The New York Yankees' 1982 season was the 80th season for the Yankees. The team finished in fifth place in the American League Eastern Division with a record of 79-83, finishing 16 games behind the AL Champion Milwaukee Brewers. As a result, the Yankees endured their first losing season since going 80-82 in 1973, the team's final season at the original Yankee Stadium before the 1976 renovations. The Yankees were managed by Gene Michael, Bob Lemon, and Clyde King. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium.
October 13, 1981: Eric Soderholm was released by the New York Yankees.October 21, 1981: Willie McGee was traded by the Yankees to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bob Sykes.November 4, 1981: Brian Ryder (minors) and a player to be named later were traded by the Yankees to the Cincinnati Reds for Ken Griffey, Sr.. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Freddie Toliver to the Reds on December 9.November 17, 1981: Aurelio Rodríguez was traded by the New York Yankees to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later. The Toronto Blue Jays sent Mike Lebo (minors) (December 9, 1981) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.February 22, 1982: Barry Evans was purchased by the Yankees from the San Diego Padres.March 30, 1982: Andy McGaffigan and Ted Wilborn were traded by the Yankees to the San Francisco Giants for Doyle Alexander.April 27, 1982, Reggie Jackson returned to Yankee Stadium with the Angels. He broke out of a terrible season-starting slump to hit a home run off former teammate Ron Guidry. The at-bat began with Yankee fans, angry at Steinbrenner for letting Jackson get away, starting the "Reg-GIE!" chant, and ended it with the fans chanting "Steinbrenner sucks!" By the time of Jackson's election to the Hall of Fame, Steinbrenner had begun to say that letting him go was the biggest mistake he has made as Yankee owner.September 5, 1982: Roy Smalley hit home runs from both sides of plate for New York Yankees.Future NFL Hall of Famer John Elway played baseball for the New York Yankees' Oneonta single-A farm club in 1982. Elway posted a .318 average and knocked in a team-high 24 runs with no errors in 42 games.April 1, 1982: Bill Caudill was acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs to complete an earlier deal (the Cubs sent players to be named later to the Yankees for Pat Tabler) made on August 19, 1981.April 1, 1982: Bill Caudill, Gene Nelson and a player to be named later were traded by the Yankees to the Seattle Mariners for Shane Rawley. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Bobby Brown to the Mariners on April 6.April 5, 1982: Brad Gulden was traded by the Yankees to the Montreal Expos for Bobby Ramos.April 23, 1982: Bob Watson was traded by the Yankees to the Atlanta Braves for Scott Patterson (minors).May 5, 1982: Dave Revering, Tom Dodd, and Jeff Reynolds (minors) was traded by the Yankees to the Toronto Blue Jays for John Mayberry.August 8, 1982: Bucky Dent was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for Lee Mazzilli.August 31, 1982: Tommy John was traded by the Yankees to the California Angels for a player to be named later. The Angels completed the deal by sending Dennis Rasmussen to the Yankees on November 24.June 7, 1982: 1982 Major League Baseball DraftBo Jackson was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round, but did not sign.Dan Pasqua was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round.B. J. Surhoff was drafted by the Yankees in the 5th round, but did not sign.Jim Deshaies was drafted by the Yankees in the 21st round.Mike York was drafted by the Yankees in the 40th round.Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Awards and honors
Ron Guidry, Goose Gossage and Dave Winfield represented the Yankees at the 1982 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.Gold Gloves were awarded to pitcher, Guidry and outfielder, Winfield.Dave Winfield, Silver Slugger Award.LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, Greensboro, GCL Yankees