"There are not a lot of major leaguers today who can boast about a .300 lifetime batting average. Aside from Don Mattingly, the talent-laden Yankees only have one other player with a career .300 average- left fielder Ken Griffey.
Griffey turned two consecutive .300 seasons into back-to-back World Championship seasons with Cincinnati's Big Red Machine in 1975 and 1976. In 1983, his second year in pinstripes, Griffey returned to form by hitting an impressive .306. After a slow start last year, Griffey came on strong to drive in 56 runs, his Yankees career high and the most since since his 85 RBI with the Reds in 1980.
Griffey's had a lot of jobs with the Yankees, but he's now the regular left fielder."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Griffey alternated between first base and the outfield in 1984. In the first half of the season he batted only .267 with no homers and 22 RBI but came on very strong in the second half, hitting for power (seven homers) and driving in timely runs (34 RBI) while raising his average. His 56 RBI were a personal high as a Yankee and his highest since he had 85 with Cincinnati in 1980. Ken recorded the 1,500th hit of his career on June 12 at Boston and hit safely in 12 of 13 games from September 4-18, including a four-hit performance against Baltimore on September 17.
In 1983 Ken was simply outstanding- he batted over .300 the entire year, ranking among the league leaders. In 1982, his first season in pinstripes, Ken batted .277, 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 Ken was the Reds' MVP and MVP of the All-Star Game. He 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."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Monday, August 31, 2015
Sunday, August 30, 2015
1985 Profile: Phil Niekro
"'Knucksie' found the fountain of youth in the Big Apple. After playing 19 seasons with the Braves, he was released at the end of 1983 and signed a two-year pact with the Yankees. Niekro was selected to the All-Star team for the fifth time, but was disturbed that he didn't get to pitch in the showcase for a third time.
Niekro was 4-0 in April after compiling a 1-14 record in the opening month during the previous seven years. He credited his quick start last season to throwing knuckleballs more often during the spring to help his new catchers to adjust to handling the pitch. He had a poor finish, going 5-4 with a 5.06 ERA after the All-Star break, but still finished fourth in the AL in ERA.
He ranks third among active pitchers in career victories, needing 16 to join the '300 Club.' Niekro has been on the disabled list only once in his career, which began when he signed with the Milwaukee Braves back in July 1958. He pitched a no-hitter for Atlanta against San Diego on August 5, 1973.
Phil was a teammate of John Havlicek when the Celtic great was at Bridgeport (Ohio) High School. His brother Joe throws his knucklers for Houston.
Niekro has been a candidate for the Braves' managerial post three times, but hasn't gotten the job. The Braves did hold a Phil Niekro Day last season. The move to release this veteran did contribute to Joe Torre's demise in Atlanta."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"Call Phil Niekro anything you want- Father Time, The 2,000-Year-Old Man or even Old Man River- but just don't call him washed up. The 46-year-old pitcher defies the rigors of time and continues to succeed long after many younger men have failed.
Witness Niekro's 1984 season when he was the ace of the Yankees starting rotation, recording a 16-8 record and a 3.09 ERA. After almost 20 years in the major leagues, Niekro still has the ambition of a rookie.
"I'm only 15 games away from 300 victories,' he said before the start of the season. 'I've done a lot more than the average ballplayer in America. My number one goal right now is to get in the World Series with the Yankees.'
If the Yankees are still playing in mid-October, you know Father Time will have something to do with it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Out to prove Atlanta wrong for releasing him at the end of the '83 season, Niekro started '84 as the oldest player ever to appear in a game for the Yankees. Characteristically a slow starter, the 45-year-old knuckleballer got off to the best start of his career, going 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA in April. He struck out Lance Parrish at Texas on July 4th for his 3,000th career strikeout.
Named to his fifth All-Star Game, Phil went into the All-Star break with an 11-4 record and a 1.84 ERA. He was frequently mentioned as a Cy Young Award candidate until an injury sidelined him for 10 days at the beginning of September. Niekro finished fourth in the AL with a 3.09 ERA, sixth with a .667 winning percentage and tied for 10th with 16 wins.
Niekro 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 on May 1, 1979 against Pittsburgh. Phil and his younger brother Joe of Houston are baseball's second winningest pitching brothers with 477 career wins, behind the Perrys, Gaylord and Jim (529). He continues to move up on the all-time lists and holds most of the Braves all-time pitching records. Phil has won five Gold Gloves.
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 has been 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."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Niekro was 4-0 in April after compiling a 1-14 record in the opening month during the previous seven years. He credited his quick start last season to throwing knuckleballs more often during the spring to help his new catchers to adjust to handling the pitch. He had a poor finish, going 5-4 with a 5.06 ERA after the All-Star break, but still finished fourth in the AL in ERA.
He ranks third among active pitchers in career victories, needing 16 to join the '300 Club.' Niekro has been on the disabled list only once in his career, which began when he signed with the Milwaukee Braves back in July 1958. He pitched a no-hitter for Atlanta against San Diego on August 5, 1973.
Phil was a teammate of John Havlicek when the Celtic great was at Bridgeport (Ohio) High School. His brother Joe throws his knucklers for Houston.
Niekro has been a candidate for the Braves' managerial post three times, but hasn't gotten the job. The Braves did hold a Phil Niekro Day last season. The move to release this veteran did contribute to Joe Torre's demise in Atlanta."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"Call Phil Niekro anything you want- Father Time, The 2,000-Year-Old Man or even Old Man River- but just don't call him washed up. The 46-year-old pitcher defies the rigors of time and continues to succeed long after many younger men have failed.
Witness Niekro's 1984 season when he was the ace of the Yankees starting rotation, recording a 16-8 record and a 3.09 ERA. After almost 20 years in the major leagues, Niekro still has the ambition of a rookie.
"I'm only 15 games away from 300 victories,' he said before the start of the season. 'I've done a lot more than the average ballplayer in America. My number one goal right now is to get in the World Series with the Yankees.'
If the Yankees are still playing in mid-October, you know Father Time will have something to do with it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Out to prove Atlanta wrong for releasing him at the end of the '83 season, Niekro started '84 as the oldest player ever to appear in a game for the Yankees. Characteristically a slow starter, the 45-year-old knuckleballer got off to the best start of his career, going 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA in April. He struck out Lance Parrish at Texas on July 4th for his 3,000th career strikeout.
Named to his fifth All-Star Game, Phil went into the All-Star break with an 11-4 record and a 1.84 ERA. He was frequently mentioned as a Cy Young Award candidate until an injury sidelined him for 10 days at the beginning of September. Niekro finished fourth in the AL with a 3.09 ERA, sixth with a .667 winning percentage and tied for 10th with 16 wins.
Niekro 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 on May 1, 1979 against Pittsburgh. Phil and his younger brother Joe of Houston are baseball's second winningest pitching brothers with 477 career wins, behind the Perrys, Gaylord and Jim (529). He continues to move up on the all-time lists and holds most of the Braves all-time pitching records. Phil has won five Gold Gloves.
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 has been 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."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Saturday, August 29, 2015
1985 Profile: Willie Randolph
"Since this classy second baseman will earn veto power over trades at the end of the 1985 season, he would seem like a candidate for a trade before then. Last season the Yankees were 34-25 in games he led off by reaching second base.
His range has diminished at second but with no dropoff offensively. Randolph had one of his best all-around years at the plate; he tied for sixth in the AL in walks.
Willie was acquired from the Pittsburgh system with Ken Brett and Dock Ellis in a trade for Doc Medich prior to the 1976 season. A four-time All-Star selection, he originally signed with the Pirates as a seventh round choice in the 1972 draft. His brother Terry was drafted by the NFL Green Bay Packers and played for the New York Jets. Willie was born in Holly Hill, South Carolina but grew up in Brooklyn, New York."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"'I'm not very outspoken or flamboyant,' says Yankees veteran Willie Randolph. 'I understand my job.' The second baseman not only understands his job, he has mastered it, on and off the field. 'I've been a silent leader for a long time,' Randolph adds.
Aside from his excellent field play, he has helped other players develop a professional attitude toward their occupation. He's been taking pride in his own talent and approach to the game since his rookie year in 1976. Now he's passing it on to the Yankees of the New Era in 1985.
In 1984, Randolph had one of his best seasons while anchoring an infield that employed youngsters at third, short and first. He and pitcher Ron Guidry are the remaining two players from the Yankees championship teams of the late '70s.
'I just get a kick out of winning, and after getting a taste of winning early in my career, I know what it's like,' he says."'
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Randolph had one of the fines seasons of his nine-year Yankee career in 1984. With 86 walks, tied for sixth in the AL with Rickey Henderson, he had an on-base percentage of .377.
He hit a two-run homer in the Yankee Stadium opener. Willie had two nine-game hitting streaks, May 9-19 and June 13-21, and flirted with a .300 batting average all season. Consistent all year, he kept his average between .290 and .310 from June 11 to September 25. Willie stole the 200th base of his Yankee career on July 16 at Texas; he ranks third on the all-time Yankee stolen base list.
Willie has been on four All-Star teams in his nine full seasons. He was leading the International league in hitting when he was called up in 1975 to the Pirates. He 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. Randolph 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, he was named to the AP, UPI and Sporting News All-Star teams.
He 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, as the Yankee leadoff hitter, Willie had his best season ever. 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. His brother Terry was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1977 and also played for the Jets."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
His range has diminished at second but with no dropoff offensively. Randolph had one of his best all-around years at the plate; he tied for sixth in the AL in walks.
Willie was acquired from the Pittsburgh system with Ken Brett and Dock Ellis in a trade for Doc Medich prior to the 1976 season. A four-time All-Star selection, he originally signed with the Pirates as a seventh round choice in the 1972 draft. His brother Terry was drafted by the NFL Green Bay Packers and played for the New York Jets. Willie was born in Holly Hill, South Carolina but grew up in Brooklyn, New York."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"'I'm not very outspoken or flamboyant,' says Yankees veteran Willie Randolph. 'I understand my job.' The second baseman not only understands his job, he has mastered it, on and off the field. 'I've been a silent leader for a long time,' Randolph adds.
Aside from his excellent field play, he has helped other players develop a professional attitude toward their occupation. He's been taking pride in his own talent and approach to the game since his rookie year in 1976. Now he's passing it on to the Yankees of the New Era in 1985.
In 1984, Randolph had one of his best seasons while anchoring an infield that employed youngsters at third, short and first. He and pitcher Ron Guidry are the remaining two players from the Yankees championship teams of the late '70s.
'I just get a kick out of winning, and after getting a taste of winning early in my career, I know what it's like,' he says."'
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Randolph had one of the fines seasons of his nine-year Yankee career in 1984. With 86 walks, tied for sixth in the AL with Rickey Henderson, he had an on-base percentage of .377.
He hit a two-run homer in the Yankee Stadium opener. Willie had two nine-game hitting streaks, May 9-19 and June 13-21, and flirted with a .300 batting average all season. Consistent all year, he kept his average between .290 and .310 from June 11 to September 25. Willie stole the 200th base of his Yankee career on July 16 at Texas; he ranks third on the all-time Yankee stolen base list.
Willie has been on four All-Star teams in his nine full seasons. He was leading the International league in hitting when he was called up in 1975 to the Pirates. He 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. Randolph 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, he was named to the AP, UPI and Sporting News All-Star teams.
He 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, as the Yankee leadoff hitter, Willie had his best season ever. 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. His brother Terry was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1977 and also played for the Jets."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Friday, August 28, 2015
1985 Profile: Don Mattingly
1985 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Mattingly won the AL batting title in his first season in the majors. He posted a .343 mark, nipping teammate Dave Winfield by going 4-for-5 on the final day of the season. Mattingly showed startling power, too- he had never hit more than 10 home runs in any minor league season, although he did have a composite .332 average for five seasons in the bushes. He finished 1984 as the league leader in hits, doubles and average, and was second in the AL in slugging percentage (.537), 10th in on-base percentage (.381) and tied for fifth in RBI. Don had three five-hit games.
Don began the 1984 season slated for reserve duty at first base and in the outfield- now it'll take an explosion to dislodge him from daily duty at first. Born in Evansville, Indiana, he was drafted in the 19th round in 1979 because many teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. His brother Randy was a pro football player.
Mattingly is a hustler, an excellent defensive player and the Yankees' answer to the Mets' Darryl Stawberry."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"For many players, winning a batting crown is the epitome of one's career. And there's nothing wrong with that- batting crowns don't come by every day. One AL batting champion who's well aware of that is Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly.
Don is proud of what he accomplished in 1984 as he became a scourge to pitchers with his .343 average. But Mattingly is the first to admit one year does not a career make. He wants more.
'I would have been proud of my season whether I won the title or not,' Mattingly said at spring training. 'I'm coming in here feeling like I have to earn a job. I don't want to back away from the way I play. I want more.' Even an off-season knee injury hasn't discouraged the man who powered 23 home runs and 110 RBI, best on the team.
'If I have as good a year as last year, I'd be happy. But who says I can't do more?' Good point."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Mattingly moved into prominence as a bona fide star in the American League. He did not start until April 7 at Texas as a left fielder. He started his first game at first base on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on April 10 against Minnesota and became the regular first baseman on April 25. Named to his first AL All-Star team in his first full major league season, he was the first Yankee to win the AL batting championship since Mickey Mantle in 1956, battling teammate Dave Winfield to the last day of the season and winning .343 to .340. Don was the Yankees' first left-handed batter to hit .340 since Lou Gehrig hit .351 in 1937.
In addition to batting average, Don led the AL with 207 hits, 44 doubles and 59 multiple-hit games; was second with a .537 slugging percentage, tied for fourth with 69 extra-base hits, fifth with 310 total bases, tied for fifth with 110 RBI and tenth with a .381 on-base percentage. His 207 hits were the most by a Yankee since Bobby Richardson's 209 in 1962, his 44 doubles were the most by a Yankee since Red Rolfe's league leading 46 in 1939, and his 603 at-bats were the most by a Yankee since Thurman Munson's 617 and Chris Chambliss' 625 in 1978.
Mattingly hit .331 in 45 games against lefites and .348 in 108 games against righties. At .364, he was the top road hitter in the AL and also led league road hitters with 117 hits, 179 total bases, 25 doubles, 61 RBI, a .558 slugging average and a .407 slugging average.
Don was held hitless in only 36 games (three were pinch-hit appearances). He doubled in six straight games (April 22-28), had three five-hit games, five two-double games (tying Ken Griffey for the team high) and two five-RBI games. Don hit an inside-the-park home run on May 5, and with Winfield and Don Baylor hit one of three consecutive home runs in the sixth inning on May 29 at California.
Mattingly had super hot streaks of 12-for-23 (.522 BA) May 5-10, 16-for-26 (.615 BA) May 25-30, 10-for-24 (.417 BA) June 16-22 and 26-for-55 (.473 BA) August 15-28. His longest hitting streak was 13 games, August 15-28, along with other hitting streaks of ten (twice), nine, eight, seven (three times), six and five games.
He led AL first basemen with a .996 fielding percentage, making only five errors in 1,236 total chances. Don has gone 83 straight games without committing an error at first, last doing so on June 22 at Baltimore.
Don had a terrific rookie season in 1983. He won the James P. Dawson Award as the top Yankee rookie in spring training camp and was in the Yankees starting lineup for the home opener. Optioned to Columbus on April 14, he hit eight home runs with 39 RBI and a .340 average there and was recalled on June 20 when Bobby Murcer retired. Don hit his first major league homer off John Tudor on June 24 at Fenway Park. He hit in 24 of 25 games, July 13- August 11, going hitless (0-for-2) in both ends of the Pine Tar Game (July 24 and August 18). He played one-third of an inning at second base in the August 18 conclusion of the Pine Tar Game.
Mattingly was named South Atlantic League MVP in 1980. In 1981, he was Yankee Minor League Player of the Year, led the Southern League in doubles and was named to the Southern League All-Star team as well as to the Topps Class AA All-Star team as an outfielder. He was named an International League All-Star as an outfielder in 1982 and his outstanding season earned him a promotion to the Yankees in September.
Don was drafted late as teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. Signed by Yankee scouts Jax Robertson and Gust Poulos, he had a .332 (611-for-1842) career minor league batting average.
He attended Evansville (IN) Memorial High where he played baseball, basketball and football. Don played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Evansville. His brother Randy played pro football.
Don enjoys racquetball."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
"Mattingly won the AL batting title in his first season in the majors. He posted a .343 mark, nipping teammate Dave Winfield by going 4-for-5 on the final day of the season. Mattingly showed startling power, too- he had never hit more than 10 home runs in any minor league season, although he did have a composite .332 average for five seasons in the bushes. He finished 1984 as the league leader in hits, doubles and average, and was second in the AL in slugging percentage (.537), 10th in on-base percentage (.381) and tied for fifth in RBI. Don had three five-hit games.
Don began the 1984 season slated for reserve duty at first base and in the outfield- now it'll take an explosion to dislodge him from daily duty at first. Born in Evansville, Indiana, he was drafted in the 19th round in 1979 because many teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. His brother Randy was a pro football player.
Mattingly is a hustler, an excellent defensive player and the Yankees' answer to the Mets' Darryl Stawberry."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"For many players, winning a batting crown is the epitome of one's career. And there's nothing wrong with that- batting crowns don't come by every day. One AL batting champion who's well aware of that is Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly.
Don is proud of what he accomplished in 1984 as he became a scourge to pitchers with his .343 average. But Mattingly is the first to admit one year does not a career make. He wants more.
'I would have been proud of my season whether I won the title or not,' Mattingly said at spring training. 'I'm coming in here feeling like I have to earn a job. I don't want to back away from the way I play. I want more.' Even an off-season knee injury hasn't discouraged the man who powered 23 home runs and 110 RBI, best on the team.
'If I have as good a year as last year, I'd be happy. But who says I can't do more?' Good point."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Mattingly moved into prominence as a bona fide star in the American League. He did not start until April 7 at Texas as a left fielder. He started his first game at first base on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on April 10 against Minnesota and became the regular first baseman on April 25. Named to his first AL All-Star team in his first full major league season, he was the first Yankee to win the AL batting championship since Mickey Mantle in 1956, battling teammate Dave Winfield to the last day of the season and winning .343 to .340. Don was the Yankees' first left-handed batter to hit .340 since Lou Gehrig hit .351 in 1937.
In addition to batting average, Don led the AL with 207 hits, 44 doubles and 59 multiple-hit games; was second with a .537 slugging percentage, tied for fourth with 69 extra-base hits, fifth with 310 total bases, tied for fifth with 110 RBI and tenth with a .381 on-base percentage. His 207 hits were the most by a Yankee since Bobby Richardson's 209 in 1962, his 44 doubles were the most by a Yankee since Red Rolfe's league leading 46 in 1939, and his 603 at-bats were the most by a Yankee since Thurman Munson's 617 and Chris Chambliss' 625 in 1978.
Mattingly hit .331 in 45 games against lefites and .348 in 108 games against righties. At .364, he was the top road hitter in the AL and also led league road hitters with 117 hits, 179 total bases, 25 doubles, 61 RBI, a .558 slugging average and a .407 slugging average.
Don was held hitless in only 36 games (three were pinch-hit appearances). He doubled in six straight games (April 22-28), had three five-hit games, five two-double games (tying Ken Griffey for the team high) and two five-RBI games. Don hit an inside-the-park home run on May 5, and with Winfield and Don Baylor hit one of three consecutive home runs in the sixth inning on May 29 at California.
Mattingly had super hot streaks of 12-for-23 (.522 BA) May 5-10, 16-for-26 (.615 BA) May 25-30, 10-for-24 (.417 BA) June 16-22 and 26-for-55 (.473 BA) August 15-28. His longest hitting streak was 13 games, August 15-28, along with other hitting streaks of ten (twice), nine, eight, seven (three times), six and five games.
He led AL first basemen with a .996 fielding percentage, making only five errors in 1,236 total chances. Don has gone 83 straight games without committing an error at first, last doing so on June 22 at Baltimore.
Don had a terrific rookie season in 1983. He won the James P. Dawson Award as the top Yankee rookie in spring training camp and was in the Yankees starting lineup for the home opener. Optioned to Columbus on April 14, he hit eight home runs with 39 RBI and a .340 average there and was recalled on June 20 when Bobby Murcer retired. Don hit his first major league homer off John Tudor on June 24 at Fenway Park. He hit in 24 of 25 games, July 13- August 11, going hitless (0-for-2) in both ends of the Pine Tar Game (July 24 and August 18). He played one-third of an inning at second base in the August 18 conclusion of the Pine Tar Game.
Mattingly was named South Atlantic League MVP in 1980. In 1981, he was Yankee Minor League Player of the Year, led the Southern League in doubles and was named to the Southern League All-Star team as well as to the Topps Class AA All-Star team as an outfielder. He was named an International League All-Star as an outfielder in 1982 and his outstanding season earned him a promotion to the Yankees in September.
Don was drafted late as teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. Signed by Yankee scouts Jax Robertson and Gust Poulos, he had a .332 (611-for-1842) career minor league batting average.
He attended Evansville (IN) Memorial High where he played baseball, basketball and football. Don played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Evansville. His brother Randy played pro football.
Don enjoys racquetball."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Thursday, August 27, 2015
1985 Profile: Ron Guidry
"A career high 21 complete games in 1983 took its toll on him. Nagging back pain and inflamed rib cartilage ruined the 1984 season for him. Guidry suffered his first losing season in the majors after entering last season with the second-best career winning percentage in history among pitchers with 100 or more victories. He did not pitch for most of September because of his rib problems. He also had his fewest strikeouts for a full season and posted his highest ERA.
Guidry won the AL Cy Young Award in 1978 as the second unanimous selection ever, finished second in the AL MVP voting to Boston's Jim Rice and tied Babe Ruth's AL record for shutouts by a left-hander with nine that season. His slider and fastball are his best pitches and he has lots of power in that smallish frame.
A third round choice in the 1971 draft, Guidry attended Southwestern Louisiana. He was born in Lafayette, Louisiana and studies Civil War history in his spare time.
Guidry once volunteered to go the bullpen in a pinch, but wanted to remain a starter when the shift was suggested to him at the start of last season. Will 'Louisiana Lightnin'' ever light up the sky again?"
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"'This is not something that will prevent me from pitching again,' Ron Guidry said last year after being placed on the disabled list for the first time in his big league career. The Yankees hope 'Louisiana Lightning' can come back from a 1984 rib injury because Guidry has been their Mister Everything.
After his 25-3 season in 1978, Guidry was the second winningest pitcher from 1979-83. Ron won the Gold Glove the past three years and was the 1984 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award.
A favorite among both Yankees fans and members of the media, a local newspaper story depicted him this way: 'Ron Guidry should have pitched with DiMaggio in center and Yogi behind the plate and Rizzuto gobbling up everything in sight at shortstop. Guidry should have been with Stengel. From the first moment he brought his remarkable left arm and his great heart to the Stadium, he has done honor to his uniform. He has brought the past to the present.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Guidry was inconsistent most of 1984 as is evidenced by his first career sub-.500 record. He had his sixth Opening Day starting assignment, losing a 4-2 decision to Kansas City, and during a 4-1 complete game victory over Texas on April 20 Ron struck out his 1,258th batter, moving him into fourth place on the all-time Yankee list.
His best performance came on August 7 when he blanked the White Sox 7-0 on four hits, striking out a season high 13 (also the team high, later tied by Joe Cowley). This was his final win of '84 and career win #132, moving him up to eighth on the all-time Yankee list, and career shutout #24, tied for seventh on the Yankee list. In the ninth inning of this game, Ron struck out the side on nine pitches, tying a major league record.
Ron was placed on the disabled list, for the first time in his career, with an inflamed rib cartilage and activated on September 3. He made his first relief appearance since July 1982 on September 17 against Baltimore. Ron started two games after that, losing both.
He was 8-2 with a 2.93 ERA and 73 strikeouts at Yankee Stadium in '84, while 2-9 with a 6.20 ERA and 54 strikeouts on the road. He has the fifth best all-time won-lost percentage (.680, 132-62) among Yankee pitchers with 100 or more wins and he's 15th on the all-time Yankee game list at 270.
In 1983, Guidry had his best season and most wins since 1978. He led the AL with 21 complete games (most of his career), 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. He was named to his fourth AL All-Star team, but did not play due to a lower back strain, yet won six straight starts from August 19 to September 14. Guidry won his second consecutive Gold Glove award for AL pitchers with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and was also named to the 1983 Sporting News AL All-Star team. He played center field for a third of an inning on August 18 during the conclusion of the 'Pine Tar' game.
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. Guidry had a dream season for any pitcher in 1978. He won the Cy Young Award, finished second in the MVP voting to Jim Rice and set 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.
He was the unanimous choice for the Cy Young Award (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 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.
Ron 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 enjoys hunting, chess, and is quite proficient at playing the drums. His biggest thrill was his 18-strikeout game. He grew up as a Yankee and Whitey Ford fan."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Guidry won the AL Cy Young Award in 1978 as the second unanimous selection ever, finished second in the AL MVP voting to Boston's Jim Rice and tied Babe Ruth's AL record for shutouts by a left-hander with nine that season. His slider and fastball are his best pitches and he has lots of power in that smallish frame.
A third round choice in the 1971 draft, Guidry attended Southwestern Louisiana. He was born in Lafayette, Louisiana and studies Civil War history in his spare time.
Guidry once volunteered to go the bullpen in a pinch, but wanted to remain a starter when the shift was suggested to him at the start of last season. Will 'Louisiana Lightnin'' ever light up the sky again?"
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"'This is not something that will prevent me from pitching again,' Ron Guidry said last year after being placed on the disabled list for the first time in his big league career. The Yankees hope 'Louisiana Lightning' can come back from a 1984 rib injury because Guidry has been their Mister Everything.
After his 25-3 season in 1978, Guidry was the second winningest pitcher from 1979-83. Ron won the Gold Glove the past three years and was the 1984 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award.
A favorite among both Yankees fans and members of the media, a local newspaper story depicted him this way: 'Ron Guidry should have pitched with DiMaggio in center and Yogi behind the plate and Rizzuto gobbling up everything in sight at shortstop. Guidry should have been with Stengel. From the first moment he brought his remarkable left arm and his great heart to the Stadium, he has done honor to his uniform. He has brought the past to the present.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Guidry was inconsistent most of 1984 as is evidenced by his first career sub-.500 record. He had his sixth Opening Day starting assignment, losing a 4-2 decision to Kansas City, and during a 4-1 complete game victory over Texas on April 20 Ron struck out his 1,258th batter, moving him into fourth place on the all-time Yankee list.
His best performance came on August 7 when he blanked the White Sox 7-0 on four hits, striking out a season high 13 (also the team high, later tied by Joe Cowley). This was his final win of '84 and career win #132, moving him up to eighth on the all-time Yankee list, and career shutout #24, tied for seventh on the Yankee list. In the ninth inning of this game, Ron struck out the side on nine pitches, tying a major league record.
Ron was placed on the disabled list, for the first time in his career, with an inflamed rib cartilage and activated on September 3. He made his first relief appearance since July 1982 on September 17 against Baltimore. Ron started two games after that, losing both.
He was 8-2 with a 2.93 ERA and 73 strikeouts at Yankee Stadium in '84, while 2-9 with a 6.20 ERA and 54 strikeouts on the road. He has the fifth best all-time won-lost percentage (.680, 132-62) among Yankee pitchers with 100 or more wins and he's 15th on the all-time Yankee game list at 270.
In 1983, Guidry had his best season and most wins since 1978. He led the AL with 21 complete games (most of his career), 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. He was named to his fourth AL All-Star team, but did not play due to a lower back strain, yet won six straight starts from August 19 to September 14. Guidry won his second consecutive Gold Glove award for AL pitchers with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and was also named to the 1983 Sporting News AL All-Star team. He played center field for a third of an inning on August 18 during the conclusion of the 'Pine Tar' game.
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. Guidry had a dream season for any pitcher in 1978. He won the Cy Young Award, finished second in the MVP voting to Jim Rice and set 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.
He was the unanimous choice for the Cy Young Award (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 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.
Ron 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 enjoys hunting, chess, and is quite proficient at playing the drums. His biggest thrill was his 18-strikeout game. He grew up as a Yankee and Whitey Ford fan."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
1985 Profile: Butch Wynegar
"Wynegar began the season as if he was ready to establish himself as one of the best catchers in the league, but his stamina became a big question by the end of 1984. Not much of a difference in his batting average from his 1983 mark, but he suffered a big drop in production. Wynegar hit only two doubles and two home runs and had only 13 RBI in his final 59 games, but he's a good receiver who had no problems adapting to catching the knuckleballs of Phil Niekro.
He was acquired from the Twins with Roger Erickson for Pete Filson, Larry Milborune and John Pacella in May 1982. Wynegar signed with Minnesota as a second round choice in the 1974 draft, made the AL All-Star teams in his first two years with the Twins and was the youngest player to appear in an All-Star Game until the Mets' Dwight Gooden gained that distinction in 1984.
Butch played third base until being converted to catcher during his junior year in high school. Born in York, Pennsylvania, his real name is Harold Delano Wynegar.
He took the Yankee catching job away from Rick Cerone."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"With Rick Cerone gone, 29-year-old Butch Wynegar doesn't have to worry about having to share catching duties with anyone. He is THE Yankees catcher and should be for some time to come. After all, this quiet, consistent performer has earned it.
Since coming over from the Twins in mid-1982, the switch-hitting Wynegar has hit .282 and played outstanding defense. He can block a pitch in the dirt as well as any catcher in the game, and would-be base stealers think twice before they try to run on him.
This year he has the task of meshing the Yankees pitching staff and there's no one the Yankees would rather see doing it. Wynegar is a thinking catcher, an encouraging catcher and his input will be well received by his teammates on the mound."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Wynegar was the Yankees regular catcher in 1984 and appeared in his highest number of games since 1980 with Minnesota. Hitting .220 through May, he hit .287 over the last four months. He hit .308 right-handed and .252 left-handed, and hit .405 against Baltimore and .368 against Toronto.
He went 20 games, May 4-27, without striking out and had two doubles on July 7 at Minnesota. Butch had a career high 16-game hitting streak from May 29 to June 18.
Butch nailed 34 of 101 runners attempting to steal and performed well in handling Phil Niekro's knuckleball. He had the third highest fielding percentage for catchers with 100+ games at .993.
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 caught Dave Righetti's July 4th no-hitter.
His 1982 trade to the Yankees (May 12) coincided with Rick Cerone's broken thumb (May 11), 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; Butch was disabled in late July with a viral infection. Butch had 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.
Butch was an All-Star selection each of his first four seasons as a professional. In 1976 he became, to that point, 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 1985, Butch has thrown out 33% of runners trying to steal on him in his career. He also starts '85 with a .262 average batting left-handed and a .257 average batting right-handed.
Wynegar played third base until he was moved to catcher in 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."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
He was acquired from the Twins with Roger Erickson for Pete Filson, Larry Milborune and John Pacella in May 1982. Wynegar signed with Minnesota as a second round choice in the 1974 draft, made the AL All-Star teams in his first two years with the Twins and was the youngest player to appear in an All-Star Game until the Mets' Dwight Gooden gained that distinction in 1984.
Butch played third base until being converted to catcher during his junior year in high school. Born in York, Pennsylvania, his real name is Harold Delano Wynegar.
He took the Yankee catching job away from Rick Cerone."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"With Rick Cerone gone, 29-year-old Butch Wynegar doesn't have to worry about having to share catching duties with anyone. He is THE Yankees catcher and should be for some time to come. After all, this quiet, consistent performer has earned it.
Since coming over from the Twins in mid-1982, the switch-hitting Wynegar has hit .282 and played outstanding defense. He can block a pitch in the dirt as well as any catcher in the game, and would-be base stealers think twice before they try to run on him.
This year he has the task of meshing the Yankees pitching staff and there's no one the Yankees would rather see doing it. Wynegar is a thinking catcher, an encouraging catcher and his input will be well received by his teammates on the mound."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Wynegar was the Yankees regular catcher in 1984 and appeared in his highest number of games since 1980 with Minnesota. Hitting .220 through May, he hit .287 over the last four months. He hit .308 right-handed and .252 left-handed, and hit .405 against Baltimore and .368 against Toronto.
He went 20 games, May 4-27, without striking out and had two doubles on July 7 at Minnesota. Butch had a career high 16-game hitting streak from May 29 to June 18.
Butch nailed 34 of 101 runners attempting to steal and performed well in handling Phil Niekro's knuckleball. He had the third highest fielding percentage for catchers with 100+ games at .993.
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 caught Dave Righetti's July 4th no-hitter.
His 1982 trade to the Yankees (May 12) coincided with Rick Cerone's broken thumb (May 11), 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; Butch was disabled in late July with a viral infection. Butch had 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.
Butch was an All-Star selection each of his first four seasons as a professional. In 1976 he became, to that point, 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 1985, Butch has thrown out 33% of runners trying to steal on him in his career. He also starts '85 with a .262 average batting left-handed and a .257 average batting right-handed.
Wynegar played third base until he was moved to catcher in 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."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
1985 Profile: Don Baylor
"Baylor was a hit in more ways than one last season. He likes to crowd the plate and was hit by a pitch 23 times, shattering the club record of 15 set by Frankie Crosetti in 1938. Baylor also led the Yankees in home runs and was third on the club in RBI. He tied for seventh in the AL with 13 game winning RBI, but could have had a bigger year than that because he hit only .235 with runners in scoring position.
This former outfielder has played only six games in the field the last two years, concentrating instead on being the designated hitter. His platoon status disturbed him in 1984.
He was selected AL MVP in 1979 after leading the league in RBI for California. Baylor signed with the Yankees as a re-entry free agent prior to the 1983 season.
Baylor originally signed with Baltimore as a second round pick in the 1967 draft, turning down a football scholarship to Texas. He attended Miami Dade JC and Blinn JC. He was dealt from the Orioles to Oakland as part of the deal that sent Reggie Jackson to Baltimore in 1976.
Born in Austin, Texas, Don is an old pro whose bat keeps right on ticking."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"Yankees D.H. Don Baylor must sometimes feel like a target in a canvas tent at a roadside carnival- he's always being pelted by baseballs. In fact, at the start of the season Baylor was only 22 shy of the A.L. record (189) for times being hit by a pitch. It's not that Baylor has slow reflexes. On the contrary, he has excellent reflexes (he can pull any pitcher in the league). He also has a quick mind. Baylor knows getting hit by a pitch eventually hurts the pitchers more than the batter.
He does whatever it takes to win. Baylor is willing to sacrifice and hustle for his team whether he's breaking up a double play or taking an extra base when the defense takes a nap. But he'll hurt you most at the plate.
The former A.L. MVP can hit for average and power and he's especially tough when the game is on the line. In two years with the Yankees, Don has batted .283 with 48 home runs and 174 RBI. Pitchers should take note: as a target, Baylor is very dangerous."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Baylor was a mainstay at designated hitter, appearing in 127 games as a DH and hitting .262 with 25 homers, 85 RBI, a .482 slugging percentage and a .340 on-base percentage. He led the club by being hit-by-pitch 23 times, overtaking Bert Daniels' club record of 18 set in 1912 and 1913, and came within one of the AL single season record of 24 set by Norm Elberfeld in 1911 and Bill Freehan in 1968. Baylor also led the team with 27 home runs overall and was third with 13 game winning RBIs.
He got off to a slow start, hitting .216 in April, but homered twice in the same game on April 25 at Minnesota and again on June 12 at Boston, with five RBIs in the June 12 game. Don hit an inside-the-park home run on June 4 against Boston off Bob Ojeda, and homered in each end of an August 10 doubleheader at Cleveland.
Baylor hit a home run in each game of a three-game series at Seattle, May 22-24, and with Winfield and Mattingly hit three consecutive homers on May 29 in the sixth inning. He hit career home run 250 on June 26 off Detroit's Sid Monge. Don started three games in right field and one in left field.
Don enjoyed his best season in 1979 when he was named the American League's MVP, leading the league with 139 RBI, 120 runs and 162 games played while batting a career high of .296 with career highs of 186 hits, 33 doubles and 36 homers. During his six seasons with California, he hit 141 home runs, becoming the Angels all-time career home run leader; he ranks among the Angels top 10 in 10 different offensive categories.
Following 1979, he played in only 90 games in 1980, slowed by a fractured left wrist and a dislocated middle toe on his left foot. In 1982 he helped lead California to the AL West Division title and led the AL with 21 game-winning RBIs.
Baylor enjoyed a successful premier season with the Yankees in 1983. Used primarily as a designated hitter, he led the team in doubles, stolen bases and hit-by-pitch. Don hit over .300- a career first- and won an American League Silver Bat as a DH.
Don was originally signed by the Orioles in 1967, and in 1970 was named Minor League Player of the Year. After four full seasons with Baltimore he was traded to Oakland as part of a deal including Reggie Jackson. Don played out his option with the A's in 1976, signing a six-year contract with California that fall. He served as the Angels player representative for three seasons. Don has been hit-by-pitch 167 times in his career, just 22 shy of the AL record of 189 held by Minnie Minoso.
A native of Austin, Texas, he attended Miami Dade Junior College and Blinn Junior College (Brenham, TX). For the last six seasons Don has been instrumental in raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was the 1985 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
This former outfielder has played only six games in the field the last two years, concentrating instead on being the designated hitter. His platoon status disturbed him in 1984.
He was selected AL MVP in 1979 after leading the league in RBI for California. Baylor signed with the Yankees as a re-entry free agent prior to the 1983 season.
Baylor originally signed with Baltimore as a second round pick in the 1967 draft, turning down a football scholarship to Texas. He attended Miami Dade JC and Blinn JC. He was dealt from the Orioles to Oakland as part of the deal that sent Reggie Jackson to Baltimore in 1976.
Born in Austin, Texas, Don is an old pro whose bat keeps right on ticking."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"Yankees D.H. Don Baylor must sometimes feel like a target in a canvas tent at a roadside carnival- he's always being pelted by baseballs. In fact, at the start of the season Baylor was only 22 shy of the A.L. record (189) for times being hit by a pitch. It's not that Baylor has slow reflexes. On the contrary, he has excellent reflexes (he can pull any pitcher in the league). He also has a quick mind. Baylor knows getting hit by a pitch eventually hurts the pitchers more than the batter.
He does whatever it takes to win. Baylor is willing to sacrifice and hustle for his team whether he's breaking up a double play or taking an extra base when the defense takes a nap. But he'll hurt you most at the plate.
The former A.L. MVP can hit for average and power and he's especially tough when the game is on the line. In two years with the Yankees, Don has batted .283 with 48 home runs and 174 RBI. Pitchers should take note: as a target, Baylor is very dangerous."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Baylor was a mainstay at designated hitter, appearing in 127 games as a DH and hitting .262 with 25 homers, 85 RBI, a .482 slugging percentage and a .340 on-base percentage. He led the club by being hit-by-pitch 23 times, overtaking Bert Daniels' club record of 18 set in 1912 and 1913, and came within one of the AL single season record of 24 set by Norm Elberfeld in 1911 and Bill Freehan in 1968. Baylor also led the team with 27 home runs overall and was third with 13 game winning RBIs.
He got off to a slow start, hitting .216 in April, but homered twice in the same game on April 25 at Minnesota and again on June 12 at Boston, with five RBIs in the June 12 game. Don hit an inside-the-park home run on June 4 against Boston off Bob Ojeda, and homered in each end of an August 10 doubleheader at Cleveland.
Baylor hit a home run in each game of a three-game series at Seattle, May 22-24, and with Winfield and Mattingly hit three consecutive homers on May 29 in the sixth inning. He hit career home run 250 on June 26 off Detroit's Sid Monge. Don started three games in right field and one in left field.
Don enjoyed his best season in 1979 when he was named the American League's MVP, leading the league with 139 RBI, 120 runs and 162 games played while batting a career high of .296 with career highs of 186 hits, 33 doubles and 36 homers. During his six seasons with California, he hit 141 home runs, becoming the Angels all-time career home run leader; he ranks among the Angels top 10 in 10 different offensive categories.
Following 1979, he played in only 90 games in 1980, slowed by a fractured left wrist and a dislocated middle toe on his left foot. In 1982 he helped lead California to the AL West Division title and led the AL with 21 game-winning RBIs.
Baylor enjoyed a successful premier season with the Yankees in 1983. Used primarily as a designated hitter, he led the team in doubles, stolen bases and hit-by-pitch. Don hit over .300- a career first- and won an American League Silver Bat as a DH.
Don was originally signed by the Orioles in 1967, and in 1970 was named Minor League Player of the Year. After four full seasons with Baltimore he was traded to Oakland as part of a deal including Reggie Jackson. Don played out his option with the A's in 1976, signing a six-year contract with California that fall. He served as the Angels player representative for three seasons. Don has been hit-by-pitch 167 times in his career, just 22 shy of the AL record of 189 held by Minnie Minoso.
A native of Austin, Texas, he attended Miami Dade Junior College and Blinn Junior College (Brenham, TX). For the last six seasons Don has been instrumental in raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was the 1985 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Monday, August 24, 2015
1985 New York Yankees Manager and Coaches Profiles
YOGI BERRA (Manager)
"Back for a second consecutive year at the Yankee helm, which must be some kind of record in the George Steinbrenner regime. The owner cast an uncharacteristic vote for stability when he decided to retain him during the off-season.
The Hall of Fame catcher and master of malapropisms was hired for a second stint as Yankee manager prior to the 1984 season. He led the club to the best second half record in the majors last season, saving his job- for the moment.
Yogi managed the Yankees to the AL pennant in his other season at the helm, 1964, but was replaced by Johnny Keane, whose Cardinals handed the Yankees a seven-game World Series defeat that season. Yogi managed the Mets from 1972 until August 1975, guiding them to a National League pennant in 1973.
He was selected AL MVP three times and chosen as an All-Star 15 times during his playing career as a Yankee catcher and outfielder. Yogi has been involved in 21 Series, 14 as a player, and holds Series records for games (75), at-bats (259) and hits (71).
Yogi coached with the Yanks in 1963 and from 1976-83, and with the Mets from 1965-71. He manages his son Dale for the first time in 1985.
Born in St. Louis, his composite major league managerial record is 478-434. Yogi is patient with Yankee youngsters and popular with New York fans. His real name is Lawrence.
Yogi is one of a kind."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"'There is no place I'd rather be than with the New York Yankees,' says manager Yogi Berra. Good thing, because 1985 marks Berra's 29th year of service in the Yankee organization. As a player, the Hall of Fame catcher set numerous records and played on 10 World Championship teams, and he is only one of five managers to have represented both leagues in the World Series. Managing a World Champion is the only thing missing from Berra's resume.
After a slow start kept Yogi and the Yankees out of the pennant race in 1984, Berra initiated the New Era in Yankees baseball by mixing his lineup with veterans and young players. The chemistry and the team turned in the best record in baseball (51-30) after the All-Star break.
'Yogi did a very credible job of blending young talent,' says Principal Owner George Steinbrenner. 'We are hoping we get off to a fast start in '85, something we did not do in '84.'
Nothing would please Yogi more. Referring to the Detroit Tigers' major league record-setting start in 1984, Yogi says, 'Gimme 35-5, then you catch me!'
Yogi had a busy off-season. He and his wife, Carmen, were guests of President and Mrs. Reagan at a special White House dinner. Berra also acquired his son, Dale, from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a December trade. Now he and his players are ready for business in 1985.
'The fans have been good to me and so has everybody connected with the organization,' Yogi adds. 'My main goal is to give George Steinbrenner and all Yankee fans a winner in 1985.'
With an outstanding lineup, a fine stable of pitchers, an experienced coaching staff and Yogi at the helm, no one will be disappointed."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"One of baseball's most beloved and recognized celebrities, Yogi was named Yankee manager on December 16, 1983, his second time as Yankee manager. In his first stint, 1964, he guided the Yankees to the AL pennant, losing the World Series in seven games to St. Louis. Yogi was a coach and a manager with the Mets from 1965 to 1975 and returned to the Yankees for the 1976 season after 12 years, coinciding with a pennant that was followed by back-to-back World Championships- not surprising to those who know that good fortune follows this Hall of Famer around.
He's now been in 21 Series, a record 14 as a player, four as a Yankee coach, one as a Mets coach and one each managing the Yankees and Mets. Yogi holds Series playing records for games, at-bats, hits, singles, consecutive errorless games (30) and he hit a grand slam (1956). A three-time AL MVP (1951, 1954, 1955) and 15 times an All-Star, his 313 homers are the second most ever by a catcher, behind Johnny Bench who passed Yogi in 1980. His 30 homers in a season in two different years was an American League record, being surpassed in 1982 by Detroit's Lance Parrish. Yogi handled 950 consecutive chances without an error (1957-59). The Yankees retired his and Bill Dickey's uniform number 8 in 1972 but brought it back for his return in 1976.
His son Dale now plays for Yogi on the Yankees, the first real father/son combination in major league history (Earl Mack played a total of five games over three years under his famous father, manager Connie Mack of the Philadelphia A's). Yogi's son Larry Jr. played in the Mets organization and his son Tim was a wide receiver with the football Giants and Colts. Yogi and his sons run a racquetball club in New Jersey."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
MEET THE MANAGER: YOGI BERRA
"One would be hard-pressed to discuss baseball without talking about the New York Yankees, a team whose history is loaded with sports legends and winning seasons. The Yankee manager in 1985, Lawrence Peter Berra, is in all respects a baseball legend and has always been a symbol of the fine Yankee winning tradition.
Yogi Berra is a winner, in every sense of the word. It would be impossible to list every one of Yogi's numerous on-the-field accomplishments and his many records, but let it be stated that he is without question one of the game's all-time greats. As a player, coach and manager with the Yankees, he gave new meaning to the words winning and tradition.
A member of the Yankees organization for 29 years, Berra so far has been a part of 18 pennant winning teams and 12 World Championship clubs. Berra joined the team as a player in 1946, and from 1947 (his first full season) to 1963 (his last full season), he was the backbone of the Yankees. These Berra-led teams were in the pennant race every one of those seasons.
During his 18-year playing career with the Yankees, Berra set several major league records. He was selected to the American League All-Star team 15 consecutive years, from 1948-62, and holds several All-Star Game records. He played in 14 World Series, more than any other player in history. And not only did he make it to the World Series, but made his presence known with many clutch postseason performances. He has played in more Series games than any other player, is first in World Series at-bats, hits and doubles and is among the leaders in many other categories. He hit the first pinch-hit home run in World Series history in Game 3 of the 1947 Series, and he caught Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956, the only perfect game in World Series competition.
After demonstrating his ability on the field, Berra became a player/coach for the Yankees in 1963. The following season, 1964, he took over the reins as the team manager. Yogi captured the AL pennant in '64 but was released by the management after the Yankees lost the World Series in seven games to the Cardinals. The decision to fire Berra was made at mid-season while the team was slumping. The decision, as it turned out, was a costly one.
The Yankees lost Berra's services for 11 seasons, 1965-75. Berra became a player/coach with the Mets in 1965, playing in four Met games that year. From 1966-71 he served only as a coach, and was the Mets manager from 1972-75. During that period, while Yogi managed the Mets to the National League pennant in 1973, the Yankees went dry, not making one postseason appearance in those 11 years.
Yogi rejoined the team as a coach in 1976 and, sure enough, the Yankees responded by winning the AL pennant. The following two seasons, the Bronx Bombers won back-to-back World Championships. The won the AL East in 1980 and captured the pennant in 1981.
Coincidence? Maybe, but don't put anything past a man who has so far been in a total of 21 World Series. In 1984, 20 years after he last managed the team, Yogi was again named to manage the Yankees. After a slow start hurt their pennant hopes, Berra rallied his troops to the best record in baseball after the All-Star break.
The Yankees rebounded to that second-half mark only after they turned their future over to their younger players. Yogi went with the youngsters, he stuck with them, and in the end his decision paid off big. If the Yankees continue to depend on young players, they couldn't have a better person to lead them than Yogi Berra. No man could better demonstrate what winning is all about.
Besides his 21 World Series appearances, Yogi is one of only five managers to have ever won pennants in both leagues. He was named AL Most Valuable Player three times and was recognized as one of the greatest catchers of all time. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972, and the Yankees retired his uniform number 8 (also worn by [and retired for] Bill Dickey) in 1972.
Before the 1985 season even began, Yogi had set yet another record. When the Yankees gave Yogi an early Christmas present by acquiring his son Dale in a trade with Pittsburgh, the Berras became baseball's first bona fide father/son tandem. (Earl Mack played a total of five games over three years with the Philadelphia A's under his father/manager Connie Mack, but never appeared in more than two games in a season.)
After the trade Yogi said of managing his son, 'If he can play, he plays. If he don't do the job, he sits.' This is just one of many notable quotes attributed to Yogi. He is without question one of the most popular people to ever wear a baseball uniform, and his off-the-field manner and many quotes, often called 'Yogi-isms,' have made him a national celebrity for over 35 years. During the '84 off-season Yogi and his wife Carmen were guests of President and Mrs. Reagan.
Yogi has certainly given Yankee fans a wealth of memories. Perhaps Yogi's most famous phrase was, 'It ain't over 'til it's over,' and before this new era in Yankee baseball is over, let's hope Yogi can lead the Yanks all the way to the top."
-Charles J. Alfaro, New York Yankees 1985 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
MEET THE COACHES
"A youth movement has begun in Yankee baseball, as the Yankees have turned to a group of talented young ballplayers to lead them in 1985. An experienced coaching staff will play an important role in making these youngsters into a strong team of contenders.
Manager Yogi Berra, in his second consecutive year at the helm of the Yankees, is pleased to know that four out of five members from last year's coaching staff have returned to lead the team again in 1985. The veterans on the staff include Mark Connor, Gene Michael, Lou Piniella and Jeff Torborg, while Carl 'Stump' Merrill is in his first year.
These five staff members represent not only experience between the lines but demonstrate a complete knowledge of the game of baseball. Between them, the coaches boast former players, coaches, managers and a former general manager.
Gene Michael, the former general manager, will bring a wealth of experience in the team system with him as he flashes the signs as Yogi's third base coach again this year. Besides his stint in the front office, the 'Stick' served the Yankees as a player for seven years, has been a coach, and has managed both in New York and in Columbus.
Jeff Torborg, who also has experience as a major league manager, joins Mark Connor as a co-pitching coach again this year. The 1985 pitching staff is a diverse unit ranging from Phil Niekro, the oldest active player in the majors, to Ron Guidry, a nine-year veteran, to youngsters Joe Cowley and Dennis Rasmussen. It will be up to Connor and Torborg to gel this group into a winning staff. They will also be keeping Dave Righetti, in his second year out of the bullpen, up to the star form he showed in '84. These two fine coaches are up to those challenges.
Jeff Torborg knows all about handling pitchers, having been a major league catcher for 10 seasons. During this time, Jeff caught three no-hit games by pitchers Sandy Koufax, Bill Singer and Nolan Ryan, and was part of the Dodger World Championship team of 1965. After his three-year managerial stay with the Cleveland Indians, Torborg came to New York in 1979 and has been a coach with the club ever since.
Mark Connor will be returning to the staff in 1985 for his first full season after joining the club in June of last year. Mark also knows something about pitching, being a former hurler himself. After a brief two-year career in the Minnesota farm system during the early '70s, Connor joined the Yankees as a minor league pitching instructor in 1980. He worked with the Greensboro club for three years and a season and a half with Columbus before joining the Yankees last season.
With the pitching staff in good hands, the Yankees are depending on hitting instructor Lou Piniella, also in his first full year as a full-time coach, to keep the bats tuned and the hits coming. Lou began his role as the Yanks batting instructor in 1981 while still an active player, and directed his efforts solely to coaching after he officially retired on June 17 of last season. His .295 lifetime average with the team, placing him in the top ten of all-time Yankee hitters, and his .291 career average made Lou one of the toughest and most respected hitters in the game. While fans will miss Lou's bat at the plate, the Yankees are counting on this clutch performer to continue working with our hitters and to keep 1984's top American League batters Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield in stride. 'Sweet Lou,' always popular with the fans, was honored on Lou Piniella Day at the Stadium on August 5, 1984.
Joining the staff this year will be newcomer Carl 'Stump' Merrill. Through Merrill is a rookie with the big club, he is certainly not new to Yankee baseball. He first came to the organization as a minor league pitching coach at West Haven in 1977. Merrill made all the stops on the Yankee ladder as he managed in West Haven for two seasons (1978-79), Nashville the next two seasons, for two more years in Ft. Lauderdale, followed by a year at Columbus. After his teams finished first place an impressive five out of his seven years as a manager, compiling a total record of 584 wins against only 382 losses, Stump was asked to join the Yankees as first base coach in 1985.
The Yankees turned to many young players in 1984, and the result was the winningest record in baseball after the All-Star break. If this new era in Yankee baseball is to continue, a lot will depend on the coaches, and they have to the credentials to meet the challenge."
-Charles J. Alfaro, New York Yankees 1985 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
STUMP MERRILL (Coach)
"The Columbus Clippers (Triple-A) knew what type of man they were losing when their manager, Carl 'Stump' Merrill, was appointed Yankees first base coach for 1985. Upon learning he would have to replace Merrill, Columbus general manager George Sisler, Jr. said his new manager would be, '... following up a fantastic job by Stump Merrill this past (1984) season.'
Fantastic is the only fitting description of the job Merrill has done in the Yankees' farm system. He's been a winner wherever he's been. Since 1978, Merrill has managed at Columbus, Nashville, Ft. Lauderdale and West Haven, finishing in first place five of those seven years, and second the other two seasons. With a managerial record of 584-382 (a .602 winning percentage), it's no wonder manager Yogi Berra asked Merrill to join the Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"After spending his entire six-year playing career as a catcher in the Phillies farm system, Merrill joined the Yankees organization in 1977 as pitching coach at West Haven. Prior to the beginning of his professional coaching and managing career, he spent time at his college alma mater (University of Maine, Orono) as assistant baseball coach under the late Jack Butterfield.
Stump joined the managerial ranks in 1978 at West Haven and has led his clubs to the playoffs or to outright championships in five of the last seven years. He guided his 1978 and 1982 teams to league championships and was named manager of the Eastern League All-Star team in 1978. In 1980 Stump was Southern League Manager of the Year and All-Star Manager and led Nashville to a league record 97 wins.
He spends the fall and winter months as offensive backfield coach for the Bowdoin College football team in Brunswick and also enjoys officiating high school basketball."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
GENE MICHAEL (Coach)
"This is Gene Michael's second consecutive season coaching at third base, and he's back there again in 1985 because he proved he had quick intelligence and savvy in the job last year.
Michael's deep knowledge of the game comes from being a Yankee player (the regular shortstop from 1969-73), scout, manager (twice), administrative assistant, general manager and minor league manager. The man knows his baseball, and when the game's on the line and one of your players is heading for third on a single to center field, you want Gene Michael at third base telling him whether to hold up or go home.
You know he'll make the right decision."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Stick will be Yogi's third base coach again this year. He has been the field manager twice.
Gene was originally named Yankee manager on November 21, 1980. In 1981, the Yankees were 34-22 and leading the AL Eastern Division by two games on June 12 when the players' strike occurred. The Yankees were eventually declared first-half winners, qualifying for the Division Series in October. Gene was replaced by Bob Lemon as manager on September 6, 1981, yet was named manager of the Yankees for a second time on April 25, 1982, replacing Lemon; under Gene the team was 44-42 when Clyde King was named manager on August 3 of that year.
Stick had previously been Yankees General Manager, being named to that post on November 1, 1979 after serving as the field manager of the AAA Columbus Clippers in 1979. He guided the Clippers to regular season and postseason International League titles after starting the season with 10 straight wins. The Clippers finished 85-54.
Upon his retirement as a player in 1976, Gene was hired as a Yankee coach. He coached first base for the Yankees in 1978 after he had been a front office Administrative Assistant in 1977.
One of the most popular Yankees during his playing career, Gene was the club's regular shortstop from 1969-1973. He mastered the hidden ball trick, pulling it off five times with the Yankees. Gene was a close friend and roommate of the late Thurman Munson.
Gene graduated with a B.S. in education from Kent State where he played basketball. He was pursued by the New York Knicks to play pro basketball."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
MARK CONNOR (Coach)
"Mark Connor is credited with the fast development of Yankees pitchers Dennis Rasmussen, Clay Christiansen and Joe Cowley, and with the impressive transition of Dave Righetti from a starter to the Yankee stopper. He works hard with these bright, young players, and Connor gets annoyed when skeptics question their ability. 'Talk to me in October,' Connor says. 'I've got a lot of confidence in these guys and they've got a lot of confidence in themselves.'
This is Connor's first full season as a major league coach. He was promoted to the Yankees in June of '84 after spending over four years in the team's farm system. Now Connor and co-pitching coach Jeff Torborg plan to show critics of the Yankees pitching staff how wrong they were."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Connor was named pitching coach of the Yankees on June 18, 1984. He began the 1984 season in his second year as pitching coach for the Yankees' AAA Columbus farm club.
Mark graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York in 1967 and attended Manhattan College and Belmont Abbey College. He played most of his collegiate baseball at Manhattan and received the Topps Award as a college All-Star in 1970. Mark struck out 20 Columbia University batters in a 1971 game.
He spent two seasons in the Twins' minor league system. Mark joined the Yankees organization as a pitching coach at Greensboro in 1980; prior to that he coached at the high school and college level."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
JEFF TORBORG (Coach)
"It is evident that people are realizing the talent of Jeff Torborg. The Yankees' highly regarded pitching coach was believed to be the leading candidate for the manager job in Seattle, but when it seemed the Yanks might lose Torborg to the Mariners, Principal Owner George Steinbrenner stepped in. Feeling they had enough time to speak with Torborg, Steinbrenner withdrew permission given two weeks earlier for the Mariners to talk with him. And with that, Steinbrenner solidified the Yankees coaching staff for '85 by keeping one its biggest assets in New York.
Torborg, who like manager Yogi Berra has won a World Series as a player, would now like to win one as a coach with the Yankees. 'I'm an organization man,' says Torborg, who is in his seventh season as a Yankees coach. 'I appreciate my position with the Yankees.'
And if Steinbrenner's actions are any indication, the Yankees appreciate Jeff Torborg."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Torborg joined the Yankee coaching staff on August 1, 1979 after his dismissal as manager of the Indians on July 23. He had managed the Tribe since June 19, 1977 and prior to that was a coach for the Indians beginning with the 1975 season, serving under Frank Robinson.
Jeff played 10 years in the majors, seven with the Dodgers and three with the Angels. He played on the World Champion Dodgers in 1965 and on their NL pennant winner in 1966. He caught two no-hitters with the Dodgers, by Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Bill Singer in 1970, and also caught a Nolan Ryan no-hitter with the Angels in 1973; the major league record for no-hitters caught is four by Ray Schalk. Jeff was also behind the plate when Don Drysdale threw his fifth consecutive shutout in 1968 and caught Koufax and Ryan when they set single-season strikeout records. Jeff retired after the '73 season.
A native of northern Jersey, Jeff earned a B.S. in education from Rutgers and has a Masters degree in athletic administration from Montclair State. His thesis was on the effects of platooning in baseball. In his senior year at Rutgers, Jeff hit .537 to lead the NCAA in batting and set a record that still stands."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
LOU PINIELLA (Coach)
"When the Yankees turned their fortunes over to their young players in 1984, they were lucky to have veteran Lou Piniella around. Mike Pagliarulo, Bobby Meacham and Vic Mata are among those who credit batting coach Piniella for helping them develop into successful major league hitters.
Piniella, one of baseball's toughest and most respected hitters while a player, was immediately moved into the coaching ranks upon his retirement in June of 1984. With Piniella as the full-time hitting instructor, the Yankees boasted the top two AL hitters- Don Mattingly (.343) and Dave Winfield (.340). If last year's batting race was any indication of what he can do in only half a season as a coach, there's no telling what Sweet Lou Piniella can accomplish with Yankee hitters in a full season in 1985."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Piniella retired officially on June 17 last season and was named a Yankee coach. He was honored with Lou Piniella Day on August 5.
A consistent player, Lou was recognized as one of baseball's most professional hitters and was always tough for the Yankees in the clutch. His .295 lifetime batting average with the Yankees ranks him in the Yankee all-time top 10.
He was originally signed by Cleveland scout and former Yankee Spud Chandler. 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.
Lou was always an excellent postseason performer. In 1977 he hit safely in all five ALCS games and in 1978 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 was always one of the Yankees' most exciting players and fans welcomed 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."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
DOUG HOLMQUIST (Coach)
"Doug played four years in the Houston Colt .45 and Detroit Tiger organizations from 1962 through 1965. He joined the Yankees organization as manager at Ft. Lauderdale in 1978 and piloted three first-place clubs there. In 1980, Holmquist's club won the Florida State League championship.
At Greensboro in 1982, he managed the Hornets to first and second half titles and the South Atlantic League championship. Holmquist managed the Nashville Sounds to the second half Southern League title in '83 before leaving to become a coach for Buffalo (Cleveland organization) of the Eastern League in 1984.
Doug was named first base coach of the Yankees in June 1984. He will manage the Columbus Clippers in 1985."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
BILL MONBOUQUETTE (Coach)
"Bill set an American League record with 17 strikeouts in a night game on May 12, 1961, a mark later broken in 1974 by Nolan Ryan. He pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox on August 1, 1962. He was named to the American League All-Star team in 1960, 1962 and 1963. In 1963, Bill won 20 games for the Red Sox.
He scouted for the Yankees in 1969-74. After scouting and doing instructional work for the Yankees in 1984, Monbo becomes the pitching coach at Ft. Lauderdale in 1985."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
"Back for a second consecutive year at the Yankee helm, which must be some kind of record in the George Steinbrenner regime. The owner cast an uncharacteristic vote for stability when he decided to retain him during the off-season.
The Hall of Fame catcher and master of malapropisms was hired for a second stint as Yankee manager prior to the 1984 season. He led the club to the best second half record in the majors last season, saving his job- for the moment.
Yogi managed the Yankees to the AL pennant in his other season at the helm, 1964, but was replaced by Johnny Keane, whose Cardinals handed the Yankees a seven-game World Series defeat that season. Yogi managed the Mets from 1972 until August 1975, guiding them to a National League pennant in 1973.
He was selected AL MVP three times and chosen as an All-Star 15 times during his playing career as a Yankee catcher and outfielder. Yogi has been involved in 21 Series, 14 as a player, and holds Series records for games (75), at-bats (259) and hits (71).
Yogi coached with the Yanks in 1963 and from 1976-83, and with the Mets from 1965-71. He manages his son Dale for the first time in 1985.
Born in St. Louis, his composite major league managerial record is 478-434. Yogi is patient with Yankee youngsters and popular with New York fans. His real name is Lawrence.
Yogi is one of a kind."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"'There is no place I'd rather be than with the New York Yankees,' says manager Yogi Berra. Good thing, because 1985 marks Berra's 29th year of service in the Yankee organization. As a player, the Hall of Fame catcher set numerous records and played on 10 World Championship teams, and he is only one of five managers to have represented both leagues in the World Series. Managing a World Champion is the only thing missing from Berra's resume.
After a slow start kept Yogi and the Yankees out of the pennant race in 1984, Berra initiated the New Era in Yankees baseball by mixing his lineup with veterans and young players. The chemistry and the team turned in the best record in baseball (51-30) after the All-Star break.
'Yogi did a very credible job of blending young talent,' says Principal Owner George Steinbrenner. 'We are hoping we get off to a fast start in '85, something we did not do in '84.'
Nothing would please Yogi more. Referring to the Detroit Tigers' major league record-setting start in 1984, Yogi says, 'Gimme 35-5, then you catch me!'
Yogi had a busy off-season. He and his wife, Carmen, were guests of President and Mrs. Reagan at a special White House dinner. Berra also acquired his son, Dale, from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a December trade. Now he and his players are ready for business in 1985.
'The fans have been good to me and so has everybody connected with the organization,' Yogi adds. 'My main goal is to give George Steinbrenner and all Yankee fans a winner in 1985.'
With an outstanding lineup, a fine stable of pitchers, an experienced coaching staff and Yogi at the helm, no one will be disappointed."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"One of baseball's most beloved and recognized celebrities, Yogi was named Yankee manager on December 16, 1983, his second time as Yankee manager. In his first stint, 1964, he guided the Yankees to the AL pennant, losing the World Series in seven games to St. Louis. Yogi was a coach and a manager with the Mets from 1965 to 1975 and returned to the Yankees for the 1976 season after 12 years, coinciding with a pennant that was followed by back-to-back World Championships- not surprising to those who know that good fortune follows this Hall of Famer around.
He's now been in 21 Series, a record 14 as a player, four as a Yankee coach, one as a Mets coach and one each managing the Yankees and Mets. Yogi holds Series playing records for games, at-bats, hits, singles, consecutive errorless games (30) and he hit a grand slam (1956). A three-time AL MVP (1951, 1954, 1955) and 15 times an All-Star, his 313 homers are the second most ever by a catcher, behind Johnny Bench who passed Yogi in 1980. His 30 homers in a season in two different years was an American League record, being surpassed in 1982 by Detroit's Lance Parrish. Yogi handled 950 consecutive chances without an error (1957-59). The Yankees retired his and Bill Dickey's uniform number 8 in 1972 but brought it back for his return in 1976.
His son Dale now plays for Yogi on the Yankees, the first real father/son combination in major league history (Earl Mack played a total of five games over three years under his famous father, manager Connie Mack of the Philadelphia A's). Yogi's son Larry Jr. played in the Mets organization and his son Tim was a wide receiver with the football Giants and Colts. Yogi and his sons run a racquetball club in New Jersey."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
MEET THE MANAGER: YOGI BERRA
"One would be hard-pressed to discuss baseball without talking about the New York Yankees, a team whose history is loaded with sports legends and winning seasons. The Yankee manager in 1985, Lawrence Peter Berra, is in all respects a baseball legend and has always been a symbol of the fine Yankee winning tradition.
Yogi Berra is a winner, in every sense of the word. It would be impossible to list every one of Yogi's numerous on-the-field accomplishments and his many records, but let it be stated that he is without question one of the game's all-time greats. As a player, coach and manager with the Yankees, he gave new meaning to the words winning and tradition.
A member of the Yankees organization for 29 years, Berra so far has been a part of 18 pennant winning teams and 12 World Championship clubs. Berra joined the team as a player in 1946, and from 1947 (his first full season) to 1963 (his last full season), he was the backbone of the Yankees. These Berra-led teams were in the pennant race every one of those seasons.
During his 18-year playing career with the Yankees, Berra set several major league records. He was selected to the American League All-Star team 15 consecutive years, from 1948-62, and holds several All-Star Game records. He played in 14 World Series, more than any other player in history. And not only did he make it to the World Series, but made his presence known with many clutch postseason performances. He has played in more Series games than any other player, is first in World Series at-bats, hits and doubles and is among the leaders in many other categories. He hit the first pinch-hit home run in World Series history in Game 3 of the 1947 Series, and he caught Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956, the only perfect game in World Series competition.
After demonstrating his ability on the field, Berra became a player/coach for the Yankees in 1963. The following season, 1964, he took over the reins as the team manager. Yogi captured the AL pennant in '64 but was released by the management after the Yankees lost the World Series in seven games to the Cardinals. The decision to fire Berra was made at mid-season while the team was slumping. The decision, as it turned out, was a costly one.
The Yankees lost Berra's services for 11 seasons, 1965-75. Berra became a player/coach with the Mets in 1965, playing in four Met games that year. From 1966-71 he served only as a coach, and was the Mets manager from 1972-75. During that period, while Yogi managed the Mets to the National League pennant in 1973, the Yankees went dry, not making one postseason appearance in those 11 years.
Yogi rejoined the team as a coach in 1976 and, sure enough, the Yankees responded by winning the AL pennant. The following two seasons, the Bronx Bombers won back-to-back World Championships. The won the AL East in 1980 and captured the pennant in 1981.
Coincidence? Maybe, but don't put anything past a man who has so far been in a total of 21 World Series. In 1984, 20 years after he last managed the team, Yogi was again named to manage the Yankees. After a slow start hurt their pennant hopes, Berra rallied his troops to the best record in baseball after the All-Star break.
The Yankees rebounded to that second-half mark only after they turned their future over to their younger players. Yogi went with the youngsters, he stuck with them, and in the end his decision paid off big. If the Yankees continue to depend on young players, they couldn't have a better person to lead them than Yogi Berra. No man could better demonstrate what winning is all about.
Besides his 21 World Series appearances, Yogi is one of only five managers to have ever won pennants in both leagues. He was named AL Most Valuable Player three times and was recognized as one of the greatest catchers of all time. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972, and the Yankees retired his uniform number 8 (also worn by [and retired for] Bill Dickey) in 1972.
Before the 1985 season even began, Yogi had set yet another record. When the Yankees gave Yogi an early Christmas present by acquiring his son Dale in a trade with Pittsburgh, the Berras became baseball's first bona fide father/son tandem. (Earl Mack played a total of five games over three years with the Philadelphia A's under his father/manager Connie Mack, but never appeared in more than two games in a season.)
After the trade Yogi said of managing his son, 'If he can play, he plays. If he don't do the job, he sits.' This is just one of many notable quotes attributed to Yogi. He is without question one of the most popular people to ever wear a baseball uniform, and his off-the-field manner and many quotes, often called 'Yogi-isms,' have made him a national celebrity for over 35 years. During the '84 off-season Yogi and his wife Carmen were guests of President and Mrs. Reagan.
Yogi has certainly given Yankee fans a wealth of memories. Perhaps Yogi's most famous phrase was, 'It ain't over 'til it's over,' and before this new era in Yankee baseball is over, let's hope Yogi can lead the Yanks all the way to the top."
-Charles J. Alfaro, New York Yankees 1985 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
MEET THE COACHES
"A youth movement has begun in Yankee baseball, as the Yankees have turned to a group of talented young ballplayers to lead them in 1985. An experienced coaching staff will play an important role in making these youngsters into a strong team of contenders.
Manager Yogi Berra, in his second consecutive year at the helm of the Yankees, is pleased to know that four out of five members from last year's coaching staff have returned to lead the team again in 1985. The veterans on the staff include Mark Connor, Gene Michael, Lou Piniella and Jeff Torborg, while Carl 'Stump' Merrill is in his first year.
These five staff members represent not only experience between the lines but demonstrate a complete knowledge of the game of baseball. Between them, the coaches boast former players, coaches, managers and a former general manager.
Gene Michael, the former general manager, will bring a wealth of experience in the team system with him as he flashes the signs as Yogi's third base coach again this year. Besides his stint in the front office, the 'Stick' served the Yankees as a player for seven years, has been a coach, and has managed both in New York and in Columbus.
Jeff Torborg, who also has experience as a major league manager, joins Mark Connor as a co-pitching coach again this year. The 1985 pitching staff is a diverse unit ranging from Phil Niekro, the oldest active player in the majors, to Ron Guidry, a nine-year veteran, to youngsters Joe Cowley and Dennis Rasmussen. It will be up to Connor and Torborg to gel this group into a winning staff. They will also be keeping Dave Righetti, in his second year out of the bullpen, up to the star form he showed in '84. These two fine coaches are up to those challenges.
Jeff Torborg knows all about handling pitchers, having been a major league catcher for 10 seasons. During this time, Jeff caught three no-hit games by pitchers Sandy Koufax, Bill Singer and Nolan Ryan, and was part of the Dodger World Championship team of 1965. After his three-year managerial stay with the Cleveland Indians, Torborg came to New York in 1979 and has been a coach with the club ever since.
Mark Connor will be returning to the staff in 1985 for his first full season after joining the club in June of last year. Mark also knows something about pitching, being a former hurler himself. After a brief two-year career in the Minnesota farm system during the early '70s, Connor joined the Yankees as a minor league pitching instructor in 1980. He worked with the Greensboro club for three years and a season and a half with Columbus before joining the Yankees last season.
With the pitching staff in good hands, the Yankees are depending on hitting instructor Lou Piniella, also in his first full year as a full-time coach, to keep the bats tuned and the hits coming. Lou began his role as the Yanks batting instructor in 1981 while still an active player, and directed his efforts solely to coaching after he officially retired on June 17 of last season. His .295 lifetime average with the team, placing him in the top ten of all-time Yankee hitters, and his .291 career average made Lou one of the toughest and most respected hitters in the game. While fans will miss Lou's bat at the plate, the Yankees are counting on this clutch performer to continue working with our hitters and to keep 1984's top American League batters Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield in stride. 'Sweet Lou,' always popular with the fans, was honored on Lou Piniella Day at the Stadium on August 5, 1984.
Joining the staff this year will be newcomer Carl 'Stump' Merrill. Through Merrill is a rookie with the big club, he is certainly not new to Yankee baseball. He first came to the organization as a minor league pitching coach at West Haven in 1977. Merrill made all the stops on the Yankee ladder as he managed in West Haven for two seasons (1978-79), Nashville the next two seasons, for two more years in Ft. Lauderdale, followed by a year at Columbus. After his teams finished first place an impressive five out of his seven years as a manager, compiling a total record of 584 wins against only 382 losses, Stump was asked to join the Yankees as first base coach in 1985.
The Yankees turned to many young players in 1984, and the result was the winningest record in baseball after the All-Star break. If this new era in Yankee baseball is to continue, a lot will depend on the coaches, and they have to the credentials to meet the challenge."
-Charles J. Alfaro, New York Yankees 1985 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
STUMP MERRILL (Coach)
"The Columbus Clippers (Triple-A) knew what type of man they were losing when their manager, Carl 'Stump' Merrill, was appointed Yankees first base coach for 1985. Upon learning he would have to replace Merrill, Columbus general manager George Sisler, Jr. said his new manager would be, '... following up a fantastic job by Stump Merrill this past (1984) season.'
Fantastic is the only fitting description of the job Merrill has done in the Yankees' farm system. He's been a winner wherever he's been. Since 1978, Merrill has managed at Columbus, Nashville, Ft. Lauderdale and West Haven, finishing in first place five of those seven years, and second the other two seasons. With a managerial record of 584-382 (a .602 winning percentage), it's no wonder manager Yogi Berra asked Merrill to join the Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"After spending his entire six-year playing career as a catcher in the Phillies farm system, Merrill joined the Yankees organization in 1977 as pitching coach at West Haven. Prior to the beginning of his professional coaching and managing career, he spent time at his college alma mater (University of Maine, Orono) as assistant baseball coach under the late Jack Butterfield.
Stump joined the managerial ranks in 1978 at West Haven and has led his clubs to the playoffs or to outright championships in five of the last seven years. He guided his 1978 and 1982 teams to league championships and was named manager of the Eastern League All-Star team in 1978. In 1980 Stump was Southern League Manager of the Year and All-Star Manager and led Nashville to a league record 97 wins.
He spends the fall and winter months as offensive backfield coach for the Bowdoin College football team in Brunswick and also enjoys officiating high school basketball."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
GENE MICHAEL (Coach)
"This is Gene Michael's second consecutive season coaching at third base, and he's back there again in 1985 because he proved he had quick intelligence and savvy in the job last year.
Michael's deep knowledge of the game comes from being a Yankee player (the regular shortstop from 1969-73), scout, manager (twice), administrative assistant, general manager and minor league manager. The man knows his baseball, and when the game's on the line and one of your players is heading for third on a single to center field, you want Gene Michael at third base telling him whether to hold up or go home.
You know he'll make the right decision."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Stick will be Yogi's third base coach again this year. He has been the field manager twice.
Gene was originally named Yankee manager on November 21, 1980. In 1981, the Yankees were 34-22 and leading the AL Eastern Division by two games on June 12 when the players' strike occurred. The Yankees were eventually declared first-half winners, qualifying for the Division Series in October. Gene was replaced by Bob Lemon as manager on September 6, 1981, yet was named manager of the Yankees for a second time on April 25, 1982, replacing Lemon; under Gene the team was 44-42 when Clyde King was named manager on August 3 of that year.
Stick had previously been Yankees General Manager, being named to that post on November 1, 1979 after serving as the field manager of the AAA Columbus Clippers in 1979. He guided the Clippers to regular season and postseason International League titles after starting the season with 10 straight wins. The Clippers finished 85-54.
Upon his retirement as a player in 1976, Gene was hired as a Yankee coach. He coached first base for the Yankees in 1978 after he had been a front office Administrative Assistant in 1977.
One of the most popular Yankees during his playing career, Gene was the club's regular shortstop from 1969-1973. He mastered the hidden ball trick, pulling it off five times with the Yankees. Gene was a close friend and roommate of the late Thurman Munson.
Gene graduated with a B.S. in education from Kent State where he played basketball. He was pursued by the New York Knicks to play pro basketball."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
MARK CONNOR (Coach)
"Mark Connor is credited with the fast development of Yankees pitchers Dennis Rasmussen, Clay Christiansen and Joe Cowley, and with the impressive transition of Dave Righetti from a starter to the Yankee stopper. He works hard with these bright, young players, and Connor gets annoyed when skeptics question their ability. 'Talk to me in October,' Connor says. 'I've got a lot of confidence in these guys and they've got a lot of confidence in themselves.'
This is Connor's first full season as a major league coach. He was promoted to the Yankees in June of '84 after spending over four years in the team's farm system. Now Connor and co-pitching coach Jeff Torborg plan to show critics of the Yankees pitching staff how wrong they were."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Connor was named pitching coach of the Yankees on June 18, 1984. He began the 1984 season in his second year as pitching coach for the Yankees' AAA Columbus farm club.
Mark graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York in 1967 and attended Manhattan College and Belmont Abbey College. He played most of his collegiate baseball at Manhattan and received the Topps Award as a college All-Star in 1970. Mark struck out 20 Columbia University batters in a 1971 game.
He spent two seasons in the Twins' minor league system. Mark joined the Yankees organization as a pitching coach at Greensboro in 1980; prior to that he coached at the high school and college level."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
JEFF TORBORG (Coach)
"It is evident that people are realizing the talent of Jeff Torborg. The Yankees' highly regarded pitching coach was believed to be the leading candidate for the manager job in Seattle, but when it seemed the Yanks might lose Torborg to the Mariners, Principal Owner George Steinbrenner stepped in. Feeling they had enough time to speak with Torborg, Steinbrenner withdrew permission given two weeks earlier for the Mariners to talk with him. And with that, Steinbrenner solidified the Yankees coaching staff for '85 by keeping one its biggest assets in New York.
Torborg, who like manager Yogi Berra has won a World Series as a player, would now like to win one as a coach with the Yankees. 'I'm an organization man,' says Torborg, who is in his seventh season as a Yankees coach. 'I appreciate my position with the Yankees.'
And if Steinbrenner's actions are any indication, the Yankees appreciate Jeff Torborg."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Torborg joined the Yankee coaching staff on August 1, 1979 after his dismissal as manager of the Indians on July 23. He had managed the Tribe since June 19, 1977 and prior to that was a coach for the Indians beginning with the 1975 season, serving under Frank Robinson.
Jeff played 10 years in the majors, seven with the Dodgers and three with the Angels. He played on the World Champion Dodgers in 1965 and on their NL pennant winner in 1966. He caught two no-hitters with the Dodgers, by Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Bill Singer in 1970, and also caught a Nolan Ryan no-hitter with the Angels in 1973; the major league record for no-hitters caught is four by Ray Schalk. Jeff was also behind the plate when Don Drysdale threw his fifth consecutive shutout in 1968 and caught Koufax and Ryan when they set single-season strikeout records. Jeff retired after the '73 season.
A native of northern Jersey, Jeff earned a B.S. in education from Rutgers and has a Masters degree in athletic administration from Montclair State. His thesis was on the effects of platooning in baseball. In his senior year at Rutgers, Jeff hit .537 to lead the NCAA in batting and set a record that still stands."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
LOU PINIELLA (Coach)
"When the Yankees turned their fortunes over to their young players in 1984, they were lucky to have veteran Lou Piniella around. Mike Pagliarulo, Bobby Meacham and Vic Mata are among those who credit batting coach Piniella for helping them develop into successful major league hitters.
Piniella, one of baseball's toughest and most respected hitters while a player, was immediately moved into the coaching ranks upon his retirement in June of 1984. With Piniella as the full-time hitting instructor, the Yankees boasted the top two AL hitters- Don Mattingly (.343) and Dave Winfield (.340). If last year's batting race was any indication of what he can do in only half a season as a coach, there's no telling what Sweet Lou Piniella can accomplish with Yankee hitters in a full season in 1985."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Piniella retired officially on June 17 last season and was named a Yankee coach. He was honored with Lou Piniella Day on August 5.
A consistent player, Lou was recognized as one of baseball's most professional hitters and was always tough for the Yankees in the clutch. His .295 lifetime batting average with the Yankees ranks him in the Yankee all-time top 10.
He was originally signed by Cleveland scout and former Yankee Spud Chandler. 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.
Lou was always an excellent postseason performer. In 1977 he hit safely in all five ALCS games and in 1978 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 was always one of the Yankees' most exciting players and fans welcomed 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."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
DOUG HOLMQUIST (Coach)
"Doug played four years in the Houston Colt .45 and Detroit Tiger organizations from 1962 through 1965. He joined the Yankees organization as manager at Ft. Lauderdale in 1978 and piloted three first-place clubs there. In 1980, Holmquist's club won the Florida State League championship.
At Greensboro in 1982, he managed the Hornets to first and second half titles and the South Atlantic League championship. Holmquist managed the Nashville Sounds to the second half Southern League title in '83 before leaving to become a coach for Buffalo (Cleveland organization) of the Eastern League in 1984.
Doug was named first base coach of the Yankees in June 1984. He will manage the Columbus Clippers in 1985."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
BILL MONBOUQUETTE (Coach)
"Bill set an American League record with 17 strikeouts in a night game on May 12, 1961, a mark later broken in 1974 by Nolan Ryan. He pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox on August 1, 1962. He was named to the American League All-Star team in 1960, 1962 and 1963. In 1963, Bill won 20 games for the Red Sox.
He scouted for the Yankees in 1969-74. After scouting and doing instructional work for the Yankees in 1984, Monbo becomes the pitching coach at Ft. Lauderdale in 1985."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Sunday, August 23, 2015
1985 New York Yankees Management Profiles
GENE MCHALE (President)
"In naming Gene McHale as President of the New York Yankees on January 5, 1983, Principal Owner George M. Steinbrenner said, 'In filling this key position, there was no need to look anywhere else but within the Yankee organization. Gene has a solid and proven administrative, business and financial background and has been a longtime employee of the Yankees.
'Much of the progress the Yankees have made in the areas of television, radio, publications, merchandising and ticketing is due to the efforts of him. The Yankees are proud to have employees of the caliber of Gene McHale and to promote from within the organization to fill this position.'
Eugene J. 'Gene' McHale, 46, has been with the Yankees since December 1972. As an employee of CBS, who then owned the Yankees, he was assigned to supervise the Yankee accounting department. When George Steinbrenner and associates purchased the Yankees from CBS in January 1973, McHale remained with the team as controller. He was named administrative vice-president in 1977. Before coming to the Yankees, he worked for seven years at CBS with responsibilities in financial and business affairs in their radio division.
A native of the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, McHale graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School several blocks away from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. He is a graduate of Fordham University and also served three years in the U.S. Navy. Gene is a resident of Locust Valley, New York."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
CLYDE KING (Vice-President and General Manager)
"On April 9, 1984 Clyde King was named Vice-President and General Manager of the New York Yankees. In making the announcement, Yankees Principal Owner George Steinbrenner said, 'Clyde is a great company man and is highly respected in the baseball community, both on and off the field. He is a man who has served the Yankees for nine years as a manager, coach and scout. He has been a total friend and confidant, and I think that he will be an outstanding general manager.'
King, 59, has been a member of the Yankee organization since 1975 in a variety of roles. He originally joined the Yankees as a special assignment scout, and his duties have included working and traveling with the team in 1978 and 1980. He served as interim Yankee manager from August 3, 1982 until the end of that season, compiling a 29-32 record. He began the 1982 season as an advance scout before being named pitching coach on June 11. He served in that capacity until being shifted to the front office on special assignments on July 19.
He managed the San Francisco Giants in 1969 and 1970, and the Atlanta Braves in 1974 and 1975. He also served for five years as a coach with the Reds, Cardinals and Pirates.
As a player, Clyde pitched in the majors for a total of seven years with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
WOODY WOODWARD (Vice-President of Baseball Administration)
"Woody Woodward was named the Yankees' Vice-President of Baseball Administration on October 22, 1984, replacing Bill Bergesch.
Woody came to the Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds where he was the assistant general manager. While with the Reds he handled player contract negotiations and was involved in all areas of player personnel work. He assumed his former position in November 1980 after two and half years as the Reds' minor league coordinator.
A former coach and All-America player at Florida State University, Woodward earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education. He coached his alma mater from 1975 to 1978, recording the second best winning percentage in Seminole history (170-57, .749 won-lost percentage).
As a professional player, Woodward spent eight and a half seasons in the major leagues as an infielder with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
"In naming Gene McHale as President of the New York Yankees on January 5, 1983, Principal Owner George M. Steinbrenner said, 'In filling this key position, there was no need to look anywhere else but within the Yankee organization. Gene has a solid and proven administrative, business and financial background and has been a longtime employee of the Yankees.
'Much of the progress the Yankees have made in the areas of television, radio, publications, merchandising and ticketing is due to the efforts of him. The Yankees are proud to have employees of the caliber of Gene McHale and to promote from within the organization to fill this position.'
Eugene J. 'Gene' McHale, 46, has been with the Yankees since December 1972. As an employee of CBS, who then owned the Yankees, he was assigned to supervise the Yankee accounting department. When George Steinbrenner and associates purchased the Yankees from CBS in January 1973, McHale remained with the team as controller. He was named administrative vice-president in 1977. Before coming to the Yankees, he worked for seven years at CBS with responsibilities in financial and business affairs in their radio division.
A native of the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, McHale graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School several blocks away from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. He is a graduate of Fordham University and also served three years in the U.S. Navy. Gene is a resident of Locust Valley, New York."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
CLYDE KING (Vice-President and General Manager)
"On April 9, 1984 Clyde King was named Vice-President and General Manager of the New York Yankees. In making the announcement, Yankees Principal Owner George Steinbrenner said, 'Clyde is a great company man and is highly respected in the baseball community, both on and off the field. He is a man who has served the Yankees for nine years as a manager, coach and scout. He has been a total friend and confidant, and I think that he will be an outstanding general manager.'
King, 59, has been a member of the Yankee organization since 1975 in a variety of roles. He originally joined the Yankees as a special assignment scout, and his duties have included working and traveling with the team in 1978 and 1980. He served as interim Yankee manager from August 3, 1982 until the end of that season, compiling a 29-32 record. He began the 1982 season as an advance scout before being named pitching coach on June 11. He served in that capacity until being shifted to the front office on special assignments on July 19.
He managed the San Francisco Giants in 1969 and 1970, and the Atlanta Braves in 1974 and 1975. He also served for five years as a coach with the Reds, Cardinals and Pirates.
As a player, Clyde pitched in the majors for a total of seven years with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
WOODY WOODWARD (Vice-President of Baseball Administration)
"Woody Woodward was named the Yankees' Vice-President of Baseball Administration on October 22, 1984, replacing Bill Bergesch.
Woody came to the Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds where he was the assistant general manager. While with the Reds he handled player contract negotiations and was involved in all areas of player personnel work. He assumed his former position in November 1980 after two and half years as the Reds' minor league coordinator.
A former coach and All-America player at Florida State University, Woodward earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education. He coached his alma mater from 1975 to 1978, recording the second best winning percentage in Seminole history (170-57, .749 won-lost percentage).
As a professional player, Woodward spent eight and a half seasons in the major leagues as an infielder with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Friday, August 21, 2015
1985 Profile: George Steinbrenner
Principal Owner
"Every young man searching for his own place in today's world would be well advised to heed the advice and example of sportsman, business executive and civic leader George M. Steinbrenner.
Steinbrenner, a national figure before he was 40, offers a succinct basic formula for success.
'Work as hard as you ask others to. Strive for what you believe is right, no matter the odds. Learn that mistakes can be the best teacher of all.' Certainly the meteoric career of this energetic son of a distinguished Great Lakes shipping family bears out the practical results of these simple beliefs.
In 1963, he entered the business world in earnest. In a way, it was a difficult adjustment for a man who had already been an assistant football coach at two Big Ten universities, Northwestern and Purdue, and put together national championship teams in both the National Industrial and American Basketball Leagues.
In the business world, Steinbrenner is Chairman of the American Shipbuilding Company which he and associates took over and revitalized in 1967. Under his early leadership American Ship tripled its annual revenues and since has climbed to the $200 million mark in annual sales.
In 1973, Steinbrenner put together the group which purchased the New York Yankees from CBS. As the Principal Owner, it took only five years for his keen foresight and aggressive leadership to turn the Yankees, once again, into World Champions.
Apart from corporate business and civic involvements, he devotes a great deal of time to his extensive interest in thoroughbred breeding and racing which includes his 800 acre stud farm in Florida, The Florida Breeders Sales Company and Florida Horse Magazine. In 1983 he was honored as the Industrialist of the Year in Florida."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
"Every young man searching for his own place in today's world would be well advised to heed the advice and example of sportsman, business executive and civic leader George M. Steinbrenner.
Steinbrenner, a national figure before he was 40, offers a succinct basic formula for success.
'Work as hard as you ask others to. Strive for what you believe is right, no matter the odds. Learn that mistakes can be the best teacher of all.' Certainly the meteoric career of this energetic son of a distinguished Great Lakes shipping family bears out the practical results of these simple beliefs.
In 1963, he entered the business world in earnest. In a way, it was a difficult adjustment for a man who had already been an assistant football coach at two Big Ten universities, Northwestern and Purdue, and put together national championship teams in both the National Industrial and American Basketball Leagues.
In the business world, Steinbrenner is Chairman of the American Shipbuilding Company which he and associates took over and revitalized in 1967. Under his early leadership American Ship tripled its annual revenues and since has climbed to the $200 million mark in annual sales.
In 1973, Steinbrenner put together the group which purchased the New York Yankees from CBS. As the Principal Owner, it took only five years for his keen foresight and aggressive leadership to turn the Yankees, once again, into World Champions.
Apart from corporate business and civic involvements, he devotes a great deal of time to his extensive interest in thoroughbred breeding and racing which includes his 800 acre stud farm in Florida, The Florida Breeders Sales Company and Florida Horse Magazine. In 1983 he was honored as the Industrialist of the Year in Florida."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
1985 New York Yankees Outlook
HITTING
"A Yankee attack that produced the second highest team batting average (.276) and fourth highest total of runs scored (758) in the AL last season should be even better in 1985 with the addition of Rickey Henderson from the A's. Henderson, who hit .293, led the AL in steals for the fifth year in a row with 66 in 1984. He is also a power threat as witnessed by his career 16 homers last year. And he's only 26.
Henderson is the perfect man to sit atop a Yankee lineup that is solid down the middle with Don Mattingly (.343, 23 homers, 110 RBI) and Dave Winfield (.340, 19 homers, 100 RBI), who finished one-two in the AL batting race, as well as DH Don Baylor (27 homers, 89 RBI).
Willie Randolph (.287) can now drop to the No. 2 position in the order, where he should benefit from hitting between Henderson and Mattingly. And with Bobby Meacham hitting ninth, the Yankees can string together three consecutive speedsters who can create havoc on the bases.
Now, if solid-hitting catcher Butch Wynegar remains strong enough to play approximately 140 games, the Yankees will again be able to call themselves the Bronx Bombers."'
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
PITCHING
"So much for the doubters. Converted starter Dave Righetti may not have liked pitching out of the bullpen, but the Yankees certainly liked the job he did (31 saves, 2.34 ERA). Somebody, however, will have to emerge to fill the void created by the inclusion of setup man Jay Howell in the package that brought Henderson from Oakland.
There is reason for hope that the rotation will be strong, but also reason for doubt. Phil Niekro (16-8, 3.09) had a fast start but a slow finish (5-4, 5.06 in the second half). Ron Guidry's 21 complete games in 1983 seemed to take a toll on his left arm last season, when he finished only five and posted a 10-11 record and a 4.51 ERA, the highest mark of his distinguished career. At age 34, can he bounce back?
Rookies Dennis Rasmussen (9-6, 4.57) and Joe Cowley (9-2, 3.56) made big impressions, but will they be as impressive the second time around? And will John Montefusco and Marty Bystrom every stay healthy for a full season? The addition of ex-Padre Ed Whitson (14-8, 3.24) via free agency should help."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
FIELDING
"Mattingly may not have been voted a Gold Glove, but he is as good as gold at first base. Winfield is a premier right fielder. But what about Henderson? He was a solid left fielder for the A's but can he make the move to center? He has the speed to play out there, of course, but there are still some adjustments and they won't be easy. Shortstop Meacham is solid, but third basemen Mike Pagliarulo and Dale Berra are ordinary. One of the better second basemen in the league, Randolph has lost several steps."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
OUTLOOK
"It is obvious that the Yankees, coming off an 87-75 season that was salvaged in the second half, are still playing the game one year at a time. They gutted their farm system to get Henderson, giving up four of their top five prospects.
Owner George Steinbrenner has stayed in the background for the past year, but if the Yankees don't step into the forefront early, heads will begin rolling again at Yankee Stadium. He's letting GM Clyde King and manager Yogi Berra do it their way- for now."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"New York's 1984 season ended in confusion, poor hitting and little starting pitching. And that was just through May.
For the rest of the season, the Yankees finally let their kids get a taste of the big time, conceding the AL East to the Tigers. While youngsters such as Joe Cowley, Jay Howell, Mike Pagliarulo, Vic Mata, Bobby Meacham, Dennis Rasmussen and Brian Dayett were allowed to display their wares, a pair of Yankee Doodle Dandy hitters were staging a remarkable battle for the AL batting title.
The team had sunk so low- thanks greatly to the meddling of owner George M. Steinbrenner- that team achievements were overshadowed by the nip-and-tuck race for glory staged by Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield.
Without any apparent malice, with total professionalism and even a common bond that few of us could comprehend, they seesawed in and out of the lead.
On the final day of the season, Mattingly- fittingly- went 4-for-5 to secure the batting title. He wound up at .343 with 91 runs, a league high 207 hits, 44 doubles (also No. 1 in the league), 23 homers, 110 ribbies (tied for fifth), a .537 slugging percentage (No. 2), .381 on-base percentage and the plaudits of baseball observers everywhere.
Winfield ended up at .340 with 106 runs, 193 hits, 34 doubles, 19 homers and 100 RBI.
Expect Winfield and Mattingly to be the centerpieces of Yogi Berra's team this year, too. Yes, Steinbrenner has deemed it fitting that Berra return, especially in light of New York's surging second half, when the Yankees won 59 games for the best 81-game record in the majors.
But it might be lightning-quick outfielder Rickey Henderson who might steal the show. The Yankees picked up the speedster from Oakland for Howell, Jose Rijo, Stan Javier and a pair of promising pitchers.
Henderson, the only man to steal 100 bases three times in the majors, adds a new dimension to New York's offense- speed. He'll score lots of runs and drive pitchers crazy.
Not many other veterans can feel safe. Despite hitting .287 with 86 runs, second baseman Willie Randolph is on the trading block. So are infielder Toby Harrah (.217) and outfielders Ken Griffey (.273) and Omar Moreno (.259, 20 steals).
Berra was happy with the showings of Pagliarulo (third base), Meacham (shortstop) and Mata (center field). They probably will start, though the Yankees still carry hopes that Andre Robertson will make a comeback from a near fatal auto accident of two years back.
Don Baylor (27 homers, 89 RBI) is a classy DH and team leader, one of the few free agents who has paid off for Steinbrenner.
The hitting came around for New York last year, and the Bronx Bombers were second in the AL with a .276 average, even if they were weak on the long ball (only 130 homers, with Mattingly, Baylor and Winfield accounting for 70).
The pitching didn't get going- except for Phil Niekro and reliever Dave Righetti- until it was too late. The Yanks were ranked third in the AL with a .3.78 ERA but that's deceiving.
Just as deceiving as Niekro's flutterball. The oldest player in the majors at 45, Niekro was 16-8, 3.09 with 136 K's in 216 innings and made the Braves look awfully silly for dumping him.
'Heck, I'm just reaching my prime,' he joked. 'I might be out there throwing the knuckleball when I'm 50.'
Righetti, transformed from a starter, went 5-6, 2.34 with 31 saves and 90 strikeouts in 96 innings. When Berra forgot about weak-armed vets Dale Murray and Mike Armstrong and turned to Howell as his other reliever, the big righty responded by going 9-4 with seven saves and 109 strikeouts in 104 innings.
Cowley pitched less than a half-season but went 9-2. Guidry was a vast disappointment at 10-11, 4.51 and his future is cloudy without Louisiana Lightning. The new fireballer from the left side is Rasmussen (9-6, 110 K's).
There should be a lot more to hold Yankee fans' interest than the batting race this year."
-Barry Wilner, Major League Baseball Yearbook 1985
"PROBLEMS: Problems, yet Yankee youngsters started a winning spark when they began to replace high-priced veterans after the mid-year All-Star break. The club fought back from this tough division's tail end to finish a strong third, almost catching Toronto in the season's final week.
Manager Yogi Berra will be back, at least for a while. He and owner George Steinbrenner spent the winter seeking solutions for a horrible center field situation, help for the starting rotation, and quality depth for the very thin infield troops.
PITCHING: Ageless Phil Niekro with his knuckleball was an early season savior for the then-faltering pinstripers. Yet Niekro fared poorly in the last half of the campaign, and he is given only a chancy shot at staying in the everyday rotation. Ron Guidry had his worst season in the majors and must come back sharply if he's to remain as a regular.
Kids Dennis Rasmussen and Joe Cowley were great in the stretch, joining Niekro and Guidry in starting roles. John Montefusco pitched well after coming back from an auto injury, but at 35 the right-hander is a questionable commodity. If no trade is made, rookie Clay Christiansen will get a longer look this spring at making the roster.
Dave Righetti dispelled all doubts about his switch to the bullpen, saving 31 games- the third highest save total in Yankee history. He prefers to start, but will probably stay with the relief corps unless Steinbrenner gets a Sutter or a Hernandez.
Ex-Cub Rich Bordi will be asked to help in the bullpen now that Ray Fontenot, Jay Howell and Jose Rijo are gone in last winter's trading. The Yanks picked up their needed center fielder in Rickey Henderson but the pitching is now highly suspect.
HITTING: Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield were one-two in the AL batting stats, while Butch Wynegar, Willie Randolph and DH Don Baylor supplied above average stick work. Though the club was second in the AL in team batting, run production suffered from the lack of a good leadoff man. Rickey Henderson will definitely resolve this problem, and Yogi's son, Dale Berra, will help as a platoon player at third.
There is a power shortage, however. Other than Mattingly, Winfield, Baylor and the departed Oscar Gamble, no Yank hit for homers in double figures. RBI totals for the infield were woeful.
INFIELD: Bobby Meacham proved conclusively that he's ready to take over at short, pairing well with veteran Randolph on the double play. No pop in his bat, but he's a better hitter than many other of today's major league shortstops.
Dale Berra will rotate with last year's rookie find Mike Pagliarulo at third. Pagliarulo was swifter at third than long-gone Roy Smalley, and Berra is better at third than as a shortstop- a position he had to play in Pittsburgh. Toby Harrah is still on hand if needed. There's pretty good depth and insurance now since Berra and Harrah can play short if necessary.
Moved from the outfield to first, Mattingly is a fixture and one of the bright young stars in the game. Baylor and outfielder Ken Griffey can relieve at first on occasion.
Wynegar is steady behind the plate and is solidly backed by former Cub Ron Hassey.
OUTFIELD: The outfield situation is still questionable even with the acquisition of Henderson. Rickey played left in Oakland and was unable to perform satisfactorily in center on a couple occasions when Dwayne Murphy was hurt. He will now have to do the job in New York.
Dave Winfield is a great right fielder, and he hits with proven authority. Ken Griffey was the left fielder for much of August and September, but could lose his job to youngsters Henry Cotto or Jay Buhner, who came as 'throw ins' in a couple of New York winter trades. With Kemp and Oscar Gamble gone, the depth is not strong beyond deposed center fielder Omar Moreno.
PROGNOSIS: The new Yankees are a coming and hungry club. Yet the holes and the unproven starting pitching keep most of the game's experts from picking them as serious contenders.
Still, one solid trade or the pickup of a free agent pitcher of the calibre of San Diego's Ed Whitson could do a lot to change the prospects quickly.
The guess is for a 4th place finish in a very tight pack with Boston, Detroit and Toronto."
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball 1985
"A Yankee attack that produced the second highest team batting average (.276) and fourth highest total of runs scored (758) in the AL last season should be even better in 1985 with the addition of Rickey Henderson from the A's. Henderson, who hit .293, led the AL in steals for the fifth year in a row with 66 in 1984. He is also a power threat as witnessed by his career 16 homers last year. And he's only 26.
Henderson is the perfect man to sit atop a Yankee lineup that is solid down the middle with Don Mattingly (.343, 23 homers, 110 RBI) and Dave Winfield (.340, 19 homers, 100 RBI), who finished one-two in the AL batting race, as well as DH Don Baylor (27 homers, 89 RBI).
Willie Randolph (.287) can now drop to the No. 2 position in the order, where he should benefit from hitting between Henderson and Mattingly. And with Bobby Meacham hitting ninth, the Yankees can string together three consecutive speedsters who can create havoc on the bases.
Now, if solid-hitting catcher Butch Wynegar remains strong enough to play approximately 140 games, the Yankees will again be able to call themselves the Bronx Bombers."'
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
PITCHING
"So much for the doubters. Converted starter Dave Righetti may not have liked pitching out of the bullpen, but the Yankees certainly liked the job he did (31 saves, 2.34 ERA). Somebody, however, will have to emerge to fill the void created by the inclusion of setup man Jay Howell in the package that brought Henderson from Oakland.
There is reason for hope that the rotation will be strong, but also reason for doubt. Phil Niekro (16-8, 3.09) had a fast start but a slow finish (5-4, 5.06 in the second half). Ron Guidry's 21 complete games in 1983 seemed to take a toll on his left arm last season, when he finished only five and posted a 10-11 record and a 4.51 ERA, the highest mark of his distinguished career. At age 34, can he bounce back?
Rookies Dennis Rasmussen (9-6, 4.57) and Joe Cowley (9-2, 3.56) made big impressions, but will they be as impressive the second time around? And will John Montefusco and Marty Bystrom every stay healthy for a full season? The addition of ex-Padre Ed Whitson (14-8, 3.24) via free agency should help."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
FIELDING
"Mattingly may not have been voted a Gold Glove, but he is as good as gold at first base. Winfield is a premier right fielder. But what about Henderson? He was a solid left fielder for the A's but can he make the move to center? He has the speed to play out there, of course, but there are still some adjustments and they won't be easy. Shortstop Meacham is solid, but third basemen Mike Pagliarulo and Dale Berra are ordinary. One of the better second basemen in the league, Randolph has lost several steps."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
OUTLOOK
"It is obvious that the Yankees, coming off an 87-75 season that was salvaged in the second half, are still playing the game one year at a time. They gutted their farm system to get Henderson, giving up four of their top five prospects.
Owner George Steinbrenner has stayed in the background for the past year, but if the Yankees don't step into the forefront early, heads will begin rolling again at Yankee Stadium. He's letting GM Clyde King and manager Yogi Berra do it their way- for now."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"New York's 1984 season ended in confusion, poor hitting and little starting pitching. And that was just through May.
For the rest of the season, the Yankees finally let their kids get a taste of the big time, conceding the AL East to the Tigers. While youngsters such as Joe Cowley, Jay Howell, Mike Pagliarulo, Vic Mata, Bobby Meacham, Dennis Rasmussen and Brian Dayett were allowed to display their wares, a pair of Yankee Doodle Dandy hitters were staging a remarkable battle for the AL batting title.
The team had sunk so low- thanks greatly to the meddling of owner George M. Steinbrenner- that team achievements were overshadowed by the nip-and-tuck race for glory staged by Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield.
Without any apparent malice, with total professionalism and even a common bond that few of us could comprehend, they seesawed in and out of the lead.
On the final day of the season, Mattingly- fittingly- went 4-for-5 to secure the batting title. He wound up at .343 with 91 runs, a league high 207 hits, 44 doubles (also No. 1 in the league), 23 homers, 110 ribbies (tied for fifth), a .537 slugging percentage (No. 2), .381 on-base percentage and the plaudits of baseball observers everywhere.
Winfield ended up at .340 with 106 runs, 193 hits, 34 doubles, 19 homers and 100 RBI.
Expect Winfield and Mattingly to be the centerpieces of Yogi Berra's team this year, too. Yes, Steinbrenner has deemed it fitting that Berra return, especially in light of New York's surging second half, when the Yankees won 59 games for the best 81-game record in the majors.
But it might be lightning-quick outfielder Rickey Henderson who might steal the show. The Yankees picked up the speedster from Oakland for Howell, Jose Rijo, Stan Javier and a pair of promising pitchers.
Henderson, the only man to steal 100 bases three times in the majors, adds a new dimension to New York's offense- speed. He'll score lots of runs and drive pitchers crazy.
Not many other veterans can feel safe. Despite hitting .287 with 86 runs, second baseman Willie Randolph is on the trading block. So are infielder Toby Harrah (.217) and outfielders Ken Griffey (.273) and Omar Moreno (.259, 20 steals).
Berra was happy with the showings of Pagliarulo (third base), Meacham (shortstop) and Mata (center field). They probably will start, though the Yankees still carry hopes that Andre Robertson will make a comeback from a near fatal auto accident of two years back.
Don Baylor (27 homers, 89 RBI) is a classy DH and team leader, one of the few free agents who has paid off for Steinbrenner.
The hitting came around for New York last year, and the Bronx Bombers were second in the AL with a .276 average, even if they were weak on the long ball (only 130 homers, with Mattingly, Baylor and Winfield accounting for 70).
The pitching didn't get going- except for Phil Niekro and reliever Dave Righetti- until it was too late. The Yanks were ranked third in the AL with a .3.78 ERA but that's deceiving.
Just as deceiving as Niekro's flutterball. The oldest player in the majors at 45, Niekro was 16-8, 3.09 with 136 K's in 216 innings and made the Braves look awfully silly for dumping him.
'Heck, I'm just reaching my prime,' he joked. 'I might be out there throwing the knuckleball when I'm 50.'
Righetti, transformed from a starter, went 5-6, 2.34 with 31 saves and 90 strikeouts in 96 innings. When Berra forgot about weak-armed vets Dale Murray and Mike Armstrong and turned to Howell as his other reliever, the big righty responded by going 9-4 with seven saves and 109 strikeouts in 104 innings.
Cowley pitched less than a half-season but went 9-2. Guidry was a vast disappointment at 10-11, 4.51 and his future is cloudy without Louisiana Lightning. The new fireballer from the left side is Rasmussen (9-6, 110 K's).
There should be a lot more to hold Yankee fans' interest than the batting race this year."
-Barry Wilner, Major League Baseball Yearbook 1985
"PROBLEMS: Problems, yet Yankee youngsters started a winning spark when they began to replace high-priced veterans after the mid-year All-Star break. The club fought back from this tough division's tail end to finish a strong third, almost catching Toronto in the season's final week.
Manager Yogi Berra will be back, at least for a while. He and owner George Steinbrenner spent the winter seeking solutions for a horrible center field situation, help for the starting rotation, and quality depth for the very thin infield troops.
PITCHING: Ageless Phil Niekro with his knuckleball was an early season savior for the then-faltering pinstripers. Yet Niekro fared poorly in the last half of the campaign, and he is given only a chancy shot at staying in the everyday rotation. Ron Guidry had his worst season in the majors and must come back sharply if he's to remain as a regular.
Kids Dennis Rasmussen and Joe Cowley were great in the stretch, joining Niekro and Guidry in starting roles. John Montefusco pitched well after coming back from an auto injury, but at 35 the right-hander is a questionable commodity. If no trade is made, rookie Clay Christiansen will get a longer look this spring at making the roster.
Dave Righetti dispelled all doubts about his switch to the bullpen, saving 31 games- the third highest save total in Yankee history. He prefers to start, but will probably stay with the relief corps unless Steinbrenner gets a Sutter or a Hernandez.
Ex-Cub Rich Bordi will be asked to help in the bullpen now that Ray Fontenot, Jay Howell and Jose Rijo are gone in last winter's trading. The Yanks picked up their needed center fielder in Rickey Henderson but the pitching is now highly suspect.
HITTING: Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield were one-two in the AL batting stats, while Butch Wynegar, Willie Randolph and DH Don Baylor supplied above average stick work. Though the club was second in the AL in team batting, run production suffered from the lack of a good leadoff man. Rickey Henderson will definitely resolve this problem, and Yogi's son, Dale Berra, will help as a platoon player at third.
There is a power shortage, however. Other than Mattingly, Winfield, Baylor and the departed Oscar Gamble, no Yank hit for homers in double figures. RBI totals for the infield were woeful.
INFIELD: Bobby Meacham proved conclusively that he's ready to take over at short, pairing well with veteran Randolph on the double play. No pop in his bat, but he's a better hitter than many other of today's major league shortstops.
Dale Berra will rotate with last year's rookie find Mike Pagliarulo at third. Pagliarulo was swifter at third than long-gone Roy Smalley, and Berra is better at third than as a shortstop- a position he had to play in Pittsburgh. Toby Harrah is still on hand if needed. There's pretty good depth and insurance now since Berra and Harrah can play short if necessary.
Moved from the outfield to first, Mattingly is a fixture and one of the bright young stars in the game. Baylor and outfielder Ken Griffey can relieve at first on occasion.
Wynegar is steady behind the plate and is solidly backed by former Cub Ron Hassey.
OUTFIELD: The outfield situation is still questionable even with the acquisition of Henderson. Rickey played left in Oakland and was unable to perform satisfactorily in center on a couple occasions when Dwayne Murphy was hurt. He will now have to do the job in New York.
Dave Winfield is a great right fielder, and he hits with proven authority. Ken Griffey was the left fielder for much of August and September, but could lose his job to youngsters Henry Cotto or Jay Buhner, who came as 'throw ins' in a couple of New York winter trades. With Kemp and Oscar Gamble gone, the depth is not strong beyond deposed center fielder Omar Moreno.
PROGNOSIS: The new Yankees are a coming and hungry club. Yet the holes and the unproven starting pitching keep most of the game's experts from picking them as serious contenders.
Still, one solid trade or the pickup of a free agent pitcher of the calibre of San Diego's Ed Whitson could do a lot to change the prospects quickly.
The guess is for a 4th place finish in a very tight pack with Boston, Detroit and Toronto."
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball 1985
Monday, August 17, 2015
1985 New York Yankees Spring Training Roster
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Manager - Yogi Berra 8
No. Coaches
52 Mark Connor
42 Stump Merrill
40 Gene Michael
14 Lou Piniella
44 Jeff Torborg
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R)
43 Rich Bordi (R-R)
50 Marty Bystrom (R-R)
67 Clay Christiansen (R-R)
41 Joe Cowley (R-R)
68 Jim Deshaies (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
26 John Montefusco (R-R)
48 Dale Murray (R-R)
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
47 Alfonso Pulido (L-L)
45 Dennis Rasmussen (L-L)
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
38 Ed Whitson (R-R)
No. Catchers
34 Scott Bradley (L-R)
12 Ron Hassey (L-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Dale Berra (R-R)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
56 Rex Hudler (R-R)
23 Don Mattingly (L-L)
20 Bobby Meacham (S-R)
6 Mike Pagliarulo (L-R)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
18 Andre Robertson (R-R)
13 Keith Smith (S-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
24 Rickey Henderson (R-L)
17 Vic Mata (R-R)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
21 Dan Pasqua (L-L)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
53 Matt Winters (L-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Manager - Yogi Berra 8
No. Coaches
52 Mark Connor
42 Stump Merrill
40 Gene Michael
14 Lou Piniella
44 Jeff Torborg
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R)
43 Rich Bordi (R-R)
50 Marty Bystrom (R-R)
67 Clay Christiansen (R-R)
41 Joe Cowley (R-R)
68 Jim Deshaies (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
26 John Montefusco (R-R)
48 Dale Murray (R-R)
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
47 Alfonso Pulido (L-L)
45 Dennis Rasmussen (L-L)
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
38 Ed Whitson (R-R)
No. Catchers
34 Scott Bradley (L-R)
12 Ron Hassey (L-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Dale Berra (R-R)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
56 Rex Hudler (R-R)
23 Don Mattingly (L-L)
20 Bobby Meacham (S-R)
6 Mike Pagliarulo (L-R)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
18 Andre Robertson (R-R)
13 Keith Smith (S-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
24 Rickey Henderson (R-L)
17 Vic Mata (R-R)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
21 Dan Pasqua (L-L)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
53 Matt Winters (L-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Sunday, August 16, 2015
1984 New York Yankees September Roster
Manager - Yogi Berra 8
No. Coaches
52 Mark Connor
42 Doug Holmquist
40 Gene Michael
14 Lou Piniella
44 Jeff Torborg
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R)
53 Marty Bystrom (R-R)
67 Clay Christiansen (R-R)
41 Joe Cowley (R-R)
47 Ray Fontenot (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
50 Jay Howell (R-R)
54 Rudy May (L-L) *
24 John Montefusco (R-R)
48 Dale Murray (R-R)
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
45 Dennis Rasmussen (L-L)
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
No. Catchers
34 Scott Bradley (L-R)
10 Rick Cerone (R-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Tim Foli (R-R)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
56 Rex Hudler (R-R)
23 Don Mattingly (L-L)
20 Bobby Meacham (S-R)
46 Mike Pagliarulo (L-R)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
18 Andre Robertson (R-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
62 Brian Dayett (R-R)
17 Oscar Gamble (L-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
21 Steve Kemp (L-L)
55 Vic Mata (R-R)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Batting Practice Pitchers - Mark Batchko 57, John Moller 58
Bullpen Catcher - Dom Scala 51
1984 NEW YORK YANKEES TEAM PHOTO
Mike Armstrong
Mike Barnett (video operator)
Don Baylor
Yogi Berra (Manager)
Marty Bystrom
Rick Cerone
Mark Connor (coach)
Joe Cowley
Brian Dayett
Tim Foli
Ray Fontenot
Oscar Gamble
Michael Greco (batboy)
Ken Griffey
Ron Guidry
Toby Harrah
Doug Holmquist (coach)
Jay Howell
Bill Kane (traveling secretary)
Steve Kemp
Mark Letendre (assistant trainer)
Jeff Mangold (strength and conditioning coach)
Vic Mata
Don Mattingly
Bobby Meacham
Gene Michael (coach)
Gene Monahan (trainer)
John Montefusco
Omar Moreno
Phil Niekro
Mike Pagliarulo
Brian Perry (batboy)
Lou Piniella (coach)
Willie Randolph
Dennis Rasmussen
John Reshotnik (batboy)
Dave Righetti
Dom Scala (bullpen catcher)
Pete Sheehy (equipment manager)
Bob Shirley
Jeff Torborg (coach)
Dave Winfield
Butch Wynegar
No. Coaches
52 Mark Connor
42 Doug Holmquist
40 Gene Michael
14 Lou Piniella
44 Jeff Torborg
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R)
53 Marty Bystrom (R-R)
67 Clay Christiansen (R-R)
41 Joe Cowley (R-R)
47 Ray Fontenot (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
50 Jay Howell (R-R)
54 Rudy May (L-L) *
24 John Montefusco (R-R)
48 Dale Murray (R-R)
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
45 Dennis Rasmussen (L-L)
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
No. Catchers
34 Scott Bradley (L-R)
10 Rick Cerone (R-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Tim Foli (R-R)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
56 Rex Hudler (R-R)
23 Don Mattingly (L-L)
20 Bobby Meacham (S-R)
46 Mike Pagliarulo (L-R)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
18 Andre Robertson (R-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
62 Brian Dayett (R-R)
17 Oscar Gamble (L-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
21 Steve Kemp (L-L)
55 Vic Mata (R-R)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Batting Practice Pitchers - Mark Batchko 57, John Moller 58
Bullpen Catcher - Dom Scala 51
1984 NEW YORK YANKEES TEAM PHOTO
Mike Armstrong
Mike Barnett (video operator)
Don Baylor
Yogi Berra (Manager)
Marty Bystrom
Rick Cerone
Mark Connor (coach)
Joe Cowley
Brian Dayett
Tim Foli
Ray Fontenot
Oscar Gamble
Michael Greco (batboy)
Ken Griffey
Ron Guidry
Toby Harrah
Doug Holmquist (coach)
Jay Howell
Bill Kane (traveling secretary)
Steve Kemp
Mark Letendre (assistant trainer)
Jeff Mangold (strength and conditioning coach)
Vic Mata
Don Mattingly
Bobby Meacham
Gene Michael (coach)
Gene Monahan (trainer)
John Montefusco
Omar Moreno
Phil Niekro
Mike Pagliarulo
Brian Perry (batboy)
Lou Piniella (coach)
Willie Randolph
Dennis Rasmussen
John Reshotnik (batboy)
Dave Righetti
Dom Scala (bullpen catcher)
Pete Sheehy (equipment manager)
Bob Shirley
Jeff Torborg (coach)
Dave Winfield
Butch Wynegar
1984 New York Yankees July 1 Roster
Manager - Yogi Berra 8
No. Coaches
52 Mark Connor
42 Doug Holmquist
40 Gene Michael
14 Lou Piniella
44 Jeff Torborg
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R)
67 Clay Christiansen (R-R)
47 Ray Fontenot (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
50 Jay Howell (R-R)
54 Rudy May (L-L) *
24 John Montefusco (R-R) *
48 Dale Murray (R-R) *
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
45 Dennis Rasmussen (L-L)
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
38 Jose Rijo (R-R)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
No. Catchers
10 Rick Cerone (R-R) *
58 Mike O'Berry (R-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Tim Foli (R-R)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
23 Don Mattingly (L-L)
20 Bobby Meacham (S-R)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
12 Roy Smalley (S-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
62 Brian Dayett (R-R)
17 Oscar Gamble (L-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
21 Steve Kemp (L-L)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Batting Practice Pitchers - Mark Batchko 57, John Moller 34
Bullpen Catcher - Dom Scala 51
* not on active roster
SCOREBOOK & SOUVENIR PROGRAM PORTRAIT PHOTOS
Mike Armstrong (P) 36
Don Baylor (DH) 25
Rick Cerone (C) 10
Clay Christiansen (P) 67
Brian Dayett (OF) 62
Tim Foli (IF) (2B-SS) 2
Ray Fontenot (P) 47
Oscar Gamble (DH-OF) 17
Ken Griffey (CF) 33
Ron Guidry (P) 49
Toby Harrah (3B) 11
Jay Howell (P) 50
Steve Kemp (LF) 21
Don Mattingly (1B) 23
Rudy May (P) 54
Bobby Meacham (SS) 20
John Montefusco (P) 24
Omar Moreno (OF) 22
Dale Murray (P) 48
Phil Niekro (P) 35
Mike O'Berry (C) 58
Willie Randolph (2B) 30
Dennis Rasmussen (P) 45
Dave Righetti (P) 19
Jose Rijo (P) 38
Andre Robertson (SS) 18
Bob Shirley
Roy Smalley (1B) 12
Dave Winfield (RF) 31
Butch Wynegar (C) 27
No. Coaches
52 Mark Connor
42 Doug Holmquist
40 Gene Michael
14 Lou Piniella
44 Jeff Torborg
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R)
67 Clay Christiansen (R-R)
47 Ray Fontenot (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
50 Jay Howell (R-R)
54 Rudy May (L-L) *
24 John Montefusco (R-R) *
48 Dale Murray (R-R) *
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
45 Dennis Rasmussen (L-L)
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
38 Jose Rijo (R-R)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
No. Catchers
10 Rick Cerone (R-R) *
58 Mike O'Berry (R-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Tim Foli (R-R)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
23 Don Mattingly (L-L)
20 Bobby Meacham (S-R)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
12 Roy Smalley (S-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
62 Brian Dayett (R-R)
17 Oscar Gamble (L-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
21 Steve Kemp (L-L)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Batting Practice Pitchers - Mark Batchko 57, John Moller 34
Bullpen Catcher - Dom Scala 51
* not on active roster
SCOREBOOK & SOUVENIR PROGRAM PORTRAIT PHOTOS
Mike Armstrong (P) 36
Don Baylor (DH) 25
Rick Cerone (C) 10
Clay Christiansen (P) 67
Brian Dayett (OF) 62
Tim Foli (IF) (2B-SS) 2
Ray Fontenot (P) 47
Oscar Gamble (DH-OF) 17
Ken Griffey (CF) 33
Ron Guidry (P) 49
Toby Harrah (3B) 11
Jay Howell (P) 50
Steve Kemp (LF) 21
Don Mattingly (1B) 23
Rudy May (P) 54
Bobby Meacham (SS) 20
John Montefusco (P) 24
Omar Moreno (OF) 22
Dale Murray (P) 48
Phil Niekro (P) 35
Mike O'Berry (C) 58
Willie Randolph (2B) 30
Dennis Rasmussen (P) 45
Dave Righetti (P) 19
Jose Rijo (P) 38
Andre Robertson (SS) 18
Bob Shirley
Roy Smalley (1B) 12
Dave Winfield (RF) 31
Butch Wynegar (C) 27
1984 New York Yankees June 1 Roster
Manager - Yogi Berra 8
No. Coaches
41 Sammy Ellis
42 Jerry McNertney
40 Gene Michael
44 Jeff Torborg
6 Roy White
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R) *
56 Curt Brown (R-R)
67 Clay Christiansen (R-R)
47 Ray Fontenot (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
50 Jay Howell (R-R)
54 Rudy May (L-L) *
24 John Montefusco (R-R) *
48 Dale Murray (R-R) *
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
45 Dennis Rasmussen (L-L)
26 Shane Rawley (L-L) *
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
38 Jose Rijo (R-R)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
No. Catchers
10 Rick Cerone (R-R) *
58 Mike O'Berry (R-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Tim Foli (R-R)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
23 Don Mattingly (L-L)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
18 Andre Robertson (R-R)
12 Roy Smalley (S-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
17 Oscar Gamble (L-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
21 Steve Kemp (L-L)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
14 Lou Piniella (R-R)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Batting Practice Pitchers - Doug Melvin 57, John Moller 34
Batting Practice Catcher - Mike Barnett 59
Bullpen Catcher - Dom Scala 51
* not on active roster
No. Coaches
41 Sammy Ellis
42 Jerry McNertney
40 Gene Michael
44 Jeff Torborg
6 Roy White
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R) *
56 Curt Brown (R-R)
67 Clay Christiansen (R-R)
47 Ray Fontenot (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
50 Jay Howell (R-R)
54 Rudy May (L-L) *
24 John Montefusco (R-R) *
48 Dale Murray (R-R) *
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
45 Dennis Rasmussen (L-L)
26 Shane Rawley (L-L) *
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
38 Jose Rijo (R-R)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
No. Catchers
10 Rick Cerone (R-R) *
58 Mike O'Berry (R-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Tim Foli (R-R)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
23 Don Mattingly (L-L)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
18 Andre Robertson (R-R)
12 Roy Smalley (S-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
17 Oscar Gamble (L-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
21 Steve Kemp (L-L)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
14 Lou Piniella (R-R)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Batting Practice Pitchers - Doug Melvin 57, John Moller 34
Batting Practice Catcher - Mike Barnett 59
Bullpen Catcher - Dom Scala 51
* not on active roster
Saturday, August 15, 2015
1984 New York Yankees Scorecard and Program Notes
WELCOME
"Welcome to the 82nd season of Yankee baseball.
New York joined the American League in 1903 as the 'Highlanders.' Around 1913 the nickname 'Yankees' was adopted and a couple of years later pinstripes appeared on their uniforms. Their first American League pennant was won in 1921 and they claimed their first World Championship in 1923. In 1929, the Yankees were the first team to add numbers to the backs of their uniforms. Yankee 'Pride and Tradition' was on its way.
The New York Yankees are clearly the most dominant team in the history of professional sports, having won 22 World Championships and 33 American League pennants in 81 years.
The Yankees wear the most famous uniform in sports, the Yankee pinstripes. Pinstripes first appeared on the uniforms in 1915 and have been worn by scores of outstanding players since, a total of 25 of whom are enshrined in Baseball's Hall of Fame.
The Yankees were the first team to retire a uniform number (Lou Gehrig's #4 in 1939) and have since retired seven more in tribute to their greatest legends.
In addition, the Yankees play in the most famous sporting arena in the United States- Yankee Stadium, the 'House that Ruth Built.' Yankee Stadium first opened in 1923 and the Yankees went on to win their first World Championship that year. This magnificent park, reconstructed between October 1973 and April 1976, boasts the greatest features in comfort and enjoyment for fans, while retaining its historic character.
Since the re-opening of Yankee Stadium in 1976, the Yankees have strengthened their tradition, winning two World Championships, four American League pennants and five A.L. East Division titles during the past eight seasons.
In 1903 Lefty Davis was the first player to represent New York in the American League, with the legendary Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig-Joe DiMaggio-Mickey Mantle link forming a tradition of greatness. Some 984 players later, the 1984 Yankees proudly wear the same uniforms, play in the same ballpark, in the same great city and carry on the same traditions established when they won their first World Championship.
We take great pride in welcoming you to the 82nd season of Yankee baseball ... be a part of it ... there is none better."
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
ALL-STAR VOTING
"Start thinking about who you will be selecting for this year's American and National League All-Star teams. Balloting begins on May 18. This year the Yankees with eight nominees have more players on the ballot than any other AL club. In addition to Ken Griffey, Willie Randolph, Tim Foli, Toby Harrah, Butch Wynegar, Don Baylor, Steve Kemp and Dave Winfield, fans will again be able to write in names of their favorite players not listed on the ballot. This year's All-Star classic will be held in San Francisco's Candlestick Park on July 10."
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
POLISH-AMERICAN NIGHT
"You'll want to be on hand at Yankee Stadium on August 9 when the Yankees take on the Chicago White Sox. The night has been proclaimed Polish-American Night in honor of Yankee pitching great Phil Niekro. The nation's No. 1 Polka band, Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra, will be performing the 'Hey, Niekro Polka' prior to the game."
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
THANKS A MILLION
"On July 19, when the Yankees drew 20,283 fans to see their game with the Minnesota Twins, the one millionth fan passed through the turnstiles ... it put the Yankees over the 1 million mark for the 12th consecutive year, 38th time in the last 39 years and the 47th time in Yankee history ... the Yankees say, 'Thanks a million.'"
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
GROUND RULES
"Foul poles are outside the playing field. Any batted ball hitting a foul pole above the fence line is a home run. Bat racks are within the dugouts.
Any thrown ball hitting a dugout railing or foundation and rebounding on the field is in play. A ball going into the dugout or hitting other parts of the dugout- out of play."
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
AMERICAN LEAGUE UMPIRES
2 Bremigan
3 Evans
4 Springstead
6 Neudecker
7 Phillips
8 McKean
9 Kunkel
10 McCoy
11 Denkinger
12 Cooney
13 Cousins
14 Palermo
15 Brinkman
17 Hirschbeck
18 Kosc
19 Garcia
20 Ford
21 Kaiser
22 Barnett
23 Reed
24 Clark
25 Johnson
26 Voltaggio
27 Roe
29 Shulock
31 Reilly
33 Merrill
34 Morrison
35 Hendry
36 McClellan
37 Coble
VISITING STARS
Floyd Bannister (Chicago White Sox)
George Brett (Kansas City Royals)
Mike Hargrove (Cleveland Indians)
Rickey Henderson (Oakland Athletics)
Charlie Hough (Texas Rangers)
Kent Hrbek (Minnesota Twins)
Tommy John (California Angels)
Lance Parrish (Detroit Tigers)
Jim Rice (Boston Red Sox)
Cal Ripken, Jr. (Baltimore Orioles)
Dave Stieb (Toronto Blue Jays)
Robin Yount (Milwaukee Brewers)
Richie Zisk (Seattle Mariners)
1984 NEW YORK YANKEES HOME OF CHAMPIONS RADIO NETWORK
NEW YORK
New York City (WABC) (flagship station)
Albany (WROW)
Batavia (WBTA)
Binghamton (WKOP)
Cortland (WKRT)
Dansville (WDNY)
Dunkirk (WDOE)
Geneva (WGVA)
Glens Falls (WBZA)
Gloversville (WENT)
Ithaca (WTKO)
Jamestown (WKSN)
Lockport (WLVL)
Olean (WBJZ)
Oneonta (WSRK)
Plattsburgh (WIRY)
Schenectady (WWWD)
Seneca Falls (WSFW)
Syracuse (WSYR)
Utica (WIBX)
Walton (WDLA)
Watertown (WTNY)
CONNECTICUT
Ansonia (WADS)
Hartford (WPOP)
Meridan (WMMW)
New London (WNLC)
Waterbury (WATR)
FLORIDA
Miami (WIOD)
West Palm Beach (WEAT)
LOUISIANA
Lafayette (KPEL)
New Orleans (WWIW)
MASSACHUSETTS
East Longmeadow (WIXY)
Pittsfield (WBEC)
NORTH CAROLINA
Raleigh (WPTF)
PENNSYLVANIA
Sayre (WATS/WAVR)
Scranton (WBQW)
Wilkes-Barre (WBAX)
Williamsport (WWPA)
VERMONT
Burlington (WDOT)
Montpelier (WSKI)
1984 NEW YORK YANKEES TELEVISION NETWORK
New York, New York (WPIX) (originating station)
Albany, New York (WTEN)
Albuquerque, New Mexico (KGSW)
Buffalo, New York (WUTV)
Denver Colorado (KWGN)
Jacksonville, Florida (WAWS)
Miami, Florida (WCIX)
Ocala, Florida (WBSP)
Pensacola, Florida (WPMI)
Rochester, NY (WVHF)
Tampa, FL (WTOG)
West Palm Beach, Florida (WFLX)
ADVERTISEMENTS
-11 Alive: Your Yankees Station
-1984 Official New York Yankees Publications
-Alka-Seltzer: It was a good game, but it's good to be home.
-Army Football: More Than Just A Game
-Bay Harbor Inn: Every link in a chain looks the same. Aren't you tired of the same old look?
-Beck's: Beck's. The most famous German word in the English language.
-Bic: The shave that saves.
-Bud Light: No Room For Compromise
-Budweiser: Baseball Fans ... this Bud's for you.
-Canon AE-1: Nobody has been able to make fine photography this simple. Until now.
-Chemical Bank: The chemistry's just right at Chemical.
-Citibank: Pride Of The Citi
-County Time Lemonade
-Dawson Blended Scotch Whisky: Hae the best but dinna go broke.
-French's: America's Favorite Mustard
-Gatorade: The Major League Relief Ace
-Getty: Unleaded Only. For Less.
-Glass Oven Bakery: A "warm welcome" to Yankee Stadium from your Glass Oven Bakery.
-Goldome: New York's Financial Home
-Heineken: Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken.
-Homelite/Jacobsen: Major league lawns deserve major league attention.
-IBM PCjr: How To Plug Your Family Into Modern Times
-Joey's: Infants' and Children's Wear
-Kool-Aid: America's #1 Relief Pitcher
-Long Island Savings Bank: Invest with a bank that has a Long Island presence ... instead of an old world past.
-Manufacturers Hanover Trust: Our facts make your money worth more.
-Marlboro: Come to where the flavor is.
-Maxell: It's worth it.
-Miller High Life: The best beer for the best time of the day.
-Mitsubishi: Even if you can't have the best of everything, you can have the best of something.
-MSG Network: We bring legends to living rooms.
-New York Life
-New York Telephone Yellow Pages: Where would you be without it?
-Old Milwaukee and Old Milwaukee Light: Teammates
-The Playing Field: Authentic Sports Apparel
-Real Sports: Only from Atari
-Riunite: Like love it's pure and natural.
-Roche: Don't take chances. Take a supplement.
-Rolaids: In 1983 the Yankees spelled relief R-O-L-A-I-D-S.
-Speedy Muffler King
-Sportschannel: We've got New York sports covered.
-Stroh's and Stroh Light: Double Play
-Sun Giant Almonds and Pistachios: Great Double Play
-Ticket World: Now getting great seats is a whole new ball game.
-Toyota: Oh what a feeling!
-True: True cracks the taste barrier!
-TWA: Great Seats. 35,000 Feet Above Field Level.
-WABC Talkradio 77AM: When you can't come to the park ... park yourself at 77 AM.
-Windjammer
-Xerox
-Yankees Clubhouse
-Yankees Magazine
"Welcome to the 82nd season of Yankee baseball.
New York joined the American League in 1903 as the 'Highlanders.' Around 1913 the nickname 'Yankees' was adopted and a couple of years later pinstripes appeared on their uniforms. Their first American League pennant was won in 1921 and they claimed their first World Championship in 1923. In 1929, the Yankees were the first team to add numbers to the backs of their uniforms. Yankee 'Pride and Tradition' was on its way.
The New York Yankees are clearly the most dominant team in the history of professional sports, having won 22 World Championships and 33 American League pennants in 81 years.
The Yankees wear the most famous uniform in sports, the Yankee pinstripes. Pinstripes first appeared on the uniforms in 1915 and have been worn by scores of outstanding players since, a total of 25 of whom are enshrined in Baseball's Hall of Fame.
The Yankees were the first team to retire a uniform number (Lou Gehrig's #4 in 1939) and have since retired seven more in tribute to their greatest legends.
In addition, the Yankees play in the most famous sporting arena in the United States- Yankee Stadium, the 'House that Ruth Built.' Yankee Stadium first opened in 1923 and the Yankees went on to win their first World Championship that year. This magnificent park, reconstructed between October 1973 and April 1976, boasts the greatest features in comfort and enjoyment for fans, while retaining its historic character.
Since the re-opening of Yankee Stadium in 1976, the Yankees have strengthened their tradition, winning two World Championships, four American League pennants and five A.L. East Division titles during the past eight seasons.
In 1903 Lefty Davis was the first player to represent New York in the American League, with the legendary Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig-Joe DiMaggio-Mickey Mantle link forming a tradition of greatness. Some 984 players later, the 1984 Yankees proudly wear the same uniforms, play in the same ballpark, in the same great city and carry on the same traditions established when they won their first World Championship.
We take great pride in welcoming you to the 82nd season of Yankee baseball ... be a part of it ... there is none better."
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
ALL-STAR VOTING
"Start thinking about who you will be selecting for this year's American and National League All-Star teams. Balloting begins on May 18. This year the Yankees with eight nominees have more players on the ballot than any other AL club. In addition to Ken Griffey, Willie Randolph, Tim Foli, Toby Harrah, Butch Wynegar, Don Baylor, Steve Kemp and Dave Winfield, fans will again be able to write in names of their favorite players not listed on the ballot. This year's All-Star classic will be held in San Francisco's Candlestick Park on July 10."
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
POLISH-AMERICAN NIGHT
"You'll want to be on hand at Yankee Stadium on August 9 when the Yankees take on the Chicago White Sox. The night has been proclaimed Polish-American Night in honor of Yankee pitching great Phil Niekro. The nation's No. 1 Polka band, Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra, will be performing the 'Hey, Niekro Polka' prior to the game."
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
THANKS A MILLION
"On July 19, when the Yankees drew 20,283 fans to see their game with the Minnesota Twins, the one millionth fan passed through the turnstiles ... it put the Yankees over the 1 million mark for the 12th consecutive year, 38th time in the last 39 years and the 47th time in Yankee history ... the Yankees say, 'Thanks a million.'"
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
GROUND RULES
"Foul poles are outside the playing field. Any batted ball hitting a foul pole above the fence line is a home run. Bat racks are within the dugouts.
Any thrown ball hitting a dugout railing or foundation and rebounding on the field is in play. A ball going into the dugout or hitting other parts of the dugout- out of play."
-New York Yankees 1984 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
AMERICAN LEAGUE UMPIRES
2 Bremigan
3 Evans
4 Springstead
6 Neudecker
7 Phillips
8 McKean
9 Kunkel
10 McCoy
11 Denkinger
12 Cooney
13 Cousins
14 Palermo
15 Brinkman
17 Hirschbeck
18 Kosc
19 Garcia
20 Ford
21 Kaiser
22 Barnett
23 Reed
24 Clark
25 Johnson
26 Voltaggio
27 Roe
29 Shulock
31 Reilly
33 Merrill
34 Morrison
35 Hendry
36 McClellan
37 Coble
VISITING STARS
Floyd Bannister (Chicago White Sox)
George Brett (Kansas City Royals)
Mike Hargrove (Cleveland Indians)
Rickey Henderson (Oakland Athletics)
Charlie Hough (Texas Rangers)
Kent Hrbek (Minnesota Twins)
Tommy John (California Angels)
Lance Parrish (Detroit Tigers)
Jim Rice (Boston Red Sox)
Cal Ripken, Jr. (Baltimore Orioles)
Dave Stieb (Toronto Blue Jays)
Robin Yount (Milwaukee Brewers)
Richie Zisk (Seattle Mariners)
1984 NEW YORK YANKEES HOME OF CHAMPIONS RADIO NETWORK
NEW YORK
New York City (WABC) (flagship station)
Albany (WROW)
Batavia (WBTA)
Binghamton (WKOP)
Cortland (WKRT)
Dansville (WDNY)
Dunkirk (WDOE)
Geneva (WGVA)
Glens Falls (WBZA)
Gloversville (WENT)
Ithaca (WTKO)
Jamestown (WKSN)
Lockport (WLVL)
Olean (WBJZ)
Oneonta (WSRK)
Plattsburgh (WIRY)
Schenectady (WWWD)
Seneca Falls (WSFW)
Syracuse (WSYR)
Utica (WIBX)
Walton (WDLA)
Watertown (WTNY)
CONNECTICUT
Ansonia (WADS)
Hartford (WPOP)
Meridan (WMMW)
New London (WNLC)
Waterbury (WATR)
FLORIDA
Miami (WIOD)
West Palm Beach (WEAT)
LOUISIANA
Lafayette (KPEL)
New Orleans (WWIW)
MASSACHUSETTS
East Longmeadow (WIXY)
Pittsfield (WBEC)
NORTH CAROLINA
Raleigh (WPTF)
PENNSYLVANIA
Sayre (WATS/WAVR)
Scranton (WBQW)
Wilkes-Barre (WBAX)
Williamsport (WWPA)
VERMONT
Burlington (WDOT)
Montpelier (WSKI)
1984 NEW YORK YANKEES TELEVISION NETWORK
New York, New York (WPIX) (originating station)
Albany, New York (WTEN)
Albuquerque, New Mexico (KGSW)
Buffalo, New York (WUTV)
Denver Colorado (KWGN)
Jacksonville, Florida (WAWS)
Miami, Florida (WCIX)
Ocala, Florida (WBSP)
Pensacola, Florida (WPMI)
Rochester, NY (WVHF)
Tampa, FL (WTOG)
West Palm Beach, Florida (WFLX)
ADVERTISEMENTS
-11 Alive: Your Yankees Station
-1984 Official New York Yankees Publications
-Alka-Seltzer: It was a good game, but it's good to be home.
-Army Football: More Than Just A Game
-Bay Harbor Inn: Every link in a chain looks the same. Aren't you tired of the same old look?
-Beck's: Beck's. The most famous German word in the English language.
-Bic: The shave that saves.
-Bud Light: No Room For Compromise
-Budweiser: Baseball Fans ... this Bud's for you.
-Canon AE-1: Nobody has been able to make fine photography this simple. Until now.
-Chemical Bank: The chemistry's just right at Chemical.
-Citibank: Pride Of The Citi
-County Time Lemonade
-Dawson Blended Scotch Whisky: Hae the best but dinna go broke.
-French's: America's Favorite Mustard
-Gatorade: The Major League Relief Ace
-Getty: Unleaded Only. For Less.
-Glass Oven Bakery: A "warm welcome" to Yankee Stadium from your Glass Oven Bakery.
-Goldome: New York's Financial Home
-Heineken: Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken.
-Homelite/Jacobsen: Major league lawns deserve major league attention.
-IBM PCjr: How To Plug Your Family Into Modern Times
-Joey's: Infants' and Children's Wear
-Kool-Aid: America's #1 Relief Pitcher
-Long Island Savings Bank: Invest with a bank that has a Long Island presence ... instead of an old world past.
-Manufacturers Hanover Trust: Our facts make your money worth more.
-Marlboro: Come to where the flavor is.
-Maxell: It's worth it.
-Miller High Life: The best beer for the best time of the day.
-Mitsubishi: Even if you can't have the best of everything, you can have the best of something.
-MSG Network: We bring legends to living rooms.
-New York Life
-New York Telephone Yellow Pages: Where would you be without it?
-Old Milwaukee and Old Milwaukee Light: Teammates
-The Playing Field: Authentic Sports Apparel
-Real Sports: Only from Atari
-Riunite: Like love it's pure and natural.
-Roche: Don't take chances. Take a supplement.
-Rolaids: In 1983 the Yankees spelled relief R-O-L-A-I-D-S.
-Speedy Muffler King
-Sportschannel: We've got New York sports covered.
-Stroh's and Stroh Light: Double Play
-Sun Giant Almonds and Pistachios: Great Double Play
-Ticket World: Now getting great seats is a whole new ball game.
-Toyota: Oh what a feeling!
-True: True cracks the taste barrier!
-TWA: Great Seats. 35,000 Feet Above Field Level.
-WABC Talkradio 77AM: When you can't come to the park ... park yourself at 77 AM.
-Windjammer
-Xerox
-Yankees Clubhouse
-Yankees Magazine
Friday, August 14, 2015
1984 New York Yankees Home Opening Roster
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York (April 10)
Manager - Yogi Berra 8
No. Coaches
41 Sammy Ellis
42 Jerry McNertney
40 Gene Michael
44 Jeff Torborg
6 Roy White
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R) *
47 Ray Fontenot (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
50 Jay Howell (R-R)
45 Rudy May (L-L) *
24 John Montefusco (R-R)
48 Dale Murray (R-R)
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
26 Shane Rawley (L-L)
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
38 Jose Rijo (R-R)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
No. Catchers
10 Rick Cerone (R-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Tim Foli (R-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
12 Roy Smalley (S-R)
13 Keith Smith (S-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
55 Stan Javier (S-R)
21 Steve Kemp (L-L)
46 Don Mattingly (L-L)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
14 Lou Piniella (R-R)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Batting Practice Pitchers - Doug Melvin 57, John Moller 58
Batting Practice Catcher - Mike Barnett 59
Bullpen Catcher - Dom Scala 51
* not on active roster
SCOREBOOK & SOUVENIR PROGRAM PORTRAIT PHOTOS
Mike Armstrong (P) 36
Don Baylor (DH) 25
Rick Cerone (C) 10
Brian Dayett (OF) 62
Tim Foli (SS-2B) 2
Ray Fontenot (P) 47
Oscar Gamble (DH-OF) 17
Ken Griffey (CF) 33
Ron Guidry (P) 49
Toby Harrah (3B) 11
Jay Howell (P) 50
Steve Kemp (LF) 21
Matt Keough (P) 34
Don Mattingly (1B) 46
Rudy May (P) 45
John Montefusco (P) 24
Omar Moreno (CF) 22
Dale Murray (P) 48
Graig Nettles (3B) 9
Phil Niekro (P) 35
Lou Piniella (DH-OF) 14
Willie Randolph (2B) 30
Shane Rawley (P) 26
Dave Righetti (P) 19
Andre Robertson (SS) 18
Bob Shirley
Roy Smalley (1B) 12
Dave Winfield (RF) 31
Butch Wynegar (C) 27
Manager - Yogi Berra 8
No. Coaches
41 Sammy Ellis
42 Jerry McNertney
40 Gene Michael
44 Jeff Torborg
6 Roy White
No. Pitchers
36 Mike Armstrong (R-R) *
47 Ray Fontenot (L-L)
49 Ron Guidry (L-L)
50 Jay Howell (R-R)
45 Rudy May (L-L) *
24 John Montefusco (R-R)
48 Dale Murray (R-R)
35 Phil Niekro (R-R)
26 Shane Rawley (L-L)
19 Dave Righetti (L-L)
38 Jose Rijo (R-R)
29 Bob Shirley (R-L)
No. Catchers
10 Rick Cerone (R-R)
27 Butch Wynegar (S-R)
No. Infielders
2 Tim Foli (R-R)
33 Ken Griffey (L-L)
11 Toby Harrah (R-R)
30 Willie Randolph (R-R)
12 Roy Smalley (S-R)
13 Keith Smith (S-R)
No. Outfielders
25 Don Baylor (R-R)
55 Stan Javier (S-R)
21 Steve Kemp (L-L)
46 Don Mattingly (L-L)
22 Omar Moreno (L-L)
14 Lou Piniella (R-R)
31 Dave Winfield (R-R)
Trainers - Gene Monahan, Mark Letendre
Batting Practice Pitchers - Doug Melvin 57, John Moller 58
Batting Practice Catcher - Mike Barnett 59
Bullpen Catcher - Dom Scala 51
* not on active roster
SCOREBOOK & SOUVENIR PROGRAM PORTRAIT PHOTOS
Mike Armstrong (P) 36
Don Baylor (DH) 25
Rick Cerone (C) 10
Brian Dayett (OF) 62
Tim Foli (SS-2B) 2
Ray Fontenot (P) 47
Oscar Gamble (DH-OF) 17
Ken Griffey (CF) 33
Ron Guidry (P) 49
Toby Harrah (3B) 11
Jay Howell (P) 50
Steve Kemp (LF) 21
Matt Keough (P) 34
Don Mattingly (1B) 46
Rudy May (P) 45
John Montefusco (P) 24
Omar Moreno (CF) 22
Dale Murray (P) 48
Graig Nettles (3B) 9
Phil Niekro (P) 35
Lou Piniella (DH-OF) 14
Willie Randolph (2B) 30
Shane Rawley (P) 26
Dave Righetti (P) 19
Andre Robertson (SS) 18
Bob Shirley
Roy Smalley (1B) 12
Dave Winfield (RF) 31
Butch Wynegar (C) 27
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)