On January 3, 1974, the New York Yankees give up on their pursuit of former Oakland A’s manager Dick Williams and hire Bill Virdon. In December, the Yankees had announced the signing of Williams, only to learn that A’s owner Charlie Finley would not surrender him without compensation.  Although the former Pirates skipper will manage New York for two years, he will never win a game at Yankee Stadium, because the club will play their home games at Shea Stadium while renovations take place at Bronx ballpark.