Tuesday, March 11, 2008

1-Day Contracts In Yankee History: Abe Vigoda

Billy Crystal's 1-day contract offers the perfect opportunity to remember other 1-day contracts in Yankee history.

In 1994, Abe Vigoda celebrated his 73rd birthday by signing a 1-day deal with the Yanks.

He played shortstop in a split-squad spring training game against the Twins -- going 3-4 with 2 doubles and a stolen base.

Vigoda also excelled with the glove.

After chasing down a slow-rolling bouncer in the left field grass far behind third base, he famously threw out Dave Winfield from his knees in a play that left Scooter saying "Wait! I think he got him -- Mattingly's stretch! Yes, he got him! HOLY COW!"

Unlike Crystal, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig did not support Vigoda's signing -- calling it "a regrettable decision."

When asked why he did not support the Vigoda signing, Selig said "if anyone from 'Barney Miller' gets to be a Yankee -- and that's show I love, by the way -- it should have been 'Wojo.' I loved that guy."

Despite calls for the team to sign him to a long-term deal, Vigoda's Yankee career started and ended in that one-game tilt against the Twins.

Who knows what Vigoda might have done had he been given a real shot at the bigs?

(Ed. note: Mike Gallego batted .239 in 89 games at short, and journeyman infielder Kevin Elster hit .000 in 20 ABs in that strike-shortened season.)

3 comments:

Unknown said...

We should try Billy out at first base

Anonymous said...

Didn't we have Sidney Ponson for one day?

Wailin' Suzyn said...

You're thinking of Sidney Poitier, he only came for dinner.