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This day in Yankees history: May 24

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2015: #51 is no longer available

The Yankees retire Bernie Williams' number 51 and give him a plaque in Monument Park.

2011: CC with the CG

The Yankees ended an American League record run of 341 games without a nine-inning complete game when CC Sabathia went the distance in a 5-4 walk-off victory over Toronto. Over that time the Yankees had three eight-inning complete game losses and rain-shortened six-inning CG win. Coincidentally, the last Yankee pitcher to throw and nine-inning complete game had been CC himself when he shut out the Orioles 4-0 on May 8, 2009 at Camden Yards.

1989: Lee had been very Guet to start the season

After pitching a scoreless eighth inning, Yankees reliever Lee Guetterman gave up five runs in the ninth inning of New York's 11-4 loss to California, ending his scoreless inning streak to begin the season at 30 2/3. It was the longest season-opening streak in the Majors since Cardinals’ starter Harry Brecheen started 1948 with 32 scoreless innings, and it was the longest season-opening streak ever by a reliever. The streak had spanned 19 games and the eighth inning of the game in which it ended.

1968: Offense optional

The ultimate pitchers’ duel happened at Yankee Stadium with Chicago’s Tommy John and Yankee rookie Stan Bahnsen throwing nine scoreless innings. Hoyt Wilhelm came in for John to start the tenth. Bahnsen threw a scoreless tenth before leaving the game. Wilhelm threw two more scoreless for the Chisox. Steve Hamilton got into trouble in the 11th and was replaced by Joe Verbanic who got out of the jam. Wilbur Wood replaced Wilhelm in the 12th and Verbanic threw two more scoreless innings. In the bottom of the 13th, Bobby Cox led off with a double, pinch hitter Charley Smith was intentionally walked by Wood. Horace Clarke singled and Cox scored on an error by third baseman Sandy Alomar. (Alomar had moved there from second in the 11th inning)

1961: Kubek picks up the Mick

Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Moose Skowron hit a one-out triple off Red Sox reliever Chet Nichols who is immediately replaced with Tracy Stallard. Stallard intentionally walked pinch hitter Jesse Gonder and unintentionally walked Bob Cerv to load the bases. Mickey Mantle struck out, but Tony Kubek laced a single to center for the 3-2 walk-off win.

1956: This is how you win a Triple Crown

Mickey Mantle went five for five with four singles and a second inning home run in Detroit as the Yankees routed the Tigers 11-4. The five hits raised Mickey’s average to .421 (35 games into the season).

1946: The Skipper skips out

35 games into the season, Joe McCarthy unexpectedly quit as Yankees manager. Bill Dickey replaced him as player/manager. The Yankees won eight American League pennants and seven World Series during his 15-year tenure as manager.

1936: Poosh ‘Em Up Tony Pounds ‘Em Out in Philly

Tony Lazzeri set a Major League record by hitting two grand slams in a game. The Yankees were playing the A’s on the road at Shibe Park. Lazzeri, who was batting eighth that day, hit his first slam in the second inning off starter George Turbeville. He struck out in the third and walked in the fourth. He hit his second slam in the fifth inning off reliever Herman Fink. The Yankees had a 16-2 lead at this point in a laugher. Lazzeri hit a solo homer in the seventh for his third homer and ninth RBI of the day. He added a two-run triple in the eighth giving him 11 RBI and 15 total bases on the day as the Yankees romped the A’s 25-2.

1930: Babe had a great month in a week

Over a week-long span from May 18 to May 24, Babe Ruth played in eight games, including three doubleheaders against the A’s. Over that stretch he batted .448 (13 for 29), hit 9 homers, drove in 19 runs and scored 13 runs. The rest of the Yankees hit nine homers combined over that stretch.

1928: Hall of Fame Game

In the first game of a doubleheader in Philadelphia, a record 13 future Hall of Famers took the field in the Yankees’ 9-7 victory over the A's. (Yankees: Gehrig, Ruth, Lazzeri, Durocher, Combs & Hoyt – A’s Cobb, Speaker, Foxx, Simmons, Cochrane, Collins & Grove) This number does not include non-playing Hall of Famers Herb Pennock and Stan Coveleski, managers Miller Huggins and Connie Mack, nor umpire Tom Connally.

1918: Coveleski: Marathon Man

Indians starter Stan Coveleski threw a 19-inning complete game against the Yankees at the Polo Grounds. It was his third straight extra inning CG. Coveleski allowed just 12 hits and struck out four. Yankee pitcher George Mogridge threw 12 innings of relief after replacing starter Allen Russell in the 8th inning. Cleveland took the lead on a Smoky Joe Wood homer in the 19th and Coveleski pitched a perfect 19th to win the game.