Yankee Greats With Kansas City Histories

Several all-time great New York Yankees played in Kansas City.

To Yankees fans, the names of Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Elston Howard, Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto are well-known for their heroics in the Bronx. Each player once called Kansas City “home.”

Elston Howard played in Kansas City for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negroes’ League from 1948 through 1950, batting over .300 for the Monarchs his final year in Kansas City.

Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle played in Kansas City for the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate Kansas City Blues.

Whitey Ford had a 6 – 3 record in Kansas City for the Blues in 1950 before being called up to the majors by the Yankees.

At 17 years old, Yogi Berra began his minor league career with the Kansas City Blues in 1943.

Mickey Mantle batted .361 and hit 11 home runs for the Kansas City Blues in 1952 before being called up to the major leagues by the Yankees.

Phil Rizzuto played in Kansas City for the Kansas City Blues in 1939 and 1940. Phil Rizzuto had over 200 hits in Kansas City in 1940, becoming The Sporting News Player of the Year that year.

After seven years in the Bronx, Billy Martin was traded to Kansas City, playing for the Kansas City Athletics in 1957.

Signed by the Kansas City Athletics in 1964, Catfish Hunter began his career in Kansas City as a nineteen year old rookie. Catfish Hunter played in Kansas City through 1967.

The Kansas City Athletics drafted Reggie Jackson in 1966. In Reggie Jackson’s rookie year of 1967 – Reggie’s one year in Kansas City – Reggie played right field for the Kansas City Athletics.