Former Yankees Southpaw, Olympic Trailblazer, Dies After Pioneering Career

BusinessSportsMoneyFormer Yankees Southpaw, Olympic Trailblazer, Dies After Pioneering CareerByPeter Chawaga,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball.Follow AuthorJun 13, 2026, 08:53am EDTATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: The New York logo is displayed on a hat during the MLB game between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves on August 14, 2023 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThough his time with the New York Yankees organization was relatively short, baseball history will remember a trailblazing left-hander who pitched for the team across two seasons in the early 1970s.According to Baseball Almanac, former Yankees pitcher, collegiate standout and Olympic baseball pioneer Al Closter has died at the age of 84.While Closter never became a household name during his professional baseball career, his path through the game included a stint in the major leagues, connections to several prominent organizations and a unique place in international baseball history.ForbesDodgers Decline White House Visit Inquiry After Donald Trump’s Knicks ReceptionBy Peter ChawagaNew York Yankees’ Late Pitcher, Al Closter, Represented Team USA At 1964 Tokyo OlympicsCloster’s professional journey took several unusual turns early in his career. MORE FOR YOUAfter declining a two-sport offer to play at his local school, Creighton University, Closter played baseball for Iowa State University before he was taken in the 1965 Rule 5 draft by the Cleveland Indians.The next year, the Washington Senators purchased Closter's contract. He played only one game in the Senators organization, pitching just one-third of an inning against the Baltimore Orioles in his MLB debut, then his contract was purchased by the Yankees in 1966.But before becoming a professional pitcher, Closter had already achieved somethin...