"A youthful veteran of 26, Rob Gardner earned a shot at the Yankee mound staff by pitching the Syracuse Chiefs into the International League playoffs and to the Little World Series championship last season. A former New York Met, who also hurled for the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians, Gardner was brought up to the parent Yankees last September. He won his only start and it was his 20th win of the campaign (a league-leading 16 in the AAA International League, plus three in the playoffs). His final win last fall clinched second place for the Yankees.
Fine control and know-how have given Rob the confidence needed to make it in the majors after several earlier trials."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Gardner, a veteran left-hander who is entering his ninth season of Organized Baseball, enjoyed the finest year of his career at Syracuse last year, which has earned him a spot on the Yanks' 39-man roster. Named Pitcher of the Year in the International League where he was also on the All-Star squad, Gardner was the stopper on the Syracuse club which won the Governor's Cup for the second straight year. He led the league in ERA (2.53), wins (16), shutouts (4) and innings pitched (192). In addition, he won three games in the International League playoffs, and also his one start with the Yankees after being recalled on September 21; hence his overall won-loss record for the 1970 season was 20-5.
Rob was originally signed by the Twins in 1963, and the next year was drafted by the Mets and pitched in 46 games for the Mets in 1965 and '66. He was traded to the Cubs in 1967 and to Cleveland in 1968 before coming to the Yankee organization in 1969.
He spent the off-season as a Recreation Instructor at St. Anthony's School in Endicott, New York and at the Susquehanna Valley Home for Children in Binghamton, New York. Rob's hobby is fishing."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
GARY WASLEWSKI
"Worn cartilage in his left knee forced Gary Waslewski to the sidelines in July. But through the first half of 1971, Gary was the Yankees' number one middle relief man, compiling a 3.28 ERA. Formerly of the Red Sox, Cardinals and Expos, Gary got a start in the sixth game of the 1967 World Series.
A resident now of Meriden, Connecticut, Gary is an investment counselor in the off-season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"The lanky right-hander has at times showed brilliance. He's a side-armer with as much 'stuff' as anyone. A little more consistency could propel him into stardom.
Waslewski started the crucial sixth World Series game for the Red Sox in 1967 when they were down three games to two, and although he didn't gain credit for the victory, he pitched well, allowing just four hits and just two runs in 5.1 innings. Another time, Gary hurled a 1-hitter, facing just 27 batters while with the Expos on July 6, 1969.
Gary was named the International League's Pitcher of the Year in 1966 when he was 18-11. He had another outstanding year at Kinston in 1964 when he was 12-1 with a fantastic ERA of 1.64.
Waz was originally signed by the Pirates after his freshman year at the University of Connecticut. He was drafted by the Red Sox in 1964, went to the Cardinals for infielder Dick Schofield in 1968, and then to Montreal for pitcher Mudcat Grant in June 1969. Gary could be a contender for one of the five starting spots on the Yankee staff.
Gary is an investment counselor during the off-season."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
RON HANSEN
"Acquired from the White Sox on February 28, 1970, Ron did an outstanding job for the Yankees last year as a utility infielder and pinch hitter. With only 91 trips to the plate, he hit four home runs (including two pinch-hit homers), drove in 14 runs, had 19 walks and an average of .297.
Hansen was American League Rookie of the Year in 1960 with the Orioles. As a shortstop with the White Sox, he led the league in assists at his position four times; he twice led in putouts and double plays.
As a pinch hitter and valuable utility man, Ron, who's 33, gives real strength to the Yankee bench, for he plays third, short and second."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Hansen provided much needed strength to the Yankee bench last year as he played second, third and short and hit a strong .297 in 59 games, including two pinch-hit homers. This solid veteran performer of 11 seasons in the major leagues was once considered one of the premier shortstops in the game before being hampered by a ruptured spinal disc in 1966. Two operations on his spine slowed him somewhat, but he's still a real pro.
He was American League Rookie of the Year in 1960 with the Orioles, and as a shortstop led the league in assists four times- 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967 with the White Sox, and in double plays twice- 1961 with Baltimore and 1967 with Chicago. Ron was involved in a major trade when he went from the Orioles to the White Sox in January 1963, along with Dave Nicholson, Pete Ward and Hoyt Wilhelm, in exchange for Luis Aparicio and Al Smith. He went 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 same season, he was returned to the White Sox for Cullen.
Ron pulled one of the most infrequent plays in baseball- an unassisted triple play- while playing shortstop with Washington against Cleveland on July 30, 1968. With runners on first and second he caught Jose Azcue's line drive, stepped on second to double Dave Nelson who had broken for third and tagged Russ Snyder coming into second. It was only the seventh unassisted triple play in the major leagues and the first since 1927."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM HARDIN
"When Baltimore ace Jim Palmer experienced arm trouble in 1968, the Orioles turned to 24-year-old Jim Hardin, and the Tennessee right-hander responded with an 18-victory season. With Palmer's return, Hardin became a key reliever and spot starter on the Oriole pennant winners of 1969 and 1970, and his trade to the Yankees in May saw him bring the fifth best lifetime ERA (2.93) of active American Leaguers to the Bronx."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
RON KLIMKOWSKI
"Ron was one of the pleasant developments last season. The year before he helped pitch Syracuse to the International League championship as he led in ERA (2.18) and tied for most wins (15). When he came up to the Yankees, he was a spot starter and a valuable long relief man.
The long relief man seldom gets a save; the last pitcher gets it. But Ron finally got a save. He won six, lost seven, had one save (how sweet it was) and had a 2.64 ERA.
Ron gave up only 80 hits in 98 1/3 innings. He pitched a three-hit shutout against the Tigers in Detroit at the end of the season. Klim did his job well last year and the experience should pay off in lots of poise this season.
He lives in Westbury, New York, is married and the father of two children."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Klimkowski was perhaps the most versatile pitcher on the Yankee staff last year, as he started, hurled middle relief, and also late relief. He has had two very good years back-to-back.
He was named Most Valuable Pitcher in the International League in 1969 as he led Syracuse to the Governor's Cup (awarded to the winners of the International League playoffs). Ron came to the Yankees in September of that year. He hurled nine shutout innings in his first major league start on September 24 at Fenway Park, allowing the Red Sox only three hits; he had no decisions, however, as the Red Sox went on to win 1-0 in 14 innings. Ron had three starts last year and one resulted in a 3-hit, 5-0 shutout over the Tigers on September 18.
Ron attended Morehead State for two years before entering professional baseball."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
RON WOODS
"Obtained from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Tommy Tresh in 1969, Woods proved to be a superb defensive outfielder. Winter ball in Puerto Rico helped Ron; he was named to the All-Star team and came into spring camp full of confidence.
Woods had a hot bat last spring and in the early games, until he broke his thumb while bunting. He missed all of July and when he returned he had a hard getting started again at the plate. A good platoon man, Ron would like nothing better than to parallel the career of Roy White, whom he played against in high school. (Roy got his start by being inserted into the lineup and won a regular job when his hitting couldn't be denied.) 'Woodsie' hit .290 in his last two full minor league seasons."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Woods got off to a fine start last year. After the first month of the season, he was hitting .333 with four homers and 11 RBIs. A solid outfielder, he handled his first 182 chances in the major leagues before committing his first error on June 7. Ron was on the disabled list from July 3-21 with a broken right thumb.
He grew up in Compton, California where he played high school ball against Roy White. Ron was originally signed by the Pirates in 1961. He went to the Tigers in a minor league trade in the spring of 1966, later coming to the Yankees. Ron has spent the last two off-seasons playing winter ball.
Ron is one of the most popular players on the club."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
CURT BLEFARY
"Curt had a disappointing season in the year of his return to the Yankees. He gave it everything he had; he was the first one in the clubhouse every day and the last one to leave.
But the Rookie of the Year with the Orioles in 1965 and member of the pennant-winning Orioles of 1966 has desire and determination. A left-handed hitter who can play the outfield and first, he is also an experienced catcher, having spent an entire season behind the plate for the Orioles.
Relaxed and trimmed down more in his second season at 'home,' Curt hopes to contribute to a 1971 Yankee winner."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Curt's fierce desire and competitive spirit was probably never more in evidence than during the 1970 season. Despite a rough season, he never stopped hustling. Many thought a major part of his problem was being over anxious in his hometown- he was always a Yankee fan and one of his dreams was to one day play in the 'big ballpark.'
He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1965. He once had three homers in one game, June 6, 1967, while he was with the Orioles. Curt has always hit well in Yankee Stadium.
Curt has experience at three positions- catcher, first and the outfield- and has a really good batting eye, receiving many bases on balls. He had two pinch-hit homers last year, one of them coming in the bottom of the ninth against the Red Sox, driving in three runs and winning the game for New York, 3-2."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BILL BURBACH
"Injuries, illness and resulting wildness were Bill Burbach's undoing a year ago. Going into 1970 spring drills, the big, rugged Wisconsin right-hander seemed slated for the No. 4 spot in the starting rotation. Sent back to Syracuse to get straightened out, Burbach came down with a severe case of flu and he never returned to the form that made him one of the Yankees' most promising hurlers in his rookie season.
In 1969 the 215-pounder yielded only 112 hits in only 141 innings pitched while compiling a 6-8 record. Veteran Tiger star Al Kaline was mighty impressed when he first faced the Burbach fastball as Bill was firing an early season (1969) shutout against the Bengals.
The Yankees' first selection in the initial Free Agent Draft, Burbach married Joann Lawson last December 28 to add another incentive in his bid to reach stardom as a Yank."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"The 'sophomore jinx' certainly hit Burbach last year. Not only did he get off to a bad start and was sent to Syracuse on May 3, he was further hindered with the Chiefs when he came up with a severe case of intestinal flu. Bill was on the disabled list from July 17 to August 5.
However, any fellow who pitches a shutout in only his second major league start (against the Tigers in 1969) and has hurled three no-hitters in his professional career cannot be counted out. His no-hitters were with Greensboro in 1966, Binghamton in 1967 and in the Puerto Rican League in 1969.
Big and strong, he throws a blazing fastball. Bill's only real problem to date has been his control. He will make a strong bid to win back his job on the Yankee staff this spring. In his 1969 rookie season, Bill yielded only 112 hits in 142 innings- a 7-per-game average."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
FRANK TEPEDINO
"Frank is one of those sound hitters who doesn't forget how it's done - after they've sat on the bench for two weeks. He had a strange season last year; he didn't play much - only 19 times at bat - yet he hit .316. He had to leave for military service and was then assigned to Syracuse where he did what he has always done - hit. In 31 games with Syracuse, Frank hit .355, had five home runs and starred in the playoffs.
He can play first base or the outfield but feels most at home at first. He'll see action - and so will the fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Tepedino is another young Yankee who is on the brink of becoming a bona fide major leaguer. Rated as one of the top hitting prospects in the organization, he hit .316 and .355 in his brief tours with the Yanks and with Syracuse last year.
He began the season with the parent club and was sent to the Chiefs on July 8 when a pitching void developed and the Yanks were forced to recall Steve Kline from their AAA club. Frank had to go to make room on the roster. He was one of the top pinch hitters on the club (4-for-11) and could be the dark horse of the Yankee camp this spring.
Frank comes from a long line of semi-pro baseball players. He has two uncles, John and Frank, who played in the Carolina League in the early '50s. He is a product of the Brooklyn sandlots, where he also played semi-pro with the Cadets, a club that has produced such famous major leaguers as Sandy Koufax, Joe Torre and Bobby Aspromonte.
Tepedino went for 7-for-8 with three homers in a doubleheader at Syracuse last year, which he lists as one of his outstanding baseball experiences- along with meeting Mickey Mantle."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
MIKE MCCORMICK
"McCormick had an off year in '70; however, the former Cy Young Award winner (1967) is still only 32 and should have many more productive years ahead of him.
He was originally signed by the Giants at age 17 for a reported $50,000 after he was all-state in baseball and basketball in high school and pitched his first major league game at age 18. Except for one year in the International League with Rochester (because of a sore arm) in 1964, Mike has been in the major leagues ever since.
This is Mike's second tour of the American League. He came over to Baltimore from San Francisco in 1963 in a multi-player deal that involved himself, pitcher Stu Miller and catcher John Orsino in exchange for pitchers Jack Fisher and Billy Hoeft and catcher Jim Coker. Mike was sold to the Senators in 1965, went back to the Giants in 1967 and won Comeback of the Year honors along with his Cy Young Award as he compiled a 22-10 won-loss record. He won the National League ERA crown in 1960 with a 2.70 mark.
Mike is a stockbroker for Dean Witter & Co. during the off-season."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
PETE WARD
"Ward served the Yankees well as a utility infielder at first base and third base and also as a pinch hitter. He saw the most service on the club as a pinch hitter with 49 appearances and collected the most pinch hits (10) including a homer. Pete hit for an average of .385 in the games he started with 10 hits in 26 at-bats, including a double, two triples and eight RBIs.
He will be going into his ninth full season in the major leagues. Pete came up with the Orioles at the tail end of the 1962 season. That winter he was involved in a major trade which sent him to the White Sox with pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm, shortstop Ron Hansen and outfielder Dave Nicholson in exchange for shortstop Luis Aparicio and outfielder Al Smith. Pete was a vital cog in the White Sox attack his first two years there, as he hit .295 with 22 homers in 1963, when he was named [Sporting News] Rookie of the Year, and .282 with 23 homers in 1964. Early in 1965, however, he suffered a whiplash injury in an automobile accident which hindered his performance.
Pete has, however, added to the Yankees' bench strength- he was the American League's leading pinch hitter in 1969 when he had 17 hits in 46 at-bats with 11 RBIs for a .370 average. He needs just two homers to reach 100 lifetime.
He inherited his athletic ability from his father who was a National Hockey League player with the Montreal Maroons (now the Canadians) for 11 years from 1927 to 1938. Pete graduated from Lewis & Clark College of Portland (Oregon) in 1962. He spent the past off-season working for the Recreation Department of Portland."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BARRY MOORE
"Barry was originally signed by the Washington Senators. He went to Cleveland along with Dennis Higgins in exchange for pitchers Horacio Pina and Ron Law, and infielder Dave Nelson in December 1969, then went to the Chicago White Sox along with pitcher Bob Miller in exchange for pitcher Bob Priddy and outfielder Buddy Bradford in June 1970.
He is a product of American Legion ball. He pitched 12 no-hit games in amateur competition and once struck out 21 batters in a high school game. Barry attended West Rowan High in Mt. Ulla, North Carolina and pitched the ballclub to the state title.
His hobbies are hunting and fishing."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
DANNY WALTON
"One of the big question marks for the Brewers this year is Danny Walton. The 23-year-old long-ball-hitting outfielder was impressive as a rookie last season. But Danny underwent knee surgery toward the end of the campaign after suffering a recurrence of a knee injury that originated in 1969.
The Minor League Player of the Year that season when he hit .322 with a league leading 25 homers and 119 RBIs at Oklahoma City, Danny got off to a hot start with Milwaukee in 1970. His pace slowed down after a few months, however, and he was used for a while only against left-handers and as a pinch hitter. The six-foot, 200-pound Walton wound up the season with a .257 average, 17 homers and 66 RBIs.
Danny tried to be philosophical about being benched. 'You can learn a lot by sitting and watching things maybe you couldn't see when you were in there,' he said. If the knee doesn't give him any trouble, Danny shouldn't be doing too much sitting around this season.
Originally with the Houston Astros, Danny was traded to Milwaukee in 1969."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"Already something of a folk hero in Milwaukee. The left field bleachers were named Walton Country in his honor. Danny got off to a sensational start last year, batting .300 over the first two months, then slumped badly and underwent a knee operation in September.
Danny has extraordinary power. He hit a tremendous sky-high home run into the left-center field bleachers at Yankee Stadium, only the 21st ball ever hit into that sector. 'They tell me that's the way Babe Ruth used to hit them,' Yankee manager Ralph Houk said. Danny has deficiencies as an outfielder but is a very hard worker. He's nicknamed 'Mick' because 'Mantle was my idol.'
Walton had a brilliant 1969 season at Oklahoma City. He batted .322, hit 25 homers, drove in 119 runs and was named Minor League Player of the Year. He dislocated his kneecap near its end and strengthened the knee by working in the Phoenix stockyards.
'I drove a tractor and baled hay,' he said. 'It was hard work. Ten hours a day and seven days a week, but I needed the money.'
Born in Los Angeles, Danny is soft-spoken and forthright."
-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition
BRUCE LOOK
"Bruce was the backup catcher to John Roseboro at Minnesota in 1968, having been drafted from the Dodger system the previous winter. He was originally signed by the Milwaukee Braves and was drafted by the Dodgers in 1964.
A Big Ten baseball star at Michigan State, he's the brother of Dean Look, a football standout and one time White Sox farmhand. Defensively, Bruce is noted for a strong arm."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
RICK BLADT
"A right-handed-hitting outfielder who hit .259 at Syracuse last year, Bladt is a young prospect acquired from the Cubs in the trade for Jimmie Hall. This spring he attended his first Yankee camp."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Rick is a good athlete with speed and a fine arm. Mainly an outfielder, he has also played the infield. He's a line drive type hitter who has batted over .290 in three of his five years of professional baseball.
His highest [batting average] was .312 in the AAA Pacific Coast League at Tacoma in 1969, which earned him a shot with the Chicago Cubs at the tail end of the season. Rick played winter ball in Venezuela this past season."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
TONY SOLAITA
"Tony Solaita is a Yankee prospect who continues to knock on the door with a big bat. The Minor League Player of the Year in 1968, when he had 51 homers in Class A ball, had a good year in 1970 with Syracuse. In 130 games he hit .308 with 19 home runs and 87 RBIs. The American Samoan, who is only 24 and a left-handed hitter, has a good chance to be called on to supply heavy artillery to the Yankee lineup in the near future."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Solaita rebounded from an injury-prone year in 1969 and hit .308 for Syracuse (ninth best in the International League) with 19 homers and 87 RBIs- he led the Chiefs in all three categories. Big and powerful, Tony hit 51 homers in 1968 at High Point-Thomasville in the Carolina League, 49 in the regular season and two in the playoffs, the most by any player in Organized Baseball that year, earning him Minor League Player of the Year honors.
Born in American Samoa, Tony spent three years in Hawaii as a youngster, where he first began to play baseball in their Little League program. His father is a Methodist minister.
Tony was brought up to the Yankees at the tail end of the 1968 season and was entered into a home run contest here at the Stadium, which he won, beating out such noted sluggers as Carl Yastrzemski, Ken Harrelson, Reggie Smith, Rocky Colavito and Mickey Mantle."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BOBBY MITCHELL
"Bobby was originally drafted from the Red Sox organization in 1968. His speed was indicated in '68 when he stole 42 bases for Louisville. In 107 games with the champion Syracuse Chiefs in 1970, he hit 13 home runs, had 57 RBIs and a .268 mark.
Mitchell was a home run hitting cleanup hitter in recent winter ball. He was called up in July of '70 by the Yanks, when Ron Woods was placed on the disabled list, and again late in the season. While he didn't play much, Mitchell in his few opportunities showed exceptional speed and made some spectacular game-saving plays."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Mitchell spent 1970 switching back forth between Syracuse and New York. He began the year with the Chiefs and was purchased by the Yanks on July 5 to replace the injured Ron Woods. Bobby was sent back to the Chiefs on July 24 and returned again on September 21 to finish out the season in New York.
He has terrific speed- he stole 42 bases in 1968 with Louisville. Bobby made an unbelievable running catch against Washington on September 22 at Yankee Stadium which saved the game for the Yankees. He also displayed more power than ever before in 1970 when he popped 13 home runs at Syracuse, a personal high.
Bobby's career has been somewhat hampered by a knee injury suffered in 1968. A successful operation has restored the knee. He's a good all-around athlete who can run and throw. A little more consistent hitting could turn him into a real 'sleeper.'
Bobby spent the past off-season playing winter ball in Mexico where he was among the league's top home run hitters."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
ALAN CLOSTER and ROGER HAMBRIGHT
"When Gary Waslewski went on the disabled list and the Yankee bullpen faltered in mid-season, the Yankees reached into their farm system for two rookie pitchers.
28-year-old Alan Closter, who has been to two Yankee training camps, is a left-handed hurler who struck out 88 in 103 innings at Syracuse this season. Roger Hambright, just 22, jumped all the way from Manchester in the Eastern League where he was 4-2 with 9 saves and a 2.07 ERA, following a 1.55 ERA in 1970 at Kinston.
Both Alan and Roger hope to add depth to the Yank relief corps for the remainder of the season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
GARY JONES
"A relief pitcher at Syracuse where he had a 3.08 ERA and a 7-5 record, Jones will be bidding to win the left-handed relief spot vacated by Steve Hamilton. Gary is 25, a good competitor, and the club believes he has a future."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"The top left-handed relief pitcher for Syracuse last year, Jones was an important factor in the Chiefs winning the Governor's Cup and the World Series and the Junior World Series. He had eight saves and was purchased by the Yankees on September 21. Gary hopes to replace Steve Hamilton as the Yankees' top lefty relief hurler.
Gary is a graduate of Whittier College in California, the alma mater of President Richard Nixon. He has a brother, Steve, who hurled for the White Sox, Senators and Royals."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
LOYD COLSON
"A long, lean right-handed pitcher with ice water in his veins, Colson made an impressive showing late in the season. Strictly a relief man - unusual for such a young pitcher - he finished as the leading relief hurler in the Eastern League. In his late-season stint as a rookie, Loyd was unflappable. He was sent to the Instructional League last winter and his late-inning relief work was brilliant.
Colson is 23 and lives in Hollis, Oklahoma."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"The young right-hander continued to improve last year as he amassed league leading totals of 48 appearances and 16 saves in the Class AA Eastern League. The Yankees recalled him on September 5. His one major league appearance to date was against the Tigers on September 25.
Loyd attended Gould High School in Hollis, Oklahoma where he helped the school baseball team to three straight state championships. He also attended Bacon Junior College for one year.
He has pitched almost strictly in relief the last three years. Loyd played in the Florida Instructional League and also in Puerto Rico this past off-season.
Loyd's hobby is hunting."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
LARRY GOWELL
"Larry had a second straight good year as he moved up from Ft. Lauderdale in the Class A Florida State League to Manchester and was fourth in the AA Eastern League in wins (12), fifth in ERA (3.55) and second in strikeouts (129). The year before he led the Florida State League in wins, strikeouts and complete games and was second in the league in ERA.
He has a blazing fastball with good control. He's another top-notch 'Young Yankee' who is just a shade away from Yankee Stadium. Gowell is a product of American Legion Baseball where he once pitched a 1-hitter and a no-hitter in three days. Musically inclined, he plays the trumpet and the organ.
Gowell is a Seventh Day Adventist."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
MARIO GUERRERO
"Guerrero was recommended by a former Yankee infielder from the Dominican Republic, Pedro Gonzalez. The club eventually signed him and he has proven to be a pleasant surprise as he has advanced steadily through the Yankee farm system in his three years of pro ball.
He won all-star honors in the Carolina League while at Kinston in 1969. He jumped to AA ball at Manchester last year where he led all [Eastern League] shortstops in putouts (225) and assists (344) and was second in double plays (72).
Mario has good range and hands with a strong arm. His idol is Mickey Mantle. He has a brother who played in the Braves organization and is currently a scout with the Houston Astros."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
DOUG HANSEN
"Doug had a rough year in 1970, going 0-7 at Syracuse; he is, however, still rated as a top pitching prospect. He led the New York-Penn League in ERA in his first year of pro ball at Oneonta in 1968 with a 1.67 mark. His style reminds many of Don Drysdale.
He lists his outstanding baseball experience as signing with the Yankees. He sold men's clothing during the off-season.
Doug did have one victory last year- against the Yankees in their annual exhibition game at Syracuse."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BILL OLSEN
"Bill continued to show progress last year. He was jumped from Oneonta to Kinston and made the Carolina League All-Star team, was second in the league in wins with 13, and was third in ERA with a 2.26 mark.
For the second straight year, Olsen led his league in shutouts- five at Kinston last year and three at Oneonta in 1969. He also had a no-hitter at Kinston this past season. His combined record in two and a half seasons of minor league ball is 23-7 and he has never had a seasonal ERA above 2.32. A definite prospect, he has a major league curveball with excellent control.
Olsen had a 24-1 record at Eureka High School where he made the All-County team three straight years. He attends the College of the Redwoods in Eureka during the off-season. He has two uncles, Roy and Lou Olsen, who played in the Montana State League in the late '30s. His hobby is hunting."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JOE PACTWA
"Pactwa was elevated to the 40-man roster when he bounced back from knee surgery and had a banner 1970 year with Manchester in the Eastern League. He was among the top ten batters in hitting (9th), home runs (4th) and RBIs (7th), in addition to leading the league in walks with 128. Among his 25 homers last year were three grand slams.
Joe is a left-handed power hitter with a strong arm. His baseball progress has been hindered due to a cartilage removal in his right knee- the operation was performed in June 1968. He injured the knee running into the outfield fence while with Binghamton.
Joe's hobby is playing the guitar."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
KEN CROSBY
"Crosby is a graduate of Brigham Young University where he captained the baseball team and helped lead it to the College World Series. Although his record was not outstanding at Kinston during the '70 season, he showed great improvement in the Florida Instructional League this past fall. He changed his style of delivery to a shorter wind-up and shortly after hurled 27 consecutive scoreless innings. Ken has a good, live arm and throws a sinking fastball. He was invited to the big league camp due to his impressive showing in the Instructional League, where he wound up fourth in ERA with a 1.42 mark."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
DON DEMOLA
"A local boy from Long Island who throws what scouts call a 'plus fastball,' Don is a promising prospect who improved rapidly in his short season at Johnson City last year. He missed the Yanks' Florida Instructional League [season] due to school, hence he was invited to Ft. Lauderdale this spring for an extra look."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
FRED FRAZIER
"Frazier moved from a rookie league to the top Class A league last year and showed great progress. He led the Carolina League in games played (137) and runs (92) and was sixth in batting (.286). He led second basemen in assists (345) and double plays (90), was second in putouts (321) and was selected as the league's All-Star player at the keystone sack. He lists playing in the All-Star game as his greatest baseball experience to date.
An aggressive youngster with definite major league potential, Fred comes from a baseball family as his father, Foy Frazier, played in the Pittsburgh organization."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
DAVE PAGAN
"Pagan, a Canadian, was discovered by Eddie Taylor while he was pitching for Bellevue College in Bellevue, Washington. Eddie has been known to pull some pretty fair chuckers out of the Washington Winterlands, namely Mel Stottlemyre and Steve Kline, two of the Yanks' five regular starters in 1970. Many feel this youngster could be as successful- he has a real, live arm that Yankee management was impressed with and would like a further look at.
Dave comes from a town in Saskatchewan called Snowden, a rather small community. He doesn't mention the population; however, his telephone number is '8.'"
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
GEORGE PENA
"Pena was invited to the Yankees' spring training camp for a good look. A young veteran of eight years in professional baseball, he enjoyed a fine season at Syracuse last year and showed good power- he had 15 homers, second high on the club.
George attends East Los Angeles College during the off-season. His hobby is tennis."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BOB SHEPPARD (Public Address Announcer)
"Bob Sheppard, best known public address announcer in baseball, has been at the mike at Yankee Stadium since 1951."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
JOE SOARES (Trainer)
"Attention to the Yankees' physical conditioning is handled by trainer Joe Soares. Joe has served since 1961."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
BRUCE HENRY (Traveling Secretary)
"Bruce Henry, popular Yankee traveling secretary, handles all travel and hotel arrangements for the club throughout the season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
PETE PREVITE (Assistant Clubhouse Man)
"Pete Previte has been working in the Yankee clubhouse since 1942. Known as "Little Pete," he teams with "Big Pete" Sheehy in running the home clubhouses in New York and Fort Lauderdale."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
TOBY WRIGHT (Stadium Organist)
"Organist Toby Wright plays for the fans from a special 'studio box' on the mezzanine."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
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