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Yankees Editorial: Gene Michael – 50 Years in the MLB and Going Strong

By Alan Levy

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When Gene Michael was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Kent State University in the 1959 amateur draft, I’m sure he didn’t think it would take him six years to make it to the big leagues. In 2015, starting his 50th year in the majors in almost every capacity imaginable, you can be sure he never saw that coming.

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Michael, a shortstop and Ohio native, played with the Pirates for the 1966 season. But, when the opportunity came for the Pirates to grab an aging Maury Wills, Michael was heading west (with Bob Bailey) to play for the Dodgers. After one year in Los Angeles, Stick was purchased by the Yankees.

Known as mostly a defensive specialist with only a .229 lifetime batting average, (funny way to get the nickname “Stick), Michael was almost prototypical for the time; compared to contemporaries Mark Belanger (who prevented Michael from any Gold Glove glory), Bud Harrelson, Bert Campaneris, and Don Kessinger. Good field/no hit was the shortstop mantra of the 60s and early 70s.

Michael played for the Yanks from 1968-1974, having his best season in 1969 hitting .272 with 24 doubles, 41 runs, and 31 RBI in 412 at bats, in 119 games. His defensive prowess manifested itself in pulling off the rarest of feats – the hidden ball trick – five times during his career. In 1975, after losing his job to Jim Mason, Michael spent the final year of his career playing for his former manager Ralph Houk in Detroit.

In 1976, Michael rejoined the Yankees, immediately beginning his coaching apprenticeship, joining Billy Martin’s staff on the pennant-winners. Michael bounced between the Yankees and the AAA Columbus Clippers from 1977 to 1981.

After Dick Howser was fired following the 103-win 1980 season, Michael was hired to become the manager of the Yankees and officially became an integral part of the carousel that became the 1980s Yanks manager’s office.

However, circumstances conspired against Michael, as the players strike of 1981 began on June 12th with the Yanks leading the AL East by two games. 50 days later, when the strike was settled, it was determined that there would be a first half and second half winner and an additional round of playoffs for each division.

With a guaranteed playoff spot, the Yanks coasted in the second half, which resulted in the impatient owner, George Steinbrenner, to fire Michael on September 6th and replace him with Bob Lemon. Michael made a return appearance to manage the Yanks in 1982, but was fired again as the Yankees season collapsed to a fifth place finish.

Michael moved on the Chicago Cubs, managing the team in 1986 and 1987, but it was in 1990 when he was elevated to General Manager of the Yankees, that Michael solidified his reputation and legacy.

During this time he built the Yankees farm system and laid the seeds for their dominance in the second half of the decade. This was facilitated in part by the suspension of Steinbrenner, who could not interfere. The Yankees began cultivating young talent, rather than trading it away, as they had done in the 1980s with little success. During Michael’s tenure as general manager, the Yankees drafted or signed such notable players as Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada (known as the Core Four), and others. Further, he traded Roberto Kelly for Paul O’Neill, whose personality and play would become a cornerstone for the new dynasty. This group led the Yankees to championships in 1996, and from 1998–2000.

However, another players strike conspired to rob Michael of realizing the fruits of his labor. He was fired as GM in 1995 before the Yankees dynasty began, as a result of the fallout from the 1994 strike. At the time of the cancellation of the 1994 season, the Yankees had the best record in the American League.

From 1996 until 2002, Michael served as vice-president of major league scouting for the Yankees, and in 2003 was promoted to vice-president and senior advisor. In 2002, the Boston Red Sox tried to talk to Michael about their general manager position, but were not given permission by the Yankees. Michael continues to be a main advisor in the Yankees system, providing opinions and scouting feedback on potential free agents and competing teams. His latest coup, Masahiro Tanaka, shows all the earmarks of an ace (providing his elbow stays healthy).

As he celebrates his 50th year in the “show”, Michael continues to provide the Yankees so much more value than the good field/no hit shortstop that came east in 1968. His blueprint and continual feedback has set the basis for Yankee teams from 1994 to the present, one of the most successful runs in the history of Major League Baseball.

Next: Who Did The Yankees Snub From Spring Training?

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