1970 New York Yankees

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1970 New York Yankees season: A brief summary

The 1970 New York Yankees found themselves at the crossroads of baseball history, standing on the precipice of a new era for the franchise. The decade opened with a resounding thud as the team grappled with a post-dynasty hangover, haunted by memories of the illustrious Ruth-Gehrig-DiMaggio-Mantle era. The once-mighty Yankees had become a shadow of their former selves, struggling in the wake of mediocrity and an aging roster.

The team’s home, the iconic Yankee Stadium, mirrored their decline, with the once-grand structure showing signs of wear and tear. CBS ownership, known for success in television but struggling with the Yankees, failed to produce a winning team, leading to the unusual situation where the team had to pay for its games to be broadcast.

The departure of legendary Mickey Mantle in 1969 left a void, and the team faced the challenge of reinventing itself. Manager Ralph Houk, who had led the Yankees to three straight pennants in the ’60s, found himself at the helm of a team that was more reminiscent of a collection of journeymen than a storied franchise.

However, amidst the gloom, signs of change were brewing. Slowly but surely, the team began to improve. Players like Roy White, Mel Stottlemyre, and Bobby Murcer showcased their talent. In 1970, Thurman Munson emerged as the Rookie of the Year, and manager Ralph Houk earned the Manager of the Year award as the team won an impressive 93 games.

The 1970 New York Yankees season was solid, finishing with a record of 93 wins and 69 losses, the best since 1964. Though they fell short of the ultimate prize, the team’s gritty performance and determination left a mark on baseball history. The echoes of that season, with its ups and downs, lingered in the air, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Yankees.

1970 New York Yankees: Epic 11th-inning triumph at Fenway Park

On a scorching June 21st at Fenway Park, the New York Yankees etched a chapter into their storied history in a four-hour marathon against arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox. The sold-out crowd of 31,073 at the iconic stadium experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as the teams battled back and forth, leaving fans breathless.

In a game that resembled a Boston Marathon of its own, the Yankees displayed resilience and tenacity. The scoreboard witnessed the Yankees taking the lead, falling behind, tying the game, and then unleashing an offensive onslaught in the 11th inning that would be remembered as one of the greatest moments of the 1970 season.

The drama unfolded inning after inning, with both teams making errors and the pitchers grappling to keep up with the explosive offenses. The Yankees, led by the hitting prowess of Danny Cater with five hits and Lindy McDaniel’s masterful pitching in the final four innings, outscored the Red Sox 6 to 2 in the 11th inning.

Amidst the chaos, the soap-opera-like moments came to life when the legendary Carl Yastrzemski stepped up to bat with the game hanging in the balance in the eighth and 10th innings. The first time, Yastrzemski unleashed a 400-foot line drive, only to be met by a spectacular leaping catch from Bobby Murcer at the Boston bullpen. In the second crucial moment, with two men on base, Yastrzemski bounced into a double play, foiling the Red Sox’s hopes.

The starting pitchers, Fritz Peterson and Gary Peters, succumbed to the challenges of Fenway Park’s short left-field fence, giving up runs and making way for a barrage of hits from both sides.

As the game reached the 11th inning, Jose Santiago took the mound for Boston, and a feeling of a possible negotiated tie hung in the air. However, the Yankees had other plans. Singles by Cater, Munson, and Ron Hansen loaded the bases with none out. Despite a pinch-hit pop-up by Curt Blefary, Jerry Kenney’s decisive hit off the left-field wall, McDaniel’s unexpected single, and Murcer’s double turned the game on its head. Cater’s deep fly sealed the deal, and the Yankees emerged victorious with a final score of 14-10.

This thrilling victory against the Red Sox became the crown jewel of the 1970 New York Yankees—a moment etched in the memories of fans, a tale of resilience, spectacular plays, and a dazzling offensive display under the summer sun at Fenway Park.

1970 New York Yankees in videos

Postseason Result

(Did not qualify – Eliminated in Regular Season)

1970 New York Yankees: Roster

1970 New York Yankees: Player additions, transactions, and trades

December 1969

• December 1: Jim Kennedy drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1969 rule 5 draft. Tom Shopay drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 rule 5 draft.
• December 4: Traded Joe Pepitone to the Houston Astros. Received Curt Blefary.
• December 5: Traded Al Downing and Frank Fernandez to the Oakland Athletics. Received Danny Cater and Ossie Chavarria.
• December 18: Traded Mickey Scott and cash to the Chicago White Sox. Received Pete Ward.
• December 23: Signed Otto Velez as an amateur free agent.

Before 1970 Season

• Signed Dave Pagan as an amateur free agent. Ron Piche received from the Chicago Cubs in an unknown transaction.

January 1970

• January 6: 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.

February 1970

• February 28: Purchased Ron Hansen from the Chicago White Sox.

March 1970

• March 26: Received Bobby Mitchell from the Atlanta Braves as part of a conditional deal.

May 1970

• May 15: Traded Dave McDonald to the Montreal Expos. Received Gary Waslewski.

June 1970

• June 4: Drafted Dave Cheadle in the 1st round (12th pick) of the 1970 amateur draft. Drafted Fred Lynn in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft, but did not sign the player. Drafted Don DeMola in the 7th round of the 1970 amateur draft. Drafted Doc Medich in the 30th round of the 1970 amateur draft.

July 1970

• July 20: Traded John Cumberland to the San Francisco Giants. Received Mike McCormick.

August 1970

• August (Date unsure) : Ron Piche sent to the Montreal Expos in an unknown transaction.
• August 1: Signed Juan Bernhardt as an amateur free agent.

September 1970

• September 8: Joe Verbanic player rights sold to Syracuse (International). (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
• September 9: Steve Hamilton selected by the Chicago White Sox off waivers.
• September 22: Released Bobby Cox.

1970 New York Yankees: Player debuts

• Frank Baker – 08-09-1970 – 23 years old
• Loyd Colson – 09-25-1970 – 22 years old
• Gary Jones – 09-25-1970 – 25 years old
• Steve Kline – 07-10-1970 – 22 years old
• Bobby Mitchell – 07-05-1970 – 26 years old

1970 New York Yankees team stats (batting)

1970 New York Yankees team stats (pitching)

1970 New York Yankees: Record vs. opponents/ Team splits

1970 New York Yankees: Monthly record

1970 New York Yankees All-Star

• Fritz Peterson
• Mel Stottlemyre
• Roy White
• Ralph Houk as Coach

1970 New York Yankees: Awards and honors

AL Rookie of the Year: Thurman Munson

Manager of the Year: Ralph Houk (Associated Press AL Manager of the Year)

1970 New York Yankees and Rebirth of a dynasty

The 1970 season marked a pivotal turning point for the New York Yankees, a franchise weary from a string of lackluster performances. As the team broke camp and headed into the spring, expectations were low, and few believed they would rise above the shadows of their recent struggles in the highly competitive American League East.

Having languished in the aftermath of their last World Series appearance in 1964, the Yankees were desperate for a resurgence. The 1969 season had been another disappointment, culminating in a fifth-place finish exacerbated by the crosstown Mets’ improbable World Series victory over the mighty Baltimore Orioles.

Ralph Houk, the seasoned skipper tasked with steering the Yankees through their bleakest era, had grown weary of losing. However, the glimmer of hope emerged in the form of a scrappy, unproven team that showed fighting spirit in the last two months of the previous season, going 31-26.

The front office, committed to a youth movement, revamped the roster by parting ways with aging, high-priced players. This overhaul, coupled with the emergence of young talents like Thurman Munson, signaled a shift toward a promising future. Houk’s preseason optimism was validated as the team, driven by a blend of homegrown talent and cast-offs from other clubs, defied expectations.

The 1970 Yankees, dubbed one of the youngest teams ever, stunned the baseball world with a 93-win season, finishing a strong second behind the Orioles. The season was a rare bright spot amid what was derisively known as the “Horace Clarke Era,” a period marked by the team’s longest postseason drought.

The roster boasted a solid pitching staff led by veterans Mel Stottlemyre, Fritz Peterson, and Stan Bahnsen. The emergence of young stars like Roy White, Bobby Murcer, and the impactful Thurman Munson, who became Rookie of the Year, fueled the team’s sudden rise to respectability.

Despite a slow start, the Yankees found their groove by June, winning streaks and a stretch where they won five of six games. The pressure to win a pennant was alleviated by the dominance of the Orioles, allowing the Yankees to play with a newfound freedom.

In a memorable doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians, Bobby Murcer’s four-homer day and the team’s camaraderie showcased the special chemistry that defined the season. The Yankees secured second place on September 23, clinching a hard-fought accomplishment and a reason to rejoice after six challenging years.

Ralph Houk, a figure beloved by the players, earned the Associated Press AL Manager of the Year, and Thurman Munson’s stellar performance earned him Rookie of the Year. The 93-69 record marked a 13-game improvement from the previous year, signifying a remarkable turnaround.

The 1970 season, though falling short of a championship, laid the foundation for future success. The joyous celebration in the clubhouse after clinching second place, with champagne flowing and ice water dousing, reflected the players’ genuine appreciation for the journey and their hard-fought accomplishments. The 1970 Yankees may not have reached the summit, but they had rekindled the winning spirit and set the stage for the glory days that would follow in the late ’70s.

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