Michael D. Ferraro obit

Michael D. Ferraro Obituary 

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Las Vegas – Michael D Ferraro, 79, of Kingston NY passed away on Saturday July 20, 2024, at the Nathan Adelson Hospice Center in Las Vegas NV. Born August 18, 1944 in Kingston NY; he is the son of the late Peter and Yolanda (Sisco) Ferraro. Mike brought a great sense of pride to his family and friends because of what his father termed as a million to one chance. Michael’s life and achievements were based on his childhood drive to play for the New York Yankees from the time he was 7 years old. Trying to sign up for little league on his own, being too young, his career started with him as batboy to help subside his disappointment. As a three sport letter winner at Kingston High School, it moved to the next level, when on graduation night in 1962, he signed his first contract with the New York Yankees and was off to the rookie league in Florida the next day. Winning the JP Dawson Award in the spring of 1968 for the outstanding rookie, he started at third base on opening day of that year. Mike’s career in baseball included time with the Milwaukee Brewers, and probably the best team he was a part of, the Rochester Red Wings in the Baltimore organization in 1971. Moving back to the Yankees in the middle 70’s developed into an outstanding managerial progression at each minor league level and the coaching positions, again with the major league Yankees. A shot at managing with the Cleveland Indians, and coaching with the Kansas City Royals, and subsequently filling in to manage the team in the latter part of 1986; is merely a broad stroke to capture his incredible life.

The stories that are left behind are great memories for his family and will be shared as often as possible. Mike was predeceased by his loving wife of 42 years, Mary K (Schadeberg) Ferraro and his older brother Ronald P Ferraro. He is survived by his children Michele G Ferraro of Kingston NY, and Michael D Ferraro and his wife Lori (McCabe) Ferraro residing in Cheshire CT, and two incredible grandchildren Charley, and Cole. He is also survived by his brother Peter K Ferraro of Kingston NY. Cousins, nieces and nephews also survive to help keep his memory alive.

A memorial service will be held at Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church on August 9th at 11am.Cremation arrangements are under the guidance of Affordable Cremation and Burial Service, 2127 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas NV 89102.Any gifts in his remembrance should be made to the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation at https://arizzofoundation.org When making a donation, please use the email:mdfdonation@aol.com.

Mike was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He played for the New York Yankees (1966; 1968) and the Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers (1969; 1972). Ferraro threw and batted right-handed, stood 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and weighed 175 pounds (79 kg).

Ferraro attended Kingston High School in Kingston, New York, where he played baseball, basketball and football. As a senior in high school, he led all of Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Orange Counties with a .585 batting average on the baseball field and with 21.5 points per game on the basketball court.

Ferraro was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Yankees, where he would have two stints in the Majors with New York. He was left unprotected in the 1968 expansion draft, and he was selected by the Seattle Pilots, but after only five games and four at-bats, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, where he spent two years in the minors. However, in October 1971, Ferraro was traded back to the Brewers (the Pilots moved to Milwaukee after only one season in Seattle), where he would play his only season as a regular player. He played in 124 games during the 1972 season, batting .255 with two home runs and 29 RBI. He was dealt by the Brewers to the Minnesota Twins for Ken Reynolds on March 28, 1973, but was promptly released. He tried one last comeback with the Yankees in 1974, but he never made it back to the Majors.

After his playing career ended, Ferraro turned to managing in the Yankee farm system in 1974, and he was highly successful in his five-year career (through 1978), winning pennants at Class A, Double-A and Triple-A levels. In 1979, he became the Yankees' third-base coach. Ferraro was involved in a controversial play during Game 2 of the 1980 American League Championship Series. Willie Randolph was on second base in the top of the eighth with two outs and the Yankees down by a run. Bob Watson hit a ball to the left field corner of Royals Stadium. The ball bounced right to Willie Wilson, but Wilson was not known for having a great arm, and Ferraro waved Randolph home. Wilson overthrew U L Washington, the cut-off man, but George Brett was in position behind him to catch the ball, then throw to Darrell Porter, who tagged out Randolph in a slide. TV cameras captured a furious George Steinbrenner fuming immediately after the play. The Yankees lost the game 3–2, then lost the series in three games. After the game, Steinbrenner publicly criticized Ferraro for the call. Steinbrenner wanted Ferraro fired immediately, but manager Dick Howser stuck up for him and refused to do so. Tommy John said that, "By refusing to fire Ferraro, Howser sealed his fate as Yankee manager."

 

As Player

New York Yankees (1966, 1968)

Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers (1969, 1972)

Fort Lauderdale Yankees

Shelby Colonels

Columbus Confederate Yankees

Toledo Mud Hens

Syracuse Chiefs

Spokane Indians

Tacoma Twins

 

As Coach

 

New York Yankees (1979–1982)

Kansas City Royals (1984–1986)

New York Yankees (1987–1991)

Baltimore Orioles (1993)

As Manager

 

Cleveland Indians (1983)

Kansas City Royals (1986)