This Week in Yankees History (1/8-1/14)

This Week in Yankees History

January 8th - January 14th

January 8th

1913 - The New York Highlanders signed former Chicago Cubs Manager Frank Chance to be their next manager. Chance previously won 2 World Series and 4 NL pennants as the manager of the Chicago Cubs. His New York Yankees managing record would be 118-170 (1913-1914).

1941 - The BWAA in The Sporting News poll names the 1940 MLB All Star team: Hank Greenberg (LF), Yankees Joe DiMaggio (CF), Ted Williams (RF), Frank McCormick (1B), Yankees Joe Gordon (2B), Luke Appling (SS), Stan Hack (3B) and Harry Danning (C) are the position players, while Bob Feller, Bucky Walters, and Paul Derringer are the pitchers.

1963 - Former Yankees minor league OF Shane Turner was born. The New York Yankees in the 6th round of the 1985 MLB amateur player draft drafted outfielder Shane Turner. He never appeared with the Yankees at MLB level. On June 10,1987, Shane Turner was traded by the Yankees along with OF Keith Hughes to the Philadelphia Phillies for veteran OF/1B Mike Easler.

1969 - Former Yankees P Brian Boehringer (2001) was born. On December 14, 2000, Brian Boehringer was signed as a MLB free agent by the New York Yankees. He went 5-9 in 56 games before being traded on July 4,2001 to the San Francisco Giants for reserve C Bobby Estalella and minor league player Joe Smith. The Yankees signed Brian as a MLB free agent in July of 2005, but he was released at the end of the month with no appearances with the Yankees at the MLB level.

1971 - Former Yankees AL All Star DH/1B Jason Giambi (2002-2008) was born. Jason Giambi’s best New York Yankees season was in 2002, when he hit .314 with 34 HRs and 122 RBIs. Jason was named to the American League All Star teams in 2002-2004. He appeared in 897 games for the Yankees, while hitting .260 with 209 HRs and 604 RBI’s.

1976 - Former Yankees P Carl Pavano (2005-2007) was born. Former MLB free agent P Carl Pavano was 9-8 in limited action (26 games) for the New York Yankees due to various injuries.

1984 - Current Yankees minor league P Kevin Whelan (2011) was born. On November 10, 2006, Kevin Whelan was traded by the Detroit Tigers along with pitchers Anthony Claggett and Humberto Sanchez to the New York Yankees for OF/DH Gary Sheffield. In 2011, Kevin appeared in 2 games with the Yankees with no record.

1985 - The New York Yankees reacquired reserve C Juan Espino from the Cleveland Indians.

1987 - Former Yankees P Frank “Dutch” Hiller (1946,1948-1949)) passed away (1920-1987). Before the 1943 MLB season, 22-year old Frank “Dutch” Hiller was signed as an MLB amateur free agent by the New York Yankees. "Dutch" as he was sometimes called was out of Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, where he starred on the mound with a 22-2 record and also played football and basketball. "Dutch" started out his career with his hometown Newark Bears of the International League and won 39 games for the locals from 1943 to 1945. After a short trial with the 1946 Yankees, he went 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA. "Dutch" was a 15 game winner with the 1947 Kansas City Blues (American Association) before heading back to Yankee Stadium going 5-2 for the 1948 Yankees. He was back in New York in 1949 going 0-2 in 4 appearances with a 5.87 ERA. He would finish out the year with the Kansas City club again finishing at 11-8 with a 5.79 ERA. On February 10, 1950, he was purchased by the Chicago Cubs from the Yankees. Frank would proceed to have his best MLB season going 12-5 for the Cubs in 1950, but fell to 6-12 for the Chicago team in 1951. H was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Willie Ramsdell on January 31952. Hiller would spend the season with the Reds winning 5 games, while losing 8 with a 4.63 ERA. At the end of the 1952 NL season, the Reds would deal him to the New York Giants for Gail Henley. Hiller would pitch 19 innings for the 1953 Giants, posting a 2-1 record with a 6.15 ERA and this would be the end of his 7-season MLB career. He would finish out at 30-32 with a 4.42 ERA. "Dutch" at age 33 would give it one more chance with the San Francisco Seals (PCL) in 1954; he had an 11-8 record but had a 5.79 ERA. He decided it was time to seek other avenues. He finished out his 8 seasons in the minor leagues with an 82-54 record and a 3.18 ERA.

1988 - Faced with a midnight deadline to re-sign with the New York Yankees, hurler Bill Gullickson agrees to a two-year contract with Yomiuri Giants instead. Clipper’s Note: The Yankees front office really dropped the ball on Bill Gullickson; the team should have resigned him.

2008 - Former New York Yankees Closer Rich “Goose“ Gossage is voted into the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA on the 9th try. Gossage had a 126 ERA+ and was a 9-time All-Star while saving over 300 games. He is the 5th reliever voted into the Hall of Fame, but the 3rd in the past 5 years. He joins relievers Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Bruce Sutter as relief pitchers enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. As a New York Yankees closer (1978-1983,1989) Rich Gossage went 42-28 in 319 games with 151 saves.

January 9th

1876 - Former Yankees P Barney Wolfe (1903-1904) was born (1876-1953). Barney Wolfe appeared in 27 games for the Yankees, while posting a 6-12 record. On July 20,1904, Barney Wolfe was traded by the New York Highlanders along with P Tom Hughes to the Washington Senators for veteran starter Al Orth.

1903 - The defunct Baltimore Orioles American League franchise is purchased by Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $18,000 and is moved to Manhattan, New York City, where they will become the New York Highlanders, which marked the genesis of the New York Yankees.

1919- Former Yankees minor league C and MLB scout Ed Dunn was born (1919-1990). Ed Dunn was 7 for 31 as a catcher for the 1940 Amsterdam Rugmakers in the New York Yankees organization. Later he scouted for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins from 1959-1990, signing future MLB players Dave Boswell, Randy Bush, Lenny Webster, and Willie Banks among others.

1936 - Former Yankees P Ralph Terry (1956-1957,1959-1964) was born. In 1953, the New York Yankees signed Ralph Terry as an MLB amateur free agent. He pitched in 10 games for the Yankees during the 1956-1957 American League seasons, going 2-3 before being traded to the Kansas City A’s on June 15,1957 in the Billy Martin trade. Ralph would return to the Yankees on May 26,1959, being traded by the A’s along with INF Hector Lopez for Pitchers Johnny Kucks, Tom Sturdivant and INF Jerry Lumpe. He would become a Yankees starter in 1960, going 10-8 in 35 games. He gave up the 9th inning HR to Maz in 1960 World Series seventh game loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1961, he went 16-3 in 31 games. The 1962 MLB season was Ralph’s best MLB career season going 23-12 in 43 starts for the Yankees. Ralph Terry was named to American League All Star team. He won the American League Babe Ruth Award and MLB World Series Most Valuable Player award, going 2-1 in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants. In 1963, he went 17-13. In 1964, he was slowed down by arm injuries slipping to a 7-11 mark, pulled out of the starting rotation and working out of the Yankees bullpen. Ralph appeared in 5 World Series for the Yankees posting a 2-4 mark, 2.93 ERA with 31 K’s. After the 1964 World Series, he was sent along with P Bud Daley to complete the Pedro Ramos September trade with the Cleveland Indians.

1953 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ivan DeJesus (1986) was born. On May 1,1986, he was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. He only appeared in 7 games with the Yankees, before being released by the team on June 24, 1986.

1959 - Former Yankees OF Otis Nixon (1983) was born. Otis Nixon was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1979 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). He appeared in only 13 games for the Yankees, batting .143 in 1983. On February 5,1984, Otis Nixon was traded by the New York Yankees along with a player to be named later (Guy Elston) and P George Frazier to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later (Rick Browne) and INF Toby Harrah.

1964 - Former Yankees OF Stan Javier (1984) was born. After being obtained from the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit .143 in 7 games in 1984, before being sent to the Oakland A’s in the Rickey Henderson trade. He was the son of Julian Javier who starred playing 2nd base for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1960's.

1969 - Former Yankees P Domingo Jean (1993) was born. On January 10,1992, Domingo Jean was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with P Melido Perez and Bob Wickman to the New York Yankees for INF Steve Sax. He would go 1-1 in 10 games for the New York Yankees before being traded on November 27,1993, along with INF Andy Stankiewicz to the Houston Astros for reliever Xavier Hernandez.

1973 - Former Yankees INF Lynn Lary (1929-1934) passed away (1906-1973). Lynn Lary was purchased from Oakland Oaks (PCL) in 1928. He had 3 good seasons with the Yankees, before slipping in 1932. In 1934, he would be sent to the Boston Red Sox for INF Fred Muller and $20,000.

1990 - Former Yankees All Star P Spud Chandler (1937-1947) passed away (1907-1990). Spud Chandler pitched for the New York Yankees from 1937 to 1947, with a pitching career record of 109-43 (.717). His best Yankees season was in 1943, when Spud went 20-1 (.833) with a 1.64 ERA. He was named to the AL All Star team. Chandler was the winner of the American League Most Valuable Player and MLB Most Valuable Player awards. He appeared in the 1941-1943 and 1947 World Series with the Yankees going 2-2 with 1.62 ERA. At the age of 38 in 1946, he went 20-8 for the Yankees. He retired as an active player after the 1947 AL season.

1997 - MLB free agent OF/DH/1B Mark Whiten was signed by the New York Yankees. Mark would hit .265 in 67 games for the 1997 Yankees.

2007 - Former Yankees minor league P Ben Callahan passed away (1957-2007). The New York Yankees in the 31st round of the 1980 MLB amateur player draft drafted hurler Ben Callahan. He never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. On June 15,1983, Ben was traded by the New York Yankees along with 1B/DH Marshall Brant and cash to the Oakland A’s for P Matt Keough.

January 10th

1888 - Former Yankees INF Del Pratt (1918-1920) was born. In 1918, INF Del Pratt was obtained from the St. Louis Browns in the Urban Shocker trade. He was a second baseman for the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1920, when he hit .314. In December of 1920, Del Pratt would be traded by the New York Yankees to the Boston Red Sox in the Waite Hoyt trade

1903 - Despite attempts by John T. Brush and Andrew Freedman to use their political influence to prevent the American League from finding suitable grounds in New York City, American League Commissioner Ban Johnson, aided by baseball writer Joe Vila, finds backers for the team. Johnson also finds a ballpark site at 165th Street and Broadway. Frank Farrell and Bill Devery pay $18,000 for the Baltimore Orioles American League franchise. They will build a wooden grandstand ballpark seating 15,000 on the highest point of Manhattan. The team logically will be called the New York Highlanders. The new ballpark will be called Hill Top Park.

1924 - The New York Yankees released future Hall Of Fame 3B Frank “Home Run” Baker, he had retired from MLB.

1959 - Former Yankees P Richard Dotson (1988-1989) was born. On November 12, 1987, Richard Dotson was traded by the Chicago White Sox along with P Scott Nielsen to the New York Yankees for OF Dan Pasqua, C/DH Mark Salas, and P Steve Rosenberg. Rich would go 14-14 in 43 games before being released by the team in 1989.

1960 - Former Yankees reserve OF Bob Brower (1989) was born. On December 5,1988, OF Bob Brower was traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees for INF Bobby Meacham. Bob would appear in 26 games, hitting .232 in 1989.

1983 - A preliminary injunction is issued by New York Supreme Court barring the New York Yankees from playing their opening games against the Detroit Tigers in Denver, Colorado. The New York Yankees sought to move games fearing the renovations to the Yankee Stadium would not be completed on time.

1992 - The New York Yankees traded veteran All Star 2B Steve Sax to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for 3 pitchers: Melido Perez, Domingo Jean and Bob Wickman.

2002 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent starter David Wells to a 2-year, $7-million contract to re-join the team. After posting a 34-14 record including a perfect game from 1997-1998, David Wells was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for All Star starter Roger Clemens. In Toronto, Wells had his only 20-win season of his MLB career.

January 11th

1911 - Former Yankees Minor league INF Roy Hughes was born (1911-1995). On June 13,1939, Roy Hughes was traded by the St. Louis Browns with cash to the New York Yankees for OF Joe Gallagher. He never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 13, 1939, Roy was traded by the New York Yankees to the Philadelphia Phillies for hurler Al Hollingsworth.

1915 - Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston buy the New York Yankees from team owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $460,000. Jacob Ruppert, who owns a local brewery, is thinking of renaming the team the Knickerbockers to promote his product, but is dissuaded by local newspapermen.

1928 - Former Yankees INF (1952-1953) and MLB Coach (1967) Loren ”Bee Bee” Babe was born (1928-1984). In 1945, infielder Babe Loren was signed by the New York Yankees; as an MLB amateur free agent. Babe appeared in 17 games for the Yankees in 1952-1953. He had been buried in the Yankees minor league system with so many talented infielder’s around. In the spring of 1953, he was sold to the Philadelphia A’s. Babe was reacquired by the New York Yankees in the Vic Power trade in December of 1953. He remained in the minor leagues until retiring as an active player in 1958. From 1961-1966, he managed in the New York Yankees minor league system. He was a MLB coach for the Yankees in 1967. He later worked with the Chicago White Sox in the 1980’s, before his death from cancer in 1984.

1934 - The New York Yankees released reserve INF Edward “Doc” Farrell (1932-1933). Doc appeared in 70 games as a reserve infielder for the Yankees, hitting .231.

1962 - Former Yankees reliever Don Pall (1994) was born. Don Pall went 1-2 in 26 games for the 1994 Yankees before being released by the team.

1965 - Wally Pipp (1915-1925), the predecessor of Lou Gehrig at 1st base for the New York Yankees, dies in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was 71 years old. First baseman Wally Pip was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in 1915. Pipp, who in 1925, he had asked out of the New York Yankees starting lineup with a headache, he had been hit by a ball the previous day. After giving way to Lou Gehrig, Pipp will never again played a game at 1st base for the New York Yankees. He would finish up his fine MLB career in the National League with the Cincinnati Reds.

1973 - MLB owners approve one of the game's most controversial rules: the designated hitter. The owners decide to allow American League teams to implement the rule on an experimental three-year basis, but the rule will become a permanent addition to the American League. The New York Yankees Ron Bloomberg will become the 1st DH in MLB history.

1977 - The New York Yankees drafted OF Willie McGee in the 1st round (15th pick) of the 1977 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Willie McKee will never play for the Yankees at the MLB level. On October 21,1981, Willie was traded by the Yankees to the St. Louis Cardinals for P Bob Sykes.

1980 - The New York Yankees drafted OF/1B Tom Dodd in the 1st round (7th pick) of the1980 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Todd never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On May 5,1982, Tom was traded by the Yankees along with Jeff Reynolds (minors) and 1B/DH Dave Revering to the Toronto Blue Jays for veteran 1B/DH John Mayberry. On December 9,1982, Tom was traded by the Blue Jays along with P Dale Murray to the Yankees for 1B/OF Dave Collins, minor league 1B Fred McGriff, P Mike Morgan, and cash.

1983 - The New York Yankees named Billy Martin their manager for the 3rd time in 8 years. Martin takes over for Clyde King, who is bumped upstairs to the Yankees front office. Billy Martin will lead the Yankees to a record of 91-71 in 1983 American League season.

1983 - Ellis Burks is one of the few good players to be drafted and also signed in the January free agent draft. Burks is picked on the 1st round by the Boston Red Sox as the New York Yankees picked and signed Ozzie Canseco, who was a pitcher with their 4th pick.

1999 - Former Yankees minor league OF/INF Jim Dyck passed away (1922-1999). In 1941, the New York Yankees signed outfielder Jim Dyck as a MLB amateur free agent. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 5,1949, Jim was drafted by the St. Louis Browns from the New York Yankees organization in the 1949 minor league player draft.

2000 - Former Hall Of Fame MLB pitcher and Yankees Manager Bob Lemon died at the age of 79 (1922-2000). Bob Lemon was a 7-time 20-game winner with the Cleveland Indians. He teamed with Bob Feller, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia to form one of the game's greatest starting rotations. In 1954, Bob Lemon went 23-7, helping the Indians to an AL record 111-win season. After retiring in 1958, he worked for the Indians organization as a MLB scout and minor league manager. In 1970, Lemon became a MLB manager for the 1st time when he assumed leadership of the Kansas City Royals. Later he managed the Chicago White Sox before enjoying his greatest success with the New York Yankees. On July 25,1978, Bob Lemon replaced the fired Billy Martin and helped the New York Yankees orchestrate a miraculous 14 game comeback against the Boston Red Sox. Under Bob Lemon's calming hand, the Yankees won their 2nd straight World Championship in 1978. He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1976.

2001 - Former New York Yankees starter David Cone agrees to a 1-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. The former Cy Young Award winner could make between $4 million and $5 million with the Red Sox, compared to $500,000 guaranteed-offer made by the New York Yankees, if he makes the MLB 25 man roster and pitches regularly during the 2001 AL season. He will win just nine games in 25 starts during the 2001 AL season.

2005 - The Arizona Diamondbacks traded 5-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson to the New York Yankees in a 3-team deal that includes the Dodgers. Shawn Green, Javier Vazquez and Dioner Navarro also move in the transaction. Arizona receives P Javier Vazquez, C Dioner Navarro and P Brad Halsey from the Yankees, and later sends Navarro and 3 minor league prospects to Dodgers for OF Shawn Green.

January 12th

1950 - The New York Yankees sell their Newark Bears International League franchise to the Chicago Cubs, who will move the team to Springfield, Massachusetts. The once-proud Bears, owned by the New York Yankees since 1932, finished last in the International League in 1949. The Kansas City Blues (American Association) will become the Yankees top AAA team.

1951 - Former Yankees OF Terry Whitfield (1974-1976) was born. Outfielder Terry Whitfield was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1971 MLB amateur player draft. Terry will hit .276 in 31 games for the Yankees, before being traded on March 14,1977 to the San Francisco Giants for veteran INF Marty Perez

1954 - The International League (AAA) makes 2 franchises shifts as the Baltimore Orioles team is transferred to Richmond, Virginia, becoming the Richmond Virginians. Baltimore is receiving the old St. Louis Browns franchise of the American League for the 1954 AL season. The new team will keep the long time minor league team name of the Orioles. The Richmond Virginians will become a New York Yankees AAA farm club. The Springfield, Massachusetts team, the former Newark Bears team moves to Havana, Cuba, becoming the Havana Sugar Kings. They will have a working agreement with the Cincinnati Reds. The team will move back to Jersey City, New Jersey to play at Roosevelt Stadium, when Cuba is unsettled with the arrival of Fidel Castro to power in 1960.

1971 - Former Yankees reserve INF Andy Fox (1996-1997) was born. The New York Yankees in the second round of the 1989 MLB amateur player draft drafted Andy Fox. Andy hit .211 in 135 games before being traded on March 7,1998 to the Arizona Diamondbacks for hurlers Todd Erdos and Marty Janzen. Andy Fox is now a MLB coach.

1972 - The New York Yankees drafted P Rick Anderson in the 1st round (5th pick) of the 1972 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase). Also the Yankees drafted Larry Wolfe in the 4th round of the MLB amateur draft (Secondary Phase), but they did not sign him.

1978 - Former Yankees P Luis Ayala (2011) was born. On February 9, 2011, Luis Ayala was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. He appeared in 52 games for the Yankees, posting a 2-2 record with no saves. On October 30, 2011, Luis was granted MLB Free Agency by the Yankees.

1982 - The New York Yankees drafted OF Oddibe McDowell in the 1st round (9th) of the 1982 MLB amateur player draft (Secondary Phase), but they did not sign him.

1984 - Free agent relief ace Goose Gossage leaves the New York Yankees. He signs with the San Diego Padres. The hard-throwing right-hander will save 25 games in 1984, he will help the San Diego Padres to their 1st appearance in the World Series. The Yankees will move starter Dave Righetti to the bullpen to become the team’s new closer.

1987 - Current Yankees P Ivan Nova (2010-2011) was born. In 2004, Ivan Nova was signed by the New York Yankees. Nova made his professional baseball debut with the 2005 DSL Yankees 1, going 0-1 with a 2.29 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings, allowing 29 hits. With the 2006 GCL Yankees, the right-hander had a 3-0, 2.72 record for the GCL Yankees with one save; he fanned 36 while walking only 7 in 43 innings. In 2007, he went 6-8 with a 4.98 ERA for the Charleston RiverDogs, allowing a .306 average. That winter, he had one win in 1 2/3 shutout innings for the Leones del Escogido. Moving up to the 2008 Tampa Yankees, Nova had an 8-13 mark, 4.36 ERA and .294 opponent average. He led the Florida State League in losses as well as losing more games than any other Yankees farmhand. That winter, the San Diego Padres chose Nova in the 2008 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft, but they returned him to the New York Yankees during the 2009 spring training camp after allowing 11 runs in 8 2/3 innings. Nova split the 2009 baseball season between the Trenton Thunder (5-4, 2.36) and AAA Scranton (1-4, 5.10). He was sharp in the postseason for the Yankees with a 1-0, 1.93 record. He was 1-0 with a 1.05 ERA winter league play for Escogido. Nova began 2010 season with the Scranton going 2-0 with a 3.73 ERA. He was then called up to the majors to replace Romulo Sanchez in the Yankees bullpen. After 3 shutout innings in his 1st 2 games in the majors, Nova was returned to the minors when Chan-ho Park came off the Disabled List. He finished the 2010 season with a 1-2 mark in 7 games for the Yankees. Nova made the Yankees' starting rotation out of spring training in 2011. He pitched very well over the 1st half, going 8-4 with a 4.12 ERA in 16 starts. In spite of a few hiccups, he was generally solid, and was in fact the 1st Yankee rookie to make 15 starts in the 1st half of a season since Doc Medich in 1973. However, on July 3rd, with Phil Hughes about to come back from the disabled list, he was sent down to AAA to make room. He was called back on July 30th and benefited from a huge offensive outburst in his 1st start, as the Yankees scored 12 runs in the 1st inning in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles; he cruising to an easy 17-3 victory. He finished the season with a 16-4 record and a 3.70 ERA in 165 1/3 innings, although he struck out only 98 batters. He tied for 4th in the 2011 AL in wins behind Justin Verlander, CC Sabathia and Jeff Weaver. He was 2nd to Verlander in winning percentage. Otherwise, he only made the top 10 in wild pitches and lowest HR rate. He took over for CC Sabathia in the 2nd inning of Game 1 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers after the game, begun the previous day, had been suspended by weather. He pitched well over 7 1/3 innings of relief and earned the win. He was then picked to start the decisive Game 5, but left after one inning during which he had given up 2 runs, victim of a pulled groin muscle. He was charged with the loss that time.

1997- The San Diego Padres acquired the rights to 27-year-old Japanese starter Hideki Irabu from the Chiba Lotte Marines. Irabu says he only wants to play in the MLB for the New York Yankees.

2004 - The New York Yankees signed free agent 1B/DH/OF Tony Clark. He will hit .221 in 106 games for the Yankees in 2004, before leaving the team for free agency.

2009 - Former Yankees LF Rickey Henderson the all-time major league leader in stolen bases, runs and leadoff HRs, is elected to the Hall of Fame on the 1st ballot; at the time of his retirement, Henderson also held the all-time walk record. Also elected is Jim Rice, the 3rd player to go in on the 15th and final ballot (after Ralph Kiner and Red Ruffing); Rice's long-time Boston Red Sox teammate Fred Lynn says that stats should be discarded in pushing his case.

January 13th

1915 - Former Yankee INF Michael “Mollie” Milosevich (1944-1945) was born (1915-1966). Mollie Milosevich hit .241 for the 1944-1945 New York Yankees.

1927 - The New York Yankees obtained C Johnny Grabowski and INF Ray Morehart from the Chicago White Sox for INF Aaron Ward. They would be reserve bench help for the 1927 World Championship team.

1939 - The New York Yankees long time owner Jacob Ruppert dies from phlebitis at age of 62. In 1919, Jacob Ruppert purchased the land in the Bronx on which Yankee Stadium would eventually be built. His estate headed by long time Yankees General Manager Edward Burrow will run the New York Yankees until when the club is sold to new team owners, Del Webb, Dan Topping and Larry MacPhail in 1945.

1944 - Former Yankees INF (1903-1909) and MLB Manager (1908) Norman “Kid “ Elberfeld passed away (1875-1944). Norman “Kid” Elberfeld went 27-71 as the New York Yankees Manager in 1908, after Yankees Manager Clark Griffth quit the team in a dispute with Yankees owners Frank Farrell and Bill Devery. On June 10,1903, he was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Highlanders for shortstops Herman Long and Ernie Courtney. His best Yankees season was in 1906, when he hit .306 as the starting shortstop. On December 14,1909, “Kid” was purchased by the Washington Senators from the New York Highlanders for $5,000.

1969 - Former Yankees minor league INF Orlando Miller was born. The New York Yankees signed Orlando Miller as an MLB amateur free agent in 1987. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On March 13,1990, he was traded by the New York Yankees to the Houston Astros for a player to be named later and INF Dave Silvestri. The Astros would send minor leaguer Daven Bond on June 11, 1990 to the Yankees to complete the trade.

1978- Former Yankees Hall Of Fame Manager Joseph ”Marse Joe” McCarthy (1931-1946) dies at age of 90 in Buffalo, NY (1887-1978). Joe McCarthy was the first MLB manager to win pennants with both National League (Chicago Cubs) and American League teams (New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox). He won a total of 9 league titles and 7 World Series championships with the Chicago Cubs, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. His New York Yankees managing record was 1,460-867, WP .627 with eight American League flags and 7 World Championships. He is the all-time wins leader as a New York Yankees Manager, followed by former Yankee managers Joe Torre, Casey Stengel and Miller Huggins.

1987 - Former Yankees P (1951-1952,1954-1956), MLB Scout (1971) MLB Pitching Coach (1979), Tom “Plowboy” Morgan passed away (1930-1987). The New York Yankees signed Tom Morgan as an MLB amateur free agent in 1949. He joined the Yankees in 1951, going 9-3 as a spot starter role with 4 complete games. In 1952, he saw limited action being called into the military, going just 5-4 in 16 games. In 1954, he rejoined the team going 11-5 in 32 games, his best Yankees season. In 1955, he went 7-3 in 40 games with 10 saves. In 1956, Tom slipped to a 6-7 mark in 41 games, but he had 11 saves, the best in American League. In February of 1957, Tom was traded to the Kansas City A’s in the Bobby Shantz deal. He would finish with MLB career in 1963, pitching with the Angels (1961-1963). He worked in the Angels minor league system. He would return to the New York Yankees in 1971 as a MLB scout. His last job with the team was in 1979 when he was one of the MLB pitching coaches that season. He returned to the California Angels organization afterwards.

1989 - Former Yankees reserve INF Ray Morehart (1927) passed away (1898-1989). The New York Yankees obtained C Johnny Grabowski and INF Ray Morehart from the Chicago White Sox for shortstop Aaron Ward. Ray Morehart was reserve INF on the 1927 World Champion Yankees. He retired as an active player after the 1927 World Series.

1991 - The New York Yankees released veteran C Rick Cerrone. Rick had appeared in 49 games as a reserve catcher, hitting .302.

1994 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent OF Daryl Boston. He will hit only .182 in 52 games for the 1994 Yankees as a reserve outfielder.

2005 - The New York Yankees signed MLB free agent OF/DH Ruben Sierra. Ruben will only hit .229 in 61 games for the Yankees in 2005.

2005 - The North Dakota House of Representatives approves a resolution proclaiming native son former MLB star Outfielder Roger Maris should be elected to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame. The lawmakers' action, which was sponsored by Rep. Andy Maragos, orders the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the 85 members of the baseball veterans' committee, which includes the 60 living members enshrined in Cooperstown.

2009 - Former Yankees Minor League Manager (1963-1964) and MLB Manager Preston Gomez passed away (1922-2009). Preston Gomez managed in the New York Yankees minor league organization in 1963-1964. He was the manager of the Yankees AAA team, the Richmond Virginians in the International League. He finished in the 9th and 7th place with Richmond. Also he was a MLB coach for the Cardinals, Angels, Cubs, Astros and the Dodgers. He was the first MLB manager for the San Diego Padres (1969-1972). He managed the Houston Astros (1974-1975). His last MLB manager job was in 1980 with the Chicago Cubs. His 1959 Havana Sugar Kings team (International League) won the Junior World Series by defeating the Minneapolis MilIers (American Association) by led by Manager Gene Mauch.

2011 - The New York Yankees ink their 1st MLB free agent of the 2011 off-season, signing reliever Rafael Soriano to a 3-year contract worth $35 million. While Soriano will be the set-up man for Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera this season, he excelled as the Tampa Bay Rays' closer last season; he could be in line to take over for the great Rivera when he eventually retires.

January 14th

1908 - Former Yankees Closer and MLB baseball executive John “Grand Ma” Murphy (1932, 1934-1943, 1946) was born (1908-1970). On June 27, 1931, Johnny Murphy was traded by the St. Paul (American Association) along with Jack Saltzgaver and cash and 2 players to be named to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later. The Yankees sent OF Jimmie Reese to the St Paul (AA) to complete the trade. Johnny would go 93-53 in 383 games with 104 saves as the Yankees closer. He appeared in six World Series for the Yankees with a 2-0 record, with 4 saves, a 1.10 ERA in 8 games. He would finish his MLB career in 1947 with Boston Red Sox, after being released by the Yankees in 1946. Later he would work in the New York Mets front office during the 1960’s, first as Director of Player Development, then as a General Manager until his death in 1970 from a heart attack.

1916 - The New York Yankees purchased player/manager Lee Magee (1916-1917) from the Brooklyn Tip-Tops (Federal League) for $25,000. He hit .257 for the Yankees. On July 15, 1917, he was traded to the St. Louis Browns for OF Armando Marsans.

1932 - The New York Yankees ALL Star Slugger Babe Ruth rejects a Yankees player contract offer of $70,000, as the MLB vow to cut player salaries by $1 million.

1954 - Former Yankees All Star CF Joe DiMaggio marries Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe.

1959 - Former Yankees INF and MLB Manager John Ganzel (1903-1904) passed away (1874-1959). John Ganzel appeared in 259 games for the New York Yankees, hitting .269. In 1908, he managed the Cincinnati Reds. In 1915, he managed the Brooklyn Tip-Tops in the Federal League for 35 games. Also he has a minor league manager in the International League (Rochester Hustlers) and in the American Association (Kansas City Blues). His MLB career was from 1898-1908, playing for the Chicago Orphans, Cincinnati Reds, New York Giants, New York Highlanders, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He had several brothers play in the MLB.

1966 - The Cleveland Indians traded OF Lou Clinton to the Yankees for C Doc Edwards, who won't play in the majors until 1970, with the Philadelphia Phillies. Doc Edwards was a major disappointment for the Yankees behind the plate and with the bat. Lou Clinton would be a reserve outfielder for the 1967 Yankees.

1970 - Johnny Murphy, the New York Mets General Manager, who had seen his team rise from the National League cellar to the 1969 World Championship, dies of a heart attack at age of 61. Johnny Murphy was a top relief pitcher for the New York Yankees in the 1930s and the 1940s. Murphy was the Mets Director of Player development, before becoming the team’s General Manager.

1974 - Former Yankees minor league OF Mike Frank was born. Mike Frank never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On July 12, 2000, he was traded by the Cincinnati Reds along with MLB starter Denny Neagle to the New York Yankees for P Ed Yarnall, INF Drew Henson, Brian Reith, and OF Jackson Melian (minors).

1981 - Former Yankees P Darrell Rasner (2006-2008) was born. On February 10, 2006, he was selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Washington Nationals. He went 9-14 in 36 games for the Yankees. He signed a deal to pitch in Japan for 2 years, starting in 2009.

1983 - Former Yankees minor league P Andy Sisco was born. On November 27, 2010, Andy Sisco was signed as a MLB free agent with the New York Yankees. He had previously pitched in the MLB for the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox. Any was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2001 MLB amateur player draft. On February 18, 2011, he was released by the Yankees. On February 19, 2011, he was resigned as a free agent with the New York Yankees. He did not appear with the 2011 New York Yankees at the MLB level. On May 27, 2011, he was released by the Yankees.

1987 - All Star starter Jim “Catfish” Hunter and OF Billy Williams are elected to the Hall Of Fame by the BBWAA. Hunter made his name as the ace of the Oakland A’s pitching staff in their World Championship years and made his fortune as one of the 1st rated free agents with the New York Yankees. Billy Williams set a National League record by playing in 1,117 consecutive games with the Chicago Cubs and accumulating 426 HRs and a NL batting title.

2004 - The New York Yankees signed 2 MLB free agent catchers Sal Fasano and Jim Mann. Neither player will play for the Yankees at the MLB level. The Yankees will release Jim Mann in June of 2004; he was playing with Columbus Clippers (AAA).

(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)