Johnny Lane Oates was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1981. During his playing career, Oates was a light-hitting player who was valued for his defensive skills and played most of his career as a reserve player. It was as a big league manager that Oates experienced his greatest success, when, under his leadership, the Texas Rangers won three American League Western Division titles.
James Lloyd Spencer was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter.
Clifford "Heathcliff" Johnson, Jr. is an American former Major League Baseball player who played for the Houston Astros (1972–1977), New York Yankees (1977–1979), Cleveland Indians (1979–1980), Chicago Cubs (1980), Oakland Athletics (1981–82), Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers (1985). He batted and threw right-handed and split time between catcher, first baseman, and outfielder in the early part of his Major League career before becoming primarily a full-time designated hitter.
Kevin Daniel Elster is an American former professional baseball shortstop. Known primarily for his glove, Elster broke a 42-year-old Major League Baseball record by playing 88 consecutive games at shortstop without committing an error.
Leonard Shenoff Randle is an American former Major League Baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers franchise, New York Mets,New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners.
Brian Reed Doyle is an American former Major League Baseball infielder. Although a reserve for most of his career, Doyle starred in the 1978 World Series for the World Champion New York Yankees who beat the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 1972 New York Yankees season was the 70th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 79–76, finishing 6+1⁄2 games behind the Detroit Tigers. New York was managed by Ralph Houk. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.
The 1975 New York Yankees season was the 73rd season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 83–77, finishing 12 games behind the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees played at Shea Stadium due to the ongoing renovation of Yankee Stadium, which re-opened in 1976.
The 1977 New York Yankees season was the 75th season for the Yankees. The team won the World Series, which was the 21st title in franchise history and the first under the ownership of George Steinbrenner. New York was managed by Billy Martin, and played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. The season was brought to life years later in the book and drama-documentary, The Bronx is Burning. The Yankees also hosted the 1977 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. To date, this is the most recent time the All-Star Game host team has won the World Series the same year.
The 1979 New York Yankees season was the 77th season for the franchise. The season was marked by the death of their starting catcher, Thurman Munson, on August 2. The team finished with a record of 89–71, finishing fourth in the American League East, 13.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles, ending the Yankees' three-year domination of the AL East. New York was managed by Billy Martin, and Bob Lemon. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.
The 1989 New York Yankees season was the 87th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 74–87, finishing in fifth place, 14.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Dallas Green and Bucky Dent. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.
The 1995 New York Yankees season was the 93rd season for the Yankees, and their 71st playing home games at Yankee Stadium. Managed by Buck Showalter, the team finished with a record of 79–65, seven games behind the Boston Red Sox, and returned to postseason play for the first time since the 1981 season. They won the first American League Wild Card. In the Division Series, they squandered a 2–0 series lead, losing three straight games at The Kingdome and succumb to the Seattle Mariners in five games.
The 1978 New York Mets season was the 17th regular season for the Mets, who played their home games at Shea Stadium. Led by manager Joe Torre, the team had a 66–96 record and finished in sixth place in the National League East.
The 1976 Baltimore Orioles season concluded with the ballclub finishing second in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. The Orioles stayed in contention for the division title until a 1–0 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Memorial Stadium on September 25.
The Texas Rangers1985 season was the 14th for the franchise in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and the 25th overall. The Rangers finished seventh in the American League West with a record of 62 wins and 99 losses, 28½ games behind the eventual AL and World Series Champion Kansas City Royals.
The 1977 Texas Rangers season involved the Rangers finishing second in the American League West with a record of 94 wins and 68 losses. The 1977 Rangers were notable for having an American League record four managers in the same season. Frank Lucchesi began the season as the manager but team's board of directors decide to make a change after the Rangers entered June with a .500 record. Former Major League player and manager Eddie Stanky was introduced as the new manager on June 17 but changed his mind after one game and returned to his home in Alabama. Bench coach Connie Ryan served as the interim manager for six games before Billy Hunter was hired and led the team to a 60-33 record for the rest of the year.
The 1973 Atlanta Braves season was the eighth season in Atlanta along with the 103rd season as a franchise overall. The highlight of the season was Hank Aaron finishing the season just one home run short of Babe Ruth as baseball's all-time home run king. The 1973 Atlanta Braves were the first team to boast three 40 home run hitters. They were Aaron, Darrell Evans, and Davey Johnson. Also of note, it marked the only time in Johnson's career that he hit 40 home runs in one season.
Thomas Steven Ashford is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman. He was drafted second overall in the 1974 January Draft by the San Diego Padres. In addition to the Padres, Ashford also played for the Texas Rangers (1980), New York Yankees (1981), New York Mets (1983) and Kansas City Royals (1984).
Joseph Nicholas Gallo is an American professional baseball outfielder, third baseman and first baseman for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, often abbreviated as IKF, is an American professional baseball utility player for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers from 2018 to 2021 and the New York Yankees from 2022 to 2023.
