"'He is a much better hitter than his 1970 average indicated,' said Ralph Houk after the close of the 1970 season.
Jerry had never before suffered through a bad season, but he had an off-year in '70. He never hit under .291 in his minor league career. As a Yankee rookie in 1969, he hit a commendable .257, and actually was disappointed with that. He started in center field, was moved to third - a new position for him - after playing his minor league career at shortstop. As a third sacker in 1969, Jerry fielded an amazing .975, just behind the fabulous Brooks Robinson, who had .976. Ralph Houk is confident Jerry will bounce back stronger than ever in 1971.
Kenney has exceptionally sharp reflexes, a great arm and blazing speed. Yankee scout Lou Maguolo discovered him in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he played practically every position. Kenney's unorthodox style on the field - a kind of perpetual motion - just comes naturally to him and he comes up with the ball. Look for Jerry to come up with what Ralph expects of him this year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"1970 is a year Jerry would just as soon forget. Nothing went right for him and the 'sophomore jinx' was never more in evidence.
He came into the American League in 1969 noted as a bona fide hitter who had never dipped below .290. He had a good year with the stick for a rookie, hitting .257, and drew rave reviews as a fine fielding third baseman. After starting his career at shortstop and later playing center field, Jerry was voted the top rookie third baseman of 1969 and also received several votes for Rookie of the Year honors.
Jerry has excellent speed, and despite other problems on offense, he still managed to steal 20 bases. He's an exciting, exuberant player who never let up during a pretty tough year and is expected to return to form in 1971.
Jerry led the club in triples last year with seven."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Friday, June 6, 2014
1971 Profile: Felipe Alou
"Although outfielder Felipe Alou had the poorest season of the three Alou brothers in 1970, his record is nothing to be ashamed of. Felipe batted .271 and drove in 55 runs in his thirteenth year in the majors.
The eldest of the Alou siblings (he'll be 36 in May), Felipe broke in with San Francisco in 1958. He paved the way for the younger Alous, Matty and Jesus, who also got their starts with the Giants. They all went their separate ways, though. Felipe was traded to the Braves in 1964 and spent five years with them before being returned to the West Coast last year.
He's hit over .300 three times in his career, most recently in 1968 when he batted .317 and led the NL in at-bats with 662."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"Consistent and totally dependable. Alou has hit .270 or better in all but three of 13 major league seasons. He has never stopped hustling.
'I don't know how to take it easy,' he once said. His has been called the perfect temperament for baseball. Felipe has never been thrown out of a game and has never given less than his best effort.
'He's one of the greatest men I've ever met,' Sal Bando says. Alou is extremely popular among players and a national hero back home in the Dominican Republic. Born in Haina, just outside of Santo Domingo, he was a great high school athlete and still holds the national javelin record (214 feet). He was a pre-med student at the University of Santo Domingo when signed by the Giants.
'My bonus was so small,' Felipe says, 'it couldn't even pay the grocery bill.' He was followed to the majors by his brothers Matty and Jesus."
-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition
"To bolster both the outfield and the right hand hitting strength of the Yankees, Felipe Alou was obtained from Oakland on April 9. Carrying the ninth highest lifetime average of any active American Leaguer, Alou entered 1971 - his 14th major league season - with a .290 mark. Three times a National League All-Star, Felipe opposed the Yankees as a Giant in the 1962 World Series. In 1966 at Atlanta, he led the league in runs scored with 122 and in hits with 218. Two years later his 210 hits tied for the league lead in that category.
The oldest of the three Alou brothers in the major leagues, Felipe is a 'young 36.' An excellently conditioned athlete with a fine attitude toward the game and the fans, he has averaged better than 580 times at bat in the last six years.
When he learned of his trade to the Yankees, he determined to continue playing, 'so that I could wear the famed pinstripes at Yankee Stadium where so many great baseball players have performed.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
The eldest of the Alou siblings (he'll be 36 in May), Felipe broke in with San Francisco in 1958. He paved the way for the younger Alous, Matty and Jesus, who also got their starts with the Giants. They all went their separate ways, though. Felipe was traded to the Braves in 1964 and spent five years with them before being returned to the West Coast last year.
He's hit over .300 three times in his career, most recently in 1968 when he batted .317 and led the NL in at-bats with 662."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"Consistent and totally dependable. Alou has hit .270 or better in all but three of 13 major league seasons. He has never stopped hustling.
'I don't know how to take it easy,' he once said. His has been called the perfect temperament for baseball. Felipe has never been thrown out of a game and has never given less than his best effort.
'He's one of the greatest men I've ever met,' Sal Bando says. Alou is extremely popular among players and a national hero back home in the Dominican Republic. Born in Haina, just outside of Santo Domingo, he was a great high school athlete and still holds the national javelin record (214 feet). He was a pre-med student at the University of Santo Domingo when signed by the Giants.
'My bonus was so small,' Felipe says, 'it couldn't even pay the grocery bill.' He was followed to the majors by his brothers Matty and Jesus."
-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition
"To bolster both the outfield and the right hand hitting strength of the Yankees, Felipe Alou was obtained from Oakland on April 9. Carrying the ninth highest lifetime average of any active American Leaguer, Alou entered 1971 - his 14th major league season - with a .290 mark. Three times a National League All-Star, Felipe opposed the Yankees as a Giant in the 1962 World Series. In 1966 at Atlanta, he led the league in runs scored with 122 and in hits with 218. Two years later his 210 hits tied for the league lead in that category.
The oldest of the three Alou brothers in the major leagues, Felipe is a 'young 36.' An excellently conditioned athlete with a fine attitude toward the game and the fans, he has averaged better than 580 times at bat in the last six years.
When he learned of his trade to the Yankees, he determined to continue playing, 'so that I could wear the famed pinstripes at Yankee Stadium where so many great baseball players have performed.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
1971 Profile: Danny Cater
"One of the least-known good hitters in baseball has to be Danny Cater. Maybe it's because Danny concentrates on producing instead of cheerleading. Last season the veteran infielder/outfielder hit a career high of .301 while driving in 76 runs, making the trade which brought him from Oakland look exceptionally good. Danny played mostly first base for the Yankees last year, but also put in time at third and in right field when Houk wanted to get added power by playing John Ellis at first.
Originally a National Leaguer, Danny hit .296 with Philadelphia in 1964. He spent some time with the White Sox before joining the A's in 1966. In 1968, he was the second-best hitter in the league with a .290 average. Danny, 31, lacks home run power but hits to all fields."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"Danny hit so well and so often last season his name appeared in the box scores more often right than wrong. He's nicknamed Carter for all the mistakes linotypists have made down through the years. He's a spectacularly dull player who does everything so effortlessly fans never seem to know he's around.
'I don't think people will ever recognize me on the street or anything,' he has said. Danny is oft-maligned by minor and some major league managers for his lack of fire.
'Even if I hollered nobody would hear me,' he says. His lack of identity is so pronounced that the occupant three houses down in Williamsport, Pennsylvania didn't even know who he was when a newsman rang the bell by mistake.
Danny is a thoroughly professional hitter who never has finished below .270 in the majors. He hits the ball wherever it is pitched. He can play first base well, outfield adequately and third base in times of national crisis.
Married, with three children, Danny was born February 25, 1940 in Austin, Texas."
-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition
"Listed as an outfielder, Cater may turn up at first, third or right field because his is an exceptional bat. Acquired from Oakland for Frank Fernandez and Al Downing in the 1969 winter trades, Cater has filled the need for a right-handed hitter by turning in his best year in the majors, hitting .301. This outranked his 1968 mark of .290 when he finished second to Carl Yastrzemski for the American League batting title. Danny, the steadiest, most consistent Yankee, spent little time in slumps. The reason, according to Ralph Houk:
'When Danny goes seven or eight times without a hit, he doesn't start experimenting. He just keeps swinging in his normal style and is out of a slump before he gets into it.'
But the reason for it according to Cater is: 'On some clubs all you need is a couple of bad days and the manager starts experimenting. Houk isn't like that. It's a pleasure to be playing for Ralph.'
Danny played in 155 games and was second on the club with 175 hits to keep him among the leading lifetime hitters in the American League. Not noted as a noisy hustler with a lot of holler, Cater's teamwork shows best in his smooth, low-key effectiveness.
'I like Yankee Stadium,' says Danny. 'I'm not a home run hitter, so I like the wide alleys in the outfield. And we're one for all and all for one on the Yankees. We have real spirit.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Cater had as much to do with the Yanks' rise to second place last year as anyone on the club. He hit a solid .301 with 76 RBIs, both career highs. He was eighth in the American League in hitting and his 175 hits were also a career high. His .279 lifetime batting average going into the 1971 season places him among the top 15 percent of active major leaguers who have played 100 or more games.
He finished second in the American League in hitting in 1968 behind Carl Yastrzemski. Danny is versatile in the field, having played the outfield, first base and third base and he led American League first basemen in fielding in 1968 with a .995 mark, as he committed just five errors.
Danny was originally signed by the Phillies in 1958 and quickly showed his hitting ability when he went 5-for-6 with three homers and eight RBIs in his second game of pro ball at Johnson City. He was traded to the White Sox for pitcher Ray Herbert in December 1964 and went to the A's for Wayne Causey in May 1966 before coming to the Yankees in December 1969."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Originally a National Leaguer, Danny hit .296 with Philadelphia in 1964. He spent some time with the White Sox before joining the A's in 1966. In 1968, he was the second-best hitter in the league with a .290 average. Danny, 31, lacks home run power but hits to all fields."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"Danny hit so well and so often last season his name appeared in the box scores more often right than wrong. He's nicknamed Carter for all the mistakes linotypists have made down through the years. He's a spectacularly dull player who does everything so effortlessly fans never seem to know he's around.
'I don't think people will ever recognize me on the street or anything,' he has said. Danny is oft-maligned by minor and some major league managers for his lack of fire.
'Even if I hollered nobody would hear me,' he says. His lack of identity is so pronounced that the occupant three houses down in Williamsport, Pennsylvania didn't even know who he was when a newsman rang the bell by mistake.
Danny is a thoroughly professional hitter who never has finished below .270 in the majors. He hits the ball wherever it is pitched. He can play first base well, outfield adequately and third base in times of national crisis.
Married, with three children, Danny was born February 25, 1940 in Austin, Texas."
-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition
"Listed as an outfielder, Cater may turn up at first, third or right field because his is an exceptional bat. Acquired from Oakland for Frank Fernandez and Al Downing in the 1969 winter trades, Cater has filled the need for a right-handed hitter by turning in his best year in the majors, hitting .301. This outranked his 1968 mark of .290 when he finished second to Carl Yastrzemski for the American League batting title. Danny, the steadiest, most consistent Yankee, spent little time in slumps. The reason, according to Ralph Houk:
'When Danny goes seven or eight times without a hit, he doesn't start experimenting. He just keeps swinging in his normal style and is out of a slump before he gets into it.'
But the reason for it according to Cater is: 'On some clubs all you need is a couple of bad days and the manager starts experimenting. Houk isn't like that. It's a pleasure to be playing for Ralph.'
Danny played in 155 games and was second on the club with 175 hits to keep him among the leading lifetime hitters in the American League. Not noted as a noisy hustler with a lot of holler, Cater's teamwork shows best in his smooth, low-key effectiveness.
'I like Yankee Stadium,' says Danny. 'I'm not a home run hitter, so I like the wide alleys in the outfield. And we're one for all and all for one on the Yankees. We have real spirit.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Cater had as much to do with the Yanks' rise to second place last year as anyone on the club. He hit a solid .301 with 76 RBIs, both career highs. He was eighth in the American League in hitting and his 175 hits were also a career high. His .279 lifetime batting average going into the 1971 season places him among the top 15 percent of active major leaguers who have played 100 or more games.
He finished second in the American League in hitting in 1968 behind Carl Yastrzemski. Danny is versatile in the field, having played the outfield, first base and third base and he led American League first basemen in fielding in 1968 with a .995 mark, as he committed just five errors.
Danny was originally signed by the Phillies in 1958 and quickly showed his hitting ability when he went 5-for-6 with three homers and eight RBIs in his second game of pro ball at Johnson City. He was traded to the White Sox for pitcher Ray Herbert in December 1964 and went to the A's for Wayne Causey in May 1966 before coming to the Yankees in December 1969."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Thursday, June 5, 2014
1971 Profile: John Ellis
"The Yankees are going to do some shuffling this year in order to get John Ellis into the lineup. Originally a catcher, John spent the 1969 off-season learning how to play first base since the Yankees had Thurman Munson to catch and had traded first baseman Joe Pepitone. He adapted well but Danny Cater usurped his new position last year when John failed to get off to a quick start. So this season the Yankees might try to make a third baseman out of the 22-year-old Ellis.
In 1970 John played all three positions, mostly against left-handed pitchers. He hit only .248 with seven home runs and 29 RBI's but should improve. He must learn to hit off-speed pitches better. In 22 games with the Yankees in '69, John batted .290 and with Syracuse, he hit .333.
The 6-2, 210-pounder is expected to be a long ball threat in the future."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"The Yankees call him Big John, out of respect or out of fear. He's frighteningly strong. The Indians' Tony Horton ran into him full speed last season while Ellis was playing first base and Horton had to pick himself up afterwards.
John has awesome power, but a poor start and Army duty contributed to an unproductive season. He received this note from Lou Gehrig's widow on Opening Day last season: 'To John. For thirty years I've been looking for Lou's successor and I'm rooting for you.'
John is aggressive in everything he does.
'He's a throwback, an old-time player, a rugged individual,' Ralph Houk says. John will be tried at third base this year, where his power would be an asset. An extremely hard worker, he's one of the best-liked players on the team.
'No one who ever played this game ever had a better attitude,' coach Dick Howser says. Born August 21, 1948 in New London, Connecticut, John was thrown off his high school baseball team for punching a catcher in the jaw. A football star, he had numerous college offers.
John is married, with one daughter."
-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition
"'Big Thunder' is an exciting ball player who's just beginning to tap his potential. He displayed his tools brilliantly last spring training and carried off the 15th annual James P. Dawson Award and the Longines watch that goes to the best rookie in camp. He had to beat Thurman Munson and Ron Klimkowski to do it. John led the spring camp in runs, doubles, homers, RBIs and tied for the lead in most hits.
His fine spring was followed by a rough early season start, but despite that and interruptions for military service, Ellis found his major league stride to end with a .248 average. And he had a day, May 24 in Cleveland, that serves as a preview of game-breaking days to come. 'Little John' broke a 5-5 tie in the eighth inning of the first game with his homer and then put the Yanks ahead 7-6 in the eighth of the second with a three-run homer. This is the kind of explosive action he can deliver.
Big and rangy, Ellis was used at first and third in last year's experiment after learning how to play first with the Yankees' Winter Instructional League club. He made the Topps All-Rookie Team at first base, although most of his experience had been as a backup catcher. In Puerto Rico this past winter he learned how to play third.
'I think I'm ready to help,' Ellis said. 'I don't care where I play as long I play.' The 22-year-old slugger from New London, Connecticut is aggressive and confident. With Munson and Baker, he has the desire that typifies the spirit of today's young Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Ellis batted his way into the Opening Day starting lineup at first base last year when he went 14-for-29 (.483) with three homers in the last half of the spring training season to win the annual James P. Dawson Award as the outstanding Yankee rookie in camp. Originally signed as a catcher, John became a first baseman after learning the position in the Florida Instructional League of 1969, and he has since been experimenting at third base. It has not yet been determined where he will play, but most people agree that this strapping youngster will be in the Yankee regular lineup before too long.
John did slow down once the regular season began, collecting only two hits in his first 37 at-bats including an 0-for-18 streak, and was hitting .081. He was benched temporarily. Shortly thereafter, however, he had a big day in a Sunday doubleheader in Cleveland on May 24 and was instrumental in winning both games- going 5-for-8 with two doubles, two homers and five RBIs.
One of the strongest young players in baseball today, John is an explosive type of hitter who is liable to break open a game at any moment. Another 'Young Yankee' at just 22, he made the major leagues after just two full seasons of minor league ball. He seemed to settle down after his early setback last season and finished the season at .248, hitting at a .286 clip from May 16 on.
Ellis was noted for his football ability in high school and received many college offers. He chose baseball instead."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
In 1970 John played all three positions, mostly against left-handed pitchers. He hit only .248 with seven home runs and 29 RBI's but should improve. He must learn to hit off-speed pitches better. In 22 games with the Yankees in '69, John batted .290 and with Syracuse, he hit .333.
The 6-2, 210-pounder is expected to be a long ball threat in the future."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"The Yankees call him Big John, out of respect or out of fear. He's frighteningly strong. The Indians' Tony Horton ran into him full speed last season while Ellis was playing first base and Horton had to pick himself up afterwards.
John has awesome power, but a poor start and Army duty contributed to an unproductive season. He received this note from Lou Gehrig's widow on Opening Day last season: 'To John. For thirty years I've been looking for Lou's successor and I'm rooting for you.'
John is aggressive in everything he does.
'He's a throwback, an old-time player, a rugged individual,' Ralph Houk says. John will be tried at third base this year, where his power would be an asset. An extremely hard worker, he's one of the best-liked players on the team.
'No one who ever played this game ever had a better attitude,' coach Dick Howser says. Born August 21, 1948 in New London, Connecticut, John was thrown off his high school baseball team for punching a catcher in the jaw. A football star, he had numerous college offers.
John is married, with one daughter."
-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition
"'Big Thunder' is an exciting ball player who's just beginning to tap his potential. He displayed his tools brilliantly last spring training and carried off the 15th annual James P. Dawson Award and the Longines watch that goes to the best rookie in camp. He had to beat Thurman Munson and Ron Klimkowski to do it. John led the spring camp in runs, doubles, homers, RBIs and tied for the lead in most hits.
His fine spring was followed by a rough early season start, but despite that and interruptions for military service, Ellis found his major league stride to end with a .248 average. And he had a day, May 24 in Cleveland, that serves as a preview of game-breaking days to come. 'Little John' broke a 5-5 tie in the eighth inning of the first game with his homer and then put the Yanks ahead 7-6 in the eighth of the second with a three-run homer. This is the kind of explosive action he can deliver.
Big and rangy, Ellis was used at first and third in last year's experiment after learning how to play first with the Yankees' Winter Instructional League club. He made the Topps All-Rookie Team at first base, although most of his experience had been as a backup catcher. In Puerto Rico this past winter he learned how to play third.
'I think I'm ready to help,' Ellis said. 'I don't care where I play as long I play.' The 22-year-old slugger from New London, Connecticut is aggressive and confident. With Munson and Baker, he has the desire that typifies the spirit of today's young Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Ellis batted his way into the Opening Day starting lineup at first base last year when he went 14-for-29 (.483) with three homers in the last half of the spring training season to win the annual James P. Dawson Award as the outstanding Yankee rookie in camp. Originally signed as a catcher, John became a first baseman after learning the position in the Florida Instructional League of 1969, and he has since been experimenting at third base. It has not yet been determined where he will play, but most people agree that this strapping youngster will be in the Yankee regular lineup before too long.
John did slow down once the regular season began, collecting only two hits in his first 37 at-bats including an 0-for-18 streak, and was hitting .081. He was benched temporarily. Shortly thereafter, however, he had a big day in a Sunday doubleheader in Cleveland on May 24 and was instrumental in winning both games- going 5-for-8 with two doubles, two homers and five RBIs.
One of the strongest young players in baseball today, John is an explosive type of hitter who is liable to break open a game at any moment. Another 'Young Yankee' at just 22, he made the major leagues after just two full seasons of minor league ball. He seemed to settle down after his early setback last season and finished the season at .248, hitting at a .286 clip from May 16 on.
Ellis was noted for his football ability in high school and received many college offers. He chose baseball instead."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
1971 Profile: Gene Michael
"The 'thinking man's ball player' is clever, loose and aggressive. Leave it to Gene to pull the hidden ball trick when the team was behind in a game last year with the Angels. The club had been losing ground, had lost six in a row when Michael won the game for them. They rebounded with a seven-game winning streak and made a run right back at the Orioles. Sometimes it takes very little to turn a club around and head it upward. (The Yankees' season was 93 and 69, 24 games over .500. For a team that was one game under that mark the year before, that's a big improvement.)
Michael's fluid motion comes from basketball. The former Kent State player was a star who was pursued by the New York Knicks. The regular shortstop for the last two years didn't have a season to match 1969 when he hit .272, which was third highest on the club, but Gene is an extremely valuable defensive player who stabilizes the infield. He plays second and third equally well. What position he will play is uncertain, but one thing is sure - switch-hitting Gene will see a lot of service."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Stick, the slick-fielding shortstop, also served the Yankees well at second and third base late last season. He was platooned with the left-handed-hitting Frank Baker at the shortstop post for the last two months of the season.
Gene came up with the hidden ball trick twice last season- he has now accomplished it four times since coming to the Yankees. The victims were Tom Matchick in 1968, Zolio Versalles in 1969 and Joe Keough and Jarvis Tatum last year. The last one, on July 27, was significant as the Yanks were in the midst of a four-game losing streak and were tied up 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth at Anaheim. The Angels were threatening as they had a man on first and Tatum on second with none out when Michael pulled the hidden ball trick to help get the Yankees out of the inning; the Yanks went on to win 5-2 in ten innings and proceeded to their longest winning streak of the year at six games which brought them back up to second place.
Michael has also pitched during his career: at Kinston in 1963, where was 1-3, and also with the Yankees in 1968, when he allowed five unearned runs in three innings, giving up five hits and striking out three.
He is a graduate of Kent State where he was a basketball star and was pursued by the New York Knickerbockers. Gene has spent the last two off-seasons working for the Yankees' Speakers Bureau."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Michael's fluid motion comes from basketball. The former Kent State player was a star who was pursued by the New York Knicks. The regular shortstop for the last two years didn't have a season to match 1969 when he hit .272, which was third highest on the club, but Gene is an extremely valuable defensive player who stabilizes the infield. He plays second and third equally well. What position he will play is uncertain, but one thing is sure - switch-hitting Gene will see a lot of service."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Stick, the slick-fielding shortstop, also served the Yankees well at second and third base late last season. He was platooned with the left-handed-hitting Frank Baker at the shortstop post for the last two months of the season.
Gene came up with the hidden ball trick twice last season- he has now accomplished it four times since coming to the Yankees. The victims were Tom Matchick in 1968, Zolio Versalles in 1969 and Joe Keough and Jarvis Tatum last year. The last one, on July 27, was significant as the Yanks were in the midst of a four-game losing streak and were tied up 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth at Anaheim. The Angels were threatening as they had a man on first and Tatum on second with none out when Michael pulled the hidden ball trick to help get the Yankees out of the inning; the Yanks went on to win 5-2 in ten innings and proceeded to their longest winning streak of the year at six games which brought them back up to second place.
Michael has also pitched during his career: at Kinston in 1963, where was 1-3, and also with the Yankees in 1968, when he allowed five unearned runs in three innings, giving up five hits and striking out three.
He is a graduate of Kent State where he was a basketball star and was pursued by the New York Knickerbockers. Gene has spent the last two off-seasons working for the Yankees' Speakers Bureau."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
1971 Profile: Jim Lyttle
"In his first start last year, Jimmy Lyttle struck out four times. In his second appearance, the 24-year-old outfielder hit a grand-slam home run. He went on to hit .310 in 126 at-bats. Jim credited his good hitting to former Yankee star Phil Rizzuto, who now broadcasts Yankee games. Rizzuto helped him adjust his grip on the bat so he could more freely. In 1969 Lyttle, a left-handed hitter, had his first opportunity to stick with the Yankees but had an unimpressive .181 batting average. He was shipped back to Syracuse, where he hit .313.
The six-foot, 175-pounder can throw, run and field with skill. Jimmy was the Yankees' number one selection in the 1966 free agent draft. He can play all outfield positions."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"A tremendous spring training a year ago literally won for Jim Lyttle a spot on the Yankee 25-man roster. Most of his appearances during the first few months were as a defensive replacement, as a pinch hitter and as a pinch runner. Toward the latter half of the season, Jim got a shot in right field and made the most of his opportunity.
The lean left-hand batter hit at a .310 clip in 87 games and provided the Yankees with one of several pleasant surprises in 1970. Not that the Yankees didn't expect big things from the graceful outfielder. He was the club's first-round draft choice in the June 1966 Free Agent Draft.
Lyttle is one of the 'home grown' young Yankees on whom the team is building. The lithe young outfielder always could do it all defensively and on the bases. He has good speed, a fine arm and exceptional ability in the outfield. His future depended on the development of his bat. It all arrived together last summer at Yankee Stadium.
Jim graduated a year ago from Florida State University where he won All-American honors in baseball in 1966. During the recent off-season, the 24-year-old Ohio native was a school teacher in the Canal Zone."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Lyttle made the club in spring training and served as the Yankees' fifth outfielder for the better part of the year. He began alternating with Ron Woods in right field on August 11 and wound up hitting .310 in 126 at-bats. Jim's best day was on August 23 when he went 4-for-4 against the White Sox and was hitting .373 after that game.
An excellent outfielder, Jim probably has the strongest and most accurate arm on the club. He is a candidate for regular duty in the Yankee outfield of 1971, yet hit .429 as a pinch hitter (3-for-7).
He graduated from Florida State last March and spent the off-season as a teacher in the Canal Zone. Lyttle was an All-American in baseball at FSU in 1966. His hobbies are fishing and golf."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
The six-foot, 175-pounder can throw, run and field with skill. Jimmy was the Yankees' number one selection in the 1966 free agent draft. He can play all outfield positions."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"A tremendous spring training a year ago literally won for Jim Lyttle a spot on the Yankee 25-man roster. Most of his appearances during the first few months were as a defensive replacement, as a pinch hitter and as a pinch runner. Toward the latter half of the season, Jim got a shot in right field and made the most of his opportunity.
The lean left-hand batter hit at a .310 clip in 87 games and provided the Yankees with one of several pleasant surprises in 1970. Not that the Yankees didn't expect big things from the graceful outfielder. He was the club's first-round draft choice in the June 1966 Free Agent Draft.
Lyttle is one of the 'home grown' young Yankees on whom the team is building. The lithe young outfielder always could do it all defensively and on the bases. He has good speed, a fine arm and exceptional ability in the outfield. His future depended on the development of his bat. It all arrived together last summer at Yankee Stadium.
Jim graduated a year ago from Florida State University where he won All-American honors in baseball in 1966. During the recent off-season, the 24-year-old Ohio native was a school teacher in the Canal Zone."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Lyttle made the club in spring training and served as the Yankees' fifth outfielder for the better part of the year. He began alternating with Ron Woods in right field on August 11 and wound up hitting .310 in 126 at-bats. Jim's best day was on August 23 when he went 4-for-4 against the White Sox and was hitting .373 after that game.
An excellent outfielder, Jim probably has the strongest and most accurate arm on the club. He is a candidate for regular duty in the Yankee outfield of 1971, yet hit .429 as a pinch hitter (3-for-7).
He graduated from Florida State last March and spent the off-season as a teacher in the Canal Zone. Lyttle was an All-American in baseball at FSU in 1966. His hobbies are fishing and golf."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
1971 Profile: Jake Gibbs
"Enjoying the best year of his career in 1970, Jake Gibbs' career took a strange turn when he became the backup catcher to Rookie of the Year Thurman Munson.
It was a year ago that Jake made his decision to stay in baseball. The Yankees assured him he had a future with the club despite the emergence of the young receiver from Ohio. Although he could have remained at his alma mater, the University of Mississippi, as a full-time coach in football, Jake remained with the Yankees ... and both he and the club are happy with that decision. Last year he hit a career high .301. Although he played only 49 games, Jake drove in the winning run seven times. He hit a career high of eight homers, two in one game. With Munson hitting .302, no other club in baseball can boast two receivers both batting over .300.
Gibbs calls a good game, is a fine defensive catcher and is always in shape and ready to play. In the off-season, Jake keeps his hand in football as coach of the quarterbacks at Ole Miss, and his outstanding protege, Archie Manning, is considered a top pro prospect. Jake himself was an All-American at Mississippi in both football (as a quarterback) and in baseball (as a third baseman), both in 1960 and again in baseball in '61.
A fine team man of exceptional intelligence, Jake hopes to continue his fine contributions to Yankee fortunes in 1971 and in the years ahead."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Jake enjoyed the finest year of his baseball career serving as the Yankees' backup catcher behind Rookie of the Year Thurman Munson. He is widely rated as the best reserve catcher in the major leagues. Jake hit .301, his highest mark since entering organized baseball in 1961 and despite appearing in only 49 games, set a career high for himself in homers (8); he had two round-trippers in one game on August 11. Jake's hits came at opportune moments as he knocked in the deciding run seven times. The only players who had more of these decisive hits were Danny Cater and Roy White.
Originally signed as a third baseman off the University of Mississippi campus in 1961, he was converted to a catcher in 1963. Jake was an All-American in two sports at Ole Miss- baseball in 1960 and 1961 and football in 1960. He was a quarterback and drafted by the Cleveland Browns.
Jake still keeps his hand in football, as he serves as an assistant coach during the off-season at his alma mater where he aided All-American Archie Manning."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
It was a year ago that Jake made his decision to stay in baseball. The Yankees assured him he had a future with the club despite the emergence of the young receiver from Ohio. Although he could have remained at his alma mater, the University of Mississippi, as a full-time coach in football, Jake remained with the Yankees ... and both he and the club are happy with that decision. Last year he hit a career high .301. Although he played only 49 games, Jake drove in the winning run seven times. He hit a career high of eight homers, two in one game. With Munson hitting .302, no other club in baseball can boast two receivers both batting over .300.
Gibbs calls a good game, is a fine defensive catcher and is always in shape and ready to play. In the off-season, Jake keeps his hand in football as coach of the quarterbacks at Ole Miss, and his outstanding protege, Archie Manning, is considered a top pro prospect. Jake himself was an All-American at Mississippi in both football (as a quarterback) and in baseball (as a third baseman), both in 1960 and again in baseball in '61.
A fine team man of exceptional intelligence, Jake hopes to continue his fine contributions to Yankee fortunes in 1971 and in the years ahead."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Jake enjoyed the finest year of his baseball career serving as the Yankees' backup catcher behind Rookie of the Year Thurman Munson. He is widely rated as the best reserve catcher in the major leagues. Jake hit .301, his highest mark since entering organized baseball in 1961 and despite appearing in only 49 games, set a career high for himself in homers (8); he had two round-trippers in one game on August 11. Jake's hits came at opportune moments as he knocked in the deciding run seven times. The only players who had more of these decisive hits were Danny Cater and Roy White.
Originally signed as a third baseman off the University of Mississippi campus in 1961, he was converted to a catcher in 1963. Jake was an All-American in two sports at Ole Miss- baseball in 1960 and 1961 and football in 1960. He was a quarterback and drafted by the Cleveland Browns.
Jake still keeps his hand in football, as he serves as an assistant coach during the off-season at his alma mater where he aided All-American Archie Manning."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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