The emergence of rookie catcher Gary Sanchez this Summer has been a Godsend for the New York Yankees. A team that was bobbing up and down in a pond of mediocrity suddenly came to life when Sanchez and other youngsters (known as the “Baby Bombers”) arrived in the Bronx. But, Sanchez is not the first Yankee rookie to have a crucial contribution in a playoff drive.
The late-season call-up that arguably had the biggest impact on a Yankees’ season was pitcher Mel Stottlemyre.