Today's Birthday - February 28: Tom Gamboa, Brooklyn Cyclones manager (2014-16)

Credits: Choice via Trading Card Database

Happy 73rd Birthday to former New York-Penn League manager Tom Gamboa. He managed the Brooklyn Cyclones for three seasons (2014-16).

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 27: John Wockenfuss (Geneva Senators, 1967-68)

Credits: Fleer via Trading Card Database

Happy 72nd Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect John Wockenfuss. He played for the Geneva Senators in 1967 and 1968.

He played Detroit Tigers (1974-83) and Philadelphia Phillies (1984-85).

After he retired as a player, Wockenfuss managed for several seasons in the minor and independent 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.

 

 

Today's Birthday: Kelly Gruber (Batavia Trojans, 1980)

Credits TCMA via Trading Card Database

Happy 59th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Kelly Gruber. He played for the Batavia Trojans in 1980.

Gruber went on to play in the majors for 10 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays (1984-92) and California Angels (1993).

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 25: Stump Merrill (Batavia Trojans, 1966)

Credits: Score via Trading Card Database

Happy 77th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Stump Merrill. He played in 46 games for the 1966 Batavia Trojans. 

Merrill managed in the minor leagues for 21 seasons and during two seasons for the New York Yankees (1990-91).

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: February 24, 1943

Lockport, New York gets minor league working agreement with the Chicago Cubs. 

Source: Ithaca Journal via Newspapers.com  

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

 

Today's Birthday: February 23: Don Shaw (Auburn Mets, 1965)

Credits: Montreal Expos via Trading Card Database

Happy 77th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Don Shaw. He played for the 1965 Auburn Mets.

Shaw played for the New York Mets (1967-68), Montreal Expos (1969), St. Louis Cardinals (1971-72), and Oakland Athletics (1972) during a 5 year major league career. He was the winning pitcher of the first game ever played by the Montreal Expos on April 8, 1969, against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

Today's Birthday -February 22: George Genovese (Hamilton Red Wings, 1940-41 and Batavia Pirates, 1952)

Credit: SABR

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect and manager George Genovese was born on this date in 1922. He played for the Hamilton Red Wings in 1940 and '41 and  managed the Batavia Pirates in 1952.

He played in 3 games for the Washington in 1950. Genovese managed for several seasons in the minors and then worked as a scout, signing several future major leaguers, including Bobby Bonds, George Foster and Gary Matthews. 

 He died on November 15, 2015, at the age of 93. 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: February 21, 1944

New teams located in Erie and Bradford, Pennsylvania are admitted to league for 1944 season. 

Source: Associated Press via Newspapers.com  

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 20: Elroy Face (Bradford Blue Wings/Phillies, 1949-50)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 93rd Birthday to former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Elroy Face. He played for the Bradford Blue Wings (1949) & Phillies (1950).

He went on to a 16 year major league career, pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1953, ’55-’68), Detroit Tigers (1968), and Montreal Expos (1969). He pitched in four games in the 1960 World Series for the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.

 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 19: Jackie Moore (Jamestown Falcons manager, 1968-69)

Credits: Mother's Cookies via Trading Card Databae

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League manager Jackie Moore. He managed the Jamestown Falcons for two seasons (1968-69).

Moore played in 25 games for the 1965 Detroit Tigers. After his playing days, he managed in the minors for several seasons. He managed the Oakland Athletics during three seasons (1984, '85, '86) and coached in the majors for the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, and Houston Astros. 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

This Date in New York-Penn League History: February 18, 1963

The New York-Penn League will play a 130 game schedule in 1963, beginning on April 28.

Source: The Ithaca Journal via Newspapers.com  

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 17: Dave Wissman (Batavia Pirates, 1961)

Credits: Wellsville Daily Reporter via Newspaper.com

Happy 80th Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Dave Wissman. He played in two games for the Batavia Pirates in 1961.

Wissman played in the majors during one season with the 1964 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: John Gast (Batavia Muckdogs, 2010)

Credit: Topps Co.

Happy 32nd Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect John Gast. He played for the 2010 Batavia Muckdogs.

Gast pitched in 3 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013 (2-0, 5.11 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.

 

Today's Birthday: Charles "Bubba" Harris (1943 Hornell Maples)

Credit: Baseball Hall of Fame

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Bubba Harris was born on this date in 1926. He played for the 1943 Hornell Maples.  

Harris pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics (1948-49, '51) & Cleveland Indians (1951).

After baseball, he was the president of the Florida AFL-CIO from 1963 to 1977. He on died on January 12, 2013, at the age of 86.

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: February 14, 1945

Three former Olean Oilers are killed in World War II.

Source: Bradford Evening Star and The Bradford Daily Record via Newspapers.com  

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: February 13, 1940

The PONY League directors consider expansion to 8 teams for 1940 season. 

(Note: The PONY League would have 6 teams in the league during the 1940. On July 13, 1940, the Niagara Falls Rainbows moved to Jametown, New York and became the Falcons)

Source: Bradford Evening Star and The Bradford Daily Record via Newspapers.com  

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

 

This Date in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: February 12, 1946

The Bradford Blue Wings will start spring training on April 1 in Dover, Delaware. Opening Day is May 1 at Olean.

Source: The Bradford Era via Newspapers.com  

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

 

Today's Birthday: Goege Alusik (Jamestown Falcons, 1953)

Credit: Topps Co.

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect George Alusik was born on this date in 1935. He won the PONY League batting championship while playing for the Jamestown Falcons in 1953.  

He went on to play for the Detroit Tigers (1958, '61-'62) and Kansas City Athletics (1962-64). 

 

Alusik died on April 20, 2018, at the age of 83. 

  

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: February 10, 1940

The PONY League franchise in Jamestown, New York will transfer to London, Ontario, Canada for the 1940 season.

Source: The Windsor Star via Newspapers.com  

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 9: Josh Judy (Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 2007)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 35th birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Josh Judy. He played in 4 games for the 2007 Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

Judy pitched in 12 games for the Cleveland Indians in 2011.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today in PONY (New York-Penn) League History: February 8, 1944

Jamestown will not be affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1944 season. 

(Note: The Jametown Falcons were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers beginning in 1944 thru 1956.)

Source: Allentown Morning Call via Newspapers.com  

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: February 7, 1957

The Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (PONY) League may change its name to the the New York-Penn League (it did).

Source: The Ithaca Journal via Newspapers.com  

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 6: Smoky Burgess (Lockport Cubs, 1944)

Credits: Bowman Gum via Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Smoky Burgess was born on this date in 1927. He batted .325 for the 1944 Lockport Cubs as a 17 year old rookie.

He played 18 years in the majors (1951-67) with the Chicago Cubs, Philadephia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox.

Burgess died on September 15, 1991, at the age of 64.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

Today's Birthday - February 5: Mike Heath (Oneonta Yankees, 1974)

 

Credits: Oakland Athletics via Trading Card Database

Happy 66th birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Mike Heath. He played in 65 games for the 1974 Oneonta Yankees.

Heath played majors for 14 seasons with the New York Yankees (1978), Oakland Athletics (1979-85), St. Louis Cardinals (1986), Detroit Tigers (1986-90) and Atlanta Braves (1991).

After his playing days, he managed in the minors for the Birmingham Barons (1996) and Winston-Salem Warthogs (1997)

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

Today's Birthday: Chris Bando (Mahoning Valley Scrappers manager, 2002)

Credits: Cleveland Indians via Trading Card Database

Happy 65th birthday to former New York-Penn League manager Chris Bando. He managed to the 2002 Mahoning Valley Scrappers to a 46-30 record.

Bando played in the majors during 9 seasons for the Cleveland Indians (1981-88), Detroit Tigers (1988), and Oakland Athletics (1989). He is brother of former major leaguer, Sal Bando.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 3: Dick Tracewski (Hornell Dodgers, 1954)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 86th birthday to former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Dick Tracewski. He played in 18 games for the 1954 Hornell Dodgers.

Tracewski played in the majors for 8 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1962-65) and Detroit Tigers (1966-69). 

After his playing days were over, Tracewski managed in the minor leagues for the 1970 Lakeland Tigers and 1971 Montgonery Rebels. He was a coach for the Detroit Tigers for 24 years, managing two games in 1979, in an interim capacity.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 2: Don Buford (Aberdeen IronBirds manager, 2004)

Credits: Baltimore Orioles via Trading Card Database

Happy 84th birthday to former New York-Penn League manager Don Buford. He managed the 2004 Aberdeen IronBirds to a 35-40 record.

Buford played in the majors for 10 seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1963-67) and Baltimore Orioles (1968-72). He is the father of former major leaguer Damon Buford and minor leaguer Don Buford, Jr.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday - February 1: Bob Smith (Wellsville Nitros, 1948 & Hornell Maple Leafs, 1949)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Bob Smith was born on the date in 1930. He played for the 1948 Wellsville Nitros and 1949 Hornell Maples Leafs.

Smith pitched in the majors for the Boston Red Sox (1955), St. Louis Cardinals (1957), Pittsburgh Pirates (1957-59), and Detroit Tigers (1959)

He died on April 1, 2013, at the age of 83.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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