Bronx Bomber Ball

Former Yankees First Baseman and General Manager, Bob “Bull” Watson, has passed away after a battle with kidney disease. Watson became the first African-American General Manager to win a World Series in 1996, after putting together the 1996 Yankees who ended the franchise’s 18-year drought without a World Series Title.  Watson and his successor, Brian Cashman (Photo by Michael  Schwartz) Watson also has a gold medal, as the Chairman of USA Baseball’s selection committee for the 2000 Olympics. Watson is still the only executive to hold a gold medal in addition to a World Series ring. As a player, Watson played 19 seasons, earning himself two All-Star Game appearances in 1973 and 1975 and receiving votes for MVP in three seasons. He played 14 seasons with the Houston Astros before playing a season with the Red Sox, and three each with the Yankees and Atlanta Braves. Watson finished his career with 1,826 hits, 184 home runs, and a .295 batting average across his 19 seasons.

Hideki Matsui joined the Yankees at the Major League level in 2003, and for three years, he didn’t stop playing -- picking up Rookie of the Year recognition in 2003, and was voted to the All-Star team in 2003 and 2004.  Photo Credit: New York Times