On June 24 1970 – At Yankee Stadium, Cleveland Indians first baseman Tony Horton calls for Steve Hamilton’s “Folly Floater” after fouling it off the previous pitch. The Indians first baseman crawls back to the dugout when his second foul ball is caught by catcher Thurman Munson. Cleveland, however, would win the game 7-2. The…
Cleveland’s Tony Horton hits 3 home runs versus New York‚ but the Yankees win anyway, 8 – 7, in 11 innings.
On April 12, 1970, plaques honoring Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle are dedicated at Yankee Stadium. The plaques are located in center field and will eventually be moved to “Monument Park” beyond the left field fence when the stadium is renovated in the mid-1970s.
1970 – Doug Rader becomes the first to reach the Dome’s gold (upper reserved) seats with a home run off Stan Bahnsen during a 9-5 exhibition win against the Yankees. The ball lands in section 738D, row 6, seat 1.
Major league teams select a record 357 players in the January phase of the annual free agent draft, including top pick Chris Chambliss, by Cleveland, and Chris Speier. Fred Lynn, drafted by the Yankees in the first round, will not sign.
Joe Pepitone quits the Yankees after being fined $500 for leaving the bench during a game.
On June 8, 1969, the New York Yankees retire the uniform number of one of their greatest players on “Mickey Mantle Day” at Yankee Stadium. Mantle’s No. 7 is retired before a crowd of 60,096 fans, who stay on to watch the Yankees sweep a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.
On June 4, 1969, the Minnesota Twins pull off one of baseball’s most unusual plays – a triple steal. Rod Carew steals home on the play, giving the Twins an eighth inning run against the New York Yankees. The Twins had also pulled off a triple steal earlier in the season. [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community”…
1969 – New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle announces his retirement. Mantle, who slumped to a .237 batting average in 1968, finishes his 18-season career with 536 home runs and a .298 average, numbers that would have certainly been higher if not for persistent knee injuries. The Yankees offer Mantle a coaching position on manager Ralph Houk’s staff.
1968 – New York Yankees pitcher Stan Bahnsen, who posted a 17-12 record with 162 strikeouts and a 2.05 ERA, is named American League Rookie of the Year. Bahnsen easily outdistances outfielder Del Unser of the Washington Senators.
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