View Full Version : August 2, 1979: 30 years later (Thurman Memories)
MunsonNY15
07-28-09, 08:06 PM
I know this thread might be a few days premature, but I saw this diary on yesnetwork.com and thought I'd share the link. Ray Negron, who was a batboy in the 70s and still works for the Yankees today, is sharing his memories of Thurman in five installments on the YES site, beginning today.
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090727&content_id=6087874&oid=36019&vkey=4
Personally, I can't believe that Sunday will be 30 years since Thurman died. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. I was only 11 years old, but it was one of my first "where were you when" moments.
This week is also sort of eerie for me. I've told this story on this site before, but my very first MLB game was August 1, 1979 (Yankees vs. White Sox at Comiskey Park). It, of course, turned out to be Thurman's last game. Where will I be on Saturday, August 1, 2009? At US Cellular watching the Yankees and White Sox.
I only got to see Thurman play in person that one time and he didn't catch nor did he play the whole game. But he was still my favorite player and, quite frankly, the reason I became a Yankees fan.
I'd love to read stories and memories from others about Thurman. Share your thoughts everyone!
Heidi
BRNXBMRS
07-29-09, 08:04 AM
When I was a kid I had a plastic/rubber squeeky catcher doll, that I named Thurman Munson.
The day he died I was helping my dad cut the lawn and my mom yelled out the door that Thurman munson had died.
The first game that I went to in the revamped Stadium in 77, we were sitting in the bleachers and Thurman hit a homer that went about three rows over our heads.
Casey37
07-29-09, 11:31 AM
To be young and inexperienced. At the time of his untimely death, I remember being somewhat pissed at Thurman for actively seeking a trade to the Indians so he could be closer to his family. I just couldn't picture him wearing any other uniform but the Pinstripes. Needless to say, all the hard feelings went away as soon as I heard the news from my old boss, a diehard Orioles fan. What a sad day that was.
MunsonNY15
07-29-09, 03:32 PM
Here's the second installement of Ray Negron's diary:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090727&content_id=6088692&oid=36019&vkey=4
Heidi
sweet_lou_14
07-29-09, 06:27 PM
I am very fortunate in that there were no deaths in my family throughout my entire childhood. I had a great-grandmother who lived until she was 99 and I was 27. All four of my grandparents lived until I was 30+. (One is still going!)
I was 9 years old and sitting on the lower bunk in the bedroom I shared with my little brother, playing with my Topps baseball cards, when my mom came in to tell me the news. I was absolutely crushed. It was the closest thing to a death in the family that I ever experienced as a child, and it has always stayed with me.
Can't believe it's been 30 years.
LongtimeNYYFan
07-29-09, 06:37 PM
I was in my 30's when he died. I'd seen plenty of mega stars growing up as a Yankees fan. He quickly became my favorite of all time. When ABC TV (I think) showed the game against the Orioles after his funeral, my wife and I sat in front of our little color TV and I cried my eyes out.
After I had some time to digest what had happened I actually was PO'd at him for dying the way he did. But then I realized he died doing what he loved to do and he just wanted to get home to see his family as quickly as possible.
Romeo the Yankee
07-30-09, 09:42 AM
Thurman may be gone but he will never be forgotten
CTYANKEE
07-30-09, 09:44 AM
I was only 13, and up to that point it was the worst day of my life. I remember playing outside with one of my friends when his mom told us the news. I cried all the way home, and to this day I still tear up when I see old footage of Thurman. He was and still is my baseball hero.
I will never forget that day or #15. Thurman played the game the way it should be played. 30 years goes so fast. I was 11 and spent that afternoon riding bikes with my best friend Brian. We got back to his house and heard the news. 11 year old boys are taught not to cry but we loved the Yanks and that rule was broken for the rest of that tragic day.
ymike673
07-30-09, 02:25 PM
I know this thread might be a few days premature, but I saw this diary on yesnetwork.com and thought I'd share the link. Ray Negron, who was a batboy in the 70s and still works for the Yankees today, is sharing his memories of Thurman in five installments on the YES site, beginning today.
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090727&content_id=6087874&oid=36019&vkey=4
Personally, I can't believe that Sunday will be 30 years since Thurman died. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. I was only 11 years old, but it was one of my first "where were you when" moments.
This week is also sort of eerie for me. I've told this story on this site before, but my very first MLB game was August 1, 1979 (Yankees vs. White Sox at Comiskey Park). It, of course, turned out to be Thurman's last game. Where will I be on Saturday, August 1, 2009? At US Cellular watching the Yankees and White Sox.
I only got to see Thurman play in person that one time and he didn't catch nor did he play the whole game. But he was still my favorite player and, quite frankly, the reason I became a Yankees fan.
I'd love to read stories and memories from others about Thurman. Share your thoughts everyone!
Heidi
Back in 1994 MSG replayed Munson's last game. It was the White Sox broadcast. of the game. YES should try to find it and air it this Saturday.
Born in the Bronx
07-30-09, 03:47 PM
I've attended numerous Opening Day, Playoff, and World Series games at Yankee Stadium over the past 35 years, but by far my greatest Yankee Stadium memory is August 6th, 1979.
As most people know, Bobby Murcer delivered one of the eulogies at Thurman Munson's funeral earlier in the day, then knocked in all 5 runs in a stirring 5-4 comeback victory over the Orioles (on national television) that night.
My father and I (I was 11 years old) got to the park early for batting practice. The stands were pretty full, but the mood was very somber. Most of the people in the stands were talking about Thurman Munson (mostly in hushed tones), many were crying.
Ken Singleton played RF that night for the Orioles. He was very friendly with the fans before the game. He shagged fly balls, and purposely botched some of the balls to give everyone a laugh. I remember thinking that he seemed like a really nice guy.
The Yankees were down 4-0 in the 7th inning. Bobby Murcer came up with two runners on and drilled a home run to right field to make it a 4-3 game. My father and I were sitting in the RF stands. As the home run ball sailed over our heads, I briefly contemplated throwing my glove at the ball ( in those days, I brought my glove to every game) to knock it down, but chickened out at the last second. I'll never forget the vision of the laces on the ball spinning as it whizzed right over us!
When Murcer came up in the 9th inning with two runners in scoring position and the Yankees still trailing 4-3, everyone in the park just knew that he would get a hit to win the game. When he did just that, nobody was surprised.
After the game ended, the fans in the stadium didn't want to leave. Everyone just kept clapping for Bobby (and for Thurman). A little while later, Bobby came on to the field (in his socks) to a thunderous ovation.
Despite the fact that the outcome had very little effect on the standings (1979 was just not the Yankees year), this game provided me with a wonderful and lasting memory.
TinoFan84
07-30-09, 04:00 PM
I was only 13, and up to that point it was the worst day of my life. I remember playing outside with one of my friends when his mom told us the news. I cried all the way home, and to this day I still tear up when I see old footage of Thurman. He was and still is my baseball hero.
I too, was 13 years old when he died, I was away at 4-H Camp and when my mom came to pick me up she told me. I cried all the way home, clipped every article I could find on it from my local paper (which wasn't much considering the "local" paper was from Cumberland, MD - I grew up in WV), and cried myself to sleep for at least a week.
I too, still tear up at times when I hear people talk about Thurman or I see footage of the crash. He was and still is my all time favorite Yankee (despite the Tino in my screen name). I have what my 6 year old calls my "Yankee Room" at home which has all my baseball stuff in it (not that there's that much) but two of my favorite items are a framed montage of Thurman photos and an autographed framed photo of Thurman barrelling into Carlton Fisk at home plate (my boss got this for me, knowing what a big Munson fan I am).
I still miss him.
MunsonNY15
07-30-09, 04:01 PM
Here's part 3 of Ray's diary:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090728&content_id=6105136&oid=36019&vkey=4
I'm really enjoying everyone's memories. Keep them coming!
Heidi
Smoothe
07-30-09, 05:34 PM
I was 10 and playing outside at the time. A friend came out and said that he grandmother heard that Thurman died in a plane crash. Initially I didn't believe him as he had wild imagination and would say anything. But I did go inside and ask my parents if they heard that "anyone famous" died. Just then the story came on the news and I was crushed.
I went upstairs to my room and tried unsuccessfully to keep from crying. My parents came up but that just set me off even more.
When they played the tribute at the Stadium, I watched on TV and lost it again. To this day, there's a profound sadness when I think of it. It truly was a milestone event in my life.
My late Dad was a Red Sox fan. Avidly watching the Yanks on WPIX growing up, I had to put up with his joking and the nicknames he had for the various Yankees. Thurman was "Grandpa" because he took so much time at the plate adjusting his batting gloves, etc. I wish they were both here so I could experience that one more time.
cupcollector99
07-30-09, 08:48 PM
We were getting ready to move and I was hanging at my friend's house, in his basement playing w/baseball cards the day it happened.
MunsonNY15
07-31-09, 11:13 AM
Here's part 4:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090728&content_id=6105474&oid=36019&vkey=4
Heidi
MunsonNY15
08-01-09, 10:33 AM
And here's the final installment of Ray's diary:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090728&content_id=6105658&oid=36019&vkey=4
Heidi
Yankees Empire
08-01-09, 11:10 AM
Heidi,
I, too, can recall where I was when I heard of Thurman's untimely passing. I was also 11 at the time.
Thurman was the reason I wanted to play catcher and wear #15 in Little League. He is, despite my growing up far away from New York (Southern California) one of the major reasons why I started following the Yankees.
I'll never forget his hustle and excellent play, much of the time despite awful pain. I remember being very disappointed watching the Reds dominate the Yankees in the '76 World Series but telling myself "Yeah, but Thurman was incredible."
I think of him often. Our Captain will never be forgotten.
Jersey Yankee
08-02-09, 04:12 AM
Very sad day when this happened. Truly upset me very much. I was just watching the TV at the time then the news flash came over how he died in that plane.
Yogi is doing something at his Museum today from 2-5pm.
http://www.yogiberramuseum.org/events/269
R-I-P :( :( :(
I cannot believe that thirty years have passed already! Thurman Munson was part of the reason I started following the Yankees in the mid-70's. I was crushed when he died.
He'll never be forgotten.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/08/02/2009-08-02_the_mourning_after_munsons_death.html
I can't believe it's 30 years...RIP, Oh Captain, my captain.
Faith. You gotta have faith.
You know, they say time heals all wounds,
And I don't quite agree with that a hundred percent.
It gets you to cope with wounds.
You carry them the rest of your life.
-Phil Rizzutto
August 3, 1979
Baltimore at New York
Pregame show
Rocketbooster
08-02-09, 12:08 PM
Heidi, thanks for posting the links to Negron's diary -I’m tearing up. I was only 8 at the time – and unfortunately don’t remember Thurman. My heart breaks for the family Thurman left behind, both his real and his baseball family. I remember when Cory Lidle was killed – and when his sons threw out the first pitch not long after. Boy, it really puts things in perspective. We criticize and bash players to no end, but it’s still just a game – they are still human beings.
Murcer1
08-02-09, 05:43 PM
Faith. You gotta have faith.
You know, they say time heals all wounds,
And I don't quite agree with that a hundred percent.
It gets you to cope with wounds.
You carry them the rest of your life.
-Phil Rizzutto
August 3, 1979
Baltimore at New York
Pregame show
Scooter was so right. It's been 30 years and I've never gotten over this. I've learned to live with it, but I've never gotten over it. And I never will.
yankeeman61
08-02-09, 05:49 PM
Thurman was a special player. When he arrived it gave Yankee fans hope. He was perfect for New York. He didn't give a rat's ass if he was booed. He was a grumpy, tough bastard and a great leader. I remember attending a game in 1976 against Boston. For historical reference, this was the night before the big brawl when Piniella crashed into Fisk and Nettles punched out Bill Lee. Ultimately in this game Kerry Dineen drove in the walk-off (before it was known as a walk-off) hit in extra innings.
That night Thurman's knees were aching so Billy gave him a "break" and put him in LF. And as it goes in baseball, they found him out there as he botched a play and let in a run. As only Yankee fans will do he was loudly booed even though he was playing out of position. Late in the game he got a big base hit to tie it and as he went back out to LF he received a standing ovation. Thurm just calmly shook his head and gave the fans a casual crossing- the-arms" up yours" sign. He was cheered even louder. Thurman was greatly loved by Yankee fans. He was like a close family member and when he died part of us died with him. I've shared this before, but about a year earlier I had a vivid dream that Thurm had died in a plane crash. On the day it happened I was 19 years old and was sitting with my Dad when the special news report popped on the TV screen. As we both sat there in eerie disbelief I actually felt tremendous heartache for the first time in my life. It really felt like I had lost a family member. That's how much Thurman meant to me. I wore his number and played his position through high school, college and 2 years of pro ball. I will never forget him and I will always have a treasure of great memories, which has taken 30 years to surpass the pain of losing him.
Jersey Yankee
08-02-09, 06:58 PM
As originally published in August 2004 (this is a 10-page article):
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/08/02/alg_munson-action.jpg
Yankee catcher Thurmon Munson dies before his time. His last words to
his two friends also in the plane are: "Are you guys okay?"
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/08/02/amd_munson-frontpage.jpg
Daily News front page dated Friday,
August 3, 1979
25 years later, Thurman Munson's last words remain a symbol of his life (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/08/02/2009-08-02_thurman_munsons_final_hours.html)
CANTON, Ohio - Six hundred feet short of the runway and decades before his time, Thurman Lee Munson died a quarter of a century ago in the fiery wreckage of a blue pinstriped jet. He was 32 years old. Munson was not planning to fly that day. He was not even going to keep the jet, a $1.4 million Cessna Citation he'd bought three weeks earlier so he could spend more time with his family. It was too powerful, too sophisticated, too much plane for him. "People who know anything about flying and aviation knew this was nuts," Diana Munson says.
She is sitting in a booth in a Bob Evans restaurant, drinking an ice tea, talking about the catcher who was the Yankee captain, the scruffy and gruff and squat-bodied anchor of back-to-back world championship clubs, and about the man of much more enduring achievement, the husband who made sure he gave his children tenderness and love, because his own childhood included neither.
Thurman Munson made a series of fatal mistakes in the last moments of his life; so says the accident report from the National Transportation Safety Board. He was also a hero in the last moments of his life, says Jerry Anderson, who survived the crash and believes he owes his life to Munson's poise and tenacity.
"He flew that plane right to the ground," Anderson says. "He never gave up. The same attitude that he took to the plate in the ninth inning of a 3-3 game is what saved my life."
The afternoon of Aug. 2, 1979 brought cool air and broken clouds, and the most jarring tragedy in the 101-year history of baseball's most fabled franchise. It was an off-day, a Thursday. This is the story of Thurman Munson's last hour, and of the man he was.
3:00 p.m. Thurman Munson is back at Akron Canton Regional Airport, after having lunch with his father-in-law, Tony Dominick. Munson had flown in the night before from Chicago, following a game with the White Sox. He drives over in his Mercedes 450, a cigar in his mouth and John Denver - not the usual Neil Diamond tape - rocking in the cassette player. It will be a short stay; he doesn't even lock the car. He and Diana are scheduled to meet around 4 p.m. at the office of a business associate who wants to dedicate a new road in Munson's honor. Munson tells Diana he's just going to check out a few things with the plane.
Munson has been flying for about 18 months, and is completely smitten with it. He loves the peace and solitude of flight, the lightness that comes with lifting off the ground. He is a private man, fiercely loyal to family and friends, but one who barricades himself from most of the world, with his gruffness and wariness. When you grow up in a home where there's no Christmas and no toys but a lot of criticism, you learn to build walls fast. Darrell Munson, Thurman's father, was a long-distance trucker.
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/08/02/alg_munson-grief.jpg
On Aug. 3, 1979, Jerry Narron (in catcher's equipment) shares
moment of silence with teammates and coaches...
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/08/02/amd_munson-portrait.jpg
... before taking over behind the
plate for Thurman Munson ...
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/08/02/amd_munson-crash.jpg
Courtesy Akron Canton Airport/AP
... who had died a day earlier in
horrific plane crash.
Jerry Narron recalls night he replaced Thurman Munson for Yankees (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/08/02/2009-08-02_the_mourning_after_munsons_death.html)
In the summer of 1979, Jerry Narron was thrust into the darkest moment in Yankee history.
It was Aug. 3, one day after Yankee captain Thurman Munson was killed in a plane crash in Canton, Ohio.
"I caught the night before his accident and I caught the night after it," Narron said. "It was very tough for everybody. It was like losing somebody in your family. It was a very difficult time for everybody. It was difficult for the players, but even more so for his family. Everyone's thoughts and prayers were with his family during that time. That was more important than anyone worrying about the ballclub."
Munson was killed 30 years ago today while practicing a series of touch-and-go landings in his private plane, a $1.4 million Cessna Citation he had bought three weeks earlier. Munson, who had been flying for about 18 months and falling in love with his new skill, had bought the plane so he could spend more time with his family. But the worst happened that Thursday afternoon, sending shockwaves through baseball. The next night, Billy Martin penciled in Narron to replace the fallen Yankee catcher.
And as the Yankees were preparing to play the Orioles in their first game without their captain, the starters took their place on the field as Robert Merrill sang the national anthem. All the starters, except for Narron. The catcher's spot remained empty. At the conclusion of the song, the crowd of 51,151 was asked for a moment of silence as a tribute to Munson as Narron waited near the dugout. That moment quickly morphed into a loud and sustained outpouring of love for Munson.
"It was supposed to be a couple of minutes of silence and it turned into a loud standing ovation that lasted what seemed like 20 minutes," Narron said. (In reality, it was about 9-10 minutes). "It was so difficult to go out and play that night, but everyone was a professional and we knew we had to go out and do our jobs."
Narron eventually took his position behind the plate and went 0-for-2 in the game, a 1-0 loss to the first-place Orioles, as Scott McGregor defeated Luis Tiant.
Narron, who also played for the Mariners and Angels and had managerial stints with the Rangers and Reds, is currently out of baseball for the first time in 35 years. But his love of the game continues in his home state of North Carolina.
Narron returned to the Bronx last month for Old-Timers' Day.
MunsonNY15
08-02-09, 07:03 PM
I also posted this in the Good Yankees Books forum, but ESPN.com has an excerpt from Marty Appel's book, Munson: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain. Good book, especially for anyone who is a fan of that Yankees era.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4370044&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines
Heidi
MunsonNY15
08-02-09, 08:15 PM
Here's a Q&A with Joe Girardi about Munson:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090801&content_id=6187958&oid=36019&vkey=4
And to some other remembrances on the YES site:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090801&content_id=6187958&oid=36019&vkey=4
There's an insert in both of the above links for some additional interviews and videos.
Heidi
machphantom
08-02-09, 08:18 PM
As an adolescent 20 year old, I must say it's a shame that I was never able to watch him play in an Old Timers' Game. I'll always hear the stories, and watch the old highlights, but it's obvious that he was taken from us far too early.
steveatrich
08-03-09, 10:42 AM
First saw him in 1968 when the Binghamton club played a game in Yankee Stadium before the Yankee game. He was highly touted and got a lot of attention from the fans. I was at the game the night of the funeral and it is still vivid in my memory. The catcher spot left empty for the National Anthem, the long ovation from the crowd and the magical ending of the game. One of my most beloved moments from 50 years of Yankee games.
ymike673
08-03-09, 01:30 PM
I was at Munson's first game. The second game of a DH on Aug.8,1969. Even then you knew he was going to be the Yankees next great catcher. I saved the news story about his first game and had planned to bring it to the Stadium to show to my friends on the tenth anniversary of that game. Sadly it was not to be.
TinoFan84
08-03-09, 06:00 PM
MLB Network just did a nice little tribute to him ... it was mostly Marty Appel but they did have quotes from Diana, Bobby Murcer, Lou Pinella ... and yes, 30 years later, I cried again.
I miss you Thurman!
CTYANKEE
08-03-09, 06:37 PM
MLB Network just did a nice little tribute to him ... it was mostly Marty Appel but they did have quotes from Diana, Bobby Murcer, Lou Pinella ... and yes, 30 years later, I cried again.
I miss you Thurman!
I missed it!! I hope they have a replay later.
RIP Thurman...You'll never be forgotten!!
machphantom
08-03-09, 06:52 PM
This needs to go on the clipboard in the Yankees locker room this weekend. It's so horrifically disgusting, it has really lowered my respect for Red Sox fans: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=47865
StingrayJG
08-03-09, 07:21 PM
This needs to go on the clipboard in the Yankees locker room this weekend. It's so horrifically disgusting, it has really lowered my respect for Red Sox fans: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=47865
Dude, bad taste doesn't even begin to describe this. I can't believe someone would take pleasure in Thurman's death like this. This really sinks to a new low. If the shoe was on another foot and a Red Sox player, no matter how hated or despised by us, perished in an accident, I would never make fun of it like these unbelievable a-holes are doing.
I'm not going to assume all Sox fans think this way, in fact I know they don't. But this guy who typed this and those who are egging him on and going along with it in the post are just horrible people that I actually feel sorry for. Then they go after Cory Lidle? Why? I mean it's just so amazing that some people think like this and think this kind of stuff is funny.
I realize none of this happens between the players, this is strictly a fans thing, but if I was a Yankee player and I got wind of this, it would really fire me up for this weekend. I would want to thump them every game by like ten runs every night. Even the younger players have probably had a chance to meet Diane Munson by now and have to feel touched by Thurman even if they never got a chance to see him play. I would take very personal offense to this if I were them and make it reflect in my play on the field much more than my words. You know what they say, success is the best revenge.
Just unbelievable.
So some Sox fans will come into this thread and claim that Yankee fans are the same as Red Sox fans. They (he) will post links of a Yankee fan posting stupid crap.
In my 33 years of following the Yankees and maybe 15 years posting on boards, or since their inception, I have NEVER seen a Yankee fan...on ANY BOARD, moderated or not, laugh or joke at a player's disease or death. Even when Lester was sick...I saw NOT ONE post poking fun at his misfortune. Every post I read was sympathetic.
When Mo's cousins were tragically killed, I was shocked & dismayed to read all the "jokes" making fun of Mo on that board.
Truly sickening.
MunsonNY15
08-03-09, 09:31 PM
This needs to go on the clipboard in the Yankees locker room this weekend. It's so horrifically disgusting, it has really lowered my respect for Red Sox fans: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=47865
Consider the source. That site is a sewer.
Heidi
Consider the source. That site is a sewer.
Heidi
Exactly
Sandman
08-04-09, 12:09 AM
Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post tells a great story:
Anyone who was an AL East fan in the 70's will probably remember Mark Belanger, shortstop for the Orioles. Belanger was the epitome of great field, no hit. (Sadly, he also left us too early...)
Anyway, Belanger was nicknamed Blade, and when he would bat against the Yanks with Thurman catching, Thurman loved to unnerve him. "Hi Blaaaade, how's it going? How's the family? blah blah blah ..."
Finally, Belanger had had enough. "Thurman, I'm hitting .230 and haven't had a decent shot in a week. Please knock it off." "I'm so sorry, Blade, I didn't realize how it was getting to you." The rest of the at bat was silence.
Next time around the order, "Hi Blaaaade, how's it going?...."
May they rest in peace and live forever, in our hearts and in that Great Ballpark in the Sky....
TinoFan84
08-04-09, 08:34 AM
That's funny ... sounds just like what I would expect of Thurman ... they just don't make 'em like him anymore.
ymike673
08-04-09, 11:46 AM
Great story! Thanks for passing it on.
Sandman
08-04-09, 10:24 PM
It's a non-sequiter, but the best quote from that era was by Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan:
"Yankee Stadium is so tough, they have to lock the doors on the bullpen cart."
Yankees13
08-04-09, 10:30 PM
This needs to go on the clipboard in the Yankees locker room this weekend. It's so horrifically disgusting, it has really lowered my respect for Red Sox fans: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=47865
I was thinking the same thing about bulletin board material. Obviously none of the current Yankees knew Thurman, but I think a lot of them have respect for his legacy. But really the players can't be concerned about what the scum say, it has to be bulletin board material for us, the fans. We need to make the new Stadium as hostile and intimidating as the old Stadium ever was this weekend.
VoteThurmanIn
08-07-09, 04:37 AM
I redesigned the front page of my website a bit. I added some facts to the scrolling feature. Some are little known facts.
1) Thurman Munson's Lifetime Batting Average was .292
2) Munson's Lifetime Batting Average was higher than 8 HOF Catchers
Some Hall of Fame Catcher Lifetime Batting Averages:
Schalk .253 Fisk .260 Carter .262 Bench .267 Campanella .276"
3) Munson was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1970
4) Thurman was the 1976 American League Most Valuable Player
5) Munson was an American League All-Star catcher 7 times
6) Thurman has a World Series Batting Average of .373
7) Munson hit over the .300 mark five times in his career
8) Thurman was a 3 Time Gold Glove Winner
9) Thurman was NEVER on the Disabled List and NEVER took Steroids
ymike673
08-07-09, 10:37 AM
I redesigned the front page of my website a bit. I added some facts to the scrolling feature. Some are little known facts.
1) Thurman Munson's Lifetime Batting Average was .292
2) Munson's Lifetime Batting Average was higher than 8 HOF Catchers
Some Hall of Fame Catcher Lifetime Batting Averages:
Schalk .253 Fisk .260 Carter .262 Bench .267 Campanella .276"
3) Munson was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1970
4) Thurman was the 1976 American League Most Valuable Player
5) Munson was an American League All-Star catcher 7 times
6) Thurman has a World Series Batting Average of .373
7) Munson hit over the .300 mark five times in his career
8) Thurman was a 3 Time Gold Glove Winner
9) Thurman was NEVER on the Disabled List and NEVER took Steroids
You should add that Thurman batted .300 and drove in 100 runs three consecutive seasons (1975-77). Before Thurman you have to go back to the 1930's to find another catcher who acomplished that.
In 1971 Thurman made one error (on a collision at home plate) He did not win the Gold Glove that season.
VoteThurmanIn
08-07-09, 10:58 AM
You should add that Thurman batted .300 and drove in 100 runs three consecutive seasons (1975-77). Before Thurman you have to go back to the 1930's to find another catcher who acomplished that. Thanks for the suggestion. Actually I do have the information on the 2nd page of the website. I was thinking of putting that in also but it might be a little long for the scrolling line.
BRNXBMRS
08-07-09, 11:59 AM
This needs to go on the clipboard in the Yankees locker room this weekend. It's so horrifically disgusting, it has really lowered my respect for Red Sox fans: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=47865
First class bunch of a$$holes.
http://www.around-the-horn.com/Uploads/fisk1.jpg
http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/files/cache/thurm-an-fisk-standard-giclee-on-canvas-approx-18x24-300-piece-edition_bc39e1f843473b95619514eb1a98df81.jpg
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