"A fractured neck suffered in an early morning car wreck on August 18 ended his season. His loss was a major factor in the club's fade-out, according to team owner George Steinbrenner. Robertson's injury leaves doubts about his future. Even if he's healthy, he has to prove he is strong enough for a full season. Robertson played some at second base when Willie Randolph was hurt, but is considered the club's shortstop of the future. He struck out 54 times and walked only eight times.
He was a second baseman at the University of Texas, where Met prospect Ron Gardenhire was the shortstop. Andre was originally signed by Toronto in 1979 and went to the Yankees organization in 1980, where he made stops at each level of the minors.
Born in Orange, Texas, Andre was a fan of the San Francisco Giants and Willie Mays."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"During the early 1950's, a Yankee second baseman named Jerry Coleman had an outstanding defensive game against the Cleveland Indians. The next day, a sportswriter wrote: 'Coleman was the darling of the fans all night long.'
And why not? New Yorkers coined the phrase 'DEE-fense' and New York fans know that defense wins important games, more so than all-out offense. There is an air of apprehension when the opposing team has runners on first and third and one out in the late innings of a tie game. There is an audible groan when the batter smashes a hard grounder over second base- but an immediate roar when a shortstop scoops it up, flips to the second baseman, and a double play results. Fans rock the roof with applause- and in 1983 they did exactly that for Andre Robertson, once a promising shortstop, but now THE shortstop of the New York Yankees.
Robertson must fully recover from a car crash on August 18. Among other injuries, he suffered a broken neck.
'I had a friend who had the same accident,' the 26-year-old infielder says, 'and he died. He died from a broken neck. That's what I thought about when I was lying in the hospital. I guess I'm lucky to have this chance.'
And the Yanks are lucky to have his glove. He is smooth, natural, instinctive. Former manager Earl Weaver said that Robertson has more natural instinct than any young shortstop in baseball. His hitting will come around, once he has recovered full use of his arms and shoulders. He is a listener and and a learner. If the big boys on the block carry the offense, he doesn't even have to hit for the Yankees to win ... because if he keeps fielding the way he has in the past, he is sure to be 'The darling of the fans.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Robertson anchored the Yankee infield with his outstanding defense at shortstop. He hit in 10 straight games from June 8 to June 18, raising his batting average from .210 to .266.
Andre was involved in a serious car accident on August 18 in which he suffered a broken neck, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.
Andre began in the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 1979. In 1980 with the Yankees, he progressed from A ball to AA and finally to AAA in just his second pro season. In 1981 Andre was named to the International League All-Star team as the shortstop. He was called up to the Yankees on September 2 when Bucky Dent was disabled with a torn hand ligament that required surgery. Robertson singled in his first major league at-bat against Mike Jones at Kansas City on September 3 and played defensively in the 1981 ALCS and World Series.
Robertson began the 1982 season at Columbus and was called up to the Yankees on May 13. He hit his first major league home run on May 16 at Oakland off Steve McCatty. He was optioned to Columbus on July 8 and recalled to the Yankees on August 20. Andre played outstanding defense and showed potential and improvement at the plate.
Andre grew up in Orange, Texas where he attended West Orange High and played baseball, football, basketball and ran track. He was All-State twice and All-American once in baseball. He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Orange and was a San Francisco Giant fan as a youngster, particularly Willie Mays. Andre spent three years at the University of Texas where he teamed with Jerry Don Gleaton and played against Tim Lollar of Arkansas."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Friday, July 31, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
1984 Profile: Rick Cerone
"When Rick Cerone reported to spring training in Fort Lauderdale in 1980, the late, great Elston Howard told him, 'Rick you're not taking Thurman Munson's place. Nobody can. Just be Rick Cerone.'
Cerone listened, had an outstanding year and was a main cog in a machine that swept the East and won 103 games. All dark clouds were behind him- he owned the future.
A broken thumb in 1981 kept the future away.
A broken thumb kept in 1982 the future even further away.
A frustrating, confusing year in 1983 seemed to totally destroy the future.
But Richard Aldo Cerone is a fighter. He asks no quarter and gives none. He likes the idea of winning 103 games and fighting the rest of the East and the West. He truly admires manager Yogi Berra, and he will do anything asked of him.
'To tell you the truth,' he says, 'I don't know if I could have gone through a year like 1983 again. I love this place. I don't want to go anywhere else. I'm from Newark. The whole scene is made for me. If only I knew where I stood.'
He knows now, and the East and West know it, too. The Yankees do not have a backup catcher. They have two front line catchers. If Cerone's years as a backup in 1981, 1982 and 1983 marked him as a 'backup,' how come every team that needs a solid catcher asks for him in a trade?
No, Rick Cerone can never be another Thurman Munson. All that Berra asks of him is to be the Rick Cerone of 1980.
Don't bet that he won't be just that this year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Cerone appeared in almost half the Yankees' games in 1983. His three-run homer was the difference in the Yankees' 8-7 win at Minnesota on May 7. He had an eight-game hitting streak from July 29 to August 14.
Called up to the majors on August 15, 1975 after just 46 games in the minors, Rick's first big league hit came off Paul Splittorff on August 22. In 1976, he was the International League All-Star catcher. Rick was the Blue Jays' Opening Day catcher in 1977, but broke his thumb five days into the season. He worked himself back into shape at Charleston and celebrated his return to the big leagues with a home run off Nellie Briles. He ended Mitchell Page's consecutive base stealing streak at 26, and in 1978 ended Ron LeFlore's streak at 27. In 1979 Cerone was voted he most improved player by the Toronto BBWAA.
In 1980, Cerone responded to a pressure-filled first Yankee season by being named to the UPI and Sporting News AL All-Star teams, and finished seventh in the AL MVP voting. On May 26 of that year he drove in six runs, including his first career grand slam; all six RBIs came after the man in front of him was intentionally walked.
Rick's 1981 production was off slightly from the 1980 season because of a broken right thumb causing him to miss 32 games, yet he topped the Yankees with five RBIs in the Division Series against Milwaukee. In 1982, for a second consecutive season, Rick suffered a major injury, breaking his left thumb on a tag play at home plate in California on May 11; he missed 53 games.
A local product, he grew up in Newark and had an outstanding career at Seton Hall, where he was a two-time All-American. He played in the College World Series in 1974 and 1975 and hit .410 his senior year ('75) with school records of 15 homers, 64 RBIs and 125 total bases. Cerone had a .362 career batting average at Seton Hall, made Academic All-American in '75 and was also on the fencing team. He played on the Pan-American baseball team in 1974 and the USA World Team in 1973. Cerone holds a B.S. in physical education.
Cerone played baseball, football and fenced at Essex Catholic High. As a quarterback he threw 13 touchdown passes for a 6-0-2 team.
Rick enjoys golf, racquetball and photography. He was nicknamed the 'Italian Stallion' by broadcaster Phil Rizzuto."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Cerone listened, had an outstanding year and was a main cog in a machine that swept the East and won 103 games. All dark clouds were behind him- he owned the future.
A broken thumb in 1981 kept the future away.
A broken thumb kept in 1982 the future even further away.
A frustrating, confusing year in 1983 seemed to totally destroy the future.
But Richard Aldo Cerone is a fighter. He asks no quarter and gives none. He likes the idea of winning 103 games and fighting the rest of the East and the West. He truly admires manager Yogi Berra, and he will do anything asked of him.
'To tell you the truth,' he says, 'I don't know if I could have gone through a year like 1983 again. I love this place. I don't want to go anywhere else. I'm from Newark. The whole scene is made for me. If only I knew where I stood.'
He knows now, and the East and West know it, too. The Yankees do not have a backup catcher. They have two front line catchers. If Cerone's years as a backup in 1981, 1982 and 1983 marked him as a 'backup,' how come every team that needs a solid catcher asks for him in a trade?
No, Rick Cerone can never be another Thurman Munson. All that Berra asks of him is to be the Rick Cerone of 1980.
Don't bet that he won't be just that this year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Cerone appeared in almost half the Yankees' games in 1983. His three-run homer was the difference in the Yankees' 8-7 win at Minnesota on May 7. He had an eight-game hitting streak from July 29 to August 14.
Called up to the majors on August 15, 1975 after just 46 games in the minors, Rick's first big league hit came off Paul Splittorff on August 22. In 1976, he was the International League All-Star catcher. Rick was the Blue Jays' Opening Day catcher in 1977, but broke his thumb five days into the season. He worked himself back into shape at Charleston and celebrated his return to the big leagues with a home run off Nellie Briles. He ended Mitchell Page's consecutive base stealing streak at 26, and in 1978 ended Ron LeFlore's streak at 27. In 1979 Cerone was voted he most improved player by the Toronto BBWAA.
In 1980, Cerone responded to a pressure-filled first Yankee season by being named to the UPI and Sporting News AL All-Star teams, and finished seventh in the AL MVP voting. On May 26 of that year he drove in six runs, including his first career grand slam; all six RBIs came after the man in front of him was intentionally walked.
Rick's 1981 production was off slightly from the 1980 season because of a broken right thumb causing him to miss 32 games, yet he topped the Yankees with five RBIs in the Division Series against Milwaukee. In 1982, for a second consecutive season, Rick suffered a major injury, breaking his left thumb on a tag play at home plate in California on May 11; he missed 53 games.
A local product, he grew up in Newark and had an outstanding career at Seton Hall, where he was a two-time All-American. He played in the College World Series in 1974 and 1975 and hit .410 his senior year ('75) with school records of 15 homers, 64 RBIs and 125 total bases. Cerone had a .362 career batting average at Seton Hall, made Academic All-American in '75 and was also on the fencing team. He played on the Pan-American baseball team in 1974 and the USA World Team in 1973. Cerone holds a B.S. in physical education.
Cerone played baseball, football and fenced at Essex Catholic High. As a quarterback he threw 13 touchdown passes for a 6-0-2 team.
Rick enjoys golf, racquetball and photography. He was nicknamed the 'Italian Stallion' by broadcaster Phil Rizzuto."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Monday, July 27, 2015
1984 Profile: Mike Armstrong
"When the New York Yankees sent Steve Balboni to the Kansas City Royals on December 8, 1983 and received side-arming reliever Mike Armstrong in return, 99 per cent of Yankee fans rolled their heads back and muttered, 'What are we going to do with another relief pitcher relief pitcher? We already have George Frazier and Rich Gossage?'
The Yankees have neither Frazier nor Gossage at this time. They do have Armstrong, who won 10 games for the Royals in 1983, not an easy task when you consider that he pitched behind record-breaking Dan Quisenberry.
Armstrong is a local product, born in Glen Cove, Long Island, and it makes you wonder how he escaped the Yankees in the first place. But time heals all wounds, and the Yankees rectified that apparent oversight when they traded for the 6-3, 30-year-old reliever.
He is more valuable today than when he was first acquired because of the defection of Gossage and the trade of Frazier. He can come in to pitch to one batter, can pitch in long relief, can spell a tired starter and is a workhorse. In 1982 and 1983, he appeared in 110 games for the Royals.
Mike Armstrong will give manager Yogi Berra an extra trump card in 1984."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"1983 was Armstrong's first full major league season. He appeared in 58 games, all in relief, and finished 32 games. He had a five-game streak, from June 19 to June 30, of not allowing any runs (9.2 IP) and won his final three decisions. Mike was the number two man in the Kansas City bullpen, often working in advance of Dan Quisenberry, who set a major league record with 45 saves in 1983.
Mike began his career with the Reds organization as a 1st round selection in January 1974. He was traded to the Padres in 1979 and to the Royals in 1982, and has career minor league totals of 67-59 with a 3.25 ERA (935 IP), 680 strikeouts and 38 saves.
Armstrong made his major league debut with the Padres against Cincinnati on August 12, 1980, pitching one inning and allowing a walk. He made his AL debut in May 1982 against the Yankees, pitching three scoreless innings and allowing two hits; he posted his first major league win against Texas and his first major league save against Oakland.
A native New Yorker, Mike played his college ball at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
The Yankees have neither Frazier nor Gossage at this time. They do have Armstrong, who won 10 games for the Royals in 1983, not an easy task when you consider that he pitched behind record-breaking Dan Quisenberry.
Armstrong is a local product, born in Glen Cove, Long Island, and it makes you wonder how he escaped the Yankees in the first place. But time heals all wounds, and the Yankees rectified that apparent oversight when they traded for the 6-3, 30-year-old reliever.
He is more valuable today than when he was first acquired because of the defection of Gossage and the trade of Frazier. He can come in to pitch to one batter, can pitch in long relief, can spell a tired starter and is a workhorse. In 1982 and 1983, he appeared in 110 games for the Royals.
Mike Armstrong will give manager Yogi Berra an extra trump card in 1984."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"1983 was Armstrong's first full major league season. He appeared in 58 games, all in relief, and finished 32 games. He had a five-game streak, from June 19 to June 30, of not allowing any runs (9.2 IP) and won his final three decisions. Mike was the number two man in the Kansas City bullpen, often working in advance of Dan Quisenberry, who set a major league record with 45 saves in 1983.
Mike began his career with the Reds organization as a 1st round selection in January 1974. He was traded to the Padres in 1979 and to the Royals in 1982, and has career minor league totals of 67-59 with a 3.25 ERA (935 IP), 680 strikeouts and 38 saves.
Armstrong made his major league debut with the Padres against Cincinnati on August 12, 1980, pitching one inning and allowing a walk. He made his AL debut in May 1982 against the Yankees, pitching three scoreless innings and allowing two hits; he posted his first major league win against Texas and his first major league save against Oakland.
A native New Yorker, Mike played his college ball at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Sunday, July 26, 2015
1984 Profile: Omar Moreno
"For 50 years they said Ty Cobb's record of 96 stolen bases in a single season was as untouchable as Elliot Ness- but Maury Wills, Lou Brock and Rickey Henderson annihilated that record.
Guess which center fielder on the New York Yankees also stole 96 bases in a single season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1980?
No, that's not fair ... you know we're talking about Omar Moreno because you see his picture near this story. Moreno is a player who likes to play- obviously- but a player who can handle pressure. Many people claim he was the most important all-around player on the World Champion Pirates of 1979. Right now, he's only 31 and has the perfect build for a center fielder. He's lean and lanky, with the legs of a roadrunner.
He may not play every day in manager Yogi Berra's scheme of things, but it is so much more comforting to have him on the bases on YOUR side than on the opposing team's side. He will steal at the drop of a sign. He will first-to-third the opposition to death.
Any hitting he does is a plus, and once he starts slapping grounders past drawn-in first and third basemen, there is no telling where you will find him- at first, second or third. They say he can't hit left-handed pitching, but he slammed a three-run homer off lefty Ed Vande Berg of the Mariners on August 24.
He has the quiet confidence off all great center fielders, and when Yankee pitchers look out and see him in center, they know they can give up an occasional long ball- because the ball that Moreno cannot outrun has not yet been invented- by the Chinese or the Russians."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Moreno began 1983 with the Astros and was traded to the Yankees for Jerry Mumphrey on August 10. On August 19 against California he was 3-for-4 with three RBI and on August 24 against Seattle was 3-for-4 with four RBI including his first American League homer (off Ed Vande Berg).
Omar had been a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 14 years before signing with the Houston Astros as a free agent in December 1982. He began his career in 1969 but did not reach the majors until the end of the 1975 season. Omar played in every game for the Pirates in 1979, 1980 and 1981. He dislocated the little finger in his left hand in July 1980 and underwent corrective surgery following the end of the season.
A native of Panama, Omar has played winter ball in Venezuela."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Guess which center fielder on the New York Yankees also stole 96 bases in a single season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1980?
No, that's not fair ... you know we're talking about Omar Moreno because you see his picture near this story. Moreno is a player who likes to play- obviously- but a player who can handle pressure. Many people claim he was the most important all-around player on the World Champion Pirates of 1979. Right now, he's only 31 and has the perfect build for a center fielder. He's lean and lanky, with the legs of a roadrunner.
He may not play every day in manager Yogi Berra's scheme of things, but it is so much more comforting to have him on the bases on YOUR side than on the opposing team's side. He will steal at the drop of a sign. He will first-to-third the opposition to death.
Any hitting he does is a plus, and once he starts slapping grounders past drawn-in first and third basemen, there is no telling where you will find him- at first, second or third. They say he can't hit left-handed pitching, but he slammed a three-run homer off lefty Ed Vande Berg of the Mariners on August 24.
He has the quiet confidence off all great center fielders, and when Yankee pitchers look out and see him in center, they know they can give up an occasional long ball- because the ball that Moreno cannot outrun has not yet been invented- by the Chinese or the Russians."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Moreno began 1983 with the Astros and was traded to the Yankees for Jerry Mumphrey on August 10. On August 19 against California he was 3-for-4 with three RBI and on August 24 against Seattle was 3-for-4 with four RBI including his first American League homer (off Ed Vande Berg).
Omar had been a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 14 years before signing with the Houston Astros as a free agent in December 1982. He began his career in 1969 but did not reach the majors until the end of the 1975 season. Omar played in every game for the Pirates in 1979, 1980 and 1981. He dislocated the little finger in his left hand in July 1980 and underwent corrective surgery following the end of the season.
A native of Panama, Omar has played winter ball in Venezuela."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Friday, July 24, 2015
1984 Profile: Ray Fontenot
"The New York Yankees seem to find them, don't they? Dave Righetti was an unknown quantity when the Yankees traded Sparky Lyle to the Texas Rangers and received (then) minor leaguer Righetti. And how about 'stealing' Andre Robertson from the Toronto Blue Jays? Better still, Ray Fontenot was a 'throw-in' in the deal that sent Mickey Rivers to the Rangers.
Throw-in? When Fontenot battled back from shoulder and delivery problems and proved himself at Columbus, he came up to the Yankees in June of last year- and simply posted an 8-2 record. If he was faster, he would have reminded Yankee fans of another lefty named White Ford, who came up in the summer of 1950 and helped the Yankees win a pennant with nine straight wins.
Fontenot, however, is not fast- and he loves it.
'The big guys like Steve Carlton and Nolan Ryan get themselves psyched up before a game,' the Louisiana-born 26-year-old says, 'so they can throw heat past the hitters. Me, I get myself psyched down. If I get too high, I overthrow, and that is something I can't afford. I have to throw to spots and rely on my sinker. If I had my way, I wouldn't care if I never struck out a batter. I rely on my infielders to field grounders.
'But that doesn't mean I won't throw inside to batters, to keep them honest. I'm not that dumb.'
No, this young man who listens to coaches- and especially to a guy named Ron Guidry- just might be the biggest sleeper the Yankees have ever found."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Fontenot turned in a superlative job as a rookie starter in 1983. He began the season at Columbus where he was used exclusively as a reliever (3-2, 8 saves), was recalled to New York on June 19 and made his major league debut against Baltimore on June 30, filling in for the injured Ron Guidry. Ray won his first major league game in his second start, July 10 at Kansas City, and hurled his first major league shutout on July 26 at Texas. He won four starts in a row before ending his season with a tired arm on September 18.
Originally signed by the Rangers for the 1979 season, Ray was traded to the Yankees in October 1979 to complete the deal for Mickey Rivers. He was plagued by arm problems early in his career.
Fontenot graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1975 and McNeese State University in 1979."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Throw-in? When Fontenot battled back from shoulder and delivery problems and proved himself at Columbus, he came up to the Yankees in June of last year- and simply posted an 8-2 record. If he was faster, he would have reminded Yankee fans of another lefty named White Ford, who came up in the summer of 1950 and helped the Yankees win a pennant with nine straight wins.
Fontenot, however, is not fast- and he loves it.
'The big guys like Steve Carlton and Nolan Ryan get themselves psyched up before a game,' the Louisiana-born 26-year-old says, 'so they can throw heat past the hitters. Me, I get myself psyched down. If I get too high, I overthrow, and that is something I can't afford. I have to throw to spots and rely on my sinker. If I had my way, I wouldn't care if I never struck out a batter. I rely on my infielders to field grounders.
'But that doesn't mean I won't throw inside to batters, to keep them honest. I'm not that dumb.'
No, this young man who listens to coaches- and especially to a guy named Ron Guidry- just might be the biggest sleeper the Yankees have ever found."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Fontenot turned in a superlative job as a rookie starter in 1983. He began the season at Columbus where he was used exclusively as a reliever (3-2, 8 saves), was recalled to New York on June 19 and made his major league debut against Baltimore on June 30, filling in for the injured Ron Guidry. Ray won his first major league game in his second start, July 10 at Kansas City, and hurled his first major league shutout on July 26 at Texas. He won four starts in a row before ending his season with a tired arm on September 18.
Originally signed by the Rangers for the 1979 season, Ray was traded to the Yankees in October 1979 to complete the deal for Mickey Rivers. He was plagued by arm problems early in his career.
Fontenot graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1975 and McNeese State University in 1979."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Thursday, July 23, 2015
1984 Profile: Steve Kemp
"There is a picture currently making the rounds of late-night TV. It is entitled 'Tell Them Willie is Here.' It is about a proud American Indian who never accepted the 'rights' promised him by certain legal and law enforcement agencies.
There is a baseball player on the New York Yankees who is currently battling back from a shattered face- cheek, jaw and eye socket. His name is Steve Kemp. His message is simple: 'Tell Them Steve Kemp is Coming Back.'
Kemp, called 'Kemper' (as in cavalry and insurance) by his teammates, is a tough, proud baseball player who may never regain full sight in his left eye, but who doesn't know how to spell the word quit.
'I want everybody to know,' he says, 'that I'll be all right. I have a positive attitude. It may take a year for the eyesight to return, but I have to feel the worst is behind me.'
If the worst is behind, then the best is yet to come. Kemp was injured on September 7 when a line drive in batting practice smashed into his face. His year was over, and there were fears for his sight, let alone his chances of playing hard-nose baseball (the only kind that Kemp ever plays).
He worked all winter, with weights and sprints and batting against machines and live pitching in Yankee Stadium. In between, he spent more than 40 hours in a dentist's chair, having his shattered teeth replaced.
Kemp is no thief. He knows the Yankees gave him an excellent five-year contract, but one that he deserved because in five years with the Tigers and another with the White Sox, he invariably hit 20 homers and knocked in 90 runs. And he never, but never, stops hustling. He knows how to win, but he must play to do so. He is the starting left fielder- he is back- and the best is yet to come."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"In a frustrating first season as a Yankee in 1983, Kemp had 12 home runs and 49 RBI, his lowest run production totals since 1981 (the strike season). He homered in his first game as a Yankee, on April 5 in Seattle off Gaylord Perry, and hit an inside-the-park home run at Yankee Stadium against Seattle on June 6. Steve hustled all year, but never more than on Don Baylor's bloop single behind third base when Kemp scored all the way from first base with two out in the bottom of the ninth to win the first game of a doubleheader against the Royals on July 22.
Steve had his season ended prematurely on September 7 in Milwaukee when he suffered a broken jaw when struck by a batting practice line drive off the bat of Omar Moreno. He worked out all winter at Yankee Stadium to be ready for the 1984 season.
He is a proven RBI man, twice driving in more than 100 runs in a season. Kemp enjoyed an excellent season in 1982, establishing new personal season highs by playing in 160 games, scoring 91 runs and getting 166 hits. He tied for sixth in the AL with 89 walks, was ninth with a .384 on-base percentage and was tied for ninth with 14 game-winning RBI. Kemp was named to the American League All-Star team in 1979, winning Detroit's triple crown.
Kemp was the nation's No. 1 pick in the regular phase of the January 1976 free agent draft by Detroit. In August of his one and only season in the minor leagues, Kemp tore ankle ligaments which were repaired surgically. Steve was a member of an American League team of all-stars that toured Japan in 1979.
Steve was an All-American baseball player at the University of Southern California. He holds the USC record for season batting average with a .435 mark set in his sophomore year."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
There is a baseball player on the New York Yankees who is currently battling back from a shattered face- cheek, jaw and eye socket. His name is Steve Kemp. His message is simple: 'Tell Them Steve Kemp is Coming Back.'
Kemp, called 'Kemper' (as in cavalry and insurance) by his teammates, is a tough, proud baseball player who may never regain full sight in his left eye, but who doesn't know how to spell the word quit.
'I want everybody to know,' he says, 'that I'll be all right. I have a positive attitude. It may take a year for the eyesight to return, but I have to feel the worst is behind me.'
If the worst is behind, then the best is yet to come. Kemp was injured on September 7 when a line drive in batting practice smashed into his face. His year was over, and there were fears for his sight, let alone his chances of playing hard-nose baseball (the only kind that Kemp ever plays).
He worked all winter, with weights and sprints and batting against machines and live pitching in Yankee Stadium. In between, he spent more than 40 hours in a dentist's chair, having his shattered teeth replaced.
Kemp is no thief. He knows the Yankees gave him an excellent five-year contract, but one that he deserved because in five years with the Tigers and another with the White Sox, he invariably hit 20 homers and knocked in 90 runs. And he never, but never, stops hustling. He knows how to win, but he must play to do so. He is the starting left fielder- he is back- and the best is yet to come."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"In a frustrating first season as a Yankee in 1983, Kemp had 12 home runs and 49 RBI, his lowest run production totals since 1981 (the strike season). He homered in his first game as a Yankee, on April 5 in Seattle off Gaylord Perry, and hit an inside-the-park home run at Yankee Stadium against Seattle on June 6. Steve hustled all year, but never more than on Don Baylor's bloop single behind third base when Kemp scored all the way from first base with two out in the bottom of the ninth to win the first game of a doubleheader against the Royals on July 22.
Steve had his season ended prematurely on September 7 in Milwaukee when he suffered a broken jaw when struck by a batting practice line drive off the bat of Omar Moreno. He worked out all winter at Yankee Stadium to be ready for the 1984 season.
He is a proven RBI man, twice driving in more than 100 runs in a season. Kemp enjoyed an excellent season in 1982, establishing new personal season highs by playing in 160 games, scoring 91 runs and getting 166 hits. He tied for sixth in the AL with 89 walks, was ninth with a .384 on-base percentage and was tied for ninth with 14 game-winning RBI. Kemp was named to the American League All-Star team in 1979, winning Detroit's triple crown.
Kemp was the nation's No. 1 pick in the regular phase of the January 1976 free agent draft by Detroit. In August of his one and only season in the minor leagues, Kemp tore ankle ligaments which were repaired surgically. Steve was a member of an American League team of all-stars that toured Japan in 1979.
Steve was an All-American baseball player at the University of Southern California. He holds the USC record for season batting average with a .435 mark set in his sophomore year."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
1984 Profile: Dave Righetti
"Righetti made his first full season in the majors one to remember. He no-hit the Boston Red Sox on July 4, the first no-hitter pitched by a Yankee since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series against Brooklyn. He had pitched his first major league shutout in his previous start, against Baltimore on June 29.
Dave led Yankee pitchers in strikeouts for the second straight year, fanning seven or more in 12 games, including a career-high 11 against the White Sox on August 15. He had a hot first half, winning 10 of 13 decisions before the All-Star break.
Born in San Jose, California, his father Leo was a second baseman in the Yankee system. Dave played with Dave Stieb, now of Toronto, at San Jose Community College and played against Carney Lansford, now of Oakland, in American Legion ball. Righetti was 1981 AL Rookie of the Year, but spent parts of that season and 1982 at the Yankees' Columbus (AAA) farm team."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"This fireballing 25-year-old left-hander forever captured the heart of the baseball world when he no-hit the powerful Boston Red Sox on the birthday of America- July Fourth, 1983. He's the kind of player who you have to root for. We all know his history- young lefty, lots of promise, wild, up and down to Columbus, in the bullpen, as a starter, and so on and so forth. You won't find his name in scandal-mongering headlines. He has matured so much it is incredible. But along with his maturity, he maintains a fanatical desire to win, for the fans, for himself and for his teammates. If they asked him to bat cleanup, don't bet he wouldn't, if he thought it would help the team to an Eastern title.
In 1981, in the third game of the World Series, he hooked up with (then) sensational Fernando Valenzuela. David came out second best. That, he did not like.
'It was like a golfer who leads a tournament from start to finish,' he said. 'People seem to remember only the last hole, and if the guy misses a putt, they remember that- not what he did before. I learned a lot from that game, and I want a chance to get back in that Series and prove something to myself, my team and the fans.'
He's done a lot of proving since, hasn't he? And he's not through yet. He's the kind of team player who may not even get into a game, but be totally spent after the game. Whether he is on the bench or in the bullpen, he watches everything and roots harder for the Yankees than most fans. Now, with everything behind him, everything is in front of him- thankfully for Yankee fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Righetti capped off an outstanding 1983 season with his July 4th no-hitter at Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox. He was 10-3 in the first half of the season and ended the season 7-3 against the American League East. Righetti pitched career highs in starts, complete games, innings pitched, wins and strikeouts. He struck out 11 against Chicago on August 15 and struck out seven or more on 12 occasions. Dave hurled back-to-back shutouts on June 29 against Baltimore (his first major league shutout) and July 4 against Boston (the no-hitter).
Dave beat Boston at Yankee Stadium on July 4th, 4-0, with a no-hitter (9 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 9K). He threw 132 pitches and the temperature was in the high 90's. Only four reached base (all via walks: Rice twice, Nichols and Newman); Nichols was picked off first (caught stealing) and Rice was doubled off once. Dave faced only 29 batters.
It was the first no-hitter by a Yankee since Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series against Brooklyn, and the first regular season no-hitter by a Yankee since Allie Reynolds no-hit Boston in New York in September 1951 in the first game of a doubleheader. Righetti's was the first no-hitter by a Yankee left-hander since George Mogridge threw a no-hitter in Boston in April 1917.
Righetti was named American League Rookie of the Year in 1981. After a disappointing 1980 season at AAA, he solved his control problems. He was 5-0 with a 1.00 ERA at Columbus when recalled by the Yankees on May 21 and won his first major league game with an impressive performance against Cleveland on May 23. He also won in Cleveland and Kansas City for a 3-0 first half record with a 1.50 ERA. Rags had a strikeout to walk ratio of better than 2:1 and opposing hitters had only a combined average of .196 against him (lowest in the AL). He struck out a career high of 11 Boston batters on September 11. Dave narrowly missed winning the AL ERA crown with a 2.06 ERA- he fell just 1.2 innings short of qualifying.
In the postseason, Dave started Game 2 of the Eastern Division Series against Milwaukee and combined with Ron Davis and Goose Gossage for a 3-0 shutout. He came in to relieve Guidry in Game 5 of the Division Series in New York and earned the win. Rags also won the clinching game of the ALCS, Game 3 in Oakland, but started and got a no-decision in Game 3 of the World Series in Los Angeles.
Righetti suffered the sophomore jinx in 1982 but still posted a career high 11 wins. He led the Yankee pitching staff with 163 strikeouts, finishing third in the AL behind Floyd Bannister (209) and Len Barker (187). Dave also led the Yankee pitching staff with nine wins following a Yankee loss.
Dave started the '82 season with the Yankees winning his first game but was bothered by control problems and was optioned to Columbus on June 27 with a 5-5 record. He started the game of May 30 at Minnesota by striking out the first five batters (Gary Ward, Ron Washington, Tom Brunansky, Ken Hrbek and Dave Engle). On June 10 at Boston he pitched a no-hitter for the first 6.1 innings. Dave made four relief appearances following his recall from Columbus and ended the season completing seven full innings in his last six starts, winning his last three decisions. He was the toughest Yankee left-handed pitcher to hit, allowing only 155 hits in 677 at-bats for a .229 average.
Righetti made his major league on September 16, 1979 against Detroit at Yankee Stadium on Catfish Hunter Day with no decision. He was named to the Topps National Association Class AAA All-Star team in 1979. On July 16, 1978 for Tulsa, he struck out 21 batters at Midland, striking out the side four times and having a stretch of seven straight K's.
Dave grew up in San Jose where he was All-League in baseball at Pioneer High School, and also played basketball. A Giants and A's fan growing up, he played against A's third baseman Carney Lansford in American Legion ball. He attended San Jose City College where he was a teammate of Blue Jay pitcher Dave Stieb, and won JC Player of the Year honors in 1977. His brother Steve is in the Texas organization. His father is a former minor league shortstop, and the first time he saw Dave pitch professionally was in the clinching game of the ALCS in Oakland."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Dave led Yankee pitchers in strikeouts for the second straight year, fanning seven or more in 12 games, including a career-high 11 against the White Sox on August 15. He had a hot first half, winning 10 of 13 decisions before the All-Star break.
Born in San Jose, California, his father Leo was a second baseman in the Yankee system. Dave played with Dave Stieb, now of Toronto, at San Jose Community College and played against Carney Lansford, now of Oakland, in American Legion ball. Righetti was 1981 AL Rookie of the Year, but spent parts of that season and 1982 at the Yankees' Columbus (AAA) farm team."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"This fireballing 25-year-old left-hander forever captured the heart of the baseball world when he no-hit the powerful Boston Red Sox on the birthday of America- July Fourth, 1983. He's the kind of player who you have to root for. We all know his history- young lefty, lots of promise, wild, up and down to Columbus, in the bullpen, as a starter, and so on and so forth. You won't find his name in scandal-mongering headlines. He has matured so much it is incredible. But along with his maturity, he maintains a fanatical desire to win, for the fans, for himself and for his teammates. If they asked him to bat cleanup, don't bet he wouldn't, if he thought it would help the team to an Eastern title.
In 1981, in the third game of the World Series, he hooked up with (then) sensational Fernando Valenzuela. David came out second best. That, he did not like.
'It was like a golfer who leads a tournament from start to finish,' he said. 'People seem to remember only the last hole, and if the guy misses a putt, they remember that- not what he did before. I learned a lot from that game, and I want a chance to get back in that Series and prove something to myself, my team and the fans.'
He's done a lot of proving since, hasn't he? And he's not through yet. He's the kind of team player who may not even get into a game, but be totally spent after the game. Whether he is on the bench or in the bullpen, he watches everything and roots harder for the Yankees than most fans. Now, with everything behind him, everything is in front of him- thankfully for Yankee fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Righetti capped off an outstanding 1983 season with his July 4th no-hitter at Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox. He was 10-3 in the first half of the season and ended the season 7-3 against the American League East. Righetti pitched career highs in starts, complete games, innings pitched, wins and strikeouts. He struck out 11 against Chicago on August 15 and struck out seven or more on 12 occasions. Dave hurled back-to-back shutouts on June 29 against Baltimore (his first major league shutout) and July 4 against Boston (the no-hitter).
Dave beat Boston at Yankee Stadium on July 4th, 4-0, with a no-hitter (9 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 9K). He threw 132 pitches and the temperature was in the high 90's. Only four reached base (all via walks: Rice twice, Nichols and Newman); Nichols was picked off first (caught stealing) and Rice was doubled off once. Dave faced only 29 batters.
It was the first no-hitter by a Yankee since Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series against Brooklyn, and the first regular season no-hitter by a Yankee since Allie Reynolds no-hit Boston in New York in September 1951 in the first game of a doubleheader. Righetti's was the first no-hitter by a Yankee left-hander since George Mogridge threw a no-hitter in Boston in April 1917.
Righetti was named American League Rookie of the Year in 1981. After a disappointing 1980 season at AAA, he solved his control problems. He was 5-0 with a 1.00 ERA at Columbus when recalled by the Yankees on May 21 and won his first major league game with an impressive performance against Cleveland on May 23. He also won in Cleveland and Kansas City for a 3-0 first half record with a 1.50 ERA. Rags had a strikeout to walk ratio of better than 2:1 and opposing hitters had only a combined average of .196 against him (lowest in the AL). He struck out a career high of 11 Boston batters on September 11. Dave narrowly missed winning the AL ERA crown with a 2.06 ERA- he fell just 1.2 innings short of qualifying.
In the postseason, Dave started Game 2 of the Eastern Division Series against Milwaukee and combined with Ron Davis and Goose Gossage for a 3-0 shutout. He came in to relieve Guidry in Game 5 of the Division Series in New York and earned the win. Rags also won the clinching game of the ALCS, Game 3 in Oakland, but started and got a no-decision in Game 3 of the World Series in Los Angeles.
Righetti suffered the sophomore jinx in 1982 but still posted a career high 11 wins. He led the Yankee pitching staff with 163 strikeouts, finishing third in the AL behind Floyd Bannister (209) and Len Barker (187). Dave also led the Yankee pitching staff with nine wins following a Yankee loss.
Dave started the '82 season with the Yankees winning his first game but was bothered by control problems and was optioned to Columbus on June 27 with a 5-5 record. He started the game of May 30 at Minnesota by striking out the first five batters (Gary Ward, Ron Washington, Tom Brunansky, Ken Hrbek and Dave Engle). On June 10 at Boston he pitched a no-hitter for the first 6.1 innings. Dave made four relief appearances following his recall from Columbus and ended the season completing seven full innings in his last six starts, winning his last three decisions. He was the toughest Yankee left-handed pitcher to hit, allowing only 155 hits in 677 at-bats for a .229 average.
Righetti made his major league on September 16, 1979 against Detroit at Yankee Stadium on Catfish Hunter Day with no decision. He was named to the Topps National Association Class AAA All-Star team in 1979. On July 16, 1978 for Tulsa, he struck out 21 batters at Midland, striking out the side four times and having a stretch of seven straight K's.
Dave grew up in San Jose where he was All-League in baseball at Pioneer High School, and also played basketball. A Giants and A's fan growing up, he played against A's third baseman Carney Lansford in American Legion ball. He attended San Jose City College where he was a teammate of Blue Jay pitcher Dave Stieb, and won JC Player of the Year honors in 1977. His brother Steve is in the Texas organization. His father is a former minor league shortstop, and the first time he saw Dave pitch professionally was in the clinching game of the ALCS in Oakland."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
1984 Profile: Shane Rawley
"Rawley found a permanent home in the Yankee rotation, but with streaky results- he was 5-1 in August, including four straight wins, but finished with a 0-4 mark in September. He established career highs in virtually every department.
He spent his first four years in the majors with Seattle, where he made only four starts in 205 appearances. Rawley was finally put into the rotation with the Yankees on July 5, 1982 and has remained there since, yet still ranks second on the Mariner all-time save list with 36.
A victim of strange injuries, Rawley broke his hand in a fight after his brother was attacked outside a bar during the 1980 season. He broke his left foot while playing basketball in January 1981. Rawley has a pilot's license.
Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Rawley attended Indian Hills Community College where he played for Pat Daugherty, who was also his first manager in pro ball, and was in the minors with the Montreal and Cincinnati organizations before joining the Mariners in 1978. Rawley was acquired by the Yankees prior to the 1982 season for pitchers Gene Nelson and Bill Caudill and outfielder Bobby Brown."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"He labored in relative obscurity for four years with the Seattle Mariners. He got his big break when the Yankees acquired him in April 1982. He knew his job ... go to the bullpen. He did his job ... until Joe Altobelli, Jeff Torborg and Clyde King decided he could be a starter.
So he started, and despite a tendency to be streaky, Shane Rawley has given the Yankees 25 wins in the past two years.
'I knew what it was to play for the Yankees when I got here,' Rawley says, 'but I might have underestimated the mental toughness that you need in New York, playing with a team that always wants to win. At times, you tend to try too hard, but thanks to Ronnie (Guidry) and the coaches, I've learned to give it my best, and if I win, I win.
'My main thought is to keep the team in the game and not give up the big inning early in the game. This team has enough firepower to win games in the late innings. If you do your job, they'll do their job.'
'The thing that impresses me about Shane,' says coach Jeff Torborg, 'is that he gets stronger as the game goes on. We clock him, and he throws faster in the late innings than he does in the early innings. We never realized it took him so long to get warm and loose. When he first came here, I saw him warm up and said: 'My Lord, he has a dead arm.' '
Rawley quickly dispelled that fallacy. He has one of the livest arms in the game. He couldn't throw the ball straight if his life depended on it. It moves everyplace, and opposing batters know it.
This year he is not in obscurity- he is a mainstay on the starting staff of the New York Yankees, hungry again."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Rawley proved in 1983 he could handle a starting role and established highs in wins, innings pitched, complete games and strikeouts. He began the season with three straight wins and won four in a row from August 14 to August 31. Shane pitched his first major league shutout in his first start on April 10 at Toronto and also shut out the Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 19.
Used primarily as a starter in the minors, starting 79 of 85 minor league appearances, Shane was used primarily as a reliever in the majors for his first five seasons. He missed the final two weeks of the 1980 season with a severely strained muscle behind his left shoulder, then suffered a broken left foot in late January 1981 and underwent surgery. Shane missed most of spring training that year and opened the season with Seattle on the DL, yet was named AL Player of the Week September 21-27 (2-0, four saves, eight innings, no earned runs). In 1982, with the Yankees, he was placed in the starting rotation in mid-season, winning seven and losing seven but winning five of his last seven decisions.
Rawley graduated from William Horlick (WI) High in 1973. He was a three-time MVP in baseball while also earning honors in basketball. He attended Indian Hills C.C. (Centerville, IA) where he pitched for coach Pat Daugherty, also his first manager in pro ball. Signed to his first pro contract by the Expos' Bob Oldis, Shane earned his pilot's license in 1980."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
He spent his first four years in the majors with Seattle, where he made only four starts in 205 appearances. Rawley was finally put into the rotation with the Yankees on July 5, 1982 and has remained there since, yet still ranks second on the Mariner all-time save list with 36.
A victim of strange injuries, Rawley broke his hand in a fight after his brother was attacked outside a bar during the 1980 season. He broke his left foot while playing basketball in January 1981. Rawley has a pilot's license.
Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Rawley attended Indian Hills Community College where he played for Pat Daugherty, who was also his first manager in pro ball, and was in the minors with the Montreal and Cincinnati organizations before joining the Mariners in 1978. Rawley was acquired by the Yankees prior to the 1982 season for pitchers Gene Nelson and Bill Caudill and outfielder Bobby Brown."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"He labored in relative obscurity for four years with the Seattle Mariners. He got his big break when the Yankees acquired him in April 1982. He knew his job ... go to the bullpen. He did his job ... until Joe Altobelli, Jeff Torborg and Clyde King decided he could be a starter.
So he started, and despite a tendency to be streaky, Shane Rawley has given the Yankees 25 wins in the past two years.
'I knew what it was to play for the Yankees when I got here,' Rawley says, 'but I might have underestimated the mental toughness that you need in New York, playing with a team that always wants to win. At times, you tend to try too hard, but thanks to Ronnie (Guidry) and the coaches, I've learned to give it my best, and if I win, I win.
'My main thought is to keep the team in the game and not give up the big inning early in the game. This team has enough firepower to win games in the late innings. If you do your job, they'll do their job.'
'The thing that impresses me about Shane,' says coach Jeff Torborg, 'is that he gets stronger as the game goes on. We clock him, and he throws faster in the late innings than he does in the early innings. We never realized it took him so long to get warm and loose. When he first came here, I saw him warm up and said: 'My Lord, he has a dead arm.' '
Rawley quickly dispelled that fallacy. He has one of the livest arms in the game. He couldn't throw the ball straight if his life depended on it. It moves everyplace, and opposing batters know it.
This year he is not in obscurity- he is a mainstay on the starting staff of the New York Yankees, hungry again."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Rawley proved in 1983 he could handle a starting role and established highs in wins, innings pitched, complete games and strikeouts. He began the season with three straight wins and won four in a row from August 14 to August 31. Shane pitched his first major league shutout in his first start on April 10 at Toronto and also shut out the Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 19.
Used primarily as a starter in the minors, starting 79 of 85 minor league appearances, Shane was used primarily as a reliever in the majors for his first five seasons. He missed the final two weeks of the 1980 season with a severely strained muscle behind his left shoulder, then suffered a broken left foot in late January 1981 and underwent surgery. Shane missed most of spring training that year and opened the season with Seattle on the DL, yet was named AL Player of the Week September 21-27 (2-0, four saves, eight innings, no earned runs). In 1982, with the Yankees, he was placed in the starting rotation in mid-season, winning seven and losing seven but winning five of his last seven decisions.
Rawley graduated from William Horlick (WI) High in 1973. He was a three-time MVP in baseball while also earning honors in basketball. He attended Indian Hills C.C. (Centerville, IA) where he pitched for coach Pat Daugherty, also his first manager in pro ball. Signed to his first pro contract by the Expos' Bob Oldis, Shane earned his pilot's license in 1980."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Sunday, July 19, 2015
1984 Profile: Tim Foli
"He has led both leagues in fielding as a shortstop. He is one of 32 players to have played for the Mets and the Yanks. He is annually one of the toughest men in baseball to strike out.
Wherever he has gone, he was told, 'You're not strong enough to play every day.'
Makes you wonder why, because Timothy John Foli was a key member of the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates and division winning 1982 California Angels, playing respectively 133 and 150 games.
Foli was always a quick-tempered player, but age and winning have made him a bit more mellow. That maturity, however, has not taken away his competitive spirit. He likes to do anything he can to win, and he is considered to be one of the best hit-and-run men and best bunters in either league.
Barring injury, Foli does not figure to crack the starting infield this year, but the words 'Barring injury' never seem to be too far away. Foli can play second, short and third. He is the prototype of the role player who can do almost anything on the field, and who gives the manager the luxury of making strategic late-inning moves without sacrificing defense or offense.
Before 1984 is finished, some opposing manager is certain to say, 'Those Yankees have a bunch of millionaires and a ton of guys who can hit the ball out of the Grand Canyon, but we get beat by Tim Foli.'
They've just got to say that- because Tim Foli has done just that before, and he'll do it again."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Foli jumped off to a fast start in 1983 with a 10 game hitting streak from April 15-27, ending April with a .311 average. He continued to show excellent bat control, fanning only 18 times in 330 at-bats- once every 18.3 times at bat. Despite his limited number of at-bats Foli finished tied for fifth in the league in sacrifice hits (11). He has always been a fine defensive player and 1983 was no exception, finishing third in the AL in fielding percentage for shortstops with a .975 mark.
Tim is the consummate team player who can play third, short or second, while primarily a shortstop. He led National League shortstops with a .981 fielding percentage in 1980 and American League shortstops with a .985 mark in 1982. He's an addition to the list of players to appear with both New York teams.
In 1979 Foli established career highs in batting average, RBIs, runs and hits while driving the Pirates to the NL pennant. He capped the Pirates' championship season by batting .333 in both the league playoffs and the World Series. In 1980, Tim had an 18 game hitting streak and played 48 consecutive games without committing an error (July 30 through September 28).
He hit for the cycle for April 21, 1976 in Chicago, collecting a single, double and triple before the game was suspended by darkness; he homered in the eighth inning the following afternoon in completion of the game. A perennial member of the '10-Toughest-to-Fan' club, Tim owns 162 career sacrifice hits.
Tim captained the baseball, basketball and football teams at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California and earned All-League, All-State, All-California Interscholastic Federation and MVP honors. He was the Mets' top selection in the June 1968 Free Agent Draft and signed with New York after turning down scholarships at Notre Dame and USC. His older brother, Ernie, was an infielder-outfielder in the California, St. Louis, Houston and Kansas City organizations. Tim's hobbies include singing, golf, hunting and fishing."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Wherever he has gone, he was told, 'You're not strong enough to play every day.'
Makes you wonder why, because Timothy John Foli was a key member of the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates and division winning 1982 California Angels, playing respectively 133 and 150 games.
Foli was always a quick-tempered player, but age and winning have made him a bit more mellow. That maturity, however, has not taken away his competitive spirit. He likes to do anything he can to win, and he is considered to be one of the best hit-and-run men and best bunters in either league.
Barring injury, Foli does not figure to crack the starting infield this year, but the words 'Barring injury' never seem to be too far away. Foli can play second, short and third. He is the prototype of the role player who can do almost anything on the field, and who gives the manager the luxury of making strategic late-inning moves without sacrificing defense or offense.
Before 1984 is finished, some opposing manager is certain to say, 'Those Yankees have a bunch of millionaires and a ton of guys who can hit the ball out of the Grand Canyon, but we get beat by Tim Foli.'
They've just got to say that- because Tim Foli has done just that before, and he'll do it again."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Foli jumped off to a fast start in 1983 with a 10 game hitting streak from April 15-27, ending April with a .311 average. He continued to show excellent bat control, fanning only 18 times in 330 at-bats- once every 18.3 times at bat. Despite his limited number of at-bats Foli finished tied for fifth in the league in sacrifice hits (11). He has always been a fine defensive player and 1983 was no exception, finishing third in the AL in fielding percentage for shortstops with a .975 mark.
Tim is the consummate team player who can play third, short or second, while primarily a shortstop. He led National League shortstops with a .981 fielding percentage in 1980 and American League shortstops with a .985 mark in 1982. He's an addition to the list of players to appear with both New York teams.
In 1979 Foli established career highs in batting average, RBIs, runs and hits while driving the Pirates to the NL pennant. He capped the Pirates' championship season by batting .333 in both the league playoffs and the World Series. In 1980, Tim had an 18 game hitting streak and played 48 consecutive games without committing an error (July 30 through September 28).
He hit for the cycle for April 21, 1976 in Chicago, collecting a single, double and triple before the game was suspended by darkness; he homered in the eighth inning the following afternoon in completion of the game. A perennial member of the '10-Toughest-to-Fan' club, Tim owns 162 career sacrifice hits.
Tim captained the baseball, basketball and football teams at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California and earned All-League, All-State, All-California Interscholastic Federation and MVP honors. He was the Mets' top selection in the June 1968 Free Agent Draft and signed with New York after turning down scholarships at Notre Dame and USC. His older brother, Ernie, was an infielder-outfielder in the California, St. Louis, Houston and Kansas City organizations. Tim's hobbies include singing, golf, hunting and fishing."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Saturday, July 18, 2015
1984 Profile: Graig Nettles
"Despite assorted minor ailments, he put together his best season since 1978 and then spurned the re-entry draft to re-sign with the Yankees. Part of his resurrection was due to a reunion with manager Billy Martin, who was his skipper at Denver in 1968 and brought him to the majors for the first time in 1969.'He's my all-time gamer,' says Martin.
Nettles became the sixth captain in Yankee history in January 1982. He's well-known for his defense and has earned two Gold Gloves. He established major league records for assists (412) and double plays (54) by a third baseman in 1971 and starred with his glove in the 1978 World Series against the Dodgers.
He led the American League in home runs with 32 in 1976 and holds the AL career record for home runs by a third baseman. Born in San Diego, Nettles played baseball and basketball at San Diego State. His brother Jim is a coach for Tacoma in the Oakland organization, after playing in the majors for Minnesota, Detroit, Cleveland and Kansas City."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"The Yankee captain surprised all with another outstanding and consistent season in 1983. Nettles had over 100 hits for the first time since 1979 and his highest batting average since 1978. He had four hits against California on August 19 and homered twice against Seattle on June 6. Nettles moved up several notches on most of the Yankees top 20 lists. He opted for free agency at the end of the season, but re-signed with the Yankees on the eve of the draft.
Graig was named Yankee captain on January 29, 1982, only the sixth Yankee captain, and is currently the senior Yankee, joining the team following the 1972 season. During the decade of the '70s, only Reggie Jackson and Carl Yastrzemski had more RBIs among American Leaguers.
His first full year was 1969 and he was a member of the AL West Champion Twins. Graig was Cleveland's Man of the Year in 1971 when he hit .261 with 28 homers and set AL records for most assists and double plays by a third baseman. He hit 32 home runs in 1976 to lead the league, the first Yankee to do so since Roger Maris hit 61 in '61. Graig finished second in 1977 with a career high of 37 and finished 5th in the MVP voting; he was also named to the Sporting News and UPI All-Star teams and was voted the All-Time Yankee third baseman in a special poll of sportswriters.
In 1978 Graig set a Yankee third base fielding record with a .975 average, tied Reggie for the club lead with 27 homers and led with 14 game winning RBIs. He was named to the AP, UPI, Sporting News and Baseball Bulletin All-Star teams. Graig turned around the '78 World Series with his spectacular fielding in Game 3 and finally earned nationwide recognition for his fielding.
In 1980, he missed 67 games (from July 24 until the final two games of the season) with hepatitis, yet on July 21 hit his 267th career home run as a third baseman, passing Brooks Robinson as the all-time American League home run leader among third basemen (Graig now has 319). Graig also hit his first career inside-the-park homer in Game 2 of the ALCS. For the '81 ALCS, his .500 (6-for-12) with a home run and nine RBIs against Oakland earned him MVP honors. He hit his 300th career homer on June 26, 1982 at Yankee Stadium off Cleveland's Rick Waits
Nettles holds the records for most home runs and RBIs by a Yankee third baseman in a single season and has hit the most home runs at the 'new' Yankee Stadium (104). He has 250 Yankee home runs, sixth on the all-time Yankee list behind Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Berra.
Graig was a baseball and basketball star at San Diego State before signing with the Twins. An accomplished golfer and tennis player, he's nicknamed 'Puff' by his teammates. His brother Jim has played in the major leagues for the Twins, Tigers, Indians and Royals."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Nettles became the sixth captain in Yankee history in January 1982. He's well-known for his defense and has earned two Gold Gloves. He established major league records for assists (412) and double plays (54) by a third baseman in 1971 and starred with his glove in the 1978 World Series against the Dodgers.
He led the American League in home runs with 32 in 1976 and holds the AL career record for home runs by a third baseman. Born in San Diego, Nettles played baseball and basketball at San Diego State. His brother Jim is a coach for Tacoma in the Oakland organization, after playing in the majors for Minnesota, Detroit, Cleveland and Kansas City."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"The Yankee captain surprised all with another outstanding and consistent season in 1983. Nettles had over 100 hits for the first time since 1979 and his highest batting average since 1978. He had four hits against California on August 19 and homered twice against Seattle on June 6. Nettles moved up several notches on most of the Yankees top 20 lists. He opted for free agency at the end of the season, but re-signed with the Yankees on the eve of the draft.
Graig was named Yankee captain on January 29, 1982, only the sixth Yankee captain, and is currently the senior Yankee, joining the team following the 1972 season. During the decade of the '70s, only Reggie Jackson and Carl Yastrzemski had more RBIs among American Leaguers.
His first full year was 1969 and he was a member of the AL West Champion Twins. Graig was Cleveland's Man of the Year in 1971 when he hit .261 with 28 homers and set AL records for most assists and double plays by a third baseman. He hit 32 home runs in 1976 to lead the league, the first Yankee to do so since Roger Maris hit 61 in '61. Graig finished second in 1977 with a career high of 37 and finished 5th in the MVP voting; he was also named to the Sporting News and UPI All-Star teams and was voted the All-Time Yankee third baseman in a special poll of sportswriters.
In 1978 Graig set a Yankee third base fielding record with a .975 average, tied Reggie for the club lead with 27 homers and led with 14 game winning RBIs. He was named to the AP, UPI, Sporting News and Baseball Bulletin All-Star teams. Graig turned around the '78 World Series with his spectacular fielding in Game 3 and finally earned nationwide recognition for his fielding.
In 1980, he missed 67 games (from July 24 until the final two games of the season) with hepatitis, yet on July 21 hit his 267th career home run as a third baseman, passing Brooks Robinson as the all-time American League home run leader among third basemen (Graig now has 319). Graig also hit his first career inside-the-park homer in Game 2 of the ALCS. For the '81 ALCS, his .500 (6-for-12) with a home run and nine RBIs against Oakland earned him MVP honors. He hit his 300th career homer on June 26, 1982 at Yankee Stadium off Cleveland's Rick Waits
Nettles holds the records for most home runs and RBIs by a Yankee third baseman in a single season and has hit the most home runs at the 'new' Yankee Stadium (104). He has 250 Yankee home runs, sixth on the all-time Yankee list behind Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Berra.
Graig was a baseball and basketball star at San Diego State before signing with the Twins. An accomplished golfer and tennis player, he's nicknamed 'Puff' by his teammates. His brother Jim has played in the major leagues for the Twins, Tigers, Indians and Royals."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Friday, July 17, 2015
1984 Profile: John Montefusco
"The nickname 'Count of Montefusco' says a lot more about John Montefusco than meets the eye. A Count symbolizes a swashbuckling, devil-may-care swordsman who fears no man and who always saves the heroine before Basil Rathbone can feed her to the vultures.
That about sizes up the man counted upon to be the Yankees' top right-handed starting pitcher in 1984- and for a few more years thereafter.
When he came to the Yankees in August of 1983, he brought a 9-4 record from the San Diego Padres with him. Could he rescue the Yankees, riding in on a white horse from out of the Western skies?
He didn't ... but he sure gave it one heck of a try, throwing a perfect 5-0 at batters in a new league.
'What the heck,' explained the Count, 'the batter goes to home plate with a bat in his hands, there's a home plate, a catcher, an umpire and I have the ball in my hands. I get the sign and I throw the ball. If he hits it, good for him. If he doesn't- well that's what I get paid for.'
That's more of the Count, kind of a 'What, me worry?' type guy. He's a New Yorker at heart, and New Yorkers took to him instantly in 1983. In 1976, with the San Francisco Giants, he pitched a 9-0 no-hitter, missing a perfect game by one batter- a fourth inning walk to Jerry Royster of the Braves. What does he remember about the game?
'I had him struck out, that's what.' And that's the Count of Montefusco."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Montefusco began the 1983 season with the Padres, being used in both starting and relief roles. Eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season, he was traded to the Yankees on August 26. He won his first start as a Yankee on August 28 at California and, used exclusively as a starter, won five of six starts.
On September 29, 1976, John pitched a no-hitter against the Braves, missing a perfect game by the margin of a fourth inning walk to Jerry Royster. In 1975 he was National League Rookie of the Year (BBWAA) and NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year (Sporting News) when he recorded 215 strikeouts, most by an NL rookie since 1911. In 1974 for Phoenix, John tied a Pacific Coast League record set in 1910 by fanning eight straight batters and hit a home run in his first at-bat in the majors on September 3 at Dodger Stadium.
John played shortstop for Middletown (NJ) Township High until his senior year when he switched to pitching."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
That about sizes up the man counted upon to be the Yankees' top right-handed starting pitcher in 1984- and for a few more years thereafter.
When he came to the Yankees in August of 1983, he brought a 9-4 record from the San Diego Padres with him. Could he rescue the Yankees, riding in on a white horse from out of the Western skies?
He didn't ... but he sure gave it one heck of a try, throwing a perfect 5-0 at batters in a new league.
'What the heck,' explained the Count, 'the batter goes to home plate with a bat in his hands, there's a home plate, a catcher, an umpire and I have the ball in my hands. I get the sign and I throw the ball. If he hits it, good for him. If he doesn't- well that's what I get paid for.'
That's more of the Count, kind of a 'What, me worry?' type guy. He's a New Yorker at heart, and New Yorkers took to him instantly in 1983. In 1976, with the San Francisco Giants, he pitched a 9-0 no-hitter, missing a perfect game by one batter- a fourth inning walk to Jerry Royster of the Braves. What does he remember about the game?
'I had him struck out, that's what.' And that's the Count of Montefusco."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Montefusco began the 1983 season with the Padres, being used in both starting and relief roles. Eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season, he was traded to the Yankees on August 26. He won his first start as a Yankee on August 28 at California and, used exclusively as a starter, won five of six starts.
On September 29, 1976, John pitched a no-hitter against the Braves, missing a perfect game by the margin of a fourth inning walk to Jerry Royster. In 1975 he was National League Rookie of the Year (BBWAA) and NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year (Sporting News) when he recorded 215 strikeouts, most by an NL rookie since 1911. In 1974 for Phoenix, John tied a Pacific Coast League record set in 1910 by fanning eight straight batters and hit a home run in his first at-bat in the majors on September 3 at Dodger Stadium.
John played shortstop for Middletown (NJ) Township High until his senior year when he switched to pitching."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
1984 Profile: Dale Murray
"They say the postman always rings twice. In other words, if you are expecting an important piece of mail, don't allow yourself to get overly anxious. If the postman knows you need the letter, and he rings your doorbell while you are busy doing something in the cellar, have no fear- he'll ring it again for you.
This is the year that the postman will ring for Dale Murray. No professional athlete likes to be embarrassed, and to be placed in a position that more or less labels him a 'non-contributor.' Murray will be the first to tell you he did not help the Yankees in 1983.
It took Murray a long time to establish himself as a quality relief pitcher. Stops at Montreal, Cincinnati, the New York Mets, Montreal again, two more years in the minors and finally back up to the Toronto Blue Jays where he set many Jay relief records. His newly developed sinker and forkball gave teams fits. He was particularly effective against the Yankees- so they traded for him.
Murray was and is another player who had to switch from relative serenity to the legendary House that Ruth Built. Theoretically, there was no pressure because the team had Rich Gossage and George Frazier, but a long stint in a spring training game and a subsequent misunderstanding with certain coaches left him in a quandary. Jeff Torborg, however, knew- and knows- what Murray can do, given the proper rest and encouragement. Rather than go free agent, Murray came back to New York- and fully expects to hear that doorbell ring in 1984."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"In an up and down year for Murray, his best stretch of the year came from July 2 to July 24 when he appeared in five games with 20.2 innings, four earned runs, 16 hits, a win and a 1.74 ERA. Murray's only save came on May 1 at Texas while pitching three innings of shutout ball. His first Yankee win was on May 31 against California, also while pitching three innings of shutout ball. Dale went through the free agent draft and finally re-signed with the Yankees on November 21.
Originally signed by Montreal in June 1970, Dale had suffered a broken femur bone near his right hip in 1969 during college practice, missing first the 1969 season then the 1971 season when the surgical pins were removed. He was called up by Montreal in 1974 and made his major league debut on July 6. Dale missed more than a month of the 1975 season because of hepatitis.
He had compiled a streak of 247.1 innings without allowing a home run from August 18, 1974 to August 20, 1976 when Bobby Murcer homered off him in San Francisco. Murray's homerless string is the longest in the post-World War II era. In 1981 he led all International League relievers with a 1.85 ERA and 16 saves in 52 appearances, being named to the International League All-Star team. Murray was the ace of the Toronto bullpen in 1982, setting Blue Jay club marks with 11 saves, 56 appearances by a right-handed pitcher, 111 innings pitched in relief and most relief appearances.
Dale graduated from Cuero (TX) Senior High in 1968 after receiving all-tournament awards in '66 and '67 and lettering for three years. He attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas and Victoria College in Victoria, Texas. Dale's hobbies include hunting and working on cars."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
This is the year that the postman will ring for Dale Murray. No professional athlete likes to be embarrassed, and to be placed in a position that more or less labels him a 'non-contributor.' Murray will be the first to tell you he did not help the Yankees in 1983.
It took Murray a long time to establish himself as a quality relief pitcher. Stops at Montreal, Cincinnati, the New York Mets, Montreal again, two more years in the minors and finally back up to the Toronto Blue Jays where he set many Jay relief records. His newly developed sinker and forkball gave teams fits. He was particularly effective against the Yankees- so they traded for him.
Murray was and is another player who had to switch from relative serenity to the legendary House that Ruth Built. Theoretically, there was no pressure because the team had Rich Gossage and George Frazier, but a long stint in a spring training game and a subsequent misunderstanding with certain coaches left him in a quandary. Jeff Torborg, however, knew- and knows- what Murray can do, given the proper rest and encouragement. Rather than go free agent, Murray came back to New York- and fully expects to hear that doorbell ring in 1984."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"In an up and down year for Murray, his best stretch of the year came from July 2 to July 24 when he appeared in five games with 20.2 innings, four earned runs, 16 hits, a win and a 1.74 ERA. Murray's only save came on May 1 at Texas while pitching three innings of shutout ball. His first Yankee win was on May 31 against California, also while pitching three innings of shutout ball. Dale went through the free agent draft and finally re-signed with the Yankees on November 21.
Originally signed by Montreal in June 1970, Dale had suffered a broken femur bone near his right hip in 1969 during college practice, missing first the 1969 season then the 1971 season when the surgical pins were removed. He was called up by Montreal in 1974 and made his major league debut on July 6. Dale missed more than a month of the 1975 season because of hepatitis.
He had compiled a streak of 247.1 innings without allowing a home run from August 18, 1974 to August 20, 1976 when Bobby Murcer homered off him in San Francisco. Murray's homerless string is the longest in the post-World War II era. In 1981 he led all International League relievers with a 1.85 ERA and 16 saves in 52 appearances, being named to the International League All-Star team. Murray was the ace of the Toronto bullpen in 1982, setting Blue Jay club marks with 11 saves, 56 appearances by a right-handed pitcher, 111 innings pitched in relief and most relief appearances.
Dale graduated from Cuero (TX) Senior High in 1968 after receiving all-tournament awards in '66 and '67 and lettering for three years. He attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas and Victoria College in Victoria, Texas. Dale's hobbies include hunting and working on cars."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
1984 Profile: Roy Smalley
"Smalley spent the year bouncing around the infield, going from shortstop to first to third, and occasionally serving as a DH, after an appendectomy in spring training delayed his start. He never has had much range and came under attack from the Yankee front office for making errors in critical situations. He has played the last few years with a back problem, yet established a Yankee record for home runs by a shortstop in 1982, hitting 16 of his homers while playing that position.
Born in Los Angeles, Smalley is the nephew of his former manager at Minnesota, Gene Mauch, and his father Roy Smalley Jr. played with the Cubs, Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia.
Smalley was a philosophy major while playing on two national championship teams while at USC and was drafted five times before finally signing with the Texas Rangers, who made him the first player selected overall in the January 1974 draft and gave him a reported $100,000 signing bonus. Roy came to the Yankees in a deal that sent reliever Ron Davis to Minnesota."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"They say adversity builds character- and if that is true, Roy Frederick Smalley has more character than any player in baseball.
His acquisition by the Yankees stunned the baseball world and the New York Yankees themselves. After all, Bucky Dent was a fixture at short. Where was Smalley to play? Many insiders claim that Smalley was acquired to play first base, but it seems that something happened on the way to that base. Smalley was the 'villain' in some people's eyes, and this articulate philosophy major at USC suffered in silence. All he wanted to do was win, after languishing in last place with the Minnesota Twins for seven years.
He quietly did his job at first, short and third in 1982, and set an all-time homer record for Yankee shortstops. In 1983, he and young Andre Robertson played short, but the latter seemed to have more range. Neither Robertson nor Smalley complained openly, even though both were in an awkward situation.
Smalley was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. His main goal was to win- something, anything. He enjoyed the pressure of the chase and the thrill of the hunt, but he had to settle for third place, along with the rest of the team.
Now, he had a taste of everything- adversity, cutting remarks, pressure and New York. Always, he gave his best. He knew deep down that "You don't get shot for losing,' the adage of teams that finish last. But the Yankees aren't used to anything but winning.
'I told Bucky I wasn't after his job,' Smalley said. 'I told Andre we'd both be playing and we both wanted to win. It was tough, but I think that things have settled down to the point where we can all contribute and win this thing.'
You can believe Roy Frederick Smalley, a man of character."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Smalley saw action at three positions in 1983- first base, shortstop and third base. He had a 12-game hitting streak from April 23 to May 7. On August 2 he hit two homers against Toronto, on September 3 drove in his 500th career RBI and on September 19 had a pinch-hit homer in Boston.
In 1978 he was named the Twins' most improved player and MVP, breaking Rod Carew's six-year monopoly on the Twins MVP title. Smalley won Twins MVP honors again in 1979, setting Twin single season shortstop records with 162 games, 24 home runs, 95 RBI and 80 walks, and his 24 homers were the most in organized professional baseball by a shortstop that year. In 1981, he was bothered by lower back pains in spring training, a condition diagnosed as congenital spondylolysis, which had not bothered him since his college days. Roy has a career batting average of .317 (46-for-145) with 11 home runs in Seattle's Kingdome. In 1974 he was named to the Eastern League All-Star team.
Roy joined the Yankees in 1982 before their season opener, being traded from Minnesota on April 10. He hit 16 of his 20 home runs as a shortstop, setting the Yankee single season shortstop home run record previously held by Frankie Crosetti (15 in 1936) and Tom Tresh (15 in 1962). Roy hit a grand slam at Yankee Stadium on May 1 off Bill Caudill and hit eight home runs in a 10-day period in September. He hit switch-hit homers on September 5 at Kansas City, joining Tresh, Mickey Mantle and Roy White as the only Yankees to hit switch homers.
Smalley starred in baseball at Los Angeles' Westchester High. He was a philosophy major at USC where he played on two national championship teams, earning All-American and two-time All-Pac 8 honors. Roy played with a U.S. collegiate all-star squad that played in Japan in 1972.
He's the son of Roy Smalley, Jr., who was an infielder with the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies from 1948-55, and is the nephew of Gene Mauch, his former manager at Minnesota."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Born in Los Angeles, Smalley is the nephew of his former manager at Minnesota, Gene Mauch, and his father Roy Smalley Jr. played with the Cubs, Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia.
Smalley was a philosophy major while playing on two national championship teams while at USC and was drafted five times before finally signing with the Texas Rangers, who made him the first player selected overall in the January 1974 draft and gave him a reported $100,000 signing bonus. Roy came to the Yankees in a deal that sent reliever Ron Davis to Minnesota."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"They say adversity builds character- and if that is true, Roy Frederick Smalley has more character than any player in baseball.
His acquisition by the Yankees stunned the baseball world and the New York Yankees themselves. After all, Bucky Dent was a fixture at short. Where was Smalley to play? Many insiders claim that Smalley was acquired to play first base, but it seems that something happened on the way to that base. Smalley was the 'villain' in some people's eyes, and this articulate philosophy major at USC suffered in silence. All he wanted to do was win, after languishing in last place with the Minnesota Twins for seven years.
He quietly did his job at first, short and third in 1982, and set an all-time homer record for Yankee shortstops. In 1983, he and young Andre Robertson played short, but the latter seemed to have more range. Neither Robertson nor Smalley complained openly, even though both were in an awkward situation.
Smalley was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. His main goal was to win- something, anything. He enjoyed the pressure of the chase and the thrill of the hunt, but he had to settle for third place, along with the rest of the team.
Now, he had a taste of everything- adversity, cutting remarks, pressure and New York. Always, he gave his best. He knew deep down that "You don't get shot for losing,' the adage of teams that finish last. But the Yankees aren't used to anything but winning.
'I told Bucky I wasn't after his job,' Smalley said. 'I told Andre we'd both be playing and we both wanted to win. It was tough, but I think that things have settled down to the point where we can all contribute and win this thing.'
You can believe Roy Frederick Smalley, a man of character."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Smalley saw action at three positions in 1983- first base, shortstop and third base. He had a 12-game hitting streak from April 23 to May 7. On August 2 he hit two homers against Toronto, on September 3 drove in his 500th career RBI and on September 19 had a pinch-hit homer in Boston.
In 1978 he was named the Twins' most improved player and MVP, breaking Rod Carew's six-year monopoly on the Twins MVP title. Smalley won Twins MVP honors again in 1979, setting Twin single season shortstop records with 162 games, 24 home runs, 95 RBI and 80 walks, and his 24 homers were the most in organized professional baseball by a shortstop that year. In 1981, he was bothered by lower back pains in spring training, a condition diagnosed as congenital spondylolysis, which had not bothered him since his college days. Roy has a career batting average of .317 (46-for-145) with 11 home runs in Seattle's Kingdome. In 1974 he was named to the Eastern League All-Star team.
Roy joined the Yankees in 1982 before their season opener, being traded from Minnesota on April 10. He hit 16 of his 20 home runs as a shortstop, setting the Yankee single season shortstop home run record previously held by Frankie Crosetti (15 in 1936) and Tom Tresh (15 in 1962). Roy hit a grand slam at Yankee Stadium on May 1 off Bill Caudill and hit eight home runs in a 10-day period in September. He hit switch-hit homers on September 5 at Kansas City, joining Tresh, Mickey Mantle and Roy White as the only Yankees to hit switch homers.
Smalley starred in baseball at Los Angeles' Westchester High. He was a philosophy major at USC where he played on two national championship teams, earning All-American and two-time All-Pac 8 honors. Roy played with a U.S. collegiate all-star squad that played in Japan in 1972.
He's the son of Roy Smalley, Jr., who was an infielder with the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies from 1948-55, and is the nephew of Gene Mauch, his former manager at Minnesota."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Monday, July 13, 2015
1984 Profile: Ken Griffey
"Griffey bounced back in 1983 after enduring a difficult adjustment to life in the American League in his first season as a Yankee, when he hit 30 points below his career average. Despite a hamstring pull that limited him to 118 games, he was his old self at the plate and had seven game-winning RBI. He was shifted from the outfield to first base, but could wind up back in the outfield this year. Griffey clashed with former manager Billy Martin concerning his role last season. Knee problems have limited his mobility and cut down on his stolen base totals in recent seasons.
Born in Donora, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of Stan Musial, Griffey enjoyed his best years with Cincinnati, who made him a 29th round selection in June 1969. He scored 111 and 117 runs in back-to-back seasons for the Reds (1976 and 1977) and was voted MVP of the 1980 All-Star Game.
A quiet man who might prosper under the direction of Yogi Berra rather than the volatile Martin, Griffey hopes he'll be a regular at one position rather than a part-time player at two."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"The poet claims that April is the cruelest month ... but not for Ken Griffey and Yankee fans. The new-look Yankees opened their home season on April 10, a good sign for Ken Griffey because he celebrated his 34th birthday and because he owes something pitchers in the American League.
Griffey is synonymous with two entities- winning and hitting .300. He played on back-to-back World Championship teams with the 1975 and 1976 Cincinnati Reds, hitting .305 and .336. When the Big Red Machine decided that their gears were not meshing, they disassembled the machine and the Yankees quickly grabbed the ill-fated Donnie Gullett after the 1976 season. In 1981, as parts were still being stripped, the Yankees eagerly acquired Griffey and his .307 lifetime batting average- an average that included six .300 seasons.
It is not easy to change leagues, and Ken Griffey found out in 1982. He saw stop and more stop. His timing was off. When he came around- as the whole world knew he would- he suffered a pulled hamstring. In addition, the general calm of the Midwest was gone, and Griffey had to make the switch from right field in the National League to first base/center field in the American League ... and in the Big Apple, with all eyes upon him.
It took a while, but Griffey hit .341 in his last 38 games in 1982. Now, he said to himself and the pitchers, I know what you're up to. Wait 'til 1983.
Would he make good? Of course he would. He learned first base and the pitching patterns, started off hitting .300 and refused to drop below it. He finished at .306, and saved the Yankees from being no-hit on the last day of the season when he singled against the soon-to-be World Champion Orioles.
April- Griffey time- and no time for pitchers who have to face him, any time, any place."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Griffey was simply outstanding in his second year as a Yankee. He batted over .300 the entire year, ranking among the league leaders, and also adapted to first base with ease. Griffey had two home runs in a game twice, April 13 against Detroit and June 6 against Seattle, hit a grand slam against Seattle on August 8 and had a five-RBI game on June 5 against Seattle. He was placed on the disabled list on July 2 with a hamstring pull.
In 1982, Ken batted .277 in his first season in pinstripes, 30 points below his previous major league average. He turned things around at the plate in his last 38 games, however, batting .341 (47-for-138) with seven home runs and 29 RBIs, raising his average from .251 on August 17. On August 18, Ken started on a 13 game hitting streak in which he raised his average 20 points, the hitting streak being the longest by a Yankee in 1982.
In 1980, he was the Reds' MVP and MVP of the All-Star Game. Ken missed the end of the 1979 season with a mid-August operation on his left knee and his thigh bone. In 1972 he was named to the Eastern League All-Star team and in 1973 to the American Association All-Star team.
Griffey was born and grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania, birthplace of Stan Musial."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Born in Donora, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of Stan Musial, Griffey enjoyed his best years with Cincinnati, who made him a 29th round selection in June 1969. He scored 111 and 117 runs in back-to-back seasons for the Reds (1976 and 1977) and was voted MVP of the 1980 All-Star Game.
A quiet man who might prosper under the direction of Yogi Berra rather than the volatile Martin, Griffey hopes he'll be a regular at one position rather than a part-time player at two."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"The poet claims that April is the cruelest month ... but not for Ken Griffey and Yankee fans. The new-look Yankees opened their home season on April 10, a good sign for Ken Griffey because he celebrated his 34th birthday and because he owes something pitchers in the American League.
Griffey is synonymous with two entities- winning and hitting .300. He played on back-to-back World Championship teams with the 1975 and 1976 Cincinnati Reds, hitting .305 and .336. When the Big Red Machine decided that their gears were not meshing, they disassembled the machine and the Yankees quickly grabbed the ill-fated Donnie Gullett after the 1976 season. In 1981, as parts were still being stripped, the Yankees eagerly acquired Griffey and his .307 lifetime batting average- an average that included six .300 seasons.
It is not easy to change leagues, and Ken Griffey found out in 1982. He saw stop and more stop. His timing was off. When he came around- as the whole world knew he would- he suffered a pulled hamstring. In addition, the general calm of the Midwest was gone, and Griffey had to make the switch from right field in the National League to first base/center field in the American League ... and in the Big Apple, with all eyes upon him.
It took a while, but Griffey hit .341 in his last 38 games in 1982. Now, he said to himself and the pitchers, I know what you're up to. Wait 'til 1983.
Would he make good? Of course he would. He learned first base and the pitching patterns, started off hitting .300 and refused to drop below it. He finished at .306, and saved the Yankees from being no-hit on the last day of the season when he singled against the soon-to-be World Champion Orioles.
April- Griffey time- and no time for pitchers who have to face him, any time, any place."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Griffey was simply outstanding in his second year as a Yankee. He batted over .300 the entire year, ranking among the league leaders, and also adapted to first base with ease. Griffey had two home runs in a game twice, April 13 against Detroit and June 6 against Seattle, hit a grand slam against Seattle on August 8 and had a five-RBI game on June 5 against Seattle. He was placed on the disabled list on July 2 with a hamstring pull.
In 1982, Ken batted .277 in his first season in pinstripes, 30 points below his previous major league average. He turned things around at the plate in his last 38 games, however, batting .341 (47-for-138) with seven home runs and 29 RBIs, raising his average from .251 on August 17. On August 18, Ken started on a 13 game hitting streak in which he raised his average 20 points, the hitting streak being the longest by a Yankee in 1982.
In 1980, he was the Reds' MVP and MVP of the All-Star Game. Ken missed the end of the 1979 season with a mid-August operation on his left knee and his thigh bone. In 1972 he was named to the Eastern League All-Star team and in 1973 to the American Association All-Star team.
Griffey was born and grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania, birthplace of Stan Musial."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Friday, July 10, 2015
1984 Profile: Butch Wynegar
"Wynegar spent the first six weeks of the season alternating with Rick Cerone, but finally took command of the starting catcher's job and posted a career-high average.
He was able to beat back the challenge of Cerone but couldn't avoid injuries to his hamstring, shoulder and the arch of his foot that limited him to less than 100 games for the third consecutive season, including strike-shortened 1981. Wynegar was sidelined for the second half of 1982 by viral meningitis and opened 1981 on the disabled list because of surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow.
Wynegar is a four-time All-Star selection, including 1976, when he became the youngest player ever picked to play in the All-Star Game (20 years, 121 days old). Originally a third baseman, he was converted into a catcher in high school. He was acquired from the Twins in a five-player deal in May 1982."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"When my mother heard I was traded to the Yankees, she said, 'Oh, Butch, you're going to that zoo?' But my father said, 'Butch, you've been a Yankee fan all your life and so have I. This is your chance. You're with a winning organization, now make the most of it.'
So recalled Butch Wynegar when he spoke of the May 1982 trade that brought him from the Minnesota Twins to the New York Yankees.
Wynegar missed the last half of 1982 with a devastating viral infection, but he faced 1983 with high hopes. Anybody would, particularly a bright young catcher who was buried in mediocrity with the Twins. He had a new manager (Billy Martin) and was content to split the catching duties with Rick Cerone. He could have gone free agent or asked for a trade, but he yearned to be with a winner.
It didn't quite work out, but Wynegar- who hit a solid .296- at least experienced a taste of playing in front of packed stadiums, and playing in August and September when every game meant something.
'In Minnesota,' he says matter-of-factly, 'the season was over in July. The season seemed like it would never end. Here, I couldn't wait to get to the ballpark. I wasn't nervous, but I had a sense of expectancy, and I truly enjoyed the pennant race.
'Sure it was disappointing to finish third, but I learned something. I knew the Yankees were a winning organization, and they proved it.'
The Yankees- and Butch Wynegar- will prove it again this year, if only to allay the 'fears' of Butch's mom."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Wynegar was the Yankees' regular catcher in 1983 and his batting average never fell below .290 all season. On May 10 he suffered a ruptured blood vessel in his left arm on a tag play at the plate and missed half a month on the disabled list, and was hampered by a sore foot in September. Butch had two six-game hitting streaks and caught Dave Righetti's July 4th no-hitter.
Butch was an All-Star selection each of his first four seasons as a professional. In 1976 he became the youngest player (20 years, 121 days) to appear in a major league All-Star Game. He hit his first career home run off Catfish Hunter. Coming into 1984, Butch has thrown out 33% of runners trying to steal on him. He also starts '84 with a .264 average batting left-handed and a .251 average batting right-handed.
He missed the first month and a half of the 1981 season because of a bone chip that was found in his throwing elbow and which required surgery to remove. His trade to the Yankees in May 1982 coincided with Rick Cerone's broken thumb, but the trade had been worked out with Minnesota in advance of Cerone's injury. Wynegar was the Yankees' No. 1 catcher with Cerone on the disabled list and split the catching duties with Cerone upon Rick's return in mid-July.
Wynegar played third base until he was moved to catcher his junior year at Red Lion High in York, Pennsylvania. He was a four-year letterman in baseball and also lettered in football, basketball and wrestling."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
He was able to beat back the challenge of Cerone but couldn't avoid injuries to his hamstring, shoulder and the arch of his foot that limited him to less than 100 games for the third consecutive season, including strike-shortened 1981. Wynegar was sidelined for the second half of 1982 by viral meningitis and opened 1981 on the disabled list because of surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow.
Wynegar is a four-time All-Star selection, including 1976, when he became the youngest player ever picked to play in the All-Star Game (20 years, 121 days old). Originally a third baseman, he was converted into a catcher in high school. He was acquired from the Twins in a five-player deal in May 1982."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"When my mother heard I was traded to the Yankees, she said, 'Oh, Butch, you're going to that zoo?' But my father said, 'Butch, you've been a Yankee fan all your life and so have I. This is your chance. You're with a winning organization, now make the most of it.'
So recalled Butch Wynegar when he spoke of the May 1982 trade that brought him from the Minnesota Twins to the New York Yankees.
Wynegar missed the last half of 1982 with a devastating viral infection, but he faced 1983 with high hopes. Anybody would, particularly a bright young catcher who was buried in mediocrity with the Twins. He had a new manager (Billy Martin) and was content to split the catching duties with Rick Cerone. He could have gone free agent or asked for a trade, but he yearned to be with a winner.
It didn't quite work out, but Wynegar- who hit a solid .296- at least experienced a taste of playing in front of packed stadiums, and playing in August and September when every game meant something.
'In Minnesota,' he says matter-of-factly, 'the season was over in July. The season seemed like it would never end. Here, I couldn't wait to get to the ballpark. I wasn't nervous, but I had a sense of expectancy, and I truly enjoyed the pennant race.
'Sure it was disappointing to finish third, but I learned something. I knew the Yankees were a winning organization, and they proved it.'
The Yankees- and Butch Wynegar- will prove it again this year, if only to allay the 'fears' of Butch's mom."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Wynegar was the Yankees' regular catcher in 1983 and his batting average never fell below .290 all season. On May 10 he suffered a ruptured blood vessel in his left arm on a tag play at the plate and missed half a month on the disabled list, and was hampered by a sore foot in September. Butch had two six-game hitting streaks and caught Dave Righetti's July 4th no-hitter.
Butch was an All-Star selection each of his first four seasons as a professional. In 1976 he became the youngest player (20 years, 121 days) to appear in a major league All-Star Game. He hit his first career home run off Catfish Hunter. Coming into 1984, Butch has thrown out 33% of runners trying to steal on him. He also starts '84 with a .264 average batting left-handed and a .251 average batting right-handed.
He missed the first month and a half of the 1981 season because of a bone chip that was found in his throwing elbow and which required surgery to remove. His trade to the Yankees in May 1982 coincided with Rick Cerone's broken thumb, but the trade had been worked out with Minnesota in advance of Cerone's injury. Wynegar was the Yankees' No. 1 catcher with Cerone on the disabled list and split the catching duties with Cerone upon Rick's return in mid-July.
Wynegar played third base until he was moved to catcher his junior year at Red Lion High in York, Pennsylvania. He was a four-year letterman in baseball and also lettered in football, basketball and wrestling."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
1984 Profile: Dave Winfield
1984 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Winfield finished second in the AL in game-winning RBI (21), third in total RBI and tied for fifth in home runs. He had a streaky season: from Opening Day through May 31, he had nine home runs and 35 RBI in 45 games, then had four homers and 17 RBI in his next 35 games; he caught fire with a .350 average, 12 homers and 44 RBI in the following 30 games, then managed only one homer and eight RBI in an ensuing 27-game stretch through the middle of September.
His 37 homers in 1982 represented the most by any right-handed hitter in Yankee history, other than Joe DiMaggio. Winfield is one of nine players to hit 30 homers in both leagues.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Winfield went straight from the campus of the University of Minnesota, where he was 13-1 as a pitcher and hit better than .400 in his senior year and was selected 1973 College World Series MVP, to the starting lineup of the San Diego Padres. Winfield was also drafted by football's Minnesota Vikings and basketball's Utah Stars and Atlanta Hawks.
He signed a huge, long-term contract with the Yankees as a free agent prior to the 1981 season. He might wind up moving from left to center on a permanent basis."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"They say his leaping catch into the left field seats at Yankee Stadium against Doug DeCinces might have been the best catch ever made.
They say his throw from deep left center to nail Don Money at second base might have been the strongest throw ever made.
They say his line-drive homer into the center field seats at the Stadium might have been the hardest ball hit in years.
They say his 15 giant steps from first to third might be the fewest any mortal being can take.
They say ... they say ... they say ... but Dave Winfield does.
'It always happens when I come off a road trip and I go into a slump,' he says. 'I get advice from everybody under the sun. I appreciate it, but I know what's wrong. I've put the numbers on the board everyplace I've been, and I have enough confidence in myself to do the same in the future.
'I've paid my dues in more ways than one, and after we lost the Series to the Dodgers in 1981, I was depressed for a while. But then I realized the beautiful part about baseball. There is always a next year, another spring training, another chance to win, another chance to play on a championship team.
'So, here we are ... starting off fresh, another chance.'
And Dave Winfield is back in right field, with his cannon-like right arm and never-ending long legs, ready, willing and certainly able to stop runners from running at will. Fences don't bother him- he jumps over them. Pitchers? Sure, they'll nibble at corners and throw him curves, but he will hit his 30 homers and knock his 100 runs."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Winfield led the Yankees at the plate in 1983 in games played, at-bats, runs scored, hits, triples, homers, RBI, game-winning RBI and walks. He finished second in the AL with 21 GWRBI, third with 116 RBI, fifth with 307 total bases, tied for fifth with 32 homers, tied for fifth with eight triples, seventh with a .513 slugging percentage and tied for eighth with 99 runs scored.
Dave was named to his seventh consecutive All-Star team and contributed three hits in the American League's win. He was selected as AL Player of the Week in two consecutive weeks in the first two weeks of August; from July 15 to August 15, in 30 games, he batted .350 with 41 hits, eight doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 44 RBI. On August 4 at Toronto he fatally beaned a seagull during between-innings warm-ups and was charged by Toronto Police with cruelty to animals, charges that were dropped the next day.
Winfield was named to the UPI and Sporting News AL All-Star teams. He won his second consecutive Gold Glove for outfielders and also won his third straight American League Silver Bat as an outfielder. Dave was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Men of America by the U.S. Jaycees.
Dave went to the major leagues off the campus of the University of Minnesota in 1973, hit safely in his first six major league games and never played in the minor leagues. He played eight seasons with San Diego and holds many Padre batting and outfield defense records. In 1979 Dave finished third in the NL MVP voting behind co-winners Willie Stargell and Keith Hernandez. He was also voted by the players to the Sporting News NL All-Star team and named to both the AP and UPI NL All-Star teams.
In 1981,his first season for the Yankees, Winfield led the team in games, at bats, hits, total bases, doubles, RBI, GWRBI and sacrifice flies. He hit his first home run as a Yankee on April 29 in Detroit off Jack Morris, and his first Yankee Stadium homer on May 23 off Rick Waits. He made his first appearance in postseason competition and was named to the 1981 UPI AL All-Star team. In 1982 he finished second in the AL with a .560 slugging percentage and third with 37 homers. He also led the Yankees with 106 RBI and his 37 home runs were a career high. Joe DiMaggio is the only right-handed Yankee batter to hit more homers in a season (46 in 1937, 39 in 1948). Winfield was the ninth player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season in both leagues (Dick Allen, Bobby Bonds, Jeff Burroughs, Frank Howard, Frank Robinson, Reggie Smith, Dick Stuart, Jason Thompson). Dave was named AL Player of the Month for September (.294, 11HR, 22 RBI, .661 slugging percentage).
At the University of Minnesota, Winfield was 13-1 on the mound in his senior year while batting over .400 in the outfield. He was the Gophers team captain, named a first team All-American and was MVP of the 1973 College World Series. Winfield also played basketball for Minnesota and was drafted in three different sports: Padres in baseball, Vikings in football, and Utah (ABA) and Atlanta (NBA) in basketball.
The David M. Winfield Foundation has received much acclaim for its work with youth groups and contributions to the community. Winfield set up a college scholarship program in his native St. Paul/Minneapolis area and was named 1979 winner of the YMCA Brian Piccolo Award for humanitarian services."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
"Winfield finished second in the AL in game-winning RBI (21), third in total RBI and tied for fifth in home runs. He had a streaky season: from Opening Day through May 31, he had nine home runs and 35 RBI in 45 games, then had four homers and 17 RBI in his next 35 games; he caught fire with a .350 average, 12 homers and 44 RBI in the following 30 games, then managed only one homer and eight RBI in an ensuing 27-game stretch through the middle of September.
His 37 homers in 1982 represented the most by any right-handed hitter in Yankee history, other than Joe DiMaggio. Winfield is one of nine players to hit 30 homers in both leagues.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Winfield went straight from the campus of the University of Minnesota, where he was 13-1 as a pitcher and hit better than .400 in his senior year and was selected 1973 College World Series MVP, to the starting lineup of the San Diego Padres. Winfield was also drafted by football's Minnesota Vikings and basketball's Utah Stars and Atlanta Hawks.
He signed a huge, long-term contract with the Yankees as a free agent prior to the 1981 season. He might wind up moving from left to center on a permanent basis."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"They say his leaping catch into the left field seats at Yankee Stadium against Doug DeCinces might have been the best catch ever made.
They say his throw from deep left center to nail Don Money at second base might have been the strongest throw ever made.
They say his line-drive homer into the center field seats at the Stadium might have been the hardest ball hit in years.
They say his 15 giant steps from first to third might be the fewest any mortal being can take.
They say ... they say ... they say ... but Dave Winfield does.
'It always happens when I come off a road trip and I go into a slump,' he says. 'I get advice from everybody under the sun. I appreciate it, but I know what's wrong. I've put the numbers on the board everyplace I've been, and I have enough confidence in myself to do the same in the future.
'I've paid my dues in more ways than one, and after we lost the Series to the Dodgers in 1981, I was depressed for a while. But then I realized the beautiful part about baseball. There is always a next year, another spring training, another chance to win, another chance to play on a championship team.
'So, here we are ... starting off fresh, another chance.'
And Dave Winfield is back in right field, with his cannon-like right arm and never-ending long legs, ready, willing and certainly able to stop runners from running at will. Fences don't bother him- he jumps over them. Pitchers? Sure, they'll nibble at corners and throw him curves, but he will hit his 30 homers and knock his 100 runs."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Winfield led the Yankees at the plate in 1983 in games played, at-bats, runs scored, hits, triples, homers, RBI, game-winning RBI and walks. He finished second in the AL with 21 GWRBI, third with 116 RBI, fifth with 307 total bases, tied for fifth with 32 homers, tied for fifth with eight triples, seventh with a .513 slugging percentage and tied for eighth with 99 runs scored.
Dave was named to his seventh consecutive All-Star team and contributed three hits in the American League's win. He was selected as AL Player of the Week in two consecutive weeks in the first two weeks of August; from July 15 to August 15, in 30 games, he batted .350 with 41 hits, eight doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 44 RBI. On August 4 at Toronto he fatally beaned a seagull during between-innings warm-ups and was charged by Toronto Police with cruelty to animals, charges that were dropped the next day.
Winfield was named to the UPI and Sporting News AL All-Star teams. He won his second consecutive Gold Glove for outfielders and also won his third straight American League Silver Bat as an outfielder. Dave was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Men of America by the U.S. Jaycees.
Dave went to the major leagues off the campus of the University of Minnesota in 1973, hit safely in his first six major league games and never played in the minor leagues. He played eight seasons with San Diego and holds many Padre batting and outfield defense records. In 1979 Dave finished third in the NL MVP voting behind co-winners Willie Stargell and Keith Hernandez. He was also voted by the players to the Sporting News NL All-Star team and named to both the AP and UPI NL All-Star teams.
In 1981,his first season for the Yankees, Winfield led the team in games, at bats, hits, total bases, doubles, RBI, GWRBI and sacrifice flies. He hit his first home run as a Yankee on April 29 in Detroit off Jack Morris, and his first Yankee Stadium homer on May 23 off Rick Waits. He made his first appearance in postseason competition and was named to the 1981 UPI AL All-Star team. In 1982 he finished second in the AL with a .560 slugging percentage and third with 37 homers. He also led the Yankees with 106 RBI and his 37 home runs were a career high. Joe DiMaggio is the only right-handed Yankee batter to hit more homers in a season (46 in 1937, 39 in 1948). Winfield was the ninth player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season in both leagues (Dick Allen, Bobby Bonds, Jeff Burroughs, Frank Howard, Frank Robinson, Reggie Smith, Dick Stuart, Jason Thompson). Dave was named AL Player of the Month for September (.294, 11HR, 22 RBI, .661 slugging percentage).
At the University of Minnesota, Winfield was 13-1 on the mound in his senior year while batting over .400 in the outfield. He was the Gophers team captain, named a first team All-American and was MVP of the 1973 College World Series. Winfield also played basketball for Minnesota and was drafted in three different sports: Padres in baseball, Vikings in football, and Utah (ABA) and Atlanta (NBA) in basketball.
The David M. Winfield Foundation has received much acclaim for its work with youth groups and contributions to the community. Winfield set up a college scholarship program in his native St. Paul/Minneapolis area and was named 1979 winner of the YMCA Brian Piccolo Award for humanitarian services."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
1984 Profile: Willie Randolph
"When he played, he played well, but he missed 58 games because of hamstring injuries. Randolph was disabled twice, from June 17 to June 27 and July 12 to August 16, and appeared in only three of 45 games during that troubled stretch.
In six of his nine years in the majors, he has been on a division title winner. Randolph set an AL record for chances by a second baseman (20) and tied the major league record (13) in a 19-inning game in 1976.
Randolph was born in Holly Hill, South Carolina but grew up in Brooklyn, where he played stickball on the streets of Canarsie. His brother Terry was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1977 and also played for the New York Jets. Willie was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who traded him to the Yankees along with Ken Brett and Dock Ellis for pitcher Dock Ellis prior to the 1976 season."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"In a world of tigers, it is difficult for a single stripe to stand out ... but don't ever believe that Willie Larry Randolph doesn't stand out as much as any high-priced star in baseball.
Baseball games are won by talent and heart. One is not quite enough. Randolph combines both, despite reports to the contrary. Yankee fans certainly realize Randolph's importance, and they groan quietly when they see headlines that blare 'Randolph Hurt Again.' But why? Simply speaking, Randolph gets hurt because his legs are his game and his desire is his driving force. He takes a pounding at second base turning double plays better than any major league second baseman. He is the leadoff man, the trigger, the igniter, the sparkplug and he must steal, set the table and run his heart out every time at bat ... and he always leads the teams in at-bats. Last year, healthy in September, he hit in 16 straight games, most by a Yankee.
He hurts himself because he tries too hard to help the team win, and many times, not quite 100 per cent, he limps into the starting lineup.
'I've heard the catty remarks,' this Brooklynite says, 'but what can I do? I'm proud to be a New Yorker and a Yankee. My family and friends come out to see me play. The fans deserve a player's best. I only wish- sometimes- that I was bigger and stronger, but this is the way I am. Hey, I've been treated well and I want to give something back. I firmly believe that first place belongs to the New York Yankees. I busted my butt in spring training- I'm tired of watching teams that couldn't hold our socks play on TV in October. I'm tired of being embarrassed. I'm selfish. I had a taste of winning. I want more.'
Willie Larry Randolph- a Yankee- with a lot of tiger in him."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Hampered by injuries all season all season in 1983, Randolph played in the lowest number of games since joining the Yankees (including the strike season). He was disabled on June 27 with a hamstring and was activated on July 12; he played and re injured himself, going back onto the DL until August 5. He had his 1,000th hit as a Yankee on August 5 against Detroit. He also moved into third place on the all-time Yankee stolen base list (190). Willie began a hitting streak on September 6 that lasted 16 games, the longest of the year by a Yankee.
Willie has been on four All-Star teams in his eight full seasons. '79, '82 and '83 were the only years a team he played on failed to qualify for postseason play. He was leading the International league in hitting when he was called up in 1975 to the Pirates. Willie was named the James P. Dawson Award winner as the top rookie in the 1976 Yankee camp and was on the All-Star ballot as a rookie. He was named to the Topps All-Rookie team in 1976, though he was hampered by a right shoulder injury and an injury to the outside of the right knee that required minor surgery. In 1977, Willie was named to the AP, UPI and Sporting News All-Star teams.
Willie had a five-RBI game against Boston on September 7, 1978 and despite a bruised left knee and a pulled left hamstring, still made the AP and UPI All-Star teams. The hamstring kept him out of postseason play. In 1979, his 13 triples were third in the AL and the most by a Yankee since Henrich's 14 in 1948. He committed only 13 errors and his .985 percentage was just .003 behind league leader Duane Kuiper.
In 1980 Randolph had his best season ever as the Yankee leadoff hitter. He led the AL in walks with 119, the most by a Yankee since Mantle's 122 in 1962. He had a 13-game hitting streak in May, at that time the longest of his career, and was named to the UPI and Sporting News All-Star teams and won the Sporting News Silver Bat award for AL second basemen. Willie's homer in Game 3 of the 1981 ALCS was the game winner to win the AL pennant and in 1982 he led the Yankees in games played (144), at-bats (553), runs scored (85), hits (155) and walks (75).
Although born in South Carolina, Willie's family moved to the Brownsville section of Brooklyn when he was an infant. He played stickball in the streets and fields of Canarsie and baseball at Tilden High School. Willie has three brothers and a sister. His brother Terry was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1977 and also played for the Jets."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
In six of his nine years in the majors, he has been on a division title winner. Randolph set an AL record for chances by a second baseman (20) and tied the major league record (13) in a 19-inning game in 1976.
Randolph was born in Holly Hill, South Carolina but grew up in Brooklyn, where he played stickball on the streets of Canarsie. His brother Terry was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1977 and also played for the New York Jets. Willie was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who traded him to the Yankees along with Ken Brett and Dock Ellis for pitcher Dock Ellis prior to the 1976 season."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"In a world of tigers, it is difficult for a single stripe to stand out ... but don't ever believe that Willie Larry Randolph doesn't stand out as much as any high-priced star in baseball.
Baseball games are won by talent and heart. One is not quite enough. Randolph combines both, despite reports to the contrary. Yankee fans certainly realize Randolph's importance, and they groan quietly when they see headlines that blare 'Randolph Hurt Again.' But why? Simply speaking, Randolph gets hurt because his legs are his game and his desire is his driving force. He takes a pounding at second base turning double plays better than any major league second baseman. He is the leadoff man, the trigger, the igniter, the sparkplug and he must steal, set the table and run his heart out every time at bat ... and he always leads the teams in at-bats. Last year, healthy in September, he hit in 16 straight games, most by a Yankee.
He hurts himself because he tries too hard to help the team win, and many times, not quite 100 per cent, he limps into the starting lineup.
'I've heard the catty remarks,' this Brooklynite says, 'but what can I do? I'm proud to be a New Yorker and a Yankee. My family and friends come out to see me play. The fans deserve a player's best. I only wish- sometimes- that I was bigger and stronger, but this is the way I am. Hey, I've been treated well and I want to give something back. I firmly believe that first place belongs to the New York Yankees. I busted my butt in spring training- I'm tired of watching teams that couldn't hold our socks play on TV in October. I'm tired of being embarrassed. I'm selfish. I had a taste of winning. I want more.'
Willie Larry Randolph- a Yankee- with a lot of tiger in him."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Hampered by injuries all season all season in 1983, Randolph played in the lowest number of games since joining the Yankees (including the strike season). He was disabled on June 27 with a hamstring and was activated on July 12; he played and re injured himself, going back onto the DL until August 5. He had his 1,000th hit as a Yankee on August 5 against Detroit. He also moved into third place on the all-time Yankee stolen base list (190). Willie began a hitting streak on September 6 that lasted 16 games, the longest of the year by a Yankee.
Willie has been on four All-Star teams in his eight full seasons. '79, '82 and '83 were the only years a team he played on failed to qualify for postseason play. He was leading the International league in hitting when he was called up in 1975 to the Pirates. Willie was named the James P. Dawson Award winner as the top rookie in the 1976 Yankee camp and was on the All-Star ballot as a rookie. He was named to the Topps All-Rookie team in 1976, though he was hampered by a right shoulder injury and an injury to the outside of the right knee that required minor surgery. In 1977, Willie was named to the AP, UPI and Sporting News All-Star teams.
Willie had a five-RBI game against Boston on September 7, 1978 and despite a bruised left knee and a pulled left hamstring, still made the AP and UPI All-Star teams. The hamstring kept him out of postseason play. In 1979, his 13 triples were third in the AL and the most by a Yankee since Henrich's 14 in 1948. He committed only 13 errors and his .985 percentage was just .003 behind league leader Duane Kuiper.
In 1980 Randolph had his best season ever as the Yankee leadoff hitter. He led the AL in walks with 119, the most by a Yankee since Mantle's 122 in 1962. He had a 13-game hitting streak in May, at that time the longest of his career, and was named to the UPI and Sporting News All-Star teams and won the Sporting News Silver Bat award for AL second basemen. Willie's homer in Game 3 of the 1981 ALCS was the game winner to win the AL pennant and in 1982 he led the Yankees in games played (144), at-bats (553), runs scored (85), hits (155) and walks (75).
Although born in South Carolina, Willie's family moved to the Brownsville section of Brooklyn when he was an infant. He played stickball in the streets and fields of Canarsie and baseball at Tilden High School. Willie has three brothers and a sister. His brother Terry was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1977 and also played for the Jets."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Sunday, July 5, 2015
1984 Profile: Ron Guidry
"Guidry disproved accusations by club owner George Steinbrenner that he was a seven-inning pitcher- he finished third in the AL in wins and led the league with 21 complete games, including nine in a row. He didn't overpower hitters as he once did, but still had his out pitch when he needed it.
Ron has won more games (106) and struck out more batters (1,037) than any other AL pitcher during the last six years. He has played center field twice in the majors, against Toronto in September 1979 and in resumption of the pine tar game against Kansas City last August.
Guidry won the AL Cy Young Award in 1978, when he set a Yankee record with 13 consecutive wins. He became the second unanimous Cy Young selection in history, following in the 1968 footsteps of Denny McLain. Guidry also had nine shutouts, tying the AL record for a left-hander that Babe Ruth set in 1916, and set a Yankee single-game strikeout record by fanning 18 California Angels. He led the AL in ERA in 1978 and 1979.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Guidry ran track in high school because his school had no baseball program."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"Today's quiz should be fairly easy. If your favorite team must play- and win- the seventh game of the World Series, who do you want on the mound for your side?
If you said anybody but Steve Carlton or Ron Guidry, you may be following the wrong sport. Guidry, always a favorite wherever he goes, has never failed the Yankees in postseason play, and as a matter of fact, has put the Yankees in postseason play four times in the past seven years. But Guidry, who recently was rewarded with the Roberto Clemente Award for outstanding achievement and dedication on and off the field, is quick to point out one factor that seems to continually escape us- consistency.
'I don't think we'll ever see a pitcher who can go 25-3 like I did in 1978, and have the kind of year I had,' he says with total frankness. 'But for some time, people have labeled me a kind of flash in the pan. To that I say I have tried exceedingly hard to become a complete pitcher. I won the Cy Young Award that year, but since then I have won more games than any pitcher in baseball except Carlton.
'You can even take away 1978 and check the records.' He's right- as usual. His 81 wins are the best. And he is the only AL Cy Young winner since that time who has not gone down with injury. Year in and year out, he has given 100 percent, maintaining his quiet dignity and total professionalism.
'Ronnie is such a pleasure to coach that I leave him on his own to do his conditioning,' says coach Jeff Torborg. 'All he tells me is that he'll be ready to pitch- and he always is. He has never let me down.'
In truth, he has never let any of us down, has he? That is why Ron Guidry, on and off the field, is a true 'seventh-game pitcher' ... and total gentleman."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"In 1983, Guidry had his best season and most wins since 1978. He led the AL with 21 complete games, was third with 21 wins, tied for fourth with three shutouts, tied for fifth with a .700 won-lost percentage, sixth with 156 strikeouts, seventh with 250.1 innings pitched and 12th with a 3.42 ERA.
Guidry won six straight starts from August 19 to September 14 and went 71.1 innings without allowing a homer from May 27 to July 23. He was named to his fourth AL All-Star team, but did not play due to a lower back strain, yet had nine complete games from July 18 to August 30.
He continued to move up several notches on Yankees all-time pitching lists. He won his second consecutive Gold Glove award for AL pitchers with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and was also named to the Sporting News AL All-Star team. Guidry played center field for a third of an inning on August 18 during the conclusion of the 'Pine Tar' game.
Guidry has the second best all-time won-lost percentage (.705, 122-51) among pitchers with 100 or more wins; Spud Chandler had a .727 won-lost percentage (109-43). In the last six years (since the start of '78), he is the winningest pitcher in the AL with 106 wins He's 114-44 (.722) since August 24, 1977. 1977 was his first full year with the Yankees; he was used in relief in six of his first seven appearances, then ended the year with 24 straight starts.
In 1978 Guidry had a 'once in a lifetime' season, winning the Cy Young Award, finishing second in the MVP voting to Jim Rice and setting numerous records. He set the Yankee record for most consecutive wins to start a season, winning his first 13 and breaking the record of Atley Donald, the scout who signed Guidry. His nine shutouts tied Babe Ruth's AL record for most by a lefty, set in 1916. The Yankees won 30 of the 35 games he started, scoring only seven runs in the five losses, and opposing hitters batted only .193.
Ron struck out 10 or more in a game eight times, including a club record 18 against California on June 17, breaking Bob Shawkey's record of 15 set in 1919. His 248 strikeouts for the season was a club record and his 1.74 ERA was the lowest by a major league lefty since Sandy Koufax's 1.73 in 1966. 15 of his 25 wins followed a Yankee loss.
Guidry was a unanimous Cy Young winner (the only other unanimous winner was Denny McLain in 1968). He was also named Sporting News Player of the Year, Sporting News Man of the Year, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and Baseball Quarterly Performer of the Year. He was named to the Associated Press, Sporting News and United Press International All-Star teams.
In 1979, Ron won his second straight ERA championship and was named to the UPI All-Star team. He played an inning in center field against Toronto on September 29 of that year. He reached his 100th career decision in 1980 (72-28), matching Sal Maglie, Vic Raschi, Spud Chandler and Ed Reulbach behind Whitey Ford's 74-26 for the second best record ever through a pitcher's first 100 career decisions. In 1981, Ron was AL Pitcher of the Month of August (4-0 and an 0.37 ERA); he broke the little finger on his right hand on a come-backer on August 23, but played with a splint, not missing any starts. He jumped off to a fast start in 1982, posting an 8-1 record by June 14, and notched his 100th major league win on August 31 at Minnesota.
Guidry was born and still resides in Lafayette, Louisiana. He was named Outstanding Track Man for two years at Northside High where they had no baseball team. He hurled a no-hitter and was named to the Gulf States All-Stars at Southwestern Louisiana where he majored in architecture. On February 13, 1984 Guidry was named the 1984 Roberto Clemente Award winner as the player who 'best exemplifies the game of baseball both on and off the field.' He points to his service to humanity as being the best work of his life.
Ron is Executive Vice-President of Munro Oil Tool, Inc. in Lafayette. His biggest thrill was his 18-strikeout game. He grew up as a Yankee and Whitey Ford fan."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Ron has won more games (106) and struck out more batters (1,037) than any other AL pitcher during the last six years. He has played center field twice in the majors, against Toronto in September 1979 and in resumption of the pine tar game against Kansas City last August.
Guidry won the AL Cy Young Award in 1978, when he set a Yankee record with 13 consecutive wins. He became the second unanimous Cy Young selection in history, following in the 1968 footsteps of Denny McLain. Guidry also had nine shutouts, tying the AL record for a left-hander that Babe Ruth set in 1916, and set a Yankee single-game strikeout record by fanning 18 California Angels. He led the AL in ERA in 1978 and 1979.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Guidry ran track in high school because his school had no baseball program."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"Today's quiz should be fairly easy. If your favorite team must play- and win- the seventh game of the World Series, who do you want on the mound for your side?
If you said anybody but Steve Carlton or Ron Guidry, you may be following the wrong sport. Guidry, always a favorite wherever he goes, has never failed the Yankees in postseason play, and as a matter of fact, has put the Yankees in postseason play four times in the past seven years. But Guidry, who recently was rewarded with the Roberto Clemente Award for outstanding achievement and dedication on and off the field, is quick to point out one factor that seems to continually escape us- consistency.
'I don't think we'll ever see a pitcher who can go 25-3 like I did in 1978, and have the kind of year I had,' he says with total frankness. 'But for some time, people have labeled me a kind of flash in the pan. To that I say I have tried exceedingly hard to become a complete pitcher. I won the Cy Young Award that year, but since then I have won more games than any pitcher in baseball except Carlton.
'You can even take away 1978 and check the records.' He's right- as usual. His 81 wins are the best. And he is the only AL Cy Young winner since that time who has not gone down with injury. Year in and year out, he has given 100 percent, maintaining his quiet dignity and total professionalism.
'Ronnie is such a pleasure to coach that I leave him on his own to do his conditioning,' says coach Jeff Torborg. 'All he tells me is that he'll be ready to pitch- and he always is. He has never let me down.'
In truth, he has never let any of us down, has he? That is why Ron Guidry, on and off the field, is a true 'seventh-game pitcher' ... and total gentleman."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"In 1983, Guidry had his best season and most wins since 1978. He led the AL with 21 complete games, was third with 21 wins, tied for fourth with three shutouts, tied for fifth with a .700 won-lost percentage, sixth with 156 strikeouts, seventh with 250.1 innings pitched and 12th with a 3.42 ERA.
Guidry won six straight starts from August 19 to September 14 and went 71.1 innings without allowing a homer from May 27 to July 23. He was named to his fourth AL All-Star team, but did not play due to a lower back strain, yet had nine complete games from July 18 to August 30.
He continued to move up several notches on Yankees all-time pitching lists. He won his second consecutive Gold Glove award for AL pitchers with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and was also named to the Sporting News AL All-Star team. Guidry played center field for a third of an inning on August 18 during the conclusion of the 'Pine Tar' game.
Guidry has the second best all-time won-lost percentage (.705, 122-51) among pitchers with 100 or more wins; Spud Chandler had a .727 won-lost percentage (109-43). In the last six years (since the start of '78), he is the winningest pitcher in the AL with 106 wins He's 114-44 (.722) since August 24, 1977. 1977 was his first full year with the Yankees; he was used in relief in six of his first seven appearances, then ended the year with 24 straight starts.
In 1978 Guidry had a 'once in a lifetime' season, winning the Cy Young Award, finishing second in the MVP voting to Jim Rice and setting numerous records. He set the Yankee record for most consecutive wins to start a season, winning his first 13 and breaking the record of Atley Donald, the scout who signed Guidry. His nine shutouts tied Babe Ruth's AL record for most by a lefty, set in 1916. The Yankees won 30 of the 35 games he started, scoring only seven runs in the five losses, and opposing hitters batted only .193.
Ron struck out 10 or more in a game eight times, including a club record 18 against California on June 17, breaking Bob Shawkey's record of 15 set in 1919. His 248 strikeouts for the season was a club record and his 1.74 ERA was the lowest by a major league lefty since Sandy Koufax's 1.73 in 1966. 15 of his 25 wins followed a Yankee loss.
Guidry was a unanimous Cy Young winner (the only other unanimous winner was Denny McLain in 1968). He was also named Sporting News Player of the Year, Sporting News Man of the Year, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and Baseball Quarterly Performer of the Year. He was named to the Associated Press, Sporting News and United Press International All-Star teams.
In 1979, Ron won his second straight ERA championship and was named to the UPI All-Star team. He played an inning in center field against Toronto on September 29 of that year. He reached his 100th career decision in 1980 (72-28), matching Sal Maglie, Vic Raschi, Spud Chandler and Ed Reulbach behind Whitey Ford's 74-26 for the second best record ever through a pitcher's first 100 career decisions. In 1981, Ron was AL Pitcher of the Month of August (4-0 and an 0.37 ERA); he broke the little finger on his right hand on a come-backer on August 23, but played with a splint, not missing any starts. He jumped off to a fast start in 1982, posting an 8-1 record by June 14, and notched his 100th major league win on August 31 at Minnesota.
Guidry was born and still resides in Lafayette, Louisiana. He was named Outstanding Track Man for two years at Northside High where they had no baseball team. He hurled a no-hitter and was named to the Gulf States All-Stars at Southwestern Louisiana where he majored in architecture. On February 13, 1984 Guidry was named the 1984 Roberto Clemente Award winner as the player who 'best exemplifies the game of baseball both on and off the field.' He points to his service to humanity as being the best work of his life.
Ron is Executive Vice-President of Munro Oil Tool, Inc. in Lafayette. His biggest thrill was his 18-strikeout game. He grew up as a Yankee and Whitey Ford fan."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Friday, July 3, 2015
1984 Profile: Phil Niekro
1984 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Niekro brings his knuckleball to Yankee Stadium after 20 years with the Braves in Milwaukee and Atlanta. Released after the '83 season, he signed a two-year contract at $700,000 a year. He's the oldest player in the majors.
'His age doesn't bother me at all,' says Yogi Berra, who plans to use him as a starter. Two years ago Niekro was 17-4 and three times he has won 20 or more. He hurled a no-hitter against the Padres in 1973.
Born in Lansing, Ohio, his brother Joe, six years younger, is the Astro pitcher. Phil was a schoolboy teammate of former Celtic John Havlicek."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"It's no secret that the New York Yankees actively sought knuckleballing Charlie Hough of the Texas Rangers after the 1982 season. They couldn't get him ... so, after the 1983 season, they signed Philip Henry Niekro, age 44.
Today, Phil Niekro has just passed his 45th birthday. Does life really begin at 40? In 1979, Niekro was 40 and was voted the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for displaying qualities exemplified by the great Iron Horse. Bud did Niekro produce on the mound after 40?
Try these records on for size- 21-20, 15-18, 7-7 (the strike season), 17-4 and 11-10.
Doesn't seem too shabby does it? In a way, Niekro was not fairly treated by the Atlanta Braves, for whom he toiled for 18 years. They simply said goodbye to the man who has won 268 games and who ranks in the top 40 all-time in at least six pitching categories. Business, however, is business and big business is even bigger, if you'll the pardon English. Niekro was without a team, without a place to put on his beloved uniform, for the first time since 1962.
Principal Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and his staff rectified that matter. What did Niekro have to say?
'I can still pitch. If I thought I couldn't, I wouldn't have signed the contract.'
Yes, the canny knuckleballer can still pitch. This year, a little contribution like 10-15 wins might just be the shot the Yankees need to catch the pitching-powered champion Orioles.
And that is DEFINITELY no secret."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Niekro proved in 1983 that even at age 44 he is still one of baseball's top pitchers. He began the season slowly, recording only two wins in his first eight decisions; starting June 26, however, he won six straight decisions through August 9 and ended the season with a 9-4 record after June 26. Niekro was undefeated against San Francisco in three decisions and won his fifth Gold Glove for fielding excellence.
On May 31 at Pittsburgh, Niekro struck out Johnny Ray for his 2,813th career strikeout, passing Cy Young and moving into 11th place on the all-time strikeout list. He also passed Mickey Lolich (2,832) and Jim Bunning (2,855), ending the season with 2,912 strikeouts for 9th all-time.
Phil pitched a no-hitter against San Diego on August 5, 1973 and also has a 1-hitter and eight 2-hitters in his career. He recorded his 200th win in May of 1979 against Pittsburgh. Phil and his younger brother Joe of Houston are baseball's second winningest pitching brothers with 445 career wins, behind the Perrys, Gaylord and Jim (529). He continues to move up on the all-time lists and needs 88 strikeouts to reach the 3,000 plateau. Phil holds most of the Braves all-time pitching records.
Phil has been named to four National League All-Star teams. He went on a postseason tour of Japan following the 1979 season as a member of a National League team that played American League all-stars. He was voted the outstanding pitcher on the trip and was the only two-game winner.
Niekro graduated in 1957 from Bridgeport (Ohio) High School where he was a teammate of John Havlicek, former Boston Celtic great. His brother Joe is a 15-year veteran of the major leagues and currently pitching with Houston. Phil's greatest thrill is still the signing of his first pro contract with Bill Maughn.
A great humanitarian, Phil formed Phil Niekro Roasts, Inc. to help raise funds for Spina Bifida, the second most common birth defect. He has aided the March of Dimes, the Big Brothers Association and the Empty Stocking Fund. Phil was recognized for his community service by being named the winner of the Brian Piccolo Award in 1977 and the Roberto Clemente Award in 1980. In 1979, he was voted baseball's Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given annually to the player who most exemplifies the ability and character of Gehrig.
Phil served as the Braves' player representative and was a candidate for the Braves' managerial post that was eventually filled by Bobby Cox after the 1977 season and by Joe Torre in 1981. In the off-season Phil enjoys hunting, fishing, table tennis, bowling and poetry writing."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
"Niekro brings his knuckleball to Yankee Stadium after 20 years with the Braves in Milwaukee and Atlanta. Released after the '83 season, he signed a two-year contract at $700,000 a year. He's the oldest player in the majors.
'His age doesn't bother me at all,' says Yogi Berra, who plans to use him as a starter. Two years ago Niekro was 17-4 and three times he has won 20 or more. He hurled a no-hitter against the Padres in 1973.
Born in Lansing, Ohio, his brother Joe, six years younger, is the Astro pitcher. Phil was a schoolboy teammate of former Celtic John Havlicek."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"It's no secret that the New York Yankees actively sought knuckleballing Charlie Hough of the Texas Rangers after the 1982 season. They couldn't get him ... so, after the 1983 season, they signed Philip Henry Niekro, age 44.
Today, Phil Niekro has just passed his 45th birthday. Does life really begin at 40? In 1979, Niekro was 40 and was voted the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for displaying qualities exemplified by the great Iron Horse. Bud did Niekro produce on the mound after 40?
Try these records on for size- 21-20, 15-18, 7-7 (the strike season), 17-4 and 11-10.
Doesn't seem too shabby does it? In a way, Niekro was not fairly treated by the Atlanta Braves, for whom he toiled for 18 years. They simply said goodbye to the man who has won 268 games and who ranks in the top 40 all-time in at least six pitching categories. Business, however, is business and big business is even bigger, if you'll the pardon English. Niekro was without a team, without a place to put on his beloved uniform, for the first time since 1962.
Principal Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and his staff rectified that matter. What did Niekro have to say?
'I can still pitch. If I thought I couldn't, I wouldn't have signed the contract.'
Yes, the canny knuckleballer can still pitch. This year, a little contribution like 10-15 wins might just be the shot the Yankees need to catch the pitching-powered champion Orioles.
And that is DEFINITELY no secret."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Niekro proved in 1983 that even at age 44 he is still one of baseball's top pitchers. He began the season slowly, recording only two wins in his first eight decisions; starting June 26, however, he won six straight decisions through August 9 and ended the season with a 9-4 record after June 26. Niekro was undefeated against San Francisco in three decisions and won his fifth Gold Glove for fielding excellence.
On May 31 at Pittsburgh, Niekro struck out Johnny Ray for his 2,813th career strikeout, passing Cy Young and moving into 11th place on the all-time strikeout list. He also passed Mickey Lolich (2,832) and Jim Bunning (2,855), ending the season with 2,912 strikeouts for 9th all-time.
Phil pitched a no-hitter against San Diego on August 5, 1973 and also has a 1-hitter and eight 2-hitters in his career. He recorded his 200th win in May of 1979 against Pittsburgh. Phil and his younger brother Joe of Houston are baseball's second winningest pitching brothers with 445 career wins, behind the Perrys, Gaylord and Jim (529). He continues to move up on the all-time lists and needs 88 strikeouts to reach the 3,000 plateau. Phil holds most of the Braves all-time pitching records.
Phil has been named to four National League All-Star teams. He went on a postseason tour of Japan following the 1979 season as a member of a National League team that played American League all-stars. He was voted the outstanding pitcher on the trip and was the only two-game winner.
Niekro graduated in 1957 from Bridgeport (Ohio) High School where he was a teammate of John Havlicek, former Boston Celtic great. His brother Joe is a 15-year veteran of the major leagues and currently pitching with Houston. Phil's greatest thrill is still the signing of his first pro contract with Bill Maughn.
A great humanitarian, Phil formed Phil Niekro Roasts, Inc. to help raise funds for Spina Bifida, the second most common birth defect. He has aided the March of Dimes, the Big Brothers Association and the Empty Stocking Fund. Phil was recognized for his community service by being named the winner of the Brian Piccolo Award in 1977 and the Roberto Clemente Award in 1980. In 1979, he was voted baseball's Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given annually to the player who most exemplifies the ability and character of Gehrig.
Phil served as the Braves' player representative and was a candidate for the Braves' managerial post that was eventually filled by Bobby Cox after the 1977 season and by Joe Torre in 1981. In the off-season Phil enjoys hunting, fishing, table tennis, bowling and poetry writing."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
1984 Profile: 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
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
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