1979 – Billy Martin is involved in a barroom altercation with Joseph Cooper, a Minnesota marshmallow salesman. Cooper requires 15 stitches to close a gash in his lip. The fight will result in Martin being fired as Yankees manager for the second time.
New York Yankees president Al Rosen resigns after a year and a half on the job. Rosen continually found himself in disagreements with Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner.
On July 25, 1978, the New York Yankees name Bob Lemon as manager, jettisoning Billy Martin. Under Lemon’s leadership, the Yankees will erase a nine-and-a-half-game deficit and win the American League East on their way to the World Championship.
Billy Martin (52-42) resigns as Yankee manager and is replaced by Bob Lemon, who was fired by the White Sox on June 30th. The Bronx Bombers, en route to a World Championship, respond by playing .700 ball for their new skipper, winning 48 of the remaining 68 games played this season.
On July 23, 1978 Reggie Jackson returns to the team and the Yankees win their 5th straight, 3 – 1, over the White Sox. At the Chicago airport, Billy Martin, reacting to reporters’ questions about Jackson and George Steinbrenner, replies: “The two deserve each other. One’s a born liar; the other’s convicted.” The remarks will…
Billy Martin installs Reggie Jackson as the Yankees’ regular clean-up hitter. The Yanks beat the A’s, 6 – 3, as Ron Guidry outpitches Vida Blue. Graig Nettles belts his 26th homer of the season. New York will win 40 of its final 53 games on the way to a World Series title, with Jackson contributing 13 home runs and 49 RBIs.
Reggie Jackson and manager Billy Martin have dugout confrontation On June 18, 1977, At Fenway Park “I am the straw that stirs the drink,” Reggie Jackson announced after signing with the Yankees in 1977. “Munson thinks he can be the straw that stirs the drink, but he can only stir it bad.” Never mind that the Yankees…
On November 29, 1976, in perhaps the most celebrated free agent signing ever, the New York Yankees ink outfielder Reggie Jackson. The slugger signs a five-year deal worth $3.5 million. Jackson had listened to offers from the Expos and Orioles, Jackson had played for the Orioles in 1976 after he was traded to them by…
At Yankee owner’s George Steinbrenner’s insistence, Thurman Munson is named the team captain. The reluctant backstop is the first player to assume the role since the Bronx Bombers honored Lou Gehrig with the position in 1935.
4/10/1976: On the second day of the season in Milwaukee, Don Money batted with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the Brewers behind the Yankees 9-6. Before Dave Pagan delivered his second pitch to Money, New York manager Billy Martin yelled to first baseman Chris Chambliss to call time. Chambliss asked umpire Jim McKean. Money hit the pitch and circled the bases. The Brewers celebrated and went into the clubhouse thinking they had won for the second time in two games. However, before Money crossed the plate Martin was on the field arguing with McKean. After a couple of minutes of Martin’s tirade, the umpires sent for the Brewers to come back on the field. The Brewers were obviously upset about the call. First base coach Harvey Keunn said that the pitcher was already in his motion when Chambliss yelled for time. Some Brewers went so far as to say that Martin intimidated McKean into reversing the homer. The Yankees won the game, 9-7, and the Brewers protested the outcome to no avail.
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