"A big blaster and big family man (eight children at last call-over), he's a great hustler with tremendous spirit. Cerv insisted on playing in 1959 with a broken jaw.
Born in Weston, Nebraska, he was first a Yankee in 1951 and had a high of .341 in 1955. Not given steady employment, he was traded to the Athletics in '57 and had a superb '58 season with 38 homers and 104 RBIs. Traded back to the Yanks in '60, he closed the year at .252 and 14 homers."
-Don Schiffer, Major League Baseball Handbook 1961
1960
April 22: Hits home run, triple and two singles against Indians.
May 15: Beats Tigers, 5-0, with two home runs.
May 19: Traded by A's to Yankees for Andy Carey.
May 22: Hits three-run homer in 9-7 win over A's.
May 26: Beats Orioles, 2-0, with RBI single.
June 28: Beats A's, 5-3, with pinch double.
July 7: Hits two-run pinch homer in win over Orioles.
August 26: Hits three-run homer in win over Indians.
August 27: Beats Indians, 3-0, with two RBIs on home run and single.
Comment: "Cerv is a thumper, good enough to play regularly elsewhere, who has helped the Yanks in spots."
-Joe Sheehan, Dell Sports Magazine Baseball, April 1961
"Reacquisition of big Bob Cerv from the Los Angeles Angels early this season greatly improved the Yankees' important bench strength. The husky, veteran slugger has filled in well in left field, at first base and as a pinch hitter. In the latter, Bob set a new American League record on July 15 when his pinch home run at Chicago not only helped the Yankees to a come-from-behind victory but was the 11th pinch round-tripper of his career. This tied him with Smoky Burgess of the Pirates among active players and leaves him three behind George Crowe's National and Major League record.
This is Bob's third tour of duty with the defending champions. He started in the Yankee organization, was traded to the A's, reacquired and then lost in the expansion draft last winter. Bob is 35 now, but a mighty valuable clutch ball player, at bat, in the field and on the bases. He's also champion father on the Yanks, with eight children back in Kansas City."
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
Robert Henry Cerv (OF) #17
Born May 5, 1925, in Weston, Nebraska, resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Height: 6-0, weight: 200. Bats right, throws right.
Married and the father of five girls, Sithay (12), Sandra (11), Denise (10), Karen (8) and Phyllis Ann (1), and three boys, Robert Jr. (7), Joe (3) and John (2).
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
"Bob Cerv is on his third tour of duty with the Yankees. Bob has power and can come off the bench with that big hit. His 12 career pinch homers are an American League record. Unfortunately, he is out of the Series with a knee injury that required surgery."
-1961 World Series Official Souvenir Program
