"The thermometer may dictate his effectiveness these days but Whitey Ford still figures to have more hot days than cold ones. Surgery to correct a circulatory ailment in his left arm now makes him subject to changing temperatures; he loses his feel in cold weather. But on temperate days last season, Whitey was the same craftsman he's been for 14 seasons with the Yankees, as he turned in a 16-13 record. His ERA, though, shot up to 3.25. Now 37, he remains the best won-lost percentage pitcher active in the majors, with 232 career wins against 97 losses."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
"Whitey Ford, the winningest pitcher in New York Yankee history, entered the 1966 American League season a lot more confident than he was a year earlier. With the operation to correct a circulatory blockage in his left arm now a season behind him, Whitey is sure that his distinguished career as a Yankee has additional days ahead.
After a slow start in 1965, Ford went on to win a creditable 16 games to pass Red Ruffing's previous high mark as a Yankee.
This is the modest left-hander's twentieth year in the Yankee organization and his 17th in Bomber pinstripes. He has captured almost every honor that comes to a pitcher. Entering the current season, Whitey had posted 232 wins against only 97 losses for a .705 winning percentage, second only to Spud Chandler's record .717. His 44 shutouts are the most of any active American League pitcher. He is the all-time Yankee leader in strikeouts with 1,892 and holds the World Series mark of 33.2 consecutive shutout innings pitched. Ford won the 1961 Cy Young Award, along with both Babe Ruth and Sport Magazine honors of that year as the top Series performer."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
Played sandlot ball in New York with Police Athletic League.
Attended Manhattan Aviation High School.
Signed by Yankee organization, October 4, 1946.
Pitched two consecutive 1-hitters, September 2 and September 7, 1955.
Struck out 15 in 14 innings, April 22, 1959.
Winner of Cy Young Award, 1961.
Named World Series Most Valuable Player [Babe Ruth Award] by Sport Magazine, 1961.
Holds World Series record, most consecutive scoreless innings (33.2), 1960-1961-1962, including three shutouts: 10-0 and 12-0 against Pirates in 1960 and 2-0 against Reds in 1961.
Named No. 1 American League Pitcher by The Sporting News, 1955, 1961, 1963.
Underwent surgery for a circulatory blockage in his left shoulder, October 1964.
Has most World Series wins (10), lifetime.
Has most World Series games started (22), lifetime.
Has most World Series strikeouts (94), lifetime.
Set Yankee record for most career wins- his 16 in 1965 brought his total to 232, surpassing Red Ruffing's mark of 231.
Other Yankee records held by Ford:
-most shutouts, lifetime (44), also the most by any active American League pitcher.
-most strikeouts, lifetime (1,892).
-highest winning percentage, season (.862), 1961, with a 25-4 mark.
-most consecutive wins (14), 1961, also held by Jack Chesbro, 1904.
-most shutouts, season (8), 1964, also held by Russ Ford, 1910.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
1966 New York Yankees Manager and Coaches Profiles
JOHNNY KEANE (Manager)
"Through a disappointing season, Johnny Keane demonstrated that he's as good as loser as he is a winner. Not once, as the Yankees floundered to a sixth-place finish, did he lose his characteristic calm or attempt to fix the blame on any of his players. John is a conservative man who keeps his own counsel. His strong sense of integrity prompted him to resign as manager of the Cardinals in 1964 when he felt his employers had lost faith in him. That was the year he led the Cards to a pennant on the last day of the season and then managed them to a victory over the Yankees in the World Series. A few days later he was named new Yankee manager. His departure from St. Louis severed an association of 30 years with the organization.
John began as an infielder, but a serious beaning in 1935 shortened his playing career and he turned to managing. The route to the top included such stopoffs as Albany, Mobile, New Iberia, Houston, Rochester, Columbus and Omaha. Finally, he joined the parent club as a coach in 1959 and was appointed manager two years later."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
Coach, St. Louis Cardinals, 1959 through July 5, 1961.
Replaced Solly Hemus as St. Louis manager with Cardinals in sixth place, July 6, 1961.
Signed as Yankee manager, October 20, 1964.
Named Sporting News Manager of the Year, 1964.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
RALPH HOUK (Manager)
"Things changed suddenly for the Yankees on May 7 when Ralph Houk was returned to the dugout as field manager of the Bronx Bombers. After two and a half years as the successful General Manager of the New York Yankees, Houk agreed to the change after the Yankees got off to a 4 and 16 start in the pennant race. The sudden move returned the popular Houk to the dugout where he had piloted Yankee teams to a perfect 'three for three' pennants in his trio of managerial seasons.
Houk replaced the likeable Johnny Keane, who had managed the Yankees for just a little over one season. An outstanding series of crippling injuries hindered the Yanks in 1965, but this year the team simply did not untrack after a successful spring training season.
Houk is well known to Yankee fans. He has never played for or been a member of any other organization. The 46-year-old native of Lawrence, Kansas first joined the Yankee organization in 1939 and never left, except for four distinguished years in military service where he earned the rank of major.
He battled his way up the Yankee minor league ladder against stiff opposition, but made the parent Yankees as a utility catcher behind Yogi Berra. In his last two active seasons on the Yankee roster, Houk also served as a coach. He went to Denver, then the Yankees' top farm club, to manage in 1955 and had three consecutive successful seasons there before returning as a coach on Casey Stengel's staff in 1958.
Ralph succeeded Stengel after the 1960 season and became general manager following the 1963 campaign.
A natural leader, Houk has the enthusiastic support of his players in the uphill battle to get back into contention this season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
COACHES
"Dean of Yankee coaches, and all major league coaches for that matter, is Frank Crosetti, who has served as a player and coach continuously since 1932. Jim Hegan has been the bullpen and catching coach since 1960 and Jim Turner returned this year as pitching mentor after having served here in that capacity from 1949 through 1959. Newest coach is batting instructor and first signalman Wally Moses, who held the post prior to his recent duties as minor league hitting instructor in the Yankee farm system."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
FRANKIE CROSETTI (Coach)
"There must be some people around who think that Frank Crosetti comes with the franchise. That's the kind of tenure he's put in at Yankee Stadium. Cro has an unbroken string of 34 years with the Yankees, first as a star shortstop for 17 seasons and then as a coach. He has served under six different managers in that span, been a member of 23 championship Yankee clubs and taken part in 122 World Series games as a player and a coach. He was a lifetime .245 hitter as a player and one of the slickest gloves of his era."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
Played or coached in record 122 World Series games.
Has appeared on 23 of the 29 Yankee pennant-winning clubs.
Coach, New York Yankees, 1947 through 1965.
Now in 35th consecutive year as a Yankee.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM TURNER (Coach)
"The Milkman Returneth. That would make a suitable title for the latest chapter in the career of Jim Turner, who returns to Yankee Stadium as pitching coach after an absence of six years. He was credited with being largely responsible for developing the great Yankee pitching staffs during Casey Stengel's regime. As a pitcher with the old Boston Braves, Reds and Yankees, he compiled a 69-60 record from 1937 through 1945. He spent the last five seasons as pitching coach for the Reds."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
"Turner won 20 games for the Boston Braves in 1937, his first year in the major leagues, at the age of 33, after spending 14 years in the minor leagues. He pitched for the Yankees from 1942 through 1945."
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Coach for Yankees, 1949 through 1959.
Coach for Cincinnati Reds, 1961 through 1965.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
"Jim won 20 games for the Boston Braves in 1937 - his first year in the major leagues, at the age of 33 after spending 12 years in the minors. He was a relief ace with the Yankees (1942-1945). Jim was a coach with the Yankees (1949-1959) and with the Cincinnati Reds (1961-1965)."
-1966 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
VERN BENSON (Coach)
Coach, St. Louis Cardinals, July 6, 1961 through 1964.
Appointed Yankee coach, October 23, 1964.
Coach, New York Yankees, 1965.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM HEGAN (Coach)
Coach, New York Yankees, 1960 through 1965.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
SPUD MURRAY (Batting Practice Pitcher)
"Batting practice pitcher Spud Murray wears the familiar No. 55 when he's serving up gopher balls daily, during batting practice."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
JOE DIMAGGIO (spring training instructor)
"Twenty-five years ago, in 1941, Joe DiMaggio, one of the all-time Yankee stars, set a Major League record by hitting in 56 consecutive games. This record, along with Lou Gehrig's mark of 2,130 consecutive games played, is deemed by many as the toughest for anyone to surpass. Hitting streaks, of course, were nothing new to DiMaggio, for in 1933 with San Francisco he had hit in 61 consecutive games, also a record that still stands.
Starting Thursday, May 15 in Yankee Stadium and continuing until Thursday night, July 17 in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium, where he was finally stopped by pitchers Al Smith and Jim Bagby, DiMaggio piled up this amazing mark:
consecutive games hit safely: 56
at-bats: 223
hits: 91
average: .408
total bases: 160
runs:56
RBIs: 55
home runs: 15
triples: 4
doubles: 16
singles: 56
strikeouts: 7
bases on balls: 21
hit by pitcher: 2
The day after he was halted, Joe [began] a streak which lasted 16 games before being stopped again, this time by Johnny Niggeling, a knuckleballer for the old St. Louis Browns. This marked the first time in 84 games, since May 2, that he failed to reach base, and only the second time in 74 games that he failed to have a base hit.
The night his 56-game streak ended, it was not because he failed to meet the ball effectively ... for on all three official trips to the plate it took sparkling plays to retire him. In the first inning against Al Smith, Joe was robbed on a great play by third baseman Ken Keltner. In the fourth, Smith walked him. In the seventh, with Smith still pitching, Keltner once more made an amazing play. In his last at-bat in the eighth inning against Jim Bagby, Joe rapped a hot one to shortstop Lou Boudreau, who made a great stop to begin a double play. The Yankee Clipper had finally been stopped. However, he went far enough- 56 games- for many experts to believe that this might be the one record that wasn't made to be broken. On this the 25th anniversary of that event, no one has yet to come close."
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Major League Player of the Year, 1939.
Hit safely in 56 consecutive games- May 15, 1941 through July 16, 1941- a major league record.
Most Valuable Player, American League, 1939, 1941, 1947.
Named to Hall of Fame, 1955.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
"Through a disappointing season, Johnny Keane demonstrated that he's as good as loser as he is a winner. Not once, as the Yankees floundered to a sixth-place finish, did he lose his characteristic calm or attempt to fix the blame on any of his players. John is a conservative man who keeps his own counsel. His strong sense of integrity prompted him to resign as manager of the Cardinals in 1964 when he felt his employers had lost faith in him. That was the year he led the Cards to a pennant on the last day of the season and then managed them to a victory over the Yankees in the World Series. A few days later he was named new Yankee manager. His departure from St. Louis severed an association of 30 years with the organization.
John began as an infielder, but a serious beaning in 1935 shortened his playing career and he turned to managing. The route to the top included such stopoffs as Albany, Mobile, New Iberia, Houston, Rochester, Columbus and Omaha. Finally, he joined the parent club as a coach in 1959 and was appointed manager two years later."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
Coach, St. Louis Cardinals, 1959 through July 5, 1961.
Replaced Solly Hemus as St. Louis manager with Cardinals in sixth place, July 6, 1961.
Signed as Yankee manager, October 20, 1964.
Named Sporting News Manager of the Year, 1964.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
RALPH HOUK (Manager)
"Things changed suddenly for the Yankees on May 7 when Ralph Houk was returned to the dugout as field manager of the Bronx Bombers. After two and a half years as the successful General Manager of the New York Yankees, Houk agreed to the change after the Yankees got off to a 4 and 16 start in the pennant race. The sudden move returned the popular Houk to the dugout where he had piloted Yankee teams to a perfect 'three for three' pennants in his trio of managerial seasons.
Houk replaced the likeable Johnny Keane, who had managed the Yankees for just a little over one season. An outstanding series of crippling injuries hindered the Yanks in 1965, but this year the team simply did not untrack after a successful spring training season.
Houk is well known to Yankee fans. He has never played for or been a member of any other organization. The 46-year-old native of Lawrence, Kansas first joined the Yankee organization in 1939 and never left, except for four distinguished years in military service where he earned the rank of major.
He battled his way up the Yankee minor league ladder against stiff opposition, but made the parent Yankees as a utility catcher behind Yogi Berra. In his last two active seasons on the Yankee roster, Houk also served as a coach. He went to Denver, then the Yankees' top farm club, to manage in 1955 and had three consecutive successful seasons there before returning as a coach on Casey Stengel's staff in 1958.
Ralph succeeded Stengel after the 1960 season and became general manager following the 1963 campaign.
A natural leader, Houk has the enthusiastic support of his players in the uphill battle to get back into contention this season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
COACHES
"Dean of Yankee coaches, and all major league coaches for that matter, is Frank Crosetti, who has served as a player and coach continuously since 1932. Jim Hegan has been the bullpen and catching coach since 1960 and Jim Turner returned this year as pitching mentor after having served here in that capacity from 1949 through 1959. Newest coach is batting instructor and first signalman Wally Moses, who held the post prior to his recent duties as minor league hitting instructor in the Yankee farm system."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
FRANKIE CROSETTI (Coach)
"There must be some people around who think that Frank Crosetti comes with the franchise. That's the kind of tenure he's put in at Yankee Stadium. Cro has an unbroken string of 34 years with the Yankees, first as a star shortstop for 17 seasons and then as a coach. He has served under six different managers in that span, been a member of 23 championship Yankee clubs and taken part in 122 World Series games as a player and a coach. He was a lifetime .245 hitter as a player and one of the slickest gloves of his era."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
Played or coached in record 122 World Series games.
Has appeared on 23 of the 29 Yankee pennant-winning clubs.
Coach, New York Yankees, 1947 through 1965.
Now in 35th consecutive year as a Yankee.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM TURNER (Coach)
"The Milkman Returneth. That would make a suitable title for the latest chapter in the career of Jim Turner, who returns to Yankee Stadium as pitching coach after an absence of six years. He was credited with being largely responsible for developing the great Yankee pitching staffs during Casey Stengel's regime. As a pitcher with the old Boston Braves, Reds and Yankees, he compiled a 69-60 record from 1937 through 1945. He spent the last five seasons as pitching coach for the Reds."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
"Turner won 20 games for the Boston Braves in 1937, his first year in the major leagues, at the age of 33, after spending 14 years in the minor leagues. He pitched for the Yankees from 1942 through 1945."
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Coach for Yankees, 1949 through 1959.
Coach for Cincinnati Reds, 1961 through 1965.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
"Jim won 20 games for the Boston Braves in 1937 - his first year in the major leagues, at the age of 33 after spending 12 years in the minors. He was a relief ace with the Yankees (1942-1945). Jim was a coach with the Yankees (1949-1959) and with the Cincinnati Reds (1961-1965)."
-1966 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
VERN BENSON (Coach)
Coach, St. Louis Cardinals, July 6, 1961 through 1964.
Appointed Yankee coach, October 23, 1964.
Coach, New York Yankees, 1965.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM HEGAN (Coach)
Coach, New York Yankees, 1960 through 1965.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
SPUD MURRAY (Batting Practice Pitcher)
"Batting practice pitcher Spud Murray wears the familiar No. 55 when he's serving up gopher balls daily, during batting practice."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
JOE DIMAGGIO (spring training instructor)
"Twenty-five years ago, in 1941, Joe DiMaggio, one of the all-time Yankee stars, set a Major League record by hitting in 56 consecutive games. This record, along with Lou Gehrig's mark of 2,130 consecutive games played, is deemed by many as the toughest for anyone to surpass. Hitting streaks, of course, were nothing new to DiMaggio, for in 1933 with San Francisco he had hit in 61 consecutive games, also a record that still stands.
Starting Thursday, May 15 in Yankee Stadium and continuing until Thursday night, July 17 in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium, where he was finally stopped by pitchers Al Smith and Jim Bagby, DiMaggio piled up this amazing mark:
consecutive games hit safely: 56
at-bats: 223
hits: 91
average: .408
total bases: 160
runs:56
RBIs: 55
home runs: 15
triples: 4
doubles: 16
singles: 56
strikeouts: 7
bases on balls: 21
hit by pitcher: 2
The day after he was halted, Joe [began] a streak which lasted 16 games before being stopped again, this time by Johnny Niggeling, a knuckleballer for the old St. Louis Browns. This marked the first time in 84 games, since May 2, that he failed to reach base, and only the second time in 74 games that he failed to have a base hit.
The night his 56-game streak ended, it was not because he failed to meet the ball effectively ... for on all three official trips to the plate it took sparkling plays to retire him. In the first inning against Al Smith, Joe was robbed on a great play by third baseman Ken Keltner. In the fourth, Smith walked him. In the seventh, with Smith still pitching, Keltner once more made an amazing play. In his last at-bat in the eighth inning against Jim Bagby, Joe rapped a hot one to shortstop Lou Boudreau, who made a great stop to begin a double play. The Yankee Clipper had finally been stopped. However, he went far enough- 56 games- for many experts to believe that this might be the one record that wasn't made to be broken. On this the 25th anniversary of that event, no one has yet to come close."
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Major League Player of the Year, 1939.
Hit safely in 56 consecutive games- May 15, 1941 through July 16, 1941- a major league record.
Most Valuable Player, American League, 1939, 1941, 1947.
Named to Hall of Fame, 1955.
-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Saturday, March 29, 2014
1966 New York Yankees Management Profiles
DAN TOPPING (President)
"The New York Yankees have become synonymous with baseball championships. Despite the off-year in 1965, no athletic organization in the history of American sports has compiled the record of success attained by the Yankees. Since winning their first American League pennant in 1921, the Yankees have captured a record 29 league titles and 20 World Championships.
Since Daniel R. Topping assumed the chief executive's chair immediately after World War II, the Bombers have won an amazing 15 American League pennants and 10 World Series championships ... a record of excellence unmatched in sports annals.
Now President of the New York Yankees, Inc. under the ownership control of the Columbia Broadcast System, Inc., Dan Topping has pledged to New York Yankee fans the same 'tradition of triumph' ... the same outstanding brand of baseball at its best ... and the same top-flight management as has been the club's custom for the last two decades.
'Our owners want a successful, winning team in historic Yankee Stadium,' Mr. Topping said this spring. 'They want us to bring the best in baseball to Yankee fans in the most comfortable surroundings, and we intend to do just that, as we have in the past,' the club president said.
Topping has been an avid sportsman all his life. He was a topflight amateur golfer in his earlier years, and later owned and operated the old Brooklyn Football Dodgers and later the New York Yankees of the All-American Conference. But since first acquiring the baseball Yankees 21 years ago, his chief sports interest has been the Bronx Bombers. Now under the new CBS ownership, he will continue to direct the operation of baseball's most celebrated team, the New York Yankees, and, he hopes, in the same successful way."
-The New York Yankees 1966 Official Yearbook
RALPH HOUK (General Manager)
"Under Mr. Topping's guidance, the Yankees have been under the direction of Ralph G. Houk, vice-president, director and (up to May 7) the club's general manager. Although he now is back in the dugout as field manager, Houk still has the final say in trades and player personnel, in addition to the full field responsibility. An acknowledged outstanding leader on the field, Houk became an equally successful general manager. His meteoric rise in the game is without parallel. Twenty-seven years ago, Ralph was an ambitious young catcher starting in the low minors. He reached the Bombers as an understudy to Yogi Berra, was named player-coach, went to Denver for three successful years as a minor league pilot and returned as a Yankee coach in 1958. He succeeded Casey Stengel as Yankee manager in 1961 and piloted the club to three consecutive pennants and two World Championships."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
DAN TOPPING, JR. (Assistant General Manager)
"Acting general manager since Houk's move back to field manager is Daniel R. Topping, Jr., who has served as assistant G.M. under Ralph. Closely affiliated with baseball since his childhood, Dan Topping, Jr. has had excellent training for his current increased responsibilities. Dan served an apprenticeship as general manager of the Fort Lauderdale Yankees where his team won the pennant in its first year of operation. Later he served in a variety of capacities at the Stadium before moving into the executive office as acting G.M. Dan, Jr., working with the various Yankee department heads, will supervise the internal operations of the club under the recent realignment."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
"The New York Yankees have become synonymous with baseball championships. Despite the off-year in 1965, no athletic organization in the history of American sports has compiled the record of success attained by the Yankees. Since winning their first American League pennant in 1921, the Yankees have captured a record 29 league titles and 20 World Championships.
Since Daniel R. Topping assumed the chief executive's chair immediately after World War II, the Bombers have won an amazing 15 American League pennants and 10 World Series championships ... a record of excellence unmatched in sports annals.
Now President of the New York Yankees, Inc. under the ownership control of the Columbia Broadcast System, Inc., Dan Topping has pledged to New York Yankee fans the same 'tradition of triumph' ... the same outstanding brand of baseball at its best ... and the same top-flight management as has been the club's custom for the last two decades.
'Our owners want a successful, winning team in historic Yankee Stadium,' Mr. Topping said this spring. 'They want us to bring the best in baseball to Yankee fans in the most comfortable surroundings, and we intend to do just that, as we have in the past,' the club president said.
Topping has been an avid sportsman all his life. He was a topflight amateur golfer in his earlier years, and later owned and operated the old Brooklyn Football Dodgers and later the New York Yankees of the All-American Conference. But since first acquiring the baseball Yankees 21 years ago, his chief sports interest has been the Bronx Bombers. Now under the new CBS ownership, he will continue to direct the operation of baseball's most celebrated team, the New York Yankees, and, he hopes, in the same successful way."
-The New York Yankees 1966 Official Yearbook
RALPH HOUK (General Manager)
"Under Mr. Topping's guidance, the Yankees have been under the direction of Ralph G. Houk, vice-president, director and (up to May 7) the club's general manager. Although he now is back in the dugout as field manager, Houk still has the final say in trades and player personnel, in addition to the full field responsibility. An acknowledged outstanding leader on the field, Houk became an equally successful general manager. His meteoric rise in the game is without parallel. Twenty-seven years ago, Ralph was an ambitious young catcher starting in the low minors. He reached the Bombers as an understudy to Yogi Berra, was named player-coach, went to Denver for three successful years as a minor league pilot and returned as a Yankee coach in 1958. He succeeded Casey Stengel as Yankee manager in 1961 and piloted the club to three consecutive pennants and two World Championships."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
DAN TOPPING, JR. (Assistant General Manager)
"Acting general manager since Houk's move back to field manager is Daniel R. Topping, Jr., who has served as assistant G.M. under Ralph. Closely affiliated with baseball since his childhood, Dan Topping, Jr. has had excellent training for his current increased responsibilities. Dan served an apprenticeship as general manager of the Fort Lauderdale Yankees where his team won the pennant in its first year of operation. Later he served in a variety of capacities at the Stadium before moving into the executive office as acting G.M. Dan, Jr., working with the various Yankee department heads, will supervise the internal operations of the club under the recent realignment."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
1966 Tribute: Lou Gehrig
"The 1966 Yankee Yearbook is dedicated to the memory of Lou Gehrig, one of the Yankees' all-time greats, who passed away just 25 years ago, June 2, 1941, in Riverdale, New York. The inscription on the engraved trophy given to Lou by his teammates on his Day at Yankee Stadium, July 4, 1939, shows the esteem in which he was held by all."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
We've been to the wars together,
We took our foes as they came;
And always you were the leader,
And ever you played the game.
Idol of cheering millions;
Records are yours by sheaves;
Iron of frame they hailed you,
Decked you with laurel leaves.
But higher than that we hold you,
We who have known you best;
Knowing the way you came through
Every human test.
Let this be a silent token
Of lasting friendship's gleam
And all that we've left unspoken
-YOUR PALS ON THE YANKEE TEAM
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
We've been to the wars together,
We took our foes as they came;
And always you were the leader,
And ever you played the game.
Idol of cheering millions;
Records are yours by sheaves;
Iron of frame they hailed you,
Decked you with laurel leaves.
But higher than that we hold you,
We who have known you best;
Knowing the way you came through
Every human test.
Let this be a silent token
Of lasting friendship's gleam
And all that we've left unspoken
-YOUR PALS ON THE YANKEE TEAM
Friday, March 28, 2014
1966 New York Yankees Outlook
"Not since the Oklahoma land rush of 1889 have so many been poised to reach for so much. That's an exaggeration, of course, but it should give you some picture of the upcoming American League pennant race, now that the Yankees have lost their monopoly on the high ground.
Ironically, the Yankees aren't the team to beat this time; they don't even have their usual psychological edge. The Yankees are assigned to the grouping of clubs not endowed with pennant credentials- the Angels, Senators, Red Sox and Athletics- who may have a tournament of their own deciding where they finish.
1966 Forecast: Sixth"
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
"Maybe New York should be declared a disaster area, after all. The latest victims are the once-invincible Yankees, who were struck by a holocaust over the winter that threatened to pin them down in sixth place for another season.
If there were any lingering doubts that last year's sixth-place finish was just one of those things that couldn't happen again, they were blown away by the staggering bad news on Mickey Mantle and Tony Kubek. Mantle had to undergo another operation - his fifth in 15 years - for the removal of a bone chip in his right shoulder in January. And Kubek, sub-par physically the last couple of years, learned he's had a pinched nerve in his neck that was creating pressure on the spinal column, and accepted the doctors' advice by announcing his retirement at 29.
Johnny Keane deserves better breaks than these, but he is the kind of man who can adjust to adversity. His work is cut out for him. If Mantle is recovered enough to be serviceable, he will see service in left field. Nobody knows how much he'll really be able to play this year, or how effective he will be hitting against the right-handers. And file away those speculations about converting Mickey into a first baseman at this risky stage of his career. As if worrying about Mantle's availability weren't enough, there is also the problem of right fielder Roger Maris. Until Maris has had a chance to fully test the right hand which was operated on during the winter, he, too, is a towering question mark. A healthy Tom Tresh (keep your fingers crossed), who had his finest season in '65, will play center field.
But with M&M in doubtful shape, Roger Repoz may be pressed into regular duty, ready or not. He has the power and the defensive skills, but the consistency may still be lacking. Lou Clinton, obtained from Cleveland, and perennial sub Hector Lopez are spare outfielders who can also deliver as pinch-hitters.
Joe Pepitone at first base poses another kind of problem. Keane says Joe will have to give up his careless habits if he is to regain the form that saw him hit 55 homers in his first two years with the Yankees. Bobby Richardson is still a classy little second baseman, but the Yanks will start grooming rookie Roy White against Bobby's eventual retirement. It's highly possible that Clete Boyer, a magician with a glove, will move over and play short. That would turn third base over to Horace Clarke, a rookie who batted .301 at Toledo last season. Ruben Amaro, who came from the Phillies for Phil Linz, is an accomplished shortstop but a light-weight hitter, or promising rookie Bobby Murcer may get a full shot at the job.
Mel Stottlemyre presents the only stopper on the pitching staff. Whitey Ford will still have his good days, but he is 37. Jim Bouton is ten years younger and his bad year in '65 was blamed on a tired arm. Al Downing still is plagued by wildness and inconsistency. Perhaps Bob Friend, an old pro from Pittsburgh, will lend some support here. Pedro Ramos, Jack Cullen, Steve Hamilton, Bill Stafford and Hal Reniff form the bullpen brigade. The best pitching prospect on the club is Rich Beck, who was 13-7 at Columbus but who may be in the Army when you read this.
Ellie Howard carries the burden of an undermanned catching corps on his 37-year-old shoulders, but it's not his shoulders the Yankees are concerned about. It's the arm which was operated on last year. Ellie's sub is Jake Gibbs, the former football star from Ole Miss who has yet to spend a full season in the majors."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
1966 Yankees Depth Chart
C Elston Howard, Jake Gibbs
1B Joe Pepitone, Ray Barker
2B Bobby Richardson
3B Horace Clarke
SS Clete Boyer, Ruben Amaro
LF Mickey Mantle, Roger Repoz
CF Tom Tresh
RF Roger Maris
UTILITY:
Lou Clinton
Hector Lopez
Roy White
Bobby Murcer
PITCHERS:
Mel Stottlemyre Pedro Ramos
Whitey Ford Steve Hamilton
Jim Bouton Hal Reniff
Al Downing Bill Stafford
Bob Friend
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
"The Bombers should be better than last year, but '65 was no accident. Prediction: fifth.
The trademark of the New York Yankees for many years was the home run, but in 1965 it became the question mark.
Tyrants of the American League for 40 years and the most successful team in baseball history, the Yankees experienced a total collapse in 1965, to the consternation of manager Johnny Keane and general manager Ralph Houk.
Keane and Houk have chosen to write off the 1965 campaign as one that was ruined by injuries. But the evidence suggests that the Yankees came apart because of a combination of old age and declining careers. In short, the facts indicate that the era of Yankee supremacy is over and that the New Yorkers are faced with the tremendous task of rebuilding their empire from the ground up.
Why? Because the key men are all doubtful performers. How many games can Mickey Mantle play? Is Elston Howard still a star at 37? Has Roger Maris leveled off after a meteoric fling as a superstar? What about Whitey Ford?
The team that once terrorized the American League with its slugging was ninth in team batting, seventh in runs and hits, sixth in total bases and fifth in home runs! Unbelievable as it sounds, the Yankees' big problem is a lack of offense.
Where will the new offensive strength come from? Joe Pepitone's average has gone from .271 to .247 in the last three years. Bobby Richardson's .247 average was 24 points below his lifetime figure. Starting with the 1962 season, Tony Kubek's average went from .314 to .257 to .229 to .218. Finally, injuries forced him to quit. The most effective offensive player on the team in 1965 was Tom Tresh with 26 homers and 74 runs batted in. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig could be counted on to have totals like those by July 4.
The big lift has to come from Mantle, Maris and Howard - or it isn't going to come at all. Mantle is a physical wreck. Both his knees are troublesome and his right shoulder was operated on in January. At his peak, Mickey was Superman in a baseball uniform, but the ravages of time have cut him down to human proportions.
Maris is a contradiction. He is a better ball player than most people realize, but a weaker hitter than is generally assumed. Sure he hit 61 home runs in 1961, but he'll never top 40 again if he plays until he's 100 and he, too, was sidelined for much of '65 with an ailing hand.
Howard has had a tough career. He has labored to make the most of his skills and he has worked hard to attain stardom. Few players at any position last long as stars after 36, and there's no reason to believe that Howard can cheat the advancing years.
Ford, working with a circulatory ailment in his left arm, slipped in 1965. His 13 losses were the most of his career, he completed only nine of 36 starts and his 3.25 ERA was merely ordinary. The handwriting is on the wall for Whitey, too, and it says he is near the end of a gallant career.
Mel Stottlemyre (20-9 in 291 innings last season) is the new ace of the staff and should be a winner for campaigns to come. But Al Downing and Jim Bouton are both question marks. Downing has gone from a 2.56 earned run average in 1963 to 3.40 in 1965, and Bouton has gone from 2.53 to 3.02 to 4.83 during the last three seasons. The evidence suggests that the hitters have caught up to both."
-Allan Roth, 1966 Baseball Guidebook
YANKS HOPES DEPEND ON CONVALESCENTS
"Five of the Yankees' top stars had physical problems in 1965, and the Yanks tumbled all the way to sixth place. Such misfortune doesn't figure to strike again- but the New Yorkers don't figure to dominate the game as they have in the past, either.
Outfielders Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, shortstop Tony Kubek, catcher Elston Howard and pitcher Jim Bouton were the main injury sufferers last season, and Maris and Howard appear to have the best chance to bounce back with normal years. Their return should materially aid the attack, and the Yanks were ninth in team batting in 1965, the lowest they have ever been.
With Kubek being forced to retire, Manager Johnny Keane can only hope the others will be able to produce. Mantle, who batted .255, hit 19 homers and batted in 46 runs while hampered by a sore shoulder in addition to his usual leg problems, may not be able to play half the time after his operation, while Bouton, who won only four games, lost 15 and had an earned run average of 4.83, must overcome his sore arm or drop out of the starting rotation.
Howard (.233, 9, 45), who had a chip removed from his right elbow early last season and never gained top form, could be the most important cog in the Yankee comeback. The Yankees have nothing worth mentioning behind him on the catching staff.
Mel Stottlemyre (20-9, 2.63) and southpaw Whitey Ford (16-13, 3.25), who did better than many expected last year after his arm trouble, head the pitching staff. Bob Friend (8-12, 3.24), obtained from Pittsburgh, may help, as would comebacks by Bouton and lefty Al Downing (12-14, 3.40), who has been puzzlingly inconsistent.
Bill Stafford (3-8, 3.57), who pitched better than his record, and a couple of Toledo grads, Horace Womack (10-4, 2.17) and Jack Cullen (14-5, 2.68), are other starting candidates and could also help a none-too-strong bullpen. Pedro Ramos (5-5, 2.93), Hal Reniff (3-4, 3.81) and lefty Steve Hamilton (3-1, 1.40) head the relief corps.
The outfield figures to have Tom Tresh (.279, 26, 74) in center and Maris (.239, 8, 27), who played in only 46 games before undergoing surgery on his right hand, in right. Mantle will play as often as able, backed by young Roger Repoz (.220, 12, 28). Hector Lopez (.261, 7, 39) is also available.
The Yankee infield should be most competent on defense, but may again lack punch. Joe Pepitone (.247, 18, 62), who had a bad year and was in the doghouse, will be the first baseman again, backed by Ray Barker (.246, 7, 31). Bobby Richardson (.247, 6, 47), in what may be his last season, will be at second, and Clete Boyer (.251, 18, 58) at third.
Former Phil Ruben Amaro (.212, 0, 15) will take over at shortstop for the departed Kubek. Horace Clarke (.301, 2, 32 at Toledo), being groomed to succeed Richardson, will probably be the top infield reserve."
-Allen Lewis, Philadelphia Inquirer (Baseball Digest, April 1966)
QUICK RUNDOWN ON THE YANKEES
Strength: outstanding infield defense.
Greatest Need: good health for its injured stars.
Outlook: should bounce back into the first division and possible pennant contention.
-Allen Lewis, Philadelphia Inquirer (Baseball Digest, April 1966)
NON-ROSTER PLAYERS INVITED TO YANKEE SPRING TRAINING
"Catcher Bill Madden, who hit .269 at Columbus (Southern League); first baseman John Miller, who hit .262 with 10 homers and 55 RBIs in 123 games, also at Columbus, and right-handers Stan Bahnsen, 2-2, 2.73 in 53 innings at Columbus, and Jerry Walker, 6-8, 3.79 at Portland (Pacific Coast League)."
-Herbert Simons, Baseball Digest, April 1966
1966 Yankees Spring Training Depth Chart
C Elston Howard
1B Joe Pepitone
2B Bobby Richardson
3B Clete Boyer
SS Bobby Murcer
LF Mickey Mantle
CF Tom Tresh
RF Roger Maris
UTILITY:
C Jake Gibbs
3B Horace Clarke (2B)
SS Ruben Amaro
LF Ross Moschitto
CF Roger Repoz
RF Lou Clinton
PH Hector Lopez (OF)
PH Ray Barker (1B)
PITCHERS:
Mel Stottlemyre
Whitey Ford
Al Downing
Jim Bouton
Bob Friend
Bill Stafford
RELIEF PITCHERS:
Pedro Ramos
Steve Hamilton
Hal Reniff
Ironically, the Yankees aren't the team to beat this time; they don't even have their usual psychological edge. The Yankees are assigned to the grouping of clubs not endowed with pennant credentials- the Angels, Senators, Red Sox and Athletics- who may have a tournament of their own deciding where they finish.
1966 Forecast: Sixth"
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
"Maybe New York should be declared a disaster area, after all. The latest victims are the once-invincible Yankees, who were struck by a holocaust over the winter that threatened to pin them down in sixth place for another season.
If there were any lingering doubts that last year's sixth-place finish was just one of those things that couldn't happen again, they were blown away by the staggering bad news on Mickey Mantle and Tony Kubek. Mantle had to undergo another operation - his fifth in 15 years - for the removal of a bone chip in his right shoulder in January. And Kubek, sub-par physically the last couple of years, learned he's had a pinched nerve in his neck that was creating pressure on the spinal column, and accepted the doctors' advice by announcing his retirement at 29.
Johnny Keane deserves better breaks than these, but he is the kind of man who can adjust to adversity. His work is cut out for him. If Mantle is recovered enough to be serviceable, he will see service in left field. Nobody knows how much he'll really be able to play this year, or how effective he will be hitting against the right-handers. And file away those speculations about converting Mickey into a first baseman at this risky stage of his career. As if worrying about Mantle's availability weren't enough, there is also the problem of right fielder Roger Maris. Until Maris has had a chance to fully test the right hand which was operated on during the winter, he, too, is a towering question mark. A healthy Tom Tresh (keep your fingers crossed), who had his finest season in '65, will play center field.
But with M&M in doubtful shape, Roger Repoz may be pressed into regular duty, ready or not. He has the power and the defensive skills, but the consistency may still be lacking. Lou Clinton, obtained from Cleveland, and perennial sub Hector Lopez are spare outfielders who can also deliver as pinch-hitters.
Joe Pepitone at first base poses another kind of problem. Keane says Joe will have to give up his careless habits if he is to regain the form that saw him hit 55 homers in his first two years with the Yankees. Bobby Richardson is still a classy little second baseman, but the Yanks will start grooming rookie Roy White against Bobby's eventual retirement. It's highly possible that Clete Boyer, a magician with a glove, will move over and play short. That would turn third base over to Horace Clarke, a rookie who batted .301 at Toledo last season. Ruben Amaro, who came from the Phillies for Phil Linz, is an accomplished shortstop but a light-weight hitter, or promising rookie Bobby Murcer may get a full shot at the job.
Mel Stottlemyre presents the only stopper on the pitching staff. Whitey Ford will still have his good days, but he is 37. Jim Bouton is ten years younger and his bad year in '65 was blamed on a tired arm. Al Downing still is plagued by wildness and inconsistency. Perhaps Bob Friend, an old pro from Pittsburgh, will lend some support here. Pedro Ramos, Jack Cullen, Steve Hamilton, Bill Stafford and Hal Reniff form the bullpen brigade. The best pitching prospect on the club is Rich Beck, who was 13-7 at Columbus but who may be in the Army when you read this.
Ellie Howard carries the burden of an undermanned catching corps on his 37-year-old shoulders, but it's not his shoulders the Yankees are concerned about. It's the arm which was operated on last year. Ellie's sub is Jake Gibbs, the former football star from Ole Miss who has yet to spend a full season in the majors."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
1966 Yankees Depth Chart
C Elston Howard, Jake Gibbs
1B Joe Pepitone, Ray Barker
2B Bobby Richardson
3B Horace Clarke
SS Clete Boyer, Ruben Amaro
LF Mickey Mantle, Roger Repoz
CF Tom Tresh
RF Roger Maris
UTILITY:
Lou Clinton
Hector Lopez
Roy White
Bobby Murcer
PITCHERS:
Mel Stottlemyre Pedro Ramos
Whitey Ford Steve Hamilton
Jim Bouton Hal Reniff
Al Downing Bill Stafford
Bob Friend
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
"The Bombers should be better than last year, but '65 was no accident. Prediction: fifth.
The trademark of the New York Yankees for many years was the home run, but in 1965 it became the question mark.
Tyrants of the American League for 40 years and the most successful team in baseball history, the Yankees experienced a total collapse in 1965, to the consternation of manager Johnny Keane and general manager Ralph Houk.
Keane and Houk have chosen to write off the 1965 campaign as one that was ruined by injuries. But the evidence suggests that the Yankees came apart because of a combination of old age and declining careers. In short, the facts indicate that the era of Yankee supremacy is over and that the New Yorkers are faced with the tremendous task of rebuilding their empire from the ground up.
Why? Because the key men are all doubtful performers. How many games can Mickey Mantle play? Is Elston Howard still a star at 37? Has Roger Maris leveled off after a meteoric fling as a superstar? What about Whitey Ford?
The team that once terrorized the American League with its slugging was ninth in team batting, seventh in runs and hits, sixth in total bases and fifth in home runs! Unbelievable as it sounds, the Yankees' big problem is a lack of offense.
Where will the new offensive strength come from? Joe Pepitone's average has gone from .271 to .247 in the last three years. Bobby Richardson's .247 average was 24 points below his lifetime figure. Starting with the 1962 season, Tony Kubek's average went from .314 to .257 to .229 to .218. Finally, injuries forced him to quit. The most effective offensive player on the team in 1965 was Tom Tresh with 26 homers and 74 runs batted in. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig could be counted on to have totals like those by July 4.
The big lift has to come from Mantle, Maris and Howard - or it isn't going to come at all. Mantle is a physical wreck. Both his knees are troublesome and his right shoulder was operated on in January. At his peak, Mickey was Superman in a baseball uniform, but the ravages of time have cut him down to human proportions.
Maris is a contradiction. He is a better ball player than most people realize, but a weaker hitter than is generally assumed. Sure he hit 61 home runs in 1961, but he'll never top 40 again if he plays until he's 100 and he, too, was sidelined for much of '65 with an ailing hand.
Howard has had a tough career. He has labored to make the most of his skills and he has worked hard to attain stardom. Few players at any position last long as stars after 36, and there's no reason to believe that Howard can cheat the advancing years.
Ford, working with a circulatory ailment in his left arm, slipped in 1965. His 13 losses were the most of his career, he completed only nine of 36 starts and his 3.25 ERA was merely ordinary. The handwriting is on the wall for Whitey, too, and it says he is near the end of a gallant career.
Mel Stottlemyre (20-9 in 291 innings last season) is the new ace of the staff and should be a winner for campaigns to come. But Al Downing and Jim Bouton are both question marks. Downing has gone from a 2.56 earned run average in 1963 to 3.40 in 1965, and Bouton has gone from 2.53 to 3.02 to 4.83 during the last three seasons. The evidence suggests that the hitters have caught up to both."
-Allan Roth, 1966 Baseball Guidebook
YANKS HOPES DEPEND ON CONVALESCENTS
"Five of the Yankees' top stars had physical problems in 1965, and the Yanks tumbled all the way to sixth place. Such misfortune doesn't figure to strike again- but the New Yorkers don't figure to dominate the game as they have in the past, either.
Outfielders Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, shortstop Tony Kubek, catcher Elston Howard and pitcher Jim Bouton were the main injury sufferers last season, and Maris and Howard appear to have the best chance to bounce back with normal years. Their return should materially aid the attack, and the Yanks were ninth in team batting in 1965, the lowest they have ever been.
With Kubek being forced to retire, Manager Johnny Keane can only hope the others will be able to produce. Mantle, who batted .255, hit 19 homers and batted in 46 runs while hampered by a sore shoulder in addition to his usual leg problems, may not be able to play half the time after his operation, while Bouton, who won only four games, lost 15 and had an earned run average of 4.83, must overcome his sore arm or drop out of the starting rotation.
Howard (.233, 9, 45), who had a chip removed from his right elbow early last season and never gained top form, could be the most important cog in the Yankee comeback. The Yankees have nothing worth mentioning behind him on the catching staff.
Mel Stottlemyre (20-9, 2.63) and southpaw Whitey Ford (16-13, 3.25), who did better than many expected last year after his arm trouble, head the pitching staff. Bob Friend (8-12, 3.24), obtained from Pittsburgh, may help, as would comebacks by Bouton and lefty Al Downing (12-14, 3.40), who has been puzzlingly inconsistent.
Bill Stafford (3-8, 3.57), who pitched better than his record, and a couple of Toledo grads, Horace Womack (10-4, 2.17) and Jack Cullen (14-5, 2.68), are other starting candidates and could also help a none-too-strong bullpen. Pedro Ramos (5-5, 2.93), Hal Reniff (3-4, 3.81) and lefty Steve Hamilton (3-1, 1.40) head the relief corps.
The outfield figures to have Tom Tresh (.279, 26, 74) in center and Maris (.239, 8, 27), who played in only 46 games before undergoing surgery on his right hand, in right. Mantle will play as often as able, backed by young Roger Repoz (.220, 12, 28). Hector Lopez (.261, 7, 39) is also available.
The Yankee infield should be most competent on defense, but may again lack punch. Joe Pepitone (.247, 18, 62), who had a bad year and was in the doghouse, will be the first baseman again, backed by Ray Barker (.246, 7, 31). Bobby Richardson (.247, 6, 47), in what may be his last season, will be at second, and Clete Boyer (.251, 18, 58) at third.
Former Phil Ruben Amaro (.212, 0, 15) will take over at shortstop for the departed Kubek. Horace Clarke (.301, 2, 32 at Toledo), being groomed to succeed Richardson, will probably be the top infield reserve."
-Allen Lewis, Philadelphia Inquirer (Baseball Digest, April 1966)
QUICK RUNDOWN ON THE YANKEES
Strength: outstanding infield defense.
Greatest Need: good health for its injured stars.
Outlook: should bounce back into the first division and possible pennant contention.
-Allen Lewis, Philadelphia Inquirer (Baseball Digest, April 1966)
NON-ROSTER PLAYERS INVITED TO YANKEE SPRING TRAINING
"Catcher Bill Madden, who hit .269 at Columbus (Southern League); first baseman John Miller, who hit .262 with 10 homers and 55 RBIs in 123 games, also at Columbus, and right-handers Stan Bahnsen, 2-2, 2.73 in 53 innings at Columbus, and Jerry Walker, 6-8, 3.79 at Portland (Pacific Coast League)."
-Herbert Simons, Baseball Digest, April 1966
1966 Yankees Spring Training Depth Chart
C Elston Howard
1B Joe Pepitone
2B Bobby Richardson
3B Clete Boyer
SS Bobby Murcer
LF Mickey Mantle
CF Tom Tresh
RF Roger Maris
UTILITY:
C Jake Gibbs
3B Horace Clarke (2B)
SS Ruben Amaro
LF Ross Moschitto
CF Roger Repoz
RF Lou Clinton
PH Hector Lopez (OF)
PH Ray Barker (1B)
PITCHERS:
Mel Stottlemyre
Whitey Ford
Al Downing
Jim Bouton
Bob Friend
Bill Stafford
RELIEF PITCHERS:
Pedro Ramos
Steve Hamilton
Hal Reniff
Thursday, March 27, 2014
1966 New York Yankees Spring Training Roster
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
45 Jack Cullen (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
50 Gil Downs (R-R)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
19 Bob Friend (R-R)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
29 Mike Jurewicz (S-L)
52 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
14 Pedro Ramos (R-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
47 John Schroeppel (L-L)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
38 Frank Fernandez (R-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
57 Mike Ferraro (R-R)
34 Mike Hegan (L-L)
17 Bobby Murcer (L-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
46 Chet Trail (R-R)
48 Roy White (S-R)
No. Outfielders
40 Lou Clinton (R-R)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
26 Archie Moore (L-L)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
43 Roger Repoz (L-L)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
27 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List - Rich Beck
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
45 Jack Cullen (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
50 Gil Downs (R-R)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
19 Bob Friend (R-R)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
29 Mike Jurewicz (S-L)
52 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
14 Pedro Ramos (R-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
47 John Schroeppel (L-L)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
38 Frank Fernandez (R-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
57 Mike Ferraro (R-R)
34 Mike Hegan (L-L)
17 Bobby Murcer (L-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
46 Chet Trail (R-R)
48 Roy White (S-R)
No. Outfielders
40 Lou Clinton (R-R)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
26 Archie Moore (L-L)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
43 Roger Repoz (L-L)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
27 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List - Rich Beck
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
1965 New York Yankees September Roster
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
31 Cot Deal
44 Jim Hegan
No. Pitchers
23 Rich Beck (R-R)
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
45 Jack Cullen (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
29 Mike Jurewicz (S-L)
51 Pete Mikkelsen (R-R)
14 Pedro Ramos (R-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
No. Catchers
38 Doc Edwards (R-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
No. Infielders
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Tony Kubek (L-R)
12 Phil Linz (R-R)
17 Bobby Murcer (L-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
48 Roy White (S-R)
No. Outfielders
57 Arturo Lopez (L-L)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
26 Archie Moore (L-L)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
43 Roger Repoz (L-L)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
1965 YANKEES TEAM PHOTO
Ray Barker
Vern Benson (coach)
Gil Blanco
Jim Bouton
Clete Boyer
Greg Cahoon (batboy)
Frankie Crosetti (coach)
Jack Cullen
Cot Deal (coach)
Al Downing
Whitey Ford
Jake Gibbs
Steve Hamilton
Jim Hegan (coach)
Bruce Henry (traveling secretary)
Elston Howard
Johnny Keane (manager)
Tony Kubek
Phil Linz
Hector Lopez
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Pete Mikkelsen
Ross Moschitto
Spud Murray (batting practice pitcher)
Joe Pepitone
Pedro Ramos
Hal Reniff
Roger Repoz
Bobby Richardson
Don Seger (trainer)
Joe Soares (trainer)
Bill Stafford
Mel Stottlemyre
Tom Tresh
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
31 Cot Deal
44 Jim Hegan
No. Pitchers
23 Rich Beck (R-R)
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
45 Jack Cullen (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
29 Mike Jurewicz (S-L)
51 Pete Mikkelsen (R-R)
14 Pedro Ramos (R-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
No. Catchers
38 Doc Edwards (R-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
No. Infielders
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Tony Kubek (L-R)
12 Phil Linz (R-R)
17 Bobby Murcer (L-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
48 Roy White (S-R)
No. Outfielders
57 Arturo Lopez (L-L)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
26 Archie Moore (L-L)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
43 Roger Repoz (L-L)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
1965 YANKEES TEAM PHOTO
Ray Barker
Vern Benson (coach)
Gil Blanco
Jim Bouton
Clete Boyer
Greg Cahoon (batboy)
Frankie Crosetti (coach)
Jack Cullen
Cot Deal (coach)
Al Downing
Whitey Ford
Jake Gibbs
Steve Hamilton
Jim Hegan (coach)
Bruce Henry (traveling secretary)
Elston Howard
Johnny Keane (manager)
Tony Kubek
Phil Linz
Hector Lopez
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Pete Mikkelsen
Ross Moschitto
Spud Murray (batting practice pitcher)
Joe Pepitone
Pedro Ramos
Hal Reniff
Roger Repoz
Bobby Richardson
Don Seger (trainer)
Joe Soares (trainer)
Bill Stafford
Mel Stottlemyre
Tom Tresh
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
1965 New York Yankees Mid-May Roster
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
31 Cot Deal
44 Jim Hegan
No. Pitchers
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
51 Pete Mikkelsen (R-R)
14 Pedro Ramos (S-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
No. Catchers
38 Doc Edwards (R-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R) *
47 Bob Schmidt (R-R)
No. Infielders
42 Ray Barker (L-L)
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Tony Kubek (L-R)
12 Phil Linz (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
No. Outfielders
57 Arturo Lopez (L-L)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
* not on active roster
THE YANKEES SIX BIG MISTAKES!
"You could hear the dull thud as the Yankees hit ninth place. Metnik maniacs whooped that their dumbums would finish higher in the National League than the Yankees in the American.
Yankee lovers were only mildly embarrassed. They claimed the champions' plight was due to a series of ailments which cost the loss of the team's hardest hitters, Mickey, Rog and Ellie. They'd all be back in action ere long, they hoped. If so, come Oct. 3 it'd be the Yanks on top again.
Unprejudiced observers, including many sports writers, held the middle ground. They reminded them that Rome hadn't fallen in one day. The Yankees have won 29 pennants in 44 years, 14 in the last 16 seasons. The Yankee organization is the most consistently successful in the history of sports. It still has the brains, the experience and the habit of rebuilding fading teams. It's much too early to count the champs out. If the Yankees can hold their own until July 1 they'll give the rest of the league the pin-stripe jitters, they said.
The Yankee situation is complicated by some unprecedented factors in present-day baseball. In recent years new problems, difficult of solution, have arisen. No team has been able to solve them all. Every Yankee move has been subject to scrutiny and harsh criticism. [This article concentrates on] 'The Six Yankee Mistakes.' They are:
1. The Yankees missed the boat by not hanging on to Robin Roberts after they signed him as a free agent in the fall of 1961.
Roberts, one of the finest control pitchers of modern times, was released after a spring training trial in 1962 without ever having toed the rubber for the Yankees in a league game. He caught on with the Orioles and has had three straight winning seasons for them (10-9, 14-13, 13-7) and started off this season with four victories against a lone defeat.
During his brilliant career with the Phillies, for whom he won 234 in 14 years, including six straight 20-win seasons, Roberts had depended solely on his fast ball. Unlike other veteran hurlers such as Johnny Sain and Luis Arroyo, who developed other deliveries as their arms aged, Robin stuck to the speed which had earned him money and fame. By 1961 it was being socked over the fences and into the stands to the tune of one win and ten losses in 26 games.
Roy Hamey signed Roberts for the Yankees after the Phillies made him a free agent in the hope that he would be valuable in relief. When he showed little in spring training, the Yankees hurriedly cut him loose, figuring his waning fast ball would be battered in relief jobs. Baltimore picked him up, Roberts worked on a change-up and became a winning pitcher again, as the Yankees ruefully learned first-hand when he shut them out on six hits on May 2 [of 1965].
The Yankees probably should have exhibited more patience with an old star of Robin's magnitude, even though their 1962 team was rich in pitching, both relief and starting.
2. Critics charge that the deal which sent Ralph Terry to Cleveland deprived the Yanks of a seasoned starter at a time at a time when seasoned starters are almost as scarce as whooping cranes.
There's no doubt that Terry is a seasoned starter. He won 23 games in 1962 and 17 in 1963 when his 18 complete games topped the league. Ralph is one of the sharpest control pitchers in today's game. He has a puzzling slow curve, changes of speed and a fast ball for quick strikes when needed. He was off form in early 1964; home runs were rocketed off his change and slow stuff. He was used sparingly during midseason and failed in relief. He became the forgotten man of the staff after Mel Stottlemyre brought his speed and sinker from Richmond in August. In September Terry was traded for Pedro Ramos [as a player-to-be-named-later to Cleveland after the season].
In Terry's defense it can be said that as a control pitcher he needed regular fourth-day starts and didn't get them. Birdie Tebbetts put him in the starting rotation this spring and he's winning once more. He made monkeys out of the crippled Yankees on May 5, blanking them on only three hits on 70 pitches and in 1:40 elapsed time three days after Robin Roberts had shut them out.
Pete Ramos is a fast ball workhorse. He is 30 to Terry's 29. He has pitched mostly for tailenders and four times led the league in defeats and once led in the sad department of yielding home runs, 46 of 'em.
Why, then, swap Terry for Ramos?
Let's go back to Sept. 1, 1964. The Yankees were reeling after a miserable August. The Orioles and White Sox were breathing down Yogi Berra's neck. Alone on the pitching staff, Stottlemyre was turning in consistent wins. The relief corps was in shambles. And Yogi had lost confidence in Terry [after inexplicably not starting Terry regularly during the season].
The deal was made. Ramos was jubilant as he put on his Yankee uniform. He appeared in 13 games during the season's final four weeks and was credited with seven saves. The Yanks shot up from third, three games back, to their fifth consecutive pennant. In 22 innings of relief, Pete yielded just three runs and 13 hits, fanned 21 and gave nary a base on balls.
The name of Pete Ramos should be inscribed in letters of gold on the 1964 flag. And, if he had been eligible [acquired before September 1], he might have been the savior of the world's championship for the Yankees.
Despite this, critics charge that one month of Ramos wasn't worth a lifetime of Terry. Ramos could, of course, take the wind out of their sales with future performances.
3. Critics charge that too many changes have been made in the top ranks of the organization during the past six years.
Since 1960 the Yankees have had three general managers and four field leaders compared to only three general managers and, omitting 1930 and 1946, only four field leaders in the previous 40 years. In other words, the most stable organization in baseball has been become unstable in its upper ranks, to the detriment of the team.
Whatever the publicized reasons for the dismissal of George Weiss and Casey Stengel, these changes were due to a clash of personalities. The retirement of Roy Hamey, Weiss's successor, was forced by Hamey's poor health.
As Stengel's successor on the field, Ralph Houk quickly demonstrated his genius in team leadership. His popularity with players, press and public was unparalleled in Yankee history. Young, dynamic, baseball-wise, a thoughtful planner, a leader who commanded his players' respect and loyalty, he was the hero of three pennant-winning campaigns. As a result, some critics say he should not have been snatched from the bench and upgraded to the general managership.
Ralph was the logical candidate for the G.M. post. He had been in the organization since 1939 as player, coach and manager in the minors and majors. His outstanding executive ability [sic] had been proven again and again. His mastery of details and his ability to make quick decisions are unquestioned. Critics claim, however, he would have been even more valuable as a field manager for a few more years.
Contrary to some opinions, Yogi Berra's promotion to managerial duties was not a countermove against Ol' Case's Metnik popularity. As dean of Yankee players and destined Hall-of-Famer, Yogi deserved the chance to prove himself as a team leader. He failed, although his 1964 team won the pennant and carried the Cardinals into a seventh World Series game before succumbing.
The most severe criticism of the Yankee organization stems from what Yankee-haters call Yogi's 'cold-blooded' ouster. These back-biters would have it both ways. They say Yogi wasn't smart enough to be named manager and was too smart to have been fired. Yogi himself [seems] to share their point of view. In 1963 he frankly admitted he wasn't sure he knew how to manage. In 1964 he said he had done the best he could and would like to try again. He was an experiment as a manager and since experiments may be costly in terms of long-range baseball planning, his ouster was in the cards.
Enter Johnny Keane, veteran manager, as Yankee pilot. Not even the crabbiest Yankee-hater has yet blamed Johnny for the Yanks' early season woes.
4. Critics charge the Yankee organization moved too slowly in trying to find replacements for aging veterans. They insist that the physical crackup of players who had been around from ten to 15 years should have been anticipated.
Twenty-one of the 25 players on the 1964 team were still on the roster as the 1965 season began and such key members of the 1960 aggregation as Ford, Mantle, Maris, Kubek and Richardson were still carrying the lead. This is in sharp contrast to the Branch Rickey theory of unloading big stars one year before they figure to start going to pieces.
But, given today's circumstances, could better have been found? The time when outstanding players could be bought for cold cash is long gone. In the post-war era and especially since the majors' expansion to 20 teams from 16, players of starry caliber are in extremely short supply. The day is far in the past when a Joe DiMaggio could be found to replace Babe Ruth and a Mickey Mantle to move into the Jolter's shoes.
Gone, too, is the heyday of the farm system when Branch Rickey could trade away stars just past their peak and supplant them with fresh young talent from his minor league outposts. Worn-out veterans and competent second-flighters may still be obtained in trades or for a price when a hole must be plugged in a contender's weakening dikes, but not even Mr. Rickey could lay his hands on a Grover Cleveland Alexander.
5. Critics charge that the club's famous farm system, once the perpetual source of brilliant youngsters, is in decay. They allege that none of the present scouts is on a par with Paul Krichell, Bill Essick or Joe Devine.
It is obvious that the Yankees cannot come up with a Jerry Coleman when a George Stirnweiss starts to fade; or find a set keystone duo like Tony Kubek and Bobby Richardson in their farm system when the Rizzuto-Coleman combination is through. Fifteen years ago the Yankees had no fewer than 14 catchers in the minors waiting for a chance to play No. 2 man to Yogi Berra. Among them were Gus Triandos, Lou Berberet, Clint Courtney and, by 1951, Johnny Blanchard and Elston Howard. This year, when Howard developed bone chips in his throwing arm, the only farm replacement available was Jake Gibbs [originally signed as a third baseman], who had failed to impress in spring training. As a result a trade had to be made with Kansas City for Doc Edwards, a .225 hitter.
So what happened to deplete the Yankees' bank account of reserves? Johnny Johnson, vice-president in charge of minor league operations, the man in the best position to know [and the logical candidate to succeed Hamey as Yankee general manager], gives two principal reasons:
George Weiss, then general manager, flatly refused to compete with other major league outfits for promising farm products. At one time there were 57 men in the big leagues who were originally signed by the Yankee organization.
Johnson, who has been close to the situation for 19 years, is actually saying that Weiss's aversion to huge bonuses finally caught up with the Yankees. And with the numerous multiple deals, they ran out of tradeable farmhands.
Weiss was more positive that it was utterly ridiculous to give an untried kid a king's ransom,' elaborated Johnson, 'after Ed Cereghino (a $ 70,000 pitcher), Frank Leja (a first baseman who got $45,000) and Tommy Carroll (a shortstop who was paid $50,000) failed to get anywhere [due to the bonus rule keeping them on the major league roster for two full seasons before they could be assigned to the minors]. George was right, of course, but the way things were going a club either had to bid or see top candidates go elsewhere.'
Johnson listed Bill Freehan of Detroit and Carl Yastrzemski of Boston as players the Yankees lost with this attitude.
'We went to $30,000 with Yastrzemski,' recalled Johnson. 'The Red Sox gave him $110,000.'
Yankee president Dan Topping plunged into the bonus game with the departure of Weiss after the 1960 World Series. It is ironic that the highest bidder against the Yankees was Weiss. George felt entirely different about throwing Joan Payson's money around when he took over the New York Mets. The Yankees to date haven't had any success since belatedly entering the spending spree.
While the Yankees' bonus attitude depleted their farm stock to a greater extent than most clubs, most farm systems are below former pars. Why this condition exists is another story. Partly it has to do with the decline of minor league ball and the rise of a new generation of boys who have never seen a professional game except on TV. And also because Organized Baseball, in its effort to avoid high bonus payments, has tied itself into knots which strangle the signing and development of recruits.
6. Critics say the Yanks made a mistake in letting all the 'color' go out of the squad, that the stars are organization men, bloated plutocrats, Madison Avenue types and TV actors who rightfully belong on the CBS network.
To anyone who circulates among the present-day Yankees, their public image as a cold heartless organization is a product of the imagination. There was a time when Ed Barrow ran the club and Joe McCarthy managed when Yankee players talked in hushed tones to reporters. Beginning with Larry McPhail's regime in 1945 and continuing into the Casey Stengel era into the present, the Yankees have provided as many human interest stories as any club in baseball. And this year they're even providing stories about their mistakes!"
- Charles Dexter, Baseball Digest, July 1965
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
31 Cot Deal
44 Jim Hegan
No. Pitchers
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
51 Pete Mikkelsen (R-R)
14 Pedro Ramos (S-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
No. Catchers
38 Doc Edwards (R-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R) *
47 Bob Schmidt (R-R)
No. Infielders
42 Ray Barker (L-L)
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Tony Kubek (L-R)
12 Phil Linz (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
No. Outfielders
57 Arturo Lopez (L-L)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
* not on active roster
THE YANKEES SIX BIG MISTAKES!
"You could hear the dull thud as the Yankees hit ninth place. Metnik maniacs whooped that their dumbums would finish higher in the National League than the Yankees in the American.
Yankee lovers were only mildly embarrassed. They claimed the champions' plight was due to a series of ailments which cost the loss of the team's hardest hitters, Mickey, Rog and Ellie. They'd all be back in action ere long, they hoped. If so, come Oct. 3 it'd be the Yanks on top again.
Unprejudiced observers, including many sports writers, held the middle ground. They reminded them that Rome hadn't fallen in one day. The Yankees have won 29 pennants in 44 years, 14 in the last 16 seasons. The Yankee organization is the most consistently successful in the history of sports. It still has the brains, the experience and the habit of rebuilding fading teams. It's much too early to count the champs out. If the Yankees can hold their own until July 1 they'll give the rest of the league the pin-stripe jitters, they said.
The Yankee situation is complicated by some unprecedented factors in present-day baseball. In recent years new problems, difficult of solution, have arisen. No team has been able to solve them all. Every Yankee move has been subject to scrutiny and harsh criticism. [This article concentrates on] 'The Six Yankee Mistakes.' They are:
1. The Yankees missed the boat by not hanging on to Robin Roberts after they signed him as a free agent in the fall of 1961.
Roberts, one of the finest control pitchers of modern times, was released after a spring training trial in 1962 without ever having toed the rubber for the Yankees in a league game. He caught on with the Orioles and has had three straight winning seasons for them (10-9, 14-13, 13-7) and started off this season with four victories against a lone defeat.
During his brilliant career with the Phillies, for whom he won 234 in 14 years, including six straight 20-win seasons, Roberts had depended solely on his fast ball. Unlike other veteran hurlers such as Johnny Sain and Luis Arroyo, who developed other deliveries as their arms aged, Robin stuck to the speed which had earned him money and fame. By 1961 it was being socked over the fences and into the stands to the tune of one win and ten losses in 26 games.
Roy Hamey signed Roberts for the Yankees after the Phillies made him a free agent in the hope that he would be valuable in relief. When he showed little in spring training, the Yankees hurriedly cut him loose, figuring his waning fast ball would be battered in relief jobs. Baltimore picked him up, Roberts worked on a change-up and became a winning pitcher again, as the Yankees ruefully learned first-hand when he shut them out on six hits on May 2 [of 1965].
The Yankees probably should have exhibited more patience with an old star of Robin's magnitude, even though their 1962 team was rich in pitching, both relief and starting.
2. Critics charge that the deal which sent Ralph Terry to Cleveland deprived the Yanks of a seasoned starter at a time at a time when seasoned starters are almost as scarce as whooping cranes.
There's no doubt that Terry is a seasoned starter. He won 23 games in 1962 and 17 in 1963 when his 18 complete games topped the league. Ralph is one of the sharpest control pitchers in today's game. He has a puzzling slow curve, changes of speed and a fast ball for quick strikes when needed. He was off form in early 1964; home runs were rocketed off his change and slow stuff. He was used sparingly during midseason and failed in relief. He became the forgotten man of the staff after Mel Stottlemyre brought his speed and sinker from Richmond in August. In September Terry was traded for Pedro Ramos [as a player-to-be-named-later to Cleveland after the season].
In Terry's defense it can be said that as a control pitcher he needed regular fourth-day starts and didn't get them. Birdie Tebbetts put him in the starting rotation this spring and he's winning once more. He made monkeys out of the crippled Yankees on May 5, blanking them on only three hits on 70 pitches and in 1:40 elapsed time three days after Robin Roberts had shut them out.
Pete Ramos is a fast ball workhorse. He is 30 to Terry's 29. He has pitched mostly for tailenders and four times led the league in defeats and once led in the sad department of yielding home runs, 46 of 'em.
Why, then, swap Terry for Ramos?
Let's go back to Sept. 1, 1964. The Yankees were reeling after a miserable August. The Orioles and White Sox were breathing down Yogi Berra's neck. Alone on the pitching staff, Stottlemyre was turning in consistent wins. The relief corps was in shambles. And Yogi had lost confidence in Terry [after inexplicably not starting Terry regularly during the season].
The deal was made. Ramos was jubilant as he put on his Yankee uniform. He appeared in 13 games during the season's final four weeks and was credited with seven saves. The Yanks shot up from third, three games back, to their fifth consecutive pennant. In 22 innings of relief, Pete yielded just three runs and 13 hits, fanned 21 and gave nary a base on balls.
The name of Pete Ramos should be inscribed in letters of gold on the 1964 flag. And, if he had been eligible [acquired before September 1], he might have been the savior of the world's championship for the Yankees.
Despite this, critics charge that one month of Ramos wasn't worth a lifetime of Terry. Ramos could, of course, take the wind out of their sales with future performances.
3. Critics charge that too many changes have been made in the top ranks of the organization during the past six years.
Since 1960 the Yankees have had three general managers and four field leaders compared to only three general managers and, omitting 1930 and 1946, only four field leaders in the previous 40 years. In other words, the most stable organization in baseball has been become unstable in its upper ranks, to the detriment of the team.
Whatever the publicized reasons for the dismissal of George Weiss and Casey Stengel, these changes were due to a clash of personalities. The retirement of Roy Hamey, Weiss's successor, was forced by Hamey's poor health.
As Stengel's successor on the field, Ralph Houk quickly demonstrated his genius in team leadership. His popularity with players, press and public was unparalleled in Yankee history. Young, dynamic, baseball-wise, a thoughtful planner, a leader who commanded his players' respect and loyalty, he was the hero of three pennant-winning campaigns. As a result, some critics say he should not have been snatched from the bench and upgraded to the general managership.
Ralph was the logical candidate for the G.M. post. He had been in the organization since 1939 as player, coach and manager in the minors and majors. His outstanding executive ability [sic] had been proven again and again. His mastery of details and his ability to make quick decisions are unquestioned. Critics claim, however, he would have been even more valuable as a field manager for a few more years.
Contrary to some opinions, Yogi Berra's promotion to managerial duties was not a countermove against Ol' Case's Metnik popularity. As dean of Yankee players and destined Hall-of-Famer, Yogi deserved the chance to prove himself as a team leader. He failed, although his 1964 team won the pennant and carried the Cardinals into a seventh World Series game before succumbing.
The most severe criticism of the Yankee organization stems from what Yankee-haters call Yogi's 'cold-blooded' ouster. These back-biters would have it both ways. They say Yogi wasn't smart enough to be named manager and was too smart to have been fired. Yogi himself [seems] to share their point of view. In 1963 he frankly admitted he wasn't sure he knew how to manage. In 1964 he said he had done the best he could and would like to try again. He was an experiment as a manager and since experiments may be costly in terms of long-range baseball planning, his ouster was in the cards.
Enter Johnny Keane, veteran manager, as Yankee pilot. Not even the crabbiest Yankee-hater has yet blamed Johnny for the Yanks' early season woes.
4. Critics charge the Yankee organization moved too slowly in trying to find replacements for aging veterans. They insist that the physical crackup of players who had been around from ten to 15 years should have been anticipated.
Twenty-one of the 25 players on the 1964 team were still on the roster as the 1965 season began and such key members of the 1960 aggregation as Ford, Mantle, Maris, Kubek and Richardson were still carrying the lead. This is in sharp contrast to the Branch Rickey theory of unloading big stars one year before they figure to start going to pieces.
But, given today's circumstances, could better have been found? The time when outstanding players could be bought for cold cash is long gone. In the post-war era and especially since the majors' expansion to 20 teams from 16, players of starry caliber are in extremely short supply. The day is far in the past when a Joe DiMaggio could be found to replace Babe Ruth and a Mickey Mantle to move into the Jolter's shoes.
Gone, too, is the heyday of the farm system when Branch Rickey could trade away stars just past their peak and supplant them with fresh young talent from his minor league outposts. Worn-out veterans and competent second-flighters may still be obtained in trades or for a price when a hole must be plugged in a contender's weakening dikes, but not even Mr. Rickey could lay his hands on a Grover Cleveland Alexander.
5. Critics charge that the club's famous farm system, once the perpetual source of brilliant youngsters, is in decay. They allege that none of the present scouts is on a par with Paul Krichell, Bill Essick or Joe Devine.
It is obvious that the Yankees cannot come up with a Jerry Coleman when a George Stirnweiss starts to fade; or find a set keystone duo like Tony Kubek and Bobby Richardson in their farm system when the Rizzuto-Coleman combination is through. Fifteen years ago the Yankees had no fewer than 14 catchers in the minors waiting for a chance to play No. 2 man to Yogi Berra. Among them were Gus Triandos, Lou Berberet, Clint Courtney and, by 1951, Johnny Blanchard and Elston Howard. This year, when Howard developed bone chips in his throwing arm, the only farm replacement available was Jake Gibbs [originally signed as a third baseman], who had failed to impress in spring training. As a result a trade had to be made with Kansas City for Doc Edwards, a .225 hitter.
So what happened to deplete the Yankees' bank account of reserves? Johnny Johnson, vice-president in charge of minor league operations, the man in the best position to know [and the logical candidate to succeed Hamey as Yankee general manager], gives two principal reasons:
George Weiss, then general manager, flatly refused to compete with other major league outfits for promising farm products. At one time there were 57 men in the big leagues who were originally signed by the Yankee organization.
Johnson, who has been close to the situation for 19 years, is actually saying that Weiss's aversion to huge bonuses finally caught up with the Yankees. And with the numerous multiple deals, they ran out of tradeable farmhands.
Weiss was more positive that it was utterly ridiculous to give an untried kid a king's ransom,' elaborated Johnson, 'after Ed Cereghino (a $ 70,000 pitcher), Frank Leja (a first baseman who got $45,000) and Tommy Carroll (a shortstop who was paid $50,000) failed to get anywhere [due to the bonus rule keeping them on the major league roster for two full seasons before they could be assigned to the minors]. George was right, of course, but the way things were going a club either had to bid or see top candidates go elsewhere.'
Johnson listed Bill Freehan of Detroit and Carl Yastrzemski of Boston as players the Yankees lost with this attitude.
'We went to $30,000 with Yastrzemski,' recalled Johnson. 'The Red Sox gave him $110,000.'
Yankee president Dan Topping plunged into the bonus game with the departure of Weiss after the 1960 World Series. It is ironic that the highest bidder against the Yankees was Weiss. George felt entirely different about throwing Joan Payson's money around when he took over the New York Mets. The Yankees to date haven't had any success since belatedly entering the spending spree.
While the Yankees' bonus attitude depleted their farm stock to a greater extent than most clubs, most farm systems are below former pars. Why this condition exists is another story. Partly it has to do with the decline of minor league ball and the rise of a new generation of boys who have never seen a professional game except on TV. And also because Organized Baseball, in its effort to avoid high bonus payments, has tied itself into knots which strangle the signing and development of recruits.
6. Critics say the Yanks made a mistake in letting all the 'color' go out of the squad, that the stars are organization men, bloated plutocrats, Madison Avenue types and TV actors who rightfully belong on the CBS network.
To anyone who circulates among the present-day Yankees, their public image as a cold heartless organization is a product of the imagination. There was a time when Ed Barrow ran the club and Joe McCarthy managed when Yankee players talked in hushed tones to reporters. Beginning with Larry McPhail's regime in 1945 and continuing into the Casey Stengel era into the present, the Yankees have provided as many human interest stories as any club in baseball. And this year they're even providing stories about their mistakes!"
- Charles Dexter, Baseball Digest, July 1965
1965 New York Yankees Program and Scorecard Notes
TIGHT RACE FORECAST AS YANKEES SEEK RECORD PENNANT
"A new manager, new challengers for league honors and a strong Yankee cast are the features as a great new season of the 'Best in Baseball' is now underway at fabled Yankee Stadium, the long-time Home of Champions. Manager Johnny Keane, a successful, experienced pilot who led the Cardinals' World Series victory over the Yankees, is now the manager of the American League Champions. Although baseball experts across the country have been predicting another close American League race - with vastly improved contenders and strengthened clubs from top to bottom - Manager Keane is determined to lead the Bombers to their sixth pennant in a row.
No club in baseball history has ever won more than five straight (the Yankees of 1949-53 and the Yankees of 1960-1964). Keane feels he has the material, although he admits there is greater strength in the league and he is still unfamiliar with the other clubs' personnel and home parks. 'But that won't take long to learn,' John says, 'and I like this Yankee club. In fact, from what I saw in the early days of spring training, this could be the greatest team I've ever managed.'
And so, a warm welcome from all the Yankees to Yankee Stadium. We hope you will visit us often this season and enjoy the best brand of baseball anywhere."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
POWER PITCHING
"Yankee defensive firepower is represented by four top starting pitchers who are expected to carry the brunt of the starting assignment burden this season. The 'Big Four' of Manager Johnny Keane's starting rotation are Mel Stottlemyre, Al Downing, Whitey Ford and Jim Bouton. Bouton, leading winner a year ago with 18, and Stottlemyre, the rookie sensation who won nine games after being purchased last August 11, are the right-handers of the starting staff. Downing, a 13-game winner in 1964, and Ford, the 17-game winner of last summer and long-time dean of Yankee pitchers, are the southpaw starters. Ford, who underwent successful surgery last winter for correction of arterial blockage in his left arm, is the leading all-time percentage winner in baseball history since 1900 for pitchers with 100 or more victories. Whitey entered this season with a remarkable 216-84 mark for a record .720 percentage."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
POWER BATTING
"There's firepower here, too! The Yankee starting outfield represents power and defense. This trio hit 77 home runs in 1964 and reached a peak of 140 in their respective top seasons: Tom Tresh, now the center fielder, Roger Maris, right field and Mickey Mantle, now the left fielder.
Mantle, the long-time All-Star center fielder, has been moved to left to save his legs and give young Tommy Tresh the opportunity of roaming the big middle field. Maris, also an All-Star, is considered an outstanding defensive right fielder. The single-season home run champion with his 61 in 1961, Roger has a career total of 240. Mantle opened the 1965 season in seventh place on the all-time home run list with 454. Mickey's 18 World Series homers are a record. one of many set by the famed 'Switcher.' Ten times Mickey has hit homers from opposite sides of the plate in the same game."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
THE INNER DEFENSE
"Here is what most Yankee fans, and many baseball experts, consider just about the best infield in baseball, but these four men carry their part of the offense, too: Clete Boyer, Tony Kubek, Bobby Richardson and Joe Pepitone. These four fine fielders - all under 30 years of age - work brilliantly as a unit. Bobby Richardson, a frequent World Series record-breaker, has led the American League in total times at bat the last three years and led the Yankees in total hits the last four consecutive seasons. Pepitone hit 28 homers and drove home 100 runs in 1964. While Kubek and Boyer had off seasons at bat a year ago, both hit well this spring and are counted on to contribute strongly to the Yankee offense this year."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
SPRING TRAINING CROWDS
"In one of the most amazing demonstrations of drawing power in their long history, the New York Yankees attracted 304,330 fans to just 30 spring exhibition games. The Yanks attracted new high marks in several Florida cities where they played, as well as in Puerto Rico and in Houston, where they helped the Astros dedicate the new domed stadium with three consecutive SRO crowds."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
"The Yankees will be welcoming many visitors to New York's World's Fair and the annual Summer Festival in this great city this summer. Many organized groups and individual fans are planning Yankee Stadium visits this season while in New York for the second and final year of the Fair. The Yankee management will be happy to make special arrangements for out-of-town visitors ordering tickets for the games of their choice.
A warm welcome to all visitors to famed, historic Yankee Stadium, long known as the Home of Champions."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
SUBURBAN NIGHTS SLATED ON 10 WEDNESDAYS AT 7 P.M.
"A popular innovation last year, the novel Yankee Suburban Nights will be held this season on ten Wednesday nights. And the new game time will be 7:00 P.M. Every scheduled Wednesday night game this season is a Suburban Night.
These special Wednesday evenings are designed to bring the family together at a ball game. The 7:00 P.M. time will enable Dad to get home from work, pick up his family, get to Yankee Stadium and still be home at a reasonable hour on a 'working' night.
Suburban Nights are also expected to prove popular this year with out-of-town Yankee fans who would like to drive back home before a real late hour. For large organizations seeking seating together on these Wednesday nights, the ticket manager at Yankee Stadium will be happy to arrange group seating."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1965 LADIES' DAYS
Saturday, May 1 (Baltimore)
Saturday, May 22 (Washington)
Tuesday, May 25 (Cleveland)
Saturday, June 5 (Chicago)
Saturday, June 19 (Minnesota)
Saturday, June 26 (Los Angeles)
Saturday, July 17 (Washington)
Tuesday, July 20 (Boston)
Thursday, July 29 (Detroit)
Saturday, August 14 (Kansas City)
Saturday, September 18 (Detroit)
YANKEES FACE METS MAY 3
"The annual Mayor's Trophy Game between the Yankees and Mets will be played here at Yankee Stadium on Monday Night, May 3 at 8:00 P.M. All proceeds once again will go to the benefit of sandlot baseball in Greater New York.
This colorful, traditional contest is the only game each year between the city's two major league rivals. The Mets won the 1963 game here and the Yanks took the '64 clash at Shea Stadium. Tickets are on sale here at Yankee Stadium today."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
FREE BATS TO FANS 14 AND UNDER ON FATHER'S DAY
"June 20 will be a big day at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees hold their first 'Bay Day.' Appropriately held when the Yankees are scheduled to play the slugging Minnesota Twins in an important doubleheader, Bat Day will be a red letter day for young fans.
Authentic Little League bats- and they are not toys- will be given to each fan 14 and under attending the doubleheader accompanied by his or her father or another adult. The date selected coincides with the close of schools in this area and with the Little League baseball season.
The bats will contain the printed name 'New York Yankees,' the designation 'Official Little League Bat' AND the autograph of a Yankee player. Naturally, there will be a limit of one bat to each young fan. The bats are being made to Little League specifications by the Hillerich and Bradsby Company, makers of the famous Louisville Sluggers. The bats will vary slightly in length, averaging out to about 30 inches.
Because a big turnout is expected, based on similar experiences by other American League clubs, Dads are urged to buy or order their tickets now and assure their youngsters of Yankee bats. The event also is a perfect opportunity for family fun together at Yankee Stadium on Father's Day."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
DISC JOCKEYS DAY
"The Yankees and Ballantine will hold their second annual Disc Jockeys Day at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon, June 26. All the DJs will be invited and a big event is planned before the Yankees-Angels game."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
AWARD WINNERS HONORED AT YANKEES' 19TH OLD TIMERS' DAY, SATURDAY, JULY 31
"Award winners will be honored at the Yankees' 19th annual Old Timers' Day at the Stadium on Saturday, July 31. Living baseball 'greats' who have won Most Valuable Player awards, Cy Young Award and earlier pitching award winners, Babe Ruth Award winners in World Series competition, Rookies of the Year, batting and fielding champions, Managers of the Year and Sporting News Players of the Year will be invited.
The Cleveland Indians will be the Yankees' opponents in the regularly scheduled American League game. The Old Timers' program is scheduled to start at 1:00 P.M. with the Yankees-Indians contest following."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
NEW TICKET OFFICE
"To make ticket shopping more convenient for fans living or working on the west side of town and for those commuting to and from New Jersey, the Yankees have opened a ticket office in the Port Authority Bus Terminal on West 41st Street and 8th Avenue. The new Yankee ticket outlet is located on the Suburban Concourse at the top of the main bank of escalators."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEE TICKET RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED AT SCHRAFFT'S STORES
"Once again, all Schrafft's Restaurants in Greater New York, Newark and Westchester will be handling box and reserved seat reservations for all Yankee home games this season. Many fans have found it convenient to stop in at a Schrafft's Restaurant, have lunch or a refreshment, and order their box or reserved seats for an upcoming Yankee game - all in one trip."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEE STADIUM GROUND RULES
-Foul poles are outside the playing field.
-Thrown or fairly batted ball that goes behind or under the canvas and remains: Two Bases
-Ball rebounding onto the playing field: In Play
-Ball sticking in or going through the wire screen in front of the bleachers: Two Bases
-Bat racks are on the players' bench.
-Scoreboards in right and left field are on the playing field.
-Ball striking the scoreboards and rebounding onto the playing field: In Play
-Ball striking the scoreboards and bounding into the bleachers, bullpens or stands: Two Bases
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEE STADIUM REGULATIONS
1. Gambling or wagering of any sort at Yankee Stadium is strictly prohibited.
2. Any spectator who goes onto the playing field during a ball game is violating an American League rule and will be ejected from the Stadium.
3. The management requests that spectators refrain from throwing missiles on the field.
4. Patrons in front row boxes are asked not to drape clothing over the box railing.
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
AMERICAN LEAGUE UMPIRES
Cal Hubbard - Supervisor of Umpires
1 Paparella
2 McKinley
3 Hurley
4 Stevens
5 Honochick
6 Soar
7 Napp
8 Flaherty
9 Chylak
10 Runge
11 Umont
12 Rice
13 Stewart
14 Kinnamon
15 Drummond
16 Haller
17 Salerno
18 Odom
19 DiMuro
21 Valentine
WCBS
"When in doubt about a Yankee game being played, just tune in Radio Station WCBS (AM at 880 on the dial and FM at 101.1) for the latest up-to-the-minute information from Yankee Stadium. The noon news report will have the latest information pertaining to the upcoming afternoon game, and the 6:00-6:15 news and sports will carry late reports on the night games. Later bulletins also will be available on WCBS."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
ADVERTISEMENTS
-Advocate Concourse Plaza Hotel: Enjoy Italian Continental Cuisine
-Antonio y Cleopatra: The Mildest Top Quality Cigar
-Aster and Essex Nuts: Buy Some Soon ... All Hits - No Errors!
-Baby Ruth/Butterfinger: Great Double Play Combination
-Ballantine: Yankee Baseball and Ballantine Beer
-Bankers Trust: Whatever your banking needs may be ... you'll find a welcome at Bankers Trust.
-Beech-Nut Gum: Buy Beech-Nut ... By Gum!
-Beefeater: Martini men appreciate its identification with excellence.
-Belair
-Budweiser: King of Beers
-Canada Dry Ginger Ale: Good sports go for the special sparkle of Canada Dry Ginger Ale.
-Chesterfield
-Chevron: At the sign of the Chevron we take better care of your car
-Coca-Cola
-Coke: Things go better with Coke.
-Coming Attraction: KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS (with John Wyatt, Jim Landis and Mike Hershberger)
-Coming Attraction: LOS ANGELES ANGELS (with Dean Chance, Jimmy Piersall and Joe Adcock)
-Continental National American Group: Champions! A Great Insurance Team!
-Cutty Sark: America's No.1 Selling Scotch
-Dutch Masters
-DuVal Deluxe French Ice Cream: A Hit at the Stadium
-Duvernoy Bakeries: Serving New York's Better Hotels and Restaurants
-El Producto
-GGG Clothes: When a man of action has style, he has everything.
-Gulden's: The First Mustard Made Especially for Meat!
-Hygrade's Stadium Franks: Enjoy'em here ... Enjoy'em at home!
-Kent
-Kool
-L&M Filters
-Lark
-Longchamps Restaurants
-Man-Power: The Power-Packed Aerosol Deodorant by the Makers of Old Spice
-Marlboro: Come to where the flavor is. Come to Marlboro Country.
-Mars: Best Candy on Earth Comes from Mars
-Martinson: New York's Truly Premium Coffee
-Monsanto
-Muriel Cigars
-Nabisco Cheese Peanut Butter Sandwich
-Nestle's $100,000: Tastes So Good, It's Almost Illegal
-Newport
-Old Gold Filters
-Phillies Tips: "Yesterday I smoked only cigarettes! Then I tried Phillies Tips."
-Planters: Planters NEW Dry Roasted Nuts lead the league!
-Raleigh
-Rheingold Beer: If Rheingold Beer can make life pleasanter for Met fans, it can do it for anybody.
-Rise: Shave fast, shave close, without irritation!
-Roi-Tan: American's Largest-Selling 10c Cigar
-Sabrett: World's Largest Exclusive Frankfurter-Hamburger-Roll Makers
-Seagram's 7: Say Seagram's and be sure.
-Seagram's Canadian VO: You don't have to acquire a taste for the Smooth Canadian.
-Schenley: The big hit in any drink is Schenley.
-Sinclair: See Sinclair Dinoland at the N.Y. World's Fair
-Spring
-Sun Dew Orange Drink: For Refreshing Flavor ... Energy
-Sweet-Orr: The Quality Leader in Work & Casual Wear
-Tiparillo: Should a gentleman offer a Tiparillo to a lady?
-Top Brass: Dandruff is out!
-Treat's Potato Chips: Treat yourself to Treat potato chips ... too good to share.
-Viceroy
-White Owl: The Big Cigar for the Big Moments
-White Rock: After 9 Innings, Visit One of the 9 Longchamps Restaurants, Refresh Yourself and Enjoy White Rock
-Winston: The name of the game is flavor.
-York
"A new manager, new challengers for league honors and a strong Yankee cast are the features as a great new season of the 'Best in Baseball' is now underway at fabled Yankee Stadium, the long-time Home of Champions. Manager Johnny Keane, a successful, experienced pilot who led the Cardinals' World Series victory over the Yankees, is now the manager of the American League Champions. Although baseball experts across the country have been predicting another close American League race - with vastly improved contenders and strengthened clubs from top to bottom - Manager Keane is determined to lead the Bombers to their sixth pennant in a row.
No club in baseball history has ever won more than five straight (the Yankees of 1949-53 and the Yankees of 1960-1964). Keane feels he has the material, although he admits there is greater strength in the league and he is still unfamiliar with the other clubs' personnel and home parks. 'But that won't take long to learn,' John says, 'and I like this Yankee club. In fact, from what I saw in the early days of spring training, this could be the greatest team I've ever managed.'
And so, a warm welcome from all the Yankees to Yankee Stadium. We hope you will visit us often this season and enjoy the best brand of baseball anywhere."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
POWER PITCHING
"Yankee defensive firepower is represented by four top starting pitchers who are expected to carry the brunt of the starting assignment burden this season. The 'Big Four' of Manager Johnny Keane's starting rotation are Mel Stottlemyre, Al Downing, Whitey Ford and Jim Bouton. Bouton, leading winner a year ago with 18, and Stottlemyre, the rookie sensation who won nine games after being purchased last August 11, are the right-handers of the starting staff. Downing, a 13-game winner in 1964, and Ford, the 17-game winner of last summer and long-time dean of Yankee pitchers, are the southpaw starters. Ford, who underwent successful surgery last winter for correction of arterial blockage in his left arm, is the leading all-time percentage winner in baseball history since 1900 for pitchers with 100 or more victories. Whitey entered this season with a remarkable 216-84 mark for a record .720 percentage."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
POWER BATTING
"There's firepower here, too! The Yankee starting outfield represents power and defense. This trio hit 77 home runs in 1964 and reached a peak of 140 in their respective top seasons: Tom Tresh, now the center fielder, Roger Maris, right field and Mickey Mantle, now the left fielder.
Mantle, the long-time All-Star center fielder, has been moved to left to save his legs and give young Tommy Tresh the opportunity of roaming the big middle field. Maris, also an All-Star, is considered an outstanding defensive right fielder. The single-season home run champion with his 61 in 1961, Roger has a career total of 240. Mantle opened the 1965 season in seventh place on the all-time home run list with 454. Mickey's 18 World Series homers are a record. one of many set by the famed 'Switcher.' Ten times Mickey has hit homers from opposite sides of the plate in the same game."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
THE INNER DEFENSE
"Here is what most Yankee fans, and many baseball experts, consider just about the best infield in baseball, but these four men carry their part of the offense, too: Clete Boyer, Tony Kubek, Bobby Richardson and Joe Pepitone. These four fine fielders - all under 30 years of age - work brilliantly as a unit. Bobby Richardson, a frequent World Series record-breaker, has led the American League in total times at bat the last three years and led the Yankees in total hits the last four consecutive seasons. Pepitone hit 28 homers and drove home 100 runs in 1964. While Kubek and Boyer had off seasons at bat a year ago, both hit well this spring and are counted on to contribute strongly to the Yankee offense this year."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
SPRING TRAINING CROWDS
"In one of the most amazing demonstrations of drawing power in their long history, the New York Yankees attracted 304,330 fans to just 30 spring exhibition games. The Yanks attracted new high marks in several Florida cities where they played, as well as in Puerto Rico and in Houston, where they helped the Astros dedicate the new domed stadium with three consecutive SRO crowds."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
"The Yankees will be welcoming many visitors to New York's World's Fair and the annual Summer Festival in this great city this summer. Many organized groups and individual fans are planning Yankee Stadium visits this season while in New York for the second and final year of the Fair. The Yankee management will be happy to make special arrangements for out-of-town visitors ordering tickets for the games of their choice.
A warm welcome to all visitors to famed, historic Yankee Stadium, long known as the Home of Champions."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
SUBURBAN NIGHTS SLATED ON 10 WEDNESDAYS AT 7 P.M.
"A popular innovation last year, the novel Yankee Suburban Nights will be held this season on ten Wednesday nights. And the new game time will be 7:00 P.M. Every scheduled Wednesday night game this season is a Suburban Night.
These special Wednesday evenings are designed to bring the family together at a ball game. The 7:00 P.M. time will enable Dad to get home from work, pick up his family, get to Yankee Stadium and still be home at a reasonable hour on a 'working' night.
Suburban Nights are also expected to prove popular this year with out-of-town Yankee fans who would like to drive back home before a real late hour. For large organizations seeking seating together on these Wednesday nights, the ticket manager at Yankee Stadium will be happy to arrange group seating."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1965 LADIES' DAYS
Saturday, May 1 (Baltimore)
Saturday, May 22 (Washington)
Tuesday, May 25 (Cleveland)
Saturday, June 5 (Chicago)
Saturday, June 19 (Minnesota)
Saturday, June 26 (Los Angeles)
Saturday, July 17 (Washington)
Tuesday, July 20 (Boston)
Thursday, July 29 (Detroit)
Saturday, August 14 (Kansas City)
Saturday, September 18 (Detroit)
YANKEES FACE METS MAY 3
"The annual Mayor's Trophy Game between the Yankees and Mets will be played here at Yankee Stadium on Monday Night, May 3 at 8:00 P.M. All proceeds once again will go to the benefit of sandlot baseball in Greater New York.
This colorful, traditional contest is the only game each year between the city's two major league rivals. The Mets won the 1963 game here and the Yanks took the '64 clash at Shea Stadium. Tickets are on sale here at Yankee Stadium today."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
FREE BATS TO FANS 14 AND UNDER ON FATHER'S DAY
"June 20 will be a big day at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees hold their first 'Bay Day.' Appropriately held when the Yankees are scheduled to play the slugging Minnesota Twins in an important doubleheader, Bat Day will be a red letter day for young fans.
Authentic Little League bats- and they are not toys- will be given to each fan 14 and under attending the doubleheader accompanied by his or her father or another adult. The date selected coincides with the close of schools in this area and with the Little League baseball season.
The bats will contain the printed name 'New York Yankees,' the designation 'Official Little League Bat' AND the autograph of a Yankee player. Naturally, there will be a limit of one bat to each young fan. The bats are being made to Little League specifications by the Hillerich and Bradsby Company, makers of the famous Louisville Sluggers. The bats will vary slightly in length, averaging out to about 30 inches.
Because a big turnout is expected, based on similar experiences by other American League clubs, Dads are urged to buy or order their tickets now and assure their youngsters of Yankee bats. The event also is a perfect opportunity for family fun together at Yankee Stadium on Father's Day."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
DISC JOCKEYS DAY
"The Yankees and Ballantine will hold their second annual Disc Jockeys Day at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon, June 26. All the DJs will be invited and a big event is planned before the Yankees-Angels game."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
AWARD WINNERS HONORED AT YANKEES' 19TH OLD TIMERS' DAY, SATURDAY, JULY 31
"Award winners will be honored at the Yankees' 19th annual Old Timers' Day at the Stadium on Saturday, July 31. Living baseball 'greats' who have won Most Valuable Player awards, Cy Young Award and earlier pitching award winners, Babe Ruth Award winners in World Series competition, Rookies of the Year, batting and fielding champions, Managers of the Year and Sporting News Players of the Year will be invited.
The Cleveland Indians will be the Yankees' opponents in the regularly scheduled American League game. The Old Timers' program is scheduled to start at 1:00 P.M. with the Yankees-Indians contest following."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
NEW TICKET OFFICE
"To make ticket shopping more convenient for fans living or working on the west side of town and for those commuting to and from New Jersey, the Yankees have opened a ticket office in the Port Authority Bus Terminal on West 41st Street and 8th Avenue. The new Yankee ticket outlet is located on the Suburban Concourse at the top of the main bank of escalators."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEE TICKET RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED AT SCHRAFFT'S STORES
"Once again, all Schrafft's Restaurants in Greater New York, Newark and Westchester will be handling box and reserved seat reservations for all Yankee home games this season. Many fans have found it convenient to stop in at a Schrafft's Restaurant, have lunch or a refreshment, and order their box or reserved seats for an upcoming Yankee game - all in one trip."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEE STADIUM GROUND RULES
-Foul poles are outside the playing field.
-Thrown or fairly batted ball that goes behind or under the canvas and remains: Two Bases
-Ball rebounding onto the playing field: In Play
-Ball sticking in or going through the wire screen in front of the bleachers: Two Bases
-Bat racks are on the players' bench.
-Scoreboards in right and left field are on the playing field.
-Ball striking the scoreboards and rebounding onto the playing field: In Play
-Ball striking the scoreboards and bounding into the bleachers, bullpens or stands: Two Bases
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEE STADIUM REGULATIONS
1. Gambling or wagering of any sort at Yankee Stadium is strictly prohibited.
2. Any spectator who goes onto the playing field during a ball game is violating an American League rule and will be ejected from the Stadium.
3. The management requests that spectators refrain from throwing missiles on the field.
4. Patrons in front row boxes are asked not to drape clothing over the box railing.
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
AMERICAN LEAGUE UMPIRES
Cal Hubbard - Supervisor of Umpires
1 Paparella
2 McKinley
3 Hurley
4 Stevens
5 Honochick
6 Soar
7 Napp
8 Flaherty
9 Chylak
10 Runge
11 Umont
12 Rice
13 Stewart
14 Kinnamon
15 Drummond
16 Haller
17 Salerno
18 Odom
19 DiMuro
21 Valentine
WCBS
"When in doubt about a Yankee game being played, just tune in Radio Station WCBS (AM at 880 on the dial and FM at 101.1) for the latest up-to-the-minute information from Yankee Stadium. The noon news report will have the latest information pertaining to the upcoming afternoon game, and the 6:00-6:15 news and sports will carry late reports on the night games. Later bulletins also will be available on WCBS."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
ADVERTISEMENTS
-Advocate Concourse Plaza Hotel: Enjoy Italian Continental Cuisine
-Antonio y Cleopatra: The Mildest Top Quality Cigar
-Aster and Essex Nuts: Buy Some Soon ... All Hits - No Errors!
-Baby Ruth/Butterfinger: Great Double Play Combination
-Ballantine: Yankee Baseball and Ballantine Beer
-Bankers Trust: Whatever your banking needs may be ... you'll find a welcome at Bankers Trust.
-Beech-Nut Gum: Buy Beech-Nut ... By Gum!
-Beefeater: Martini men appreciate its identification with excellence.
-Belair
-Budweiser: King of Beers
-Canada Dry Ginger Ale: Good sports go for the special sparkle of Canada Dry Ginger Ale.
-Chesterfield
-Chevron: At the sign of the Chevron we take better care of your car
-Coca-Cola
-Coke: Things go better with Coke.
-Coming Attraction: KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS (with John Wyatt, Jim Landis and Mike Hershberger)
-Coming Attraction: LOS ANGELES ANGELS (with Dean Chance, Jimmy Piersall and Joe Adcock)
-Continental National American Group: Champions! A Great Insurance Team!
-Cutty Sark: America's No.1 Selling Scotch
-Dutch Masters
-DuVal Deluxe French Ice Cream: A Hit at the Stadium
-Duvernoy Bakeries: Serving New York's Better Hotels and Restaurants
-El Producto
-GGG Clothes: When a man of action has style, he has everything.
-Gulden's: The First Mustard Made Especially for Meat!
-Hygrade's Stadium Franks: Enjoy'em here ... Enjoy'em at home!
-Kent
-Kool
-L&M Filters
-Lark
-Longchamps Restaurants
-Man-Power: The Power-Packed Aerosol Deodorant by the Makers of Old Spice
-Marlboro: Come to where the flavor is. Come to Marlboro Country.
-Mars: Best Candy on Earth Comes from Mars
-Martinson: New York's Truly Premium Coffee
-Monsanto
-Muriel Cigars
-Nabisco Cheese Peanut Butter Sandwich
-Nestle's $100,000: Tastes So Good, It's Almost Illegal
-Newport
-Old Gold Filters
-Phillies Tips: "Yesterday I smoked only cigarettes! Then I tried Phillies Tips."
-Planters: Planters NEW Dry Roasted Nuts lead the league!
-Raleigh
-Rheingold Beer: If Rheingold Beer can make life pleasanter for Met fans, it can do it for anybody.
-Rise: Shave fast, shave close, without irritation!
-Roi-Tan: American's Largest-Selling 10c Cigar
-Sabrett: World's Largest Exclusive Frankfurter-Hamburger-Roll Makers
-Seagram's 7: Say Seagram's and be sure.
-Seagram's Canadian VO: You don't have to acquire a taste for the Smooth Canadian.
-Schenley: The big hit in any drink is Schenley.
-Sinclair: See Sinclair Dinoland at the N.Y. World's Fair
-Spring
-Sun Dew Orange Drink: For Refreshing Flavor ... Energy
-Sweet-Orr: The Quality Leader in Work & Casual Wear
-Tiparillo: Should a gentleman offer a Tiparillo to a lady?
-Top Brass: Dandruff is out!
-Treat's Potato Chips: Treat yourself to Treat potato chips ... too good to share.
-Viceroy
-White Owl: The Big Cigar for the Big Moments
-White Rock: After 9 Innings, Visit One of the 9 Longchamps Restaurants, Refresh Yourself and Enjoy White Rock
-Winston: The name of the game is flavor.
-York
Sunday, March 23, 2014
1965 New York Yankees Home Opening Roster
Yankee Stadium, New York, New York (April 21)
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
31 Cot Deal
44 Jim Hegan
No. Pitchers
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
51 Pete Mikkelsen (R-R)
14 Pedro Ramos (R-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
45 Rollie Sheldon (R-R)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
No. Catchers
38 Johnny Blanchard (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
47 Bob Schmidt (R-R)
No. Infielders
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
27 Duke Carmel (L-L)
42 Pedro Gonzalez (R-R)
10 Tony Kubek (L-R)
12 Phil Linz (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
No. Outfielders
57 Arturo Lopez (L-L)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
31 Cot Deal
44 Jim Hegan
No. Pitchers
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
51 Pete Mikkelsen (R-R)
14 Pedro Ramos (R-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
45 Rollie Sheldon (R-R)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
No. Catchers
38 Johnny Blanchard (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
47 Bob Schmidt (R-R)
No. Infielders
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
27 Duke Carmel (L-L)
42 Pedro Gonzalez (R-R)
10 Tony Kubek (L-R)
12 Phil Linz (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
No. Outfielders
57 Arturo Lopez (L-L)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
Saturday, March 22, 2014
1965 New York Yankees Opening Day Roster
Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota (April 12)
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
31 Cot Deal
44 Jim Hegan
No. Pitchers
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
51 Pete Mikkelsen (R-R)
14 Pedro Ramos (R-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
45 Rollie Sheldon (R-R)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
No. Catchers
38 Johnny Blanchard (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
47 Bob Schmidt (R-R)
No. Infielders
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
27 Duke Carmel (L-L)
42 Pedro Gonzalez (R-R)
10 Tony Kubek (L-R)
12 Phil Linz (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
No. Outfielders
57 Arturo Lopez (L-L)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
No. Coaches
35 Vern Benson
2 Frankie Crosetti
31 Cot Deal
44 Jim Hegan
No. Pitchers
28 Gil Blanco (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
51 Pete Mikkelsen (R-R)
14 Pedro Ramos (R-R)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
45 Rollie Sheldon (R-R)
22 Bill Stafford (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
No. Catchers
38 Johnny Blanchard (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
47 Bob Schmidt (R-R)
No. Infielders
6 Clete Boyer (R-R)
27 Duke Carmel (L-L)
42 Pedro Gonzalez (R-R)
10 Tony Kubek (L-R)
12 Phil Linz (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
1 Bobby Richardson (R-R)
No. Outfielders
57 Arturo Lopez (L-L)
11 Hector Lopez (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
9 Roger Maris (L-R)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
1965 Yankees Yearbook Roster, Taxi Squad and Prospects
ROSTER
Manager - Johnny Keane 21
First Base Coach - Vern Benson 35
Third Base Coach - Frankie Crosetti 2
Pitching Coach - Cot Deal 31
Bullpen Coach - Jim Hegan 44
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Spring Training Instructor - Joe DiMaggio 5
Spring Training Instructor - Andy Robustelli 81
Catcher - Elston Howard 32, Jake Gibbs 41
First Base - Joe Pepitone 25
Second Base - Bobby Richardson 1, Pedro Gonzalez 42 (1B)
Third Base - Clete Boyer 6
Shortstop - Tony Kubek 10, Phil Linz 12 (3B)
Left Field - Mickey Mantle 7
Center Field - Tom Tresh 15 (LF), Ross Moschitto 53, Roger Repoz 43
Right Field - Roger Maris 9
Pinch Hitter - Hector Lopez 11 (RF), Johnny Blanchard 38 (C)
Starting Pitchers:
Mel Stottlemyre 30
Whitey Ford 16
Al Downing 24
Bill Stafford 22
Rollie Sheldon 45
Jim Bouton 56
Relief Pitchers:
Pedro Ramos 14
Steve Hamilton 39
Hal Reniff 18
Pete Mikkelsen 51
TAXI SQUAD
Catcher: Bob Schmidt 47
Starting Pitcher:
Stan Williams 19
Relief Pitcher:
Paul Toth 61
PROSPECTS
Catcher - William Madden, Eliseo Rodriguez
First Base - Mike Hegan, Duke Carmel
Second Base - Chet Trail
Third Base - Horace Clarke
Shortstop - Bobby Murcer
Outfield - Elvio Jimenez, Archie Moore, Art Lopez
Starting Pitchers:
Tom Metcalf
Jim Brenneman
Gil Blanco
Tom Dukes
Jimmy Marrujo
James Smith
Relief Pitchers:
Gil Downs
Lou Vickery
Friday, March 21, 2014
1965 New York Yankees Player Development
FARM CLUBS
Vice-President, Minor League Operations - Johnny Johnson
Secretary, Farm System - George Pfister
AAA
Toledo, Ohio
International League
Manager - Frank Verdi
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
AA
Columbus, Georgia
Southern League
Manager - Loren Babe
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
A
Greensboro, North Carolina
Carolina League
Manager - Lamar North
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
A
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Florida State League
Manager - Jack Reed
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
A
Binghamton, New York
New York-Penn League
Manager - Gary Blaylock
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
Rookie League
Johnson City, Tennessee
Appalachian Rookie League
Manager - Bob Bauer
Rookie League
Sarasota, Florida
Florida Rookie League
SCOUTING
Secretary, Scouting System - Bill Harbour
Luis Arroyo (Ponce, Puerto Rico)
Cloyd Boyer (Webb City, Missouri)
Dolph Camilli (San Bruno, California)
Patrick Colgan (Carbondale, Pennsylvania)
Arthur Dede (Brooklyn, New York)
Atley Donald (Inverness, Florida)
Danny Doyle (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Gil English (Trinity, North Carolina)
Joe Frisa (Buffalo, New York)
James Gleeson (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tom Greenwade (Willard, Missouri)
Randy Gumpert (Berks County, Pennsylvania)
Harry Hesse (Bronx, New York)
Willis Hudlin (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Gordon Jones (Pasadena, California)
Tom Kane (Albany, New York)
Lou Maguolo (St. Louis, Missouri)
Joe McDermott (Mondamin, Iowa)
Buster Mills (Ranger, Texas)
Lou J. Morton (Moore, Oklahoma)
Wally Moses (Bronx, New York)
John Neun (Baltimore, Maryland)
Frank O'Rourke (Elizabeth, New Jersey)
Pat Patterson (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jose Seda (Hato Rey, Puerto Rico)
Bill Skiff (Bronx, New York)
Mayo Smith (Lake Worth, Florida)
Steve Souchock (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)
Eddie Taylor (Seattle, Washington)
Jack Warner (Los Angeles, California)
SPRING TRAINING INSTRUCTORS (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)
Manager - Johnny Keane (Manager)
Vern Benson (Coach)
Frankie Crosetti (Coach)
Cot Deal (Pitching Coach)
Joe DiMaggio (Special Instructor)
Jim Hegan (Coach)
Wally Moses (Batting Coach)
John Neun (Camp Coordinator)
Andy Robustelli (Physical Training Instructor)
Trainer - Doc Foley
MILLION DOLLAR FACULTY
"Youngsters and veterans alike had the good fortune this past spring to work under the tutelage of the fine instructional staff assembled by and for Manager Johnny Keane. The Yankees' 'million dollar faculty' included Coach Frank Crosetti (starting his 34th consecutive season in Yankee pinstripes), third base coach ; new Coach Vern Benson, first base signalman who was brought to New York by Manager Keane ; spring training physical training instructor Andy Robustelli (former New York football Giant star end and later assistant coach) ; pitching coach Cot Deal, also a newcomer on the Yankee staff ; Johnny Neun, training camp coordinator and a Yankee scout ; catching and bullpen coach Jim Hegan ; special batting instructor and aid - the one and only Yankee Clipper - Joe DiMaggio and minor league batting instructor and former Yank coach Wally Moses."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1965 YANKEES YEARBOOK "DEVELOPING FUTURE STARS"
Gil Blanco (LHP)
Mike Hegan (1B)
Tom Metcalf (RHP)
Ross Moschitto (OF)
Bobby Murcer (SS)
Eliseo Rodriguez (C)
"Major attention is given by the entire Yankee organization to the Minor League Department of the New York Yankees. For no section of the operation is more important. The Yankees of tomorrow are being developed now on the playing fields of the minor leagues today. Most of the Yankees on today's roster were developed within the organization.
Outstanding Yankee scouts seek 'Yankee-type' players. Despite the new restrictive legislation, the Yankees intend to maintain the top brand of baseball they have been presenting at the famed Home of Champions."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
Vice-President, Minor League Operations - Johnny Johnson
Secretary, Farm System - George Pfister
AAA
Toledo, Ohio
International League
Manager - Frank Verdi
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
AA
Columbus, Georgia
Southern League
Manager - Loren Babe
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
A
Greensboro, North Carolina
Carolina League
Manager - Lamar North
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
A
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Florida State League
Manager - Jack Reed
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
A
Binghamton, New York
New York-Penn League
Manager - Gary Blaylock
Training Camp - Hollywood, Florida
Rookie League
Johnson City, Tennessee
Appalachian Rookie League
Manager - Bob Bauer
Rookie League
Sarasota, Florida
Florida Rookie League
SCOUTING
Secretary, Scouting System - Bill Harbour
Luis Arroyo (Ponce, Puerto Rico)
Cloyd Boyer (Webb City, Missouri)
Dolph Camilli (San Bruno, California)
Patrick Colgan (Carbondale, Pennsylvania)
Arthur Dede (Brooklyn, New York)
Atley Donald (Inverness, Florida)
Danny Doyle (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Gil English (Trinity, North Carolina)
Joe Frisa (Buffalo, New York)
James Gleeson (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tom Greenwade (Willard, Missouri)
Randy Gumpert (Berks County, Pennsylvania)
Harry Hesse (Bronx, New York)
Willis Hudlin (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Gordon Jones (Pasadena, California)
Tom Kane (Albany, New York)
Lou Maguolo (St. Louis, Missouri)
Joe McDermott (Mondamin, Iowa)
Buster Mills (Ranger, Texas)
Lou J. Morton (Moore, Oklahoma)
Wally Moses (Bronx, New York)
John Neun (Baltimore, Maryland)
Frank O'Rourke (Elizabeth, New Jersey)
Pat Patterson (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jose Seda (Hato Rey, Puerto Rico)
Bill Skiff (Bronx, New York)
Mayo Smith (Lake Worth, Florida)
Steve Souchock (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)
Eddie Taylor (Seattle, Washington)
Jack Warner (Los Angeles, California)
SPRING TRAINING INSTRUCTORS (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)
Manager - Johnny Keane (Manager)
Vern Benson (Coach)
Frankie Crosetti (Coach)
Cot Deal (Pitching Coach)
Joe DiMaggio (Special Instructor)
Jim Hegan (Coach)
Wally Moses (Batting Coach)
John Neun (Camp Coordinator)
Andy Robustelli (Physical Training Instructor)
Trainer - Doc Foley
MILLION DOLLAR FACULTY
"Youngsters and veterans alike had the good fortune this past spring to work under the tutelage of the fine instructional staff assembled by and for Manager Johnny Keane. The Yankees' 'million dollar faculty' included Coach Frank Crosetti (starting his 34th consecutive season in Yankee pinstripes), third base coach ; new Coach Vern Benson, first base signalman who was brought to New York by Manager Keane ; spring training physical training instructor Andy Robustelli (former New York football Giant star end and later assistant coach) ; pitching coach Cot Deal, also a newcomer on the Yankee staff ; Johnny Neun, training camp coordinator and a Yankee scout ; catching and bullpen coach Jim Hegan ; special batting instructor and aid - the one and only Yankee Clipper - Joe DiMaggio and minor league batting instructor and former Yank coach Wally Moses."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1965 YANKEES YEARBOOK "DEVELOPING FUTURE STARS"
Gil Blanco (LHP)
Mike Hegan (1B)
Tom Metcalf (RHP)
Ross Moschitto (OF)
Bobby Murcer (SS)
Eliseo Rodriguez (C)
"Major attention is given by the entire Yankee organization to the Minor League Department of the New York Yankees. For no section of the operation is more important. The Yankees of tomorrow are being developed now on the playing fields of the minor leagues today. Most of the Yankees on today's roster were developed within the organization.
Outstanding Yankee scouts seek 'Yankee-type' players. Despite the new restrictive legislation, the Yankees intend to maintain the top brand of baseball they have been presenting at the famed Home of Champions."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Other 1965 Yankee Profiles
ROLLIE SHELDON
"This is an important year for Rollie Sheldon. The popular Connecticut Yankee from Storrs made the big jump from Class D baseball to the varsity Bombers in 1961, winning the James P. Dawson Award as the top rookie in the Yankee spring camp. Rollie went on to post an 11-5 record and was a Rookie of the Year candidate.
But his sophomore year was less than mediocre as he posted a 7-8 mark and drifted back to the minors in 1963. But the intelligent, hard-working right-hander was a determined man and he got another chance. After a good start a year ago at Richmond, the 6'4" hurler was called up by the Yanks and helped the pennant cause with a 5-2 record and some strong spot pitching.
A former University of Connecticut basketball star (he played in the NCAA tournament in 1960), Sheldon obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in education this past February and is prepared to teach and coach when his baseball days are ended.
But it's the season of 1965 that Sheldon is concentrating on now. This is the year of opportunity, Rollie feels, and he wants to be ready for a lot more mound work this year as the Yankees strive for a sixth straight pennant."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"After spending the 1961 and 1962 seasons with the Yankees, Roland Sheldon was sent to Richmond of the International League in 1963, remaining there for the entire campaign after failing to impress during the Bombers' spring training chores. Sheldon reported to the New Yorkers' spring camp in 1964 but was sent to Richmond once again. This time, however, after compiling a 4-2 log and 1.85 earned run mark, Rollie was recalled in June by the Bomber brass.
Appearing in 19 games the balance of the campaign, Sheldon started 12 times, turning a 5-2 record in 102 frames, along with an ERA of 3.62.
The 28-year-old right-hander aims to stick around all season this time and come through with the fine performances the club has always felt he has been capable of since inking him to a pact on June 3, 1960.
He enjoyed a sensational season in his Organized Ball debut with Auburn in '60, with a 15-1 mark and 2.88 ERA. Winner of the James P. Dawson Award as the club's outstanding rookie in the '61 spring training campaign, Sheldon went on to stick with the team, finishing with an 11-5 mark and 3.59 earned run average. Rollie was 7-8 in '62 with an ERA of 5.49, which was quite a drop off.
You can be sure that the good-sized hurler from Storrs, Connecticut, who received a $50,000 bonus when he joined the organization, will give it that old college try as he did with the U. of Connecticut."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Played in NCAA Basketball Tournament with University of Connecticut, 1960.
Signed by Yankee organization, June 3, 1960.
Winner of James P. Dawson Award as outstanding Yankee rookie in spring training, 1961.
Recalled by Yankees from Richmond, June 12, 1964.
Attends University of Connecticut in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BILL STAFFORD
"The statistics may be impressive, but Bill Stafford was anything but pleased with his 1964 season in Yankee pinstripes. The record says he won five and did not lose a game while posting a 2.66 earned run average. But on the negative side, the 26-year-old right-hander pitched only 61 innings and started only once.
Bill wants the opportunity of working this year and he hopes his right arm will respond to the chance. A native of Athens, New York, Stafford now lives in nearby Yonkers, just a short throw from Yankee Stadium where he wants to continue pitching for several years. But Bill knows that he has not yet realized the high promise he gave when he posted identical 14-9 records in his first two full seasons as a Yankee.
This past winter has been a momentous one for the Staffords and they hope it indicates more good things to come. Bill and his wife, Janice, adopted a boy, named William James Stafford. Then during the winter Bill had a blockage removed from his nose, and he hopes that this will greatly improve his breathing and give him much needed stamina. Also during the winter, Bill started college (yes, at the age of 26).
In any event, Bill Stafford wants to make it now as a full-fledged Yankee star and Manager Johnny Keane would welcome the assist."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Right-hander Bill Stafford had a most peculiar season in 1964. On the record, he compiled a perfect 5-0 mark with an earned run average of 2.66. But he worked only 61 innings in 30 relief appearances. Stafford was given a starting nod only once.
Bill was bothered on and off during the first half of the campaign by several minor arm ailments. Seemingly not up to snuff in the stamina department, he underwent nose surgery during the winter in order to remove excess bone cartilage which had been interfering with his breathing. It is expected that improved breathing will help Bill to increase his strength and improve his mound work.
When Stafford came up to the Yankees in the latter part of the 1960 campaign, he broke in with a 3-1 mark and a 2.25 ERA to help the Bombers win the American League flag. In both the 1961 and '62 seasons, Bill hung up identical 14-9 marks, then plunged to a disappointing 4-8 log in '63 with his earned run mark ballooning to 6.00.
That dismal season is attributed by Stafford to an arm injury suffered in Kansas City in the second game of the campaign on a cold, damp day. After being sidelined for a month, Bill's control seemingly vanished when he tried to return to duty. He just could not seem to get himself untracked, and to make matters worse, put on some unnecessary poundage during his long periods of idleness.
The big right-hander, who was born in Athens, New York but who now resides in Yonkers, inked a Yankee pact on June 28, 1957. Before being called up by the parent club in '60, Stafford put in service with Richmond, St. Petersburg and Binghamton."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, June 28, 1957.
Second lowest ERA (2.68) in American League his first full year in major leagues, 1961.
Attends Westchester Community College during off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PEDRO RAMOS
"Although this is Pedro Ramos' eleventh year in the American League, the native Cuban right-hander (now living in Miami) just turned 30 in April. Long a promising pitcher with a record of working more than 200 innings in a season six times, Pete has had only two winning seasons. Four times he has led the league in losses. But he's won 105 major league games going into 1965 and this is quite an accomplishment when it is realized that Pete has pitched most of his career for a tail end club.
His great ambition, openly expressed, is to become a Yankee. He realized this dream last September 5 when he was secured from Cleveland. And he did not arrive a day too soon. Working entirely in relief, Pete got into 13 games in the final four weeks of the season and made a substantial contribution to the Bombers' pennant drive, although he was not eligible for the World Series. He was credited with seven saves and a victory as the Yanks stormed from third place, three games back, to the pennant. In 22 innings of relief, Pete yielded just 13 hits, fanned 21 and walked not a man. CONTROL! That's the important ingredient in bullpen operatives and that has helped Ramos in his switch from starting to the vital role of relief specialist.
A fastball pitcher, Pete had some trouble in late innings a few seasons back and allowed a league record of 46 homers. But since then he's added to his repertoire and he feels confident he can contribute to a Yankee pennant victory from the opening day of the season. A real workhorse, Pete has thrown 2081 innings in his first ten big league seasons. Now that he's with a defending champion, he hopes he can rack up the wins, too."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Off of what he showed over the final month of the 1964 season as a Yankee, Pedro (Pete) Ramos may well be the fair-haired boy of the New Yorkers' bullpen brigade in '65.
Ramos was obtained by the Bombers from Cleveland last September 5 to help out the club in the relief department, in exchange for $75,000 cash at the time of the purchase, along with pitchers Ralph Terry and Bud Daley, sent to Cleveland after the World Series. Ramos proved to be a bargain, however, even at that expensive price, as he was called upon in 13 games, saving seven and being credited with one victory and nary a defeat. In 22 innings, Pete whiffed 21, did not issue a pass or give up a home run, and emerged with a sparkling 1.25 earned run average. He was not eligible for the World Series, though, since he joined the club after the August 31 deadline. And, as everybody remembers, the Bombers certainly could have used him against the Cards.
Besides receiving a $1,000 raise upon joining the Bombers, Ramos was voted a half-share of the Series dough by his teammates. And, in signing his '65 pact, Pete is reputed to have gotten a further raise which puts him in the 25G pay class. So it's obvious the Bombers think pretty highly of Pete's talents.
Ramos, who is a proud new daddy, has been a major leaguer since 1955 when he came up to Washington. Though saddled with a lowly ball club, Pete quickly won the respect of all with his gritty determination and strong arm. After six years as a Nat, Ramos went along with the Twins when the franchise was shifted from the nation's capital to Minnesota.
After an 11-20 season with the Twins, Ramos was swapped to the Indians on April 2, 1962 for left-hander Dick Stigman and first baseman Vic Power. In his two full seasons in the Ohio metropolis, Ramos was 10-12 and 9-8 respectively, before turning a 7-10 mark for the Tribe in '64 until his sale to the Bombers in September."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Tied American League record for pitchers by hitting two home runs in one game (May 30, 1962, first game). Duplicated feat (July 31, 1963).
Acquired by Yankees from Indians, September 5, 1964.
Credited with eight saves in 13 games for Yankees, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
STEVE HAMILTON
"A sense of humor helps when you're a major league pitcher. So does a fastball and a slider. Steve Absher Hamilton has all these attributes plus the desire to win with the Yankees.
The elongated southpaw (6'7") is starting his third season in Yankee pinstripes. The gray at his temples belies his 28 years. Primarily a relief pitcher in compiling a 12-4 record the last two seasons, Steve would like a shot at starting. Depending on the development of the staff this season, Manager Johnny Keane may well work Steve into some kind of limited starting rotation. In any event, the hard-throwing lefty will be a valuable man ... as a starter, or in long or short relief.
He started a trio of games last mid-season when the staff was faltering and he did a bang-up job at a critical time. Though he only worked 60 innings, 'Ham' would like to have more opportunities to help the Yankee pennant effort in '65.
Always interested in baseball, Ham's first sport in high school and college was basketball. He pursued the cage sport with distinction for Morehead State College in Morehead, Kentucky. After college, Ham turned pro in baseball and basketball, signing originally with the Indians and with the old Minneapolis Lakers, where he starred for two seasons before devoting his full pro career to baseball. He's never been sorry. He is still close to Morehead State where he serves as a winter-time assistant basketball coach and instructor.
'I'm still learning my pitching trade,' Steve says. 'Nothing like learning and winning at the same time.' "
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Tall, lanky Steve Hamilton was unquestionably one of the better southpaw relief artists in the majors last season. The former pro basketball player, who once performed for the Minneapolis Lakers, appeared in 30 games in '64, finishing with a 7-2 mark and 3.30 earned run average. In his 60 innings of toil, Hamilton fanned 49 and walked only 15. His delivery, by way of first base, is extremely tough for lefties to hit, much less follow.
Steve, who began his Organized Baseball career with the Cleveland Indians' chain in 1958, came to the Yankees by way of the Washington Senators. The Bombers obtained the stringbean in exchange for right-hander Jim Coates on April 21, 1963. The Nats had obtained Hamilton from the Tribe on May 2, 1962, along with left-hander Don Rudolph, in exchange for outfielder Willie Tasby.
Upon joining the Yanks in '63, Big Steve made his presence known quickly. In three appearances with Washington, he had compiled an unenviable 13.50 ERA, but with the Bombers he was 5-1 for the rest of the campaign with an ERA of 2.60, besides averaging a strikeout per inning.
You can be sure that new pilot Johnny Keane will like what he sees of this big fellow and will use him wisely and effectively in the clutches."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Acquired from Washington Senators in exchange for pitcher Jim Coates, April 21, 1963.
Averaged a strikeout per inning pitched, 1963.
Assistant basketball coach and phys-ed instructor, Morehead State College, Morehead, Kentucky, in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
HAL RENIFF
"Hal Reniff has been an effective relief man with the Yankees over the last four seasons, but he has yet to realize the promise he continually gives. Trained by the Yankees as a relief specialist, the husky right-hander has an added incentive. On March 23 in Fort Lauderdale, Hal was married.
The 26-year-old pitcher has worked in something like 150 consecutive games in relief. Last season he won six games and was credited with an additional eight saves in 41 times to the mound. In 116 major league relief assignments, Hal has a 12-7 record with a most creditable 2.87 earned run average and is unscored on in four World Series games.
Hal worked in ticket promotions for the Bombers this past winter and hopes to promote himself this summer as the Yankees' ace reliever."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Stocky Hal Reniff is another one of the Bomber bullpen mainstays. In 116 appearances during his major league career, Reniff has never been called upon in a starting role, being considered one of the more effective rescue artists around. He's been bothered by arm woes, though, which have hampered him from time to time.
A member of the Yankee organization since June 23, 1956, Big Hal worked his way up to the parent club midway of the 1961 campaign after making way stops at Kearney, Modesto, Salem, Amarillo, Binghamton and Richmond. His best minor league season occurred in 1959 when he turned in a 21-7 log and 3.19 ERA at Modesto.
After being 2-0 in 25 games in '61, Hal was in the Army during the first half of '62. Upon returning to the club, Reniff came down with a sore arm. After only two appearances, the Bombers sent him to Richmond in order to work his arm into shape, but he could pitch only six innings for the Virginians.
Hal bounced back strongly in '63, however, hurling in 48 contests, most on the club, and making 18 saves. His record was 4-3 and his ERA was 2.63. Last season saw the strong righty finish with a 6-4 mark and 3.13 ERA."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee Organization, June 23, 1956.
Led Yankee pitchers in games (48) and games saved (18), 1963.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PETE MIKKELSEN
"Winner of the 1964 James P. Dawson Memorial Award as the outstanding rookie in the Yankee training camp a year ago, big Pete Mikkelsen is going to try to pick up the form that made him the big 'save' man during the first half of 1964.
The bespectacled right-hander from San Gabriel, California is another of those young pitchers who have been trained by the Yankees as a relief pitcher. As a freshman sinker ball specialist, the winner of the coveted Longines Watch went to work 50 times last summer, most pitching appearances by any Yankee. He posted a 7-4 record with a staff-leading nine 'saves.'
Originally signed by the Yankees in late 1957, the 25-year-old has appeared in 150 games in the last three seasons. Pete would like to resume the role of top relief man on the staff this year, a post he assumed during the first half of 1964."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Brawny, bespectacled Pete Mikkelsen was the only rookie to earn a place on the Yankees' hurling staff last season. During the first half of the campaign, he was just about the best the Bombers had in the bullpen, too. Though he fell off a bit in the second half, Pete nevertheless finished up with a 7-4 mark and a 3.56 ERA in 86 innings, during a total of 50 relief appearances. He did not start a game.
A low-ball pitcher, the 25-year-old right-hander who was born on Staten Island, but now resides in San Gabriel, California, was extremely effective when the situation called for enticing an enemy batter to hit the ball on the ground for a fast double play to get the Yankees out of a jam.
Mikkelsen joined the Bomber organization on September 13, 1957, making his first stops at Modesto, Auburn and Kearney in 1958 with a won-lost total of 0-4. With Modesto and Auburn in 1959, Pete was 10-9. Joining Fargo-Moorehead in '60, Pete was 13-10. Performing for Amarillo and Binghamton in 1961, he was a starting pitcher for the last time, finishing with 5-11. From 1962 on, the big fellow has started exactly once in 146 appearances."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, September 13, 1957.
Winner of James P. Dawson Award as outstanding Yankee rookie in spring training, 1964.
Appeared in most games by a Yankee pitcher (50), 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JOHNNY BLANCHARD
"Johnny Blanchard is on the Yankee roster as a catcher and that's where Manager John Keane intends to use him most often, but this 32-year-old lefty swinging slugger is a 'jack-of-all-trades.'
He first drew attention at Central High in Minneapolis as a third baseman, was signed as an outfielder and converted by the Yankees to catching. With first Yogi Berra and then Elston Howard as the number one receiver, John served as second-stringer, pinch-hitter, utility outfielder and also as a first baseman. He's done a competent job everywhere and has that happy faculty of coming off the bench and delivering in an emergency. In 1964, Blanchard made 36 pinch-hit appearances for the Bombers, garnered eight hits, five walks and a sacrifice fly.
The high point of his career undoubtedly was the 1961 season when he hit four home runs in consecutive times at bat (to tie a record) and two of these were as a pinch-hitter. That same year, John batted .305 with 21 homers in only 243 times at bat, and also two Series homers. As a World Series performer, Blanchard has a fine .345 average in 15 games.
If the Yankees win their sixth in a row in 1965, John Blanchard once again will have made a substantial contribution."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Big John Blanchard improved his batting average by 30 points last season and will give it all he has in order to duplicate that feat in 1965.
The catcher-outfielder didn't get to play very much, participating in only 25 contests behind the bat and only 14 in the outfield among his 77 game appearances. He collected seven homers and 28 RBI on his .255 bat mark.
Blanchard, who was inked to a Bomber pact on July 2, 1951, tied a major league mark by walloping four homers in four consecutive times at bat (two as a pinch-hitter) in 1961. The left-handed-hitting long-baller also tied a World Series record for most round-trippers hit by a player in a five-game set - two - in 1961.
After seeing minor league service at Kansas City, Binghamton, Amsterdam, Joplin, Birmingham and Denver, Big Jawn came up to the big top to stay in 1959. He batted a measly .169 that campaign but improved to .242 in '60.
Then in '61, Blanchard hit .305 as he smote 21 homers and drove in 54 runs. The 1962 season saw him fall to .252, with 13 homers and 39 RBI. Though John's bat mark dropped even lower in '63 to .225, he upped his homers to 16 and his RBI to 45.
Blanchard has always desired to be a regular, but with the passing years he has yet to achieve his goal. Now at the age of 32, it does not appear likely he ever will. But the Yankees consider themselves very fortunate to have a man of his calibre ready to come off the bench and do a workmanlike job at a moment's notice."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, July 2, 1951.
Tied major league record by hitting four home runs in four consecutive times at-bat, two as a pinch-hitter, 1961.
Tied World Series record for most home runs hit in a five-game Series (2), 1961.
Hit two home runs in one game in three of the 59 games he started during the season (appeared in a total of 76 games), 1963.
36 pinch-hit appearances, most by a Yankee; 8-for-30 (.267), five walks and a sacrifice fly, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PEDRO GONZALEZ
"The Yankee writers who selected Pedro Gonzalez as the James P. Dawson Award winner in the spring of 1963 knew what they were doing. The young infielder eventually went back for another season of AAA ball, but he was clearly the top rookie in camp and deserved the Longines Watch he won in the rookie vote.
He hit .307 that season at Richmond and came up last spring to stay. He saw limited service, playing in a total of 80 games, and hitting a strong .277. He saw service all around the infield, as well as in the outfield and as a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner.
The popular 26-year-old native of the Dominican Republic is versatile in the Yankee tradition. He gives the Yankees the kind of bench strength that has helped so much and so often in recent years. Pete would rather be a regular, naturally, but he has adapted well to his current role with the Yankees and is willing and happy to serve in any capacity assigned him by Manager Johnny Keane.
Last year Pedro was forced to go the outfield on several occasions and he did a fine job in that unfamiliar territory. En route to New York, Gonzalez won a batting title at Binghamton with a .327 average for the Eastern League crown in 1960."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Dominican-born Pedro Gonzalez was a mighty handy man for the Yankees to have around last season. The speedy, alert newcomer, appearing in his first full season as a major leaguer, proved he knows what it's all about. His daring on the basepaths and sure-handed fielding demonstrated to the other American League clubs that Pedro is sure to become a thorn in their sides for many moons to come.
Gonzalez played in 80 contests, filling in when needed in the infield and being called upon as a pinch-hitter. Pedro, signed by the Yankee organization on September 16, 1957, finished with a .277 mark for 112 times at bat.
Following fine campaigns at St. Petersburg, Modesto, Binghamton and Richmond, Gonzalez became the sensation of the Yankees' spring camp in 1963, being voted the James P. Dawson Award as the club's outstanding rookie in training. He began the season with the Bombers, and after appearing in 14 contests was optioned to Richmond where he hit .307.
A team, especially a championship one, is no stronger than its bench. Therefore, the Yanks, with Gonzalez among others in reserve, have no fears on that score.
The 1960 Eastern League batting champion is married and the proud father of two children."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, September 16, 1957.
Winner of James P. Dawson Award as outstanding Yankee rookie in spring training, 1963.
Played infield, outfield, first base, pinch-hit and pinch-ran, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
HECTOR LOPEZ
"Six years ago the Yankees made a significant trade with Kansas City that brought Hector Lopez and Ralph Terry to New York for Jerry Lumpe, Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant. Of those five major leaguers, only Lopez remains with the acquiring club.
Hector has played in 93 to 147 games in those years but never has been considered a full-time regular. And that's where his great value to the Yankees is brought to light.
The native Panamanian has been the swing man in the outfield, leading pinch-hitter and senior citizen of the famed Yankee bench. Hector is a tough man in a late-inning clutch situation, especially with his ability to go the opposite field on an outside pitch.
Originally an infielder, the Yankees have used this willing right-hand hitter primarily in the outfield and he has made great strides defensively in left and right field in recent years.
With the A's, Lopez once hit three homers in a game, but probably the high point of his career was the 1961 World Series when his seven RBIs tied the record for most runs batted in during a five-game Series (and Hec played in only four of those games).
The success of recent Yankee teams has depended to a great degree on the bench and Hector Lopez can give Johnny Keane cause to be reassured in 1965, for he again will be ready when needed."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Panamanian-born Hector Lopez has proved to be one of the most versatile players on the Yankee roster since coming to the Bronx in a five-man trade in 1959. Hector was swapped by the Kansas City Athletics on May 26 of that year, along with hurler Ralph Terry, to the Bombers in exchange for infielder Jerry Lumpe and pitchers Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant.
Lopez originally came up to the majors with the A's soon after the start of the 1955 season and was one of their best players until swapped to New York. His outstanding slugging performance for KC was the three home runs hit in one game against Washington on June 26, 1958.
Hector's best season, average-wise, since he's been in the majors was in 1957 when he batted .294. His best homer output was 22 during the divided '59 campaign with the A's and Yanks, a season which also saw his career-high of 93 RBI.
Hector has shown his mettle during World Series play, too, batting .429 against the Pirates in 1960 and .333 against the Reds in '61. The latter set saw him tie the mark of seven runs batted in for a five-game Series.
The right-hand-hitting utility man resides in West Hempstead, Long Island with his wife and young son."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Hit three home runs in one game with Kansas City against Washington, June 26, 1958.
Acquired by New York Yankees along with pitcher Ralph Terry for pitchers Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant and infielder Jerry Lumpe, May 26, 1959.
Shares World Series record, most RBIs, five-game Series (7), against Cincinnati, 1961.
Has third highest lifetime batting average (.271) among present Yankee players, surpassed only by Mickey Mantle (.306) and Elston Howard (.284).
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JAKE GIBBS
"Up for his third try with the Bombers is ex-U. of Mississippi football star Jake Gibbs. Jake, who may stick with the club as a third-string catcher, received a reported $100,000 bonus to sign with the Yankees back in May 1961.
Originally a third baseman, Jake was switched to catching a couple of seasons back, but he's had a lot of trouble keeping his fingers from getting in the way of foul tips and pitched balls.
He was hurt quite often playing for Richmond last season, which limited him to 100 International League contests in which he batted only .218. Jake also appeared in three Yankee games at the tail-end of the campaign.
Jake started off his Organized Baseball career with promise as a hitter. He turned in a .270 with Richmond in '61, then improved to .284 in '62 before dropping off to .233 in '63, his first year behind the bat. Gibbs also suffered two broken fingers that season.
He's learning all the time, so don't write off this former All-America quarterback."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
All-American quarterback at Ole Miss, 1960.
Signed by Yankee organization, May 25, 1961- Yankees' highest paid bonus player.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ROGER REPOZ
"A potential long-ball slugger is 24-year-old Roger Repoz, who's aiming to stay with the big ball club in '65 as a reserve outfielder. It might be recalled that Repoz joined the Yankees at the tail-end of the '64 campaign, participating in 11 contests, but coming to bat only once officially.
Roger, a native of Bellingham, Washington, joined the Bomber organization on June 12, 1960. After batting .240 with Modesto in only 14 games in '60, Rog hit .287 for the California League club in '61. Shifted to Augusta in '62, Repoz' mark sank to .225. He fell to .221 in '63 but showed power with 20 round-trippers and 72 RBI. He also fanned 166 times.
In 1964 with Columbus, young Rog averaged .234, but connected for 23 round-trippers and drove in 76 runs.
He has the makings, now it's up to the Bombers to develop it."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, June 12, 1960.
Second in Sally League in home runs (20), 1963.
Recalled by Yankees, September 12, 1964.
Attends Washington State in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ROSS MOSCHITTO
Signed by Yankee organization, June 4, 1964- first year player.
Led Appalachian League in runs scored (72) and home runs (20), 1964.
Attends Fresno City College during off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
STAN WILLIAMS
"When the Yankees obtained big Stan Williams from the Los Angeles Dodgers on November 26, 1962, in exchange for first sacker Bill Skowron, high hopes were held by the Bombers that Williams would prove to be one of the best right-handers on the staff. Thus far, however, Williams has proved to be rather disappointing, compiling only a 10-13 won-lost mark in his two seasons in pinstripes.
Better things are looked for from Stan in '65, however. In '63 he participated in 29 games, starting 21 times, in finishing with a 9-8 mark and a 3.21 ERA. Then in '64, bothered through most of the campaign by arm woes, he was 1-5 with a 3.84 ERA. Williams, who appeared in 21 contests, could complete only one of his 10 starts.
Stan's best game as a Yankee occurred on August 6, 1963 when, in the second game of a doubleheader against Washington, he hurled a 1-0 one-hitter.
The giant 28-year-old fastballer broke into Organized Baseball with the Dodgers' chain in 1954, performing variously with Shawnee, Newport News, Fort Worth and St. Paul before reporting to the parent club early in the 1958 campaign.
Stan's best seasons with the Dodgers were 1960 (14-10), 1961 (15-12) and 1962 (14-12). He fanned 205 batters in 235 innings in '61.
Williams has appeared in Series contests with both the Yanks and Dodgers, as well as making an All-Star Game appearance in 1960 for the National League."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Acquired from Los Angeles in exchange for first baseman Bill Skowron, November 26, 1962.
Hurled 1-hitter at Washington, winning 1-0 (August 6, 1963, second game).
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PAUL TOTH
Purchased by Toledo (Yankees) from Tulsa (Cardinals), January 1965.
On Toledo roster.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JAKE GIBBS, BOB SCHMIDT AND WILLIAM MADDEN
"Two rookies and a veteran provide plenty of reserve strength in the catching department. Jake Gibbs, everybody's All-American quarterback at Ole Miss in 1960, was the highest priced bonus player in Yankee history ... Billy Madden, the 22-year-old New Englander with the potent bat is benefiting by another season in the high minors ... Bob Schmidt, a veteran of several seasons with the Giants and Senators, gives the club bullpen assistance along with that all-important ingredient - experience."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
GIL BLANCO
"A 19-year-old rookie southpaw who stands better than six feet, five inches and is still growing is a Yankee first-year man. Bidding to remain with the parent Yankees after only 23 games in his first season pitching for Fort Lauderdale's Yanks, Phoenix-born Gilbert Henry Blanco made a strong impression on Manager Johnny Keane this spring. In his first competitive assignment for the Yankees this spring, Gil was thrown into a rough situation. He came in to face the Baltimore Orioles with a one-run lead in the last of the ninth. He mowed down the heart of the O's batting order and appeared on his way.
The youngster, a 12-game winner last summer with a 2.31 ERA, probably won't see much action with the Yanks this season, but he intends to be ready when called upon."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, September 1, 1963.
First-year player.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
TOM METCALF
"Returning for another shot at berth on the varsity hurling corps is 24-year-old Tom Metcalf, a right-hander who spent half the 1963 season in a Bomber uniform.
Used principally in relief, Metcalf appeared in eight games, hurling a total of 13 innings. He was 1-0 with a 2.77 earned run mark.
The rangy Metcalf spent the 1964 campaign with Richmond. In 63 innings he was 3-7 and author of a 4.29 ERA. The recently married native of Amherst, Wisconsin was signed by the Yankee organization on March 27, 1961. Performing at St. Petersburg that maiden year, Tom was 9-8 with a 3.26 ERA. Moving up to Augusta in '62, he turned in a 14-6 record, along with a good 2.56 earned run average, which earned him a promotion to Richmond. Impressed by his 9-5 mark and 2.69 ERA in 46 games in '63, the Yankees called him up at the end of July."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, March 27, 1961.
Purchased from Richmond by Yankees, July 30, 1963.
Attends Stevens Point (Wisconsin) State Teachers College in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM BRENNEMAN
"Up with the parent club for a shot at a regular job for the first time is right-hander Jim Brenneman. His only previous experience with the Yankees occurred in the 1964 Mayor's Trophy Game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on August 20. Brenneman started that exhibition affair and hurled six frames, allowing six hits, as the Yankees eventually emerged with a 6-4 triumph.
Performing with the Bombers' Richmond farm club of the International circuit in '64, Jim finished with an 11-13 record and a 3.41 earned run mark in 185 innings. Brenneman, who was born in San Diego, but now lives in Orange, California, is married and the father of one child."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, June 3, 1961.
Starting pitcher in last year's exhibition game with the Mets: no decision, allowed three runs in six innings, Yankees won, 6-4, August 20, 1964.
Led International League in games started (29), 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Trail was with the Yankees during last year's spring training season before being shipped to Greensboro, where he spent the entire season. He finished with a .257 average, displaying good power with 15 home runs in 137 games.
The Yankee brass is very high on Chet, who undoubtedly is one of the Bombers' stars of the near future.
The 21-year-old shortstop-third baseman is married."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, July 1, 1962.
[Replaced Jake Gibbs on World Series roster, 1964.]
Attends Bowling Green State University in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
MIKE HEGAN
"This sturdy youngster is the son of bullpen mentor Jim Hegan. Young Mike was signed to a Yankee pact on August 11, 1961 and began his Organized Baseball career with Fort Lauderdale of the Florida State League. He was that loop's third-leading hitter in '62 with a mark of .306.
Moving to Idaho Falls in '63, Mike promptly became the seventh leading batter in the Pioneer Circuit as he connected for a .323 mark, along with 28 home runs. Mike also paced the league's first sackers in fielding with a percentage of .998.
He disappointed at the plate in '64, however, as he batted only .233 for Columbus with 10 homers. Hegan was called up at the end of the season by the Yankees, appearing in five games. He was made eligible for the World Series when Tony Kubek was unable to make it."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, August 11, 1961.
Third leading hitter in Florida State League (.306) his first year of pro ball, 1962.
Seventh leading hitter (.323) in Pioneer League, 1963.
Led Pioneer League first basemen in fielding (.988), 1963.
Replaced Tony Kubek on World Series roster, 1964.
Attends Calvin Coolidge College, Boston, Mass. in off-season.
Son of Jim Hegan, former major league catcher and presently bullpen coach for the Yankees.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ELVIO JIMENEZ
"Making his second try for a berth with the Bombers is 25-year-old Elvio Jimenez, brother of Kansas City A's gardener Manny Jimenez. Elvio spent the 1964 campaign at Richmond where he batted .296 in 150 contests. The right-handed hitter smote eight homers and batted in 88 runs.
Jimenez, signed by the Yankee organization on September 29, 1958, was regarded as a future phenom when he first reported to the Bomber spring camp in 1964 but was optioned down in order to get more experience.
Elvio, not a slugger type, is very tough to fan even though he likes to swing at bad balls on occasion.
The stocky outfielder batted .329 with St. Petersburg in 1959, then clouted California League hurling at a .368 pace in 1960, for the second highest average in the loop while playing for Modesto. Jimenez dropped to .299 for Binghamton in '61 but hit .310 for Amarillo in '62.
The 1963 campaign saw Elvio start with Augusta where he had the hottest bat in the league. He was pacing Sally loop hitters with a .331 average when the orders came to report to Richmond in July. With the Virginians the remainder of the campaign, Elvio batted a good .316."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, September 29, 1958.
Had second highest average in California League (.368) with Modesto, 1960.
Led International League outfielders in fielding (1.000), 1964.
Has hit .295 or better each year he has played in organized baseball, 1959-64.
Recalled by Yankees by Richmond, September 12, 1964.
Brother of Manny Jiminez, Kansas City outfielder.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
DUKE CARMEL, ROSS MOSCHITTO AND ART LOPEZ
"Duke Carmel, Ross Moschitto and Art Lopez were strong spring training candidates for the Yankee team, among many others. Carmel, former New York Met, was drafted from Buffalo after hitting 35 homers last season. Manager Johnny Keane is considering Carmel as a utility first baseman, outfielder and pinch hitter. Moschitto and Lopez both are considered outfield candidates. The 20-year-old California-born Moschitto is a first-year man. Despite inexperience, Ross is a brilliant outfielder and a long-ball hitting prospect. Lopez was signed out of a Yankee Stadium tryout camp. A former Bronx bank clerk, the 28-year-old has an effective bat. Art won the coveted James P. Dawson Award, a beautiful Longines presented each spring to the outstanding Yankee rookie in camp."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
DUKE CARMEL
"They laughed when the Yankees drafted Duke Carmel from the Mets' Buffalo farm club. Imagine, the American League champions taking a player from the National League cellar-dwellers! The first thoughts were that the Yankees were beginning to retaliate for the Mets' signing of such ex-Yankees as Casey Stengel, George Weiss and Yogi Berra.
But with the capabilities of the 27-year-old Carmel, his selection by the Bombers isn't a joke. The Duke, whose real first name is Leon, displayed excellent power at Buffalo last season when he belted 35 homers, along with 99 RBI on a .271 batting average.
Carmel originally came up to the big time with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was purchased by the Mets in 1963 and batted only .235. He appeared, though, to be a very promising player.
Carmel, a Bronx native, is married and the father of two sons and a daughter."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Drafted by Yankees from Buffalo roster (New York Mets), November 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ART LOPEZ
A product of the annual Yankee Stadium tryout camp.
Signed by Yankee organization, June 23, 1961.
On Toledo roster.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
"Johnny Keane presented a beautiful, engraved Longines watch to rookie outfielder Art Lopez. The Puerto Rican born outfielder, who has been a Bronx resident for many years, won the Longines watch in the tenth annual James P. Dawson Memorial Award competition for the outstanding rookie in the Yankee spring training camp, as voted by the New York Metropolitan writers."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
ARCHIE MOORE
"Young Archie Moore was signed by the Yankee organization on June 18, 1963 for a reported $30,000 bonus after a fine career at Springfield (Mass.) College where he was named to the All-America Collegiate team for two seasons.
After spending the 1963 campaign at Augusta, where he batted .278, the 23-year-old outfielder came up to the parent club as a first-year player in '64, thus being forced to remain on the Yankee roster for the entire season.
Obviously inexperienced, Moore participated in only 31 games. He was sent to bat only 23 times, hitting .174. In all probability, he'll be optioned out rather than withering on the Stadium bench.
Archie, who can also play first base, saw military service during the winter of 1963-64. If he is sent down, you can be sure this resident of Florham Park, New Jersey will be back in the near future."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
All-American in baseball at Springfield College, Springfield, Mass., 1962 and 1963.
Signed by Yankee organization, June 18, 1963.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
HORACE CLARKE
Signed by Yankee organization, January 14, 1958.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
GIL DOWNS
Hurled no-hitter against Fort Lauderdale, June 20, 1963.
Received George M. Trautman Award with Sarasota of Florida State League, 1963.
Selected by Yankees from Indianapolis (White Sox) in first-year player draft, November 1963.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
TOM DUKES
Signed by Yankee organization, June 1, 1960.
Attends University of Tennessee in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIMMY MARRUJO
Selected by Yankees from Oklahoma City (Houston Astros) in first-year player draft, November 1963.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BOBBY MURCER
Signed by Yankees organization, June 2, 1964- first-year player.
Attends University of Oklahoma in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ELISEO RODRIGUEZ
Drafted by Yankees from Dallas (Kansas City organization), November 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JAMES SMITH
Signed by Yankee organization, March 18, 1963.
Led Florida State League in shutouts (5), 1964.
Led Florida State League in ERA (1.38), 1964.
On Columbus roster.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
LOU VICKERY
Drafted by Toledo (Yankees) from Tulsa (Cardinals), November 1964.
On Toledo roster.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BRUCE HENRY (Traveling Secretary)
"The traveling secretary who guides the Yankees around the American League and during spring training is Bruce Henry. A veteran of both major and minor league baseball, Bruce is responsible for travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, feeding, baggage and all the other details essential to the efficient operation and movement of the American League champions."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
PETE SHEEHY AND PETE PREVITE (Clubhouse Men)
"The field operation of a baseball team is mighty important, but it is not complete in itself. Behind the scenes ... in the front office and down on the farms ... every person in the Yankee organization has an important role.
In the clubhouse, the needs of the players are handled most efficiently by the famous 'Petes': veteran 'Big Pete' Sheehy, a Yankee every day of his life since 1927, since the Babe Ruth era. His assistant, Pete Previte, 'Little Pete' as he's known, has been a Yankee since 1942."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
JOE SOARES AND DON SEGER (Trainers)
"The medical team of the Yankees, the trainers who are with the club every game of the season and pre-season: Joe Soares has been with the Yankees for several years now, moving up to his present post from minor league assignments with the Yanks. Don Seger did likewise, serving a minor league apprenticeship before arriving at the Stadium."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"This is an important year for Rollie Sheldon. The popular Connecticut Yankee from Storrs made the big jump from Class D baseball to the varsity Bombers in 1961, winning the James P. Dawson Award as the top rookie in the Yankee spring camp. Rollie went on to post an 11-5 record and was a Rookie of the Year candidate.
But his sophomore year was less than mediocre as he posted a 7-8 mark and drifted back to the minors in 1963. But the intelligent, hard-working right-hander was a determined man and he got another chance. After a good start a year ago at Richmond, the 6'4" hurler was called up by the Yanks and helped the pennant cause with a 5-2 record and some strong spot pitching.
A former University of Connecticut basketball star (he played in the NCAA tournament in 1960), Sheldon obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in education this past February and is prepared to teach and coach when his baseball days are ended.
But it's the season of 1965 that Sheldon is concentrating on now. This is the year of opportunity, Rollie feels, and he wants to be ready for a lot more mound work this year as the Yankees strive for a sixth straight pennant."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"After spending the 1961 and 1962 seasons with the Yankees, Roland Sheldon was sent to Richmond of the International League in 1963, remaining there for the entire campaign after failing to impress during the Bombers' spring training chores. Sheldon reported to the New Yorkers' spring camp in 1964 but was sent to Richmond once again. This time, however, after compiling a 4-2 log and 1.85 earned run mark, Rollie was recalled in June by the Bomber brass.
Appearing in 19 games the balance of the campaign, Sheldon started 12 times, turning a 5-2 record in 102 frames, along with an ERA of 3.62.
The 28-year-old right-hander aims to stick around all season this time and come through with the fine performances the club has always felt he has been capable of since inking him to a pact on June 3, 1960.
He enjoyed a sensational season in his Organized Ball debut with Auburn in '60, with a 15-1 mark and 2.88 ERA. Winner of the James P. Dawson Award as the club's outstanding rookie in the '61 spring training campaign, Sheldon went on to stick with the team, finishing with an 11-5 mark and 3.59 earned run average. Rollie was 7-8 in '62 with an ERA of 5.49, which was quite a drop off.
You can be sure that the good-sized hurler from Storrs, Connecticut, who received a $50,000 bonus when he joined the organization, will give it that old college try as he did with the U. of Connecticut."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Played in NCAA Basketball Tournament with University of Connecticut, 1960.
Signed by Yankee organization, June 3, 1960.
Winner of James P. Dawson Award as outstanding Yankee rookie in spring training, 1961.
Recalled by Yankees from Richmond, June 12, 1964.
Attends University of Connecticut in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BILL STAFFORD
"The statistics may be impressive, but Bill Stafford was anything but pleased with his 1964 season in Yankee pinstripes. The record says he won five and did not lose a game while posting a 2.66 earned run average. But on the negative side, the 26-year-old right-hander pitched only 61 innings and started only once.
Bill wants the opportunity of working this year and he hopes his right arm will respond to the chance. A native of Athens, New York, Stafford now lives in nearby Yonkers, just a short throw from Yankee Stadium where he wants to continue pitching for several years. But Bill knows that he has not yet realized the high promise he gave when he posted identical 14-9 records in his first two full seasons as a Yankee.
This past winter has been a momentous one for the Staffords and they hope it indicates more good things to come. Bill and his wife, Janice, adopted a boy, named William James Stafford. Then during the winter Bill had a blockage removed from his nose, and he hopes that this will greatly improve his breathing and give him much needed stamina. Also during the winter, Bill started college (yes, at the age of 26).
In any event, Bill Stafford wants to make it now as a full-fledged Yankee star and Manager Johnny Keane would welcome the assist."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Right-hander Bill Stafford had a most peculiar season in 1964. On the record, he compiled a perfect 5-0 mark with an earned run average of 2.66. But he worked only 61 innings in 30 relief appearances. Stafford was given a starting nod only once.
Bill was bothered on and off during the first half of the campaign by several minor arm ailments. Seemingly not up to snuff in the stamina department, he underwent nose surgery during the winter in order to remove excess bone cartilage which had been interfering with his breathing. It is expected that improved breathing will help Bill to increase his strength and improve his mound work.
When Stafford came up to the Yankees in the latter part of the 1960 campaign, he broke in with a 3-1 mark and a 2.25 ERA to help the Bombers win the American League flag. In both the 1961 and '62 seasons, Bill hung up identical 14-9 marks, then plunged to a disappointing 4-8 log in '63 with his earned run mark ballooning to 6.00.
That dismal season is attributed by Stafford to an arm injury suffered in Kansas City in the second game of the campaign on a cold, damp day. After being sidelined for a month, Bill's control seemingly vanished when he tried to return to duty. He just could not seem to get himself untracked, and to make matters worse, put on some unnecessary poundage during his long periods of idleness.
The big right-hander, who was born in Athens, New York but who now resides in Yonkers, inked a Yankee pact on June 28, 1957. Before being called up by the parent club in '60, Stafford put in service with Richmond, St. Petersburg and Binghamton."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, June 28, 1957.
Second lowest ERA (2.68) in American League his first full year in major leagues, 1961.
Attends Westchester Community College during off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PEDRO RAMOS
"Although this is Pedro Ramos' eleventh year in the American League, the native Cuban right-hander (now living in Miami) just turned 30 in April. Long a promising pitcher with a record of working more than 200 innings in a season six times, Pete has had only two winning seasons. Four times he has led the league in losses. But he's won 105 major league games going into 1965 and this is quite an accomplishment when it is realized that Pete has pitched most of his career for a tail end club.
His great ambition, openly expressed, is to become a Yankee. He realized this dream last September 5 when he was secured from Cleveland. And he did not arrive a day too soon. Working entirely in relief, Pete got into 13 games in the final four weeks of the season and made a substantial contribution to the Bombers' pennant drive, although he was not eligible for the World Series. He was credited with seven saves and a victory as the Yanks stormed from third place, three games back, to the pennant. In 22 innings of relief, Pete yielded just 13 hits, fanned 21 and walked not a man. CONTROL! That's the important ingredient in bullpen operatives and that has helped Ramos in his switch from starting to the vital role of relief specialist.
A fastball pitcher, Pete had some trouble in late innings a few seasons back and allowed a league record of 46 homers. But since then he's added to his repertoire and he feels confident he can contribute to a Yankee pennant victory from the opening day of the season. A real workhorse, Pete has thrown 2081 innings in his first ten big league seasons. Now that he's with a defending champion, he hopes he can rack up the wins, too."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Off of what he showed over the final month of the 1964 season as a Yankee, Pedro (Pete) Ramos may well be the fair-haired boy of the New Yorkers' bullpen brigade in '65.
Ramos was obtained by the Bombers from Cleveland last September 5 to help out the club in the relief department, in exchange for $75,000 cash at the time of the purchase, along with pitchers Ralph Terry and Bud Daley, sent to Cleveland after the World Series. Ramos proved to be a bargain, however, even at that expensive price, as he was called upon in 13 games, saving seven and being credited with one victory and nary a defeat. In 22 innings, Pete whiffed 21, did not issue a pass or give up a home run, and emerged with a sparkling 1.25 earned run average. He was not eligible for the World Series, though, since he joined the club after the August 31 deadline. And, as everybody remembers, the Bombers certainly could have used him against the Cards.
Besides receiving a $1,000 raise upon joining the Bombers, Ramos was voted a half-share of the Series dough by his teammates. And, in signing his '65 pact, Pete is reputed to have gotten a further raise which puts him in the 25G pay class. So it's obvious the Bombers think pretty highly of Pete's talents.
Ramos, who is a proud new daddy, has been a major leaguer since 1955 when he came up to Washington. Though saddled with a lowly ball club, Pete quickly won the respect of all with his gritty determination and strong arm. After six years as a Nat, Ramos went along with the Twins when the franchise was shifted from the nation's capital to Minnesota.
After an 11-20 season with the Twins, Ramos was swapped to the Indians on April 2, 1962 for left-hander Dick Stigman and first baseman Vic Power. In his two full seasons in the Ohio metropolis, Ramos was 10-12 and 9-8 respectively, before turning a 7-10 mark for the Tribe in '64 until his sale to the Bombers in September."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Tied American League record for pitchers by hitting two home runs in one game (May 30, 1962, first game). Duplicated feat (July 31, 1963).
Acquired by Yankees from Indians, September 5, 1964.
Credited with eight saves in 13 games for Yankees, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
STEVE HAMILTON
"A sense of humor helps when you're a major league pitcher. So does a fastball and a slider. Steve Absher Hamilton has all these attributes plus the desire to win with the Yankees.
The elongated southpaw (6'7") is starting his third season in Yankee pinstripes. The gray at his temples belies his 28 years. Primarily a relief pitcher in compiling a 12-4 record the last two seasons, Steve would like a shot at starting. Depending on the development of the staff this season, Manager Johnny Keane may well work Steve into some kind of limited starting rotation. In any event, the hard-throwing lefty will be a valuable man ... as a starter, or in long or short relief.
He started a trio of games last mid-season when the staff was faltering and he did a bang-up job at a critical time. Though he only worked 60 innings, 'Ham' would like to have more opportunities to help the Yankee pennant effort in '65.
Always interested in baseball, Ham's first sport in high school and college was basketball. He pursued the cage sport with distinction for Morehead State College in Morehead, Kentucky. After college, Ham turned pro in baseball and basketball, signing originally with the Indians and with the old Minneapolis Lakers, where he starred for two seasons before devoting his full pro career to baseball. He's never been sorry. He is still close to Morehead State where he serves as a winter-time assistant basketball coach and instructor.
'I'm still learning my pitching trade,' Steve says. 'Nothing like learning and winning at the same time.' "
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Tall, lanky Steve Hamilton was unquestionably one of the better southpaw relief artists in the majors last season. The former pro basketball player, who once performed for the Minneapolis Lakers, appeared in 30 games in '64, finishing with a 7-2 mark and 3.30 earned run average. In his 60 innings of toil, Hamilton fanned 49 and walked only 15. His delivery, by way of first base, is extremely tough for lefties to hit, much less follow.
Steve, who began his Organized Baseball career with the Cleveland Indians' chain in 1958, came to the Yankees by way of the Washington Senators. The Bombers obtained the stringbean in exchange for right-hander Jim Coates on April 21, 1963. The Nats had obtained Hamilton from the Tribe on May 2, 1962, along with left-hander Don Rudolph, in exchange for outfielder Willie Tasby.
Upon joining the Yanks in '63, Big Steve made his presence known quickly. In three appearances with Washington, he had compiled an unenviable 13.50 ERA, but with the Bombers he was 5-1 for the rest of the campaign with an ERA of 2.60, besides averaging a strikeout per inning.
You can be sure that new pilot Johnny Keane will like what he sees of this big fellow and will use him wisely and effectively in the clutches."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Acquired from Washington Senators in exchange for pitcher Jim Coates, April 21, 1963.
Averaged a strikeout per inning pitched, 1963.
Assistant basketball coach and phys-ed instructor, Morehead State College, Morehead, Kentucky, in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
HAL RENIFF
"Hal Reniff has been an effective relief man with the Yankees over the last four seasons, but he has yet to realize the promise he continually gives. Trained by the Yankees as a relief specialist, the husky right-hander has an added incentive. On March 23 in Fort Lauderdale, Hal was married.
The 26-year-old pitcher has worked in something like 150 consecutive games in relief. Last season he won six games and was credited with an additional eight saves in 41 times to the mound. In 116 major league relief assignments, Hal has a 12-7 record with a most creditable 2.87 earned run average and is unscored on in four World Series games.
Hal worked in ticket promotions for the Bombers this past winter and hopes to promote himself this summer as the Yankees' ace reliever."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Stocky Hal Reniff is another one of the Bomber bullpen mainstays. In 116 appearances during his major league career, Reniff has never been called upon in a starting role, being considered one of the more effective rescue artists around. He's been bothered by arm woes, though, which have hampered him from time to time.
A member of the Yankee organization since June 23, 1956, Big Hal worked his way up to the parent club midway of the 1961 campaign after making way stops at Kearney, Modesto, Salem, Amarillo, Binghamton and Richmond. His best minor league season occurred in 1959 when he turned in a 21-7 log and 3.19 ERA at Modesto.
After being 2-0 in 25 games in '61, Hal was in the Army during the first half of '62. Upon returning to the club, Reniff came down with a sore arm. After only two appearances, the Bombers sent him to Richmond in order to work his arm into shape, but he could pitch only six innings for the Virginians.
Hal bounced back strongly in '63, however, hurling in 48 contests, most on the club, and making 18 saves. His record was 4-3 and his ERA was 2.63. Last season saw the strong righty finish with a 6-4 mark and 3.13 ERA."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee Organization, June 23, 1956.
Led Yankee pitchers in games (48) and games saved (18), 1963.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PETE MIKKELSEN
"Winner of the 1964 James P. Dawson Memorial Award as the outstanding rookie in the Yankee training camp a year ago, big Pete Mikkelsen is going to try to pick up the form that made him the big 'save' man during the first half of 1964.
The bespectacled right-hander from San Gabriel, California is another of those young pitchers who have been trained by the Yankees as a relief pitcher. As a freshman sinker ball specialist, the winner of the coveted Longines Watch went to work 50 times last summer, most pitching appearances by any Yankee. He posted a 7-4 record with a staff-leading nine 'saves.'
Originally signed by the Yankees in late 1957, the 25-year-old has appeared in 150 games in the last three seasons. Pete would like to resume the role of top relief man on the staff this year, a post he assumed during the first half of 1964."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Brawny, bespectacled Pete Mikkelsen was the only rookie to earn a place on the Yankees' hurling staff last season. During the first half of the campaign, he was just about the best the Bombers had in the bullpen, too. Though he fell off a bit in the second half, Pete nevertheless finished up with a 7-4 mark and a 3.56 ERA in 86 innings, during a total of 50 relief appearances. He did not start a game.
A low-ball pitcher, the 25-year-old right-hander who was born on Staten Island, but now resides in San Gabriel, California, was extremely effective when the situation called for enticing an enemy batter to hit the ball on the ground for a fast double play to get the Yankees out of a jam.
Mikkelsen joined the Bomber organization on September 13, 1957, making his first stops at Modesto, Auburn and Kearney in 1958 with a won-lost total of 0-4. With Modesto and Auburn in 1959, Pete was 10-9. Joining Fargo-Moorehead in '60, Pete was 13-10. Performing for Amarillo and Binghamton in 1961, he was a starting pitcher for the last time, finishing with 5-11. From 1962 on, the big fellow has started exactly once in 146 appearances."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, September 13, 1957.
Winner of James P. Dawson Award as outstanding Yankee rookie in spring training, 1964.
Appeared in most games by a Yankee pitcher (50), 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JOHNNY BLANCHARD
"Johnny Blanchard is on the Yankee roster as a catcher and that's where Manager John Keane intends to use him most often, but this 32-year-old lefty swinging slugger is a 'jack-of-all-trades.'
He first drew attention at Central High in Minneapolis as a third baseman, was signed as an outfielder and converted by the Yankees to catching. With first Yogi Berra and then Elston Howard as the number one receiver, John served as second-stringer, pinch-hitter, utility outfielder and also as a first baseman. He's done a competent job everywhere and has that happy faculty of coming off the bench and delivering in an emergency. In 1964, Blanchard made 36 pinch-hit appearances for the Bombers, garnered eight hits, five walks and a sacrifice fly.
The high point of his career undoubtedly was the 1961 season when he hit four home runs in consecutive times at bat (to tie a record) and two of these were as a pinch-hitter. That same year, John batted .305 with 21 homers in only 243 times at bat, and also two Series homers. As a World Series performer, Blanchard has a fine .345 average in 15 games.
If the Yankees win their sixth in a row in 1965, John Blanchard once again will have made a substantial contribution."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Big John Blanchard improved his batting average by 30 points last season and will give it all he has in order to duplicate that feat in 1965.
The catcher-outfielder didn't get to play very much, participating in only 25 contests behind the bat and only 14 in the outfield among his 77 game appearances. He collected seven homers and 28 RBI on his .255 bat mark.
Blanchard, who was inked to a Bomber pact on July 2, 1951, tied a major league mark by walloping four homers in four consecutive times at bat (two as a pinch-hitter) in 1961. The left-handed-hitting long-baller also tied a World Series record for most round-trippers hit by a player in a five-game set - two - in 1961.
After seeing minor league service at Kansas City, Binghamton, Amsterdam, Joplin, Birmingham and Denver, Big Jawn came up to the big top to stay in 1959. He batted a measly .169 that campaign but improved to .242 in '60.
Then in '61, Blanchard hit .305 as he smote 21 homers and drove in 54 runs. The 1962 season saw him fall to .252, with 13 homers and 39 RBI. Though John's bat mark dropped even lower in '63 to .225, he upped his homers to 16 and his RBI to 45.
Blanchard has always desired to be a regular, but with the passing years he has yet to achieve his goal. Now at the age of 32, it does not appear likely he ever will. But the Yankees consider themselves very fortunate to have a man of his calibre ready to come off the bench and do a workmanlike job at a moment's notice."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, July 2, 1951.
Tied major league record by hitting four home runs in four consecutive times at-bat, two as a pinch-hitter, 1961.
Tied World Series record for most home runs hit in a five-game Series (2), 1961.
Hit two home runs in one game in three of the 59 games he started during the season (appeared in a total of 76 games), 1963.
36 pinch-hit appearances, most by a Yankee; 8-for-30 (.267), five walks and a sacrifice fly, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PEDRO GONZALEZ
"The Yankee writers who selected Pedro Gonzalez as the James P. Dawson Award winner in the spring of 1963 knew what they were doing. The young infielder eventually went back for another season of AAA ball, but he was clearly the top rookie in camp and deserved the Longines Watch he won in the rookie vote.
He hit .307 that season at Richmond and came up last spring to stay. He saw limited service, playing in a total of 80 games, and hitting a strong .277. He saw service all around the infield, as well as in the outfield and as a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner.
The popular 26-year-old native of the Dominican Republic is versatile in the Yankee tradition. He gives the Yankees the kind of bench strength that has helped so much and so often in recent years. Pete would rather be a regular, naturally, but he has adapted well to his current role with the Yankees and is willing and happy to serve in any capacity assigned him by Manager Johnny Keane.
Last year Pedro was forced to go the outfield on several occasions and he did a fine job in that unfamiliar territory. En route to New York, Gonzalez won a batting title at Binghamton with a .327 average for the Eastern League crown in 1960."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Dominican-born Pedro Gonzalez was a mighty handy man for the Yankees to have around last season. The speedy, alert newcomer, appearing in his first full season as a major leaguer, proved he knows what it's all about. His daring on the basepaths and sure-handed fielding demonstrated to the other American League clubs that Pedro is sure to become a thorn in their sides for many moons to come.
Gonzalez played in 80 contests, filling in when needed in the infield and being called upon as a pinch-hitter. Pedro, signed by the Yankee organization on September 16, 1957, finished with a .277 mark for 112 times at bat.
Following fine campaigns at St. Petersburg, Modesto, Binghamton and Richmond, Gonzalez became the sensation of the Yankees' spring camp in 1963, being voted the James P. Dawson Award as the club's outstanding rookie in training. He began the season with the Bombers, and after appearing in 14 contests was optioned to Richmond where he hit .307.
A team, especially a championship one, is no stronger than its bench. Therefore, the Yanks, with Gonzalez among others in reserve, have no fears on that score.
The 1960 Eastern League batting champion is married and the proud father of two children."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, September 16, 1957.
Winner of James P. Dawson Award as outstanding Yankee rookie in spring training, 1963.
Played infield, outfield, first base, pinch-hit and pinch-ran, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
HECTOR LOPEZ
"Six years ago the Yankees made a significant trade with Kansas City that brought Hector Lopez and Ralph Terry to New York for Jerry Lumpe, Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant. Of those five major leaguers, only Lopez remains with the acquiring club.
Hector has played in 93 to 147 games in those years but never has been considered a full-time regular. And that's where his great value to the Yankees is brought to light.
The native Panamanian has been the swing man in the outfield, leading pinch-hitter and senior citizen of the famed Yankee bench. Hector is a tough man in a late-inning clutch situation, especially with his ability to go the opposite field on an outside pitch.
Originally an infielder, the Yankees have used this willing right-hand hitter primarily in the outfield and he has made great strides defensively in left and right field in recent years.
With the A's, Lopez once hit three homers in a game, but probably the high point of his career was the 1961 World Series when his seven RBIs tied the record for most runs batted in during a five-game Series (and Hec played in only four of those games).
The success of recent Yankee teams has depended to a great degree on the bench and Hector Lopez can give Johnny Keane cause to be reassured in 1965, for he again will be ready when needed."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Panamanian-born Hector Lopez has proved to be one of the most versatile players on the Yankee roster since coming to the Bronx in a five-man trade in 1959. Hector was swapped by the Kansas City Athletics on May 26 of that year, along with hurler Ralph Terry, to the Bombers in exchange for infielder Jerry Lumpe and pitchers Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant.
Lopez originally came up to the majors with the A's soon after the start of the 1955 season and was one of their best players until swapped to New York. His outstanding slugging performance for KC was the three home runs hit in one game against Washington on June 26, 1958.
Hector's best season, average-wise, since he's been in the majors was in 1957 when he batted .294. His best homer output was 22 during the divided '59 campaign with the A's and Yanks, a season which also saw his career-high of 93 RBI.
Hector has shown his mettle during World Series play, too, batting .429 against the Pirates in 1960 and .333 against the Reds in '61. The latter set saw him tie the mark of seven runs batted in for a five-game Series.
The right-hand-hitting utility man resides in West Hempstead, Long Island with his wife and young son."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Hit three home runs in one game with Kansas City against Washington, June 26, 1958.
Acquired by New York Yankees along with pitcher Ralph Terry for pitchers Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant and infielder Jerry Lumpe, May 26, 1959.
Shares World Series record, most RBIs, five-game Series (7), against Cincinnati, 1961.
Has third highest lifetime batting average (.271) among present Yankee players, surpassed only by Mickey Mantle (.306) and Elston Howard (.284).
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JAKE GIBBS
"Up for his third try with the Bombers is ex-U. of Mississippi football star Jake Gibbs. Jake, who may stick with the club as a third-string catcher, received a reported $100,000 bonus to sign with the Yankees back in May 1961.
Originally a third baseman, Jake was switched to catching a couple of seasons back, but he's had a lot of trouble keeping his fingers from getting in the way of foul tips and pitched balls.
He was hurt quite often playing for Richmond last season, which limited him to 100 International League contests in which he batted only .218. Jake also appeared in three Yankee games at the tail-end of the campaign.
Jake started off his Organized Baseball career with promise as a hitter. He turned in a .270 with Richmond in '61, then improved to .284 in '62 before dropping off to .233 in '63, his first year behind the bat. Gibbs also suffered two broken fingers that season.
He's learning all the time, so don't write off this former All-America quarterback."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
All-American quarterback at Ole Miss, 1960.
Signed by Yankee organization, May 25, 1961- Yankees' highest paid bonus player.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ROGER REPOZ
"A potential long-ball slugger is 24-year-old Roger Repoz, who's aiming to stay with the big ball club in '65 as a reserve outfielder. It might be recalled that Repoz joined the Yankees at the tail-end of the '64 campaign, participating in 11 contests, but coming to bat only once officially.
Roger, a native of Bellingham, Washington, joined the Bomber organization on June 12, 1960. After batting .240 with Modesto in only 14 games in '60, Rog hit .287 for the California League club in '61. Shifted to Augusta in '62, Repoz' mark sank to .225. He fell to .221 in '63 but showed power with 20 round-trippers and 72 RBI. He also fanned 166 times.
In 1964 with Columbus, young Rog averaged .234, but connected for 23 round-trippers and drove in 76 runs.
He has the makings, now it's up to the Bombers to develop it."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, June 12, 1960.
Second in Sally League in home runs (20), 1963.
Recalled by Yankees, September 12, 1964.
Attends Washington State in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ROSS MOSCHITTO
Signed by Yankee organization, June 4, 1964- first year player.
Led Appalachian League in runs scored (72) and home runs (20), 1964.
Attends Fresno City College during off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
STAN WILLIAMS
"When the Yankees obtained big Stan Williams from the Los Angeles Dodgers on November 26, 1962, in exchange for first sacker Bill Skowron, high hopes were held by the Bombers that Williams would prove to be one of the best right-handers on the staff. Thus far, however, Williams has proved to be rather disappointing, compiling only a 10-13 won-lost mark in his two seasons in pinstripes.
Better things are looked for from Stan in '65, however. In '63 he participated in 29 games, starting 21 times, in finishing with a 9-8 mark and a 3.21 ERA. Then in '64, bothered through most of the campaign by arm woes, he was 1-5 with a 3.84 ERA. Williams, who appeared in 21 contests, could complete only one of his 10 starts.
Stan's best game as a Yankee occurred on August 6, 1963 when, in the second game of a doubleheader against Washington, he hurled a 1-0 one-hitter.
The giant 28-year-old fastballer broke into Organized Baseball with the Dodgers' chain in 1954, performing variously with Shawnee, Newport News, Fort Worth and St. Paul before reporting to the parent club early in the 1958 campaign.
Stan's best seasons with the Dodgers were 1960 (14-10), 1961 (15-12) and 1962 (14-12). He fanned 205 batters in 235 innings in '61.
Williams has appeared in Series contests with both the Yanks and Dodgers, as well as making an All-Star Game appearance in 1960 for the National League."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Acquired from Los Angeles in exchange for first baseman Bill Skowron, November 26, 1962.
Hurled 1-hitter at Washington, winning 1-0 (August 6, 1963, second game).
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PAUL TOTH
Purchased by Toledo (Yankees) from Tulsa (Cardinals), January 1965.
On Toledo roster.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JAKE GIBBS, BOB SCHMIDT AND WILLIAM MADDEN
"Two rookies and a veteran provide plenty of reserve strength in the catching department. Jake Gibbs, everybody's All-American quarterback at Ole Miss in 1960, was the highest priced bonus player in Yankee history ... Billy Madden, the 22-year-old New Englander with the potent bat is benefiting by another season in the high minors ... Bob Schmidt, a veteran of several seasons with the Giants and Senators, gives the club bullpen assistance along with that all-important ingredient - experience."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
WILLIAM MADDEN
Signed by Yankee organization, May 29, 1961.-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
GIL BLANCO
"A 19-year-old rookie southpaw who stands better than six feet, five inches and is still growing is a Yankee first-year man. Bidding to remain with the parent Yankees after only 23 games in his first season pitching for Fort Lauderdale's Yanks, Phoenix-born Gilbert Henry Blanco made a strong impression on Manager Johnny Keane this spring. In his first competitive assignment for the Yankees this spring, Gil was thrown into a rough situation. He came in to face the Baltimore Orioles with a one-run lead in the last of the ninth. He mowed down the heart of the O's batting order and appeared on his way.
The youngster, a 12-game winner last summer with a 2.31 ERA, probably won't see much action with the Yanks this season, but he intends to be ready when called upon."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, September 1, 1963.
First-year player.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
TOM METCALF
"Returning for another shot at berth on the varsity hurling corps is 24-year-old Tom Metcalf, a right-hander who spent half the 1963 season in a Bomber uniform.
Used principally in relief, Metcalf appeared in eight games, hurling a total of 13 innings. He was 1-0 with a 2.77 earned run mark.
The rangy Metcalf spent the 1964 campaign with Richmond. In 63 innings he was 3-7 and author of a 4.29 ERA. The recently married native of Amherst, Wisconsin was signed by the Yankee organization on March 27, 1961. Performing at St. Petersburg that maiden year, Tom was 9-8 with a 3.26 ERA. Moving up to Augusta in '62, he turned in a 14-6 record, along with a good 2.56 earned run average, which earned him a promotion to Richmond. Impressed by his 9-5 mark and 2.69 ERA in 46 games in '63, the Yankees called him up at the end of July."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, March 27, 1961.
Purchased from Richmond by Yankees, July 30, 1963.
Attends Stevens Point (Wisconsin) State Teachers College in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM BRENNEMAN
"Up with the parent club for a shot at a regular job for the first time is right-hander Jim Brenneman. His only previous experience with the Yankees occurred in the 1964 Mayor's Trophy Game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on August 20. Brenneman started that exhibition affair and hurled six frames, allowing six hits, as the Yankees eventually emerged with a 6-4 triumph.
Performing with the Bombers' Richmond farm club of the International circuit in '64, Jim finished with an 11-13 record and a 3.41 earned run mark in 185 innings. Brenneman, who was born in San Diego, but now lives in Orange, California, is married and the father of one child."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, June 3, 1961.
Starting pitcher in last year's exhibition game with the Mets: no decision, allowed three runs in six innings, Yankees won, 6-4, August 20, 1964.
Led International League in games started (29), 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
CHET TRAIL
"A bonus baby up for a trial with the varsity once again is young Chet Trail, who hails from Toledo, Ohio. Chet was inked to a Yankee pact on July 1, 1962, making his Organized Baseball debut with Fort Lauderdale in '63. He connected with Florida State League hurling for a .260 average while swiping 23 bases.Trail was with the Yankees during last year's spring training season before being shipped to Greensboro, where he spent the entire season. He finished with a .257 average, displaying good power with 15 home runs in 137 games.
The Yankee brass is very high on Chet, who undoubtedly is one of the Bombers' stars of the near future.
The 21-year-old shortstop-third baseman is married."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, July 1, 1962.
[Replaced Jake Gibbs on World Series roster, 1964.]
Attends Bowling Green State University in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
MIKE HEGAN
"This sturdy youngster is the son of bullpen mentor Jim Hegan. Young Mike was signed to a Yankee pact on August 11, 1961 and began his Organized Baseball career with Fort Lauderdale of the Florida State League. He was that loop's third-leading hitter in '62 with a mark of .306.
Moving to Idaho Falls in '63, Mike promptly became the seventh leading batter in the Pioneer Circuit as he connected for a .323 mark, along with 28 home runs. Mike also paced the league's first sackers in fielding with a percentage of .998.
He disappointed at the plate in '64, however, as he batted only .233 for Columbus with 10 homers. Hegan was called up at the end of the season by the Yankees, appearing in five games. He was made eligible for the World Series when Tony Kubek was unable to make it."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, August 11, 1961.
Third leading hitter in Florida State League (.306) his first year of pro ball, 1962.
Seventh leading hitter (.323) in Pioneer League, 1963.
Led Pioneer League first basemen in fielding (.988), 1963.
Replaced Tony Kubek on World Series roster, 1964.
Attends Calvin Coolidge College, Boston, Mass. in off-season.
Son of Jim Hegan, former major league catcher and presently bullpen coach for the Yankees.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ELVIO JIMENEZ
"Making his second try for a berth with the Bombers is 25-year-old Elvio Jimenez, brother of Kansas City A's gardener Manny Jimenez. Elvio spent the 1964 campaign at Richmond where he batted .296 in 150 contests. The right-handed hitter smote eight homers and batted in 88 runs.
Jimenez, signed by the Yankee organization on September 29, 1958, was regarded as a future phenom when he first reported to the Bomber spring camp in 1964 but was optioned down in order to get more experience.
Elvio, not a slugger type, is very tough to fan even though he likes to swing at bad balls on occasion.
The stocky outfielder batted .329 with St. Petersburg in 1959, then clouted California League hurling at a .368 pace in 1960, for the second highest average in the loop while playing for Modesto. Jimenez dropped to .299 for Binghamton in '61 but hit .310 for Amarillo in '62.
The 1963 campaign saw Elvio start with Augusta where he had the hottest bat in the league. He was pacing Sally loop hitters with a .331 average when the orders came to report to Richmond in July. With the Virginians the remainder of the campaign, Elvio batted a good .316."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, September 29, 1958.
Had second highest average in California League (.368) with Modesto, 1960.
Led International League outfielders in fielding (1.000), 1964.
Has hit .295 or better each year he has played in organized baseball, 1959-64.
Recalled by Yankees by Richmond, September 12, 1964.
Brother of Manny Jiminez, Kansas City outfielder.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
DUKE CARMEL, ROSS MOSCHITTO AND ART LOPEZ
"Duke Carmel, Ross Moschitto and Art Lopez were strong spring training candidates for the Yankee team, among many others. Carmel, former New York Met, was drafted from Buffalo after hitting 35 homers last season. Manager Johnny Keane is considering Carmel as a utility first baseman, outfielder and pinch hitter. Moschitto and Lopez both are considered outfield candidates. The 20-year-old California-born Moschitto is a first-year man. Despite inexperience, Ross is a brilliant outfielder and a long-ball hitting prospect. Lopez was signed out of a Yankee Stadium tryout camp. A former Bronx bank clerk, the 28-year-old has an effective bat. Art won the coveted James P. Dawson Award, a beautiful Longines presented each spring to the outstanding Yankee rookie in camp."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
DUKE CARMEL
"They laughed when the Yankees drafted Duke Carmel from the Mets' Buffalo farm club. Imagine, the American League champions taking a player from the National League cellar-dwellers! The first thoughts were that the Yankees were beginning to retaliate for the Mets' signing of such ex-Yankees as Casey Stengel, George Weiss and Yogi Berra.
But with the capabilities of the 27-year-old Carmel, his selection by the Bombers isn't a joke. The Duke, whose real first name is Leon, displayed excellent power at Buffalo last season when he belted 35 homers, along with 99 RBI on a .271 batting average.
Carmel originally came up to the big time with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was purchased by the Mets in 1963 and batted only .235. He appeared, though, to be a very promising player.
Carmel, a Bronx native, is married and the father of two sons and a daughter."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Drafted by Yankees from Buffalo roster (New York Mets), November 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ART LOPEZ
A product of the annual Yankee Stadium tryout camp.
Signed by Yankee organization, June 23, 1961.
On Toledo roster.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
"Johnny Keane presented a beautiful, engraved Longines watch to rookie outfielder Art Lopez. The Puerto Rican born outfielder, who has been a Bronx resident for many years, won the Longines watch in the tenth annual James P. Dawson Memorial Award competition for the outstanding rookie in the Yankee spring training camp, as voted by the New York Metropolitan writers."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
ARCHIE MOORE
"Young Archie Moore was signed by the Yankee organization on June 18, 1963 for a reported $30,000 bonus after a fine career at Springfield (Mass.) College where he was named to the All-America Collegiate team for two seasons.
After spending the 1963 campaign at Augusta, where he batted .278, the 23-year-old outfielder came up to the parent club as a first-year player in '64, thus being forced to remain on the Yankee roster for the entire season.
Obviously inexperienced, Moore participated in only 31 games. He was sent to bat only 23 times, hitting .174. In all probability, he'll be optioned out rather than withering on the Stadium bench.
Archie, who can also play first base, saw military service during the winter of 1963-64. If he is sent down, you can be sure this resident of Florham Park, New Jersey will be back in the near future."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
All-American in baseball at Springfield College, Springfield, Mass., 1962 and 1963.
Signed by Yankee organization, June 18, 1963.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
HORACE CLARKE
Signed by Yankee organization, January 14, 1958.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
GIL DOWNS
Hurled no-hitter against Fort Lauderdale, June 20, 1963.
Received George M. Trautman Award with Sarasota of Florida State League, 1963.
Selected by Yankees from Indianapolis (White Sox) in first-year player draft, November 1963.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
TOM DUKES
Signed by Yankee organization, June 1, 1960.
Attends University of Tennessee in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIMMY MARRUJO
Selected by Yankees from Oklahoma City (Houston Astros) in first-year player draft, November 1963.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BOBBY MURCER
Signed by Yankees organization, June 2, 1964- first-year player.
Attends University of Oklahoma in off-season.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ELISEO RODRIGUEZ
Drafted by Yankees from Dallas (Kansas City organization), November 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JAMES SMITH
Signed by Yankee organization, March 18, 1963.
Led Florida State League in shutouts (5), 1964.
Led Florida State League in ERA (1.38), 1964.
On Columbus roster.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
LOU VICKERY
Drafted by Toledo (Yankees) from Tulsa (Cardinals), November 1964.
On Toledo roster.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BRUCE HENRY (Traveling Secretary)
"The traveling secretary who guides the Yankees around the American League and during spring training is Bruce Henry. A veteran of both major and minor league baseball, Bruce is responsible for travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, feeding, baggage and all the other details essential to the efficient operation and movement of the American League champions."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
PETE SHEEHY AND PETE PREVITE (Clubhouse Men)
"The field operation of a baseball team is mighty important, but it is not complete in itself. Behind the scenes ... in the front office and down on the farms ... every person in the Yankee organization has an important role.
In the clubhouse, the needs of the players are handled most efficiently by the famous 'Petes': veteran 'Big Pete' Sheehy, a Yankee every day of his life since 1927, since the Babe Ruth era. His assistant, Pete Previte, 'Little Pete' as he's known, has been a Yankee since 1942."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
JOE SOARES AND DON SEGER (Trainers)
"The medical team of the Yankees, the trainers who are with the club every game of the season and pre-season: Joe Soares has been with the Yankees for several years now, moving up to his present post from minor league assignments with the Yanks. Don Seger did likewise, serving a minor league apprenticeship before arriving at the Stadium."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
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