Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Tippy Martinez (Oneonta Yankees)

Credits: Topps Co. via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Tippy Martinez, who was born on this date in 1950, in La Junta, Colorado.

Martinez was signed by the New York Yankees in 1972, out of Colorado State University. He pitched in two games for the Onetona Yankees (1-0, 2.00 ERA) before being promoted to Kinston in the Carolina League.

He went on to a 14 year major league career with the New York Yankees (1974-76), Baltimore Orioles (1976-86), and Minnesota Twins (1988). He was on the American League All Star team in 1983 and pitched in two World Series ('79, '83).

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Jay Loviglio

Credits: ProCards via The Trading Card DataBase

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect (Auburn Phillies, 1977) and manager (Geneva Cubs, 1986) Jay Loviglio, who was born on this date in 1956, in Freeport, New York.

He played in 29 games for the 1977 Auburn Phillies (.214/.313/.298) and went on to play in the majors during four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1980), Chicago White Sox (1981-82), and Chicago Cubs (1983).

Following his playing career, Loviglio managed in the minor leagues for 11 seasons including one season in the New York-Penn League with the Geneva Cubs (1986).

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: John Baumgartner (Jamestown Falcons)

Credit: John Baumgartner

Happy Birthday to former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect John Baumgartner, who was born on this date in 1931 in Birmingham, Alabama.

He was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1950 as an amateur free agent and played in 65 games for the Jamestown Falcons (.307/.307/.445, 6 home runs).

Baumgartner played in seven games for the 1953 Detroit Tigers.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Buddy Booker (Batavia Pirates, 1961)

Credit: yesterdaysgame.net

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Buddy Booker, who was born on this date in 1942, in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Booker was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent on September 3, 1960, and played in 118 games in the New York-Penn League for the 1961 Batavia Pirates (.294/.373/.452, 14 HR, 75 RBI).

He played in a total of 23 in the major leagues over two seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1966) and Chicago White Sox (1968).

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams. 

Some names to look for on opening day in the New York-Penn League

Credit: MLB.com

Based on Baseball America's mock draft, here are some names to look for on June 14, when play opens in the New York-Penn League.

Adley Rutschman, Oregon State (Aberdeen IronBirds?)

J.J. Bleday, Vanderbilt (Batavia Muckdogs?)

Andrew Vaughn, California (Connecticut Tigers?)

Zack Thompson, Kentucky (Brooklyn Cyclones?)

George Kirby, Elon (Williamsport Crosscutters?)

Logan Davidson, Clemson (State College Spikes?)

Michael Bush, North Carolina (Hudson Valley Renegades?)

Will Wilson, North Carolina State (Mahoning Valley Scrappers?)

Greg Jones, UNC-Wilmington (Vermont Lake Monsters?)

The 2019 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft begins on June 3, and can be watched on MLB Network.  

Draft order is based on the reverse order of 2018 regular-season standings and is listed below. Most of the players on New York-Penn League rosters will be determined  by draft results. The league opens play on June 14 and you can link to ticket information for a game near you at the New York-Penn League website. 

1. Baltimore Orioles (47-115) (Aberdeen IronBirds)

4. Miami Marlins (63-98) (Batavia Muckdogs)

5. Detroit Tigers (64-98) (Connecticut Tigers)

12. New York Mets (77-85) (Brooklyn Cyclones)

14. Philadelphia Phillies (80-82) (Willamsport Crosscutters)

17. Washington Nationals (82-80) (Auburn Doubledays)

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (82-79) (West Virginia Black Bears)

19. St. Louis Cardinals (88-74) (State College Spikes)

22. Tampa Bay Rays (90-72) (Hudson Valley Renegades)

24. Cleveland Indians (91-71) (Mahoning Valley Scrappers)

29. Oakland Athletics (97-65) (Vermont Lake Monsters)

30. New York Yankees (100-62) (Staten Island Yankees)

32. Houston Astros (103-59) (Tri-City ValleyCats)

33. Boston Red Sox (108-54) (Lowell Spinners)

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams. 

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Terry Collins, Niagara Falls Pirates

Credits: Pirates Fire Safety via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Terry Collins, who was born on this date in 1949, in Midland, Michigan.

Collins played four seasons for Eastern Michigan University (1968-71) including the 1970 NAIA National Championship team. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round of the 1971 MLB Amateur Draft and assigned to the Niagara Falls Pirates in the New York-Penn League. He played in 70 games for Niagara Falls (.306/.390/.385).

After playing in minor leagues for 10 seasons, he managed for several seasons (1981-91) in the minors and coached for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1992-93). He managed in the majors with the Houston Astros (1994-96), Anaheim Angels (1997-99), and New York Mets (2011-17). He also managed in Japan (2007-09).

He was elected to the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

Source: Baseball Reference


NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday #2: Al Yates

Credits: Miller Brewing via The Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Al Yates was born on this date in 1945, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

He was signed by the New York Mets in 1964 as an amateur free agent out of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. He played in the New York-Penn League for the Auburn Mets during two seasons (1964-65).

After playing in the minor leagues for eight seasons, he appeared in 24 games for the 1971 Milwaukee Brewers.

Yates died on November 23, 2007, in Miami, Florida at the age of 62.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Jim Mahoney

Credit: Washington Senators via Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Jim Mahoney, who was born on this date in 1934 (not to be confused with the other Jim Mahoney).

Mahoney played two seasons in the PONY League for the Bradford Phillies (1953) and Corning Red Sox (1954).

He went on to play in 120 games in the major leagues over four seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1959), Washington Senators (1961), Cleveland Indians (1962), and Houston Astros (1965).

Following his playing career, Mahoney managed for several years in the minor leagues and coached for the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Upcoming MLB draft will determine New York-Penn League Rosters

Credit: Major League Baseball

The 2019 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft begins on June 3, and can be watched on MLB Network.

Draft order is based on the reverse order of 2018 regular-season standings and is listed below. Most of the players on New York-Penn League rosters will be determined  by draft results. The league opens play on June 14 and you can link to ticket information for a game near you at the New York-Penn League website.

Here is a link to yesterday's article from draft expert Jim Callis, which lists the top 200 draft prospects (link).

1. Baltimore Orioles (47-115) (Aberdeen IronBirds)

4. Miami Marlins (63-98) (Batavia Muckdogs)

5. Detroit Tigers (64-98) (Connecticut Tigers)

12. New York Mets (77-85) (Brooklyn Cyclones)

14. Philadelphia Phillies (80-82) (Willamsport Crosscutters)

17. Washington Nationals (82-80) (Auburn Doubledays)

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (82-79) (West Virginia Black Bears)

19. St. Louis Cardinals (88-74) (State College Spikes)

22. Tampa Bay Rays (90-72) (Hudson Valley Renegades)

24. Cleveland Indians (91-71) (Mahoning Valley Scrappers)

29. Oakland Athletics (97-65) (Vermont Lake Monsters)

30. New York Yankees (100-62) (Staten Island Yankees)

32. Houston Astros (103-59) (Tri-City ValleyCats)

33. Boston Red Sox (108-54) (Lowell Spinners)

Photo credit: MLB.com

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Will Pennyfeather

Credit: Bill Pucko Cards

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Will Pennyfeather.

Pennyfeather was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a non-drafted free agent in 1988. He played in 75 games for the 1989 Welland Pirates (.190/.223/.263).

He progressed through the minors and played in a total of 46 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates over three seasons (1992-94).

He later played several seasons in the independent Atlantic League.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Milt Jordan, Jamestown Falcons

Credits: Glendale Meats via The Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Milt Jordan was born on this date in 1927. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1948 as an amateur free agent.

He pitched in 32 games for the 1948 Jamestown Falcons and had a 14-6 record with a 3.10 ERA. Jordan played in the minor leagues for eight seasons and appeared in eight games for the Detroit Tigers in 1953.

He died on May 13, 1993 in Ithaca, New York at the age of 66.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

New York-Penn League is taking a brief hiatus: No Posts, No Tweets, No Baseball - Please check back soon.

Credit: Screenshot from dictionary.com

I'm taking a brief hiatus. My wife is making me go to Greece on vacation. Sometimes, you have to make sacrifices.

I'll let you know when I'm back to my normal routine. But until then, there will be no posts, no tweets, and no baseball for me.

See you at the ballpark (soon).

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday #2: Sam Mejias (Newark Co-Pilots, 1971-72)

Credits: Topps Co. via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Sam Mejias, who was born on this date in 1952, in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

He was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers as an amateur free agent in 1970 and played for the Newark (NY) Co-Pilots during two seasons (1971-72)

He played in the major leagues during six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (1976), Montreal Expos (1977-78), Chicago Cubs (1979), and Cincinnati Reds (1979-81).

After he retired as a player, Mejias managed in minor leagues for 10 seasons in the Cincinnati Reds organization (1983-92).

He also coached in the major leagues with the Seattle Mariners (1993-99) and Baltimore Orioles (2007)

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's PONY (New York-Penn) League Birthday: Joe Shipley (Olean Giants, 1954))

Credits: Topps Co. via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former PONY (New York-Penn since 1957) League prospect Joe Shipley, who was born on this date in 1935, in Morristown, Tennessee.

He pitched in 16 games for the 1954 Olean Giants (41 IP, 1-7 win/loss record, 12.29 ERA, 3.122 WHIP). He appeared in 29 major league games over four seasons with the San Francisco Giants (1958-60) and Chicago White Sox (1963).

Shipley was the head baseball coach at East Tennessee State University from 1966 to 1977 and was elected to the school's Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday #2: Orestes Destrade, 1982 Oneonta Yankees

Credits: TCMA Ltd via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Orestes Destrade, who was born on this date in 1962, in Santiago de Cuba.

He was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1981 and played in 64 games (4 HR, 30 RBI, .232/.360/.366) for the1982 Oneonta Yankees (future Football Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway was also on the team).

Destrade played in the majors during four seasons with the New York Yankees (1987), Pittsburgh Pirates (1988), and Florida Marlins (1993-94). He also played in Japan (1989-92).

After he retired as a player, he worked for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, XM Radio and ESPN.

Source: Baseball Reference


NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

 

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Art Lopez, Auburn Yankees, 1961

Topps Co via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Art Lopez, who was born on this date in 1937 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Lopez was signed by the New York Yankees as a free agent in 1961 and assigned to the Auburn Yankees. He played in 21 games for Auburn (3 HR, 17 RBI, .303/.411/.513). 

He played in the minor leagues for six seasons and appeared in 38 games for the New York Yankees in 1965 (.143/.161/.143). He went on to play several years in Japan. 

Source: Baseball Reference



NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's PONY (New York-Penn) League Birthday: Art Doll, Hornell Maples Manager, 1947

Credit: Baseball Reference

Former PONY (New York-Penn League since 1957) manager Art Doll was born on this date in 1913, in Chicago, Illinois.

Doll managed the 1947 Hornell Maples to a record of 40-84. (Hornell, New York had a team in the PONY/NYPL from 1942 to 1957)

Prior to managing in the minor leagues (1946-50), he played six seasons in the minor leagues. Doll pitched during two seasons in the major leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers (one game in 1936 and three games in 1938).

Following his baseball career, he lived and worked in Calumet City, Illinois, where he died on April 28, 1978, at the age of 64.

Sources: Baseball Reference, SABR

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Russ Gibson (Corning Red Sox, 1957)

Credits: Topps Co. via The Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Russ Gibson was born on this date in 1939, in Fall River, Massachusetts.

He was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1957, out of Durfee High School in Fall River and assigned to the Corning Red Sox. He appeared in just two games (9 at bats, 4 hits, .444 batting average) before being reassigned to Lafayette (Indiana) in the Midwest League.

Gibson played in the major leagues during six seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1967-69) and San Francisco Giants (1970-72).

Following his playing career, he worked for the Massachusetts State Lottery for several years. He died of a heart attack on July 27, 2008, at the age of 69.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Johnny Rutherford (Olean Oilers)

Credits: Topps Co. via The Trading Cards Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn since 1957) League prospect Johnny Rutherford was born on this date in 1925, in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan and attended the University of Detroit.

He was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a free agent in 1947, and pitched for the Olean Oilers in 1947 (4-2, 4.11 ERA) and 1948 (14-9, 3.04 ERA).

Rutherford played in the minor leagues for eight seasons and pitched in 22 games (7-7, 4.25 ERA) for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1952.

After his baseball career ended in 1955, he attended the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and practiced medicine in Dearborn, Michigan.

He died on December 25, 2016, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan at the age of 91.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Howie Koplitz (Jamestown Falcons, 1956)

Credits: Topps Co. via The Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn League since 1957) prospect Howie Koplitz was born on this date in 1938, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Koplitz was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1956, out of Oshkosh High School. He pitched in 10 games for the 1956 Jamestown Falcons (1-7, 5.82 ERA, 65 IP, 1.523 WHIP). Koplitz was the Minor League Player of the Year and Southern Association Most Valuable Player with the Birmingham Barons in 1961.

He made his major league debut in 1961 with Detroit and pitched in 54 games (9-7, 4.21 ERA) over 5 seasons with the Tigers (1961-62) and the Washington Senators (1964-66).

Koplitz died on January 2, 2012 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at the age of 73.

Source: Baseball Reference 

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Larry Gowell

Credit: Topps Co.

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Larry Gowell, who was born on this date in 1948, in Lewiston, Maine.

He was selected by the New York Yankees in the fourth round of the 1967 June Amateur Draft and pitched for the Oneonta Yankees during the 1967 and 1968 seasons.

Gowell spent eight seasons in the minor leagues and pitched in two games for the 1972 New York Yankees. On October 4, 1972, he hit a double off pitcher Jim Lonborg of the Milwaukee Brewers for the last hit by a pitcher in a regular season American League game before the designated hitter rule was implemented.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday #2: Ray Searage

Credits: Choice Sportscards via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League pitching coach Ray Searage who was born on this date in 1955 in Freeport, New York.

He was the pitching coach for the Hudson Valley Renegades in 1998 and Williamsport Crosscutters during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

Searage pitched in the majors leagues during 7 seasons with the New York Mets (1981), Milwaukee Brewers (1984-86), Chicago White Sox (1986-87), and Los Angeles Dodgers (1989-90).

He is currently the pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Art Mazmanian

Credit: University of Southern California

Former New York-Penn League manager Art Mazmanian was born on this date in 1927, in Detroit, Michigan.

He was an All-American second baseman on USC's 1948 National Championship team. Signed by the New York Yankees, he played seven seasons in the minor leagues.

Mazmanian managed in the minor leagues for 18 seasons, spending 9 seasons managing in the New York-Penn League with the Oneonta Yankees (1977-81), Newark (NY) Orioles (1983, '85-'86), and Batavia Trojans (1987).

He died on March 22, 2019, in San Dimas, California at the age of 91. 

Sources: Baseball Reference, usctrojans.com

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams.