The 50 Greatest Yankee Games

by Tan, Cecilia

• ISBN13: 9780471659389
• ISBN10: 047165938X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-03-11
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

"Cecilia Tan has written a Yankee Doodle Dandy of a book. The reader is taken through the dramatic ebb and flow of the 50 greatest Yankee games. We learn a lot about the team from the Bronx in this fact-filled, entertainingly written opus. Should be required reading for all fans of the New York Yankees." -Harvey Frommer, author of A YANKEE CENTURY and THE NEW YORK YANKEE ENCYCLOPEDIAFrom Opening Day in 1903, when the Highlanders-soon to be called Yankees by headline and sports writers alike-first took the field, to the tension-filled 2003 pennant race with the Red Sox, Yankee fans of all ages have witnessed history in the making time and time again. Now, this unique tribute brings to life the 50 greatest Yankee games of all time, taking you back to games so unforgettable, if you weren't there, you'll wish you were.From the Yankees' first World Series to the pennant race that pitted Joe DiMaggio against Ted Williams to the Bucky Dent home run game, you'll have the best seat in the stadium as you experience all the excitement and drama of the Yankees' best (and sometimes worst) moments. You'll also hear from legendary players such as Yogi Berra, Ryne Duren, Dwight Gooden, Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly, Willie Randolph, and many more as they share their personal recollections.Featuring fascinating anecdotes, box scores, and vintage photographs, The 50 Greatest Yankee Games is the perfect book for every Yankee fan and anyone who cherishes the game.

Author Biography

CECILIA TAN was born in New York City and raised a Yankee fan by her dad, who got hooked on the team after emigrating from the Philippines. She has written features for Yankees Magazine (the official scorecard magazine of the New York Yankees), Mudville, Baseball Ink, Baseball Today, and Picto. Tan was formerly a columnist for Yankees Xtreme, the team's official Web site prior to the centralization of MLB.com, and a staff writer for Yankeebaseball.net. She produces her own online baseball magazine, Why I Like Baseball, and is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research. Tan is also a noted fiction writer and editor.

Table of Contents

Introduction,	1	(4)
1 October 10, 1904: Boston at New York,	5	(6)
Throwing It All Away
In which Happy Jack Chesbro pitches his team to the brink of a pennant
2 July 25, 1912: Chicago at New York,	11	(2)
A Yankee First
In which Bert Daniels and the Highlanders enter the record books
3 April 24, 1917: New York at Boston,	13	(3)
Like Barn Doors
In which George Mogridge hurls the first Yankee no-hitter
4 July 6, 1920: New York at Washington,	16	(3)
Bombers Away
In which the Yankees set a new record by tallying 14 runs in a single inning
5 October 5, 1921: New York at New York,	19	(3)
In the Company of Giants
In which the Yankees play their first World Series game
6 September 4, 1923: New York at Philadelphia,	22	(1)
Philadelphia Un-Athletic
In which "Sad Sam" Jones shines
7 October 10, 1926: St. Louis at New York,	23	(5)
Crime Doesn't Pay
In which Babe Ruth puts an odd finale on the Series
8 July 26, 1928, Game One: New York at Detroit,	28	(1)
Thrice He Routed All His Foes
In which Bob Meusel sets a new American League record
9 June 3, 1932: New York at Philadelphia,	29	(3)
The Hits Keep on Coming
In which the Iron Horse and Poosh 'Em Up Tony have memorable days
10 October 1,1932: New York at Chicago,	32	(6)
Two Balls in the Corner Pocket
In which Babe Ruth performs the most debated gesture in sports history
11 August 1, 1937: St. Louis at New York,	38	(5)
Pride of the Yankees
In which Columbia Lou makes another mark in the record books
12 August 27, 1938: Cleveland at New York,	43	(1)
Nine Little Indians
In which Monte Pearson notches a tenth consecutive win in style
13 July 19,1940: Cleveland at New York,	44	(3)
The Neatest Trick
In which everything goes right for Buddy Rosar
14 September 8, 1940: New York at Boston,	47	(2)
Bombed in Boston
In which Joe Gordon has a perfect day at the plate
15 June 29,1941: New York at Washington,	49	(4)
Clipping the Sizzler
In which Joe DiMaggio reaches one milestone on his way to another
16 October 5, 1941: New York at Brooklyn,	53	(4)
Making Out Just Fine
In which Old Reliable figures out how to win a game after the final out
17 October 3, 1947: New York at Brooklyn,	57	(5)
Almost Immortal
In which Floyd "Bill" Bevens needs one more out
18 May 20, 1948: New York at Chicago,	62	(2)
Jolt from the Blue
In which, 11 years later, Joe D. repeats a feat
19 October 2, 1949: Boston at New York,	64	(9)
To the Wire
In which Boston needs to win only one of two for a pennant
20 July 12,1951: New York at Cleveland,	73	(3)
Hail to the Chief
In which Allie Reynolds twirls a gem
21 September 28, 1951, Game One: Boston at New York,	76	(4)
Reynolds Wrap
In which the Superchief does it again
22 October 7, 1952: New York at Brooklyn,	80	(6)
TOP Of the POPS
In which Billy the Kid snatches victory out of the air
23 October 4, 1955: Brooklyn at New York,	86	(6)
Dem Bums
In which the Wild Man tames the Dodgers, but the Yankees fail to score
24 October 8, 1956: Brooklyn at New York,	92	(4)
Imperfect Man
In which Don Larsen finds a ball in his shoe
25 July 23, 1957: Chicago at New York,	96	(3)
With Fireworks, Too
In which Mickey Mantle thrills all
26 October 13, 1960: New York at Pittsburgh,	99	(4)
Pittsburgh Stealers
In which a team that was thoroughly dominated nevertheless emerges on top
27 September 20, 1961: New York at Baltimore,	103	(4)
Racing Ruth (and Frick)
In which Roger Math finds himself having the worst best season ever
28 October 8, 1961: New York at Cincinnati,	107	(6)
Rough Year for Ruth
In which Whitey Ford breaks the Babe's favorite record
29 October 16, 1962: New York at San Francisco,	113	(5)
Redemption
In which Ralph Terry finds himself on the mound for the final pitch of the season, again
30 October 10, 1964: St. Louis at New York,	118	(6)
The Bulldog
In which a young "pheenom" and an old hero triumph
31 August 29, 1972: Texas at New York,	124	(3)
Taking on the Mantle
In which another kid from Oklahoma shines
32 October 14,1976: Kansas City at New York,	127	(7)
Chaos Unleashed
In which the Yankees unlock the Bronx Zoo
33 October 9, 1977: New York at Kansas City,	134	(6)
Royal Treatment
In which George Brett and Kansas City experience déjà vu all over again
34 October 18, 1977: Los Angeles at New York,	140	(5)
Mr. October
In which Reginald Martinez Jackson joins the ranks of the exalted
35 October 2, 1978: New York at Boston,	145	(8)
Dented
In which Carl Yastrzemski has reason to kick the Green Monster
36 August 6, 1979: Baltimore at New York,	153	(6)
Captain, My Captain
In which Bobby Murcer memorializes a close friend with the game of a lifetime
37 July 4, 1983: Boston at New York,	159	(6)
Prince Righetti
In which we enjoy heat in the mid-nineties
38 July 24 and August 18, 1983: Kansas City at New York,	165	(5)
Sticky Situation
In which a game is lost, won, and lost again
39 September 30, 1984: Detroit at New York,	170	(5)
Photo Finish
In which David and Goliath do battle under the glare of the media
40 July 1, 1990: New York at Chicago,	175	(3)
NO NO NO
In which a tough-luck pitcher's luck gets even tougher
41 September 4, 1993: Cleveland at New York,	178	(6)
One for the Books
In which a courageous pitcher defeats his opponents single-handedly
42 September 3, 1995: Oakland at New York,	184	(4)
Races Wild
In which the wild-card race is enlivened by one player's special day
43 October 8, 1995: New York at Seattle,	188	(7)
Seattle Slew
In which the captain excels but a pitch goes Strange
44 May 14, 1996: Seattle at New York,	195	(7)
Dr. NO
In which a New York icon makes an improbable comeback
45 October 23, 1996: New York at Atlanta,	202	(7)
King of the Comeback
In which the first of a long line of elite closers is broken by Yankee magic
46 May 17,1.998: Minnesota at New York,	209	(4)
Imperfect Man II
In which history repeats itself in grand fashion
47 July 18,1999: Montreal at New York,	213	(7)
Just Deserts
In which a medical miracle and a dose of old Yankee magic reward a pitcher's patience
48 October 14, 2000: New York at Seattle,	220	(3)
Rocket's Red Glare
In which Roger Clemens proves he is a Yankee and a champion
49 October 13, 2001: New York at Oakland,	223	(7)
The Play
In which hope flares again in a grieving city
50 October 16, 2003: Boston at New York,	230	(15)
The Curse Lives
In which fate brings together old rivals and makes new heroes
The 50 Greatest Games Ranked 1 to 50,	245	(4)
The "Other" 50 Greatest Games,	249	(6)
Acknowledgments,	255	(2)
Notes on Research Techniques,	257	(2)
References,	259	(4)
Index,	263