Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

1978 New York Yankees season

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Owner(s)
  
George Steinbrenner

General manager(s)
  
Cedric Tallis

Manager(s)
  
Billy Martin, Dick Howser, Bob Lemon

Local television
  
WPIX (Phil Rizzuto, Frank Messer, Bill White)

Local radio
  
WINS (AM) (Frank Messer, Phil Rizzuto, Bill White, Fran Healy)

The 1978 New York Yankees season was the 76th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 100-63, finishing one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox to win their third American League East title. The two teams were tied after 162 games, leading to a one-game playoff, which the Yankees won.

Contents

In the ALCS, they defeated the Kansas City Royals in 4 games. In the World Series, they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in 6 games in a rematch of the 1977 World Series. New York was managed by Billy Martin, Dick Howser and Bob Lemon. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.

The season was tumultuous for the Yankees, as Jackson was suspended in a midseason showdown with Billy Martin, which later resulted in Martin resigning mid-season.

Offseason

  • November 22, 1977: Goose Gossage was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
  • December 5, 1977: Jesús Figueroa was drafted from the Yankees by the Chicago Cubs in the 1977 rule 5 draft.
  • December 9, 1977: Sergio Ferrer was traded by the Yankees to the New York Mets for Roy Staiger.
  • December 12, 1977: Stan Thomas and Ed Ricks (minors) were traded by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for Jim Spencer, Tommy Cruz and Bob Polinsky (minors).

    • Regular season

    During the season, Ron Guidry became the last pitcher to win at least 25 games in one season for the Yankees in the 20th century. Guidry won the Cy Young Award by unanimous vote. In 273 2/3 innings, he compiled a record of 25-3, with 248 strikeouts, 1.74 ERA, and 9 shutouts.

    Relief pitcher Goose Gossage won Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award, leading the American League with 27 saves.

    Season summary

    In July, the team was  14 1⁄2 games behind the Boston Red Sox, but rallied in the second half of the season to finish tied for first place. The Yankees were victorious over the Red Sox in the one-game playoff for the AL East title. This game featured Bucky Dent's famous 3-run go-ahead home run in the 7th inning.

    Notable transactions

  • June 10, 1978: Ken Holtzman was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. The Cubs completed the deal by sending Ron Davis to the Yankees on June 12.
  • June 14, 1978: Rawly Eastwick was traded by the Yankees to the Philadelphia Phillies for Bobby Brown and Jay Johnstone.
  • June 15, 1978: Mickey Klutts, Dell Alston and $50,000 were traded by the Yankees to the Oakland Athletics for Gary Thomasson.

    • Draft picks

  • June 6, 1978: 1978 Major League Baseball draft
  • Rex Hudler was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (18th pick). Player signed June 20, 1978.
  • Steve Balboni was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round.

    • Starters by position

    Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

    Other batters

    Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

    Starting pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    Other pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    Relief pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    Game 1

    October 3: Royals Stadium

    Game 2

    October 4: Royals Stadium

    Game 3

    October 6: Yankee Stadium

    Game 4

    October 7: Yankee Stadium

    World Series

    AL New York Yankees (4) vs. NL Los Angeles Dodgers (2)

    Awards and honors

  • Gold Glove Awards
  • Chris Chambliss, first baseman
  • Graig Nettles, third baseman
  • Bucky Dent, Babe Ruth Award
  • Bucky Dent, World Series MVP
  • Goose Gossage, Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award
  • Ron Guidry, AL Cy Young

    • Franchise records

  • Ron Guidry, Yankees single season record, most strikeouts in a season (248)

    • All-Stars

    All-Star Game

  • Guidry, Gossage, Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson and Graig Nettles all represented the Yankees.

    • Other team leaders

  • Stolen Bases – Willie Randolph, 36
  • Walks – Willie Randolph, 82

    • Farm system

    LEAGUE CO-CHAMPION: Tacoma

    References

    1978 New York Yankees season Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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