THE NEW YANKEE BRAIN TRUST
"Manager Johnny Keane, a championship manager in every sense of the word, comes to the Yankees after more than three decades in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. Pilot of the team that edged the Yankees in last fall's thrilling World Series classic, Keane hopes to attain equal success as the new Bomber manager. The 53-year-old leader revised the coaching brain trust for the 1965 season, adding two new coaches from the National League and retaining two veteran Yankee coaches. Frankie Crosetti and Jim Hegan are the holdover coaches, Cro entering his 34th consecutive season in Yankee pinstripes. Hegan, former Indians' star, has been with the Yanks since 1960. Vern Benson served as third base coach with the Cardinals under Keane and Cot Deal was the Houston pitching coach last year."
-1965 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
JOHNNY KEANE (Manager)
"Manager of the Year Johnny Keane was Hero of the Year to workingmen everywhere for the way he stood up to the boss. While rumors flew that he'd be fired as Cardinal manager, John brought his club from 11 games back on August 23 to a driving pennant victory on the final day of the season and finally a World Series triumph over the Yankees. Then he handed in his resignation and was immediately snapped up by the Yankees to manage their club in 1965. He brings to Yankee Stadium 30 years of experience (all of it with the Cardinals) and proven ability at being able to handle men. He was especially successful in St. Louis in bringing along the younger players. He was a promising player himself in the Cardinal chain, but a beaning incident halted his progress. After two years as a Cardinal coach, he succeeded Solly Hemus as manager in 1961."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1965
"The strong face of John Keane tells the story of a fine human being, a capable and respected manager, and a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Thus it is with the popular new pilot of the Yankees ... John Joseph Keane. A Cardinal for all of his previous 29 years in baseball (excluding the war years), Johnny Keane resigned last October after reaching the pinnacle of success as manager of the World Champions. The Cards' loss was certainly the Yankees' gain. For a few days after his announced retirement from the St. Louis scene, Keane was signed as new Yankee manager by General Manager Ralph Houk.
His career as an infielder had progressed to AAA ball in 1935 when John was struck in the head by a pitched ball. The beaning resulted in a double skull fracture which rendered the new Yank manager unconscious for six days and hospitalized for more than six weeks. In 1938, the Cards started John on his managerial career.
He piloted Cardinal farm clubs to five league pennants, five playoff championships and a Dixie Series title. And on the way, he engaged Ralph Houk as a rival in the opposite dugout. The two men, both fierce competitors, immediately gained mutual respect, one for the other.
Keane, after several earlier misses at a major league opportunity, finally was called up to the Cards to serve as a coach for Manager Solly Hemus in 1959. He took over the pilot's reins in July 1961 and brought St. Louis to a close second spot in the National League in 1963 before copping it all on the final day of 1964.
The 53-year-old Yankee manager won the immediate respect and confidence of the players in the early days of spring training and hopes to continue the championship ways of his new American League entry."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"In one of the most amazing baseball switcheroos of all time, Johnny Keane, who had guided his St. Louis Cardinals to a 1964 World Championship victory over the Yankees, signed with the Bronx Bombers as the club's third manager in three years last October.
It was the first time in diamond annals that a man, after piloting a World Series victor, had resigned and then took over the club he had defeated.
According to both Keane and Yankee General Manager Ralph Houk, the first that Houk knew of Keane's availability was hearing of Johnny's resignation in St. Louis the same day that the Bombers dismissed Yogi Berra.
Houk then traveled to Houston, where Keane resides, and offered Johnny the Yankee post. Then, after some discussion, they agreed to a one-year contract at a reported $50,000.
Keane, who once studied for the priesthood, was a member of the Cardinals' organization for 35 years as a player, scout, coach and manager. He's the quiet type but once his mind is made up, he sticks firmly to his opinions and decisions, as witness his handing in his letter of resignation to Card owner Gussie Busch following the Series triumph.
Another example of Keane's thinking is his explanation of why he accepted the one-year term as Yankee manager instead of demanding a two-year document:
'I've always worked under a one-year contract because I feel it makes you drive a little more. I don't particularly care whether it's for one or 10 years because I don't worry about security and never have. I am delighted to be manager of the Yankees.'
The 5-10 1/2, 165 lb. Keane, never played in the majors, going as far as triple-A ball as a shortstop and third baseman in the Redbird chain, with whom he began in 1930, after being inked by scout Charley Barrett.
Keane's playing career was seriously hampered when he was beaned, as a result of which Johnny fell into a coma for a week and was hospitalized for seven weeks.
Among the hustling infielder's stops along the way during his active career were Globe, Waynesboro, Springfield (Mo.), Columbus, Houston, Elmira and Rochester. Johnny's best season was in 1933 when he batted .324 for Springfield.
Keane made his managerial debut, though continuing as an active player, in 1938 with Albany of the Georgia-Florida loop, winning pennants his first two seasons. Johnny also won flags in New Iberia in 1941, Houston in 1947 and Rochester in 1950, not to mention St. Louis in 1964.
Keane joined the Cardinals as a coach in 1959, remaining in that post until succeeding Solly Hemus as manager with the club in sixth place on July 6, 1951. The birds ended up fifth that campaign.
Johnny, who likes to fish and hunt, is 54. He and his wife of 28 years, Lela, have a daughter, Pat, and two grandsons."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
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.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
VERN BENSON (Coach)
"Vern Benson is yet another former ballplayer whose career was impaired by injury and who turned to managing and coaching to reach the big leagues. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1943 and '46 and later drifted into the Cardinal organization. He was with the Cardinals in '51, and in the spring of 1952 was regarded by manager Eddie Stanky as having the inside track on the third base job. Then Vern broke a leg while sliding during an exhibition game, and the dream went with it. He later managed and coached in the farm system, and when Johnny Keane moved up to the manager's job in '61, he made Vern one of his coaches."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1965
"Vern joined the Yankee coaching staff at the request of Manager Johnny Keane. He had served under Keane during all of the latter's years in St. Louis. Originally signed by the Philadelphia Athletics, Vern came to the majors with the Cardinals, playing 55 games at third and in the outfield. He started managing in 1956 and was the successful pilot of the AAA Portland club when Keane sent for him in 1961."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"One of the first things Johnny Keane did after being named pilot of the Cardinals in mid-season of 1961 was to call Vern Benson at 3 o'clock in the morning and appoint him Redbird coach. At the time, Benson was managing Portland of the Pacific Coast League. Therefore, it was natural that Keane, upon assuming the Yankee post, would take along his number one aide with him to the Stadium. Vern is slated to begin the 1965 season as first base coach, but will undoubtedly be switched on and off later in the campaign with third base traffic cop Frank Crosetti.
Vern originally started out as a ballplayer with the Philadelphia Athletics during the war years but became Cardinal property in 1946. After spending a few seasons in the minors, Benson came up to the Birds as a part-time third baseman-outfielder in 1951, '52 and '53. His first year as a manager was in 1956 with Winnipeg of the Northern League. Vern also piloted Winston-Salem and Tulsa before moving in '61 to Portland from whence he got the call from Keane, with whom he forms a top-rated team. Benson, 40, is married and the father of three children."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Coach, St. Louis Cardinals, July 6, 1961 through 1964.
Appointed Yankee coach, October 23, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
FRANKIE CROSETTI (Coach)
"This season marks the 'Cro's' thirty-fourth consecutive year of service with the Yankees, the longest continuous service with one club of anyone in the majors. After 17 years as a player, Cro turned to coaching. He looks like he could still cavort at short. Cro has served under six managers as a player and coach. He has been a member of 23 championship Yankee clubs and has participated in 122 World Series games as a player and coach, a record."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Despite the turnover in managers the past few seasons, Frank Crosetti has managed to survive the shakeups and stay on as a valued member of the Bomber coaching brigade, being stationed at his familiar third base signal spot.
The Crow has been handling such duties for the club since 1947, and with the addition of Vern Benson, who handled similar affairs under Johnny Keane at St. Louis, the pair may switch between third and first during the campaign.
Crosetti has worn a Yankee uniform since 1932, coming up to play shortstop with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League. Always a top-notch fielder, Frankie was never high in the hitting averages but was a pretty tough cookie in the clutch.
Crosetti's highest batting mark as a Yankee, with whom he remained active through 1948 though being named a coach in '47, was .288. That was compiled in 1936, a season which saw him collect 182 hits, 15 homers and 78 runs batted in. Frank is the record-holder for most Series participated in as a coach and player - 23, as well as most Series participated in as a coach - 15. He's also collected more Series loot than anybody else, more than $150,000 worth."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Has appeared on 23 of the 29 Yankee pennant-winning clubs.
Played or coached in record 122 World Series games.
Now in 34th consecutive year as a Yankee.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
COT DEAL (Coach)
"Ellis (Cot) Deal did not have an especially distinguished career as a pitcher-outfielder, but he spent his years as a ballplayer absorbing a sound baseball education. He pitched for the Red Sox in 1947 and '48, and for the Cards in 1950 and '54, compiling a 3-4 record. But with Rochester in 1953, he won 16 games; and at Columbus in 1951, he hit 18 homers as a switch-hitting outfielder. He was player-manager at Rochester from 1957 to 1959 and then was called up as a coach for the Reds at the tail end of the '59 season. He stayed on through 1960, and later spent three years as coach with the Colt .45s."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1965
"Cot Deal became the Yankee pitching coach at the request of manager Keane. He had served as pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds and Houston Colts from 1959 through 1964 after having managed in AAA ball for four seasons. He had served briefly as a pitcher and outfielder for both the Red Sox and Cardinals during his career. A hero in winter league ball, Cot was given a Puerto Rican flag and a car, and his uniform was retired in 1953."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Another new face on the Bomber coaching staff for 1965 is pitching mentor Cot Deal, who served in a like capacity for the Houston Colt .45s for the past three seasons. He is credited by Johnny Keane with the development of some of the good hurlers on that club.
Deal, 42, who will sit next to Keane on the bench during the season, is beginning his 26th campaign in Organized Baseball. Cot started out as a third baseman-outfielder with Hutchinson of the Western Association in 1940. But throughout most of his active career, which extended through 1959, he was a pitcher-outfielder. Deal spent one full season in the majors as a pitcher, in 1954 with the Cardinals. Cot also was up for parts of three other campaigns, with the Boston Red Sox in 1947 and '48 and the Cards in '50.
Cot piloted Rochester from the start of the 1957 season through August 1959, when he was named a coach by the Cincinnati Reds, with whom he remained through 1960. After managing Indianapolis in '61, Deal joined the Colts' staff in '62 for a three-year tenure under manager Harry Craft."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Coach, Cincinnati Reds, August 5, 1959 through 1960.
Coach, Houston Astros, 1962 through 1964.
Appointed Yankee coach, October 23, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM HEGAN (Coach)
"Jim Hegan is in his sixth year as Yankee bullpen and catching coach after a distinguished career as a great Cleveland Indians catcher. His son, Mike, is a top first base prospect in the Yankee farm system. Jim played in two World Series with the Tribe and twice represented the Indians in the All-Star Game. After his long Cleveland service, Hegan played briefly for the Tigers, Phillies, Giants and Cubs before joining the Yanks."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"In charge of the bullpen and the relief corps of the Bomber hurling staff is Jim Hegan, a member of the Yankee board of strategy since July 1960.
The rangy 44-year-old Hegan, whose son, Mike, is a first base candidate on the club, has been in Organized Baseball since 1938 when he debuted with Springfield of the Middle Atlantic loop. Hegan, remembered as one the best defensive catchers of his time during 17 years in the majors - 14 of them with Cleveland, caught three no-hit games. The first was Don Black's performance against the Philadelphia Athletics on July 10, 1947, the second was Bob Lemon's feat against Detroit on June 30, 1948 and the last, but not least, was Bob Feller's third no-hitter, tossed against the Tigers on July 1, 1951.
Among Hegan's other feats were the pulling of an unassisted double play on June 21, 1949, leading American League receivers in double plays during the 1948 campaign, and tying for the most DPs in 1947 and '55. Jim also participated in two World Series and two All-Star Games."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Coach, New York Yankees, 1960 through 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
SPUD MURRAY (Batting Practice Pitcher)
"Spud Murray owns the highest earned run average of any Yankee pitcher. In fact, the HIGHER it is the happier he and the Yankees are. Spud is the batting practice pitcher who helps Mantle, Maris, Howard and Co. get those good pitches to hit in batting practice. He wears uniform No.55 during pre-game practice. With his rubber arm, Spud pitches just about every day."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
JOE DIMAGGIO (spring training instructor)
DIMAG HAD ARM AS WELL AS A BAT
"It wasn't Joe DiMaggio's bat that first won the hearts of Gothamites. It was his arm. The game could even be pinpointed.
It was a ninth inning throw against Detroit. Joe nailed the tying run at the plate- fast Pete Fox- on a 300-foot throw from left field that plopped into Bill Dickey's mitt on the fly.
'It was the dumb play,' crabbed Mickey Cochrane. 'He should have thrown to second to keep the winning run on first.'
Joe's quick response was:
'When you think you can catch the tying run and save the game, you make that play.'
Manager McCarthy agreed- and never thereafter questioned Joe's perfect baseball instinct.
Col. Ruppert told writer Sid Mercer: 'In all my 40 years of baseball I've never seen an outfielder play ball like that.' "
-Curley Grieve in the San Francisco Examiner (Baseball Digest, April 1965)
WHY DIMAGGIO MISSED HITTING .400
"Joe DiMaggio accomplished many things with a baseball bat but he never hit .400.
He might have, though, had he taken the easy out. In 1939 it looked like he had it made. With only three weeks of the season to go and the pennant already as good as won, Joe was hitting .412.
Then, all of a sudden, his left eyelid started giving him trouble. It hurt. It made him blink. Joe's vision was affected.
Joe went to Joe McCarthy about it. 'I can't see so good,' he told the Yankee manager.
McCarthy thought of keeping Joe out of the lineup until his sight improved. Then he thought the better of it.
'If I take you out,' he told Joe, 'they'll say I did it to make you a .400 hitter and they'll call you a 'cheese champion.' [sic]
'So my advice, Joe, is to stay in there and do the best you can. What do you say?'
Joe stayed. Swinging at ball he could barely see, he was lucky to get a loud foul. His average dropped 31 points. His final figure was .381. But he led the league."
-Prescott Sullivan in the San Francisco Examiner (Baseball Digest, April 1965)
ANDY ROBUSTELLI (Spring Training Instructor)
"After two seasons as player-coach, Andy Robustelli is now a full-time coach, having hung up his spikes for good. Robustelli put in 13 seasons as a National Football League end, the last eight in a Giant uniform, ranking as one of the finest defensive ends ever seen.
Andy attended Arnold College, being named to various Little All-America squads in 1948-49-50. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1951, playing with two championship clubs before coming to the Giants in 1956 in exchange for a future draft choice. An All-Pro selection for many years, Andy was born December 6, 1926.
He lives in Stamford, Connecticut, where he owns a sporting goods store."
-Complete Sports 1964 New York Giants
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