07 September, 2017
Michael, who was also known as "Stick", notably served as the manager and general manager of the Yankees during the 1980s and 1990s.
Gene "Stick" Michael, who fashioned a modern Yankees dynasty through shrewd drafts and trades - and hailed throughout baseball as one of the game's endearing figures - has died at age 79.
Gene "Stick" Michael waves to the crowd during the team's Old Timers' Day in 2009. He played for NY from 1968-74 and retired as a career.229/.288/.284 hitter. Mostly a shortstop, Michael was kept around for his glove.
But he is best remembered as the GM who rebuilt the Yankees farm system by drafting players such as Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera - the so-called "Core Four" - and supplementing that talent by trading for players such as Paul O'Neill and Roberto Kelly.
Nickname "Slick" for his tall, slender build, Michael signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played for the club in 1966.
"In two seasons as the Yankees" manager (1981-82), Michael went 92-76.
Michael became a Yankees coach and minor league manager before assuming the major league job in 1981. They lost and after his team played to a 44-42 record the next season, Michael was sacked. While that was bad for Steinbrenner it was great for the Yankees, as Michael now had a free hand to run the front office. "He knew the game of baseball like few others did, and was always willing and excited to talk about it with anyone in earshot". He loved baseball and this organization, and he will be profoundly missed.
In Michael's memory, the Yankees will wear black arm band on the left sleeve of their jerseys the rest of the season.
