Former Yankees GM Michael dies at 79
Gene Michael, the slick-fielding shortstop nicknamed Stick who went on to manage the New York Yankees and then as an executive built a power that won four World Series in five years, died Thursday. He was 79.
Michael had a heart attack and died at his home in Oldsmar, Fla., his wife, Joette, said.
At 6-foot-2 and about 180 pounds in his playing days, Michael hit just .229 with 15 home runs in 10 big league seasons, seven with the Yankees from 1968-74 in one of the worst eras in team history. He was known for pulling off the hidden ball trick, which he was said to have done five times.
He made a far bigger impact during two terms as manager, two as general manager and then an adviser relied on by Brian Cashman, the team’s GM since 1998. He also managed the Chicago Cubs for two seasons.
“A baseball man to his core,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Stick was vital to the franchise’s renaissance in the ’90s, balancing his incredible scouting intuition with analytical thinking that is prevalent throughout the game today.”
A Yankees lifer, Michael maintained durability during George Steinbrenner’s decades of tumult. During his second term as general manager, Michael put together the core of a roster that won World Series titles in 1996 and from 1998-2000.
“He was able to project so well what players would become, and he did it through sitting and watching with his eyes.” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “He just had a great feel for the game.”
After watching the Yankees fall short in the 1980s with high-priced free agents, Michael preached patience with youth and nurtured Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and other prospects.
Braves offer free tickets
The Atlanta Braves are offering free tickets to fans from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina displaced by Hurricane Irma.
During the four-game series against the Miami Marlins, the Braves will give a complimentary ticket to anyone showing a valid Florida ID. The offer also is open to residents of Georgia and South Carolina counties under mandatory evacuation orders.
The Braves’ new SunTrust Park sits off Interstate 75, a popular choice for Floridians driving north through Georgia to escape the storm.
Mets’ Wright hopeful to return
Mets captain David Wright said he’s still hopeful to return to the major leagues even after surgery Tuesday to fix the rotator cuff in his right shoulder, the latest setback in the 34-yearold’s lengthy comeback attempt.
Wright was at Citi Field with his right arm in a sling Thursday while New York hosted the Cincinnati Reds. He said he’s optimistic about playing next season, but said first he’ll have to “see how my body responds to the surgery and we’ll kind of go from there.”
Wright last played in the majors in May 2016 and had surgery the following month to repair a herniated disc in his neck. He was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in 2015 and appeared in only 75 regular season games between 2015 and ‘16, plus 14 postseason appearances.
Around the majors
• The Yankees’ Aaron Judge homered in a 9-1 win over Baltimore. Judge has 39 home runs, second-most by a rookie in major league history behind Mark McGwire’s 49 in 1987.
• The Washington Nationals promoted top prospect outfielder Victor Robles from DoubleA Harrisburg. The 20-year- old Robles hit .300 with 10 homers, 47 RBI and 27 steals in 114 games over two minor league stops this season.
• White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon was scratched from his start against Cleveland with left shoulder stiffness. Rodon, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft, missed the first part of the season because of bursitis in his left biceps. The 24-year- old Rodon is 2-5 with a 4.15 ERA.