"The last Yankee third baseman to play both dazzling defense AND hit for power was named only the sixth captain in the team's history. While young Mike Pagliarulo is still a few years away from captain status, he has become a solid force at the hot corner.
Pags was brought up in July of 1984, primarily for his strong arm and quick glove. Since then he has provided all that and then some. The Yankees received a bonus when Pagliarulo blossomed into a bona fide power hitter. 'He has done very well here,' says manager Lou Piniella, 'especially in the power production and RBIs total.'
The left-hander came into his own in 1985, as he smashed 19 home runs and drove in 62 runs. And of course, Pagliarulo played third base like a vacuum cleaner."
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"Pags became New York's regular third baseman in 1985, his first full major league season. He set career highs in almost every offensive category and averaged a home run every 20 at-bats.
He went 4-for-6 on September 9 at Milwaukee- his first career four-hit game. He had his first career two-homer game on July 27 at Texas, hitting a pair of two-run homers good for four RBIs which equalled his career high.
Mike was hitting only .165 through June 9 (15-for-91) with two home runs and 16 RBIs, then went 76-for-289 (.263) with 17 homers and 46 RBIs through the remainder of the season. He matched his career long hitting streak of seven games, July 14-24, and hit seven home runs in August. Mike was sent to bat right-handed [by Billy Martin] against Mickey Mahler on September 18 at Detroit, striking out with runners at second and third, two out and the scored tied at 2.
He played 134 games at third base in '85, most by a Yankee since Graig Nettles played 144 in 1979, and made the third fewest errors for a third baseman with at least 100 games. Pags made 22 pinch-hit appearances, second highest on the club, hitting .278. He hit .254 in 126 games against right-handers, .151 in just 12 games against southpaws. Mike's 62 RBIs ranked sixth on the club.
Mike made his major league debut on July 7, 1984 when called up from Columbus to replace the injured Toby Harrah. He hit his first big league home run on July 13 (second game) off Kansas City's Bret Saberhagen. He hit his first grand slam on Sepetmber 18 off Baltimore's Dennis Martinez.
Mike played a full season at AA Nashville in 1983 and led Southern League third basemen in fielding with a .954 percentage in 133 games with 433 total chances (98 putouts and 315 assists). In 1982, he was named utility infielder on the South Atlantic All-Star team. Mike was signed in 1981 by Yankee scout Fred Ferreira.
He graduated in 1978 from Medford (Mass.) High School, where he played baseball, basketball and ran track. In baseball he was All-State two years, MVP and captain. Mike played South Medford Little League, Medford Babe Ruth League and Medford Post 45 American Legion baseball. He attended the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) and was a finance major. His father, Charles Pagliarulo , was an infielder in the Chicago Cubs organization in 1958.
Mike enjoys golf and going to Boston Celtics and Bruins games."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
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