The Captain's Blog

The Yankees rapped out 18 hits in yesterday’s 9-2 victory over the Indians, but not one wound up leaving the ballpark. It was only the 14th time all season that the Yankees failed to hit a home run, which should lighten the hearts of those overly concerned with the team’s “reliance” on the long ball.

The last time the Yankees recorded as many as 18 hits in the Bronx without sending one over the wall was the next to last game of the season in 1991 (there have been 14 occurrences since 1919). The opponent that day was also the Cleveland Indians, but this time the Tribe came out on the winning side, a paradox not uncommon for the Yankees in that era. During the game, every starter had a hit except third baseman Tory Lovullo, but the real standout was a rookie centerfielder named Bernie Williams.

Yankees’ Home Games with At Least 18 Hits and No Home Runs, Since 1919

Note: Click on date for link to box score.
Source: Baseball-reference.com

Before his five-hit outburst against the Indians, the 23-year old Williams entered the game with an unimpressive line of .223/.334/.345. Over the final two games of the season, however, he went a combined 7-10, giving the Yankees’ brain trust something to think about over the off season, while also providing fans with a glimmer of hope after one of the darkest years in franchise history.

Although Williams’ flourish at the end of the year wasn’t enough to save manager Stump Merrill’s job, it very well could have rescued him from being traded. During that winter, the young center fielder’s name was bandied about in trade rumors, but GM Gene Michael and new manager Buck Showalter decided to stick with the talented prospect, a decision that would pay countless dividends over the rest of his 16-year career.

Yankees’ Rookies with At Least Five Hits in a Game, Since 1919

Note: Click on date for link to box score.
Source: Baseball-reference.com

On four other occasions, Williams would match his career-high of five hits, but the initial accomplishment was the most unique. Not only was it the first glimpse of what the talented switch hitter could accomplish, but the event also had historic (albeit mostly anecdotal) significance. With his five hits, Williams joined Joe DiMaggio and Mel Stottlemyre as the only Yankees’ rookies to accomplish the feat (since then, Shane Spencer and Brett Gardner have added their names to that list). What’s more, Williams also became only the fourth batter, and first non-pitcher, in franchise history to record five hits from the ninth slot in the batting order, a distinction that remains to this day.

Needless to say, the Yankees have come along way since 1991. Back then, fans would have been clamoring for home runs, especially in an 18-hit game, but these days, scoring runs without the benefit of a long ball is viewed as a moral victory. Although it seems silly to assign added virtue to a game in which the Yankees’ offense is able to thrive without hitting a home run, any event that helps provide perspective while recalling memories of a franchise great like Williams is a welcomed occurrence.