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Bud Daley, a key player in the New York Yankees’ 1961 World Series victory over the Cincinnati Reds, has passed away at 92, as announced by the Yankees. Daley’s ten-year Major League career included stints with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, and the Yankees. He contributed to two World Series-winning teams for the Yankees in 1961 and 1962 and was named an All-Star for Kansas City in 1959 and 1960, during a time when both leagues held two All-Star games each season.
His standout performance occurred on October 9, 1961, when, facing elimination, he relieved starter Ralph Terry in Game 5. Daley pitched an impressive 6.2 innings, giving up just two runs (none earned) and helping the Yankees secure a 13-5 victory to clinch the championship.
Daley's appearances
The following year, Daley made 43 appearances for the Yankees, including a scoreless relief outing in Game 2 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants.
Over his career from 1955 to 1964, he posted a record of 60-64 with a 4.03 ERA in 248 games, including 116 starts.
Daley's journey
Originally from Orange, California, Daley grew up near San Diego and didn’t play organized baseball until high school. By his senior year at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, he was excelling both as a hitter, with a .450 batting average, and as a pitcher, boasting an 11-1 record. After being scouted by nearly every Major League team, Daley chose to sign with the Cleveland Indians, inspired by Hall of Famer Bob Lemon, who also hailed from his high school. He spent parts of five seasons in the minors before making his big league debut in September 1955 with the Indians, alternating between the majors and their Triple-A affiliate.
In 1958, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles but quickly moved to the Kansas City Athletics, where he enjoyed success, earning All-Star honors in 1959 and 1960. In June 1961, he joined the Yankees in a trade that surprised him when a teammate overheard the details.
Daley relocated to Wyoming in 1975 and is survived by his wife, Dorothy, four children, eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
