TONY KUBEK








Born October 12, 1936 Milwaukee, Wisconsin


Tony Kubek first appeared on a New York Yankee roster as a utility ballplayer – filling in at the outfield and at several infield positions.  Having played for Ralph Houk in the minor leagues in Denver, the Yankees were well aware of Kubek's defensive skills and his excellent ability to make contact at the plate, which made him an excellent number two hitter in a hit-and-run combination.

That opportunity presented itself when Kubek became the everyday shortstop for the Yankees, teaming up with double-play partner, second baseman Bobby Richardson, both on the field and at the plate, where Richardson would bat lead off giving Kubek the chance to move him along and together they "set the table" for the Bronx Bombers, always on base to get knocked in by the likes of Mantle, Maris, Berra, Howard, Skowron and Blanchard.

His success on the field never changed Kubek from being a family man.  When he received word, during the 1961 World Series that he was being called into active military service, he was sure to marry his "date" of four years at the time, Margaret Timmel.  Injuries, especially to Tony's neck and back shortened his playing career, but didn't stop him from being a three-time All-Star, World Series standout (playing in six World Series), and a fan favorite in New York.  After his playing days were over, Tony became the voice of NBC's "Game of the Week" and remains a very highly respected member of the baseball family.  In 1987, he authored Sixty-One, The Team, The Record, The Men, chronicling the story of the New York Yankees' 1961 season, giving us a player's insight to the inner workings of one of the great Yankee teams of all-time, during the year they won the World Championship and Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle both chased Babe Ruth's single season home run record, with Maris breaking the record.  From The Ballplayers:

Kubek was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1957, hitting .297 and showing amazing versatility as he spent substantial time in the outfield, at shortstop, and at third base, with brief early stints at second base and first base as well.  He displaced Gil McDougald and became the Yankees' regular shortstop in 1958.  For eight seasons he and second baseman Bobby Richardson formed one of baseball's best double-play combinations.  In 1961, Kubek cracked 38 doubles (a Yankee record for shortstops), and in his first at-bat after returning from the army late in 1962, he delivered a three-run home run.  Kubek appeared in six WS with the Yankees.  Playing in his hometown of Milwaukee, he hit a pair of homers in Game Three of the 1957 Series against the Braves.

A dangerous neck and back condition forced Kubek to retire at the age of twenty-nine, but he quickly became one of television's most successful baseball announcers.  Kubek remained extremely friendly, popular, and respected long after his playing days ended."