1977 Profile: George Zeber

"George Who? That was one of the big questions around the Yankee training camp this year. But George Zeber put an end to all that by responding with the kind of spring any ballplayer would like.
Destined for the minor leagues, Zeber got the call just before camp began to report to Ft. Lauderdale. He responded with an excellent spring and emerged with a share of the James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the top Yankee rookie in spring training. He did it with a .314 average, four extra base hits, five RBIs, and steady defensive play at both second base and third base base.
Zeber has been in the Yankee organization since 1968 and played every year in the minors except for 1970 and 1971 when he was in the military. He has waited a long time, but George Zeber believes in the old adage 'better late than never.'"

-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook

"George was a late non-roster addition to the Yankee spring training camp this year. He went on to hit .314 with three doubles, a home run and five RBIs, in addition to his steady defensive play at both second base and third base. His spring earned him a spot on the Yankee roster.
Zeber had been advancing steadily in the Yankee organization until 1973, when he suffered a setback due to a knee injury and a beaning at Syracuse. George spent the 1970 and 1971 seasons in the military, and then returned to have a good year in 1972 for West Haven's championship club. He was named the Eastern League's All-Star second baseman that year.
An all-around athlete who played baseball (all-state), basketball and football in high school, George started spring training wearing number 71, the highest number on the club. He was co-winner of the James P. Dawson Award as the outstanding rookie in training camp this spring."

-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide