds, he was returned to the Yankees organization. On October 5,1937, he was drafted by the St. Louis Browns from the Yankees farm system in the 1937 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. After leaving with the Yankees, where he was blocked by the presence of future HOF Lou Gehrig at 1B, George would have a good playing career with the 1938-1945 Browns. On January 25,1947, George was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. The A’s had released him at the end of the 1946 AL season, as their Owner/Manager Connie Mack thought that he was too old and finished as a regular position player. Yankees Manager Bucky Harris had promised George, a chance to win the starting 1B  job in the 1947 Yankees Spring Training Camp. For the 1947 Yankees as their regular 1^st baseman, George would hit .308 with 13 HRs and 80 RBIs in 144 games. In 1947 and 1948, he would be named to the AL All-Star team. In the 1948 AL season, he would slump to a .248 BA with 11 HRs and 41 RBIs in 94 games. He would retire from the MLB. George had appeared in 2 World Series during his MLB playing career; 1 with the 1944 Browns and one with the 1947 Yankees, while hitting .256 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs in 13 games.

1921- Bronx Slugger Babe Ruth hits HR over the Right Field Roof at the Polo Grounds in a 9-4 Yankees win over the Philadelphia A’s.

1922- In a game played at the Polo Grounds against the Philadelphia A’s‚ the Yankees would score 7 runs in the 7^th inning to beat them by the score of 7-4. Yankees Starter Carl Mays is the winner‚ notching his 20th straight victory over the A's.

1927- In a loosely played Sunday game at Yankee Stadium‚ the Bronx Bombers would swamp the Red Sox by the score of 15-7‚ by scoring 7 runs in the 8th inning. A crowd of 35,000 fans see Yankees Slugger Babe Ruth propels his 13th HR off of Red Sox hurler Danny MacFayden‚ while Reserve Catcher Johnny Grabowski is 4 for 4 at the plate along with a walk. Veteran Bronx Starter Dutch Ruether is ineffective‚ serving up gopher ball to the Red Sox's Grover Hartley in the 2^nd inning and to Fred Haneyin the 3rd. The Red Sox give it back in the 4^th inning with 3 walks‚ 2 errors‚ a single by Bob Meusel and a double by Mark Koenig to make 4 runs. Ted Wingfield‚ pitching 2/3 of the 4^th inning‚ takes the loss for Boston. Yankees Reliever Myles Thomas would pitch 7 innings of relief allowing only 3 Boston hits and 3 runs; to pick-up his 1^st win of the season. He is now has a 1-1 record for the 1927 Yankees.

1928- At Yankee Stadium‚ the Yankees would sweep a doubleheader from the Senators by the scores of 3-2 and 12-3. In the Opener, Yankees INF Leo Durocher’s bases-loaded triple gives Yankees Starter George Pipgras (8-1) the victory. In the nightcap, Bronx Sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, both hit a pair of HRs: Lou hits his 9^th HR of the 1928 AL season in the 3^rd inning‚ off of Nats Starter Milt Gaston‚ then Ruth and Gehrig hit back-to-back HRs in the 4^th inning off of Nats Reliever Lloyd Brown. Babe Ruth adds his 18^th HR off of Brown in the 7^th inning. Also, Yankees CF Earle Combs hits a HR in the game. 

1934- The Yankees had purchased “some would say rent” veteran 41-year-old spit-baller Starter Burleigh Grimes from thePirates. After 10 appearances with the 1934 Yankees, while posting a 1-2 record with a 5.50 ERA, the team will release Grimes and the Pirates will re-obtain him.

1934- The Yankees had sold P Harry Smythe to the Dodgers for $7,500 Cash. He was sold to create an MLB 25-man roster spot for newly acquired veteran MLB P Burleigh Grimes from the Pirates. For the 1934 Yankees, Harry had posted a 0-2 record with a 7.08 ERA in 8 games.

1941- Former Yankees Reserve INF John Kennedy (1967) was born. (1941-2018)

After being obtained from the Dodgers for Reserve OF/1B John Miller and Minor League P Jack Cullen, John had hit only .196 with 1 HR and 17 RBIs in 78 games for the 1967 Yankees before being purchased by the Seattle Pilots in November of 1968. He was not the answer to the current Yankees infield problems. He had spent the 1968 baseball season playing for the Yankees AAA club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). 

1941- Despite scoring 5 runs in the top of the 6^th inning‚ the Yankees and Senators end in a tie at 2-2 in a game that is called after 5 innings. Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio has a hit and a strikeout‚ just his 3^rd this season.

1942- Yankees veteran Starter Lefty Gomez‚ self-described as the worst-hitting pitcher in MLB‚ bangs out 4 hits, while pitching a 4-hit‚ a 16-1 Yankees victory over the Senators. They are his last MLB playing career hits. Also, Yankees 1B Buddy Hassett adds 4 hits in the game as well.

1956- At Yankee Stadium‚ Mickey Mantle's walk in the 7^th inning is the 1^st Yankees base runner against Red Sox Starter Willard Nixon. Mantle's 2-out 9th inning HR deprives the Boston righty of a shutout. The Red Sox still beat the Yankees by the score of 7-3

1957-At Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C.‚ Nats Starter Camilo Pascual gives up 2 solo HRs to Yankee Sluggers Mickey Mantle and Hank Bauer‚ but the Senators still win the game by the score of 6-2. Senators Starter Camilo Pascual will groove 43 gopher balls during the 1957 AL season.

1961- At Fenway Park‚ veteran Boston Starter Ike Delock out-duels Bronx Ace Whitey Ford to beat the Yankees by the score of 2-1. New York's only scoring is Mickey Mantle's 1st HR in 2 weeks.

1965- Former Yankees 3B Charlie Hayes (1992,1996-1997) was born.

On February 19,1992, INF Charlie Hayes was sent by the Phillies to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on January 8,1992. The Phillies would send a Player to be Named Later to the Yankees for Minor League P Darrin Chapin. In 1992, Charlie would hit .257 with 18 HRs and 66 RBIs in 142 games for the Yankees. On November 17,1992, Hayes was drafted by the Colorado Rockies from the Yankees as their 3rd pick in the 1992 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft. On August 30,1996,Charlie was traded by the Pirates to the Yankees for a Player to be Named Later. On August 31,1996, the Yankees would send Minor League P Chris Corn to the Pirates to complete the trade. He would share the Yankees 3B duties with AL All-Star Wade Boggs. He had appeared in 1996 World Series against the Braves, while hitting only .188. In 1997, he would hit .258 with 11 HRs and 53 RBIs for the team. With the 1997 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft coming up, the Yankees had decided not to protect Hayes in the player draft, instead they had elected to trade him. On November 11,1997, Charlie was traded by theYankees along with Cash to the Giants for 2 Players: Catcher Alberto Castillo and OF Chris Singleton. Charlie had started his MLB playing career with the Giants before being traded to the Phillies. Overall, in 2 tours with the Yankees, Hayes had hit .259 with 31 HRs and 132 RBIs. 

1965- Former Yankees INF Mike McNally (1921-1924) had passed away. (1892-1965)

From 1915-1920, infielder Mike McNally had played for the Red Sox.  In 1916, he would appear in the World Series with Boston. On December 15,1920, Mike was traded by the Red Sox along with Pitchers Harry Harper, Waite Hoyt and Catcher Wally Schang to the Yankees for 2B Del Pratt, Catcher Muddy Ruel, Pitcher Hank Thormahlen and OF Sammy Vick. He would appear in 202 games with the Yankees, while hitting .252 with 1 HR and 43 RBIs. Also, he would play in 2 World Series with the 1921-1922 Yankees. On December 10,1924, Mike was traded by the Yankees to the Red Sox for OF Howie Shanks.

1966- Former Yankees Pitcher Hippo Vaughn (1908-1912) had passed away. (1888-1966)

Hippo Vaughn began his MLB Pitching career with the 1908 Yankees. He was traded to the Senators in the middle of the 1912 AL season. However, he achieved his greatest success after joining the Cubs in 1913. In 9 NL seasons with Chicago, he had won 20 games in a season 5 times. His best pitching season for the Yankees was in 1910, when he posted a 13-11 record. His final Yankees Pitching career totals was a 23-29 record with a 3.18 ERA and 1 save in 73 games. His overall MLB Pitching career record was 178-136 with 2.36 ERA in 390 games.

 1976- Former Yankees Reserve INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. (2009) was born.

Jerry Hairston is the son of Jerry Hairston Sr., Brother of Scott Hairston, Grandson of Sammy Hairston and Nephew of Johnny Hairston and Sam Hairston Jr. He is part of only 3 three-generation MLB families, the Boones and Bells being the other 2. On July 31,2009, Jerry was traded by the Reds to the Yankees for Minor League P Chase Weems. Jerry would appear in 45 games for the 2009 Yankees, while hitting .237 with 2 HRs and 12 RBIs. He would play in 3 games of the 2009 World Series against the Phillies, while hitting .167. On November 10, 2009, the Yankees would grant Jerry MLB Free Agency. He would sign with the Padres for the 2010 NL season.

1977- Yankees Starter Ed Figueroa wins his 7^th straight complete game of the 1977 AL season, as he defeated the White Sox by a score of 5-2. Bombers 1B Chris Chambliss supplied most of the Yankees run support with a 2-run HR and a rare steal of home plate.

1980- Yankees Starter Luis Tiant is fined $500 for dropping the ball to the ground and throwing his glove into the stands in what appeared to be an act of defiance after Manager Richard Howser had removed him from the game. Tiant had pitched shutout ball for 6 2/3 innings before giving up a triple to Barry Bonnell and then walking Al Woods. Yankees Manager Howser brought in Closer Rich Gossage from the bullpen and the "Goose" recorded his 5th save of the 1980 AL season. According to Tiant, he went to hand the ball to Howser while looking upward and that he did not see that the Manager’s hands had returned to his hip pockets.

1982- In Minnesota‚ the Yankees put runners on 1B (Graig Nettles) and 2B (Bobby Murcer) with no outs. When Yankees batter Roy Smalley strikes out on a wide 3-2 pitch from Twins’ P Terry Felton‚ Murcer attempts to steal 3rd base. But Twins Catcher Sal Butera’s throw beats him so badly that he retreats to 2nd, only to find Nettles already there. Twins Shortstop Gary Gaetti tags Murcer, who is standing safely alone on the base and then he throws to 1B Kent Hrbek to catch Nettles heading back to 1st. Murcer then tries for 3B, Ken Hrbek's throw to hurler Felton, covering the bag, completes the triple play. Alas‚ Felton‚ who was 0-8 coming into the game gets a no-decision: he will lose another 5 games to finish his MLB pitching career with a 0-16 record.

1987- Former MLB Player, Scout and Yankees Minor League Manager Jack Sheehan had passed away. (1893-1987)

Jack Sheehan had played 2 MLB seasons with the 1920-1921 Dodgers. He was a long-time Minor-League Manager. He was in the Yankees organization in 1933-1934, managing the Wheeling Stogies (MAL). Later, he would become an MLB Scout working with the Cubs, Indians, Senators and the Rangers organizations before retiring.

1993- Former MLB Player and Yankees Minor League Player INF Alex Kampouris (1940) had passed away. (1912-1993)

Infielder Alex Kampouris had played for the Reds from 1934 to 1938, before being traded to the Giants. On December 27,1939, the Giants had sent INF Alex Kampouris and Catcher Tom Padden to the Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on September 1,1939. On that date, the Giants would send players be named later and cash to the Yankees for Minor League star INF Mickey Witek, who was named the 1939 IL MVP Award winner. In 1940, Alex was sent down to the AA Newark Bears (IL) by the Yankees, where he would hit .273 with 36 HRs in 147 games. He would never appear with team at the MLB level. On September 10,1940, Alex was purchased by the Dodgers from the Yankees. He would finish his MLB playing career with the 1943 Senators.

1997- The Yankees finally agree to terms with Japanese hurler Hideki Irabu‚ signing the fire-baller to a 4-year contract worth $12.8 million. The deal includes a signing bonus of $8.5 million 

1997- At Toronto‚ Yankees 1B Tino Martinez hits his 20th HR - his 3rd in 3 games as veteran Bronx Starter David Cone strikes out 12 Blue Jays batters to lead the Yankees over Toronto by the score of 4-0. Reliever Jeff Nelson strikes out 3 more Blue Jays batters. Martinez raises his RBI total to 56 with a single in the 1st of off of veteran MLB Starter Woody Williams (1-5) and a solo HR shot in the 3^rd inning. 

2000- Oakland A’s 2B Randy Velarde turned an unassisted triple play, just the 11th in MLB history, on a line drive hit by Yankees batter Shane Spencer. With runners on 1st and 2nd bases running with the pitch, Velarde tagged Jorge Posada as he neared 2nd base, then he touched the base to retire Tino Martinez. In 1995 spring training game, while playing with the Yankees, Velarde had turned an unassisted triple play against the Dodgers. 

2002- Yankees Starter Roger Clemens becomes the 3rd MLB Pitcher to strike out 10 or more batters in at least 100 games. Nolan Ryan (215) and Randy Johnson (175) are the other 2 MLB hurlers to have accomplished this pitching feat.

2007- The Yankees, a season-low 8 games under .500 on May 29^th, go on a 73-39 in a stretch run leading the MLB in wins and winning percentage.

2009- On the road, the Yankees top the Indians by the score of 3-1. Bronx Closer Mariano Rivera saves an Andy Pettitte win for the 58th time, setting a new record for a pitcher duo; the old mark had been held by Oakland A’s hurlers Dennis Eckersley and

2016- For the 1st time in over a century, the Yankees win a game in spite of being limited to only 1 hit. Yankees 2B Starlin Castro hits a 2-run HR off of Rays’ hurler Jake Odorizzi in the 7th inning and it is enough to procure a 2-1 win. The last time the Yankees had won a game while collecting a single hit was on July 10,1914, when Charlie Mullen had the only safety in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against the Indians, shortened to 6 innings by darkness.

2018- Former Yankees 1B/OF Ray” Buddy” Barker (1965-1967) had passed away. (1937-2018)

On May 10,1965, 1B/OF Ray “Buddy” Barker was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for Reserve INF Pedro Gonzalez. Buddy would hit .222 with 10 HRs and 44 RBIs in 176 games for the 1965-1967 Yankees. On July 4,1967, Buddy was traded by the Yankees along with Players to be Named Later and Cash to the Orioles for veteran MLB Starter Steve Barber. On December 15,1967, the Yankees would send 2 Minor League Players: Infielders Chester Trail and Daniel Bailey to the Orioles to complete the trade. Buddy never appears at the MLB level with the 1967 Orioles, he was sent to their AAA team, the Rochester Red Wings (IL).

May 30^th   Traditional Memorial Day Double Headers! 

1884- Former Yankees INF/OF Rube Oldring (1905,1916) was born. (1884-1961)

Rube Oldring came up to the MLB originally as a Shortstop with the 1905 Highlanders, for whom the regular Shortstop that season was Kid Elberfeld. He would stick around with the Yankees, while the Athletics would select Oldring. His son, in an article states, however that Oldring was actually owned by the Philadelphia A’s, while he played for the 1905 Highlanders. A’s Team Owner Connie Mack would not let him stay with the team for the 1906 AL season. With the 1916 Yankees, Rube would play in the Outfield, while hitting .234 and appearing in 43 games. Overall, Rube would hit .245 with 2 HRs and 18 RBIs in 51 games for the Yankees in 2 tours with the team.

1894- Former Yankees Pitcher and Minor League Manager Al Mamaux (1924) was born. (1894-1963)

Al Mamaux would pitch in 12 seasons in the MLB. He had won 21 games with the Pirates in 1915 and 1916. He would appear in the 1920 World Series with the Dodgers. On July 12,1924, Al Mamaux was purchased by the Yankees from the AA Reading (IL). He would appear in 14 games with the 1924 Yankees, while posting a 1-1 record. He would sit out 1925 season, following his final season in the MLB, but he would return to the mound for the 1926 AA Newark Bears (IL). He would lead the International League with a 2.22 ERA that season. In 1927, Al paced the IL circuit with 25 wins with a 2.61 ERA. He would later manage the AA Newark Bears (IL) in the Yankees Minor League system. Then he would manage the Senators IL AA entry, the Albany Senators for 2 seasons. Al was the Head Baseball Coach at Seton Hall Univ. from 1937 to 1942. His teams had an overall record of 69-19 and the 1942 Pirates team went undefeated. In 1951, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame. In 1975, Al was selected for the Seton Hall Univ. Sports Hall of Fame and the Duquesne Univ. Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.  

1902- Former Yankees Pitcher Louis McEvoy (1930-1931) was born (1902-1953)

Lou McEvoy would post a 1-3 record with a 7.79 ERA and 4 saves in 34 games for the 1930-1931 Yankees.

1905- The Yankees had sold OF/1B John Anderson to the Washington Nationals (aka Senators). During the 1903 AL season, the team had acquired him from the Browns; he would hit .282 for the team, while driving in 82 runs. After the 1^st 32 games of the 1905 AL season, he was only hitting .232 for the team.

1907- The Yankees had purchased veteran MLB P Frank Kitson from the Senators. For the 1907 Senators Kitson was 0-3 with a 3.94 ERA in 5 games. He had been pitching in the MLB since 1898. The veteran hurler post a 4-0 record with a 3.10 ERA in 12 games for the Yankees in his final MLB active season.

1912- After a minor fire at Hilltop Park, the Yankees would play a separate admission, day-night doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics at the Polo Grounds. The Yankees had lost the morning game by a score of 7-1; the 2nd game of the double-bill was rained out.

1912- Former Yankees MLB Scout Eddie Dancisak (1963) was born. (1912-1966)

Outfielder Eddie Dancisak had played Minor League baseball from 1937 to 1942, almost entirely at the C and D class levels. Dancisak had entered the Army in February,1944, he was discharged in May,1946. Eddie was a MLB Scout for the 1946-1948 St. Louis Browns, 1949-1959 Boston/Milwaukee Braves,1960-1962 Phillies, 1963 Yankees and the 1964-1966 Mets. 

1922- Former MLB Pitcher Bob Hooper (1950-1955) was born in Leamington, Ontario, Canada. (1922-1980)

Clippers Note: He was my High School Gym teacher at New Brunswick Senior High School in New Jersey. He was the 1^stMLB player that I ever met. He spoke very highly of the New York Yankee players that he had played against during the early 1950’s. In 1969, when he spoke at our Senior Sports Dinner, saying how proud he was to be MLB player, when there were only 16 teams. He felt that expansion and big money was corrupting the game. We talked many times about baseball, it was an honor to meet and know such a man. Although he was born in Canada, Bob Hooper had served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He had pitched 6 seasons in the MLB for the Philadelphia A's, Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds and another 10 seasons in the Minor Leagues. Before the start of the1941 MLB season, the New York Giants signed Bob Hooper. He did not appear with them at the MLB level. As a 28-year-old Rookie in 1950, he was the Philadelphia A’s Closer, posting a 15-10 record with a 5.02 ERA and 5 saves in 45 games. In 1951, he became a Starter for the A’s, posting a 12-10 record with a 4.38 ERA and 5 saves in 38 games. In 1952, Bob went 8-15 with a 5.18 ERA with 6 saves in 45 games. In December of 1952, the A’s traded him to Indians for 2 players. With the 1953 Indians, he went 5-4 with a 4.02 ERA with 7 saves in 43 games. With the Indians, he was Early Wynn’s roommate. He was on the 1954 Indians, pitching in 17 games with no record, he was dealing with pitching arm issues, but he didn’t appear in the 1954 World Series against the Giants. In 1955, he pitched in his final MLB season with the Reds, appearing in 8 games with a 0-2 record with a 7.62 ERA. His final MLB Pitching career record was 40-41 with a 4.80 ERA and 25 saves in 194 games. Bob Hooper would manage in the Orioles Minor League System from 1957-1960. Then he was an MLB Scout for the 1963 Mets. One of his Orioles Minor League teams included future MLB Players: 3B Brooks Robinson, Pitcher Dean Chance and 1B John “Boog” Powell. He was a Physical Education teacher at New Brunswick Senior High School in Central New Jersey until his retirement in 1980. On March 17, 1980, Bob Hooper passed away at age of 57 from a heart attack in his home in New Brunswick, N.J.

1923- The Yankees would celebrate Memorial Day 1923 in Washington, D.C. playing at Griffith Stadium before a crowd of 14,000 fans with a twin-bill sweep of the Senators by scores of 6-4 and 9-5. In the 1^st game, the Yankees beat the Nats by the score of 6-4. Yankees Starter Herb Pennock throws a complete game victory to bring his 1923 AL season pitching record to 6-0. Senators Ace Walter Johnson only goes 3 innings before being replaced by Reliever Bonnie Hollingsworth, who is charged with the Nats loss, he is now 1-5 for the season. Babe Ruth hits a HR off of Nats Ace Walter Johnson in the 1^stinning. In 2^nd game, the Yankees beat the Nats by the score of 9-5. Yankees Starter “Bullet Joe Bush improves his 1923 pitching record to 7-4. Bronx Slugger Babe Ruth hits a HR in the game.

1930- The Yankees had obtained P Owen Carroll, Reserve INF George Wuestling and OF Harry Rice for the Tigers for veteran Starter Waite Hoyt and Shortstop Mark Koenig.  Veteran OF Harry Rice would hit .298 with 7 HRs and 74 RBIs in 100 games for the 1930 Yankees; while George Wuestling was a weak hitting utility infielder, who had hit .200 in 54 games for the team. Veteran Starter Waite Hoyt would continue to pitch successfully in the MLB for the next 8 seasons. Shortstop Mark Koenig would end up with the 1932 Cubs. Ownie Carroll would go 0-1 with a 6.61 ERA in 10 games with the Yankees before being sent to the Reds on September 13,1930. On January 13,1931, veteran OF Harry Rice was selected off waivers by the Senators from the Yankees. The new 1931 Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy had decided that he didn’t have any plans for the veteran outfielder on the 1931 team.

1932- In memory of former Yankees Manager Miller Huggins (1918-1929), the 1^st plaque is attached to a monument in Yankee Stadium is dedicated.

1932- The Yankees would celebrate Memorial Day 1932 with a twin-bill sweep of the Red Sox. A crowd of 45,000 fans watched the 2 Monday day games played at Yankee Stadium. In the Opener, Yankees Veteran Starter Herb Pennock throws a complete game victory. He is now 3-0 for the 1932 AL season. Former Yankees hurler Wilcy Moore takes the loss for Boston, he is now at the 1-4 mark. On August 1,1932, he will be traded back to the Yankees. In the 2^nd game, the Bombers beat by the Red Sox by the score of 13-3. Yankees hitting star was Shortstop Lyn Lary, who goes 3 for 5 at the plate with a HR and 3 RBIs in the game. Yankees Starter Hank Johnson throws a complete game win, bringing his 1932 pitching record to a 2-1 mark. The Yankees now have a 28-11 record for the 1932 AL season. 

1938- Before a crowd of 83,533 fans at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees would sweep a Monday Memorial Day Doubleheader from the Red Sox by scores of 10-0 and 5-4. More than 6,000 fans are turned away; 511 fans are given refunds. In the 1^stgame, Yankees Starter Red Ruffing throws a complete game shutout for his 6^th win of the season. Meanwhile Boston Starter Lefty Grove his handed his 1^st loss of the 1938 AL season, he is now 8-1. In the 2^nd game, Yankees Starter Lefty Gomez throws a complete game, picking up his 3^rd victory of the season, while Boston Starter Jack Wilson, is now at the 3-5 mark. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hits his 4^th HR of the season, a 2-run HR shot. Yankee hitters Joe DiMaggio and Bill Dickey hit doubles in the game. The game also featured a fistfight under the Stadium stands between Yankees OF Jake Powell and Red Sox Player-Manager Joe Cronin, after they had been both thrown out of the game. Powell had charged the Red Sox hurler Archie Mc Kain, after he had hit him in the stomach. Joe Cronin came in from his Shortstop position to protect his pitcher. That fight would last for several minutes. The both players were separated by the Umpires and thrown out of the game. The visitors in those days had to approach their clubhouse through the Yankees dugout. The Players and Umpires broke up this 2nd fight. Joe Cronin and Jake Powell were later fined and suspended for 10 days for their actions by the AL President’s office.

1941- The Red Sox and Yankees would split a Friday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Fenway Park. A crowd of 34,500 fans had attend the 2 games. The Yankees would win the Opener by score of 4-3 by scoring 3 runs in the 9^th inning to win the game. Bronx Bomber 3B Red Rolfe hits a HR. In the Nightcap, the Red Sox bounce back with 13-0 win over the Yankees. The Red Sox cap it off with a triple steal. Boston Slugger Ted Williams laces out 6 hits, while Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio continues his consecutive game hitting streak with a hit in each game, he is now at 16 games mark.

1943- At Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 53,685 fans would watch a Sunday Memorial Doubleheader played between the Yankees and the Indians. The Bronx Bombers would sweep the Tribe by scores of 4-3 and 3-2. In the Opener, Yankees Starter Spud Chandler and Closer Johnny “The Milkman” Murphy hold the off the Indians for a 4-3 win. Chandler gets his 5^thwin of the season, while Bronx Closer Murphy gets his 1^st save of the season. Bronx hitter Joe “Flash” Gordon hits a HR and has 3 RBIs in the game. Pitcher Spud Chandler enjoys a good day with the bat, going 3 for 3 including a double. Tribe 2B Ray Mack hits a 2-run HR to make the game close in the 9^th inning. Indians Starter Al Smith takes the loss, he is now 3-1 for the season. In the 2^nd game, Bronx Starter Butch Wensloff throws a complete game for his 2^nd win of the season, he is now at 2-2 mark. Tribe Starter Joe Heving gets a no decision. Meanwhile Indians Reliever Allie Reynolds gets the loss, he is now 0-3. Yankees OF Roy Weatherly hits a solo HR

1950- The Yankees would sweep the Red Sox in a Tuesday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium by the scores of 11-7 and 5-3. In the 1^st game Yankees Starter Tommy Byrne gets a 11-7 victory. Byrne is now 5-1; while Closer Joe Page picks-up his 8^th save of the season. Red Sox Starter Mel Parnell takes the loss, he is now 5-3. Bronx veteran 1B Tommy “Old Reliable” Henrich goes 2 for 5 at the plate. “Old Reliable” has a double and a triple with 2 RBIs in the game. Also, Yankees Pitcher Tommy Byrne enjoys a good game at the plate by going 3 for 4 along with 2 RBIs. In the 2^nd game, the Yankees win the game by the score of 5-3. Yankees Starter Eddie Lopat gets his 6^th win of the season with relief help from Yankees P Allie Reynolds, who gets his 1^st save of the season. Red Sox Starter Ellis Kinder throws a complete game loss, he is now 3-5 for the year. Bombers Joe Collins hits a HR in the game. The Yankees are now 19-16 for the1950 AL season.

1956- In a Wednesday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium, a crowd of 29,825 fans watch as Mickey Mantle launches his 1st facade HR shot off of Senators Starter Pedro Ramos in Game 1. The Mantle HR Ball misses going out of Yankee Stadium by 18 inches; reporters estimate it would’ve gone at least 600 feet. Bronx Starter Johnny Kucks picks up his 6th victory of the season along with relief help from Tom Morgan in the Yankees 4-3 victory. The Mantle HR ball hit the face of the upper deck in Right Field, 370 feet from home plate and 117 feet in the air. Mantle also became the 1st player in MLB history to hit 20 HRs by the end of May. In Game 2, he would clout a 450-footer HR off of Nats Starter Camilo Pascual that goes half-way up the bleachers in Right Field to lead the Yankees 12-5 win to complete a twin-bill sweep over the Senators. Bronx Starter Bob Turley picks up the Yankees victory, he is now 2-2 for the season. Meanwhile Nats Starter Pascual falls to a 2-6 record. Yankee veteran hitters Eddie Robinson and Hank Bauer would hit HRs in the 2nd game. The 1956 Yankees now have a 28-13 record.

1959- The Yankees sweep the Senators in a Saturday Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Griffith Park in Washington, D.C. In 1^st game, the Bronx Bombers win the game by the score of 11-2 with HRs hit by Elston Howard, Hector Lopez and Mickey Mantle. Yankees Starter Art Ditmar throws a complete game victory, bringing his record up to 2-4 for the season. In the 2^nd game, the Yankees Starter Don Larsen throws a complete game win, improving his pitching record to 5-0. With the Memorial Day sweep of the Nats, the Yankees trying to climb back into the 1959 AL Pennant race, they are now at the 18-23 mark.

1960- The Memorial Day Doubleheader played at Yankee Stadium on a Monday, that draws a crowd of 43,699 fans. The Yankees would split the doubleheader with the Nats. The Senators would take the Opener with a 2-1 win. Nats Starter Chuck Stubbs wins his 2^nd game of the year, getting relief help from veteran Closer Tex Clevenger, who gets his 2^nd save of the season. Yankees Starter Art Ditmar goes 7 innings, allowing 2 Nats runs, he gets the lost; he is now 2-2 for the season. Bronx Reliever Johnny James goes 2 scoreless innings to end the game. In the 2^nd game, the Bronx Bombers bounce back with a 3-2 win over the Nats. Yankees Batters RF Roger Maris (solo) and Catcher Yogi Berra (2-runs) would hit HRs in the game. Nats Starter Pedro Ramos throws a complete game loss, he is now 2-6 for the 1960 season. Bronx Starter Ralph Terry goes 7 innings, but he doesn’t get the decision, Yankees veteran Reliever Bobby Shantz picks-up the win, he is now 1-1. The 1960 Yankees are now 19-16 for the season.

1961- At Fenway Park, Yankees hitters Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Bill “Moose” Skowron each hit 2 HRs to lead theYankees to a 12-3 rout over the Red Sox in a single game played for the Memorial Day holiday. Also, Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra hits a HR for in the game. Yankees Starter Ralph Terry was the winning pitcher, while veteran Starter Gene Conley was the losing pitcher for the Red Sox.

1967- Veteran Yankees Starter Whitey Ford announced his retirement from MLB baseball because of an elbow injury. His final Yankees appearance was a start in Detroit on May 21st, but he had lasted just 1 inning for the Yankees. He would finish his Yankees MLB Pitching career with a 236-106 record to become the All-Time Yankee Pitcher’s wins’ leader. He had passed former team leader Red Ruffing, who had 232 Yankee career wins during the 1966 AL season.

1974- The 1974 Mayor’s Trophy game was held at Shea Stadium, since Yankee Stadium is being remodeled. The Yankees won the game by the score of 9-4 behind a 3^rd inning Grand Slam HR by Reserve INF Fernando Gonzalez off of Mets P Mike Wegener. Yankees hurler Dave Pagan picks-up the win. The game attendance for the game played at Shea Stadium was 35,984 fans.

1975-  Rangers INF César Tovar  becomes the 2nd player to collect the only hit in 5 1-hitters, doing so in a 6-0 loss to Catfish Hunter of the Yankees. Tovar also had the only hit while playing for the Twins on April 30,1967; May 15 and August 10,1969; and August 13,1970. Billy Williams preceded Tovar in setting this record a month earlier and Eddie Milner will tie it in 1986.

1977- Bronx Bomber Sluggers 3B Graig Nettles and RF Reggie Jackson would hit back-to back HRs in 2^nd inning to lead the Yankees past the Red Sox by a score of 5-4.

1980- The Yankees play the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. A crowd of 24,319 fans watched the Friday Memorial Day game. Yankees veteran Starter Luis Tiant picks-up his 4^th win of the season, while Closer Rich Gossage gets his 5^th save. Blue Jays Starter Jim Clancy takes the loss. Clancy is now 3-3 for the season. Yankee Hitters OF Bobby Brown, Pinch-Runner and DH Dennis Werth hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now 27-16 for the 1980 AL season.

1991- Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Magnuson (1973) had passed away. (1946-1991)

The Yankees had claimed P Jim Magnuson from the White Sox organization in the 1971 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. He would spend all of 1972 baseball season with their AAA  club, the Syracuse Chiefs (IL); while posting a 9-7 record with a 3.48 ERA and 3 saves for the team. He was 10th in the International League in ERA and led his club. Jim would finish his pro baseball career in 1973, going 7-4 with a 4.04 ERA for AAA Syracuse (IL). For the 1973 Yankees, Jim would post a 0-1 record with a 4.28 ERA in 6 games.

1992- Yankees Starter Scott Sanderson became the 9^th MLB pitcher to beat all 26 MLB teams, as the Bronx Bombersdefeated the Brewers by a score of 8-1. Scott Sanderson would join MLB hurlers Doyle Alexander, Rich Gossage, Tommy John, Gaylord Perry, Nolan Ryan, Don Sutton, Mike Torrez and&nbs**** Wise, as MLB Pitchers, who have defeated every MLB club during their Pitching careers.

2011- Yankees Veteran Starter Bartolo Colon pitches his 1st MLB shutout since the 2006 MLB season by blanking the Oakland A’s by the score of 5-0. The 38-year-old Yankees Pitcher has made a remarkable comeback after being out of the majors all of last season.

2013- The Mets  would complete a 4-game sweep of the Yankees with a 3-1 win behind the pitching of their Starter Dillon Gee, who strikes out a MLB career-high 12 Yankee batters in 7 1/3 innings. It is the 1st time the Mets have ever swept a Subway Series against the Bronx Bombers, as those are the only 4 games the 2 teams will play against each other this 2013 MLB season. 

2017- At a Memorial Day Game played at Baltimore’s Camden Yards, a crowd of 16,126 fans see the Birds lose to the Yankees by the score of 8-3. Yankees Starter Luis Severino picks-up his 4^th win of the 2017 AL season along with bullpen help from Yankee Relievers Tommy Layne, Adam Warren, Bryan Mitchell and Tyler Clippard. While Orioles Starter Chris Tillman is loser for the Birds, he is now 1-2 for the 2017 AL season. The Yankees hitters Brett Gardner and Matt Holiday hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now at the 30-19 mark for the 2017 AL season.

This Week in Yankees History May May 28th-June 3rd Part Three

June 2^nd

1915- At the Polo Grounds, Babe Ruth and the well-traveled Red Sox beat the Yankees by a score of 7-1. It was the last stop on a 29-day road trip for the Red Sox. Ruth would allow 5 hits and hits his 2nd MLB career HR, a 3-run shot off of Yankees Starter Jack Warhop in the 2nd inning. After hitting his HR, Ruth received 2 intentional walks from Yankee hurlers. He ended up kicking the bench and breaking his toe, which would sideline him for 2 weeks.

1925- A 21-year-old Rookie 1B named Lou Gehrig started a game for the Yankees, when regular 1B Wally Pipp was hit in the head during batting practice and complained of a headache- in fact it was a head concussion. The Yankee Rookie would collect 3 hits in 5 at-bats, helping the Yankees to an 8-5 victory over the Senators. Lou Gehrig will go on to play in an MLB record of 2,130 consecutive games. Pipp would never start another game at 1B for the Yankees, he would become Reserve 1B and Pinch-Hitter for the1925 team. After the 1925 AL season was over, Wally would be sold to the Reds. He gave the Yankees 10 strong seasons (1915-1925) at 1B, after being obtained from the Tigers in 1915. 

1926- Former Yankees Reserve INF (1953) and Long-time Yankees Minor League Manager Frank Verdi was born. (1926-2010)

Prior to the start of 1946 AL season, INF Frank Verdi was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Yankees. Verdi would play parts of 4 seasons with the 1949-1952 Binghamton Triplets (EL). He would hit .303 for the club in 1950. Frank would hit .313 in 1952, 3rd best in the Eastern League that season. Frank Verdi made his only MLB appearance in a game for the Yankees against the Red Sox on May 10,1953. He had entered the game playing shortstop in the bottom of the 6th inning. With 2 outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 7th inning, the Yankees were up 5 to 3. Then Red Sox Reliever Ken Holcombe entered the game to relieve Ellis Kinder; then Yankees Manager Casey Stengel replaced Verdi with Bill Renna. Verdi would never appear in an MLB game again. After his active playing career was over, he became a Minor League Manager. He was with the Yankees organization from 1963 to 1972. He would return to the Yankees farm system to manage the AAA Columbus Clippers (IL) in 1981-1982. He won the 1981 International League Championship with the Clippers. In 2008, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame as a Manager.

 1931- Former Yankees Reliever Marshall “Sheriff” Bridges (1962-1963) was born. (1931-1990) 

Marshall Bridges was a 1B/Pitcher with the Memphis Red Sox (Negro Leagues). In 1953, the Giants had signed Marshall. After hitting just .233, but going 14-1 on the mound for the 1955 Amarillo Gold Sox, he concentrated on making the MLB as a Pitcher.  After winning 16 games, leading the Pacific Coast League in strikeouts for the 1958 Sacramento Solons, Marshall was acquired by Cardinals from the Giants: During the 1959 NL season, the Cardinals would use Bridges primarily in relief. Then again by the Reds, who had acquired him in 1960. In fall of 1961, he was traded to the Yankees for Reserve Catcher Jesse Gonder. In 1962, the Yankees were looking for bullpen help. "Sheriff", as he was sometimes called, came to the rescue. The hard-throwing southpaw won 8 games, while saving 18 games in 52 appearances to help lead the Yankees to the AL pennant. He was not as effective in the 1962 World Series against the Giants, allowing the 1st Grand Slam HR ever hit by a National Leaguer in a World Series by Giants 2B Chuck Hiller. Bridges was at the Pride of Fort Lauderdale Elks Lodge on February 13 1963, when he was shot with a small caliber weapon in the leg just below the knee. 21-year-old Carrie Lee Raysor claimed Bridges had repeatedly offered to drive her home and, after repeatedly not taking "No" for an answer, "took out [her] gun and shot him." He would recover from his gunshot wounds to pitch for another season with the Yankees. The Senators would purchase him from the Yankees in November of 1963. His final Yankees Pitching career totals was a 10-4 record with 19 saves in 75 games. He spent 2 seasons with the Senators, concluding his 7-year MLB Pitching career with a 23-15 record, with 25 saves and a 3.75 ERA. Bridges spent 3 more seasons in pro ball playing with the AAA Hawaii Islanders (PCL) from 1965-1967; he decided to call it a career after this last run. Marshall had spent 15 years in pro baseball from 1953-1967. His Minor League stat sheet shows that he had appeared in 243 games, while posting a 74-57 record with a 3.94 ERA, while pitching 1,138 innings. 

1932- Former Yankees Reserve OF/3B Louis “The Nervous Greek” Skizas (1956) was born.

Before the start of 1949 AL season, Lou Skizas was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Lou had appeared in just 6 games with the 1956 Yankees, while hitting .167. On June 14,1956, Lou was traded by the Yankees along with veteran 1B/PH Eddie Robinson to the A’s for P Moe Burtschy, OF Bill Renna and Cash. He would hit .316 with 11 HRs in 89 games for the 1956 A’s before fading. In 1958, he was traded by KC to the Tigers. He had started the 1959 season with the White Sox, but Lou was traded to the Reds. He would play in the MLB from 1956-1959 with the Yankees, A’s, Tigers, White Sox and the Reds, while appearing in 239 games, hitting .270 with 30 HRs and 86 RBIs.

 1933- Former Yankees INF Jerry Lumpe (1956-1959) was born. (1939-2014)

Jerry Lumpe was one of many young Yankee infielders, who couldn’t break into the regular Yankees starting infield lineup of Manager Casey Stengel. He had played for the Yankees at Shortstop during their 1956 baseball tour of Japan. He did appear in the 1957-1958 World Series against the Braves, hitting .231 in 12 games. Billy Martin and Bobby Richardson had blocked Jerry at 2B. He was lost in Stengel’s infield platoon system at Shortstop and 3B. He was one of the young Yankee players along with OF Norm Siebern, 1B Marv Throneberry, who were openly criticized by Casey Stengel in the NYC sports media, as he stopped being a supporter of the Yankee youth movement, instead relying on the veteran players on the team roster. Casey on Lumpe to the media “Jerry Lumpe looks like the best hitter in the world until you put him in the lineup.” Also, Jerry also had some contract money problems dealing with Bronx GM George Weiss, which Jerry commented, “They really know how to make you feel not wanted.” His Yankees teammate Mickey Mantle helped him out 1 season by loaning him free use of his house in New Jersey for the season, when Jerry has facing serious family medical problems. On May 26,1959, Jerry has able to leave the Yankees, when he was traded along with 2 veteran Pitchers Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant to Kansas City A’s for P Ralph Terry and INF Hector Lopez. With the A’s, he would become their regular 2B playing for them until 1963. In 1964, he was traded to the Tigers, playing with them until 1967. His best MLB season would be with the 1962 A’s, hitting .301 with 3 HRs and 54 RBIs. He would later become an MLB Coach for the Oakland A’s, when Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi and other players teased about his MLB playing career, Jerry just showed them his 1956 Yankees World Championship Ring and the joking by the A’s players immediately stopped, because he had a World Series Championship Ring that they didn’t have one.

1934- The Yankees had released veteran P George Uhle (1933-1934). 

The veteran hurler Uhle came to the Yankees at the end of his long MLB Pitching career. On July 24,1933, Uhle was signed as an MLB Free Agent by the Yankees. He had previous pitched for the 1933 Tigers and the Giants. He would appear in 22 games for the1933-1934 Bronx Bombers, while posting an 8-5 record with a 6.17 ERA before finishing out his MLB Pitching career with the 1936 Indians. The Yankees had released George to clear an MLB 25-man roster spot for College Pitcher Johnny Broaca, who was about to graduate from Yale Univ. and join the team. As an MLB Pitcher from 1919 to 1936, George had posted a 200-166 record with a 3.99 ERA in 513 games.

1938- Former Yankees Player, Coach, Manager, General Manager and Special Advisor Gene “Stick” Michael (Player 1968-1973, MLB Coach 1975-1978, Manager (1981-1982), General Manager (1980-1981,1991-1995) MLB Manager: Cubs (1986-1987) was born. (1938-2017)

In the fall of 1967, the Yankees had obtained Gene “Stick” Michael from the Dodgers for Cash. In 1959, the Pirates had signed him as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. Michael was a graduate of Kent State Univ. Gene reached the MLB with the 1966 Pirates. On December 1,1966, he was traded by the Pirates along with INF Bob Bailey to the Dodgers for veteran NL All-Star Shortstop Maury Wills. Also, Gene briefly played Minor League basketball. On November 30,1967, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Dodgers, becoming the team’s regular Shortstop in 1968. His best Yankee season was in 1969, when he hit .272 with 2 HRs and 31 RBIs. He remained the Yankees regular Shortstop through the 1973 AL season. In 1974, he was sharing the Shortstop position with Jim Mason. As a Yankees player, Gene had appeared in 789 games, while hitting .233 with 12 HRs and 204 RBIs. He was released by the team at the end of the 1974 AL season. He would be signed as MLB Free Agent by the Tigers in January of 1975. He would play for the Tigers for 1 season, before being released by the team. In 1976, he signed with the Red Sox, but Gene didn’t make any appearances with the team. Gene was released in May of 1976 by Boston ending his MLB playing career. His favorite fielding trick as a Yankee Shortstop, as the “hidden ball trick,” which caught quite a few AL base runners. After his active playing days were over, he rejoined the Yankees organization as Coach and Manager in their farm system. Then later he worked in the Yankees front office. Gene left the Yankees organization to manage the 1986-1987 Cubs and then he returned to the Yankees organization in 1988. In 1991-1995, he helped rebuild the Yankees farm system that developed the “Core 4 “players; Gene was a Special Advisor to the Yankees front office before he passed away in 2017.

1939- Former Yankees INF Horace Clarke (1965-1973) was born. (1939-2020)

In 1958, the Yankees had signed INF Horace Clarke as an MLB Free Agent. Mislabel by the sports media as a symbol of failure during the Yankee decline years (1965-1975). Fellow Yankee teammate Bobby Mercer describes him as “A 100% player. He wanted to play every day.” Horace had led the AL 2B in assists for 6 straight seasons (1967-1972). In 1967, he led the AL 2B in fielding. Horace led the AL in bats in 1969 and 1970 AL seasons. His best Yankees season was in 1969, when he hit .285 with 4 HRs and 48 RBIs. Although, he only hit 27 HRs  in his MLB playing career, his 1st 2-HRs were Grand Slam HRs. During the 1970 AL season, he  would ruin 3 no-hit game bids in 1 month by AL Pitchers Joe Niekro, Sonny Siebert and Jim Rooker. As Yankees player, Horace had appeared in 1,820 games from 1965 to 1974, while hitting .257 with 27 HRs and 300 RBIs. He had stolen 151 bases for the team. On May 31,1974, Clarke was sold to the Padres. He had lost his starting 2B job to Yankees former starting Shortstop Gene Michal in 1974 MLB Spring Training camp, starting the season as a reserve infielder for the team. He would finish his MLB playing career in 1974 with the Padres with a lifetime MLB BA of .256 with 27 HRs and 304 RBIs.

1941- Former Yankees AL All-Star 1B Lou Gehrig died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 37 in New York City. From that time on, the illness was known primarily as “Lou Gehrig's Disease.” Gehrig had seen his MLB record of 2,130 consecutive games end in May of 1939 because of the disease. It was on this day exactly 16 years ago, he would break into the Yankees starting line-up.

1948- Former Yankees Minor League OF/P Joe Pactwa was born. (1948-2009)

On June 7,1966, OF Joe Pactwa was drafted by the Yankees in the 18th round of the 1966 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Joe never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. In 1970, Joe Pactwa hit 25 HRs in the Eastern League, tying him for 4th in the circuit. Remaining at AA for the 1971 season, he hit 20 more HRs for the Charlotte Hornets, 5th in the Southern League. In 1973, Pactwa began pitching in addition to playing the outfield. He hit .378 for the AA West Haven Yankees. Joe went 12-6 on the mound with a 3.18 ERA. He was part of a 5-way tie for the Eastern League lead in victories. He led the Eastern League in ERA. Joe Pactwa was a full-time pitcher in 1974 for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs (IL), but he went just 4-9 with a 4.41 ERA. On December 3,1974, Joe was purchased by Tampico (MXL) from the Yankees organization. At the end of the 1975 Mexican League season, Joe received a brief tryout as a pitcher with the Angels. He had pitched in 4 games, 3 of them starts, winning 1 game with a 3.86 ERA; however, his K/W ratio was a very poor 3/10 in 16 innings. Joe would return to play in Mexico League from 1976-1982. 

1958- Yankees AL All-Star Starter Whitey Ford struck out 6 batters in a row to tie an AL record as he shut out the White Soxby a score of 3-0. Meanwhile Chicago Starter Jim Wilson allowed just 6 Yankee hits, but 3 of them were HRs by Hank Bauer(2) and Mickey Mantle (1). On a botched hit-and-run attempt, White Sox baserunner Luis Aparicio was thrown out at 2B, ending his streak of 26 consecutive stolen bases.

1967- Former Yankees Reliever Mike Stanton (1997-2002, 2005) was born.

Pitcher Mike Stanton was selected as a 13th round pick in the 1987 MLB Amateur Player Draft by the Braves. Stanton had pitched in every MLB Postseason from 1991 through 2002, except for the 1994 MLB strike season. He had made a total of 552 MLB relief appearances before making his 1st MLB career start in 1999 with the Yankees. As a Yankees Reliever, Mike Stanton had posted a 30-12 record with a 3.77 ERA and 12 saves in 428 games. He was one key of the bullpen bridges to Yankees Closer Mo Rivera from 1997-2002. He would become an MLB Free Agent and sign a 3-year player deal with the Mets. After 2 years, he was traded back to the Yankees for Reliever Felix Heredia. He spent the final 3 years of his career bouncing from the Yankees to the Nationals to the Red Sox, back to the Nationals, then to the Giants and the Reds. He tried to return to the majors with the Cubs in 2009, but he was released before the season began. Overall, Stanton would post a 68-63 record with a 3.92 ERA and 84 saves over his MLB pitching career. Mike had pitched in 53 MLB postseason games, 4th on the all-time list.

1972- Former Yankees OF/DH Raul Ibanez (2012) was born.

While by no means a good defensive outfielder, Ibáñez has always managed to keep out of being typecast as a DH; in Philadelphia, he had replaced the equally defensively challenged Pat Burrell in LF. He was helped by the presence at his side of 2 excellent defensive players in Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth. In 2009, he did indeed cool down, finishing at .272 with 34 HRs and 93 RBIs. In both the 2009 NLCS and 2009 World Series, he hit an HR and had 4 RBIs. In 2010, Ibanez had played 155 games for the Phillies, hitting .275 with 16 HRs and 83 RBIs. He completed his 3-year pact with a season of .245 with 20 HRs and 84 RBIs in 2011. With the Phillies having a number of promising young outfielders in their farm system, such as John Mayberry and Dominic Brown, they showed little interest in re-signing him for 2012 NL season. Indeed, there was little demand for his services, given his age and declining offensive numbers. Raul had to wait until MLB spring training camps were already under way to land a job with the Yankees on February 20th. The Bronx Bombers were looking for him to be their left-handed DH in 2012, replacing the recently retired DH/C Jorge Posada. Despite having a very poor spring training performance with the bat, he made the Yankees MLB 25-man player roster. He would a clutch hitter for the 2012 Yankees. Raul appeared in 130 games for the team, while hitting .240 with 19 HRs and 62 RBIs. After the 2012 AL season had ended, the Yankees granted him MLB Free Agency. He resigned with his old team the Mariners for 2013 AL season. After the 2014 AL season, he retired from the game

1978- Former Yankees Pitcher Bob McGraw (1917-1919,1920) had passed away. (1895-1978)

Bob McGraw had appeared in 24 games for the Yankees, while posting a 1-2 record with a 4.14 ERA. On July 29,1919, Bob was traded by the Yankees along with INF Allen Russell and $40,000 Cash to the Red Sox veteran Starter Carl “Sub “Mays. He would return to the Yankees in 1920, appearing in 15 games with no record. In January of 1921, he was traded by the team to AA Vernon Tigers (PCL). 

1981- On a Tuesday game played at Yankee Stadium, before a crowd of 25,057 fans watched the Yankees beat the Orioles by the score of 5-3. Yankees Starter Ron Guidry goes 7.1 innings of work, getting a no decision. Meanwhile Bronx Closer Rich Gossage throws 3.1 innings of relief work for the win, he is now 2-1 for the 1981 AL season. Orioles Starter Mike Flanagan gets a no decision, while Birds Reliever Sammy Stewart takes the loss; he is now 2-2 for the season. Orioles Slugger Eddie Murray hits a 2-run HR for the Birds. While Yankees Slugger Dave Winfield and 1B Dave Revering each hit HRs in the game. The Yankees are now 27-20 for the 1981 AL season.

1993- Former Yankees, Giants and Cardinals HOF 1B/PH Johnny “Big Cat” Mize (1949-1953) had passed away. (1916-1993).

Johnny Mize had finished his long MLB playing career with a lifetime BA of .312. He would hit 356 MLB Career HR’s. He had the 8^th best slugging percentage in MLB history .562. Johnny had 9 consecutive .300 plus seasons. He was a 4-time NL HR Champion, including a 51 HR season in 1947. Johnny was one of the greatest pinch hitters in MLB history, including 3 AL leading seasons with the Yankees, finishing with a lifetime mark of .283. Johnny Mize came up with the Cardinals (1936-1941), later he would play for the Giants (1942,1946-1949) before joining the Yankees during the 1949 MLB season. He would spend 1943-1945 MLB seasons in the Navy during World War II, before being discharged in October 1945. Mize holds the MLB record for the most times hitting 3 HRs in 1 game, a feat that he performed 6 times. Also, he was the only player to do it in both leagues — 5 times in the NL and once in the AL with the Yankees. On August 22,1949, John was acquired by the Yankees on waivers from the Giants for $40,000 Cash. As a Yankees player, Johnny would hit .264 with 44 HRs with 179 RBIs in 375 games. In World Series play with the 1949-1953 Yankees, Mize would hit .286 with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs. After 1953 World Series victory with the Yankees, Mize would retire from the MLB. Later, Johnny was an MLB Coach for the 1961 Kansas City A’s. In 1981, the Veteran’s Committee would elect Johnny into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. "His bat doesn't travel as far as anybody else's. He just **** it and slaps, and when you're as big as he is, you can slap a ball into the seats. That short swing is wonderful. ..." – Yankees Manager Casey Stengel.

2001- Former Yankees OF (1949-1954) and MLB Scout Gene Woodling had passed away (1922-2001). 

In 1940, OF Gene Woodling was signed as an MLB Amateur Free Agent by the Indians, appearing with them in 1943. He had spent the 1944-1945 seasons, while serving in the Navy. In 1947, the Indians would trade him to the Pirates organization. On September 30,1948, the Yankees had purchased OF Gene Woodling from the AA San Francisco Seals (PCL).  He would be named the Pacific League’s MVP for 1948 season. With the 1948 Seals, Gene had hit .385 with 22 HRs and 107 RBIs in 146 games. He would hit the following during his Yankees playing career starting in 1949, .270, .283, .281, .309, .306 before dropping off to .250 due to a broken arm injury that ended his 1954 AL season early. Yankees Manager Casey Stengel would often platoon Gene Woodling and Hank Bauer in OF. As a Yankee player, Gene had appeared in 698 games, while hitting .285 with 51 HRs and 336 RBIs. In 5 World Series with the Yankees, Gene would hit .318. The Yankees would send him to the Orioles in the big 17-player trade in the winter of 1954, thinking he was washed up at the age of 31. But he wasn’t, Gene would go on to hit .300, 3 more times while playing in the AL. He had played for the Indians (twice), Pirates, Yankees, Orioles, the 1961 AL Expansion Senators and finishing his MLB playing career with the 1962 Expansion Mets. Gene would finish up his MLB 17 seasons playing career with his old Manager Casey Stengel, who was now managing the new 1962 NL Expansion Team, the Mets. After being released as an MLB active player by the Mets in March of 1963, he would become an MLB Coach for the Mets. He would leave the team after a dispute with the Mets front office over player contract talks with former Yankees Reserve 1B/OF Marv Throneberry. Later, Gene was an MLB Coach for the Orioles under his old Yankees teammate, Manager Hank Bauer. Also, he was an MLB Scout for the Indians and the Yankees. As a Yankees MLB Scout, Gene had signed Catcher Thurman Munson, who had played college baseball at Kent State.

2005- The Yankees were swept by the team with the worst record in MLB (16-37) falling 5-2 to the Royals for their 1st 5-game losing streak in more than 2 seasons. Royals’ pitchers allowed just 6 Yankee runs in the series. It was the 3rd time in their storied history the Yankees had been swept in 3 games by the team with the worst record in MLB. The other times were in 2000 by the Tigers and in 1937 by the A’s. The Royals had gone 78 series without sweeping anyone, the longest drought in the MLB since the Phillies went 79 series without a sweep from 1996-1997

2009- The Yankees see their AL record of playing 18^th straight errorless games played stop in Yankees Stadium during their 12-3 win over the Rangers. Yankees Catcher Jorge Posada makes 2 errors in the game to end the streak.

June 3^rd 

1919- At Shibe Park in Philadelphia, the Yankees would edge out the A’s by the score of 10-9. Yankees Starter Jack Quinn gets a no decision, while Bronx Relievers George Mogridge, Ernie Shore and Bob Shawkey follow him in the game. The Yankees score 6 runs in the last 3 innings to win the game by the score of 10-9. Bronx Reliever Ernie Shore picks-up the win, he is now 1-1; while Bob Shawkey gets his 2^nd save of season. The lone HR in the game is a solo HR by A’s 3B Frank “Home Run” Baker. A's Starter Bill Grevell gets a no decision, while Reliever Walt Kinney is tagged for the loss, he is now 2-3 for the1919 season. The Yankees are now 18-11-2 for the 1919 AL season.

1926- The Yankees beat the Red Sox in Thursday day game played at Yankee Stadium by the score of 8-5. Bronx Bomber Slugger Babe Ruth enjoys an excellent day at the plate hitting 2 HRs that score 4 runs. Bronx Starter Myles Thomas picks-up the victory, he is now 4-3 for the season. Yankees Reliever Sam Jones completes the game for his 2^nd save of the 1926 AL season. Boston Starter Hal Wiltse takes the loss, he is now at the 3-5 mark. The Yankees are now 34-12 for the 1926 AL campaign.

1932- Yankees Slugger Lou Gehrig would hit 4 consecutive HRs in a game and narrowly missed a 5^th HR; his Bronx teammate Tony Lazzeri hits for the cycle as the Yankees beat the Philadelphia A’s by a score of 20-13. The Yankees set an MLB record for total bases with 50; both teams set a still-standing record for extra bases with 41.

1933- In a wild Saturday afternoon game played at Yankee Stadium, Bronx fans watched Yankees Starter Don Brennan and Reliever Dan MacFayden giving up 11 runs to the Athletics in the 2^nd inning, then the Yankees will rebound in the 5^th inning by scoring 10 runs, as they out-slug the A’s by the final score of 17-11. Meanwhile Yankees veteran Reliever Jumbo Brown throws 6 scoreless innings for the win, he is now 2-1 for the 1933 AL season. In the 8^th inning, Babe Ruth will cap off the Yankees comeback with a 3-run HR. Also, in the game Yankee Sluggers Tony Lazzeri (solo) and Ben Chapman (2-run) each hit HRs. A’s Reliever James Peterson takes the loss, he is now 0-2 for the season.

1947- The Yankees had purchased INF/OF Ted Sepkowski from the Indians. He would appear in 2 games for the 1947 Yankees as a Pinch-Runner before he was sent to AA Newark Bears (IL). He never would return to play in the MLB.

1956- Former Yankees Catcher Roxy Walters (1915-1918) had passed away. (1892-1956)

On July 23,1915, Catcher Roxy Walters was purchased by the Yankees from Waco (TL). He had appeared in 193 games for the 1915-1918 Yankees, while hitting .243 with No HRs and 49 RBIs. On December 18,1918, Roxy was traded by theYankees along with Pitchers Ray Caldwell, Slim Love, OF Frank Gilhooley and $15,000 Cash to the Red Sox for veteran MLB Starter Dutch Leonard, OF Duffy Lewis and P Ernie Shore.

1968- The Yankees turn their 21^st triple play in their team’s history, but lose to the Twins by the score of 4-3. With the bases loaded and the go-ahead run already across the plate, Yankees Pitcher Dooley Womack catches a lined shot by Twins Catcher Johnny Roseboro, who threw to 3B Bobby Cox and then he watched in awe as when Cox’s throw to Mickey Mantle at 1B was in time to complete the triple play.

1971- Former Yankees Minor League OF Carl Everett was born.

Outfielder Carl Everett was a former No. 1 round 1990 MLB Amateur Free Agent Draft pick by the Yankees. While playing in the Yankees Minor League system, Carl was label as a troublemaker. So, Carl was left unprotected by the Yankees front office in the 1992 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft for the Marlins and Rockies. Outfielder Carl Everett was selected by the Marlins from the Yankees in 1992 MLB Expansion Team Player Draft.

1971- Former Yankees Minor League C Izzy Molina was born.

On March 30,1999, the Yankees had traded P Darren Holmes to the Diamondbacks for P Ben Ford and C Izzy Molina. Izzy was sent to the Yankees AAA club, the Columbus Clippers (IL), where he would appear in 97 games, while hitting .246 with 4 HRs and 51 RBIs. He never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. After the 1999 AL season had ended, he was granted MLB Free Agency by the team. He would be signed by the Royals.

1972- The Yankees score 8 runs in the 13^th inning, 6 of which scored on 3-run HR by Thurman Munson and Bobby Murcer to down the White Sox by a score of 18-10. Bobby Murcer had 4 hits, scored 5 runs with 3 runs batted in. There was one other unusual happening; Yankees Reliever Sparky Lyle actually hit a double.

1975- Former Yankees Reserve Catcher Jose Molina (2008-2009) was born.

A Reserve Catcher for most of his MLB playing career, José Molina had a chance to play almost regularly with the Yankees in 2008, when starting Catcher Jorge Posada missed a large part of the season with a serious shoulder injury. He would play good defense, but he hit very little, prompting the Yankees to obtain veteran Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers late in the season. Still, he started the last game ever played at Yankee Stadium on September 21st, he would hit the last HR in the House that Ruth Built, a 2-run HR shot off of Orioles Pitcher Chris Waters in the 4th inning which proved to be the difference in a 7-3 Yankees win over the Orioles. He would return to the 2009 Yankees as Posada's back-up. He had spent 2 months on the DL early in the season with a strained quad muscle, but he got some playing time late in the season as the preferred catcher of Bronx Starter A.J. Burnett. This arrangement was extended into the 2009 MLB Postseason, where he was behind the plate for all 5 of Burnett's starts as the Yankees won the 2009 World Series defeating the Phillies. After the 2009 World Series was completed, Jose Molina was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees.

1977- Former Yankees DH Travis “Pronk” Hafner (2013) was born.

When the Yankees were hit by player injuries and departures through MLB Free Agency since the end of the 2012 AL season, the team had expressed interest in his services and signed him to a 1-year contract for $2 million on February 1, 2013. Travis had previously played for the Rangers and Indians before joining the Yankees. He had appeared in 82 games for the Bronx Bombers, while hitting .202 with 12 HRs with 37 RBIs. In October of 2013, the Yankees would grant Travis MLB Free Agency.

1978- Former Yankees Reserve OF/1B Juan Rivera (2002-2004) was born.

On April 12,1996, OF Juan Rivera was signed by the Yankees as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. He had appeared in 88 games as Reserve OF with the Yankees, while hitting .262 with 8 HRs and 32 RBIs. On December 16, 2003, Juan was traded by theYankees along with P Randy Choate and 1B Nick Johnson to the Montreal Expos for NL Starter Javier Vazquez. Juan has played for the Yankees, Expos, Angels, Blue Jays and the Dodgers during his MLB playing career. He came into 2013 Yankees MLB Spring Training Camp, but he cut by the team on March 28, 2013. He would be signed by the Diamondbacks.

1981- At Yankee Stadium, 30,162 fans watch the Yankees and Orioles play an extra inning game. The Yankees would win the extra inning game with a 2-run HR shot by Yankees 3B Graig Nettles off of Orioles Reliever Tippy Martinez in the 11^thinning. Rookie P Dave Righetti had started the game for Bronx, by going 8 innings, while Orioles veteran Starter Dave Martinez goes 10 innings for the no-decision. Yankees Reliever Ron Davis picks up the victory; his 1981 pitching record is now at 2-2 mark; pitching 2 scoreless innings of relief. Former Yankees Reliever Tippy Martinez takes the loss for the Orioles, he is now 2-2 for the 1981 AL season.

1994- Current Yankees CF Harrison Bader (2022-2023) was born.

On June 9, 2015, OF Harrison Bader was drafted by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2015  MLB Amateur Player Draft.  He had attended the Univ. of Florida (Gainesville). In 6 seasons, he would hit .246 with 52 HRs and 168 RBIs in 523 games with the Cardinals. On August 2, 2022, he was traded by the Cardinals to the Yankees for Pitcher Jordan Montgomery. He would appear in 14 games, hitting .217 for the Yankees for  the regular season. Harrison would hit better in the 2022 AL postseason hitting 5 HRs and 6 RBIs in 9 games for the Bombers. 

1998- At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees beat the Devil Rays by the score of 7-1. Yankees Starter Orlando Hernandez goes 7 innings, allowing only 1 Tampa Bay run, while giving up 5 Rays hits along with 7 strikeouts. Veteran MLB Reliever Mike Stanton finishes the game for the Yankees. Tampa Starter Tony Saunders takes the loss for the Rays. Yankees hitting attack is led by 3B Scott Brosius, who goes 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs.

1998- Current Yankees Minor League P Luis Gil  (2022) was born.

In 2015, the Twins had signed P Luis Gil as an MLB Amateur Free Agent. On March 16, 2018, the Twins had traded Minor League P Luis Gil for Minor League OF Jake Cave. He did make his stateside debut that year, pitching for both the Class A Pulaski Yankees (APL) and the Class A short-season Staten Island Yankees (NYPL), going 2-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 12 starts. He was a Rookie League All-Star according to Baseball America. In 2019, Gil had pitched for 2 Yankee Minor League teams: Class A Charleston RiverDogs (SAL) and the Class A Tampa Tarpons (FSL). With the Riverdogs, he went 1-0 with a 4.85 ERA in 3 games. At Tampa, Luis went 4-5 with a 2.39 ERA in 17 games. Pitcher Luis Gil made his MLB as an emergency starter for the Yankees against the Orioles on August 3,2021 after scheduled starter Gerrit Cole tested positive for COVID-19. He had to be replaced with a few hours' notice. Gil was called up from the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (IL). Luis was excellent, giving up no runs on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6 batters, in as many innings to earn credit for the 13-1 win. In his 2nd start, on August 8th, he again did not allow any runs, this time in 5 innings against the Mariners, although the Yankees eventually lost that game. He made it 3-scoreless starts in a row on August 17th when he held the Red Sox scoreless in the 2nd game of a doubleheader, although he did not get the win as he was removed with 2 outs in the 5th in favor of Wandy Peralta. He was the 1st pitcher since 1893 to start off his MLB pitching career with 3 scoreless starts, while his 15 2/3 innings without a run were the most by a Yankee starting his career since 1961, bettering the 15 1/3 by Joba Chamberlain in 2007. He returned to the minors for a spell before making his next start on September 8th against the Blue Jays. He gave up his 1st runs in that game, as his stuff was outstanding, but hard to control, resulting in just 1 hit allowed, 6 strikeouts, but 7 walks in 3 1/3 innings; he left after loading the bases in the 4th, and all 3 runners eventually scored, the 1st runs charged to him as an MLB Pitcher. He would finish the 2021 season with a 1-1 record with a 3.07 ERA in 6 games. In 2022, he would make 1 start for the team with a no decision. On May 21, 2022, the Yankees announced the Gil would need Tommy John Surgery ending his 2022 season. He is still in recovery, may not pitch for the team in 2023.

2003- Yankees Shortstop Derek Jeter is named the 11th Team Captain in club’s history.

2010- At Yankees Stadium, a crowd of 44,927 fans watched a Bronx Starter C. C. Sabathia go 7 innings, while allowing only 3 Orioles runs, while striking out 7 Baltimore batters. He picks up his 5^th victory of the 2010 AL season. The 3 Orioles runs would come on 2 HRs off Yankees Starter Sabathia. Orioles Starter Kevin Millwood drops his 6th game, he is now 0-6 for the 2010 AL season. Yankees Relievers Joba Chamberlain and Marino Rivera keep the Birds off the scoreboard to finish the game at 6-3. Bronx Closer Rivera picks-up his 12 save of the 2010 AL season. Yankees hitting attack is led by A-Rod and Brett Gardner, both hitting HRs for the team.

2011- Angels Starter Jered Weaver, who had won 6 games in April, earns his 1st victory since then in beating the Yankees by the score of 3-2. The Angels starter is now 7-4 for 2011 AL season.

2015- At Safeco Field in Seattle, Bronx Starter Masahiro Tanaka goes 7 innings holding the Mariners to 1 run on 3 hits with 9 strikeouts, as the Yankees win the game by the score of 3-1.  He gets his 3^rd victory of the 2010 season. Yankees Closer Andrew Miller picks-up his 17^th save of the season. Mariners Starter Tajuam Walker takes the lost, he is now 2-6 for the 2015 AL season. Yankees hitting attack was led by HRs by Mark Teixeira and Garrett Jones.