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Salvador (Sal) Anthony Yvars was born to Lena and Joaquin Yvars on February 20, 1924, on Houston Street in New York City. Six months later, his family moved to Valhalla, NY, where he resided most of the next 84 years. Sal Passed away on December 10, 2008. Sal grew up during the Depression. He made ends meet by caddying, planting flowers beside graves and working at the Dudyshyn nursery in Valhalla. He attended White Plains High School in Valhalla, lettering in football, basketball and baseball. He excelled in baseball as a shortstop and was considered one of the most talented and outstanding athletes at the time in the Tri-state NY metropolitan area. In the summer of 1942, New York Giants scout Nick Shinkoff signed the star shortstop to a contract to play Class D ball. Months later, Sal enlisted in the air force. He served three years, stationed in South Carolina, Georgia and Ohio. Honorably discharged in January 1946, Sal began his professional baseball career as a catcher for the Giants' Class B affiliate in Manchester, NH. He excelled and the next year helped the AAA Jersey City Little Giants win the pennant. While in the minor leagues, Sal compiled outstanding statistics and results. His cumulative minor league statistics which stretched over 5 seasons were 1409 AB, 239 Runs, 420 Hits, 67 Doubles, 13 Triples, 48 Home Runs, 276 RBI's and a .298 Batting Average. This performance ranked Sal very highly among many catchers of his day including Roy Campanella, Yogi Bera and others and earned Sal the right to be brought up to the Major Leagues. Sal debuted in the Major Leagues for the New York Giants on September 27, 1947, singling in Philadelphia. The next day, in White Plains, NY, he married his high school sweetheart Antoinette (Ann) D'Aleo. Sal remained with the Giants until 1953, primarily backing up catcher Wes Westrum, his friend and roommate. New York sold him to St. Louis where he played through 1954, retiring the next year. Sal finished his career with 418 at-bats, a .244 batting average, 10 home runs and 42 runs batted in. Sal's big moment in the Major Leagues came on October 10, 1951. The Giants trailed the Yankees three games to two in the World Series, and 4-3 in the sixth game. With two outs in the ninth inning and the tying run on second base, Sal came to bat and swung at the first pitch from Bob Kuzava, lining a sinking drive to right field. Hank Bauer made a diving catch, ending the Giants' season. Almost a hero, Sal later said: "Bobby Thomson got us into the World Series and I got us out."Thomson's "Shot Heard Round the World" had won the Giants the pennant over the Brooklyn Dodgers one week before. It was later revealed that the Giants had stolen signs through the second half of the 1951 season. Years after his retirement, Sal began to tell that he had been the player to relay the stolen signals to the Giants batters from the right-field bullpen. His assertions were later confirmed in the book "The Echoing Green" by Joshua Prager. In 1955, Sal entered the world of finance. He worked as an investment broker for the next 50 years at companies including G. H. Walker & Co., Shields & Company, Shearson, Smith Barney and UBS. His career in finance stretched over a 50 year period. While at G. H. Walker, Sal was a close friend of the principal owner George Herbert Walker who was the uncle of President George Herbert Walker Bush. After retiring from baseball, Sal was very active for over 50 years in charity work. At golf outings and dinners, he happily told stories from his playing days and never accepted payment. Sal, because of his vibrant personality, was often the "go to" person in contacting many celebrities, baseball, entertainment, and media personnel to participate in these golf tournaments and attract individuals and corporate sponsors. Among the many charities he supported were The Mary Fund, the Alan T. Brown Foundation to Cure Paralysis, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the March of Dimes, Long Island Charities, Make a Wish Foundation & numerous others. Sal was a former Commissioner of Baseball for the Kensico Little League in Valhalla. Sal was a Volunteer Firefighter for the Valhalla Fire Company # 1, a Third Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus in White Plains and a member of the Valhalla Kiwansis Club. Sal was inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame in 1976. Despite his celebrity, Sal was a private man. He enjoyed the simple pleasure of working around the house and sitting in his chair that overlooked his yard. He enjoyed trimming trees, fishing and observing birds. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of tending to his vegetable garden and his flowers— geraniums, begonias, impatiens. He connected to nature and was a man of the outdoors. Above all, he enjoyed time spent at home with his wife, his four children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Sal was a man of integrity. He was honest and spirited. He was strong physically and mentally. And he was a great husband, son, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Sal is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Antoinette (Ann) Yvars, as well as his children, Donna (John) Saldi of Valhalla, NY, Deborah (Don) DiLorenzo of Hawthorne, NY, David Yvars of Croton-on-Hudson, NY and Diane Yvars of Valhalla, NY, and his brother Jack Yvars of Valhalla, NY. He is also predeceased by his sister Theresa and brother John Yvars. He is survived by 5 cherished grandchildren Lisa, Joey, John, Diana & David & 3 great grandchildren Noelle, Gianna & Joseph, Jr. He is survived by several relatives & many extended family members, cousin & many wonderful friends. The family will receive friends at the Beecher Funeral Home in Pleasantville on Friday from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus R.C. Church in Valhalla on Saturday at 10 AM. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Sal's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Multiple Sclerosis Society.
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