WHAT REALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN BILLY MARTIN & REGGIE JACKSON THAT DAY?

The heated argument between Billy Martin, the manager of the New York Yankees, and Reggie Jackson, the star outfielder, on June 18, 1977, is one of the most infamous incidents in baseball history. This event occurred during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and was broadcasted nationally, making it highly publicized.

During the game, the Yankees were trailing the Red Sox. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jim Rice of the Red Sox hit a ball to right field where Reggie Jackson was playing. Jackson appeared to misjudge the ball and did not hustle after it, leading to a double for Rice. Billy Martin, known for his fiery temperament, was infuriated by what he perceived as a lack of effort and commitment from Jackson.

Martin immediately decided to pull Jackson from the game. The decision to remove a star player, especially someone of Jackson's stature, in the middle of an inning was highly unusual and dramatic. Jackson was replaced by Paul Blair. When Jackson reached the dugout, Martin confronted him. The argument quickly escalated, with Martin shouting at Jackson and Jackson responding angrily. At one point, Martin had to be physically restrained by coaches and teammates to prevent the altercation from turning physical.

Thurman Munson, who was the team captain at the time, did not publicly criticize either Martin or Jackson, but he emphasized the need for the team to stay focused and united in pursuit of their goals. His primary concern was maintaining team cohesion despite internal conflicts.

Graig Nettles was reportedly not surprised by the altercation, given the volatile personalities involved. He understood that both Martin and Jackson had strong egos and that clashes were inevitable. Nettles later commented that the incident was indicative of the high-pressure environment in which the Yankees were operating.

Mickey Rivers had a more lighthearted take on the situation. He acknowledged the intensity of the argument but also noted that such conflicts were part of the game. Rivers believed that the altercation did not fundamentally disrupt the team's dynamics and that the Yankees were capable of overcoming internal disputes.

Lou Piniella, who was close to both Martin and Jackson, provided insight into the personalities involved. He highlighted Martin's fiery demeanor and Jackson's confidence, noting that while the argument was serious, it stemmed from a desire to win and perform at the highest level. Piniella suggested that both individuals ultimately respected each other’s commitment to the team.

Elston Howard, a respected figure on the coaching staff, emphasized the importance of strong leadership in managing such conflicts and maintaining team morale.

George Steinbrenner publicly downplayed the significance of the argument, framing it as a moment of passion and a desire to win. Privately, he took steps to ensure that the team stayed focused and that such incidents did not escalate further.

Despite the public nature of their altercation, Martin and Jackson managed to coexist for the remainder of the season. The Yankees went on to win the World Series in 1977, with Jackson playing a pivotal role, famously hitting three home runs in Game 6.

While the two men had moments of mutual respect, their relationship was never truly harmonious. They had a professional working relationship, but underlying tensions persisted. Martin continued to be tough on Jackson, and Jackson continued to be outspoken about his role and contributions.

The argument was a manifestation of deeper issues between Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson. Their conflicting personalities and the high-pressure environment of the Yankees contributed to their rocky relationship. While they may not have hated each other in the deepest sense, their interactions were marked by frequent clashes and disagreements.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

FILLING THE EMPTY, BIG SHOES

When the Yankees lost Derek Jeter, they lost more than just one of baseball’s all-time greats at shortstop.  Rather, they lost their silent backbone – their quiet, lead-by-example, always professional leader. 

Jeter was the guy who both the young newcomers, as well as the grizzled veterans would take their lead from; on the field and off it.  It would be Jeter that might point out, to no one in general, that there was still plenty of time for some magic to happen, and sure enough, it would.  Or it was Jeter who, after a quick glance at the third baseman, could lay the perfect bunt down the line.  In front of his locker, Jeter always said the right things after a game.  He never publicly berated a teammate, or complained about a manager’s decision.  Jeter always understood who his audience was and how much weight his words carried.

So, who now assumes the role as “leader” on this club?  Let’s face it; no one will completely fill the shoes Derek Jeter left behind.  To even attempt to step into a leadership role with the team, the player has to be durable, professional, and able to anticipate every possible situation – at the plate, in the field and in front of a microphone – not to mention that they have to be among the best at their position.  Most of all, they have to understand what it means to be a Yankee.  They have to embrace the history of the team, and be willing to add to it.  “Jeets” mastered every one of those qualifications.

Who then is “the one”?  Mark Teixeira?  Well, he is professional and certainly a great fielder with decent power.  He’s a seasoned veteran that’s been with the Bombers long enough to fully understand what it means to be a Yankee, and he’s very good with the media.  Tex’s problem is that he can’t stay healthy.  The last time he played a full season was 2011.  We need someone who leads by example ON and off the field.  Teixeira is rarely on the field anymore.

Brett Gardner definitely makes a strong case to be the team’s next leader.  He’s home-grown, so “Gardy” understands what it means to be a Yankee.  Since 2008 he’s been able to learn from guys like Jorge Posada, Andy Pettite, Mariano Rivera, and of course Jeter.  In the field, there might not be a better left-fielder in the American League.  He covers a lot of ground and has a decent arm.  On the base paths, the left-handed hitter is a nuisance to opposing pitchers and has stolen 45 bags in 58 attempts over the past two seasons.  His speed may be his greatest asset. 

He’s a hard-worker and always the consummate professional.    Only, Gardner isn’t my choice to take over the leadership reins.  There’s just a feeling that he’s not “the guy” to me.  Maybe it’s the fact that his on-base percentage has dropped consistently since 2010.  How can he utilize his greatest asset if he isn’t on base?  Perhaps it’s the feel that he’s always just one misstep from being taken out of the lineup?  Everyone is expendable, but it seems that the Yankees don’t give Gardner the respect he deserves, and maybe that’s why he can’t be my choice for next team leader. 

Instead, I’m going to go a little unconventional.  No, I’m not choosing ARod!  My choice for team leader is one of the newer Yankees.  Brought on board prior to last season, this veteran was placed into a key starting role and actually had one of his worst seasons at the plate.  Yet, even with his “stumble” in 2014, he still ranked among the most productive at his position.  He has above-average talent at one of the “busiest” spots on the diamond, and has the responsibility of managing the infield during a game.  If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m alluding to catcher Brian McCann.  

During last year’s campaign, McCann hit just .232 – the lowest average of his career.  Yet among catchers, his 75 RBI ranked third in MLB, and his 23 home runs ranked second.  Behind the plate he is widely regarded as one of the best at framing pitches, and it is no coincidence that the Yankees starting staff – in spite of its numerous injuries – actually was the strength of the team in 2014. 

The backstop understands what it means to be a Yankee.  At his introduction to the media last year, he said “What it means to be a part of this organization, it means a lot, especially as a catcher, all the tradition.  I hope to fall in line with all the great catchers that have been here. I hope to help this organization win multiple championships.”

McCann’s style of play is what makes him my choice for next team leader.  He reminds me of my favorite Yankee – Thurman Munson.  On the baseball field, he shows grit and poise.  He’s not afraid of blocking a ball or taking a collision at the plate – bruises are more trophies than anything else.  McCann has shown in the past that he’ll stand up for his teammates and more than anyone, would be the guy I’d want in the foxhole with me when things got crazy. 

Yes, he had a horrible first season in terms of batting average (what Yankee DIDN’T have a bad year at the plate?), but his career average is .272 and history says he’ll bounce back.  He’s had seven consecutive seasons with 20 or more home runs, and there’s no reason that shouldn’t continue.  Given a fairly new, young staff in 2015 (on Opening Day, at least three of the starters will be younger than 30), it is imperative that the Yankees have an experienced veteran calling the shots behind the plate.  McCann has shown that he brings the best out of a pitching staff.  I think he’ll step up his game and deftly navigate our rotation to success.

McCann mentioned the line of great catchers that the Yankees have had.  Names like Dickey, Berra, Howard, Munson and Posada have all set themselves apart from their peers behind the plate. In 2015, I believe Brian McCann will make a step towards adding his name to that list.  In doing so, he’ll establish himself as the leader of the team.

    

--Steve Skinner, BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

  
 

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30th ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO #32 AND #9

Thirty years ago this month, the Yankees honored two legends by retiring their numbers and erecting plaques for them in Monument Park. Of course, I am speaking about #32, Elston Howard and #9, Roger Maris. Both of these men symbolized grit and determination, overcoming tremendous odds to bring World Series titles to the New York Yankees.

Elston Howard joined the Yankees in the spring of 1955 to become the first African-American player in the franchise. Even though Jackie Robinson had broken baseball’s color barrier eight years prior, it was not as if those that followed received a warm welcome. I cannot bring myself to put into print the comments made by his manager and some of his contemporaries about him when he joined the team. Suffice to say that he did not walk into a warm, fuzzy, supportive environment.

His next obstacle was the fact that there was no room for him on the field. He came up as a catcher, yet no one was going to play him in place of Yogi Berra, the reigning American League MVP. Without a DH rule, the only place to put him was in the outfield, occasionally spelling Mickey Mantle and Hank Bauer. None of this stopped him, as he made the All-Star team in 1957 without a main position in the field. He would be named to every American League All-Star team through 1965.

Howard would help the Yankees reach the World Series nine times as a player, winning four of them. He was the American League MVP in 1963 - the first African-American player to win the honor. He was a lifetime .274 hitter with 167 home runs and a .427 slugging percentage. Even more than his bat, his play behind the plate was stellar. He had a career fielding percentage of .992, despite the fact that he played significant time as an outfielder and first baseman. The fact that he only has two gold gloves as a catcher is quite surprising.

Howard went on to coach for the Yankees during the 70's. Many of those that played under him noted his leadership and his skill at mentoring young players. He famously blocked Reggie Jackson  in the dugout in Fenway Park, keeping him from clobbering Billy Martin, and encouraging Jackson to exercise better judgment.

Roger Maris was a teammate Elston Howard's between 1960 and 1966. He also encountered turbulence during his time with the Yankees. In his first season with the Yankees, he led the league in RBI and slugging, won a Gold Glove, was named to the All-Star team, and was the American League MVP. So what was the problem? Like many future Yankee stars, like Rickey Henderson and Randy Johnson, he failed to endear himself to the New York media. His accomplishments got brief mentions, and his failures got lots of press. As it was wonderfully documented in the movie 61*, he was pitted against teammate Mickey Mantle over the race for who would break Babe Ruth’s record.

Despite all the pressure on him, in 1961 he succeeded on hitting 61 home runs in a season, still his most famous accomplishment. He also became the American League MVP for the second consecutive year, leading the league in HRs, Runs, RBI, and Total Bases. After a few years, his injuries finally caught up with him and it affected his playing time. The press had a field day with him. By the time he left the Yankees, he was convinced that he was a hated man in New York.

It was not until 1978, when the Yankees invited him to join in the hoisting of the 1977 World Series banner, that he got the hero’s welcome that was long overdue. By his own admission, he was not sure how the fans would react. The loud cheers welcomed him back, and he became a regular in the next few Old Timer’s games.

Elston Howard was diagnosed with myocarditis in 1979, He passed away on December 14, 1980, at the age of 51. Roger Maris was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1983. For the 1984 Old Timer’s Game, the Yankees made a great decision to honor both of these men for their contributions to the franchise. On July 21, 1984, with Roger Maris in attendance, numbers 32 and 9 were retired and plaques were erected in Monument Park for these two men. The timing could not have been better for Maris, who died just 17 months after the event.

It has been 30 years now, and maybe this is a good time to reflect. We do not honor them just because of their accomplishments. We honor them because of the fact that they did so under severe duress. Both of these men were attacked by their own. People who considered themselves strong loyalists to the team and loyalists to the values that they thought the team represented verbally harassed them. None of it was fair. Yet there is no record of them retaliating, or responding untowardly. They went about doing their job, doing it with class and excellence, and accumulating a few World Series Rings, MVPs, and Gold Gloves along the way. For that, I tip my hat to them.

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row

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McCANN MAY BE MORE "MUNSON-LIKE" THAN YOU THINK!

Lately many in the media have begun getting somewhat impatient with Brian McCann.  The highly praised off-season acquisition has started slowly at the plate in 2014; hitting just .222 with 7 home runs through 44 games.

Upon his signing, some of us (me included) compared McCann’s style of play to that of my all-time favorite player – Thurman Munson.  Certainly his power and grit were reminiscent of the late, great Yankee captain.

After a few quick “cups of coffee” with the likes of Russell Martin and Chris Stewart, it seemed that we had finally gotten back to the great catching tradition set by Dickey, Berra, Howard, Munson, and Posada.

We should not be so quick to dismiss our comparisons.

Casey, founder and life-force behind BYB, often fondly reflects (rightly so) on Posada’s accomplishments in pinstripes.  He also laments (again, rightly so) that Jorge’s career is puzzlingly overlooked when fans recall backstops like Berra and Munson.

So, using Munson as our point of comparison, let’s have some fun and see just who is most representative of the great number 15 – McCann or Posada?

To do so, I wanted to pick a similar point in each catcher’s career.  Since McCann is in his 10^th season, I decided to select the 10^th year in the careers of both Munson and Posada to compare.  It should be noted that Munson batted exclusively from the right side of the plate, McCann exclusively from the left, and Posada was a switch-hitter.

Our yardstick – Munson – batted .297 with six home runs and 71 RBIs over 154 games in 1978, his tenth year.

Posada hit .272 with 21 home runs and 81 RBI in 2004; his tenth season.

Clearly both had very productive seasons a decade into their careers.

McCann’s tenth season isn’t complete, so we only have the first full month to use in comparison – which at first glance would lead us to believe he’s got nothing on Munson.

But, let’s look a little more closely at both Munson and Posada’s seasons.

In April / March of 1978, Thurman Munson hit .239 with no home runs and four RBI.  Yeah, you read that correctly.

 During April/March of 2004, Jorge Posada hit .290 with eight home runs and 21 RBI.  Wow.

1978, of course, was the year of the Bucky-bleeping-Dent (as Red Sox fans lovingly refer to our former shortstop) home run and the six-game World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2004, on the other hand, was the year of the dramatic comeback of the Red Sox over our Yankees in the ALCS.  We’ll speak no further about it.

So, what’s the bottom line?

The bottom line is that we need to put the torches and pitchforks that we are parading around Brian McCann down.  This season is still in the early stages – only a little more than a quarter of the schedule is complete.  Let’s give him a chance.

One need only look at Munson’s 1978 season to realize that the year is a marathon – not a sprint- and it is all about how you finish, not how you start.

Sorry Casey, Jorge was just too damn good in April to compare him to Munson.  In this “who’s more like Thurman?” competition, the early results suggest McCann.

Only time is going to give us the real answer.  Here’s hoping that McCann is simply repeating history set 36 seasons ago.


    

--Steve Skinner, BYB Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1



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MEETING JR MURPHY

Meet John Ryan Murphy. A 22-year-old 2009 2nd round draft pick from The Pendleton School in his hometown of Bradenton, Florida Murphy was called up on September 1st when rosters expanded and debuted on September 2nd getting a hit in his first major league at-bat. You can read about that in the previous BYB piece JR MURPHY GETS HIT NUMBER 1. In case you weren't watching or listening to the game, in his at-bat, Murphy was given a warm Bronx welcome by those in attendance, along with his parents who flew in from Florida to see their son get his first taste of the majors. 

But what is it about JR that has everyone warming up to the kid already? Offensively, he has done pretty well at Trenton and Scranton this year. With both teams his numbers are .269/.347/.426 in 108 games total. He has hit 12 home runs, 6 with each club. He can knock the ball. Defensively, he has thrown out 50 runners out of 136 stealing base. There's no telling how much we will see of Murphy. My guess is with Austin Romine and Chris Stewart in the mix, the chances would be minimal.   

And look, without a shadow of a doubt we are all still in that Posada hangover. Rightfully so, the Yankees have had some of the greatest catchers in the history of the game.  Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Bill Dickey, Thurman Munson, and yes… Jorge.  Now we look to the future. We are anticipating the coming of the next great backstop to wear the pinstripes. Is it now or is it 5 years down the line? 

Is Murphy the next guy up? No one truly knows for sure right now, but we embrace JR Murphy in hopes that maybe, just maybe he will be among those great catchers of Yankee years past.

Welcome to the Bronx JR. Show us what you got kid!

-- Rudy Laurens 

BYB Writer




 

THE WILLIE RANDOLPH YOU HAVEN'T SEEN YET!

(Photo credit:  Ellen Wallop/Yes Network)
Recently I had the opportunity to attend the "CenterStage" taping of Michael Kay interviewing Willie Randolph. Willie Randolph was one of my childhood heroes, so this should not be considered an impartial reporting of the interview. Willie was one of the "original" Yankees from my earliest memories, and we got to hear about his life history, both personal and as a player.

This is an interview definitely worth watching. You'll hear about how Willie grew up in Brooklyn, in an area filled with gang violence, and how baseball was his way out. It's amazing how a kid who grew up surrounded by such violence has become such a positive, funny, likeable person like Willie. Willie shared about growing up as a Mets fan in New York (I know - we were all surprised), and about his admiration of the legacy of the Yankees and what it meant to be part of the Yankees organization.

Willie talked a lot about his interactions with fellow players and managers, people who mentored him like Roy White, Elston Howard, Yogi Berra, and others. You'll hear about his sadness regarding the loss of Thurman Munson, and his disappointment about being let go by the Yankees after the 1988 season.

(Photo credit:  Ellen Wallop/Yes Network)
You'll watch him play it cool about how he was fired as the Mets manager in the 2008 season, and you'll even watch Michael Kay play it not-so-cool as he expressed his disgust on the way the Mets organization fired him.

All in all, this was a great episode of "CenterStage", and you should make it a point to watch. It is set to premier on August 14th, after the Yankees post-game. If you're too young to remember him playing, or you weren't watching during his playing days, you'll become a fan after watching this.

Thanks to the YES Network for the access, we appreciate it!

 

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row



 
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THE FIGHT FOR YANKEE CATCHER IS ON!

The race for the starting catcher role of the Yankees is on, and this is going to be a pivotal role for the team. After the loss of Russell Martin, the Yankees had to scramble to fill this role with blowing the budget, and they are in camp with four contenders. Francisco Cervelli, who was the backup to Jorge Posada and Russell Martin from 2008 through 2011, fell off the pace in 2012 and is looking to make a comeback in 2013. Chris Stewart, a career journeyman and Martin's backup last year, is looking for his first starter role at the age of 31. Austin Romine, at age 24 with little major league experience, is the bright future star who is viewed as a serious contender for the starting catcher in a few years. Finally, there is Bobby Wilson, who the Yankees signed for insurance and is getting a look this spring.

Most people underestimate this aspect of the game, but the catcher is involved in almost every play of every game. They call every pitch, they hold every runner, and they block the plate on every close scoring play. It is a tough physical position, usually requiring more off-days than other field positions. Therefore, Joe Girardi is right to focus on the defense aspect of the role.

Still, this is a departure from the function that Yankee catchers have played for the last two decades, having been spoiled by the offensive productivity of the likes of Russell Martin, Jorge Posada, Joe Girardi, Jim Leyritz, and Mike Stanley. In fact, most Yankees World Series teams had strong bats at the backstop (think Thurman Munson, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, and Bill Dickey).

When thinking about catching defense, you think primarily about three things. First, how well do they call a game? Second, how well do they handle difficult pitches? Finally, how well do they stop the runner on first from taking second? So how do the current contenders stack up?

Francisco Cervelli can call a decent game. Pitchers had an ERA of 3.50 when he caught them in 2011 and 4.04 in 2010. For the most part, it will be the same pitchers this year, so it looks like he can handle the current roster of pitchers. This is good news for him. As far as handling difficult pitches, he only has five passed balls in his entire career (over 1300.1 innings). It makes him a reliable backstop. However, throwing runners out runners at second is where he fails significantly. Since he had hardly any major league experience in 2012, I am looking at 2011 and 2010. In 2011, he allowed 24 stolen bases out of 28 attempts. In 2011, he allowed 55 stolen bases out of 64 attempts. If I am an opposing manager, and I have a few good base runners, I am sending the runner from first as often as I can. This can create a real liability on defense, and if Cervelli wants to make a run for the starting catcher spot, he needs to improve his arm strength and mechanics.

Chris Stewart is known as a primarily defense catcher. In 2012, Yankee pitchers had an ERA of 3.42 when he was catching, which is comparable to Cervelli. In 2011, for the Giants, his pitchers' ERA was 2.74. Having to face American League hitting can probably account for the increase in 2012, but you can see that he calls a good game. He allowed eight passed balls over 395 innings in 2012, which is above average, but not terribly off the charts. He may have had an off-year in that category, as he came into the season with 5 passed balls over about 600 innings in his career coming into last season. Therefore, the expectation is that he will be able to handle pitches. He threw out about a third of the base runners attempting to steal, which is above the American League average for qualified catchers. The conclusion is that he is a very good defensive catcher. The problem is his bat. Can Joe Girardi swallow having a career .217 hitter in the lineup every day? Granted, he did improve his average last year to .244, but you have to wonder how Joe will handle him in a lineup that is clearly lower on power and higher on contact and speed.

Austin Romine is a great rookie coming up through the system, known for his defense skills much more than his hitting skills. At 24 years of age, he has some time to build his game-calling skills and his hitting. He has a great opportunity this spring to show off his progress and create a good impression to Yankee management. At the same time, he is probably only getting this opportunity because the catching spot is so fluid right now. He got some looks last September, and his defense was very good in some spots, but it is obvious that he is not yet ready for the majors. Bobby Wilson is another career journeyman who is getting a look this spring. He will be turning 30 this April, he has never hit .230 for any season, and he has never started 60 games in a season. If the Yankees had only one option at catcher, he might be able to fill a backup role. Nevertheless, on this team, at best he is the backup to the backup, and is unlikely to get serious consideration for a spot on the 25-man roster.

I do not pretend to have the ability to read Joe Girardi's mind, but if it were I, I would carry both Cervelli and Stewart and mix/match as the season goes on. Realistically, Stewart is the one who will probably get more of the starts and be pinch-hit for in close games with runners on. Then the Yankees will need another reliable backstop on the bench - probably Cervelli. Both have an opportunity to make a case for themselves. Stewart needs to improve his hitting enough that he is not an automatic out. Cervelli will need to improve his arm strength and his mind-set towards the game. By his own admission, he went into a tailspin last year with is approach, and he is looking to make a better showing this year. Personally, I am rooting for Cervelli, because I liked how he played with fire in his belly in 2011. However, both of them fighting for that spot by improving their respective weak points will be great for the Yankees. The Yankees will surely need that this year.

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon

My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row

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