That Time Always Arrives
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by user Harold Friend LouGehrig
The Party's Over, it's time to call it a day.
They've burst your pretty balloon and taken the moon away.
Now you must wake up, all dreams must end. Take off your make up,
The Party's Over. It's all over, my friend.
Jule Styne
St. Petersburg, Fla., Feb. 23, 1954 -- The Yankees today sold 35 year old right hander Vic Raschi, the wheelhouse of their pitching staff since 1947, to the St. Louis Cardinals. Raschi helped the Yankees set the all time record of winning five straight world championships from 1949-1953, and along with Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat, formed the nucleus of a solid pitching staff. In announcing the transaction, Yankees' general manager George Weiss sounded a warning to others who "have become independently wealthy men through the winning of five pennants and world championships and have become complacent"
Raschi has been a holdout who was upset at the Yankees' offer that was cut from last season's $40,000 contract. After winning 21 games in three consecutive seasons, Raschi won 16 in 1952 and dropped to 13 wins last season. Weiss was upset that Raschi's failure to communicate with the club "revealed a bad attitude which certain other players are also showing. It is an attitude of complacency which is bad because it kills hustle. These players seem to forget that while winning five championships in a row, the club also has had something to do with those victories. Our turnover in those five years has been nearly eighty percent. That shows the organization also has done something in keeping up a constant flow of new players to keep the victory string going." With Raschi's departure, only Phil Rizzuto, Allie Reynolds, and Yogi Berra remain from the 1947 championship team, and only those three and Eddie Lopat, Jerry Coleman, Gene Woodling, and Charlie Silvera remain from the 1949 team that started the championship run. Yankees' manager Casey Stengel was upset with losing Raschi.
Hillside, N.J., August 26, 1956 (AP) -- Phil Rizzuto, a New York Yankees shortstop since 1941, said that his release came as a shock. The Yankees released the thirty eight year old Rizzuto to open a roster spot for outfielder Enos Slaughter. The last of the pre-war Yankees, Rizzuto and general manager George Weiss had spoken last week about the possibility of the diminutive shortstop becoming a Yankees' coach. Phil said that Weiss told him that he would be put back on the team on September 1, when the rosters are expanded. When asked if he would consider playing for team other than the Yankees, Rizzuto told reporters that "I believe that if I were with any other team, I would have still been a regular. I would have to look the offer over. If it was the right offer, I would consider it." RIzzuto received the news on Old Timers Day.
Hillside, N.J., August 29, 1956 (AP) -- Former Yankees' shortstop Phil Rizzuto has declined St. Louis Cardinals' general manager Frank Lane's offer to have him become a member of the Cardinals for the team's remaining twenty nine games. Rizzuto said that while Lane's offer was attractive, he has had a number of offers to become a broadcaster and will probably take a broadcasting position.
New York, December 21, 1988 -- The New York Yankees, as expected, did not offer Ron Guidry a contract, essentially ending the pitcher's tenure with the team. Guidry hopes that the Yankees offer him an invitation to spring training that would give him the opportunity to win a roster spot. Guidry's agent, Reggie Ringuet, told reporters that he hoped the club would come up with an offer that would allow the left hander to finish his career as a Yankee. Ringuet said that "He's been with them for seventeen years, and he'd like to finish his career there. I've got to believe that George Steinbrenner can see fit that to let that happen." A Yankees' spokesman was quoted as saying that finding a place for Guidry, either as a starter or reliever, would be difficult.
February 1, 2007 -- The Yankees have invited Bernie Williams to spring training as a non-guaranteed, non-roster player. The thirty eight year old Williams was hurt by the Yankees' decision not to offer him a contract for the 2007 season. When outfielders Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield suffered severe injuries last season, Williams appeared in 131 games, batting .281 with 29 doubles and 12 home runs. Only Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and Andy Pettitte remain among those who played on the 1996 World Championship team, although Pettitte left for a while after 2003 and has now returned.
February 15, 2007 (AP) -- Yankees' manager Joe Torre spoke to Bernie Williams today and told the beleaguered outfielder to "come to spring training." Torre said that Williams would have a real chance of earning a roster spot. The Yankees seemingly don't have room for Williams since the outfield is set with Bobby Abreau, Johnny Damon, and Hideki Matsui, with young switch hitting Melky Cabrera as the fourth outfielder. Jason Giambi will be the designated hitter, Doug Mientkiewicz will play first base, and either Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps will platoon with Mientkiewicz against lefties.
Bernie Williams is facing what all old baseball players face. He has had an outstanding career, but he no longer is the same player he was. The Yankees have treated Bernie decently, and certainly better than they treated some of their other great players. The primary object is to win, and despite the fact that it appears to some that winning is secondary to money, no one can question that Yankees' management wants to win. Bernie has been offered the opportunity to earn a job. If he is still good enough, he will win it. It is wrong to expect any special favors based on past performance. Like it or not, the reality is, "What have you done for me lately?"
References:
Drebinger, John. “Transfer of Star a Surprising Move; Weiss of Yankees Hits Club ‘Complacency” as Holdout Raschi Goes to Cards.” New York Times 24 February 1954: 30.
Martinez, Michael. “Guidry and Yankees Part for the Moment.” New York Times 21 December 1988: A30.
“Rizzuto Shocked by Release. Says Club Offered Reinstatement After Sept. 1.” New York Times 27 August 1956: 23.
“Rizzuto Refuses Offer, Declines Chance to Play Rest of Season With Cards.” New York Times 30 August 1956: 28.
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