The Major, The Captain & I - resurecting the Yanks

[OldYankFan]

June 24, 1970

I decide to join the team for the road trip. We board the bus for the ride to Boston. The bus driver tunes the radio to WABC in New York. WABC is a top 40 station, and this, of course, does not please everyone. But, what choice do you have, it’s not like everyone can have his own personal music.

“Put on some country music.” Shouts Bobby Murcer the Oklahoma boy.

“You put on country, and I’ll get out and walk.” Roy White says.

“I can’t stand this modern music.” Coach Jim Turner complains “There hasn’t been a decent song put out all year.”

“I don’t know about that” says Coach Elston Howard, “I mean, BB King’s ‘The Thrill is Gone”, how can you not love that?”

“Let it be.” Shouts Munson.

“Don’t tell us not to talk, rook.” growls Turner.

“No, I mean the Beatles song, ‘Let it Be’” said Munson. “ I like that song, how bout you Stick?”

“This year? I don’t know.” Stick said thoughtfully, “'American Woman', but I can’t remember who did it.”

“Guess Who.” said Jerry Kenney

“I don’t want to guess.” say Stick “Just tell me.”

“I just did.” said Kenney “Guess Who.”

“Who am I, Abbott or Costello?” says Stick, “Ok, Guess Who. So, tell me what song do you like Jerry?”

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” said Kenny “I dig that Diana Ross.”

“Ball of Confusion” says Roy White “Temptations, man, now that’s some relevant stuff.”

“Rainy night in Georgia” yells Blomberg, who is from Georgia.

“Spirit in the Sky.” says Mike Kekich “That Norman Greenbaum is one heavy dude.”

“Greenbaum, huh?” says Blomberg

“I like that C.C.R. song, ‘Looking Out My Backdoor.” Say Danny Cater. “How about you Celereno?”

“Man, that Carlos Santana, man. That song ‘Evil Ways‘, man.” Celereno says, “that reminds me of home, man.”

Frank Baker says “I got tickets to a concert next time were home.”

“Who you seeing Frank?” asks Sparky Lyle, “The Osmonds?”

“Come on.” says Frank “The Jackson Five!”

Everyone justs laughs.

[1918redsox]

love these man. inspired me to start my own.

[OldYankFan]

love these man. inspired me to start my own.

Thanks man, Oh, and I love the name!

[OldYankFan]

June 30 1970

Fenway Park, Game 1

Mel Stottlemyre vs. Ray Culp. Mel has a shutout going till the sixth when a Bob Gallagher homer, a Stick Michael error, three singles and a wild pitch lead to four Red Sox runs. Thurman Munson launches one over the Green Monster leading off the top of the eighth, but, that’s all. Final 4-1 Red Sox who move back into 1st place.

At least Pete Ward went 0 for 3. Danny Cater also took a collar his average plummets to .378.

Ron Woods and Graig Nettles both came off the DL. I have them head to Syracuse. Woods still needs to work on his swing and Nettles has not played for two months, he needs to get in shape.

Game 2 Fritz Peterson and Sonny Siebert have a 2-1 game going into the seventh. The Yanks stage an uprising with 5 singles and 2 walks for 4 runs. Lindy McDaniel gives up Big Yaz’s 12th homer of the year in the bottom of the eighth and a Pete Ward sac fly ties it up. The Yanks go ahead for good in the top of the inning, when Thurman Munson doubles in 2 runs. Sparky Lyle nails down his 12th save. We close in to 4 ½ out.

Game 3 Ron Klimkowski and Jim Lonborg can not contain the carnage, as Roy White (11), Celereno Sanchez (2) and Carl Yastrzemski (13) all homer. Steve Hamilton temporarily holds the Sox in check, but John Cumberland can not. Final Score 7-6 Red Sox.

After the game I learn, Jim Lyttle separated his shoulder on a throw to home. He will be on the DL for 2 weeks. So, I put in the call to Syracuse, Ron Woods had all of 2 days to work on his swing since he came off the DL, but, we need him so he will meet us in Detroit.

Game 1 vs the Tigers. Ron Guidry and Denny McLain fair pretty well until the eighth and then they tire quick. As both teams post a total of 12 runs in 2 innings. The Yanks have just a little more and win 9-7. Munson has a great game going 4 for 5 scoring three times. Guidry is 9 and 3, Lindy McDaniel picks up save number 7.

Game 2 takes 10 innings to decide. In the bottom of the 10th Sparky Lyle just can’t find the plate, walks 2 Tigers and after an out, gives up the game winning hit to Willie Horton.
6-5 Tigers. It is Lyle’s first lost of the year.

After the game Ralph tells me that Bobby Murcer separated his shoulder and will be out for a couple of weeks. This is terrible news, Bobby is our top homerun man with 12 and is hitting .323. We can not replace him in the lineup. I call up Jake Gibbs. This at least will let Ralph use John Ellis at DH. Our pennant hopes just got a lot dimmer.

Game 3, the teams is in a funk and John Cumberland getting lit up for 5 runs in one inning of relief work is enough to sink the team 9-6.

Maybe some home cooking will help. Maybe playing the Senators will help. We head home to find out.

[OldYankFan]

July 1, 1970

It's a sweltering hot day in my office in Yankee Stadium, on our off day on July 1st. I am checking the Standings for the end of June …

AL EAST
Baltimore 52-30
Boston 50-30
New York 45-32
Detroit 41-40
Washington 38-44
Cleveland 29-53

AL WEST
Oakland 64-17
Minnesota 38-45
California 38-45
Milwaukee 35-46
Chicago 32-50
Kansas City 27-53

NL EAST
Pittsburg 46-36
New York 45-38
Philadelphia 44-40
Chicago 39-42
St Louis 36-47
Montreal 29-52

NL WEST
San Francisco 58-24
Atlanta 52-30
Los Angeles 42-39
Cincinatti 41-42
Houston 36-46
San Diego 23-57

We has a very nice June at 20 wins and 4 losses. The press, the fans and the team are all excited. I, on the other hand, am worried. The injuries to Lyttle and much worse, Bobby Murcer have greatly weakened our line-up and Curt Blefary is still out. We are without Stan Bahnsen, Ralph swapped Verbanic for Klimkowski in the rotation but I don't have much faith in him. I wonder how long before the league catches on to the kid Guidry. We have six games at home starting with the Senators before the All Star Break. Let's see if we can keep our heads up till then.

The best news is attendance! We have close to tripled last years gate to date.
At least I am keeping Mike Burke happy.

[OldYankFan]

July, 1 1970

Before the Senators game I wander into the stands, as the team takes batting practice. Out in left feild a large banner says "Con Ed Kids". I see that there are several hundred kids crowded down by the fence. I decide to walk over to say hello.

Earl Batty is chatting with some of the kids, he sees me approaching and comes over and shakes my hand.

"Hello A.G.", Earl says, he has catcher's hands I notice as I shake, at least 3 broken fingers, the ring finger looks like it is off at a 45 degree angle.

"Hey Earl, nice group of kids." I say, "any players stop by?"

"Not yet." Earl says

"OK", I say "Hang on."

I spot Roy White shagging flys, "Hey Roy!" I wave him over.

Roy jogs over. "Roy, You know Earl Batty." I say

"Sure," Roy says "He was playing when I came up." He turns to Earl "How you doing Earl?"

"Roy, you got a couple of minutes to talk to these kids?" I ask

"Sure, AG" Roy says and immediately he is mobbed by the younsters.

"Thanks AG" Earl says and he turns back to the kids.

I just nod and smile.

[reflections]

I love the Gator getting out to a strong start.

[OldYankFan]

I love the Gator getting out to a strong start.

He realley does not belong with the big club but he is earning his spot.

[OldYankFan]

July 7, 1970

The Senators are in town and the Yanks sure look ready for them.

Game 1 with a jumping crowd of 56,825 including the Con Ed Kids cheering wildly, the Yanks pound out 10 hits including doubles by White, Clarke, and Sanchez.

“Thurman Munson doubles his pleasure” says Frank Messer as Munson gets his second double of the game. Thurman continues to impress behind the plate also, catching Ken McMullen attempting to steal.

Ron Klimkowski gets help from Aker, McDaniel and Lyle (save #13) as the Yanks win 7-4.

Game 2 The Senators get to Ron Guidry and have a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the eighth. With two outs Horace Clarke walks and promptly steals second. The Senators elect to give Munson the intentional pass, but Roy White makes them pay with a booming double into the right center gap, tying the score. Ron Woods, looking sharper after his stint in the minors, singles over first base to drive in two runs.

Sparky Lyle gives up a run but gets a big double play grounder for save number 14
Final Score 7-6 Yanks.

Game 3 A sunny Fourth of July afternoon game and Mel Stottlemyre is just cruising along with another complete game victory. Sombreros keep flying as Celereno Sanchez goes 4 for 5, and the Con Ed Kids whoop it up for their hero, Roy White, as he matches Sanchez hit for hit. Every Yankee batter gets a hit except Munson who walks twice. Final Score 9-1 as the Yanks Sweep the Senators. We have closed to 4 games of the 1st place Orioles and guess who is coming to town? Well, even the scheduler has to get something right once in a while.

The All Stars are announced and rookie catcher Thurman Munson will join Ace pitcher Mel Stottlemyre on the American League team.

Game 1 vs. the Orioles. 11 game winner Jim Palmer against 9 game winner Fritz Peterson. Fritz gives up 3 runs over eight innings and a close game becomes a blowout as Lindy McDaniel gives up 3 in the ninth. Palmer scatters 7 hits in a complete game shutout. 6-0 Orioles.

Game 2, Another big crowd sees the Yanks jump all over Dave McNally for 6 runs in the first 2 innings. Celereno Sanchez has a double and a triple. “A Mexican hit dance!” says Frank Messer. Danny Cater shakes out of his slump and goes 3 for 4. Klimkowski gets help from Cumberland and Aker to raise his record to 3 and 2. Final 8-3 Yanks.

The victory is marred as young Frank Baker gets run over by Andy Etchebarren as he tries to turn the a double play. ‘Home Run” Baker will be out for 3 months with a broken fibula. In the ensuing bench clearing brawl, Munson bangs up his hand and will miss a couple of games including the All Star game. I have Graig Nettles called up from Syracuse.

Game 3, Dave Pagan is no match for Mike Cuellar, and the short handed Yankees fall 5-1. Boog Powell and Dave May homer for the birds.

The All Star Break, and we sit in 3rd place 5 games behind the Orioles. Despite all the excitement and huge crowds, I look over the growing disabled list and wonder how long can we stay in the hunt.

[OldYankFan]

Thurman Munson is selected to the 1970 All Star Team. He is injured and can not play.

[OldYankFan]

July 10, 1970

The 8th of July is my birthday, but since we have started the All Star break no one is around to sit on my cake. In fact, I am not even around, I spend the day in my old northern New Jersey home town celebrating with a good old Italian feast with my family.

Ralph Houk, Jim Turner, Elston Howard and I spend the next day fishing on the Delaware River near the Water Gap. Ralph is amused to see a bunch of Boy Scouts canoeing down the river from Camp Pahaquarra. (We could tell by the name on the side of the canoes.) The scouts shout over asking us if we are having luck.

Jim Turner is not at all amused saying “Them damn kids are scaring all the fish.”

Elston says, “It’s the smoke from Ralph’s cigar that is scaring the fish away.”

As we are all laughing, I feel a tug on the line and pull in a fair size bass. It turns out to be the only fish any of us catch all day. Jim Turner grumbles that I cheated by using lasagna for bait.

We spend the evening in the hotel bar in the Poconos, watching the All Star Game. It was one of the strangest games any of us had ever seen. Earl Weaver, who was without the services of the AL starting catcher, Munson, decided to start Boog Powell behind the plate instead of Ray Fosse of the Indians. Everyone thought the National League would run wild on Powell. But, the National Leaguers never had a man on first base. And they won! Hank Aaron hit a homer and Willie Stargell hit 2 more, all with the bases empty, there were no other hits or walks. Just bizarre. The American League on the other hand had 5 singles a double and 5 walks and never scored. Final 3-0 National League. Ralph was glad Mel did not pitch, so as not to screw up his rotation.

While Ralph and the coaches stayed on the fishing trip the next day, I headed to Scranton for the International League All Star game. Our Steve Kline pitched 3 shut out innings, and got the win. It was a great chance for me to see some of the top minor league talent. I ran into Gabe Paul of the Indians at the game. He said the Red Sox have been shopping Pete Ward around. Seems that Ward is not happy with the Red Sox country club style club house. Besides, Ward’s contract is up at the end of the season.

“It hasn’t hurt his hitting” I said.

I also talk with Syracuse manager Babe Loren who was coaching at the game. Babe told me that he had worked Graig Nettles out at 3rd base while he was playing at triple A. Babe seemed to think that Nettles would make a better 3rd baseman than an outfielder.

I thanked him for the information, but, we got a pretty good 3rd baseman in Sanchez and 2/3rds of our starting outfielders are on the DL. So, Nettles will stay in the outfield.

After I arrive back at the Stadium the next day, I get a call from Gabe Buonauro of the Bergen Record "Where you been AG? I've been trying to reach you for 2 days?"

"Fishing" I said.

“I hear you’ve been talking to Gabe Paul of the Indians, you gonna trade for Hawk Harrelson to fill the outfield void?” Gabe asked.

“Gabe,” I say “We did not talk about Hawk Harrelson.”

“Who did you talk about?” Gabe asked.

“Pete Ward” I joked “Who else?”

After Gabe hung up I wondered if he could take a joke

[reflections]

He realley does not belong with the big club but he is earning his spot.

Definitely. He is about 7 years early than his R/L debut. Maybe he can get 300 wins.

[OldYankFan]

Definitely. He is about 7 years early than his R/L debut. Maybe he can get 300 wins.

Guidry made his R/L Debut in 1975, was up and down in 1976, and stayed for good in 77. I am probley stunting his development bringing him up so young.

[OldYankFan]

July 11, 1970

The Bergen Record
Yanks Fishing for Ward
GM A.G. Trying to Undo Bad Deal


I got to learn to keep my mouth shut.

[OldYankFan]

July 18, 1970

With the team in Detroit, I tune in WPIX to watch the games.

Game 1 vs. Tigers. In a classic pitchers duel Mel Stottlemyre and Denny McLain keep the scoring to a minimum Willie Horton and Danny Cater hit solo shots and Ron Blomberg drives in Celereno Sanchez to give the Yanks a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. It looks like Mel will have another complete game win when an Al Kaline single, a bunt base hit and a Sanchez error load the bases. Mel gets a come backer for a 1-2-3 double play. Then suddenly runs out of gas walking the next two and giving up a pinch hit single to Fred Whitfield. Final Tigers 3-2

Game 2 Fritz Peterson can’t get out of the second inning before giving up 8 runs. The torrent of Tiger runs obscures Graig Nettles Yankee debut. He goes 1 for 1 with a walk and an RBI. The Tigers roll 12-5

Bobby Murcer and Jim Lyttle return from the DL. I have Ron Woods and Jake Gibbs report back to Syracuse.

Game 3 Ron Klimkowski lolls the crowd and the Yank fielders to sleep, throwing 130 pitches in just 5 innings. Jerry Robertson and Daryl Patterson scatter 5 hits. As the Tiger complete the sweep 9-0

The team flies home for a 4 game set with Washington. Our last series with the Senators pulled us out of a slump, let’s hope we can do it again.

Game 1 vs. Washington. Ron Guidry and Cisco Carlos swap zeros for six innings then Eddie Brinkman doubles in Lee Maye in the seventh. Maye drives in 2 more in the eighth and that’s all she wrote. The Yanks are shut out for the second game in a row 4-0.
That’s 5 straight losses.

Game 2 Celereno Sanchez goes 4 for 4 but the rest of the team keeps slumbering. The Senators get 12 hits off Mel Stottlemyre. 6 in a row 6-3.

Game 3 Jim Lyttle’s homer is the only bright spot in a dreary day. Fritz Peterson gets pounded again. 7 straight losses. 9-2

Game 4 The Washington Senators complete the first 4 game sweep at Yankee Stadium in team history. Johnny Roseboro and Frank Howard both hit monster homeruns off of Klimkowski. 8 straight losses 8-1

It seems like only yesterday we were in a pennant race. Our collapse is only made worse by the surging Mets who move into first place in the NL east.

Mike Burke tells me he wants to see Ralph and I in his office tomorrow. That can’t be good.