Thurman Munson
From BR Bullpen
Thurman Lee Munson (Tugboat, Squatty Body, or The Wall)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 191 lb.
- School Kent State University
- Debut August 8, 1969
- Final Game August 1, 1979
- Born June 7, 1947 in Akron, OH USA
- Died August 2, 1979 in Canton, OH USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
"Probably the best clutch hitter in baseball." - Tommy Lasorda
Perhaps the most beloved of the New York Yankees in the 1970s, Thurman Munson's career was prematurely ended by his tragic death. Munson was a catcher who made his big league debut in 1969. In 1970, he hit .302 and was named the American League Rookie of the Year. He won Gold Gloves in 1973, 1974, and 1975. In 1976, he hit .302 with 17 home runs and 105 runs batted in and was named the American League Most Valuable Player. During his career, he was a seven time All-Star. However, his life was cut short when he was killed piloting his private plane on August 2, 1979. In 1989 the city of Canton, OH named their new ballpark after him, calling it Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1970 AL Rookie of the Year Award
- 1970 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- 7-time AL All-Star (1971 & 1973-1978)
- AL MVP (1976)
- 3-time AL Gold Glove Winner (1973-1975)
- AL Singles Leader (1975)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1973)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 3 (1975-1977)
- Won two World Series with the New York Yankees (1977 & 1978)
| AL MVP | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 1976 | 1977 |
| Fred Lynn | Thurman Munson | Rod Carew |
| AL Rookie of the Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 1970 | 1971 |
| Lou Piniella | Thurman Munson | Chris Chambliss |
[edit] Further Reading
- Thomas Boswell: "Captain Bad Body", in How Life Imitates the World Series, Penguin Books, New York, 1982, pp. 225-228.
- http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/1980/AAR8002.pdf (Crash report)
