1994 Profile: Jim Leyritz

"Jim Leyritz has no problem extolling his virtues on a baseball diamond. If fact, he downright enjoys it.

He made his way through the Yankees' minor league system with an extra skip in his step, daring you to knock the chip off his shoulder. At every minor league level, he took on the challenge and passed. He stepped to the plate with his swagger, his hips gyrating, and watched his base hits fall to all parts of the field. He begged for the opportunity to face major league pitching.

Four years after trying on the Yankee Pinstripes for the first time, Leyritz has indeed proved he belongs in the bigs. The infielder-outfielder-catcher hit .309 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs in only 95 games in 1993. He played a solid first base in place of the injured Don Mattingly; covered the outfield dutifully when called upon; and was his confident self behind the plate when Mike Stanley and Matt Nokes needed a rest.

'Everybody laughed when I said I could hit 20 homers and knock in 80 runs,' says Leyritz. 'But everything I said from the beginning I think I pretty much backed up.'

Leyritz is now pining for a full-time job, somewhere, anywhere, on the diamond. Play him anywhere on the diamond and he will produce. Just ask him."

-The New York Yankees Official 1994 Yearbook

"Leyritz had the best season of his career in 1993. He hit .309 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs, all career highs. One of the Yankees' most versatile players, he played first base, catcher, left field, right field and as the designated hitter.

He was the Yankees' best hitter in April, batting .484 with four homers and 12 RBIs. In that month Leyritz made six starts at DH and on April 25 at Seattle made his first major league start at first base. In his first five games he hit .571 with three home runs and eight RBIs. Jim hit his first major league grand slam on April 9 at Chicago off Bobby Thigpen, then homered in consecutive games on April 16 and 18 at Texas.

Jim hit .315 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 23 games, when his playing time increased after Don Mattingly went on the disabled list with a rib cage injury and made 12 of his 17 starts in May at first. The five homers were his career high for a single month. Jim homered in consecutive games against Chicago on May 28 and 29.

From May 25-June 4 he had a career high 10-game hitting streak, raising his batting average from .346 to .375. During the streak he made eight starts at first base, one in right field as one as DH.

Jim hit .275 with two homers and five RBIs in June, starting in 14 games. On June 1 against Cleveland he hit his career high eighth home run off Jose Mesa. From June 5-26 he went 2-for-23 (.087), dropping his average from .375 to .326. He went 0-for-15 from June 4-8, his longest hitless streak of the season.

On June 10 at Milwaukee, Jim was hit on the left wrist by a pitch thrown by Ricky Bones. At that time he was hitting .336 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs. For the rest of the season, after being hit by that pitch, he hit .282 with six homers and 23 RBIs.

In July and August, Leyritz hit .234 with no home runs and three RBIs, dropping his batting average from .340 to .308. In August he made nine of his 11 starts in right field.

In September and October he hit .314 with five home runs and 17 RBIs. The 17 RBIs were his career high for a single month. Leyritz homered in three consecutive games on September 11, 12 and 15. He hit three-run home runs in consecutive games on September 26 and 27.

Leyritz showed his versatility by appearing in 12 games at catcher, 29 games at first, 28 in the outfield and 21 as the designated hitter. He had 72 starts, including 24 at first base, 21 in right field, 18 as designated hitter, five in left field and three as catcher. He made just two errors all season, both at first base. Yankee pitchers posted a 4.25 ERA in his games as a catcher. New York went 3-0 in his three starts behind the plate, and he threw out one of four baserunners trying to steal. As a DH Leyritz hit .290 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 21 games, and as a pinch hitter went 4-for-13 (.308) with five RBIs.

He hit six solo home runs, three two-run homers, four three-run homers and his only career grand slam. He also had an infield hit and a bunt single. Jim three times homered in consecutive games and once homered in three consecutive games. In the batting order he usually hit second (.320), fourth (.296) or fifth (.467).

Leyritz hit .333 with runners in scoring position, including .394 with runners in scoring position with less than two out, and went 3-for-11 (.273) with a home run and six RBIs with the bases loaded. He hit .417 in 30 day games.

His contract is signed through the 1994 season.

In 1992, Leyritz saw action at five positions, plus designated hitter. He hit .257 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 144 at-bats and 63 games.

He appeared in five April games, making two starts, both behind the plate. On April 6 at Toronto, he hit his first home run in his sixth at-bat of the season.

He made the most of his limited playing time in May, hitting .409 (9-for-22) with two doubles, two homers and six RBIs. His big game came on May 4 at Seattle, going 3-for-4 with a home run (off Russ Swan) and a career best-tying four RBIs. Jim was hitting.367 with three homers in 30 at-bats through the end of May.

On June 13 at Cleveland, he hit a game-winning sixth-inning home run (off Dave Otto), then on June 18 at Boston delivered a game-winning sacrifice fly in the 7th, both times winning the game for Melido Perez. Jim went 3-for-4 on June 24 at Kansas City, making his second career start in right field.  He was hitting .303 on July 1, the last time he would be hitting .300 during the season, and was hitting .263 with five homers and 16 RBIs at the break.

Jim hit just .108 in July, then .233 in August. He had a season long five-game hitting streak from August 29-September 14. He rebounded at bat in September, hitting .462 (6-for-13) with a pair of homers, raising his batting average from .237 to a season-ending .257. His home runs came in back-to-back games against Kansas City (Mike Magnante) and Chicago (Wilson Alvarez). Jim hit .250 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 64 at-bats after the break.

He hit his seven home runs in 144 at-bats (1:21 AB) after hitting five home runs in 380 major league at-bats (1:76) prior to 1992. He reached base safely in 32 of his 42 starts, hitting .273 (35-for-128) with seven homers and 23 RBIs. Jim drove in seven of eight runners from third base with less than two out and was 2-for-9 with seven RBIs with the bases loaded. Jim hit .245 with five homers against left-handed pitchers and .286 with two homers against righties. He hit .351 (13-for-37) on turf.

He started 42 games overall in 1992 (DH-26, C-13, RF-2, 3B-1) and also played first and second. He made one error all year, as a catcher, throwing out nine of 24 runners attempting to steal (38%). The Yankees were 3-10 when he started behind the plate and the pitching staff's ERA was 4.51.

Jim was signed by the Yankee organization as a free agent by scout Bill Livesey on August 24, 1985. He began his pro career in 1986 with the Oneonta Yankees [short-season A New York-Penn League] and batted .363 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 23 games. Jim was promoted to Ft. Lauderdale, where he batted .294 in 12 games.

He spent the 1987 season at Ft. Lauderdale and batted .307 in 102 games with 22 doubles, six homers and 51 RBIs. He played in the Florida State League All-Star Game and led FSL catchers in assists (76), double plays (7) and passed balls (25). Jim spent the 1988 season at Albany (AA) of the Eastern League where he batted .241 in 112 games with 18 doubles and 49 RBIs.

Jim spent the 1989 season with Albany. He led the league in hitting (.315), on-base percentage (.423) and hit-by-pitches (9), ranked second on the team in hits (118) and RBIs (66) and had 10 home runs and 18 doubles. Jim had a five-hit game against the London Tigers and was named to the Eastern League All-Star team (as a utility man). He played 67 of his 114 games as a catcher. A versatile player, he played three positions from 1986-89 (C-268, OF-30, 3B-17).

 Jim played third base, outfield and caught while hitting .257 for the Yankees with five home runs and 25 RBIs. He hit .291 against left-handed pitchers.

Jim started the 1990 season with the AAA Columbus Clippers and had his contract purchased on June 8. At the time of his promotion he was hitting .280 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs over 59 games. With Columbus he saw action at first base, second base, third base, in the outfield and at catcher.

He made an immediate impact, making his major league debut as a pinch hitter on June 8 at Baltimore- he had a two-out 9th inning RBI single off Gregg Olson to tie the score at 4-4. Jim's first start came at third base on June 10, also at Baltimore, going 2-for-3. His second pinch-hit at-bat came on June 13 against Boston, resulting in a single off Roger Clemens.

From June 18-27 Jim hit in nine straight games (.412, 14-for-34). On June 30 at Chicago, he went 3-for-5 with his first two major league home runs (off Melido Perez and Ken Patterson).

From June 19-July 2, Jim hit .400 (20-for-50) over a 13-game period, raising his average from .250 to .351. He hit .343 in June. At the break he was hitting .313 with two homers and eight RBIs.

Jim's batting average tailed off after the break  From July 12-August 27 he started 42 of the club's 47 games at third base. He hit in five straight games from August 22-27 before spraining his ankle running out a ground ball on August 27 at Baltimore. He did not start the next six games before starting on September 3. He started 24 games in August, all at third.

On September 6 against California, Leyritz was ejected after hitting an apparent first-inning two-run homer down the right-field line off Mark Langston. The ball was initially called fair by first base umpire Evans and then reversed by third base umpire Welke. Jim was ejected by home plate umpire Coble, with Mike Ferraro and Stump Merrill also getting thrown out. 

His fifth home run came on September 19 at Toronto, a three-run shot off Jim Acker.

For the season, he started 85 games at third base (67), catcher (10), left field (7) and right field (1). Jim made 13 errors in 1990 (3B-11, C-1, LF-1). His error in left field came on July 1 at Chicago, allowing the winning run to score in Andy Hawkins' no-hitter. The ERA of the Yankee pitching staff was 3.77 (74.0 IP, 31 ER) with Jim behind the plate. He threw out two of four base stealers and allowed four passed balls.

Leyritz started the 1991 season with the Yankees before being optioned to the Clippers on May 17. He appeared in 11 April games, made three starts and went 1-for-12. He was the Opening Day catcher on April 8 at Detroit- his other two starts were at third base. Jim's only hit in April was a pinch single on April 10 at Detroit off Walt Terrell.

He started eight games in May, all at third, and went 3-for-32. All three hits came in back-to-back games, May 5-6 at Seattle.

With the Clippers Jim played in 79 games and hit .267 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs. Upon his recall to New York on September 16, he played in 10 games (9 starts) and improved his offensive numbers dramatically. He hit .303 (10-for-33) with four RBIs after the recall and in the field did not make an error.

Overall for the Yankees in 1991, Jim played in 32 games of which 20 were starts at catcher (3), third base (16) and DH (1). In his two stints he combined to .181 with four RBIs. With the Clippers, he played second base (1), third (21), shortstop (1) and caught (34). He hit .316  (6 HR, 21 RBI) after the break, .321 (9-for-28) in the International League playoffs and was tied for seventh in the Yankee organization in home runs (11). Jim spent a week on the disabled list (June 24-July 1) with a sore arm while at Columbus.

He attended Middle Georgia Junior College and the University of Kentucky. He played one year of baseball at Kentucky and hit .327 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs for the Wildcats. At Middle Georgia, he hit .387 with 17 homers and just 10 strikeouts in 231 career at-bats. Jim played Connie Mack and Babe Ruth baseball in Cincinnati.

Jim is involved with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization and the Harlem Kids organization."

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led Florida State League catchers in assists (76), 1987.

Led Florida State League catchers in double plays (7), 1987.

Led Florida State League catchers in double plays (25), 1987.

Named to Florida State League All-Star team (catcher), 1987.

Tied for Eastern League batting title (.315), 1989.

Led Eastern League in on-base percentage (.423), 1989.

Led Eastern League in being hit by a pitch (9), 1989.

Named to Eastern League All-Star team (utility man), 1989.

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide 

James Joseph Leyritz "Jim" "Ritz" (C)     #13

Born December 27, 1963, in Lakewood, Ohio, resides in Plantation, Florida. Height: 6-0, weight: 195. Bats right, throws right.

Married, Andrea (11/11/89). Attended Middle Georgia Junior College and the University of Kentucky.

Major league service time: 3 years, 6 days. Opening Day age: 30.

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide 

R.I.P. Bobby Cox

R.I.P. Ellie Rodriguez

1994 Profile: Melido Perez

"There is no questioning the heart of Melido Perez, or the repertoire of his pitches, for that matter. The only questions surrounding the Yankee right-hander are: Can he stay healthy? And when he's healthy, can he get any run support?

In his two years with the Yankees, Perez has displayed the tools that make him one of the game's most complete pitchers. His split-fingered fastball, considered by many to be one of the best in the game, has elevated his 28-year-old near the top echelon of the pitching ranks.

In 1992, his devious splitter helped place him among the league leaders in strikeouts (218), ERA (2.87) and innings pitched (247.2). In fact, a lack of run support was the only factor that kept Perez from contending for the '92 Cy Young Award.

In '93, Perez battled through a sore shoulder, which affected his control and his ability to get the proper movement on his splitter. 'I had a lot of problems with location,' says Perez. 'You can throw it 200 mph, but if you throw it over the middle of the plate, it's going to get hit.'

With the proper rest and off-season conditioning, Melido expects the arm to be 100 percent. The Yankees hope so. Last year the club challenged for a divisional crown without an effective Perez. What a difference it would make if he could regain his dominating splitter."

-The New York Yankees Official 1994 Yearbook

"Perez went 6-14 with a 5.19 ERA in 25 starts for the Yankees in an injury plagued 1993 season. He was scheduled to be the Yankees' Opening Day starter but started the season on the 15-day disabled list with an injury suffered in his last spring training start on March 31. Perez suffered a strained left hip flexor running out a sacrifice bunt attempt in his only plate appearance of spring training. It is his only career stint on the DL.

He was activated on April 18, started against Texas that afternoon and suffered a 12-2 loss (5.0 IP, 7 ER, 5 H). Melido was brilliant in his second start (9.0 IP, 2 H) but received no decision in the 1-0, 11-inning Yankee win at Seattle on April 24. He combined with Steve Howe and Steve Farr on a 2-hitter. Melido did not allow a run in his third start (8.0 IP), a 3-0 win over Seattle on April 30 and ended the first month of the season with 18 consecutive scoreless innings.

In a 6-2 loss to California on May 5, he allowed a three-run homer to Gary DiSarcarcina in the second inning to snap his scoreless streak at 19.0 innings. Melido had another strong start on May 10 at Detroit  (8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) but received no decision in the 2-1 10-inning loss. In a 4-3 win over Toronto on May 15, he did not walk a batter in 8.0 innings pitched. It was the first time he pitched at least eight innings without allowing a walk since June 6, 1990, a span of 70 starts.

In a 5-4 win at Milwaukee on June 11, Melido tied his career high with 12 strikeouts. On June 27, he beat the Orioles 9-5 to snap Baltimore's team record 11-game winning streak at Camden Yards. On July 8 at California, in his last start before the break, Perez suffered a 4-3 loss in one of his toughest defeats of the season. He took a 2-hitter and a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth before the Angels scored three runs for a 4-3 win. In that game Perez allowed a solo homer to Tim  Salmon in the first inning and didn't allow another hit until J.T. Snow singled to lead off the eighth.

In a 9-5 loss to Seattle on July 20, Perez lost as the Mariners overcame a 5-0 deficit. On July 25 against California, the Yankees overcame an 8-0 deficit for a 9-8 win in their greatest comeback since 1987; Melido went just 1.2 innings in that start (6 H, 6 R, 2 ER), his shortest outing as a starter since September 27, 1990. He also went just 1.2 innings in his next start, a 9-2 Yankee loss to the Brewers on August 1 (7 H, 6 R, 6 ER).

Melido skipped his next start because of stiffness in his pitching shoulder, but rebounded with one of his finest outings of the season in picking up the 4-1 win at Boston on August 12 (7.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER). He didn't allow a hit until Billy Hatcher doubled with two out in the sixth inning. Melido followed that appearance by going 0-4, 7.54 in his final four starts. He made his final start of the season on September 3, suffering a 7-3 loss to Cleveland (5.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER).

Perez did not pitch after September 3 because of inflammation in his pitching shoulder but was not placed on the DL. He enters the 1994 season one loss from matching his career high five-game losing streak (July 26-August 17, 1992.) Over the last five seasons (1989-93), his 748 strikeouts rank 10th in the majors.

In 1993 Perez ranked second in the American League with 9.2 strikeouts/nine innings and was tied for fourth in the AL (Ben McDonald, Jim Abbott, Chuck Finley, David Cone, Bill Wegman, Roger Clemens) with 14 losses. He did not have a complete game after throwing 10 in 1992.

The Yankees went 8-17 in his 25 starts but 2-9 in his last 11 starts. Melido made eight quality starts (at least 6 IP, no more than 3 ER) but did not win consecutive decisions all season and twice had four-game losing streaks (July 3-August 1, August 17- September 3).

Melido went 5-6, 4.19 in his first 14 starts. His 19-inning scoreless (4/18-5/5) equalled the career high 19.0 scoreless innings he threw from August 22- September 1, 1992. He lost his last four starts of the season (7.54 ERA) and five of his last six starts (7.03 ERA).

He was second on the Yankees in strikeouts (148) to Jimmy Key (173). New York hit .258 with 20 home runs and scored 84 runs (3.4 per game) in his starts, while opponents hit .267 with 22 homers in 647 at-bats, including .278 (9 HR) by left-handed batters and .255 (13 HR) by right-handers.

Perez went 3-4, 7.23 in eight day starts and 3-10, 4.48 in 17 night starts. He went 6-14, 5.58 in 23 starts on grass fields and 0-0, 1.65 in two starts on turf. He was caught by Mike Stanley 23 times and Matt Nokes twice. In innings 1-3, his ERA was 4.98, in innings 4-6 it was 4.93 and in innings 7-9 it was 6.48.

He signed a four-year contract on February 4, 1993. The contract runs through the 1996 season.

Perez was acquired by the Yankees in January 1992 from the Chicago White Sox along with pitchers Domingo Jean and Bob Wickman in exchange for second baseman Steve Sax plus cash. He posted a 13-16 record with a 2.87 ERA over 33 starts and led the Yankee staff in virtually every category. He struck out 218 hitters, tossed 10 complete games, held opponents to a .235 batting average and his ERA never rose above 3.19.

Perez made his Yankee debut on April 10 at Detroit, earning the win in a 7-3 Yankee victory (5.2 IP, 2 ER). He was winless in his final three April starts (0-2), getting a total of four runs of support.

He posted back-to-back winning months in May and June, combining to go 6-4 with a 3.15 ERA. He hurled his first complete game in a 3-2 loss at California on May 6. On June 1 at Texas, rain forced Melido to leave after four innings with a 3-1 lead. His second complete game also resulted in a loss, a 2-1 defeat at Kansas City on June 23. Melido ended the month by fanning 11 White Sox on June 28, one of three season-high 11-strikeout games in 1992.

In his first start after the break, Melido took a tough, 3-2 complete game loss at California, losing in the bottom of the 9th inning. He pitched a fine game in his next start, July 21 at Oakland, throwing a complete game 4-hitter in a 5-1 Yankee win, allowing just an unearned run.

Perez lost his first four August starts while getting a total of six runs of support. A 5-1 loss on August 11 at Detroit raised his ERA to a season high of 3.19. He ended the month by pitching eight shutout innings against the Angels and then throwing a complete game, 6-hit shutout on August 27, a 6-0 blanking of the Twins. Perez was 2-4 with a 2.39 ERA in August.

He did not allow a run over 19 innings over three starts (Aug. 22-Sept.1). He came back to post a 2.81 in September and capped the season with a 4-2 win at Cleveland on September 30.

In his final eight starts, Melido was 4-3 with a 2.08 ERA (65.0 IP, 53 H, 15 ER) and opponents hit just .213. He was 5-9 with a 2.62 ERA after the break, fourth best in the American League. He made five starts in the Dominican Winter League for Azucareros, going 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA over 30 innings.

Perez led the staff and ranked No. 2 in the AL with 218 strikeouts. The last Yankee to finish as high as second was Ron Guidry in 1979 (201), behind Nolan Ryan (223). The last Yankee to lead the AL in strikeouts was Al Downing in 1964 (217). Perez's 218 K's ranked third most in Yankee history behind Guidry (248 in 1978) and Jack Chesbro (239 in 1904).

He also became the first Yankee to have 100 strikeouts before the All-Star break since Guidry (109) in 1979. He became the first Yankee right-hander to hit the century by the break since Bob Turley (131) in 1955. His ratio of strikeouts per innings pitched in 1992 was third in the AL behind Randy Johnson and Jose Guzman. 

In 1992 Melido led the staff in wins, innings, walks, strikeouts and unearned runs allowed. He also led Yankee starters in opponent batting average (.235), ERA (2.87) and was tied for first in starts (33).

He ranked among American Leaders in strikeouts (2nd), K/IP (3rd), wild pitches (tied for 3rd), complete games (tied for 4th), innings pitched (5th), ERA (6th), walks (6th) and opponent batting average (6th). His 2.62 ERA in the second half ranked fourth in the AL behind Cal Eldred, Jim Abbott and Roger Clemens. Melido had seven pickoffs, tied with Jack McDowell for most among AL right-handers. He led the AL in road starts (20), road innings pitched (149) and road strikeouts (124).

Melido teamed with Scott Sanderson to become the first Yankee duo with at least 33 starts since Guidry and Phil Niekro had 33 each in 1985. His 10 complete games were the most by a Yankee since Guidry in 1985 (11). His eight complete game losses were the most by a Yankee since Jim Hunter (9) and the most in the AL since Bert Blyleven in 1985 (9).

Nine of Melido's 13 wins stopped losing streaks. He had a 2.34 ERA (84.2 IP, 22 ER) in his 10 complete games. In his eight complete game losses the Yanks supported him with a total of 13 runs; overall he had support of 3.8 runs per game. He tossed eight of his ten complete games in his last 16 starts. The bullpen stranded all four runners he left on base.

He pitched six-plus in 30 of 33 starts and made quality starts (6 IP, 3 ER or less) in 23 of 33 starts. Nokes (14), Leyritz (4) and Stanley (15) caught his starts, with Stanley catching 10 of his last 11 starts. His ERA was not above 3.19 all season and was under 3.00 in 20 of his 33 starts.

From July 8-21, Melido became the first Yankee to toss three straight complete games since Guidry, who tossed five straight in September of 1983. From July 26-August 17 he lost five straight for the first time in his career. His scoreless streak in August was his longest as a starter in his career and the longest by a Yankee since Andy Hawkins in 1989.

Melido had a 2.40 ERA (97.1 IP, 26 ER) in his 13 wins, a 3.28 ERA (123.1 IP, 45 ER) in his 16 losses and a 2.67 ERA (27.0 IP, 8 ER) in his four no-decisions. He was hurt most by the first inning, posting an ERA of 4.64 (33.0 IP, 17 ER) and an opponent BA of .287; over the rest of the game his ERA was 2.60 with a .227 opponent BA. 

Melido was signed by the Kansas City Royals as a free agent on July 22, 1983. His first professional season was spent at Charleston of the South Atlantic League in 1984 where he was 5-7 in 15 starts (16 games).

He spent the entire 1985 season with Eugene of the Northwest League. He led the league in innings pitched (101.0) and was fourth in the league with 88 strikeouts. With Class-A Burlington in 1986, Perez posted a 10-12 record and a 3.70 ERA. He struck out a team leading 153 batters in 170.1 innings and led the Midwest League with 13 complete games in 23 starts.

Perez started the 1987 season at Fort Myers, where he posted a 4-3 record and a 2.38 ERA. He was promoted to Memphis, where he continued his success, going 8-5 with a 3.53 ERA. Perez combined to strike out 177 while walking just 27 in 198.0 innings pitched.

He was called up to Kansas City when rosters expanded on September 1. He made his major league debut on September 4 at Chicago, earning the win (7.0 IP, 0 ER) in a 6-2 KC victory. He made three starts overall and was 1-1. He was acquired by the White Sox from the Royals in December 1987 along with pitchers John Davis, Chuck Mount and Greg Hibbard in exchange for pitcher Floyd Bannister and infielder Dave Cochrane.

In 1988 Melido finished sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting on the strength of a 10-8 record and 3.79 ERA. Melido was the first  ChiSox rookie to win 10 or more games since Britt Burns and Richard Dotson in 1980. His 32 starts, 197.0 innings and 138 strikeouts led the club.

His first career complete game came on May 13 against Toronto in a 4-1 Chicago win. In July Melido posted a 4-0 record and 3.86 ERA. He shut out his former Royal teammates on October 1 at Kansas City, allowing two hits and striking out 10.

In 1989, Melido led the team in wins (11), losses (14), starts (31), innings pitched (183.1) and strikeouts (141). He had a four-game winning streak from September 3-20, tying his career best from the previous season. He had a career high 12 strikeouts on June 23 at Milwaukee.

In 1990 Perez set career highs in virtually every career category while going 13-14. He led the White Sox and was second in the American League with 35 starts. He was tied for third in the American League with three shutouts. The starts were a career best as were his 161 strikeouts (2nd on the club), and his 197.0 innings pitched tied for his most in one season. Opponents batted only .241 against Perez, second best among Sox starters.

He became the 16th man in White Sox history to toss a no-hitter, a rain-shortened effort on July 12 at Yankee Stadium. He struck out nine and walked four. Pascual and Melido became the second set of brothers to pitch no-hitters, the other being Ken Forsch (1979) and Bob Forsch (1978 & 1983). It was the first no-hitter for Chicago since the one hurled by Joe Cowley on September 19, 1986. It was only the seventh time the Yankees have been no-hit and the first time since 1958 (Hoyt Wilhelm).

Melido's two other shutouts came on June 6 against Seattle and on September 17 against Oakland. He struck out a season high 10 batters on May 1 against Texas and on August 27 against Chicago.

Melido had an outstanding season in 1991 in his fourth full year in the majors. He began the season as a starter for the White Sox, making eight starts and posting a 1-4 record with a 4.82 ERA. He was converted to a reliever, making his first career bullpen appearance on May 29 against California, after he had started 109 straight games.

He recorded a team best 20.1 consecutive innings scoreless streak from May 29-June 20. On June 15, he hurled the club's longest relief outing of the season against Kansas City when he pitched 7.2 scoreless innings. He recorded his first career save on September 6 at Texas (4.0 IP, 1 ER) in an 11-6 ChiSox victory.

As a reliever Melido was 7-2 with a 2.22 ERA in 89 relief innings and tied for the club lead for wins by a reliever. He pitched at least 3.0 innings in 12 of his 41 relief appearances. He was 4-1 in one-run decisions and also 4-1 in extra-inning contests.

On the road he posted a 6-4 record with a 2.70 ERA. Left-handed hitters batted only .202 (45-for-223) against him, while right-handed hitters hit .243 (66-for-272).

Melido attended San Gregorio de Nigua High School in the Dominican Republic. He credits former Royals coach Luis Silverio for helping his career the most. 

He enjoys fishing in the off-season."

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide 

Led Northwest League in innings pitched (101.0), 1985.

Led Midwest League in complete games (13), 1986.

Threw six-inning, rain-shortened no-hitter at New York, July 12, 1990.

Led American League pitchers in errors (10), 1992.

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide

Melido Gross Perez (P)   #33

Born February 15, 1966, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, resides in Costa Verde, Dominican Republic. Height: 6-4, weight: 210. Bats right, throws right.

Married, Isabel, and father of Melaney, Maleny and Melido, Jr.

Major league service: 6 years, 34 days. Opening Day age: 28. 

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide

R.I.P. Billy Bryan

1994 Profile: Wade Boggs

"There were always the questions. Questions about his range at third. Questions about his throwing ability. Questions about his defense in general. After 12 seasons as a major league third baseman, Wade Anthony Boggs finally quieted his critics.

For the first time in his major league career, the 35-year-old led all American League third basemen in fielding percentage, committing just 12 errors in 398 chances last season.

Offensively speaking, few compare to Boggs' ability to put the bat on the ball. Last season, for the 11th time in his 12-year career, he conquered the .300 mark (.302) and contributed 59 RBI's and 83 runs scored in his first season in Pinstripes. His career batting average now stands at .335.

'It was probably one of the most enjoyable seasons I ever had, and I had a lot of good years in Boston,' says Boggs, referring to his 11 years spent in a Red Sox uniform. 'A lot of times when you change teams and change cities it can have an adverse effect. It's the complete opposite for me.'

Not known as a home run hitter, Boggs can go deep when he has to. His first long ball as a Yankee created one of the most dramatic moments of the 1993 season. On June 29, leading off the bottom of the 10th, the left-handed hitter took the Tigers' Tom Bolton deep into the upper deck in right field for a 4-3 Yankee win. The former Red Sock had won over Yankee fans, no questions asked."

-The New York Yankees Official 1994 Yearbook

"Veteran third baseman fighting to retain status as superior hitter. Last year's resurgence in his first year as a Yankee marked the 11th time Boggs had finished above .300. He was never embraced by Red Sox fans, even though he won five of six possible batting titles from 1983-88, missing only in 1984. He was branded by some as a selfish player because of his concentration on individual statistics.

Boggs remains one of the most difficult batters to strike out, fanning once per 13.1 plate appearances. Among his 169 hits last year, 140 were singles. He tied for sixth in the American League with Toronto's John Olerud with 53 multi-hit games.

Born June 15, 1958, in Omaha, Nebraska, Boggs was the Red Sox' seventh-round pick in the 1976 draft."

-Tony DeMarco, Fort Worth Star Telegram and Tom Pedulla, Gannett Newspapers, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1994 Edition

"Boggs was an American League All-Star for the ninth time in 1993. In his first season as a Yankee he hit .302 with two home runs, 59 RBIs and 83 runs scored. He led the team in games (143) and hits (169). Boggs batted over .300 for the 11th time in his 12-year career, going 3-for-4 in his last game of the season (10/2 at Detroit) to raise his average from .299.

He struck out six times in his first five games of the season, then struck out just 43 times in his last 138 games of the season. Wade recorded his first hit as a Yankee, a single, on April 5 at Cleveland. On April 14 against Kansas City he went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, and ended the month of April hitting .300 with six multi-hit games.

Wade had a six-game hitting streak from May 5-11 (.407). He had at least two hits in four consecutive games from May 7-11 (9-for-20, .450). Returning to Fenway Park on May 21, Boggs went 4-for-4 against his former team with a walk. He had 11 multi-hit games in May.

He had an 11-game hitting streak, his longest of the season, from May 31-June 12 (.439). That streak was snapped with a 0-for-4 game on June 12 at Milwaukee in which he left the game with an injury to his right thigh. Boggs hit his first home run as a Yankee on June 29 against Detroit off Tom Bolton, a solo shot leading off the bottom of the 10th to give the Yankees a 4-3 win. He hit .323 in June with 12 multi-hit games and struck out just four times in June.

He hit his second homer of the season on July 4 at Oakland off Shawn Hillegas. He was hitting .292 at the All-Star break. Wade went 0-for-1 with a walk in the All-Star Game at Camden Yards, a 9-3 American League win. It was his ninth straight All-Star Game appearance, his eighth straight as a starter.

Immediately following the break, Boggs was moved to the leadoff spot, hitting safely in his first eight games batting first. He started 19 games in July and banged out 24 hits. He had his third four-hit game on August 3 at Toronto, all singles.

Wade had his second eight-game hitting streak from August 8-17. On August 26 at Cleveland, he recorded his first sacrifice bunt since May 6, 1987. He struck out three times on August 31 against Chicago, his first three-strikeout game since August 31, 1990, and just the 12th three-strikeout game of his career. Wade hit .326 in August, raising his season average to .311.

He attempted his first stolen base on September 2 against Chicago and was caught stealing. He hit just .243 in September, dropping his average from .311 to .298 at the end of the month. He went 5-for-9 in his last two games of the year, raising his season ending average to .302.

Boggs was named to the American League Silver Slugger team for the seventh time, tying the record shared by Cal Ripken and Ryne Sandberg. He has been named American League Player of the Month twice and AL Player of the Week five times.  

For the first time in his career Boggs led the league's third basemen in fielding percentage (.970). He became just the third Yankee third baseman to lead the AL in fielding percentage (Joe Dugan 1923, Red Rolfe, 1935-36). Wade committed 12 errors in 398 chances. He made 129 starts and eight as the designated hitter.

His .302 average in 1993 dropped his lifetime batting average to .335 from .338. Paul O'Neill (.311) and Boggs became just the third tandem of first-year Yankee teammates to hit .300 (Thurman Munson & Danny Cater, 1970; Lou Piniella & Elliott Maddox, 1974). 140 of Boggs' 169 hits were singles. He was second on the team in runs scored (83) behind Danny Tartabull (87). He hit a career low two home runs, his fewest since he hit three in 1989. 

Wade's 53 multi-hit games tied for sixth in the AL and his nine sacrifice flies tied for seventh in the circuit. He struck out once every 13.1 at-bats, second on the club behind Don Mattingly's 14.2 K/AB ratio and tied for seventh in the AL.

He reached base safely in 119 of 143 games, and got a hit in 101 of 143 games, including 48 one-hit games, 14 two-hit games, nine three-hit games and three four-hit games. Boggs had four-hit games on April 14 against Kansas City, May 21 at Boston and on August 3 against Toronto. For his career he has 50 four-hit games, 170 three-hit games, 450 two-hit games and 642 one-hit games.

Wade hit .291 with runners in scoring position and .400 (4-for-10, 12 RBIs) with the bases loaded. He began the season hitting  No. 2 in the batting order but was switched to No. 3 on May 14, where he remained until being moved back to No. 2 on June 10. Wade was moved to the leadoff spot on July 15 and remained there until the end of the season. He hit .316 batting leadoff, .272 batting second and .353 batting third. He went 1-for-6 as a pinch hitter and hit .375 in his eight games as the designated hitter. He had 11 infield hits.

He was not among the league leaders in intentional walks, snapping his major league record of six consecutive seasons (since records of IBB were first kept in 1955) in which he either led or tied for the American League lead in bases on balls. Boggs has been pinch-hit for three times: on April 26, 1982, at Chicago by Dave Stapleton; on September 24, 1988, at New York by Jim Rice; and on September 29, 1989, against Milwaukee by Marty Barrett. He has four career home runs leading off a game.

Boggs has a .344 average (499-for-1451) with runners in scoring position. In his career he has driven home 225 of 327 (69%) of runners from third with less than two out. With the bases loaded, Boggs has a career .362 batting average (46-for-112, 14 BB, 16 K, 3 hit by pitch, 14 sac flies) with three grand slams and 131 RBIs. 

He signed a three-year contract with the Yankees as a free agent in December 1992. The contract extends through the 1995 season. He participated in a post-seasaon tour of Japan.

In 1992 Boggs hit .259 with seven home runs and 50 RBIs, hitting below .300 for the first time in his 11-year career. He led the American League in intentional walks (19) and has now led or tied for the AL lead for six consecutive seasons, extending his major league record (since they were first kept in 1955). He ranked third toughest to fan in the AL (1K/19.3 plate appearances).

He hit a club best .311 (33-for-106) with runners in scoring position and drove in 12 of 20 runners from third base with less than two outs. He hit .286 (4-for-14) with a homer and 12 RBIs with the bases loaded. He led the Red Sox with 40 multi-hit games, including three four-hit games.

Wade finished eighth among American League third basemen in fielding with a .952 success rate. His 1,521 games played at third base are the most in Red Sox history. 

His batting average was better than .300 on just one day, April 12 (.308). He notched career hit No. 2,000 on May 17 against California, a single off Mark Langston. He had his third career two-homer game on May 22 against Oakland, both off Dave Stewart. He hit his third career grand slam on June 17 at Skydome off Dave Stieb.

He was named to his eighth consecutive All-Star team, his seventh consecutive as a starter. July was the only month Wade hit .300 (.304). He followed that with his worst month ever, hitting .198 in August. Included was a career worst-tying 0-for-21 skid from August 22-30. He hit his final home run on August 4 at Toronto off David Wells, his only homer against left-handed pitching.

Wade hit leadoff in 55 games, from the beginning of the season through May 8 and from July 26 through August 30, hitting a combined .222 in that capacity. He hit in the No. 3 spot in 80 games, batting .288 with 32 RBIs. His career .338 batting average fell seven points from his .345 average entering the 1992 season. 

The Red Sox' 7th round pick in the June 1976 free agent draft, Boggs was signed by George Digby on June 10, 1976. In 1977, he hit .332 at Winston-Salem, finishing fourth in the Carolina League in hitting. He was named to the league and Topps Class-A all-star teams.

Wade hit .311 at AA Bristol in 1978, finishing third in the Eastern League in hitting. He hit .325 at Class AA Bristol in 1979, finishing second in the Eastern League in hitting. He led the league's third basemen in fielding percentage (.953) and was named to the circuit's All-Star team.

In 1980 Boggs hit .306 at AAA Pawtucket, losing the International League batting title on the final day by .0007 to Toledo's Dave Engle. He hit .335 in 1981 to win the IL batting championship, securing the title on the season's final day. Boggs set nine Pawtucket records for left-handed hitters, while also leading the IL in hits (167) and doubles (41).

1982 was his first year with the Red Sox after five straight .300-plus seasons in the minors. Boggs set the American League rookie record (minimum of 100 games) with a .349 batting average. He finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Cal Ripken, Jr. and Kent Hrbek.

Wade's first major league hit came on April 26 at old Comiskey Park off Richard Dotson. He was placed in the starting lineup on June 25 when Carney Lansford suffered an injury and hit .361 the remainder of the season. Wade played 44 games at third base and 49 games at first base, starting the final 35 games at first.

In 1983 Wade led the majors with a .361 batting average, a .449 on-base percentage and 68 multi-hit games. He ranked second in the majors in hits (210) and doubles (44) and ranked third in the AL in bases on balls (89). He became the ninth Red Sox player to win a batting title and his batting average was the highest for the club since Ted Williams hit .388 in 1957. He hit .397 at Fenway and .321 on the road. 

Boggs hit .325 (3rd in the AL) in 1984 with six home runs and 55 RBIs. He led the majors in reaching base (292 times) and was second in the AL in multi-hit games (57), hits (203) and on-base percentage (.407).

He hit .290 through July 1, enduring a career worst 0-for-21 skid, and hit .323 inr July. Boggs had the first of his three two-home run games on August 6 against Detroit, also doubling and singling in that game to post a career best 11 total bases. He hit .326 in August and .405 in September to raise his average and ended the season by hitting safely in 11 straight games.

Wade had seven four-hit games in 1984, including back-to-back against the Yankees on September 8-9. He hit .352 at home and .296 on the road. He led AL third basemen in games (156) and double plays (30).

In 1985 he hit was is still a career best .368 to lead the majors, the highest mark by a Red Sox hitter since Ted Williams hit .388 in 1957.  He also stroked 240 hits, the most in the majors since Bill Terry of the New York Giants had 254 hits in 1930. It was the most in the American League since Heinie Manush had 241 for the St. Louis Browns in 1928. Boggs also led the majors in singles (187, an AL record), multi-hit games (72, a Red Sox record) and in on-base percentage (.450).

He had what is still a career best 28-game hitting streak (3rd longest in Red Sox history). He reached base safely 340 times, in 152 of 161 games. Boggs set an AL record with 758 plate appearances, breaking Bobby Richardson's 1962 record (754). He hit safely in 135 games, tying Chuck Klein's major league record (1930) and breaking Al Simmons' AL mark (133 in 1925).

Wade never went hitless in more than two straight games and his longest hitless drought was 10 at-bats (twice, both by May 21). He hit .300 through June 12 and .402 over the remainder of the season.

Wade had seven four-hit games and 19 three-hit games. He hit .418 at home, the second highest home mark in club history (Williams, .429 in 1941). He hit .397 with runners in scoring position.

He ranked third in the AL in doubles (42), fourth in total bases (312) and fifth in bases on balls (96). He led AL third basemen in total chances (486), was tied for first in games (161) and second in putouts (134).

Boggs was named to the All-Star team and to the post-season Sporting News AL team. He was the BoSox Club's 'Man of the Year' for his cooperation in community efforts and contributions to the team.

He led the majors in four offensive categories in 1986: batting average (.357), bases on balls (105), on-base percentage (.453) and reaching base safely (312 times). He led the club in doubles (47, 2nd in the AL), runs (107) and hits (207, 4th in the AL). Boggs became the first Red Sox player ever and the first in the majors since Stan Musial in 1953 to notch a 200-hit, 100-walk season.

Boggs had 63 multi-hit games. He had the first of three career five-hit games on May 20 against Minnesota, and the second on May 31 at Minnesota. He added six four-hit games and a 20-game hitting streak from August 29-September 18, hitting .405 (34-for-84) in that span.

He hit .471 with 20 RBIs in May to earn Player of the Month honors. He hit his first career grand slam at Texas on May 25 off Mike Mason. His season batting average peaked at .404 on June 6.

Wade lost his mother to an auto accident on June 17. His batting average was .380 at that time.

He hit a career low .247 in July but had his first at-bat in an  All-Star Game appearance (1-for-3, 1 BB).He hit .353 in August and .398 in September. He moved into the leadoff spot on August 6 and hit .385 over the next 51 games.

Wade hit safely in his final seven games at .548 to raise his average from .346 to .357. He missed the season's final four games with a pulled right hamstring.

He hit a club best .359 (42-for-117) with runners in scoring position. He drove home 17 of 24 baserunners from third with less than two out. He hit .357 in Fenway Park and .356 on the road. Boggs' road batting average was the club's highest since Williams' .374 in 1957. He hit .359 against right-handed pitching and .352 against southpaws and hit .324 from the seventh inning on.

Boggs led American League third basemen in putouts (121), was tied for second in double plays (30) and was fourth in total chances (408). Four of his 19 errors were the result of bad throws.

He hit safely in six of the seven American League Championship Series games against California (.233 BA) and drove two runs in the seventh game. He hit .290 in the World Series against the Mets. He had the game-winning RBI in game 2 and had three hits in Game 6. 

Boggs was voted to the Sporting News and UPI postseason AL All-Star teams.

In 1987, Boggs led the league in hitting (.363) and the majors in on-base percentage (.461), the third consecutive season he did so. He reached base 307 times and set career highs in home runs (24), RBIs (89), total bases (324), slugging (.588), extra-base hits (70) and intentional bases on balls (a league leading 19). Wade ranked second in the AL in doubles (40), third in slugging, fourth in hits (200) and tied for fourth in extra-base hits.

He notched career hit No. 1000 on April 30 at the Kingdome off Scott Bankhead. He was hitting .283 through the first 25 games when he was moved to third in the batting order on May 5. He hit .379 the rest of the season.

Wade had a 25-game hitting streak from May 28-June 24 during which he hit .458 (44-for-96). It was the third 20-plus-game hitting streak of his career and the second longest. He led the league in hitting from June 17 on.

He hit .485 in June to win American League Player of the Month honors. His only sacrifice fly of the year came on June 6 against the Twins; from 1984-87 he converted on 16 of 16 sacrifice attempts. Wade was AL Player of the Week from June 15-21. He hit his second career grand slam on June 29 against Baltimore (Scott McGregor). His season high batting average was .391 on June 30.

An end-of-the-season injury to his left knee caused him to pinch-hit just once in the final 12 games and prevented him from leading the majors in several categories. The knee required surgery on October 1.

Boggs hit seven home runs off left-handed pitching and 11 that either tied a game or put the Sox ahead. He went hitless in more than two games only once, a four-game stretch from September 14-18. He had 39 game-tying or go-ahead RBIs. He drove in 26 of 35 baserunners from third with less than two outs.

He hit a sizzling .411 at home, the third highest home batting average in club history. He hit .312 at home and .377 against right-handed pitching. He hit .375 (9-for-24, 3 HR, 9 RBI) on 0-2 pitches.

Boggs led major league third basemen in double plays (37) and was third in the AL in fielding  (.965), making only 14 errors (four throwing). On May 5 against Oakland he made his first appearance at first base since 1982.

He was named to the UPI, Sporting News and Baseball America AL All-Star teams and the AP major league All-Star team. Boggs was also named to the Sporting News Silver Slugger team and was second in the Gold Glove voting.

He hit .366 in 1988 to win his fourth consecutive AL batting title and fifth in six years. He became the first player since 1900 to post six consecutive 200-hit seasons and joined Lou Gehrig (1930-32) as the only two players ever with three consecutive 200-hit, 100-walk seasons. Boggs joined Ted Williams (4 times), Yastrzemski and Rogers Hornsby (2 times each) as the only players to lead their league in batting average and bases on balls more than once. He reached base safely (hit, walk, hit by pitch) 342 times, tying Gehrig for the sixth highest total ever, and posted the highest total since Williams (358) in 1959.

Boggs led the majors with 128 runs, the most by any Boston player since Dom DiMaggio in 1950 (131). He also led the majors in doubles (45), walks (125) and on-base percentage (.476). He ranked second in the majors in hits (214) and multi-hit games (64), his fourth time with 60-plus multi-hit games. He tied teammate Mike Greenwell for the AL lead in intentional bases on balls (18).

He hit .400 in a month twice, May (.400) and September (.423). He had three consecutive hitless games twice, but never more than three. Wade hit an AL-best .351 on the road, .382 in Fenway. Four of his five home runs came at home, with two going into the left field screen. He led AL third basemen in putouts (122) and ranked fourth in the loop in fielding (.971).

Wade hit primarily third in the batting order (63 games) until mid-June when he was moved into the leadoff spot (91 games). He hit the only inside-the-park homer of his career at Kansas City on July 2 off Charlie Liebrandt. He led the AL in hitting from July 31 on, except for August 14 (trailing Kirby Puckett .356 to .355). Boggs was AL Player of the Week for August 22-28.

Boggs was named to the UPI, Sporting News and Baseball America AL All-Star teams and the AP major league All-Star team. He was also named to the Sporting News Silver Slugger team.

In the A.L.C.S. against Oakland, Boggs led Boston with a .385 batting average (5-for-13, 3 RBIs). In Game One he had a 7th inning sacrifice fly but was struck out by Dennis Eckersley with runners on first and second to end the game. He was 3-for-4 with two RBIs in Game 3. He handled 12 chances without an error in that series.

Wade hit .330 in 1989 with three home runs and 54 RBIs. He ranked in the top three in eight AL categories with a league best-tying 113 runs scored and a league best 51 doubles, .430 on-base percentage and a league leading 19 intentional bases on balls. Wade was tied for second in the majors in hits (205), tied for second in the AL in multi-hit games (58) and was third in the AL in batting average and third in bases on balls (107).

After a hot start (.419 batting average through 10 games), including being named American Player of the week May 1-7, he was hitting a season low .288 on May 23. Wade's monthly best was a .381 batting average in June. After hitting the league in hitting (.421) on April 14, he did not lead the league again until August 8. From that point on he alternated between first and second with Kirby Puckett, leading for the last time on August 29 (.341). Boggs had a 2-for-27 stretch (including 0-for-16 in the middle) in early September, falling out of the race on September 19 (.322). He hit .447 over the season's final nine games.

Boggs reached base safely (H, BB or HBP) 319 times, the fifth straight year (and sixth overall) he reached base 300-plus times. His sixth time ranked him tied for fourth most in major league history with Stan Musial, behind Gehrig and Ruth (tied with 9) and Williams (7). It marked the seventh consecutive year Boggs led the majors in reaching base safely.

He also had his seventh consecutive season with 200-plus hits, extending his modern-day record. Coupled with his 107 walks, he became the only player to post 200-hit, 100-walk efforts in four consecutive seasons.

Wade hit leadoff in 123 games (.321 BA) and third in 32 games (.407). He had six four-hit games, hit .339 with runners in scoring position and was ranked the eighth toughest to fan in the American League.

He led AL third basemen in double plays (29) and putouts (123) and finished second in games (152). His .958 fielding percentage ranked fourth.

Boggs was voted to his fourth straight mid-season AL All-Star team and hit the second of consecutive first-inning homers with Bo Jackson. 

In 1990, Boggs batted .302 with six home runs and 63 RBIs. He drew fewer than 100 walks (87) for the first time since 1985 and struck out a career worst 68 times. Boggs was never closer than fourth in the AL batting race.

He led the circuit with 19 intentional bases on balls, ranked second in hits (187), tied for second in multi-hit games (54), tied for third in doubles (44), sixth in on-base percentage (.386), eighth in bases on balls and tied for 10th in extra-base hits (55). His 275 times reaching base led the league for the eighth straight season (after leading the majors in the previous seven seasons).

Wade tied the major league record with three intentional walks in a nine-inning game on April 10 against Detroit. Playing in his fifth straight All-Star Game, he was 2-2 with a walk He hit leadoff in the first 90 games before being placed third in the batting order on July 23. 

His batting average was a season best .312 five times, the last on September 12. Wade hit .275 in September after having a .365 average for that month before the 1990 season. He hit .316 over the final 98 games.

Wade was injured three different occasions: an injured left wrist in May, a fractured right toe in August and back and hip problems in September. His 152 games at third were tied for first in the loop and made 20 errors (tied for 4th), his highest total since 1984.

He hit a club best .338 with runners in scoring position and drove home 20 of 31 runs from third base with less than two out. He was 6-for-13 with 14 RBIs with the bases loaded. He hit .359 at home and a career low .245 on the road. He hit .319 against right-handers and .274 against lefties.

In the ALCS against Oakland, Boggs hit .438  (7-for-16), hitting safely in all four games. He also hit the only home run by either team in the series, off Dave Stewart in Game One, as he and Ellis Burks were the only players with two extra-base hits.

1991 was a solid season for the veteran third baseman as Boggs finished second in the majors in hitting (.332) to Julio Franco and fourth in on-base percentage (.461). He hit .300-plus for the tenth consecutive season and led the AL in intentional walks with 25, a personal best.

He was tied for fourth in the AL in doubles (42), becoming the second player in major league history with seven consecutive seasons of 40-plus doubles (Joe Medwick 1933-39) and the fourth player with eight 40-double seasons overall. Boggs had at least 100 singles and 50 extra-base hits for the seventh consecutive season, the first AL player to do so since Joe DiMaggio (1936-42).

He also ranked first in the AL as the toughest to strike out (1 K every 20 plate appearances), tied for eighth in walks (89) and tied for ninth in hits (181). Wade hit a club best .389 at home and a major league best .361 (137-for-380) against right-handers. He drove in 17 of 22 runners from third base with less than two out. 

He reached base safely 270 times, his lowest total since 1982. His 52 extra-base hits were his fewest since 1984. 

On July 15 against Chicago (Ramon Garcia), he hit his fourth career leadoff-a-game home run. He had a personal best five hits, including three doubles on July 31 at Oakland. He hit .415 in July.

From July 31 on, Wade ranked in the top three in batting average, peaking at .343 on August 12-13. He hit in a season-best 10 straight games in August. A sore back forced him to miss several games in July and August. An injured right shoulder forced him to miss six of the final eight games of the season.

His .338 batting average on September 1 made Boggs the American League leader for the first time since August 29, 1989. His final time leading the league was on September 9 (.339).

Boggs made 12 errors, but only two after July 21. His .968 fielding percentage ranked fourth in the AL. 

He was named to the postseason AL All-Star teams of UPI and the Sporting News and named to the Sporting News Silver Slugger team for the sixth time.

Wade attended H.B. Plant High School in Tampa. Originally a shortstop at Plant, he was MVP, All-Conference, All-State and All-American. He was also All-State and a three-year letterman as a kicker on the football team. Wade was a  shortstop in Little League and in Legion ball.

Wade is very involved in fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis organization and is involved with the American Cancer Society. 

He began eating chicken in 1993, coinciding with his charity-driven cookbook, 'Fowl Tips.' "

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide 

Wade Anthony Boggs "Boggsy" (3B)     #12

Born June 15, 1958, in Omaha, Nebraska, resides in Tampa, Florida. Height: 6-2, weight: 197. Bats left, throws right. 

Married, Debbie (12/21/76), and father of Meagann (15) and Brett (7). 

Major league service: 12 years, 0 days. Opening Day age: 35.

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide 

Holds American League rookie record for highest batting average, 100+ games (.349), 1982.

Led American League in batting (.361), 1983.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.449), 1983.

Led American League in singles (154), 1983.

Led American League third basemen in errors (27), 1983.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1983.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1983.

Led American League third basemen in double plays (30), 1984.

Tied for American League lead in errors, third basemen, (20), 1984.

American League All-Star, 1985.

Led American League in batting (.368), 1985.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.450), 1985.

Led American League in hits (240), 1985.

Led American League in singles (187), 1985.

Holds American League single-record for most singles (187), 1985.

Shares major league single-season record for most games, one or more hits (135), 1985.

Led American League third basemen in total chances (486), 1985.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1985.

American League All-Star, 1986.

Led American League in batting (.357), 1986.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.453), 1986.

Led American League in bases on balls (105), 1986.

Led American League third basemen in putouts (121), 1986.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1986.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1986.

American League All-Star, 1987.

Led American League in batting (.363), 1987.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.461), 1987.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (19), 1987.

Led American League third basemen in double plays (37), 1987.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1987.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1987.

American League All-Star, 1988.

Led American League in batting (.366), 1988.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.476), 1988.

Led American League in runs (128), 1988.

Led American League in bases on balls (125), 1988.

Led American League in doubles (45), 1988.

Led American League, double plays grounded into (23), 1988.

Led American League third basemen in putouts (122), 1988.

Tied for American League in intentional bases on balls (18), 1988.

Shares American League single-season, fewest double plays by a third baseman, 150+ games (17), 1988.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1988.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1988.

American League All-Star, 1989.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.430), 1989.

Tied for American League in runs (113), 1989.

Led American League in doubles (51), 1989.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (19), 1989.

Led American League third basemen in double plays (29), 1989.

Led American League third basemen in putouts (123), 1989.

Holds American League record, most consecutive seasons, 200+ hits (7), 1983-89.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1989.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1989.

American League All-Star, 1990.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (19), 1990.

Shares American League single-season record, fewest chances by a third baseman, 150+ games (349), 1990.

American League All-Star, 1991.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (25), 1991.

Holds major league record, most consecutive seasons leading his league in intentional bases on balls (5), 1987-91.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1991.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1991.

American League All-Star, 1992.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (19), 1992.

Led American League third basemen in fielding percentage (.970), 1993.

-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide 

BOGGS IS A VISITOR NO LONGER

"As he approached home plate in the eighth inning, this year's record Opening Day crowd became one big welcoming wagon. Fifty-seven thousand people, all on their feet, chanted 'Wade, Wade, Wade' in a tribute to their third baseman. He already had four hits against the Texas Rangers, and the fans screamed for one more. A fly ball to center field was caught for an easy out, yet the cheers grew stronger. The ovation continued long after he had disappeared into the dugout. It was the official welcoming of Wade Boggs.

'I sensed that the ovation I got was the overall lasting effect of last year,' said Boggs. 'The cheers seemed to be saying, 'Glad to see you back' and it made me feel special, as if I'd been adopted by the fans. Maybe now they'll say, 'Yeah, that's Wade Boggs, the Yankee.' This season, Yankee fans are embracing the five-time batting champion, and they're determined to squeeze two years of determination into one.

The rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox is as infamous as the Hatfields and McCoys. New York fans hate the Red Sox, and Boggs, their best player, was the man they most loved to hate.

'I knew just putting on a Yankee cap wouldn't ingratiate me with respect or cheers from the fans, because in their minds, and in their eyes I was still the enemy,' explains Boggs. 'I played against them for so long that they really couldn't adapt to the concept that I was a Yankee. But I think the season I had last year took away the ghost, took away the memories, and now they accept me as a Yankee.

'As a visiting player, yes, I hated coming to New York,' he admits. 'You're staying in a hotel in downtown Manhattan and you have to deal with all the hustle and bustle. But now, as a home player, I live out in the country with rabbits and squirrels. It doesn't even feel like the same city, and that's made the transition much easier.'

When the Yankees signed the nine-time All-Star to a free agent contract in December 1992, it was a stunning announcement not only for Yankees fans but for Boggs himself. It was at Yankee Stadium that Wade learned of his mother's death.

'Before I signed with the Yankees, I sat down with my father and discussed the situation that I'd have to deal with,' he says. 'I'd be here 81 days of the season, at a place where I got a tragic phone call. The memories are still vivid, but at least those memories are all on the visitors' side. I brought in all new memories when I came in to the home side. I've just divorced myself from the fact that the phone even rang.'

Yankees fans, however, were not so quick to forgive and forget the ill will associated with the former Red Sock who stroked those hits with the regularity of a metronome. Boggs was public enemy No. 1. He had spent 17 years in the Boston organization and he had, fans assumed, become brainwashed to dislike the Yankees. 'I was never a Yankee-hater,' claimed Boggs.

Then it was reported in the local media that Yankees general manager Gene Michael and Yankees manager Buck Showalter did not fully support the move to sign Boggs, who turned 36 on June 15. When Showalter, who is only two years older than Boggs, was the Yankees' third base coach, he never talked to him.

'Wade asked me why I never said anything to him at third base,' says the Yankees skipper. 'I told him I didn't want to find out anything I might like about him. I wouldn't like Don Mattingly if he played for the Red Sox. It's something inbred.'

Also there was a perceived rift between Mattingly and Boggs stemming the 1986 race for the batting title. Boggs sat out the final games with a sore hamstring, but was criticized by Mattingly fans for protecting his average. And finally, questions were raised that the signing of a big-name player like Boggs was merely a public relations ploy by Principal Owner George Steinbrenner. The Boss, it was felt at the time, was trying to offset the negative publicity received from not protecting third baseman Charlie Hayes, who was exposed to the expansion draft and selected by the Colorado Rockies.

'If there were people who didn't think the signing was right, they will come around,' said the ever-confident owner. 'I've got a hunch that he is maybe the best buy we've had in a long time. I think he'll hit .300 next year. I'm not prepared to believe that Wade Boggs isn't still Wade Boggs.'

Steinbrenner's words proved to be prophetic. The Yankees' new third baseman raised his batting average 43 points from the 1992 season, to .302 in '93, while leading the team in hits (169) and was second in both runs scored and walks.

'Many savored the day I hit .259 because I had been on top so long,' says the man with a record seven consecutive 200-hit seasons. 'In baseball, when you're young, you are a rookie; when you're middle-aged, you're a seasoned veteran; and then you're the old man on the team. But it's better to be compared to your best year than to your worst year. This is probably the most relaxed I've been in my career. It's ironic that I can say coming to New York has made me more relaxed.'

What makes Wade most satisfied about his first year in the Bronx is his improvement with his glove, which is an example that hard work pays off. 'I had the best defensive year I've ever had in my career,' explains the Yankee third baseman proudly. He committed just 12 errors in 1993 and, for the first time in his career, led all American League third basemen in fielding percentage (.970). No Yankees third baseman had posted the league's best fielding percentage since Red Rolfe in 1936. And that includes spectacular fielders like Andy Carey, Clete Boyer, Graig Nettles and Mike Pagliarulo.

It may have taken a while for the fans to warm up to Boggs, but his new teammates respected him almost immediately.

'What's really impressed me,' marvels Mattingly, 'is just how consistent Wade is at the plate and how disciplined he is, day-in and day-out. Now I know how he hit .350 all those years- he doesn't waste at-bats. You very rarely see him swing at a bad pitch. He's amazing. He's consistent with everything he does. He's underrated defensively. He does a lot of things well. He's a damned good player.'

'There has to be a day-in, day-out approach,' adds Boggs, who has a .335 career batting average. 'I think I had the consistency last year. The year before I lost the consistency. The main thing is getting to the park every day and working hard and hitting line drive after line drive. The discipline is a part of my game. Some players have several ingredients in their game. My ingredients are discipline and patience.

'I learned about knowing the strike zone from Ted Williams, knowing what pitches you can handle in certain situations, not having the pitcher get you out. That's the key to hitting, getting a good pitch to hit. If it doesn't come, you take the walk. Last year I swung the bat as well as I did when I hit .360. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. That's why I do things to create luck, like eating the chicken and running sprints at the same time before night games. I want to feel lucky.'

Boggs felt anything but lucky in his final season in Boston. Red Sox fans had once marveled at his bat control, but now they complained he hit only singles. Rather than focus on the 100 runs he scored each season, critics countered that he wasn't a productive hitter. It's a wonder that Boggs wasn't indicted for polluting Boston Harbor; he was surely blamed for everything else that was wrong in Beantown.

Before the 1992 season began, Boston offered Wade a two-year contract with an option year. The third baseman wanted a three-year deal and stood his ground. The club took a take-it-or-leave-it approach, and Wade decided it was time to move on.

'The days of the Williamses and Yastzemskis are long gone,' he said. 'The situation is a lot different now. As soon as you realize it, the better off you are. It is a business. Why should (the owners) be loyal? They have pets to be loyal.'

Ego bruised and back ailing, Boggs was noticeably unhappy. He hit an un-Boggs-like .259 in '92, by far his worst season ever. That poor performance sealed his fate.

'It was time for me to leave. I'd been around a long time- seventeen years with one organization. In retrospect, maybe I should have moved on earlier. I always thought the utopic situation would be to spend your entire in one organization. I sort of found life after the Red Sox,' he remarks.

Yankee fans are glad to experience the reincarnation. In Wade's first return to Fenway Park last season with the Yankees on May 21, the love-hate reunion with Boston fans was a much anticipated event. 'I knew that when I went to Fenway it would be a mixed reaction,' states Boggs.

'A lot of people there really admired my play and what I did in Boston.

'I wasn't concerned with whether they'd boo me or cheer me. I would accept and deal with what I got. There were probably more boos than cheers at first. But as the night went on, and I was 2-for-2, 3-for-3, 4-for-4, well, the cheers started to outweigh the boos.'

In the ninth inning, after Wade had added a walk to his four singles, a Boston fan held up a sign that was the ultimate surrender: 

'Babe Ruth, Sparky Lyle, Wade Boggs.' "

-David Fischer, 1994 New York Yankees Scorebook and Souvenir Program

R.I.P. Gary Blaylock