1978 New York Yankees

The New York Yankees' 1978 season was the 76th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 100-63, finishing 1 game ahead of the Boston Red Sox to win their third AL East title.

In July, the team was 14.5 games behind the Boston, but rallied in the second half of the season to finish tied for first place. The Yankees were victorious over the Red Sox in the one-game playoff for the AL East title. The playoff featured Bucky Dent's famous 3-run go-ahead home run in the 7th inning.

In the ALCS, New York beat the Royals in 4 games. In the World Series, they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in 6 games in a rematch of 1977 World Series. New York was managed by Billy Martin, Dick Howser and Bob Lemon. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.

[edit] Awards and Honors

Ron Guidry was the unanimous Cy Young Award winner. In 248 innings, he compiled a record of 25-3, with 274 strikeouts and a 1.74 Earned Run Average.

Rich Gossage earned the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award with his AL leading 27 saves.

Bucky Dent was named the World Series MVP.

Guidry, Gossage, Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson and Graig Nettles all represented the Yankees at the 1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Gold Gloves were awarded to third baseman Nettles and first baseman Chris Chambliss.

[edit] ALCS

[edit] Game 1

Main article: 1978 American League Championship Series

October 3: Royals Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	1	1	0	2	0	0	3	0	7	16	0
Kansas City	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	2	2
W: Jim Beattie (1-0) L: Dennis Leonard (0-1) S: Ken Clay (1)
HRs: NYY – Reggie Jackson (1)

[edit] Game 2

October 4: Royals Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	4	12	1
Kansas City	1	4	0	0	0	0	3	2	X	10	16	1
W: Larry Gura (1-0) L: Ed Figueroa (0-1)
HRs: KCR – Freddie Patek (1)

[edit] Game 3

October 6: Yankee Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Kansas City	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	2	0	5	10	1
New York	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	2	X	6	10	0
W: Rich Gossage (1-0) L: Doug Bird (0-1)
HRs: KCR – George Brett 3 (3) NYY – Reggie Jackson (2) Thurman Munson (1)

[edit] Game 4

October 7: Yankee Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Kansas City	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	0
New York	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	X	2	4	0
W: Ron Guidry (1-0) L: Dennis Leonard (0-2) S: Rich Gossage (1)
HRs: NYY – Graig Nettles (1) Roy White (1)

[edit] World Series

AL New York Yankees (4) vs. NL Los Angeles Dodgers (2)

Game	Score	Date	Location	Attendance	Time of Game
1	Yankees – 5, Dodgers – 11	October 10	Dodger Stadium	55,997	2:48
2	Yankees – 3, Dodgers – 4	October 11	Dodger Stadium	55,982	2:37
3	Dodgers – 1, Yankees – 5	October 13	Yankee Stadium	56,447	2:27
4	Dodgers – 3, Yankees – 4 (10 inns)	October 14	Yankee Stadium	56,445	3:17
5	Dodgers – 2, Yankees – 12	October 15	Yankee Stadium	56,448	2:56
6	Yankees – 7, Dodgers – 2	October 17	Dodger Stadium	55,985	2:34

[edit] Further Reading

Sparky Lyle and Peter Golenbock: The Bronx Zoo, Crown Publishers, New York, NY 1979
Thomas Boswell: "The Greatest Game Ever Played", in How Life Imitates the World Series, Penguin Books, New York, 1982, pp. 15-30.