1972 Profile: Horace Clarke

"Clarke has been the Yankees' regular second baseman for five years. His speed gives him good range in the field.
He led the team in stolen bases with 17 last year and was second only to Bobby Murcer in hits. Horace bats lead-off and in 1970 broke up three no-hitters with ninth inning hits. He has hit only 22 home runs in the majors but his first two were grand slams.
Born in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, June 2, 1940, Horace signed as a free agent in 1958 but didn't make it to the majors until 1965, eventually succeeding Bobby Richardson at second when he retired."

-Hal Bock, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1972 Edition

"In an age of 162-game schedules, night baseball, coast-to-coast airline travel, day games after night games, doubleheaders, twi-night doubleheaders, team meetings, autograph sessions, fan clinics and personal appearances, it's reassuring to know that Horace Clarke is ready to play every day.
Few can match this man's durability. He's missed only 13 games in the last three seasons as the Yankees' second baseman. His bat never feels the length of the season, and the switch-hitter has reached first an average of 222 times a year since 1969. His legs don't tire either - he's climbed to 13th on the all-time Yankee stolen base list.
Defensively, he's led the league in assists four times and in putouts three times.
There is a polite, quiet manner about Horace. He slips in and out of the ballpark virtually unnoticed. This is how he wants it. Horace is a private man who works seriously at his very public profession, in a way that reflects credit on himself and his native Virgin Islands, where he will settle with dignity and honor when he decides his playing days are ended.
And doesn't that sound like something we'd all like to do."

-The New York Yankees Official 1972 Yearbook

"Capable Hoss led the club in games played last year with 159 and has played in 150 or more games the past three seasons. He's now been the Yankees' regular second baseman for the past five years.
Horace is a fine offensive threat as he makes contact with the bat and is one of the finest baserunners in the game today. He led the club in stolen bases last year with 17 and is 13th on the all-time Yankee list with 121.
He's led American League second basemen in putouts, assists and total chances in each of his last four seasons at the 'keystone sack.' Originally signed as a shortstop, Clarke has played all infield positions for the Yanks, including 63 games at short in 1966 before replacing Bobby Richardson at second base in 1967.
Although he is not known for his power hitting, Horace's first two home runs in the major leagues were both grand slams. Another distinction of Clarke's is that he broke up three no-hitters in the ninth inning inside of one month during the 1970 season, as he spoiled no-hit bids by Joe Niekro, Sonny Siebert and Jim Rooker."

-1972 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide