Sweeps and slams: NYY Father's Day moments
From Mickey Mantle going deep in a doubleheader sweep to Nick Swisher homering on the same diamond where his dad became a big leaguer, the Yankees have enjoyed some memorable Father’s Day performances over the years.
As we celebrate dads everywhere this weekend, here is a look back at some of the most notable Father’s Day performances in franchise history:
June 21, 1964: Muscle and a marathon
The Yankees moved into first place with a doubleheader sweep of the White Sox at Comiskey Park, powered in the first game by homers from Elston Howard and Mantle that backed Jim Bouton’s 7 2/3-inning effort in a 2-0 victory. The nightcap lasted 17 innings, decided by a grounder off the bat of pitcher Bill Stafford that was booted by shortstop Al Weis, allowing Hector Lopez to score.
June 15, 1980: Reggie bests Billy
Reggie Jackson silenced some boos in his former home ballpark by mashing two homers to support Luis Tiant’s four-hitter as the Yankees routed the Athletics, 8-2, in Oakland. Jackson sparked the Bombers’ offense with a two-run shot in the first off Steve McCatty, then added a solo shot in the ninth off Jeff Jones, spoiling "Billy Martin T-Shirt Day" at the Coliseum.
June 16, 1985: Shirley’s show
Bob Shirley pitched his best game as a Yankee, limiting the defending World Series champion Tigers to a long Kirk Gibson solo homer among four hits in the Bombers’ 2-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. Mike Pagliarulo’s third-inning homer off Randy O’Neal comprised the Yanks’ offense until the ninth, when Dave Winfield singled home Rickey Henderson for the walk-off win.
June 20, 1993: Going the distance
Bob Wickman pitched the first (and only) complete game of his career, shutting out the Twins on six hits in an 8-0 Yankees' victory that completed a four-game series sweep. The sinkerballer pocketed the ball from the game-ending out, saying that he wanted to mail it to his father in Wisconsin. Paul O’Neill and Dion James homered in the Bombers’ win.
June 20, 2010: A Subway slam
Mark Teixeira cracked a third-inning grand slam off Johan Santana to back CC Sabathia’s eight-inning performance as the Yankees defeated the Mets, 4-0, in Subway Series action. Sabathia permitted four hits and struck out six in a 100-pitch effort, with Mariano Rivera recording the final three outs in a non-save situation.
June 19, 2011: Swishalicious!
Nick Swisher connected for a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning, leading the Yankees past the Cubs, 10-4, at Wrigley Field. Swisher's deep drive off Chris Carpenter came on the same diamond where his father, Steve, began his Major League career in 1974 as a Cubs catcher. After the four-RBI performance, Swisher called his father "my hero and my idol," adding, "To be able to give him this gift today is just a great day."
June 17, 2012: How sweep it is
Curtis Granderson and Robinson Canó homered to support Iván Nova as the Yankees won their ninth straight game, completing a three-game sweep with a 4-1 victory over the Nationals (and their 19-year-old rookie, Bryce Harper, who received most of the news coverage that weekend). It was the 19th victory in 23 games for the Yanks, with Canó saying after the game: “Now we’re back in first place and it’s really good. That’s what you’re looking for.”
June 16, 2013: Mo vs. Prince Albert
A five-run third inning pointed the Yankees toward what appeared to be a breezy victory, but a furious rally placed the outcome in doubt. Sabathia, David Robertson and Rivera struggled as the Angels scored five runs in the ninth, setting up a bases-loaded showdown between Rivera and Albert Pujols. Baseball’s first unanimous Hall of Famer struck out the likely future Cooperstown inductee on three pitches, sealing the Yanks’ 6-5 victory and his 632nd career save.
June 19, 2019: South Side stars
Brett Gardner and Austin Romine each drove in four runs to back James Paxton’s six-inning effort as the Yankees blasted the White Sox in Chicago, 10-3. Cameron Maybin added a late homer in the victory, which featured a five-run third inning and Paxton striking out seven for his first win since April. Said Romine: “It feels real good to help a team out that’s winning and doing well.”