This Day in New York Yankees History 10/3: Wild Card Winners

As we learned yesterday in this same series the New York Yankees and the Colorado Rockies became the first ever set of Wild Card winning teams when a fourth playoff team was added to the mix. On this day in 1995 the first American League and National League Division Series were played with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and the Atlanta Braves winning the first ever games.


Also on this day in 1947 in Game 4 of the World Series the Yankees pitcher Bill Bevens came within one out of pitching the first no-hitter in World Series history. Cookie Lavagetto of the Dodgers came up with two outs in the ninth to pinch hit for Eddie Stanky and hit a two out double. The Dodgers would miraculously come back to win the game 3-2.

This Day in New York Yankees History 10/3: Wild Card Winners

As we learned yesterday in this same series the New York Yankees and the Colorado Rockies became the first ever set of Wild Card winning teams when a fourth playoff team was added to the mix. On this day in 1995 the first American League and National League Division Series were played with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and the Atlanta Braves winning the first ever games.


Also on this day in 1947 in Game 4 of the World Series the Yankees pitcher Bill Bevens came within one out of pitching the first no-hitter in World Series history. Cookie Lavagetto of the Dodgers came up with two outs in the ninth to pinch hit for Eddie Stanky and hit a two out double. The Dodgers would miraculously come back to win the game 3-2.

This Day in New York Yankees History 9/4: ‘98 Yankees Quickest to 100 Victories

The 1998 New York Yankees squad was deemed by many as the greatest team ever assembled in this great sport of Major League Baseball. On this day in 1998 the Yankees entered the record books when they became the quickest team ever to reach the 100 win plateau. The Yankees 11-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox bested the 1906 Chicago Cubs and 1954 Cleveland Indians by five days. Although the Cubs in 1906 started the season 100-32 which was far better than the Yankees record.

Also on this day in 1993 Jim Abbott, the Yankees starting pitcher that was born with only one hand, throws a no hitter to beat the California Angels by the score of 4-0. Abbott was the first Yankees pitcher to throw a no hitter in the decade even though he was born without a right hand. Indians leadoff hitter Kenny Lofton was loudly booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd for fouling off a bunt attempt in his last at bat.

Also on this day in 1991 Major League Baseball votes to eliminate the distinction between the number of games played in a league's schedule when it comes to the all-time single season home run mark. The vote takes away the asterisk that kept Roger Maris from the top spot and bumped Babe Ruth to the second hole with 60 home runs in a season.


Finally on this day in 1906 the New York Highlanders, formerly the Baltimore Orioles and soon to be the New York Yankees, beat the Boston Americans 1-0 to finally earn a day off. The Highlanders completed a grueling five consecutive double headers in six days trip and swept them all going 10-0 during the streak.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/2: Mussina's Perfect Game Ends w/ 2 Outs In 9th

Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN, New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox, Mike Mussina on the mound, all the makings for a great pitcher's duel and a great game. Mussina takes a perfect game into the ninth inning with two outs and two strikes before Red Sox pinch hitter Carl Everett singled in the bottom on the inning. Mussina would beat the Red Sox 1-0 for his fourth career one hitter.

Interestingly enough this 1-0 Yankees victory was one of four games on the day that ended 1-0, a major league record. New York beat Boston, San Diego beat Arizona, Houston beat Milwaukee, and Toronto beat Detroit all by the score of 1-0.

Finally on this day in 1996 David Cone made his return to the mound from his May operation to remove an aneurysm in his right throwing arm and pitches seven no hit innings. The Yankees would beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 with Mariano Rivera giving up the first and only hit of the ball game to Jose Herrera in the bottom of the eight inning on an infield single.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/27: The First No-No In Yankee Stadium History

The Yankees made a day of it on this day in 1938 with a pair of historic milestones that happened on this day. First the Yankees All Star outfielder Joe DiMaggio would hit three consecutive triples in the first game of a double header with the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees would win Game 1 by the score of 8-7 but it was the second game that truly made history.

Monte Pearson became the first pitcher to ever throw a no hitter inside the House that Ruth Built. Pearson faces the minimum 27 batters thanks to a pair of double plays. The Yankees would sweep the double header and win the game 13-0 over the Indians for the Yankees 10th consecutive victory.

This Day in New York Yankees History 6/11: Andy Pettitte Wins #200

On this day in 2010 Andy Pettitte joined Yankees Whitey Ford and Red Ruffing as the only Yankees pitchers to win 200 games while in pinstripes. Andy was 37 years old and also reached the 3,000 career innings pitched mark in the first inning of the game. The Yankees would beat the Houston Astros, his former team, 4-3 in Yankee Stadium.


Also on this day in 2003 the Houston Astros no-hit the New York Yankees for the first time since 1958. In 1958 the Orioles knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm beat the Yankees 1-0 in Baltimore. On this day a record setting six pitchers combine to no-hit the Yankees and end the streak of 6,980 games with at least one hit for the Bronx Bombers. The six pitchers who made history on that day were Roy Oswalt, Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel, and Billy Wagner.


Also on this day in 1988 the Yankees were short on right handed hitters against the Orioles left hander Jeff Ballard and former manager Billy Martin decided to use starting pitcher Rick Rhoden at the DH spot. Rhoden became the first ever pitcher to ever start at the designated hitter position in the short history of the position. Rhoden got just one at bat and hit a sacrifice fly before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the fifth inning. The Yankees would beat the Orioles 8-6 on this day.


Finally on this day in 1915 the Yankees pitcher Ray Caldwell becomes the first major leaguer to hit a home run in consecutive pinch hitting appearances. The Yankees would beat the Chicago White Sox on this day and the 19 game winner Caldwell would hit his second home run against the Chi Sox. Caldwell also hit a home run as a pinch hitter yesterday as well against Chicago.

This Day in New York Yankees History 5/14: Dwight Gooden No-Hitter

On this day in 2015 the New York Yankees received some unfortunate news. The team learned they would lose Chase Whitley for the remainder of the year after leaving a start against the Tampa Bay Rays with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Whitley underwent Tommy John surgery before being claimed off waivers in the winter before 2016.



Also on this day in 1996 Dwight Gooden threw 135 pitches and threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees would win the game 2-0 and the 31 year old Gooden would become the eight Yankee pitcher to throw a no hitter in their history. Gooden hadn't won a game in nearly two years prior to the no hitter and was almost released a month prior after a slow start to his season.


Also on this day in 1967 Mickey Mantle kept his promise to his wife Merlyn and hit his 500th career home run on Mother's Day. The "Commerce Comet" was the sixth player to ever reach the 500 home run club when he hit a ball into the right field corner off Orioles pitcher Stu Miller.


Finally on this day in 1920 the New York Giants informed the New York Yankees that their lease to play in the Polo Grounds would not be renewed at the end of the season. The Yankees have played at the Polo Grounds since 1913 and will continue to play there until Yankee Stadium was completed in 1923. Speculation was that the Giants were not pleased with the acquisition of Babe Ruth for the Yankees and that was the reason they wanted them out of their stadium.

This Day in New York Yankees History 10/3: Wild Card Winners

As we learned yesterday in this same series the New York Yankees and the Colorado Rockies became the first ever set of Wild Card winning teams when a fourth playoff team was added to the mix. On this day in 1995 the first American League and National League Division Series were played with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and the Atlanta Braves winning the first ever games.


Also on this day in 1947 in Game 4 of the World Series the Yankees pitcher Bill Bevens came within one out of pitching the first no-hitter in World Series history. Cookie Lavagetto of the Dodgers came up with two outs in the ninth to pinch hit for Eddie Stanky and hit a two out double. The Dodgers would miraculously come back to win the game 3-2.

This Day in New York Yankees History 9/4: ‘98 Yankees Quickest to 100 Victories

The 1998 New York Yankees squad was deemed by many as the greatest team ever assembled in this great sport of Major League Baseball. On this day in 1998 the Yankees entered the record books when they became the quickest team ever to reach the 100 win plateau. The Yankees 11-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox bested the 1906 Chicago Cubs and 1954 Cleveland Indians by five days. Although the Cubs in 1906 started the season 100-32 which was far better than the Yankees record.

Also on this day in 1993 Jim Abbott, the Yankees starting pitcher that was born with only one hand, throws a no hitter to beat the California Angels by the score of 4-0. Abbott was the first Yankees pitcher to throw a no hitter in the decade even though he was born without a right hand. Indians leadoff hitter Kenny Lofton was loudly booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd for fouling off a bunt attempt in his last at bat.

Also on this day in 1991 Major League Baseball votes to eliminate the distinction between the number of games played in a league's schedule when it comes to the all-time single season home run mark. The vote takes away the asterisk that kept Roger Maris from the top spot and bumped Babe Ruth to the second hole with 60 home runs in a season.



Finally on this day in 1906 the New York Highlanders, formerly the Baltimore Orioles and soon to be the New York Yankees, beat the Boston Americans 1-0 to finally earn a day off. The Highlanders completed a grueling five consecutive double headers in six days trip and swept them all going 10-0 during the streak.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/2: Mussina's Perfect Game Ends w/ 2 Outs In 9th

Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN, New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox, Mike Mussina on the mound, all the makings for a great pitcher's duel and a great game. Mussina takes a perfect game into the ninth inning with two outs and two strikes before Red Sox pinch hitter Carl Everett singled in the bottom on the inning. Mussina would beat the Red Sox 1-0 for his fourth career one hitter.

Interestingly enough this 1-0 Yankees victory was one of four games on the day that ended 1-0, a major league record. New York beat Boston, San Diego beat Arizona, Houston beat Milwaukee, and Toronto beat Detroit all by the score of 1-0.

Finally on this day in 1996 David Cone made his return to the mound from his May operation to remove an aneurysm in his right throwing arm and pitches seven no hit innings. The Yankees would beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 with Mariano Rivera giving up the first and only hit of the ball game to Jose Herrera in the bottom of the eight inning on an infield single.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/27: The First No-No In Yankee Stadium History

The Yankees made a day of it on this day in 1938 with a pair of historic milestones that happened on this day. First the Yankees All Star outfielder Joe DiMaggio would hit three consecutive triples in the first game of a double header with the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees would win Game 1 by the score of 8-7 but it was the second game that truly made history.

Monte Pearson became the first pitcher to ever throw a no hitter inside the House that Ruth Built. Pearson faces the minimum 27 batters thanks to a pair of double plays. The Yankees would sweep the double header and win the game 13-0 over the Indians for the Yankees 10th consecutive victory.

This Day in New York Yankees History 6/11: Andy Pettitte Wins #200

On this day in 2010 Andy Pettitte joined Yankees Whitey Ford and Red Ruffing as the only Yankees pitchers to win 200 games while in pinstripes. Andy was 37 years old and also reached the 3,000 career innings pitched mark in the first inning of the game. The Yankees would beat the Houston Astros, his former team, 4-3 in Yankee Stadium.


Also on this day in 2003 the Houston Astros no-hit the New York Yankees for the first time since 1958. In 1958 the Orioles knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm beat the Yankees 1-0 in Baltimore. On this day a record setting six pitchers combine to no-hit the Yankees and end the streak of 6,980 games with at least one hit for the Bronx Bombers. The six pitchers who made history on that day were Roy Oswalt, Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel, and Billy Wagner.


Also on this day in 1988 the Yankees were short on right handed hitters against the Orioles left hander Jeff Ballard and former manager Billy Martin decided to use starting pitcher Rick Rhoden at the DH spot. Rhoden became the first ever pitcher to ever start at the designated hitter position in the short history of the position. Rhoden got just one at bat and hit a sacrifice fly before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the fifth inning. The Yankees would beat the Orioles 8-6 on this day.


Finally on this day in 1915 the Yankees pitcher Ray Caldwell becomes the first major leaguer to hit a home run in consecutive pinch hitting appearances. The Yankees would beat the Chicago White Sox on this day and the 19 game winner Caldwell would hit his second home run against the Chi Sox. Caldwell also hit a home run as a pinch hitter yesterday as well against Chicago.

This Day in New York Yankees History 5/27: Knuckle Ball Glove is born Against Yankees

On this day in 1997 Luis Polonia of all people ruined the Oakland A's Steve Ontiveros bid for a no hitter with a two out sixth inning single. The single by Polonia would be the only hit that Ontiveros would give up in the A's 3-0 victory over the Yankees.


Also on this day in 1960 the knuckleball glove is born for catchers as Orioles catcher Clint Courtney became the first backstop to use the glove. Manager Paul Richards came up with the 45 inch glove that helped knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm go the distance in a 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium over the Yankees. Wilhelm did not throw a single wild pitch or passed ball in the game, amazing.

This Day in New York Yankees History 5/14: Dwight Gooden No-Hitter

On this day in 2015 the New York Yankees received some unfortunate news. The team learned they would lose Chase Whitley for the remainder of the year after leaving a start against the Tampa Bay Rays with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Whitley underwent Tommy John surgery before being claimed off waivers in the winter before 2016.



Also on this day in 1996 Dwight Gooden threw 135 pitches and threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees would win the game 2-0 and the 31 year old Gooden would become the eight Yankee pitcher to throw a no hitter in their history. Gooden hadn't won a game in nearly two years prior to the no hitter and was almost released a month prior after a slow start to his season.


Also on this day in 1967 Mickey Mantle kept his promise to his wife Merlyn and hit his 500th career home run on Mother's Day. The "Commerce Comet" was the sixth player to ever reach the 500 home run club when he hit a ball into the right field corner off Orioles pitcher Stu Miller.


Finally on this day in 1920 the New York Giants informed the New York Yankees that their lease to play in the Polo Grounds would not be renewed at the end of the season. The Yankees have played at the Polo Grounds since 1913 and will continue to play there until Yankee Stadium was completed in 1923. Speculation was that the Giants were not pleased with the acquisition of Babe Ruth for the Yankees and that was the reason they wanted them out of their stadium.

Herrera Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week

Herrera Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week 

HIGHLIGHTS 4/29 

The Thunder and the Eastern League announced that RHP Ronald Herrera was named the Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 25th - May 1st.


Herrera's recognition comes after he threw eight no-hit innings as part of the second nine-inning no-hitter in franchise history on Tuesdaynight. He allowed two walks, hit one batter, and struck out five against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in his lone start of the week.


The 20-year-old right-hander, acquired in the off-season by the Yankees in exchange for INF Jose Pirela, is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA this season. He's allowed seven hits and four walks in 21 innings with the Thunder this season, striking out 20 Eastern League batters.


Your Thunder open a four-game series with the Akron RubberDucks tonight at 6:35pm at Canal Park. RHP Cale Coshow (0-1) will go for the Thunder, RHP Adam Plutko (1-2) will start for Akron. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:20 on 91.3 WTSR and online at Trentonthunder.com.

Weekly Prospects Check In: Ronald Herrera

As you guys may or may not know we do a daily check in with some of the top Yankees prospects here on the blog and bring you their stats and performances on a weekly basis. Monday through Sunday has generally a set schedule of prospects to check in with including the Yankees top prospects and prospects who are closest to the Major Leagues but on Sunday evenings we like to bring you a wild card as well. This week we bring you one hell of a wild card who now has a combined no-hitter added to his minor league credentials. Ronald Herrera.

Herrera was brought over to the New York Yankees this winter in a trade with the San Diego Padres that sent infielder Jose Pirela to the West Coast and just a month into the season it looks like the Yankees are winning this trade. Herrera and Jonathan Holder combined for a no-hitter earlier in the week with the Trenton Thunder and our friend Matt Kardos was there to cover the game. Scratch one off the bucket list.

Here was Herrera's final line and his stats thus far this season:

8 IP 0 Hits 0 ER 105 pitches thrown

Year	Age	Lev	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9
2016	21	AA-AAA	3	1	2.77	4	4	26.0	14	8	8	2	7	28	0.808	4.8	0.7	2.4	9.7
2016	21	AA	3	0	1.29	3	3	21.0	7	3	3	1	4	20	0.524	3.0	0.4	1.7	8.6
2016	21	AAA	0	1	9.00	1	1	5.0	7	5	5	1	3	8	2.000	12.6	1.8	5.4	14.4

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Weekly Check In: Gary Sanchez

The New York Yankees lost both Aaron Hicks and Alex Rodriguez for parts of this week due to injury but rather than make a roster move and fill in the bench the team decided to play with a two man bench and 23 man roster. Whether that was a good decision or not remains to be seen, although if your pitchers take no-hitters into the 7^th inning like Nathan Eovaldi did on Monday then you could have no bench and still win a ton of games, but I know one man that was hoping for a roster move and a call up, his name is Gary Sanchez. We all know what Sanchez brings to the table, a right-handed bat with pop that could be what Alex Rodriguez was supposed to be through the first month of the season but has not been.

So why hasn’t he been called up? Are the Yankees trying to delay his free agency and arbitration clocks by a year to save a few bucks? Is Sanchez just not ready despite a strong month in Triple-A at the end of last season and an even stronger Arizona Fall League? Or are the Yankees simply that clueless? I don’t have any of those answers for you unfortunately but I do know his stats look much better now than they did in spring, and that’s encouraging.

Year	Age	Lev	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	23	AAA	14	61	7	14	7	1	2	10	1	4	11	.250	.311	.518	.829

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Yankees Sign RHP Armando Galarraga

Armando Galarraga, he of the perfect game that was but suddenly wasn't, has joined the Yankees as a minor league pitching instructor

— Erik Boland (@eboland11) February 11, 2016

The New York Yankees have not signed a major league free agent all winter long but they did make a bit of a splash today when they signed Mr. should have been perfect Armando Galarraga. The Yankees aren't signing him hoping that he will harness that stuff that made him almost perfect during his playing career though, no, the team signed him to be a minor league pitching instructor. What an opportunity for Galarraga to potentially get his coaching career started and what a treat for the young arms in the Yankees system to pick the brain of a pitcher that not only made it to the big leagues and spent five seasons but also the brain of a pitcher who, for one day, was almost perfect.

Welcome to the organization Armando.

Miller, McCann Abbott Thurman Munson Award Honorees for 2015

This year’s Thurman Munson Award honorees were announced this week and three either current or former members of the New York Yankees were honored. Those three men were former Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott as well as current Yankees Andrew Miller and Brian McCann. This will be the 36^th annual Thurman Munson Awards and they will take place February 9, 2016 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.

Abbott was nominated because of his work and inspiration for people with disabilities. Abbott was born with only one hand and still managed to pitch in the Major Leagues and even threw a no-hitter while wearing a Yankees uniform. The awards and benefit help with children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York City. This organization and benefit was started by Dian Munson, Thurman’s widow, and she has attended all 35 award ceremonies prior.

Other men who will be nominated are New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia and 1986 World Series champion Jesse Orosco from the Miracle Mets. The “Voice of the Yankees” Michael Kay will be the Master of the Ceremonies at the event. For tickets call 212-249-6188, email jennifer@emgbenefits.com or jump online at 222.ahrcNYCfoundation.org/events.

How awkward would it be if Miller were to return for the awards as a member of the other team?

Topps to Release Cards Focused on Players Who Overcame Disabilities & Health Problems

I know baseball cards are so 1990’s and earlier but Topps, the leading maker in baseball cards, is doing something that I felt was worth mentioning. Topps is releasing a new set of baseball cards that will feature and showcase ballplayers who have overcome disabilities and health changes on their path to stardom in Major League Baseball. This is quite the gesture, and marketing ploy but stick with me, by Topps and it deserves recognition in my opinion.

The set is to be called “Pride & Perseverance” and was released this week to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and also honors the 25^th anniversary of American with Disabilities legislation.

Wendy Lewis, Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Strategic Alliances, released a statement praising Topps for the new set and for bringing these players into the limelight once again. Players like Jim Abbot who was born without a right hand but went on to pitch in Major League Baseball and even throw a no-hitter with the New York Yankees after winning a U.S Olympic medal with the countries baseball team in 1988. Players like Curtis Pride who was legally deaf but still went on to play outfield and hit at a Major League level for 13 years with the New York Yankees, Detroit Tiger and others.

Jim Eisenreich will also be honored in the series after battling Tourette’s syndrome alongside Pete Gray, the St. Louis Browns outfielder who lost his arm in a childhood accident, and William Hoy who was born deaf but was still able to play centerfield from 1888 to 1902. There will be current players in the mix as well as the Chicago Cubs ace starting pitcher and first baseman Jon Lester and Anthony Rizzo, both cancer survivors, will be in the pack along with former New York Yankees reliever Buddy Carlyle, who was diagnosed with diabetes. Houston Astros outfielder George Springer, who deals with stuttering on a daily basis, will be in the pack along with Jake Peavy, the San Francisco Giants right-hander, who is legally blind without corrective lenses or contacts.

Well played Topps, you may have just convinced me to get back into buying baseball card sets again.