Today's Birthday: Al Aber (Batavia Clippers, 1945-46)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Al Aber was born on this date in 1927. He played for the Batavia Clippers in 1945 and '46.

Aber pitched in the majors for 6 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1950, '53), Detroit Tigers (1953-57) and Kansas City Athletics (1957).

He died on May 20, 1993 at the age of 65.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today’s Birthday: Pat Kelly (Erie Sailors, 1963)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Pat Kelly was born on this date in 1944. He played for the Erie Sailors in 1963.

He is the older brother of Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Leroy Kelly.

Kelly played in the majors during 15 seasons with the Minnesota Twins (1967-68), Kansas City Royals (1969-70), Chicago White Sox (1971-76), Baltimore Orioles (1977-80) and Cleveland Indians (1981).

He died on October 2, 2005, at the age of 61

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: July 29, 1939

The Pittsburgh Pirates announce they will stop in Jamestown, New York on August 21 to play an exhibition game with the Jaguars.

Credits: The Ithaca Journal via Newspapers.com

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

Today’s Birthday: Derek Lee (Utica Blue Sox, 1988)

Credits: Bill Pucko via Trading Card Database

Happy 54th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Derek Lee. He played for the 1988 Utica Blue Sox (76 games, 2 HR, 47 RBI, .341/.450/.433)

Lee played in 15 games for the 1993 Minnesota Twins. After his playing career, he worked as a scout for the Texas Rangers.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

On This Date: July 27, 1960

Geneva pitcher Dave Skaugstad strikes out 18 as Geneva defeats Elmira 3-0.

Credits: Ithaca Journal via Newspaper.com

 

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

Today's Birthday: John Knox (Batavia Trojans, 1970)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 72nd Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect John Knox. He played in 70 games for the 1970 Batavia Trojans (1 HR, 14 RBI, .315/.437/.390).

Knox spent four seasons with Detroit Tigers (1972-75), playing in a total of 124 games and retiring with a career batting average of .274. He is the father of Michael Knox, who pitched in the New York Yankees organization.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Billy Wagner (Auburn Astros, 1993)

Credits: Classic Best via Trading Card Database

Happy 49th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Billy Wagner. He pitched for the Auburn Astros in 1993 (1-3, 4.08 ERA).

Wagner played in the majors for 16 seasons with the Houston Astros (1995-2003), Philadelphia Phillies (2004-05), New York Mets (2006-09), Boston Red Sox (2009) and Atlanta Braves (2010). The 7-time All-Star finished his career with 422 saves.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Rob Lukachyk (Utica Blue Sox, 1988)

Credit: Bill Pucko via Trading Card Database

Happy 52nd Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Rob Lukachyk. He played for the 1988 Utica Blue Sox.

Lukachyk appeared in two games for the Montreal Expos, batting twice and striking out once.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today’s Birthday: Hank Allen (Elmira Pioneers, 1960-61)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 80th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Hank Allen. He played for the Elmira Pioneers during two seasons (1960-61)

Allen played in the majors for 7 seasons with the Washington Senators (1966-70), Milwaukee Brewers (1970) and Chicago White Sox (1972-73).

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today’s Birthday: R.C. Stevens (Batavia Clippers, 1952)

Credits: Topps Co via Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect R.C. Stevens was born on this date in 1934. He appeared in 110 games for the 1952 Batavia Clippers (.246/.246/.338).

Stevens played in the majors during four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1958-60) and Washington Senators (1961).

He died on November 30, 2010, at the age of 76.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today’s Birthday: Mike Cubbage (Geneva Senators, 1971; Little Falls Mets manager 1983)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 70th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect (Geneva Senators, 1971) and manager (Little Falls Mets, 1983) Mike Cubbage.

He played in the majors for 8 seasons and managed the 1991 New York Mets for 7 games.

Cubbage is currently special assistant to Washington Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

News on this date: July 20, 1960

Source: Sayre (Pennsylvania) Evening Times

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

Today's Birthday: Curt Kaufman (Oneonta Yankees, 1979)

Credits: The Wiz via Trading Card Database

Happy 63rd Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Curt Kaufman. He pitched for the Oneonta Yankees in 1979 (4-1, 0.90 ERA)

Kaufman played in the majors during three seasons for the New York Yankees (1982-83) and California Angels (1984).

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Butch Edge (Newark Co-Pilots, 1974)

Credits: TCMA via Trading Card Database

Happy 64th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Claude "Butch" Edge. He played for the 1974 Neward Co-Pilots.

Edge pitched in 9 games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979 (3-4, 5.23 ERA).

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today’s Birthday: Bobby Thigpen (Niagara Falls Sox, 1985)

Credits: Topps Co via Trading Card Database

Happy 57th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Bobby Thigpen. He played for the Niagara Falls Sox in 1985.

Thigpen pitched in the major leagues for 9 seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1986-93), Philadelphia Phillies (1993), and Seattle Mariners (1994).

After his playing career, he managed in the minors and coached in the majors and minors.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Len Okrie (Lockport White Sox, 1942; Corning Cor/Red Sox (manager), 1959-60)

Credit: SABR

Former PONY/New York-Penn League prospect and manager Len Okrie was born on this date in 1923. He played for the Lockport White Sox in 1942, and after his playing career, returned to the New York-Penn League to manage the Corning Cor-Sox (1959) and Red Sox (1960).

Okrie played 42 games in the majors over four seasons with the Washington Senators (1948; '50-'51) and Boston Red Sox (1952).

He died on April 12, 2018, at the age of 94.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Donn Clendenon (Jamestown Falcons, 1957)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Donn Clendenon was born on this date in 1935. He played for the Jamestowns Falcons in 1957.

Clendenon went on to a 12 year major league career, playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1961-68), Montreal Expos (1969), New York Mets (1969-71), and St. Louis Cardinals (1972).

After retiring from baseball, he attented law school at Duquesne University and practiced law in Dayton, Ohio. He died on September 17, 2005 at the age of 70.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

News from the PONY League: July 14, 1944

Hornell, Jamestown, Olean and Lockport all win in PONY League action.

Sources: Wilkes Barre Times Leader & Evening News

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

Today’s Birthday: Ken Hunt (Olean Yankees, 1952)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Ken Hunt was born on this date in 1934. He was a 17 year old rookie with the 1952 Olean Yankees.

He played in the majors during 6 seasons with the New York Yankees (1959-60), Los Angeles Angels (1961-63) and Washington Senators (1963-64).

He died on June 8, 1997 at the age of 62.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Mike Page (Corning Cor-Sox, 1959)

Credits: Atlanta Braves via Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Mike Page was born on this date in 1940. Happy 80th Birthday! He played for the 1959 Corning Cor-Sox.

Page appeared in 20 games for the 1968 Atlanta Braves.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Al Federoff (Jamestown Falcons, 1946-47)

Source: Jewish Baseball Museum

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect  and manager Al Federoff was born on this date in 1924. He played for the Jamestown Falcons in 1946 and '47. He managed the Jamestown Tigers in 1961.

Federoff played 76 games for the Detroit Tigers over two seasons (1951, '52).

After his playing career, he managed in the minor leagues from 1963 to 1970. Federoff died on August 2, 2011 at the age of 87.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today’s Birthday: John Glenn (Hornell Dodgers, 1951-52)

Credits: Kahns via Trading Cards Database

Happy 92nd birthday to former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect John Glenn. He played for the Hornell Dodgers in 1951 and 1952.

Glenn played in 32 games for the 1960 St. Louis Cardinals.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Coot Veal (Jamestown Falcons, 1952)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 88th birthday to former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Coot Veal. He played in 13 games for the 1952 Jamestown Falcons.

Veal played in the major leagues during 6 seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1958-60, '63), Washington Senators (1961) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1962).

Source: Baseball Reference

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

This date in New York-Penn League History: July 8, 1961

The Elmira Pioneers run out of gas, twice. Lose to Geneva Redlegs, 7-0 and bus won't start after the game.

Source: Associated Press via Newspaper.com

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

Today’s Birthday: Jerry Dybzinski (Batavia Trojans, 1977)

Credits: Cleveland Indians via Trading Card Database

Happy 65th birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Jerry Dybzinski. He played in 58 games for the 1977 Batavia Falcons.

He played in the majors during 6 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1980-82), Chicago White Sox (1983-84) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1985).

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Lance Johnson (Erie Cardinals, 1984)

Credits: Donruss via Trading Cards

Happy 57th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Lance Johnson. He played in 71 games for the 1984 Erie Cardinals (.339/.426/.410).

Johnson played in the major leagues during 14 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (1987), Chicago White Sox (1988-95), New York Mets (1996-97), Chicago Cubs (1997-99) and New York Yankees (2000).

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Don DeMola (Oneonta Yankees, 1971)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 68th birthday to former New York-Penn League propsect Don DeMola. He pitched for the Oneonta Yankees during the 1971 season (4-4, 2.91 ERA).

He pitched for the Montreal Expos during the 1974 and '75 seasons, finishing his major league career with a 5-7 record and a 3.77 ERA.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday - July 4: Babe Birrer (Jamestown Falcons, 1947)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Babe Birrer was born on this date in 1929. He pitched for the Jamestown Falcons in 1947 (8-2, 1.69 ERA)

He played in the majors for the Detroit Tigers (1955), Baltimore Orioles (1956) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1958).

Birrer died on November 19, 2013 at the age of 83.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Cesar Tovar (Geneva Redlegs, 1959, '61)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Cards Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Cesar Tovar was born on this date in 1940. He played for the Geneva Redlegs during the 1959 (.252/.354/.352) and 1961 (.338/.470/.579) seasons.

He played in the majors for 12 seasons with the Minnesota Twins (1965-72), Philadelphia Phillies (1973), Texas Rangers (1974-75), Oakland Athletics (1975-76) and New York Yankees (1976).

Tovar died of cancer on July 14, 1994 at the ago of 54.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Dick Berardino

Credits: TCMA Ltd. via Trading Card Database

Happy 83nd Birthday to former New York-Penn League manager Dick Berardino (Williamsport Red Sox, 1971-72; Elmira Pioneers/Suns 1973-85; Lowell Spinners, 1997-98).

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Billy Rohr (Wellsville Red Sox, 1964)

Credits: Boston Red Sox via Trading Card Database

Happy 75th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Billy Rohr. He pitched for the 1964 Wellsville Red Sox (11-9, 4.61 ERA).

Rohr played for the Boston Red Sox (1967) and Cleveland Indians (1968). He is remembered for almost pitching a no-hitter against the New York Yankees on April 14, 1967 (link to boxscore).

After his playing days he worked as an attorney.

Sources: Baseball Reference,  Society for American Baseball Research, Retrosheet.org

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