On January 3, 1973, a group of investors headed by shipbuilder George Steinbrenner purchased the New York Yankees from CBS for $10 million. Players, fans, (and managers) came and went, and mistakes were made. But most importantly, consider the results George’s teams accrued: seven World Championships and 11 American League pennants. The Boss passed away in the summer of 2010, a year rife with losses of beloved former Yankees.
Big Little Luis
Infielder Luis Sojo, born on January 3,1965, played with Toronto, California, and Seattle before the Yanks selected him off waivers in 1996. The six homers, 86 rbi’s, and seven stolen bases belie the popularity Luis reaped playing for four Championship teams. Part of the reason is Sojo’s World Series-clinching rbi hit vs. the crosstown Mets in 2000.
The Kansas City Royals released reliever Lindy McDaniel on January 3, 1977, effectively ending the at-the-time second longest pitching career in the bigs in terms of game appearances, with 987. Lindy had starred in New York for five years with a 38-29 record with 53 saves. And he was traded for a true Yankee favorite: line-drive hitting outfielder “Sweet” Lou Piniella. McDaniel’s big-league mark: 141-119, with 172 saves.
At the Movies
Scan the listings over the next six weeks for It Happens Every Spring, a zany, old-time, black-and-white baseball film. It starred Ray Milland, who was born on January 3, 1905.