On Thursday at his home in Oldsmar, Florida, Gene Michael passed away from a sudden heart attack. The 79-year-old baseball lifer had literally been through it all as a member of the Yankees organization.
After seven seasons as a defensive infielder for the Bombers, Michael was handpicked by the one and only George Steinbrenner in 1976 to join the Yanks as a scout.
Part of one of the worst statistical eras of all-time for the organization, one that is earmarked by a rash of firings and re-hirings, “Stick” wasn’t immune from the Boss’ sometimes irrational ways.