1963 Profile: Hal Reniff

"Last year the Army and a sore arm detoured Hal Reniff's Yankee career that had been off to an auspicious start in mid-1961. He was undefeated in his first half season with the Yankees when called up two years ago and posted a neat 2.60 earned run average for his 25 appearances and 45 innings.

Only 23, Hal was trained for his present assignment, serving his minor league apprenticeship as a relief pitcher. Healthy again this spring, Reniff may give the Yankees the strongest bullpen in baseball.

Then in 1962 Hal was in military service and apparently rushed himself to get back in playing shape. At any rate he came up with a sore shoulder and went back to Richmond briefly and then rested most of the season. He reported early to spring training this year and won manager Houk's approval and confidence as a late inning relief specialist.

Hal, a big man physically, has been a big man in game saving, too. He had five 'saves' credited to him in the first two months of the season and kept his career ERA well under 3.00.

If he continues his strong early-season performances throughout 1963, Hal Reniff will contribute materially to a strong Yankee bullpen for the remainder of the season."

-The New York Yankees Official 1963 Yearbook

Harold Eugene Reniff (P)     #18

Born July 2, 1938, in Warren, Ohio, resides in Ontario, California. Height: 6-0, weight: 200. Bats right, throws right.

-The New York Yankees Official 1963 Yearbook

Signed by Yankee Organization, June 23, 1956.

-1963 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide

"A sore arm prevented Hal Reniff from doing his best work last season. But manager Ralph Houk is hoping Hal returns to his form of 1961 when he was one of the club's bullpen mainstays over the last half of that campaign after being called up from the Richmond farm.

Hal was in the Army during the first half of the '62 season. Upon his return, he was unable to get going with the Bombers due to the condition of his arm. After only two appearances, he was sent to Richmond but was able to work only six innings there.

In the Yanks' organization since 1956, Reniff's best season was in 1959 when he was 21-7 for Modesto of the California League."

-1963 Jay Publishing New York Yankees Yearbook