1966 Profile: Mel Stottlemyre

1966 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Mel Stottlemyre is a pencil-slim right-hander who fits the traditional Yankee mold of pitching efficiency. In his first complete season with the Yanks, he turned in a 20-9 mark and his 2.63 ERA was eighth best in the league. He showed signs of impending brilliance when he came up from Richmond late in 1964 to win nine games out of 12 decisions and virtually pitch the Yankees into the World Series. To be even more effective, he needs a third pitch to go with his good sinker and his fastball, which also has a natural dip to it. Many of his walks are not due to wildness but are attributable to the fact that AL umpires don't give you the low strike."

-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966

"Mel Stottlemyre's position as a Yankee has changed abruptly in a year-and-a-half. He was brought up to the parent club in mid-August, 1964 to help a staggering pitching staff. He helped!. The long, rangy right-hander won nine, lost only three, starred in the losing cause in the World Series, and all eyes were on him last spring.
He didn't disappoint, posting a seasonal record of 20-9 with a neat 2.63 ERA. He topped the American League with 18 complete games. The Sporting News' Minor League Player of 1964, he was a major league All-Star in 1965.
The popular sinker ball hurler likes to hunt and fish near his Mabton, Washington home. He has time to relax in the winter, but he's all business in the summer. A good competitor on the mound, in the field and at bat, Mel figures to lead the Yankee staff often in the years ahead."

-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook

Signed by Yankee organization, June 10, 1961.
Led International League in ERA (1.42), 1964.
Led International League pitchers in fielding (1.000), 1964.
Purchased by Yankees from Richmond, August 11, 1964.
Hurled 7-0, 2-hit shutout at Washington, had five hits in five at-bats in the same game, September 26, 1964.
Led American League in complete games (18), 1965.
Led Yankees in games started (37), complete games, shutouts (4), wins (20) and ERA (2.63), 1965.

-1966 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide