The only real Yankee positive that took place on December 8 is the birthday of recent mound stalwart Mike Mussina (see below), who retired after a very good 2008 season, because the day has not been a good one. Adding to the “bummer” aspect of the day, I am bending the rules in a baseball history column by leading off with the assassination of Beatle John Lennon on this day in 1980. Imagine there’s no heaven…
OOn December 8, 2022, the Yankees signed free agent righthanders Art Warren, Zac Houston, and Demarcus Evans; lefthander Lisandro Santos; second baseman Jamie Westbrook; and catcher Rodolfo Durán to minor league contracts.
On December 8, 2016, three Yankee minor leaguers were claimed off waivers: Arizona claimed Tyler Jones; Milwaukee claimed lefty Caleb Smith; and Pittsburgh claimed lefty Tyler Webb. Smith and Webb would be returned the following March. Also that day, the Yankees signed free agent third baseman Donovan Solano to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
On December 8, 2015, the Cubs traded second baseman Starlin Castro to the Yankees for righthander Adam Warren and a Player To Be Named Later, who would become infielder Brendan Ryan. Given that Castro had a truly solid year in the Bronx, and that Warren ended up there late in the coming season, this was a good trade for the Yankees.
On December 8, 2001, the Yanks made a good move in signing Steve Karsay as the righthanded setup guy in their pen. He not only posted a 6-4 record and a decent 3.26 era, he even managed 12 saves filling in for Mariano Rivera. But it was one injury after another afterward, and New York was forced to release him in 2005, having paid him four years for little more than one year of pitching.
The “anchor” of the staff is the term the Yanks used in ballyhooing their signing of San Diego Padre Andy Hawkins to a free-agent contract on December 8, 1988. And the team’s position as an 85-76, fifth-place 1988 team was “anchored” in essence. Although they slipped 11 games to 74-87 with Hawkins leading the way in 1989, it was still good for fifth place. Hawkins would post a 20-29 mark by the time he was released in May 1991. And in three starts in Boston, he pitched a total of one inning and gave up 18 runs, a 162.00 era.
In the first of a trio of Yankee roster moves on December 8, 2011, the Royals traded southpaw Cesar Cabral to New York. Cabral sparkled in the battle for the lefty specialist role the entire ensuing Spring Training, only to go down with an arm injury at the very end, leaving the job open for Clay Rapada. In the other two moves, the Yankees released center fielder Greg Golson, and claimed righthander Brad Meyers off waivers from the Syracuse Chiefs.
There is nothing bad to report about Dr. Bobby Brown, who chipped in with 22 homers and 237 rbi’s during his 1946-1953 stay in the Bronx. But his Yankee contributions were well over before his December 8, 1983, election to the post of American League President.
If there was a December 8 Yankee transaction that rivaled the signing of Hawkins in the negativity of its outcome, it would be the December 8, 1966, swap of Yankee homer-hitting hero Roger Maris to the Cardinals for journeyman third baseman Charley Smith. While Roger’s power totals over the next two seasons dipped to 14 homers and 100 rbi’s, it easily outstripped the 10/45 numbers Smith attained before being traded to the Giants for Nate Oliver. And Maris went to two World Series in ’67 and ’68, where he added another homer and eight rbi’s.
December 8 wasn’t a great day for Yankee hero Babe Ruth either. He was among 51 players fined that day in 1916 for performing in unauthorized postseason exhibitions. And, frustrated in his attempt to get a managing gig at the end of his career, the Babe turned down an offer to be field boss for the minor-league Albany team on December 8, 1936.
The Yankees designated outfielder Bronson Sardinha, who had made the 2007 postseason roster as a pinch runner, for assignment on December 8, 2008. Sardinha had three hits and two rbi’s in nine at bats and scored six times playing in 10 games for the ’07 club.
At a December 8, 1939, meeting of both major leagues, competing American League teams pushed through a rule barring teams from making deals with the World Champion Yankees, winners of four titles in a row. And the National League teams went along.
One year removed from the Yankee stay that would be the only bright light in the latter part of Darryl Strawberry‘s fading career, he and his agent were indicted for income tax evasion on December 8, 1994.
The baseball world was abuzz on December 8, 1914, once now-legendary Manager Connie Mack of the Philly A’s sold star Eddie Collins to the White Sox. Collins was perhaps the finest position player of his day. Breaking up the A’s fine infield, the sale prompted rumors that Mack would be leaving the A’s to manage the Yankees. That was never to happen.
In December 8 ballpark news, the expansion L.A. Angels signed a four-year lease to use Dodger Stadium on this day in 1960; and the Cleveland Indians agreed to lease a new ballpark to be built in the Gateway section on December 8, 1990. This would become Jacobs Field. But don’t “bug” me about the details.
Brooklyn Dodger catcher Roy Campanella won his third National League MVP Award on December 8, 1955.
A flurry of major league transactions have taken place on December 8 in the last 25 years. Here are some that involved former or future Yankee players: The Pirates signed lefty Terry Mulholland to a two-year deal on this day in 2000; the Orioles came to terms with former Yank Jimmy Key on a two-year deal and former Oriole Todd Zeile signed with the Dodgers, both on this day in 1996; the Giants acquired Stan Javier in 1995; Cincinnati traded outfielder Dave Parker to the A’s for two former Yankee hurlers, Jose Rijo and Tim Birtsas, on December 8, 1987; and the Rangers swapped third basemen with the Indians, sending Toby Harrah to Cleveland for Buddy Bell in 1978.
Further transactions involving former or future Yankees this day include outfielder Johnny Callison (who ended his career with the 1972-1973 Yankees) starting a very good 10-year Philly stay when the White Sox exchanged him for infielder Gene Freese on December 8, 1959, righty Danny MacFayden being sent from the Braves to the Pirates for Bill Swift on the same day, but 20 years earlier. Also, 1996 Yankee pinch hitter Mike Aldrete was picked up from San Fran by Montreal on this day in 1988, the same day the Expos traded for third baseman Spike Owen from Boston.
But 1992 and 1997 have seen the most related action. Kansas City signed David Cone, the Twins inked Jim Deshaies, and the Angels traded Luis Sojo to the Blue Jays for Kelly Gruber, all on December 8, 1992. Topping that, six at-one-time Pinstripers changed teams on December 8, 1997: The Indians signed Doc Gooden and traded for Steve Karsay; the Dodgers inked Jose Vizcaino; Texas reached terms with shortstop Kevin Elster; and the Blue Jays signed both Mike Stanley and Tony Fernandez.
Players Who Have Died This Day
Two of the four Yankee players who have died on December 8 were teammates with the Highlanders in the 20th Century’s first decade. Righthander Bill Hogg (1909) pitched for the 1905-1908 Highlanders only, posting a 37-50-1 mark in 116 games (89 starts). Second baseman (and utility infielder) Balsy Louden (1935) debuted by playing four games for the 1907 Highlanders; he got one hit in nine at bats with no rbi’s, but accumulated 12 home runs and 202 runs driven in after playing with the 1912-1913 Tigers, the 1914-1915 Buffeds, and the 1916 Reds. Outfielder Nick Cullop (1978) also debuted with the Yanks, as did righthander Dave Madison (1985). Cullop had one hit in two at bats playing two games for the 1926 Yankees, and finished up with 11 home runs and 67 rbi’s after playing 1927 with the Senators and the Indians, 1929 with the Dodgers, and 1930-1931 with the Reds. Madison’s lone appearance (not a start) on the Yankee mound came with the 1950 club to no record, but he won eight games and lost seven with the 1952 Browns and the 1952-1953 Tigers.
The list of noteworthy nonYankee players who have died on December 8 includes a Hall of Fame outfielder, three righthanded pitchers, a shortstop, an infielder, and three second basemen. Lefthanded outfielder Tris Speaker (1958) hit 117 home runs and drove in 1,529 runs mostly with the Red Sox and the Indians from 1907-1928; and Ben Karr (1968) posted a 35-48-5 mark pitching with the Red Sox and the Indians from 1920-1927. Righty Russ Kemmerer (2014) won 43 games, lost 59, and saved eight in 302 games (109 starts) from 1954 through 1963 pitching mostly for the Senators, the Red Sox, the White Sox, and the Colt 45s. Shortstop Jose Uribe (2006), a switch hitter, hit most of his 19 long balls and knocked in 219 runs playing with the Giants from 1984-1993; and infielder Bernie Friberg (1958) cleared 38 fences good for 471 rbi’s mostly for the Cubs and the Phillies from 1919-1933. The three second baseman follow: Bill Wambsganss (1985), famous for the multi-consonant last name and for being one of the first to ever record an unassisted triple play, hit seven home runs and drove in 520 runs from 1914-1926 with the Indians, the Red Sox, and the A’s; Bobby Lowe (1951) hit 71 roundtrippers and drove in 984 runs playing with the Beaneaters for 12 years, the Tigers for three, the Cubs for two, and a few others from 1890-1907; and Bert Niehoff (1974) homered 12 times and knocked in 207 runs from 1913-1918, mostly with the Phillies and the Reds. Playing from 1992 through 1998, righthander Richie Lewis (2021) pitched for Miami from 1993-1995, for Baltimore in 1992 and 1998, and three other cities. His 14-15 mark with two saves was achieved hurling in 217 games, four of them starts.
Players Born This Day
The “Moose,” Mike Mussina (1968), is the most famous and accomplished of the seven Yankee players who were born on December 8. After a stellar decade with the Baltimore Orioles, Mike signed as a free agent in November 2000 and passed the 100 victory mark pitching in New York in 2007. Mike thus joined Hall of Famer Lefty Grove as the second hurler to attain that win total with two different teams. Further giving Moose standout status, however, is that he chose to retire on top, leaving the game after posting his lone 20-win season in 2008, giving him a 270-153 record. To win more than 100 games than you lost is rare as well. His Hall of Fame chances will be much discussed going forward.
Although he was a rookie in 2008, 25-year-old righthander Alfredo Aceves (1982) was already a multi-year veteran of the Mexican League, and threw like it when he was brought to the big league Yankee club to pitch down the stretch, with a 1-0 record and 2.40 era in six games (four starts). Fans were looking forward to seeing more of the same in 2009, and they got it, as Alfredo pitched mostly long relief, but some middle and late as well, and posted a 10-1 record. He did struggle in the postseason, however, taking one loss against Anaheim in the ALCS. Alfedo’s 2010 season was marred by back injuries, and he sustained a clavicle injury that was expected to cost him much of the 2011 season as well. Frustrated Yankee fans, after hearing that he was probably done due to that injury, were angered when Alfredo signed with the Red Sox and had a very good year with them in 2011. The same scenario was playing out in 2012, but then Aceves had issues with BoSox manager Bobby Valentine and struggled late. The Yanks brought Alceves back in 2014, but he struggled to 1-2 with a 6-plus era in 10 games.
Tim Foli (1950) joined the Yanks in a December 1983 trade with the California Angels for Curt Kaufman and cash. The most interesting thing about Foli perhaps, aside from the 16 runs he drove in during 163 at bats in 61 games for the 1984 Yanks, is the December trade of him along with Steve Kemp that year to the Pirates that netted Dale Berra, Alfonso Pulido, and Jay Buhner. Foli played six years with the Expos, three with the Mets, and four with the Pirates. It was a surprise to this fan to learn that Buhner was not a product of the Yankee farm system, despite the fact that Jay had his major-league debut in the Bronx.
Veteran shortstop Eddie Brinkman (1941) knocked in two runs in 44 games for the 1975 Yanks once they purchased him in June of that year from the Texas Rangers. He was released by New York the following March; Brinkman played 10 years in Washington and four with the Tigers.
Switch-hitting third baseman Jimmy Austin (1879) smacked three homers and knocked in 75 runs debuting with the 1909-1910 New Yorkers before playing 19 years with the Browns. The Highlanders traded him and Frank LaPorte to the Browns for Roy Hartzell in January 1911.
Outfielder/infielder Jack Thoney (1879) stole nine bases and drove in 12 runs for the 1904 team in a 10-year big-league stint that included three years in Boston. Thoney had already walked once, stolen a base, and scored a run in three games with the 1902 Baltimore Orioles, the franchise that would set up tent in New York the following season. The Highlanders purchased Thoney from the Washington Senators in May 1904.
Lastly, catcher Joe Connor (1857) recorded one stolen base and two rbi’s in eight games with the 1905 Yankees after one year in St. Louis, one with the Boston Braves, and then splitting the 1901 season between Milwaukee and Cleveland.
Aftere enjoying a solid and long career in Toronto, outfielder Vernon Wells (1978) followed two seasons in Anaheim by closing out his career with the 2013 Yankees. Hitter of 270 home runs with 958 rbi’s, Vernon got just 11 homers with 50 rbi’s in New York playing 130 games; he batted just .233.
Not new to the game in any sense, but a new Yankee in 2022, is third baseman Josh Donaldson (1985), who was acquired from the Twins in a swap featuring Gary Sanchez. Displaying often stellar defense, Donaldson disappointed fans mightily with his offense. In 132 games, he hit 15 long balls with 62 rbi’s while batting just .222. It got worse in 2023, as Josh hit .142 with 10 home runs and 15 rbi’s in 33 games before being released. Picked up by Milwaukee at season’s end, he hit three home runs runs with 11 rbi’s in 17 games.
Other birthdays: Jolbert Cabrera (1972); Jeff Davanon (1973); Reed Johnson (1976); Kory Casto (1981); Robbie Weinhardt (1985); Jordan Norberto (1986); Kyle Drabek (1987); Alex Torres (1987); and Zach McAllister (1987).
