The Yankees have added a number of plaques and retired numbers recently to commemorate some of the baseball greats that have graced the Yankees’ uniform.  Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams, and Derek Jeter have been among those that have received one or both honors since 2013.

Murcer’s smiling face should be the next to grace a plaque out in Monument Park, and not just for his contributions on the field but for what he did for the sport, other players, and for humanity. He also was an outstanding broadcaster and chaired the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.). When he battled the brain cancer that ultimately took his life, he showed great courage from which family, friends, and fans drew great inspiration.

Murcer, the player

Based on reports by scout Tom Greenwade, the same scout who recommended Mickey Mantle, the Yankees signed the amateur free agent Murcer to a deal on June 2, 1964.  Murcer had turned 18 less than two weeks earlier. It was the beginning of a long-term relationship between Murcer, a native Oklahoman like his boyhood idol Mantle, and the Yankees.

But, the old guard was gone and the future looked bleak. The team had hit rock bottom in 1966 when it finished in last place in the 10-team American League. At the start of the 1970s, the Yankees had Murcer, Thurman Munson, Roy White, and Mel Stottlemyre, who was a 22-year old rookie when the Yankees last reached in the World Series in 1964, and not much else.

Murcer was the big name in the lineup and because he was a fellow Oklahoman and played shortstop, he was dubbed the next Mickey Mantle. (Of course, it was a ridiculous and unfair comparison. Mantle was larger than life and his tape-measure home runs were that of legend).  The two were briefly teammates in 1965-1966 when Murcer got the call to the Major Leagues at the age of 19, but requisite military duty the two next years caused Murcer to missed out on Mantle’s final two seasons in baseball.

When Murcer returned for the 1969 season, he was the clear star and had the number “1” on his back to prove it. He played in 152 of the 162 scheduled games. He played third base, right field and center field. Like Mantle, he went from shaky infielder to a power-hitting, smooth-fielding center fielder, but that’s where the comparison ended. He occupied center field for the next four seasons before manager Bill Virdon moved him to right field in favor of Elliott Maddox.

The Yankees started to become relevant again in the early-to-mid 1970s led by Murcer and Munson. Murcer perfected his left-handed swing for Yankee Stadium’s “short porch” in right field and averaged 25 home runs and 89 RBI for his first five years in the Bronx. Unfortunately, Yankee Stadium underwent a two-year renovation from 1974-1975, and the team went into exile at the Met’s Shea Stadium home.

The transition for a left-handed hitter meant a huge difference in hitting a ball 296′ for a home run in right field in Yankee Stadium, to 338′ to accomplish the same feat in Shea Stadium. Though he still drove in 88 runs, Murcer’s home run total dipped to 11 in his only season at Shea Stadium. That winter, the team made a “Bobby for Bobby’ trade; Murcer was dealt to the San Francisco Giants for Bobby Bonds. Murcer fans were crushed. He took with him five All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove Award, and three top-10 AL MVP finishes.

The next four-plus seasons saw Murcer play for the Giants and the Chicago Cubs before a trade back to the Yankees occurred on June 26, 1979. Murcer joined the team in Toronto and was immediately in the lineup. Murcer was home again, the place that he never wanted to leave. Though he cherished his time back in the Big Apple, he also had to deal with tragedy.

Munson had been one of Murcer’s closest friends in his original stint with the Yankees, and now the duo was reunited, along with Lou Piniella. But sadly, it was short-lived. A little more than a month after the Yankees reacquired Murcer, Munson was killed when he crashed his private plane. Murcer delivered one of the eulogies at Munson’s funeral, then was the hero of that night’s game at home against the Baltimore Orioles. Down 4-0, he smacked a three-run home run and a ninth-inning, game-winning two-run single. The Yankees won and Murcer and Piniella hugged in the dugout afterward, but the rest of the season was meaningless.

As for the team’s success upon his return, Murcer got back a year too late. The team had won three straight AL pennants and back-to-back World Series. The team returned to the playoffs in 1980 but lost to Kansas City in the ALCS.

A year later, in the strike-shortened 1981 campaign, they lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games after winning the first two. It was Murcer’s only two trips to the post-season in a career that spanned parts of 17 seasons. He retired in June of 1983 to make room for rookie Don Mattingly, and immediately joined the Yankees’ broadcast team.

Murcer, the broadcaster

With his wit, baseball knowledge, and friendly delivery, Murcer was a natural as a broadcaster. Whether the Yankees were on the YES Network, WPIX, WWOR-TV, Fox-5 (WNYW), or Sportschannel, Murcer was there. He spent 22 seasons working with the likes of Phil Rizzuto, Tom Seaver, Tim McCarver, Bill White, Michael Kay, Ken Singleton, and so many more. He also spent parts of three seasons on the Yankees’ radio broadcast.

The highlights of his television career included a 2007 nomination for the Ford C. Frick Award for “major contributions to baseball,” and three Emmy Awards.

It was always a treat on Old Timers’ Day when the network mic’d Murcer as he interacted with his fellow retirees on the field. One year, he had then-Yankee Jason Giambi to serve as his hitting coach and even sported a fake tattoo on his arm to emulate the very inked Giambi.

Murcer, the B.A.T. Chairman

Not all baseball players had the good fortune to play in the multi-year, multi-million-dollar era. In fact, many of the greatest stars were lucky if they could crack six figures, and many more than that didn’t make more than a fast-food worker does today. That is why the Baseball Assistance Team was formed in 1986 by former players, not just for their fellow players, but umpires, front office personnel, and others employed by baseball. From B.A.T.’s own mission statement -: “If a member of the Baseball Family is in need of medical, financial or psychological assistance B.A.T. will do all it can to help.”

In his role as Chairman of the organization, Murcer visited with teams during Spring Training to remind them how important it is to take care of those baseball alumni that are less fortunate than others. The Bobby Murcer Award is given to the AL and NL team that donates the most money to B.A.T. each year.

Additional Contributions to baseball

In addition to roles as a player, broadcaster, and player advocate, Murcer also contributed to the game as a member of the front office. Though it was only for a brief time, he spent part of the 1985 season as an assistant to Yankees’ General Manager Clyde King and was also the President of the Triple-A Oklahoma City 89ers for a couple of seasons.

From Skoal Dippin’ Man to Anti-Tobacco

Chewing tobacco has been a huge part of American culture, and baseball culture as well. In the past, it was not an unfamiliar sight to see a player with a huge wad of “dip” in their cheek. Bobby Murcer was no exception. He even recorded a song, “Skoal Dippin’ Man”, in 1982 that was dedicated to the love of chewing tobacco. But as people became more aware of the dangers of smoking, they also discovered more about the dangers of smokeless tobacco. Murcer became an anti-tobacco advocate in the early 1990s.

After seeing a family member suffer from cancer, Murcer was instrumental in getting the Oklahoma Senate to create and pass a bill that helped to make it harder for minors to obtain tobacco. The bill was later signed into law.

Courage Under Fire

In Dec. 2006, Murcer was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent surgery. He made it to Yankee Stadium on Opening Day and was greeted with a huge standing ovation as his image was shown on the Stadium’s video board. On May 1, he returned to a semi-regular broadcasting schedule on the YES Network.

His mere appearance encouraged others to fight, just as he did, until his passing on July 12, 2008. In November of that year, the love of Bobby’s life, his wife Kay, came to New York City to help launch the Murcer Mobile MRI Unit. It was part of an effort for early detection by The Brain Tumor Foundation.

The Time has Come

For all that Bobby Murcer did for the game of baseball and for the New York Yankees in particular, it’s time for the organization to recognize his legacy with a plaque in Monument Park.

The post It’s 2020: Where’s Bobby Murcer’s plaque? appeared first on Bronx Pinstripes | BronxPinstripes.com.

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The former Yankee shortstop had a legendary career in the Bronx. The Captain won five World Series titles, seven AL pennants, five silver slugger and gold glove awards. Jeter was a 14-time AL All-Star, 2000 World Series and All-Star Game MVP, and the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year.

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Jeter, who donned pinstripes from 1995 to 2014, set the franchise record with 3,465 hits.

In Jan. 2020, Jeter was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum with all but one vote. Although he was slated to be inducted this July, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he’ll likely have his day in Cooperstown in 2021.

On a personal note, I’ve been watching Jeter play baseball since his Double-A days in 1994 with the old Eastern League Albany-Colonie Yankees, when he wore No. 27. Granted he was a top prospect then but it was cool to be able to say, “I knew you when.”

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On Sunday night as the Yankees conclude their four game set with the Houston Astros, all eyes will once again be on he captain. Transcending the game as he did for 20 seasons in the Bronx, Derek Jeter Night will commence on Mother’s Day evening, as the Captain requested.

As the Yankees retire Jeter’s iconic number 2, there will officially be no single digit numbers left for any future Yankee to wear, and when they unveil his plaque in monument park, it will be a true and concrete closing on one of the greatest chapters in New York Yankees baseball.

Forever to be immortalized in Monument Park, Derek Jeter gave us 20 years of indescribable memories that will last an eternity.

In true Derek Jeter form, the Captain took time prior to Sunday night’s festivities to release a thank you to New York via The Players’ Tribune that can be found here:

On Sunday, the @Yankees will retire No. 2.

Derek Jeter’s thank you to New York: https://t.co/8yGjNNi4Hy pic.twitter.com/ttChy7fMs7

— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) May 11, 2017

On a deserved grand stage, Jeter exits as a class act and as a true ambassador of the game.

We at Bronx Pinstripes work hard to professionally cover all aspects of the New York Yankees on a daily basis. However we too are fans, and from all of us here at Bronx Pinstripes we’d like to thank you Derek Jeter, for all that you have accomplished and all that you have done not only for the Yankees but for the city of New York as well.

We wish you and your family nothing but happiness and the best of luck in all of your future endeavors. It has been truly a pleasure growing up during the Derek Jeter Era of Yankees baseball.

Follow me on Twitter, @JaredSaul

The post Derek Jeter pens thank you to New York appeared first on Bronx Pinstripes | BronxPinstripes.com.

The New York Yankees will add another legend into their historic Monument Park this season.

The @Yankees announce that Derek Jeter will be honored with number retirement and Monument Park plaque on Sunday, May 14.

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) December 6, 2016

On Tuesday morning, the Yankees organization announced that they will retire Derek Jeter’s number and unveil his plaque in Monument Park on Sunday, May 14, 2017. The ceremony will take place prior to the team’s afternoon game against the Houston Astros.

Jeter will become the 22nd player in Yankees history to have his number retired. His No. 2 will be the 21st number retired by the organization.

The Captain spent his entire 20-year career in pinstripes, and was a major factor in the organization winning five World Series championships. The 14-time All-Star retired as the Yankees franchise leader in hits, at-games played, singles, doubles, and stolen bases. His 3,465 career hits ranks sixth on MLB’s all-time hits list.

There’s no debate that Jeter was one of the best to ever wear the Yankee pinstripes. He accomplished many things during his tenure with the organization, and now will rightfully take his place among the other Yankee greats who reside in Monument Park.

One thing is definitely for sure: May 14 will be a very special day at Yankee Stadium.

The Bronx Pinstripes team will continue to provide updates as more information comes along about “Derek Jeter Day.”

The post Yankees to retire Derek Jeter’s number, dedicate Monument Park plaque next season appeared first on Bronx Pinstripes | BronxPinstripes.com.

The Yankees have added a number of plaques and retired numbers recently to commemorate some of the baseball greats that have graced the Yankees’ uniform.  Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Paul O’Neill and Bernie Williams have been among those that have received one or both honors since 2013. Derek Jeter will join that group in the not-too-distant future and – who knows – maybe one day Dellin Betances or Luis Severino or Masahiro Tanaka will do the same. But before going forward, it’s time the Yankees looked back to select who their next honoree should be.

Bobby Murcer’s smiling face should be the next to grace a plaque out in Monument Park, and not just for his contributions on the field…but for what he did for the sport, other players, and for humanity; He also was an outstanding broadcaster, and chaired the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.). When he battled the cancer that ultimately took his life, he showed great courage from which family, friends, and fans drew great inspiration.

Player

Based on reports by scout Tom Greenwade, the same scout that recommended Mickey Mantle, the New York Yankees signed amateur free agent Bobby Murcer to a deal on June 2, 1964.  Murcer had turned 18 less than two weeks earlier. It was the beginning of a long-term relationship between Murcer, a native Oklahoman like his boyhood idol Mantle, and the Yankees.

But, the old guard was gone and the future looked bleak. The team had hit rock bottom in 1966 when it finished in last place in the 10-team American League. At the start of the 1970s, the Yankees had Murcer, Thurman Munson, Roy White, and Mel Stottlemyre, who was a 22-year old rookie when the Yankees last reached in the World Series in 1964, and not much else.

Murcer was the big name in the lineup and because he was a fellow Oklahoman and played shortstop, he was dubbed the next Mickey Mantle. (Of course, it was a ridiculous and unfair comparison. Mantle was larger than life and his tape-measure home runs were that of legend.)  The two were briefly teammates in 1965-1966 when Murcer got the call to the Major Leagues at the age of 19, but requisite military duty the two next years caused Murcer to missed out on Mantle’s final two seasons in baseball.

When Murcer returned for the 1969 season, he was the clear star and had the number “1” on his back to prove it. He played in 152 of the 162 scheduled games. He played third base, then right field and then center field. Like Mantle, he went from shaky infielder to a power hitting, smooth-fielding center fielder, but that’s where the comparison ended. He occupied center field for the next four seasons, before manager Bill Virdon moved him to right field in favor of Elliott Maddox.

The Yankees started to become relevant again in the early-to-mid 1970s led by Murcer and Munson. Murcer perfected his left-handed swing for Yankee Stadium’s “short porch” in right field and averaged 25 home runs and 89 RBI for his first five years in the Bronx. Unfortunately, Yankee Stadium underwent a two-year renovation from 1974-1975, and the team went into exile at the Met’s Shea Stadium home.

The transition for a left-handed hitter meant a huge difference in hitting a ball 296′ for a home run in right field in Yankee Stadium, to 338′ to accomplish the same feat in Shea Stadium. Though he still drove in 88 runs, Murcer’s home run total dipped to 11 in his only season at Shea Stadium. That winter, the team made a “Bobby for Bobby’ trade; Murcer was dealt to the San Francisco Giants for Bobby Bonds. Murcer fans were crushed. He took with him five All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove Award, and three top-10 AL MVP finishes.

The next four-plus seasons saw Murcer play for the Giants and the Chicago Cubs, before a trade back to the Yankees occurred on June 26, 1979. Murcer joined the team in Toronto and was immediately  in the lineup. Murcer was home again, the place that he never wanted to leave. Though he cherished his time back in the Big Apple, he also had to deal with tragedy.

Munson had been one of his closest friends in his original stint with the Yankees, and now the duo and their third amigo, Lou Piniella, were back together again. But sadly, it was short lived. A little more than a month after the Yankees reacquired Murcer, Munson was killed when he crashed his private plane. Murcer delivered one of the eulogies at Munson’s funeral, then was the hero of that night’s game at home against the Baltimore Orioles. Down 4-0, he smacked a three-run home run and a 9th inning, game winning two-run single. The Yankees won and Murcer and Piniella hugged in the dugout afterward, but the rest of the season was meaningless.

As for the team’s success upon his return, Murcer got back a year too late. The team had won three straight AL pennants and back-to-back World Series. The team returned to the playoffs in 1980, but lost to Kansas City in the ALCS.  A year later, in the strike-shortened 1981 campaign, they lost the World Series to the LA Dodgers in six games after winning the first two. It was Murcer’s only two trips to the post-season in a career that spanned parts of 17 seasons. He retired in June of 1983 (replaced on the roster by rookie Don Mattingly), and was immediately bumped up to the broadcast booth.

Broadcaster

With his wit, baseball knowledge, and friendly delivery, Murcer was a natural as a broadcaster. Whether the Yankees were on the Yes Network, WPIX, WWOR-TV, Fox-5 (WNYW), or Sportschannel, Murcer was there. He spent 22 seasons working with the likes of Phil Rizzuto, Tom Seaver, Tim McCarver, Bill White, Michael Kay, Ken Singleton, and so many more. He also spent parts of three seasons on the Yankees’ radio broadcast.

The highlights of his television career included a 2007 nomination for the Ford C. Frick Award for “major contributions to baseball”, and three Emmy Awards.

It was always a treat on Old Timers’ Day when the network mic’d Murcer as he interacted with his fellow retirees on the field. One year, he got then-Yankee Jason Giambi to serve as his hitting coach and even sported a fake tattoo on his arm to emulate Giambi.

B.A.T. Chairman

Not all baseball players had the good fortune to play in the multi-year, multi-million-dollar era. In fact, many of the greatest stars were lucky if they could crack six figures, and many more than that didn’t make more than a fast food worker does today. That is why the Baseball Assistance Team was formed in 1986 by former players, not just for their fellow players, but umpires, front office personnel and others employed by baseball. From their own mission statement – : “If a member of the Baseball Family is in need of medical, financial or psychological assistance B.A.T. will do all it can to help”.

In his role as Chairman of the organization, Murcer visited with teams during Spring Training to remind them how important it is to take care of those baseball alumni that are less fortunate than others. The Bobby Murcer Award is given to the AL and NL team that donate the most money to B.A.T. each year.

Additional Contributions to baseball

In addition to roles as a player, broadcaster, and player advocate, Murcer also contributed to the game as a member of the front office. Though it was only for a brief time, he spent part of the 1985 season as an assistant to Yankees’ General Manager Clyde King, and was also the President of the Triple-A Oklahoma City 89ers for a couple of seasons.

From Skoal Dippin’ Man to Anti-Tobacco

Chewing tobacco has been a huge part of American culture, and baseball culture as well. In the past, it was not an unfamiliar sight to see a player with a huge wad of “dip” in their cheek. Bobby Murcer was no exception. He even recorded a song, “Skoal Dippin’ Man”, in 1982 that was dedicated to the love of chewing tobacco. But as people became more aware of the dangers of smoking, they also discovered more about the dangers of smokeless tobacco. Murcer became an anti-tobacco advocate in the early 1990s.

After seeing a family member suffer with cancer, Murcer was instrumental in getting the Oklahoma Senate to create and pass a bill that helped to make it harder for minors to obtain tobacco. The bill was later signed into law.

Courage Under Fire

In December, 2006, Murcer was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent surgery. He made it to Yankee Stadium on Opening Day and was greeted with a huge standing ovation as his image was shown on the Stadium’s video board. On May 1, he returned to a semi-regular broadcasting schedule on the YES Network.

His mere appearance encouraged others to fight, just as he did, until his passing on July 12, 2008. In November of that year, the love of Bobby’s life, his wife Kay, came to New York City to help launch the Murcer Mobile MRI Unit. It was part of an effort for early detection by The Brain Tumor Foundation.

It’s Time

For all that Bobby Murcer did for the game of baseball and for the New York Yankees in particular, it’s time for the organization to recognize those efforts with a plaque in Monument Park.

The post Bobby Murcer: Time for a plaque in Monument Park appeared first on Bronx Pinstripes | BronxPinstripes.com.

Today, August 23rd, one of the most recognizable and successful Yankees will be immortalized. Andy Pettitte will have his number retired and he will be presented with a plaque in Monument Park. Pettitte was a hallmark of clutch pitching during his 18 years, winning 5 World Series titles and holding the records for most playoff victories (19), starts (42), and innings (276.2). It is obvious that the Yankee legend has had some impressive and important starts in October for the pinstripes.

This is my list of his 5 best victories in the playoffs- meaning that the final game of the 03 World Series will not be included (even though he went 7 and gave up 2 runs). All of these games were played for the Yankees and not the Astros, where he pitched in one postseason.

5. Game 5, 2001 ALCS: Let’s start with a clincher. This was the “least” impressive start on this list on the surface, as Pettitte only went 6.1 innings. He gave up 3 runs, but this was a Mariners team that won a record 116 games with an historic offense. That team scored nearly 1000 runs with the likes of Bret Boone, Ichiro Suzuki, and Edgar Martinez. To hold that lineup to just 3 runs in a game that they needed to win to stay alive is something impressive in itself. Pettitte’s start allowed the offense to click and score 12 runs, and the two sides fed off of each others energy for most of the game.

4. Game 1, 2001 ALCS: That’s right, 2 big wins in the same series. His first start gets the nod as slightly more impressive because it set the tone for the series. The Mariners were the heavy favorites to win the World Series after their magical regular season. Pettitte allowed just 3 hits and 1 run in 8 innings and struck out 7. He gave the staff some newfound confidence, and they allowed Seattle to score more than three runs just once in the 5-game set. Although the Yankees lost the World Series in 7 games, Pettitte more than did his share to get them there and keep them alive; he earned ALCS MVP honors for his two performances.

3. Game 5, 1996 World Series: In the midst of the Yankees’ late-90’s dynasty, they found themselves in a 2-0 hole in the 1996 World Series to the Atlanta Braves. After using extra innings to get back to a 2-2 tie, the team desperately needed a strong outing by Pettitte in the fifth game. He delivered with 8.1 innings of shutout baseball, allowing 5 hits and 3 walks. The Yankees won, took a 3-2 series lead, and won the title in 6 games. It was the second-longest playoff outing of his career, and the only time he pitched into the 9th innings without allowing a run.

2. Game 4, 1998 World Series: In another clincher, Pettitte yet again tossed a scoreless outing, this time against the San Diego Padres. While this series wasn’t much of a challenge for the pinstripes, they took it in just 4 games, the most important game obviously is still the clincher. It requires full concentration from each player, who can’t look forward to the champagne celebration afterward. The Yankees needed to do just that, as the game was deadlocked at 0 until the 6th, when they were able to scratch one run across. Pettitte shut down San Diego for 7 innings, and they rewarded him with 2 more runs in the top of the 8th to ensure his victory and a world championship. His final line: 7.1 innings, 5 hits, 3 walks, 4 K’s.

1. Game 2, 2003 World Series: In a series which they ultimately lost, Pettitte turned in the finest outing of his postseason career. After dropping the first game, they took the second game 6-1 thanks to a gem by number 46. He spun 8.2 innings of 1-run ball, and allowed just 6 hits. In fact, that run wasn’t even earned, and he came just one out away from his only complete-game playoff effort. Unfortunately, Jose Contreras had to spell him and get the final out after Pettitte threw 111 pitches in his first start of the series.

These highlights, among countless others, are what Yankees fans fondly remember about the slow-talking southpaw. It comes as no surprise that the day honoring him is one of the biggest events on the calendar so far this summer in the Bronx. It shouldn’t be long before he gets honored with another plaque-in Cooperstown.

The post Pettitte’s 5 Best Playoff Wins appeared first on Bronx Pinstripes | BronxPinstripes.com.

After yesterday’s unofficial announcement that the Yankees would retire former pitcher Andy Pettitte‘s number 46, the team issued a formal press release stating that they would indeed be retiring Pettitte’s number along with Bernie Williams‘ 51 and Jorge Posada‘s number 20. They will also honor former second baseman and coach Willie Randolph with a plaque prior to Old Timer’s Day. You can purchase tickets for these games starting Tuesday, February 24, at 10:00 a.m. at yankees.com

Here is the formal statement from the Yankees

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From 1996 to 2007, Torre and the New York Yankees were an astounding 12-for-12 in reaching the postseason. It was an era which included four World Series crowns, six American League pennants and ten American League Eastern Division titles. Given the state of the current club, the retirement of Torre’s number six, will give fans a chance to reflect and really appreciate how special that time was.

In fact, one could argue that given the playoff format of the Wild Card era, that those Yankees teams were the most impressive of all. Yes there were Yankee teams of yore which won more consecutive titles and had more Hall of Fame players but the Torre era was remarkable for a multitude of reasons.

Factor in free agency, the MLB draft and multiple playoff rounds and you’re left even more in awe of how they kept it together. Speaking of keeping it together, Torre was skilled as acting as a buffer between George Steinbrenner and the players. All the players had to worry about was going out and playing hard and continue focusing on baseball. This also allowed the core of young players time to develop and blossom in the Bronx. Those Yankees were as Torre would say, “Intense without being tense.”

Just how impressive were those Yankees clubs? The 1998-2000 squads are still the most recent and only to not only repeat but three-peat in this era. From 1996 to 2000, they won 14-straight World Series contests. Furthermore, the club won eleven consecutive playoff series’ from 1998 to 2001. Go back to 1996 and that’s 14 out of 15.

One would have to go back to 1927 through 1941 to find a “streak” of near equivalent stature. During that span, the Yankees won eight World Series’ without a loss, mind you they weren’t consecutive. From 1936 to 1943, the Yanks won six crowns in eight years. Then from 1947 to 1953, they won titles in six out of seven seasons.

Yes the World Series is the pinnacle and the 1949-53 teams set the standard but so much can happen in a short playoff series and multiple layers of rounds to navigate through. These days a team has to play 162 games, set their playoff rotation and prepare match-ups for a litany of different postseason opponents. Making the Torre Yankees something we may not see for quite some time, if ever again.

Even the regular season, which a lot of Yanks fans tend to discount, was rather historic in scope. Most obvious of all, the 1998 squad set the standard with a then regular season record 114 wins, which jumped to 125 after the club blew through the postseason. Adding to the regular season accolades, the 2002-04 Yankees were the only teams in franchise history to win 100 games in three consecutive seasons. Of those teams, only the 2003 team even made the World Series, which further illustrates just how difficult and remarkable the run of the 1998-2000 teams truly was.

Sure there were some blips, most notably the 2004 ALCS and not being able to make it out of the ALDS from 2005-07 with a robust lineup, albeit with a flawed pitching staff.

Yet Torre was able to hold it all together and make the right moves. The coaching staff remained consistent with Don Zimmer, Willie Randolph, Mel Stottlemyre, Chris Chambliss, Jose Cardenal and Tony Cloninger. Then kids like Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte (until 2004) were kept around. Plus Torre didn’t worry about alienating vets like Tino Martinez and Wade Boggs in the 1996 World Series, switching it up with Cecil Fielder and Charlie Hayes, who came up with big hits. Playing a hunch with starting Ricky Ledee in the 1998 World Series, to see him hit .600.

In total, Joe Torre went 1,173-767 as the Yanks skipper, winning AL Manager of the Year in 1996 and 1998.

Once referred to as “clueless,” now it isn’t too difficult to understand why Joe Torre’s number six is being retired in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.

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Winner. Water cooler wrecker. Warrior. Paul O’Neill was all of that and more for the New York Yankees, from 1993-2001. When O’Neill was traded from the Cincinnati Reds, along with minor-league first baseman Joe DeBerry, for Roberto Kelly, he initially replaced Mel Hall in left-field and the contrast could not have been clearer.

At the time though, Yankee fans weren’t quite sure of what they were getting. While O’Neill had some punch and a 1990 World Series ring, he’d just come off a 1992 season of batting .246, never having batted above .300 in Cincinnati. Conversely, Kelly was a homegrown All-Star outfielder in 1992 and Bernie Williams and Gerald Williams were still honing their craft.

Those worries were soon put to rest, as O’Neill soon became a staple in right-field, the third spot in the batting order, clubhouse, broadcasting booth and now with a plaque in Monument Park.

There are so many memorable moments of Paulie in Pinstripes, even beyond the numbers (and they were good). The O’Neill bulls-eye targets in right-field, at the old Yankee Stadium, the fire and passion and arguments with umpires. His driving the ball to the opposite field gap in left-center. The leg kick. Taking batting practice hacks… in right-field. Essentially playing on one leg during the 1996 World Series, while preserving a 1-0 Game 5 victory, recording the final out on a deep fly by Luis Polonia. Playing with a broken heart in Game 4 of the 1999 World Series, after his father Charles had passed away. Of course all of it culminating with the chorus of “Paul O’Neill” chants, in Game 5 of the 2001 World Series.

In his first six seasons in the Bronx, O’Neill batted above .300, winning a batting title in 1994, hitting a robust .359. O’Neill hit double digits in home runs, in all nine of his seasons in a Yankee uniform and was a doubles machine as well. Paul also earned four All-Star appearances and four World Series rings with New York.

That 1993 season when Paul arrived, is the first year I vividly remember beginning to watch the Yankees as a kid. It was a year when the culture began changing in the Bronx, a fun team to watch. Even though guys like Barry Bonds and Greg Maddux passed on New York, the team brought in players like O’Neill, with a championship pedigree and the turnaround was underway.

Yes, Paul O’Neill had that fire and passion in Pinstripes. It is something that has been etched into the fabric of the Yankees ever since. When a fan says, “the team needs a player to light a fire under them and a kick in the pants or a tossed Gatorade bucket,” they usually come back to O’Neill. If a big name, big ticket player is dogging it or doesn’t play through pain, a common refrain is, “Paulie would’ve played with a broken foot and cracked ribs.”

Roger Clemens had to wear number 12 and the fans (fairly or not) forced LaTroy Hawkins to take 21 back out of circulation. Could it ultimately be retired down the road? Possibly. For now though, Paul O’Neill gets a well deserved tribute and a permanent place in Monument Park.

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On this day 64 years ago, it was Opening Day of the 1949 season. Slightly over eight months after the passing of The Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth, the Yankees unveiled a monument in his honor in center field next to other Yankee legends Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins. The Yankees would go on win the game 3-2, with Eddie Lopat getting the complete game win, and Tommy Henrich hitting a game-winning home run in the bottom of the 9th inning. As written in the St. Petersburg Times on April 20, 1949:

A granite monument to Babe Ruth was unveiled by his widow, Mrs. Claire Ruth, in deep center field at Yankee Stadium before the game with Washington. The permanent tribute to the great Yankee slugger, sits before identical shafts commemorating Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins, other figures in the great, golden era of the Yanks in the 20’s and early 30’s.

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