Former Yankee Bill "Moose" Skowron Passes Away At 81

Sad news today for the Yankees as former Yankees player Bill "Moose" Skowron has passed away at 81 years old. "Moose" was signed by the Yankees in 1950 from Purdue University. On April 13th, 1954, he played his first game for the Yankees and was platooned at 1st base for the Yankees along with Joe Collins until becoming the regular first baseman in 1958.

"Moose" was a Yankee from 1954 until 1962 and was part of the Yankees dynasty of that era, winning seven American League pennants and four World Series from 1955-1962. With a powerful right handed bat, "Moose" hit in some of the best Yankee lineups in history along with other Yankees greats and legends such as Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto, and Roger Maris and was a five time All-Star with the Yankees from 1957 to 1961.

After his tenure with the Yankees, Skowron was traded to the Dodgers, with whom he won another World Series Championship with in 1963, sweeping the Yankees. He also went on to play for the Washington Senators, California Angels, and Chicago White Sox. In June of 1980, he was inducted into the National Polish-American Hall of Fame.

There will be a moment of silence held before tonight's game against the Detroit Tigers. His time as a New York Yankee and a baseball player will always be fondly remembered by the teammates he played with and the fans that had the privilege of watching him play. Rest In Peace, "Moose."