Where Are They Now: Steve Sax

I was reading the paper this morning - yes, you heard that correctly - and saw a familiar name that I hadn't seen in a while. Former Yankees second baseman Steve Sax was named as the first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sax is more famous for his years as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he had a semi-successful three year run in the Bronx at the expense of fan favorite Willie Randolph. I was among the many that hoped Randolph would spend his entire career (aside from the 30 games he played with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1975) in a Yankees uniform.

Dallas Green was named manager of the 1989 Yankees and word was he wanted Sax as his second baseman.  Both players were free agents - Sax signed with the Yankees on November 13 and just under a month later Randolph, ironically, signed with the Dodgers.

Sax was the '82 NL Rookie of the Year and a three-time All-Star before joining the Yankees. (He would add two more All-Star games to his resume while with the Yankees.) But Sax was also Chuck Knoblauch before Knoblauch was. I'm referring to the brain cramp Sax developed trying to make a routine throw to first base.

In just his second full season in the big leagues, Sax committed 30 errors and topped the 20 mark the next two years. Sax turned things around by the time he got to the Yankees, but there were times he was criticized for his defensive play, especially where he was positioned on some plays. (e.g. relays from the outfield.)

Sax hit .315 his first year in New York, with 205 hits, 43 stolen bases, and a .751 OPS. Though he stole 43 bases again in 1990, Sax's splits dropped to .260/.316/.325. But in his final year with the Yankees, Sax bounced back. He topped the .300 mark again, put up a .759 OPS, and hit a career high 10 home runs.

Following the 1991 season, Sax was dealt to the Chicago White Sox for Bob Wickman, Domingo Jean, and Melido Perez. Sax spent two seasons with the White Sox and finished his career with the Oakland A's in 1994.

Sax had worked in the financial industry and as a motivational speaker before joining the Dbacks organization, where he will be reunited with former Dodgers teammate and current AZ manager Kirk Gibson.

Where are They Now? Part III

Time for another installment of "Where are they Now?" (it's not easy to come up with posts on an off day).

Roberto Kelly was one of the few bright spots on the Yankees during his time in NY from 1987-1992. He's most famous, of course, for being the key player dealt to the Cincinnati Reds for Paul O'Neill. Kelly came back to the Yankees in 2000 to close out his major league career. He's currently the 1st Base coach for the San Francisco Giants.

Mike Stanley was one of the most popular Yankees during his stay from 1992-1995. Fans were outraged when they let Stanley leave as a free agent, opting to sign little known Joe Girardi instead. Stanley made a brief return to the Yankees in 1997, just missing out on World Series titles in both tenures. Today he is the coach of the Lake Highland High School baseball team in Maitland, Florida.

Carlos May was better known as a member of the Chicago White Sox, but played for the Yankees for parts of 2 seasons (1976-1977). He's also infamous in Yankee circles, because of an army accident he had in the late 1960's, in which he lost part of his thumb. You know how Michael Kay repeats things every time certain players come up? Well back then it was Frank Messer, who mentioned May's thumb every time the Yankees played the White Sox. So you can just imagine what happened when May joined the Yankees. May currently handles community relations for the White Sox.

Roy Smalley Jr. replaced Bucky Dent at shortstop from 1982-1984. The Yankees erroneously traded set up man Ron Davis for him, and threw in Greg Gagne, who became a stellar SS for the Twins. Smalley's father played in the bigs and his uncle is former big league manager Gene Mauch.

Smalley currently works as an analyst on Twins games for FSN and is a stock broker for RBC Dain Rauscher.

Jack Aker was a solid reliever in 11 big league seasons. He played with the Yankees from 1969-1972 and had the best numbers of his career during his time in New York. He was honored by President Clinton in 1997 for his work with Native American children in Arizona and New Mexico. He's currently in the 18th year of running the Jack Aker Baseball, which would puts together camps, clinics, and private instruction.

Where are They Now? Part III

Time for another installment of "Where are they Now?" (it's not easy to come up with posts on an off day).

Roberto Kelly was one of the few bright spots on the Yankees during his time in NY from 1987-1992. He's most famous, of course, for being the key player dealt to the Cincinnati Reds for Paul O'Neill. Kelly came back to the Yankees in 2000 to close out his major league career. He's currently the 1st Base coach for the San Francisco Giants.

Mike Stanley was one of the most popular Yankees during his stay from 1992-1995. Fans were outraged when they let Stanley leave as a free agent, opting to sign little known Joe Girardi instead. Stanley made a brief return to the Yankees in 1997, just missing out on World Series titles in both tenures. Today he is the coach of the Lake Highland High School baseball team in Maitland, Florida.

Carlos May was better known as a member of the Chicago White Sox, but played for the Yankees for parts of 2 seasons (1976-1977). He's also infamous in Yankee circles, because of an army accident he had in the late 1960's, in which he lost part of his thumb. You know how Michael Kay repeats things every time certain players come up? Well back then it was Frank Messer, who mentioned May's thumb every time the Yankees played the White Sox. So you can just imagine what happened when May joined the Yankees. May currently handles community relations for the White Sox.

Roy Smalley Jr. replaced Bucky Dent at shortstop from 1982-1984. The Yankees erroneously traded set up man Ron Davis for him, and threw in Greg Gagne, who became a stellar SS for the Twins. Smalley's father played in the bigs and his uncle is former big league manager Gene Mauch.

Smalley currently works as an analyst on Twins games for FSN and is a stock broker for RBC Dain Rauscher.

Jack Aker was a solid reliever in 11 big league seasons. He played with the Yankees from 1969-1972 and had the best numbers of his career during his time in New York. He was honored by President Clinton in 1997 for his work with Native American children in Arizona and New Mexico. He's currently in the 18th year of running the Jack Aker Baseball, which would puts together camps, clinics, and private instruction.

If they all had Brosius' Heart

Scott Brosius quickly became a fan favorite during his time here with the Yankees from 1998-2001. It was only a 4-year period, but Brosius left a lasting impression. A stellar defender, a clutch bat, and a player, who though he may not have had the biggest skills, always played with a lot of heart. He won the World Series MVP in 1998 and of course, hit the 2nd game tying home run against the Diamondbacks in 2001's Game 5.

Brosius is now in his first year as head coach of his alma mater, Linfield College in McMinniville, Oregon. Brosius worked various jobs for the baseball team, including heading up its recruiting efforts. After working as a full-time assistant, he got the bump to head coach when Scott Carnahan decided to step down after 24 years. Carnahan is staying on as an assistant for his former player.

We happened to stumble on an interview Brosius did last October with the blog, "All on the Field" . It's a good read.

If they all had Brosius' Heart

Scott Brosius quickly became a fan favorite during his time here with the Yankees from 1998-2001. It was only a 4-year period, but Brosius left a lasting impression. A stellar defender, a clutch bat, and a player, who though he may not have had the biggest skills, always played with a lot of heart. He won the World Series MVP in 1998 and of course, hit the 2nd game tying home run against the Diamondbacks in 2001's Game 5.

Brosius is now in his first year as head coach of his alma mater, Linfield College in McMinniville, Oregon. Brosius worked various jobs for the baseball team, including heading up its recruiting efforts. After working as a full-time assistant, he got the bump to head coach when Scott Carnahan decided to step down after 24 years. Carnahan is staying on as an assistant for his former player.

We happened to stumble on an interview Brosius did last October with the blog, "All on the Field" . It's a good read.

Whatever Happened To

This is our 2nd installment of "whatever happened to...", looking into the lives of various Yankees since their retirement.

Steve Balboni - Was a minor league slugger that never quite made the transition to the bigs while with the Yankees. But after a trade to KC, Balboni won a World Series ring and slugged 140 HRs over a 5 year period. Today, the guy we referred to as "Balbummy" when he wasn't going good, is running a hitting academy in Edison, NJ. You can also catch an interview Gotham Baseball did with him last week.

Matt Nokes - was a phenom when he joined the Detroit Tigers, slugging 32 HRs in 1987. But he only had an average career, which included 4 years (1991-1994) in the Bronx. Nokes topped 20 HRs twice for the Yanks and was on the receiving end of Jim Abbott's no-hitter in Sept., 1993. Today, Nokes is the hitting instructor for the ABD Academy in Corona, California.

Bert Campanaris - In 1983 Campy spent the last of his 19 year big league career in the Bronx. But he had the good fortune to be playing 3rd Base on July 4 of that season when Dave Righetti tossed his no-hitter. Today, Campy is retired in Scottsdale, AZ , Campaneris lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. But he also participates in baseball camps and works with the MLB Players Alumni Association.

Kevin Maas - Was Shane Spencer before Shane Spencer. But Maas never had the success Spencer had and his rookie home run slugging petered out pretty quickly. He now lives in California and coaches his son and daughter's baseball and softball teams.

Doug Drabek - Represents one of the foolish Yankees trades of the 1980s. Drabek was a 155 game winner and nabbed the NL Cy Young award in 1990. Today, Drabek lives in Woodlands, Texas and monitors his son Kyle's progress. The younger Drabek was the 18th overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mike Aldrete - Played the final 32 games of his 10 year career as a member of the '96 Yankees. He split time between 1B, DH, and the outfield. He earned a WS ring after he appeared in 1 ALCS game and 2 World Series games, with one at-bat. Aldrete is now the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Randy Velarde - Had 2 stints as a Yankee (1987-1995, 2001), narrowly missing out on a championship both times. Velarde once turned an unassisted triple play, and assisted on the final out in Jim Abbott's no-hitter. Velarde now lives in Midland, TX and unfortunately for him, has his name back on people's minds. Velarde was mentioned in the book, "Game of Shadows", and was also mentioned in the Mitchell Report on performance enhancing drugs. Velarde, Clemens, Knoblauch, Stanton, Pettitte...so that's how they grow 'em bigger in Texas.

Whatever Happened To

This is our 2nd installment of "whatever happened to...", looking into the lives of various Yankees since their retirement.

Steve Balboni - Was a minor league slugger that never quite made the transition to the bigs while with the Yankees. But after a trade to KC, Balboni won a World Series ring and slugged 140 HRs over a 5 year period. Today, the guy we referred to as "Balbummy" when he wasn't going good, is running a hitting academy in Edison, NJ. You can also catch an interview Gotham Baseball did with him last week.

Matt Nokes - was a phenom when he joined the Detroit Tigers, slugging 32 HRs in 1987. But he only had an average career, which included 4 years (1991-1994) in the Bronx. Nokes topped 20 HRs twice for the Yanks and was on the receiving end of Jim Abbott's no-hitter in Sept., 1993. Today, Nokes is the hitting instructor for the ABD Academy in Corona, California.

Bert Campanaris - In 1983 Campy spent the last of his 19 year big league career in the Bronx. But he had the good fortune to be playing 3rd Base on July 4 of that season when Dave Righetti tossed his no-hitter. Today, Campy is retired in Scottsdale, AZ , Campaneris lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. But he also participates in baseball camps and works with the MLB Players Alumni Association.

Kevin Maas - Was Shane Spencer before Shane Spencer. But Maas never had the success Spencer had and his rookie home run slugging petered out pretty quickly. He now lives in California and coaches his son and daughter's baseball and softball teams.

Doug Drabek - Represents one of the foolish Yankees trades of the 1980s. Drabek was a 155 game winner and nabbed the NL Cy Young award in 1990. Today, Drabek lives in Woodlands, Texas and monitors his son Kyle's progress. The younger Drabek was the 18th overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mike Aldrete - Played the final 32 games of his 10 year career as a member of the '96 Yankees. He split time between 1B, DH, and the outfield. He earned a WS ring after he appeared in 1 ALCS game and 2 World Series games, with one at-bat. Aldrete is now the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Randy Velarde - Had 2 stints as a Yankee (1987-1995, 2001), narrowly missing out on a championship both times. Velarde once turned an unassisted triple play, and assisted on the final out in Jim Abbott's no-hitter. Velarde now lives in Midland, TX and unfortunately for him, has his name back on people's minds. Velarde was mentioned in the book, "Game of Shadows", and was also mentioned in the Mitchell Report on performance enhancing drugs. Velarde, Clemens, Knoblauch, Stanton, Pettitte...so that's how they grow 'em bigger in Texas.

Where Are They Now?

From time to time we'll be telling you where some former Yankees are today. Obviously we don't need to tell you where guys like Don Mattingly are.

Mike Griffin, P (1979-1981): Pitching coach for Orioles' Double-A team, Bowie Baysox

Mariano Duncan, 2B (1996-1997): Dodgers 1st base coach

Chad Curtis, OF (1997-1999 ): Athletic Director at NorthPointe Christian High School in Michigan

Fred "The Chicken" Stanley (1973-1980) Director of the SF Giants' farm system

Jimmy Wynn (1977): Assistant Director of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department

Andy Fox (1996-1997): 1st base/infield coach for the Florida Marlins

Andy Stankiewicz (1992-1993): Assistant baseball coach at Arizona State University

Dick Tidrow (1974-1979): VP of Player Personnel for the SF Giants

Where Are They Now?

From time to time we'll be telling you where some former Yankees are today. Obviously we don't need to tell you where guys like Don Mattingly are.

Mike Griffin, P (1979-1981): Pitching coach for Orioles' Double-A team, Bowie Baysox

Mariano Duncan, 2B (1996-1997): Dodgers 1st base coach

Chad Curtis, OF (1997-1999 ): Athletic Director at NorthPointe Christian High School in Michigan

Fred "The Chicken" Stanley (1973-1980) Director of the SF Giants' farm system

Jimmy Wynn (1977): Assistant Director of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department

Andy Fox (1996-1997): 1st base/infield coach for the Florida Marlins

Andy Stankiewicz (1992-1993): Assistant baseball coach at Arizona State University

Dick Tidrow (1974-1979): VP of Player Personnel for the SF Giants