The Yankees purchase Lenny Randle from Pittsburgh to fill the roster spot of Thurman Munson, who died in a plane crash yesterday. The 31 year-old former Pirates utility outfielder and designated hitter will appear in only 20 games for the Bronx Bombers, with Jerry Narron replacing the Captain as the team’s backstop.

The Yankees purchase Lenny Randle from Pittsburgh to fill the roster spot of Thurman Munson, who died in a plane crash yesterday. The 31 year-old former Pirates utility outfielder and designated hitter will appear in only 20 games for the Bronx Bombers, with Jerry Narron replacing the Captain as the team’s backstop.

Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees is killed in the crash of his private plane in Canton, Ohio

Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees is killed in the crash of his private plane in Canton, Ohio

On August 2, 1979, 32-year-old Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees is killed when the Cessna Citation I/SP jet he is learning to fly clips a tree and crashes 1,000 feet short of the runway at Akron-Canton Regional Airport. The Yankee catcher had been taking lessons for over two years so he could get…

Final photo of Thurman from 8/1/1979, congratulating Reggie after a HR against the White Sox at Comsikey Park

Following the Yankees’ 9 – 1 win over the White Sox, members of the New York club create a minor scandal by autographing the bare behind of a young woman who boards the team bus outside Comiskey Park.

Following the Yankees’ 9 – 1 win over the White Sox, members of the New York club create a minor scandal by autographing the bare behind of a young woman who boards the team bus outside Comiskey Park.

In an 8-player deal, the Rangers send OF Oscar Gamble, minor leaguer Amos Lewis (a 1st round pick in the 1978 draft) and two players to be named to the Yankees and finally acquire OF Mickey Rivers and three players to be named. Rivers had been traded to the Rangers in June but the deal fell through. Both of the players to be named with Gamble will make the majors: Gene Nelson and Ray Fontenot, something that can’t be said for the three unnamed to Texas.

In an 8-player deal, the Rangers send OF Oscar Gamble, minor leaguer Amos Lewis (a 1st round pick in the 1978 draft) and two players to be named to the Yankees and finally acquire OF Mickey Rivers and three players to be named. Rivers had been traded to the Rangers in June but the deal fell through. Both of the players to be named with Gamble will make the majors: Gene Nelson and Ray Fontenot, something that can’t be said for the three unnamed to Texas.

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1979 – Ken Forsch twirls a three-hitter as the Astros top the Dodgers, 5-2, but the talk is about a brawl that clears the benches. Cesar Cedeno spikes Steve Yeager during a play at the plate. Yeager later tosses a ball out to Cedeno at first who fires it back into the L.A. bench. Ken Brett then hits Enos Cabell with a pitch and away they go. Tommy Lasorda beat the rush, getting tossed three innings earlier.

1979 – Ken Forsch twirls a three-hitter as the Astros top the Dodgers, 5-2, but the talk is about a brawl that clears the benches. Cesar Cedeno spikes Steve Yeager during a play at the plate. Yeager later tosses a ball out to Cedeno at first who fires it back into the L.A. bench. Ken Brett then hits Enos Cabell with a pitch and away they go. Tommy Lasorda beat the rush, getting tossed three innings earlier.

At Texas, the Boston Red Sox pull off a 1st-inning triple play – 9-4-3 – against the Rangers. It’s Boston’s third triple play of the year (July 23rd and May 10th) tying a major-league record, and it’s needed as the Sox win, 1 – 0. Dennis Eckersley beats Fergie Jenkins.

At Texas, the Boston Red Sox pull off a 1st-inning triple play – 9-4-3 – against the Rangers. It’s Boston’s third triple play of the year (July 23rd and May 10th) tying a major-league record, and it’s needed as the Sox win, 1 – 0. Dennis Eckersley beats Fergie Jenkins.

The Cubs’ Dave Kingman continues his slugging with a single and three consecutive home runs during a 6 – 4 loss to the Mets. Kingman ties two records by having his second three-homer game of the season (the first was on May 17th) and hitting five home runs over two consecutive games.

The Cubs’ Dave Kingman continues his slugging with a single and three consecutive home runs during a 6 – 4 loss to the Mets. Kingman ties two records by having his second three-homer game of the season (the first was on May 17th) and hitting five home runs over two consecutive games.

The Cubs’ Dave Kingman continues his slugging with a single and three consecutive home runs during a 6 – 4 loss to the Mets. Kingman ties two records by having his second three-homer game of the season (the first was on May 17th) and hitting five home runs over two consecutive games.

The Brewers edge the Yankees, 6 – 5, and Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th American League player this month to hit three home runs in a game.

The Brewers edge the Yankees, 6 – 5, and Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th American League player this month to hit three home runs in a game.

The Brewers edge the Yankees, 6 – 5, and Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th American League player this month to hit three home runs in a game.

On his first day back in a home uniform, eight years after leaving the Expos, Rusty Staub receives the longest standing ovation in franchise history when he pinch-hits for Elias Sosa in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh. The first-place Montreal club re-acquired ‘Le Grand Orange’ from the Tigers to come off the bench as an experienced pinch-hitter and to fill in at first base.

On his first day back in a home uniform, eight years after leaving the Expos, Rusty Staub receives the longest standing ovation in franchise history when he pinch-hits for Elias Sosa in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh. The first-place Montreal club re-acquired ‘Le Grand Orange’ from the Tigers to come off the bench as an experienced pinch-hitter and to fill in at first base.