Yankees Birthday of the Day: Brandon Claussen
Happy 47th birthday to a man whose brief Yankees tenure still impacts the club today.
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Pitcher Brandon Claussen #77 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during the Yankees' spring training Media Day on February 21, 2003 at Legends Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images Brian Cashman was ready for a change. A 36-year-old Robin Ventura was showing signs of wear, slashing just .
251/. 344/. 392.
On a star-studded Yankees roster, his spot at third base seemed the most plausible position to upgrade. It just so happened that the Reds were in the midst of a fire sale and were looking to move a third baseman of their own, one six years younger and in the middle of a career year. In separate moves, the Yankees GM spun Ventura off to the Dodgers and swung a deal with Cincinnati to replace him with one Aaron Boone.
Cashman could never imagine how integral Boone would be to his team’s fortunes over the next two-plus decades. What he did know was that, to acquire him, he’d need to part with his most promising pitching prospect. Brandon Allen Falker Claussen Born: May 1, 1979 (Rapid City, SD) Yankees Tenure: 2003 Brandon Claussen did not begin his journey in pro ball with much fanfare.
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