Nov. 26, 1962 - The New York Yankees moved into the spotlight today as the minor league convention opened in Rochester by swinging one of their most important player deals in years. The world champions traded Bill Skowron (pictured left with Roger Maris), their top-flight first baseman for eight seasons, to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Stan Williams, a 26-year-old right-handed pitcher. “As you know,” said Yankees general manager Roy Hamey, “we have been trying hard to land a strong pitcher, and with this deal we think we have made it.” Williams joined the Dodgers in 1958 after three years with St. Paul. He appeared in 40 games last season, pitched 186 innings, and finished with a 14-12 record and a 4.45 earned run average. Regarding first base, now vacated by the hard-hitting, 31-year-old Skowron, manager Ralph Houk said he thought Joe Pepitone, the 22-year-old Brooklyn lad, was ready to take over there as a regular. In the Dodger camp, General Manager Buzzie Bavasi said, “We needed strengthening at first base. I am certain Skowron and his bat will give it to us.” The Moose, a one-time Purdue football player, signed with the Yankee organization in 1951.
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