DR. STUART J. HERSHON (Team Physician)
"Dr. Stuart J. Hershon is in his second season as the Yankees team doctor. He is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with St. Lukes-Roosevelt and North Shore Hospitals. He is a graduate of Harvard University and New York Medical College."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Dr. Stuart J. Hershon begins his second year as the Yankees team physician. He is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with St. Lukes-Roosevelt and North Shore Hospitals, and previously was the team physician for Nassau Community College. He is a graduate of Harvard University and New York Medical College."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
GENE MONAHAN (Trainer)
"Gene Monahan is in his 18th season as the Yankees trainer. He has spent 27 years in professional baseball and is a certified member of NATA."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Gene was born in Rolla, Missouri and has a B.S. in physical education from Indiana University (1969). He is a certified member of NATA [National Athletic Trainers Association] and a member of PBATS [Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society], serving as chairman of the grants and scholarships committee. He has 27 years of service in professional baseball.
He started in 1962 at Ft. Lauderdale and is entering his 18th year at the helm of the Yankee training duties. Gene served as American League trainer at two All-Star Games (1977 at Yankee Stadium and 1986 at Houston's Astrodome). All three of his previous assistants during his Yankee tenure advanced to head training positions in the major leagues.
Gene resides in Little Ferry, New Jersey."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE DONOHUE (Assistant Trainer)
"Steve Donohue is in his fourth year as the Yankees assistant trainer. He has been in the Yankees organization since 1979. Steve graduated from the University of Louisville."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Steve was born in Bronxville, New York and has a B.S. in physical education from the University of Louisville. A certified member of NATA and a certified member of New York State EMT [Emergency Medical Technicians], he is in his fourth season as the Yankees' assistant trainer.
He has been a member of the Yankees organization since 1979, working at West Haven (1979), Nashville (1980-81) and Columbus (1982-85). Steve was also assistant trainer for the New York Jets (1974-78) and assistant trainer for the University of Louisville's NCAA Championship basketball team in 1980.
Steve resides in Yorktown Heights, New York."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
GARY WEIL (Strength and Conditioning Coach)
"Gary Weil is in his first year as the Yankees strength and conditioning coach. He formulates and supervises conditioning programs for the Yankees and their minor league affiliates."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Gary was born in the Bronx and has a B.A. in physical education from Arizona State University and a Masters in kinesiology and exercise physiology from ASU. He is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
He spent the past seven years at the University of Notre Dame, including six seasons as the strength and conditioning coach for all of the school's varsity sports teams. He also spent one year as an assistant professor in the physical education department before joining the Yankees. Gary is a former strength consultant with the Los Angeles Raiders.
His duties will include formulating and supervising strength and conditioning for the Yankees and their minor league affiliates."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
NICK PRIORE (Clubhouse Manager)
"Nick Priore has worked in the Yankees clubhouse for over 23 years. He was Pete Sheehy's assistant."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Nick Priore, who was Pete Sheehy's assistant in the Yankees clubhouse for more than 20 years, will be joined by Bob Fleming."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
BOB FLEMING (Assistant Clubhouse Manager)
"Bob Fleming is in his fourth year as the Yankees clubhouse man. He works closely with Nick Priore."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
LOU CUCUZZA (Visitors Clubhouse Manager)
"Lou Cucuzza is in his 14th season of hosting the visiting teams at Yankee Stadium."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Lou Cucuzza is in his 14th year running the visitor's clubhouse at the Stadium."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
LOU CUCUZZA, JR. (Assistant Visitors Clubhouse Manager)
"Lou Cucuzza, Jr. has assisted his father in the Yankee Stadium visitors clubhouse since 1976."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
STEVE GREGORY (Umpires' Room Attendant)
"Steve Gregory is in charge of the umpires locker room for the 11th season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
BOB SHEPPARD (Public Address Announcer)
"Bob Sheppard has been the public address Voice of the Yankees [since 1951]. He also teaches speech at St. John's University."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
EDDIE LAYTON (Stadium Organist)
"Eddie Layton is the Yankee Stadium organist and has recorded more than 25 albums. He also records commercials, and plays at Radio City and other New York entertainment centers."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
JIM OGLE (Yankees Alumni Association)
"Jim Ogle heads the Yankees Alumni Association and coordinates Old Timers' Day. He was a New York sportswriter for more than 20 years."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
MARSH SAMUEL (Spring Training Coordinator)
"Marsh Samuel is the Yankees Spring Training Coordinator. He began his baseball career as a publicist with the 1946 White Sox, and also developed the first press guide."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
BOB ADAMENKO (Yankees Photographer)
"Bob Adamenko has been the Yankees Photographer since 1984. He also photographs many other New York sporting events."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
STEVE CRANDALL (Yankees Photographer)
"Steve Crandall is in his third season as a Yankee photographer. He assists Bob Adamenko."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
MIKE FENNELL (Bullpen Catcher)
"Mike Fennell, the Yankees' bullpen catcher, is in his third season in that capacity. He was a catcher in the Yankees organization from 1983-85 and then served as bullpen catcher at Albany in 1985 and at Columbus in 1986."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
JOHN COOK (Statistics)
"John Cook is in his second season charting the Yankee defense and will be in charge of the Yankees' baseball computer statistics. Cook was a catcher from 1979-83 at the University of South Florida."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
JEFF SADLER (Video Coordinator)
"Jeff Sadler is in his second season coordinating the Yankees' video tape operations and throwing batting practice. Sadler played at Florida Southern College from 1979-81, served as a coach at Palm Beach Junior College for three years and the University of Florida for two years, and was the bullpen catcher at Columbus last season."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Monday, August 28, 2017
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Other 1989 Yankee Profiles: Position Players
JAMIE QUIRK
"A left-handed catcher is a rare commodity in baseball, especially one with the experience of a Jamie Quirk. That's why, at age 34, this 10-year veteran will get a chance to help the Yankees in 1989.
His presence can be a factor on a club for a number of reasons. The first is the age-old notion that the Yankees will depend on left-handed hitting to be successful. Well, Quirk has a swing that would be well suited for Yankee Stadium. He also has been involved in a number of pennant races, an important credential when it comes to playing in the pressure-packed environment surrounding these Yankees.
During his long-time affiliation with the Kansas City Royals, he played a part in that organization's winning of division titles, pennants, and a World Championship in 1985. Now he's trying to the same for the Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Jamie is a veteran of 17 years of professional baseball including over 10 seasons in the majors. He originally broke into the majors with the Royals in 1975 and has had three separate stints with Kansas City during his career. He has played for the Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians in his big league career.
As a member of the Kansas City Royals in 1988, Jamie matched his career batting average with a .240 mark in 84 games. He tied his single career high with eight home runs (he also had eight in 1986) and added 25 RBIs.
Jamie got off to a slow start, batting as low as .156 (7-for-45) over his first 17 games through May 8. His average was under .200 as late as August 5 when he was hitting .189 (20-for-106). The next day in Toronto he had a season high three RBIs including a home run. Jamie also homered in his next game, August 7 at Toronto. Beginning with the August 6 game through September 5, he batted .357 (20-for-56) in 23 games with five home runs and 15 RBIs to raise his average to .247.
He went 1-for-17 (.059) in his next nine games through August 20 to lower his overall average to .229 but from that point finished strongly, batting .353 (6-for-17) in his final six games to his raise his average to his final .240 mark.
Jamie had 12 multi-hit games, including a season high three hits on June 7 against Oakland when he went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a RBI. He had a season high three-game hitting streak four times, and his two game-winning RBIs came on June 29 against Chicago and September 26 against Seattle. Jamie had one stolen base, on April 12 at Baltimore, and was caught five times.
He played 79 games at catcher with a .982 fielding percentage (eight errors in 448 total chances) and threw out 18 of 71 would-be base stealers (25.4%). He also played one game at first base and one game at third base.
He signed a one-year contract for 1989 on December 20, 1988.
Jamie was Kansas City's first round selection in the 1972 June free agent draft, the 18th player taken overall. He batted .255 at Billings in his first professional season and led Pioneer League shortstops in fielding (.889), putouts (63), assists (162) and double plays (16). He was named to the league's All-Star team.
He played in 132 games at San Jose in 1973, hitting .231 with eight homers and 45 RBIs. Jamie split his 1974 season between Jacksonville, batting .227, and Omaha where he hit .281.
Jamie spent most of the 1975 season at Omaha, batting .274. He led American Association third basemen in fielding (.958), assists (254), total chances (363) and double plays (31). He made his major league debut with the Royals on September 4 as a ninth inning pinch hitter for George Brett against Chicago at Comiskey Park and drew a walk from pitcher Chris Knapp. Jamie's initial big league hit came on September 9 in his third career plate appearances (second official at-bat), singling in the top of the 14th off Oakland's Jim Todd. His first home run was hit as a pinch hitter off Oakland's Rollie Fingers on September 20 in the ninth inning at Royals Stadium.
In 1976 Jamie played in 64 games with Kansas City at four different positions and batted .246. He was obtained by the Brewers from the Royals in December of 1976 along with outfielder Jim Wohlford and a player to be named later (pitcher Bob McClure) in exchange for pitcher Jim Colborn and catcher Darrell Porter. Jamie spent the entire 1977 season with the Brewers, batting .217 in 93 games with three home runs and 13 RBIs.
He spent most of the 1978 season at AAA Spokane, where he batted .292 with 14 homers and 63 RBIs. Jamie was acquired by the Royals from the Brewers on August 3 in exchange for pitcher Gary Ako and batted .207 in 17 games with Kansas City.
In 1979 Jamie batted a career best .304 for Kansas City and was one of the Royals' biggest weapons coming off the bench. In 1980, he hit .278 for KC with five home runs and 21 RBIs. One of his top games as a Royal came in the first game of a doubleheader in Toronto on August 8, when he went 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs to help the Royals to a 9-0 victory.
Jamie batted .250 in 46 games with Kansas City in 1981, and in 1982 batted .231 in 36 games with the Royals. Granted free agency in 1982, he signed with the Cardinals in February 1983. Jamie played the entire season with the Cardinals and hit .209 in 48 games with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
He contributed significantly to the Royals' 1984 American League West title- as a member of the Cleveland Indians. In his only at-bat with Cleveland, in the bottom of the ninth on September 27 against Minnesota, Jamie hit a two-out solo homer to defeat the Twins 1-0. Coupled with KC's victory at Oakland the next night, the Royals won the AL West title. He had been signed by the White Sox on May 23 but played only three games with them, going 0-for-2. He spent most of 1984 at AAA Denver where he batted .209 in 70 games with two home runs and 24 RBIs. He was purchased by the Indians on September 24, having just that one at-bat with the Indians in which he homered.
In 1985 Jamie was signed by the Royals as a free agent on February 25. At Omaha, he gunned down 22 of 39 would-be stealers (56.4%). With left-handed hitters Pat Sheridan and Dane Iorg out with hamstring injuries for part of the stretch drive, Jamie helped plug the gap. He hit safely in 12 of the 19 games he played after his contract was purchased from Omaha on August 20.
In 1986, his first full season in the majors since 1983, Jamie played in 80 games, the second highest single-season total of his career. He played three positions (41 games behind the plate, 24 games at third base, six at first base) and committed one error in 42 total chances at third, three errors in 280 chances as a catcher and no errors in 49 chances at first. Jamie led KC catchers in throwing out would-be base stealers with a 60% success rate (18-for-30).
Jamie also had a career eight home runs in 1986. After hitting three homers in his first 58 games (146 at-bats), he homered five times in his last 22 games (73 at-bats).
Completing his third separate stint with the Royals in 1987, Jamie set single-season bests in games played (109), at-bats (296), hits (70), doubles (17) and RBIs (33). He stroked two hits in his first three at-bats (against New York on April 10) then went 18 at-bats without a hit. He hit .308 in May (16-for-52) and put together a season high (and career best) 11-game hitting streak from May 22-June 3, batting .412 (14-for-34) in that span.
Jamie was on the disabled list from July 21-August 5 with a fractured right hand but batted .348 (23-for-66) in August along with 16 of his 33 RBIs for the season. On August 22 at Milwaukee, he hit his only career grand slam, off pitcher Mark Knudson. Jamie had a total of five RBIs in that game to set a new career high. He closed the season batting just (11-for-76) after August 30.
A 1972 graduate of St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, CA, Jamie earned four letters in baseball and three each in football and basketball. He batted .410 as a junior and .416 as a senior, and in football was named to All-America teams by Prep Magazine and Athlete Magazine as a junior; that season (1970), against Bishop Amat High School which was led by quarterback Pat Haden, Jamie completed 13 of 17 passes for 280 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown pass, in leading St. Paul to a 34-14 victory. Jamie signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at Notre Dame before deciding to play professional baseball."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led Pioneer League shortstops in double plays with 16 (1972).
Led American Association third basemen in double plays with 31 (1975).
Led American Association in passed balls with 23 (1985).
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
STAN JEFFERSON
"It's taken a long time, and it's come in a roundabout way, but Stanley Jefferson has finally gotten an opportunity to play at Yankee Stadium. This Bronx native is returning home at a time when the Yankees need him most. With the departure of Clauldell Washington, last year's starting center fielder, Jefferson puts on the Pinstripes not only with a chance to make the team but with an opportunity to earn a starting position.
While it wasn't with the Yankees, Jefferson was excited about the chance to play at home in New York after being drafted by the Mets in 1983. After going through the Mets system and making his major league debut at Shea Stadium in September 1986, he was traded to the San Diego Padres. A trade has brought Stanley Jefferson back to New York, with the right tea, and a chance to roam Death Valley."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Jefferson spent the bulk of the 1988 season at Las Vegas (AAA Pacific Coast League) but in 49 games with the Padres batted .144 (16-for-111) with a home run and four RBIs along with five stolen bases in six attempts.
He began the season with San Diego and went hitless in his first six games (0-for-16). He was optioned to Las Vegas on April 20, and at the time of his option was hitting just .105 (4-for-38) with a RBI in 13 games. He played in 74 games at Las Vegas and hit .317 with four home runs, 33 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 26 attempts.
Jefferson was recalled by the Padres on July 26, and after going 0-for-3 in his first game back put together a seven-game hitting streak from July 27-August 3, batting .308 (8-for-26) with four runs, a triple, a home run and two RBIs. The solo home run, his only circuit clout of the season, came on August 2 against Atlanta off John Smoltz. After that hitting streak, through the end of the season, Stan batted .091 (4-for-44) in his final 27 games. He had two stolen bases against Montreal on August 16.
Following the 1988 season, Stan played with Ponce of the Puerto Rican Winter League. He was traded to the Yankees along with pitchers Lance McCullers and Jimmy Jones on October 24 from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder/designated hitter Jack Clark and pitcher Pat Clements. He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Stan was selected by the New York Mets in the 1st round (20th player selected) of the June 1983 free agent draft. Playing in only 71 games for 'A' Little Falls, he led the New York-Penn League in steals with 35. He set a league record by collecting 10 consecutive hits from August 7-10, including a five-hit performance on August 9 against Oneonta. Stan was honored as the league's All-Star center fielder and was named to the Topps All-Short Season team.
While spending the 1984 season at 'A' Lynchburg, he led the Carolina League in runs (113) and triples (9) while finishing third in hits (142), third in walks (84) and fourth in stolen bases (45). He was named to the league's All-Star team.
In 1985 Jefferson led the AA Texas League in stolen bases (39) and was third in runs (97) while playing for Jackson. He was selected to play in the Texas League All-Star Game. He had only 96 at-bats from his natural right side and 428 from the left side; Stan batted .279 and hit all eight of his homers as a left-handed hitter while batting .260 right-handed. He finished the season with a 17-game hitting streak (.413) including the six Texas League playoff games that helped lead the Mets to the championship.
Jefferson played on both the AAA level and in the major leagues for the first time in 1986. He was hitting .290 for the Mets' Tidewater affiliate before being recalled to New York for the final month of the season. With Tidewater, he participated in only 95 games due to a hamstring pull in his right leg that left him sidelined for a month.
After returning to the lineup on August 15, Stan batted .355 before his promotion and stole 25 bases in 32 attempts. He made his big league debut against Pittsburgh in New York, getting his initial hit off Dave LaPoint on September 7. He hit his first major league home run off Philadelphia's Tom Hume at Shea Stadium. Stan was acquired by the Padres in December 1986 along with infielder Kevin Mitchell, outfielder Shawn Abner and pitchers Kevin Armstrong and Kevin Brown in exchange for outfielder Kevin McReynolds, pitcher Gene Walter and infielder Adam Ging.
In 1987 Stan sprained his right ankle rounding first base in an exhibition game on March 30. He attempted to open the season but reinjured the ankle and was placed on the 21-day disabled list. He had played in only five games at that point.
He was reactivated on May 7 and played regularly for 18 games until he was placed back on the DL, this time for tendinitis in his right shoulder. Before his injury, from May 18-20, Jefferson went 7-for-13 (.538) against the Mets at Shea Stadium with five runs scored, a double and two triples.
Jefferson managed only a .228 average in the initial three months of the season but hit .281 in July and August. He had a nine-game hitting streak after the All-Star break, going 11-for-33 (.333) including the first of two four-hit games on July 12 at Pittsburgh. His other four-hit game came against Houston on September 11 when he also had a career high four RBIs. Stan finished the season by going 1-for-25.
He stole 34 bases to rank in a tie for 12th in the National League and was successful on 11 of his last 12 stolen base attempts. A natural right-handed hitter, seven of Stan's eight home runs came from the left side.
A native of New York City who still lives in the Bronx, Stan graduated from that borough's Harry S. Truman High School and attended Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. As a collegian, he was named to the Sporting News All-American team as an outfielder, batting .408 and leading the nation in stolen bases with 67 as a junior."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE KIEFER
"Steve signed with the Yankees in November 1988 as a six-year minor league free agent. He spent the last three years in the Milwaukee organization and was with Oakland prior to that.
He has appeared in 100 major league games, hitting .195 with three home runs and 30 RBI. Steve hit .300 in seven games with the Brewers in 1988."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Steve began 1988 with the Brewers and played in seven games before being outrighted to the Denver Zephyrs of the AAA American Association on May 5, where he finished the season. In his seven games for the Brewers, he went 3-for-10 (.300) with two runs scored, a double, a homer and a RBI. Steve's home run came on April 10 against the Yankees in New York, a solo shot off Tommy John, and he also had a double in that game. His third hit came on April 12 at Boston, and his last appearance with the Brewers came on May 1 in Milwaukee against Kansas City.
Following his outright to Denver, Steve played in 79 games for the Zephyrs, batting .214 with 47 runs, ten doubles, eight triples, ten home runs, 45 RBIs, 27 walks and 73 strikeouts. He was successful on six of 11 stolen base attempts. Steve played both second base and third base for Denver. He signed with the Yankees in November 1988 as a six-year minor league free agent.
Steve was the first round pick of the Oakland A's in the regular phase of the January 1981 free agent draft. Playing at Medford in his first professional season, he was named to the Northwest League All-Star team and earned the league's Rookie of the Year award.
He moved to Madison of the Midwest League in 1982 and ranked second among shortstops in assists (395), total chances (612) and double plays (69) and ranked third in fielding (.928). Steve had career highs with 72 runs, 44 walks and 36 stolen bases. He batted .339 with 13 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 22 games in the Arizona Instructional League.
Steve made the leap to AA Albany of the Eastern League in 1983 and 19 home runs and 81 RBIs. In his first AAA season at Tacoma in 1984, he batted .268 (122-for-455) in 125 games. Steve joined the Oakland A's on September 1 and tripled in his first major league at-bat against Floyd Bannister on September 3. He played 23 games with Oakland.
In 1985 he began the year with Tacoma but joined Oakland on July 29 when Carney Lansford was placed on the disabled list. Steve batted .263 at Tacoma with a career high 25 doubles before joining Oakland. He slammed his first big league home run, a three-run blast, off Glen Cook at Texas on October 2. He played 40 games with Oakland.
Steve was invited to Oakland's 1986 spring training camp as a non-roster player and was traded to Milwaukee along with pitchers Mike Fulmer and Pete Kendrick and catcher Charlie O'Brien on March 30 in exchange for pitcher Moose Haas. He played with Milwaukee's AAA Vancouver affiliate of the Pacific Coast League, had a career high six triples and topped the club with 10 game-winning RBIs and a .453 slugging mark. He played in two games for the Brewers in August, going 0-for-6.
He split his 1987 season between Denver and Milwaukee. With Denver, Steve had a career high 90 runs, 31 home runs, 95 RBIs, .330 batting average and 241 total bases and was named to the American Association All-Star team and the Topps AAA All-Star team. He was named Denver's Player of the Month for May. Steve had two four-hit performances and a 13-game hitting streak from April 16-May 5, batting .444 with four home runs and 11 RBIs.
Steve joined the Brewers on July 16 and had four multi-hit games including a career-high three-hit performance on August 5 against Milwaukee. He had five multi-RBI games including a three-RBI game on August 24 against Oakland and a career high four-RBI game on August 4 against Baltimore, with those RBIs coming on a grand slam off Scott McGregor. He had a five-game hitting streak from August 4-8, going 7-for-15 (.467) with two home runs and six RBIs.
Steve graduated from Garden City (CA) High School in 1979, where he participated in baseball and football and was all-league in baseball in his senior year. He attended Cerritos (Norwalk, CA) College for two years and Fullerton College for one year. He participated in baseball at Fullerton and was named All-South Coast Conference first team."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led American Association with .668 slugging percentage (1987).
Led Pacific Coast League shortstops in errors with 35 (1984).
Tied for Eastern League lead in sacrifice hits with 12 (1983).
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
MIKE WOODARD
"Mike signed with the Yankees in December 1988 as a six-year minor league free agent. He split the 1988 season between the Chicago White Sox and Triple-A Vancouver. He hit .332 and stole 18 bases at Vancouver and was named to the Pacific Coast League's Triple-A All-Star team."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"After signing with the White Sox as a minor league free agent in January of 1988, Mike began the year with Chicago's AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Vancouver Canadians. He was purchased by the White Sox on May 26 and made his Chicago debut in Toronto on May 28, going 1-for-3. Mike hit safely in each of his first three games with Chicago, going 4-for-11 (.364), including 1-for-4 two RBIs on June 4 at Texas and 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs on June 7 at Minnesota (his only multi-hit game with the Sox).
After those three games he went 2-for-34 (.059) in his remaining 15 games, with his hits coming on June 16 at Milwaukee and June 26 at Texas; after the Texas game, he went 0-for-15 before being optioned to Vancouver on July 13. Overall with Chicago he went 6-for-45 (.133) in 18 games with a triple and four RBIs.
Mike remained with Vancouver the rest of the season and in his two stints with the Canadians batted a combined .332 in 94 games with 63 runs, 12 doubles, 10 triples, a home run and 40 RBIs and was successful in 18 of 25 stolen base attempts. He finished fifth in the Pacific Coast League in hitting and was named the PCL's postseason All-Star second baseman. He signed with the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent in December 1988.
Selected by the Oakland A's in the 4th round of the June 1978 free agent draft, Mike began his pro career at [short season] 'A' Bend of the Northwest League and hit a career high .342, third best in the league. In 1979, he stole a career high 61 bases at [advanced] 'A' Modesto of the California League. He was injured in a collision at second base in July of 1980 and was disabled for the rest of the season.
Mike was fourth in the Eastern League with 41 steals in 1981, and in 1982 led the Eastern League with 54 steals despite being disabled for a month. Promoted to the AAA level in 1983, he played second base, shortstop and third base for Tacoma. In 1984 Mike hit .354 with 11 stolen bases in 23 games at AA Albany before being earning a promotion to Tacoma.
Mike signed with the Giants organization as a six-year minor league free agent before the 1985 season and set a Phoenix record with 181 base hits, tops in the PCL. He started the season with a 12-game hitting streak, finished eighth in the league batting race with a .316 mark and was selected to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team.
He made his major league debut with the Giants in the first game of a twin-bill at Houston on September 11, made his first big league start in the second game and collected three hits, including two in his first two major league at-bats. He hit safely in the first 13 major league games in which he batted.
Mike had three different stints with the Giants in 1986. He hit his first major league home run in San Francisco off San Diego's Dane Iorg in an 18-1 Giants romp. He was successful in seven of nine stolen base attempts. Mike hit .319 in 62 games at Phoenix while not with the Giants.
He opened the 1987 season with Phoenix and was recalled by the Giants on May 2. He was returned to Phoenix on May 20, was back with the Giants on May 28, sent back to Phoenix on June 4 and was eventually released. Mike signed with Tucson of the PCL, Houston's top affiliate, where he finished the season. He found more success there, hitting .289 with 22 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 59 games."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led Northwest League second basemen in double plays with 34 (1978).
Led Eastern League in caught stealing with 23 (1981).
Led Eastern League in stolen bases with 82 (1982).
Led Pacific Coast League second basemen in total chances with 702 and double plays with 89 (1985).
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DAVE SAX
"Dave signed with the Yankees in December 1988 as a six-year minor league free agent. He played for Triple-A Buffalo in 1988 and hit .223 in 38 games.
This is his 12th season of pro ball, having also played for the Dodgers and Red Sox organizations. Dave is the brother of Yankee second baseman Steve Sax."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Sax spent the entire 1988 season with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Association, the AAA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was assigned to Buffalo when he was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from the Texas Rangers organization on April 6 in exchange for first baseman Bill Merrifield.
He batted .233 in 38 games with seven runs, three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs. He threw out seven of 56 runners attempting to steal (13%).
Dave had a five-game hitting streak from June 15-July 2, going 5-for-16 (.313) with three RBIs in that span. His one game-winning RBI of the season came on July 31 against Louisville.
He signed with the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent in December 1988.
Sax was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in June 1978 and batted .269 at Lethbridge in his first professional season. He batted .270 with Clinton in 1979 and was named to the Midwest League All-Star team. He split the 1980 season between Lodi, where he batted .171, and Vero Beach, where he hit .352.
In 1981, Sax was converted to catching after playing as an infielder and outfielder in his first three professional seasons. He earned All-Star honors in the Texas League with San Antonio. He set career highs in 1982 at Albuquerque in most offensive categories, batting .317 with 12 home runs and 75 RBIs in 117 games. He hit in 15 straight games from April 30-May 13 and made his major league debut with the Dodgers in September.
Dave was the catcher and designated hitter at Albuquerque in 1983 and spent two brief stints with the Dodgers that year, going 0-for-8 in seven games. In 1984, he saw action at first and second base, at catcher and in the outfield for Albuquerque, where he batted .259 in 106 games with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs. Sax signed with the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in January 1985 after seven years in the Dodger organization.
He started the 1985 season with Boston and played once with Boston before going to Pawtucket on April 28. He was recalled by the Red Sox on June 2, [remaining] for the rest of the year and making 11 starts behind the plate. Dave began the 1986 season with the Red Sox but was sent to Pawtucket on May 16 without appearing in any games. He finished third on the PawSox in RBIs (49) and fourth in home runs (9). He was recalled by Boston on September 2 and hit his first major league home run on September 21 at Toronto.
Sax started the season in Boston for the third straight year in 1987. He appeared in just two games for the Red Sox, going 0-for-3 before being outrighted to Pawtucket on April 27, where he finished the season.
He played 45 games at third base, 17 as a catcher and five at first base for the PawSox. He hit .240 in 85 games with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs, batting .273 in 18 games as a designated hitter. Beginning on August 7, Dave hit .378 with a home run and nine RBIs in his final 16 games to raise his average from .212 to .240.
Dave played two seasons at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, CA. He was Sacramento area College Player of the Year in 1978. He participated in baseball and basketball at Sacramento's James Marshall High School where he graduated in 1976. Dave also played Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion ball. He is the brother of Yankee second baseman Steve Sax.
Dave's hobbies are hunting and fishing."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
BOB GEREN
"Bob signed with the Yankees in November 1987 as a six-year minor league free agent. He has spent almost all of his 10 pro seasons in the minor leagues.
He hit .271 in 95 games with Columbus a year ago and was named as the catcher on the postseason International League All-Star team. He was called up to New York twice and appeared in 10 games."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Geren began the 1988 season with the Columbus Clippers and had his contract purchased by the Yankees on May 15 when Don Slaught was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an injured left groin. At the time his contract was purchased, he was hitting .366 in 32 games for the Clippers with three home runs, 13 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .464.
He made his major league debut on May 17 against Seattle, appearing as a defensive replacement at catcher. His first major league at-bat came on May 20 against Oakland, striking out against Eric Plunk. Bob appeared in a total of four games, going 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout, before being optioned back to Columbus on June 20.
Bob was recalled by the Yankees on September 2. At that point, he was hitting .271 with the Clippers with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 95 games; he was named as the catcher on the postseason International League All-Star team. He made his first major league start on October 1 at Detroit and recorded his first major league hit, a single off Doyle Alexander in the 2nd inning, going 1-for-4 in that game. He made another start the next day in the season finale at Detroit, going 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
Overall in his two stints with the Yankees, Geren played in 10 games and batted .100 (1-for-10) with two walks and three strikeouts. He was 0-for-2 throwing out baserunners, giving up stolen bases to Jose Canseco (May 20 against Oakland) and Jim Walewander (October 2 at Detroit). He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Geren began the 1987 season at AA Albany-Colonie and was hitting .219 in 31 games with three home runs and 11 runs batted in when he was promoted to AAA Columbus on May 29. He played in five games with the Clippers, hitting .150 with a home run and three RBIs, before being outrighted back to Albany on June 12.
He finished the season with Albany, and in the 47 games he played there, following his return, batted .222 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. Overall in his two stints with Albany, Bob hit a combined .221 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs; his 11 homers ranked second on the club, and his five game-winning RBIs ranked fourth. He led all Eastern League catchers in fielding with a .994 percentage (two errors in 358 chances). In 1986, his first year in the Yankee organization, he batted .254 at Columbus, with seven homers and 25 RBIs, and .148 [in 11 games] at Albany-Colonie.
Geren was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round (24th choice overall) in the regular phase of the June 1979 free agent draft. That choice was awarded to the Padres as compensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers' signing of [free agent] Derrel Thomas. In his first professional season, Bob hit .172 in 54 games at Walla Walla.
He split his time in 1980 between Reno, where he hit .159 in 48 games with four homers and 23 RBIs, and Walla Walla, where he hit .254 in 51 games. Geren was acquired by the Cardinals organization in December 1980 along with pitchers Rollie Fingers and Bob Shirley and catcher Gene Tenace for catchers Terry Kennedy and Steve Swisher, infielder Mike Phillips, and pitchers Al Olmstead, John Urrea, Kim Seaman and John Littlefield. Geren hit .222 in 64 games at St. Petersburg in 1981.
In 1982, his second consecutive season at St. Petersburgh, he batted .244 in 110 games. He led Florida State League catchers in games (96) and assists (72). Bob spent the entire 1983 season at Springfield, where he tied for third in the Midwest League in home runs with 24, his professional high. He batted .265 and set another personal pro best with 73 runs batted in. Bob led Midwest League catchers in total chances (939), putouts (826) and assists (102).
He spent most of 1984 at Arkansas, batting .247 with 15 home runs and 40 RBIs, and in 15 games at Louisville hit .175. In 1985, Bob's final year as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization, he hit .225 at Arkansas, where he spent most of the season, and in five games at Louisville batted .357. He signed with the Yankees in November of 1985 as a six-year minor league free agent."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
JEFF MORONKO
"Jeff graduated from Pasadena (TX) High School and attended Texas Wesleyan and San Jacinto Junior College. He was selected by Toronto in the 5th round of the January 1979 free agent draft and selected by Cleveland in the 6th round of the June 1980 free agent draft. Jeff was signed by scout Red Gaskill of the Indians.
He was named to the Topps AA All-Star team and the Eastern League All-Star squad in 1984. He was traded to Texas on April 29, 1985 to complete the deal that sent Kevin Buckley to Cleveland on April 4, 1985."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
MEL HALL
"Good contact hitter who contributed offensively but declined defensively with 10 errors in the outfield.
Hall went 223 at-bats without a home run but finally connected on June 23 at Yankee Stadium, and it was his first homer since October 4, 1987. He put together a career-high 16-game hitting streak from July 3-20, going 23-for-66 (.348) with two homers and 13 RBI. Hall collected his second career home run against a lefty on July 6 with an inside-the-parker against Oakland's Rick Honeycutt; it marked the first inside-the-park homer by an Indian since Joe Carter had one in 1985.
Born in Lyons, New York, Hall was acquired from the Cubs with Carter, Don Schulze and Darryl Banks for Rick Sutcliffe, George Frazier and Ron Hassey on June 13, 1984."
-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1989 Edition
"A left-handed catcher is a rare commodity in baseball, especially one with the experience of a Jamie Quirk. That's why, at age 34, this 10-year veteran will get a chance to help the Yankees in 1989.
His presence can be a factor on a club for a number of reasons. The first is the age-old notion that the Yankees will depend on left-handed hitting to be successful. Well, Quirk has a swing that would be well suited for Yankee Stadium. He also has been involved in a number of pennant races, an important credential when it comes to playing in the pressure-packed environment surrounding these Yankees.
During his long-time affiliation with the Kansas City Royals, he played a part in that organization's winning of division titles, pennants, and a World Championship in 1985. Now he's trying to the same for the Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Jamie is a veteran of 17 years of professional baseball including over 10 seasons in the majors. He originally broke into the majors with the Royals in 1975 and has had three separate stints with Kansas City during his career. He has played for the Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians in his big league career.
As a member of the Kansas City Royals in 1988, Jamie matched his career batting average with a .240 mark in 84 games. He tied his single career high with eight home runs (he also had eight in 1986) and added 25 RBIs.
Jamie got off to a slow start, batting as low as .156 (7-for-45) over his first 17 games through May 8. His average was under .200 as late as August 5 when he was hitting .189 (20-for-106). The next day in Toronto he had a season high three RBIs including a home run. Jamie also homered in his next game, August 7 at Toronto. Beginning with the August 6 game through September 5, he batted .357 (20-for-56) in 23 games with five home runs and 15 RBIs to raise his average to .247.
He went 1-for-17 (.059) in his next nine games through August 20 to lower his overall average to .229 but from that point finished strongly, batting .353 (6-for-17) in his final six games to his raise his average to his final .240 mark.
Jamie had 12 multi-hit games, including a season high three hits on June 7 against Oakland when he went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a RBI. He had a season high three-game hitting streak four times, and his two game-winning RBIs came on June 29 against Chicago and September 26 against Seattle. Jamie had one stolen base, on April 12 at Baltimore, and was caught five times.
He played 79 games at catcher with a .982 fielding percentage (eight errors in 448 total chances) and threw out 18 of 71 would-be base stealers (25.4%). He also played one game at first base and one game at third base.
He signed a one-year contract for 1989 on December 20, 1988.
Jamie was Kansas City's first round selection in the 1972 June free agent draft, the 18th player taken overall. He batted .255 at Billings in his first professional season and led Pioneer League shortstops in fielding (.889), putouts (63), assists (162) and double plays (16). He was named to the league's All-Star team.
He played in 132 games at San Jose in 1973, hitting .231 with eight homers and 45 RBIs. Jamie split his 1974 season between Jacksonville, batting .227, and Omaha where he hit .281.
Jamie spent most of the 1975 season at Omaha, batting .274. He led American Association third basemen in fielding (.958), assists (254), total chances (363) and double plays (31). He made his major league debut with the Royals on September 4 as a ninth inning pinch hitter for George Brett against Chicago at Comiskey Park and drew a walk from pitcher Chris Knapp. Jamie's initial big league hit came on September 9 in his third career plate appearances (second official at-bat), singling in the top of the 14th off Oakland's Jim Todd. His first home run was hit as a pinch hitter off Oakland's Rollie Fingers on September 20 in the ninth inning at Royals Stadium.
In 1976 Jamie played in 64 games with Kansas City at four different positions and batted .246. He was obtained by the Brewers from the Royals in December of 1976 along with outfielder Jim Wohlford and a player to be named later (pitcher Bob McClure) in exchange for pitcher Jim Colborn and catcher Darrell Porter. Jamie spent the entire 1977 season with the Brewers, batting .217 in 93 games with three home runs and 13 RBIs.
He spent most of the 1978 season at AAA Spokane, where he batted .292 with 14 homers and 63 RBIs. Jamie was acquired by the Royals from the Brewers on August 3 in exchange for pitcher Gary Ako and batted .207 in 17 games with Kansas City.
In 1979 Jamie batted a career best .304 for Kansas City and was one of the Royals' biggest weapons coming off the bench. In 1980, he hit .278 for KC with five home runs and 21 RBIs. One of his top games as a Royal came in the first game of a doubleheader in Toronto on August 8, when he went 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs to help the Royals to a 9-0 victory.
Jamie batted .250 in 46 games with Kansas City in 1981, and in 1982 batted .231 in 36 games with the Royals. Granted free agency in 1982, he signed with the Cardinals in February 1983. Jamie played the entire season with the Cardinals and hit .209 in 48 games with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
He contributed significantly to the Royals' 1984 American League West title- as a member of the Cleveland Indians. In his only at-bat with Cleveland, in the bottom of the ninth on September 27 against Minnesota, Jamie hit a two-out solo homer to defeat the Twins 1-0. Coupled with KC's victory at Oakland the next night, the Royals won the AL West title. He had been signed by the White Sox on May 23 but played only three games with them, going 0-for-2. He spent most of 1984 at AAA Denver where he batted .209 in 70 games with two home runs and 24 RBIs. He was purchased by the Indians on September 24, having just that one at-bat with the Indians in which he homered.
In 1985 Jamie was signed by the Royals as a free agent on February 25. At Omaha, he gunned down 22 of 39 would-be stealers (56.4%). With left-handed hitters Pat Sheridan and Dane Iorg out with hamstring injuries for part of the stretch drive, Jamie helped plug the gap. He hit safely in 12 of the 19 games he played after his contract was purchased from Omaha on August 20.
In 1986, his first full season in the majors since 1983, Jamie played in 80 games, the second highest single-season total of his career. He played three positions (41 games behind the plate, 24 games at third base, six at first base) and committed one error in 42 total chances at third, three errors in 280 chances as a catcher and no errors in 49 chances at first. Jamie led KC catchers in throwing out would-be base stealers with a 60% success rate (18-for-30).
Jamie also had a career eight home runs in 1986. After hitting three homers in his first 58 games (146 at-bats), he homered five times in his last 22 games (73 at-bats).
Completing his third separate stint with the Royals in 1987, Jamie set single-season bests in games played (109), at-bats (296), hits (70), doubles (17) and RBIs (33). He stroked two hits in his first three at-bats (against New York on April 10) then went 18 at-bats without a hit. He hit .308 in May (16-for-52) and put together a season high (and career best) 11-game hitting streak from May 22-June 3, batting .412 (14-for-34) in that span.
Jamie was on the disabled list from July 21-August 5 with a fractured right hand but batted .348 (23-for-66) in August along with 16 of his 33 RBIs for the season. On August 22 at Milwaukee, he hit his only career grand slam, off pitcher Mark Knudson. Jamie had a total of five RBIs in that game to set a new career high. He closed the season batting just (11-for-76) after August 30.
A 1972 graduate of St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, CA, Jamie earned four letters in baseball and three each in football and basketball. He batted .410 as a junior and .416 as a senior, and in football was named to All-America teams by Prep Magazine and Athlete Magazine as a junior; that season (1970), against Bishop Amat High School which was led by quarterback Pat Haden, Jamie completed 13 of 17 passes for 280 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown pass, in leading St. Paul to a 34-14 victory. Jamie signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at Notre Dame before deciding to play professional baseball."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led Pioneer League shortstops in double plays with 16 (1972).
Led American Association third basemen in double plays with 31 (1975).
Led American Association in passed balls with 23 (1985).
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
STAN JEFFERSON
"It's taken a long time, and it's come in a roundabout way, but Stanley Jefferson has finally gotten an opportunity to play at Yankee Stadium. This Bronx native is returning home at a time when the Yankees need him most. With the departure of Clauldell Washington, last year's starting center fielder, Jefferson puts on the Pinstripes not only with a chance to make the team but with an opportunity to earn a starting position.
While it wasn't with the Yankees, Jefferson was excited about the chance to play at home in New York after being drafted by the Mets in 1983. After going through the Mets system and making his major league debut at Shea Stadium in September 1986, he was traded to the San Diego Padres. A trade has brought Stanley Jefferson back to New York, with the right tea, and a chance to roam Death Valley."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Jefferson spent the bulk of the 1988 season at Las Vegas (AAA Pacific Coast League) but in 49 games with the Padres batted .144 (16-for-111) with a home run and four RBIs along with five stolen bases in six attempts.
He began the season with San Diego and went hitless in his first six games (0-for-16). He was optioned to Las Vegas on April 20, and at the time of his option was hitting just .105 (4-for-38) with a RBI in 13 games. He played in 74 games at Las Vegas and hit .317 with four home runs, 33 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 26 attempts.
Jefferson was recalled by the Padres on July 26, and after going 0-for-3 in his first game back put together a seven-game hitting streak from July 27-August 3, batting .308 (8-for-26) with four runs, a triple, a home run and two RBIs. The solo home run, his only circuit clout of the season, came on August 2 against Atlanta off John Smoltz. After that hitting streak, through the end of the season, Stan batted .091 (4-for-44) in his final 27 games. He had two stolen bases against Montreal on August 16.
Following the 1988 season, Stan played with Ponce of the Puerto Rican Winter League. He was traded to the Yankees along with pitchers Lance McCullers and Jimmy Jones on October 24 from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder/designated hitter Jack Clark and pitcher Pat Clements. He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Stan was selected by the New York Mets in the 1st round (20th player selected) of the June 1983 free agent draft. Playing in only 71 games for 'A' Little Falls, he led the New York-Penn League in steals with 35. He set a league record by collecting 10 consecutive hits from August 7-10, including a five-hit performance on August 9 against Oneonta. Stan was honored as the league's All-Star center fielder and was named to the Topps All-Short Season team.
While spending the 1984 season at 'A' Lynchburg, he led the Carolina League in runs (113) and triples (9) while finishing third in hits (142), third in walks (84) and fourth in stolen bases (45). He was named to the league's All-Star team.
In 1985 Jefferson led the AA Texas League in stolen bases (39) and was third in runs (97) while playing for Jackson. He was selected to play in the Texas League All-Star Game. He had only 96 at-bats from his natural right side and 428 from the left side; Stan batted .279 and hit all eight of his homers as a left-handed hitter while batting .260 right-handed. He finished the season with a 17-game hitting streak (.413) including the six Texas League playoff games that helped lead the Mets to the championship.
Jefferson played on both the AAA level and in the major leagues for the first time in 1986. He was hitting .290 for the Mets' Tidewater affiliate before being recalled to New York for the final month of the season. With Tidewater, he participated in only 95 games due to a hamstring pull in his right leg that left him sidelined for a month.
After returning to the lineup on August 15, Stan batted .355 before his promotion and stole 25 bases in 32 attempts. He made his big league debut against Pittsburgh in New York, getting his initial hit off Dave LaPoint on September 7. He hit his first major league home run off Philadelphia's Tom Hume at Shea Stadium. Stan was acquired by the Padres in December 1986 along with infielder Kevin Mitchell, outfielder Shawn Abner and pitchers Kevin Armstrong and Kevin Brown in exchange for outfielder Kevin McReynolds, pitcher Gene Walter and infielder Adam Ging.
In 1987 Stan sprained his right ankle rounding first base in an exhibition game on March 30. He attempted to open the season but reinjured the ankle and was placed on the 21-day disabled list. He had played in only five games at that point.
He was reactivated on May 7 and played regularly for 18 games until he was placed back on the DL, this time for tendinitis in his right shoulder. Before his injury, from May 18-20, Jefferson went 7-for-13 (.538) against the Mets at Shea Stadium with five runs scored, a double and two triples.
Jefferson managed only a .228 average in the initial three months of the season but hit .281 in July and August. He had a nine-game hitting streak after the All-Star break, going 11-for-33 (.333) including the first of two four-hit games on July 12 at Pittsburgh. His other four-hit game came against Houston on September 11 when he also had a career high four RBIs. Stan finished the season by going 1-for-25.
He stole 34 bases to rank in a tie for 12th in the National League and was successful on 11 of his last 12 stolen base attempts. A natural right-handed hitter, seven of Stan's eight home runs came from the left side.
A native of New York City who still lives in the Bronx, Stan graduated from that borough's Harry S. Truman High School and attended Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. As a collegian, he was named to the Sporting News All-American team as an outfielder, batting .408 and leading the nation in stolen bases with 67 as a junior."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE KIEFER
"Steve signed with the Yankees in November 1988 as a six-year minor league free agent. He spent the last three years in the Milwaukee organization and was with Oakland prior to that.
He has appeared in 100 major league games, hitting .195 with three home runs and 30 RBI. Steve hit .300 in seven games with the Brewers in 1988."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Steve began 1988 with the Brewers and played in seven games before being outrighted to the Denver Zephyrs of the AAA American Association on May 5, where he finished the season. In his seven games for the Brewers, he went 3-for-10 (.300) with two runs scored, a double, a homer and a RBI. Steve's home run came on April 10 against the Yankees in New York, a solo shot off Tommy John, and he also had a double in that game. His third hit came on April 12 at Boston, and his last appearance with the Brewers came on May 1 in Milwaukee against Kansas City.
Following his outright to Denver, Steve played in 79 games for the Zephyrs, batting .214 with 47 runs, ten doubles, eight triples, ten home runs, 45 RBIs, 27 walks and 73 strikeouts. He was successful on six of 11 stolen base attempts. Steve played both second base and third base for Denver. He signed with the Yankees in November 1988 as a six-year minor league free agent.
Steve was the first round pick of the Oakland A's in the regular phase of the January 1981 free agent draft. Playing at Medford in his first professional season, he was named to the Northwest League All-Star team and earned the league's Rookie of the Year award.
He moved to Madison of the Midwest League in 1982 and ranked second among shortstops in assists (395), total chances (612) and double plays (69) and ranked third in fielding (.928). Steve had career highs with 72 runs, 44 walks and 36 stolen bases. He batted .339 with 13 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 22 games in the Arizona Instructional League.
Steve made the leap to AA Albany of the Eastern League in 1983 and 19 home runs and 81 RBIs. In his first AAA season at Tacoma in 1984, he batted .268 (122-for-455) in 125 games. Steve joined the Oakland A's on September 1 and tripled in his first major league at-bat against Floyd Bannister on September 3. He played 23 games with Oakland.
In 1985 he began the year with Tacoma but joined Oakland on July 29 when Carney Lansford was placed on the disabled list. Steve batted .263 at Tacoma with a career high 25 doubles before joining Oakland. He slammed his first big league home run, a three-run blast, off Glen Cook at Texas on October 2. He played 40 games with Oakland.
Steve was invited to Oakland's 1986 spring training camp as a non-roster player and was traded to Milwaukee along with pitchers Mike Fulmer and Pete Kendrick and catcher Charlie O'Brien on March 30 in exchange for pitcher Moose Haas. He played with Milwaukee's AAA Vancouver affiliate of the Pacific Coast League, had a career high six triples and topped the club with 10 game-winning RBIs and a .453 slugging mark. He played in two games for the Brewers in August, going 0-for-6.
He split his 1987 season between Denver and Milwaukee. With Denver, Steve had a career high 90 runs, 31 home runs, 95 RBIs, .330 batting average and 241 total bases and was named to the American Association All-Star team and the Topps AAA All-Star team. He was named Denver's Player of the Month for May. Steve had two four-hit performances and a 13-game hitting streak from April 16-May 5, batting .444 with four home runs and 11 RBIs.
Steve joined the Brewers on July 16 and had four multi-hit games including a career-high three-hit performance on August 5 against Milwaukee. He had five multi-RBI games including a three-RBI game on August 24 against Oakland and a career high four-RBI game on August 4 against Baltimore, with those RBIs coming on a grand slam off Scott McGregor. He had a five-game hitting streak from August 4-8, going 7-for-15 (.467) with two home runs and six RBIs.
Steve graduated from Garden City (CA) High School in 1979, where he participated in baseball and football and was all-league in baseball in his senior year. He attended Cerritos (Norwalk, CA) College for two years and Fullerton College for one year. He participated in baseball at Fullerton and was named All-South Coast Conference first team."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led American Association with .668 slugging percentage (1987).
Led Pacific Coast League shortstops in errors with 35 (1984).
Tied for Eastern League lead in sacrifice hits with 12 (1983).
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
MIKE WOODARD
"Mike signed with the Yankees in December 1988 as a six-year minor league free agent. He split the 1988 season between the Chicago White Sox and Triple-A Vancouver. He hit .332 and stole 18 bases at Vancouver and was named to the Pacific Coast League's Triple-A All-Star team."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"After signing with the White Sox as a minor league free agent in January of 1988, Mike began the year with Chicago's AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Vancouver Canadians. He was purchased by the White Sox on May 26 and made his Chicago debut in Toronto on May 28, going 1-for-3. Mike hit safely in each of his first three games with Chicago, going 4-for-11 (.364), including 1-for-4 two RBIs on June 4 at Texas and 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs on June 7 at Minnesota (his only multi-hit game with the Sox).
After those three games he went 2-for-34 (.059) in his remaining 15 games, with his hits coming on June 16 at Milwaukee and June 26 at Texas; after the Texas game, he went 0-for-15 before being optioned to Vancouver on July 13. Overall with Chicago he went 6-for-45 (.133) in 18 games with a triple and four RBIs.
Mike remained with Vancouver the rest of the season and in his two stints with the Canadians batted a combined .332 in 94 games with 63 runs, 12 doubles, 10 triples, a home run and 40 RBIs and was successful in 18 of 25 stolen base attempts. He finished fifth in the Pacific Coast League in hitting and was named the PCL's postseason All-Star second baseman. He signed with the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent in December 1988.
Selected by the Oakland A's in the 4th round of the June 1978 free agent draft, Mike began his pro career at [short season] 'A' Bend of the Northwest League and hit a career high .342, third best in the league. In 1979, he stole a career high 61 bases at [advanced] 'A' Modesto of the California League. He was injured in a collision at second base in July of 1980 and was disabled for the rest of the season.
Mike was fourth in the Eastern League with 41 steals in 1981, and in 1982 led the Eastern League with 54 steals despite being disabled for a month. Promoted to the AAA level in 1983, he played second base, shortstop and third base for Tacoma. In 1984 Mike hit .354 with 11 stolen bases in 23 games at AA Albany before being earning a promotion to Tacoma.
Mike signed with the Giants organization as a six-year minor league free agent before the 1985 season and set a Phoenix record with 181 base hits, tops in the PCL. He started the season with a 12-game hitting streak, finished eighth in the league batting race with a .316 mark and was selected to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team.
He made his major league debut with the Giants in the first game of a twin-bill at Houston on September 11, made his first big league start in the second game and collected three hits, including two in his first two major league at-bats. He hit safely in the first 13 major league games in which he batted.
Mike had three different stints with the Giants in 1986. He hit his first major league home run in San Francisco off San Diego's Dane Iorg in an 18-1 Giants romp. He was successful in seven of nine stolen base attempts. Mike hit .319 in 62 games at Phoenix while not with the Giants.
He opened the 1987 season with Phoenix and was recalled by the Giants on May 2. He was returned to Phoenix on May 20, was back with the Giants on May 28, sent back to Phoenix on June 4 and was eventually released. Mike signed with Tucson of the PCL, Houston's top affiliate, where he finished the season. He found more success there, hitting .289 with 22 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 59 games."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led Northwest League second basemen in double plays with 34 (1978).
Led Eastern League in caught stealing with 23 (1981).
Led Eastern League in stolen bases with 82 (1982).
Led Pacific Coast League second basemen in total chances with 702 and double plays with 89 (1985).
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DAVE SAX
"Dave signed with the Yankees in December 1988 as a six-year minor league free agent. He played for Triple-A Buffalo in 1988 and hit .223 in 38 games.
This is his 12th season of pro ball, having also played for the Dodgers and Red Sox organizations. Dave is the brother of Yankee second baseman Steve Sax."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Sax spent the entire 1988 season with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Association, the AAA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was assigned to Buffalo when he was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from the Texas Rangers organization on April 6 in exchange for first baseman Bill Merrifield.
He batted .233 in 38 games with seven runs, three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs. He threw out seven of 56 runners attempting to steal (13%).
Dave had a five-game hitting streak from June 15-July 2, going 5-for-16 (.313) with three RBIs in that span. His one game-winning RBI of the season came on July 31 against Louisville.
He signed with the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent in December 1988.
Sax was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in June 1978 and batted .269 at Lethbridge in his first professional season. He batted .270 with Clinton in 1979 and was named to the Midwest League All-Star team. He split the 1980 season between Lodi, where he batted .171, and Vero Beach, where he hit .352.
In 1981, Sax was converted to catching after playing as an infielder and outfielder in his first three professional seasons. He earned All-Star honors in the Texas League with San Antonio. He set career highs in 1982 at Albuquerque in most offensive categories, batting .317 with 12 home runs and 75 RBIs in 117 games. He hit in 15 straight games from April 30-May 13 and made his major league debut with the Dodgers in September.
Dave was the catcher and designated hitter at Albuquerque in 1983 and spent two brief stints with the Dodgers that year, going 0-for-8 in seven games. In 1984, he saw action at first and second base, at catcher and in the outfield for Albuquerque, where he batted .259 in 106 games with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs. Sax signed with the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in January 1985 after seven years in the Dodger organization.
He started the 1985 season with Boston and played once with Boston before going to Pawtucket on April 28. He was recalled by the Red Sox on June 2, [remaining] for the rest of the year and making 11 starts behind the plate. Dave began the 1986 season with the Red Sox but was sent to Pawtucket on May 16 without appearing in any games. He finished third on the PawSox in RBIs (49) and fourth in home runs (9). He was recalled by Boston on September 2 and hit his first major league home run on September 21 at Toronto.
Sax started the season in Boston for the third straight year in 1987. He appeared in just two games for the Red Sox, going 0-for-3 before being outrighted to Pawtucket on April 27, where he finished the season.
He played 45 games at third base, 17 as a catcher and five at first base for the PawSox. He hit .240 in 85 games with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs, batting .273 in 18 games as a designated hitter. Beginning on August 7, Dave hit .378 with a home run and nine RBIs in his final 16 games to raise his average from .212 to .240.
Dave played two seasons at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, CA. He was Sacramento area College Player of the Year in 1978. He participated in baseball and basketball at Sacramento's James Marshall High School where he graduated in 1976. Dave also played Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion ball. He is the brother of Yankee second baseman Steve Sax.
Dave's hobbies are hunting and fishing."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
BOB GEREN
"Bob signed with the Yankees in November 1987 as a six-year minor league free agent. He has spent almost all of his 10 pro seasons in the minor leagues.
He hit .271 in 95 games with Columbus a year ago and was named as the catcher on the postseason International League All-Star team. He was called up to New York twice and appeared in 10 games."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Geren began the 1988 season with the Columbus Clippers and had his contract purchased by the Yankees on May 15 when Don Slaught was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an injured left groin. At the time his contract was purchased, he was hitting .366 in 32 games for the Clippers with three home runs, 13 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .464.
He made his major league debut on May 17 against Seattle, appearing as a defensive replacement at catcher. His first major league at-bat came on May 20 against Oakland, striking out against Eric Plunk. Bob appeared in a total of four games, going 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout, before being optioned back to Columbus on June 20.
Bob was recalled by the Yankees on September 2. At that point, he was hitting .271 with the Clippers with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 95 games; he was named as the catcher on the postseason International League All-Star team. He made his first major league start on October 1 at Detroit and recorded his first major league hit, a single off Doyle Alexander in the 2nd inning, going 1-for-4 in that game. He made another start the next day in the season finale at Detroit, going 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
Overall in his two stints with the Yankees, Geren played in 10 games and batted .100 (1-for-10) with two walks and three strikeouts. He was 0-for-2 throwing out baserunners, giving up stolen bases to Jose Canseco (May 20 against Oakland) and Jim Walewander (October 2 at Detroit). He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Geren began the 1987 season at AA Albany-Colonie and was hitting .219 in 31 games with three home runs and 11 runs batted in when he was promoted to AAA Columbus on May 29. He played in five games with the Clippers, hitting .150 with a home run and three RBIs, before being outrighted back to Albany on June 12.
He finished the season with Albany, and in the 47 games he played there, following his return, batted .222 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. Overall in his two stints with Albany, Bob hit a combined .221 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs; his 11 homers ranked second on the club, and his five game-winning RBIs ranked fourth. He led all Eastern League catchers in fielding with a .994 percentage (two errors in 358 chances). In 1986, his first year in the Yankee organization, he batted .254 at Columbus, with seven homers and 25 RBIs, and .148 [in 11 games] at Albany-Colonie.
Geren was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round (24th choice overall) in the regular phase of the June 1979 free agent draft. That choice was awarded to the Padres as compensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers' signing of [free agent] Derrel Thomas. In his first professional season, Bob hit .172 in 54 games at Walla Walla.
He split his time in 1980 between Reno, where he hit .159 in 48 games with four homers and 23 RBIs, and Walla Walla, where he hit .254 in 51 games. Geren was acquired by the Cardinals organization in December 1980 along with pitchers Rollie Fingers and Bob Shirley and catcher Gene Tenace for catchers Terry Kennedy and Steve Swisher, infielder Mike Phillips, and pitchers Al Olmstead, John Urrea, Kim Seaman and John Littlefield. Geren hit .222 in 64 games at St. Petersburg in 1981.
In 1982, his second consecutive season at St. Petersburgh, he batted .244 in 110 games. He led Florida State League catchers in games (96) and assists (72). Bob spent the entire 1983 season at Springfield, where he tied for third in the Midwest League in home runs with 24, his professional high. He batted .265 and set another personal pro best with 73 runs batted in. Bob led Midwest League catchers in total chances (939), putouts (826) and assists (102).
He spent most of 1984 at Arkansas, batting .247 with 15 home runs and 40 RBIs, and in 15 games at Louisville hit .175. In 1985, Bob's final year as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization, he hit .225 at Arkansas, where he spent most of the season, and in five games at Louisville batted .357. He signed with the Yankees in November of 1985 as a six-year minor league free agent."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
JEFF MORONKO
"Jeff graduated from Pasadena (TX) High School and attended Texas Wesleyan and San Jacinto Junior College. He was selected by Toronto in the 5th round of the January 1979 free agent draft and selected by Cleveland in the 6th round of the June 1980 free agent draft. Jeff was signed by scout Red Gaskill of the Indians.
He was named to the Topps AA All-Star team and the Eastern League All-Star squad in 1984. He was traded to Texas on April 29, 1985 to complete the deal that sent Kevin Buckley to Cleveland on April 4, 1985."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
MEL HALL
"Good contact hitter who contributed offensively but declined defensively with 10 errors in the outfield.
Hall went 223 at-bats without a home run but finally connected on June 23 at Yankee Stadium, and it was his first homer since October 4, 1987. He put together a career-high 16-game hitting streak from July 3-20, going 23-for-66 (.348) with two homers and 13 RBI. Hall collected his second career home run against a lefty on July 6 with an inside-the-parker against Oakland's Rick Honeycutt; it marked the first inside-the-park homer by an Indian since Joe Carter had one in 1985.
Born in Lyons, New York, Hall was acquired from the Cubs with Carter, Don Schulze and Darryl Banks for Rick Sutcliffe, George Frazier and Ron Hassey on June 13, 1984."
-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1989 Edition
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Other 1989 Yankee Profiles: Pitchers
AL LEITER
"For young Al Leiter the dream is over, and reality has set in. The 1989 season will be very different for Leiter, as the Yankees will be counting heavily on a strong performance from the left-hander.
For the New Jersey native, it had been a storybook beginning. In September 1987, at age 21, he made his Yankee debut by striking out the first six batters he faced. With only five games of Triple-A experience, Leiter got a shot in 1988 with the team he cheered growing up. And the local boy made good, winning his first three decisions.
The fantasy then became a nightmare when a string of injuries woke him up. 'Nobody was as upset as I was because I know what I can do out there,' says Leiter. And the Yankees also realize his ability.
Despite the injuries of a year ago, the youngster with the blazing fastball is expected to play a major role in the team's success of 1989. In light of these high expectations, the dreaming is over and his career must begin."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Leiter finished the season with a record of 4-4 in 14 games (all starts) with a 3.92 ERA in 57.1 innings with 33 walks and 60 strikeouts. His .231 batting average was the second lowest on the team, behind only Cecilio Guante's .213, and he was the only Yankee pitcher to register more strikeouts than innings pitched.
He began the season by winning his first three starts, going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts and six walks. Included in those wins was his season debut on April 9 against Milwaukee, Leiter going seven innings and allowing one earned run on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts, winning 4-1, and his second start when he went eight innings on April 14 at Toronto, allowing three earned runs and four hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts, winning 7-3. The 11 strikeouts are his career high, surpassing the 10 strikeouts he recorded against the Orioles on September 25, 1987 at Baltimore.
After that 3-0 start, Al went 0-2 in his next four starts, including a loss on May 6 at Texas when he was forced to leave after two innings with flu-like symptoms. He ended that losing streak on May 24 at California, defeating the Angels 5-3 while allowing just one earned run on one hit in seven innings with six walks and eight strikeouts. In that game Al pitched no-hit ball through 5.2 innings before Wally Joyner's single; he pitched shutout ball through seven innings, allowing just that one hit but was taken out after walking the leadoff hitter in the 8th and was charged with an earned run when Steve Shields allowed that run to score. That win improved Leiter's record to 4-2 after his first eight starts with a 3.46 ERA in 41.2 innings, 19 walks and 49 strikeouts, and he ranked among the American League's top ten in strikeouts.
In Leiter's next start, May 31 at Oakland, he faced only one hitter, as A's leadoff hitter Carney Lansford lined a ball off Leiter's left forearm, forcing him out of the game. Neil Allen relieved and pitched nine scoreless innings for the shutout win (but not a complete game) in the Yankees' 5-0 victory. X-rays taken at the time were negative, and Leiter suffered only a bruised left arm but missed his next two starts.
His first start after the injury came on June 15 at Boston, but Al was not at full strength due to his injury and gave up five runs in 2.1 innings, including a grand slam by Ellis Burks, and was charged with the Yankees' 8-3 loss. In his next start, June 21 at Detroit, he suffered a severe recurring blister on his left middle finger that was first discovered after he was hit by a comebacker by Larry Herndon in the fourth inning, forcing him out of the game after 3.1 scoreless innings pitched. Al was placed on the 21-day disabled list on June 22 because of that blister.
He was assigned to Columbus for rehabilitation on July 14 and was optioned to Columbus on July 29, remaining there until his recall on August 31. At Columbus Al made two starts while on rehab and two after being optioned, combining to go 0-2 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings pitched with 14 walks and 12 strikeouts.
Leiter's first start after his recall by the Yankees came on September 6 against Cleveland; he suffered his fourth loss, 1-0, allowing just one run on three hits in five innings with the one run coming on a 4th inning home run by Ron Kittle.
He made two more starts during the remainder of the season. He went four innings against Detroit on September 11, allowing three hits and one run with four walks and two strikeouts and leaving with a 3-1 lead but getting no decision (New York eventually won 5-4 when Claudell Washington hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the 18th inning). In his last start of the year, on September 16 at Boston, he lasted only one inning, giving up two earned runs on just one hit and two walks and received a no-decision in the Red Sox' eventual 7-4 win.
With Leiter's April 9 start against Milwaukee, he joined Bob Tewsbury (1986) as the only Yankee rookie pitchers to come to spring training, win a trip north and make the rotation since then 22-year-old Mike Griffin did it in 1980 (Gene Nelson had won a spot in 1981 but came down with an intestinal virus which landed him on the disabled list). Leiter and Tewksbury are the only Yankee rookie pitchers to even start in the month of April since Griffin. Leiter won a spot in the rotation by allowing only four earned runs in 31 innings (1.16 ERA) with 21 strikeouts in spring training.
Leiter signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Leiter began the 1987 season at Columbus but was placed on the disabled list on May 1 with a broken nose, suffered while running sprints in the outfield. He was reinstated from the DL on May 23 and was re-optioned to Albany on May 24. While in AA ball, Leiter was placed on the DL on June 14, this time with a tender left shoulder. He was activated on July 3 and remained with Albany until being re-optioned to Columbus on August 27.
He finished his Albany season with a record of 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA, appearing in 15 games and starting 14. At Columbus, he was 1-4 with a 6.17 ERA in five games, all starts, in the regular season. Al made two starts in the International League playoffs, defeating Rochester 15-3 on September 3 and downing Tidewater on September 8 in Game 2 of the Governor's Cup finals. In those two postseason starts, he allowed three earned runs in 15.1 innings pitched with nine hits, two walks and 11 strikeouts [0.72 WHIP].
Al pitched for the Yankees against the Atlanta Braves in the Hall of Fame exhibition game on July 27, going two scoreless, hitless innings with three strikeouts and was credited with the save in the Yankees' 3-0 win over Atlanta. He was recalled by the Yankees on September 10 and made his official Yankee debut at age 21 on September 15 in a starting assignment against Milwaukee. Al became the youngest player to pitch for the Yankees since 19-year-old Jose Rijo appeared on July 6, 1984 at Minnesota, and the youngest to start for the Yankees since Rijo on June 11, 1984 at Boston. In that start he also became the 48th man to play for the Yankees in 1987, breaking the record of 47 players used in 1979 and 1982.
In that first big league start, Al showed great poise while allowing the Brewers just one run on one hit in six innings, walking four and striking out eight en route to his first career victory as the Yanks defeated the Brewers 4-3. By winning that game he became the youngest Yankee pitcher to win a game since Rijo defeated Baltimore on June 23, 1984, and was the youngest Yankee starter to record a victory since 20-year-old Gene Nelson beat Baltimore on June 4, 1981.
Leiter suffered his first major league loss on September 20 against Toronto, losing 6-2 while allowing home runs to George Bell and Nelson Liriano. He won his second game on September 25 at Baltimore, winning 6-4 while allowing the Birds four runs on eight hits in 6.2 innings pitched, walking five and striking out 10, the first time Al struck out 10 or more batters in a game in his professional career. He finished the season by picking up his second loss with the Yankees, dropping a 7-0 decision to the Red Sox on September 30, going only 3.1 innings and giving up six runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
He finished with a 2-2 record with the Yankees in four starts with 6.35 ERA, along with 15 walks and 28 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched, giving up 16 runs (all earned) on 24 hits [1.72 WHIP].
Leiter was selected by the Yankees in the second round (regular phase) of the June 1984 free agent draft. He began his pro career at Oneonta of the 'A' New York-Penn League, going 3-2 in 10 starts with a 3.63 ERA. Al notched 48 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched.
He began the 1985 season with the 'A' Ft. Lauderdale Yankees and posted a 1-6 record and a 6.48 ERA in 17 starts and recorded a complete game. He finished the year at Oneonta and went 3-2 in six starts with a 2.37 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 38 innings, with two complete games.
In 1986 Leiter appeared in 22 games (21 starts) for Ft. Lauderdale and posted a 4-8 record with an ERA of 4.05. He had one complete game, a 2-hit 6-0 shutout of West Palm Beach on May 24, recording eight strikeouts in that contest. He followed that by pitching five shutout innings of 2-hit ball with seven strikeouts against Daytona Beach on May 30 and received credit for the Yankees' victory. Al had a season high nine strikeouts twice, on May 13 against Vero Beach and on July 9 at Ft. Myers, but did issue six or more walks six times including a season high of seven walks on June 17 at St. Petersburg. He missed two starts when he was sidelined from July 26-August 8 with a bruised left elbow.
Al graduated from Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey in 1984, where he participated in baseball, football and track and led the baseball team to the state championship. He was an All-American selection in baseball and all-county in football in 1984. His older brother Kurt was a pitcher in the Orioles organization from 1982-84 and his older brother Mark was a pitcher in the Oriole system from 1983-87 and was signed by the Yankees prior to the 1989 season.
Al's favorite player is Tom Seaver and his favorite entertainer is Bruce Springsteen. His favorite spectator sport is college basketball, his favorite ballpark is Anaheim Stadium, his favorite city is Chicago and his most memorable sports moment: 'My first six major league outs were strikeouts.'"
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
RON GUIDRY
"In what could be a curtain call for one of the Yankees' all-time greats, the organization has given Ron Guidry the opportunity to help the team in 1989. The one-time ace of the pitching staff, Gator was only a shell of his former self during the last two injury-plagued seasons. But that's not what his signing is all about.
At a mere 5'11" and 160 lbs., this lefty has been the big man with the Yankees for more than 12 years. With a blazing fastball and biting slider, Lousiana Lightning was the original K-Korner man in New York. Any recollection of the Yankee glory days in the late 1970's-early '80's brings back memories of a dominating Guidry on the mound. In fact, he may have single-handedly pitched the Yankees to their second consecutive title in 1978.
Now he's making one last pitch to retire in Pinstripes. Guidry added, 'Prior to the injuries I had hoped to start for a few more years and then switch to the bullpen. Now I just have to go out there and see what goes on. I want to help this club for one more year before I retire, and then I'll just go home.' A true Yankee, Ron Guidry will get his opportunity in 1989."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"The veteran left-hander made 10 starts in 12 appearances in 1988. Until his activation on July 1, Guidry spent the season recovering from surgery performed in December of 1987 to repair a partial tear in a muscle that overlays the rotator cuff in the left shoulder. The operation, considered a complete success, was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.
Unable to pitch during spring training, Gator was placed on the 21-day disabled list on April 4. On April 24 he was placed on rehabilitation at Ft. Lauderdale, appearing in four games (all starts) and going 0-0 with a 1.23 ERA (14.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 17 K). On May 18 he was transferred from the rehab list back to the 21-day disabled list.
Ron was activated by the Yankees on May 22 but did not appear in a game while on the active roster. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 31 with a sore left shoulder, then transferred to the 21-day DL on June 10 where he remained until his activation on July 1.
He made five starts for the Yankees, then was placed on the 15-day DL on July 31 with a pulled left hamstring. He was transferred to the 21-day DL on August 3 and activated on August 21, making two relief appearances before returning to the starting rotation on September 3. Overall for the season, Guidry posted a 2-3 record with a 4.18 ERA in 56 innings pitched with 15 walks, 39 strikeouts and a .259 batting average against [and a 1.29 WHIP].
As a starter, Guidry went 2-3 in ten starts with a 4.63 ERA in 46 innings pitched with 17 walks and 27 strikeouts [and a 1.31 WHIP], but the Yankees lost six of the ten games he started. In his five no-decisions, however, he left three of them with leads that the bullpen was unable to hold. In his two relief outings, Gator pitched a total of 6.1 innings, allowing two runs (earned) for a 2.84 ERA, with six hits, one walk and five strikeouts [1.11 WHIP] and prevented two of his three inherited runners from scoring.
Ron's first start and appearance of the season came on July 1 at Chicago, going 4.2 innings and leaving the game trailing 1-0, but the Yankees tied the game in the seventh, leaving Guidry with a no-decision in a 2-1 loss. His first loss came on July 6 at Texas, allowing two earned runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings, including a solo home run to Pete Incaviglia. His first win came on July 17 against Chicago in New York when he pitched five innings, yielding just one hit- a 1st inning bunt single to Steve Lyons, the second batter he faced. allowed one earned run along with two walks, two strikeouts and one wild pitch, and left after five innings leading 4-1 in the Yankees' eventual 7-3 win.
On July 23 against Kansas City, Ron got a no-decision in a 6-5 Yankee loss despite leaving the game after 5.1 innings 5-4. On July 28 against Milwaukee at Yankee Stadium, he was the loser in the Yankees' 6-1 defeat despite leaving the game trailing only 2-1.
Gator's first relief appearance (and first appearance since his activation from the DL on August 21) came on August 27 at California, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing four hits and an earned run (a two-run homer to Jack Howell, the first batter he faced) with one walk and four strikeouts. It was his first relief appearance since June 3, 1987, going 22 starts between relief appearances. His last relief outing came on August 30 at Seattle, pitching 1.2 innings of relief and giving up two hits and one earned run with one strikeout.
On September 3 at Oakland, Guidry pitched five innings and left with the Yankees leading 4-2 but the A's rallied to win the game 5-4, leaving him with a no-decision. In his September 8 start against Detroit at Yankee Stadium, he went 6.1 innings and allowed just one earned run on three hits with a season high five strikeouts. He left the game with the Yankees leading 4-1 but the Tigers later tied the score, leaving Guidry with a no-decision before the Yankees eventually won the game 7-4 in 10 innings.
On September 13 at Cleveland, he went 4.2 innings and gave up four earned runs on six hits, including homers to Joe Carter and Luis Medina, and left the game trailing 4-2 but received a no-decision in the Yankees' comeback 5-4 win. In a start on September 19 at Boston, Ron went just 1.1 innings and allowed six earned runs on six hits (including a three-run homer by Ellis Burks in the 1st inning) and was charged with the Yankees' 9-4 loss. The 1.1 innings equaled the shortest career outing as a starter, having pitched 1.1 in an August 29, 1986 start at Seattle in a game the Yankees eventually won 13-12.
Guidry's last appearance of the year, a start on September 27 against the Orioles in Baltimore, was his best. He went seven innings (his longest outing of the year and his longest since he went 7.1 innings on August 31, 1987 against Oakland in New York) and allowed one earned run on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts and was credited with the win in the Yankees' 5-1 victory.
Guidry has compiled a 170-91 career won-lost record (.651 winning percentage) and a 3.29 ERA in 2,392.1 innings pitched. His win total ranks ninth among active pitchers, and since 1977, Guidry's first full year in the majors, his 170 places him second to Tiger ace Jack Morris (177 wins in that span); also, with 129 wins over the last 10 years, Guidry trails only Morris (173) and Dave Stieb (131). In the last 10 years he also ranks 11th in strikeouts with 1,327 and 11th with a 3.55 ERA.
His 2392.1 career innings pitched ranks sixth on the all-time Yankee list (Bob Shawkey is fifth with 2,489) and his 368 games ranks seventh (Johnny Murphy is sixth with 383). With 170 wins Guidry has moved into sole possession of fourth place (Gomez is third with 189) and his 1,778 strikeouts ranks second only to Whitey Ford's 1,956. Gator is tied with Spud Chandler for sixth place on the Yankee shutout list with 26 (Allie Reynolds is fifth with 27) and ranks 16th with 95 complete games (Reynolds is 15th with 96).
Guidry signed a one-year contract on February 3, 1989.
In 1987, failing to sign by the midnight January 8 deadline, Guidry was unable to sign with the Yankees until May 1. Signing a two-year contract, he reported to the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees (Class-A Florida State League) on May 5 and appeared in two games, going 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in six innings with four hits, no runs, one walk and seven strikeouts. He remained in Florida until May 18, when he was assigned to the Columbus Clippers, making his only start for the Clippers on that date, going five innings and allowing three hits, two runs (one earned), two walks, striking out three and being credited for the 6-2 victory over the Richmond Braves. Guidry had his Columbus contract purchased by the Yankees on May 23.
His first five outings for the Yankees in 1987 were in relief (0-1, 2.45 ERA, 7.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K [1.23 WHIP]). His five relief appearances were the most he's had in a season since making eight in 1980. Ron made his first start on June 9 against Toronto, losing the 7-2 decision.
In his next two starts, he combined to allow just two earned runs in 11 innings but did not figure in either decision. After he allowed a season high three home runs on June 24 at Baltimore as the Yankees were shutout 4-0, his record was now 0-3. He notched his first win of '87 on June 30 at Toronto, allowing no runs in 7.2 innings pitched as New York won 4-0.
From June 30 through July 31 Gator made seven starts, allowing 11 earned runs (six coming on solo homers) in 50 innings, going 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA. Of his three no-decision during that span, New York lost two while scoring a combined three runs in the losses. Ron's most impressive outing came on July 11 at Chicago when he struck out 14 in 6.2 innings, the second highest single-game total of his career and most by a Yankee since he set the Yankee record with 18 strikeouts on June 17, 1978 against California. In that game of July 11, 14 of the 20 outs he recorded were by strikeout.
From August 6 through August 21 Guidry lost four straight starts, allowing 20 earned runs in 25.1 innings (7.11 ERA). He won his final two games of the year, with the start on August 31 (10 K in 7.1 IP) against Oakland snapping that losing streak. Due to a tender left shoulder, his final start of the year came on September 5 in a 7-6 win against California. Guidry's final 17 outings of the year were all starts. He threw complete games on July 6 against Minnesota, losing 2-0, and on August 21 at Oakland, losing 6-4.
In 1986 Ron had the second sub-.500 season of his career, going 9-12 [with a 1.25 WHIP], the first time since 1976 he failed to win in double figures, yet his 140 strikeouts led the club for the sixth time in ten years. Ron won his fifth straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He was named co-captain along with teammate Willie Randolph on March 4.
Gator began the season 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his first four games, with three walks and 19 strikeouts. In his next 13 games, from April 29 to July 2, he compiled a 1-8 record with a 5.03 ERA, allowing 44 earned runs and 11 homers in 78.2 innings pitched; in that span New York won three of four games in which he got no decision, and he threw two complete game one-run losses (May 20 against Oakland, 2-1, and May 31 at Oakland, 4-3). Guidry did not pitch more than six innings in six of those 13 starts.
In his May 10 start at Texas, Guidry struck out 11 Rangers in seven innings, winning 4-3- his most strikeouts since he struck out 13 in a 7-0 shutout of Chicago on August 7, 1984. Beginning with his next start on May 15 through July 2, he lost seven straight decisions (10 G, 58.2 IP, 33 ER, 5.06 ERA)- by far the longest losing streak of his career. Guidry had lost three in one season straight six times, and his longest previous losing streak was four games, September 10, 1982 to April 12, 1983.
Guidry's two inning performance on June 16 against Boston was his shortest since going two innings on July 10, 1982, having made 118 starts in between. On July 2 at Yankee Stadium against Detroit, he was cut between the index and middle fingers of his left hand while attempting to spear a line drive off the bat of Lance Parrish. The gash required five stitches and Guidry was placed on the 21-day disabled list on July 3- the second stint of his career on the DL (at the time he was 4-8, 4.05 ERA, 106.2 IP).
While on the DL, Gator was assigned to Albany-Colonie (AA Eastern League) for rehabilitation, starting there before a huge crowd on July 23 against the Nashua Pirates. He threw three innings, allowing one hit, one earned run, two walks and striking out three. Ron was activated from the DL on July 27, starting and winning that night in Minnesota (his first win since May 10). Ron pitched the shortest starting assignment of his career on August 29 at Seattle, going 1.1 inning (5 H, 5 ER)- his two previous shortest outings were each 1.2 innings.
He was 5-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 85.2 innings after coming off the DL through the end of the season. He was 3-2 with a 2.84 ERA in his last five starts (12 ER, 38 IP), losing the last two by scores of 3-2 to Detroit and 3-0 to Toronto- each a complete game effort. Overall in '86, five of Ron's losses came in one-run games, while the Yankees were shut out in two others.
Selected by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the free agent draft on June 8, 1971, Ron was first brought up to the Yankees from Syracuse on July 27, 1975 and made his major league debut that day at Shea Stadium against the Red Sox. He made nine relief appearances prior to his first major league start on September 22, also against Boston, in which he suffered his first major league loss. He pitched in just seven games in 1976, all in relief.
1977 was his first full year with the Yankees. Guidry was used in relief in six of his first seven appearances, then ended the year with 24 straight starts. He notched his first major league win on April 13 at Kansas City in a relief role, and his first career save was recorded on April 24 at Cleveland. His first win as a starter came on April 29 in New York against Seattle.
From August 10 to September 25 Guidry went 8-0, raising his record to 16-6. He was 1-0 in two ALCS starts and threw a 4-2 complete game 4-hitter against Los Angeles in the World Series. 1977 was just a sign of things to come.
Guidry had a dream season for any pitcher in 1978. He was the unanimous choice for the Cy Young Award (the only other unanimous winner was Denny McLain in 1968), 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 hit just .193 against him.
He 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 is 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.
Ron was also named Sporting News Man of the Year, Sporting News Player of the Year, Sporting News American League Pitcher of the Year, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and Baseball Quarterly Performer of the Year. He was named to the United Press International, Associated Press and Sporting News and All-Star teams.
He won his second straight ERA title in 1979 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 a 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.
In 1983, Guidry led the AL with 21 complete games- a career high- was third with 21 wins, tied for fourth with three shutouts, tied for fifth with a .700 won-lost percentage, was 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. He played center field for a third of an inning on August 18 during the conclusion of the 'Pine Tar Game', then 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 All-Star team.
His best 1984 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 for '84, later tied by Joe Cowley). Ron ended the game by striking out the side on nine pitches, tying a major league record. He was placed on the disabled list with inflamed rib cartilage for the first time in his career on August 16.
Guidry began the 1985 season with a 6-3 win at Cleveland on April 13. He lost his next three starts, but on May 4 against Kansas City pitched a complete game 5-2 win, starting him on a 12-game winning streak that upped his record to 13-3 on July 20; over the streak he gave up 30 earned runs 123.2 innings for a 2.18 ERA. The streak ended with a 6-5 loss at Cleveland on July 31. Ron made one relief appearance on May 17 at California, retiring Reggie Jackson.
He threw back-to-back shutouts on June 17 at Baltimore and on June 22 at Detroit, the 25th and 26th shutouts of his career. He would have been selected to the All-Star team but declined, knowing he could not pitch if needed.
Ron allowed five home runs on September 17 at Detroit, his career high, yet pitched his 2,000th career inning in the third inning of that game. He won his 20th game on September 22 at Baltimore, becoming only the seventh Yankee to win 20 games three times. He won nine of his last 11 decisions and six of his last seven, including his last three.
He struck out Baltimore's Lee Lacy in the seventh inning on September 28 for career strikeout No. 1,500 and struck out a season high 10 on October 3 against Baltimore. Overall in '85, Guidry struck out 100+ batters for the ninth straight year.
In high school at Northside High, where they had no baseball team, Guidry was named Outstanding Track Man for two years. At Southwestern Louisiana, where he majored in architecture, he hurled a no-hitter and was named to the Gulf States All-Stars.
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 and chess and could play the drums professionally. He grew up as a fan of the Yankees and Whitey Ford and his biggest thrill was his 18-strikeout game. Ron spent six years in the National Guard. He is of French ancestry."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Established major league record for highest winning percentage, season, 20 or more wins (.893), 1978.
Tied major league record for striking out side on nine pitches, August 7, 1984, second game (ninth inning).
Tied American League record for most shutouts by a left-handed pitcher, season (9), 1978.
Named Man of the Year by The Sporting News, 1978.
Named Major League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, 1978.
Named American League Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News, 1978.
Won American League Cy Young Memorial Award, 1978.
Named left-handed pitcher on The Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985.
Named pitcher on The Sporting News American League All-Star fielding team, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986.
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
GUIDRY SAYS FAREWELL
"Ronald Ames Guidry, the Yankees' winningest pitcher since White Ford, stood before a Yankee Stadium press gathering for the last time on July 12.
'I'm officially announcing my retirement from the game,' Guidry, his emotional bearing reminiscent of his mound work for 14 years. 'I feel I'm in the way of some young guy. I gave them everything I could.'
And then some. Years of power pitching were slow in taking their toll on a 5-11, 160-pound man alternately known as 'Louisiana Lightning' and 'Gator.' Guidry etched his name deeply in the Yankee record book. 'I didn't set any career goals when I started because I was already 26, in my first full season, in 1977. But I think my accomplishments have been many in a short period,' remembered Guidry.
With 170 wins and 91 losses, Guidry pitched to a winning percentage of .651 while his team played .557 over the same period. From 1977 until his retirement, he won more games than any other major leaguer except Jack Morris, who has won 179 and lost 125 for a percentage of .589 (at the time of this writing). And in a time when 20-win seasons were few and far between, Guidry had three, in 1978, 1983 and 1985.
For now, Guidry plans to return to his family and farm in Louisiana. But when interviewed in Newsday last September, Guidry expressed an interest in being a pitching coach. Whatever his plans in or out of baseball, Guidry has cleared out his corner locker and collected up his jazz records he brings each spring to the room adjacent to the clubhouse, where he listened to music and played the drums.
Now that Guidry has played his last note as a Yankee, we can see the symphony left behind. He established several Yankee pitching records and one incredible league record: his 25-3 record in 1978 was merely the best winning percentage, .893, for a 20-game winner in this century.
In that fantasy season, made even more fantastic with the passing of time, Guidry's 25 wins halted 15 Yankee losing streaks. Guidry recalled that season quietly. 'Guys like Chambliss, Rivers and Nettles would come to me and say, 'we gotta have this one tonight.'' And win he did. He set six Yankee pitching records that season: winning percentage, most strikeouts, 248; most strikeouts in a nine-inning game, 18; most shutouts in a season, nine; lowest earned run average in a season for a left-hander, 1.74; and most consecutive wins to start the season, 13.
To top off the near perfect symmetry of that season, Louisiana Lightning went out and won the playoff game in Boston, one against Kansas City and another against the Dodgers to help the Yankees to their second straight World Championship. Oh yes, then there was that small matter of a Cy Young Award. Only an incredible offensive year by Jim Rice kept him from the MVP award.
Yankee fans fortunate enough to see Guidry at his best will recall a left-hander hurling himself toward the plate with an unfair slider that finished at a right-hander's shoe tops. Invariably, there were two strikes and the crowd groaned with dissatisfaction at a groundout or popup. 'I remember many things about that season,' reflected Guidry. 'Bucky's homer, the 18 K's against California and, of course, the Series. But you know something, above everything else in my career I recall a 4-2 win against the Dodgers in Los Angeles in Game Four of the 1977 World Series, which gave us a three games to one lead. I could sum up the 1978 season by saying that other pitchers may have won 25 games before, but not when they needed it personally and their team needed it so badly.' And Guidry was 5-2 in postseason play.
And the lean lefty inspired many of his peers to sing his praises. Dave Righetti, who played alongside Guidry for eight years paid his respects. 'He was my role model,' said Righetti on the day of the press conference. 'When I came up I was told by Billy Martin to watch every move he made. And I did. Opponents? Listen to the newest Hall of Famer, Carl Yastrzemski: 'I loved the competition of facing Guidry, especially in his younger years. You knew he was going to come right after you.' And Willie Randolph, who began with the Yankees one year after Guidry in 1976 and was named Co-Captain with him in 1986, could not forget the man whose locker was just across the room from his own. 'I've always said Ron Guidry, pound for pound, was the fiercest competitor I ever played with.'
But perhaps Reggie Jackson best recalled the image that will remain in the minds of Yankee fans forever. 'I remember his small frame, stepping behind the mound, taking a deep breath and throwing a hellish slider to strike somebody out.'
So do we, Reggie. So do we."
-Kenneth J. Shouler, 1989 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program
HIPOLITO PENA
"It's September, the middle of a pennant race, and the Yankees are playing their fiercest rivals- the first-place Red Sox- in Fenway. The bases are loaded, it's a close game, Wade Boggs steps in, you go to the bullpen, and who gets the call? The Hippo. Who? Hipolito Pena, that's who. Why? Because in his first nine appearances with the Yankees he allowed just one earned run and prevented all 14 of his inherited runners from scoring.
Acquired from the Pirates on March 30, 1988, the left-handed reliever uses a somewhat awkward motion to keep hitters off stride, making his breaking ball even more deceptive and his fastball more effective. This year the 25-year-old native of the Dominican Republic is no surprise, and Hipolito Pena is being counted on by the Yankees in 1989."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"In 1988 Pena was acquired by the Yankees from the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 30 in exchange for first baseman Orestes Destrade. He began the season with the Columbus Clippers and appeared in 20 games (all in relief) before being recalled by the Yankees on May 31. Pena compiled a 6-1 record with a 3.47 ERA in 36.1 innings pitched with 18 walks and 41 strikeouts during his stay in Columbus.
Pena made his Yankee debut in a relief role on June 1 at Oakland, pitching one scoreless inning and allowing one hit. His first loss as a Yankee came in his next outing on June 4 at Baltimore when he was charged with the Yankees' 7-6 defeat, pitching two innings and giving up two hits and three unearned runs; all three runs scored with two outs in the bottom of the 14th inning on a two-base throwing error by Mike Pagliarulo with the bases loaded to turn a 6-4 Yankee lead into an Oriole victory. Pena made a total of three relief appearances with the Yankees, pitching 4.1 innings and giving up three runs (all unearned) with four hits, two walks and three strikeouts before being optioned to Columbus on June 10.
He finished the season with the Clippers and was recalled to New York on September 2. Overall at Columbus in his two stints there, he was 7-6 with three saves and a 3.87 ERA (104.2 IP) [1.33 WHIP] in 50 games (47 in relief) with 55 walks and 109 strikeouts. Pena's 50 appearances ranked fourth in the International League.
His only victory for the Yankees came on September 8 against Detroit when he earned his first major league win in eight decisions, pitching 0.1 innings, getting the final out in the 10th inning and gaining the victory when Gary Ward hit a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to beat the Tigers 7-4. In his first nine appearances with the Yankees through September 17, he allowed just one earned run in 8.1 innings pitched (1.08 ERA) and prevented all 14 of his inherited runners from scoring. Pena did allow an inherited runner to score in his next outing, September 18 at Boston, to break that streak.
He matched his career high with three strikeouts in 1.1 innings on September 26 at Baltimore. He gave up his only homer as a Yankee in his last appearance, on September 30, a two-run homer to Chet Lemon.
Overall in his two stints with the Yankees, Pena was 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA (14.1 IP) in 16 games (all in relief) with nine walks [1.33 WHIP] and ten strikeouts. His .192 batting average was the lowest among Yankee pitchers. He retired the first batter he faced 11 of 16 times (including 9-for-13 with runners on base) and prevented 21 of his 25 inherited runners from scoring. His longest relief appearance of the year was two innings, on June 4 at Baltimore and September 30 at Detroit.
Pena signed a contract through the 1989 season.
Pena was originally signed by the Brewers as a non-drafted free agent on May 30, 1981. He spent the first two months of the 1983 season with Aguascallentes in the Mexican League, was recalled by Beloit on June 19 and released by the Milwaukee organization on July 1. He pitched at Bradenton in 1984 after being signed to a Pittsburgh contract on June 21. Pena began the 1985 season with the Miami Marlins, an independent Class A club, and finished with Prince William in the Carolina League.
In 1986, Pena began the year in the Class AA Nashua bullpen but his real success came as a starter. On June 17 he was 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA in 19 games (two starts), and after that made 12 appearances (10 starts) and was 6-2 with a 1.39 ERA.
His contract was purchased by Pittsburgh on September 1 and he made his major league debut on that date at Cincinnati, retiring all three batters he faced. Pena recorded his first major league save on September 8 against St. Louis, working two scoreless innings. He lost at New York on October 5 in his first major league start (2 ER, 1 IP).
Pena began the 1987 season at Vancouver (Pirates' AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate) and was 0-0 (2.53 ERA) in six relief appearances there when his contract was purchased by Pittsburgh on April 27. He allowed one earned run in his first six Pirate appearances (7.2 IP, 1.17 ERA). He worked two scoreless innings on May 20 against Houston to record his only save. Pena was 0-2 with a 3.78 ERA when he was optioned back to Vancouver on June 1.
He appeared in 21 games at Vancouver before being recalled by the Pirates on July 27. He lost at St. Louis on August 2 in his first major league start (5 ER, 5 IP) and made four appearances in his second '87 stint with Pittsburgh before being optioned back to Vancouver on August 12, where he remained for the balance of the season.
Pena finished his Pacific Coast League season by going 3-1 (2.66 ERA) in six games (two starts) after his return from the Pirates. His overall AAA record was 2-3 (2.66 ERA) in seven starts and 3-3 (4.91 ERA) with four saves in 20 games out of the bullpen.
Pena played winter ball for Aguilas in the Dominican League. His first name is pronounced ee-PO-lee-toe."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE SHIELDS
"Try, try and try again. That's how Steve Shields established himself as a member of the Yankees' relief corps in 1989. At age 30, the right-hander is playing this season with all the excitement of a rookie, only with a lot more professional experience.
Shields kicked around the minors for almost 10 years, including stops with such struggling organizations as Atlanta and Seattle. Yet he moves to a winner like the Yankees and ends up making his mark. Go figure. Shields demonstrated poise and consistency on the mound even last year when the Yankees sent him to Columbus three times. But on July 18 he was back for good and isn't planning on leaving in 1989.
'If you can't do the job,' he says, 'someone else is always waiting to take your place. I have confidence in myself that I can pitch. I've paid my dues, and I'm going to stay here.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Shields was signed by the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent in November 1987. In three stints with the Yankees in 1988, covering a total of 39 appearances, he posted a record of 5-5 with a 4.37 ERA. His wins, losses and appearances were all career highs. Steve did not have any saves, going 0-for-2 in save situations. His two failed saves came on August 6 against Minnesota in New York and August 12 at Minnesota, but he did gain credit for victories in both those games.
Shields began the season with the Columbus Clippers but was recalled by the Yankees on April 29. At the time of his recall he was 0-0 with three saves and a 1.98 ERA in nine games (all in relief). He appeared in 11 games in his first stint with the Yankees, going 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 23 innings pitched, with his losses coming on May 8 at Texas and on May 30 at Oakland. Steve had his longest outing of the year on June 8 against Boston, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings in relief and allowing just one hit.
He was optioned to Columbus on June 12, but after appearing in two games with the Clippers was recalled to New York on June 22. Steve appeared in four games with the Yankees this time up, going 1-1 and allowing three earned runs in 11.1 innings pitched (2.38 ERA). On June 29 against Detroit, he recorded his first major league win since August of 1987, going 2.1 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit to gain credit for the Yankees' 7-3 victory. Shields lost his next outing on July 1 at Chicago and was optioned back to Columbus on July 4th.
Shields was recalled by the Yankees for a third and final time on July 19. He finished with a record of 0-1 with four saves for the Clippers in 17 games with a 2.52 ERA in 25 innings. From July 19 through August 7, in his first eight appearances with the Yankees following his recall, Shields went 1-0 and allowed just two earned runs in 15.1 innings (1.17 ERA) with six walks and eight strikeouts.
He allowed at least one run in seven consecutive relief appearances from August 9 through August 26, raising his overall ERA to 4.81. In five outings from August 28 through September 11, Steve allowed just one earned run in 11.2 innings (0.77 ERA), going 1-0. The win came in the Yankees' 5-4 18-inning win over Detroit on September 11, with Steve pitching the final three innings and allowing two hits and an unearned run. His final decision of the year came on September 26 at Baltimore when he pitched 1.2 scoreless, hitless innings to gain credit for the Yankees' 5-4 win.
In his three tours with the Yankees, Shields retired the first batter he faced 22 of 39 times (including 15 of 24 with runners on base) and prevented 28 of 44 inherited runners from scoring.
Shields signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Shields began 1987 with the Seattle Mariners, and in his first appearance of the season on April 9 at California pitched 2.1 innings of relief, giving up two hits and one earned run and was credited with his first major league save in the Mariners' 7-2 win over the Angels. In his second appearance, on April 11 against Minnesota, he pitched 1.2 innings of relief with a season high three strikeouts before leaving the game after Kirby Puckett hit him in the face with a line drive. Steve was placed on the 21-day disabled list the following day with a fractured cheek bone.
He was activated from the DL on May 12 and made his first appearance following the injury the next day in a relief outing at Boston, getting the final out in the Mariners' 5-4 win to earn his second save of the year. Shields picked up his first win of the year in his next appearance, on May 16 against the Yankees, pitching three innings of relief and giving up two hits and one earned run; he was credited with the Mariners' 10-8 victory. He picked up his third save of the year on June 5 against Kansas City, pitching two scoreless innings to save the Mariners' 7-2 win.
Through his first ten outings with the Mariners, Steve was 1-0 with three saves and a 2.47 ERA (4 ER, 14.2 IP). While involved in no decisions in his next three outings, however, he gave up eight runs (earned) and 11 hits (including three homers) in three innings pitched (24.00 ERA) to raise his overall ERA to 6.11. He was outrighted to Calgary on June 26.
Steve appeared in nine games with Calgary (all in relief), going 2-1 with a save and a 1.85 ERA (3 ER, 14.2 IP). He was recalled from Calgary on July 25 and picked up his second win of the season on August 2 at California, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings in Seattle's 5-4 win. He appeared in seven games with the Mariners following his recall and in those contests was 1-0 with no saves and a 7.31 ERA (10 ER, 12.1 IP). That left Steve with an overall record of 2-0 with Seattle along with two saves and a 6.60 ERA (22 IP, 30 IP) in 20 games, all in relief.
On August 18 he was outrighted back to Calgary, where he finished the '87 season. In his second stint at Calgary, he appeared in seven games (all in relief) with a 1-1 record with three saves and a 2.90 ERA (3 ER, 9.1 IP). Overall in his two stints with Calgary, he was 3-2 in 16 games (all in relief) with four saves and a 2.25 ERA (6 ER, 24 IP).
Shields spent six years in the Red Sox' farm system where he shifted between the bullpen and the starting rotation. He originally was Boston's 10th round selection in the 1977 June draft and posted a 1-6 record and a 4.11 ERA with Elmira in his first professional season. He went 3-3 with a 1.94 ERA for Winter Haven in 1978, and in 1979 ranked eighth in the Carolina League with a 3.02 ERA and was second in the league with 152 strikeouts, his single season professional high. In 1980 Steve was 5-6 with four saves in his first season at AA Bristol.
In 1981, his second season at Bristol, he was 5-14. At Bristol in 1982, he tossed an Eastern League leading 13 complete games and three shutouts. After going 4-12 in 1983 at Pawtucket, the AAA affiliate of the Red Sox, Steve was signed to a minor league contract by Atlanta as a six-year minor league free agent in October of that year.
Steve spent time in 1984 both as a starter and a reliever at the Braves' AAA Richmond affiliate and was second on the club in wins, appearances and strikeouts and was third in saves. He started the 1985 season at Richmond where, in his first seven games, he recorded four complete games, two shutouts and a 1.79 ERA. Steve was promoted to Atlanta on May 30.
He made his major league debut on June 1 in a start against Pittsburgh and received a no-decision in a 6-3 loss. He won his first major league game on June 9 in his third start, a 10-3 victory over the Dodgers, and received a no-decision on June 13 against Cincinnati, despite allowing one hit in eight innings in an eventual 11-inning 9-2 loss. Steve was 1-2 with a 4.47 ERA in 12 appearances (six starts) before being optioned to Richmond on July 10.
Steve finished the year at Richmond leading the International League with three shutouts, and his 2.64 ERA and eight complete games were second in the league. He was called up by the Braves in September and made seven more relief appearances.
He started the 1986 season at Richmond but was acquired by Kansas City on September 23 to complete the deal that sent Darryl Motley to Atlanta. At Richmond, he ranked second in the IL with a 2.59 ERA, the top mark among starters, and tied for the league lead in strikeouts with Richmond teammate Charlie Puleo by fanning 124 in 149.1 innings. Steve earned a September promotion to Atlanta, where he made six relief appearances without a decision before his trade to the Royals. He made three more appearances with Kansas City to finish the year. He then was acquired by the Mariners from the Royals in December of 1986 with pitcher Scott Bankhead and outfielder Mike Kingery in exchange for outfielder Danny Tartabull and pitcher Rick Luecken.
Steve graduated from Hokes Bluff (AL) High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football. He led the basketball team to three straight championships and was named All-America as a senior. He also pitched his American Legion team to the state title.
His hobbies are hunting, fishing and bowling, and his favorite spectator sports are college basketball and drag racing. Steve's favorite team growing up was the Atlanta Braves and his favorite player was Phil Niekro."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DALE MOHORCIC
"With the Yankees' difficulties in starting pitching as of late, it will be nice for them to enter the 1989 season with a 'Horse' for them to ride through any difficult situation. This horse, otherwise known as relief pitcher Dale Mohorcic, is the ideal man for the situation. The big right-hander has shown his durability.
In 1986 he set an American League record by appearing in 13 consecutive games. The 6'4", 200-lb. righty has proven himself ready to go seemingly every day, and even more so with the Yankees. Mohorcic was successful during his two and a half years with the Rangers, despite feeling they didn't have confidence in him. It's been a whole different ballgame since he joined the Yankees in August of 1988.
'It's exciting here,' he says, 'and that type of atmosphere gets me pumped. They want to win here, and don't think about next year.' There's no turning back for the horse who spent parts of nine seasons in the minors before his stint with the Rangers. Now Mohorcic is with a winner in New York, looking to be a strong middle reliever in 1989."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Mohorcic began the 1988 season with the Texas Rangers and was acquired by the Yankees on August 30 in exchange for Cecilio Guante. At the time of the trade, he was 2-6 in 43 games with the Rangers with a 4.85 ERA in 52 innings [1.58 WHIP] and five saves in eight opportunities, and was second on the Rangers in appearances and saves. In 13 games with the Yankees, Mohorcic went 2-2 with one save in three opportunities with a 2.74 ERA in 23 innings[1.32 WHIP].
His combined 1988 totals with both teams were a 4-8 record in 56 appearances (all in relief), with 25 games finished, with six saves in 11 save opportunities, a 4.22 ERA in 74.2 innings, 29 walks, 44 strikeouts and seven home runs allowed [1.50 WHIP]. His 56 appearances ranked 17th in the American League. Dale has pitched in 188 games in the last three seasons, the fifth highest total among American League pitchers.
Dale began the 1988 season on the 15-day disabled list, having been placed there on March 26 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on March 21 to remove bone chips from his left elbow. Activated on April 27, he started the season by giving up just one unearned run in his first nine appearances, covering 14.2 innings.
He posted saves in back-to-back appearances on May 1 (at New York) and May 3 (at Baltimore). He won his first two decisions, with his first win of the year coming on May 7 at Yankee Stadium while pitching 0.2 innings and gaining credit for the Rangers' 3-2 win. His second win came on May 17 at Toronto, going 1.1 innings and allowing one earned run in the Rangers' 14-inning 7-6 victory.
Through May 26, covering his first 13 appearances, Morohcic was 2-0 with four saves and a 0.44 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. From that point to his trade to New York, however, he went 0-6 in 30 games with one save and a 7.67 ERA in 31.2 innings. The losing streak was eventually extended to seven games.
The final loss in that streak came in Mohorcic's Yankee debut, on September 3 at Oakland, when he relieved Ron Guidry to start the sixth innings with the Yankees leading 4-2. He struck out four of the first seven batters he faced but then gave up a three-run homer to Jose Canseco in the 8th inning that gave Oakland a 5-4 comeback victory.
Over his next eight appearances, from September 8-21, Dale went 2-0 with a save and a 0.68 ERA, giving up just one earned run in 13.1 innings with four walks and 12 strikeouts. His two wins as a Yankee came in that span, on September 9 at Detroit, when he went 2.2 scoreless innings with just one hit allowed, and on September 21 against Baltimore, when he went two scoreless innings with just two hits allowed. Dale's one Yankee save also occurred during that span on September 14 at Cleveland, going 3.2 innings and allowing four hits and an earned run.
That streak ended on September 23 against Boston when he gave up two earned runs and three hits in 0.1 innings in the New York's 10-9 loss. His last outing, October 2 at Detroit, was his longest as a Yankee, four scoreless innings with one hit, two walks and four strikeouts (his high as a Yankee), but Dale got a no-decision in the Tigers' eventual 4-3 11-inning win.
Dale pitched eight and a half seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut. He originally was signed in June 1978 by Victoria, an independent team, following a tryout. Signed as a catcher-third baseman, Dale was converted to pitching and had the second lowest ERA in the Northwest League (2.02) and tied for the league lead in shutouts (2). He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in April 1980, and that season was third in the Carolina League in saves (17) at Salem.
In 1985 with Oklahoma City (Texas Rangers organization) Mohorcic was third in the American Association in saves (15) and fourth in games finished (32). He led the club in saves, was second in games (40) and picked up nine saves in a span of 10 appearances from May 4-June 1.
In 1986 Mohorcic was promoted from Oklahoma City on May 31, becoming the oldest rookie ever to make his major league debut with Texas at 30 years, four months. He went on to compile the staff's lowest ERA (2.51) while finishing third on the club in saves (7) and games (58, 14th in the AL). Dale did not allow an earned run in 16.1 straight innings, July 22-August 2. He tied a major league record by appearing in 13 consecutive games from August 6-20, matching the mark set by the Dodgers' Mike Marshall in 1974; the previous AL record had been eight straight games. He tied the record on August 20 at Kansas City, then appeared just once in the next nine games.
Mohorcic led the Rangers with 16 saves in 1987, which tied him for sixth best in the American League and was the third highest single season total in club history. He also was second on the team and third in the AL with 74 appearances, the most ever by a Texas right-hander. Mohorcic's 2.99 ERA was the lowest on the staff for the second straight year and placed him seventh among AL relievers with 50 or more innings pitched.
He started the season by pitching 9.1 scoreless innings in his first five outings. In 38 games from May 12 through July 29, he was 5-1 with a 1.61 ERA in 56 innings with 12 saves in 13 save opportunities. Mohorcic began that streak by pitching 14.2 consecutive scoreless innings over eight appearances from May 12-26, then did not surrender a run in eight straight outings (eight innings) from June 19-July 5. His seven saves in June led the American League and fell one save shy of the Rangers record for most saves in a single month (Jim Kern in September 1979).
Dale had an outstanding first half with a 6-2 record and 15 saves in 17 opportunities through July 28, but from that point on was 1-5 with just one save in six chances. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 12 with gastrointestinal bleeding caused by irritation to several small ulcerations in the lower intestinal tract. He was activated on August 27 after the problem was corrected.
For the season Dale finished 54 games, third in the AL and was sixth in the AL Rolaids Relief competition. He permitted 9.69 baserunners per nine innings, the fourth best ratio in the AL among pitchers with 40 or more appearances. He had a career high three-game winning streak from May 31-July 21.
Dale played two seasons each at Cuyahoga Community College (1975-76) and Cleveland State University (1977-78), both in Cleveland. He pitched, caught and played third base but missed much of his senior year with stomach problems.
He played baseball, basketball and football at Maple Heights (OH) High School (graduated in 1974) and also played Little League baseball. He was named for the late Dale Mitchell, former Cleveland Indians outfielder.
Dale's favorite spectator sport is college basketball, his favorite ballpark is Fenway Park and his most memorable moment: 'First pro game in Victoria when I came into the game in relief and pitched eight shutout innings.'"
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Tied major league record for most consecutive games pitched as relief pitcher (13), August 6-20, 1986.
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DON SCHULZE
"The baseball life of Don Schulze has been one of perseverance and fortitude. Although his potential has not always matched the expected production, the 26-year-old right-hander continues to strive for success in the major leagues.
Once the Chicago Cubs' number one draft pick, in 1980, Schulze arrives at the Stadium hoping talent and opportunity meet somewhere in the middle. Pitching last season for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Detroit Tigers' triple-A affiliate, Schulze won 10 games, pitched 185.1 innings (third in the International League) and collected eight complete games (second in the IL). He is well traveled on the baseball path and is hoping Yankee Stadium will be the last stop on the road to a successful campaign."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Don spent the entire 1988 season with the Toledo Mud Hens, the Detroit Tigers' AAA affiliate in the International League. His manager was Pat Corrales, the current Yankee first base coach.
He was 10-13 in 27 games (26 starts) with a 3.11 ERA in 185.1 innings. He had eight complete games (including a shutout) and allowed 172 hits and 56 walks [1.23 WHIP] with 107 strikeouts. Don's 10 wins ranked tied for eighth in the International League, he ranked third in innings pitched, tied for second in complete games, 11th in ERA, 12th in strikeouts and tied for eighth in games started. His shutout came on July 17 against Syracuse, winning a 4-hitter by a 1-0 score.
Don originally was acquired by the Tiger organization on March 28, 1988 from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitcher Karl Best. He had signed with the Twins as a free agent in December 1987 before his trade to the Tigers. In November 1988 he was signed to a one-year major league contract with the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent. Don has played with the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and New York Mets at the major league level and has compiled a record of 12-23 with a 5.52 ERA in 67 games (53 starts).
He was the Chicago Cubs number one selection (11th player taken overall) in the June 1980 free agent draft. Don began his professional career at Sarasota with a 2-7 record and a 4.09 ERA and led the Gulf Coast League in complete games. In 1981 he posted his lowest career ERA of 2.31 at Quad Cities while recording an 8-5 record, and in 1982 won a career high 13 games at Salinas.
As a 20-year-old in 1983, Don was 11-9 at AAA Iowa including a five-game win streak. He tied for the American Association lead in shutouts (2) and ranked fifth in complete games and innings pitched. Don made his major league debut with the Cubs on September 13 against Montreal. He appeared in four games with the Cubs (including three starts), going 0-1 with a 7.07 ERA (11 ER, 14 IP).
In 1984, Don spent time with four different clubs (Iowa, Chicago Cubs, AAA Maine, Cleveland), making one appearance (a start) with the Cubs without a decision. He was traded to Cleveland along with outfielders Joe Carter and Mel Hall and pitcher Darryl Banks on June 13 in exchange for pitchers Rick Sutcliffe and George Frazier and catcher Ron Hassey.
Don made his American League debut on June 28, tossing three innings for a no-decision in a 10-3 Cleveland loss to Texas. He beat the Rangers in a July 1 start, going seven innings and allowing seven hits and two runs to collect his first big league win in a 13-5 Indian victory. Don set his career strikeout of high nine against the Angels on September 4.
He split the 1985 season between Cleveland and Maine. He began the season with the Indians but was optioned to Maine on June 20. Don earned a September promotion by posting a 6-4 record and a 2.65 ERA in his 15 starts for the Guides, including five complete games and a shutout. His ERA ranked third in the International League. In his two stints with the Indians, he was 4-10 with a 6.01 ERA (94.1 IP) in 19 games (18 starts).
Don began the 1986 season as a spot starter with the Cleveland Indians, then was in the rotation from late April through early June. He earned his first win of the year in an April 26 start against the Yankees and picked up a relief win on April 30 against Texas, ending April with a 2.77 ERA.
He gave up just one hit in 7.2 innings on May 13 at Texas but got a no-decision. He pitched the best game of his career on May 23 against Toronto, tossing a 2-hit complete game to defeat the Jays 3-1, the low-hit game of his career. Don retired 23 of the last 24 men he faced in that game. He won his fourth and final game of the season on June 21, beating Minnesota 7-5.
Don made one other start, on July 2, and two relief appearances before being placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 22 with a strain of the teres muscle behind his right shoulder. He reported to Maine on the 20-day rehabilitation option and was transferred to the 21-day disabled list on August 21.
He made three appearances at Maine, going 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA (10 IP) before being recalled from rehabilitation on September 1. He made just two appearances out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season and was outrighted to Buffalo in December of 1986.
Don began the 1987 season with Buffalo, the AAA American Association affiliate of the Indians. He was 0-1 with a 9.67 ERA (22.1 IP) in five starts before being traded to the New York Mets on May 11 for outfielder Ricky Nelson. He reported to the Mets' AAA Tidewater affiliate in the International League and pitched a 3-hitter to blank Pawtucket 7-0 on May 26.
He was recalled by the Mets on July 20 and, making his Met debut that day in a starting role, recorded his first and only National League win, allowing just three hits and one earned run along with two walks and two strikeouts in 6.1 innings to beat the Atlanta Braves 9-2 at Shea Stadium. Don's two losses with the Mets also came in starts in New York, on July 25 against Houston (losing 7-5) and on August 8 against Chicago (losing 5-3).
Overall he appeared in five games with New York (including four starts), going 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in 21.2 innings before returning to Tidewater on August 8, where he finished the season. In his two stints at Tidewater, Don was 11-1 in 15 games (all starts) with a 3.63 ERA. He led International League pitchers with a .917 winning percentage.
Don graduated from Lake Park (IL) High School where he was a three-sport star. He earned high school All-America honors his senior season (1980) and registered a 0.91 ERA and fanned 100 batters in 92 innings. Don played Pony League, Colt League and American Legion ball as a youngster."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
SCOTT NIELSEN
"Scott began the 1988 season with the Columbus Clippers, appearing in 25 games, making 22 starts, and posted a record of 13-6 with one save, a 2.40 ERA in 172.1 innings, and 62 strikeouts [and a 1.068 WHIP]. He tossed eight complete games, including three shutouts, with one being a no-hitter. Scott tossed the first nine-inning no-hitter in Columbus history on June 8 against Maine, winning 3-0 with one walk and five strikeouts while throwing a total of 82 pitches.
For the season, Scott finished tied for the International League lead in wins and shutouts, was second in ERA and tied for second in complete games. He was named the Topps International League Pitcher of the Month for June.
Scott had his contract purchased by the Yankees on August 14 and pitched that day at Minnesota, tossing 0.2 scoreless innings of relief. In his next appearance, on August 17 against California in New York, he notched his first win of the year, going two scoreless innings in relief and gained credit for the Yankees' 11-7 victory. His first start came in his next outing, August 20 against Seattle, and he was charged with the Yankees' 9-5 loss (3.1 IP, 4 R, 3 ER) when he struggled with control problems (a season high six walks).
His longest outing came in his next appearance, on August 24 against Oakland, pitching 7.1 innings in relief of John Candelaria, who left the game, trailing 3-0 in the second inning, with a sore right knee. Scott allowed six hits and three earned runs, two coming on a two-run homer by Jose Canseco, and kept the game close allowing the Yankees to rally with six runs in the ninth inning to win 7-6, although Scott had no decision in the contest.
He made his second and final start of the year on August 29 at Seattle, going just 3.1 innings and giving up seven hits and five earned runs including a solo blast by Jay Buhner and a three-run blast by Darnell Coles, and was charged with the loss in the Mariners' 9-6 win. Scott was optioned to Columbus on August 31 but did not report; he remained instead with the Yankees and was recalled on September 2. He made two relief appearances the rest of the season without a decision, going 2.1 innings on September 4 at Oakland and 0.2 innings on September 7 against Cleveland.
Overall with the Yankees in 1988, Scott was 1-2 in seven games (two starts) with a 6.86 ERA (15 ER, 19.2 IP) with 13 walks, four strikeouts and five home runs allowed [and a 2.03 WHIP]. He retired four of the first five batters he faced (3-for-4 with runners on) and prevented four of six inherited runners from scoring. Scott signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Scott was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in the sixth round of the June 1983 free agent draft. He made his professional debut that year at the age of 24 at Bellingham (WA) of the 'A' Northwest League. He was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA with that Mariner farm team and earned a quick promotion to AA Chattanooga, where he compiled a 2-4 mark and 6.39 ERA in 13 games (nine starts).
He was traded from the Mariners organization to the Yankees organization on February 14, 1984 along with pitcher Eric Parent in exchange for infielder Larry Milbourne. Scott played at all three levels of the Yankee farm system in '84: he was 2-1 with a 1.08 ERA in four games (three starts) at Ft. Lauderdale; posted a 6-3 mark and 2.44 ERA in 10 starts at AA Nashville; and was 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) at AAA Columbus for a composite 13-8 mark for 1984.
Scott opened the 1985 season at AA Albany and was 6-1 with a 2.95 ERA in his first 11 starts. Bothered by pain in his pitching elbow, he stopped pitching in May in order to rest the sore arm. After an unsuccessful attempt at a comeback, Scott underwent surgery on August 23. The surgery consisted of the repositioning of the ulnar nerve and the removal of bone spurs in his right arm. He began rehabilitation just two weeks after the surgery with hopes of being ready for the start of the 1986 season.
Scott's 1986 season started with arm rehabilitation in 'A' ball and ended in the major leagues. He began the year at Ft. Lauderdale of the 'A' Florida State League to rehabilitate his arm following surgery in August 1985. If not for the surgery, he would have participated in the Yankees' major league spring training camp. Scott was 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA in six games (five starts) at Ft. Lauderdale and owned a pair of complete games, assuring himself and the Yankees his arm was recovered from the surgery.
Assigned to AAA Columbus on May 6, Scott was 9-3 with a pair of complete games and a 2.96 ERA in 84.2 innings when his contract was purchased by the Yankees on July 4th. Prior to joining the Yanks, he was named International League Pitcher of the Week, June 23-29, and had a streak of six consecutive wins broken by his third loss just before heading to New York.
Scott made his major league debut as a starter at Texas on July 7 and was a 14-3 winner. He allowed three earned runs in seven innings in that initial start, yielding home runs to Oddibe McDowell and Pete Incaviglia while allowing nine hits and one walk. He struck out five, a figure he has yet to top in the major leagues. He also won his next start, registering his first major league complete game and first shutout at Minnesota on July 12. He held the Twins to six hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Scott had an ERA of 1.69 through his first two starts.
He lost his next three starts, allowing 19 runs (15 earned) in just 7.1 innings, and his ERA for those starts was 18.41. Optioned back to Columbus on July 30, he owned a 2-4 mark in seven starts back at Columbus with a 5.34 ERA. Scott returned to the Yankees on September 1 when major league rosters expanded. His final statistics at Columbus show an 11-7 record and 3.55 ERA.
Scott made four more starts and one more relief appearance with the Yanks. He defeated Toronto on September 30 and then blanked Boston at Fenway Park in the final game of the season on October 5. He walked two and struck out three and limited the eventual American League champions to just five hits in the 7-0 win.
He accounted for two of the three individual shutouts on the entire Yankee pitching staff in 1986 (Dennis Rasmussen had the other). His two complete game victories tied Rasmussen for the staff lead in that category.
Scott was acquired by the White Sox from the Yankees in January 1987 along with infielder Mike Soper in exchange for pitcher Pete Filson and infielder Randy Velarde. He split the 1987 season with the White Sox and the Hawaii Islanders, their AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate. He started the season with Hawaii but had his contract purchased by the White Sox on June 4. At that point, he was 3-4 with the Islanders along with a 3.97 ERA in ten games (all starts), including three complete games, and had 28 walks and 30 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched.
Scott made his White Sox debut on June 5, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings of relief at California but was not involved in the decision in Chicago's 6-4 loss. He made his first start for the Sox in his next outing, June 12 at Minnesota (Game 2), going 4.2 innings and giving up six hits and six runs (all earned) and was charged with Chicago's 7-4 loss. After a loss in another start, June 22 at Seattle, Scott recorded his first White Sox win, pitching eight innings and giving up three earned runs on June 30 against Oakland and getting credit for Chicago's 12-3 victory.
He followed that with his third career shutout (and first as a member of the White Sox) in his next outing, July 5 at Cleveland, limiting the Indians to six hits in a 17-0 White Sox win as Chicago equaled the widest margin of victory in a shutout in the club's history. It was his only shutout and his only complete game of the season. Scott made one more start, July 10 at New York, giving up five runs in 1.1 innings and getting the loss in Chicago's 9-5 defeat, before being moved back to the bullpen.
Scott made his longest relief outing in his first appearance since his move to the pen on July 19 against Cleveland, pitching six innings and giving up two runs (earned), and was credited with the White Sox' 9-7 victory. He made an emergency start at Detroit on July 27 and pitched seven innings, giving up four earned runs, and was charged with Chicago's 4-1 loss. He was optioned back to Hawaii on August 7.
At that point, Scott was 3-4 in 11 games with the Sox (including six starts) with a 4.73 ERA in 51.1 innings. He did not actually report to the Islanders and was recalled on August 10. He made one more start after his recall, August 11 against Detroit, and was tagged with Chicago's 9-6 loss, giving up seven earned runs in 1.2 innings. After that, his final seven appearances of the season were all in relief and he did not get a win or a loss in those outings.
Scott recorded his first major league save on August 24 at Boston, retiring all three men he faced in the ninth inning with two inherited runners aboard to preserve Chicago's 6-3 win. He picked up his second career save in his next outing, August 26 at Boston, pitching the final 1.1 innings without giving up a run to save Chicago's 5-3 victory.
Overall with the Sox, he finished with a 3-5 record and a 6.24 ERA (66.1 IP) in 19 games (seven starts) with 23 strikeouts and 25 walks. As a starter, he was 2-5 with a 6.57 ERA (38.1 IP) while in his 12 games in relief he was 1-0 with two saves and a 5.79 ERA (28 IP).
He was reacquired by the Yankees from the Chicago White Sox in November 1987, along with pitcher Rich Dotson, in exchange for Dan Pasqua, Mark Salas and Steve Rosenberg.
Scott was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, raised in Tacoma, Washington and attended Brigham Young University. A spot starter and reliever for the Cougars' baseball team in his freshman and sophomore years, he opted to leave school and serve his Mormon mission during 1980 and '81. Scott served his mission in Buenos Aries, Argentina.
Scott returned to Brigham Young and completed his education. He finished his collegiate career with a 28-3 record and established a NCAA record with 26 consecutive wins. His BYU teammates included current major leaguers Rick Aguilera, Wally Joyner and Cory Snyder. Scott was not drafted until the spring of 1983 at the age of 24.
An accounting major at BYU, Scott works for Price, Waterhouse during the off-season. His hobbies are fishing and golf and his favorite spectator sport is football. His favorite team growing up was the Oakland A's, his favorite player was Catfish Hunter and his favorite ballpark is Fenway Park."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DICKIE NOLES
"Noles has played for six teams during his nearly eight-year major league career: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies. He was a member of the Phillies when current Yankee manager Dallas Green was the manager of that club and was with the Cubs when Green served as general manager.
He started the 1988 season as a non-roster invitee to the Orioles' spring training camp on the recommendation of Herm Starrette, who had been his pitching coach with both the Phillies and Cubs. Noles was signed to a Rochester Red Wings (AAA) contract on April 4. In 13 games for the Red Wings he was 4-2 with a 2.74 ERA in 49.1 innings with 11 walks and 20 strikeouts. He started five games and relieved in eight others.
Dickie was on the disabled list from late April to mid-May with a fractured right cheek suffered in a pregame accident. He was promoted to Baltimore on June 11 when Mike Morgan was placed on the disabled list. His first appearance with the Orioles came on June 14 at Detroit, going two innings and allowing six hits and five earned runs including a grand slam by Tom Brookens, and he was charged with the Orioles' 9-3 loss. He made one other appearance with Baltimore, a start on June 19 against Boston, going 1.1 innings and allowing five hits and four earned runs, including a solo homer to Ellis Burks, and was charged with the Orioles' 15-7 loss. Dickie was outrighted to Rochester on June 20.
Overall in his two appearances with the Orioles he was 0-2 with a 24.30 ERA (9 ER, 3.1 IP). He finished the season at Rochester, and overall in his two stints there was 10-5 with one save in 31 games (15 starts) with a 3.12 ERA (130 IP), 31 walks and 59 strikeouts [and a 1.19 WHIP]. After he was released by the Orioles organization in November 1988, Noles signed a one-year contract with the Yankees for the 1989 season as a free agent in December 1988.
Selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 4th round of the June 1975 free agent draft, Noles was signed to his first pro contract by Phillies scout Wes Livengood. In '75 he was 2-2 at Auburn in his first professional season.
Noles was 4-16 for Spartanburg in 1976 and led the Western Carolinas League in losses and hit batsmen (13). He was 10-11 at Peninsula in 1977 and tied for the Carolina League lead in hit batsmen (11). Noles had a career high 12 wins at Reading (AA Eastern League) in 1978 and led the league in hit batsmen (15).
He won his first five starts at Oklahoma City in 1979 before being called up to the major leagues for the first time on July 4th after three Phillie pitchers (Dick Ruthven, Larry Christiansen, Randy Lerch) went down with injuries on the same day. Dickie lost his first start, to the Mets, then beat the Dodgers and Giants in his next two outings. He was strictly a starter for the Phillies in '79. He was sent back to Reading for 10 days in August.
Dickie started 1980 as the Phillies' top right-hander in the bullpen and had four saves and a 1.80 ERA through June 7. He was then pressed into service as a starter because of injuries and was ineffective. He returned to the bullpen late in the season (August-September) and appeared in nine games during the Phillies' drive for the division title and had a 2.12 ERA in that span. For the season, Noles registered a career high six saves.
He appeared in two games against the Astros in the NLCS. He struck out six in a 4.2 inning stint in Game Four of the World Series against the Royals. Many consider Noles' brushback pitch to George Brett in that game as the turning point in the Series, won by the Phillies in six games.
Noles started Game Four of the 1981 National League Division Series against Montreal, working four innings, and had a no-decision in a game won by the Phillies in 10 innings. He was acquired by the Cubs with catcher Keith Moreland and pitcher Dan Larson from the Phillies in December 1981 for pitcher Mike Krukow and cash.
1982 was his only full season as a starter, with all but one of his 31 appearances coming in a starting role; his lone relief assignment came on the final day of the season. Dickie posted a 10-13 record and ranked third on the Cubs in wins. He had two complete games, both shutouts of the Reds, a 1-hit 6-0 win on April 28 in Chicago and a 4-hit 1-0 win on July 10 in Chicago. Dickie set a career high with eight strikeouts on September 20 against Pittsburgh.
In 1983 he was admitted to the Cubs' employee assistance program on April 12 and remained on the disabled list for seven weeks. He matched his career high with eight strikeouts on July 8 at San Francisco. Noles' last career complete game came in a 10-0 shutout of the Dodgers in Los Angeles on July 17; all three of his complete games have been shutouts, including the two in 1982.
Noles began the 1984 season with the Cubs and went 2-2 with a 5.15 ERA in 21 games (one start). He was traded to the Texas Rangers on July 2 for two players to be named later (pitcher Tim Henry and infielder Jorge Gomez). In 16 games with the Rangers (six starts) he was 2-3 with a 5.15 ERA. Noles spent all of the 1985 season with the Rangers, going 4-8 with a 5.16 ERA in 28 games (13 starts). He was released by Texas in December of 1985.
He was signed by Maine, the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, in February 1986 and spent most of the season with the Indians. In 32 games with Cleveland (all in relief) he was 3-2 with a 5.10 ERA in 54.2 innings. It was his first winning season in the major leagues. Noles fractured a bone in his left foot and missed two months. He was 0-1 in three games (all starts) at Maine with a 4.50 ERA.
Noles was signed by the Cubs on April 6, 1987. He spent seven weeks on the disabled list with a broken right thumb from a scuffle with the Expos in Montreal. The outburst started after Noles hit Andres Gallaraga with a pitch. The injury accounted for Noles' injury rehabilitation assignments to both Pittsfield and Iowa, but he still appeared in 41 games for Chicago.
He made one start, against the Pirates at Wrigley Field on June 19 (7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K), and lost 4-0 to Brian Fisher. Dickie was dealt to the Tigers on September 22 and saved two games, against Boston on September 22 and against Toronto on September 27, in four appearances with Detroit but was not eligible for postseason play. He was dealt back to the Cubs on October 23 and granted free agency in November.
Dickie was a baseball and football standout at Harding High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also played American Legion ball."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led Western Carolinas League in hit batsmen (13), 1976.
Tied for Western Carolinas League in home runs allowed (13), 1976.
Led Carolina League in games started, 27 (1977).
Led Carolina League in hit batsmen, 11 (1977).
Led Eastern League in hit batsmen, 15 (1978).
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
CHUCK CARY
"Born in San Ramon, California, Cary attended the University of California at Berkeley. He was the 7th round pick of the Detroit Tigers in the June 1981 free agent draft. Chuck was signed by Tigers scouts Bill Serena and Whitey DeHart.
He tied for the Southern League lead in fielding percentage by a pitcher (1.000) in 1984. Cary was traded to the Atlanta Braves with Randy O'Neal in exchange for Terry Harper and Fred Tiburcio in January 1987. In 1988 Cary was placed on injury rehabilitation at Bradenton from July 29-August 17. Released in December 1988, he was signed by the Yankees organization as a free agent in January 1989.
Chuck played for Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League in 1988-89."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
LUIS SANCHEZ
"Born in Cariaco, Sucre, Venezuela, Sanchez was signed as a free agent by Houston Astros scout Pat Gillick on September 1, 1971. He led the Florida East Coast League in complete games (6) in 1972.
He was traded with Carlos Alfonso to the Cincinnati Reds organization in December 1975, completing the deal in which Houston acquired Joaquin Andujar for two players to be named later in October 1975. Sanchez was signed by Caracas of the Inter-American League in March 1979, signed by Aguila in December 1979, loaned to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in July 1980, returned in October 1980 and sold to the California Angels in February 1981. With California, he led the American League in intentional bases on balls (14) in 1983.
Luis was traded with Tim Arnold to the Montreal Expos for Gary Lucas in December 1985, released by the Expos in February 1986 and played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan in 1986 and 1987. He was a player-coach for the Caracas Cocodrilos of the Venezuelan Summer League in 1988 and was signed by the Yankees organization as a free agent in December 1988."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DICK GRAPENTHIN
"Grapenthin spent the entire 1988 season with the Louisville Redbirds, the AAA American Association affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. He appeared in 45 games, all in relief, and compiled a record of 3-6 with 10 saves and a 3.63 ERA in 69.1 innings pitched. Dick finished 26 games and had 21 walks and 30 strikeouts. He tied for eighth in the American Association in saves, ranked ninth in games finished and was tied for 11th in appearances.
Of his 384 career appearances on both the major and minor league levels, all but nine have been in relief. Grapenthin was signed by the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent in December 1988.
Signed by the Montreal Expos after a tryout camp in Mankato, Minnesota in July 1980, he reported to Jamestown and went 2-2 in seven games with a 5.67 ERA. In 1981, he appeared in 31 games at West Palm Beach and notched his first professional save.
Dick began the 1982 season at 'A' San Jose of the California League, posting a 0.80 ERA with a 2-1 record and nine saves in 27 relief appearances. He was promoted to the AAA Wichita Aeros on July 11 and gained a save in his first appearance, a 9-8 win over Evansville on July 14, striking out two batters in one shutout inning. Dick was 2-2 with three saves in 20 games at Wichita. He pitched in the Florida Instructional League where he was 1-1 with eight saves and a 1.35 ERA in 18 appearances.
He was the last pitcher cut before Opening Day in 1983 and the first pitcher recalled when Woodie Fryman was injured on April 11. Grapenthin made his major league debut on May 3 and was the losing pitcher, hurling four innings of relief against Atlanta. It was his only major league appearance of the year.
Grapenthin was optioned to Wichita on May 15, then recalled when Fryman was disabled for a second time on July 29, but was optioned again on August 9 without appearing in a game. He was recalled, but not to report, on September 1. In 40 relief appearances at Wichita he was 5-5 with eight saves and a 3.84 ERA.
In 1984 Dick led the American Association in saves with 18, was named as the league's All-Star right-handed pitcher and won the league's top reliever award, using the Rolaids point formula, with 41 points.
Recalled by the Expos on August 5, he was immediately thrust into action as a last-minute replacement for injured starter David Palmer, losing 4-3 to the Cubs at Wrigley Field following Keith Moreland's third inning grand slam, Dick's only big league start. He notched his first major league save on August 22 at Los Angeles and his first victory on September 10 at Pittsburgh, yielding no runs and one hit in 4.2 relief innings.
Overall in 1984 he appeared in 66 games and had 114 innings pitched between the two leagues. He played winter ball with Escogido in the Dominican Republic.
Dick began 1985 at AAA Indianapolis, leading he club in games (33), games finished (48) and saves (11), and tied for the International League for double plays by a pitcher (4). He played briefly with Montreal, appearing in five games with no decisions.
After five years with the Montreal Expos organization, Grapenthin was sold to the San Diego Padres organization prior to the 1986 season and was assigned to AAA Las Vegas. He appeared in 39 games, helping left the Stars to the Pacific Coast League title with a 3-3 mark and two saves. Signed by St. Louis as a six-year minor league free agent for 1987, he spent his first year in the Cardinal organization at Louisville where he appeared in a club high 55 games, all in relief, and was involved in 12 of Louisville's 78 victories. Dick notched a career high 49 strikeouts in 99 innings of work. He opened the season with three straight wins and two saves before July.
A graduate of Sioux Valley High School in Linn Grove, Iowa, Dick attended Mesa Community College in Arizona for two years and spent another two years at Indiana State, graduating in 1980 with a physical education degree. He had a 9-2 record in his final collegiate season.
Dick enjoys hunting and fishing."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
"For young Al Leiter the dream is over, and reality has set in. The 1989 season will be very different for Leiter, as the Yankees will be counting heavily on a strong performance from the left-hander.
For the New Jersey native, it had been a storybook beginning. In September 1987, at age 21, he made his Yankee debut by striking out the first six batters he faced. With only five games of Triple-A experience, Leiter got a shot in 1988 with the team he cheered growing up. And the local boy made good, winning his first three decisions.
The fantasy then became a nightmare when a string of injuries woke him up. 'Nobody was as upset as I was because I know what I can do out there,' says Leiter. And the Yankees also realize his ability.
Despite the injuries of a year ago, the youngster with the blazing fastball is expected to play a major role in the team's success of 1989. In light of these high expectations, the dreaming is over and his career must begin."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Leiter finished the season with a record of 4-4 in 14 games (all starts) with a 3.92 ERA in 57.1 innings with 33 walks and 60 strikeouts. His .231 batting average was the second lowest on the team, behind only Cecilio Guante's .213, and he was the only Yankee pitcher to register more strikeouts than innings pitched.
He began the season by winning his first three starts, going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts and six walks. Included in those wins was his season debut on April 9 against Milwaukee, Leiter going seven innings and allowing one earned run on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts, winning 4-1, and his second start when he went eight innings on April 14 at Toronto, allowing three earned runs and four hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts, winning 7-3. The 11 strikeouts are his career high, surpassing the 10 strikeouts he recorded against the Orioles on September 25, 1987 at Baltimore.
After that 3-0 start, Al went 0-2 in his next four starts, including a loss on May 6 at Texas when he was forced to leave after two innings with flu-like symptoms. He ended that losing streak on May 24 at California, defeating the Angels 5-3 while allowing just one earned run on one hit in seven innings with six walks and eight strikeouts. In that game Al pitched no-hit ball through 5.2 innings before Wally Joyner's single; he pitched shutout ball through seven innings, allowing just that one hit but was taken out after walking the leadoff hitter in the 8th and was charged with an earned run when Steve Shields allowed that run to score. That win improved Leiter's record to 4-2 after his first eight starts with a 3.46 ERA in 41.2 innings, 19 walks and 49 strikeouts, and he ranked among the American League's top ten in strikeouts.
In Leiter's next start, May 31 at Oakland, he faced only one hitter, as A's leadoff hitter Carney Lansford lined a ball off Leiter's left forearm, forcing him out of the game. Neil Allen relieved and pitched nine scoreless innings for the shutout win (but not a complete game) in the Yankees' 5-0 victory. X-rays taken at the time were negative, and Leiter suffered only a bruised left arm but missed his next two starts.
His first start after the injury came on June 15 at Boston, but Al was not at full strength due to his injury and gave up five runs in 2.1 innings, including a grand slam by Ellis Burks, and was charged with the Yankees' 8-3 loss. In his next start, June 21 at Detroit, he suffered a severe recurring blister on his left middle finger that was first discovered after he was hit by a comebacker by Larry Herndon in the fourth inning, forcing him out of the game after 3.1 scoreless innings pitched. Al was placed on the 21-day disabled list on June 22 because of that blister.
He was assigned to Columbus for rehabilitation on July 14 and was optioned to Columbus on July 29, remaining there until his recall on August 31. At Columbus Al made two starts while on rehab and two after being optioned, combining to go 0-2 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings pitched with 14 walks and 12 strikeouts.
Leiter's first start after his recall by the Yankees came on September 6 against Cleveland; he suffered his fourth loss, 1-0, allowing just one run on three hits in five innings with the one run coming on a 4th inning home run by Ron Kittle.
He made two more starts during the remainder of the season. He went four innings against Detroit on September 11, allowing three hits and one run with four walks and two strikeouts and leaving with a 3-1 lead but getting no decision (New York eventually won 5-4 when Claudell Washington hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the 18th inning). In his last start of the year, on September 16 at Boston, he lasted only one inning, giving up two earned runs on just one hit and two walks and received a no-decision in the Red Sox' eventual 7-4 win.
With Leiter's April 9 start against Milwaukee, he joined Bob Tewsbury (1986) as the only Yankee rookie pitchers to come to spring training, win a trip north and make the rotation since then 22-year-old Mike Griffin did it in 1980 (Gene Nelson had won a spot in 1981 but came down with an intestinal virus which landed him on the disabled list). Leiter and Tewksbury are the only Yankee rookie pitchers to even start in the month of April since Griffin. Leiter won a spot in the rotation by allowing only four earned runs in 31 innings (1.16 ERA) with 21 strikeouts in spring training.
Leiter signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Leiter began the 1987 season at Columbus but was placed on the disabled list on May 1 with a broken nose, suffered while running sprints in the outfield. He was reinstated from the DL on May 23 and was re-optioned to Albany on May 24. While in AA ball, Leiter was placed on the DL on June 14, this time with a tender left shoulder. He was activated on July 3 and remained with Albany until being re-optioned to Columbus on August 27.
He finished his Albany season with a record of 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA, appearing in 15 games and starting 14. At Columbus, he was 1-4 with a 6.17 ERA in five games, all starts, in the regular season. Al made two starts in the International League playoffs, defeating Rochester 15-3 on September 3 and downing Tidewater on September 8 in Game 2 of the Governor's Cup finals. In those two postseason starts, he allowed three earned runs in 15.1 innings pitched with nine hits, two walks and 11 strikeouts [0.72 WHIP].
Al pitched for the Yankees against the Atlanta Braves in the Hall of Fame exhibition game on July 27, going two scoreless, hitless innings with three strikeouts and was credited with the save in the Yankees' 3-0 win over Atlanta. He was recalled by the Yankees on September 10 and made his official Yankee debut at age 21 on September 15 in a starting assignment against Milwaukee. Al became the youngest player to pitch for the Yankees since 19-year-old Jose Rijo appeared on July 6, 1984 at Minnesota, and the youngest to start for the Yankees since Rijo on June 11, 1984 at Boston. In that start he also became the 48th man to play for the Yankees in 1987, breaking the record of 47 players used in 1979 and 1982.
In that first big league start, Al showed great poise while allowing the Brewers just one run on one hit in six innings, walking four and striking out eight en route to his first career victory as the Yanks defeated the Brewers 4-3. By winning that game he became the youngest Yankee pitcher to win a game since Rijo defeated Baltimore on June 23, 1984, and was the youngest Yankee starter to record a victory since 20-year-old Gene Nelson beat Baltimore on June 4, 1981.
Leiter suffered his first major league loss on September 20 against Toronto, losing 6-2 while allowing home runs to George Bell and Nelson Liriano. He won his second game on September 25 at Baltimore, winning 6-4 while allowing the Birds four runs on eight hits in 6.2 innings pitched, walking five and striking out 10, the first time Al struck out 10 or more batters in a game in his professional career. He finished the season by picking up his second loss with the Yankees, dropping a 7-0 decision to the Red Sox on September 30, going only 3.1 innings and giving up six runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
He finished with a 2-2 record with the Yankees in four starts with 6.35 ERA, along with 15 walks and 28 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched, giving up 16 runs (all earned) on 24 hits [1.72 WHIP].
Leiter was selected by the Yankees in the second round (regular phase) of the June 1984 free agent draft. He began his pro career at Oneonta of the 'A' New York-Penn League, going 3-2 in 10 starts with a 3.63 ERA. Al notched 48 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched.
He began the 1985 season with the 'A' Ft. Lauderdale Yankees and posted a 1-6 record and a 6.48 ERA in 17 starts and recorded a complete game. He finished the year at Oneonta and went 3-2 in six starts with a 2.37 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 38 innings, with two complete games.
In 1986 Leiter appeared in 22 games (21 starts) for Ft. Lauderdale and posted a 4-8 record with an ERA of 4.05. He had one complete game, a 2-hit 6-0 shutout of West Palm Beach on May 24, recording eight strikeouts in that contest. He followed that by pitching five shutout innings of 2-hit ball with seven strikeouts against Daytona Beach on May 30 and received credit for the Yankees' victory. Al had a season high nine strikeouts twice, on May 13 against Vero Beach and on July 9 at Ft. Myers, but did issue six or more walks six times including a season high of seven walks on June 17 at St. Petersburg. He missed two starts when he was sidelined from July 26-August 8 with a bruised left elbow.
Al graduated from Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey in 1984, where he participated in baseball, football and track and led the baseball team to the state championship. He was an All-American selection in baseball and all-county in football in 1984. His older brother Kurt was a pitcher in the Orioles organization from 1982-84 and his older brother Mark was a pitcher in the Oriole system from 1983-87 and was signed by the Yankees prior to the 1989 season.
Al's favorite player is Tom Seaver and his favorite entertainer is Bruce Springsteen. His favorite spectator sport is college basketball, his favorite ballpark is Anaheim Stadium, his favorite city is Chicago and his most memorable sports moment: 'My first six major league outs were strikeouts.'"
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
RON GUIDRY
"In what could be a curtain call for one of the Yankees' all-time greats, the organization has given Ron Guidry the opportunity to help the team in 1989. The one-time ace of the pitching staff, Gator was only a shell of his former self during the last two injury-plagued seasons. But that's not what his signing is all about.
At a mere 5'11" and 160 lbs., this lefty has been the big man with the Yankees for more than 12 years. With a blazing fastball and biting slider, Lousiana Lightning was the original K-Korner man in New York. Any recollection of the Yankee glory days in the late 1970's-early '80's brings back memories of a dominating Guidry on the mound. In fact, he may have single-handedly pitched the Yankees to their second consecutive title in 1978.
Now he's making one last pitch to retire in Pinstripes. Guidry added, 'Prior to the injuries I had hoped to start for a few more years and then switch to the bullpen. Now I just have to go out there and see what goes on. I want to help this club for one more year before I retire, and then I'll just go home.' A true Yankee, Ron Guidry will get his opportunity in 1989."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"The veteran left-hander made 10 starts in 12 appearances in 1988. Until his activation on July 1, Guidry spent the season recovering from surgery performed in December of 1987 to repair a partial tear in a muscle that overlays the rotator cuff in the left shoulder. The operation, considered a complete success, was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.
Unable to pitch during spring training, Gator was placed on the 21-day disabled list on April 4. On April 24 he was placed on rehabilitation at Ft. Lauderdale, appearing in four games (all starts) and going 0-0 with a 1.23 ERA (14.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 17 K). On May 18 he was transferred from the rehab list back to the 21-day disabled list.
Ron was activated by the Yankees on May 22 but did not appear in a game while on the active roster. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 31 with a sore left shoulder, then transferred to the 21-day DL on June 10 where he remained until his activation on July 1.
He made five starts for the Yankees, then was placed on the 15-day DL on July 31 with a pulled left hamstring. He was transferred to the 21-day DL on August 3 and activated on August 21, making two relief appearances before returning to the starting rotation on September 3. Overall for the season, Guidry posted a 2-3 record with a 4.18 ERA in 56 innings pitched with 15 walks, 39 strikeouts and a .259 batting average against [and a 1.29 WHIP].
As a starter, Guidry went 2-3 in ten starts with a 4.63 ERA in 46 innings pitched with 17 walks and 27 strikeouts [and a 1.31 WHIP], but the Yankees lost six of the ten games he started. In his five no-decisions, however, he left three of them with leads that the bullpen was unable to hold. In his two relief outings, Gator pitched a total of 6.1 innings, allowing two runs (earned) for a 2.84 ERA, with six hits, one walk and five strikeouts [1.11 WHIP] and prevented two of his three inherited runners from scoring.
Ron's first start and appearance of the season came on July 1 at Chicago, going 4.2 innings and leaving the game trailing 1-0, but the Yankees tied the game in the seventh, leaving Guidry with a no-decision in a 2-1 loss. His first loss came on July 6 at Texas, allowing two earned runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings, including a solo home run to Pete Incaviglia. His first win came on July 17 against Chicago in New York when he pitched five innings, yielding just one hit- a 1st inning bunt single to Steve Lyons, the second batter he faced. allowed one earned run along with two walks, two strikeouts and one wild pitch, and left after five innings leading 4-1 in the Yankees' eventual 7-3 win.
On July 23 against Kansas City, Ron got a no-decision in a 6-5 Yankee loss despite leaving the game after 5.1 innings 5-4. On July 28 against Milwaukee at Yankee Stadium, he was the loser in the Yankees' 6-1 defeat despite leaving the game trailing only 2-1.
Gator's first relief appearance (and first appearance since his activation from the DL on August 21) came on August 27 at California, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing four hits and an earned run (a two-run homer to Jack Howell, the first batter he faced) with one walk and four strikeouts. It was his first relief appearance since June 3, 1987, going 22 starts between relief appearances. His last relief outing came on August 30 at Seattle, pitching 1.2 innings of relief and giving up two hits and one earned run with one strikeout.
On September 3 at Oakland, Guidry pitched five innings and left with the Yankees leading 4-2 but the A's rallied to win the game 5-4, leaving him with a no-decision. In his September 8 start against Detroit at Yankee Stadium, he went 6.1 innings and allowed just one earned run on three hits with a season high five strikeouts. He left the game with the Yankees leading 4-1 but the Tigers later tied the score, leaving Guidry with a no-decision before the Yankees eventually won the game 7-4 in 10 innings.
On September 13 at Cleveland, he went 4.2 innings and gave up four earned runs on six hits, including homers to Joe Carter and Luis Medina, and left the game trailing 4-2 but received a no-decision in the Yankees' comeback 5-4 win. In a start on September 19 at Boston, Ron went just 1.1 innings and allowed six earned runs on six hits (including a three-run homer by Ellis Burks in the 1st inning) and was charged with the Yankees' 9-4 loss. The 1.1 innings equaled the shortest career outing as a starter, having pitched 1.1 in an August 29, 1986 start at Seattle in a game the Yankees eventually won 13-12.
Guidry's last appearance of the year, a start on September 27 against the Orioles in Baltimore, was his best. He went seven innings (his longest outing of the year and his longest since he went 7.1 innings on August 31, 1987 against Oakland in New York) and allowed one earned run on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts and was credited with the win in the Yankees' 5-1 victory.
Guidry has compiled a 170-91 career won-lost record (.651 winning percentage) and a 3.29 ERA in 2,392.1 innings pitched. His win total ranks ninth among active pitchers, and since 1977, Guidry's first full year in the majors, his 170 places him second to Tiger ace Jack Morris (177 wins in that span); also, with 129 wins over the last 10 years, Guidry trails only Morris (173) and Dave Stieb (131). In the last 10 years he also ranks 11th in strikeouts with 1,327 and 11th with a 3.55 ERA.
His 2392.1 career innings pitched ranks sixth on the all-time Yankee list (Bob Shawkey is fifth with 2,489) and his 368 games ranks seventh (Johnny Murphy is sixth with 383). With 170 wins Guidry has moved into sole possession of fourth place (Gomez is third with 189) and his 1,778 strikeouts ranks second only to Whitey Ford's 1,956. Gator is tied with Spud Chandler for sixth place on the Yankee shutout list with 26 (Allie Reynolds is fifth with 27) and ranks 16th with 95 complete games (Reynolds is 15th with 96).
Guidry signed a one-year contract on February 3, 1989.
In 1987, failing to sign by the midnight January 8 deadline, Guidry was unable to sign with the Yankees until May 1. Signing a two-year contract, he reported to the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees (Class-A Florida State League) on May 5 and appeared in two games, going 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in six innings with four hits, no runs, one walk and seven strikeouts. He remained in Florida until May 18, when he was assigned to the Columbus Clippers, making his only start for the Clippers on that date, going five innings and allowing three hits, two runs (one earned), two walks, striking out three and being credited for the 6-2 victory over the Richmond Braves. Guidry had his Columbus contract purchased by the Yankees on May 23.
His first five outings for the Yankees in 1987 were in relief (0-1, 2.45 ERA, 7.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K [1.23 WHIP]). His five relief appearances were the most he's had in a season since making eight in 1980. Ron made his first start on June 9 against Toronto, losing the 7-2 decision.
In his next two starts, he combined to allow just two earned runs in 11 innings but did not figure in either decision. After he allowed a season high three home runs on June 24 at Baltimore as the Yankees were shutout 4-0, his record was now 0-3. He notched his first win of '87 on June 30 at Toronto, allowing no runs in 7.2 innings pitched as New York won 4-0.
From June 30 through July 31 Gator made seven starts, allowing 11 earned runs (six coming on solo homers) in 50 innings, going 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA. Of his three no-decision during that span, New York lost two while scoring a combined three runs in the losses. Ron's most impressive outing came on July 11 at Chicago when he struck out 14 in 6.2 innings, the second highest single-game total of his career and most by a Yankee since he set the Yankee record with 18 strikeouts on June 17, 1978 against California. In that game of July 11, 14 of the 20 outs he recorded were by strikeout.
From August 6 through August 21 Guidry lost four straight starts, allowing 20 earned runs in 25.1 innings (7.11 ERA). He won his final two games of the year, with the start on August 31 (10 K in 7.1 IP) against Oakland snapping that losing streak. Due to a tender left shoulder, his final start of the year came on September 5 in a 7-6 win against California. Guidry's final 17 outings of the year were all starts. He threw complete games on July 6 against Minnesota, losing 2-0, and on August 21 at Oakland, losing 6-4.
In 1986 Ron had the second sub-.500 season of his career, going 9-12 [with a 1.25 WHIP], the first time since 1976 he failed to win in double figures, yet his 140 strikeouts led the club for the sixth time in ten years. Ron won his fifth straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He was named co-captain along with teammate Willie Randolph on March 4.
Gator began the season 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his first four games, with three walks and 19 strikeouts. In his next 13 games, from April 29 to July 2, he compiled a 1-8 record with a 5.03 ERA, allowing 44 earned runs and 11 homers in 78.2 innings pitched; in that span New York won three of four games in which he got no decision, and he threw two complete game one-run losses (May 20 against Oakland, 2-1, and May 31 at Oakland, 4-3). Guidry did not pitch more than six innings in six of those 13 starts.
In his May 10 start at Texas, Guidry struck out 11 Rangers in seven innings, winning 4-3- his most strikeouts since he struck out 13 in a 7-0 shutout of Chicago on August 7, 1984. Beginning with his next start on May 15 through July 2, he lost seven straight decisions (10 G, 58.2 IP, 33 ER, 5.06 ERA)- by far the longest losing streak of his career. Guidry had lost three in one season straight six times, and his longest previous losing streak was four games, September 10, 1982 to April 12, 1983.
Guidry's two inning performance on June 16 against Boston was his shortest since going two innings on July 10, 1982, having made 118 starts in between. On July 2 at Yankee Stadium against Detroit, he was cut between the index and middle fingers of his left hand while attempting to spear a line drive off the bat of Lance Parrish. The gash required five stitches and Guidry was placed on the 21-day disabled list on July 3- the second stint of his career on the DL (at the time he was 4-8, 4.05 ERA, 106.2 IP).
While on the DL, Gator was assigned to Albany-Colonie (AA Eastern League) for rehabilitation, starting there before a huge crowd on July 23 against the Nashua Pirates. He threw three innings, allowing one hit, one earned run, two walks and striking out three. Ron was activated from the DL on July 27, starting and winning that night in Minnesota (his first win since May 10). Ron pitched the shortest starting assignment of his career on August 29 at Seattle, going 1.1 inning (5 H, 5 ER)- his two previous shortest outings were each 1.2 innings.
He was 5-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 85.2 innings after coming off the DL through the end of the season. He was 3-2 with a 2.84 ERA in his last five starts (12 ER, 38 IP), losing the last two by scores of 3-2 to Detroit and 3-0 to Toronto- each a complete game effort. Overall in '86, five of Ron's losses came in one-run games, while the Yankees were shut out in two others.
Selected by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the free agent draft on June 8, 1971, Ron was first brought up to the Yankees from Syracuse on July 27, 1975 and made his major league debut that day at Shea Stadium against the Red Sox. He made nine relief appearances prior to his first major league start on September 22, also against Boston, in which he suffered his first major league loss. He pitched in just seven games in 1976, all in relief.
1977 was his first full year with the Yankees. Guidry was used in relief in six of his first seven appearances, then ended the year with 24 straight starts. He notched his first major league win on April 13 at Kansas City in a relief role, and his first career save was recorded on April 24 at Cleveland. His first win as a starter came on April 29 in New York against Seattle.
From August 10 to September 25 Guidry went 8-0, raising his record to 16-6. He was 1-0 in two ALCS starts and threw a 4-2 complete game 4-hitter against Los Angeles in the World Series. 1977 was just a sign of things to come.
Guidry had a dream season for any pitcher in 1978. He was the unanimous choice for the Cy Young Award (the only other unanimous winner was Denny McLain in 1968), 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 hit just .193 against him.
He 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 is 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.
Ron was also named Sporting News Man of the Year, Sporting News Player of the Year, Sporting News American League Pitcher of the Year, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and Baseball Quarterly Performer of the Year. He was named to the United Press International, Associated Press and Sporting News and All-Star teams.
He won his second straight ERA title in 1979 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 a 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.
In 1983, Guidry led the AL with 21 complete games- a career high- was third with 21 wins, tied for fourth with three shutouts, tied for fifth with a .700 won-lost percentage, was 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. He played center field for a third of an inning on August 18 during the conclusion of the 'Pine Tar Game', then 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 All-Star team.
His best 1984 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 for '84, later tied by Joe Cowley). Ron ended the game by striking out the side on nine pitches, tying a major league record. He was placed on the disabled list with inflamed rib cartilage for the first time in his career on August 16.
Guidry began the 1985 season with a 6-3 win at Cleveland on April 13. He lost his next three starts, but on May 4 against Kansas City pitched a complete game 5-2 win, starting him on a 12-game winning streak that upped his record to 13-3 on July 20; over the streak he gave up 30 earned runs 123.2 innings for a 2.18 ERA. The streak ended with a 6-5 loss at Cleveland on July 31. Ron made one relief appearance on May 17 at California, retiring Reggie Jackson.
He threw back-to-back shutouts on June 17 at Baltimore and on June 22 at Detroit, the 25th and 26th shutouts of his career. He would have been selected to the All-Star team but declined, knowing he could not pitch if needed.
Ron allowed five home runs on September 17 at Detroit, his career high, yet pitched his 2,000th career inning in the third inning of that game. He won his 20th game on September 22 at Baltimore, becoming only the seventh Yankee to win 20 games three times. He won nine of his last 11 decisions and six of his last seven, including his last three.
He struck out Baltimore's Lee Lacy in the seventh inning on September 28 for career strikeout No. 1,500 and struck out a season high 10 on October 3 against Baltimore. Overall in '85, Guidry struck out 100+ batters for the ninth straight year.
In high school at Northside High, where they had no baseball team, Guidry was named Outstanding Track Man for two years. At Southwestern Louisiana, where he majored in architecture, he hurled a no-hitter and was named to the Gulf States All-Stars.
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 and chess and could play the drums professionally. He grew up as a fan of the Yankees and Whitey Ford and his biggest thrill was his 18-strikeout game. Ron spent six years in the National Guard. He is of French ancestry."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Established major league record for highest winning percentage, season, 20 or more wins (.893), 1978.
Tied major league record for striking out side on nine pitches, August 7, 1984, second game (ninth inning).
Tied American League record for most shutouts by a left-handed pitcher, season (9), 1978.
Named Man of the Year by The Sporting News, 1978.
Named Major League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, 1978.
Named American League Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News, 1978.
Won American League Cy Young Memorial Award, 1978.
Named left-handed pitcher on The Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985.
Named pitcher on The Sporting News American League All-Star fielding team, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986.
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
GUIDRY SAYS FAREWELL
"Ronald Ames Guidry, the Yankees' winningest pitcher since White Ford, stood before a Yankee Stadium press gathering for the last time on July 12.
'I'm officially announcing my retirement from the game,' Guidry, his emotional bearing reminiscent of his mound work for 14 years. 'I feel I'm in the way of some young guy. I gave them everything I could.'
And then some. Years of power pitching were slow in taking their toll on a 5-11, 160-pound man alternately known as 'Louisiana Lightning' and 'Gator.' Guidry etched his name deeply in the Yankee record book. 'I didn't set any career goals when I started because I was already 26, in my first full season, in 1977. But I think my accomplishments have been many in a short period,' remembered Guidry.
With 170 wins and 91 losses, Guidry pitched to a winning percentage of .651 while his team played .557 over the same period. From 1977 until his retirement, he won more games than any other major leaguer except Jack Morris, who has won 179 and lost 125 for a percentage of .589 (at the time of this writing). And in a time when 20-win seasons were few and far between, Guidry had three, in 1978, 1983 and 1985.
For now, Guidry plans to return to his family and farm in Louisiana. But when interviewed in Newsday last September, Guidry expressed an interest in being a pitching coach. Whatever his plans in or out of baseball, Guidry has cleared out his corner locker and collected up his jazz records he brings each spring to the room adjacent to the clubhouse, where he listened to music and played the drums.
Now that Guidry has played his last note as a Yankee, we can see the symphony left behind. He established several Yankee pitching records and one incredible league record: his 25-3 record in 1978 was merely the best winning percentage, .893, for a 20-game winner in this century.
In that fantasy season, made even more fantastic with the passing of time, Guidry's 25 wins halted 15 Yankee losing streaks. Guidry recalled that season quietly. 'Guys like Chambliss, Rivers and Nettles would come to me and say, 'we gotta have this one tonight.'' And win he did. He set six Yankee pitching records that season: winning percentage, most strikeouts, 248; most strikeouts in a nine-inning game, 18; most shutouts in a season, nine; lowest earned run average in a season for a left-hander, 1.74; and most consecutive wins to start the season, 13.
To top off the near perfect symmetry of that season, Louisiana Lightning went out and won the playoff game in Boston, one against Kansas City and another against the Dodgers to help the Yankees to their second straight World Championship. Oh yes, then there was that small matter of a Cy Young Award. Only an incredible offensive year by Jim Rice kept him from the MVP award.
Yankee fans fortunate enough to see Guidry at his best will recall a left-hander hurling himself toward the plate with an unfair slider that finished at a right-hander's shoe tops. Invariably, there were two strikes and the crowd groaned with dissatisfaction at a groundout or popup. 'I remember many things about that season,' reflected Guidry. 'Bucky's homer, the 18 K's against California and, of course, the Series. But you know something, above everything else in my career I recall a 4-2 win against the Dodgers in Los Angeles in Game Four of the 1977 World Series, which gave us a three games to one lead. I could sum up the 1978 season by saying that other pitchers may have won 25 games before, but not when they needed it personally and their team needed it so badly.' And Guidry was 5-2 in postseason play.
And the lean lefty inspired many of his peers to sing his praises. Dave Righetti, who played alongside Guidry for eight years paid his respects. 'He was my role model,' said Righetti on the day of the press conference. 'When I came up I was told by Billy Martin to watch every move he made. And I did. Opponents? Listen to the newest Hall of Famer, Carl Yastrzemski: 'I loved the competition of facing Guidry, especially in his younger years. You knew he was going to come right after you.' And Willie Randolph, who began with the Yankees one year after Guidry in 1976 and was named Co-Captain with him in 1986, could not forget the man whose locker was just across the room from his own. 'I've always said Ron Guidry, pound for pound, was the fiercest competitor I ever played with.'
But perhaps Reggie Jackson best recalled the image that will remain in the minds of Yankee fans forever. 'I remember his small frame, stepping behind the mound, taking a deep breath and throwing a hellish slider to strike somebody out.'
So do we, Reggie. So do we."
-Kenneth J. Shouler, 1989 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program
HIPOLITO PENA
"It's September, the middle of a pennant race, and the Yankees are playing their fiercest rivals- the first-place Red Sox- in Fenway. The bases are loaded, it's a close game, Wade Boggs steps in, you go to the bullpen, and who gets the call? The Hippo. Who? Hipolito Pena, that's who. Why? Because in his first nine appearances with the Yankees he allowed just one earned run and prevented all 14 of his inherited runners from scoring.
Acquired from the Pirates on March 30, 1988, the left-handed reliever uses a somewhat awkward motion to keep hitters off stride, making his breaking ball even more deceptive and his fastball more effective. This year the 25-year-old native of the Dominican Republic is no surprise, and Hipolito Pena is being counted on by the Yankees in 1989."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"In 1988 Pena was acquired by the Yankees from the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 30 in exchange for first baseman Orestes Destrade. He began the season with the Columbus Clippers and appeared in 20 games (all in relief) before being recalled by the Yankees on May 31. Pena compiled a 6-1 record with a 3.47 ERA in 36.1 innings pitched with 18 walks and 41 strikeouts during his stay in Columbus.
Pena made his Yankee debut in a relief role on June 1 at Oakland, pitching one scoreless inning and allowing one hit. His first loss as a Yankee came in his next outing on June 4 at Baltimore when he was charged with the Yankees' 7-6 defeat, pitching two innings and giving up two hits and three unearned runs; all three runs scored with two outs in the bottom of the 14th inning on a two-base throwing error by Mike Pagliarulo with the bases loaded to turn a 6-4 Yankee lead into an Oriole victory. Pena made a total of three relief appearances with the Yankees, pitching 4.1 innings and giving up three runs (all unearned) with four hits, two walks and three strikeouts before being optioned to Columbus on June 10.
He finished the season with the Clippers and was recalled to New York on September 2. Overall at Columbus in his two stints there, he was 7-6 with three saves and a 3.87 ERA (104.2 IP) [1.33 WHIP] in 50 games (47 in relief) with 55 walks and 109 strikeouts. Pena's 50 appearances ranked fourth in the International League.
His only victory for the Yankees came on September 8 against Detroit when he earned his first major league win in eight decisions, pitching 0.1 innings, getting the final out in the 10th inning and gaining the victory when Gary Ward hit a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to beat the Tigers 7-4. In his first nine appearances with the Yankees through September 17, he allowed just one earned run in 8.1 innings pitched (1.08 ERA) and prevented all 14 of his inherited runners from scoring. Pena did allow an inherited runner to score in his next outing, September 18 at Boston, to break that streak.
He matched his career high with three strikeouts in 1.1 innings on September 26 at Baltimore. He gave up his only homer as a Yankee in his last appearance, on September 30, a two-run homer to Chet Lemon.
Overall in his two stints with the Yankees, Pena was 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA (14.1 IP) in 16 games (all in relief) with nine walks [1.33 WHIP] and ten strikeouts. His .192 batting average was the lowest among Yankee pitchers. He retired the first batter he faced 11 of 16 times (including 9-for-13 with runners on base) and prevented 21 of his 25 inherited runners from scoring. His longest relief appearance of the year was two innings, on June 4 at Baltimore and September 30 at Detroit.
Pena signed a contract through the 1989 season.
Pena was originally signed by the Brewers as a non-drafted free agent on May 30, 1981. He spent the first two months of the 1983 season with Aguascallentes in the Mexican League, was recalled by Beloit on June 19 and released by the Milwaukee organization on July 1. He pitched at Bradenton in 1984 after being signed to a Pittsburgh contract on June 21. Pena began the 1985 season with the Miami Marlins, an independent Class A club, and finished with Prince William in the Carolina League.
In 1986, Pena began the year in the Class AA Nashua bullpen but his real success came as a starter. On June 17 he was 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA in 19 games (two starts), and after that made 12 appearances (10 starts) and was 6-2 with a 1.39 ERA.
His contract was purchased by Pittsburgh on September 1 and he made his major league debut on that date at Cincinnati, retiring all three batters he faced. Pena recorded his first major league save on September 8 against St. Louis, working two scoreless innings. He lost at New York on October 5 in his first major league start (2 ER, 1 IP).
Pena began the 1987 season at Vancouver (Pirates' AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate) and was 0-0 (2.53 ERA) in six relief appearances there when his contract was purchased by Pittsburgh on April 27. He allowed one earned run in his first six Pirate appearances (7.2 IP, 1.17 ERA). He worked two scoreless innings on May 20 against Houston to record his only save. Pena was 0-2 with a 3.78 ERA when he was optioned back to Vancouver on June 1.
He appeared in 21 games at Vancouver before being recalled by the Pirates on July 27. He lost at St. Louis on August 2 in his first major league start (5 ER, 5 IP) and made four appearances in his second '87 stint with Pittsburgh before being optioned back to Vancouver on August 12, where he remained for the balance of the season.
Pena finished his Pacific Coast League season by going 3-1 (2.66 ERA) in six games (two starts) after his return from the Pirates. His overall AAA record was 2-3 (2.66 ERA) in seven starts and 3-3 (4.91 ERA) with four saves in 20 games out of the bullpen.
Pena played winter ball for Aguilas in the Dominican League. His first name is pronounced ee-PO-lee-toe."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE SHIELDS
"Try, try and try again. That's how Steve Shields established himself as a member of the Yankees' relief corps in 1989. At age 30, the right-hander is playing this season with all the excitement of a rookie, only with a lot more professional experience.
Shields kicked around the minors for almost 10 years, including stops with such struggling organizations as Atlanta and Seattle. Yet he moves to a winner like the Yankees and ends up making his mark. Go figure. Shields demonstrated poise and consistency on the mound even last year when the Yankees sent him to Columbus three times. But on July 18 he was back for good and isn't planning on leaving in 1989.
'If you can't do the job,' he says, 'someone else is always waiting to take your place. I have confidence in myself that I can pitch. I've paid my dues, and I'm going to stay here.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Shields was signed by the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent in November 1987. In three stints with the Yankees in 1988, covering a total of 39 appearances, he posted a record of 5-5 with a 4.37 ERA. His wins, losses and appearances were all career highs. Steve did not have any saves, going 0-for-2 in save situations. His two failed saves came on August 6 against Minnesota in New York and August 12 at Minnesota, but he did gain credit for victories in both those games.
Shields began the season with the Columbus Clippers but was recalled by the Yankees on April 29. At the time of his recall he was 0-0 with three saves and a 1.98 ERA in nine games (all in relief). He appeared in 11 games in his first stint with the Yankees, going 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 23 innings pitched, with his losses coming on May 8 at Texas and on May 30 at Oakland. Steve had his longest outing of the year on June 8 against Boston, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings in relief and allowing just one hit.
He was optioned to Columbus on June 12, but after appearing in two games with the Clippers was recalled to New York on June 22. Steve appeared in four games with the Yankees this time up, going 1-1 and allowing three earned runs in 11.1 innings pitched (2.38 ERA). On June 29 against Detroit, he recorded his first major league win since August of 1987, going 2.1 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit to gain credit for the Yankees' 7-3 victory. Shields lost his next outing on July 1 at Chicago and was optioned back to Columbus on July 4th.
Shields was recalled by the Yankees for a third and final time on July 19. He finished with a record of 0-1 with four saves for the Clippers in 17 games with a 2.52 ERA in 25 innings. From July 19 through August 7, in his first eight appearances with the Yankees following his recall, Shields went 1-0 and allowed just two earned runs in 15.1 innings (1.17 ERA) with six walks and eight strikeouts.
He allowed at least one run in seven consecutive relief appearances from August 9 through August 26, raising his overall ERA to 4.81. In five outings from August 28 through September 11, Steve allowed just one earned run in 11.2 innings (0.77 ERA), going 1-0. The win came in the Yankees' 5-4 18-inning win over Detroit on September 11, with Steve pitching the final three innings and allowing two hits and an unearned run. His final decision of the year came on September 26 at Baltimore when he pitched 1.2 scoreless, hitless innings to gain credit for the Yankees' 5-4 win.
In his three tours with the Yankees, Shields retired the first batter he faced 22 of 39 times (including 15 of 24 with runners on base) and prevented 28 of 44 inherited runners from scoring.
Shields signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Shields began 1987 with the Seattle Mariners, and in his first appearance of the season on April 9 at California pitched 2.1 innings of relief, giving up two hits and one earned run and was credited with his first major league save in the Mariners' 7-2 win over the Angels. In his second appearance, on April 11 against Minnesota, he pitched 1.2 innings of relief with a season high three strikeouts before leaving the game after Kirby Puckett hit him in the face with a line drive. Steve was placed on the 21-day disabled list the following day with a fractured cheek bone.
He was activated from the DL on May 12 and made his first appearance following the injury the next day in a relief outing at Boston, getting the final out in the Mariners' 5-4 win to earn his second save of the year. Shields picked up his first win of the year in his next appearance, on May 16 against the Yankees, pitching three innings of relief and giving up two hits and one earned run; he was credited with the Mariners' 10-8 victory. He picked up his third save of the year on June 5 against Kansas City, pitching two scoreless innings to save the Mariners' 7-2 win.
Through his first ten outings with the Mariners, Steve was 1-0 with three saves and a 2.47 ERA (4 ER, 14.2 IP). While involved in no decisions in his next three outings, however, he gave up eight runs (earned) and 11 hits (including three homers) in three innings pitched (24.00 ERA) to raise his overall ERA to 6.11. He was outrighted to Calgary on June 26.
Steve appeared in nine games with Calgary (all in relief), going 2-1 with a save and a 1.85 ERA (3 ER, 14.2 IP). He was recalled from Calgary on July 25 and picked up his second win of the season on August 2 at California, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings in Seattle's 5-4 win. He appeared in seven games with the Mariners following his recall and in those contests was 1-0 with no saves and a 7.31 ERA (10 ER, 12.1 IP). That left Steve with an overall record of 2-0 with Seattle along with two saves and a 6.60 ERA (22 IP, 30 IP) in 20 games, all in relief.
On August 18 he was outrighted back to Calgary, where he finished the '87 season. In his second stint at Calgary, he appeared in seven games (all in relief) with a 1-1 record with three saves and a 2.90 ERA (3 ER, 9.1 IP). Overall in his two stints with Calgary, he was 3-2 in 16 games (all in relief) with four saves and a 2.25 ERA (6 ER, 24 IP).
Shields spent six years in the Red Sox' farm system where he shifted between the bullpen and the starting rotation. He originally was Boston's 10th round selection in the 1977 June draft and posted a 1-6 record and a 4.11 ERA with Elmira in his first professional season. He went 3-3 with a 1.94 ERA for Winter Haven in 1978, and in 1979 ranked eighth in the Carolina League with a 3.02 ERA and was second in the league with 152 strikeouts, his single season professional high. In 1980 Steve was 5-6 with four saves in his first season at AA Bristol.
In 1981, his second season at Bristol, he was 5-14. At Bristol in 1982, he tossed an Eastern League leading 13 complete games and three shutouts. After going 4-12 in 1983 at Pawtucket, the AAA affiliate of the Red Sox, Steve was signed to a minor league contract by Atlanta as a six-year minor league free agent in October of that year.
Steve spent time in 1984 both as a starter and a reliever at the Braves' AAA Richmond affiliate and was second on the club in wins, appearances and strikeouts and was third in saves. He started the 1985 season at Richmond where, in his first seven games, he recorded four complete games, two shutouts and a 1.79 ERA. Steve was promoted to Atlanta on May 30.
He made his major league debut on June 1 in a start against Pittsburgh and received a no-decision in a 6-3 loss. He won his first major league game on June 9 in his third start, a 10-3 victory over the Dodgers, and received a no-decision on June 13 against Cincinnati, despite allowing one hit in eight innings in an eventual 11-inning 9-2 loss. Steve was 1-2 with a 4.47 ERA in 12 appearances (six starts) before being optioned to Richmond on July 10.
Steve finished the year at Richmond leading the International League with three shutouts, and his 2.64 ERA and eight complete games were second in the league. He was called up by the Braves in September and made seven more relief appearances.
He started the 1986 season at Richmond but was acquired by Kansas City on September 23 to complete the deal that sent Darryl Motley to Atlanta. At Richmond, he ranked second in the IL with a 2.59 ERA, the top mark among starters, and tied for the league lead in strikeouts with Richmond teammate Charlie Puleo by fanning 124 in 149.1 innings. Steve earned a September promotion to Atlanta, where he made six relief appearances without a decision before his trade to the Royals. He made three more appearances with Kansas City to finish the year. He then was acquired by the Mariners from the Royals in December of 1986 with pitcher Scott Bankhead and outfielder Mike Kingery in exchange for outfielder Danny Tartabull and pitcher Rick Luecken.
Steve graduated from Hokes Bluff (AL) High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football. He led the basketball team to three straight championships and was named All-America as a senior. He also pitched his American Legion team to the state title.
His hobbies are hunting, fishing and bowling, and his favorite spectator sports are college basketball and drag racing. Steve's favorite team growing up was the Atlanta Braves and his favorite player was Phil Niekro."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DALE MOHORCIC
"With the Yankees' difficulties in starting pitching as of late, it will be nice for them to enter the 1989 season with a 'Horse' for them to ride through any difficult situation. This horse, otherwise known as relief pitcher Dale Mohorcic, is the ideal man for the situation. The big right-hander has shown his durability.
In 1986 he set an American League record by appearing in 13 consecutive games. The 6'4", 200-lb. righty has proven himself ready to go seemingly every day, and even more so with the Yankees. Mohorcic was successful during his two and a half years with the Rangers, despite feeling they didn't have confidence in him. It's been a whole different ballgame since he joined the Yankees in August of 1988.
'It's exciting here,' he says, 'and that type of atmosphere gets me pumped. They want to win here, and don't think about next year.' There's no turning back for the horse who spent parts of nine seasons in the minors before his stint with the Rangers. Now Mohorcic is with a winner in New York, looking to be a strong middle reliever in 1989."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Mohorcic began the 1988 season with the Texas Rangers and was acquired by the Yankees on August 30 in exchange for Cecilio Guante. At the time of the trade, he was 2-6 in 43 games with the Rangers with a 4.85 ERA in 52 innings [1.58 WHIP] and five saves in eight opportunities, and was second on the Rangers in appearances and saves. In 13 games with the Yankees, Mohorcic went 2-2 with one save in three opportunities with a 2.74 ERA in 23 innings[1.32 WHIP].
His combined 1988 totals with both teams were a 4-8 record in 56 appearances (all in relief), with 25 games finished, with six saves in 11 save opportunities, a 4.22 ERA in 74.2 innings, 29 walks, 44 strikeouts and seven home runs allowed [1.50 WHIP]. His 56 appearances ranked 17th in the American League. Dale has pitched in 188 games in the last three seasons, the fifth highest total among American League pitchers.
Dale began the 1988 season on the 15-day disabled list, having been placed there on March 26 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on March 21 to remove bone chips from his left elbow. Activated on April 27, he started the season by giving up just one unearned run in his first nine appearances, covering 14.2 innings.
He posted saves in back-to-back appearances on May 1 (at New York) and May 3 (at Baltimore). He won his first two decisions, with his first win of the year coming on May 7 at Yankee Stadium while pitching 0.2 innings and gaining credit for the Rangers' 3-2 win. His second win came on May 17 at Toronto, going 1.1 innings and allowing one earned run in the Rangers' 14-inning 7-6 victory.
Through May 26, covering his first 13 appearances, Morohcic was 2-0 with four saves and a 0.44 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. From that point to his trade to New York, however, he went 0-6 in 30 games with one save and a 7.67 ERA in 31.2 innings. The losing streak was eventually extended to seven games.
The final loss in that streak came in Mohorcic's Yankee debut, on September 3 at Oakland, when he relieved Ron Guidry to start the sixth innings with the Yankees leading 4-2. He struck out four of the first seven batters he faced but then gave up a three-run homer to Jose Canseco in the 8th inning that gave Oakland a 5-4 comeback victory.
Over his next eight appearances, from September 8-21, Dale went 2-0 with a save and a 0.68 ERA, giving up just one earned run in 13.1 innings with four walks and 12 strikeouts. His two wins as a Yankee came in that span, on September 9 at Detroit, when he went 2.2 scoreless innings with just one hit allowed, and on September 21 against Baltimore, when he went two scoreless innings with just two hits allowed. Dale's one Yankee save also occurred during that span on September 14 at Cleveland, going 3.2 innings and allowing four hits and an earned run.
That streak ended on September 23 against Boston when he gave up two earned runs and three hits in 0.1 innings in the New York's 10-9 loss. His last outing, October 2 at Detroit, was his longest as a Yankee, four scoreless innings with one hit, two walks and four strikeouts (his high as a Yankee), but Dale got a no-decision in the Tigers' eventual 4-3 11-inning win.
Dale pitched eight and a half seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut. He originally was signed in June 1978 by Victoria, an independent team, following a tryout. Signed as a catcher-third baseman, Dale was converted to pitching and had the second lowest ERA in the Northwest League (2.02) and tied for the league lead in shutouts (2). He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in April 1980, and that season was third in the Carolina League in saves (17) at Salem.
In 1985 with Oklahoma City (Texas Rangers organization) Mohorcic was third in the American Association in saves (15) and fourth in games finished (32). He led the club in saves, was second in games (40) and picked up nine saves in a span of 10 appearances from May 4-June 1.
In 1986 Mohorcic was promoted from Oklahoma City on May 31, becoming the oldest rookie ever to make his major league debut with Texas at 30 years, four months. He went on to compile the staff's lowest ERA (2.51) while finishing third on the club in saves (7) and games (58, 14th in the AL). Dale did not allow an earned run in 16.1 straight innings, July 22-August 2. He tied a major league record by appearing in 13 consecutive games from August 6-20, matching the mark set by the Dodgers' Mike Marshall in 1974; the previous AL record had been eight straight games. He tied the record on August 20 at Kansas City, then appeared just once in the next nine games.
Mohorcic led the Rangers with 16 saves in 1987, which tied him for sixth best in the American League and was the third highest single season total in club history. He also was second on the team and third in the AL with 74 appearances, the most ever by a Texas right-hander. Mohorcic's 2.99 ERA was the lowest on the staff for the second straight year and placed him seventh among AL relievers with 50 or more innings pitched.
He started the season by pitching 9.1 scoreless innings in his first five outings. In 38 games from May 12 through July 29, he was 5-1 with a 1.61 ERA in 56 innings with 12 saves in 13 save opportunities. Mohorcic began that streak by pitching 14.2 consecutive scoreless innings over eight appearances from May 12-26, then did not surrender a run in eight straight outings (eight innings) from June 19-July 5. His seven saves in June led the American League and fell one save shy of the Rangers record for most saves in a single month (Jim Kern in September 1979).
Dale had an outstanding first half with a 6-2 record and 15 saves in 17 opportunities through July 28, but from that point on was 1-5 with just one save in six chances. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 12 with gastrointestinal bleeding caused by irritation to several small ulcerations in the lower intestinal tract. He was activated on August 27 after the problem was corrected.
For the season Dale finished 54 games, third in the AL and was sixth in the AL Rolaids Relief competition. He permitted 9.69 baserunners per nine innings, the fourth best ratio in the AL among pitchers with 40 or more appearances. He had a career high three-game winning streak from May 31-July 21.
Dale played two seasons each at Cuyahoga Community College (1975-76) and Cleveland State University (1977-78), both in Cleveland. He pitched, caught and played third base but missed much of his senior year with stomach problems.
He played baseball, basketball and football at Maple Heights (OH) High School (graduated in 1974) and also played Little League baseball. He was named for the late Dale Mitchell, former Cleveland Indians outfielder.
Dale's favorite spectator sport is college basketball, his favorite ballpark is Fenway Park and his most memorable moment: 'First pro game in Victoria when I came into the game in relief and pitched eight shutout innings.'"
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Tied major league record for most consecutive games pitched as relief pitcher (13), August 6-20, 1986.
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DON SCHULZE
"The baseball life of Don Schulze has been one of perseverance and fortitude. Although his potential has not always matched the expected production, the 26-year-old right-hander continues to strive for success in the major leagues.
Once the Chicago Cubs' number one draft pick, in 1980, Schulze arrives at the Stadium hoping talent and opportunity meet somewhere in the middle. Pitching last season for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Detroit Tigers' triple-A affiliate, Schulze won 10 games, pitched 185.1 innings (third in the International League) and collected eight complete games (second in the IL). He is well traveled on the baseball path and is hoping Yankee Stadium will be the last stop on the road to a successful campaign."
-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook
"Don spent the entire 1988 season with the Toledo Mud Hens, the Detroit Tigers' AAA affiliate in the International League. His manager was Pat Corrales, the current Yankee first base coach.
He was 10-13 in 27 games (26 starts) with a 3.11 ERA in 185.1 innings. He had eight complete games (including a shutout) and allowed 172 hits and 56 walks [1.23 WHIP] with 107 strikeouts. Don's 10 wins ranked tied for eighth in the International League, he ranked third in innings pitched, tied for second in complete games, 11th in ERA, 12th in strikeouts and tied for eighth in games started. His shutout came on July 17 against Syracuse, winning a 4-hitter by a 1-0 score.
Don originally was acquired by the Tiger organization on March 28, 1988 from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitcher Karl Best. He had signed with the Twins as a free agent in December 1987 before his trade to the Tigers. In November 1988 he was signed to a one-year major league contract with the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent. Don has played with the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and New York Mets at the major league level and has compiled a record of 12-23 with a 5.52 ERA in 67 games (53 starts).
He was the Chicago Cubs number one selection (11th player taken overall) in the June 1980 free agent draft. Don began his professional career at Sarasota with a 2-7 record and a 4.09 ERA and led the Gulf Coast League in complete games. In 1981 he posted his lowest career ERA of 2.31 at Quad Cities while recording an 8-5 record, and in 1982 won a career high 13 games at Salinas.
As a 20-year-old in 1983, Don was 11-9 at AAA Iowa including a five-game win streak. He tied for the American Association lead in shutouts (2) and ranked fifth in complete games and innings pitched. Don made his major league debut with the Cubs on September 13 against Montreal. He appeared in four games with the Cubs (including three starts), going 0-1 with a 7.07 ERA (11 ER, 14 IP).
In 1984, Don spent time with four different clubs (Iowa, Chicago Cubs, AAA Maine, Cleveland), making one appearance (a start) with the Cubs without a decision. He was traded to Cleveland along with outfielders Joe Carter and Mel Hall and pitcher Darryl Banks on June 13 in exchange for pitchers Rick Sutcliffe and George Frazier and catcher Ron Hassey.
Don made his American League debut on June 28, tossing three innings for a no-decision in a 10-3 Cleveland loss to Texas. He beat the Rangers in a July 1 start, going seven innings and allowing seven hits and two runs to collect his first big league win in a 13-5 Indian victory. Don set his career strikeout of high nine against the Angels on September 4.
He split the 1985 season between Cleveland and Maine. He began the season with the Indians but was optioned to Maine on June 20. Don earned a September promotion by posting a 6-4 record and a 2.65 ERA in his 15 starts for the Guides, including five complete games and a shutout. His ERA ranked third in the International League. In his two stints with the Indians, he was 4-10 with a 6.01 ERA (94.1 IP) in 19 games (18 starts).
Don began the 1986 season as a spot starter with the Cleveland Indians, then was in the rotation from late April through early June. He earned his first win of the year in an April 26 start against the Yankees and picked up a relief win on April 30 against Texas, ending April with a 2.77 ERA.
He gave up just one hit in 7.2 innings on May 13 at Texas but got a no-decision. He pitched the best game of his career on May 23 against Toronto, tossing a 2-hit complete game to defeat the Jays 3-1, the low-hit game of his career. Don retired 23 of the last 24 men he faced in that game. He won his fourth and final game of the season on June 21, beating Minnesota 7-5.
Don made one other start, on July 2, and two relief appearances before being placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 22 with a strain of the teres muscle behind his right shoulder. He reported to Maine on the 20-day rehabilitation option and was transferred to the 21-day disabled list on August 21.
He made three appearances at Maine, going 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA (10 IP) before being recalled from rehabilitation on September 1. He made just two appearances out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season and was outrighted to Buffalo in December of 1986.
Don began the 1987 season with Buffalo, the AAA American Association affiliate of the Indians. He was 0-1 with a 9.67 ERA (22.1 IP) in five starts before being traded to the New York Mets on May 11 for outfielder Ricky Nelson. He reported to the Mets' AAA Tidewater affiliate in the International League and pitched a 3-hitter to blank Pawtucket 7-0 on May 26.
He was recalled by the Mets on July 20 and, making his Met debut that day in a starting role, recorded his first and only National League win, allowing just three hits and one earned run along with two walks and two strikeouts in 6.1 innings to beat the Atlanta Braves 9-2 at Shea Stadium. Don's two losses with the Mets also came in starts in New York, on July 25 against Houston (losing 7-5) and on August 8 against Chicago (losing 5-3).
Overall he appeared in five games with New York (including four starts), going 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in 21.2 innings before returning to Tidewater on August 8, where he finished the season. In his two stints at Tidewater, Don was 11-1 in 15 games (all starts) with a 3.63 ERA. He led International League pitchers with a .917 winning percentage.
Don graduated from Lake Park (IL) High School where he was a three-sport star. He earned high school All-America honors his senior season (1980) and registered a 0.91 ERA and fanned 100 batters in 92 innings. Don played Pony League, Colt League and American Legion ball as a youngster."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
SCOTT NIELSEN
"Scott began the 1988 season with the Columbus Clippers, appearing in 25 games, making 22 starts, and posted a record of 13-6 with one save, a 2.40 ERA in 172.1 innings, and 62 strikeouts [and a 1.068 WHIP]. He tossed eight complete games, including three shutouts, with one being a no-hitter. Scott tossed the first nine-inning no-hitter in Columbus history on June 8 against Maine, winning 3-0 with one walk and five strikeouts while throwing a total of 82 pitches.
For the season, Scott finished tied for the International League lead in wins and shutouts, was second in ERA and tied for second in complete games. He was named the Topps International League Pitcher of the Month for June.
Scott had his contract purchased by the Yankees on August 14 and pitched that day at Minnesota, tossing 0.2 scoreless innings of relief. In his next appearance, on August 17 against California in New York, he notched his first win of the year, going two scoreless innings in relief and gained credit for the Yankees' 11-7 victory. His first start came in his next outing, August 20 against Seattle, and he was charged with the Yankees' 9-5 loss (3.1 IP, 4 R, 3 ER) when he struggled with control problems (a season high six walks).
His longest outing came in his next appearance, on August 24 against Oakland, pitching 7.1 innings in relief of John Candelaria, who left the game, trailing 3-0 in the second inning, with a sore right knee. Scott allowed six hits and three earned runs, two coming on a two-run homer by Jose Canseco, and kept the game close allowing the Yankees to rally with six runs in the ninth inning to win 7-6, although Scott had no decision in the contest.
He made his second and final start of the year on August 29 at Seattle, going just 3.1 innings and giving up seven hits and five earned runs including a solo blast by Jay Buhner and a three-run blast by Darnell Coles, and was charged with the loss in the Mariners' 9-6 win. Scott was optioned to Columbus on August 31 but did not report; he remained instead with the Yankees and was recalled on September 2. He made two relief appearances the rest of the season without a decision, going 2.1 innings on September 4 at Oakland and 0.2 innings on September 7 against Cleveland.
Overall with the Yankees in 1988, Scott was 1-2 in seven games (two starts) with a 6.86 ERA (15 ER, 19.2 IP) with 13 walks, four strikeouts and five home runs allowed [and a 2.03 WHIP]. He retired four of the first five batters he faced (3-for-4 with runners on) and prevented four of six inherited runners from scoring. Scott signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Scott was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in the sixth round of the June 1983 free agent draft. He made his professional debut that year at the age of 24 at Bellingham (WA) of the 'A' Northwest League. He was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA with that Mariner farm team and earned a quick promotion to AA Chattanooga, where he compiled a 2-4 mark and 6.39 ERA in 13 games (nine starts).
He was traded from the Mariners organization to the Yankees organization on February 14, 1984 along with pitcher Eric Parent in exchange for infielder Larry Milbourne. Scott played at all three levels of the Yankee farm system in '84: he was 2-1 with a 1.08 ERA in four games (three starts) at Ft. Lauderdale; posted a 6-3 mark and 2.44 ERA in 10 starts at AA Nashville; and was 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) at AAA Columbus for a composite 13-8 mark for 1984.
Scott opened the 1985 season at AA Albany and was 6-1 with a 2.95 ERA in his first 11 starts. Bothered by pain in his pitching elbow, he stopped pitching in May in order to rest the sore arm. After an unsuccessful attempt at a comeback, Scott underwent surgery on August 23. The surgery consisted of the repositioning of the ulnar nerve and the removal of bone spurs in his right arm. He began rehabilitation just two weeks after the surgery with hopes of being ready for the start of the 1986 season.
Scott's 1986 season started with arm rehabilitation in 'A' ball and ended in the major leagues. He began the year at Ft. Lauderdale of the 'A' Florida State League to rehabilitate his arm following surgery in August 1985. If not for the surgery, he would have participated in the Yankees' major league spring training camp. Scott was 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA in six games (five starts) at Ft. Lauderdale and owned a pair of complete games, assuring himself and the Yankees his arm was recovered from the surgery.
Assigned to AAA Columbus on May 6, Scott was 9-3 with a pair of complete games and a 2.96 ERA in 84.2 innings when his contract was purchased by the Yankees on July 4th. Prior to joining the Yanks, he was named International League Pitcher of the Week, June 23-29, and had a streak of six consecutive wins broken by his third loss just before heading to New York.
Scott made his major league debut as a starter at Texas on July 7 and was a 14-3 winner. He allowed three earned runs in seven innings in that initial start, yielding home runs to Oddibe McDowell and Pete Incaviglia while allowing nine hits and one walk. He struck out five, a figure he has yet to top in the major leagues. He also won his next start, registering his first major league complete game and first shutout at Minnesota on July 12. He held the Twins to six hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Scott had an ERA of 1.69 through his first two starts.
He lost his next three starts, allowing 19 runs (15 earned) in just 7.1 innings, and his ERA for those starts was 18.41. Optioned back to Columbus on July 30, he owned a 2-4 mark in seven starts back at Columbus with a 5.34 ERA. Scott returned to the Yankees on September 1 when major league rosters expanded. His final statistics at Columbus show an 11-7 record and 3.55 ERA.
Scott made four more starts and one more relief appearance with the Yanks. He defeated Toronto on September 30 and then blanked Boston at Fenway Park in the final game of the season on October 5. He walked two and struck out three and limited the eventual American League champions to just five hits in the 7-0 win.
He accounted for two of the three individual shutouts on the entire Yankee pitching staff in 1986 (Dennis Rasmussen had the other). His two complete game victories tied Rasmussen for the staff lead in that category.
Scott was acquired by the White Sox from the Yankees in January 1987 along with infielder Mike Soper in exchange for pitcher Pete Filson and infielder Randy Velarde. He split the 1987 season with the White Sox and the Hawaii Islanders, their AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate. He started the season with Hawaii but had his contract purchased by the White Sox on June 4. At that point, he was 3-4 with the Islanders along with a 3.97 ERA in ten games (all starts), including three complete games, and had 28 walks and 30 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched.
Scott made his White Sox debut on June 5, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings of relief at California but was not involved in the decision in Chicago's 6-4 loss. He made his first start for the Sox in his next outing, June 12 at Minnesota (Game 2), going 4.2 innings and giving up six hits and six runs (all earned) and was charged with Chicago's 7-4 loss. After a loss in another start, June 22 at Seattle, Scott recorded his first White Sox win, pitching eight innings and giving up three earned runs on June 30 against Oakland and getting credit for Chicago's 12-3 victory.
He followed that with his third career shutout (and first as a member of the White Sox) in his next outing, July 5 at Cleveland, limiting the Indians to six hits in a 17-0 White Sox win as Chicago equaled the widest margin of victory in a shutout in the club's history. It was his only shutout and his only complete game of the season. Scott made one more start, July 10 at New York, giving up five runs in 1.1 innings and getting the loss in Chicago's 9-5 defeat, before being moved back to the bullpen.
Scott made his longest relief outing in his first appearance since his move to the pen on July 19 against Cleveland, pitching six innings and giving up two runs (earned), and was credited with the White Sox' 9-7 victory. He made an emergency start at Detroit on July 27 and pitched seven innings, giving up four earned runs, and was charged with Chicago's 4-1 loss. He was optioned back to Hawaii on August 7.
At that point, Scott was 3-4 in 11 games with the Sox (including six starts) with a 4.73 ERA in 51.1 innings. He did not actually report to the Islanders and was recalled on August 10. He made one more start after his recall, August 11 against Detroit, and was tagged with Chicago's 9-6 loss, giving up seven earned runs in 1.2 innings. After that, his final seven appearances of the season were all in relief and he did not get a win or a loss in those outings.
Scott recorded his first major league save on August 24 at Boston, retiring all three men he faced in the ninth inning with two inherited runners aboard to preserve Chicago's 6-3 win. He picked up his second career save in his next outing, August 26 at Boston, pitching the final 1.1 innings without giving up a run to save Chicago's 5-3 victory.
Overall with the Sox, he finished with a 3-5 record and a 6.24 ERA (66.1 IP) in 19 games (seven starts) with 23 strikeouts and 25 walks. As a starter, he was 2-5 with a 6.57 ERA (38.1 IP) while in his 12 games in relief he was 1-0 with two saves and a 5.79 ERA (28 IP).
He was reacquired by the Yankees from the Chicago White Sox in November 1987, along with pitcher Rich Dotson, in exchange for Dan Pasqua, Mark Salas and Steve Rosenberg.
Scott was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, raised in Tacoma, Washington and attended Brigham Young University. A spot starter and reliever for the Cougars' baseball team in his freshman and sophomore years, he opted to leave school and serve his Mormon mission during 1980 and '81. Scott served his mission in Buenos Aries, Argentina.
Scott returned to Brigham Young and completed his education. He finished his collegiate career with a 28-3 record and established a NCAA record with 26 consecutive wins. His BYU teammates included current major leaguers Rick Aguilera, Wally Joyner and Cory Snyder. Scott was not drafted until the spring of 1983 at the age of 24.
An accounting major at BYU, Scott works for Price, Waterhouse during the off-season. His hobbies are fishing and golf and his favorite spectator sport is football. His favorite team growing up was the Oakland A's, his favorite player was Catfish Hunter and his favorite ballpark is Fenway Park."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DICKIE NOLES
"Noles has played for six teams during his nearly eight-year major league career: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies. He was a member of the Phillies when current Yankee manager Dallas Green was the manager of that club and was with the Cubs when Green served as general manager.
He started the 1988 season as a non-roster invitee to the Orioles' spring training camp on the recommendation of Herm Starrette, who had been his pitching coach with both the Phillies and Cubs. Noles was signed to a Rochester Red Wings (AAA) contract on April 4. In 13 games for the Red Wings he was 4-2 with a 2.74 ERA in 49.1 innings with 11 walks and 20 strikeouts. He started five games and relieved in eight others.
Dickie was on the disabled list from late April to mid-May with a fractured right cheek suffered in a pregame accident. He was promoted to Baltimore on June 11 when Mike Morgan was placed on the disabled list. His first appearance with the Orioles came on June 14 at Detroit, going two innings and allowing six hits and five earned runs including a grand slam by Tom Brookens, and he was charged with the Orioles' 9-3 loss. He made one other appearance with Baltimore, a start on June 19 against Boston, going 1.1 innings and allowing five hits and four earned runs, including a solo homer to Ellis Burks, and was charged with the Orioles' 15-7 loss. Dickie was outrighted to Rochester on June 20.
Overall in his two appearances with the Orioles he was 0-2 with a 24.30 ERA (9 ER, 3.1 IP). He finished the season at Rochester, and overall in his two stints there was 10-5 with one save in 31 games (15 starts) with a 3.12 ERA (130 IP), 31 walks and 59 strikeouts [and a 1.19 WHIP]. After he was released by the Orioles organization in November 1988, Noles signed a one-year contract with the Yankees for the 1989 season as a free agent in December 1988.
Selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 4th round of the June 1975 free agent draft, Noles was signed to his first pro contract by Phillies scout Wes Livengood. In '75 he was 2-2 at Auburn in his first professional season.
Noles was 4-16 for Spartanburg in 1976 and led the Western Carolinas League in losses and hit batsmen (13). He was 10-11 at Peninsula in 1977 and tied for the Carolina League lead in hit batsmen (11). Noles had a career high 12 wins at Reading (AA Eastern League) in 1978 and led the league in hit batsmen (15).
He won his first five starts at Oklahoma City in 1979 before being called up to the major leagues for the first time on July 4th after three Phillie pitchers (Dick Ruthven, Larry Christiansen, Randy Lerch) went down with injuries on the same day. Dickie lost his first start, to the Mets, then beat the Dodgers and Giants in his next two outings. He was strictly a starter for the Phillies in '79. He was sent back to Reading for 10 days in August.
Dickie started 1980 as the Phillies' top right-hander in the bullpen and had four saves and a 1.80 ERA through June 7. He was then pressed into service as a starter because of injuries and was ineffective. He returned to the bullpen late in the season (August-September) and appeared in nine games during the Phillies' drive for the division title and had a 2.12 ERA in that span. For the season, Noles registered a career high six saves.
He appeared in two games against the Astros in the NLCS. He struck out six in a 4.2 inning stint in Game Four of the World Series against the Royals. Many consider Noles' brushback pitch to George Brett in that game as the turning point in the Series, won by the Phillies in six games.
Noles started Game Four of the 1981 National League Division Series against Montreal, working four innings, and had a no-decision in a game won by the Phillies in 10 innings. He was acquired by the Cubs with catcher Keith Moreland and pitcher Dan Larson from the Phillies in December 1981 for pitcher Mike Krukow and cash.
1982 was his only full season as a starter, with all but one of his 31 appearances coming in a starting role; his lone relief assignment came on the final day of the season. Dickie posted a 10-13 record and ranked third on the Cubs in wins. He had two complete games, both shutouts of the Reds, a 1-hit 6-0 win on April 28 in Chicago and a 4-hit 1-0 win on July 10 in Chicago. Dickie set a career high with eight strikeouts on September 20 against Pittsburgh.
In 1983 he was admitted to the Cubs' employee assistance program on April 12 and remained on the disabled list for seven weeks. He matched his career high with eight strikeouts on July 8 at San Francisco. Noles' last career complete game came in a 10-0 shutout of the Dodgers in Los Angeles on July 17; all three of his complete games have been shutouts, including the two in 1982.
Noles began the 1984 season with the Cubs and went 2-2 with a 5.15 ERA in 21 games (one start). He was traded to the Texas Rangers on July 2 for two players to be named later (pitcher Tim Henry and infielder Jorge Gomez). In 16 games with the Rangers (six starts) he was 2-3 with a 5.15 ERA. Noles spent all of the 1985 season with the Rangers, going 4-8 with a 5.16 ERA in 28 games (13 starts). He was released by Texas in December of 1985.
He was signed by Maine, the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, in February 1986 and spent most of the season with the Indians. In 32 games with Cleveland (all in relief) he was 3-2 with a 5.10 ERA in 54.2 innings. It was his first winning season in the major leagues. Noles fractured a bone in his left foot and missed two months. He was 0-1 in three games (all starts) at Maine with a 4.50 ERA.
Noles was signed by the Cubs on April 6, 1987. He spent seven weeks on the disabled list with a broken right thumb from a scuffle with the Expos in Montreal. The outburst started after Noles hit Andres Gallaraga with a pitch. The injury accounted for Noles' injury rehabilitation assignments to both Pittsfield and Iowa, but he still appeared in 41 games for Chicago.
He made one start, against the Pirates at Wrigley Field on June 19 (7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K), and lost 4-0 to Brian Fisher. Dickie was dealt to the Tigers on September 22 and saved two games, against Boston on September 22 and against Toronto on September 27, in four appearances with Detroit but was not eligible for postseason play. He was dealt back to the Cubs on October 23 and granted free agency in November.
Dickie was a baseball and football standout at Harding High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also played American Legion ball."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led Western Carolinas League in hit batsmen (13), 1976.
Tied for Western Carolinas League in home runs allowed (13), 1976.
Led Carolina League in games started, 27 (1977).
Led Carolina League in hit batsmen, 11 (1977).
Led Eastern League in hit batsmen, 15 (1978).
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
CHUCK CARY
"Born in San Ramon, California, Cary attended the University of California at Berkeley. He was the 7th round pick of the Detroit Tigers in the June 1981 free agent draft. Chuck was signed by Tigers scouts Bill Serena and Whitey DeHart.
He tied for the Southern League lead in fielding percentage by a pitcher (1.000) in 1984. Cary was traded to the Atlanta Braves with Randy O'Neal in exchange for Terry Harper and Fred Tiburcio in January 1987. In 1988 Cary was placed on injury rehabilitation at Bradenton from July 29-August 17. Released in December 1988, he was signed by the Yankees organization as a free agent in January 1989.
Chuck played for Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League in 1988-89."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
LUIS SANCHEZ
"Born in Cariaco, Sucre, Venezuela, Sanchez was signed as a free agent by Houston Astros scout Pat Gillick on September 1, 1971. He led the Florida East Coast League in complete games (6) in 1972.
He was traded with Carlos Alfonso to the Cincinnati Reds organization in December 1975, completing the deal in which Houston acquired Joaquin Andujar for two players to be named later in October 1975. Sanchez was signed by Caracas of the Inter-American League in March 1979, signed by Aguila in December 1979, loaned to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in July 1980, returned in October 1980 and sold to the California Angels in February 1981. With California, he led the American League in intentional bases on balls (14) in 1983.
Luis was traded with Tim Arnold to the Montreal Expos for Gary Lucas in December 1985, released by the Expos in February 1986 and played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan in 1986 and 1987. He was a player-coach for the Caracas Cocodrilos of the Venezuelan Summer League in 1988 and was signed by the Yankees organization as a free agent in December 1988."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
DICK GRAPENTHIN
"Grapenthin spent the entire 1988 season with the Louisville Redbirds, the AAA American Association affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. He appeared in 45 games, all in relief, and compiled a record of 3-6 with 10 saves and a 3.63 ERA in 69.1 innings pitched. Dick finished 26 games and had 21 walks and 30 strikeouts. He tied for eighth in the American Association in saves, ranked ninth in games finished and was tied for 11th in appearances.
Of his 384 career appearances on both the major and minor league levels, all but nine have been in relief. Grapenthin was signed by the Yankees as a six-year minor league free agent in December 1988.
Signed by the Montreal Expos after a tryout camp in Mankato, Minnesota in July 1980, he reported to Jamestown and went 2-2 in seven games with a 5.67 ERA. In 1981, he appeared in 31 games at West Palm Beach and notched his first professional save.
Dick began the 1982 season at 'A' San Jose of the California League, posting a 0.80 ERA with a 2-1 record and nine saves in 27 relief appearances. He was promoted to the AAA Wichita Aeros on July 11 and gained a save in his first appearance, a 9-8 win over Evansville on July 14, striking out two batters in one shutout inning. Dick was 2-2 with three saves in 20 games at Wichita. He pitched in the Florida Instructional League where he was 1-1 with eight saves and a 1.35 ERA in 18 appearances.
He was the last pitcher cut before Opening Day in 1983 and the first pitcher recalled when Woodie Fryman was injured on April 11. Grapenthin made his major league debut on May 3 and was the losing pitcher, hurling four innings of relief against Atlanta. It was his only major league appearance of the year.
Grapenthin was optioned to Wichita on May 15, then recalled when Fryman was disabled for a second time on July 29, but was optioned again on August 9 without appearing in a game. He was recalled, but not to report, on September 1. In 40 relief appearances at Wichita he was 5-5 with eight saves and a 3.84 ERA.
In 1984 Dick led the American Association in saves with 18, was named as the league's All-Star right-handed pitcher and won the league's top reliever award, using the Rolaids point formula, with 41 points.
Recalled by the Expos on August 5, he was immediately thrust into action as a last-minute replacement for injured starter David Palmer, losing 4-3 to the Cubs at Wrigley Field following Keith Moreland's third inning grand slam, Dick's only big league start. He notched his first major league save on August 22 at Los Angeles and his first victory on September 10 at Pittsburgh, yielding no runs and one hit in 4.2 relief innings.
Overall in 1984 he appeared in 66 games and had 114 innings pitched between the two leagues. He played winter ball with Escogido in the Dominican Republic.
Dick began 1985 at AAA Indianapolis, leading he club in games (33), games finished (48) and saves (11), and tied for the International League for double plays by a pitcher (4). He played briefly with Montreal, appearing in five games with no decisions.
After five years with the Montreal Expos organization, Grapenthin was sold to the San Diego Padres organization prior to the 1986 season and was assigned to AAA Las Vegas. He appeared in 39 games, helping left the Stars to the Pacific Coast League title with a 3-3 mark and two saves. Signed by St. Louis as a six-year minor league free agent for 1987, he spent his first year in the Cardinal organization at Louisville where he appeared in a club high 55 games, all in relief, and was involved in 12 of Louisville's 78 victories. Dick notched a career high 49 strikeouts in 99 innings of work. He opened the season with three straight wins and two saves before July.
A graduate of Sioux Valley High School in Linn Grove, Iowa, Dick attended Mesa Community College in Arizona for two years and spent another two years at Indiana State, graduating in 1980 with a physical education degree. He had a 9-2 record in his final collegiate season.
Dick enjoys hunting and fishing."
-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide
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