"Called 'Puff' because he can disappear in a cloud of smoke, Graig finally found the consistency he had been lacking and the result was his best year. He had some big days, but kept cool.
'Baseball is mostly mental,' he says. 'It's a long season, a long career. No sense getting excited about one day. If you pop off when you're going good, sooner of later you're going to have to eat your words.' Born in San Diego, home runs don't turn him on, 'but a good play in the field that saves a game,' does.
His brother Jim played in Japan after a brief spin with the Tigers.
Graig has a dry sense of humor - his license plate number is 'E5.' "
Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"Was 1975 an off year for Graig Nettles? After hitting 22 home runs in both 1973 and 1974, he fell to 21 last season.
Actually, that sounds more like Nettles' type of humor. In reality, he had his best major league season, at last earning due respect from players and fans, who voted him the starting third baseman on both the mid-season and postseason All-Star teams.
Graig holds the all-time Yankee third baseman's record home run record with 22, holds major league records for both assists and double plays by a third baseman, and has led the American League in assists in four of the last five years. Consistency is the name of the game for Graig, and as long as it continues to be such a high brand of consistency, that's all right with the Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"A quality ballplayer year after year, Graig finally earned the plaudits of fans and players last season when he was voted to the starting lineup in the All-Star Game and to the third base slot on the Sporting News All-Stars. He hit a career high .267 and reached a career high of 91 runs batted in, while missing only three games all season. His 21 home runs were just one short of his Yankee third base record, reached in each of his previous two seasons in New York. Graig led the Yankees in home runs in 1973 (tied) and 1974. He has now played in 150 or more games for six consecutive years. Graig led the league in assists last year for the fourth time in five years, and he also led in putouts once.
Nettles shares the major league home run record for the month of April with Willie Stargell, having hit eleven in 1974. He drove in 23 runs that month, including a streak of 10 straight RBI games, one behind the Babe Ruth-Mel Ott record. Graig was named Player of the Month in the American League for his efforts.
He holds the major league for assists by a third baseman in one season with 412 in 1971 (he had 410 in 1973). He also holds the third base record of 54 double plays, also in 1971. Graig was named Man of the Year in Cleveland that season.
Graig played baseball and basketball at San Diego State before Minnesota signed him in 1966. He reached the majors in 1968 and hit five home runs in his first four days. A brother, Jim, played for the Twins and Tigers.
Graig teamed with football star Bob Tucker to win the American Airlines Golf Classic in January."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
1976 Profile: Sandy Alomar
"This veteran infielder had trouble getting started but played his best after Martin became manager. Moved to second in the batting order and given the opportunity to run, he pulled his average up from .190 to .239 and finished with 28 steals, his most since 1971.
'I prefer batting second,' he says. 'I always did well there. But how could I complain about being down at the bottom of the batting order the way I was hitting?'
An accomplished second baseman, Sandy made only 11 errors all season and missed only 11 games."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"There's a lot of speed left in Sandy Alomar's legs, and he proved it last year when he stole some 20 bases in the last two months of the season. Given the opportunity to run, he responded with a daring reminiscent of his younger days, when he led the California Angels in steals every season; even today, Sandy is still the Angels' all-time stolen base leader.
When one questions his durability, little Sandy can point to a streak of 648 consecutive games played in the American League.
Sandy's role on the '76 Yankees will be significant, for he's a favorite of the manager, and there's a great mutual respect of ability there. The veteran Puerto Rican still has a lot of baseball left in him, and the Yankees intend to make good use of it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Veteran Sandy Alomar has been the regular Yankee second baseman since he joined the club in July 1974. His fielding has been consistently first rate, and his Yankee batting average for two years is .250 - higher than it had been during his previous years in the big leagues. He's also hit three of his lifetime 11 home runs while in a Yankee uniform.
Sandy came alive in the final two months of last season, coinciding with the arrival of Billy Martin. He moved to the top of the batting order, and given more running freedom, he responded by hitting .286 with 22 stolen bases in 96 games. He was caught stealing only six times all year and recorded his highest stolen base total since 1971, one of five consecutive years in which he topped the Angels in thefts. Sandy was second to Bobby Bonds in base stealing but had a higher percentage of success.
Alomar is still the all-time California leader in stolen bases with 139, with Mickey Rivers second at 125. While with the Angels, Sandy played in 648 consecutive games, the seventh longest streak in the history of the American League, running until May 22, 1973. A member of the 1970 All-Star team, he's one of 18 players to have appeared for both the Yankees and the Mets.
His .985 fielding percentage was tops in the league for second basemen last season, as Alomar made only 11 errors."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
'I prefer batting second,' he says. 'I always did well there. But how could I complain about being down at the bottom of the batting order the way I was hitting?'
An accomplished second baseman, Sandy made only 11 errors all season and missed only 11 games."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"There's a lot of speed left in Sandy Alomar's legs, and he proved it last year when he stole some 20 bases in the last two months of the season. Given the opportunity to run, he responded with a daring reminiscent of his younger days, when he led the California Angels in steals every season; even today, Sandy is still the Angels' all-time stolen base leader.
When one questions his durability, little Sandy can point to a streak of 648 consecutive games played in the American League.
Sandy's role on the '76 Yankees will be significant, for he's a favorite of the manager, and there's a great mutual respect of ability there. The veteran Puerto Rican still has a lot of baseball left in him, and the Yankees intend to make good use of it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Veteran Sandy Alomar has been the regular Yankee second baseman since he joined the club in July 1974. His fielding has been consistently first rate, and his Yankee batting average for two years is .250 - higher than it had been during his previous years in the big leagues. He's also hit three of his lifetime 11 home runs while in a Yankee uniform.
Sandy came alive in the final two months of last season, coinciding with the arrival of Billy Martin. He moved to the top of the batting order, and given more running freedom, he responded by hitting .286 with 22 stolen bases in 96 games. He was caught stealing only six times all year and recorded his highest stolen base total since 1971, one of five consecutive years in which he topped the Angels in thefts. Sandy was second to Bobby Bonds in base stealing but had a higher percentage of success.
Alomar is still the all-time California leader in stolen bases with 139, with Mickey Rivers second at 125. While with the Angels, Sandy played in 648 consecutive games, the seventh longest streak in the history of the American League, running until May 22, 1973. A member of the 1970 All-Star team, he's one of 18 players to have appeared for both the Yankees and the Mets.
His .985 fielding percentage was tops in the league for second basemen last season, as Alomar made only 11 errors."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
1976 Profile: Jim Mason
"The jury's still out on 25-year-old Jim Mason. In 1974, he was handed the Yankee shortstop job and kept getting better as the season went on, both at bat and in the field. He was a highly regarded infielder, and a .250 hitter who cracked four doubles in one game against his old teammates, the Texas Rangers.
But in 1975, he lost the job, never getting untracked from the start of the season. The year was a nightmare for the sensitive Alabamian.
So this is year number three in the Yankee organization for Jim - the rubber year, so to speak. Will it be a return to the promise he showed in '74? The Yankees have confidence in Jim, and hope he rewards that trust by regaining his magic touch."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"The jury's still out on Jim - he's had one good year for the Yankees and one he'd rather forget. But the way he manned shortstop in 1974, getting better at the plate as the season progressed, still offers hope for a return to form for the young Alabamian.
Jim broke in with Washington in 1971 and played in the famous 'finale' at DC Stadium when the Senators forfeited to the Yankees. He played for Billy Martin in Texas before the Yankees bought him in December 1973.
One of seven children in the Mason family, Jim played Little League and Babe Ruth League ball in Mobile. He pitched a perfect game in the Alabama State Babe Ruth tourney.
Capable of playing second base as well as short, Jim hit four doubles in one game in Texas in 1974, tying a record."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
But in 1975, he lost the job, never getting untracked from the start of the season. The year was a nightmare for the sensitive Alabamian.
So this is year number three in the Yankee organization for Jim - the rubber year, so to speak. Will it be a return to the promise he showed in '74? The Yankees have confidence in Jim, and hope he rewards that trust by regaining his magic touch."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"The jury's still out on Jim - he's had one good year for the Yankees and one he'd rather forget. But the way he manned shortstop in 1974, getting better at the plate as the season progressed, still offers hope for a return to form for the young Alabamian.
Jim broke in with Washington in 1971 and played in the famous 'finale' at DC Stadium when the Senators forfeited to the Yankees. He played for Billy Martin in Texas before the Yankees bought him in December 1973.
One of seven children in the Mason family, Jim played Little League and Babe Ruth League ball in Mobile. He pitched a perfect game in the Alabama State Babe Ruth tourney.
Capable of playing second base as well as short, Jim hit four doubles in one game in Texas in 1974, tying a record."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
1976 Profile: Fred Stanley
"Fred Stanley finally put a stop to the shuttle service between the majors and the minors he'd been running for years. He beat his roommate Jim Mason out of the Yankee shortstop job last year, and for the first time in the major leagues, had the chance to play over 100 games in one season.
The results were glowing, and Fred was the most pleasant surprise of the Yankees. He manned the shortstop job with the class of a real veteran, contributing timely hits to augment his unquestioned fielding abilities. It seems at last that Fred needn't fight any longer to stay on a major league roster. He went out and proved his point."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Given the opportunity to play regularly last season, Fred responded with his most satisfying season and turned into the Yankees' most pleasant surprise. He did an outstanding job for the Yankees at short and contributed a lot of big hits. He seemed to be a good luck charm for Bobby Bonds, who hit well with Fred on base.
The Yankees are Fred's fourth major league club (he was previously with the Pilots-Brewers, Indians and Padres), but the first he ever played 100 games for. He holds the distinction of being the last Yankee to hit a grand slam in old Yankee Stadium, connecting on September 8, 1973, against Milwaukee - his only Yankee home run.
Raised in Whittier, California, where he played Little League, Colt League and American Legion ball, Fred was a business major at Rio Hondo, and later a sergeant in the Army.
Originally signed by Houston in 1966, he tried switch-hitting for a few years, but now bats strictly right-handed."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
The results were glowing, and Fred was the most pleasant surprise of the Yankees. He manned the shortstop job with the class of a real veteran, contributing timely hits to augment his unquestioned fielding abilities. It seems at last that Fred needn't fight any longer to stay on a major league roster. He went out and proved his point."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Given the opportunity to play regularly last season, Fred responded with his most satisfying season and turned into the Yankees' most pleasant surprise. He did an outstanding job for the Yankees at short and contributed a lot of big hits. He seemed to be a good luck charm for Bobby Bonds, who hit well with Fred on base.
The Yankees are Fred's fourth major league club (he was previously with the Pilots-Brewers, Indians and Padres), but the first he ever played 100 games for. He holds the distinction of being the last Yankee to hit a grand slam in old Yankee Stadium, connecting on September 8, 1973, against Milwaukee - his only Yankee home run.
Raised in Whittier, California, where he played Little League, Colt League and American Legion ball, Fred was a business major at Rio Hondo, and later a sergeant in the Army.
Originally signed by Houston in 1966, he tried switch-hitting for a few years, but now bats strictly right-handed."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
1976 Profile: Chris Chambliss
1976 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Speaks softly, carries a big stick. He batted over .300 for the first time in the big leagues after being challenged at first base by Roy White. Chris never complained, and even let White borrow his mitt.
Chris was born in Dayton, Ohio, and was the son a Navy chaplain. The Rookie of the Year with the Indians in 1971, he became a Yankee in a big, controversial seven-man trade in 1974.
'One of the finest gentlemen I've ever met in this game, bar none,' says ex-manager Bill Virdon. Chris is not a home run threat, but a potential high average hitter who can bat .300 every year. His best years are still ahead of him."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"All Yankee fans needed was patience. It came through with Chris Chambliss.
Obtained in a big trade in April 1974, Chris suffered through a sub-par year that season, a frustrating experience for the ex-UCLA star who won Rookie of the Year honors in 1971. But he was the old Chris in 1975, hitting .305 with career highs in almost every category.
The burly son of a Navy chaplain anchors the first base portion of the Yankee infield. The squint in his eyes gives him the appearance of smiling on the field, but his real smile is on the inside, where the quiet and honorable Chambliss feels the glow of meeting the competition of major league baseball at its best, and proving himself to be among the elite at his occupation."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Chris enjoyed his finest big league season in 1975, his first full year as a Yankee. He hit a career high .304, which was the tenth highest in the American League. He was also tenth in the league in hits with 171, and tied for third in doubles with 38, equalling the most by any Yankee since Bobby Richardson in 1962. He had a career high of 72 runs batted in, and for the second year in a row had the longest hitting streak on the club, 13; in 1974 he had an 18-game streak, tops on the club since Tony Kubek hit in 19 straight in 1961.
In one year at UCLA, Chris hit .340 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs, the latter figures both school records. He was named MVP in the National Baseball Congress tournament in 1969, hitting .583. The Indians drafted him in January 1970 and sent him to Wichita, where he was believed to be the first rookie to ever win a Triple-A batting title, hitting .342. Chris was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1971, when he took Hawk Harrelson's first base job away in Cleveland after only 118 minor league games. He hit a two-run single to beat Chicago 2-1 in his first major league game.
The son of a Navy chaplain, who spent most of his youth traveling, Chris lived in Hawaii for a time, and also in St Louis, where Arlene Henley, now Mrs. Elston Howard, was a babysitter for the Chambliss family. Chris played football, basketball and baseball at Oceanside High in California.
Burly in build, Chris is a soft-spoken man, popular with teammates. He became a father last year for the first time, just two days before Father's Day."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"Chambliss was tenth in the American League last year in batting (.304) and hits (171); his 38 doubles tied for third.
American League Rookie of the Year in 1971, Chris is believed to be the first rookie professional ever to win a Triple-A batting title (.342 with Wichita in 1970). He is perhaps the strongest, hardest-swinging singles-and-doubles hitter ever. His father was a Navy Chaplain.
This is Chris' first All-Star Game."
-1976 All-Star Game official program
"Speaks softly, carries a big stick. He batted over .300 for the first time in the big leagues after being challenged at first base by Roy White. Chris never complained, and even let White borrow his mitt.
Chris was born in Dayton, Ohio, and was the son a Navy chaplain. The Rookie of the Year with the Indians in 1971, he became a Yankee in a big, controversial seven-man trade in 1974.
'One of the finest gentlemen I've ever met in this game, bar none,' says ex-manager Bill Virdon. Chris is not a home run threat, but a potential high average hitter who can bat .300 every year. His best years are still ahead of him."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"All Yankee fans needed was patience. It came through with Chris Chambliss.
Obtained in a big trade in April 1974, Chris suffered through a sub-par year that season, a frustrating experience for the ex-UCLA star who won Rookie of the Year honors in 1971. But he was the old Chris in 1975, hitting .305 with career highs in almost every category.
The burly son of a Navy chaplain anchors the first base portion of the Yankee infield. The squint in his eyes gives him the appearance of smiling on the field, but his real smile is on the inside, where the quiet and honorable Chambliss feels the glow of meeting the competition of major league baseball at its best, and proving himself to be among the elite at his occupation."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"Chris enjoyed his finest big league season in 1975, his first full year as a Yankee. He hit a career high .304, which was the tenth highest in the American League. He was also tenth in the league in hits with 171, and tied for third in doubles with 38, equalling the most by any Yankee since Bobby Richardson in 1962. He had a career high of 72 runs batted in, and for the second year in a row had the longest hitting streak on the club, 13; in 1974 he had an 18-game streak, tops on the club since Tony Kubek hit in 19 straight in 1961.
In one year at UCLA, Chris hit .340 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs, the latter figures both school records. He was named MVP in the National Baseball Congress tournament in 1969, hitting .583. The Indians drafted him in January 1970 and sent him to Wichita, where he was believed to be the first rookie to ever win a Triple-A batting title, hitting .342. Chris was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1971, when he took Hawk Harrelson's first base job away in Cleveland after only 118 minor league games. He hit a two-run single to beat Chicago 2-1 in his first major league game.
The son of a Navy chaplain, who spent most of his youth traveling, Chris lived in Hawaii for a time, and also in St Louis, where Arlene Henley, now Mrs. Elston Howard, was a babysitter for the Chambliss family. Chris played football, basketball and baseball at Oceanside High in California.
Burly in build, Chris is a soft-spoken man, popular with teammates. He became a father last year for the first time, just two days before Father's Day."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"Chambliss was tenth in the American League last year in batting (.304) and hits (171); his 38 doubles tied for third.
American League Rookie of the Year in 1971, Chris is believed to be the first rookie professional ever to win a Triple-A batting title (.342 with Wichita in 1970). He is perhaps the strongest, hardest-swinging singles-and-doubles hitter ever. His father was a Navy Chaplain.
This is Chris' first All-Star Game."
-1976 All-Star Game official program
1976 Profile: Sparky Lyle
1976 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Memories are built on the dramatic career of Sparky Lyle. When fans voted for the Most Memorable Yankee Moments last year, Sparky's relief heroics received more than a couple of votes. Fans who remember all of his triumphs, with all the pageantry accompanying them, yearn for those olden days.
Those days may be ready to return. Sparky, who admitted to a real inner thrill pitching in Yankee Stadium, is home again. He thrives on the challenge presented to a relief pitcher, and as one of the best specialists in the business (Sparky has never started a game), there's no reason to feel he won't return to that heroic form.
A Lyle entry into a game can be a thing of beauty, but naturally, the result is the key. And Lyle has had so many favorable and exciting results go his way in four Yankee seasons, he's ready to conquer new worlds in a new Stadium with the old flair."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"One of the top relievers in baseball history, the Baseball Encyclopedia gives him 152 career saves. Sparky has won or saved 111 games for the Yankees in four seasons. He set an American League record in 1972 with 35 saves, broken a year later by John Hiller. He has a brilliant 2.52 career ERA and has twice been under 2.00 as a Yankee. His trade to the Yankees in spring training of 1972 was one of the best deals the Yankees ever made.
Sparky is the master of the hard slider, and is a great intimidator on the mound, with psychology an important part of his game. He is a picture of confidence, with a flair for the dramatic.
Lyle was first signed by Baltimore in 1964 after they saw him strike out 31 batters in a 17-inning sandlot game after never having played high school ball. The Red Sox drafted him a year later and he made the majors in 1967, contributing to a Red Sox pennant in his first year; an injury kept him out of the '67 World Series, however.
Named Fireman of the Year in 1972 by the Sporting News and Most Cooperative by New York press photographers in 1973, Sparky finished third in the league in the MVP voting in '72 and was a member of the '73 All-Star team. He holds Yankee records for most games (66) and most games finished (59), both set in 1974.
Sparky made his fewest appearances since 1968 last year, and it was reflected by a rather disappointing year for Lyle, although his arm remained sound. Although he picked up only 11 relief points, he still tied for the club lead.
Sparky enjoys photography and is a free spirit who will attempt almost anything. He takes his pitching quite seriously, however, and all his efforts in 1976 will be pointed towards a comeback. He has admitted a genuine thrill pitching in Yankee Stadium, and will seek to recapture that magic of the 'Pomp and Circumstance' days when the organist's tune accompanied his regal entrances from the bullpen."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"One of the best relievers ever, Lyle entered the season seventh on the all-time save list (with 152, most since the new rule went into effect in 1969). He holds the American League record for consecutive relief appearances without a start.
Sparky was Fireman of the Year for New York in 1972 and set Yankee records with 66 games and 59 games finished in 1974. Even though last year was an off-year, he was still the hardest pitcher in the A.L. to hit a home run off (one in 89 innings). Sparky was A.L. Player of the Week June 14-20, 1976 when he appeared in all six of the Yankees' games (all road wins), saved four and allowed no runs or walks in 10.2 innings.
This is Sparky's second All-Star Game."
-1976 All-Star Game official program
"Memories are built on the dramatic career of Sparky Lyle. When fans voted for the Most Memorable Yankee Moments last year, Sparky's relief heroics received more than a couple of votes. Fans who remember all of his triumphs, with all the pageantry accompanying them, yearn for those olden days.
Those days may be ready to return. Sparky, who admitted to a real inner thrill pitching in Yankee Stadium, is home again. He thrives on the challenge presented to a relief pitcher, and as one of the best specialists in the business (Sparky has never started a game), there's no reason to feel he won't return to that heroic form.
A Lyle entry into a game can be a thing of beauty, but naturally, the result is the key. And Lyle has had so many favorable and exciting results go his way in four Yankee seasons, he's ready to conquer new worlds in a new Stadium with the old flair."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"One of the top relievers in baseball history, the Baseball Encyclopedia gives him 152 career saves. Sparky has won or saved 111 games for the Yankees in four seasons. He set an American League record in 1972 with 35 saves, broken a year later by John Hiller. He has a brilliant 2.52 career ERA and has twice been under 2.00 as a Yankee. His trade to the Yankees in spring training of 1972 was one of the best deals the Yankees ever made.
Sparky is the master of the hard slider, and is a great intimidator on the mound, with psychology an important part of his game. He is a picture of confidence, with a flair for the dramatic.
Lyle was first signed by Baltimore in 1964 after they saw him strike out 31 batters in a 17-inning sandlot game after never having played high school ball. The Red Sox drafted him a year later and he made the majors in 1967, contributing to a Red Sox pennant in his first year; an injury kept him out of the '67 World Series, however.
Named Fireman of the Year in 1972 by the Sporting News and Most Cooperative by New York press photographers in 1973, Sparky finished third in the league in the MVP voting in '72 and was a member of the '73 All-Star team. He holds Yankee records for most games (66) and most games finished (59), both set in 1974.
Sparky made his fewest appearances since 1968 last year, and it was reflected by a rather disappointing year for Lyle, although his arm remained sound. Although he picked up only 11 relief points, he still tied for the club lead.
Sparky enjoys photography and is a free spirit who will attempt almost anything. He takes his pitching quite seriously, however, and all his efforts in 1976 will be pointed towards a comeback. He has admitted a genuine thrill pitching in Yankee Stadium, and will seek to recapture that magic of the 'Pomp and Circumstance' days when the organist's tune accompanied his regal entrances from the bullpen."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"One of the best relievers ever, Lyle entered the season seventh on the all-time save list (with 152, most since the new rule went into effect in 1969). He holds the American League record for consecutive relief appearances without a start.
Sparky was Fireman of the Year for New York in 1972 and set Yankee records with 66 games and 59 games finished in 1974. Even though last year was an off-year, he was still the hardest pitcher in the A.L. to hit a home run off (one in 89 innings). Sparky was A.L. Player of the Week June 14-20, 1976 when he appeared in all six of the Yankees' games (all road wins), saved four and allowed no runs or walks in 10.2 innings.
This is Sparky's second All-Star Game."
-1976 All-Star Game official program
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
1976 Profile: Willie Randolph
1976 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Willie was the key for the Yankees in the Doc Medich deal. He hit .339 with seven homers and 42 RBI for Charleston and has great speed. Pirate GM Joe L. Brown called him the best second base prospect he'd seen since Bill Mazeroski. Willie was made expendable by Rennie Stennett, a Buc fixture at second base.
Born in Holly Hills, South Carolina, he resides in Brooklyn and attended Samuel Tilden High School there."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"A warm welcome home to Willie Randolph, promising 21-year-old second baseman obtained last winter from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Welcome home? Sure ... Willie's a Brooklyn resident who starred at Tilden High School before the Pirates signed him. The general feeling among baseball people is that Willie is the most talented young infielder to come along in many years.
Randolph's job is not an easy one. At 21, the pressures of stepping into a regular job on a New York team are often difficult, but all signs indicate that this man is up to it. Professionally, he has all the tools, having compiled the second highest batting average in the International League last year, and fielding unquestionably well.
New York, meet Willie Randolph. He may be around for a long, long time."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"One of the most sought-after infield prospects in all of baseball, the Yankees landed him in a big trade during the Winter Meetings in Hollywood, Florida. This Tilden High School product was drafted seventh by Pittsburgh in the June 1972 Free Agent Draft.
Willie is an exceptional second baseman who has proven himself to swing a good bat, draw walks and steal bases. He was leading the International League in hitting when the Pirates recalled him last July, but he saw little action with Rennie Stennett having a fine year.
Just 21 years old, Willie impressed the Yankees in spring training a year ago when the Yanks and Pittsburgh played six games."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"Raised in Brooklyn (a Tilden High grad), Randolph is the only rookie ever to appear on the All-Star ballot. He is exceptionally poised for one so young. Willie was rated a can't-miss prospect by all the scouts when he hit .339 in Triple-A last year, but the Pirates felt the presence of Rennie Stennett enabled them to trade him.
The Pirates compared his ability to make the double play with Bill Mazeroski's. Willie is also an excellent base stealer.
This is Willie's first All-Star Game."
-1976 All-Star Game official program
"Willie was the key for the Yankees in the Doc Medich deal. He hit .339 with seven homers and 42 RBI for Charleston and has great speed. Pirate GM Joe L. Brown called him the best second base prospect he'd seen since Bill Mazeroski. Willie was made expendable by Rennie Stennett, a Buc fixture at second base.
Born in Holly Hills, South Carolina, he resides in Brooklyn and attended Samuel Tilden High School there."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1976 Edition
"A warm welcome home to Willie Randolph, promising 21-year-old second baseman obtained last winter from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Welcome home? Sure ... Willie's a Brooklyn resident who starred at Tilden High School before the Pirates signed him. The general feeling among baseball people is that Willie is the most talented young infielder to come along in many years.
Randolph's job is not an easy one. At 21, the pressures of stepping into a regular job on a New York team are often difficult, but all signs indicate that this man is up to it. Professionally, he has all the tools, having compiled the second highest batting average in the International League last year, and fielding unquestionably well.
New York, meet Willie Randolph. He may be around for a long, long time."
-The New York Yankees Official 1976 Yearbook
"One of the most sought-after infield prospects in all of baseball, the Yankees landed him in a big trade during the Winter Meetings in Hollywood, Florida. This Tilden High School product was drafted seventh by Pittsburgh in the June 1972 Free Agent Draft.
Willie is an exceptional second baseman who has proven himself to swing a good bat, draw walks and steal bases. He was leading the International League in hitting when the Pirates recalled him last July, but he saw little action with Rennie Stennett having a fine year.
Just 21 years old, Willie impressed the Yankees in spring training a year ago when the Yanks and Pittsburgh played six games."
-1976 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"Raised in Brooklyn (a Tilden High grad), Randolph is the only rookie ever to appear on the All-Star ballot. He is exceptionally poised for one so young. Willie was rated a can't-miss prospect by all the scouts when he hit .339 in Triple-A last year, but the Pirates felt the presence of Rennie Stennett enabled them to trade him.
The Pirates compared his ability to make the double play with Bill Mazeroski's. Willie is also an excellent base stealer.
This is Willie's first All-Star Game."
-1976 All-Star Game official program
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