1969 New York Yankees season
Encyclopedia
The New York Yankees
season was the 67th season for the team in New York, and its 69th season overall. The team finished in fifth-place in the newly-established American League East
with a record of 80-81, 28½ games behind the Baltimore Orioles
. New York was managed by Ralph Houk
. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.
Day, June 8, 1969, in addition to the retirement of his uniform number 7, Mantle was given a plaque that would hang on the center field wall at Yankee Stadium, near the monuments to Babe Ruth
, Lou Gehrig
and Miller Huggins
. The plaque was given to him by Joe DiMaggio
, and Mantle then gave DiMaggio a similar plaque, telling the crowd, "His should be just a little bit higher than mine."
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
season was the 67th season for the team in New York, and its 69th season overall. The team finished in fifth-place in the newly-established American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
with a record of 80-81, 28½ games behind the Baltimore Orioles
1969 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1969 Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. In the first season after the American League was split into two divisions, the Orioles won the first-ever American League East title, finishing first with a record of 109 wins and 53 losses, 19 games ahead of the runner-up...
. New York was managed by Ralph Houk
Ralph Houk
Ralph George Houk , nicknamed The Major, was an American catcher, coach, manager, and front office executive in Major League Baseball...
. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.
Offseason
- October 15, 1968: Steve BarberSteve BarberStephen David Barber was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1960-1974 for seven different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the Baltimore Orioles...
was drafted from the Yankees by the Seattle PilotsMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
as the 37th pick in the 1968 MLB expansion draft. - October 21, 1968: Jim BoutonJim BoutonJames Alan "Jim" Bouton is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He is also the author of the controversial baseball book Ball Four, which was a combination diary of his season and memoir of his years with the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, and Houston Astros.-Amateur and college...
was purchased from the Yankees by the Seattle Pilots. - December 2, 1968: Billy CowanBilly CowanBilly Rolland Cowan is a retired professional baseball player who played eight seasons for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
was drafted by the Yankees from the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the 1968 rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. - December 4, 1968: Andy KoscoAndy KoscoAndy Kosco is a former Major League Baseball player who was affiliated at various times with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds....
was traded by the Yankees to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Mike KekichMike KekichMichael Dennis Kekich was a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners between 1965 and 1977...
. - December 6, 1968: Charley SmithCharley SmithCharles William Smith was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for a number of teams in his career which lasted from 1960-1969. His most notable fact is that on December 8, 1966 the St. Louis Cardinals traded him to the New York Yankees straight up for Roger Maris.-External links:...
was traded by the Yankees to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Nate OliverNate OliverNathaniel Oliver had a seven-year major league career in the 1960s, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Nate is the son of Jim Oliver, Sr., who had played in the Negro Leagues. James Oliver Field in St...
. - January 8, 1969: John OrsinoJohn OrsinoJohn Joseph Orsino is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He was signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1957 season, and played for the San Francisco Giants , Baltimore Orioles , and Washington Senators .Orsino made his major league debut on July 14, 1961 against the...
was purchased by the Yankees from the Washington SenatorsTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. - Prior to 1969 season: Merritt RanewMerritt RanewMerritt Thomas Ranew was an American professional baseball catcher.Ranew was born in Albany, Georgia. He was selected in the 1961 MLB Expansion Draft by the Houston Colt .45s from the Milwaukee Braves. Ranew played for the Colt .45s , Chicago Cubs , Milwaukee Braves , California Angels , and the...
was acquired from the Yankees by the Seattle PilotsMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Regular season
- August 8, 1969: Thurman MunsonThurman MunsonThurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
made his major league debut for the Yankees.
Notable transactions
- June 5, 1969: 1969 Major League Baseball Draft1969 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Washington Senators tabbed slugging outfielder Jeff Burroughs of Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA as the nation's number one pick...
- Ken CrosbyKen CrosbyKenneth Stewart Crosby is a former major league baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs....
was drafted by the Yankees in the 10th round. Player signed June 17, 1969. - John TamargoJohn TamargoJohn Felix Tamargo is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach and long-time minor league manager. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors from until...
was drafted by the Yankees in the 15th round, but did not sign.
- Ken Crosby
- June 12, 1969: John Orsino was traded by the Yankees to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Rob GardnerRob Gardner (baseball)Richard Frank Gardner is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He holds the distinction of having been traded twice by the New York Yankees to the Oakland Athletics for one of the Alou brothers.-Early years:...
. - June 14, 1969: Tom TreshTom TreshThomas Michael Tresh was a Major League Baseball infielder and outfielder who played for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers . Tresh was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed...
was traded by the Yankees to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Ron WoodsRon WoodsRonald Lawrence Woods is a former Major League Baseball player. He was an outfielder. Ron was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1961. Woods played six seasons in the majors with the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Montreal Expos. He also played two seasons in Japan...
. - July 26, 1969: Billy Cowan was purchased by the California Angels from the New York Yankees.
Mickey Mantle's retired number
On Mickey MantleMickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
Day, June 8, 1969, in addition to the retirement of his uniform number 7, Mantle was given a plaque that would hang on the center field wall at Yankee Stadium, near the monuments to Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
and Miller Huggins
Miller Huggins
Miller James Huggins , nicknamed "Mighty Mite", was a baseball player and manager. He managed the powerhouse New York Yankee teams of the 1920s and won six American League pennants and three World Series championships....
. The plaque was given to him by Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
, and Mantle then gave DiMaggio a similar plaque, telling the crowd, "His should be just a little bit higher than mine."
Roster
| 1969 New York Yankees | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 71 | 219 | 18 | 49 | .224 | 0 | 18 | 3 | |
| 1B | 135 | 513 | 49 | 124 | .242 | 27 | 70 | 8 | |
| 2B | 156 | 641 | 82 | 183 | .285 | 4 | 48 | 33 | |
| 3B | 130 | 447 | 49 | 115 | .257 | 2 | 34 | 25 | |
| SS | 119 | 412 | 41 | 112 | .272 | 2 | 31 | 7 | |
| LF | 130 | 448 | 55 | 130 | .290 | 7 | 74 | 18 | |
| CF | 72 | 171 | 18 | 30 | .175 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |
| RF | 152 | 564 | 82 | 146 | .259 | 26 | 82 | 7 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | 229 | 34 | 51 | .223 | 12 | 29 | 1 | |
| 85 | 191 | 17 | 41 | .215 | 2 | 17 | 0 | |
| 45 | 143 | 13 | 26 | .182 | 1 | 9 | 2 | |
| 45 | 108 | 5 | 19 | .176 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 26 | 86 | 6 | 22 | .256 | 1 | 9 | 0 | |
| 32 | 48 | 5 | 8 | .167 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 303 | 20 | 14 | 2.82 | 97 | 113 | |
| 37 | 272 | 17 | 16 | 2.55 | 43 | 150 | |
| 40 | 220.2 | 9 | 16 | 3.83 | 90 | 130 | |
| 31 | 140.2 | 6 | 8 | 3.65 | 102 | 82 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 105 | 4 | 6 | 4.54 | 66 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3.55 | 60 | |
| 38 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 2.06 | 40 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.50 | 0 |