THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 6: Danny Tartabull signs 5-year, $25M deal with Yankees

Looking to add some badly needed thump to their lineup, the Yankees signed slugging outfielder Danny Tartabull to a five-year, $25 million contract on this day in béisbol, January 6, 1992.

New York was coming off three straight losing years when they added Tartabull, who was coming off an all-star season with the Kansas City Royals with 31 homers, 100 RBI and a .316.397/.593 slash line.

Tartabull, 29, son of former major leaguer Jose Tartabull, hit 25 home runs with 85 RBI in an injury-shortened first year in New York. Already known as a clubhouse malcontent, he soon wore out his welcome and clashed with owner George Steinbrenner and manager Buck Showalter before the Yankees traded him to the Oakland A’s in the middle of the 1995 season.

Tartabull played a season each with the White Sox and Phillies before leaving the game at age 34.

Also on this day: In 2015, Pedro Martinez was among a trio of elite pitchers, including Randy Johnson and John Smoltz ,who were inducted into the Hall of Fame on their first try.

Indiana Blue Sox, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons