Today's Birthday: Ray Soff, Geneva Cubs (1979

(Fleer & Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Ray Soff, who was born on this date in 1958. He played for the 1979 Geneva Cubs.

Soff pitched in a total of 42 games for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1982 and 1983 seasons. 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Jose Escobar, Utica Blue Jays (1979-80)

 

(TCMA & Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Jose Escobar, who was born on this date in 1960. He played for the Utica Blue Jays for two seasons (1979-80).

Escobar played in 10 games for the 1991 Cleveland Indians. He is the father of Edward Escobar and uncle of Ronald Acuna, Jr.

Source: Baseball Reference 

 

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

 

PONY League News on October 28, 1955

A meeting of the Wellsville Baseball Booster Club will be held on October 31, 1955. Important decisions will be made about the 1956 season in advance of the November 6th meeting of PONY League directors in Buffalo.

(Note: Wellsville, New York has a team in 1956 that is affiliated with the Milwaukee Braves.)   

Source: Wellsville Daily Reporter and newspapers.com

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

 

Today's Birthday: U.L. Washingtion, Welland Pirates (manager, 1989)

(Pucko Cards and Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League manager U.L. Washington, who was born on this date in 1953. He managed the 1989 Welland Pirates to a 32-44 record.

Washington played in the majors for 11 seasons with the Kansas City Royals (1977-84), Montreal Expos (1985), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-87). 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

Fifteen former New York-Penn League prospects in 2021 World Series

(Author's collection)

The New York-Penn League is well represented in this year's Wold Series with the following 15 former players on the rosters of the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.

Houston Astros

Jose Altuve: 2009 Tri-City ValleyCats

Jason Castro: 2008 Tri-City ValleyCats

Jake Meyers: 2017 Tri-City ValleyCats

Abraham Toto: 2017 Tri-City ValleyCats

Robel Garcia: 2012 Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Taylor Jones: 2016 Tri-City ValleyCats

Garrett Stubbs: 2015 Tri-City ValleyCats

Jacob Wilson: 2012 Batavia Muckdogs

Luis Garcia: 2018 Tri-City ValleyCats

Cristian Javier: 2017 Tri-City ValleyCats

Ryan Pressly: 2009 Lowell Spinners

Blake Taylor: 2015 Brookyn Cyclones

Jose Urquidy: 2015, 2018 Tri-City ValleyCats

Atlanta Braves

Dylan Lee: 2016 Batavia Muckdogs 

Travis d'Arnaud: 2008 Williamsport Crosscutters 

Links to players: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Mike Hargrove, Geneva Senators (1972) & Batavia Trojans (1986)

(Texas Rangers & Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect and coach Mike Hargrove, who was born on this date in 1949. He played for the 1972 Geneva Senators and coached for the Batavia Trojans in 1986.

Hargrove played in the major leagues for 12 seasons with the Texas Rangers (1974-78), San Diego Padres (1979), and Cleveland Indians (1979-85). He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1974 and played in the 1975 All-Star game. 

After his playing career he managed in the minor leagues for three seasons and in the majors for 16 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1991-99), Baltimore Orioles (2000-03), and Seattle Mariners (2005-07).

Source: Baseball Reference 

 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Pete Mikkelsen, Auburn Yankees (1958-59)

(O-Pee-Chee & Trading Card Database)

Former New York-Penn League prospect Pete Mikkelsen was born on this date in 1939. He played for the Auburn Yankees during two seasons (1958-59).

Mikkelsen pitched in the majors for 9 seasons with the New York Yankees (1964-65), Pittsburgh Pirates (1966-67), Chicago Cubs (1967-68), St. Louis Cardinals (1968), and Los Angeles Dodgers (1969-72). 

He died on November 29, 2006, at the age of 67.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Jim Greengrass, Wellsville Yankees (1944-45)

(Topps Co. & Trading Card Database)

Former PONY League prospect Jim Greengrass was born on this date in 1927. He played for the Wellsville Yankees in 1944 and 1945.

Greengrass played for the Cincinnati Reds (1952-55) and Philadelphia Phillies (1955-56).

After his baseball career, he was a deputy sheriff in Cobb County, Georgia. Greengrass died on September 9, 2019, at the age of 91.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

Today's Birthday: George Williams, Elmira Pioneers (1959)

(Topps Co. & Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect George Williams was born on this date in 1939. He played for the 1959 Elmira Pioneers.

Williams played in a total of 59 games in the majors during three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1961) Houston Colt 45s (1962), and Kansas City Athletics (1964).

He died on May 14, 2009, at the age of 69.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

Today's Birthday: Frank DiPino, Newark Co-Pilots (1977)

(Donruss & Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Frank DiPino, who was born on this date in 1956. He played for the Newark Co-Pilots in 1977. 

DiPino played in the major leagues during 12 seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers (1981), Houston Astros (1982-86), Chicago Cubs (1986-88), St. Louis Cardinals (1989-90, '92) and Kansas City Royals (1993).

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

Today's Birthday: Ted Uhlaender, Erie Sailors (1962)

Minnesota Twins & Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Ted Uhlaender was born on this date in 1939. He played for the 1962 Erie Sailors (.342, 15 HR, 85 RBI).

He played in the majors for 8 seasons with the Minnesota Twins (1965-69), Cleveland Indians (1970-71), and Cincinnati Red (1972).

Uhlaender died of a heart attack on February 12, 2009, at the age of 69.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Mickey Micelotta, Bradford Blue Wings (1948)

Happy Birthday to former PONY League prospect Mickey Micelotta was born on this date in 1928. He played for the Bradford Blue Wings in 1948.

Micelotta played for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1954 and '55 seasons.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

PONY League news on October 19, 1945

The Jamestown Falcons have a new owner.

Source: Elmira Star-Gazette and the Associated Press and newspapers.com

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

 

Today's Birthday: Allen Ripley, Elmira Pioneers (1973)

(Papa Gino's & Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Allen Ripley was born on this date in 1952. He played for the 1973 Elmira Pioneers. 

Ripley pitched in the majors during 5 seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1978-79), San Francisco Giants (1980-81), and Chicago Cubs (1982). His father, Walt Ripley played for the 1935 Boston Red Sox.

Ripley died of leukemia on November 7, 2014, at the age of 62.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

Today's Birthday: Dan Pasqua, Oneonta Yankees (1982)

(Donruss & Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Dan Pasqua, who was born on this date in 1961. He played in four games for the 1982 Oneonta Yankees and was a teammate of future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

Pasqua went on to a 10 year major league career with the New York Yankees (1985-87) and Chicago White Sox (1988-94). 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

Today's Birthday: Jeff Terpko, Geneva Senators (1968)

(Montreal Expos & Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Jeff Terpko, who was born on this date in 1950. He played for the 1968 Geneva Senators.

Terpko pitched in the majors during three seasons with the Texas Rangers (1974, '76) and Montreal Expos (1977). 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Tim Young, Vermont Expos (1996)

(Best Cards & Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Tim Young, who was born on this date in 1973. He played for the 1996 Vermont Expos.

Young pitched in the majors during two seasons with the Montreal Expos (1998) and Boston Red Sox (2000). He won a gold medal for the United States in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Art Shamsky, Geneva Redlegs (1960)

(Topps Co. & Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Art Shamsky, who was born on this date in 1941. He played for the the 1960 Geneva Redlegs as an 18 year-old rookie. 

Shamsky played in the majors for during 8 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds (1965-67), New York Mets (1968-71), Chicago Cubs (1972), and Oakland Athletics (1972). 

He was a New York Mets broadcaster in 1980 and '81.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Charlies Silvera, Wellsville Yankees (1942)

(Bowman & Trading Card Database)

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect Charlie Silvera was born on this date in 1924. He played for the Wellsville Yankees in 1942.

He played in the majors for 10 seasons with the New York Yankees (1948-56) and Chicago Cubs (1957).

After his playing days, he managed in the minors and coached for the Minnesota Twins (1969), Detroit Tigers (1971-73), and Texas Rangers (1973-75).

He died on September 7, 2019, at the age of 94.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

PONY League News: October 12, 1939

PONY League president Bob Stedler visits Warren, Pennsylvania about the possibly of city fielding a team in the league (it didn't happen).

Source: Warren Times Mirror and newspapers.com

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

 

Today's Birthday: Joe Ginsberg, Jamestown Falcons (1944)

(Glendale Hot Dogs & Trading Cards Database)

Former PONY League prospect Joe Ginsberg was born on this date in 1926. He played for the 1944 Jamestown Falcons as a 17 year old rookie.

Ginsberg played in the majors during 13 seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1944, '48, '50-'53), Cleveland Indians (1953-54), Kansas City Athletics (1956), Baltimore Orioles (1956-60), Chicago White Sox (1960-61), Boston Red Sox (1961), and New York Mets (1962).

He died on November 2, 2012, at the age of 86.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Francisco Cabrera, St. Catharines Blue Jays (1986)

(Fleer & Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Francisco Cabrera, who was born on this date in 1966. He played for the 1986 St. Catharines Blue Jays.

Cabrera played in the majors for 5 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays (1989) and Atlanta Braves (1989-93)

After his playing career, Cabrera coached for several seasons in the Dominican Summer League.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Joe Pepitone, Auburn Yankees (1958)

(Topps Co. & Trading Card Database

 

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Joe Pepitone, who was born on this date in 1940. He was a 17 year-old rookie with the Auburn Yankees in 1958.

Pepitone went on to a 12 year major league career with the New York Yankees (1962-69), Houston Astros (1970), Chicago Cubs (1970-73), and Atlanta Braves (1973).

He coached for the New York Yankees in 1982.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

PONY League News on October 8, 1941

From the Olean Times Herald: The New York Yankees want a team in the PONY League. [note: They will have an affiliate in the PONY League at Wellsville, New York in 1942.]

Source: Olean Times Herald and newspapers.com

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

 

Today's Birthday: Dick Bates, Geneva Senators (1964)

(Topps Co.)

 

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Dick Bates, who was born on this date in 1945. He played for the Geneva Senators in 1964.

Bates pitched in one game for the 1969 Seattle Pilots.

Source: Baseball Reference 

 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Jerry Bell, Newark (NY) Co-Pilots (1969)

(Topps Co.)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Jerry Bell, who was born on this date in 1947. He played for the Newark Co-Pilots in 1969 (9-6, 2.18 ERA). 

Bell pitched in the majors during four seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers (1971-74).

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

Today's Birthday: Dan Fife, Batavia Trojans (1971)

(Topps Co. & Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Dan Fife, who was born on this date in 1949. He pitched for the 1971 Batavia Trojans (2-1, 1.50 ERA)

Fife pitched for the Minnesota Twins during two seasons (1973-74).

After his baseball career, he coached basketball in Michigan at Clarkston High School, winning two state championships.

 

Sources: Baseball Reference & Michigan Sports HOF

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

 

Today's Birthday: John Duffie, Jamestown Dodgers (1966)

(Fritsch Cards and Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect John Duffie, who was born on this date in 1945. He played for the Jamestown Dodgers in 1966 (13-8, 3.13 ERA).

Duffie pitched in two games for the 1967 Los Angeles Dodgers.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

New York-Penn League News: October 3, 1974

Joe Buzas buys controlling interest in the Elmira Pioneers.

Source: Elmira Star-Gazetter and newspapers.com

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

PONY League News from the Wellsville Daily Reporter: October 3, 1955

Source: Wellsville Daily Reporter and newspapers.com

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

(Morrell Meats & Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former PONY League prospect Maury Wills, who was born on this date in 1932. He played for the Hornell Dodgers in 1952 and 1953.

Wills played in the majors for 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1959-66, '69-'72), Pittsburgh Pirates (1967-68), and Montreal Expos (1969). He was a National League All Star during 5 seasons and the National League MVP in 1962. He was awarded Gold Gloves in 1961 and '62. Wills had 586 stolen bases during his career, including 104 in 1962. 

After his playing career, he managed the Seattle Mariners.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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

 

 

PONY League news on October 2, 1956

Attendance declined in the PONY League during 1956 season.

Source: Associated Press and newspapers.com

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

 

 

Today's Birthday: Chuck McElroy, Utica Blue Sox (1986)

(Bowman & Trading Card Database)

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Chuck McElroy, who was born on this date in 1967. He played for the 1986 Utica Blue Sox.

McElroy pitched in the majors for 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1989-90), Chicago Cubs (1991-93), Cincinnati Reds (1994-96), California/Anaheim Angels (1996-97), Chicago White Sox (1997), Colorado Rockies (1998-99), New York Mets (1999), Baltimore Orioles (2000-01), and San Diego Padres (2001). 

Source: Baseball Reference 

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