Thursday, December 31, 2020

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 31, 1943

The Cleveland Indians renewed their working agreement with the Batavia Clippers.


Source: The Morning Call (Paterson, NJ) via Newspapers.com

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

 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Todays Birthday: Steve Gajkowski (1991 Watertown Indians & 1992 Utica Blue Sox)

Credits: Classic Best via Trading Card Database
Happy 50th birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Steve Gajkowski. He played for the Watertown Indians in 1991, and Utica Blue Sox in 1992.

Gajkowski pitched in 9 games for the Seattle Mariners in 1998 (0-0, 7.27 ERA).
 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Today's Birthday: Bruce Brubaker (Wellsville Braves, 1960)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database
Happy 79th birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Bruce Brubaker. He pitched for the Wellsville Braves in 1960 (16-5, 3.66 ERA).

Brubaker spent 14 seasons in the minor leagues, playing in the Milwaukee Braves, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers organizations.

He played in a total of two major league games for the 1967 Dodgers (1.1 IP) and 1970 Brewers (2 IP). 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Monday, December 28, 2020

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 28, 1939

The PONY League will operate the same six teams during the 1940 season (Batavia, NY; Bradford, PA; Hamilton, Ontario; Jamestown, NY; Niagara Falls, NY; Olean, NY). 


Source: Bradford Evening Star and Daily Record

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

 

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Today's Birthday: Byron Browne (Batavia Pirates, 1963)

Credits: Topps Co via Trading Card Database
Happy 78th birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Byron Browne. He played in 128 games for the 1963 Batavia Pirates (.291, 32 HR, 96 RBI).

Browne played in the majors during 8 years for the Chicago Cubs (1965-67), Houston Astros (1968), St. Louis Cardinals (1969), and Philadelphia Phillies (1970-72).  

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Today's Birthday: Stu Miller (Hamilton Cardinals, 1950)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database
Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Stu Miller was born on this date in 1927. He pitched for the 1950 Hamilton (Ontario) Cardinals (16-13, 3.21 ERA).

Miller played in the majors during 16 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals (1952-56), Philadelphia Phillies (1956), New York Giants (1957), San Francisco Giants (1958-1962), Baltimor Orioles (1963-67), and Atlanta Braves (1968) .  He pitched in both All-Star games in 1961.

He died on January 4, 2015, at the age of 87.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

On This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 26, 1942

Jamestown Falcons' manager Moe Mulleavy has been named manager of the Buffalo Bisons of the International League.

Note: Mulleavy would later return to the PONY League as manager of Lockport (1944-45) and Olean (1946-47.


Source: Associated Press via Newspapers.com

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

 

Friday, December 25, 2020

Today's Birthday: Nellie Fox, Jamestown Falcons (1944)

Credits: Red Man Chew via Trading Card Database
Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect and Hall of Fame infielder Nellie Fox was born on this date in 1927. He played for the 1944 Jamestown Falcons.

He played in the major leagues during 19 seasons for the Philadelphia Athletics (1947-49), Chicago White Sox (1950-63), and Houston Colt 45's/Astros (1964-65).  Fox was on 15 All-Star teams and played in the 1959 World Series. In 1959, he was the American League Most Valuable Player.

Fox died of cancer on December 1, 1975 at the age of 47.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Today's Birthday: Frank Taveras (Geneva Pirates, 1969)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database
Happy 71st birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Frank Taveras. He played in 13 games for the 1969 Geneva Pirates.

Taveras played in the major leagues during 11 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1971-72, '74-'79), New York Mets (1979-81) and Montreal Expos (1982). 

His son, Frank Taveras, Jr. played in the minor leagues.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Monday, December 21, 2020

Today's Birthday: Paul Casanova (Geneva Senators, 1963-64)

Credits: Washington Senators via Trading Card Database
Former New York-Penn League prospect Paul Casanova was born on this date in 1941 in Colon, Cuba. He played for the Geneva Senators during two seasons (1963-64).

Casanova played 10 seasons in the majors for the Washington Senators (1965-71) and Atlanta Braves(1972-74).

He died on August 12, 2017, at the age of  75.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Sunday, December 20, 2020

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 20, 1952

Bradford community organizes fan-owned team in Bradford for 1953 season.

(Note: Bradford fielded a team in 1953 affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies)


Source: The Bradford Era via Newspapers.com

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

 

Friday, December 18, 2020

Today's Birthday: Zoilo Versalles (Elmira Pioneers, 1958)

Credits: Peters Meats via Trading Card Database
Former New York-Penn League prospect Zoilo Versalles was born on this date in 1939 in Havana, Cuba. He played in 124 games for the 1958 Elmira Pioneers.

He played in the majors during 12 seasons for the Washington Senators (1959-60, '69), Minnesota Twins (1961-67), Los Angeles Dodgers (1968), Cleveland Indians (1969), and Atlanta Braves (1971). Versalles played in two All-Star games (1963 & 1965) and the 1965 World Series. He was the American League Most Valuable Player in 1965.

Versalles died on June 9, 1995 in Bloomington, Minnesota at the age of 55.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Today's Birthday: Rollie Sheldon (Auburn Yankees, 1960)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database
Happy 84th birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Rollie Sheldon. He pitched for the Auburn Yankees in 1960 (15-1, 2.88 ERA).

Sheldon pitched in the major leagues during 5 seasons with the New York Yankees (1961-62, '64-'65),  Kansas City Athletics (1965-66) and Boston Red Sox (1966).

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Today's Birthday: Jim Leyland (Jamestown Tigers, 1965)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database
Happy 76th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Jim Leyland. He played in 82 games for the 1965 Jamestown Tigers.

Leyland managed in the major leagues for 22 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-96), Florida Marlins (1997-98), Colorado Rockies (1999) and Detroit Tigers (2006-13).

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Monday, December 14, 2020

Today's Birthday: Jerry May (Batava Pirates, 1962)

Credits: East Hills Shopping Center via Trading Card Database
Former New York-Penn League prospect Jerry May was born on this date in 1943. He played in 104 games for the 1962 Batavia Pirates.

May played in the major leagues during 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1964-70), Kansas City Royals (1971-73) and New York Mets (1973).

He died on June 30, 1996, at the age of 52.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Sunday, December 13, 2020

This Date in New York-Penn League History: December 13, 1984

Florida newpaper writers Bob Fowler and Greg Larson have purchased the Utica Blue Sox for $70,000. 

Source: The Miami Herald via Newspapers.com

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

 

Saturday, December 12, 2020

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 12, 1944

John Fitzpatrick will return as manager of the Olean Oilers for the 1945 season. 

(Note: Olean finished in last place (40-86) in the PONY League during the 1945 season. Fitzpatrick played in 53 games for the Oilers (0 HR, 16 RBI, .272/.355/.280).

Source: Bradford Evening Star & Daily Record  via Newspapers.com and Baseball Reference

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

 

Friday, December 11, 2020

This Date in New York-Penn League History: December 11, 1961

League president Vincent McNamara says there are three cities interested in replacing Elmira in the New York-Penn League. Elmira is moving to the Eastern League for the 1962 season.

McNamara indicated that Hamilton, Ontario, Bradford, Pennsylvania and Warren, Pennsylvania are all interested in fielding a team.

(Note: Elmira moved to the Eastern League, however, none of the three interested cities were added. The New York-Penn League dropped to six teams in 1962 with the loss of teams in Elmira and Hornell.)

Source: Elmira Star-Gazette 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.

 

Thursday, December 10, 2020

On this Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 10, 1945

Lockport names Army veteran Jim Moody manager for 1946 season.


Source: Olean Times-Herald 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.

 

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Today's Birthday: Jim Merritt (Erie Sailors, 1962)

Credits: Fairway Food via Trading Card Database
Happy 77th birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Jim Merritt. He pitched for the 1962 Erie Sailors (19-8, 3.67 ERA).

He pitched in the major leagues during 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins (1965-68), Cincinnati Reds (1969-72) and Texas Rangers (1973-75). He pitched in the 1970 All-Star game and one game of the 1970 World Series.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Today in New York-Penn League History: December 8, 1996

The Erie SeaWolves will be leaving the New York-Penn League after being named by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues as an expansion team in the Double A Eastern League.

(Note: Erie did not move to the Eastern League until the 1999 season. Springfield never returned to the Eastern League)

Source: Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin 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.

 

 

Monday, December 7, 2020

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 7, 1941

It is rumored that Jake Pitler will return for another season as the Olean Oilers manager in 1942.

(Note: Pitler managed the Olean Oilers during 5 seasons (1939-43). He later coached for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1957.)

Credits: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle via Newspapers.com

Credits: Topps Co via Trading Card Database

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

 

Sunday, December 6, 2020

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 6, 1944

League directors postponed approval of 1945 schedule until January meeting.


Source: Elmira Star-Gazette 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.

 

Saturday, December 5, 2020

This Date in PONY/New York-Penn League History: December 5, 1939

The PONY League will operate with the same 6 teams in 1940.

 
Source: The Bakersfield Californian 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.

Friday, December 4, 2020

Today's Birthday: Dick Billings (Geneva Senators, 1965)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database
 

Happy 78th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Dick Billings. He played for the 1965 Geneva Senators.

Billings played in the majors for 8 seasons with the Washington Senators (1968-71), Texas Rangers (1972-74) and St. Louis Cardinals (1974-75).

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Thursday, December 3, 2020

On this Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: December 3, 1941

Hornell, New York's fund raising campaign to bring a PONY League team to the city is coming to an end.

Note: Hornell was awarded a PONY League franchise for the 1942 and fielded a team in the PONY/New York-Penn League through the 1957 season.


Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle 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.

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Today's Birthday: Andre Rodgers (Olean Giants, 1954)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database
Former New York-Penn (PONY League) League prospect Andre Rodgers was born on this date in 1934. He played for the Olean Giants in 1954. 

He played in the majors for 11 seasons with the New York/San Franciso Giants (1957-60), Chicago Cubs (1961-64), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1965-67).

Rodgers died on December 13, 2004 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.

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

On this Date in New York-Penn League History: December 1, 1975

The New York-Penn League will play a 70 game season in 1976. League president Vincent McNamara announced that league play will begin on June 22 and end on August 31.

Source: The Progress (Clearfield, Pennsylvania) 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.