In his ML debut with the Yankees on April 25, 1933, Van Atta shut out the Senators 16-0 and went 4-for-4 at the plate. But after cutting his pitching hand the next winter, he was used mostly in relief. Sold to the Browns in May 1935, he led the AL with 58 appearances and six relief wins, and with 52 appearances (despite a 6.60 ERA) the following year.
