December 15 in Yankee History

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  • Outfielder Dave Winfield became baseball’s highest-paid player when he signed a 10-year deal with the Yankees on December 15, 1980. Despite being eventually labeled “Mr. May” by an enraged George Steinbrenner, he would notch a World Series-winning hit with the Blue Jays later in his career. Dave contributed often and played hard in the Bronx. He smashed 205 homers with 818 rbi’s in eight-plus years, as he missed the 1989 campaign with back surgery and was traded to California for righthander Mike Witt 20 games into the 1990 season. Witt had been a front-line starter for years, and threw a Perfect Game in 1984, but he was way past his prime, and would go 8-9 during three seasons in the Bronx. Continue reading →

    • December 14 in Yankee History

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  • Being a baseball fan is supposed to be an enjoyable and life-affirming endeavor, and despite the undeniable tension we suffer during tight games, pennant races, and playoff contests, it fills those requirements admirably. But “into each life a little rain must fall” the saying goes, and December 14 is a day dominated by poignant and sad moments for Yankee fans. We’ll begin the list with this: MVP Yankee catcher Elston Howard passed away on this day in 1980. Continue reading →

    • December 13 in Yankee History

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  • It seems forever since we’ve led off a Yankee daily history report with a mention of Mickey Mantle. On December 13, 1961, The Mick signed a contract for the 1962 season. He would earn $82,000, the second highest Yankee total (to Joe DiMaggio) to that point in time. He would only play 123 games due to injury, but what would he earn today for the 30 home runs and 89 rbi’s? Continue reading →

    • A Bear Poked

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    Lakeland, Fla., February 24, 2024; Yankees 22, Tigers 10 — The 2023 Yankees barely posted a .500 record, garnered a fourth place finish, and missed the playoffs altogether. A not pretty season to be sure, but it was uglier than that. In both August and September 2023, this team suffered losses in nine different games in which they failed to score as many as three runs. Continue reading →

    Fun, After the Sun

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    Tampa, Fla., March 6, 2023; Yankees 9, Pittsburgh 2 — There are a couple of things that need to be said about this Spring Training game. First, although many (assuming there are many?) reading this cannot presently appreciate it, the pleasure we experienced tonight is one you’ve all enjoyed, though we got to do it on March 6. It was a perfect baseball night, high 70s under a largely cloudless sky, as a full moon arose over the center field wall. Your day is coming, friends, but we were privileged to an early sight. Continue reading →

    When 8 > 3 + 5

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    Northport, Fla., May 5, 2023; Yankees 10, Atlanta 6 — Early, it looked to be a tough day for the Yankees in their game visiting the Braves at CoolToday Park Sunday afternoon, as the superb trio at the top of the home team’s lineup pounded new Yankee starter Carlos Rodon for five quick runs. Down 1-0 to an Oswaldo Cabrera home run to right in the top of the first, table setter Ronald Acuna Jr. started the first and third innings with well-struck shots, for an infield single, then a double, both down the third baseline. First baseman Greg Olson drove him in both times with a home run and hard single, and third sacker Austin Riley followed the latter with a two-run home run to left. Continue reading →