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On February 9, 2007 Hank Bauer passed after a long battle with lung cancer. It was Hank Bauer who christened MINT PROS and gave us the opportunity to build on his name and reputation. Hank meant much more to me that the first athlete to join the MINT PROS roster.
I recall sitting down with him at the Sheraton Hotel In New York City on the eve of Old timers Day At Yankee Stadium in 2004 and him telling me stories about his friendship with Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. I had mentioned to him about my idea of forming a web site that would serve retired athletes in various ways and that if it succeeded could be very financially beneficial to those athletes who did not make very much money during their playing days. Hank was very positive to this idea and without hesitation and in his unique style said, “Lets do it”After attending the Old timers dinner, I walked with Hank, Moose Skowron and Jim Leyritz back to the Sheraton. It was about 1:30 am. I could see, in front of the hotel, a few autograph hounds that were waiting for the athletes to come back. As one fan approached Hank and asked him to sign a photo, I could see that Hank was tired and did not want to start signing autographs at this time. “Do you know its almost 2:00 in the morning” he said in that raspy Marine voice, “Shouldn't you be home with your family …etc…etc..” As the fan backed off, Hank grabbed the photo and said, “Where do you want me to sign?”. He then gave the fan that familiar and unforgettable “Hank smile” and told him, “Now you owe me a beer” and walked into the hotel.
That moment with the fan summed up my friendship with Hank. He portrayed his tough, decorated Marine exterior but anyone who knew Hank could testify that inside, he was truly a kind and thoughtful person who treated friends and fans with respect.
My friendship does not end with his death. Because of the memories he has left, all of us on and off the field, he will always be remembered and each
moment spent with him will be cherished.
Semper Fideis Old friend
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This web site is dedicated to the memory of World Series Record for Consecutive Game Hit Streak (17 Games) |
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“It’s no fun playing if you don’t make somebody else unhappy. I do everything hard.”
Hank Bauer
"Hank Bauer is an emblem of a generation that helped shape the landscape of our country. He was a natural leader and a teammate in every sense of the word, and his contributions went well beyond the baseball field. His service to the Yankees, his country, and his family shows why I have been so privileged to call him a friend."
George M. Steinbrenner, New York Yankees
“He was a hell of a man," "He didn't take any garbage from anybody. He gave me hell, but he made me a better player. He made a lot of guys better players”
Moose Skowron, New York Yankees teammate and best friend
"I am truly heartbroken," “When he was on the field, you were his enemy," "Off the field he was . . . one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.
But on the field, it was his job”
Yogi Berra, New York Yankees teammate
“He was a tough dude," "He was a leader in his way. He helped a lot of people get used to that New York environment. He was a tough person. Thank God he wasn't mean. When he walked onto that field, business started."
Don Larsen, New York Yankees teammate
“Bauer's presence was one of the key reasons the Yankees won throughout the 1950s, while the Red Sox did not”
Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox, Hall Of Famer
"He played on some of the greatest teams that ever played and brought the Orioles their first World Series title," "That's saying something. He was a players' manager. He didn't overcomplicate things.
"He was my first manager in the major leagues. He gave me my first opportunity (in 1965) when he could have kept other people. I was lucky; he was a Jim Palmer fan. You can't get in the Hall of Fame without your first chance."
Jim Palmer, Baltimore Orioles, Hall of Famer
“He taught me how to dress, how to talk and how to drink”
Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees, Hall of Famer
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