JIM SPENCER
"Jim Spencer has bought a new house on a lake in his hometown of Severna Park, Maryland where he can enjoy the outdoor life and the great fishing in that particular region of the country. As the temperatures get cooler and the off-season becomes a reality, Jim spends time gazing at his spacious backyard dreaming about the spacious confines of another yard ... the ballyard in the Bronx called Yankee Stadium.
In the past two seasons, Jim has hit 36 enemy baseballs out of that and other American League ballyards. He's also posted his best career average and his best single-season home run production. By sharing first base with Bob Watson, Spencer even gets a chance to extend one of the more unknown records which he holds: a .995 lifetime fielding average, the highest fielding average in American League history by a first baseman! That's something to be proud of.
In 1981, Jim will continue to give the patrons in the outfield stands their money's worth as he slips a few baseballs out their way every once in a while. He'll be snapping those quick wrists and drilling an assortment of low line drives, high, towering fly balls and deep, deep boomers into the right field corner. Keep an eye up, steady glove ready and a cheer in your heart as another Spence drive becomes an additional notch on his home run belt in '81."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Spencer started 1980 slowly, but still finished with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs in 97 games. His homers came in bunches, and he hit five in a 10-game stretch in late June and early July, and four in a five-game span in early September. Jim hit his fourth career grand slam on April 13 at Texas and had a pinch-hit home run on May 2 at Minnesota. He drove in five runs on June 20 against Oakland. He split the first base job with Bob Watson and fielded .980.
Spencer had one of his finest seasons in 1979, with career highs in average (.288) and home runs (23). He averaged one home run every 12.8 at-bats, hit two home runs in one game on three different occasions, and hit a total of eight in September after hitting just seven the whole previous year. Jim committed only two errors, fielding .992. The year before, 1978, he did not commit an error; that was his first Yankee season, and he hit all seven of his homers prior to June 16. Jim was 7-for-24 (.292) as pinch hitter that year and started Games Two, Five and Six of the World Series.
Spencer was the No. 1 draft choice of the Angels in June 1965 and was signed by Al Monchak, currently the Pirates' first base coach. He broke in at Quad Cities in '65 and the next three years he hit 63 home runs and drove in 222 runs at El Paso to earn a trial with Angels late in 1968. He was a unanimous Texas League All-Star in '67 and '68 and MVP in '68 when he led the league in homers (28), RBIs (96) and total bases (267).
He began 1969 in AAA but quickly moved up to the Angels where he hit 10 home runs. He hit .274 with 12 homers and 68 RBIs in 1970 while winning a Gold Glove. He was traded to Texas with Lloyd Allen for Mike Epstein, Rich Hand and Rick Stelmaszek in May 1973, and was named to the All-Star team that year. Jim came back to the Angels for one day in December 1975 for Bill Singer; the next day he was sent to the White Sox along with Morris Nettles for Bill Melton and Steve Dunning.
Jim posted his top two RBI totals for the Sox with 70 in 1976 and 69 in 1977, and matched his then career high home run total with 18 in '77; that same year he had two homers and eight RBIs in a game on two different occasions. A two-time Gold Glove winner (1970 and 1977), his .995 lifetime fielding average is the highest in American League history by a first baseman.
The grandson of Ben Spencer, an outfielder with Washington in 1913, Jim grew up in the Baltimore area and played Little League, Pony, Colt and American Legion ball there. He starred in baseball and basketball at Andover High School (Linthicum). His four-year high school batting average was .407 and he was a high school All-American basketball player his senior year. Jim played in Yankee Stadium in 1963 in the annual Hearst Sandlot Games and hit a home run. He got a base hit in his first at-bat in the big leagues.
Jim's biggest thrill was playing in the World Series and winning the championship in 1978. He enjoys hunting and playing golf."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
In the past two seasons, Jim has hit 36 enemy baseballs out of that and other American League ballyards. He's also posted his best career average and his best single-season home run production. By sharing first base with Bob Watson, Spencer even gets a chance to extend one of the more unknown records which he holds: a .995 lifetime fielding average, the highest fielding average in American League history by a first baseman! That's something to be proud of.
In 1981, Jim will continue to give the patrons in the outfield stands their money's worth as he slips a few baseballs out their way every once in a while. He'll be snapping those quick wrists and drilling an assortment of low line drives, high, towering fly balls and deep, deep boomers into the right field corner. Keep an eye up, steady glove ready and a cheer in your heart as another Spence drive becomes an additional notch on his home run belt in '81."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Spencer started 1980 slowly, but still finished with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs in 97 games. His homers came in bunches, and he hit five in a 10-game stretch in late June and early July, and four in a five-game span in early September. Jim hit his fourth career grand slam on April 13 at Texas and had a pinch-hit home run on May 2 at Minnesota. He drove in five runs on June 20 against Oakland. He split the first base job with Bob Watson and fielded .980.
Spencer had one of his finest seasons in 1979, with career highs in average (.288) and home runs (23). He averaged one home run every 12.8 at-bats, hit two home runs in one game on three different occasions, and hit a total of eight in September after hitting just seven the whole previous year. Jim committed only two errors, fielding .992. The year before, 1978, he did not commit an error; that was his first Yankee season, and he hit all seven of his homers prior to June 16. Jim was 7-for-24 (.292) as pinch hitter that year and started Games Two, Five and Six of the World Series.
Spencer was the No. 1 draft choice of the Angels in June 1965 and was signed by Al Monchak, currently the Pirates' first base coach. He broke in at Quad Cities in '65 and the next three years he hit 63 home runs and drove in 222 runs at El Paso to earn a trial with Angels late in 1968. He was a unanimous Texas League All-Star in '67 and '68 and MVP in '68 when he led the league in homers (28), RBIs (96) and total bases (267).
He began 1969 in AAA but quickly moved up to the Angels where he hit 10 home runs. He hit .274 with 12 homers and 68 RBIs in 1970 while winning a Gold Glove. He was traded to Texas with Lloyd Allen for Mike Epstein, Rich Hand and Rick Stelmaszek in May 1973, and was named to the All-Star team that year. Jim came back to the Angels for one day in December 1975 for Bill Singer; the next day he was sent to the White Sox along with Morris Nettles for Bill Melton and Steve Dunning.
Jim posted his top two RBI totals for the Sox with 70 in 1976 and 69 in 1977, and matched his then career high home run total with 18 in '77; that same year he had two homers and eight RBIs in a game on two different occasions. A two-time Gold Glove winner (1970 and 1977), his .995 lifetime fielding average is the highest in American League history by a first baseman.
The grandson of Ben Spencer, an outfielder with Washington in 1913, Jim grew up in the Baltimore area and played Little League, Pony, Colt and American Legion ball there. He starred in baseball and basketball at Andover High School (Linthicum). His four-year high school batting average was .407 and he was a high school All-American basketball player his senior year. Jim played in Yankee Stadium in 1963 in the annual Hearst Sandlot Games and hit a home run. He got a base hit in his first at-bat in the big leagues.
Jim's biggest thrill was playing in the World Series and winning the championship in 1978. He enjoys hunting and playing golf."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
RUPPERT JONES
"Yankee fans didn't get much of an opportunity to get to know Ruppert Jones last season. This well-conditioned athlete was hampered by two freak injuries and his season was sliced apart before he could really begin to strut his stuff.
When the Yankees acquired Ruppert from Seattle they knew he could swing the bat, hit with power, play center field and run with the best of them. In his new playground, Yankee Stadium, Rupe was leading the club in RBIs and stealing bases with reckless abandon when emergency stomach surgery halted him in late May.
When R.J. returned to the Yanks after the All-Star break, he was a bit tentative at first. Come August, he was rounding into his usual self as those sensational catches in Baltimore will attest to. Unfortunately, he tried to make another catch in Oakland and suffered a concussion and separated shoulder which sent him back to New York with a one-way ticket suggesting rest and relaxation. 1980 was now just a memory.
Never one to rest on his past, Ruppert feels he owes the fans of New York a chance to see what he can really do and he spent the entire winter rigorously working himself into the best shape ever. Hopefully, 1980's bad luck will turn into 1981's good fortune for the fleet-footed center fielder with number 22 on his back."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"1980 was a tough-luck first season for Rupe in pinstripes. He was leading the club in RBIs on May 27 when he had emergency abdominal surgery to remove a blockage in his intestines. Ruppert came back after the All-Star break and hit a big 10th inning grand slam (first of his career) to beat Ed Farmer and the White Sox on August 12. On August 16 he made a spectacular leaping catch of Eddie Murray's home run bid off Gaylord Perry in Baltimore. Ruppert suffered season-ending injuries (concussion and separated right shoulder) on August 25 running into an unpadded center field wall in Oakland. On the disabled list twice, he ended up missing a total of 76 games.
Jones was Kansas City's No. 3 pick in the June 1973 Free Agent Draft and progressed rapidly through the Royals' minor league system. In his first year of pro ball, he was named to the Pioneer League All-Star team while playing at Billings. Rupe was leading the American Association in homers (19) and RBIs (73) playing at Omaha in 1976 when he was called up to Kansas City on July 31. He singled off Gaylord Perry in his first major league at-bat and hit his first major league homer off Rick Wise in Boston on August 29.
Ruppert was the first player selected in the 1976 American League Expansion Draft and had an excellent rookie year for the first-year Mariners in 1977. He was the only rookie selected to the AL All-Star team and was also named to the Topps Major League All-Rookie team. Rupe hit 24 homers in '77, tops among AL center fielders, and homered to end Dennis Eckersley's hitless inning streak at 22.1, two outs away from Cy Young's record. He also hit the first ever Mariner and first ever Kingdome inside-the-park homer on August 16 against the Yankees' Sparky Lyle.
Jones had surgery in November 1977 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, then had an emergency appendectomy in Boston on June 17, 1978 and stayed on the disabled list until July 20. He had tied a major league record for center fielders on May 16, 1978 by recording 12 putouts in a major league game.
In 1979 he played in all 162 of the Mariners' games, setting club records by scoring 109 runs, walking 85 times and hitting nine triples. He had 13 assists in the outfield, his third consecutive season in double figures.
Jones was an outstanding three-sport athlete at Berkeley (CA) High where in 1970 he played in the same outfield with Claudell Washington and played against Mike Norris. He batted .457 in his senior year and was selected All-State. He was an excellent guard in basketball and one of only two players to earn All-Tournament honors three times in Northern California's Basketball Tournament of Champions. Also a wide receiver in football, Jones was offered a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley.
Ruppert enjoys karate, racquetball and basketball."
-New York Yankees 1981 Media Guide
When the Yankees acquired Ruppert from Seattle they knew he could swing the bat, hit with power, play center field and run with the best of them. In his new playground, Yankee Stadium, Rupe was leading the club in RBIs and stealing bases with reckless abandon when emergency stomach surgery halted him in late May.
When R.J. returned to the Yanks after the All-Star break, he was a bit tentative at first. Come August, he was rounding into his usual self as those sensational catches in Baltimore will attest to. Unfortunately, he tried to make another catch in Oakland and suffered a concussion and separated shoulder which sent him back to New York with a one-way ticket suggesting rest and relaxation. 1980 was now just a memory.
Never one to rest on his past, Ruppert feels he owes the fans of New York a chance to see what he can really do and he spent the entire winter rigorously working himself into the best shape ever. Hopefully, 1980's bad luck will turn into 1981's good fortune for the fleet-footed center fielder with number 22 on his back."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"1980 was a tough-luck first season for Rupe in pinstripes. He was leading the club in RBIs on May 27 when he had emergency abdominal surgery to remove a blockage in his intestines. Ruppert came back after the All-Star break and hit a big 10th inning grand slam (first of his career) to beat Ed Farmer and the White Sox on August 12. On August 16 he made a spectacular leaping catch of Eddie Murray's home run bid off Gaylord Perry in Baltimore. Ruppert suffered season-ending injuries (concussion and separated right shoulder) on August 25 running into an unpadded center field wall in Oakland. On the disabled list twice, he ended up missing a total of 76 games.
Jones was Kansas City's No. 3 pick in the June 1973 Free Agent Draft and progressed rapidly through the Royals' minor league system. In his first year of pro ball, he was named to the Pioneer League All-Star team while playing at Billings. Rupe was leading the American Association in homers (19) and RBIs (73) playing at Omaha in 1976 when he was called up to Kansas City on July 31. He singled off Gaylord Perry in his first major league at-bat and hit his first major league homer off Rick Wise in Boston on August 29.
Ruppert was the first player selected in the 1976 American League Expansion Draft and had an excellent rookie year for the first-year Mariners in 1977. He was the only rookie selected to the AL All-Star team and was also named to the Topps Major League All-Rookie team. Rupe hit 24 homers in '77, tops among AL center fielders, and homered to end Dennis Eckersley's hitless inning streak at 22.1, two outs away from Cy Young's record. He also hit the first ever Mariner and first ever Kingdome inside-the-park homer on August 16 against the Yankees' Sparky Lyle.
Jones had surgery in November 1977 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, then had an emergency appendectomy in Boston on June 17, 1978 and stayed on the disabled list until July 20. He had tied a major league record for center fielders on May 16, 1978 by recording 12 putouts in a major league game.
In 1979 he played in all 162 of the Mariners' games, setting club records by scoring 109 runs, walking 85 times and hitting nine triples. He had 13 assists in the outfield, his third consecutive season in double figures.
Jones was an outstanding three-sport athlete at Berkeley (CA) High where in 1970 he played in the same outfield with Claudell Washington and played against Mike Norris. He batted .457 in his senior year and was selected All-State. He was an excellent guard in basketball and one of only two players to earn All-Tournament honors three times in Northern California's Basketball Tournament of Champions. Also a wide receiver in football, Jones was offered a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley.
Ruppert enjoys karate, racquetball and basketball."
-New York Yankees 1981 Media Guide
TOM UNDERWOOD
"He found baseball fun again in 1980. 'I enjoy this because the games mean something.'
His goal in '80 was to even his lifetime record at .500, but he didn't quite make it. Underwood always maintained he was a better pitcher than his record indicated while was he with Toronto. He won six in a row for the first time in his career.
Born in Kokomo, Indiana, his brother Pat pitches for the Tigers. Tom has an excellent curve and a decent fastball, too. He insists he is not a strikeout pitcher but admits, 'I get my share.' He can also come in from the bullpen to relieve.
Tom was once the No. 2 pick of the Philadelphia Phillies."
-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1981 Edition
"Tom Underwood understands the value of pitching for a good ball club. After all, he toiled in obscurity in Toronto in '78 and '79 for a last-place club before coming to New York. He suffered through some tough losses despite some excellent pitching and posted excellent numbers, other than wins and losses.
The Yankee brass heard about those other numbers and brought him to New York and the Yankees last season. All Tom did was respond with perhaps his finest effort ever despite an always-changing role. Tom began the season in the bullpen, then became a starter, then went back and forth between the pen and the starting rotation. He still won 13 games, contributing to the Yankees' major league record of 68 wins by left-handers. His ability to perform well in any role only served to increase his value to the club.
With one year of pitching under the microscope of the most knowledgeable fans in the world, Tommy should feel more comfortable this season. And at only 27 years old with six years of major league experience behind him, he can only get better with age."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Underwood recorded double-figure wins in 1980 for the first time since 1976. He went 11-7, 3.92 as a starter, and 2-2, 2.45 with two saves in relief. He made his first six appearances from the bullpen before his first start, a 7-4 loss in Baltimore on April 30, then won his next six decisions, a career high win streak. He finished the season on a four-game winning streak. Underwood was third on the staff in starts and hurled two 4-hit shutouts, his career low-hit performances in shutout games. He was 10-4 with a 3.28 ERA at home.
Tom came to the Yankees from Toronto, where he was the Blue Jays Pitcher of the Year in 1979. He spent two years with the Jays and amassed a 13-game losing streak from August 8, 1978 to June 15, 1979, yet was also co-winner of the Labatt's Outstanding Blue Jay Pitcher Award in 1978; in 10 of his 14 losses that year, the Jays failed to score more than three runs; Tom pitched a 2-hitter against Oakland on May 2 to set a club record for a low-hit complete game, and he lost 2-1; he picked up his first AL win with a 4-0 shutout of the A's in his next start.
Underwood came to the Jays in the winter of '77 along with Victor Cruz in exchange for Pete Vuckovich and John Scott. Tom was with the Cards for only half of a season, coming over in June 1977 from Philadelphia along with Dane Iorg in exchange for Bake McBride. 1977 was his first losing year after a 25-18 record in Philadelphia from 1974-77, including a 21-4 record at Veterans Stadium.
Tom was the Phillies' No. 2 selection in the June 1972 Free Agent Draft and made it to the majors in just his second pro year. He was a combined 27-12 in the minors, averaging almost a strikeout an inning. He was the left-handed pitcher on the Topps All-Rookie team in 1975.
Tom's dad played briefly in the Phillies organization and his brother Pat pitches for the Tigers. Tom lost to his brother 1-0 on May 31, 1979.
Tom played football, basketball and baseball all four years at Kokomo High School, rooted for the Yankees and Mickey Mantle as a youngster, and attended the University of Indiana for one year. He made his major league debut on Monday night television and gave up six runs in just one-third of an inning, including a Joe Morgan grand slam."
-New York Yankees 1981 Media Guide
His goal in '80 was to even his lifetime record at .500, but he didn't quite make it. Underwood always maintained he was a better pitcher than his record indicated while was he with Toronto. He won six in a row for the first time in his career.
Born in Kokomo, Indiana, his brother Pat pitches for the Tigers. Tom has an excellent curve and a decent fastball, too. He insists he is not a strikeout pitcher but admits, 'I get my share.' He can also come in from the bullpen to relieve.
Tom was once the No. 2 pick of the Philadelphia Phillies."
-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1981 Edition
"Tom Underwood understands the value of pitching for a good ball club. After all, he toiled in obscurity in Toronto in '78 and '79 for a last-place club before coming to New York. He suffered through some tough losses despite some excellent pitching and posted excellent numbers, other than wins and losses.
The Yankee brass heard about those other numbers and brought him to New York and the Yankees last season. All Tom did was respond with perhaps his finest effort ever despite an always-changing role. Tom began the season in the bullpen, then became a starter, then went back and forth between the pen and the starting rotation. He still won 13 games, contributing to the Yankees' major league record of 68 wins by left-handers. His ability to perform well in any role only served to increase his value to the club.
With one year of pitching under the microscope of the most knowledgeable fans in the world, Tommy should feel more comfortable this season. And at only 27 years old with six years of major league experience behind him, he can only get better with age."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Underwood recorded double-figure wins in 1980 for the first time since 1976. He went 11-7, 3.92 as a starter, and 2-2, 2.45 with two saves in relief. He made his first six appearances from the bullpen before his first start, a 7-4 loss in Baltimore on April 30, then won his next six decisions, a career high win streak. He finished the season on a four-game winning streak. Underwood was third on the staff in starts and hurled two 4-hit shutouts, his career low-hit performances in shutout games. He was 10-4 with a 3.28 ERA at home.
Tom came to the Yankees from Toronto, where he was the Blue Jays Pitcher of the Year in 1979. He spent two years with the Jays and amassed a 13-game losing streak from August 8, 1978 to June 15, 1979, yet was also co-winner of the Labatt's Outstanding Blue Jay Pitcher Award in 1978; in 10 of his 14 losses that year, the Jays failed to score more than three runs; Tom pitched a 2-hitter against Oakland on May 2 to set a club record for a low-hit complete game, and he lost 2-1; he picked up his first AL win with a 4-0 shutout of the A's in his next start.
Underwood came to the Jays in the winter of '77 along with Victor Cruz in exchange for Pete Vuckovich and John Scott. Tom was with the Cards for only half of a season, coming over in June 1977 from Philadelphia along with Dane Iorg in exchange for Bake McBride. 1977 was his first losing year after a 25-18 record in Philadelphia from 1974-77, including a 21-4 record at Veterans Stadium.
Tom was the Phillies' No. 2 selection in the June 1972 Free Agent Draft and made it to the majors in just his second pro year. He was a combined 27-12 in the minors, averaging almost a strikeout an inning. He was the left-handed pitcher on the Topps All-Rookie team in 1975.
Tom's dad played briefly in the Phillies organization and his brother Pat pitches for the Tigers. Tom lost to his brother 1-0 on May 31, 1979.
Tom played football, basketball and baseball all four years at Kokomo High School, rooted for the Yankees and Mickey Mantle as a youngster, and attended the University of Indiana for one year. He made his major league debut on Monday night television and gave up six runs in just one-third of an inning, including a Joe Morgan grand slam."
-New York Yankees 1981 Media Guide
MIKE GRIFFIN
"Few people gave Mike Griffin a chance to make the Yankees during the Spring of 1980. After all, Mike was just 22 years old and even though he had pitched professionally for four years, he had only been with the Yankee organization for one. But the tall (6'5") right-hander surprised many observers with a good fastball, good control and a world of savvy in spring performances.Mike's fine pitching earned him the James P. Dawson Award as the outstanding rookie in camp and, more importantly, earned him a spot on the Opening Day 25-man Yankee roster. Mike went on to pitch well for the Yanks and also spent time at Columbus where he ended the season winning six in a row. Hopefully, that season-ending spurt and the experience pitching in the majors last year will buoy young Mike Griffin to an even better year in '81!"
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Griffin made the Yankees in 1980 on the strength of a good spring (2-0, 4.50) and won the James P. Dawson Award as the outstanding rookie in camp. He earned his first major league win on May 22, 5-1 at Toronto (seven innings, seven hits, one run), and also won his next time out, beating Detroit 9-6. He was a starter in his first eight appearances.
Mike was sent down on June 23 with a 2-2 record when Oscar Gamble was reinstated from the DL. After a 1-2 start at Columbus, he won six games in a row, posting a 1.56 ERA in seven games. In between, he was recalled on August 12 (after the first three wins of the six straight), but was sent back to the next day when Gaylord Perry was acquired. Mike was recalled again on September 12 and lost his last two decisions.
Just 23 years old, this is his sixth pro season. Mike came to the Yanks after the 1978 season and had an excellent first Yankee season in 1979, going 8-7, 2.95 at West Haven and 3-1, 1.76 at Columbus. He made his major league debut in September and earned a save on September 30 against Toronto.
Mike signed with Texas after graduating from Woodland High School (Woodland, CA) and spent 1976 and '77 at Asheville. He had a super season in 1977, leading the league in wins (17), complete games (19), innings (209) and strikeouts (201). Mike was Topps Western Carolinas Player of the Month in both June and July that year. Promoted to Tulsa in 1978, he had a disappointing 6-19 year.
Griffin earned three letters at Woodland High School, was the team MVP his senior year, and was also named All-Northern California and All-Sacramento Valley. He was a Red Sox fan as a youngster and his favorite player was Carl Yastrzemski.
Mike struck out the first batter he faced in a major league game, Andre Thornton."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
ERIC SODERHOLM
"Eric Soderholm joined the Yankees last year with the understanding that he would be primarily a right-handed designated hitter and part-time third baseman only if Graig Nettles decided to take a rest. The man they call the 'Hulk' added right-handed power to the Yankees as a DH early in the year and, after a slow start, was playing when Nettles was felled by hepatitis.
Then Eric began pressing and went into a slump. But he came on strong toward the end of the year and delivered some key hits down the stretch. That's the way Eric Soderholm's career has gone- slow start, strong middle, slight setback and strong comeback.
The key watchword for Eric's career has been comeback. He was the American League's Comeback Player of the Year in 1977 after missing a season with a bad knee injury. And he came back last year with three home runs and eight RBIs in his final four games.
The Yankees look for a complete comeback in 1981- a comeback to the form that saw him drive in 67 runs in both 1977 and 1978. With that kind of return to form, Eric Soderholm's contribution will help the Yankees come back to win a World Championship."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Soderholm got off to a great start as the Yankee right-handed DH in 1980 and was hitting .331 when Nettles went out on July 23. He went hitless in his first three games as the regular third baseman, then went on an eight-game hitting streak and was at .322 on August 4. Eric went into a bad slump after that and his average dropped below .280. He still delivered a clutch ninth-inning pinch-hit single to beat Cleveland on September 23 and a grand slam to beat Detroit three days later. The grand slam was his 100th career home run.
He finished the season by going 8-for-15 with three home runs and eight RBIs in his final four games. Eric had six three-hit days and went 5-for-5 against Toronto on June 1. He hit .305 as a DH.
He was a first-round draft choice of the Twins in 1968 and was named Florida State League Player of the Year that season. After four seasons in the minors, he was called up at the end of the 1971 season. His first full season was 1972, then he split '73 between Tacoma and Minnesota. Soderholm became a steady hitter for the Twins, batting .276 in '74 and .286 in '75. He also set a Twins record for fielding at third base in 1975 with a .969 percentage.
Eric spent the entire 1976 season on the disabled list after suffering partially torn cartilage in his left knee, and then broke his ribs after a fall into a construction hole. He underwent extensive rehabilitation and authored the book 'Conditioning in Baseball' about that rehab program. Eric played out his option with the Twins and signed with the White Sox on November 26, 1976.
He hit .280 in 1977 with 25 home runs and was the landslide winner of the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. He started slowly in 1978 because of shin splints, but still got into 143 games and hit 20 homers. Eric started 1979 with the Sox and was dealt to Texas on June 15 in exchange for Ed Farmer and Garry Holle. He hit 51 homers in his two and a half seasons in Chicago. He finished 1979 with only seven errors and a .975 fielding percentage, second in the AL.
Eric is heavily involved in weight and physical training with Nautilus. The Nautilus Company produced a 20-minute film about his rehab program and comeback.
He grew up in Miami, where he played American Legion ball, and was the MVP at Miami's Coral Park High School and an All-City shortstop. He went to South Georgia JC, where he was an All-American JUCO shortstop, and also attended the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida and is 12 credits short of his degree in physical education. His younger brother Dale is an infielder in the Twins organization.
Eric hit a home run in his second big league at-bat. He was a Yankee fan as a youngster."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
BILL CASTRO
"Bill Castro is a name familiar to American League fans because for the past six years he has toiled in the uniform of the Milwaukee Brewers. In four of those six seasons, Bill led Brewer pitchers in earned run average, and entering 1981 his lifetime mark is a robust 2.96.
Now Bill Castro wears the Yankee pinstripes, and the little right-hander is pleased to be in the Yankee fold. He's been consistent over the years, and a delight for the fans of Milwaukee. And despite his six years of experience, the native of the Dominican Republic is only 27 years old.
At that tender age, it appears as if Bill Castro's best years are still to come. He's posted ERA's the past three years under 3.00 and in 1980 appeared in more games and pitched more innings than ever before. Each year he seems to be getting better and it's nice to know that with those best years in his future, Bill Castro is now a Yankee."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
JOE LEFEBVRE
"Big things come in small packages. And for every man who has ever dreamed of the big leagues, here is your man of the hour. At 5'10", 175 pounds, Joe Lefebvre is the Yankee version of Walter Mitty. He lives the fantasies of a million dreamers each and every time he trots to his position.
Just consider the following: a good prospect, Joe led one league in runs scored and another in runs batted in, but no one expected him to burst onto the big league scene like he did last year. He began the season at Triple-A and was leading the International League in home runs when the call came to join the Yankees in May. Once given the chance, Joe homered in his first two Yankee games, tying an American League record, and hit safely in his first six major league games. Joe finished with eight Yankee home runs and 21 RBIs in just 150 at-bats and showed New Yorkers why his arm has been called the best in the Yankee organization.
Deep down inside all of us, there's a little Walter Mitty waiting to break out. For Joe Lefebvre, the breakout is underway and now it's reality and 1981."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"One of the big surprises of 1980, Lefebvre was leading the International League with seven homers on May 15 when he was called up to the Yankees due to a toe injury to Oscar Gamble. Joe didn't play until May 22 but homered in his first two games (the second was a pinch homer) to tie an American League record for most homers in his first two games. He hit safely in his first six major league games.
In his first game against Boston, Joe homered twice off Dennis Eckersley in Yankee Stadium on June 23. He had eight homers and 21 RBIs when he was sent back to Columbus just after the All-Star break. 1980 was to be his first full season of triple-A ball.
Joe began his pro career at Fort Lauderdale in 1977, batting .308, and moved up to AA ball in 1978 at West Haven and led the Eastern League in runs (102) and tied for the league lead with 11 triples. In 1979 he was an Eastern League All-Star outfielder, lead the league with 107 RBIs, was ninth in batting (.292) and led outfielders with 16 assists. Joe was called up to Columbus for the International League playoffs and batted .273, hitting safely in seven of his nine games. He also appeared on the mound in three minor league games (one at Fort Lauderdale in 1977 and two at West Haven in 1979).
Lefebvre played baseball and basketball at Concord (New Hampshire) High and was MVP in baseball his junior and senior years. He played baseball at Eckerd where he was a first-team All-American and the MVP in the Division II College World Series as a sophomore. Lefebvre played against Steve Balboni in high school and teamed with him at Eckerd. His coach at Eckerd was Bill Livesey, Yankees' Director of Player Development.
Joe is one year away from a degree in recreation and sociology. Of French-Canadian ancestry, he enjoys working with disadvantaged children."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
JOHNNY OATES
"Johnny Oates is living proof that you can't keep a good man down. Released by the Dodgers just prior to the opening of the 1980 season, John signed with the Yankees and proved to be an excellent backup catcher to all-star Rick Cerone. And when the Yankees re-signed him in February of this year, it was as a player-coach at Columbus.
But an injury to Bruce Robinson, and an excellent spring that saw Oates hit .371 in addition to his usual outstanding defense, earned him another ticket to the major leagues at the start of the season and delayed for a while the fine future this solid citizen has as an instructor of young prospects.
This is John's tenth big league season, and through the previous nine he has been one of baseball's steadiest performers. He has been a starter in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and a better than adequate insurance policy with the Dodgers and Yankees. It's nice to have that kind of insurance, and nice to have a good man like Johnny Oates ready to assist the progress of young Yankee catching talent."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
DR. JOHN J. BONAMO (Team Physician)
"Dr. John J. Bonamo enters his third season as the official Yankee team physician. He is the Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Medical Center and a graduate of Boston College and New York Medical Center."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Dr. John J. Bonamo enters his third year as the Yankees team physician. He is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Staten Island and NYU Hospitals and is a graduate of Boston College and New York Medical College."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
GENE MONAHAN (Trainer)
"Gene Monahan begins his second decade as a member of the Yankee family, an association which began in 1962 when Gene was a batboy with the Fort Lauderdale Yankees. In his season with the parent Yankee club, he remains one of the most respected trainers in the game."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Gene Monahan, Yankee trainer, is now in his ninth year with the parent club. At 36, he is in his 19th year with the Yankee organization, starting as a batboy at Fort Lauderdale. He is a graduate of Indiana University."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
BOB SHEPPARD (Public Address Announcer)
"Bob Sheppard is a professor of speech at St. John's University and the PA announcer for the New York Giants, but his true love blossoms in April. That's when the Yankees head north to Yankee Stadium and Bob becomes the Stadium voice of the Yankees. One of the most recognizable voices in America, Bob has been with the Yankees for 30 years."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
BARRY WEINBERG (Assistant Trainer)
"Barry Weinberg enters his third season as the assistant trainer of the Yankees. He has served as a trainer in the Pittsburgh Pirate organization and with the Washington Redskins. Barry is a Springfield College graduate with a Masters degree from Indiana University."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Barry Weinberg enters his third season as the Yankees' assistant trainer. Before joining the Yanks, he had been a trainer in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, most recently at their Triple-A club in Columbus in 1978. Barry is a graduate of Springfield College with a Masters from Indiana University."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
JIM ESPOSITO (Head Groundskeeper)
"Jim Esposito enters his 22nd year maintaining the hallowed ground at the House That Ruth Built. Prior to his tenure at the Stadium, Jim worked for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for 14 seasons.
That fine look of the Stadium turf is a tribute to Jim and his hard working ground crew."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Jimmy Esposito, chief of the Yankee ground crew, began his role in 1960 after 14 seasons with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
JIM OGLE (Yankee Alumni Association)
"Jim Ogle has been a baseball writer for 40 summers and has spent 20 years covering the Bronx Bombers for the Newark Star-Ledger. He currently heads the Yankee Alumni Association from his home in Fort Lauderdale and is the Executive Director of the quarterly alumni publication called 'Pinstripes.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
EDDIE LAYTON (Stadium Organist)
"Eddie Layton plays the wonderful music heard when entering Yankee Stadium. He's a master of the keyboards with over 25 albums to his credit. He was with the Yankees from 1967 to 1970 and returned home to his home away from home in 1978.
Credited with debuting the famous 'Charge' call, Eddie may also be heard at most Madison Square Garden events ... in the off-season that is!"
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
PETE SHEEHY (Clubhouse Man and Equipment Manager)
"Pete Sheehy means baseball to any man who knows him. Pete is the man who shined Lou Gehrig's shoes, fetched Joe DiMaggio's coffee, creased Babe Ruth's uniform and tidied Casey Stengel's managerial office. As the reigning veteran equipment man in baseball, 55 seasons starting with 1927, Pete can still maintain the clubhouse and put everything in its proper place.
In 1976, Pete was one of four honored guests at the opening of the 'new' Yankee Stadium, and the Yankee clubhouse, at that time, was renamed the 'Pete Sheehy Clubhouse.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Pete Sheehy, after whom the Yankee clubhouse is named, is now in his 55th season as equipment man and clubhouse attendant. The likeable Pete was among those specially honored at Opening Day of the 'new' Yankee Stadium."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
LOU CUCUZZA (Visitors Clubhouse Manager)
"Lou Cucuzza enters his sixth season running the visitors clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. This Bronx, New York native has pinstripes in his blood, but remains content working with the visiting teams that come into Yankee Stadium."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Lou Cucuzza is in his sixth year running the visitors clubhouse at the Stadium."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
DOM SCALA (Bullpen Catcher)
"Dom Scala, the Yankees' bullpen catcher, is in his fourth season in that capacity. He is a graduate of St. John's University and played in the Oakland organization."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
DOUG MELVIN (Right-Handed Batting Practice Pitcher)
"Doug Melvin begins his second season as a batting practice pitcher. Doug, who pitched in the Yankee organization for six years, also charts the Yankee defense."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
MICKEY SCOTT (Left-Handed Batting Practice Pitcher)
"Mickey Scott joined the Yankees in 1980 as a left-handed batting practice pitcher. Mickey pitched in the Yankees organization and pitched in the majors for the Orioles, Expos and Angels."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
"Big things come in small packages. And for every man who has ever dreamed of the big leagues, here is your man of the hour. At 5'10", 175 pounds, Joe Lefebvre is the Yankee version of Walter Mitty. He lives the fantasies of a million dreamers each and every time he trots to his position.
Just consider the following: a good prospect, Joe led one league in runs scored and another in runs batted in, but no one expected him to burst onto the big league scene like he did last year. He began the season at Triple-A and was leading the International League in home runs when the call came to join the Yankees in May. Once given the chance, Joe homered in his first two Yankee games, tying an American League record, and hit safely in his first six major league games. Joe finished with eight Yankee home runs and 21 RBIs in just 150 at-bats and showed New Yorkers why his arm has been called the best in the Yankee organization.
Deep down inside all of us, there's a little Walter Mitty waiting to break out. For Joe Lefebvre, the breakout is underway and now it's reality and 1981."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"One of the big surprises of 1980, Lefebvre was leading the International League with seven homers on May 15 when he was called up to the Yankees due to a toe injury to Oscar Gamble. Joe didn't play until May 22 but homered in his first two games (the second was a pinch homer) to tie an American League record for most homers in his first two games. He hit safely in his first six major league games.
In his first game against Boston, Joe homered twice off Dennis Eckersley in Yankee Stadium on June 23. He had eight homers and 21 RBIs when he was sent back to Columbus just after the All-Star break. 1980 was to be his first full season of triple-A ball.
Joe began his pro career at Fort Lauderdale in 1977, batting .308, and moved up to AA ball in 1978 at West Haven and led the Eastern League in runs (102) and tied for the league lead with 11 triples. In 1979 he was an Eastern League All-Star outfielder, lead the league with 107 RBIs, was ninth in batting (.292) and led outfielders with 16 assists. Joe was called up to Columbus for the International League playoffs and batted .273, hitting safely in seven of his nine games. He also appeared on the mound in three minor league games (one at Fort Lauderdale in 1977 and two at West Haven in 1979).
Lefebvre played baseball and basketball at Concord (New Hampshire) High and was MVP in baseball his junior and senior years. He played baseball at Eckerd where he was a first-team All-American and the MVP in the Division II College World Series as a sophomore. Lefebvre played against Steve Balboni in high school and teamed with him at Eckerd. His coach at Eckerd was Bill Livesey, Yankees' Director of Player Development.
Joe is one year away from a degree in recreation and sociology. Of French-Canadian ancestry, he enjoys working with disadvantaged children."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
JOHNNY OATES
"Johnny Oates is living proof that you can't keep a good man down. Released by the Dodgers just prior to the opening of the 1980 season, John signed with the Yankees and proved to be an excellent backup catcher to all-star Rick Cerone. And when the Yankees re-signed him in February of this year, it was as a player-coach at Columbus.
But an injury to Bruce Robinson, and an excellent spring that saw Oates hit .371 in addition to his usual outstanding defense, earned him another ticket to the major leagues at the start of the season and delayed for a while the fine future this solid citizen has as an instructor of young prospects.
This is John's tenth big league season, and through the previous nine he has been one of baseball's steadiest performers. He has been a starter in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and a better than adequate insurance policy with the Dodgers and Yankees. It's nice to have that kind of insurance, and nice to have a good man like Johnny Oates ready to assist the progress of young Yankee catching talent."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
DR. JOHN J. BONAMO (Team Physician)
"Dr. John J. Bonamo enters his third season as the official Yankee team physician. He is the Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Medical Center and a graduate of Boston College and New York Medical Center."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Dr. John J. Bonamo enters his third year as the Yankees team physician. He is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Staten Island and NYU Hospitals and is a graduate of Boston College and New York Medical College."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
GENE MONAHAN (Trainer)
"Gene Monahan begins his second decade as a member of the Yankee family, an association which began in 1962 when Gene was a batboy with the Fort Lauderdale Yankees. In his season with the parent Yankee club, he remains one of the most respected trainers in the game."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Gene Monahan, Yankee trainer, is now in his ninth year with the parent club. At 36, he is in his 19th year with the Yankee organization, starting as a batboy at Fort Lauderdale. He is a graduate of Indiana University."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
BOB SHEPPARD (Public Address Announcer)
"Bob Sheppard is a professor of speech at St. John's University and the PA announcer for the New York Giants, but his true love blossoms in April. That's when the Yankees head north to Yankee Stadium and Bob becomes the Stadium voice of the Yankees. One of the most recognizable voices in America, Bob has been with the Yankees for 30 years."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
BARRY WEINBERG (Assistant Trainer)
"Barry Weinberg enters his third season as the assistant trainer of the Yankees. He has served as a trainer in the Pittsburgh Pirate organization and with the Washington Redskins. Barry is a Springfield College graduate with a Masters degree from Indiana University."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Barry Weinberg enters his third season as the Yankees' assistant trainer. Before joining the Yanks, he had been a trainer in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, most recently at their Triple-A club in Columbus in 1978. Barry is a graduate of Springfield College with a Masters from Indiana University."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
JIM ESPOSITO (Head Groundskeeper)
"Jim Esposito enters his 22nd year maintaining the hallowed ground at the House That Ruth Built. Prior to his tenure at the Stadium, Jim worked for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for 14 seasons.
That fine look of the Stadium turf is a tribute to Jim and his hard working ground crew."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Jimmy Esposito, chief of the Yankee ground crew, began his role in 1960 after 14 seasons with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
JIM OGLE (Yankee Alumni Association)
"Jim Ogle has been a baseball writer for 40 summers and has spent 20 years covering the Bronx Bombers for the Newark Star-Ledger. He currently heads the Yankee Alumni Association from his home in Fort Lauderdale and is the Executive Director of the quarterly alumni publication called 'Pinstripes.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
EDDIE LAYTON (Stadium Organist)
"Eddie Layton plays the wonderful music heard when entering Yankee Stadium. He's a master of the keyboards with over 25 albums to his credit. He was with the Yankees from 1967 to 1970 and returned home to his home away from home in 1978.
Credited with debuting the famous 'Charge' call, Eddie may also be heard at most Madison Square Garden events ... in the off-season that is!"
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
PETE SHEEHY (Clubhouse Man and Equipment Manager)
"Pete Sheehy means baseball to any man who knows him. Pete is the man who shined Lou Gehrig's shoes, fetched Joe DiMaggio's coffee, creased Babe Ruth's uniform and tidied Casey Stengel's managerial office. As the reigning veteran equipment man in baseball, 55 seasons starting with 1927, Pete can still maintain the clubhouse and put everything in its proper place.
In 1976, Pete was one of four honored guests at the opening of the 'new' Yankee Stadium, and the Yankee clubhouse, at that time, was renamed the 'Pete Sheehy Clubhouse.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Pete Sheehy, after whom the Yankee clubhouse is named, is now in his 55th season as equipment man and clubhouse attendant. The likeable Pete was among those specially honored at Opening Day of the 'new' Yankee Stadium."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
LOU CUCUZZA (Visitors Clubhouse Manager)
"Lou Cucuzza enters his sixth season running the visitors clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. This Bronx, New York native has pinstripes in his blood, but remains content working with the visiting teams that come into Yankee Stadium."
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
"Lou Cucuzza is in his sixth year running the visitors clubhouse at the Stadium."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
DOM SCALA (Bullpen Catcher)
"Dom Scala, the Yankees' bullpen catcher, is in his fourth season in that capacity. He is a graduate of St. John's University and played in the Oakland organization."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
DOUG MELVIN (Right-Handed Batting Practice Pitcher)
"Doug Melvin begins his second season as a batting practice pitcher. Doug, who pitched in the Yankee organization for six years, also charts the Yankee defense."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
MICKEY SCOTT (Left-Handed Batting Practice Pitcher)
"Mickey Scott joined the Yankees in 1980 as a left-handed batting practice pitcher. Mickey pitched in the Yankees organization and pitched in the majors for the Orioles, Expos and Angels."
-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide
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