1993 Profile: Wade Boggs

1993 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR

"Signed to a three-year contract, the free agent must show he hasn't lost his skills after his career took a sudden nosedive. His career-low batting average was 86 points below his lifetime mark entering the 1992 season. Boggs had never hit below .302 in 10 previous and his hit total represented his fewest since his rookie year.

He struggled mightily in the leadoff position, compiling a .222 average in 55 games compared to a .287 mark in the 78 games in which he batted third. Opposing managers still respect him because he drew a league-leading 19 intentional walks. He was still the third-toughest in the American League to strike out, fanning once per 19.3 at-bats.

Boggs was never embraced by Red Sox fans even though he captured five AL batting titles from 1983-88, missing only in 1984. He was branded by some as a selfish player because of his preoccupation with his statistics.

Born June 15, 1958, in Omaha, Nebraska, Boggs was the Red Sox' seventh-round pick in the 1976 draft."

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

"Thank you, Boston. Thank you for Paul Revere. Thank you for baked beans and clam chowder. Thank you for the Babe. Thank you for Sparky Lyle. And thank you for Wade Anthony Boggs, the greatest hitter of his time.

When the Red Sox and Boggs could not get together on a contract last season, that made Boggs a free agent. The Yankees jumped right in and signed him, meaning that for at least three years, Boggs will bring his sweet swing and his collection of five batting titles to Yankee Stadium.

Boggs comes off his poorest season, a .259 batting average which he says is attributable to a number of things. A bad back. Concern over his contract status. A too-late discovery that he needs contact lenses. Last season's average tumbled Boggs' lifetime mark seven points to a mere .338, by far the best among active players. Age 34, Boggs reasons, is not too old to expect a return to his previous form, which he vows will happen.

With Boggs and Don Mattingly, the Yankees will have No. 2 and No. 3 hitters who, coming into this season, have combined for 3,852 hits and won six batting titles. If you think that gets Yankee fans excited, how do you think it makes Danny Tartabull feel? He bats right behind them."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"1992 was a sub-par season for the five-time batting champion, eight-time All-Star and ten-time .300 hitter. Boggs hit .259 with seven home runs and 50 RBIs, hitting below .300 for the first time in his 11-year career. He set career lows in virtually every offensive category and failed to reach 100 runs, 100 bases on balls or 200 hits for the third consecutive season, but finished eighth among American League third basemen in fielding with a .952 success rate.

Boggs led the American League in intentional walks (19) and has now led or tied for the AL lead for six consecutive seasons, extending his major league record (since they were first kept in 1955). He ranked third toughest to fan in the AL (1K/19.3 plate appearances).

He hit a club best .311 (33-for-106) with runners in scoring position and drove in 12 of 20 runners from third base with less than two outs. He hit .286 (4-for-14) with a homer and 12 RBIs with the bases loaded. He led the Red Sox with 40 multi-hit games, including three four-hit games.

Boggs' batting average was better than .300 on just one day, April 12 (.308). He notched career hit No. 2,000 on May 17 against California, a single off Mark Langston. He had his third career two-homer game on May 22 against Oakland, both off Dave Stewart. He hit his third career grand slam on June 17 at Toronto off Dave Stieb.

He was named to his eighth consecutive All-Star team, his seventh consecutive as a starter. July was the only month Wade hit .300 (.304). He followed that with his worst month ever, hitting .198 in August. Included was a career worst-tying 0-for-21 skid from August 22-30. He hit his final home run on August 4 at Toronto off David Wells, his only homer against left-handed pitching.

Wade hit leadoff in 55 games, from the beginning of the season through May 8 and from July 26 through August 30, hitting a combined .222 in that capacity. He hit in the No. 3 spot in 80 games, batting .288 with 32 RBIs.

His career .338 batting average fell seven points from his .345 average entering the 1992 season. 

He signed a three-year contract with the Yankees as a free agent in December 1992. The contract extends through the 1995 season. Wade participated in the 1992 post-season major league tour of Japan.

With the bases loaded, Boggs has a career .359 batting average (42-for-117, 13 BB, 15 K, 3 hit by pitch, 11 sac flies) with three grand slams and 109 RBIs. He has a .349 average (462-for-1324) with runners in scoring position. In his career he has driven home 201 of 293 (69%) of runners from third with less than two out.

He has a career .354 batting average (1509-for-4257) against right-handed pitching and a .301 average (589-for-1956) against left-handers. He has 47 four-hit games and three five-hit games. He has four career home runs leading off a game.

Since 1901, only 38 players (totaling 88 times) have reached base 300 times in a season (hit, walk, hit by pitch), including 22 AL players (58 times) and 16 NL players (30 times). The top 10 all-time totals have been accomplished by  American Leaguers with the highest National League total coming from Lefty O'Doul (334) in 1929 (tied for 11th). Since 1958, only nine players have accomplished this (7 AL, 2 NL), doing so 19 times. Only nine players have done so two times or more: Gehrig & Ruth (9), Williams (7), Boggs & Musial (6), Rose (5), Foxx & Hornsby (4) and Gehringer, Mantle & Speaker (3).

In history, only nine players (21 times) have had 200 hits and 100 walks in the same season. In 1989 Boggs became the first player to accomplish this in four consecutive seasons. When he did it for the first time in 1986, he became the first player since Stan Musial in 1953 to achieve this. The number of times this has been accomplished: Gehrig (7), Boggs (4), Ruth (3), Musial (2), Cobb, English, Foxx, Greenberg and Wilson, once each.

Boggs has been pinch-hit for three times: on April 26, 1982, at Chicago by Dave Stapleton; on September 24, 1988, at New York by Jim Rice; and on September 29, 1989, against Milwaukee by Marty Barrett. His 1,521 games played at third base are the most in Red Sox history. He has been named American League Player of the Month twice and AL Player of the Week five times.

The Red Sox' 7th round pick in the June 1976 free agent draft, Wade was signed by George Digby on June 10, 1976. In 1977, he hit .332 at Winston-Salem, finishing fourth in the Carolina League in hitting. He was named to the league and Topps, Class-A all-star teams.

Wade hit .311 at AA Bristol in 1978, finishing third in the Eastern League in hitting. He hit .325 at Bristol in 1979, finishing second in the EL in hitting. He led the league's third basemen in fielding percentage (.953) and was named to the circuit's All-Star team.

In 1980 Boggs hit .306 at AAA Pawtucket, losing the International League batting title on the final day by .0007 to Toledo's Dave Engle. He hit .335 in 1981 to win the IL batting championship, securing the title on the season's final day. Boggs set nine Pawtucket records for left-handed hitters, while also leading the IL in hits (167) and doubles (41).

1982 was his first year with the Red Sox after five straight .300-plus seasons in the minors. Boggs set the American League rookie record (minimum of 100 games) with a .349 batting average. He finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Cal Ripken, Jr. and Kent Hrbek.

Wade's first major league hit came on April 26 at old Comiskey Park off Richard Dotson. His first home run came on June 22 against Detroit, an 11th inning blast off Dave Tobik giving the Red Sox a 5-4 win.

He was placed in the starting lineup on June 25 when Carney Lansford suffered an injury and hit .361 the remainder of the season. Wade played 44 games at third base and 49 games at first base, starting the final 35 games at first.

In 1983 Wade led the majors with a .361 batting average, a .449 on-base percentage and 68 multi-hit games. He ranked second in the majors in hits (210) and doubles (44) and ranked third in the AL in bases on balls (89). He became the ninth Red Sox player to win a batting title and his batting average was the highest for the club since Ted Williams hit .388 in 1957. Boggs was voted to the UPI American League and the Sporting News AL and Silver Slugger teams.

He was 0-for-3 on Opening Day and his batting average was as low as .333 for the final time on May 19. It peaked at .390 on June 6. He was AL Player of the Week from July 11-17. He hit .397 at Fenway and .321 on the road.

Boggs hit .325 (3rd in the AL) in 1984 with six home runs and 55 RBIs. He led the majors in reaching base (292 times) and was second in the AL in multi-hit games (57), hits (203) and on-base percentage (.407).

He hit .290 through July 1, enduring a career worst 0-for-21 skid, and hit .323 for the month of July. Boggs had the first of his three two-home run games on August 6 against Detroit, also doubling and singling in that game to post a career best 11 total bases. He hit .326 in August and .405 in September to raise his average and ended the season by hitting safely in 11 straight games.

Wade had seven four-hit games in 1984, including back-to-back against the Yankees on September 8-9. He hit .352 at home and .296 on the road. He led AL third basemen in games (156) and double plays (30).

In 1985 he hit was is still a career best .368 to lead the majors. He also stroked 240 hits, the most in the majors in the 55 years since Bill Terry of the New York Giants had 254 hits in 1930. It was the most in the American League since Heinie Manush had 241 for the St. Louis Browns in 1928. Boggs also led the majors in singles (187, an AL record), multi-hit games (72, a Red Sox record) and in on-base percentage (.450).

He had what is still a career best 28-game hitting streak (3rd longest in Red Sox history). He reached base safely 340 times, in 152 of 161 games. Boggs set an AL record with 758 plate appearances, breaking Bobby Richardson's 1962 record (754). He hit safely in 135 games, tying Chuck Klein's major league record (1930) and breaking Al Simmons' AL mark (133 in 1925).

Wade never went hitless in more than two straight games (four times, none after June 12) and his longest hitless drought was 10 at-bats (twice, both by May 21). He hit .300 through June 12 and .402 over the remainder of the season.

Wade had seven four-hit games and 19 three-hit games. He hit .418 at home, the second highest home mark in club history (Williams, .429 in 1941). He hit .397 with runners in scoring position.

He ranked third in the AL in doubles (42), fourth in total bases (312) and fifth in bases on balls (96). He led AL third basemen in total chances (486), was tied for first in games (161) and second in putouts (134).

Boggs was named to the All-Star team and to the post-season Sporting News AL team. He was the Red Sox booster club (BoSox Club) 'Man of the Year' for his cooperation in community efforts and contributions to the team.

He led the majors in four offensive categories in 1986: batting average (.357), bases on balls (105), on-base percentage (.453) and reaching base safely (312 times). He led the club in doubles (47, 2nd in the AL), runs (107) and hits (207, 4th in the AL). Boggs became the first Red Sox player ever and the first in the majors since Stan Musial in 1953 to notch a 200-hit, 100-walk season.

Boggs had 63 multi-hit games. He had the first of three career five-hit games on May 20 against Minnesota, and the second on May 31 at Minnesota. He added six four-hit games and a 20-game hitting streak from August 29-September 18, hitting .405 (34-for-84) in that span.

He hit .471 with 20 RBIs in May to earn Player of the Month honors. He hit his first career grand slam at Texas on May 25 off Mike Mason. His season batting average peaked at .404 on June 6.

Wade lost his mother to an auto accident on June 17. His batting average was .380 at that time.

He hit a career low .247 in July but hit .353 in August and .398 in September. He moved into the leadoff spot on August 6 and hit .385 over the next 51 games.

Wade hit safely in his final seven games at .548 to raise his average from .346 to .357. He missed the season's final four games with a pulled right hamstring.

He hit a club best .359 (42-for-117) with runners in scoring position. He drove home 17 of 24 baserunners from third with less than two out. He hit .357 in Fenway Park and .356 on the road. Boggs' road batting average was the club's highest since Williams' .374 in 1957. He hit .359 against right-handed pitching and .352 against southpaws and hit .324 from the seventh inning on.

He led American League third basemen in putouts (121), was tied for second in double plays (30) and was fourth in total chances (408). Four of his 19 errors were the result of bad throws.

Boggs made his first All-Star Game appearance (1-for-1, 1 BB). He was voted to the Sporting News and UPI postseason AL All-Star teams.

He hit safely in six of the seven American League Championship Series games against California (.233 BA) and drove two runs in the seventh game. He hit .290 in the World Series against the Mets. He had the game-winning RBI in game 2 and had three hits in Game 6.

In 1987, Boggs led the league in hitting (.363) and the majors in on-base percentage (.461), the third consecutive season he did so. He reached base 307 times and set career highs in home runs (24), RBIs (89), total bases (324), slugging (.588), extra-base hits (70) and intentional bases on balls (a league leading 19). Wade ranked second in the AL in doubles (40), third in slugging, fourth in hits (200) and tied for fourth in extra-base hits.

He notched career hit No. 1000 on April 30 in the Kingdome off Scott Bankhead. He was hitting .283 through the first 25 games when he was moved to third in the batting order on May 5. He hit .379 the rest of the season.

Wade had a 25-game hitting streak from May 28-June 24 during which he hit .458 (44-for-96). It was his third 20-plus-game hitting streak of his career and the second longest. He led the league in hitting from June 17 on.

He hit .485 in June to win American League Player of the Month honors. His only sacrifice fly of the year came on June 6 against the Twins; from 1984-87 he converted on 16 of 16 sacrifice attempts. Wade was AL Player of the Week from June 15-21. He hit his second career grand slam on June 29 against Baltimore (Scott McGregor). His season high batting average was .391 on June 30.

An end-of-the-season injury to his left knee caused him to pinch-hit just once in the final 12 games and prevented him from leading the majors in several categories. The knee required surgery on October 1.

Boggs hit seven home runs off left-handed pitching and 11 that either tied a game or put the Sox ahead. He went hitless in more than two games only once, a four-game stretch from September 4-8. He had 39 game-tying or go-ahead RBIs. He drove in 26 of 35 baserunners from third with less than two outs.

He hit a sizzling .411 at home, the third highest home batting average in club history. He hit .312 at home and .377 against right-handed pitching. He hit .375 (9-for-24, 3 HR, 9 RBI) on 0-2 pitches.

Boggs led major league third basemen in double plays (37) and was third in the AL in fielding  (.965), making only 14 errors (four throwing). On May 5 against Oakland he made his first appearance at first base since 1982.

He was named to the UPI, Sporting News and Baseball America AL All-Star teams and the AP major league All-Star team. Boggs was also named to the Sporting News Silver Slugger team and was second in the Gold Glove voting.

He hit a sizzling .366 in 1988 to win his fourth consecutive AL batting title and fifth in the last six years. He became the first player since 1900 to post six consecutive 200-hit seasons and joined Lou Gehrig (1930-32) as the only two players ever with three consecutive 200-hit, 100-walk seasons. Boggs joined Williams (4 times), Yastrzemski and Rogers Hornsby (2 times each) as the only players to lead their league in batting average and bases on balls more than once. He reached base safely (hit, walk, hit by pitch) 342 times, tying Gehrig for the sixth highest total ever, and posted the highest total since Williams (358) in 1959.

Boggs led the majors with 128 runs, the most by any Boston player since Dom DiMaggio in 1950 (131). He also led the majors in doubles (45), walks (125) and on-base percentage (.476). He ranked second in the majors in hits (214) and multi-hit games (64), his fourth time with 60-plus multi-hit games. He tied teammate Mike Greenwell for the AL lead in intentional bases on balls (18).

He hit .400 in a month twice, May (.400) and September (.423). He had three consecutive hitless games twice, but never more than three. Wade hit a AL best .351 on the road, .382 in Fenway. Four of his five home runs came at home, with two going into the left field screen. He led AL third basemen in putouts (122) and ranked fourth in the loop in fielding (.971).

Wade hit primarily third in the batting order (63 games) until mid-June when he was moved into the leadoff spot (91 games). He hit the only inside-the-park homer of his career at Kansas City on July 2 off Charlie Liebrandt. He led the AL in hitting from July 31 on, with the exception of August 14 (trailing Kirby Puckett .356 to .355). Boggs was AL Player of the Week for August 22-28.

Boggs was named to the UPI, Sporting News and Baseball America AL All-Star teams and the AP major league All-Star team. He was also named to the Sporting News Silver Slugger team.

In the A.L.C.S. against Oakland, Boggs led Boston with a .385 batting average (5-for-13, 3 RBIs). In Game One he had a 7th inning sacrifice fly but was struck out by Dennis Eckersley with runners on first and second to end the game. He was 3-for-4 with two RBIs in Game 3. He handled 12 chances without an error.

Wade hit .330 in 1989 with three home runs and 54 RBIs. He ranked in the top three in eight AL categories with a league best-tying 113 runs scored and a league best 51 doubles, .430 on-base percentage and 19 intentional bases on balls. Wade was tied for second in the majors in hits (205), tied for second in the AL in multi-hit games (58) and was third in the AL in batting average and bases on balls (107).

After a hot start (.419 batting average through 10 games), including being named American Player of the week May 1-7, he was hitting a season low .288 on May 23. Wade's monthly best was a .381 batting average in June. After hitting the league in hitting (.421) on April 14, he did not lead the league again until August 8. From that point on he alternated between first and second with Kirby Puckett, leading for the last time on August 29 (.341). Boggs had a 2-for-27 stretch (including 0-for-16 in the middle) in early September, falling out of the race on September 19 (.322). He hit .447 over the season's final nine games.

Boggs reached base safely (H, BB or HBP) 319 times, the fifth straight year (and sixth overall) he reached base 300-plus times. His sixth time ranked him tied for fourth most in major league history with Stan Musial, behind Gehrig and Ruth (tied with 9) and Williams (7). It marked the seventh consecutive year Boggs led the majors in reaching base safely.

He also had his seventh consecutive season with 200-plus hits, extending his modern-day record. Coupled with his 107 walks, he became the only player to post 200-hit, 100-walk efforts in four consecutive seasons.

Wade hit leadoff in 123 games (.321 BA) and third in 32 games (.407). He had six four-hit games, hit .339 with runners in scoring position and was ranked the eighth toughest to fan in the American League.

He led AL third basemen in double plays (29) and putouts (123) and finished second in games (132). His .958 fielding percentage ranked fourth.

Boggs was voted to his fourth straight AL All-Star team and hit the second of consecutive first-inning homers with Bo Jackson. He was named to the UPI AL All-Star team and the Sporting News Silver Slugger team for the fourth consecutive year.

In 1990, Boggs batted .302 with six home runs and 63 RBIs. He drew fewer than 100 walks (87) for the first time since 1985 and struck out a career worst 68 times. Boggs was never closer than fourth in the AL batting race.

He led the circuit with 19 intentional bases on balls, ranked second in hits (187), tied for second in multi-hit games (54), tied for third in doubles (44), sixth in on-base percentage (.386), eighth in bases on balls and tied for 10th in extra-base hits (55). His 275 times reaching base led the league for the eighth straight season (after leading the majors in the previous seven seasons).

Wade tied the major league record with three intentional walks in a nine-inning game on April 10 against Detroit. Playing in his fifth straight All-Star Game, he was 2-2 with a walk He hit leadoff in the first 90 games before being placed third in the batting order on July 23. 

His batting average was a season best .312 five times, the last on September 12. Wade hit .275 in September after having a .365 average for that month before the 1990 season. He hit .316 over the final 98 games.

Wade was injured three different occasions: an injured left wrist in May, a fractured right toe in August and back and hip problems in September. His 152 games at third were tied for first in the loop and made 20 errors (tied for 4th), his highest total since 1984.

He hit a club best .338 with runners in scoring position and drove home 20 of 31 runs from third base with less than two out. He was 6-for-13 with 14 RBIs with the bases loaded. He hit .359 at home and a career low .245 on the road. He hit .319 against right-handers and .274 against lefties.

In the AL playoffs against Oakland, Boggs hit .438  (7-for-16) hitting safely in all four games. He also hit the only home run by either team in the series, off Dave Stewart in Game One, as he and Ellis Burks were the only players with two extra-base hits.

1991 was a solid season for the veteran third baseman as Boggs finished second in the majors in hitting (.332) to Julio Franco and fourth in on-base percentage (.461). He hit .300-plus for the tenth consecutive season and led the AL in intentional walks with 25, a personal best.

He was tied for fourth in the AL in doubles (42), becoming the second player in major league history with seven consecutive seasons of 40-plus doubles (Joe Medwick 1933-39) and the fourth player with eight 40-double seasons overall. Boggs had at least 100 singles and 50 extra-base hits for the seventh consecutive season, the first AL player to do so since Joe DiMaggio (1936-42).

He also ranked first in the AL as the toughest to strike out (1 K every 20 plate appearances), tied for eighth in walks (89) and tied for ninth in hits (181). Wade hit a club best .389 at home and a major league best .361 (137-for-380) against right-handers. He drove in 17 of 22 runners from third base with less than two out. His eight homers were his most since hitting 24 in 1987.

He reached base safely 270 times, his lowest total since 1982. His 144 games played was also his fewest since his rookie season. His 52 extra-base hits were his fewest since 1984. He hit leadoff 108 times (.347 BA) and batted third 32 times (.271).

On July 15 against Chicago (Ramon Garcia), he hit his fourth career leadoff-a-game home run. He had a personal best five hits, including three doubles on July 31 at Oakland. He hit .415 in July.

From July 31 on, Wade ranked in the top three in batting average, peaking at .343 on August 12-13. He hit in a season-best 10 straight games in August. A sore back forced him to miss several games in July and August. An injured right shoulder forced him to miss six of the final eight games of the season.

His .338 batting average on September 1 made Boggs the American League leader for the first time since August 29, 1989. His final time leading the league was on September 9 (.339).

Boggs made 12 errors but only two after July 21. His .968 fielding percentage ranked fourth in the AL. He was second in double plays (34) and fourth in games, putout, assists and total chances.

He was named to the postseason AL All-Star teams of UPI and the Sporting News and named to the Sporting News Silver Slugger team for the sixth time.

Wade attended H.B. Plant High School in Tampa. Originally a shortstop at Plant, he was MVP, All-Conference, All-State and All-American. He was also All-State and a three-year letterman on the football team. Wade was a  shortstop in Little League and in Legion ball.

Wade is very involved in fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis organization and is involved with the American Cancer Society. He began eating chicken in 1993, coinciding with his charity-driven cookbook, 'Fowl Tips.' "

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

Holds American League rookie record for highest batting average, 100+ games (.349), 1982.

Led American League in batting (.361), 1983.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.444), 1983.

Led American League in singles (154), 1983.

Led American League third basemen in errors (27), 1983.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1983.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1983.

Led American League in singles (162), 1984.

Led American League third basemen in double plays (30), 1984.

Tied for American League lead in errors, third basemen, (20), 1984.

American League All-Star, 1985.

Led American League in batting (.368), 1985.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.450), 1985.

Led American League in hits (240), 1985.

Led American League in singles (187), 1985.

Holds American League single-record for most singles (187), 1985.

Shares major league single-season record for most games, one or more hits (135), 1985.

Led American League third basemen in total chances (486), 1985.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1985.

American League All-Star, 1986.

Led American League in batting (.357), 1986.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.453), 1986.

Led American League in bases on balls (105), 1986.

Led American League third basemen in putouts (121), 1986.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1986.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1986.

American League All-Star, 1987.

Led American League in batting (.363), 1987.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.461), 1987.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (19), 1987.

Led American League third basemen in double plays (37), 1987.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1987.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1987.

American League All-Star, 1988.

Led American League in batting (.366), 1988.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.476), 1988.

Led American League in runs (128), 1988.

Led American League in bases on balls (125), 1988.

Led American League in doubles (45), 1988.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (18), 1988.

Led American League, double plays grounded into (23), 1988.

Led American League third basemen in putouts (122), 1988.

Shares American League single-season, fewest double plays by a third baseman, 150+ games (17), 1988.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1988.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1988.

American League All-Star, 1989.

Led American League in on-base percentage (.430), 1989.

Tied for American League in runs (113), 1989.

Led American League in doubles (51), 1989.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (19), 1989.

Led American League third basemen in double plays (29), 1989.

Led American League third basemen in putouts (123), 1989.

Holds American League record, most consecutive seasons, 200+ hits (7), 1983-89.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1989.

American League All-Star, 1990.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (19), 1990.

Shares American League single-season record, fewest chances by a third baseman, 150+ games (349), 1990.

American League All-Star, 1991.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (25), 1991.

Holds major league record, most consecutive seasons leading his league in intentional bases on balls (5), 1987-91.

Named third baseman on the Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1991.

American League All-Star, 1992.

Led American League in intentional bases on balls (19), 1992.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

Wade Anthony Boggs "Boggsy" (3B)     #12

Born June 15, 1958, in Omaha, Nebraska, resides in Tampa, Florida. Height: 6-2, weight: 197. Bats left, throws right. 

Married, Debbie (12/21/76), and father of Meagann (14) and Brett (6). 

Major league service: 11 years, 0 days. Opening Day age: 34.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

WADE BOGGS: ONCE A HITTER, ALWAYS A HITTER

"When Wade Boggs walked to the batter's box for the first time at Fenway Park for the first time since signing with the Yankees as a free agent, he received a raucous mix of boos and cheers.

How could it be otherwise?

Boggs had arguably been one of the great hitters of his time in his 11 years in a Boston Red Sox uniform. He won five batting titles in that uniform, including four straight from 1985-88 while never hitting below .357 in any of those years.

Boggs opened his Boston career with 10 straight .300 seasons. He rattled off seven straight 200-hit seasons from 1983-89. He produced a lifetime .338 average, second only to the great Ted Williams.

Many of the Fenway Park faithful heartily cheered Boggs' history of accomplishment.

Others, though, could not forget the history of the fierce Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. They cringed at the sight of Boggs in a Yankee uniform. They could not help but boo.

The discordant reception Boggs received made for a strange scene at Fenway when he returned in late May, and it made for a difficult evening for the emotional veteran as he stepped into the batter's box against Boston starter John Dopson.

Boggs won the confrontation against his former teammate by pulling a single beyond the reach of second baseman Scott Fletcher. Boggs' next at-bat came in the third inning and he again bettered Dopson by punching a single to center. Two innings later, Boggs rammed a single up the middle for his third hit in as many at-bats.

When Boggs next stepped to the plate against Dopson, in the seventh inning, there was a tremendous sense of anticipation. Would he be able to turn this highly-charged evening into a memorable four-hit evening? Would he give those who filled Fenway a night with which to remember the greatness he displayed for 11 years in Beantown?

Boggs masterfully worked the count full before singling up the middle. Four for four! When Boggs reached first base, he was greeted by a tremendous ovation from the Fenway Park crowd of 34,170. Dissent had given way to a warm appreciation of Boggs' remarkable talent. A Yankee was heartily cheered in Boston.

Boggs, who drew a walk in his final plate appearance after falling behind 0-2, described the evening as the stuff of which fairy tales are made. But this was all true.

'This is the most difficult game I've played, bar none,' Boggs said when it was over. 'I can't describe the feeling. I don't know if it was emotional or what it was. I never felt it in an All-Star Game or World Series game.'

While Yankees manager Buck Showalter was disappointed by that night's 7-2 loss to Boston, he appreciated the individual performance he had witnessed.

'You see why he accomplished the things he did with the way he blocked out the negativism that might have been associated with his return here. It makes you understand very quickly why he's the type of hitter he's been over the years,' Showalter said.

It does indeed.

Spike Owen has had two chances to admire Boggs' talent up close. They were teammates in Boston from 1986-88 and now the two free-agent signees are reunited with the Yankees. Owen was with the Red Sox to watch Boggs fashion averages of .357, 363 and .366, each good for a batting title.

'If you sit back and look at it you say, 'Man, what a roll he had.' They weren't lucky years. They were years of consistency,' Owen marveled.

'It was great watching the guy day and day out put up the numbers he put up. I've never played with anybody who consistently hit like that. It was very seldom when he went hitless and it didn't last long. If he didn't get a hit the night before, he'd get three the next night.'

Owen believes the key to Boggs' success was, and still is, a superior mental approach to the game. 'The physical tools are certainly very important,' he said, 'but to be able to accomplish that you've got to be really strong mentally and have a lot of confidence.

'It's a sport where you go out and play every single night pretty much and a lot of times you are mentally tired. To do the things he's done is not only a credit to his physical ability but to a very strong mental attitude.'

Owen believes the move to the Yankees will help Boggs regain that mental edge. 'It's a fresh start for him and something really different for him because he's been in Boston his whole career,' the shortstop noted. 'He's been made to feel wanted here, which is very big for anybody.'

The Yankees, rebounding from the loss of third baseman Charlie Hayes to Colorado in the expansion draft, made a strong commitment to Boggs by signing him to a three-year, $11-million contract as a free agent. It was a bold stroke since many teams shied away from the 35-year-old because he was coming off a poor season.

Boggs batted .259 last year, abruptly ending his string of 10 consecutive .300 seasons. The average represented a 73-point tumble from the summer before and caused Boggs' lifetime mark to drop from .345 to .338. It also stirred speculation that the five-time batting champion's best days were far behind him.

It was not the first time he had heard that.

'In 1990, when I hit .302, everyone said my skills were fading. 'I'd never be a .330 or .340 hitter again,' Boggs recalled. 'The next year I hit .330 (actually .332).'

His average this season has hovered consistently around the .315 mark despite not playing every day. Boggs is convinced he has not lost any of his physical skills. 'If I did,' he says, 'I wouldn't be here. When that day comes, I quit.'

Showalter senses a welcome determination in Boggs. 'I think he's looking at the season as kind of a mission to show everybody he's still capable of being a good player,' the manager says.'I just want him to continue his high on-base percentage, catch the ball at third base, do the job defensively, and be the Wade Boggs we know.'

Boggs is certain his final average will return to its previous lofty height.

'I'd bet the house on it,' he declares.'You don't just take a career .340 hitter and turn him into a .240 hitter overnight. It just doesn't happen.'

Boggs' expectations as a Yankee are high.

'My lifetime average is .338 or something. If I hit my lifetime average, it's a great year,' he says. 'Naturally, I want to hit a lot higher than that.' "

1993 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program, pg. 20

R.I.P. Bill Virdon

R.I.P Cecil Perkins

1993 Profile: Danny Tartabull

"The right fielder possesses superstar ability, if only he could stay healthy. Tartabull led the Yankees in homers and placed second in RBI despite missing 38 games with injuries. He was disabled from April 24-May 8 with a strained hamstring, then was disabled again from July 31-August 14 with persistent back spasms in his lower back. Critics question his desire to play with aches and pains.

Tartabull showcased his talent by erupting for nine RBI on September 8 at Baltimore, the most by a Yankee since Tony Lazzeri's American League record 11 in 1936. He's a selective hitter who drew 103 walks and placed second in the AL in on-base percentage (.409).

The son of former major league outfielder Jose Tartabull, Danny was born October 30, 1962, in Miami. He was the third-round pick of the Reds in the 1980 draft."

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

"One night doesn't make a season, just as one season doesn't make a career. While you can't expect every night of Danny Tartabull's life to be like September 8, 1992, against Baltimore- five at-ats, five hits, nine RBI, 12 total bases- neither can you judge the 1992 season (.266 batting average) as typical of what the Yankees can expect from their slugger.

If every night was September 8, Tartabull's season numbers would have been a 1.000 batting average, 324 home runs and 1,485 RBI instead of a paltry .266, 25, 85.

On closer inspection, that's not paltry when you consider Tartabulll started the season with a sore right wrist and later missed time from April 21 to May 8 when he was on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. In all, Tartabull had to sit out 39 games.

'Whoever wants to use the word 'injury-prone,' it's fair because it's happened in the past,' Tartabull says. 'It's frustrating for me. I try to deal with the problem at hand and do the best I can. I would love to be in the middle of the lineup for 162 and be a part of a championship club. That's why I came here.'

Tartabull arrived from Kansas City with some impressive accomplishments under his belt. Five times as a Royal he hit at least 25 homers and in three seasons he had at least 100 RBI, including his .309 BA, 34 HRs, 109 RBI year in 1990- one the Yankees hope he can duplicate.

And for one night in Baltimore, Danny Tartabull showed why that is a very real possibility."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Despite missing 39 games, Tartabull showed everyone he is a terror with the bat, hitting .266 with a team leading 25 home runs and 85 RBIs (second on the club).

He was hurt in spring training on March 31 against the Mets, as he dove head-first for a ball in left field and sprained his right wrist. Nonetheless, Tartabull was on the Opening Day roster despite missing the final four spring games.

The Yankees' Opening Day designated hitter on April 7, he went 1-for-3. He drove in four runs in the first three games and ten runs in the first 11 games. Danny hit his first home on April 13 at Toronto off Todd Stottlemyre. On April 20 at Cleveland, he strained his left hamstring. He was placed on the disabled list immediately with the hamstring injury and the sore right wrist.

Danny missed the next 15 games before being activated prior to the May 8 game. He made his Yankee outfield debut on May 12 at Seattle in left field, his first appearance in left since July 9, 1986. It would be his only time in left field in 1992. On May 13, Tartabull drew a career best four walks.

From May 18-26 he hit safely in eight games, going 14-for-34 (.412), with three home runs and 11 RBIs, raising his batting average from .254 to .309. May 26 would be the last day he was at or above .300 in 1992. Tartabull was hitting .277 at the end of May.

He had a tough June, hitting .216 with two homers. He missed two games in Boston (June 15-16) because of his wife Kellie's pregnancy. He drew 25 walks in 24 June games.

Tartabull caught fire before the All-Star break. In the final 15 games, he hit seven home runs with 16 RBIs. At the break he was hitting .215 with 12 homers and 43 RBIs.

He hit .217 in July. Toward the end of the month he started having back spasms and was placed on the 15-day DL for the second time in 1992 on July 27, this time with persistent muscular spasms in his lower back. Danny missed 17 games before being activated on August 14. When placed on the DL, he was hitting a season low .243.

After he came off he spent a majority of his playing time as the designated hitter, hitting .301 (50-for-166) with 11 homers and 38 RBIs over 46 games. He hit .290 with five homers, 16 RBIs and 16 bases on balls in 18 August games.

On September 8, after an afternoon visit to the Smithsonian in Washington, Tartabull had a career game that night in Baltimore, going 5-for-5 with a double, two home runs, nine RBIs and 12 total bases. The nine RBIs were the second most in Yankee history behind Tony Lazzeri's American League record 11 in 1936. They were tied for 10th most in major league history and were also a major league-best for 1992.

Tartabull set single-game career bests in RBIs and hits and matched his career bests in total bases and runs (3). All five of his hits came with runners in scoring position and he drove in all six of the runners in scoring position.

He hit his final homer on September 30 at Cleveland (Dave Mlicki). He hit .308 in September/October, reaching base safely in 25 of 28 games, and hit .283 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs after the break.

Tartabull became the sixth different Yankee in the last six seasons to lead the club in home runs. It is the second time in franchise history the club has had a different leader in six or more seasons, joining the 1903-1910 period.

He hit .289 with 11 homers and a club best 48 RBIs at home and .244 with a club best 14 homers and 37 RBIs on the road. He hit .203 in day games and .295 in night games. He hit .286 against left-handed pitchers and, despite only 119 at-bats against lefties, led the club in homers (11) and RBIs (35). He hit .258 against right-handers.

Danny hit .333 (22-for-66) with runners in scoring position and less than two out and was 2-for-7 with two homers and eight RBIs with the bases loaded. He was one of five American League players with a five-hit game in 1992 and one of only two AL players (Juan Gonzalez) with 12 total bases in a nine-inning game.

He drew a club-best 103 walks, the most by a Yankee since Jack Clark in 1988 (113). He ranked second in the AL in on-base percentage (.409), tied for fourth in intentional bases on balls (14), fifth in bases on balls and ninth in slugging (.489). Tartabull had the fourth highest home run/at-bat ratio in the AL (16.8) and tied for the third best RBI/at-bat ratio (5.0).

He hit 19 home runs in his final 231 at-bats (66 games) after hitting six homers in his first 190 at-bats (57 games). Of his 25 homers, 10 were solo, six were two-run, seven were three-run and two were grand slams. He now has nine career grand slams, tied for third (with George Bell, Jack Clark and Alvin Davis) on the active list, behind Eddie Murray (17) and Dave Winfield (10).

Tartabull was the top offensive player for the Royals in 1991, leading the club in almost every category. He led the team in batting average (.316), home runs (31), RBIs (100) while finishing second in doubles (35) and walks (65). Tartabull finished 10th in the American League in hitting, tied for sixth in home runs, tied for eighth in RBIs, was ninth in the AL in on-base percentage, tied for sixth in extra-base hits and led the majors in slugging percentage (.593). He also had the third-best RBI ratio (4.8 AB/RBI) and third-best home run ratio (15.6 AB/HR) in the AL.

His 31 home runs was the best single-season mark in club history and he became the first Royal to have two 30-home run seasons and the third Royal to produce three 100-RBI seasons. He had a .300-30-100 season for the second time in his career. Danny twice earned Player of the Week honors and was Kansas City's Player of the Month three times (June, July and September).

On June 12 at Baltimore, Danny had a career high six RBIs. He had a season best 12-game hitting streak from June 22-July 3, raising his average from .294 to .319- he went over the .300 mark on June 22 and never dropped below.

Danny belted a career best three home runs in one game on July 6 against Oakland; he also had two two-homer games, June 12 at Baltimore and September 3 at Chicago. He was the Royals' lone representative in the '91 All-Star Game, starting as the designated hitter. He hit his seventh career grand slam on August 14 at Yankee Stadium, off Steve Farr.

He hit .314 with 13 home runs and 35 RBIs at home, .318 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs on the road. Against left-handed pitching he batted .296 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs, against right-handers .325 with 23 homers and 78 RBIs. Tartabull was consistent all season long, hitting .320 with 20 homers and 59 RBIs in the first half, .300-11-41 in the second half. He hit .347 against the East with 13 homers and 51 RBIs. He had four outfield assists for the season, giving him 34 for his career.

Tartabull signed a five-year contract with the Yankees as a free agent on January 6, 1992. The contract extends through the 1996 season.

Selected in the 3rd round of the June 1980 free agent draft, Tartabull hit .299 in 59 games for Billings. With Tampa in 1981, he was named Florida State League Player of the Year. He led the league in batting (.310), doubles (28) and finished fourth in home runs (14), triples (10) and RBIs (81).

Danny was the youngest player in the Eastern League in 1982 at the age of 19. He was among the league leaders in walks (3rd with 89) and home runs (9th with 17). Danny was named the second best prospect in the league and the seventh best prospect in the Reds organization by Baseball America.

In 1983 he was selected by the Mariners from the Reds in the compensation pool draft as compensation to Seattle for the White Sox' signing of free-agent pitcher Floyd Bannister. Tartabull spent the entire 1983 season at AA Chattanooga where he hit .301 with 13 homers and 66 RBIs, finishing second to Ivan Calderon on the team in most major offensive categories, and was named Topps National Association Player of the Month for September.

In 1984, Tartabull was recalled from Salt Lake City on September 6. At the time he was hitting .304 with 13 home runs and 73 RBIs. In his first big league at-bat, September 11 against Texas, he collected his first hit, RBI and game-winning RBI with a pinch-hit run-scoring single with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning off Dave Schmidt.

With Calgary in 1985, Tartabull hit .300 with a league-leading 43 home runs and 109 RBIs. He played in 19 games for Seattle and hit .328. He hit safely in his first three games after his September 1 recall and his only home run came on September 16 at Kansas City off Danny Jackson. He posted an on-base percentage of .406 and a .525 slugging percentage.

Tartabull started on Opening Day for Seattle at second base in 1986. He was hitting .355 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in the season's first eight games. He began feeling weak and his batting average fell to .235, with six homers and 22 RBIs in 31 games, by the time he was sidelined. Danny went 4-for-5 with two triples and two RBIs on May 13 against Milwaukee to raise his batting average 16 points but was placed on the disabled list the next day.

He missed 16 games due to vitamin deficiency anemia. After being reinstated from the DL, Danny was moved to left field and became the Mariners' regular right fielder on June 23.

Danny finished second on the club in homers (25) and RBIs (96) and hit two grand slams. He placed fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting behind Jose Canseco, Wally Joyner and Mark Eichorn.

He was traded to the Royals in December 1986 with pitcher Rich Luecken for pitchers Scott Bankhead and Steve Shields and outfielder Mike Kingery.

In his initial season for the Royals, Tartabull became only the second player in club history (George Brett, 1985) to compile a .300-30-100 season, finishing the season with a .309 average, 34 home runs and 101 RBIs. 18 of his 34 homers either gave the Royals the lead or tied the score. He led the team in homers, RBIs, total bases (315) and slugging percentage (.541) on his way to being honored as Royal Player of the Year.

Tartabull tied for third in the league in home runs and was ninth in hits and tenth in slugging. His home run total was the most ever by a Royals outfielder, eclipsing Amos Otis who hit 26 in 1973, and he tied for the second highest homer output in club history (Steve Balboni, 36 in 1985, John Mayberry, 34 in 1975).

He slugged his third career grand slam on October 2 against Minnesota off Frank Viola. His 100th RBI of the season came on October 3 off Minnesota's Bert Blyleven.

In 1988 Danny became the third player in Kansas City history (along with Mayberry and Brett) to record back-to-back 100-RBI seasons as he drove in a career best 102. He led the Royals in home runs with 26 and was among the league leaders in homers (tied for 8th) and RBIs (7th). He also tied for eighth in doubles (38) was ninth in slugging percentage and seventh in extra-base hits.

Danny led the league and set a Royals record by belting three grand slams, connecting at Texas on May 15 (off Charlie Hough), against Baltimore on August 11 (off Jay Tibbs) and at Seattle on September 20 off Terry Taylor.

He was selected as the Royals' Player of the Month for September after driving in 21 runs with a .304 average. He notched a career best five RBIs in one game in the September 20 game at Seattle.

Tartabull finished 1989 with a .268 batting average, 18 home runs and 62 RBIs- the homer total was second on the club. He opened the season with a career best 13-game hitting streak, batting .413 during the streak. He logged two stints on the disabled list, once with a bruised left knee and the other with a pulled groin muscle. Danny hit his 100th career home run on July 30 against Baltimore.

Injuries limited Danny to 88 games in 1990, his fewest in the big leagues. He still was able to hit 15 home runs and drive in 60 runs.

He led the club with a .433 batting average in spring training and belted a round-tripper on Opening Day. He suffered a tear of the right plantaris muscle while shagging balls prior to the second game of the season. Danny was placed on the 15-day DL on April 12 and did not return until May 18.

Danny had a season high 12-game hitting streak from June 7-19, raising his average from .132 to .255. He hit his third career inside-the-park home run on June 28 at Seattle off Russ Swan. He tore his left groin muscle on July 13 at Boston and had a second stint on the 15-day DL.

Activated on July 31, Danny socked two home runs in a game for the fifth time in his career on August 4 at Baltimore. He homered on three consecutive days, August 28-30, and matched his career high with five RBIs at Seattle on September 2.

Danny is a 1980 graduate of Carol City High School in Miami. He played on the 1979 American Legion national championship team as well as the gold medal-winning team at the National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs. He is the son of former Kansas City A's and Boston Red Sox outfielder Jose Tartabull and the brother of former Mariners farmhand Jose Tartabull, Jr.

Danny was the recipient of the 1992 Good Guy award as voted by the New York Press Photographers Association. He is active with the American Cancer Society and with Big Brothers and Big Sisters."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led Florida State League third basemen in errors (29), 1981.

Named Florida State League Player of the Year, 1981.

Led Pacific Coast League shortstops in double plays (68), 1984.

Led Pacific Coast League in home runs (43), 1985.

Led Pacific Coast League in runs batted in (109), 1985.

Led Pacific Coast League in slugging percentage (.615), 1985.

Led Pacific Coast League in total bases (291), 1985.

Led Pacific Coast League shortstops in errors (35), 1985.

Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Year, 1985.

Led American League in game-winning RBIs (21), 1987.

Led American League in grand slams (3), 1988.

Named American League Player of the Week, June 10-16, 1991.

Named American League Player of the Week, July 1-7, 1991.

Led American League in slugging percentage (.593), 1991.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Danilo Tartabull "Danny" "Bull" (OF)     #45

Born October 30, 1962, in Miami, Florida, resides in Malibu, California. Height: 6-1, weight: 204. Bats right, throws right. 

Married, Kellie, and father of Danica (6), Danny Jr. (5) and Zachary (9 months). 

Major league service: 7 years, 59 days. Opening Day age: 30.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

1993 New York Yankees Manager and Coaches Profiles

BUCK SHOWALTER (Manager)

"Showalter holds one of the most difficult jobs in baseball as manager for the demanding, returning George Steinbrenner. He is an extremely hard worker who is popular with players and the media. The club met expectations by showing a five-game improvement with a 76-86 record in his first season. Showalter received a three-year contract extension through 1995 but does not have much security given Steinbrenner's history of abruptly changing managers.

He became the youngest manager in the majors when he was given his original one-year contract. Selected under a bizarre set of circumstances typical of the Yankees, he was named 22 days after general manager Gene Michael had ruled him out, citing his absence of major league managerial experience. He had been the Yankees' third-base coach since June 1990 and had grown extremely popular among the players.

Showalter built a reputation as a bright baseball mind while compiling a 360-207 record in five minor league seasons. He won championships in the New York-Penn League (1985), the Florida State League (1987) and Eastern League (1989). He played in the Yankees' minor league system from 1977-83 but never played a major league game.

Showalter was born on May 23, 1956, in DeFuniak Springs, Florida."

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

"There was nary a trace of emotion on Manager Buck Showalter's face last season. A fourth-place finish will do that to a skipper whose track record has few blemishes. Whose career minor league managerial record 360 wins and 207 defeats with three league championships in five seasons for good measure. Defeats do not sit well.

But in his second season as Yankee skipper, Showalter's deck of cards has been stacked with some aces. The addition of pitchers Jim Abbott and Jimmy Key, shortstop Spike Owen, third baseman Wade Boggs, and outfielder Paul O'Neill should certainly go a long way in helping improve on last year's 76-86 mark.

The passion and dedication the 36-year-old, and still youngest manager in the majors, directs towards his profession is legendary. And in many respects, he expects the same focused approach from his players.

'When I talk to the players, I tell them I understand this is not the most important thing in your life. But when you walk through the door, I expect it to be the most important thing for the time you are here,' he explains.

The Yankees' confidence in their manager is evident. He was granted a three-year contract extension last July and is fully expected to steer the Yankee ship back to its glory days. Entering his 17th consecutive year as a Yankee employee, which started as a minor league player in Ft. Lauderdale in 1977, the pressure is clearly on.

Perhaps no one could appreciate more what a championship season would mean for the Yankee organization than Showalter. He has methodically worked his way up the organizational ladder and quickly realized his route to the majors would be through the managerial ranks and not the playing field. The Florida native has invested countless hours in his career coaching the organization's minor league prospects being touted as the Yankee stars of the future. He has more than a vested interest in what he's doing.

'No one loves the Yankees more than I do,' he says. 'No one wants more to be part of a championship club than I do.'

Whether that 23rd World Series flag will hang proudly from Yankee Stadium's facade at season's end is yet to be determined. But Yankee fans can rest assured the effort of Showalter will always be visible."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Buck is starting his second season as Yankee skipper. In his first season at the helm, the team finished with a 76-86 record, a five-game improvement over the 1991 season and a nine-game improvement over 1990.

The highlights of 1992 included the second best start in the club's history (6-0), bested only by the 7-0 start of 1933, and Buck's selection as a coach for the All-Star Game by AL manager Tom Kelly. He became the first Yankee manager selected as a coach since Earl Weaver chose Ralph Houk in 1970. Buck was rewarded with a three-year contract extension on July 29, allowing him to manage through the 1995 season.

Appointed Yankee manager on October 29, 1991, Buck is the club's 30th different manager. He currently is the youngest manager in the majors and the youngest Yankee manager since Roger Peckinpaugh (23) in 1914. Other younger Yankee managers include Hal Chase (27 in 1910), Kid Elberfeld (33 in 1908) and Clark Griffith (33 in 1903). 1993 constitutes his 17th consecutive season in the Yankee system as a player, coach, minor league manager and now major league manager.

Buck was the Yankees' third base coach in 1991, a position he was appointed to on June 6, 1990, when Stump Merrill was named manager. He started the 1990 season as the Yankees' 'eye-in-the-sky.'

Buck was a successful minor league manager in the Yankee system. He compiled a 360-207 record over five seasons (1985-89), good for a .635 winning percentage. He had a record of 14-4  (.778 winning percentage) in the postseason, winning three league championships. In 1989, Buck was named Eastern League Manager of the Year [and Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year], leading the Albany Yankees to a 92-48 record and an eventual league championship. The 92 wins were the most by a Yankee AA team since the 1980 Nashville Sounds of the Southern League (a team Buck played for) went 97-46.

He managed Ft. Lauderdale (Class-A) during the 1987 and 1988 seasons, with the 1987 team going 85-53 to win the Southern Division of the Florida State League while posting the best record in the league. Also under his tutelage, Oneonta set New York-Penn League records for wins in a season in 1985 (55) and 1986 (59) with Buck leading each team to a league championship. He coached at Ft. Lauderdale in 1984.

In seven seasons as a minor league outfielder-first baseman (1977-83), Buck hit .294 with 17 home runs and 336 RBIs. In 1980 he set a Southern League record for hits in a season (178) and finished second in the league (to Chris Bando) with a .324 batting average for Nashville. The 1980 team won a league-record 97 games. Members of that Sounds team that went on to prominence were Steve Balboni, Pat Tabler, Willie McGee, Rafael Santana, Andy McGaffigan and Tom Filer.

Buck was a teammate of Don Mattingly at Nashville in 1981. He led the Southern League hits again in 1982 (152). Current major leaguers Rex Hudler, Otis Nixon, Mark Salas and Scott Bradley were Buck's teammates at Nashville in '82.

He played one season (1977) at Mississippi State University and hit .459 while driving in 44 runs. The batting average is still a school record and the RBI total was a record at the time. Buck was named a 1977 All-American; he had also been an All-American at Chipola J.C.

Buck acquired his nickname from Ed Napoleon, his manager at Ft. Lauderdale in 1987. The toughest pitcher he ever faced: Mark Langston while he was in the Southern League.

His father, the late William Showalter, played briefly as a fullback with the Pittsburgh Steelers."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

William Nathaniel Showalter III "Buck" (MGR)     #11

Born May 23, 1956, in DeFuniak, Florida, resides in Pace, Florida. Married, Angela (3/5/83), and father of Allie St. Claire (16) and William Nathaniel IV (1). College: graduate of Chipola J.C. and Mississippi State University.

Opening Day age: 36.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

SHOWALTER PROVES TO BE A SPECIAL BREED

"The New York Yankees' record of 76-86 was a modest five-game improvement over 1991 and nine games better than 1990. They tied for fourth in the American League East and, after a 6-0 start, played much of the season out of contention.

So why all the fuss about a rookie manager?

Throughout the entire '92 campaign, there was an underlying feeling of improvement that went beyond the team's record. It was a perception that the team was moving in the right direction, and much of that optimism centered around William Nathaniel Showalter, III. The Yankees manager demonstrated confidence and knowledge well beyond most first-year major-league managers.

Credit the Yankee organization for recognizing this young talent on the rise.

On July 29 last season, the Yankees dropped a 6-0 decision to the Baltimore Orioles, their fourth loss in a row. Yet when looking back years from now, the date will be best remembered as the day the Yankees inked Showalter to a three-year contract extension. As other major league teams showed interest in the manager, the Yankees showed their confidence in him by signing him through the 1995 season.

Last summer former Yankee player and current Madison Square Garden announcer, Tony Kubek, said of Showalter, 'No question about it, people in this league have already come to recognize his abilities. If he were to leave New York, there are a lot of teams that would love to have this fine young manager in charge of their team.'

This was affirmed by the 1992 All-Star Game, when Showalter was selected by Tom Kelly, the Minnesota Twins' and American League's manager, to serve as a coach on the AL All-Star team. It was the first time a Yankee skipper was so honored since 1970 when Ralph Houk was selected by former Orioles skipper Earl Weaver.

'Signing a contract extension, if anything, has heightened my sense of urgency,' says Showalter. 'I feel a sense of urgency to repay them for all their confidence.'

It may have taken until the end of July last season to get Showalter's signature but the Yankees had no intention of letting him get away.

General Manager Gene Micheal says he saw something special in Showalter early on.

'I could tell in spring training and I could tell after only five games,' said 'Stick' Michael, the man who hired Showalter. 'He did an outstanding job for us. You can tell that he has everything under control.'

So why all the fuss over Showalter, who at the age of 37 is the youngest manager in the major leagues? As Stick put it: because he has everything under control. Perhaps more importantly, he understands how today's athlete thinks.

Showalter has been defined as a 'player's manager.' Simply stated, he interacts well with his players and is highly respected.

'Communication is a big part of this job,' says Showalter. 'It doesn't mean saying 'hi' to a player every day, it's about telling him something he needs to hear to become a better player, even if it's something he doesn't want to hear.'

Two incidents in 1992 displayed why Showalter is so highly thought of around the league and in his clubhouse.

On Opening Day 1992 at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees won a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox, his first major-league win. Yet as the players celebrated on the field in front of 56,572 screaming fans, the manager remained seated in the dugout, surveying the excitement. He would say later, 'The players won it, it was their celebration.'

A month later, Showalter was the principal party in an on-the-field confrontation with Oakland manager Tony LaRussa. The Yankee manager felt LaRussa's players were trying to intimidate the Yankees and he voiced his opinion much to LaRussa's objections.

'When Buck went after LaRussa it wasn't because he had to think about it or because he was trying to get our respect,' says catcher Matt Nokes. 'It was because that's the way he is. And that's why he had our respect long before that.'

Indeed, Showalter's 1993 season is his 17th straight in the Yankee organization. He has earned the utmost amount of respect through those years as a minor-league player, coach and manager.

Showalter's successful baseball career began back in 1977 as an outfielder with the  Class-A Ft. Lauderdale Yankees. His heart and desire got him as far as Triple-A Columbus, but a playing career in the majors would not be in his future.

In 1984 Showalter began his coaching career in Ft. Lauderdale, in charge of hitters and outfielders on a team that would become the 1984 Florida State League Champions.

In 1985, he was given his first chance at managing. Showalter's first two (Oneonta) clubs set league marks for wins in a season, 55 in 1985 and then 59 in 1986. In 1989 Showalter was named the Eastern League's Manager of the Year [and Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year] after his Albany-Colonie Yankees finished with a 92-48 record, the most wins by a Yankee Double-A team since 1980- when Nashville went 97-46 with Showalter as their leading hitter.

All told, in five seasons as a manager in the Yankee organization, Showalter compiled a 360-207 record for a .635 winning percentage. His teams won three league championships in five years, compiling a 14-4  (.778) mark in postseason play.

Showalter's impressive showing in the minors earned him a promotion to Yankee Stadium in 1990. As the Yankees' 'eye in the sky' coach, Showalter charted pitches and hits and assisted in positioning the defense from his vantage point above and in back of home plate. He then served the Yankees as third base coach before earning the manager's job after the 1991 season.

'We selected Buck because he's straight forward, he's young, energetic and he knows our players very well,' Michael said at the time. 'He's demonstrated the ability to improve this club a great deal.'

Most importantly, he's not satisfied with small amounts of improvement. Last season, despite taking over a team that had been struggling for a number of years, he proclaimed in spring training that anything less than a championship would be unsatisfactory. He took little comfort knowing his team's 6-0 start was the second best in Yankee history. While he did acknowledge the team's improvement in 1992, he was quick to that there was plenty of work to be done.

But that's Buck Showalter, a quiet, fierce competitor. He is a proud man, one who has grown used to his many successes and championships in the Yankee organization. He's also the type not to rest on his laurels, which is why he is determined to bring that same level of excellence to the Bronx.

'To win it all, that's the only way to approach it,' says the Pace, Florida, native. 'I love the Yankees, and no one wants to be part of a Yankee championship club more than I do.' "

-Charles J. Alfaro, 1993 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program

COACHES

"Depth and experience are two key characteristics for any team expected to contend. Nowadays, as the game of baseball becomes more sophisticated and specialized, those elements are needed in the dugout as well as between the lines.

The Yankees went outside the organization- via trades and free agent signings- to add depth and experience on the field, by adding such quality players as Jim Abbott, Jimmy Key, Wade Boggs, Paul O'Neill and Spike Owen. To find a group of coaches with the same qualities, the Yankees looked no further than the 1992 staff.

When Buck Showalter was hired to manage the 1992 Yankees, he was allowed to pick his own coaches. 'The manager works closely with his coaches, and we felt that relationship would be enhanced if the manager selected his own people,' explained Yankee General Manager Gene Michael. Stick Michael was right.

So it was no surprise when Showalter's 1993 staff consisted of five returnees from the previous season: Clete Boyer, Tony Cloninger, Mark Connor, Frank Howard and Ed Napoleon. The lone rookie on the staff, Rick Down, is a man with a proven track record in the Yankee farm system. Rounding out the staff will be bullpen catcher and batting practice pitcher Jake Gibbs.

In terms of experience, the six coaches combine for nearly 50 years in the Yankee organization. The five returnees also have nearly two decades of combined major league coaching experience.

The two veterans on the staff are Connor and Howard, who in 1993 are serving their fourth and third seasons, respectively, as Yankee coaches.

Connor, who spent last season as the pitching coach, returns in 1993 as the team's bullpen coach. Over the years he has earned the reputation as a meticulous pitching instructor, having spent more than 10 seasons as a pitching coach in the organization. In fact, with the exception of a two-season stint as head coach at the University of Tennessee, Connor has spent his entire coaching career in the Yankee organization. Since 1979 he has served as a minor league instructor, as well as Yankee pitching coach and bullpen coach.

Howard is in his first season as first base coach after two years as hitting instructor. In the past two seasons his patience and positive approach have made him a favorite with Yankee players. Hondo brings the team his knowledge and teaching skills, acquired during a 15-year playing career in which he hit 382 homers and a managing career that included stops with the Padres and Mets.

Returning for his second season as third base coach is Boyer, who was all to familiar with third base in Yankee Stadium long before he began his coaching days. His 16-year playing career was highlighted by five consecutive pennants with the Yankees from 1960-64, during which time he became known for his defensive skills at the hot corner. Boyer also has 11 years experience as a big-league coach, including six with the A's, three with the Braves and two with the Yankees (including 1988 under Billy Martin).

Cloninger is in his second consecutive year as a Yankee coach, taking over as pitching coach in 1993 after serving as bullpen coach last season. Cloninger, who won 113 games in 12 seasons as a major league pitcher, is in his seventh season with the Yankee organization. He joined the organization back in 1987 as pitching coach at Oneonta, one season after Showalter guided the team to a league championship and moved on to Ft. Lauderdale. In 1988 he served as pitchng coach at Albany, then spent the next three seasons as a roving pitching instructor.

Napoleon is also in his second year as a Yankee coach, taking over as bench coach in 1993 after serving as first base coach last season. As bench coach, Napoleon will rely heavily on his eight years of experience as a major league coach with the Yankees, Indians, Royals and Astros, and six years as a minor league manager. This season marks the 11th in the Yankee organization for Napoleon who, after a 15-year minor league playing career and a stint as a manager in the Pirate farm system (1970-73), coached and managed in the Yankee farm system from 1974-82.

Although the only newcomer to the Stadium, Down, like the other coaches, also has long ties to the organization. He is in his fifth season in the Yankee system and is making his major league coaching debut in 1993 as the team's hitting instructor. Like Showalter, Down earned his shot in 'The Show' by putting up impressive numbers down on the farm. For the past three seasons, he served as manager of the Columbus Clippers, leading the team to three straight International League West division titles and two straight Governor's Cup championships.

Gibbs played for the Yankees his entire 10-year career (1962-71). His 459 games behind the plate rank him ninth in club history for catchers."

-Charles J. Alfaro, 1993 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program

RICK DOWN (Coach)

"After leading the 1992 Columbus Clippers to the International League Championship, Rick Down brings his talents to the majors as the Yankees' newest batting coach.

The 42-year-old Down played seven years as a third baseman in the Montreal Expos' minor-league system before starting his coaching career in 1976. He joined the Yankee organization as manager of the Clippers in 1989, then managed a split season in Albany and Columbus the following year before leading the Clippers to two consecutive Governors' Cup Championships.

Down will have All-Stars in Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs and Danny Tartabull in his lineup to help make his major-league debut a smooth one."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Appointed Yankee batting coach on October 16, 1992, Down begins his fifth consecutive season in the Yankee organization and first at the major league level. He has served as Columbus Clippers manager the past three seasons, a position he was appointed to on June 6, 1990, when Columbus skipper Stump Merrill was named Yankee manager.

Down led the 1992 club to a 95-49 record and a Governors' Cup championship. Under his tutelage, the 1992 Clipper squad set a franchise record for wins, the most wins in the International League since 1960 when Toronto went 100-54. 

From 1990-92, Down led the Clippers to three straight IL West Division titles and two straight Governors' Cups (1991-92), compiling a 242-149 record. He became the first manager to win consecutive Cups since Frank Verdi of Syracuse (then a Yankee affiliate) in 1969-70. Down's 242 wins and .619 winning percentage are both franchise records. From June 6, 1990, through the end of the '92 season, he had  Columbus in first place 385 of 391 game days.

In 1989 Rick began the season as the Yankees' roving hitting instructor before serving as Columbus manager for the final 16 games of the season when  Bucky Dent was named Yankee manager. In 1990 he served as manager of the AA Albany Yankees before his promotion to Columbus.

Drafted by the Montreal Expos in June of 1969, Rick spent seven seasons in the minor leagues as a third baseman. He hit .257 with 33 home runs in 745 games.

After beginning his coaching career with West Palm Beach in 1976, Down managed at Bellingham in 1977 and Stockton in 1978. He left pro baseball to coach at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas from 1979-84.

Rick then served in the California Angels organization as a minor league hitting instructor (1985-86) and special assignments coach (1987-88)."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Richard John Down "Rick" (CH)     #48

Born December 14, 1950, in Wyandotte, Michigan, resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Married, Jill (10/17/78), and father of Darcy (12), Boomer (5) and Cassandra (6 months).

Opening Day age: 42.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

CLETE BOYER (Coach)

"The third base coaching box is again occupied by the familiar presence of Clete Boyer. Returning for his second consecutive season, Boyer is best known to Yankees fans as the team's stalwart third baseman from 1959-66. His slick glove work helped lead the Yankees to five straight World Series appearances in the early '60s.

It is this tradition of excellence that Manager Buck Showalter is trying to instill in his players, and coaches like Boyer help play an important part in carrying out that philosophy. In addition, the 56-year-old coach will assist infielders in their fielding techniques.

Boyer is no stranger when it comes to coaching. He spent six years with the Oakland A's as a coach and one year with the Yankees in 1988. He also served as a Yankee minor-league instructor in 1987, while Showalter was managing in Ft. Lauderdale. The Yankees are in good hands when Boyer is around."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Clete begins his second season as Yankee third base coach. He was named to the position on November 6, 1991. He spent the 1990-91 seasons as third base coach with the Columbus Clippers. In 1989, he managed Ft. Lauderdale to a 61-77 record. Clete served as Billy Martin's third base coach with the Yankees in 1988.

He has eight years of major league coaching experience including six years with Oakland (1980-85). He was a minor league instructor with the Atlanta Braves (1977-79) and with the Yankees in 1987.

Boyer played 16 years in the major leagues, starting his career in 1955 with the Kansas City A's. He played with them from 1955-57 before being traded with pitchers Art Ditmar, Bobby Shantz and Jack McMahan and first baseman  Wayne Belardi to the  Yankees in exchange for pitchers Rip Coleman, Tom Morgan and Mickey McDermott, shortstop Billy Hunter, second baseman Milt Graff and outfielder Irv Noren.

Boyer became the Yankees' regular third baseman in 1960 and played in his first of five World Series. His seventh-inning home run in the first game of the 1962 World Series, against the San Francisco Giants, broke a 2-2 tie and gave Whitey Ford his 10th World Series victory. He batted .318 in the '62 Series and set a World Series record for most assists by a third baseman that was broken by Graig Nettles in 1984. It followed Boyer's best year with the Yankees when he batted a career high .272 with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs while playing 157 games, all at third base.

He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in November 1966 in exchange for outfielder Bill Robinson and pitcher Chi-Chi Olivo. He played five years for the Braves and had his most productive year in 1967 with career highs in home runs (26) and RBIs (96). Clete led National League third basemen in fielding in 1967  (.970) and 1969 (.965). After leaving Atlanta he finished his career in Japan.

Clete ranks third on the all-time Yankee list in games played at third (909, behind Nettles and Red Rolfe) and is fifth on the all-time fielding list for third basemen. He also played shortstop and second base in his career along with one game in the outfield in 1961. He hit five grand slams in his career.

Clete is a member of a great baseball family, including brothers Ken and Cloyd. The Boyers are third in combined career home runs by brothers (Aarons-768, DiMaggios-573, Boyers-444, Mays-444, Nettles-406)."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Tied World Series record, most double plays started by a third baseman, nine-inning game (2), October 12, 1960.

Tied World Series record, most at-bats, nine-inning game (6), October 12, 1960.

Led American League third basemen in double plays (41), 1962.

Established World Series record, most assists by a third baseman, career (65).

Led American League third basemen in double plays (46), 1965.

Named third baseman on The Sporting News National League All-Star fielding team, 1969.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Cletis Leroy Boyer "Clete" (CH)     #6

Born February 8, 1937, in Cassville, Missouri, resides in Bellair Beach, Florida. Married, Terry, and father of Valerie, Stephanie, Mickey, Collette, Jerran and Brett.

Opening Day age: 56.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

TONY CLONINGER  (Coach)

"With 15 years of pitching experience under his belt, pitching coach Tony Cloninger has the responsibility of shaping the Yankees' rotation in 1993. And what a staff it will be with the additions of Jim Abbott and Jimmy Key and the return of second-year Yankee Melido Perez.

Cloninger served as the Yankees bullpen coach last season, and that experience will certainly help in his decision-making process this year.

A winner of 113 games with five major-league clubs, the 52-year-old Cloninger has been part of the Yankee family since 1987 when he started as a pitching coach for Oneonta. He also served as a pitching coach for the Albany-Colonie Yankees in '88 and worked as the organization's minor-league roving pitching coordinator from 1989-91."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Cloninger was named Yankee pitching coach on October 5, 1992. He was Yankee bullpen coach in 1992, a position he was appointed to on October 6, 1991.

1993 marks his seventh consecutive season in the Yankee farm system and his second as a major league coach. Cloninger spent three seasons (1989-91) as the Yankees' roving pitching coordinator, working with young pitchers throughout the organization. He was the pitching coach at Albany (1988) and Oneonta (1987).

Tony pitched in the major leagues from 1961-1972 with the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. He posted a 113-97 career record with a 4.07 ERA.

He won 19 games for the 1964 Milwaukee club and 24 games in 1965. When he won 19 in '64, he led the team in victories after Warren Spahn had led the Braves in wins for 15 consecutive seasons. Cloninger still holds the major league record for most RBIs by a pitcher in a single game (9), hitting two grand slams (tying another major league one-game record) on July 6, 1966, for the Atlanta Braves against San Francisco. He hit .234 with five home runs in 1966 and finished his career with 11 home runs.

Cloninger spent over eight seasons in the Braves organization before being traded to Cincinnati along with pitcher Clay Carroll and infielder Woody Woodward for pitchers Milt Pappas, Ted Davidson and infielder Bob Johnson on June 11, 1968. He was traded to St. Louis on March 24,1972, for infielder Julian Javier and played his final season with the Cardinals. Following his retirement, Tony conducted baseball camps and clinics. He has also worked in the sporting goods industry and coached American Legion baseball.

His son Darin was a draft pick of the Padres in 1983 and his son Michael was selected by the Twins the same year. Darin was traded to the Yankees in 1984 as the player to be named later along with pitcher Dennis Rasmussen in exchange for Graig Nettles and pitched for two seasons in the Yankee organization. Tony has two stepsons pitching professional, Chad (Yankee system) and Chris (Cub system)."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Tony Lee Cloninger "TC" (CH)     #40

Born August 13, 1940, in Lincoln County, North Carolina, resides in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Married, Betty (12/22/90), and father of Tony Jr., Darin, Terri, Michael, Steve, Meredith, Chad and Chris.

Opening Day age: 52.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

MARK CONNOR (Coach)

"After two consecutive seasons as the Yankees pitching coach, Mark Connor takes over the duties as the club's bullpen coach. This is Connor's fourth consecutive year as a Yankee coach, and except for a two-year stint as head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee, he has spent his entire coaching career in Pinstripes.

The 43-year-old began as a pitching coach for Greensboro from 1980-82 and served the same role for the Columbus Clippers from 1983-84. His long-time relationship with the organization and his knowledge of the players are sure to play a key role in the Yankee success. And Buck Showalter can feel quite confident when he picks up the bullpen phone in the late innings that his relievers are in good hands with Connor in charge."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Connor returns for his fourth consecutive season as Yankee coach, serving as bullpen coach. He served as Yankee pitching coach for the 1991-92 seasons, a position he was named to on October 14, 1990. He was the Yankee bullpen coach in 1990. During the 1988 and 1989 seasons, Connor served as the head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee. 

The 1991-92 seasons were Mark's third stint as pitching coach with the Yankees. The other times were from June 18, 1984 (replacing Sammy Ellis) through August 2, 1985 (replaced by Bill Monbouquette) and then from May 18, 1986 (replacing Ellis) through the entire 1987 season (replaced by Art Fowler).

At the time of his appointment in 1986 he was the Yankees' minor league roving pitching instructor. Prior to his appointment in 1984, Connor spent two seasons as the pitching coach at the Yankees' AAA affiliate at Columbus. He also served as pitching coach at Greensboro for three seasons (1980-82), as a Yankee scout in 1979 and as pitching coach at Paintsville in 1978. He was pitching coach at the University of Tennessee from 1974-78.

Mark graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York in 1967. He attended Belmont Abbey College and graduated from Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. At Manhattan, he received the Topps Award as a college All-Star in 1970, and in 1971 struck out 20 Columbia University batters in one game.

Mark spent two seasons in the Twins minor league system. He attended graduate school for a Master's degree at the University of Tennessee in 1974-75 before beginning his coaching career."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Mark P. Connor (Goose) (CH)     #52

Born May 27, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, resides in Knoxville, Tennessee. Married, Katie (5/13/72), and father of Jennie (16), Shannon (14) and Ryan (8). College: Belmont Abbey College, graduate of Manhattan College, Masters from University of Tennessee.

Opening Day age: 43.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

FRANK HOWARD (Coach)

"Having a veteran baseball man like Frank Howard is a major asset for any manager. In his third consecutive season with the Yankees, Howard handles the first base coaching duties.

'The Capitol Punisher' served as Showalter's batting coach last year and was formerly a first base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers (1977-80), the New York Mets (1984) and the Seattle Mariners (1987-88).

Howard's responsibilities in baseball have run the gamut. His previous baseball duties with other organizations include minor-league instructor, third base coach and roving hitting instructor for the Atlanta Braves in 1990.

Few men command the attention and respect 'Hondo' does and the Yankees are glad to have his experience on their side."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Howard returns for his third consecutive season as a Yankee coach, and first as first base coach. He was the Yankees' hitting instructor for the 1991 and 1992 seasons, a position he was appointed to on October 14, 1990. He spent the 1990 season in the Atlanta Braves system as the roving hitting instructor, working with young hitters throughout their organization. Frank was Yankee batting coach from the beginning of the 1989 season until August 18 of that year. He is a former major league manager with the San Diego Padres and New York Mets, compiling a record of 93-113 (.412) with those two clubs.

Following his retirement as a player in 1973, Hondo originally went into private business but was hired by the Milwaukee Brewers as a minor league instructor in 1975. He managed the Brewers' AAA Spokane club in 1976, joined the club's major league coaching staff in 1977 and served as first base coach for four seasons.

Frank was named manager of the San Diego Padres following the 1980 season, replacing Jerry Coleman. He led the Padres to an overall 41-69 record in 1981 (25-33 in the first half of that year's split season and 18-36 in the second half, with two sixth place finishes). Frank was replaced by Dick Williams at the end of the 1981 campaign.

He joined the Mets' coaching staff as third base coach under George Bamberger prior to the 1982 season and was named interim manager on June 3, 1983, following Bamberger's resignation. He managed the Mets to a 52-64 record and a sixth place finish for the remainder of the season. Frank was replaced by Davey Johnson as manager following the conclusion of that season and moved to first base coaching duties in 1984.

He rejoined the Brewers' staff in October 1984 and worked two years there as the club's batting coach. In November of 1986 he was named the first base coach of the Seattle Mariners, where he remained until joining the Yankees.

Hondo enjoyed a playing career that spanned 15 major league seasons, compiling a batting average of .273 with 382 home runs and 1,119 RBIs. He was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1960 with the Los Angeles Dodgers (.268 BA, 23 HRs, 77 RBIs). In five-plus seasons with Los Angeles, Howard batted .268 with 123 homers and 382 RBIs in 624 games.

His top seasons came as a member of the Washington Senators (1965-71), averaging 34 home runs and 96 RBIs per season. In 1968-70 with the Senators, Howard hit 44, 48 and 44 home runs with 106, 111 and 126 RBIs, respectively. His career highs were: batting- .296 (in 1961 & 62 with Los Angeles and 1969 with Washington), home runs- 48 (in 1969 with Washington) and RBIs- 126 (in 1970 with Washington).

Named to the American League All-Star team four consecutive years (1968-71), Frank still holds the major league mark for most home runs in a week (10), most homers in six consecutive games (10) and most homers in five consecutive games (8). He finished his pro career with a brief stint in Japan in 1974.

A two-sport star at [the] Ohio State University (1956-58), Frank lettered three times in baseball and twice in basketball (1,047 career points). He still holds two ECAC Holiday Festival Tournament records at Madison Square Garden (most rebounds in a game- 32, and most rebounds in three games- 77, with both marks set in 1956).

In 1991, Frank was the winner of the BBWAA Good Guy Award."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led Three-I League in home runs (37), 1958.

Led Three-I League in runs batted in (119), 1958.

Led Three-I League in runs (104), 1958.

Led Three-I League in total bases (311), 1958.

Tied for Three-I League lead in games played (129), 1958.

Named Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, 1959.

Named National League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association, 1960.

Named National League Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News, 1960.

Established the following major league records: most home runs in a week (10), May 12 through May 18, 1968; most home runs, six consecutive games (10), May 12 through May 18, 1968; most home runs, five consecutive games (8), May 12 through May 17, 1968; most years 100 or more strikeouts, lifetime (10).

Tied the following major league records: most intentional walks, nine-inning game (3), September 2, 1970; most consecutive strikeouts, nine-inning game (5), September 19, 1970, first game; most consecutive strikeouts, two consecutive games (7), July 9, 1965 (doubleheader).

Tied American League record for most home runs, four consecutive games (7), May 12 through May 16, 1968.

Tied American League record for most consecutive games, hitting a homer each game (6), 1968.

Led American League batters in strikeouts (155), 1967.

Named to American League All-Star team, 1968.

Led American League in home runs (44), 1968.

Led American League in total bases (330), 1968.

Led American League in slugging percentage (.552), 1968.

Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1968.

Named to American League All-Star team, 1969.

Led American League in grounding into double plays (29), 1969.

Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1969.

Named to American League All-Star team, 1970.

Led American League in home runs (44), 1970.

Led American League in runs batted in (126), 1970.

Led American League batters in walks (132), 1970.

Named outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1970.

Named to American League All-Star team, 1971.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Frank  Oliver Howard "Hondo" (CH)     #46

Born August 8, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, resides in Falls Church, Virginia. Married, Donna (12/29/90). College: Ohio State University.

Opening Day age: 56.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

ED NAPOLEON (Coach)

"When there's a game on the line, Buck Showalter is comforted knowing he has the experience of bench coach Ed Napoleon by his side. Napoleon returns to the Yankees for the second consecutive year after serving as first base coach last season. 

The former 15-year minor leaguer played first base, third base and the outfield and was named to five all-star teams. Napoleon began his minor-league managerial career in 1970 and landed managing stints in Oneonta, Eugene, Sarasota and Ft. Lauderdale, where he gave a young player by the name of Showalter the nickname 'Buck.'

His baseball savvy from the bench will give Showalter some peace of mind."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Ed is in his second consecutive season as a Yankee coach and first as bench coach. He was with the Yankees as first base coach in 1992, a position he was appointed to on November 6, 1991. He managed the Orioles' Sarasota club in the Gulf Coast League in 1991. Nap's team had a league best 35-24 record and lost in the finals.

He has seven years of experience as a major league coach. He spent the 1989-90 season as a coach with the Houston Astros, working with their outfielders and serving as the 'eye-in-the-sky' during games. His other major league coaching positions included a stint with the Royals (1987-88) and as first base coach of the Indians (1983-85).

1993 will mark Ed's 11th season in the Yankee system, having coached or managed New York minor league clubs from 1974-82. He began his coaching career with the Pirates organization in 1970. Ed has managed six years in the minors overall, including two years in the Yankee chain (Oneonta 1976, Ft. Lauderdale 1977).

Nap had a 15-year minor league playing career (1956-70), playing first base, third base and the outfield. He was named to eight all-star teams. He hit .329 in his first season as a pro with 12 home runs and 87 RBIs. In 1962, Ed was third in doubles (30) in the Carolina League and 10th in batting, earning all-league honors.

The Yankees' new bench coach was born in Baltimore but moved to Panama when he was two weeks old and was raised in the Canal Zone. He graduated from Balboa (Canal Zone) High in 1955 and later Canal Zone JC, Macalester College (St. Paul, MN) and Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL)."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

George Edward Napoleon "Ed" "Nap" (CH)     #50

Born September 17, 1937, in Baltimore, Maryland, resides in Bradenton, Florida. Married, Marcy (4/17/64) and father of Eddie and Steven. College: Canal Zone Junior College, Macalester College, Eckerd College.

Opening Day age: 54.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

R.I.P. Eddie Robinson

1993 New York Yankees Management Profiles

JOSEPH A. MOLLOY (General Partner)

"In 1993, Joe Molloy begins his second season as General Partner of the New York Yankees. The 32-year-old executive was unanimously elected to succeed Daniel McCarthy by the New York Yankees Partnership on March 12, 1992, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Molloy joined the Yankees in June of 1987 and shortly thereafter was appointed Secretary/Treasurer of the club. He was named the club's Vice President in 1989, a position he held until 1992. Under Dan McCarthy was the club's Chief Administrative Officer.

Molloy has continuously handled a plethora of diverse responsibilities since joining the Yankees. His duties have included handling the club's day-to-day procedures of the minor league, player development and scouting systems in Tampa, Florida. Under his tenure from 1987-92, Yankee minor league affiliates won 11 league championships.

In addition to player development, under his tutelage, the Yankees have made great strides in other areas as well. Molloy was instrumental in the development of the Yankees' state-of-the-art, year-round baseball complex in Tampa. And in the 1992 off-season, he helped engineer the signings of free agents Wade Boggs, Jimmy Key and Spike Owen.

Before joining the Yankees, Molloy worked as an educator and coach at St. Lawrence Catholic School in Tampa. He is a graduate of St. Leo College in Florida and a native of the Tampa area.

Joe, his wife Jessica, and their three children, Elizabeth, Jennifer and Robert Joseph, reside in Tampa."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

GENE MICHAEL (Vice-President and General Manager)

"The 1993 season constitutes Gene Michael's 23rd year in the Yankee organization as a player, coach, manager, general manager or scout. On August 20, 1990, when he was transferred from his scouting position to Vice-President and General Manager, Michael started his second stint in that capacity with the Yankees.

Michael scouted and coached from 1988-90 prior to his appointment. The only time he spent away from the Yankee organization was during the 1986 and 1987 campaigns, when he managed the Chicago Cubs [and in 1975 and 1976 while playing for Detroit and Boston]. From 1983-86, Michael was an on-field coach for the Yankees.

In 1981 he managed the Yankees to a first-half championship in a split season and remained into September before being replaced by Bob Lemon. He took over as manager again in 1982, replacing Lemon 14 games into the season. Michael, in turn, was replaced by Clyde King after 86 games.

His other stint as General Manager came in 1980, with the Yankees posting a 103-59 record, good for first place in the American League East.

Michael was a coach in 1976 and 1978 and worked in the front office in 1977. In 1979, he had his first taste of managing, leading the Columbus Clippers to the International League Championship.

Michael played in the major leagues from 1966-76 with five different clubs: Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, the Yankees (1968-74), Detroit and Boston. Overall, the steady fielding shortstop hit .229 and had a .963 career average with the glove.

Gene makes his home in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. He has three grown children: Sandra, Mark and Matthew. He is the founder of the 'Gene Michael Fund,' a chapter of the 'Tomorrow's Children Fund.' The fund raises money for research, care and assistance for children's cancer at the Hackensack Medical Center."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

REGGIE JACKSON (Senior Advisor to the General Partners)

MR. OCTOBER GOES TO COOPERSTOWN

Reggie Jackson Joins Baseball's Immortals As A Yankee

"If it is true, as many believe, that the quickest way to the Hall of Fame is to hit home runs and do it an a national arena, like the World Series, then Reggie Jackson's destiny was forged early in his career.

Jackson was in only his second full major league season, a mere lad of 23, when he turned some heads by smashing 47 homers for the Oakland A's in 1969. It was his early calling card to Cooperstown. Three seasons later, with 157 career home runs to his name, he burst on the national scene in a big way, helping the A's win three consecutive World Championships, and they began clearing a space for his plaque in the upstate New York hamlet.

There remained only two more factors to ensure his induction- reaching the 500 home run plateau and playing in New York, the media capital.

The former came in his waning years when he was a member of the California Angels. On August 17, 1984, Jackson became the 13th player in baseball history to reach the 500 home run mark, which is tantamount to admission to the Hall of Fame. Each of the other 12 is in. Ironically, his 500th dinger was hit on the 17th anniversary of the first major league homer.

The clincher in came in 1977. Reggie in Pinstripes. Reggie in New York. Reggie a Yankee. There would be no denying his immortal fame now.

'If I played in New York, they'd name a candy bar after me,' he had boasted.

If he played in New York, he would have one foot in Cooperstown.

The defining moment for Reggie Jackson, Hall of Famer, came on the night of October 18, 1977. In New York. As a Yankee. In the World Series. Hitting home runs.

Three of them in one game ... count them. Off Burt Hooton in the fourth inning. Off Elias Sosa in the fifth. Off Charlie Hough in the eighth. Three home runs on three successive swings, the stuff of which Hall of Famers are made.

It was the stage which Jackson chose for his greatest night as much as the feat itself which stamped him as one for the ages. But then Reggie always was at his best in the big shows. He always wanted the spotlight.

He would bat a resounding .357 in five World Series, almost 100 above his career regular-season average. He would smash 10 World Series homers, and drive in 24 runs, and his one-game performance would be the greatest display of slugging in World Series history.

He played on five division champions, three pennant winners and three World Championships in Oakland; in New York, his teams won four division titles, three league championships and two World Championships; there were two more division titles in California. Eleven championship teams in 21 seasons.

As Earl Weaver once said of him, 'Championship teams keep following Reggie around.'

That's what helps get you into the Hall of Fame.

Jackson is the 36th Yankee elected to Cooperstown, but few of them had to made the decision he did. What hat to have displayed on his plaque? He played eight seasons in Oakland, one in Baltimore, five in New York, five in California. He chose New York.

'It was a really tough question for me to answer for a very, very long time,' he said on the day of his election. 'I've spent time with the A's the past couple of years and they brought me along as a farm-system kid. But I believe I'm most remembered for what happened in New York.

'I believe New York, George Steinbrenner, the Yankees, Munson, Martin and all the things that happened to me here were, in part, responsible for me being here today. And being practical, being associated with Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth is good for Reggie Jackson. I'll go in as a Yankee.' "

-Phil Pepe, The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Reggie was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 5, 1993, receiving 396 of a possible 423 votes. He was elected on 93.6 percent of the ballots, a total exceeded by only nine players in the history of the balloting. Reggie becomes only the 29th player to be elected in his first year of eligibility.

He ranks sixth on the all-time home run list with 563 and 13th on the all-time RBI list with 1,702. He also ranks 12th in extra-base hits (1,075), 11th in games (2,820), 18th in at-bats (9,864), 22nd in walks (1,375), first in strikeouts (2,597) and tied for first with Mickey Mantle for postseason home runs (18).

Reggie was selected to 14 All-Star Games. From 1971-82 the teams he played for won division titles in 10 of the 11 years (1976 the exception). He is the only player to win home run titles for three different teams (Oakland, New York, California).

After a year and a half in the minors, Reggie began his major league career with the Kansas A's in 1967, hitting .117 in 118 at-bats. His first full season came in 1968 when the team moved to Oakland and he established himself as a bonafide major leaguer, hitting 29 home runs and knocking in 74 runs.

In 1969, Reggie set career bests in home runs (47), runs (123) and RBI (118). He led Oakland to a division title in 1971, hitting 32 homers with 80 RBI. He added two home runs and hit .333 in the playoff loss to Baltimore. Reggie hit a mammoth two-run homer off the light transformer on Tiger Stadium's right field roof in the 1971 All-Star Game off Dock Ellis.

In 1973 he was the unanimous choice as American League MVP after hitting 32 home runs with 117 RBIs and a .293 batting average, helping the A's to win the second of three straight World Championships. Reggie hit .310 with a homer in his first World Series and was named Series MVP. In 1974, he belted 29 home runs with 93 RBI, hitting .289, leading Oakland to their third straight World Series triumph.

After hitting 36 homers and delivering 104 RBI in 1975, Reggie was traded in April 1976 to the Orioles with pitchers Ken Holtzman and Bill Van Bommel for outfielder Don Baylor and pitchers Mike Torrez and Paul Mitchell. Following the season he signed with the Yankees as a free agent on November 29. Reggie became the third free agent ever signed by the club (Catfish Hunter, 12/31/74, and Don Gullett, 11/18/76).

In 1977, Reggie led the Yankees to their first World Championship since 1962. He hit .286 with 32 home runs and 110 RBI.

Reggie set a World Series record with five home runs and tied a Series record by hitting three home runs in the deciding sixth game. He had homered in the ninth inning of Game 5 off Don Sutton. After walking on four pitches in the second inning of Game 6, Reggie homered on three consecutive pitches: off Burt Hooton in the 4th inning, Elias Sosa in the 5th inning and Charlie Hough in the 8th inning.

In 1978 he helped rally the Yankees from a 14-game deficit to win the division title. He hit .274 (27 HR, 97 RBI). Reggie hit a homer in the one-game playoff against Boston in the 8th inning that turned out to be the game-winner. He hit .391 (2 HR, 8 RBI) in the World Series as the Yankees won their second straight Championship.

Reggie hit .300 for the only time in his career in 1980, adding 41 home runs and 111 RBI as the Yankees won 103 games but lost the playoff series to the Royals. A Yankee era ended when he signed as a free agent with the Angels on January 22, 1982.

He rebounded from a sub-par '81 season by hitting 39 home runs and driving in 101 runs. Reggie homered in his first game back in Yankee Stadium off Ron Guidry.

On September 17, 1984, in Anaheim, on the 17th anniversary of this first major league homer, Reggie hit his 500th career home run. On May 14, 1986, he hit his 537th homer, moving past Mickey Mantle into sixth place on the all-time home run list. In his final season, 1987, Reggie returned to Oakland and reached double figures in home runs for the 20th consecutive season.

Since his retirement, he has worked as an Angels broadcaster (1990) and worked for the A's as a broadcaster (1991-92) and as a coach (1991). He has also worked for ABC Television.

Reggie collects rare cars. He served as National Chairman for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig Disease). In a survey conducted by Benton & Bowles Advertising evaluating 25 top athletes as endorsers, Reggie was the most familiar athlete as a player.

Reggie was accompanied by his father Martinez (88  years old at the time) to the Hall of Fame press conference in New York. One of six children, he grew up in Cheltenham, Pa., outside of Philadelphia. He attended Arizona State University on a football and baseball scholarship. He left after his sophomore season but later returned to earn a degree in biology."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

CAREER PLAYING RECORD

-Established major league records for most strikeouts, lifetime (2.597); most strikeouts by a left-handed batter, season (171), 1968; most years, 100 or more strikeouts (18); most consecutive years, 100 or more strikeouts (13), 1968-80.

-Tied major league records for most consecutive years leading league in strikeouts (4); most strikeouts, nine-inning game (5), September 27, 1968.

-Tied American League records, most years with 20 or more home runs (16); most times four or more strikeouts in a game, season (5), 1971; most consecutive games, one or more home runs (6), July 18-23, 1976; most seasons leading league in errors by an outfielder (5), 1968, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976; fewest errors by an outfielder, season, for leader in most errors (9), 1972.

-Named College Player of the Year by The Sporting News, 1966.

-Named an outfielder on The Sporting News College Baseball All-American Team, 1966.

-Led Southern League in runs scored (84), 1967.

-Led Southern League in total bases (232), 1967.

-Led Southern League in triples (17), 1967.

-Named Southern League Player of the Year, 1967.

-Led American League batters in strikeouts (171), 1968.

-Hit three home runs in one game, July 2, 1969.

-Led American League in runs scored (123), 1969.

-Led American League in slugging percentage (.608), 1969.

-Tied for American League lead in intentional bases on balls received (20), 1969.

-Led American League batters in strikeouts (142), 1969.

-Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1969.

-Led American League in times caught stealing (17), 1970.

-Led American League batters in strikeouts (135), 1970.

-Led American League batters in strikeouts (161), 1971.

-Led American League in double plays by an outfielder (5), 1972.

-Led American League in home runs (32), 1973.

-Led American League in runs batted in (117), 1973.

-Led American League in runs scored (99), 1973.

-Led American League in slugging percentage (.531), 1973.

-Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1973.

-Named Major League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, 1973.

-Named American League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, 1973.

-Named American League Most Valuable Player by the Baseball Writers Association of America, 1973.

-Led American League in intentional bases on balls received (20), 1974.

-Hit home runs in all 12 American League parks, 1975.

-Tied for American League lead in home runs (36), 1975.

-Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1975.

-Led American League in slugging percentage (.502), 1976.

-Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1976.

-Tied for American League lead in home runs (41), 1980.

-Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1980.

-Named designated hitter on The Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1980.

-Tied for American League lead in home runs (39), 1982.

-Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1982.

-Hit three home runs in one game, September 18, 1986.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

ALL-STAR GAME RECORD

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1969.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1971.

-Tied All-Star Game record for most home runs by a pinch hitter, one game (1), July 13, 1971.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1972.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1973.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1974.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1975.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1976.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1977.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1978.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1979.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1980.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1981.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1982.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1983.

-Selected to American League All-Star team, 1984.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RECORD

-Established League Championship Series records for most series played (11); most series, one or more hits (10); most series, playing all games (9); most series games played, career (45); most series at-bats, career (163); most series strikeouts, career (41).

-Tied League League Championship Series records for most times on winning club (6); most series doubles, career (7); most times reaching first base safely, game (5), October 3, 1978; most times stealing home, game (1), October 12, 1972.

-Established American League Championship Series records for most series hits career (37); most series singles, career (24); most series runs batted in, career (20); most series bases on balls, career (17); highest series batting average, four-game series (.462), 1978; most runs batted in, four-game series (6), 1978.

-Tied ALCS records for most times on losing club (5); most home runs, three-game series (2), 1971; most series, one or more home runs  (4); most total bases, three-game series (11), 1971; highest slugging average, three-game series (.917), 1971; most bases on balls, four-game series (5), 1974.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

WORLD SERIES RECORD

-Established World Series record for most home runs, one World Series (5), 1977; most runs scored, one World Series (10), 1977; most total bases, one World Series (25), 1977; highest slugging percentage, six-game World Series (1.250), 1977; most extra-base hits, six-game World Series (6), 1977; most extra bases on long hits, one World Series (16), 1977; most home runs, two consecutive games, one World Series (4),  October 16 and 18,1977; most home runs, three consecutive games, one World Series (5), October 15, 16 and 18,1977;  most home runs in two consecutive World Series (7), 1977-78; highest World Series slugging percentage, career, 20 or more games (.755).

-Tied World Series records for most home runs, one World Series game (3), October 18, 1977 (consecutive, each on the first pitch); most home runs, two consecutive innings (2) October 18, 1977 (fourth and fifth innings); most runs scored, one World Series game (4), October 18, 1977; most total bases, one World Series game (12), October 18, 1977; most extra-base hits, one World Series (6), 1977; most consecutive World Series games, one or more RBIs (8), 1977-78; most times reaching first base safely, one game (5), October 24,1981 (3-for3, two bases on balls).

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide