"Though the Yankees have been plainly disappointed with the progress so far of Jake Gibbs, they remain patiently hopeful that his underlying talent will still emerge. Jake, bear in mind, was signed as an infielder, then spent several painful years in the minors trying to learn the techniques of catching. After sharing the job for a season and a half with Elston Howard, he was awarded full custody of it last summer when Ellie was traded away to Boston.
But Jake did not make the most of the opportunity. His work behind the plate showed improvement, but perhaps not as much as everyone hoped. His hitting should get better than the .233 he achieved last year, and he should collect more than four homers and 25 RBI's a campaign."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"How can a ball club use a former All-American quarterback to best advantage? Manager Ralph Houk pondered that for two years and came up with the perfect answer: make him a catcher. A signal-caller is a take-charge guy who can help run the ball game for the pitchers. And a man who has stood up to blitzing linebackers is a good man to have blocking the plate when a runner comes charging in.
It was a gamble - and a real shocker for Jake - when he was told to convert to catching. He had never been behind the plate. When he was signed off the campus of the University of Mississippi in 1961 for the Yankees' largest bonus, he was also an All-American infielder. In his first two years in Triple-A, Jake hit .270 and .284.
Gibbs had to concentrate so hard on learning his new trade that his hitting suffered. So did he; several times he had broken fingers.
'I was often discouraged,' he says, 'but I never thought of quitting.' It took almost three years before he felt at ease behind the plate.
'His hard work and determination have paid off,' says Houk. 'He has soaked up everything coach Jim Hegan has taught him. Never having caught before may have helped him ; he didn't have any bad habits to break.'
Jake moved into the top catching spot last year. He is a left-handed hitter. Catchers Fernandez and Rodriguez are right-handed.
But who can use a great catcher when the season is over? Answer: Ole Miss. Jake is assistant backfield coach there. Married, he makes his home in Grenada, Mississippi and is the father of two boys, Dean (5) and Monty (2)."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Jake moved into the top spot among Yankee catchers last year in his seventh year in the Yankee organization. Originally a third baseman, he was signed off the campus of the University of Mississippi in 1961 and received the largest bonus ever given by the Yankees. He was switched to catching in 1963.
He was an All-American in two sports at Ole Miss- baseball in 1960 and 1961 and football in 1960. He was a quarterback and received many pro football offers. Gibbs still keeps his hand in football, as he serves as an assistant backfield coach at Ole Miss during the off-season.
A tough competitor, Gibbs could have his best years ahead of him."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
1968 Profile: Dooley Womack
"Ever wonder what a relief pitcher thinks about when he's coming into a game? Tune in on Dooley Womack's thought processes.
'I have to try to keep it under the belt,' he tells himself. 'Anything above it is a mistake for me. Ralph (Houk) told me to forget everything else and just throw strikes. A guy like myself has got to depend on control, keeping the ball low.'
Perhaps his overall record does not reflect it, but Dooley, a trim righthander, gets the job done. He was the Yankees' most effective reliever last year, with a 5-6 record and an ERA of 2.41. He gave up 80 hits in 97 innings and appeared in 65 ballgames. Now 28, and in his third year with the Yanks, he had a 7-3 mark as a rookie in 1966."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"When Dooley Womack talks to school kids, as he often does during the off-season, he can tell them about the value of hanging in there a little longer. He had been laboring in the minors for eight years and felt like quitting when the Yankees sent him to Columbus.
'But I hung on a little longer when they promised me a chance to make Toledo.'
Dooley took it from there. A 2.17 ERA (lowest in the league) with Toledo earned him a place on the Yankee roster in '66 and he became the Yankees' top short relief pitcher. Last season Womack tied the club records of Luis Arroyo and Pete Ramos for most appearances in a season - 65. He led the club with 17 saves, and his ERA was 2.41, second only to Monbouquette's 2.36.
The South Carolina boy with the pleasant personality moved to Hackensack, New Jersey at the end of last season. Womack, who's married, took a job with CBS Records as a sales trainee and discovered that 'baseball isn't so tough, despite the odd hours and traveling.'
Dooley (a nickname he prefers to Horace) doesn't depend on a fastball, which is why he doesn't wear himself out and is seldom troubled with arm ailments. He's a control artist who discovered that when he made batters hit his pitches - a variety of tantalizing curves offered at many speeds - he won ball games.
Dooley's brothers Al and Larry are also ballplayers. Larry, who was a University of South Carolina basketball player, was signed by the Yankees as a pitcher for the '68 season.
Dooley enjoys baseball so much he hates to see the season end. He worked out all winter at the Stadium. To the sunny South Carolinian who came close to quitting before he made it, Yankee Stadium looks beautiful in any weather."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Last year Womack continued the improvement shown in 1966 when he became the Yankees' top short relief man. In 1967 he tied a club record for the most appearances in a season, hurling in 65 games. It was the mark set by Luis Arroyo in 1961 and Pedro Ramos in 1965. Womack led the club in saves with 17 and had the second lowest ERA, 2.41; Bill Monbouquette had a 2.36 mark.
Dooley did not allow an earned run in his first 11 innings pitched nor in his last 12.2 innings of the season. He picked up eight saves in his last 15 appearances.
A control artist who throws curves at many different speeds, Dooley earned his big league shot the hard way, spending eight years in the minor leagues, all in the Yankee chain. He finally gained prominence in 1965 with Toledo when he was 10-4 and had the lowest ERA in the International League with a 2.17 mark.
His brother Larry, a former basketball player at the University of South Carolina, signed with the Yankees last September. He is also a pitcher. Dooley spent his first winter north of the Mason-Dixon Line this year and worked for CBS as a sales trainee, and also for the Yankees."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
A MINORS CAREER IS A MAJOR EXPERIENCE
"Reliever Dooley Womack played with seven different minor league clubs in eight seasons before getting to Yankee Stadium in 1966. But what he experienced during those eight years will last him a lifetime."
-Fred Down, Sports All-Stars 1968 Baseball
"My life in the low minor leagues began, in 1958, with the St. Petersburg club of the Florida State League. Before I joined the New York Yankees in 1966 I played with Fargo-Moorhead in the Northern League, Greensboro in the Carolina League, Binghamton in the Eastern League, Augusta in the South Atlantic League, Columbus in the Southern League and Toledo in the International League.
And If I had to do it all over again, knowing in advance that I would never reach the majors, I would do it- and I believe that every man with whom I played would say the same thing.
We were a bunch of 18-year-olds when we gathered at St. Petersburg ten springs ago. We were a cross-section of the country sharing a common dream that we would someday be major league ball players. Tom Tresh was there and so were Pedro Gonzalez and George Banks. There were others, too, of whom you've never heard because they didn't make it to the top. But there was a common bond uniting us all, and when we get together we find ourselves talking about the old says at St. Pete ... Daytona ... Cocoa Beach ... and Palatka.
The dream we shared was a very grand dream. Most of the fellows who go into minor league ball have at least been to high school, and some have even been to college. They don't have to play baseball for a living. They can go into other lines of work and do pretty well. Some of the guys who dropped out along the way became salesmen, lawyers or small business owners. Ed Gary was one of them- but more about him later.
The minor leagues are a proving ground and, as in any proving ground, there are discomforts. The pay isn't good and when you get $1.50 to $2 meal money a day you find yourself eating a lot of hamburgers. It's a lonely life because there isn't much to do in the small towns. You go to a lot of movies, but you soon discover that the same picture is playing in all the towns you visit. You play pool or billiards and you walk the streets a lot. You don't go swimming much since you want to save all your energy for the game.
The hotels are pretty good. You room with a teammate and generally have a lot of laughs. Occasionally a guy has a couple of drinks too many, but there really aren't many rowdy incidents. It's more like being at college. One favorite gag is to fill a bucket with water, knock on another fellow's door, douse him and run. Another is to fill some one's bed with shaving cream, then pile the furniture on the bed. You get a lot of short-sheeting, too. All of this, though, helps to keep morale up. And that's important because the money is short and a lot of the guys are away from home for the first time in their life.
You call home a lot because the folks want to know how you're doing. Naturally, most everybody calls collect. Parents would rather foot the bill and know how their sons are doing than not hear from them. I think my phone bills cost my folks between $250 and $300 in one season.
Almost all the guys on the St. Petersburg club were single, but when you go into the high minors about half of the guys are married. The girls have to have a lot of heart. They have to accept the small salary and the travel. They have to understand how important it is that their husbands have the opportunity to get to be major league ball players. Most of the married couples live in nearby apartments. The girls cling together like a social club and get together for coffee in the evenings.
It's really a big event when a player gets called up to the parent club. At Toledo in 1965 I lost three roommates- Jake Gibbs, Jim Brenneman and Jack Cullen- within six weeks. The Yankees needed help and reached down into their farm system to get it.
Everybody is happy when a guy gets 'promoted' because they're all hoping it'll happen to them next. It is, after all, a dream coming true. Conversely, the saddest thing is when you learn you're being sent to a lower minor league than the one you're in.
I got that bad word with Binghamton in 1961. It was odd because I had been doing all right and was being used in a lot of games. But I knew something was wrong as soon as the manager stopped me going into the ballpark one night.
'Dooley,' he said, 'I've something to tell you.'
Then he asked me how many games I had been in ... how many innings I'd pitched ... and a few more things I thought he'd know without asking. He explained that I was to be sent back to Class B ball with Greensboro of the Carolina League.
My teammates didn't know what to say. They could see I was pretty dejected. A couple said, 'Keep your chin up, Dooley,' but most of them didn't volunteer anything because they were afraid it might come out wrong. This is where having a fairly good educational background intensifies the problem. You don't have to play baseball to make a living. You can call it quits, go back home and get a good job. You can kiss goodbye to the greasy spoons and long bus trips over bumpy roads. So you weigh all these factors against how much it really means to you to become a major league ball player. I was very dejected that night and thought seriously about quitting. But the next morning I decided it was worth it to keep trying and left for Greensboro.
There does come a point, however, when a man can no longer try or when there is no longer any point in his continuing to try. Often the man involved is the last to know. This is their dream ending. It's their admission that you have tried and failed. It may be that injuries- not a lack of ability or desire- have brought about that failure. It doesn't make any difference, though, for it is probably the worst moment of a ball player's life.
Take Ed Gary, for instance. He was a big fellow from Jackson, Miss. who went about 6-3 and weighed 200 pounds. He ran well, had a strong arm, swung a good bat. He was okay in the outfield, too. His build reminded you of Tony Kubek and he had a heart like Mickey Mantle's.
This was in late 1964 at Columbus, Ga. Ed had been up as high as Triple-A at Richmond in the International League, but he now he was back in the Southern League. He had suffered a slipped disc and was finishing out the season in a lot of pain. We could all see that he was getting near the end of the line. Ed and I had been together at Augusta in 1962 and had been become quite good friends since that time.
He left us a few days before the season wound up. He packed his bags and piled them into a car parked in front of the ballpark. We all went outside to see him off and- one by one- shook his hand. He was smiling and saying he would see us next year, but we all knew it was over for him. We wished him luck. Then he drove off and that was that. About a week we learned he'd announced his retirement.
I saw Ed again before spring training in 1966. He and his father were running a ranch and were on a cattle-buying trip. We had a great reunion sitting around and talking about the old times.
The manager has a special role in the low minor leagues. He becomes a guidance counselor, a father, a mother and a teacher to each guy on the team. There are no coaches, so he's the man you see for just about everything. As I said before, some of the fellows are away from home for the first time when they start in the low minors. A lot of problems arise ... homesickness ... loneliness ... depression. Sometimes things come up that only the manager and the player know about.
The skipper is primarily a teacher, however. He may call a workout in the morning and get a couple of pitchers together on the side. He'll talk about how to follow through, how to bend back so you can get everything into a pitch, or how to be on the alert for someone laying down a bunt. The main thing he is trying to do is make you conscious of ways to improve yourself. Rube Walker was my manager at Columbus, and we worked together on a couple of pitches. He showed me how to throw them, but it was up to me to do the work afterwards.
I have always believed that being a minor league manager involves a great responsibility. I remember all my managers with respect. Fellows like Tom Hamilton, Frank Verdi and Rube Walker. You have to be quite a man to have the Yankees- or any major league club, for that matter- entrust their young ball players to you. And it's quite something to measure up to those standards.
The hotels are pretty good, but travel conditions and ballparks vary quite a bit as you move around the minors. In the Florida State League, we had our own station wagon and the longest trip between towns was two hours and 15 minutes, while at Fargo-Moorhead in the Northern League we had as many as 275 to 325 miles of travel between towns. Some clubs have their own bus and others charter buses for specific trips. When a club has its own bus, the manager usually designates one player to be the driver. It's a good deal because you can sometimes make an extra $25 a month that way.
With Greensboro in the Carolina League, we traveled in three van wagons. We dumped our equipment in the back seat and piled in, 21 players and a manager, and off we went down dusty roads. And then there was Columbus in the Southern League. We had a bus with nine sleeping berths and I can remember one trip, between Columbus and Lynchburg, Va., that took 16 hours. The eight regulars and the pitcher got the sleepers, and the other guys sat up and tried to sack out as best they could.
By the time you get to the International League, you run into an older group and travel by plane. You don't find many former major leaguers below Triple-A, but you can make a career at that level. The pay is pretty good and some guys play eight or ten years in Triple A. The clubs have more money than those in the lower leagues and they're willing to pay a salary that will keep you in the game. Traveling on planes makes it a lot easier, too. You couldn't play the International League schedule without them, because there are teams in Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Columbus, Jacksonville, Richmond, Toledo and Toronto. Some players don't like the flying too much, but most of them think it's a lot better than buses.
You run into some odd things in the ballparks. The Florida State League was in Class D, but playing conditions were good because the major league clubs train in Florida in the spring. The lights were good, too, and the fields were kept in pretty fair shape. But then there are some places where the players have to dress in shifts in a room that's maybe 12 feet by 12 feet square. In one town there was even a dressing room in an old garage.
Those are days you don't forget. Some make it to the major leagues and some don't. I don't think I have to tell you how important that is. But there is something else, too, not so easy to put into words. It is a special relationship and it lasts a lifetime. It means that these special friends and I shared a lot of laughs and a few disappointments, but most important of all we shared a great experience. One that I wouldn't trade for anything."
-Dooley Womack, Sports All-Stars 1968 Baseball
'I have to try to keep it under the belt,' he tells himself. 'Anything above it is a mistake for me. Ralph (Houk) told me to forget everything else and just throw strikes. A guy like myself has got to depend on control, keeping the ball low.'
Perhaps his overall record does not reflect it, but Dooley, a trim righthander, gets the job done. He was the Yankees' most effective reliever last year, with a 5-6 record and an ERA of 2.41. He gave up 80 hits in 97 innings and appeared in 65 ballgames. Now 28, and in his third year with the Yanks, he had a 7-3 mark as a rookie in 1966."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"When Dooley Womack talks to school kids, as he often does during the off-season, he can tell them about the value of hanging in there a little longer. He had been laboring in the minors for eight years and felt like quitting when the Yankees sent him to Columbus.
'But I hung on a little longer when they promised me a chance to make Toledo.'
Dooley took it from there. A 2.17 ERA (lowest in the league) with Toledo earned him a place on the Yankee roster in '66 and he became the Yankees' top short relief pitcher. Last season Womack tied the club records of Luis Arroyo and Pete Ramos for most appearances in a season - 65. He led the club with 17 saves, and his ERA was 2.41, second only to Monbouquette's 2.36.
The South Carolina boy with the pleasant personality moved to Hackensack, New Jersey at the end of last season. Womack, who's married, took a job with CBS Records as a sales trainee and discovered that 'baseball isn't so tough, despite the odd hours and traveling.'
Dooley (a nickname he prefers to Horace) doesn't depend on a fastball, which is why he doesn't wear himself out and is seldom troubled with arm ailments. He's a control artist who discovered that when he made batters hit his pitches - a variety of tantalizing curves offered at many speeds - he won ball games.
Dooley's brothers Al and Larry are also ballplayers. Larry, who was a University of South Carolina basketball player, was signed by the Yankees as a pitcher for the '68 season.
Dooley enjoys baseball so much he hates to see the season end. He worked out all winter at the Stadium. To the sunny South Carolinian who came close to quitting before he made it, Yankee Stadium looks beautiful in any weather."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Last year Womack continued the improvement shown in 1966 when he became the Yankees' top short relief man. In 1967 he tied a club record for the most appearances in a season, hurling in 65 games. It was the mark set by Luis Arroyo in 1961 and Pedro Ramos in 1965. Womack led the club in saves with 17 and had the second lowest ERA, 2.41; Bill Monbouquette had a 2.36 mark.
Dooley did not allow an earned run in his first 11 innings pitched nor in his last 12.2 innings of the season. He picked up eight saves in his last 15 appearances.
A control artist who throws curves at many different speeds, Dooley earned his big league shot the hard way, spending eight years in the minor leagues, all in the Yankee chain. He finally gained prominence in 1965 with Toledo when he was 10-4 and had the lowest ERA in the International League with a 2.17 mark.
His brother Larry, a former basketball player at the University of South Carolina, signed with the Yankees last September. He is also a pitcher. Dooley spent his first winter north of the Mason-Dixon Line this year and worked for CBS as a sales trainee, and also for the Yankees."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
A MINORS CAREER IS A MAJOR EXPERIENCE
"Reliever Dooley Womack played with seven different minor league clubs in eight seasons before getting to Yankee Stadium in 1966. But what he experienced during those eight years will last him a lifetime."
-Fred Down, Sports All-Stars 1968 Baseball
"My life in the low minor leagues began, in 1958, with the St. Petersburg club of the Florida State League. Before I joined the New York Yankees in 1966 I played with Fargo-Moorhead in the Northern League, Greensboro in the Carolina League, Binghamton in the Eastern League, Augusta in the South Atlantic League, Columbus in the Southern League and Toledo in the International League.
And If I had to do it all over again, knowing in advance that I would never reach the majors, I would do it- and I believe that every man with whom I played would say the same thing.
We were a bunch of 18-year-olds when we gathered at St. Petersburg ten springs ago. We were a cross-section of the country sharing a common dream that we would someday be major league ball players. Tom Tresh was there and so were Pedro Gonzalez and George Banks. There were others, too, of whom you've never heard because they didn't make it to the top. But there was a common bond uniting us all, and when we get together we find ourselves talking about the old says at St. Pete ... Daytona ... Cocoa Beach ... and Palatka.
The dream we shared was a very grand dream. Most of the fellows who go into minor league ball have at least been to high school, and some have even been to college. They don't have to play baseball for a living. They can go into other lines of work and do pretty well. Some of the guys who dropped out along the way became salesmen, lawyers or small business owners. Ed Gary was one of them- but more about him later.
The minor leagues are a proving ground and, as in any proving ground, there are discomforts. The pay isn't good and when you get $1.50 to $2 meal money a day you find yourself eating a lot of hamburgers. It's a lonely life because there isn't much to do in the small towns. You go to a lot of movies, but you soon discover that the same picture is playing in all the towns you visit. You play pool or billiards and you walk the streets a lot. You don't go swimming much since you want to save all your energy for the game.
The hotels are pretty good. You room with a teammate and generally have a lot of laughs. Occasionally a guy has a couple of drinks too many, but there really aren't many rowdy incidents. It's more like being at college. One favorite gag is to fill a bucket with water, knock on another fellow's door, douse him and run. Another is to fill some one's bed with shaving cream, then pile the furniture on the bed. You get a lot of short-sheeting, too. All of this, though, helps to keep morale up. And that's important because the money is short and a lot of the guys are away from home for the first time in their life.
You call home a lot because the folks want to know how you're doing. Naturally, most everybody calls collect. Parents would rather foot the bill and know how their sons are doing than not hear from them. I think my phone bills cost my folks between $250 and $300 in one season.
Almost all the guys on the St. Petersburg club were single, but when you go into the high minors about half of the guys are married. The girls have to have a lot of heart. They have to accept the small salary and the travel. They have to understand how important it is that their husbands have the opportunity to get to be major league ball players. Most of the married couples live in nearby apartments. The girls cling together like a social club and get together for coffee in the evenings.
It's really a big event when a player gets called up to the parent club. At Toledo in 1965 I lost three roommates- Jake Gibbs, Jim Brenneman and Jack Cullen- within six weeks. The Yankees needed help and reached down into their farm system to get it.
Everybody is happy when a guy gets 'promoted' because they're all hoping it'll happen to them next. It is, after all, a dream coming true. Conversely, the saddest thing is when you learn you're being sent to a lower minor league than the one you're in.
I got that bad word with Binghamton in 1961. It was odd because I had been doing all right and was being used in a lot of games. But I knew something was wrong as soon as the manager stopped me going into the ballpark one night.
'Dooley,' he said, 'I've something to tell you.'
Then he asked me how many games I had been in ... how many innings I'd pitched ... and a few more things I thought he'd know without asking. He explained that I was to be sent back to Class B ball with Greensboro of the Carolina League.
My teammates didn't know what to say. They could see I was pretty dejected. A couple said, 'Keep your chin up, Dooley,' but most of them didn't volunteer anything because they were afraid it might come out wrong. This is where having a fairly good educational background intensifies the problem. You don't have to play baseball to make a living. You can call it quits, go back home and get a good job. You can kiss goodbye to the greasy spoons and long bus trips over bumpy roads. So you weigh all these factors against how much it really means to you to become a major league ball player. I was very dejected that night and thought seriously about quitting. But the next morning I decided it was worth it to keep trying and left for Greensboro.
There does come a point, however, when a man can no longer try or when there is no longer any point in his continuing to try. Often the man involved is the last to know. This is their dream ending. It's their admission that you have tried and failed. It may be that injuries- not a lack of ability or desire- have brought about that failure. It doesn't make any difference, though, for it is probably the worst moment of a ball player's life.
Take Ed Gary, for instance. He was a big fellow from Jackson, Miss. who went about 6-3 and weighed 200 pounds. He ran well, had a strong arm, swung a good bat. He was okay in the outfield, too. His build reminded you of Tony Kubek and he had a heart like Mickey Mantle's.
This was in late 1964 at Columbus, Ga. Ed had been up as high as Triple-A at Richmond in the International League, but he now he was back in the Southern League. He had suffered a slipped disc and was finishing out the season in a lot of pain. We could all see that he was getting near the end of the line. Ed and I had been together at Augusta in 1962 and had been become quite good friends since that time.
He left us a few days before the season wound up. He packed his bags and piled them into a car parked in front of the ballpark. We all went outside to see him off and- one by one- shook his hand. He was smiling and saying he would see us next year, but we all knew it was over for him. We wished him luck. Then he drove off and that was that. About a week we learned he'd announced his retirement.
I saw Ed again before spring training in 1966. He and his father were running a ranch and were on a cattle-buying trip. We had a great reunion sitting around and talking about the old times.
The manager has a special role in the low minor leagues. He becomes a guidance counselor, a father, a mother and a teacher to each guy on the team. There are no coaches, so he's the man you see for just about everything. As I said before, some of the fellows are away from home for the first time when they start in the low minors. A lot of problems arise ... homesickness ... loneliness ... depression. Sometimes things come up that only the manager and the player know about.
The skipper is primarily a teacher, however. He may call a workout in the morning and get a couple of pitchers together on the side. He'll talk about how to follow through, how to bend back so you can get everything into a pitch, or how to be on the alert for someone laying down a bunt. The main thing he is trying to do is make you conscious of ways to improve yourself. Rube Walker was my manager at Columbus, and we worked together on a couple of pitches. He showed me how to throw them, but it was up to me to do the work afterwards.
I have always believed that being a minor league manager involves a great responsibility. I remember all my managers with respect. Fellows like Tom Hamilton, Frank Verdi and Rube Walker. You have to be quite a man to have the Yankees- or any major league club, for that matter- entrust their young ball players to you. And it's quite something to measure up to those standards.
The hotels are pretty good, but travel conditions and ballparks vary quite a bit as you move around the minors. In the Florida State League, we had our own station wagon and the longest trip between towns was two hours and 15 minutes, while at Fargo-Moorhead in the Northern League we had as many as 275 to 325 miles of travel between towns. Some clubs have their own bus and others charter buses for specific trips. When a club has its own bus, the manager usually designates one player to be the driver. It's a good deal because you can sometimes make an extra $25 a month that way.
With Greensboro in the Carolina League, we traveled in three van wagons. We dumped our equipment in the back seat and piled in, 21 players and a manager, and off we went down dusty roads. And then there was Columbus in the Southern League. We had a bus with nine sleeping berths and I can remember one trip, between Columbus and Lynchburg, Va., that took 16 hours. The eight regulars and the pitcher got the sleepers, and the other guys sat up and tried to sack out as best they could.
By the time you get to the International League, you run into an older group and travel by plane. You don't find many former major leaguers below Triple-A, but you can make a career at that level. The pay is pretty good and some guys play eight or ten years in Triple A. The clubs have more money than those in the lower leagues and they're willing to pay a salary that will keep you in the game. Traveling on planes makes it a lot easier, too. You couldn't play the International League schedule without them, because there are teams in Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Columbus, Jacksonville, Richmond, Toledo and Toronto. Some players don't like the flying too much, but most of them think it's a lot better than buses.
You run into some odd things in the ballparks. The Florida State League was in Class D, but playing conditions were good because the major league clubs train in Florida in the spring. The lights were good, too, and the fields were kept in pretty fair shape. But then there are some places where the players have to dress in shifts in a room that's maybe 12 feet by 12 feet square. In one town there was even a dressing room in an old garage.
Those are days you don't forget. Some make it to the major leagues and some don't. I don't think I have to tell you how important that is. But there is something else, too, not so easy to put into words. It is a special relationship and it lasts a lifetime. It means that these special friends and I shared a lot of laughs and a few disappointments, but most important of all we shared a great experience. One that I wouldn't trade for anything."
-Dooley Womack, Sports All-Stars 1968 Baseball
1968 Profile: Ruben Amaro
"It took Ruben Amaro much of the early spring of 1967 to regain his old fluidity at shortstop, but once he did, he glued the Yankee infield together. There may be shortstops around who hit for a better average and have more flat-away speed, but none is more picturesque than Ruben gliding for a ground ball or light-footing it over the bag on a double play. At the plate, he settled for a .233 mark, but there was a spell at mid-season when he was as high as .276.
Ruben spent six seasons with the Phillies - four of them as their No. 1 shortstop - before being traded to the Yankees after the 1965 season. Early in '66, though, he tore a ligament in his right knee in an outfield spill and missed virtually the whole year. Now he's back in step again."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"After missing practically the whole of the '66 season because a knee injury, shortstop Ruben Amaro had a rough time early last year getting his knees to do what he wanted. He had played a lot of games in '65, but few of them at shortstop, the position at which he had won a Gold Glove defensive award with the Phillies in '64.
In exhibition games, Amaro lacked range, booted the ball and threw wild. He was, he says, just plain terrible and amazed that he was still around after the cutdown date. Ruben credits Ralph Houk for his comeback because Houk was patient a little longer than most managers would be.
Convinced that he couldn't play any worse without the knee brace he was wearing, Amaro discarded it and went for broke. Overnight everything seemed to come back at once - his coordination, his timing and his fluid rhythm. Even his bat came alive; when he became a regular he surprised the team with his hitting. At one point in the season his average was .280.
Amaro, who is the son of an outstanding Mexican outfielder and manager, has lived in Veracruz and Philadelphia during recent off-seasons. He is the father of two boys, David (5) and Ruben, Jr. (2).
A good, steady performer whose comeback stabilized the infield last year, Amaro will be a big factor in stiffening the Yankee defense. He is adept at all four infield positions."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"1967 was a crucial season for Ruben as he was attempting to come back from a knee injury incurred in the fifth game of the 1966 campaign. Unsteady at first, he finally won the regular shortstop spot on May 14 and never lost top priority. Recovered fully from the injury, Ruben wound up second in the American League in fielding for shortstops with a .973 mark.
He also got off to a great start with the bat. Through June 13 he was probably the most consistent hitter on the club, having a .283 average at that point. He missed getting a hit in only seven of his first 29 games.
Ruben was acquired by the Yankees from the Phillies in November 1965 in exchange for Phil Linz. While with the Phillies in 1964, he received the Gold Glove Award as the [best] fielding shortstop in the National League. His father, Santos Amaro, was a star outfielder and manager in Cuba and Mexico."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
Ruben spent six seasons with the Phillies - four of them as their No. 1 shortstop - before being traded to the Yankees after the 1965 season. Early in '66, though, he tore a ligament in his right knee in an outfield spill and missed virtually the whole year. Now he's back in step again."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"After missing practically the whole of the '66 season because a knee injury, shortstop Ruben Amaro had a rough time early last year getting his knees to do what he wanted. He had played a lot of games in '65, but few of them at shortstop, the position at which he had won a Gold Glove defensive award with the Phillies in '64.
In exhibition games, Amaro lacked range, booted the ball and threw wild. He was, he says, just plain terrible and amazed that he was still around after the cutdown date. Ruben credits Ralph Houk for his comeback because Houk was patient a little longer than most managers would be.
Convinced that he couldn't play any worse without the knee brace he was wearing, Amaro discarded it and went for broke. Overnight everything seemed to come back at once - his coordination, his timing and his fluid rhythm. Even his bat came alive; when he became a regular he surprised the team with his hitting. At one point in the season his average was .280.
Amaro, who is the son of an outstanding Mexican outfielder and manager, has lived in Veracruz and Philadelphia during recent off-seasons. He is the father of two boys, David (5) and Ruben, Jr. (2).
A good, steady performer whose comeback stabilized the infield last year, Amaro will be a big factor in stiffening the Yankee defense. He is adept at all four infield positions."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"1967 was a crucial season for Ruben as he was attempting to come back from a knee injury incurred in the fifth game of the 1966 campaign. Unsteady at first, he finally won the regular shortstop spot on May 14 and never lost top priority. Recovered fully from the injury, Ruben wound up second in the American League in fielding for shortstops with a .973 mark.
He also got off to a great start with the bat. Through June 13 he was probably the most consistent hitter on the club, having a .283 average at that point. He missed getting a hit in only seven of his first 29 games.
Ruben was acquired by the Yankees from the Phillies in November 1965 in exchange for Phil Linz. While with the Phillies in 1964, he received the Gold Glove Award as the [best] fielding shortstop in the National League. His father, Santos Amaro, was a star outfielder and manager in Cuba and Mexico."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
1968 Profile: Tom Tresh
"Speaking of bad luck, one must wonder if Tom Tresh hasn't already been dealt a full portion. Tom never completely recovered from a knee injury that began bothering him last year in spring training. Hobbled all season, he finished with a .219 mark in 130 games, hitting 14 homers and driving in 53 runs. It was the second poor year in a row for Tom, who hit .233 with 27 homers in 1966.
Only a couple of years back, he was the brightest of all of the young Yankees; now he must show signs of a healthy comeback if he wants to hold on to his regular status."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"'I know what Mickey Mantle has gone through all these years and the trouble I had with my knee last year makes me wonder how he has done it,' says Tom. 'It was the most frustrating year of my life. I've written it off; I'll just concentrate on the year ahead.'
When Tommy came up in 1962, he was American League Rookie of the Year with a .286 batting average, 20 home runs and 93 RBIs. In 1966 he set a personal high mark of 27 home runs. Last year he injured his right knee in spring training.
'I could use my knee for an alibi,' says Tommy. 'I don't know if that's the whole story, but the knee was the beginning of it all. It hampered my throwing. I threw unnaturally to compensate for the lack of support on the back leg. Throwing that way made my shoulder hurt and that affected my hitting.'
At the end of the 1967 season, Tom had the cartilage removed from his right knee. Then he went home to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to welcome his third child and second daughter, Heidi, and to teach school. He is working toward a degree in education.
Now fully recovered, Tom started the season 'with a free mind. Now I can give it everything I have every time I'm on the field.'
That's nothing less than the best. There isn't a better left fielder in the league or a better clutch hitter. Tom, who's the son of the late White Sox catcher Mike Tresh, started as a Little Leaguer and also played American Legion ball."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Beset with an injury right from the start of 1967, Tresh had his poorest season as a Yankee. In the second game of spring training on March 11, he strained ligaments and cartilage in his right knee. He eventually underwent surgery on September 19 to have cartilage on the outside of his knee removed.
Tom came to the Yankees as a shortstop in 1962. He won the James P. Dawson Award (top rookie in spring training) and proceeded to become the American League Rookie of the Year, also making the All-Star squad. He switched to the outfield [in August of 1962] when Tony Kubek returned from military service, and again was an All-Star in 1963.
A good hitter with power, Tresh has averaged over 21 homers per season since coming to the Yanks. A switch-hitter, he has hit a home run right-handed and left-handed in the same game three times, and hit three homers in one game on June 6, 1965.
Tom is the son of the former major league catcher Mike Tresh. He attends Central Michigan U. during the off-season."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
Only a couple of years back, he was the brightest of all of the young Yankees; now he must show signs of a healthy comeback if he wants to hold on to his regular status."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"'I know what Mickey Mantle has gone through all these years and the trouble I had with my knee last year makes me wonder how he has done it,' says Tom. 'It was the most frustrating year of my life. I've written it off; I'll just concentrate on the year ahead.'
When Tommy came up in 1962, he was American League Rookie of the Year with a .286 batting average, 20 home runs and 93 RBIs. In 1966 he set a personal high mark of 27 home runs. Last year he injured his right knee in spring training.
'I could use my knee for an alibi,' says Tommy. 'I don't know if that's the whole story, but the knee was the beginning of it all. It hampered my throwing. I threw unnaturally to compensate for the lack of support on the back leg. Throwing that way made my shoulder hurt and that affected my hitting.'
At the end of the 1967 season, Tom had the cartilage removed from his right knee. Then he went home to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to welcome his third child and second daughter, Heidi, and to teach school. He is working toward a degree in education.
Now fully recovered, Tom started the season 'with a free mind. Now I can give it everything I have every time I'm on the field.'
That's nothing less than the best. There isn't a better left fielder in the league or a better clutch hitter. Tom, who's the son of the late White Sox catcher Mike Tresh, started as a Little Leaguer and also played American Legion ball."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Beset with an injury right from the start of 1967, Tresh had his poorest season as a Yankee. In the second game of spring training on March 11, he strained ligaments and cartilage in his right knee. He eventually underwent surgery on September 19 to have cartilage on the outside of his knee removed.
Tom came to the Yankees as a shortstop in 1962. He won the James P. Dawson Award (top rookie in spring training) and proceeded to become the American League Rookie of the Year, also making the All-Star squad. He switched to the outfield [in August of 1962] when Tony Kubek returned from military service, and again was an All-Star in 1963.
A good hitter with power, Tresh has averaged over 21 homers per season since coming to the Yanks. A switch-hitter, he has hit a home run right-handed and left-handed in the same game three times, and hit three homers in one game on June 6, 1965.
Tom is the son of the former major league catcher Mike Tresh. He attends Central Michigan U. during the off-season."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
1968 Profile: Horace Clarke
"According to Ralph Houk, Horace Clarke, 'does everything pretty good.' It's hard to tell where Ralph was putting the emphasis, but there's no denying how highly he values his second baseman.
Last was Horace's first as a Yankee regular, and all he did was lead the club in hitting with a .272 average and top all AL second baseman in fielding with a .990 percentage. A speedy base runner, he grounded into only five double plays and stole 21 bases. Horace, who hails from the Virgin Islands, is a first-ball hitter as his predecessor Bobby Richardson was, only Horace draws more walks. Like Bobby, he makes the routine plays consistently, but also comes up with his share of eye-poppers."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"Second baseman Horace Clarke is a fast man. During his high school years in Frederiksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, he starred in basketball, volleyball and track as well as baseball. As a speedster he's expected to play a big part in the Bombers' new offense which will take advantage of team speed to get an extra run or two per game by theft. Horace stole 21 bases last season, most by a Yankee in 10 years. This year Clarke will be urged to commit grand larceny.
Now in his third season with the Yanks, the 27-year-old second baseman took over when Bobby Richardson retired. Last year Horace was second only to Mantle in games played and his club-leading .272 batting average was good enough for twelfth best in the league. A switch-hitter, he accounted for 140 singles.
Mel Stottlemyre, who played with Clarke in Richmond in '63 and '64 is convinced that 'Horace will develop into the American League's best second baseman.'
Fast as he is, Horace has been known to lope around the bases. His first two home runs as a Yankee were grand slams. But he still rates as his biggest thrill a day in Toledo when manager Frank Verdi shook his hand and said, 'You're going to the Yankees tomorrow, Horace.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Horace Clarke, in his first season as a regular for the Yankees, after nine years in the organization, led the club in hitting with a .272 average and led American League second basemen in fielding with a .990 percentage- he committed only eight errors in 143 games. His 21 stolen bases also led the club- he was thrown out attempting to steal only four times. Horace grounded into only five double plays.
In 1966 Horace played 63 games at shortstop, then in 1967 took over the second base spot with the retirement of Bobby Richardson. His first two home runs in the major leagues were grand slams.
Horace is a serious, hard-working player."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
"Horace Clarke, at 27, one of the Yankees' able young veterans, is a man to watch this season. The slick-fielding second baseman has developed bat control and has become a highly competent leadoff man for Manager Ralph Houk. This spring, Clarke played exceptionally well, getting timely hits and looking and more like a coming All-Star. The switch-hitting native of the Virgin Islands topped all major league second basemen with a .990 fielding average last year. His .272 batting mark earned him top spot in hitting with the '67 Yanks, for whom he also stole 21 bases while being nipped only four times."
-The 1968 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
Last was Horace's first as a Yankee regular, and all he did was lead the club in hitting with a .272 average and top all AL second baseman in fielding with a .990 percentage. A speedy base runner, he grounded into only five double plays and stole 21 bases. Horace, who hails from the Virgin Islands, is a first-ball hitter as his predecessor Bobby Richardson was, only Horace draws more walks. Like Bobby, he makes the routine plays consistently, but also comes up with his share of eye-poppers."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"Second baseman Horace Clarke is a fast man. During his high school years in Frederiksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, he starred in basketball, volleyball and track as well as baseball. As a speedster he's expected to play a big part in the Bombers' new offense which will take advantage of team speed to get an extra run or two per game by theft. Horace stole 21 bases last season, most by a Yankee in 10 years. This year Clarke will be urged to commit grand larceny.
Now in his third season with the Yanks, the 27-year-old second baseman took over when Bobby Richardson retired. Last year Horace was second only to Mantle in games played and his club-leading .272 batting average was good enough for twelfth best in the league. A switch-hitter, he accounted for 140 singles.
Mel Stottlemyre, who played with Clarke in Richmond in '63 and '64 is convinced that 'Horace will develop into the American League's best second baseman.'
Fast as he is, Horace has been known to lope around the bases. His first two home runs as a Yankee were grand slams. But he still rates as his biggest thrill a day in Toledo when manager Frank Verdi shook his hand and said, 'You're going to the Yankees tomorrow, Horace.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Horace Clarke, in his first season as a regular for the Yankees, after nine years in the organization, led the club in hitting with a .272 average and led American League second basemen in fielding with a .990 percentage- he committed only eight errors in 143 games. His 21 stolen bases also led the club- he was thrown out attempting to steal only four times. Horace grounded into only five double plays.
In 1966 Horace played 63 games at shortstop, then in 1967 took over the second base spot with the retirement of Bobby Richardson. His first two home runs in the major leagues were grand slams.
Horace is a serious, hard-working player."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
"Horace Clarke, at 27, one of the Yankees' able young veterans, is a man to watch this season. The slick-fielding second baseman has developed bat control and has become a highly competent leadoff man for Manager Ralph Houk. This spring, Clarke played exceptionally well, getting timely hits and looking and more like a coming All-Star. The switch-hitting native of the Virgin Islands topped all major league second basemen with a .990 fielding average last year. His .272 batting mark earned him top spot in hitting with the '67 Yanks, for whom he also stole 21 bases while being nipped only four times."
-The 1968 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1968 Profile: Mel Stottlemyre
1968 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"He's a guy who should have born to a previous Yankee era, Mel Stottlemyre is. Mel is cast in the image of the great Yankee hurlers of the past.
The only difficulty is that the present-day Yankees don't score enough runs for him. Mel's fate last season was a 15-15 record that easily could have been better if he'd had better support. His ERA was 2.96, he worked 255 innings, fanned 151 hitters and walked 88.
Mel generally walks a lot of men because he's primarily a low-ball pitcher, and umpires in the AL don't give you the low strike. His pet pitch is a table-dropping curve, to go with a fair fastball and a changeup that still needs improvement.
He was a 20-game winner in 1965 and a 20-game loser in '66."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"With the retirement of Whitey Ford last spring, Mel Stottlemyre has taken over the role of 'chief of staff' of Yankee pitching. For the past three seasons he has led the club in wins and innings pitched.
The big right-hander, who joined the Yankees in '64 and helped them win the pennant, has a fastball that starts high and sinks at the plate. When batters can get a piece of it, they ground to the infield. If the infield holds up, Stottlemyre and the Yanks are great. When the defense weakens, Mel loses close games in the infield - or because he has too few runs to work with.
The Bombers lost 29 games last year in which the opposition scored three or fewer runs, and 45 by one or two runs. But this is another year and Houk figures that with a little improvement in the offense there will be a big change in Mel's record. Last year it was 15-15. His ERA of only 2.96 shows he pitched much better than his W-L figure indicates. At 26, with four years of major league experience, he should have great years ahead.
Mel helps himself on the field and at bat. He had five hits in five times at bat in one game against Washington in '64. He hit an inside-the-park grand slam home run against Boston in '65.
Stottlemyre, an all-around athlete (he lettered in baseball, football and basketball in high school), makes his winter home in Grandview, Washington with his wife Sally Jean and their two little boys Mel, Jr. (4) and Todd (2). He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"With the retirement of Whitey Ford last spring, Stottlemyre has taken over the role of 'chief of staff' on the Yankees. For the past three years he has led the club in wins and innings pitched and is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball.
Mel jumped off to a great start in 1967 as he hurled two shutouts in his first two starts. He first came to the Yankees in August 1964 when he was called up from Richmond where he had a banner year ... he was 13-3, led the International League in ERA with a 1.42 mark and was named MVP; he also led pitchers in fielding with a percentage of 1.000. An all-around athlete, Mel lettered in baseball, football and basketball in high school.
He makes his winter home in Grandview, Washington with his wife Sally Jean and two boys. He spends the winter fishing and hunting.
With all the pitching feats he has realized, Mel lists his outstanding baseball experience as his five hits in five at-bats in Washington on September 26, 1964. Another hitting feat of Mel's was his inside-the-park grand slam home run against Boston on July 20, 1965- it was hit off Bill Monboquette. With three and a half years of major league experience and 56 wins under his belt at the young age of 26, Mel should have even greater years ahead."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
"Mel Stottlemyre, who broke into the major leagues in late 1964, has proved through three years of adversity that he is truly an outstanding pitcher.
Turn back the clock to September 1964. The Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles were fighting for the American League pennant. Stottlemyre had a 13-3 record for the Yankees' Richmond club of the International League and was called up to aid the parent club's late drive for the flag. He won nine games and lost three during the stretch, then beat the St. Louis Cardinals in one game of the World Series.
Mel had every right to think of one those golden Yankee futures. You know, 20 victories almost every season ... a World Series check four out of five years ... TV appearances and testimonials ... fast-rising paychecks ... a new mink for the wife every couple of years ... living it up while the rest of the American Leaguers sweat out the tyranny of New York domination.
Well, as everybody knows, it didn't work out that way for Stottlemyre. The Yankees plunged to sixth place in 1965, dropped into the cellar in '66 and were ninth in '67.
Through those times of trouble, however, the quiet sinkerball specialist from Mabton, Washington has been a model, highly competitive pitcher. He survived the disaster of 1965 to post a 20-9 record with a 2.63 earned run average, had a 12-20 mark and 3.80 ERA for the 1966 cellar-dwellers, and checked in with a 15-15 record and a 2.96 earned run average in 1967. That's a 47-44 log over a three-year period during which the Yankees have been staggering around the league like drunken sailors.
'Mel's key pitch is the sinkerball,' explains Elston Howard, who caught Stottlemyre for the better part of three seasons before New York traded him to the Boston Red Sox. 'It's the key pitch because it's hard to hit into the air. Mel gets that double play grounder for you a lot. He's a seasoned pitcher and a real good competitor.'
The Yankees could easily trade Stottlemyre to one of the current pennant contenders and quite likely trade them into a pennant. But they are more likely to keep Mel for themselves against that day when the club will rise like a ghost from the tomb to rule the American League once again."
-Fred Down, Sports All Stars 1968 Baseball
"He's a guy who should have born to a previous Yankee era, Mel Stottlemyre is. Mel is cast in the image of the great Yankee hurlers of the past.
The only difficulty is that the present-day Yankees don't score enough runs for him. Mel's fate last season was a 15-15 record that easily could have been better if he'd had better support. His ERA was 2.96, he worked 255 innings, fanned 151 hitters and walked 88.
Mel generally walks a lot of men because he's primarily a low-ball pitcher, and umpires in the AL don't give you the low strike. His pet pitch is a table-dropping curve, to go with a fair fastball and a changeup that still needs improvement.
He was a 20-game winner in 1965 and a 20-game loser in '66."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"With the retirement of Whitey Ford last spring, Mel Stottlemyre has taken over the role of 'chief of staff' of Yankee pitching. For the past three seasons he has led the club in wins and innings pitched.
The big right-hander, who joined the Yankees in '64 and helped them win the pennant, has a fastball that starts high and sinks at the plate. When batters can get a piece of it, they ground to the infield. If the infield holds up, Stottlemyre and the Yanks are great. When the defense weakens, Mel loses close games in the infield - or because he has too few runs to work with.
The Bombers lost 29 games last year in which the opposition scored three or fewer runs, and 45 by one or two runs. But this is another year and Houk figures that with a little improvement in the offense there will be a big change in Mel's record. Last year it was 15-15. His ERA of only 2.96 shows he pitched much better than his W-L figure indicates. At 26, with four years of major league experience, he should have great years ahead.
Mel helps himself on the field and at bat. He had five hits in five times at bat in one game against Washington in '64. He hit an inside-the-park grand slam home run against Boston in '65.
Stottlemyre, an all-around athlete (he lettered in baseball, football and basketball in high school), makes his winter home in Grandview, Washington with his wife Sally Jean and their two little boys Mel, Jr. (4) and Todd (2). He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"With the retirement of Whitey Ford last spring, Stottlemyre has taken over the role of 'chief of staff' on the Yankees. For the past three years he has led the club in wins and innings pitched and is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball.
Mel jumped off to a great start in 1967 as he hurled two shutouts in his first two starts. He first came to the Yankees in August 1964 when he was called up from Richmond where he had a banner year ... he was 13-3, led the International League in ERA with a 1.42 mark and was named MVP; he also led pitchers in fielding with a percentage of 1.000. An all-around athlete, Mel lettered in baseball, football and basketball in high school.
He makes his winter home in Grandview, Washington with his wife Sally Jean and two boys. He spends the winter fishing and hunting.
With all the pitching feats he has realized, Mel lists his outstanding baseball experience as his five hits in five at-bats in Washington on September 26, 1964. Another hitting feat of Mel's was his inside-the-park grand slam home run against Boston on July 20, 1965- it was hit off Bill Monboquette. With three and a half years of major league experience and 56 wins under his belt at the young age of 26, Mel should have even greater years ahead."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
"Mel Stottlemyre, who broke into the major leagues in late 1964, has proved through three years of adversity that he is truly an outstanding pitcher.
Turn back the clock to September 1964. The Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles were fighting for the American League pennant. Stottlemyre had a 13-3 record for the Yankees' Richmond club of the International League and was called up to aid the parent club's late drive for the flag. He won nine games and lost three during the stretch, then beat the St. Louis Cardinals in one game of the World Series.
Mel had every right to think of one those golden Yankee futures. You know, 20 victories almost every season ... a World Series check four out of five years ... TV appearances and testimonials ... fast-rising paychecks ... a new mink for the wife every couple of years ... living it up while the rest of the American Leaguers sweat out the tyranny of New York domination.
Well, as everybody knows, it didn't work out that way for Stottlemyre. The Yankees plunged to sixth place in 1965, dropped into the cellar in '66 and were ninth in '67.
Through those times of trouble, however, the quiet sinkerball specialist from Mabton, Washington has been a model, highly competitive pitcher. He survived the disaster of 1965 to post a 20-9 record with a 2.63 earned run average, had a 12-20 mark and 3.80 ERA for the 1966 cellar-dwellers, and checked in with a 15-15 record and a 2.96 earned run average in 1967. That's a 47-44 log over a three-year period during which the Yankees have been staggering around the league like drunken sailors.
'Mel's key pitch is the sinkerball,' explains Elston Howard, who caught Stottlemyre for the better part of three seasons before New York traded him to the Boston Red Sox. 'It's the key pitch because it's hard to hit into the air. Mel gets that double play grounder for you a lot. He's a seasoned pitcher and a real good competitor.'
The Yankees could easily trade Stottlemyre to one of the current pennant contenders and quite likely trade them into a pennant. But they are more likely to keep Mel for themselves against that day when the club will rise like a ghost from the tomb to rule the American League once again."
-Fred Down, Sports All Stars 1968 Baseball
1968 Profile: Mickey Mantle
1968 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"When it was announced last year that Mickey Mantle would be moved to first base, you could hear the feedback from the skeptics. His fragile knees won't hold up under the strain, they said, and he'll only be more vulnerable to injury now. But, with his characteristic mettle, the Mick made the transition from the outfield successfully.
With certain reservations, of course. He didn't exactly flash to his right to cut off scorching grounders, but he didn't stand around on a dime, either. Nor did he take part when the rest of the infield whipped the ball around after an out, but that's a play for the fans anyway.
Let's just say the Yankees and the fans around the league thought it was worth it just to see Mickey hit some of his patented homers. He hit 22 of them, to bring his career total to 518, placing him fifth on the all-time list of home run hitters. This year, he's bound to pass Ted Williams' total of 521. Fragile knees and all, Mickey played in 144 games last year. He batted .245 and drove in 55 runs."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"'I want to hit 600 home runs. I hope to play two or three more years, and, if I do, I think I can reach 600.'
The Magnificent Mickey said that at the close of the '67 season, his 17th as a Yankee. He had passed the 500 home run mark, erased Lou Gehrig's old record to become the man who has played in more games than any Yankee - and made a remarkably smooth switch to first base from center field.
When Mickey was moved to first to extend his career, it was soon evident to Yankee fans that the move could do that and make possible new Mantle records. Not having to run so much, Mickey had less trouble with pulled leg muscles. He finished with a club-leading 144 games, hit 22 homers, had 55 RBIs, scored 63 runs and drew 107 walks.
The 600-homer mark may take Mantle a while. (And if it marks his retirement, the fans are in no hurry.) But this season Mickey should pass Ted Williams (521) and Jimmie Foxx (534) to make third on the all-time homer list behind Babe Ruth (714) and Willie Mays (564).
Mickey's batting feats are legendary; probably his greatest is hitting 18 home runs in World Series play.(Babe Ruth had 15.) He is one of 10 players to hit a World Series grand-slam, and one of four to twice hit two home runs in one Series game.
Mickey has homered twice in one game 44 times, and on May 13, 1955, he hit three - all into the Yankee Stadium center field bleachers. He twice came close to being the first to hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium. Both times the ball hit the overhanging facade of the upper deck in right field - a point about 107 feet above the ground. His longest measured homer at Yankee Stadium - 502 feet over the 22-foot screen into the center field bleachers - was hit off Chicago's Ray Herbert on August 12, 1964.
Three times the American League's Most Valuable Player, winner of the Triple Crown in 1956 for leading the league in hitting with .353, 52 homers and 130 RBIs - this is the Mighty Mantle of records and awards. But the Magnificent Mickey the fans and players admire is the wonderful, modest guy who has achieved greatness despite an incredible Series of injuries.
'It might sound wild to be talking about two or three more years, but that's the way I feel. You have no idea how much moving to first base has helped me. If I thought I couldn't do the job, I wouldn't hang around trying to play. When I say I'm figuring on two or three more years, you know that I figure I still can do the job. I'll know when it is time to quit.'
Cooperstown will have to wait. Mantle has homers to hit."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"With his switch to first base last year allowing him to play in 144 games, most on the club and the most for him since 1961, Mickey now reigns alone as the man with the most games played as a Yankee- 2,257 through 1967. He reached the 500 homer plateau last year, the sixth player in history to accomplish this feat. Mickey wound up with 518 at the end of the season, to place him in the fifth spot on the all-time home run list.
Mickey was MVP in the American League in 1956, 1957 and 1962. He won the Triple Crown in 1956 and was winner of the Hickok Belt as Top Professional Athlete- 1956.
He hit three home runs in one game on May 13, 1955 and has hit two homers in one game 44 times. He had four homers in four consecutive at-bats from July 4-6, 1962. He has hit home runs righty and lefty in the same game 10 times, a major league record.
Mickey has hit 18 World Series home runs, a record (Babe Ruth had 15). He is one of ten to hit a grand slam in the World Series, accomplishing this on October 4, 1953.
Although he dropped to .245 last year, the lowest average of his career, Mickey still has a lifetime mark of .302 and in 1967 led the Yankees in games, homers (22) and walks (107) and knocked in the most winning runs (15). He has been quoted as saying he would like to play a few more years and hit 600 homers.
Mickey has become one of the most popular players baseball has ever produced, receiving ovations both at Yankee Stadium and on the road."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
SIGNIFICANT GOALS WITHIN REACH
"Home Runs: Presently 5th on the All-Time home runs list with 518 ... he needs just three to tie and four to surpass Ted Williams (521) and gain the 4th spot. Needs 16 to tie and 17 to surpass Jimmie Foxx, who is in third place.
Years Played: 1968 will be Mantle's 18th year as a Yankee and ties him with Yogi Berra for most years as a Yankee player.
Games Played: Each game Mickey plays sets a new record for the most played as a Yankee - the old mark was 2,164, held by Lou Gehrig. Mickey goes into the season with 2,577.
At Bats: He needs 335 official times at bat to become the top Yankee in that department. Gehrig currently leads the list with 8,001 at-bats - Mantle starts the '68 season with 7,667.
Runs Batted In: Mantle has 1,455 RBIs, which is currently 4th highest in Yankee history. Gehrig had 1,991, Ruth 1,975 and DiMaggio 1,537. Mickey could pass DiMaggio and go into third place this year with a season total of 83 RBIs.
In the following categories, only the famous pair of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig exceed Mantle as the All-Time Yankee leader:
Runs Scored: Ruth (1,959), Gehrig (1,888) and Mantle (1,620).
Hits: Gehrig (2,721), Ruth (2,518) and Mantle (2,312).
Total Bases: Ruth (5,131), Gehrig (5,059) and Mantle (4,338).
Extra Base Hits: Gehrig (1,190), Ruth (1,189) and Mantle (919).
NOTE: All of Ruth's figures above are as a Yankee only.
Triples: Mickey ranks tenth in Yankee history with 71. One more triple will tie him with Bill Dickey for ninth place and two more will draw him even with Tommy Henrich.
Doubles: Mantle currently stands sixth in club history with 330, but nine more two-baggers will lift him past Bob Meusel for fifth place and 14 will gain him the fourth spot ahead of Bill Dickey's 343.
Slugging Percentage: Mickey has a lifetime .566 mark, behind only Babe Ruth's .771, Lou Gehrig's .632 and Joe DiMaggio's .579.
NOTE: All of the above figures are as of the start of the 1968 season."
-The 1968 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
"When it was announced last year that Mickey Mantle would be moved to first base, you could hear the feedback from the skeptics. His fragile knees won't hold up under the strain, they said, and he'll only be more vulnerable to injury now. But, with his characteristic mettle, the Mick made the transition from the outfield successfully.
With certain reservations, of course. He didn't exactly flash to his right to cut off scorching grounders, but he didn't stand around on a dime, either. Nor did he take part when the rest of the infield whipped the ball around after an out, but that's a play for the fans anyway.
Let's just say the Yankees and the fans around the league thought it was worth it just to see Mickey hit some of his patented homers. He hit 22 of them, to bring his career total to 518, placing him fifth on the all-time list of home run hitters. This year, he's bound to pass Ted Williams' total of 521. Fragile knees and all, Mickey played in 144 games last year. He batted .245 and drove in 55 runs."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"'I want to hit 600 home runs. I hope to play two or three more years, and, if I do, I think I can reach 600.'
The Magnificent Mickey said that at the close of the '67 season, his 17th as a Yankee. He had passed the 500 home run mark, erased Lou Gehrig's old record to become the man who has played in more games than any Yankee - and made a remarkably smooth switch to first base from center field.
When Mickey was moved to first to extend his career, it was soon evident to Yankee fans that the move could do that and make possible new Mantle records. Not having to run so much, Mickey had less trouble with pulled leg muscles. He finished with a club-leading 144 games, hit 22 homers, had 55 RBIs, scored 63 runs and drew 107 walks.
The 600-homer mark may take Mantle a while. (And if it marks his retirement, the fans are in no hurry.) But this season Mickey should pass Ted Williams (521) and Jimmie Foxx (534) to make third on the all-time homer list behind Babe Ruth (714) and Willie Mays (564).
Mickey's batting feats are legendary; probably his greatest is hitting 18 home runs in World Series play.(Babe Ruth had 15.) He is one of 10 players to hit a World Series grand-slam, and one of four to twice hit two home runs in one Series game.
Mickey has homered twice in one game 44 times, and on May 13, 1955, he hit three - all into the Yankee Stadium center field bleachers. He twice came close to being the first to hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium. Both times the ball hit the overhanging facade of the upper deck in right field - a point about 107 feet above the ground. His longest measured homer at Yankee Stadium - 502 feet over the 22-foot screen into the center field bleachers - was hit off Chicago's Ray Herbert on August 12, 1964.
Three times the American League's Most Valuable Player, winner of the Triple Crown in 1956 for leading the league in hitting with .353, 52 homers and 130 RBIs - this is the Mighty Mantle of records and awards. But the Magnificent Mickey the fans and players admire is the wonderful, modest guy who has achieved greatness despite an incredible Series of injuries.
'It might sound wild to be talking about two or three more years, but that's the way I feel. You have no idea how much moving to first base has helped me. If I thought I couldn't do the job, I wouldn't hang around trying to play. When I say I'm figuring on two or three more years, you know that I figure I still can do the job. I'll know when it is time to quit.'
Cooperstown will have to wait. Mantle has homers to hit."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"With his switch to first base last year allowing him to play in 144 games, most on the club and the most for him since 1961, Mickey now reigns alone as the man with the most games played as a Yankee- 2,257 through 1967. He reached the 500 homer plateau last year, the sixth player in history to accomplish this feat. Mickey wound up with 518 at the end of the season, to place him in the fifth spot on the all-time home run list.
Mickey was MVP in the American League in 1956, 1957 and 1962. He won the Triple Crown in 1956 and was winner of the Hickok Belt as Top Professional Athlete- 1956.
He hit three home runs in one game on May 13, 1955 and has hit two homers in one game 44 times. He had four homers in four consecutive at-bats from July 4-6, 1962. He has hit home runs righty and lefty in the same game 10 times, a major league record.
Mickey has hit 18 World Series home runs, a record (Babe Ruth had 15). He is one of ten to hit a grand slam in the World Series, accomplishing this on October 4, 1953.
Although he dropped to .245 last year, the lowest average of his career, Mickey still has a lifetime mark of .302 and in 1967 led the Yankees in games, homers (22) and walks (107) and knocked in the most winning runs (15). He has been quoted as saying he would like to play a few more years and hit 600 homers.
Mickey has become one of the most popular players baseball has ever produced, receiving ovations both at Yankee Stadium and on the road."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
SIGNIFICANT GOALS WITHIN REACH
"Home Runs: Presently 5th on the All-Time home runs list with 518 ... he needs just three to tie and four to surpass Ted Williams (521) and gain the 4th spot. Needs 16 to tie and 17 to surpass Jimmie Foxx, who is in third place.
Years Played: 1968 will be Mantle's 18th year as a Yankee and ties him with Yogi Berra for most years as a Yankee player.
Games Played: Each game Mickey plays sets a new record for the most played as a Yankee - the old mark was 2,164, held by Lou Gehrig. Mickey goes into the season with 2,577.
At Bats: He needs 335 official times at bat to become the top Yankee in that department. Gehrig currently leads the list with 8,001 at-bats - Mantle starts the '68 season with 7,667.
Runs Batted In: Mantle has 1,455 RBIs, which is currently 4th highest in Yankee history. Gehrig had 1,991, Ruth 1,975 and DiMaggio 1,537. Mickey could pass DiMaggio and go into third place this year with a season total of 83 RBIs.
In the following categories, only the famous pair of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig exceed Mantle as the All-Time Yankee leader:
Runs Scored: Ruth (1,959), Gehrig (1,888) and Mantle (1,620).
Hits: Gehrig (2,721), Ruth (2,518) and Mantle (2,312).
Total Bases: Ruth (5,131), Gehrig (5,059) and Mantle (4,338).
Extra Base Hits: Gehrig (1,190), Ruth (1,189) and Mantle (919).
NOTE: All of Ruth's figures above are as a Yankee only.
Triples: Mickey ranks tenth in Yankee history with 71. One more triple will tie him with Bill Dickey for ninth place and two more will draw him even with Tommy Henrich.
Doubles: Mantle currently stands sixth in club history with 330, but nine more two-baggers will lift him past Bob Meusel for fifth place and 14 will gain him the fourth spot ahead of Bill Dickey's 343.
Slugging Percentage: Mickey has a lifetime .566 mark, behind only Babe Ruth's .771, Lou Gehrig's .632 and Joe DiMaggio's .579.
NOTE: All of the above figures are as of the start of the 1968 season."
-The 1968 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
Monday, April 28, 2014
1968 New York Yankees Manager and Coaches Profiles
RALPH HOUK (Manager)
"It has been said of Ralph Houk's ability as a leader that his players would probably run through a brick wall if he asked them to. That's ridiculous. They would probably run through two brick walls for him. Such is the man's bigger-than-life image that exaggeration is the only way of putting him in perspective. Whether he is or not, Houk gives the impression that he is tougher and stronger than any of his players, and in athletes, as in other men, this generates a certain loyalty; you know you will obey and follow such a man. Suffice it to say, then, that Houk is a leader.
Never did a ball club need one more than the Yankees did last year. They no more resembled the all-conquering world champions in pinstripes of former years than did a rag-tag team of little leaguers. But the only thing tattered about the 1967 Yankees was their record. Their morale and demeanor showed they still carried their pride. Part of it had to come from that old-time Yankee image, but some of it certainly was the Ralph Houk image.
Ralph Houk helped to carve that image while managing the Yankees to three consecutive pennants between 1961 and '63. He then moved upstairs to the general manager's desk, not a bad promotion for a one-time bullpen catcher. But when storm signals began flickering over The House That Ruth Built, he returned to the dugout during the 1966 season. He didn't find many remnants of the old club around, but he didn't wail about it. He just set his jaw a little firmer. That's part of his image, too."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"The Major earned his nickname the hard way. With the Rangers in World War II, Major Ralph Houk was in the thick of it. During the Battle of the Bulge, he won the Silver Star 'for gallantry and intrepidity in action'. He was a natural leader. When he came back to battle for his job as a catcher, things didn't come easy. He stayed with the club by fighting every inch of the way to win his job against tough competition. He made it with the Yankees as a catcher behind Yogi Berra.
An intelligent student of the game, Ralph's hunger for knowledge was to prove a valuable asset in his later career as Yankee manager. Ralph knows what it's like to fight his way up; he knows the pent-up frustration of a player in a slump; he knows rookie jitters - and the doubts that nag an aging veteran. Because Ralph Houk knows what's going on inside his players, no manager has more respect and loyalty from his men. And there's total confidence.
Pitcher Bill Monbouquette says it his way: 'Since joining the club, I have a new reason for being happy. That would be Ralph Houk, to whom I owe a great deal. I have never played for a manager like him. He lets you know exactly what he wants from you, is 100 percent for his players and never leaves you in doubt. Ralph has restored all my old confidence.'
Lee MacPhail, then as Yankee farm director, recognized Houk's leadership qualities and sent him to the tough Triple-A Denver farm club in 1955 as player-manager. Ralph lived and died with his young players. He caught with them and fought with them through three successful seasons.
Mike Burke says, 'There's no one like him. He's one of a kind and he's the best.'
Ralph succeeded Casey Stengel in 1961 and won three straight pennants and two World Series. Moved up to General Manager, he helped Yogi Berra win the pennant in '64, bringing up Stottlemyre when he was ready, and acquiring Pete Ramos at his peak.
But after two and a half years as General Manager, it was a happy Ralph Houk who got back into uniform in 1966 and took command on the field. After 30 years in baseball, all of them with the Yankee organization, the Major is back in his element - in the thick of it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Ralph has run the full cycle in baseball. He signed with the Yanks as a catcher in 1939 and has been with them ever since. He was a player until 1954, also serving as bullpen coach in 1953 and '54, then was a minor league manager, first base coach of the Yankees, manager of the Yankees, General Manager of the Yankees and again manager.
He won three pennants and two World Championships in his first three years as pilot of the club.
Houk was a war hero during World War II, advancing to the rank of Major, which has since become his nickname."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
COACHES
"Yankee heroes from two different generations now grace the coaching staff. The dean of all coaches everywhere, of course, is Frank Crosetti, who played shortstop for Yankee champions before turning to coaching back in 1947. The new-era great is Whitey Ford, who joins the staff this season after retiring in 1967 with 236 lifetime wins as a Yankee pitcher. The other two coaches, who distinguished themselves elsewhere, are Jim Turner, an ace reliever in his day, and Jim Hegan, a top receiver in his."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"The Yankee coaching staff of 1968 is Manager Ralph Houk, pitching coach Jim Turner, first base signalman Whitey Ford, third base coach Frank Crosetti and bullpen and catching coach Jim Hegan. Houk is in his 30th consecutive year in the Yankee organization (with four years out for distinguished military service). 'Cro' has been a Yankee player and coach continuously since 1932. Ford is the newcomer to the staff this year after closing out a brilliant 16-year active career in which the personable southpaw won 236 games, more than any Yankee in history, and set a host of other pitching records."
-The 1968 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
FRANKIE CROSETTI (Coach)
"Frank Crosetti, dean of Yankee coaches, is also dean of all major league coaches by reason of his 37 consecutive years as player and coach. He holds the record for appearing in the most World Series games, 122, as player and coach. He has appeared on 23 of the 29 Yankee pennant-winning clubs. A great fielding shortstop from 1932 through 1948, Cro has been the third base coach since 1949."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Now in his 37th year as a player and coach, Crosetti holds the Yankee record in terms of service with the club. He also holds the record for appearing (as player and coach) in the most World Series games- 122- and has appeared on 23 of the 29 Yankee pennant winning clubs.
Crosetti was [one of the] great fielding shortstop of his era. He played with the club from 1932 to 1948 and has been third base coach ever since."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
JIM HEGAN (Coach)
"Catching and bullpen coach Jim Hegan was a classic type receiver who played 18 years in the major leagues, most of them with the Cleveland Indians. He was named to the All-Star team in 1950 and 1951. His son, Mike, is on the Yankee roster. Jim has been bullpen coach since 1960."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Hegan was a classic receiver who played 18 years in the major leagues. He was selected to the American League All-Star team in 1950 and 1951.
His son, Mike, is on the Yankee roster. Nicknamed 'Burt' due to his resemblance to movie actor Burt Lancaster, Jim has been bullpen coach with the Yankees since 1960."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
JIM TURNER (Coach)
"Jim Turner first became pitching coach with the Yankees under Casey Stengel in 1949. Under Jim's tutelage were such Yankee greats as Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, Whitey Ford and Eddie Lopat - in an era of five consecutive World Championships (1949-1953). Turner went to Cincinnati in 1960 and returned to the Yankees in 1966. As a player, Jim spent 14 years in the minors and didn't make the majors until he was 33. He then had nine years in the big leagues, completing his active career with the Yanks."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Turner first became pitching coach for the Yankees under Casey Stengel in 1949. He stayed until 1959, [his time with the club including] the Yankee era of five consecutive World Championships (1949-53). Under Jim's tutelage were such Yankee pitching greats as Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, Whitey Ford and Eddie Lopat. He went to Cincinnati in 1961 and returned to the Yankees in 1966.
As a player, Jim spent 14 years in the minor leagues and didn't reach the majors until he was 33. He lasted nine years and concluded his active career with the Yankees.
Jim is nicknamed 'Milkman' due to his off-season occupation in his early years."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
WHITEY FORD (Coach)
"The greatest pitcher in Yankee history, Whitey Ford becomes first base coach after his retirement last year. Whitey's record of 236 wins - more than any other Yankee hurler - and a winning percentage of .690 put him above all pitchers with 200 or more major league victories.
In the 1960, '61 and '62 World Series, he pitched a record total of 32.2 consecutive scoreless innings. In 1961 he won the Cy Young Award as the major league pitcher of the year. Whitey appeared in 22 World Series games and pitched 146 innings for a Series ERA of 2.71. His lifetime ERA is 2.76."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Whitey returns to Yankee Stadium as first base coach after retiring on May 30, 1967. The winningest pitcher in Yankee history with 236 wins, the other Yankee records he holds include most shutouts (45), strikeouts (1,956), highest winning percentage, season- .862 with a 25-4 mark in 1961, most consecutive wins- 14 in 1961, also held by Jack Chesbro in 1904; most shutouts, season- eight, also held by Russell Ford in 1910; most strikeouts, game- 15 on April 22, 1959, also held by Bob Shawkey on September 27, 1919.
Other awards and records include: the Cy Young Award in 1961; career winning percentage of .690 (236-106), highest ever achieved by a pitcher with 200 or more victories since 1900; most World Series wins (10), starts (22), strikeouts (94) and 33.2 consecutive scoreless innings of pitching in World Series play in 1960, 1961 and 1962.
Whitey served as a special minor league pitching coach and special scout during the last half of the 1967 season."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
"It has been said of Ralph Houk's ability as a leader that his players would probably run through a brick wall if he asked them to. That's ridiculous. They would probably run through two brick walls for him. Such is the man's bigger-than-life image that exaggeration is the only way of putting him in perspective. Whether he is or not, Houk gives the impression that he is tougher and stronger than any of his players, and in athletes, as in other men, this generates a certain loyalty; you know you will obey and follow such a man. Suffice it to say, then, that Houk is a leader.
Never did a ball club need one more than the Yankees did last year. They no more resembled the all-conquering world champions in pinstripes of former years than did a rag-tag team of little leaguers. But the only thing tattered about the 1967 Yankees was their record. Their morale and demeanor showed they still carried their pride. Part of it had to come from that old-time Yankee image, but some of it certainly was the Ralph Houk image.
Ralph Houk helped to carve that image while managing the Yankees to three consecutive pennants between 1961 and '63. He then moved upstairs to the general manager's desk, not a bad promotion for a one-time bullpen catcher. But when storm signals began flickering over The House That Ruth Built, he returned to the dugout during the 1966 season. He didn't find many remnants of the old club around, but he didn't wail about it. He just set his jaw a little firmer. That's part of his image, too."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"The Major earned his nickname the hard way. With the Rangers in World War II, Major Ralph Houk was in the thick of it. During the Battle of the Bulge, he won the Silver Star 'for gallantry and intrepidity in action'. He was a natural leader. When he came back to battle for his job as a catcher, things didn't come easy. He stayed with the club by fighting every inch of the way to win his job against tough competition. He made it with the Yankees as a catcher behind Yogi Berra.
An intelligent student of the game, Ralph's hunger for knowledge was to prove a valuable asset in his later career as Yankee manager. Ralph knows what it's like to fight his way up; he knows the pent-up frustration of a player in a slump; he knows rookie jitters - and the doubts that nag an aging veteran. Because Ralph Houk knows what's going on inside his players, no manager has more respect and loyalty from his men. And there's total confidence.
Pitcher Bill Monbouquette says it his way: 'Since joining the club, I have a new reason for being happy. That would be Ralph Houk, to whom I owe a great deal. I have never played for a manager like him. He lets you know exactly what he wants from you, is 100 percent for his players and never leaves you in doubt. Ralph has restored all my old confidence.'
Lee MacPhail, then as Yankee farm director, recognized Houk's leadership qualities and sent him to the tough Triple-A Denver farm club in 1955 as player-manager. Ralph lived and died with his young players. He caught with them and fought with them through three successful seasons.
Mike Burke says, 'There's no one like him. He's one of a kind and he's the best.'
Ralph succeeded Casey Stengel in 1961 and won three straight pennants and two World Series. Moved up to General Manager, he helped Yogi Berra win the pennant in '64, bringing up Stottlemyre when he was ready, and acquiring Pete Ramos at his peak.
But after two and a half years as General Manager, it was a happy Ralph Houk who got back into uniform in 1966 and took command on the field. After 30 years in baseball, all of them with the Yankee organization, the Major is back in his element - in the thick of it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Ralph has run the full cycle in baseball. He signed with the Yanks as a catcher in 1939 and has been with them ever since. He was a player until 1954, also serving as bullpen coach in 1953 and '54, then was a minor league manager, first base coach of the Yankees, manager of the Yankees, General Manager of the Yankees and again manager.
He won three pennants and two World Championships in his first three years as pilot of the club.
Houk was a war hero during World War II, advancing to the rank of Major, which has since become his nickname."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
COACHES
"Yankee heroes from two different generations now grace the coaching staff. The dean of all coaches everywhere, of course, is Frank Crosetti, who played shortstop for Yankee champions before turning to coaching back in 1947. The new-era great is Whitey Ford, who joins the staff this season after retiring in 1967 with 236 lifetime wins as a Yankee pitcher. The other two coaches, who distinguished themselves elsewhere, are Jim Turner, an ace reliever in his day, and Jim Hegan, a top receiver in his."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"The Yankee coaching staff of 1968 is Manager Ralph Houk, pitching coach Jim Turner, first base signalman Whitey Ford, third base coach Frank Crosetti and bullpen and catching coach Jim Hegan. Houk is in his 30th consecutive year in the Yankee organization (with four years out for distinguished military service). 'Cro' has been a Yankee player and coach continuously since 1932. Ford is the newcomer to the staff this year after closing out a brilliant 16-year active career in which the personable southpaw won 236 games, more than any Yankee in history, and set a host of other pitching records."
-The 1968 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
FRANKIE CROSETTI (Coach)
"Frank Crosetti, dean of Yankee coaches, is also dean of all major league coaches by reason of his 37 consecutive years as player and coach. He holds the record for appearing in the most World Series games, 122, as player and coach. He has appeared on 23 of the 29 Yankee pennant-winning clubs. A great fielding shortstop from 1932 through 1948, Cro has been the third base coach since 1949."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Now in his 37th year as a player and coach, Crosetti holds the Yankee record in terms of service with the club. He also holds the record for appearing (as player and coach) in the most World Series games- 122- and has appeared on 23 of the 29 Yankee pennant winning clubs.
Crosetti was [one of the] great fielding shortstop of his era. He played with the club from 1932 to 1948 and has been third base coach ever since."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
JIM HEGAN (Coach)
"Catching and bullpen coach Jim Hegan was a classic type receiver who played 18 years in the major leagues, most of them with the Cleveland Indians. He was named to the All-Star team in 1950 and 1951. His son, Mike, is on the Yankee roster. Jim has been bullpen coach since 1960."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Hegan was a classic receiver who played 18 years in the major leagues. He was selected to the American League All-Star team in 1950 and 1951.
His son, Mike, is on the Yankee roster. Nicknamed 'Burt' due to his resemblance to movie actor Burt Lancaster, Jim has been bullpen coach with the Yankees since 1960."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
JIM TURNER (Coach)
"Jim Turner first became pitching coach with the Yankees under Casey Stengel in 1949. Under Jim's tutelage were such Yankee greats as Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, Whitey Ford and Eddie Lopat - in an era of five consecutive World Championships (1949-1953). Turner went to Cincinnati in 1960 and returned to the Yankees in 1966. As a player, Jim spent 14 years in the minors and didn't make the majors until he was 33. He then had nine years in the big leagues, completing his active career with the Yanks."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Turner first became pitching coach for the Yankees under Casey Stengel in 1949. He stayed until 1959, [his time with the club including] the Yankee era of five consecutive World Championships (1949-53). Under Jim's tutelage were such Yankee pitching greats as Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, Whitey Ford and Eddie Lopat. He went to Cincinnati in 1961 and returned to the Yankees in 1966.
As a player, Jim spent 14 years in the minor leagues and didn't reach the majors until he was 33. He lasted nine years and concluded his active career with the Yankees.
Jim is nicknamed 'Milkman' due to his off-season occupation in his early years."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
WHITEY FORD (Coach)
"The greatest pitcher in Yankee history, Whitey Ford becomes first base coach after his retirement last year. Whitey's record of 236 wins - more than any other Yankee hurler - and a winning percentage of .690 put him above all pitchers with 200 or more major league victories.
In the 1960, '61 and '62 World Series, he pitched a record total of 32.2 consecutive scoreless innings. In 1961 he won the Cy Young Award as the major league pitcher of the year. Whitey appeared in 22 World Series games and pitched 146 innings for a Series ERA of 2.71. His lifetime ERA is 2.76."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"Whitey returns to Yankee Stadium as first base coach after retiring on May 30, 1967. The winningest pitcher in Yankee history with 236 wins, the other Yankee records he holds include most shutouts (45), strikeouts (1,956), highest winning percentage, season- .862 with a 25-4 mark in 1961, most consecutive wins- 14 in 1961, also held by Jack Chesbro in 1904; most shutouts, season- eight, also held by Russell Ford in 1910; most strikeouts, game- 15 on April 22, 1959, also held by Bob Shawkey on September 27, 1919.
Other awards and records include: the Cy Young Award in 1961; career winning percentage of .690 (236-106), highest ever achieved by a pitcher with 200 or more victories since 1900; most World Series wins (10), starts (22), strikeouts (94) and 33.2 consecutive scoreless innings of pitching in World Series play in 1960, 1961 and 1962.
Whitey served as a special minor league pitching coach and special scout during the last half of the 1967 season."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
Sunday, April 27, 2014
1968 New York Yankees Management Profiles
MICHAEL BURKE (Chairman of the Board and President)
"A ball club belongs to its fans. That's part of our philosophy. Accordingly, our concept for the 1968 Yearbook was to give you a closer, more personalized view of the Yankees. We hope you find it attractive. Enjoy the game. And a thousand thanks for your marvelous support."
-Michael Burke, The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"'The future is what the Yankees are all about,' so said Michael Burke responding to reporters about the progress of his New Era.
'The course we charted was to rebuild our ball club with young players. The accent is on youth. On reflection, we're certain that this decision was the right one. We did not make some trades last winter we might have made simply because we refused to mortgage our future.'
This single-minded dedication to the future does not discount the illustrious Yankee history. On the contrary, Burke is fiercely proud of the Yankee tradition and speaks of Yankee pride as, 'an almost tangible thing. Theirs was a legacy of greatness ... the legacy of champions. It is for us to live up to them.'
Doubt has been voiced in some quarters that the Yankee dynasty can be rebuilt. It is a formidable challenge. But the president of the Yankees was never put off by a challenge or took the easy option. One would do well to note the simple comment he made recently when describing the plans and objectives he and Lee MacPhail and Ralph Houk have set for themselves: 'We came to win. It never occurs to us that we will not succeed.'
To know what the competitive world of sports is all about, it helps to have been an athlete.
'I've been in and out of a thousand locker rooms playing one stick or ball game or another.'
Young Burke won a prep school scholarship for scholastic and athletic ability. He starred in baseball, basketball and football. At the University of Pennsylvania, he was a halfback in an era when Penn was one of the top teams in the nation. Mike was commissioned in the United States Navy at the outbreak of World War II and assigned to General Wild Bill Donovan's OSS, America's war-time espionage service. Operating behind enemy lines in Italy and France, he was awarded the Navy Cross 'for extraordinary heroism' and the Silver Star 'for gallantry in action'.
In 1953, he became General Manager of Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus and, when the big top was struck for the last time in 1956, Mike joined CBS. He was elected Chairman of the Board and President of the Yankees in September 1966.
There is nothing remote about the Yankee boss. He believes in being close to the players and to the fans. Some of his most enthusiastic work is done in his field box at the Stadium, rooting for the team - and the players like it; so do the young fans with whom he has established a special empathy. He believes the Yankees are more than a ball club; they are an important, highly visible member of the community and can help build a better New York. That is why he had Whitaker, Robinson, Womack and Downing 'in the field' all last winter visiting schools in poverty areas, urging youngsters to stay with it and get an education.
Mike Burke lives his job and gives dynamic leadership to the new Yankees. Asked the most important function of a president, he answered, 'to establish a clear sense of direction; then to set the tone, the style, the pace.'
He sets a fast pace."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
LEE MACPHAIL (Executive Vice-President and General Manager)
"Twenty-seven years in baseball provides an astute executive like Lee MacPhail with the experience and know-how needed to develop a winning ball club. He did brilliantly in Baltimore, building the Orioles into the team that won the Championship in 1966.
The Yankee Executive Vice-President and General Manager started his baseball career with the Reading, Pennsylvania club as Business Manager in 1941. In 1942 he was General Manager of Toronto in the International League. Before going off to war, he worked in the Brooklyn Dodgers' front office. In World War II, Lee was an officer in the Naval Reserve - serving aboard a destroyer. In 1946, he became Business Manager, and later General Manager, of the Kansas City Blues, a Yankee farm club, and later Midwest Farm Director. He moved to Yankee Stadium in 1949 as Farm Director; in 1956 he took on the added responsibilities of Director of Player Personnel.
The Baltimore Orioles named him President and General Manager in 1958, and under his guidance was developed the club that won the pennant and World Championship in 1966.
The challenge of rebuilding the Yankees - the club he had served for 13 years and of which his father, Larry MacPhail, had been chief executive - lured him in 1967 from the post of Administrator of Baseball in the Commissioner's Office. The triumvirate of Michael Burke, Lee MacPhail and Ralph Houk is dedicated to the job of restoring the Yankees to their former glory. Each brings his own set of experiences to the task; all three blend their personal and professional attributes into a balanced, potent team. They are close personal friends with an unlimited respect for the others' abilities. Lee MacPhail's special expertise will develop young players and trade for others, delivering to Ralph Houk the field strength he needs to move the Yankees back to the top."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"A ball club belongs to its fans. That's part of our philosophy. Accordingly, our concept for the 1968 Yearbook was to give you a closer, more personalized view of the Yankees. We hope you find it attractive. Enjoy the game. And a thousand thanks for your marvelous support."
-Michael Burke, The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"'The future is what the Yankees are all about,' so said Michael Burke responding to reporters about the progress of his New Era.
'The course we charted was to rebuild our ball club with young players. The accent is on youth. On reflection, we're certain that this decision was the right one. We did not make some trades last winter we might have made simply because we refused to mortgage our future.'
This single-minded dedication to the future does not discount the illustrious Yankee history. On the contrary, Burke is fiercely proud of the Yankee tradition and speaks of Yankee pride as, 'an almost tangible thing. Theirs was a legacy of greatness ... the legacy of champions. It is for us to live up to them.'
Doubt has been voiced in some quarters that the Yankee dynasty can be rebuilt. It is a formidable challenge. But the president of the Yankees was never put off by a challenge or took the easy option. One would do well to note the simple comment he made recently when describing the plans and objectives he and Lee MacPhail and Ralph Houk have set for themselves: 'We came to win. It never occurs to us that we will not succeed.'
To know what the competitive world of sports is all about, it helps to have been an athlete.
'I've been in and out of a thousand locker rooms playing one stick or ball game or another.'
Young Burke won a prep school scholarship for scholastic and athletic ability. He starred in baseball, basketball and football. At the University of Pennsylvania, he was a halfback in an era when Penn was one of the top teams in the nation. Mike was commissioned in the United States Navy at the outbreak of World War II and assigned to General Wild Bill Donovan's OSS, America's war-time espionage service. Operating behind enemy lines in Italy and France, he was awarded the Navy Cross 'for extraordinary heroism' and the Silver Star 'for gallantry in action'.
In 1953, he became General Manager of Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus and, when the big top was struck for the last time in 1956, Mike joined CBS. He was elected Chairman of the Board and President of the Yankees in September 1966.
There is nothing remote about the Yankee boss. He believes in being close to the players and to the fans. Some of his most enthusiastic work is done in his field box at the Stadium, rooting for the team - and the players like it; so do the young fans with whom he has established a special empathy. He believes the Yankees are more than a ball club; they are an important, highly visible member of the community and can help build a better New York. That is why he had Whitaker, Robinson, Womack and Downing 'in the field' all last winter visiting schools in poverty areas, urging youngsters to stay with it and get an education.
Mike Burke lives his job and gives dynamic leadership to the new Yankees. Asked the most important function of a president, he answered, 'to establish a clear sense of direction; then to set the tone, the style, the pace.'
He sets a fast pace."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
LEE MACPHAIL (Executive Vice-President and General Manager)
"Twenty-seven years in baseball provides an astute executive like Lee MacPhail with the experience and know-how needed to develop a winning ball club. He did brilliantly in Baltimore, building the Orioles into the team that won the Championship in 1966.
The Yankee Executive Vice-President and General Manager started his baseball career with the Reading, Pennsylvania club as Business Manager in 1941. In 1942 he was General Manager of Toronto in the International League. Before going off to war, he worked in the Brooklyn Dodgers' front office. In World War II, Lee was an officer in the Naval Reserve - serving aboard a destroyer. In 1946, he became Business Manager, and later General Manager, of the Kansas City Blues, a Yankee farm club, and later Midwest Farm Director. He moved to Yankee Stadium in 1949 as Farm Director; in 1956 he took on the added responsibilities of Director of Player Personnel.
The Baltimore Orioles named him President and General Manager in 1958, and under his guidance was developed the club that won the pennant and World Championship in 1966.
The challenge of rebuilding the Yankees - the club he had served for 13 years and of which his father, Larry MacPhail, had been chief executive - lured him in 1967 from the post of Administrator of Baseball in the Commissioner's Office. The triumvirate of Michael Burke, Lee MacPhail and Ralph Houk is dedicated to the job of restoring the Yankees to their former glory. Each brings his own set of experiences to the task; all three blend their personal and professional attributes into a balanced, potent team. They are close personal friends with an unlimited respect for the others' abilities. Lee MacPhail's special expertise will develop young players and trade for others, delivering to Ralph Houk the field strength he needs to move the Yankees back to the top."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
Saturday, April 26, 2014
1968 New York Yankees Outlook
"The once proud pinstripes have become tattered lately, but the Yankees are on the humble road back to respectability. No longer able to deal from strength in the trading markets, they came back from the Mexico City meetings last winter with three ballplayers whose names are nearly as obscure as their records.
But in Bobby Cox, an infielder with a long minor league record in the Braves' system, Gene Michael, a weak-hitting shortstop who contemplated switching to the pitching mound, and Andy Kosco, an outfielder who has been up and down with the Twins, the Yankees are buying time in what they hope will be a rebirth in their youth movement. It isn't exactly a program with any budding Mickey Mantles or Whitey Fords coming up, but in Steve Whitaker, Bill Robinson and Roy White, they see some rays of hope for the future. Everyone knows it will take time.
Mantle is back to play first base, and what more can anyone say about his gallant efforts on those legendary legs of his? Mickey has long since reached the stage where he transcends rooting interests on the part of the fans. They give him standing ovations wherever he goes. His first base play is restricted, but he will continue to plant home runs up in the seats as he progresses toward the 600 club. Horace Clarke covers enough ground at second base for both himself and Mantle, and is a steadily improving player. The shortstop is Ruben Amaro, who sparked the infield last summer and just wishes he could hit a few points higher. Michael gives the Yankees shortstop insurance whenever they have to hit for Amaro. With Charley Smith inactivated for the first couple of months by a knee injury, Robinson will be given even more latitude to play his way into the third base job. An accomplished outfielder, Bill went down to Florida over the winter for a course in third base play and appeared to make the adjustment satisfactorily. The backup man figures to be Cox, who batted .297 and hit 14 homers at Richmond last year. Rookie Mike Ferraro and ex-Red farmhand Len Boehmer will probably go out for more seasoning, and Dick Howser and Mike Hegan will be retained for bench strength.
On paper, the first-string outfield figures to be Tom Tresh in left, Joe Pepitone in center and Whitaker in right. But Tresh has been ravaged by injuries the past couple of years, and unless he shows healthy signs of a comeback, his position could be up for grabs. The prime candidates would be White, Tom Shopay, a speedster who batted .277 and hit nine home runs at Syracuse last year, and Kosco, who really fell into disfavor in Minnesota; he actually owns good hitting credentials, batting .297 with 13 homers at Denver in '67. Pepitone's temperament may keep him from the greatness once predicted for him, and Whitaker's might just drive him to new heights. The kid is young and improving - and burns to win. Still with a chance is White, who went back to the minors for while last summer and hit .343 at Spokane.
The Yankees are at their classiest in the pitching department, although they are top heavy with left-handed starters. Al Downing, Fritz Peterson and Steve Barber are all southpaws, and Mel Stottlemyre completes the starting suit. If they all remain healthy and get any hitting support, they will win a lot of games. Fred Talbot and Bill Monbouquette, who pitched well after coming back from the minors last summer, will be the spot starters. Dooley Womack, Steve Hamilton and Joe Verbanic man a thin bullpen that will need shoring up. Manager Ralph Houk will carefully look over Stan Bahnsen, Cecil Perkins, John Cumberland and Bill Burbach for a possible sleeper.
The catching is secure enough with Jake Gibbs, whose defensive work showed some improvement last year. But it looks as if the Yankees may be forced to go with kids behind him. They are Frank Fernandez, a .235 hitter at Syracuse last year, and Eliseo Rodriguez, who hit .249 for the same club."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
IN BRIEF
Probable 1968 Finish: 7th
Strengths: some first-rate pitching with Stottlemyre and Downing and the magic of Mantle.
Biggest Needs: a hard-hitting outfielder, filling the hole at third base and added help in the bullpen.
1967 Finish: 9th
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
1968 Yankees Depth Chart
C Jake Gibbs, Frank Fernandez
1B Mickey Mantle
2B Horace Clarke
3B Bill Robinson, Bobby Cox
SS Ruben Amaro
LF Tom Tresh, Tom Shopay
CF Joe Pepitone
RF Steve Whitaker, Roy White
UTILITY:
Dick Howser
Andy Kosco
Mike Hegan
Gene Michael
PITCHERS:
Mel Stottlemyre Fred Talbot
Al Downing Steve Hamilton
Fritz Peterson Dooley Womack
Steve Barber Joe Verbanic
Bill Monbouquette
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"The shock of the last place finish of 1966 has given way to quiet confidence in the offices of the New York Yankees. There's a feeling that the corner has been turned and the club's on its way back. After all, didn't the Yankees make a better showing than the rival New York Mets in 1967?
The comeback is going to take time, of course. New York won't be in the American League pennant race this year and probably won't be in it next year, either. But the team has been reorganized, good young players have been signed and one of these seasons the Yankees will make a big jump such as the Boston Red Sox made in 1967. Maybe not all the way to the top, but at least back into pennant contention.
As part of this general outlook, the Yankees seem to be reclaiming New York from the Mets. The Bombers took their beating like men the last three years and went about trying to right themselves. The Mets, meanwhile, continued the policy of glorifying their own futility. If the Yanks can make a move toward pennant respectability within the next three years, they may very well steal the Mets' fans away and make Flushing Meadow a disaster area.
The Yankees biggest problem is offense. The team which over the years has been personified by such sluggers as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris scored fewer runs than any other outfit in the junior circuit last season and ranked eighth in batting with a .225 average. There could be some improvement this year, but the big bats just aren't there.
Joe Pepitone and Mickey Mantle were the club's primary run producers in 1967, Pepi driving in 64 runs and hitting 13 homers and Mantle driving in 55 runs and hitting 22 homers. Those are pathetic figures to lead any club and they aren't likely to improve this year. Joe simply appears to lack the stuff to be a star and Mickey may be playing his last season.
Manager Ralph Houk plans to use Pepitone in center field, flanked by Tom Tresh in left and Bill Robinson and Steve Whitaker in right. Tresh batted .219, Robinson .196 and Whitaker .243 (and the trio hit a total of 32 homers) in 1967. Robinson, the big disappointment of '67, is still regarded as an excellent prospect, however, and could make a big difference.
Horace Clarke, who did a good job last year, will be at second base again, with Ruben Amaro at shortstop and a scramble among Charley Smith, Bobby Cox, Mike Ferraro and possibly Robinson at third. Jake Gibbs is the No. 1 catcher with Frank Fernandez expected to come along fast by mid-season.
Yankee pitching is surprisingly good. The staff, which ranked No. 4 with a 3.24 earned run average last season, is led by Mel Stottlemyre and Al Downing. Stottlemyre, a 20-game winner in 1965, has proved he is one of the most reliable pitchers in the majors and Downing conquered control problems in '67 to check in with a 14-10 record and 2.63 earned run mark. Fritz Peterson was only 8-14 in his sophomore campaign, but should be a reliable No. 3 man. Steve Barber, Bill Monbouquette and Fred Talbot are the other likely starters, and all are question marks for one reason or another.
Dooley Womack and Steve Hamilton give New York a first-class righty-lefty bullpen combination. Womack has developed rapidly in the last two seasons and had a 2.41 ERA in 65 games in 1967, while Hamilton has demonstrated his reliability during five seasons with the club.
The Yankees are going to have to endure another second-division finish - probably as low as eighth place - but the worst is behind them."
-Fred Down, 1968 Baseball Guidebook
SAME NEW YANKEES, SECOND DIVISION AGAIN
"The New York Yankees moved up one place to ninth last season, and they still have a long way to go before becoming a respectable ball club in the American League they once dominated so completely.
The Yankees were last runs in scored and last in fielding in 1967, and they have made no trades which figure to result in any startling improvement. They are faced with a complete rebuilding job from the minors on up.
In one category, however, the Yankees are better than respectable. Their front-line pitching is of contender status.
There is hope for improvement on offense because both left fielder Tom Tresh and center fielder Joe Pepitone had subpar seasons last year, and each could improve considerably this time. Then, too, Mickey Mantle, who topped the Yankees in home runs, may do better now that's he's more familiar with the first base job he took over last year for the first time.
The pitching staff has four creditable starters in Mel Stottlemyre, who won 15 games, lost 15 and had a 2.96 earned run average in 1967; Al Downing (14-10, 2.63); Steve Barber (14-10, 4.08) and Fritz Peterson (8-14, 3.48), a better pitcher than his record shows.
The last three are lefties, an asset in Yankee Stadium with its short right field barrier, but not on the road, a fact that may account for the Yankees compiling a 43-38 home record while posting a 29-52 log on the road.
Right-handers Fred Talbot (6-8, 4.21) and Bill Monbouquette (6-5, 2.33) have the best chance of moving into the starting rotation.
Dooley Womack (5-6, 2.41 in 65 games) is the workhorse who heads the relief corps.
Joe Verbanic (4-3, 2.81), lefty Steve Hamilton (2-4, 3.48), Thad Tillotson (3-9, 4.04), Jim Bouton (2-8, 3.36 at Syracuse) and rookies Bill Burbach (10-9, 2.79 at Binghamton), Stan Bahnsen (9-11, 3.52 at Syracuse) and Cecil Perkins (5-8, 2.15 at Syracuse) will battle for the remaining staff jobs.
There are only four regulars certain of their jobs. Mantle, who batted .245, hit 22 homers and knocked in 55 runs will be at first base; Horace Clarke (.272, 3, 29), who stole 21 bases last year in 25 attempts, will be at second; Tresh (.219, 14, 53), who had his bad knee operated on last fall will play left, and Pepitone (.251, 13, 64), who moved from first to center, will be in center or right.
If Ruben Amaro (.233, 1, 17) plays as well on defense as he did most of last season, he'll play shortstop again, with Gene Michael (.202, 0, 7 in 98 games for Los Angeles) backing him up.
A three-way battle may take place at third for the job Charlie Smith (.224, 9, 38) filled most of last season. Smith will face challenges this time from rookies Mike Ferraro, who batted .292 at Spokane, and Bobby Cox, who hit .297 at Richmond and moved to the Yankees in a trade with Atlanta.
Mike Hegan (.136, 1, 3 in 68 games), who is a fine fielder but a weak hitter, will spell Mantle at first, and Dick Howser (.268, 0, 10 in 63 games) will be a utility infielder.
There are plenty of candidates for the outfield jobs not held by Tresh and Pepitone. Steve Whitaker (.243, 11, 50); Bill Robinson (.196, 7, 29), who may also get a trial at third, and Andy Kosco (.297, 13, 67 at Denver), the former Minnesota Twin obtained in the draft, may fight it out for the vacant spot or fill it on a platoon basis. Roy White (.224, 2, 18) and rookie Tom Shopay (.277, 9, 45) are other candidates.
Frank Fernandez, a former Villanova freshman, could be the Yanks' top rookie and win a share of the catching job. A right-handed hitter, he is well regarded despite his not too impressive Syracuse figures of .235, 6, 24 in 59 games. If he comes through, he will share the receiving with left-handed-hitting Jake Gibbs (.233, 4, 25)."
-George Vass, Baseball Digest (April 1968)
QUICK RUNDOWN ON THE YANKEES
Strengths: front-line pitching.
Greatest Need: comebacks by outfielders Tresh and Pepitone.
Outlook: another second-division finish.
-George Vass, Baseball Digest (April 1968)
1968 Yankees Spring Training Depth Chart
C Jake Gibbs
1B Mickey Mantle
2B Horace Clarke
3B Bobby Cox
SS Gene Michael
LF Tom Tresh
CF Joe Pepitone
RF Bill Robinson
UTILITY:
C Frank Fernandez
1B Mike Hegan
2B Dick Howser
SS Ruben Amaro
LF Roy White
CF Andy Kosco
RF Steve Whitaker
PH Charley Smith (3B)
PITCHERS:
Mel Stottlemyre
Al Downing
Fritz Peterson
Fred Talbot
Steve Barber
Bill Monbouquette
RELIEF PITCHERS:
Dooley Womack
Steve Hamilton
Joe Verbanic
But in Bobby Cox, an infielder with a long minor league record in the Braves' system, Gene Michael, a weak-hitting shortstop who contemplated switching to the pitching mound, and Andy Kosco, an outfielder who has been up and down with the Twins, the Yankees are buying time in what they hope will be a rebirth in their youth movement. It isn't exactly a program with any budding Mickey Mantles or Whitey Fords coming up, but in Steve Whitaker, Bill Robinson and Roy White, they see some rays of hope for the future. Everyone knows it will take time.
Mantle is back to play first base, and what more can anyone say about his gallant efforts on those legendary legs of his? Mickey has long since reached the stage where he transcends rooting interests on the part of the fans. They give him standing ovations wherever he goes. His first base play is restricted, but he will continue to plant home runs up in the seats as he progresses toward the 600 club. Horace Clarke covers enough ground at second base for both himself and Mantle, and is a steadily improving player. The shortstop is Ruben Amaro, who sparked the infield last summer and just wishes he could hit a few points higher. Michael gives the Yankees shortstop insurance whenever they have to hit for Amaro. With Charley Smith inactivated for the first couple of months by a knee injury, Robinson will be given even more latitude to play his way into the third base job. An accomplished outfielder, Bill went down to Florida over the winter for a course in third base play and appeared to make the adjustment satisfactorily. The backup man figures to be Cox, who batted .297 and hit 14 homers at Richmond last year. Rookie Mike Ferraro and ex-Red farmhand Len Boehmer will probably go out for more seasoning, and Dick Howser and Mike Hegan will be retained for bench strength.
On paper, the first-string outfield figures to be Tom Tresh in left, Joe Pepitone in center and Whitaker in right. But Tresh has been ravaged by injuries the past couple of years, and unless he shows healthy signs of a comeback, his position could be up for grabs. The prime candidates would be White, Tom Shopay, a speedster who batted .277 and hit nine home runs at Syracuse last year, and Kosco, who really fell into disfavor in Minnesota; he actually owns good hitting credentials, batting .297 with 13 homers at Denver in '67. Pepitone's temperament may keep him from the greatness once predicted for him, and Whitaker's might just drive him to new heights. The kid is young and improving - and burns to win. Still with a chance is White, who went back to the minors for while last summer and hit .343 at Spokane.
The Yankees are at their classiest in the pitching department, although they are top heavy with left-handed starters. Al Downing, Fritz Peterson and Steve Barber are all southpaws, and Mel Stottlemyre completes the starting suit. If they all remain healthy and get any hitting support, they will win a lot of games. Fred Talbot and Bill Monbouquette, who pitched well after coming back from the minors last summer, will be the spot starters. Dooley Womack, Steve Hamilton and Joe Verbanic man a thin bullpen that will need shoring up. Manager Ralph Houk will carefully look over Stan Bahnsen, Cecil Perkins, John Cumberland and Bill Burbach for a possible sleeper.
The catching is secure enough with Jake Gibbs, whose defensive work showed some improvement last year. But it looks as if the Yankees may be forced to go with kids behind him. They are Frank Fernandez, a .235 hitter at Syracuse last year, and Eliseo Rodriguez, who hit .249 for the same club."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
IN BRIEF
Probable 1968 Finish: 7th
Strengths: some first-rate pitching with Stottlemyre and Downing and the magic of Mantle.
Biggest Needs: a hard-hitting outfielder, filling the hole at third base and added help in the bullpen.
1967 Finish: 9th
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
1968 Yankees Depth Chart
C Jake Gibbs, Frank Fernandez
1B Mickey Mantle
2B Horace Clarke
3B Bill Robinson, Bobby Cox
SS Ruben Amaro
LF Tom Tresh, Tom Shopay
CF Joe Pepitone
RF Steve Whitaker, Roy White
UTILITY:
Dick Howser
Andy Kosco
Mike Hegan
Gene Michael
PITCHERS:
Mel Stottlemyre Fred Talbot
Al Downing Steve Hamilton
Fritz Peterson Dooley Womack
Steve Barber Joe Verbanic
Bill Monbouquette
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"The shock of the last place finish of 1966 has given way to quiet confidence in the offices of the New York Yankees. There's a feeling that the corner has been turned and the club's on its way back. After all, didn't the Yankees make a better showing than the rival New York Mets in 1967?
The comeback is going to take time, of course. New York won't be in the American League pennant race this year and probably won't be in it next year, either. But the team has been reorganized, good young players have been signed and one of these seasons the Yankees will make a big jump such as the Boston Red Sox made in 1967. Maybe not all the way to the top, but at least back into pennant contention.
As part of this general outlook, the Yankees seem to be reclaiming New York from the Mets. The Bombers took their beating like men the last three years and went about trying to right themselves. The Mets, meanwhile, continued the policy of glorifying their own futility. If the Yanks can make a move toward pennant respectability within the next three years, they may very well steal the Mets' fans away and make Flushing Meadow a disaster area.
The Yankees biggest problem is offense. The team which over the years has been personified by such sluggers as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris scored fewer runs than any other outfit in the junior circuit last season and ranked eighth in batting with a .225 average. There could be some improvement this year, but the big bats just aren't there.
Joe Pepitone and Mickey Mantle were the club's primary run producers in 1967, Pepi driving in 64 runs and hitting 13 homers and Mantle driving in 55 runs and hitting 22 homers. Those are pathetic figures to lead any club and they aren't likely to improve this year. Joe simply appears to lack the stuff to be a star and Mickey may be playing his last season.
Manager Ralph Houk plans to use Pepitone in center field, flanked by Tom Tresh in left and Bill Robinson and Steve Whitaker in right. Tresh batted .219, Robinson .196 and Whitaker .243 (and the trio hit a total of 32 homers) in 1967. Robinson, the big disappointment of '67, is still regarded as an excellent prospect, however, and could make a big difference.
Horace Clarke, who did a good job last year, will be at second base again, with Ruben Amaro at shortstop and a scramble among Charley Smith, Bobby Cox, Mike Ferraro and possibly Robinson at third. Jake Gibbs is the No. 1 catcher with Frank Fernandez expected to come along fast by mid-season.
Yankee pitching is surprisingly good. The staff, which ranked No. 4 with a 3.24 earned run average last season, is led by Mel Stottlemyre and Al Downing. Stottlemyre, a 20-game winner in 1965, has proved he is one of the most reliable pitchers in the majors and Downing conquered control problems in '67 to check in with a 14-10 record and 2.63 earned run mark. Fritz Peterson was only 8-14 in his sophomore campaign, but should be a reliable No. 3 man. Steve Barber, Bill Monbouquette and Fred Talbot are the other likely starters, and all are question marks for one reason or another.
Dooley Womack and Steve Hamilton give New York a first-class righty-lefty bullpen combination. Womack has developed rapidly in the last two seasons and had a 2.41 ERA in 65 games in 1967, while Hamilton has demonstrated his reliability during five seasons with the club.
The Yankees are going to have to endure another second-division finish - probably as low as eighth place - but the worst is behind them."
-Fred Down, 1968 Baseball Guidebook
SAME NEW YANKEES, SECOND DIVISION AGAIN
"The New York Yankees moved up one place to ninth last season, and they still have a long way to go before becoming a respectable ball club in the American League they once dominated so completely.
The Yankees were last runs in scored and last in fielding in 1967, and they have made no trades which figure to result in any startling improvement. They are faced with a complete rebuilding job from the minors on up.
In one category, however, the Yankees are better than respectable. Their front-line pitching is of contender status.
There is hope for improvement on offense because both left fielder Tom Tresh and center fielder Joe Pepitone had subpar seasons last year, and each could improve considerably this time. Then, too, Mickey Mantle, who topped the Yankees in home runs, may do better now that's he's more familiar with the first base job he took over last year for the first time.
The pitching staff has four creditable starters in Mel Stottlemyre, who won 15 games, lost 15 and had a 2.96 earned run average in 1967; Al Downing (14-10, 2.63); Steve Barber (14-10, 4.08) and Fritz Peterson (8-14, 3.48), a better pitcher than his record shows.
The last three are lefties, an asset in Yankee Stadium with its short right field barrier, but not on the road, a fact that may account for the Yankees compiling a 43-38 home record while posting a 29-52 log on the road.
Right-handers Fred Talbot (6-8, 4.21) and Bill Monbouquette (6-5, 2.33) have the best chance of moving into the starting rotation.
Dooley Womack (5-6, 2.41 in 65 games) is the workhorse who heads the relief corps.
Joe Verbanic (4-3, 2.81), lefty Steve Hamilton (2-4, 3.48), Thad Tillotson (3-9, 4.04), Jim Bouton (2-8, 3.36 at Syracuse) and rookies Bill Burbach (10-9, 2.79 at Binghamton), Stan Bahnsen (9-11, 3.52 at Syracuse) and Cecil Perkins (5-8, 2.15 at Syracuse) will battle for the remaining staff jobs.
There are only four regulars certain of their jobs. Mantle, who batted .245, hit 22 homers and knocked in 55 runs will be at first base; Horace Clarke (.272, 3, 29), who stole 21 bases last year in 25 attempts, will be at second; Tresh (.219, 14, 53), who had his bad knee operated on last fall will play left, and Pepitone (.251, 13, 64), who moved from first to center, will be in center or right.
If Ruben Amaro (.233, 1, 17) plays as well on defense as he did most of last season, he'll play shortstop again, with Gene Michael (.202, 0, 7 in 98 games for Los Angeles) backing him up.
A three-way battle may take place at third for the job Charlie Smith (.224, 9, 38) filled most of last season. Smith will face challenges this time from rookies Mike Ferraro, who batted .292 at Spokane, and Bobby Cox, who hit .297 at Richmond and moved to the Yankees in a trade with Atlanta.
Mike Hegan (.136, 1, 3 in 68 games), who is a fine fielder but a weak hitter, will spell Mantle at first, and Dick Howser (.268, 0, 10 in 63 games) will be a utility infielder.
There are plenty of candidates for the outfield jobs not held by Tresh and Pepitone. Steve Whitaker (.243, 11, 50); Bill Robinson (.196, 7, 29), who may also get a trial at third, and Andy Kosco (.297, 13, 67 at Denver), the former Minnesota Twin obtained in the draft, may fight it out for the vacant spot or fill it on a platoon basis. Roy White (.224, 2, 18) and rookie Tom Shopay (.277, 9, 45) are other candidates.
Frank Fernandez, a former Villanova freshman, could be the Yanks' top rookie and win a share of the catching job. A right-handed hitter, he is well regarded despite his not too impressive Syracuse figures of .235, 6, 24 in 59 games. If he comes through, he will share the receiving with left-handed-hitting Jake Gibbs (.233, 4, 25)."
-George Vass, Baseball Digest (April 1968)
QUICK RUNDOWN ON THE YANKEES
Strengths: front-line pitching.
Greatest Need: comebacks by outfielders Tresh and Pepitone.
Outlook: another second-division finish.
-George Vass, Baseball Digest (April 1968)
1968 Yankees Spring Training Depth Chart
C Jake Gibbs
1B Mickey Mantle
2B Horace Clarke
3B Bobby Cox
SS Gene Michael
LF Tom Tresh
CF Joe Pepitone
RF Bill Robinson
UTILITY:
C Frank Fernandez
1B Mike Hegan
2B Dick Howser
SS Ruben Amaro
LF Roy White
CF Andy Kosco
RF Steve Whitaker
PH Charley Smith (3B)
PITCHERS:
Mel Stottlemyre
Al Downing
Fritz Peterson
Fred Talbot
Steve Barber
Bill Monbouquette
RELIEF PITCHERS:
Dooley Womack
Steve Hamilton
Joe Verbanic
Friday, April 25, 2014
1968 New York Yankees Spring Training Roster
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Manager - Ralph Houk
No. Coaches
2 Frankie Crosetti
16 Whitey Ford
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
45 Stan Bahnsen (R-R)
18 Steve Barber (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
50 Bill Burbach (R-R)
60 Alan Closter (L-L)
59 John Cumberland (R-L)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
49 Steve Kline (R-R)
40 Bill Monbouquette (R-R)
29 Cecil Perkins (R-R)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
51 Dale Spier (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
52 Joe Verbanic (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
38 Frank Fernandez (R-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
23 Eliseo Rodriguez (R-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
14 Bobby Cox (R-R)
26 Mike Ferraro (R-R)
34 Mike Hegan (L-L)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
17 Gene Michael (S-R)
42 Ken Poulsen (L-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
48 Roy White (S-R)
No. Outfielders
28 Andy Kosco (R-R)
46 Jim Lyttle (L-R)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
43 Joe Pactwa (L-L)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
27 Tom Shopay (L-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
9 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Jim Fink
Jerry Kenney
Bobby Murcer
1968 YANKEES SPRING TRAINING PHOTO
Ruben Amaro
Stan Bahnsen (absent when photo was taken)
Steve Barber
Rich Beck
Len Boehmer
Jim Bouton
Bill Burbach
Horace Clarke
Bobby Cox
Frankie Crosetti (coach)
John Cumberland
Al Downing
John Ellis
Frank Estrada
Mike Ferraro
Frank Fernandez
Whitey Ford (coach)
Jake Gibbs
Steve Hamilton
Jim Hegan (coach)
Mike Hegan
Bruce Henry (traveling secretary)
Dick Howser
Ralph Houk (manager)
Steve Kline (absent when photo was taken)
Andy Kosco
Jim Lyttle
Mickey Mantle
Gene Michael
Bill Monbouquette
Ross Moschitto
Joe Pactwa
Joe Pepitone
Cecil Perkins
Friz Peterson
Ken Poulsen
Bill Robinson
Eliseo Rodriguez
Charlie Sands
Mickey Scott
Don Seger (trainer)
Tom Shopay
Joe Soares (trainer)
Dale Spier
Mel Stottlemyre
Fred Talbot
Thad Tillotson
Tom Tresh
Jim Turner (coach)
Steve Whitaker
Roy White
Dooley Womack
Joe Verbanic
Manager - Ralph Houk
No. Coaches
2 Frankie Crosetti
16 Whitey Ford
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
45 Stan Bahnsen (R-R)
18 Steve Barber (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
50 Bill Burbach (R-R)
60 Alan Closter (L-L)
59 John Cumberland (R-L)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
49 Steve Kline (R-R)
40 Bill Monbouquette (R-R)
29 Cecil Perkins (R-R)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
51 Dale Spier (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
52 Joe Verbanic (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
38 Frank Fernandez (R-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
23 Eliseo Rodriguez (R-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
14 Bobby Cox (R-R)
26 Mike Ferraro (R-R)
34 Mike Hegan (L-L)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
17 Gene Michael (S-R)
42 Ken Poulsen (L-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
48 Roy White (S-R)
No. Outfielders
28 Andy Kosco (R-R)
46 Jim Lyttle (L-R)
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
43 Joe Pactwa (L-L)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
27 Tom Shopay (L-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
9 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Jim Fink
Jerry Kenney
Bobby Murcer
1968 YANKEES SPRING TRAINING PHOTO
Ruben Amaro
Stan Bahnsen (absent when photo was taken)
Steve Barber
Rich Beck
Len Boehmer
Jim Bouton
Bill Burbach
Horace Clarke
Bobby Cox
Frankie Crosetti (coach)
John Cumberland
Al Downing
John Ellis
Frank Estrada
Mike Ferraro
Frank Fernandez
Whitey Ford (coach)
Jake Gibbs
Steve Hamilton
Jim Hegan (coach)
Mike Hegan
Bruce Henry (traveling secretary)
Dick Howser
Ralph Houk (manager)
Steve Kline (absent when photo was taken)
Andy Kosco
Jim Lyttle
Mickey Mantle
Gene Michael
Bill Monbouquette
Ross Moschitto
Joe Pactwa
Joe Pepitone
Cecil Perkins
Friz Peterson
Ken Poulsen
Bill Robinson
Eliseo Rodriguez
Charlie Sands
Mickey Scott
Don Seger (trainer)
Tom Shopay
Joe Soares (trainer)
Dale Spier
Mel Stottlemyre
Fred Talbot
Thad Tillotson
Tom Tresh
Jim Turner (coach)
Steve Whitaker
Roy White
Dooley Womack
Joe Verbanic
1967 New York Yankees September Roster
Manager - Ralph Houk 35
No. Coaches
36 Loren Babe
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
18 Steve Barber (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
40 Bill Monbouquette (R-R)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
43 Dale Roberts (R-L)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
54 Thad Tillotson (R-R)
52 Joe Verbanic (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
50 Billy Bryan (L-R)
38 Frank Fernandez (R-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
49 Charlie Sands (L-R)
23 Bob Tillman (R-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
34 Mike Hegan (L-L)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
26 John Kennedy (R-R)
14 Jerry Kenney (L-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
No. Outfielders
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
27 Tom Shopay (L-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
28 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
48 Roy White (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Bobby Murcer
No. Coaches
36 Loren Babe
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
18 Steve Barber (L-L)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
40 Bill Monbouquette (R-R)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
43 Dale Roberts (R-L)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
54 Thad Tillotson (R-R)
52 Joe Verbanic (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
50 Billy Bryan (L-R)
38 Frank Fernandez (R-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
49 Charlie Sands (L-R)
23 Bob Tillman (R-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
34 Mike Hegan (L-L)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
26 John Kennedy (R-R)
14 Jerry Kenney (L-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
No. Outfielders
53 Ross Moschitto (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
27 Tom Shopay (L-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
28 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
48 Roy White (S-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Bobby Murcer
Thursday, April 24, 2014
1967 New York Yankees Mid-May Roster
Manager - Ralph Houk 35
No. Coaches
36 Loren Babe
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
54 Thad Tillotson (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
49 Charlie Sands (L-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
26 John Kennedy (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
47 Frank Tepedino (L-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
28 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Frank Fernandez
Mike Hegan
Bobby Murcer
1967 YANKEES TEAM PHOTO
Elliot Ashley (batboy)
Loren Babe (coach)
Steve Barber
Horace Clarke
Frankie Crosetti (coach)
Al Downing
Keith Ford (batboy)
Jake Gibbs
Steve Hamilton
Jim Hegan (coach)
Bruce Henry (traveling secretary)
Elston Howard
Ralph Houk (manager)
Dick Howser
John Kennedy
Mickey Mantle
Bill Monbouquette
Spud Murray (batting practice pitcher)
Joe Pepitone
Fritz Peterson
Bill Robinson
Charlie Sands
Don Seger (trainer)
Charley Smith
Joe Soares (trainer)
Mel Stottlemyre
Fred Talbot
Thad Tillotson
Tom Tresh
Jim Turner (coach)
Joe Verbanic
Steve Whitaker
Roy White
Dooley Womack
absent when picture was taken: Ruben Amaro
in military service: Mike Hegan
No. Coaches
36 Loren Babe
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
54 Thad Tillotson (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
49 Charlie Sands (L-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
26 John Kennedy (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
47 Frank Tepedino (L-R)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
28 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Frank Fernandez
Mike Hegan
Bobby Murcer
1967 YANKEES TEAM PHOTO
Elliot Ashley (batboy)
Loren Babe (coach)
Steve Barber
Horace Clarke
Frankie Crosetti (coach)
Al Downing
Keith Ford (batboy)
Jake Gibbs
Steve Hamilton
Jim Hegan (coach)
Bruce Henry (traveling secretary)
Elston Howard
Ralph Houk (manager)
Dick Howser
John Kennedy
Mickey Mantle
Bill Monbouquette
Spud Murray (batting practice pitcher)
Joe Pepitone
Fritz Peterson
Bill Robinson
Charlie Sands
Don Seger (trainer)
Charley Smith
Joe Soares (trainer)
Mel Stottlemyre
Fred Talbot
Thad Tillotson
Tom Tresh
Jim Turner (coach)
Joe Verbanic
Steve Whitaker
Roy White
Dooley Womack
absent when picture was taken: Ruben Amaro
in military service: Mike Hegan
1967 New York Yankees Program and Scorecard Notes
WELCOME TO THE NEW SEASON AND NEW ERA AT YANKEE STADIUM
"Welcome to a refurbished Yankee Stadium ... to a new season ... to the start of a new Yankee era.
The Yankees want you to enjoy your visits to this historic ballpark. Many new services and conveniences are available to you. This is still the great ball park where the Yankees won 27 of their record 29 American League pennants and all 20 World Champions played here. On this playing field performed such all-time baseball heroes as the legendary Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, not to mention dozens of other great stars of the past and present. And there will be more to follow.
You will notice a bright new color in and around Yankee Stadium. It's a fresh, clean park with a new sound system, new lighting, improved restrooms, better concession and service facilities. Our employees aim to give you the best service you've ever enjoyed at a ball park. And we mean to keep improving it.
While you are here at Yankee Stadium, we hope you will have an opportunity to visit the new telephonic 'Hall of Fame' in Lobby Six. Here you will be able to pick up telephones and hear the voices of dozens of Yankee greats in moments of achievement. Perhaps you will have a chance after the game of looking at the monuments and plaques in center field.
Hostesses are available to assist you and to handle your requests. And, above all, the Yankees hope to provide good baseball entertainment today plus a winning Yankee team. Winning still comes first. Your new management team of Michael Burke, Chairman and President of the Yankees; Lee MacPhail, Executive Vice-President and General Manager; and Ralph Houk, Manager, are concentrating all of their efforts to bringing back to this traditional Home of Champions a new era of Yankee baseball greatness."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1967 YANKEE STADIUM REFURBISHING
"A $1,350,000 modernization program, the most complete face-lifting job the Stadium has undergone since its opening in 1923, includes a complete re-painting, inside and out, with 90 tons of paint to cover 3,700,000 square feet.
The exterior of the Stadium has been repaired, resurfaced and painted white. All 53,000-odd grandstand seats have been painted a royal blue, the concrete steps a light gray, the back walls an off-white, punctuated with red rectangles, giving color to the area, and the facades and front of the stands white. The ticket booths outside the Stadium have been painted red and all restrooms have been repainted and modernized, with four restrooms completely replaced.
Flood lights have been installed around the Stadium's exterior to brighten the entire area and give the Stadium a brilliant appearance at night. Complete new illumination has been provided in all ramps, concourses and lobbies. 11,500 new gray fiberglass seats have been installed in the bleachers. The first row of seats around the right field area has been eliminated and replaced by an inside protective fence, in order to reduce fan interference.
Attractive hostesses have been made available for special service and assistance in lobbies, 2, 4 and 6. Inside Gate 6 (Lobby 6) a novel telephonic 'Hall of Fame' has been installed, whereby fans are able to pick up a wall-type telephone and hear the voices of past baseball greats.
A new public address system has been installed with a 50-ft. tower erected near the center field monuments, containing 75 speakers to assure clear, audible sound reception throughout the Stadium, along with five new all-new General Electric Model 250 Plumbicon Color TV cameras for improved game coverage. All lobbies, dugouts, and press, radio and TV boxes have been refurbished."
-1967 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
YANKEE ATTENDANCE
"Despite their last-place finish in 1966, the Yankees topped the American League by a considerable margin in road attendance. In spring training this year, the excitement of a Yankee visit still stirred the natives. The Bombers outdrew all other clubs in Florida and set season or all-time high marks in eight Florida cities, five highs being on consecutive days."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
PROUDLY SERVING OUR COUNTRY
"When Bobby Murcer was drafted in early March, the Yankees had seven roster players in military service at one time. Four of the seven were in for six-month reserve training and were due out in early spring or during the summer."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEE NEWCOMERS
"It's a new year at Yankee Stadium and there have been many changes. The park has been spruced up and several newcomers have been added to the roster. Eight prominent new players with the Yankees are third baseman Mike Ferraro, shortstop Jerry Kenney, shortstop Dick Howser, third baseman Charley Smith, outfielders Steve Whitaker and Bill Robinson and pitchers Joe Verbanic and Stan Bahnsen. Ferraro, Kenney and Verbanic now are on option to Syracuse."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
WHAT A RELIEF!
"A strengthened Yankee bullpen is comprised of five men. When Manager Ralph Houk wants to call for a relief pitcher, he has the able arms of relief specialists Joe Verbanic, Thad Tillotson, Hal Reniff, Steve Hamilton and Dooley Womack. All are right-handers except Hamilton. Tillotson came to the Yanks from the Dodger organization, and Verbanic was obtained from the Phils and currently is on option to Syracuse."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEES PLAN CAP, BAT AND BALL DAYS FOR YOUNG FANS IN 1967
"Those big gift days for youngsters that have proved so popular at Yankee Stadium are back on the 1967 schedule. Young fans are urged to get their tickets early and be sure of each of the fine souvenirs to be given away.
Leading off on Sunday, April 30- the season's first home doubleheader, with the California Angels- will be Cap Day. A fine quality cap, very similar to the cap worn by Yankee players, will be given away to each young fan, 14 and under (boys and girls), who attends the Sunday twin bill accompanied by an adult. One adult can bring an entire team of youngsters, and each boy or girl will receive a cap. Naturally, the souvenirs will be given only on paid admissions.
The cap has been designed to fit virtually all youth head sizes and will have the attractive 'NY' silk embroidered on the front on the front, plus sweatband, eyelets and green, glare-resistant visors.
After Cap Day, the Yankees will hold their third annual Bat Day on Sunday afternoon, June 11 when the contending Chicago White Sox will be at Yankee Stadium for a doubleheader. Yankee Bat Days are the most successful in the country. For two straight years, Bay Day at Yankee Stadium has attracted the major league's largest crowd of the season.
Once again this year, the Yankees will give away a fine quality Little League Bat. Each one will have the New York Yankee team name on it and a simulated autograph of a Yankee star. Most of the signatures will be of top-name Yankee players. The bats measure 29 to 31 inches and weight 23 to 25 ounces.
Ball Day will follow on Saturday afternoon, July 15 when the Cleveland Indians are here. A Wilson horsehide cover baseball, with the official 'Little League' designation, cork and rubber center and New York Yankee team name on it, will be given away."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1967 LADIES' DAYS
Saturday, April 29 (California)
Saturday, June 3 (Detroit)
Saturday, June 10 (Chicago)
Thursday, July 27 (Minnesota)
Saturday, July 29 (Kansas City)
Thursday, August 17 (Baltimore)
Wednesday, August 30 (Boston)
Saturday, September 2 (Washington)
Saturday, September 16 (Cleveland)
CHARM DAY AT YANKEE STADIUM SET FOR MOTHER'S DAY MAY 14
"There have been gift days for young fans and now the children can see to it that Mom is the recipient of a Yankee Stadium gift, for Mother's Day will be celebrated at the big ball park on Sunday afternoon, May 14 which will be Charm Day. Every mother attending the big Yankee-Baltimore Oriole game that afternoon will receive an attractive charm with the famous Yankee top hat design on an attractive metal charm.
Packed in gift boxes, these gifts are sure to prove popular for charm bracelets and other jewelry use. This attractive little gift is now being manufactured especially for the Yankees by L.G. Balfour Co., well-known Attleboro, Mass. jewelers.
With the World Champion Orioles as Stadium visitors on Sunday, May 14, this should be a great family day- Mother's Day."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
MEMORIAL DAY DOUBLEHEADER
"One of the big early-season Yankee Stadium attractions will be the Memorial Day holiday doubleheader between the Yankees and Minnesota Twins at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 30."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
MAYOR'S TROPHY GAME
"The annual Mayor's Trophy Game for the benefit of sandlot baseball will be played this summer at Yankee Stadium. Cross-town rivals the New York Mets will play the Yankees at the Stadium the day after the All-Star Game, on Wednesday night, July 12. The Yankees swept the all-New York spring series recently and will be out for a clean sweep of the city series. Tickets are now on sale at all Yankee ticket outlets."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
PLAYER AND EVENT OF THE YEAR TOP AUGUST 19 OLD TIMERS' DAY
"The 1967 Yankee Old Timers' Day - highlight nostalgic event of each baseball season - will honor the 'Player of the Year' involved in the 'Memorable Event of the Year'. This unusual salute to baseball's all-time greats will be held at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon, August 19. And the Yankee league opposition that day will be the highly regarded Minnesota Twins.
Outstanding events - and the players who participated in them - will be honored in this year's 21st annual Old Timers' celebration. In addition, the two newest members of the Hall of Fame will be invited to be special honored guests ... former Yankee pitching star Charles 'Red' Ruffing and Pittsburgh hero Lloyd Waner.
The outstanding Yankee event and the most significant event on opposing and other teams will be recalled, and the participants from each of those occasions since World War II will be invited back to Yankee Stadium.
This nostalgic day will have special significance in 1967. The theme of this year's Old Timers' tribute will bring veterans back to New York for another taste of glory.
Yankee Old Timers' Days are popular with old and young fans alike. For Dad and Grandad, these great occasions give an opportunity to relive the moments of glory with the stars of their youth. And the younger fans of today get a chance to see the players they've heard so much about and who helped write baseball history."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
OVER 200 OUTLETS TO HANDLE YANKEE TICKET RESERVATIONS
"Wherever you work, study or play, there's a Yankee ticket outlet convenient to you. Now, for the first time, more than 200 reservation offices have been set up in the Greater New York drawing area for the purchase of box and reserve seat reservations.
Of course, you can always buy tickets for any game this season right here at Yankee Stadium at the Advance Ticket Office behind home plate (Gate 4). This office is open every day of the season - weekdays and Saturdays from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., until 11:00 P.M. after night games and from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sundays, and until after the close of any game being played at the Stadium. Mail orders will also be handled out of Yankee Stadium.
Tickets are also available over-the-counter at the Yankees' Grand Central Terminal Ticket Office (on the mezzanine - Vanderbilt Ave. level - overlooking the main information booth), and at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (on the suburban concourse at the top of the escalators). These offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and on Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Commencing this season, locations all over Greater New York, in the five boroughs and in all the suburbs, will handle Yankee ticket reservations. All 137 branch offices of the Chemical Bank New York Trust Company in New York, Nassau and Westchester will accept Yankee reservations during banking hours.
Some 27 Ripley Clothing Stores in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and surrounding areas will be happy to serve Yankee ticket customers.
As in recent years, the more than 30 Schrafft's Restaurants in Greater New York, Westchester and Newark will handle Yankee box and reserved seat reservations.
Baseball fans in North Jersey will again have the convenience of ordering Yankee tickets through the facilities of the New Jersey Automobile Club in Oradell, Paterson and Jersey City.
All Western Union offices in the area (and around the country, for that matter) will accept money orders and directly communicate the orders to Yankee Stadium.
Once again, box seats are priced at $3.50 each, reserved seats at $2.50, all taxes included. When ordering from Yankee Stadium by mail, please add 25 cents to your total to cover mailing and handling charges."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
AMERICAN LEAGUE UMPIRES
Supervisor of Umpires - Cal Hubbard
1 Stevens
2 Honochick
3 Soar
4 Napp
5 Flaherty
6 Runge
7 Chylak
8 Umont
9 Rice
10 Stewart
11 Drummond
12 Kinnamon
13 Haller
14 Salerno
15 DiMuro
16 Odom
17 Valentine
18 Neudecker
19 Ashford
21 Springstead
TRIPLE-S BLUE STAMPS ARE IN THE GAME, TOO!
"Again this year, there's a special reason to root for the Yanks. This year, for the second season, the Triple-S Blue Stamp Company will award 10,000 stamps to a worthy organization each time a home run is hit by a Yankee player in Yankee Stadium.
For each home series, the Yankees will select a charity or other non-profit organization to be the recipient of the home run Blue Stamps. The awards are made to the organization in the name of the Yankee players who hit the homers. And, the organization receiving the stamps may redeem them for a choice of hundreds of useful items in the Triple-S Catalog.
YANKEE TICKETS FOR BLUE STAMPS
You may now redeem your Triple-S Blue Stamps for tickets, too. One book of Blue Stamps will get you a pair of general admission home game tickets. Exchange your stamps for tickets at any Triple-S Redemption Center."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
WHN OFFERS YANKEE GAME INFORMATION ON RADIO
"In doubt about the weather? Not sure if the Yankees are scheduled at home on a given day? Want information on the Bombers? Just tune the Yankees' popular new local radio outlet- day or night- at 1050 on the AM radio dial.
The Marv Albert sport show each evening at 6:05 will have the latest up-to-the-minute news on the Yankees. But no matter what time of the day it is, the Yankees will notify WHN immediately about any pertinent information on the upcoming game and on the club. So tune WHN at 1050 instead of phoning the Yankee switchboard!"
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
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-Coke: Coke has the taste you never get tired of.
-Coming Attraction: Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox (featuring Tommie Agee)
-Coming Attraction: Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers (featuring Al Kaline)
-Continental National American Group
-Cutty Sark; American's No. 1 selling Scotch Whisky
-Dsert Whip: In Your Grocer's Dairy Case
-DuVal French Ice Cream: A Hit at the Stadium
-Duvernoy Bakeries: Serving New York's Better Hotels and Restaurants
-Fresca
-Grand Tier
-Gulden's Mustard: The hot dog you're eating right now tastes better- because it's served with Gulden's Mustard.
-Hygrade's Stadium Franks: Hygrade's Stadium Franks, always a hit ... here at the Stadium, and at home.
-Lorillard: Kent-True-Newport-Old Gold Filters-Old Gold Straights-Spring
-Krueger Pilsner: Brewed a little at a time, it's the world's perfect beer.
-Marlboro: Come to where the flavor is. Come to Marlboro Country.
-Martinson Coffee: Martin Coffee is for people who really know their beans.
-Monsanto: You get the best hot drinks at Yankee Stadium.
-Mountain Vally Water: Good to Taste ... Great for You
-Nabisco: Snacks that always make a hit!
-Nestle's $100,000: Tastes go good it's almost illegal.
-Old Spice Ship Shape: It's a natural!
-Opera Cafe
-Planters: Planters new dry roasted nuts lead the league!
-Rheingold: In N.Y., the city of tough customers, only Rheingold's made it to the top.
-Roi-Tan: America's largest-selling 10c Cigar
-Schenley: Schenley ... so smooth, it's a hit every time.
-Seagram's 7: The Sure One
-Seagram's VO: You don't have to acquire a taste for the Smooth Canadian.
-Sinclair: Put Dino Power in your engine.
-Sun Dew: Refreshment Time!
-Treat Potato Chips: Treat yourself to Treat Potato Chips ... too good to share.
-White Owl: Team Up with a White Owl Invincible
-White Rock: Wild ... but always a winner!
-Winston: The name of the game is flavor.
"Welcome to a refurbished Yankee Stadium ... to a new season ... to the start of a new Yankee era.
The Yankees want you to enjoy your visits to this historic ballpark. Many new services and conveniences are available to you. This is still the great ball park where the Yankees won 27 of their record 29 American League pennants and all 20 World Champions played here. On this playing field performed such all-time baseball heroes as the legendary Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, not to mention dozens of other great stars of the past and present. And there will be more to follow.
You will notice a bright new color in and around Yankee Stadium. It's a fresh, clean park with a new sound system, new lighting, improved restrooms, better concession and service facilities. Our employees aim to give you the best service you've ever enjoyed at a ball park. And we mean to keep improving it.
While you are here at Yankee Stadium, we hope you will have an opportunity to visit the new telephonic 'Hall of Fame' in Lobby Six. Here you will be able to pick up telephones and hear the voices of dozens of Yankee greats in moments of achievement. Perhaps you will have a chance after the game of looking at the monuments and plaques in center field.
Hostesses are available to assist you and to handle your requests. And, above all, the Yankees hope to provide good baseball entertainment today plus a winning Yankee team. Winning still comes first. Your new management team of Michael Burke, Chairman and President of the Yankees; Lee MacPhail, Executive Vice-President and General Manager; and Ralph Houk, Manager, are concentrating all of their efforts to bringing back to this traditional Home of Champions a new era of Yankee baseball greatness."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1967 YANKEE STADIUM REFURBISHING
"A $1,350,000 modernization program, the most complete face-lifting job the Stadium has undergone since its opening in 1923, includes a complete re-painting, inside and out, with 90 tons of paint to cover 3,700,000 square feet.
The exterior of the Stadium has been repaired, resurfaced and painted white. All 53,000-odd grandstand seats have been painted a royal blue, the concrete steps a light gray, the back walls an off-white, punctuated with red rectangles, giving color to the area, and the facades and front of the stands white. The ticket booths outside the Stadium have been painted red and all restrooms have been repainted and modernized, with four restrooms completely replaced.
Flood lights have been installed around the Stadium's exterior to brighten the entire area and give the Stadium a brilliant appearance at night. Complete new illumination has been provided in all ramps, concourses and lobbies. 11,500 new gray fiberglass seats have been installed in the bleachers. The first row of seats around the right field area has been eliminated and replaced by an inside protective fence, in order to reduce fan interference.
Attractive hostesses have been made available for special service and assistance in lobbies, 2, 4 and 6. Inside Gate 6 (Lobby 6) a novel telephonic 'Hall of Fame' has been installed, whereby fans are able to pick up a wall-type telephone and hear the voices of past baseball greats.
A new public address system has been installed with a 50-ft. tower erected near the center field monuments, containing 75 speakers to assure clear, audible sound reception throughout the Stadium, along with five new all-new General Electric Model 250 Plumbicon Color TV cameras for improved game coverage. All lobbies, dugouts, and press, radio and TV boxes have been refurbished."
-1967 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
YANKEE ATTENDANCE
"Despite their last-place finish in 1966, the Yankees topped the American League by a considerable margin in road attendance. In spring training this year, the excitement of a Yankee visit still stirred the natives. The Bombers outdrew all other clubs in Florida and set season or all-time high marks in eight Florida cities, five highs being on consecutive days."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
PROUDLY SERVING OUR COUNTRY
"When Bobby Murcer was drafted in early March, the Yankees had seven roster players in military service at one time. Four of the seven were in for six-month reserve training and were due out in early spring or during the summer."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEE NEWCOMERS
"It's a new year at Yankee Stadium and there have been many changes. The park has been spruced up and several newcomers have been added to the roster. Eight prominent new players with the Yankees are third baseman Mike Ferraro, shortstop Jerry Kenney, shortstop Dick Howser, third baseman Charley Smith, outfielders Steve Whitaker and Bill Robinson and pitchers Joe Verbanic and Stan Bahnsen. Ferraro, Kenney and Verbanic now are on option to Syracuse."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
WHAT A RELIEF!
"A strengthened Yankee bullpen is comprised of five men. When Manager Ralph Houk wants to call for a relief pitcher, he has the able arms of relief specialists Joe Verbanic, Thad Tillotson, Hal Reniff, Steve Hamilton and Dooley Womack. All are right-handers except Hamilton. Tillotson came to the Yanks from the Dodger organization, and Verbanic was obtained from the Phils and currently is on option to Syracuse."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
YANKEES PLAN CAP, BAT AND BALL DAYS FOR YOUNG FANS IN 1967
"Those big gift days for youngsters that have proved so popular at Yankee Stadium are back on the 1967 schedule. Young fans are urged to get their tickets early and be sure of each of the fine souvenirs to be given away.
Leading off on Sunday, April 30- the season's first home doubleheader, with the California Angels- will be Cap Day. A fine quality cap, very similar to the cap worn by Yankee players, will be given away to each young fan, 14 and under (boys and girls), who attends the Sunday twin bill accompanied by an adult. One adult can bring an entire team of youngsters, and each boy or girl will receive a cap. Naturally, the souvenirs will be given only on paid admissions.
The cap has been designed to fit virtually all youth head sizes and will have the attractive 'NY' silk embroidered on the front on the front, plus sweatband, eyelets and green, glare-resistant visors.
After Cap Day, the Yankees will hold their third annual Bat Day on Sunday afternoon, June 11 when the contending Chicago White Sox will be at Yankee Stadium for a doubleheader. Yankee Bat Days are the most successful in the country. For two straight years, Bay Day at Yankee Stadium has attracted the major league's largest crowd of the season.
Once again this year, the Yankees will give away a fine quality Little League Bat. Each one will have the New York Yankee team name on it and a simulated autograph of a Yankee star. Most of the signatures will be of top-name Yankee players. The bats measure 29 to 31 inches and weight 23 to 25 ounces.
Ball Day will follow on Saturday afternoon, July 15 when the Cleveland Indians are here. A Wilson horsehide cover baseball, with the official 'Little League' designation, cork and rubber center and New York Yankee team name on it, will be given away."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
1967 LADIES' DAYS
Saturday, April 29 (California)
Saturday, June 3 (Detroit)
Saturday, June 10 (Chicago)
Thursday, July 27 (Minnesota)
Saturday, July 29 (Kansas City)
Thursday, August 17 (Baltimore)
Wednesday, August 30 (Boston)
Saturday, September 2 (Washington)
Saturday, September 16 (Cleveland)
CHARM DAY AT YANKEE STADIUM SET FOR MOTHER'S DAY MAY 14
"There have been gift days for young fans and now the children can see to it that Mom is the recipient of a Yankee Stadium gift, for Mother's Day will be celebrated at the big ball park on Sunday afternoon, May 14 which will be Charm Day. Every mother attending the big Yankee-Baltimore Oriole game that afternoon will receive an attractive charm with the famous Yankee top hat design on an attractive metal charm.
Packed in gift boxes, these gifts are sure to prove popular for charm bracelets and other jewelry use. This attractive little gift is now being manufactured especially for the Yankees by L.G. Balfour Co., well-known Attleboro, Mass. jewelers.
With the World Champion Orioles as Stadium visitors on Sunday, May 14, this should be a great family day- Mother's Day."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
MEMORIAL DAY DOUBLEHEADER
"One of the big early-season Yankee Stadium attractions will be the Memorial Day holiday doubleheader between the Yankees and Minnesota Twins at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 30."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
MAYOR'S TROPHY GAME
"The annual Mayor's Trophy Game for the benefit of sandlot baseball will be played this summer at Yankee Stadium. Cross-town rivals the New York Mets will play the Yankees at the Stadium the day after the All-Star Game, on Wednesday night, July 12. The Yankees swept the all-New York spring series recently and will be out for a clean sweep of the city series. Tickets are now on sale at all Yankee ticket outlets."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
PLAYER AND EVENT OF THE YEAR TOP AUGUST 19 OLD TIMERS' DAY
"The 1967 Yankee Old Timers' Day - highlight nostalgic event of each baseball season - will honor the 'Player of the Year' involved in the 'Memorable Event of the Year'. This unusual salute to baseball's all-time greats will be held at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon, August 19. And the Yankee league opposition that day will be the highly regarded Minnesota Twins.
Outstanding events - and the players who participated in them - will be honored in this year's 21st annual Old Timers' celebration. In addition, the two newest members of the Hall of Fame will be invited to be special honored guests ... former Yankee pitching star Charles 'Red' Ruffing and Pittsburgh hero Lloyd Waner.
The outstanding Yankee event and the most significant event on opposing and other teams will be recalled, and the participants from each of those occasions since World War II will be invited back to Yankee Stadium.
This nostalgic day will have special significance in 1967. The theme of this year's Old Timers' tribute will bring veterans back to New York for another taste of glory.
Yankee Old Timers' Days are popular with old and young fans alike. For Dad and Grandad, these great occasions give an opportunity to relive the moments of glory with the stars of their youth. And the younger fans of today get a chance to see the players they've heard so much about and who helped write baseball history."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
OVER 200 OUTLETS TO HANDLE YANKEE TICKET RESERVATIONS
"Wherever you work, study or play, there's a Yankee ticket outlet convenient to you. Now, for the first time, more than 200 reservation offices have been set up in the Greater New York drawing area for the purchase of box and reserve seat reservations.
Of course, you can always buy tickets for any game this season right here at Yankee Stadium at the Advance Ticket Office behind home plate (Gate 4). This office is open every day of the season - weekdays and Saturdays from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., until 11:00 P.M. after night games and from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sundays, and until after the close of any game being played at the Stadium. Mail orders will also be handled out of Yankee Stadium.
Tickets are also available over-the-counter at the Yankees' Grand Central Terminal Ticket Office (on the mezzanine - Vanderbilt Ave. level - overlooking the main information booth), and at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (on the suburban concourse at the top of the escalators). These offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and on Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Commencing this season, locations all over Greater New York, in the five boroughs and in all the suburbs, will handle Yankee ticket reservations. All 137 branch offices of the Chemical Bank New York Trust Company in New York, Nassau and Westchester will accept Yankee reservations during banking hours.
Some 27 Ripley Clothing Stores in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and surrounding areas will be happy to serve Yankee ticket customers.
As in recent years, the more than 30 Schrafft's Restaurants in Greater New York, Westchester and Newark will handle Yankee box and reserved seat reservations.
Baseball fans in North Jersey will again have the convenience of ordering Yankee tickets through the facilities of the New Jersey Automobile Club in Oradell, Paterson and Jersey City.
All Western Union offices in the area (and around the country, for that matter) will accept money orders and directly communicate the orders to Yankee Stadium.
Once again, box seats are priced at $3.50 each, reserved seats at $2.50, all taxes included. When ordering from Yankee Stadium by mail, please add 25 cents to your total to cover mailing and handling charges."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
AMERICAN LEAGUE UMPIRES
Supervisor of Umpires - Cal Hubbard
1 Stevens
2 Honochick
3 Soar
4 Napp
5 Flaherty
6 Runge
7 Chylak
8 Umont
9 Rice
10 Stewart
11 Drummond
12 Kinnamon
13 Haller
14 Salerno
15 DiMuro
16 Odom
17 Valentine
18 Neudecker
19 Ashford
21 Springstead
TRIPLE-S BLUE STAMPS ARE IN THE GAME, TOO!
"Again this year, there's a special reason to root for the Yanks. This year, for the second season, the Triple-S Blue Stamp Company will award 10,000 stamps to a worthy organization each time a home run is hit by a Yankee player in Yankee Stadium.
For each home series, the Yankees will select a charity or other non-profit organization to be the recipient of the home run Blue Stamps. The awards are made to the organization in the name of the Yankee players who hit the homers. And, the organization receiving the stamps may redeem them for a choice of hundreds of useful items in the Triple-S Catalog.
YANKEE TICKETS FOR BLUE STAMPS
You may now redeem your Triple-S Blue Stamps for tickets, too. One book of Blue Stamps will get you a pair of general admission home game tickets. Exchange your stamps for tickets at any Triple-S Redemption Center."
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
WHN OFFERS YANKEE GAME INFORMATION ON RADIO
"In doubt about the weather? Not sure if the Yankees are scheduled at home on a given day? Want information on the Bombers? Just tune the Yankees' popular new local radio outlet- day or night- at 1050 on the AM radio dial.
The Marv Albert sport show each evening at 6:05 will have the latest up-to-the-minute news on the Yankees. But no matter what time of the day it is, the Yankees will notify WHN immediately about any pertinent information on the upcoming game and on the club. So tune WHN at 1050 instead of phoning the Yankee switchboard!"
-The 1967 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
ADVERTISEMENTS
-Antonio Y Cleopatra: The mildest top quality cigar.
-Aster Mixed Nuts: We're making a pitch!
-Baby Ruth Butterfinger: Great Double Play Combination
-Beefeater: First Name for the Martini
-Belair-Kool-Raleigh-Viceroy: Big League Taste
-Budweiser: Best Reason in the World to Drink Beer
-Butterfinger
-Chemical Bank New York
-Chesterfield-L & M-Lark: Fine Quality Products, Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company
-Chevron: Get up and go with Chevron!
-Coca-Cola: Enjoy Real Refreshment
-Coke: Coke has the taste you never get tired of.
-Coming Attraction: Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox (featuring Tommie Agee)
-Coming Attraction: Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers (featuring Al Kaline)
-Continental National American Group
-Cutty Sark; American's No. 1 selling Scotch Whisky
-Dsert Whip: In Your Grocer's Dairy Case
-DuVal French Ice Cream: A Hit at the Stadium
-Duvernoy Bakeries: Serving New York's Better Hotels and Restaurants
-Fresca
-Grand Tier
-Gulden's Mustard: The hot dog you're eating right now tastes better- because it's served with Gulden's Mustard.
-Hygrade's Stadium Franks: Hygrade's Stadium Franks, always a hit ... here at the Stadium, and at home.
-Lorillard: Kent-True-Newport-Old Gold Filters-Old Gold Straights-Spring
-Krueger Pilsner: Brewed a little at a time, it's the world's perfect beer.
-Marlboro: Come to where the flavor is. Come to Marlboro Country.
-Martinson Coffee: Martin Coffee is for people who really know their beans.
-Monsanto: You get the best hot drinks at Yankee Stadium.
-Mountain Vally Water: Good to Taste ... Great for You
-Nabisco: Snacks that always make a hit!
-Nestle's $100,000: Tastes go good it's almost illegal.
-Old Spice Ship Shape: It's a natural!
-Opera Cafe
-Planters: Planters new dry roasted nuts lead the league!
-Rheingold: In N.Y., the city of tough customers, only Rheingold's made it to the top.
-Roi-Tan: America's largest-selling 10c Cigar
-Schenley: Schenley ... so smooth, it's a hit every time.
-Seagram's 7: The Sure One
-Seagram's VO: You don't have to acquire a taste for the Smooth Canadian.
-Sinclair: Put Dino Power in your engine.
-Sun Dew: Refreshment Time!
-Treat Potato Chips: Treat yourself to Treat Potato Chips ... too good to share.
-White Owl: Team Up with a White Owl Invincible
-White Rock: Wild ... but always a winner!
-Winston: The name of the game is flavor.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
1967 New York Yankees Home Opening Roster
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York (April 14)
Manager - Ralph Houk
No. Coaches
36 Loren Babe
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
45 Stan Bahnsen (R-R)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
54 Thad Tillotson (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
23 Billy Bryan (L-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
49 Charlie Sands (L-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
26 John Kennedy (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
No. Outfielders
40 Lou Clinton (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
47 Frank Tepedino (L-L)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
28 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Frank Fernandez
Mike Hegan
Bobby Murcer
Manager - Ralph Houk
No. Coaches
36 Loren Babe
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
45 Stan Bahnsen (R-R)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
54 Thad Tillotson (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (L-R)
No. Catchers
23 Billy Bryan (L-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
49 Charlie Sands (L-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
26 John Kennedy (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
No. Outfielders
40 Lou Clinton (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
47 Frank Tepedino (L-L)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
28 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Frank Fernandez
Mike Hegan
Bobby Murcer
1967 New York Yankees Opening Day Roster
D.C. Stadium, Washington, D.C. (April 10)
Manager - Ralph Houk
No. Coaches
36 Loren Babe
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
45 Stan Bahnsen (R-R)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
54 Thad Tillotson (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (R-R)
No. Catchers
23 Billy Bryan (L-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
49 Charlie Sands (L-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
26 John Kennedy (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
No. Outfielders
40 Lou Clinton (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
47 Frank Tepedino (L-L)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
28 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Frank Fernandez
Mike Hegan
Bobby Murcer
Manager - Ralph Houk
No. Coaches
36 Loren Babe
2 Frankie Crosetti
44 Jim Hegan
31 Jim Turner
No. Pitchers
45 Stan Bahnsen (R-R)
56 Jim Bouton (R-R)
24 Al Downing (R-L)
16 Whitey Ford (L-L)
39 Steve Hamilton (L-L)
19 Fritz Peterson (S-L)
18 Hal Reniff (R-R)
30 Mel Stottlemyre (R-R)
22 Fred Talbot (R-R)
54 Thad Tillotson (R-R)
58 Dooley Womack (R-R)
No. Catchers
23 Billy Bryan (L-R)
41 Jake Gibbs (L-R)
32 Elston Howard (R-R)
49 Charlie Sands (L-R)
No. Infielders
12 Ruben Amaro (R-R)
42 Ray Barker (L-R)
20 Horace Clarke (S-R)
10 Dick Howser (R-R)
26 John Kennedy (R-R)
7 Mickey Mantle (S-R)
6 Charley Smith (R-R)
No. Outfielders
40 Lou Clinton (R-R)
25 Joe Pepitone (L-L)
11 Bill Robinson (R-R)
47 Frank Tepedino (L-L)
15 Tom Tresh (S-R)
28 Steve Whitaker (L-R)
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Trainers - Joe Soares, Don Seger
National Defense Service List
Frank Fernandez
Mike Hegan
Bobby Murcer
1967 Yankees Yearbook Roster, Taxi Squad and Prospects
ROSTER
Manager - Ralph Houk 35
First Base Coach - Loren Babe 36
Third Base Coach - Frankie Crosetti 2
Pitching Coach - Jim Turner 31
Bullpen Coach - Jim Hegan 44
Batting Practice Pitcher - Spud Murray 55
Spring Training Instructor - Joe DiMaggio 5
Catcher - Elston Howard 32, Jake Gibbs 41, Bob Tillman 23
First Base - Mickey Mantle 7, Mike Hegan 34 (RF)
Second Base - Horace Clarke 20
Third Base - Charley Smith 6, Roy White 48 (OF)
Shortstop - Ruben Amaro 12, John Kennedy 26 (3B)
Left Field - Tom Tresh 15
Center Field - Joe Pepitone 25, Bill Robinson 11 (RF)
Right Field - Steve Whitaker 28
Pinch Hitter - Dick Howser 10 (2B-SS)
Starting Pitchers:
Whitey Ford 16
Mel Stottlemyre 30
Al Downing 24
Fritz Peterson 19
Steve Barber 18
Fred Talbot 22
Relief Pitchers:
Dooley Womack 58
Bill Monbouquette 40
Steve Hamilton 39
Joe Verbanic 52
TAXI SQUAD
Catcher - Bill Bryan 50
First Base - Ray Barker 42
Outfield - Ross Moschitto 53, Lou Clinton 27*
Starting Pitchers:
Jim Bouton 56
Jack Cullen 49
Relief Pitchers:
Hal Reniff 38*
Chi-Chi Olivo 51
PROSPECTS
Catcher - Frank Fernandez, Charlie Sands, Louis Howell, Eliseo Rodriguez
First Base - John Miller (OF), Frank Tepedino (OF)
Second Base - Matt Galante, Bill Bethea (SS)
Third Base - Mike Ferraro
Shortstop - Jerry Kenney, Chet Trail
Outfield - Bob Biletnikoff
Starting Pitchers:
Stan Bahnsen
Bill Henry
Bill Burbach
John Schroeppel
Gary Girouard
Relief Pitchers:
Thad Tillotson
Cecil Perkins
Dale Roberts
Tony Przybycien
YANKEES IN MILITARY SERVICE
Rich Beck
Jim Fink
Bobby Murcer
* unofficial uniform number
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