
The manager, who’d seen the Yankees struggle through a long season in which they’d uncharacteristically finished only a couple of games over .500, was delighted at the prospect of adding such a powerful bat, just in time for the player to play his age-25 season. The player was left-handed, “just what the doctor ordered for the home yard,” according to the skipper. He could run. He was an excellent corner outfielder, too. And at 25, he was just entering the prime of his career. “I’ve admired him from afar for...