1976 – On a cold Sunday night, the Cincinnati Reds gang up on pitcher Catfish Hunter for three runs, but the Yankees battle back to tie it up. With two outs in the 9th inning, Yankees shortstop Fred Stanley throws Ken Griffey’s easy grounder into the dugout. A walk and a Tony Perez single follow and Cincinnati wins Game 2 of the World Series, 4 – 3.
In Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees, Dan Driessen, batting fifth in the Reds lineup, becomes the first National League player to be used as a designated hitter. The DH was not employed before this year’s Fall Classic, although the concept had been adopted and used in the American League since 1973.
The Yankees dramatically win their 30th pennant on Chris Chambliss’ home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The first baseman’s walk-off solo shot beats the Royals in Game Five and the deciding contest of the ALCS, 7-6.
The Royals gain their first postseason victory in franchise history when they beat the Yankees, 7-3, in Game 2 of the ALCS. Kansas City southpaw Paul Splittorff, pitching 5.2 innings in relief, is credited with the victory.
On June 15, 1976, Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley sells three of his star players. Finley sends Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers to the Boston Red Sox for $1 million apiece and Vida Blue to the New York Yankees for $1.5 million. Three days later, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn will void the moves, saying they are…
May 29, 1976, Benches clear in the Bronx when New York Yankees Lou Piniella collides with Boston Red SOC catcher Carlton Fisk at home plate At Yankee Stadium.
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.
On April 15, 1976, the New York Yankees defeat the Minnesota Twins, 11-4, in the first game at the newly renovated Yankee Stadium. Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and the widows of Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth take part in pre-game ceremonies at the Stadium, which had been closed for the 1974 and ’75…
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.
Yankees trade for Willie Randolph
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