"When the Yankees found out that Danny Cater was available, they sprinted to the trade mart and sent pitcher Al Downing and catcher Frank Fernandez to Oakland for him. A first baseman/third baseman/outfielder, he gives the Yankees a needed right-hand hitter in a lineup loaded with lefties.
Cater broke in with the Phillies back in 1964 and hit .296; he's been a solid hitter ever since in stints with the White Sox and A's. With the A's in 1968, he was second among AL hitters at .290 and led the league's first basemen in fielding. He had his poorest season in 1969 when he hit .262, but came up with his highest RBI total - 76.
Houk says of his hitting: 'I like the way he swings because he's always getting a piece of the ball. He's one of the tougher hitters to get out with men on base.'"
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1970
"In competition for Joe Pepitone's old spot at first base this season is Danny Cater, who was acquired from Oakland during the 1969 Winter Meetings in exchange for Al Downing and Frank Fernandez. The trade, Ralph Houk points out, was made to fill the club's greatest need: right-handed offense.
Cater finished second to Carl Yastrzemski for the American League batting title in 1968 with a .290 mark. His .275 lifetime batting average places him among the top 15 percent of active major league hitters who have played 100 or more games. Danny led American League first basemen in fielding in 1968 with a .995 mark.
Experienced and versatile - he plays third base and the outfield as well - Cater is an aggressive right-hand hitter who specializes in line drives. His right-hand swing will be the deciding factor when the Yankees face left-handed pitchers. His desire and ability will be the deciding factor in many a Yankee victory."
-The New York Yankees Official 1970 Yearbook
"Danny was involved in one of the Yankees' major trades during the off-season, coming from Oakland in exchange for pitcher Al Downing and catcher Frank Fernandez.
He was originally signed by the Phillies in 1958 and quickly showed his hitting ability when he went 5-for-6 with three homers and eight RBIs in his second game of pro ball at Johnson City. He finished that season hitting .345 with 14 homers. Danny was traded to the White Sox for pitcher Ray Herbert in December 1964 and went to the A's for Wayne Causey in May 1966.
Danny is highly regarded, a solid hitter with a picture swing. His .275 lifetime batting average places him among the top 14% of active major league hitters who have played 100 or more games. His seasonal high was .290 in 1968 when he finished second to Carl Yastrzemski for the American League batting title. In addition, he has established himself as a very versatile fielder, having played third base, first base and the outfield; he led American League first basemen in fielding in 1968 with a .995 mark, as he committed just five errors.
Manager Ralph Houk has indicated that he plans to use Danny mostly at the 'initial sack.'"
-1970 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
A FRIEND OF LITTLE LEAGUE
"Fans in Williamsport, PA plan to honor Danny Cater in field ceremonies at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon, July 18. Danny and his family are winter residents of Williamsport, home of Little League baseball with which Cater is active in the off-season."
-1970 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
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