1969 New York Yankees
Table of Contents
Follow Us| The final standing | 5th in AL East |
| Regular season record | 80-81 (.497) |
| Post-season record | Did not qualify |
| Divisional rank | 5th |
| ALDS record and opponent | Did not play |
| AL rank | 7th |
| ALCS record and opponent | Did not play |
| World Series record and opponent | Did not play |
| Manager | Ralph Houk |
| Captain | – |
| Top batter | Home run: Joe Pepitone (27), Bobby Murcer (23), Frank Fernández (12) BA: Roy White (.290), Horace Clarke (.285), Gene Michael (.272) Runs: Horace Clarke (82), Bobby Murcer (82), Roy White (55), Jerry Kenney (49) RBI: Bobby Murcer (82), Roy White (74), Joe Pepitone (70) |
| Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA) | Mel Stottlemyre: 20-14, 2.82 Fritz Peterson: 17-16, 2.55 |
| Attendance record | 1,067,996 (4th of 12) |
1969 New York Yankees season: A summary
The 1969 New York Yankees, managed by Ralph Houk, concluded their 67th season with a fifth-place finish in the newly established American League East. The team scored 80–81, falling short of a playoff berth by 28½ games behind the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium, finishing with a home record of 48–32 and a road record of 32–49–1. Under the leadership of General Manager Lee MacPhail and Farm Director George Pfister, the team saw significant changes in the inaugural “Divisional Era,” marked by the expansion of leagues from 10 to 12 teams and the introduction of two six-team divisions. Notably, rule changes, including lowering the mound and adjusting the strike zone, were implemented to counteract the pitching dominance of previous seasons. The season drew an attendance of 1,067,996 but did not result in a playoff appearance for the Yankees.
1969 New York Yankees vs. Senators on the day man walks on the moon
On an ordinary July 20, 1969, during the 98th game of the season, the New York Yankees experienced a remarkable moment that transcended the realm of baseball. While facing the Washington Senators at Yankee Stadium, the game took an unexpected pause in the eighth inning. Umpire Ron Luciano halted play at 4:18 p.m., and the public address announcer, Bob Sheppard, delivered news that captured the attention of 34,000 spectators.
In a moment of historic significance, Sheppard announced, “You will be happy to know that Apollo 11 has landed safely on the moon.” The crowd erupted with joy, waving bats from Bat Day at Yankee Stadium. The scoreboard confirmed the news: “Theyre [sic] on the moon.”
As fans celebrated the astronauts’ achievement, including Neil Armstrong’s iconic words, “The Eagle has landed,” the players, seemingly confused and impatient, focused on the game. A moment of silent prayer for the astronauts’ safety followed, accompanied by the organist’s rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
Returning to the game tied at 2-2 in the eighth inning, the tension on the field dissipated after a crucial defensive play by the Yankees. Pitcher Jack Aker induced a double play, ending the inning and keeping the game alive.
The game unfolded with additional twists and turns, including an 11th-inning rally by the Yankees.Roy White‘s double and a subsequent wild throw allowed the speedy White to score, securing a 3-2 victory for the Yankees at 5:18 p.m.
This extraordinary game played against the backdrop of the Apollo 11 moon landing, became a unique chapter in the Yankees’ history. The timing of the victory, coinciding with Neil Armstrong’s historic steps on the lunar surface at 10:56:20 p.m., added a layer of significance to an otherwise ordinary day on Planet Earth. The Yankees’ triumph and the moon landing created a lasting memory, forever linking baseball and space exploration in the hearts of those who witnessed this unforgettable moment.
1969 New York Yankees season in videos
Postseason
(Did not qualify – Eliminated in Regular Season)
1969 New York Yankees roster
| Name | Age | B | T | Ht | Wt | DoB | Yrs | G | GS | WAR | Salary |
| Jack Aker | 28 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 190 | Jul 13, 1940 | 6 | 38 | 0 | 2.1 | |
| Stan Bahnsen | 24 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 185 | Dec 15, 1944 | 3 | 40 | 33 | 0.4 | |
| Ron Blomberg | 20 | L | R | 6′ 1″ | 195 | Aug 23, 1948 | 1st | 4 | 2 | 0.1 | |
| Len Boehmer | 28 | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 192 | Jun 28, 1941 | 2 | 45 | 24 | -0.8 | |
| Bill Burbach | 21 | R | R | 6′ 4″ | 215 | Aug 22, 1947 | 1st | 31 | 24 | 0.3 | |
| Horace Clarke | 30 | B | R | 5′ 9″ | 175 | Jun 2, 1939 | 5 | 156 | 156 | 3.9 | $37,000 |
| Billy Cowan | 30 | R | R | 6′ 0″ | 170 | Aug 28, 1938 | 5 | 32 | 7 | -0.5 | $16,000 |
| Bobby Cox HOF | 28 | R | R | 5′ 11″ | 180 | May 21, 1941 | 2 | 85 | 56 | 0 | |
| John Cumberland | 22 | R | L | 6′ 0″ | 185 | May 10, 1947 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Al Downing | 28 | R | L | 5′ 11″ | 175 | Jun 28, 1941 | 9 | 30 | 15 | 0.9 | $32,500 |
| John Ellis | 20 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 225 | Aug 21, 1948 | 1st | 22 | 15 | -0.2 | |
| Frank Fernandez | 26 | R | R | 6′ 0″ | 185 | Apr 16, 1943 | 3 | 89 | 69 | 2.5 | $15,000 |
| Jake Gibbs | 30 | L | R | 6′ 0″ | 180 | Nov 7, 1938 | 8 | 71 | 66 | 0.1 | |
| Jimmie Hall | 31 | L | R | 6′ 0″ | 175 | Mar 7, 1938 | 7 | 80 | 54 | -0.3 | |
| Steve Hamilton | 34 | L | L | 6′ 6″ | 190 | Nov 30, 1934 | 9 | 38 | 0 | 0.5 | |
| Ken Johnson | 36 | R | R | 6′ 4″ | 210 | Jun 16, 1933 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0.2 | |
| Mike Kekich | 24 | R | L | 6′ 1″ | 196 | Apr 2, 1945 | 3 | 28 | 13 | -0.4 | $12,500 |
| Jerry Kenney | 24 | L | R | 6′ 1″ | 170 | Jun 30, 1945 | 2 | 130 | 114 | 3 | |
| Ron Klimkowski | 25 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 190 | Mar 1, 1944 | 1st | 3 | 1 | 0.8 | |
| Jim Lyttle | 23 | L | R | 6′ 0″ | 180 | May 20, 1946 | 1st | 28 | 24 | -0.2 | |
| Lindy McDaniel | 33 | R | R | 6′ 3″ | 195 | Dec 13, 1935 | 15 | 51 | 0 | 0.3 | $42,000 |
| Dave McDonald | 26 | L | R | 6′ 3″ | 215 | May 20, 1943 | 1st | 9 | 6 | -0.2 | |
| Gene Michael | 31 | B | R | 6′ 2″ | 183 | Jun 2, 1938 | 4 | 119 | 112 | 2.6 | |
| Thurman Munson | 22 | R | R | 5′ 11″ | 190 | Jun 7, 1947 | 1st | 26 | 24 | 0.3 | |
| Bobby Murcer | 23 | L | R | 5′ 11″ | 160 | May 20, 1946 | 3 | 152 | 146 | 2.3 | $27,500 |
| Don Nottebart | 33 | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 190 | Jan 23, 1936 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | $20,000 |
| Nate Oliver | 28 | R | R | 5′ 10″ | 160 | Dec 13, 1940 | 7 | 1 | 0 | $18,000 | |
| Joe Pepitone | 28 | L | L | 6′ 2″ | 185 | Oct 9, 1940 | 8 | 135 | 131 | 0.7 | $35,000 |
| Fritz Peterson | 27 | B | L | 6′ 0″ | 185 | Feb 8, 1942 | 4 | 37 | 37 | 4.8 | |
| Bill Robinson | 26 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 189 | Jun 26, 1943 | 4 | 87 | 53 | -1.2 | |
| Tom Shopay | 24 | L | R | 5′ 9″ | 160 | Feb 21, 1945 | 2 | 28 | 11 | -0.6 | $8,500 |
| Dick Simpson | 25 | R | R | 6′ 4″ | 176 | Jul 28, 1943 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0.1 | $16,000 |
| Mel Stottlemyre | 27 | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 178 | Nov 13, 1941 | 6 | 39 | 39 | 6.1 | $53,500 |
| Fred Talbot | 28 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 195 | Jun 28, 1941 | 7 | 8 | 0 | -0.3 | $17,000 |
| Frank Tepedino | 21 | L | L | 5′ 11″ | 185 | Nov 23, 1947 | 2 | 13 | 12 | 0 | |
| Tom Tresh | 30 | B | R | 6′ 1″ | 180 | Sep 20, 1938 | 9 | 45 | 41 | -0.1 | |
| Roy White | 25 | B | R | 5′ 10″ | 160 | Dec 27, 1943 | 5 | 130 | 125 | 4.3 | |
| Ron Woods | 26 | R | R | 5′ 10″ | 168 | Feb 1, 1943 | 1st | 72 | 45 | -0.1 |
1969 New York Yankees: Player additions, transactions, and trades
November 1968
- November 6: Rubén Amaro player rights sold to the California Angels.
- November 13: John Kennedy player rights sold to the Seattle Pilots.
December 1968
- December 2: Drafted Billy Cowan from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1968 rule 5 draft. César Gerónimo drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1968 rule 5 draft. Drafted Bobby Mitchell from the Boston Red Sox in the 1968 rule 5 draft.
- December 4: Traded Andy Kosco to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Received Mike Kekich. Traded Dooley Womack to the Houston Astros. Received Dick Simpson.
- December 6: Traded Charley Smith to the San Francisco Giants. Received Nate Oliver.
Before 1969 Season
- Merritt Ranew sent to the Seattle Pilots in an unknown transaction.
January 1969
- January 8: Purchased John Orsino from the Washington Senators.
- January 21: Signed Tom Buskey as an amateur free agent.
February 1969
February 1: Drafted Jim Barr in the 5th round of the 1969 amateur draft (January Secondary), but did not sign the player.
April 1969
- April 14: Purchased Jimmie Hall from the Cleveland Indians.
- April 19: Traded Nate Oliver to the Chicago Cubs. Received Lee Elia.
- April 26: Returned Don Nottebart to the Cincinnati Reds following previous purchase.
May 1969
- May 19: Traded Dick Simpson to the Seattle Pilots. Received Jose Vidal.
- May 20: Traded Fred Talbot to the Seattle Pilots. Received Jack Aker.
June 1969
- June 5: Drafted Charlie Spikes in the 1st round (11th pick) of the 1969 amateur draft. Drafted John LaRose in the 3rd round of the 1969 amateur draft, but did not sign the player. Drafted Ken Crosby in the 10th round of the 1969 amateur draft. Player signed June 17, 1969. Drafted John Tamargo in the 15th round of the 1969 amateur draft, but did not sign the player. Drafted Larry Hardy in the 25th round of the 1969 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
- June 10: Purchased Ken Johnson from the Atlanta Braves.
- June 12: Traded John Orsino to the Cleveland Indians. Received Rob Gardner.
- June 14: Traded Tom Tresh to the Detroit Tigers. Received Ron Woods.
July 1969
- July 26: Billy Cowan player rights sold to the California Angels.
August 1969
- August 11: Ken Johnson player rights sold to the Chicago Cubs.
September 1969
- September 11: Traded Jimmie Hall to the Chicago Cubs. Received a player to be named later, Terry Bongiovanni (minors), and cash. The Chicago Cubs sent Rick Bladt (January 6, 1970) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
October 1969
- October 23: Sent Bobby Mitchell to the Atlanta Braves as part of a conditional deal.
1969 New York Yankees: Player debuts
- Ron Blomberg – 09-10-1969 – 21 years old
- Bill Burbach – 04-11-1969 – 21 years old
- John Ellis – 05-17-1969 – 20 years old
- Ron Klimkowski – 09-15-1969 – 25 years old
- Jim Lyttle – 05-17-1969 – 22 years old
- Dave McDonald – 09-15-1969 – 26 years old
- Thurman Munson – 08-08-1969 – 22 years old
1969 New York Yankees team stats (batting)
| Pos | Name | Age | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA |
| C | Jake Gibbs* | 30 | 71 | 245 | 219 | 18 | 49 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 30 | 0.224 |
| 1B | Joe Pepitone* | 28 | 135 | 546 | 513 | 49 | 124 | 16 | 3 | 27 | 70 | 8 | 6 | 30 | 42 | 0.242 |
| 2B | Horace Clarke# | 30 | 156 | 700 | 641 | 82 | 183 | 26 | 7 | 4 | 48 | 33 | 13 | 53 | 41 | 0.285 |
| SS | Gene Michael# | 31 | 119 | 464 | 412 | 41 | 112 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 7 | 4 | 43 | 56 | 0.272 |
| 3B | Jerry Kenney* | 24 | 130 | 509 | 447 | 49 | 115 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 34 | 25 | 14 | 48 | 36 | 0.257 |
| LF | Roy White# | 25 | 130 | 543 | 448 | 55 | 130 | 30 | 5 | 7 | 74 | 18 | 10 | 81 | 51 | 0.29 |
| CF | Ron Woods | 26 | 72 | 200 | 171 | 18 | 30 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 29 | 0.175 |
| RF | Bobby Murcer* | 23 | 152 | 625 | 564 | 82 | 146 | 24 | 4 | 26 | 82 | 7 | 5 | 50 | 103 | 0.259 |
| C | Frank Fernandez | 26 | 89 | 298 | 229 | 34 | 51 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 65 | 68 | 0.223 |
| OF | Bill Robinson | 26 | 87 | 239 | 222 | 23 | 38 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 39 | 0.171 |
| OF | Jimmie Hall* | 31 | 80 | 233 | 212 | 21 | 50 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 8 | 3 | 19 | 34 | 0.236 |
| 3B | Bobby Cox | 28 | 85 | 229 | 191 | 17 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 41 | 0.215 |
| SS | Tom Tresh# | 30 | 45 | 161 | 143 | 13 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 23 | 0.182 |
| 1B | Len Boehmer | 28 | 45 | 116 | 108 | 5 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 0.176 |
| C | Thurman Munson | 22 | 26 | 97 | 86 | 6 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0.256 |
| CF | Jim Lyttle* | 23 | 28 | 87 | 83 | 7 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 0.181 |
| C | John Ellis | 20 | 22 | 65 | 62 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 0.29 |
| OF | Billy Cowan | 30 | 32 | 51 | 48 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0.167 |
| OF | Tom Shopay* | 24 | 28 | 50 | 48 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 0.083 |
| RF | Frank Tepedino* | 21 | 13 | 43 | 39 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0.231 |
| 1B | Dave McDonald* | 26 | 9 | 25 | 23 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0.217 |
| OF | Dick Simpson | 25 | 6 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0.273 |
| LF | Ron Blomberg* | 20 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Nate Oliver | 28 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| P | Mel Stottlemyre | 27 | 39 | 116 | 101 | 9 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 41 | 0.178 |
| P | Fritz Peterson# | 27 | 37 | 95 | 80 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 22 | 0.113 |
| P | Stan Bahnsen | 24 | 40 | 71 | 60 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 0.083 |
| P | Bill Burbach | 21 | 31 | 49 | 40 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 0.1 |
| P | Al Downing | 28 | 30 | 48 | 44 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 0.136 |
| P | Mike Kekich | 24 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.111 |
| P | Lindy McDaniel | 33 | 51 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| P | Jack Aker | 28 | 38 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.111 |
| P | Ken Johnson | 36 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| P | Steve Hamilton* | 34 | 38 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| P | Ron Klimkowski | 25 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| P | Fred Talbot | 28 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| P | Don Nottebart | 33 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| P | John Cumberland | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Team Totals | 26.9 | 162 | 5992 | 5308 | 562 | 1247 | 210 | 44 | 94 | 521 | 119 | 74 | 565 | 840 | 0.235 | |
| Rank in 12 AL teams | 12 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 10 | |||||
| Non-Pitcher Totals | 27 | 162 | 5548 | 4927 | 537 | 1201 | 201 | 43 | 93 | 507 | 119 | 73 | 539 | 677 | 0.244 | |
| Pitcher Totals | 26.1 | 162 | 444 | 381 | 25 | 46 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 163 | 0.121 |
1969 New York Yankees team stats (pitching)
| Pos | Name | Age | W | L | W-L% | ERA | G | GS | GF | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER |
| SP | Mel Stottlemyre | 27 | 20 | 14 | 0.588 | 2.82 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 303 | 267 | 105 | 95 |
| SP | Fritz Peterson* | 27 | 17 | 16 | 0.515 | 2.55 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 272 | 228 | 95 | 77 |
| SP | Stan Bahnsen | 24 | 9 | 16 | 0.36 | 3.83 | 40 | 33 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 220.2 | 222 | 102 | 94 |
| SP | Bill Burbach | 21 | 6 | 8 | 0.429 | 3.65 | 31 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 140.2 | 112 | 68 | 57 |
| CL | Jack Aker | 28 | 8 | 4 | 0.667 | 2.06 | 38 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 65.2 | 51 | 17 | 15 |
| RP | Al Downing* | 28 | 7 | 5 | 0.583 | 3.38 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 130.2 | 117 | 57 | 49 |
| RP | Mike Kekich* | 24 | 4 | 6 | 0.4 | 4.54 | 28 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105 | 91 | 58 | 53 |
| RP | Lindy McDaniel | 33 | 5 | 6 | 0.455 | 3.55 | 51 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 83.2 | 84 | 37 | 33 |
| RP | Steve Hamilton* | 34 | 3 | 4 | 0.429 | 3.32 | 38 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 57 | 39 | 22 | 21 |
| Ken Johnson | 36 | 1 | 2 | 0.333 | 3.46 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 19 | 11 | 10 | |
| Ron Klimkowski | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0.64 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Fred Talbot | 28 | 0 | 0 | 5.11 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12.1 | 13 | 9 | 7 | ||
| Don Nottebart | 33 | 0 | 0 | 4.5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | ||
| John Cumberland* | 22 | 0 | 0 | 4.5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Team Totals | 26.7 | 80 | 81 | 0.497 | 3.23 | 162 | 162 | 109 | 53 | 11 | 20 | 1440.2 | 1258 | 587 | 517 | |
| Rank in 12 AL teams | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Record vs. opponents/ Team splits
| Opponent (Games) | Won | Lost | WP |
| Baltimore Orioles (18) | 7 | 11 | 0.389 |
| Boston Red Sox (18) | 7 | 11 | 0.389 |
| California Angels (12) | 9 | 3 | 0.750 |
| Chicago White Sox (12) | 9 | 3 | 0.750 |
| Cleveland Indians (17) | 8 | 9 | 0.471 |
| Detroit Tigers (18) | 8 | 10 | 0.444 |
| Kansas City Royals (13) | 7 | 5 | 0.583 |
| Minnesota Twins (12) | 2 | 10 | 0.167 |
| Oakland Athletics (12) | 6 | 6 | 0.500 |
| Seattle Pilots (12) | 7 | 5 | 0.583 |
| Washington Senators (18) | 10 | 8 | 0.556 |
Monthly Record
| Month (Games) | Won | Lost | WP |
| April (21) | 11 | 10 | 0.524 |
| May (28) | 12 | 15 | 0.444 |
| June (30) | 13 | 17 | 0.433 |
| July (27) | 13 | 14 | 0.481 |
| August (26) | 16 | 10 | 0.615 |
| September (29) | 14 | 15 | 0.483 |
| October (1) | 1 | 0 | 1.000 |
1969 New York Yankees All-Star
- Mel Stottlemyre
- Roy White
1969 New York Yankees: Awards and Honors
American League Gold Glove: Joe Pepitone
1969 New York Yankees: Mickey Mantle’s Number 7 retires
On June 8, 1969, Yankee Stadium witnessed an iconic moment as the New York Yankees retired the legendary Mickey Mantle’s number 7 during a heartfelt ceremony. The stadium, filled with 61,000 Major League Baseball fans, was packed to capacity for the occasion. This event marked not only the end of Mantle’s remarkable career but also an emotional tribute to one of baseball’s greatest players.
As part of the retirement festivities, Mantle was presented with a plaque by fellow Yankee and baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. This plaque would find its place on the center field wall at Yankee Stadium, joining the monuments dedicated to Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Miller Huggins. In a reciprocal gesture, Mantle presented DiMaggio with a similar plaque, humorously remarking to the crowd, “His should be just a little bit higher than mine.”
The ceremony, televised on WPIX and hosted by Frank Messer and Mel Allen, unfolded with a mix of applause and nostalgia. Fans expressed both their admiration for Mantle’s extraordinary athletic achievements and a sense of loss as he bid farewell to his illustrious career.
Earlier in the year, on March 1, 1969, Mantle announced his retirement from professional baseball. At the age of 37, he candidly stated, “I can’t hit anymore,” during a news conference at the Yankee Clipper Motel. Besides the physical challenges, Mantle acknowledged that his business interests demanded more of his attention.
Despite facing injuries throughout his career, Mantle secured his place as one of baseball’s all-time greats. At the time of his retirement, he ranked third in career home runs with 536, behind Babe Ruth and Willie Mays. His impact on the game extended beyond statistics, embodying resilience and a deep love for baseball.
The ceremony on Mickey Mantle Day was a fitting tribute to a player who played his entire 18-year professional career with the New York Yankees. The emotional event not only celebrated Mantle’s contributions to the sport but also highlighted the end of an era for Yankee fans. Mantle’s legacy lives on, and his number 7 remains eternally retired at Yankee Stadium.
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- Categories: Mickey Mantle, Team
- Tags: 1969 New York Yankees, joe pepitone, Mickey Mantle
