The New York Yankees' 1985 season was the 83rd season for the Yankees. The team only played 161 games, came in second place in the American League Eastern Division with a record of 97-64, and finished 2 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Yogi Berra and Billy Martin. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.
November 5, 1984: Matt Keough was released by the Yankees.
December 4, 1984: Ray Fontenot and Brian Dayett were traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs for Ron Hassey, Porfi Altamirano, Rich Bordi, and Henry Cotto.
December 5, 1984: Rick Cerone was traded by the Yankees to the Atlanta Braves for Brian Fisher.
December 5, 1984: Stan Javier, Jay Howell, José Rijo, Eric Plunk, and Tim Birtsas were traded by the Yankees to the Oakland Athletics for Rickey Henderson, Bert Bradley and cash.
December 20, 1984: Steve Kemp, Tim Foli, and cash were traded by the Yankees to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jay Buhner, Dale Berra and Alfonso Pulido.
December 27, 1984: Ed Whitson was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
February 27, 1985: Toby Harrah was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for Billy Sample and a player to be named later. The Rangers completed the deal by sending Eric Dersin (minors) to the Yankees on July 14.
Rickey Henderson set a new club record by stealing 80 bases in one season. The previous mark had stood since 1914.
Henderson also scored 146 runs. It was the most in the Major Leagues since Ted Williams scored 150 runs in 1949. In addition, Rickey Henderson became the first player since Lou Gehrig in 1936 to amass more runs in a season than games played.
Don Mattingly became the first Yankee since Joe DiMaggio to have back to back 200 hit seasons.
Mattingly's 48 doubles were the most since Lou Gehrig hit 52 in 1927.
Mattingly was the AL MVP and RBI leader with 145. Mattingly hit for a .324 average with 35 home runs.
Dave Winfield became the first Yankee since Yogi Berra to achieve four straight 100 RBI seasons. Berra did it from 1953 to 1956.
On September 22, while at a hotel bar in Baltimore, Maryland, pitcher Ed Whitson broke manager Billy Martin's arm after a heated argument that spread to other parts of the hotel. Whitson's Yankee tenure was also memorable for constantly being heckled and booed during home games.
On October 5, the Yankees entered the next-to-last game of the season against the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays trailing them by two games. However, the Jays, led by pitcher Doyle Alexander, triumphed 5-1, clinching their first division title in franchise history.
June 3, 1985: Shane Turner was drafted by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 1985 Major League Baseball Draft.
August 24, 1985: Jim Leyritz was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent.
September 13, 1985: Bernie Williams was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent.
September 15, 1985: Jim Deshaies and players to be named later were traded by the Yankees to the Houston Astros for Joe Niekro, who joined his brother Phil Niekro in the rotation. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Neder Horta (minors) to the Astros on September 24 and Dody Rather (minors) to the Astros on January 11, 1986.
Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In
Awards and honors
Don Baylor – Roberto Clemente Award
Ron Guidry – Gold Glove
Rickey Henderson – American League Leader Stolen Bases (80)
Rickey Henderson – Major League Baseball Leader Runs Scored (146)
Rickey Henderson – Silver Slugger Award
Don Mattingly – American League Most Valuable Player
Don Mattingly – American League Leader RBI (145)
Don Mattingly – Gold Glove
Don Mattingly – Silver Slugger Award
Dave Winfield – Silver Slugger Award
Dave Winfield – Gold Glove
All-Star Game
Don Mattingly, First Base
Dave Winfield, Outfield
Rickey Henderson, Outfield
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Oneonta, GCL Yankees
