R.I.P. Dave Wehrmeister

Other 1993 Yankees Profiles: Pitchers

SAM MILITELLO (1992 New York Yankees Minor League Pitcher of the Year)

"Militello has a good chance to develop into a quality starter. He was the International League Pitcher of the Year with a 12-2 record and a 2.29 ERA for Columbus and won his first three decisions with the Yankees. Militello boasts a 34-8 minor league record with a 1.76 ERA. He never lost more than two games at any stop.

His unusual motion makes him especially tough on right-handers. He needs to improve his location with his fastball.

Born November 26, 1969, in Tampa, Militello was the Yankees' sixth-round pick in the 1990 draft. He was Division II Player of the Year at the University of Tampa that season."

-Tony DeMarco (Ft. Worth Star-Telegram) and Tom Pedulla (Gannett Newspapers), The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1993 Edition

"For second-year Yankee pitcher Sam Militello, the window of opportunity appears wide open. A spot in the starting rotation is his for the taking.

After an outstanding 1992 minor league campaign with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers- 13-3 record, International League Most Valuable Pitcher, Co-Clipper of the Year- the right-hander is just beginning to hit his stride as a pro. His career minor league numbers (34-8, 1.76 ERA) intimate a hurler on the brink of making some noise at the major-league level.

The 23-year-old displayed exciting potential in a one-hit shutout over Boston in August of '92 to win his major-league debut, and he's hoping to build on that.

Overall, the Tampa, Florida, native appeared in nine games for the Yankees last season, posting a 3-3 record while holding opposing batters to a meager .195 batting average. He showed outstanding poise, a slider that at times was untouchable, and an unflappable presence on the mound.

Pitching in the starting rotation behind veterans Jim Abbott, Jimmy Key and Melido Perez, the youthful Militello will benefit greatly from the staff's experience. And after Militello's performance last year, so will the Yankees."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"In 1992 Sam excelled in his first action at the major league level.

He began the season with Columbus and had his contract purchased on August 7, with Curt Young moving to the disabled list. At the time of his recall, Sam was 12-2 with a 2.29 ERA in 22 games (21 starts). He made his major league debut on August 9 against Boston and earned the victory in a 1-hit shutout. Tony Pena singled in the second inning for the only hit.

The game was delayed by rain after the seventh inning. Steve Farr came on to pitch two hitless innings to earn the save and complete the 1-hitter.

Sam earned his second win in his second start, August 14 at Chicago, allowing only two runs over eight innings for a 4-2 victory. On August 20 against Oakland, he allowed four hits in six innings and struck out a career high ten but left the game leading 4-1 with the bases loaded. Sam improved to 3-0 with a victory on August 25 against Milwaukee.

He suffered his first loss, 5-3, on August 30 at Minnesota. On September 5 against Texas, he allowed only two hits in six innings but received the loss in a 7-3 defeat. He did not start again until September 15, against Chicago, because of a tired arm.

Sam responded to the rest by allowing only three hits and one run (Dan Pasqua solo homer) and left with a 2-1 lead but did not figure in the decision. On September 22 against Detroit, he started the first game with no decision in a 6-5 Yankee win. Sam led 3-1 but allowed a two-run homer to Lou Whitaker and left with the score tied 3-3.

Sam's final start of the season came on September 28 at Cleveland, taking the loss in a 6-4 defeat. He gave up two home runs and four runs in the first inning but allowed only two runs over the next 6.2 innings.

When he made his big league debut, he became the youngest Yankee (22 years, 8 months) to start a game since Dave Eiland made his debut on August 3, 1988, when he was 22 years and 29 days old. Militello's debut came after just 21 AAA starts and seven AA starts. He was the 35th player, 17th pitcher and ninth starter used by the Yankees in 1992. Militello became the first Yankee rookie starter to begin his career 3-0 since Ray Fontenot in 1983.

Opponents hit just .195 against him, with right-handed batters hitting .132 and lefties hitting .262. At the Stadium he posted a 2-1 record with a 2.50 ERA in six starts and held the opposition to just .151. 10 of the 24 of the runs allowed (42%) came via the home run.

Militello struck out 6.3 batters per nine innings, the second best ratio among Yankee starters. He allowed 6.5 hits per nine innings. He and fellow rookie Bob Wickman combined to go 9-4 with a 3.75 ERA.

In his first season at the AAA level, Militello went 12-2 with a 2.29 ERA, earning co-Clipper of the Year honors. He would have been 15-2 but the bullpen blew three leads. The Clippers were 15-6 in his 21 starts. Sam had 16 quality starts (6 IP, 3 ER) including 12 of his last 13. Opponents hit .205 against him with five home runs and he averaged 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. He led the International League in ERA and was third in strikeouts (152).

Sam's lone relief appearance as a professional came on May 2 (1.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 K). He struck out 13 against Tidewater on May 21. He was twice named IL Pitcher of the Week (6/21-27, 7/26-8/1). He was the Yankee organization's Jack Butterfield Pitcher of the Month for June (4-1, 1.30).

He had an eight-game winning streak, one shy of the Columbus team record set in 1981 by Dave Wehrmeister and matched in 1992 by Bob Wickman. During the streak he was 8-0 with a 1.68 ERA.

Militello was ranked the top AAA prospect in Baseball America's postseason poll of managers. Named MVP of the AAA All-Star Game (2.0 IP, 4 K), he was named the starting pitcher on the IL postseason All-Star team and was named the league's Most Valuable Pitcher. On October 21, Militello was named the Yankee organization's Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season.

He signed a contract for the 1993 season.

In 1991 he split time between Class-A Prince William and Class-AA Albany Colonie. Sam's combined numbers with the two clubs were 14-4 with a 1.57 ERA in 23 starts. Along with Ed Martel he was a co-recipient of the Yankee organization's Pitcher of the Year award. Sam led Yankee minor leaguers in wins, ERA, strikeouts (168) and winning percentage (.778). He was named Jack Butterfield Pitcher of the Month for both April (4-0, 0.00) and June (3-0, 0.47).

With the Cannons he was 12-2 with a 1.22 ERA. Sam held Carolina League opponents to a .180 batting average, lowest in the circuit. He struck out 9.8 batters per nine innings, second best in the league. The Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, Sam was named to the Carolina League All-Star team and Baseball American's Class-A All-Star team.

Sam was 8-2 with a 1.22 ERA for Oneonta in 1990, his first pro season. He struck out 119 batters in 88.2 innings, a remarkable ratio of 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. He led the squad in wins, ERA, complete games (3), shutouts (2), opponents' batting average (.174), innings and strikeouts.

He made the New York-Penn League All-Star team, was the league's 'Star of Stars, Topps NYP League Pitcher of the Year and made the Baseball America Short-Season All-Star team. He was voted the ninth-best prospect in the league by Baseball America in a postseason poll of managers.

Sam was a sixth round selection by the Yankees in the June 1990 free agent draft. He was signed by Yankee scout Paul Turco.

He attended the University of Tampa where he was a Division II All-American all three seasons. Selected Division II Player of the Year in 1990, Sam was also a 1990 Golden Spikes Award finalist. In college he was a teammate of Tino Martinez and played against Joe Grahe and Alex Fernandez.

Sam was both All-County and All-Conference as a junior and a senior in high school. He was a teammate of Luis Gonzalez and played against Derek Bell and Gary Sheffield.

He played Little League and American Legion ball in Tampa. He also played in the Cape Cod League.

Sam works as a substitute teacher in the off-season."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

Named NCAA Division II Player of the Year, 1990.

Led New York-Penn League in strikeouts (119), 1990.

Named to Carolina League All-Star team, 1991.

All-Star Game starting pitcher, 1991.

Led Carolina League starting pitchers in batting average against (.180), 1991.

Led Carolina League starting pitchers in fewest baserunners per nine innings pitched (8.36), 1991.

Named to Baseball America Class-A All-Star team, 1991.

Named Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, 1991.

Yankee organization Pitcher of the Year, 1991.

Named International League Pitcher of the Week, June 21-27, 1992.

Named to International League mid-season All-Star team, 1992.

Mid-season All-Star Game MVP, 1992.

Named International League Pitcher of the Week, July 26-August 1, 1992.

Led International League in ERA (2.29), 1992.

Named to International League All-Star team, 1992.

Named to Baseball America AAA All-Star team, 1992.

Named International League Most Valuable Pitcher, 1992.

Yankee organization Pitcher of the Year, 1992.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

Sam Salvatore Miltello, Jr. "Sam" "Slider" (P)     #28

Born November 26, 1969, in Tampa, Florida, resides in Tampa, Florida. Height: 6-3, weight: 195. Bats right, throws right. College: attended University of Tampa. 

Major league service: 59 days. Opening Day age: 23.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

RICH MONTELEONE

"So you think all major league ballplayers are pampered and coddled, that they come out of high school or college and jump to the big leagues for all that gold, glory and adulation.

Don't tell that to Rich Monteleone. His story is one of disappointment and frustration, of sticking it out when things looked bleakest, of getting released by one organization and traded by two others, of a decade of riding buses and living in second-rate hotels.

There was a time it seemed Monteleone, 30, was employed as a tour guide for Rand-McNally.

Finally, two and a half years ago he landed in New York via the California Angels system, hoping his long odyssey was at last over.

In two seasons with the Yankees, Monteleone has won 10 and lost four, another of those who also serve by pitching an inning here, two innings there. He is part of that nondescript and unheralded but essential group known as middle relievers.

All the bus trips and hard work has paid off, thanks to courage and a supportive wife, Loretta. 'She has helped me considerably, especially the last two or three years,' Monteleone says. 'When I have failure, she goes through it as much as I do. I don't want her to, but she does.' "

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Monte pitched his first full season at the major league level in 1992 after five consecutive seasons split between the majors and the minors. Entering the season he had pitched in 61 major league games and compiled a 5-4 record with a 3.67 ERA. In 1992 the 11-year pro pitched in 47 games, compiling a 7-3 record with a 3.30 ERA.

He earned his first win in the club's second game against Boston on April 9. His first five appearances (11.0 IP) were scoreless and through May 19 (12 G) he was 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA. Through May he had a 1.33 ERA.

From May 3-June 25, Rich struck out at least one batter in 14 straight appearances, striking out 25 in 30.2 innings. His final three appearances before the break were scoreless and at the break he was 5-1 with a 2.36 ERA in 26 games.

His second half proved to be less consistent. Rich allowed runs in three of his four appearances through the end of July, raising his ERA to .3.21. July was his roughest month (4.96 ERA). 

Rich had a 3.24 ERA in August. He posted back-to-back wins at Baltimore and against Kansas City on September 7 and 11. He made seven appearances in September and was 2-1 with a 3.77 ERA.

For the season Rich led the Yankee bullpen in innings (92.2), seventh most among American League pitchers, and he led the pen in wins (7). Left-handed batters hit .226 (33-for-146) and right-handed batters hit .241 (49-for-203). His overall opponents' batting average (.235) was second lowest among Yankee relievers to Steve Farr.

Monte had a 3.67 home ERA (6 HR) in 54.0 innings and on the road had a 2.79 ERA, allowing one homer and a .228 batting average in 38.2 innings. He had a 2.37 ERA and opponents hit .190 in day games (30.1 IP) and a 1.42 ERA in 12.2 innings on turf.

For the second consecutive season, Rich showed effectiveness in the long relief role. He had a 2.40 ERA (41.1 IP, 11 ER) in his 12 games of three or more innings as opposed to a 4.03 in games of less than three innings. Over the 1991-92 seasons, he made 18 long appearances and posted a 1.92 ERA  (65.2 IP, 14 ER) as opposed to posting a 4.74 ERA (74.0 IP, 39 ER) in shorter appearances.

In 1992 Rich retired the first batter upon entering a game 32 of 47 times and stranded nine of 23 inherited runners. He did not convert either of his save opportunities. His total of seven wins was his major best and his most as a pro since 1986 at Calgary (8). Rich did not make an error in 13 total chances.

He signed a contract for the 1993 season.

Rich started the 1991 season at Columbus and had his contract purchased on April 14. At the time of his promotion, he had not pitched for the Clippers. Rich made five April appearances, posting a 3.38 ERA (5.1 IP). Both the runs he allowed came on a Jose Canseco home run on April 30 at Oakland.

He pitched three times in May before being outrighted to Columbus on May 14. He took the loss on May 5 at Seattle, allowing a two-run homer to Greg Briley in the 16th inning in a 5-4 Yankee loss. At the time of the outright he had allowed five runs in 12.0 innings, four via home runs.

At Columbus, Rich appeared in 32 games and posted a 1-4 record with 17 saves and a 2.12 ERA. He walked just seven batters while striking out 51. He had his contract purchased for a second time on August 7 and he remained in New York for the remainder of the season.

Rich appeared in nine games in August, going 1-0 with a 4.08 ERA. He notched a win on August 16 against Chicago, his first win since June 27, 1989, when he was with the Angels. He pitched nine more times in September/October, going 2-0 with a 3.12 ERA. 

During the 1991 season Rich dominated right-handed hitters, allowing only a .173 batting average against (18-for-104) while conversely, left-handed hitters hit .324 (24-for-74). On grass surfaces, he had a 3.16 ERA (42.2 IP) and a batting average against of .215.

Rich pitched most effectively in the role of long reliever. Seven times he pitched three-plus innings and had a 1.11 ERA (24.1 IP, 18 H, 3 ER); in his other 19 appearances of less than three innings, his ERA was 6.35. He retired the first hitter upon entering a game 17 of 26 times and stranded 17 of 25 inherited baserunners. Rich was hurt most by the long ball as homers accounted for 10 of his 19 earned runs (53%).

With the Clippers, he led the club in saves and tied for second in the International League. Columbus was 24-8 when he pitched and opponents hit .215 against him. Rich was named IL Pitcher of the Week for May 26-June 1 (7.1 IP, 0 R) and was selected for the AAA All-Star Game, but did not play because of a viral infection.

In 1990, Rich was obtained by the Yankees from the California Angels on April 29 along with outfielder Claudell Washington in exchange for outfielder Luis Polonia. At the time of the trade, he was with the AAA Edmonton Trappers. Over five games (one start) he was 1-0 with a save and a 1.93 ERA.

Rich reported directly to Columbus and pitched there for a majority of the season until having his contract purchased on September 11. At the time of the promotion he had appeared in 38 games (all in relief) and was 4-4 with a team-best nine saves and a 2.24 ERA.

He made his Yankee debut on September 16 at Detroit (1.0 IP, 0 R, 1 H) in a 5-2 Yankee loss. His second outing on September 20 against Cleveland was disastrous as Rich was the losing pitcher, allowing four earned runs in one inning. He pitched consistently over his next three appearances (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6K), lowering his ERA from 18.00 to 6.14. Overall with New York, Rich stranded two of three inherited baserunners.

Rich was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the first round (20th player taken) of the June 1982 free agent draft. He was signed by future Yankee executive George Bradley. That year Rich began his professional career at rookie league Bristol of the Appalachian League, tossing a 1-hitter against Elizabethton on July 24. He allowed an Appalachian League-high eight home runs.

He split the 1983 season between Class-A Lakeland and AA Birmingham. He ranked fourth in the Florida State League with 124 strikeouts and had a career best nine wins at Lakeland. He split the 1984 season between Birmingham and AAA Evansville. He combined for 12 wins in 30 starts, throwing six complete games while fanning 110 batters in 188.0 innings.

Rich established a personal best in 1985, starting 26 games at AAA Nashville. In December 1985, he was obtained by the Seattle Mariners for infielder Darnell Coles. He set a personal best in 1986 by hurling 157.2 innings for AAA Calgary.

He made his major league debut on April 15, 1987, against California. He appeared in three games for Seattle (7.0 IP), then led Calgary in games (51) and saves (15). His first 21 games for Calgary were starts and he finished with 17 relief appearances.

Rich started the 1988 season with Calgary and was 0-0 with a 12.54 ERA when he was released on May 9. He was signed as a free agent by the Angels and reported to Edmonton on May 13.

He went 4-7 with a 5.08 ERA over 20 games (16 GS) with Edmonton and struck out a team best 97 batters. He made his Angels debut on September 10 at Texas. Overall in three appearances with California, he did not allow an earned run over 4.1 innings.

Rich made five trips between Edmonton and Anaheim in 1989, pitching three times for each club. He started the season with Edmonton and was recalled on May 1. He was sent down on May 15, recalled on June 7, sent down for a final time on July 9 and recalled a final time on July 20. Rich allowed just one earned run in his first 10 appearances with California (15.1 IP) and pitched a career best 5.1 innings (0 R, 2 H) against Toronto on June 20.

With the Angels, Rich was 2-1, 2.12 in night games with a batting average against of .218- in day games opponents hit .414. He had a 2.67 ERA (30.1 IP) on grass fields. Rich surrendered three home runs during the season (Bob Boone, Henry Cotto, Mel Hall), all on the road; 17 of his 24 appearances were on the road. Overall, he stranded 11 of 16 inherited baserunners.

Rich graduated from Tampa Catholic High in 1982. He was an All-American in baseball and football there and was a teammate of Lance McCullers, playing against Donnie Scott and Fred McGriff. He played Little League and American Legion ball in Wellswood, Florida.

Rich enjoys Tak-Kwon-Do and golf. He is a brother-in-law of Edmonton pitching coach Chuck Hernandez."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led Appalachian League in home runs allowed (8), 1982.

Led Pacific Coast League in walks (89), 1986.

Led Pacific Coast League in losses (13), 1987.

Named International League Pitcher of the Week, May 26-June 1, 1991.

Named to International League All-Star Team, 1991.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Richard Monteleone "Rich" "Monte" (P)     #55

Born March 22, 1963, in Tampa, Florida, where he resides. Height: 6-2, Weight: 214. Bats right, throws right.

Married, Loretta (11/16/85), and father of Chelsea (4) and Alexis (2).

Major league service: 2 years, 112 days. Opening Day age: 30. 

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

MIKE WITT

"Entering his 13th major league season, veteran pitcher Mike Witt has endured the ups and downs afforded a professional athlete.

In 1986 he pitched in the All-Star Game, won 18 games for the California Angels and followed that up with an All-Star season in 1987. He was at the top of his game. But lady luck would change.

During the 1990 campaign, Witt was traded to the Yankees. In his first year in Pintstripes he managed five wins in 16 starts. His fifth victory that August was his last as a Yankee entering this season.

Injuries, and not victories, dominated the right-hander's Yankee career. In 1991, soreness in his pitching elbow during spring training led to surgery and an extended rehabilitation regimen. He appeared in just two games in '91. Last season his rehab continued.

The 1993 campaign for the 32-year-old hurler is perhaps his most difficult professional challenge. Competition for a spot in a rotation that is three-fifths complete will be demanding. And with some young arms in Sam Militello, Bob Wickman and Scott Kamieniecki available, Witt will have to be as crafty as ever."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"1992 was a season of rehabilitation for the veteran right-hander. He continued to make progress with his right elbow, after undergoing surgery in July of 1991 to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow.

Witt spent spring training working out with the pitchers. He exercised his arm by throwing super long-toss, from center field to home plate, to strengthen his elbow. Mike spent the entire season at Tampa, working out at the Yankee minor league complex, continuing to strengthen his arm, from April to June, when he was able to start pitching again.

He made three starts for the Yankees' rookie league team in Tampa (Gulf Coast League) and was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (12.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 13 K). After the third start, Mike developed tendinitis in the right elbow and had to stop pitching. Continuing to rest and rehabilitate over the final months of the season, he was added to the 40-man roster on October 9.

He signed a three-year contract in January 1991. The contract extends through the 1993 season.

1991 was his second consecutive season marred by injury. Witt nursed a sore right elbow from the beginning of spring training, resulting in mid-season surgery after numerous attempts at non-surgical rehabilitation. He made just two starts, both in June and was 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA.

Witt did not pitch for the club in spring training and on March 29 was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right elbow. He pitched five times for the Yankees' extended spring training club in Tampa and posted a 1.23 ERA (22.0 P, 13 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 17 BB, 18 K). Activated on June 7, he made just two starts and was 0-1 with a 10.03 ERA (5.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR).

His first start came on June 7 at Texas, getting a no-decision in a 5-4 Yankee win. Mike allowed three hits through four innings but then allowed a Brian Downing grand slam in the fifth (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER). He threw 76 pitches.

Mike's other start was on June 13 at Minnesota. He faced only four batters, throwing a total of 19 pitches before leaving with stiffness in his right elbow. Mike took the loss in a 10-3 defeat (0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER).

He was placed on the 15-day DL the following day and remained there for the rest of the season. Mike had surgery on July 25- a tendon was used from his leg to replace the one in his elbow. The surgery was performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, CA. The surgery was similar to that of ex-Yankee pitcher Tommy John. Mike was outrighted to Columbus on November 1.

Witt was acquired by the Yankees in 1990 on May 11 in exchange for outfielder Dave Winfield. Prior to the trade, he appeared in 10 games for the Angels, all in relief, ending a string of 208 consecutive starts dating back to 1983. He was 0-3 with a save and a 1.77 ERA (20.1 IP) and opposing hitters hit .250 against him. His only save came in the Angels' opener against Seattle in California as he pitched two perfect innings (2 K) to combine with Mark Langston on the first no-hitter of 1990. It was the second no-hitter Witt was involved with along with his perfect game in 1984.

With the Yankees he was used exclusively as a starter, going 5-6 with a 4.47 ERA over 16 starts. He made his Yankee debut on May 19 against Kansas City and did not get a decision in a 5-4 New York win. Mike, in fact, did not get a decision in any of his first three starts. For the month of May, he posted a 3.79 ERA.

Mike's first decision came on June 3 against Baltimore- he took the loss in a 4-3 defeat. He made his next start on June 8 at Baltimore and had to leave after 1.2 innings when he heard a pop in his right elbow while pitching to Greg Walker (and left the game with a 2-2 count). He was placed on the 15-day disabled list the next day (and was subsequently moved to the 21-day DL on July 16) with a sore elbow requiring rest. It marked the first time in his 10-year career that Mike spent any time on the DL. At the time of the injury he was 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA (28.0 IP) through five starts. 

Activated on August 6, after missing 55 games, Mike did not miss any of his 11 starts the rest of the way. His first start after the injury was on August 7 at Seattle, resulting in his first 1990 win, a 3-1 Yankee victory. Mike's first Yankee Stadium win as a Yankee came on August 18 against Seattle when he threw a 2-hit shutout, allowing two singles in a 6-0 triumph. 

His fifth and final win was on September 23 against Boston. He was 5-5 with a 4.72 ERA (68.2 IP) over 11 starts after his injury.

In his five Yankee wins he had a 2.08 ERA (39.0 IP) and was supported with 32 runs (6.4 runs/game). In his six Yankee losses, he had a 9.00 ERA (29.0 IP) and was supported with 10 runs (1.7 runs/game). In his five no-decisions, he had a 3.14 ERA (28.2 IP) and was supported with 19 runs (3.8 runs/game).

Witt was better against right-handed hitters (.207 batting average against) than against left-handed hitters (.270 batting against); overall, opponents hit .240 against him. He went six-plus innings in 12 of 16 starts and averaged 6.0 innings per start overall. He held the opposition to three runs or less in eight of his 16 starts.

Selected in the fourth round of the June 1978 draft, Witt was originally signed by Larry Himes. In 1981, he was promoted from AA El Paso to the Angels with less than 70 games of professional experience. He made his major league debut at Seattle on April 11, and on April 26 at Minnesota recorded his first victory and first complete game in a 7-1 decision. On September 28 against Chicago, Witt pitched his first shutout. In 1982 he registered five wins in the first four months of the season before winning three in August.

Mike set a personal best for most appearances (43) in 1983, splitting time between starting and relief. In relief he pitched 24 games, finishing with a 3-3 record, five saves and a 3.48 ERA (41.1 IP, 16 ER).

In 1984, Mike pitched a perfect game on September 30 when he defeated Texas 1-0 at Arlington in the season finale. He threw 94 pitches, 70 for strikes, going to a 3-ball count only twice, both times to Wayne Tolleson. Mike's last no-hitter had come as a member of the Fullerton (CA) Little League.

With 35 starts, 250.0 innings pitched and 180 strikeouts in 1985, he won 13 of his last 17 decisions after June 1. He worked into the 7th inning or later 28 times.

Witt compiled an 18-10 record and a 2.84 ERA in 1986, finishing among the league leaders in several categories including wins, ERA, complete games (14), shutouts (3) and innings pitched (269.0). His opponents' batting average against was .221.

He dominated the month of August when he was named American League Pitcher of the Month: Mike posted a 5-0 record and a 0.21 ERA (43.1 IP, 1 ER), fanning 28 and allowing 17 hits for a .110 batting average against. He won a career high seven straight from August 5-September 18.

Mike finished with a 16-14 record in 1987, marking his fourth straight season with 15 or more wins. He was honored as the AL Player of the Week for June 1-7 with a 2-0 record in two starts while posting a 0.95 ERA (19.0 IP, 2 ER) and fanning 19 batters while walking only three and limiting opposing hitters to a .176 batting average (12 H). Mike's 10 complete games were half the team's total, he pitched into the 7th inning or later 28 times and allowed three earned runs or less in 21 starts.

Leading the Angels with 13 victories in 1988, Mike recorded a 5-0 shutout of Baltimore on May 28, his first shutout since August 26, 1986, when he blanked the Yankees 2-0 at Yankee Stadium. He was selected AL Player of the Week for June 13-19, going 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA (17.2 IP, 12 H, 1 ER). He registered his 100th career win on September 8 at Texas but did not strike out a batter in that win, the first time he failed to do so since April 30, 1982, a span of 209 starts. Mike allowed only 14 home runs during the season. Of his 12 complete games, six were in losing efforts.

In 1989, he pitched 200-plus innings for the sixth consecutive season. After surrendering 87 walks in 1988, he allowed only 48 walks in '89. Mike pitched into the seventh inning or later in 21 of 33 games, allowed three earned runs or less in 18 of 33 games and walked two batters or less in 28 of 33 games.

Mike graduated from Servite High School (CA) in 1978, posting a 14-0 record in a California Interscholastic Federation 4-A championship season. In high school he was a teammate of Steve Buechele and played against Mike Gallego and Bobby Meacham. He was also a standout basketball player. He played in the Babe Ruth League (West Anaheim) and in Little League (Buena Park).

Mike enjoys playing golf. His most dramatic moment was pitching his 1984 perfect game and his favorite entertainer is  Billy Joel."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Tied for American League lead in hit batsmen (11), 1981.

Pitched 1-0 perfect game against Texas Rangers, September 30, 1984.

Named American League Pitcher of the Month, August 1986.

Named American League Player of the Week, June 1-7, 1987.

Named American League Player of the Week, June 13-19, 1988.

Pitched two innings in combination with Mark Langston in a 1-0 no-hit victory against the Seattle Mariners, April 11, 1990."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Michael Atwater Witt "Mike" "Witter" (P)     #39

Born July 20, 1960 in Fullerton, California, resides in Laguna, CA. Bats right and throws right.

Married, Lisa (11/12/83) and father of Kellen Marie (7), Justin (6) and Kevin Lee (1).

Major League service: 12 years. Opening Day age: 32.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

NEAL HEATON

"For New York native Neal Heaton, plying his trade in a Yankees uniform is a dream come true. Growing up on Long Island, the 33-year-old left-hander was a die-hard Bronx Bomber fan, and now he finds himself in a position to provide some relief for his hometown team.

Heaton has enjoyed the good and bad that sometimes accompanies a player's star-crossed career. His performance at his alma mater, the University of Miami, was so impressive they retired his No. 26 jersey.

The 6-0, 200-pound southpaw began his major league career in 1982 as a starter with the Cleveland Indians and later pitched for Minnesota and Montreal. It was not until 1990 with the Pirates that Heaton tapped his potential. He was 10-4 at mid-season and was selected to the National League All-Star team, but was unable to play because of sudden arm problems. He only played one more season with the Pirates. A year ago, Heaton was back in the American League with Kansas City and Milwaukee.

If his performance this season matches his commitment to the sport, the Yankees will have found a real hometown hero. 'It's like I was meant to be in a clubhouse and around baseball,' Heaton says. 'I's my life. I love it.' "

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Heaton was invited to spring training as a non-roster player in 1993 after a tryout at Yankee Stadium on the afternoon of February 3. He played for two organizations and three different clubs in 1992. He was traded on March 10 of that year from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Kirk Gibson.

He appeared in 31 games in relief for the Royals, posting a 3-1 record with a 4.17 ERA. Heaton was designated for assignment on July 20 and released on July 30.

He signed a AAA contract with the Milwaukee Brewers' Denver club shortly thereafter. He appeared in six games (four starts) for Denver and was 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA. Neal has his contract purchased by Milwaukee on September 11 and appeared in one game, tossing a scoreless inning. He was released by the Brewers on October 15.

In 1991 Neal pitched predominately in relief (1 start) for the first time in his career. He had a 0.68 ERA in eight May games (13.1 IP, 1 ER) and through the first two months of the season posted a 1.35 ERA (20.0 IP, 3 ER) in 13 appearances. 

On July 26 at Houston, he worked 4.2 innings in relief, the longest outing by a Pirate reliever in 1991. His one start came on August 24 against San Francisco, with Neal coming out on the losing end of a decision (4.0 IP, 2 ER).

For the season Heaton tied a career high with 42 appearances. Four of his five home runs allowed came on the road.

1990 was a stellar season for the veteran lefty, with Heaton finishing at 12-9 with a 3.45 ERA. A tale of two seasons, he was 10-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 16 starts before the All-Star break, 2-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 14 games (8 starts) after the break. His first 23 appearances of the season were starts, with Neal winning his first six starts before falling to the Braves, 6-1, on May 17 at Atlanta. He became the first Pirate pitcher since Burleigh Grimes in 1929 to win his first six starts; Neal's six wins from April 12-May 12 also tied the longest winning streak of his career and also tied Cy Young winner Doug Drabek for the longest winning streak by a Pirate pitcher in 1990. Dating back to the end of 1989, Heaton won 11 straight.

He was named to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career but did not appear. In seven starts after the break he went 1-4 before he made his first appearance out of the bullpen on August 26. Neal lost six straight decisions from June 29-August 15, the longest losing streak by a Pittsburgh hurler in 1990.

Heaton was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the second round of the June 1981 free agent draft. He had been selected by the Mets in 1979 as the first pick in the entire draft but did not sign, instead electing to attend college. In his first year of professional baseball he was 4-4 with a 3.99 ERA in 11 starts for Chattanooga of the AA Southern League.

After a 10-5 record at Charleston of the Class-A South Atlantic League in 1982, Neal was promoted to Cleveland where he made his major league debut on September 3. He went 0-2 with a 5.23 ERA in eight games for the Tribe.

In his rookie season of 1983, he finished 11-7 with a 4.16 ERA in 39 games, the most wins by an Indians left-handed rookie pitcher since Herb Score won 15 in 1955. Among American League rookie pitchers, only Baltimore's Mike Boddicker and Oakland's Chris Codiroli won more. In 1984, Heaton went 12-15 with a 5.21 ERA, finishing second on the club in victories to Bert Blyleven's 19. In 1985 it was a 9-17 record with a 4.90 ERA and five complete games with Heaton leading the staff in wins and complete games.

He started his sixth consecutive season in the Cleveland system in 1986 before being traded to the Minnesota Twins on June 20 with pitcher Kevin Trudeau in exchange for pitcher John Butcher. At the time of the trade he was 6-6 with a 4.24 ERA in 12 starts, and was 4-9 with a 3.98 ERA after the trade.

Heaton was acquired by the Montreal Expos along with pitchers Yorkis Perez and Al Cardwood in February of 1987 in exchange for pitcher Jeff Reardon and catcher Tom Nieto. In his first season in the National League after five AL seasons, he went 13-10 with a 4.52 ERA.

He started the season 9-2 before spraining his knee on June 18 against the Mets. He aggravated the injury on June 23 and was bothered by the knee for the rest of the season.

After 16 starts Neal was 10-3 including a career best six straight wins from May 18-June 23 but was 3-7 with a 4.75 ERA in his last 16 starts, including a career worst six straight losses from August 20-September 25. For the season Neal set career bests in wins and strikeouts (105).

1988 was a tough season for Heaton. He went 3-10 with a 4.99 ERA in his final season with the Expos.

He made his first start of the season on April 7, and before his second start he sprained an ankle, not to start again until April 29. Heaton did not earn his first win until his fifth start, on May 17 against Los Angeles.

He made 10 starts and posted a 2-5 record with a 6.12 ERA before being moved to he bullpen on June 16. He made one start with 21 relief appearances after June 16. Neal had some shoulder discomfort in August, and as a result did not pitch after August 28.

On March 28, 1989, he was acquired by the Pirates in exchange for pitcher Brett Gideon. Heaton split time between the rotation and bullpen that  year, going 6-7 with a career best 3.05 ERA in a career high 42 games (18 starts). As a starter he was 4-7 with a 3.48 ERA and was 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in 24 relief outings.

He began the season in the starting rotation and was 1-6 with a 4.34 ERA  in 11 starts before being moved to the bullpen in early June. His only complete game came on May 7 at San Diego in a 3-1 loss. From July 15-August 15 he faced 54 consecutive left-handed batters without allowing a hit.

Neal was 5-1 after the break with a 1.65 ERA in 22 games (7 starts). After returning to the rotation on September 5, Neal went 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA in six starts; he had been 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in his previous 12 relief appearances. Winning his last five starts, he tied John Smiley for the Bucs' longest winning streak of the year.

Neal played three years of baseball (1979-81) at the University of Miami, compiling a 41-6 record with a 2.06 ERA. In his final season he was 15-1 with a 2.06 ERA, his only loss coming in the College World Series. That year he had a 23-strikeout game against Indiana State. In 1980, he was 18-4 with a 2.09 ERA while earning unanimous All-American honors and setting school records for wins and strikeouts (130). Heaton had his college uniform number (26) retired in 1985.

He graduated from Sachem High School in Lake Ronkonkoma (Long Island), posting a 21-3 record his three seasons there. In his senior year (1979) he fanned 20 batters in a seven-inning game."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

Neal Heaton (P)     #53

Born March 3, 1960, in Jamaica, NY, resides in East Patchogue, NY. Height: 6-0, weight: 200. Bats: left, throws: left.

Married, Laura, and father of Neal, Jr. (10) and Kurt (7). Attended University of Miami.

Major League service: 10 years. Opening Day age: 33.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

JEFF JOHNSON

"During the 1991 season, left-handed hurler Jeff Johnson rode the crest of some impressive wins as a Yankee rookie. His career seemed to be blossoming and the North Carolina native was the perfect antidote for an ailing staff.

But inconsistencies caught up with the third-year Yankee and he soon found life in 'The Show' to be a major learning experience. With youth on his side, though, Johnson, 26, is still in the Yankees' pitching plans.

He spent much of last season shuttling between New York and Triple-A Columbus, [staying in Ohio] long enough to help the Clippers to a Governor's Cup championship, collecting a 2-1 record in 11 starts. He must now prove he can pitch at the major league level consistently, something he was not able to do last season.

Johnson began 1992 in the Yankees' starting rotation, but his 1-2 record and 6.52 ERA through April forced him to the bullpen by May. During the stretch between May 1-10, Johnson pitched in 4.1 innings, allowed one earned run and did not earn a save. Whether out of the bullpen or the starting rotation, the Yankees are still counting on Jeff Johnson to show them the right stuff."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Jeff split time with AAA Columbus and the Yankees in 1992, making four stints with the Yankees and three with the Clippers.

He started the season in Pinstripes, earning a spot in the starting rotation out of spring training. He pitched in the second game of the season, on April 9 against Boston. He was not involved in the decision, a 3-2 Yankee win. Jeff remained in the rotation through April, making four starts and going 1-2 with a 6.52 ERA. His first win came on April 19 against Cleveland, a 5-3 New York victory (6.2 IP, 2 ER).

Jeff was moved to the bullpen to start May, making two appearances, May 1 and May 10 (4 IP, 1 ER). He was optioned to Columbus the first time on May 16, having gone 1-2 with a 5.70 ERA in six games (four starts). He made just one start for the Clippers, being recalled on May 24. Jeff didn't pitch for the Yankees, getting optioned back on May 31.

He made two more starts for Columbus before being recalled for the second time on June 10. Upon his promotion, Jeff was immediately placed back in the rotation, making four starts in June (1-1, 6.86). His second and final Yankee win of the season came on June 24 at Kansas City (7.0 IP, 2 ER), a 6-3 Yankee win. He was then moved back to the pen, with a relief appearance on July 6, before being sent back to Columbus for the third time on July 7, remaining with that club through the conclusion of the International League playoffs. Jeff was recalled for the third time on September 19, making relief outings in his fourth stint of the season.

Overall for the Yanks he was 2-3 with a 6.66 ERA in 13 games (eight starts). With the Clippers, he was 2-1 with a 2.17 ERA and opponents hit .201 in his 11 starts. Jeff pitched twice in the IL playoffs, compiling a 0.50 ERA (18.0 IP, 10 H, 1 ER), holding opposing hitters to a .161 batting average. While Jeff was with the Yankees, left-handed batters hit .308 and right-handers hit .343; he had a 3.43 ERA in five day games; he did not make an error in nine fielding chances; and out of the bullpen Jeff retired the first batter three of five times and stranded one of three baserunners.

He signed a contract for the 1993 season.

Jeff began the 1991 season at Columbus and was recalled on June 5. At the time of his recall he was 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 starts. He finished his freshman season with the Yankees with a 6-11 record and a 5.95 ERA.

He joined the rotation immediately. His major league debut came on June 5 against Toronto, with Jeff taking the loss in the 4-1 defeat (7.0 IP, 4 R, 2 ER). His first big league win came in his third start, June 19 at Toronto.

July was Jeff's most successful month, with a 3-0 record and 2.78 ERA. His longest outing as a Yankee came on July 13 at California when he pitched 8.1 scoreless innings in a 2-0 win. He followed that with eight scoreless innings on July 19 at Oakland in a 3-0 blanking. He extended his scoreless streak to 17.1 innings on July 24 against Seattle with a scoreless inning. He also extended his winning streak to a season best three games as the Yankees beat the Mariners 10-2.

On August 8 at Chicago, he struck out a career high seven men in a 4-1 loss. The streak came to a screeching halt as Jeff lost his first four games in August. from July 24-August 29, his ERA ballooned from 2.70 to 5.65. 

He had an outstanding effort on September 18 against Milwaukee, receiving a no-decision (8.0 IP, 1 ER) in a 2-1 Yankee triumph. 

Along with Wade Taylor and Scott Kamieniecki, Johnson was part of the first rookie trio to crack the Yankee starting rotation since June 1986 (Doug Drabek, Bob Tewksbury, Alphonso Pulido). Taylor, Kamieniecki and Johnson became the first rookie trio to notch wins on consecutive days since at least 1946.

Although not recalled until June 5, Johnson finished second on the team in innings pitched with 127.0. When he made his debut he became the eighth different Yankee and the second left-hander to start a game in 1991. The streak of 17.1 innings was the longest by a Yankee starter in 1991.

For the season opponents batted .305 overall against him; right-handed hitters batted .313, left-handed hitters .231. Jeff walked only 33 batters in 127.0 innings for a ratio of 2.3 per nine innings. The ratio was second best among Yankee starters to Scott Sanderson. He was involved in three of the Yankees' 11 shutouts, second among starters to Sanderson (5).

Jeff pitched five-plus innings in 18 of his 23 innings and averaged 5.2 innings per start. In his six wins, he had a 2.08 ERA. He was supported with 4.1 runs per start overall but only 2.4 runs in his losses. He caught three runners stealing, most among Yankee starters.

Jeff started the 1990 season at Class-A Ft. Lauderdale and was promoted to AA Albany in mid-July. He combined to post a 10-11 record with four complete games and a 2.90 ERA over 26 starts.

At Ft. Lauderdale, Johnson was 6-8 with a complete game and a 3.65 ERA, including 4-3 with a 2.60 ERA at Ft. Lauderdale Stadium. His best month was May when he registered a 4-1 record with a 1.85 ERA in five starts. At Albany, he was 4-3 with three complete games and a 1.63 ERA in nine starts- Jeff was unbeatable at home, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.86 ERA (21.0 IP, 2 ER) in three starts.

In 1989 Johnson spent a full season at Class-A Prince William of the Carolina League, with a 4-10 record and a 2.92 ERA over 25 games (24 starts), allowing 125 hits over 138.2 innings. 1988 was his first season in professional baseball. Johnson spent that season at Oneonta, achieving an impressive 6-1 record with a 2.98 ERA over 14 starts. He allowed just 67 hits and fanned 91 batters over 87.2 innings.

Jeff was the Yankees' 6th round pick in the June 1988 free agent draft. He was signed by New York scout Jeff Taylor.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in mathematics. A four-year letterman on the baseball team, he had a 9-5 record over his 38-game career. He played alongside current major leaguer Chris Haney.

Jeff played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball in Butner, North Carolina. He's an avid crappie fisherman."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

William Jefferey Johnson "Jeff" "JJ' (P)     #43

Born August 4, 1966, in Durham, North Carolina, resides in Charlotte, NC. Height: 6-3, weight: 200. Bats right and throws left.

Married Krystine Lynn (11/7/92). Attended University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Major league service time: 1 year, 44 days. Opening Day age: 26. 

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

R.I.P. Frank Howard

R.I.P. Rob Gardner

R.I.P. Casey Cox

Other 1993 Yankees Profiles: Position Players

ANDY STANKIEWICZ 

"Andy Stankiewicz, the Yankees' diminutive infielder, certainly knows how to make an entrance.

Making the 1992 Opening Day roster in place of the injured Mike Gallego, Stankiewicz never looked back. Stanky dazzled Yankee Stadium denizens with his steady play in the field and timely hits at the plate all season. 

His play at shortstop conjured up images of the Scooter, Phil Rizzuto, and he immediately became a fan favorite. He also filled in admirably at second when Pat Kelly went down with an injury.

After six years in the Yankees' minor league system, the infielder never lost faith in his ability to someday play in the majors.

'I always believed if I was good enough to make it to the major leagues I'd get there sometime soon,' he says. 'I always believed I was good enough.'

The 28-year-old Pepperdine product became the first Yankee rookie with at least 100 hits (107) since Willie Randolph in 1976. He hit .268 in 116 games and quickly became the sparkplug at the top of the order.

'I got off to a good start and that helped,' Stankiewicz explains of his first days in the majors. 'Most of the people in New York kind of knew my story, a guy who's been in the minors a few years, the underdog kind of thing.' "

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"His outstanding play in spring training earned him his first action in the major leagues in 1992 after six years in the minor leagues. Stankie defied long odds, hitting .400 in 20 spring training games with a home run (grand slam) and five RBIs. He was added to the 40-man roster just minutes before first pitch on Opening Day when Mike Gallego went to the disabled list. Andy was the only rookie to begin the season on the Yankee roster. He stayed with the club for the entire season, hitting .268 in 116 games.

Andy made his major league debut on April 11 at Detroit, striking out as a pinch hitter against Mike Munoz. His first major league start came on April 14 at Toronto, at second base, going 1-for-3 with an RBI- he singled off Juan Guzman in the 4th inning for his first major league hit and RBI. He made his first start at shortstop on April 18 against Cleveland and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

On April 24 at Chicago, he reached base four times (3 BB, 1 HBP). On April 24 against Baltimore, went 2-for-3 with a solo homer (1st MLB homer) off Alan Mills and raised his batting average to .300. Andy had a string of four straight multi-hit games from April 24-27 (8-for-17) to raise his average to a season high .353.

He started regularly at second base with Pat Kelly on the disabled list from April 21-May 7. Andy did not play from May 5-11 with tightness in his right hamstring. He returned with a vengeance on May 12, starting the next three games (7-for-14), raising his average from .309 to .348.

Placed on the 15-day DL on May 16 with tightness in his right hamstring, Stankie had hit in seven straight games (12-for-30) and had reached base safely in 15 straight (21-for-55, 7 BB). The streak ended upon his activation from the DL on May 31 at Milwaukee when he took an 0-for-4. Andy had hit .353 for the month of May.

Andy took over the regular shortstop job in June, starting 26 of the 28 games at the position. He hit in his first five games in June (8-21) as his average reached the .340 mark. He hit in 10 of his next 13 games, but an 0-for-3 on June 22 at Baltimore brought his average below .300 for the first time since April 22. Andy had gone 31 games at or above .300. He resumed his torrid hitting from June 23-25 with eight hits in 11 at-bats, lifting his average to .321.

Included was Andy's first four-hit game, June 24 at Kansas City, a 4-for-5 performance. On June 27 against Chicago, he belted his second home run of the season, a solo shot off Robert Hernandez. He added a single, a game-tying double and three RBIs in a come-from-behind 8-7 Yankee win. Andy hit .295 for the month of June.

On July 8 against Minnesota, he took a 0-for-3 tumble, leaving his batting average under .300 for the rest of the season. He went into the All-Star break hitting  .290. He started 24 games in July (20 SS, 2 2B) but hit only .188 as his season average dipped to .265.

He resumed more of a utility role in August, making 18 starts (10 SS, 8 2B) and hitting .290 for the month. On September 4 against Texas, he had his first three-hit game since July 19. On September 7 at Baltimore, he contributed a game-winning bases-loaded walk in the 13th inning. Andy hit .254 in September/October, making 16 starts. His average remained consistent, as he did not fall below .265 nor rise above .276 from July 25 through the end of the season.

Stankiewicz became the first Yankee rookie since Willie Randolph in 1976 to have at least 100 hits. He started 63 games as the leadoff hitter and hit .274 in that role. He hit .304 with runners in scoring position, second best on the club behind Don Mattingly, and his nine stolen bases ranked second on the team.

He hit .290 in the first half of the season and .239 after the All-Star break; he hit .295 at the Stadium and .238 on the road; hit .296 in day games as opposed to .253 under the lights; hit .272 against left-handed pitchers and .265 against right-handers, and hit .340 on artificial turf and .257 on grass.

He made 103 starts overall (7th on the team), 78 at shortstop, 25 at second base. He had a .993 fielding percentage at second base and .973 at shortstop. Andy did not make an error in 15 games on artificial turf.

Baseball America ranked him as the 14th best among 1992 major league rookies.

He signed a contract for the 1993 season.

Andy was the Yankees' 12th round pick in the regular phase of the June 1986 free agent draft. He was signed by Yankee scout Orrin Freeman. He played 59 games with the Class-A Oneonta Yankees, where he batted .296 with eight doubles and 17 RBIs in his first professional season.

Spending the entire 1987 season at Class-A Ft. Lauderdale, Andy hit .307 in 119 games with 26 stolen bases, 18 doubles, seven triples, two home runs and 47 RBIs. He was named to the Florida State League All-Star team.

Andy started the 1988 season with the AA Albany-Colonie Yankees and was promoted to Columbus. With Albany, he hit .268 over 109 games with 20 doubles, two triples, a homer, 34 RBIs and 15 stolen bases and was named to the Eastern League All-Star team. He was promoted to Columbus and hit .219 in 29 games.

Andy spent the 1989 season with Albany and was named to the Eastern League All-Star team. He hit .267 over 133 games and led the Eastern League in runs (74), stolen bases (41) and sacrifice flies (11), was second in at-bats (498), third in hits (133) and tied for third in doubles (26).

Among second basemen, Andy led the league in games (133), total chances (615), putouts (242), assists (369) and double plays (85). He had a streak of 93 errorless games which was snapped on July 23 against Harrisburg.

Andy spent the entire 1990 season at Columbus, his first full season at AAA. He hit .229 with 48 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 32 attempts. He was among the club leaders in several categories: second in games (135), at-bats (446) and walks (71) and third in stolen bases. He was named Clipper of the Month for April when he hit .304 with 14 RBIs.

He split time between second base (73 games) and shortstop (68 games). An outstanding defensive player, Andy made only 10 errors in 646 chances, a .984 fielding percentage; he made only two errors at second base all year (.994).

In 1991 Andy spent his second full season with the AAA Columbus Clippers. Over 125 games, he hit .272  while stealing 29 bases. A versatile player, Andy saw action at second base (81 games), shortstop (31 games) and at third base (8 games). He also pitched once, allowing a hit and a walk in a third of an inning.

Andy graduated from Pepperdine University in California with a BA in sociology. His teammates included Chad Kreuter and Mike Fetters.

He graduated from St. Paul High School (CA) in 1982 where he played baseball, basketball and football. He played Little League as a youth.

Andy enjoys the music of Terry Clark. His favorite show is The Rifleman [starring former major leaguer Chuck Connors]."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Named to Florida State League All-Star team, 1987.

Named to Eastern League All-Star team, 1988.

Led Eastern League in runs (74), 1989.

Led Eastern League in stolen bases (41), 1989.

Led Eastern League in sacrifice flies (11), 1989.

Led Eastern League second basemen in games (133), 1989.

Led Eastern League second basemen in putouts (242), 1989.

Led Eastern League second basemen in assists (369), 1989.

Led Eastern League second basemen in total chances (615), 1989.

Led Eastern League second basemen in double plays (85), 1989.

Named to Eastern League All-Star team, 1989.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Andrew Neal Stankiewicz "Andy" "Stankie" (IF)     #17

Born August 10, 1964, in Inglewood, California, resides in La Habra, California. Height: 5-9, weight: 165. Bats right, throws right. Graduated from Pepperdine University.

Married, Mari Anna (2/1/92).

Major league service: 1 year. Opening Day age: 28.

MIKE HUMPHREYS

"Humphreys spent virtually the entire 1992 season at AAA Columbus, with two brief stints in Pinstripes. He started the year with the Clippers, getting recalled on April 24 when Danny Tartabull went on the disabled list. At the time of his recall, Mike was hitting .156 (5-for-32) with two RBIs through 12 games.  He appeared in three games with New York, going 1-for-7 and starting twice in left field. He remained with the club for 13 days, being optioned back on May 7.

Back in Columbus, he hit .292 with three homers and 25 RBIs through 57 games. He was recalled by the Yankees for the second time on July 8. His second stint with the Yankees lasted 10 days, with Mike being optioned back on July 18. He played once with the Yanks, going 0-for-3.

Overall in Columbus, Humphreys hit .282 with six home runs, 46 RBIs and 37 stolen bases in 114 games. He had a five-hit game on August 8 at Toledo- that game tied the regular-season Clipper record for hits in a game. Mike hit .333 (12-for-36), leading the club in hits.

He finished first on Columbus in stolen bases, second in triples (6) and tied for third in runs scored (83). He led the International League in stolen bases and was tied for third in runs.

Mike signed a contract for the 1993 season.

Humphreys spent the majority of the 1991 season at Columbus, making two stints with the Yankees.

He started at Columbus and was recalled on July 29 with Jesse Barfield going on the disabled list. At the time of his promotion he was hitting .290 with seven home runs, 47 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. Mike appeared in 10 games in his first stint with the Yankees and went 3-for-22 with two RBIs before being optioned back to Columbus. Of his 10 appearances, four were starts (LF-2, RF-1, 3B-1) and five were as a pinch hitter.

Mike notched his first hit on August 11 against Detroit (Game 1), a single off Dan Gakeler. He also had a bases-loaded two-run single off Paul Gibson later in the game.

He was optioned on August 13. He was recalled from Columbus again on September 7 and appeared in 15 games (six starts) through the remainder of the season, hitting .278 (5-for-18).

Humphreys was obtained from the Padres on February 7, 1991, as the 'player to be named later' in completing the December 1990 trade that sent outfielder Oscar Azocar to San Diego. He appeared in 25 games for the Yankees, including 10 starts (LF-2, RF-2, 3B-4, DH-2). He hit .250 (5-for-20) against left-handed pitching and .150 (3-for-20) against right-handed pitching. Humphreys became the 700th Yankee that Phil Rizzuto either played with or broadcast.

Overall for Columbus, he hit .283 with 23 doubles, five triples, nine homers, 53 RBIs. He played both the outfield (101) and third base (21). Mike was selected for the AAA All-Star Game. His batting average ranked 12th in the International League.

Within the organization, he ranked tied for ninth in runs scored (71), ninth in total bases (177), tied for ninth in doubles and tied for fourth in stolen bases. He played winter ball in Venezuela. 

He played for two Padres affiliates in 1990- Las Vegas (AAA)  and Wichita (AA). Overall, he hit .272 with 22 doubles, four triples, 19 home runs, 85 RBIs and 99 runs over 128 games.

Mike spent most of the season with the Wichita Wranglers, hitting .276 with 21 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 79 RBIs, 38 steals and 92 runs in 116 games. He led the league in runs scored and was fifth in RBIs. He made only five errors in 113 games in the outfield.

He was named Texas League Player of the Week for May 7-13 when he hit .474 (9-for-19) with five runs over six games. He was named to the Texas League All-Star team and the Topps AA All-Star team and was named the Wichita club's Co-Player of the Year. He played in 12 games for the Las Vegas Stars and hit .238 with two homers.

Humphreys was the Padres' 15th-round pick in the June 1988 free agent draft. That year at Spokane he hit .307 with six home runs and 59 RBIs in 76 games. He tied for the Northwest League lead in game-winning RBIs (9) and tied for the league lead in putouts by an outfielder (180). In 1989, he played a full season at Riverside and hit .288 with 13 home runs and 66 RBIs.

He attended Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX) where he played three years of baseball (1986-88) and hit .382. Mike holds numerous school records including at-bats (578), runs (192), hits (221), home runs (41), RBIs (174) and total bases (392). He holds the school's single-season record for putouts by an outfielder (467).

In 1986 he was named to Baseball America's all-freshman team. He was named an all-conference outfielder in 1986 and '87 and an all-conference utility infielder in 1988, playing first base. Mike is working toward a degree in public relations.

Mike graduated from DeSoto (TX) High School. He played Little League in Dallas and DeSoto and Pony League in DeSoto. He played alongside Reds' prospect Steve Foster as a youngster. He enjoys playing golf in the off-season."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led Northwest League in runs scored (67), 1988.

Led Northwest League in putouts, outfielders (180), 1988.

Tied for Northwest League in game-winning RBIs (9), 1988.

Tied for Northwest League in triples (5), 1988.

Named Texas League Player of the Week, May 7-13, 1990.

Led Texas League in runs scored (92), 1990.

Named to Texas League All-Star team, 1990.

Named to International League All-Star team, 1991.

Led International League in stolen bases (37), 1992.

Led International League outfielders in fielding percentage (.996), 1992.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Michael Butler Humphreys (Mike) (OF)     #60

Born April 10, 1967, in Dallas, TX, resides in DeSoto, TX. Bats right, throws right. Height: 6-3, weight: 185. Attended Texas Tech University.

Married, Dawn (12/30/89). 

Major League service: 70 days. Opening Day age: 25.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

HENSLEY MEULENS

"By now Hensley Meulens should have been comfortably ensconced in the Yankees starting lineup, a power hitter right up there with the best in the American League, on his way to becoming a Yankee legend.

It hasn't happened.

After four years of shuttling back and forth from New York to Columbus, of switching back and forth from third base to the outfield, he's still Hensley Meulens the prospect. He's still the guy with tremendous athletic ability, enormous power, unlimited potential. The perennial prospect.

And he's still only 25, so don't retire him to the farm just yet.

Third base was supposed to be his last year, but Charlie Hayes came from Philadelphia in a trade and took the job away, and Meulens was sent once more to Columbus.

To his credit, Bam-Bam had a productive season at Columbus. Make that ANOTHER productive season at Columbus: 26 homers and 100 RBI, both tops in the International League.

That's three times he's knocked more than 95 runs in the minor leagues, three times he's hit more than 25 homers. He awaits his chance in the majors."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Meulens competed for third base in spring training after spending most of 1990 and 1991 in the outfield. In 13 Grapefruit games, he hit .238 with four home runs (including two grand slams) and 11 RBIs. He was sent to Columbus on April 2. Meulens spent a full season at AAA Columbus before a September callup after the International League playoffs.

For the Clippers, Hensley hit .275 with 26 home runs and 100 RBIs in 141 games, becoming the third Clipper to drive in at least 100 runs, joining Brian Dayett and Tucker Ashford. He led both the IL and the Yankee organization in home runs, RBIs and runs scored (96). He also led the IL in total bases (257) and was second in games (141), third in at-bats (534), fourth in hits (147) and fourth in slugging percentage (.481). Among Yankee minor leaguers, Hensley was fourth in hits and fifth in doubles (28). He also stole a career best 15 bases. He was voted the best power prospect in the International League by Baseball America.

He played 128 games at third base and made 30 errors. He committed 21 errors at third in his first 61 games but only nine in his last 67 games. Hensley went 31 games without an error from June 20-July 21.

He hit his 100th minor league home run on June 14 at Scranton. Meulens also had a three-home run game on June 25 at Pawtucket, tying the franchise record shared by Torey Lovullo and Darren Reed, while also tying the club record with eight RBIs in that game. He earned International League Player of the Week honors for June 21-27. He was selected to the AAA mid-season All-Star Game and doubled in his only at-bat.

Recalled from Columbus on September 19, he played in two games for the Yankees. On September 22 against Detroit, he started the second game of a doubleheader at third base, his first major league start at the hot corner since August 29, 1989, and went 1-for-3 with a solo homer off Les Lancaster, his first hit and home run in the majors since October 2, 1991. He played third on September 27 against Toronto and went 2-for-2.

Hensley played winter ball in the Dominican Republic (Azucareros) and hit .254 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 16 games. He signed a contract for the 1993 season. 

1991 was Meulens' first full season on the major league level. He had just 111 major league at-bats prior to 1991.

He was the Opening Day left fielder in Detroit, going 2-for-4. Overall he started 11 of the club's first 17 games, all in left field, hitting .205 (9-for-44) with four RBIs. Meulens struck out 16 times, batting .321 (9-for-28) when putting the ball in play.

He started 16 of the club's 27 May games, hitting .220 with three homers and six RBIs for the month. His first home run came on May 3 at Seattle off Brian Holman in his 49th at-bat of the season. On May 16 against California, Hensley notched his first career three-hit game, raising his season batting average from .205 to .237. On May 27 against Boston, he made his major league debut at first base, replacing an injured Don Mattingly. He followed that the next day with his first major league start at DH, also against Boston.

Hensley hit for his best monthly average in June- .282 (11-for-39), with six RBIs over ten starts ( LF-9, DH-1).  Over his final six starts in June he went 8-for-23 with four RBIs, raising his batting average from .215 to .233. Meulens was hitting .225 with three home runs and 16 RBIs at the break.

From July 14-24, he hit in a season best five straight games (5-for-15); he capped the streak with a pinch-hit two-run homer on July 24 against Seattle off Rob Murphy. Meulens started 14 of the club's 31 games as a DH (7), in left (5), in right (1) and at first (1). He hit .224 in September/October, starting 14 games. He hit .219 (30-for-137) with three homers and 13 RBIs after the break.

Hensley started at four positions in 1991: left field (51), designated hitter (13), right field (11) and first base (1). He hit .239 (16-for-67) with runners in scoring position and was 3-for-9 with five RBIs with the bases loaded. He hit .236 against left-handed pitchers, .200 against right-handers, and .342 (13-for-38) on artificial turf.

He played Winter League ball in the Dominican Republic and hit .306 with two home runs and 16 RBIs over 21 games, playing the outfield.

Meulens had a tremendous season with the Columbus Clippers in 1990, hitting .285 with 20 doubles, 26 home runs and 96 RBIs. He was named International League Player of the Year, leading the league in total bases (245) and finishing second in home runs and RBIs. Meulens led the Yankee organization in home runs and total bases. With the Clippers he played the outfield (88 games), first base (32 games) and third base (15 games).

He also achieved International League Player of the Week honors for June 17-23 (.409, 4 HR, 9 RBI) and was Player of the Month for June (.309, 7 HR, 25 RBI). He was also named Topps International League Player of the Month for both June and July. Hensley was rated the No. 3 prospect in the International League in the Baseball America post-season rankings.

He had his contract purchased by the Yankees on September 9 and remained with the club through the end of the season. Upon promotion, Hensley played in 23 games of which 22 were starts (all in left field). 

He started out hot, getting five hits in his first 10 at-bats. He had a big game against Texas on September 12, going 2-for-4 with his first major league home run (off Charlie Hough) and an assist on a play at the plate in the seventh inning.

Hensley went 1-for-20 from September 13-18, including an 0-for-16 skid. He broke out of the slump on September 19 at Toronto, going 2-for-4 with a home run off Jimmy Key.

From September 22-29, Hensley hit in a season-best seven straight games, batting .345 to raise his season average 50 points to .275. He had his big game on September 25 against Baltimore, going 2-for-5 with a home run (off Mike Smith) and four RBIs.

He hit .319 at home, .139 on the road, .290 against left-handers, .212 against right-handers. After the season he played winter ball in the Dominican Republic and led the circuit in hitting with a .338 (44-for-130) batting average with three home runs and 20 RBIs over 36 games.

Meulens began the 1989 season with the AA Albany-Colonie Yankees. He hit .257 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs in 104 games. He was promoted to AAA Columbus on August 9 but still managed to finish tied for second on the Albany club in home runs and lead the Eastern League in hit-by-pitches (9). With Columbus, Meulens appeared in 14 games and hit .289 with four doubles, a home run and three RBIs. He was recalled by the Yankees on August 23 and spent the remainder of the season with them. He made eight consecutive starts (August 23-29) and then did not see action again.

On August 23, Hensley made his major league debut, going 1-for-3 against the Red Sox and getting his first major league hit, a 7th-inning single off Mike Boddicker. His only RBI came on August 25 against Baltimore, a 9th-inning single off Jeff Ballard driving in the lone Yankee run in a 3-1 loss. His only multi-hit game came on August 28, a two-hit effort against Oakland.

Meulens was signed by the Yankees as a free agent on October 31, 1985, by Yankee scout Fred Ferreira and was recommended by Yankee scout Dick Groch. He played 59 games in 1986, his first professional season, at 'A' Sarasota and batted .233 in 59 games with four home runs and 31 RBIs. He led the Gulf Coast League in strikeouts (66) while leading the league's third basemen in games (59), total chances (178), putouts (40) and assists (118). Meulens was named as the third baseman on the Gulf Coast League All-Star team.

He began the 1987 season at 'A' Prince William where he played 116 games and batted .300 with 76 runs, 23 doubles, 28 home runs, 103 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and 124 strikeouts. He led the Carolina League in home runs and led the league's third basemen in errors (37). Hensley was named to the 1987 Carolina League All-Star team as a utility infielder. He finished the season by playing 17 games at 'A' Ft. Lauderdale where he hit .172. 

Meulens began the 1988 season at Albany-Colonie of the AA Eastern League and batted .245 in 79 games with nine doubles, 13 home runs and 40 RBIs along with 96 strikeouts. He was named as the starter at third base in the Eastern League All-Star Game. He started all 79 games at third base and committed 23 errors but did tie for the Eastern League lead in double plays by a third baseman (18).

He was promoted to AAA Columbus on July 5 and played 55 games with the Clippers, batting .230 with nine doubles, six home runs and 22 RBIs. Hensley played 54 games at third for the Clippers and committed 14 errors. He was added to the Yankees 40-man roster in November.

Hensley is a native of Curacao (part of the Netherlands Antilles, located in the Caribbean Sea) and still resides there. He speaks four languages: English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamento."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led Gulf Coast League in games, third basemen (59), 1986. 

Led Gulf Coast League in putouts, third basemen (40), 1986. 

Led Gulf Coast League in assists, third basemen (118), 1986. 

Led Gulf Coast League in total chances, third basemen (178), 1986. 

Led Gulf Coast League in strikeouts (66), 1986.

Named to Gulf Coast League All-Star team (3B), 1986.

Led Carolina League in home runs (28), 1987.

Led Carolina League in errors, third basemen (37), 1987.

Named to Carolina League All-Star team (utility), 1987.

Tied for Eastern League lead in double plays, third basemen (18), 1988.

Named to Eastern League All-Star team (3B), 1988.

Led International League in hit by pitch (9), 1989.

Named International League Player of the Week, June 17-23, 1990.

Named International League Player of the Month, June 1990.

Led International League in total bases (245), 1990.

Named International League Player of the Year, 1990.

Named International League Batter of the Week, June 21-27, 1992.

Named to mid-season International League All-Star team (3B), 1992.

Led International League in home runs (26), 1992.

Led International League in RBIs (100), 1992.

Led International League in runs scored (96), 1992.

Led International League in strikeouts (168), 1992.

Led International League in errors, third basemen (30), 1992.

Named to postseason International League All-Star team (3B), 1992.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Hensley Filemon Meulens "Bam Bam" (OF-3B)     #31

Born June 23, 1967, in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, resides in Coral Springs, Florida. Bats: right, throws: right. Height: 6-3, weight: 210.

Married Chantal (10/21/88), father of Marilese Aimee (4).

Major League service: 1 year, 88 days. Opening Day age: 25.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

R.I.P. Pat Corrales

R.I.P. George Rose

 Domo Arigato

1993 Profile: Frank Tanana

"Went from the Tigers to the Mets as a free agent. The smart veteran continues to win. Tanana reached double figures in victories for the eighth time in nine seasons and ranks fourth among active pitchers with 233 lifetime victories. He had a 96-81 record with the Tigers.

Tanana rebounded after 1-3 with a 7.07 ERA in his first six starts. Moved to the bullpen for two weeks, he returned to post an 11-8 mark with a 4.02 ERA from May 19 though the end of the season.

He was overpowering early in his career- he ranks 14th all-time with 2,657 career strikeouts. He has made an outstanding adjustment to his lost velocity. Tanana understands the importance of taking over the inside of the plate.

The Detroit native was born July 3, 1953. He was the Angels' first-round pick in the 1971 draft."

-John Belis (Bridgewater (NJ) Courier-Post) and Kevin Kernan (San Diego Union), The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1993 Edition

1993 Profile: Lee Smith

1993 NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR

"Size, mound presence and fastball make him one of the most intimidating relief pitchers of all time. Smith led the National League in saves (43) for the second straight season. He has 355 career saves, second only to Jeff Reardon. He and Reardon are the only pitchers to save at least 20 games for 10 straight seasons.

Smith surrendered just one walk in April and recorded his 1,000th career strikeout on May 6. He was slowed by shoulder problems in June, giving up eight earned runs in 13 innings while walking seven, but was selected to his fourth All-Star Game. He saved 12 games in August, most by an NL reliever during a month since John Franco saved 13 in one month in 1988. He was sidelined briefly in September with a rib cage injury. 

Born December 4, 1957, in Jamestown, Louisiana, he was the Cubs' second pick in the 1975 draft. In 1987, Smith became the first National League reliever with 30 or more saves in four consecutive seasons. He was traded from the Red Sox to the Cardinals for Tom Brunansky on May 4, 1990."

-John Belis (Bridgewater (NJ) Courier-Post) and Kevin Kernan (San Diego Union), The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1993 Edition

1993 Profile: Bernie Williams

"Graceful center fielder has star potential. Williams established himself at the big league level after his July 31 recall from Columbus (AAA). The patient leadoff hitter made 60 consecutive starts after the recall and reached base safely in 56. The switch-hitter batted .328 in the final 29 games and reached safely in each. Williams flashed his power with a 445-foot home run in Detroit on August 10.

He has blazing speed once he is underway, but has poor instincts on the bases. He needs a great deal of work on his base-stealing skills.

Williams won the Carolina League (AA) batting title with a .338 average in 1988 and was a heralded prospect throughout his fine minor league career. Born September 13, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he was signed by the Yankees as a free agent in September 1985."

-Tony DeMarco (Ft. Worth Star-Telegram) and Tom Pedulla (Gannett Newspapers), The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1993 Edition

"The arrival of Bernie Williams has been heralded for years. At first, he was a speck in the distance at Class-A Oneonta. Then the speck got bigger. Albany-Colonie ... Columbus ... New York ... he had arrived.

But he didn't stay. A mirage. Back to Columbus.

Now he's back and everyone is convinced, Bernie Williams is here to stay. To emphasize the point, first Bernie Williams was shifted to left field, then Roberto Kelly to Cincinnati, leaving Williams in center field.

His last (he hopes) journey to Columbus was Bernie's wake-up call. He started the 1992 season in New York, played two games and was on his way back to Columbus. Instead of pouting, Williams dug in, batted .308 in 95 games and forced the Yankees to send him a return ticket to New York.

He was recalled on July 31 and played every inning of every game thereafter, not by default, but on merit. A .280 average, 39 runs, 14 doubles. five homers and 26 RBI in 60 games, plus the kind of blanket coverage in centerfield that is mandatory in Yankee Stadium.

One of those homers was a 445-foot tape-measure job in Tiger Stadium. An omen?

This is not a home run champ in the making, but there is power in that 6-2, 180-pound body.

'I'm still growing,' Williams says. 'I'll get stronger and probably hit home runs by accident. But I've got to get on base more and steal more bases. That has to be my main objective.' "

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

FOR BERNIE WILLIAMS, BECOMING A YANKEE IS A DREAM FULFILLED

Name: Bernie Williams

Marital Status: Married to Waleska.

How We Met: In college in Puerto Rico.

Children: Bernie Alexander, 2.

Siblings: Hiram, 22.

First Job/Salary: Scraping and painting our family house in the summer.

Worst Job: See above.

Book I'd Recommend: The Bible.

Favorite Musical Artist: Acoustic Alchemy.

The Best Album Ever Was: Journey's Escape.

Favorite Subject In School: Math.

Least Favorite Subject In School: History.

Favorite Food: Yellow rice and shrimp with red beans.

I Absolutely Refuse To Eat: Spinach.

Best TV Show Ever: Cosby.

Best Movie Ever: Glory.

Nobody Knows I Can: Play the guitar.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Butter Pecan.

Pets: None.

Favorite Pet Ever: Rin Tin Tin

Best Manager I Played For On The Way  Up: Buck Showalter.

Biggest Influence On My Pro Career: My dad.

Greatest Joy In My Career So Far: Hitting my first major league home run. It was off Chuck Finley.

Biggest Regret In My Career So Far: Not spending enough time with my family.

Favorite Major League Cities: Chicago and Toronto.

Favorite Ballpark: Skydome.

Toughest Pitcher Ever Faced: Bret Saberhagen.

Best Part Of Being A Yankee Is: I've always wanted to play in Yankee Stadium since I was little.

Worst Part Of Being A Yankee Is: Everybody wants to beat you.

If I Couldn't Be A Ballplayer I'd Be: A doctor.

Occupation I Most Admire: Teacher.

Favorite Baseball Teams As A Kid: Yankees and Pirates.

Favorite Players As A Kid: Reggie Jackson and Rod Carew.

Players I'd Pay To Watch Today: Kirby Puckett and Don Mattingly.

Favorite Non-Baseball Sports Team I Root For: Chicago Bulls.

This Guy Wears Me Out: Duane Ward.

Favorite Hitting Background: Detroit.

Best Field Is In: Kansas City.

Most Underrated Opponent: Mike Devereaux.

Pitcher With The Best Fastball: Bret Saberhagen.

Pitcher With The Best  Curve: Scott Sanderson.

Pitcher With The Best Slider: Duane Ward.

-Ed Randall, 1993 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program

FOR BERNIE, THE KEY IS CONFIDENCE

"The boy has become a man.

Seven years have passed since the wiry kid from San Juan, Puerto Rico, signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on his 17th birthday. Bernie Williams is now 24, married, the father of a young son and ready to inherit one of the most prestigious positions in the game of baseball- centerfield at Yankee Stadium.

He will romp in the grass that was once the private playground for Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Bobby Murcer. The place where Roberto Kelly, an All-Star in 1992, plied his trade until Williams' performance in the minors- combined with a strong showing in the majors during the latter stages of last season- made Kelly expendable.

'It's an awesome responsibility,' Williams says. 'To be the everyday centerfielder of the New York Yankees. To fill the shoes of DiMaggio, Mantle, Murcer, even Roberto Kelly- I see that as a very big responsibility. But I'm up to the challenge this year. I'm very confident.'

It is a confidence that has been apparent since the first day of spring training when Williams walked into camp at Fort Lauderdale Stadium knowing he was to be the centerfielder. Manager Buck Showalter had told him so in early February at the Yankees' annual Fan Festival.

'I just felt it was something he needed to hear,' the manager explained. 'I'm very cautious about telling a player he'll be at a certain position if I don't know for sure it will continue. But, if he's healthy, Bernie is going to be our centerfielder this season. I felt like (telling him) would help Bernie's frame of mind coming into spring training.'

It was a much different scenario than last spring training when Williams, the club's everyday centerfielder for the second half of the 1991 season, learned that Kelly would be Showalter's centerfielder come Opening Day. No discussion. No competition. No thanks for a job well done.

At the time, the rookie manager said he was concerned with Kelly's delicate psyche. It was an injury to Kelly's wrist which had necessitated Williams' promotion from Triple-A Columbus in the first place- an injury that caused Kelly to miss six weeks of that 1991 season and then to be unceremoniously and unhappily shifted to leftfield by then-manager Stump Merrill.

While Showalter pacified Kelly, he also shook Williams' confidence to the core. Williams had come to camp figuring- understandably- that he was in the majors to stay, only to quickly and painfully learn otherwise. He was on the Opening Day roster due only to an injury to Danny Tartabull, but, less than two weeks into the season, was shipped back to Columbus.

He returned to the Bronx on July 31 and played every inning of the season's remaining 60 games, the final 54 in centerfield while Kelly fumed alongside him. By season's end, Williams had shown the Yankees who the centerfielder of their future was. In early November, Kelly was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for left fielder Paul O'Neill.

The transaction, which warranted barely a mention in the newspapers in Williams' hometown of Alta Vega, Puerto Rico, did wonders for the player's frame of mind. But actually hearing the words come from Showalter's lips- that Williams would be the Yankees center fielder in 1993- made all the difference.

'I wasn't happy about it. But I understood why they did what they did last year,' Williams says. ' We had too many established big-league outfielders. There was no room for me to make the lineup every day. It would have done me no good to sit on the bench and watch them play. So I went down and turned it into a positive.'

By the time he left Columbus- most figured for good- Williams was hitting .306 with eight homers and 50 RBI and 20 stolen bases. His manager with the Clippers, Rick Down, now the Yankees hitting coach, said Williams was the International League's best player.

'Bernie did everything,' Down says. 'He's complete. Does he have everything? I don't know. It's a big burden to say that a young player can do everything. Is he going to be the next Mickey Mantle? No. Nobody is. But he will help make a major league ball club a championship ball club.'

To say Williams finished the 1992 season strong is to slight him. After going 0-for-6 on September 6 and dropping his batting average to .235, he reached base safely in each of the season's final 29 games. The switch-hitter batted .328 over that span and raised his batting average to .280.

It was the kind of performance the Yankees had been predicting for years and are hoping they'll see in 1993.

'People forget just how young he is,' says  Showalter. 'That's why we've been so patient with him coming up.'

Looking back, Williams says it seems like such a long time ago that he was breaking into professional baseball with Sarasota in 1986. He hit only right-handed then. It wasn't until 1988 at Class-A Prince William that he began switch-hitting. After he hit .335 with seven homers and 45 RBI for the Cannons, the Yankees knew they had a keeper.

'That put me on the map,' he says. 'After that, everything seemed to move forward.'

Not that there weren't setbacks. Williams hit just .252 at Double-A Albany in 1989 and .216 in 50 games at Columbus that same season. And there was that .238 clunker he was responsible for in 85 games with the Yankees in 1991. Yet he has now advanced to the point where the Yankees feel there is nothing he can't do.

'I think he can be a good, solid center fielder for us,' says General Manager Gene Michael, the man who pulled the trigger on the Kelly trade. 'He'll hit and he'll be on base. What we want most from him is to improve his base running. We want him more relaxed when he's running the bases. We'd also like him to get more comfortable fielding the ball and throwing. As for going to get the ball, he's fine.

Williams spent a good deal of time during spring training working on both his base running and fielding skills with bench coach Ed Napoleon. The extra tutoring will help, as will the fact that he will no longer have to look over his shoulder at Kelly or anyone else. The job is his.

'He feels he belongs now,' says Michael. 'He's no longer feeling his way around. I think he'll be OK.'

Williams agrees. He says he is much more comfortable as a major league this time around, both on the field and off, and in his dealings with fans and reporters. Where he was almost reticent to speak before, Williams is now, if not loquacious, then surely conversational.

'I'm much more confident,' he says. 'It's exciting to be here and I think I've learned to handle situations better, to handle the attention, the media. The players and coaching staff have made me feel like one of the guys.

'It feels great because everyone is sort of counting on me to have a good performance. And this is also a great opportunity for me to learn. I'm surrounded by great hitters- Wade Boggs, Don Mattingly, Paul O'Neill, Danny Tartabull. It's a great situation. I'm surrounded by people I can learn from.'

An off-season conditioning program, which was interrupted by arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, has added seven pounds of bulk to Williams' upper body. The outfielder says he thinks the added weight will help improve his bat speed and keep him strong through the entire 162-game schedule.

'Those last 30 or 40 games are what will make a season,' he says.

So there you have it. A new job. An improved body and a new maturity which he credits, in part, to the birth of his son, Bernie Jr., now 2.

'It makes you realize that you're not doing this for yourself but for your family,' he says. 'They're counting on you. The least you can do is give 100 percent.'

'He is a lot more sure of himself,' says Showalter. 'There's a different air about Bernie, an air of confidence that he is ready for the challenge of the next level.' "

Don Burke, 1993 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program

"Bernie began the 1992 season on the 25-man roster. He played in two games, one of them a start, and went 1-for-5. On April 15 he was optioned to Columbus as pitcher Russ Springer was recalled.

He hit home runs from each of the plate on June 5 at Toledo. He set a Clippers record with two triples in one inning on June 7 against Rochester, and in only 95 games led the club with nine triples, which tied for the IL league lead. Williams was the organization's Player of the Month for June and IL Batter of the Week, June 7-13.

He played in 95 games for the Clippers and hit .308 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs. Bernie was recalled on July 31 with Danny Tartabull moving to the disabled list. On August 1 he was inserted into the leadoff spot in the batting order and played every inning for the rest of the season. After his recall Bernie started three games each in right field and left field before becoming a fixture in center on August 7.

He hit in his first four games back in the Bronx (5-for-18) and from August 7-17 hit three homers. His round-tripper on August 10 at Detroit off John Doherty hit the facing of the roof in right field at Tiger Stadium.

Williams hit in his last nine games in August, raising his average from .226 to .246, and from August 23-September 13 hit in 19 of 20 games at a .303 (27-for-89) pace.

After going 0-for-6 on September 1 at Milwaukee, he reached base safely in the final 29 games of the season, hitting .328 (41-for-105, 10 BB); from August 12 to the end of the season, Bernie reached safely in 48 of 49 games. He walked in seven straight games, August 16-22, and on August 24 against a contending Milwaukee club reached base safely four times (1-for-2, 3 BB).

Bernie hit in ten consecutive games from September 2-13. Included was a four-hit game against Kansas City on September 12. After taking the collar on September 14, he hit in his next seven games (13-for-32) including five multi-hit efforts. Williams doubled in six straight games from September 16-22 and on September 24 against Detroit went 3-for-4 with a triple, RBI and three runs scored. From September 6 through the end of the season, he hit .333, raising his average from .236 to .280 and ended the season by hitting in five straight.

Williams played winter ball for Arecibo in Puerto Rico, playing in just seven games. His winter ball season was interrupted when he underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on December 19 to repair ligament damage in his left knee. The surgery was performed by Dr. Dan Kanell.

After his recall on July 31, Bernie played every inning of every game (558 innings, 60 games) and reached base safely in 56 of those games. Over 162 games his numbers project to a .280 batting average, 13 homers, 102 runs, 68 RBIs, 37 doubles, 76 walks and 18 stolen bases.

He hit .298 (1 HR, 9 RBIs) right-handed and .271 (4 HR, 17 RBIs) left-handed; over his two seasons in the bigs he has hit .245 (3 HR, 22 RBIs) right-handed and .262 (5 HR, 38 RBIs) left-handed.

In 1992 he hit .291 with three home runs at the Stadium, .268 (2 HR, 13 RBIs) on the road. He hit .354 in day games, .325 on artificial turf, and Bernie's home run on August 10 at Detroit traveled 445 feet, the longest homer hit in the American League in August, according to the IBM Tale of the Tape. He also had five outfield assists in only 62 games.

With Columbus he stole 20 bases in 28 attempts. Bernie hit .393 (4 HR, 22 RBIs) batting right-handed and .264 (4 HR, 28 RBIs) left-handed. He finished fourth in the International League in slugging percentage (.485), fifth in on-base percentage (.389) and fifth in the batting race (.306). He was named to the International League mid-season and postseason All-Star teams and was ranked by Baseball America as the fourth best prospect in the IL.

He signed a contract for the 1993 season.

In 1991, Bernie was recalled from Columbus on July 7 and became the Yankee starting center fielder for the remainder of the season.

At the time of his recall he was hitting .294, eight homers, 37 RBIs and nine steals. Hitting left-handed, he was batting .318 (74-for-233) with 14 doubles, four triples, eight homers and 34 RBIs. Hitting right-handed, he was batting .219 (16-for-73) with three RBIs.

Bernie was immediately pressed into service, starting the final game before the break on July 7, against Baltimore, going 1-for-2 with two RBIs- his first hit was a 9th inning single off Gregg Olson. Bernie's first home run came in his fifth game (16th AB) on July 14 at California off Chuck Finley. He then homered in the next game, at Seattle off Bill Krueger.

He started all 20 of the team's games in July, hitting .254 with two home runs and 11 RBIs and walked 15 times. He hit .355 (11-for-31) with two homers and eight RBIs over his first 10 games, but over his final 10 games in July was 7-for-40 with three RBIs.

Bernie started all 31 of the club's games in August. He hit in a season best seven straight games from July 31 -August 6 (10-for-31), raising his batting average from.254 to .276. From August 15-18, he hit a double in four straight games.

On August 21 at Kansas City, Bernie struck out all five times he batted. He became the second Yankee to fan five times, joining Johnny Broaca (a pitcher) who did so on June 25, 1934. On August 28 against Texas, Bernie hit his first home run batting left-handed, off Wayne Rosenthal.

Bernie hit .186 in September. He had a torrid October, hitting .409 (9-for-22) with three RBIs over the final six games, raising his average from .225 to a season-ending .238 mark. Included was his first five-hit performance, in the next-to-last game on October 5 against Cleveland, the second five-hit game by a Yankee in 1991 (after Roberto Kelly). Bernie played winter ball in Puerto Rico.

For the season he hit .343 (23-for-67) with runners in scoring position, including a blistering .483 (14-for-29) with less than two out. He was 3-for-5 with seven RBIs with the bases loaded. He drove in runners from third base with less than two out 10 of 19 times. Bernie reached base safely in his first 13 games, 24 of his first 26 games, and in 69 of 85 games overall (81%). 

Bernie stole 10 bases in 15 attempts. He was one of four Yankees to steal 10 bases (Steve Sax, Roberto Kelly and Pat Kelly the others), the first Yankee foursome to steal 10 bases each since 1985. He hit .255 batting left-handed and .205 batting right-handed. He hit .264 at home, .211 on the road and .290 in day games.

Bernie committed five errors for a .979 fielding percentage.

At Columbus, Bernie was voted to play in the AAA All-Star Game but did not play due to his promotion. He was voted International League Player of the Week for May 26-June 1, hitting .333 with four home runs and nine RBIs and scoring eight runs.

Bernie was signed by the Yankees as a free agent on September 13, 1985. He was signed by Yankee scout Fred Ferreira and recommended by Yankee scout Roberto Rivera. He spent his first professional season at Sarasota in 1986, batting .270 in 61 games with two home runs, 25 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. He led the Gulf Coast League in runs (45) and caught stealing (12) and led GCL outfielders in total chances (123) and putouts (117). Bernie was named as an outfielder on the Gulf Coast League All-Star team.

In 1987 he split time between Ft. Lauderdale and Oneonta. Bernie started the season at Ft. Lauderdale, where he batted .155 (11-for-71) in 25 games with no home runs, four RBIs and nine stolen bases. He separated his shoulder on May 17, missing a month of the season. Upon his return he was assigned to Oneonta, where in 25 games he hit .344 with no homers, 15 RBIs and nine stolen bases. He missed additional games later in the year with a groin pull. 

Bernie played 91 games for 'A' Prince William in 1988 and batted .338 with 72 runs, 16 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs, 45 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. His season ended on July 14 when he ran into an outfield wall at Hagerstown chasing a fly ball, suffering a right navicular (wrist) fracture. He was placed on the disabled list, where he remained for the rest of the season. Despite his curtailed season Williams led the Carolina League in hitting and finished tied for third in triples. Bernie was added to the Yankee 40-man roster in November of 1988.

In 1989, Bernie split a full season of playing time between Albany and Columbus. He started the season with the Clippers, where he hit .216 with eight doubles, a triple, two home runs and 16 RBIs over 50 games. He joined Albany where he hit for both power and a better average. Over 91 games, Bernie hit .252 with 11 doubles, eight triples, 11 home runs and 42 RBIs; his eight triples ranked third in the Eastern League. 30 of his 79 hits went for extra bases and he posted a .443 slugging percentage.

Bernie posted all-star numbers in 1990, playing all year at AA Albany. He hit .289 with 28 doubles, five triples, eight home runs and 54 RBIs while stealing 39 bases over 134 games. He led the Eastern League in stolen bases, runs (91) and walks (98) and was named to the Eastern League All-Star team. Bernie was also named to Baseball America's AA All-Star team and was named in Baseball America's postseason poll as the No. 2 prospect overall in the Eastern League. He led Albany in games (134), at-bats (466), runs (91), hits (131), doubles (28), walks (98) and stolen bases (39).

He had a strong middle of the season- over June and July combined he hit .348 with 14 doubles, four home runs and 34 RBIs over 63 games. He was named Eastern League Player of the Week for July 16-22, hitting .441 (15-for-34) with nine runs and six steals over nine games.

Bernie sparkled in postseason play for Albany when he hit .350 (7-for-20). He played winter league baseball for Arecibo in the Puerto Rican League.

Bernie attends college in Puerto Rico whenever he can, working toward a degree in biology. He graduated from Escuela de Libra Musica in San Juan.

At age 15, Williams won four gold medals in an International track meet and was one of the world's top 400-meter runners for his age group. He played Little League and Babe Ruth League as a youngster, playing against Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez.

Bernie enjoys playing classical guitar and listening to jazz."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led Gulf Coast League in runs (45), 1986.

Tied for Gulf Coast League in caught stealing (12), 1986.

Led Gulf Coast League outfielders in total chances (123), 1986.

Led Gulf Coast League outfielders in putouts (117), 1986.

Named as an outfielder on Gulf Coast League All-Star team, 1986.

Led Carolina League in hitting (.335), 1988.

Named Eastern League Player of the Week, July 16-22, 1990.

Led Eastern League in runs scored (91), 1990.

Led Eastern League in bases on balls (98), 1990.

Led Eastern League in stolen bases (39), 1990.

Led Eastern League in caught stealing (18), 1990.

Led Eastern League outfielders in total chances (307), 1990.

Tied for lead among Eastern League outfielders in double plays (4), 1990.

Named to Eastern League All-Star team, 1990.

Named to Baseball America's AA All-Star team, 1990.

Named in Baseball America's postseason poll as No. 2 prospect overall in Eastern League, 1990

Named International League Player of the Week, May 26- June 1, 1991.

Named to International League All-Star team, 1991.

Shares the major league single-game record (9 innings) for strikeouts (5), August 21, 1991.

Named International League Batter of the Week, June 7-13, 1992.

Named to International League mid-season All-Star team (OF), 1992. 

Named to International League postseason All-Star team (OF), 1992. 

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Bernabe Williams "Bernie" (OF)     #51

Born September 13, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, resides in Guayhabo, P.R. Height: 6-2, weight: 200. Bats left and right, throws right.

Married, Waleska, and father of Bernie, Jr. (2).

Major league service: 168 days. Opening Day Age: 24.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide