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New York Yankees Bios
Monthly player profiles published
in The Highlander
Compiled and edited by Michael Aubrecht, Copyright
2004
Mickey Mantle
"The Mick" was an exceptional
athlete from the Midwest with a charming,
press-friendly personality and movie-star good
looks that made him a fan favorite both on and off
the field. He fit into the Yankee persona perfectly
and his contributions to the pinstripes were on par
with the long line of Yankee legends that had come
before him. Mickey represented what America is all
about: A young kid from the heartland, going to the
big city, living the American dream and becoming a
sports legend. A courageous player, he achieved
greatness despite an arrested case of
osteomyelitis, numerous injuries and frequent
surgery. The powerful Yankee switch-hitter belted
536 homers (many of the tape-measure variety), won
the American League home run and slugging titles
four times, collected 2,415 hits, and batted .300
or more 10 times. The three-time MVP was named to
20 All-Star teams. He holds numerous WS records,
including most home runs (18). I think we can all
agree what Bob Costas and Billy Crystal mean when
they speak of him so reverently. Mickey Mantle IS
baseball.
Thurman Munson
A baseball player, like any other person, is not
immune to the tragedies of everyday life. On August
2, 1979, Thurman Munson’s twin-engine jet fell
short of the runway during an attempted landing at
the Akron-Canton airfield and tragically burst into
flames. Munson was killed in the accident and two
others were injured. The six-time All-Star was only
32 years old and had already established himself as
one of the game’s premier catchers. In three
consecutive World Series appearances in 1976, 1977,
and 1978, Munson hit .529, .320 and .320
respectively. He started his career winning the
American League Rookie of the Year award in 1970,
batting .302, one of five seasons he hit over the
.300 mark. In 1976, Munson led the Yankees into the
World Series and earned Most Valuable Player honors
in the AL.
Yogi Berra
He has won the affection and admiration from peer
and public to a degree uncommon in American life.
In fact, Yogi Berra may be the most beloved athlete
of our time - his kindness, humility and good humor
remain the stuff of legend. Yogi anchored the New
York Yankees' dynasty from the late 1940s to early
'60s, becoming a 15-time All-Star, winner of 10
world championships (most in baseball history) and
three-time Most Valuable Player (no player has won
more) along the way. He was elected to the Hall of
Fame in 1972 and is a member of Major League
Baseball's All-Century Team. As a manager with both
New York teams, he became the first man in over 40
years to win pennants in different leagues (Yankees
in 1964, Mets in 1973).
Don Mattingly
One of the most popular players of the modern era,
"Donnie Baseball's" Major League statistics say it
all: Gold Glove - '85-'89, '91-'94, American League
MVP - 1985, Batting Champion - 1984, Hits Leader -
1984, 1986, RBI Leader - 1985. All-Star team
selections: 6 (1984 to 1989). Ranking on all-time
Yankees lists: second in doubles (442), fifth in
hits (2,153), seventh in average (.307), seventh in
games played (1, 783), seventh in home runs (222),
and eighth in RBI's (1,099). Team records held:
doubles in a season (53 in 1986); hits in a season
(238 in 1986); fielding percentage, first base
(.998 in 1993 and 1994). AL records held: number of
seasons leading league in fielding, first base (7);
most at-bats by a left hander in a season (677 in
1986); most consecutive games with one or more
extra-base hits in a season (10 in July, 1987). AL
records shared: double plays by a first baseman
(154 in 1985). Major-league records held: most home
runs in seven consecutive games (9, July 8 to 17,
1987); most home runs in eight consecutive games
(10, July 8 to 18, 1987); most grand-slam home runs
in a season (6 in 1987); most at-bats without a
stolen base in a season (677 in 1986); career
fielding percentage by a position player, 1982-94
(.99599). Major-league records shared: most doubles
in an inning (2 on April 11, 1987); most
consecutive games with one or more home runs (8,
July 8 to 18, 1987); most sacrifice flies in a game
(3 on May 3, 1986); most putouts and chances
accepted by a first baseman in a nine-inning game
(22 on July 20, 1987).
Bill Dickey
As famed sportswriter Dan Daniel once said, "Bill
Dickey isn't just a catcher, he's a ballclub." A
key performer for the Yankees on eight American
League pennant-winners and seven World Series
champions, the expert handler of pitchers with the
deadly accurate throwing-arm was also a clutch
hitter, batting over .300 in 10 of his first 11
full seasons. Known for his durability, he set an
American League record by catching 100 or more
games 13 years in a row. He finished his 17-year
career with a .313 batting average. Dickey also
moonlighted in Hollywood and starred as himself in
"Pride of the Yankees" with Gary Cooper and "The
Stratton Story" with Jimmy Stewart.
Joe DiMaggio
Mr. DiMaggio is remembered as one
of the game's most graceful athletes — a "picture
player" both at bat and in center field. Many rate
his 56-consecutive-game hitting streak in 1941 as
the top baseball feat of all time. "The Yankee
Clipper" used an unusually wide stance in winning
two batting championships and three MVP awards.
Eight years before his famed 56-game hitting
streak, "Joe D" fashioned a 61-game hitting streak
with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast
League In 13 seasons he amassed 361 homers,
averaged 118 RBI annually and compiled a .325
lifetime batting mark. At Baseball's 1969
Centennial Celebration, he was named the game's
greatest living player. Plus, let's be honest here,
he was married to Marilyn Monroe!
Whitey Ford
Edward "Whitey" Ford was the "money pitcher" on the
great Yankee teams of the 1950s and early 1960s,
earning him the moniker "Chairman of the Board."
The wily southpaw's lifetime record of 236-106
gives him the best winning percentage (.690) of any
20th century pitcher. He paced the American League
in victories three times, and in ERA and shutouts
twice. The 1961 Cy Young Award winner still holds
many World Series records, including 10 wins and 94
strikeouts, once pitching 33 consecutive scoreless
innings in the Fall Classic. Ford also has the most
wins for the Yankees (236), most strike outs for
the Yankees (1,956), most shutouts for the Yankees
(45), and most pitching appearances (498). "The
Chairman" has appeared on more World Series teams
as a pitcher than any other (11 Yankee teams). He
also started 22 W.S. games which is a record. He
won 10 and lost 8 which is the most by any
pitcher.
Phil Rizzuto
Phil Rizzuto overcame his
diminutive size to anchor a Yankees dynasty,
helping them win seven of nine World Series during
his 13 seasons, not counting three years lost to
World War II. "The Scooter" was a durable and deft
shortstop, skilled bunter and enthusiastic base
runner who compiled a .273 lifetime batting
average. A five-time All-Star, Rizzuto was named
the American League's MVP in 1950 when he excelled
with a .324 average, 200 hits and .439 slugging
percentage. Upon retirement, he spent 40 years as a
popular NY broadcaster. Off the
field, Rizzuto was the first mystery guest on the
TV show "What's My Line" when the show premiered
February 2, 1950.
Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson earned the nickname
"Mr. October" for his World Series heroics with
both the A's and Yankees. In 27 Fall Classic games,
he amassed 10 home runs - including four in
consecutive at-bats -24 RBI and a .357 batting
average. As one of the game's premier power
hitters, he blasted 563 career round-trippers,
sixth on the all-time list. A terrific player in
the clutch and an intimidating clean-up hitter,
Jackson compiled a lifetime slugging percentage of
.490 and earned American League MVP honors in
1973. Reggie Jackson was
also the first player in major league history to
amass 100 or more home runs for three different
clubs: the A's, Yankees, and Angels.
Miller Huggins
It was during a 13-year big league
career as a second baseman that Miller Huggins
developed the leadership qualities that served him
well in becoming one of the game's top managers.
The 5-foot-6-inch Huggins, known as "The Mighty
Mite," started out as a player-manager with the
Cardinals before eventually heading to the Yankees.
He led New York to six pennants and three World
Series titles, and his 1927 "Murderers' Row" club
is considered one of baseball's greatest teams.
Prior to his managerial career, Huggins received a
law degree from the University of Cincinnati, and
later passed the Ohio bar exams.
Tony Lazzeri
Though "Poosh 'Em Up" Tony Lazzeri,
the power-hitting second sacker for the Murderers'
Row Yankees, may have been overshadowed by his
teammates, those in the game respected his
leadership skills. A key member of six
pennant-winners, he was a .300 hitter five times
and drove in over 100 runs seven times. Lazzeri,
who still holds the American League single-game
record with 11 RBIs (w/ two grand slams) on May 24,
1936, belted 60 home runs and drove in 222 runs in
1925 for Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast
League.
Dave Winfield
A true athlete
who never spent a day in the minor
leagues, Dave Winfield was drafted out of college
by four teams in three pro sports: San Diego Padres
(MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Utah Stars (ABA), and
Minnesota Vikings (NFL). Choosing baseball, he
played 22 seasons, earning 12 All-Star Game
selections. Though the Yankees reached the
post-season just once (1981) during his tenure with
the club, Winfield's accomplishments on the field
were outstanding. He became the first Yankee to
drive in 100 or more runs in five consecutive
seasons (1982-1986) since Joe DiMaggio. In seven
full seasons with the Bronx Bombers, Winfield
averaged over 27 home runs per season, twice
topping the 30-home run mark, and narrowly lost the
1984 American League batting title to teammate Don
Mattingly (.343 to .340). His stellar play in left
field also earned him four straight Gold Gloves
(1982-1985). Winfield is also one of only seven
players in baseball history to reach both 3,000
hits and 400 home runs.
Frank Baker
A powerful slugger
of the "dead ball era," as well as
the first member of the New York Yankees elected to
the Baseball Hall of Fame, Frank Baker manned the
hot corner in Connie Mack's famous "$100,000
Infield." He led the American League in homers in
1911 and then hit two more in the World Series,
earning him the nickname "Home Run." Baker later
led the league in homers three more times, although
he never hit more than 12 in an entire season, a
result of playing in the dead ball era. Over his
13-year major league career, Frank Baker never
played a single big league inning at any position
other than third base.
Lefty Gómez
Tall and lanky, Vernon "Lefty"
Gómez baffled the opposition with a blazing
fastball and sweeping curve, while entertaining
teammates with his wit and good humor. He was a
20-game winner four times during the 1930s and
comprised half of the Yankees' devastating 1-2
punch, along with right-hander Red Ruffing, helping
them to seven pennants. Gómez twice led the
league in winning percentage and ERA, and three
times in strikeouts. He set a World Series record
by winning six games without a loss. Lefty was the
winning pitcher for the American League in the
first major league All-Star Game and also drove in
the first run of that historic game on July 6,
1933.
Abner Doubleday
A REAL Yankee, General Doubleday
was an 1842 graduate of West Point (graduating with
A.P. Stewart, D.H. Hill, Earl Van Dorn and James
Longstreet) and served in both the Mexican and
Seminole wars. In 1861, he was stationed at the
garrison in Charleston Harbor. It is said that it
was Doubleday, an artillery officer, who aimed the
first Fort Sumter guns in response to the
Confederate bombardment that initiated the war.
Later he served in the Shenandoah region as a
brigadier of volunteers and was assigned to a
brigade of Irwin McDowell's corps during the
campaign of Second Manassas. He also commanded a
division of the I Corps at Sharpsburg and
Fredericksburg as well at Gettysburg where he
assumed the command of I Corps after the fall of
Gen. John F. Reynolds, helping to repel the
infamous "Pickett's Charge." Strangely, his
outstanding military service has been all but
forgotten yet his controversial baseball legacy
still lives on. Regardless of being (or not being)
the actual "inventor" of the modern version,
Doubleday did apparently organized several
exhibitions between Union divisions and was an
apparent student and fan of the game. Many of these
contests were attended by thousands of spectators
and often made front-page news equal to the war
reports from the field. Serious baseball historians
still reject the notion that Doubleday designed the
first diamond and drew up the modern rules of the
game, supposedly as a military cadet in 1839.
Regardless, the City of Cooperstown, NY dedicated
Doubleday Field in 1920 as the birthplace of the
game.
Paul O'Neill
Forever a Yankee,
Paul O'Neill is now a Pre and Post
Game Studio Analyst for the YES Network. He played
for 17 seasons and ended his big league playing
career in 2001 after making six World Series
appearances and earning five MLB Championship
rings. Paul also played in five All-Star games and
still remains one of the most beloved former Yankee
players. He began his Major League baseball career
in 1985 with the Cincinnati Reds. After eight
seasons with the Reds, he joined the New York
Yankees in 1993. Paul then went on to hold the
American League batting title in 1994 with a .359
average. From July 23, 1995 until May 7, 1997, he
played 235 games without making an error. In 1997,
he led the American League in hitting with men on
base with a .429 average. On August
25, 2001, Paul became the oldest major leaguer to
steal twenty bases and hit twenty homeruns in the
same season.
Hideki Matsui
As a kid, Matsui was always much
bigger than his classmates and he quickly excelled
at baseball (or yakyu as it's known in Japan.)
Hideki went to high school in Kanazawa, which is
where he first picked up the nickname "Godzilla."
He once hit a ball in a batting practice that
cracked the tiles on the roof of his principal's
house, nearly 450 feet away. Matsui's Godzilla-like
reputation became legendary during the National
High School Championship when he was intentionally
walked five times. Hideki was drafted by the
Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Central League in
1992. Over the next ten years, he became one of
Japan's greatest baseball players and most
recognized celebrities. He later led the Giants to
four Japanese Series titles, won three league MVP
awards and three homerun crowns. Matsui also made
nine straight All-Star appearances and played in
1,250 consecutive games. In 2003, he decided to
leave Japan and play Major League Baseball in
America for the New York Yankees. Matsui's
fifth-inning grand slam in home-opener win vs.
Minnesota on 4/8 made him the first Yankee in
franchise history to hit a grand slam in his first
game at Yankee Stadium. He is also the fifth Yankee
whose first Major-League home run was a grand slam,
joining Frank LaPorte (on 10/7/05), Frank Gilhooley
(5/31/16), Gil McDougald (on 5/3/51) and Horace
Clark (9/21/65).
Mariano Rivera
Also known as "The Sandman", the
Yankees' top relief pitcher, is arguably the most
effective closer in postseason baseball history,
recording final outs in three Yankee world title
seasons (1998, 1999 and 2000). Mariano earned World
Series MVP honors in 1999 (just the third relief
pitcher to win the award) and has a 6-1 mark with
25 saves and an ERA below 1.00 in postseason play.
Rivera also owns the Major League record for most
postseason saves (25) as well as most World Series
saves (8) and he established the longest scoreless
innings streak in postseason play (33.1IP). A
deeply religious man, Rivera financed the
construction of a church in his native Panama City
and can often be seen reading the Bible in the
Yankees' clubhouse. At a church service honoring
him in Panama after the 1999 season, he announced
that he would spend four more years in baseball and
then retire to become an evangelical
minister.
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