RICK DEMPSEY
"Backing up Thurman Munson is not the most glamorous job in baseball. But doing it well for two seasons has made Rick Dempsey a name to be reckoned with. And as sports fans know, the name Dempsey has a long championship history to it, starting with Rick's distant relative, heavyweight fighter Jack.
Surely Rick thinks he can play every day - he wouldn't be much of an athlete if he didn't have that confidence. And as demonstrated by requests for his services, there are a lot of other teams who believe that, too. But unless the right offer comes along, the Yankees consider Rick too valuable to pass off lightly. His strong arm and able bat, plus the rare ability to respond on quick notice, have created a genuine need to keep Dempsey in a Yankee uniform."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"In two years as backup catcher to Thurman Munson, Rick has proven to be one of the best at his trade in the league. He's a timely hitter who by no means is an easy out, and a fine catcher with a great throwing arm. Rick loves the challenge of enemy baserunners. He's full of confidence, and the feeling he could be a regular on almost any other club.
Rick was originally signed by the Twins and later played 41 games for Minnesota before his trade to the Yankees. He won the Most Valuable Player award in the New York-Penn League in 1968 and was an All-Star in both 1970 and 1971.
Rick is a distant relative of former heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey. His wife is a Bronx girl. His father was a Broadway actor who once played a character named Rikard on the stage, hence Rick's middle name."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
TIPPY MARTINEZ
"Tippy arrived after mid-season and was still the Yankees' leading reliever with eight saves, tops on the club. He can be the successor to Sparky Lyle as the bullpen stopper or may become a starter.
'Everybody we talked to about trades asked about him,' says Gabe Paul.
Born in La Junta, Colorado, Tippy's real name is Felix.
'One of the best curveballs I saw all year,' said Reggie Jackson."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"Tippy Martinez could have made the Yankees following a brilliant spring training in 1975, but he had to go back to Syracuse to get some extra work in. To accomplish this, he became a starting pitcher and took apart the International League.
Returning to the bullpen upon his mid-season recall by the Yankees, Tippy went on to lead the team in saves. He seems ready to seek a job as a top man of the Yankee relief corps.
The Colorado native with the boyish look has already seen some tough assignments in the major leagues, and with the half-season behind him, American League hitters have been warned to watch out - there's a new fireman coming into the league, and he means business."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Although he didn't join the Yankees until July 16 last season, Tippy led the staff in saves with eight, and by the end of the season was getting the call in all the crucial situations. He showed a great deal more poise and control in his second big league season.
Passed over in the free agent draft, the Yankees signed him off the Colorado State campus in 1972 and a year later, as strictly a relief pitcher, he led the Carolina League with 15 saves.
Tippy was a non-roster pitcher in spring training of 1974, who impressed observers, and in 1975 he won the James P. Dawson Award as the top rookie in camp. He might have made the roster right then had not an injury to Dick Tidrow forced the Yankees to take a right-hander north rather than Martinez. Tippy went to Syracuse and became a starting pitcher to get more work in; he was 8-2 with a 2.05 ERA, 104 strikeouts and 35 walks in 110 innings.
Although of Spanish-Mexican descent, Tippy speaks little Spanish and is strictly a Colorado product."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"Frustrated Boomer. One of the most colorful and popular players in the game, he's also one of the most injury-prone. Ron was off to a fast start when he suffered a shoulder injury, and played in only 34 games. He has been unable to go through a season without an injury, but his combined totals for 1973 and 1974 gave him 105 RBI, 22 homers and an average of .320 for the equivalent of a full year.
'I just want to play one full year without getting hurt, just to see what I can do.' So do the Yankees. Born in Atlanta, Ron was the No. 1 draft pick in the country in 1967.
A bundle of nervous energy, always swinging the bat in the dugout, Ron also has a voracious appetite. He needs only to avoid injury to make it big."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"Ron Blomberg is a lifetime .302 hitter in the major leagues who is still seeking the every-day playing time that would turn him into a genuine star. He's one of several Yankees coming off injury-ridden seasons, and one the Yankees have high hopes for. Power is something the Yankees may be a little short of in 1976, but a healthy Blomberg can supply a lot of it.
Ron, America's number one draft choice in 1967, has been with the Yankees since June 1971. He's still got the Georgia drawl and the quick swing which have made him so identifiable to fans both on and off the field. But there are some things Ron still wants to prove - to himself and to the Yankees - and he's determined to make the most of his opportunities."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Already one of the senior members of the Yankees, Ron is looking to put one injury-free year together and realize his full potential. His lifetime .302 average has been established chiefly as a designated hitter against right-handed pitching. Ron was baseball's first DH in fact, and his bat is in Cooperstown in commemoration of the event.
He was off to another fine year last season when a shoulder muscle began to ache him. Each return brought an aggravated condition and he finally had to call it a season on July 12. He batted only twice against southpaws last year, going 0 for 1 with a walk; he was 16 for 58 (.276) the year before.
The nation's number one draft choice out of Druid Hills High School (Atlanta) in 1967, Ron has always been blessed with tremendous speed. He had some 200 basketball scholarship offers after high school.
Ron came up as an outfielder, was moved to first base, and again to the outfield, which is now considered his primary defensive position. His big year was 1973 when he hit .400 as late into the season as July 4.
A ferocious pull hitter, Ron is more of a line-drive sort than one who hits for power, but most feel the homers will come in greater frequency with steadier play. He seldom strikes out.
Ron spends his winters in New York making numerous speaking appearances, and operates a baseball day camp in New Jersey during the summer."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
KEN BRETT
"Brooklyn-born Ken Brett was an American League pitcher with Boston and Milwaukee from 1967-1972. Although at 19 he became the youngest man to pitch a World Series game, he never really found himself until the last three years in the National League, when he starred for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. He was the winning pitcher in the 1974 All-Star Game, and returns now to the American League as a highly regarded moundsman, hopefully free of shoulder miseries which bothered him early last year.
Ken may be most proud of his hitting, for he has a lifetime .269 average with 10 home runs, making him one of the best hitting pitchers in the game. The Yankees may turn to him for pinch-hitting at times. 'Kemer,' whose younger brother George mans third base for Kansas City, should prove to be a popular new addition to the Yankee uniform."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Ken returns to the American League after finding much success in the National. In three years with the Phillies and Pirates, he was 35-23 and was the winning pitcher in the 1974 All-Star Game and a member of two Pirate division champion teams.
He's an outstanding hitter for a pitcher, batting .310 in 1974, and is 87 for 324 (.269) lifetime with 10 homers, four of which came in four consecutive starts with the Phillies in 1973, a record.
Ken is a Brooklyn-born left-hander who signed with Boston in 1966 and pitched at Oneonta when it was a Boston farm club. Late the following year he was in the majors, and at age 19 became the youngest man to pitch in a World Series, making two appearances. He had been the Sox number one pick in the June '66 Draft.
Ken has attended Boston University in pursuit of a degree in business administration and enjoys photography and tennis. He prefers to be called 'Kemer.'
He's the older brother of Kansas City's George Brett."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
LARRY GURA
"A one-time star at Arizona State, Larry Gura seldom pitches a bad game. Tabbed as the team's fifth starter a year ago, he never relinquished the job and provided top-grade hurling whenever called upon.
As a member of the Cubs in 1973, Larry visited the old Yankee Stadium - as a curious fan - to get one last look at the historic park before it was rebuilt. Now, as irony would have it, he's wearing the Yankee uniform in the first season of the reopening.
The International League's leading pitcher of 1974 has clearly established his big league ability, and return trips to the minors, so frequent for Larry during his Cub days, appear to be a thing of the past."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"For the first time since 1969, Larry spent an entire season with one club last year. He continued to show he has major league style by keeping the Yankees in almost every game he pitched.
Larry broke into the Yanks' starting rotation in August of 1974 after winning the International League's ERA title. He won his first five decisions, including a pair of shutouts, and entered 1975 as the club's fifth starter, a role he never relinquished.
Larry was the Cubs' number two draft pick in 1969 after a 19-1 senior year for coach Bobby Winkles at Arizona State. He had a 1.73 ERA and was named an All-American. While in college, Larry played with or against Elliott Maddox, Chris Chambliss, Reggie Jackson, Lenny Randle, Sal Bando, Rick Monday, Burt Hooten and others.
At Joliet East High in Illinois, he participated in track, swimming, baseball and cross country. Larry is a fine tennis player, too.
While still with the Cubs, he visited Yankee Stadium to get a last look at the old park in 1973.
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
RICH COGGINS
"Quick now - what was the last big rookie team to hit the majors before Fred Lynn and Jim Rice? It was Al Bumbry and Rich Coggins in 1973. And now, Rich Coggins is a Yankee, following a purchase from Montreal in mid-season of 1975.
Coggins hit .319 in that sensational rookie campaign, and although he's been battling to recapture that form, good health should help a lot. Illness sidelined him for much of spring training a year ago, and he's had trouble getting back into the groove. But when he's right, Rich can be a vital man on a ballclub, and the Yankees hope 1976 marks a return to form."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Rich is looking to resume his career with a fresh and healthy start this season. A thyroid condition that developed last spring training was a major factor in a rather disappointing year for this one-time .319 hitter. He trained with Montreal last year but was forced onto the disabled list, and returned for only 13 National League games before the Yankees purchased him on June 19. He never got going with the bat in New York either, but showed flashes of his fine defensive ability in center field.
Coggins is best remembered as part of a 1-2 rookie punch with Al Bumbry in 1973 when he had his big year. After hitting .243 in 1973, he went to the Expos.
Rich was an all-state baseball and football player at Garey High in Pomona, California. He also spent a year in a Detroit high school as a teammate of John Mayberry. Rich was drafted 21st by the Orioles in June 1968 and reached the majors in August of 1972, going 9 for 16 in his first week with doubles in his first two times up. He led the Puerto Rican Winter League with a .352 average following the '72 season.
Rich is small and slim but deceptively strong, as demonstrated by his 20 homers at Rochester in 1971."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DAVE PAGAN
"Hard-throwing Dave Pagan seems about ready to put his home town on the map. And that town, Snowden, Saskatchewan in Canada, hasn't produced too many American League pitchers thus far.
Dave has spent the past few seasons pitching as both a starter and in relief, for both New York and Syracuse. He's one of the few remaining Yankees who played in the old Yankee Stadium, but Dave now seeks more steady employment and is looking to spend a full season in the majors. The Yankees are hoping he's up to the chore."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Rated one of the hardest throwing pitchers on the Yankees, Dave has been with the parent club for parts of each of the last three seasons. Earl Weaver once compared his speed to Nolan Ryan's.
Dave is one of the few players ever to come out of Western Canada, where he was raised on a farm in Snowden, Saskatchewan, a town so small, his telephone number was 8. He was signed out of Bellevue Community College in Washington after being passed over in the free agent draft.
The strikeout and ERA champion of the Carolina League in 1972, Dave has both started and relieved in his career, and his lone major league victory was a 6-hit, 8-2 win in Kansas City in 1974.
Dave made the club last spring, was optioned to Syracuse on April 19, recalled on May 5, optioned on July 27 and recalled again on September 11."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
ED BRINKMAN
"Ed is a 14-year veteran who achieved his greatest success as a Washington Senator, and then as a Detroit Tiger when he and Aurelio Rodriguez switched teams in the Denny McLain deal and formed the left side of the Tiger infield for four years; Ed's final year in Detroit produced career highs of 14 homers and 54 RBIs. Last season, he went to St. Louis and then Texas before the Yankees obtained him in June.
Ed was a high school teammate of Pete Rose at Western Hills High in Cincinnati. He received a large bonus upon signing with Washington and reached the majors at 19.
In 1972, he set five major league fielding records at shortstop - fewest errors in a season (7), consecutive errorless games (72), highest fielding average for 100 or more games (.990), highest fielding average for 150 or more games, and most consecutive errorless chances (331). Ed won the Gold Glove, was named Tiger of the Year and finished ninth in the MVP voting. He made the All-Star team the following year.
Ed twice led the league in double plays (1963,1970) and tied the league record for most games at short in one season (1973). He played 434 consecutive games between September 26, 1971 and August 9, 1974, although he missed part of the 1972 playoffs due to a back injury.
His brother Chuck was a White Sox catcher."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
TOMMY DAVIS
"A two-time batting champ in the National League, Tommy has the top lifetime statistics as a designated hitter in the American League. The Yankees signed him after his release by the Orioles."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
FRAN HEALY
"Fran Healy joined the Yankees early this year from Kansas City in a trade for pitcher Larry Gura. It was a good acquisition for New York, for Fran is a dependable catcher who has enjoyed productive years with the Royals, and who offers experience and sound defense. One of the fastest catchers in the game, he stole 16 bases two years ago, most by a catcher in 37 years.
Fran stands 6'5" and weighs 210. He's a lifelong resident of Holyoke, Massachusetts and a graduate of American International College. Fran, whose father and uncle both played pro ball, will be 30 on September 6."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
VIDA BLUE
"Came of age in 1975. The staff leader with the absence of Catfish Hunter, Blue won 22.
'I'm not trying to prove anything,' he says. 'I'm just trying to do my job. Why am I better than last year? I've got my leprechauns, my rabbit foot and my four-leaf clover. I'm just lucky, that's all.'
Born in Mansfield, Louisiana, Blue was another Finley plum. He has an explosive fastball. A nice kid, who grew bitter after a hotly contested, much-publicized contract dispute with Charles Finley after the '71 season. 'Vida tried to be a hard S.O.B., but he's really too nice to bring it off,' says an A's exec.
Blue would prefer to be a football quarterback. Joe Namath is his favorite athlete."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
GENE LOCKLEAR
"All bat, no hands. If ever a player was born to be a designated hitter, it was Locklear. He was blasting the Padres because Bobby Tolan, hitting under .200, was playing instead of him. Locklear was summarily sent to Hawaii.
'That was my punishment,' Locklear says. He was hitting .441 and was 5-for-5 in his last game when farmed out.
Born in Lumberton, North Carolina, Gene is a full-blooded Lumbee Indian. He's a landscape painter who sells his works at exhibits.
Gene was traded to San Diego by the Reds for Mike Johnson; the Padres also got $75,000. He won consecutive minor league batting titles in 1971-72, yet committed 20 outfield errors in 1972. He bats with an extreme crouch."
-Bill Christine, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
RON GUIDRY
"A fine athlete from Louisiana, Ron Guidry joined the Yankees last year and impressed the club with his poise as a relief pitcher. He had saved 14 games in just half a year at Syracuse, and it was felt the time was right for his entry into the big leagues.
Considered one of the fastest runners in baseball, an oddity for a pitcher, the hard-throwing Guidry is expected to become even better known to baseball in the forthcoming seasons."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Considered one of the hardest throwers in the Yankee organization and one of the fastest runners in the league, Ron became a relief pitcher at West Haven in 1974 with good results: it turned his career around, as he went to Syracuse last season and saved 14 games while winning six for the Chiefs before the Yankees called him up on July 27. Ron struck out 76 men in 63 innings at Syracuse, walking only 37, while allowing just 46 hits. His Yankee work was limited, however, after workhorse duty in the International League. Ron spent his winter fulfilling his National Guard obligations.
As his high school had no baseball team, his development was strictly through amateur ball and the Little League and American Legion programs. Ron participated in track at Northside High School and hurled a no-hitter in college. He was a Yankee fan as a youngster, with Mickey Mantle his favorite player.
Ron is of French ancestry. He enjoys playing chess."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
TERRY WHITFIELD
"Terry will get a chance to make the team as a starting outfielder after hitting .272 with 11 homers and 72 RBI in two-thirds of a season at Syracuse. He's also an excellent fielder with a good arm and baseball savvy.
Community-minded, Terry purchased a batting machine for off-season practice and turns it over to the local high school during the season."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"The Yanks' number one draft choice in 1971, Terry was an International League All-Star the last two years after leading the Carolina League in hitting in 1973. He hit in 12 straight games for the Yankees last June. He's 23."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Terry is an exciting performer with a fine career ahead of him.
The Yankees' number one draft choice in 1971, he was twice an International League All-Star. He was the winner of two minor league home run titles, and the 1973 Most Valuable Player award in the Carolina League, when he also led the circuit in hitting.
The Yankees called him up from Syracuse last June 17 while he was leading the I.L. in RBIs with 54. His lead was so solid that when he returned to Syracuse on July 13 for additional seasoning, he was still leading. His Yankee stay was marked by hitting safely in his first 12 games, which extended to 13 a streak begun at the end of 1974.
An outstanding baserunner with the side-to-side motion reminiscent of Jackie Robinson, Terry had a brilliant career at Palo Verde High School in Blythe, California, gaining All-American selection his senior year, and participating in football (fullback), track and basketball. He was 12th in the state of California in the high jump.
Terry spends a lot of time working with youngsters. His hobby is collecting old coins."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
TOM ROBSON
"This man's middle name could be power, for he's got it. In his minor league career he's blasted 197 home runs, undoubtedly one of the highest lifetime figures ever recorded. Included was a sensational 1974 season in the Pacific Coast League, when his MVP credentials were 41 homers, 131 RBIs and a .322 average.
Tabbed principally as a designated hitter, Tom is hoping to make this the year he starts collecting major league home runs."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Power is this man's game. Robson has hit 197 career minor league home runs, and his 1973-1974 production was the best two-year total in all of baseball. He was the Minor Player of the Year in 1973 and was named Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast League in 1974.
Tom works out in the winters under a boxer's program. He impressed the Yankees last year with some belts during spring training. The Yanks drafted him under the delayed draft of the Winter Meetings, making the selection at 11:06 P.M., with an 11:59 P.M. deadline."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DAVE BERGMAN
"He was the winner of two minor league batting championships in two seasons. An All-American at Illinois State, Dave played with the Yankees last September. He turns 23 on June 6."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Dave has won two batting championships in two years as a professional. He's considered one of the brightest stars in the organization.
He got a shocking treat last August 26 when the Yankees purchased him from West Haven for the final month of the season. Dave saw only limited action, but that didn't dampen Yankee hopes for this bright and mature Illinois State product, who was an All-American in 1974 before selected in the second round of the June Free Agent Draft."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
KEN CLAY
"Ken had a 10-2 record at West Haven last year after an impressive spring showing with the Yankees. The 22-year-old righty from Virginia posted a 2.63 ERA as well. This is his fifth year in the system."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Ken was drafted second to Scott McGregor in June 1972 and has progressed steadily through the system. He spent his first year in spring training with the parent Yankees last season, and although he was among the least known faces in camp, he quickly became one of the most impressive.
He came through with a brilliant 10-2 showing at West Haven before earning a promotion to Syracuse at season's end. Ken went on to have a fine winter playing for Bobby Cox in Venezuela.
A five-letter man at Glass High in Lynchburg, Virginia, Ken was named all-conference in 1972. He also played basketball and has worked as a basketball official in previous off-seasons. Ken is a graduate of Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion ball."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
KERRY DINEEN
"Kerry made his mark on Yankee fans last year batting .364 in seven games. A good outfielder who led the New York-Penn League in hitting in 1973, he was born in Englewood, New Jersey 23 years ago."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Seldom has a player captured the fancy of the New York fans as rapidly as Kerry did last year.
An unknown farm hand summoned unexpectedly to the big leagues when a rash of injuries beset the Yankee outfield, Kerry was purchased on June 14 when Elliott Maddox went on the disabled list. Although hitting only .227 for the Chiefs at the time, hits began to fall in quickly for Kerry. He broke in on Bat Day before some 54,000 people. His daring baserunning became a treat for the fans, with the boyish good looks adding to his charm. Mrs. Babe Ruth sent him a fan letter.
Kerry played seven games for the Yankees and hit .364 before he pulled up with a hamstring injury on June 19. He went back to Syracuse and raised his average to .241 after recovering. Last year was his first in a big league training camp.
Kerry led the New York-Penn League in hitting in 1973 as a rookie. He has good speed and is a good outfielder.
Although born in New Jersey, his family moved to California when he was five. Part Cherokee Indian, Kerry is a distant cousin of Ken Henderson."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DOUG HEINOLD
"The Yanks' number one draft choice in 1973, he's on the roster for the first time. Doug has a 26-19 record for three years in the Yankee system, with a 2.29 ERA at West Haven last year. He's 21 years old."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"The Yankees' number one selection in the June 1973 draft, Doug is marking his first year on the Yankee roster and attending his first major league training camp. He has improved steadily and has a 2.44 career ERA in the minors.
One of six children in the Heinold family, Doug attended Stroman High and was three times all-district, and all-state in Texas in 1973. His teammates call him Tex. His high school coach, Buzz Bell, now coaches at Texas Tech.
Doug enjoys hunting and fishing but spent the winter in the Florida Instructional League, and then worked at construction."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
SCOTT MCGREGOR
"The Yanks' number one draft choice in 1972, injuries set him back last year. A crafty hurler who has twice led his league in complete games, this 22-year-old Californian was 58-6 in high school."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Although only 22 years old, this is Scott's fourth big league camp. The Yanks' number one pick in the June 1972 draft, he's a crafty pitcher in the Whitey Ford tradition rather than a hard thrower. He has workhorse ability and hadn't missed a start in years until a freak accident shortened his season at Syracuse last year. While sitting in the dugout during batting practice, a thrown ball hit him in the shoulder and caused a slight fracture. He was healed in time to pitch winter ball in Venezuela.
A star at El Segundo High, where he was a teammate of Kansas City's George Brett, Scott was 18-1 with a 1.24 ERA in his senior year, striking out 158 men in 83 innings. He was 58-6 overall with 496 strikeouts in 364 high school innings.
Nicknamed Scooter, he's a good hitting pitcher, too."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
ED RICKS
"Ed hurled a no-hitter for Ft. Lauderdale in 1973 and led the Eastern League in shutouts in 1974. His first year at Triple-A last season resulted in an 8-7 showing.
He's a Grambling College man."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"This lanky right-hander has moved steadily up the Yankee farm system. He finally broke the .500 oddity in his career won-lost records by going 8-7 last year.
Ed was a baseball and basketball player at Union High School in Bastrop, Louisiana. He attended college at Grambling.
He hurled a seven-inning, 2-0 no-hitter against Pompano Beach on June 27, 1973, and tied for the league lead in shutouts with five in 1974.
Ed is attending his third Yankee spring training camp."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
RICK SAWYER
"Rick was second in victories in the International League last season (13) with a 2.47 ERA. This ex-Indian farmhand is 73-49 for eight minor league seasons. He's 28."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Rick has had some fine minor league credentials and is hoping at last to land a major league job. He was the leading winner in the Texas League in 1973, which prompted the Yankees to obtain him from the Cleveland organization. He's been a mainstay of the Syracuse pitching staff for the past two seasons, with brief appearances in New York, and has a lifetime 73-49 record in the minors. His 13 victories were second in the International League last year, and he topped the circuit with four shutouts.
Rick was a center on his high school football team and also participated in baseball and basketball. He was All-Conference at Bakersfield College in 1967 and 1968. The Indians drafted him number five in 1968."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DELL ALSTON
"A local player who has made good in the Yankee organization after being passed over in the free agent draft, Dell was an all-city and all-county player at Yonkers High School.
He has hit .321, .295 and .308 in three minor league campaigns. He was a Topps Player of the Month last year at West Haven and an Eastern League All-Star.
Dell seldom strikes out."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
RICH ANDERSON
"A strikeout pitcher who does not rely primarily on a fastball, but basically a curve and a slider, Rich makes his first spring training appearance with the Yanks. He led the Florida State and Eastern Leagues in strikeouts the past two seasons."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
JIM BEATTIE
"A 6'6' Dartmouth star born on July 4, 1954, Jim now lives in Maine. He was a star in basketball and baseball in college. He was promoted to Syracuse after two weeks in the minors."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Jim has come on quickly to become one of the most promising prospects in the organization.
One of the few players to hail from Maine, he was captain-elect of the Dartmouth basketball team when selected by the Yankees and chose to sign a pro contract. After only five games at Oneonta, Jim was jumped up to Syracuse.
An honorable mention All-American basketball player in 1972, he was All-New England in 1974, and MVP of the Kodak Classic in '74-'75. He has played baseball in the Cape Cod League.
6'6" makes him the tallest man in camp. Jim's hobbies are art and architecture."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
JUAN ESPINO
"Making his first appearance in a Yankee spring training camp, Juan broke into pro ball at Oneonta last season hitting .229 as the club's regular catcher. He showed good abilities behind the plate despite being only 19. He played winter ball at Licey."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DENNIS IRWIN
"This is Dennis's third spring training as a non-roster invitee. He was also here in 1973 and 1975.
A good handler of pitchers who has caught over 100 games in each of the last two seasons, Dennis is built more along the lines on an infielder, but is a rugged man behind the plate."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
GIL PATTERSON
"Drafted four times before he finally signed with the Yanks last year, Gil comes to his first Yankee spring training camp.
He led the New York-Penn League in strikeouts last season and was the MVP of his Miami Dade South College team, where he was used as both a pitcher and a designated hitter.
Gil was originally an outfielder."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DENNIS SHERRILL
"The Yanks' number one draft choice in 1974 is from Miami. Just 20 years old, Dennis has the tools to be a top defensive shortstop. He played at West Haven last year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Dennis is making his first appearance in a spring training camp on the major league level. The number one draft pick in June 1974 is a highly regarded shortstop, and he's progressed well in the field in two minor league seasons.
Dennis was all-city, all-county and a member of the South Florida All-Star team while starring in Miami. He was in New York for a press conference shortly after his signing in 1974."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DR. EDWARD CRANE (Team Physician)
"Dr. Edward Crane joins the Yankee staff this season as team physician. Dr. Crane, an orthopedic specialist affiliated Lenox Hill Hospital, will oversee the medical needs of the Yankees throughout the season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Dr. Edward Crane becomes the Yankee team physician in 1976. Dr. Crane is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital."
-1976 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
GENE MONAHAN (Trainer)
"Gene Monahan, the youthful Yankee trainer, began as a batboy in Ft. Lauderdale 14 years ago, and is now in his fourth season with the parent club."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Gene Monahan, 31, is now in his fourth year with the club following service in the Yankee minor league system beginning at Fort Lauderdale in 1962."
-1976 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
BOB SHEPPARD (Public Address Announcer)
"Bob Sheppard, best known public address announcer in the country, has given fans at Shea Stadium a feeling of home for the past two years - and he's back in Yankee Stadium, offering the pleasant greeting which is as much a part of the setting as the Stadium facade."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
TOBY WRIGHT (Stadium Organist)
"Toby Wright, stadium organist, entertains fans prior to and during every game on the schedule from his booth on the press level."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
MICHAEL GROSSBARDT (Official Photographer)
"Michael Grossbardt, official photographer for the Yankees since 1969, takes virtually all the shots featured in the Yearbook and in the scorebook, as well as many of the photographs featured within Yankee Stadium."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
PETE SHEEHY (Clubhouse Man and Equipment Manager)
"Pete Sheehy has been a Yankee since 1927, and the return to Yankee Stadium marks his 50th season as equipment manager and chief of the Yankee clubhouse - a clubhouse now officially renamed The Pete Sheehy Clubhouse."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Pete Sheehy, equipment manager and chief of the Yankee clubhouse, is now in his 50th year with the Yankees, easily making him the all-time Yankee service champion. To commemorate that outstanding achievement, the new home clubhouse in the new Yankee Stadium was officially designated as The Sheehy Clubhouse on Old-Timers' Day last year."
-1976 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
JIM ESPOSITO (Ground Crew Chief)
"Jim Esposito goes back to the days of Ebbets Field when it comes to maintaining a field. Jim is the long-time chief of the Yankee ground crew."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
PERRY GREEN (Stadium Architect)
"Perry Green, an architect, oversaw the Yankee Stadium project for the New York Yankees during the past two years."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
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