"Man of magic at third base is Clete Boyer, with the quickest glove in the land. Spectacular at moving left or right, he makes his most fumbles on grounders hit directly at him. His arm is considered the strongest one of all third basemen but several are regarded as being steadier in all defensive phases.
Clete has power to right or right-center but still 'chases' too many outside pitches and has yet to master the curve ball. The younger of the Boyer brother third basemen (Ken's with the Cards), he was a bonus buy of the Athletics in 1955."
-Don Schiffer, Major League Baseball Handbook 1964
"Regarded as one of the really great defensive players in the major leagues, third baseman Clete Boyer is another young Yankee who plans on an improved batting average in 1964. He skidded to .251 last season after a solid .272 in 1962. Prior to that season, however, he had been a hitless wonder at .224. His homer output also dropped last season, from 18 to 12.
The younger brother of Ken Boyer of the Cards, he owns a flashy glove which has saved Yankee pitchers many a run during his four years as a regular."
-Dave Anderson, 1964 Major League Baseball Handbook
"This will be Clete Boyer's fifth full season with the Yankees and the slick-fielding third sacker hopes to make it his best.
This is Clete's tenth season of pro ball despite the fact that he's only 27. Signed as a bonus baby with Kansas City in 1955, he was acquired by the Yankees in a 10-man deal in 1957. The Yankees, recognizing young Boyer's potential, decided to give him needed minor league experience. He returned to the Bombers in mid-1959 and has been here ever since.
One of the most spectacular fielding third basemen in Yankee history, Boyer seeks to become the 'complete' ball player with improved hitting. He showed marked improvement in 1962 when he reached a new career high of .272, 18 homers and 68 RBIs. Clete tailed off last year, particularly in the second half. On July 5th, Boyer was hitting as high as .291.
Boyer, younger brother of the Cardinals' Ken, is determined to be more consistent this season. He worked hard during the off-season to improve his staying powers and hopes he can contribute to the Yankees' pennant drive in August and September the way he usually does during the first half of the season.
Boyer, the Yankee player representative, has moved his wife and three children from Missouri to New Jersey on a year-around basis."
-The New York Yankees Official 1964 Yearbook
"If there's any position bossman Yogi Berra doesn't have to worry about being amply guarded, it's third base where Clete Boyer holds forth. The 182-pound, six-footer is about masterful with his vacuum-like glove and accurate, bullet arm as a hot corner artist could ever be. Some of the plays he pulls have to be seen to be believed.
While Boyer is not the hitter his brother, Ken, of the St. Louis Cardinals is, he nevertheless comes through with his share of clutch hits. Clete is capable of hitting the long one on occasion also, as witness his total of 56 homers in major league competition.
Originally a 1955 bonus baby with the Kansas City Athletics, Clete, who had batted only .241 and .217 during his first two big-time campaigns, was traded to the Yanks on Feb. 19, 1957.
Sent along with Boyer were hurlers Art Ditmar, Bobby Shantz and Jack MacMahan and first sacker Wayne Belardi. In exchange, the Bombers sent Kansas City outfielder Irv Noren, infielders Billy Hunter and Milt Graff and pitchers Tom Morgan, Maurice McDermott and Rip Coleman.
Clete, however, due to his bonus status, wasn't permitted to officially become New York property until June, according to a ruling by the commissioner.
Boyer's best season, batting-wise, was in 1962 when he averaged .272, connected for 18 homers and sent 68 runners scurrying plateward."
-1964 Jay Publishing New York Yankees Yearbook
Acquired along with Art Ditmar, Bobby Shantz, Jack McMahon and Wayne Belardi from Kansas City Athletics in exchange for Rip Coleman, Tom Morgan, Maury McDermott, Billy Hunter, Milt Graff and Irv Noren, February 19, 1957.
Hit .291 during first half of 1963 season with 10 home runs (through July 5).
Brother of Ken Boyer of Cardinals, Cloyd Boyer, former pitcher for Cardinals and currently a pitching coach in Yankee farm system, and Ronnie Boyer, who signed a Yankee contract on May 30, 1962.
-1964 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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