This Day in Yankees History: Joe DiMaggio makes spring debut

Welcome to the relaunched This Day in Yankees History. With the start of the 2020 season delayed for the foreseeable future, the Pinstripe Alley team decided to revive the program in a slightly different format. These daily posts will highlight two or three key moments in Yankees history on a given date, as well as recognize players born on the day. Hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with us!

This Day in Yankees History (March 17)

84 years ago

Joe DiMaggio made his spring debut with the Yankees on this day in 1936. The Yankee Clipper had a great day at the plate, the first of many in his professional career. DiMaggio picked up four hits, including a triple, against the St. Louis Cardinals. Joltin’ Joe would go on to be one of the most revered players in Yankees history. The team honored him with a full monument in Monument Park, and he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

43 years ago

On this day in 1977, a federal judge in favor of commissioner Bowie Kuhn, invalidating the sales of players orchestrated by Athletics owner Charlie Finley. The Yankees had planned on acquiring pitcher Vida Blue for $1.5 million. The decision proved a landmark case in building up baseball’s free agency.

3 years ago

The Yankees tossed a combined no-hitter in 2017! Masahiro Tanaka, Chasen Shreve, and Jordan Montgomery teamed up to pitch a no-no against the Tigers in Grapefruit League play.

Happy Birthday

We have three Yankees birthdays todays: Tim Lollar, Rod Scurry, and Ed Klepfer.

We thank Baseball-Reference, Nationalpastime.com, and FanGraphs for providing background information for these posts.