Bahnsen was drafted out of the University of Nebraska by the New York Yankees in the fourth round of the 1965 Major League Baseball Draft. After two seasons in the minor leagues, in which he went 12-9 with a 2.87 earned run average, he received his first call up to the majors in September 1966. In four games with the Yanks, he was 1-1 with a save and 3.52 ERA. He earned an invitation to Spring training camp in 1967, but was assigned to the triple A Syracuse Chiefs.\n', '

After arriving at camp late due to an army commitment, Bahnsen was given a second chance at a roster spot in 1968. He made the club, and proceeded to go 17-12 with a team best 2.05 ERA and struck out a career-high 162 batters to be named the American League Rookie of the Year. His finest performance of the season and only shutout came on August 1 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. He struck out twelve, while allowing only three hits and walking no one.\n', '

Bahnsen spent three more seasons with the Yankees, never matching his rookie success. Perhaps the most famous moment of his Yankee career from that point forward was a brawl with the Cleveland Indians Vada Pinson in which he was knocked down with one punch. Following the 1971 season, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for infielder Rich McKinney.\n', '

Return to Stan Bahnsen Autograph Profile