3/03 & 3/04 in Yankee History

On the 3rd of March down through the years…

2009: In a one-day anomaly, Derek Jeter appears as a visiting player at George M. Steinbrenner Field, now renamed from Legends Field. In the lineup for World Baseball Classic Team USA, the Yankee captain singles in two runs off Phil Hughes, has a second hit and scores a run. Taking over first base in the sixth, new Yankee Nick Swisher has a two-run single, but the USA team ride a four-run 6th sixth off young Eric Hacker to a 6-5 victory. Future Yankee Curtis Granderson is hit by a Hughes pitch and scores a run.

 

1998: Former Yankee GM and American league President Lee MacPhail is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee

 

1997: For the negotiating rights to Hideki Irabu, the Yankees offer the Padres a choice of one from a list of players: Brian Boehringer, David Weather‚ Chris Cumberland‚ Andy Fox and Matt Luke; also‚ one player from a list of five minor leaguers‚ plus $3 million. The Padres are talking to several other teams beside the Yankees.

1946: The Yankees wind up an 11-game swing through the Panama Canal Zone with a 5-4 loss to the Canal Zone All-stars. Al Jarlett‚ slated for the PCL‚ goes the route in handing the Yankees their 3rd loss. The team leave for Florida tomorrow.

 

1927: Babe Ruth becomes the highest paid player in the Major Leagues by signing for a reported $70‚000 a year for 3 years.

 

1926: Wally Pipp informs the Reds that he will not report unless the Yankees give him a portion of the $20‚000 sale price.

 

1872: Hall of Famer and early Yankee star Wee Willie Keeler is born.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/keelewi01.shtml

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..and on the 4th…

2010: Roy Halladay and C.C. Sabathia spin two scoreless innings apiece in Clearwater on in what is announced as the 64th straight year the Phillies have held Spring Training in the city on Florida’s west coast. The home team push across a run in the 7th, but current Yankee uber-prospect Jesus Montero keys a two-run rally in the 9th inning with a leadoff single, with David Winfree and Jose Gil driving in runs. Unfortunately, however, lefty Wilkins Arias allows two hits sandwiched between a pop out and strike out, then gives up a deciding single for a 3-2 Phillies win.

 

1962: George Mogridge, the first Yankee pitcher to throw a no-hitter, dies at the age of 73.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mogrige01.shtml

 

1913: The Yankees sail for Bermuda to begin spring training, making them the first Major League team to travel outside the US.

 

1897: Lefty O’Doul, who spent the first three years of his career  with the Yankees as a pitcher, is born.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/o%27doule01.shtml