Thurman Munson: Timeline

Born: June 7, 1947

1965-67: Attended Kent State (teammate of Steve Stone)

1967: Played in Cape Cod League

1968: Drafted by the New York Yankees

Debut: August 8, 1969 (Yankees)

1970: Won Rookie of the Year (.302 average)

1971: Committed only 1 error all season and that occurred after he was knocked out

1973: Fight with Fisk

1976: Named Yankee Captain (first since Lou Gehrig)

1976: AL MVP

1976: Yankees won pennant and lost the WS to the Reds (Munson hit .529)

1976: Controversy over Sparky Anderson’s comments about embarrassing Munson by comparing him the Johnny Bench.

1977: Hit .308 with 100 RBIs making him the first catcher to do so for three consecutive years since Bill Dickey.

1977: Bronx Zoo: Feud with Reggie Jackson

1977: Yankees win World Series (Munson hit .320 with one home run and three RBI)

1978: Yanks come back from 14 games down to win the AL East in Game 163

1978: Yankees win World Series (Munson hit .320 with 7 RBI)

Died: August 1, 1979 (plane crash)

August 2: Yanks honor Munson in pregame ceremony

August 6: Entire team attends funeral; Bobby Mercer delivers eulogy

August 6, 1979: The Thurman Munson Game: Bobby Mercer drives in all five runs in New York’s 5-4 victory over Baltimore.

1980: Plaque honoring Munson is dedicated (his number was retired immediately after his death)

Accomplishments:
First Yankee Captain since Lou Gehrig

2x World Champion

1970 ROY

1976 AL MVP

7x All Star

3x Gold Glove

1 error in 1971

.292 career hitter

Hit .300+: 5x (11 seasons)

1558 career hits

Led league 151 singles (1975)

113 career home runs

20 HR (1973)

701 RBI

100+ RBI: 3x

.357 career postseason hitter with 3 HR and 22 RBI (30 games)