Tommy Henrich, Yankees Clutch Hitter, Dies at 96
Tommy Henrich, the right fielder known as Old Reliable who helped propel the Yankees to seven World Series championships, died on Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio. He was 96.
His death was announced by the Yankees.
Playing with the Yankees for 11 seasons, Henrich was a timely hitter, an outstanding defensive player and a leader who epitomized the image of the classy Yankee who nearly always won.
He was part of a celebrated outfield, teaming with Joe DiMaggio in center and Charlie Keller in left. Making his debut under Manager Joe McCarthy and concluding his career with Casey Stengel’s powerful postwar clubs, he played on Yankees teams that won eight pennants.
Babe Ruth, Roger Maris and Reggie Jackson are the most illustrious names in right field at Yankee Stadium, and Henrich’s statistics, though impressive, were hardly eye-popping. But he was renowned for getting a hit when a game was on the line and for his all-around play and dedication.
“He was at his best in the big games, and he never made a mistake in the outfield,” Bobby Brown, the former Yankees third baseman, said Tuesday in an interview. “And as he grew older, he was very helpful to younger players. He told them what it was like to be a Yankee.”
At his death, Henrich (pronounced HEN-rick) was the oldest living Yankee and the last survivor of their teams of the 1930s, the Elias Sports Bureau said.
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His death was announced by the Yankees.
Playing with the Yankees for 11 seasons, Henrich was a timely hitter, an outstanding defensive player and a leader who epitomized the image of the classy Yankee who nearly always won.
He was part of a celebrated outfield, teaming with Joe DiMaggio in center and Charlie Keller in left. Making his debut under Manager Joe McCarthy and concluding his career with Casey Stengel’s powerful postwar clubs, he played on Yankees teams that won eight pennants.
Babe Ruth, Roger Maris and Reggie Jackson are the most illustrious names in right field at Yankee Stadium, and Henrich’s statistics, though impressive, were hardly eye-popping. But he was renowned for getting a hit when a game was on the line and for his all-around play and dedication.
“He was at his best in the big games, and he never made a mistake in the outfield,” Bobby Brown, the former Yankees third baseman, said Tuesday in an interview. “And as he grew older, he was very helpful to younger players. He told them what it was like to be a Yankee.”
At his death, Henrich (pronounced HEN-rick) was the oldest living Yankee and the last survivor of their teams of the 1930s, the Elias Sports Bureau said.