"Received his dream job when he was named to replace Bucky Dent as Yankees manager on June 6. Merrill inherited an 18-31 disaster and compiled a 49-64 record the rest of the way. He kept the team pushing to the end, a credit to the manager, and should be the right man to oversee the extensive rebuilding given his experience with young players and his knowledge of the farm system.
At the time of his appointment, Merrill had led AAA Columbus to a 33-25 record and first place in the Western Division of the International League. He begins his 15th consecutive season in the Yankee organization.
Merrill has proven to be a successful minor league manager in the Yankees' farm system as indicated by a 783-544 (.590) career record, seven division titles and three league championships. In 1989 he took over at Class-A Prince William in the Carolina League on May 21 and led the Cannons to a 54-43 record and eventual league championship. Merrill was named minor league coordinator in 1988, then stepped in as Albany (AA) manager on June 6, leading the club to the Eastern League title. In 1987, he coached first base for the Yankees.
After spending his entire six-year playing career as a catcher in the Philadelphia system, Merrill joined the Yankees organization in 1977 as pitching coach at West Haven (AA). Prior to beginning his professional coaching and managing career, he spent time at his alma mater, the University of Maine, as an assistant baseball coach under the late Jack Butterfield. Merrill joined the managerial ranks in 1978 at West Haven and led his clubs to playoffs or championships in five of seven years.
Merrill was born in Brunswick, Maine."
-John Shea and Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1991 Edition
"It would be difficult to convince even the most die-hard Yankee fans that the 1991 team has a shot at the brass ring. On the other hand, it is almost equally as tough to have a conversation with Manager Carl 'Stump' Merrill and not feel like the Yankees can be contenders this season.
'I've been excited for months,' said Merrill just before the start of spring training. 'I know we're obviously not going to be the odds-on favorite, but I really think we can surprise some people.'
A positive approach is perhaps the best way to describe the Yankee skipper. 'Everything we deal with will be in positives,' says Merrill. 'We're going to block out all the negatives and deal with everything in a positive way.'
How can Merrill, whose team finished last a year ago, remain upbeat? Partly because he is optimistic by nature. But also, think of the excitement that anyone has after a new job or promotion. That feeling was magnified several times over for Merrill, who spent 14 years as a highly successful manager in the Yankee minor league system before getting his chance in the majors.
And now that he's arrived, Merrill also knows that it takes more than a bright outlook to win games. Make no mistake, his positive demeanor is not to be confused with a lack of perspective. Merrill is a no-nonsense type of guy who combines a positive attitude with a hard-nosed approach to this game.
'It's obvious that we haven't been good enough, and that we need to improve,' says Merrill. 'We're coming at it with the idea that each day we will be better than the day before.' "
-The New York Yankees Official 1991 Yearbook
"Appointed Yankee manager on June 6, 1990, Stump is the 29th man ever to manage the Yankees. 1991 marks his 15th consecutive year in the Yankee organization.
At the time of his appointment as manager, Stump had led AAA Columbus to a 33-25 record and first place in the Western Division of the International League. He took over an 18-31 Yankee club and led them to a 49-64 record through the rest of 1990. Merrill was awarded a two-year contract extension, through the 1992 season, on August 19.
Merrill proved to be a successful minor league manager in the Yankee system as indicated by a 783-544 (.590) career record, seven division championships and three league championships. He was named Minor League Coordinator in 1988, then stepped in as AA Albany manager on June 6, leading the club to the Eastern Division title of the Eastern League. In 1989, Stump took over the Class-A Prince William club on May 21 and led the Cannons to a 54-43 record and the league championship.
He started the 1985 campaign as the Yankees first base coach. He switched positions with Doug Holmquist, going to Columbus as manager on May 7 when Billy Martin returned as manager of the Yankees. Merrill spent the 1986 season as the club's administrative coach, with special emphasis on positioning the team's defense from his press box seat as well as working with manager Lou Piniella on a variety of day-to-day responsibilities. In 1987, he was the Yankees' first base coach.
After spending his entire six-year playing career as a catcher in the Phillies farm system, Merrill joined the Yankees organization in 1977 as pitching coach at West Haven (AA). Prior to beginning his professional coaching and managing career, he spent time at his alma mater, the University of Maine, as an assistant baseball coach under the late Jack Butterfield.
He joined the managerial ranks in 1978 at West Haven. Stump led the clubs he managed to playoffs or outright championships in five of seven years from 1978-84, guiding his 1978 and 1982 teams to league championships. He was named manager of the Eastern League All-Star team in 1978. In 1980, he led Nashville to a league record 97 wins."
-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide
MEET THE MANAGER: STUMP LEADS THE WAY
"It took 14 years for Carl 'Stump' Merrill to get this close to home. On June 6, 1990, Merrill took his rightful place in the Yankee dugout at Fenway Park wearing the manager's cap that for so long eluded him.
The native of nearby Brunswick, Maine cherished the day when he was at the helm of his own big league team. With friends and family in the stands, Merrill would for the time being dismiss the team's standing in the AL East cellar. This was a moment to savor.
But good times would not roll for long as the summer of '90 was laden with sore arms, an impotent offense and a bad back that reduced Don Mattingly to a mere mortal being.
The 46-year-old Yankee manager would have to rely on every ounce of positive energy his body could muster. While his first taste of major league managing was at times acrid, the nibble was all too alluring.
'It took some time to get adjusted,' said Merrill on his first few weeks in the majors. 'But then you realize this is the real thing and you just try to have the same success that you had before. All you do is try your best.'
After a six-year playing career in the minors netted Merrill a lifetime .233 batting average, he opted to join the coaching ranks and put his experience to good use.
In 1977, he landed his first coaching job in West Haven as the pitching coach for the Yankees Double-A squad. Merrill found he thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with the minor league prospects and his passion for the sport was being fulfilled.
From 1977-84, the young Merrill managed his teams to the playoffs or outright championships five times. He was weaned through the managing system and his resume would resemble a Trip-Tik. But he won. Whether it was Nashville, Fort Lauderdale or Prince William or Columbus, Merril proved his managing methods were quite effective.
The 29th Yankee-manager-to-be would break stride from his minor league duties and assist the parent club in different endeavors. In 1985 he started the season in New York as the first base coach before returning to managing in Columbus. The following season he was back in Yankee Stadium as the administrative coach for manager Lou Piniella. In 1987 he would reappear as the Yankees first base coach.
By 1990, with rumors swirling around incumbent manager Bucky Dent of his imminent dismissal, Merrill was summoned to Boston on that fateful June day to resuscitate a team with an 18-31 record.
'When I arrived in Boston I don't think there was any kind of attitude problem or anything like that,' Merrill says. 'We just dug ourselves a hole early and we couldn't get out. I think the guys were really upset because they were not satisfied with their performance.'
The Merrill-led Yankees proceeded to lose four straight games and the heat emanating from the manager's seat was now at a full boil.
By mid-June they were 14-and-a-half games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays and fading fast. But something funny happened on the way to their next road trip. Instead of panicking and trading away young talent in hopes of salvaging an already lost season, the Yankees decided to put some of that fledgling talent to work in New York.
'We wanted to look at some of the young kids and determine what their different styles and weaknesses were and correct what needed to be corrected,' noted Merrill.
So the dawning of the Baby Bombers began. Like a dark cloud suddenly lifted, the play of rookies Kevin Maas and Jim Leyritz shed new light on the Yankees' future. While Maas was blasting home runs at a record pace, Leyritz was generating an up-tempo style that was sorely missing.
Pitchers Steve Adkins, Alan Mills and Dave Eiland, all with no or limited big league experience, found space on the Yankee roster at some time in 1990. It was time to test the young arms. Though they each ran into some rough waters, all survived unscathed and better off from the seasoning.
These will be his players and his coaches and no doubt some changes will take place. Stump could become the first manager since Piniella in 1987 to guide a Yankee team through a full season.
'We had some terrible things happen to us last year,' Merrill says reflectively. 'We lost Mattingly, we had some distractions with Deion (Sanders) and I don't think we'll have to go through those things again. But I was very proud of the way the players handled it. I was proud of the way then went out and performed under certain conditions.'
Many of Merrill's fears will be alleviated when he sees No. 23 in his lineup which was last in the AL in runs scored last season. Hard-hitting Hensley Meulens will start the season in left field, and the additions of pitches Steve Farr and Scott Sanderson will shore up the bullpen and starting rotation.
'When you add a guy like Mattingly to your lineup it really helps all the guys,' Merrill adds. 'Last year I had too many guys trying to hit five-run homers and trying to do too much. If everyone can stay within themselves and know their limitations they'll be fine.'
No one is giving the Yankees much of a chance in 1991. You get the feeling Stump Merrill would have it no other way. This man with a dumpy physique revels in the role of underdog who made good. It takes one to know one."
-Gregg Mazzola, Yankees Magazine
MEET THE COACHES: A FAMILIAR CREW TAKES CHARGE
"Taking over as interim manager during a season, as Carl 'Stump' Merrill did in 1990, is never an easy task. Much like a substitute teacher, the new manager is working with a system established by someone else.
In 1991 Merrill is no longer an interim manager. This season Merrill is starting from the beginning with a two-year contract. He has his players, his system and his own coaching staff.
'A manager has to feel comfortable with his coaching staff, otherwise it just won't work,' says Yankee General Manager Gene Michael. 'Stump had a lot of input into choosing his coaches, and I know he's very happy with this season's staff.'
Merrill kept three coaches from last year, but moved them into new roles, and added three new faces. Mark Connor, the bullpen coach last year, takes over all of the pitching coach duties in 1991; Mike Ferraro is back, moving from first base to bench coach; and Buck Showalter, who began last season as the 'eye-in-the-sky' coach and moved to third base when Merrill, is back at third in 1991.
The new additions are hitting coach Frank Howard, who served in that role for the Yankees in 1989; popular former Yankee third baseman Graig Nettles, moving to the other side of the diamond as first base coach; and Marc Hill, who moves from bullpen catcher last year to bullpen coach in 1991.
'This is a really good staff, and I couldn't be happier with this group,' praised Merrill. 'With these coaches we have diversity and experience. They are all smart baseball men, and I know that they will bring a lot to this team.'
Ferraro, who enters his 22nd season with the organization, is the senior member of the staff in terms of service with the Yankees. The difference in 1991 is that he moves to bench coach, the all-important 'second voice' in the dugout.
Merrill, in his first full season as a major league manager, is depending heavily on Ferraro's experience with the organization and his familiarity with the league. Ferraro has played with the Yankees, was a manager in the farm system for five years, has been a big league manager two seasons and a coach for another ten.
Connor again assumes the duties as team pitching coach. He is very comfortable in the position, having handled the job before.
For more than a decade Connor, another longtime organization man, has gone wherever he's been needed the most. A member of the organization since 1978 (except for the 1988-89 seasons), Connor has served as pitching coach at every level of the organization, including two prior stints with the Yankees as pitching coach and last year as the team's bullpen coach.
Rounding out the list of returnees is Showalter, 34, the third base coach. Despite his relatively young age for a coach, he's insightful and can help his manager in a handful of ways.
From 1977-83 Showalter played in the Yankee organization and served as a coach in Fort Lauderdale in 1984. For the next five years he was a highly successful manager in the Yankee farm system, where his teams finished fourth four times and captured three championships. The 'eye-in-the-sky' last year, his reputation as a keen tactician earned him a shot and he seems well-suited to become a major league skipper in the future.
Howard's return as hitting instructor was a calculated move by the Yankees. A coach can't be a 'save-all' but the impact Howard had on the Yankees' offense in 1989 caught Merrill's attention.
Several Yankee players had career years at the plate in 1989 but had off-years in 1990. The front office isn't taking any chances. A renowned slugger in his playing days with the Dodgers and Senators, Howard is a tremendous instructor who uses his good rapport with the players to help improve their hitting.
Nettles is new to the coaching staff, but not to Yankee fans. He returns as first base coach and is being counted on in a number of ways.
As a player Nettles became a fan favorite because of his get-dirty defensive style and his left-handed home run power. In addition to his first base coaching duties, he will work with the infielders on their defense and will help Frank Howard with the left-handed hitters. Known as an intelligent player on the field, Nettles has the tools to teach these same skills to the 1991 Yankees.
Hill rounds out the staff. Though it's his first opportunity as a big league coach, he is very familiar with the surroundings in the Yankee bullpen.
After a 14-year playing career ending in 1986, Hill spent a year as a manager in the White Sox organization and in 1988 was a coach with the Astros. Then in 1989 this former big league backstop became the Yankee farm system's roving catching instructor. He spent the 1990 season as the Yankees' bullpen catcher where he was noticed by Merrill, who took over as manager in June of that season. Recognizing the skill and determination of this young man, Merrill made him a full-time coach in charge of the bullpen."
-Charles J. Alfaro, Yankees Magazine
MIKE FERRARO (Coach)
"There is nothing different about the fact that Mike Ferraro is a coach on the Yankees staff. After all, 1991 does mark his 22nd season with the organization. Still, there is a subtle difference in his role this season.
Ferraro moves from his usual first base coaching box [assignment] to the role of bench coach. The move is a bit of a promotion for this long-time baseball man, as the all-important bench coach serves as an assistant to the manager.
With Stump Merrill in his first full season as a major league manager, he couldn't find a better bench coach than Ferraro. Ferraro played for the Yankees, was a manager in their farm system for five years, was a big league manager for two seasons and a coach for another ten. That's why, while coaches come and go, Mike Ferraro remains a Yankee constant."
-The New York Yankees Official 1991 Yearbook
"Mike was named to the position of dugout coach on October 14, 1990. In 1990 he was the Yankee first base coach, a position he was named to on August 18, 1989. With the start of 1991, Mike begins his 22nd season in the organization. This is his ninth season as a major league coach for the Yankees (1979-82, 1987-88, 1989-90). In 1988 he was the first base coach and in 1987 he was the third base coach.
After Mike's 1979-82 string, he was named manager of the Cleveland Indians in 1983 and posted a record of 40-60 with the Tribe through July 31, 1983 before being relieved of his duties. Mike spent two and a half seasons as Dick Howser's third base coach with the Kansas City Royals until being named their interim manager on July 17, 1986. He continued in that role through the completion of the 1986 season, posting a 36-38 mark.
He managed five seasons (1974-78) in the Yankee farm system, compiling a 331-221 (.600) record and earning manager of the year accolades in three of those seasons (1974, 1977, 1978). He never had a losing season and netted first place finishes in three of the five seasons. Mike led Oneonta (Class-A) to the New York-Penn League title in 1974 and concluded his minor league managing career with a Pacific Coast League championship at Tacoma in 1978.
Mike was the 1964 Player of the Year in the Florida State League (.317, 158 hits, 77 RBIs in 139 games). He played four seasons in the majors, including parts of the 1966 and 1968 seasons with the Yankees. He had a career .232 batting average with a pair of home runs and 30 RBIs in 162 games. Playing for the Yankees on September 14, 1968, Mike tied a major league record for most assists by a third baseman, 11. He retired as a player after spending the 1973 season at the Yankees' AAA affiliate at Syracuse.
A standout high school athlete, Mike scored a school record 53 points, shooting 24-for-30 from the floor, for the Kingston (NY) High School basketball team in 1961."
-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide
MARK CONNOR (Coach)
"The job may be the same, but the challenges are different every year for Yankees pitching coach Mark Connor. It seems like whenever there is a pitching problem, Connor is the man the Yankees turn to.
'He's done this here before' says General Manager Gene Michael. 'Stump has a lot of confidence in Mark and so do I.'
For more than a decade Connor has gone wherever he's been needed the most. While other so-called pitching experts have come and gone, Connor has been with the organization for every season since 1980 except for 1988-89. Over that period he has served as pitching coach at every level of the organization, including two prior stints with New York as pitching coach and last year as the team's bullpen coach.
This year he again takes over all of the pitching duties. For the quiet and confident Mark Connor, same job, different day."
-The New York Yankees Official 1991 Yearbook
"Named as Yankee pitching coach on October 14, 1990, Connor spent the 1990 season as Yankee bullpen coach, a position he was named to on October 26, 1989. He had most recently served as the head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee for the 1988 and 1989 seasons.
This will be Mark's third stint as pitching coach with the Yankees. The other times were from June 18, 1984 (replacing Sammy Ellis) through August 2, 1985 (replaced by Bill Monbouquette) and then from May 18, 1986 (replacing Ellis) through the entire 1987 season (replaced by Art Fowler). At the time of his appointment in 1986 he was the club's minor league pitching coach. Prior to his appointment in 1984, Connor spent two seasons as the pitching coach at the Yankees' AAA affiliate at Columbus.
He also served as pitching coach at Greensboro for three seasons (1980-82), as a Yankee scout in 1979 and as pitching coach at Paintsville in 1978, his first year in the Yankee organization. He was pitching coach at the University of Tennessee from 1974-78.
Mark graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York in 1967. He attended Belmont Abbey College and graduated from Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. At Manhattan, he received the Topps Award as a college All-Star in 1970, and in 1971 struck out 20 Columbia University batters in one game.
Mark spent two seasons in the Twins' minor league system. He attended graduate school for a Master's degree at the University of Tennessee in 1974-75 before beginning his coaching career."
-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide
BUCK SHOWALTER (Coach)
"Third base coach Buck Showalter is young, he's good and can help his manager in a lot of different ways. In five years as a manager in the Yankee farm system, Showalter's teams finished first four times, winning three championships along the way. His reputed knowledge of the game's tactical aspects earned him a spot as an 'eye-in-the-sky' coach [and third base coach when Merrill became manager] last year and has many touting him as a future big league skipper.
Still, at age 34, he is young and unassuming. In fact, Showalter downplays his role on the staff, always looking to give credit to others. With 1990 being his first year as a coach in the big leagues, he defers to the experience of the rest of the staff.
'These guys have been around for a long time and are very experienced,' says Showalter. 'I try to feed off their knowledge while I learn the league, and try to help wherever I can."
-The New York Yankees Official 1991 Yearbook
"Buck returns to his position as the third base coach, a job he was named to on June 6, 1990 when Stump Merrill became manager. He started the 1990 season as the Yankee 'eye-in-the-sky, ' a position he was named to on October 26, 1989. Buck begins his 15th season in the organization, having served as a player, coach and manager.
In 1989 Buck managed the Albany-Colonie Yankees (AA Eastern League) to a 92-48 first place finish and eventual league championship, earning the Eastern League Manager of the Year award [and the Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year award]. The 92 wins were the most by a Yankee AA team since the 1980 Nashville Sounds of the Southern League (a team Buck played for) went 97-46.
1989 was his fifth season as a manager in the Yankee system. He managed Ft. Lauderdale (Class-A) during the 1987 and 1988 seasons, with the 1987 team going 85-53 to win the Southern Division of the Florida State League while posting the best record in the league. Buck also posted the best record in the New York-Penn League in both 1986 (59-18) and 1985 (55-23) while leading Oneonta to Northern Division Championships. The 55 wins in 1985 and then the 59 wins in 1986 set league marks for wins in a season.
He won League Championships in 1985, 1987 and 1989 and has a postseason managerial record of 14-4 (.778 winning percentage). In regular season play, he has compiled a 360-207 mark (.635). He coached at Ft. Lauderdale in 1984.
Buck played in the Yankee system from 1977-83. He led the Southern League with 152 hits for Nashville in 1982 and hit .324 (second in the league) for the 1980 Nashville team.
Buck played one year (1977) at Mississippi State University and hit .459 while driving in 44 runs. The batting average still remains a school record and the RBI total was a record at the time. Buck was named a 1977 All-American."
-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide
FRANK HOWARD (Coach)
"When his name was announced at the 1989 Old Timers' game at Yankee Stadium, big Frank Howard emerged from the visiting dugout wielding a monstrous five-foot replica baseball bat. While it was meant to be a joke, the novelty looked almost real in the hands of the 6-8 Howard.
The organization is hoping the former Washington Senator-turned Yankee hitting coach can help the current Bombers to also carry a big stick. Howard served as the Yankees' hitting coach in 1989, but not in 1990. Several Yankee players had 'career years' at the plate in 1989, but had off years in 1990. The front office isn't chancing that it might have been a coincidence.
'A coach can't make all the difference, but we feel that Frank Howard can really help our hitters,' says General Manager Gene Michael. 'He's a tremendous instructor, and the players really like him.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1991 Yearbook
"Howard was appointed Yankee hitting instructor on October 14, 1990. He spent the 1990 season in the Atlanta Braves system as the roving hitting instructor, working with young hitters throughout their organization. In his second stint as Yankee batting coach, Frank held that position from the beginning of the 1989 season until August 18 of that year.
He is a former major league manager with the San Diego Padres and New York Mets, compiling a record of 93-113 (.412) with those two clubs.
Following his retirement as a player in 1973, Hondo originally went into private business but was hired by the Milwaukee Brewers as a minor league instructor in 1975. He managed the Brewers' AAA Spokane club in 1976, joined the club's major league coaching staff in 1977 and served as first base coach for four seasons.
Frank was named manager of the San Diego Padres following the 1980 season, replacing Jerry Coleman. He led the Padres to an overall 41-69 record in 1981 (25-33 in the first half of that year's split season and 18-36 in the second half, with two sixth place finishes). Frank was replaced by Dick Williams at the end of the 1981 campaign.
He joined the Mets' coaching staff as third base coach under George Bamberger prior to the 1982 season and was named interim manager on June 3, 1983 following Bamberger's resignation. He managed the Mets to a 52-64 record and a sixth place finish for the remainder of the season. Frank was replaced by Davey Johnson as manager following the conclusion of that season and moved to first base coaching duties in 1984.
He rejoined the Brewers' staff in October 1984 and worked two years there as the club's batting coach. In November of 1986 he was named the first base coach of the Seattle Mariners, where he remained until joining the Yankees.
Hondo enjoyed a playing career that spanned 15 major league seasons, compiling a batting average of .273 with 382 home runs and 1,119 RBIs. He was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1960 with the Los Angeles Dodgers (.268 BA, 23 HRs, 77 RBIs). In five-plus seasons with Los Angeles, Howard batted .268 with 123 homers and 382 RBIs in 624 games.
His top seasons came as a member of the Washington Senators (1965-71), averaging 34 home runs and 96 RBIs per season. In 1968-70 with the Senators, Howard hit 44, 48 and 44 home runs with 106, 111 and 126 RBIs, respectively. His career highs were: batting- .296 (in 1961 & 62 with Los Angeles and 1969 with Washington), home runs- 48 (in 1969 with Washington) and RBIs- 126 (in 1970 with Washington).
Named to the American League All-Star team four consecutive years (1968-71), Frank still holds the major league mark for most home runs in a week (10), most homers in six consecutive games (10) and most homers in five consecutive games (8). He finished his pro career with a brief stint in Japan in 1974.
A two-sport star at [the] Ohio State University (1956-58), Frank lettered three times in baseball and twice in basketball (1,047 career points). He still holds two ECAC Holiday Festival Tournament records at Madison Square Garden (most rebounds in a game- 32, and most rebounds in three games- 77, with both marks set in 1956)."
-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide
Named Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, 1959.
Named National League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association, 1960.
Named National League Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News, 1960.
Established the following major league records: most home runs in a week (10), 1968; most home runs, six consecutive games (10), May 12 through May 18, 1968; most home runs, five consecutive games (8), May 12 through May 17, 1968; most years 100 or more strikeouts, lifetime (10).
Tied the following major league records: most consecutive strikeouts, nine-inning game (5), September 19, 1970, first game; most consecutive strikeouts, two consecutive games (7), July 9, 1965 (doubleheader); most unassisted putouts, first baseman, inning (3), September 9, 1972 (first inning).
Tied American League record for most home runs, four consecutive games (7), May 12 through May 16, 1968.
Tied American League record for most consecutive games, hitting a homer each game (6), 1968.
Led American League batters in strikeouts (155), 1967.
Named to American League All-Star team, 1968.
Led American League in home runs (44), 1968.
Led American League in total bases (330), 1968.
Led American League in slugging percentage (.552), 1968.
Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1968.
Named to American League All-Star team, 1969.
Led American League in total bases (340), 1969.
Led American League in grounding into double plays (29), 1969.
Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1969.
Named to American League All-Star team, 1970.
Led American League in home runs (44), 1970.
Led American League in RBIs (126), 1970.
Led American League in walks (132), 1970.
Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1970.
Named to American League All-Star team, 1971.
-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide
GRAIG NETTLES (Coach)
"Graig Nettles, 1978 World Series. Say no more. The year highlighted by the Bucky Dent home run and the pitching of Ron Guidry was salvaged in the World Series by the defensive heroics of Nettles at third base.
In reflecting on the four diving plays that led to the Yankees winning Game Three and eventually the World Series, Nettles talks of being prepared. By envisioning the most difficult play before each pitch. Nettles was ready when it occurred on the field.
'Graig was gritty, determined and most of all, an intelligent player,' says General Manager Gene Michael. 'We see him as being a real solid influence on the team.'
Nettles, who returns to New York as first base coach, became a fan favorite because of his get-dirty defensive style and his left-handed home run power. By installing that same style and quality into the '91 team, Nettles just might salvage more Yankee victories."
-The New York Yankees Official 1991 Yearbook
"Nettles became first base coach on October 14, 1990. A fierce competitor, this is his first major league coaching assignment.
The former Gold Glove third baseman returns to the Yankees after a 22-year career with six different clubs that ended in 1988 with the Atlanta Braves. He had a .248 career batting average with 390 home runs and 1,314 RBIs.
Graig spent the fall of 1989 as player-manager of the St. Lucie Legends in the Senior League, before being traded on November 17 to the Bradenton Explorers; he was traded for Willie Mays Aikens and replaced as manager by Bobby Bonds. He hit a combined .301 with four home runs and 34 RBIs over 62 games and played flawless defense, not erring in six games (22 total chances) as a third baseman. Graig spent much of 1990 playing golf and has an outstanding four handicap.
The six-time All-Star spent eleven consecutive seasons with the Yankees from 1973-83, playing on five first place clubs and two World Series winners (1977-78). Nettles holds the club record for games played at third base with 1,509 and hit .253 with 250 home runs and 834 RBIs in Pinstripes.
In the two years the Yankees won World Championships during his stay, he combined to hit .256 with 64 home runs and 200 RBIs. Graig was Yankee captain for the 1982 and '83 campaigns, one of eight players to ever captain the Yankees.
On July 21, 1980 Graig hit his 267th career home run as a third baseman, passing Brooks Robinson for most American League home runs by a third baseman, and is still the AL all-time home run leader among third basemen (319). He hit career home run No. 300 on June 26, 1982 at Yankee Stadium off Cleveland's Rick Waits.
In 1976 Graig led the American League with 32 home runs, the first Yankee to do so since Roger Maris hit 61 in 1961. In 1978, he set the Yankee third base fielding record with a .975 average. Nettles had 831 RBIs in the decade of the 1970s, third most in the American League behind Reggie Jackson and Carl Yastrzemski."
-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide
MARC HILL (Coach)
"Persistence and dedication. Just two reasons why Marc Hill is Stump Merrill's bullpen coach. After a 14-year playing career ended in 1986, Hill spent the next year as a manager in the Chicago White Sox' minor league system, and 1988 as a coach with the Houston Astros. Then in 1989 this former big league backstop became the Yankee farm system's roving catching instructor.
He spent the 1990 season as the Yankees' bullpen catcher where he was noticed by Merrill, who took over as manager in June of that season. Recognizing the skill and determination of this young man, Merrill made him a full-time coach in charge of the bullpen. Despite his youthful appearance and his nickname of 'Booter,' the 39-year-old Hill shouldn't be taken lightly.
With a similar background as Jeff Torborg, a highly successful Yankee bullpen coach turned American League Manager of the Year in 1990, the Yankee feel the bullpen duties are in capable hands with Marc Hill."
-The New York Yankees Official 1991 Yearbook
"Marc was named Yankee bullpen coach on October 14, 1990. The 1991 season is his third in the Yankee organization. He spent the 1990 season as the Yankee bullpen catcher and in 1989 he was the Yankees' minor league roving catching instructor, working with young catchers throughout the system.
In 1988 he was a coach in the Houston Astros' system. In 1987, he managed the Daytona Beach White Sox to a 69-70 record in the Florida State League, his first season off the playing field after a 14-year professional playing career. He played five seasons in the Cardinal organization, one of four clubs (St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, White Sox) he was affiliated with as a player.
In his career, he hit .233 with 34 home runs and 198 RBIs over 737 games. Marc's best season was 1977 when with San Francisco he hit .250 with nine home runs and 50 RBIs in 108 games. He spent his final six seasons with the White Sox before retiring after the 1986 season.
Scouted by the Cardinals' Fred McAlister, he was an All-Missouri choice as a prep star in both baseball and basketball. Marc was the first athlete in the history of Lincoln County (MO) High School to win letters in three sports (baseball, basketball, track) as a sophomore. He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball in Missouri.
Marc acquired the nickname 'Booter' from Giant slugger Willie McCovey when they played together in San Francisco from 1977-80. He was behind the plate when Bob Watson scored the one-millionth run in major league history in 1974."
-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide
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