So Long, Moose

I first met Bill Skowron at the 2011 Pinstripe Passion collectors and autograph show. A delightful man, who was so proud of his years playing for the Yankees. The highlight had to be 1961, when as part of the best Yankee team of that decade, he made history combining with Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle for 143 home runs -- the greatest single-season total by three teammates. Sorry to report that Moose passed away today at age 81.
While he later played for the Dodgers -- where he was one the batting stars of their 1963 World Series victory over the Yankees -- and several other clubs, he was happiest when people thought of him as a  Yankee, especially an occasion where he could wear the pinstripes... (I promised not to mention a year ago that he was scouting for the White Sox, based in his native Chicago.) Below, he's with '61 relief ace Luis Arroyo at the 2011 Old Timers Day.
Bill Skowron, everyone called him Moose, and for nine seasons, he was called a Yankee. A darned-good one! Here's the "back of his baseball card," thanks to Baseball-Reference.com

Comments

Anonymous said…
Every Yankee fan from the 1960's remembers Moose Skowron, he hit quite a few home runs and played very solid first base. And by all accounts, a gracious and loyal teammate.
February 21, 2015 at 1:37 PM
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