1992 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR (Coach)
"Showalter became the youngest manager in the majors when he was given a one-year contract on October 29. Selected under a bizarre set of circumstances, he was named 22 days after GM Gene Michael had ruled him out. At first, Michael had said he sought a candidate with major-league managerial experience, but he was later persuaded by upper management to reconsider. Budget considerations were a factor since he came more cheaply than a veteran man would have.
Showalter had been the Yankees' third-base coach since June 6, 1990, and is extremely popular among the players. He built a reputation as a bright baseball mind during an extremely successful minor-league managerial career. He compiled a 360-207 record in five seasons and never suffered a losing campaign. Showalter won championships in the New York-Penn League (1985), Florida State League (1987) and Eastern League (1989). He was named Eastern League Manager of the Year in a championship season, when Albany rolled up a 92-48 record.
Born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Showalter played in the Yankee minor league system from 1977-83 without ever playing a major league game."
-Tony DeMarco and Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1992 Edition
"There is neither the braggadocio of a Martin nor the eccentricity of a Stengel. But in Buck Showalter's own brand of public display of confidence, there's an emittance of a Yankee born and bred. The frightened look of a deer peering a set of headlights in undetectable.
Nathaniel Buck Showalter III arrived into the Yankee organization at a time when wearing Pinstripes was held in the highest regard. If not always liked, a Yankee was always respected.
Showalter's beginnings as a Yankee farmhand started at Class-A Fort Lauderdale in 1977, fresh off his only season at Mississippi State University.
He was an outfielder whose dreams of playing in the Stadium were dashed by the reality of his limited playing potential.
'I was a good contact hitter, but I didn't show the ability to hit the ball into the seats in Yankee Stadium,' says Showalter on his minor league years. 'Plus, the club was still very strong at that time, making it tough to crack the roster.'
So in 1983, after just getting married, the 26-year-old's career took a fortuitous turn.
'I knew that I was starting to run into brick walls as a player, and so I began looking to other endeavors. I decided that I would start to reap the benefits of my years with the organization. That's when the Yankees offered me the chance to coach, an offer that doesn't come twice.'
Nine years later, the Yankees' investment proved a wise one. Showalter produced three minor league championships in five years as a Yankee minor league manager.
By 1990 Showalter became the Yankees' 'eye-in-the-sky', and last season their third base coach. His keen baseball sense was in evidence to all around him. Says GM Gene Michael, 'We selected Buck because he has the ability to improve this club a great deal.'
Fifteen years have passed since the days at MSU and Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Each passing season in his minor league travels was a lesson to be learned; a lesson to take with him as his mentor Billy Martin once did.
Long gone are the days of Munson and Jackson and Guidry. The 1992 Yankees are about the Mattinglys, Nokeses and Kellys. They are about starting a new tradition, a tradition forged by those whose goals are set in the future.
'I feel very positive about the situation,' says Showalter. 'We have more to be optimistic about than people realize. I look at what Minnesota and Atlanta accomplished last year, and hope we can be in that position in 1992.' "
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Appointed Yankee manager on October 29, 1991, Buck becomes the club's 30th different manager. He currently is the youngest manager in the majors and the youngest Yankee manager since Roger Peckinpaugh (23) in 1914. Other younger Yankee managers include Hal Chase (27 in 1910), Kid Elberfeld (33 in 1908) and Clark Griffith (33 in 1903). 1992 constitutes his 16th consecutive season in the Yankee system as a player, coach, minor league manager and now major league manager.
Buck was the Yankees' third base coach in 1991, a position he was appointed to on June 6, 1990 when Stump Merrill was named manager. He started the 1990 season as the Yankees' 'eye-in-the-sky.'
Buck was a successful minor league manager in the Yankee system. He compiled a 360-207 record over five seasons (1985-89), good for a .635 winning percentage. He had a record of 14-4 (.778 winning percentage) in the postseason, winning three league championships. In 1989, Buck was named Eastern League Manager of the Year [and Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year], leading the Albany Yankees to a 92-48 record and an eventual league championship. 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.
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. Also under his tutelage, Oneonta set New York-Penn League records for wins in a season in 1985 (55) and 1986 (59) with Buck leading each team to a league championship. He coached at Ft. Lauderdale in 1984.
In seven seasons as a minor league player (1977-83), Buck hit .294 with 17 home runs and 336 RBIs. In 1980 he set a Southern League record for hits in a season (178) and finished second in the league (to Chris Bando) with a .324 batting average for Nashville. The 1980 team won a league-record 97 games. Members of that Sounds team that went on to prominence were Steve Balboni, Pat Tabler, Willie McGee, Rafael Santana, Andy McGaffigan and Tom Filer.
Buck was a teammate of Don Mattingly at Nashville in 1981. He led the Southern League hits again in 1982 (152). Current major leaguers Rex Hudler, Otis Nixon, Mark Salas and Scott Bradley were Buck's teammates at Nashville in '82.
He played one season (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; he had also been an All-American at Chipola J.C.
Buck acquired his nickname from Ed Napoleon, his manager at Ft. Lauderdale in 1987. A former outfielder-first baseman, he lists Mark Langston as the toughest pitcher he ever faced as a player.
Buck is a basketball official in the off-season. His father, the late William Showalter, was an All-American football player at Milligan College (Tennessee) and also played briefly with the Pittsburgh Steelers."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
"It seems that ever since the Yankees drafted Buck Showalter as a player back in 1977, he has been touted as a major league manager. That's why the October 29, 1991 appointment of Showalter as the 30th manager of the New York Yankees came as no real surprise.
Sure, at age 35 Showalter is currently the youngest manager in the majors, he's the youngest Yankee manager since Roger Peckinpaugh (23) in 1914 and the fifth youngest in the team's history. He has no previous big league managing experience, but in his 15 years with the organization, Showalter has demonstrated the skills and intelligence that go far beyond his years.
In fact, his managerial talents were recognized in Yankees Magazine back in 1990, Showalter's first season in the major leagues. It was written of the first-year Yankee coach, 'It is apparent that he is very knowledgeable about the game of baseball, and it's no surprise that the name of Buck Showalter is being tossed around as a future manager of the Yankees.'
Such predictions date back to Showalter's seven-year playing career in the Yankee farm system, where he was heralded for his on-field intelligence. In Showalter's final year as a player, his manager, the late Doug Holmquist, praised, 'Buck has an inner baseball knowledge that is tailored for the job of managing.'
The most important voice, however, belonged to Yankee GM Gene Michael, who hired Showalter as the 1992 Yankee manager. 'We selected Buck because he's straight forward, he's young, energetic and he knows our players well,' said Michael. 'I think he has the ability to improve this club a great deal.'
Showalter, who spent the last two seasons as a coach with the Yankees, was quick to accept Michael's offer.
'Any time you put as much time into an organization as I have (15 years) you want to play it to the end,' said the new manager. 'It wasn't a tough decision. It is a great opportunity and very flattering to manage the greatest team in sports.'
Showalter began his long association with the organization back in 1977, as an outfielder with Ft. Lauderdale. He played in the Yankee system from 1977-83, making it as far as Triple-A Columbus.
His tenure as a player was highlighted by a 152-hit season in 1982, which led the Southern League. His .324 batting average in 1980 for Nashville was second in the league.
Despite those impressive numbers, Showalter never made it to the show. 'I was a good contact hitter, but I didn't show the ability to hit the ball into the seats in Yankee Stadium,' remembered Showalter of his playing career. 'Plus, the club was still very strong at that time, making it tough to crack the roster.'
Having made those realizations, the winter following the 1983 campaign became decision time for the young Yankee farmhand. He had to weight these options: return to the Yankees as a minor leaguer, become a free agent and try his luck with another team, or accept an offer from the Yankees to become a coach. Clearly, at age 26, Showalter had reached the crossroads in his baseball career.
'I had recently been married and so I started thinking about stability, if there is such a thing, in baseball,' said Showalter. 'I knew that I was starting to run into brick walls as a player, and so I began looking at other endeavors. I decided that I would start to reap the benefits of my years with the organization. That's when the Yankees offered me the chance to coach, an offer that doesn't always come twice.'
In 1984 he began his new career as a coach in Ft. Lauderdale, in charge of hitters and outfielders on a team that would become the 1984 Florida State League Champions.
'The transition wasn't as difficult as you might think,' said Showalter. 'I really made up my mind that once I quit playing I was going to put it behind me. Some guys go into coaching carrying a feeling that they can still play. If you act that way then you cheat the kids, so I knew I had to put my playing career behind me in order to succeed in management.'
And succeed he has. In 1985, after one successful year as a coach, he was given his first chance to manage. He made an immediate impact. Showalter's first two Oneonta clubs set league marks for wins in a season: 55 in 1985 and 59 in 1986. Both teams captured Northern Division championships, with the 1985 team winning the New York-Penn League in Showalter's rookie year. In 1986 he was stopped in the semifinals.
Nevertheless, Showalter, as with any successful minor league prospect, moved up the next level to Ft. Lauderdale. In his first season there he posted 85 wins en route to the 1987 league title. Though his team finished in third place the next season, Showalter was again given a promotion.
In 1989 he found himself in Double-A, piloting the Albany-Colonie Yankees. The team raced to a first-place finish with a 92-48 record, the most wins by a Yankee Double-A team since 1980- when Nashville went 97-46 with Showalter as their leading hitter! The 1989 team went on to win a championship with Showalter capturing the Eastern League's Manager of the Year honors.
'I didn't know what to expect as a manager, so I just tried to remember what made it easier for me as a player, and that was consistency,' explained Showalter. 'I didn't want to be hot and cold, up and then down. Players need to know how the manager will react, and where they stand with you. To do that I just tried to be myself, and remain consistent every day.'
All told, in five seasons as a minor league manager for the Yankee organization, Showalter compiled a 360-207 record with a .635 winning percentage. His teams won three league championships in five years, compiled a 14-4 (.778) mark in post-season play.
Showalter's first trip to the majors was in 1990 as the eye-in-the-sky coach under then-manager Bucky Dent. The position made for an ideal transition for Showalter, whose baseball knowledge made him a perfect match for this unique opportunity. In June of that year he became third base coach under new manager Stump Merrill, a position he retained last season.
Showalter has now taken the next step, becoming the Yankee manager. Two characteristics that made him successful as a minor league manager are his relationship with his players and his attention to detail. Showalter is known for his work ethic, and that many Yankee players campaigned for him to get the job says a lot for the respect he has already earned.
It is now up to Showalter, who is looking to live up to his billing and to duplicate his previous success at the major league level with a team that has struggled the past two seasons.
'I feel very positive about this situation,' said Showalter. 'We have more to be optimistic about than people realize. I look at what Minnesota and Atlanta accomplished last year, and hope we can be in that position in 1992.' "
-Charles J. Alfaro, 1992 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program
THE VOICES OF EXPERIENCE
"When the Yankees replaced Stump Merrill as the team's manager after the 1991 season, the decision was made to also let go of the entire coaching staff. That move was made, explained Yankee GM Gene Michael, to allow the new manager to pick his coaching staff.
'Our last two managers (Merrill and Bucky Dent) both inherited their respective staffs,' said Michael. 'The manager must work closely with his coaches, and we felt that relationship would be enhanced if our new manager could select his own people.'
So when Buck Showalter was named Yankee manager on October 29, 1991, he was given the freedom to pick a staff. The new skipper began filing through his own personal list of contacts he had made over his previous 15 years in the Yankee organization. This trip down memory lane included names from his days as a minor league player, coach, and manager in the Yankee farm system, as well as his two years as a big league coach.
From that vast talent pool Showalter selected the Yankee coaching staff for 1992. The staff includes two returnees from 1991: pitching coach Mark Connor and batting coach Frank Howard, along with newcomers Clete Boyer (third base), Ed Napoleon (first base), Tony Cloninger (bullpen coach) and Russ 'Monk' Meyer (bench coach).
It was not a difficult decision for Showalter to bring back both Connor and Howard. In his two years as a Yankee coach (1990-91), Showalter worked side by side with both men and saw what each could do with Yankee pitchers and hitters.
With the exception of a two-season stint as head coach of the University of Tennessee, Connor has spent his entire coaching career with the Yankee organization. Since 1979 he has served as a minor league instructor, as well as Yankee pitching coach and bullpen coach.
Howard brings the team knowledge and teaching skills, assets acquired from a 15-year playing career in which he hit 382 homers, and a managerial career that included stops with the Padres and Mets. Howard served as the Yankees' hitting instructor in 1989 but served as a roving instructor in the Braves organization in 1990. When Howard returned in 1991, so too did a number of Yankee bats, which is why Showalter made sure to bring him back in 1992.
Leading the list of newcomers is Boyer, who, although new to Showalter's staff, is not a new face to the Yankees. His 16-year playing career was highlighted by five consecutive American League pennants with the Yankees from 1960-64, a winning tradition that Showalter wants spread to today's Yankee players. Boyer also has seven years of experience as a big league coach, including six with the A's and one with the Yankees (1988) under Billy Martin, and spent the last three seasons as a Yankee minor league manager and coach.
Cloninger, who won 113 games in 12 seasons as a major league pitcher, is in his sixth season with the Yankee organization. The Yankee bullpen coach began exchanging pitching philosophies with Showalter back in 1987; Cloninger joined the organization that year as pitching coach at Oneonta, one season after Showalter guided the team to a league championship then moved on to manage Ft. Lauderdale. Cloninger served as pitching coach at Albany in 1988 and has spent the last three seasons as a roving pitching instructor.
Another new face who has previous experience with Showalter is Meyer, who at age 68, is getting his second shot at the majors. Meyer won 94 games during 13 years as a big league pitcher. He began his second career as a coach in 1980 at Illinois Valley Community College. In 1981 he began a long affiliation with the Yankee organization as a pitching coach at all levels of the farm system. That span included five seasons (1985-89) as a pitching coach under a young manager named Buck Showalter. In their five years together the two had three championship seasons, one each at Albany, Oneonta and Albany-Colonie, and four first-place finishes.
The 1992 season marks the 10th in the organization for Ed Napoleon, who coached and managed in the minors from 1974-82. After a 15-year minor league playing career, Napoleon was a manager in the Pirate farm system from 1970-73, before joining the Yankees as a minor league coach in 1974.
Rounding the 1992 staff is first-year bullpen catcher Glenn Sherlock. Sherlock, 31, managed the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees in 1991 and has been with the Yankee organization since 1987."
-Charles J. Alfaro, 1992 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program
TONY CLONINGER (Coach)
"Since 1987, Tony Cloninger has served the Yankees as a minor league instructor with great pride. New York's newest bullpen coach started with the Oneonta Yankees as a pitching coach in '87 and has worked his way to the Bronx with a keen insight of the organization and an ability to deliver his point.
Cloninger won 113 games as a major league pitcher and his relationship with Showalter dates back to his days as a Oneonta Yankee.
The 51-year-old served as pitching coach at Albany in 1988 and spent the last three years as a roving pitching instructor. He kept a special eye on the '89 Albany team which won the league championship under Showalter.
With the assistance of Mark Connor and Buck, Cloninger hopes to develop a winning combination."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Appointed to his position as bullpen coach on October 6, 1991, 1992 will mark his sixth consecutive season in the Yankee farm system and his first as a major league coach. Cloninger spent the past three seasons as the Yankees' roving pitching coordinator, working with young pitchers throughout the organization. He was the pitching coach at Albany (1988) and Oneonta (1987).
Tony pitched in the major leagues from 1961-1972 with the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. He posted a 113-97 career record with a 4.07 ERA.
He won 19 games for the 1964 Milwaukee club and 24 games in 1965. When he won 19 in '64, he led the team in victories after Warren Spahn had led the Braves in wins for 15 consecutive seasons. Cloninger still holds the major league record for most RBIs by a pitcher in a single game (9), hitting two grand slams (tying another major league one-game record) on July 6, 1966 for the Atlanta Braves against San Francisco. He hit .234 with five home runs in 1966 and finished his career with 11 home runs.
Cloninger was traded to Cincinnati along with pitcher Clay Carroll and infielder Woody Woodward for pitchers Milt Pappas, Ted Davidson and infielder Bob Johnson on June 11, 1968. He was traded to St. Louis in March of 1972 for infielder Julian Javier and played his final season with the Cardinals. Following his retirement Tony conducted baseball camps and clinics. He has also worked in the sporting goods industry and coached American Legion baseball.
His son Darin was a draft pick of the Padres in 1983 and his son Michael was selected by the Twins the same year. Darin was traded to the Yankees in 1984 as the player to be named later along with pitcher Dennis Rasmussen in exchange for Graig Nettles, and pitched for two seasons in the Yankee organization. Another son, Chad, was a 1991 Yankee draft choice but did not sign."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
MARK CONNOR (Coach)
"With the exception of a two-season stint as head coach of the University of Tennessee, Connor has spent his entire coaching career with the Yankee organization. Since 1979 he has served as a minor league instructor, as well as Yankee pitching coach and bullpen coach.
Showalter watched last season as Connor utilized all of his skill as pitching coach, working with experienced veterans and promising rookies.
Connor's easy-going personality and vast knowledge of the game make him an ideal tutor for a major league staff dependent on experience. His return as pitching coach will be a welcomed sight."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Reappointed to his position on November 6, 1991, Connor returns for a second consecutive season as Yankee pitching coach, a position he was named to on October 14, 1990. He was Yankee bullpen coach in 1990. During the 1988 and 1989 seasons, Connor served as the head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee.
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. 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."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
ED NAPOLEON (Coach)
"The Yankees welcome another new face in Ed Napoleon to the fold. Another new coach with a long relationship in the Yankee organization, Napoleon will take over the duties of first base coach.
The 1992 season marks the 10th year in the organization for the 54-year-old who coached and managed in the minors from 1974-82. After a 15-year minor league playing career, Napoleon was a manager in the Pirate farm system from 1970-73 before joining the Yankees as a minor league coach.
As a coach for the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees in 1977, Nap encountered a first-year player named Nathaniel Showalter whom he dubbed 'Buck.'
Napoleon left the Yankees to take on major league coaching assignments with the Indians, Royals and Astros and spent last season as a manager in the Oriole system."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Appointed to his position as first base coach on November 6, 1991, Napoleon managed the Orioles' Sarasota club in the Gulf Coast League last year. His team had a league best 35-24 record and lost in the finals.
He has seven years of experience as a major league coach. He spent the 1989-90 season as a coach with the Houston Astros, working with their outfielders and serving as the 'eye-in-the-sky' during games. His other major league coaching positions included a stint with the Royals (1987-88) and as first base coach of the Indians (1983-85).
1992 will mark Ed's tenth season in the Yankee system, having coached or managed New York minor league clubs from 1974-82. He began his coaching career with the Pirates organization in 1970. Ed has managed six years in the minors overall, including two years in the Yankee chain (Oneonta 1976, Ft. Lauderdale 1977).
Nap had a 15-year minor league playing career (1956-70), playing first base, third base and the outfield. He was named to eight all-star teams. He hit .329 in his first season as a pro with 12 home runs and 87 RBIs. In 1962, Ed was third in doubles (30) in the Carolina League and 10th in batting, earning all-league honors.
The Yankees' new first base coach was born in Baltimore but moved to Panama when he was two weeks old and was raised in the Canal Zone. He graduated Balboa (Canal Zone) High in 1955 and later Canal Zone JC, Macalester College (St. Paul, MN) and Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL)."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
FRANK HOWARD (Coach)
"There are few people in baseball with the stature of Frank Howard in both size and reputation.
The Yankees' hitting instructor, back for his second consecutive year, will have plenty of talent to work with, with the addition of Danny Tartabull, Mike Gallego, Charlie Hayes and others.
Howard, whose patience and positive approach have made him a favorite with Yankee hitters, brings the team knowledge and teaching skills, assets acquired from a 15-year playing career. He collected 382 lifetime home runs and enjoyed a managerial career with the Mets and Padres."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Howard returns for a second consecutive season as Yankee hitting instructor, a position he was appointed to 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).
In 1991, Frank was the winner of the BBWAA Good Guy Award."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led Three-I League in total bases (311), 1958.
"Showalter became the youngest manager in the majors when he was given a one-year contract on October 29. Selected under a bizarre set of circumstances, he was named 22 days after GM Gene Michael had ruled him out. At first, Michael had said he sought a candidate with major-league managerial experience, but he was later persuaded by upper management to reconsider. Budget considerations were a factor since he came more cheaply than a veteran man would have.
Showalter had been the Yankees' third-base coach since June 6, 1990, and is extremely popular among the players. He built a reputation as a bright baseball mind during an extremely successful minor-league managerial career. He compiled a 360-207 record in five seasons and never suffered a losing campaign. Showalter won championships in the New York-Penn League (1985), Florida State League (1987) and Eastern League (1989). He was named Eastern League Manager of the Year in a championship season, when Albany rolled up a 92-48 record.
Born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Showalter played in the Yankee minor league system from 1977-83 without ever playing a major league game."
-Tony DeMarco and Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1992 Edition
"There is neither the braggadocio of a Martin nor the eccentricity of a Stengel. But in Buck Showalter's own brand of public display of confidence, there's an emittance of a Yankee born and bred. The frightened look of a deer peering a set of headlights in undetectable.
Nathaniel Buck Showalter III arrived into the Yankee organization at a time when wearing Pinstripes was held in the highest regard. If not always liked, a Yankee was always respected.
Showalter's beginnings as a Yankee farmhand started at Class-A Fort Lauderdale in 1977, fresh off his only season at Mississippi State University.
He was an outfielder whose dreams of playing in the Stadium were dashed by the reality of his limited playing potential.
'I was a good contact hitter, but I didn't show the ability to hit the ball into the seats in Yankee Stadium,' says Showalter on his minor league years. 'Plus, the club was still very strong at that time, making it tough to crack the roster.'
So in 1983, after just getting married, the 26-year-old's career took a fortuitous turn.
'I knew that I was starting to run into brick walls as a player, and so I began looking to other endeavors. I decided that I would start to reap the benefits of my years with the organization. That's when the Yankees offered me the chance to coach, an offer that doesn't come twice.'
Nine years later, the Yankees' investment proved a wise one. Showalter produced three minor league championships in five years as a Yankee minor league manager.
By 1990 Showalter became the Yankees' 'eye-in-the-sky', and last season their third base coach. His keen baseball sense was in evidence to all around him. Says GM Gene Michael, 'We selected Buck because he has the ability to improve this club a great deal.'
Fifteen years have passed since the days at MSU and Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Each passing season in his minor league travels was a lesson to be learned; a lesson to take with him as his mentor Billy Martin once did.
Long gone are the days of Munson and Jackson and Guidry. The 1992 Yankees are about the Mattinglys, Nokeses and Kellys. They are about starting a new tradition, a tradition forged by those whose goals are set in the future.
'I feel very positive about the situation,' says Showalter. 'We have more to be optimistic about than people realize. I look at what Minnesota and Atlanta accomplished last year, and hope we can be in that position in 1992.' "
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Appointed Yankee manager on October 29, 1991, Buck becomes the club's 30th different manager. He currently is the youngest manager in the majors and the youngest Yankee manager since Roger Peckinpaugh (23) in 1914. Other younger Yankee managers include Hal Chase (27 in 1910), Kid Elberfeld (33 in 1908) and Clark Griffith (33 in 1903). 1992 constitutes his 16th consecutive season in the Yankee system as a player, coach, minor league manager and now major league manager.
Buck was the Yankees' third base coach in 1991, a position he was appointed to on June 6, 1990 when Stump Merrill was named manager. He started the 1990 season as the Yankees' 'eye-in-the-sky.'
Buck was a successful minor league manager in the Yankee system. He compiled a 360-207 record over five seasons (1985-89), good for a .635 winning percentage. He had a record of 14-4 (.778 winning percentage) in the postseason, winning three league championships. In 1989, Buck was named Eastern League Manager of the Year [and Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year], leading the Albany Yankees to a 92-48 record and an eventual league championship. 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.
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. Also under his tutelage, Oneonta set New York-Penn League records for wins in a season in 1985 (55) and 1986 (59) with Buck leading each team to a league championship. He coached at Ft. Lauderdale in 1984.
In seven seasons as a minor league player (1977-83), Buck hit .294 with 17 home runs and 336 RBIs. In 1980 he set a Southern League record for hits in a season (178) and finished second in the league (to Chris Bando) with a .324 batting average for Nashville. The 1980 team won a league-record 97 games. Members of that Sounds team that went on to prominence were Steve Balboni, Pat Tabler, Willie McGee, Rafael Santana, Andy McGaffigan and Tom Filer.
Buck was a teammate of Don Mattingly at Nashville in 1981. He led the Southern League hits again in 1982 (152). Current major leaguers Rex Hudler, Otis Nixon, Mark Salas and Scott Bradley were Buck's teammates at Nashville in '82.
He played one season (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; he had also been an All-American at Chipola J.C.
Buck acquired his nickname from Ed Napoleon, his manager at Ft. Lauderdale in 1987. A former outfielder-first baseman, he lists Mark Langston as the toughest pitcher he ever faced as a player.
Buck is a basketball official in the off-season. His father, the late William Showalter, was an All-American football player at Milligan College (Tennessee) and also played briefly with the Pittsburgh Steelers."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
"It seems that ever since the Yankees drafted Buck Showalter as a player back in 1977, he has been touted as a major league manager. That's why the October 29, 1991 appointment of Showalter as the 30th manager of the New York Yankees came as no real surprise.
Sure, at age 35 Showalter is currently the youngest manager in the majors, he's the youngest Yankee manager since Roger Peckinpaugh (23) in 1914 and the fifth youngest in the team's history. He has no previous big league managing experience, but in his 15 years with the organization, Showalter has demonstrated the skills and intelligence that go far beyond his years.
In fact, his managerial talents were recognized in Yankees Magazine back in 1990, Showalter's first season in the major leagues. It was written of the first-year Yankee coach, 'It is apparent that he is very knowledgeable about the game of baseball, and it's no surprise that the name of Buck Showalter is being tossed around as a future manager of the Yankees.'
Such predictions date back to Showalter's seven-year playing career in the Yankee farm system, where he was heralded for his on-field intelligence. In Showalter's final year as a player, his manager, the late Doug Holmquist, praised, 'Buck has an inner baseball knowledge that is tailored for the job of managing.'
The most important voice, however, belonged to Yankee GM Gene Michael, who hired Showalter as the 1992 Yankee manager. 'We selected Buck because he's straight forward, he's young, energetic and he knows our players well,' said Michael. 'I think he has the ability to improve this club a great deal.'
Showalter, who spent the last two seasons as a coach with the Yankees, was quick to accept Michael's offer.
'Any time you put as much time into an organization as I have (15 years) you want to play it to the end,' said the new manager. 'It wasn't a tough decision. It is a great opportunity and very flattering to manage the greatest team in sports.'
Showalter began his long association with the organization back in 1977, as an outfielder with Ft. Lauderdale. He played in the Yankee system from 1977-83, making it as far as Triple-A Columbus.
His tenure as a player was highlighted by a 152-hit season in 1982, which led the Southern League. His .324 batting average in 1980 for Nashville was second in the league.
Despite those impressive numbers, Showalter never made it to the show. 'I was a good contact hitter, but I didn't show the ability to hit the ball into the seats in Yankee Stadium,' remembered Showalter of his playing career. 'Plus, the club was still very strong at that time, making it tough to crack the roster.'
Having made those realizations, the winter following the 1983 campaign became decision time for the young Yankee farmhand. He had to weight these options: return to the Yankees as a minor leaguer, become a free agent and try his luck with another team, or accept an offer from the Yankees to become a coach. Clearly, at age 26, Showalter had reached the crossroads in his baseball career.
'I had recently been married and so I started thinking about stability, if there is such a thing, in baseball,' said Showalter. 'I knew that I was starting to run into brick walls as a player, and so I began looking at other endeavors. I decided that I would start to reap the benefits of my years with the organization. That's when the Yankees offered me the chance to coach, an offer that doesn't always come twice.'
In 1984 he began his new career as a coach in Ft. Lauderdale, in charge of hitters and outfielders on a team that would become the 1984 Florida State League Champions.
'The transition wasn't as difficult as you might think,' said Showalter. 'I really made up my mind that once I quit playing I was going to put it behind me. Some guys go into coaching carrying a feeling that they can still play. If you act that way then you cheat the kids, so I knew I had to put my playing career behind me in order to succeed in management.'
And succeed he has. In 1985, after one successful year as a coach, he was given his first chance to manage. He made an immediate impact. Showalter's first two Oneonta clubs set league marks for wins in a season: 55 in 1985 and 59 in 1986. Both teams captured Northern Division championships, with the 1985 team winning the New York-Penn League in Showalter's rookie year. In 1986 he was stopped in the semifinals.
Nevertheless, Showalter, as with any successful minor league prospect, moved up the next level to Ft. Lauderdale. In his first season there he posted 85 wins en route to the 1987 league title. Though his team finished in third place the next season, Showalter was again given a promotion.
In 1989 he found himself in Double-A, piloting the Albany-Colonie Yankees. The team raced to a first-place finish with a 92-48 record, the most wins by a Yankee Double-A team since 1980- when Nashville went 97-46 with Showalter as their leading hitter! The 1989 team went on to win a championship with Showalter capturing the Eastern League's Manager of the Year honors.
'I didn't know what to expect as a manager, so I just tried to remember what made it easier for me as a player, and that was consistency,' explained Showalter. 'I didn't want to be hot and cold, up and then down. Players need to know how the manager will react, and where they stand with you. To do that I just tried to be myself, and remain consistent every day.'
All told, in five seasons as a minor league manager for the Yankee organization, Showalter compiled a 360-207 record with a .635 winning percentage. His teams won three league championships in five years, compiled a 14-4 (.778) mark in post-season play.
Showalter's first trip to the majors was in 1990 as the eye-in-the-sky coach under then-manager Bucky Dent. The position made for an ideal transition for Showalter, whose baseball knowledge made him a perfect match for this unique opportunity. In June of that year he became third base coach under new manager Stump Merrill, a position he retained last season.
Showalter has now taken the next step, becoming the Yankee manager. Two characteristics that made him successful as a minor league manager are his relationship with his players and his attention to detail. Showalter is known for his work ethic, and that many Yankee players campaigned for him to get the job says a lot for the respect he has already earned.
It is now up to Showalter, who is looking to live up to his billing and to duplicate his previous success at the major league level with a team that has struggled the past two seasons.
'I feel very positive about this situation,' said Showalter. 'We have more to be optimistic about than people realize. I look at what Minnesota and Atlanta accomplished last year, and hope we can be in that position in 1992.' "
-Charles J. Alfaro, 1992 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program
THE VOICES OF EXPERIENCE
"When the Yankees replaced Stump Merrill as the team's manager after the 1991 season, the decision was made to also let go of the entire coaching staff. That move was made, explained Yankee GM Gene Michael, to allow the new manager to pick his coaching staff.
'Our last two managers (Merrill and Bucky Dent) both inherited their respective staffs,' said Michael. 'The manager must work closely with his coaches, and we felt that relationship would be enhanced if our new manager could select his own people.'
So when Buck Showalter was named Yankee manager on October 29, 1991, he was given the freedom to pick a staff. The new skipper began filing through his own personal list of contacts he had made over his previous 15 years in the Yankee organization. This trip down memory lane included names from his days as a minor league player, coach, and manager in the Yankee farm system, as well as his two years as a big league coach.
From that vast talent pool Showalter selected the Yankee coaching staff for 1992. The staff includes two returnees from 1991: pitching coach Mark Connor and batting coach Frank Howard, along with newcomers Clete Boyer (third base), Ed Napoleon (first base), Tony Cloninger (bullpen coach) and Russ 'Monk' Meyer (bench coach).
It was not a difficult decision for Showalter to bring back both Connor and Howard. In his two years as a Yankee coach (1990-91), Showalter worked side by side with both men and saw what each could do with Yankee pitchers and hitters.
With the exception of a two-season stint as head coach of the University of Tennessee, Connor has spent his entire coaching career with the Yankee organization. Since 1979 he has served as a minor league instructor, as well as Yankee pitching coach and bullpen coach.
Howard brings the team knowledge and teaching skills, assets acquired from a 15-year playing career in which he hit 382 homers, and a managerial career that included stops with the Padres and Mets. Howard served as the Yankees' hitting instructor in 1989 but served as a roving instructor in the Braves organization in 1990. When Howard returned in 1991, so too did a number of Yankee bats, which is why Showalter made sure to bring him back in 1992.
Leading the list of newcomers is Boyer, who, although new to Showalter's staff, is not a new face to the Yankees. His 16-year playing career was highlighted by five consecutive American League pennants with the Yankees from 1960-64, a winning tradition that Showalter wants spread to today's Yankee players. Boyer also has seven years of experience as a big league coach, including six with the A's and one with the Yankees (1988) under Billy Martin, and spent the last three seasons as a Yankee minor league manager and coach.
Cloninger, who won 113 games in 12 seasons as a major league pitcher, is in his sixth season with the Yankee organization. The Yankee bullpen coach began exchanging pitching philosophies with Showalter back in 1987; Cloninger joined the organization that year as pitching coach at Oneonta, one season after Showalter guided the team to a league championship then moved on to manage Ft. Lauderdale. Cloninger served as pitching coach at Albany in 1988 and has spent the last three seasons as a roving pitching instructor.
Another new face who has previous experience with Showalter is Meyer, who at age 68, is getting his second shot at the majors. Meyer won 94 games during 13 years as a big league pitcher. He began his second career as a coach in 1980 at Illinois Valley Community College. In 1981 he began a long affiliation with the Yankee organization as a pitching coach at all levels of the farm system. That span included five seasons (1985-89) as a pitching coach under a young manager named Buck Showalter. In their five years together the two had three championship seasons, one each at Albany, Oneonta and Albany-Colonie, and four first-place finishes.
The 1992 season marks the 10th in the organization for Ed Napoleon, who coached and managed in the minors from 1974-82. After a 15-year minor league playing career, Napoleon was a manager in the Pirate farm system from 1970-73, before joining the Yankees as a minor league coach in 1974.
Rounding the 1992 staff is first-year bullpen catcher Glenn Sherlock. Sherlock, 31, managed the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees in 1991 and has been with the Yankee organization since 1987."
-Charles J. Alfaro, 1992 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program
TONY CLONINGER (Coach)
"Since 1987, Tony Cloninger has served the Yankees as a minor league instructor with great pride. New York's newest bullpen coach started with the Oneonta Yankees as a pitching coach in '87 and has worked his way to the Bronx with a keen insight of the organization and an ability to deliver his point.
Cloninger won 113 games as a major league pitcher and his relationship with Showalter dates back to his days as a Oneonta Yankee.
The 51-year-old served as pitching coach at Albany in 1988 and spent the last three years as a roving pitching instructor. He kept a special eye on the '89 Albany team which won the league championship under Showalter.
With the assistance of Mark Connor and Buck, Cloninger hopes to develop a winning combination."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Appointed to his position as bullpen coach on October 6, 1991, 1992 will mark his sixth consecutive season in the Yankee farm system and his first as a major league coach. Cloninger spent the past three seasons as the Yankees' roving pitching coordinator, working with young pitchers throughout the organization. He was the pitching coach at Albany (1988) and Oneonta (1987).
Tony pitched in the major leagues from 1961-1972 with the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. He posted a 113-97 career record with a 4.07 ERA.
He won 19 games for the 1964 Milwaukee club and 24 games in 1965. When he won 19 in '64, he led the team in victories after Warren Spahn had led the Braves in wins for 15 consecutive seasons. Cloninger still holds the major league record for most RBIs by a pitcher in a single game (9), hitting two grand slams (tying another major league one-game record) on July 6, 1966 for the Atlanta Braves against San Francisco. He hit .234 with five home runs in 1966 and finished his career with 11 home runs.
Cloninger was traded to Cincinnati along with pitcher Clay Carroll and infielder Woody Woodward for pitchers Milt Pappas, Ted Davidson and infielder Bob Johnson on June 11, 1968. He was traded to St. Louis in March of 1972 for infielder Julian Javier and played his final season with the Cardinals. Following his retirement Tony conducted baseball camps and clinics. He has also worked in the sporting goods industry and coached American Legion baseball.
His son Darin was a draft pick of the Padres in 1983 and his son Michael was selected by the Twins the same year. Darin was traded to the Yankees in 1984 as the player to be named later along with pitcher Dennis Rasmussen in exchange for Graig Nettles, and pitched for two seasons in the Yankee organization. Another son, Chad, was a 1991 Yankee draft choice but did not sign."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
MARK CONNOR (Coach)
"With the exception of a two-season stint as head coach of the University of Tennessee, Connor has spent his entire coaching career with the Yankee organization. Since 1979 he has served as a minor league instructor, as well as Yankee pitching coach and bullpen coach.
Showalter watched last season as Connor utilized all of his skill as pitching coach, working with experienced veterans and promising rookies.
Connor's easy-going personality and vast knowledge of the game make him an ideal tutor for a major league staff dependent on experience. His return as pitching coach will be a welcomed sight."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Reappointed to his position on November 6, 1991, Connor returns for a second consecutive season as Yankee pitching coach, a position he was named to on October 14, 1990. He was Yankee bullpen coach in 1990. During the 1988 and 1989 seasons, Connor served as the head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee.
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. 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."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
ED NAPOLEON (Coach)
"The Yankees welcome another new face in Ed Napoleon to the fold. Another new coach with a long relationship in the Yankee organization, Napoleon will take over the duties of first base coach.
The 1992 season marks the 10th year in the organization for the 54-year-old who coached and managed in the minors from 1974-82. After a 15-year minor league playing career, Napoleon was a manager in the Pirate farm system from 1970-73 before joining the Yankees as a minor league coach.
As a coach for the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees in 1977, Nap encountered a first-year player named Nathaniel Showalter whom he dubbed 'Buck.'
Napoleon left the Yankees to take on major league coaching assignments with the Indians, Royals and Astros and spent last season as a manager in the Oriole system."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Appointed to his position as first base coach on November 6, 1991, Napoleon managed the Orioles' Sarasota club in the Gulf Coast League last year. His team had a league best 35-24 record and lost in the finals.
He has seven years of experience as a major league coach. He spent the 1989-90 season as a coach with the Houston Astros, working with their outfielders and serving as the 'eye-in-the-sky' during games. His other major league coaching positions included a stint with the Royals (1987-88) and as first base coach of the Indians (1983-85).
1992 will mark Ed's tenth season in the Yankee system, having coached or managed New York minor league clubs from 1974-82. He began his coaching career with the Pirates organization in 1970. Ed has managed six years in the minors overall, including two years in the Yankee chain (Oneonta 1976, Ft. Lauderdale 1977).
Nap had a 15-year minor league playing career (1956-70), playing first base, third base and the outfield. He was named to eight all-star teams. He hit .329 in his first season as a pro with 12 home runs and 87 RBIs. In 1962, Ed was third in doubles (30) in the Carolina League and 10th in batting, earning all-league honors.
The Yankees' new first base coach was born in Baltimore but moved to Panama when he was two weeks old and was raised in the Canal Zone. He graduated Balboa (Canal Zone) High in 1955 and later Canal Zone JC, Macalester College (St. Paul, MN) and Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL)."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
FRANK HOWARD (Coach)
"There are few people in baseball with the stature of Frank Howard in both size and reputation.
The Yankees' hitting instructor, back for his second consecutive year, will have plenty of talent to work with, with the addition of Danny Tartabull, Mike Gallego, Charlie Hayes and others.
Howard, whose patience and positive approach have made him a favorite with Yankee hitters, brings the team knowledge and teaching skills, assets acquired from a 15-year playing career. He collected 382 lifetime home runs and enjoyed a managerial career with the Mets and Padres."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Howard returns for a second consecutive season as Yankee hitting instructor, a position he was appointed to 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).
In 1991, Frank was the winner of the BBWAA Good Guy Award."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
Led Three-I League in total bases (311), 1958.
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), May 12 through May 18, 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 intentional walks, nine-inning game (3), September 2, 1970; most consecutive strikeouts, nine-inning game (5), September 19, 1970, first game; most consecutive strikeouts, two consecutive games (7), July 9, 1965 (doubleheader).
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.
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.
Led American League in grounding into double plays (29), 1969.
Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1969.
Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1970.
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
MONK MEYER (Coach)
"Bench coach Monk Meyer's 12-year odyssey is over. The 68-year-old coach is in a major league uniform and he couldn't be happier. After serving the Yankee organization for a dozen seasons in the minors, Meyer joins Showalter in New York.
A pitcher in the majors for 13 years, Meyer collected 94 victories. He began his second career as a coach in 1980 at Illinois Valley Community College and then started his long affiliation with the Yankees in 1981.
The span included five seasons (1985-89) as pitching coach under a young manager named Buck Showalter. In their five years together, the pair collected three championship seasons, once each in Oneonta, Fort Lauderdale and Albany-Colonie, and four first-place finishes. Their reunion sounds like a good omen for Yankee fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Appointed to his position as bench coach on November 6, 1991, 1992 will mark his 12th consecutive season in the Yankee organization and first at the major league level. Monk was the pitching coach at Columbus in 1991 and also served in that capacity at Albany, Ft. Lauderdale, Oneonta and Bradenton. While at Oneonta in 1985, the staff ERA was 1.87. His first Yankee position was as a minor league instructor and talent evaluator in 1981. He had coached at Illinois Valley Community College.
Russ played professionally from 1942-59 and pitched in the majors from 1946-59 with the Cubs, Phillies, Brooklyn Dodgers, Reds, Red Sox and Kansas City A's. In 1946, he led Southern Association pitchers with 48 appearances. Meyer posted a major league career record of 94-73 with a 3.99 ERA. His best season came in 1949 when he went 17-8 with a 3.08 ERA for the Phillies.
He was a member of the Whiz Kids, the 1950 National League Philadelphia team that featured Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts. Monk pitched in two Series games, both in relief, and was 0-1 as the Yankees swept the Phillies. He also pitched in the 1953 and 1955 World Series for the Dodgers.
After retirement from baseball, Russ managed and owned a 34-lane, 10-pin bowling alley."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
CLETE BOYER (Coach)
"The name Clete certainly brings back pleasant memories for Yankee fans. The outstanding third baseman from 1959-66 was part of five straight World Series appearances in the mid-'60s, a winning tradition that Showalter wants to build with this current squad.
Boyer has seven years of experience as a big-league coach including six with the Oakland A's and one with the Yankees (1988) under Billy Martin. Boyer spent the last three years as a Yankee minor league manager and coach. He also served as a Yankee minor league instructor in 1987, while Showalter was managing in Ft. Lauderdale.
The 55-year-old will serve the duties as third base coach and will assist the infielders as an instructor."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Named third base coach on November 6, 1991, Clete returns to the major leagues for the first time since 1988 when he served as Billy Martin's third base coach. He spent the 1990-91 seasons as third base coach with the Columbus Clippers. In 1989, he managed Ft. Lauderdale to a 61-77 record. Clete has seven years of major league coaching experience including six years with Oakland (1980-85). He was a minor-league instructor with the Atlanta Braves (1977-79) and with the Yankees in 1987.
Boyer played 16 years in the major leagues, starting his career in 1955 with the Kansas City A's. He played with them until June 4, 1957, when he joined the Yankee organization as part of the trade which sent pitchers Art Ditman, Bobby Shantz and Jack McMahan and first baseman Wayne Belardi to New York in exchange for pitchers Rip Coleman, Tom Morgan and Mickey McDermott, shortstop Billy Hunter, second baseman Milt Graff and outfielder Irv Noren.
Boyer became the Yankees' regular third baseman in 1960 and played in his first of five World Series. His seventh-inning home run in the first game of the 1962 World Series, against the San Francisco Giants, broke a 2-2 tie and gave Whitey Ford his 10th World Series victory. He batted .318 in the '62 Series and set a World Series record for most assists by a third baseman that was broken by Graig Nettles in 1984. It followed Boyer's best year with the Yankees when he batted a career high .272 with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs while playing 157 games, all at third base.
He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in November 1966 in exchange for outfielder Bill Robinson and pitcher Chi Chi Olivo. He played five years for the Braves and had his most productive year in 1967 with career highs in home runs (26) and RBIs (96). Clete led National League third basemen in fielding in 1967 and 1969. After leaving Atlanta he finished his career in Japan.
Clete ranks third on the all-time Yankee list in games played at third (909, behind Nettles and Red Rolfe) and is fifth on the all-time fielding list for third basemen. He also played shortstop and second base in his career along with one game in the outfield in 1961. He hit five grand slams in his career.
Clete is a member of a great baseball family, including brothers Ken and Cloyd. The Boyers are third in combined career home runs by brothers (Aarons 768, DiMaggios 573)."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
Tied World Series record, most double plays started by a third baseman, nine-inning game (2), October 12, 1960.
Tied World Series record, most at-bats, nine-inning game (6), October 12, 1960.
Led American League third basemen in double plays (41), 1962.
Established World Series record, most assists by a third baseman, career (66).
Led American League third basemen in double plays (46), 1965.
Named third baseman on The Sporting News National League All-Star fielding team, 1969.
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
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), May 12 through May 18, 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 intentional walks, nine-inning game (3), September 2, 1970; most consecutive strikeouts, nine-inning game (5), September 19, 1970, first game; most consecutive strikeouts, two consecutive games (7), July 9, 1965 (doubleheader).
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.
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.
Led American League in grounding into double plays (29), 1969.
Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1969.
Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1970.
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
MONK MEYER (Coach)
"Bench coach Monk Meyer's 12-year odyssey is over. The 68-year-old coach is in a major league uniform and he couldn't be happier. After serving the Yankee organization for a dozen seasons in the minors, Meyer joins Showalter in New York.
A pitcher in the majors for 13 years, Meyer collected 94 victories. He began his second career as a coach in 1980 at Illinois Valley Community College and then started his long affiliation with the Yankees in 1981.
The span included five seasons (1985-89) as pitching coach under a young manager named Buck Showalter. In their five years together, the pair collected three championship seasons, once each in Oneonta, Fort Lauderdale and Albany-Colonie, and four first-place finishes. Their reunion sounds like a good omen for Yankee fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Appointed to his position as bench coach on November 6, 1991, 1992 will mark his 12th consecutive season in the Yankee organization and first at the major league level. Monk was the pitching coach at Columbus in 1991 and also served in that capacity at Albany, Ft. Lauderdale, Oneonta and Bradenton. While at Oneonta in 1985, the staff ERA was 1.87. His first Yankee position was as a minor league instructor and talent evaluator in 1981. He had coached at Illinois Valley Community College.
Russ played professionally from 1942-59 and pitched in the majors from 1946-59 with the Cubs, Phillies, Brooklyn Dodgers, Reds, Red Sox and Kansas City A's. In 1946, he led Southern Association pitchers with 48 appearances. Meyer posted a major league career record of 94-73 with a 3.99 ERA. His best season came in 1949 when he went 17-8 with a 3.08 ERA for the Phillies.
He was a member of the Whiz Kids, the 1950 National League Philadelphia team that featured Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts. Monk pitched in two Series games, both in relief, and was 0-1 as the Yankees swept the Phillies. He also pitched in the 1953 and 1955 World Series for the Dodgers.
After retirement from baseball, Russ managed and owned a 34-lane, 10-pin bowling alley."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
CLETE BOYER (Coach)
"The name Clete certainly brings back pleasant memories for Yankee fans. The outstanding third baseman from 1959-66 was part of five straight World Series appearances in the mid-'60s, a winning tradition that Showalter wants to build with this current squad.
Boyer has seven years of experience as a big-league coach including six with the Oakland A's and one with the Yankees (1988) under Billy Martin. Boyer spent the last three years as a Yankee minor league manager and coach. He also served as a Yankee minor league instructor in 1987, while Showalter was managing in Ft. Lauderdale.
The 55-year-old will serve the duties as third base coach and will assist the infielders as an instructor."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"Named third base coach on November 6, 1991, Clete returns to the major leagues for the first time since 1988 when he served as Billy Martin's third base coach. He spent the 1990-91 seasons as third base coach with the Columbus Clippers. In 1989, he managed Ft. Lauderdale to a 61-77 record. Clete has seven years of major league coaching experience including six years with Oakland (1980-85). He was a minor-league instructor with the Atlanta Braves (1977-79) and with the Yankees in 1987.
Boyer played 16 years in the major leagues, starting his career in 1955 with the Kansas City A's. He played with them until June 4, 1957, when he joined the Yankee organization as part of the trade which sent pitchers Art Ditman, Bobby Shantz and Jack McMahan and first baseman Wayne Belardi to New York in exchange for pitchers Rip Coleman, Tom Morgan and Mickey McDermott, shortstop Billy Hunter, second baseman Milt Graff and outfielder Irv Noren.
Boyer became the Yankees' regular third baseman in 1960 and played in his first of five World Series. His seventh-inning home run in the first game of the 1962 World Series, against the San Francisco Giants, broke a 2-2 tie and gave Whitey Ford his 10th World Series victory. He batted .318 in the '62 Series and set a World Series record for most assists by a third baseman that was broken by Graig Nettles in 1984. It followed Boyer's best year with the Yankees when he batted a career high .272 with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs while playing 157 games, all at third base.
He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in November 1966 in exchange for outfielder Bill Robinson and pitcher Chi Chi Olivo. He played five years for the Braves and had his most productive year in 1967 with career highs in home runs (26) and RBIs (96). Clete led National League third basemen in fielding in 1967 and 1969. After leaving Atlanta he finished his career in Japan.
Clete ranks third on the all-time Yankee list in games played at third (909, behind Nettles and Red Rolfe) and is fifth on the all-time fielding list for third basemen. He also played shortstop and second base in his career along with one game in the outfield in 1961. He hit five grand slams in his career.
Clete is a member of a great baseball family, including brothers Ken and Cloyd. The Boyers are third in combined career home runs by brothers (Aarons 768, DiMaggios 573)."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
Tied World Series record, most double plays started by a third baseman, nine-inning game (2), October 12, 1960.
Tied World Series record, most at-bats, nine-inning game (6), October 12, 1960.
Led American League third basemen in double plays (41), 1962.
Established World Series record, most assists by a third baseman, career (66).
Led American League third basemen in double plays (46), 1965.
Named third baseman on The Sporting News National League All-Star fielding team, 1969.
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
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