Clete Boyer - Early Career

Early Career

Boyer was originally scouted by the New York Yankees from high school. But because the Yankees signed two other "bonus babies", prior to scouting Boyer; Frank Leja and Tommy Carroll, the Yankees decided that they couldn't sign Boyer due to the rules in which highly touted "bonus babies" have to be in a Major League roster for two seasons. Knowing Boyer might become a potential star, the general manager of the Yankees, George Weiss contacted the general manager of the Kansas City Athletics, Parke Carroll who the Yankees had a friendly relationship with, to sign Boyer with the final intention of getting Boyer eventually. Boyer broke into the major leagues in 1955 as a utility infielder at age 18. With no minor league experience, he played a total of 124 games for the Kansas City Athletics from 1955 to 1957.

On June 4, 1957 the Athletics traded Boyer to the Yankees to complete a deal that had been made prior to the start of the season. On February 19, the Athletics had dealt five players, including pitchers Bobby Shantz and Art Ditmar to the Yankees for seven players, most notably Irv Noren and Billy Hunter. The trade also involved three players to be named later, two going to the Yankees, and one to the Athletics. One of the players to be named was Boyer, succeeding Weiss original intent of making Boyer a Yankee.