Vida Blue’s Yankees debut that never was

Grant JacksonOn June 18, 1976, the Yankees played the White Sox in Chicago. The pitcher who was supposed to make his debut for them didn’t make it — he was barred from playing. But two southpaws recently acquired from the Orioles stepped up, and helped lead Billy Martin’s squad to a road victory.

The 1976 New York Yankees were a well-oiled machine. That team won 97 games and took home the AL pennant, defeating the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS during their first playoff appearance in 12 years. A World Series title wasn’t in the cards just yet, as they ran into the juggernaut that was the Big Red Machine in that particular Fall Classic.

That ballclub was an ode to the merits of depth,…