New York Yankees AA Farm Club (Eastern League)
Albany County and the Town of Colonie
"Pick the ideal location for a city.
Make it a port on a seagoing river, and root it in a history almost a century older than the United States itself.
Let it be a seat of government, but situate it among three of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the country.
For ideal trade, the position is almost equilaterally among New York, Boston and Montreal, and you've got the Albany-Colonie region- one of the most dynamic capital areas in the country.
Albany-Colonie's prime location, stable economy and quality of living are luring an increasingly diverse population to the Capital Region.
From large corporations to seedling businesses and flourishing arts organizations, the region provides the goods and services to sustain each and allows them direct access to the public policymakers of the Empire State.
It's that simple. This place of trade and transport, of history and beauty. From a daydream to a fact, the Albany-Colonie area is fulfilling the highest expectations of a diverse, growing community."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Town of Colonie Parks & Recreation Department Head: Jim Zambarino
Director of Heritage Park: Geoff Davis
Grounds Manager: John Liburdi, Jr.
Town of Colonie Maintenance: Mike Albertini
Town of Colonie Maintenance: Dave Bearey
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
ALBANY-COLONIE YANKEES OWNERS
FRANK BOULTON (Co-Chairman, Co-CEO)
"Frank Boulton is Co-Chairman of the Albany-Colonie Yankees and serves as Vice-President of the Eastern League of Professional Baseball. He is also the majority owner and chairman of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Kansas City Royals' Carolina League affiliate. Mr. Boulton is active on various National Association of Professional Baseball committees.
In 1986 he was named chairman of a Capital Campaign that raised $6.2 million to build the Great South Bay YMCA. The state-of-the-art facility opened its doors to serve the Long Island community in October of 1991. The gymnasium was dedicated in Frank's honor in January of 1992 for distinguished service. Frank resides on Long Island with his wife Karen and their two daughters, Whitney (8) and Morgan (3 1/2)."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
HANK SMITH (President)
"Hank Smith begins his second year as president of the Albany-Colonie Yankees. Hank, a long-time New York Yankees fan, is a native of the Bronx and was raised in Queens. He is a venture capitalist and independent investor. Prior to his present positions, he was an executive with Intel Corporation, Fairchild Semiconductor and IBM. Smith is also a partner in the group that operates the Glens Falls Redbirds of the New York-Penn League.
No stranger to the Capital District, Smith is a graduate of RPI, where he played baseball. He also earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University.
His interests include antique and classic cars, collecting 50's memorabilia, and horses. Hank lives in Woodstock, Vermont, with his wife and four children."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
ROBERT FRIEDMAN (Vice-President)
"A native New Yorker, Bob is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Middex Development Corporation, a New York-based real estate development company.
He is a graduate of Woodmere Academy and received a degree in economics at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. An avid runner, Friedman has run in and completed 10 marathons, including the New York City and Boston Marathons.
Bob lives on Long Island with his wife Sandy and daughter Jane. Sandy coordinates special education programs at Huntington (N.Y.) High School."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
BARRY GORDON (Co-Chairman and Co-CEO)
"Barry Gordon, Co-Chairman of the Albany-Colonie Yankees and Minor League Sports Enterprises, is a resident of Long Island and Chairman and President of American Fund Advisors, a money management firm on Long Island. No stranger to professional baseball, Barry is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of the Glens Falls Redbirds of the Class-A New York-Penn League.
In 1992 Mr. Gordon was the winner of the Long Island Entrepreneur of the Year Award. A collector of memorabilia, Gordon is director of Sports Heroes, Inc., a publicly owned company that deals in rare sports memorabilia. He is a graduate of the University of Miami and holds a master's degree from Hofstra University.
An avid golfer, Barry and his wife Joan are the proud parents of daughter Jill and son Jeffrey."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
MARK KLEE (Vice-President)
"Mark Klee is the Vice-President/Secretary-Treasurer of the Albany-Colonie Yankees and Minor League Sports Enterprises.
He is also Vice-President of American Fund Advisors on Long Island. Mr. Klee also is no stranger to professional baseball with his involvement with the Glens Falls Redbirds of the New York-Penn League.
Mark graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and went on to receive his master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Klee lives in New Rochelle, N.Y., with his wife and two children."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
NEIL GOLDMAN (Vice-President and General Counsel)
"Neil Goldman is Vice-President and General Counsel of the Albany-Colonie Yankees. He is the senior and managing partner of his own law firm in Garden City, N.Y. In addition to his involvement with the A-C Yankees, Neil is a partner in the Glen Falls Redbirds of the New York-Penn League.
Neil resides in Roslyn Heights, N.Y., with his wife Dina and his son Martin. His interests include golf (he carries a single-digit handicap) and skiing and he has a collection of classic and special interest cars. A lifelong New Yorker, Neil is an avid baseball and Yankees fan. Neil describes being involved with a Yankee team as 'a boyhood dream come true.' "
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
LIMITED PARTNERS
Stephen Milman
Lee H. Idelman
Seth Waugh
Edson V. Mitchell
Richard E. Salomon
S. Parker Gilbert
Grant Kvalheim
Christopher English
Joe H. Moglia
Conrad Berenson
Alec Flamm
Joseph Argilagos
Richard Reiss
Geraldine Karetsky
Dr. Alexander Gellman
Tim Pettee
Zak Gordon
Spiros Segalis
Dr. Ira Posner
Sheila Lee
Pat Britt
Alan H. Schlesinger
Douglas Catalano
Larry Roth
Bert Karlin
Lewis Simon
Joe Chiulli
Roger Gordon
Daniel Ginsburg
Howard Draft
Richard Klee
Arthur Carine
Walter Klee
Joseph O'Donnell
Dr. Ronald Wender
Martin Schubert
Dan Smith
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
GEORGE BREZINSKI, ALBANY-COLONIE YANKEES GENERAL MANAGER
"The 26-year-old Massapequa, NY, native begins his sixth year in baseball and first as general manager of the Albany-Colonie Yankees. He began his baseball career with the Geneva Cubs of the New York-Penn League as an operations assistant. From upstate New York, Brezinski moved on to Midland, Texas, to work for the Double-A Texas League Midland Angels as director of operations for the 1989 and 1990 seasons.
While at Midland, the front office was recognized as having the league's outstanding promotional schedule.
George moved East to join the staff of the Carolina League's Prince William Cannons as assistant general manager for the 1991 and 1992 seasons.
George graduated in 1988 from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, with a B.S. degree in sports administration. Under his leadership the A-C Yankees have instituted many new ideas such as the A-C Yankees World Series Party, the elementary school reading programs, parking passes for season ticket holders, and new and exciting promotions for the 1993 season. When not at Heritage Park, George can be found on the courts playing racquetball or basketball. He currently resides in Clifton Park."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
1993 ALBANY-COLONIE YANKEES MANAGER AND COACHES
MIKE HART (Manager)
"Mike Hart returns to the Eastern League wearing Yankee Pinstripes. Hart managed the Reading Phillies in 1989 and led them to postseason play, only to lose to the A-C Yankees in the semi-final round. The Phillies finished fourth overall. On managing the A-C Yankees, Mike states, 'I'm looking forward to 1993; it will be nice to be on the other side of the fence. In 1989, when I was with Reading, the Albany-Colonie Yankees were so strong, they blew away the rest of the league. It's going to be an interesting season.'
Hart's managing career began in 1987 with the Baltimore Orioles organization. He spent two years there before managing Reading. He has spent three years managing in the Yankee organization. Mike managed Prince William before his move to AA Albany. He led Class-A Prince William to the playoff semi-finals in 1991.
Mike is fortunate to have familiar players on which to build his 1993 team. Yankee infielders Andy Fox and Kevin Jordan have been on Hart's rosters for the last few seasons. Mike has also inherited an experienced pitching because of the build-up of pitchers in Triple-A Columbus and in the Bronx.
The Kalamazoo, Michigan, native knows the ups and downs of minor league baseball after playing 12 years in the minors at three different positions- outfield, second base and third base. In 1978 Hart had his best year as a player at AAA Denver, hitting .320 in 125 games with 142 hits, including 19 homers, 10 triples, 23 doubles and 98 RBIs. He was called up for five games for the Texas Rangers in 1980, then was returned to the minors. He played three more years, stopping at Rochester, Toledo and Columbus, and then ended his playing career in Denver. In 1979, Mike and former Sienna star Gary Holle became good friends while at the Texas Rangers' big league camp. Mike looks forward to renewing ties with Holle this summer.
The new A-C manager and his wife, Mary Kay, reside in Largo, Florida. Mike has two stepsons."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
DAVE SCHULER (Pitching Coach)
"Dave Schuler begins his fifth season with the Yankees organization and his first in Albany-Colonie. As a pitching coach, Schuler is a key man in developing Yankee pitching prospects. The 40-year-old has been a coach for Mike Hart for four seasons- the last two at Prince William, the Yankees Class-A team in the Carolina League.
Schuler started his coaching career in 1984 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha while still pursuing his own pitching career with Triple-A Indianapolis. His playing career lasted 12 years. In that time he spent three seasons in the majors- two with the California Angels from 1979-80 and one with the Atlanta Braves in 1985.
The Framingham, Mass., native started his professional coaching career with the Double-A Vermont Mariners in 1988. He entered the Yankee farm system in 1989 and, like manager Hart, has been climbing the Yankee ladder, splitting the last four seasons between Ft. Lauderdale and Prince William.
Dave and his wife Sherry reside in Colchester, Vermont. He also has two daughters, Erin and Emily, from a previous marriage."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
ROB THOMSON (coach)
"Coach Rob Thomson returns to Albany for his second year with the A-C Yankees and his third year as a coach for Mike Hart. Thomson worked with Hart in Ft. Lauderdale and in Prince William for the 1991 season. The 30-year-old attended the University of Kansas and while there hit an impressive .443 in 1984. His professional baseball career started in the Detroit Tigers' farm system in 1985. Rob played three years as a catcher in the Tiger organization at Bristol, Gastonia and Lakeland. One of his playing highlights was hitting for the cycle on July 9, 1986, against the Spartanburg Phillies.
The Sarnia, Ontario, native started his coaching career in 1988 as a minor league instructor for the Tigers. In 1989 he coached for the London Tigers of the Eastern League, then joined the Yankee organization in 1990.
During the off-season, Rob resides in London, Ontario, with his wife Michele and his daughter Jacqueline."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
BRIAN BUTTERFIELD (coach)
"Brian Butterfield marks the 1993 season as his fifteenth with the New York Yankees organization. The 34-year-old started in 1979 as an infielder for the Oneonta Yankees. He played for five years- his best season was in 1981 when he hit .286 with 74 hits and 27 RBIs for Ft. Lauderdale and was named the squad's Most Valuable Player for the 1981 season.
Last year the Bangor, Maine, native returned to Ft. Lauderdale to manage the Florida State League club. He was named Manager of the Year in 1988 while at Sarasota- the Gulf Coast League team won a division title and the league championship under Butterfield's leadership.
Brian is the son of the late Jack Butterfield, the Yankees' vice-president of player development and scouting. Brian and his wife Jan reside in Tampa, Florida, along with their sons Jack and Chris."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
ALBANY-COLONIE YANKEES FRONT OFFICE STAFF
DENISE BYRD (Director of Finance)
"The newest member of the A-C Yankees staff is Pittsburgh, PA, native Denise Byrd. Denise began her baseball career last year as business manager of the Class-A Peninsula Pilots in Hampton, Virginia. Her responsiblities with the Pilots included everything from sales and finance to the development of the Peninsula Pilots Community Care Network. Denise joins the A-C Yankees as director of finance.
Denise graduated from Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh with a degree in sports management. Before beginning her baseball career, she worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League for two years in the public relations department. In addition to working with many local and national charities, Denise was a co-chairman for the American Cancer Society. She resides in Schenectady."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
WILLIAM "RIP" ROWAN (Director of Public Relations and Sales)
"Ithaca College graduate Rip Rowan begins his eighth year with the A-C Yankees. Rip worked with Ben Bernard to bring the the current franchise to Albany. Since then he has remained at Heritage Park through three different dynasties.
As director of public relations, Rip has been involved in all aspects of the baseball business. He has also seen many young baseball stars advance to the big leagues, and says, 'That is one my favorite aspects of my baseball career.'
If Rip looks familiar to you, then you probabley saw him on Channnel Ten, where he was sports director for 21 years. During that time, he was able to attend several World Series, as well as Super Bowl IX when the Pittsburgh Steelers won their first NFL championship.
Besides being a lifelong Yankee fan, the Amsterdam, New York, native is also an avid golfer and a Syracuse University football fan. Rip has two children, Dawn and Will. Dawn is a college student in California and Will resides with Rip in Colonie."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
JOHN THOMAS (Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations)
"25-year broadcast veteran John Thomas has signed on for his fourth year as the voice of the Albany-Colonie Yankees. Thomas began his career with the Yankees as the public address announcer in 1985. During the off-season, John is a sales executive for the club and is also the public address announcer for SUNY Albany basketball games.
Before joining the A-C Yankees, Thomas was the sports director at radio station WGY in Albany for six and a half years. Some of his career highlights while at WGY included covering RPI's drive to the NCAA Division I Hockey Championship, Mike Tyson's rise to the heavyweight boxing championship, and spring training of the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox in Florida.
In August of 1991, Thomas was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame of the Glove City Colonials. The semi-pro club honored him for his many years of broadcasting and volunteer work. John graduated from Ulster Community College and the Career Academy School of Broadcasting in New York.
When not on the road, he resides in Johnstown with his wife, Marilyn, and son, Jim."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
MATT LISCUM (Director of Stadium Operations)
"Matt Liscum begins his fourth season as director of stadium operations. Liscum started his career with the Yankees as an intern from Cortland State College and was hired prior to the 1990 season. His duties include concessions, the First Base Cafe, game-day personnel and off-season sales.
The Syracuse native graduated from Cortland State with a B.S. degree in physical educaton and a minor in management. Besides working on sales during the winter, Matt continued his post-graduate studies at Oneonta. Upon his completion of one more semester, he will have an M.S. in counselor education. Matt currently resides in Albany."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
CATHY LEET (Director of Publications and Ticket Sales
"The Cortland native begins her second year with the Albany-Colonie Yankees as director of publications and ticket sales. Last year, Cathy was an intern from Cortland State College and was involved in all areas of the baseball business including tickets, publications, sales, accounting and the summer baseball camp. This year, she is involved in the yearbook, newsletters, ticket sales and season tickets.
Leet received a B.S. degree in physical education from Cortland State with a minor in management and a concentration in sports management. During the off-season, she was assistant statistician for the Capital District Islanders hockey team.
Besides being a rabid Yankees fan, Cathy enjoys volleyball and racquetball in her spare time. She currently resides in Schenectady."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
DENNIS HANNAY (Director of Stadium Operations/Community Relations)
"Dennis Hannay joined the A-C Yankees as a stadium operations intern at the beginning of the 1992 baseball season. He was involved in all aspects of baseball operations including concessions, marketing and working with local charities. He accepted his current position with the Yankees after the 1992 season.
Hannay possesses a B.S. degree in business from Boston University and has worked in capital and finance. He is completing a master's degree program in sports management at Springfield College in Massachusetts."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
GREG SPRATT (Trainer)
"Joining Mike Hart's staff for the 1993 season is 27-year-old Greg Spratt. Spratt replaces Darren London, who has been promoted to Triple-A Columbus. The Owensboro, Kentucky, native signed as a trainer with the Yankee organization in 1990.
Spratt's first assignment was with the Oneonta Yankees when Oneonta had a championship season with the help of pitching prospect Sam Millitello. From Oneonta, Greg moved south to North Carolina to work with the Yankees' South Atlantic League team, the Greensboro Hornets. Spratt was the trainer for the Northern Division team in the 1991 SAL All-Star Game. He was voted 1992 Trainer of the Year by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainer's Society.
Spratt obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville. In 1986, while attending college, he was the trainer for the champion Louisville Cardinals and the U.S. Pan American basketball team. Greg attended Ohio State for his master's degree."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
IN MEMORIAM: JEFFREY SCOTT HOFFMAN "Hoffy" 1967-1992
"Pitcher Jeff Hoffman passed away on August 29, 1992, in Binghamton, New York. Cardiac arrhythmia, an undetected heart disease, was the cause of his tragic death. While with the A-C Yankees, the Fremont, Michigan, native compiled a 6-9 record with a 4.09 earned run average. Hoffman made 35 appearances with 14 starts and three saves. The 24-year-old pitched 121 innings and struck out 42 batters while walking 37.
The Albany-Colonie Yankees would like to thank the many Albany fans who contributed to the Jeff Hoffman Memorial Fund and for their support during that tragic time.
A few words in memory of Jeff from teammate and close friend Kirt Ojala:
"As I sit here watching the Daytona 500, Hoffy crosses my mind again. Jeff was the biggest racing fan I ever knew. The only time he wasn't early for the bus was when there was a race on TV.
Whenever Jeff crosses my mind, I think of how unique he was. It was such a special quality that he mastered. Hanging around Jeff always kept you on your toes. He could make you laugh by doing almost nothing. The one thing you could expect from him was honesty. He was always an honest man. A family man. He loved his wife and was so excited to have a baby.
I was rooming with him in Binghmangton when he found out Teresa was pregnant. He hung up the phone and said with a huge grin, 'I'm going to be a papa!'
That's just one of the special moments I'll always remember when I think of Jeff. And for other friends, there are so many more memories. He had such a positive effect on so many people that he will not be forgotten.
God Bless you, Jeff.
0.J.
GUESS WHO'S HERE ...
Name: Mary Elizabeth Hoffman
Born: March 4, 1993
Time: 10:08 p.m.
Weight: 8 lbs., 4 oz., 20 1/2 inches
"It's difficult to do justice to Jeff in just a short paragraph, but he was a wonderful and special person. He was quiet and personal and he didn't let a lot of people see the real him. I never realized how many lives Jeff touched or influenced until his death. It was evident by the numerous responses I received from around the country. It touched me to know that others found him special just as I found him special. He didn't boast or brag, but he had a modesty of himself. He was kind and patient. He loved baseball, and just as any other minor league player, dreamed of making it to the 'big league.' But more than anything he loved his family and unborn child. He was so excited that he was an expectant daddy. I've been told by friends and family that they thought he was the happiest he had ever been. We both were. Jeff was a Christian man and was liked by all his teammates. He died a happy, loving man. There is nothing he left behind that he would feel guilty about. I am proud of Jeff and who he was. He left behind a legacy that his daughter will also be proud of. I'll have many good memories to share with his daughter as she grows. Although he is no longer with us in body, his spirit will be with us forever. He is now in a bigger league than any of us. I know that Jeff is now with God. That is comfort enough."
With All Our Love to You, Jeff
Your Wife Teresa and Your Daughter Mary Elizabeth
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
DIARY OF SPRING TRAINING
Darren Hodges and Ron Frazier as told to George Brezinski
"Darren Hodges and Ron Frazier are both young, talented pitchers moving up the ladder in the Yankee organization. During spring training, they agreed to keep a diary for five days as they both work toward making the Double-A club in Albany. Darren began the 1992 season in Albany and was later sent down to Class-A Prince William while Ron spent the entire 1992 campaign with Prince William."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Darren, Tuesday, March 23, Tampa, Florida
"I woke up around 7:30 to have breakfast with the guys. We had to be over to the field, dressed by 9:30. All I was thinking about was getting back into pitching strength.
First thing we did every day was stretch for about a half-hour. During spring training that was extremely important. After that the pitchers took some ground balls in the bullpen. They made a game out of it; there was a screen behind us and if one got by you, it's like hockey- that was a score against you.
Next we had to work on team defense. I was with the Albany group, so we worked with our manager Mike Hart. Today they stressed bunt defense- who would cover which base in different situations. After that, the team took batting practice and I went to the bullpen to throw. I was working on my fastball and changeups. I only threw about 35 pitches. I was mostly thinking about getting into game situations. Normally at this point we would get ready for the game, but it got cloudy, so everybody started praying for rain. In spring training, if it rained, you were done for the day. At around 12:30, it started to pour. We just went in and had some soup and hung around for awhile watching the rain.
The rest of the day I was free; I just hung around the hotel. Tonight we're going out to a country bar. Mostly I go out with the guys I was drafted with- I don't see them all season if they are on a different club so it's great to hang out with them. Our curfew is midnight, which I'll make of course!"
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Darren, Thursday, March 25, Dunedin, Florida
"Today was my pitch day. It seems to be easier to get up on days when I'm pitching. I was at the park at 8:45 and stretched early. We were playing Knoxville (the Blue Jays' AA team) today in Dunedin. I wanted to make sure I worked on my release point because it is something that has been causing problems for me.
The first three innings went by slowly. I came in during the fourth and my pitch count was at 50. That lasted three innings. I felt good and threw well, striking out three and walking zero. Dave Schuler talked to me after I came out for about 20 minutes about different situations and what he liked and didn't like. After the game, I did some light running to cool down.
By the way, the weather was perfect today- low humidity and 78 degrees. I made it back to the hotel around 4:30 and studied some videotapes of my day pitching."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Darren, Friday, March 26, Tampa, Florida
"Today was an easy day; the running was light. We worked on team bunting drills most of the morning. They also drilled us on pick-off plays that we will use during the season, like shortstop covering when a guy is on second- and when to know if he's breaking for the bag. During batting practice, we shagged flies in the outfield.
We mostly talk about who's doing well and where certain people may end up. Tonight I talked to Dolly, my wife, for a while to see how she is doing. She is looking forward to the season, but it's as tough on her as anyone because she doesn't know where she will be living."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Darren, Saturday, March 27, Tampa, Florida
"I worked out with Albany today, but after stretching and batting practice, I threw in a simulated game with the Tampa team- the rookie-level club. It's simulated because all nine guys stay in the field the entire time; only the pitchers change. I threw all right, but the defense behind you is different with a rookie-level club than with the Albany club. After my 35 pitches, I was done throwing for the day.
Tonight, all the guys went to Whiskey Joe's, which is down by the by the water. It's laid back and they have a reggae band- all the guys go there."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Darren, Sunday, March 28, Tampa, Florida
"Today I woke up late, so I grabbed breakfast at McDonald's. I stretched and ran as usual. They stressed team defense today and worked on rundowns. After the usual batting practice, we did Dry Side, which is when I work in the bullpen and go through the motion of pitching but don't throw. I was in the bullpen with Dave Schuler. He working on my release point and follow-through.
I got back to the hotel around 2:30. We ended up beating Arkansas today, 5-1. I guess that's about it; we tend to get into a routine towards the end of spring training and the pressure continues to build, but I figure as long as I continue to work and do the best I can, I can continue this diary from Albany!"
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Ron, Wednesday, March 24, Tampa, Florida
"I woke up around 8:30 and made it down for breakfast. They had a buffet that the players went to in the hotel. Once I got on the field I stretched until 10:00. Next we did pitching drills- it was like a mass infield practice: basically come-backers and covering first and third. Next we met with the infielders. We discussed different situations and how to defense them. After that we did our running; I tried not to run too hard since I pitched today.
I started the game at 1:00- that was the time our games began every day. Right now I'm on a 50-pitch count and I'm working on my slider. This is the big difference in spring training- the coaches want me to work on the slider, so even if I throw it for a ball, they went me to come in again with it. Sometimes you can get hit really hard in a spring training game, but it's only because you're not throwing your best pitches- you're always working on something. If I throw my best pitches, it's like a cop-out.
I pitched well today- four innings pitched, three strikeouts and one walk. The only problem was my 52 pitches only took me three innings. Normally you should be able to go four with that number but I went deep into the count against too many guys. After I pitched, I went to ice down. Then I showered and went back to the hotel at 2:30. It feels like the days I pitch are the quickest days."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Ron, Thursday, March 25, St. Petersburg, Florida
"Today was my bullpen day. A couple days after you pitch, lactic acid builds up in your arm and you have to throw to get it out. I threw about 40 pitches and my arm felt great. After lunch, I got ready for the game, which was at 1:00. Today we played Arkansas in St. Petersburg. I had to chart pitches. It was a beautiful day and we won, 6-4.
After the game, we rode the bus back to the hotel. Tonight we went out to a beach bar and relaxed. They are pretty strict about spring training curfews- they don't want any problems, so I made sure I was in by midnight."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Ron, Friday, March 26, Tampa, Florida
"Today was the day after my 'bullpen' so I know it's going to be light running. Our rotation is mixed up a little, but now we are back to five starters. This is probably my favorite because the running is so light. You basically have four days of running, and it gets lighter as you get closer to your pitch day. We had a team meeting after our stretching and Mike (Hart) talked about game situations.
Pitchers have it easy in spring training compared to hitters. Hitters always to stay for the games, and even if they don't start, they will be used as extras. They always have to stay all day, but if I'm not charting I can go back to the hotel and relax. I know tomorrow is a big day for me, so I'll enjoy today's rest."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Ron, Saturday, March 27, Tampa, Florida
"Today was my game day, so I went to the park a little early. We played at home against St. Petersburgh. After lunch, I read the newspaper to keep busy before the game. Then I went out, stretched again and loosened up by throwing about 40 pitches in the bullpen.
I'm up to 65 pitches in my pitch count, which today lasted four innings. I had three good innings and one bad one when I gave up a couple of runs. The results of the game don't really matter in spring training, and I'm satisfied with my performance. After the four innings, I showered and headed back to the hotel."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Ron, Sunday, March 28, Tampa, Florida
"Today was the day after I pitched, so I knew it would mean more heavy running. After we stretched, we had some brief instruction, and then it was right into batting practice. I guess you could say this was camaraderie time because all the pitchers hang around in the outfield, shagging flies. After batting practice, the hitters eat and I get ready to run.
Today I did 16 poles, which is about 20-25 minutes of running. It gets tough in the heat- today it was about 86 degrees. Then it's game time; today we played Clearwater, but since it's my day after throwing and I didn't have to chart, I could go back to the hotel.
That's five days in the life of a minor leaguer's spring training. The only regret I have is that the weather has not been so great here, but from what I hear, I'm better off in Florida during March than in Albany. Of course, I hope to be spending the rest of the season in upstate New York!"
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
TAYLOR, THE FLAME THROWER
"Brien Taylor may be known as the million-dollar man. But make no mistake, this guy is for real.
And so is his arm. Albany-Colonie Yankee fans will have a chance to see Taylor's bionic pitching form this season.
Taylor is happy to make his Double-A debut in Albany, just two and a half hours from the Bronx and the big-league Yankees.
'I can get acclimated to that,' said Taylor in a phone conversation from Ft. Lauderdale at the New York Yankees' spring training camp. 'They tell me it's pretty cold up there. I don't think I'll have a problem with it, though. We started the season back home in high school in winter. You don't throw as hard when it's cold, but you adapt and throw harder as the weather warms up.'
The Yankees' No. 1 draft pick of 1991 favors a hearty meal to start his championship days. 'I like scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon or sausage,' says the 6-foot- 4, 204-pound Taylor.
While Taylor loves a home-cooked meal, he has found that life in baseball isn't always conducive to such luxuries. In his 1992 rookie season at Class-A Ft. Lauderdale, he found the next best thing to be a meal at TGI Friday's, Denny's or Bennigans. Taylor will be in luck. He will have two of his three favorite eateries in Albany.
Taylor was drafted at age 19, after he graduated from East Carteret High School in his hometown of Beaufort, North Carolina. He signed with the Yankees for $1.55 million in August of '91 with the help of his mom, Bettie Taylor.
While Bettie grappled with the fundamentals of contracts and tie idiosyncracies of major league baseball negotiations, the bottom line was Brien's fastball that sealed the deal. He has been clocked as high as 99 m.p.h. and consistently in the mid-90s.
'In spring training he was very impressive. He's one of the ones who doesn't come along very often,' says Buck Showalter, New York Yankees manager.
With the signing, Taylor's bonus was the highest paid to a minor league player in the 125-year history of professional baseball. He knows economics- after all, it isn't every day that the Yankees or any ballclub has the chance to sign a pitcher who throws heat like Taylor with a 0.86 ERA in 80 innings of play and 213 strikeouts to his credit as a schoolboy.
Bettie Taylor also knows the theory of supply and demand. 'It took us by complete surprise when Brien was named the No. 1 pick,' she says. 'Brien was thrilled. That was indeed an honor for him.'
And she admits it wasn't easy going up against the Yankee brass. She turned down two offers, the second of which was reported to be $650,000 before the final offer was accepted.
'Some of the neighbors thought I had lost my senses, but nobody came right out to tell me that,' she says. 'Todd Van Poppel had signed (with Oakland) for $1.2 million in 1990, and Brien was every bit as talented. I only wanted for him what was fair.'
She spoke proudly of Brien, and of his brothers and sisters. 'Brien is a quiet person,' she says. 'He's not loud. He doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve. He gets along well with his friends, and he'll socialize, but he's a private person. He keeps to himself. He gets that from me.'
At age 14, Bettie was one of two black students to integrate East Carteret High School back in 1965, and she says she feels what she learned from her situation has helped her to prepare her children for success.
'That strengthened me,' she says. 'It realized that a person can do anything he or she wants to do in life. I've tried to raise all my kids to have that attitude. With hard work and stick-to-itiveness, anything is possible.
'Brien's older brother, Brenden, played basketball and he was very good,' Bettie Taylor said from in a phone interview from her North Carolina home. 'His sister, Wyleen, plays J.V. basketball, and she's into softball. She'll play in the county league at first base. She's 14. Wutasha is only seven. She's started playing basketball and softball. We're a sports-oriented family. We have cable TV, and that's where we are now, watching basketball.'
Brien's dad Willie, who Bettie affectionately calls 'Ray,' has been a positive influence, too, as the family was thrust into the national spotlight with Brien's signing. 'Ray is an outgoing person. He's an outdoorsman, energetic, hardworking and involved,' she says. 'He was my pillar of strength through Brien's contract negotiations.'
Willie 'Ray' Taylor supports his family as a self-employed stonemason, and Bettie has worked as a crab processor in their coastal town. The Taylors have a modest lifestyle, making their home in a trailer until September 1992. It was then that the family moved into a house they had begun to build through Brien's high school years. With a contribution from his signing bonus, the finishing touches were complete for Brien's homecoming after his first full season of professional baseball.
Taylor got his first look at minor-league life after his signing with the Instructional League in Tampa. He played at Class-A Ft. Lauderdale in 1992, after having a taste of major-league baseball as a non-roster invitee to the Yankees spring training camp. He lived in an Econolodge suite with roommates Rickey Rhodes, Brian Faw and John Quintell, who joined Albany in late 1991 and served as a backup catcher in 1992 for two months before heading to Ft. Lauderdale to see more playing time.
'Brian is a good guy. He was just himself and he handled his situation very well,' Quintell says. 'He is easy to live and work with. He has his own opinion, but he isn't afraid to take instruction. At first, batters are in awe of him. The publicity gets there before he does. In a game, that goes out the window.
'He handles the media well, and there are plenty of reporters after him. They've been pretty kind to him. It could put a lot of pressure on him, but for the kind of money he signed for, he's got to expect it.
'As a roommate, we stayed out of each other's way, but we all went to dinner together, or to clubs or to the beach. He didn't flaunt his money or his status at all. A few of the guys had cars. Brian drove a Mustang.'
The minor-league salary range for Double-A ballplayers in the Yankee system is $1,500 to $2,100 a month. Luckily for Taylor, he has his signing bonus and money from baseball card royalties to fall back on, if necessary. He signed with Scoreboard's Classics Division and Topps.
'I laugh at the amounts that I supposedly make,' Taylor says.
Taylor would rather not talk about money.
He'd rather talk about baseball.
'I try to throw strikes, keep control and communicate with my catcher, ' he says. 'I don't usually notice who the batter is ... I need to work on my pick-off move and my defense.'
He'll talk basketball.
'It was my second love in high school. I played wing and low post. I played every year. I think I was averaging 18-20 points per game with 10 or 11 rebounds. My brother played, too.'
He'll share his music interests.
'I listen to Christopher Williams, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, a little bit of soul, a little bit of rap.'
Brien remembers his friends.
'They all act the same toward me now. That's good. My cousin, Duane Davis, and I are close. My friend, Timmy Reels, is still in school, a junior in high school. He's a pretty good basketball player. He may be ranked (on national recruiting lists) next year.'
He'll discuss family.
'They have been my inspiration. They help me keep my love of the game. Brenden is an easy-going guy, very popular in our town. He works with my dad. Wyleen is trying to develop her athletic talents. Wutasha is bright and mature for her age.'
Brien Taylor lived a normal childhood and outside of baseball he leds the life of a quiet, yet sociable, 21-year-old. He loves Cosby. He lifts weights at the gym. He reads. He eats. He sleeps. On occasion, he'll show up at a nightclub with his friends.
'My life hasn't changed much,' Taylor says. 'I can obtain things now that I couldn't before, but my values haven't changed.'
Taylor is adjusting to all of the attention, and he doesn't mind signing autographs as long as people understand he has a job to do.'
'It gets tough when you see the same people day after day in line to get autographs. You want to give everyone a chance. You look for the kids.'
Taylor hopes to be a role model for young kids. And he plans to continue his education. When he was summoned by the Yankees, he had begun his college career at Louisburg Junior College. He would like to study psychology.
'An education is good for everybody. It is an important part of life. It is something that no one can take away. You learn to do things for yourself.'
Taylor started his baseball education with tee-ball at age five. He's never stopped learning.
He loves to watch his favorite pitchers, but he does his own thing on the mound. Orel Hershiser, Roger Clemens and Dwight Gooden have Taylor's professional respect. On a personal and professional level, Taylor is just getting to know one of the newest Yankee pitchers, Jim Abbott.
'He is a real nice guy for the caliber of pitcher that he is. You look forward to running into him and talking to him. I don't imagine there are too many people like him in his position.'
In his rookie season at Ft. Lauderdale, Taylor posted impressive numbers. In 161 1/3 innings, Taylor struck out 187, walked 66 and gave up 121 hits in 27 games with a 2.57 ERA. He had a 6-8 overall record as a starter.
His goals are modest. He hopes to pitch as well as he did as a rookie with a few more games in the win column.
Taylor knows the road to the Bronx goes through Albany, and for a left-hander, that can sometimes mean skipping the next usual stop, Triple-A Columbus.
'Brien needs another full year in the minor leagues,' says New York Yankees General Partner Joe Molloy. 'A lot depends on what he does this year. He could come up in September and see what it is like.'
He never knew much about the Capital District, but he looks forward to getting settled in Albany and do what he loves to do. Play ball."
-Denise Romard, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
BERNIE WILLIAMS TAKES A TRIP ... DOWN MEMORY LANE TO ALBANY
"The road through the minor leagues can sometimes be long and frustrating for a talented young ballplayer, especially when he's forced to turn back.
Bernie Williams had to turn back. The detour later proved to be a welcome one for Williams, who hopes to complete his first full season for the New York Yankees in 1993.
He is accustomed to detours, though. That's why he is playing center field instead of center stage. Luckily for the Yankees, the music world's loss was baseball's gain. On his 17th birthday, Williams chose to play professional baseball instead of playing classical guitar professionally. He signed with the Yankees out of high school. At his high school, San Juan School of Music (English translation), there was no baseball team. Williams played in a competitive league, instead.
Williams played three seasons in the Yankees farm system before his arrival in Albany in 1989. He made the trip to Columbus, the Triple-A Yankee affiliate, instead of the normal route from one of the Class-A teams. He played more than 50 games for the Clippers before joining the Albany-Colonie Yankees to finish the season.
'We had a great team that year,' Williams says. 'It was the second year in a row that Albany won a championship. I think playing in Albany helped to get rid of the frustration I felt, almost making the big league club in spring training and then struggling at Triple-A. Coming back to that winning club and that winning attitude helped me a lot.'
Williams played the 1988 season at Class-A Prince William where he batted .338 with 72 runs, 16 doubles and seven triples. He homered seven times and batted in 45 runs, stealing 29 bases for the Cannons. His season ended on July 14 when he suffered a broken wrist as he slammed into the outfield fence at Hagerstown chasing a fly ball. He still led the Carolina League in hitting for the season.
At Albany, he joined Jim Leyritz, John Ramos, Andy Stankiewicz, Hensley Meulens, Kevin Mmahat and Royal Clayton, who were all with the Yankees in 1993 spring training camp. Other members of the 'Class of '89' included Scott Kamieniecki, Jason Maas, Steve Adkins, Rodney Imes, Tim Layana, Tim Becker, Royal Clayton, Rickey Torres, Bill Fulton, John Green, Carlos Rodriguez, Mike Christopher and Oscar Azocar. They played under the direction of current Yankee boss Buck Showalter.
Williams hit .252 with 11 doubles, eight triples, 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. That year Albany won 92 games, the most of any Double-A Yankee team since the 1980 Nashville Sounds.
He loved Albany. He has fond memories of 1989 and 1990.
Ricky Torres and Oscar Azocar shared an apartment with Williams in Troy near Hudson Valley Community College during the season.
'Rickey did the cooking,' Williams says. 'He was a great cook. He cooked Latin food mostly, rice and beans, shrimp, seafood. We would barbecue after games, too, sometimes at 11 or 12 at night.
'We had a great time. We didn't go out to clubs. I wasn't 21 yet. We did go to the movies. Ricky bought a little car that we used to get around.
'In 1990 I was a little bit upset to be back at Double-A. A bunch of us worked out with AAA all through spring training. Gerald Williams started the season at Prince William. Royal and I went back to Albany.
'The biggest thing we had to realize was that it didn't matter where we were,' Williams says.
Williams and Torres moved to the village of Colonie near the end of the 1989 season. For the 1990 season Williams brought his new wife, Waleska, to live with a family in the village of Colonie.
Bernie and Waleska established a lasting relationship with Brian McNamara and his family. And baseball was a fairly new experience for McNamara. He and Bernie spent more time as friends away from the field.
'Brian's mom was wonderful to us,' Waleska Williams says. 'She was so welcoming. We still keep in touch, and both families visit back and forth from Puerto Rico.
'So many fans in Albany made us feel at home. I'd see Marilyn and Ed and some others every day. In New York, it's not that way. I know a few ushers. That's about it.
'It made a difference when Bernie was on the road. I felt very comfortable venturing all over Albany on my own. In New York, it's bigger, more intimidating. We lived in New Jersey, in Cliffside Park, when Bernie was promoted from Columbus, in 1991. Last year, when Bernie was with New York, he lived in the team hotel, and I visited for only a few weeks.'
Waleska attended the University of Puerto Rico where she hopes to complete a bachelor's degree in nutrition in 1994. Bernie met Waleska as a freshman biology student at the university, where he has completed two years of coursework.
The two are the proud parents of Bernie Alexander, Jr., who will be three in September.
As a family, the three go to their church, The Disciples of Christ, where Waleska sings as a soloist and Bernie accompanies her with his guitar. They go to the movies, to the park, and spend time with each of their families. They are teaching Bernie Alexander to speak Spanish.
'In Puerto Rico, we grow up speaking Spanish, but we are so much part of the United States,' Bernie says. 'In school, from first grade to senior year, English is required. Little Bernie watches Sesame Street. He knows English words like Ernie, Oscar, Big Bird and Elmo.'
The language has never been a problem for Bernie. His mother, Mina, is an English professor.
'My mom's main concern growing up was that we had our schooling, some sort of degree,' Bernie says. 'I have one brother, Hiram. He's a student in mechanical engineering.'
Bernie's dad, Berna, was a member of the Merchant Marines. Later, he found a career working for San Juan County.
Music has been a major part of Bernie's family life. Bernie started playing guitar when he was eight years old.
'When Bernie can, he plays his guitar about 60 percent of the time. He comes home, spends some time with us, watches TV and plays his guitar,' Waleska says.
In Albany and in Columbus, where he also spent time in 1991 and 1992 between recalls to New York, Bernie has entertained the team on road trips with his guitar.
Waleska remembers Albany as a turning point in Bernie's career, and while they don't want to turn back now, she wishes she could find a little bit of Albany in the big city.
'Albany is a place where the players should take advantage of the opportunity to play every day, to show what talent they have. Albany showed Bernie what type of player he can be. That contact with the fans- telling him that they were counting on him and that he had ability- really gave him confidence.'
'He's always had that big word, 'potential,' tossed at him,' Buck Showalter, New York Yankees manager, says. 'It's time for him to start reaching some of that potential.
'He's done everything we've asked him to do at the developmental stages. Now it's time for Bernie to step forward. We think he's ready to make a commitment to a competitive club. He's got a little hop in his step, a little different look in his eye. I think he understands that this is his time.'
Williams hopes to continue in the big leagues without any more detours or too many curves in the road, but he and Waleska will always have fond memories of their passage through Albany."
-Denise Romard, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
1993 ALBANY-COLONIE YANKEES PROFILES
Rich Barnwell (OF)
Born Feb. 29, 1968, in Los Angeles CA., resides in Hawthorne, CA.
Ht.: 6-0, Wt: 190. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 17th round of the June 1989 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Rich Batchelor (P)
Born April 8, 1967, in Florence, SC, resides in Huntsville, SC.
Ht.: 6-1, Wt.: 195. Bats right and throws right.
Signed by the Yankees on April 17, 1990 as an undrafted free agent.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Bubba Carpenter (OF)
Born July 23, 1968, in Dallas, TX, resides in Winslow, AR.
Ht.: 6-1, Wt.: 185. Bats left and throws left.
Signed by the Yankees on May 23, 1991 as a free agent.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Mark Carper (P)
Born September 29, 1968, in Cheverly, MD, resides in Highland, MD.
Ht: 6-2, Wt.: 200. Bats right and throws right.
Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on June 9, 1992.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Joe DeBerry (1B)
Born June 30, 1970, in Spartanburg, SC, resides in Colorado Springs, Co.
Ht: 6-2, Wt.: 195. Bats left and throws left.
Acquired from Cincinnati Reds on November 3, 1992.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Robert Eenhorn (SS)
Born February 9, 1968 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, resides in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Ht: 6-3, Wt.: 175. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the second round of the June 1990 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Brian Faw (P)
Born March 19, 1968, in Huntington, NY, resides in Roswell, GA.
Ht.: 6-0, Wt.: 185. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 17th round of the June 1990 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Andy Fox (3B)
Born January 12, 1971, in Sacramento, CA, where he resides.
Ht.: 6-4, Wt.: 185. Bats left and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the second round of the June 1989 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Ron Frazier (P)
Born June 13, 1969, in Berlin CT, resides in Torrington, CT.
Ht.: 6-2, Wt.: 185. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 12th round of the June 1990 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Doug Gogolewski (P)
Born June 8, 1965, in Detroit Michigan, resides in Brighton, Michigan.
Ht.: 6-2, Wt.: 195. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the regular phase of the June 1987 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Jim Haller (P)
Born December 28, 1966, in Topeka, KS, resides in Shawnee, KS.
Ht.: 6-0, Wt.: 185. Bats and throws left.
Selected by the Yankees in the 24th round of the June 1989 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Darren Hodges (P)
Born November 3, 1969, in Rocky Mount, VA, where he resides.
Ht.: 6-1, Wt.: 190. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the June 1990 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Domingo Jean (P)
Born January 9, 1969, in San Pedro, Dominican Republic, where he resides.
Ht.: 6-2, Wt.: 175. Bats right and throws right.
Acquired from Chicago White Sox on January 10, 1992.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Kevin Jordan (2B)
Born October 9, 1969, in San Francisco, CA, where he resides.
Ht.: 6-1, Wt.: 185. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 20th round of the June 1990 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Jay Leach (OF)
Born March 14, 1969, in San Francisco, CA, resides in Novato, CA.
Ht.: 6-2, Wt.: 200. Bats left and throws left.
Selected by the Yankees in the 7th round of the June 1990 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Donnie Leshnock (C)
Born April 20, 1971, in Youngstown, Ohio, resides in Columbus, Ohio.
Ht.: 6-4, Wt.: 220. Bats left and throws right.
Signed by the Yankees in the 5th round of the June 1992 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Jeff Livsey (C)
Born April 24, 1966, in Worcester Mass., resides in Spring Hill, Florida.
Ht.: 6-0, Wt.: 190. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 13th round of the June 1990 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Lyle Mouton (OF)
Born May 13, 1969, in Lafayette, LA, where he resides.
Ht.: 6-4, Wt.: 240. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 5th round of the June 1991 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Paul Oster (OF)
Born March 31, 1967 in Detroit, MI, resides in Yukon, OH.
Ht.: 6-0, Wt.: 175. Bats left and right, throws left.
Selected by the Yankees in the 36th round of the June 1989 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Richard Polak (P)
Born March 24, 1967, Chicago Illinois, where he resides.
Ht.: 5-11, Wt.:195. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 20th round of the June 1989 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Tom Popplewell (P)
Born August 3, 1967, in Cincinnati, OH, resides in Fairfield, OH.
Ht.: 6-3, Wt.: 285. Bats right and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 6th round of the June 1987 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Rafael Quirico (P)
Born September 7, 1969, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he resides.
Ht.: 6-3, Wt.: 185. Bats left and throws left.
Signed by the Yankees as a free agent on May 15, 1987.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Jason Robertson (OF)
Born March 24, 1971, in Chicago, IL, resides in Country Club Hills, IL.
Ht.: 6-2, Wt.: 200. Bats left and throws left.
Selected by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the June 1989 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Gordon Sanchez (C)
Born December 23, 1970, in Oceanside, CA, resides in Ramona, CA.
Ht.: 6-2, Wt.: 185. Bats left and throws right.
Selected by the Yankees in the 19th round of the June 1992 free agent draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Brien Taylor (P)
Born December 26, 1971, in Beaufort, NC, where he resides.
Ht.: 6-3, Wt.: 195. Bats left and throws left.
Selected by the Yankees in the 1st round of the June 1991 free agent draft. He was the first player selected in the draft.
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Roster
Pitchers
Rich Batchelor (R-R)
Mark Carper (R-R)
Brian Faw (R-R)
Ron Frazier (R-R)
Doug Gogolewski (R-R)
Jim Haller (L-L)
Darren Hodges (R-R)
Domingo Jean (R-R)
Richard Polak (R-R)
Tom Popplewell (R-R)
Rafael Quirico (L-L)
Brien Taylor (L-L)
Catchers
Donnie Leshnock (L-R)
Jeff Livsey (R-R)
Gordon Sanchez (L-R)
Infielders
Joe DeBerry (L-L)
Robert Eenhorn (R-R)
Andy Fox (L-R)
Kevin Jordan (R-R)
Outfielders
Rich Barnwell (R-R)
Bubba Carpenter( L-L)
Jay Leach (L-L)
Lyle Mouton (R-R)
Paul Oster (S-L)
Jason Robertson (L-L)
DEPTH CHART
1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Lineup
C Jeff Livsey
1B Joe DeBerry
2B Kevin Jordan
3B Andy Fox
SS Robert Eenhorn
OF Lyle Mouton
OF Jason Robertson
OF Bubba Carpenter
1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Rotation
P Brien Taylor
P Domingo Jean
P Rafael Quirico
P Darren Hodges
P Mark Carper
P Brian Faw
Others
C Donnie Leshnock
C Gordon Sanchez
OF Rich Barnwell
OF Jay Leach
OF Paul Oster
RP Richard Polak
RP Ron Frazier
RP Jim Haller
RP Rich Batchelor
RP Doug Gogolewski
RP Tom Popplewell
THE CLIMB TO THE BIG TIME
NEW YORK YANKEES, AMERICAN LEAGUE
Yankee Stadium, the Bronx, New York
Principal Owner: George Steinbrenner
Vice-President/General Manager: Gene Michael
Manager: Buck Showalter
3B Coach: Clete Boyer
1B Coach: Frank Howard
Bench Coach: Ed Napoleon
Hitting Coach: Rick Down
Pitching Coach: Tony Cloninger
Bullpen Coach: Mark Connor
Trainer: Gene Monohan
Columbus Clippers, International League
Columbus, OH
Manager: Stump Merrill
Coaches:
Mike Brown
Ted Uhlaneder
Hop Cassady
Trainer: Darren London
Albany-Colonie Yankees, Eastern League
Albany, NY
Manager: Mike Hart
Coaches:
Dave Schueler
Brian Butterfield
Joe Lefebvre
Trainer: Greg Spratt
Prince William Cannons, Carolina League
Woodridge, VA
Manager: Trey Hillman
Coaches:
Mark Shiflett
Brian Milner
Trainer: Tom Raynor
Greensboro Hornets, South Atlantic League
Greensboro, NC
Manager: Bill Evers
Coaches:
Mark Rose
Gary Denbo
Trainer: Mark Littlefield
Oneonta Yankees, New York-Penn League
Oneonta, NY
Manager: Mark Newman
Coaches:
Rich Arena
Juan Nieves
Trainer: TBA
Tampa Yankees, Gulf Coast League
Tampa, FL
Manager: Glenn Sherlock
Coaches: Hoyt Wilhelm
Chris Dominguez
Trainer: Chris DeLucia
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
EASTERN LEAGUE LINEUP
Eastern League Office, Plainville, CT
President: Chris Levanda
Binghamton Mets
affiliate of New York Mets
Municipal Stadium, Binghamton, NY
Manager: Steve Swisher
Bowie Baysox
affiliate of Baltimore Orioles
Memorial Stadium, Laurel, MD
Manager: Don Buford
Canton-Akron Indians
affiliate of Cleveland Indians
Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium, Canton, OH
Manager: Brian Graham
Harrisburg Senators
affiliate of Montreal Expos
Riverside Stadium, Harrisburg, PA
Manager: Jim Tracy
London Tigers
affiliate of Detroit Tigers
Labatt Park, London, Ontario
Manager: Tom Runnels
New Britian Red Sox
affiliate of Boston Red Sox
Beehive Field, New Britain, CT
Manager: Jim Pankovits
Reading Phillies
affiliate of Philadelphia Phillies
Municipal Stadium, Reading PA
Manager: Don McCormack
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
1992 EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM
MGR Steve Swisher (Binghamton Mets) (Manager of the Year)
C Mike Lieberthal (Reading Phillies)
1B Ivan Cruz (London Tigers)
2B Hector Vargas (Albany-Colonie Yankees)
3B Russ Davis (Albany-Colonie Yankees) (Most Valuable Player)
SS Mike Lansing (Harrisburg Senators)
OF Tracy Sanders (Canton-Akron Indians)
OF Mark Smith (Hagerstown Orioles)
OF Ken Ramos (Canton-Akron Indians)
DH Greg Sparks (London Tigers)
UT Don Sparks (Albany-Colonie Yankees)
RHP Bobby Jones (Binghamton Mets) (Pitcher of the Year)
LHP Ed Riley (New Britain Red Sox)
RP Len Picota (Harrisburg Senators)
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
MEET THE MEDIA
Pete Dougherty (Capital Newspapers)
Bill Edwardson (WABY)
Jim Gagliardi (WROW)
John Graney (WRGB-TV)
Richard Hill (WROW)
JR (WHUC)
Mark Kestecher (WPTR)
Bob Mason (WPYX)
Bob McNamara (WNYT-TV)
Dan Murphy (WTEN-TV)
Bill Palmer (Daily Gazette)
Denise Romand (AC Yankees, The Saratogian)
Bill Sheehan (WPYX)
John Spadafora (WTEN-TV)
Darcie Unson (WHUC)
Don Weeks (WGY)
Roger Wyland (WNYT-TV)
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
BALLPARK CONCESSION GUIDE
"There are three concession stands at Heritage Park: the First Base stand located by the First Base Cafe, the main stand located behind the home plate corporate boxes, and the Third Base stand located behind the home plate grandstand on the general admission side. There are also vendors throughout the park for your convenience."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
Hot Dogs
Sausage
Chicken Sandwiches
Hamburgers
Nachos
Papa Gino's Pizza
Taco Bell
Pretzels
Peanuts
Cracker Jack
Popcorn
French Fries
Twister Fries
Ice Cream
Sno-Cones
Candy
Slush Puppies
Soda
Beer
Seagram's Coolers
Quest flavored waters
Iced Tea
Coffee
Hot Chocolate
Non-alcoholic beer
Spring Water
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
FUN AND GAMES AT HERITAGE
First Base Cafe
"The popular pre-game picnic area overlooking the 'field of dreams' at Heritage Park is a great way to warm up for the game. The cafe is an ideal setting for a group outing, reunion, business gathering, or just getting together with friends. Groups of 25 to 150 can reserve a date for great food and fun. Your group picnic begins 90 minutes before game time and lasts until game time.
The cafe includes: ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage, chips, macaroni and potato salad, and soft drinks; Beer and ice cream are available and additional; RESERVED SEATS for the game; and the attention of our staff.
BIRTHDAYS
"For a birthday party your baseball fan will never forget, celebrate it at Heritage Park. Our team mascot, Grounder, will present each person with a team pennant, and the guest of honor will receive an official Albany-Colonie Yankees logo baseball. Also, each party member gets a reserved seat for the game, a hot dog, a box of popcorn and a soft drink (ice cream is optional and additional).
And to make the event complete, our public address announcer will wish your fan a Happy Birthday.
TACO BELL SPEEDPITCH
"Test your speed with the Taco Bell Radar Gun, located between the First Base Cafe area and the A-C Yankees batting cage. Fans pay $1 and get three throws to shatter the nightly speed record. The highest speed for two age categories, 12 and under and 13 and older, win a six-pack of tacos from Taco Bell.
SOFT TOSS BATTING CAGE
"When you are done testing your speed, step into the A-C Yankees batting cage to swing away as the Soft-Toss Machine pitches baseballs. The cost is $1 for five swings. If you hit the target located at the end of the batting cage, you win an Albany-Colonie Yankees souvenir.
THE MASCOT RACE
"One lucky child races Grounder, the mascot, around the bases. Grounder starts at second and the child starts at home plate. Grounder has to walk while the child runs and the first one to reach home plate wins.
THE PAPA GINO'S $5,000 FRISBE TOSS
"Each home game throughout the season, one lucky fan will have a chance to win $5,000 by tossing a frisbee through the Papa Gino's sign. It looks easy enough- give it a try.
THE DIZZY BAT RACE
"For fans of all ages, it involves two fans who are spun around ten times and then race to Grounder.
THE LUCKY PITCH CONTEST
"For fans of all ages, it involves getting two chances to throw a baseball into a target.
FRIENDLY FREAKOUT
"Cheer on your home team and get a chance with Friendly's Free Ice Cream Cone Ten-Run Freakout. Every time the A-C Yankees score 10 or more runs and win the game, everyone in the stands receives a coupon good for a free Friendly's Ice Cream Cone.
ALVORD'S HOUSE OF LEATHER BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
"Each night four lucky fans will be moved from the present seats to the best seats in the house- V.I.P. seats behind first base! Ticket stubs will be drawn in the first inning, so listen for your seat location over the public-address system.
MR. SUBB TRIVIA CONTEST
"Test your baseball knowledge with the Mr. Subb Trivia Contest. To enter, listen for the question during the third inning and fill out the entry blank by the Mr. Subb advertisement on page 53.
ROTTERDAM SQUARE MALL ANNOUNCER FOR A DAY
"Ever want to broadcast a professional game? Your fantasy can come true at the Rotterdam Square Mall on August 14 at 1 p.m. Contestants will be judged by a panel of experts and the winner will go on the air for an entire game with the voice of the Albany-Colonie Yankees, John Thomas. To enter the contest, you must sign up at Rotterdam Square Mall.
NATIONAL ANTHEM CONTEST
"If you fantasy is to sing the National Anthem before an Albany-Colonie Yankees game, then enter the A-C Yankees National Anthem contest. The contest will be run from June 22-27; call the A-C Yankees hotline."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
BASEBALL CAMP
"Last year former A-C Yankees manager Dan Radison and the players of the A-C Yankees instructed over 100 campers on the fundamentals of baseball. Campers aged 8-12 received instruction in the morning while the 13-18 age group worked out in the afternoon. As with any game of baseball, rain delayed some of the action for two days, but the campers prevailed and camp continued. Radison, now the San Diego Padres first base coach, gave a few campers personalized lessons when campers could attend the rescheduled sessions. The A-C Yankees would like to thank the campers' parents for their patience and understanding during the rain cancellations and reschedulings.
During the third session of the camp, the campers were able to show off their newly improved baseball skills by playing each other in a tournament. Each camper received a first aid T-shirt and a ticket for an A-C Yankees game. Parents were invited to watch their children participate, and players were available for pictures and autographs.
Join in on the fun this year as the A-C Yankees host the 1993 baseball camp at Heritage Park on July 8-10. Sessions for 8-12-year-olds will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and sessions for 13-18-year-olds will be from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost remains the same, $85 per participant. For more information or for an application, call the A-C Yankees front office."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
ALBANY-COLONIE YANKEES/PONDEROSA GOOD SPORTS BASEBALL CLUB
"This year the A-C Yankees have combined efforts with Ponderosa to offer Little Leaguers the chance to participate in contests and clinics with the A-C Yankees all season long. Some of the contests are: Sportsmanship Award contest, A-team contest, League Rally Nights, Bat Boy/Girl contest, Baseball Stories contest and more area clinics."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
GROUNDER THE BASEBALL
"The roly-poly baseball will be at Heritage Park again for another season filled with fun and games. Grounder turns one year old this year and plans to celebrate all season long. Last season, the A-C Yankees mascot had a very busy schedule. Grounder entertained thousands of fans on the field last season by cheering Lucky Pitch contestants, participating in the Dizzy Bat Races and racing the bases against fans. Grounder's 1992 racing record was 4-64. Better luck this year, Grounder!
Off the field, the cuddly baseball attended Little League Opening Day ceremonies, the Albany Portfest, Hewitt's Memorial Day Sale and even took a trip to the Empire State Plaza for the All About Kids Show. Grounder's social calendar did not slow down during the off-season. The 'big ball' attended the Midway Fire Department Red Cross Hurricane Benefit in October and helped the A-C Yankees front office raise money for the hungry at the Regional Food Bank Drive at Colonie Center.
During the winter months, Grounder started his acting career in the starring role as Casey in the poem Casey at the Bat by Earnest Lawrence Thayer. The A-C Yankees front office staff and Grounder visited almost thirty schools during the winter to emphasize the importance of reading to more than 10,000 children.
Yankees baseball and Grounder the Baseball are back for another exciting season of professional baseball. As you watch for grounders on the field, also keep an eye out for Grounder the Baseball as he makes his rounds to local events and participates in more activities at Heritage Park."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
GROUNDER GOES TO SCHOOL
"As part of the Albany-Colonie Yankees' effort to instill stronger educational values, a reading program was added to the 1993 season. This program brought members of the Albany-Colonie Yankees front office to many local school districts.
The main topics discussed were the importance of reading, where to read and when is a good time to read. A story was then read to the children about Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente and his strong effort to help all of those in need. With all of the media's attention of players' salaries and glitzy lifestyles, the objective of reading the story was to focus on the very active community efforts put forth by past and present players.
The program was concluded by reading the ever popular poem 'Casey at the Bat' by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. While the poem was being read, three students acted out the parts of the pitcher, catcher and umpire to help the children understand the complex poem. The children were always overwhelmed by discovering that 'Casey, mighty Casey' was the A-C Yankees mascot, Grounder.
The Albany-Colonie Yankees front office wishes to thank each and every school district that participated and hopes that the effort was successful in developing the future of our youth."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
YANKEE TRAILS
"Road trip- just those two words make the average baseball fan think of movies like Major League and Bull Durham, where the ballplayers gang up on the newest rookie, or the manager gives hour-long lectures about baseball, discipline, and the latest loss. Life on the road is exactly that. From city to city, ballpark to ballpark, ball teams and radio announcers, like me, hardly have time to explore the uniqueness of each stop. The rhythm of the tires on the highway becomes a relaxing sound and reminds me that I'm the road to a new day and one mile closer to going home.
The 1992 A-C Yankees season was filled with fun, disappointments, achievements and sorrow. If it were made into a baseball film it would rate four stars.
The 1992 season started on the road to Reading. The smell of sping and baseball fever was strong on our bus and at Municipal Stadium. On the bus, the guys were getting reaquainted after being split up at camp. The first few trips were 'discovery' trips. This was one of them. We learned about each other. Personalities surfaced. We shared our likes and dislikes. We learned about each other interests- music, pastimes, families and hometowns. We found our favorite seats on the bus and sometimes stuck with them. Some players even had certain items they took on the road with them for luck or security. Throughout the season, bonds formed, and those of us who traveled together became part of a family, a baseball family.
Things were rolling along pretty smoothly with 'Big Jimbo' behind the wheel. We had faith that Jimbo would get us to our destination quickly and safely. If time allowed, Jimbo would take us to the local tavern one night of each trip. Jimbo even helped with my broadcasts and was a lifesaver during the 1991 championship game when I lost my voice. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Jimbo at the end of May when he took on a new role with the bus company.
The new driver, Al, was broken in the week after the California Angels' bus accident in New Jersey. After the accident, manager Dan Radison shifted from his traditional first seat spot to the third seat. The new man in the 'hot seat' was catcher Jeff Livsey. Teammates advised Jeff to wear his catching gear after the new driver ran a red light at 2 a.m. as the team traveled three-and-a-half hours from Hagerstown to Reading.
In June, we got a chance to meet musclemen Randy 'Macho Man' Savage and Rick Flair. Oh, and we couldn't forget 'Sensational Sherry.' Before Randy turned into a 'macho man' he was a baseball player in the Cardinals organization during Dan Radison's tenure with the Cardinals. The two became close friends. Having not seen each other in 20 years, they quickly made up for lost time and celebrated the reunion with a few cocktails.
A month later, pitcher Rich Batchelor came home from Reading with an impressive souvenir to show his wife, Michelle. At Municipal Stadium in Reading, there was a masked man who went around and picked up trash, known as the 'Trash Ranger.' On his way by the Yankees' bus, the Trash Ranger gave his mask to 'Batch' as a going away present.
When packing the bus late at night after a home game, trainers and coaches tended to leave some items behind. This happened on more than one occasion. Usuallly, the forgotten items were not important. But in one incident trainer Darren London placed a frantic phone call to the A-C front office asking to send bats out to Canton as soon as possible. Radison called a while later and asked intern Cathy Leet to also 'fax the stats so we have some idea how good the other team is.'
On the second trip to Canton, we didn't forget anything, but that didn't mean our luck improved. The bus broke down in Buffalo about 11 p.m. It wasn't all bad. We had two musicians on the team to entertain us. Doug Gogolewski and Rich Batchelor played the guitars for us while we waited two hours for another bus to arrive from Erie, Pennsylvania. Even then our luck did not change; the bus was not a 'video' bus. No videos for a four-hour ride!
Road trips were not just the games, the bus or the bars. There was also some free times for players to escape and enjoy each city. It was during one of those times that Hector Vargas and I played some miniature golf in the Sheraton Hotel lobby in London, Ontario. Hector was the golfing great Chi-Chi Rodriguez, and I was Lee Trevino. Chi-Chi, a.k.a. Hector, won.
Hector was a class act, always asking me questions about this player or that team, but there was one question that I could not answer. We were playing a series in Hagerstown, Maryland, when Hector called my hotel roon at 2 a.m. and asked if I knew the New York State Lotto numbers from the previous night! Obviously, being in Maryland, I didn't have access to any New York newspapers.
We have stayed in some nice hotels in the Eastern League. Most of them have restaurants, lounges, gift shops and even fire alarms that went off in the middle of the night. You would have to ask the guys about these alarms, however, because I slept through two of them: one in Harrisburg and one in New Britain.
In a Hagerstown hotel restaurant, Carlos Rodriguez and Sherman Obando, with some egging-on by Scott Holcolmb, decided to have some fun with the waitress by pretending they did not speak any English. They tortured the poor woman throughout our meal, watching her get red in the face trying to explain the nightly specials in a Spanish-American combination language. She finally caught on by the time they figured out the check.
In Canton, Ohio, the guys ventured out to the go-cart tracks for some racing before a night game. On this road trip, batboy Mike went along for the experience. While racing, Mike accidentally ran into the back of Robert Eenhorn's car, causing a black eye for Robert and a hospital trip for further medical evaluation. That night, during a rain delay, the players, led by first baseman Don Sparks, 'accidentally' went wild with the medical tape. The finished product was a mummified batboy.
For every road trip, Darren London would rent videos to pass the time- except when 'Rad-dog' wouldn't allow it after a bad losing streak. The team favorites were Caddyshack, Goodfellas, Terminator and the ever-popular Scarface which I could recite word-for-word.
The last road trip, according to Rich Barnwell, 'felt like we were in a movie.' The tragic death of Jeff Hoffman in Binghamton took a while to really sink in, and for a time it felt like we were on the outside looking in at a cruel twist of fate. The boys, even though still in shock, beat the Binghamton Mets two days after Jeff's passing. For that game, the players' wives and girlfriends stayed up all night before the game ironing JH patches and No. 38 on all team uniforms and hats to remember and honor Jeff.
The team earned a playoff berth and was off to Canton-Akron. Although the team played well, they were struggling mentally, and could not beat the Canton-Arkon Indians. They were swept three games to none by the Indians. They ended the season 71-68."
-John Thomas, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
"For the 1993 season, the bus will be loaded with new faces- manager Mike Hart, coaches Rob Thompson, Dave Schuler and Brian Butterfield, trainer Greg Spratt, and a handful of new players. Through this season, a new baseball family will form, but for me, the summer of '92 will never be forgotten, and neither will Jeff Hoffman."
-John Thomas, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
THE WALKER CUP
"The recipient of the 1992 Walker Cup was first baseman Don Sparks. The Walker Cup is given each year to the Albany-Colonie Yankees' most valuable player in honor of the A-C Yankees' official team photographer and number-one fan, the late 'Fritz' Walker.
During the 1992 season, Sparks had a phenomenal 27-game hitting streak, the longest in Albany baseball history. He led Yankee minor league teams in hits with 157, tied with J.T. Snow at .313 for highest batting average and tied with Gerald Williams for second in doubles. Sparks was also among the leaders in games (134), home runs (14), RBIs (72), at-bats (505) and total bases (234). Don's name will join that of 1990 winner Bernie Williams and 1991 winner Dave Silvestri.
The trophy is donated by area businessman Joe Vellano of Vellano Brothers and former Albany Senators player Frank Staucet. The Albany-Colonie Yankees would like to thank them for their support and effort."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
THE MCCAFFREY AWARD
"The McCaffrey Award is presented each season to the A-C Yankee who gave their best effort on and off the field. Jim McCaffrey presents the award to honor his late father, Tom McCaffrey, former owner of the Albany Senators.
Third baseman Russell Davis was the recipient of the 1992 McCaffrey Award. Davis had a banner year, posting impressive numbers (.285-22-71) while en route to the 1992 Eastern League All-Star Team and, more impressively, the league's Most Valuable Player award for the 1992 season.
Russ is a fan favorite who is more than willing to sign autographs and lend a helping hand when the need arises."
-1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN ALBANY BASEBALL HISTORY
"July 2, 1860: The Excelsiors of South Brooklyn traveled up the Hudson River to play the champion team of Albany in baseball's first-ever road trip. The game, played at Washington Parade Grounds (known today as Washington Park) went to the Excelsiors, 24-6.
"September 10, 1881: In a National League contest, Troy beat Worcester at Riverside Park in Albany, 8-7, on a grand slam home run by Hall of Famer Roger Connor in the bottom of the ninth.
"September 6, 1901: A victory banquet was held at Keeler's on Maiden Lane after Albany won the New York State League championship. Albany players were presented with 'an elegant silver match safe' at the event.
"September 7, 1902: Albany swept a doubleheader from Schenectady, 6-0 and 4-0, to win the New York State League flag for the second consecutive year. Albany won the championship by just one-half game over Binghamton. Team president Quinlan fractured his left arm while trying to evict a man trying to gain entrance to the second game by jumping over the Chadwick Park fence.
"September 12, 1907: The Albany Senators defeated Utica, 4-0, in 16 innings with pitcher Lee Fairbank going the distance and allowing just two hits to clinch the New York State League title. Albany won nine of its last ten games to take the championship.
"September 25, 1927: In the Eastern League's first try at a postseason championship, Albany lost their third consecutive game and the league championship to second-place Springfield. Albany manager Bill McCorry started the game on the mound and moved around the field, playing an inning at each position.
"April 18, 1928: Hawkins Stadium opens on the site of Chadwick Park on Broadway in Menands. Named for team owner Michael J. Hawkins, the park seats about 8,500 and costs $240,000 to build. Albany loses to New Haven, 2-1, before 7,131 fans.
"September 13, 1928: Ty Cobb and the Philadelphia Athletics play an exhibition game against the Senators at Hawkins Stadium as Albany wins, 10-6. Cobb strokes two singles in five innings of play in his next to last game in a major league uniform.
"July 17, 1932: The Eastern League collapses and takes the Senators with it. Albany is 47-32 and in second place at the time.
"August 6, 1932: The Reading Keys of the International League are moved to Albany by former Senators president Samuel Aronowitz. The club, managed by Clarence Roland, finishes in seventh place.
"June 5, 1935: Albany general manager Johnny Evers signs speedy outfielder Edwin 'Alabama' Pitts to a $200-a-month contract after Pitts is paroled from Sing Sing prison. Pitts was later banned by National Association president Judge W.G. Branham from joining the team.
"June 17, 1935: Baseball Commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis rules that Pitts can play for Albany.
"June 23, 1935: Alabama Pitts plays his first game for the Senators before 7,700 fans at Hawkins Stadium. Pitts strokes two singles in five at-bats against Jersey City.
"1937: Thomas F. McCaffrey buys the New York-Penn League's Allentown franchise and moves the team to Albany. The team will remain in Albany until 1958.
"June 1, 1937: Albany beats Binghamton, 5-4, in 18 innings, scoring two runs in the 18th inning after Binghamton scores one in their half of the inning. Joe Vitelli pitches the entire game for Albany, fanning 20 and driving in the winning run for Albany.
"April 26, 1939: A record crowd of 8,155 turns out for Opening Day at Hawkins Stadium as Albany defeats Binghamton, 5-3.
"1939: At age 47, Hall of Famer Walter 'Rabbit' Maranville plays six games at second base and manages the Senators.
"1947: Merrill 'Pinky' May manages the Senators and plays third base, while leading the Eastern League with 151 bases on balls.
"1948: Fred Lanifero, Albany second baseman, is named Eastern League MVP.
"July 8, 1949: Whitey Ford and the Binghamton Triplets defeat Orie Arnstzen and the Senators, 3-2, after Arntzen wins 15 consecutive games.
"1949: Forty-old-old Orie 'Old Folks' Arntzen is named Minor League Player after going 25-2 for the Senators.
"September 6, 1959: The Senators play their last game at Hawkins Stadium, losing to the Springfield Rifles, 8-4. Only 800 fans attend.
"April 16, 1983: The first ever Albany-Colonie A's game is rained out at Bleecker Stadium. They were to play the New Britain Red Sox.
"April 18, 1983: After two rain delays, the Albany-Colonie A's lose their first game, 10-3, to Glens Falls.
"August 20, 1983: More than 9,000 fans attend the A's first game at the new $1.2 million Heritage Park. After 12 innings of play against the Nashua Angels, the game is called with score tied 7-7.
"1985: In Albany's first year as a Yankee affiliate, the team finishes first in the Eastern League with an 82-57 mark, but is eliminated by Vermont, three games to one, in the semifinal championship series.
"1988: Despite placing fourth in the Eastern League with a 72-66 record, Albany wins the Eastern League flag.
"1989: The A-C Yankees pace the Eastern League and win the league championship.
"1990: After a second consecutive first-place finish, the A-C Yankees are eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by New Britain, three games to two.
"1990: Albany's Darrin Chapin is named Relief Man of the Year in the Eastern League, with a 3-2 record and 21 saves.
"1991: The A-C Yankees win the Eastern League championship with the help of J.T. Snow, Russell Davis, Don Sparks, Sam Militello, Bobby DeJardin, Bernie Williams, Ed Martel, Russ Springer, Vince Phillips and Brad Ausmus.
"1992: The A-C Yankees finish the season 71-68, then are swept in three games by the Canton-Akron Indians shortly after the untimely death of pitcher Jeff Hoffman."
-Richard Puff, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
1949 ALBANY SENATORS TEAM PHOTO
Orie Antzen
David "Gus" Bell
Joe Bell (trainer)
Jack Bumgarner
Jerry Cabaniss
Inman Chambers
Red Dunnack
Preston J. Elkins
Stan Fain
Chuck Fedoris
Dutch Gottschall
Eddie Heinrich
Hershcel Held
Clark Henry
Cal Hogue
Eddie Kalski
John 'Len' Kensecke
Luther Knerr
Fred Lanifero
Rollie Leveille
Donald Manno
Bob Masters
Merrill "Pinky" May (manager)
James Mims
Tom Sheehan
Frank Staucet
THE SWEET SUMMER OF ORIE ARNTZEN
"Orie Edgar Arntzen was a 6-1, 39-year-old right-hander from Beverly, Illinois, a veteran of 18 years of professional baseball. His only major league experience was a half-season with the Philadelphia Athletics, pitching with a 4-13 record in 1943 before Connie Mack released him. By 1947, after three years with the Albany Senators, the right-hander, nicknamed 'Old Folks,' considered retirement. Only the encouragement of the team's manager, Pinky May, convinced Orie Arntzen to remain.
'He was a more experienced pitcher,' May remembers today. 'Had good control, not overpowering stuff, but he had a sense of knowing how to pitch. And he had good control with what he had. In fact, he was the main cog in our pitching staff.'
5,301 fans crammed into Hawkins Stadium on April 27, 1949. Many brought their lunches—thousands of brown bags filled with sandwiches and fruit. Even Mike O'Neil, the New York Central railroad worker who became Albany's cheerleader, took his place in the third base grandstand, ready to march up and down the stands and clap his hands when the home team needed fan support.
It was Opening Day at Hawkins Stadium in Albany, against the Hartford Chiefs, and Old Folks Arntzen, the oldest Senators on the team, was on the mound.
The Albany crowd saw Arntzen scatter two hits through his first six innings, mostly on fastballs. As his arm got tired, he switched to a mix of curves and high heat. Arntzen struck out three en route to a 4-1 victory. 'I didn't throw many curves until the late innings,' Arntzen told Charley Young in the April 28, 1949, Knickerbocker News. 'When I was getting 'em out in rotation I was throwing different speeds. Sure, it was a thrill for me to win the opener, but don't forget (catcher) Rollie Leveille caught a really good ball game and the club played good ball behind me. Didn't have a boot, did they?'
Arntzen knew his teammates were exceptional. The 1949 Senators had Frankie Staucet at shortstop and Fred Lanifero at second, a sterling double play combination. Gus Bell, their right fielder, would later start for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets. Albany's left fielder, Don Manno, produced clutch hits almost on demand. Other pitchers in the rotation were Cohoes native Eddie 'Bobo' Kalski, gentlemanly Inman Chambers, young Jimmy Mims and hard-working Preston Elkins.
How dominating was the Senators rotation? On May 1, Arntzen pitched the second half of a doubleheader, striking out five Binghamton Triplets in seven innings and hitting a triple for the go-ahead run. Albany won, 6-2, and 7,374 fans gave Arntzen a standing ovation. On the next day, Kalski shut out Binghamton on four hits, 5-0. Pres Elkins followed Kalski, pitching Albany to a 7-1 win over Binghamton for his second win of the year. Twenty games into the season, Arntzen, Kalski and Elkins were a combined 11-0.
The three-pitcher winning streak lasted a month. Kalski posted his first loss on May 18, 4-2 to Wilkes-Barre. Nine days later, Elkins lost his first, 2-1, in Williamsport.
But Arntzen kept on winning. Old Folks often pitched on three days' rest, with one start in the middle of the week and another in a Sunday doubleheader. He even won games as a relief pitcher. On May 15 Orie went to the mound in the eighth inning with Albany in a 7-7 tie with Scranton. The Senators won it in the 13th, 9-8, on Herschel Held's two-out RBI single. Arntzen picked up his fifth straight win.
'Arntzen Hurls 11th Win, 6-4' read the June 18, 1949, Times-Union. The Senators jumped all over Scranton pitcher Hal Hisner, as Len Kensecke and Rollie Leveille each had two RBIs. Old Folks pitched like a master, striking out four and walking only one.
Old Folks was also a terror at the plate in 1949. Down 1-0 in the third against Wilkes-Barre, Arntzen bounced a triple into right field. Frank Staucet singled Arntzen home, and the Senators continued the rally with three more runs. Arntzen's triple helped beat the Barons, 5-4, earning his 12th win.
So why wasn't Orie called up to the big leagues after winning 12 games in a row? Unlike most of his teammates, who were property of the Pittsburgh Pirates, he had signed his contract directly with the Albany Senators. He would finish the season with them, win or lose, and maybe even set a record with them.
On June 26, in the nightcap of a doubleheader against Williamsport, the Senators gave Arntzen a 10-run cushion. He struck out four and allowed only two hits, one of them a solo homer by the Grays' Don Warren. The score: Albany 10, Williamsport 1. Orie had 13 wins, no losses.
Two days later, Kalski started against Elmira in Game 2 of a doubleheader. The score was tied, 3-3 into the 10th when Albany scored four runs. Elmira came back in their half of the inning scoring four runs off Kalski, his replacement Luther Knerr and HIS replacement Stan Milankovich.
Pinky May brought in Arntzen to start the 11th inning. Pitching on only two days rest, he struck out four, allowed one hit and permitted no walks. He also drove in Eddie Heinrich and Len Kensecke on a bases-loaded single. Albany won the game 11-7 in 13 innings and Orie picked up his 14th win.
More than 4,000 people were on hand at Hawkins Stadium when Arntzen faced the Hartford Chiefs. In the eighth inning, he stepped up to the plate with Albany leading, 5-0. One of pitcher Glen Thompson's pitches broke too far inside, hitting him on his left elbow. Arntzen trotted to first, then went into the clubhouse for treatment while Bob Masters went in as a 'courtesy runner.' But Arntzen returned to the mound in the 9th inning, completing his 11th game and winning his 15th.
Arntzen now held the record for most consecutive wins from Opening Day. The Eastern League record for most wins in a row was 17 by Tommy Fine in 1946. The Albany fans wanted Orie to break the record.
His next start was in Binghamton on July 8 facing the Triplets' ace, Ed 'Whitey' Ford. For five innings, Ford and Arntzen matched zeroes. Arntzen took a 1-0 lead into the 8th inning; Ford grounded into the first out of the inning, left fielder Bob Marquis singled, then Loren Babe tripled to the right field wall. The game was tied, 1-1. After Orie intentionally walked Norm Jaeger, Art Schult singled to left. Babe scored and Binghamton led, 2-1. Schult was forced at second but Jimmy Greengrass whacked a double into center field, scoring Jaeger, and Binghamton now led 3-1.
The Senators rallied in their last inning. Herschel Held pounded a single into center field. Clark Henry hit a grounder that forced Held at second but Henry beat the throw to first. Ford fired a wild pitch past Don Manno and Henry sprinted to second. Ford walked Manno. May sent in Rollie Leveille to pinch-hit for Kensecke, and Leveille stroked a single, scoring Henry and sending Manno to third. Binghamton now lead by only one run, and Ford was relieved by Arnie Landeck. May then sent in another pinch hitter, Eddie Heinrich.
Landeck threw one pitch.
Heinrich slammed a high fastball into short left field. Marquis ran at full speed toward the foul line and caught the ball in the tip of his glove. 'If he didn't have the glove on his right hand,' remembered Frank Staucet, 'he probably wouldn't have caught it.'
May gave Manno the go-ahead single. Manno tagged third and lumbered home. Marquis rifled the ball toward home plate. May recalls what happened next. 'I can remember that I'd do it over again. I had the runner tag up and score- and damned if he didn't make a perfect throw to home plate to get him.' Even though he was beaten by the throw, Manno charged into home plate at full speed, knocking Bob O'Neal for a loop. But O'Neal held onto the ball- and the umpire called Manno out.
The game ended on a 7-2 double play with Binghamton winning, 3-2, and Orie Arntzen missed the record. Two wins away from tying Tommy Fine's 17 wins, and he lost a heartbreaker to the Binghamton Triplets. Arntzen, the next scheduled batter when Heinrich hit into the double play, was so furious he threw his bat down and headed for the visitors' locker room door. He furiously kicked it open, knocking it off its hinges. And when the Senators returned home, there was a surprise package waiting for them- boxes of dolls and teddy bears, postmarked from Binghamton. They were gifts from the Binghamton fans, who made sure the 'babies' who lost the game had enough toys to keep them entertained.
Two weeks after the Binghamton loss, Albany faced the Scranton Miners in Pennsylvania. Arntzen, blessed with another 10-0 lead, didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning. Eight different men got at least one hit and one RBI in a 16-4 triumph. That win extended Albany's lead in the Eastern League to a season high 14 games. And Arntzen won his 17th.
In his 20th victory of the season, a 2-1 win over Binghamton, Arntzen showed the good and bad sides of his control. He gave up 13 hits, the most in any start all season, but thanks to fantastic infield stops by Staucet and Held, only one Binghamton baserunner scored. 'I have been lucky, very lucky this season,' a humbled Arntzen told the Knickerbocker news on August 5. 'Don't overlook the fact that I am pitching for a great bunch of players. They have supported me brilliantly in every game I have been in this year. All have had an important part in my victories.'
On August 23, 5,448 fans packed Hawkins Stadium for 'Orie Arntzen Night.' Before the game, Mayor Erastus Corning presented Old Folks with gifts from merchants, fans and teammates. The pitcher received everything from an $800 savings bond to a canister of weed killer. After thanking the mayor, the management and the crowd, he went out to the mound and promptly won his 23rd game, a 6-3 victory over Elmira. After the game, Old Folks told the Knickerbocker News that August 23, 1949, was 'my greatest day in baseball.'
Arntzen won his 23rd game for the fans. He won his 24th for the pennant. On August 28, Utica's Johnny Berdella stepped to the plate in the top of the final inning. Number 22 allowed only six hits all night and was only one out away from a 6-1 victory and Albany's first Eastern League pennant since 1942. Berdella tapped a lazy pop fly toward second, where Fred Lanifero caught it effortlessly. The Senators won the pennant.
As the fans celebrated and cheered, Clyde McAllister hopped a motor scooter, drove toward the outfield, picked up Don Manno, Clark Henry and Gus Bell and chauffered all three of them to the clubhouse. Inside the clubhouse, the Senators celebrated by grabbing manager Pinky May and tossing him, fully clothed, into the showers. Then the whole team posed- soaked manager, motor scooter and all- for the Knickerbocker News cameras.
Orie Arntzen lost two games all season: the close match with Binghamton and a blowout in Hartford a few days after clinching the pennant, when Orie was rocked for three runs in the first inning and gave up a gopher ball to Hank Ertman in the fifth. Four days later, Orie got revenge on the Chiefs. He allowed a double to third baseman Jackie Daniels, who later scored on an error. But after that, Orie was unstoppable. From the second inning on, not one baserunner got past second base and Arntzen earned his 25th victory.
When the season ended, the Eastern League champion Albany Senators were 93-47, the best showing by any Albany club since 1879. The closest competition, the Scranton Miners, were fourteen games behind. Old Folks beat every team in the league at least twice. Since 1949, no Eastern League pitcher has won 25 games in a season.
All of this made the 1949 playoffs anticlimactic. Albany faced the Wilkes-Barre Barons in the semi-finals of the Governor's Cup playoffs. Orie started the first game against Wilkes-Barre's 20-game winner, Roy Weimaker, with 3,854 fans ready for a classic pitching duel.
Arntzen pitched a solid game, but the Barons were hitting everything he threw. In the second he walked center fielder Harry Simpson, then gave up a single to left fielder Ed Mutryn. George Devito whacked a pitch into deep right field, where Gus Bell reigned it in. Simpson tagged up and scored. Catcher Milt Stockhausen singled, putting runners on first and third. Stockhausen took a big lead off first. Orie threw to first- but his foot was still on the rubber. Balk. Runners on second and third. Weimaker bunted down the third-base line. Orie grabbed the ball and threw it to first, but Weimaker beat the throw. Meanwhile, Mutryn scored on the play. Orie then fired a breaking ball that broke past the catcher, and Stockhausen scored on the wild pitch.
Stan Ferek relieved Arntzen in the seventh inning, but took the loss when Wilkes-Barre scored five runs in the 10th, winning the first game of the series, 9-4.
Game 2 also went into extra innings. Pres Elkins started, but was hit on his pitching hand by a Stockhausen line drive. Bob Masters took over, pitching the Senators into extra innings. But in the 11th, after giving up two runs, May looked down the bench for a replacement for Masters. Sitting there with no days rest was Old Folks Arntzen. May told him to warm up and replace Masters.
Old Folks did as was told. He went to the mound and retired third baseman Al Smith on a grounder, ending the inning. Albany tied it up in the bottom of the 11th on a two-run double by Rollie Leveille.
In the 12th inning, Orie faced Barons shortstop George D'Addario. Orie thew a fastball. D'Addario caught every piece of that fastball and sent it to the deepest part of right field. The ball headed for the foul pole, but cleared the fence six inches into fair territory. The go-ahead home run. Arntzen's next pitch was a response to that home run- he bounced a breaking ball off Ed Mutryn's head. Mutryn made to first but was removed for a pinch runner, who stayed on first as Arntzen got the final two outs. Wilkes-Barre's Herb Benzel then set down the Senators in order to finish the game.
After pitching six innings in Game 1 without a decision, Orie pitched less than two innings in Game 2 and took the loss. He did not pitch again in the series which Wilkes-Barre swept from Albany, four games to none. It was the first time a team swept Albany in a series all year. A bitter end to a sweet season.
Arntzen pitched only one more year in Albany, but could only muster an 8-5 record and a 6.64 ERA before hanging up the glove. His last pitching appearance was in 1959, ten years after his 25-2 season, when he drove to Albany from his home in Cedar Rapids and hurled in an old-timers' game at Hawkins Stadium.
On January 28, 1970, Old Folks Arntzen passed away in his Cedar Rapids home. He was 60 years old.
There is no bronze profile of Arntzen in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame. However, his nemesis in Binghamton, Whitey Ford, is comfortably stationed there. But on the third floor of the Hall of Fame, just past the displays of baseball cards and sheet music, there is an exhibition devoted to the minor leagues. Orie Arntzen's name is in this exhibit as the 1949 Minor League Player of the Year. It's a small marker in comparison to the majesty of the Hall of Fame, but for the hundreds of fans who remember baseball at Hawkins Stadium in 1949, Arntzen's pitching made it a sweet summer indeed."
-Chuck Miller, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
OPENING DAY AT HERITAGE PARK
July 21, 1983
The Bizarre Opening Night of the Albany-Colonie A's New Stadium
"More than 9,000 fans (9,211 to be exact) came to get a glimpse of history in the making. They got more than they bargained for.
After weeks of frantic work by the A's staff to get the field ready, the grandstand labeled correctly and the tickets prepared, it was finally Opening Night against the Nasuha Angels.
It was a lot different than the A's original Opening Day. There was a different manager at the helm then. His name was Pete Whisenant. That original opening game was scheduled for Bleecker Stadium in early April. It was snowed out seven times and the team had to open on the road a full week later, losing to arch-rival Glens Falls.
This opening was much more upbeat. Keith Leipmann was now the manager of the team. Excitement was in the air, all three television stations were covering the event and local dignitaries were everywhere to be found. In fact, it took more than a half-hour for the Opening Night ceremonies to conclude.
Albany County executive James Coyne was there. And so was Colonie town supervisor Fred G. Field, Jr. They're the ones who put together the bipartisan political team that got the new park off the ground. Linking the new with the old were several all-time Albany Senators as well as other former major league ballplayers.
Heritage Park administrator Gary Holle, a former minor league standout in the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox organizations, put the new park in perspective. 'I've played in every AAA park around, and this is one of the finest in the country. You just don't find parks like this in the East because most are multi-purpose. Heritage Park is mostly for baseball,' he said.
Another dignitary who was very much taken with the new park and the festivities surrounding its opening was league president Charlie Eshbach. 'I think it's super,' he said. 'It's outstanding for the league and the Albany area. We've been talking about the league getting into better facilities and this is certainly a better facility.'
The fans took to the new surroundings very quickly as well. Heritage Park had greener turf, plenty of parking, a more exciting scoreboard and more room than Bleecker.
But when the game finally began, the record books opened up wide. They would soon be filled with some very impressive numbers.
The Opening Day crowd proved they could eat. A total of 1,000 pounds of hot dogs- about 8,000 individual franks- were consumed that night. The A's fed what amounted to a small army.
The fans also proved they could drink. The beer vendors poured enough glasses of beer to fill 66 half-kegs. It was enough for quite a party and the rest rooms were filled accordingly. But just as exciting as the fanfare surrounding the opener was the game itself, which produced 14 runs, 32 hits and an old-fashioned brawl between the Angels' Reggie West and the A's Charlie O'Brien. Both were ejected.
Craig Gerber of Nashua lined a single in the top of the first inning for the first hit ever in the new park. Then, in the bottom of the second inning, third baseman Tim Pyznarski got the honor of recording the first hit for the A's. He eventually scored the first run as well.
But as fate would have it, the huge crowd didn't get to see the game conclude. Four hours and 36 minutes after the umpire signaled 'play ball,' the game had to be suspended after 13 innings with the score knotted 7-7. The reason for the suspension was the Eastern League rule prohibiting an inning from starting after 1 a.m.
Plans were made to resume the game the next night at 7 p.m., before the regularly scheduled game. But it never happened, as a downpour rained out the scheduled doubleheader.
Actually, the rain was a relief for A's general manager Ben Bernard and his staff, who had a little more time to get those last-minute things done.
When the Heritage Park opener finally resumed two days later, the A's lost in the 19th inning when Ken Kravec walked Gerber with the bases loaded.
It had taken a total of six hours and 14 minutes to play a game that lasted three days, but nobody could say they didn't get their money's worth the day Heritage Park opened."
-Bob Weiner, Times-Record, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
THE BEST OF TIMES AT HERITAGE PARK
"Every night at Heritage Park is a memorable time. I can list so many events, players (who today are in the major leagues), championship clubs, that time and space won't permit. My most memorable event at Heritage Park was on August 18, 1992. On that Tuesday evening, I was honorary Albany-Colonie Yankees manager for a day! Meeting manager Dan Radison, the coaching staff and the players, who I followed the entire season, was an awesome experience!
I would like to share with you a few of the highlights of the evening:
-I had great conversations about baseball, strategy, etc., with Mark Hutton, Don Sparks, Richard Batchelor.
-I had the privilege of sitting in on the team meeting.
-I had the honor of wearing the most famous uniform in sports, the Yankee Pinstripes
-After pre-game practice (infield and outfield), manager Radison allowed me to give the team a pep talk in the outfield.
-I sat in the dugout for the entire game. You see the game of baseball from a completely different perspective.
-The final score: Albany-Colonie Yankees 9, Hagerstown Suns 4. Jeff Hoffman recorded the save. I had the honor and privilege of shaking Jeff's hand near the mound for the post-game handshakes!
-I was a guest on the post-game radio show with John Thomas and the game's hero, Carlos Rodriguez.
I will always remember how friendly and great the entire ballclub was, and I will always remember Jeff Hoffman! After the game, in the clubhouse, Jeff shook my hand and said, 'Nick, you are one of us now.' I said, 'Thanks, Jeff.'
I will never forget that as long as I live."
-Nicholas A. Elacqua, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
BASEBALL HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME
For years I have enjoyed the game of ball,
watching home runs fly over the wall.
There's nothing like watching an exciting game,
and seeing superstars enter the Hall of Fame.
But the '85 season at Heritage Park,
surely to me, has left its mark.
On one August evening, with a player at bat,
a friend of mine arrived with his sister named Pat.
She seemed so happy, always wearing a smile;
and I really felt I'd known her for a while.
From that night on I didn't miss a game,
hoping my friend Pat would be doing the same.
The months seemed long, during the snowy season.
I looked forward to spring, and she was the reason.
It was like opening night would never arrive;
but when it did, I felt so much alive.
As I sat on the bleachers, my heart started to race,
when I saw Pat walking in with a smile on her face.
And now we're an item and everything's neat;
we attend every game now, each in our VIP seat.
So if you're down or feel in the dark,
take in a game at Heritage Park.
I'll end this for now, but as you can plainly see,
"Baseball has been very good to me."
-Ed Haber, 1993 Albany-Colonie Yankees Souvenir Yearbook
1993 Advertisements
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