1984 New York Yankees Manager and Coaches Profiles

YOGI BERRA (Manager)
"One of baseball's most storied celebrities, that master of malapropisms, Berra begins his second stint as Yankee manager, succeeding Billy Martin. Owner George Steinbrenner hopes Yogi will be more disposed toward following his suggestions than was Martin.
Yogi managed the Yankees to a 99-win season and the American League pennant in 1964, but was fired after the club lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. He managed the Mets to the NL pennant in 1973, but again lost in a World Series, to Oakland. His overall major league managerial mark is 391-359.
Berra returned to the Yankees, with whom he appeared in a record 14 World Series as an active player. A pudgy catcher who was AL MVP in 1951, 1954 and 1955 and a 15-time All-Star, his 313 career homers as a catcher rank second to Johnny Bench among catchers. Yogi has the most hits in World Series history (71). His No. 8 was one of eight uniform numbers retired by the Yankees and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972 after posting a career mark of .285 with 358 homers and 1,430 RBI from 1946-63 plus a cameo as a Met in 1965.
His son Dale is a Pirates shortstop. Yogi is legendary for his 'It's not over 'til it's over' observation, among others; of course, for Yankee managers, sometimes it's over before it's over."

-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition

"In 1964, the St. Louis Cardinals had an entire infield that made the All-Star team- Bill White, Julian Javier, Dick Groat and Ken Boyer. They won the NL pennant and were taken to the seventh game of the World Series by the New York Yankees- managed by Yogi Berra.
In 1973, the Oakland Athletics had Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Joe Rudi et al, won the AL pennant and were taken to the seventh game of the World Series by the New York Mets- managed by Yogi Berra.
'Yup,' says Yogi, 'that's one of the many reasons I took the job as manager. I guess everybody knows I got all kinds of World Series records, MVPs and that stuff, but I never won a World Series as a manager. Now, I got the chance- and I expect to win it, the Good Lord willing.'
Good old Yogi, with the most recognizable face on Planet Earth. They make jokes about him, kid him about his language, but nobody doubts his brilliance as a man- and a tough one- as well as his managerial skills.
He won't do it all this year. He has an extremely able staff of coaches, and he is smart enough to know he isn't smart enough to do everything by himself. His job is to placate, to manage and to set an example. But how about players who grumble if they don't play?
'Crazy,' Yogi says. 'Sure they want to play, but I ain't never seen a team win without 25 guys pitching in. Besides, some guys make more in a year than I made in 18. Things work themselves out, you wait and see.'
And you, wait and see if Lawrence Peter (Yogi) Berra doesn't cap his ultra-brilliant career with yet another World Series ring."

-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook

"One of baseball's most beloved and recognized celebrities, Yogi was named Yankee manager on December 16, 1983, his second time as Yankee manager. In his first stint, 1964, he guided the Yankees to the AL pennant, losing the World Series in seven games to St. Louis. Yogi was a coach and a manager with the Mets from 1965 to 1975 and returned to the Yankees for the 1976 season after 12 years, coinciding with a pennant that was followed by back-to-back World Championships- not surprising to those who know that good fortune follows this Hall of Famer around.
He's now been in 21 Series, a record 14 as a player, four as a Yankee coach, one as a Mets coach and one each managing the Yankees and Mets. Yogi holds Series playing records for games, at-bats, hits, singles, consecutive errorless games (30) and he hit a grand slam (1956). A three-time AL MVP (1951, 1954, 1955) and 15 times an All-Star, his 313 homers are the second most ever by a catcher, behind Johnny Bench who passed Yogi in 1980. His 30 homers in a season in two different years was an American League record, being surpassed in 1982 by Detroit's Lance Parrish. Yogi handled 950 consecutive chances without an error (1957-59). The Yankees retired his and Bill Dickey's uniform number 8 in 1972 but brought it back for his return in 1976.
His son Dale is an infielder with the Pirates, his son Larry Jr. played in the Mets organization, and his son Tim was a wide receiver for the football Giants and Colts. Yogi and his sons run a racquetball club in New Jersey."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide


MEET THE COACHES
"A knowledgeable and well balanced coaching staff is fundamental to a winning baseball team.
In that regard, the Yankees and Manager Yogi Berra are quite fortunate to have Sammy Ellis, Gene Michael, Jeff Torborg and Roy White as coaches in 1984.
The four coaches have 61 years of professional playing experience between them, and they have all the positions covered. Sammy Ellis was a pitcher, Jeff Torborg worked behind the plate, Gene Michael was an infielder and Roy White completes the team having spent his career in the outfield.
Ellis and Torborg will team up once again in '84 as Yankee pitching coaches. Ellis is in his seventh year as a pitching coach in the Yankee organization and he gets much of the credit for the development of the Yankees' young pitchers like Dave Righetti.
Torborg, who has previously managed the Cleveland Indians, is in his sixth season on the coaching staff. In addition to his tutoring of the pitching staff, Jeff will also work with the Yankee catching corps.
Roy White will take over Yogi's chores in the first base coaching box this season. White, the only Yankee outfielder to field 1.000 for season, will also be called on to work with the outfielders.
Gene Michael is the new man on the staff in '84. Gene, however, is quite accustomed to the Yankee ways having played for, coached, scouted and managed the team in the past. Stick returns to uniform this season as third base coach.
Finally, continuing the role he assumed in August 1982, Lou Piniella will assist the Yankee staff as a batting instructor. Piniella, one of baseball's most consistent players, has hit over .300 six times in his career.
In spring training the Yankees used a small army of instructors and teachers, which is especially helpful to the young players in camp. This past spring, for example, there were 14 members of the 'faculty' of whom nine are with minor league clubs this season.
The New York Yankees coaching staff is the best in the business. They've got their bases covered."

-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program

"A knowledgeable and well balanced coaching staff is fundamental to a winning baseball team.
In that regard, the Yankees and Manager Yogi Berra are quite fortunate to have Mark Connor, Doug Holmquist, Gene Michael, Lou Piniella and Jeff Torborg as coaches in 1984.
The five coaches have 58 years of professional playing experience between them, and they have all the positions covered. Mark Connor was a pitcher, Jeff Torborg and Doug Holmquist worked behind the plate, Gene Michael was an infielder and Lou Piniella completes the team having spent his career in the outfield.
Connor and Torborg team up in '84 as Yankee co-pitching coaches. Connor is in his fifth year as a pitching coach in the Yankee organization and he gets much of the credit for the development of the Yankee pitching prospects like Dennis Rasmussen and Clay Christiansen.
Torborg, who has previously managed the Cleveland Indians, is in his sixth season on the coaching staff. He has served in the past as the Yankees first base and bullpen coach, but this season will concentrate on the pitchers.
Lou Piniella, who played his final game as an active player on June 16, takes over the first base coaching chores. Piniella, a lifetime .291 hitter, will also continue in his role as batting instructor, teaching the technique that made him one of baseball's most consistent hitters for 16 seasons.
Gene Michael is the new man on the staff in '84. Gene, however, is quite accustomed to the Yankee ways having played for, coached, scouted and managed the team in the past. Stick returns to uniform this season as third base coach.
Doug Holmquist is one of the new additions to the coaching staff in 1984. The 42-year-old Holmquist played four years as a catcher in the Houston Colt 45 and Detroit Tiger organizations from 1962 through 1965. He is no stranger to the Yankee organization, having managed the Fort Lauderdale team from 1978-81, producing three first place finishes there. In 1982, Holmquist managed the Yankees' Class-A club in Greensboro and last year managed their Class-AA Nashville team. This year he will man the Yankees bullpen and will be responsible for guiding the Yankee relievers.
In spring training the Yankees used a small army of instructors and teachers, which is especially helpful to the young players in camp, speeding along the progress of young players such as Jose Rijo and Stan Javier. This past spring, for example, there were 14 members of the 'faculty,' nine of whom are with minor league clubs this season continuing their work.
The New York Yankees coaching staff is the best in the business. They've got their bases covered."

-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program

GENE MICHAEL (Coach)
"In the song 'That's Life,' Frank Sinatra brags that he's been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king.
Is that all? Old Blue Eyes has nothing on Yankee coach Gene Michael. Although it may not rhyme, and not have the same alliteration that Sinatra's words have, Michael can boast of being a major league player, coach, scout, administrative assistant, general manager, major league manager and a highly successful minor league manager.
This year we find the man called 'Stick' returning to uniform as Yogi Berra's third base coach. In 1978, Michael had been Billy Martin's and Bob Lemon's first base coach. Michael brings a solid background of nearly 25 years in organized baseball to the box at third. He has been a success everywhere he has been, and this year he would gladly trade most of his triumphs for one single ailment- a very tired left arm, from waving Yankee runners around third and towards home plate.
Michael has an uncanny sense as a coach. He knows who can run, and who can't. You can be sure he will never forget how many outs there are in an inning, who's running and who's the next batter when he makes his decisions at third. He will not embarrass himself or Berra.
Michael is also valuable because he knows the composition of the team. He can help any infielder who may be in a fielding slump, can help the players learn how to bunt when they have to, and is a more-than-competent 'second manager' on he field."

-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook

"Stick will be Yogi's third base coach this year. He's been working for the New York Yankees as a consultant and scout and has been the field manager twice.
Gene was originally named Yankee manager on November 21, 1980. In 1981, the Yankees were 34-22 and leading the AL Eastern Division by two games on June 12 when the players' strike occurred. The Yankees were eventually declared first half winners, qualifying for the Division Series in October. Gene was replaced by Bob Lemon as manager on September 6, 1981, yet was named manager of the Yankees for a second time on April 25, 1982, replacing Lemon; under Stick the team was 44-42 when Clyde King was named manager on August 3 of that year.
Stick had previously been Yankees General Manager, being named to that post on November 1, 1979 after serving as the field manager of the AAA Columbus Clippers in 1979. He guided the Clippers to regular season and postseason International League titles after starting the season with 10 straight wins. The Clippers finished 85-54.
Upon his retirement, Gene was hired as a Yankee coach. He coached first base for the Yankees in 1978 after he had been a front office Administrative Assistant in 1977.
One of the most popular Yankees during his playing career, Gene was the club's regular shortstop from 1969-1973. He mastered the hidden ball trick, pulling it off five times with the Yankees. Gene was a close friend and roommate of the late Thurman Munson.
Gene graduated with a B.S. in education from Kent State where he played basketball. He was pursued by the New York Knicks to play pro basketball."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide


ROY WHITE (Coach)
"Yankee fans will not be cheated this year. In 1983, when Roy White re-joined the Yankees after his playing days in Japan were over, he was supposed to coach first base, but a change in strategy had White on the bench. This year fans will get a chance to welcome the man who brought so much class to every Yankee team he played for.
Coach Roy White is a such a proud man that the one championship ring he wears is the 1977 one, simply because he contributed so much to that team. In 1978 he felt he did not do enough to merit wearing the ring, so he does not wear it. Pride such as that does not go unnoticed by players, management and fans, and this year White will be an integral part of Yogi Berra's excellent braintrust.
Always a heady player, White will surely keep Yankee baserunners alert, relay signs and be an important cog in the annual Yankee drive towards first place. He is a true pro, and while in Japan, he taught himself Japanese and had his family do the same. He was not like other American-born players who went to Japan, 'stole' their salary and gave nothing back. White was part of the culture, representing his country and himself.
That is why Roy White will always be a Yankee wherever he goes. In 1984, we are lucky to have him where he belongs- in his familiar uniform number six, coaching first base. It's funny, but White hit .296 and poled 12 homers with the 1982 Yorimuri Giants. Those are statistics that seem to say he was just beginning, rather than ending, a brilliant career. But Roy Hilton White, gentleman, had to come back home to Yankee Stadium ... thankfully."

-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook

"One of the all-time Yankee favorites, White is in his second year back with the Yankees as a coach after a three-year 'second career' in Japan. He ranks among the all-time top 20 Yankees in stolen bases (2nd with 233), games played (6th with 1,881), runs scored (8th with 964), hits (8th with 1,803), doubles (10th with 300), RBIs (12th with 758) and home runs (16th with 160).
Roy's career spans several distinct eras of Yankee history. He was scouted and signed by the Yankee organization in 1961 at the height of the Yankee dynasty. After several impressive minor league seasons, Roy received his first taste of the major leagues in 1965, the beginning of the 'lean years' for the Yankees. His career matured and blossomed as the Yankees were rebuilding and developing into the AL pennant winners of '76, '77 and '78 and World Series champions of '77 and '78. Roy then played three years with the Yorimuri Giants of Tokyo in Japan's Central League.
The only Yankee outfielder ever to field 1.000 for a season, he was originally signed as an infielder, but Bobby Richardson's presence brought about the switch. Roy switch-hit home runs in a game five times and also switch-hit triples in a game once.
Roy was raised in Compton, California with such future big leaguers as Reggie Smith, Dock Ellis, Dave Nelson, Don Wilson and Bobby Tolan."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide


SAMMY ELLIS (Coach)
"Dave Righetti has a stock answer for anyone who brings up his seemingly inexplicable demotion to Columbus during the 1982 season.
'It didn't make me a better pitcher,' he says, 'but it might have made a better man.'
Part of that education came from Sammy Ellis, a 22-game winner with the 1965 Cincinnati Reds. Ellis is the fourth ace in Manager Yogi Berra's hand, along with Jeff Torborg, Roy White and Gene Michael. Each coach has a specific job. Ellis and Torborg, of course, are responsible for the pitchers. To say that Ellis is responsible only for Righetti is ridiculous, although Ellis did have a hand in the development of the most valuable young lefty in baseball.
Ellis knows the mechanics of pitching, and he is particularly adept at spotting flaws in young pitchers who try to overthrow. Like Torborg, Ellis tries his best to instill confidence in pitchers who have been mistreated, unwanted or discarded. Like all good baseball men, he realizes that no one player, coach or manager can win a title by himself. So Sammy Ellis sits and watches and quietly talks to pitchers after the game.
A former pro golfer, Ellis spends time on the links whenever he can ... but his biggest kick comes when the pitcher pitches a masterpiece.
A shutout by a Yankee pitcher, to Sammy Ellis, is more satisfying than a round of four under par."

-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook

"Highly touted from Mississippi State University, Ellis received a large bonus. He broke in with the Reds organization as a young fireballer at their Columbia, South Carolina farm club in 1961.
Ellis joined the Cincinnati staff as a regular in 1964 and had his biggest season in 1965 winning 22 games. He also played for the Angels and White Sox and had his six-year big league career cut short by arm problems.
Sammy joined the Yankees organization as the pitching coach at Ft. Lauderdale in 1978. He's largely credited with much of Dave Righetti's success."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide


JEFF TORBORG (Coach)
"Yogi Berra claims he wants to manage a team into, and beyond, the World Series. His pitching coach- Jeff Torborg- has also reached baseball prominence as a player and coach, but he, too, has dreams.
In 1983, when the pitching coach's job on the Yankees seemed just a bit more defined, Torborg was extremely pleased by at least one fact. 'I had the privilege of coaching a pitcher who won 20 games. I had never done that before. With a little luck this year, I may get more than one.'
Ron Guidry was the pitcher who won 21 games, aided by Torborg's watchful eye. If Dave Righetti had been given some support, he might have won 20 last year. Shane Rawley's start seemed to stamp him as yet another 20-game winner, but he settled into a win-lose-win-lose routine.
Torborg doesn't miss much when he watches his staff warm up. For the veterans, he knows enough to leave them alone, but to be sure they stay in shape and have the proper mental and physical well-being to do their best on the mound. No pitcher wins every game he pitches. We all know that. Torborg knows that. But the seemingly mild-mannered Torborg, like Yankee scout Jim Hegan, is no one to mess with. Torborg can- and has in the past- challenged players whom he felt were not putting out as professionals on and/or off the field. Every pitcher who has come to New York has expressed admiration for Torborg."

-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook

"Torborg joined the Yankee coaching staff on August 1, 1979 after his dismissal as manager of the Indians on July 23. He had managed the Tribe since June 19, 1977 and prior to that was a coach for the Indians beginning with the 1975 season, serving under Frank Robinson.
Jeff played 10 years in the majors, seven with the Dodgers and three with the Angels. He played on the World Champion Dodgers in 1965 and on their NL pennant winner in 1966. He caught two no-hitters with the Dodgers, by Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Bill Singer in 1970, and also caught a Nolan Ryan no-hitter with the Angels in 1973; the major league record is four by Ray Schalk. Jeff was also behind the plate when Don Drysdale threw his fifth consecutive shutout in 1968, and caught Koufax and Ryan when they set single season strikeout records. Jeff retired after the '73 season.
A native of northern Jersey, Jeff earned a B.S. in education from Rutgers and has a Masters degree in athletic administration from Montclair State. His thesis was on the effects of platooning in baseball. In his senior year at Rutgers, Jeff hit .537 to lead the NCAA in batting and set a record that still stands."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide


JERRY MCNERTNEY (Coach)
"Jerry attended Iowa State University. His first 11 seasons in pro baseball were spent in the White Sox organization after signing with them in 1958. He began his career as a first baseman-outfielder but switched to catching in 1961.
He caught four years in Chicago (1964-66-67-68), then went to the Seattle Pilots in the 1969 expansion draft. He wound up his playing career in the National League with the Cardinals and Pirates in 1971-72-73. Jerry joined the Yankees as a coach at West Haven in 1978 and has been coaching at Columbus since 1979.
Jerry's best year as a batter was 1960 when he hit .341 and drove in 125 runs for Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League. He tied for the Nebraska State League lead in doubles in 1958 with 16."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide


MARK CONNOR (Coach)
"Connor graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York in 1967 and attended Manhattan College and Belmont Abbey College. He played most of his college baseball at Manhattan and received a Topps Award as a collegiate All-Star in 1970. Mark struck out 20 Columbia University batters in 1971.
He spent two seasons in the Minnesota Twins' minor league system."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide


LOU PINIELLA
"'I think I'll just leave it up to Lou.'
So declared Yankee manager Yogi Berra when asked about his 1984 plans for 'Sweet' Lou Piniella.
Hasn't it always been that way when the Yankees need a clutch hit? Don't they always seem to 'leave it up to Lou?' This 40-year-old man of pride never does anything gracefully- except get hits that count and take the extra base that is needed and catch the line drive that must be caught. His .295 average (10 years) with the Yankees makes him one of the top Yankee hitters of all time.
Shoulder problems and a recurrence of an inner ear infection plagued him in 1983, a year that saw him play and act as hitting instructor. This year, he is expected to do the same. As Berra so wisely said, it will be up to Sweet Lou to decide if he can help the team in the field, at bat, or as a hitting instructor.
But deep down, this man whose ancestors once ruled the seas and explored most of the known world has a burning desire to end his playing career on a championship team.
'There seems to be no secret about that,' he says, his Spanish eyes retaining the gleam of a gunfighter ready for yet another challenger. 'I've had so many fond memories, and I think to the day I die I'll never forget that playoff game in 1978. That game seemed to reflect life and death itself. It had everything. I don't know if I'd like to have another playoff game this year, but I sure would like to go out a winner.'
Heck, the guy IS a winner. In August, in every single year of the five Eastern titles, the call went out: 'Hey Lou, we need your bat in the lineup.'
And Sweet Lou Piniella has never failed his teammates and the fans ... so let's 'leave it up to Lou' in 1984."

-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook

"Piniella began the 1984 season on the disabled list with a sore left shoulder and was activated on April 22. He hit his 100th major league homer on May 6 in Minnesota off Jack O'Connor. His pinch-hit single on June 8 beat Cleveland and on June 19 against Milwaukee he had three hits and five RBI. Lou kept his batting average over .300 for most of the season. He suffered dizzy spells in the second half of the season and played his final game of '83 on September 9, yet continued aiding his teammates in his dual role as player and batting instructor.
A consistent player, recognized as one of baseball's 'most professional hitters,' Lou has always been extremely tough for the Yankees in the clutch. His .295 lifetime batting average with the Yankees ranks him in the top 10 all-time as a Yankee.
In November 1980 Lou was admitted to a Tampa hospital complaining of chest pain and congestion. Doctors described his condition as 'simple fatigue' and released him several days later. Lou showed no after effects in 1981. He missed most of 1975 with an inner ear problem that required mid-season surgery. Lou returned to regular duty in 1976 and was runner-up to teammate Dock Ellis for Comeback Player of the Year.
Originally signed by Cleveland scout and former Yankee Spud Chandler, Lou has always been an excellent postseason performer. In '77 he hit safely in all five ALCS games and in '78 hit safely in all six World Series games. Lou hit safely in the first three games of the 1981 World Series to extend his personal World Series hitting streak to nine games; he led all Yankee hitters with a .438 average in the '81 World Series.
In 1981 he led all American League designated hitters (50 or more games as a DH) in batting average (.344) and was second in the league as a pinch hitter (25 or more at-bats) with a .360 average. On August 24 Lou was asked to help the Yankee coaching staff as a batting instructor, working with his teammates on the fine art of hitting.
Lou is always one of the Yankees' most exciting players and fans welcome each of his at-bats with chants of 'Lou, Lou.' He's a lifetime native of the Tampa, Florida area and is of Spanish ancestry. He enjoys the stock market and has opened two restaurants in the New York metropolitan area."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide