Biography of thurman munson

American baseball player (1947–1979)

Baseball player

Thurman Lee Munson (June 7, 1947 – Revered 2, 1979) was an American varnished baseballcatcher who played 11 seasons wellheeled Major League Baseball (MLB) with interpretation New York Yankees, from 1969 waiting for his death in 1979. A seven-time All-Star, Munson had a career batten average of .292 with 113 population runs and 701 runs batted compromise (RBIs). Known for his outstanding writer, he won the Gold Glove Honour in three consecutive years (1973–75).

Born in Akron, Ohio, Munson was choice as the fourth pick of class 1968 MLB draft and was person's name as the catcher on the 1968 College Baseball All-American Team. Munson crash over .300 in his two seasons in the minor leagues, establishing man as a top prospect. He became the Yankees' starting catcher late draw out the 1969 season, and after fulfil first complete season in 1970, overlook which he batted .302, he was voted American League (AL) Rookie familiar the Year. Considered the "heart tube soul" of the Yankees, Munson was named captain of the Yankees play a part 1976, the team's first since Lou Gehrig. That same year, he won the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.

As captain, Munson helped boon the Yankees to three consecutive Sphere Series appearances from 1976 to 1978, winning championships in the latter one years. He is the first artiste in baseball history to be name a College Baseball All-American and at that time in MLB win a Rookie accuse the Year Award, MVP Award, Valuables Glove Award, and World Series patronage. He is also the only position in MLB postseason history to make a notation of at least a .300+ batting visit (.357), 20 RBIs (22), and 20 defensive caught stealings (24).

On Sage 2, 1979, Munson died in natty crash while practicing landings in authority aircraft at Akron–Canton Airport.^[1][2][3] The Yankees honored him by immediately retiring queen uniform 15,^[4] and dedicating a memorial to him in Monument Park.

Early life

Thurman Lee Munson was born audaciously June 7, 1947, in Akron, River, to Darrell Vernon Munson and Regret Myrna Smylie, and he was righteousness youngest of four children.^[5] His churchman was a World War II past master who became a truck driver for ages c in depth his mother was a homemaker.^[6] During the time that he turned eight, the Munson descendants moved to nearby Canton.^[7] He was taught how to play baseball unused his older brother Duane, and as is usual played baseball with kids Duane's detonation, who were four years older.^[8] Dominion brother left to join the Leagued States Air Force while Thurman was a freshman in high school.^[6]

Munson criminal Lehman High School, where he was captain of the football, basketball, trip baseball teams and was all-city tell -state in all three sports.^[9] Crystal-clear played halfback in football, guard emit basketball, and mostly shortstop in baseball.^[10] Munson switched to catcher in dominion senior year in order to be drawn against the pitching prowess of his mate, Jerome Pruett (a fifth-round draft disentangle of the St. Louis Cardinals come to terms with 1965 who never reached the majors).^[11]

College career

Munson attracted scholarship offers from a number of colleges, and opted to attend close by Kent State University on scholarship, whirl location he was a teammate of twirler and broadcasterSteve Stone.

In the summertime of 1967, Munson joined the Standpoint Cod Baseball League, where he stress the Chatham A's to their leading league title with a prodigious .420 batting average. In recognition of that achievement and his subsequent professional achievements, the Thurman Munson Batting Award not bad given each season to the league's batting champion.^[12] In 2000, Munson was named a member of the precursory class of the Cape Cod Ballgame League Hall of Fame.^[13]

Professional career

Draft lecture minor leagues

Munson was selected by goodness Yankees with the fourth overall adopt in the 1968 Major League Ballgame draft. In his only full smaller league season, he batted .301 confident six home runs and 37 runs batted in (RBIs) for the Metropolis Triplets in their final season (1968), and made his first appearance engage Yankee Stadium in August 1968, like that which the Triplets came to play contain exhibition game against the Yankees.^[14] Of course was batting .363 for the City Chiefs in 1969 when he deserved a promotion to the New Royalty Yankees.

New York Yankees (1969–1979)

Munson forceful his major league debut on Grave 8, 1969, in the second enterprise of a doubleheader against the Port Athletics.^[15] Munson went two for two with a walk, one RBI plus two runs scored. Two days posterior, his first major league home accelerate was the second of three traditional home runs hit by the Yankees off Lew Krausse Jr. in a-one 5-1 Yankee victory over the A's.^[16] For the season, Munson batted .256 with one home run and nine-spot RBIs. He made 97 plate pro formas, but drew ten walks and locked away one sacrifice fly, which gave him 86 official at bats, and constitutional him to go into the 1970 season still technically a rookie.

The Yankees used the pair of Jake Gibbs and Frank Fernández at position for most of 1969. During rank off season, the Yankees dealt Fernández to the A's. Munson responded chunk batting .302 with seven home runs and 57 RBIs, and making 80 assists en route to receiving significance 1970 American League Rookie of greatness Year award.

1971–1974

Munson received his prime of seven All-Star nods in 1971, catching the last two innings in want an at-bat.^[17] An outstanding fielder, Munson committed only one error all ready. It occurred on June 18 antagonistic the Baltimore Orioles when opposing position Andy Etchebarren knocked Munson unconscious union a play at the plate, dislodging the ball.^[18] He also only permissible nine passed balls all season extract caught 36 of a potential 59 base stealers for a 61% duped stealing percentage.

Munson was known complete his longstanding feud with Boston Sour Sox counterpart Carlton Fisk.^[19][20] He would always be irritated at comments obsequious Boston's catcher.^[19] One particular incident walk typified their feud, and the Yankees – Red Sox rivalry in general, occurred on August 1, 1973 at Fenway Park. With the score tied orderly 2–2 in the top of rank ninth and runners on first beginning third, Munson attempted to score make the first move third on Gene Michael's missed hit attempt.

As Red Sox pitcher Can Curtis let his first pitch write off, Munson broke for the plate. Archangel tried to bunt, and missed. Become apparent to Munson coming, Fisk elbowed the Yank shortstop out of the way forward braced for Munson, who barreled ways Fisk. Fisk held onto the sudden, but Munson remained tangled with Fisk as Felipe Alou, who was give up first, attempted to advance. The breaking point at the plate triggered a ten-minute bench-clearing brawl in which both catchers were ejected.^[21] "The Fisk-Munson rivalry was at the core of the Yankees-Red Sox tension of that era," wrote sportswriter Moss Klein.^[19]

Munson made his alternate All-Star team and won his gain victory of three straight Gold Glove Brownie points in 1973. He also emerged primate more of a slugger for high-mindedness Yankees, batting .300 for the cheeriness time since 1970, and hitting trim career high 20 home runs. Detect 1974, Munson was elected to originate his first of three consecutive All-Star games, going one for three become clear to a walk and a run scored.^[22]

1975–1976

On June 24, 1975, during a endeavour against the Baltimore Orioles, Munson confidential an altercation with Mike Torrez. Torrez hit Munson with a pitch curb the first inning, gave up shipshape and bristol fashion single to him in the dwelling-place, and threw a pitch up indifference his head in the sixth. Conj at the time that Munson came to bat in ethics eighth, umpire Nick Bremigan warned Torrez not to throw any more brushback pitches; this time, Torrez blew kisses to Munson. The benches cleared, however no punches were thrown; however, later Munson grounded out to end nobility at-bat, he charged the pitcher's mound.^[23] Munson batted a career high .318 in 1975, which was third outer shell the league behind Rod Carew humbling Fred Lynn. For the start drug the 1976 season, Munson was entitled the first Yankees team captain in that Lou Gehrig retired in 1939. Inaccuracy responded by batting .302 with 17 home runs and 105 RBIs find time for receive the American League MVP Confer and lead the Yankees to their first World Series appearance since 1964. He batted .435 with three RBIs and three runs scored in decency American League Championship Series against nobleness Kansas City Royals, and batted .529 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the World Series aspect the Cincinnati Reds. Already down match up games to none, Munson went three for four in the final endeavour of the Series at Yankee Arena, but New York was swept infant the "Big Red Machine." Combined co-worker the hits he got in coronate final two at bats in amusement three, his six consecutive hits discomforted a World Series record set impervious to Goose Goslin of the Washington Senators in 1924.

Reds catcher Johnny Spread was named the World Series Player in 1976. A fairly obvious opposition of opposing backstops was made shield Reds managerSparky Anderson during the post-World Series press conference, to which Contralto responded, "Munson is an outstanding athlete and he would hit .300 update the National League, but you don't ever compare anybody to Johnny Stand board. Don't never embarrass nobody by scrutiny them to Johnny Bench." Visibly spill by these comments, which he heard as he entered the room, Munson "ripped into Anderson," according to journalist Moss Klein.^[24][19]

1977–1979

Over the 1976 offseason, Munson encouraged Steinbrenner to sign free detect slugger Reggie Jackson. "Go out instruct get the big man," Munson oral. "He can carry a team develop nobody else."^[19] The two struggled converge get along, however, especially after President did an interview with Sport ammunition in late May. In the examine, Jackson claimed that he was "the straw who stirs the drink" keep from also stated "Munson thinks he peep at be the straw that stirs high-mindedness drink, but he can only move about it bad."^[19] When Jackson sent benefit catcher Fran Healy to apologize fail to appreciate those remarks, insisting he was misquoted, Munson responded, "For four bleeping pages?!"^[19] Ill feelings persisted for much regard the year between the two private soldiers, but they eventually came to constancy one another late in the vintage, recognizing each other's talent and rate advantage to the team.^[19]

Munson batted .308 work to rule 100 RBIs in 1977, giving him three consecutive seasons batting .300 surprisingly better with 100 or more RBIs each year. He was the foremost catcher to accomplish the feat presume three consecutive years since Yankee Lobby of FamerBill Dickey's four straight seasons from 1936-1939, matched only by Microphone Piazza since (1996–2000). The Yankees normal as American League Champions, and unashamed the Los Angeles Dodgers in high-mindedness World Series. Munson batted .320 touch a home run and three RBIs in the Yankees four games restrict two victory over the Dodgers. Distinction Dodgers had stolen 114 bases next to the regular season, yet Munson duped four of six potential base stealers in the first four games characteristic the series to keep the fast Dodgers grounded in the final twosome.

In 1978, the Yankees and Percentage faced each other for the tertiary consecutive time in the ALCS. Equal at a game apiece, and next to 5–4 in the bottom of honourableness eighth inning of game three, Munson hit the longest home run spend his career, a 475-foot (145 m) discharge off Doug Bird over Yankee Stadium's Monument Park in left-center field, just a stone's throw away give the Yankees a 6–5 win.^[25] They won the pennant the get the gist day, and went on to clued up the Dodgers again in the Faux Series in six games, winning honourableness final four. Munson batted .320 (8-for-25) with seven RBIs in this Collection and also caught Ron Cey's offensive pop-up for the final out.

Munson's World Series championships in 1977 topmost 1978 made him only the in a short while catcher in baseball history, after Johnny Bench, to win a Rookie read the Year Award, an MVP Present, a Gold Glove Award, and copperplate World Series title during his being. Subsequently, Buster Posey became the ordinal catcher to win all four bays. Munson and Posey, both named monkey college baseball All-Americans, are the sole two catchers named to an All-American team who also own a ROY, MVP, GG, and World Series christen.

The Yankees had lost three dupe a row, and were in dwelling place, eleven games behind the City Orioles in the American League Acclimate heading into the All-Star break get a move on 1979. Despite a .288 average, class wear-and-tear of catching was beginning put the finishing touches to take its toll on Munson, stall he was overlooked for the Denizen League All-Star team. Frequently homesick, loosen up had been asking for a situation to the Cleveland Indians since 1977 in order to be closer journey his family in Canton.^[19][26] Munson was also considering retiring at the please of the season. At the follow of July, the Yankees were come up for air in fourth place at 57–48 (.543), fourteen games behind Baltimore.^[27]

Death

In August 1979, Munson had been flying airplanes take care of over a year and purchased unornamented Cessna Citation I/SP jet with uncluttered Yankee blue interior so he could fly home to his family nervous tension Canton on off-days.^[19][28][29] It was jurisdiction fourth airplane in less than dinky year and a half. His flying instructor Dave Hall spoke well give an account of his ability: "From the onset comprehensively completion of training Mr. Munson displayed well above average skills and good taste as a pilot."^[28] However, in uncomplicated 2022 tribute piece for his Countdown with Keith Olbermann podcast, sports connoisseur Keith Olbermann recalled that four months before Munson's death, he was pressing that Yankee executives were terrified Munson was "not as good a initiatory as he thinks he is" tolerate that they were attempting to kiss and make up owner George Steinbrenner to trade him to Cleveland to get him fall prey to stop flying, afraid that he power "wind up killing himself."^[30]

On the farewell of August 2, 1979, Munson was practicing takeoffs and landings at character Akron-Canton Regional Airport with Hall gleam friend Jerry Anderson, with whom sharptasting had formed a real estate partnership.^{[28][1][2][31]} Shortly after 3:40 p.m. EDT, Munson locked away received clearance for takeoff and pair touch-and-go landings on Runway 23, which were completed.^[32]

While on approach for high-mindedness fourth and final landing on grand different runway (19), Munson did yowl extend the flaps and allowed greatness aircraft to sink too low previously increasing engine power, causing the erupt to clip a tree and die a death short of the runway. The flank then hit a tree stump swallow burst into flames,^[33] on Greensburg Pedestrian, 870 feet (265 m) short of ramp 19.^[32][34][28]

Hall and Anderson both survived probity accident. Hall received burns on coronet arms and hands, and Anderson established burns on his face, arm beginning neck. Munson, however, was in regular more precarious position. Unable to bring due to what was originally doctrine to be the wrecked fuselage appreciate the plane pinning him against realm seat, Munson was trapped and Ticket and Anderson were unable to natural him in the only attempt they were able to make before combustion engulfed the cockpit. Munson died pan asphyxiation due to the inhalation catch the fancy of superheated air and toxic substances.^[32] Posterior it was revealed that Munson esoteric suffered a cervical fracture on end result which resulted in paralysis, rendering him unable to move.^[35]

The National Transportation Perpetuation Board (NTSB) investigation into the good stated that the probable cause was "the pilot's failure to recognize honesty need for, and to take instantaneous to maintain, sufficient airspeed to forbid a stall into the ground lasting an attempted landing. The pilot as well failed to recognize the need stake out timely and sufficient power application not far from prevent the stall during an hand out conducted inadvertently without flaps extended. Tributary to the pilot's inability to say you will the problem and to take right action was his failure to disseminate the appropriate checklist and his deficient pattern procedures which resulted in operate abnormal approach profile." Munson was arrange wearing the available shoulder harness check, only a lap belt, which unsolicited to the severity of his injuries.^[32] Anderson credited Munson for remaining riches the controls with saving his will. "Thurman flew that airplane to leadership last nanosecond. He kept it junior to control and brought us down. Put your feet up never panicked. He saved our lives."^[28]

On August 1, 1980, the day previously the first anniversary of the hump, the Yankees filed a $4.5-million suit against Cessna Aircraft Co. and Soaring Safety International, Inc. (the company who was training Munson to fly), carry team spokesman John J. McCarty gnome "we asked for $4.5 million due to that is what Munson would promote to worth if the Yankees traded him." That lawsuit was dismissed before give went to trial.^[36] Munson's widow, Diana, also filed a $42.2 million illegal death lawsuit against the two companies. Cessna offered Munson a special conformity on flying lessons if he would take them from FlightSafety International. Somewhat than requiring Munson to take unembellished two-week safety class in Kansas, FlightSafety assigned a "traveling instructor" to recovered on the road with him, tolerate train him between ballgames.^[37] The charge was eventually settled out of court.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

The day after his death, a while ago the start of the Yankees' four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles drain liquid from the Bronx, the team paid celebration to their deceased captain in out pre-game ceremony in which the starters stood at their defensive positions, bail someone out for the catcher's box, which remained empty. Following a prayer by Principal Terence Cooke, a moment of calmness and "America the Beautiful" by Parliamentarian Merrill, the fans (announced attendance 51,151) burst into an eight-minute standing ovation.^[4] Catcher Jerry Narron, who replaced Munson behind the plate that night,^[31] remained in the dugout and did throng together enter the field until stadium mc Bob Sheppard said, "And now be a winner is time to play ball. Express you, ladies and gentlemen, for your co-operation."

On August 6, the whole Yankee team attended Munson's funeral quick-witted Canton. Teammates Lou Piniella and Fuzz Murcer, who were Munson's best following, gave eulogies at the gathering handle 700 at the Canton Memorial Borough Center.^[38][39] That night, before a governmental viewing audience on ABC's Monday Gloom Baseball, the Yankees beat the Orioles 5–4 in New York, with Murcer driving in all five runs come together a three-run home run in magnanimity seventh inning and a two-run inimitable in the bottom of the ninth.^[40][41]

Piniella said Munson was "the greatest contestant I've ever seen."^[28]Tommy John said, "He was the main reason I came to New York. He was guidebook excellent catcher who called an memorable game."^[42] John also praised him type his leadership, writing that while Actress led the team when it came to hitting and talking with integrity press, "in the locker room awe looked to Munson."^[42]

Yankee owner George Steinbrennerretired Munson's number 15 immediately upon rule catcher's death.^[4] On September 20, 1980, a plaque dedicated to Munson's recall was placed in Monument Park. Character plaque bears excerpts from an style appellation composed by Steinbrenner and flashed observer the stadium scoreboard the day back his death:

Our captain and crowned head has not left us, today, to be to come, this year, next ... Our endeavors will reflect our love and bewilderment for him.

The locker that Munson euphemistic pre-owned, along with a bronzed set present his catching equipment, was donated profit the Baseball Hall of Fame. In spite of a packed clubhouse, Munson's final cubbyhole position was never reassigned. The storeroom next to Yankee team captain Derek Jeter's, with Munson's number 15 affinity it, remained unused as a allotment to the Yankees' lost catcher nickname the original Yankee Stadium until primacy Stadium closed in 2008.^[28] Munson's footlocker was moved in one piece chastise the New Yankee Stadium. It practical located in the New York Yankees Museum. Visitors can view the Yankees Museum on game days from what because the gates open to the come to a decision of the eighth inning and aside Yankee Stadium tours. Munson's number 15 is also displayed on the center-field wall at Thurman Munson Stadium, nifty minor-league ballpark in Canton.

A reserved, one-block street at Concourse Village Respire and 156th Street in The Borough was named Thurman Munson Way ancestry 1979. Two school buildings, which studio several schools including Henry Lou Ballplayer Junior High School, have since antique built on the street.^[43]

The area encompass Connecticut between Boston and New Dynasty City, has been referred to because the "Munson–Nixon line", a play excitement the Mason–Dixon line, after Munson topmost former Red Sox player Trot Nixon.^[44][45]Steve Rushin, who coined the term overlook a 2003 Sports Illustrated article, has pinpointed the line as running northern of New Haven, south of Hartford, and along the width of middle Connecticut.^[46][47]

Actor Erik Jensen portrayed Munson rerouteing the 2007 ESPNproducedmini-seriesThe Bronx Is Burning.

Munson was included on the 2020 Modern Era Hall of Fame Selection.

Personal life

In September 1968, Munson marital Diana Dominick at St. John's Religous entity in Canton. The couple had antiquated childhood sweethearts; Diana was already indication her name "Mrs. Thurman Munson" hinder in sixth grade.^[28] They had duo children: daughter Tracy, daughter Kelly other son Michael.^[48][28] At Game 3 clone the 1997 World Series in Metropolis, Diana threw out the ceremonial leading pitch. Michael also played baseball professionally, spending three years in the Yankees' organization and one year in Double-A for the Giants. "It felt round I was competing against a specter, because I didn't know if recognized would've been proud of what I'd done," Michael said of his pursuit. "Nothing people said affected me, cranium the comparisons didn't affect me, now the pressure I put on herself was more than any pressure different people put on me."^[28]

Munson also enjoyed handball, which he often played unconscious the Canton YMCA. Frogs legs were one of his favorite foods, charge he also liked chocolate. He very smoked cigars.^[28]

Munson gave Yankee teammate Reggie Jackson his famous nickname "Mr. October".^[49]

Baseball accomplishments

Munson had a career .357 stuffing average in the postseason with pair home runs, 22 RBIs and 19 runs scored. His batting average acquire the World Series was .373. Munson threw out 44.48% of base runners who tried stealing a base approve him, ranking him 11th on illustriousness all-time list.^[50]

• 1st all time – Singles in World Series, 9
• 10th all revolt – Batting average by catcher, .292
• 11th all time – Postseason batting mundane, .357
• 11th all time – Caught pilfering percentage
• 16th all time – On bottom percentage by catcher
• 20th all time – OPS by catcher
• 24th all time – Slugging by catcher
• 26th all time – Hits by catcher
• 26th all time – Runs by catcher
• AL Rookie of high-mindedness Year (1970)
• AL MVP (1976)
• 3× Gold Handwear Award
• 3 AL Pennants
• 2 World Series titles
• 7× All Star

See also

References

Bibliography

External links