1979 New York Yankees

The final standing	4th in AL East
Regular-season record	89-71 (.556)
Post-season record	–
Divisional rank	4th
ALDS record and opponent	Did not play
AL rank	4th
ALCS record and opponent	Did not play
World Series record and opponent	Did not play
Manager	Bob Lemon, Billy Martin
Captain	Thurman Munson
Top batter	Home run: Reggie Jackson (29), Jim Spencer (23), Graig Nettles (20) BA: Reggie Jackson (.297), Lou Piniella (.297), Jim Spencer (.288), Thurman Munson (.288), Oscar Gamble (.389 in 36 games) Runs: Willie Randolph (98), Reggie Jackson (78), Graig Nettles (71) RBI: Reggie Jackson (89), Graig Nettles (73), Lou Piniella (69)
Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA)	Ron Guidry: 18-8, 2.78 Tommy John: 21-9, 2.96
Attendance record	2,537,765 (1st of 14)

1979 New York Yankees season: Summary

The 1979 New York Yankees season, often overshadowed by tragedy, unfolded as a tale of transition and resilience. As the Munson Era ended with Thurman Munson’s death on August 2, the Yankees found themselves at the crossroads of change. However, amidst the sorrow, a unique blend of drama, struggle, and newfound strength defined this season.

The Yankees began the season riding the wave of success from their back-to-back championships in 1977 and 1978. The team faced the challenge of adapting to the emerging cable era, becoming the first MLB team to broadcast their games on cable within New York City and surrounding areas. This marked a revolutionary shift in how fans experienced the games, setting the stage for the modern era of baseball broadcasting.

The Bronx Bombers encountered offensive struggles on the field, ranking 10th in the American League for runs scored. While stars like Reggie Jackson maintained their prowess, key players like Graig Nettles and Lou Piniella faced inconsistencies. The lineup felt the absence of Bucky Dent’s offensive contribution and the decline of centerfielder Mickey Rivers, adding to the offensive woes.

Pitching, once a stronghold, saw some of the key players from previous seasons facing challenges. Veterans like Catfish Hunter and Ed Figueroa struggled, and the reliable Jim Beattie experienced a downturn. However, the arrival of newcomers, including Ron Davis and free agents Tommy John and Luis Tiant, injected vitality into the pitching staff, maintaining the team’s competitive edge.

The season’s turning point came in April when a clubhouse altercation between Goose Gossage and designated hitter Cliff Johnson led to Gossage’s thumb injury, sidelining him for two months. This disrupted the dynamic bullpen duo and added to the team’s woes. Despite these setbacks, the Yankees remained in contention.

Memorial Day saw the firing of manager Bob Lemon, bringing back the fiery Billy Martin to lead the team. The Yankees faced a tough climb in the formidable AL East, where the Orioles were setting the pace. The team’s record at the All-Star break left them eleven games behind, a considerable gap in the era’s postseason format.

The turning point arrived in early August, not on the field but in tragedy. Thurman Munson’s private plane crashed, claiming his life and casting a dark cloud over the entire baseball community. Munson, not just a star player but also the team captain and a beloved figure, left an indelible mark on the season.

Under Martin’s leadership, the Yankees showed resilience, going 55-40 after his takeover and finishing the season with 89 wins—a commendable feat under the circumstances. Yet, the 102-win Orioles dominated the division, and the on-field achievements paled in comparison to the profound loss of Munson.

The 1979 season, though marked by statistical achievements and managerial changes, will forever be remembered for the tragedy that transcended New York, reminding everyone that sometimes the game itself takes a backseat to the human stories that unfold within its confines.

1979 New York Yankees: Munson’s tragic legacy, Bobby Murcer’s heroic homage

Thurman Munson, the beloved 32-year-old catcher and captain of the New York Yankees, met a tragic end on August 2, 1979, in a plane crash at Akron-Canton Airport in Ohio. Munson, an accomplished pilot who increasingly felt homesick due to his hectic schedule, was flying his Cessna Citation twin-engine jet when disaster struck.

On that fateful day, Munson was practicing takeoffs and landings at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport. During the fourth touch-and-go, he failed to lower the flaps for landing, causing the jet to sink too low before attempting to increase engine power. The aircraft clipped a tree, fell short of the runway, hit a tree stump, and burst into flames. Munson suffered a broken neck upon impact, leaving him trapped inside the burning wreckage. Despite the valiant efforts of his two companions, David Hall and Jerry D. Anderson, Munson succumbed to asphyxiation from the toxic fumes and flames.

News of Munson’s death sent shockwaves through the baseball community. The day after the tragedy, before the Yankees’ four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, the team paid a poignant tribute to their fallen captain in a pre-game ceremony. The starters took their positions on the field, leaving the catcher’s box empty. As the renowned Robert Merrill performed a musical selection, the fans, numbering 51,151, erupted into a 10-minute standing ovation, honoring Munson’s memory.

Despite the heavy hearts, the Yankees faced the Orioles that day. In a remarkable display of strength and dedication, Bobby Murcer, Munson’s close friend, delivered the eulogy at the funeral in Ohio earlier in the day and insisted on playing in the evening to honor Munson. The team flew back from Ohio to New York for the game. Against the backdrop of grief, Murcer’s extraordinary performance unfolded as he single-handedly erased a 4-0 Baltimore lead. In the seventh inning, he hit a 3-run shot, and in the ninth, he drove in the winning runs with a two-run walk-off single down the left-field line. The Yankees emerged victorious, winning 5-4, in a game forever etched in baseball history.

Thurman Munson’s legacy extended beyond the baseball field, as he left behind his wife, Diana, and their three children. His untimely death marked the end of an era for the Yankees, and the impact of losing their leader was deeply felt by players, management, and fans alike. The tragedy served as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring bonds forged on the field and in the skies.

1979 New York Yankees in videos

Postseason

(Did not qualify – Eliminated in Regular Season)

1979 New York Yankees: Roster

Name	Age	B	T	Ht	Wt	DoB	Yrs	G	GS	WAR	Salary
Rick Anderson	25	R	R	6′ 2″	210	Dec 25, 1953	1st	1	0	0
Jim Beattie	24	R	R	6′ 5″	210	Jul 4, 1954	2	15	13	0.2
Juan Beniquez	29	R	R	5′ 11″	150	May 13, 1950	8	62	39	-0.2
Paul Blair	35	R	R	6′ 0″	168	Feb 1, 1944	16	2	1	0
Bobby Brown	25	B	R	6′ 2″	190	May 25, 1954	1st	30	16	0
Ray Burris	28	R	R	6′ 5″	200	Aug 22, 1950	7	15	0	-0.9
Chris Chambliss	30	L	R	6′ 1″	195	Dec 26, 1948	9	149	146	1.8	$240,000
Ken Clay	25	R	R	6′ 3″	185	Apr 6, 1954	3	32	5	-0.8
Ron Davis	23	R	R	6′ 4″	205	Aug 6, 1955	2	44	0	2.2
Bucky Dent	27	R	R	5′ 11″	170	Nov 25, 1951	7	141	136	2.4
Brian Doyle	25	L	R	5′ 10″	160	Jan 26, 1954	2	20	9	-0.1
Ed Figueroa	30	R	R	6′ 1″	190	Oct 14, 1948	6	16	16	1.3
Oscar Gamble	29	L	R	5′ 11″	160	Dec 20, 1949	11	36	28	1.9
Damaso Garcia	22	R	R	6′ 1″	165	Feb 7, 1957	2	11	9	0
Rich Gossage HOF	27	R	R	6′ 3″	180	Jul 5, 1951	8	36	0	1.8	$458,000
Mike Griffin	22	R	R	6′ 4″	195	Jun 26, 1957	1st	3	0	0
Ron Guidry	28	L	L	5′ 11″	161	Aug 28, 1950	5	34	30	6.5	$233,791
Brad Gulden	23	L	R	5′ 10″	175	Jun 10, 1956	2	40	34	-0.2
Don Hood	29	L	L	6′ 2″	180	Oct 16, 1949	7	27	6	1.3
Catfish Hunter HOF	33	R	R	6′ 0″	190	Apr 8, 1946	15	19	19	-0.4	$640,000
Reggie Jackson HOF	33	L	L	6′ 0″	195	May 18, 1946	13	131	127	3.5	$525,000
Tommy John	36	R	L	6′ 3″	180	May 22, 1943	16	37	36	5.5	$575,000
Cliff Johnson	31	R	R	6′ 4″	215	Jul 22, 1947	8	28	17	0.1
Jay Johnstone	33	L	R	6′ 1″	175	Nov 20, 1945	14	23	9	-0.2
Darryl Jones	28	R	R	5′ 10″	175	Jun 5, 1951	1st	18	14	0
Jim Kaat HOF	40	L	L	6′ 4″	205	Nov 7, 1938	21	40	1	0.3
Bob Kammeyer	28	R	R	6′ 4″	210	Dec 2, 1950	2	1	0	0
Paul Mirabella	25	L	L	6′ 1″	190	Mar 20, 1954	2	10	1	-1
Thurman Munson	32	R	R	5′ 11″	190	Jun 7, 1947	11	97	96	2.4
Bobby Murcer	33	L	R	5′ 11″	160	May 20, 1946	13	74	65	0.3
Jerry Narron	23	L	R	6′ 3″	205	Jan 15, 1956	1st	61	30	-0.6
Graig Nettles	34	L	R	6′ 0″	180	Aug 20, 1944	13	145	142	2.7
Lou Piniella	35	R	R	6′ 0″	182	Aug 28, 1943	13	130	111	0
Lenny Randle	30	B	R	5′ 10″	169	Feb 12, 1949	9	20	7	-0.5
Willie Randolph	24	R	R	5′ 11″	165	Jul 6, 1954	5	153	152	5.3	$50,000
Dave Righetti	20	L	L	6′ 4″	195	Nov 28, 1958	1st	3	3	0.4
Mickey Rivers	30	L	L	5′ 10″	165	Oct 30, 1948	10	74	68	-0.1	$133,333
Bruce Robinson	25	L	R	6′ 2″	195	Apr 16, 1954	2	6	5	-0.2
George Scott	35	R	R	6′ 2″	200	Mar 23, 1944	14	16	12	0.2
Roger Slagle	25	R	R	6′ 3″	190	Nov 4, 1953	1st	1	0	0.1
Jim Spencer	31	L	L	6′ 2″	195	Jul 30, 1947	12	106	86	2.1
Roy Staiger	29	R	R	6′ 0″	195	Jan 6, 1950	4	4	2	0
Fred Stanley	31	R	R	5′ 10″	165	Aug 13, 1947	11	57	27	0.3
Luis Tiant	38	R	R	6′ 0″	180	Nov 23, 1940	16	30	30	2.4	$370,000
Dick Tidrow	32	R	R	6′ 4″	210	May 14, 1947	8	14	0	-1.3
Dennis Werth	26	R	R	6′ 1″	200	Dec 29, 1952	1st	3	0	0
Roy White	35	B	R	5′ 10″	160	Dec 27, 1943	15	81	52	-1.3

1979 New York Yankees: Player additions, transactions, and trades

November 1978

• Nov 6: Released Andy Messersmith.
• Nov 10: Traded Mike Heath, Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich, Domingo Ramos, and cash to the Texas Rangers. Received Greg Jemison (minors), Juan Beniquez, Mike Griffin, Paul Mirabella, and Dave Righetti.
• Nov 13: Signed Luis Tiant as a free agent.
• Nov 21: Signed Tommy John as a free agent.
• Nov 30: Paul Lindblad player rights sold to the Seattle Mariners.

December 1978

• Dec 4: Bobby Brown drafted by the New York Mets in the 1978 rule 5 draft.
• Dec 4: Ted Wilborn drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1978 rule 5 draft.
• Dec 15: Gil Rondon player rights sold to Yucatan (Mexican).

February 1979

• Feb 3: Purchased Bruce Robinson from the Oakland Athletics for $400,000.
• Feb 15: Traded Gary Thomasson to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Received Brad Gulden.

April 1979

• Apr 12: Released Paul Blair.
• Apr 19: Purchased Bobby Brown from the Toronto Blue Jays.

May 1979

• May 11: Purchased Jim Kaat from the Philadelphia Phillies.
• May 23: Traded Dick Tidrow to the Chicago Cubs. Received Ray Burris.

June 1979

• Jun 5: Drafted Otis Nixon in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1979 amateur draft (June Secondary).
• Jun 5: Drafted Freddie Toliver in the 3rd round of the 1979 amateur draft.
• Jun 5: Drafted Greg Gagne in the 5th round of the 1979 amateur draft.
• Jun 5: Drafted Stefan Wever in the 6th round of the 1979 amateur draft.
• Jun 5: Drafted Pete Filson in the 9th round of the 1979 amateur draft.
• Jun 5: Drafted Keith Smith in the 15th round of the 1979 amateur draft.
• Jun 5: Drafted Don Mattingly in the 19th round of the 1979 amateur draft.
• Jun 15: Traded Cliff Johnson to the Cleveland Indians. Received Don Hood.
• Jun 15: Traded Jay Johnstone to the San Diego Padres. Received Dave Wehrmeister.
• Jun 26: Traded Paul Semall (minors) to the Chicago Cubs. Received Bobby Murcer.

July 1979

• Jul 10: Signed Curt Kaufman as an amateur free agent.
• Jul 30: Traded players to be named later and Mickey Rivers to the Texas Rangers. Received players to be named later, Amos Lewis (minors), and Oscar Gamble. The Texas Rangers sent Ray Fontenot (Oct 8, 1979), and Gene Nelson (Oct 8, 1979) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade. The New York Yankees sent Bob Polinsky (minors) (Oct 8, 1979), Neal Mersch (minors) (Oct 8, 1979), and Mark Softy (minors) (Oct 8, 1979) to the Texas Rangers to complete the trade.

August 1979

• Aug 3: Purchased Lenny Randle from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Aug 20: Ray Burris selected by the New York Mets off waivers.
• Aug 26: Signed George Scott as a free agent.

1979 New York Yankees: Player debuts

• Rick Anderson – 09-18-1979 – 25 years old
• Mike Griffin – 09-17-1979 – 22 years old
• Darryl Jones – 06-06-1979 – 28 years old
• Jerry Narron – 04-13-1979 – 23 years old
• Dave Righetti – 09-16-1979 – 20 years old
• Roger Slagle – 09-07-1979 – 25 years old
• Dennis Werth – 09-17-1979 – 26 years old

1979 New York Yankees stats (batting)

Pos	Name	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA
C	Thurman Munson	32	97	419	382	42	110	18	3	3	39	1	2	32	37	0.288
1B	Chris Chambliss	30	149	599	554	61	155	27	3	18	63	3	2	34	53	0.28
2B	Willie Randolph	24	153	682	574	98	155	15	13	5	61	33	12	95	39	0.27
SS	Bucky Dent	27	141	490	431	47	99	14	2	2	32	0	0	37	30	0.23
3B	Graig Nettles	34	145	588	521	71	132	15	1	20	73	1	2	59	53	0.253
LF	Lou Piniella	35	130	491	461	49	137	22	2	11	69	3	2	17	31	0.297
CF	Mickey Rivers	30	74	307	286	37	82	18	5	3	25	3	7	13	21	0.287
RF	Reggie Jackson	33	131	537	465	78	138	24	2	29	89	9	8	65	107	0.297
DH	Jim Spencer	31	106	336	295	60	85	15	3	23	53	0	2	38	25	0.288
CF	Bobby Murcer	33	74	294	264	42	72	12	0	8	33	1	1	25	32	0.273
DH	Roy White	35	81	236	205	24	44	6	0	3	27	2	2	23	21	0.215
CF	Juan Beniquez	29	62	158	142	19	36	6	1	4	17	3	3	9	17	0.254
C	Jerry Narron	23	61	136	123	17	21	3	1	4	18	0	0	9	26	0.171
LF	Oscar Gamble	29	36	126	113	21	44	4	1	11	32	0	0	13	13	0.389
IF	Fred Stanley	31	57	110	100	9	20	1	0	2	14	0	1	5	17	0.2
C	Brad Gulden	23	40	105	92	10	15	4	0	0	6	0	1	9	16	0.163
DH	Cliff Johnson	31	28	76	64	11	17	6	0	2	6	0	0	10	7	0.266
OF	Bobby Brown	25	30	71	68	7	17	3	1	0	3	2	1	2	17	0.25
DH	Darryl Jones	28	18	51	47	6	12	5	1	0	6	0	0	2	7	0.255
OF	Jay Johnstone	33	23	50	48	7	10	1	0	1	7	1	0	2	7	0.208
DH	George Scott	35	16	47	44	9	14	3	1	1	6	1	0	2	7	0.318
OF	Lenny Randle	30	20	42	39	2	7	0	0	0	3	0	0	3	2	0.179
SS	Damaso Garcia	22	11	38	38	3	10	1	0	0	4	2	0	0	2	0.263
IF	Brian Doyle	25	20	36	32	2	4	2	0	0	5	0	0	3	1	0.125
C	Bruce Robinson	25	6	13	12	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	0.167
3B	Roy Staiger	29	4	13	11	1	3	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0.273
OF	Paul Blair	35	2	5	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.2
1B	Dennis Werth	26	3	4	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.25
	Team Totals	30.4	160	6061	5421	734	1443	226	40	150	694	65	46	509	590	0.266
	Rank in 14 AL teams				10	10	10	11	6	6		13	3	10	1	10

1979 New York Yankees stats (pitching)

Pos	Name	Age	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER
SP	Tommy John	36	21	9	0.7	2.96	37	36	1	17	3	0	276.1	268	109	91
SP	Ron Guidry	28	18	8	0.692	2.78	33	30	3	15	2	2	236.1	203	83	73
SP	Luis Tiant	38	13	8	0.619	3.91	30	30	0	5	1	0	195.2	190	94	85
SP	Catfish Hunter	33	2	9	0.182	5.31	19	19	0	1	0	0	105	128	68	62
SP	Ed Figueroa	30	4	6	0.4	4.13	16	16	0	4	1	0	104.2	109	49	48
SP	Jim Beattie	24	3	6	0.333	5.21	15	13	1	1	1	0	76	85	45	44
CL	Rich Gossage	27	5	3	0.625	2.62	36	0	33	0	0	18	58.1	48	18	17
RP	Ron Davis	23	14	2	0.875	2.85	44	0	21	0	0	9	85.1	84	29	27
RP	Ken Clay	25	1	7	0.125	5.4	32	5	17	0	0	2	78.1	88	49	47
RP	Don Hood	29	3	1	0.75	3.07	27	6	9	0	0	1	67.1	62	24	23
RP	Jim Kaat	40	2	3	0.4	3.86	40	1	13	0	0	2	58.1	64	29	25
	Ray Burris	28	1	3	0.25	6.18	15	0	7	0	0	0	27.2	40	22	19
	Dick Tidrow	32	2	1	0.667	7.94	14	0	10	0	0	2	22.2	38	20	20
	Dave Righetti	20	0	1	0	3.63	3	3	0	0	0	0	17.1	10	7	7
	Paul Mirabella	25	0	4	0	8.79	10	1	0	0	0	0	14.1	16	15	14
	Mike Griffin	22	0	0		4.15	3	0	1	0	0	1	4.1	5	2	2
	Rick Anderson	25	0	0		3.86	1	0	0	0	0	0	2.1	1	1	1
	Roger Slagle	25	0	0		0	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
	Bob Kammeyer	28	0	0		inf	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	8	8
	Team Totals	31.2	89	71	0.556	3.83	160	160	117	43	8	37	1432.1	1446	672	610
	Rank in 14 AL teams		4	11		2				6	4	2	8	5	2	2

1979 New York Yankees: Record vs. opponents/ Team split

Opponent (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
Baltimore Orioles (11)	6	5	0.545
Boston Red Sox (13)	8	5	0.615
California Angels (12)	5	7	0.417
Chicago White Sox (12)	8	4	0.667
Cleveland Indians (13)	8	5	0.615
Detroit Tigers (13)	6	7	0.462
Kansas City Royals (12)	7	5	0.583
Milwaukee Brewers (13)	4	9	0.308
Minnesota Twins (12)	5	7	0.417
Oakland Athletics (12)	9	3	0.750
Seattle Mariners (12)	6	6	0.500
Texas Rangers (12)	8	4	0.667
Toronto Blue Jays (13)	9	4	0.692

1979 New York Yankees: Monthly record

Month (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
April (21)	10	11	0.476
May (28)	16	12	0.571
June (28)	15	13	0.536
July (28)	16	12	0.571
August (26)	15	11	0.577
September (29)	17	12	0.586

1979 New York Yankees All-Stars

• Ron Guidry
• Tommy John
• Graig Nettles
• Reggie Jackson

1979 New York Yankees: Awards and honors

• Tommy John finished 2nd in AL Cy Young Voting.
• Ron Guidry finished 3rd in AL Cy Young Voting.
• Ron Davis finished 4th in AL Rookie of the Year Voting.

1979 New York Yankees drama: Clubhouse clashes and barroom brawls

Gossage vs. Johnson mid-April showdown

In mid-April of the 1979 season, the Yankees’ clubhouse became the stage for a dramatic altercation between two formidable players: closer Rich “Goose” Gossage and power hitter Cliff Johnson. The heated dispute resulted in Gossage breaking his thumb during the brawl, an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of April, all of May, and half of June.

The incident took place in the aftermath of a game against the Texas Rangers. In a surprising turn of events, the Yankees, known for keeping injuries under wraps, publicly acknowledged the scuffle. Mickey Morabito, the team’s publicity director, made the announcement after the eighth inning of a game against the Rangers, revealing that Gossage had a sprained right thumb from the altercation with Johnson.

The fight reportedly began with playful banter in the locker area, with Gossage tossing a small ball of tape at Johnson. The verbal exchanges escalated when Johnson questioned Gossage’s ability to handle his powerful fastball. The confrontation reached its peak in the showers, where shoves turned into punches, and coaches had to intervene to separate the two players. Gossage’s absence due to the thumb injury significantly impacted the team’s bullpen dynamics.

Despite the Yankees defeating the Rangers 5-3 in that game, the clubhouse turmoil overshadowed the victory. Johnson, later traded to the Cleveland Indians, continued to express discontent with his role on the team.

Billy Martin’s barroom brawl

In a bizarre turn of events, Yankees manager Billy Martin found himself in a barroom brawl on October 23, 1979, just days before his dismissal. The adversary in this unexpected altercation was Joseph Cooper, a marshmallow salesman from Minnesota.

The incident occurred at L’Hotel de France in Bloomington, Minnesota, where Martin, wearing a cowboy hat, engaged in a heated exchange with Cooper and his business associate. The disagreement arose when Cooper complimented Dick Williams as the Manager of the Year, a choice that did not sit well with Martin. The situation escalated when Martin, known for his fiery personality, challenged Cooper to a physical confrontation outside the bar.

With a bet of $500 to a penny that he could knock Cooper down, Martin abruptly turned and delivered a “sucker punch” to Cooper’s mouth. The marshmallow salesman suffered a cut requiring stitches, but he initially chose not to press charges against Martin, expressing a desire not to jeopardize Martin’s career.

However, Martin’s dismissal from the Yankees by George Steinbrenner six days later indicated the severity of the fallout from the barroom incident. The unexpected clash between a marshmallow salesman and a renowned baseball manager became a peculiar footnote in the tumultuous 1979 Yankees season.

How do you rate the 1979 New York Yankees?