Roster:
Bob Alford played left field for the Yanks in 1941. Originally from Kansas City, the 20 year old played in 1940 for the Neosho club in the Arkansas Missouri League. When that league folded he played for Junction City Kansas in the Ban Johnson League.
Arky Linnell was a 6'4" pitcher. He was from St. Joseph Missouri, played American Legion and semi-pro ball before joining the Norfolk club in 1941.
Meyer Buntz was a twenty year old pitcher from Mound City Missouri. He was signed by the Yankees after a rookie camp in Kansas City.
Jim Dyck was a nineteen year old pitcher in 1941. Born in Omaha he moved when he was seven years old to Jefferson City Missouri. He played second base for his American Legion team but moved to pitcher when signed by the Yankees. After spending some time as a pitcher Jim moved back to third base. Jim made it to the major leagues in 1951 at 29 years old with the St. Louis Browns. He played for six years in the majors for four different teams.
Hal Lowe was a nineteen year old shortstop from northeast Nebraska. Born on a farm near Brunswick Nebraska he played for four years for the Neligh Antelopes.
Fred Hanis was one of many men from Kansas City on the Norfolk team. The 21 year old third baseman played legion ball in Kansas City and for Manhatten Kansas in the Ban Johnson League. He was also the quarterback for St. Benedict College and was the youngest of nine children.
Ralph (Rosey) Rosengarten played for Sioux City in 1939. In 1940 he started the season with Palestine in the East Texas League and moved to Norfolk in July. Originally from Seneca Kansas, the twenty one year old pitcher had a 5-2 record for Norfolk in June.
Jim Griffin was the Norfolk utility player for 1941. Another Kansas City lad, Jim played every position except pitcher in 1941 for the Yanks. He played for Ward High School in Kansas city and with Neosho Mo. in the Arkansas Missouri League until it collapsed in 1940.
Second base in 1941 was handled by Joe Muffoletto a twenty year old player from Gary Indiana. He was born in Italy but moved to the US when he was fourteen months old. He worked for the Gary Steel mills in the off season.
Frank Bocek played center field for the Yanks in 1941. In June he had a six RBI game with two home runs. Batting almost .400 for the season the 21 year old from Kansas City was an outstanding prospect. Of course the outbreak of World War II impacted the careers of all of these young men.
Bob Duby was the regular in right field for Norfolk. Another Kansas City lad, he played American Legion ball before coming to Norfolk as an outfielder.
Leon Fiderlick was a 20 year old rookie pitcher from Iowa. Born in Fort Dodge and living on a farm near Calendar he played for the Gowrie semi pro club in 1940.
Walt Nasalik was an old man at 22 years old for the Norfolk club. He was a left handed pitcher who played for Bemidji Minnesota and Fayetteville Arkansas before coming to Norfolk in 1941.
Russell Messerly was the only married player on the Yanks roster in 1941. The 23 year old pitcher was from Ft. Dodge Iowa.
Gene Ready was a 19 year old infielder from St. Joseph Missouri. He started the 1941 season with St. Joseph in the Western Association but moved to Norfolk early in the season.
Ray (Rabbit) Powell was the manager of the Norfolk club in 1941. Originally from Arkansas the fifty year old manager had played for nine years in the majors from 1913-1924. He managed Shawnee Oklahoma in 1929-1930. He also coached for the Kansas City Blues, Easton Maryland and various clubs in the Arkansas Missouri League.