Mike Gazella

Michael Gazella

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 7½", Weight 165 lb.
• School Lafayette College, Mansfield Classical Seminary
• Debut July 2, 1923
• Final Game September 30, 1928
• Born October 13, 1895 in Olyphant, PA USA
• Died September 11, 1978 in Odessa, TX USA

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Biographical Information

Mike Gazella was one of the least-known players on perhaps the most famous team of all time, the New York Yankees of 1927. He played 54 games at third base and shortstop, hitting .278. His major league career was all with the Yankees, in 1923 and from 1926 to 1928. He did not appear in the 1927 World Series, but was in the 1926 World Series for one game without an at-bat. The Yankees reached the World Series in all four seasons in which he appeared with them, and 1926 was the only one they lost - in addition to being the only one in which he appeared in a game.

Gazella is described as a hard-nosed, scrappy guy who once told off the whole Yankee team when he felt they weren't playing up to their ability.

He was both a football and a baseball star at Lafayette College, which he attended from 1920-1923.

He played with the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association in 1923.

Gazella scouted for the Yankees in the late 1940s.

Notable Achievements

• Won three World Series with the New York Yankees (1923, 1927 & 1928; he played in none of the three World Series)

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1935	Ponca City Angels	Western Association	76-55	2nd	Chicago Cubs	League Champs
1936	Ponca City Angels	Western Association	87-57	1st	Chicago Cubs	League Champs
1937	Moline Plowboys	Three-I League	74-41	2nd	Chicago Cubs	League Champs
1938	Moline Plowboys	Three-I League	67-59	3rd	Chicago Cubs	Lost League Finals
1939	Moline Plowboys	Three-I League	49-73	6th (t)	Chicago Cubs
1940	Moline Plowboys	Three-I League	46-78	7th	Chicago Cubs
1947	Ventura Yankees	California League		--	New York Yankees	--	replaced by Johnny Sturm in June
1948	Denver Bears	Western League	70-67	2nd	Hollywood Stars	Lost in 1st round
1949	Denver Bears	Western League	41-49	--	Boston Braves	--	replaced by William DeCarlo (4-2) on July 23

Related Sites

• A 1978 audio interview with Mike Gazella