This Day in Yankees History: Wade Boggs takes the mound

The start of the 2020 season is finally underway! The Pinstripe Alley team is going to continue to keep these daily posts that highlight a few key moments in Yankees history on a given date, as well as recognize players born on the day. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

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This Day in Yankees History (August 19)

23 years ago

Wade Boggs makes his pitching debut, throwing 16 knuckleballs and one fastball in a 12-4 loss to the Angels at Anaheim Stadium. The Yankee third baseman hurls a scoreless eighth inning, giving up no hits, walking one batter, and striking out Todd Greene swinging to end the frame.

20 years ago

For only the third time in major league history, the Yankees are credited with three sacrifice flies in one inning. Jorge Posada, Scott Brosius, and Clay Bellinger join teammates Jose Vizcaino, Tino Martinez, and Bernie Williams (June 29, 2000) and the White Sox trio of Juan Pizarro, Nellie Fox, and Al Smith, who accomplished the feat against the Indians (July 1, 1962).

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Birthdays

Happy birthday to Atley Donald and Bobby Richardson!

Donald pitched his entire eight-year career with the Yankees from 1938-1945. He threw 932.1 innings with a 3.52 ERA. He was a consistent winner throughout a bulk of his career as he never had a losing season after going 0–1 in 1938. He finished in the league’s top ten twice more for winning percentage (1941 and 1942) with records of 9–5 and 11–3, respectively.

Richardson also played his entire career in pinstripes, his from 1955-1966. He was a seven-time All-Star and was on the MVP ballot six times, even finishing second in 1962. He won three rings with the Yankees and was awarded World Series MVP in 1960.

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