1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Hal Reniff (1961 Rookie Card)

Although somewhat unusual for a young pitcher to be trained as a relief specialist, this 21-year-old was 4-2 at AAA Richmond in 23 games this year, with only one starting assignment before being summoned to New York in early June.

Hal became a top Yankee pitching prospect at Modesto of the California League in 1959 with a 21-7 record with a 3.19 ERA and 143 strikeouts. He followed that in '60 with a 10-6 mark at Class A Binghamton with a 2.65 ERA and 137 strikeouts.