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The year 2025 is just a few hours from coming to its conclusion. Depending on where you live on this great big planet of ours, it might already be the new year. For the Eastern Time Zone though, this will be the last post of the year. It will be our annual dedication to the members of the Yankee family who left us in 2025.
Below is the outline of details of this exercise, excerpted from my original tribute,
December 31, 2022:
In this post, I’ll quickly run through the
Yankees we lost this year with at least some form of extended reading if you have any interest (the work of
Sam Gazdziak at
RIP Baseball is much appreciated here). Are some of these players mostly anonymous? Of course. But they were still someone’s brother, father, uncle, grandfather — you name it. If by some off-chance those relatives or friends stumble upon this corner of the internet, know that they are appreciated and remembered.
As I also wrote back then, most of these men wore Yankees pinstripes, just like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, and all the other legends who are no longer with us. Even if it was just for a day, imagine how amazing a feeling that must have been.
Sandy Alomar Sr. (2B)
October 19, 1943 – October 13, 2025
Yankees career: 1974-76
NYY statistics: 294 G, .248/.287/.302, 231 H, 40 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 46 SB, 70 OPS+
MLB honors: 1x All-Star (1970)
MLB.com obit
Josh covered the Alomar patriarch’s passing during the October 14th news roundup:
We close with the loss of a man who could have an argument for being Mr. Baseball. Sandy Alomar Sr. passed away over the weekend at the age of 81. Sandy saw two children make the majors, after his own 15 seasons in the bigs, with parts of three coming with the Yankees (1974-76, the last of which saw the Yankees win their first pennant in 12 years). He then spent another 16 years as a coach across a trio of MLB clubs, and continued to be a titan in Latin baseball development. Rest in peace, Sandy.
The Yankees mourn the passing of Sandy Alomar Sr. and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
pic.twitter.com/RiENK8Urg7
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
October 13, 2025
Brian Dayett (IF)
January 22, 1957 – September 7, 2025
Yankees career: 1983-84
NYY statistics: 75 G, .237/.288/.378, 37 H, 8 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 86 OPS+
RIP Baseball obit
Josh covered the Alomar patriarch’s passing during the September 9th news roundup:
A melancholy happy trails to former Cubs and Yankees outfielder Brian Dayett, who passed away Sunday at the age of 68 due to Parkinson’s disease complications. Dayett was drafted by the Yankees in the 16th round back in 1978, eventually spending two seasons with the club from 1983-84 (75 games in total) before being dealt to Chicago, where he spent the rest of his five-year career before playing in Japan and going into coaching. Our best wishes go to his family and friends.
Octavio Dotel (RHP)
November 23, 1975 – April 8, 2025
Yankees career: 2006
NYY statistics: 14 G, 10 IP, 10.80 ERA, 7 K, 7.65 FIP, 2.900 WHIP
MLB honors: 1x World Series champion (2011)
MLB.com obit
Kevin
memorialized Dotel with a full writeup on April 8th, and Kunj had an excerpt in the following morning’s news:
In case you missed the news yesterday, former MLB and Yankees pitcher Octavio Dotel passed away tragically yesterday. Dotel was one of many victims after a club collapsed in the Dominican Republic, though he was initially rescued alive, it seems he passed while being transferred to the hospital. Kevin has a longer, detailed write up on Dotel’s life here, please do give it a read.
The Yankees mourn the passing of former Yankees pitcher Octavio Dotel and extend our deepest condolences to Octavio’s family, friends and loved ones.
Our hearts are with all those impacted by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic
pic.twitter.com/9vO8Fg5Lrn
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
April 8, 2025
Lee Elia (IF, minors)
July 16, 1937 – July 9, 2025
Yankees career: 1969 (minors); 1989 (coach)
NYY statistics: Never played in majors with NYY
MLB honors: 1x World Series champion (1980, coach)
ESPN obit
We did not have any coverage of Elia’s passing at Pinstripe Alley in the moment, which is probably not too surprising since he was far more well known for his connections to other teams — especially the Cubs and Phillies, who he managed in the 1980s. But Elia did play for the Yankees’ Triple-A team in Syracuse in ‘69 toward the end of his on-field career, and later returned to the organization on manager Dallas Green’s coaching staff in ‘89.
The Hall of Fame remembers former major league infielder and longtime coach and manager Lee Elia, who passed away Wednesday.
pic.twitter.com/6ZRyLZeqmI
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
(@baseballhall)
July 10, 2025
Rich Hinton (LHP)
May 22, 1947 – August 7, 2025
Yankees career: 1972
NYY statistics: 7 G, 16.2 IP, 4.86 ERA, 13 K, 3.84 FIP, 1.680 WHIP
Newsweek obit
Matt covered Hinton’s passing during the September 2nd news roundup:
Former Yankee pitcher Rich Hinton passed away back in August at the age of 78. Hinton briefly played for the Yankees in 1972, but was an opponent of the team in 1976 as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, while he also pitched for three other teams in his nine-year career.
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Billy Hunter (SS)
June 4, 1928 – July 3, 2025
Yankees career: 1955-56
NYY statistics: 137 G, .239/.276/.327, 79 H, 10 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 63 OPS+
MLB honors: 1x All-Star (1953); 3x World Series champion (1956, with NYY; 1966 and 1970, coach); Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame (1996)
MLB.com obit
Kevin covered Hunter’s passing during the July 5th news roundup:
Bill Hunter, the last living member of both the St. Louis Browns and the inaugural 1954 Baltimore Orioles, has died at age 97. He was also a Yankee, having come to New York alongside Don Larsen and others in what became a 16-player trade. In 1955, Hunter was the club’s starting shortstop and won a World Series title with the Yanks in 1956, his final season in New York. After his playing career ended, Hunter spent 13 seasons as the Orioles’ third base coach. The condolences of everyone here at Pinstripe Alley go out to Bill Hunter’s friends and family.
The Hall of Fame remembers All-Star shortstop and 1956 World Series champion Billy Hunter, who passed away at the age of 97.
Hunter was the last surviving member of the St. Louis Browns franchise and inaugural 1954
@Orioles team.
pic.twitter.com/AVgFEnXPCB
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
(@baseballhall)
July 4, 2025
Andy Kosco (RF/1B)
October 5, 1941 – December 19, 2025
Yankees career: 1968
NYY statistics: 131 G, .240/.268/.382, 19 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 100 OPS+
MLBTR obit
Peter covered Kosco’s passing during the December 24th news roundup:
Former Yankees outfielder Andy Kosco has passed away at the age of 84. He played 131 games for the Yankees in 1968, batting .240 with 15 home runs, and his most notable moment came when he replaced Mickey Mantle at first base in the Hall of Famer’s final game on September 28, 1968. The Yankees would trade Kosco to the Dodgers for pitcher Mike Kekich following the end of that season, and the Dodgers would later flip him to the Brewers in 1971 for another former Yankee in Al Downing.
The Yankees mourn the passing of Andy Kosco and extend our deepest condolences to Andy's family, friends and loved ones.
pic.twitter.com/NR3DXdx22V
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
December 23, 2025
Terry Ley (LHP)
February 21, 1947 – August 30, 2025
Yankees career: 1971
NYY statistics: 6 G, 9 IP, 5.00 ERA, 7 K, 6.01 FIP, 2.000 WHIP
Obit
We missed covering Ley’s passing in our normal news writeups, but SABR’s Max Effgen had a very nice remembrance of him that we’ll link to here:
Godspeed Terry Ley (1947-2025)
New York Yankees 1971
#RepBX
Terrence Richard Ley, born on February 21, 1947, in Portland, Oregon, was a left-handed pitcher whose MLB career lasted six games in relief for the New York Yankees in 1971. Ley's journey began in high school at…
pic.twitter.com/kmWF1T8G4s
— Max Effgen (@maxeffgen)
November 4, 2025
Jesús Montero (C/DH)
November 28, 1989 – October 19, 2025
Yankees career: 2011
NYY statistics: 18 G, .328/.406/.590, 20 H, 4 2B, 4 HR, 163 OPS+
MLB.com obit
I
memorialized Montero with a full writeup on October 19th, and Josh had an excerpt in the following morning’s news:
By now you likely know that one-time top Yankee prospect Jesús Montero died over the weekend, after complications from a motorcycle collision in his native Venezuela. Andrew wrote up the news for us yesterday as well. Montero was just 35 years old. Montero spent a year with the Yankees at the major league level, and four with the Seattle Mariners. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.
The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero. We send our sincerest condolences to his family & loved ones.
pic.twitter.com/jlfUpPmgMt
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
October 19, 2025
Nate Oliver (2B/SS)
December 13, 1940 – April 5, 2025
Yankees career: 1969
NYY statistics: 1 G, 0-for-1
MLB honors: 2x World Series champion (1963, 1965)
RIP Baseball obit
Nick covered Oliver’s passing during the April 12th news roundup:
Nate Oliver, a seven-year MLB veteran who briefly appeared with the Yankees, passed away on April 5th at the age of 84. The middle infielder played for the Dodgers from 1963 to 1967, including an appearance as a pinch-runner in the 1966 World Series. He appeared in one game for the Yankees in 1969 before spending time with the Cubs in that, his final, season. Oliver was also known for his singing voice, having performed the national anthem before games in the Dodgers, Angels, Reds, and Athletics’ ballparks — one time even filling in for Ella Fitzgerald. Rest in peace.
Former Dodger infielder Nate Oliver, who was part of the Dodgers' run of World Series teams from 1963-1966, has passed away.
https://t.co/YQ0ONPmtNh
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider)
April 10, 2025
Art Schallock (LHP)
April 25, 1924 – March 6, 2025
Yankees career: 1951-55
NYY statistics: 28 G, 90 IP, 3.90 ERA, 44 K, 4.54 FIP, 1.733 WHIP
MLB honors: 3x World Series champion (1951-53, with NYY)
MLB.com obit
Nick covered Schallock’s passing during the March 9th news roundup:
We join the baseball world in celebrating the life of Art Shallock, the pitcher who spent parts of five seasons with the Yankees and held the distinction of oldest living ex-MLB player before his death Thursday at the age of 100. Shallock, who pitched for the Yankees in the 1953 World Series, was roommates with Yogi Berra and replaced Mickey Mantle on the Yankees’ roster upon his initial call-up. He visited with the team last season when they played in San Francisco, talking with Anthony Rizzo and Aaron Boone in his first appearance at an MLB stadium in over 40 years. Schallock is survived by two children and five grandchildren.
The Yankees mourn the passing of former Yankees pitcher Art Schallock and extend our deepest condolences to Art’s family, friends, and loved ones. Art, who won 3 World Series rings with the Yankees from 1951 to 1953, turned 100 this past April and had been MLB’s oldest living…
pic.twitter.com/0CBtBbEdi5
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
March 9, 2025
Other Notable Yankees Figures Lost in 2025
Lou Cucuzza Sr.
November 19, 1938 – February 22, 2025
Former Yankees Visiting Clubhouse manager (
obit)
Kevin covered Cucuzza’s passing during the February 24th news roundup:
Lou Cucuzza, Sr. passed away Sunday at the age of 86. Cucuzza, whose two sons currently work for the Yankees, was the Visiting Clubhouse manager for the Yankees, for whom he worked for 35 years until his retirement. The Yankees, in their statement mourning his death, noted Cucuzza’s long service and impact on baseball. Rest in peace.
The Yankees mourn the passing of Lou Cucuzza, Sr., who was the patriarch of the Cucuzza baseball family and a proud and loyal New York Yankees employee for more than 35 years. Lou was a fixture in the Visiting Clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, and his attentiveness to opposing team…
pic.twitter.com/KpfSsqaPqf
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
February 23, 2025
Joe Fosina
December 3, 1936 – July 8, 2025
Former Yankees uniform reconditioner (
obit)
Tonight we held a moment of silence to remember Joe Fosina, a member of the Yankees family for over 40 years
As the uniform reconditioner, Joe would tailor, fix, clean, and do whatever was needed when uniforms needed to be altered. A U.S. Army veteran, Joe was also a huge…
pic.twitter.com/p6hYdV2eSQ
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
July 10, 2025
Miller Gardner
October 24, 2010 – March 21, 2025
Son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner (
obit)
Josh covered Miller Gardner’s passing during the March 24th news roundup:
By now I’m sure you’re all aware of the news that former Yankees All-Star outfielder Brett Gardner’s son Miller has passed away after a sudden illness while on vacation. He was just 14 years old. There isn’t really anything you can say at times like this, so I’ll just leave it there. Our hearts as a blog go out to Brett, Jessica, Hunter, and the rest of Miller’s family and loved ones.
Statement from Brett and Jessica Gardner:
With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many…
pic.twitter.com/lBCBVmKGUe
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
March 23, 2025
Dick Groch
November 14, 1940 – October 1, 2025
Former Yankees scout (
obit)
Nick covered Groch’s passing during the October 3rd news roundup:
Our condolences to the family of the late Dick Groch, who died Wednesday, per MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy. The longtime Yankees scout is perhaps best known for his emphatic urging for the team to draft Derek Jeter with its sixth pick in the 1992 amateur draft. “He’s not going to the University of Michigan,” he famously told Yankees brass to allay their concerns that the shortstop was going to honor his outstanding commitment to the college instead of signing out of high school. “The only place Derek Jeter is going is Cooperstown.”
Before tonight's game, we held a moment of silence to remember longtime baseball evaluator and former New York Yankees Scout Dick Groch
Groch gained his most notoriety as the Yankees Scout that convinced the Front Office to draft Derek Jeter. He famously said about Jeter:…
pic.twitter.com/3bQfFkJ5vn
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
October 2, 2025
RIP Dick Groch. My Yankees scout who believed in me and signed me. Thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter)
October 2, 2025
Jeff Torborg
November 26, 1941 – January 19, 2025
Former Yankees coach (
obit)
MLB honors: 1x World Series champion (1965); 1x AL Manager of the Year (1990)
Matt covered Torborg’s passing during the January 20th news roundup:
It was announced on Sunday that former MLB player and manager Jeff Torborg has passed away at the age of 83. While he is most known for his stints as manager of the White Sox, Mets, and other teams, the New Jersey native also spent a long time as a pitching and bullpen coach on the Yankees’ staff in the 1970s and ‘80s. We send our best wishes to his loved ones.
The Hall of Fame remembers 1965 World Series champion and 1990 AL Manager of the Year Jeff Torborg, who passed away Sunday morning.
A 10-year veteran of the Dodgers and Angels, Torborg caught Sandy Koufax's perfect game, Bill Singer's no-hitter and Nolan Ryan's first no-hitter.
pic.twitter.com/PdLdY0f9sQ
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
(@baseballhall)
January 20, 2025
Special thanks to SABR, Sam Gazdziak, Max Effgen, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
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