1970 Profile: Ron Hansen

"To add infield strength, the Yankees purchased the contract of Ron Hansen from the Chicago White Sox in February. The rangy infielder (6 foot 3, 200 pounds) filled in at all four positions last year. He batted .259 in 85 games, had two homers (for a major league total of 100) and 22 RBIs.
Hansen, a major leaguer for 11 years, was American Rookie of the Year in 1960, his first full season with the Orioles. He was the regular Oriole shortstop through 1962 and for the White Sox through 1965. He led the league in assists four times at that position - 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967. He led in putouts twice - in 1961 with the Orioles and 1964 with the White Sox. He led the league in double plays by a shortstop twice - in 1961 with the Orioles and 1967 with the White Sox. A 'live' bat adds to his fielding versatility.
A ruptured spinal disc kept Ron out of action most of 1966, but he returned to play in 157 games for the Sox in 1967. He was traded to the Senators in 1968 but was retrieved by the Sox the same year.
Ron, who lives in Baldwin, Maryland, is married and has a daughter (age 4)."

-The New York Yankees Official 1970 Yearbook

"The American League Rookie of the Year in 1960 who was purchased conditionally from the White Sox in February 1970 for utility reasons, Ron came to the major leagues as a shortstop with the Orioles and led the league in assists four times at that position with the White Sox - 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967. He led in putouts twice, 1961 with the Orioles and 1964 with the White Sox, and in double plays by a shortstop twice, 1961 with the Orioles and 1967 with the White Sox.
Ron was involved in a major trade when he went from the Orioles to the White Sox in January 1963 along with Hoyt Wilhelm, Pete Ward and Dave Nicholson in exchange for Luis Aparicio and Al Smith. His career was hampered in 1966 when he suffered a ruptured spinal disc and was on the disabled list from May 26 to the end of the season. Ron was traded from the White Sox to the Senators in February 1968 along with Dennis Higgins and Steve Jones in exchange for Bob Priddy, Lester Narum and Tim Cullen; later on in the season he was returned to the White Sox for Cullen.
He proved his worth as a utility man with the Sox last season as he played all four positions and batted .259 in 85 games."

-1970 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide