10/15 in Yankee History

The red-letter days –

1981: The Yankees wrap up their 33rd AL pennant with a 4-0 win over the A’s‚ completing a 3-game sweep of the ALCS.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1981/B10150OAK1981.htm

1923: After Babe Ruth’s first-inning home run, the Giants peck away at Herb Pennock for 4 runs and take a 4-1 lead into the 8th. With one out‚ Art Nehf loads the bases by giving up 2 singles and a walk, then walks in a run. Reliever Rosy Ryan forces in another run with a walk to Joe Dugan. Ruth strikes out‚ but Bob Meusel raps a base hit that scores the go-ahead runs. Sam Jones closes out the Giants‚ and the Yankees have their first World Championship.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1923/B10150NY11923.htm

On other 15ths of October…

2003: The Red Sox rally for 3 runs in the 7th inning to come from behind and pull out a 9-6 victory over the Yankees to send the ALCS to a 7th game. Boston collect 16 hits‚ including 4 by Nomar Garciaparra‚ and get HRs from Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2003/B10150NYA2003.htm

2001: The Yankees defeat the A’s‚ 5-3‚ to move into the ALCS. In doing so‚
they become the 1st team ever to win a best-of-5 series after losing the
first 2 games at home. Derek Jeter gets a pair of hits to break Pete Rose’s postseason record with 87. David Justice swats a pinch-hit homer for the Yanks while Mike Stanton gets the win in relief. Jason Giambi goes 4-for-4 for Oakland.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10150NYA2001.htm

2000: The Mariners defeat the Yankees 6-2 to close within 1 game of the New Yorkers‚ who hold a 3-games-to-2 lead in the ALCS. Edgar Martinez and John Olerud hit back-to back HRs in the 5th inning for Seattle.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2000/B10150SEA2000.htm

1978: The Yankees shell the Dodgers with a barrage of 18 hits, 16 of them singles, to win the 5th game of the WS, 12-2. Brian Doyle, Bucky Dent and Mickey Rivers have 3 hits each as the Bombers take a three games to two lead.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/B10150NYA1978.htm

1977: The Yankees win 4-2 to take a 3-1 advantage in the WS. Reggie Jackson doubles and homers‚ and Ron Guidry notches a 4-hitter‚ striking out 7.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1977/B10150LAN1977.htm

1964: St. Louis take an early lead in the deciding World Series game 7. Lou Brock’s 5th-inning HR triggers a 2nd 3-run frame and a 6-0 lead for Bob Gibson. Mickey Mantle, Clete Boyer and Phil Linz all go long for New York‚ but it’s not enough. The Cards win 7-5 and are the
World Champions. Both Boyers‚ Ken for the Cards and Clete for the
Yankees‚ homer in their last WS appearance‚ a first in ML history.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1964/B10150SLN1964.htm

1962: After one day of travel and 3 of rain‚ Billy Pierce pitches a 3-hitter against the Yankees for a 5-2 Giants win in game 6 of the WS. Orlando Cepeda breaks his hitless streak with 2 hits and 3 RBI.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1962/B10150SFN1962.htm

1957: Neal Ball, starting shortstop for the Highlanders from 1907 through 1909, dies at the age of 73. He is best remembered for turning the first unassisted triple play in modern Major League history, while playing for Cleveland in 1911.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/ballne01.shtml

1937: Rather than accept any trade offers‚ the Yankees release Tony Lazzeri, and allow him to make his own deal. He later signs on a player-coach with the Cubs.

1931: Lou Gehrig and a group of
All Stars set sail for Japan on a barnstorming trip organized by
sportswriter Fred Lieb. Also along for the ride is former Yankee
prospect Lefty O’Doul.

1907: Sam Byrd, all-purpose outfielder for the Yankees’ 1932 championship team, is born. As the Bambino’s defensive skills were declining, Byrd became known as ‘Babe Ruth’s legs.’