"Last year was Joe DeMaestri's tenth season in the American League ... and he resolved that it was to be his last year of baseball. Not that Joe didn't like the game. No, it wasn't that at all. But he had three youngsters growing up in San Anselmo, California and he had a fine prospective business to go into with his family.
And then, Joe played on a first division team for the first time in his career, and a championship club, at that. Joe didn't get to play too much, but he was the Yankees' valued utility man in the infield. He drove in just two runs, but each won a ball game.
When the league expanded and Gil McDougald indicated he was going to retire, General Manager H. Roy Hamey determined to keep an outstanding experienced utility infielder, and Joe DeMaestri was his man. And Joe responded with enthusiasm. In fact, he was the first Yankee to sign last winter.
He is primarily a shortstop, but he'll do a competent job at second and third."
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
Joseph Paul DeMaestri (SS) #20
Born December 9, 1928, in San Francisco, California, resides in San Anselmo, California. Height: 6-0, weight: 178. Bats right, throws right.
Married and father of two girls, Christine (9) and Donna (2), and one boy, Joseph (7).
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
"With the retirement of Gil McDougald, veteran infielder Joe DeMaestri became one of the Yankees' 'untouchables.'
The 32-year-old native of San Francisco can play second, short or third. He has a strong arm and roams the diamond in graceful fashion for a six-footer.
Joe came to the Yankees during the winter of 1959-60 in the Roger Maris deal with Kansas City. He had been with the Athletics for seven seasons (five in K.C. and two in Philadelphia) and previously saw service with the White Sox and old St. Louis Browns.
DeMaestri appeared in 49 box scores last season and batted .229 with eight hits in 35 trips to the plate. He batted in two runs but they helped the Yanks win an important game. Last season was his first without a home run since coming into the American League in 1951. In all, he has had 49 AL circuit clouts.
DeMaestri was the league's top fielding shortstop in both 1957 and 1958. His top batting mark was .255 with the Philly A's in 1953.
While he doesn't figure to break into the regular lineup, Joe will be ready, willing and more than able to step in whenever he is needed."
-New York Yankees 1961 Yearbook (Jay Publishing Co.)
"The 1960 season was Joe DeMaestri's tenth season in the American League and he resolved that it was to be his last year in baseball. Not that Joe didn't like the game. No, it wasn't that at all. But he had three youngsters growing up in San Anselmo, California and he had a fine prospective business to go into with his family.
And then, Joe played on a first division team for the first time in his career, and a championship club, at that. Joe didn't get to play too much, but he was the Yankees' valued first utility man in the infield. He drove in just two runs, but each won a ball game.
When the league expanded and Gil McDougald indicated he was going to retire, General Manager Roy Hamey determined to keep an outstanding, experienced utility infielder and Joe DeMaestri was his man.
Joe responded with enthusiasm. In fact, he was the first Yankee to sign last winter. He is primarily a shortstop but he'll do a competent job at second and third.
Joe played with the White Sox, Browns, Philadelphia A's and Kansas City A's before going to the Yankees in 1960.
He is 32, six feet, 178 pounds, is married and has two girls and one boy."
-1961 World Series Official Souvenir Program
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