Yankees: Horace Clarke’s death leaves hole in Old-Timers’ Day

The Yankees lost a willing representative in Horace Clarke.

When the New York Yankees spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find their footing in the mid-1960s through 1970s, it was anything but a waste of time to the affable Horace Clarke.

Clarke passed away this week at the age of 82, dying as an embodiment of a not-so-nice era of Yankees baseball, but remaining a more than willing participant and ambassador, representing with aplomb the prestige of the Pinstripes.

A hero to many who came of age in an unfortunate era hardly defined by won-loss record, Clarke gamely showed up to Old-Timers’ Days and similar festivities, representing a time most Yankee fans would rather forget.

The affable Clarke, though, wouldn’t have traded his heroics for anything.

Clarke spent his entire career as a Yankee from 1965-1974, sans 42 games at the tail end of his tenure in San Diego.

He clocked in one year after the team’s World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, and instead of taking the mantle he likely expected as a Yankee signing, he ended up the best player on an otherwise forgettable outfit.

But to the kids raised in the early ’60s who heard tales of Yankee glory, but didn’t see it for themselves, Clarke carried the torch. He always hustled, always smiled.

He was the most effective hitter on a series of teams that didn’t earn national recognition — but that didn’t stop him from flashing a grin for four decades of Old-Timers’ Days, representing the downtrodden with enthusiasm.

When reflecting on his Yankees career, Clarke once told Mike Vaccaro of the Post in 2004, ““I am happy, my friend. I played major league baseball for parts of 10 years, and I played in the magnificent city of New York, and as a child in St. Croix that was beyond dreams. Yes. I am a happy man.”

Clarke did what any of us would be lucky to do for the greatest franchise in sports. He got to arrive at the Stadium, one day per year, during repeated dynasties. Why should he frown?

Hopefully, his era remains represented, even without his presence.

Yankees: 3 Trade Deadline Mistakes NYY Can’t Afford to Make in 2020

The New York Yankees only have 60 games to work with. They can't make these trade deadline mistakes on August 31 this year.