MICKEY KLUTTS
"Move over, Frank Merriwell. Mickey almost quit baseball after the death of his father. He reconsidered, then was almost cut in the spring. Kept as a utility man for Syracuse, Mickey then was pressed into regular duty when the Syracuse shortstop was injured.
After batting .217 with two homers and 23 RBI one level below in 1975, he blossomed with regular work. He batted .319 with 20 homers and 80 RBI, and was one of the three chosen the International League's MVP."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1977 Edition
"After the 1975 season, Mickey Klutts considered quitting baseball altogether. Never more than a utility infielder, the 22-year-old had his bags packed for his native California.
He decided to try another season, however, and now his thoughts turned not to the West Coast, but to the Bronx. Mickey capped off 1976 by being named co-winner of the Most Valuable Player award in the International League and looms as a legitimate candidate for a spot on the Yankee roster. His Syracuse stats read .319, 24 home runs and 80 runs batted in, as well as an outstanding year in the field.
Fortunately for the Yanks, Mickey Klutts decided not to retire."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"Mickey was co-winner of the Most Valuable Player Award in the International League for 1976, capping off an almost unbelievable year. He weighed quitting baseball prior to the start of the season, having never been more than a utility player, and without a promising future. He decided to give it another year, and wound up as the best shortstop in the league, belting 24 home runs and driving in 80, figures which caught the baseball world by surprise, as well as hitting .319.
Mickey spent some time with the big club last year - the Yankees purchased him on July 6 and sent him back 10 days later, after he had appeared in a couple of games. Mickey made an error in his first game, but handled himself well."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DENNIS IRWIN
"Drafted number three in 1972, he split last season between West Haven and Syracuse. The right-handed-hitting Californian is 23 years old.
Durable and a very capable catcher, Dennis also has good speed for a catcher."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
DOUG HEINOLD
"Doug was the Yankees' number one draft choice in June 1973. He had a brilliant season at West Haven (Eastern League) last year, going 7-3 with a 1.34 earned run average.
The big Texan throws right-handed and is in his fifth year in the Yankee organization."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"Doug is a former number one draft pick of the Yankees who is considered to be a fine pitching prospect. He started the 1976 season slowly at Syracuse, went back to West Haven and pitched brilliantly, posting a 1.34 ERA in 11 starts.
A graduate of Stroman High in Texas, where he was All-State in 1973, Doug enjoys hunting and fishing, and has worked on construction in previous off-seasons."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DELL ALSTON
"Good speed. Tough competitor. Dell has a batting average of .298 over three and half seasons in the minors. He hit 12 homers as the leadoff man for Syracuse in 1976. His .308 in 1975 placed him second to teammate Dave Bergman for the Eastern League batting championship.
Now 24, Dell lives in Yonkers, New York."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"Dell Alston has shown a good bat in each of his four seasons in the Yankee organization. He has good speed and a good batting eye. His average for four minor league seasons is a combined .298.
He's a local product, coming out of Yonkers High School and Concordia Junior College. He was all-city and all-county in Yonkers.
Dell was a member of the Eastern League All-Star team in 1975. A non-roster invitee to spring training in 1976, this is his first year on the Yankee roster."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DAVE BERGMAN
"Dave hit a solid .295 with Syracuse last year after leading the New York-Penn. and Eastern Leagues in batting his other two years in baseball. Probably the top hitting prospect in the Yankee organization, he played in Venezuela this past winter.
Dave was a second round draft choice in 1974 after winning All-American honors at Illinois State. He came up with the Yankees for a month in 1975.
He's of Norwegian ancestry."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"Dave Bergman is one of the top hitting prospects in the Yankee organization and is also considered to be a top defensive first baseman. He's also a competent outfielder.
He was an All-American at Illinois State prior to being drafted. After winning batting titles his first two years in pro ball, he hit a solid .295 last year, his first in Triple-A. He played winter ball in Venezuela after the season.
Dave was with the Yankees from August 25, 1975 to the end of the season, but ran into bad luck and is still looking for his big league hit after 17 at-bats.
He's of Norwegian ancestry."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
MIKE HEATH
"Now a catcher after being drafted second in 1972 as a shortstop, Heath spent last year in Ft. Lauderdale learning to become a catcher. He had a good year there and made the Yankees' spring training roster. Only 22, Mike drew rave reviews for his ability to throw out runners during spring games."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"Mike was converted from a shortstop to a catcher last season, and he enjoyed a fine debut season at the new position, which made good use of his strong throwing arm.
He was a non-roster player in spring training with the Yankees in 1974, and made a good impression. He enjoyed a good season in the Florida Instructional League this past fall.
A baseball and football star at Hillsborough High in Tampa, who used watch the Reds train in that city each spring, Mike enjoys hunting."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
ED RICKS
"Last year, Ed had the best won-lost percentage in his five seasons in the Yankee organization. His continued development has been closely observed by Yankee scouts, who feel more consistent control will be a big asset in continuing his progress.
Ed's a 26-year-old right-hander from Bastrop, Louisiana."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"Lanky Ed Ricks had his best won-lost percentage last season, his fifth year in the Yankee organization. The Grambling product was stalled at .500 in each of his first three years.
Ed was a basketball and baseball star at Union High in Bastrop, Louisiana. He hurled a 7-inning no-hitter for Ft. Lauderdale against Pompano Beach in 1973, and tied for the league lead in shutouts in 1974 with five at West Haven.
This is Ed's fourth spring training with the parent club."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
DENNY SHERRILL
"His injury near the close of spring training opened up the shortstop job to teammate Mickey Klutts, who went on to be MVP on the International League.
Denny finally went back to West Haven for a second year. Syracuse manager Pete Ward feels he has good potential as a hitter despite his low batting average.
Now 21, Denny lives in Miami."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"Injuries slowed the progress of Dennis Sherrill last season. He broke his toe in spring training, and then suffered a shoulder dislocation at West Haven, limiting his season to only 42 games.
Dennis was the Yankees' number one draft choice in 1974. He was All-City, All-County and a member of the South Florida All-Star team while starring in Miami. The Yankees flew him in for a press conference after the June 1974 draft."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
GIL PATTERSON
"His 1977 season has been slowed by an injury he received in Venezuelan winter ball. Gil split 1976 between West Haven and Syracuse, posting an outstanding 18-4 record. He was 9-2 with a 2.07 ERA at West Haven, then finished 7-2 with a 2.92 ERA for the Chiefs, plus two wins in the playoffs.
Gil turns 22 in September and is considered a super prospect."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
JIM BEATTIE
"Jim suffered an arm injury during the winter instructional league which cut his activities in spring training. He had a 5-5 record at Syracuse but improved to 5-2 with a 2.25 ERA at West Haven in the last half of 1976.
Born July 4, 1954 in Hampton, Virginia, Jim lives in South Portland, Maine. He started his pro career in 1975 and jumped to AAA after only two weeks in the New York-Penn. League."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
KERRY DINEEN
"Kerry has been something of a miracle worker in his two brief trips to the major leagues. Called up before 54,000 people on a 1975 Bat Day, Kerry collected some quick hits and quickly became a darling of the fans. He batted .364 in seven with the Yankees before injuring himself. Mrs. Babe Ruth sent him a fan letter. Then in 1976, he got the call to join the Yanks on May 21. He arrived during the game, went in as a pinch runner in the 10th inning, and singled home the winning run in the 12th against Boston's Jim Willoughby.
Despite these feats and a batting title in 1973, Kerry is better established as a good defensive center fielder and spray hitter. He missed a good part of last season with bruised ribs following an outfield collision at Syracuse.
Kerry is part Cherokee Indian, and he's a distant cousin of Ken Henderson."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
LAMAR HOYT
"Lamar Hoyt's 15 victories last season were the most by a Yankee since the West Haven franchise was established. His fine year earned him a spot on the Yanks' 40-man roster.
He has fine control and a good fastball and had a 13-4 record at Ft. Lauderdale in 1974 with a 2.40 ERA.
Dewey Lamar Hoyt, Jr. is known by his middle name."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
BOB POLINSKY
"Bo Polinsky's first year as a relief pitcher was a big success. He had a fine year at Syracuse, his first year at Triple-A, and made the International League All-Star team. The hard-throwing right-hander was added to the 40-man roster for the first time; he attended two previous spring trainings as a non-roster player.
A star in baseball and basketball at Panther Valley High in Lansford, Pennsylvania, Bob is qualified as an accountant. He was a Phillies fan as a youngster, particularly of Robin Roberts."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
LARRY MURRAY
"A good outfielder with blazing speed, Larry found his batting stroke last year at West Haven where he hit .286 and lead the Eastern League in runs scored with 92.
Speed has always been his strong point and his 59 stolen bases last year led the league. Larry has averaged 41 stolen bases a year for his minor league career."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"Speedster Larry Murray may have turned his career around in 1976. He was always considered a good outfielder with great speed, but not much of a hitter. At West Haven last year, he hit .286 with 12 home runs for the Eastern Division champions. He found himself restored to the 40-man roster after having been outrighted a year earlier. Larry won his second stolen base title in 1976 with 59, giving him a lifetime total of 247 steals with the Yankees. He's had three September trials with the Yankees.
The Chicago native attended Phillips High School and earned eight letters, playing baseball, football and track. Larry was All-State in baseball and a high school All-American, hitting a home run in Wrigley Field during the city championship."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
TERRY WHITFIELD
"Terry Whitfield enjoyed another fine season as Triple-A last year and took another step closer to the majors. His .290 was his best showing since he won the Carolina League batting title in 1973 when he also won the MVP award.
The Yankees' number one draft pick in 1971, Terry has spent parts of three seasons with the Yankees, including brief periods of regular play. He has won two minor league home run titles and was twice an International League All-Star.
Terry has great enthusiasm for the game and spends a lot of time working with youngsters. He had a brilliant career at Palo Verde High School in Blythe, California, gaining All-American selection in his senior year, and also participating in football (as a fullback), track and basketball."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
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