1987 New York Yankees

The final standing	4th in AL East
Regular-season record	89-73 (.549)
Post-season record	Did not qualify
Divisional rank	4th
ALDS record and opponent	Did not play
AL rank	4
ALCS record and opponent	Did not play
World Series record and opponent	Did not play
Manager	Lou Piniella
Captain	Ron Guidry, Willie Randolph
Top batter
Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA)
Attendance record	2,427,672 (3rd of 14)

1987 New York Yankees season: Summary

Lou Piniella, in his second year as manager, led a team that tantalized its fans with early success only to falter when it mattered most. The season began with a burst of optimism as the Yankees, sporting Pinstripes laden with expectations, stormed out of the gate. Twelve wins in their first 15 games, victories against the formidable Detroit Tigers—the reigning AL East rivals—and a record-setting 10 grand slams teased fans with the prospect of a special season.

The team’s pitching staff, fortified by the acquisition of veteran Rick Rhoden and the versatile Charles Hudson, seemed promising. Yet, the absence of the historically reliable Ron Guidry, who battled injuries, left a void in the rotation. The offense, bolstered by the likes of Don Mattingly, Dave Winfield, and Willie Randolph, showcased star power, but injuries to key players, including the dynamic Rickey Henderson, disrupted the team’s rhythm.

By Memorial Day, the Yankees boasted the best record in baseball, signaling a potential return to glory. However, a midseason slump, highlighted by a three-game sweep by the Toronto Blue Jays, exposed the team’s vulnerability. The once-commanding lead dwindled, and as August arrived, the Yankees found themselves in a fierce battle with the Tigers and Blue Jays for AL East supremacy.

August, the make-or-break month in pennant races, proved to be the Yankees’ undoing. A string of losses—17 out of 28—saw their dreams of a postseason berth slipping away. Despite a late-season surge, the Yankees couldn’t overcome the surging Milwaukee Brewers, settling for a fourth-place finish with a record of 89-73.

The season’s end marked the beginning of change. Lou Piniella faced the repercussions of falling short of expectations, as George Steinbrenner wielded his managerial hammer. Enter Billy Martin for his fifth stint as Yankee skipper, a move that foreshadowed the managerial carousel that characterized this era of Yankees baseball.

In retrospect, the 1987 season was a microcosm of the Yankees’ struggles in the 1980s—teasing greatness but falling short of the ultimate prize. Despite the disappointment, the season showcased the resilience of the Bronx Bombers and set the stage for the perpetual drama that unfolded in the seasons to come.

1987 New York Yankees: Don Mattingly’s record-breaking brilliance

Ah, the legendary Don Mattingly, an icon in pinstripes whose remarkable career with the Yankees left an enduring mark despite the team’s postseason challenges. The summer of 1987 stands out as a shining moment in Mattingly’s illustrious journey, showcasing his extraordinary prowess at the plate.

During that unforgettable season, Mattingly etched his name in the annals of baseball history by tying Dale Long’s major-league record, launching home runs in eight consecutive games from July 8th to July 18th. Even the All-Star break couldn’t halt his impressive streak, as he continued his power surge.

Not content with merely tying records, Mattingly set a new standard by recording an extra-base hit in an astounding 10 consecutive games, a testament to his consistent offensive brilliance. The climax of his 1987 season came with a record-breaking achievement of hitting a remarkable 10 home runs during the eight-game streak, a feat that still stands as an MLB record shared with Ken Griffey Jr., who accomplished the same in 1993.

Mattingly wasn’t just a power hitter; he was a grand slam maestro in 1987. Setting a major-league record by hitting six grand slams in a single season, including two during his historic July home run streak, he showcased his ability to deliver in clutch moments. Remarkably, these grand slams were the only ones in Mattingly’s entire career, adding a unique layer to his already storied legacy. 

In recognition of his outstanding performance, Mattingly earned a well-deserved Gold Glove Award for his defensive excellence, a Silver Slugger Award for his offensive prowess, and a spot in the All-Star Game. Despite the Yankees falling short in the postseason, Mattingly’s individual achievements were acknowledged as he finished seventh in the AL MVP voting.

The 1987 season solidified Don Mattingly’s status as a baseball icon, and his contributions continue to resonate in the hearts of Yankees fans. His legacy is not only defined by statistics and records but by the indomitable spirit and skill he brought to the game, making him a true embodiment of the Bronx Bomber tradition.

1987 New York Yankees in videos

Postseason result

(Did not qualify – Eliminated in Regular Season)

1987 New York Yankees roster

Name	Age	B	T	Ht	Wt	DoB	Yrs	G	GS	WAR	Salary
Neil Allen	29	R	R	6′ 3″	185	Jan 24, 1958	9	8	1	0.3
Brad Arnsberg	23	R	R	6′ 4″	205	Aug 20, 1963	2	6	2	-0.1	$68,000
Juan Bonilla	31	R	R	5′ 9″	170	Jan 12, 1956	6	23	17	0
Rich Bordi	28	R	R	6′ 7″	210	Apr 18, 1959	8	16	1	-0.6
Jay Buhner	22	R	R	6′ 3″	220	Aug 13, 1964	1st	7	7	-0.1
Rick Cerone	33	R	R	5′ 11″	192	May 19, 1954	13	113	86	0.8	$250,000
Pat Clements	25	R	L	6′ 0″	175	Feb 2, 1962	3	55	0	0.2	$125,000
Henry Cotto	26	R	R	6′ 2″	178	Jan 5, 1961	4	68	33	0.1
Orestes Destrade	25	B	R	6′ 4″	210	May 8, 1962	1st	9	4	-0.1
Mike Easler	36	L	R	6′ 0″	190	Nov 29, 1950	14	65	43	-0.2
Pete Filson	28	B	L	6′ 2″	195	Sep 28, 1958	6	7	2	0.3	$180,000
Bill Fulton	23	R	R	6′ 3″	195	Oct 22, 1963	1st	3	0	-0.2
Cecilio Guante	27	R	R	6′ 3″	200	Feb 1, 1960	6	23	0	-0.5	$405,000
Ron Guidry	36	L	L	5′ 11″	161	Aug 28, 1950	13	22	17	2.5	$850,000
Bill Gullickson	28	R	R	6′ 3″	200	Feb 20, 1959	9	8	8	0.2
Rickey Henderson HOF	28	R	L	5′ 10″	180	Dec 25, 1958	9	95	93	4.7	$1,670,000
Al Holland	34	R	L	5′ 11″	207	Aug 16, 1952	10	3	0	-0.3	$400,000
Charles Hudson	28	B	R	6′ 3″	185	Mar 16, 1959	5	35	16	3.2	$305,000
Keith Hughes	23	L	L	6′ 3″	210	Sep 12, 1963	1st	4	0		$62,500
Tommy John	44	R	L	6′ 3″	180	May 22, 1943	24	33	33	2.4	$350,000
Roberto Kelly	22	R	R	6′ 2″	180	Oct 1, 1964	1st	23	12	0.5
Ron Kittle	29	R	R	6′ 4″	200	Jan 5, 1958	6	59	40	0.2	$425,000
Al Leiter	21	L	L	6′ 2″	200	Oct 23, 1965	1st	4	4	-0.1
Phil Lombardi	24	R	R	6′ 2″	200	Feb 20, 1963	2	5	0	-0.1
Don Mattingly	26	L	L	6′ 0″	175	Apr 20, 1961	6	141	140	5.1	$1,975,000
Bob Meacham	26	R	R	6′ 1″	175	Aug 25, 1960	5	77	62	1.4	$105,000
Jeff Moronko	27	R	R	6′ 2″	190	Aug 17, 1959	2	7	3	0
Joe Niekro	42	R	R	6′ 1″	185	Nov 7, 1944	21	8	8	0.8	$775,000
Mike Pagliarulo	27	L	R	6′ 1″	205	Mar 15, 1960	4	150	138	1.6	$175,000
Dan Pasqua	25	L	L	6′ 0″	203	Oct 17, 1961	3	113	82	0	$110,000
Willie Randolph	32	R	R	5′ 11″	165	Jul 6, 1954	13	120	120	4.7	$900,000
Dennis Rasmussen	28	L	L	6′ 7″	230	Apr 18, 1959	5	26	25	1.4	$175,000
Rick Rhoden	34	R	R	6′ 3″	195	May 16, 1953	14	30	29	3.1	$600,000
Dave Righetti	28	L	L	6′ 4″	195	Nov 28, 1958	8	60	0	1.1	$800,000
Jerry Royster	34	R	R	6′ 0″	165	Oct 18, 1952	15	18	12	0
Lenn Sakata	33	R	R	5′ 9″	160	Jun 8, 1954	11	19	14	0.2	$125,000
Mark Salas	26	L	R	6′ 0″	180	Mar 8, 1961	4	50	32	-0.1	$137,000
Bob Shirley	33	R	L	5′ 11″	180	Jun 25, 1954	11	12	1	0.1	$250,000
Joel Skinner	26	R	R	6′ 4″	198	Feb 21, 1961	5	64	46	-1	$110,000
Tim Stoddard	34	R	R	6′ 7″	230	Jan 24, 1953	11	57	0	1.7	$775,000
Bob Tewksbury	26	R	R	6′ 4″	200	Nov 30, 1960	2	8	6	-0.4	$85,000
Wayne Tolleson	31	B	R	5′ 9″	160	Nov 22, 1955	7	121	109	-0.2	$385,000
Steve Trout	29	L	L	6′ 4″	195	Jul 30, 1957	10	14	9	-0.5
Randy Velarde	24	R	R	6′ 0″	185	Nov 24, 1962	1st	8	6	-0.2	$62,500
Gary Ward	33	R	R	6′ 2″	195	Dec 6, 1953	9	146	129	-0.1	$633,000
Claudell Washington	32	L	L	6′ 0″	190	Aug 31, 1954	14	102	73	1	$480,000
Dave Winfield HOF	35	R	R	6′ 6″	220	Oct 3, 1951	15	156	150	1.8	$1,911,714
Paul Zuvella	28	R	R	6′ 0″	173	Oct 31, 1958	6	14	7	-0.5

1987 New York Yankees additions, transactions, and trades

November 1986

• November 2, 1986: Gary Roenicke, Mike Fischlin, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, Willie Randolph, Claudell Washington granted Free Agency.
• November 20, 1986: Signed Jeff Moronko as a free agent.
• November 22, 1986: Rod Scurry granted Free Agency.
• November 26, 1986: Traded Doug Drabek, Logan Easley, and Brian Fisher to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Received Pat Clements, Cecilio Guante, and Rick Rhoden.

December 1986

• December 6, 1986: Rod Scurry was signed as a free agent.
• December 7, 1986: Claudell Washington was signed as a free agent.
• December 11, 1986: Tommy Barrett and Mike Easler were traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, and in return, the New York Yankees received Jeff Knox (minors) and Charles Hudson.
• December 17, 1986: Lenn Sakata was signed as a free agent.
• December 19, 1986: Butch Wynegar was traded to the California Angels, and in return, the Yankees received a player to be named later and Ron Romanick. The player to be named later, Alan Mills, was sent to the New York Yankees on June 22, 1987, to complete the trade.
• December 20, 1986: Bob Shirley was released.
• December 22, 1986: Mike Armstrong was released.
• December 24, 1986: Gary Ward was signed as a free agent, and in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, the Yankees sent a player to be named later, Ron Hassey, and Carlos Martinez, receiving Ron Kittle, Joel Skinner, and Wayne Tolleson in return. The player to be named later, Bill Lindsey, was sent to the Chicago White Sox on December 24, 1986, to complete the trade.
• Before the 1987 Season: Mike Armstrong was signed as a free agent.

January 1987

• January 5, 1987: Mike Soper (minors) and Scott Nielsen were traded to the Chicago White Sox, and in return, the Yankees received Pete Filson and Randy Velarde.
• January 8, 1987: Juan Bonilla, Tommy John, and Willie Randolph were signed as free agents.
• January 28, 1987: Bob Shirley was signed as a free agent.

February 1987

• February 13, 1987: Rick Cerone was signed as a free agent.

March 1987

• March 17, 1987: Rich Thompson was signed as a free agent.
• March 20, 1987: Carlos Rodriguez was purchased from the Mexico City Tigers (Mexican).
• March 27, 1987: Rod Scurry was released.

April 1987

• April 10, 1987: Rich Bordi and Al Holland were signed as free agents.
• April 19, 1987: Mike Armstrong was released.

May 1987

• May 1, 1987: Ron Guidry was signed as a free agent.
• May 15, 1987: Rafael Quirico was signed as an amateur free agent.
• May 18, 1987: Rich Thompson was released.

June 1987

• June 2, 1987: Dave Eiland, Gerald Williams, Terry Bradshaw (who did not sign), James Mouton (who did not sign), and Brad Ausmus were drafted in the 1987 amateur draft.
• June 5, 1987: Bob Shirley was released.
• June 7, 1987: Joe Niekro was traded to the Minnesota Twins, and in return, the Yankees received Mark Salas.
• June 10, 1987: Keith Hughes and Shane Turner were traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Yankees received Mike Easler.

July 1987

• July 13, 1987: Rich Scheid, Bob Tewksbury, and Dean Wilkins were traded to the Chicago Cubs, and in return, the Yankees received Steve Trout.
• July 31, 1987: Bob Shirley was signed as a free agent.

August 1987

• August 26, 1987: Dennis Rasmussen was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, and in return, the Yankees received Bill Gullickson.
• August 26, 1987: A player to be named later and Ken Patterson were traded to the Chicago White Sox, and in return, the Yankees received Mike Soper (minors) and Jerry Royster. The player to be named later, Jeff Pries, was sent to the Chicago White Sox on September 19, 1987, to complete the trade.

September 1987

• September 4, 1987: Neil Allen was signed as a free agent.
• September 17, 1987: Orlando Miller and Sherman Obando were signed as amateur free agents.

October 1987

• October 15, 1987: Paul Zuvella was released.

1987 New York Yankees player debuts

• Jay Buhner – 09-11-1987 – 23 years old
• Orestes Destrade – 09-11-1987 – 25 years old
• Bill Fulton – 09-12-1987 – 23 years old
• Keith Hughes – 05-19-1987 – 23 years old
• Roberto Kelly – 07-29-1987 – 22 years old
• Al Leiter – 09-15-1987 – 21 years old
• Randy Velarde – 08-20-1987 – 24 years old

1987 New York Yankees stats (batting)

Pos	Name	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA
C	Rick Cerone	33	113	327	284	28	69	12	1	4	23	0	1	30	46	0.243
1B	Don Mattingly	26	141	630	569	93	186	38	2	30	115	1	4	51	38	0.327
2B	Willie Randolph	32	120	543	449	96	137	24	2	7	67	11	1	82	25	0.305
SS	Wayne Tolleson	31	121	399	349	48	77	4	0	1	22	5	3	43	72	0.221
3B	Mike Pagliarulo	27	150	582	522	76	122	26	3	32	87	1	3	53	111	0.234
LF	Gary Ward	33	146	569	529	65	131	22	1	16	78	9	1	33	101	0.248
CF	Claudell Washington	32	102	339	312	42	87	17	0	9	44	10	1	27	54	0.279
RF	Dave Winfield	35	156	655	575	83	158	22	1	27	97	5	6	76	96	0.275
DH	Ron Kittle	29	59	173	159	21	44	5	0	12	28	0	1	10	36	0.277
OF	Rickey Henderson	28	95	440	358	78	104	17	3	17	37	41	8	80	52	0.291
LF	Dan Pasqua	25	113	362	318	42	74	7	1	17	42	0	2	40	99	0.233
MI	Bob Meacham	26	77	232	203	28	55	11	1	5	21	6	5	19	33	0.271
DH	Mike Easler	36	65	184	167	13	47	6	0	4	21	1	0	14	32	0.281
CF	Henry Cotto	26	68	157	149	21	35	10	0	5	20	4	2	6	35	0.235
C	Joel Skinner	26	64	154	139	9	19	4	0	3	14	0	0	8	46	0.137
C	Mark Salas	26	50	130	115	13	23	4	0	3	12	0	0	10	17	0.2
2B	Juan Bonilla	31	23	63	55	6	14	3	0	1	3	0	0	5	6	0.255
CF	Roberto Kelly	22	23	59	52	12	14	3	0	1	7	9	3	5	15	0.269
IF	Lenn Sakata	33	19	48	45	5	12	0	1	2	4	0	1	2	4	0.267
UT	Jerry Royster	34	18	47	42	1	15	2	0	0	4	2	1	4	4	0.357
MI	Paul Zuvella	28	14	36	34	2	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0.176
1B	Orestes Destrade	25	9	24	19	5	5	0	0	0	1	0	0	5	5	0.263
OF	Jay Buhner	22	7	23	22	0	5	2	0	0	1	0	0	1	6	0.227
SS	Randy Velarde	24	8	22	22	1	4	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	6	0.182
UT	Jeff Moronko	27	7	12	11	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.091
C	Phil Lombardi	24	5	8	8	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.125
	Team Totals	29.9	162	6222	5511	788	1445	239	16	196	749	105	43	604	949	0.262
	Rank in 14 AL teams				10	7	8	12	14	5		12	1	3	7	8

1987 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	44	13	6	0.684	4.03	33	33	0	3	1	0	187.2	212	95	84
SP	Rick Rhoden	34	16	10	0.615	3.86	30	29	1	4	0	0	181.2	184	84	78
SP	Dennis Rasmussen	28	9	7	0.563	4.75	26	25	0	2	0	0	146	145	78	77
SP	Ron Guidry	36	5	8	0.385	3.67	22	17	2	2	0	0	117.2	111	50	48
CL	Dave Righetti	28	8	6	0.571	3.51	60	0	54	0	0	31	95	95	45	37
RP	Charles Hudson	28	11	7	0.611	3.61	35	16	7	6	2	0	154.2	137	63	62
RP	Tim Stoddard	34	4	3	0.571	3.5	57	0	23	0	0	8	92.2	83	38	36
RP	Pat Clements	25	3	3	0.5	4.95	55	0	20	0	0	7	80	91	45	44
RP	Cecilio Guante	27	3	2	0.6	5.73	23	0	9	0	0	1	44	42	30	28
	Joe Niekro	42	3	4	0.429	3.55	8	8	0	1	0	0	50.2	40	25	20
	Bill Gullickson	28	4	2	0.667	4.88	8	8	0	1	0	0	48	46	29	26
	Steve Trout	29	0	4	0	6.6	14	9	2	0	0	0	46.1	51	36	34
	Bob Shirley	33	1	0	1	4.5	12	1	6	0	0	0	34	36	20	17
	Bob Tewksbury	26	1	4	0.2	6.75	8	6	1	0	0	0	33.1	47	26	25
	Rich Bordi	28	3	1	0.75	7.64	16	1	6	0	0	0	33	42	28	28
	Neil Allen	29	0	1	0	3.65	8	1	4	0	0	0	24.2	23	12	10
	Al Leiter	21	2	2	0.5	6.35	4	4	0	0	0	0	22.2	24	16	16
	Pete Filson	28	1	0	1	3.27	7	2	3	0	0	0	22	26	10	8
	Brad Arnsberg	23	1	3	0.25	5.59	6	2	2	0	0	0	19.1	22	12	12
	Al Holland	34	0	0		14.21	3	0	0	0	0	0	6.1	9	10	10
	Bill Fulton	23	1	0	1	11.57	3	0	1	0	0	0	4.2	9	6	6
	Rick Cerone	33	0	0		0	2	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
	Team Totals	32.1	89	73	0.549	4.36	162	162	143	19	3	47	1446.1	1475	758	700
	Rank in 14 AL teams		4	11		6				10	4	1	6	8	5	6

1987 New York Yankees vs. opponents/ team splits

Opponent (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
Baltimore Orioles (13)	10	3	0.769
Boston Red Sox (13)	6	7	0.462
California Angels (12)	9	3	0.750
Chicago White Sox (12)	7	5	0.583
Cleveland Indians (13)	7	6	0.538
Detroit Tigers (13)	8	5	0.615
Kansas City Royals (12)	7	5	0.583
Milwaukee Brewers (13)	6	7	0.462
Minnesota Twins (12)	6	6	0.500
Oakland Athletics (12)	5	7	0.417
Seattle Mariners (12)	7	5	0.583
Texas Rangers (12)	5	7	0.417
Toronto Blue Jays (13)	6	7	0.462

1987 New York Yankees: Monthly record

Month (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
April (21)	14	7	0.667
May (28)	17	11	0.607
June (28)	17	11	0.607
July (26)	15	11	0.577
August (28)	11	17	0.393
September (27)	13	14	0.481
October (4)	2	2	0.500

1987 New York Yankees All-Stars

• Don Mattingly
• Willie Randolph
• Rickey Henderson
• Dave Winfield
• Dave Righetti

1987 New York Yankees: Awards and Honors

Gold Glove Awards: Dave Winfield, Don Mattingly

Silver Slugger Award: Don Mattingly

Relief Man Award: Dave Righetti

All-Star Appearances

• Don Mattingly
• Willie Randolph
• Rickey Henderson
• Dave Winfield
• Dave Righetti

Other Achievements

• Don Mattingly finished 7th in AL MVP Voting.
• Lou Piniella finished 5th in the AL Manager of the Year Voting.

Records

Don Mattingly set an American League record for the most grand slams in one season with 6.

Lou Piniella’s future was in doubt as 1987 New York Yankees Yankees wrapped up

As the final days of the 1987 Yankees season unfolded, the atmosphere around the team was one of weariness and uncertainty. For skipper Lou Piniella, the season had been a grueling test of resilience, with the team’s early promise giving way to a midseason slump that proved hard to overcome.

The lingering question on everyone’s mind was whether this last game of the season would also mark the end of Piniella’s tenure as the Yankee manager. Piniella, in the final year of his two-year contract, remained uncertain about his future. Despite frequent declarations that he was under contract for the next year, rumors circulated that Piniella, like his eight predecessors under George Steinbrenner, might not be brought back.

The turning point came in early August during a series against the Detroit Tigers, where a scathing critique from Steinbrenner and the public revelation of private discussions cast a shadow over Piniella’s leadership. At that time, the Yankees led the AL East with a 66-45 record, but the season took a downturn, culminating in a 23-27 record afterward.

The emotional toll on Piniella was evident. The once animated and passionate manager became visibly subdued, a transformation noted by co-captain Willie Randolph. Piniella, known for his emotional coaching style, acknowledged the impact on both himself and the players. Yet, despite the challenges, he remained steadfast, expressing no regrets about his efforts and commitment.

The decision on Piniella’s future rested in the hands of George Steinbrenner, a figure known for turning such decisions into agonizing waiting periods. The factors influencing Steinbrenner’s decision included the potential availability of Tommy Lasorda and whether Bucky Dent, managing at Class AAA Columbus, was deemed ready for the role.

Amid the uncertainty, Piniella, who turned 44 in August, reflected on his time with the Yankees. He expressed disappointment in not delivering a division title but maintained that he had given his all to the organization. As the season concluded, the toll on Piniella was evident, with his job described as draining rather than enjoyable.

As the Yankees closed the chapter on the 1987 season, uncertainty hung over Lou Piniella’s managerial tenure. The wearisome year, marked by mid-season struggles and public critiques, left Piniella at a crossroads. Little did the baseball world know that Piniella, despite the managerial uncertainty, would transition to the front office. In 1988, he embraced a new role as the Yankees’ General Manager, steering the franchise in a different direction as he continued to leave an indelible mark on the team’s legacy.

How do you rate the 1987 New York Yankees?