The late Gene “Stick” Michael had a modest playing career that spanned from 1966 to 1975 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. Michael’s last days of a player were with the Boston Red Sox in 1976, but was never used and released in May of that season. Upon retiring as a player, Michael joined the New York Yankees coaching staff, where he especially excelled as a scout. Reggie Jackson gave credit to Michael’s scouting reports that enabled him to belt three home runs against the Dodgers in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. Michael would serve as manager of the Yankees from 1981-82 and as general manager from 1980-81 and 1991-1995 where he was responsible for the drafting of and signings of players like Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada that formed the famed “Core Four” group that led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five seasons.

Offered here is a 20 x 36-inch framed team photograph from the 1951 World Champion New York Yankees. This black and white photograph is the formal team photo of the players in full uniform and this photo hung at the old Yankee Stadium. According to the family, the photos hung in Steinbrenner’s office and the front office in the first Yankee stadium. They also hung in Gene’s restaurant and he was adamant about taking these from the stadium before they tore it down. The 1951 New York Yankees season was notable for not only another World Series championship, but another factor that made it a unique season in Bronx folklore. If American League pitchers were pleased that Joe DiMaggio was in his final year in pinstripes, they were unaware that a rookie named Mickey Mantle was a budding legend in his own right.  “World 1951 Champions” is printed in white below the team photo. Please note that there is paint chipping on the wood frame and mounting holes on each side. This photograph comes directly from the personal collection of the late Gene Michael with a handwritten note from Michael that reads “Hung in owner’s office old Yankee Stadium, from Ruppert, Webb, Tapping, Steinbrenner till removed in 1973 renovation Gene Michael”.

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