CLEVELAND, OHIO — On this date in 1996, a new era in New York Yankees’ history got underway. After being snowed out, the Yankees started out with a bang against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field.
The Bronx Bombers lineup went to work on Tribe starter Dennis “El Presidente” Martinez. In the third inning, Paul O’Neill got the Yankees on the board with an RBI-double, one of his three hits on the afternoon.
Rookie shortstop Derek Jeter led off the fifth frame by tagging Martinez for his first career home run. Leading Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto to exclaim, “nice going Derek!” in the WPIX booth. On the defensive end, Jeter would also make a sweet over the shoulder basket catch to rob counterpart Omar Vizquel.
Bernie Williams would add some insurance with a three-run tater in the eighth inning off Alan Embree.
New York starter David Cone twirled seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball, fanning four in the 7-1 victory.
The win marked the first managerial victory for Joe Torre with the Yankees.
