Happy Birthday To Norwood's Gene Michael

NORWOOD, N.J. -- Happy birthday to former baseball player, coach, manager and scout Gene Michael, who lived in Norwood during much of his career with the Yankees. He turns 79 this Friday, June 2.

Gene Michael -- seen here receiving the AL Bobby Murcer Award on behalf of the Yankees in 2014 -- turns 79 this week.
Photo Credit: *Arturo Pardavila III, Wikimedia Commons*

Here's Gene Michael's 1968 Topps card.
Photo Credit: *Yardsellr New York Yankees Block Facebook*

Cecilia Levine

06/02/2017 5:00 a.m.

Michael earned the nickname "Stick" early on, for his skinniness. He played basketball and baseball for Kent State. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but only played for them one year. He played basketball that winter, then was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He would stay with the Dodgers for only one season as well, then going to the Yankees, where he would fill various roles over the next few decades.

Michael played for the Yankees for seven seasons, was later a coach, manager and general manager. He was then a VP of major-league scouting for the franchise, and moved to VP and senior adviser in 2003.

He currently lives in Upper Saddle River.

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