1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Jim Greengrass

 MY BIGGEST THRILL IN BASEBALL

"Next to getting into the big leagues, my biggest thrill was my first major league home run. It was in my fifth game, the first of a three-game series with the Dodgers at Ebbets Field.

Two were out when Bobby Adams singled. Then Bob Borkowski singled and went to second on a bad throw. 'Big Klu' [Ted Kluszewski] was intentionally passed to load the bases. I came up and hit the second pitch in the upper left field stands.

My first home run in the majors was a grand slam."

-Jim Greengrass, 1955 Bowman No. 49

1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Johnny Gray

 "Johnny was a  'hard luck' hurler last year, pitching better than his won-lost percentage shows.

He started with Amsterdam in the Yankees' chain in 1950, winning 10 games. At Norfolk the next year he posted a 2.74 ERA despite a 12-16 record. After winning 13 games at Beaumont in '52, John went to Kansas City and won 9.

In 1955 he returns to Kansas City as a major leaguer."

-1955 Topps No. 101

"Known as a 'hard luck' hurler, Johnny is better than his record shows. He started in the Yankee chain and won 12 at Norfolk in '51 with a 2.74 ERA. In '52 he won 13 games."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 48

1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Ruben Gomez

 "One of the big reasons that the Championship Flag flies over the Polo Grounds is Ruben Gomez. The colorful hustle guy was a strong Giant weapon with his timely victories and rated fourth in ERA.

He was signed by a Giant scout while pitching in Puerto Rico. In 1953, his first year in a Giant uniform, Ruben relied strongly on a sharp-breaking screwball and chalked up 13 wins."

-1955 Topps No. 71

"The colorful screwball hurler was a tremendous help to the Champion Giants last season. He placed fourth in ERA and became the top New York right-hander."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 89

1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Jim Finigan

"Jim will be one of the most welcome new citizens in Kansas City. Last season with the A's he led the team in hits, doubles and batting average. In addition to Jim's hitting, he also led the American League in double plays by a third baseman.

Winning honors is nothing new for the sensational sophomore. In 1953 he was the Eastern League's All-Star hot corner man and hit .300."

-1955 Topps No. 14

"Jim was the leading A's hitter in 1954. As a freshman he had the club's best batting average and topped Philadelphia in hits and doubles and led American League third basemen in double plays."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 50

1955 Yankee of the Past: Jim Delsing

"Jim was the best fielder among the regular outfielders in the American League in 1954. In 108 games his percentage was .996. He made only one error in 227 total chances.

He batted .248 for 122 games. This included 24 doubles, two triples and six homers among his 92 hits and he batted in 38 runs.

Jim began in baseball in 1942 with Green Bay and first hit the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 1948. He played for the Yankees and St. Louis Browns, too."

-1955 Bowman No. 274

"One of the finest fielders in the majors today, Jim was also a top hitter in the clutch last season. Collecting a homer, double and three singles in three pinch-hit appearances, he was the high man in the American League with a .385 pinch-hitting average.

Breaking into baseball in 1942, Jim worked his way through the minors and joined the Yankees in '49. In '50 he was traded to the Browns."

-1955 Topps No. 192

1955 Yankee of the Past: Harry Byrd

"Harry became an Oriole in a winter deal that involved many Yankees and Orioles. He was in 25 games for the New Yorkers in 1954, winning 9 and losing 7. He had two fine years with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1952 and 1953, and if he can regain that form he can be a valuable addition to the Orioles' staff.

He began in baseball with Martinsville of the Carolina League and first came to the majors for a brief stay at the start of the 1950 season. He was 15-15 in 1952 and 11-20 in 1953. These records were with weak-hitting teams."

-1955 Bowman No. 159

1955 Yankee of the Past: Lew Burdette

 "Lew's earned run average in 1954 was the National League's second best. He got into 38 games, winning 15 and losing 14. His ERA was a low 2.76. He worked 258 innings and gave up 224 hits. Lew walked 62 men [1.20 WHIP] and struck out 29. He pitched four shutouts.

Lew began in baseball as a member of the New York Yankees and played in their farm system until he hit the majors with the parent team at the end of the 1950 season. The Braves acquired him in a trade with New York."

-1955 Bowman No. 70